[Comparative studies of the preparation of alpha-gliadin]. alpha-gliadin was prepared from wheat flour by two different methods. The products were compared electrophoretically and by double radial immuno-diffusion. The alpha-gliadin fraction proved to be identical in the immunological test. Only the alpha-gliadin preparation received by ion exchange chromatography is suitable for further purification by multiple gel filtrations.


[Regulations of IgM immune response. IV. Effect of the hapten: carrier ratio and the nature of the carrier on the intrinsic and functional affinity of carp DNP-antibodies]. Carp anti-DNP antibodies were raised by various DNP-carrier conjugates. Their intrinsic affinity (K0) to monovalent E-DNP-L-lysine and functional affinity (DF) for binding to the multivalent DNP-T4 bacteriophages were determined. The functional affinity of antibodies elicited by T-cell-dependent DMPn-HSA (n = 3, 15, 33) is relatively high (KF):1010-1012 M-1). These KF values increase more than K0 during the immune response. The functional affinity is dependent on the molar KNP: HSA ratio. The mediate coupled DMP15-HSA elicits antibodies with the highest functional affinity. Carps immunized with T-cell-independent DNP-conjugates synthesize antibodies which have similar K0 as the antibodies elicited with DNP-HSA. However, the KF-values are in the range from 107 to 1010 M-1 only. The KF of antibodies raised with DNP-BA are 103-104 fold, those of DNP-S III and DNP-Ficoll elicited are only 4 . 101 to 4,7 . 102 fold higher than their corresponding K0-values. This means that these antibodies are not very effective in binding the multivalent DNP-T4. Specifically purified antibodies have also such low functional affinities. These strong differences in the functional affinity of carp DNP-antibodies elicited by T-cell dependent and independent DNP-conjugates are discussed with regard to stimulation of different B-cell subpopulations.


The longitudinal approach to the pathogenesis of respiratory disease. Longitudinal observations were made of a well-defined population of children at a day care center in an investigation of the pathogenesis of infections due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. A single RSV infection induced a modest but significant degree of resistance to further RSV infection in these children. Age and immunity seemed to interact to decrease the intensity of the clinical expression of illness associated with RSV infection. Infants and young children had asymptomatic or mild infections with M. pneumoniae; some of these children also became reinfected. A rise in titer of antibody to M. pneumoniae was demonstrated frequently in children of all ages. However, stimulation of peripheral lymphocytes by M. pneumoniae antigen was demonstrated infrequently in children younger than four years of age but frequently in children older than four years of age. It is speculated that the clinical expression of disease due to M. pneumoniae is modulated by immune responses; this hypothesis would explain the greater severity of illness in older children and young adults than in younger children. It is also speculated that RSV vaccines will not prevent RSV infection but may be expected to lessen the severity of clinical disease that follows such infections. M. pneumoniae vaccines probably should not be used in children because these vaccines may enhance immunity and increase the sevrity of illness.


Studies on the regulation of igm immune response. VII. changes in the affinity of antibodies and cell receptors after immunization with the T-cell independent antigen DNP-Ficoll. A/J-mice immunized by a single injection with DNP21-Ficoll respond on the humoral level exclusively with IgM antibodies. The intrinsic association constants (K0) of IgM anti-DNP to monovalent hapten E-DNP-L-lysine are within the range of 105-106 M-1 and do not change significantly during the immune response. On the other hand, the functional association constants (KF) of pentameric IgM to multivalent DNP-T4 bacteriophage increase from 1010 M-1 at 3rd day up to 1012 M-1 at 8th day. Subsequently, a decrease of KF to 1011 M-1 can be observed. This rise and fall of the affinity of IgM antibodies of multivalent DNP-conjugate can be detected at the cellular level also by inhibition of plaque formation. The concentration of DNP15-BSA needed for 50% inhibition of plaque formation (I50) decreases from second day to 8 th day by 4 orders, which represents a strong increase of functional affinity. In contrast, the I50 of E-DNP-L-lysine slightly decreases only until day 4 and does not change until day 21. the inhibition of rosette formation by mono- and multivalent ligands was used to study the affinity of lymphocyte receptors. In the course of immunization antigen-binding cells carrying receptors with increasingly higher affinity for multivalent DNP-conjugates occur. These results are discussed with regard to the importance of functional affinity of lymphocyte receptors for the antigen-driven selection of high affinity anti-DNP-cell clones producing IgM antibodies.


Childhood epilepsy uncontrolled by phenytoin: clinical and electroencephalographic study. Nine cases of childhood epilepsy manifesting motor convulsions uncontrolled despite high levels of phenytoin (PHT) were studied clinically and electroencephalographically. These cases consisted of five cases of partial seizures without impairment of consciousness, two cases of partial seizures (occasionally generalized seizures beginning locally), one case of predominantly unilateral seizures, and one case of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. the onset of seizures was at a rather early age, between 3 months and 9 years, and under 3 years of age in eight cases. All cases had single or multiple, cortical epileptic foci in EEG. The projection of spikes was localized to a rather limited area. Seizures of these patients were frequent. All cases, except one, did not respond to other medication. Convulsive seizures with cortical focal spike foci in EEG uncontrolled despite high levels of PHT were thought to have poor responsiveness to not only PHT itself, but also to other anticonvulsants.


[Experimental infection in man and monkey (Cercopithecus callitrichus) by sarcosporidian cysts of cattle and swine]. Reported in this paper is experimental sarcosporidial infection of man and lower primates (grass monkey). The courses of infection were followed up by coprological and serological tests. Oral-alimentary administration of 100 Sarcocystis (S.)-fusiformis cysts obtained from cattle muscle caused patent infection in man. Gastro-intestinal symptoms developed in one of the probands, between five and seven days after infection. No sporocysts were detectable from the stools of seven probands who had consumed 200 g each of commercially available minced pork which contained small amounts of Sarcocystis miescherania villi. Rise in antibody to Sarcocystes following infection was detected however, by means of indirect fluorescence antibody reaction (IFAR). Gastrointestinal complaints were reported by one of the probands, one day after infection. No sporocysts were detectable from the stools of four grass monkeys, following oral-alimentary administration of 50 or 25 S. miescherania cysts, but rise in antibody to S. miescherania was recorded in these cases. Those grass monkeys which had received 50 cysts responded by exhibiting, after infection, severe clinical phenomena with intestinal signs and symptoms of the central nervous sytem.


