Concanavalin A stimulates phospholipid methylation and phosphatidylserine decarboxylation in rat mast cells. When histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells is stimulated by concanavalin A, membrane phospholipids are methylated in the early stage of this process. Exogenously added phosphatidylserine enhances the concanavalin A-induced histamine release, and at the same time the lectin markedly stimulates the decarboxylation and methylation of phosphatidylserine. Within minutes after the addition of concanavalin A to rat mast cells, the newly methylated phospholipids begin to disappear and an increased formation of lysophosphatidylcholine is observed. When rat mast cells are treated with concanavalin A in the absence of Ca2+, phospholipid methylation is stimulated but no significant release of histamine is detected. The subsequent exposure of the pretreated cells to Ca2+ causes increased release of histamine and degradation of methylated phospholipids. The inhibition of either synthesis or degradation of methylated phospholipids results in the inhibition of histamine release. These observations suggest that the synthesis and degradation of methylated lipids are an intrinsic part of the biochemical mechanism that modulate histamine release from mast cells.


Assumed initiation site of fibroin gene transcription. To map the initiation site of fibroin gene transcription on cloned genomic fibroin DNA (pFb29), we looked for precursors of fibroin mRNA, first by applying the hybridization mapping method to the RNA from the posterior silk gland of Bombyx mori. The 6.2-kilobase (kb) DNA fragment used for the assay, from 5.7 kb upstream to 0.5 kb downstream from the cap site, was end-labeled at the Xho I site (position +514) within the intervening sequence of the fibroin gene. By analyzing the labeled DNA protected by the RNA from nuclease S1 treatment, we have shown that the intervening sequence is transcribed together with the surrounding gene sequences in the posterior silk gland (producer) but not in the middle silk gland (nonproducer). Large transcripts that could include entire intervening (1 kb) and fibroin mRNA (16 kb) sequences were found. The 5' end of such transcripts was located around or near the cap locus. Synthesis and analysis of the DNA complementary to the transcripts primed within the intervening sequence region also confirmed that the 5' end of the transcripts is near the cap locus. These results strengthen the possibility that the cap site is the transcription initiation site of fibroin gene.


Characterization of the reverse transcriptase of a type C RNA virus produced by a human lymphoma cell line. The reverse transcriptase (RNA-dependent DNA nucleotidyltransferase) of the type C RNA virus produced by the human lymphoma cell line SU-DHL-1 was purified by ion-exchange chromatography of SU-DHL-1 culture fluids and repetitive affinity chromatography on poly(rC).agarose, as were the polymerases of several other type C viruses. The DHL-1 enzyme used template-primers at levels expected of a viral reverse transcriptase, and sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoretic analysis of radioiodinated DHL-1 enzyme revealed a peak at a position corresponding to those of several other type C viral reverse transcriptases (namely, at 72,000-78,000 daltons). The purified enzyme was partially neutralized by antibodies specific for the reverse transcriptase of simian sarcoma virus. Two-dimensional analysis on thin-layer cellulose plates of tryptic hydrolysates of the radioiodinated enzymes of several viruses revealed that six peptides are common to the polymerases of simian sarcoma virus, gibbon ape leukemia virus, baboon endogenous virus, and the DHL-1 virus, and that two to four peptides are unique to each of these enzymes. The DHL-1 viral reverse transcriptase appears to be most closely related structurally to the enzymes of simian sarcoma virus, gibbon ape leukemia virus, and baboon endogenous virus. However, the DHL-1 viral enzyme differed from any one or combination of the other subhuman primate viral enzymes by virtue of its unique peptides. The implications of these findings with respect to the probable origin of the DHL-1 virus are discussed.


Experimental autoimmune model of nerve growth factor deprivation: effects on developing peripheral sympathetic and sensory neurons. An experimental autoimmune model of nerve growth factor (NGF) deprivation has been used to assess the role of NGF in the development of various cell types in the nervous system. Adult rats immunized with 2.5S mouse NGF in complete Freund's adjuvant produced antibodies that crossreacted with their own NGF and that were transferred in utero to the fetus and in milk to the neonate. Cross-fostering experiments were carried out to separate the effects of exposure to anti-NGF in utero from those due to exposure through the milk. Anti-NGF transferred in utero and in milk resulted in the destruction of peripheral sympathetic neurons assessed by morphological methods (light microscopy) and biochemical methods (tyrosine hydroxylase activity, choline acetyltransferase activity, and protein content). No effects were observed on the adrenal medulla. Offspring of NGF-immunized females exposed to anti-NGF in utero had a decreased protein content in the dorsal root ganglia and were unable to transport (125)I-labeled NGF injected in the forepaw to the dorsal root ganglia. These results suggest that a subpopulation of sensory neurons is dependent on NGF for survival during some period of fetal development. This model offers the potential for determining the degree and time of dependence of various cell types on NGF.


Conformation of gramicidin A channel in phospholipid vesicles: a 13C and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance study. We have determined the conformation of the channel-forming polypeptide antibiotic gramicidin A in phosphatidylcholine vesicles by using 13C and 19F NMR spectroscopy. The models previously proposed for the conformation of the dimer channel differ in the surface localization of the NH2 and COOH termini. We have incorporated specific 13C and 19F nuclei at both the NH2, and COOH termini of gramicidin and have used 13C and 19F chemical shifts and spin lattice relaxation time measurements to determine the accessibility of these labels to three paramagnetic NMR probes--two in aqueous solution and one attached to the phosphatidylcholine fatty acid chain9 all of our results indicate that the COOH terminus of gramicidin in the channel is located near the surface of the membrane and the NH2 terminus is buried deep within the lipid bilayer. These findings strongly favor an NH2-terminal to NH2-terminal helical dimer as the major conformation for the gramicidin channel in phosphatidylcholine vesicles.


Characterization of alkylamine-sensitive site in alpha 2-macroglobulin. Methylamine reacts with the plasma protease inhibitor, alpha 2-macroglobulin, to form an irreversible, covalent modification. Quantitation of the reaction indicates 3.9 +/- (SD) 0.4 reactive sites per native tetrameric protein (Mr = 725,000) or one site per subunit. The reaction is selective and specific in that only 1 or 2 labeled peptides are observed on radioautography of peptide maps derived from [14C]methylamine-treated alpha 2-macroglobulin. A single chymotryptic peptide was isolated in 56% overall yield from the labeled protein. The peptide sequence by Edman degradation was found to be Gly-Cys-Gly-Glu-X-Asn-Met-(Val, Leu), in which X was the only radiolabeled phenylthiohydantoin derivative. Amino acid analysis and mass spectral analysis of the derivative suggests that X is gamma-glutamylmethylamide. Because glutamic acid and glutamine residues do not normally react with alkylamines, this work presents presumptive evidence for an alternative activated center in selected proteins.


Trace polypeptides in cellular extracts and human body fluids detected by two-dimensional electrophoresis and a highly sensitive silver stain. Development of a highly sensitive silver stain permits the characterization of trace cellular and body fluid proteins separated by the two-dimensional electrophoresis technique of O'Farrell. Many of the proteins detected by the silver stain in urine, spinal fluid, amniotic fluid, and cells were undetected with the widely used Coomassie blue stain. Trace polypeptides observed in Escherichia coli cell lysates with this silver stain could be detected previously only by growth in radioactive precursors followed by lengthy autoradiography. In situations that do not permit the use of radioactive labeling, as in human clinical studies, the enhanced ability to detect proteins achieved by the silver stain will facilitate metabolic studies and the screening for protein abnormalities in mutational studies and in genetic diseases.


Synthesis of a 600-nucleotide-long plus-strand DNA by virions of Moloney murine leukemia virus. A discrete, 600-nucleotide-long plus-strand DNA has been identified among the products of reverse transcription by virions of Moloney murine leukemia virus. Its polarity was shown by hybridization to minus-strand DNA. It appears to be copied from the right end of minus-strand DNA because (i) its restriction endonuclease cleavage pattern corresponds to the redundant 600-base segment found at either end of the ultimate double-stranded reverse transcription products, (ii) its synthesis is actinomycin D sensitive, and (iii) its synthesis begins during the first hour of a reverse transcription reaction when only the right-hand end of minus-strand DNA is available as template. We therefore call this DNA plus-strong-stop DNA by analogy with the minus-strong-stop DNA copied from the left end of the viral RNA. Both strong-stop DNAs are made early during in vitro reactions and decline in concentration later, consistent with postulated roles as initiators of long minus- and plus-strand DNA. Unlike minus-strong-stop DNA, plus-strong-stop DNA remains as a double-stranded nucleic acid after its synthesis, as shown by S1 nuclease resistance. A primer to initiate plus-strong-stop DNA synthesis has not been identified; the product found thus far has no detectable RNA attached to it.


Comparison of amino acid sequences of two human histocompatibility antigens, HLA-A2 and HLA-B7: location of putative alloantigenic sites. The complete amino acid sequence for papain-solubilized HLA-B7 heavy chain is compared with the partial sequences of HLA-A2 and H-2Kb heavy chains. Although these molecules are highly conserved (i.e., 80% homology in comparing HLA-B7 with HLA-A2; 72% and 74% homology in comparing H-2Kb with HLA-A2 and HLA-B7, respectively), two stretches of greater variability are observed. These clusters of variability are discussed in terms of their possible involvement in the alloantigenic determinant(s) characteristic of these highly polymorphic membrane antigens.


Differentiation of 3T3-L2 fibroblasts into adipose cells in bromodeoxyuridine-suppressed cultures. Growth of 3T3-L2 fibroblasts in medium containing 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine prevents the spontaneous cytodifferentiation of these cells into adipose cells. Treatment of bromodeoxyuridine-suppressed cultures at confluence with 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, a promoter of the adipose conversion, results in differentiation of the fibroblasts into adipose cells but the extent of the conversion is less than that seen in cultures not treated with bromodeoxyuridine. 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine appears to function without altering the amount of bromodeoxyuridine present in DNA.


