Laplace plane analysis of impedance between acupuncture points H-3 and H-4. The frequency dependence of the skin impedance between two acupuncture points (H-3 and H-4) was determined by Laplace plane analysis of the time domain response to an input voltage perturbation. Both the resistance and capacitance between the acupuncture points differed significantly from the corresponding controls, thus supporting the interpretation of the acupuncture system as an information transfer network.


Clinical significance of ventricular dyskinesis in acute myocardial infarction assessed by apexcardiography. Apexcardiograms [ACG] recorded in 64 patients with anterior acute myocardial infarction disclosed in 36 cases [56.2%] paradoxal systolic precordial pulsation considered as an expression of ventricular dyskinesis [VD]. The functional significance of VD was assessed by the left ventricle systolic time intervals. There was a significant shortening of the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) and a significant increase in the pre-ejection period (PEP) and of PEP/LVET ratio in patients with VD. The heart/chest ratio was greater in patients with VD but the difference was not statistically significant. The condition of the heart after the acute phase of myocardial infarction was much better in patients without VD or with transient VD in than in those with permanent VD. 91.3% of the patients with permanent VD presented heart failure and belonged to the functional class III-IV. These findings indicate that patients presenting ACG-assessed VD have frequently an altered cardiac performance and a worse long-term prognosis.


Apexcardiography in the diagnosis of haemodynamic disturbances in patients with congenital heart disease. The dependence of the changes in the right and left ventricular apexcardiograms on the character and degree of haemodynamic disturbances was studied in 190 patients with congenital heart diseases. The findings were compared with the results of catheterization studies of the heart cavities. It was found that changes in the shape of the apexcardiogram were independent of the nosological nature of the heart defect, and were equal in the right and left ventricles. The character of changes in the shape of the apexcardiogram depends on the type of clinical ventricular overload, and the degree of changes depends on the severity of haemodynamic disturbances.


A comparison between cardiac pacing and exercise tests in patients with angina pectoris. In 21 patients with ischaemic heart disease, the values of the anginal threshold were investigated during cardiac pacing and an exercise test. It was found that in the pacing test, ischemia could be expected to appear at a heart rate by 30% faster than that in ischaemia induced by exercise. If ischaemia was successfully induced in both tests, the threshold values of the time-tension indexes were equal, whereas the value of the pressure-time per minute index was 20% higher in exercise-induced ischaemia. In patients with hypokinetic circulation, during pacing the pressure-time per minute index first increased and then paradoxically decreased; this reaction can help find out patients with haemodynamic signs of heart failure.


Angina pectoris and middle-aged man.

Angina pectoris and middle-aged man. The incidence of some risk factors of ischaemic heart disease in men aged 40-55 years is compared with the presence and absence of angina pectoris (AP). Patients with positive AP had significantly higher values of the blood pressure, serum cholesterol level, and ponderal index. The frequency of probably pathological and possibly ischaemic changes was likewise significantly higher in the group with AP. Intermittent claudication was more frequent in this group as well. No significant difference in consumption of cigarettes was found between the two groups.


Further studies on the effect of meals on electrocardiographic pattern in patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease (angima pectoris) and normal electrocardiogram at rest. The study included 380 subjects divided into 3 groups. Group I comprised 148 patients with angina pectoris and normal resting ECG. Group II included 172 patients with angina pectoris and ECG changes (52 with changes of the ST-T at rest, 120 patients after myocardial infarction). Group III [control] comprised 60 young healthy volunteers aged 21--24 years. In all subjects the ECG was recorded in the morning before breakfast, and then 30 and 60 min. after breakfast. On the following day, Master's test I was performed in group I and III and when its result was negative, Master's test II was carried out. In patients of group I, ST-T changes developed after meals in 113 cases (76.4%) and after Master's tests in 118 cases [79.7%]. In group II, ST-T changes became more intense in 97 [56.3%]. In the control group, ECG changes developed after meals in one case [1.6%] and after Master's tests in two [3.2%]. It is concluded that ECG examination after meals may be a valuable diagnositc test of ischaemic heart disease in patients with normal resting ECG in the period without anginal attacks when contraindications to Master's tests are present.


The effect of lung resection on some blood circulation factors in children. Eighteen children (8 boys, 10 girls) aged 6-16 years were examined. In all of them the basic diagnosis was bronchiectasia. Catheterization of the lesser circulation global spirometric examination, and perfusion lung scintigraphy with 99mTc both before and  2--4 years after lung resection were performed. Operations performed: 14 cases of lobectomy, one of bilobectomy, three of pneumonectomy. In all of the 14 children after lobectomy the pulmonary arterial pressure remained normal even during exercise. In contrast to this, in the three children after pneumonectomy and in the one boy after bilobectomy the mean pulmonary arterial pressure exceeded 20 mmHg at rest or after exercise. The total pulmonary resistance, converted per square metre of body surface, was--with a single exception [4.7 units before surgery]--within normal limits; after minor resections it rather tended to decrease, whereas in two of four children after major resections it slightly increased. Postoperative perfusion lung scintigram revealed a worsening in comparison with the preoperative finding in practically all of the children. This worsening can be ascribed not only to the restriction of lung tissue, but also to a compensatory emphysema of the remaining parenchyma. In patients with bronchiectasia, extensive resections have uncertain long-term prognosis.


Alterations of systemic haemodynamics in experimental renovascular hypertension in dogs of different ages. Renovascular hypertension [bilateral simultaneous stenosis of renal arteries] was produced in 35 dogs of different ages [18--22 days, 2--3 months, 3--5 years]. On days 3 and 14 of renal ischaemia, the alterations were investigated that had occurred in the arterial pressure, cardiac output, stroke volume, total peripheral vascular resistance [TPVR], left ventricular work, and other haemodynamic indicators. It was found that the more marked elevation of arterial pressure in puppies was connected not only with increased TPVR, but also with enhanced cardiac output and stroke volume, whereas in mature animals at increased TPVR the cardiac output and stroke volume were reduced. The authors ascribe the differences in haemodynamic changes to age-dependent differences in intracardiac compensation, autonomous regulation of heart function, and the functional state of the renin-angiotensin system.


Myocardial changes after chronic immunization of guinea pigs with diphtheria--tetanus--pertussis (DTP) vaccine. Fifteen guinea pigs were immunized with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis [DTP] vaccine once a week throughout the period of 10 months. The control group included 5 guinea pigs. ECG tracings were recorded every second week in both groups of animals. ST-T changes were the most important findings. Sometimes the ECG resembled the picture found in endocardial fibroelastosis in children. ECG abnormalities appeared 3 months after the beginning of the experiment, and were frequently variable. Less pronounced ST-T changes were found also in control animals, but they disappeared after the administration of Inderal. The histological pictures revealed a thickening of the endocardium and degenerative changes of the ganglion cells of the atria; these changes did not always correlate with electrocardiographic tracing.


Abnormal chromosomes and number 1 heterochromatin variants revealed in C-banded preparations from 13 bladder carcinomas. The chromosomes of 13 carcinomas of the bladder were studied in C- and G-banded preparations. Heteromorphism for the amount of centromeric heteromorphism on the no. 1 chromosomes was apparent in eight tumours, and in three of these the heteromorphism was also found in the patient's normal cells. In four tumours, there were pericentric inversions of the heterochromatic regions of one or more no. 1 chromosomes. Major structural changes involving no. 1 chromosomes appeared to have occurred in at least seven of the tumours. In addition to the high incidence of heterochromatin variants (known or presumed to be constitutional phenomena), and major structural changes involving the no. 1 chromosomes, a further feature, common to four tumours, was the presence of a heterochromatic minute.


Effects of starvation on vacuolar apparatus of cardiac muscle tissue determined by electron microscopy, marker-enzyme assays and electrolyte studies. The effects of a six day starvation regimen on rats' hearts were studied by electron microscopy in combination with marker-enzyme assays of density-sedimentation (rho-S) zonal centrifugation fractions, and with Na+, K+ and Ca++ determinations of sera and heart homogenates. The evidence suggested that massive intracellular cardiac destruction occurred by two pathways. One pathway was seen by electron micrography in which proliferation of lysosomal populations was demonstrated. The finding was confirmed biochemically by increased activities of lysosomal acid hydrolases, particularly cathepsin D. The second pathway was deduced from biochemical and electrolytic data. It was believed to have been initiated by cellular K+ retention, which provided the acid milieu required for intracellular Ca++ retention. It is postulated that the resulting increase in Ca++ activated the loosely-bound membrane neutral (pH 7.4), and alkaline (pH 8.5) proteases, causing subcellular autolysis, particularly involving mitochondria, myofibrils and sarcoplasmic reticulum.


A chromosome survey of five species of Cassidinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Chromosome numbers and sex-determining mechanisms of five species of Cassida beetles from different Spanish sources are given. C. deflorata Suffr. and C. flaveola Thunb. show a 8(11) + Xyp formula, C. vibex L. 9(11) + Xyp, and C. margaritacea Schall. and C. viridis L., 14(11) + Xyp. These chromosomal findings are in agreement with the current morphological systematics of Cassida. The karyotypes of C. deflorata, C. vibex and C. viridis are constituted by metacentric chromosomes mostly, but there are clear differences in the total complement lengths between the three species. The possible tendencies in the chromosomal evolution of Cassidinae beetles are also discussed assuming a primitive karyotype of 18 chromosomes.


The mitogenic response of cryopreserved human lymphocytes in a microculture system. Fresh blood lymphocytes from nine health donors have been compared with samples from the same donors, recovered after period of 2 to 21 months storage in liquid nitrogen, for the capacity to respond to a range of mitogens in vitro. A microculture assay was used, requireing aliquots of only 25,000 cells. The mean levels of 14C-thymidine uptake for fresh and frozen samples were closely comparable when the cells had been stimulated by PHA, Pokeweed or mitomycin-C-treated allogeneic lymphoblastoid cells. Lymphocytes from six East African donors, frozen by a very simple technique, were recovered after 3 or more years storage in liquid nitrogen. Five of the samples were in good condition as judged by cell viability and the capacity to form spontaneous 'E' rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. These five samples also responded extremely well to PHA, PWM and mitomycin-C-treated allogeneic lymphoblastoid cells using the microculture assay. This study extends the range of applications of cell banks in which small aliquots of blood lymphocytes are stored in liquid nitrogen for periods of several years.


