Production of Methotrexate antiserum in rabbits: the significance of immunogen solubility, hapten content, and mode of administration of the antibody response. A method for raising specific antibodies of high avidity against Methotrexate in rabbits is described. The antibody response was tested after intramuscular and after multi-site intradermal adminstration of three different immunogens. Antisera of high specificity and avidity were obtained by multi-site intradermal administration of a water-soluble immunogen with high hapten content (40 mol hapten/mol protein). A water-soluble immunogen with low hapten content (15-18 mol hapten/mol protein) resulted in antisera of high specificity but low avidity. No antibody response was obtained with a water-insoluble immunogen with high hapten content (40 mol hapten/mol protein).


A new principle for simplified and continuous counting of radioactive samples: enclosure between adhesive tapes. Radioactive samples are enclosed between two layers of adhesive, transparent tape. The double-tape is wound into drums and automatically fed through the 4pi counting apparatus. This system reduced the workload of mounting, storage and disposal to less than half and the adhesive tape used is fifteen times cheaper than the disposable plastic counting tubes usually employed. The risk of radioactive contamination is practically excluded.


Effect of sodium salicylate and acetylsalicylic acid on epicardial ST-segment elevation during coronary artery occlusion in dogs. The effect of sodium salicylate and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on myocardial ischaemic injury following acute coronary artery occlusion has been studied in thoracotomized dogs during basal conditions and during elevation of plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentration induced by intravenous (i.v.) infusion of isoprenaline (0.075-0.15 microgram/kg/min). Ischaemic injury was measured as the sum of ST-segment elevations (sigmaST) in epicardial ECG recordings from 10-15 sites 15 min after occlusion. Both sodium salicylate and ASA (60 mg/kg) significantly reduced sigmaST both before and during isoprenaline infusion. Arterial concentrations of FFA were reduced by either drug during isoprenaline infusion, whereas in the basal state only a significant effect by sodium salicylate could be demonstrated. The reduction in epicardial ST-segment elevation during coronary occlusion could not be explained by reduced mechanical activity of the heart. It is suggested that the reduction by salicylates of myocardial ischaemic injury might be related to reduced utilization of FFA by the myocardium, although a FFA-nondependent mechanism cannot be excluded in the basal state.


Effect of acute infectious disease on isometric muscle strength. Isometric strength of different muscle groups was recorded in thiryty-nine patients suffering various acute infectious diseases, predominantly of viral or mycoplasma aetiology. Recordings were performed after subsidence of fever, and 1, and 4 months thereafter. A control group of twenty-two healthy men, confined to bed for the same period of time as the patients, were investigated at the same time intervals. In addition, control measurements were performed after 1 year in the patients, prior to bed rest in the control subjects. As a result of illness muscle strength was decreased significantly to 85.4-95.3% of that recorded at 4 months. In the control subjects strength did not change significantly, the corresponding percentages being 96.3-102.5. Thus, the present data indicate that these illnesses in themselves may bring about isometric muscle strength reduction.


Fat cell size and blood lactate in humans. Twelve patients randomly selected as regards obesity were investigated. Morphological fat tissue parameters (size and number of adipose cells) were measured together with metabolic parameters in blood (K-value, fasting glucose, lactate, triglyceride, and free fatty acids). A high, positive correlation (0.86) between blood lactate and fat cell size was found. Also serum triglyceride and fat cell size showed a positive correlation (0.64). No correlations were found between fat cell number and the measured metabolic parameters.


Long-term reproducibility of bone mineral content measurements. The long-term reproducibility of bone mineral content (BMC) measurements using two identical equipments for two-dimensional fore-arm scanning, was measured in normal persons and aluminium standards (corresponding to normal persons and severely osteopenic patients). The mean coefficient of variation in normal subjects measured for one year was 1.4%. The data were used to estimate that this equipment can measure BMC in osteopenic patients with a long term reproducibility of 1.7%, which is sufficient for use in the clinically relevant range of calcium balance.


Insensible perspiration from the skin under standardized environmental conditions. The cutaneous insensible perspiration of adult healthy volunteers was measured by a new method based on estimation of the vapour pressure gradient in the air layer immediately adjacent to skin. All measurements were performed at ambient temperatures of 22 degrees, 27 degrees and 30 degrees C and at a relative humidity of 30%. On the basis of the results obtained the total body surface area of the investigated subjects was divided into four different zones with respect to quantitative water loss. The percentage contribution of the different zones to the total cutaneous water loss proved to be fairly independent of the amibent temperature. The average total cutaneous insensible perspiration of a naked resting subject with a body surface area of 1.75 m2 was estimated to be 381 +/- 18, 526 +/- 25 and 695 +/- 35 ml per day (mean values +/- SEE) at an ambient temperature of 22 degrees C, 27 degrees C and 30 degrees C, respectively. By recording the evaporation rate from only three separate measurement points, it was possible to calculate the total cutaneous insensible water loss with good accuracy.


Effect of sites of blood sampling in determination of the galactose elimination capacity. The galactose elimination capacity was calculated from both arterial and capillary or peripheral venous curves in twenty patients. The capillary curves on the average were delayed 1.4 min in relation to the arterial curves. No significant difference was found between the calculated galactose elimination capacity from either curve. On the average the slope of the venous curves was smaller than that of the arterial curve, and their time delay was very variable (from 1.55 to 5.27 min). Galactose elimination capacity calculated from venous curves was smaller than those calculated from arterial curves, especially in patients with a high galactose elimination capacity. Capillary blood sampling may replace arterial puncture for routine use, whereas venous blood sampling introduces a significant bias.


Identification of glutamine as a hepatic factor which influence the synthesis of collagen by freshly isolated fibroblasts. Earlier we have found that 35,000 g supernatants of liver homogenates from both normal and hypercholesterolaemic rats stimulate the synthesis of collagen by freshly isolated fibroblasts. Supernatants from the fatty livers of hypercholesterolaemic rats showed greater stimulation. In the present study we fractionated the 35,000 g supernatants using gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, paper electrophoresis and paper chromatography. One of the stimulating factors turned out to be glutamine. However, the concentration of glutamine was the same in normal and fatty livers suggesting that glutamine is not responsible for the greater stimulating activity found in the 35,000 g supernatants from fatty livers. Authentic glutamine increased the synthesis of collagen by 40% at a concentration of 40 mumol/l but inhibited it 80% at 4 mmol/l, which is widely used in cell culture media. There, the concentration of glutamine should be controlled carefully in tests for collagen synthesis in vitro.


Urinary excretion of position isomers of penta-and hexa-carboxylated porphyrins belonging to the isomer III series in a case of congenital erythropoietic porphyria. The excretion of position isomers of penta- and hexa-carboxylated porphyrins type III in the urine in a case of congenital erythropoietic porphyria characterized by the excretion of large amounts of penta-, hexa- and hepta-carboxylated porphyrins type III together with isocoproporphyrins both in the urine and faeces, and a simple method for the synthesis and separation of such position isomers has been described. The implications of the finding of position isomers type III have been discussed and it is suggested that the decarboxylation of uroporphyrinogen III both in the present case and under physiological conditions is a random process.


Folate binding by human milk protein.

Folate binding by human milk protein. Human whey was subjected to gel chromatography. Two folate binding protein fractions wer eluted: a major one (Mr congruent to 30,000) and a minor one (Mr greater than 200,000). The former folate binding fraction (FB) could be isolated from whey by means of ion exchange chromatography. Equilibrium dialysis experiments with whey and isolated FB indicated the existence of cooperatively interacting sites in folate binding. The folate analogue methotrexate inhibited folate binding. Inhibition was apparently of a competitive type since methotrexate did not reduce maximum binding capacity. Cooperativity was lost in the presence of methotrexate. Binding affinity was inversely proportional to the concentration of FB suggesting involvement of a polymerizing protein system in binding. None of the other fractions eluted on the ion exchange column could bind folate.


Parathyroid hormone in serum during lithium therapy. In ten patients parathyroid hormone, urinary calcium excretion, and fractional tubular reabsorption of calcium were determined at intervals during three months of lithium treatment. Parathyroid hormone increased more than 40% within the first week and remained elevated throughout the treatment period. Calcium excretion fell by more than 30% within the first week and remained low throughout the treatment period. The reduction in urinary calcium excretion could be accounted for by an increase in fractional tubular reabsorption of calcium. There were no significant changes in serum calcium and inorganic phosphate or in urinary inorganic phosphate. The results indicate that lithium treatment affects the hormonal regulation of calcium metabolism.


Determination of serum proxiphylline by high-pressure liquid chromatography. A specific, simple and rapid high-pressure liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the quantitation of proxiphylline in serum. Other methylated xanthines, and a variety of drugs commonly used in the treatment of obstructive lung diseases, do not interfere with the analysis. Protein precipitation with trichloroacetic acid is the only pre-treatment of the sample required before injection. The time necessary to analyse one serum sample is half an hour including sample preparation, chromatographic running and calculation of the drug concentration. The method can therefore be used as an emergency analysis. The detection limit of proxiphylline is 50 pmol injected into the chromatotograph, and as little as 10 microliter serum can be analysed. The method can also be used for the quantitation of theophylline.


Kinetics of ethanol inhibition of galactose elimination in perfused pig liver. The effect of ethanol (5--25 mM) on the galactose elimination kinetics in the intact liver was studied in the isolated perfused pig liver, using the steady-state infusion technique. Ethanol reduced galactose-Vmax on average to 0.07 mmol/min kg liver in six experiments from 0.43 mmol/min kg obtained in control experiments without ethanol. Also Km was significantly reduced from 0.23 mmol/l plasma water to 0.03 mmol/l. Ethanol increased UDP-galactose ten-fold simultaneous with a rise in hepatic outflow ratio of lactate to pyruvate to about 300 from 10; this indicates that ethanol inhibits epimerase. In experiments with increasing galactose elimination rates, the concentration of galactose-1-P increased much less than the concentration of galactose, and the phosphorylation of galactose therefore seems to be rate-limiting. In vitro galactokinase is inhibited by galactose-1-P. In the present study ethanol increased galactose-1-P five to ten times, and the reduction of Vmax and Km by ethanol could be explained by uncompetitive inhibition by galactose-1-P with Ki about 0.1 mmol/l. Ethanol decreased UDP-glucose to about 40% and UTP to less than 5%, probably due to trapping as UDP-galactose. This may depress the forward transferase reaction, and therefore the other co-substrate galactose-1-P rises--and inhibits galactokinase.


