[Familial myotonic syndrome with hyposthenia corrected with exercise (author's transl)]. In some cases of myotonic syndromes a paresis after rest has been described corrected by exercise. This syndrome is reported in two brothers. In myotonic patients repetitive stimulation of a nerve causes a transitory decrease of the muscle action potential. Probably the paresis corrected by exercise only represents the clinical evidence of the electrophysiological phenomenon mentioned above. This seems to be a common occurrence and therefore does not represent a new nosologic entity.


The syndrome of carnitine deficiency.

The syndrome of carnitine deficiency. Three cases of lipid storage myopathy and carnitine deficiency are presented. Two had a fatal course and were insensitive to cortisone and carnitine-replacement therapy. The two fatal cases had lipid accumulation in organs other than the skeletal muscles and carnitine was reduced in plasma, skeletal muscles, heart and liver. Fibroblasts from one of these "generalized" cases of carnitine deficiency were grown from a skin biopsy. Carnitine level, fatty acids uptake and oxidation were not appreciably different between the patients' fibroblasts and those of controls.


The neurophysiological features of various diseases with NCL storage. Combined EEG/ERG/VER studies were carried out on 47 children with verified neuronal storage of ceroid/lipofuscin-like material. The majority of patients fell into one of three main groups. Each group showed its own characteristic combination of neurophysiological features which were of diagnostic importance and closely parallel to the age of onset and the evolution of clinical symptoms characteristic to each group. These findings suggest that general terms such as "NCL" or "Batten's disease" imply a single disease process and are misleading.


Fine structure of the conduction system and working myocardium in the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus. In the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus, topography and ultrastructure of the sinus node and the atrioventricular (AV) node resemble those in large mammalian hearts, except that the P cells in the sinus node are smaller than those in the bat AV node or those in the sinus node of slower hearts (e.g., dog, man). Despite rich innervation in the bat nodes, true neuromuscular synapses are rarely formed. Bat working cardiocytes have a well developed sarcoplasmic reticulum, but otherwise resemble working myocytes of larger mammals.


Recent findings on some "new" neurometabolic diseases. The most common inborn error of glycoprotein catabolism appears to be aspartylglycosaminuria (AGU). It is characterized by deepening mental retardation, progressive lesions of connective tissue, and increased urinary excretion of aspartyglycosylamine. The first symptoms usually appear after 3 years of age and closely resemble those of Hurler's disease. The condition is a hereditary lysosomal storage disease due to a defective enzyme. The main clinical findings in a infantile type of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (INCL) are psychomotor retardation, visual failure, and a virtually isoelectric E.E.G. at the final stage of the disease. The symptoms of this hereditary disorder first appear between 8 and 18 months of age and the mean age at death is 6.5 years. Striking cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, together with neuronal loss and accumulation of lipofuscin-like material, can be observed at neuropathological examination.


Studies on the clustering of multiple sclerosis in Finland. The epidemiological investigation of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Finland revealed a prevalence rate of 40.3 per 100.000 inhabitants. The geographic distribution of MS was uneven in the country. MS seemed to occur more often in the western and southwestern parts of the country, where the prevalences varied between 51.7 and 62.1 This phenomenon became even more pronounced when the distribution of the disease was investigated in small geographic units. Optic neuritis showed a geographic distribution similar to that of MS, with clustering in the same parts of the country and even in the same narrow districts. The correlation between the birthplaces of MS and optic neuritis patients was very significant (p less than 0.001), which suggest that they share a common aetiology. The possible aetiological role of genetic and exogenous factors was discussed in the western cluster of MS, where the percentage of familial cases was 13 and an accumulation of muscular dystrophy of cattle was observed.


Epidemiological survey on multiple sclerosis in Italy. An epidemiological survey on Multiple Sclerosis was carried out in 1975 with similar methods in 9 italian provinces: 4 in the North, 2 in central Italy and 3 in the south and islands. It was found that the incidence of the disease was partically uniform in the northern provinces, in the central Italy and in Bari province. It is important however to complete in greater detail such survey in the south of Italy where the data are still incomplete.


Myocardial depressant factor and rat heart myoblasts in tissue culture. Beating rat heart myoblasts in tissue culture are suitable for the demonstration of the effect of sera from patients with cardiogenic shock upon the contractility of heart muscle. Shock serum either promptly stops beating or causes discoordinated movements of the cultivated myoblasts (fibrillation). This effect of the shock serum is concentration-dependent. Hydrocortisone before and/or after treatment of the cultivated cells does not influence the effect of the shock serum. Calcium ions shorten the period of standstill of the muscle cells after washout of the shock serum.


[A case of visual agnosia for objects (author's transl)]. Following an ischemic accident in the territory of the left posterior cerebral artery, a 71 year-old woman had a severe disorder of visual recognition of objects while she quickly identified them by touch. Visual recognition of pictures, written symbols, colours and, to a lesser degree, faces was also impaired. A careful examination showed that the patient's defect could not be accounted for by general intellectual impairment, language disorder, visual acuity, or pattern discrimination deficit. These findings are consistent with the classical concept of associative agnosia: the pathophysiology of the syndrome is discussed.


Cardiotoxic effects of adriamycin in mammalian cardiac cells in culture. Cardiotoxicity of unknown etiology may preclude the use of adriamycin, a cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Mammalian cardiac cells in culture were used as a model system in the study of the mechanisms involved. Adriamycin inhibited cell growth, particularly of the fast-dividing nonmuscle cells. This inhibition might be a contributory factor to cardiomyopathy, but it does not explain the cessation of the rhythmic contractions characteristic of myocardial cells in culture. The concentrations of ATP and phosphorylcreatine (PC) were decreased in the adriamycin-treated cells, but the addition of creatine resulted in a several-fold increase of PC. Therefore, the regulation of energy production and the potential to maintain a high, steady-state concentration of PC were not impaired.


[The Rorschach test during chronic haemodialysis (author's transl)]. Twenty-eight patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis for renal failure and seven patients suffering from chronic uremia, but not on dialysis programs were submitted to the Rorschach test. The patients who were undergoing haemodialysis for less than one year showed higher signs of anxiety (shock and Hd responses); on the other hand patients undergoing the treatment for more than 5 years showed a generally worse quality response to the test. This bad performance was interpreted either as a sign of organic brain damage or as a worse cooperation in the test procedure.


[Space requiring intracranial conditions and pregnancy]. Gravidity and the intracranial process are discussed in view of the question of whether to carry out an interruption of pregnancy or to carry the pregnancy to full term and end it by means of Cesarean section, on the basis of literature and 5 observations.--It is recommended to work out an individual plan of treatment together with the obstetrician and the neurologist. It was shown that there is a possibility of an operative treatment of intracranial processes of different genesis even in the advanced stage of pregnancy and with the continuation pregnancy.


[Qualitative function test of ventriculo-atrial drainage using Cordis-Hakim valves]. Description of the acoustic detection of the functional performance of Cordis-Hakim valves. This can be monitored or perceived with a surface microphone, or demonstrated by means of an oscilloscope. To document the findings the image of the viewing screen can be photographed or continuously registered through interconnection of a recorder. There is also the possibility of testing with the stethoscope. The construction of the device and experimental arrangements are described.


[Reperfusion following cerebrovascular arrest]. An account is given of a case of artificial perfusion of isolated organ after operative correction of an angiographically recorded standstill of the circulatory system. Criteria of cerebral death and determination of the time of death are discussed.


Studies on cartilage formation XIX. Oxygen and glucose supply of the regenerating articular surface. Complete removal of the articular cartilage in dogs is followed by regeneration of the articular surface. At the site of the bone wound, granulation tissue develops, which later differentiates into cartilage. The O2 and glucose supply of the regenerating articular surface is ensured by the synovial fluid, by the large exposed surface of the medullary cavity, and by the capillary network of the granulation tissue. Oxygen and glucose supply of the articular surface in different stages of differentiation has been statistically analyzed. It is suggested that in the early stage of regeneration O2 supply comes predominantly from the capillaries of the granulation tissue. Later on, as capillarization regresses, the oxygen supply, originating from the synovia and medullary cavity, assumes a more important role. In the stage of cartilage regeneration an oxygen-deficient state can be supposed in the entire articular surface, but areas differing in oxygen supply may be formed owing to local differences (due mainly to the extent of vascularization and degree of generation of the subchondral bone layer). At the site of chondrogenesis, conditions allowing aerobic metabolism of cells with reduced O2 requirements seem to be ensured. Glucose supply deriving from the above-mentioned sources satisfies the highest glucose requirements of the cells in the regenerating articular surface.


The development of the ipsilateral retinothalamic projections in the Xenopus toad. The appearance of ipsilateral terminal degeneration in the thalamic visual centers is studied with the aid of the Fink-Heimer II technique in Xenopus larvae and postmetamorphic toadlets following unilateral eye removal. The youngest age at which degeneration can reliably be shown in the lateral geniculate complex (nucleus of Bellonci and corpus geniculatum thalami) was at stage 62, that is, 10-12 days before metamorphic climax. The whole compliment of the ipsilateral retinothalamic projection develops only in postmetamorphic toadlets, and it is much more abundant in Xenopus than in Rana species. The first appearance of the ipsilateral degeneration in the lateral geniculate complex coincides in time with the first ipsilateral visuotectal responses described by others. The possibility that the two phenomena may have  a closer relationship than the mere time coincidence, is discussed.


Morphology of the post-ovulatory follicle of house sparrow. The morphology of the post-ovulatory follicle (or corpus luteum) in the sparrow (Passer domesticus) ovary has been investigated with special reference to the origin of luteal cells which finally fill the fillicular activity. The development and degeneration of luteal cell mass has been described in three phases. The luteal cell mass consists of hypertrophied granulosa luteal cells during the first phase and of both granulosa and thecal luteal cells during the second phase. During the second phase owing to their different staining reactions, both types of luteal cells can be differentiated. In the advanced stages of regression, i.e. during the third phase, the whole luteal cell mass consists of thecal luteal cells and connective tissue elements as the granulosa luteal cells had degenerated and disappeared by this stage.