Identification of a Rous sarcoma virus transformation-related protein in normal avian and mammalian cells. Avian sarcoma viruses (ASV) contain a gene (src) whose protein product mediates sarcomagenic transformation. This product is a 60,000-Mr phosphoprotein designated pp60src. We have found that normal uninfected frog, chicken, rat, and human cells contain a 60,000-Mr phosphoprotein related to the product of the ASV src gene and have designated that protein pp60. A phosphoprotein of similar size was not detectable in Drosophila cells. The pp60 proteins were detected by immunoprecipitation with rabbit antitumor serum containing broad spectrum antibodies to pp60src. Peptide maps of [35S]methionine-labeled pp60 and pp60src indicated major similarities as well as some differences in amino acid composition. Peptide maps of the 32P-labeled proteins demonstrated that the phosphopeptides of all endogenous pp60 molecules tested were identical. However, some differences were noted between the phosphopeptide patterns of pp60 and viral pp60src. The kinase activity associated with pp60src was measured in the immunocomplex and resulted in the transfer of radioactive phosphorus from [gamma-32P]ATP to the immunoglobulin heavy chain as well as to an 80,000-Mr phosphoprotein. The pp60 of chicken, rat, and human origin also contained an associated kinase activity. These results are consistent with the notion that the pp60 molecules are the protein products of endogenous sarc sequences found in vertebrate cells.


The flow properties of axoplasm in a defined chemical environment: influence of anions and calcium. The flow properties of axoplasm have been studied in a defined chemical environment. Axoplasm extruded from squid giant axons was introduced into porous cellulose acetate tubes of diameter roughly equal to that of the original axon. Passage of axoplasm along the tube rapidly coated the tube walls with a layer of protein. By measuring the rate of low back and forth along the tube, the rheological properties of the axoplasm plug were investigated at a range of pressures and in a variety of media. Axoplasm behaves as a classical Bingham body the motion of which can be characterized by a yield stress (theta) and a plastic viscosity (eta p). In a potassium methanesulphonate medium containing 65 nM free Ca2+, theta averaged 109 +/- 46 dyn/cm2 and eta p1 146 +/- 83 P. These values were little affected by ATP, COLCHICINE, CYTOCHOLASIN B or by replacing K by Na but were sensitive to the anion composition of the medium. The effectiveness of different anions at reducing theta and eta p1 was in the order SCN greater than I greater then Br greater than Cl greater than methanesulphonate. Theta and eta p1 were also drastically reduced by increasing the ionized Ca. This effect required millimolar amounts of Ca, was unaffected by the presence of ATP and was irreversible. It could be blocked by the protease inhibitor TLCK. E.p.r. measurements showed that within the matrix of the axoplasm gel there is a watery space that is largely unaffected by anions or calcium.


Endotoxin determination in viscous opaque solutions of iron dextran by Limulus amebocyte lysate. LAL would not form a clot when mixed with a viscous, opaque parenteral preparation of iron dextran spiked with endotoxin. However, recoverable precipitate could be obtained by diluting the LAL iron dextran mixture with PBS and centrifuging. Although the pellet so formed was red colored the protein present could be quantitated by dissolving it in a Coomassie Blue stain solution. The very rapid change in color from reddish black to deep blue was measured quantitatively in a spectrophotometer and was sigmoidally related to the amount of endotoxin used to spike the iron dextran. This method is suggested to be generally useful to measure quantitatively endotoxin concentrations too low to form a clot with LAL but high enough to precipitate recoverable protein from LAL.


Dependence in rats after one injection of heroin-, LAAM- or hydromorphone-zinc tannate. Complex zinc tannate salts of heroin, hydromorphone and l-alpha-acetylmethadol were synthesized and injected in a slow-release vehicle, into rats. One, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after the drug was administered rats were injected with naloxone hydrochloride (10 mg/kg) and during the following 4 hours body weights, core temperature and behavioral signs such as diarrhea, writhing, teeth chattering and wet dog shakes were recorded. On every naloxone testing day the narcotic-treated groups presented behavioral signs of abstinence, but weight loss and temperature changes were much less consistent. Reduction of core temperature following naloxone administration seems to be an earlier indicator of physical dependence than weight loss. According to the parameters tested a level of physical dependence can persist for at least two weeks after a single injection of these narcotic salts.


Localized cerebritis following an esthetic rhinoplasty. We report a case of Wernicke's sensory aphasia, caused by a localized cerebritis of the left temporal lobe. The condition developed in the second week after an esthetic rhinoplasty. There was an associated small abscess in the right inner canthal area.


Arterial occlusion in the management of pain from metastatic renal carcinoma. Arterial embolization was performed in nine patients with metastases from renal carcinoma who had severe pain resistant to conventional therapy. Patients with metastases in the ilium (four), the lumbosacral spine (one), and the base of the skull (one) experienced pain relief lasting from one to six months. The other three patients, who had metastases in the proximal femur, underwent preoperative embolization to facilitate tumor curettage and internal hip fixation. No significant complications were seen with this therapeutic approach.


Selecting audiovisual materials for use in radiography programs. To select the highest quality audiovisual instructional materials for use in radiography programs, instructors must go beyond a simple subjective judgement. This article provides a method of selection that will help instructors locate and make an objective assessment of the instructional value of audiovisual materials and help insure that these materials will be of high quality and serve the learning needs of their students.


[Measurement for serum thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) and its clinical assessment in diagnosis of thyroid states (author's transl)]. Serum levels of thyroxine (T4)-binding globulin (TBG) were determined by a radioimmunoassay using cellulose-linked antibody to TBG. Values obtained in healthy young adults averaged 1.62 +/- 0.25 (SD) mg/100 ml, and no significant difference wwas detected between males and females. The TBG levels remained within the normal limit in hyperthyroidism while they were significantly increased in hypothyroidism. Interestingly enough, TBG levels were significantly elevated in chronic thyroidities with no overt hypothyroidism. In normal pregnancy, TBG was increased slightly in the first trimester, and markedly in the second and third trimesters. In one case of congenital TBG deficiency, no immunoreactive TBG was detected. It was demonstrated, further, that an inverse relationship (r = -0.7593) existed between the TBG level and serum triiodothyronine uptake index, and that a direct relation (r = +0.6557) was present between the TBG level and T4 in sera from normal subjects and pregnancy. Ratios of T4/TBG were markedly increased in hyperthyroidism, and decreased in hypothyroidism, showing no overlap with the normal subjects, whereas they were below the normal limit in half the cases in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The radioimmunoassay for TBG was useful in evaluating hypothyroid states, because it could differentiate the increase in T4 associated with elevated TBG from hyperthyroidism.


[Severely increased alpha fetoprotein and associated diseases]. In 1977 and 1978 the serum concentration of alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) in 3200 patients was measured for diagnostic purposes. Values above 320 ng/ml were observed in 75 patients; they underwent closer study. The final diagnoses were hepatoma (50), germ cell tumors (15), other malignant tumors (6) and acute hepatitis (4). Also, chronic hepatitis and liver coma may be associated with AFP values above 320 ng/ml. Repeated measurements usually provide further diagnostic information.


Orcein-positive material in hepatocytes in viral hepatitis and other liver diseases. Liver biopsy samples from 110 patients with various liver diseases were stained by orcein according to the method of Shikata et al. Orcein-positive hepatocellular material was observed in only the 31.7% of HBsAg seropositive cases. A positive orcein reaction was frequently found in protracted and chronic viral hepatitis and occasionally in other liver diseases, such as alcoholic and cholestatic hepatitis, as well as in cryptogenetic cirrhosis and in liver metastases. The results obtained suggest a more cautious evaluation of the diagnostic and prognostic significance of orcein-positive hepatocellular material.


Derived X chromosome in the turtle genus Staurotypus. C-banding, G-banding, and silver (Ag-AS) staining techniques reveal a distinctive sex chromosome system in the turtle Staurotypus salvinii. Unlike previously described systems in most other vertebrate groups in which the Y or W is derived and the homogametic sex represents the primitive condition, the reverse is true for S. salvinii. The X chromosome is derived; thus the homogametic sex (female) is more derived than the heterogametic sex. The male is intermediate between the female and the ancestral condition observed in other turtle species. Staurotypus does not confirm to the general model of sex chromosome evolution for diploid dioecious organisms.


Visualization of polymercurimethane-labeled for bacteriophage in the scanning transmission electron microscope. Each of the 2700 coat proteins of fd bacteriophage was labeled with tetrakis(acetoxymercuri)methane (TAMM) or aquoglycylmethionineplatinum(II). The TAMM-labeled specimens reveal striking bright spots in the scanning transmission electron microscope which arise from clustering. Measurements of mass show increases consistent with the addition of four mercury atoms or one platinum atom, respectively, to each coat protein.


Pharyngolaryngectomy, total extrathoracic esophagectomy and gastric transposition. Total pharyngolaryngectomy, extrathoracic esophagectomy and immediate reconstruction using transposed stomach were performed without operative mortality in 16 patients using a two team approach. The intact transposed stomach appears to be a highly reliable esophageal substitute. Significant palliation was achieved since all were able to swallow by mouth until their death. Results in terms of survival were disappointing but, possibly, may be improved by better patient selection and the judicious use of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation.


Treatment of infestation with Phthirus pubis: comparative efficacies of synergized pyrethrins and gamma-benzene hexachloride. In recent years there has been a steady increase in the incidence of infestation with Phthirus pubis, a sexually transmitted louse. A recently introduced nonprescription liquid pediculicide, whose major ingredient is 0.3% pyrethrins synergized by 3.0% piperonyl butoxide (RiD), was compared for efficacy and safety with a prescription-only pediculicidal lotion whose major ingredient is 1% gamma-benzene hexachloride (Kwell). Thirty adult man and women with P. pubis infestation were assigned randomly to treatment with either the synergized pyrethrins or gamma-benzene hexachloride. A single 10-min application of the synergized-pyrethrin liquid produced the same results as a single 12-hr application of the gamma-benze hexachloride lotion: total eradication of adult lice and nymphs, cessation of pruritus, and no treatment-induced side effect. A follow-up visit a week after treatment verified all eradications.


Fibrinolytic activity of lung and spleen extracts observed in conventional but not in germ-free rats. Protease-like activity which split plasminogen-free fibrin was demonstrated in 2 M KSCN extracts of the lung and spleen of conventional rats. The activity was virtually undetectable in tissue extracts from germ-free rats. The extracts from the conventional rat tissues split fibrin and fibrinogen remarkably at neutral pH, but not casein, when examined using fibrin, fibrinogen-agar and casein-agar plates. The fibrinolytic activity was inhibited by STI and DFP, indicating a serine protease nature. The activity was not inhibited by TLCK, t-AMCHA or dansyl-L-arginine-methylpiperidine amide (a selective synthetic thrombin inhibitor, OM189). It was neither activated nor inhibited by cysteine, KCN or iodoacetic acid. The results obtained indicate that the protease-like activity of the lung and spleen extracted with 2 M KSCN from conventional rats has properties which differ from those of trypsin, plasmin, plasminogen-activator, thrombin, and cathepsin A, B and C.


