Dietary energy and fat content as factors in the nutrition of developing egg strain pullets and young hens. 4. Effect on growth, hepatic lipogenic enzyme activity and body chemical composition of White Leghorn pullets from hatch to 20 weeks of age. Nine starting and rearing diets (three energy levels each with three fat levels) were fed to commercial White Leghorn chicks from hatch to 20 weeks of age. As noted in the earlier papers of this series, pullets fed the high energy rearing diets showed significant (P = 0.05) reductions in feed intake, however, average daily caloric intake was greater (P = 0.05) for pullets consuming the low energy rearing diets. Fat content of the diet had not influence on either daily feed (g.) or caloric (kcal.) intake. Energy content of the diets failed (P = 0.05) to affect parameters related to body growth and development, hepatic citrate-cleavage and "malic" enzyme activity and liver or body composition. Fat content of the diet depressed hepatic enzyme activity while no effect was noted on body weight, liver weight or body composition. The onset of sexual maturity altered lipid metabolism in the developing pullets. Significant (P = 0.05) energy level by fat level interactions were noted in only two of the 20 parameters studied in this experiment. In vitro assay of hepatic citrate-cleavage and "malic" enzyme activity proved to be of little value in predicting hepatic lipogenic activity and subsequent effects on liver and total body composition.


The immunoglobulins of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). Isolation and characterization of IgG, IgM and IgA in body fluids, eggs and intraocular tissues. The distribution of the immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgA in turkey serum, bile, egg white, egg yolk, intestinal secretions, and some intraocular tissues has been studied. Just as in the chicken and the pigeon, IgG is the most abundant immunoglobulin in the serum and IgA in egg white, intestinal secretions and bile. In addition, IgM was detected in serum and egg white, and IgG in egg yolk, iris, vitreous body, and aqueous humor. The discussion deals with the importance of using purified immunoglobulin fractions and heavy-chain-specific antisera in disease studies in the turkey, specially in the case of infectious diseases which lead to the occurrence of "rheumatoid factors".


The folacin requirements of broiler chicks and quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Six experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of dietary composition on the folacin requirement of broiler chicks and to determine the folacin requirement of growing Japanese quail. The folacin requirement of both chicks and quail could not be determined when an isolated soybean protein based diet containing 0.44 mg. folacin per kilogram was used. Dietary composition affects folacin requirement of growing broiler chicks. Three values for the folacin requirement of growing broiler chicks were determined when three different basal diets were fed. With a low-glycine, casein based diet, growth was limited more by glycine than folic acid which improved growth only at 1.69 mg./kg. When 0.7% glycine was added to this casein diet, the folacin requirement was determined to be between 0.34 and 0.49 mg./kg. diet. However, with a casein-gelatin based diet, the folacin requirement was found to be between 0.12 and 0.27 mg./kg diet. Folacin deficiency in growing Japanese quail caused poor feathering, high mortality, leg weakness and cervical paralysis. A curly-toe system was observed in coturnix chicks fed low levels of folacin and might also be a consequence of folacin deficiency. The folacin requirement of growing Japanese quail was found to be 0.30 to 0.36 mg./kg. diet when a casein-gelatin based diet was fed.


The selenium requirements of the hen and effects of a deficiency. Hens were fed a diet low in selenium made up mostly of corn and torula yeast. Egg production and hatchability increased significantly when selenium was supplemented, while the percentage of infertile eggs and early dead embryos decreased. Anemia also resulted from the deficiency. A total of .05 mg. selenium per kg. (.04 from the basal diet plus .01 supplemental) was adequate to prevent signs of deficiency in a diet which contained no supplemental vitamin E or antioxidant. In a second experiment the anemia was classified as macrocytic.


Activities of pyruvate and prionyl Coenzyme A carboxylase in chicken tissues during normal growth and biotin deficiency. Activities of pyruvate and propionyl CoA carboxylase in chicken tissues during normal growth and biotin deficiency were investigated. In normal growing chickens, liver and kidney pyruvate carboxylase activity was high and varied with age. The activity in heart and brain was low and remained relatively constant throughout the experimental period. Propionyl CoA carboxylase activity in kidney and heart appeared to increase with age but remained unchanged in liver and brain. Biotin deficiency progressively decreased both pyruvate and propionyl CoA carboxylase activities in liver, kidney, heart and brain. Most marked effects were observed in liver and kidney.


Productive performance and liver lesions in two strains of laying hens receiving two rapeseed meals. A comparative study was conducted to determine the effect of two varieties of rapeseed meal at 10 and 20% levels in the diet on the productive performance, organ weights and liver lesions of two commercial strains of laying hens. The double-low (Brassica napus 1788) rapeseed meal appeared to be superior to Span meal (Brassica campestris) at the 10% level in maintaining egg production, feed efficiency, thyroid weight and body weight gain. However at the 20% level the productive performance was decreased in all the hens except the thyroid weights in the double-low group. Mortality caused by haemorrhagic liver syndrome was significantly higher among birds fed rapeseed meals than in the controls and was higher in the Span-fed groups than in those receiving the double-low variety. The two strains of birds showed no difference in mortality due to haemorrhagic liver syndrome. It was suggested that the lower level of glucosinolates in the double-low variety was responsible for the superiority of this meal over the Span meal.


Efficacy of lincomycin feed medication for the control of necrotic enteritis in broiler-type chickens. Necrotic enteritis was reproduced in two trials, conducted in a penned research-type broiler facility, by growing broiler-type chickens on litter obtained from a commercial poultry house which had experienced a chronic necrotic enteritis mortality problem. In each trial, various concentrations of lincomycin in feed were evaluated for effectiveness in controlling necrotic enteritis. Lincomycin was evaluated at concentrations of 2 to 100 g./ton in Trial 1 and at concentrations of 2 and 4 g./ton in Trial 2. In each trial, non-lincomycin medicated control groups were also included. Each trial included six treatment groups each consisting of four 60-bird replicates. The coccidiostat used in all groups in Trial 1 and in four of the six treatment groups of Trial 2 was the same as had been used on the farm which the litter had been obtained. No other medications were used in any groups. Clinical coccidiosis due to Eimeria brunetti and E. maxima was prevalent in both trials. Birds receiving lincomycin at a concentration of 2 g./ton, or higher, showed a significant reduction in mortality from necrotic enteritis when compared to birds in coccidiostat-control pens not receiving lincomycin medication. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from the litter in all pens and from the livers of birds dying from necrotic enteritis.


Esterase isozymes of the hen's oviduct.

Esterase isozymes of the hen's oviduct. Esterase isozymes of magnum, isthmus and uterus of three strains of Single Comb White Leghorn hens were examined by zone electrophoresis on starch gels. Although three regions (I, II and III) of esterase activity were observed, the electrophoretic system was optimized to characterize the pattern of up to five zones of esterase activity that were identified in Region I. These esterases were classified as aliesterases based on reactions in the presence of various substrates and inhibitors. No genetic polymorphisms were observed for these isozymes. However, two of these isozymes were perceived to have an electrophoretic mobility slightly faster in patterns of the magnum of layers than in the isthmus, uterus, and magnum of non-layers. It was shown that egg albumen was present in relatively high quantities in the magnum of layers and that egg albumen, when added to supernatant preparations of isthmus, uterus and magnum of non-layers, caused the faster electrophoretic mobility of these two esterase isozymes. No relation between specific gravity of eggs laid by hens and presence of various Region I esterase isozymes could be detected.


A feather abnormality in chicks fed diets deficient in certain amino acids. A feather abnormality was observed in chicks during bio-assay investigations with eleven essential amino acids. As dietary valine, leucine, isoleucine, glycine or phenylalanine and tyrosine levels decreased, a similar progressive feather abnormality became apparent. The outstanding feature of the feather abnormality was the concave structure of the feathers as they bent upward from the body. This structure gave the feathers a ragged appearance. The feather abnormality is described and illustrated. The percentage of dietary amino acids used were: valine, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60, and 0.70; leucine, 0.60, 0.68, 0.76, and 0.82; isoleucine, 0.32, 0.38, 0.44, and 0.50; glycine, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, and 0.45; or phenylalanine and tyrosine, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, and 0.80. Chicks fed the highest level of valine (0.50%), histidine (0.15%) or methionine to cystine ratio of 1:1 (0.30%) had normal feathers. In contrast, chicks fed the highest levels of either leucine, isoleucine, glycine or phenylalanine and tyrosine had abnormal feathers.


Rapid accumulation of cholesterol in serum, liver and aorta of Japanese quail. Five-week-old, male, Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were given ad lib. access to either a glucose-soybean meal diet with 10% fat and 1% cholesterol (inducer) diet, or a corn-soybean meal (control) diet for 10 weeks. At the beginning of the experiment, and at two week intervals thereafter, quail from each treatment were killed, and the cholesterol concentrations of serum, aorta, and liver, as well as the extent of lipid accumulation in the intima of the aortas were determined. The cholesterol concentration of the serum, aorta, and liver of the control birds remained constant throughout the experiment, while the cholesterol concentration of these organs from birds fed the inducer diet were markedly elevated. At the conclusion of the experiment, the cholesterol concentrations of the serum and liver of birds fed the inducer diet were 6.7 and 14.4 times greater, respectively, than those from the control-fed birds. Approximately 45% of the aortas from the birds fed the inducer diet exhibited moderate to severe (greater than 25% of surface area covered) lipid accumulations at 10 weeks. The rate of cholesterol accumulation appeared to be more rapid than has been reported previously for this species.


Influence of wet litter and supplemental biotin on foot pad dermatitis in turkey poults. Two experiments were conducted with day-old Broad Breasted white turkey male poults to determine whether wet litter and supplemental biotin would influence the severity of foot pad dermatitis. Poults grown on wet litter had a significantly increased incidence of foot pad dermatitis. The addition of biotin to the corn-soy diet resulted in a decreased severity of foot pad dermatitis in poults maintained on dry litter; however, it did not influence the severity of the lesions when poults were maintained on wet litter. Histological examination of the foot pad tissue indicated that poults which received the control diet were deficient in biotin.


