Freeze-fracture-autoradiography.

Freeze-fracture-autoradiography. A new method for the electron microscope autoradiography of soluble substances in frozen tissue is described. The basic features of the method are freeze fracturing, the application of a suitable monolayer followed by exposure at low temperature and finally the separation of tissue and the replica-monolayer-sandwich after photographic processing. The advantages and limitations of the new method are discussed in terms of monolayer quality, contact, histochemography, resolution, freezing and recrystallisation artefacts.


Failure to suppress theta antigenic expression in progeny derived from pre-immunized maternal recipients. One possible theory concerning the success of the fetus as an allograft has been attributed to maternal modification of foreign fetal antigenic expression. In this respect progeny derived from pre-immunized maternal mouse recipients, have been examined for any modification (reduction) of corresponding theta antigen determinants. Two major groups of mice were examined. The first group of embryo transplantation derived AKR homozygotes born from pre-immunized CBA recipients whilst producing the corresponding anti-thetaAKR antibody activity. The second group of naturally derived reciprocal (CBA x AKR)F1 heterozygotes were also born from pre-immunized maternal recipients. In neither group was theta expression found to be modified and the significance of this finding is discussed in respect of other situations where fetal antigenic expression is known to be altered by maternal influence.


B and T lymphocytes in man. II. Circulating B and T lymphocytes in cancer patients. B, T and "Null" lymphocytes from 87 coded peripheral blood samples from 33 normals and 54 nonoperable or progressive cancer patients were determined. The controls have higher mean numbers of circulating lymphocytes than the cancer patients. Radiation-treated cancer patients have lower values than non-irradiated patients. This phenomenon is also seen in the relative and absolute T, but not the B lymphocytes. There was no difference in the B lymphocytes among the different groups of patients. However, the controls have the highest and the radiation-treated cancer patients have the lowest absolute numbers of B lymphocytes. Although cancer patients have higher relative numbers of "Null" cells than the controls, only the difference between the controls and the radiation-treated cancer patients was statistically significant.


Effects of tetracaine on displacement currents and contraction of frog skeletal muscle. The kinetics of mechanical activation of intact fibres were examined with a voltage-clamp technique. Tetracaine (2 mM) increases fifteen- to seventyfold the time required to produce a just visible contraction by cell membrane depolarization. 2. Displacement currents thought to be related to contractile activation remain in 2 mM tetracaine. Their characteristics are virtually identical to those found in the absence of the drug. Displacement currents also remain in fibres immobilized by treatment with 10 mM formaldehyde. 3. Despite its effect on contraction of intact fibres, tetracaine does not diminish contraction tension when Ca is applied directly to the contractile proteins of 'skinned' muscle fibres. The sensitivity of the myofilaments to Ca2+ also remains undiminished. 4. When acting on intact fibres the drug must therefore inhibit Ca2+-release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. It is estimated that 2 mM tetracaine diminishes more than tenfold the capacity for Ca2+-release in response to cell membrane depolarization.5. If muscle displacement currents represent events linking depolarization to Ca2+-release, then tetracaine must be able to block the release without affecting the potential-sensing portion of the release regulating mechanism. 6. Further experiments on skinned fibres show that tetracaine blocks or greatly diminishes caffeine contractions, but that Cl-induced contractions of normal amplitude are still possible.


Differential effects of tetracaine on delayed potassium channels and displacement currents in frog skeletal muscle. 1. Delayed K+-currents and displacement currents were studied with a voltage-clamp technique. 2. In normal fibres, the conductance of the delayed channel grows e-fold per 3 millivolts at sufficiently negative potentials and reaches a limiting value of 2-10 m-mho/cm2 (mean 5-8 m-mho/cm2) at positive potentials. Adding tetracaine (2 mM) reduces the limiting conductance, shifts the voltage-dependence of the delayed channel to +25 mV more positive potentials and slows the kinetics fourfold. 3. By contrast, the displacement currents are virtually unaltered by 2 mM tetracaine. Their voltage-dependence is shifted by less than 5 mV and their kinetics are unaffected. 4. Tetraethylammonium ions (TEA) are known to slow the kinetics of delayed K+-channels fivefold but fail, like tetracaine, to change the kinetics of the displacement currents. 5. Both tetracaine and TEA have thus large effects on the 'gating' of the delayed channel, yet little or none on the displacement currents. This suggests that the displacement currents in skeletal muscle are for the most part unrelated to the opening and closing of delayed channels. It is estimated that 'gating' the delayed channel in muscle may require no more than 1 or 2% of the observed charge displacement.


Measurement of the conductance of the sodium channel from current fluctuations at the node of Ranvier. Single myelinated nerve fibres of Rana esculenta were investigated under voltage clamp conditions at 13 degrees C. Fluctuations of steady-state membrane current were measured during the last 152 msec of 190-225 msec pulses depolarizing the membrane by 8-48 mV. Noise power spectral densities were calculated in the frequency range of 6-6-6757 Hz. 2. External application of 150 nM tetrodotoxin (TTX) and/or 10 mM tetraethylammonium (TEA) ion reduced the current fluctuations. The difference of current noise spectra measured in the presence and absence of TTX (TEA) was not changed by the presence of TEA (TTX) during both measurements, and was taken as the spectrum of the Na (K) current fluctuations. 3. Residual current noise during application of both TTX and TEA was, except for some excess noise at the low and high frequency ends of the spectrum, similar to the noise measured from a passive nerve model and could be understood in terms of Nyquist noise of the known resistances and the amplifier noise. 4. Na current fluctuation spectra were interpreted as the sum N/f+SNa(f) where SNa(F) represents the spectrum expected for a set of equal, independent Na channels with only two conductance states (open or closed) which follow Hodgkin-Huxley kinetics. With values of hinfinity, tauh and minfinity measured from macroscopic Na currents, the measured spectra were fitted well by optimizing N, SNa(0) and taum. Values of taum obtained by this method were in fair agreement with values found from macroscopic currents. 5. The 1/f component of Na current noise was roughly proportional to the square of the steady-state Na current, I2. The mean value of N/I2 was (1-1 +/- 0-3) X 10(-4). 6. The current carried by a single Na channel was calculated from fitted spectra and steady-state Na currents measured simultaneously with the current fluctuations. The single channel conductance gamma normalized to zero absolute membrane potential was calculated. The average gamma from twelve measurements at depolarizations of 8-40 mV was 7-9 +/- 0-9 pS (S.E. of mean). The apparent value of gamma was smallest with small depolarizations. Variations of the assumed kinetic properties of the model did not drastically affect the single channel conductance. 7. External application of 0-1 mM-Ni ion lengthened taum in the macroscopic currents and in the fluctuation spectra and enhanced both the steady-state Na current and the current fluctuations. In Ni-treated nodes gamma was smaller than in normal nodes.


Conductance of the sodium channel in myelinated nerve fibres with modified sodium inactivation. 1. Na current fluctuations in nodes of Ranvier were measured under voltage clamp conditions as described in the preceding paper (Conti, Hille, Neumcke, Nonner & Stämpfli, 1976) and analysed in terms of power spectral density calculated for frequencies between 30 Hz and 5 kHz. 2. External (10(-5) g/ml.) Leiurus scorpion venom or Anemonia Toxin II (3 X 10(-5) g/ml.) or internal 20 mM iodate were applied in order to remove or slow down inactivation in part of the Na channels. The treatment increased the steady-state Na current during the noise measurement one-to eight fold over that in normal fibres. 3. Noise spectra were interpreted as the sum of 1/f noise and noise SNa(f) due to all-or-none, open-close transitions of single Na channels. The drug effects on the inactivation could be accounted for either by assuming two populations of channels, one with and one without inactivation, or by postulating a single population with modified inactivation characteristics. 4. Except for an increase in amplitude, the fluctuation spectra SNa(f) were similar to the ones in normal nodes. Again, the time constants taum obtained from the fit of the spectra agreed within a factor of 2 with the values of taum found in the macroscopic Na currents. 5. From the fluctuation spectra, single Na channel conductances gamma of 5-4 +/- 0-4 pS (iodate), 6-7 +/- 0-5 pS (Leiurus) and 7-0 +/- 0-6 pS (Anemonia) were calculated. The value of gamma was not significantly voltage dependent. 6. Our observations indicate that inactivation of Na channels can be modified with at most small effects on the microscopic properties of the activation process and on the conductance of the open channel. They suggest that the h mechanism normally produces all-or-none, open-close changes of conductance.


Excitability and functional organization of cutaneous tactile units of the bullfrog (R. catesbeiana). Frog skin touch receptors are discrete structures which appear as dome-shaped translucent elevations of the epidermis. These domes are particularly responsive to direct touch. Tactile stimulation of adjacent skin never caused impulse activity, except when the skin distortion disturbed the domes. On stimulation at threshold intensity, the response of all units studied always consisted of a single impulse whether the stimulus energy was electrical or mechanical. While most tactile units discharged one impulse upon application of mechanical stimulation, a few also discharged one impulse upon stimulus release (on-off response). No after discharge was seen at stimulus strengths of three or four times threshold or after repetitive stimulation at 1,000 pps. The range of distribution of active domes/receptive field was 1--14. Generally the most sensitive domes appeared to be in or near center field. Twice as many of the tactile units responded more readily to cold than to warmth. The impulse frequency of units responding to thermal stimulation ranged from 3-11/sec. The conduction velocity of tactile units measured was within a range of 9--25 m/sec, with a mean of 12 m/sec. The results suggest that the following: 1) the existence of discrete structures which respond to tactile stimuli; a phylogenetic relationship might be postulated; 2) cold/touch receptors which appear to be present in greater quantity in the frog's skin than are warm/touch receptors, 3) touch units which should be considered primarily as mechanoreceptors with a possible secondary function as thermoreceptors.


Studies on recovery mechanism from rinderpest virus infection in rabbits. I. Effect of anti-thymocyte serum and thymectomy. The role of cell-mediated immunity in recovery from rinderpest virus infection in rabbits was investigated by application of immunosuppressive procedures, i.e., treatment with anti-thymocyte serum and combined treatment with thymectomy and anti-thymocyte serum, both of which were confirmed to depress significantly cell-mediated immunity in rabbits. The immunosuppressed animals recovered in almost the normal fashion in terms of clinical signs, of virus clearance from the blood and lymphoid tissues and of repair of the lesions. It was suggested that the thymus-dependent cell-mediated immunity may not be essential in recovery from rinderpest virus infection. Possibility of participation of other recovery mechanisms was discussed.


