The immunological diagnosis of HBsAg liver disease by combined screening for the e system in the serum and the HB core and surface antigens in liver biopsy samples. Serological screening for HBeAg and anti-HBe, combined with the immunohistochemical localization of the hepatitis B core and surface antigen in 110 HBsAg carriers, established different immunological profiles indicative of the liver status and prognostic of the future absence or progression of the disease. Intrahepatic HBcAg and serum HBeAg appeared the most sensitive indexes of chronic and progressive liver disease, anti-HBe and large amounts of cytoplasmic HBsAg suggest, instead, the asymptomatic carrier state without liver damage. Only the nuclear localization of HBcAg in immunohistochemical studies was a reliable prognostic indicator of transition to chronicity; absence or presence of serum HBeAg was of no help in predicitng the outcome of acute HBsAg hepatitis.


Study of the influence of haemodialysis on the beta-methyl digoxin levels in uraemic patients. This study was undertaken to establish the plasma pharmacokinetics of beta-methyl-digoxin (betamd) in 8 normal subjects (group 1) and 17 uraemic patients (group 2, not undergoing dialysis; group 3, undergoing dialysis). Blood samples were collected serially up to 5 hrs after an initial stimulus of 0.2 ng betamd i.v. betamd was determined both in serum and in dialysate by digoxin radioimmunoassay after having verified the following parameters: the immunological similarity between digoxin and betamd; the possibility of evaluating betamd in dialysate; the quantitative recovery of betamd both in serum and in dialysate. At 15 min after stimulus, the following betamd peaks occurred: 5.82, 3.70 and 6.00 ng/ml for groups 1,2 and 3, respectively, with a significant difference (p less than 0.02) between groups 1 and 2 and between groups 2 and 3 (p less than 0.02) up to 1 h after stimulus. For each group the rapid, mean and slow betamd half-times (T1/2) were calculated. The three T1/2 values differing from each other but being related to the different initial betamd concentrations, the angular coefficients of the disappearance regression lines (taken as parameters related to the betamd disappearance rates, dr) were plotted against the betamd concentrations expressed as % of their highest value corresponding to the respective rapid T1/2. From this approach, it can be deduced that the dr of group 1 is much higher than the dr of groups 2 and 3 which are similar. This finding, together with the consideration that we never found betamd in dialysate, permits the conclusion that the distribution rate of betamd to the tissues is significatively higher in normal than in uraemic patients and that it does not change during dialysis treatment.


A 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3) radioimmunoassay. In this paper are reported the results obtained by a simple, reproducible and sensitive rT3 RIA, in unextracted serum, using the PEG separation technique. The linear correlation coefficient of the results obtained from extracted and unextracted sera, in a population of 60 adults and 35 child controls was 0.984, with a minimal spread of the data.


Diagnostic considerations in occlusive arterial disease. The diagnostic approaches to the problem of occlusive arterial disease have been reviewed. The history and physical examination are most useful in establishing the diagnosis, localizing the most proximal level of the arterial involvement, and categorizing the patient's stage of disease. Functional evaluation of limb blood pressures and flow velocity at rest and after exercise provide useful data for estimating the degree of the arterial involvement, and this information can be used as the baseline for evaluating the effects of therapy.


In vitro carcinogenesis studies on mouse fibroblast cells. Fibroblast cell lines were established from pulmonary explants derived from inbred CBA T6T6 mouse embryos. Cell lines controlled for the absence of spontaneous transformation were treated with 20=methylcholenthrene (0, 1 microgram/ml). The altered biological characteristics were studied during the process of the malignant transformation by the comparison of the untreated and 20-methylcholanthrene pretreated cell populations: the loss of contact inhibition and the connection between the malignant transformation and the arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase enzyme activity were investigated. No changes in the cell proliferation rate could be found following malignant transformation, but an increased resistance against altered circumstances was observed. In the course of passages, a gradual decreases in aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity of the untreated line was seen, which disappeared or significantly decreased following 20-methylcholanthrene treatment, compared to the controls.


Ultrastructural effects of 6-hydroxy-dopamine and 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine on the central nervous system of fresh-water mussel, Anodonta cygnea L. Ultrastructural effects of 6-hydroxydopamine and 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine treatments were investigated in the central nervous system of fresh-water mussel. Two days after the treatments, the following characteristic find-structural alterations could be observed in the neuropil of the ganglia: frequent occurrence of multilamellar bodies, lysosomatic structures and elongated tubular forms; shrinking of varicose axon profiles with an enchancement of the density of the axoplasm and clumping of its content; abnormal swelling of certain axons in the neuropil. This degenerative process was accompanied by an intense phagocytosis. The damages evoked by the employed "false transmitters" in the mussel ganglia were, in general, similar to those found in vertebrates. Statistical analysis of the vesicle population of ganglia suggests the intragranular uptake of 6-hydroxydopamine and 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine and, in addition, the role of dense-core vesicles of different types in the storage of both serotonin and catecholamines. Perikarya composing the cortical layer of the ganglia were not affected by the "false transmitters". This shows that different parts of a mussel neuron are differently sensitive to 6-hydroxydopamine and 5, 6-dihydroxytryptamine.


Effect of mutation on the peripheral reticulum in Tradescantia albiflora chloroplasts. In the defective plastids of Tradescantia albiflora cv. aureo-vittata, a C3 plant, the mutation (localized with high probability in the plastom) increases the quantity of the peripheral reticulum (PR). The enhancement of PR may be connected with the mutation of a repressive gene or with some metabolic change caused by the mutation. In the early phase of the plastid destruction, the PR can be distinguished from the thylakoid derivatives on the basis of its DAB-negativity. The positive DAB-reaction in the thylakoid membranes is explained by their PS I activity.


Tube graft replacement of the suprarenal aorta with implantation of the superior mesenteric artery. The superior mesenteric artery was successfully implanted to a tube graft replacement of the suprarenal abdominal aorta after a gunshot wound. Although injuries to the abdominal aorta carry a high mortality, adequate management and prompt operation can reduce the mortality rate. In cases like this one the ingenuity of the surgeon is at stake, because arterial anastomoses are not always possible to their natural origin. Death from aortic injuries is most commonly caused by hemorrhage and exsanguination, so appropriate measures must be taken as soon as the diagnosis is made to avoid this possibility. Also, patients should not be hypotensive for any long time, so transfusion should be timed carefully, especially when the aortic clamps are being removed.


The effect of some pesticides on the rhythmic activity of adductor muscle of fresh-water mussel larvae. The effect of some pesticides on the rhythmic and tonic activity of adductor muscle of fresh-water mussel (Anodonta cygnea) larvae was investigated in short-term experiments. In the examined concentration range, Dimecron-50 does not influence the rhythmic activity of adductor muscles, while high concentrations of Gramoxone (is greater than 1 ml/l), Thimet-10 G (is greater than 5 x 10(-1) g/l) and Hungaria L-7 (is greater than 10(-1) g/l) cause a slight increase in it. These substances also induce a prolonged tonic contraction of a small proportion (10%) of larvae. Hungaria L-7 makes an exception, causing considerable contracture (30%). The concentrations inhibiting the TA activation by 50% are: 6x 10(-1) ml/l Dimecron-50; 2.5 x 10(-1) ml/l Gramoxone; 10(-1) g/l Hungaria L-7 and 8x 10(-2) g/l Thimet-10 G, while the 50% inhibition of the nonspecific ACh activation is resulted by 2 x 10(-1) ml/l D-50. It is concluded that contamination of environmental waters with Dimecron-50, Thimet-10 G or Hungaria L-7 may be injurious also for Pelecypoda larvae, that may contribute to the unbalancing of the water ecosystem.


Surgical treatment of vertebral artery insufficiency in patients with diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Nine patients with signs and symptoms of vertebral-basilar artery insufficiency and with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis experienced partial restoration of lost neurologic function with the revascularization of ischemic tissue of the hindbrain by an operation to correct partial extraluminal obstruction of the proximal segment of the first part of the vertebral artery. The selection of patients is dependent on preoperative angiography of the aortic arch with visualization of the vessels of the neck, the vertebral and the carotid arteries. There was no mortality and no significant morbidity among these patients.


Aortic and iliac graft fistulae.

Aortic and iliac graft fistulae. Sixteen patients with aortic and iliac graft fistulae were diagnosed from a series of over 886 abdominal aortic reconstructive operations. A preoperative diagnosis was established in 12, eleven by radiographic studies. Angiography and barium intestinal studies were the most helpful. The two most important features in diagnosis are a high index of suspicion and an aggressive radiographic approach.


Cell-to-cell contacts between lymphoreticular cells in rheumatoid synovial membrane. Nodular type and diffuse perivascular lymphoid cell infiltrates in rheumatoid synovial membranes from 72 patients were examined under the electron microscope. Attempts were made to describe the ultrastructural relations of the cells examined and to classify the different types of cell-to-cell contracts between them. Members of a complex series, composed of gradually differentiating forms of cell contacts beginning from simple membrane adherences and interdigitations and gap junctions; minute filamentous intercellular bridges: subsurface confronting cisternae and desmosome-like structures, are described and suggested as function-dependent morphological representatives of sites of cellular interactions.


Electron transporting enzymes of rheumatoid connective tissue. The oxidative enzyme system of the synovial membrane and rheumatoid node from rheumatoid arthritic patients has been studied by histochemical and biochemical methods. As compared to the control synovial membranes, succinic dehydrogenase activity was substantially higher in the rheumatoid arthritic synovial membranes, and was still higher in the rheumatoid nodes, in which only the cells forming the palisade had succinic dehydrogenase activity. As compared to the controls, in response to menadione succinic dehydrogenase was significantly activated. The reducible ubiquinone content of the rheumatoid synovial membrane and the rheumatoid node was by several orders of magnitude higher than in the controls.