Anticoccidial and tolerance studies in the chicken with two 6-amino-9-(substituted benzyl)purines. Initial assays of 6-amino-9-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzyl) purine (MK-302) and 6-amino-9-(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)purine (coded L-628,914) showed potential as anticoccidial agents on the basis of broad-spectrum activity and safety. In battery efficacy studies, dietary levels of 60 to 70 p.p.m. and above MK-302 and 45 to 60 p.p.m. L-628,914 proved to have excellent broad-spectrum anticoccidial activity in chickens given heavy exposure to virulent field isolates of coccidia. Eight-week floor-pen tolerance trials showed that the maximum tolerated  diet concentration (MTC) of MK-302 was approximately 95 p.p.m. while the MTC of L-628,914 was approximately 60 p.p.m. Dietary relationships (p.p.m. MK-302:p.p.m. L-628,914 for equivalent effects) derived from the efficacy and tolerance results were 1.2:1 and 1.6:1 respectively and clearly demonstrated a higher therapeutic ratio for MK-302.


Spontaneous contractions of the reproductive tract in laying and nonlaying hens. The amplitude and frequency of contraction of muscle strips from the uterus, isthmus, and magnum from both laying and nonlaying hens were measured in vitro. The muscle strips from laying hens exhibited a greater amplitude of contraction (P less than .05) than the nonlayer; frequency was not significantly different between the two groups. In a comparison of organ sections tested, significant differences in amplitude, but not frequency of contraction were found. In the laying hen the magnum had the highest amplitude of contraction (2.59 mm.) followed by the uterus (1.63 mm.), and isthmus (.81 mm.).


Erratic timing of ovulation in caged turkey hens. Three types of erratic timing of ovulation, including ovulation of 2 eggs in 20-24 hr., 2 eggs in 4-12 hr. and 4 eggs in 12 hr. were detected by necropsy of caged turkey hens.


Diet composition and cholesteremia in Japanese quail. Male, Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were given ad libitum access to one of four diets: a corn-soybean meal control, control plus 1% cholesterol, a glucose-soybean meal with 10% fat plus 1% cholesterol (inducer) or inducer minus 1% cholesterol for an initial 12 weeks beginning at 22 weeks of age. Serum and liver cholesterol concentrations of quail fed the 1% cholesterol supplemented diets averaged respectively, 5.3 and 10.3 times higher than those from quail fed the corresponding diets without cholesterol. There were no significant differences in serum and liver cholesterol concentrations between groups of quail fed control diet versus inducer minus 1% cholesterol diet or between quail fed inducer diet versus control plus 1% cholesterol diet. During a second 12-week period, the quail previously fed the diets containing cholesterol were given the respective control diets. The serum and liver cholesterol concentrations returned to values comparable to those of quail fed the corresponding diets without cholesterol throughout the experiment.


[Etiological diagnosis of epilepsy: value of computerized axial tomography (C.A.T.) (author's transl)]. The authors appraise the value of CAT in the study of epilepsy from their personal experience and from the few published works that are available. The CAT confirms and supports a large number of already acquired facts:--the almost complete absence of cerebral lesions in "functional" epilepsies (primary generalized epilepsies and benign childhood epilepsy with rolandic paroxysms);--the large number of abnormalities in the secondary generalized epilepsies (West syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) where the majority of patients present a bilateral fronto-temporal atrophy;--the high percentage of cerebral lesions in partial epilepsies. In this case, the CAT is especially notable in revealing etiologies in 63 p. 100 of cases. They include: tumors, abcesses, empyemas, angiomas, cerebral infarctions, cerebral atrophies, post-traumatic lesions, etc... From this study, it can be concluded that positive diagnosis of epilepsy is still made on the basis of clinical and electroencephalographic data, with the CAT used to facilitate the etiological diagnosis.


["Spike focus" during the evolution of febrile convulsion: an electrophysiological and clinical study of 35 patients (author's transl)]. Out of 500 patients with febrile convulsions, 41 were found to have a spike focus on E.E.G., 35 of these were then followed up. The clinical features of the seizure in these 35 children did not differ from the group in general. The initial focus was practically always unilateral, except for one case with an asynchronous bioccipital focus. The most frequent site was occipital (43 p. 100). Migration of the focus was relatively rare. In 35 patients the focus disappeared, in 45 p. 100 within a year and in 88 p. 100 within 3 years. Following the disappearance of the focus, generalised sharp wave activity was seen in 30 p. 100 cases, all 35 children being under treatment. All the seizures with the exception of two children who have become epileptic were benign rendering long term anticonvulsant therapy unnecessary.


[Electrophysiological observations on seizure activity provoked by an intracarotid injection of Naftidrofuryl (author's transl)]. Three seconds after 0.08 g of Naftidrofuryl administered through the right carotid artery during an operation for carotid stenosis a right temporal sharp wave discharge occurred followed by diffuse polyspike activity occurring every 3to4 seconds with concomitant myoclonus. Rare episodes of this type are recorded in the literature when it has been used in neuroradiology. The authors state this agent should be forbidden by intracarotid injection.


[A polygraphic, haemodynamic and metabolic study of 2 cases of the "locked-in" syndrome (author's transl)]. The sleep-waking pattern, cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral metabolism have been studied in 2 cases of the "locked-in" syndrome, one traumatic, the other vascular in origin. Studies were performed in the third week in the first case and the seventh in the second. A lesion of the ventral pons was suggested clinically and neuroradiologically. The waking EEG was composed of alpha and theta activity. Different stages of slow wave sleep were diminished in quantity (NREM) as was paradoxical sleep (REM). The basal cerebral blood flow (CBF) was increased by 30 p. 100 compared to normals. Cerebral oxygen consumption was normal. The cerebral hyperaemia was evenly distributed and was associated with a failure of autoregulation. The vascular response to CO2 was normal, however. The E.E.G. findings, haemodynamic and metabolic studies confirmed a pontine lesion as the cause of the "locked-in" syndrome in contrast to akinetic mutism where the lesion is in the mid-brain.


[Rolandic activity and its asymmetry during sleep in the child (author's transl)]. Asymmetrical electrical activity was noted during sleep in normal children both during "mixed patterns" of sleep and during paradoxical sleep. This phenomenon is particularly striking between the ages of 3 and 5 years.


[Reye's syndrome a clinical and electrophysiological study of four patients (author's transl)]. The authors studied four children with Reye's syndrome aged 16 months, 6 years, 8 years and 11 years respectively with severe liver failure and progressive coma. The laboratory investigations in all of them showed a marked elevation of serum transaminases, hyperammoniaemia and a prolongation of the prothrombin time. The electroencephalograms showed a grossly abnormal picture with generalised continuous delta activity. Three children survived with return to normal of the liver function tests whilst the fourth child died. In the last two patients an electroencephalogram carried out every six hours has enabled certain prognostic features to be determined. Improvement in the E.E.G. correlates closely with clinical improvement and vice versa. The authors also advocate serial E.E.G. recordings in Reye's syndrome. The role of hyperammonaemia in the genesis of encephalopathy and the electroencephalographic changed is discussed. The role played by raised intracranial pressure is stressed and the importance of controlling it in order to prevent further damage and improve the prognosis of this serious illness.


[The value and reliability of auditory evoked potentials in the detection of deafness in early childhood (author's transl)]. The authors have carried out a study on 472 subjects using auditory evoked response techniques in the evaluation of hearing difficulties and deafness in the child. They were able to demonstrate excellent correlation between the technique used and the clinical data and its additional prognostic value. Furthermore because of its safety and its ability to assess high tones it can be recommended whenever a hearing deficit is suspected in the neonate or toddler.


[The value of somesthetic homolateral evoked potentials in agenesis of the corpus callosum (author's transl)]. The authors describe the homolateral somesthetic evoked responses in 8 cases of agenesis of the corpus callosum. They stress the differences compared to normals in the same way that contralateral somesthetic evoked responses differ. The authors consider the possibility of an independent cortical generator responsible for this response and suggest that systematic recording of somesthetic homolateral evoked potentials might be of considerable value in early diagnosis of agenesis of the corpus callosum.


[Considerations relating to the choice of criteria of automatic detection in tele-E.E.G (author's transl)]. The authors retrace their pragmatic approach, by stages, to analysis the "unsorted" signal of cerebral activity, transmitted by telemetry. They use the selective properties of frequency filters associated with energy level thresholds, in order to obtain discrimination of the events appearing in the E.E.G. They emphasise the learning of objective reading, in its electrical composition, of the E.E.G. signal, and the need for good function of the telemeasure systems which transmit the information. The final stage involves a discriminator of paroxysmal electrical activity, programmable in its selective functions and in its association logic, essential for analysis by calculator, for statistical studies and in order to detect any electro-clinical correlation.


[A comparative study of standard electroencephalographic techniques and telemetry (author's transl)]. The authors have used radio-telemetry to perform long duration studies and to study the variations in cerebral electrical activity. They presented a quantitative study of the distribution of paroxysmal activity in the epileptic, based on an experimental observation and confirmed as a result of the methods used. They were able to show a relationship between the severity and temporal distribution of paroxysmal activity which was confirmed statistically. Further observations were made on the distribution and onset of epileptic discharges but more detailed analysis is required before general electrophysiological conclusions can be made.


[A method for recording auditory evoked brain stem responses for use with objective audiometry and in neurology (author's transl)]. After defining the auditory evoked brain stem responses, the authors discuss the importance of the recording conditions and their influence on the recorded response. The choice of leads, frequency of stimulus repetition and strength of stimulus are all modifying factors. In objective audiometry it seemed preeferable to choose the technical conditions which would highlight wave V, which is identifiable even with stimuli close to threshold. The experimental conditions must be different for neurological investigation because one requires to visualise all the waves constituting the response.


Synthesis and characteristics of the specific monosulfates of chenodeoxycholate, deoxycholate and their taurine or glycine conjugates. The isomeric monosulfates of chenodeoxycholate, deoxycholate, and their taurine or glycine conjugates, were synthesized and characterized. Reaction with chlorosulfonic acid in pyridine for 2 minutes mainly afforded the 3-monosulfates. To prepare the 7- or the 12-monosulfates, the 3-hydroxyl group was protected by carbethoxylation prior to sulfation of the 7- or 12-hydroxyl group for 24 h to 5 days; after sulfation, the protecting 3-carbethoxy function was removed by mild alkaline hydrolysis. The crude bile salt monosulfates were purified by chromatography on silica gel and on Sephadex LH-20 and were crystallized from methanolethanol-ethyl acetate. The results of elemental analysis demonstrated that the compounds were disodium dihydroxy bile salt monosulfates. Thin layer chromatography of the sulfates, and gas-liquid chromatography after oxidation and solvolysis, showed that the substances were pure and that the sulfate group was at the expected position.


