The cell cycle of an established cell line of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. The duration of the cell cycle and its four phases was determined for  a cell line of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.), using high-resolution autoradiography. The total cell cycle time is 12.5 h, with G1 comprising 1.66 h, S--4.5 h, M--3 h, and G2 3.33 h. These results are compared with those of other mosquito species.


Nucleolar organizer regions in the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as shown by silver staining. Nucleolar organizer regions (NOR's) were demonstrated in metaphase chromosomes of the domestic rabbit. Oryctolagus cuniculus (L.) (New Zealand white strain) using silver staining. Sequential quinacrine banding and a modification of the Ag-AS silver precipitation technique with duplicate photography allowed identification of silver staining NOR's on the short arms of chromosomes 13, 16, and 20, as well as the telomeric region of the long arms of number 21 in some cells. Chromosomes 13, 16 and 20 all have subterminal to terminal centromeres, often showed satellites and secondary constrictions, and were sometimes involved in associations.


Sources of Salmonellae in broiler chickens in Ontario. Sources of Salmonellae infecting broiler chicken flocks in Ontario were investigated from July, 1975 to April, 1976. Three broiler flocks were investigated on each of four farms which received chicks from a common hatchery. Samples of feed and new litter were preenriched in nonselective broth subcultured to Salmonella-selective enrichment broth and plated on Salmonella-selective differential agar. Samples of used litter, water, culled chicks, insects, mice, wild birds and environmental swabs were not cultured initially in the nonselective broth. Fecal samples from principal and occasional flock attendants were examined for Samonellae. Salmonella infection, as judged by contaminated flock litter was detected in six flocks on two of the farms while the flocks on the other farms remained negative. Salmonellae were isolated from 23 of 412 feed samples (nine serotypes), six of 35 new wood shaving samples (four serotypes), one of 29 pools of culled chick viscera (one serotype) and 44 of 267 used litter samples (14 serotypes). These results indicate that broiler chicken flocks were infected with diverse Salmonellae introduced in day old chicks, pelleted feeds, wood shavings and residual contamination from the preceding flock.


The prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii among hospitalized animals and stray dogs. Hospitalized animals and stray dogs were serologically tested for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. In addition, the data were examined for the possibility of toxoplasmosis infection being associated with the clinical diagnosis and with the discharge status (alive vs. dead). Among 1056 hospitalized animals, 17 (20%) of 86 cats, 112 (14%) of 804 dogs, 34 (26%) of 133 horses and 6 (18%) of 33 cattle had serological evidence of infection with T. gondii. Only 22 (6%) of 342 young (median age = one year) stray dogs were seropositive. The difference in antibody prevalence between hospitalized and stray dogs was thought to be due to age and dietary factors. Of 249 dogs grouped by clinical diagnosis, there was significantly (p less than 0.01) higher prevalence of seropositives among dogs with diseases of the kidney or with adrenocortical hyperfunction than among dogs hospitalized for other diseases. Of 19 dogs with diseases of the kidney and 12 with adrenocortical hyperfunction 37% and 42%, respectively, were seropositive.. There was higher risk of being discharged from the hospital dead among seropositive dogs, cattle and horses than among seronegative animals of the same species. The exception was cats, where of 69 seronegative cats 29% were dead at discharge and where of 17 seropositive cats 18% were dead at discharge. The possible effects of stress due to hospitalization need further research.


Some lesions observed in calves born to cows exposed to the virus of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis in the last trimester of gestation. Sixteen pregnant cows were challenged with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus intranasally. One had a mummified fetus, four aborted, one calf was stillborn, two live fetuses were taken at the abattoir and eight calves were born alive. Of the eight born alive, five were dead by 12 days of age. Four of these had the usual lesions of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis as well as lesions in the intestine and peritoneum and two of the four had a fibrinous pneumonia thought to be caused by aspiration of milk. The lesions, results of virus isolation and fluorescent antibody testing are recorded in these four calves. Attention is drawn to the intestinal lesions, the peritonitis and fibrinous pneumonia and the ease with which the underlying infectious bovine rhinotracheitis infection may be overlooked.


Pulmonary vascular response of dogs with heartworm disease. Heartworm diseases in dogs is an infectious disease that produces pulmonary hypertension. Dogs with the early vascular changes of heartworm disease, but without the clinical cardiopulmonary signs and pulmonary hypertension, were studied. Dogs with early heartworm were identified that had an exaggerated hypertensive response to hypoxia and to postaglandin F2alpha as compared to those of normal dogs. The pulmonary hypertensive response of dogs with spontaneous heartworm disease varied widely between individuals.


Serological tests as indicators of immunity against Pasteurella multocida infection in sheep. Five serological tests, i.e. single tube agglutination, doubling dilution tube agglutination, agar agglutination, passive hemagglutination and passive mouse protection tests were evaluated for their efficacy in predicting the fate of vaccinated and unvaccinated sheep on challenge with an ovine strain of Pasteurella multocida. The passive hemagglutination test predicted the fate of unvaccinated sheep while the agar agglutination test indicated the immune status of vaccinated sheep.


The pathological changes caused by Eimeria falciformis var pragensis in mice. Groups of Swiss white mice weighing 25-28 grams were infected orally with 500, 2,000, 5,000 or 20,000 oocysts of Eimeria falciformis var pragensis. Depression, anorexia, weight loss, diarrhea or dysentery, and dehydration were most pronounced at eight to ten days postinfection. The highest mortality, 31%, occurred in mice infected with 20,000 oocysts. None of the mice infected with 500 oocysts died. The pathological findings were equally severe in mice infected with 5,000 and 20,000 oocysts. The enteric lesions, most pronounced at eight to ten days postinfection, were restricted mainly to the large intestine and consisted initially of both cryptal and absorptive epithelial cell destruction and submucosal edema. These changes were followed in 12 to 24 hours by a transient influx of neutrophils into the lamina propria followed by mononuclear cell infiltration which lasted for five to ten days. As the infective dose decreased, the inflammatory response occurred later and was less extensive. When seen, hemorrhage occurred seven to 11 days postinfection. In 50% of the mice infected with 5,000 and 20,000 oocysts, varying degrees of a nonselective mucosal necrosis were seen at eight to 12 days postinfection. In mice infected with 500 oocysts, mucosal destruction was restricted to the epithelium. Neutrophils predominated when necrosis was extensive, otherwise, mononuclear cells were the main inflammatory cells. Two to three days following necrosis, crypt hyperplasia was marked and mucosal integrity was restored. Ulcers, some of which extended into the submucosa, healed by days 14 to 20. Localized granulomatous colitis, induced by trapped oocysts within the lamina propria, was seen until the experiment was terminated at 25 days postinfection. Infection was followed by lymphoid hyperplasia in the lymph nodes and the spleen.


A study of the role of genetic factors in the etiology of left abomasal displacement. The ancestry of 69 cows having left displaced abomasum was compared with that of 69 cows (matched for age, farm and lactation) not having experienced left displaced abomasum. A variety of tests were used to ascertain if certain bulls or families of bulls produced daughters with an increased risk of developing left displaced abomasum. However, there were no significant differences between the pedigrees of the affected and nonaffected cows.


Visual acuity after iridectomy or aspiration for congenital cataract: Experimental and clinical studies. Studies with a camera and a model eye showed that the image produced by peripheral light rays is inferior to the image produced by paraxial rays. In a retrospective clinical study, we determined the best corrected visual acuity in 33 patients (52 eyes) who had had iridectomy (group I) or aspiration (group II) or both for central cataracts. Vision was significantly better (p less than 0.01) in group II than in group I, and postoperative complications of aspiration were minimal. Some patients had unilateral amblyopia or pendular nystagmus. We conclude that if vision is to be improved with a single procedure, aspiration - not optical iridectomy - is indicated. We could not identify any factors in early infancy that would have predicted which patients with congenital central cataracts required early surgery.


The visual results after vitreous loss during cataract extraction. We followed the progress of 50 eyes in which cataract extraction was complicated by vitreous loss for 6 to 48 months and matched them with 50 eyes that had not lost vitreous. The results show that the number of eyes attaining 6/6 (20/20) or 6/7.5 (20/25) vision is significantly higher in the controls. All eyes that had vitreous loss retained useful vision. A comparison between our cases managed by vitrectomy and those of vitreous loss without vitrectomy reported in the literature, showed that vitrectomy gave better visual results with fewer complications.


Automatic refraction and the private ophthalmologist: Dioptron II compared with subjective examination. The author carried out manifest followed by cycloplegic retinoscopy and subjective refraction in 84 office patients. An ophthalmic assistant examined them on the Dioptron II refractor. The results were compared. There was 46% agreement to the nearest +/- .025D for spheres, 51% for cylinders and 44% for spherical equivalents. After cycloplegia, agreement was 47%, 51% and 51% respectively. Axis agreement to the nearest 5 degrees was 46% without and 29% with cycloplegia. Statistical correlation showed this optometer to be most accurate for spheres, less for axes and least for cylindrical powers. In most patients it was more accurate without cycloplegia than with and provided a useful starting point for refraction. It was less useful for children under 8, in elderly, psychiatric and some non-English-speaking patients.


Biosynthesis of protein by the retina. The properties of a cell-free system obtained from rat retina. We describe the properties of a post-mitochondrial (30,000 g) supernatant fluid obtained from rat retina which incorporated (3H) leucine into an alkali-stable acid-insoluble fraction (protein). It contained a substance, possibly leucine, which interfered with the incorporation of (3H) leucine into acid-insoluble fractions and which could be removed by passage through Sephadex G-25 or by dialysis. Magnesium was essential for protein synthesis and potassium enhanced it. Radioactive leucine was incorporated in the protein only when both adenosine triphosphate and guanosine triphosphate were present. Puromycin inhibited protein synthesis. The amount of material required for this assay is small. The system can be used to study changes in protein synthesis in the retinas of rats with retinal dystrophies.


Corneal effects of intraocular air.

Corneal effects of intraocular air. To resolve the apparent contradiction between Norn's work on human eyes suggesting that postoperative air protects the corneal endothelium and the work of Leibowitz on excised animal eyes suggesting that air damages the corneal endothelium, we have replicated Norn's findings in an animal model similar to that used by Leibowitz. Since fewer metabolically active cells may maintain corneal deturgesence even after cell loss we do not believe that Norn's work contradicts that of Leibowitz. We find that the eyes treated with air have significantly less corneal swelling.


