[Isolation of R-phase strains of S. senftenberg form fish meal]. Studied are being a total of 40 strains of S. senftenberg, which at the time of isolation proved to be in R-phase z43, with an antigenic formula 3,19:z43:--. Splitting of the normal S-phase gst is possible at reseeding the cultures from 5 to 10 times in semisolid 0.7 per cent agar, adding no H-antiserum. This is essential for all diagnostic laboratories as not all of them have at their disposal a monofactor antiserum z43 (the production of which is rather difficult and expensive) for inhibiting the respective R-phase.


[Veterinary health examination of the microclimate of the cow complex in the Vidin district]. Studied was the dynamics of the microclimate at the cow complexes in the district of Vidin, where cows are raised of the Dutch Black Pied, Bulgarian Simmental, and Bulgarian Red cattle breeds. The temperature and relative humidity dynamics of the air was followed up as well as the values of ammonia gas and carbon dioxide, the microbial contamination, the coefficient of natural illumination, and the level of noise. The effectiveness of the ventilation system was assessed by direct and indirect criteria as suggested by the authors. The veterinary and sanitary evaluation by individual elements of the microclimate is carried out on the basis of normative documents in the People's Republic of Bulgaria, USSR, and GDR.


[Effect of the temperature-humidity regime during broiler raising on serum proteins and amino acids]. The study on the effect of the temperature and moisture regime on the serum proteins and amino acids in broiler chickens has revealed that under the conditions of relatively lower temperatures and higher relative moisture levels the total protein, the albumin, and the gamma-globulin fraction show higher contents. Noticeable are also some changes in the content of the bound amino acids (tyrosin, alfa- and beta-alanine, aspartic acid, and glycin) in the blood sera that are likewise depending on the temperature and moisture regime. The total amount of amino acids and the free forms of arginine and lysine are at higher levels in the broilers raised prior to the experiment at 32 degrees C and relative air humidity 70--75 per cent. With the remaining free and bound amino acids in the blood serum there are no differences in broilers raised at various temperature and moisture regimes. The body weight of broilers raised prior to the experiment at 32 degrees C and relative air humidity 70--75 per cent is higher, while the consumption of forage for kilogram weight gain is lower as compared to that with birds raised at higher temperature and lower relative humidity (35--45 and 50 per cent).


[Absorption and retention of ampicillin in calves and sheep]. Ampicillin-sodium and ampicillin-trihydrate were used in the experiments as an active substance at the rate of 800 IU/mg. Ampicillin-sodium was applied in the form of 5 per cent solution, and ampicillin-trihydrate--in the form of a 5 per cent water suspension prepared extempore prior to their administration. Both forms of ampicillin were used once, muscularly, at rates of 0.01 and 0.025 g/kg body weight with calves and sheep. The results of these comparative studies showed that the levels of the serum concentrations of ampicillin and the time of their deposition in both species of animals correlated with the dose, the chemical composition, and the species of animal. The period of retaining the antibiotic in the blood varied in calves and in sheep. Parallel to these studies the excretion of ampicillin from the body was also followed up--in the ewes' milk at muscular administration, rated 0.025 g/kg body weight. It was found that ampicillin-sodium and ampicillin-trihydrate quickly penetrate in the udder, and are observed in the milk at the 30th minute (0.25 microgram--0.38 microgram/cm3).


[Effect of the preparation hydroprot on immunogenesis in birds with Newcastle disease]. Investigations were carried out on the immunogenesis and the serum-protein profile in the treatment of broilers with the protein hydrolysate Hydroprot as well as with Newcastle disease vaccine. The treatment with Hydroprot led to a lower average geometric titer of antibodies--6.4 on the 14th, 6.9 on the 24th, and 6.6 on the 39th day following immunization. Characteristic changes in the serum-protein profile were established--decrease in the total serum-protein, increase in the globulins and particularly in the fractions the peak level of which corresponded to the period of most strongly expressed immunity. The results obtained were associated with the involvement of amino acid synthesis in the immunologic process. They showed that under the effect of the preparation applied there set in enhanced immunogenesis as an expression of changed immune responsiveness.


[Plaque activity of vaccinal and epizootic Newcastle virus]. The plaque technique is applied to the type differentiation of the Newcastle disease viruses, 0.5 per cent agarose being used as a nutritive overlayer. The epizootic Newcastle disease strains are characterized by a heterogenic plaque population in which the large plaques are prevalent, averaging 3--4 mm, with an irregular round form, an unclearly delineated diffuse edge, and a red center. The vaccinal strains (B1 and K) yield a homogeneous small-plaque population, the plaques themselves being 1--2 mm large, with a regular round shape, a well delineated edge, and a bright center.


Hepatic disposition of tilorone hydrochloride in the rat. 1. The hepatic disposition of tilorone HCl, an antiviral and antitumour agent, was studied in male Wistar rats after intraduodenal administration. 2. A concentrative transfer into the liver occurred, the liver/portal blood concentration ratio being 120 or higher. The relationship between dose and hepatic concentration was linear. 3. Biliary excretion of tilorone was low and dose-related; whole blood concentration was also dose-related. 4. Neither hepatic concentration nor biliary excretion exhibited saturation over the dosage studied (6--174 mg/kg). The hepatic 'depot' of tilorone lacked the characteristics of a true 'first-pass' effect.


The metabolic fate of prazosin.

The metabolic fate of prazosin. 1. [2-14C]Prazosin is rapidly distributed into tissues of the dog including heart, lung and vascular tissues. 2. Urinary excretion by rats and dogs is low, biliary secretion being the major route of elimination. 3. Biotransformation of prazosin in the rat and dog occurs primarily by 6- or 7-O-dealkylation and subsequent glucuronide formation, and to a lesser extent via N-dealkylation. 4. Preliminary metabolic studies in man indicate a pattern of metabolites similar to that observed in dogs and rats.


Cyclic metabolites of etidocaine in humans. 1. Three cyclic metabolites of etidocaine excreted in urine of man have been investigated by g.l.c.-mass spectrometry. 2. These metabolites have been identified as 3-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-5-ethyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione, 1-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-methyl-4-ethyl-2-imidazolin-5-one and 1-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2,4-diethyl-2-imidazoline-5-one. 3. Formation in vivo of two of the metabolites is proposed to proceed via carbinolamine intermediates.


Reduction of levopropoxyphene N-oxide to propoxyphene by dogs in vivo and rat liver microsomal fraction in vitro. 1. When l-propoxyphene-N-oxide was given orally to dogs, reduction occurred in vivo resulting in substantial plasma levels of l-propoxyphene. 2. When l-propoxyphene-N-oxide was given intravenously, near peak plasma levels of propoxyphene occurred in 10 minutes. This suggests that reduction is occurring at least in part in mammalian tissue rather than in gut flora. 3. Levopropoxyphene oxide was also readily reduced anaerobically in a rat liver microsomal fraction. 4. Results from this study explain our early observation that while l-propoxyphene-N-oxide is demethylated in vivo, demethylation does not occur in vitro when the oxide is incubated in air with liver homogenate. Thus demethylation of the oxide can occur only after reduction of the oxide to the tertiary amine. While reduction occurs readily in vivo it is completely inhibited by oxygen present in the usual microsomal incubation. 5. These studies further confirm that the N-oxide is not an intermediate in the demethylation of propoxyphene.


The failure of the 1976 swine influenza immunization program. The program to immunize 210 million Americans against swine flu failed. It set back the Federal government's relations with state health agencies, private physicians, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the insurance industry. It increased mistrust of immunization programs and of government health programs in general.The well-intentioned plan had far-reaching consequences because its scope and the speed with which it was implemented were overreactions to the threat. Its size magnified every one of its faults, legal, medical and political. Organizational and scientific capacity were less than expected. Local health agencies could not administer the program with the inadequate funds from HEW and pharmaceutical companies could not produce a safe, effective children's vaccine.Because of the urgency given the program, Congress neglected the opposition of consumer advocates and state health officials, and did not spend time trying to include immunization against childhood disease in the swine flu program.The failure illustrates the dangers of hasty decisions, of considering only direct medical costs and benefits and not social and political effects on health policy, of launching a public health program whose scientific basis is weak and whose administrative requirements are untested.


Effect of a new fluorochrome on pre- and post-UV treatment of Taphrina maculans Butler. Taphrin maculans BUTLER incites leaf spots disease in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) plants. The pathogen forms two types of colonies namely, salmon-red and and creamy-white in the artificial medium when isolated from a single infection spot. Both strains resemble yeasts in morphology. The two strains were subjected to UV irradiation. The salmon-red one showed higher resistance to UV than the white one, presumably due to the presence of a red pigment in the former. When spores of the salmon-red strain were pre-treated with a new fluorochrome HOECHST 33258 the survival decreased. Decreased survival of the salmon-red strain was also observed during post-treatment which is probably due to the combined effect of UV and dye. The creamy-white strain differs from the salmon-red one in UV sensitivity, and also during combined treatment with UV and dye. During pre-treatment the organism shows more survival than during post-treatment with the fluorochrome. This differential response is discussed in the light of repair mechanisms involved in the organism.


Growth on an arteriovenous malformation: a case report. A case of an intracerebral arteriovenous malformation that grew is presented. On the initial arteriogram only one early filling vein was seen in the region where a large arteriovenous malformation was present eight years later. The patient's headaches were relieved by antihypertensive medications. The authors speculate that distension of the AVM caused the headaches.


[Uptake of zinc by synchronous cells of Chlorella fusca]. The uptake of labelled zinc into the interior of synchronous Chlorella fusca was measured at 30 degrees C in minimal and optimal conditions (dark/nitrogen or light/air, respectively). No saturation with Zn was reached during 10 hours. Uptake strongly depended on the stage of the cells during the development cycle. The rates of uptake per unit cell number, per unit cell volume and also per unit cell surface, reach maxima be forecell division, and thereafter strongly decrease. Clearly the transport system is built up during cell growth. The similarity of the dependence of the rates of uptake in minimal and optimal conditions on the stage of development suggests identity of the transport systems.


