Fresnel prisms and their effects on visual acuity and binocularity. 1. The visual acuity with the Fresnel membrane prism is significantly less than that with the conventional prism of the same power for all prism powers from 12 delta through 30 delata at distance and from 15 delta through 30 delta at near. 2. The difference in the visual acuity between base up and base down, and between base in and base out, is not significantly different for either the Fresnel membrane prism or for the conventional prism. 3. For both Fresnel membrane prism and the conventional prism, the visual acuity when looking straight ahead. 4. Using Fresnel membrane prisms of the same power from different lots, the visual acuity varied significantly. The 30 delta prism caused the widest range in visual acuity. 5. When normal subjects are fitted with the higher powers of the Fresnel membrane prism, fusion and stereopsis are disrupted to such an extent that the use of this device to restore or to improve binocular vision in cases with large-angle deviations is seriously questioned. 6. Moreover, the disruption of fusion and stereopsis is abrupt and severe and does not parallel the decrease in visual acuity. The severely reduced ability to maintain fusion may be related to the optical aberrations, which, in turn, may be due to the molding process and the polyvinyl chloride molding material. 7. Through the flexibility of the membrane prism is a definite advantage, because of its proclivity to reduce visual acuity and increase aberrations its prescription for adults often must be limited to only one eye. 8. For the same reasons in the young child with binocular vision problems, the membrane prism presently available should be prescribed over both eyes only in powers less than 20 delta. When the membrane prism is to be used as a partial occluder (over one eye only), any power can be used. 9. The new Fresnel "hard" prism reduces visual acuity minimally and rarely disrupts binocularity, thus increasing the potential for prismotherapy to establish binocularity. This prism is currently available only for use as a trial set. Since the cosmetic appearance of the Fresnel "hard" prism is similar to that of the Fresnel membrane prism and it is easier to maintain, it would be the prism of choice (over all other types) for bilateral prescriptions in the young patient with emmetropia. The manufacturer is urged to make these prisms available to fit a special round adjustable frame, such as that developed in Europe for use with the wafer prism.


Presumed orbital sarcoidosis: report of a case followed by computerized axial tomography and conjunctival biopsy. A thirty-two-year old woman with known sarcoidosis was seen in the Ophthalmology Clinic because of discomfort in the left eye and orbit when looking up. A CT scan showed a small mass in the posterior left orbit. Conjunctival biopsy of the left eye showed a granuloma consistent with sarcoid. Rapid resolution of her condition occurred with prednisone therapy. One year later she had a recurrence with inability to elevate or depress the left eye. Similar, but more extensive, changes were seen on a CT scan. Conjunctival biopsy again was positive. With steroid therapy rapid and complete resolution occurred both clinically and as demonstrated by a CT scan. The relationship between her orbital mass and systemic sarcoidosis is discussed.


Cellular sensitivity to collagen in rheumatoid arthritis. Using an assay to measure antigen-induction of a lymphocyte mediator, LIF, we detected cellular sensitivities to native human types II and III collagens in three-quarters of a group of 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. There was no cellular response to type I collagen. Cellular reactivities to collagen were absent in a group of 41 patients who had other kinds of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, crystalline-induced synovitis, or arthropathies associated with a high prevalence of the HLA-B27 antigen. Lymphocytes, responding to an unknown persistent antigenic stimulus, are thought to play a major role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. It has previously been hypothesized that collagen might function as an autoantigen in this disease. Based on the disease specificity of our findings and the tissue distribution of types II and III collagens, we propose that cellular sensitivities to these structural proteins may be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.


The specific proteinuria of cancer patients. Most patients with disseminated cancer have proteinuria. Twenty-four hour urine protein averaged less than 80 mg in normals; 223 mg in patients with acute myelocytic leukemia; 177 mg in subjects with stage IV Hodgkin's; 215, 229, 233, and 280 mg in patients with metastatic cancer of colon, breast, ovary, and pancreas respectively. We recently purified the novel glycoprotein EDC1 (mol wt 27,000) from the urine of patients with several types of cancer and found it to be a fragment of plasma inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor (IATI) (mol wt 170,000). Both EDC1 and IATI are antiproteolytic. By radial immunodiffusion and radioimmunoassay of the 41 recognized plasma proteins and of EDC1, we have now analyzed the composition of urine protein in: (i) five nephrotics ("glomerular proteinuria"), (ii) four patients with cystinosis and four with hereditary renal tubular acidosis ("tubular proteinuria"), and (iii) 26 proteinuria (200-800 mg/day) patients with the six types of disseminated cancer listed above. In (i), (ii) and (iii) the 41 plasma proteins accounted for 100%, greater than 95%, and 33-60% of the urine protein, respectively, while EDC1 accounted for less than 1%, less than 1%, and 40-63% respectively. In normals, (i), (ii) and (iii), plasma EDC1 averaged less than 1, less than 1, less than 1 and 65 micrograms/ml respectively. Renal clearance of EDC1 in (iii) averaged 3% of creatinine clearance. In three cancer  patients with EDC1-proteinuria, postmortem renal histology was normal. most types of cancer cell interact with plasma IATI  to generate plasma EDC1 which is rapidly filtered by the glomeruli, with a resultant "overflow" or "prerenal" proteinuria which is unique to disseminated neoplastic disease.


Identification of a coagulopoietin for prothrombin. A coagulopoietin specific for factor II has been demonstrated in the rabbit, and termed 'coagulopoietin-II'. A goat antiserum was used to lower the factor II level in a rabbit. When plasma from this rabbit was then injected into other rabbits, factor II rose in the recipients without increase in other coagulation factors measured (V, VII, and X). The coagulopoietin is stable to boiling for 30 minutes, and appear to have a molecular weight of less than 30,000.


Relationship of basal plasma norepinephrine to blood pressure, plasma renin activity, mineralocorticoids, and plasma volume in essential hypertension. The basal levels of plasma norepinephrine have been measured in 113 carefully characterized patients with essential hypertension, and the results have been correlated with the PRA sub-grouping and the levels of blood pressure, plasma aldosterone, plasma 18-hydroxy-deoxycorticosterone, and plasma volume. In addition, the influence of furosemide on plasma norepinephrine concentration has been assessed. Essential hypertensives, when considered as a whole, did not exhibit any significant abnormality in basal plasma norepinephrine concentration, but interesting alterations were observed in certain specific sub-groups. High renin patients had significantly elevated levels of basal plasma norepinephrine. In addition, a sub-group of the low renin population who were relatively young had reduced plasma norepinephrine conentration. In these individuals with both reduced PRA and plasma norepinephrine, the levels of both increased concomitantly to the normal range with marked salt depletion. Furosemide administration induced increases in plasma norepinephrine in all PRA sub-groups. Plasma norepinephrine correlated significantly with blood pressure in normal and low renin hypertensives, but the relationships were confined only to male subjects. Significant correlations were also observed between plasma norepinephrine and plasma aldosterine in males with normal PRA but not in the other sub-categories. No significant relationships between plasma volume and either plasma norepinephrine or blood pressure could be detected. Plasma 18-hydroxy-deoxycorticosterone was greater in males as compared with females and appeared elevated above control levels in normal and high renin essential hypertensives. Significant positive correlations between plasma aldosterone and plasma 18-hydroxy-deoxycorticosterone were observed in both males and females with normal renin hypertension. These studies have demonstrated abnormalities in basal plasma norepinephrine concentration in certain patients with essential hypertension. They also suggest that the levels of blood pressure and plasma aldosterone may be related to peripheral sympathetic activity in essential hypertension.


Prevalence of gallstones in hyperlipidemia and incidence during treatment with clofibrate and/or cholestyramine. The present study provides no evidence that the prevalence of gallstones is increased in patients with hyperlipidemia. During the first year of treatment with clofibrate, the incidence of new gallstones appears to increase 8-fold. Cholestyramine, in doses of 16 g per day, does not seem to increase the incidence of stones, either when given alone or with clofibrate. Further studies on the cumulative risk of clofibrate and the long-term effect of clofibrate on biliary lipid composition are necessary to adequately define the risk/benefit ratio of this medication--with or without bile acid sequestrants. It is highly desirable to ascertain whether the concurrent administration of agents such as chenodeoxycholic or ursodeoxycholic acids could beneficially affect bile lipid composition and hence protect against gallstone formation during the initial period of clofibrate treatment.


Fibreoptic gastroscopy in dolphins.

Fibreoptic gastroscopy in dolphins. Diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including ulceration, infection, parasitism and the effects of ingested foreign bodies are common in captive dolphins. Using a fibreoptic colonoscope, techniques were devised for examination of the oesophagus and stomach and the removal of foreign bodies.


Isolation and quantitative determination of sex hormones in carps (Cyprinus carpio L.). Changes in the oestrogen and progesterone level in the blood and ovarian tissue of mature carps from fish farms were examined using gas chromatographic method, before and after spawning as well as under wintering. Due to the high individual variation the observations cannot be regarded as quantitative. The highest oestrogen level was found before spawning, both in the ovaries and the blood, this level was somewhat lower after spawning and did not show any further change under wintering. The resting progesterone level had a low value, both in the ovaries and the blood, but it increased after spawning. The oestrogen concentration of blood was somewhat higher in the latter. Effect of pituitary extracts on changes of the sex hormone concentration in blood and ovary of wild carps was investigated too. The results of the hormone determinations, changes in body weights and "coefficients of maturity" are presented.


Histology and ultrastructure of the the harderian glands - accessory lacrimal gland - of the chicken. The Harderian gland is an exocrine gland located in the orbit of the chicken. In the stroma of the folds, an extreme amount of plasma cells can be observed. Electron-microscopic observations revealed that the surface epithelium over the margin of the folds is joined up to deeper epithelial cells with processes rich in tonofibrils and the space among them is filled with plasma cells. The basement membrane separating the surface epithelium from the underlying connective tissue is lacking in these areas, therefore, plasma cells are in direct contact with epithelial cells. A fine network of reticular fibrils can be found inside the folds and reticulum cell-like elements with long processes are intercalated among the plasma cells. This morphology resembles that of the lymphoepithelial organs. Based on this similarity the lymphoepithelial character and a possible immunological function of the Harderian gland is supposed.