Role of ultimobranchial body and corpuscle of Stannius in regulation of the plasma calcium and phosphorus levels in the teleost Heteropneustes fossilis. Effects of NaF, CaCl2, NaCl and mammalian calcitonin on the histology of ultimo-branchial (UTB) and corpuscle of Stannius (CS) and plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus in the teleost Heteropneustes fossilis are recorded. Administration of NaF, NaCl, and mammalian calcitonin resulted in varying degree of hypolcalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia, whereas hypercalcaemia and hypophosphataemia developed during CaCl2 treatment. These treatments also produced various histological changes in UTB and CS. It is suggested that CS and UTB are involved in metabolisms of Ca and P, and in osmoregulation. Moreover, it is an important hypocalcaemic mechanism in this fish in combating hypercalcaemia.


Dry weight and 5HT concentration in the cerebral ganglia of Anodonta (Mollusca) during activity. As shown by interferometry, the amount of protein in neuron bodies of Anodonta cygnea L. cerebral ganglia changed in direct relation to the duration of the active state of the mollusc. The amount of serotonin in cerebral ganglia changes independently of the amount of protein in nerve cells, although it varies consistently with the activity and rest of the animal.


Rosette formation of concanavalin A-treated erythrocytes around polymorphonuclear leucocytes and lymphocytes. Concanavalin A (Con A) induces rosette formation of erythrocytes around polymorphonuclear leucocytes and lymphocytes in cell suspensions of autologous human blood cells. The effect which is most characteristic in a concentration between 25 and 50 microgram/ml is due to Con A bound on the erythrocyte membrane. A similar effect, although less pronounced, was observed with phytohaemagglutinin at concentrations of 10 and 25 microgram/ml. The treated erythrocytes showed a higher affinity to polymorphonuclears when compared with lymphocytes. At the contact area, the membrane of the erythrocyte became highly folded while its free surface was smooth and spherical. The effect of the local concentration and immunobilization of the lectin on the erythrocyte membrane and the similarity of the contact pattern to that of erythrophagocytosis are discussed.


Axonal labyrinths in the rat spinal cord: a consequence of degenerative atrophy. Transection, crush or local colchicine treatment of a peripheral nerve induces degenerative atrophy of central terminals of primary sensory neurons in the Rolando substance of the rat spinal cord. In addition to osmiophilic alterations that occur in the course of degenerative processes in general, degenerative atrophy is characterized by the appearance of spectacular labyrinthine formations. Electron-microscopic analysis reveals that these consist of flattened axonal profiles. Axonal labyrinths are interpreted as signs of futile regenerative efforts of axon terminals undergoining degenerative atrophy. Labyrinths disappear from the Rolando substance several months after peripheral nerve injury, when degenerative atrophy of the central terminal is replaced by regenerative proliferation.


A comparison of Mersilene and polyglycolic acid sutures in pararectal abdominal wounds after appendectomy. A total of 206 patients were subjected to operation for acute appendicitis through a pararectal laparotomy. Mersilene was used in 101 and polyglycolic acid (PGA, Dexon) in 105 patients as buried sutures for the closure of the abdominal wall, including the fascial layer. Wound complications developed after Mersilene in 23 and after PGA in 10 cases. PGA did not lead to an increased frequency of early wound infections. Granulomata or fistulae developed after Mersilene in 18 patients, but not in any of the cases in which PGA was used. Wound rupture and incisional hernia did not occur in any of the patients in the two groups.


Ventilation efficiency after different incisions for cholecystectomy. Forced expiratory vital capacity (VC), forced expired volume during the 1st second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured preoperatively and during the first four postoperative days in 44 patients undergoing cholecystectomy. 18 patients had a muscle splitting incision (M.S.), with no transection of the abdominal muscles; 15 patients had a subcostal incision with transection of the rectus muscle; 11 patients had a midline incision with transection of linea alba. Postoperatively, VC and FEV1 were reduced to 75% of the preoperative value with a m.s. incision, and to 40-55% with a subcostal or midline incision PEF was reduced to 65% of the initial value with a m.s. incision and to 50% with the other incisions. Almost every second patient with a m.s. incision had returned to the initial VC and PEF within four days, whereas only one did so with a subcostal or mid-line incision. In conclusion, the m.s. incision reduces postoperative ventilation efficiency less than other incisions. Its use may reduce postoperative pulmonary complications and shorten the hospital stay.


Preoperative localization of nonpalpable breast tumours. A simple method for the preoperative localization of nonpalpable breast tumours detected by mammography is described. A small amount of a mixture of contrast media and visible dye is injected into the breast precisely ventral to the lesion and the site of injection is marked on the skin. Forty patients have been operated upon and all the tumours were found without difficulty.


Popliteal vessel injury.

Popliteal vessel injury. Popliteal vessel injury still carries a high amputation rate despite the progresses which have been made in vascular surgery. Three patients with such injuries treated with vascular repair are reported and a review of the recent literature is given. Prognostic factors as early diagnosis, delay in treatment, associated injuries as fracture/dislocation and venous injury, soft tissue injuries, adequate vascular repair, and postoperative complications are discussed.


Temporary arterio-venous shunts to dilate saphenous crossover graft and maintain graft patency. A modification of the Palma operation is described in a 25-year-old man with impaired venous outflow of the right leg. After a phlebitic occlusion of the right superficial femoral and external iliac veins he had been operated on twice for varicose veins. The result of these operations was a serious outflow stasis of the right leg during exercise. A saphenous cross-over graft to the right popliteal vein was constructed. Preoperatively a temporary arterio-venous shunt between the left posterior tibial artery and the great saphenous vein had been made in order to increase the diameter of the saphenous vein. Three months later the dilated saphenous vein was resected at the level of the sapheno-tibial artery shunt and anastomosed to the popliteal vein of the right leg. The cross-over graft occluded several times during this operation. A temporary popliteo-popliteal arterio-venous shunt was established distally to the sapheno-popliteal anastomosis to keep the vein graft patent. This second arterio-venous shunt was resected after three months. Venography one month later showed that the vein graft was patent. The patient's complaints had disappeared one month after the operation and a normalization of his venous outflow was recorded plethysmographically. The graft has remained patent during an observation time of eighteen months.


Abdominal stab wounds.

Abdominal stab wounds. The records of 57 patients with abdominal stab wounds, treated at the Surgical Departments of the Sahlgrenska Hospital, Göteborg, between 1969-1974, were revised. Fifty-five patients were males and 2 females. The wounds were situated in the upper abdomen in 72% of the patients. Forty-nine patients were treated with an explorative laparotomy and the findings were considered to be negative in 31% of these patients. Liver injuries were found in 45% of the operated patients. No complications occurred in the patients with negative laparotomy findings. One patient with multiple intra-abdominal lesions succumbed from an irreversible septic shock.


Non-occlusive enteric gangrene associated with severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Six cases of non-occlusive enteric gangrene in association with severe upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage are described, the incidence of which corresponds to approximately one per cent of the patients with serious gastric bleedings. A brief discussion of the pathophysiology of ischaemic gut lesions is given. In order to reduce the incidence of this disease rapid and adequate treatment of all massive gastro-intestinal bleedings is emphasized. Patients with unexplained abdominal pain in association with haemorrhagic shock should especially be regarded as being at risk of developing the enteric gangrene.


Gastric acid secretion in patients with prepyloric ulcer and with combined gastric and duodenal ulcer. The gastric acid secretion during stimulation with histamine given via a continuous intravenous infusion (i.e. during steady state conditions) was studied in 13 patients with prepyloric ulcers and in 21 patients with combined gastric and duodenal ulcers. The rate of volume secretion, the acidity and the acid output were analysed separately. The results were compared with earlier studies of patients with gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Starting from the secretory pattern these four groups of ulcer were characterized. Gastric ulcers thus show hypoacidity. The pyloric ulcers do not differ from a normal material. The combined gastric and duodenal ulcers and the duodenal ulcers show hypersecretion, most pronounced in duodenal ulcers.


Pyogenic liver abscess as a cause of acute upper abdominal pain. A report of two cases. The clinical course of 2 patients with acute abdominal pain, which was eventually found to be due to pyogenic hepatic abscesses is described. One patient, operated on late in the course, died; the other, who was operated on early, recovered. The importance of considering this life-threatening disease in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain is emphasized.


A double blind comparison of buprenorphine and morphine in conscious subjects following administration by the intramuscular route. Buprenorphine was studied to determine the respiratory depressant effect in a double blind comparison with morphine. Buprenorphine produced a more prolonged displacement of the carbon dioxide response curve than morphine. Because of the marked difference in the time effect curves the relative potency was determined at the time of peak effect--3 hours post-administration for buprenorphine (0.15 and 0.3 mg) and 1 hour post administration for morphine (5 and 10 mg). The data from the subjects who received higher doses of buprenorphine (0.6 and 1.2 mg) showed that there was a linear relationship over the dose range 0.15-1.2 mg in terms of respiratory depression.


Muscle relaxants: the classical receptor theory. According to the classical receptor occupancy theory non-depolarizing and depolarizing muscle relaxants differ in one respect: both types of drugs possess affinity for the cholinergic receptor at the neuro-muscular function, but only the depolarizing relaxants show efficacy. The two properties, affinity and efficacy are independent from each other.


Internal surface and fine structure of the rat seminal vesicle. The seminal vesicle of the rat was studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The internal surface of the organ is partitioned into small areas by a system of elevated ridges of connective tissue and covered by a columnar epithelium. This consists of small basal cells, presumably reserve elements, and larger ones containing the typical cell organelles involved in protein synthesis. The surface of the cell is covered with slender microvilli, varying in height and number from region to region. It is suggested that they are involved in the maintenance of hydration and/or regulation of low molecular weight substances in the secretion product. The latter develops from small granules which pass the apical cell border and then fuse together as larger drops.