Pulmonary granulomas in a patient on MER therapy. A patient with metastatic melanoma developed symmetric miliary infiltrates of the lungs while receiving injections of MER into tumor containing lymph nodes of the groin. Open lung biopsy identified the pulmonary lesions as caseating epithelioid granulomas. After cessation of MER therapy, the pulmonary lesions regressed spontaneously. The possible etiology of this so-far-unreported complication of MER therapy was briefly discussed.


The Yale Affiliated Hospital Program in Internal Medicine. I. Organization, goals and plans. In July, 1975, the Departments of Internal Medicine at the Yale University School of Medicine and eight community hospitals in southern and western Connecticut formed the Yale Affiliated Hospital Program (YAHP) in Internal Medicine. The YAHP provides a planned and focused program of continuing education for medical staff and housestaff at the affiliated hospitals. Six formats for the over 1,000 rounds, lectures, and conferences given annually are used. The members of the YAHP also cooperate in housestaff and faculty recruiting, evaluation of quality of care and evaluation of the process of continuing medical education itself. This report summarizes the organization, goals and future plans of the YAHP.


Ecology of Staphylococcus aureus: characterization of strains from chicken. The majority of S. aureus strains isolated from beak-swabs and pathological processes in chicken shows coagulation of human plasma (not of bovine plasma), crystal violet-type A, hemolysine-type A, formation of fibrinolysin, not formation of DNase and reactions with the experimental phage A1591. Because of the absence of DNase-formation and the reaction-specificity for phage A1591 we propose to designate these strains as host-specific variety gallinae of S. aureus. The strains from chicken are compared with strains of human, bovine, and ovine origin. An ecological study in a chicken farm has shown that S. aureus strains from chicken are not found in man and vice versa.


Epididymal sarcoidosis: a report of two cases and a review of the literature. Two cases of epididymal sarcoidosis, presenting as scrotal masses, are described. Biopsies of the epididymis and scalene nodes established the diagnosis. The literature of epididymal sarcoid and its differential diagnosis is discussed.


[On the relations between overweight and age (author's transl)]. There are reported new results on pathogenesis, etiology, and classification of adiposity under consideration of the age. The examinations show, that the postulated hyperphagia of the adipose person cannot be demonstrated so simply, therefore it is necessary to make longitudinal studies in further researches in this field. There are given simple directive rules for classification of the adipose persons to overcome the common uncertainly in this regard. New studies on the motivation of adipose persons for visiting a adiposity dispensary show an age dependence, in which in younger persons mostly esthetic causes, in the elderly sanitary causes are important.


[Gout in the age (author's transl)].

[Gout in the age (author's transl)]. The importance of the gout is growing in the GDR as its frequency has been increasing since the sixties. The gout is a disease of metabolism with the following accompanying phenomena: renal lesion in gout, hypertension, cardiac diseases and peripheral arterial diseases. Besides, there are proved relations between hyperuricemia and obesity, hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus as well as steatosis hepatis. In describing the nature of the gout the peculiarities of age are stressed. The treatment of the gout depends on the clinical state.


[Involutive specialities of the water-- and electrolyte metabolism (author's transl)]. The involutive restriction of the renal, pulmonary, endocrine and buffer mechanisms also diminished the range of efficacy and possibility for adaptation of the water-- and electrolyte metabolism of old people. Under geriatric aspects many causes for the endangering of the water-- and electrolyte metabolism and the therapeutic consequiences are discussed. It is founded that in old patients the quicker metabolism imbalance means a stronger threat of life that the disease itself. Often the consideration of this problem in much cases of diseases can save the life of the old patient.


[Rational physiotherapy in geriatrics (author's transl)]. According to the economical principle to obtain the highest advantage with the minimalst engagement for the society we passed over in geriatrics from the individual physiotherapy to the therapy in the group, which was very successful in our institution. Four important groups of diseases of the second part of the life have been taken into consideration: Patients with chronic bronchitis, with movement-diseases of the shoulder, the sameone of the hips and the knees and with arterial obturative disease of the extremities.


[Age index and an interpretation of survivorship curves (author's transl)]. Clinical investigations showed that the age dependences of physiological functions do not show -- as generally assumed -- a linear increase with age, but an exponential one. Considering this result one can easily interpret the survivorship curve of a population (Gompertz plot). The only thing that is required is that the probability of death (death rate) is proportional to a function of ageing given by mu(t) = mu0 exp (alpha t). Considering survivorship curves resulting from annual death statistics and fitting them by suitable parameters, then the resulting alpha-values are in agreement with clinical data.


[Vascular reconstructive procedures in patients with chronic occlusive arterial diseases and diabetes mellitus (author's transl)]. 97 diabetic patients of 734 patients with a chronic occlusive arterial disease were observed in the years from 1968 to 1974. It was established the operability of arterial occlusions are influenced by heaviness, duration and setting in the diabetes mellitus only a little. The indication to operate is determined by the three-points-regulation at the diabetic patients, too. Vascular reconstructive procedures were only possible at each of a second or third patient independent of diabetes mellitus. 28 vascular reconstructive procedures in the femoro-popliteal reach were made at 22 diabetic patients. The results were successful in more about than 80 per cent by explorations from 1 to 5 years after operations.


[Systolic periods in dependence of age]. In 278 healthy probands in the age of 23 to 80 years were measured the systolic periods and examined in dependence of age. There are found the following results: 1. from the youngest to the oldest group there is a small, statistically not significant increase of the middle systolic period. 2. the presphygmic phase (PEP) and the frequence-corrected interval (PEPI) show a small increase of the middle values in the first four age steps. Only after the age of 60 years is a clear increase of PEP and PEPI. 3. the expulsion time (LVET) and the expulsion index (LVETI) show in an increasing tendency of the mean values no significant difference of the mean value in the age groups. 4. the quotient LVET/PEP follows the course of PEP and PEPI. There is supposed, that the clear statistically significant increase of the mean value of the presphygmic phase and the presphygmic index after the age of 60 years cannot not be reduced to a "physiologic age insufficiency of the heart", but its cause is founded in asymptomatic courses of the coronary heart disease or other defined heart diseases.


[Position and problems is morphological characterizing of aged cells and organs (author's transl)]. Cellular changes in the process of aging are non-specific. A combination of nuclear inclusions, invaginations of the nuclear membrane, a reduction of the number of mitochondria with a simultaneous increase in size to the point of development of megamitochondria, a disorganization of the endoplasmic reticulum and a decrease of its surface density, an increase of the lysosomal volume share and a lipofucin accumulation indicates the existance of an aged cell. On the macroscopical and microscopical levels a diagnosis on the age of an organ is impossible.


[On moleculare biology of ageing. 10th communication. Enzyme level, age (author's transl)]. The intracellular enzyme level is a function of both the rate of synthesis and the rate of degradation. During aging the levels of a number of enzymes in various animal organs have been found to change; some increase, others decrease. These age dependent changes in enzyme levels may be the result of an alteration in either the rate of enzyme synthesis, or of enzyme degradation or both. The degradation rate constants and the half-life times of citrate cleavage enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase are uneffected by age, whereas the enzyme levels decrease. Thus the decreased enzyme levels in the liver of old rats can be ascribed to a diminished rate of enzyme synthesis. The half-life time of malic enzyme decreases in dependence of age and the increased enzyme degradation contributes to the diminished enzyme level in the liver old rats.


[On molecular biology of ageing. 12th communication. Glutathione, SH-reagents, metabolism (author's transl)]. 1. The significantion of the regulative function of SH-groups in ageing is described comprehensively 2. The redox state of glutathione changes in ageing 3. The activity of SH-enzymes is decreased in old tissues. They are reactivated in vivo and in vitro 4. The decreased protein synthesis in the liver of old rats is stimulated by 2-mercaptoethanol.


[On moleculare biology of ageing. 13th communication. Proteins, age (author's transl)]. Qualitative changes of proteins in old age are described in relation to the hypothesis of Orgel. A faulty protein structure may be caused by 1. faults in the genetic informations 2. faults of the transcription 3. faults in the translation 4. posttranslational changes.


[Influence of corticosteroid-therapy on the course of sarcoidosis (author's transl)]. The examinations relate to 206 patients suffering from a bioptically confirmed sarcoidosis, observed during 1959-1974. The observation period amounted to 2-15 years. The indications of the corticosteroid-therapy ran as follows: 1. in cases of a lymph node sarcoidosis without respiratory disorders, after a 2 years' observation without a regression. 2. in cases with pulmonary alterations already after 3-6 months without a regression. 3. in all cases of an extended pulmonary sarcoidosis. In the first group the sarcoidosis developed spontaneously in 65.2%, after a treatment in 15.7%. In 19.1% there was an unfavourable course, even in treated cases (2.2%). In the second group there was a spontaneous regression in 35.5%, after a treatment in 57%. In 10% the sarcoidosis changed over into the chronic form. The treatment failed in about 3%. In the third group we did not observe any spontaneous regression, after the corticosteroid-therapy a regression appeared in 35.7%. The condition remained unchanged in 64.3%. Totally there was a spontaneous regressions in 44.2% of the patients. Good results after the corticosteroid-therapy were attained in 36.4%, and the rest of about 20% developed to irreversible forms of the disease.


[The prognosis of intrathoracic sarcoidosis on the basis of the clinical picture and the histological feature in the mediastinal lymph nodes (author's transl)]. The clinical course of (pulmonary) sarcoidosis is difficultly foreseeable with regard to the fate of a given patient. There are some clinical features to get a probably good or probably poor prognosis, but there are only a few presumptions about the correlation between the histologic patterns with the clinical course. Lymph nodes were removed by mediastinoscopy. The authors have the intention with the aid of the histologic picture in these lymph nodes to examine, if 1. micro-cellular reactions and pure epithelioid-cell granulomas may have a better prognosis than 2. central necrosis, hyalinization, and fibrosis, whereas 3. the number of giant cells seems to be without prognostic significance.