Effect of some pesticides on the rhythmic adductor muscle activity of fresh-water mussel larvae. The effect of some pesticides on the spontaneous and tryptamine (TA)-induced adductor muscle activity of glochidiae of the fresh-water mussel Anodonta cygnea was examined in short-term experiments. The pesticides used were: Bi-58 EC, Novenda, Malathion, Shell-DD, Dikonirt and pure 2,4-D the active ingredient of Dikonirt. High concentrations (greater than or equal to 10(-1) g/l) of the examined substances have a short, slight excitatory influence on the spontaneous rhythmic adductor activity of larvae, in addition their effect results in lasting closure of some specimens. In lower concentrations, they inhibit the TA-induced adductor activity. The threshold of inhibitory concentrations may be lower with prolonged exposure time.


Compact anisotropic bone: elastic constants, in vitro aging effects and numerical results of a mathematical model. This paper briefly examines the experimentally observed effects in, and symmetry arguments for, the constituents of bone which lead to a transversely isotropic configuration for the elastic behavior of bone. Based on this, a regime for computing the anisotropic elastic constants is considered in terms of ultrasonic transit time measurements. To extend the usefulness of ultrasonic techniques to an in vivo situation, a mathematical model for bone is developed in outline form and numerical results for the characteristic frequency equation discussed.


Effects of forebrain ablation on growth in teleost fishes. The effect of forebrain extirpation on food uptake and growth was studied in different teleost species. In the case of wild species such as Carassius gibelio and Macropodus opercularis concolor, a prolonged enhancement of food uptake and body growth was found following forebrain ablation. In the case of domesticated species such as the common goldfish (Carassius auratus) and Macropodus opercularis, there was no effect of forebrain extirpation on either food uptake or growth.


Cytochemical localization of exogenous peroxidase in adrenal medullary cells of hamster. The endocytosis in hamster adrenal medullary cells has been studied by intravenously administered horseradish peroxidase, which was then detected with the Graham-Karnovsky method. The protein uptake was investigated 30, 60, and 120 min after the peroxidase injection. The exogenous protein was accumulated mostly in the lumen of the sinusoids, around the capillaries as well as at the apical pode of chromaffin reaction product was detectable also in the chromaffin cells. The protein uptake was very intensive beside the plasma membrane, both apically and laterally, through coated- and smooth-surfaced vesicles. Two hours after peroxidase injection, the majority of the reaction product was present in multivesicular bodies. It is supposed that the primary endocytotic vesicles were taken up by multivesicular bodies and digested by lysosomal enzymes. The ultimate fate of the incorporated granule's membranes seem to be digestion by lysosomal enzymes, thus they are not reutilized during granulogenesis in the chromaffin cells.


Metaphase arrest in the bone marrow cells of Rattus norvegicus by the Beta-exotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis. The beta-exotoxin, thuringiensin A, from Bacillus thuringiensis var. thuringiensis has been found to be C-mitotic in the bone marrow cells of Rattus norvegicus. This exotoxin therefore appears to be a potential tool for metaphase arrest in karyological studies. The delta-endotoxin protein has no similar activity.


Effect of protein-protein interactions on binding of ligands by proteins. In general, saturation curves for ligand binding by proteins are described by the Adair-equation. The approach to ligand binding with methods of statistical mechanics leads not only to expressions for the Adair-constants, but gives also the possibility of describing the effect of protein-protein interactions on the binding of ligands by proteins. Under the assumption of the superposition-approximation for the potential of mean force between proteins in a solution, which contains also ligand molecules, the variations of the second and third virial coefficient with ligand activity are calculated for several simple model-pontentials. Finally the pair potential of hemoglobin molecules known from X-ray measurements will be approximated by such a simple square-well potential. With that the effect of hemoglobin density on oxygenation will be estimated. One finds for our model system that at relatively high protein density a further increase in density should be accompanied by a decrease in affinity (hindrance of saturation) and an increasing steepness of the slope of the saturation curve.


[Frequency domain analysis of the dynamic properties of the encoder in the slowly adapting crayfish stretch receptor neuron]. The transfer properties of the slowly adapting stretch receptor neuron can be suitably described in the frequency domain. The measurements are carried out by means of sinusoidally varying intracellular currents. The frequency response at low stimulation frequencies has been calculated from responses to current steps. At very low input frequencies the amplitude-frequency characteristic in the Bode diagram is nearly parallel to the abscissa. With increasing stimulation frequency the gain becomes larger and has a maximum at 1--3 Hz (stimulation frequency/carrier frequency (f/fo approximately 0.2). The amplitude-frequency characteristic decreases then, at first slowly then more rapidly, and reaches in the range of carrier frequency (f/fo approximately 1) small values. The phase-frequency characteristic shows at low input frequencies a small positive magnitude of 8--10(0). With higher stimulation frequencies the phase angle decreases and reaches negative values. In the range of carrier frequency the phase shift runs to -180 degrees. The present findings demonstrate also that the transfer function of the encoder depends on the carrier frequency of the receptor neuron. Larger carrier frequencies cause a decrease of the gain but the peak remains. This maximum shifts with increasing fo in direction to higher stimulation frequencies. The elimination of the encoder adaptation by means of a suitable model results in the frequency response of the real encoder. The above statements hold for higher stimulation frequencies too, but the typical differential behaviour at low frequencies disappears.


[Na-K ionic pump and spike adaptation in the slowly and rapidly adapting stretch receptor neuron of the crayfish Orconectes limosus (RAF.)]. A very important cause of the spike adaptation in the slowly adapting stretch receptor neuron (SN1) is the Na-K ionic pump. An increasing inhibition of the ionic pump, produced by gradual reduction of the external K+-concentration or application of rising doses of ouabain, is correlated with an adequate diminution of frequency decay. But even high concentrations of ouabain (10(-3) -- 5 . 10(-3) M) can not completely abolish the spike adaptation. Immediately after the onset of a current step the impulse frequency still declines. In agreement with these findings the gain in the Bode diagram shows a maximum further on. The spike adaptation in the rapidly adapting neuron (SN2) can only in a smaller part be attributed to the action of the ionic pump. Application of ouabain causes in the SN2, contrary to SN1, only a low depolarization of the membrane potential. The decay of impulse frequency is considerably diminished but a long lasting nearly stationary discharge like in the SN1 can never be observed.


[Involvement of thalamic nuclei in the formation of conditioned avoidance responses in rats. III. Lesions of the nucleus ventralis medialis]. Bilateral lesions of the nucleus ventralis medialis thalami (VM) did not change the reactivity to sensory and painful stimuli, the preoperatively fixed motor patterns and the preoperatively elaborated conditioned avoidance response (CAR, jumping test) in hooded rats (Long-Evans-strain). The postoperative acquisition of a CAR in a runway was attained as in controls, but with significantly higher running speed. During continuation of the training in a Y-maze using a 2:2-alternation schedule the CAR decreased gradually to zero as a consequences of increasing reaction times (time from onset of the acoustic conditioned signal to the onset of running). At least the lesioned animals only started with the onset of the painful reinforcement. In spite of the non-avoidance these animals learned to escape correctly through the illuminated floor (dark-light-discrimination). The results are discussed as a consequence of a deficit in conditioning of locomotor programs.


Cardiac effects of 16-acetyl-gitoxin, the active glycoside after penta-acetyl-gitoxin administration. The inotropic and arrhythmogenic effects of 16-acetyl-gitoxin and digoxin were studied in isolated cardiac preparations and in anaesthetized dogs. ECG alteration-producing and lethal doses of both glycosides were determined in anaesthetized cats. In the isolated guinea-pig atrium, the properties of 16-acetyl-gitoxin are identical with those of ouabain, and in the isolated guinea-pig heart they are equal to those of digoxin, while gitoxin and penta-acetyl-gitoxin produce equieffective reactions at higher glycoside concentrations. In the cat, 75% of lethal doses of 16-acetyl-gitoxin and digoxin provoke ECG changes (qrs complex prolongation). The ratio of the lethal doses amounts to 1:2.8 and 1:3.5 (digoxin:16-acetyl-gitoxin). In case of equal contractile increment, the ratio of glycoside doses in dogs amounts to 1:1.3, while the percentages of rhythm disturbances following both glycosides are identical. Apart from slight deviations of the doses used, the cardiac properties of 16-acetyl-gitoxin are equal to those of digoxin.


[Further data on the dependence of the agglutination titre of T4 streptococci on the haptoglobin type (Hp 2-2 and Hp 2-1)]. Anti-streptococcal T4 titres in human sera tend to be higher in normal sera of the Hp type hp 2-2 than in normal sera of hp 2-1 subjects. If the sera are heated above a temperature of 50 degrees C the difference disappeared and the titres are reduced. When heating sera to 63 degrees for 10 min no agglutination activity for T4 streptococci can be observed.


[Participation of thalamic nuclei in the elaboration of conditioned avoidance reflexes of rats. IV. Lesions of the nucleus reuniens]. The elaboration of conditioned avoidance reflexes in a Y-maze and in the jumping test was scarcely influenced by lesion of the n. reuniens of the thalamus in hooded rats. The increase of intertrialreactions in the jumping test after such lesions in contrast to the control group indicates changes in the regulation of motivational processes. After additional lesion of the n. rhomboideus neither the conditioned avoidance nor the unconditioned escape reaction were elaborated in the jumping test.


Participation of thalamic nuclei in the elaboration of conditioned avoidance reflexes of rats. V. Lesions of the nucleus mediodorsalis. Hooded rats of the Long-Evans strain with isolated bilateral lesions of the nucleus mediodorsalis thalami (MD) were not able to avoid foot-shocks in a simple runway and in the jumping test. They even did not move and showed no emotional reactions during the conditioned stimulus. The lesions did not change spontaneous behaviour, motor patterns or the thresholds of pain reactivity. The animals displayed less spontaneous and goal-directed orienting responses. The possible participation of MD in a functional system realizing certain kinds of prognosis is discussed.


Effect of alpha-chlorohydrin and vasoligation on epididymal and testicular blood flow in the rat and on sperm parameters. Rats were injected subcutaneously with the male antifertility agent, alpha-chlorohydrin (90 mg/kg), and the animals killed 4/24, 2, 5, 10 and 20 days after the injection. Rats in a second series were killed at the same time intervals following bilateral ligation of the vasa efferentia to mimic the effect of the high dose of alpha-chlorohydrin in blocking the initial segment of the epididymis. The epididymides were cut into segments for relative blood flow estimations. There was little change in the pattern of blood flow in the epididymal segments of rats injected with alpha-chlorohydrin, and it appears that interference with the epididymal vasculature is not an important factor in the mode of action of alpha-chlorohydrin. Bilateral ligation of the vasa efferentia produced a marked effect on blood flow through the epididymis. The results suggest that this dose of alpha-chlorohydrin disrupts the motility and morphology of sperm in the epididymis.