Arterial vascularization of the sinuatrial node in the embryonic rat heart. We studied the embryological development of the extracoronary cardiac vessels, determining their origins, courses and terminations in embryonic rat hearts. The sinuatrial node is supplied by an extracoronary artery, which can originate from (a) the right internal mammary artery, as a nodal artery, based on its origin; (b) the internal mammary artery, or (c) the right subclavian artery as a collateral artery of the cardiac branch of the cardiomediastinal trunk. The intimate relations of the nodal artery with the sinus node make it possible to study, at the same time, the development of the sinuatrial node in the rat embryo. The sinuatrial node always develops before the nodal artery, which does not appear until 16 or 16.5 days of development.


Biology of the rice rat (Oryzomys palustris natator) in a laborabory environment. X. Postweaning growth of the skull. A survey of skull development of the rice rat (Oryzomys palustris natator) covering a period of 21 days to 16 months involving equal numbers of males and females (108) was undertaken using various skull parameters. Sexual dimorphism in relation to body weight and length emerged before that of the skull which was only clearly marked by 2 months. A number of the skull parameters by virtue of their individual growth potential did not show sexual differences in size for a long time, whereas others were clearly marked. Once the differences between the sexes had been established they were maintained. One parameter - lenght of cranium - represents those parameters which show changes and it was found that the male rat continued to show a steady linear increase in length up to 16 months, whereas the female cranial length shows a deceleration with termination around 12 months. The skull differences are mirrored in the weight and length findings and it suggested that the earlier sexual maturity of the females is compensated by an earlier cessation of growth compared to the males which mature later and have a correspondingly later cessation.


Ultrastructural study on topographical variations of the ependyma in Bradypus tridactylus. An electron-microscopic study of ependymal cells in 24 different areas of the encephalic ventricular system of Bradypus tridactylus was made, with a view to making a comparative analysis, of a topographical kind, of various cell components: cilia, microvilli, plasma membrane, cytoplasmic protrusions, types of cellular junctions, ribosomes, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, microfilaments, microtubules, mitochondria, granules and dense bodies. There were differences in the distribution of all these cytologic elements, according to the topography, being a complement to a similar work done by the same authors with light-microscopy. By means of a morphofunctional analysis they draw the conclusion that even if one can admit the passage of substances by an intracellular route, on the other hand few facts support the idea the intracellular absorption or secretion could be considered as important phenomena in a great number of the ependymal areas studied.


[Peculiarities of myelin formation in the spinal roots of the rabbit]. The axon sheath formation in the ventral and dorsal spinal roots of newborn rabbits is discussed. The mesaxon grows at a greater rate than the outer plasmalemma of the Schwann cell, thereby giving rise to folds in the mesaxon. The compact myelin spiral is formed by the apposition of 2-3 lamellae.


Possible phylogenetical significance of the corpus callosum with special reference to the dolphin brain (Stenella graffmani). The surface area of the corpus callosum was measured in several animals as compared to the brain weight. A general consideration of the importance of this structure on the phylogenetic scale, with special reference to the corpus callosum of the dolphin, Stenella graffmani, is given. Some theoretical considerations about the significance of this structure upon some specialized features are mentioned.


Further observations on the ear in fossorial mammals with special considerations of Chlamyphorus truncatus (Harlan). The morphology of the external and the middle ear (auditory ossicles) in Chlamyphorus truncatus is influenced by its fossorial life. The external auditory canal consists of three parts. The most distal part is a short (cartilaginous) auricle which reaches anteriorly close behing the eye. Posteriorly to the auricle is a long, thin bony duct which consists of two segments, movable against each other. This tube leads through a narrow porus into the third part of the canal, the recessus meatus, which is enclosed in the bulla. The recessus with the narrow porus is characteristic for many fossorials and has a morphology with physical chracteristics of a resonator (HELMOHOLTZ). The malleus and the stapes in Ch. truncatus are also influenced by fossorial life. Based on the dorsal view of the malleus head, the Xenarthra can be divided into two groups. To the first division belong the Dasypodidae with Chlamyphorinae and Dasypodinae, to the second the Myrmecophagidae and Bradypodidae. The malleus of Cyclopes, a myrmecophagid, differs from that in the other Mymecophaginae and is similar to the malleus in the Dasypodinae. Two kinds of experiments should be undertaken: (a) physiologic-acoustic experiments in a fossorial to determine the effect of the recesses and (b) acoustic experiments varying the dimensions and positions of a tube and a porus leading into a resonator.


Anteversion versus torsion of the femoral neck. The usual term 'torsion angle of the femur' denotes the 'anteversion' of the neck of the femur as a whole, caused by the twist in the shaft of the femur rather than the twist in the neck. This has been differentiated from the twist in the neck of the femur around its own axis, termed 'torsion neck' and the values of both have been measured. To differentiate these two different phenomena, the term 'anteversion' is used to denote the usual angel described, while 'torsion neck' is sued to denote the twist in the neck around its own axis measured in this work. 1,000 femora from 21 cites in different parts of the country have been measured and the average anteversion angle calculated. The Indian average works out to be 12 degrees with a significantly (double) high value for females. The incidence of negative angle is 7% in the normal femora. All fractured femora invariably show a negative angle. The above information should be of great significance on orthopaedic surgery of the neck of the femur in these bones. The 'torsion neck' has been measured by tracing and its average reported as 30 degrees.


Alkaline phosphatase in the thymus.

Alkaline phosphatase in the thymus. (1) Fetal thymuses, organs from patients who died from diseases that are not clinically known to be associated with concomitant lymphoid tissue involvement, as well as thymuses from patients dying from diseases which effect the lymphatic complex of the body, one way or another, have been investigated for their alkaline phosphatase activity, using Gomori technique and applying four different phosphate esters as substrates. (2) Three substrates (beta-glycerophophate, riboflavin 5-phosphate and adenosine triphosphate) showed essentially the same pattern of activity in which the cortex and Hassall's corpuscles were reactive, while the medulla was negative. A reversal of this pattern was demonstrated with 5-monophosphoric acid. (3) Before the age of 32-36 weeks of intra-uterine life there is no alkaline phosphatase activity in the thymus; therafter, the enzyme begins to make its first appearance. (4) There is a definite increase in the intensity of the reaction with advance of intra-uterine life. This increase in phosphatase content is continued postnatally, to reach its maximum at about the age of 10 years: after that, the enzyme activity gradually subsides. (5) There is a tremendous augmentation of phosphatase activity in the case of disease which are known to affect the lymphoid complex. (6) The phosphatase activity of the thymus has been discussed in relation to the prevailing concepts about the function of the thymus, with special emphasis on a possible association with 'lymphocyte-stimulating factor' production and/or secretion.


Some ultrastructural observations on human palmar stratum corneum. Ultrastructure of human palmar stratum corneum was examined for cell junctions and cytoplasmic material. Interdigitated microvilli are shorter and less uniform in man. Most of these processes are either conical or truncated in shape, as distinct from the relatively smooth cell surfaces except for sigma-shaped junctions in hairy sites. It is suggested that this provides strength against shearing force in the palm and sole. There is less cytoplasmic breakdown in palmar horny cells than in hairy cells.


[Studies on urease from the seeds of Citrullus vulgaris: action of chemical agents and ionizing radiations]. Urease obtained from seeds of Citrullus vulgaris fruits has been studied under three points of view: a) the effect of the urea analogs acetamide and hydroxi-urea on the enzyme kinetic b) the action of the sulfhydryl reagents and the reactivation agents on the enzyme c) the effect of X-rays and the protective action of the cysteamine. The Berthelot reaction for the determination of the liberated NH3 was used enzyme activity. Acetamide has no effect on urease kinetic. Hidroxy-urea which produces a typical green color when it is mixed with the Berthelot reagents at high concentrations, when properly diluted acts a aompetitive inhibitor of urease. Spectrophotometric experiments suggest that the studied urease decomposes hydroxi-urea with liberation of hydroxilamine. The sulphydril reagent, p-hydroxi-mercuribenzoate inhibits the enzime. Cysteine and dithiotreitol reactivate the enzyme activity in no more then 50% even when excess of the substances is used. Probably only in the first step of the urea hydrolysis, the enzyme behaves as a typical SH-enzyme. Urease is very sensitive to X-rays. Cysteamine acts as a protective agent of the enzyme. Dithiotreitol reinforces this protective action. This effect is clearly observed when the Fisbein catalytic method for urease is employed.


Isolation and some properties of a trypsin inhibitor from seeds of Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Toledo. A trypsin inhibitor was isolated as a homogenous protein from the seeds of guapuruvu-tree (Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Toledo). In addition to its strong inhibitory activity against trypsin the purified inhibitor presented a lesser activity against alpha-chymotrypsin. The purification of the protein inhibitor was achieved from the crude extract of deffated seeds through ammonium sulphate salting-out, successive chromatographies on Sephadex G-75 and DEAE-Sephadex A-50 columns followed by preparative polyacrylamide-slab electrophoresis. The following properties were presented by the purified inhibitor: molecular weight of 12,000 daltons, as estimated by gel filtration; isoelectric point at pH 5.0 - 5.2, by electrofocusing; combining molar ratio of 1:1 (mole trypsin/mole inhibitor), on the basis of inhibition assay and the molecular weight of 29,800 daltons found for the trypsin-inhibitor complex; A1%1-cm = 4.35, at 275 nm and pH 7.0. The inhibitor presents a high content of cystine (14 cystinyl residues per molecule) and is entirely devoid of methionine, tryptophan and free sulhydryl groups. The fluorescence spectra are typical for tyrosine with a strong quenching of emission indicated by the quantum yield. The circular dichroism spectra suggest a predominantly unordered structure for the inhibitor molecule.


The chemistry of the inhibition of blood xanthine oxidase by -SH reagents. In this study it was shown that the rat blood serum xanthine oxidase (X.O.) is differently inhibited by -SH reagents and seems that the blood serum enzyme has two types of -SH groups, one reacting relatively rapidly and unrelated to the enzyme activity and the other reacting slowly to produce inactivation. The results presented suggest that there are only few fundamental relationship between the different -SH reagents used and the inhibition of the enzyme activity in the blood serum. With mercurials it was shown that the most reactive -SH groups of the rat blood serum are not related to the X.O. activity, but when sufficient number are reacted the enzyme is structurally altered so that inhibition appears. With oxidants such as iodine the inhibition of the X.O. activity of rat blood serum seems to be not related specifically with the oxidation of -SH groups.