The receptive mechanism of various metallic ions in the lateral-line organ of the tadpoles of Rana catesbeiana. The stimulating effect on the receptor organ of various mono-and divalent metallic ions on the lateral-line nerve of tadpoles was studied. The orders of the effectiveness were Ag + greater than T1+ greater than K+==Na+ greater than Li for monovalent ions and Sr2+ greater than Mg2+ greater than or equal too Ba2+ greater than Cd2+ greater than or equal too Co2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Zn2+ for divalent ions. Both agree well with the order of Pearson's softness parameter for monovalent ions and Edwards' modified parameter for divalent ones. All sorts of divalent cations exhibited suppressive effects on the stimulating effect of the monovalent cations when they were applied together with the monovalent cations. A simple selection rule was found for the suppressive effect. The stimulating effect of Na+ or K+ was suppressed by all sorts of divalent cations. But the effect of Ag+ was suppressed by Cd2+, but not by Mg2+ nor by Ca2+. In order to remove the Ag+ effect, a dilute solution of DTT was used, although the effect of K+ or Na+ was removed easily by rinsing with distilled water. From these results the receptive mechanism of the endorgan was thought to be chemical adsorption of ions in the receptor cell membrane. Based on the principle of "hard and soft acid and base", it is suggested that there are two types of binding sites for the ions on the membrane, a soft site and a hard one.


Rheumatoid disease without arthritis.

Rheumatoid disease without arthritis. A middle-aged man developed multiple subcutaneous rheumatoid granulomata, high titer of rheumatoid factor, diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and digital clubbing in the absence of clinicoradiological evidence of synovial disease. This patient supports the concept of rheumatoid disease without arthritis.


Effect of (+) amphetamine on monoamine synthesis and metabolism after axotomy in rat forebrain. (+)Amphetamine is known to produce feedback inhibition of catecholamine-containing neurons in the central nervous system due to its indirect receptor stimulating properties. This feedback control may involve postsynaptic receptors and neuronal loops or presynaptic receptors and may be restricted to the catecholaminergic terminal system. In order to study the effect of (+)amphetamine on catecholamine synthesis and metabolism in the terminal system changes in impulse flow were eliminated by cutting the ascending monaminergic axons. Axotomy of the ascending monominergic fibers by means of a complete transverse cerebral hemisection resulted in a 3-fold increase in Dopa formation in the lesioned forebrain during 30 min after inhibition of the aromatic amino acid decarboxylase with 3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine HCl, 100 mg/kg i.p. (+)-Amphetamine sulfate, 10 mg/kg i.p. antagonized the hemisection-induced increase in Dopa formation and reduced the formation of 5-hydroxytryptophan. Pretreatment with haloperidol, 5 mg/kg i.p. failed to counteract the effect of (+)amphetamine. In the intact forebrain the stimulation of Dopa accumulation was more than additive after combined treatment with haloperidol and (+)amphetamine. Hemitransection retarded the disappearance of dopamine and noradrenaline after administration of alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine methylester HCl,300 mg/kg. (+)-Amphetamine, 10 mg/kg accelerated the utilization of dopamine on the lesioned side. Hemitransection reduced the formation of 3-methoxytyramine during 1 h after pargyline, 75 mg/kg i.p. After (+)amphetamine 3-methoxytyramine formation in the intact forebrain was 3 times higher than in the lesioned forebrain. The action of (+)amphetamine on dopamine synthesis and release appears to be dependent on the firing rate in dopamine neurons.


[Dimer-X in the intracranial subarachnoid space--its toxicity (author's transl)]. The reaction of the rats to injection of Dimer-X into the intracranial subarachnoid space or the cerebrum was examined. When 28% iodine Dimer-X was injected into the subarachnoid space, 7 of 10 rats showed agitation, which is the most severe complication, and all died within one hour. All of the reactions were reduced with the lower concentrations of Dimer-X. The rats which were premedicated with Valium and/or Decadron revealed fewer and less severe complications. It is believed that the intracerebral injection method has many disadvantages, the results of its experiment are therefore reported without further elaboration. From the results of the experiment it is concluded as follows: 1) Dimer-X should not be injected into the intracranial subarachnoid space. 2) Dimer-X of low concentration in the subarachnoid space reduces the complications. 3) Complications from the subarachnoid application of Dimer-X can be reduced by premedication with Valium and Decadron.


Transmission of jaagsiekte (ovine pulmonary adenomatosis) by means of a permanent epithelial cell line established from affected lungs. An epithelial cell line, designated JS-15,4, has been established in culture from jaagiekte lesions and subcultured in vitro for almost 2 years. It exhibits morphological and other features of transformed cells and has been shown by electron microscopy to consist of type B ovine alveolar epithelial cells. Jaagiekte was successfully transmitted to 3 new-born lambs by the intratracheal injection of cells following immunosuppressive treatment with either anti-thymocyte immunoglobulin alone or combined with anti-macrophage immunoglobulin. Incubation periods as short as 10 weeks were recorded. Evidence was also obtained that natural transmission may result from the inhalation of viable cells.


Fossa posterior measurements: significance of sella to floor of 4th ventricle measurements (normal position of floor of 4th ventricle). Two proportional methods are introduced to determine the normal position of the floor of the 4th ventricle expressed by two preventricular ratios: (see article); where ds = dorsum sellae, Ts = tuberculum sellae and Tw = Twining's line. T4 is the intersection between Tw and the floor of the 4th ventricle. The methods give information of the position of the 4th ventricle, the diameter of pons and the a-p diameter of the pituitary fossa.


Fetal hemopoiesis in diffusion chamber cultures: II. Cell proliferation and differentiation. The growth and differenciation of hemopoietic cells from murine fetal liver (FL) and adult bone marrow (ABM) in diffusion chambers (DC) implanted into normal CF1 mice were evaluated. Initially FL suspensions were approximately 90% erythrocytic, but after 4 days in DC implanted into either normal or phenylhydrazine (anemic) pretreated hosts, growth was essentially restricted to the granulocyte-macrophage cell types. The number of in vitro colony forming cells (CFC), as assayed in a double layer soft-agar technique was determined after varying periods of growth in DC of both ABM and FL. Both groups showed a progressive decline in CFC number. FL and ABM CFC generated the same proportion of different morphologic types of soft agar colonies. After 7 days of DC culture, there was a decrease in the proportion of macrophage colonies from both groupes. During DC culture the ratio of clusters (3-50 cells to colonies progressively increased in both groups suggesting a parent-progeny relationship between CFC and cluster forming cells. The results of these studies provide further evidence that the environment rather than properties intrinsic to murine stem cell determines the pattern of proliferation.


[Clinical and biological studies in the Bernard-Soulier syndrome (author's transl)]. Bernard-Soulier syndrome is a rare constitutional thrombopathy, the main clinical feature is a bleeding tendency which is variable. The long bleeding time, in spite of a normal or little decreased platelet count, has been recently explained: the giant platelets have a defective adhesion to subendothelium. This abnormal adhesion could be related with an abnormal pattern of platelet membrane glycoproteins. Interactions between vessel wall, von Willebrand's factor and platelets are discussed.


Effect of long-term hyperglucocorticoidism on the neuronal morphology of the trigeminal ganglion of the mouse. Immature mice were treated for up to 12 weeks with daily doses of triamcinolone diacetate. The trigeminal ganglion was studied histologically at regular intervals. By the tenth injection significant morphological changes were noted in the various nerve cells, followed by marked cellular deterioration in the form of lysis or pyknosis. A possible explanation for the above findings is discussed.


Technical possibilities for coronary artery bypass surgery and the outlook for graft patency. In an attempt to analyse the results of saphenous bypass grafting 213 patients were re-investigated by repeat coronary, graft and left ventricular angiography. In this series, the presence of diffuse arterial disease was not considered as a contra-indication to operation. Instead, additional endarterectomy was performed. The overall patency rate was 88% and was not significantly altered by the passage of time, although the patency rate during the first 6 months was 94%. The patency rate did not appear to be influenced by the age of the patient, the severity of the lesion pre-operatively, the artery grafted nor additional endarterectomy. The run-off was judged to be good in 82% of grafts investigated before 6 months, compared to 70% of those investigated later. Progress of the disease in the native vessels appeared to be slightly accelerated in the segment proximal to the graft.


Emergency myocardial revascularization.

Emergency myocardial revascularization. From 1969 to 1975, 175 patients with acute coronary insufficiency underwent emergency saphenous vein aorto-coronary bypass grafting (SVBG). The patients were divided into two groups: group I, unstable angina (165 patients) and group II, acute evolving myocardial infarction (ten patients). In group I, the hospital mortality was 8-4%, the incidence of post-operative myocardial infarction was 10-3%. Long-term follow-up was obtained for an average of 25 months, functional improvement was definite in the majority of the patients and actuarial survival curves show 87% patients alive at the end of 48 months. In group II, the hospital mortality was 30%; seven of ten patients had good results.


Correlation between anti-DNA antibody titre and psychiatric manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus. A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus with predominant psychiatric involvement was followed during two psychotic exacerbations of her disease. A high correlation was found between disease activity and the titre of anti-DNA antibodies. Disease activity was preceded and accompanied by a high titre, while remission was associated with low titre. The significance of this correlation for the pathogenesis, diagnosis and managment of the psychiatric symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus are discussed.


Intravenous L-5-hydroxytryptophan in normal subjects: an interdisciplinary precursor loading study. Part 1: Implications of reproducible mood elevation. L-5-hydroxytryptophan ethylester (Ro 3-5940), a new soluble form of this serotonin precursor, was administered to 26 healthy, non-depressed subjects after premedication with the peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor benserazide (Ro 4-6402) in a total of 51 infusions. Those conditions were chosen for the main trial which in a pre-trial investigation had proved to combine minimal side effects with clear central effects in particular the observed marked mood elevation after 1-5HTP. Using these standardized conditions of application, an interindividually similar pattern of the time course of substance effects could be shown, and convincing evidence was deducible for an objective mood elevating effect of 1-5HTP infusion. Amongst the most impressive results was the parallelity of the time course of mood changes and concomitant changes in serum growth hormone levels. Especially emphasized are the important questions of effectivity, specificity and clinical practicability or safety, which are essential for any precursor study. Arguments are presented supporting the assumption that primarily serotoninergic changes underlie these mood effects. In our opinion this mode of i.v. application of 1-5HTP represents a practicable strategy for investigating biochemical hypotheses as to serotonin mediated normal and deviant human behaviour, especially in affective disorders.