Report of a case of familial male internal pseudohermaphroditism. A rare case of male internal pseudohermaphroditism is described. The patient had normal external male sexual characteristics but unilateral cryptorchidism. Three of his brothers had also cryptorchidism. The patient's parents were cousins. The patient's karyotype was normal.


Effect of released lymphocyte proteins on human lymphocytes in vitro. The effect on lymphocytes and Hep2 target cells of proteins obtained from the medium of human lymphocytes incubated for short times was studied. The supernatants were precipitated and fractionated with ammonium sulfate in three steps. Two protein fractions were found to inhibit protein synthesis in target cells and to increase in vitro release of chromium from prelabelled lymphocytes. The proteins studied may be related to lymphotoxin produced by mitogen-activated lymphocytes. It is assumed that in vitro interactions for short times between different types of lymphocytes may cause the release of proteins. The same proteins play probably a part in the in vivo regulation of the metabolic activity of lymphocytes.


A quantitative evaluation of the effect of testosterone on RNA metabolism in the seminal vesicle of the rat. Androgen dependent gross changes in RNA concentration of the androgen responsive cells of rat seminal vesicle were monitored by measuring RNA/DNA ratios. The time course of the changes in the RNA/DNA ratio following castration and after replacement of testosterone obeys the predictions of a kinetic model which permits determination of the rate constants for RNA degradation separately for the state of withdrawal and replacement of testosterone. For both states the apparent rate constant for RNA degradation was found to be 0.4 day-1/t1/2 approximately or equal to 1.8 days). The rate constant was shown to be independent of the testosterone dose applied. The testosterone-induced increase in the RNA/DNA ratio could be prevented by the administration of Actinomycin D. These findings are consistent with the view that testosterone controls the RNA level in vesicular target cells through the regulation of the rate of RNA synthesis. The results indicate that the rate of RNA synthesis in the vesicular cells of castrated rats is a regular hyperbolic function of the dose of testosterone propionate administered to these rats. On the basis of this finding a new approach to the accurate determination of the relative androgenicity of androgenic steroids is suggested.


Studies on valyl-tRNA synthetase obtained from chick embryo brain. Purification and properties. Valyl-tRNA synthetase (L-valine tRNA ligase (AMP) E. C. 6.1 . 1.9) from chick embryo brain was isolated by two chromatographic steps from the cytosol fraction of brain homogenates. The protein was found to be more than 90 per cent homogeneous on the basis of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It had a molecular weight of 110,000 daltons determined by both high speed equilibrium centrifugation and gel filtration. No evidence was found for a subunit structure. The optimum reaction conditions as well as the kinetic constants for ATP, valine and tRNA were determined. Enzyme stability during storage as a function of temperature and in the presence and absence of polyhydric alcohols is described. Polyhydric alcohols were found to protect the enzyme from inactivation.


Role of SH groups in the activity of pig phosphorylase b isoenzymes. The reaction of phosphorylases from rabbit skeletal muscle, pig skeletal muscle and pig heart with DTNB and the effects of AMP and glucose-6-phosphate on the above reaction were examined and compared. The SH groups of pig heart-specific phosphorylase b were found to be the same as those of rabbit skeletal muscle. Pig skeletal muscle phosphorylase b differed from the foregoing enzymes in that its slowly reacting SH groups played a minor role in the catalytic activity and AMP and glucose-6-phosphate affected neither the DTNB reaction nor the small decrease of activity during the reaction.


Tritium release from Ti-T layers in air, in aqueous media and in animal experiments. In connection with Ti-T incorporation hazard to which operators of neutron generators are exposed the release of tritium from Ti-T preparations of different ages was studied in experiments carried out in air, in aqueous media and in living animals. Samples were prepared with activities from 10 to 30 mCi and the effect of storage on the tritium release rate was also observed. In 250 days a fraction of 10(-3) of the tritium activity was absorbed by aqueous liquids. In air the release varied from 10(-6) to 10(-7) per hour. The Ti-T samples of different ages, introduced surgically into the abdominal cavity of rats, showed the tritium release rate to decrease with time. The tritium activity observable in the circulation was 5 to 6 orders of magnitude smaller compared with the introduced value. The observations permit the inference that in the case of Ti-T incorporation only a minor fraction of the tritium burden can be assessed from the activity measured in the urine.


Parameter sensitivity analysis for designing experiments in kinetics. For the Michaelis-Menten binding kinetics and for a two- and a three-compartmental model a parameter sensitivity analysis is performed to design experiments. According to the mathematical results in the case of the binding kinetics the substrate concentrations s approximately Km are optimal in view to the variance of the Michaelis constant Km. In the case of the two-compartment model the results of the calculations are tested by the use of computer-simulated data. The correspondence between the sensitivity and simulation results is satisfactory.


Electric field induced defect-forming mechanisms in lipid bilayers. The role of structural defects in the ionic conduction properties of unmodified bimolecular lipid membranes (BLMs) is discussed. Two mechanisms of defect forming processes are considered: the compressive effect of the electric field on the membrane, and the field-induced bending of lipid polar head groups. It is shown that the dependence of conductivity on both concentration and temperature, as well as the dielectric stability of lipid membranes can be explained in the terms of either mechanism suggested.


Microwave method for determing dielectric parameters of living biological objects I. At frequencies higher than 3 GHZ the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the proteins and of water bound to them are negligible as compared to dielectric values of water. Therefore microwave measurements give direct information of dielectric properties of water contained in living cells (Schwan, 1965). In our work we have developed a method for determining microwave dielectric parameters of biological objects and carried out exploratory measurements at 6.3 GHZ, in temperature range 20-50 degrees C.


The role of the intracellular redox state in the regulation of ionic fluxes through the membranes of D-type nerve cells of Lymnea stagnalis. In an earlier analysis of the ion mechanisms of the redox phenomenon (Puppi et al., 1968, 1976) the question has emerged, whether the redox receptor(s) of membranes are localized on the outer or the inner surfaces or on both. To elucidate this, we have investigated the effects of redox agents applied also intracellularly.


Nationwide investigation of multiple malformations. A nationwide programme for the evaluation of 1,339 newborns with multiple malformations (about 8% of all malformed babies) notified to the Hungarian Congenital Malformation Registry in the period 1973 to 1975, was launched on January 1st, 1973. As specific syndromes and anomalads, 696 cases (51.9%) were notified. On the basis of individual malformations, 87 cases were identified from 439 patients with notified associations, and 27 multiple malformations among 172 stillborns and infant deaths were recognized from autopsy records collected from pathologists. 341 surviving infants were officially referred to 'multiple malformation centres' for special examination. 57 infants of 129 cooperating families were identified. Benefits of this programme are (i) the proportion of specific syndromes and anomalads increased by 12.8%; (ii) the rate of unspecified multiple malformations decreased by 56.6%; (iii) examination of multiple malformations may be the most sensitive means to detect teratogens; (iv) 50.5% of the expected number of chromosome abnormalities in newborns was found; (v) the nationwide material of multiple malformed babies offers a possibility to clarify gene abnormalities and new syndromes.


Relationship of renal threshold for bicarbonate reabsorption to urinary sodium excretion in premature infants. Renal threshold for bicarbonate reabsorption and urinary sodium excretion of nine healthy male premature infants with a mean birth weight of 1734 g (range 1650-1900) was determined on the 7th day of life, and subsequently weekly for 6 consecutive weeks, by applying a repeated NH4Cl load. A close negative correlation was found between bicarbonate threshold and urinary sodium excretion (p less than 0.01). It is suggested that the limited renal capacity to reabsorb sodium may account for the low bicarbonate threshold in premature infants.


Relationship of metabolic acidosis to urinary sodium excretion in the newborn infant. The relationship between birth weight, postnatal age and acidosis-induced urinary sodium excretion was studied in 43 one-week-old newborn infants with birth weights of 1000-4300 g and gestational age of 28-41 weeks; and in 13 premature infants with birth weights of 1000-1970 g (mean 1620 g) and gestational age of 29-35 weeks (mean, 31.4 weeks) during the first six weeks of life. Developmental changes were found in acidosis-induced urinary sodium excretion. Newborns with higher birth weight and postnatal age excreted significantly more sodium in response to acidosis than their lighter and younger matches. It is suggested that the degree of acidosis must be taken into account when estimating the sodium requirement of newborn infants different in birth weight and postnatal age.


Ten years domestic salt fluoridation in Hungary. Results are presented regarding the caries reduction achieved over a 10 yr period using 250 mg F per kg of domestic salt, and compared with data from a fluoridated water area and a control group. The frequency of caries-free children in the 4 to 6, 7 to 11 and 12 to 14 age range in  the experimental group rose from 8.06%, 4.74% and 1.43% to 46.75%, 43.98% and 7.92% respectively, and dmft and DMFT indices dropped from 5.35, 3.62 and 6.60 to 2.80, 1.45 and 3.65. There was no significant change in the percentage of caries-free children or in the indices of the control group. The ratio of dmft and DMFT to teeth and the differences in the extent of caries among specified teeth are also presented. The data support the assumption that fluoridated salt prevents dental caries both in deciduous and permanent dentitions. The results were similar as those obtained in a water fluoride area. The optimum and tolerated F intake water and salt ingestion, F intake from foods and the urinary F levels are also discussed.


Effect of lipid load and carbon tetrachloride on the fatty acid release from dog adipose tissue isolated in vivo. Under the influence of lipid emulsion (LipofundinR) administered into the systemic circulation of dogs, fatty acid release of adipose tissue isolated in vivo increased from 0.51 +/- 0.096 muEq/100 g/min to 3.18 +/- 0.48 muEq/100 g/min. If the lipid emulsion had been injected into the artery of adipose tissue, the fatty acid release was elevated from 0.34 +/- 0.053 muEq/100 g/min to 1.67 +/- 0.25 muEq/100 g/min. The effect could be observed in denervated adipose tissue too and in this case the fatty acid release increased from 0.40 +/- 0.053 muEq/100 g/min to 1.16 +/- 0.14 muEq/100 g/min. If CCl4 dissolved in lipid emulsion was injected into the systemic circulation, there was no significant change and a value of 0.45 +/- 0.063 muEq/100 g/min was measured. However, on administering the CCl4 dissolved in LipofundinR into the artery of adipose tissue, the fatty acid release rose from 0.34 +/- 0.053 to 1.01 +/- 0.18 muEq/100 g/min. The same manipulation on denervated adipose tissue elevated the fatty acid release from 0.40 +/- 0.053 to 0.96 +/- 0.16 muEq/100 g/min.