Norin-10-based semidwarfism.

Norin-10-based semidwarfism. Many short-strawed wheats, including the Norin-10-based semidwarfs now grown in many countries, are characterized by their relative "insensitivity" to gibberellic acid. The nature of this insensitivity, its genetic control, and the relationships between the Gai genes and the Rht genes, which control height reductiion in Norin-10 and Tom Thumb wheats, are described. The role and potential of these genes in agriculture and their relationship to other genes affecting yield, height, and other agronomic features are considered.


Evaluation of branched ear derivatives of Triticum aestivum L. The branched spikes of Triticum turgidum L. have a potential of producing a high number of kernels. Some of the selected lines of T. turgidum yielded up to 150 kernels per spike as compared to 60--70 kernels per spike in the common wheat cultivar Chenab-70. The best of these lines were crossed with the common wheats Chenab-70, Mexipak, and C-271. Among the lines obtained by selection from the advanced generations of the T. turgidum X Chenab-70 cross, some are similar to Chenab-70 with respect to tillering, plant shape, plant height, and leaf position, but their spikes are branched like those of the T. turgidum parent. These lines appear to be fairly homozygous. Chenab-70 produces, on the average, 60 kernels per spike, 34.8 g of grain per plant and has a 1000-kernel weight of 35 g. The number of kernels per spike, the yield of grain per plant and the 1000-kernel weight of the selected hybrid lines ranged from 25 to 133, from 8.5 to 59.6 g, and from 30.0 to 46.0 g, respectively, which shows that the chances of obtaining high-yielding new common wheat cultivars having spikes branched as those of the T. turgidum parent fairly good.


Heritability estimates from four generations of a diallel cross of common wheat. The heritabilities of 10 quantitative characters were studied on F1, F2, backcross, and selfed backcross generations of a five-parent diallel cross of common wheat grown at two locations. From this study it was found that (a) most of the characters in question were highly heritable, (b) the heritabilities estimated by regression and variance component methods were more or less the same (r=0.84** to 0.95**), and (c) the heritability of some characters was affected by location or by generation; in one case only (1000-kernel weight) was the heritability of the character affected by both.


Diallel analysis of four agronomic traits in common wheat. The common wheat cultivars Aköz, Florence, Mentana, Jaral, and Siete Cerros were crossed in 1972 in all possible combinations excluding reciprocals. In 1972--1973 the F1 hybrids and the five parents were field grown at Bornova in randomized complete blocks. The characters studied were plant height, spike length, 1000-kernel weight, and plant yield. The analysis of data showed that (a) with respect to plant height and 1000-kernel weight all F1 combinations deviated from the corresponding midparental values, (b) for the same characters the GCA variances were significant and the GCA divided by SCA ratios high, (c) the characters' plant height, spike length, and 1000-kernel weight were probably controlled by two effective factors each, and (d) plant height had the highest and 1000-kernel weight the lowest heritability (h2=0.66 and h2=0.26, respectively). It was concluded that a desired response to selection could be expected for plant height and 1000-kernel weight.


Quantitative genetically nonequivalent reciprocal crosses in cultivated plants. Quantitative expressions of character difference between reciprocal crosses have been studied by different researchers in a number of plant species, such as Epilobium, Zea mays, Oryza sativa, Hordeum sativum, Triticum aestivum, Trifolium hybridum, Linum usitatissimum, Nicotiana rustica, and others. In all cases it was found that the nonequivalence of reciprocal crosses manifested itself beginning with the F1 generation, with the exception of some flax crosses in which reciprocals differed beginning with the F2 generation. The nonequivalence of reciprocal crosses usually manifested itself in the inequality of their F1 and/or F2 or backcross means; however, there were instances in which their means were the same but the variances were different. Both matroclinous and patroclinous inheritances were reported in plants. Because of the casual complexity of reciprocal differences the experimental results often lack a simple explanation.


Coadaptation in plant populations.

Coadaptation in plant populations. One of the most important questions of plant breeding is whether alleles at different loci act independently or whether the population genotype is structured so that favored combinations of alleles occur more frequently than expected under randomness. Studies employing allozyme loci as markers have demonstrated that the distribution of alleles in both natural and experimental populations of inbreeding plants is closely correlated with environment on both micro- and macrogeographic scales. Multilocus analyses have also revealed the occurrence within local populations of striking gametic phase disequilibrium (linkage disequilibrium). These observations demonstrate that selection acts to organize the population into sets of highly interacting coadapted gene complexes that promote high fitness to the local environment.


Estimation of genotypic and environmental variation in plants. The frequency of genotypes with the desired degree of expression of economically important quantitative characters within a hybrid or mutant population is usually very low. Therefore, the early identification and selection of such genotypes involves the analysis of very large populations. Because the breeding values of individuals in a population are masked by environmental, competitional, and ontogenic noises, special quantitative--genetic methods of analysis have to be used in order to eliminate their disturbing effects. The present chapter deals with a new approach to such an analysis by using either a simple background character or a background index obtained as a linear function of two, or more than two, background characters. It is believed that the use of this approach would greatly increase the efficiency of selection and shorten the time needed to produce improved new crop cultivars. As the analyses require the handling of large amounts of measurement data, plant breeders must use computer facilities.


Effect of high-temperature stress on the growth and seed characteristics of barley and cotton. The existence of a sensitivity gradient to a uniform high-temperature stress applied at stages during seed maturation can be demonstrated in barley. The germination of freshly harvested seed is depressed following heat stress at 7--10 days after awn emergence, but is enhanced by the same stress applied 3 weeks after awn emergence. The depression is attributed to reduced viability associated with thermal injury. The stimulation following stress at more mature stages of seed development is related to a thinner seed coat, increased permeability as evidenced by faster imbibition rate, and decreased content of water-soluble inhibitors in the seed. These effects of environmental stress during seed maturation aid in explaining differences noted in the germinability at harvest of seed produced in successive years or produced in the same year at different locations. Seed of American Cotton, var. AC 134, was stressed at 50 degrees, 60 degrees, 70 degrees, 80 degrees, and 90 degrees C for 24 or 48 h before seeding. Stresses at 50 degrees to 70 degrees C increased seedling emergence and subsequent performance of the cotton plants, but higher temperatures caused thermal injury or killed the seed.


Pituitary apoplexy, therapeutic assessment. The management of pituitary apoplexy with reference to both diagnosis and operative sequelae remains a major challenge. Acute onset of retro-orbital headache in association with visual loss and ophthalmoplegia are the cardinal symptoms; however, obtundation and signs of subarachnoid hemorrhage also may be present. Good quality plain skull radiographs and complete angiography prove sufficient for preoperative radiographic studies. Preoperative endocrine preparation focuses on supplemental glucocorticoids since these patients must be presumed deficient in cortisol reserve. Residual visual deficit appears to be more a function of the extent of damage at the time of ictus rather than rapidity of decompression. Our experience indicates that transsphenoidal decompression in appropriate cases offers an ideal opportunity to minimize mortality and morbidity. The acute onset of severe retro-orbital headache in association with stupor and ocular palsies would alert most physicians to the potential diagnosis of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage. The association of complex ophthalmoplegias and visual defects in this constellation of symptoms should, in addition, alert one to the possibility of an acute intrasellar or parassellar expansile process. During the past two years, we have had the opportunity to care for 8 such patients with confirmed diagnoses of acute hemorrhagic infarction of the pituitary enabling us to formulate diagnostic and therapeutic schemata with reference to management of this problem.


A simple method for continuous pressure recording. A relatively simple, nonoperative, percutaneous procedure for recording continuous cerebrospinal fluid pressure was carried out on 12 patients at UCLA Hospital. The experience with pressure recording in these patients has demonstrated no mortality or permanent sequelae and the technical character of the records has been excellent. This technique could make continuous pressure recording more easily available to the average practioner. Other uses for this procedure are also suggested.


Wheat protein.

Wheat protein. Results from AID-supported Nebraska research to improve the nutritional quality of wheat indicate that substantial genetic variation for grain protein content exists in wheat. Experimental lines with 5% higher protein in their grain than ordinary varieties have been selected from a high-protein X high-protein cross. Genetic variablity for lysine in wheat grain is limited. The genetic component of total lysine variability among 12,6000 wheats in the USDA World Collection was only 0.5%. Genetic increases in lysine ranging from 0.4 to 0.7% lysine have been identified in selections from a high-lysine X high-lysine cross. Lysine per unit protein is negatively correlated with protein content. In contrast, lysine per unit weight of grain is positively correlated with protein content suggesting that increasing the protein content of wheat can effectively increase the amount of lysine in the grain. Seed fractionation studies have determined that high protein in whole wheat results mainly from increased protein content of the starchy endosperm. Lysine differences were detected both in the endosperm and nonendosperm fractions. A new productive high-protein hard winter wheat variety derived from Atlas-66, with genetic potential for 2% higher grain protein content was released to growers by the Agricultural Research Service, USDA and the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station in 1975.


What is a pain center?

What is a pain center? The authors present the concept that a multi-disciplinary interdepartmental pain center should include: 1) an initial out-patient pain clinic, 2) an inpatient pain service for diagnosis of pain problems and treatment of patients with intractable pain, including pain from cancer, 3) a psychotherapeutically-oriented chronic benign Pain Unit, 4) facilities for clinical and basic pain research, and 5) affiliations for an adequate teaching program.


Sensitivity to some rubber additives.

Sensitivity to some rubber additives. The frequency of positive patch tests to 13 rubber accelerators in Poland was recorded. Of particular interest was the relatively large group of patients positive to several, mostly chemically unrelated, accelerators. The mechanism of this multiple sensitivity is discussed. Positive tests to N-isopropyl-N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine were observed in more than half of the patients reacting to several aromatic amines. Anamnesis indicated that in the case of cross-reactions to many aromatic amines, none of the patients positive to N-isopropyl-N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine had complained of a reaction to rubber products.


