A portable precision pumping system for chronic, programmed insulin infusion. This paper provides some details of a new insulin delivery system which includes a reservoir, a pump and a power pack. The reservoir holds 50 ml and is coupled to a precision peristaltic pump whose delivery can be set to any one of 128 different mean flow rates from 0 to 80 microliter/min (+/- 1.6% over 10 months) using the flow rate controller included in the battery power pack. The system weighs 525 g consuming 60 mW at the maximum pumping rate, proportionately less at lower rates. Ten pumps have undergone bench tests for 30 days. One has been subjected to an extended life test of 11 months while seven complete systems have been used on dogs to demonstrate their capability for precise longterm intravenous insulin therapy. With this system experimental diabetes has been reversed in 4 dogs for periods now extending beyond 6 months. This device now qualifies for long-term studies on hospitalized patients with diabetes mellitus.


Design and development of a comprehensive computer system for radiotherapy departments. An analysis of computer requirements in radiation therapy departments is presented. The performance and structure of an effective computer system designed for large or small radiotherapy departments are described. The system is composed of two or three sets of minicomputer-based subsystems of which can be operated alone or connected to other subsystems. The size of the system can be adjusted to the size of the radiotherapy department. The system covers treatment planning, automatic control, and record processing.


Heat and mass transfer of a thermal indicator in pulsatile flow through the cardio-pulmonary system. I. Modeling. The construction of a physico-mathematical model which describes the mechanism of indicator dispersion in the circulation and which fits the thermal dilution curves (TDC) is presented. Because of its more evident physical meaning, formulation of the problem in terms of heat and mass transfer is preferred to stochastic theory. Hypotheses necessary to simplify the general system of governing equations are clearly defined and discussed. This deductive method leads to a one-dimensional convective heat transfer model in which pulsatility and form of injection appear naturally. Simulations of TDC in constant and pulsatile flow cases are performed on a digital mini-computer which demonstrates the model's ability to represent different experimental or clinical observations. This will facilitate hemodynamic parameter identification from TD techniques and will increase the accuracy of this identification.


Heat and mass transfer of a thermal indicator in pulsatile flow through the cardio-pulmonary system. II. Identification of cardiac output. Hamilton's celebrated formula for cardiac output measurement is simple but its validity is dependent on several methodologic requirements which are not generally fulfilled, particularly in thermal dilution. A quite different method, based on a physico-mathematical model of the indicator dispersion in the circulation, is proposed. It allows direct derivation of cardiac output once the model's parameters have been identified. Combined deconvolution and least squares procedures are used with truncated data for this identification. Numerical tests and application to clinical observations are presented. Both limitations and possibilities of further developments in estimation of pulsatile flow conditions from TD technique are discussed.


Fast and slow neutrons in an 18-MV photon beam from a Philips SL/75-20 linear accelerator. Fast- and slow-neutron contamination in an 18-MV photon beam from a Philips SL/75-20 linear accelerator has been measured. Aluminum and indium foils were activated to determine fast- and slow-neutron  fluence, which were largely independent of field sizes. Measured fast-neutron fluences were typically 13.9 X 10(4) and 4.4 X 10(4) neutrons/cm2/rad of x ray inside and 5 cm outside the field, respectively. Slow-neutron fluences, 1.3 X 10(4) neutrons/cm2/rad of x ray, remained relatively constant inside and outside the field. The reported results are about three times higher than neutron fluences recently reported with a betatron operated at the same energy.


Modification of electron-beam dose distributions by transverse magnetic fields. By applying a transverse magnetic field to a dosimetry phantom, an incident high-energy electron beam is made to follow a spiral path in the course of slowing down. Certain levels, determined by the electron energy and the magnetic field strength, will be traversed several times by the same electrons. The net result of this process is an enhancement of the depth dose in relation to the entrance dose, and a more sharply defined depth of penetration. Experiments with 50- and 55-MeV electrons traversing a 20.5-kG field are shown to support the predictions of a detailed Monte Carlo calculation.


Myxoma of the equine respiratory tract.

Myxoma of the equine respiratory tract. Bronchial myxoma occurred in an aged Arab mare with longstanding respiratory disease wrongly attributed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Blood gas and maximum intrathoracic pressure change measurements were not consistent with this latter diagnosis, and this was supported by aerosol antigen provocation tests. Radiography demonstrated a hilar mass in the thorax, and this proved to be a myxoma at necropsy.


The stable carriage of two TnA units on a single replicon. Bacterial plasmids which contain a copy on TnA are refactory to the uptake of a second by transposition. However plasmids containing two such copies can be constructed by in vitro recombination techniques. Some plasmids containing two copies of TnA have been obtained by conventional transposition, but in all cases they arose by the virtually simultaneous insertion of both units into a replicon that carried no TnA. All stable plamids containing two copies of TnA carried the transposons in opposite orientation.


Molecular relationships of degradative plasmids determined by in situ hybridisation of their endonuclease-generated fragments. Plasmid inter-relationships were studied by hybridisation of a radioactively labelled DNA probe to endonuclease-derived fragmentation patterns of plasmids bound to a nitrocellulose filter. The degradative plasmids SAL and NAH were found to be very closely related, but probably one did not give rise to the other by just a single deletion or insertion. Relationships between SAL and other degradative plasmids are complex; substantial homology was found with TOL and other plasmids encoding toluate dissimilation and significant homology was found with OCT.


Mutants altered in the control co-ordinating cell division with cell growth in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The control co-ordinating cell division with cell growth has been investigated in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Twenty-five mutants altered in this control have been isolated which have the same growth rate as wild type but divide at a smaller cell size. The mutants define two genes wee 1 and wee 2, both of which are involved in a control initiating mitosis when the cell attains a critical size.


Orientation of "plus" genes at the mating-typing locus in homothallic fission yeast. Results of four crosses are presented which indicate that, in Schizosaccharomyces pombe the plus segment of the mating-typing locus is regulated from a central position, in between of the plus and the minus segment. This conclusion is based on the mapping of a plus-restraining entity r, which is revealed by recombination in certain crosses, or by mutation to unstabe negative strains. To this end, a meiosis-defective mating-type mutation was used as a marker for the plus segment, by taking advantage of its suppressibility by a nonsense suppressor. This suppressibility was substanitated by an additional cross.


Cloning and characterization of EcoRI and HindIII restriction endonuclease-generated fragments of antibiotic resistance plasmids R6-5 and R6. DNA fragments generated by the EcoRI of HindIII endonucleases from the low copy number antibiotic resistance plasmids R6 and  R6-5 were separately cloned using the high copy number ColE1 or pML21 plasmid vectors and the insertional inactivation procedure. The hybrid plasmids that were obtained were used to determine the location of the EcoRI and HindIII cleavage sites on the parent plasmid genomes by means of electron microscope heteroduplex analysis and agarose gel electrophoresis. Ultracentrifugation of the cloned fragments in caesium chloride gradients localized the high buoyant density regions of R6-5 to fragments that carry the genes for resistance to streptomycin-spectinomycin, sulfonamide, and mercury and a low buoyant density region to fragments that carry the tetracycline resistance determinant. Functional analysis of hybrid plasmids localized a number of plasmid properties such as resistances to antibiotics and mercury and several replication functions to specific regions of the R6-5 genome. Precise localisation of the genes for resistance to chloramphenicol, kanamycin, fusidic acid and tetracycline was possible due to the presence of identified restriction endonuclease cleavage sites within these determinants. Only one region competent for autonomous replication was identified on the R6-5 plasmid genome and this was localized to EcoRI fragment 2 and HindIII fragment 1. However, two additional regions of replication activity designated RepB and RepC, themselves incapable of autonomous replication but capable supporting replication of a linked ColE1 plasmid in polA- bacteria, were also identified.


Fertility inhibition in Rhizobium lupini by the resistance plasmid RP4. R plasmid RP4 inhibits the fertility of R. lupini. An RP4 carrying R. lupini donor strain is no longer capable of transferring chromosomal genes. After loss of RP4 the R. lupini fertility reappears. Plasmid RP4 spontaneously mutates at high frequency in R. lupini. RP4 mutants which do not inbibit fertility were isolated. These mutants were always transfer-defective, too. It is postulated that the genetic information for fertility inhibition in R. lupini is a substantial part of the transfer unit of the RP4 plasmid.


Genetical studies on revertants to sensitivity from a cycloheximide resistant strain of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Six UV induced cycloheximide-sensitive revertants were isolated from the cyh1-C7 strain of Schizosaccharomyces pombe which is resistant to cycloheximide. In all cases reversion to sensitivity was due to a forward mutation in a second suppressor gene. Genetical analysis showed that at least two genes, designated scr1 and scr2 (scr=suppression of cycloheximide resistance) were involved. Both scr1 and scr2 suppressed the resistance of six independently isolated alleles at the cyh1 locus. They had no effect on two known nonsense mutations in the ade7 locus. The cyh1-C7 strain has an altered 60S ribosomal protein which can be detected by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In two suppressed strains, cyh1-C7 scr1 and cyh1-C7 scr2, the original altered protein was present. However no further ribosomal protein differences were observed which could be correlated with the presence of the scr genes. Both scr mutations conferred cold sensitivity on the organism indicating that they were of the missense type. Hence it seems certain that scr1 and scr2 are not mutations in tRNA genes leading to either nonsense or missense suppression. There is however no direct evidence that they code for ribosomal proteins and exert their effect on cyh1-C7 at the ribosomal level.


Binding of protein chemotactic factors to the surfaces of neutrophil leukocytes and its modification with lipid-specific bacterial toxins. The binding to neutrophil leukoyctes of human serum albumin (HSA), which is chemokinetic  for leukocytes, i.e. influences their rate of locomotion, and of alkali-denatured HSA, which is chemotactic for leukocytes, i.e. influences their direction of locomotion, was studied. Native serum albumin showed low affinity binding to the neutrophil surface. Denatured serum albumin showed saturable binding with a Ka of approximately 1-(6) litres per mole to about 10(6) binding sites per cell. Another protein chemotactic factor, alpha5-casein, gave similar binding. These results exclude that chemotactic reactions to denatured proteins are mediated in a completely non-specific manner and suggest the presence on the cell of a restricted number of defined recognition sites. Binding was reduced following treatment of the cells with either of two lipid-specific bacterial toxins, perfringolysin, the theta-toxin of Clostridium perfringens, an oxygen-labile cholesterol-specific toxin, and Staphylococcus aureus Sphingomyelinase C. Both have previously been shown to reduce chemotactic reactions and both were used at doses which did not reduce cell viability. These results suggest an important, and possiblly direct, role for membrane lipid in the binding sites for chemotactic factors. Visual analysis of the behaviour of perfringolysin-treated neutrophils showed that these cells were still capable of chemotactic locomotion. The cells appeared to be less efficient than normal in detecting chemotactic gradients only when at a distance from the gradient source, a finding which is consistent with reduced binding of the chemotactic factor to the cell surface.