Long-term follow-up in sarcoidosis in Japan. The clinical course of 775 sarcoidosis cases in Japan collected by the Japan Sarcoidosis Committee was followed up in the 6th month, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th-6th, 7th-9th and 10th year and over after the first discovery. The means follow-up period was 5.5 years. The accumulated rates of disappearance of BHL, lung, eye, and whole sarcoidosis lesions calculated by life-table method were 63%, 56%, 59% and 48% respectively at the 1st year, 75% 67%, 71% and 59% respectively at the 2nd year, 79%, 71%, 76% and 64% respectively at the 3rd year, 82%, 74%, 81% and 67% respectively at the 4th-6th year. Judging from the accumulated rates mentioned above, the speakers defined the course of the disease as "good" when the whole sarcoidosis lesions cleared within 2 years. It was revealed that out of 25 factors examined, factors such as "age under 29", "no eye lesions" and "without complaints" at the time of first discovery, were significantly useful for pre-dieting the "good" results. The disappearance of BHL within 6 months was one of the most important indices predicting the "good" outcome of sarcoidosis.


Prognostic significance of lymphopenia in pulmonary sarcoidosis. Since BOTTGER (1966, 1969) AND HOFFBRAND (1968) had described the absolute lymphopenia in pulmonary sarcoidosis as a sign of immune deficiency there were several authors who tried to elucidate different problems of sarcoidosis (RACOVEANU et al. 1970, STOJAN et al. 1971, OSODA et al. 1972). One of these problems is the effort to correlate absolute lymphopenia to prognostic parameters. Three controlled therapeutic trials were performed and compared: 59 cases with clinically and histologically proven sarcoidosis with spontaneous regression and 180 cases with different regimens of prednisolone: --a steady increase of the absolute number of lymphocytes in cases without and with treatment is a prognostically good sign, --no increase or even decrease is a poor sign, -- a very low and unchanged number is worst. This seems to confirm--among other things--that course and prognosis of sarcoidosis really may not be affected by time-limited corticotherapy.


[Levamisol and cell-mediated immunity in sarcoidosis (author's transl)]. In patients with clinically and histologically confirmed sarcoidosis the question was investigated whether Levamisol shows any therapeutical effectively on this disease. With application of Levamisol neither the deficiency of cell-mediated immunity in vivo (PPD and streptokinase) nor the in-vitro tests (blast-transformation of lymphocytes, E-rosettes) was influenced.


[Frequency and characters of familial pulmonary sarcoidosis (author's transl)]. A report is given on familial sarcoidosis in four cases. These 4 cases comprise one brother-sister and one mother-son relationship. Brother and sister were young persons in the acute stage (Löfgren-syndrome). In the other two cases diffuse fibroses accompanied by severe functional disturbances were to be observed. In both relationships clinical and radiological picture, course of the illness and response to the treatment were similar: favourable in the first, unfavourable in the second relationship. The frequency of familial occurrence is said to be 3.7% of all sarcoidosis cases.


Hypercalciuria in sarcoidosis.

Hypercalciuria in sarcoidosis. In 18 cases of sarcoidosis, 11 presented with hypercalciuria. Absorptive hypercalciuria was usually involved, but 2 patients had probably a calcium renal leak. Therapy with sodium cellulose phosphate was usually effective in lowering the amount of urine calcium, but thiazides had to be used concomitantly in three cases.


Lymphoblast transformation studies in sarcoidosis. Tissue culture studies of lymphnode lymphocytes, obtained from Sarcoidosis patients revealed lymphoblast transformation (morphologically observed) after incubation with Kveim antigen. Simultaneously we could obtain peripherical blood-lymphocytes from some patients. Lymphocytes from both compartments showed a positive correlated blasttransformation. Spontaneous blasttransformation was observed in cultures supplemented with fetal calf serum, however, this phenomenon was not observed in cultures with human AB serum. The results, together with the discrepance of spontaneous lymphoblast transformation will be discussed.


[Some particularities in diagnostic, clinical picture, and therapy of pulmonary sarcoidosis (author's transl)]. Serological reactions (indirect hemagglutination and complement-fixing reaction) are used for differentiation of pulmonary sarcoidosis from tuberculosis. Antituberculous antibodies were found in tuberculosis in 83%, in sarcoidosis only in 22%. Pulmonary sarcoidosis is found more often in females than males (60:40). It is most frequent between 20 to 40 years (82%). Stadium I was present in 76.5%. Stadium II in 14.7% and Stadium III in 8.8% of all cases. Extrapulmonary lesions were observed in 8% of all cases of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Tuberculin reaction was negative in 93%. Mediastinoscopy proved to be the best method for bioptic examination (100%). The clinical signs are discussed.


[Sarcoidosis in children and adolescents (author's transl)]. Among 400 patients with sarcoidosis in Moscow 8.5% (34) were found among children and adolescents. Predominance of females, observed among adults could not be found in children and adolescents (27 males, 7 females). Most cases were stadium I (21); stad. II 11, stad. III 2. In patients with stadium I and II extrapulmonary lesions were rather frequent (1/3 of all cases). Clinical picture, X-ray findings and symptoms are discussed. Tuberculin reaction was negative in 29 of 34 patients.


[Study of sick behavior as a basis for the planning of health education]. A model of illness behaviour has to take into account different factors of the social milieu, of social learning and personality. Many research projects have been done to develop concepts explaining different aspects of illness behaviour. These concepts can serve as intervening variables in our model. This comprehensive model of illness behaviour is used for the planification of an epidemiologic study with school children. The results will serve as a base for planning comprehensive programs in health education.


[Drug education as part of health education]. Health education is considered as regulating health behavior. This forms a part of general behavior based on socio-cultural norms. For this reason, when defining their aims, health education programs must take the socio-cultural environment into account. There are three main parts to health education considered as a whole: somatic hygiene, psychological hygiene and social hygiene. As an example, the case of drug education demonstrates that any health education program must be devised with its contents specifically selected and the program must take into account, to different degrees, all three aspects of health education. Formal criteria and criteria regarding the contents for a drug education program are indicated, based on the idea that all persuasive transmission of information must be based on three fundamental steps: 1st sensitization, 2nd information and 3rd motivation.


[Basis for health education programs on smoking and alcoholism: similarities and contrasts]. An attempt is made to state the socio-cultural context, the biomedical aspects, general and specific educational objectives, and educational contents of school health education programmes on alcoholism and smoking respectively, and to compare these with each other by juxtaposition in a tabular presentation.


[Evaluation of an educational program on smoking, alcohol and drug abuse]. The learning program with the title "Consuming critically" has the objective to influence the learner so that he will completely abstain from smoking, drinking of alcoholic beverages and the abuse of medication or at least reduce the respective consumption. A reduction in consumption or a reduction in the predisposition to consume for those who were none-consumers was considered the criteria for a successful utilization of the program. The program was evaluated with a representative sample including all types of schools at the 8th grade in the Basle Schools. By a standardized questionnaire behaviour and attitudes were measured. Regarding the smoking of cigarettes changes in the desired direction could be shown in both behaviour and attitude. No effect could be proven as to the consumption of alcoholic beverages. A significant positive change in the attitude towards the proper use of medication could be demonstrated while the corresponding consumption pattern remained unchanged.


[Evaluation of the effect of health education in adolescents]. In several studies we examined the influence of a short-term (over two hours), medium-term (over one year) and long-term (over three year) health education program in young people in Switzerland. We found, that long-term intervention showed better results, such as in changing the smoking behavior than short-term programs.


Echolocation performance of the vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus). The neotropical vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) echolocate using ultrasonic pulses like those of the Latin American phyllostomatid bats. In this paper the orally produced echolocation sounds of Desmodus are analysed and the performance of the echolocation system is studied in two-choice training experiments on two vampire bats. Ability to detect objects is relatively limited; both animals were capable of discerning the presence of a 1 cm wide metal strip at a distance of 50 cm, but they failed with 0.5 cm wide strips. The ultrasonic pulses produced at a distance of 50 cm appear to sample an area with a diameter of 2.5 to 3.0 cm (i.e., the solid angle tested with each pulse is 3 degrees to 3 degrees 40' in extent).


Studies on protein production by yeasts. III. Effects of different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. The four strains of yeasts that gave good growth in molasses medium, short generation time, and high protein content were selected for further studies in a trial for increasing their yield and protein content. Therefore, the effect of different levels of ammonium sulphate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate on the growth and protein synthesis of the strains was investigated, using molasses as a source of carbon. The results revealed that the most suitable concentrations of ammonium sulphate in the propagation medium lie between 0.40 to 0.55% for the production of high yield and protein content of strains S. cerevisiae (Gr. 104), C. utilis (F. 86), C. tropicalis (F. 35), and H. anomala (Gr. 5). The optimum concentration of potassium dihydrogen phosphate lies between 0.2 to 0.3% for the same strains. S. cerevisiae (Gr. 104) seemed to be the most efficient strain that gave the best growth, high percentage of protein, and essential amino acids in molasses medium.


Studies on protein production by yeasts. IV. Incremental feeding modulus. S. cerevisiae Gr. 104 which seemed to be the most efficient strain in protein production, was used for investigating its optimum incremental feeding modulus that gives the highest economical yield. Therefore, different hourly rates of incremental feeding, ranging from 1.14 to 1.22, were used and the yeast yield for each rate was determined. Experiments were carried out in a laboratory fermentor vessel of 5 liter capacity, using molasses, ammonium sulphate, and potassium dihydrogen phosphate as feeding substances with optimum pH, temperature, and effective aeration. The optimum incremental feeding for this strain (which is the rate of molasses feeding corresponding to the exponential growth rate) was found to be 1.18. At this rate the best economical use of the substrate was obtained with the production of yield, close to the theoretically calculated yield.


Effect of tetracycline on the formation of nucleic acid bases formed in photochemically synthesized micro-structure, called "Jeewanu". The effect of tetracycline on the formation of nucleic acid bases, found in photochemically synthesized micro-structures (called "jeewanu"), was investigated. Antibiotics have significant effects on the formation of photochemically synthesized micro-structures. Thus, tetracycline inhibits the formation of these micro-structures considerably and consequently the formation of nucleic acid bases in these micro-structures is hindered.