Influence of membrane active substances on cell surface morphology of cultured aortic endothelial cells. 1. The changes occurring on the surface of cultured aortic endothelial cells under the influence of exogenous cholesterol, lysolecithin, or cholesterol + lysolecithin were pursued by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. 2. Both compounds were found to cause surface changes under different quantitative relations, as shown by scanning electron microscopy of unfixed preparations. The changes were less significant in preparations fixed prior to the scanning--or transmission electron microscopic examination. 3. Other cell lines maintained in this laboratory and similarly treated with cholesterol, were found to be less responsive than the endothelial cells. 4. Cholesterol content was determined by thin layer chromatography in six different cell lines, before and after the addition of cholesterol. Only the endothelial cells showed a notable rise of cholesterol content after treatment. This fact may confirm our finding that cholesterol induced morphological changes were demonstrable only in the endothelial cells.


Comparative dimensional characteristics of spermatozoa in muridae. A comparative study has been made of the dimensional characteristics in six species of Muridae (Malardia meltada, Bandicota bengalensis, Albino rat, Rattus norvegicus, Mus booduga, Rattus rattus). Characteristic differences were found in the dimensions of their spermatozoa. Head dimensions viz., acrosome length, width, area and post-acrosomal area, vary significantly between different species but the differences are significant within individuals of the same species. Flagellum dimensions viz., mid-piece length, breadth, area and main-piece length also vary significantly between different species; within individuals of the same species the differences are not significant except for mid-piece breadth, which varies significantly both between and within the species. The ratio of flagellum to head varies significantly between species but the difference is not significant within individuals of the same species. The significance of the variabilities is discussed.


Fine morphological aspects of the secretory process in arterial smooth muscle cells. II. Role of microtubules. Preliminary results are presented regarding the role of the microtubular system in the secretory process in the rabbit aorta and pulmonary trunk smooth muscle cells. The results are based on electron microscopic findings of the effect of colchicine in vivo. On colchicine treatment an accumulation of secretory granules versus a vacuolar type of dilatation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae distinguishes two groups of smooth muscle cells. It is suggested that two secretory pathways operate in these cells, and that the cell microtubular status plays a key role in triggering one or the other pathway.


Xeroradiographic demonstration of soft tissues of the extremities. The authors gave a useful sketch of the essence of xeroradiography. Their method has proved to be optimal in demonstrating the soft tissues of the extremities in vivo. The paper provides us with a better cognition of the morphology and pathomorphology of soft tissues of the extremities.


Results of phenylalanine tolerance tests and EEG examination in patients under treatment for phenylketonuria. The EEG of 10 phenylketonuric children treated by a diet and of 4 children with hyperphenylalaninaemia on a normal diet was recorded during L-phenylalanine tolerance tests. The first recording was made before administering the L-phenylalanine load (100 mg/kg b.w.) and the second 60-120 min after. In 6 of the phenylketonuric children, nonspecific abnormality became more pronounced or increased, or previously absent epileptic graphoelements appeared. A pathological EEG response to a L-phenylalanine load was found in 1 child with hyperphenylalaninaemia. The authors do not recommend relaxation of the diet in children with a pathological EEG response to a L-phenylalanine load.


Relationship of age and sex to postheparin esterase activity. Postheparin esterase (E. C. 3.1.1.1.) activity was studied in 130 women and 126 men in whom the medical findings were consistent with their age. The test subjects were divided into 5 age groups from 17 to 73 years. Postheparin esterase activity was found to be statistically significantly higher in men than in women. In men it was uncorrelated to age, while in women it rose with advancing age. Changes in postheparin esterase in women appear to be correlated to the hormonal state of the organism.


Biochemical properties of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes and their practical significance. Certain physiochemical and biochemical properties of serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes are described concisely. Differences in their properties can be utilized in practice for the qualitative and quantitative determination of isoenzyme activities in sera in pathological states. Some of the methodological requirements of this differentiation by electrophoretic separation and inactivation-inhibition methods are evaluated.


Inhibition of lipolysis by oxytocin and vasopressin. The administration of 5 I. U. oxytocin (by quick infusion) or of 5 I. U. vasopressin-lysine (intramuscularly) to healthy subjects was followed by a significant decrease in the plasma non-esterified fatty acid level. We regard this as evidence of inhibition of basal lipolysis in the adipose tissue. Vasopressin also completely blocked an increase induced in the plasma non-esterified fatty acid level by activating hormone-sensitive lipase in the adipose tissue by the infusion of 0.5 mg noradrenaline.


The involvement of acid hydrolases in myopathies. In hamsters, the specific activities of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase are much greater in homogenates of dystrophic muscle than in homogenates of normal muscle because, it is argued in this paper, dystrophic muscles concentrate such enzymes within themselves, in contrast to normal muscles which do not, or only very little. Both enzymes are first apparent histochemically (using the appropriate naphthol AS-BI substrates) in the atrophic type I fibres of, for example, 3--4 weeks-old dystrophic hamsters, at which age type II fibres (in the Johnson & Pearse nomenclature) contain neither enzyme and a myopathy is undetectable by standard clinical criteria. We have been unable to find out where the enzymes originate from, or in or on which organelle in dystrophic muscle they are localised; the histochemical, organelle fractionation, isoelectric focussing and electron microscopic evidence on these points is conflicting. On balance it seems that the acid hydrolases are synthesised by the dystrophic muscle fibres themselves, rather than being derived from discharged macrophage granules as is more commonly believed. But whatever their origin, a histochemical test for acid hydrolases should be useful, it is concluded, for diagnosing the preclinical phase of myopathies in children.


Total LDH activity and its fractions (L-lactate: NAD+-oxidoreductase, E.C. 1.1.1.27) in amniotic fluid and serum in high risk pregnancies. In conclusion we can claim that the determination of total LDH activity in the amniotic fluid and the mother's blood serum is not a suitable method for diagnosing intrauterine danger to the foetus from hypoxia. It is interesting to note that the high activity of the third and fourth LDH fraction in the amniotic fluid does not correspond to their activity in the mother's serum.


Determination of L-lactate: NAD+ - oxidoreductase (E.C.1.1.1.27) and its isoenzymes during pregnancy. In the First Gynaecology and Maternity Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, we investigated total serum LDH (L-lactate: NAD-oxidoreductase, E.C.1.1.1.27) activity and that of its 5 isoenzymes during physiological pregnancy. We divided our pregnancies, for practical purposes, into 3 groups. The first comprised women in the 10th-to 20th week of pregnancy, the second women in the 20th to 30th week and the third women in the 30th to 40th week. In each group we took blood dynamically at regular 14-day intervals from the same women, with the aim of assuring the maximum possible homogeneity of the tested material (blood) in correlation to time. We found that, during physiological pregnancy, neither the total LDH activity level, nor that of its five fractions, exceeded the norm determined for the Czechoslovak population. The activities fluctuated typically during pregnancy, however, within the framework of the norm. Some agreement was found between changes in LDH activity and changes in the chorionic gonadotrophin level.


Alkaline phosphatase activity in relation to LDH5 (L-lactate: NAD+ - oxidoreductase, E.C.1.1.1.27) in patients with precancerous conditions of the endometrium. We investigated the serum activity of the fifth fraction of L-lactate: NAD-oxidoreductase (E.C.1.1.1.27) and serum alkaline phosphatase activity prior to diagnostic curettage in patients with abnormal and atypical endomertial hyperplasia. We also determined them in 75 patients with carcinoma of the endometrium, 80 patients with glandular cystic endometrial hyperplasia and a "normal" control group of 70 patients. In the statistical evaluation we found a significantly high incidence of low AP activity and elevated LDH5 in the group of patients with glandular cystic endometrial hyperplasia, as well as in patients with precancerous lesions of the endometrium and carcinoma of the endometrium. The findings raise the question of whether these changes in the serum activity of the given enzymes are only a response to a given hormonal modulation.


Decomposition of molecular types of triglycerides by lipoprotein lipase in man. 1. The lipoprotein triglycerides of human plasma can be separated by gas chromatography according to their carbon number into four main groups: C48, C50, C52 and C54. We studied the decomposition of molecular types of triglycerides by posttheparin lipoprotein lipase in vitro. 2. Decomposition of the molecular type C52 does not depend on its concentration. Decomposition of the molecular types C48, C50 and C54 is in a direct correlation to their concentration. 3. The above mechanism assures stability of the triglyceride profile of human plasma, which is species specific and is expressed by the figures: C48--9%, C50--20%, C52--43%, C54--20%, remainder 8%. 4. The plasma triglyceride profile can be altered by dietetic factors. After drinking cream, the triglyceride composition is: C48--12%, C50--22%, C52--37%, C54--14%, remainder 15%. Selective decomposition of molecular types of triglycerides ensures that the profile, after a given time, returns to the original state.


Alkaline phosphatases in neoplastic diseases. The results of determination of the activity of the liver and bone serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme were in complete agreement with the clinical, laboratory and gamma-radiographic findings in all 62 examined patients with neoplastic liver metastases and with the same findings in 36 out of 38 patients with bone metastases. Determination of the bone isoenzyme concurred with the radionuclear findings in 27 out of 30 patients. Thermostable serum alkaline phosphatase variants were evaluated in 136 patients. They were found in 8 out of 40 patients with a lung carcinoma and in 8 out of 13 with a primary hepatocellular carcinoma. The findings were correlated with the presence of alpha-1 fetoprotein in the serum. A thermostable variant corresponding to the Nagao isoenzyme was evaluated biochemically in a patient with a stomach carcinoma.


The source and clinical significance of serum alkaline phosphatases in neoplastic blood diseases. Total serum alkaline phosphatase activity and its isoenzymes were studied in 126 patients sent to hospital with a neoplastic blood disease. They comprised 63 patients with a lymphoreticular neoplastic disease, 17 with immature stem-cell leukaemia, 11 with a plasmocytoma, 16 with lymphocytic leukaemia, 4 with polycythaemia and 9 with the myelofibrosis syndrome. Evaluation of the serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes significantly enhances the efficiency of the diagnosis and the organ specificity of the enzymes in these conditions. It is particularly important in the above states for studying liver and bone involvement, both from the aspect of the organic localization of the disease and from the aspect of evaluation of the success of therapy.