Brain catecholamine metabolism and avoidance conditioning in rats. Male albino rats were trained in a shuttle-box by presentation of 50 trials and were grouped according to the performance level. The disappearance of labelled catecholamine pool was studied after intraventricular injection of tritiated noradrenaline in the neocortex, brain stem, hypothalamus and hippocampus. Rats with a high performance level showed a greater disappearance rate of the labelled catecholamine pool than low or medium performers. In another experimental series the animals were grouped on the basis of their performance level which was tested 2 days before the intraventricular injection of the tracer. There was no significant difference in disappearance rates between the good and poor performances. It is assumed that integration of the goal-directed motor pattern is mediated through catecholaminergic (noradrenergic) neuronal mechanisms.


Effects of haemodilution in experimental cardiogenic shock. The effect of isovolaemic haemodilution with dextran has been studied in dogs in cardiogenic shock. Cardiac output in cardiogenic shock was increased by haemodilution. This increase, however, did not compensate the decrease of oxygen transport, due to the lowered oxygen binding capacity of blood. Lowering of haematocrit below 30% appears to be especially dangerous in cardiogenic shock.


Tachyphylaxis to the hypotensive effect of clonidine and the possible mechanism of this action. In cats under chloralose-urethan anaesthesia, tachyphylaxis developed to the hypotensive effect of clonidine. Development of this tachyphylaxis was slow in the case of intravenous low doses (10--20 micrograms/kg) and rapid after high doses (50 micrograms/kg). No tachyphylaxis developed to contractions of the nictitating membrane. The phenomenon resembles the tachyphyaxis seen after the application of indirect sympathomimetics. A tachyphylaxis developed to the latter agents inhibited the hypotensive action of clonidine which, after such an intervention, invariably turned into a vasopressor effect. Clonidine exhibited the same behaviour after pretreatment with cocaine, bretylium or reserpine. Infusion of noradrenaline (10 micrograms/kg/min) counteracted the tachyphylaxis. Thus, clonidine is assumed to exert its hypotensive effect in an indirect way, i.e. by interference with the metabolism of noradrenaline.


Mechanism of chlorpropamide antidiuresis. A study was made of the effect of chlorpropamide in rats with pituitary stalk lesion. It was found that the drug made the oliguric interphase more pronounced and protracted, while in the lasting polyuric phase in the absence of endogenous ADH it influenced water intake only moderately. Enhancement of the effect of exogenous ADH was observed after a 2-day chlorpropamide pretreatment. The results support the view that the presence of a small amount of endogenous ADH is necessary for chlorpropamide-antidiuresis. The drug presumably brings about the decrease in diuresis via ADH mobilization, but its peripheral effect is also enhanced.


Some properties of human progressive antithrombin. The effect of some mono- and divalent cations was examined on thrombin--antithrombin reaction in vitro. It was found that 0--0.1 M sodium- or potassium chloride did not affect either thrombin or antithrombin activity; at higher concentrations thrombin activity decreased. Calcium chloride as well as magnesium chloride at concentrations from 0 to 0.5 M increased enzyme activity, whereas at higher concentrations the activity decreased. Thrombin inactivation by antithrombin was also accelerated at calcium or magnesium chloride concentrations above 0.04 M. Antithrombin was inactivated at pH 7.3 at 65 degrees C in some minutes and heparin failed to protect it against heat denaturation. Thrombin inactivation by antithrombin did not proceed at 0 degrees C in 60 min, but the interaction between thrombin and antithrombin was facilitated in the presence of heparin.


Biochemical effects of neonatal testosterone treatment on the female rat hypothalmus during postnatal development. I. DNA synthesis. The effect of 1 mg testosterone propionate (TP) administered on the 2nd day of life was studied on DNA synthesis in the anterior and posterior pats of the hypothalamus, in the forebrain, anterior pituitary and liver in 5, 7, 14 and 21 days old female rats. As an index of DNA synthesis the rate of 2-14C-thymidine (40 muCi/100 g body weight) incorporation into DNA was measured 1 hr after a subcutaneous injection . As an effect of TP treatment in both hypothalamic regions the rate of thymidine incorporation into DNA, markedly decreased during the first two weeks of life, while at 21 days no difference from the control value was found. In the anterior pituitary too therate of DNA synthesis decreased at 5 and 7 days but at 14 and 21 days the values were similar to the controls. TP treatment had no effect on the rate of DNA synthesis in the forebrain or in the liver.


Functional changes in compensatory hypertrophy of the canine kidney after uninephrectomy. Kidney weight and renal functional parameters were investigated in dogs 7 to 68 days after uninephrectomy. Average enlargement of the remaining kidney amounted to 35.1%. Renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) calculated per 100 g actual kidney weight were identical in the non-hypertrophied controls and in the hypertrophied kidneys, i.e. structural and functional changes were strictly proportional. Calculation of mean nephron parameters (MNRBF and MNGFR) revealed an increase of about 43% in the hypertrophied kidneys, with an appropriate decrease in nephronal vascular resistance. The hypertrophied kidney showed an enhanced responsiveness to mannitol; increased MNRBF under stop flow conditions was due to a pronounced dilatation of the postglomerular vessels. There was no difference between control and hypertrophied kidneys in cortical zonal blood flow, as investigated by the labelled microsphere technique. Increase in parallel-connected cortical resistances towards the inner (juxtamedullary) zones was pronounced.


Effect of verapamil and D 600 on cardiac transmembrane potentials. The effects of verapamil and D 600 on the transmembrane potential of guinea pig and cat left auricles were analysed using KC1 filled intracellular microelectrodes. Verapamil (2 microgram/ml) seemed to have no considerable effect on resting potential (RP) and on the maximum depolarization rate (Vmax) of the electrically driven guinea pig auricle. This was the case when transmembrane potential measurements performed for an hour were averaged. If the data were evaluated in relation to time, a clear-cut biphasic effect of verapamil became obvious: in the period from 10 to 30 min after verapamil application a significant (5%) increase of RP and of Vmax (26%) could be seen; these changes became progressively slighter during the period from 30 to 50 min after verapamil application, while in the third phase (50 to 70 min) a significant decrease of both RP (11%) AND Vmax (27%) occurred in the guinea pig auricle. Similar kinetics of the verapamil effect were observed in the cat auricle. Verapamil at higher (3 microgram/ml) concentration decreased RP and Vmax. The time dependent dual effect of verapamil is probably unrelated to the inhibition of Ca conductivity as D 600, a more effective inhibitor in a corresponding dose (0.5 microgram/ml), failed to produce this type of time-dependent effect. A fourfold increase of Ca2+ concentration prevented the delayed depressing effect of 2 microgram/ml verapamil, but did not influence its early stimulating effect.


Hepatic transport of sulphobromphthalein and sulphobromphthalein-glutathione conjugate in control and phenobarbital-pretreated rats. The biliary excretion of intravenously administered sulphobromphthalein (BSP) and sulphobromphthalein-glutathione conjugate (BSP-GSH) has been studied in control and phenobarbital-pretreated rats (75 mg/kg intraperitoneally daily for five days). Hepatic utake and biliary excretion of free BSP have been investigated in rats pretreated with diethyl maleate (DEM), which depletes the liver of glutathione (GSH) and therefore inhibits the conjugation of BSP with GSH. Phenobarbital pretreatment caused no significant change in the hepatic uptake of BSP or BSP-GSH. The conjugation of BSP and GSH in phenobarbital-preatreated rats was significantly faster than in the controls. The biliary excretion of free BSP was unchanged after phenobarbital induction, but significantly more BSP-GSH was excreted than in the controls. Thus, both the faster conjugation and the enhanced transport of BSP-GSH into the bile canaliculi were responsible for the increased biliary excretion of BSP in phenobarbital pretreated rats.


Effect of chronic dietary saline loading on the fractional distribution of cardiac output and intrarenal circulation in the rat. The effect of chronic saline loading for 3 weeks has been studied on the fractional distribution of cardiac output and intrarenal circulation in the rat. In response to the saline loading extracellular volume was slightly expanded and cardiac output moderately increased, the extent of which seemed to correlate with the fluid intake. Fractional organ flow distribution remained unaffected. Long-term saline loading resulted in a redistribution of intrarenal circulation characterized by an enhanced medullary blood flow, either isolated, or associated with an eventual dispropartional increase of cortical flow, while the renal fraction remained unaltered. On the basis of the results it is concluded that during long-term saline loading the augmentation of medullary circulation is a specific phenomenon characteristic of the kidney and is independent of the changes in cardiac output or other systemic haemodynamic effects. The isolated increase of medullary circulation is claimed to have a volume-regulatory function.


Effect of indomethacin on extracellular space, sodium compartment and sodium excretion in saline loaded rats. The effects of indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, were studied on the sodium and fluid balance of rats kept on a normal diet and physiologic saline for two weeks. Under the effect of indomethacin the inulin compartment (extracellular space) and Na(24)-compartment expanded from 20.5 plus or minus 4.1 to 25.2 plus or minus 5.1 ml per 100 g, (p.less than 0.001); and from 31.9 plus or minus 2.8 to 37.0 plus or minus 5.6 ml per 100 g, (p less than 0.001), respectively, and the exchanged amount of Na+ increased from 4.33 plus or minus 0.5 to 5.01 plus or minus 1.03 mEq per 100 g, (p less than 0.02). On the other hand, fluid and Na+ uptake and excretion were unaffected. Haematocrit and plasma protein levels decreased (from 42.5 plus or minus 2.98 to 38.6 plus or minus 5.2%, p less than 0.01; and from 5.41 plus or minus 0.67 to 5.01 plus or minus 0.47 g/dl; p less than 0.05, respectively). The experimental findings supported the assumption that (a) under conditions of saline loading the prostaglandins might play a role in the mechanism of natriuresis and their absence might lead to sodium and water retention. (b) The indomethacin induced transient reduction in salt and water excretion could be restored by the combined effect of volume regulating reflex mechanism and physicochemical factors (haemodilution).