Breeding a pigmented strain of rats with tapetoretinal degeneration. When Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats are bred with Wistar albinos the offspring are deeply pigmented and have normally functioning retinas. From this second generation, various breeding possibilities exist. In the course of successive cross-breedings one can obtain albinos, tan striped (RCS type) or pigmented animals, any one of which may be normal, carrier or affected. The skin pigmentation trait and that of retinal degeneration are independently inherited and follow autosomal recessive Mendelian laws. However normals for ERG studies vary with skin pigmentation. It is suggested that only one group should be chosen and preferably the pigmented variety.


Electroretinography in pigmented rats with tapeto-retinal degeneration. We studied tapeto-retinal degeneration in the offspring of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) and Wistar albino rats. Normal ERG values vary according to skin pigmentation: thresholds and implicit times are different. We believe the best experimental material is to be found in the affected pigmented offspring. Evolution of the degeneration over more than 9 months has been observed before extinction and the expressivity of the disease varies from one individual to another. This animal model closely resembles the ERG findings observed clinically in certain pigmentary degenerations of the retina.


Iris nevus syndrome.

Iris nevus syndrome. We present a case of iris-nevus or Cogan-Reese syndrome with its characteristic pathological findings. Although a rare entity, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of heterochromia associated with elevated intra-ocular pressure. To avoid unnecessary enucleation, it should not be confused with diffuse iris melanoma.


Systemic reaction to subconjunctival phenylephrine. After a subconjunctival injection of phenylephrine, cocaine and atropine, a patient's blood pressure rose to 220/180 mmHg. This rise was followed by hypotension, pulmonary edema, and subendocardial ischemia, all of which resolved spontaneously within 12 hours. This report reemphasizes the hazardous effects on blood pressure of phenylephrine applied to the eye.


Silicone augmentation of the enophthalmic socket. A 14 year review. We injected Silastic RTV S-5392 to increase the obrital volume in 25 enophthalmic patients with enophthalmus. Once the technique had been perfected, the complication rate was nil. Seven patients examined 12-14 years later had no later complications and uniformly satisfactory results.


Inhibition of passive anaphylaxis induced in the rat hind paw and peritoneal cavity by N-(2-oxo-3,5,7-cycloheptatrien-1-yl)-aminooxoacetic acid ethyl ester (AY-25,674). Passive anaphylaxis induced in the rat hind paw and peritoneal cavity with rat serum containing immunoglobulin E antibody was inhibited by N-(2-oxo-3,5,7-cycloheptatrien-1-yl)-aminooxoacetic acid ethyl ester (AY-25,674). In contrast with disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), AY-25,674 was orally active. Otherwise, the activity profile of AY-25,674 was similar to that of DSCG. Peak activity occurred a short time after administration, large doses produced tachyphylaxis, and anaphylactic histamine release from mast cells was inhibited. AY-25,674 did not inhibit increased vascular permeability produced by nonreaginic antibody, compound 48/80, serotonin, or histamine. It is concluded that AY-25,674 produces its antiallergic effects by inhibiting mediator release from mast cells by a mechanism similar to that of DSCG.


Decreased pulmonary vascular responses in dogs with increased pulmonary blood flow. We wished to determine whether high pulmonary blood flow alters the pulmonary vascular responses to the vasoconstrictors, hypoxia and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha). Acute or chronic left pulmonary artery (PA) occlusion was performed in dogs in order to create high pulmonary blood flow conditions. Right lung pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) during normoxia was reduced by both acute and chronic left PA occlusion, suggesting passive vasodilatation. Increases in right lung PVR induced by hypoxia (10--15% O2) and PGF2alpha (0.8-4 microgram kg-1 min-1) were attenuated both in acute and chronic left PA occluded dogs. Since the reductions in responsiveness were similar with acute and chronic increases in blood flow, the attenuating effect of high blood flow was not dependent upon morphologic changes in the vasculature. Pulmonary vascular responsiveness was probably reduced in these animals due to their dilated pulmonary vascular beds, consequent to the increased blood flow, thereby decreasing the effectiveness of smooth muscle contraction.


Effects of cortisol on adrenal phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase: antagonistic effects of vitamin D in hypophysectomized rats fed a vitamin D free diet. The influence of individual or combined administration of vitamin D and hydrocortisone on adrenal phenyl-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) in hypophysectomized rats deprived of vitamin D for 1 month has been studied, as well as adrenal and urinary epinephrine and norepinephrine. Daily administration of vitamin D for 11 days decreased PNMT activity and increased adrenal norepinephrine, whereas adrenal epinephrine remained unaffected. Epinephrine and norepinephrine urinary excretion increased after four and nine injections of vitamin D from the hypophysectomized rats fed a vitamin D free diet for 1 month. Hydrocortisone treatment produced increases in adrenal PNMT and epinephrine as well as in urinary excretion of both monoamines. The effects of individual administration are neutralized when the two products are injected together.


Hepatic glucose balance in response to direct stimulation of sympathetic nerves in the intact liver of cats. Changes in hepatic glucose balance in response to direct stimulation of the hepatic nerves were measured in cats. Simultaneous measurements were made of glucose concentrations entering and leaving the intact liver; this, combined with measured blood flows, allows calculation of hepatic glucose balance. Stimulation of the hepatic sympathetic nerves (8 Hz, 15 V, 1 ms) produced a rapid increase in hepatic glucose output that was statistically significant after 1 min and reached a peak 3--5 min after onset of stimulation, after which time the output declined somewhat. The half time for deactivation of the response was 1.8--2 min. Variability in the responses was largely accounted for by the variable control base lines measured immediately prior to stimulation. Those animals showing the highest basal output showed the least increase in output in response to the nerves. The response to stimulation of the mixed nerve trunk in the presence and absence of atropine (1 mg/kg, intraportal) was similar. Simultaneous activation of hepatic sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves therefore produces a purely sympathetic type of effect on net glucose balance across the liver. It was also shown that changes in net splanchnic output or simply in arterial--hepatic venous glucose differences are an adequate reflection of liver glucose balance under the currently tested responses.


Evidence for enhanced Na transport in hypertension induced by DOCA in the rat. Uninephrectomized rats were treated with DOCA-saline for 3 weeks. Active Na transport activity was assessed in the rat tail artery in three separate ways. In the first method, Na-K exchange was expressed in terms of steady-state values in normal and ouabain-blocked arteries. In the second method, the relation of free cell Na to [Na]0 was measured after equilibration in media in which [Na]0 varied from about 25 to 140 mM. In the third method, the relation of cell K to [k]0 was measured with glass electrodes during the reestablishment of normality following prolonged K depletion. All methods yielded evidence of enhanced net active transport activity in the incubated artery (zero intraluminal pressure) in steady state.


Blood pressure in conscious and anesthetized adrenal-enucleated Sprague-Dawley and Wistar-Furth rats. Systolic blood pressure was measured weekly in conscious and in anesthetized female Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Wistar-Furth (W/Fu) rats following adrenal enucleation, unilateral nephrectomy, and the imposition of a high salt intake. SD rats quickly developed adrenal-regeneration hypertension (ARH) which progressed rapidly, and was identifiable in both the conscious and the anesthetized state. W/Fu rats slowly developed mild ARH, which, with a single exception, was identifiable only in conscious animals; the arterial pressures were within the normotensive range under anesthesia. The depressor effect of ether was also greater in adrenal-enucleated W/Fu than in similarly prepared SD rats, and in hypertensives than in normotensives. It is concluded that blood pressure measurements taken under anesthesia may not be representative of the true resting blood pressures: this is likely to be a particularly crucial problem in identifying early hypertension under circumstances and in rat strains highly susceptible to the depressor effects of ether.


Role of cardiac lymph and interstitial fluid in lipid metabolism of canine heart. To determine whether cardiac interstitial spaces participate in cardiac fatty acid pool, the relationship between cardiac lymph and arterial plasma free palmitate and triglycerides was studied in anesthetized dogs [14C]Sucrose, infused at a constant rate in a femoral vein, appeared in the lymph at 90% of its arterial concentration within 60 min. On the other hand, when [1-14C]palmitate was infused at the same rate and at the same site, the ratio of lymph to arterial plasma 14C-labelled free fatty acids (FFA) was only 21% at 60 min and 25% at 120 min, even though the concentrations of endogenous FFA in lymph and arterial plasma were the same. The ratio reached 90% only 24 h after a bolus injection of [3H]palmitate. [1-14C]Palmitate in the lymph triglyceride fraction was only 8% of that in plasma. Although the lymph composition may be influenced by the metabolism of heart muscle, cardiac adipose tissue, and serum lipoproteins, these results indicate the presence of a pool of myocardial fatty acids which may be partly located in the interstitial spaces.


Reticuloendothelial system blockade-induced humoral factor depletion and susceptibility to hemorrhagic shock. This study was carried out to determine if reticuloendothelial system (RES) blockade-induced depletion of circulating alpha-2-glycoprotein opsonic activity resulted in increased susceptibility to hemorrhagic shock. RES blockade induced by the injection of gelatinized lipid emulsion was associated with a 45.9% decrease in phagocytic index and a 85.7% decrease in plasma alpha-2-glycoprotein opsonic activity. Animals subjected to RES blockade 30 min prior to hemorrhagic shock showed a decrease in time to decompensation and a decrease in maximum shed volume. These results are consitent with the concept that circulating levels of this opsonic protein are important in modulating RES phagocytic function and in host defense to shock.


Arterio-venous difference in lactate levels in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. The effects of 30-, 60-, and 90-min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery and 60-min reperfusion were studied on the left ventricular dP/dt, myocardial ultrastructure, and tissue as well as blood lactate levels in dogs. The dP/dt was depressed by the occlusion, and reperfusion instituted after 30 min resulted in full recovery whereas that after 90 min had an adverse effect. Varying degrees of ultrastructural damage were noted after 60 and 90 min of occlusion and this was further exaggerated by reperfusion. Coronary occlusion markedly increased lactate content of ischemic myocardium, and the same returned to normal upon reperfusion. Myocardial ischemia for 30 or 60 min did not affect net arterial lactate extraction by the heart, but ischemia for 90 min reversed net lactate extraction to net lactate production by the heart. Reperfusion after 30 min of occlusion significantly increased lactate extraction, but reperfusion after 60 and 90 min of ischemia significantly decreased net lactate extraction and increased net production, respectively. The results indicate that estimation of net lactate exchange across the heart can be of value in assessing the viability of myocardium following coronary bypass surgery.