The safety of topical erythromycin.

The safety of topical erythromycin. The prevention of allergic complications depends on the use of topical medications which have proved to be rare sensitizers. This is particularly true for stasis ulcers and eczemas which are notoriously readily sensitized. Topical erythromycin has proved to be such a non-sensitizing topical antibiotic. In a series of 60 patients with stasis ulcers, erythromycin in the form of Ilotycin ointment (erythromycin in petrolatum) was applied. Not a single instance of allergic sensitization occurred. No instances of sensitization with positive patch tests to topical erythromycin have been reported. Maximization tests with topical erythromycin did not produce sensitization. Topical erythromycin, an effective antibiotic, should be substituted for neomycin which is a common sensitizer.


Allergic contact dermatitis and conjunctivitis to corticosteroids. This is a report of two patients suspected of having allergic dermato-conjunctivitis due to corticosteroids. Both were tested with the constituents of the ointments they were using, that is, corticosteroids, antibacterial agents, preservatives, and other active ingredients of the ointment bases. Both patients showed positive allergic patch test reactions to the respective corticosteroid betamethasone valerate, and one to hydrocortisone, neomycin, and a rubber additive. The importance of routine patch testing in ophthalmic practice to detect sensitizers in cases of allergy is mentioned. Hydrocortisone (25%) in petrolatum is recommended for patch testing.


Sensitizing and irritating properties of star anise oil. Star anise oil in 2 and 1% concentrations produced active sensitization in 5% of test subjects, and positive patch tests in 36 and 34%, respectively, of consecutive patients with dermatitis. A comparison of the results of tests with balsams and other essential oils showed that star anise oil does not give cross-reactions and pseudo cross-sensitivity. Patients positive to this oil are frequently positive to anethole and to other constituents of this oil: alpha-pinene, limonene and safrole. In tests with star anise oil it is noteworthy that a 1% concentration is strongly irritant, and 0.5% reveals sensitivity in only one fifth of the actively sensitized subjects. It is possible that the cause of false negative patch tests might be similar in the case of some other allergens.


Unconventional methods in plant breeding. There are three wass whereby unconventional methods of plant genetics can be used for applied plant breeding. 1. The time necessary for breeding by recombination can be shortened, making use of the discovery that plants can be obtained directly from the products of meiosis, the "Gonen." Two new cultivars bred in tobacco by this method already exist. 2. Microbiological methods may be applied to mutation and selection in haploid or dihaploid cell cultures. New cultivars bred by this method have not yet been published, but it should be possible to make use of this technique in plant breeding. 3. Somatic hybridization of plants by fusions of protoplasts or by uptake of nuclei and other organelles (plastids, mitochondria) or pure nucleic acids is another useful method. There exist up to now somatic hybrid plants (a) between mutants of the liverwort Sphaerocarpos donnellii, (b) some varieties of tobacco, and (c) two species of Nicotiana. All these hybrids can also be produced by conventional sexual hybridization. It is impossible to predict how often incompatibility for cross-fertilization can be surmounted by somatic hybridization, as incompatibility between two genomes must be restricted to the fertilization process, but it can work on any stage of the development of the hybrid.


Patch tests with potassium dichromate removed after 24 and 48 hours. The rate of release in vitro of four potassium dichromate concentrations (0.5, 0.1, 0.05 and 0.01%) was determined. In the course of 24 h, 90.1-97.5% was released of the total K2Cr2O7 amount in 48 h. Out of 30 patients positive to 0.05% dichromate when the patch test was done routinely, 29 were also positive when the patch was removed after 24 h. The effect of the earlier removal of the patch test was also noted in seven other patients, when results of tests with lower dichromate concentrations were taken into account.


Effects of vehicles and elicitation concentration in contact dermatitis testing. I. Experimental contact sensitization in humans. A study was made to evaluate the effects of vehicle and challenge concentration on response of human subjects to potential allergens. In the vehicle studies the modified Draize test was used to test the response of subjects to cinnamic aldehyde and to costus oil, administered at two skin sites, in petrolatum and in 95% ethyl alcohol. In two tests of costus oil, alcohol proved to be more effective in eliciting a response than petrolatum; on the other hand, in one test with cinnamic aldehyde, no difference in results was obtained with these two vehicles. In the concentration studies, subjects known to be sensitive to the test substance were tested by the Al test with costus oil (three concentrations), chloracetamide (four concentrations), or thimerosal (three concentrations); petrolatum was used as the vehicle in each case. Results of the vehicle test showed no compelling reason for the selection of one vehicle rather than another. Results of the concentration tests indicated that concentration does have an effect on the intensity and frequency of reactions to potential allergens.


Effect of vehicles and elicitation concentration in contact dermatitis testing. II. Statistical analysis of data. Data obtained in tests of several potential allergens with different vehicles and at different concentrations have been analyzed statistically.


Comparison of guinea pig sensitization methods. Up to now, different methods in guinea pig sensitization were used, to assess contact sensitization potential of low molecular weight chemicals. In order to compare the efficiency of the epicutaneous, intradermal and combined sensitization methods, two stronger sensitizers, the water soluble chlormethylimidazoline hydrochloride (CMI) and the lipid soluble 1,3-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) were used for the experiments. Eleven modified sensitization methods were performed. In a first trial each substance was tested on 10 animals. In a further study those techniques which had produced the best results, that is the highest degree of sensitization, were applied to 25 to 30 animals. For comparison of the results of the various methods, a mean sensitization index was calculated. The best results were achieved with the Maximization Test of Magnusson & Kligman (1969) and the Split Adjuvant Technique of Maguire & Chase (1967).


The investigation of quindoxin photosensitivity. Quindoxin (quinoxaline di-N-oxide) is a photosensitizer capable of producing photocontact dermatitis. The study of a group of seven affected subjects has provided evidence of persistent light reaction and "photoallergy", most probably to the parent substance and not to any photoproduct or contaminant. Clinical and photobiological similarities to the photosensitivity dermatitis and actinic reticuloid syndrome were demonstrated.


Nickel dermatitis--nickel excretion.

Nickel dermatitis--nickel excretion. Nickel excretion in urine in four females sensitive to nickel with an intermittent dyshidrotic eruption was measured with flameless atomic absorption. Excretion of nickel was found to be increased in association with outbreaks of vesicles. The results support the idea that the chronic condition was maintained by ingestion of nickel in food.


Platelet function by afibrinogenemia.

Platelet function by afibrinogenemia. Platelet function was studied in two cases with congenital afibrinogenemia. In these two cases there was no aggregation by ADP, while, there was increased calcium-induced platelet aggregation and decreased platelet adhesiveness to glass. Platelet aggregation was corrected in vitro, by addition of fibrinogen. It can be concluded from the above findings that the fibrinogen is an important factor for platelet aggregation by ADP and for platelet adhesion to glass surfaces, while platelet aggregation by thrombin does not need fibrinogen. The increased calcium-induced aggregation can be explained by postulating that thrombin finds no substrate to act upon except the platelets.


Protein status in bilharziasis in Egyptian children. Fifty-nine bilharzial subjects aged 9-12 years and 18 parallel controls were investigated for total serum proteins, total liver proteins and total urinary proteins. Simple agar gel and immunoelectrophoretic studies were also carried out. The results revealed a highly significant decrease in serum total proteins in mixed infection. A very highly significant increase was demonstrated for serum alpha, globulin. The gamma globulin fraction and the total globulin moiety were very highly significantly raised. The albumin globulin ratio was considerably decreased in mansoniasis. Serum immunoelectrophoresis illustrated a decreased density of haptoglobulin, hemopexin and transferrin arcs, as well as a considerable increase in IgA, IgM and IgG in most of the cases. Urinary protein values were very highly significantly elevated in hematobiasis and mixed infection. A slight increase for alpha1, alpha2 and beta-globulins was found in some cases. Liver proteins were very highly significantly decreased in mansoniasis and mixed infection. The results are discussed and analysed.


Studies on platelet function in cases of hemophiliac Egyptian children. Eleven cases of hemophilia were studied for detection of any change in the platelet function. The results showed hyperfunction in 5 cases, normal function in 4, and hypofunction in the remaining two. The hyperfunction of the platelets was shown in the case with acute hemorrhage and it might be a compensation mechanism. The normal function was shown in cases during the quiescent phase. The hypofunction of the platelets was associated with the presence of AHg inhibitor and platelet antibody. Normal function returned after Cortisone administration. It may be postulated that the inhibitor of factor VIII and the platelet antibody are one and the same thing.


[Shifts in several aspects of phospholipid metabolism in the brains of white rats with radiation sickness]. Sublethal (400) and lethal (1600) doses of roentgen decrease the level of neutral phospholipids of rat brain and increase that of acid phospholipids. With the development of radiation disease the content of free glycerine and glycerophosphate increases and the glycerokinase and glycolytic pathways of glycerophosphate biosynthesis are activated together with the intensification of the direct and reverse reactions catalyzed by glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. The permeability of the artificial bimolecular phospholipid membranes prepared from rat brain phospholipid extracts is significantly increased at the end of the radiation.


[Left hemisphere lesion and visual recognition of single letters (author's transl)]. 100 Controls and 200 left hemisphere-damaged patients were sub-divided by means of a Standard Language Battery in 35 non Aphasic patients, 51 Broca's aphasic patients, 85 Wernicke's aphasic patients and 29 global aphasics. They were all submitted to a single letter recognition test. From a parametric statistical work-out of the experimental data, it turned out that global aphasics are by far the most impaired experimental group, even if their performance had been adjusted by co-variance taking into account their more relevant aphasic and neurological disorders. Whilst age and length of illness do not play a significant role in the test performance, this was significant for the educational level (years of schooling) and for the severity of the aphasic disorders (Token Test). The relationship between the above-mentioned independent variables and the letter recognition scores did not change significantly across the experimental groups. The only exception was that the relation between the Token Test and the letter recognition scores proved to be significantly different between Broca's and Global Aphasics. No definite conclusion could be drawn about the outstandingly poor scores of global aphasics, as neither their performance or their I.Q. (W.A.I.S.) seemed to be related to the letter recognition scores (in contrast with Broca's and Wernicke's aphasics), nor to the presence of retro-geniculate visual field defects.