Fluorine content of vegetables and fruits. Twenty-six species of vegetables grown in Szeged, in its environment and at Szabadkigyós were examined for their F content. The mean F content of the most important staple products is 0.30 mg/kg raw weight or less. When vegetables of the same kind were examined, the results were mostly different. The highest mean F content was obtained for spinach (0.55 mg); potato yielded less (0.15 mg), and the lowest was obtained for cucumber (0.06 mg). The mean F content of the 13 fruit species was 0.10 mg/kg. The highest F content was obtained for pears (0.23 mg). Only traces of fluorine were observed in sweet cherry, cherry and water melon.


Fluorine content of foods and the estimated daily intake from foods. The F content of rice, rye, bread, wheat flour, rolls and wheat bread was found to be: 0.42, 0.31, 0.28, 0.28 and 0.22 mg/kg raw weight, respectively. Among foods of animal origin the F content of fish was the highest: mackerel in oil 7.28 mg, and carp 2.02 mg/kg. Mutton contained 0.71, meat tissues of pig 0.36, other meats and meat tissues less than 0.36, while egg only 0.12 mg/kg raw weight. Eight different dishes of soups, nine cooked vegetables and sauces, and ten other dishes of cooked food prepared with F-poor water contained: 0.18, 0.20 and 0.26 mg/kg, respectively. Calculations were made to determine the amount of F ingested daily with foods. Mean F ingestion of the population was found to be 0.314 mg daily with a food supplying 3000 calories.


Afferents of the anterior adductor muscle in the freshwater pelecypod Anodonta cygnea L. Afferent signals evoked by electrical and mechanical stimulation of the muscle in the nerves of the anterior adductor muscle of the freshwater mussel (Anodonta cygnea L.) have been analyzed. On the basis of the findings, the existence of primary and secondary sensory neurones is suggested. Two types of primary neuron, one showing slow and another one showing quick adaptation, while at least three types of secondary sensory neurones, namely "on" and "on-off" ones with quick adaptation and a "phase-tonic" one with slow adaptation could be distinguished. The specific stimulus of the sensory neurones could be the tonicity of the muscle (stretch) rather than the touch or the velocity of pressure alteration.


131I uptake of one-day old chicken endodermal organs. In the one-day old chicken, the organs of endodermal origin, these the thymus, trachea, lung, and intestine take up significantly more iodine than the muscles which are of mesodermal origin. The thymus shows an especially high iodine incorporation, amounting in absolute values to that of the thyroid gland. An organ accumulates the more iodine, the closer to the thyroid its anlage is situated and vice-versa.


The role of potassium-canrenoate on 3H-noradrenaline uptake and metabolism of the rat heart. The influence of potassium-canrenoate (structurally related to spironolactones) on noradrenaline (NA) uptake and metabolism of the heart was studied in normal and hypopotassaemic rats. In normal rats spironolactone administration resulted in a marked increase of 3H-NA uptake in both the atrial and the ventricular tissues, but the NA content was unchanged. An increased myocardial NA uptake in the presence of an unchanged content suggested an increased rate of NA turnover under the influence of spironolactone. In saluretic pretreated animals, spironolactone normalized both the previously decreased NA uptake and the low intracellular potassium level of the heart tissue. The augmentation of catecholamine metabolism due to spironolactone may be involved in enhanced activity of adenyl cyclase and forms the basis of the compounds positive inotropic effect.


Absorption, distribution and elimination of drotaverine. 14C-drotaverine [1(3',4'-diethoxybenzale)-6, 7-diethoxy-1, 2,3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. HCl; No-SpaR] is well absorbed after subcutaneous and oral administration in mice. Its distribution is not specific. After intravenous administration the drug penetrates rapidly into every organ as indicated by whole body autoradiography. In the first hours the concentration of drotaverine was higher in the intestinal wall than in the other tissues. The concentrations of drotaverine in the organs decrease soon after administration and the drug is excreted mainly with the bile as beta-glucuronide; 60% of the dose was in the bile collected during 5 hours. During 96 hours of observation, 67% of the radioactivity administered was found in the stools while only 20% of it was eliminated with urine.


Effect of external compression on the postocclusion hyperaemic response of the coronary arteries in the isolated fibrillating dog heart. The effect of external compression on the postocclusion hyperaemic responses (occlusion time 15, 30, 60 sec) has been studied on the fibrillating canine heart. The heart was placed in a closed organ box containing physiological saline solution, and the coronaries were perfused with blood from a donor dog using a constant volume perfusion technique at 150 mmHg perfusion pressure. The pressure in the organ box varied between 0--50 mmHg. As the compression pressure increased in the organ box, coronary blood flow, basal conductance as well as the parameters of the postocclusion hyperaemic reaction (peak conductance, reactivity, mean transit time of hyperaemia, postocclusive conductance area, and repaymen) decreased. The factors (tissue diffusion, tissue pressure, transmural pressure) at the capillary level can influence the regulation of the postocclusion vasodilatation and the results cannot be explained by metabolic and/or myogenic processes alone.


Effect of indomethacin on transcapillary exchange. The effect of isosmotic hypervolaemia induced by intravenous saline infusion, on the Evans blue space, haematocrit, plasma protein concentration and urine output in dogs under anaesthesia was investigated. In hypervolemia, the Evans blue space increased by 25--30%, while the haematocrit did not change. The change in the plasma protein level was the same as that observed in control animals. Urine output increased significantly under the effect of hydration. When 4 mg/kg of indomethacin was given before a saline load, the Evans blue space did not change under the effect of hydration, the haematocrit decreased significantly, and the plasma protein level changed in the same way as in the two other groups. Urine output did not exceed the control value (without hydration) in spite of the saline load. It is concluded that indomethacin pretreatment inhibits the transcapillary fluid exchange.


Immune-complex phagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear granulocytes. A new two-step centrifugation technique is described for the rapid preparation of viable pure polymorphonuclear granulocytes from 9.5 ml of venous blood. The phagocytosis of these cells was stimulated by soluble DNA-anti-DNA complexes, produced in vitro by incubating high mol. wt. DNA with sera obtained from patients with severe SLE. The measure of phagocytosis was the amount of nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT), reduced by the active microphages. The reduced NBT was estimated by counting the formazane positive cells or by extracting and measuring it spectrophotometrically. The immune-complex phagocytosis of control human granulocytes showed a linear relationship with the cell count per reaction mixture and displayed a bell-shaped dose-response curve as function of the immune-complex. The immune-complex phagocytosis by SLE granulocytes was decreased by about 40 per cent as compared to normal granulocytes.


Effect of chronic physical exercise on cholesterol biosynthesis in meal-fed rats. Chronic physical exercise (in a rotating drum) influenced liver cholesterologenesis (from acetate-l-14C) in vivo in meal-fed rats (for 2 hours daily) in close temporary correlation with the time of realimentation. If always performed just prior to feeding physical exercise blocks the development of adaptive hyperchloesterologenesis as a metabolic response to infrequent feeding. If it is performed 3 and a half hours after realimentation, the stimulating effect of infrequent feeding on liver cholesterologenesis is not modified.


Uniformity in cholinesterase distribution in M. brachialis of different birds. Cholinesterase activity at the motor end-plates was studied histochemically in the brachialis muscle of a variety of binds. In every case the enzyme reacted more strongly with propionyl and acetyl thiocholine than with butyryl salt. The fibres were supplied through 'en grappe' nerve endings. Each fibre had several such endings located along its length.


Plasma volume in isosmotic hypervolaemia. The Evans-blue distribution volume, haematocrit, and plasma protein concentration were investigated in non-hydrated (control), hydrated, and acutely nephrectomized hydrated, anaesthetized dogs. In control anaesthetized dogs a decrease of the plasma protein level was observed as part of the plasma proteins was lost into the extravascular space and did not return into the circulating plasma during the experimental period. Under the effect of hydration, the Evans-blue distribution volume increased significantly, while the haematocrit and plasma volume did not change. The phenomenon was ascribed to an increase in capillary permeability. During hydration following acute nephrectomy, the Evans-blue distribution volume increased but the haematocrit disecreased and the circulating plasma volume increased. It is concluded that a material (or materials) orginating from the kidney may influence capillary permeability.


Renal haemodynamics prior to and after release of 24 hr unilateral ureteral ligation in the dog. Renal functional parameters were investigated prior to and following release of 24 hr unilateral ureteral ligation (UUL). In the obstructd kidney renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreased to about 50% and 14%, respectively, as compared to normal controls. Relief of the obstruction did not cause any change in renal haemodynamic parameters in the ligated kidney. Urine flow rate and urine osmolality in the previously obstructed kidney were decreased, the excreted fraction of filtered sodium increased as compared to the undisturbed kidney. The excretory lesion of the obstructed kidney is due to arteriolar, presumably preglomerular, vasoconstriction. Radioactive microspheres revealed that the decrease of RBF in the obstructed kidney was caused by diminished perfusion of the outer cortical zones, while blood flow to the inner cortical zones was unaltered. Fractional flow to the outer cortex was decreased, that to the inner cortex increased as compared with normal controls. In the undisturbed kidney there was a shifting of flow from the outer towards the inner cortex, while total blood flow remained unaltered.


Effect of indomethacin on aldosterone secretion in chronic sodium depletion. Aldosterone secretion rate was determined in sodium repleted and sodium depleted rats 3 to 5 hours hypophysectomy. Sodium depletion was performed by keeping the rats on wheat for six days. This diet resulted in a significant increase in aldosterone secretion rate. Hypersecretion of aldosterone could be observed also after administration of indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis.


Pathomechanism of postischaemic renal failure in the dog induced by temporary occlusion of the renal artery. Intrarenal haemodynamics were investigated in previously uninephrectomized dogs, immediately after release and on the third day following two hours clamping of the renal artery. Postischaemic renal failure (PIRF) was considered moderate or severe, if three days after clamping plasma NPN values were under or over 150 mg/dl, respectively. Renal blood flow (RBF) as determined by measuring the renal venous effluent and by radioactive microspheres did not differ significantly from controls either immediately after release, or three days following arterial occlusion. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was, however, severely depressed in all postischaemic kidneys. An increase in preglomerular and a decrease in postglomerular resistance was assumed, resulting in unaltered total vascular resistance and a sharp drop in glomerular capillary pressure. Radioactive microspheres revealed a shifting of intrarenal blood flow from the superficial cortex towards the deeper (juxtamedullary) cortical layers. Fractional flow to the outer cortex was decreased, that to the inner cortex increased, as compared with uninephrectomized controls.