Plasma high molecular weight kininogen concentration in health and in chosen impairments of haemostasis. Evidence that plasmin uncovers a new antigenic site in high molecular weight kininogen. High molecular weight kininogen (HMW-kininogen) concentration was measured in the plasma of healthy blood donors, patients with haemophilia A, idiopathic thrombocytopoenic purpura, deep vein thrombosis treated with oral anticoagulants and patients treated with streptokinase (SK). The concentration of HMW-kininogen in the plasma of healthy subjects was 92 +/- 15 micrograms/ml. The values obtained in patients' plasma were not different statistically. In the plasma of patients treated with repeated infusion of SK, a significant increase of HMW-kininogen antigen activity was noted after each injection of the drug. Similar results were obtained when SK was added to plasma "in vitro" or when a purified preparation of HMW-kininogen was treated with plasmin. These and additional data obtained suggest that plasmin uncovers in the HMW-kininogen molecule a new antigenic site(s) common to HMW-kininogen and low molecular weight kininogen and new antigenic site(s) specific only for HMW-kininogen.


Purification and properties of an antiactivator fraction from bovine serum. A method is described for the purification of antiactivator from bovine euglobulin-free serum by means of gelfiltration and ion exchange chromatography. The purified antiactivator has no antifibrinolytic activity. It has a molecular weight of about 115,000 and it appears to be a gamma globulin. The dissociation constant of its complex with urokinase is 1.6 x 10(-9) M and the maximum urokinase binding is close to 2000 CTA units per mg. Its concentration in bovine serum is 0.37%. Flufenamate displaces urokinase from the antiactivator at very low concentrations, about 10(-4) M. Cysteine restores its activity if lost by standing. Also an antifibrinolysin fraction is obtained free of antiactivator activity.


[Clinical relevance of 111In-bleomycine in intrathoracal neoplasms (author's transl)]. With a medium storage ratio of 1:1.4 between sound and neoplastic lung tissue additional diagnostic information cannot be obtained by positive tumor scintigraphy with 111In-bleomycine. This may be accounted for on the one hand by the diffuse borders of the storage foci, on the other hand by the relatively high storage of radioactivity in normal lung tissue.


Xenoantisera to allotypic specificities of HLA-A and B antigens. Serological characterization. By using the lysostrip and the blocking of cytotoxicity by Fab2 fragments, HLA-A and B antibodies were detected in sera from rabbits and goats immunized with human high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated HLA antigens isolated from sera and from cultured lymphoid cells. After appropriate absorptions, the xenoantisera became specific for HLA-A and B alloantigens, reacted with the same structures as alloantisera, and displayed the same patterns of cross-reactions as alloantisera; however, several xenoantisera contained antibodies cross-reactive with antigens coded by the A and B loci. Our data indicate that HDL-associated HLA antigens isolated from lymphoid cells and from serum efficiently elicit xenoantibodies to allotypic specificities of the human histocompatibility system.


A study of blood utilization by diagnosis, month of transfusion, and geographic region of the United States. The purpose of this study was to analyze blood utilization by 92,815 transfused patients treated in 300 United States hospitals during 1974. In order to achieve this end, transfused patients were first divided into 349 diagnosis groups. Blood transfusion data for the highest ranking 50 groups in terms of total units administered to patients in the group are presented and discussed, as well as the blood needs of patients in 19 major disease categories such as malignant neoplasm. Blood transfusion is then correlated with the month of the year by presenting the mean number and the total number of units transfused per month for the country as a whole and for each of four geographic regions. Individual diagnosis groups with significant variation in the mean number of units transfused among the months are also listed and discussed. To aid in the interpretation of mean monthly transfusion rates for the various diagnosis groups, a list of operative procedures with significant variation in the quarterly frequency is offered. Diagnosis groups with significant variation in the mean transfusion rate among the four geographic regions are presented with interpretation of the data.


IgM cold-warm hemolysins in infectious mononucleosis. A patient with infectious mononucleosis and immune hemolytic anemia is described. The hemolysis was mediated by the temporary appearance of both a serum IgM anti-i cold agglutinin and an increase of red blood cell i antigen. The cold agglutinin had a high titer, low thermal amplitude and cold-warm hemolytic activity.


Expression of the Ag-F differentiation antigen on T-lymphocyte blasts and cytotoxic cells. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that Ag-F antigen is not present on cytotoxic splenocytes generated in vivo. Furthermore, we have preliminary evidence that mitogen- and MLR-activated T cells are both Ag-F negative and positive; however, proliferation of some Ag-F-positive precursors may be inhibited in whole lymph node populations.


[Use of ethidium for the cytochemical study of chromatin]. A cytochemical method of chromatin study by means of nuclear staining with ethidium (bromide) is described. Dependence of stain binding by chromatin on ethidium concentration, ionic composition and buffer pH value has been analyzed. It is suggested that cells be stained in 2.10(-5) M solution of ethidium in 0.1 M tris-HCl buffer at pH 8.0 during 30 min. The fluorescence of nuclei stained with ethidium under conditions described is shown to reflect changes in physico-chemical properties of chromatin taking place in the course of its chemical modification and physiological activation in regenerating liver. The use of ethidium for chromatin cytochemistry allows to study chromatin properties in wide ranges of pH. Some other advantages of the method suggested over the commonly used method of acridine orange staining are discussed.


[Use of the antibiotic, olivomycin, for the cytochemical study of chromatin]. The possibility to use the antibiotic olivomycin for fluorescence cytochemistry of chromatin properties has been shown. It is found that the binding of olivomycin to nuclei reveals the functional state of chromatin and changes in the course of its activation. The essential condition for the application of the method described is the use of ethanol-aceton fixative. When other fixatives are used, in particular 70% ethanol, olivomycin binding reflects differences in nuclear DNA amount, rather than those in chromatin properties. The advantages of the method described, in comparison with the commonly used technique, are associated with the high affinity of olivomycin to DNA, absence of olivomycin binding with RNA, simplicity of the staining procedures , and with rather a high stability of complexes formed between olivomycin and DNA.


Tumor markers in testicular cancer.

Tumor markers in testicular cancer. The tumor markers alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin have proved to be useful in staging disease in patients with testicular carcinomas. Moreover, their detection has often had a bearing on the therapeutic regimen selected. The nature and value of these tumor markers are discussed in detail, and other potentially useful oncofetal gene products are reviewed.


[Tissue concentrations of sulfametrol-trimethoprim in the human prostate (author's transl)]. Ten patients with normal liver and kidney functions were admitted to a urology department for prostatectomy because of benign prostatic hypertrophy. They received a twice daily administration of 2 tablets of sulfametrole/trimethoprim (Lidaprim) for 4 days; the last dose of 2 tablets was given 4 hours before surgery. Having been enucleated by the suprapubic route, the prostatic glands were examined both histologically and chemico-analytically. The concentrations of the chemotherapeutically active substances were determined in the plasma and in the prostatic tissues. The prostatic tissue concentration of sulfametrole was 24,0 +/- 8,6 mg/kg and that of trimethoprim 7,1 +/- 2,2 mg/kg.


Effect of megestrol acetate on uroflow rates in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy: double-blind study. Sixty-one patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and decreased maximum and mean urine flow rates were randomly assigned to megestrol (Megace, 120 mg./day) or placebo therapy. The patients were studied over a five-month period with maximal and mean urine flow rates every two weeks. The patients on megestrol demonstrated significant increases in maximum and mean urine flow rates from the sixth through the twentieth weeks compared with their own control baseline values; the placebo-treated patients showed no significant changes in mean flow rates at any time point over the twenty weeks in comparison with their own baseline control values; maximum flow rates in placebo-treated patients did demonstrate statistically significant increases above their own control baseline values at eight, twelve, eighteen, and twenty weeks. Megestrol-treated patients, in comparison with the placebo group, showed statistically significant increases in maximum flow rate at fourteen, sixteen, and twenty weeks after therapy, and statistically significant increases in mean flow rate over the placebo patients at ten, twelve, fourteen, and twenty weeks. Clinical symptoms improved in 78 per cent of the megestrol-treated patients and 57 per cent of the placebo-treated patients. The side effects of megestrol were minimal except for loss of libido in 70 per cent of patients.


[Importance of immunotherapy in the management of patients with acute staphylococcal lactation mastitis]. Failure of antibiotic therapy against the background of sharply decreased defensive forces of the organism in the postpartum period made it necessary to perform a comparative clinical evaluation of the effect of homologous and heterologous gamma globulins. It has been established that treatment with these drugs results in normalization of clinical and immunological signs which are retained till the complete recovery of patients.


[Biochemical characteristics of a calf leukemia virus in chronically infected cells]. Studied were the conditions of cultivation of FLK cells chronically infected with a calf leucosis virus. The gradient values of density were compared to those of the murine sarcoma virus--1.14--1.15 vs, 1.17--1.18/cm3. Established were the parameters of the reverse transcriptase reaction for the calf leukosis virus (Magnesium-dependent reverse transcriptase). Data showed that the calf leucosis virus may not resolutely be referred either to the B- or the the C-type of retroviruses.


Plasma cells and immunoglobulin-synthesis in oral precancer and cancer. Correlation with dysplasia, cancer differentiation, radio- and chemotherapy. The subepithelial and peritumoral inflammatory infiltrates of 202 oral premalignant and malignant lesions -- 108 leukoplakias and 94 squamous cell carcinomata with different grades of dysplasia were examined using an immunoenzymatic method. In addition, the influence of radiation and bleomycin-therapy on the stromal reaction of 24 carcinomata was studied. The incidence of immunoglobulin labelled plasma cells (IgA and IgG) was twice as high in those cases of leukoplakia where dysplasia was present. The number of plasma cells, especially IgA- and IgG-containing plasma cells, decreased significantly with progressive tumor dedifferentiation. The plasma cell response differed before and after radiation with a decrease in IgA- and IgG-containing plasma cells after therapy. In contrast, bleomycin-therapy did not produce distinct changes in the humoral and cellular stromal reaction. In the epithelium, IgA and IgG were localized throughout all epithelial layers in leukoplakias with dysplasia. This finding indicates a leakage of locally synthesized immunoglobulins through an altered oral mucosa. This investigation reveals alterations in the local immune homoeostasis of the oral mucosa in premalignant and malignant lesions which varies with the grade of dysplasia, tumor differentiation and therapy.