Characteristics of androgen binding in rat adrenal tissue using [3H]methyltrienolone (R1881) as tracer. A high level of binding of [3H]methyltrienolone (R1881 = 17beta-hydroxy-17alpha-methyl-estra-4, 9, 11-trien-3-one) was found in cytosol prepared from adrenals of castrated male rats. Binding of [3H]R1881 was of high affinity (DK = 6.2 nM) and highly specific for androgens. The [3H]R1881 complex migrates at 7-9S on sucrose gradients in low ionic strength buffer and at 4-5S in buffer containing 0.4M KC1. All binding studies have been performed in parallel with rat ventral prostate and adrenal cytosol. The present data suggest the presence of an androgen binding component in rat adrenal tissue.


Tritiated 9alpha-fluorocortisol metabolism and binding in rat kidney. Metabolism of 9alpha-fluorocortisol (9alpha-F) has been studied in rat kidney slices, homogenate, and in the isolated perfused kidney. These studies show that the rate of 9alpha-F metabolism varies depending upon the experimental conditions. The major metabolite formed, identified by mass spectrometry, is 20(xi)-dihydro-9alpha-fluorocortisol. The kidney slice experiments show that only 3H-9alpha-F and none of the metabolites bind to cytosolic receptors. In competition experiments performed with tritiated and unlabeled 9alpha-fluorocortisol, aldosterone (A), dexamethasone (DM) and triamcinolone acetonide (TA), 9alpha-F was found to bind to mineralocorticoid receptors with a lower affinity than A but also to glucocorticoid receptors with a higher affinity than A. The Scatchard plot analysis indicated that 3H-9alpha-F is characterized by KD : 8.6 X 10(-9)M and N : 1.9 x 10(-13)moles/mg of protein. In conclusion it is felt that 9alpha-F would not be a better "marker" than aldosterone for the renal mineralocorticoid receptors.


Cortisol metabolism and excretion in the isolated perfused rat kidney. The isolated perfused rat kidney allows a simultaneous kinetic study of both the renal metabolism and the urinary excretion of cortisol and its metabolites in the rat. In this system, cortisol was completely metabolized within 120 minutes. The main renal metabolites of cortisol (cortisone, 20 reduced cortisol and 20 reduced cortisone) were found in the recirculating perfusate and in urine. The formation of these metabolites was quantitatively evaluated and compared to a theoretical model.


Preparation of radioactive iodinated cholylhistamine for use in the radioimmunoassay of cholic acid. A major handicap in the development of simple and accurate radioimmunoassay procedures for bile acids has been the lack of a radioactive standard of high specific activity. To provide such a compound, we first synthesized cholylhistamine using the carbodiimide reaction. The hypothesized structure was confirmed by elemental analysis, thin-layer chromatography, infrared and mass spectral analysis. The cholylhistamine was then iodinated with 125I, using the choloramine-T method. The 125I-cholylhistamine was bound by antisera raised against a cholic acid-bovine serum albumin conjugate. This procedure should prove useful in preparing radioactive conjugates for all of the bile acids.


Suppression of testosterone production by ethyl alcohol. Possible mode of action. Intragastric administration of ethyl alcohol (1.24 g/kg body weight) to adult male mice caused a drastic decrease in the concentration of testosterone (T) in peripheral plasma. The depression of plasma T levels was significant at 30, 60 and 90 minutes after alcohol administration, but by 120 min, the normal T levels were re-established. This transient decrease in peripheral T levels was probably due to a reduction in testicular T production, because at 1 hr after alcohol administration, the concentration of T in the testis was also significantly depressed. The ability of the testes of alcohol-treated mice to produce T in response to gonadotropic stimulation in vitro was not affected. Addition of 5, 10, 20 or 50 microliter of alcohol per ml of the medium used for the incubation of decapsulated testes had no significant effect on the accumulation of T, but similar doses of acetaldehyde caused a pronounced inhibition of T production. The decrease in plasma T levels observed after administration of ethyl alcohol in vivo may be related to a direct inhibition of testicular T production by acetaldehyde derived from the metabolism of alcohol.


An exchange assay for estrogen receptors in cell  nuclei of the adult rat brain. A nuclear exchange assay was developed for brain estrogen receptors. The assay employs an extraction procedure which solubilizes essentially all of the estradiol from brain cell nuclei: purified cell nuclei are evenly dispersed in a hypotonic buffer prior to the addition of an equal volume of 0.8M KC1. Experiments with an in vivo injection of 3H-estradiol established that this procedure extracts even normally salt-resistant binding. For exchange, aliquots of the extract are incubated with 3H-estradiol or 3h-estradiol plus 100-fold excess unlabeled estradiol. Bound 3H-estradiol is separated from free 3H-estradiol on Sephdex LH-20 columns. Loss of estradiol binding activity can occur with brain nuclear extracts under conditions required for exchange. This loss of binding is inhibited by the addition of bacitracin to the incubation buffer. The exchange is complete within 5 hrs at 25 degrees C and specific binding activity is stable for at least 16 hrs. The assay was validated by comparing levels of macromolecular-bound radioactivity after an in vivo injection of 3H-estradiol and levels determined by exchange after an injection of unlabeled estradiol. Scatchard analysis confirmed the high affinity nature of the binding measured by exchange.


Radioimmunoassays for androsterone, 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol and 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol. Androsterone (3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one), 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol and 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol were conjugated at C-16 through sulfur to bovine and human serum albumin. Rabbits injected with these conjugates produced antibodies suitable for radioimmunoassays of these hormone metabolites. Samples were purified on Sephadex LH-20 columns. Levels of these steroids were measured in a rat blood serum pool and in ovarian tissue extract pools.


A simple procedure for solubilizing 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from microsomes of rat adrenals and testis interstitial cells. A simple procedure is described for solubilizing microsomal 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD). Microsomes from rat adrenals or from testicular interstitial cells were incubated for 1 or 2 h at 0 C in a buffer containing NaCl followed by overnight storage at -20 C. Maximum solubilization of 3beta-hydroxy-5beta-androstan-17-one-HSD (androstane-3beta-HSD) was obtained by incubating adrenal microsomes with 1 M NaCl and interstitial cell microsomes with 2 M NaCl. Incubation with NaCl for 1 or 2 h resulted in maximum solubilization; incubation with NaCl for 4, 8 or 24 h did not change the amount of enzyme solubilized. From adrenal microsomes incubated with 1 M NaCl, up to 80% (105.7 millimicron/mg microsomes) of the total androstane-3beta-HSD activity was recovered in the supernatant following centrifugation at 130,000 x g for 1 h. The maximum amount of androstane-3beta-HSD solubilized from interstitial cell microsomes was 56% (29.5 millimicron/mg microsomes) at 2 M NaCl. The "solubilized" androstane-3beta-HSD was retarded when chromatographed on a Sephadex G-200 column and it did not pellet out when centrifuged at 130,000 x g for 15 h. KCL appeared to be equally effective in solubilizing androstane-3beta-HSD from microsomes. Other steroid dehydrogenase activities such as pregnanolone-HSD and 3beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one-HSD were also found in the 130,000 x g supernatant.


Evidence of androgen and estrogen receptors in the preen gland of male ducks. Androgen receptors have been found in duck preen glands by using dextran-coated charcoal adsorption. They bound DHT with high affinity (KD = 0.2 nM), limited capacity (45 fmoles/mgP) and good specificity. They sedimented at 8 S in a sucrose gradient and were destroyed by pronase digestion and heating. An estrogen receptor having different binding specificity was also demonstrated. On the basis of a marked annual cycle of gonadal activity in ducks, this system appears appropriate for studying the regulation of sex steroid hormone receptors.


Synthesis of 21-amino-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal. 21-Amino-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal was obtained in good yield by lithium aluminum hydride reduction of 21-azido-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal. The azido bisethylene ketal was synthesized by the sequence: deoxycorticosterone leads to deoxycorticosterone 21-p-toluene-sulfanate leads to 21-azidoprogesterone leads to 21-azido-5-pregnene-3, 20-dione bisethylene ketal. The structure of the title compound was confirmed by its conversion to the known 21-acetylaminoprogesterone. 21-Amino-5-pregnene-3,20-dione bisethylene ketal is a stable aminosteroid which is a useful intermediate for the synthesis of C-21 nitrogen derivatives of progesterone.


In vitro steroid metabolic studies in human testes. II: Metabolism of cholesterol, pregnenolone, progesterone, androstenedione and testosterone by testes of an estrogen-treated man. The effect of long-term in vivo estrogen treatment on in vitro steroidogenesis by the testes of a young man was investigated. In vitro incubation of testicular tissue of this man with 3H-pregnenolone, 3H-progesterone, 3H-androstenedione and 3H-testosterone demonstrated suppression of 17-hydroxylase activity, with little or no effect of the treatment on delta5-3beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase, 5alpha-reductase and aromatase. Increased 20alpha-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity was observed. Determination of intratesticular steroid concentrations led to similar conclusions.


Radioimmunoassay of 6beta-hydroxycortisol in human plasma and urine. A sensitive and reliable radioimmunoassay for urine and plasma 6beta-hydroxycortisol has been developed. Antiserum showing high specificity against 6beta-hydroxycortisol was produced in rabbits immunized with 6beta-hydroxycortisol 21-hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin. The sensitivity of the assay was 25 pg on a diluted sample equivalent to 1 microliter of urine, and on 50 microliter of plasma after separation by celite chromatography. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation for urine were 4.8 and 6.7% and those for plasma were 4.2 and 12.1%. Concentrations were determined in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, in patients treated with dilantin, in neonates, and in infants aged 5-12 months.