Intravenous L-5-hydroxytryptophan in normal subjects: an interdisciplinary precursor loading study. Part II: profile of psychotropic effects derived from protocols and psychometric investigations. L-5HTP was found to act primarily on mood, and unequivocally in the direction of elation. The subjective, protocols, psychometric results, and a double-blind study demonstrated convincingly and intra-individually consistent course of action of the substance under the chosen conditions of application. This course of effects can be described in three phases: In a first phase (about 0 to 1 1/2 hours after end of infusion) an intensive mood elevation (mostly experienced as a disharmonious feeling), psychomotoric activity, changed perception, as well as somatic side effects were observed. A second phase (about 1 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours after end of infusion) was characterized by elevated mood (feeling of well-being) together with a tendency to inactivity, whereas other phenomena were less often reported. A third phase (about 3 1/2 to 6 hours after end of infusion) was characterized by mood decline and the feeling of having again reached "normality". Side effects again tended to occur. It is shown that neither placebo nor situative effects greatly influenced elevation of mood or other substance effects. This is demonstrated by the homogenous time course and the blind studies.


Intravenous L-5-hydroxytryptophan in normal subjects: an interdisciplinary precursor loading study. Part III: Neuroendocrinological and biochemical changes. In a precursor study with i.v. 1-5HTP (Ro 3-5940) after peripheral decarboxylase inhibition with benserazide (Ro 4-4602) in healthy human subjects the following biochemical changes were found: 1. Prolactin release was stimulated by benserazide alone, and further stimulated by 1-5HTP (more in women than in men). 2. Basal growth hormone secretion was not affected by benserazide, but was significantly stimulated by 1-5HTP, often to extremely high values. The time course of growth hormone release followed that of mood elevation in 8/11 subjects (and was even correlated in 3), providing data for speculation as to the interrelationships between affective state and neuroendocrinological function. 3. Cortisol levels were higher than normal throughout the experiment, but followed the diurnal decline. A late stimulation of cortisol release after 1-5HTP was observed. 4. The lack of increased platelet serotonin after 1-5HTP indicated efficacious peripheral decarboxylase inhibition by benserazide. 5. Benserazide treatment inhibited platelet MAO activity in certain subjects. Short-term increases in MAO activity after 1-5HTP were observed. 6. 1-5HTP displaced albumin-bound tryptophan by 20%.


Intravenous L-5-hydroxytryptophan in normal subjects: an interdisciplinary precursor loading study. Part IV: Effects on body temperature and cardiovascular functions. In 14 healthy subjects the effect of a new soluble 1-5HTP ester (Ro 3-5940) in combination with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor on circulatory variables and body temperature was studied. The orthostatic adaptative functions were impaired while no consistent changes were observed in resting parameters. With the exception of an initial rise during infusion, measurements of oral temperature in the group as a whole showed no significant changes. However, if gender was considered, a long-lasting fall of temperature in males (N = 7) and rise in females (n = 6) was observed. The greatest difference between the hypothermic reaction in men and the hyperthermic reaction in women occured two hours after the end of infusion, at the same time where mood effects were most intense. The temperature findings support a modulatory function of central serotoninergic mechanisms in thermoregulation in man and emphasize the importance of sex specific factors in pharmacological studies.


Gastro-intestinal microbleeding under acetylsalicylic acid, ketoprofen and placebo. A quantitative comparison of gastro-intestinal microbleeding induced by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), 3.6 g daily, ketoprofen (KETO), 200 mg daily and placebo (P) was undertaken in 12 normal volunteers using a double-blind factorial design with repeated measures. We conclude that KETO induces less gastro-intestinal bleeding than ASA but more than placebo and that there is a significant residual bleeding under placebo following ASA.


[Possibilities of differential diagnosis for positive ventriculography in children (author's transl)]. On the basis of 112 positive ventriculographies showing enlargement of the ventrical system in children and adolescents and excluding supratentorial processes, the possibilities and limitations of ventriculographic differential diagnosis were presented. Pathognomonic findings were found in inflammatory aquaduct occlusions and in meningoceles combined with hydrocephaly. In neoplastic or otherwise induced ventricular enlargement, statements can be made only in regard to the localization and often to the extent of the process. In spite of these limitations, the advantages of the positive contrast are obvious.


Evidence for the release of mitogenic factors by both T and B lymphocytes in the human. Lymphocytes incubated with antigens or nonspecific stimulatory agents may release factors that induce DNA synthesis in other lymphocytes. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether such mitogenic factors (MF) are produced by both T and B cells in the human. Both T- or B-cell-enriched cell preparations from peripheral blood were found to release MF during or after incubation with phytohemagglutinin or pokeweed mitogen. Concanavalin A covalently bound to Sepharose triggered B-cell preparations to higher MF release than either T cells or unfractionated lymphocyte suspensions. These results strongly indicate that both T and B cells in the human are able to produce MF.


DNA-synthetic responses of fractionated human lymphocytes exposed to lymphocyte-derived mitogenic factor. Human peripheral lymphocytes that have been exposed to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) release mitogenic factors (MF) on subsequent incubation in fresh medium. In this investigation, MF-rich supernatants were analyzed for their ability to induce DNA synthesis in various fractions of peripheral human lymphocytes. MF was found to induce higher DNA synthesis in T-cell preparations that in unfractionated lymphoid preparations or B-cell-rich fractions. Evidence is presented showing that some types of non-T-cell can inhibit the MF response of T cells. These cells are nonadherent and nonphagocytic and require DNA synthesis to express their inhibitory activity. These results suggest that the regulation of the action of lymphocyte-derived MF is cell-mediated.


Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: studies on the effect of drug treatment on different lymphocytic subpopulations. In the present work the effect of drug treatment on different lymphocyte populations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia was studied. During therapy there was evidence of an increased number of cells unidentifiable by conventional surface markers, provisionally termed lymphocyte surface-marker-negative cells. In addition, evidence of increased numbers of T lymphocytes in untreated patients and further evidence of IgG chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells were obtained.


Suppressor cell activity in a male infant with T-and B-lymphocyte dysfunction treated with thymosin. A male infant with bilateral iris coloboma who had had repeated infections and malabsorption was studied. The levels of total lymphocytes and of T and B cells were normal or high, but IgA became undectable and IgG low, whereas IgM was normal. His lymphocytes did not respond to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen (PWM) or in mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR), nor did they respond in vitro when thymosin was included in the test systems. He was skin-test-negative, even to dinitrochlorobenzene. His crudely isolated T lymphocytes and the supernatant of his PHA-stimulated lymphocytes inhibit the response of normal lymphocytes to PHA, PWM, and in MLR. During thymosin treatment skin test and lymphocyte reactivity to mitogen remained negative. He became faintly positive in MLR, and the suppressor activity in the supernatant of his PHA-stimulated lymphocytes no longer inhibited the response of normal lymphocytes to PHA, PWM, or in MLR. In parallel with thymosin treatment he showed quite marked clinical improvement.


Lung function studies in asymptomatic individuals with moderately (Pi SZ) and severely (Pi Z) reduced levels of alpha1-antitrypsin. Extensive physiological evaluation of lung function were conducted in two groups of asymptomatic individuals with deficiencies of alpha1-antitrypsin: seven subjects with phenotype Pi SZ and six subjects with phenotype Pi Z. Four symptomatic individuals of Pi Z type were also investigated. The asymptomatic individuals of both SZ and Z phenotypes revealed reduction of elastic recoil, hypoventilation and hypoperfusion of the lung bases with increased closing and nitogen wash-out volumes. No signs of bronchial obstruction were observed. The asymptomatic Pi SZ subjects revealed as many signs of subclinical disease as did the asymptomatic Pi Z subjects. These data suggest that Pi SZ subjects are at increased risk of emphysema similar to Pi Z subjects.


[Life expectancy and frequency of infarct after aorto-coronary bypass]. Survival rate and incidence of myocardial infarction after aortocoronary bypass operation in 274 patients are presented. Mortality was 5.1% within the first postoperative month and the 5-year-survival rate was 86%. There were 24 perioperative myocardial infarctions and another 21 infarctions over the next 5 years. Comparison of these data with the natural history of coronary heart disease suggests a possible prolongation of survival after bypass surgery. The incidence of myocardial infarction appears to be unchanged.


[Work load hemodynamics before and after aortocoronary bypass]. Left ventricular enddiastolic pressure (LVEDP) was studied during exercise in 22 patients pre- and postoperatively under an identical work load. 13 patients showed improvement of LVEDP (normalization in 5), LVEDP was unchanged in 5 (w.n.l. in 2), and had deteriorated in 4. These results suggest that improvement or normalization of LVEDP under exercise following aortocoronary bypass surgery can be assumed if there is complete revascularization, if all grafts are functioning well, if there is no progression of the underlying disease, and if preoperative LV angiography is normal or shows only ischemic (reversible) hypokinesis.


["Impending infarct". Clinical, ergometric and angiographic pre- and postoperative results in 12 emergency operated patients. Preliminary report]. Pre- and postoperative results are presented in 12 patients who underwent emergency aortocoronary bypass. Operative mortality was zero. 1 patient died 8 months after surgery. Postoperative follow-up averaged 12.5 months (2-37 months). Postoperatively, 7 patients were totally angina-free, 1 was considerably improved and 3 were unchanged.


[Left ventricular function at rest and during dynamic load before and after aortocoronary bypass. Preliminary report]. 17 patients with coronary artery disease were studied before and 10 +/- 3 months (mean +/- 1 SD) after aortocoronary bypass surgery. Left ventricular performance was analyzed at rest and in 12 cases during dynamic exercise (work load 59 +/- 22 watts) with tip manometer pressure measurements. The degree of coronary artery obstruction was estimated pre- and postoperatively by vascularization index (VaI). Patients were separated into 2 groups (group A: 8 patients with postoperatively improved VaI, and group B: 9 patients with unchanged or worsened VaI). Apart from a significant fall in LVEDP (p less than 0.025) in group A, there was no significant change in left ventricular dynamics in either group at rest, while a significant improvement in mean LVEDP (p less than 0.05), max dP/dt (p less than 0.05), Vpm (p less than 0.005) and Vmax (p less than 0.005) during dynamic exercise was observed in group A, but no significant change in these terms in group B, after surgery.