Ethylene production during seed germination of some plants. The volatile and gaseous exudates emanating during seed germination of cotton, maize, and broad bean were analyzed chromatographically for ethylene production. The amount of ethylene produced could be arranged in the following descending order: cotton, maize, broad bean. Ethylene production decreases with the increase in the germinating seed age.


Virus diseases of berry crops in the Soviet Far East I. Identification of some mechanically transmitted viruses, detected in Primorye Territory. In Primorye Territory, USSR, cucumber mosaic virus (CMV-I), arabis mosaic virus (AMV), raspberry, ringspot virus (RRSV), and tomato ringspot virus (TRSV) were identified on berry crops (currant, raspberry, honeysuckel). With respect to indicator plants and physico-chemical and serological properties, the isolates obtained do not differ from other isolates of these viruses, reported on berry crops in Europe and North America.


[Electron microscope studies on spread of Fusarium sulphureum Schlecht. in potato tuber tissue (author's transl)]. An electron microscope study has shown that the spread of Fusarium sulphureum through potato tuber tissue occurs not only intracellular but also intercellular. The spread of hyphae effected both mechanical and enzymatical. The study of cells neighbouring hyphae shows degeneration of protoplasm. Intercellular spaces of infected tissue are filled with a dark substance. It seems that these substances are fragments of cell walls which are macerated by Fusarium enzymes.


Effect of different concentrations of dl-isoleucine, dl-valine, and dl-alanine on growth and sporulation in Fusarium oxysporum f. udum (Butl.) Sn. et H. D1-alanine and dl-valine, when added as an extra nitrogen for fortifying the already present inorganic nitrogen source, actually acted as growth retardant for F. oxysporum f. udum (Butl.) Sn. et H. Sporulation of microconidia was indifferently affected by these two amino acids. DI-valine stimulated microconidial formation in young cultures only. In both young and old cultures the lowest concentration of dl-valine depressed macronidial sporulation. In old cultures the lowest concentration of valine stimulated chlamydospore differentiation rapidly, higher concentrations being less effective. D1-alanine, as an additional nitrogen source, depressed both macro- and microconidal sporulation. It did not even invigorate chlamydospore formation. D1-isoleucine, on the other hand, belongs to the category of growth promoters and profuse and stimulative sporulators of macro- and microconidia. This pathogen needs very specific and preferential doses of the three amino acids, if these are used as a booster in addition to the already present nitrogen source. The response, both in terms of mycelial growth and sporulation of the three spore forms, was also conditioned by the age of the culture.


[Experiences with centralized care for pregnant diabetic women--results of the 1976 treatment period]. 73 diabetic pregnant were controled and treated in our clinic 1976, there was a perinatale mortality of 2,7%. The great part of EPH--gestosis and infections of the urinary system and more operative deliveries show of a higher risk already in the stage of latent diabetes. By screening methodes for diabetics during pregnancy and by intensive control in the first trimester it will be possible to obtain better results in the future.


[Prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in pregnant diabetic women during labor]. In the period between 1973 and 1976, in order to prevent neonatal RDS, 24 insulin-dependent diabetic mothers were given Dexamethason before delivery. The treated group was compared with a control group comprising 26 women of the same gesational age, severity of diabetes and mode of delivery. Neonatal care was similar in both groups. In the group where steroid prophylaxis was applied, decrease of RDS morbidity and mortality was observed. The authors accentuate that Dexamethason given to the mother may have an unfavourable effect on carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, it is recommended to perform 4-hour determinations of blood sugar, urinary sugar and acetone and accordingly, modification of therapy.


[Assessment of liver function using indocyanine green (Ujoviridin) during normal pregnancy, during labor and in puerperium]. Indocyaningreen (ICG) was given for the characterize of the excretion function of the liver during the course of normal pregnancy, sub partu and post partum. Studies were performed in 168 primi- and multigravidas with normal medical and obstetric histories (mean age of 23,5 years). 0,5 mg ICG/kg body mass were injected intravenously as a bolus. 18 healthy nonpregnant women served as controls (mean age of 24,2 years). In the I. and II. trimester of pregnancy the elimination of ICG was not decreased in comparison to the controls (3,64 +/- 0,86). The increased retention of ICG in the 40th week of pregnancy (4,67 +/- 0,41) and during labor (7,02 +/- 2,32) are caused through the physiological alterations of pregnancy. No placental transfer of the dye could be detected by simultaneous measurement of ICG in the maternal and fetal cord blood. During the post partum period the elimination of ICG will be normal. ICG is recommend instead of Bromsulfaleine (BSP) for the estimation of excretion function of the liver during pregnancy and childbed.


[Behavior of various energy-metabolism enzymes in the maternal venous and umbilical cord blood during labor complicated by threatened intrauterine asphyxia]. The activity of some enzymes of indirect metabolic rate in maternal and umbilical blood were measured in the cases of normal and complicated by the severe intrauterine foetal asphyxia labours. It is concluded that the severe foetal asphyxia caused by the umbilical conflict is reflecting in the changed levels of the majority of examined enzymes in the umbilical blood.


[Studies on the modification of puerperal lactation using methylergobrevin]. During the first 6 days after delivery the daily amount of mild secretion was measured in 300 nursing puerperae who had been treated with 0,2 mg of Methylergobrevin per day in combination with 100 IU Oxytocin. The milk let-down was compared with that of 300 untreated puerperae nursing under the same conditions. A significantly smaller milk let-down was found in treated old primiparae over 30 years, multiparae between 19-30 years and puerperae after premature delivery. In puerperae desiring to nurse their babies the routine post-partum treatment with Methylergobrevin should always be combined with Oxytocin. In women who had a premature delivery and in old primiparae a postpartum treatment with Methylergobrevin should be avoided.


[Total protein and immunoglobulin concentrations in the parotid saliva of pregnant women]. The content of total protein and immunglobulins in the parotid saliva and blood serum of pregnant women and healthy test persons has been determined by the biuret method and radial immunofiffusion. It was stated that total protein and IgG in the parotid saliva were higher in pregnant women than in healthy test persons, whereas the IgA-levels don't show any differences. IgM was not measurable in the parotid saliva. There was no relationship between saliva and serum immunglobulins. During the pregnancy show the parotid glands another typ of reaction than nonpregnant women.


[Breech presentations in 1957-1961 and 1967-1975 at the Landesfrauenklinik Magdeburg]. Breech presentation is classed as an abnormality because of the high associated perinatal mortality and morbidity rates and the slightly increased maternal morbidity. A review of 14 years' experience with breech delivery was undertaken to ascertain patterns of care. During this period there were 33 183 births and there were 1271 cases of breech presentation. The method of delivery in the 1271 cases included 91,5 per cent vaginal deliveries and 8,5 per cent cesarean sections. There was an increase to 15,3 per cent during the last 2 years of the review. This review indicates a decline in perinatal mortality rate from 20,3 to 5,4 per cent (unselected). Breech presentation is often associated with premature labor. Premature labor represents the significant clinical problem by contributing to perinatal morbidity and death.


[Cerebral damage following breech presentation]. 445 single babies were born from breech presentation at the Obstetric Department of the Medical Faculty in Plzen in the years 1962 to 1966. The perinatal mortality was 71,9%. Intracranial bleeding was the most frequent cause of death. All survived children were examined by the pediatric neurologist and psychologist at the age of 9 to 13 years. 4,24% have suffered from cerebral palsy, 3,0% from epilepsy and 22,8% from minimal brain damage. Having analysed the methods of conducting the deliveries we found out that the best prognosis for survival as well as for psychomotoric development in breech presentation have the babies delivered by elective Caesarean section.


[Value of testicular biopsy in the diagnosis of sterility]. Male infertility is a far more prevalent problem than is perhaps generally realized. The evaluation of testicular biopsies allows various clinical syndromes of hypogonadism to be identified and a rational basis for therapy to be established. The morphological-anatomical classification of male infertility paralleling the clinical-biochemical classification divides the different varieties of male infertility into three categories: those due to pretesticular, testicular, and posttesticular causes. Testicular biopsy is an important method in the diagnosis and management of male infertility. The procedure is simple and safe in competent hands and yields information obtainable in no other way. The increasing use of this procedure permitts a rational classification of the testicular lesions responsible for infertility and provides an intelligent basis for the institution of corrective measures or the withholding of therapy in cases in which the biopsy indicates a hopeless prognosis for fertility.


Serological specificities of polysaccharides from four Salmonellae sharing "O" factor 8. S. virginia (8) and S. newport (6.8) induced in sera of hyper-immunized rabbits antibodies which precipitated the respective homologous and heterologous polysaccharides as well as the polysaccharides from S. blockley (6.8) and from S. emek (8.20) by homogeneous lines of, apparent, serological identity. S. blockley, sharing with S. newport the same "O" factors, induced however two antipolysaccharides of which only one was identical with that of S. virginia. Different proteinic carriers were found to be responsible for the two induced antipolysaccharides. S. emek (820) induced antipolysaccharide antibodies which displayed a reaction of partial identity with the heterologous polysaccharides, in contrast to the serological homogeneity of precipitation, shown by the S. emek polysaccharide against the heterologous sera. The existence of a more complex structure of the S. emek polysaccharide, of which a small determinant is in common with the heterologous polysaccharides and is associated with a common proteinic carrier explains these different reactions.


[Further studies of salmonella findings in reptiles. IV. Communication (author's transl)]. All together 139 snakes - 134 Coluber jugularis, 3 Natrix natrix and 2 Natrix tessellata were examined for the presence of Salmonella and Arizona bacteriae. From the 139 specimens examined 112 proved to be Salmonella positive. 30 Salmonella respectively Arizona serotypes were isolated, there from 3 new Arizona types were found: Ar. 10a, 10c:27-21, Ar. 10a, 10c:23-31 and Ar. 16:23-31. 41 specimens contained single serotypes, while 51 were double infected, 12 specimens harbored 3 different serotypes of Salmonella, 6 specimens contained four and 2 contained five different serotypes. The result of these examinations present once more the variety of Salmonella species in reptiles.