Carotid baroreceptor function in hypertensive patients. Carotid baroreceptor function has been studied in twenty-five patients with essential hypertension and in ten normotensive control subjects of corresponding age. The carotid baroreceptors were stimulated by increasing the transmural pressure over the carotid arteries by the application of negative pressure in a box enclosing the neck. Stimulation elicited significant decreases in intra-arterial blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac index in both hypertensive and normotensive subjects. Both groups also showed a significant decrease in stroke index and a significant increase in total peripheral vascular resistance index. The response to carotid sinus stimulation did not differ significantly between the two groups. In fourteen of the hypertensive subjects, carotid baroreceptor function was studied after 4 months of saluretic therapy, mefruside, and in nine of these patients after additional treatment with a beta-receptor blocking drug, alprenolol, for another 4 months. Both mefruside and alprenolol induced a significant decrease in mean arterial blood pressure but the response to the carotid baroreceptor stimulation was not significantly altered. The findings indicate that the carotid baroreceptor is re-set to the actual blood pressure level, with little or no change in gain in hypertensive subjects both without and during hypotensive therapy.


The effect of mexiletine on the electrophysical properties of the intact human heart. The effect of an intravenous dose of mexiletine, a new anti-arrhythmic agent, on the electrophysiological properties of the intact human heart was studied in ten subjects with no evidence of cardiovascular disease. Mexiletine produced no significant changes in the sinus node recovery time, the corrected sinus node recovery time or in the atrial, atrio-ventricular and ventricular effective refractory periods. In addition mexiletine had no significant effect on proximal atrioventricular conduction. The drug did, however, prolong atrio-ventricular conduction distal to the bundle of His in all ten subjects by an average of 6 msec. This change was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). The drug is recommended to be used with caution in patients with conduction disturbances.


Relationships between blood pressure, age, plasma renin activity and electrolyte excretion in normotensive subjects. Plasma renin activity (PRA), supine and sitting blood pressure (BP) and urinary sodium and potassium excretion were studied in 120 normotensive subjects aged 22--78 years, during strictly standardized conditions. PRA was measured after 1 h supine rest (basal PRA) after ambulation for 3--4 h (upright PRA) and after stimulation with 80 mg frusemide orally (stimulated PRA). PRA was determined with a new, simple, accurate and sensitive radioimmunoassay method. Supine and sitting systolic BP increased with age but no such correlation was found for the diastolic BP. No correlation could be shown between the BP levels and either the sodium or the potassium excretions. PRA levels increased about two-fold from basal to upright levels and about four-fold from basal levels after stimulation. No differences in mean PRA-levels were seen between males and females. We could not demonstrate any correlations between PRA-levels and 24 h sodium or potassium excretions, nor was there any relationship between age and PRA. Reference ranges are given for basal, upright and stimulated PRA in normotensive subjects. From these reference values a rational and clinically useful subdivision into low, normal and high renin groups can be made for hypertensive patients.


Activation of creatine kinase activity in lyophilized control materials. The activity of creatine kinase in lyophilized control materials has been studied. In most such samples the activity was highly dependent upon time of exposure to the reagent system including the thiol activator, increasing pre-incubation time gave rise to increasing activities of creatine kinase. The increase of the activity could be prevented by reconstitution in presence of a thiol activator. In this way stable control materials was obtained for use in several days.


Unusual congenital coronary arterio-venous fistulae with surgical correction. A typical case of anginal syndrome in a fifty year old male has been described. The underlying lesion was congenital coronary arterio-venous fistula between the left anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery and pulmonary artery. Diagnosis has been made by coronary angiography and proved at operation. The patient underwent successful operation where a multiple fistulous ostia draining into the pulmonary trunk were obliterated by means of extracorporeal circulation. The pertinent literature related to this congenital anomaly and symptomatology has been reviewed.


A solution to preserve the intima when vein grafts are irrigated and/or preserved. It appears that BGI Solution is a satisfactory graft irrigation media and does preserve the intima better than normal saline and as effective as whole blood. It also functions as a media for storage of vein grafts at 0-5 degrees C. Partially supported by grant from Arizona Heart Association.


A synthetic vascular conduit (expanded PTFE) for hemodialysis access--a preliminary report. The short term follow up of the thirteen PTFE synthetic grafts placed in eleven patients for chronic hemodialysis is reported. PTFE graft appears to be a satisfactory alternative to a bovine graft for use as a subcutaneous arteriovenous conduit for hemodialysis. Its resistance to local infection is noteworthy.


Bypass to the tibial and peroneal arteries using the great saphenous vein in situ. In 22 patients with extensive atherosclerotic disease of the lower extremities 24 long bypasses have been performed. The main indications for surgery were rest pain and imminent or manifest gangrene. The semiclosed in situ vein technique was used in all except one case. Five grafts thrombosed within 2 weeks postoperatively, one of them was successfully reopened. At discharge 20 grafts were patent, and most of the patients had relief of their ischemic symptoms. After 5 years 26% of the long vein grafts were patent. In comparison, almost 70% of in situ femoro-popliteal vein grafts were patent. One patient is still living with an open long vein graft 14 years after surgery. The in situ vein technique is especially suited for long bypasses. The poorer results in the present series is probably due to an extremely advanced atherosclerotic disease and a high percent of small fibrotic veins with a diameter of 3 mm or less.


Invasive and noninvasive techniques in the detection and evaluation of acute venous thrombosis. There are a variety of noninvasive testing procedures which can be used to establish the diagnosis of acute venous thrombosis with a high degree of certainty. For prospective screening of patients at risk, only 125I-labelled fibrinogen is of value, but does have a false positive rate of 21%. Its greatest problem is that it must be given prior to the event and, furthermore, it is not accurate in the upper thigh or the region of the iliac veins. Doppler ultrasound, plethysmography and phleborheography are accurate methods of detecting thrombi which involve the major veins of the limb from the level of the tibial veins below the knee to the level of the iliac veins in the abdomen. If properly performed, the sensitivity and specificity should exceed 90% in experienced laboratories. Contrast phlebography remains the best method of demonstrating venous thrombosis but does have limitations with regard to costs, pain to the patient and the production of thrombosis in a small percentage of patients. Furthermore, if the injections are done at the foot level, at least 18% will have inadequate visualization of the iliac veins, a critically important venous segment. It use must be restricted to those situations in which the noninvasive tests are equivocal or the information is absolutely essential for a therapeutic decision.


Acute arterial occlusions.

Acute arterial occlusions. We believe that streptokinase is safe and effective in restoring the patency of arteries that have been acutely occluded by thrombosis or embolization. It should be used on those patients in whom the branches as well as the main conduits are occluded. It should also be used when the risks of surgery are great because of concurrent medical problems. Streptokinase should not be used after major surgery, in patients with blood dyscrasias, or when there are neurologic deficits secondary to the arterial ischemia. Streptokinase should not be considered as an antagonist to arterial surgery with the use of the Fogarty catheter but as an adjunct to the ever increasing armamentarium of the vascular surgeon.


Experience with fibrinolytic therapy of vascular occlusive disease. 1. There may well be a place for streptokinase therapy in selected patients with chronic arterial occlusion, but the emphasis should be on developing information on selection criteria. 2. Efficacy and safety have been established for the use of streptokinase in occluded AV cannulae, but this may be more of historical than contemporary importance. 3. Although more investigation is required to define the role of lytic therapy in retinal vascular occlusion and in the hemolytic uremic syndrome, the preliminary results are encouraging and merit further attention.


[Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and isoenzymes in pig liver during postnatal development]. 1. LDH-activity in the liver of newborn piglets is 4 times that of adult pig sliver and remains relatively constant at this level during the first 3 weeks of life. 2. 90% of LDH is localized in the cytosolic compartment of the liver, independent of age of pigs. 3. In the liver of newborn piglets the isoenzymes LDH-3 and LDH-4 includes the main part of LDH-activity. The typical distribution of LDH isoenzymes in the liver of adult pigs (LDH-3 greater than LDH-2 greater than LDH-1 greater than LDH-4 greater than LDH-5) is already reached in 6-day-old piglets. Afterwards there follows only a decrease of LDH-1. Therefore, during postnatal development a directed shift from M- to H-type of isoenzyme distribution is observed.


[Phospholipid composition and fatty acid patterns of isolated phospholipids from rabbit reticulocyte mitochondria]. The phospholipid composition and fatty acid patterns of individual phospholipid classes were determined in mitochondria from rabbit reticulocytes. Compared to mitochondria from rat liver reticulocyte, mitochondria exhibit about twice the amount of phospholipids. The phospholipid pattern of reticulocyte mitochondria (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol and cardiolipin) is comparable with other mitochondrial species. Mitochondrial fractions from reticulocytes are characterized, however, by an additional content of sphingomyelin. This sphingomyelin differs in its fatty acid composition from the sphingomyelin of the plasma membrane. The fatty acid patterns of all other phospholipids essentially correspond to those of mitochondria from other sources and to those of plasma membranes as well.


Intermittent treatment with streptokinase in arterial disease of the limbs. Sixty-two patients with arterial disease of the lower limbs were treated with streptokinase by intermittent administration. All patients had experienced recent aggravation of their arterial disease, and 22 had thrombolysis confirmed by arteriography. In 20 cases clinical study showed repermeation--in 8 cases during the first perfusion and in 8 cases during the third perfusion. During the first perfusion the fall in fibrinogen was significantly greater in the 8 patients with thrombolysis. Further, the third perfusion corresponded to a new phase of fibrinogenolysis. These results support the possibility of the relationship between plasminemia and thrombolysis, and emphasize the limits of the classic theory of Sherry, Fletcher, and Alkjaersig. Permitting phases of repeated but limited plasminemia, the interruption method used here is a compromise between the risk of hemorrhage and the efficacy of treatment at low dosage.