Acute myocardial infarction: intracoronary application of nitroglycerin and streptokinase. In five patients with acute myocardial infarction, the effects of both intracoronary nitroglycerin (NTG) and subsequent intracoronary streptokinase application were evaluated. In addition, transluminal recanalization was performed in one of these patients. Injection of NTG into the infarct-related coronary artery resulted in improved distal filling of the subtotally occluded left circumflex artery in one patient, and in transient patency of the completely occluded right coronary artery in a second patient. In a third patient patency of the totally occluded left anterior descending artery (LAD) was achieved by transluminal recanalization with a guide wire. In a forth patient with occulsion of the LAD, there was no response to intracoronary NTG and mechanical recanalization was not attempted. Subsequent intracoronary infusion of streptokinase (1,000--2,000 U/min for 15--60 min) resulted in a further and long-term reduction of narrowing at the site of acute occlusion in patients I-III and in opening of the completely occluded LAD in patient IV. Improvement of lumen was paralleled by alleviation of symptoms. In a fifth patient, in whom the LAD was subtotally occluded, the degree of coronary obstruction could not be changed by intracoronary application of NTG or by lysis. In this patient, symptoms and ECG changes improved with reduction of pathologically elevated blood pressure values. The findings suggest that myocardial infarction had been caused by thrombotic occulsion in four patients, and that spasm of the infarct vessel could have been an additional factor in two of these patients. In the fifth patient, an increase of afterload in the presence of a subtotal lesion might have caused the critical imbalance between oxgen supply and demand, resulting in cell death.


Influence of high hydrostatic pressure on the formation of keto and amino acids by a barotolerant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The peculiarities of the growth and extracellular accumulation of free keto and amino cids by a barotolerant culture (strain 0798) in culturing on Ran's glucose-mineral medium conditions of 1, 200, 300, and 500 atm were investigated. At a high pressure the culture possesses the ability for extracellular accumulation of free keto and amino acids, pyruvic, alpha-ketoglutaric, and oxaloacetic acids, alanine, and glutamic acid, while under conditions of atmospheric pressure, chiefly valine is accumulated in the medium, and there are no extracellular keto acids. The established specificity of the extracellular accumulation of keto and amino acids under conditions of high hydrostatic and atmospheric pressure is due to the different sensititivy of the enzyme systems participating in the biosynthesis of free keto and amino acids to the influence of high hydrostatic pressure.


Parenteral nutrition with essential amino acids in pretransplantation anephrics. The effect of intravenous hyperalimentation with essential amino acids and hypertonic dextrose on nitrogen metabolism, total body urea and creatinine was studied in 16 patients with end-stage renal disease prior to and after bilateral nephrectomy, splenectomy and appendectomy. Parenteral essential amino acids and hypertonic dextrose are effective in lowering blood urea nitrogen in anephric patients who are incapable of improving renal function. The inclusion of essential amino acids in hypertonic dextrose increases nutritional value far beyond that which can be attributed to the caloric concentration of the amino acids themselves.


The use of a simplified standardized hyperalimentation formula. The use of a standardized hyperalimentation solution that can be modified is discussed. A comparison of in-hospital addition of electrolytes with factor addition of electrolytes is presented, in which both solutions are acceptable to patients and in which the labor and cost to the pharmacy are decreased in the factory-mixed additives.


[Dyspnea symptoms in coalminers].

[Dyspnea symptoms in coalminers]. One of the authors observed an excess of dyspnea complaints in coalminers without bronchitis, massive fibrosis or emphysema in different epidemiological surveys. An abnormally high prevalence of dyspnea complaints in coalminers has also been reported by other investigators in different countries. It seems therefore necessary to study whether the type of complaints observed in our country can be validated by appropriate functional investigations. A research on this problem is in progress in our laboratory. In this preliminary publication a review of the literature concerning the mechanisms of dyspnea is presented. Such a study was necessary in order to make an adequate choice of the functional measurements usable for our validation study.


Fukuyama type congenital muscular dystrophy as a natural model of childhood epilepsy. Fukuyama type Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, inherited autosomal-recessively, is characterized by muscular dystrophy associated with severe mental retardation and epileptic convulsions. By examining 56 cases, followed for more than three years, 75 EEG records from 40 patients and visual evoked potentials from 11 patients with reference to autopsied materials, the authors aimed at clarifying the causative relationship between congenital central nervous system (CNS) lesions and childhood epilepsy. In 36 out of 56 cases diffuse epileptic seizures were observed with onset at 1.64 +/- 1.01 years average. In 32/36 cases seizures developed before 3 years of age. In 51/75 EEGs focal paroxysmal discharges (FPD), fronto-contro-parietal in younger and centro-occipital in older cases, were observed. Abnormal basic activities (ABA), diffuse-alpha-activity and/or abundant or extreme spindles, were observed more often in older than younger cases. The incidence of FPD was similar between convulsive and non-convulsive cases, but ABA predominated in the former, VEP revealed abnormal findings in 64% of 11 cases examined. Of the CNS pathology, consisting of cerebral and cerebellar gyral abnormalities and a hypoplastic corticospinal tract, the gyral lesions (verrucous polymicrogyria with adhesions of adjacent gyri and cellular disarrangement) were thought to be lesions causing epilepsy. Cortical nonprogressive gyral lesions occurring around the second trimester could cause FPD and clinical diffuse epileptic seizures develop with other factors concerned with ABA.


"Moya-moya' disease caused by cranial trauma. A case of "moya-moya" disease of a 12-year-old boy is reported. The clinical history started at 3 years 2 months after cranial trauma. The patient developed mental retardation, hemiparesis and seizures.