[Effect of the contrast conditions using solutions of phosphotungstic acid on the electron microscopic image of the foot-and-mouth disease virus]. A method of negative staining of foot-and-mouth disease virus preparations permits to obtain separately positive (2% phosphotungstic acid solution, pH 3.0) and negative (2% PTA solution, pH 6.8 +/- 8.0) stainings. When a 3--4% PTA solution, pH 6.8 +/- 8.0 is used, simultaneous positive and negative staining of each virion is possible which characterizes the functional heterogeneity of the virion protein membrane in interaction with PTA anions.


[Antigenic and biological characteristics of the A (H1N1) strains that caused the 1977--1978 epidemic]. By the antigenic specificity of the surface subunits, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, the influenza virus strains A (H1N1) isolated in 1977--1978 were related but not identical to the A (H1N1) strains circulating in 1950--1952. The A/FM/1/47 strain differed from the A/England/51, A/Pan/52 strains and A/USSR/090/77 strain by its antigenic relations with the A/Netherland/56 and A/Denver/57 strains. Biologically, the new A/H1N1/77 strains were similar to the reference strains circulating in 1947--1952 by any one feature.


[Antigenic determinants in the composition of the hemagglutinins of the influenza virus H1N1 isolated in 1977 and of the H1N1 viruses isolated in 1947--1956]. A comparative analysis of hemagglutinins (HA) of the A/USSR/090/77 (H1N1) virus isolated in 1977 and A/FM/47, A/Leningrad/49, A/Pan/52, and A/Netherlands/56 viruses with the antigenic formula (H1N1) was done. By the method of cross adsorption of rabbit influenza antisera, HA of the viruses under study were found to contain three antigenic determinants: one is common for all the variants studied, another characterizes the relationships of individual variants isolated in different years, and the third is strain-specific, determining the antigenic differences between the variants. According to our results, the influenza A/USSR/090/77 (H1N1) virus has in its HA three antigenic determinants closely related or identical to those of HA of a/leningrad/49 and A/Pan/52 viruses.


[Treatment of intra- and postoperative cardiac tachyarrhythmias with the new calciumantagonist Ro 11-1781 (author's transl)]. 30 patients with cardiac tachyarrhythmias were treated intra- and postoperatively with the new calciumantagonist Ro 11-1781. Atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles and atrial tachycardia were the main indications. A good antiarrhythmic effect was noticed, provided that a dose of not less than 1 mg/kg was given. The mean fall of blood pressure was 4%, the maximal fall 15%.


[Dacarbazin -- therapy of metastazising malignant melanoma (author's transl)]. Surgery has continuously improved the prognosis of malignant melanoma but not in case of metastases. Widespread metastases are only accessible to palliative chemotherapy. This paper deals with therapy by Dacarbazin in 19 patients suffering from metastazising malignant melanoma. Dacarbazin increases our limited feasibilities in treating advanced malignant melanoma.


[ECG changes in chronic polyarthritis compared to a healthy control group]. ECG from 200 patients with radiologically and clinically definite rheumatoid arthritis were compared with those from a healthy group with the same age and sex distribution. The frequency of pathological changes of the ECG was found to be the same in both groups. Therefore doubt remains whether the pathological changes of the ECG can be attributed to rheumatoid arthritis.


[Antibody response to hemagglutinin and neuraminidase induced by an influenza subunit vaccine (author's transl)]. To study antigenicity, persistence of antibody (efficacy) and reactogenicity of a new bivalent influenza subunit vaccine, Sandovac, it was given in two different concentrations (1000 and 2000 IU) to 156 subjects from two epidemiologically destinct areas (119 students from Essen, average age 22 years, 37 residents from Kassel average age 56 years). Serum antibody response was measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neuraminidase inhibition (NI) tests before, one, two and six months after vaccination. The following results were obtained: 1. Four weeks post vaccination an excellent strain specific and crossreactive (H3 N2 variant-specific) antibody response was observed. Subtype specific (H0, H1 or H2) activity could not be detected. 2. Six months post vaccination a still notably higher antibody level as compared to the preimmunization status could be demonstrated. 3. A difference, however, existed between the immune responses of the Essen student population with an average age of 22 years, and of the Kassel resident population with an average age of 56 years. The immune response being significantly better in younger vaccinees. 4. High and low concentrated vaccines revealed neither objective nor subjective differences in reactogenicity and were very well tolerated. 5. In all immunological parameters tested the double concentrated vaccine (S 2000) proved to be slightly superior to the lower concentrated vaccine (S 1000) that is officially licensed in the German Federal Republic.


Problems with particle-associated DNA polymerase assays in the diagnosis of plasma-suspended viruses. The in vitro reaction results of virus-associated DNA polymerases for the demonstration of plasma-suspended particles of avian leukemia virus (AMV) and of hepatitis type B virus (HBV) were compared. AMV particles could be identified by the transcription of the templates poly mC(dG)12-18, poly rAT10, and poly d(AT) using standardized reaction mixtures. With comparable test conditions, no DNA polymerase activity was found in human plasma containing HBV. These findings and the results of a systematic study of factors influencing the polymerization assays are discussed.


Serological cross-reactions of leptospiral lipopolysaccharide (F4) antigen. The serological specificity of leptospiral lipopolysaccharide (F4) antigen was examined by the technique of passive haemagglutination. F4 extracted from leptospiral serovars representative of several different serogroups showed wide cross reaction between serovars, including numerous one-way (non-reciprocal) reactions. The pattern of cross reaction was different to that of the standard leptospiral classification scheme.


In situ microspectrofluorometry of nuclear and kinetoplast DNA in Trypanosoma gambiense. Using a spectrofluorometer with the Zeiss Universal Micro-Spectrophotometer 1 (UMSP 1), both nuclear and kinetoplast DNA (N-DNA and K-DNA) in the trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma gambiense (Strain Wellcome) were measured in situ without being extracted. As the fluorescent dye, ethidium bromide was preferably employed because there was a very marked increase in the ethidium fluorescence when the dye was intercalated between the base paires of the DNA helix. According to this method, it became possible to demonstrate the existence of double-stranded DNA in both nucleus and kinetoplast clearer than before.


[Infection as indicator of finding complex environmental noxious agents within a short time (author's transl)]. We do not know whether complexes of chemical agents produce an accumulation of their respective noxious effects or whether these effects weaken each other and we have no exact methods to quantify these effects. Knowledge of such methods would be important for investigation of environmental health. In the course of researches how to influence infectious diseases by altering natural resistance we have found that it might be possible to use an indicator method: Animals exposed to such a light environmental toxic influence that they seem to be in a good health have a reduced period of survival time and an altered steroid metabolism after infection. The time of survival (after infection) and the steroid metabolism are the indicators of some hidden trouble caused by environmental influence. Here are three examples: 1) The covered intoxication with exhaust fumes, 2) the covered intoxication with lead salt and 3) the covered intoxication with DDT demonstrate the applicability of this method, results being available within a period of 2--3 weeks.


[Macrophage enhancement of the immunogenicity of a suboptimal dosage of antigen-antibody complex]. Dawley mice were immunized with rabbit gamma globulin combined with allotypical antibodies, introduced alone or after preliminary incubation with syngeneic macrophages. Enhanced immune response was observed in the rats immunized both with low (0.11 mg) and high (1.1 mg) doses of the antigen with macrophages. A conclusion was made that this enhanced response had no connection with the elimination of the excess antigen by the macrophages.


[Isolation of fractions from Bordetella parapertussis extracts and their use for preparing an erythrocyte diagnostic preparation]. Soluble parapertusis antigen, serologically active, having hemosensitive properties and containing only 2 antigenic components was obtained by the method of ethanol fractionation of microbial extracts. This method is simple and convenient for production purposes. The antigen thus obtained was used for the production of a highly specific erythrocytic diagnostic preparation (formalinized, liquid). When tested in reaction with animal and human sera, the new diagnostic preparation proved to be sufficiently active and species specific.


[Production of antiserum to neurotoxin-2 from Naja naja oxiana cobra venom and reaction with the toxin]. Antiserum to neurotoxin-2 from the venom of the cobra was obtained by immunization of rabbits via the injection of the toxin into the lymphatic nodes and by two re-immunizations via the injection of the toxin into the blood and intramuscularly. Using scores of micrograms of the toxin, specific antisera with high antibody titer were obtained. In spite of high specificity of separate stages of the reactions, using indirect immune fluorescence technique, no specific fluorescence was found in the end-plates of the diaphragm, in which "intact" cholinoreceptors were bound to neurotoxin-2. It is suggested that antigenic determinant of the toxin is involved into the formation of a firm link with the receptors, this process resulting in "masking" the determinant and in loss of its ability to react with antibodies.


A quantitative method for the assessment of the microtopography of human skin. The skin relief influences the exterior aspect of the skin which is very sensitive to aging. It could also be related to the mechanical properties and structure of both dermis and stratum corneum. Consequently, quantitative measurement of the skin surface roughness would seem most useful, as it would permit a quantification of skin aging, an in vivo analysis of mechanical forces acting on the skin structure, and the detection of abnormalities otherwise not visible. The method described comprises three steps: (1) making a silicone rubber negative replica, (2) making an Araldite positive cast, (3) roughness measurement of the cast with a device commonly used in engineering, which provides quantitative parameters: Ra, Rp, Rt, Rmax and others. The reliability of each of these steps was checked, and also the absolute need to locate precisely the site of sampling and to know the angle of the scanning direction with the main axis of the limb or the body. The method seems useful for studying aging, either normal or affected by UV rays and other physiopathological events influencing the skin surface.


Fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products in exudates from bullous dematoses. Inflammatory exudates from 10 patients with bullous skin diseases were analysed by immunochemical techniques including crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The results were compared with those obtained in fluid from suction bullae obtained in normal skin in 13 control subjects and synovial fluid from 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Abnormal fibrinogen degradation products identical with those found in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis were detected in exudates from each of the patients with bullous dermatoses, whereas significantly smaller amounts of fibrinogen antigenic material were detected in fluid obtained by suction. The fibrinogen antigenic material demonstrated in exudates from pathological bullae, immunochemically similar to that found in rheumatoid synovial fluid, indicates that the presence of these products reflects the more general features of an inflammatory exudate.