[Study of cellular immunology in malignant and benign monoclonal gammapathies]. In 25 cases of myeloma and 15 cases of benign paraproteinemia the functional situation of circulating lymphocytes was studied. The technique used was the incorporation of 3H-thymidine after PHA stimulation. E rosette formation and immunoglobulin bearing cells were evaluated. A reduction of 3H-thymidine incorporation in the blastic cells was seen in the patients with myeloma (the difference was statistically significant: p less than 0.001). In benign monoclonal gammopathies the reduction was moderate and was not statistically significant. The different blastic response in vitro in the two group of patients tested confirms that the respective immunocompetent systems clearly differ.


[Natamycin-S treatment of ringworm in cattle. Epidemiological aspects (author's transl)]. At a test centre for bulls the progress of a ringworm infection was studied. By treating only the affected animals with natamycin-S the progress of the disease as well as the spreading of the infection among untreated animals could be studied. By treating only the affected animals with natamycin-S the progress of the disease as well as information could be gathered on the difference of progress of the infection in both groups and also of the role of possible immunity.


Serological identification of Ia antigens: report of a British region Ia workshop. In preparation for the 7th International Histocompatibility Workshop 13 laboratories in the British Region participated in a local workshop. One hundred and twenty-three sera which had been previously shown to have activity on either normal B cells, CLL cells or B cell lymphoid lines in the absence of HLA-A, B or C activity were exchanged between the laboratories. These sera were tested on a total of 212 B cells, 101 CLL cells, 76 T cells and 76 lymphoid cell lines. The data was collected and analyzed in Oxford. The analysis showed that six groups of sera could be distinguished. When these groups were compared with the D locus typing of some of the lymphoid lines which were derived from individuals used as MLC typing cells, they were seen to have significant associations with D locus antigens. The serological groups defined were therefore given numbers corresponding to the D locus numbers they associate with, i.e. UK1 is associated with DW1 and so on for UK2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. Comparison of typing techniques showed that long incubation both with antiserum and then with complement, 1 hour + 2 hours gave the best and most reproducible reactions on normal B cells. Residual anti-HLA-A, B or C activity in some of the sera even after platelet absorption showed the importance of adequate checking on T cells after absorption.


Uveitis. A series of 368 patients.

Uveitis. A series of 368 patients. During the first 10 years (1963-74) of a new Medical Ophthalmology Unit, 368 of 3,930 admissions had endogenous uveitis, anterior in 215 (58 per cent.), posterior in 65 (18 per cent.), and generalized in 88 (24 per cent.). Acute uveitis in 153 patients tended to have a short course counted in months, whereas in 215 with chronic uveitis the condition was measured over years, punctuated by relapses. Sex distribution was equal. At the time of initial presentation, 60 per cent. of patients were aged 20 to 40 years, 8 per cent. were under 20, and 10 per cent. were over 60 years of age.


Neglected lid deformities causing progressive corneal disease. Surgical correction of entropion, trichiasis, marginal keratinization, and functional lid shortening. The potentially blinding abrasive deformities of the lids--trichiasis, districhiasis, entropion, and marginal keratinization--and the defects in lid closure resulting from functionally shortened upper or lower lids should be corrected surgically before contact lenses are fitted or corneal grafting undertaken. The choice of procedure for surgical correction of various degrees of trichiasis-entropion is indicated by the various associated findings, such as thickness of tarsal plate, presence of functional shortening of the upper lid, and involvement of the lower lid (Table II).


[Effect of cold acclimatization of grass frogs on the heat resistance of their somatic muscles in summer]. During cold acclimation (+5 degrees C) of the grass frog Rana temporaria L. changes in heat resistance were observed for six of seven skeletal muscles examined. Changes in the resistance of different muscles were directed differently. Low-resistant muscles demonstrated an increased resistance, wheras high-resistant muscles showed a decrease resistance. Within 24 hours of acclimation, all the muscles demonstrated totally decreased heat resistance. By the end of acclimation (30 days), the resistance of muscles increased to approach the initial level. On the background of those situation changes, seasonal changes in resistance of muscles proceeded.


[Relationship between the heat resistance of different muscles and frog viability during heat selection]. An attempt was made to elucidate the relation between the survival of mature frogs Rana temporaria during sudden (unforeseen) thermal selection and the heat resistance of several muscles: m. interfalangealis, m. ileofibularis, m. sartorius, m. gastrocnemius and m. rectus abdominis. It has been found that of greater selective value are the individuals with lower heat resistance not in all muscles, but in those having lesser heat resistance, such as m. ileofibularis and m. sartorius.


[Cell response to penetration by informational macromolecules]. A relation is shown between the kinetic for of DNA uptake by the thymocytes (extremal or monotonous), the level of uptake (low or high) and the origin of DNA (hetero-or homologous). Preliminary irradiation of cells promotes a manifestation of  a cytopathogenous effect of the heterologous DNA. The association between the cytopathogenous effect of DNA and that of its information characteristics has been confirmed. The demonstration of cytopathogenous effects of native and degraded DNA was studied as a function of time of their storage. The chromatographic analysis of dispersion of the molecular weights of preparations at different time of their starage allowed a conclusion of the important role played by structure defects in manifestation of cytopathogenous properties of DNA.


Polyarthritis, hepatitis and anti-native DNA antibodies after treatment with ethambutol and rifampicin. After seven months' continuous treatment for suspected tuberculosis with rifampicin and ethambutol a nine-year-old boy developed polyarthritis, rash and hepatitis in association with anti-native DNA antibodies and positive antinuclear factor. Six weeks after withdrawal of the antituberculosis drugs and conservative management, the boy was clinically well and ten months later he remained well clinically and liver function tests, anti-DNA antibody and antinuclear factor tests were normal.


[Effectiveness of vagotomy after repeated operations in duodenal ulcer]. The results of surgical therapy in 24 patients in whom reoperations on the stomach were supplemented with vagotomy are analysed. It is felt that in complicated peptic ulcers of gastroenteroanastomosis in operations after suturing perforated duodenal ulcer, in erosive gastritis of the gastric stump with hemorrhages reoperations on the stomach should be associated with vagotomy.


[Dissecatio profunda ventriculi as an uncommon complication of necrotizing pancreatitis (author's transl)]. Case report on an uncommon complication of a chronic-relapsing pancreatitis with a subacute necrotizing recidive and a retrogastrically located parapancreatic pseudocyst in a 44-yr-old man. An arrosion bleeding out of the A. lienalis into the pseudocyst with a pressure-induced perforation of the cyst led to a rupture of the outer layers of the wall of the stomach with a following splitting of the posterior gastric wall in the middle of the tunica muscularis in an extension of 30 x 10 cm. A rerupture into the abdominal cavity with an internal bleeding caused the death.


[Effect of an excess of serotonin in the brain on consolidation of temporary connections]. As a result of intravenous administration of 100 mg/kg of 5-oxytryptophane (5-OTP) to mice, the serotonin content in the brain rises in ten minutes by 35 to 37 per cent, and in an hour, by 58 to 60 per cent, and declines in a day to its initial level. In case of elaboration of passive avoidance reflexes (PAR) an hour after 5-OTP injection, their preservation considerably decreases in a day's time, while 5-OTP administration immediately following PARs elaboration does not affect their preservation. However, 5-OTP injected after PARs elaboration to animals subjected to preliminary cooling, sharply deteriorates their preservation. These facts in conjunction with the previously obtained date attest that excess of serotonin in the brain has a negative effect on the earliest stages of consolidation. When the animals are cooled and the brain temperature is reduced, the consolidation processes are retarded; as a result, the temporary connections prove to be still vulnerable to the action of serotonin excess set up after PAR elaboration.


[Stem cell, T- and B-lymphocyte migration in mouse lines that are high and low reactors to sheep erythrocytes]. Migration of stem cells and B-lymphocytes from the bone marrow and of T-lymphocytes from the thymus was studied on special models in mice of the CBA and C57BL lines, responding to sheep erythrocytes oppositely. Genetically-determined differences in the height of the immune response between the CBA and C57BL mice in immunization with sheep erythrocytes depended to a certain extent on different expression of the process of intensification of migration of the stem cells, T- and B-lymphocytes in response to the antigen administration.


[Psychodynamic aspects of severalsheumatic diseases as revealed in tests]. Three groups of patients with rheumafactor-negative diseases (Palindromic Rheumatism, Reiter's disease, Psoriatic Arthritis) took psychodiagnostic investigations. Tests administrated: MMPI, Rorschach-test, Szondi-test and TAT. The findings  of the qualitative psychoanalytic investigations and interpretations of the  three groups were compared with the psychological topics of patients with chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as with the findings of the psychoanalytic explorations by Zander. Finally some considerations to the link as well as to the reduction of movement responses in the Rorschach-test are made.


[Production of monospecific serum against secretory IgA (anti-SC) and a standard for quantitative analysis]. The authors describe a method of obtaining monospecific serum against secretory IgA and the corresponding standard. An immunochemically pure (11.6S) secretory human IgA was extracted from the colostrum by salt fractionation and gel-filtration through Sephadex G-200 and Sepharose 6B; this IgA was used as an antigen for the immunization and the standard for the quantitative determination of SIgA in the secretions. Monospecific anti-SC-serum was obtained by successive exhaustion of the antiserum against the S IgA immunosorbents prepared from normal human serum and the serum of a patient suffering from A myeloma containing polymeric IgA forms.


[Effect of antibodies to rat and human cerebral cortex and white matter on heterologous T- and B-cells]. A study was made of the cytotoxic and complement-fixation activity of the antisera to the cortex and white matter of the rat and human brain upon the mouse and rat thymus and bone marrow cells. The cytotoxicity test proved to be more sensitive and precise. Cytotoxins to rodent thymocytes were revealed on ly in the antisera against the human brain cortex; at the same time they were revealed both in the antisera against the cortex and against the white matter of the rat brain (much more was found in the former). The sera against the rat brain cortex lost their cytotoxicity after the exhaustion with the same antigen, but retained it when the exhaustion was carried out by the white matter.