Adult type GMl-gangliosidosis: a complementation study on somatic cell hybrids. Two adult siblings with progressive pyramidal and extrapyramidal lesions, and generalized muscle atrophy had a profound deficiency of beta-galactosidase in all the cells and body fluids examined. Neuraminidase activity was normal in fibroblasts. The fused fibroblasts of infantile GMl-gangliosidosis and each of these adult patients had beta-galactosidase activity as expected for the average value in a mixture of equal numbers of parental cells. However, there was a remarkable increase in the activity of beta-galactosidase when the cells from each of these cases were fused with those from the beta-galactosidase-deficient adult with cherry-red spots, cerebellar ataxia, myoclonus and neuraminidase deficiency in fibroblasts. It was concluded that the two siblings represent a new genetic variant (adult type) of GMl-gangliosidosis.


Carbamazepine as a sole anticonvulsant for partial seizures. The efficacy, serum concentration and side effects of CBZ for partial seizures in children were evaluated. The study was undertaken on 27 patients with partial seizures ranging from 5 to 17 years of age. Further 15 patients with various types of epilepsy taking CBZ with other anticonvulsants were selected as controls to compare the serum levels of CBZ. In nineteen of the 27 patients seizures were controlled completely, in whom serum CBZ levels varied fro trace to 15.6 mcg/ml, average being 8.18 +/- 3.40 mcg/ml, while those of uncontrolled ones ranged from 3.5 to 11.3 mcg/ml, average being 7.50 +/- 2.97 mcg/ml. There was no significant difference between both groups of the above. EEG was improved in the seven of 19 seizure-free cases, serum levels of which ranged from 5.9 to 13.2 mcg/ml. With regard to the side effects, transient leucopenia was observed in four patients and serum GOT and GPT slightly elevated in two. Correlation between dose and serum level in the monotherapy group was not significant as well as in the combined therapy group. Serum DBZ levels in the monotherapy group were significantly higher than those in combined therapy group.


[Appearance of aflatoxin M1 during the manufacture of Camembert cheese]. Several classic cheese making of camembert are made from raw milk spiked with Aflatoxin M1. Three Aflatoxin levels 7.5 microgram/l, 3 microgram/l are used. In respective curds 35.6, 47.1 and 57.7% of Aflatoxin M1 are recovered and 64.4, 52.9 and 42.3% in respective whey. During the first 15 days of storage the Aflatoxin M1 content of different cheeses decrease respectively 25, 55, 75%. A similar experience is made with a milk contamined in Aflatoxin M1 C14 labelled. Same results are recovered, except about behaviour of Aflatoxin M1 in cheese: a same C14 activity is recovered during storage for 30 days.


[Immunochemical method for study and identification of unicellular organisms (yeasts and bacteria) incorporated into food products as a protein source]. The expected increase and diversification of single cell proteins production already requires the development of convenient methods for the identification of producing strains from the processed S.C.P., i.e. killed and dried cells. A simple immunological method based on double immunodiffusion analysis is proposed, that enables the identification of Toprinal L (Candida tropicalis), Toprina G (Candida lipolytica) and Pruteen (Pseudomonas methylotropha), all S.C.P. having received an approval from different european countries. Sensitivity and specificity are high enough to enable the identification of these products mixed to feeds in concentrations as low as 5 p. cent (1 p. cent with Pruteen).


Studies of pre- and postimmunization antibodies of sheep. Serum samples were taken serially from three nonimmunized sheep over a long period of time. Antibodies to human serum albumin (HSA), ovalbumin (OA) and FITC were separated from the samples. Than, two of the animals were injected with HSA+ complete Freund's adjuvant, the third with adjuvant without antigen. Serial postimmunization serum samples were subjected to the same procedures as the pre-immunization ones. The specific antibodies increased in concentration, and only the postimmunization antibody population was able to precipitate. In the presence of the antigen, the postimmunization antibodies bound to the Fc receptors of lymphocytes to an increased degree. There was no difference between pre- and postimmunizaton antibody populations either in complement-activating capacity or in the quantity of antigen necessary for reaching antigen-antibody equivalence. Isoelectro-focusing showed no new bands which would indicate antibodies different from the pre-existing ones. However, changes were observed in the relative participation of the antibodies forming different bands. No sharp limit was observed between pre- and postimmunization antibody populations. The Ig increment demonstrated after immunization was accompanied by a similar increment in the specific antibodies tested in the animal that had not given antigen, but not in the others. The authors attribute a role to humoral antibodies already in the earliest phase of immune response.


Synthesis and studies of transferrin.

Synthesis and studies of transferrin. Combination of the usual techniques yielded 70-80 p.c. pure apo- and iron-transferrin preparations, whose analysis revealed the presence of antigenically identical transferrin fractions differing from one another in respect of electrophoretic motility and sedimentation contrast. No similar modifications of transferrin have previously been reported.


Potency of PPD preparations derived from M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. No significant difference was found between the biological activity of PPD-preparations derived from M. tuberculosis and M. bovis, although the latter was more potent. In potency tests performed in guinea-pigs, the use of difference mycobacteria as sensitizing agents had no influence on the result of the assay. We could not demonstrate a significantly greater potency of homologous versus heterologous PPD. Evaluation of the 95 p.c. fiducial limits established in the course of variance analysis suggested a greater reliability of reading at 48 than at 24 hrs after allergen application. It also seems possible that the results of the potency assays of PPDs derived from different mycobacterium strains are greatly influenced by the level of the working dilutions employed.


[Sensitization to Cw antigen].

[Sensitization to Cw antigen]. This paper describes a patient who, after being subjected to repeated blood Transfusions, has developed antibodies to Antigen Cw.