On the heterogeneity of the slow reassociating ("unique") DNA. The slow reassociating fraction of mouse DNA ("unique DNA"), when allowed to reassociate in 0.14 M sodoum phosphate buffer at 50 degrees C showed a biphasic melting curve with a transition at 78--80 degrees C. On the basis of this feature, the slow reassociating DNA was separated preparatively into two fractions: "unique DNA" I and II. Their duplexes showed differences with respect to thermal stability, S1 nuclease resistance and rate of reassociation. About one third of the sequences in each fraction were fraction-specific. The conclusion was drawn that for "unique DNA" I these should be the low repetitive or single copy related sequences (multigene families) and for "unique DNA" II--the unrelated single copy sequences or recent families of low repetitive not yet diverged sequences.


[Ulcerative and granulomatous colitis in children (author's transl)]. Colitis ulcerosa and colitis granulomatosa (Morbus Crohn) are closely related diseases, and are known as unspecific colitis. Yet it is important though difficult to distinguish between these two forms since prognosis and therapy are different. Both forms require a careful follow-up over a long time because late complications are possible even in cases of clinical remission.


[Pathology of ulcerative colitis (author's transl)]. The macroscopic and histological appearance, and the local immune response in ulcerative colitis are discussed. The main criteria for the differentiation between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease of the large bowel are reviewed. The risk to develope carcinoma in the large bowel is greater in patients with total ulcerative colitis than in the general population. Precancerous changes in rectal and colonoscopical biopsies are a useful parameter in detecting early cancer in colitis. A description of the morphology of precancerous changes in ulcerative colitis is given.


[Abt-Letterer-Siwe disease. Diagnosis and therapy (author's transl)]. An infant with Abt-Letterer-Siwe disease is reported. The diagnosis was established by histopathology and electron microscopy.--2. Complete remission was achieved with vinblastine and prednisone. Treatment, however, in these cases has to be continued for a longer period of time.--3. Early diagnosis and therapy are important because Abt-Letterer-Siwe disease is lethal in most untreated cases. With adequate chemotherapy, long remissions or cures can be expected in about 70% of the cases.--4. In Abt-Letterer-Siwe disease, the racket-like Langerhans cell granules are found by electron microscopy within the specific infiltrating cells. The demonstration of these organells allows the unequivocal diagnosis in cases with uncharacteristic clinical or histopathological appearance. The same structures are characteristic of Hand-Schüller-Christian disease and of eosinophilic granuloma. The electron microscopic findings confirm the grouping of these three diseases together as "histiocytosis X".


[Familial occurence of congenital short bowel (author's transl)]. We report the clinical and post-mortem findings of an infant with inborn short bowel. One sibling died because of the same malformation. The parents are cousins. This malformation is combined with malrotation, often with pylorus-stenosis too, and can cause an intestinal obstruction syndrome. All presently known cases in the pertinent literature are summarized. The occurence of familial cases suggest a rezessive autosomal disease.


[A comparative study of colestipol and colestyramine in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia (author's transl)]. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins were studied in 20 children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia during the administration of two anion exchange resins. All the patients' cholesterol levels had been stabilized by treatment with a cholesterol-lowering diet for at least 12 months. Colestyramin (0.6 g per kg body weight) or Colestipol (0.5 g per kg body weight) were given for eight weeks each in a cross-over design. In 6 children, the study had to be terminated due to gastrointestinal problems. Cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids were determined serially in whole serum and in isolated lipoprotein fractions. Apolipoprotein-B was determined by radial immunodiffusion in whole serum and in the LDL-fraction. Total plasma cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were lowered by about 25% from initial values of 290 mg/100 ml and 230 mg/100 ml, respectively and Apo-B was lowered by 20%. Low HDL-cholesterol levels in the patients remained decreased during therapy. Triglyceride and phospholipid levels were not affected by treatment. Efficacy, tolerance and side-effects were similar with both Colestyramin and Colestipol.


[Recurrent pneumonias following intrauterine irradiation of the thymus (author's transl)]. A 9 year old girl is described who was born without thyroid function as a result of maternal 131I treatment during early pregnancy. The patient had 15 pneumonias since her second year of life. Immunological investigations showed normal humoral immunity and a normal in vitro responsiveness of circulating lymphocytes. The patient was, however, anergic to 5 skintest antigens and exhibited a primary vaccination reaction after a smallpox revaccination. The findings suggest that intrauterine irradiation primarily affected memory-lymphocytes.


[Granulocyte function in septicemia of the newborn (author's transl)]. The ingestion- and Nitro Blue Tetrazolium-(NBT)-reduction-capacity of neutrophil leukocytes in three newborn infants with lethal septicemia was studied using a modified NBT-test. In comparison to 25 controls in healthy newborns (umbilical vein-blood) the results indicate a failure in the functioning of leukocytes. Besides other disturbances the impaired ingestion- and NBT-reduction-capacity of the neutrophil granulocytes during an infection probably leads to septicemia.


The dominant lethal effects of some ergot alkaloids. The dominant lethal test was carried out in the mouse using the ergot derivatives dihydroergotoxine, ergotamine and methysergide. A significant increase in early fetal deaths was induced by 100 mg/kg of dihydroergotoxine and methysergide. Doses of 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg did not induce positive effects. Ergotamine was not effective in doses up to 100 mg/kg. Reduced numbers of implantations were not consistently observed following treatment with the ergot preparations, but some anti-fertility effects were noted. Cyclophosphamide, used as a positive control compound, produced significant effects in doses as low as 25 mg/kg.


The symmetry of radiation-induced chromatid exchanges in relation to the cell cycle in Chinese hamster cells in vivo and in vitro. The symmetry of radiation-induced chromatid exchanges was studied in relation to the cell cycle in Chinese hamster cells in vivo and in vitro. Both in vivo and in vitro, the ratio between symmetrical and asymmetrical chromatid exchanges was about 1 to 1 during G2 and S phase of the cell cycle.


Excision repair by human fibroblasts of DNA damaged by r-7, t-8-dihyroxy-t-9,10-oxy-7,8,9,10- tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene. Benzo(a)pyrene diol-epoxide I (r-7,t-8,dihydroxy-t-9,10 oxy-7,8,9,10 tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene) was used to treat either human adenovirus 5 or cultures of human fibroblasts. The survival of diol-epoxide I treated adenovirus was greater when infecting fibroblasts from normal persons than when infecting fibroblasts from patients with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). One diol-epoxide I molecule bound per viral genome correlated with one lethal hit as measured using XP fibroblasts. Normal fibroblasts blocked in semi-conservative DNA synthesis incorporated into their DNA more [3H]thymidine in response to diol-epoxide I treatment than did XP fibroblasts, and also excised more diol-epoxide I from their DNA. All of the effects described above were similar to those obtained when the inactivating agent was ultraviolet light rather than benzo(a)pyrene diol-epoxide I.


Unrepaired DNA strand breaks in irradiated ataxia telangiectasia lymphocytes suggested from cytogenetic observations. It is suggested here that the unusually high level of radiation-induced chromosome and chromatid-type aberrations in cells from patients with ataxia telangiectasia, compared with normals, is due to a significantly increased fraction of unrepaired double and single strand breaks. A hypothesis is proposed to explain how unrepaired and misrepaired DNA single or double strand breaks might be the basic lesion leading to the typical chromosome aberrations seen following X-irradiation of both normal or AT cells.


Increased sensitivity of UV-repair-deficient human cells to DNA bound platinum products which unlike thymine dimers are not recognized by an endonuclease extracted from Micrococcus luteus. We have studied the response of human cells in culture to cis platinum[II] diammine dichloride (cis Pt[II]) induced DNA damage. The survival data, measured as a function of cis Pt[II] dose were similar in a normal cell line (Human foetal lung) compared to a UV-sensitive, thymine dimer excision repair-deficient cell line (Xeroderma pigmentosum). However, there was a marked difference between the two cell lines when binding to DNA was plotted against dose of cis Pt[II] given for 1 h. When these findings were expressed as cell survival versus binding to DNA, a 4.1--fold difference between the slopes of the survival  curves for the two cell lines was obtained. These findings are consistent with  the notion that normal cells are able to excise cis Pt[II] induced damage from their genome and thus increase their ability to survive as compared to excision-deficient cells. An endonuclease preparation from Micrococcus luteus is able to recognise UV damage in DNA, but did not recognise cis Pt[II] induced damage. These results possibly indicate differences in the pathways of repair of damage caused by the two agents.


Toxicity and mutagenicity of radiation from fluorescent lamps and a sunlamp in L5178y mouse lymphoma cells. Unfiltered broad spectrum radiation emitted by black light, cool white, and black light blue fluorescent lamps and a sunlamp, is both toxic and mutagenic to L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells when the cells are irradiated in phosphate-buffered saline. The increase in mutant frequency seen after exposure of the cells is linear throughout the range of exposures tested. The linear increase in mutagenesis is observed even at exposure levels which do not cause significant toxicity. To facilitate comparison of the differing rates of mutagenesis derived from exposure-response curves obtained for each light source, we have defined a parameter, joule-equivalent mutagenesis (jem), equal to mutants per 10(5) survivors per joule per square meter. Jem values are calculated using the integrated irradiance of each lamp. Based on jem values, the relative mutagenicity of the various lamps tested (compared with a germicidal ultraviolet lamp) is 3 x 10(-3) for the sunlamp, 1 x 10(-4) for the black light and cool white lamps, and 3 x 10(-5) for the black light blue lamp. The toxic and mutagenic effects of the lamps are in reasonable agreement with their relative spectral output from 290 to 330 nm.