Alterations in brain dopamine and serotonin metabolism during the development of tolerance to human beta-endorphin in rats. Repeated intracisternal injections of human beta-endorphin lead to development of tolerance with respect to the catalepsy, analgesia, and hypothermia which are seen following a single injection. The initial injection of beta-endorphin results in increases in the dopamine metabolites, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), in neostriatum, as well as increases in the serotonin metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), in hypothalamus and brainstem and a decrease in 5-HIAA in hippocampus. In the present study, we report changes in metabolism of dopamine and serotonin in specific brain areas during the development of tolerance to beta-endorphin. Thus, the development of tolerance to beta-endorphin with respect to catalepsy, analgesia, and hypothermia may be mediated by development of tolerance to the effects of beta-endorphin on brain dopamine and serotonin release.


Elevated vascular reactivity in the timolol-treated spontaneously hypertensive rat. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) treated in utero with a low dose, and from weaning with 6 mg/kg per day of oral timolol, a noncardioselective beta-adrenergic blocker, did not develop hypertension. Isolated aortic rings from these animals showed increased reactivity to raised extracellular K+, when compared with tissues from timolol-treated Kyoto-Wistar (WKY) control rats. The normotensive SHR aorta also showed significant responsiveness to H+ and to high Ca2+ concentrations without previously depolarizing the tissue with high K+. These observations suggest that the increased reactivity seen in vascular smooth muscle from this animal does not develop secondary to elevated peripheral resistance and subsequent hypertrophy, and that the initiation of hypertension in this animal may be related to a membrane defect and (or) cellular defect which results in a facilitation of Ca2+ availability for the contractile proteins of the SHR vascular smooth muscle cell.


Picrotoxin prevents habituation of the gill withdrawal reflex in Aplysia. The gill withdrawal reflex evoked by tactile stimulation of the siphon in Aplysia habituates with repeated presentation of the stimulus. This adaptive behaviour is mediated by the integrated activity of the central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous systems. The PNS mediates the basic reflex and its habituation while the CNS exerts both suppressive and facilitatory control over the PNS. This results in greater adaptability of the reflex behaviours. In young Aplysia the CNS control is absent and this is due to the imcomplete development of pathways in the CNS. In an attempt to identify the pathway an attempt was made to manipulate the CNS's suppressive influence by agents which antagonize putative neurotransmitters. The application of picrotoxin-containing seawater over the CNS removed the CNS's suppressive influence but not its facilitatory influence. Thus the reflex amplitude was increased, the reflex latency decreased, and repeated stimulation did not result in habituation. This effect of picrotoxin was completely reversible. It is thus proposed that gamma-aminobutyric acid, a putative neurotransmitter, plays an important role in the mediation of the CNS's suppressive influence.


Inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake into astrocytes by pentobarbital. Pentobarbital (0.5-2mM), but not phenobarbital, was found to inhibit the uptake of gamma-aminobutyric acid into mouse astrocytes in primary cultures up to 45%. This inhibition was additive to a reduction in uptake rate caused by excess potassium. Its possible role in the pharmacological action of pentobarbital is discussed.


Ranking of excitatory amino acids by the antagonists glutamic acid diethylester and D-alpha-aminoadipic acid. A separation of the excitatory actions of the amino acids upon thalamic neurones of rats anaesthetized with urethane has been accomplished through the use of two antagonists. It has been possible to rank the excitatory compounds in their order of susceptibility to D-alpha-aminoadipic acid (DalphaAA) and L-glutamic acid diethylester (GDEE). The observation that the ranking orders of the excitants differ for these two antagonists permits an analysis of the types of receptors with which the amino acid excitants react. The results support the proposition that more than one neuronal receptor sensitive to the amino acids exists.


The effects of acetylcholine and atropine on the 22Na+ permeability of intestinal smooth muscle vesicles. A technique is described which has enabled us to measure change in 22Na+ efflux from smooth muscle plasma membrane vesicles. The resting 22Na+ efflux from these sealed vesicles showed a concentration-dependent increase in response to acetylcholine and other muscarinic agonists, in similar concentrations to those which increased 42K+ efflux in whole muscle. The kinetics of this efflux were complex and could not be described by less than three exponential processes. The response to agonists has, therefore, been characterized by measurement of the half-life of 22Na+ efflux (t1/2). The acetylcholine effect was inhibited by atropine, but unlike the situation in the whole muscle, this inhibition was noncompetitive. Tubocuraine (a nicotinic antagonist) had no effect on this acetyl-choline response. Atropine has no effect by itself on the resting 22Na+ efflux, neither did tetrodotoxin or ouabain. 22Na+ efflux from erythrocyte ghosts and liposomes, prepared from lipid extracts of the smooth muscle plasma membrane, was not modified by acetylcholine or atropine.


A new approach to the measurement of glycerol turnover. These studies describe a new method, using a single bolus injection of labelled glycerol, to measure glycerol turnover. In a series of experiments utilizing single animals, this new approach was compared with the previously used method of constant tracer infusion. The two gave identical results. In the bolus method, once the time of maximum glycerol specific activity had been established, glycerol turnover could be calculated using very few additional data points obtained over a very short time span. This simplification was possible because the decay of glycerol specific activity was found to conform to a straight line on a plot of the logarithm of the specific activity versus the logarithm of the time. This new approach should simplify the measurement of glycerol turnover and should permit the determination of the rate of glycerol transformation to other end products.


Opiate-like naloxone-reversible effects of androsterone sulfate in rats. Androsterone sulfate (5alpha-androstan-3alpha-ol-17-one, 3-sodium sulfate) administered to freely moving rats via cerebroventricular cannulae induced analgesia, wet-dog shakes, body jerks, rigidity, Straub tail, hypermotility, excessive grooming, hyperreactivity to stimuli, aggression, escape behavior, EEG spiking, and behavioral and EEG seizures. These responses resemble those produced by certain opiate drugs and by beta-endorphin, an endogenous peptide; they appear during the 5-min infusion period, persist in some cases for several hours, and are diminished by pretreatment with the narcotic antagonist naloxone. These findings indicate that steroid hormones can act upon at least some of the same central pathways influenced by recognized opiate compounds.


Thyroxine levels in male and female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Four major findings are described: (1) The episodic secretion of thyroxine in mature male white-tailed deer is most pronounced in the warmer months (June and September) and least demonstrated during the coldest months (November and January); (2) no clear annual rhythm of thyroxine was demonstrated in juvenile or mature male or mature barren female white-tailed deer. The monthly mean levels in mature males and females oscillate between 11 and 14 microgram/100 ml throughout the year; (3) the seasonal levels of thyroxine in mature males are almost identical with the thyroxine levels of adult barren females; (4) the seasonal thyroxine levels of juvenile males are constantly higher than levels found in mature males. However, when these deer reach the age of 3 years, their thyroxine levels decrease to those of the adult. The collected data could serve as a tool of evaluation of population structure for wildlife management purposes.


Effect of ketamine on thermoregulation in rats. Intraperitoneal administration of ketamine produced dose-dependent hypothermia at the ambient temperatures (Ta) of both 8 and 23 degrees C in unanesthetized rats. At a Ta of 8 degrees C, the hypothermia was brought about solely by a decrease in metabolic heat production. There were no changes in either the tail skin temperature (Ttail) or the sole skin temperature (Tsole). At a Ta of 23 degrees C, the hypothermia was due to an increase in Ttail, and increase in Tsole, and a decrease in metabolic heat production. However, at a Ta of 31 degrees C, there were no changes in rectal temperature in response to ketamine application, since neither heat production nor skin temperatures (e.g., Ttail and Tsole) was affected by ketamine at this Ta. The data indicate that the effect of the drug treatment may be to decrease heat production and (or) increase heat loss.


The dead zone of thermoregulation in normal and paraplegic man. Independent heating and cooling of the core and skin were performed to a normal and a paraplegic subject. It was found that the core threshold temperature for vasoconstriction release was between that for shivering and sweating. After the onset of sweating, vasodilation of the forearm was observed to increase sharply. The core threshold temperature of sweating of the paraplegic was 0.7 degrees C higher than that of the normal at corresponding mean sentient skin temperatures. No sweating was observed in the spinal man without raising his core temperature. It appeared that the dead zone of thermoregulation is shifted up in the spinal patient and the possible reasons for this are discussed.


Regional distribution of ethanol in the rat brain. The regional distribution of ethanol in selected areas of the rat brain was studied after single intravenous and intraperitoneal injections. Ethanol concentrations (measured by gas-liquid chromatography) in cortex, striatum, and hippocampus were compared with arterial and venous blood alcohol concentrations. As previously reported, equilibrium between tissue and arterial blood occurred within 3 min and followed simple diffusion kinetics. At shorter time intervals (1 min) after injection, regional ethanol concentrations differed, possibly because of regional blood flow and tissue mass. Equilibrium between tissue and venous blood required 10--15 min and coincided with the disappearance of the arterial-venous difference. These findings suggest that tissue ethanol concentrations cannot be determined from venous blood samples until brain arteriovenous equilibrium has occurred. They also support the argument that alcohol concentrations in tissue perfusates do not necessarily provide a reliable guide to those in the tissue.