Effects of histamine receptor antagonists on histamine-induced responses in human skin. The effects of intradermally administered histamine H1- and H2-receptor antagonists on the cutaneous responses--redness, weal, flare and itch--induced by intradermal injection of histamine were studied in man. Weal and redness were studied after blockade of the axon reflex by local infiltration with lidocaine. All responses were significantly inhibited by the H1-receptor antagonist mepyramine. The H2-antagonists cimetidine and metiamide reduced flare and itch significantly but not to the same extenet as mepyramine and not in a clearly dose-related manner. The size of weal and redness was not significantly reduced by cimetidine. No further reduction of flare, itch or weal was obtained by adding metiamide or cimetidine to mepyramine. After blockade of the axon reflex with lidocaine the histamine-induced weals turned white at the centre. This blanching was more prominent when histamine was injected in combination with cimetidine. Substituting mepyramine for cimetidine resulted in small weals with an intense red colour. It is concluded that, apart from being engaged in the direct vasodilatory response to histamine, H2-receptors do not seem to be involved in the other cutaneous responses to histamine studied.


Increased urine histamine after challenge of contact sensitivity in the mouse. The urinary excretion of histamine was observed daily during the development of contact sensitivity to picryl chloride in the mouse. After challenge, effected by painting the ears, urine histamine increased about four fold, while the histamine content in the ears did not change significantly. It is suggested that during challenge there is a general release of histamine, which may be the result either of an immediate hypersensitivity reaction or an effect of anaphylatoxin formation after complement activation.


Light and electron microscopic aspects of pemphigus herpetiformis (eosinophilic spongiosis) in comparison with other acantholytic disorders. Histopathological and electron microscopic analyses of pemphigus herpetiformis in a 64-year old woman with a previously operated atoxic goitre and suffering from a nephrotic syndrome and a chronic non-aggressive hepatitis revealed acantholysis preceded by eosinophilic spongiosis. Light microscopically the acantholysis is characterized by the occurrence of necrobiotic epidermal cells. No dyskeratotic cells are found. The mechanism of acantholysis depends on an exuberant elongation of desmosomes, leading to their disruption, spongiotic acantholysis. A conspicuous convolution of specific tight intercellular spaces is observed. Intracytoplasmatic occurrence of such tight intercellular spaces is seen in sections. Pseudomyeloid bodies of various types seem to be of significance. Particles closely similar to pox viruses are observed. The acantholytic process is compared with other acantholytic disorders in which the above-mentioned findings were not observed.


Acquired cutis laxa (generalized elastolysis): light and electron microscopic studies. The case is described of a 44-year-old man with acquired cutis laxa. The primary clinical manifestation was an erythema of the chest. Gradually there developed persistent circumscribed lesions in other areas of the skin, spreading into large erythematous plaques with loose skin. Slight restrictive ventilatory insufficiency, elongation of the vocal cord and diverticulosis of the colon were also found, indicating a chronic and widespread disorder. Skin biopsies showed diminution and degeneration of the elastic fibres. The light-microscopic features were subdivided in relation to the various skin manifestations. Ultrastructure of the skin showed various amounts of electron-dense, amorphous material and loosely bound microfibrils in and around elastic and collagen fibres as well as some microfibrils with knobs in the interfibrouer, were found normal. It is suggested that the first changes in the elastic fibres induced an inflammatory response and mild mucinous changes of the collagen fibres. Furthermore elastic fibres seemed to be replaced by newly formed collagen.


Diffuse fasciitis with eosinophilia: histological and electron microscopic study. A female case of diffuse fasciitis with eosinophilia (or eosinophilic fasciitis) is reported. This disease is characterized by suddenly developed circumscribed subcutaneous indurations on the extremities, hyalinized fibrosis of the fascia and peripheral eosinophilia. Our patient further displayed Raynaud's phenomenon preceded by thrombophlebitis, and histological and electron microscopical features of her subcutaneous hyalinized area centering at the fascia closely resembled those of morphaea.


Epithelioid sarcoma: ultrastructural observation of lymphoid cell-induced lysis of tumor cells. Epithelioid sarcoma of the palm of 7 months' duration was observed in a 30-year-old man. Six months after wide surgical excision there was no evidence of recurrence or metastasis. By light microscopic examination the tumor showed typical nodular arrangement of malignant cells, with necrosis of these cells in the centers of the nodules. Patchy lymphocytic infiltrates were observed at the peripheries of the nodules and also extended in places between the tumor cells. Other types of inflammatory cells were practically absent. By electron microscopic examination it was noted that numerous neoplastic cells formed firm close contacts with lymphocytes. Considerable numbers of neoplastic ells so contacted were damaged or even disintegrated. The damaged tumor cells contained abundant lysosomes. The release of enzymes from these lysosomes in the disintegrating tumor cells might be an important factor underlying the extracellular tissue injury and necrosis so conspicuous in epithelioid sarcoma. The very slow growth of this neoplasm and its slow tendency to metastasize might be related to the high efficacy of lymphocyte-mediated defenses against this tumor.


Amyloidosis of the skin: a comparison between localized and systemic amyloidosis. Skin biopsies from patients with different forms of localized and systemic amyloidoses were studied. Subepidermal deposits, typical of lichen amyloidosus, were also seen in other types of amyloidosis, least frequent in the secondary systemic form. Amyloid within the epidermis and especially the horny layer as well as pigmented cells close to the deposits were found in all cases of lichen amyloidosus but in no other specimens. Plasma cells, on the other hand, were numerous in nodular amyloidosis but were not found in any other cases. It is concluded that in the pathogenesis of lichen amyloidosus the epidermis and perhaps dermal melanocytes are involved. In the pathogenesis of localized nocular amyloidosis the plasma cells might be of importance.


Congenital poikiloderma with traumatic bulla formation, anhidrosisi, and keratoderma. A 14-year-old boy with congenital poikiloderma had anhidrosis, palmoplantar-pitted keratoderma, traumatic bulla formation, and defective dentition, but no abnormalities of the hair, nails, or eyes. This patient was similar in some respects to others reported as having dermatopathia pigmentosa reticularis, the Franceschetti-Jadassohn syndrome, the Mendes da Costa syndrome, and acrokeratotic poikiloderma.


Urinary proline to hydroxyproline ratio varies with age. Urinary excretion of proline and hydroxyproline was studied in five groups of subjects, viz. controls, pituitary dwarfs, familial dwarfs, patients with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive and patients with generalized scleroderma. The ratio Pro/Hyp in the urinary fraction precipitated with 5 parts of acetone (1 + 5 fraction) was close to one in children and youngsters in all the groups, while in adults it was higher than two. Total Pro/Hyp does not give an accurate index of age.


Intracellular distribution of dopa and 5-S-cysteinyldopa in pigment cells with minimal pigment formation. The hypothesis that only melanosomal catecholic amino acids contribute to melanin formation was tested by studying adult bovine eyes in which pigment synthesis is considered to be low or absent. Dopa and 5-S-cysteinyldopa were investigated in different cell fractions of the choroid and retinal pigment epithelium of cattle. Most of the dopa and 5-S-cysteinyldopa was found in the cytoplasm and very little in the large granule fraction. The presence of cysteinyldopa in the adult eye is evidence of tyrosinase activity, but the catechol amino acids in the cytoplasm probably do not give rise to melanin formation. It is assumed that they instead are excreted from the cells.


Periodic structures in the Langerhans' cell: an optical diffraction study. The crystalline-like structure of horizontally sectioned Langerhans cell granules has been studied by optical diffraction. Two different fixation techniques resulted in two different sets of spacings.


Dermatological study of 47,XYY males.

Dermatological study of 47,XYY males. Dermatological features of five 47,XYY males are presented. Port-wine stains were observed in 2 cases. As the incidence of port-wine stains among the general population is believed to be 0.5%, this result would seem to indicate that the association of 47,XYY males with port-wine stains is more than a coincidence, though the survey of previous studied failed to reveal any 47,XYY cases with port-wine stains.


Kwashiorkor-like zinc deficiency syndrome in anorexia nervosa. This report deals with a 26-year-old white woman exhibiting signs of both Kwashiorkor (marasmus, pallor, hypopigmentation of hair and hepatomegaly) and acrodermatitis enteropathica (eczematous dermatitis predominantly on acral areas). Clinical and laboratory examinations excluded malabsorption syndrome and glucagonoma syndrome and revealed hypoproteinemia and marked zinc deficiency. Psychiatric examination disclosed anorexia nervosa. Substitution therapy led to rapid clearing of the skin lesions.


Inflammatory linear verrucous epidermal nevus (ILVEN). A 12-year-old boy with inflammatory linear verrucous nevus is described. The lesions were pruritic and consisted of small, erythematous, slightly scaling papules coalescing to form linear, lichenified and excoriated plaques. The histological picture was psoriasiform but features of eczema were also seen.


Oral methoxsalen photochemotherapy of uncommon photodermatoses. Three uncommon idiopathic photodermatoses, refractory to other treatment, responded to oral psoralen photochemotherapy. Tow females with photosensitivity in association with atopy, one female with persistent light reaction following a systemic drug-induced photosensitivity and an elderly male with actinic reticuloid were treated.


Drug-induced lupus erythematosus aggravated by oral zinc therapy. A woman with hypertension had been treated with hydralazine and propranolol for the past 6 years. Leg ulcers and mild joint involvement had been observed for 3 years. When oral zinc therapy was started, multisystemic manifestations of a lupus erythematosus-like syndrome developed within one week. The possible implication of zinc in drug-induced lupus is discussed.


Liver injury following administration of 8-methoxypsoralen during PUVA therapy. A case of liver injury caused by 8-methoxypsoralen given orally during PUVA therapy is presented. The reaction, manifested by elevated serum alanine-aminotransferase and serum aspartate-aminotransferase, was provoked on three consecutive occasions, on the last one with 8-MOP only. The liver injury seems to be of the hepatocellular and nonpredictable type.


Comparison of clobetasol propionate and betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate with reference to adrenal suppression. 32 adult hospitalized patients with common skin disorders were controlled in a double-blind comparison study with clobetasol propionate (Dermovat) and betamethasone-17,21-dipropionate (Diproderm) with regard to adrenal suppression. The latter, when assessed by plasma cortisol, was significantly greater in the dermovat-treated groups after the 1st and 2nd week with daily treatment with both 25 g and 15 g ointment. Daily treatment of skin areas greater than 25% with 25 g Diproderm also showed clear adrenal suppression, whereas no such effect was obtained with daily treatment with 10 g Diproderm of skin areas greater than 15%. In all cases, plasma cortisol levels were normal 1--2 weeks after the end of topical treatment.