A practical procedure for testing DNA damage in vivo, proposed for a pre-screening of chemical carcinogens. The alkaline elution method was adapted to the evaluation of DNA damage induced in vivo through a practical and reliable microfluorometric procedure, without any need for tissue pre-labeling. The DNA damage induced in vivo by treatment with a single dose of N-nitrosodimethylamine (DMNA), N-methyl-N-nitroso-urea (MNU), 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) or cycasin has been detected in different organs of mice or rats. The results obtained are rather consistent with the organotropism of these carcinogens, and show a satisfactory dose dependent of DNA damage. DMH and cycasin, both negative in the Ames' Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity test, are clearly positive with in vivo DNA damage/alkaline elution assay. This latter method, complemented with other short-term tests, may play a useful role in the pre-screening of chemical carcinogens.


An analysis of meiotic chromosomes of inbred male mice and their F1 sons after long-term treatment of sires with triethylenemelamine. The dose-dependent effects of triethylenemelamine (TEM) on fertility and the induction of chromosomal translocation in treated mice and their F1 sons were examined C3H mice were treated with TEM for 8 successive weeks at doses of 0.02 and 0.04 mg/kg of body weight. All males treated with TEM were fertile,and cytological analysis of meiotic cells showed no chromosomal rearrangements. Semi-sterility and sterility were noted in F1 sons of TEM-treated animals. This semi-sterility and sterility were associated with reciprocal translocations. The percentage of animals heterozygous for translocations was higher for F1 males originating from sires treated with TEM at 0.04 mg/kg than from sires treated with 0.02 mg/kg.


Induction and isolation of frameshift mutants in cultured Chinese hamster DON cells. Induction, isolation and characterization of frameshift mutants were studied by using a Chinese hamster Don (CHD) cell line. ICR-191, known to be a potent frameshift mutagen, was used for the induction of frameshift mutations. The drug (10(-5) M), as well as N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), increased significantly the frequency of forward mutations from 8-azaguanine (8-AG) sensitivity (8-AGs) to resistance (8-AGr) over the untreated control to an extent of about 100-fold. 21 8-AGr mutants were isolated from the AP-01 (a sub-line of CHD) cells after treatment with appropriate concentrations of ICR-191 (10(-5) and 1.36 X 10(-5) M), and subsequently several reclonal mutants were tested for their ability to revert to 8-AG susceptibility after treatment with the three mutagens and a carcinogen, 2-nitrofluorene (2-NF), known to be a frameshift mutagen. Among the 8-AGr mutants tested, clone ICR-014 or ICR-172 showed a significant increase in reversion frequency over the control level only after treatment with ICR-191 or 2-NF, respectively; but not with the other two mutagens. These results suggest that each of these two kinds of mutant has a different frameshift mutation in one of the loci controlling 8-AG resistibility. It was also found that the hypoxanthine--guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) activities in clones ICR-014 and ICR-172 were 1.9 and 34% of that of the original AP-01 cells, respectively.


Chromosome aberrations induced by monomeric acrylamide in bone marrow and germ cells of mice. Acrylamide induces chromatid exchanges and breaks with considerable frequency in spermatogonia of mice with long-term administration (3 weeks), though not, remarkably, with short-term administration (1--2 weeks. At 12 and 24 h after single injections with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg acrylamide, evaluation of the cytogenetic effect is difficult in the spermatogonia because of an extreme reduction of mitotic cells. Aneuploid and polyploid cells increase with time after treatment in both marrow and spermatogonial cells, while the aberration frequency shows no increase in marrow after both oral-administration and injection. Evidently the spermatogonia are thus rather more sensitive to acrylamide than marrow cells. On the other hand, the SCE frequency is at the control level in treated subjects in marrow and spermatogonia. Acrylamide induces chain quadrivalents, ring quadrivalents, fragments and univalents which are particularly evident in primary spermatocytes in both oral administration and injection, though it is questionable whether these structural changes deal with spermatogonia, or otherwise with the S-phase primary spermatocytes. There is a possibility that the aberrant cells thus produced can develop into spermatozoa carrying a certain type of reciprocal translocation which leads to semi-sterile progeny. In relation to the above problem detailed investigations into this type of rearrangement in primary spermatocytes are needed.


Chromosomal analyses in vinyl chloride-exposed workers. Chromosomal morphology from cultured peripheral lymphocytes was studied in 81 men; 57 of the men were employed on plants manufacturing vinyl chloride or polyvinylchloride, 19 were on-site controls and 5 were off-site controls. There was a significant increase in chromosomal abnormalities in the exposed workers when compared with the controls. The greatest statistically significant increase in total B and total C cells occurred in autoclave operators, with smaller increases in other job categories. The increase in chromosomal aberrations was correlated with the length of exposure and with a history during the year prior to sampling (1973--1974) of exposure to excursion levels of vinyl chloride. Information on smoking habits was obtained 18 months after blood sampling and a positive correlation between these and total C cell abnormalities was found. There was no positive correlation with various other parameters (bilirubin, platelets, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase). It was not possible to estimate which of the three parameters (smoking history, length of employment or exposure to excursion levels) was the most important.


Chromosome distribution studies in phenyl mercury acetate exposed subjects and in age-related controls. Peripheral blood lymphocytes of phenyl mercury acetate exposed persons and a control population of the same age were cultured for 48 h. In both populations 100 metaphases were trypsin-banded and caryotyped. The relative position of the metaphase chromosomes was studied by means of centromere--centromere distances (delta2) and centromere--metaphase centre distances (d2) obtained by computer-aided mathematical transformation of the individual metaphase coordinates. By comparing both investigated cell populations we mainly observed that the chromosome combinations which statistically differ in mercury-exposed workers from the controls show an increase of centromere-centromere distances after mercury exposure. From the data we may suggest that phenyl mercury acetate influences at first the position of particular chromosomes; especially D-group chromosomes which are involved in nucleolus organisation. This may be due to a greater density of SH-wearing molecules in that region or to a possible inhibition of specific enzymes regulating the nucleolar activity. The exposure level is however too low to allow definite conclusions in this respect.


The natural ovalbumin gene contains seven intervening sequences. EcoRI fragments of the natural ovalbumin gene were cloned and studied by hybridisation with mature ovalbumin mRNA, electron microscopy, restriction enzyme mapping and limited sequence analysis. The structural gene sequences coding for ovalbumin were found to be separated into eight sequentially orientated pieces by seven intervening sequences of various lengths.


Recent human influenza A (H1N1) viruses are closely related genetically to strains isolated in 1950. Comparison of the oligonucleotide maps of the RNAs of current human influenza (H1N1) virus isolates shows these strains to be much more closely related to viruses isolated in 1950 than to strains which circulated before or after that period.


Where do general anaesthetics act?

Where do general anaesthetics act? General anaesthetics were found to have no effect on lipid bilayer structures when studied using X-ray and neutron diffraction. Combined gaseous and aqueous phase solubility data suggested that the primary site of action of general anaesthetics has both polar and nonpolar characteristics, and probably involves protein.


Crystallographic studies on the activity of glycogen phosphorylase b. High resolution studies on the crystal structure of glycogen phosphorylase b have identified the catalytic site to which the substrate glucose-1-phosphate binds strongly with some local conformational changes. The site is situated 8 A (phosphate-to-phosphate distance) from pyridoxal phosphate, an essential cofactor of all glycogen phosphorylases. The catalytic site is 33 A from the site in the N-terminal portion of the molecule to which adenine nucleotides bind. In contrast to phosphorylase a (the active form of the enzyme which is phosphorylated at Ser 14), the positions of the first 19 residues of phosphorylase b are not well defined.


Nucleotide sequences at the ends of bacteriophage Mu DNA. The nucleotide sequences were analysed at the two ends of bacteriophage Mu DNA. Such analyses reveal the existence of a short stretch of common sequences that are located at the termini and are orientated as inverted repeats. They also confirm that the heterogeneous bacterial DNA covalently bound to the ends of vegetative Mu DNA is totally removed during lysogenisation.


Differential metabolism and leakage of protein in an inherited cataract and a normal lens cultured with ouabain. Ocular lenses in Nakano mice showed marked changes in synthesis, degradation and leakage of protein during cataractogenesis. The cataract-associated changes included the differential lowering of crystallin synthesis, the cleavage of crystallin polypeptides to lower molecular weight forms and the leakage of crystallins from cultured lenses. Ouabain treatment of normal lenses induced these alterations, suggesting that changes in the intracellular levels of Na+ and K+ affect the anabolism and catabolism of protein during cataract formation.


A surprising property of electrical spread in the network of rods in the turtle's retina. Flashing a localised stimulus onto a turtle's retina produces an intracellular potential wave which spreads through electrical connections from illuminated to unilluminated photoreceptors. The response in unilluminated rods (but not in cones) becomes faster as the distance from the source increases, perhaps because voltage-dependent permeability changes in the rod membrane make the coupled network behave like a high-pass filter.


Representation of complex visual stimuli in the brain. A method was developed to investigate transfer properties of neurons in the visual system using pictures of complex visual stimuli. The picture is moved over the receptive field of a neuron so that it can scan it along programmed lines. The activity of the neuron during the scanning procedure is presented in a two-dimensional dot display on scale with the original picture. By superposition of the stimulus and the transfer pattern, one can find out to which detail of a stimulus the neuron responds. Neurons in the first intracerebral relay of the visual system, the lateral geniculate body, reduce a complex stimulus, such as a photograph of a natural environment, to its contours. Cortical cells only respond to contours either of a limited or of a wider range of orientations (simple and complex cells, respectively). But the course of contours is only described by a continuous representation of these contours in the cortical map of the visual field. This is done by the simple cells, which have small receptive fields and thus a higher resolving power, whereas complex cells with their large receptive fields monitor the approximate location of a moving stimulus. The function of these two classes of neurons is discussed in terms of visual behavior, i.e., for fixation, hold, and binocular vergence movements (simple cells), and for detection of moving objects and motor command signals towards these objects (complex cells). These functions are an important condition for foveal vision which is the basis of perception in primates. An important function of orientation sensitivity of simple cells may be the binocular alignment of contours in binocular fusion and stereoscopic vision.