Random arrangement of mitotic chromosomes in radial metaphases of the Indian muntjac. The positioning of metaphase chromosomes of the Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) in the radial metaphase array was investigated using two methods for examining cells. Large numbers of radial metaphase figures were obtained by mitotic shake-off. Treatment with hypotonic solution, fixation, and spreading onto glass slides did not disrupt the radial metaphase configuration of a proportion of the cells. Analysis of 567 cells for the arrangement of six of the seven muntjac chromosomes revealed a random positioning of each chromosomes within the radial array. These results were corroborated by results obtained from 101 living cells oriented with microneedles to enable examination of radial metaphases with phase-contrast microscopy.


The karyotype of the tetraploid species Xenopus vestitus Laurent (Anura: pipidae). Xenopus vestitus possesses 72 chromosomes, wherease in the majority of known Xenopus species there are 2n = 36. During meiosis, 36 bivalents are usually observed at metaphase I and 36 chromosomes at metaphase II. Arranged according to size and centromere position, the chromosomes form the same basic morphologic groups typical of the genus Xenopus. However, the groups are composed of quartets of four similar chromosomes instead of diploid pairs of homologs. The exception to this arrangement involves chromosomes bearing secondary constrictions, which in X. vestitus are represented by two different pairs of homologs, one of which shows, in 39% of the observed mitoses, somatic association and is, therefore, considered to carry the nucleolar organizer. X. vestitus represents either a case of ancient autotetraploidy or, more likely, one of allotetraploidy of more modern origin.


Complementation between senescent human diploid cells and a thymidine kinase-deficient murine cell line. Active thymidine incorporation was observed in both parental nuclei in heterokaryons derived via polyethylene glycol-mediated fusion of postreplicative "senescent" human diploid fibroblast-like cells and a thymidine kinase-deficient murine cell line (3T3der-4E). Some increase of the 3H-thymidine labeling index was also apparent in infused 3T3der-4E cells so-cultivated with senescent cells, consistent with metabolic cooperation. While no human metaphases could be detected in control hybrid preparations, hybrid metaphase figures containing essentially the entire human complement were demonstrated in the fused cultures as early as 24 h after fusion; the morphology of the human chromosome (bi-armed) suggested that the senescent human cells were stimulated to reinitiate replicative DNA synthesis rather than repair.


[Tardive Dyskinesia induced by neuroleptics: a survey of 3140 patients in a psychiatric hospital]. Tardive dyskinesia constitute the most serious complications of long term treatment with neuroleptics. In this study e,140 patients (1,568 men, 1,572 women) were examined in 4 psychiatric hospitals. 258 (8.2%) patients were found to present such a syndrom. The frequency of tardive dyskinesia was higher among female patients (167 women; 10.6%) than among male patients (91; 5.8%). On the average dyskinetic women were older than men (64.9 versus 54 years old). In 59.3% of the cases, dyskinesia was limited to an oro-facial symptomatology, but in 40.6% of the cases, this was associated with a choreo-athetoïd syndrom. Most of these patients were chronic patients. On the average they had been in hospital for 20 years, and had received neuroleptic treatment for 15 years. In half of the patients, the treatment was undergone for schizophrenia and chronic delusion. Other syndroms encountered were mental retardation, dementia, affective disorders, epilepsy, alcoholism, character disorders, etc... The frequency of tardive dyskinesia that we observed is certainly a minimum since there exits a number of transient pathological forms. We discuss a few aspects of treatments of tardive dyskinesia with neuroleptics, lithium, diethylaminoethanol, choline... we insist particularly on the problem of prevention. In patients treated with neuroleptics, tardive dyskinesea might be stopped at an early stage: secondary prevention, consisting in an early detection of the first symptoms of lingual or facial dyskinesia, should lead, if possible, to the withdrawal of the treatment. Primary prevention appears to be very important: the risk of drug-induced dyskinesia appears to be higher among people above 50 of age, and neuroleptic treatment should be administered only for the most serious forms of mental illnesses.


[Toxic syndrome induced by neuroleptics: report of 7 cases]. Seven cases of malignant syndrom due to neuroleptic drugs are reported, three of them in patients receiving long-acting medication. The authors point out the seriousness of such accidents, two of seven cases leading to death. Clinical features consist mainly of hyperthermia which can be erroneously attributed to infectious disease. Muscular hypertonicity is often associated with hyperthermia. Tetanus was evoked for two patients. In the absence of satisfactory physiopathologic explanation, treatment is merely symptomatic, based on intensive care. So far, this type of accident has been little known; it was important to focus our attention on it.


["Heat stroke" and/or "Malin's syndrome" in a patient treated with fluphenazine decanoate]. The role of the "heat stroke" is discussed on account of an observation of hyperthermia (42 degrees C or 107.6 Farenheit) that occured with a patient under fluphenazine decanoate, during the summer 1976 heat wave. Contrary to the American descriptions of heat strokes, the patient kept his perspiring ability. Moreover, there was no hypertonic extrapyramidal syndrome, but hypotonia instead. It is to be noted that the preliminary treatment by the corresponding standard neuroleptic (fluphenazine chlorhydrate) did not prevent that hyperthermia whose evolution was rapidly favorable.


[Modern concepts of "cerebrovascular dementia"]. The incidence of both atherosclerosis and demential increases with age and therefore the terms "cerebral atherosclerosis" or "cerebro-vascular dementia" are commonly used for any mental deterioration in elderly persons. These names depend on the proposition of a gradual narrowing of cerebral arteries as an inevitable accompaniement of ageing which ends in dementia through a progressive reduction of cerebral blood flow. This apparently reasonnable hypothesis has now been shown to be wrong. ;t has been established that first, senile dementia is not due to cerebral atherosclerosis in spite of the frequent coexistence of degenerative and vascular lesions; and secondly, true cerebro vascular dementia results from the destruction of brain tissue following cerebral infarction; hence the proper term is "multi-infarct dementia". This neuronal destruction leads to decrease in cerebral metabolism and blood flow and to intellectual deterioration. The diagnostic criteria are therefore those of cerebral infarcts i.e: arterial hypertension and/or signs of atherosclerosis, sudden onset and/or stepwise progression, and focal neurological signs. If one follow those criteria, multi-infarct dementia accounts for only about 10% of all dementias; if one does not, the diagnosis will continue to be made to the exclusion of other potentially curable causes of dementias. Five clinico-pathological forms can be distinguished according to the size, number and site of the infarcts: lacunar state, large multiple infarcts, watershed infarction, single infarct and Binswanger's encephalopathy. This distinction is always arbitrary because the association of lacunes and large infarcts is very common in multi-infarct dementia. The almost invariable failure of all therapeutic measures once multi-infarct dementia has been established stresses the importance of prevention. This depends on prevention of cerebral infarcts, i.e. on the correction of risk factors amongst which arterial hypertension is by far, the most important. Some cases benefit also from carotid surgery, anticoagulants, and antiplatelet drugs but antihypertensive drugs are the most essential part. It is very likely that if all cases of arterial hypertension are properly treated, the incidence of multi-infarct dementia will decrease greatly.


Phylogeny of immunoglobulin structure and function; characterization of the cysteine-containing peptide involved in the pentamerization of shark IgM. Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) immunoglobulins were studied in an attempt to further define the relationship between the naturally occurring monomeric 7S and the pentameric 19S forms of extracellular IgM. A peptide containing the cysteine involved in the formation of intersubunit disulfide bonds linking 7S monomers into pentamers was isolated from the H chain of the 19S molecule and characterized. A similar peptide was also isolated from the H chain of the naturally occurring 7S molecule. These observations serve to substantiate previous claims that the two shark proteins belong to the same immunoglobulin class.


Regulatory effect of temperature and antigen upon immunity in ectothermic vertebrates. II. Primary enhancement of anti-hapten antibody response at high and low temperatures. Enhancement of primary anti-hapten antibody response was more efficient when carp were preimmunized with modified carrier, rather than with its native form, especially when they were challenged with a slightly substituted penicilloyl-BSA conjugate (Pen5 BSA). No significant enhancement was obtained when the fish were challenged with a heavy conjugate (Pen30 BSA). When fish kept at optimal temperature were preinjected with the modified carriers, rising titers of anti-hapten antibodies were obtained even when the fish were transferred to low temperature just before being challenged with Pen5 BSA. It was concluded that modified carriers are more efficient in enhancing the anti-hapten antibody response and light conjugates are needed to make the cell cooperation possible. It was also suggested that when helper memory cell maturation was allowed to develop at optimal conditions, both cell cooperation and antibody synthesis could occur at low temperatures.


Toward stationary populations and beyond. The world's rate of population growth is declining. Most industrialized societies have achieved or are moving rapidly toward stationary populations, but while birth rates are also declining in many developing countries, continued growth must be expected because of the large proportions of young people in these populations. New evidence of exceptions to the classical demographic transition theory indicate that declining fertility is compatible with high mortality or low socioeconomic development if acceptable means of fertility control are readily available. "Fertility silhouettes" showing differing age-specific fertility rates indicate that present family planning programs have had a demographic impact. A review of the economic and ecologic consequences of rapid population growth justifies the conclusion that considerable effort will be required to again bring the world's population into balance with these systems. The author outlines priorities for this effort, with emphasis on the need to devise acceptable means of fertility control that will not tax the frail health care infrastructures of developing countries.


Clinical and hormonal response of patients with galactorrhea syndrome treated with bromergocryptine. Tne patients with galactorrhea syndrome were treated with two different daily dosages (5 mg and 7.5 mg) of Bromergocryptine. The 5 mg daily dosage often did not produce the desired hormonal and clinical response. Five patients were treated with this regimen for 38 to 90 days, with treatment extending over more than one menstrual cycle. However, the 7.5 mg daily dosage resulted in complete cessation of galactorrhea in all patients, restoration of menstrual cycles in five patients, and pregnancies in four patients. Disappearance of lactation proved to be a very good indicator of the general responsiveness of patients. Nausea, vomiting, and occasional dizziness were side effects of the drug. The case histories and hormonal findings of four typical patients are reported.