[The methyleneblue reduction disc test (M.R.D.-test): a simplified method for the identification of Pseudomonas species (author's transl)]. The identification of Pseudomonas species in practice can be improved by testing the utilization of different organic compounds as single sources of carbon. The introduction of this kind of technique into routine laboratory work requires a simplification of the test system. In order to meet these requirements the methyleneblue reduction disc test (M.R.D.-test) had been developed. In this test discs loaded with different organic compounds are introduced into suspensions of the strain examined as single source of carbon. Before to these bacterial suspensions a mineral salts solution containing methyleneblue as a redox indicator had been added. With the help of this method the utilization of a large number of different organic compounds as single sources of carbon can be tested in a way which is neither laborious nor time consuming. The disc once prepared can be stored for some time, single strains can be tested without any difficulty as they are isolated during routine laboratory work.


[Trendobservation of beneficial effects of vaccinations (author's transl)]. The beneficial effects of vaccinations may be calculated by means of special formulas: (formulas: see text). In these formulas R means the risks of the disease with regard to special complications, r the comparable risk of vaccination, p the protection rate and t the duration of protection. A vaccination is beneficial, if N and Q greater than 1 and D greater than 0. Vaccinations which show low levels for N, Q and D must be reevaluated constantly by means of the above mentioned formulas. This control may be performed also by calculation of the border - risk Rlim = r/p.t and the epidemiologic trend. In case of whooping-cough according to the risk given by the WHO vaccination loses its beneficial effect at the end of 1976 and cannot be recommended therefore for general performance in middle Europe. On the other hand BCG-vaccination will have a beneficial effect for about another 30 years on a very low level. However, the beneficial effect is much more expressed, if the prevention of leucemic deaths, as quoted by Davignon and Rosenthal, is taken for granted.


[Hygienic and bacteriological comparative studies in 50 hospitals. VI. The efficacy of a hospital-hygienic instruction regarding 6 hospitals]. The efficacy of hospital hygienic measures was checked in six hospitals. The programme was started by determining the effective state. Subsequently a two-day extension course for the training and instruction of the responsible personnel in charge (physicians, nurses and administrative staff) in the essential problems of hospital hygiene was held. The next measure consisted in giving advice in the preparation of hygiene plans which had to make allowance for the prevailing personal and constructional situation as well as for the hospital equipment. The hygiene plans represented the written concept of the measures to be implemented. Then enquiries, local inspections as well as hygienic-bacteriological ambient analyses were carried out to determine the hygienic situation in the hospital after adoption of the measures and the findings were compared with the situation preceding the initiation of the hygienic programme. The results show that the proposed improvements were mostly realised as far as such administrative measures as the procurement of disinfectant dispensers, throwaway towels and suitable disinfectants were concerned. The instructions given for the implementation of suitable methods of application were complied with to a lesser extent. Moreover, considerable improvements were achieved with regard to the operation and efficiency of the sterilizers. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that suitable measures largely reduce the extensive gaps in information on the part of the staff on hospital hygiene and that the resulting intensification of efforts can greatly contribute towards an improvement of the overall hygiene in hospitals.


[On the integral determination of the fluoride immission by means of the lead dioxid cylinder method (author's transl)]. The observation that PbO2 absorbs besides SO2 other, gaseous pollutants such as HF suggested to extend the lead dioxid cylinder method by means of the fluoride electrode on the determination of the fluoride immission. The results of 656 measurements were used to establish "fluoride-maps" of the federal countries Salzburg and Kärnten.


[Equipment to find odour compounds, produced by bacteria in drinking water. I. Comparison of a bacteria produced odour compound with a chemical reference substance and a simple method for getting and concentrating biogenic odour compounds (author's transl)]. An increase in using surface water and bank filtration processes as raw water for drinking water production sometimes gave rise to problems of bad taste and odour. Some of these odourous compounds may be produced by bacteria, especially Streptomyces species. They are able to pass active carbon filters and therefore are a problem as well in raw water as in treated water. Biogenic odourous compounds often are soluble in water, that means they are present without being fixed to the bacteria cell. Human nose is able to percieve even dilutions of about 10(-9). If a bacterial produced substance is compared with an equal smelling chemical substance such as Isoborneol, also diltuions of 10(-9) may be smelt. Gas-chromatography only detects concentrations up to 10(-5), so the nose is much more efficient.


[Studies on inactivation of viruses in drinking and surface water. A contribution to the decontamination of water by field methods (author's transl)]. The suitability for field use of heating up to 80 degrees C and adding six different virucidal chemicals for decontamination of drinking and surface water was investigated using the viruses of Polio (vaccine strain), ECBO, Reo, bovine Parvo, HCC, Pseudorabies, ND and Vaccinia. The Parvovirus (concentration 10(5) TCID50/ml) heated to 80 degrees C could not be inactivated completely in drinking water within one hour; the Reovirus could after one hour only at 60 degrees C. The other viruses used lost their infectivity at 56 degrees C within 60 minutes or at 60 degrees C within 20 minutes respectively. Heating therefore seems to be too circumstantial a method for viral decontamination of water and unreliable under field conditions. As to the chemical water additives tested, chloramine-T, hydrogen peroxide and sodium peroxide proved to be unsuitable in spite of virucidal activity. The amount of their concentration necessary for reliable virus inactivation makes the water unfit for drinking. Iodine, a calcium hypochlorite sample and potassium permanganate were useful. Because of its constant reaction in drinking water together with additional advantages, iodination of water would seem to be the best method at present for viral water decontamination usable under field conditions.


[Epidemiological studies after an outbreak of meningitis (author's transl)]. The outbreak of meningitis during the period from the end of August to the beginning of October 1974 in Kiel affected 45 children, particularly those in the age group between 4 and 9 years. An potential causative agents ECHO viri were identified in 15/45 cases and Coxsackie B viri in 2/45 cases. The patients presented the typical meningitic symptoms (fever, headache, stiffness of the neck). In all cases the disease ran a benign course. - Epidemiologically, it was possible to trace 32/45 cases back to three locally demarcated groups with demonstrable possibilities of contact for the diseased children (family, playground, kindergarden and school). The remaining 13/45 cases occurred isolated over the urban area without any visible connection. - This outbreak of meningitis must be regarded as an accumulation of illnesses resulting from contact infections by enteroviri and lacking or deficient disinfection. Besides the rather limited measures adopted to prevent the spread of such an infection, the correct psychological management of the population especially by the health authorities is of great importance in such epidemics.


[Activities of lactate dehydrogenase, acetylcholinesterase and cholinesterase in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood of patients with craniocerebral injuries]. LDH, ACHE, and CHE are determined in liquor and serum of 31 patients with commontio cerebri and 20 patients with contusio cerebri and the values are compared with a reference range found in 25 test persons. Functional cerebral lesion causes an increase in LDH in the cerebrospinal fluid. After cerebral contusions, the behaviour of LDH is uncharacteristic whereas ACHE and CHE show a distinct decrease in activity. When considering the individual values, a considerable scattering is found, so that the clinical applicability of the method for a differentiation of functional and primary-morphological brain lesions remains doubtful.


[Resection of cerebellar gliomas in childhood]. The linear incision of the cerebellum for the exposure of cerebellar tumours is considered to be insufficient, both with regard to access, survey and intraoperative traumatisation and the postoperative development. As vascular anastomoses in the pia mater are very strong and sufficient, resections of the cerebellar tissue are carried out above the tumour. The nucleus dentatus was examined in its extent on the specimen, especially with respect to its displacement by tumours. Median tumours push it laterally and rotate it, hemispherical tumours lead to the opposite effect. Malignant gliomas infiltrate it. Resection is carried out in the lobuli semilunaris inf. et biventer, in the vermis, in the upper and later sections of pyramis and partly in the medial hemisphere regions. Experiences were gained in 50 children; in all cases the tumour could be removed completely.


The microglia in brain granulomatoses. Histo-enzymological study. The microglial participation in the different granulomatous processes was studied by silver impregnation techniques and histoenzymological methods. In florid granulomatous areas two types of metallophilic cells were detected, corresponding to the common macrophages and perhaps to the ameboid modification of the microglia. Hydrolytic enzyme preparations showed a pattern of distribution and intensity similar to that of the impregnated cells. Only in the adjacent nervous parenchyma the different methods evidenced the presence of hyperplastic ramified microglia associated with reactive astrocytes.


[Computer model of the bladder].

[Computer model of the bladder]. The function of the urinary bladder in the spinal segments S2-3 is a relatively simple regulatory system. This fact has enabled us to devise an adapted block scheme and to describe mathematically existing interrelations of its individual components. Thus, an abstract model of the function of the urinary bladder has been developed which was realised on a BASIC-programmed computer. The results obtained with this model simulate the function of filling and emptying of the urinary bladder and permit to understand the details of the function of the nervous system controlling the urinary bladder at this level.


Unusual extension of an epidermoid cyst. Report on an epidermoid which extended from the frontal via the temporal region to the brain stem and the left cerebellar hemisphere and had consumed the brain substance. A cerebellar pressure cone was found on the right-hand side. The case history covered a period of ten years (psychic symptoms, pressure signs, nystagmus, ptosis, hypacusis on the left side and central facial paresis on the right). The angiogram showed an extensive region with an abundance of vessels, especially in the temporal and infratentorial regions. Calibre reduction of the external carotid. No operation because of extremely bad condition. The postmortem findings confirmed the mainly basally developed epidermoidoma.


[Indication for surgery in recurrent glioma of the brain]. In this paper, some aspects are discussed which are of importance for the indication for an operation because of gliomatous cerebral tumours. Among these, there are, for example, the histopathological findings, the patient's age, the period of anamnesis, and the time interval between the first operation and the recurrence, the degree of radical surgery for the removal of the tumour and the postoperative course as well as location and extension of the process. Problems of instrumental diagnosis of relapsing cerebral gliomas are briefly discussed. In conclusion, the paper gives a critical analysis of the results obtained in the surgery of glioma relapses.