Voluntary increase in finger temperature in man in a cooling environment. To test whether man can increase voluntarily skin temperature in a cool environment, 14 subjects (age 15--51) were studied. They came once or twice a week for five to eight sessions of 1 h. The room temperature of various sessions varied from 21.2 to 15.6 degrees C. Temperatures of six fingers were recorded using thermocouples. During trials to increase temperature, subjects were shown a dial indicating temperature of an index finger and were instructed to try to warm their hands. The trials were begun when skin temperatures were stable or were falling, indicating that vasoconstriction was occurring. They were preceded and followed by a rest period. The differences between changes in temperature during the trials and the rest periods were significant for the group of 14 subjects (p less than 0.01). In 10 subjects with individually significant results, differences between the trial and rest periods averaged 5.0 degrees C for 'the best' and 3.9 degrees C for 'the worst' finger. The maximum temperatures during the trials averaged 30.9 +/- 1.0 degrees C (mean +/- SE) in 'the best' finger. During later sessions, subjects were able to increase temperatures without seeing the dial. The results indicate that humans are able to increase voluntarily cutaneous finger blood flow in a cool environment.


The relationship of deep and surface skin temperatures to the ventilatory responses elicited during cold water immersion. Subjects were immersed for 10 min in water at 14.5 degrees C, after exposure either to ambient temperature or sauna heating. During the immersions, total ventilation, end-tidal PCO2, the mean of three surface skin temperatures, and deep skin temperatures were measured. There was a statistically significant correlation between the rate of change of deep skin temperature and the initial ventilatory responses evoked during both cold water immersions. After the sauna heating and cold water exposure, the temperature gradient through the skin appeared to be related to the ventilatory response. There was no significant correlation between the rate of change of mean surface skin temperature and the ventilatory response. The results suggest that the primary drive to increased ventilation during cold water immersion is the rate of change of deep skin temperature.


Cyst and germ tube wall structure in Aphanomyces astaci, Oomycetes. Aphanomyces astaci secondary cyst walls and walls of germinating spores were prepared by alkaline hydrolysis, autolysis, sonication, and enzymic degradation and were examined by shadow-casting and negative-staining techniques. The cyst wall consists of randomly oriented fibrils, about 3 nm in diameter. The fibrils are embedded in, or covered by, amorphous beta-1,3-glucans which can easily be removed by alkaline hydrolysis. The germ tube wall surface has the same structure, but the amorphous layer is less easily removed.


[Antimicrobial activity of phenolic antioxidants]. The antimicrobial activity of three antioxydants, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and ethoxyquin (ETO) was studied. In vitro assays showed that when these antioxydants are added to the culture media at concentrations lower or equal to that used in nutrition, they inhibit or decrease the growth of certain microorganisms. BHT showed the most marked effect, affecting Gram-positive bacteria at a higher degree than the Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. Inactivation study of different bacterial species by BHT revealed differences in sensitivity among a single genus and between strains of the same species. The association of ETO with BHT results in an increase of the inhibitory activity. The increased sensitivity to BHT resulting from the osmotic shock of Escherichia coli cells suggests that the resistance to BHT of the Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae might be due in part to the structure of their cell wall.


[Effect of fatty acids on the antibacterial activity of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)]. This study deals with the effect of the association of certain fatty acids with butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) on the antibacterial activity of this antioxidant. Evidence is drawn from the results as to an increase of the inhibitory effect of the antioxidant towards a few bacterial strains when it is associated with either lauric acid or palmitoleic acid.


Purification of Channel Catfish virus, a fish herpesvirus. Channel Catfish virus was highly purified from host cells by precipitation with PEG-6000 and isopycnic centrifugation in a metrizamide gradient. As calculated from reconstruction experiments, only 0.09 and 0.05% respectively of the host DNA and the host proteins were recovered at the position of the viral band. The final recovery of infectivity was about 30%. Electron microscopy showed mostly intact viral particles.


Antibiotic resistance among predominant Salmonella serovars and phagovars in Canada. The antibiotic susceptibility of 2609 Salmonella isolates, collected during the period 1975-1976, was tested and the relationships between antibiotic-resistance pattern, source of isolation, and serovar and phagovar were determined. Of 95 serovars examined, 40 were sensitive to all of the antibiotics tested. Salmonella typhimurium was the major contributor to multiple resistance from both human and non-human sources. Multiply resistant strains were not found from animal feed sources and, in addition, S. typhimurium, one of the most predominant serovars, was found in every source but animal feeds. 90% of phagovar 10 was sensitive to all antibiotics tested whereas over 80% of phagovars 3-aerogenic, 92, and 123 were multiply resistant.


The effect of temperature on phenol degradation in wastewater. Data are presented which show that the microbiological degradation of phenol in industrial wastewater is affected by temperature in an unexpected manner. The rate of degradation is unaffected by temperature changes in the range from 24 to 10 degrees C but falls off rapidly at temperatures below 10 degrees C. In the interval from 10 to 2 degrees C the rate of degradation is a function of temperature and is proportional to the rate of growth of the bacteria studied. By contrast, the increase in rate of phenol degradation is much greater than the increase in growth rate as the temperature increases from 10 to 24 degrees C. Field and laboratory studies show that increased efficiency of phenol degradation in wastewater is due to increase in temperature rather than to shifts in microbial populations.


Physical mapping of the genes controlling adenovirus paracrystal formation. The genetic properties and physical mapping of the genes controlling adenovirus-induced paracrystals were examined by means of a new, simplified technique. The induction of paracrystals was virus-strain dependent and blocked by several temperature-sensitive mutations. Using interserotypic recombinants between a paracrystal-producing and a non-producing strain of adenovirus, the principal paracrystal determining factor was mapped between coordinates 30 and 44 on the 100-unit adenovirus genome.


Effect of oxygen and nitrate on nitrogen fixation and denitrification by Azospirillum brasilense grown in continuous culture. Azospirillum brasilense was grown continuously at various levels of dissolved oxygen (O2) in a nitrogen-free medium containing malates as the carbon source. Steady-state cultures were established only at O2 concentrations less than 0.0150 atm (1 atm = 101.325 Pa) and rates of acetylene reduction (N2 fixation) and efficiencies of N2 fixation were maximal between 0.0050-0.0075 atm dissolved O2. These cultures appeared to be O2- or N2-limited. There was no evidence of a respiratory protective mechanism in this organism. Anaerobic denitrifying steady-state cultures were established with nitrate (NO3-) as the sole nitrogen source with no detectable N2 fixation. N2 fixation, but no denitrification, was observed when NO3- was decreased to 10 microgram N per millilitre at 0.003 atm dissolved O2. In samples removed from the culture vessel, either activity could be induced with a lag of approximately 120 min by incubation under appropriate conditions.


Characterization of bacteriophage CP1, an organic solvent sensitive phage associated with Pseudomonas cepacia. Pseudomonas cepacia strain 249 has been found to harbor an organic solvent sensitive phage, CP1, which is active on other P. cepacia strains. The efficiency of plating of CP1 was dependent upon the strain on which it was propagated and the strain used as indicator, implying the operation of host restriction and modification systems in certain of the strains. Strain 383 which was used routinely for propagation of CP1 appears to lack such systems. To obtain high-titer lysates it was important to add EDTA to the infected cultures at the onset of lysis to block attachment of phage particles to cell debris. CP1 possesses a distinct head (55 nm in diameter) and a broad contractile tail (15 x 145 nm). Fluorescent staining of phage preparations with acridine orange indicated that CP1 contains double-stranded DNA. CP1 particles contained about 5 X 10(-17) g each of protein and DNA for a total particle weight of 10(-16) g. The apparent molecular weight of CP1 DNA estimated from its sedimentation behavior and the particle content of DNA was about 3 X 10(7). Thermal-denaturation studies indicated that the G + C content of CP1 DNA (65%) was lower than that of DNA of its P. cepacia host (71% G + C). The mechanism of inactivation of CP1 by chloroform appears to be related to tail contraction caused by this agent. An atypical reverse contraction of the tail sheath was noted in about 45% of the inactivated particles. No phospholipid was detected in purified preparations of CP1 (less than 4 X 10(19) g/PFU). The results suggest that inactivation of CP1 by organic solvents involves alteration of a component (presumably a protein) of the phage tail.


Structure of the D-glucans produced by Neisseria perflava. A chemical and enzymic study of the cellular glucan of Neisseria perflava and of the glucan produced from sucrose by a cell-free extract of N. perflava showed from optical rotation, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, methylation analysis, and alpha- and beta-amylase hydrolysis studies that the glucans had glycogen-like structures. These structures were composed of chains of 1-4-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl units with branch points of 4-O- and 6-O-disubstituted D-glucopyranose units. While the backbone structures of the two glucans were similar, the release of maltose by the action of beta-amylase indicated that the 1-4 linked nonreducing side chains of the cell-free enzymically synthesized glucan were longer (approximately seven units) than those present in the cellular glucan (approximately two to three units), a result in agreement with methylation analyses.


Ouabain induced seizures: site of production and response to anticonvulsants. Ouabain, an inhibitor of Na+ -K" -ATP'ase, has been administered intraventricularly to rats to study the effect of impairment of membrane transport mechanisms on the genesis of seizures. Running and leaping seizures occur rapidly after injection of ouabain in a low volume (10 microliter) when the maximal uptake of ouabain (39.8%) is the hippocampus. Generalized clonic-tonic seizures are induced by higher volume injections (50 microliter) associated with wider distribution of ouabain, including the cerebellum and brainstem. Ouabain was injected into cerebral cortex, caudate nucleus, dorsal hippocampus, fastigeal nucleus, ventrolateral mesencephalic reticular formation and cerebellar cortex. The cerebellar injections produced both running and leaping and generalized clonic-tonic seizures. It is suggested that this results from decreased inhibitory effect of vermal and paravermal Purkinje cells on intra-cerebellar nuclei, which alters cerebellar influence on the reticular formation and the limbic system. Diphenylhydantoin, phenobarbitone, phenacemide, carbamezepine and clonazepam but not ethosuximide are effective against generalized clonic-tonic seizures, suggesting that this is a model for "grand mal" but not "petit mal" seizure mechanisms. It is furthermore suggested that running and leaping are subcortical, probably limbic, seizures that are most relevant as a model for temporal lobe seizures.


Increased dependence on visual information for movement control in patients with Parkinson's disease. Studies were made of visually and non-visually guided movements by patients with Parkinson's disease. The subjects moved a light, horizontal handle using rotation primarily about the elbow. During visually guided trials both handle and target positions were displayed to the subject; during non-visually guided trials only the handle position was displayed. During non-visually guided trials all patients showed a tendency for an overall flexion drift, although there was no change in average movement amplitude. The overall error in position by the end of the non-visually guided trials was greatly in excess of the reported values for passive displacement thresholds in normal subjects. It is suggested that the data indicate an increased dependence on visual information for control of motor activity in Parkinson's patients.