24-hour extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the hypoxic dog: hemodynamics and pulmonary gas exchange. Hemodynamic and pulmonary gas exchange values were investigated during 24-hour extracorporeal membrane oxygenation performed on 7 anesthetized dogs subjected to alveolar hypoxia. The chief effects of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were demonstrated. The duration of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was associated with a progressive decline in the systemic arterial pressure and heart rate and a progressive increase in the pulmonary blood flow rate. Left-ventricular stroke work remained constant. The sum of the pulmonary and extracorporeal oxygen uptakes showed no change in spite of large variations in pulmonary flow rate.


13C NMR analysis of methionine sulfoxide in protein. The 13C epsilon NMR signal of methionine sulfoxide is 22.6 ppm downfield from that of methionine. This affords a method by which the extent of methionine oxidation can be determined in intact protein. We demonstrate the utility of this approach with beta-galactosidase enriched with 13C in its methionine methyls.


Electron microscopic study of glomerular filtration barrier in the rat kidney embedded in polymerized glutaraldehyde-urea. Embedding kidney in polymerized glutaraldehyde-urea favors the retention of glycoprotein matrix of the cell coat and the basement membrane of the glomeruli. The basement membrane appears as a single layer with uniform amorphous matrix. Thick glycoprotein coat covers the whole surface of prodocytes and their foot processes. In areas other than the slits and the portion of the foot processes which touch on the basement membrane, the coat is a continuous layer with an average thickness of 490 A. In the slits between the foot processes of podocytes there is an actual fusion of glycoprotein coats; the average width of the slit is 415 A. The glycoprotein 'plugs' in the slit may be a significant portion of the glomerular filtration barrier against macromolecules, together with the basement membrane and the slit diaphragms.


Infantile GM1-gangliosidosis with marked manifestation of lungs. GM1-gangliosidosis is a disease characterized by abnormal accumulation of GM1-ganglioside in the brain and viscera. The disease is characterized by clinical findings similar to Hurler's disease and pathologic features resembling Niemann-Pick's disease but with involvement of the glomerular epithelium. A 14-month-old boy, clinically diagnosed as GM1-gangliosidosis, died of respiratory insufficiency and was autopsied except for the brain. Biochemically, marked increase of GM1-ganglioside in the viscera was demonstrated. Pathologically, the foam cells were present in the viscera. Some parts of the cytoplasmic vacuoles in the lungs and spleen contained osmiophilic fibrillar material electron-microscopically. This case was characterized by marked accumulation of foam cells in the pulmonary alveolar spaces.


Pleomorphism in Cellulomonas acidula.

Pleomorphism in Cellulomonas acidula. Pleomorphism of Cellulomonas acidula in liquid and on solid media is described. Growth in liquid medium is characterized initially by the formation of club-shaped rods and later by cocci. On solid media the organism formed irregular branched cells and large swollen cells.


Studies on termination of protein synthesis in wheat germ. Oligophenylalanines are soluble in m-cresol, but oligophenylalanyl-tRNAs are not. This differential solubility can be used to assay oligophenylalanines released from tRNA during their synthesis by wheat germ extracts. When poly U is the message, virtually no free product appears. When poly A U (A < U) is used, a considerable amount of oligophenylalanines are released. The fraction of product released is approximately constant with time, implying that a steady-state is not achieved between initiation and release. The dependence of release on various reaction variables and the effects of several inhibitors on release indicate that the reaction is probably catalyzed by peptidyl transferase, in accord with the mechanisms described for mammals and prokaryotes.


[Antibacterial activity of amikacin towards gentamicin-resistant, Gram-negative bacilli]. Antibacterial activity of amikacin with regards to gentamicin resistant, Gram-negative bacteria was evaluated. Probable systems of enzymatic inactivation of antibiotic were postulated for amikacin and other aminoglycosides.


[Electroimmunodiffusion with Reiter treponema antigen shows serum immunoglobulin isolated from subjects with secondary syphilis]. The results of electroimmunodiffusion investigations with Reiter treponema antigen and syphilitic subject sera are presented. Counter-immunoelectrophoresis, rocked electrophoresis and crossed-electrophoresis studies have been performed. The test positivity is shown by the appearance of one ore two precipitates. No aspecificities were remarked with the latter two techniques: particular attention was devoted to the preparation of the treponema antigen in the attempt to eliminate the aspecificity which, sometimes, occurs above all with counter immuno-electrophoresis. Immuno-sorbents were also prepared to isolate IgG involved in this reaction: the latter turned out to be slow-migration IgG. Agarose-agar electroimmunoprecipitation between treponema antigens and sera of syphilitic subjects supplies possibilities for diagnosis and research in the field of treponema antigens and in the formation of antibodies in the syphilitic disease.


[Research on the core and delta antigens of human hepatitis virus B using immunofluorescence, with liver biopsy of pediatric subjects affected by various forms of chronic hepatitis]. On liver biopsies of 20 children with different forms of chronic HBsAg-positive hepatitis, submitted to immunodepressive treatment, the presence and the distribution of core and delta antigens and their correlation with the different clinical forms have been studied with the direct immunofluorescence technique. Core antigen was present in 11 patients, delta antigen in 4 patients: both antigens in 3 cases. The percent rate of positive nuclei varied from 5 to 80%. All subjects negative for both antigens showed a favourable course. Delta antigen seems to be associated to forms with unsatisfactory course notwithstanding therapy, particularly to relapses and recurrences of chronic hepatitis in such a way as to hypothesize the possible responsibility either of another hepatitic virus (non A, non B virus) or of a different virus. Core morphological expression frequent in chronic hepatitis submitted to immunodepressive treatment, corresponded approximately to the finding thus far reported for the adults. The interpretation of these results, though difficult, shows remarkable interest for the pathogenetic and therapeutic considerations which follow.


[Iron, copper, and zinc in children from Tanzania afflicted with protein-calorie malnutrition]. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was employed in an evaluation of zinc, copper and iron as trace elements in serum and erythrocytes from 56 children with protein-calorie malnutrition at different stages (early kwashiorkor, kwashiorkor and marasma). Iron and zinc concentrations showed a decreasing pattern through the various stages of the P.C.M. Significant changes are present in zinc values. The role of these trace elements in the P.C.M. is shortly discussed.