Characterization of the cytoplasmic androgen receptor of rat seminal vesicle. Postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS) (1) has been prepared from the homogenate of rat seminal vesicles and the characteristics of the binding reaction of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to the cytoplasmic androgen receptor have been studied using a charcoal adsorption procedure. At 0 degrees C apparent equilibrium of binding is reached between 60 and 90 min of incubation but no exchange of bound (3H)DHT can be observed in the presence of a 100-fold excess of unlabelled DHT. Saturation analysis shows a single class of independent binding sites for DHT with an apparent dissociation constant of 1 nM at 0 degrees C and 2 nM at 25 degrees C. Concentration of binding sites is in the range of 25-80 fmoles/mg protein. When not occupied by DHT the receptor molecules are inactivated spontaneously following first order reaction kinetics. A rate constant of 0.27 hours-1 at 0 degrees C was determined for the inactivation reaction. In the (3H)DHT-binding reaction testosterone and 19-nortestosterone are even more efficient competitors than unlabelled DHT, while hydrocortisone does not compete at all. On the other hand significant binding of (3H) testosterone could not be demonstrated. The (3H)DHT-receptor complex is precipitated from the cytosol by 0 to 33% saturation of ammonium sulphate and sediments as a single, 3.1 S peak in sucrose gradients prepared in 0.4 M NaCl.


24-Nor-5beta-chol-22-enes derived from the major bile acids by oxidative decarboxylation. The preparation of 24-nor-5beta-chol-22-enes from formyloxy-5beta-cholanic acids by oxidative decarboxylation with lead tetraacetate is described. NMR data is presented with other physical constants for the norcholenes derived from cholic, chenodeoxycholic, ursodeoxycholic, hyodeoxycholic, and deoxycholic acids. The facile synthesis of these norcholenes demonstrates the applicability of the formyloxy protecting group to oxidative decarboxylations in the bile acid series.


Synthesis of desmosterol and epidesmosterol from hyodeoxycholic acid. A new synthesis of desmosterol was described using hyodeoxycholic acid (3alpha,6alpha-dihydroxy-5beta-cholanic acid) as a starting material. Epidesmosterol (3alpha-hydroxycholesta-5,24-diene) was also synthesized for the first time from the same starting material.


Sterol and bile acid metabolism during development: 2. Identification of 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid (an intermediate in alternate pathway of bile acid synthesis) in newborn and fetal guinea pig. 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid was found in the bile and feces of newborn and fetal guinea pigs. The identity of this compound was confirmed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. This finding suggests that the formation of chenodeoxycholic acid through 3beta-hydroxy-5-cholenoic acid is intermediate in the early life of guinea pigs. Thus, it provides a useful model for studying the details of regulatory factors and significance of this pathway. This study also revealed that, unlike the adult guinea pig, the newborn guinea pig has significant amounts of glycine conjugates of bile acid.


Effect on pregnancy and plasma progesterone of exogenous steroid maintenance in ovariectomised pregnant rabbits. Pregnancy was maintained in ovariectomised does with 1 to 4 mg/day of exogenous progesterone with or without 0.2 microgram/day of estradiol. Progesterone doses were designed to give similar plasma progesterone levels in treated groups to those found in normal pregnancy, and were measured and compared with normals since this comparison does not appear to have been published previously. In normal pregnancy mean progesterone levels reached 10 ng/ml on day 7 and then plateaued at 14 ng/ml between day 10 and 20 before falling to very low levels at parturition. In treated groups progesterone levels reached 10 ng/ml on day 6 and remained between 10 and 13 ng/ml until day 20 before declining. The difference between treated and control plasma progesterone plateau levels was tested using the t-test and was found not be significant. The differences in progesterone levels between treated groups with or without estradiol, whether pregnant or not, were also not significant. Mean litter sizes (alive or dead) were not significantly different. However, fetal viability in the group maintained on progesterone alone was significantly lower than in the normal controls.


Nucleotide sequence of a human gene coding for a polypeptide hormone. In summary, a general approach is presented to purify and sequence DNA fragments of a specific gene starting with a heterogeneous mixture of mRNAs. The methodology has been applied to the determination of the DNA sequence of a portion of the gene for human chorionic somatomammotropin. Most of the possible translation codons of the genetic code were found to be used. Some selectivity in the codon choices was found, and this may be important for RNA or gene regulation or structure. The stop codon UAG was found and a second stop codon in the same reading frame was found nine bases farther down. Finally, a "palindrome" sequence was detected in the 3' noncoding region.


The hypereosinophilic syndrome: dramatic response to therapeutic intervention. The Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES) is a disease of unknown etiology and pathogenesis characterized by blood and bone marrow eosinophilia associated with infiltration of eosinophils into tissues and multi-system organ dysfunction. Patients with HES historically have very significant morbidity and a high mortality of 77% at 3 years. This study is a prospective (9 years) and retrospective (24 years) analysis of the therapy and prognosis of 26 patients with HES. Five patients (19%) showed no evidence of progressive organ system dysfunction and were given no therapy; all have done well. Sixteen patients with progressive organ dysfunction were treated with corticosteroids; 6 of the 16 (38%) had a good response and required no further therapy. Six of 8 patients who were corticosteroid unresponsive and had serious prognostic signs had excellent responses to hydroxyurea therapy, while 2 patients showed partial responses. Employing the above regimen, we have demonstrated that our 26 patients (including 12 with poor prognostic indicators) have a marked increase in survival (3 year mortality 4%) when compared with the historical control.


Use of propranolol in the treatment of idiopathic orthostatic hypotension. Five patients with idiopathic orthostatic hypotension who had physiologic and biochemical evidence of severe autonomic dysfunction were included in the study. They all exhibited markedly reduced plasma catecholamines and plasma renin activity in both recumbent and upright positions and had marked hypersensitivity to the pressor effects of infused norepinephrine. Treatment with propanolol administered intravenously (1-5 mg) produced increases in supine and upright blood pressure in 4 of the 5 individuals with rises ranging from 11/6 to 22/11 mmHg. Chronic oral administration of propranolol (40-160 mg/day) also elevated the blood pressures of these individuals with increases in the order of 20-35/15-25 mmg being observed. In 1 patient, marked hypertension was induced by propranolol and the drug had to be withdrawn. It otherwise was well tolerated and no important side effects were observed. Treatment has been continued in 3 individuals for 6-13 months with persistence of the pressor effect, although there appears to have been some decrease in the degree of response with time. Hemodynamic measurements in 1 of the patients demonstrated an increase in total peripheral resistance and essentially no change in cardiac output following propranolol therapy. The studies suggest that propranolol is a useful drug in selected patients with severe idiopathic orthostatic hypotension.


Treatment of breast cancer with antiestrogen: approach to medical hypophysectomy? Tamoxifen (ICI 46474), an antiestrogen, was given to 89 selected patients with stage IV breast cancer at a dose of 20 mg orally every 12 hours. Forty-seven percent of the patients had objective tumor regression averaging 11+ months with 25 of 42 women still in remission. In the first 39 patients where the minimum follow-up period is 16 months the average duration of remission is more than 15 months with 8 of 19 patients still in remission. These results are approaching those of surgical hypophysectomy, where, in our experience the average remission lasts about 18 months. Thus, Tamoxifen is a highly effective antitumor agent and is probably the initial treatment of choice for women with hormone responsive breast cancer. Antiestrogen induced objective remissions in 5 of 19 patients who had previously responded to surgical hypophysectomy, and 5 additional patients showed no progression of disease lasting 15+ months. Estradiol and estrone were detectable in the serum of these patients whereas, prolactin and growth hormone were not detectable. Thus, antiestrogen can induce remissions in some patients in the absence of the pituitary gland, and this constitutes additional palliation and provides evidence that estrogens can directly stimulate tumor growth. Four of 7 patients who obtained remissions from Tamoxifen obtained further improvement from hypophysectomy, and 1 of 8 patients who failed to benefit from antiestrogen improved after hypophysectomy. These results suggest that prolactin and growth hormone may also play a role in stimulating tumor growth in some patients.


Histochemistry of cystic ovaries found during an abattoir survey. Histochemical methods have been used to measure delta5-3beta-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) activity in order to establish sites and degree of steroid hormone synthesis in cystic ovaries, corpora lutea and uteri. When granulosa cell layers were present they showed enzymic activity indicating their ability to produce steroids. When both were absent no activity could be seen. Corpora lutea either from ovaries associated with an ovarian cyst or from normally cyclic cows showed varying degrees of activity. When the corpuluteum was immature, activity was low, when mature it was very high and when regressing the activity was declining. No activity was seen in uteri.


Enzootic calcinosis in sheep and C-cells hyperplasia of the thyroid. In nine sheep belonging to the same flock, C-cells hyperplasia of the thyroid, associated with calcinosis of the soft tissues is reported. The C-cells hyperplasia was probably due to excessive feeding with poultry waste, rich in calcium. The soft tissue mineralisation was a result of hypersecretion of calcitonin, a blood calcium-lowering hormone of the C-cells.


[Nucleus striae terminalis in the brain of adult man. Pigment architectionical study]. In the present article the shape and extension of the nucleus striae terminalis in the human adult brain is described. By means of selective staining of intracellular lipofuscin granules with aldehydefuchsin it is possible to examine the three dimensional shape of the griseum in complete series of 800 micrometer thick slices. The cells of the necleus striae terminalis accompany the stria terminalis along its whole course between the anterior commissure and the corpus amygdaloideum. The paraseptal part of the nucleus is divided into a pars externa and a pars interna. Along the thalamic course of the stria fibers, however, a variably shaped pars medialis can be separated from a pars paracaudata reaching the corpus amygdaloideum as an unbroken cellular column. Possible connections between stria terminalis and its bednucleus are discussed.


Neuro-histochemical study of the tongue of Gallus domesticus (White Leghorn). An investigation was undertaken to study the neuro-histochemistry of tonue of Gallus domesticus (white Leghorn) by cholinesterase technique under maintained pH of 5.2, temperature 40 degrees C and incubation period 20 h, and Ungewitter's silver impregnation method. Fungiform (8--16 in number), filiform (5--16 in number), circumvallate and foliate (numerous) were recorded profusely innervated in the various regions of the tongue. Neuro-muscular spindles related either with the non-myelinated, myelinated nerve fibres or with the ganglia via pre- or postganglionic nerve fibre showed cholinesterase (AChE) positive activity in the form of dark brown patches. Neural network over the glands, formed the basket envelope likestructures. Glands showed positive cholinesterase (AChE) reaction on the periphery. Dot-like nerve endings were connected with the neural terminal network in the foliate papillae region and motor end plate like endings on blood vessel, were occasionally recorded. Parasympathetic ganglia of various shape and sizes, arranged in chain-like fashion were observed in the connective tissue space between the fungiform and circumvallate papillae and foliate papillae region. The pre- and postganglionic fibres of these ganglia were related with the anteriorly and posteriorly located papillae via the neural terminal network. Cholinesterase (AChE) activity was marked either in the centre, of the fungiform or on the periphery of the filiform, circumvallate and foliate papillae.