The role of uptake of noradrenaline of its positive inotropic effect in relation to muscle geometry. Statistical evaluation. 1. The influence of saturable drug uptake on the drug concentration near the receptor sites was shown theoretically to depend on the geometry of the preparation; increases in the volume/surface ratio (V/S) of the preparation decrease the sensitivity of the preparation to an agonist inactivated in the tissue. 2. The positive inotropic effect of (-)-noradrenaline was found to depend on the ratio V/S of the preparation; papillary muscles with larger V/S were less sensitive to the drug and showed steeper noradrenaline concentration-effect curves. 3. An algorithm for the statistical estimation of the parameters of the saturable uptake process was derived. It was applied to the positive inotropic noradrenaline effect in relation to muscle geometry. As an analysis of variance showed, the model explained a significant proportion of the shift of (-)-noradrenaline concentration-effect curves associated with variation in size of the preparation.


The neuronal and extraneuronal uptake and metabolism of 3H-(-)-noradrenaline in the perfused rat heart. 1. Hearts were obtained from reserpine-pretreated rats and perfused with 0.95 micron 3H(-)-noradrenaline. The rate of removal of 3H-noradrenaline from the perfusion fluid was measured (from the arterio-venous difference) as well as the rate at which the 3H-metabolites appeared in the venous effluent. 2. When either 30micron corticosterone was added under steady-state conditions during perfusion with 3H-noradrenaline (to inhibit neuronal and extraneuronal uptake, respectively), each inhibitor reduced the removal of noradrenaline by about 50%; in the presence of both inhibitors removal was abolished. 3. Dihydroxymandelic acid (DOMA) was of neuronal, normetanephrine (NMN) of extraneuronal origin; dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) and the OMDA fraction (containing methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol-MOPEG-and methoxyhydroxymandelic acid-VMA) were formed both neuronally and extra-neuronally. 4. The extraneuronal metabolism of 3H-noradrenaline was in quick equilibrium with the 3H-noradrenaline in the perfusion fluid; most of the total formation of DOPEG, MOPEG and NMN was recovered from the venous effluent. 5. Extraneuronally formed DOPEG, MOPEG and NMN distributed in the tissue with half times corresponding to their half time for efflux. 6. Inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) by pargyline increased the extraneuronal formation of NMN; MAO and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) appear to be contained in the same extraneuronal compartment. 7. The extraneuronal accumulation of 3H-noradrenaline required 30 min or more to reach a steady state; inhibition of one or both enzymes slowed this process. Inhibition of MAO increased the extra-neuronal accumulation of 3H-noradrenaline; inhibition of COMT failed to do so, since the enzyme inhibitor (U-0521) was a weak inhibitor of extra-neuronal uptake. 8. The rate constants for the efflux of the metabolites of noradrenaline decreased in the order of MOPEG greater than DOPEG greater than NMN greater than DOMA greater than VMA.


Suppression of 3H-acetylcholine release from primary nerve cell cultures by tetanus and botulinum-A toxin. Primary nerve cell cultures derived from embryonic rat central nervous system form [3H]ACh from exogenous [3H]Ch, and release it upon potassium depolarization. Pretreatment of the cultures with botulinum-A toxin or tetanus toxin diminishes the cellular accumulation of [3H]ACh. Poisoning the cultures during the period of [3H]Ch uptake fails to lower [H]ACh formation. Dependent on dosage, both toxins suppress the release of [3H]ACh upon potassium depolarization. Heat-denaturated toxins as well as tetanus toxin preincubated with tetanus antitoxin were without effect.


Inhibitory effect of tyramine-induced release of catecholamines on renin secretion. The effect of the indirect sympathomimetic agent tyramine on the isoprenaline-induced increase in plasma renin concentration was investigated in conscious rats. Tyramine caused a dose-dependent decrease in the isoprenaline-induced elevation of plasma renin concentration. Pretreatment of the rats with reserpine abolished this effect of tyramine, indicating that tyramine released catecholamines which acted on the inhibitory adrenoceptors. Pretreatment with phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, also abolished the inhibitory effect of tyramine on renin release, indicating that alpha-adrenoceptors mediated the observed inhibition of renin release. In rats with chronically denervated kidneys tyramine did not inhibit renin release. It is concluded that catecholamines which are released from renal sympathetic nerve endings can suppress renin release by activating alpha-adrenoceptors.


Radioimmunoassay of beta-endorphin basal and stimulated levels in extracted rat plasma. A sensitive radioimmunoassay for beta-endorphin is described. Antibodies against human beta-endorphin which exhibit a high avidity for the C-terminal of the peptide were raised in rabbits following the injection of thyroglobulin-coupled human beta-endorphin (betah-E) as immunogen. Methionine-enkephalin, alpha-, gamma-endorphine, as well as ACTH peptides did not cause interference in the radioimmunoassay. beta-Lipotropin, however, showed a 50% cross-reactivity. The sensitivity of the assay is 25 pg/0.5 ml tube volume for beta-endorphin. beta-Endorphin was extracted with a high recovery from the rat plasma using silicic acid and beta-endorphin levels as low as 100 pg/ml could be measured. Basal levels of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity in plasma of rats were about 400 pg/ml. beta-Endorphin levels in adrenalectomized rats and in animals chronically treated with the cortisol synthesis blocker metyrapone were found to be markedly increased (about 7-fold). Exposure of the rats to electrically induced footshocks caused a similar increase of immunoreactive beta-endorphin in plasma. A significant increase was also seen after insulin injection.


Comparison of the pharmacokinetics of digoxin and dihydrodigoxin in cats in single-dose studies. Pharmacokinetics of 3H-dihydrodigoxin and 3H-digoxin after single intravenous and intraduodenal administration in cats are compared. Data could be described by an open two compartment body model. The beta half-life in plasma of dihydrodigoxin after initial rapid distribution is 4.6h compared to 10.4 h after digoxin administration. The volume of tissue distribution of dihydrodigoxin is 7 times smaller than that of digoxin (0.311 versus 2.051). The "specific uptake" of dihydrodigoxin into myocardium and some other tissues is very low. Over 5.5h the cumulative biliary and urinary elimination of dihydrodigoxin is definitely higher (45.7% versus 14.4%). An unexpected peak in TLC plates after dihydrodigoxin administration in blood, bile and urine was identified to be the sodium salt of the opened lactone structure: dihydrodigoxin acid.


[Background activity of neurons of the auditory zone of the cortex of awake cats in the resting state and during elaboration of defensive conditioned reflexes]. The results of statistical computer analysis of 366 realizations of the background activity of 181 neurons from the primary auditory cortex (field 50) in vigil cats (14) at rest and during defensive conditioning are presented. In both states the parameters of background activity in most neurons differed from completely random succession. The conditioning evoked a stable elevation of the frequency of background activity during interstimulus intervals, an increase in stability of the background impulsation as regards its average frequency and variation coefficients of the duration of interspike intervals, as well as an enhancement of the number of neurons showing different types of association between interspike intervals.


[Elaboration of a conditioned defense reflex based on rhythmic electric stimulation of the septum]. In automatically controlled experiments on rabbits the spectral and correlation characteristics of sensorimotor, visual and hippocampal potentials were analyzed during the elaboration of conditioned defensive reflex to light stimuli. The conditioning to light was performed at definite frequency of septum stimulation (2,4,7 or 9 Hz). Rhythmical 7 Hz, 9 Hz electrical stimulation of the septum accelerated the conditioning. Rhythmical 2 Hz electrical stimulation of the septum delayed the conditioning. A conclusion is made that changing of the frequency of electrical septum stimulation can influence the process of learning.


[Neuronal activity of the midbrain central grey upon stimulation of the amygdaloid complex and the subthalamus]. The influence of stimulation of the amygdaloid complex and the subthalamus on neuronal activity of the central grey substance were studied in acute experiments on rats. The amygdaloid stimulation produced inhibition in 72% of the central grey substance neurons; stimulation of subthalamus--activation in 59%. Repetitive stimulation of the amygdaloid complex evoked prolonged changes in the neuronal activity. The convergence of impulses from the amygdaloid complex and subthalamus was observed in 31 of 114 reactive neurons. 71% of cells showed inhibition.


[Responses of neurons in the cochlear nuclei of sharp-eared bats to presentation of simultaneous ultrasonic stimuli]. The single unit activity of cochlear nuclei in Verspertilionidae are studied by means of ultrasonic pure tonal and frequency-modulated stimuli. Most neurons (85%) had tonic reaction to combination tones f2-f1 and 2f1-f2 (f1, pulse frequency of the first tone, f2 pulse frequency of the second tone) as a result of the nonlinearity in the auditory system. The reaction to the combination tones depended upon pulse frequency and sound pressure level of each of the presented stimuli. Tonic reaction appeared in the case when the combination tone was equal to the best frequency of the neuron. The question about the role of the nonlinearity of the auditory system in the resolution of the complex signals is discussed.


[Electrophysiologic characteristics of motor neurons of the cat facial nerve nucleus]. The antidromic activation of facial nucleus motoneurons to the stimulation of various branches of the facial nerve was studied by means of intracellular recording in cats. The time and amplitude characteristics of separate components of the antidromic spike were analyzed and fast and slow after-potentials were distinguished. A correlation was shown between the duration of the falling phase of the SD spike, the duration of its after-hyperpolarization and the impulse conductance time in the axon. Data indicating the absence of the recurrent collateral pathway in the facial nucleus motoneurons were obtained. The possible functional significance of the after-potentials is discussed.


[Ultrastructural characteristics of the dendrites of spinal neurons]. Some kinds of dendritic protrusions were found in the different parts of the spinal cord grey matter connected with the long descending fibre systems. The small simple dendritic protrusions were localized in the medial part of the ventral horn. As a rule they were invaginated in the axon terminal which made the simultaneous synaptic contacts with them and with the basic trunk of dendrite. In the lateral parts of the V-VII laminae of the grey matter the dendritic branches were getting longer and more complex, the breaking forms and "crest" synapses appeared. There were some inclusions in the matrix which were probably the precursor of the spine apparatus and were called spine-like protrusions. Statistically authentic difference was determined between the size of the dendritic protrusions in the medial and lateral parts of the ventral horn grey matter.