Investigation of amenorrhea with a simplified clomiphene test. To simplify the clinical evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function, a 5-day treatment regimen of 100 mg clomiphene administered daily was tested on a group of 30 amenorrheic women (4 with primary amnenorrhea and 26 with secondary amenorrhea). Vaginal smears and serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, estradiol-17beta and progesterone levels were obtained prior to treatment and 5 and 12 days after treatment ended. According to her response to clomiphene, each patient was assigned to one of the four response categories established by Kjeld et al. (6). Based on clinical findings and changes in serum hormone levels, the patients' responses to clomiphene were categorized as "normal" (the patient ovulated), "partial" (the patient experienced menstrual bleeding without ovulation), "minimal" (rise in estradiol without menses), and "nil". Of the parameters studied, the patient's serum estradiol level was the most sensitive index of her response to clomiphene.


The pregnant couple.

The pregnant couple. Although the husband's reactions to and feelings about his wife's pregnancy are frequently overlooked, his wife is always concerned about his perception of her. She often feels unattractive and is most interested in how satisfied her husband is with her pregnant body. The present study attempts to determine whether the husband or wife viewed the wife's body more positively, whether the husbands and wives could accurately predict each other's satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the pregnant body, and whether husbands' and wives' attitudes about important perinatal issues differed significantly. The data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance, comparing the husbands' and wives' satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the pregnant body. The body cathexis scale was used to measure such satisfaction and Osgood's semantic differential measured attitudes toward "pregnancy", "spouse", "unborn baby", and "labor and delivery". Findings show that husbands were more satisfied with their wives' pregnant bodies than the wives themselves were. The wives were not able to predict their husbands' levels of satisfaction, although the men accurately predicted their wives' responses. Husbands also tended to hold more positive attitudes toward perinatal issues.


Topical uterine anesthesia: a preliminary report. The instillation of 1 to 6 ml of 1% lidocaine was evaluated as a topical anesthetic method of reducing pain associated with uterine manipulations during gynecologic procedures. A plastic acorn cannula connected to a metal adapter and syringe was used to administer the topical anesthetic in 146 intrauterine device insertions, 16 cervical dilatations, and 18 dilatation and curettage procedures. Most patients reported satisfactory relief of pain. No complications were attributed to the topical anesthetic.


Contraceptive practice after women have undergone "spontaneous" abortion in Indonesia and Sudan. Studies of hospitalized "spontaneous" abortion patients in two Muslim countries (Indonesia and Sudan) revealed the need for contraception in this group of married women and indicated the potential role of maternity hospitals in providing them with contraceptive counseling. It could not be determined which of the abortions were induced outside the hospital and which were truly spontaneous. Of the 893 women treated at the Djakarta Hospital, 15.3% used contraceptives during the month of conception of the index abortion, compared to 10.0% of the 2 759 patients in Khartoum. After hospitalization for completion of the abortion, the rates of contraceptive use increased by more than one third in both cities. The highest rates of increase in contraceptive use after abortion were noted among poorly educated women, women with large families, and women with abortions diagnosed as septic. Among the nonseptic patients at all hospitals, those experiencing complications associated with the abortion reported a slightly higher rate of postabortion contraceptive use. In hospitals where contraceptive counseling was provided, there was a proportional increase in postabortion use of contraceptives by the study population.


Sociocultural factors associated with cervical cancer in Bendel State, Nigeria. This is an analysis of data on 50 patients treated for cervical cancer at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, from March 1973 to December 1976. The data were collected through a questionnaire designed to obtained information concerning various sociocultural factors about cervical cancer patients. Study results showed that 80% of the patients had no formal education and came from lower socioeconomic groups. Most of the patients (88%) married before the age of 20, and 76% reported frequent coitus. The patients were high-parity women; but high parity is also typical of the general female population. Since the culture demands that the male population be circumcised, a low incidence of cervical cancer might be expected. The occurrence of 65 cases of cancer of the cervix out of a total of 15 049 hospital gynecologic cases examined during the study period is possible evidence of such a low incidence in this population.


The value of bed rest in twin pregnancies. The effect of bed rest on the duration of pregnancy, the birth weight of newborns, the frequency of premature birth, and perinatal mortality was examined in 491 twin pregnancies. Cases were divided into two groups - women hospitalized from the 24th-26th week of pregnancy until delivery (rested group, 242 patients) and outpatients (unrested group, 249 patients). The premature birth rate was considerably less for patients in the rested group: in this group 41.0% of the newborns were delivered earlier than the 38th week and 42.9% of them weighed less than 2 500 g, whereas in the unrested group 75.0% were delivered earlier than the 38th week and 77.2% weighed less than 2 500 g. In addition, the perinatal mortality rates observed in the two groups were significantly different. Based on these findings, we conclude that the high premature birth rates and subsequent high perinatal mortality may be considerably reduced if twin pregnancies are diagnosed early and patients are hospitalized from the 26th week until delivery.


Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, with extension in an in situ fashion into the endometrium. A 55-year-old, white, multiparous woman had an invasive, endocervical, squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor had spread superficially into the entire endometrial cavity. The lesion abruptly terminated at the squamocolumnar junction, and the exocervix was free of invasion. Apparently, the cervical, malignant, squamous epithelium had spread upward in a superficial fashion and had mechanically replaced the columnar epithelium.


Postoperative staging of vulvar carcinoma: a retrospective study. The clinical staging of malignant disease is necessary before initiating nonsurgical therapy. Unfortunately, such staging does not help answer critical questions about the course and natural history of the cancerous process. Answers to these questions are crucial to the planning of future therapeutic programs. A postoperative staging system, amenable to computer analysis, that can be retrospectively applied to a large series of invasive squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva is presented. A review of the experience of a large oncologic service at the University of Buenos Aires, which used this new classification system, shows the system's applicability. Such a system could, in time, provide answers to many questions concerning invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.


[Change in the microchromosome number in the process of macrochromosome spiralization in Gallus domesticus]. A correlation of mitotic spiralization of macrochromosomes with a change in the number of microchromosomes is detected. A wave character of microchromosomes variability during spiralization of macrochromosomes is suggested to be due to reversible despiralization of microchromosomes, which is probably a result of the colchicin treatment. Metaphase plates where the range of chromosome 1 length is from 10.5 to 12mu are recommended to calculate the number of microchromosomes.


[Genetic polymorphism of poultry blood serum esterases in relation to resistance to bacterial infections]. The experiments were carried out on White Leghorn, White Rock and Cornish chickens during the 1974--1975 season. The aim of the investigation was to study polymorphism of blood esterases in chickens in relation to their resistance to Salmonella pullorum and S. gallinarum. The data obtained indicate the following: 1) an additional, inheritant alyesterase fraction (A1) Appears in blood serum of resistant chickens after their contamination with Salmonella; 2) most chickens, which are resistant to Salmonella, have heterozygous genotype for blood serum cholinesterase.


[Mutants of Pichia guilliermondii yeasts with multiple sensitivity to antibiotics and antimetabolites. I. The selection and properties of the mutants]. Riboflavin deficient mutant Pichia guilliermondii MS1 which requires approximately 1000-fold lower concentration of exogenous vitamin B2 for growth when compared with a non-adapted riboflavin deficient mutants of this species was isolated by means of of UV-irradiation. The growth of the mutant was strongly inhibited by actinomycin D and L-canavanine. The revertant MS8 and MS14 which synthesized riboflavin were selected from the strain MS1. These revertants posses a multiple sensitivity to actinomycin D, rifamycin, euflavine, mitomycin C, antimycin A, 8-azaadenine, 8-azaguanine, L-canavanine and 7-methyl-8-trifluoromethyl-10-(1'-D-ribityl)isoalloxazine. The ability to utilized glycerol and ethanol as a sole carbon source for growth was impaired in these mutants. The mutants which can utilize glycerol were isolated from the strain MS14. Such mutants were resistant to actonomycin D. Mutation (s) which determines a multiple sensitivity and inability to utilized glycerol was recessive.


[Genetic structure of 2 isolated populations of native inhabitants of Sibiria (Northern Altaics) according to the results of a study of blood groups and isoenzymes]. The article comprises the results of the investigation of the frequencies of alleles of 9 gene loci controlling the blood groups, isoenzymes in populations and subpopulations of Cumandinians and Chelkanians. The presence of alleles A2 r(cde) and K at low concentrations was discovered in both groups. The method of genetic distances was used for the investigation of the inter- and intragroup divergence. With respect to certain loci a considerable variation of allelic frequencies from village to village was established.


The anticoagulant effect of heparin + antithrombin III using purified fibrinogen as substrate. The anticoagulant effect of heparin in test systems composed of purified factors [antithrombin III (AT-III), fibrinogen and thrombin] was studied. As expected, the sensitivity to heparin depended on the concentrations of AT-III and thrombin, whereas the fibrinogen level was less decisive. In addition, qualitative differences proved important. Thus, the sensitivity to heparin was greater with crude bovine thrombin than with highly purified thrombin from the same species. Further, the sensitivity to heparin increased following removal of cold-insoluble material from the fibrinogen preparation. Finally, during storage of purified AT-III at +4 degrees C for more than 4 weeks, the sensitivity to heparin decreased more rapidly than expected from the amidolytic AT-III assays. Smaller amounts of heparin were required to give a prolonged thrombin clotting time than in whole plasma, indicating that components of normal platelet-poor plasma (besides AT-III and fibrinogen) interfere with the anticoagulant effect of heparin. The present test systems may prove suitable for the detection and evaluation of factors of importance for the so-called heparin tolerance.


The antiheparin effect of alpha1-acid glycoprotein and platelet material, evaluated by the heparin thrombin clotting time. The effect on the heparin thrombin clotting time (HTCT) of a so-called acute phase protein, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, was studied in test systems consisting of purified fibrinogen, antithrombin III, heparin and thrombin, and compared to the effect of platelet material (crude platelet factor 4). In these test systems a physiological concentration of alpha1-acid glycoprotein (1 g/l) inhibited heparin more effectively than did soluble platelet material from 200 X 10(9) platelets/l. The present observations suggest that alpha1-acid glycoprotein is of great significance for the so-called heparin tolerance, whereas platelet material proved less important.