Structure and metamorphic changes in the brain of the lemon butterfly Papilio demoleus L. (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). The morphology of the larval and adult brain of Papilio demoleus, and changes in the cell population and neuropile morphology during the pupal period have been described. The larval brain has more simple fibre areas than that of the adult. Dividing neuroblasts have been found which form the adult neurones. The larval brain contains the three neuromeres (proto-, deuto-, and tritocerebrum). The protocerebrum has well developed corpora pedunculata, a central body, a pons cerebralis and developing optic centres. The corpora ventralia are joined with each other by paired ventral commissures (single in adult). The deutocerebrum is simple and small, the antennal centres are small and simple (ef. adult). The glomerular tritocerebrum is posteroventral to the deutocerebrum, and fibres from the former travel to the crura cerebri. The cortex of the brain consists of four types of glial cells and of association cells, and large and medium sized motor neurones. The number of mitoses is greatest in the larval and prepupal stages; in the pupa it decreases gradually and in late stages it does not occur. Histolysis and pyknosis begin in the prepupa and decrease considerably in the late pupa. The entire neural lamella is broken down in the early pupa. Numerous haemocytes penetrate the laminae of the neural lambella and envelop the entire brain. In the adult, behind the well-developed central body is an ellipsoid body. The medulla interna is divided into two smaller lobes and the deutocerebral lobes are differentiated into cortical and medullary zones. Chiasmata between optic centres are also formed during the pupal period.


Histochemical study on the nerve endings in the lung of Rattus rattus rufescens and Francolinus pondicerianus. Presence and the relation of the nerve endings with associated structures in the lund of Rattus rattus rufescens (Indian black rat) and Francolinus pondicerianus (grey partridge or safed teeter) has been studied by cholinesterase technique. Dot, plate, and Vater pacini Corpuscles like nerve endings in the lung of Rattus and dot, and bulb like nerve endings with axis cylinder covered with myelinated sheath in the lung of Francolinus were recorded. The nerve endings were AChE-positive.


[Vascularization of plexus myentericus (Auerbach) in the large intestine of the cat]. 1. Coincidental preparation of the intramuscular vascular bed and the plexus myentericus (Auerbach) of the cat's large intestine by India-ink method and silverimpregnation allowed to demonstrate independent vascularisation of ganglia and nerve-branches of the plexus Auerbach. 2. Each ganglion is surrounded by a capillary network widely independently existing of the intramuscular capillary bed. The preferred innervated terminal arterioles and especially the sphincteric capillaries opening into the periganglionic capillary network and the numerous arterio-venous short-circuits in its marginal area suggest to conclude a differentiated regulation of blood supply.


The kidney of Spinachia spinachia (L.) Flem. (Gasterosteidae, pisces) 1. Investigations of juvenile sticklebacks: anatomy, circulation and fine structure. The opisthonephric kidney of juvenile fifteen spined stickleback (Spinachia spinachia (L.)) has been studied by light and electron microscopical investigation. The renal portal system and microcirculation has been demonstrated by casts of coloured plastic Microfil. Glomeruli are well vascularized as revealed by perfusion fixation. They contribute to the formation of urine in collaboration with a proximal tubule segment I that shows resorptive capacity. Epithelial cells of the proximal tubule segment II, which make up the bulk of the nephronic tubular mass are supposed to constitute very active secretory elements. The possible role of mucus secretion in the collecting duct-urinary duct system is discussed. Juxtaglomerulcar cells have been seen in various stages of secretion.


Morphological and histological studies on the neuroendocrine system of the sugarcane leaf hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla Wlk. (Fulgoridae: Hemoptera). Neuroendocrine system of the sugarcane leaf hopper, Pyrilla perpusilla, has been studied by employing PAVB and AF techniques in situ and on sections. There are four groups of NS cells in the brain, a medial of 14--17 cells, lateral and an antero-ventral of 2 cells each and a latero-ventral of a single cell. The cells are of A and B types: tinctorially the A-cells are further subdivided into A1, A2 and A3 subtypes. Suboesophageal and thoracic ganglions have 2 groups of 2 and 3 cells, each of A and B types. Axons of the cells of cerebral groups converge to form a common pathway which emerge from the protocerebrum as NCC. NSM transports both inter and intracellularly. In CC stained colloids accumulate at the commissuris, the gland has two--A and B--types of intrinsic cells. CA is devoid of NSM. Though considerably small in size and have new NS cells, its NS pathways are easily demonstrated in situ. It is emphasized that size and number of neurosecretory axons is not a limitation of the in situ technique but the demonstration of the tract depends upon the physiological state of the animal at the time of fixation.


[X-ray small angle scattering and x-ray wide angle scattering of single nucleosomes. Preliminary results]. The X-ray scattering diagram from single chromatin subunit particles is registered within a scattering vector intervall from s = 0 to s = 1 1/A. Preliminary results concerning the dimensions and the structure of the nucleosome core particle are communicated.


[Isolation, crystallization and partial characterization of a cationic protease from thermoactinomyces vulgaris]. A simple method was developed for the isolation of the cationic endopeptidase from a crude extract prepared from the culture medium of Thermoactinomy ces vulgaris, consisting in chromatography on Sephadex G 75 and subsequent separation on CM-Sephadex in 50 mM Tris/HCl, pH 8, using a NaCl-gradient (0 - 0,2 M). This procedure results in a 4,2 fold increase of the elastolytic activity (substrate: N-acetyl-(L-ala)3methyl ester) of the enzyme. It moves as a single band in SDS-gel electrophoresis and crystallizes as needles up to 0,2 mm in length after standing at 5 degrees C in 50 mM Tris/HCl (pH 8,3).


[Synthesis and properties of carrier-fixed enzymes. VIII. Kinetic studies of the binding velocity of enzymes to macroporous carriers]. The kinetics of binding the enzymes glucose oxidase, trypsin, and peroxidase and also bovine gamma-globulin to the macroporous carriers dialdehyde cellulose, diazotized amino polystyrene, acrolein-acrylamide copolymer, and isothiocyanate groups carrying CPG-glass was studied. It was found empirically that the increase in protein content and--if there occurred no inactivation of enzyme during binding reaction--of enzymatic activity of the enzyme-carrier complex with the reaction time can be described by saturation curves (first order hyperbolas), which represent straight lines after suitable transformation. Thereby it is possible to calculate protein content or specific activity of the enzyme-carrier complex for any moment during binding reaction. From intercepts of the obtained straight lines with the ordinate and with the abscissa, respectively, one can determine the maximum binding capacity and the maximum specific activity and from their slope the reaction rate can be obtained. If there result no straight lines for plotting enzymatic activity of the enzyme-carrier complex against binding time after transformation, then this is an indication for partial inactivation of the free or already insolubilized enzyme. From kinetic measurements it is concluded that in all cases studied by use the preceding stage in chemical fixation of the enzyme to carrier is an adsorption equilibrium. Limitation of reaction rate by diffusion as in loading an ion exchanger could not be observed.


Metabolim of blood-borne lactate in rat brain in vivo. L-Lactate uniformly labelled with 14C was administered to rats as a single intravenous injection. In experiments concerning the determination of lactate flux into total forebrain, the tissue was obtained by a freeze-clamping technique; in experiments concerning the determination of lactate flux in discrete brain areas the tissue was coagulated by microwave irradiation of the head. In the acid extract of brain tissue the contents and radioactivities of lactate, glucose and cycle amino acids were measured. The following results were obtained: 1. Labelled lactate in plasma equilibrates rapidly with lactate in a small pool in brain tissue. This accessible pool comprises one quarter of total brain lactate. Its size varies in brain regions being largest in cortex and smallest in pons and medulla. 2. Approximately one half of plasma-borne lactate in brain is used metabolically as is seen from the incorporation of lactate carbon in amino acids. The regional activity of lactate metabolism correlates with the local size of the accessible lactate pool. 3. The rates of lactate flux in total forebrain were approximated, the invasion of lactate from plasma to brain tissue to 0.4 mumol, the metabolisms of plasma-borne lactate to 0.2 mumol per g brain tissue min-1. 4. The labelling pattern of cycle amino acids is intermediate between the pattern from [14C]-glucose and [14c]-bicarbonate as precursors. This gives evidence for the influx of part of lactate into the "small" compartment of the citrate cycle along the CO2 fixation route with a predominant accumulation of lactate carbon in aspartate and glutamine.


[Influence of lithium on the in vitro deiodination of L-thyroxine in the rat liver]. Male Wistar rats were used to study by in vitro experiments the influence of lithium (0.55 g lithium carbonate per kg of dry food for 8 weeks) on the activity of plasma deiodase of liver for thyroxine. Lithium treatment caused a statistically significant decrease of thyroxine deiodination.


[Modification of efferent vagal effects on the isolated atrium by increased extracellular K+ concentrations]. Isolated vagal-innervated rabbit atria are electrically driven. Alterations of action potential, contraction, and electrotropic and inotropic vagal effects are investigated during variations of the external potassium concentration. Action potential area and contraction amplitude decrease by increasing external potassium concentration. If the potassium concentration is higher than 11 mM, the action potential disappears. At 24 mM potassium concentration the contraction amplitude of the driven atrium is reduced to 2%. Adrenaline (2.10(-5) g/ml) causes a restitution of the action potential and the contraction. With increasing potassium concentration the inotropic and the electrotropic vagal effectivity increases also. The vagal effects at the adrenaline restituted action potentials and contractions (15 mM potassium, 2.10(-5) g/ml adrenaline) are also higher than in normal solutions. The relations of electromechanical coupling are altered by potassium variation at the same coupling curve. With increasing potassium concentration the reproducibility of the vagal effects decreases.