[Spinal tumors in infancy and childhood]. In the period from 1954 to 1976, 80 children were operated on in the Neurosurgical Clinic Budapest because of spinal tumours (40,7% extradural, 24.7% intradural-extramedullary, 34.6% intramedullary). 6 neurofibromas, 17 gliomas, 17 sarcomas, 12 dermoids, 6 osteoclastomas, 6 cysts, 3 haemangiomas, 2 teratomas, 2 lipomas, 1 chordoma and others. Spinal tumours in children are, expressed in percentage figures, much rarer than in adults. Diagnosed were mainly: No learning of walking, changes in the form of the vertebral column, bone changes in the X-ray picture, myelographs with air, xenon, myodil. In case of malignant tumours, chemotherapy was used additionally. Malignant intramedullar tumors were only subjected to decompression. In all other cases, operation was as radical as possible, in recent years microsurgically. Early lethality 3, tumour lethality 12 children. An important requirement is the wearing of a corset in order to diminish distortion of the vertebral column.


Precursors of cytoplasmic RNA in avian cell nucleus. In nucleus of chick embryo four pre-rRNA of molecular weight of 3.43, 2.93, 2.36 and 1.87 X 10(6) were found in addition to the heterogeneous population of "giant" RNA molecules larger than 4.5 X 10(6) daltons, partially polyadenylated, with few methyl groups and numerous double-stranded regions.


Amino acid sequence of the basic trypsin inhibitor from bovine splenic capsule. A new fluorescent reagent for protein sequence analysis. The amino acid sequences of tryptic peptides from the performic acid-oxidized trypsin inhibitor were determined. The degradation was performed with a new reagent, 3-isothiocyanato-4-methoxy-4'-nitrostilbene, and compared with the dansyl-Edman technique. The amino acid sequence of the trypsin inhibitor from bovine splenic capsule was found to be the same as that of the basic trypsin inhibitor from bovine pancreas, established by Kress & Laskowski (J. Biol. Chem. 1967, 242, 4925-4928).


Effect of some glycolytic intermediates and palmitoyl-CoA on alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in mitochondria isolated from liver of triiodothyronine-treated rats. alpha-Glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.99.5) in mitochondria from liver of the triiodothyronine-treated rats is competitively inhibited by phosphoenolpyruvate, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and 3-phosphoglycerate, the apparent Ki values for phosphoenolpyruvate being 0.76 mM at pH 7.0, 1.7 mM at pH 7.4 and 3.5 mM at pH 7.7. The apparent Ki values for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and 3-phosphoglycerate are also pH-dependent. Other glycolytic intermediates, such as 2-phosphoglycerate, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, pyruvate, glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate did not alter significantly alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase activity. Palmitoyl-CoA is a competitive inhibitor of this enzyme, with Ki value of about 30 micron.


Purification and some properties of a nuclease from rye germ nuclei. 1. An endonuclease has been isolated from the nuclei of rye (Secale cereale L) germ and partially purified. The enzyme shows optimum activity over the pH range 5.4-7.4 towards both DNA and RNA, and has no phosphomonoesterase or phosphodiesterase activity. 2. DNA is degraded by the rye germ nuclease to oligonucleotides of similar size, and RNA to oligonucleotides and mononucleotides containing a C-terminal 5'-phosphate group. 3. The rate of hydrolysis of nuclear acids by the enzyme decreases in the following order: native DNA greater than denatured DNA greater than RNA. Synthetic polynucleotides are hydrolysed at a rate decreasing in the order: poly(A) greater than poly(U) greater than poly(C) greater than poly(G).


Leucine transfer RNA from barley. Characterization and purification of isoaccepting species. Barley embryo leucine tRNA separated on reversed-phase chromatography-5 (RPC-5) into 5 fractions, whereas tRNA isolated from barley seedlings grown both in the light and in the dark, contained 4 species of tRNALeu. Species 2 and 3 were predominant; their relative ratio changed depending upon the growth conditions of the seedlings. Fractionation of crude barley tRNA successively on BD-cellulose, RPC-5 and Sepharose 4B enabled preparative isolation and purification of four leucine isoaccepting tRNAs. The species isolated differed in their main nucleotide composition, melting profiles and MgCl2 titration curves.


The reaction of N-bromosuccinimide with enolase. Ten tryptophan residues per one protein molecule were found to be present in the enolase from human and swine muscle. In Tris buffer, N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) inactivated the enolases after oxidation of all 10 tryptophan residues. The presence of 2-phosphoglycerate (2-PGA) partially protected the activity, and in the presence of 2-PGA together with Mg2+ full protection was observed. In phosphate buffer, only 6 tryptophan residues could be oxidized, but the enzyme was fully inactivated. 2-PGA made possible the oxidation of all 10 tryptophan residues, concomitant with full inactivation. In either case, Mg2+ had no effect. The Km values and pH optima were the same for the native and partially NBS-modified enolases.


Hemodynamic changes in burned mice treated with triglycylvasopressin. Cardiac output distribution, blood pressure and flow in a carotid artery catheter during the first five days after a standardized 15% third degree burn were studied in groups of mice treated with triglycylvasopressin, and in groups used as controls. All animals received isotonic saline solution amounting to 20% of the body weight twice daily, and the treated groups received in addition triglycylvasopressin (TGLVP), a vasopressin analogue with prolonged effect, 100 microgram/kg body weight twice daily. Cardiac output distribution was determined by the 86Rubidium-technique, and showed in burned animals a decreasing fraction to kidneys and small bowel as well as an increased share to the carcass during the experimental period. These changes were partly counteracted by TGLVP-treatment. Flow in the carotid artery catheter in the treated group far exceeded that in the controls, which might be explained by a lower viscosity of the blood in the treated group.


Earlier and concurrent morbidity of patients with acute lower leg thrombosis. The morbidity of 143 patients aged 15-55 years suffering from lower leg thrombosis had been analysed and compared with that of a control material. Ninety-two per cent of the patients suffering from thrombosis had earlier undergone some form of medical care at the hospital. The corresponding figure for the control material was 56%. Of the patients, 6% had a malignant disease, 24% were postoperative, 8% had trauma or fracture of the thrombotic leg, 18% had defects in the fibrinolytic system (58% of those in whom the fibrinolytic defence mechanism was studied), 20% were alcoholics or drug addicts, 15% (31% of the females) had used oral contraceptives, 15% had had an earlier thrombosis of the leg, and 8% of the patients had been in bed with some innocuous disease. It was concluded that a thrombosis often arises in patients with a high earlier morbidity and that most often two or more different conditions may predispose the patients to the disease.


Infection complications after thrombectomy in deep venous thrombosis. In acute iliofemoral vein thrombosis thrombectomy with a temporary AV-fistula is an alternative treatment to induced fibrinolysis and anticoagulation. Reviewing our results we have found an extremely high incidence of wound infections. In 36 patients thrombectomy with temporary AV-fistula has been performed. 31% of these had a postoperative wound infection. The mean hospital stay for the infected patients was 25 days compared to 10 days for the non-infected patients. In 26 patients a second, elective operation with closure of the AV-fistula was performed. 15% of these patients developed postoperative wound infection. The mean hospital stay for the infected patients was 18 days compared to 5 days for the non-infected patients.


Liver affection associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection. During the last ten years, several clinical manifestations of Yersinia enterocolitica infection have been reported. Surgeons are especially aware of "the right iliac fossa syndrome", caused by mesenterial lymphadenitis and terminal ileitis. We suggest that Yersinia enterocolitica may also cause a clinical condition easily misinterpreted as cholecystitis, and accompanied by slightly elevated serum levels of ASAT, LD, AP and bilirubin. Apparently, this condition may run a chronic relapsing course. A report is given of two cases of liver affection associated wtih positive Y. ent. antibody titre. Case 1 would illustrate the chronic relapsing liver affection with stationary titre. In Case 2 an acute Au-negative hepatitis is accompanied by significant rise and fall in titre.


Clinical results and recurrences 1-4 years after parietal cell vagotomy in duodenal ulcer patients. 168 patients with duodenal or prepyloric ulcer, treated with parietal cell vagotomy (PCV), were followed up one to four years after operation. 67% of the patients had more than 5 years' history of ulcer disease and in 44% preoperative bleeding or perforation could be confirmed. According to the modified Visick classification the clinical results were considered excellent or very good in 71%, with a marked tendency to better results for those surgeons with the greatest experience in performing parietal cell vagotomy. The result was considered unsatisfactory in 25 patients (15%) and this was in all cases due to reoperation and/or recurrent ulcer. There was no postoperative mortality and a low frequency of postoperative complications. Dumping was found in only one patient and mild diarrhoea in two. At follow-up, 16 patients (9.5%) had had a proven and 8 (4.5%) a suspected recurrent ulcer and 3 had gastric retention without recurrence. The recurrence rate was very high for those patients operated during the first year after the introduction of PCV, but then decreased significantly. 18 patients required reoperation. Antrectomy or truncal vagotomy with drainage is considered the method of choice for patients with an incomplete PCV and recurrent ulcer.


Bile peritonitis due to spontaneous perforation of the common hepatic duct. Report of a case. A 55-year-old female, previously cholecystectomized, was admitted to hospital with signs of severe acute abdomen. At laparotomy, bile peritonitis was found, but the site of leakage could not be discovered. The biliary tree was otherwise normal and without stones. The treatment was confined to drainage of the common bile duct by inserting a T-tube. In spite of intensive postoperative care the patient died. Autopsy showed a perforation opening in the common hepatic duct on the posterior wall and a solitary stone was detected in the adjacent retroperitoneal tissue. The mechanism to this rare condition is discussed and a review of earlier similar cases is given. The benefit of routine cholegraphy in order to avoid retained stones is briefly mentioned.


XO/XY mosaicism with non fluorescent Y chromosome: clinical, cytogenetic and endocrinological studies on a female subject. Cytogenetic, clinical and endocrinological studies were performed on a phenotypically female subject who had a XO/XY mosaicism. This patient had a primary amenorrhea. A disgenic testis on the left side and a primordial ovary on the right one was showed by laparotomy performed in this subject in the prepubertal age. The Y chromosome had not any fluorescence and was shorter than normal one. The basal plasma levels of various hormones and the hypothalamic-pituitary stimulation tests were similar to other subjects with gonadal disgenesis. However a low response of growth hormone to insulin tolerance test, showed in this case, suggest the necessity to early supply a sufficient replacement of therapy.