[Changes in the ribonuclease activity of brain cell nuclei and mitochondria at different periods following removal of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion]. A study of the changes in the ribonuclease activity of nuclei and mitochondria of rat brain cells following 1, 3, 7, 20 and 90 days after extirpation of the right superior cervical ganglion showed an increase of enzyme activity in nuclei from the first up to the 90-th day following removal of the ganglion. During the first three days after the operation enzyme activity is higher in nuclei obtained from the intact (left) side of the brain while later on enzyme activity is more pronounced in nuclei obtained from the right (sympathectomized) side of the brain. In mitochondria enzyme activity is depressed during the whole period studied after sympathectomy (90 days).


[Clinical and anatomical features of a case of Schilder's disease (author's transl)]. A case of a Schilder's disease (1912 type) in a seven year old boy is described. The patient died after four months and autopsy was performed. The most important clinical features are represented by repeated electroencephalograms, immunologic investigations in both plasma and CSF as well as tests of adrenal function. Histopatological examination of the brain shows a diffuse sudanophilic orthocromatic demyelinating process of both hemispheres with intense vascular cuffing, microglial proliferation and astrocytic hypertrophy. These findings are in contrast with some recent statements in the literature which reject a nosographic individuality to Schilder's disease and describe "Adrenoleukodystrophies" on doubtful criteria.


[Effect of neurohormone "C" on adenine nucleotide and adenosine metabolism in rat heart and brain]. Adenine nucleotides and adenosine are known to be of importance in the regulation of coronary function. This made a study of the effect of neurohormone "C" on the metabolism of adenine nucleotides and adenosine interesting in as much as neurohormone "C" dilates coronary vessels and has a direct metabolic effect on cardiac muscle. The results obtained have shown that incubation of cardiac muscle homogenates with labelled ATP increased the content of adenosine through raising 5'-AMP nucleotidase activity and inhibiting adenosine deaminase activity. In homogenates and slices of brain tissue the content of adenosine is, on the contrary, reduced. Opposite changes are observed in the content of AMP. The increase of adenosine in the heart by the increase of 5'-AMP nucleotidase activity and decrease of adenosine deaminase activity is probably, not the main factor of the coronarodilatatory effect of neurohormone "C". The reverse phenomena is noticed in brain, the functional significance of which must be studied. However, the role of adenosine in the mechanism of action of neurohormone "C" will become clear after in vivo experiments which are in progress.


[Glutamic acid oxidation and its regulation in purified mitochondria and nerve endings of rat cerebral cortex]. A comparative study of respiration of mitochondrial and synaptosomal fractions of adult rat brain cerebral cortex has shown that glutamic acid is oxidized in both fractions and that its oxidation is potentiated by ADP. Addition of ADP has, however, a different effect on the endogenous respiration of these two fractions; while it has no effect on the endogenous respiration of the synaptosomal fraction, it increases considerably the weak endogenous respiration of the mitochondrial fraction.


[Epidemiological observations on plasma levels of diphenylhydantoin in 130 patients on prolonged treatment (author's tranls)]. Plasma levels of diphenylhydantoin have been measured in 130 epileptic patients undergoing long-term anticonvulsant therapy. Only in a small percentage of the patients (15,38%) plasma levels were found to lie within the therapeutic range. Most patients (75,38%) exhibited subtherapeutic values, while in a few cases (9,24%) the upper limit of therapeutic range was exceeded. Although plasma concentrations significantly correlate with the administered dose, predictability of plasma levels in the individual patients given fixed dosage schedules is strongly limited by large interindividual variability. Sex, age and simultaneous administration of other drugs seem not to affect significantly DPH plasma levels. Our observations carried out in a meaningful sample of epileptic patients suggest that at present the practice of monitoring diphenylhydantoin plasma levels is still an essential tool for the management of epilepsy when a safe and effective therapeutic regimen is required.


[Formation of ammonia from glutamic acid and ADP in purified mitochondria and nerve endings of rat cerebral cortex]. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the formation of ammonium and its quantitative interrelationship in mitochondrial and synaptosomal fractions obtained from rat cerebral cortex. The data obtained have shown that in mitochondrial fraction the level of ammonium is high while its endogenous formation is less pronounced. A large amount of ammonium is formed from ADP and some from glutamic acid, especially in the presence of ADP. The level of ammonium is, on the contrary, low in the synaptosomal fraction and endogenous ammonium formation is high. In this fraction also there is ammonium formation from both ADP and GA but to a smaller extent than in the mitochondrial fraction. The data obtained make up conclude that the formation of ammonium by the glutamatedehydrogenase pathway in the presence of activators is an important mechanism in mitochondria but not synaptosomes.


The substrate specificity of an aminopeptidase (neutral arylamidase) from pig brain. Neutral arylamidase of pig brain has been purified 235 fold. At this purification the major band on disc-gel electrophoresis is associated with the enzyme activity, although several minor components are also present. The arylamidase is -SH dependent and puromycin inhibited. It has activity toward lysyl and arginyl beta-naphthylamides as well as toward the beta-naphthylamides of a large variety of neutral amino acids. The enzyme is strongly substrate inhibited, making the relative order of reactivity to aminoacyl beta-naphthylamides dependent upon the substrate concentration chosen for comparison. It also shows activity toward certain di-, tri-, and oligopeptides. When more than one residue is cleaved, the release is sequential, starting from the amino terminus of the peptide. It appears therefore that pig brain neutral arylamidase is an aminooligopeptidase of broad specificity. We suggest that beta-naphthylamides are model substrates representing the N-terminal end of peptides with three or more residues. The properties of pig brain enzyme are similar in many respects to those previously isolated from rat and bovine brain and bovine pituitary.


[Homocarnosine metabolism in brain tissue]. In glial tumors of human brain the content of homocarnosine has been found to be lower than in brain tissue. In experimental animals cranial injury induces an increase of homocarnosine in brain tissue. Stimulation of the nervous system of traumatized animals by phenamin brings the metabolism of homocarnosine back to normal. The results of these studies make us suppose that homocarnosine is a substance involved in brain activity.


Intraaortic balloon pumping assist following open heart surgery for coronary artery disease. Intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) assist was employed in 36 patients after surgical operation for coronary artery disease. In 31 patients, the aid of IABP was required because cardiopulmonary bypass could not be terminated without it. In three of these patients, IABP assist was started before the surgical procedure because these patients were in cardiogenic shock due to myocardial infarction. In the remaining five patients, IABP assist was applied for refractory cardiogenic shock in the early postoperative period. The overall survival rate was 58 percent. IABP assist was used in 13 patients with an ejection fraction of 0.1 to 0.2 (normal 0.7). Nine of these patients survived. From our experience, it would appear that this temporary mechanical circulatory support provides a significant advantage in saving patients who might otherwise die after surgical procedures involving the coronary artery.


Nosocomial vaccinia infection.

Nosocomial vaccinia infection. Although hospital-associated spread of vaccinia has been reported in the past, there have been no recent reports. This paper describes hospital-associated spread of vaccinia virus infection, supplies data on the environmental survival of vaccinia virus and offers recommendations for the management of patients with vaccinia that may minimize the hazard of infection in other high-risk patients.


Pressure gun injection injuries of the hand. Pressure gun injection injuries are becoming increasingly common. Their effect on the fingers and hands, especially when improperly managed, can be devastating. Therefore it is important to review features, clinical course, anatomic distribution and operative management of such injuries. If a useful hand and fingers are to be attained, rapid and thorough decompression and debridement of these injuries are essential.


Diethylstilbestrol in the treatment of rape victims. Despite growing controversy surrounding its use as a "morning after pill," diethylstilbestrol (DES) is prescribed liberally for rape victims. Guidelines for its use in these patients is lacking. Of 150 consecutive rape victims treated at a university medical center, 63 (42 percent) received prescriptions for DES. Of the 55 (87 percent) on whom follow-up was obtained, in 40 (73 percent) there were substantial side effects-nausea or vomiting, or both. At least six (11 percent) did not complete therapy because of these side effects. The authors offer guidelines for use of DES for rape victims and a plan for patient education and follow-up.


Chronic hepatitis; prognostic aspects.

Chronic hepatitis; prognostic aspects. Chronic hepatitis was diagnosed on the basis of biochemical, immunological and morphological criteria in 153 cases. On the evidence of observations for a mean period of four years the prognosis of chronic persistent hepatitis is regarded as favourable, no progression to chronic aggressive hepatitis or to cirrhosis having been observed in any of the cases. On the other hand, chronic aggressive hepatitis was found to progress to cirrhosis in 12 out of 65 cases. Cirrhotic transformation was more frequent in hyperactive processes (8 out of 25 cases). The sera of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma showed low immunoglobulin concentrations, with increased coeruloplasmin and reduced transferrin levels.


Effect on carbohydrate metabolism of hypotensive adrenergic neurone blocking agents. In subjects with normal metabolism sugar tolerance was not appreciable influenced by 4 or 5-day courses of guanethidine and guanazodine. Upon perfusion in isolated rat liver, glycogen metabolism and hepatic sugar release were increased by guanazodine, guanethidine and debrisoquine alike. However, when these drugs were used simultaneously with chlorpropamide debrisoquine proved to be the weakest in counteracting the inhibitory effect of chlorpropamide on glycogen metabolism and sugar release. The observation may have clinical significance.


Myocardial lesions subsequent to roentgenotherapy. The myocardium was studied for changes caused by therapeutical X-ray irradiation in a necropsy material of 14 cases. The lesions found in the myocardial vessels, in the parenchyma and in the interstitium are described in detail. While the severity of the vascular changes was independent of the radiation dose, the gravity of parenchymal lesions was closely related to the dose employed.