Elimination of inhibition in euglobulin fibrinolysis by use of flufenamate: involvement of C1-inactivator. The fibrinolytic activity of euglobulin fractions prepared from human morning plasma and assayed on fibrin plates is strongly inhibited by the C1-inactivator present in the fractions. Flufenamate, a potent representative of the group of synthetic thrombolytic agents, eliminates this inhibition in euglobulin fractions. This elimination is an apparently irreversible reaction dependent on concentration, time and temperature. The fibrinolytic enhancing effect of flufenamate in euglobulin fractions correlated well with a similar effect of added C1s, which neutralized the C1-inactivator. The effect of flufenamate was slightly greater than that of added C1s, suggesting an additional effect of the flufenamate. The activity enhancing effect of the flufenamate at the lower molarities could be separated from an activity decreasing effect at the higher molarities. A simple technique by which inhibitory effects in euglobulin fibrinolysis are selectively eliminated is described.


Heparin-induced release of plasminogen activator. The influence of heparin and heparinoids on the release of plasminogen activator was studied in the isolated perfused pig ear. Heparin enhances the release of the tissue activator of fibrinolysis in a dose-dependent manner within the range of 0.05-1.0 IU/ml perfusion fluid. The release is also caused by sulfated polyanions at concentration of 10 microgram/ml.


[Effect of estrogen on interconversion of prostaglandin F and E in rat uterus (author's transl)]. To determine estrogen action in PG metabolism in rat uterus, effect of the hormone on the uptake and interconversion of PGF and E was studied using 3H-PGF2alpha and 3H-PGE2. The following results were obtained: Uptake of 3H-PGF2alpha and 3H-PGE2 was increased at 6 hours after estrogen injection. The conversion into PGF and PGE group from 3H-PGE2 and 3H-PGF2alpha, respectively, was observed in rat uterus, but the hormone action on the interconversion of PG was apparently different between PGF2alpha and PGE2. The conversion of 3H-PGF2alpha into PGE group was increased with the lapse of time after estrogen injection. However, estrogen action on the conversion of 3H-PGE2 into PGF group was not so remarkable as that of 3H-PGF2alpha. Effects of indomethacin in vivo and in vitro on the metabolism of PGF2alpha increased by estrogen were also examined. Estrogen action on the uptake of PGF group was inhibited by indomethacin injection, but the conversion into PGE was not influenced by this compound.


[Studies on arsenic metabolism (XX). Arsenic accumulation in the organs and excretion into the feces and urine of rats chronically poisoned with arsenic (author's transl)]. Male and female rats (60 approximately 80 g) of Wistar strain were randomly divided into two groups and were given milk and cereal diets, respectively. Each group was further divided into two groups; one was given the diet containing 100ppm of arsenic trioxide and the other a diet containing "arsenic compound" (100ppm as arsenic trioxide). Each group included five rats of both sexes. A 6-month feeding of the test diet was followed by provision of a normal diet. The accumulated arsenic was excreted almost 100% from the brain and 20 approximately 30% from organs such as kidney, liver, spleen and lung. The arsenic level persisted in tissues in animals on the cereal diet, as compared with those fed the milk diet. There was no significant difference in the accumulation and excretion of arsenic between the groups given arsenic trioxide or "arsenic compound".


[Influence of hexobendine, prenylamine and verapamil on the contractile response of isolated rabbit left atria and aortae to calcium (author's transl)]. In isolated rabbit left atria driven electrically at a frequency of 30/min, the contraction was abolished by increasing external K+ concentrations from 5.4 to 22mM. Addition of isoproterenol (10(-6)M) restored the atrial contraction and the magnitude of contractions increased by raising external concentrations of Ca++ to 4.4 and 6.6. mM. Hexobendine attenuated the magnitude of contractions restored by isoproterenol and excess Ca++ in a dose-dependent manner, as did prenylamine and verapamil. Hexobendine did not significantly influence the membrane depolarization induced by excess K+ and there was no evidence of a beta-adrenergic blocking action. In helical strips of rabbit aortae exposed to Ca++-free media and depolarized by excess K+, the addition of Ca++ caused a marked contraction. Hexobendine, prenylamine and verapamil caused a dose-related attenuation of the Ca++-induced contraction. Relative potencies of the inhibition by hexobendine, prenylamine and verapamil were 1:16.5:100. Inhibitory effects of these drugs were partially antagonized by excess Ca++. Greater attenuation of the contractile response to 25 mM K+ than the response to 2 X 10(-6)M noradrenaline was observed in preparations treated with hexobendine. It may be concluded that interference with the influx of Ca++ across cell membrane in atrial muscles and aortic smooth muscles participates in the inhibition of contractility by hexobendine.


[Effects of capsaicin on spontaneous unit discharges in medial thalamic single neurons of cats (author's transl)]. The effect of capsaicin was studied in gallamine triethiodide immobilized adult cats. Single neurons were recorded from the medial thalamus with a stainless steel microelectrode. Out of 21 neurons recorded in this experiment, 10 were responsive to both nociceptive (pinch) and non-nociceptive (hair bending and/or tapping) stimuli. Six neurons were responsive to only non-nociceptive stimuli and 5 were not responsive to these stimuli. Out of 10 neurons responding to both nociceptive and non-nociceptive stimuli, 9 were responsive to both bradykinin (3 microgram) and capsaicin (3 microgram). Out of 6 neurons responding to only non-nociceptive stimuli, 5 were not responsive to either bradykinin and capsaicin. All neurons responding to bradykinin were also responsive to capsaicin. The latency for bradykinin and capsaicin was 7.64 +/- 1.12 sec and 0.97 +/- 0.07 sec, respectively. The increased in firing frequency produced by capsaicin was depressed by morphine. However, these depressant effects of morphine on single unit activity were antagonized by naloxone.


[Effects of difenamizole on behavior maintained by schedule of positive reinforcement (author's transl)]. The anti-nociceptive dose of difenamizole, morphine, aminopyrine and aspirin was studied for effects on behavior maintained by schedule of positive reinforcement. Male, albino rats were trained to press a lever for food pellets on a fixed-ratio (FR) 10 and 30 schedule of reinforcement or a differential reinforcement of low rates of responding (DRL) schedule. Difenamizole (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a dose-related decrease in the response under FR-10 schedule. The response rate decrease observed under the FR-10 schedule was similar to that resulting from the oral administration of 400 mg/kg of aminopyrine. Response in the FR-30 schedule was not affected by any dose of difenamizole (100 approximately 400 mg/kg, p.o.) and aminopyrine (200 approximately 400 mg/kg, p.o.). In the response maintained by the DRL schedule, the overall response rate and the mean interresponse time were not altered significantly by most doses of difenamizole, aminopyrine and aspirin given, however, food reinforcement was decreased significantly with ingestion of these drugs. Morphine (20 mg/kg, p.o.) shortened the mean interresponse time and increased the response in DRL schedule. These results suggest that the central action of difenamizole is similar to that produced by aminopyrine, but not that produced by morphine.


A surgical case of Grawitz's tumour of cystous appearance. A surgical case of coexisting renal cyst and tumour is reported, diagnosis having been made preoperatively with the aid of two recent diagnostic procedures. Electron microscopic study of the surgical specimen revealed virus-like intranuclear particles in the malignant tissue.


Cystosigmoidostomy: indications and results. The author reports on 15 patients with bladder-sigma anastomosis. The postoperative complications and late results up to a period of 10 years are discussed. Irreparable urethral strictures and bladder exstrophies are indications for this operation. It is only with reserve than it can be recommended for contracted bladder. According to the authors' experience and information by others, pyelonephritis and electrolyte disturbances seem to be rare complications. Because of the small number of cases a definite judgement of the method and its long-term consequences for the urinary system is not possible yet.


Traumatic rupture of the corpora cavernosa. Treatment of penile fracture, due to the low number of cases, still lacks adequate documentation. The authors present two cases of such pathology, which were treated conservatively, and presented penile deformities in the late follow up. Both conservative and surgical management are discussed; since surgery in these cases has low mortality and clinical treatment can be followed by various sequelae, the authors favour the former, stressing that it is mandatory in cases with urinary obstruction, progressive infiltration of cutaneous laceration.


Evaluation of the impairment of spermatogenesis in varicocele through semen analysis and testicular biopsy. Twenty-four patients with varicocele and 26 normal men were analysed according to the seminal ejaculate and testicular biopsy. Patients were divided into two groups based on the criteria of sperm normality and abnormality, respectively. Hypospermatogenesis with both normal and abnormal seminal fluid occurred in the varicocele patients, but no statistical differences could be established when compared with each other. We concluded that testicular biopsy is not useful in the evaluation of patients with varicocele.


The incidence of immunoglobulin-A deposits in glomerular diseases and its morphological examination: nephropathy with mesangial IgA dense deposits. The presence of IgA with IgG, C', IgM and fibrin in 365 renal biopsy specimens has been studied by the immunohistological method. Glomerular IgA deposits were found in 38 cases (10.4%). The patients were divided into two groups according to the localization of IgA: 13 cases (3.56%) belonged to the first group, in which IgA showed diffuse mesangial localization. Light microscopic examination showed various stages of proliferative glomerulonephritis. These cases corresponded to the nephropathy described by Berger. In 25 cases (6.85%), belonging to the second group, the glomerular localization of IgA was found to be segmental and peripheral, appeared always in patches and was present with various histological alterations. Differentiation of the two kinds of alteration is possible primarily on the basis of the immunohistological pattern, but light microscopic and electron microscopic examination might also be helpful.


Extrarenal effects of furosemide on distribution of salt and water: an indirect mechanism of the drug's action? The relatively scanty literature on the extrarenal effect of furosemide upon the distribution of salt and water in the body is reviewed. The collected data seem to indicate that corticosteroids participate in the natriuretic mechanism of this drug's action.