Trehalase activity in diabetes mellitus and in cirrhosis of the liver. Trehalase (an enzyme decomposing the disaccharide trehalose) activity was studied in 29 healthy subjects, 25 patients with cirrhosis and 112 diabetics. Mean trehalase activity was 176 +/- 11 units in the control group, 647 +/- 421 units in the patients with cirrhosis and 467 +/- 239 units in diabetics. The differences between the control group on the one hand and the groups with cirrhosis and diabetes on the other were statistically significant. The results show that the organism, under pathological conditions, makes far greater use of its enzymatic apparatus to assure its basic requirements, but the scatter of the values is so great that the determination of trehalase has no discriminative value in individual cases.


Experimental study on the mechanism of hyperphosphatasaemia in bile flow obstruction. Extrahepatic bile flow obstruction is followed by a several-fold increase in alkaline phosphatase activity in the liver. This activity passes into the blood. The increase in the activity of the enzyme in the liver can be prevented by inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis. Inducible alkaline phosphatase was purified from rat liver and 1,000-fold purification was achieved. The incorporation of labbelled precursors (14C amino acids and 14C glucosamine) into the liver alkaline phosphatase was evaluated. No significant difference were found between specific alkaline phosphatase activities and specific radioactivities in the control rats and rats with 7.30 h after bile duct obstruction. The incorporation of 14C-amino acids into the total liver proteins was 20% lower in rats with cholestasis than in the control group. The results are evidence that the liver is the source of elevated alkaline phosphatase activity in serum in cholestasis, and that the production of alkaline phosphatase in the liver is prevented by inhibitors of RNA a protein synthesis. However, the enzyme might be synthesized before the 14C-labelled precursors were applied.


Relationship of multiple forms of lactate dehydrogenase to cholestasis. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, E.C. 1.1.1.27) activity was studied in an experimental model (the liver bile of cholecystectomized patients and of rats) by electrophoretic separation on agar gel. The prevalence of the liver LDH5 isoenzyme in bile obtained in this manner is the proof that this fraction is secreted by the liver. The experimental conclusions are supported by the author's own clinical observations of prevalence of the cathodic isocomponents LDH4 and LDH5 in serum, as an indicator of cholestasis in conditions characterized by bile duct obstruction.


The source and clinical significance of alkaline phosphatases in liver diseases. The authors studied total serum alkaline phosphatase (E.C. 3.1.3.1) activity and its isoenzyme spectrum 1) in relation to the activity of liver diseases, 2) in relation to cholestatic and non-cholestatic liver diseases. The isodistribution of the alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes (the bone, liver and intestinal fraction) in the serum was studied by the heat inactivation and inhibition method and by electrophoretic separation on agar gel. The results showed that alkaline phosphatase had a close diagnostic bearing not only on cholestatic forms of hepatobiliary diseases, but also on the activity of liver disease. The main source of elevated serum alkaline phosphatase activity in the serum of patients with hepatobiliary diseases is the liver isoenzyme. In the serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymogram, an abnormally large proportion of this isoenzyme is found more frequently than elevation of total alkaline phosphatase activity.


Changes in postheparin lipolytic activity in liver diseases. The activity of the lipolytic enzymes lipoprotein lipase and postheparin esterase is inhibited in chronic liver diseases and postheparin esterase activity is often practically zero. In acute liver diseases postheparin esterase activity is low, but returns to normal as the patient recovers. Its determination can therefore be used to evaluate the course of the disease. The administration of sex hormones (testosterone) is followed in cirrhotic patients by a percentually significantly higher increase in postheparin esterase activity than in healthy subjects.


Diagnostic significance of determination of serum alkaline phosphatase intestinal isoenzyme activity in coeliac sprue in childhood. In a group of 26 child patients with coeliac sprue verified by clinical tests and biopsy, we observed a significant change in the proportion of the intestinal alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme in the serum in correlation to a gluten-free therapeutic diet. In untreated patients, in the active phase of the disease, intestinal AP isoenzyme activity rises in the serum and falls in the intestinal mucosa. In our experience, the change in activity is reversible within 3--5 days of instituting adequate treatment, i.e. a gluten-free diet. No such activity changes were observed in children with other forms of malabsorption syndrome (hepatogenic, pancreatogenic) or in the children in the control group. This test was found to be a suitable and sensitive method for indirect determination of the response of the intestinal mucosa to treatment in children with coeliac sprue.


The source and clinical significance of serum alkaline phosphatases in patients treated by chronic dialysis. A group of 25 patients with chronic terminal renal failure, treated regularly by haemodialysis, was examined. Activity of the bone serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme was significantly elevated in 12 patients with signs of bone disease, either isolated or combined with liver damage, even when total alkaline phosphatase activity was within normal limits. The intensity and incidence of raised bone isoenzyme activity increased with the duration of dialysis therapy. Elevated activity of liver alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme correlated with the other laboratory and clinical signs of liver involvement in 16 patients. Activity of the intestinal isoenzyme was elevated in over half the patients, unrelated to liver or bone damage, and was in an inverse correlation to the total serum calcium level. The evaluation of total serum alkaline phosphatase activity had no diagnostic value.


Source and significance of serum alkaline phosphatases in diseases of the locomotor system. A group of 292 patients with diseases of the locomotor system was examined. Elevated activity of the liver isoenzyme of serum alkaline phosphatase was found in rheumatoid arthritis. Evaluation of the alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme in these states is especially important for studying nonspecific irritation of the liver tissue as a result of long-term therapy. Significantly elevated bone isoenzyme activity was found in Paget's disease, ankylosing spondylitis and osteoporomalacia, gout, the hyperuricaemic syndrome and some osteoarthroses. In these states, study of the alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes is of particular significance in evaluation of the development of metabolic bone changes. An association between elevated bone and intestinal isoenzyme activity was found. The diagnostic value of the determination of serum alkaline phosphatase is multiplied if the isoenzymes are also evaluated.


Cytological picture of altered activity of the lipolytic enzymes. The onset, culmination and involution of ovarian incretory function are reflected very sensitively in the hormonal colpocytological pattern. Disturbances of ovarian hormone production are associated with changes in lipid metabolism. The alpha-lipoprotein concentration falls and the beta-lipoprotein concentration rises. Postheparin esterase (PHE) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity significantly influence the ovarian steroids. Oestrogens cause elevation of colpocytological oestrogenic indexes and lower PHE values. After the administration of testosterone in old age, the vaginal picture reacts by intermediary proliferation. PHE activity reacts by an increase. Like steroids, the enzymes PHE and LPL have a relationship to the liver cell. In cirrhosis the hormonal situation of the organism changes. The cytological picture in women after the menopause displays signs of proliferation, women in the childbearing period are hyperoestrogenic and PHE activity is low.


Histochemical diagnosis of lipidoses.

Histochemical diagnosis of lipidoses. Contemporary possibilities for the histochemical diagnosis of lipidoses are demonstrated in examples of phospholipidoses, Gaucher's disease, Fabry's disease, sulphatidosis, gangliosidosis and neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses.


Use of a new synthetic substrate, Nalpha-tosyl-L-arginine-P-nitroanilide (TAPA), for determining trypsin activity in the duodenal contents. The newly synthesized chromogenic substrate Nalpha-tosyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (TAPA) was used to determine the trypsin activity (as the concentration and output in 20-min samples) of the duodenal contents before and after hormonal stimulation with cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CPZ) and secretin (S). The results were compared with those obtained by means of Nalpha-benzoyl-D,L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPA) and the Nalpha-tosyl-L-arginine methylester (TAME). The synthetic substrates were compared in 17 subjects with normal and in 8 subjects with pathological CPZ-S test values. A high degree of correlation was found in every case between the values obtained by means of the given substrates and it actually proved possible to determine the conversion coefficients for the trypsin concentration (BAPA = 1.306 TAPA, TAME = 0.509 TAPA) and for trypsin output (BAPA = 1.306 TAPA, TAME = 0.535 TAPA). The results demonstrate the usefulness of our new chromogenic substrate TAPA, which is more readily available and cheaper than BAPA and TAME for determining trypsin activity in biological material.


Screening of amino acid enzymopathies in pregnancy and possibilities of their prenatal diagnosis. The report discusses the first results obtained by chromatographic screening of the blood amino acids in pregnant women at the outset of pregnancy. Typical cases of maternal phenylketonuria and maternal hyperphenylalaninaemia found among 2,000 women examined are described in detail, giving a concise metabolic, clinical and genetic picture. The biochemical possibilities of diagnosing congenital disorders of amino acid metabolism before birth are also discussed.


Affinity chromatography of glycosidases. The authors studied the separation of glucoamylase and beta-galactosidases from the interstinal mucosa of young rats by affinity chromatography. They tested the following chromatographic materials: p-aminophenyl-beta-D-thioglucoside bound to Sepharose 4B via hexamethylenediamine, gluconate and galactonate bound in different ways to Sepharose 4B and phlorizin bound by an azo-coupling reaction to a spacer attached to Sepharose 4B. The conditions of the adsorption of glycosidases to these materials and their subsequent elution were studied. Using chromatography on Sepharose 4B with a beta-thioglucoside affinant, we succeeded in purifying lactase preparation so that, in electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel, it formed a single zone identical with 1-naphthyl-beta-glucosidase activity.


Hypertyrosinaemia.

Hypertyrosinaemia. Screening tests of tyrosine levels in the newborn population showed that an elevated blood tyrosine level is the second commonest, and diagnostically the most serious, problem of neonatal age. Almost 1% of all newborn infants have a raised tyrosine level. The classic form of tyrosinosis and secondary hypertyrosinaemia in particular must be differentiated from benign, transitory forms. Methods for a differential diagnosis after loading the organism with ascorbic acid, pyridoxine or folic acid have been described. L-tyrosine tolerance tests proved ineffective. The results of the dietary treatment of transitory and classic forms of hypertyrosinaemia, using phenylalanine- and tyrosine-free hydrolysates, are described. The incidence of these diseases at different ages is shown in a table. Study of psychomotric development shows that untreated children do not display a subnormal IQ until they are of pre-school or school age.