[Results of oral methionine loads in normal subjects and patients with liver diseases using an analyzer short program]. Control subjects and patients with liver diseases (cirrhosis, fatty liver) were given an oral methionine load with 100 mg L-Met/kg body weight. Amino acid chromatography was made by a short-program particularly suitable for the diagnosis of hereditary disorders of methionine metabolism. Met-tolerance in blood plasma as well as cystathionine, homocystine and the mixed disulfide homocysteine-cysteine in plasma and urine were investigated. Methylmalonic acid excretion in the urine was determined by gas chromatography. Patients with liver diseases showed some pathological changes of methionine tolerance after the load. However, cystathionine and homocysteine could not be demonstrated. No methylmalonic acid excretion occurred in normal subjects and patients with liver diseases after the methionine load.


Amniotic fluid total lipids, lipid phosphorus, phospholipids and cholesterol in diabetic women. Total lipids, lipid phosphorus, phospholipids and cholesterol were determined in amniotic fluid of 36 normals and 6 mothers with diabetes. Total lipids, lipid phosphorus and phospholipids are significantly decreased in diabetic cases and the decrement was more pronounced in the cases with stillbirth or intrapartum deaths or infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Total cholesterol was significantly decreased in the same cases mentioned above. However, in spite of this decrease the ratio of total cholesterol to total lipids was constant except in cases with prolonged intrauterine fetal death where it was increased.


Small virus-like particles in leukosis-like syndrome induced by certain antigens and immunostimulators. A transmissible syndrome which is characterized by splenomegaly and myeloid metaplasia was induced in BALB/c mice by injections of certain homologous and heterologous antigens and complete Freund's adjuvant or dextransulfate. From the plasma of these animals small viruslike particles (30--50 nm) were isolated.


Combined thrombectomy and isolated limb perfusion with streptokinase in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis. A new mode of treatment for extensive acute and subacute deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities combines the beneficial effects of surgical thrombectomy and of thrombolysis with streptokinase during the course of a single surgical intervention. Rapid-flow regional perfusion is the vehicle used to administer streptokinase and probably represents the third arm of this therapeutic approach by adding a hemodynamic washout effect. Because the thrombolytic agent is rinsed out of the circuit at the end of regional perfusion, the usual side effects and contraindications of this drug are avoided. Early and late results of this treatment are assessed clinically and with repeat phlebograms in a group of 6 unselected patients. Highly satisfactory results were achieved by 4 patients, 3 of whom experienced complete anatomic and functional restoration of deep veins along their entire length. Continued use of this method appears to be warranted.


Regular folding chain conformation of the deoxyribonucleic acid in chromatin. X-ray diffraction and selforganization. The following model is proposed for the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in chromatin: The DNA in a nucleosome is folded seven times to and fro on the surface of a cylindrical protein nucleus. There exist 3.5 DNA hairpins. The seven arms of the hairpins contain twenty DNA base pairs each. The six loops of the DNA hairpins contain ten DNA base pairs each. Consistently with the experiment, the model gives X-ray small-angle diffraction reflexes at 10.5 nm, 5.5 nm, 3.6 nm. The X-ray larg-angle diagram can also be interpreted by the model. Folding crystallization is the mechanism of supramolecular selfassembly giving condensation of DNA in the chromatin.


[Psychophysiological differentiation of musical effects by the degree of minute-rhythmic coupling]. Psychophysiologic effect of music on the synchronization status were diagnosed by means of different coordination analyses in significant correlation with subjective judgments to aesthetic-emotional experience of various music genres. By the "Bolero" of Ravel and "symphony in C major" of Mozart the minute-rhythmic coupling degree (fraction of the frequency synchronizations of the modulating oscillations of neurovegetative functions in a definite frequency range), which was calculated by means of autocorrelation, is increased significantly to silents intervals and decreased by the oratorium "Dies Irae" of Penderecki. So in the fronto-cortico limbic emotion system music experience correlates with functional changes of the neurophysiologic state and measured consecutive variations in neurovegetative dynamic of coordination.


The effects of light deprivation or blindness on the female genital tract of gerbils (Mariones hurrianae Jerdon). Total absence of light or blindness results in atretic changes in the large ovarian follicles. It also caused stromal edema of the uterus and interrupted the estrous cycle. The cells found in the vaginal smear appeared to be that of diestrous. Light deprivation inhibits the synthesis of RNA and protein of the uterus and vagina. Light deprivation of blindness also results in the reduction of the uterine weight and its glycogen content. Antiestrogenic action of light deprivation or removal of the eyes was reflected in a decreased concentration of RNA, protein, sialic acid and glycogen in the uterus and vagina.


Effects of treatment with the plant hormone gibberellin on neonatal rats. Treatment of neonatal rats with a single does of gibberellin had a notable influence on certain endocrine indices in adulthood. It accelerated the growth rate of the animals and produced weight increase of thyroid, ovary and adrenals as well as of the blood Ca-level, but reduced the weight of the testis.


Pregnancy-associated increase of sialoglycoprotein level in serum of normal inbred mice. The dynamics of the level of a fast migrating sialoglycoprotein (SGP) was studied in mice during pregnancy and the period of intensive nursing. A significant increase of the SGP concentration was established at the beginning of the third trimester only. Two days before delivery the SGP level declines markedly. Maximum values were attained shortly post partum. A relatively high SGP level is maintained for about 12 days post partum coinciding with the period of intensive nursing. Control values were attained at latest 18 days post partum.


The mescaline or strychnine spikes as a tool for physiological and pharmacological studies. The all-or-nothing spikes elicited by antidromic, afferent, or direct electrical stimulation of a cortical area treated with mescaline or strychnine were studied. These potentials are most probably originated in nonsynaptic dentritic membranes and their changes in amplitude and latency can be an index of the excitability of these structures. Several factors are considered as sources of error when measurements of such parameters are made to follow their changes in different experimental conditions. When these sources of error can be eliminated, the frequency, amplitude and latency of those spikes can be taken as an index of the variations in cortical excitability under some physiological conditions. Another use of these giant potentials can be for the study of humoral and pharmacological agents.


Hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (HIOMT) and serotonin in the pineal gland of the vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus maximus). Pineal glands of vizcachas collected from their natural habitat were studied. Hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferase (HIOMT) activity showed a great individual dispersion. However, the enzyme activity was significantly higher in males than in females. Serotonin was also assayed in the glands. It did not show significant differences between both sexes. The results are discussed in relation to the natural life conditions of this rodent.


The effect of thyroid hormone on renin production and release by rat kidney slices. The effect of thyroid hormone on renin productiona and release by rat kidney slices was studied. Rat kidney slices were incubated in Warburg flasks containing Krebs-Ringer-Phosphate- Glucose- Dextran solution at 37 C for 5 hours. Renin content, renin released into the incubation media and oxygen consumption were measured. Kidney slices actively secreted renin. Kidney slices of hyperthyroid rats released more renin, and kidney slices of hypothyroid rats released less renin than normal kidneys (p less than 0.001). The addition of 1-thyroxine to the incubation medium increased significantly (p less than 0.001) renin release by kidney slices from normal and hypothyroid rats. Thyroid hormone affects renin release through a mechanism independent of the ouabain-sensitive sodium pump and protein synthesis, since ouabain and cycloheximide did not modify renin release or production. The results of this study suggest that thyroid hormone plays a role in renin release from the juxtaglomerular cells.


Half life of injected 125I-insulin in control and ob/ob mice. The t-1/2 of moniodo 125I-insulin in ob/ob mice and their lean litter mates is 10 min. No difference was found between the two groups. Further, 48 hr of fasting did not alter the t-1/2 in ob/ob mice. In view of the markedly enlarged insulin pool in ob/ob mice, one must conclude that the mass of insulin degraded in unit time is increased. However, these findings indicate that the cause of hyperinsulinism in ob/ob mice is unrelated to rates of insulin degradation.


Role of the baroreceptor reflex in the early phases after removing the renal artery constriction in conscious renal hypertensive rats. Hemodynamic studies in unanesthetized rats with chronic one-kidney-Goldblatt hypertension showed a 25% increase in cardiac output and a 42% increase in peripheral resistance. Removal of renal artery constriction under either anesthesia and minor surgical trauma produced an immediate 20% drop in arterial pressure. At the end of the 6 observation period the pressure dropped 30% but still remained at a moderate hypertensive level. The hemodynamic measurement at that time suggested that the pressure drop was the result of a decrease in cardiac output. However, the data obtained 1 hour after removal of the constriction suggested that a vasodilating mechanism may also contribute to pressure normalization in the early phase of reversal of renal hypertension. In the sham-operated hypertensive rats the pressure remained unchanged, while the cardiac output dropped due to compensation by a proportional increase in peripheral resistance. In contrast, in the unclipped animals the same drop in cardiac output produced an equivalent fall in pressure because no change in peripheral resistance occurred. This was not due to an insufficiency of the baroreceptor reflex since bilateral splanchnicectomy performed at that time produced a striking hypotensive response, indicating an overactivity of the sympathetic system possibly due to the baroreceptor still reset to operate at a hypertensive level.


Adaptation to chronic hypobaric hypoxia and sexual hormones. The role of the gonads and their hormones on body weight was studied in rats of both sexes submitted to chronic hypoxia and their controls at sea level atmospheric pressure. Intact rats were exposed to either 4 700 or 6 000 m simulated altitude in a hypopressure chamber. Castrated rats and castrated rats daily injected with either 0.5 mg of testosterone or 20 microgram of estradiol or the vehicle, were exposed to the higher altitude. The rat weight was recorded for a period of at least eight weeks. All groups of hypoxic male animals increased their weight significantly less than the controls at sea level. Also in castrated females and in castrated injected with testosterone or the vehicle the same pattern of weight curves was observed. On the contrary, groups of intact females and castrated females injected with estradiol did not show significant differences between hypoxic and control animals. Only in a group of smaller intact females (50-80 g) the body weight increase was significantly diminished by exposure to either 4 700 or 6 000 m simulated altitude.