Hygienic safety measures in the light of observations in a haemodialysis unit. A report on the sanitary situation of the Haemodialysis Unit, Department of Urology, University Medical School, Pécs, is given and the preventive measures securing the sanitary standards valid for the specialized units are set out in detail. The desiderata for the sanitary safety of haemodialysis units are summed up.


Preliminary report on a joint U.S.-Yugoslavia five-year comprehensive health education research project carried out in Yugoslavia. A five-year effort has been planned to test the efficacy of health education integrated in primary care services for a rural area. Impacts on health care provider and study population behavior have been hypothesized. The evaluation design includes one study and one control health care district with pre- and post-program surveys conducted in each area. The study will be completed in 1978. Baseline and longitudinal results are reported. Specific change objectives have been achieved in early cancer detection and in maternal and child health.


The use of cable television as a tool in health education of the elderly: screening. A cable television channel was used to inform residents in a housing project for the elderly about a series of preventive health services. Screening and referral services for common health problems were offered to this group. The televised communications included a series of brief, informal advertising-style and direct teaching-style messages developed for each of five screening areas. An evaluation found that the televised messages had both direct and indirect effects on participation in the screening programs; overall attendance was about 8% of the estimated potential attendance. Knowledge and health attitude effects of the messages were also assessed.


Delayed union in metatarsal osteotomies. After surgery or traumatic injury, bone defects may heal slowly or they may completely fail to heal. In most cases, these delayed unions and nounions results from lack of proper immobilization. Motion at the site of an injury interferes with proper organization of the hematoma or causes the fragments to separate or become displaced.


Bone block procedures for dropfoot.

Bone block procedures for dropfoot. The Gill bone block procedure is valuable in the treatment of dropfoot as it may eliminate the need for a dropfoot brace. Also, it may reduce the frequency of tripping and falling by providing a better gait pattern, and if the deformity is not too severe, additional surgery may not be necessary.


Tarsal coalition: review and preliminary conclusions. Tarsal coalition is a relatively rare anomaly, and the degree of fusion between two or more tarsal bones varies. The coalition may be osseous, cartilaginous or fibrous, and it may be complete or incomplete. It usually results in rigid planovalgus deformity of the foot and may be associated with secondary spasm of the peroneal muscle group. With few exceptions, complete stabilization by arthrodesis is the treatment of choice.


Fibular sesamoidectomy: an illustrated surgical technique. The fibular sesamoidectomy, used frequently in a modified McBride bunionectomy for hallux valgus surgical correction, is a difficult procedure to perform. The authors hope that the descriptive drawings and the technique as described in this article will help to simplify the procedure.


Delayed reduction of a dislocation at Lisfranc's joint: a case report. An unusual case report of a chronic lateral dislocation at Lisfranc's joint has been presented. Immediate reduction was not performed due to inadequate diagnosis. An involvement of a peripheral neuropathy further marked the patient's symptoms. A delayed surgical reduction and arthrodesis of the tarsometatarsal joints were performed. The degree of dislocation and concomitant osseous changes that occurred over a prolonged period of time prevented excellent alignment of part of the tarsometatarsal articulations. However, a functional and asymptomatic foot was restored.


Postnatal development of the mouse cerebral neocortex. I. Quantitative cytoarchitectonics of some motor and sensory areas. Quantitative data have been obtained (numbers of neurons and glial cells in a cube of 0.000 25 mm3, thicknesses of cortical layers, nuclear diameters of neurons) on Cresyl Violet stained sections from the six cortical layers of the Swiss Albinos mouse brain through the postnatal development at 5, 10, 30, 60 and 180 days. 1) Normative data of the cortical cell population are now available from motor areas 4 and 10 and sensory areas 3 and 2 according to KRIEG (1946). The evolution of the neuronal densities through time was obtained and was taken as a criterion of maturation for the different layers in the studied cortical areas. 2) Areas 4, 10, 3 and 2 have been described histologically at all the mentioned ages. 3) The nuclear diameter of the neurons increases in all the layers between 5 and 10 days and less between 10 and 30 days. It remains stable from 30 days on. 4) At adult age the sensory areas 3 and 2 show a greater thickness of the group of supragranular layers II, III and IV than of the infragranular layers V and VI together. Layer V shows the same thickness in areas 2, 3 and 4. The same is true for layer VI in the same areas. In area 10 layers V and VI are thicker than in areas 2, 3 and 4. At younger ages (5 and 10 days) the relative thicknesses of the different layers are of the same order but each layer is thinner. 5) The neuronal density shows the same type of development in the four studied areas. Maturation in terms of decrease of neuronal densities is very rapid between 5 and 10 days and slows down till 30 days with speeds depending on the layers. Layers I, V and VI show faster and earlier maturation than layers II, III and IV. 6) The glial density is mostly stable through the development. This does not mean that there is no glial proliferation. 7) The delineation between the different areas according to KRIEG's (1946) atals and/or CAVINESS's (1975) publication are discussed taking into account our quantitative data.


Comparative morphology of the visual system of some Japanese species of Soricoidea (Superfamily) in relation to leif habits. In some species of Japanese Soricoidea, Sorex shinto, Mogera wogura wogura, Mogera wogura kobeae, Dymecodon pilirostris, and Urotrichus talpoides, the cytoarchitecture of the eyeball and its accessory organs, the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, the superior colliculus, the lateral posterior nucleus of the thalamus and the visual cortex were investigated in correlation with life habits. In Sorex, living preominantly on the ground, there is a duct-like palpebral fissure, and most of the parts of the visual system are well developed in adaptation to its life habits. In the almost completely fossorial moles, no palpebral fissure is recognized, and the visual system is less developed owing to adaptation to their habits. In the semifossorial shrew-moles. Dymecodon and Urotrichus, the features of the eyeball and the visual system in the brain are intermediate between those of the Sorex and Mogera group. Furthermore, taking account of the visual system of certain species from other orders, it is assumed that the cytoarchitecture of the visual system is dependent more upon the ecological niche than on systematics.


Biological and biochemical characterization of a latent subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus infection in tissue culture. The present investigation describes the biological and biochemical properties of a persistent SSPE virus infection. Persistently infected cells were derived by cocultivation of infected brain cells and uninfected Vero cells, and cultures were maintained by normal subculturing methods. No infectious virus was ever released from these cultures, and all attempts to induce infectious virus release were unsuccessful. Biological assays showed that infected cells contained nucleocapsid and salt-dependent hemagglutinin antigens, whereas the normal hemagglutinin appeared not to be present. Electron microscopic examination demonstrated the presence of both intranuclear and cytoplasmic nucleocapsids together with the release of virus particles (defective?) from the cell membrane. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that approximately 90% of the intracellular genomic RNA was defective or subgenomic although a small quantity of infectious genomes was present. It is proposed that the large quantities of defective genomes in the infected cells are the major factor in the maintenance of this persistent infection.


Ascorbic acid: effects on ricin intoxicated HeLa cells. Ascorbic acid in concentrations of 100 microgram/ml of culture medium protects HeLa cells against the protein synthesis inhibition activity of ricin, a phytotoxin isolated from castor beans.


Niacin and pantothenic acid excretions of humans fed a low-methionine, plant-based diet. The addition of a vitamin to a diet of humans has been shown to increase the excretion of that vitamin. The effects of an increase of one vitamin on another have not been investigated. The objective of the current project was to compare the effects of two supplementation patterns on the niacin and pantothenic acid excretion values of humans consuming a peanut butter-based diet. Two groups each received one of two supplementation regimens. One group received niacin, a multi-vitamin, or no supplement. One group received methionine alone, pantothenic acid alone or methionine plus pantothenic acid. The addition of either vitamin resulted in increased excretion of that vitamin. Urinary niacin excretion of the group that received pantothenic acid and/or methionine was greater than that observed with a multi-vitamin or no supplement. Urinary pantothenic acid excretion was suppressed when niacin was a supplement. Urinary pantothenic acid excretion of the methionine supplement group was greater than the excretion of the groups which received either niacin or multi-vitamin supplements. These data suggest some possible dangers in indiscriminate supplementation of food products.


Effects of thiamine administration on blood lactic and concentration and mineral metabolism in sheep. The object of the present experiment is to determine the effect of thiamine administration on lactic acid concentration in blood plasma and the mineral metabolism in sheep given low and high concentrate rations. A high concentrate ration containing 90% concentrate and 10% roughage was fed to one group of sheep and a low concentrate ration containing 60% concentrate was given to the other group. Thiamine was intramuscularly injected into every sheep at a level of 50 mg of thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide per day. No great difference was found in the plasma lactic acid concentration between the animals fed the low and high concentrate rations, and those between the control and thiamine injection periods. Thiamine injection appeared to increase urine and fecal magnesium excretion and significantly decreased magnesium balance (p less than 0.05). It may be conceivable that endogenous magnesium excretion is enhanced by thiamine administration in sheep.


The isolation and characterization of a lethal protein from Kintoki beans (Phaseolus vulgaris). A lethal protein with hemagglutinating activity but without trypsin inhibitory activity was isolated from beans of Phaseolus vulgaris, cultiva, and Kintoki and proved homogeneous by ultracentrifugation, disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, sodium dodesyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. The molecular weight was estimated to be 104, 000 by ultracentrifugal analysis and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. The molecule dissociates into three identical subunits in the presence of 8 M urea or 0.1% sodium dodesyl sulfate. The amino acid composition was characterized by the high content of aspartic acid and the complete absence of methionine and cystine. The carbohydrate content was 8.1%; 5.0% mannose and 3.1% glucosamine. The addition of the lethal protein to a basal diet (0.4%) resulted in the intensive depression of the growth and finally in the death of rats. The intraperitoneal injection of 250 microgram per g body weight of mouse brought about an acute toxicity which caused death of all the injected mice.