[Effect of strychnine, hydrastine and apamin on synaptic transmission in smooth muscle cells]. The effects of strychnine, hydrastine and apamine on nervemuscle transmission in guinea pig stomach and taenia coli were studied. Hydrastine and strychnine produced an increase in non-adrenergic IPSPs of smooth muscle cells. Under apamine action IPSPs and hyperpolarization caused by exogenous ATP were reversibly blocked and non-cholinergic EPSPs appeared. ATP caused depolarization of the cell membrane in this condition. Consequently, apamine is a specific (postsynaptic) blocking agent of non-adrenergic inhibition and ATP obviously mediates both non-adrenergic inhibition and non-cholinergic synaptic excitation of smooth muscle cells observed in our experiments.


[Identification of serotonin receptors in several grape snail neurons]. Four types of unit responses to iontophoretical serotonin (5-hydroxytrytamine) application were obtained on the ventral surface of the visceral ganglion in the hibernating Helix pomatia. The responses differed in sign, duration, latent period, reaction to serotonin antagonists (d-tubocurarine, tryptamine, neostigmine). It seems that every type of unit response to serotonin is associated with a definite type of serotonin receptors. A scheme of serotonin receptor distribution in the studied neurons is presented.


[Responses of neurons in the cochlear nuclei of sharp-eared bats to presentation of frequency-modulated stimuli with a unidirectional change in frequency]. The investigation of the reactions of the neurons of the cochlear nuclei in the bats Myotis oxygnathus to frequency-modulated stimuli showed that the neurons with one best frequency (20%) have phasic responses while those with one or two best frequencies--tonic responses in the case when frequency of the stimulus changes from high to low frequencies.


[Vestibular responses of "fast" and "slow" Deiter's nucleus neurons]. The response of vestibulospinal neurons to the tilt in the frontal plane was studied in decerebrate cats. The neurons were identified antidromically by L1 stimulation. The response to the tilt was found to be correlated with the speed of axonal conductance: the neurons responding to the ipsilateral tilt had the latency of the antidromic response 2.8 +/- 0.7 ms, while those responding to the contralateral tilt--4.6 +/- 2.0 ms.


[Factor modulating the electrical activity of the grape snail bursting neuron]. The factor modulating electrical activity of the bursting neuron was obtained from neurons tissue of Helix pomatia. The factor increased the amplitude of membrane potential waves of the bursting neuron and caused the depolarizing current. The negative conductance region appeared on the voltage-currant curve. The factor is suggested to participate in realization of the interneuron secretorial communications.


[The "tuning" mechanism of the segmental apparatus before voluntary movement]. The probability of motor unit discharges and changes in the inter-spike interval duration before the voluntary contraction were studied on m. soleus of human beings. A strong motoneuron facilitation was revealed 15-20 ms before the burst of potentials in EMG and only in some experiments a weak facilitation took place earlier (30-50 ms before the burst). So, "tuning" (H-reflex increasing) 60 ms before the voluntary contraction may be regarded as a result of H-reflex presynaptic disinhibition.


Systemic hemodynamics in nephrotoxic acute renal failure. Cardiac output (CO) and renal blood flow (RBF) were simultaneously evaluated (microsphere method) in awake rats, 3, 6, and 24 h after induction of acute renal failure by mercuric chloride (HgCl2; 4.7 mg/kg body weight). 3 h after injection of HgCl2, CO and RBF decreased to 77 and 72% of respective control values of 32.0 +/- 2.4 and 4.65 +/- 0.44 ml/min/100 g. Renal vascular resistance (RVR) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were significantly increased compared to control at this time. Similar results were observed 6 h after administration of HgCl2. Volume expansion with plasma (2% of body weight) restored CO, RBF, TPR, and RVR to normal 3 h after injection of HgCl2. Despite significantly elevated blood urea nitrogen 24h after injection of HgCl2 (103.7 mg%), all hemodynamic parameters were within control range. Plasma volume was normal 3 h after HgCl2 but was significantly elevated compared to control 24 h after HgCl2 (4.73 vs. 3.92 ml/100 g, p less than 0.01). These findings indicate that factors other than preferential renal vasoconstriction may be involved in the transient renal ischemia of HgCl2-induced acute renal failure.


Effect of ischemia on renal blood flow in the rat. The effect of ischemia on renal blood flow (RBF) in the rat has been an unsettled question. This study used a totally extractable indicator, radioactive microspheres, with a reference arterial sample, to study RBF quantitatively 10 and 60 min after 1 h of unilateral renal artery clamping in anesthetized, heparinized rats. The results indicate that after release of the arterial clamp, the kidney is enlarged and exhibits an increase in renal vascular resistance. RBF to the contralateral non-ischemic kidney is not different from that of a time-control series.


Focal glomerulosclerosis: natural history and treatment. A report of 70 cases. 70 cases of focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS) followed for periods ranging from 1 to 24 years are reported. 39 patients had a nephrotic syndrome. 31 patients had asymptomatic proteinuria. 97 renal biopsies were performed. At least one biopsy specimen from every patient showed focal and segmental involvement of glomeruli, but no lesions were observed on the first biopsy in 6 patients. 26 of the 35 patients with a nephrotic syndrome were treated with steroids alone and/or chemotherapy and/or indomethacin. Resistance to treatment was encountered in 21 patients. Complete remission was observed in 6 cases, despite persistence or accentuation of histological lesions on serial biopsies in 3 cases. Actuarial renal survival rate at 10 years was 45% in the group with a nephrotic syndrome versus 91% in patients with proteinuria. FGS with a persistent nephrotic syndrome represents the 'malignant' form of the disease. Recurrence of the disease was observed after transplantation in 2 cases and was absent in 1.


3H-thymidine, 3H-uridine and 3H-leucine uptake in erythroblasts of patients with chronic renal failure. The in vitro incorporation of 3H-thymidine, 3H-uridine and 3H-leucine, reflecting the synthetic capacity for DNA, RNA and protein, respectively, was detected by radioautography in the erythroid precursors of 10 patients with chronic renal failure. The results were compared with the uptake of the isotopes in the erythroid precursors of healthy subjects. The pattern of incorporation for all three isotopes in the patients' cells was similar to that of control cells, but significantly lower. The possible causes of this difference are discussed.


Effectiveness of intestinal phosphate binders in patients maintained by hemodialysis. Two formulations of aluminum phosphate binders-aluminum hydroxide suspension and aluminum carbonate powder in the form of capsules-were found to be equally effective in lowering the plasma phosphate concentration. The effective dose was 4 g/day given in divided doses before meals and at bedtime. Side effects were negligible with this dosage for both preparations, but aluminum carbonate capsules were preferred by most patients because of the greater convenience of the capsule form. Coincident with the lowering of serum phosphorus concentrations, serum parathyroid hormone concentrations decreased approximately 30% from levels obtained while patients were taking placebo.


Short daily peritoneal dialysis: 3 years' experience. During the last 3 years 3,964 short daily peritoneal dialyses (71.4% at home) have been performed in 18 patients aged between 8 and 82 years. 6-10 liters of dialysate have been associated with high caloric-low protein (0.6 g/kg) diets. In 330 predialysis determinations serum urea was 1.30 +/- 0.09 g/l and serum creatinine was 13.9 +/- 1.9 mg/dl. The incidence of peritonitis was 0.18%. The control of anemia, plasma levels of proteins, albumins, transferrin, C-3c and C-4 were satisfactory. The data support the concept of a wider application of this dialysis technique, which may be extended to every uremic patient.


Respiratory gas exchange by high-efficiency hemodialyzers. The effects of respiratory gas mass-transfer by high-efficiency hemodialyzers with regard to respiratory status and acid-base balance were studied in three groups of patients. Patients dialyzed with acetate dialysate and a single pass delivery system (group I) and those dialyzed with the same dialysate and a recirculating single pass system (group II) had significant intradialytic decreases in PCO2 (p is less than 0.05), while patients hemodialyzed aginst a carbon dioxide/bicarbonate dialysate (group III) had no significant alterations in arterial PCO2. The massfransfer rate of carbon dioxide was 0.3 mM/min in group I and 0.2 mM/min in group II. The hypocapnia caused by dialyzer mass-transfer of carbon dioxide was associated with a significant drop in minute ventilation volume and a decrease in PO2 which was significant in group I (p is less than 0.05). Although bicarbonate mass-transfer reduced serum bicarbonate levels, the loss of carbon dioxide to the dialysate resulted in an increased arterial pH during dialysis.


Evidence of increased proximal sodium and water reabsorption in experimental glomerulonephritis. Role of a natriuretic factor of renal origin. In previous work, we have demonstrated that rats with experimental glomerulonephritis (GN) were unable to increase fractional and absolute sodium excretion after saline loading. This inability appears to be related to the disappearance of a natriuretic material that we have shown to be of renal origin. Similar results were obtained in human GN. In order to identify the nephronic site of the enhanced tubular sodium reabsorption, two techniques were used: (1) study of TmG in normal and glomerulonephritic rats during a progressive saline loading, and (2) micropuncture studies of sodium and water reabsorption. The results clearly demonstrate that: (1) in GN rats, TmG is increased in proportion with Na reabsorption; (2) TmG decreases, of the same magnitude, in GN and normal rats during progressive saline loading; (3) one site of the increased sodium and water reabsorption is proximal as evidenced by glucose titration curve and micropuncture studies, and (4) there is a disruption of glomerulotubular balance in GN rats. Moreover, the parallel behavior of TmG and proximal sodium reabsorption strongly suggests that the part of sodium transport presumbably linked to glucose transport is selectively involved. These results also suggest that the observed disorders are due to the disappearance of a renal natriuretic factor, the site of action of which being presumably proximal.


Morphogenesis of glomerular cysts in renal dysplasia. The glomerular origin and the morphogenesis of the cysts in a case of renal dysplasia are descirbed. On ligh microscopy, islets of cartilage, immature ducts and cortical cysts were found. A primitive glomerular tuft was present in some cysts. On electron microscopy part of the inner surface of the cysts was lined by epithelium with pedicels. These findings suports the hypothesis that the cause of the cysts is the dilatation of the glomerular spaces when the respective glomeruli become functional.


Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis-presentation as acute renal failure in a child with a solitary kidney. A 4-year-old girl, who had been in perfect health, presented with the acute onset of renal failure and abdominal mass. Investigations revealed a solitary left kidney which on histology had the typical features of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. The child had no previous history suggestive of chronic renal disease and had no radiologic evidence of renal osteodystrophy. She had no improvement in renal function and has gone on to hemodialysis and transplantation. The unique mode of presentation and the unusual features of this case are discussed.