Hypogonadal men treated with oral testosterone undecanoate. Three hypogonadal male subjects with very low plasma testosterone levels were given testosterone undecanoate orally (120 mg daily for 3 weeks) as a replacement therapy. Normal adult male testosterone plasma values were rapidly reached and attained throughout the therapy. Similar elevations of plasma androstenedione were noted. A reduction in sex hormone binding globulin following the therapy was observed. Satisfactory clinical responses were reported by the patients. We thank Organon Laboratories Ltd. for supplying TU and financial help with this project.


Endocrine modifications in women with premature menopause. The Authors have found 9 cases of premature menopause out of a total of 159 observations of gynecological disfunctional disorders for a 3 year period. The functional investigation has been carried out by radioimmunoassay for PRL, FSH, LH, 17beta-estradiol, progesterone and, in those cases in which it was possible, the spontaneous pulsatility of PRL and gonadotropins has also been studied. The basal PRL was found always in normal range and the pulsatility was sufficiently flat. On the other hand a pool of gonadotropins can still be released by 100 microgram of LH-RH i.v. in spite of high basal levels of pituitary gonadotropins. The pulsatility, especially for FSH, appears like to those of postmenopausal women. 17beta-estradiol and progesterone were at low levels and could not be alterated by HMG-HCG tests. As a conclusion the Authors think that the evaluation of the above reported parameters is an unfailing diagnostic precision in many cases of secondary protovarian amenorrhea for a premature menopause syndrome.


[Comparative study of bone mineral densities in the human skeleton]. The different mineral densities and their distribution within human bone of the iliac crest, the femoral and the humeral head are analysed by microradiography with computerized photometry. 10 male and 11 female corpses between the age of 17 to 80, show that the results obtained depended upon age, sex and upon the site of the bone biopsy. Bcause of the small number of cases in this preliminary investigation, careful interpretation of these differences is mandatory. The advantages of this method are discussed.


[Value of photon-absorption densitometry for the assessment of bone density]. Senile osteroporosis itself is asymptomatic unless pain is induced by the static insufficiency of the skeleton, in long lasting disease. Conventional procedures for early diagnosis and control of patients are invasive and therefore not suitable for routine purposes. The efficiency of sodium fluoride for the treatment of senile osteoporosis after a minimum of 12 months has been established by invasive methods. It is the purpose of this study, to examine the value of photoabsorption-densitometry with double-isotope-method (125-J, 241-Am) for the evaluation of a therapeutic effect in this disorder. 7 patients with clinical and radiological evidence of senile osteoporosis (6 female, 1 male patient with ages of 56 to 87 years) underwent regular follow-up examinations for one year while on a regimen of 25mg. sodium fluoride, as retard, twice daily. The bone mineral content registered 1 cm. proximal of the proc. styloideus ulnaris (representative for the trabecular bone) and 8 cm proximal from the proc. styloideus ulnaris of the right forearm (representative for cortical bone) was not statistically different from the measurements registered prior to the study. However, the bone mineral content registered in both regions increased significantly, after 12 months treatment (p less than 0.05). This indicates that the assessment of bone mineral content by photonabsorptiondensitometry is a valuable method for therapeutic control of this disorder. The method is recommended as a routine procedure for the early diagnosis and for follow up of sodium fluoride therapy geriatric patients.


[Ultrastructure of bone-tissue cells].

[Ultrastructure of bone-tissue cells]. The ultrastructure of bone cells is delineated by investigation of bone tissue in young mice. The characteristic cytoplasmicstic pattern of osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts is described. The morphologic findings are discussed with respect to the function of these cells.


[Cloverleaf skull and other malformations of the skull. Pathology and clinical aspect]. Malformations of different parts of the cartilage results in achondrogenesis II, thanatophoric dwarfism and in metatropic dwarfism. Whether the base of the skull or the cranial-distal skeleton are affected, both together or separately, depends upon the localization of the defect within the cartilage. The different types of the cloverleaf syndrome are characterised by a defect of vessels and cartilage that affect the chondrocranium and the cranial-distal skeleton in different grades. The mal-development of the vessel-system is particularly marked in the upper back of the calotte.


[Diagnostic procedure in osteodystrophia deformans Paget]. Simultaneous scintigraphic and X-ray examination has been evaluated in 30 patients with Paget's disease for estimation of extension and activity of the disease. Scintigraphy produces a comprehensive picture of the pathophysiologic condition. When compared with X-rays the procedure is more economic with regards to cost, time and radiation dosage. Therefore, the use of radioisotopes for evaluation of the skeleton is strongly recommended for follow-up examination in Paget's disease.


[Histomorphometric studies on the influence of long-term calcitonin therapy on osteodystrophia deformans Paget]. Bone alterations in Paget's disease, have been studied by histomorphometrical evaluation iliac creat bone biopsies before and after long-term treatment with human ans salmon calcitonin. Therapeutic effect was controlled from 12, up to 48 months. All-together 28 bone biopsies were taken from 9 patients (aged 46 to 71 years) with Paget's disease of their os ileum. The biopsies were prepared for histological examination without previous decalcification, cut, stained and quantitatively analysed at the light microscopic level. By means of a point counting method we determined the parameters of bone structure, bone formation and bone resorption. Before therapy was started, trabecular bone alterations could be observed which were typical for Paget's disease of bone as there were bulky trabeculare, increased remodelling surfaces and giant osteoclasts. Following treatment with calcitonin a dramatic reduction of bone remodelling surfaces and a normalization of bone structure occurs. Considering our previous electon  microscopy findings, a reduction of the number of osteoclasts as well as their nuclear content, might be explained by an inhibitory effect of calcitonin on cell fusion of osteoclastic precursor cells. In 2 cases, an interruption or hormonal treatment of 5 to 12 months, presented no risk of losing the therapeutic effect.


[On anxiety and anguish (author's transl)]. Psychopharmacology has confirmed psychiatry as a medical science; methodological rigor of the exact sciences is essential to psychopharmacological research. It does not however question speculative thought which remains one of the strong sources of psychiatry. The identification of new drugs with their elective properties and their unexpected action on psychopathology imposes a reappraisal of psychiatric concepts. This is true for some narrow concepts such as anxiety and anguish, which only exist in the French. The French psychiatry also determined its clinical limits at the beginning of this century, and it seems to lose it from time to time. Like any emotion, the anxious matrix is one non distinguishable from the unity of the existence. A phenomenological approach permits to confirm the intuition of language in showing that the living experience of anguish is different from the one of anxiety.


[An introductive approach to linguistics (author's transl)]. The author proposes an information on the semiological approach to language starting from the systemic perspective (later to be said structuralist) which has been introduced by the Saussure. A group of notions can be delineated, which are distributed in binomial oppositions: language and verb, synchronia and diachronia, meaning and signified (which define the linguistic sign, which arbitrary character is being discussed) and other oppositions. The descriptive study of linguistic units of the chain concerns phonetics and phonology. The regulations for constructing a coherent message concern grammar (or syntax), where the traditional, normative approach is in opposition with actual research, descriptive and structural: distributionnal grammar, transforming, categorial, functional. The application of new linguistic methods to human sciences is very promising and opens the way of an interesting meditation on human condition.


[Approach to the personality of the coronary patients with a new modifyed MMPI scale (author's transl)]. In order to set up an instrument for psychologically differentiate normal from coronary subjects, the analysis of 550 items of the MMPI in 40 normal and 40 coronary subjects has been performed. This has allowed to elaborate a questionnaire of 69 items, the Polyvar, and two new MMPI scales, which try to focus on the way conflictual affects are being expressed by coronary patients. Applied to new populations, these two instruments permit to significantly differentiate normal from coronary subjects. The last are characterized by a trouble in the existence and a rigid denial of any weakness. They look like individuals who can not satisfy their fundamental pulsions without risking to confront other requests, and through this, they generate anxiety and guilt.


Electroencephalographic findings in children with primary duodenal ulcer. The authors compared the EEG records of 18 children with radiologically confirmed primary duodenal ulcers to those of 15 controls. Ten patients had abnormal EEGs in contradistinction to six of the controls' EEGs and the group of patients had more marked EEG abnormalities. The findings appear to support the notion that neurophysiological factors are related to the pathogenesis of primary duodenal ulcer in childhood. However, the small sample and the fact that the two groups were not clearly differentiated with respect to the severity of EEG abnormalities call for caution in the interpretation of the findings.


[Subjective importance and affective organization of body concepts after myocardial infarction (author's transl)]. Subjective importance and affective organization of fifty body concepts have been evaluated in sixty myocardial patients and sixty healthy subjects. Myocardial patients attribute more importance to their articulations and perceive their bodies as an instrument for action rather than as a locus of emotion and pleasure. This observation is discussed in relation with the hypothesis of "pensée opératoire".


[Couple heterosexual dysfunction in relation to homosexual latency (author's transl)]. Clinical experience of couple and sexological consultations indicates that some symptoms find in the heterosexual couple are the expression of a nevrotic solution of latent homosexual tendencies. This means that homosexual tendencies are repressed, or actualized through an imaginary elaboration or a symbolic one, by staying unconscious or manifesting through acting in a state of obnubilation. These different situations are illustrated by sexual dysfunctions (some forms of impotence and frigidity), hostile rejection and homosexual panic, jalousy, triolism and alcoholic aspects. This brief analysis is concluded by some reflexions from the clinical, social, couple and individual points of view.


[Depressive symptomatology and culture: a comparative study (author's transl)]. After a brief introduction reminding classical affirmations on the rarety of depression in black Africa and more recent one, recognizing its presence and frequency, the authors, using the Hamilton Rating Scale, attempt to identify the specific characters of depression in patients from Senegal and Madrid. Aside from symptoms non dependent on the cultural milieu, others are closely linked to it, such as paranoid symptoms in black Africa.