Transfer factor in mycosis fungoides: a case report on a patient "cured". A report is given of the successful treatment with transfer factor as an additional therapeutic agent of a patient in the tumour stage of mycosis fungoides who had not responded to conventional treatment with nitrogen mustard, methotrexate, or grenz rays alone. Besides twelve injections of transfer factor, the patient received X-irradiation, 1 400 r (50 kV 1 mm Al) in all, to three tumours. The combined treatment induced sustained remissions. When that patient died from a coronary infarct 5 years after treatment began, autopsy showed no evidence of mycosis fungoides at all.


Acquired epidermolysis bullosa treated with a gold compound. A 20-year-old man with acquired epidermolysis bullosa of 3 years' duration was treated intramuscularly with gold sodium thiomalate. After a total dose of 1 000 mg gold sodium thiomalate, administered over a period of 9 months, the patient has shown an almost complete remission, without any apparent side effects of the chrysotherapy.


Drug-induced neutropenias in the Stockholm region 1976-1977. Previously we reviewed the incidence and causes of drug-induced neutropenia in the Stockholm region during the years 1973-75. We here present an equivalent study for the years 1976-77. The yearly incidence of drug-induced neutropenia, cytostatics excluded, remained around 0.01%. About one half of the cases were caused by sulphonamides. Among the other causes, antithyroid drugs and phenothiazines were most frequent. The mortality rate was 27%, in contrast to only 2% in our previous study. Of the seven patiets who died, 5 had taken sulphonamides.


Procainamide-induced lupus erythematosus-like syndrome in relation to acetylator phenotype and plasma levels of procainamide. To investigate the relationship between acetylator phenotype and the development of procainamide (PA)-induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE-like syndrome, 28 patients with chronic ventricular arrhythmias treated with PA were followed for one year. The therapy was guided by plasma monitoring in all patients in order to obtain the proposed therapeutic plasma level of PA. Nine patients (30%), both slow and rapid acetylators, developed the SLE-like syndrome within one year. PA plasma levels were similar in both slow and rapid acetylators and there was no difference in total dose or duration of therapy before development of the syndrome. Thus, the acetylator phenotype is probably of no or minor predictive importance when PA therapy is guided by plasma monitoring. On the other hand, the antinuclear antibodies appeared significantly more rapidly in patients developing the syndrome and could possible be used as an indicator of the risk. The results support the hypothesis that the primary amino group structure of PA may be of importance in the induction of the SLE-like syndrome.


Spontaneous and induced non-specific drug resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Nitrous acid, diepoxybutane and methyl methane sulfonate induce effectively non-mitochondrial chloramphenicol-resistant mutants cross-resistant to other drugs. HNO2 induces also unstable erythromycin resistant mutants. The ability of the mutants to grow on antibiotic media can be modified by detergents, guanidine hydrochloride or increased osmotic pressure of the medium. This suggests that the resistance is due to changes in cell membrane permeability similar to those described by Rank, Robertson and Philips (1975b). Multiple drug-resistant mutants selected for chloramphenicol resistance show an increased sensitivity to ethidium bromide in glucose medium. Therefore the mutations involved increase probably nuclear envelope permeability to the latter drug. Results of genetic analyses of non-mitochondrial capr and eryr mutants suggest strongly that in most, if not all, cases the resistance is determined by interaction between nuclear and extranuclear factors.


Aggregation deficient Escherichia coli K-12 female mutants with altered lipopolysaccharide. Two F- mutants deficient in conjugation with F-donors have been characterized. They map at about 83 minut position, show resistance to T3 and T7 bacteriophages, and form mating aggregates in the liquid medium with lowered efficiency. Mutants have no detectable alterations in their outer membrane protein composition.


New types of Escherichia coli K-12 facultative recombination deficient mutants resistant to ultraviolet. Numerous facultative temperature sensitive recombination deficient mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 strain 108 were isolated after mutagenization with nitrosoguanidine. The majority of the mutants were resistant to UV irradiation. Three mutants, KBP72, KBP169 and KBP610, with marked recombination deificiency (300 to 15,000 times) at 42 degrees C, were UV resistant; their sensitivity to mitomycin C was altered only slightly or not at all. Mutation KBP72 was co-transduced with ilv (83 unit on E. coli genetic map). The mutant is not able to form a functional recombinat structure. Two other mutations are located between 0 and 19 unit of the genetic map.


Transfer of RP4 and R68.45 factors to Rhizobium. Two R factor were introduced by conjugation into Rhizobium trifolii and Rhizobium meliloti strains at a frequency of 10(-5) to 10(-6). Plasmids RP4 from Escherichia coli J53 and R68.45 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO.25 were maintained stably in Rhizobium hosts and could be retransferred to other Rhizobium recipients. Some of the transconjugants were able to mobilize chromosome and transfer his or met genes in intra-, and interspecies matings.


Aflatoxin B1 effect on beta-D-galactosidase in some starter cultures. Six starter cultures were examined for their ability to induce beta-D-Galactosidase activity. The maximum (713 x 10(-4) units/ml) and minimum (140 x 10(-4) units/ml) enzyme activity was shown by Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptomyces thermophilus, respectively. The maximum inhibition by aflatoxin B1 of induction and activity of enzyme in vitro was observed at 60 micrograms/ml in all cultures. However, low levels of the toxin stimulated induction of the enzyme in Streptococcus lactis and S. thermophilus.


The effect of organic substrate concentration on activity for microbiological reduction of sulfates. Lactate, pyruvate, malate and alpha-glycerophosphate are excellent sources of energy and structural carbon for Desulfovibrio vulgaris. A fully stoichiometric course of the sulfate reduction process has been observed. A simplified equation of the reaction describing the respiration process of the above bacteria in the presence of alpha-glycerophosphate is proposed.


Effect of high concentrations of nitrogen on mixed populations of nitrifying bacteria isolated from industrial nitrogenous wastewaters. The effect of high concentrations of different forms of nitrogen (NH4+, NO2-, NO3- and urea N) on nitrification by mixed populations of nitrosobacters isolated from nitrogen fertilizer plant wastewaters and nitrobacters isolated from effluents from a biological bed treating these wastewaters was determined. The inhibitory activity (within the concentration values for industrial wastewaters) of only the reaction products was observed, i.e. nitrites for nitrification phase I and nitrates for nitrification phase II. A mixed population of phase II nitrifying bacteria is highly resistant to high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (50% inhibition at 3,000 mg N/l).


Effect of methyl alcohol and ethylene glycol on the work of activated sludge. The effect of methyl alcohol and ethylene glycol on the work of activated sludge grown in synthetic wastewater was investigated. Wastewater carrying these compounds could be purified by the activated sludge method, providing the concentration of methyl alcohol and glycol did not exceed 5,000 mg/l and 1,000 mg/l, respectively. At these values reduced purification efficiency, increased volumetric index of the sludge and changes in the structure of the activated sludge flocs could be observed.


Demonstration of antigenic differences between strains of poliovirus type 1 by agar diffusion precipitation reaction. Antigenic differences between type 1 poliovirus strains circulating in nature were investigated by agar diffusion precipitation reaction. Three strain-specific sera were absorbed with antigens prepared from 8 strains (Sabin's vaccine strain LSc2ab and 7 strains isolated from poliomyelitis patients or healthy persons). The results suggested the presence of at least 5 antigenic determinants in the poliovirus type 1 strains studied. Three determinants in different combinations were found in 7 strains and 2 determinants were found in 1 strain. It is assumed that antigenic differences among poliovirus strains may be due to different combinations of several antigenic determinants.


Relief of pancreatic pain by radiography-guided block. A 7-year experience with radiography-guided blockade of the celiac ganglia in patients suffering from pancreatic pain is described; 36 patients had carcinoma of the pancreas and nine had chronic pancreatitis. The importance of fluoroscopic guidance of deposition of the blocking agent is stressed. The success rate of this procedure is similar to operative intervention for interruption of the pathways of pain conduction. Radiography-guided celiac ganglion block along with enzymatic substitution for increasing pancreatic insufficiency are recommended for effective palliative treatment.


An evaluation of cellularity in various types of bone marrow specimens. Comparisons of marrow cellularity determinations in needle biopsy sections, aspirated smears of marrow particles, and aspirated clot sections were made using the point-counting and standard visual methods of measurement. Good correlations of cellularity between biopsies and smears were obtained with the point-counting method. This occurred with either single- or multiple-observer measurements, and differed from the wide observer-to-observer variation obtained in the other comparisons. Although the optimal method for cellularity measurements is point counting by biopsy sections, the findings indicate that aspirated smears of marrow particles can be a suitable substitute for needle biopsy sections when point counting is used. This would be particularly useful in clinical settings necessitating frequent cellularity assessments. The results also show that the standard visual method of cellularity measurement is satisfactory when specimens are evaluated by one observer. The point-counting method of measurement, although the most accurate, is not as reproducible among observers as previously considered.


Developmental-behavioral dysfunction in preschool children. Descriptive analysis of a pediatric consultative model. A study of 79 preschool children referred to an interdisciplinary clinic because of behavioral problems and developmental concerns was done. Historical data and information regarding present functioning were collected using standard questionnaires. In addition to medical, neurological, and psychiatric examinations, every child received a neurodevelopmental assessment. When compared with a matched cohort of children from the community, the clinic population had a higher incidence of developmental concerns. Of 37 children referred because of "hyperactivity" or other behavioral concerns, 13 had previously undetected developmental concerns requiring specific interventions. Dysfunction in preschool children may be the result of an ongoing reciprocal interaction between constitutional predispositions and social and environmental factors. A comprehensive, developmentally oriented approach seems to be indicated in the assessment of these children. This may have implications for pediatric practice.


Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhydrosis. Report of a family and review of literature with reference to immune deficiency. Congenital indifference to pain with anhydrosis (CIPA) is a well-defined entity among a group of sensory deficiency syndromes. Children with this genetic disease are insensitive to pain and temperature and do not sweat and suffer from psychomotor retardation. Self-inflicted trauma may be severe and lead to insoluble orthopedic problems. To date, 11 cases have been reported. We have reviewed the literature and are describing two girls with CIPA, born to consanguine Jewish parents of Moroccan origin. Immunoglobulin deficiency has been reported in CIPA but an immunologic investigation on one of our cases showed only an early and transient deficiency of IgA. The presence in the family of a brother with ataxia telangiectasia and complete absence of IgA would seem to be irrelevant and it seems probable that the parents are heterozygotic for two disparate autosomal recessive syndromes.