Comparative study of the effects of indomethacin and sodium salicylate on the renal circulation. Indomethacin and salicylates are considered to be specific inhibitors of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis. If their mechanism of actin is common then similar effects would be expected in organs capable of PG production. In the present investigation the effects on renal and intrarenal haemodynamics by indomethacin and Na-salicylate were studied and compared in anaesthetized (nembutal) dogs using SAPIRSTEIN's technique. Indomethacin (4 mg per kg) raised blood pressure while cardiac output remained unaffected. Sodium salicylate (200 mg per kg) also increased blood pressure, however, this was associated with increased cardiac output. Renal blood flow was depressed by indomethacin, whereas it was not influenced by Na-salicylate (RBFcontr. = 411 +/- 97; RBFindo. = 292 +/- 53, p less than 0.01; RBFNa-salic. = 468 +/- 110 ml per min per 100 g). Renal resistance was augmented after indomethacin and unaltered by Na-salicylate (Rcontr. = 1.96 +/- 0.43; Rindo. = 3.03 +/- 0.97, p less than 0.001; RNa-salic. = 1.91 +/- 0.49). Indomethacin provoked an intrarenal blood flow redistribution, while no such effect was seen by Na-salicylate. Salt and water excretion was markedly suppressed by indomethacin, whereas Na-salicylate exhibited diuretic and natriuretic actions. It is concluded that the two agents exert their actions on renal haemodynamics and salt and water excretion by different mechanisms. The differential responses might be accounted for by the finding that Na-salicylate fails to inhibit renal PG-production.


Mechanism of carotid-occlusion diuresis. In anaesthesized dogs given large doses of ADH and DOC and subjected to acute left renal denervation, urine flow (V) and sodium excretion (UNaV) rose significantly in response to bilateral carotid artery clamping in both the intact (p less than 0.05) and the denervated kidney (p less than 0.001). This was associated with significant (p less than 0.05) increases of the tubular rejection fraction of sodium (TRFNa) while creatinine clearance (Ccr) remained unchanged. Following a second control period, carotid occlusion was repeated, while perfusion pressure in the left kidney was kept constant by aortic constriction. In this case the diuretic and natriuretic response in the right kidney occurred in the same fashion as previously, and no significant change in V, UNaV, or TRFNa was observed in the left kidney. The amount of free water reabsorbed in the collecting duct (TcH2O) was not consistently altered by carotid occlusion. It is concluded that acute renal denervation augments the pressure diuresis that follows carotid occlusion. The failure of carotid polyuria to occur when renal perfusion pressure is kept constant points to the importance of mechanical factors. Still, a wash-out of the medullary osmotic gradient seems to be an unlikely mechanism.


Blood supply and O2 consumption of the small intestine in low flow. Blood flow and O2 consumption of the small intestine were studied anaesthetized cats in two series of experiments. Two-step haemorrhagic shock was applied in the first one; the intestinal vascular bed was locally hypoperfused in the other. Resistance to blood flow decreased in both haemorrhage and hypoperfusion. Intestinal blood flow was 12.6 ml/min . 100 g in haemorrhage (blood pressure 60 mm Hg) and 13.3 ml/min . 100 g at 50% perfusion. O2 consumption was only slightly reduced (93% and 89% of the control, respectively). Decrease in resistance showed a similar character to the "autoregulatory escape" phenomenon. Two types of regulation of O2 supply took place during low flow. The first one tended to maintain O2 supply to the gut in the face of flow reduction; in the other O2 consumption depended upon blood upon blood flow. The lower was blood flow, the more dominant became the second mechanism.


The effect of cold exposure on cerebral blood flow and cerebral available oxygen (aO2) in the rat and rabbit: thermoregulatory heat production by the brain and the possible role of neuroglia. Simultaneous recordings of the effect of cold exposure on pulsatile cerebral impedance (PCI), heart rate (HR) and available oxygen (aO2) in the rat confirmed the conclusion, arrived at by recording (PCI + HR and aO2 separately, that the brain participates in thermoregulatory heat production. For statistical analysis of changes in cerebral metabolic rate (CMR) from experiments in which either only PCI + HR, or aO2 were recorded, changes in PCI and HR, i.e. in cerebral flood flow (CBF), and in a aO2 were combined into two indices (Index CMR/A and Index CMR/B) to indicate changes in CMR. Both indices demonstrated highly significant increases in CMR in response to cold in the rat and the young rabbit. In the rat, the magnitude of the response depended on stimulus intensity and on the distance from the surface of the brain, being greater near the surface than at greater depths. Circumstantial evidence suggests that the main source of thermoregulatory heat production in the brain has to be sought in the neuroglia.


The role of "the law of initial value" and the levels of the central nervous system in the spatial interactions of blood pressure reflexes. In experiments carried out on cats it has been found that various anaesthesia (chloralose, pentobarbital or urethan, given in doses of 50 mg/kg, 45 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg, respectively) did not influence the parameters of regression lines describing the spatial interactions of depressor reflexes of somatic and visceral origin. The individual differences showed a correlation with the "mean basal blood pressure" only. There was a linear relationship between the "mean basal blood pressure" and the X-axis intercepts of the regression lines. The size of the latters determined the extent of the facilitatory zone. No differences could be demonstrated between spatial interactions of depressor reflexes evoked by stimulation of somatic or visceral afferents. It seems that the depressor reflex-mechanism operates identically, independently of the input level. The interactions of pressor reflexes were shown to be of the additive type in the case of chloralose or pentobarbital anaesthesia, while of the facilitatory type under urethan anaesthesia. The distribution of spatial interactions of pressor reflexes observed in spinal cats was similar to that observed in animals anaesthetized with chloralose or pentobarbital. The role or various levels of the central nervous system in the organization of spatial interactions of blood pressure reflexes is discussed.


Adenylate cyclase activation by noradrenaline in a cell-free system of rat cerebral cortex. Basal and noradrenaline stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was measured in a hypoosmotic homogenate of rat cerebral cortex. During incubation the basal enzyme activity declined, whereas noradrenaline caused a near linear activation of the enzyme within the observation period. The stimulation by noradrenaline was higher in percentage after preincubation with ATP than in the cases when noradrenaline was given simultaneously with ATP to the system. It was therefore assumed that homogenization resulted in an apparent activation of the enzyme activity. The activity declined only in the presence of ATP and was accompanied by a diminished augmentation by noradrenaline of adenylate cyclase activity.


Oddi's sphincter spasm in hypocalcaemia of dogs. 1. Decreases of serum calcium concentration in dogs lead to increased basal tone of Oddi's sphincter in the employed experimental model. 2. This effect is independent of the agent used for decreasing the serum calcium level. 3. Spasmolysis was observed immediately after the injection of CaCl2. CaCl2 alone, however, had no effect in "normocalcaemic" animals. 4. Local decrease of calcium level plays no significant role in the sphincter spasm. It is suggested that the spasm is elicited by increased smooth muscle excitability as a consequence of the hypocalcaemic state prevailing in the body.


Magnetic property of the nerve.

Magnetic property of the nerve. An electromagnet of inhomogeneous magneticfield has been used to measure the magnetic susceptibility of the frog's nerve. Specimen of frog sciatic nerve were attached to a thin tungsten wire hanging into the inhomogeneous magnetic field, and from the deviation of this pendulum from the perpendicular position the magnetic susceptibility of the nerve has been determined to be -0.8 . 10(-6) cm3g-1 in a good agreement with the known magnetic property of the constituents of the nerve.


Urinary catecholamines in habitual smokers and non-smokers. 1. There is no significant difference between habitual-smokers and non-smokers in the incidence of cardiovascular hyperreactivity to smoking. 2. The resting level of urinary catecholamines is somewhat raised in the smoker group particularly in the hyperreactors. 3. Smoking 20 cigarettes caused a higher rise in urinary catecholamines in the hyperreactors of both groups than in the normoreactors. 4. Hypertensive patients exhibited the most exaggerated rise in both the cardiovascular response to smoking and in urinary catecholamines.


Biochemical compartmentation of fish tissues. I. Brain energy reserves and its metabolic products. The quantitative distribution of glycogen, lactate and pyruvate in the brain was studied in 4 regions of 9 fishes. The highest glycogen, lactate and pyruvate content was present in major carps followed by cat fishes and snake headed fishes. Glycogen and lactate contents were highest in the medulla oblongata while the highest pyruvate level was observed in the cerebellum. The observed differential distribution of glycogen, lactate and pyruvate in the different regions of the brain is discussed in relation to their functional differention and may depend on the nature of the diet, on the environment and growth rate, etc., of the fishes.


Analysis of the effect of adrenergic agonists on longitudinal and circular smooth muscle of the terminal ileum of the guinea pig. On the isolated longitudinal smooth muscle of the guinea pig's terminal ileum, in the presence of naphazoline, synephrine, pholedrine and ephedrine showing no adrenergic agonist activity, the dose-response curves of adrenaline and noradrenaline was found to be shifted to the right. Metanephrine, normetanephrine, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylamine exhibited no alpha adrenergic agonist activity. On the circular smooth muscle of the terminal ileum the alpha adrenergic agonists studied elicited the same responses as on the longitudinal smooth muscle.


Comparative fatty acid composition of lipids from tubular and interstitial cells of rat testicles. Leydig cells and tubules of rat testes were separated by a gentle procedure. The fatty acid composition of each fraction was analyzed by gas liquid chromatography. The fraction containing the interstitial tissue was richer in myristic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids whereas tubules contained more palmitic, arachidonic, and docosa-4,7,10,13,16-pentaenoic acid. The specific predominance of docosa-4,7,10,13,16-pentaenoic acid in tubules stresses the possible vital importance of this acid in germinal cells. Aldehydes of 14,16 and 18 carbons derived from alkenyl-glyceryl ethers were recognized in both fractions.


On the nature of the antagonism atropine-acetylcholine on the guinea pig heart. The antagonism atropine-acetylcholine was studied in the perfused isolated heart (chronotropism) and atria (inotropism) of the guinea pig by means of the double reciprocal plot method. It was not possible to study the antagonism of atropine towards the negative chronotropic effect of acetylcholine in the spontaneously beating right atria, because this response was always preceded by the negative inotropism and required higher concentration of the agonist even in the presence of neostigmine. Quite similar results were obtained with the use of carbachol and choline. The dose-response curves in the presence of atropine and consequently the calculation of the pA2 values were determined after the equilibrium of the antagonist with the preparation has been attained. The results are consistent with a competitive type of inhibition. The pA2 values as well as the time of recovery from inhibition were higher than those described for the antagonism atropine-acetylcholine upon the guinea pig ileum which is suggestive of more potent binding forces between the antagonist and cardiac muscarinic receptors.