Primary cystathioninuria in an infant born out of incest. In a systematic examination of children from incestuous unions by screening tests for congenital disorders of amino acid metabolism, we found an infant with raised urinary excretion of cystathionine, cystine derivatives and isulphides and serious psychomotor retardation. The serum cystathionine and disulphide level was found to be elevated. A tolerance test with methionine and vitamin B12 and tests of other metabolites in the blood and urine confirmed the diagnosis of primary cystathioninuria, the first recorded case in the Czechoslovak population. A differential diagnosis against all the other known congenital metabolic disorders involving the sulphurated amino acids was carried out.


Hyperglycinaemia without ketosis.

Hyperglycinaemia without ketosis. When screening mentally backward children we detected a 5-year-old child with elevated urinary glycine excretion and a high blood glycine level. The report discusses the results of a clinical, metabolic and genetic examination of the child and the members of his family with reference to this rare metabolic disorder.


Detection of the most frequent congenital amino acid enzymopathies by multiple screening. The lecture submits a survey of the most frequent primary congenital disorders of amino acid metabolism and discusses their diagnostic significance for clinical biochemistry, paediatrics and antenatal medicine. The results of multiple chromatographic screening of these diseases, which has been carried out systematically since 1961, are commented on. It was demonstrated that all congenital disorders of amino acid metabolism can be found in the Czechoslovak population, provided that they are systematically diagnosed. The incidence of individual diseases in series of healthy and mentally retarded children belonging to different age groups is shown in the relevant tables.


Determination of phenylalanine in serum by a modified fluorimetric method in the diagnosis of phenylketonuria. The paper describes the authors' experiences with the determination of serum phenylalanine by Hill's modification of the McCaman-Robins fluorimetric method for the determination of serum phenylalanine by automatic amino acid analysers. The method was modified by use of the dipeptide glycyl-leucine, which is 3 times cheaper to produce than leucyl-alanine, the dipeptide originally used. The above method is satisfactory for determining the serum phenylalanine level in normal clinical practice with the normally available, manually operated apparatuses.


Contribution to the problems of determining heterozygotes in phenylketonuria by the biochemical and electroencephalographic method. The authors describe their experiences with the determination of heterozygotes in phenylketonuria. They employed: 1. a biochemical method based on a peroral phenylalanine loading test, and 2. an electroencephalographic method using Pentazol stimulation to demonstrate characteristic changes in the EEG curve of individuals with phenylketonuria. The biochemical methods normally available in clinical practice do not allow absolutely exact differentiation of heterozygotes from unafflicted individuals. The authors' experiences show that combination of the biochemical method (loading test) with the electroencephalographic method makes differentiation more accurate.


Possibilities for the cytochemical diagnosis of enzymopathies. The authors review the contemporary uses of histochemistry for the diagnosis of enzymopathies. Enterokinase, lactase, sucrase and trehalase deficiency can be diagnosed by histochemical methods. In glycogenoses, glycogen storage and glucose-6-phosphatase, acid alpha-glucosidase and phosphorylase deficiencies can be demonstrated. In mucopolysaccharidoses, the accumulation of acid muco-substances and changes in lysosomal enzyme activities can be demonstrated.


Comparison of drug abuse clients in urban and rural settings. Examination was made of differences between the demographic and drug-using characteristics of 2,262 persons admitted to rural drug abuse units and 8,017 persons admitted to urban drug abuse treatment units in eight states. Rural clients were far more likely to report marijuana and urban clients to report heroin as their primary drugs of abuse; urban clients were also more likely to be older. Rural opiate users were also more likely to report nondaily use of heroin and were more likely to enter treatment at a younger age than their urban heroin-using counterparts. Implications of these findings for treatment are discussed.


The effect of unrecognized drug abuse on diagnosis and therapeutic outcome. One-hundred and ninety-five consecutive psychiatric outpatients had urine sampled for the presence of opiates, cocaine, barbiturates, and amphetamines. All patients had demographic variables, diagnostic information, and treatment course analyzed in a blind fashion using preselected criteria. Patterns of abuse were defined for the 13.3% of the total sample who were covert abusers. An analysis of diagnostic accuracy for abusing and nonabusing populations indicated that covert abuse markedly distorted diagnosis and management. The study indicates that demographic variables and previous history were not reliable predicators of covert abuse. Drug abuse was a major factor in distorting the accuracy of diagnosis. Drug abusers were significantly less likely to improve with therapy than were nonabusers. Barbiturate abusers were most likely to suffer from adverse drug reactions. Urine screening for drugs was the single most valuable diagnostic tool and was felt to be indicated in all cases where diagnostic confusion was present. Therapists saw the covert abuser as sick out of proportion to their social behavior, were perplexed and frightened by these patients' dependency, and perceived them as too brittle for therapy. Therapists behaved very differently with these patients than with diagnostically matched controls. They misdiagnosed them four times more often, missed appointments with them seven times more often, and were ten times more likely to refer them to another therapist or agency. Therapist anxiety and "flight from therapy" with covertly abusing patients are discussed.


Multiple family therapy: a new direction in the treatment of drug abusers. Multiple family therapy is presented as an important treatment augmentation for drug abusers in a variety of settings. The total family is viewed as patient with the drug abuser a symptom bearer. Common family dynamics are described as well as the techniques to create structural changes in families.


"World Traveler" addicts in Asia: I. Demographic and clinical description. Fifty-six addicted "world travelers" were studied at a treatment facility for opium addicts in Laos. They were primarily in their twenties (80%), male (80%), and single (70%). Most had begun narcotic use away from their own country during their travels. A majority were traveling alone, currently living alone, and using narcotic drugs alone. Their addiction at the time of seeking treatment was well established: narcotic drugs comprised their main daily expenditure, they had numerous problems associated with narcotic use, and high doses of methadone were necessary for detoxification.


"World Traveler" addicts in Asia: II. Comparison with "Stay at home" addicts. Demographic and clinical characteristics of "world traveler" addicts in Asia have been described in a previous paper. In order to understand more about this group, the 56 American and European addicts seen in Laos were compared to 100 American addicts from Minneapolis matched for age, sex, and year of admission to treatment. "World traveler" addicts tended to be older, better educated, and more apt to be single than this sample of "stay at home" addicts. In comparison to the latter, "travelers" began using narcotic drugs at an older age, became addicted more rapidly, and sought treatment earlier. They were also exposed to more inexpensive, readily available narcotic drugs than the "at home" addicts. These data suggest that exposure to inexpensive, readily available narcotic drugs can result in addiction among a group of people who had previously been refractory to narcotic addiction in their own culture. Loneliness and sociocultural isolation appeared to accelerate the rate at which the average "traveler" moved from nonaddictive use to addiction. Further comparisons to other samples of "at home" addicts will be needed to demonstrate whether these findings are due to "travel" per se or to demographic factors.


Assessing age-of-onset data on substance use among New York State public secondary school students. This study was designed to assess the quality of age-of-onset data obtained in a state-wide secondary school survey on substance use. A representative sample (8,553), consisting of New York State students in public secondary schools (Grades 7-12) responded to a questionnaire during winter 1974/75. For each of eight substances, a parallel comparison was performed. The ages of onset for students of different current ages (12-17) were compared. All substances except alcohol and tobacco displayed similar patterns of age-of-onset response. The apparent discrepancies for alcohol and tobacco may be due to either a real instability in the age-of-onset pattern or to a recall error. The results of the study suggest that retrospective questions may provide useful information, particularly when they relate to memorable events.


Alcoholism, heroin dependency, and methadone maintenance: alternatives and aids to conventional methods of therapy. Alcohol is one of the drugs most frequently used by heroin addicts prior to inception of heroin addiction. It is therefore not surprising that alcohol also represents the drug most frequently abused by persons on methadone maintenance. This abuse not only results in the appearance of all the previously known complications secondary to excessive alcohol intake, but is also a major factor in preventing successful rehabilitation while on methadone therapy. Conventional means of therapy, through abstinence and/or Antabuse, have not met with success or a good degree of patient acceptance. A multimodal approach utilizing controlled drinking, abstinence, and Antabuse along with identification of cues triggering excessive drinking may serve to attract greater numbers of persons with dependency for narcotics and alcohol into the therapeutic setting.


Ten years of methadone maintenance treatment: some clinical observations. Ten years of methadone maintenance were reviewed in all 547 patients admitted to one clinic in New York City. High retention rates, reduced but still high mortality rates, increased employment, and minor degrees of recognized opiate abuse characterized those remaining in treatment. The treated patients appeared to evolve into a unique social and economic class, partly in the drug subculture and partly outside the drug world. Many were dependent on public assistance for living expenses, methadone treatment, and medical care. An interesting finding was their heavy demands for inpatient hospital care, often for drug-related reasons. A segment of New York City narcotic addicts was sequestered in an open-ended treatment process with considerable benefits to themselves and to society. Only a small fraction appeared to gravitate toward full economic support, to discontinuation of methadone, and to an enduring narcotic-free state.


Sociopsychiatric perspectives on Jewish alcohol abuse: implications for the prevention of alcoholism. Alcoholism is a major problem in our society and it is an increasing problem among American Jews. The sociocultural attitudes that equates Jewish identity with sobriety in contrast to drunkenness among non-Jews seems the major factor that accounts for the low rate of alcoholism among Jews. Alcohol problems increase when Jews lose their Jewish identity through less involvement with traditional religious practices, or in situations where it is difficult or impossible to maintain a Jewish identification such as in the military or in college, or when Jews live in a society where the dominant groups are not prone to drunkenness as in North Africa or Yemen. The Jewish experience with alcohol can be applied along with techniques designed to reduce the per capita consumption of alcohol as a means to prevent the development of alcoholism in our society. Recognition and treatment of alcoholism in Jews may be more difficult because of the severe stigma attached to alcoholism, but educating staff of social agencies and rabbis about alcoholism, and opening the doors of synagogues to AA meetings may lessen this stigma and help Jews who develop drinking problems go for treatment early in the course of their illness.