A comparison of the formalin-ether concentration and trichrome-stained smear methods for the recovery and identification of intestinal protozoa. The detection and identification of intestinal protozoa were compared using the formalin-ether concentration technique and trichrome smears. Using the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) one-vial collection method, 13,194 outpatient samples were examined by both methods. Twenty-three percent or 3077 specimens were positive for one or more species of intestinal protozoa. Of the pathogenic protozoa identified, 96.3 percent of the trophozoites and 44.2 percent of the cysts were identified only by the trichrome-stained smear. It is recommended that both procedures by included in the examination of fecal sepcimens for protozoa.


Human lymphocyte antigen expression in hydatidiform mole: androgenesis following fertilization by a haploid sperm. Thirteen hydatidiform moles (complete moles) and lymphocytes from each parent were analyzed for human lymphocyte antigen (HLA-A and HLA-B specificities). It was demonstrated that molar tissues expressed homozygous A and B specificities which were identical to those of the father and not those of the mother. It was concluded that androgenesis was responsible for the pathogenesis of most cases of complete mole. There was homozygous expression of paternal HLA specificities which were heterozygous for A locus and/or B locus in eight of nine cases of complete mole. This suggests that these hydatidiform moles developed from an egg which was fertilized by a haploid sperm which duplicated its own chromosomes after meiosis.


Natural history of serous detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium. Fifty eyes of 40 patients with serous (avascular) detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium were followed up for an average of 22 months. Of the 50 eyes, 14 (28%) developed bleeding beneath the retinal pigment epithelium and retina or subretinal neovascularization detected on fluorescein angiography. These changes did not occur in eyes of patients younger than age 56 years at diagnosis or in detachments less than 1 disk diameter in size, whereas 35.9% (14) of eyes in patients older than age 56 years developed vascular complications. Vascular complications were uncommon when the initial detachment did not involve the fovea. Visual acuity declined in only one (9.1%) of eyes in patients younger than age 56 years but in 20 (51.3%) of eyes in patients age 56 years or greater.


Serous detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium in patients with senile macular disease. Thirty-one patients had senile macular disease with serous detachments of the retinal pigment epithelium without evidence of choroidal neovascularization. Of these 31 patients the natural history of 24 eyes was compared with 21 eyes treated with photocoagulation. Eight patients with bilateral detachments had treatment applied to one eye. There was no conclusive evidence that photocoagulation alters the natural course of this condition.


Posterior pole neovascularization in a patient with hemoglobin SC disease. A 33-year-old black woman with hemoglobin SC disease and a history of photocoagulation for peripherally located retinal neovascularization had a neovascular frond at the temporal border of her right macula. Multiple zones of black sunburst hyperpigmentation were located nearby. Fluorescein angiography showed that the lesions were closely related to an extensive zone of avascular retina in the posterior pole. The perifoveal vasculature was uninvolved, and the patient was unaware of any visual deficit. Although sickle cell maculopathy is a well-recognized entity, there have been no published reports, to the best of our knowledge, of posterior pole neovascularization in patients with sickle cell hemoglobinopathy. The fluorescein angiographic findings in our case provide further support for the hypothesis that retinal hypoxia is an important stimulus for retinal neovascularization.


Subretinal neovascularization with geographic (serpiginous) choroiditis. Three patients with geographic choroiditis developed subretinal neovascular membranes associated with subretinal hemorrhage and serous elevation of the retina. Proximity of the membrane to the foveal avascular zone prevented photocoagulation of the neovascular membrane in one patient. Central visual acuity remained 6/60 (20/200) despite systemic corticosteroid therapy. The neovascular membranes in the other two patients were obliterated by argon laser photocoagulation with preservation of central vision. The inflammatory process of geographic choroiditis can disrupt Bruch's membrane, allowing occasional choroidal vascular growth. Concomitant destruction of choroidal vessels may account for rarity of subretinal neovascularization in geographic choroiditis.


Disk and peripheral retinal neovascularization secondary to talc and cornstarch emboli. A 30-year-old man was examined because of blurred vision. The symptoms had occurred immediately after the patient had injected himself intravenously with crushed, unfiltered, methylphenidate HCl (Ritalin) tablets. Fine yellow-white crystals were scattered throughout the retin of both eyes. The crystals were presumed to be talc emboli. Disk and peripheral retinal neovascularization were present. Fluorescein angiography revealed widespread retinal capillary nonperfusion. This is the first reported case, to the best of my knowledge, of disk neovascularization occurring after intravenously injected, crushed, unfiltered, methylphenidate HCl tablets.


Direct and indirect laser photocoagulation of central serous choroidopathy. A 3 1/2-year prospective randomized clinical trial showed a definite superiority of direct argon laser photocoagulation to the fluorescein leaking site compared to indirect treatment away from the leak in patients with central serous choroidopathy. One patient in each treatment group developed a subretinal neovascular membrane after photocoagulation to the fluorescein leak. Moderate prolongation of the neurosensory detachment did not adversely influence the final visual acuity in the indirect treatment group. Although direct laser photocoagulation reduces the duration of central serous choroidopathy, there is a risk of producing subretinal neovascularization. The principles of risk vs benefit should be explained to all patients and treatment should be advised only for compelling reasons.


Isolation and characterization of a new serodeme of Trypanosoma rhodesiense. The isolation and characterization of a new serodeme of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense is described. A clone of organisms derived from a human infection produced chronic infections in mice. Additional clones of differing antigenic specificities were isolated from peaks of parasitemia which occurred in these mice. The variable antigen types (VATs) of these clones were determined by agglutination, immunofluorescence, and protection of actively immunized mice. Thirteen distinct VATs were isolated and designated Walter Reed Army Trypanozoon antigenic types. The described methodology and reagents, together with the chronicity of the infection produced in mice by this serodeme, provide a model for further study of immunopathology and antigenic variation in African trypanosomiasis. The use of these reagents in determining the incidence of VATs in an endemic area may allow an assessment of the feasibility of immunoprophylaxis.


Ganglion cells in the facial nerve trunk of the mouse. Numbers and distribution of the ganglion cells in the facial trunk distal to the ggl. geniculi of the mouse were examined with the light microscope. Counts of the ganglion cells in 22 nerves from 14 mice showed that all specimens contained some ganglion cells and numbers of the ganglion cells were various (1--80) and, on an average, there were 24 ganglion cells in each facial trunk. Ganglion cells existed most frequently in the dorsal corner and the dorso-lateral border of the small fiber zone of the facial trunk near the level of the origin of the n. stapedius. Also they were often found in the facial trunk near the origin of the chorda tympani and near the cross contact of the r. auricularis n. vagi with the facial trunk. These ganglion cells may be sensory neurons.


Relationship between antigen-specific IgE antibody (RAST) and total serum IgE levels. Although the total serum IgE level is generally higher in atopic than in non-atopic individuals, high total serum IgE levels and atopic diseases are not invariably associated. In 42 atopic patients with the total serum IgE levels less than 100 U/ml, 27% of RAST against 14 allergens were positive whereas in 45 atopic patients with the total serum IgE levels greater than 500 U/ml, 57% of RAST against 14 allergens were positive. The mean RAST values against four grass antigens expressed as a percentage of antigen-disc bound radioactivities were significantly lower in the group with the lower total serum IgE levels. Low or normal total serum IgE levels are likely to be found in atopic patients who are allergic to a relatively few grass antigens.


Bleomycin-induced interstitial pulmonary disease in the nude, athymic mouse. Evidence from divergent sources suggests that some forms of interstitial pulmonary disease are associated with abnormalities of the cellular immune system. To evaluate whether cellular immune processes are necessary determinants for the development of parenchymal alveolitis and fibrosis secondary to bleomycin, we examined the effect of bleomycin on the NIH, outbred white mouse as compared to the homozygous nude, athymic mouse on the NIH outbred background. The nude mouse has virtually no detectable cell-mediated immune function; we therefore hypothesized that if this component of the immune system were necessary for the development of bleomycin-induced interstitial disease, bleomycin would not induce the same pulmonary lesion in the nude mouse as in the white mouse. However, both white and nude mice developed alveolitis and fibrosis after intraperitoneal administration of bleomycin. Comparison of the frequency and severity of these lesions in the 2 groups revealed no significant differences. These findings suggest that the presence of an intact cell-mediated immune system is not an absolute requirement for the development of bleomycin-induced interstitial disease in the mouse. To the extent that this model is an appropriate approximation of human bleomycin-induced pulmonary disease, these results are consistent with the hypothesis that T-lymphocyte mediated processes are not primary determinants of this lesion.


Ultrastructural localization and characterization of proteoglycans in the pulmonary alveolus. The ultrastructural identification and characterization of lung proteoglycans was studied using the polycationic dye, ruthenium red. Treating lung parenchyma with the detergent Triton X-100 increased epithelial permeability and allowed the dye to penetrate alveolar walls and stain the alveolar basement membrane and lung collagen. Ruthenium red stained numerous 10- to 40-nm granules concentrated at the lamina surface of basement membrane and attached to the major doublet collagen band. The granules attached to collagen were digested by chondroitinase ABC and papain, indicating that they represent proteoglycan aggregates containing chondroitin or dermatan sulfate. Granules observed on the alveolar basement membrane were resistant to digestion by collagenase and by all glycosidases, suggesting that heparin or heparan sulfate is the predominant glycosaminoglycan in epithelial basement membrane. Ruthenium red in association with tannic acid also stained a fine network of 3- to 10-nm filaments in which collagen was enmeshed, forming the interfibrillar matrix. This network was resistant to collagenase and glycosidase digestion but was removed after papain digestion, suggesting that it was a protein or glycoprotein that did not contain glycosaminoglycans. These methods have allowed visualization of lung proteoglycans and have identified a structure that does not contain glycosaminoglycan that is intimately associated with collagen. This technique can now be applied to explore the potential role of proteoglycans in lung development and in restructuring the lung in various disease states.