[Clinical electromyography and several problems in the neurophysiology of muscle tonus in man]. On the basis of a summarization of long-term studies of the different types of tonic reactions in normals and patients with different forms of dystonia, the author describes 7 types of such reactions. The paper deals as well as with possible physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms of their occurrence and the significance of these data for the theoretical analysis of the regulation of the human muscular tone.


[Complex therapy of movement disorders in lesions of the peripheral nervous system]. The authors conducted comprehensive treatment of 335 patients with traumatical injuries of the nervous trunks and plexi and of 361 patients with sacro-lumbar radiculoneuritis with a disturbances of the peroneus nerve. Positive results were attained in 80-85% of the patients with motor disorders when programmed bioelectrical stimulation was included into the therapeutical process. The possible mechanisms of action in automatized movements and disturbances of the motor functions are discussed.


[Threshold in surveillance of pacemaker wearers]. Measurement of the threshold is important in the follow-up of pacemaker patients; it permits the assessment of the safety margin, between, on the one hand, the electrical impulse, and, on the other, the possible output of the pacemaker. In fact, one can only rarely obtain relative threshold measurements in the clinical situation using non-invasive techniques; this ability is limited to some units made only by a few pacemaker manufacturers. A decrease in the margin of safety may result from two main causes: an increase in the absolute threshold or a decrease in the pacemaker pulse amplitude due to depletion of the cells, or to electronic failure. If safety margin is reduced, and operative procedure is required to achieve the correct diagnosis by precise measurements of the absolute threshold.


[Pacemakers 16 years later].

[Pacemakers 16 years later]. In 1976, 10 years after the first successful implantations, the pacemaker technique is perfectly well accepted. Transvenous placement of the electrode is preferred in 95 % of the cases. Besides the 15 years nuclear power pacers (1970), conventional mercury pacemakers may reach a longevity of 4 to 5 years because of the reduction of the current drain. Lithium iodine seems a very promising source of energy. The mini-pacemakers with various iodine anodes are particularly attractive. The future is probably a well designed medium sized lithium pacemaker lasting more than 7 years. Patient follow-up is very much improved. All pacemakers exhibit an obvious rate reduction when their source of energy runs down. Therefore general practitioner and even the patients may detect this symptom. The main problem remains the lead resistance. The reduction of the frequency of pacemaker replacements and of the medical check-up makes life more simple for the pacemaker patient.


Pathology of chronic A-V Block.

Pathology of chronic A-V Block. Study of 177 cases of permanent A-V block shows idiopathic bilateral bundle branch fibrosis to be the commonest single cause (33%). This entity covers a spectrum of localised loss of conduction fibres in the proximal left bundle branch and bifurcating main bundle (Lev's disease) to moore periphery loss of conduction fibres in the bundle branches alone (Lenègre's disease). The aetiological factors in idiopathic bundle branch fibrosis are still obscure. Ischaemic damage is responsible for 17% of cases and are usually patients who have survived destruction of the bundle branches in septal infarction. Calcific A-V block is the term applied to destruction of the main bundle by large masses of calcification in the mitral or aortic valve rings and is responsible for 10% of cases of chronic A-V block. The mass of calcium is visible to the naked eye at autopsy or by X ray in life. Cardiomyopathies of all types (except hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy) involve the conduction system and produce 14% of cases of A-V block. The remaining numerous causes of chronic A-V block are individually very rare ranging through tumour involvement, congenital defects, collagen diseases and surgical or traumatic damage.


[Treatment by electrostimulation of chronic atrioventricular block: surveillance and future perspectives. Introduction]. After having reviewed the indications and the main modes of electrostimulation, the author introduces the problem of choice and especially of replacement of the pacemaker. In an overwhelming majority of cases, effective stimulation stops because the batteries are exhausted: this is announced in various ways, one of them being a reduced rate of discharge. The author's opinion is that a pacemaker should not be replaced preventively. On the contrary, appropriate follow-up during the last theoretical period of life, as mentioned by the manufacturers, will avoid losing many months of adequate stimulation. This problem will be developed in detail in the next papers.


[Activity of artificial pacemaker surveillance units at the Hôpital Brugmann]. 1. The pacemaker clinic is of invaluable help in the follow-up of patients with implanted cardiac pacemakers.  2. Photoanalysis provides important information in the study of functionating pacemakers and electrodes.


Results of follow-up study in cardiac pacing at St. Raphael University Hosital in Leuven. After this follow-up period some data seem important for the future: 1. Sudden failure never occurred for ventricular asynchronous units. Moreover battery survival time of fixed rate units is longer than that of ventricular-inhibited units. On the other hand, the use of fixed rate pacers avoids a number of demand function-related electrode difficulties. We must be aware of false signals generated by malfunctioning electrodes. 2. The reliability of a pacemaker clinic improves by replacing ventricular-inhibited units after 34 months. 3. Despite the additional work and cost we feel that photoanalysis is indispensable in today's pacemaker clinic.


[Malfunctions of pacemakers].

[Malfunctions of pacemakers]. No pacemaker is absolutely reliable : more or less threatening failures can be observed after implantation. Pacemaker runaway has completely disappeared. Sudden battery failure, intermittent or permanent, remains too frequent. Other incidents, less frequent or severe, are also reviewed. Failures are often isolated and sporadic, but can sometimes involve a complete manufacture series. It is a medical duty  to follow-up carefully the patients and to announce the failures with a view to permit early recognition of imperfect series. Pacing failures do not play a major role in the mortality in the group of patients with permanently implanted pacemakers. Nevertheless, anticipated replacement of pacemakers increases the cost of the technique.


[Calculation of the mean pressure of the pulmonary artery and of the valve surface by ECG in mitral stenosis]. From a group of 50 patients affected by pure mitral stenosis with sinus rhythm, we have tried to obtain multiple correlation equations which enable in to calculate, in each particular case, the mean pressure of the pulmonary artery and mitral valvular area from purely electrocardiographic facts. In an additional group of 16 patients we have been able to verify the mentioned equations, placing all the calculated points within the presumed limits of tolerance. So it appears that the electrocardiographic calculation of these hemodynamic parameters is possible, with sufficient approximation for clinical requirements.


[A radioisotope method of measuring pulmonary vascularization]. The study of regional perfusion of the lungs by a radioisotopic method using a multiple detectors system and 133 Xenon as radioactive tracer, seems to us, an interesting tool in the investigation of valvular or congenital cardiopathy. This method can be repeated as much as necessary and is not traumatic. The reproductibility is good. The radiation exposure is minimal as well for the patient as for the physician.


[Anatomy of the conduction system in an unusual case of a heart ventricle with double inlet (straddling tricuspid valve)]. The histological study of the conduction system has been done in a case of "straddling tricuspid valve". The main anomalies observed were an AV node located more anteriorly but at the left of the posterior interventricular septum and an hypertrophic bifasicular right bundle branch with an unusual anterior radiation. These morphological features allow to discuss the embryology of the conduction system and of the interventricular septum in that congenital cardiopathy.


Bidirectional tachycardia a study of five cases. Five patients with bidirectional tachycardia due to digitalis toxicity associated with severe organic heart disease were studied. The origin of the abnormal rhythm was established with the aid of His bundle recordings in three cases and by indirect clues in the others two. In three cases the origin of bidirectional tachycardia was suprahisian while in two patients it was infrahisian. In one patient the transition from junctional to ventricular tachycardia could be observed. Bidirectional tachycardia appears to be a complex arrhythmia in which similar electrocardiographic configuration can be due to different mechanism. Digitalis toxicity was often a causal factor.


Suicide with aprindine and digoxin.

Suicide with aprindine and digoxin. A 48 year old man with severe coronary artery disease died approximately 33 hours after swallowing unknown amounts of aprindine, digoxin, furosemide, acenocoumarol, flurazepam, nitrazepam and lorazepam. Blood analysis carried out 40 min. before death showed no hydric or ionic imbalance; blood gases were normal. Serum digoxin concentration was 3.9 ng/ml; plasma concentration of aprindine was 2.5 mug/ml and plasma concentration of desethylaprindine was 386 ng/ml. Patient was profoundly comatose, hypotensive, and the electrocardiogram showed broad and bizarre QRS complexes; patient ultimately died in irreversible secondary ventricular fibrillation and asystole. Aprindine probably played a decisive role in the fatal outcome of this complex drug intoxication.


Cardiac changes in Thevetia Nerifolia poisoning. There is a dearth of literature on phytotoxicology. A case of poisoning with seed of Thevetia Nerifolia is reported here and the neurotoxic and cardiotoxic manifestations are discussed.


Left bundle branch block: a rare manifestation of digitalis intoxication. A case of LBBB due to digoxin intoxication is presented. The diagnosis was made by repeated electrocardiograms and demonstration of high serum digoxin level at the time of toxic manifestation. Differential diagnosis of LBBB may also include drugs like digoxin.


[Incidence, development and prognosis of atrio-ventricular and intraventricular conduction disorders in acute myocardial infarct]. The incidence, the evolution and the prognosis of conduction disturbances associated with myocardial infarction are described in a serie of 450 consecutive unselected patients hospitalized in a coronary care unit. Pacemaking does not seem to influence largely the natural history of myocardial infarction with conduction disturbances, which is essentially determined by myocardial power failure. Indications of insertion of a pacing catheter are presented.


Advantages of side-to-side anastomosis in coronary surgery[(author's transl)]. It is of great importance to perform the most complete possible correction of multiple coronoronary vessels was shown at the Institut de Cardiologie de Montreal: early occlucion of grafts was low (1/32) and early occlusion of one of the anastomoses was acceptable (5/32). At one year follow-up (20 of the 32 grafts reviewed early), no additional total graft thrombosis was noted and only 2 more end-anastomes were lost. These rates of thrombosis are lover than those generally reported for series with a single anastomosis. The diagonal and anterior interventricular branches yield well to this technique; the main deterrent is the occurrence of unfavorable kinking of the graft.


[Unilateral caloric hyporeflexis].