Renal haemodynamics in mercuric chloride-poisoned dogs. Intrarenal haemodynamics and glomerular dynamics have been investigated in dogs with mercuric chloride-induced acute renal failure. The early phase (12 and 24 hr after the intravenous injection of 2 mg/kg HgCl2) is characterized by some decrease in renal bloodflow, due to afferent (preglomerular) vasoconstriction, while in the later phase (48 and 72 hr after poisoning a pronounced increase in RBF due to efferent (postglomerular) vasodilatation supervenes. Urinary volumes amounts to normal in the early phase, followed by oligo-anuria in the 48 and 72 hr groups. Extraction ratio of inulin, i.e. the filtration fraction and, consequently, glomerular filtration rate show a progessive decline and trend towards zero in the 72 hr group. The pronounced decrease in glomerular capillary pressure is due to both absolute and relative increase and decrease in afferent and efferent resistances, repectively. The progressive fall in effective filtration pressure is brought about by the decrease of glomerular capillary pressure, combined with increased colloid osmotic pressure due to haemoconcentration. Total and segmental intrarenal vascular resistances are reduced by hyperosmotic mannitol infusions resulting in renal hyperaemia. Glomerular filtration rate is, however, not influenced by mannitol and effective filtration pressure remains unaltered. Osmotic diuresis ensues in the early phase but urinary output is not restored in the late, i.e. oligo-anuric, phase.


Effect of carotid occulsion on intrarenal haemodynamics. Renal cortical medullary autoregulation was investigated by Sapirstein's 42K and 86Rb isotope fractionation methods under pentobarbital anaesthesia in nondiuretic dogs under normal conditions and during carotid occlusion. Cortical circulation appeared to be autoregulated in both conditions while medullary blood flow showed moderate autoregulation in the control as well as during carotid occlusion. In contrast to expectation, medullary blood flow was not increased by the blood pressure elevation following carotid occlusion but was reduced as a consequence of the simultaneously evoked reflectory vasoconstriction. Carotid occlusion resulted in a more pronounced enhancement of vascular resistance in the medulla than in the cortex. It was concluded that non-uniform intrarenal distribution of the autoregulatory as well as the reflectory vasoconstriction left pressure and filtration rate essentially unchanged in the cortical glomeruli but increased both in the iuxtamedullary ones. Carotid-occlusion diuresis, therefore, cannot be explained by increased medullary blood flow but may be result of augmented flow rate of tubular fluid through the loops of Henle.


Effect of alpha-pinene on the mixed function microsomal oxidase system in the rat. The microsomal fraction of the liver was studied for protein and cytochrome P 450 contents as well as for aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase activity and for its butylisocyanide spectrum under the effect of alpha-pinene treatment. A moderate increase was found in the amount of microsomal protein and cytochrome P 450, a marked increase in the metabolism of both aminopyrine (substrate of type I) and aniline (substrate of type II), together with an increase in the butylisocyanide-absorption maxima of both haemoproteins involved in the reaction. Thus, alpha-pinene is a broad-spectrum enzyme inductor of the phenobarbital type, with certain quantitative differences.


The structure of gastrointestinal hormones. The primary and secondary structure of the three kinds of gastrointestinal hormones, i.e. gastrin, cholecystokinin-pancreozymin and secretin are discussed.


Gastrointestinal peptide hormone analogues. All derivatives of the C-terminal tetrapeptide fragment of gastrins with 17 amino acids elicit every physiological effect of the gastrin. This recognation led to detailed studies on the structure-activity relationships. In the case of cholecystokinin-pancreozymin, a substance consisting of 33 amino acids, the smallest sequence which possesses biological activity is the C-terminal octapeptide fragment. Synthesis of analogous derivatives of this fragment allowed the determination of the structural elements necessary to evoke the biological action.


Metabolism of the gastrointestinal peptide hormones. Results of investigations on the metabolism of gastrin, pentagastrin, cholecystokinin and secretin are discussed on the basis of data in the literature. Own results concerning the metabolism of 14C-pentagastrin are also described, out of which the significance of a biologically inactive metabolite is emphasized. This metabolite can be demonstrated in the circulation, and is excreted in the urine. As judged from the present state of investigations, this metabolite has a crucial importance in the metabolism of pentagastrin.


Clinical significance and perspectives of gastrointestinal peptide hormones. Present knowledge about gastrointestinal peptide hormones is discussed from three points of view: (a) diagnostic significance of these hormones; (b) states characterized by over-production or deficiency of peptide hormones; (c) clinical application and perspectives of gastrointestinal hormones. The data in the literature are subjected to a critical analysis; in  addition, the author's own experiments are discussed.


Oxygen uptake capacity of gills and skin in relation to body weight of the air-breathing siluroid fish, Clarias batrachus (Linn.). Oxygen consumption through gills and skin in relation to body weight was estimated in the air-breathing catfish, Clarias batrachus, under two experimental conditions, viz., (i) when access to air was allowed and (ii) when air-breathing was prevented. There was a positive correlation between VO2 (ml/hr) and body weight in both experimental conditions. Oxygen consumption (ml/hr) increased by a power of 0.869 when access to air was allowed whereas the power was slightly less (b = 0.841) when air-breathing was prevented. As the values for exponent (b) were less than 1.0, the weight specific VO2 (ml/kg/hr) decreased with increasing body weight. The decrease was more marked (b = - 0.180) in fishes which were not allowed air than in those where access to air was allowed (b = - 0.148). Under normal conditions of water and air-breathing the rate of VO2 (ml/kg/hr) via gills and skin from water ranged from 39.7 +/- 3.21 to 76.7 +/- 9.01 and this increased to 42.17 +/- 6.2 to 105.9 +/- 8.33 when air-breathing was prevented. The increase in the rate of VO2 was perhaps associated with the increase in the volume of water irrigating the gills per unit time.


Intestinal transport of fructose and glycine in Ophiocephalus punctatus. The regional variations in the absorption of fructose and glycine have been studied in the intestine and pyloric caeca of the fish, Ophiocephalus punctatus in vivo, by preparing intestinal sacs. Diffusion of amino acids out of the intracellular compartment of the intestine was observed in all the portions of the intestine. The pyloric caeca showed maximum transport of fructose. Absorption of fructose was slightly more in the posterior intestine than in the anterior intestinal sac. Maximum transport of glycine took place in the anterior intestinal sac. Pyloric caeca adsorbed more glycine than did the posterior sac. For both nutrients, the rate of uptake did not differ significantly in the upper and the lower portion of the intestine. In all the portions, the transport of fructose was more rapid than that of glycine. The experiments revealed that though the nutrients are absorbed in the entire length of the intestine, the quantity absorbed varies from one portion to another and is dependent on the nature of the compound absorbed.


Influence of amino acids on gastric emptying in young pigs. The effects of amino acids on gastric emptying and secretion were studied in four young conscious pigs provided with a chronic gastric cannula. A basal test meal of 500 ml containing 10 g citrus pectin, 17.5 g sucrose, 100 mg phenol red alone or with glycine, L- or DL-tryptophan, DL-methionine or L-glutamic acid was poured into the stomach and recovered 20 min later. Glycine at concentrations of 26.7--106.8 mM/l did significantly affect gastric emptying, although at the highest concentration gastric emptying appeared to slow down. L-lysine (41.0 mM/l), DL-methionine (40.3 mM/l or L-tryptophan (29.4 mM/l did not significantly affect the rate of stomach emptying; L-tryptophan increased the amount of Cl- and H+ secreted as compared with the basal diet alone. The effects of addition of the essential amino acids, L-lysine and DL-methionine, were compared with those of the nonessential glycine and L-glutamic acid. There was no significant difference in the rate of gastric emptying or secretion between them. The L and DL isomers of lysine and trypotphan were not found to differ significantly in their effects on gastric emptying and secretion.


Cortical synchronization induced by thermal stimulation of the preoptic area in immobilized rats. Cortical synchronization characterized by frontal spindles and occipital slow wave activity was induced by bilateral thermal stimulation of 2--4 degrees C of the preoptic area in unanaesthetized immobilized rats. The synchronization was demonstrated by ECoG and its power density spectra. The ECoG of the synchronization was similar to that of slow wave sleep. Switching off the thermal stimulation the original activity was recovered in most of the cases. Frontal spindle activity and slow wave activity recorded over the posterior cortex seemed to be dissociated to some degree. Low frequency stimulation at the points of thermal stimulation resulted in frequency following synchronization. In some cases electrical and thermal stimulation induced gradually developing seizure activity.


Effect of TSH and melatonin on thyroid activity in the rat. Melatonin and TSH, injected separately, caused no change of the blood thyroxine level at 30 min after treatment. Simultaneous or subsequent administration of the two hormones induced an increase of the level. Thus, melatonin is capable of potentiating acute, thyroxine mobilizing effect of TSH.


The frequency dependence of evoked and postsynaptic potentials in the somatosensory cortex of the cat. Intracellular records were made from neurones of the somatosensory cortex of cats, during stimulation of the ventrobasal complex of the thalamus. The aim of the experiments was to detect correlations between frequency dependence of surface evoked potentials and that of unit discharges. The amplitude of the surface evoked potential showed a strong diminution when the frequency of the thalamic stimulation was raised from 1 cps to 15 cps. In spite of this, frequency dependence in amplitude of unit discharges was never seen. As regards their frequency of occurrence the unit responses (full spikes, dendritic, postsynaptic potentials) behaved differently: a part of them showed increasing, another part gave decreasing occurrence, and the remaining portion did not change it. The authors conclude that temporal dispersion fails to give account for the frequency dependence, therefore further possibilities have to be examined.


Relation of unit spike discharges and evoked potentials in the auditory cortex of cats. Extracellular microelectrode recordings were made from the auditory cortex of anaesthetized cats during acoustic click stimulation. The microelectrode of low resistance allowed to record evoked field potentials and unit discharges simultaneously. In distant extracellular leads the relation of unit discharges and field potentials was equivocal. Near extracellular leads revealed that the antidromic invasion of the somadendritic membrane by excitation is a frequency dependent process (just as evoked field potentials) while spike potentials can reliably be elicited from the initial segment at high frequencies. It is assumed that the excitation spreading from the initial segment to the soma-dendritic membrane represents an important component of the evoked potentials, and their frequency dependence may be traced back to inhibitions activated by afferent impulses.