Identification of a breast tumor-associated orosomucoid by concanavalin A affinity chromatography. Con A-Sepharose affinity chromatography was utilized to examine the glycoproteins in phosphosaline extracts of normal and breast tumor tissues and breast patient sera. In extracts of normal breast tissue, normal sera and patient sera, all glycoproteins were eluted from the Con A-Sepharose with a linear gradient of 0.0-0.5 M alpha-methylmannose. Using breast tumor extracts, a glycoprotein peak which could not be eluted as with normal tissue extracts was observed. This tightly-binding peak could be eluted from the Con A-Sepharose with acetate buffer containing 1.0 M KCl. Polyacrylamide electrophoresis of this tightly-binding glycoprotein peak revealed one major glycoprotein and four minor glycoproteins. The major glycoprotein obtained from electrophoresis represented about 60% of the Con A-Sepharose tightly-binding protein and reacted with antiserum to human orosomucoid (alpha 1-acid glycoprotein). All glycoproteins isolated from tumor tissue extracts appeared to represent normal serum constituents as they were retained on an immunoadsorbent containing antibodies to normal serum proteins. The possible significance of the isolated tumor-associated orosomucoid is discussed.


Damage and restoration of the DNA-membrane complex of the bacterium Bacillus subtilis after the action of gamma radiation. It was shown that the structural damages arising in DNA-membrane complexes (DMC) of the Bacterium Bacillus subtilis under the action of gamma radiation are reversible in the postradiation period. The ability of the bacteria to repair radiation damage to DMC is correlated with their radiosensitivity. It is suggested that the process of restoration of the DMC depends on the products of the Pol A and the rec A genes.


Denaturation of thymidylate synthetase from amethopterin-resistant Lactobacillus casei. The effects of various concentrations of urea and guanidine hydrochloride on enzyme activity and on subunit association were determined. Incubation of thymidylate synthetase with buffered solutions of 3M to 3.5M guanidine hydrochloride or 5 M to 6 M urea resulted in the loss of about 90% of the enzyme activity. Under these denaturing conditions a red shift of the fluorescence emission maximum from 340 nm to 351 nm was observed together with a significant decrease in the relative fluorescence intensity of the protein. Studies at both 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C indicated that the enzyme was in the dimer form in 2 M guanidine hydrochloride but was dissociated into monomers in concentrations of this denaturant of 3 M and above. Although only monomeric species were evident at 4 degrees C in 6 M urea, at 25 25 degrees C this denaturant caused protein aggregation which increased with decreasing phosphate buffer concentration. Enzyme (5 mg/ml) in 0.5 M potassium phosphate buffer, pH 6.8, containing 4 M guanidine hydrochloride gave a minimum S20, w value of 1.22S at 25 degrees C. Sedimentation behavior of the native enzyme in the range of 5 to 20 mg/ml was only slightly concentration-dependent (4.28 S to 4.86 S) but extensive aggregation occurred above 20 mg/ml.


Enzymically-modified human mammary carcinoma cells: modulators of macrophage functions. Human mammary carcinoma cells (HMCC), vibrio cholera neuraminidase (VCN) treated HMCC(VCN-HMCC); glutaraldehyde fixed VCN-HMCC(Glut-VCN-HMCC), normal mammary epithelial cells (HMEC), VCN treated HNEC (VCN-HNEC) and glutaraldehyde fixed VCN-HNEC (Glut-VCN HNEC) were prepared and injected into separate groups of mice. Intraperitoneal injection of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) produced a delayed type of inflammatory reaction characterized by an accumulation of macrophages. Injection of HNEC, VCN-HNEC, and Glut-VCN-HNEC had no effect, HMCC inhibited, and VCN-HMCC and Glut-VCN-HMCC increased both the number and the tumoricidal activity of peritoneal macrophages. Cell-free media (CFM) harvested from cultures of HMCC alone or mixed with lymphocytes from patients with mammary carcinoma inhibited, whereas CFM from mixed cultures of HMCC and lymphocytes from  normal subjects had no effect on, the chemotactic response and migration of normal peritoneal macrophages. CFM was passes through a series of Amicon membranes, the active principle passed through membrane PM-10 but was retained by PM-5 suggesting a molecular weight of less than 10,000. In culture, HNEC, VCN-HNEC and VCN-HMCC proliferated as sheets of single cell monolayers, whereas HMCC began to spread as a monolayer, but as cellular density increased it formed cell foci, cell colonies and cell clusters packed into solid tissuelike masses.


Prolactin binding to dissociated cells from rat mammary tumors and mammary gland. Prolactin binding activity was studied in suspensions of cells which had been enzymatically dissociated from R3230AC mammary tumors, 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors and lactating rat mammary glands. Prolactin bound specifically with high affinity (apparent binding affinity = 4.0 X 10(9) M-1) to R3230AC tumor cells. Hormone binding at room temperature was proportional to cell number and increased with time of incubation up to 120-180 min. Prolactin binding to R3230AC tumor cells from diabetic animals was reduced by about 50%. Specific prolactin binding activity was also demonstrated in preparations of cells from DMBA-induced tumors and lactating mammary gland. The levels of hormone binding in both dissociated cells and subcellular particles prepared from these tissues varied as follows: DMBA-induced tumors > lactating mammary gland > R3230AC mammary adenocarcinoma.


Physics of the surgical laser.

Physics of the surgical laser. Following a brief historical introduction to the use of lasers in surgery, the principal characteristics of laser light sources relevant to surgery with lasers are reviewed and the nomenclature most often used in connection with laser devices is explained. The interactions of electromagnetic energy with soft tissues that make possible ablative surgery with carbon dioxide lasers are stressed. The general requirements of laser instruments for clinical surgery are mentioned in conclusion.