Alterations of membrane phosphorylation in erythrocyte membranes from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The phosphorylation of spectrin, band 3 protein, and the phospholipids of erythrocyte membranes (ghosts) was examined in 10 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and in healthy age- and sex-matched controls. The rates of phosphorylation of spectrin and band 3 protein were significantly higher in ghosts prepared from patient blood than from control blood at both 30 degrees C and 37 degrees C. However, the mean increases in the rate of phosphorylation of both spectrin and band 3 protein in response to a temperature change from 30 degrees C to 37 degrees C were identical in ghosts from patient and controls. Phosphorylation of phospholipid and its temperature response did not differ between patients and controls. These results complement previous observations of differences in erythrocytes from patients with DMD. The similarity of the changes in phosphorylation of both spectrin and band 3 protein indicates a common cause, possibly their lipid environment.


Cerebral tissue response to electrode implantation. Tissue response to platinum electrodes was assessed after an eight-day implantation period. The regions of study included the cortical areas at the opercular gyri and at the sulcus parieto-occipitalis externus, as well as the sub-cortical white matter in these cases. Perivascular and intraparenchymal hemorrhagic lesions as well as edematous changes characterized both by extensive intra and extracellular swelling were noted. Numerous phagocytic elements and degenerative strucutres were present at the electrode/parenchymal interface. Tissue alterations were asymmetrical as observed both around and at the tip of the implanted electrode. The parenchymal alterations extended from 0.2mm to 3.5mm distance from the electrode path/parenchymal interface. Greater tissue involvement was found in the subcortical white matter as compared to the adjacent cortical gray matter.


Case report and ultrastructural study of intracranial embryonal carcinoma. A case of a primary intracranial embryonal carcinoma, the first with ultrastructural study, is reported. The tumor was associated with precocious puberty in a 6 1/2-year-old female. Characteristic embryoid bodies were present. At the ultrastructural level three cell types were noted: undifferentiated, differentiated, and intermediate types. The undifferentiated showed scanty cytoplasmic organelles and numerous free polysomes, while the differentiated cells contained well-developed mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and some contained secretory granules. The intermediate cells possessed dilated and irregularly-shaped mitochondria but still retained large numbers of free polysomes. The authors suggest that intracranial germ cell tumors be named in conformity with germ cell tumors in other sites, and that terms such as "ectopic pinealoma" and "atypical teratoma of the pineal" be used no longer.


Epidemiologic and clinical features of sporadic Salmonella enteric fever. Twenty-seven cases of enteric fever were diagnosed between January 1961 and February 1977 at a medium-sized urban hospital. Nineteen of the patients had recently travelled abroad. Fever was the only constant finding, and four patients noted fever and headache as their only symptoms. Splenomegaly was present in 30% and rose spots in just 11%. Enteric fever was initially suspected in only 63% of cases, and a mean of 4.8 days elapsed after admission before specific therapy was instituted. Salmonella was cultured from blood samples in 19 of 24 patients and from stool specimens in 21 of 27, but was never isolated from the urine. Serum O agglutinins, while eventually present in 54% of the patients tested, did not help in establishing an early diagnosis. No deaths occurred, though two patients sustained relapses. Sporadic enteric fever is unlikely to be suspected unless associated with recent foreign travel, but is easily diagnosed by usual culture methods.


Chlamydia trachomatis and pneumonia in infants: report of two cases. In two cases of pneumonia associated with Chlamydia trachomatis in infants the symptoms began in the second week of life and the illness was severest at 4 weeks of age. Both infants were afebrile. One had a history of conjunctivitis. Both presented with a characteristic staccato cough and tachypnea but little evidence of peripheral airway obstruction. Chest roentgenograms showed interstitial and alveolar pulmonary infiltration in hyperexpanded lungs. The serum IgM concentrations were markedly elevated. C. trachomatis was cultured from specimens from both infants and one mother, and titres of antibody to the organism were substantially elevated in one infant and one mother.


Hepatitis and hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody in dentists. Dentists were surveyed regarding a history of hepatitis and the presence in the blood of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) to determine whether they were at high risk of exposure to hepatitis B virus. Of 288 Canadian dentists 5.2% gave a history of hepatitis after graduation. This proportion is similar to that for 1462 Ontario dentists (6.3%) and that for 3162 accountants (5.1%) who had previously completed a mailed questionnaire. One dentist (0.3%) was HBsAg-positive and 42 (14.6%) were anti-HBs-positive. Of 210 healthy volunteer blood donors matched for age, sex and ethnic origin with the group of dentists none was HBsAg-positive and 2.9% significantly fewer (P less than 0.005), were anti-HBs-positive. Among Ontario blood donors 0.3% were HBsAg-positive and 3% were anti-HBs-positive. Thus, in Canada, dentists are not at increased risk of acquiring clinical hepatitis or becoming carriers, but they are more likely than other groups to have anti-HBs in the blood. Among dentists from outside Canada a higher proportion had a history of hepatitis (10.3%) and were HBsAg-positive (1.6%), but approximately the same proportion were anti-HBs-positive (15.9%).


Pseudomembranous colitis: isolation of two species of cytotoxic clostridia and successful treatment with vancomycin. Lincomycin-resistant Clostridium sporogenes obtained from the stools of a patient with lincomycin-associated pseudomembranous colitis produced a heat-stable cytotoxin in low titre when grown in chopped meat medium. Vancomycin eradicated this strain and all other clostridia, and controlled the symptoms. When diarrhea recurred 7 days after treatment with vancomycin was stopped, clostridia including C. sporogenes and C. difficile were again isolated. The C. difficile produced a heat-labile cytotoxin in high titre that was unaffected by growth in various media and induced colitis in hamsters. Treatment with vancomycin, to which all the clostridia were sensitive, eradicated both toxic species and controlled the diarrhea. Antibiotic-induced pseudomembranous colitis may be associated with more than one species of toxin-producing clostridia. Vancomycin therapy should be continued for 10 days or more in patients with severe disease to eradicate the responsible organism.


Postural hypotension and mental function in the elderly. The effect of 3 hours of ambulatory activity on the mental function of 12 elderly persons with postural hypotension was examined. There was little difference between the mean combined mental status and set test scores when the subjects were supine (42.3) and when they were erect after 3 hours of ambulatory activity (42.2). A control group of persons of similar age and health who did not have hypotension also exhibited little difference in mean scores (49.9 v. 51.5 respectively). The mean scores of the two groups of subjects did not differ significantly. After 6 months the mean scores of the two groups were 40.9 and 44.7 respectively. It appears that elderly individuals with postural hypotension do not exhibit any appreciable deterioration in mental function with ambulation or after a 6-month period.


Effect of substrates and of coronary artery ligation on mechanical performance and on release of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase in isolated working rat hearts. Glucose and fatty acid substrates had different effects on the cardiac output, heart work and rates of release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) from isolated perfused working rat hearts with coronary artery ligation. Release of LDH or CPK was increased in hearts perfused with free fatty acids (FFA) instead of glucose. The addition of insulin decreased palmitate-induced release of LDH but did not increase cardiac output, while the addition of glucose to hearts perfused with fatty acid both increased cardiac output and depressed LDH release. In FFA-perfused hearts addition of both glucose and insulin gave lowest rates of enzyme release and increased cardiac output, heart rate and heart work. It is proposed that glucose and/or insulin protected the hearts from the deleterious effects of FFA.


Electrophysiological effects of verapamil. Previous studies have demonstrated that verapamil possess potent anti-arrhythmic effects. The present study has been designed to define the cardiovascular effects of this drug. Isolated tissue studies performed in rabbit right atrium demonstrated that prompt and prominent slowing of the sinus rate even at a dose of 1 X 10(-7) mol . litre-1. This dose produced significant decrease in action potential amplitude and phase 4 slope, shifted the 'threshold potential' to a less negative value, prolonged action potential duration but did not change maximum diastolic potential. At this dose of verapamil, sinoatrial conduction time prolonged significantly (control: 40.0 +/- 4.8 ms; 1 X 10(-7) mol . litre-1 verapamil: 50.0 +/- 6.4 ms). Purkinje fibre studies demonstrated decreases in dV/dt, resting potential, total amplitude, action potential duration at 75, 95% of recovery and effective refractory period only after exposure to greater than or equal to 1 X 10(-5) mol . litre-1 verapamil. Electrophysiological studies in conscious dogs demonstrated, after bolus administration of verapamil, progressive increases in the A-H interval and heart rate, but no changes in H-V and QRS intervals. Anaesthetised dog studies showed the lack of significant effect on A-H and H-V intervals or QRS duration regardless of the bolus dose of verapamil. However, verapamil produced statistically significant increases in heart rate after 0.025 mg . kg-1. Verapamil administration did not produce a statistically significant change in escape pacemaker rate in vagal stimulation experiments or with spontaneously beating isolated Purkinje fibres. Finally, the effect of increasing intravenous bolus does of verapamil on ischaemic arrhythmias was studied in five conscious dogs 24 h following LAD ligation. Only one dog with ventricular tachycardia and another dog with junctional escape rhythm were converted to sinus rhythm after the 0.05 mg . kg-1 and 0.2 mg . kg-1 doses, respectively. In conclusion, these studies demonstrated that administration of verapamil specifically depresses tissue with electrophysiological dependence on slow channel current. Therefore, sinus and A-V nodal events would be suppressed and slow-channel mediated events in ischaemic ventricle also would be inhibited. Clinically, acute administration of verapamil would lead to depression of sinus and A-V nodal function as well as potentially eliminate slow current mechanisms in ischaemic arrhythmias.


The use of radioiodinated human serum albumin in measurements of arterial permeability. The interactions of radioiodinated human serum albumin and sodium iodide with plasma proteins and their uptake by the arterial wall are investigated in vivo and in vitro. The results clearly show that in most situations iodinated albumin is unsuitable for studies on arterial permeability.