Uses of individualized client goals in the evaluation of drug and alcohol programs. The issue of accountability increasingly places demands on administrators to evaluate program results. This paper attempts to show that individualized goal setting by clients can provide information which can be used (1) to compare stated program goals to actual client goals, and (2) as a realistic, individualized set of outcomes for follow-up evaluation. Evaluation of many drugs and alcohol programs is often based on the premise that abstinence is the goal of all treatment programs for all clients. While this may be a proper ultimate goal, it may not be sufficiently precise for more specific or short-term evaluations. A technique recently developed in the mental health field is Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS). In this approach, individual goals are usually developed through negotiations between client and counselor and provide individualized measurement of client success in treatment. GAS was tested on a sample of clients entering public and private drug and alcohol treatment facilities: (1) nearly all clients in the sample chose to set goals, although they were not required to do so; (2) a content analysis aggregated individual goals into a group profile of percent of clients writing goals in each of 17 goal areas; (3) goal content changed over successive interviews; and (4) there were differences in goal content between age and facility subgroups.


Alcoholism in young men.

Alcoholism in young men. This study compares the characteristics of groups of younger (age 25 or less) and older men hospitalized for alcoholism in calendar years 1966--1969 and 1970--1971. While the percentage of young alcoholics increased from 28 to 43 between the two time samples, such an increase does not necessarily indicate a higher prevalence of alcoholism amoung young Navy men, although this possibility merits further study. Most young men who drink heavily do not become alcoholic, and many may have underlying character and behavior disorders and poor prognoses. Clear criteria for admission to treatment appear to be especially important for young alcoholics because of this diversity in clinical history and prognosis.


[Alpers' infantile cerebral poliodystrophy. A case with abnormal hepatic pyruvate carboxylase]. The authors describe an anatomical familial case of progressive infantile cerebral poliodystrophy (Alpers disease), in which the study of enzyme kinetics of hepatic pyruvate carboxylase revealed an abnormal graph reflecting a loss of activity of the enzyme with low concentrations of substrate, This is a new feature in the literature on Alpers disease, and possibly indicates one of the pathogenic mechanisms responsible in this disorder which remains mysterious, although its pathology has been clearly described.


[Apropos of a case of myospherulosis].

[Apropos of a case of myospherulosis]. The case was one of a 25-year-old woman with a polycystic subcutaneous nodule in the posterior iliac region, developing three weeks after a series of injections. Histological examination revealed the presence of cysts with a saccular formation filled with endospherules characteristic of the disorder. Myospherulosis is reviewed in the light of this first european case.


[Neuroblastoma: contribution of biochemistry and cell culture to the diagnosis of an undifferentiated form]. An apparently anaplastic retroperitoneal tumour was studied by a cell culture method, The patient was a young man. The method used revealed the morphological features and secretory potential of the lesion, which could thus be diagnosed as an immature neuroblastoma.


[Comparative study of uric acid concentration in serum and saliva of healthy or hyperuricemic subjects]. In normal or hyperuricemic subjects, the average values of serum and salivary uric acid concentration are very similar in each group of subjects. After absorption of a uricosuric drug, benzbromarone, a study of the variations of uric acid concentrations in the serum and saliva shows that they are parallel, which shows the stricts dependence salivary excretion on plasma concentration.


[Autoanalysis of cellular beta-glucuronidase activity]. Continuous flow autoanalysis of beta glucuronidase activity in the cells is described. It permits one to measure in presence of Triton X-100 enzyme activities of the order of 10(-5) units.


[Automated analysis of proteins in the presence of Triton X-100]. The authors propose a method of autoanalysis of protein in presence of Triton X-100. This method uses Lowry's method in presence of sodium dodecyl-sulphate which permits inhibition of the formation of precipitates between Triton X-100 and Folin's reagent.


[Analysis of plasma urea by continuous flow method using enzymes]. An automated continuous flow method is described for the assay of plasmatic urea after hydrolysis by urease followed by NH+4 assay with glutamic-deshydrogenase. Precision and accuracy, comparison with chimical diacetyl-monoxim method are studied. The interaction of endogenous NH+4, the cost of the method are calculated.


Fetal homeostasis in relation to placental water exchange. Fetal growth in utero demands a continuous flow of water and solutes across the placental barrier. We investigated the membrane parameters that control the influx of solutes that are not actively transported and the influx of water. The osmotic conductivity, and the Na+ and Cl- permeabilities of the membrane were measured in chronically instrumented fetal sheep. Transplacental salt flow and water flow were augmented by drainage of fetal urine to the exterior over extended periods of time. Calculation showed that the membrane parameters are: deltaNaCl = 0.83, P.SNaCl = 8.0 10-3 ml.sec-1 kg-1, and LPS = 4.7 10-8 cm5.dyne-1.sec-1.kg-1 (placental surface area S being expressed per kg fetal weight). The chronic infusion of vasopressin into the fetuses at 8 to 11 units per day per kg fetal weight reduced the reflection coefficient deltaNaCl to a mean of 0.63 (P less than 0.03). We concluded that the characteristics of the influx of NaCl and water are compatible with those of a diffusion filtration process, that fetal growth is constrained by the diffusional permeability of the placenta for inert electrolyte and that in the long run fetal growth can only accelerate because placental electrolyte permeability increases. Vasopressin appears to reduce the salt reflection coefficient of the placenta thus enabling the fetus to exert some short term control over its acquisition of water and electrolyte.


Glucagon, insulin and glucose homeostasis in the fetal lamb. The actions of insulin and glucagon in the fetal lamb and regulation of their secretion from the fetal pancreas have been examined to assess the possible roles of these hormones in regulating glucose homeostasis in the lamb during fetal life. Much evidence indicates that insulin stimulated glucose utilization in the fetal lamb and that glucagon can promote mobilization of fetal liver glycogen. Glucose stimulates and adrenaline inhibits insulin secretion by fetal pancrease pieces in vitro from 50 days gestation onwards, but alanine and glycine have little effect on insulin release. Alanine and glycine stimulate glucagon secretion by fetal pancreas pieces in vitro from 50 days gestation. The effects are potentiated by caffeine. Adrenaline has a small stimulatory effect but glucagon release is not altered by glucose. In vivo adrenaline infusion increases fetal plasma glucagon concentrations but glycine infusion does not. Glycine infusion into post-natal lambs increases plasma glucagon. Fasting pregnant ewes for two days decreases plasma insulin but does not alter plasma glucagon in either ewe or fetus. The observations suggest insulin secretion in the fetal lamb is an important determinant of glucose uptake and utilization by the fetus during at least the last third of pregnancy. The quantitative importance of glucagon in regulating fetal hepatic glucose metabolism remains uncertain.


Haemoglobin switching during development in normal and hypophysectomised fetal sheep. Haemoglobin synthesis has been studied in fetal sheep. The switch from gamma to beta chain synthesis occurs rapidly between 130 and 150 days. Fetal hypophysectomy delays the rate of switching but the timing of the onset of the switch is not under pituitary control.


Changes in cervical function at parturition. In sheep and goats changes in the wall of the uterine cervix associated with parturition were studied in relation to the preparturient sequence of endocrine events. Evidence was obtained of separation of collagen fibrils, possibly due to changes in the electrostatic binding of the fibrils by glycosaminoglycans. The mechanical properties of the cervix were investigated quantitatively on isolated tissues by radial loading to destruction, and by progressive extension on a tensometer; the extension experiments revealed that at parturition (but not before) the cervical wall acts mechanically as if composed of two different tissues, one of which, the collagen layer, changes profoundly at parturition to facilitate dilatation. Resistance to dilatation (compliance) was investigated in vivo using indwelling intracervical balloons which could be inflated with water at standard speed. This permitted serial observations in the same animal during the progress of parturition induced with foetal dexamethasone (sheep) or maternal cloprostenol (goats). Compliance increased progressively in all 13 parturient animals, but not in untreated controls, and this increase occurred coincidentally with the expected fall in progesterone and rise in oestrogen concentrations: it occurred before the preparturient rise in PGF. Meclofenamic acid administration to cloprostenol treated goats successfully delayed the PGF surge and delayed parturition but did not delay the increase in compliance which reached maximum within the 36 hours of treatment with the PG synthetase inhibitor.


Some changes in the composition of blood during the first 24 hours after birth in normal and growth retarded lambs. Changes in the composition of blood which occurred during the first 24 hr after birth were examined in 18 lambs whose prenatal growth had been reduced by limiting the size of the placenta (group CE) and in 18 lambs born to untreated ewes (group R). The gestational period was about 4.5 days shorter in group CE than in group R and the birth-weights of group CE lambs were reduced by about 0.5 kg. At birth the PCV and the plasma concentrations of glucose were significantly higher and the plasma concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and fructose were significantly lower in group CE than in group R. During the first 24 hr the rates of change in the PCV and the plasma concentrations of insulin T4 and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were similar in the two groups, but there were significant between-group differences in the rates of change in the plasma concentrations of corticosteroids, glucose, lactate and fructose. The PCV and concentrations of T4, corticosteroids, lactate and fructose generally decreased and the concentrations of insulin, glucose, and IgG generally increased during the first day. Many of the between-group differences observed at birth and subsequently can be explained by the hypothesis that reducing the size of the placenta causes lambs to become hypoxaemic before birth and that after birth the attainment of normoxaemia in these lambs is delayed.