Factors affecting protein and glycoprotein synthesis by rat kidney mitochondria in vitro. Incorporation of 14C-labeled leucine and mannose were used as indices of protein and glycoprotein synthesis by isolated rat kidney mitochondria. Uninephrectomy, certain salts including NaCl and heavy metals, detergents such as digitonin and lysophosphatidylcholine, and various antibiotics were studied for their effect in this in vitro assay system. Amino acid incorporation by mitochondria into macromolecules was adversely affected by a number of the conditions studied while carbohydrate incorporation was less frequently influenced. The number of variables capable of influencing the assays system indicate that caution must be used in the interpretation of in vitro enzyme reactions especially in the study of experimental nephropathies. Alterations in mitochondrial macromolecular synthesis may be a feature of various types of renal injury though the importance of mitochondrial biosynthetic activity to the overall cell response remains to be established.


Surgical management of destructive lesions of the spine. The authors report on their experience with 23 patients with destructive disease of the vertebrae. They recommend ventral vertebral replacement as the method of choice for all sections of the spine.


[Cervical spine injuries and compression of the vertebral artery (author's transl)]. Six patients were angiographically examined. A compression of the cerebral artery was verified angiographically only in one patient with a severe dislocation of the cervical spine. Only severe trauma to the cervical spine seems to involve the vertebral arteries. The history of this patient with a verified compression of the vertebral artery is described. It is characterised by primary discrete neurological symptoms gradually getting worse. The cause and resulting consequences are discussed.


Successful removal of a giant tentorial meningioma. A 225 gm fibroblastic tentorial meningioma was successfully removed by a supratentorial approach. Clinically the case more closely resembled a cerebellopontine angle tumour. Carotid and vertebral angiography should always be performed if the diagnosis of tentorial meningioma is suspected.


[Knotted neurinoma or plexiform neurofibroma in the cauda equina (author's transl)]. A rare case of a plexiform neurofibroma in the cauda equina is reported. In literature single cases are described as "redundant or knotted nerve roots", but mainly without microscopic description. Our patient was complained of bilateral pain in the legs for several years. The myelogram revealed a complete block with a serpentine-shaped structure. In operation we found a elongated and redundant nerve root in the cauda equina. The biopsy showed a plexiform neurofribroma. The operative technique is described.


[Experimental transection of the spinal cord (author's transl)]. Twenty-three dogs underwent a complete transection of the spinal cord at L 1 level. Section was followed in eighteen animals by reconstruction effected through suture of the arachnoide with the aid of monofilament 10 X 0 thread. The operation was in all cases concluded by an osteosynthesis with metallic material in order to prevent any movements in the operated site, and a tight dural closure was achieved in order to prevent propagation of any epidural hematoma or secondary granuloma. This technique did not prevent an unfavorable evolution of the suture, which demonstrated three different morphological features:--necrosis of the spinal cord cut ends with secondary formation of a transverse cyst;--secondary infiltration of the operated focus by a fibrous scar growing from the inner aspect of the dura;--failure of axon regeneration through this fibrous block in spite of noteworthy proliferation of axons coming from the dorsal roots. A critical analysis of those results led to a comparaison with various previous works on the same subject. The most recent of these works have led to promising prospects which need confirmation.


[The neurosurgical treatment of the cerebral localisations of the alveolaris (multilocularis) echinococcosis (author's transl)]. A case of adult woman surgically treated for hepatic alveolaris ecchinococcosis on 1975 is presented. On 1976, a hypertensive intracranial syndrome is treated by removal of a right temporal kystic localisation. On 1977, a new localisation is successfully raised. The authors, in a short review of the literature note that these cerebral localisations are not always terminal. The alveolaris ecchinococcosis is now autochthonous in France.


[Cerebral cysticercosis. About two cases of brain localisation (author's transl)]. The authors report 2 cases of brain localisation of cysticercosis due to Cysticercus cellulosae. In both cases epilepsy was found but only later was its origin proved by the finding of characteristic ellipsoidal calcifications of cysticerci on the roentgenogram. The authors also recall the various possible symptoms ; insist on the fact that early positive diagnosis is difficult and that the mode  of treatment by surgery is exceptional. Though cysticercosis is rare in France, it should be remembered when a diagnosis of epilepsy is made and no apparent cause is found : further research of etiology should thus be made in such cases.


[Two cases of pericranial sinuses (author's transl)]. The authors report two cases of "sinus pericranii" a rare vascular tumor of the skull, communicating with the meningeal veins or with the dural sinuses. The partial reduction in size of the tumor in the sitting position may aid the clinical diagnosis. The X ray diagnosis is highly enhanced by the direct injection of contrast medium into the tumor, leading to the visualization of the outflow in the miningeal veins, while external carotid angiography is normal. Step by step coagulation of the verious supply coming through the skull allows a non-bleeding surgical excision.


[Extra dural hematoma complicating ventricular decompression during posterior fossa exploration (author's transl)]. A new case of bilateral frontal extra dural hematoma following ventricular decompression during posterior fossa exploration is reported. Hazards of such ventricular drainage are discussed with a review of relevant literature. The authors emphasize the role of non communicating hydrocephaly in pathogenesis of these complications.


[Measuring intracranial pressure with a fontanelle palpation transducer (author's transl)]. The accuracy and reliability of a non-invasive method for the measurement of intracranial pressure through the fontanelle without puncture was tested during 12 or even 24 hours recordings. Wealthall and Smallwood modified aplanation transducer was first used. A metal frame had to be developed in order to secure the transducer rigidly over the fontanelle so that the recording could take place with the infant in any position and completely free of its movements. Simultaneous recordings of extradural or intraventricular pressure have shown the measurements were accurate to about 1 or 2 cm H2O in a neurosurgical environnement (i.e large fontanelles with pressure over 10 cm H2O). For smaller fontanelles or low or even negative intracranial pressure, a smaller transducer seems to be needed. The preliminary test of a plane strain gauge transducer that partially fills this need is shown.


[Telemetric measurement of intracranial pressure with the help of an electromagnetic detector implanted within the epidural space. Tolerance and reliability verified in 16 cases (author's transl)]. After a detailed description of the technique the authors report the clinical results obtained in a series of 16 patients upon whom the new detector has been implanted and comparative measurements of the intracranial pressure by lumbar puncture were effected. The length of implantation of the detector which was of the order of several months in a majority of cases permitted to verify the stability and tolerance of the device as well as its long-term reliability since the length of functionning was of more than 6 months in half of the patients. Quantitatively, the instantaneous value of the intracranial pressure could be evaluated with the standard deviation of 17 mm of water in comparison to the values obtained by lumbar puncture. While being acceptable in clinical practice, this margin of error can be reduced in the future. The authors intend to utilize this detector at first for the monitoring of intracranial pressure before advocating its use in prolonged surveillance of intracranial pressure.


In vitro effects of inorganic lead on isolated rat brain mitochondrial respiration. The effects of lead acetate on respiration in cerebral and cerebellar mitochondria from immature and adult rats were studied polarographically. With all substrates low lead concentrations produced an increase in respiration. Higher concentrations produced an inhibition of both this lead-induced respiration and ADP-dependent (State 3) respiration. Lead-induced respiration required inorganic phosphate and was inhibited by oligomycin, suggesting a coupling to oxidative phosphorylation. Inhibition of respiration was produced by much lower lead concentrations with NAD-linked citric acid cycle substrates than with succinate or alpha-glycerophosphate. In partially disrupted mitochondria, NAD-linked substrate oxidation was inhibited at lead concentrations which did not affect NADH oxidation. Thus, in brain mitochondria the NAD-linked dehydrogenases, located in the matrix space, were more sensitive to inhibition by lead than were inner membrane enzymes. All in vitro lead effects on mitochondrial respiration were comparable in cerebral and cerebellar mitochondria isolated from both immature and adult rats.


Comparison of cell-free protein synthesis by different regions of chicken brain. The cell-free protein synthesis by the postmitochondrial supernatant from chicken cerebrum was twofold greater than protein synthesis by the cerebellum or optic lobes. Ribosomal aggregation of mRNA and ribonuclease activity of the postmitochondrial supernatant from the three brain regions was not statistically different. The higher protein synthetic activity of the cerebral postmitochondrial supernatant was associated with both the postribosomal supernatant (cell sap) and microsomal fractions. Cerebral monomeric ribosomes were more active in polyuridylic acid directed polyphenylalanine synthesis than monomeric ribosomes from either the cerebellum or optic lobes. The ability of cerebral cell sap to support polyuridylic acid directed polyphenylalanine synthesis was 1.6 to 2 times greater than cell sap from the other two regions. Cell sap factors other than tRNAphe or phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases appear to be responsible for the higher protein synthetic activity of the cbr cell sap.


[Conduction velocity changes in peripheral nerves in the acute stage of the Guillain-Barre syndrome]. In 20 cases of acute Guillain-Barré syndrome (including 4 recurrent cases the conduction velocity was measured in the nerves: facial, axillary, musculocutaneous, peroneal, sural and ulnar (motor and sensory). In the long nerves the maximal as well as minimal conduction velocity was determined. At the peak of development of clinical manifestations all electrophysiological parameters differed from the normal values, in particular, significant changes were found in long nerves (complete parallelism was found between the velocity of conduction and end latency). In the first stage of regression of clinical manifestations the electrophysiological parameters continued to show an increased abnormalities, only later they approached the normal values. Sensory conduction was disturbed in an equal degree as the motor conduction despite absence of clinical sensory disturbances. In recurrent cases slowing down of conduction was much more striking and persisted also during remission. In all studied cases independently of the character and course of the disease there was no correlation between the clinical state and the changes in the determined electrophysiological parameters.


[Diagnostic possibilities of electronystagmography in motor nerve palsies of the eyeball]. The authors used a modification of ENG investigation which makes possible recording of the movements of each eyeball separately in two planes: horizontal and vertical. The authors used this method for analysis of cases with lesions of the motor nerves of to the eyeballs. The group included 20 patients with lesions of the motor nerves of the eyeballs of various origin. The control group included 20 healthy subjects. In nerve lesions a decrease of intensity of ENG tracings was observed when the rapid phase of nystagmus agreed with the direction of action of the eliminated motor nerves. Provocation of eyeballs to movements of lower amplitude but greater angular velocity (the test of induced nystagmus) increased changes. The change of deviation angle during investigation had also an effect on the appearance of pathological changes in the record. Changes were observed also in the motor activity of the unaffected eyeball.