Monitoring of transcutaneous PO2 in the fetus and mother during normal labor. Transcutaneous PO2 (tcPO2) measurement is a non-invasive method which gives continuous information about central PO2. The method has previously been testes primarily on newborns and adults, and reports on the applicability of the method on the fetus during labor are still scanty and restricted to case reports. This paper reports on a systematic study of intrapartum fetal and maternal tcPO2-monitoring. The material is comprised of 19 parturients, the majority being nulliparae. All fetal presentations were vertex. The tcPO2 recordings averaged one hour in duration (Tab. I). FHR was recorded simultaneously. In 12 cases the electrode was affixed with glue, and in 7 cases a suction device was used for fixation. The electrode was attached when the cervix was dilated 4 to 6 cm. The mean tcPO2 was 20 mm Hg in the beginning of the registration, and showed a small decline in level throughout labor reaching 14 mmHg at the end of the registration period (Fig. 5). These values are in good agreement with those found by other authors in previous investigations. In some of the present cases, very low tcPO2 values were recorded. The relevance of these low tcPO2 values is unclear, and it is impossible to determine to what extent these tracings have true physiological relevance versus might be due to technical factors.


The pattern of bronchial asthma in benin in the equatorial forest zone of Nigeria. This paper describes a prospective study of 78 Nigerian patients with asthma from the equatorial forest zone of Nigeria. The work extended over 3 years, the patients attending a special asthma clinic for investigation and management. The acute asthmatic disease was fairly severe but permanent respiratory crippling and chronic bronchitis appeared relatively uncommon, possibly because of a low prevalence of cigarette smoking and minimal atmospheric pollution. Most factors precipitating attacks were apparently nonallergic. The house mite appeared the most common allergic factor by skin testing. Problems of treatment are discussed and comparisons made with other accounts from Africa and the UK.


Non-rachitic deformities of the knees in Nigerian children. Non-rachitic lesions of the knee are a common condition found in Nigerian children, the aetiology of which is unknown. 67 patients were studied, 24 had genu valgum, 28 genu varum and 15 with varo-valgum. Possible aetiology has been discussed and the following hypotheses have been put forward. The early weight bearing of the immature bones of the lower limbs has uneven pressure effects on the growth plate and also the laxity of the knee ligaments produces abnormal posture. The abnormal posture during growth and pressure effect of a tight band around the knee when the child is carried on the back predisposes to genu varum and valgum. Dietetic abnormalities may also be one of the factors but these have not been elucidated. Lastly, the tendency of the condition to occur in the African race raises the possibility of genetic factors.


Fatal coronary atherosclerotic heart disease in a Nigerian case report with necropsy findings. This report describes the clinical and necropsy findings in a fatal case of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease with thrombosis occurring in a Nigerian. This entity is very rarely seen in indigenous Africans, except in the setting of hypertension, diabetes mellitus or high socioeconomic status.


Development of bilirubin metabolism and transport in the neonate. Comprehensive physiologic study of the developmental processes of bilirubin metabolism and transport reveal a complex interaction of various steps. Phase I Physiologic Jaundice results from the simultaneous increase in bilirubin load presented to the liver and decrease in bilirubin conjugating capacity. Phase II appears to result from a mild decrease in hepatic uptake capacity, coupled with the continuing increase in bilirubin load. Since these results are based upon studies of newborn rhesus monkeys, confirmatory studies in human neonates are required. Perhaps the most challenging aspect of these observations relates to the concept of a developmentally determined delicate imbalance between two functions. It is unlikely that pharmacologic agents could radically alter a single function. Therefore, it is perhaps more realistic to think that drug treatments which only slightly alter two functions simultaneously but in the appropriate directions could more effectively reduce the risk of toxicity. Thus, a mild increase in bilirubin conjugation coupled with a small but significant decrease in bilirubin load could markedly alleviate the severity of physiologic jaundice.


[Electron microscopy features of renal changes in chronic lead poisoning (author's transl)]. The Authors report the results of a renal morphological study carried out on eight patients with chronic lead poisoning. The ultrastructural analysis showed changes, mainly involving the proximal tubules, as follows: 1) degenerative pattern (swollen mitochondria, dilated endoplasmic reticulum and scanty microvilli); 2) signs of metabolic hyperactivity (intranuclear granular inclusions, odd shaped nuclei); 3) regenerative pattern (poorly differentiated cells with few microvilli, shallow infoldings of basal cell membranes). In the glomeruli the most characteristic finding was a mesangial reaction. The basement membrane, in some cases, appeared to be thickened and the visceral epithelial cells hypertrophic. Interstitial fibrosis was present, as well as, occasionally, a certain degree of arteriolar hyperplasia. These data appear to confirm that chronic lead nephropathy has an extremely slow evolution.


[The significance of acetylcholine test in occupational allergic asthma (author's transl)]. The authors studied the spirometric changes following acetylcholine inhalation in a group of subjects with history of paroxysmal dyspnea--apparently related to their working activity--and, at the same time, with negative skin tests. Acetylcholine inhalation test proved to be positive in 80% of the cases, showing an increased bronchial reactivity and therefore a tendency to functional bronchostenosis. The high percentage of positive responses in the suspect cases, the lack of side effects and the negative results in control subjects, recommend the acetylcholine inhalation test as a suitable ancillary diagnostic procedure in suspect cases of occupational allergic asthma.


Improved reversed passive hemagglutination for simple and rapid detection of staphycococcal enterotoxins A approximately E in food. Detection and identification of staphylococcal enterotoxins in food or culture filtrates were performed using the reversed passive hemagglutination (RPHA) technique, with formalized sheep red blood cells (FSRBC) sensitized with immunologlobulins of anti-A, B, C, D, and E rabbit hyperimmune sera fractionated by affinity chromatography. The FSRBC sensitized with anti-A approximately E  immunoglobulins showed a high level of reactivity and specificity in RPHA, against homologous types of purified enterotoxins and culture filtrates of toxin-producing strains. No non-specific reactions with various ingredients in foods nor cross-reactions among enterotoxin types were observed. The minimum amount of enterotoxins in foods detected by RPHA was calculated to be 0.01 micorgram/g without concentration, and the recovery rate of experimentally added toxins was calculated to be about 80%. Under routine laboratory practice, detection and identification of enterotoxins from incriminated foods of five food poisoning outbreaks were performed by RPHA within 3 hr after reception of the specimens. Among them, three were determined to be enterotoxin A food poisoning, one to be toxin C and the rest to be intoxication of A and D. The concentrations of the toxins was between 0.014 and 3.65 microgram per gram of food.


Convulsions in the first three years of life. A prospective study of convulsions in 5803 consecutive newborn infants from an Australian city is described; 535 children were lost to study, leaving 90.9% of the original sample. Of the remaining 5268, 325 had at least one convulsive episode during the first three years of life--an incidence of 61.7 per thousand. Convulsions following breath-holding attacks were experienced by 8.1 per thousand, while a further 4.0 per thousand had simple breath-holding attacks associated with transient loss of consciousness, but no convulsion. Convulsions associated with fever were experienced by 39.9 per thousand. In addition, 8.2 per thousand had idiopathic convulsions, 2.8 per thousand had neonatal convulsions and 2.7 per thousand had convulsions of mixed aetiology. Factors relating to the convulsion are described in detail. Pregnancy and birth data are compared with those of a control group taken from the study.


Current status of echography (ultrasound). Ultrasonic demonstration of the anatomy and pathology of solid and fluid-filled organs and structures of the upper abdomen, the retroperitoneum and the pelvis is now well established, as is its use for examination of the thyroid gland, breast, the orbit, the heart, the scrotum and soft tissue masses. Aspiration of cytological and histological material for tissue diagnosis and other purposes is performed in a number of centres. Echography and computed tomography of the abdomen are complementary and there is a trend towards combined units so that each service may be used more efficiently.


Naturally acquired immunity to influenza type A: a further prospective study. During the 1976 influenza epidemic, the incidence and severity of attack by A/Victoria/3/75 strain were studied in 312 participants who were divided into two groups: in Group 1 were 216 participants who had a history of laboratory-proven infection by one of the earlier strains of Hong Kong subtype; in Group 2 were 96 participants who had no known history of such prior infection. No participant in either group received influenza vaccine. The efficacy of clinical immunity, acquired as a result of prior infection by an earlier Hong Kong subtype strain, was judged by comparing the findings in Group 1 and Group 2. Incidence of laboratory-proven A/Victoria/3/75 infection was found to be 27% in Group 2 (26 cases confirmed) and 10.6% in Group 1 (23 cases confirmed). Among Group 1 members, the incidence was highest in those with the longest interval since prior Hong Kong subtype infection. Severe influenzal illness was seen in 14 of the 26 proven cases in Group 2, and in only three of the 23 proven cases in Group 1. The prior infection in these three had been by A/Hong Kong/1/68 strain in 1969-1970. Thus in Group 1, severe influenzal illness was not observed until six years or more had passed since prior infection (and three episodes of antigenic drift had intervened). Results suggested that low serum antibody levels may be unreliable as indicators of clinical immunity. Preepidemic sera of 99 members of Group 1 and 82 members of Group 2 showed no HAI antibody to A/Victoria/3/75 (titre less than 8), but the incidence of laboratory-proven A/Victoria/3/75 infection among these individuals was lower in Group 1 (19%) than in Group 2 (30.5%).


Familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis in papua nuiginians--a reappraisal. Studies of 11 Papua Nuiginians with recurrent muscular paralysis are presented. The clinical pattern, the geographical clustering, the lack of relation with dietary change, and the normal aldosterone levels in two patients support the view that it is a variant of familial hypokalaemic periodic paralysis.


Fatal accidents to children: implications for prevention. Effects to prevent childhood accidents should be directed at the causes of serious injury and death, rather than at the causes of the vast number of emergency department trivial injuries. This paper analyses fatal accidents, and suggests areas in which efforts at prevention may be effective. It emphasizes the importance of motor car accidents, and drowning accidents in childhood.


Drowning in Australia: a national appraisal with particular reference to children. National statistics of drowning (accidental and submersion) for Australia, by State, age and sex have been compiled. The national rate is 3.29 per 100 000 which compares well with that from other countries of similar latitude. The national childhood drowning rate (age group of 0 to 14 years) is 5.19 per 100 000; the rate for the 0 to four years age group ranges from almost zero in the Australian Capital Territory to 15.69 in Queensland. In all States, a drowning rate for preschool children is at least four times that of school children. Preschool versus total drowning ratios have been calculated, by State; the rank order of this data (those of Victoria are highest at 4.65) is further evidence that climatic factors alone are not necessarily major predisposing causes leading to high drowning statistics of preschool children observed in other series.


Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography: analysis of the normal pancreatogram, and changes which are associated with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The dimensions of the normal pancreatogram were determined by studies in 30 adults without demonstrable pancreatic disease. The main pancreatic duct had a mean maximum diameter of 3.1 mm, 2.4 mm and 1.4 mm in the head, body and tail of the pancreas respectively; diameters at the upper limit of normal were 4 mm, 3 mm, and 2 mm in these three regions; Changes in the main pancreatic duct were categorized, and the relative frequency of these changes was determined in 45 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 14 patients with pancreatic cancer; Obstruction of the main duct was usually associated with cancer, whereas dilatation throughout the duct was only observed in chronic pancreatitis, Segmental stricture was common in both diseases, but analysis of the corresponding cholangiogram permitted differentiation in some patients. Gross distortion of the duct system occurred only in chronic pancreatitis, and was frequently associated with calcification which was seen on plain abdominal X-ray film. The main pancreatic duct showed no abnormalities in five patients (11%) with chronic pancreatitis, and one patient (7%) with cancer. Analysis of changes in the main pancreatic duct usually permitted differentiation of chronic pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer.


Academic performance of medical students: data from the intake of 1968. A study of the performance of the first Wyndham Scheme students in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of New South Wales was undertaken. Forty-five percent of the cohort of 237 graduated in the minimum time, and 76% eventually graduated in succeeding years. Of the 130 entrants with Higher School Certificate (HSC) aggregates of 500+, 60% graduated in minimum time; in the case of the 107 entrants with HSC aggregates of less than 500, the figure was 28%. There was an extremely high correlation rate (r = 0.98) between HSC aggregate and success in the course at the first attempt. There was no significant difference between the minimum time or eventual graduation rates of males (211) and females (26), despite the fact that females had a significantly higher performance in the HSC; There was no improvement in the numbers graduating in the minimum time compared with the first intake of medical students at the University of New South Wales, or the last "pre-Wyndham" intake. A comment about wastage rates is made and suggestions for remedying the situation are put forth.


Successful removal of retained bile duct stones by endoscopic sphincterotomy. Two cases are reported in which endoscopic sphincterotomy was successful in allowing passage of stones retained in the common bile duct after cholecystectomy, performed in one case three weeks and in the other 14 years before.


We are losing our brothers: Sorcery and alcohol in an Aboriginal community. The concerns and fears of the people of an Aboriginal community which follow the premature death of any of its members are discussed. These concerns centre on the competing possibilities that the death has been caused either by sorcery or by chronic and heavy consumption of alcohol. The expressed needs of the people with respect to communication with medical staff both during illness and after a death are presented and are explored in the light of the quest of one of us (D.M., a senior community member) for information about the causes of the deaths of several men of the community.


Gastroenteritis in Alice Springs.

Gastroenteritis in Alice Springs. One hundred and thirty admissions to Alice Springs Hospital of full-blood Aboriginal children with acute gastroenteritis during a six-months period in 1975-1976 were examined retrospectively. Sixty-two (48%) of the children were malnourished, including seven (5.4%) who were marasmic. An accelerated weight gain was demonstrated during the recovery phase, averaging 418% of that expected for age. Hypokalaemia occurred in 77 of 117 children (66%); it was severe (serum potassium levels being less than or equal to 2.5 mmol/l.) in 15 (13%), and did not correlate with dehydration as assessed by initial weight gain, or with nutritional status. Hyponatraemia occurred in 32 of 123 children (26%) and was severe (serum sodium levels being less than or equal to 130 mmol/l.) in 11 (9%). Hypoalbuminaemia (serum albumin levels below 35 g/l.) and anaemia (haemoglobin values below 10 g/100 ml) occurred in 15% and 22% respectively. Potential faecal pathogens were isolated during 80 of the 130 admissions (62%). Multiple pathogens were common. Interrelationships of nutrition, infection and immune response are discussed, and measures for reducing morbidity and mortality are outlined.


Prognostic factors in colon carcinoma: correlation of serum carcinoembryonic antigen level and tumor histopathology. Preoperative serum CEA values showed prognostic usefulness and correlated with established histopathologic prognostic parameters. CEA levels provide an additional useful prognostic index of a complex immunopathologic process. The best prognostic appraisal of the individual patient can be achieved by a complete assessment of all participating factors.


Lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract. Lymphomas occurring primarily in the alimentary tract present in the same way as carcinomas. Because they have a much better prognosis than carcinoma, especially in the case of gastrict lymphomas, it is important that they be diagnosed. For this reason, laparotomy if necessary should be undertaken in order to establish a histologic diagnosis of all alimentary neoplasms. With modern equipment, however, it is often possible to obtain enough tissue for diagnosis by endoscopic means. The ideal treatment is surgery, but if there is doubt about the completeness of excision or if there are involved lymphnodes, postoperative radiotherapy is desirable. The types of primary alimentary lymphoma are similar to those occurring in lymphnodes, and they may be follicular (nodular) or diffuse. Hodgkin's disease is less common than the other lymphomas and has a somewhat worse prognosis. The main prognostic features of alimentary lymphomas are type of lymphoma and degree of differentiation. Follicular lymphomas have a better prognosis than diffuse lymphomas and well differentiated lymphocytic lesions have a better prognosis than large cell poorly differentiated tumors. Lymphnode involvement has no significance in the overall survival rates.


Colo-rectal biopsy in inflammatory bowel disease. The term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is viewed as all-inclusive, covering the full panoply of intestinal disorders in which inflammatory changes are a prominent feature, including those of infectious, toxic, and intrinsic origin as well as the idiopathic entities ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. This chapter describes and discusses those aspects of colo-rectal biopsy in IBD which can help pathologists make optimal interpretations. The areas covered are: 1) methods used to prepare biopsy specimens for study, 2) normal histologic findings and common artefacts, 3) basic pathologic changes occurring in IBD, 4) a general approach to differential diagnosis in IBD, and 5) discussion of the various individual forms of IBD. The importance of full and reliable information exchange between the endoscopist and pathologist is stressed. Special attention is given to features in biopsy specimens which help in differentiating between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Other entities discussed are bacterial dysenteries; gonococcal proctitis; tuberculosis; Whipple's disease; amebiasis; balantidiasis; schistosomiasis; cryptosporidiosis; lymphopathia venereum; cytomegalovirus infection; histoplasmosis; antibiotic colitis; IBD due to cytotoxic drugs (5-FU), heavy metals, and foodstuffs; irradiation colitis; ischemic colitis; solitary ulcer syndrome; diverticulitis; and colitis secondary to obstruction. The term pseudomembranous enterocolitis is also considered.


[Use of wheat rich in protein for broiler feeding. 4. Nutrient and amino acid content of the consumable part]. After having finished a broiler-feeding experiment with wheat rich in protein under industry-like conditions eight by eight male and female animals from four groups were selected on their 56th day of life and experimentally cut up. Crude fat, crude protein, and amino acids contents were determined in the consumable parts (meat, gizzard, heart, liver, abdominal fat). The control group got the conventional broiler feed only. The protein fodder parts were reduced in the three experimental rations taking into account the covering of the needs of lysine and sulphur containing amino acids, by which two experimental rations were supplemented with 0.05% L-Lysine and 0.0% DL-methionine and 0.25% L-lysine and 0.15% DL-methionine respectively. It cound be established that except the lower dry matter content of the consumable parts of female broiler in the control group there were no significant differences through the influence of the rations. Furthermore no influence could be established of the high part of wheat rich in protein and the supplements of amino acids on the composition of the muscle protein.


[Total body analysis of rats with special regard to fat determination. Possibility of determining fat and proteins by calculation]. The authors present a method for the whole body analysis of rats which combines the animal body preparation according to Mickelsen with the lipid analysis according to Folch; the liquid analysis has been somewhat modified. In this way and by the non-gutting of the animals, the determination of the body fat becomes less laborious. The body fat content can also be calculated from the water content. The body water content was determined gravimetrically. The body protein content was determined according to Kjeldahl; the protein content may also be calculated from the fat and water contents if an error range of +1% is acceptable.


[Routine colorimetric method for the quantitative microanalysis of free alpha-amino nitrogen in protein hydrolysates]. The determination of alpha-amino nitrogen (alpha-AN) is performed via the formation of amino acid copper complexes and subsequent colorimetric estimation of the dissolved copper as copper diethyldithiocarbamate. The continuous colour reaction by means of an auto-analyzer increases the reliability of the measured values (variation coefficient = 1.7%) compared to the laborious manual method. The stability of the amino acid copper complexes and of copper diethyldithiocarbamate was verified and possible interferences with the colour reaction were discussed. Ammonia does not interfere with the determination of alpha-AN in protein hydrolysates, whereas traces of detergent residues bias the measured values.


[Content of carcinogenic hydrocarbons in smoked foods in the German Democratic Republic and the Hungarian People's Republic]. In the GDR, industrially smoked foods contain on an average 0.43 microgram Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)/kg; products smoked according to trade rules, 0.76 microgram/kg; home-smoked products, 0.74 microgram/kg. The mean BaP content of smoked meat and sausage products in the GDR is 0.55 microgram/kg. Smoked fishes (without skin) contained on an average 1.39 microgram BaP/kg. The following average values were found in the Hungarian People's Republic: 0.6 microgram/kg (industrially smoked), 0.74 microgram/kg (home-smoked), 0.7 microgram/kg (total mean). Smoked cheese contained on an average 0.85 microgram/kg. The average BaP value of home-smoked (softwood) products of a Slovene ethnic group in the Hungarian People's Republic is 4.16 microgram/kg; the population of this region shows a considerably increased rate of stomach cancer. Apart from this particular case, the techniques used in both countries permit to obtain smoked meat and sausage products and smoked cheese with BaP contents less than 1 microgram/kg.


Chance and the origin of life.