Significance of pulmonary input impedance in right ventricular performance. Right ventricular adaptation to changes in pulmonary input impedance was studied in open-chest dogs. When identical increases in pulmonary vascular resistance are imposed by two different manoeuvres (lung inflation and clamping of the left pulmonary artery), external power and pressure-time integral of the right ventricle at similar filling pressure are always greater during clamping than during inflation. Further studies demonstrate that, at equal increases in pulmonary input impedance modulus at 0 Hz, the clamping produces a greater change in the sum of the first three harmonics of impedance than the inflation (respectively +77% and -10% vs control modulus; -82% and +8% vs control phase). These impedance changes could explain the different behaviour of the right ventricle either by better matching of the ventricular internal impedance or by functional modification of the outflow tract.


Evaluation of the OSM2 hemoximeter.

Evaluation of the OSM2 hemoximeter. The linearity and repeatability of measurements of total haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) and oxygen saturation (So2) by the OSM2 oximeter have been studied. Standard deviations (SD) of measurements from linearity were as follows: [Hb], 4.2 g . litre-1; So2, 1.14 to 1.08% between zero and 100% saturation. Reproducibility by a single operator was within SD 1.1 g . litre-1 for [Hb] and 0.32% for So2, and between operators the means of 5 measurements had SD 0.42 g . litre-1 for [Hb] and 0.19% for So2, suggesting little if any extra variation from one operator to another. Foetal haemoglobin behaved as adult haemoglobin, but carboxyhaemoglobin caused a systematic and reproducible error in So2 measurement, from which HbCO concentration can be derived.


Experience with mechanical contrast medium injection at selective coronary angiography. This is a report of our experiences with the automatic contrast medium injector at selective coronary angiography during 836 examinations, and the quantitative evaluation of 193 single injections. Using average injection volumes per single injection of 5.0 ml for the left and 2.5 ml for the right coronary artery, a clear reduction of the quantity of contrast medium at constant definition can be registered. The variability in increase in the injection flow from 0 up to the peakflow appears to be important according to the anatomic and pathologic facts. Frequently a contrast medium reflux occurs out of the coronary ostium into the aorta. On the whole, automatic injection at selective coronary angiography is a reproducible and extensible method with few risks.


Radionuclide angiography of the heart in coronary heart disease: where do we stand? Regional systolic left ventricular performance after myocardial infarct was assessed from 216 radionuclide angiograms performed in 170 patients. Recording of first transit of an intravenously injected bolus of technetium-99m pertechnetate was made by a multicrystal scintillation camera at a framing rate of 20 per second. The RAO view was used and a simultaneous ECG was employed. Statistics adequate for resolving regional events were obtained by a compact bolus input and phasic summation into one representative cycle of data obtained during left ventricular passage. Emphasis was given to imaging of regional systolic left ventricular function: perimeter images of end-systole and end-diastole, regional stroke volume images and ejection fraction images were processed. New trend images were presented that reflect total systolic contraction and improve image quality: regional rate of decrease and increase images, wall motion trend images and regional mean transit time images. In 96% of the cases, correspondence was found between the electrocardiographic location of the infarct and the region of major wall motion and ejection  disorder. Akinesia and/or dyskinesia were seen in 77% of the cases; a ventricular aneurysm was found in 11%. Additional areas of wall motion anomalies were shown by 70%. Image analysis, nuclear image signs and their diagnostic meaning, as well as the indications for this nontraumatic examination in coronary heart disease are discussed. Relevant information for medical or surgical therapy can be obtained from early and follow-up studies in patients with unstable, progressive angina, ischemic electrocardiographic signs and those who have had myocardial infarctions.


The measurement of pulmonic valve area by angiocardiographic and hemodynamic methods. The validity of angiocardiographic measurements in assessing the severity of pulmonic valve stenosis was determined. The pulmonic valve orifice area was measured in the lateral projection on cineangiocardiographic films in 24 patients with valvar pulmonic stenosis. The valve orifice area was also obtained in the same patients by the Gorlin and Bache formulae. The right ventricular output value required for insertion in these formulae was obtained by angiocardiographic right ventricular volume measurement and by the Fick method. The correlation between the directly measured valve orifice area and the area calculated using the Fick principle and the Bache formula was 0.80. The substitution of angiocardiographically measured right ventricular stroke volume for the Fick value gave a correlation of 0.82. The results support validity of employing direct angiocardiographic measurements of pulmonic valve orifice area and angiocardiographic right ventricular volume measurements for quantitative assessment of the severity of pulmonic valve stenosis. The angiocardiographic methods thus represent an alternative to the Fick technique which can be used in conditions where the Fick method cannot be expected to give valid results.


Congenital tricuspid insufficiency.

Congenital tricuspid insufficiency. This is a case report of a 16-year-old male with moderate mitral disease, probably rheumatic, and with severe tricuspid insufficiency, which at surgery appeared to be a congenital malformation of the tricuspid valve (absence of the anterior leaflet). A tricuspid heterograft was successfully inserted. The symptoms of congenital tricuspid insufficiency are discussed, and this entity is differentiated from other causes of tricuspid insufficiency.


Metabolic action and cellular structure of the myocardium during coronary angiography. Experimental perfusion of coronary arteries of guinea pig heart with contrast media causes various changes in electrolyte metabolism, depending on the chemical structures of the administered contrast media. These electrolyte changes are related to the tolerance of the myocardium to the contrast agents. Electron microscopic sections of human myocardium after coronary perfusion with Urografin-76 reveal that no alterations of subcellular structure occur.


Value of angiography in the management of abdominal aortic aneurysm. The value of angiography in the management of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) was assessed in 100 consecutive patients with AAA. Angiographic information influenced management decisons and/or surgery performance in 75: In 23 patients at high risk for surgery because of associated medical problems, it helped in deferring surgery; in 52 patients it resulted in a change of operation from a standard aneurysm resection with conventional grafting to a more conservative procedure (three patients), more extensive grafting (45 patients) and/or the addition of other vascular reconstructions (32 patients). Angiography is considered an integral step in the routine preoperative workup of AAA and is particularly valuable for the determination of important anatomic details about the aneurysm (upper and lower extensions, relation to the renal arteries), the detection of associated vascular disease (of renal, visceral, pelvic and peripheral arteries), and the demonstration of aberrant renal arteries and collateral visceral circulation. Catheter techniques are considered most suitable and safe for examination of AAA.


Renal tumor versus renal cyst. Part I.

Renal tumor versus renal cyst. Part I. The precise diagnosis of carcinoma of the kidney is of particular importance because renal mass lesions are frequently encountered which require nephrectomy if malignant, and renal tissue conservation if benign. The diagnostic problems include those of differentiating benign from malignant tumors and tumors from cysts. Delineation of the extent of tumors is also essential for treatment planning and prognostic implications. Although the sequence of diagnostic imaging procedures utilized in suspected renal mass lesions varies somewhat depending on the clinical presentation, the following techniques are frequently employed until the relevant questions have been answered: urography, ultrasound and/or computed tomography, cyst puncture and contrast injection, angiography, and renal venography. These non-operative methods usually clarify the nature and extent of renal mass lesions and therefore have a major effect on therapy. A logical, systematic approach to their application avoids duplication and achieves appropriate diagnosis most rapidly.


Unusual vascular complications of dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysms. Nondissecting, chronic, thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) may be associated with such vascular complications as aorto-cardiac, aorto-superior vena caval (SVC) and aorto-pulmonary arterial (PA) fistual formation, and/or SVC or PA compression. Dissecting TAA have been associated with these lesions far less often. This report summarizes the occurence and outcome of the following complications of dissecting TTA: (1) SVC obstruction; (2) aorto-right and -left atrial, aorta-right ventricular and aorto-PA fistula formation; (3) compression of the PA and (4) hematoma of the interatrial septum. Two patients are described with aortic dessection complicated by: (1) SVC obstruction and aorto-left atrial fistula; and (2) aorto-PA fistula. These complications are rarer with aortic dissection, because of the acute, catastrophic nature of this lesion. When dissection is chronic, however, arteriovenous fistulae are often well tolerated, and urgent surgical intervention seems to be unnecessary.


Type C double aortic arch. Double aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery. Four infants with type C double aortic arch (double aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery) are discussed. The diagnosis was based on symptoms and signs of tracheoesophageal compression with a bilateral impression in the frontal plane of the esophagogram, as well as on early visualization of the aberrant left subclavian artery during counter-current right brachial angiography. Division of the atretic segment of the left arch and of the ligamentum arteriosum relieved the symptoms.


Value of pulmonary vein wedge angiography in visualization of obstructed ipsilateral pulmonary artery. Left ventricular cineangiogram in a 2-year-old child with a large ventricular septal defect, pulmonary atresia and a previous Waterston anastomosis opacified clearly the right pulmonary artery but the left pulmonary artery could not be visualized. The later was thought to be due to obstruction or kinking of the right pulmonary artery proximal to the Waterston anastomotic site. A left pulmonary vein wedge angiogram performed via a No. 5 end-hole catheter with 4.0 cc of meglumine diatrizoate (75% Hypaque) injected under pressure (less than 100 PSI) visualized the left pulmonary artery in a retrograde fashion. The size of the left pulmonary artery at this study was comparable to its size measured at the time of a subsequent left Blalock-Taussig anastomosis. Pulmonary vein wedge angiography with 0.3 cc/kg body weight of contrast material injected over a two second period (less than 100 PSI) appears to be a useful technique in demonstrating the pulmonary arteries when these cannot be visualized by conventional antegrade techniques.


Repeated phlebographic examination during and after fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase and urokinase. Forty-three patients with deep vein thrombosis were given fibrinolytic therapy with streptokinase and/or urokinase. In all patients the diagnosis was made phlebographically, and repeat phlebography was performed after termination of therapy. Sixty-four of 104 vein segments initially occluded (62%) were partially or completely recanalized. No vein segments particularly suitable for fibrinolytic therapy could be defined. The therapy was as successful in cases in which the thrombosis extended over several segments as in those in which the occlusions involved only one or two segments. Similarly, there was no difference in the success rate for thrombi that were still freely floating and for thrombi that occluded the veins completely. It is recommended that fibrinolytic therapy be given in suitable cases in which clinical symptoms have persisted up to two weeks; in some cases this limit may even be extended up to one month.