[Unilateral caloric hyporeflexis]. Seventy-one patients with an unilateral caloric hypofunction were examined in order to establish the correlation with cochlear function. We divised our cases following the subjective clinical syndromes. Groupe A (12 patients) with a history of only one crise of vertigo. Groupe B (13 patients) with repeated vertiginous attacks. Groupe C (21 patients) with a positional vertigo only. Groupe D (15 patients) with rather undefinite complaints. Groupe E (7 patients) with no vertigo at all. We believe to discern the following syndromes in our cases of unilateral vestibular hypofunction: 9 cases with a history of a unique vertiginous crises could be considered as a vestibular "neuronitis" in the narrow sense of the word. One case with recidiving attacks could be considered as a neuronitis, or as a Menière without cochlear disturbances. Some cases with a positional vertigo only or with very vague complaints could be considered as a neuronitis in a large sense.


Reliability of chemical tests for fecal occult blood in hospitalized patients. In 39 hospitalized patients with suspected gastrointestinal bleeding and given intravenous 51Cr-labeled red cells, reactions of three chemical spot tests for fecal occult blood were compared with the "true" blood loss as determined by stool radioassay. Guaiac reagent and orthotolidine (Hematest) tablets were extremely sensitive, but yielded false-positive reaction rates of 72% and 76%, respectively on the 240 stool specimens compared. A modified guaiac test (Hemoccult) exhibited a false positive rate of 12%. Of the 27 patients entering the study due to positive guaiac or Hematest screening tests, 17 (63%) were not bleeding. Hemoccult, approximately 1/4 as sensitive as guaiac and Hematest, could miss lesions with low rates of bleeding unless multiple stools were tested. While barium had no effect, iron therapy or laxatives tended to lower both false-positive and false-negative reactions for all reagents. A positive Hemoccult test usually indicated significant gastrointestinal bleeding and would appear to be the test of choice provided at least 3 stools are tested to minimize false-negative results.


Atheromatous embolization to the stomach: an unusual cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. This is a case report of an 80-year-old female with persistent blood loss from what was initially considered to be "hemorrhagic gastritis." Distal gastrectomy showed extensive atheromatous embolism and resultant ischemic lesions of the stomach--the apparent cause of the chronic bleeding. The patient has remained well without further blood loss during a 15-month follow-up period. While a small number of cases of gastric hemorrhage associated with atheromatous embolism have been reported, they all have been diagnosed at autopsy. This case is unusual in that the lesion was successfully delt with by surgical resection of the involved area.


The influence of aspirin on gastrointestinal microbleeding in dogs with gastric ulcers. Fecal blood volume was determined daily in 11 dogs with single gastric ulcers. Beginning 11 days after production of the ulcers and dogs received, in crossover fashion, 2 placebo or ordinary 325-mg aspirin tablets orally twice daily during two 7-day treatment periods separated and followed by 5-day periods of no treatment. Mean daily fecal blood volumes of 0.52 and 3.25 ml were observed during periods of treatment with placebo and aspirin, respectively. However, in 7 previous studies in this laboratory a total of 24 normal dogs have received 7-day courses of treatment with 650 mg ordinary aspirin twice daily on 105 occasions; during these 105 treatment periods fecal blood volume averaged 2.90 ml/day. Thus, it is concluded that the effect of ordinary aspirin in dogs with gastric ulcers is essentially the same as the effect in normal dogs, and that there is no tendency for dogs with gastric ulcers to bleed massively in response to aspirin.


Polymorphism of human color vision.

Polymorphism of human color vision. The genetic polymorphism of human color vision is examined within the framework of a photopigment replacement model. An analysis of the X-linked recessive dichromacies and anomalous trichromacies indicates that one source of variability of normal color perception may be the inclusion of several distinct phenotypes in what is usually described as normal color vision. This analysis also reveals the cause of the dominance hierarchy at the protan and deutan loci, the perceptual effects of dosage compensation, and the phenotypes of various compound hemizygotes.


Statistical and methodological considerations for vision screening. The statistical measures and definitions currently in use for screening programs are discussed. Sensitivity, specificity, false negative, and false positive rates are defined and illustrated. The positive and negative predictive values and the over- and underrefferal rates are also discussed, and an example of these measures is provided. The relationship of rates to prevalence and expected screening results is shown. A method for calculating the standard error of sensitivity and specificity is also given.


Electroretinographic evaluation of a treatment based on retina phosphatides in patients with various types of retinochoroid degeneration. The authors treated 16 patients with various types of retinochoroid degeneration with a preparation containing phospholipids extracted from pig retina. The evaluation of the efficiency of the preparation was carried out using adaptoelectroretinography. Exogenous phospholipids caused a statistically significant increase at the level of the scotopic components of the ERG.


[Investigations of constitution in patients with primary amotio retinae (author's transl)]. In 53 mostly old patients with Amotio retinae (37 femeles and 16 males) the type of constitution, meaning the placement in the variation grade from leptomorph to pyknomorph, was determined by biometrical methods (discrimination analysis). The calculated mean values of the group of patients were compared to the results of a leptomorph and a pyknomorph group as well as those of a control group. On a linear scale from lepto- to pyknomorph the patients could be placed between the controls and the pyknomorphs. The tendency toward pyknomorphy was statistically significant in the male patients only.


[Early alterations of the conjunctiva after alkali-burning (author's transl)]. Early alterations of the conjunctiva after alkaliburning (with 0.25 N NaOH) are described. After chemical damage, there is a nearly total loss of conjunctival epithelium, with simultaneous marked edema in the lower conjunctival parts. Alterations of the surface are examined by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Within 24 h marked infiltration of round cells into the conjunctival stroma takes place. After burning, we find a rapid decrease in the ATP level in the conjunctiva to about one-tenth of the normal value, whereas glucose and lactate showed only small alterations before and after chemical injury.


[Blood flow through different tissues under clonidine in rabbits (author's transl)]. The effect of i.v. administered clonidine on the blood flow through different tissues was investigated in six rabbits which had been anaesthetized with NembutalR. Six additional animals served as controls and received an equal quantity of a physiological sodium chloride solution. The blood flow was determined by means of radioactively labelled microspheres just before as well as 15, 30 and 45 min after the administration of the drug or the placebo respectively. In most of the investigated tissues a considerable decrease in blood flow was observed 15 min after the injection of clonidine, whereas no effect was to be seen after administration of sodium chloride. For the first time after 30 min, and even more after 45 min the blood flow diminished as well in the control group. The flow-decreasing effect of clonidine occured in lung, skin, choroid, the small intestine, the triceps muscle, the ciliary body, iris, and white matter, whereas the opposite reaction was observed in liver (hepatic artery), retina and the optic nerve.


A possible change of refractive index with age and its relevance to chromatic aberration. The Purkinje-Sanson images of the eyes were photographed in red and blue light in two groups of subjects, young (19-38 years) and old (52-63 years). Densitometric examination of the negatives showed a significant increase in the amount of red light and a significant decrease in the amount of blue light reflected from the anterior surface of the lens (third image) in the group of old subjects as compared to the group of young persons. There is also a significant decline in the blue light reflected from the posterior surface of the lens (fourth image) but no change in the red light in old versus young eyes. From these results it is suggested that the index of refraction of the lens increases for red (nC) and decreases for blue light (nF) in the aging eye and similarly the index of the vitreous varies differentially in blue and red light. These specific changes in the indices of the lens and vitreous are believed to account for the large decline of axial chromatic aberration of the aging eye. In addition, the examination of the first Purkinje-Sanson image tends to indicate that the index of refraction of the cornea does not vary with age.


[Biomicroscopic aspects of normal iris tissue in culture (author's transl)]. The cells shown were cultivated from iris pieces of 1-5 mg wet weight incubated in TCM 199 after adding 20% calf serum and antibiotics. Different morphologic aspects allowed some coordination of the cells to the corresponding iris layer. Even after 1 year's incubation, fibroblastic stroma cells showed a radiate growth from the insemination point. Pigment cell-like elements were packed with yellowish, bright, and intensely refracting spherical bodies, indicating a specific function. An analogous finding in the human eye after a perforating iris lesion was growth of chromatophores on the anterior lens capsule.


[A description of a method for objective perimetry (author's transl)]. An infrared-sensitive TV Camera has been fitted into a projection perimeter, which allows to control fixation independent of the particular background illumination. The consensual pupil light reflex, triggered by the test light of the perimeter, is measured and registered with a special TV processor designed for this purpose. The method was tested for its efficiency on four healthy volunteers. The course of sensory and pupillomotor thresholds were measured on the 135 degree meridian of the visual field. Determinations were conducted in the photopic range of 10 asb background illumination with two test points of 27' and 7'. A difference of 10 dB was found between the sensory and pupillomotor thresholds.


[Autoimmunity in chronic inflammatory eye disease (author's transl)]. Preparations of allogenous and xenogenous retinal rod outer segments (ROS) were found to be adequately antigenic for detection of cellular immunity in human chorioretinitis. The electrophoretic mobility test was used for estimation of delayed-type hypersensitivity. No significant results with ROS were found in patients with panophthalmia or in control subjects. It is assumed that the results reported here in chronic ophthalmic inflammation may be produced by or connected with autoimmune processes.


[The proof of two distinct types of collagen in the fibrils of the vitreous body and zonula fibers (author's transl)]. Vitreous body fibrils and zonula fibers are analyzed by disc-electrophoresis. In both tissues the presence of collagen is established. The disc-electrophoresis patterns of vitreous body fibrils and zonula fibers show that a different type of collagen is present in each tissue. The absence of the alpha 2-chain indicates that the tissues investigated contain no type I collagen but types consisting of three identical alpha-chains.


Regulation of the immune response. I. Suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity by T cells from mice expressing humoral immunity. The ability of horse red blood cell (HRBC)-specific T cells from mice expressing humoral immunity to suppress the induction of HRBC-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) was investigated. The transfer of Ig-negative spleen cells, from mice injected 4 days previously with HRBC, completely suppressed the development of DTH in mice treated with cyclophosphamide and sensitized with HRBC. The suppressor cell was found to be lysed by treatment with anti-theta serum and complement. Furthermore, hemocyanin-specific immune T cells were able to suppress the DTH induced to HRBC, provided these two antigens were coupled together. These studies suggest that T cells present under conditions were humoral immunity is induced can suppress DTH and that such cells play an important role in the regulation of the immune response.