[Effects of acute hypercapnia upon the myocardium: contractility, coronary resistance, oxygen consumption and potassium balance (author's transl)]. In the isolated perfused dog heart, at constant coronary blood flow and heart rate, we studied the effect of altering CO2 in the gas mixture from 5 to 15% on contractility, coronary resistance, myocardial O2 consumption and K balance. Contractility, assessed by the developed force, and its derivative through a strain-gauge arch sewed to the left ventricle decreased to 54 +/- 7% (p less than 0.01) and 59 +/- 6% (p less than 0.01), respectively from control values. Coronary resistance decreased to 79 +/- 3% of control ( less than 0.01). The negative inotropic effect of hypercapnia was accompanied by a decrease in myocardial O2 consumption to 68 +/- 11% (p less than 0.01) of control value and a net uptake of K by the heart. The possibility of an exchange of H+ by K+ is suggested as a possible mechanism involved in the negative inotropic effect of hypercapnia.


[Avoidance of renal cortical blood flow autoregulation induced by NaCl not attributable to plasma asmolarity changes (author's transl)]. Experiments were conducted on rats to investigate the acute effects on renal cortical blood flow and cortical autoregulation caused by intravenous administration of hypertonic solutions of sodium chloride or glucose. Local blood flow was measured in renal cortex (at 1 mm below cortical surface) by means of the hydrogen clearance method in urethanized rats. Recording of blood pressure from femoral artery was performed. In control group, renal cortical vascular resistance (R.C.V.R.)--arterial pressure relationships demonstrated typical autoregulation. An increase in plasma osmolarity of approximately 5.90%, induced by glucose, did not affect autoregulation. An increase in plasma osmolarity of approximately 4.43%, induced by NaCl, avoided autoregulation and the resistance-arterial pressure relationships became passive in appearance. In addition, NaCl administration was associated with an increase in cortical blood flow. It is suggested that in the presence of a low increment in plasma osmolarity, the sodium ion rather than the osmolarity itself, is the factor that influences cortical blood flow autoregulation in the rat.


Positive inotropic effect of ethylephrine on the isolated rat atria. Ethylephrine, a sympathomimetic amine which belongs to the phenolamine group, was assayed on the driven left rat atrium. The frequency response curve was performed for norepinephrine and ethylephrine. The maxima was attained for both compounds at 1 Hz. The agonist under study has an inotropic action less potent than the classical catecholamines. Propranolol (10(-8) and 10(-7) M) produced a parallel shift to the right in the log dose-response curves of ethylephrine with no decrease in the maximal response, indicating that the antagonism was competitive. In the presence of cocaine or with reserpine-pretreatment the sensitivity of the preparation to the amine did not vary. The alpha-blocker, phentolamine (10(-8) to 3.10(-5) M) did not possess an inotropic effect per se. In contrast, phentolamine, delivered to the bath beforehand, did not block the agonist. However at 10(-8) and 10(-7) M increase the maximal response both in normal and reserpinized preparations. It is suggested that ethylephrine is a direct inotropic preparation. It is suggested that ethylephrine is a direct inotropic agent on the driven left rat atrium and its effects are mediated by beta-receptors. The results also indicate the lack of evidence that ethylephrine has any action on the alpha-receptors.


[Impairment of renal cortical blood flow autoregulation induced by reserpine, guanethidine or propranolol (author's transl)]. Local blood flow was measured in renal cortex (at 1 mm below cortical surface) by means of the hydrogen clearance method in urethanized rats. Recording of blood pressure from femoral artery was performed. The blood flow autoregulation was studied by plotting renal cortical vascular resistance (R.C.V.R.) as a function of arterial pressure in all the experimental conditions. R.C.V.R. was calculated as arterial pressure/blood flow ratio. In control animals R.C.V.R. was linearly correlated to arterial pressure; this implies the existence of autoregulation in the studied zone. In animals pretreated with guanethidine or propranolol, and in animals injected with propranolol immediately before the experiment, the increase of arterial pressure was not followed by an increase in R.C.V.R.; this implies that autoregulation was absent. In animals pretreated with reserpine the increase of arterial pressure was not followed by a significant increase in R.C.V.R., although a tendency to increase was detected. It is suggested that the impairment of autoregulation induced by guanethidine, propranolol or reserpine may be due to an inhibition of renin release. The results obtained with guanethidine and reserpine may be partially attributable to a decrease in adrenergic activity on the vascular smooth muscle of the studied zone, although other mechanisms cannot be discarded.


[Enzyme polymorphism in a population of Zenaida auriculata (Golden pigeon) (author's transl)]. By means of starch gel electrophoresis and specific staining, molecular forms of aspartate aminotransferase and soluble esterases have been investigated in liver extracts of individuals from a population of Zenaida auriculata. Four alleles at the locus corresponding to soluble or cytoplasmic aspartate aminotransferase have been demonstrated. Distribution of phenotypes in the population is in perfect agreement with that expected according to the Hardy - Weinberg law. A large incidence of variants of two fractions of esterases has been found. This variability is, with all probability, genetically determined. The importance of this type of studies to assess genetic structure and dynamics of animal population is emphasized.


The dynamics of heroin spread in endemic neighborhoods. To explore the social dynamics of heroin spread in endemic neighborhoods, a research team conducted interviews with active addicts in two inner-city black neighborhoods in Chicago. Unlike epidemic neighborhoods in which heroin often spreads outward from only a few new users to other members of a friendship group, we found that in these "old dope" neighborhoods there were multiple initiators and multiple, discrete heroin outbreaks not connected with one another. Furthermore, the majority of initiators did not appear to be in the experimental stage but were chronic addicts who ranged in age from their early twenties to middle age. These findings suggest that in endemic neighborhoods, where heroin is continuously available and there are multiple addict initiators, treatment outreach efforts directed only at new, young users would be unlikely to halt further heroin spread. To effectively reduce incidence and prevalence of heroin addiction, it may be necessary to eliminate the entire neighborhood copping area--chronic addicts as well as new addicts--a much more formidable task for a community addiction-control program.


Biasing factors in the measurement of trends in heroin use. A number of articles concerned with the epidemiology of heroin use which have appeared recently report that there has been a major "epidemic" of heroin use in the United States in the past decade and that the epidemic has been subsiding since about 1970. An examination of a number of biases inherent in the indirect measures of heroin use with which these conclusions have been reached and a growing body of direct, population-wide survey data indicates that these conclusions are not wholly warranted, and that if there was any epidemic of heroin use at all it was probably rather modest in intensity.


Drug use among minority youth.

Drug use among minority youth. Interviews with a nationwide smaple of young and low-income black, chicano, and Caribbean men and women, as well as their non-minority counterparts, reveal that the majority disapprove of illicit drug use. Although one-half of the youth report having had experience with illicit drugs, most have renounced their involvement and no longer use them. Of the racial or ethnic groups queried, white youth are most likely to have ingested illicit drugs. These data, coupled with other findings drawn from a more lengthy report, lead to the conclusion that dysfunctional patterns of drug ingestion among many low-income minorities are not pronounced.


Drug use be college students and their parents. Two hundred and forty-seven students at the University of South Carolina and their parents were asked to complete drug questionnaires. The questionnaires were detailed inquiries into licit and illicit drug use by the students and their parents. The two areas this study concentrated on were frequency of drug use and the relationship between student and parent drug use. The results suggested a significant relationship between college student illicit drug use and the licit drug use of their parents, particularly of the father. In addition, it was found that the three most frequently used drugs were alcohol, marijuana and amphetamines.


Phencyclidine (PCP): a local and national perspective. Phencyclidine (PCP) is an illicit drug with a high potential for negative effects. It is easy to synthesize and difficult to control because the precursors are easy to obtain. DAWN data shows that PCP episodes in emergency rooms and hospitals have increased from the twenty-third most frequently observed drug in 1973 to sixteenth in 1975. One explanation for the increase in PCP use is the change in the mode of administration from pill to smoking. An exploratory study of a local outbreak of PCP describes the effects of PCP and the dilemma facing the user. Regular PCP use is difficult to hide, but since stigma is attached to PCP use, the PCP user is reluctant to admit to regular use.


[Preparation and properties of nitrosobiotin]. The preparation of N-nitrosobiotin from biotin is described. Some physicochemical properties of this substance are given: solubility in various solvents, stability in aqueous solutions at different pH values, UV and IR spectra, optical activity. A colorimetric method of analysis with Bratton and Marshall reagent is also reported.


[Colorimetric and gas chromatographic methods of determination of the biotin in pharmaceutical preparations]. An analytical method for biotin is described, which is based on its conversion to N-nitrosobiotin, purifications of this derivative and its colorimetric or gas chromatographic determination. Nitrosation is carried out by treatment with an excess of NaNO2 in 0.2 N H2SO4 at room temperature. Nitrosobiotin is extracted with chloroform, after salting out wiulphanilamide + HCl), in order to obtain hydrolysis, and then with the second oating conditions are:a glass column, 2 m long, packed with 3% SE-30 on Chromosorb WHP; colum temperature 190 degrees C; injector and detector temperature 260 degrees C; carrier gas: nitrogen (30 ml/min). The extraction of biotin from multivation solid preparations is performed with absolute ethanol, starting from an expected quantity of about 250 microgram. It is suggested to work at the same time with an internal standard.


[Analysis of the discriminative capacity of hematological tests used in the diagnosis of sideropenia and microcythemia]. The significance of haematological tests has been measured on a statistical base. The purpose of such an inquiry is the simplification of diagnosing thalassemia and sideropenia. A pilot research has been performed on a sample of 10 thalassemic male subjects and 14 female subjects, 10 male subjects and 14 sideropenic female subjects compared with the same number of "normal" subjects of two sexes. This research has pointed the particular sensibility of some tests. There are reasons to consider best tests, in the order, HbA2, Hcv, MCHb for discrimination between "normal" and "thalassemic" and "sideropenic" subjects; Sideremia, Hb, GR for that between "normal" and "sideropenic" subjects. By combining such tests one obviously obtains more reliable results. Combination of tests Hb, Sideremia, GR appears a useful test for the classification of the subjects. Particularly we propose for the "double cases" the consideration of the test HbA2.