[Serum lipids in stroke].

[Serum lipids in stroke]. In 60 patients with brain strokes the changes in serum triglycerides, cholesterol and optic density were determined in various stages of brain stroke. The control group included 60 patients without clinical evidence of atherosclerosis. Changes were observed in serum lipids in patients during brain stroke and they concerned mainly the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. The intensity of these changes reflected the severity of the condition of the patient. In all patients the serum cholesterol level decreased during the first 7 days of the disease. In the group with favourable outcome a rise was observed in the cholesterol level after 4 weeks of disease. In the group with unfavorable course of the disease the level of cholesterol continued to fall until death. The triglyceride level was significantly lower in all patients in the 1st week of the disease in relation to the control group. After 4 weeks of the disease the triglyceride level rose to values not significantly different from those in the control group. The value of optic density of the serum in the group of patients in different stages of the disease was not statistically different from that in the control group. Determinations of serum lipids in patients with brain strokes together with clinical evaluation of the state of the patient seem to be useful in establishing prognosis in the disease.


[Analysis of the rheoencephalographic curves from the temporal areas in healthy subjects aged 18-22 and obtained by means of type II rheography]. Using Siemens type II rheograph 100 subjects aged 18 to 28 years were investigated analysing averaged rheoencephalographic curves from 50 repetitions by means of a Neuro-Averager apparatus made by Biomedica, and Anops 10 Biological Computer. The trigger for averaging was the QRS complex in ECG of the investigated subject. The records were obtained in sitting and lying positions. All curves were divided into the following types: U waves, U--W waves and W waves; positive and negative curves were also separated. The segment between the peak of the main wave and the beginning of the dicrotic wave was subjected to a particularly careful analysis. Because of its shape and accessory waves occurring there they were divided into alpha and beta waves. In the group of W waves L waves were separated. In sitting position 70% of the waves belonged to group W and positive waves were observed in 98% of this group. In lying position W waves accounted for 61% and positive waves for 12%. The shape of REG wave reflects the haemodynamic conditions in a given area and is changed, similarly as these conditions, with a change in the position of the subject.


[Ultrastructure of ependymoma myxopapillare]. The results of histological and ultrastructural investigations of a tumour of the type of myxopapillary ependymoma growing initially extradurally in the end-part of the vertebral canal are reported. The patient has been observed for 13 years. During the disease several recurrences and distant metastases outside the central nervous system were observed. Histological examinations were carried out of the primary tumour and recurrences or metastases and always an evident papillary structure of tissue was found with characteristic "oedematous" stroma. In submicroscopic investigations attention was called to the stroma and to the ultrastructure of neoplastic cells. Slit-like spaces with numerous microvilli protruding into their lumen were observed between the neoplastic cells lying pallisade-like on the surface of papillae. These slits seemed on cross-sections to be minute tubular structures. This submicroscopic feature was not paid attention to in two previous papers discussing the ultrastructure of myxopapillary ependymoma.


[Usefulness of epidurography in the diagnosis of pathological changes in the vertebral canal]. The authors evaluated 60 epidurographies performed in patients with suspected compressing lesions in the vertebral canal. It was demonstrated that epidurography may be a useful method for diagnosis of pathological conditions in the vertebral canal, particularly in its thoracolumbar part. In many cases this method is sufficient for establishing full diagnosis, not infrequently it should be applied as a supplementary procedure (e.g. for evaluating the structure of the vertebral canal or for accurate assessment of the size of the tumour situated in the canal) and in cases with high-grade stenosis of the canal it is the method of choice. Moreover, it was found that epidurography is a method of low invasiveness, not harmful and well tolerated by the patients.


[Subacute epidural hematoma of the posterior fossa--a case study (author's transl)]. The authors presented a case of a subacute epidural hematoma of the posterior fossa, for which we never thought of a head injury at the admission. We discussed the diagnosis (the clinical pictures and X-ray findings), stressing that CT plays an important role especially in diagnosing posterior fossa diseases. Our case could probably not be diagnosed correctly without CT, because the conventional X-ray examinations did not reveal clearly the space--occupying lesion in the posterior fossa, before CT was done. The following findings can be a clue to diagnose a posterior fossa hematoma: 1. occipital fracture (which was not found in our case) or suture diastasis, occipital scalp contusion, 2. progessive conscious disturbance, cerebellar and brain stem signs, pyramidal sigs and neck stiffness, 3. a patient has a tendency to lie on the side, especially on the lesion side. On angiography, substraction films must be obtained especially for the posterior fossa diseases. The posterior fossa veins of our case were opacified less on the left than on the right, and the left transverse sinus was apparently amputated in its opacification. These findings were due directly to the compression of the epidural hematoma. CT can promptly not only a posterior fossa hematoma, but also accompanied supratentorial lesions (concrecoup injury etc) simultaneously, therefore one can expect that there are not errors any more with CT to overlook the supratentorial contrecoup injury. Posterior fossa hematomas have usually a venous bleeding origin, from the transverse sinus, torcular Herophilli, emissary veins, bridging vein etc. therefore, present a slowly progressive and intermittent neurological signs, as the hematomas grow slowly.


[Hepatolenticular degeneration in 2 families living in the lower Beskidy Mountain range]. Two families affected with Wilson's disease living in submontane villages of Lower Beskid are presented. The previous observations are confirmed that most of the subjects affected with the disease in Poland origin from geographic isolates. This phenomen is due to increased number of homozygotes in genetically isolated groups.


[Cavernous angioma of the medulla oblongata]. A case of cavernous angioma of the medulla oblongata with clinical manifestations developing during the course of upper respiratory tract infection in a boy aged 16 years is described. In the first stage of the disease there were bulbar signs of gradually increasing intensity without changes in CSF. In the third week fatal haemorrhage to the medulla oblongata perforating into the cerebral ventricles and subarachnoid space occurred.


[Experimental cerebral infarction.--Part 3: The protective effect of mannitol in thalamus infarction in dogs (author's transl)]. One day during an aneurysm surgery under the preoperative administration of mannitol, the feeding artery was accidentally occluded temporarily. Since then, investigation on whether or not mannitol can prevent infarctions in ischemic brain tissues have been carried out utilizing the thalamus infarction model in dogs. Twenty dogs were divided into equal groups, the control and the mannitol group. Temporary clipping for sixty minutes was adopted as a standard for both groups. The only difference between the groups was the administration of 2 g/kg of mannitol before the arterial occlusions. In the control, six of ten dogs showed infarctions verified as histological changes on the seventh post-ischemic day. In the mannitol group only one of ten showed infarction. Each of the difference is statistically significant (P less than 0.03).


[Case of Henoch-Schoenlein purpura with neurological complications]. In a 11-year-old girl with urinary tract infection symptoms and signs of Henoch-Schoenlein syndrome developed with neurological complications in the form of headaches, vomiting slightly marked signs of pyramidal tract and cerebellar damage and severe psychomotor temporal-lobe seizures. These very violent neurological manifestations disappeared completely after control of infection. The authors point out that prognosis in Henoch-Schoenlein syndrome even with such severe neurological complications is good.


[Ischemic cerebral symptoms after subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysmal rupture (author's transl)]. Among 169 patients treated at our clinic during past six years there were twenty-four cases (14 per cent) in which cerebral ischemic symptoms gradually developed after full recovery from SAH due to aneurysmal rupture. Duration form the aneurysmal rupture to the onset of ischemic symptoms varied from four days to fourteen days (8 days on average). As the initial symptoms hemiparesis and disturbance of consciousness (18 and 14, respectively) were two major symptoms, and those who showed disturbance of consciousness had more grave prognosis than those with hemiparesis. There were no correlations between the initial symptoms and the sites of aneurysm, but the ICA cases had definitely poor prognosis among those who developed ischemic signs after SAH. Those who became symptomatic within 7 days after  SAH had poorer prognosis than those who showed initial symptom more than 8 days after SAH. On angiograms which were done shortly after the onset of symptoms, severe  and extensive vasospasm was noted in all cases but four in which degree of vasospasm was not so severe and extensive. Operative treatment, when done within 5 days after the onset of ischemic symptoms had poorer results than when done over 6 days. As a conclusion, it is necessary to watch for possible onset of ischemic symptoms, especially in ICA patients, when seen later than four days after SAH. If ischemic symptoms were present and progressive, the operative treatment should be postponed until clinical course turns uphill by intensive treatments.


[Angiographical study of ruptured aneurysm in the multiple aneurysm patients (author's transl)]. Sixty four multiple intracranial aneurysm cases have been analysed for the purpose of identifying the relation between aneurysm rupture and aneurysmal features, mass signs, vasospasms and locations of the aneurysms. 1) 85% of the larger and largest aneurysm in each case were the ruptured aneurysm. 2) Aneurysms with a greater ratio of length to width showed a high frequency of rupturing. 3) Irregularities of the aneurysmal wall and the existence of a daughter aneurysm attached to the main aneurysm have a tendency to rupture. 4) Evidence of mass signs, associated with intracerebral, subarachnoid and subdural hematoma or a cerebral edema is also useful for the identification of the ruptured aneurysm. 5) Anterior communicating artery aneurysms have a relatively high frequency of being the ruptured aneurysm in cases of multiple aneurysm. 6) By utilizing all the investigated factors of the angiogram, the ruptured aneurysm might be identified in about 90% of the cases of multiple aneurysms.