The complementary role of sonography and arteriography in the evaluation of the atheromatous abdominal aorta. Sonography was performed on 41 patients, 24 of whom were suspected of having abdominal aortic aneurysms and 17 of whom had symptomatic peripheral vascular disease. The accuracy of sonography in the diagnosis of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta was evaluated, and the instances in which angioggraphy contributed to the management of these patients was defined. Sonography is adequate for the diagnosis and management of many aneurysms of the abdominal aorta. Aortography is necessary when: (1) an inadequate study has been obtained, (2) the iliac arteries are not visualized, (3) renal or mesenteric artery involvement is suspected, (4) multiple or lobulated aneurysms are found, or (5) the aorta is very tortuous.


Aneurysms of the pancreaticoduodenal arteries in association with celiac axis occlusion. Four patients with aneurysms of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery are described. All had occlusion of the celiac axis at its origin, with the inferior pancreaticoduodenal arcades serving as a collateral pathway. We propose that the association of the celiac axis occlusion and aneurysms in the collateral supply via the pancreatic arcades is more than coincidental. Awareness of this relationship may be of significance in planning therapeutic intervention.


A "wire-whip" catheter for selective catheterization of aortic branches. A multipurpose "wire-ship" catheter has been developed for selective catheterization of branches arising from the aorta. The catheter tip is formed in three dimensions to allow simple selective catheterization and to provide improved stability during injection of contrast media by power injector or by hand. For successful catheterization it is essential to match the diameter of the catheter coil to the aortic lumen at the specific level to be studied; consequently, five standard sizes of coil diameter from 10--18 mm are currently produced. With an additional side hole in the coil, semiselective angiograms may be obtained. The wire-whip catheter has been used in over 200 angiographic examinations. The renal, celiac, superior and inferior mesenteric circulations have been most commonly studied, but other aortic branches such as the bronchial, intercostal, phrenic, and lumbar arteries have been catheterized as well. There have been no serious complications.


Accessory blood supply to the liver from the dorsal pancreatic artery: an unusual anatomic variant. A case of an accessory hepatic artery from the dorsal pancreatic artery is illustrated. A discussion of anatomic variations and embryology of the arterial blood supply to the liver from the celiac axis and aberrant blood supply from other vessels is presented with a consideration of the surgical and diagnostic significance of anatomic variance.


The size of the aortic arch: a suitable criterion for differentiating between congenital heart diseases with left-to-right shunt? A retrospective study was carried out to determine whether aortic arch size can be regarded as a reliable criterion for differentiating between congenital left-to-right shunt defects. The PA and AP plain chest films of children of all age groups with ductus arteriosus persistens (DAP) (n = 91), atrial septal defect (ASD) (n = 86), ventricular septal defect (VSD) (n = 87) and a normal control group (n = 387) were used to measure the size of the aortic arch, and an aortic index (AI) was calculated from aortic arch size and the height of the eighth thoracic vertebral body. Three age classes were defined from the AI values of the control group, and the diagnostic groups in each age class were compared with each other. Enlargement of the aortic arch, as reflected in an elevated AI value, was found most frequently in DAP cases. The size of the aortic arch is, however, of varying differential diagnostic value, depending on the age group. No correlation was found between aortic arch size and the size of the left-to-right shunt in cases of DAP.


Value of a cinefluoroscopic assessment of the Lillehei-Kaster prosthetic heart valves. In order to assess the functioning of the pivoting disc of the Lillehei-Kaster prosthetic valve, a cinefluoroscopic technique using multiple angulations was developed. The disc was detected in 240 (99%) of the 242 valves studied (126 aortic, 107 mitral, and nine tricuspid valves). The maximal-opening angle of the disc was measured in 75% of the aortic but only 20% of the mitral valve prostheses in the 182 valve studies in which this was attempted. Prosthetic dysfunctions were suspected clinically in three aortic and three tricuspid valves and confirmed with the cinefluoroscopic technique. This cinefluoroscopic approach constitutes a rapid, noninvasive, and sensitive evaluation of the function of the Lillehei-Kaster prosthetic valve in the aortic position.


Impedance plethysmography: its limitations as a substitute for phlebography. Impedance plethysmography (IPG) was used to study 132 legs: 100 in normal volunteers not subjected to radiocontrast phlebography, seven in patients whose limbs were phlebographically normal, and 25 proven by phlebography to have deep venous thrombosis (DVT). There were no false positive IPG results when a maximum venous outflow of 0.2% was the discriminant. However, in the 25 legs with thrombosis in calf, popliteal, femoral, and iliac veins, clots were not detected by IPG in 44--51% of legs, depending upon the discriminant. These results, which are in agreement with data reported elsewhere, indicate that it is reasonable to use the IPG method as the sole diagnostic maneuver when the test result is clearly abnormal, but that if the result is not abnormal, a radiocontrast phlebogram is necessary.


Renal occlusion phlebography: applicability of the balloon catheters. The technique of selective renal occlusion phlebography using Swan-Ganz or Dotter-Lucas balloon catheters is described. The Swan-Ganz catheter is introduced into the femoral vein with the aid of a Cordis introducer system. The Dotter-Lucas balloon catheter is inserted via the same route using a combination of either a Desilets-Hoffman or Edslab introducer, along with a Gebauer introducer. Occlusion of the renal vein is achieved by insufflation of the balloon with air or injection of saline or dilute contrast media into the balloon. Selective renal occlusion phlebography was performed in 116 patients in order to exclude renal vein thrombosis, to delineate poorly vascularized renal masses, to determine the venous involvement of a renal tumor, and to assess the patency of splenorenal shunts. Renal occlusion phlebography optimizes the retrograde opacification of the renal veins. It has value in the delineation of poorly vascularized renal masses and in the determination of the venous involvement of renal and retroperitoneal tumors, and it would seem to be the method of choice for demonstrating the patency of surgical splenorenal shunts. Further enhancement of venous opacification by the combination of temporary arterial vasoconstriction with angiotensin (pharmaco-occlusion phlebography) and venous balloon occlusion is useful in some cases.


Splenic infarction and spontaneous rupture of the spleen after therapeutic embolization. Patients with major hematologic disorders who have hypersplenism and alterations in their immune mechanism are subject to a higher incidence of bacteremia after embolization procedures. In certain instances, these infectious complications can be fatal. Medical splenectomy for hematologic disorders is sometimes complicated by massive splenic infarction and spontaneous rupture; spontaneous rupture appears to be a function of both infarct size and underlying infectious complications. Prophylactic measures can be employed to avoid these complications after interventional splenic embolization.


Arterialization of the portal vein in cirrhosis: the findings at wedge hepatic venography. A new operation for the treatment of cirrhosis and portal hypertension has recently been described involving arterialization of the portal vein in combination with an end-to-side portacaval shunt. We present, for the first time, the appearances at wedge hepatic venography. No significant change is seen in the wedge hapatic pressure as a result of this technique, and the sinusoidal pattern is preserved. Filling of the portosplanchnic collaterals is not as frequent as after end-to-side shunts alone, and the appearances seem to reflect improved sinusoidal perfusion. The clinical results have been encouraging.


Pericardial calcification in childhood.

Pericardial calcification in childhood. Calcific constrictive pericarditis (CCP) in a three-year-old child with symptoms of cardiac compression was confirmed by cardiac catheterization and angiography. Histologic examination of the pericardial tissue removed at operation revealed a tuberculous etiology. Though unusual in the pediatric age group, constrictive pericarditis (CP) may occur in children, most often as a complication of tuberculosis. Pericardial calcification may also develop in children with CP, though this too is rare. The diagnosis of CCP can be established by cardiac catheterization and angiography. Pericardiectomy is the definitive treatment.


The sperm and its formation in the scorpion Centruroides vittatus. The development of sperm from a spermatid in the scorpion, Centruroides vittatus (Say), is described. The mature sperm is short with helical nucleus and a peculiar structure of the sperm tail. This peculiarity consists of alternating mitochondrial derivatives and membranous or network elements wrapped about the flagellum. We note the absence both of microtubules in the sperm of Centruroides and also of the centriole adjunct, which is present in other scorpion spermatids.


Cytological characteristics and classification of spindle inhibitors according to their effects on segmentation mitoses. The effects of spindle inhibitors and of protein synthesis inhibitors on segmentation mitoses allow us to classify them into six groups : 1. Colchicine type : destruction of the whole achromatic apparatus and centrospheres without storing of dense bodies; 2. Quinoline type : same effect on the achromatic apparatus, but blocked centrospheres with accumulation of dense bodies; 3. Chloralhydrate type : Incomplete destruction of achromatic apparatus, spindle residue which maintains the chromosomes in a star shape, inactive centrospheres sequestered by the reticulum, but without accumulation of dense bodies; 4. Phenylurethane type : Incomplete and reversible action, which leads to easy production of pluripolar mitoses; 5. Carboxylic acid type : dissociation of the spindle, sometimes with blocking of the centrosphere, together with profound chromosome changes without primitive breaks; the intensity and quality of their action is related to the number of carbon atoms in the acid considered; 6. Protein synthesis inhibitor type : (cycloheximide, pederin) characterized by a stop of the nuclear cycle at telo-prophase when the action is sufficient, chromosome abnormalities, sometimes, reduced to strings of beads, and freeing of asters; at weaker concentrations mitosis is possible, but the congression of chromosomes at the equator is abnormal because of functional disturbance of the kinetochores. The nature and grading of these effects, their association (or non - association) to chromosome damage, the soundness of the spindle when only the chromosomes are affected (nitrogen mustard) make this one of the tests which gives the most specific data about the action of antimitotic substances.


Fibroblast to substratum contacts mediated by the different forms of fibronectin. Highly purified preparations of fibronectin from bovine or hamster plasma and conditioned medium or urea extracts of BHK cells facilitate spreading of BHK cells to plastic surfaces. The different forms of fibronectin have very similar specific activities.


Microtubular system in cultured mouse epithelial cells. Previous observations had shown that colcemid does not affect locomotion of epithelial cells. Nevertheless, cultured mouse kidney cells forming epithelial sheets were found to contain a well-developed microtubular system sensitive to colcemid. The orientation of microtubules in the epithelial cells was not correlated with the stable or active state of the cell edges. It is suggested that microtubular system of the epithelial cells forming coherent sheets, in contrast to that of individually moving fibroblasts, is not essential for stabilization of the lateral cell edges.