Chance and the origin of life. Random chemical reactions in the Earth's primitive hydrosphere could have generated no more than 200 bits of information, whereas the first Darwinian organism must have encoded about a million bits, and therefore could not have arisen by chance. This information gap is bridged by separating reproduction from organism, and postulating a reproductive chemical community that would generate information by proto-Darwinian evolution. The information content of the initial community could have been as low as 160 bits, and its evolution might have led to the first Darwinian cell.


The polymerization of alpha-aminopropionitrile. The mixture of alpha-aminopropionitrile and alpha, alpha'-iminodipropionitrile polymerized to solidify almost at the temperature near 0 degrees C during 8 years. The conversions based on decreasing of those reactants were 61 and 98% at 4 and 8 years, respectively. The fractionation of 4 and 8 years product using Sephadex G 10 yielded their predominant amounts in the oligomer and polymer section, respectively. The oligomer section product of 8 years product was analyzed by means of ion exchange chromatography and its trimethylsilyl derivative was also analyzed by means of gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. These results identified dialanine and trialanine and their amides and nitriles.


The synthesis and chromatography of peptine nitriles. Di- and tripeptide nitriles, glycylaminoacetonitrile (Gly-AAN), diglycylaminoacetonitrile (Gly-Gly-AAN), alany-alpha-aminopropionitrile (Ala-APN), and dialanyl-alpha-aminopropionitrile (Ala-Ala-APN) were synthesized first. These peptide nitriles and related peptides and peptide amides were analyzed by means of ion-exchange chromatography. The every two diastereomers of dialanine, dialanine amide, and Ala-APN were separated into two peaks by using a pH 3.25 buffer as an eluent. The four isomers of trialanine, trialanine amide, and Ala--Ala APN gave four, two, and one peak, respectively under the same conditions. The trimethylsilyl derivatives of alanyl peptides and related compounds were analyzed by means of gas chromatogrpahy combined with mass-spectrometry. The parent (M+ and/or M+-15) and other mass numbers observed in their mass-spectra supported the introduction of various numbers of trimethylsilyl groups.


The asymmetric adsorption of alpha-aminopropionitrile on D-quartz. alpha-Aminopropionitrile was adsorbed on the powdered D-quartz, recovered as N-trifluoro-acetylalanyl-(+)-secondarybutyl ester, and analyzed by means of gas chromatography. The asymmetric result supporting the preferential adsorption of L-antipode was obtained and its significance in chemical evolution has been discussed.


Evidence for amino acids in hydrolysates of compounds formed by ionizing radiations. I. Aqueous solutions of HCN, NH4CN, and NaCN. Dilute, 02-free aqueous cyanides were exposed to multikilorad doses of a radioactive cobalt source. After the removal of unreacted cyanides and of volatile radiolytic products, the residue was hydrolyzed and the resulting material analyzed for amino acids. The results show the presence of five protein amino acids and five amino acids which do not occur in natural proteins. The amino acids of enantiomeric derivatives separated on an optically active column, appeared to consist of approximately equal amounts of D and L isomers. Radiation-chemical yields of amino acids were determined at various radiation doses. The results obtained support the previous findings that the free-radical initiated process is the source of oligomers which on hydrolysis release the amino acids.


Evidence of amino acids in hydrolysates of compounds formed by ionizing radiations. II. Aqueous solutions of CH3CN and C2H5CN. It has been shown that the action of ionizing radiations on dilute, oxygen-free, aqueous solutions of acetonitrile and propionitrile leads to the formation of oligomers, which upon hydrolyses release amino acids. The presence of nine amino acids, the same as those found in irradiated aqueous cyanides, has been established. those amino acids with asymmetric carbon atoms separated by GC method, appeared to consist of nearly equal amounts of D and L isomers. Glycine is the most abundant amino acid in hydrolysates of acetonitrile, while alanine appears in the samples of propionitrile. A comparison of all amino acids, identified in hydrolysates of various cyanides and nitriles, suggests that it is the cyano group, and a free-radical initiated mechanism, that is primarily involved in these radiation-chemical changes of potential interest to prebiotic chemistry.


Porphyrins and phycobilins in Precambrian rocks. Samples of Precambrian rocks (1.7-2.6 billion years, U.S.S.R.) contain metalloporphyrins and linear tetrapyrrole pigment similar to phycobilin 655 from modern blue-green algae Microystis (according to data of phosphorescence spectroscopy). The detection of ancient phycobilin makes it possible to relate the data on pigment paleobiochemistry with the evolution of photosynthetic system.


[Gastroesophageal reflux and chronic or acute broncho-pulmonary diseases in adults]. Forty four observations of patients with chronic or acute broncho-pulmonary affections were gathered over 6 years. All exploration tests for an obstructive etiology were negative. All these patients had a hiatal hernia by sliding with gastro-oesophageal reflux. In 27 patients the repeated pulmonary accidents, the importance of oesophageal symptomatology prompted a treatment of the hiatal hernia. In all these patients every pulmonary symptoms disappeared. In assessing some acute or chronic pulmonary affections, when etiology cannot by traced, besides considering anatomical, clinical and histological data, radiological and endoscopic examination should be undertaken to find gastro-oesophageal reflux.


[Broncho-pulmonary manifestations and gastroesophageal reflux]. In 196 cases of gastro-oesophageal reflux, simple or connected to a hiatal hernia or to a cardio-tuberous misplacement, the respiratory signs that are found in 1 patient out of 4, are analyzed. The nocturnal fits of coughing (39 cases, 20% of the reflux) is the most frequent sign of laryngo-tracheal aspiration of stomach content. This symptom of great diagnostic value, though neglected, should be looked for systematically. Other troubles are less frequent: bouts of recurring broncho-pulmonary infections, asthma attack, Mendelson's syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis. In absence of a patent cause, the symptoms should lead to suspect a reflux of stomach content in the airways. Similarly to oesophagitis, respiratory signs represent a complication sometimes serious, of gastro-oesophageal reflux, needing more frequently a surgical treatment of hiatal herniae or of the cardiac inefficiency.


[Recurrent bronchopneumopathies caused by gastroesophageal reflux in children. Clinical, x-ray and histologic studies of 36 cases]. The respiratory symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, which sometimes includes massive and fatal inhalation, are well-known in infants. In older children the digestive signs are not clinically evident and the reflux mainly, if not exclusively, can be translated by recurring respiratory symptoms. The series of 36 cases presented in this work concerns children between 3 months and 15 years old, for whom the first signs were respiratory, with often a silent gastro-oesophageal reflux for several months, and even several years in some cases. The physiopathology of the respiratory symptoms concerns principally the repeated alimentary aspiration and/or gastric content during nocturnal decubitus. The pulmonary lesions caused by the reflux can be either localized, with atelectasis, obstructive emphysema or bronchiectasis, or generalized with granulomatous reactions around the food particles. Other respiratory conditions such as asthma or cystic fibrosis can be also associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux. The diagnostic criteria are discussed.


[Posttraumatic real and false Mendelson's syndromes]. Six observations of post-traumatic acute respiratory insufficiency of alveolar origin are reported briefly. Three of them have been attributed to a Mendelson's syndrome. This authors showed that diagnosing these lung diseases by acid inhalation is particularly difficult in casualties. It is a diagnosis by elimination which no certainty can prop. These post-traumatic Mendelson's syndrome are serious and difficult to prevent. In the three cases reported two accidents occurred during or immediately after an intubation. The systematic use of an efficient anti-acid could be recommended in all serious casualities.


[Functional sequelae of Mendelson's syndrome. Myth or reality?]. Twenty patients having previously had a Mendelson's syndrome were subjected to a respiratory functional test. A syndrome of diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (DIPF) was found only in 3 cases examined shortly after the pneumopathy. In one of these cases, another examination done later showed signs of regressing fibrosis. The authors concluded that if a functional syndrome of DIPF occurred immediately after a Mendelson's pneumopathy, it eventually disappeared in the long term in most cases.


[Broncho-pulmonary manifestations during non-fistulized esophageal lesions]. Because of inspiration into the tracheo-bronchial aireays, regurgitation from purely oesophageal diseases can provoke various respiratory affections: acute broncho-pulmonary blocking broncho-pneumonia, pulmonary suppuration, night cough, fits of nocturnal suffocation, chronic bronchitis sometimes hemoptic. A mega oesophagus, a diverticulum, stenosis or oesophagus cancer are at the origin. Oesophago-bronchial fistulae are excluded. The decrease of the glottal guarde remains to be explained because it usually protects the trachea from such mishaps (part played by decubitus, sleep, secretions stagnating in the pharynx).


Haptoglobins in some Galliformes birds.

Haptoglobins in some Galliformes birds. In several groups of galliform birds (chicken, turkey, pheasant and guinea fowl) the presence and function of plasma haptoglobin (Hp) have been studied. Paper, acetate and starch-gel electrophoresis were carried out and two benzidine stain regions were observed when haemoglobin (Hb) was added to normal plasma (Hb-Hp complex and methemalbumin) besides the free Hb when the binding capacity of these proteins were surpassed. The disappearance of the administered Hb-59Fe was exponential which is evidence of the existence of two different rates. Liver, bone marrow and kidney are the main organs related to the 59Fe uptake. These results on Hp in galliforms and the metabolism of the Hb are concordant with the data in the literature on mammals. This suggests the same common physiological role for Hp.


Dietary energy and fat content as factors in the nutrition of developing egg strain pullets and young hens. 3. Effects on hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity and body chemical composition during the first 20 weeks of lay. One hundred and twenty six commercial White Leghorn pullets were housed in cages at 23 weeks of age and fed two laying diets that in energy and fat content. Changes in hepatic "citrate-cleavage" and "malic" enzyme activity and changes in liver and body chemical composition were measured each week during the first 20 weeks of lay. Average daily caloric intake was greater for the birds fed the high energy laying diets even though these birds consumed 11% less feed. While energy content of the laying diet failed (P = 0.05) to affect body weight gains, liver weight, liver fat content and hepatic enzyme activity, significant (P = 0.05) increases in abdominal fat pad weight and total body fat content were noted. The findings of significant alterations in total carcass composition in birds receiving the high energy laying diet support the conclusion that energy content of the layer diet will influence the carcass composition of modern day egg producing strains.