[High linearity biologic impedancemeter (author's transl)]. A high linearity instrument for biological use which permits the measurement of impedance modulus and its variations in the range of 50 to 1,000 ohms is described. It has two outputs (Z and delta Z) which can be connected to an oscilloscope or to any conventional physiological recorder. The deviation from linearity is not greater than 0,06%, with a sensitivity of up to 100 mV/ohm, and an estimated average error better than 1% in absolute value with standard deviation better than 3% and an expected range smaller than +/- 10%. The instrument can stand changes of +/- 10% in the a.c. power supply without showing significant alterations in its behavior. Besides, it has good isolating characteristics in order to prevent undesirable leak currents which are potentially dangerous for the patient. The instrument was tested satisfactorily in human beings and in experimental dogs by recording respiratory movements and cardiac activity.


Cardiovascular reactivity and neurogenic tone in hypertension derived from renal artery stenosis and contralateral nephrectomy in the rat. In the current study a) cardiovascular reactivity (CR) to norepinephrine (NE) and b) the effect of a ganglionic blocker (pentolinium, P) during the early (2nd week) and a later period (10th week) of hypertension elicited by unilateral renal ischemia and contralateral nephrectomy in the rat have been described. Neither the threshold doses nor the dose-pressor response curves have shown a greater reactivity of the cardiovascular system to NE in this type of hypertension. An increase in the activity of the nervous system apparently contributes to hypertension in the early period but would disappear when the one-kidney renovascular hypertension is chronically established; in both phases some other still undefined factor/s are present for fuller development of high arterial pressure.


[On the mode of action of serotonin in the isolated atrium of the hamster. I. Serotonin: amine of mixed action (author's transl)]. 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) produces a positive chronotropic effect in the isolated atrium of the hamster. The characterization of this effect using reserpine pretreatment, propranolol, pargyline, 6-hydroxydopamine or the combination of some of those drugs enable us to conclude that serotonin is an amine of mixed action in the isolated atrium of the hamster, that is, its positive chronotropic effect has a direct component, which is obtained with lower concentrations of agonist and an indirect component through the liberation of endogenous noradrenaline from the sympathetic nerve terminals. The highest concentrations of serotonin are responsible of that component. Pargyline potentiates the indirect component of 5-HT, because inhibition of intraneuronal monoamine oxidase (MAO) avoids the degradation of the noradrenaline released, but it does not potentiate the direct component, indicating that postsynaptic cardiac MAO has little importance in the metabolism of serotonin administered exogenously.


Steroid biosynthesis by gonads of rats submitted to chronic hypobaric hypoxia. In vitro biosynthesis of steroids by testes and ovaries was studied in rats submitted to 6,000 m simulated altitude for 23 weeks and their controls at sea level atmospheric pressure. Gonads' homogenates were incubated in the presence of 4(-14) C-pregnenolone and cofactors. Extractions, partitions, paper chromatography and finally crystallizations until constant specific activity were performed. Tritium labelled internal standards were used to correct for methodological losses. In male animals, only androstenedione biosynthesis calculated per rat as well as the weight of the testes were reduced in hypoxia. Nevertheless, this reduction was accompanied by an equivalent decrease in body weight; testosterone biosynthesis was not significantly changed. On the contrary, in females, estradiol biosynthesis and the weight of the ovaries were significantly higher in hypoxic than in control animals. Macroscopic and microscopic aspect of the ovaries in hypoxic rats also indicate a hyperactivity of the steroidogenic function. Weight curves and mortality studies confirmed previous findings about the advantage of females in adaptation to hypoxia. Results show that ovaries play an active role in this process.


EMG amplitude and frequency at different muscular elongations under constant masticatory force or EMG activity. The relation between mechanical muscular activity (5 - 7.5 - 10 - 15 - 20 Kp of masticatory force) and electrical muscular activity (EMG) was studied during prolonged isometric contractions of the human masseter and temporal muscles, at different degrees of muscular elongation (0.5 - 5 - 10 - 20 mm of jaw opening). In Series 1, recordings maintaining muscular force values constant show that EMG activity increases with a shorter muscular elongation (0.5) and decreases with maximal elongation studied (20 mm). The slope of EMG activity curves rises as the force applied increases and muscular elongation decreases. Analyzing the relation between muscular force and EMG activity as a quotient between integrated activity and activity rate, we observed a greater influence of amplitude of the interference EMG pattern in small ranges (up to 7.5 Kp). However, with higher forces, the mechanism of frequency rate is the predominant factor. In Series 2, recordings of masticatory force maintaining EMG constant show that, for any chosen percentage of EMG activity, masticatory force increases with the increase of muscular elongation. Results show that there is an optimal muscular elongation of maximal efficiency.


Benzoyl-L-arginine methyl ester (BAME)-esterase activity in human plasma during the gravidic-puerperal cycle. Benzoyl-L-arginine methyl ester (BAME)-esterase activity of plasma was measured in women going through the gravidic-puerperal cycle and compared with plasma of non-pregnant women. Plasma from women in the 36th to 40th week of pregnancy hydrolyzes BAME two times more rapidly than that from non-pregnant women. During pregnancy, BAME-esterase activity in plasma increases progressively up to the 40th week, decreases during labor, and after delivery reaches the same level as in non-pregnant women. The BAME-esterase activity of plasma was affected by the storage temperature, with differences demonstrable between -20 and -4 C and between pregnant and non-pregnant women.


One trial passive avoidance learning in neonatally hormone treated rats. Its relation with activity. The performance in one trial passive avoidance learning and the degree of activity were determined in adulthood, from neonatal hormone treated and intact rats. Activity was measured in the same environmental conditions in which the learning test takes place, i.e., shuttle box unequally illuminated. The treated groups were androgenized females and castrated males. Intact groups were composed by normal males and females. Intact females showed more activity than intact males. Castrated males and androgenized females displayed a degree of activity similar to the normal females. This score was negatively correlated with the total time that each animal remained in the dark compartment of the box. In this respect the normal males showed greater dark preference than the other three groups, which had no differences among them. Similar results to that of dark preference were obtained in performance on one trial passive avoidance learning, that is, androgenization in females did not produce a significant effect in this test and castration in males decreased their performance. A linear correlation between activity and passive avoidance score could be established.


Intramedullary pearly tumour.

Intramedullary pearly tumour. The presentation treatment and postoperative progress of two patients with pearly intraspinal epidermoids is described. In one of the patients the tumour recurred after the first removal, necessitating a second operation. Despite serious disturbances of gait both patients improved following surgery. The literature in respect of these tumours is reviewed.


Sickle cell hemoglobin D disease: first reported case in Iran. A case of sickle cell Hb D disease is reported in a young Iranian male, the father of whom carried an AS sickle cell trait and the mother an AD trait. This disease was diagnosed by Hb electrophoresis, agar gel electrophoresis sickling and solubility tests. This is the first case of sickle cell HB D disease reported in Iran.


Similarities of human hydatid cyst fluid components and the host serum. Nine lung hydatid cyst fluid of Echinococcus granulosus species from man were analysed by electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis and biochemical tests. In addition respective sera of the host were analysed for comparison. Analysis revealed striking similarities in cellulose acetate and agarose gel electrophoretic and immunoelectrophoretic Patterns of proteins from hydatid cyst fluid and the serum of the respective hosts. It is presumed that serum proteins (albumins and globulins) occur in hydatid cyst fluid, but in small amount than in the host serum, and we believe that the host proteins can penetrate the membranes of the hydatid cyst.


Serum level and 24hr. excretion pattern of potassium following the intake of combined oral contraceptives. Serum level and 24hr urinary excretion pattern of potassium have been studied in 104 healthy women, aged 18-44 years, using combined oral contraceptives for a period of 3-48 months, and results have been compared with those obtained from 21 healthy controls of the same clinic, aged 19-40 years, using IUD. There was no significant change observed in serum potassium level, but 24hr urinary excretion pattern of potassium decreased significantly in 90% of the individuals equivalent to 2.6-78.3% of the mean control, possibly due to a retention of potassium in the cells.


Chromosome changes in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. In two out of a total of 6 cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis with manifest chromosome alterations, chromosome studies were repeated 4 and 5 years of standing, respectively, after manifestation of the disease. In one case the incidence of chromosome alterations increased while in the other no change was found. Both cases were clinically similar in their history with remission.


Course of lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus infection in suckling mice treated with Bordetella pertussis vaccine. Death occurred earlier and the mortality rate was higher in one and two-week-old mice pretreated with Bordetella pertussis vaccine and infected intracerebrally with LCM virus, than in not pretreated animals of the same litter. Pertussis vaccine treatment contributed to the course of LCM virus infection ending in lethal meningitis in suckling mice, by accelerating the development of their cellular immune response.


Plasmid curing and antibacterial effects of some chlorpromazine derivatives in relation to their molecule orbitals. 7-Hydroxychlorpromazine, 7,8-dihydroxychlorpromazine and 7,8-dioxochlorpromazine exerted a bacteriostatic effect on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with the latter being more resistant. The three compounds also had a bactericidal effect on selected strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. 7-Hydroxychlorpromazine was able to cure 2% of F'lac plasmid of the E. coli K-12 LE 140 strain at 60 micrograms/ml, while 7,8-dihydroxychlorpromazine and its quinone failed to produced such an effect at the same concentration. In the presence of 0.1 M magnesium sulphate the plasmid curing effect of CPZ and 7-OH-CPZ decreased markedly, while the MIC values of CPZ and its derivatives increased. It seems therefore that the relative ineffectivity of CPZ in the presence of magnesium ions was not due to its metal chelation.


Occurrence of Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii in Hungary. The occurrence of Trichophyton vanbreuseghemii in Hungary is reported. The micromorphological characteristics of the species are discussed.