Treating severe maladjustment with pipamperone (Dipiperon). Individually adapted doses of pipamperone 80-360 mg/day were given for 4 weeks to 25 hospitalized patients (22-72 years) with behaviour disorders due to marked social maladjustment. At the end of the study, nine out of 17 items of a behavior rating scale were significantly improved. Overall progress was good to very good in 15 cases, moderate and insufficient in five each. Pipamperone treatment was considered superior to previous medication in 13 out of 15 patients who had previously been receiving other drugs. The only important side-effects was dryness of the mouth, which was reported by five patients. In four epileptic patients, the course of the underlying disease was not adversely affected.


[Factors affecting the qualitative and quantitative composition of the acari fauna of house dust. III. Seasons]. The seasonal variations in the number of mites present in the house dust of six homes in Barcelona were studied. The samples were taken at monthly intervals between September 1972 and January 1974. Tables I and II show the total number of mites and the number of Pyroglyphidae present in each of the samples. Table III shows the monthly average of the atmospheric temperature and relative humidity (R.H.). Graphing the average of mites present in the monthly  samples and comparing them to the graph of the atmospheric R.H. an almost perfect correlation of the atmospheric R.H. with the number of mites was observed (Graph 1). The statistical analysis of the results shows the existence of a highly significant correlation (alpha less than 0.001) between the average of the atmospheric R.H. of a given month and the decimal logarithm of the number of mites present in the house dust the following month (Tables IV and V; Graphs 4 and 5). The following results can be pointed out: a) The quality of mites in the house dust of Barcelona changes considerably during the year. b) The quantity is greatest during spring and autumn. c) The annual variation differs from year to year. In conclusion, it is shown that the seasonal variations in the quantity of mites present in the house dust of Barcelona are proportional to the variations in atmospheric R.H.


IgE concentration in asthmatic children. Relation to other immunoglobulins, histamine-latex reaction, eosinophilia and skin reactivity. Serum concentrations of immunoglobulin E (IgE) were measured in 31 children with bronchial asthma and in 55 healthy children. Among the asthmatic children, 70% had elevated IgE levels, 83% had a low titre of histamine-latex agglutination and 80% had blood eosinophilia over 3%. All asthmatic children showed hypersensitivity to one or more allergens; the highest incidence of hypersensitivity was to house dust (38% of asthmatic children), followed by pollens (25%) and vegetable fibers (19%). No relation was observed between serum IgE concentration and the intensity of cutaneous reaction or the number of sensitizing allergens. No significant difference was observed in serum IgE concentration in asthmatic children submitted hyposensitization therapy compared with those who had not received such treatment. It is concluded that IgE determination may be valuable for differential diagnosis between allergic and non allergic asthma and that IgE measurement should be considered as a complementary test in the investigation of allergy.


The immunological response to tobacco antigens in the smoker. I. Specific precipitins against tobacco antigens in the serum of healthy cigarette smokers. A study on the presence of specific precipitins against tobacco antigens was done in a population of 361 healthy cigrette smokers and in a group of 60 healthy non-smokers. The tests were made by the gel diffusion technique of Ouchterlony using tobacco extract prepared by the Coca method. A positive precipitation reaction was observed in 11.8 per cent of the smokers' sera examined but never in the non-smokers group. The reaction occurred in subjects of both sexes and was neither dependent upon how long they had smoked nor on the number of cigarettes smoked daily. In the authors' opinion, the formation of precipitins against tobacco antigens may be the result of a sensitivity reaction. It is therefore possible that in predisposed individuals immune complexes of precipitins and tobacco antigens may be formed. They could be responsible for some cardiovascular disorders occuring in smokers. In order to confirm such a hypothesis, a study was carried out recently by the authors on a large group of patients suffering from coronary disease.


Immunological features of tuberculosis.

Immunological features of tuberculosis. Some aspects of cell-mediated immunity were explored in a population of 51 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis in comparison with 30 apparently healthy volunteers randomly taken from the Mexican general population. Evaluation included DNCB sensitization, PPD skin test, determination of LIF, E and EAC-rosette formation and the ability of lymphocytes to survive in culture through periods of up to 48 hours. The results for the in vivo assays showed significant differences between the compared populations since the frequency of a positive PPD skin test was higher in the patients (p = 0.0000004) but only 60.8% of them responded to DNBC (p = 0.006). It was expected that there would be some impairment in the production of LIF and in the number of E-rosettes, however, this did not occur. Survival of lymphocytes in culture demonstrated an altered population of cells, probably weak even before blood samples were taken, in the tuberculosis group (p = 0.05). Furthermore, cell mortality was very notable in patients with cavitated and infiltrative lesions, after 48 hours culture (p = 0.015 and 0.02 respectively) suggesting the presence of a population of cells unable to function optimally.


Selective IgA deficiency. Immunologic and cytogenetic studies. 24 cases of selective IgA deficiency were found among 2,650 children studied in an immuno-Allergy service. The population studied must therefore be considered highly selected. The Amman and Hong criteria were used as a basis for diagnosis (Table 1). Even though they are currently being revised, they are still on some practical value. Statistically, the incidence of selective IgA deficiency in this study is higher (0.905%) than in other publications. Respiratory symptoms were the most important. Only  one case presented digestive symptoms (resembling coeliac disease), and no cases with autoimmune disease were found, although the possibility of its occurrence later on cannot be dismissed. A cytogentic analysis was performed in 8 cases and interesting results were found. Five cases showed an increase in heterochromatic material in the paracentric region (1qh+, 2qh+, 16qh+ and Yqh+). These polymorphic variations are present in the general population without any apparent clinical significance, even though their presence in several clinical has been described. However, in this study the frequency seems higher than in the general population. In 2,051 cases studied for other reasons, the frequency of occurrence of polymorphic traits was 3.12%, while in the cases studied by us the incidence amounted to 62.5%, a highly significant proportion. Our data do not try to establish a relationship between the chromosomal alterations and the etiology of the IgA deficiency, even through some relationship may in the future be found to exist.


Ticarcillin: a collaborative in vitro comparison with carbenicillin against over 9,000 clinical bacterial isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentrations of ticarcillin and carbenicillin were determined for 9,236 clinical bacterial isolates by the broth microdilution method at four participating laboratories. Ticarcillin showed significantly increased activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (P less than .001), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P less than .001) and Aeromonas hydrophilia (P less than .005) when compared to carbenicillin, but no signifcant differences were observed against other gram-negative organisms. Ticarcillin was consistently less active against the gram-positive cocci, and these differences were significant for Staphylococcus aureus (P less than .001), Streptococcus agalactiae (P less than .001), Staphylococcus epidermidis (P less than .001) and Streptococcus viridans (P less than .005). Significant regional and institutional differences in susceptibility to the two drugs were observed for several species, including common nosocomial pathogens such as S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.


Harmonic dwarfism, lymphopenia, deficit of IgA and IgE in a 6-year old boy. A six-year old boy who had suffered from the age of two with chronic diarrhea has been found to be severely retarded in statural growth. Examinations discovered marked lymphopenia with a T lymphocyte defect accompanied by absent IgA and IgE. In contrast with other cases described in literature, in this case the immunodeficiency was not accompanied by bone or cartilage alterations. The only factor apparently responsible for his lack of growth was the malabsorption.


An etiology of nephrotic syndrome in chronic interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis); an electron microscopic study. Renal tissues were studied using electron microscopy (EM) and immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM) from three patients who were found to have chronic interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis) by light microscopy (LM). By LM, 90% of the glomeruli in two patients and all glomeruli in one patient were normal. By EM, glomerular capillaries in all patients revealed generalized fusion of epithelial foot processes. In two patients, IFM for immunoglobulins, third component of complement and fibrinogen were negative. These two patients received corticosteroids for 6 to 12 weeks. In one, proteinuria markedly decreased (from 17.9 to 1.1 gm) in four weeks and in the other follow-up studies of renal histology revealed normal glomeruli and partial restoration of foot processes by LM and EM respectively. Thus, this study offers evidence for lipoid nephrosis (or minimal lesion disease) as an etiology of nephrotic syndrome in chronic interstitial nephritis (pyelonephritis). The impaired renal function in these patients is attributed to tubulo-interstitial disease rather than glomerular pathology. It remains to be determined whether the two disparate pathological conditions have coexisted or chronic interstitial nephritis had led to the appearance of lipoid nephrosis through an unidentified mechanism.


Mucolipidosis I--a sialidosis.

Mucolipidosis I--a sialidosis. Mucolipidosis I is characterized by Hurler-like features and skeletal dysplasia with a cherry-red macular spot and signs of neurodegeneration involving neuronal cells and myelin. Excessive amounts of sialic acid-containing compounds were found in cultured fibroblasts, leukocytes, and urine of a patient with a clinical phenotype of mucolipidosis I. In cultured fibroblasts, profoundly diminished activity of an alpha-N-acetylneuraminidase (sialidase) was found. Mucolipidosis I thus appears to be a distinct disorder of complex carbohydrate catabolism caused by the genetic deficiency of a neuraminidase.


Inverted tandem ("mirror") duplications in human chromosomes: -nv dup 8p, 4q, 22q. We have studied 4 patients with inverted tandem duplications of parts of chromosomes, a hitherto rarely identified form of a structural rearrangement involving a single chromosome in man. In patients 1 and 2, the duplication involved parts of the short arm of chromosome 8 (regions 8p12 leads to 8p23 and 8p21 leads to 8p23, respectively). Both patients manifested certain characteristics of the mosaic trisomy 8 syndrome. Elevated levels of glutathione reductase (GSR) in their erythrocytes supported the interpretation of a partial duplication of chromosome 8 and indicated a regional localization for the GSR gene locus. In Partient 3, the distal half of the long arm of chromosome 4 was duplicated (region 4q23 leads to 4q35). Clinical evidence supported this interpretation, as Patient 3 resembled phenotypically the 13 reported cases with duplication of the distal 4q. The cytogenetic findings in Patient 4 suggested a possibly inverted duplication of 22q. The clinical correlation was less convincing due to the lack of a well-defined phenotype for trisomy 22. These chromosome aberrations had occurred de novo in all 4 cases. Although they involved different chromosomal regions, they might well have arisen by the same mechanism. Possible modes of origin that are discussed in detail include unequal exchange between homologous chromosomes, between chromatids of 1 chromosome or between strands of 1 DNA duplex.