Temporal specificity of procarbazine in the inhibition of mouse immune responses to allogeneic tumor. The inhibition of the cellular response of C57Bl/6 mice against allogeneic P815 mastocytoma by procarbazine was shown to be uniquely dependent upon time of administration with respect to antigen. If the drug was given 4 or 6 days after antigen, the development of the T cell effectors was inhibited; if it was given earlier (2 hr or 1 or 2 days after antigen), the response was affected less. In contrast to the immunosuppressive effectiveness of delayed administration of procarbazine, the inhibition of the T cell response by daunorubicin was greatest when the agent was given 2 days after antigen, and that by cyclophosphamide, at the concentrations used, was relatively time independent. Under similar conditions the effects of the three agents on the humoral response were found to be less selective. The inhibition of both responses by procarbazine was shown to be dose dependent and relatively independent of the route of administration.


Vitamin A-deficiency and thyrotropin secretion in the rat. Basal serum TSH concentrations and TRH-induced TSH response were studied in control and in vitamin A-deficient rats at different times between the fifth week on diet (when growth of deficient animals was still normal) and the beginning of the weight plateau (as soon as growth of deficient animals had stopped). In deficient rats the TSH values were always lower than in the control rats. TRH injections (50 ng/100 g b.w.) in anaesthetized animals (amobarbital 1 mg/100 g b.w.) resulted in an approximately 12-fold increase in serum TSH levels within 6 minutes. The TSH levels remained elevated for at least 15 minutes and were similar in control and deficient rats. We hypothesize that the lower basal serum TSH concentrations are the result of a feedback mechanism triggered by an increase of serum free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3).


Sensitivity of Encephalitozoon cuniculi to various temperatures, disinfectants and drugs. Spores of Encephalitozoon cuniculi were exposed to various temperature or to disinfectants, and their infectivity was then tested on monolayer cultures of canine kidney cells. The maximum survival time for spores suspended in medium 199 was 1 day at -20 degrees C, 98 days at 4 degrees C, 6 days at 22 degrees C, and 2 days at 37 degrees C. Only 2.5% survived 30 min at 56 degrees C. Boiling for 5 min or autoclaving at 120 degrees C for 10 min killed all spores. Dry spores survived less than a week at 4 degrees C but at least 4 weeks at 22 degrees C. Exposure for 30 min to recommended working concentrations of 9 of the 11 disinfectants tested killed all spores. The growth-inhibition effect of 7 antibiotics and chemotherapeutics was studied on canine kidney cell culture inoculated with E. cuniculi. None could completely inhibit growth. The most effective was chloroquine phosphate which, at a concentration of 12.5 mg per 1000 ml culture medium and during a test period of 8 weeks, reduced the harvest of E. cuniculi to 31% of that from inoculated, untreated cultures.


Monosodium glutamate neurotoxicity, hyperosmolarity, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction. Rats received 3H-mannitol, which marks the intactness of the blood-brain barrier, and 14C-glutamate or 14C-aspartate by intracardiac injection after oral gavage with water, monosodium glutamate, monosodium aspartate, or sodium chloride (doses equiosmolar to 4 g/kg monosodium glutamate). Thirty min later, various brain regions (e.g., cerebellum, cortex, hypothalamus, and striatum) were assayed for tritium and carbon-14. In most regions in most animals given monosodium glutamate or hypertonic saline, the level of the carbon-14 acidic amino acid tended to parallel the extent of damage incurred by the blood-brain barrier, as indicated by high levels of tritium-labelled mannitol. These data suggest that severe hyperosmolarity may be a prerequisite for monosodium glutamate to produce neurotoxic changes, and may explain why elective dietary consumption of enormous quantities of glutamate, by animals given free access to water, fails to induce brain lesions.


The steady state kinetics of tyrosine decarboxylase from Streptococcus faecalis. The present study has explained the general reaction mechanism of the bacterial tyrosine decarboxylase. The rate equation for this mechanism has been presented. The steady state kinetics of tyrosine decarboxylase, as for tyrosine transaminase, have shown that the apoenzyme can bind not only the coenzyme, but also the non-enzymatically formed Schiff base between the coenzyme and the substrate. Our data then have confirmed the importance of the non-enzymatically formed Schiff base in the B6-dependent enzymes, possibly in all of them which have a low affinity constant for the coenzyme, such that the coenzyme must be present in excess in respect to the protein to saturate the active center. The interaction between apotyrosine decarboxylase with pyridoxal-5'-phosphate and pyridoxamine-5'-phosphate has been studied.


[Current treatment of tetanus patients in intensive therapy]. A brief survey of recent criteria for evaluation of the seriousness of toxicity and infection in tetanus is followed by the examination of a series of cases of average severity. The method employed in their therapeutic management is described, and an account is given of its advantages and the possibility of complications. The mortality rate for the years 1974-1978 is also reported.


[Hemoglobin J Amiens beta 17 (A 14) Lys replaced by Asn. Coincidence of a functionally silent new abnormal hemoglobin and a polycythemia vera (author's transl)]. A new abnormal hemoglobin, Hb J Amiens beta 17 (A 14) Lys replaced by Asn, has been discovered during the exploration of a recent polycythemia in a 65-year-old patient of Spanish extraction. Oxygen affinity of washed red blood cells was found to be normal at pH 7.13 (P 50 = 30.0 mmHg, N = 29.5 +/- 1). Cooperativity is unchanged, and no instability was detected. From this study, it is concluded that there is no relation between this functionally silent hemoglobin and the polycythemia. In fact, the recent appearance of the polycythemia, the involvement of the other blood cell lines, particularly the thrombocytosis, the high score of leukocyte alkaline phosphatases, and the results of the bone marrow biopsy led to the diagnosis of polycythemia vera.