The xenogeneic effect-- evidence for coparticipation of human monocytes and T lymphocytes in the restoration of nude mouse in vitro response to sheep red blood cells. The restorative ability of human peripheral blood lymphocyte fractions on nude mouse spleen cell in vitro antibody response to SRBC was studied. Strongly adherent cells (monocytes) enhanced nude cell response, but not to the same extent as the optimal number (10(6)) of unfractionated human peripheral blood lymphocytes. T-depleted cells lost their ability to optimally restore the response, while T-enriched cells showed a definite restorative ability. The recombination of adherent cells with T-enriched cells produced an effect comparable to that of unfractionated cells, both in terms of magnitude and dose-response curve. These data suggest that both monocytes and T cells are necessary for an optimal xenogeneic effect in Mishell-Dutton cultures.


Development of sheep thymus in relation to in utero thymectomy experiments. The developing thymus of sheep embryos has been examined from 20 days of gestation onwards. The initial relationships of the thymus to the parathyroid III and the pericardium are maintained so that the thymus develops as an extensive and complex structure consisting of paired cords of tissues on either side of the neck continuous with a single, fused structure in the anterior mediastinum. Histological examination of the developing thymus revealed that thymic lymphopoiesis commences at 36 days of gestation (term = 150 days). The results indicate that conclusions drawn from sheep thymectomy, usually performed after 60 days of gestation, must be interpreted with caution.


[Theoretical models of chromatid exchange established after endoreplication analysi]. In endoreduplicating cells, two thirds of the chromatid exchanges observed after BrdU treatment are symetrical, like on the two elements of the diplochromosome. The other third seems to occur at random on one or the other element. Each double symetrical exchange would result from a single event occurring at the next to last cell cycle before the mitosis observed. The other exchanges would result from last events of the cycle. Thus the frequency of events would be the same at each cell generation. A theoretical model is proposed which explains the mechanism responsible for chromatid exchanges at the DNA level.


[Identification by Q and G bands of chromosome anomalies in spontaneous abortion]. Banding technique were applied to cell lines which had been established earlier from spontaneous human abortions and preserved frozen. Most of the autosomes were shown to be involved in lethal trisomies. As a result of the precise identification of affected chromosomes, the exact time of developmental arrest as well as certain phenotypes could be correlated with the various trisomies.


Duplication-deficiency of the short arm of chromosome 8 following artificial insemination. A chromosomally abnormal child with psychomotor retardation and multiple anomalies, including agenesis of the corpus callosum and cleft palate, was born following artificial insemination by donor. Chromosomal and conventional markers were used to ascertain paternity. Various banding techniques were employed to identify the origin of the extra chromosomal material as most likely a duplication-deficiency of the short arm of chromosome No. 8.


Transformation of mouse cells by fusion with chronic granulocytic leukemia cells: possible role of human chromosome. In vitro properties of somatic cell hybrids between non-malignant B82 mouse fibroblasts and human chronic granulocytic leukemia spleen cells include lack of cell density-dependent growth inhibition and growth in soft agar. These phenotypic expressions of cell transformation appear linked to the retention by the cells of chromosome 7 from the human leukemic genome.


Mapping of the gene for glutathione reductase on chromosome 8. Red cell glutathione reductase (E-GSR) activity in 3 patients with mos46,XY/47,XY,+8 was higher than the mean value in controls, confirming the previous assignment of the E-GSR locus to chromosome 8. In a infant with a terminal deletion of the short arm of chromosome 8, 46,XX,del(8)(:p21 leads to qter), E-GSR activity was markedly lower than in infant controls. The authors suggest that the E-GSR locus is in the region 8p21 leads to pter.


Balanced translocations involving chromosome 12: report of a case and possible evidence for position effect. A girl with mental retardation, a convulsive disorder and clinical findings resembling cerebral palsy had an apparently balanced 12/18 translocation. Three additional cases reported in the literature had an abnormal phenotype associated with the positioning of segments from other autosomes adjacent to the band 12q21. Penotype abnormalities were not present in 14 individuals in which the translocation involved breaks at other sites on chromosome no. 12. These findings suggest the possibility of a position effect on chromosome segments translocated adjacent to the region 12q21.


12P trisomy: a syndrome?

12P trisomy: a syndrome? A 2 2/3-year-old girl with 12p trisomy resulting from a maternal translocation is presented. Her clinical symptoms are strikingly similar to the other four cases known in the literature. A characteristic combination of symptoms for a 12p trisomy syndrome is delineated.


Chemically defined media for growing anaerobic bacteria of the genus Veillonella. A chemically defined medium for Veillonella parvula and V. alcalescens is described. Some nutritional aspects of the two strains used were examined: the optimum concentration of reducing agents, the requirements for amino acids, diamines, vitamins and other growth factors, and the conditions needed for well balanced nutrition. No specific requirements for single amino acids were observed. A combination of L-cysteine, DL-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, L-serine and L-tyrosine, promoted growth. In V. alcalescens, serine could substitute both arginine and tryptophan (or histidine). No growth was obtained with ammonium salts as the sole N source. Decarboxylation of L-ornithine, L-lysine and L-arginine was not demonstrated in the Veillonella parvula strain, which required putrescine or cadaverine for growth. Spermine, spermidine, L-lysine, L-ornithine and L-arginine, could not substitute putrescine in Veillonella parvula. Veillonella alcalescens, which does not require putrescine in the medium, was able to decarboxylate L-ornithine while forming putrescine.


Erwinia salicis: its metabolism and variability in vitro, and a method to demonstrate the pathogen in the host. Morphological, biochemical and serological features of eleven Erwinia salicis isolates were examined. Three groups were demonstrated, one of which comprises the Dutch isolates. Serological techniques proved to be a valuable addition to conventional plating techniques for detecting the pathogen. Willow wood extract with 5% sucrose, 0.06% "Lab Lemco" broth and 1.5% agar appeared to be a suitable medium for the isolation of E. salicis, because of its selectivity.


Energy metabolism of some representatives of the Haemophilus group. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the carbohydrate catabolism and the constellation of the respiratory chain components of Haemophilus influenzae RAMC 18 Bensted, H. parainfluenzae 1 Fleming, H. parainfluenzae 429 Pittman and H. aegyptius 180a Pittman. These strains represent several physiological types with respect to respiratory quinones and glucose catabolism. On addition of glucose or lactate to the complex growth medium a remarkable increase in cell mass was observed. Depending on the growth rate, carbohydrate degradation varied with the strains examined so that at the end of the exponential growth phase only small amounts of the supplements could be demonstrated. All strains were found to possess functional enzymes of Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas-, Entner-Doudoroff-pathways, hexosemonophosphate shunt, tricarboxylic acid cycle and gluconeogenesis with an extremely high activity of malate dehydrogenase. The concentration of cytochromes varied according to culture conditions. The cytochromes a1, d, o and b + c were found to occur under aerobic conditions. In cells grown anaerobically in the presence of fumarate cytochromes a1 and d could not be demonstrated. Under aerobic conditions preparations of H. parainfluenzae 1 Fleming exhibited an alpha-maximum at 558 nm, whereas under anaerobic culture conditions with fumarate as terminal electron acceptor an alpha-maximum at 552 nm occurred, suggesting different roles of b and c type cytochromes in aerobic and anaerobic electron transport to fumarate, respectively.


Ultrastructure of the ascospores of some species of the Torulaspora group. Development and germination of the ascospores in species of the Torulaspora group of yeasts have been described. Most species had warty spores which, in sections, showed a dark outer layer consisting of the outer unit membrane of the prospore wall and a layer underneath formed at an early stage of development of the spores. In mature spores the light inner layer of the wall was delimited at the outside by a thin dark layer. The warts often contained dark material. The ascospores of two Pichia and three Debaryomyces species were studied for comparison; they differed in sections from the Torulaspora spores. The taxonomic implications of the ultrastructural observations have been discussed.


Energetic aspects of the metabolism of reduced sulphur compounds in Thiobacillus dentrificans. Yields of Thiobacillus dentrificans on different substrates were compared. The organism was grown in a chemostat at a dilution rate of 0.03 h-1. From the difference in the cell yields with (1) oxygen (6.40 g carbon per mole thiosulphate) and (2) nitrate (4.51 g carbon per mole thiosulphate) as an electron acceptor the experimental value for Y ATP was estimated to be 1.75. The efficiency of the biosynthetic system would be 42% if 1 ATP should be needed in reversed electron transport, and 57% if this was 2 ATP per electron pair. It could be calculated that during anaerobic oxidation of thiosulphate with nitrate 1.41 or 1.16 ATP per 2 electrons are generated if 1 or 2 ATP respectively per thiosulphate is formed in substrate-level phosphorylation. For aerobic oxidation these figures are 2.40 and 2.16, respectively.


Hereditary respiration deficiency in Saccharomycodes ludwigii. Saccharomycodes ludwigii, supposed to be "petite-negative," gave rise to respiration-deficient mutants when acriflavine and ultraviolet irradiation, respectively, were applied to this yeast, strain IFO 1194. The frequency of such mutants was very low as compared with that in Saccharomyces cervisiae and other "petite-positive" yeasts. Cytochrome composition was characterized by spectrophotometry at the temperature of liquid nitrogen. The respiratory mutants examined contained cytochrome c unaltered in quality and quantity. Cytochrome b was often present only in small amounts though never absent, while cytochrome a + a3 was either present or absent. The respiratory mutants could form zygotes after conjugation with a wild-type culture of opposite mating type (alpha vs. a). The hybridization and segregation analysis of spore tetrads showed the inheritance of respiratory mutant character to be either Mendelian or non-Mendelian and similar to that of pet (nuclear) and rho- (cytoplasmic) mutants, respectively, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.


Homothallism in wine yeasts.

Homothallism in wine yeasts. In an attempt to improve by hybridisation strains of pure-culture wine yeasts it could be shown, that of the seven strains used five are homothallic. Evidence is presented suggesting that the remainder are also homothallic.


Comparison between the yeast flora of Middle Eastern and Western European soft drinks. Samples of a carbonated orange drink, raw materials, and intermediate products originating from 6 Iraqi bottling plants were examined. 69 drinks, 4 flavoured syrups and 19 simple syrups contained yeasts, whereas all samples from one plant and all samples of beverage base were free from viable yeasts. From the orange drink 2 species were isolated viz. Saccharomyces montanus and Torulopsis stellata. The following species were present in simple syrup: Hansenula anomala, Sacch. bisporus var. mellis, T. candida and T. stellata. Sacch. bisporus var. mellis was also isolated from favoured syrup. Representative strains were submitted to routine growth tests at reduced oxygen tension, at reduced water activity and on solid soft-drink media containing various amounts of anti-microbially active benzoic acid at pH 3.0. The results are discussed and compared to those obtained in European soft drinks.