[Effect of free fatty acids on the heart: effects of nonanoic acid on contractility and postextrasystolic potentiation in the rat papillary muscle]. 1. Nonanoic acid causes a depression in the contractile force of rat papillary muscles working isometrically. The effect depends on both the concentration of the fatty acid (0.1-1 mM) and the time of exposure (2-12 min), and shows a nearly complete reversibility. 2. Vmax-values derived from the force-velocity relation as well as the index of relation suggested by Meerson do not change in muscles exposed to nonanoic acid. During paired pulse stimulation with a 400 ms-delay of the second impulse, both the postextrasystolic potentiation and the time to reach a new steady level in the contraction  amplitude are significantly increased. The speed of restituting the contraction after a twitch (resitution) is descreased. 4. The results suggest that the action site of nonanoic acid may be the excitation-contraction coupling system (including the action potential) rather than the contractile element or the relaxation of the muscle.


[Participation of hippocampal neurons on the stages of feeding behavior]. Activity of 65 hippocampal single units was recorded during an instrumental feeding behaviour in three rabbits. Different neurons fire or change their spontaneous activity in one or more behavioural acts, which constitute the consecutive behaviour. In one or the other behavioural act single unit discharges occur both after and before some intermediate results. Participation of hippocampus in organization of the consecutive behaviour is discussed.


Estrogenic and antifertility effect of cyproterone acetate in female gerbils, meriones hurriane Jerdon. Effects of cyproterone acetate, a steroidal synthetic compound, on the reproductive organs of female gerbils have been investigated. This agent causes reduction of ovarian weights indicative of suppression of pituitary gonadotrophins. Estrogenic nature of cyproterone acetate was investigated in intact and ovariectomized gerbils taking uterine weight, vaginal keratinization and glycogen contents are parameters of estrogenic action. Cyproterone acetate in ovariectomized gerbils induced vaginal keratinization, increase in uterine weight, protein, RNA, glycogen and sialic acid contents of uterus, thus indicating an estrogenic activity. The histological and biochemical parameters lead to the conclusion that cyproterone acetate possesses estrogenic properties.


[Cell surface immunoglobulin of carp lymphocytes (Cyprinus carpio L.)]. Molecular size and polypeptide chain composition of cell membrane immunoglobulin (mIg) on lymphocytes of carp were studied using lactopreoxidase-catalysed surface radioiodination and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Carp lymphocytes prepared from pronephros, blood and thymus carry mIgM in relatively high quantity. That means about 5-10% of the radiolabelled macromolecular cell surface material precipitates as IgM. Cell surface IgM on carp lymphocytes is present as monomeric IgM (m.w. 220000-260000) and HL subunit (m.w. 110000). There are differences among molecular weights of mIg monomers of pronephric lymphocytes (m.w. 220000) and thymocytes (m.w. 260000), whereas blood lymphocytes show both components. Following reduction and alkylation H and L chains were observed. Additional thymocytic mIg possesses two unidentified components with m.w. 35000-40000 and 110000.


[Oxytocinergic exohypothalamic connections to the medulla oblongata in the pigeon and rat]. The neurosecretory hypothalamo-hindbrain connection of lower vertebrates is also present in the pigeon and the rat. By means of the immunohistochemical technique and the pseudoisocyanine technique these fibres could be seen following known pathways through the mesencephalic reticular formation to the hindbrain. Here the fibres enter the region of the dorsal columns nuclei. The neurophysine vesicles demonstrable electronmicroscopically in these fibres are identical with the well known neurophysine vesicles which are present in the neurohypophysis of the investigated species. The content of the vesicles is indeed neurophysine as proved with the method by NAUMANN and STERBA [1]. The terminals of the fibres form neuro-neuronal synapses.


The antiarrhythmic effect of prostaglandin E2 on catecholamine-induced arrhythmias. The antiarrhythmic effect of PGE2 as compared with the adrenergic beta-receptor blocking substance propranolol and the unspecific antiarrhythmic agent ajmaline was examanined on catecholamine-induced arrhythmias of the guinea-pig after preliminary sensibilisation by means of chloroform. Prophylactic administration of the tested substances resulted in a decrease in severity of arrhythmia by 91% after propranolol, by 37% after PGE2 and by 34% after ajmaline. Onset and duration of the arrhythmia were affected only to a negligible degree. The possible mode of action is still under discussion.


Affinity chromatography of serum proteins using immobilized lectin from Vicia faba. When human serum is applied to a column of Sepharose-insolubilized lectin from Vicia faba, some serum proteins are bound which can be eluted by means of 0.1 M glucose solution. These proteins are parts of the immunoglobulins IgA, IgG, IgM, and the alpha2-macroglobulin. These particular types of serum protein are bound specifically, due perhaps to some structural variation in the carbohydrate moieties they contain.


Total intravenous anesthesia with etomidate. III. Some observations in adults. An investigation was undertaken to determine the dosage of etomidate required to maintain sleep in adults undergoing surgery under regional local anesthesia. Premedication of diazepam 10 mg and atropine 0.5 mg was given, and sleep was induced and maintained by intermittent intravenous injections of etomidate 0.1/mg/kg, given whenever the patient would open his eyes on request. A mean overall dose of etomidate 17.4 microgram/kg/min. was required to maintain sleep, but great individual variation occurred, with older patients requiring less drug. The investigation was discontinued after 18 patients because of the frequency and intensity of side-effects, particularly pain and myoclonia, which caused the technique to be abandoned in two cases. It is considered unlikely that etomidate will prove to be the hypnotic of choice for a totally intravenous anesthetic technique in adults because of the high incidence of myoclonia after prolonged administration. In several patients uncontrollable muscle movements persisted for many minutes after complete recovery of consciousness.


Technique of general anesthesia for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. This article reports a technique of general anesthesia for tonsillectomy, according to the method of Sluder-Ballanger. For induction of the anesthesia the children receive: ketamine (1 to 1.5 mg/kg), succinylcholine (1 mg/kg). They are intubated through the nose and then ventilated by a mixture of N2O and O2 (50% - 50%). For the intervention they are brought in sitting position. The authors discuss the advantages of this technique as much from the anesthetic as from the surgical point of view.


Pseudocholinesterase changes in anesthesia using pancuronium. Pseudocholinesterase activity was investigated in three groups of unselected patients. A slight rise of the enzyme was found during surgery under local anesthesia with lidocaine. In general anesthesia with thiopentone and halothane, the pseudocholinesterase activity diminished. The inhibition was more pronounced when pancuronium had been injected. From these data one may conclude that pancuronium must be carefully given in patients with low level of pseudocholinesterase when other drugs inhibiting the enzyme activity, like succinylcholine, procaine and propanidid, are used.


Influence of indomethacin and aspirin on the contractile effects of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) at different Ca++ concentrations (experiments on guinea-pig ileum). The direct effect of the prostaglandine synthetase inhibitors indomethacin and aspirin on the contractile effects of PGF2alpha at different Ca++ concentrations (1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 mM) in the Krebs solution was studied on isolated segments of guinea-pig ileum. It is established that after contact with indomethacin (3 X 10(-5) M) for 1-5 min the contractile effect of PGF2alpha (1 X 10(-7) M) decreases by 20-60%. Higher Ca++ content in the Krebs solution weakens the direct inhibitory effect of indomethacin. Unlike indomethacin, aspirin has no significant direct effect on prostaglandine contractions. Increase of Ca++ in the Krebs solution by 1 mM in itself does not change significantly the effect of PGF2alpha. Having in mind analogous results obtained in previous experiments with PGE1, it is concluded that indomethacin but not aspirin exercises a direct antagonistic action to the contractile effects of PGF2alpha and PGE1 on the guinea-pig ileum. The degree of this antagonistic action is in a definite dependence on the concentration of extracellular Ca++. Discussing the possible mechanisms of direct inhibitory action of indomethacin on the PGE1 and PGF2alpha effects on guinea-pig ileum, assumptions are made concerning the effect of indomethacin on the utilization of external Ca++ and the noncompetitive antagonistic action of indomethacin as a result of the interaction with allosteric (allotopic) sites of the prostaglandine receptor system.


Electronmicroscopic investigation of rat substantia nigra after chronic amphetamine treatment. I. Changes in the neurones. The neurones in substantia nigra of albino rats were studied at ultrastructural level after chronic intraperitoneal administration of dl-amphetamine (5 mg/kg) for 90 days. Neurones with proliferated cytoplasmic organelles (granulated and smooth endoplasmic reticulum) were observed, as well as a tendency towards increase in the number of dense core vesicles. Very often it was possible to observe neurones with disorganization of the cytoplasmic organelles, with drastic decrease and disappearance of the dense core vesicles and simultaneous rise in the number and hypertrophy of the complex vesicles. Although less frequently, there also occur profiles with increased electron density and swelling of the astroglial growths in the adjacent neuropile.


Electronmicroscopic investigation of rat substantia nigra after chronic amphetamine treatment. II. Changes in the glial cells and blood vessels. The changes in the glial cells and blood vessels of substantia nigra of albino rats were examined at ultrastrucural level after chronic treatment with amphetamine. The animals were injected daily with 5 mg/kg dl-amphetamine i.p. for 90 days. Astroglial and oligodendroglial cells are richer in cytoplasmic organelles. Much more frequently strocytes appear to be satellites of the nerve cells. Dense lamellar myelin-like bodies may be seen in the cytoplasm of oligodendrocytes. Endothelial cells and pericytes have more pinocytous vesicles, osmiophilic granules and mitochondria. Large dense bodies with homogeneous structure fill the cytoplasm of part of the pericytes. The present article discusses the changes observed.


Effect of chronic copper loading on the functions of rat liver mitochondria. Male albino rats were kept on copper-enriched diet for 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks. Experiments were made to study the electron transported, oxidative phosphorylation and the activity of some respiratory enzymes (rotenone-insensitive NAD. H-cytochrome c-reductase, NAD. H-DCPIP-reductase, succinate-cytochrome c(DCPIP)-reductase and succinate dehydrogenase) depending on the duration of copper sulphate treatment and hepatic copper level. Copper content is found to rise as early as the 2nd week, after which it remains relatively constant. Oxygen consumption in State 3 decreases strongly during the 2nd week and remains low throughout the period studied. Oxygen consumption in State 4 also decreases in the 2nd week, after which it rises and reaches the values of the control animals. The enzyme activities studied are also strongly inhibited (32-57%) after a 14-day treatment, later they are recovered gradually, reaching 50-79% of the control values. The probable compensatory mechanism of copper metabolism in the liver and the participation of thiol groups in it are discussed.