[Imaginal differentiation of the integument of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forsk. IV. Steps in morphogenesis of the glandular units]. In the gregarious males of Schistocerca gregaria Forsk., imaginal moulting (mitosis, apolysis, new cuticle synthesis, ecdysis) is associated with the differentiation of numerous glandular units. These units, involved in a sexual, excitatory pheromone secretion are at that time composed only of a basal glandular cell and an apical duct cell. Each glandular unit originates from an isogenic group of cells of which the four elements (tetrade) are disposed on two levels. At each level a principal cell and an accessory one may be recognized. The lower accessory, or ciliary, cell shows, at the time of apolysis, both a strong cytoplasmic protrusion and a typical ciliary formation. This formation associated with a diplosome goes through the duct cell and ends up in the exuvial space. It makes a inner mould; arranged around it are epicuticular materials characteristic of the duct wall; then it disappears. The strong cytoplasmic protrusion also retracts thus allowing a glandular reservoir to form. A glandular cell may be recognized at an early stage owing to its R.E.R. development. The upper accessory cell strengthens the duct cell and secretes junctional cuticle between the duct and general cuticle. Accessory cells, after the imaginal moult do not degenerate but acquire epithelial cell characteristics. The duct has a dual origin : the receptive part is secreted by the ciliary cell and the vector part by the duct cell. The organization and stages of morphogenesis of the glandular unit are discussed and compared to those of other apterygote or pterygote insects.


[Ultrastructure of the testicular germinal zone and of the secondary spermatogonia in normal and destalked brachyuran decapod crustacea]. Ultrastructural study of gonia of various species of male crabs shows that these cells belong to two types : primary and secondary gonia; these are discriminated according to their location inside or outside germinative islets, i. e. by the presence or absence of surrounding somatic tissue. The most original feature of the primary spermatogonia concerns the extrusion of gonial material under the shape of lamellar bodies or granules engulfed by the contiguous mesodermic cells; the latter degenerate when they are full of germ cell remnants. Poorly differentiated, the primary gonia have no great variety of cytoplasmic organelles. However two characteristic structures can be recognized in juxtanuclear position : nuage material (electron dense bodies more or less associated with gonia) and chromatoid bodies. Lipid droplets, the significance of which is unknown occur sometimes. Secondary spermatogonia divide synchronously although they are placed side by side without any connection such as cytoplasmic bridges. No ultrastructural modification has been noticed among the two types of gonia in crabs deprived of eyestalks. Mesodermic tissue distributed between primary gonia probably has a double role : inhibition of the onset of gametogenesis (as in Amphipods) and prevention of gonia cytolysis by collecting of altered elements.


[The morphogenic effect of gonadotropic hormones on the Leydig cells of the boar testis. II. Effects of administration of chorionic gonadotropin after hypophysectomy. Effects in vivo and in organ culture]. The longer ago the hypophysectomy has been performed, the more marked is Leydig cell atrophy in the testis. The effects of HCG on cellular morphology have been observed in vivo and in organ culture; qualitative quantitative and ultrastructural aspects were studied. In vivo, the effects of a daily injection of gonadotropin on the testis of 2 boars hypophysectomized 3 1/2 months ago are shown. Markedly atrophied cells are strongly stimulated by HCG during the 15 first days (the cell and nucleus recover nearly to standard size, with the typical histological and ultrastructural appearance with all the cell organelles which characterize a functional steroid cell). Then after 1 1/2 month injection it decreases again to the initial state (very small size cytoplasm strongly reduced with very low organelle content). The number of the Leydig cells is maintained during the first 15 days, then it progressively decreases. The effects of HCG on the testicular tissue of 4 boars were studied in organ culture. Interstitial tissue with a greater or lesser degree of atrophy was examined experimentally (1 month, 3 months and 4 months after hypophysectomy) in order to prove a possible irreversibility of the effects of hypophysectomy. In each case, cell changes were studied according to the duration of the culture. Control cultures without HCG in the medium were set up simultaneously. 1 month and/or 3 months after hypophysectomy, the Leydig cells in culture progressively recover the size and the histological and ultrastructural appearances of a typical Leydig cell. After 16 days of culture, the stimulation is highest, as in vivo. The number of Leydig cells is maintained. From the 17th day stimulation decreases and the cell enters a new atrophy phase. In the anhormonal control medium the atrophy continues as long as the culture is maintained, and the number of Leydig cells decreases. 4 months after hypophysectomy, stimulation in culture is still possible during the first 10 days (proved by the same tests); however the size of the cell remains small compared to the normal; then it atrophies again quickly. In this case the hormone does not maintain the number of the Leydig cells. In the control cultures, slight response of the cell is observed, but this effect is limited and disappears a few days later; the number of the cells rapidly decreases. It has been shown that markedly atrophied Leydig cells can highly be stimulated during the first 2 weeks under the influence of HCG as well in vivo as in organ culture. The lability of the effect is not yet explained. 4 months after hypophysectomy, stimulation is not so effective.


[Cytophysiology of the glandular lobe of the corpora cardiaca: ergastoplasmic granules and their significance]. The number of ergastoplasmic granules in the glandular lobe of the corpora cardiaca is counted in Locusta migratoria migratorioides R. and F. and Schistocerca gregaria Forsk., male adults of different ages, grouped or isolated, having flown or not, and reared in various conditions of hygrometry and temperature. A good correlation was found between the number of ergastoplasmic granules and the utilization of the adipokinetic hormone. Ergastoplasmic granules may représent an original mechanism of hormonal storage used in view of heavy metabolic requirements.


[Morphogenesis of the chick embryo limb. Competence of the embryonic and extra-embryonic ectoderm]. Ecto-mesodermal interactions were investigated during the initiation of limb development in avian embryos. Experiments were performed on 2-day chick embryos. They consisted in implanting prospective leg mesoderm at different medio-lateral levels of the trunk and also into the extra-embryonic area. The implanted mesoderm was thus brought into contact with embryonic or extra-embryonic cicatricial or healing ectoderm, the ability of which to participate in the formation of an ectopic leg was tested. Whatever the level of embryonic ectoderm tested in hosts ranging from stage 14 to 27 pairs of somites (axial, paraxial, flank, ventrum), the experiments resulted in the formation of supernumerary limbs. Their frequency was level-dependent and decreased for each level, with increasing age of the host. The weakest competence was observed in the ectoderm of the prospective ventrum, the strongest in that of the prospective flank, axial and paraxial ectoderm showing an intermediary competence. Extra-embryonic ectoderm of blastoderms of the same age was unable to respond to the inducing action of the implanted prospective leg mesoderm. It was found to be incompetent, even at younger stages (5 to 13 pairs of somites).


Evidence for receptor nerve endings in tendons and related tissues of an electric teleost, Gnathonemus petersii. Tendons and muscle aponeurosis associated with muscle lodged in the mental appendage of a weakly electric mormyrid fish, Gnathonemus petersii, have been examined for nerve terminations in them, using methods of silver impregnation, histology and electron microscopy. Large myelinated afferent nerve fibres innervate the tendinous tissues and form nerve terminals in the perimysium, the muscle-tendinous junctions and the tendons, the last recalling the tendon organs of higher vertebrates. Nerve terminals are characterized by loss of myelin, Schwann sheath and basal lamina, the neurolemma being freely exposed to either fibroblasts and their laminar processes or the collagen fibres and the tendon intercellular matrix. Nerve terminals lack synaptic specialisation of their membrane. This study is the first demonstration of sensory nerve terminals (tension receptors) associated with tendons and related tissue in a teleost fish.


[Establishing of an asymmetry index in the germ cell distribution between the genital ridges in the Hubbard chick embryo]. Germ cell numberings inside the gonadic anlages of Hubbard chick embryos allowed us to display these following events: From stage 23 to stage 26, the germ cell number obviously increases. It is for this period that an asymmetry index number, specific for the Hubbard strain is got, thanks to a decreasing in the number of gonocytes colonizing the right gonad epithelium. It is for the same period that the medulla differentiates and becomes populated with gonocytes. Such simultaneous events allow us to suppose that the gonadic colonization might result from some interactions between the germinal epithelium and the underlying mesenchyme.


[Dynamics, following axotomy, of the A1 and A2 median protocerebral neurosecretory cells of the African locust. I. Histophysiological study]. In the African locust, the secretory dynamics of the A1 and A2 median protocerebral neurosecretory cells (M-NSC) is evaluated by the product content and the gonadotropic action of these cells. The axotomy of the A1 and A2 M-NSC disturbes their secretory dynamics. The axonal regeneration, if it leads to a reconnexion with the corpora cardiaca (CC), restores a normal secretory dynamics of the M-NSC. Without reconnexion to the CC, the nervi corpori cardiaci interni (NCCI) do note regenerate or regenerate to form new nerve endings. In these cases, the secretory dynamics of the M-NSC remains more or less inhibited specially that of the A2 M-NSC which can be completely suppressed. A functional state of the A2 M-NSC could be necessary for the beginning of the vitellogenesis. In the CC, separated from the regenerating M-NSC, the A1 and A2 neurosecretory products are transformed into large globules which became intensively basophil before disappearance.


[Dynamics, following axotomy, of the A1 and A2 median protocerebral neurosecretory cells of the African locust. II. Ultrastructural study]. In the African locust after axotomy of the A1 and A2 median protocerebral neurosecretory cells (M-NSC), the decrease of the basophil neurosecretory products into the pericaryons does not result from an increase of the granulolysis but results from an inhibition of the production. The A1 and A2 neurosecretory products, stored anteriorly and posteriorly to the site of the axonal section, seem destroyed by: 1. a suspected entrance of lytic enzymes into the granule (individual granulolysis); 2. a vacuolar inclusion of small or big cytoplasmic areas rich in granules (partial or total collective granulolysis). The axons of the M-NSC, regenerated without reconnexion to the corpora cardiaca (CC), are not separated by glial elements. This glial deficiency could be at the origin of the inhibition of the neurosecretory dynamics observed in the A1 and A2 M-NSC after axotomy and regeneration without reconnexion to the CC.


Non-formal nutrition/education for rural development in Latin America. Innovative health and nutrition messages arising from and by rural groups in developing countries, can contribute to their improved nutritional status.


Effects of temperature of processing and of isoleucine fortification on the nutritive value of blood meal. A processing for cattle blood consisting of protein coagulation and drying at mild temperatures is described. The protein efficiency ratio and the food efficiency of this blood meal supplemented with isoleucine were similar to those obtained for casein. Fortification of commercial blood meal with isoleucine did not improve much its quality.