[Studies of the microbial content of raw materials used in pharmaceutical preparations]. The microbiological controls (determination of the total and mycetic bacterial count; isolation of enterococci, Clostridium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staph. aureus, E. coli, Salmonella and other Enterobacteriaceae) executed on 1517 samples of 100 varous raw materials, have ascertained the presence of a microbial contamination varying to matters, with presence also of pathogenic or hygienically undesirable microrganisms. The more contaminated substances have resulted to be those organic either of vegetable or animal origin. Sensible differences have been noted between the various lots and according to the various suppliers. The conservation trials under various conditions of temperature (15-22-37 degrees C) and humidity (30 degrees - 60 degrees - 90 degrees of relative humidity) with opened or closed recipients, have demonstrated the possibility of remarkable increases of the number of the microrganisms in the raw materials with increase of temperature and humitidy, especially in the non hermatically closed recipients.


[Noise caused by street traffic: evaluation, predetermination and limits]. In evaluation of annoyance level due to road traffic, many criterions of noise exposure and degrees of basic adverse effect have been proposed through composite numerical values. In the present study procedures and units proposed by various AA. are recognizded and mathematical prediction models which correlate the influence of traffic density, composition, speed and geometry of road on emitted noise level are evaluated. At last limits of noise exposure levels set up in many countries or promulgated by Authorities with respect to the health and well being of man and in function of zoning urban areas, are referred.


[Association of adult obese-type diabetes and depressive psychosis (clinical cases)]. The conception of a specific association between maturity-onset diabetes and manic-depressive psychosis, on a common basis with diencephalic functional obesity, has been recently taken again in consideration by the psychiatric literature. Investigations on this problem from diabetological point of view have been so far completely lacking, and are proposed with the present study. Symptomatic depressive conditions in diabetes are frequent and should be primarily separated from depressive endogenous psychosis. The pathogenesis of the association between diabetes of the adult-obese type and psychosis might be discussed according to a transactional theoretical model, assuming a positive feed-back mechanism of the two relationships: diabetes-psychosis and psychosis-diabetes. With these criteria, 4 observations of the clinical association were collected out of 274 admissions for diabetes, during 1976. Diabetes is intended as overt diabetes; obesity presented with the stenic picture; psychosis had a monopolar melancholic course. Similar clinical features were characteristic in all cases. The relationship diabetes-psychosis showed no evidence, unless importance should be given to a potential diabetes in 3 cases. On the contrary, the relationship psychosis-diabetes could be demonstrated in the four cases. A psychosomatic scheme connecting the neuro-hormonal correlations to a genetically conditioned exhaustion of the beta-function, is postulated. During melancholic recurrences, diabetes proved to be insulin-dependent and even insulin-resistent in 2 cases. Tricyclic antidepressant theraphy did not modify the metabolic situation.


Effect of an anabolic steroid (metandienone) on central and peripheral blood flow in well-trained male athletes. Several haemodynamic variables were measured in sixteen well-trained athletes at rest and during muscular exercise before and after two months of a daily oral dose of 15 mg of metandienone, an anabolic steroid (17alpha-methyl-17beta-hydroxy-1,4-androstadien-3-one). Their training programmes were the same as they had been for at least three years before the study. During metandienone treatment the total blood volume increased by about 15%, and the heart rate decreased significantly both at rest and during exercise. The resting values of cardiac index and stroke index did not differ significantly, while during muscular exercise cardiac index showed a tendency to increase, and stroke index increased by 20% during the treatment period. When treatment was discontinued, the haemodynamic values returned to pre-medication levels, and when a repetition of the treatment was carried out, exactly the same changes were seen. The resting forearm blood flow did not differ significantly during the treatment, while the peak flow during post-ischaemic hyperaemia increased by 27%. The pulmonary blood volume, peripheral resistance and mean arterial pressure did not differ significantly after metandienone treatment. The mean body weight increased significantly during the treatment period.


Myocardial infarction and weather.

Myocardial infarction and weather. The association of meterological factors with acute myocardial infarction was studied within a one-year period in Helsinki. Seasonal variation was found with the lowest incidence in summer and the highest in late autumn. Environmental temperature was not significantly correlated with the incidence of myocardial infarction but the case fatality rate was higher on coldest days. Atmospheric pressure turned out to be the meteorological variable with the highest correlation with the occurrence of myocardial infarction. Rapid decrease in atmospheric pressure was also associated with increased incidence of acute myocardial infarction. Relative humidity had little independent effect. The weather types with highest and lowest risk of heart attack were determined by the combined use of factor and cluster analysis. The most unfavourable turned out to be a relatively cold and moist weather with low atmospheric pressure, common in Helsinki during early winter and late autumn. The incidence of infarction did not increase on typical cold and dry winter days. The most favourable weather was warm, dry and stable summer weather. The difference in incidences between most and least favourable weather types was three-fold.


[Current management in the diagnosis and treatment of necrotic lesions of the diabetic foot]. A simplified classification for clinical pratical purposes of the diabetic foot necrotic lesions is proposed. Two types are considered both possibly with infection: 1. The angiopathic foot, as a manifestation of the diabetic macro- and microangiopathy. 2. The angioneuropathic foot, as an association of the preminent diabetic neuropathy with diabetic microangiopathy and macroangiopathy. This classification proved suitable to 63 personal observations during the last 7 years. Diagnosis and treatement, planned by a diabetological-orthopedic cooperation, are specified for the two headings. The measure of systolic peripheral blood pressure by means of the ultrasonic device Doplette 10 Danica is introduced.


Gout and hyperlipidaemia. Effect of overweight on the levels of circulating lipids. A study of the serum lipids in 90 patients with gout and 90 controls matched for age and weight index demonstrated that in gout there was a significant elevation of the mean serum levels of cholesterol (282 +/- 55 mg/100 ml), triglycerides (183 +/- 161 mg/100 ml) and phospholipids (270 +/- 61 mg/100 ml) compared with the controls whose mean values were respectively 243 +/- 41 mg, 95 +/- 53 mg and 245 +/- 36 mg. Hyperlipidaemia of mixed type was the most common lipid defect in the patients with gout; there was no difference in the frequency of pure hypercholesterolaemia (without hypertriglyceridaemia) between gout and the controls. The frequency of anomalies of blood lipid levels in gout does not result from (or not solely from) obesity since patients with gout and controls were matched for their weight and height. There was a correlation between the serum lipid levels and obesity in the controls but this was not demonstrable in the patients with gout.


Jodamid and metrizoic acid in carotid angiography. Comparative study of side-effects and film contrast. To compare the side-effects and film contrast of jodamid and metrizoic acid 215 carotid angiography examinations were analyzed. To study the side-effects the pulse and blood pressure were recorded and the clinical condition of the patient was observed during the examination as well as on the subsequent day. Three neuroradiologists graded the film contrast without knowing the opinions of the others or which contrast medium had been used. No significant changes in pulse rate were recorded. A slight increase in blood pressure generally occurred immediately after the injection and a statistically significant but slight fall of blood pressure five to seven seconds after the injection. No differences were observed between the two contrast media. Injection into the common carotid artery lowered the blood pressure slightly more than injection into the internal carotid artery. No differences in clinical side-effects were noticed between the two contrast media. No irreversible side-effects were recorded. The film contrast of jodamid was significantly better than that of metrizoic acid.


Postoperative radiotherapy of renal adenocarcinoma. 125 patients with renal adenocarcinoma treated at two departments of radiotherapy in Finland are presented. 82 (66%) of the patients had localized disease and 43 (34%) had distant metastases. The five year survival for all stages was 38% and for cases with local disease 56%. There were no essential differences among Stage I, II and III patients treated with surgery alone or treated with combined operation and postoperative radiotherapy. For tumours with infiltration to adjacent organs or metastases in the lymph nodes the survival was slightly higher after combined surgery and radiotherapy than after surgery alone. For patients with P4 tumours or regional lymph node dissemination postoperative radiotherapy is recommended.


Carboxyhaemoglobin saturation in relation to smoking and various occupational conditions. The effects of smoking and occupational conditions on COHb saturation were studied among employees on traffic duty, in restaurants, in iron foundries, and in an office. The subjects were 139 smokers and 152 nonsmokers working in the same environments. Changes in COHb saturation were observed in samples of blood obtained before and after the working period. Samples of air were collected during the working hours in restaurants, in foundries and in office, 190 samples in all, for the determination of content of CO. Among the nonsmokers there was no change in COHb saturation in restaurants and in office work. On traffic duty and in iron foundries the increase was significant, but the values after work were less than half the permitted occupational threshold limit value (TLV) level of 6 per cent units. In the smoking group the mean values of COHb saturation before work were about twice the mean COHb saturation in the nonsmokers after work. In office work and in foundries the mean COHb saturations after the work exceeded the permitted TLV.


Physical work capacity in relations to carbon monoxide inhalation and tobacco smoking. The heart rate and blood pressure at rest and during exercise and physical work capacity (PWC) at different heart rates were measured in 14 healthy smokers after air breathing, after a 1100 ppm CO- air mixture breathing and after cigarette smoking. After air breathing the mean COHb saturation was 3.1 (0.6 SD) %, after CO inhalation it was 9.9 (1.6)% and after smoking 9.8 (1.8)%. The heart rate at rest was unchanged after CO, but smoking caused an increase as compared with both air breathing and CO inhalation (p less than 0.001). The blood pressure was not affected by CO or smoking either at rest or during exercise. The physical work capacities at heart rates 130, 150 and 170 beats per minute decreased both after CO inhalation and after smoking. The change was greater after tobacco smoking. The greatest decrease in circulated mean maximal work was after CO inhalation. The result deviates from PWC 170 and could be taken to indicate that tobacco smoking also acts as a stimulant during exhaustive work.


Comparison of different kinds of tests in the evaluation of lung function among healthy smokers and nonsmokers. The following groups of lung function tests were performed on 25 healthy male smokers and 25 healthy male nonsmokers. 1) Dynamic function tests: PEF, MMEF, and FEV1/FVC %. 2) Static lung volumes: VC, TLC, FRC, FRC/TLC, and RV/TLC. 3) deltaPco2 was used as a measure of ventilation-perfusion inequalities 4) diffusing capacity was measured with the steady state method described by Filley and coworkers. 5) The blood THb and Tbv were measured. One-way analysis of variance showed that PEF, FEV1/FVC %, and MMEF% were lower (p less than 0.05) in the smoking group. Smokers did not differ from nonsmokers with respect to lung volumes. deltaPco2, THb, and TBV were higher and diffusing capacity lower in the smoking group (p less than 0.001).