Can cell morphology in monolayer reveal its behaviour in aggregates? The morphology of HeLa cells was altered to stellate shape by 0.2-1.0 mM butyric acid. At similar concentrations butyric acid did not alter the ability of HeLa cells to aggregate, but did inhibit the remodelling of the aggregates. Papaverine at 10 micrometers, on the other hand, had no effect on cells in monolayer, but severely inhibited the ability of cells to aggregate and the remodelling of the aggregates. Our results show that the effect of a drug on the morphology of HeLa cells in monolayer does not predict its effect in aggregates of cells which more faithfully approximate the behaviour of cells in tissue than the monolayer.


Radioisotopic quantitation in microtitration plates by an autofluorographic method. An autofluorographic record of drug titrations in microtitration plates has been obtained using cultures labelled with [35s] methionine after treatment with cytostatic drugs. By adding scintillation fluid directly to each culture well of the microtitration plate, and then centrifuging the evaporate the toluene and leave a flat even film of fluor, in situ scintillation is produced. When X-ray film is exposed to the plate the scintillation of individual wells is recorded as spots on the film. These may be interpreted by eye or by scanning densitometry.


Nexus formation in the myometrium during parturition and induced by estrogen. The occurence of nexuses (gap junctions) in mouse uterine smooth muscle was found to depend on the hormonal state. As revealed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy, nexuses are virtually absent in virginal and pregnant mice. Abundant, large-sized nexuses were observed in the myometrium during parturition. Estrogen application to virginal mice also induced an increase in number and size of nexuses. Our observations indicate that a new formation of nexuses occurs in differentiated cells. New nexuses may be formed by the confluence of nexus subunits preexisting in the cell membrane or by newly biosynthesized components.


Peroxisomes: identification in freeze-etch preparations of rat kidney. The definitive identification of peroxisomes in freeze-etch preparations of normal mammalian cells has been impeded due to their similarity to other globular cytoplasmic organelles, especially the lysosomes. In the proximal tubules of the rat kidney there is a distinct group of large microbodies with an angular shape and crystalline inclusions which have now been identified in freeze-etch replicas. Rat kidneys were fixed by perfusion with glutaradehyde and processed for catalase cytochemistry and freeze-etching. In ultrathin sections catalase positive peroxisomes 0.5-2 microns in diameter with an angular multifaceted shape and scalloped margins were found. In freeze-etch replicas particles with the same size, shape, and intracellular distribution were found; these contained branching and anastomosing tubular inclusions. The tubules, 100-125 nm in diameter, left deep impressions upon the limiting membrane of peroxisomes. A crystalline pattern with a periodicity of approximately 92 +/- 8 A perpendicular to the axis of the tubles was noted on the E-face of the microbody membrane. In addition, a few membrane particles were present on the E-face, but many more particles were noted on the P-face of the microbody membrane. The cisternae of ER, with typical fenestrations, wrapped around large portions of the surface of peroxisomes, thus demonstrating the close association of these two organelles.


The repair of DNA single strand breaks in human cells with genetical disorders. The aim of this work was to make a preliminary examination of some hereditary diseases, related to precocious aging in order to determine whether the defects involved resulted from an impairment of the DNA repair capacity. To test for an impairment in DNA single strand capacity, in cells from patients with different diseases, we have followed the rate of the DNA after X-irradiation by sedimentation on alkaline sucrose gradients. It was found that all cells observed from Lesh Nyhan, cystic fibrosis, trisomy 15 et 21, retinoblastoma, were able to repair the single strand breaks in their DNA to the same extent and at the same initial rate.


[A serological survey of arboviruses in Gabon]. Serological studies for arbovirus antibodies were carried out on 1.279 human serum specimens collected from adults in south-eastern part of Gabon from June to September 1975 during a multipurpose epidemiological survey. More than 80% of the population surveyed have neutralizing antibodies for yellow fever virus as consequence of mass vaccination campaign. Chikungunya, Zika, Wesselsbron and Koutango virus showed some activity, especially in woodland savannahs.


[Preliminary report on the demonstration of resistance to coumafene in Rattus rattus in Marseilles]. An abnormal proliferation of Rattus rattus in an important food-products warehouse in Marseille's periportuary zone has been recorded in spite of preventative measures put in place and aimed at testing these rodents resistance to basic anticoagulants, especially to coumafene. The laboratory experiments on animals taken from the invaded area have enabled us to prove for the first time on metropolitan ground a Rattus rattus resistance to coumafene. The colony of rodents responsible is giving proof of its resistance in already large proportions, since the survival beyond 10 days of treatment is established in 74% of the tested subjects, whereas 30% of them survive treatments prolonged by 4 to 10 weeks. The recorded results allow us to confirm the variable degrees of the state of resistance which appear to be developed locally, the origin of which cannot be defined. Taking into account the size of the affected zone and the numerous food-products storage establishments found there and usually infected with Rattus rattus, one is forced to fear a rapid progress of the territorial resistance. It is therefore opportune to take the necessary measures to destroy the resistant colony on the spot, to follow the ultimate progress in the area and to follow up in the laboratory the methods of evaluation of the efficiency of new rodenticides.


[Results of 3 years of screening of abnormal hemoglobins in the blood donors of Guadeloupe (French Antilles)]. A screening on qualitative abnormalities of hemoglobin for 10.559 blood-donors has been done in Guadeloupe. Results give 8,08% for sickle trait and 2,52% for C trait. Scarce hemoglobins such as S Korle Bu, J Broussais and N Baltimore have so been found.


[Intestinal parasitism in eastern Gabon]. A survey of 1,548 stools samples carried out in Gabon showed in the adult population a parasitism ratio of about 100%. Among the protozoa, D. fragilis was found in 0.3% of the cases. In contradiction with the usual observations in tropical Africa, A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infestation is very high in the villages. The demonstration of S. intercalatum in almost every place of the survey and an important focus at Okondja proves the extension of this bilharziosis.


[Ecological and epidemiological relationships between Sporothrix schenckii, a fungus pathogenic for man and the Ceratocystis genus]. Sporothrix schenckii is a pathogenic fungus for man and animal. Its perfect form is not yet known. Many studies have been made to compare this fungus to ascomycetes belonging to the genus Ceratocystis. This paper summarizes some important data about the ecology and the epidemiology of the fungal complex Sporothrix-Ceratocystis. Previous results obtained by several groups of workers are strongly in favor of a relationship between the two genera. The epidemiological studies carried out in different areas have shown that Sporothrix schenckii and Ceratocystis stenoceras are frequently isolated from the same fragments of plants such as pine or eucalyptus. According to the time and areas, it appears that there is or there is not a relation between the presence of the fungus on the plants or in the soil and the disease. The former case is well illustrated by the epidemic of the Transvaal between 1940 and 1944. Sporothrix schenckii has been found to be present either in endemic areas like Guatemala (around the Ayarza Lake) or in Alsace, or in Corse where no case has been reported for a long time. In France, except for the curious epidemic observed between the years 1903 and 1912, no or very rare cases have been observed although Sporothrix schenckii is abundant in the soil and injuries with contaminated materials are probably extremely frequent. The presence or even the abundance of the fungus in nature is not enough to explain the development of the disease. Some not well known factors are necessary. So as for all disease, the immunological reaction of the host is important and the defects of these mechanisms must be suspected.


Variola minor in Bragança Paulista County, 1956. Distribution of onset of cases in the two schools including most school children with variola. Class attendance during illness was confirmed for numerous pupils of two schools. Successive generations whose median cases were separated by an interval consistent with the "serial interval" of variola minor were clearly found in the epidemic curve for II of the 29 classes with cases from both schools. Twenty two other classes had no case at all.


[Intestinal parasitoses in the child in French Guiana. Evaluation of a 4-year systematical survey in the C.H. of Cayenne]. A systematic study on intestinal parasites in children of the Cayenne Hospital Center from 1974 to 1977 showed the following: 1(0) With a 26.1 0/0 total infestation index, nematodes are four times more frequently more responsible than protozoa; cestodes are extremely rare (T. saginata 0.8 0/0); trematodes are found only in allochthonous people from the Antilles (S. mansoni). 2(0) Age distribution shows an early nematode infestation. The nematodes infecting children by the oral way have a maximal incidence at the age of 3 to 6 years. Those infecting by the skin way are maximal at 6 to 12 years and keep afterwards a relatively stable incidence. Most carriers of E. dysenteriae cysts are those children who present vegetative forms of histolytica in 4.1 0/0 of the cases.


Cholesteatoma in children: is the disease different in childhood? During the early phase of the development of the temporal bone the correlation between the bone growth and the formation of the air-filled spaces--disturbed or undisturbed--is decisive for development of even hidden and neglected forms of middle ear cholesteatomata. The second phase of the development of the temporal bone is determined by a slower rate of bone growth when the mucociliary system has to develop its immunobiological capacities. It becomes obvious that the cholesteatoma matrix and perimatrix will find favourable requirements during this early period of life for a rapid spread since the air-filled spaces have not yet reached their final size. Also the correlation to the gas volume will be different when the ratio of the air flow changes.


Cholesteatoma, epidermization: choice between closed and obliteration technique. The surgical techniques used in almost 500 cholesteatomatous ears are described in detail. Intact canal wall and obliteration procedures are discussed. The anatomical and functional results are reported and the indications for each technique are analysed.


'Congenital' cholesteatomas of the supralabyrinthine region. Twelve cases of congenital cholesteatomas developing in the region of the geniculate ganglion are presented. The diagnosis was made from a radiological sharp-cut erosion of bone found medial to the superior semicircular canal and superior to the internal auditory meatus in presence of progressive facial palsy. The main problems of the surgical treatment of the presented lesions were: 1 the presence of an unsuspected large fistula of the basal turn of the cochlea; 2 the necessity of resecting the superior semicircular canal in order to drain the supralabyrinthine region; and 3 extensive re-routeing and grafting of the facial nerve. The etiology of the presented cholesteatomas is discussed on the basis of the migratory theory and metaplasia of the first epibranchial placode.