Present and future uses of mutagenicity tests for assessment of the safety of food additives. The tier approach has been employed for the past 3 years for investigating the potential mutagenicity of food additives and generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substances. This approach is used to set testing priorities, since a large number of substances must be investigated. Three tiers or testing levels are used. The first tier is a pre-screen to determine whether a chemical has the potential to cause genetic damage. The second tier is designed to ascertain whether mutagenic activity detected at tier one can be confirmed in the tests which are a part of tier two. The third tier is used for risk assessment and, as such, attempts to define the genetic risk to humans that is associated with use of a substance which is a confirmed mutagen as defined by one or more test methods in tier two. The future uses of mutagenicity test methods will probably be in the area of short-term tests for carcinogenicity and as a means of assessing the risk associated with the use of gentically active chemicals.


[In vivo and in vitro methods of studying platelet adhesion to the components of the vascular wall]. Platelet adhesion to the subendothelium of the vessel wall and to its collagen component plays a key role in hemostasis, thrombosis, and the development of atherosclerosis. In order to study the mechanisms of platelet adhesion and eventually to inhibit adhesion, it has been necessary to develop methods that measure platelet adhesion quantitatively in vivo and in vitro. In this article, the methods that are used to measure platelet adhesion are reviewed critically with emphasis on their aims, advantages, and disadvantages. The methods that are used to measure platelet adhesion can be divided in five groups: (1) methods that use an aggregometer to measure platelet adhesion to collagen in the presence of EDTA; (2) methods that use binding of radiolabeled collagen, affinity chromatography, or gel filtration; (3) the morphometric method of Baumgartner that measures platelet interaction with the subendothelium of an aorta exposed to flow in an annular perfusion chamber; (4) the quantitative isotopic measurement of platelet adhesion to collagen-coated surfaces and to subendothelium with the rotating probe device of Cazenave; and (5) in vivo platelet adhesion to the subendothelium measured by the morphometric method or with platelets radiolabeled with 51Cr or 111In. With these methods is has been possible to study the factors (Ca2+; VIII: von Willebrand factor; hemodynamic factors: red cells, shear rate; components of the vessel wall) governing platelet adhesion to subendothelium and to collagen. It has also been possible to screen and study drugs inhibiting platelet adhesion, which is the first step in the formation of a thrombus at the site of vascular injury.


[Hyperprolactinemia and primary amenorrhea]. Six patients with primary amenorrhea and hyperprolactinemia are presented. The patients had normal secondary characteristics and normal body proportions. In four patients a tumour of the hypophysis was diagnosed radiologically, while in two patients the cause of hyperprolactinemia remained unknown. The gonadotropin concentration in the serum was normal. Reaction to Gn-RH was the same as that in women with the normal cycle in the follicular phase. In all the patients with function of the thyroid was normal. Primary amenorrhea was found in 14.6% of women with a disturbed cycle and hyperprolactinemia. In all the patients the administration of bromocryptin normalized prolactin concentrations, induced ovulation, and four patients became pregnant.


Healing of myocardial infarction in animal models. The experimental models used by investigators to study myocardial infarction have been considered as to their possible application for use in studies of the healing of myocardial infarction. The information concerning healing has also been surveyed. In general, the healing of the myocardial infarct in the dog and in the rat is by connective tissue replacement of the injured tissue resulting in a scar similar to skin scars. In the healing process, there is an early increase of glycoproteins, possibly from serum, and of hyaluronic acid in the injured tissue. Much of this is part of the general reaction to injury and may not be part of the healing process. Somewhat later (about 2-3 days in the dog) the chondroitin-4-sulfate fraction begins to rise. Collagen biosynthesis increases at the same time although this relationship is not well established. Much later (after 30 days in dog) the chondroitin-4-sulfate content of the injured tissue begins to decrease. At this time the scar is well formed. Much later (as late as 171 days) the scar in the myocardium still contains elevated amounts of chondroitin-4-sulfate. The dermatan sulfate is increased and the hyaluronic acid slightly decreased as compared to undamaged myocardium. These changes are typical in maturing scars of skin.


Valproic acid: in vitro plasma protein binding and interaction with phenytoin. Because valproic acid (VPA) is highly bound to plasma protein, several variables affecting binding will significantly alter the quantity of free drug which is pharmacologically active. Therefore, total VPA plasma concentrations do not reflect the therapeutic strength of the drug in tissue. We have performed equilibrium dialysis and ultrafiltration studies of VPA binding to plasma protein. The converging data in these in vitro studies indicate a clinically significant alteration in the percent of free VPA when total drug concentration exceeds 80 micrograms/ml. Saturation of drug binding sites probably occurs in this range. At 20--60 micrograms/ml VPA there is 5% free drug, with a significant increase to 8% free at 80 micrograms/ml; free drug increases to over 20% at 145 micrograms/ml total VPA. Human plasma, which is low in albumin, has twice the quantity of free VPA as normal plasma (10 versus 5% free). The clinical evidence of interaction between VPA and phenytoin is confirmed in vitro by the increase in the free fraction of both drugs. VPA binding decreases by 3--6%, while phenytoin binding decreases 5--6% as both drugs reach high plasma concentrations. When appropriate, laboratory reports should be available defining concentration of free drug in plasma for optimal interpretation of drug concetrations relative to clinical effects.


The evolution of electroencephalographic features in lissencephaly syndrome. The electroencephalographic features and their evolutional changes with age were described in three cases of lissencephaly syndrome diagnosed by CT scan. The case with more severe lissencephaly displayed very similar EEG findings. In early or middle infancy when infantile spasms began, EEG showed very high amplitude (more than 400 microV) slow waves mixed with sharp theta-waves. In their clinical course, they showed extreme spindles and in late infancy, the EEG revealed a tendency towards bilaterally synchronous discharges of high amplitude sharp and slow waves. On the other hand, milder forms of lissencephaly showed hypsarrhythmia in early infancy. In the late infancy the EEG showed bisynchronous sharp and slow waves of more than 200 microV. The anomaly ranging from agyria to pachygyria seems to be closely associated with varying EEG abnormalities from extremely high voltage hypsarrhythmia to focal spikes. The very high voltage of hypsarrhythmic patterns and the very low frequency of sharp wave discharges seem to be typical in the most severe lissencephaly or agyria


Sodium valproate and thrombocytopenia.