A device for evaluation of the dominant component of the EEG activity. A setup composed of a bioanalyser and additional electronic circuits is described allowing to measure the instantaneous frequency and amplitude of the dominant component of EEG activity. Besides recording the above values on paper by means of the EEG apparatus, functions of probability density of both the amplitude and the frequency of EEG activity are estimated on-line during preadjusted time intervals, and displayed on the screen of the bioanalyser. The mutual relationship between instantaneous EEG amplitude and frequency can be expressed in two-dimensional histograms displayed on a memory scope. The system described is suitable for laboratories having no possibility to use general purpose computer on-line.


Assumed identity of granulocyte-pyrogen (GP) and leukocytosis inducing factor (LIF). Pyrogen obtained from granulocytes induces granulocytosis in normal, endotoxin-tolerant and spinal animals alike, whereas heat treatment destroys the granulocytosis inducing effect. It is concluded that GP and LIF are identical, or nearly identical, factors.


Cardiovascular reactivity and neurogenic tone in unilateral renovascular hypertension in the rat. The role of some mechanisms in the development of hypertension due to unilateral renal artery stenosis is influenced by the presence or absence of the intact opposite kidney. In this paper: a) the cardiovascular reactivity (CR) to norepinephrine (NE) and b) the effect of a ganglionic blocker (pentolinium, P) during the early (first two weeks) and later periods (ten weeks) of hypertension elicited by unilateral renal ischemia in the presence of the untouched contralateral kidney in the rat have been reported. Neither the threshold doses nor the dose-pressor response curves have shown a greater reactivity of the cardiovascular system to NE in this specific type of renovascular hypertension. An increase in the activity of the nervous system apparently contributes in early and late periods to the fuller development of high arterial pressure (AP).


Effects of prostaglandins upon hair growth in mice. The effect of prostaglandins upon the diffuse hair wave induced by gonadectomy was studied in male C3H mice. The drugs used were Prostaglandin E1 and Prostaglandin F2alpha, tromethamine salt, which were administered twice a day intraperitoneally during 22 days, in daily doses from 1 to 6 micrograms. The animals had their back clipped and were castrated at the beginning of each experiment. At the end of the 22 day experimental period while all the castrated control mice were completely covered by hair, in the castrated prostaglandin treated mice a marked inhibition of the hair growth was noticed.


Electronic system for the obtention of phase plane curves for action potentials. This system is designed for the amplification of the bioelectrical signal, obtention of its derivative in respect to time, automatic brightness control for both beams of the oscilloscope, and stability. The system includes a central measuring section which is a modified Tektronix oscilloscope type 565. Automatic control of brightness as a function of sweeping speed allows photographic recordings.


Automatic microelectrode compensator (AMC). A solid-state system designed for compensation of asymmetry potentials between microelectrodes, for bioelectric measurements, is described. Advantages over the manual compensator are the following: synchronic compensation of electrodes, application to automatized systems against aging effects in electordes, high speed, and elimination of general muisances of manual circuits. Besides, the system allows to measure digitally the polarization difference and resting membrane potential with precision of +/- 1 mV.


Automatic silver-plater of electrodes. Reference silver-silver chloride electrodes. The silver-plater developed for the preparation of silver-silver chloride electrodes attains constancy in electrochemical characteristics, circulating current during exactly identical periods with inverted polarity.


[Purification of kininogen II (LMW) from human plasma]. Plasma supernatant in which kallikrein has been activated and removed by glass powder whilst kininogen I (HMW) has been consumed by the activated kallikrein, was used for the preparation of kininogen II. It was purified by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose followed by gel filtration on G-200 Sephadex. The purification of kininogen II was assessed from determinations of the amount of kinin released (expressed as bradykinin) as measured on the isolated guinea pig ileum, using samples incubated with human salivary kallikrein or trypsin. A preparation of kininogen II containing an activity equivalent to 8 microgram Br/mg protein, was obtained. Salivary kallikrein released approximately three times more kinin from the substrate as compared to trypsin.


[Purification and enzyme study of kininogens I and II from human plasma]. Kininogens I (HMW) and II (LMW) were isolated and partially purified from human plasma. The disappearance of kininogen I was prevented by the use of hexadimethrine bromide, which inhibits the activation of plasma prekallikrein. The two kininogens were separated by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. Further purification of kininogen I and II was achieved by separate chromatographic steps of the partially purified kininogens on SP-Sephadex. The purification of the kininogens was controlled by incubation of the respective samples with different kininogenases: human plasma kallikrein, human salivary kallikrein and trypsin. As determined by gel filtration, a molecular weight of 250 000 daltons was found for kininogen I (HMW) and 48 000 daltons for kininogen II (LMW).


Metabolic responses to catecholamines.

Metabolic responses to catecholamines. Isoproterenol and propranolol, in a single dose, caused hyperglycemia after 15 and 30 min, either in the conscious rat or in the anesthetized dog. In this latter species no modifications of the serum potassium were observed. Adrenaline, 5 microgram/kg, iv provoked hyperglycemia at the same intervals and hyperkalemia at min 1st and 2nd with further hypokalemia until 90 min. The beta-adrenergic blocker, sotalol, 5 mg/kg, iv, administered prior to adrenaline suppressed the increase in glycemia and the late decrease in serum potassium, but not the early hyperkalemia. In the isolated hind limb of the dog the intra femoral artery administration of adrenaline, 3 microgram/kg, produced similar hyperglycemia either in the artery or in the femoral vein, starting from the 15 min. Contrarily, the serum concentration of potassium was significantly less in the vein than in the artery at the 1st min. These findings suggest that different receptors are involved in the glucose and potassium response to adrenaline, and the skeletal muscle plays an important role in the regulation of the early hyperkalemia.


Caudate-putamen and globus pallidus influences on a visceral reflex. The electrical stimulation of the rostral striatum in rats has two different influences on bladder motility. Stimulus applied to the dorsomedial caudoputamen nucleus elicited vesical contractions and increased excitability of micturition reflex. Stimulation of the ventromedial caudoputamen suppressed detrusor contractions and increased the micturition threshold. Similar inhibitory effects were found by electrical stimulation of the globus pallidus. The possible mechanisms involved and the relationship with the clinical finding of bladder dysfunction in patients with extrapyramidal disease, are discussed in view of their anatomical and functional relationships to the vesicomotor centers.


Effect of hypocalcic media on chemical sensitivity of toad sartorius muscle. Membrane potential and spike activity were recorded through intracellular electrodes from toad sartorius muscles superfused in Krebs solution. When this was replaced by a hypocalcic medium (1/20 of normal Krebs Ca2+ concentration), muscles showed extrajunctional sensitivity to acetylcholine, histamine and noradrenaline applied iontophoretically. Normal sensitivity was restored when muscles were bathed in normal calcium media. Changes in chemical excitability of the fibers immersed in hypocalcic solution were related to decreased input membrane resistance. These observations emphasize the role played by Ca2+ on electrical stability and chemical sensitivity of skeletal muscle membrane.


Nodular thickening of peritubular basement membranes in diabetic kidneys. A conspicious renal change associated with diabetes is the thickening of the basement membranes. This was generally considered diffuse and little attention was paid to its nodular character. In the present study of the nodules, their topo-optical reation, electron microscopic fine structure as well as their trypsin digestibility after periodic acid-sulphatation revealed their basement membrane character. The increased basophilia obtained by the aldehyde-bisulphite-toluidine blue reaction indicated an increased amount of sugar components, whereas the decreased double refraction and the red polarization colours a decrease of the micellary arrangement. The change is mostly observed in diabetics; the specific localization around the Henle loops may refer eventual hyperosmolar effects, whereas the nodular character points to the role of local factors.


Neonatal hepatitis: histological and differential diagnostic aspects. The morphological pecularities of neonatal hepatitis are discussed on the basis of biopsy in 41 cases. The manifestations are similar to those of virus hepatitis in more advanced age, with certain quantitative and qualitative differences. The obligatory presence of multinucleated hepatic giant cells is denied, but a peculiar cell type with large bizarre nucleus was found pathognomic. The questions of differential diagnosis are discussed and the importance of liver biopsy is emphasized.


Secondary structure of glycosaminoglycans. It has been shown by X-ray diffraction and chiroptic spectroscopy that the glycosaminoglycans in connective tissue develop a helical structure; this induces the coordination of polycations and scleroproteins in their environment polycations and promotes or inhibites fibrillary aggregation. Analysis of the ORD and CD spectra of various glycosaminoglycans, as well as those of oversulphated and desulphated preparations allowed the following conclusions concerning the secondary structure. 1. For the helical structure of glycosaminoglycans a chain-length of 120 to 150 A and the presence of at least one sulphate group per two disaccharides are required. The helical structure is not influenced by binding to the protein skeleton, e.g. in proteoglycans. 2. Chiroptical properties of the glycosaminoglycan--either in themselves, or if their methylene blue complexes are studied--are determined by the degree of their sulphatation. 3. The degree of sulphatation determines the secondary structure of the molecule and thus also its biological properties. Fibrillogenesis in vitro and probably also in vivo are determined by the strength of the bond between collagen and glycosaminoglycans, in addition to the effect inducing the coordination. Structural analysis of the polysaccharides supports the coordinated fibrillary structure of GAG, as already assumed on the basis of polarization microscopic methods.


Cell surface properties of L1210 leukaemia cells. The surface properties of vincristine-colchicine sensitive and resistant L1210 leukaemic cells have been studied using concanavalin A mediated agglutination assay as well as electron microscopic visualization of concanavalin A receptors. 3H-colchicine uptake by the sensitive and resistant lines has also been compared. The resistant L1210 leukaemic cells proved less agglutinable than the sensitive ones at the same concanavalin A concentration. Previous treatments with either colchicine, vincristine or chlorpromazine caused a marked decrease in the agglutinability of the sensitive L1210 leukaemic cells, while agglutination of the resistant ones was lowered slightly by the same treatments. The 3H-colchicine uptake of the sensitive cells was three times higher than that of the resistant ones.