[The role of sympathetic nerve and vasoactive amines in experimental cerebral vasospasm in dogs (author's transl)]. In order to study the role of sympathetic nervous system and vasoactive amines in cerebral arterial spasm, the following experiments were performed in dogs. In the first experiment, two weeks after bilateral removal of the superior cervical ganglion subarachnoid hemorrhage was produced by the puncture of the posterior communicating artery in six dogs. Second, the arterial blood of non-reserpinized dog was injected into the cisterna magna of another six reserpinized dogs. Diameter changes of the cerebral basal arteries before and after the experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage were observed utilizing the magnified vertebral angiography. Vasoconstriction 30 minutes after the puncture of the artery in the sympathectomized dogs was milder than that seen in the non-sympathectomized dogs, while vasoconstriction 24 hours after the subarachnoidal hemorrhage was induced similarly in degree in both groups. In reserpinized dogs, vasconstriction 30 minutes after the experimental subarachnoidal hemorrhage was somewhat milder than that seen in control dogs, and angiograms taken 24 hours after the hemorrhage showed that vasoconstriction was remarkably milder than in control dogs. Noradrenergic fluorescence of the arterial wall after the puncture of the posterior communicating artery was examined using Falck's fluorescence histochemical method. Noradrenergic fluorescence in the arterial wall did not disappear 15 minutes, 24 hours and three weeks after the experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage. From these experimental results, it was suggested that the sympathetic innervation to cerebral arteries might contribute to induce early spasm, but not to late spasm. Moreover, it was speculated that vasoactive amines released from the damaged brain tissue might play a role in inducing late spasm.


[Studies on the fibrinolytic system in ruptured intracranial aneurysm.--Part 2: Fibrinogen changes in acute stage of SAH as a risk factor of the ischemic complications following vasospasm (author's transl)]. Repeated fibrinogen determination were made in 24 patients suffering from subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH), in order to know the influence of blood content of fibrinogen upon the ischemic complications following vasospasm. In 11 cases (group II) among those 24 patients admitted within two weeks after the last SAH due to ruptured intracrainal aneruysm, a rise in fibrinogen over 600 mg/dl occurred, while in remaining 12 cases (group I) the levels of fibrinogen were kept below 600 mg/dl during the acute stage. In cases of group II, fibrinogen began to increase in accordance with the augmentation of vasospasm and reached to peak within 4 to 9 days after the onset of SAH. Blood viscosity also increased showing positive correlation with the increase in fibrinogen, and rose over 1.5 times normal value when fibrinogen exceeded 600 mg/dl. Reduction of anti-thrombin III was also observed in group II patients previous to the increase in fibrinogen, suggesting the occurrence of hypercoagulability in association with the appearance of vasospasm. In most cases of group II, their neurological signs deteriorated markedly at the time when fibrinogen rose over 600 mg/dl. The mortality in group II whose fibrinogen increased over 600 mg/dl was of 6 of 11, with poor recovery of function among the survivors; of those with levels below 600 mg/dl (group I), only 1 of 12 died and all of remaining 11 made a reasonably good functional recovery. These facts suggest that the increase in fibrinogen would cause the aggression of the ischemic complications following vasospasm through the diminution the cerebral microcirculation induced by the raised blood viscosity, and the critical level of fibrinogen increase as the alarming sign for the ischemic complications was 600 mg/dl. One should attract attention to the changes of fibrinogen level as one of the risk risk factors in acute stage of SAH.


[Repeated intracerebral hemorrhage in malignant astrocytoma--a case of apoplectic manifestation (author's transl)]. A case of 26-year-old female with malignant astrocytoma was described. Intracerebral hemorrhage appeared in apoplectic fashion on two occasions and surgery was done after each attack. At the first operation, a hematoma in the right putaminal region was totally evacuated and a specimen from the cavity wall showed tumor cells which could not be classified histologically at that time. The patient fully recovered postoperatively. Astrocytoma was confirmed 4 months later by the second operation for the repeated intratumoral hemorrhage. Only a half of the tumor was removed by the third operation. It was apparent that the tumor occupied the site of the right basal ganglia and infiltrated the internal copsule. We discussed the massive intratumoral hemorrhage and propose a craniotomy instead of simple trepanation for the treatment of intracerebral hematoma in order to make adequate biopsy of the hematoma wall and to remove the coexisting tumor, if present.


[A case of cerevical canal stenosis accompanied with congenital cervical fusion and extracranial occlusion of vertebral artery--a clinical and embryological study (author's transl)]. A case of cervical canal stenosis accompanied by congenital cervical fusion and extracerebral occlusive disease of the verebral artery was reported. A 39-year-old male was admitted to our hospital on June 5, 1976, because of his shoulder strain, motor weakness and numbness of his left hand, and gait disturbance for a couple of months. Neurological examination disclosed spastic paraparesis with positive pyramidal signs in the four extremities which was greater on the left side, and the superficial and deep sensations were diminished below C-4 dermatomes bilaterally. Spinal tap revealed crystal clear fluid under an initial pressure equivalent to 120 mm of water with a protein content of 20 mg/dl. Plain X-P and laminogram of the cervical spine showed congenital fusion of C 2-3, cervical  canal stenosis and cervical spondylosis. Posterior spurring of C 3-4 was demonstrated only on the laminogram. Myelogram showed incomplete myelographic block at the site of C 3-4-5. The left retrograde brachial angiogram disclosed occlusion of the vertebral artery at the site of C3-4. where the proxymal vertebral artery anastomosed with the well developed muscular branch of the vertebral artery, taking a tortuous course at the leve of the transverse foramen of the atlas, and were opacified the distal vertebral artery and basilar artery. Each collateral flow extending from the deep cervical artery and ascending cervical artery anastomosed with the proxymal and distal portion of the occluded vertebral artery. In spite of conservative treatment for two weeks, the cord compression syndromes rather deteriorated. Posterior decompression, that is, C 2-7 laminectomy and C 3-4 partial facetectomy were performed for relieving the symptoms. The postoperative course was uneventfull and there was progressive improvement of the sensory, motor and gait disturbance. The relationship betwen the cervical canal stenosis and cervical spondylosis and their clinco-radiological problem were discussed. The close embryological relationship was very suggestive of the pathogenesis between the cervical bony lesion and congenital cervical fusion and the occlusive vascular lesion of the vertebral artery.


Effect of various traumatic stresses on growth hormone release in pentobarbital anesthetized rats. Catheterization of the femoral artery using rubber band restraint markedly lowered growth hormone (GH) levels in plasma of male rats which had been anesthetized with pentobarbital (PB). Other stressful factors existing in the process of catheterization, such as skin incision, soft tissue separation to expose the femoral artery, restraint on the back, catheterization with scotch tape restraint and catheterization without restraint, did not produce a significant suppression of plasma GH levels. On the other hand, in all catheterization a marked increase in plasma corticosterone (CS) levels was observed. When the tibia was broken in anesthetized rats, plasma GH levels dropped within 15 min, then gradually increased. However, use of a rubber band tourniquet for a long period caused a marked suppression of GH within 15 min which was maintained for 75 min. If the rubber band was removed 15 min after application, plasma GH levels gradually increased to pre-stress levels in 60 min. A spinal cord section prevented the suppressive effects of the rubber band tourniquet and tibia break on GH release. These results indicate that a strong stress, such as a rubber band tourniquet, inhibits the stimulatory effect of PB on GH release as long as the stress is continued.


Effects of cerebroventricular perfusion with monovalent and divalent cations on plasma cortisol of conscious cats. The effects of altering the concentrations of various cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cations on hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical (HHA) activity were investigated in conscious cats. The cerebroventricles were perfused with CSF containing high or low [Na+], [K+], [Li+], [Ca2+] and [Mg2+] for 60 min and plasma samples taken periodically for analysis of cortisol. The results demonstrate that changing CSF [Na+] or [Li+] does not substantially alter plasma cortisol levels. Although individually elevating CSF [K+], [Ca2+] or [Mg2+] does not affect plasma cortisol levels, reducing these CSF cations activates the HHA system and the latter in turn is inhibited by the addition of dexamethasone (DEX) to low cation CSF. The excitatory action of reduced [Ca2+] is also inhibited by the addition of norepinephrine to the perfusion fluid, suggesting that lowering this cation affects the HHA system by preventing the release of the adrenergic neurotransmitter. Furthermore, these data suggest that in conscious unrestrained cats basal HHA activity is dependent to some extent upon normal brain extracellular [K+], [Ca2+] and [Mg2+].


Effects of prolactin on LH release in male rats. Normal and castrated male rats were injected subcutaneously (s.c.) with a homologous preparation of prolactin (Prl) for 4 1/2 days, and serum levels of LH and FSH were measured at the end of the treatment. LH was undetectable in normal animals, injected either with Prl or with the vehicle. The treatment produced a significant reduction of the levels of LH in the castrated animals. No effect on FSH levels could be observed in either the normal or the castrated animals. The only relevant autopsy finding was a reduction of pituitary weight in normal animals treated with Prl. No effect on the weight of the testes or of the sex accessories was observed. It is suggested that Prl may directly interfere with the central mechanisms which control LH secretion.


Serotonergic mediation of the suckling-induced release of prolactin in the lactating rat. Lactating female rats were infused with the serotonergic neurotoxin, p-chloramphetamine (PCA), via stainless steel cannulae implanted into either the 3rd or the lateral ventricle. Those mothers receiving the drug in the 3rd ventricle sustained a more severe depletion of hypothalmic serotonin (43% vs 23%) and a significantly greater incidence of pup mortality (98% vs 48%) than those receiving the drug in the lateral ventricle. Coincident with the depletion of hypothalmic serotonin was a reduction in serum prolactin (Prl). Subcutaneous (s.c.) infections of Prl into each group of females sharply reduced the number of pup deaths. It was concluded that hypothalmic serotonergic neurons mediate the suckling-induced release of Prl necessary for the maintenance of lactation.


Acute effects of adrenergic receptor blocking drugs and neuroleptic agents on pulsatile discharges of luteinizing hormone in the ovariectomized rat. Blood samples were taken every 5 min for a 3-h period from ovariectomized (OVX) adult rats bearing chronic venous catheters. After 1 h of sampling, an experimental drug was injected through the sampling catheter. The neuroleptics, chlorpromazine and haloperidol, blocked pulsatile discharges of luteinizing hormone (LH) in some animals, for periods of 65-120 min, as did the alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers, phenoxybenzamine and phentolamine. Pimozide, a more specific dopaminergic blocking agent, had less effect, while neither the beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, propranolol, nor the control treatments had any influence on the pulsatile LH patterns. The temporal pattern of inhibition of pulsatile discharges of LH by these drugs is more rapid than the inhibition caused by estrogen treatment in the OVX rat. These results suggest the presence of alpha, but not beta, adrenergic elements in the pulsatile mode of LH release in the OVX rat. They do not support the presence of dopaminergic elements, but neither do they conclusively deny it.