[Effects of diarrhea on growth retardation in Guatemalan children]. The relationship between days ill with diarrhea and growth velocities in height and weight was investigated in 716 children from rural Guatemala, ranging in age from 0 to 7 years. Information regarding diarrheal diseases was obtained through biweekly interviews of mothers. Increments studies were semestral from 0 to 48 months and annual from 48 to 84 months of age. The results, based on two years of date collection, show that the greater the percent of time ill with diarrhea, the smaller the increments in height and weight. It was estimated that diarrheal diseases explain around 10% of the growth retardation observed in this population.


[Formulation and evalution of a mathematical model to predict losses of nutrients during the thermal processing of canned food]. The purpose of this paper was the development of a mathematical model to predict losses of nutrients with first orden degradation kinetics during the thermal processing of conduction-heated foods. The model do not require experimental heat penetration data and operate for any possible case. It was evaluated experimentally for different thermal processes, being all the results within the 90% confidence interval on the mean experimental values. These results were obtained with a Fortran IV computer program elaborated for this purpose. The duration of this program was two minutes and tem seconds in a PDP 11/45 computer and was more efficient than others presented in the literature.


Screening for malnutrition with arm circumference. The opinions on the performance characteristics of the mid arm circumference as anthropometric measurement for malnutrition screening are quite contradictory. In this paper we analyze the specificity and sensitivity of the arm tape under different conditions and conclude that the design of the tape characteristics should aim at an instrument which can satisfy specific needs instead of a general purpose one. We also give some measurements for the practical design of the instrument. 1. This investigation has been carried out under the Contract AID/ta-C-1121 and the Fundación para la Educación Superior. 2. Universidad del Valle. 3. Fundación para la Educación Superior. 4. Community Systems Foundation.


Comparative analysis of some anthropometric measurements. The main objective of this work is to determine what anthropometric method to use under field conditions, given the kind of mainutrition to be detected. In the first part of the work some criteria and procedures are given by which to compare the field perfomance characteristics (i.e. transportability, facility of use, etc.), of the most commonly used instruments. Then we extrapolate these characteristics to the respective methods like weight for age, weight for height, height for age, etc. In the second part we present a correlation matrix among the various methods and analyze it in order to associate with each method a specific typology of malnutrition.


[Plasma proteins in iron transport].

[Plasma proteins in iron transport]. This study deals with the effects of iron overloading on total iron-binding capacity TIBC) in fasting subjects. Overloading was obtained by oral administration of 198 mg. ferrous gluconate. The method of Bothwell and Mallet was used for plasma iron determination; the Mg CO3 methods was used for TIBC. It was that normal subjects as well as hyperthyroid, hypothyroid goiter patients showed an increase of TIBC under these conditions. These results could be explained either on the basis of functional heterogeneity of transferrin bound iron, or of a new protein.


The arm circumference at birth and its relations to other anthropomeric parameters. The weight, head, chest and arm circumference of four hundred and sixty-one infants in Jamaica were measured during the first twenty-four hours of birth. The purpose of this work was to draw attention to the arm circumference as a possible indicator of the stage of maturity at birth and correlate this parameter against the other three and against factors on the mother. The highest positive correlation was found between the weight and the chest circumference, followed by the weight and arm cirucmference. Attempt to produce an equation to estimate birth weight from arm and chest circumference was unsatisfactory.


On the recepto endocrine property of granule-containing (GC) cells in the autonomic nervous system. The recepto-endocrine property of the granule-containing (GC) cells in the paraganglia, sensory and autonomic ganglia and in peripheral nerves was discussed in relation to the existing variability of their synaptic connections to the neurons. Those GC cells synaptically related to pseudounipolar neurons are likely to represent the periphearal sensors for chemical stimuli and/or the chemosensory modulators, being more receptive than endocrine in function (S-type), whereas those being connected only with multipolar neurons to which they are postsynaptic are assumed to be more endocrine than receptive (E-type); those being internuncial in relation to multipolar neurons are considered as neuronal in property because of their specializations gained on both the receptive and endocrine sides, and as representing adrenergic interneurons which modulate the activities of the autonomic outflow (I-type). The distribution of the three types, as well as a combined type, of GC cells was surveyed in the literature on the GC cell synapses.


The monoamine-containing cell in the gustatory epithelium of some vertebrates. Fluorescence histochemistry has revealed that a specific formaldehyde-induced yellow fluorescence, suggesting the presence of serotonin-like monoamines, was regularly observed in a group of cells (monoamine-containing cells: MC cells) in the normal gustatory epithelia of the carp, catfish, frog and rabbit. The present report was also concerned with the ultrastructural features of the MC cell in the rabbit's foliate bud. The MC cells were found to have synaptic contacts with the intragemmal nerves. The synaptic morphology showed that the neural transmission may take place from the cell to the nerve. Two types of vesicles were encountered in the cytoplasm of MC cells. One was large cored vesicles (100--150 nm) suggesting storage of the serotonin-like monoamine. They were localized not only at the presynaptic area, but also in the infra- and supra-nuclear cytoplasm. The other was small vesicles (45-80 nm) containing variable amounts of dark material. They were similar in distribution to the large cored vesicles. The functional significance of the MC cells was discussed.


Monoamine-storing cells in the avian aortic wall. Using the Falck-Hillarp method, monoamine-storing cells were demonstrated in the avian thoracic aorta just above the openings of the ductus arteriosus. By electron microscopy, numerous dense-cored vesicles, 90-220 nm in diameter, were seen in the cytoplasm. The electron opacity of these dense-cored vesicles was reduced when reserpine (5 mg/kg) was administered. These monoamine-storing cells formed typical synapses with the Schwann cell-enclosed nerve terminals. The monoamine-storing cells first appeared in the aortic wall at 9 days in ovo but it remained obscure whether they originated from the neuroectoderm.


Catecholamine-storing cells in the cyclostome heart. The lamprey heart contains characteristic catecholamine-storing cells in both the atrium and the ventricle. Sufficient circumstantial evidence is available indicating that catecholamines together with protein carbohydrate complexes are contained in these cells within the membrane bound cytoplasmic granules. If the "recepto-secretory function" and "neuroectodermal origin" of these cells are proved, then they may be classified as typical paraneurons.


Fine-structural and functional aspects of the cerebrospinal fluid-contacting subependymal cells in the anuran hypothalamus. Cytological characteristics of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-contacting subependymal cells in the frog hypothalamus were investigated to decide whether they should be classified as neurons, sensory cells or secretory (endocrine) cells. The CSF-contacting subependymal cells exhibited morphological characteristics similar to neurons or sensory cells, which are usually supplied with axo-somatic and -dendoritic synapses from other neurons and possess somato-dendritic synapses to other neurons. Furthermore, they were provided with so-called sensory cilia. The CSF-contacting subependymal cells also exhibited several cytological secretory cell characteristics: the presence of numerous secretory granules, well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus in the perikaryon as well as intraventricular processes, and some figures which may be regarded as microapocrine or diacrine secretions of the secretory granules. Furthermore, the CSF-contacting subependymal cells probably sent basal cell processes to the area around the blood vessels in the neurohypophysis and, perhaps, in the infundibulum. It seemed likely that CSF-contacting subependymal cells had two or three functions of a paraneuronic nature. They were sensory to chemical or physical stimuli frmones just as endocrine cells do.


Adenylate cyclase in paraneurons. A histochemical study. Adenylate cyclase activity in the taste buds of the papilla vallata of the tongue, in the EC cells of the duodenal mucosa and in the chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla of the hamster was histochemically examined using the method invented by Wagner and co-workers (1972). Two types of taste bud cells were distinguished. The dark cell was characterized by a dark cytoplasm: the light cell, by a clear-looking cytoplasm. When AMP-PNP was used as a substrate, and intense activity was demonstrated along the microvilli of all cells in the taste bud. Much weaker activity was demonstrated on the lateral cell membrane. After the use of ATP, the reaction products were found rather evenly distributed over the surface of the taste bud cell. The synaptic area on the surface of the light cell, however, was devoid of reaction products. Among the several kinds of basal-granulated gut cells examined, the EC  cell of the duodenal mucosa was one. An intense activity was demonstrated along the microvilli after the use of AMP-PNP. When ATP was used as a substrate, a positive reaction was demonstrated on the lateral cell membranes as well as on the luminal microvilli; the reaction on the microvilli was much stronger than that on the lateral cell membrane. The chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla showed almost no activity with AMP-PNP. However, when ATP was used, the plasma membrane of Schwann cells and axons showed an intense reaction. The cell membrane of the adrenaline and noradrenaline-storing cells showed a slightly positive reaction. The synaptic area of chromaffin cell was always negative in the reaction. The positive adenylate cyclase activity in the gustatory cells and gut endocrine cells may have some relation to the stimulus reception. This is in keeping with the observation that adrenal medulla chromaffin cells, which were embedded in the internal milieu, did not react to adenylate cyclase.


Comparative light and electron microscopic study of the adrenal gland of the snake. A new method employing both comparative light and electron microscopic observations on the study of identical cell elements was described. This method was characterized by the use of thick Epon-embedded sections (0.3-1.5 micron thick) for both light and electron microscopy. The use of a high voltage electron microscope of 1,000 kV accelerating potential made this study possible. Two types of chromaffin cells were distinguished in the adrenal gland of the snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata. Adrenaline storing (A) cells were found to be filled with slightly irregular, larger electron-dense granules, whereas noradrenaline-storing (NA) cells contained smaller granules with an electron-dense content. It was found that the chromaffin cells of the snake possess axon-like cytoplasmic processes.


Iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy: (biochemical investigations of iron-deficiency and nutritional status). Biochemical investigations on iron deficiency and nutritional status were carried out in a group of 130 women in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy and in 42 control non-pregnant women. The important findings were: 1. Anaemia was present in 46.1% of pregnant women in comparison with 19% in non-pregnant women. It was found to be more prevalent in the third trimester of pregnancy. 2. Iron deficiency with and without anaemia, as judged from serum transferrin saturation (%) was evident in 59.2% of pregnant women with an incidence of 70.3% in the third trimester of pregnancy. 3. Serum albumin, gamma globulin and A/G ratio were found to be decreased in pregnancy whereas serum levels of alpha-2 and beta globulins were elevated. The results have been discussed.