Effect of single exhaustive swimming on mitochondrial enzyme activities in rat myocardium. The present work is a continuation of our studies on mitochondrial functions and enzyme activities after acute exhaustive swimming in liver and myocardium. In rat heart mitochondria the activities of SDH, cytochrome oxidase and ATPase (DNP-stimulated) increase after swimming and remain at that level until the end of the 22-hour rest period studied. The enzyme complexes--rotenone-sensitive NAD. H-cytochrome c-reductase and succinate-cytochrome c-reductase--decrease their activities in both experimental groups. The reduced activity of these two enzymes is determined by changes in this part of the respiratory chain which occur after the incorporation of DCPIP in the oxidation-reduction processes. The marker enzyme of the outer mitochondrial membranes--rotenone-insensitive NAD.H-cytochrome c-reductase--reveals unchanged activity after swimming and a 22-hour period of rest. The different changes in the activities of enzymes with different localization and organization in heart mitochondria are explained by disorganization of the inner membranes after exhaustive swimming, which could induce both activation of some enzymes and inhibition of others. The effect of certain factors during muscle exercise which could cause the established structural and functional changes in the mitochondria is discussed.


Interactions between unloading reflex and voluntary muscle activity under different instructions. Changes in the instantaneous firing frequency of a separate motor unit (MU) in the unloading reflex and voluntary movement according to instruction, triggered by external mechanical disturbance in the position of the arm, were studied. The activity of m. biceps brachii and m. pronator teres was recorded using surface bipolar electrodes with small area and small interelectrode distance. The correct position of the electrode with respect to the MU was controlled vectorelectromyographically. The probabilities of the appearance of an impulse in successive 10 ms intervals before and after the unloading were determined. The effect of the voluntary movement performed by the subject according to instruction on the reflex response is demonstrated, as well as the opposite effect, i.e. of the type of the external disturbing action on the voluntary movement. Certain problems related to the transcortical reflex response are discussed. It is assumed that some maxima in the summated electromyogram (EMG) which correspond in time to transcortical reflex influences are not due to a higher excitability of the alpha-motoneurones, but they are obtained by grouping of the impulses of many activated tonic MUs whose activity is recorded by recording the summated EMG.


Estimation of short time intervals under different experimental conditions. A complex experiment is carried out in order to study the human ability to estimate and reproduce short time intervals in the 100-1000 ms range presented with light stimuli. The estimation task consists in verbal nomination of the time intervals presented to the subject in random order after preliminary training. In the production task the subject is expected to press a telegraph key simultaneously with the end of the light interval presented the duration of which is announced to him in advance. In the reproduction task the subject is to press the key a given time after the onset of the stimulus which duration is of 2 sec. The results show that in spite of the relatively good achievements in tasks involving verbal estimation of the duration of the intervals, the reproduction tasks are performed with systematic errors. In the production task the mean values of the response times decrease upon increasing of the required interval, while in the reproduction task they increase parallel with the increase of the required interval. Consequently, one and the same short time interval is perceived differently depending on the task to be performed, namely: verbal nomination, coincidence between hand movement and the end of the interval, or reproduction after verbal nomination.


Estimation of time intervals--elements of an array of three intervals. The article reports the results of experiments on human ability to estimate time intervals separately or in groups of two intervals as elements of a three-interval array presented by two light signals separated by a dark interval. The first light interval is shown to be systematically overestimated compared with the second one. Moreover, the subjects usually ascribe a constant value to the dark interval. The double interval (light + dark or dark + light) proves to be underestimated compared with the case when estimation of the same intervals was required without estimation of a third interval. The additional task changes the estimations of the subjects. It may be claimed that the complexity of the problem is connected with definite changes in the average estimations of the subjects.


The effect of intraventricular 6-hydroxydopamine on the content of oxytocin and vasopressin in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland of water-deprived rats. The effect of intraventricular 6-hydroxydopamine on the content of oxytocin and vasopressin in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland of water deprived rats. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 497-504. Rats received one infusion of 200 microgram 6-hydroxydopamine with 25 microgram of ascorbic acid into the lateral cerebral ventricle. After 57 days some rats were deprived of water for 4, 8 or 12 days. Then, the animals were sacrificed by decapitation. Oxytocin was determined in extracts from the posterior pituitary lobe and hypothalamus by the method of Van Dongen and Hays, while the vasopressin content was determined by the method of Dekanski. It was found that 6-hydroxydopamine injection into the cerebral ventricles causes a rise in oxytocin content in the hypothalamus and prevents its fall during--4--12 days of dehydration.


Lipid composition of gastric jiuce in healthy men under conditions of maximum secretion following pentagastrin stimulation and during an intensified histamine test. Lipid composition of gastric juice in healthy men under conditions of maximum secretion following pentagastrin stimulation and during an intensified histamine test. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 511-514. The authors studied the changes in lipid concentration of gastric juice under conditions of basic secretion (15 subjects), maximum secretion after pentagastrin stimulation (12 subjects) and during intensified histamine test (15 subjects). It was found that gastric juice contains similar lipid components to the blood plasma, however, their concentrations significantly lower. After histamine stimulation and even more after pentagastrin stimulation, concentration of some lipid fractions increases. The increase in glyceride and cholesterol ester concentrations in the gastric juice under conditions of maximum secretion may be due to the increase of lipid components originating from the blood plasma.


The effect of etorphine on dopamine and noradrenaline concentrations in different central nervous system structures in the rat. The effect of etorphine on dopamine and noradrenaline concentrations in different central nervous system structures in the rat. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 529-540. Intramuscular administration of etorphine in immobilizing doses (0.008 mg/kg) was followed by a rise in dopamine concentration in the examined motor structures of the central nervous system (striopallidum, pons, cerebellum, lumbosacral intumescence of the spinal cord). Only in the motor centres of the frontal cortex dropamine concentration was decreased. At the time etorphine decreased the concentration of noradrenaline in striopallidum and raised it in the other examined structures of the central nervous system. A correlation was found between the concentrations of both substances, especially in the frontal motor centres and striopallidum. Post etorphine accumulation of dopamine in the striopallidum (for 6.369 to 11.322 mcg/g of fresh tissue) with simultaneous inhibition of motor activity of the animals suggests that etorphine inhibits the release of dopamine from the presynaptic elements in the motor centres of the central nervous system in rats. This leads to a decreased dopamine action on its receptors. Some post etorphine behavioral changes (rigidity, spastic flexion, muscle tremor) support this hypothesis.


The effect of SH-groups of cysteine on the rate of oxygen uptake by some homogenates of the rabbit tissues. The effect of SH-groups of cysteine on the rate of oxygen uptake by some homogenates of the rabbit tissues. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 541-551. In the present experiments the effect of SH-groups of cysteine on the respiration rate of homogenates of kidney, liver, brain, myocardium and skeletal muscle was investigated in the rabbit. Using the Warburg's method of respirometry it was found that cysteine added to the incubation medium modifies oxygen uptake by the above-mentioned tissue homogenates and that this reaction depends both on the kind of tissue and cysteine concentration in the medium. Addition of cysteine to the incubation medium in the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml exerted only slight, insignificant influence on the tissue respiration but in the concentration of 0.4 mg/ml it increased the respiration rate in homogenates of kidney (by 30%), liver (by 55%) and skeletal muscle (by 59%). Cysteine added in the concentration of 0.8 mg/ml increased the respiration rate of all the examined tissue homogenates. The strongest effect of cysteine in this concentration was found in the liver and skeletal muscle homogenates (an increase in O2 uptake by 88% and 89% respectively) and the lowest in the myocardium (by 53%). Under control conditions (without cysteine) kidney homogenates had the highest oxygen consumption and skeletal muscle ones the lowest.


Concentration of free amino acids in the blood and liver of cattle, sheep and rabbits. Concentration of free amino acids in the plasma, erythrocytes and the liver of cattle, sheep and rabbits was different in various species. The differences concerned mainly glutamine, glutamic acid, proline, alanine, glycine. The participation of endogenic amino acids in gluconeogenesis and the nitrogen recycle was discussed considering the characteristics of their metabolism in ruminants.


The role of adrenergic receptors in the motility of duodenum and choledochoduodenal junction in the pig. The role of adenergic receptors in the motility of duodenum and choledochoduodenal junction in the pig. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 521-528. The choldeochoduodenal junction in the Vietnamese pig is functionally and anatomically a part of duodenal wall. In view of this, investigations were carried out for establishing the role of adrenergic receptors in the development of motor function of this part of the intestinal tract. The experiments were performed on domestic Vietnamese pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) and they showed that after stimulation of alpha and beta adrenergic receptors the motor activity of the duodenal muscular coat and the choledochoduodenal junction is inhibited. The obtained results suggest similar reactions of the adrenergic receptors in both examined parts of the intestinal tract in the pig.


Influence of some inhibitors of histamine metabolism on the gastric secretion. Influence of some inhibitors of histamine metabolism on the gastric secretion. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 515-520. The influence of inhibitors of histamine metabolism on histamine (H) and Nalpha Nalpha-dimethylhistamine (NDMH) stimulated gastric secretion was studied in guinea-pigs and cats. Inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and diamine oxidase (DAO): N-oxide diacetylaminopyridine (AAP) and N-oxide 2 aminopyridine (AP) increased HCI secretion in the gastric juice after H and NDMH. Inhibitors of N-methyl transferase: amodiaquine (A) and quinacrine (Q) increased HC1 secretion in the gastric juice after H but not after NDMH. The lack of action of A and Q on NDMH-stimulated gastric secretion suggests, that in guinea-pig and cat NDMH is not methylated additionally at the imidazole ring and therefore, it is a stronger gastric secretagogue than histamine itself.


Body weight and metabolic level in growing chickens. Body weight and metabolic level in growing chickens. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 575-583. In the investigations carried out on 128 White Rock chicken the metabolic level was determined under standard conditions in chickens characterising by different growth rate resulted from different feeding levels. It was shown that the feeding level of growing chicken has an essential influence on the character of the regression between the metabolic level and body weight. It was also found that this regression is not necessarily ot the character of Kleiber's function H = aWb. The differences in the metabolic level between the chickens maintained on different feeding levels did not disappear even after 4 days of starvation. In the light of the obtained results and recent investigations by other authors the usefulness of the so-called metabolic unit of the body size based on W0.75 in context to growing animals within one species has bee criticized.