Smoking in closed space and its effect on carboxyhaemoglobin saturation of smoking and nonsmoking subjects. The effect of tobacco smoking in a closed space on blood COHb saturation was investigated in a group of 21 smokers and 28 nonsmokers. Each of the smoking subjects smoked 6 cigarettes, starting a new one every 15 minutes. At the end of the experiments the mean CO concentration in the room was about 30 ppm, which is about normal for smoky rooms. The blood COHb saturation increased in the smoking group from 5.3 (2.1 SD) to 9.1 (2.1 SD)%. In the nonsmoking group the increase was from 1.6 (0.6 SD) to 2.2 (0.6 SD)%.  The mean increase in nonsmoking group was as much as smoking one cigarette. Extrapolated to an eight hour period this suggests that a nonsmoking subject would inhale tobacco smoke equivalent to about five cigarettes.


Cardioselective (metoprolol) and non-selective (propranolol) beta-blockade and glucose homeostasis. The effects of two beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drugs, the non-selective propranolol and the cardioselective metoprolol, on the concentrations of blood glucose, serum insulin (IRI) and growth hormone (GH) were studied in 8 healthy male volunteers both at rest and on exercise. The tablets of 160 mg of propranolol and 200 mg of metoprolol were tested against a placebo. The heart rate and systolic blood pressure were significantly lower during treatment with the active substances than with placebo. There were no significant differences between the blood glucose and serum IRI levels after the compounds and the placebo. A decreased insulin/blood glucose ratio after exercise was seen during metoprolol. The serum GH levels were of about the same magnitude after the three different treatments but the peak values were seen 30 and 40 minutes earlier after propranolol and metoprolol than after the placebo. The concentrations of the drugs in plasma did not correlate significantly with the changes in serum levels of IRI and GH in the exercise test. In the present acute test situation propranolol and metoprolol did not significantly affect glucose homeostasis and there were no apparent differences between the drugs.


Plasma catecholamines in Finnish sauna.

Plasma catecholamines in Finnish sauna. Plasma catecholamines were measured by a modified single-isotope radioenzymic assay in five healthy medical students during and after a Finnish sauna bath with or without previous beta-blockade. The plasma noradrenaline rose more than twofold after 10 min in the hot room (100 degrees C) while the plasma adrenaline content exhibited smaller increases. The plasma noradrenaline concentration remained elevated or further increased after 5 min in a cool swimming pool (22 degrees C) whereas the exposure to cool water restored the plasma adrenaline concentration to resting values. Plasma noradrenaline, but not adrenaline, was still markedly elevated after a rest period of 15 min after the cool pool. Oxprenolol (40 mg) given 30 min before the sauna did not alter the plasma catecholamine pattern although it effectively lowered the heart rate before, during, and after the exposure to the heat stress.


Nutrition survey of Finnish rural children. III. Haemoglobin and haematocrit values. In connection with a survey of child nutrition in Finland the haemoglobin and heamatocrit values in childhood and the prevalence of anaemia were studied. The series consisted of 1534 children aged 5, 9 and 13 years. The haemoglobin concentrations in those age groups were 12.60 +/- 0.81, 13.24 +/- 0.77 and 13.64 +/- 0.77 and 13.64 +/- 0.90 g/100 ml, respectively. The haematocrit values were 38.0 +/- 2.53, 39.6 +/- 2.50 and 40.8 +/- 3.00%. In the total series, 3.0% of the Hb values and 4.8% of the PCV values were below the WHO norms. No difference was found between anaemic and non-anaemic children with respect to the mean daily intake of dietary iron or the intake of iron from the food group eggs, meat and fish in absolute amounts or per 1000 kcal. Anaemic 5-year-old children, however, obtained from this food group a significantly smaller percentage of their total dietary iron than the non-anaemic children of the same age.


Effect of gradually increasing carboxyhaemoglobin saturation on visual perception and psychomotor performance of smoking and nonsmoking subjects. The effect of gradually increasing COHb saturation on human visuoperceptual and psychomotor performance was studied in 22 nonsmokers and 22 smokers. Each subject performed two sessions in randomized order, one during air breathing and the other during CO breathing on two separate days. Testing and COHb saturation measurement were repeated six times during each session. Gas breathing was between the test periods. The increase of COHb saturation up to 12--13 per cent units had no effect (p greater than 0,05) on perceptual speed and accuracy as measured by the Bourdon--Wiersma test. Finger tapping speed was also unaffected. Visual perception measured with critical flicker frequency (CFF) was sensitive to CO. The gradual increase in COHb saturation caused a linear decrease in CFF in the both groups. An increase of one per cent unit in COHb saturation caused significant decrease in CFF (p less than 0.001), when intraindividual changes were taken into account. During acute exposure to CO there was no difference in any test performance between the groups. During air preathing there was no difference in performance although there was a significant difference (p less than 0,001) in the COHb saturation levels. This negative finding might be due to adaptation of smokers to chronic exposure of CO because of smoking.


Echocardiography in assessment of mitral valve disease II. Left atrium and left ventricle. 79 patients studied by cardiac catheterization were also studied by echocardiography to evaluate the reliability and usefulness of echocardiography in making left atrial and ventricular measurements in patients with mitral valve disease. The left atrium was larger than normal in all the patients and especially in those with mitral regurgitation. There was a significant correlation between the mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the left atrial diameter in the patients with a stenotic component, and the left atrial diameter seems to correlate better than the cineangiographic left atrial size with the atrial pressure as the anterior-posterior atrial dilatation is more pressure dependent. In atrial fibrillation the left atrial diameter was greater than in the patients with sinus rhythm, but there was a great overlap in atrial diameters between these patient groups. In 37% of the patients with a mitral regurgitation component a systolic bulge caused by a regurgitant jet was found in the posterior left atrial wall, the appearance and magnitude of which depended more on the properties of the atrial wall and the direction of the regurgitant jet than on the amount of regurgitation. The results concerning left ventricular size and function agreed well with the previous cineangiographic studies. There was good correlation between the cineangiographically and echocardiographically measured left ventricular volumes and ejection fractions, but left atrial dilatation made the correlation less close.


Anemia and extramedullary hematopoiesis associated with carcinoma of the breast. Three patients with carcinoma of the breast, extensive metastasis, and splenomegaly are described. Radioisotope studies with 59Fe and 51Cr revealed extramedullarly hematopoiesis and hemolysis. In addition to red cell hemolysis, ineffective erythropoiesis in the marrow and extramedullary sites contributed to the persistence of the anemic syndrome. Extramedullary hematopoiesis is not an effective compensatory mechanism in some patients with anemia and carcinoma of the breast.


The effect of bronchography on pulmonary ventilation. Using a gamma camera and the Xenon-133 washout method the reduction in lung function during unilateral bronchography was assessed in eleven patients. A considerable reduction in the washout rate was observed in the lung examined with bronchography both absolutely and compared with the opposite lung. Some improvement occurred after coughing out the contrast medium. It is concluded that the ventilatory function of the lungs is considerably impaired during bronchography and this should be borne in mind when referring patients with reduced lung function for this examination.


Plasma renin activity and angiotensin II during oral contraception. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotensin II (A II) concentrations were measured in the first and second half of the menstrual cycle for four months in 27 healthy young women, in three groups. During month II and III group I received lynestrenol 0.5 mg, group II lynestrenol 0.5 mg + ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg and group III d-norgestrel 0.25 mg + ethinyl estradiol 0.05 mg as contraceptive treatment. In group I no changes of PRA or A II were observed. In group II and III both PRA and A II rose significantly during oral contraceptive treatment. Progestagens may offer an advantage as they do not stimulate the renin-angiotensin axis.


Acquired tracheobronchomalacia. A clinical study with bronchological correlations. Symptoms, clinical findings and pulmonary function in 47 patients with tracheobronchomalacia were compared with the bronchoscopic finding. The main symptoms were phlegm, cough, and dyspnoea. Recurrent respiratory infections and haemoptysis were features of the recent medical history. Only 30% had emphysema, and cor pulmonale in the ECG was uncommon. A notch in FEV1 was seen in 25 patients (54%), against 3 (6%) in the controls. FVC, FEV1/FIV1 and notch in FEV1 were directly proportionate to the severity of the malacia. A low FEV1/FIV1 and notch in FEV1 are suggestive of tracheobronchomalacia and an indication for bronchoscopy.


Cyclical thrombocytopenia with remission during lynestrenol treatment in a woman. A woman of 40 had cyclical thrombocytopenia occurring midway between menstruations, with bruising and platelet counts down to 2000/mm3. The thrombocytopenic episodes disappeared after treatment with lynestrenol was started. The patient's platelets had a functional defect of the "aspirin-like" type. The availability of platelet factor 3 increased when oestrogen was added to platelet-rich plasma from the patient.


Acquired tracheobronchomalacia. A bronchological follow-up study. Ninety-four patients with acquired tracheobronchomalacia were followed up between 1967-1977, for an average of 5.2 years. Fifty-six were still alive at the end of the period, and 47 of these were reexamined. Twenty-one patients had retired on pensions for lung disease. Of the 36 patients who underwent rebronchoscopy, tracheomalacia alone was seen in 3 and tracheobrochomalacia in 33. Six out of the 9 cases of tracheomalacia and all the 5 cases of bronchomalacia had developed into tracheobronchomalacia. The malacia was mild in 6 (17%), moderate in 8 (22%) and severe in 22 (61%), against the figures of the preceding bronchoscopy: 13 (36%), 17 (47%) and 6 (17%), respectively. Mild bronchitic changes were seen in 9 (25%) and severe in 22 (61%) bacterial cultures grew Haemophilus, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella, and the culture was positive on 8 occasions (22%). A fungal culture of the bronchial aspirate was positive in 9 cases (25%). No pronounced eosinophilia on the bronchial mucosa was observed.