Cancer morbidity.

Cancer morbidity. In the present study, 1736 cases of cancer has been analysed by major sites, sub-sites and mortality trend. The most common cancerous lesion in the male was in the lungs and in the female in the uterine cervix. The second common lesion in male and female were larynx and breast respectively. In children, retinoblastoma was the commonest type of cancer.


Determination and bioavailability of ampicillin. 1. Spectrophotometric determination of ampicillin showed comparable results with microbiological assay. 2. A bioavailability study with five brands of ampicillin revealed variations in the serum concentration at 3 hr. but showed somewhat similar concentrations at 6 hr. The results have been discussed.


Fungus infection of ear.

Fungus infection of ear. Of 2,632 patients seeking medical help for symptoms pertaining to the ear, 1,264 were clinically suspected to be suffering from fungus infection. Microbiological confirmation of diagnosis was obtained in 209 cases including 82 cases with mixed infections (both fungus and bacteria). The commonest species of fungus isolated was Aspergillus (Aspergillus niger, 67%; Aspergillus fumigatus, 24%). Best results in fungus infection of the ear was obtained by daily packing of the external meatus by a wick of gauze soaked in 2% salicylic acid in alcohol (70%) for a few days after removal of the fungal mass.


Candida as a cause of diarrhoea in children. In a study of 134 children under 12 years of age suffering from diarrhoea, candida was responsible either directly or indirectly in 23 (17.1%) cases. Mixed incidence of candida and shigella were found in 2 (1.7%) cases. Candida species were isolated in 78(58.2%) specimens. Shigella and salmonella were recovered from 10(7.4%) children suffering from diarrhoea.


Two new methods of percussion.

Two new methods of percussion. Existing methods of percussion have been reviewed and their drawbacks enumerated. Two new methods of percussion, single hand, and four methods have been described. It has been claimed that the new methods of percussion are better than the existing methods.


Common skin diseases (analysis of 7,636 cases). A total of 7,636 patients attending the Outpatient Clinic of the Skin and Venereal Disease Department, Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, were analysed in relation to skin affection, place of residence, seasonal variation of skin diseases, age incidence and site involved with skin diseases. In over 70% of patients, the skin condition diagnosed was either pyoderma or scabies. Majority of these patients came from rural areas. Greater number of patients with pyoderma sought medical help during summer whereas more patients with scabies came during winter. Pyoderma was common in young children but incidence of scabies was distributed in all age groups.


Effects of long-acting steroid contraceptives on ovarian and uterine histology of rats. Subcutaneous injection of single doses (5 to 20 mg/kg) of DMPA or NE in virgin female rats caused reduction in number and diameter of CL, and increase in number of atretic and cystic follicles in the ovary. Histological examination of the endometrium of these animals showed low cubiodal cells with sparse distribution of low columnar cells, glands with atrophic changes and compact uterine stroma with or without patches of oedema. The results suggest regressive and atrophic changes in the ovary and endometrium.


A review of 5153 treated psychiatric patients--a five year retrospective study. From the present study several important observations may be made. It has been observed that illiterate and poor people with agricultural background are increasingly becoming more aware of the availability of psychiatric treatment facilities. Acceptance of treatment offered by mental hospital is greater in spite of prejudice and stigma against mental diseases. Chances of availing treatment facilities for mental diseases were better in cases of educated, economically independent and non-agricultural workers than the illiterate, economically dependant and agricultural workers. Women are not having equal opportunity for treatment facilities though they suffer from psychotic disorders equally as men; this reflects the present socio-cultural attitudes. Age pattern of patients suffering from mental diseases in this country was different from western countries. Duration of stay in the hospital and rate of improvement were comparable to other centres.


Study of bone tumours: (a comparison of drill with open biopsy). This study was undertaken to find out the frequency of bone tumours and to evaluate the effectiveness of drill biopsy for tumourous bony lesions. A total of 182 cases of bone tumours and tumour-like lesions were studied histopathologically. Of these, 100 (54.95%) cases were found to be malignant, 45 (24.73%) benign and 28 (15.38%) tumour-like lesions. A total of 38 drill biopsies were performed where 29 cases had corresponding open biopsies. Of these, 22 cases (75.86%) had concordances in diagnosis. The overall success of drill biopsy was 73.68%.


A study on the evaluation of local shati starch as a substitute of polysaccharides used in the preparation of capsules and tablets of antibiotics. Local shati starch was extracted, purified and used as an excipient for the preparation of capsules and tablets of oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol. The weight variation test, disintegration time and hardness test of these dosage forms were done and compared with the conventional maize starch containing tables and capsules of the antibiotics. The results in respect of their potency test were found to conform to official pharmacopoeias (B.P. and U.S.P). Stability study for over one year of both varieties of tablets and capsules revealed that they retained their potencies equally well.


Surveillance of rabies in Dacca.

Surveillance of rabies in Dacca. A total of 977 human and animal (including livestock) cases of rabies exposure attributed to the bite of a variety of animals during a period of one year in an area covering 22 thanas has been analysed. Dog-bite, mostly from stray dogs constituted the highest risk of exposure to rabies in humans and animals including livestock. Prophylactic vaccination of pet animals including livestock and elmination of stray dogs will considerably reduce the exposure to rabies.


Health survey of students of a primary school. A pilot study has been conducted in 227 students in a primary school stiuated in the Dacca city. The study indicates that the height, weight of urban children has become a little improved since the Nutrition Survey of East Pakistan was done in 1962-64. A high percentage of enlarged tonsil and caries teeth were observed in the study group.


Post-Kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis ( a review of 10 cases). Ten cases of Post-Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) have been studied. The sites of involvement and morphological character have been noted. Skin scraping, biopsy, serological and biochemical changes have been looked for. Presence of visceral leishmaniasis along with PKDL had been searched. Response to therapy with antimony compounds have been observed and found satisfactory. Visceral leishmaniasis although not frequent now a days, the incidence of PKDL is still prevalent to some extent in this country.


A study of ventilatory function in 4320 adult male subjects. Peak Flow Rates (PFR) of 4320 healthy adult male subjects have been estimated. The correlation of PFR with age, height and chest expansion has been documented and the effect of cigarette smoking on PFR has been analysed.


Bacteriuria and urinary tract infection in pregnancy. The incidence of bacteriuria among 300 pregnant and 100 married, non-pregnant women (control group) were studied. Clean voided mid-stream urine were collected aseptically. Significant bacteriuria was noted 15 (5%) cases among the pregnant women. Of these, only 4 had symptoms suggestive of urinary tract infection. In the control group, only one significant bacteriuria case was detected. Seven different types of microorganisms were isolated from the cases showing significant bacteriuria. The predominant organisms were Esch. coli and Kleb. pneumoniae. No distinct correlation between bacteriuria and pyuria was observed. The results have been discussed.


Nephrotic syndrome.

Nephrotic syndrome. The nephrotic syndrome is clinical entity having multiple etiology. In the present study, 70 cases of nephrotic syndrome both in children and adults have been studied. The condition appears to be more common than thought of. The histological classification is helpful both in management and forecasting the prognosis. Steorid and cytotoxic drugs have been used in light negative glomerulonephritis and lupus nephritis producing nephrotic syndrome with good results. The other forms of of glomerulonephritis needs further study to be able to offer any specific therapy.


Influence of mercuric chloride induced uremia on intramolecular structure of muscle glycogen in rats. Long term maintenance of male rats of Long Evans variety following mercuric chloride induced uremia has shown an altered intramolecular structure of muscle glycogen with no significant difference in muscle glycogen content. The structure of muscle glycogen in these uremic rats when compared to sham control rats differed significantly from the structure of liver glycogen observed earlier in nephrectomized rats (Mannan et al., 1975). Biochemical analysis of muscle glycogen revealed a significant inverse relationship  between the muscle and liver glycogen structure in terms of number of segments and number of non-reducing ends. Thus, an abnormal or altered muscle glycogen intramolecular structure of uremic rats is compatible with the observation of hypoglycemic  state. Attributions of this to defects in glycogenolysis due to altered configuration in intramolecular structure of glycogen molecule are discussed.


Nutrient reserve in congenital malformations. The liver reserve of vitamin A, iron and folate from 30 congenitally malformed babies dying in the perinatal period is reported, and compared with published data for babies without malformations. No statistically significant difference have been found between the two groups. The implications are discussed.


[Hemolytic and aplastic crisis as a cause of anemia in congenital hemolytic diseases (spherocytosis)]. The author shows 45 patients suffering from congenital spherocytosis, tested by Cr-51. The author in 8 cases has found decreased T1/2 without anemia and splenomegaly, and in 13 cases with reduced T1/2, with anemia and without splenomegaly, and in 24 cases remarkably reduced T1/2, with anemia and congestive splenomegaly (proved increased blood plasma volume and increased index spleen: heart first day of testing). The author emphasizes the importance of "aplastic crisis" which is expressed in infection or other disturbances, as the cause of anemia, as well as the importance of "hemolytic crisis" which is expressed in increased splenic activity, also as the cause of anemia in congenital spherocytosis.


[Congenital aplastic anemias].

[Congenital aplastic anemias]. Congenital (constitutional) aplastic anemias in children are relatively rare compared to other diseases but as their outcome is nearly always fatal they are given full attention in pediatric-hematological literature. Although in many patients the number of white cells and thrombocytes as well as of red cells is diminished even in the first phase of the disease (or later in the course of the disease) so that these diseases are really pancytopenias, the term most frequently used to describe these clinical entities is aplastic anemia. The clinical and hematological characteristics of some aplastic anemias (Fanconi's anemia, Blackfan-Diamond's anemia, congenital dyserythropoietic anemia--type I, II, III and IV, etc.) are described. After considering the possible pathomechanisms which bring about aplastic anemia (pancytopenia), information is given about the method of treatment and prognostic prospects with reference to cases treated by the authors.