The O antigenic relationships of Kloeckera africana, Salmonella aberdeen and Escherichia coli O75. The immune sera for Salmonella aberdeen (O11) and Escherichia coli (O75) agglutinated Kloeckera africana strain. The immune serum for K. africana agglutinated S. aberdeen (O11) and E. coli (O75) strains. Absorption and agglutination cross-tests demonstrated common antigenic factor(s) in the tested yeast and Salmonella O11 and E. coli O75 antigens.


Myelin basic protein binding cells in active multiple sclerosis. A sensitive, antigen-specific rosetting technique was used to enumerate blood cells that bind myelin basic protein (BP) in MS patients and controls. Sixteen of 23 MS patients in exacerbation but only 7 of 48 in remission formed elevated numbers of rosettes. Five of the latter 7 patients had recovered from an exacerbation within four months of the laboratory evaluation. Eight of 20 patients with progressive MS, all of whom had had disease for more than four years, had BP rosette-forming cells. None of the 16 normal volunteers and 1 of 8 neurological controls had BP rosette-forming cells. These results suggest that BP-binding cells in MS are confined to patients in acute exacerbation or within four months of activity, and those who have had progressive disease for at least four years.


[Effect of Soviet bleomycin-bleomycetin on the body of animals in multiple parenteral administration]. Toxicity of bleomycetin was studied on 3 animal species (rats, rabbits and dogs). The antibiotic was administered intramuscularly and intravenously in various doses for a prolonged period of time. The death of the rats, rabbits and dogs treated with repeated lethal doses of bleomycetin was due to its toxic effect on the kidneys and probably lungs. The level of urea in the blood of the animals before death increased up to 300--400 mg %. Histological examination of the kidneys revealed the picture of glomerulonephritis. The lungs were highly plethoric and showed areas of alveolar collapse and consolidation consisting mainly of the collapsed alveolar epithelium. The liver was not affected by bleomycetin according to both the results of some functional tests and histological examination. tthe blood sugar level after bleomycetin administration was not altered significantly. The changes in the peripheral blood were not pronounced. An increased P wave, decreased R wave and deep S wave were seen on the ECG. Such deviitions may be due not only to the changes in the myocardium but also to the lung affection. When bleomycetiin was used repeatedly in nonlethal doses (1 mg/kg for rats, 1--2 mg/kg for rabbits and 0.25--0.5 mg/kg for dogs), the above changes were less pronounced or not manifested at all. No inhibitory effect on hemopoiesis is an important positive characteristics of bleomycetin, so that it compares very favourably with most other antitumor drugs.


Viability assessment by dye exclusion. A fluorescent method for fungal cells. A new fluorescent staining technique for fungi utilizes the differential affinity of dead cells for rhodamine B. A mounting medium has been devised that includes the dye. This medium allows direct processing of cells from a broth and provides optimal conditions for fluorescence intensity. Comparison with the standard methylene blue exclusion test as applied to the Candida albicans yeast phase indicates similar specificity. Various pseudohyphae and several fungi also exhibited selective uptake of the dye when killed. This technique should prove useful in studying the effect of both drugs and cells on pathogenic yeasts.


Transcutaneous gamma benzene hexachloride absorption and toxicity in infants and children. A premature, malnourished infant had seizures and abnormal neurological function associated with topical gamma benzene hexachloride (lindane) therapy. The level of gamma benzene hexachloride in his blood was 17 times greater than expected after a single topical application of 1% gamma benzene hexachloride. Significant levels developed in another child's blood after repeated applications of small amounts to areas of dermatitis and excoriations on the skin. The use of topical gamma benzene hexachloride in pediatric patients is reviewed because of increased evidence of unpredictable absorption and toxicity.


A prospective study of 18 infants of chronic HBsAg mothers. 28 of 1002 pregnant Sicilian women (2.8%) were asymptomatic HBsAg chronic carriers. 18 children of these women were followed and at least 15 of them showed evidence of transplacental infection with HBsAg, resulting either from the presence of the antigen in cord blood, or from the development of the corresponding antibody in the serum within the first 2 months of life. Despite this, only 2 or 3 of the infants developed chronic antigenaemia from age 2--4 months. Only the infants whose mothers were HBeAb-negative, and who themselves remained HBsAb-negative during the first months of life, became HBsAg carriers. On the basis of these results, a strategy is suggested for selecting infants from areas with a high prevalence of HBsAg carriers so that they can be given passive immunisation with hyperimmune globulin.


Esophagogastrectomy for carcinoma of the middle third of the esophagus. Elective esophagogastrectomy and reconstruction by esophagogastrostomy were performed on 55 patients with malignant tumors of the midesophagus, despite invasion of contiguous structures in 60% and regional lymph node involvement in 75%. The operations were invariably palliative. Two patients died within thirty days of operation. Dysphagia was relieved and oral alimentation resumed in the other 53. Twenty-nine patients who had experienced painful swallowing and 16 who had vomiting obtained relief. Survival curves show no improvement from previous decades for patients with malignancies of the middle third of the esophagus. The mean survival was 10.4 months. Mean survival of patients with liver metastases was 3.5 months.


[The tumor angiogenesis factor (TAF)].

[The tumor angiogenesis factor (TAF)]. The tumor Angiogenesis Factor (T.A.F.) isolated from several human and animal neoplasms by J. Folkman and S. Kumar is a factor that induces the appearance of neovessels in the tumors. After describing the methods of vasculor, physiological, experimental and in some cases pathological proliferation, the author has compared the Angiogenesis in both the natural and neoplastic tissues, then, he's studies the tumoral growth the rate of which regularized by the T.A.F. The proving, the extraction and chemical nature of this factor have been reviewed. Afterwards, the author has called to mind the notion of tumoral ecology and the various possibilities of inhibition of the tumoral growth, that is founded on the inhibition of the Angiogenesis and the therapeutical possibilities of the T.A.F. in the fight against cancer. To end up with his study, the author is now considering the possibility of using the T.A.F., extract of the sarcoma of sticker as a complement to the electontherapy in the treatment of this neoplasm.


Lipolytic enzymes in bovine thyroid tissue. III. Lysophospholipase activity. Lysophospholipids are formed during phospholipid breakdown as a result of the action of phospholipases A. At certain concentrations these lysoderivatives destabilise biological membranes. Therefore, their concentration is of critical importance for membrane integrity. Prevention of lysophosphoglycerides accumulation may be the important role for lysophospholipases and is probably the explanation for their widespread occurrence in nature. Lysophospholipase activities were found in molds (Fairbairn, 1948), rice bran (Contardi & Ercoli, 1933), several microorganisms (Brockerhoff & Jensen, 1974), snake and bee venoms (Doery & Pearson, 1964; Mohamed et al., 1969; Shiloah et al., 1973), insects (Khan & Hodgson, 1967; Rao & Subrahmanyam, 1969), fish muscle (Yurkovski & Brockerhoff, 1965; Cohen et al., 1967) and in various animal tissues (Marples & Thompson, 1960). In mammalian tissue the enzyme was first described in beef pancreas (Shapiro, 1953). Relatively high levels were detected in intestine, lung, spleen, liver and pancreas, while lower levels were present in muscle, kidney, testes, brain and blood (Marples & Thompson, 1960). The presence of lysophospholipase activity in both supernatant and sediment of bovine thyroid was reported previously in relation to possible interference of this enzyme with the phospholipase A activity assay (De Wolf et al., 1976). The subcellular localization of bovine thyroid lysophospholipase and some properties of the membrane bound enzyme activity are discussed in this paper.


[Multi-factor study of 100 transurethral prostatic resections]. The author makes a detailed analysis in a series of 100 transurethral prostate resectionings, of diagnostic, morphologic-volumetric, prostatic aspects, the concomitant urological pathology, the bacteriological aspects, the surgical technique used, the effectiveness of the same, the additional surgical tactics used at the same time as the resectioning, the instruments used and the size of the urethra of the patients operated upon and finally he assesses the results obtained as well as the complications which arose with the use of this surgical technique.


Effect of ethionine on gamma-cystathionase, homoserine dehydratase and cysteine desulfhydrase activities. The administration of ethionine results in a rapid and marked increase in rat liver cysteine desulfhydrase activity. However, this antimetabolite of methionine does not affect the hepatic levels of homoserine dehydratase and gamma-cystathionase.


[Urinary catecholamine excretion in aging]. In ageing female subjects, the urinary noradrenaline excretion (UNA) is reduced with respect to the controls in young adults. On the other hand the ratio UNA/clearance of endogenous creatinine increases with ageing. This provides a confirmation of the fact that ageing is associated with an increase in plasma noradrenaline. The ratio UA/clearance of creatinine remains unaltered. So far the physiological meaning of these results remains unclear.


[Orthosympathetic stimulation after hypercapnia in the rat]. Inhalation of a gas mixture : CO2, 25% -- O2, 37.5% -- N2, 37.5%, provokes regularly in the light anaesthetized rat, an increase of catecholaminemia of central origin, associated with systemic arterial hypertension.


Electrical and mechanical response in biventricular mechanical alternans. Mechanical alternans of various degrees is produced by rapid heart rates, slower rates in failing hearts and can be brought about by a single extra systole. It has also been shown that the two ventricles may exhibit different degrees of mechanical alternation. The present study was planned to clarify the possible mechanism inducing this latter phenomenon. For this reason myocardial tension was recorded simultaneously from the two ventricles as well as through a miniature strain gage capable of measuring electrogram and myocardial tension of a small area -- just adjacent to a stimulating electrode. The heart was driven at a steady heart rate through one electrode and very late premature beats were applied at various coupling times at another site through an electrode attached to the miniature strain gage. It was found that the degree of mechanical alternans is markedly different at the sites of measurements in either ventricle. These changes could be related to the time interval elapsed between the application of the electrical stimulus and the occurrence of the mechanical response.


Membrane-bound mitochondrial DNA: isolation, transcription and protein composition. Mitochondrial membrane-bound DNA complex from bovine heart mitochondria lysed in the presence of Triton X-100 was isolated by differential centrifugation. The yield of "nucleoid" is about 30 microgram protein/mg mitochondrial protein. It contains about 3-5 microgram DNA/mg protein and varying amounts of RNA. The heart mitochondrial nucleoid actively synthesizes RNA. The nucleoid fraction contains about sixteen different proteins as evidenced by urea-SDS gel electrophoresis and about twenty-one proteins as evidenced by acid-urea gel electrophoresis. It appears that the nucleoid is attached to the inner membrane since it does contain cytochromes.