Acquired tracheobronchomalacia. A cineradiographic study with bronchologicl correlations. Forty-seven patients in whom acquired tracheobronchomalacia had been diagnosed by bronchoscopy under local anaesthesia were examined by cineradiography. In the 36 cases subjected to rebrochoscopy the cineradiographic and bronchoscopic findings were compared. Tracheal malacia could be readily visualized by cineradiography without contrast medium, and the changes were seen to correspond to the bronchoscopic findings. Malacia was graded by cineradiography as mild in 17 (47%) moderate in 12 (33.5%) and severe in 7 (19.5%) and by bronchoscopy in 10 (28%), 15 (41.5%) and 11 (30.5%) cases respectively. Cineradiography without contrast medium proved to be an easy and quick examination which imposed little strain on the patient. It is thus very suitable as a primary examination, especially for patients in poor condition. When malacia at the bronchial level is suspected, bronchoscopy is advisable.


Effect of cessation of propranolol treatment on myocardial noradrenaline and acetylcholine content in the rat. Cessation of long-term treatment of rats with propranolol 10 mg/kg/day subcutaneously produced no alteration in the myocardial noradrenaline content estimated 12, 24, 48 and 96 hours after the last propranolol injection; nor did the myocardial acetylcholine content change. These results do not support the idea that the withdrawal-rebound phenomenon caused by abrupt cessation of propranolol therapy is associated with an accumulation of the autonomic neurotransmitters in myocardial tissue.


[Collection of specimens for mycotic examination (author's transl)]. The author describes the methods of collection of specimens coming from cutaneous, subcutaneous and systemic mycoses. The author points out that it is advisable to collect specimens exactly so that the results of examination are not erroneous.


[Numerical taxonomy and employment of the computer in diagnostic medical microbiology (author's transl)]. The institution is proposed of a expert committee to study and introduce new methods to allow a better diffusion of numerical taxonomy among clinical bacteriologists. Computers are nowadays rather diffuse devices that can contribute to bring order in the field of the classification of microorganisms and to introduce new keys for the identification of isolates from pathological materials.


[Biochemical typing of salmonellae by a miniaturized system (API - 50 E) (author's transl)]. The biochemical properties of clinical isolates of Salmonella have been studied by means of a commercially available miniaturized system (API - 50 E), which permit an easier examination of 50 chemical reactions. This miniaturized system seems to be helpfull not only in epidemiological researches but also in characterization of "atypical strains".


[The "natural history" of bacterial meningitis in the interpretation of cerebrospinal fluid parameters (author's transl)]. The "natural history" of bacterial meningitis, although today a hypothetical event, must be essential reference to interpret the various cerebro-spinal fluid parameters, either in diagnosis or in monitoring. The Authors give first a synopsis of the normal cerebro-spinal fluid. They divide the natural history of bacterial meningitis into five stages, describing the variations in the main parameters (macroscopical, bacteriological, humoral and cytological). The Authors point out also the new bacteriological pathology of leptomeningitis arising from inadeguate therapy: 1) a flare-up of meningitis of form L and 2) bacterial meningitis of "decapitate" type. In 2) the Authors stress the importance in the laboratory of differential diagnosis from aseptic or viral meningitis.


[Determination of residual antibiotic activity in cerebro-spinal fluid (author's transl)]. A microbiological method for the determination of residual antibiotic activity in CSF is described. This disc-diffusion method, utilizing Bacillus stearotermophilus as test organism, is highly sensitive for many antibiotics, including those crossing the blood-brain barrier.


[Amoebic meningoencephalitis by "Eaegleria" and "Acanthamoeba" (author's transl)]. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (ME) by Naegleria fowleri a free-living protozoon found in fresh, warm waters, is a well known fatal disease lasting less than one week. It affects sporadically swimmers and children playing in mud puddles. Less than 100 cases have been described. Recently a more rare, distinct amoebic meningoencephalitis due to some species of free-living Acanthamoeba was identified, lasting some weeks or more but still with a fatal evolution. In this case the amoebae do not always enter the brain directly through the cribrous membranes but cause mild, primary infections of respiratory airways: exceptionally, mainly in immunodepressed subjects, they then reach the CNS causing a secondary ME. Naegleria is fairly sensitive in vitro to some drugs, but in vivo their efficacy is dramtically lowered for pharmacokinetic reasons. Acanthamoeba is in every respect less sensitive. Prophylaxis is almost impossible to achieve. Some diagnostic procedures are described and the importance of their use in diagnosis of the so called aseptic purulent ME is stressed.


[The role of anaerobic bacteria in meningeal infections (author's transl)]. The finding is described of a Gram-negative bacterium in cerebrospinal fluid of a patient suffering from internal hydrocephalus and taken in the hospital of Udine with symptoms of meningitis. The isolated bacterium belongs to the genus Bacteroides. The cases of meningitis are indicated in which the bacteriological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid for anaerobes is recommended.


[The examination of cerebro-spinal fluid in the viroses of the central nervous system (author's transl)]. The general outlines for the isolation of viruses from the cerebro-spinal fluid are described. It is suggested to associate to the virus cultivation of the cerebrospinal fluid even the cultivation from other pathological materials as faringeal swabs and stools and the search for antibodies in the blood serum. Researches of viruses in cerebro-spinal fluid done by the Service of Microbiology of the Hospital of Verona have given in 55 cases examined during the year 1976 2 positive isolates; in both mumps virus has been isolated.


[The cerebro-spinal fluid: chemical values for diagnosis of meningitis (author's transl)]. We describe the chemical values of the normal cerebro-spinal fluid and any variation during meningitis. We also refere the physical peculiarity and the variations of non-proteins-nitrogen, of enzymes, of glucose and its metabolites, of proteins and cells. On the picture we resume the most significative variation for differential diagnosis among bacterial, viral and tuberculous meningitis.


[Proposal for an organic scheme for the survey of the proteins in the spinal fluid (author's transl)]. A simple technique of electroimmunodiffusion is described, which is fit for identifying the variations in the ratio IgG/Albumin in the spinal fluid (liquor). Furthermore a general scheme for the survey of the proteic situation in the spinal fluid is also proposed.


[Clinical remarks about haemoculture (author's transl)]. Introductory review on bacteremia: laboratory aspects, prevalence, errors, causative organisms, concurring factors, iatrogenic infection, polymicrobic infection, contamination are discussed. A national Italian bacteremia registry is suggested.


[The demonstration of antibacteric power in a blood sample taken for blood culture. Preliminary note. (author's transl)]. To identify a possible "false" negative blood culture from a patient not declearing antibiotic treatment, we propose a "Residual Antibiotic Power" test (PAR-test) on the same blood sample to be rum in parallel with the blood culture. Hence we propose using B. stearothermophilus var. calidolactis, which we have found very sensitive to the common antibiotics used in Human Medicine. Suggested technique: agar+germ with an absorbent paper disc soaked with the sample, incubated for 3 hours at 60 degrees C, to give an easy test reading.


[Septicaemia caused by fungus: technical data and cases (author's transl)]. The Authors describe a technique suitable for isolating fungus from haemocultures. Although it is not frequent to find a description of septicaemia caused by fungus in hospital practice besides the Candida type, many kinds of yeasts and filamentous fungus have been occasionally isolated from the blood. It is the Author's opinion that if suitable techniques were always used, the evidence of fungus in haemocultures would be more frequent and above all one could also isolate filamentous fungus.


[Statistical data of the blood cultures of the years 1975-1976 at the Hospital of Verona (author's transl)]. Data are presented of the blood cultures done by the Laboratory of Microbiology of the Hospital of Verona. Of 1882 cultures, 288 (15%) were positive; the number of isolates was greater in cultures from Intensive Care and Medicine units.


[Meningitis epidemiology (author's transl)]. After having reviewed rapidly the references regarding meningitis epidemiology due to "purulent liquor" and "clear liquor", a personal study of 754 cases of purulent meningitis of different bacterial etiology, and 167 cases of meningitis due to "clear liquor", 107 of which of tubercular etiology and 60 of viral etiology or so supposed, is reported.


[Detection of heat-stable staphylococcal nucleases in foods of various kinds]. Herewith are the results of a research on determination of staphylococcal heat-stable nuclease in food. From this research derives clearly the need to devote to the determination of heat-stable deoxyribonuclease as an useful indirect index, fit to give menful informations on the pollution of different kind of food by the side of patogen Staphylococci even on food products under processes of pasteurization or of sterilization.


[The importance of man, mouse and rat skin surface lipid fractions on the "in vitro" penetration of "Schistosoma mansoni" cercariae (author's transl)]. The AA. have studied in this research, the rôle explicated in vitro from the lipids contained in a man's skin, in a rat of the Wistar experimental group and in a mouse of the Swiss one. They have seen that some lipids fractions, as triglycerides, waxes and squalenes explicate an action that favours the penetration of the cercariae in vitro on a plate of agar and that such an action is due to the unsaturation in the above said fractions of sebaceous origin. On the contrary the lipids of skin origin as sterols and their esters inhibit the penetration.


[Laboratory tests applied to transfusion problems. Identification of dangerous universal donors and their frequency]. We studied 504 subjects, whose blood group wes O; they were periodic or occasional blood donors from Transfusional Center A.V.I.S., Policlinico "Umberto I", Roma. Our research was based on the principle stated by Gandini: he states that the natural isoagglutinin concentration equal or superior to 1:200 and the presence of hemolytic isoantibodies may make universal donors dangerous. Our results indicated that the percentage of this kind of donors is 27.75%. Sice 17.26% of our studied subjects showed hemolytic antibodies, we consider it is sufficient to identify dangerous donors through a dosage of hemolytic isoantibodies.


[Effects of streptococcal toxin on hepatic regeneration in the rat]. The liver regeneration percentage, mytotic activity and protein content were used to demonstrate the effects of streptococcal toxin on regenerating rat liver. No statistically significant difference was showed between controls and toxin treated animals. Serum level of C, resulted on the contrary, considerably reduced in the animals treated with streptococcal toxin.


[Combination of antifungal chemotherapeutic agents in experimental candidiasis in mice]. For the valuation of therapeutical activity of many new recent antifungal drugs, these were employed in the various possible associations in the experimental candidosis of the mouse. From the results obtained calculated on the survivance percentage, was concluded that the best antifungal is the 5 fluorocytosine + amphotericin B association.