Adenohypophysial histophysiology of gonadectomized, fatectomized and steroid treated male frogs, Rana hexadactyla (Lesson). Cytology of the pars distalis of unilaterally and bilaterally gonadectomized Rana hexadactyla kept for a period of 60, 75, 120, 150 and 180 days and those treated with testosterone (25 micrograms) and oestradiol (25 micrograms) was studied. Similarly adenohypophysial cytomorphology in unilaterally and bilaterally fatectomized animals and/or treated with aqueous fat body extract was also investigated. The results indicate the B2 and B3 cells of pars distalis are responsible for the gametogenetic activity. A1 and B2 cells may contain some fat mobilizing factor (FMF) for stimulating spermatogenesis.


Comparative polarized-light and electron microscopic studies of changes in the structure of the intercalate disc following various experimental lesions. The intercalate disc was studied following various traumatizing interference (cyanide, carbon monoxide poisoning, intermittent coronary perfusion, nitrogen perfusion, intermittent hypoxic loading, direct electric trauma). The most frequent alterations were the separation, vesicular transformation and loss of electron-dense material of the fascia adherens and occludens of the junctions. In extreme situations the lysis of filaments joining to the junctions and the rupture of the membrane was observed. Total desintegration of the intercalate disc was rarely encountered probably due to the high adhesive capacity of desmosomes. Topooptical reactions were found suitable to detect functional changes.


Granule cells, mossy fibres and pyramidal neurons: an electron microscopic study of the cat's hippocampal formation, I. The ultrastructure of mossy fibre terminals, granule cells, and pyramidal neurons was studied in cat material. The average of the mossy terminals and the density of the synaptic vesicles were analysed. The large mossy terminals establish mainly axo-spiny synapses on the apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons in the CA3 area, but some axo-dendritic synapses were also observed. Mossy fibre endings were found in the subgranular layer, and also on the dendrites of interneurons.


Ultrastructure of astroglial contacts in rat cerebellar cortex. Interfaces of the astroglial Bergmann fibres in the rat cerebellar cortex were investigated under the electron microscope. The straight interfaces revealed numerous contacts of a special junctional type having a mean length of 0.9 micro m. A substantial area of the Bergmann fiber surfaces was found to be connected with these junctions. Electron-dense material forming knoblike particles were observed attached with a certain regularity to the inner surfaces of both junctional membranes.


Chemotherapy of helminthiasis among wild mammals. IV. Efficacy of flubendazole 5% (R17889) against Trichuris trichiura infection of baboons, Papio hamadryas L. Flubendazole 5%, a parafluor analog of benzimidazole derivative, mebendazole, was found efficient in eliminating Trichuris trichiura infection of baboons when administered orally at a dose rate of 27 to 50 mg of the active ingredient per kg body weight twice daily for five days. The drug was found safe, without toxic effects and its palatability was excellent.


[Dose for minimal sympathetic response to a painful stimulation for alphaxolone and thiopentone in man (author's transl)]. The dose that prevents the sympathetic response to a painful stimulation has been determined for alphaxolone and thiopentone (DRSM). The stimulation was the tracheal intubation and the sympathetic response has been evaluated as the percentual change of heart rate from the basal level. The DRSM has been determined as the dose that assures no percentual change of H.R. after intubation. The alphaxolone showed a DRSM very low (0.489) on the contrary the dose of thiopentone required to obtain no sympathetic response is high (7.776).


[A case of respiratory distress after bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy]. A case of bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy with acute respiratory distress is presented. The multiple etiological factors involved in causing this life-threatening emergency are discussed. Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was successfully treated conservatively by nasotracheal intubation. Tracheostomy was not necessary.


[Asbestos fibers in alcoholic beverages. Contaminating role of filtration material]. The presence of asbestos fibres was searched for in samples of wines, brandies and spirits which had or had not been filtered through asbestos filters. The materials examined were filtered on a micropore membrane that was then handled for electron microscope examination. Asbestos fibres were identified by their morphology and X-ray diffraction pattern and in certain cases additionally by punctual ultimate analysis (Edax). The presence of chrysotile fibres, generally separate but sometimes in clumps, was found in all the drinks which had been filtered through asbestos filters, while the non filtered drinks contained only a small concentration that was approximately equal to the one found in water analysed elsewhere. Only two samples of liquor, raw or filtered through a filter not containing asbestos, were absolutely free from fibres. On the other hand, the use of mixed filters of asbestos and cellulose resulted in only contamination by such mineral fibres.


[Study and identification of adulteration of citrus fruit juices]. Various types of adulterations. Definition and method of determination. Case of fraud by standardization. Definition and problems. Specific problems of these types of frauds. Qualitative definition. 1. Automatic methods of classification: --ascending hierarchical classification; --analysis of correspondances; --analysis of "composantes principales". 2. Classification of juices according to the main types of fraud (watering, sugaring, acidification, comminuted intensification). 3. Towards a quantitative solution. Conclusion. Interest of the method, possibilities and limits, further possible uses.


[Current knowledge on the organoleptic characteristics of beer]. This important subject will be considered in three parts: I. Tasting procedures. As there is no standard nomenclature in brewing for describing the organoleptic properties, each brewery has devised its own terminology for this purpose. Four organizations: the European Brewery Convention (EBC), the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC), the Master Brewers Association of America (MBAA) and the Institute of Brewing have collaborated to produce a standard terminology for beer tasting suitable for international use. Different tasting procedures, as well as their statistical interpretation will be discussed. II. Threshold values of certain compounds. Several hundred compounds present in beer have been studied and their threshold values are known for certain types of beer. Particular methods of tasting have been tried out to determine precisely the threshold value of a pure compound in beer. III. Correlation between the tasting results and the physico-chemical properties of beer. The application of statistical methods of analysis to the testing results and physico-chemical properties of different beers has allowed the importance of certain constituants of these beers to be estimated.


The analysis of cider phenolics.

The analysis of cider phenolics. Four classes of phenolic compounds may be distinguished in ciders: 1. Phenolic acids; 2. Phloretin derivatives; 3. Catechins; 4. Procyanidins. Only the procyanidins can be classed as true tannins and only they make any contribution to the bitterness and astringency of the product. Traditional methods of tannin analysis, however, fail to estimate the procyanidins as a separate group from the other phenolics. It is now possible to isolate the procyanidin fraction from bittersweet ciders by adsorption onto Sephadex LH-20 and then to separate the individual procyanidins by counter-current distribution between ethyl acetate and water. In this way sufficient material may be obtained to allow structural studies, and we can now show that ciders contain a range of procyanidin polymers probably up to heptameric, based mostly on epicatechin. Tasing panel work on these fractions shows that bitterness is predominantly associated with oligomeric procyanidins and astringency with polymeric procyanidins. Analytical chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 in a water-methanol gradient also shows, for instance, the selective loss of up to 20% of organoleptically significant procyanidins during gelatin fining, and the useful gain in procyanidins which can occur with DDS diffuser extraction. These results are important because a certain amount of bitterness and astringency is considered desirable in blended English ciders, but the true bittersweet apples are in very short supply.


[Transfer of the fecal microbial flora from holoxenic piglets and adult pigs to axenic piglets and axenic adult mice : effect of the animal host and of the diet on the fecal microbial pattern of these animals (author's transl)]. The purpose of the present work was to determine whether the axenic mouse inoculated with pig fecal microflora represents a valuable tool for studying the gastro-intestinal flora of holoxenic pigs. The microbial pattern of the feces of the different animals has been described by means of quantitative differential techniques of analysis, the limits and validity of which are discussed. The gnotoxenic mouse associated with the flora of piglet is a better model as the gnotoxenic mouse associated with the flora of adult pig. The gnotoxenic mouse represents an adequate means for preserving all the pig strains, especially if the inoculation is made in anaerobiosis, but the bacterial equilibrium is markedly affected by the host. In the case where the same holoxenic piglet flora is inoculated simultaneously into a gnotoxenic mouse and a gnotoxenic piglet placed in the same isolator in absolutely identical dietary and environmental conditions, the results observed in the mouse can be extrapolated to the piglet. However, this is only the case for short-term experiments. If the association between the piglet flora and the host mouse is prolonged, the microbial pattern changes, but these modifications seen to be reversible when the flora is transferred into another axenic either piglet or mouse. The nature of the different feeds absorbed by the gnotoxenic animals does not deeply change the bacterial equilibriums, except when the milk contains an antiseptic substance.


Cellulase activity, degradation of cellulose and lignin and humus formation by cellulolytic fungi. Cellulase activity and degradation of cellulose and lignin in wheat straw and formation of humus during degradation by Botryotrichum sp., Masoniella sp., Paecilomyces fusisporus, Sclerotium sp. and Trichurus spiralis was studied. All the cultures exhibited carboxy-methyl-cellulase activity, but cellulase activity on cellulose powder, filter paper and cotton was shown only by Masoniella sp., P. fusisporus and Sclerotium sp. when grown on cellulose powder in submerged culture conditions. However, when grown on wheat straw in solid culture all fungi exhibited FPD activity. All except Masoniella sp. degraded both cellulose and lignin efficiently as compared to cellulose. There was formation of humus like substances during growth of fungi on wheat straw.


[Analytical characterization of varietal wines and aging phenomena]. We have studied some wines issued from pure varieties (Gamay, Pinot, Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Tannat, Jurançon) and from country wines where they are predominant (Cahors: Malbec; Corbieres: Carignan). We have analysed the most important classes of compounds: volatile components, free amino acids, mineral elements, phenolic components, organic acids. In regard of the large variation of "oligoconstituants" and "macroconstituants" concentrations (ratio: I to 30 000), we examine the proportions between the minimum and the maximum of the variation range. We define an abundance degree from 0 to 100 p. 100 for every compound. With this unique scale, it is possible to include all parameters on the same graph and to determine the general profile of a wine from the relative abundance of its components. The wine profiles from same country wine or same variety have approximately the same shape and their curves are well superposed. On the other hand, when we compare the profiles of wines issued from two different varieties, we rapidly visualise the most important differences. We have for instance grouped on a graph the parameters which differentiate Gamay from Pinot and Merlot from Jurançon. Then we show on a precise example the resemblance between a country wine profile (Cahors) and that one of its predominant variety (Malbec). The differences we have observed are well explained by secondary varieties (Jurançon, Merlot, Tannat). The same procedure is applied to study the aging of wines. A graphic representation shows the variations during seven years (1970 to 1976). Five parameters are found to characterise with good precision the age of wine: isobutanol, methyl-3 butanol-1, ethyl acetate, ethyl lactate, ethyl succinate. With a detailed analysis of the components of wines, it is possible to differentiate varieties, age and perhaps many other aspects.