Taxonomical examination and characterization of a methanol-utilizing yeast. The morphological, cultural, and physiological characteristics are described of a yeast, LI70, which uses methanol as its source of energy and carbon; these characteristics have made it possible to identify the strain as Candida boidinii Ramirez. The identification was confirmed by a DNA-DNA genetic homology of 99.43% with the type strain of C. boidinii. Strain LI70 is not pathogenic.


Rickets associated with anticonvulsant therapy in children with tuberous sclerosis. Five children with tuberous sclerosis and anti-convulsant-associated rickets have been seen in a general paediatric clinic over the last 5 years. It is suggested that vitamin D prophylaxis is particularly indicated in patients with tuberous sclerosis taking anticonvulsant medication.


[Microbiological drawings in pneumology (author's transl)]. Microbiological examinations of the sputum for clinical purposes is often not satisfactory or useless. Suitability, chances of oropharyngeal contamination, hazards for the patients and clinical indications of the various drawing methods for tracheobronchial secretions and exudates are different. Transcutaneous tracheal aspiration is easy, reliable and safe.


Effect of cordycepin on the replication of western equine encephalitis virus. Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) inhibited viral RNA synthesis in the replication of western equine encephalitis virus, thereby causing a reduction of virus production. The rate of inhibition of viral RNA synthesis was dependent on drug concentration and the period of treatment with the drug. These results suggest that the virus RNA synthesizing system is sensitive to the drug.


[Parasites of the respiratory system: research and significance (author's transl)]. A review is made of the methods of diagnosing both autochthonous and exotic protozoal and helminthic diseases of the respiratory system. Referring to protozooses, recent findings on respiratory pathology due to amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are commented, and modern methods are discussed of checking for Pneumocystis carinii in the patient, not just on autopsy material. Referring to helminthiases, in addition to pulmonary echinococcosis which is of prevalent interest in Italy, attention is also given to the pathology of migrant larvae of nematodes. Finally, the role of some microscopic mites in the pathogenesis of respiratory allergic disease from house dust is discussed.


[T- and B-lymphocytes. Distribution in the body, their functional and morphological characteristics and significance]. In a survey of the literature special attention is given to the history of development of concepts concerning the existence in the immunocompetent system of the lymphoid tissue of higher vertebrals and man of two independent to some extent populations of lymphocytes: one dependent on the thymus gland and therefore called T-lymphocytes population, implementing cellular reactions of immunity; and the other, similar one, dependent on Fabricius' bursa in birds and called B-lymphocytes, producing antibodies circulaing in the blood. Functional-morphological characteristics of T-and B-lymphocytes, their distribution in the peripheral organs of the lymphoid system and in the blood are given. The role of T-and B-lymphocytes in rejection of allotransplants and in the reaction of a transplant against the host development of reactions of hypersensitivity of the delayed and immediate types is discussed. The need for a further study of participation of T-and B-lymphocytes in pathogenesis of allergic, autoimmune and numerous other diseases that are accompanied by immune disorders, is emphasized.


[Introduction to a study of the hydrosoluble proteins of the sputum (author's transl)]. Synthesis of a study of the proteins outline of the bronchial secretion with the qualitative and quantitative determination of six protein fractions (albumin, Alfa-antitrypsin, acid Alfa-glycoprotein, haptoglobin, transferrin); comparation of the concentration of these fractions of the expectoration with those of the serum of the patient himself.


Plasma membrane of a murine T cell lymphoma: surface labelling, membrane isolation, separation of membrane proteins and distribution of surface label amongst these proteins. Two established techniques for analysis of plasma membranes, namely, lactoperoxidase catalyzed surface radioiodination of intact cells and bulk membrane isolation following disruption of cells by shear forces, were applied in studies of membrane proteins of continuously cultured cells of the monoclonal T lymphoma line WEHI-22. It was found that macromolecular 125I-iodide incorporated into plasma membrane proteins of intact cells was at least as good a marker for the plasma as was the commonly used enzyme 5'-nucleotidase. T lymphoma plasma membrane proteins were complex when analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulphate-containing buffers and more than thirty distinct components were resolved. More than fifteen of the components observed on a mass basis were also labelled with 125I-iodide. Certain bands, however, exhibited a degree of label disproportionate to their staining properties with Coomassie Blue. This was interpreted in terms of their accessibility to the solvent in the intact cells.


Pulmonary elastic recoil and diffusing capacity in subjects with intermediate concentrations of alpha-1 antitrypsin. Serum from 224 males investigated in a prospective study of respiratory disorders in a recently established asbestos industry has been estimated for alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) concentration by single radial immunodiffusion. Mean AAT concentration was 213-4 mg/dl). No subject with a markedly reduced level was found. A comprehensive range of lung function tests sensitive to changes anticipated in emphysema at a preclinical stage, included measurements of diffusing capacity and pulmonary elastic recoil. The 26 subjects with AAT concentration less than 150 mg/dl, were regarded as likely to comprise a majority of genotypes MZ and SS, and the 19 subjects with AAT concentration greater than 300 mg/dl were considered to comprise mainly MM. No difference in pulmonary function could be demonstrated between these two groups. Evidence of diminished pulmonary elastic recoil was found in nine smoking subjects whose AAT concentrations were normal and also in one young non-smoking subject with moderately severe asthma, whose AAT concentration was 140 mg/dl. It is concluded that in a male working population, evidence of diminished pulmonary elastic recoil is not a function of AAT concentration.


Gastric ulcer: natural history and treatment. The fragmentary knowledge of gastric ulcer aetiology is contrasted with the developing repertoire of short term drug treatments. Reasons are also advanced for believing that gastric ulcer may be a disease of diminishing importance and that this is due to environmental changes rather than to the introduction of effective treatments.


Gastric damage by drugs and the role of the mucosal barrier. There are six drugs usually implicated in peptic ulceration and these are adrenal corticosteroids, aspirin, phenylbutazone, indomethacin, ethanol and caffeine.  The types of data upon which these conclusions rest follows three lines of evidence.  First, the production of ulcers in experimental animals; all the drugs mentioned above can produce experimental ulcers.  Second, the cause and effect relationship in man, i.e. epidemiological evidence; the epidemiological evidence is very weak except for aspirin.  Third, a mechanism suspected of participating in the pathogenesis; the pathogenesis of drug ulceration is not fully understood but aspirin may be the only one with a body of data to support its ulcerogenic effect.  The pathogenesis of peptic ulcer is usually considered in terms of the equation, acid-pepsin versus mucosal resistance.  Caffeine is a moderately strong stimulus of acid secretion but corticosteroids, phenylbutazone, ethanol and indomethacin are very weak stimulants or have no effect.  Aspirin decreases acid secretion...


Effects of an antitumor multipeptide complex on immunocompetent and antigen-responsive cells. The investigations, performed to study the possible mechanism of action of PTC, of its single constituents and of meta-levo-sarcolysin (m-L-SL) on the human immunocompetent system, are reported. The study entailed the evaluation of the effect of PTC, of its peptides and of m-L-SL on the various lymphocyte classes, employing all the more sophisticated immunological techniques such as: a) lymphocyte cultures stimulated with the various mitogens, (T and B lymphocytes); b) E rosettes (T lymphocytes); c) EA rosettes (lymphocytes with Fc receptors for IgG); d) EAC rosettes (lymphocytes with the C3 receptors); e) autoradiography and intracytoplasmic immunofluorescence (in vitro immunoglobulin neosynthesis); f) CdL (Complement-dependent Lymphocytotoxicity); g) LALI (Lymphocyte Antibody Lymphocytolytic Interaction); h) CML (antibody independent cytotoxicity i.e. Cell-Mediated Lympholysis). The evidence points out that the PTC effect on T and B lymphocytes is not comparable to that of m-L-SL which does not discriminate between the two lymphocyte populations while PTC, besides showing a scarce immunodepressive effect, preferentially affects B lymphocytes rather than T lymphocytes as shown also by the E rosette pattern. Significantly different appears also the influence of PTC, as compared with that of m-L-SL on the lymphocytes with Fc receptors for IgG (EA rosettes) and with receptors for the third component of complement (EAC rosettes) as well as on the cytotoxicity test and on the antibody dependent (LALI) and complement dependent (CdL) lytic effect. The data gleaned from this investigation allow evaluating both the effects of PTC on the immunocompetent system and the difference of its action from that of m-L-SL.


Complement receptors (C3b, C4b/C3d) unbalance on CLL lymphocytes. A study of lymphocytes bearing C3b, C4b and C3d complement receptor (CRL) was performed on human peripheral blood from 16 healthy donors and 12 patients affected with Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia (CLL). In the latter group a clear rise of C3dCRL was demonstrated, when compared with immunoadherence receptors bearing lymphocytes. However, when compared with controls, also these latter were slightly augmented. Furthermore in CLL under treatment CRL populations showed the same profile as CLL: so it was suggested that the treatment reduced not selectively all the three types of CRL, within the population of sIg bearing lymphocytes. Here we discuss the hypothesis that, in CLL, the proliferating lymphocytes population is chiefly sIg+, C3d+/C3b-, C4b-, but also sIg+, C3d+/C3b+, C4b+.


[Comparison between anti-lymphocyte antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus and in Hodgkin's disease]. Anti-lymphocyte antibodies of cold-reactive IgM-type in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and IgG-type in Hodgkin's disease (HD) by means of immunofluorescent technique have been demonstrated. The contemporaneous attachment of SLE and HD sera on selected peripheral lymphocytes demonstrate that the target cell is T-lymphocyte and that the two kinds of antibodies coat the same cell. Co-capping experiments have shown that the phenomenon has the same behaviour as regard to SLE and HD antibody, indicating that the antigen is the same. Hypothesis about the meaning of these antibodyies have been made.


[Hematopoietic stem cells and antiblastic drugs. II. Variations in the colony forming cells in vivo after administration of peptichemio]. Peptichemio, administered in a single LD50, dose, induces a significant reduction of mice bone marrow and spleen CFUs. The lesive action appears to be similar to that observed after a single dose of various antineoplastic agents. The effects of increasing doses of Peptichemio are also reported.