[Tetanus prevention with vaccine and with vaccine plus heterologous immune serum: serum antibody levels in the rabbit]. Haemagglutinating antibodies have been assessed in rabbits undergoing active- passive immunization against tetanus. The animals received 6 injections of horse immune serum, 400 UI/kg, and A1PO4 adsorbed toxoid, 0.35 Lf/kg, every 30th day. One the 5th day, after the first injection, E.A. antibodies appeared, at low levels, as a result of a passive immunization. Thereafter the tests became negative, up to the 70th day, when an active immunization emerged, with a 25 days delay in comparison with controls. Neutralization test in vivo behaved in the same way. The results stress once more the need to give up the use of heterologous immune sera in tetanus prophylaxis, in active-passive immunization as well. Arguments adding force to this point of view are: the sensibilization against heterologous proteins, the very low (if any) passive protective action, and, last not least, the delay in the emergence of active immunization: the only reliable shield against tetanus.


[Effect of the serum of patients with cholestasis on lymphocyte E rosette formation]. Sera from cholestatic patients have been found to interfere with lymphocyte rosette formation (E rosettes). Lymphocytes from patients with cholestasis showed a lower percentage (42.36%) of cells binding sheep red blood cells in comparison with a control group (62%). In the presence of cholestatic serum the number of E rosettes formed by lymphocytes from normal subjects declined to 44.16%. This behaviour, however, can reverse, since lymphocytes from cholestatic patients previously incubated with normal serum, showed a nearly normal capability of forming E rosettes (57.90%). Therefore, it is conceivable that among the several factors which are present in sera from patients with either chronic or acute hepatitis and which are able to interfere with T-lymphocyte function, there may be included also the factor which is present in sera from cholestatic patients. The possible role of bile salts and hyperlipoproteinaemia present in those patients requires further investigation.


[Epidemiologic study of chronic hepatitis in relation to heptatis B virus infections (author's transl)]. In order to evaluate the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the etiology of chronic liver diseases, paired sera of 143 patients with biopsy-documented chronic hepatitis were tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs by radioimmunoassay method. HBsAg was detected in 67.3% of patients with a preceding verified eipsode of acute hepatitis, and in 26.7% of patients with a cryptogenic form of chronic hepatitis. HBsAg was not found in any of patients with alcoholic chronic hepatitis and in only two of 18 patients with other forms of chronic liver disease. No significant difference in the incidence of anti-HBs was observed in all groups of patients. According to previous studies our results confirm the higher prevalence of HBV infection in etiology of chronic persistent and aggressive hepatitis and indicate that this prevalence may be observed especially in Middle and South Italy. The presence of HBsAg in the serum of 37.2% of our patients with cirrhosis compared with 9% of reported cases in North Italy suggest that HBV plays an important role in the etiology of cirrhosis of the liver in our area.


Artificial liver: the effect of ACAC microencapsulated charcoal hemoperfusion on fulminant hepatic failure. Control trials and statistical analysis were carried out to assess the effects of albumin-collodion microencapsulated activated charcoal (ACAC) hemoperfusion on fulminant hepatic coma. A rat model of galactosamine induced fulminant hepatic coma was used. Rats which did not recover died at 3.0+/-0.6 days after galactosamine injection. Those which survived this period recovered. Forty-eight hours after galactosamine injection, a test group of 21 rats were treated with 1 hour hemoperfusion and compared with an untreated group of 23 rats. 71.4% of the treated group survived as compared to 30.4% of the untreated rats. Statistical analysis (t test) shows a significant increase in recovery for the treated group (less than 0.01). Biochemical and histological results will be discussed.


[5 years of bacteriological analysis. Results and observations]. The Authors examined the bacteriological analysis carried our during a period of five years (June 1971-June 1976), and pointed out the percentage of positivity and sensibility to antibiotics of the bacteria isolated. On a total of 8,263 analysis, 4,327 coprocultures and 2,076 urinocultures have been made, thus occupying the first places in frequency. 195 patogenous enterobacteria have been isolated from coprocultures, corresponding to a positivity of 4.50%. As for the urinocultures positivity reached 43.25%; the germs most frequently isolated were Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. The Authors isolated in the same period 17 strains of Myc. tuberculosis from 115 samples of expectoration (14.7%) and 27 strains from 216 samples of urine (12.5%). By recommending antibiograms, the Authors suggest that the most effective antibiotics against enterobacteria responsable of infections of the urinary and gastrointestinal tract are nalidixic acid and furadantin, cloramfenicolo was ineffective against the isolated Salmonella strains. As for Gram-positive germs some results have been obtained with cefalotine, rifampicin, and cefazolin.


Exponential growth and future of artificial organs. One hundred thousand (100,000) people are living--thanks to Artificial Kidneys. We need more emphasis on Home Dialysis. The immediate future will bring us: WAK (Wearable Artificial Kidney) FAK (Filtrating Artificial Kidney) PAK (Peritoneal Artificial Kidney) HAK (Hemoperfusion Artificial Kidney). Intra-aortic balloon pumps and transapical left ventricular bypass may offer patients now dying from heart failure, a possibility to either recover or be maintained until an artificial heart is available. Our aim is to create an Artificial Heart to totally replace the irreparably sick human heart. We have obtained survival times up to more than six months after total replacement of the natural heart in calves. Dr. Steve Jacobsen's Artificial Arm is activated by electromyographic signals that are derived from the shoulder muscles. The Artificial Eye makes use of direct stimulation of the visual cortex of the brain by arrays of electrodes situated against the visual cortex. For the Artificial Ear, we stimulate the fibers of the eighth nerve by threading platinum wires up into the cochlea. Deaf volunteers can hear rhythm, loudness and some pitch.


Implantation of the total artificial heart by lateral thoracotomy. Progress in the techniques for surgical implantation of the artificial heart has progressed in parallel with the technology and design of the prosthesis. In the author's first experience with total artificial heart (TAH) implantation (1968) a trans-sternal split was used opening the sixth intercostal space on the right side across the sternum to the left space. This obviously was not the optimum approach but the complexity, design and size of the prosthesis required maximum exposure of the atria and great vessels. Subsequently the mid-sternal split incision was used. The Dacron fibril coated silicone rubber 8 cm Kwan-Gett ventricles implanted by the mid-sternal split sustained a calf for 14 days in 1972. A calf with the improved Jarvik 3 ventricles fabricated with the same material and implanted via mid-sternal split survived 19 days in early 1973. The surgical techniques for lateral (right) thoracotomy were adopted in this laboratory in 1973. These techniques were applicable only when the prosthesis fit better in the chest. This procedure has been adopted by other laboratories replacing the natural heart of the calf with a TAH. This report describes in detail the stepwise procedure for implantation of the total artificial heart by a lateral thoracotomy in the calf.


The acoustic reflex and loudness recruitment. Loudness balance and acoustic reflex tests were conducted on 11 hearing impaired patients. At all frequencies tested, equal loudness judgments made by each patient occurred at acoustic reflex threshold levels in each ear. Test results were classified into three general patterns and a Difference Ratio Quotient (DRQ) expressed the relationship between binaural acoustic reflex and pure tone thresholds. Additional information was derived from the DRQ formula to permit more accurate quantification of recruitment.


Iron appetite and latent learning in rats. Two experiments are reported which show that rats are capable of forming an association between the presence of iron in a solution when it is not specifically needed and a subsequent state of iron deficiency. Specifically, rats were trained to lever press for water while thirsty. One group received ferrous ions in addition to the water. When these rats were subsequently rendered iron deficient, they lever pressed more under extinction conditions as a graded function of lower hemoglobin levels. Controls that either did not receive ferrous ions during training or received solutions other than ferrous solutions during training did not respond this way under extinction conditions. This is therefore a type of latent learning previously demonstrated only for sodium appetite.


A comparison of poly (A)-associated RNA from synaptosomes and cytoplasmic subcellular fractions of rat brain. Oligo(dT)-cellulose binding poly(A)-RNA from rat brain microsomes, mitochondria and synaptosomes was isolated and analysed. Synaptosomes and mitochondria appeared to contain a higher proportion of such RNA than microsomes. Poly(A)-RNA from the three fractions was then electrophoretically fractionated in two different gel systems. Mitochondrial and microsomal poly(A)-RNA presented different fractionation patterns. Synaptosomal poly(A)-RNA also presented a characteristic patterns of its own which could not be entirely explained as a mixture of the previous two. Its main feature was the presence of a prominent band with an SE value of around 7. Such species, absent in microsomes, was present as well in mitochondria but in smaller concentration. On the basis of the present evidence and of previous results, it appears that such 7 SE species, although a mitochondrial messenger RNA in origin, becomes accumulated in vivo into synaptic membranes.


Variations in melanin content with age in the human substantia nigra. Evidence is presented here that the decrease in mean melanin content we have measured in old age is due, not to a general decline in melanin in all cells, but rather to a selective loss of those nerve cells containing greatest amounts of pigment. This cell loss is likely to be caused by the physical affects of pigment accumulation, per se, upon capacity for protein synthesis, as marked by losses of cytoplasmic RNA and nucleolar shrinkage in melanin rich cells.


Mouse satellite DNA isolated by Ag+ -- CsSO4 density gradients contains G+C rich, slow reassociating sequences. Mouse satellite DNA sequences isolated by centrifugation in CS2SO4--Ag+ gradients are analyzed for buoyant density by CSCl density gradients and for their content of fast reassociating sequences by denaturation and partial reassociation. Our data suggest that in CS2SO4 gradients silver ions separate a satellite band which contains both fast reassociating G+C rich sequences and slow reassociating, A+T rich DNA sequences.


Effects of prolonged administration of high molecular levan on hematological parameters in rabbits. Rabbits were injected intraperitoneally with 100 mg of high molecular levan, daily for 4--6 weeks. Study of various hematological parameters revealed that the treatment resulted in the following changes: 1. Marked elevation in fibrinogen levels and in the number of platelets. 2. Insignificant changes in the intrinsic and extrinsic clotting mechanisms and in platelet aggregation. 3. Some reduction in the number of circulating RBCs. The findings indicate that levan treatment has no obvious effect on hematologic functions, except for the increase in fibrinogen and platelets and the slight decrease in circulating RBCs.