Serum ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) in rats poisoned with lanthanum, cerium and praseodymium. Serum ornithine carbamoyltransferase (OCT) in rats poisoned with lanthanum, cerium and praseodymium. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 589-594. The serum ornithine carbamoyltransferase in relation to doses of lanthanum, cerium and praseodymium, administered intravenously as chlorides, was investigated. A directly proportional relationship was found between the doses of these compounds and the serum enzyme level in rats. The lowest doses at which a rise in the serum OCT level occured were determined. They were: lanthanum - 0.75 mg/kg of body weight, cerium - 1.5 mg/kg, and praseodymium - 3 mh/kg. A decreasing toxicity of these elements with increasing value of atomic number was observed.


Studies on the chemical composition of the rat body during growth and development. Studies of the chemical composition of the rat body during growth and development. Acta Physiol. Pol., 1977, 28 (6): 559-573. Changes in the content of nitrogen, ether extract, water and ash in the body of rats were examined from the 1st to the 265th day of their life under conditions optimal for maximal growth and development. The investigations were carried out on 203 male Wistar rats kept on a standard diet containing about 20% of protein and 3.2 kcal ME/g. The diet was available ad libitum. After a period of fasting the animals were sacrificed at definite time intervals, their bodies were autoclaved and homogenized. The results of chemical analyses were processed statistically using logarithmic values and linear regression equations for all components in relation to the total (shrunk) and fat-free body mass, and for the relationship between the different components. The results obtained indicate that the values of all components related to the total or fat-free body mass show a curvilinear course of changes, which can be described with the power function Y = axb.


The ependyma of the ventriculus mesencephali in the rat. The ventriculus mesencephali in the rat proceeds in the colliculi posterior region from the mesencephalic aqueduct in the dorsal direction. The ependymal lining is formed by flat, cuboid and cylindrical cells. The cylindrical cells, which occur in all parts of the ventriculus mesencephali, are the most numerous. The cuboid cells are localized mainly in the anterior part, the flat ones in the posterior part of the ventriculus mesencephali. Some cuboid and cylindrical cells have short basal processes. Among the ependymal cells, there are cells with long basal processes. The ependyma is at sites interrupted by flocks of ependymal cells. On the cell surface, there area cilia, microvilli and protoplasmic extrusions. The cell nuclei are spherical to oval. Supraependymally, there are homogeneous globules and intraventricular fibres. The histological variability of ependymal cells may point to the active participation of these cells in functional processes, even within such a small part of the ventricle system as the ventriculus mesencephali.


Scanning electron microscopic examination of in vitro cultured cells by different methods. 1. The morphology of cultured aortic endothelial cells was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The cells were prepared for examination by three different procedures: two involved fixation, the third only drying in vacuum. 2. To check the efficiency of the methods of preparation, three non-endothelial cell lines were processes similarly and examined for SEM morphology. 3. The images of the cell surfaces were found to differ depending on the method of preparation and the value of the methodical approach clearly varied with the type of the cell. It is concluded that for studying cell morphology by SEM the method of preparation should carefully be selected.


Cell types of the pars distalis: seasonal changes in secretory activity and effect of steroids on spermatogenesis in Rana hexadactyla. Cytomorphological features and tinctorial affinities of the adenohypophyseal gonadotrophs have been studied in stained preparations of the pituitary of adult male frogs Rana hexadactyla Lesson, at monthly intervals during a calendar year. All the five morphologically distinct cell types showed a progressive increase in size from August of February, followed by a decrease from March to July. Extrusion of the synthetized product occurred in the summer and during this period production was low. Injection of steroids viz. stilboestrol, testosterone, oestradiol, doca and cortisol, interfered with the elaboration and secretion of gonadotropins, the adenohypophyseal feedback mechanism, and the sensitivity of the germinal epithelium. Changes in gonadotropins secretion and their impact on the testis are discussed.


Evidence of the heterogeneity of mast cell population based on their biogenic amine content. The heterogeneity of the mast cells localized in various organs has been demonstrated by histochemical determination in their indole amine and histamine content. The strongest amine reaction was found in the mast cells in the mesenterium and peritoneal fluid where their maturation occurs. The reaction of the subcutaneous connective tissue is weaker; in the thyroid gland the reaction is weak as well as diffuse. In the thymus the mast cells localized along the vessels give a strong histamine reaction. The experiments support previously published data concerning the heterogeneity of mast cell populations.


A heroin "epidemic" in Asia.

A heroin "epidemic" in Asia. Heroin "epidemics" have been reported in North America but not in Asia. Following passage of an anti-opium law in Laos, heroin use suddenly began in one area during 1972. Initially heroin use prevailed among indigenous Asian addicts, mostly older addicts who gradually switched from opium to heroin. In addition, there evolved a new group of indigenous addicts: young, single, unemployed males in urban areas whose first narcotic drug was heroin. After the appearance of heroin in Laos, increasing numbers of younger Americans and Europeans were soon attracted to heroin use in Laos.


Changes in alcoholic beverage sales after reductions in the legal drinking age. This study reports changes in the sales of beer, wine, and spirits in 25 states which lowered legal drinking ages and adjacent states which did not. Most of the states which changed drinking ages had an increase in beer sales whereas the unchanged ones did not. The increase for beer in the changed over the not changed states was 5.7%. The differences for wine and spirits are not statistically significant. The variations in changes from one state to another are considerable. Analyses of the effects of new age laws on traffic accidents should take account of changes in sales and other preventive efforts occurring simultaneously. Whether the increases will be permanent is uncertain.


First drinking experiences and present drinking patterns: a male-female comparison. The authors predicted that sex roles in America would contribute to variation between male and female alcoholics in first drinking experiences and current drinking patterns. Moderate support for this hypothesis was observed. Though first drinking experiences were found to be very similar for males and females, females reported a significantly longer period of time between their first and second drinks of an alcoholic beverage. Females were significantly more likely to have consumed their first alcoholic beverage with family members, while males more commonly were with friends. Beer was the most frequently consumed beverage of the first drinking occasion for both sexes; the second most popular beverage among men was whiskey, while women chose mixed drinks. Regarding current drinking patterns, men drank significantly more often than women. The differences pertaining to general drinking pattern (drinking daily, several times a week, or on weekends, or engaging in binge drinking) approached significance.


Use of difenoximide (SC-26100) for narcotic detoxification: a preliminary tolerance and efficacy study. Difenoximide (SC-26100) is closely related to the antidiarrheal agent, diphenoxylate, which is a chemical congener of meperidine. It has been shown to have a greater ability than methadone to suppress opiate withdrawal in addicted mice, and it has produced less physical dependence than morphine and methadone in laboratory animals. In this study difenoximide was administered to nine active heroin addicts. A dose of 4 mg administered 4 times per day for 3 days effectively suppressed opiate withdrawal, while a dose of 8 mg produced symptoms resembling those of narcotic excess in subjects who had recently self-administered heroin. No side effect were observed at the therapeutic dosage level, and the drug was well accepted by subjects. Difenoximide was shown to be a potentially useful narcotic treatment agent in this impatient study.


Tracking procedures in follow-up studies of drug abusers. One of the problems that researchers frequently confront is the tracking and locating of research subjects. "Deviant" populations may present special difficulties in this regard. The experiences of a trained field survey unit doing drug-related research are examined. The tracking procedures which they developed are systematically presented. While the substantive focus is on doing research among drug abusers, many of the stated procedures are applicable to research on other deviant groups and, indeed, to all social groups.


An outpatient drug program for adolescent students: preliminary evaluation. Adolescent students with drug problems were rostered by their schools at the program facility one-half day per week. Treatment was aimed at increasing communicativeness through art, video, music, group therapy, and individual counseling when appropriate. After 4 months, school personnel, students, and treatment staff indicated that drug taking had decreased and general adjustment improved. Statistically, the treatment group (N = 42) improved significantly more than a control group (N = 37) in school attendance. They also tended to do better in academic, behavior, and work habit grades although these differences did not reach statical significance. Further similar early intervention studies are warranted.


Drug information source credibility among junior and senior high school youths. Analysis was made of data gathered in a winter 1974/75 survey of 7th through 12the grade youngsters attending public schools in New York State to learn the credibility of various sources of information on drugs. The results showed important relationships to hold between the youth's involvement with substances and their belief in the media and nonmedia information sources that were probed.


Alcohol and marijuana consumption among undergraduate polydrug users. Of 365 undergraduates surveyed, 42% admitted to polydrug use. The rank order of drugs used was: alcohol, marijuana, tobacco, hallucinogens, barbiturates, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, and inhalants. Forty-four percent used one drug combination, 25% used 2 to 3 combinations, 17% used 4 to 7 combinations, with 14% using 8 to 14 combinations. Nealry 85% used alcohol plus marijuana, with nearly one-third combining alcohol or marijuana with barbiturates, hallucinogens, or amphetamines. Alcohol appeared to be first drug used; however, it was not abandoned when marijuana use began-both drugs simply used concurrently, and new drugs were incorporated into the existing patterns of drug use. Interpretations of polydrug use are limited by difficulties in assessing drug use, as well as inconsistencies in the chemical composition of illicit drugs.


Toward classifying psychoactive chemical use. A classification scheme is proposed based on description of consequences of psychoactive chemical use. It is an alternative to current labels (e.g., alcoholic, drug abuser, chemically dependent) which are often controversial or pejorative, as well as being imprecise and limited to pathology. The categories are: Helpful, Low Risk Potential Harm, High Risk Potential Harm, and Harmful. These are briefly defined and illustrative examples are cited. The appropriate treatment responses for the four categories are, respectively: Encouragement, Accurate Information, Persuasive Education, and Active Intervention. The basic rationale and procedure for each is discussed. The system incorporates prevention as well as remediation.


Driving records before and during methadone maintenance. We compared the motor vehicle driving records of 104 former heroin users during 1 year of heroin use before admission to methadone maintenance with their records during 1 year after admission while they were maintained on methadone. We found a statistically significant increase in convictions for speeding from the year on heroin to the year on methadone, but no significant change in convictions for negligent collision, other moving violations, driving without a license, and in accidents. The results suggest that heroin users have slightly better driving records on heroin than they do on methadone, possibly because on heroin they drive with special care to avoid arrest. The frequency with which our subjects were involved in accidents did not differ significantly from that of all Texas licensed drivers. On the basis of this study we recommend no restriction of the driving privilege of persons maintained on methadone.