Sodium valproate and thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia has been occasionally reported in patients on sodium valproate. Here is reported a 6-year-old boy on this drug who was found to have thrombocytopenia 6 months after initiation of administration and it was progressive up to 16 months. Though the medication was continued because of its efficacy, platelet count gradually recovered to the normal level spontaneously. Throughout the course, no hemorrhagic tendency was observed clinically. It was suggested that platelet count should be monitored periodically, but that the presence of thrombocytopenia itself does not serve as an absolute indication for discontinuing the drug.


[Treatment of bone marrow aplasia in phase I of acute lymphatic leukemia treatment in children]. In the first phase of treatment of acute lymphatic leukemia in children (ALL) with aggresive cytostatic protocols, the doctor is, in some patients, forced to modify the antitumor therapy over a certain period of time because of bone marrow depression. The authors attempted to pull patients with ALL through this critical phase of the disease - by administering "profilactically" Lithium Carbonate (Li2CO3) ( in order to stimulate granulopoiesis) or, if anaemia, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia had already occurred, by administering concentrates of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets - without discontinuing the administration of cytostatics. The results of these attempts are reported.


Comparative evaluation of some methods for detection of M. pneumoniae antibodies. Various methods of detection are available for measuring antibodies specific to M. pneumoniae. We examined over 600 sera of patients with clinical diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection using complement fixation (CF) test. 91 gave positive reaction and were therefore selected for a comparative analysis with other methods such as metabolic inhibition (MI), mycoplasmocidal (MC) and radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) methods. MC and RIP test gave antibody titers comparatively higher than MI and CF. Comparative studies on the sensitivity of the various methods considered were also carried out on 6 paired sera collected from the same patients at 10 days intervals. The increase in antibody titers were much higher when MC and RIP tests were considered. When RIP and MC methods were compared, the first appeared more sensitive in all cases studied.


[Gonadotropin response to acute stimulation with LHFSHRH in idiopathic oligospermia. Preliminary results]. Serum FSH and LH levels in basal conditions and after Gn-RH test were investigated in 15 idiopathic oligozoospermic patients. Basal FSH was significantly higher in oligospermic than in normal subjects and a negative relationship was found between basal FSH and sperm count. Basal LH was not different in oligozoospermic and in normal subjects. Both FSH and LH responses to GN-RH were significantly higher in oligozoospermic patients. In idiopathic oligozoospermia the presence of a testicular defect involving both the seminiferous epithelium and Leydig cells is suggested.


Pig kidney diamine oxidase. A new method of purification. Diamine oxidase has been purified from pig kidney by a new method to rapidly obtain larger amounts of pure enzyme with a good yield. The enzyme obtained gives only one band in SDS gel electrophoresis. The specific activity and the absorption spectra were identical to those of already preparations homogeneous reported by different methods of purification.


[Analysis of flexion energy variations of a human red blood cell, of ellipsoid form, in the process of deformation imposed by turbulent tangential flux]. The purpose of the present, morphological analysis is to recognize a functional connection between shear stress tau, which Human Red Cells, treated with glutaraldehyde, are subjected and their energy of bending (U), during the shape transition, turbulent shear-flow dependent, under the hypothesis of "isoareal" transformation. The experimental basis of this analysis is the work of Sutera and Mehrjardi.


[Further biochemical investigations on glycosaminoglycans extracted from Euglena gracilis]. Polyanionic glycans extracted from Euglena gracilis have been studied by biochemical, chromatographic and electrophoretic analysis. Our results show the presence of a fraction which precipitate with CPC and another one which not precipitate with CPC. The CPC precipitable material fractionated on CPC-Cellulose column shows the presence of 5 Glycosaminoglycans; the not CPC precipitable material contains uronic acid, galactose, sulfate, galactosamine and cannot be related to Keratan sulfate.


[Presence of microtubular and filamentous structures in frequent association with ribosomal crystals]. The contact of tubular bodies and cytofilaments with ribosome microcrystals from chick embryos incubated at 5 degrees C, was investigated by negative staining. It is revealed that for a good observation the time of fixation in glutaraldehyde was a critical point. It is suggested that tubular bodies and cytofilaments are engaged in the transport of ribosomes and ribosome tetramers.


[Essential amino acids and rat growth. I. Effect of lysine deficiency on hematopoiesis and rat growth]. The AA. reports that lysine deficiency in rats results in poor growth, low weight of heart and liver, anemia, hypoproteinemia and low concentration of haemoglobin. Rats fed supplemented lysine diet did not have any pathological condition in comparison with normal rats receiving standard laboratory diet.


[Lysine deficiency and carnitine biosynthesis in the rat]. Male rats weanling fed 20% gluten diet for 90 days of demonstrate to have about one-third lower level of carnitine per gram of skeletal muscle and heart muscle than the group which received the same diet supplemented with 1% of lysine. The carnitine level of the liver, however, was significantly higher in the unsupplemented versus the lysine supplemented groups.


Immunochemical studies on beta-lactoglobulins. precipitin reactions of sow's and mare's mammary secretions against anti - bovine beta - lactoglobulin antiserum. By double diffusion in agarose gel, in well defined experimental conditions, cross reactions were observed between porcine beta-lactoglobulins and anti-bovine beta-lactoglobulin antisera. The immunological reactivity between these beta-lactoglobulins from a monogastric and the ruminant anti beta-lactoglobulin antiserum thus implies a certain degree of similarity between the monomeric beta-lactoglobulins examined and the dimeric of the ruminants. With the same antisera it also proved possible to demonstrate the presence of beta-lactoglobulins in the mammary secretions of another monogastric, namely, the mare. Identity reactions observed between sow's and mare's beta-lactoglobulins seem to indicate a close similarity in their structures.


Immunological evidence of beta-lactoglobulins in human colostrum and milk. Over thirty specimens of breast milk and colostrum were examined by the double diffusion method in agarose gel using antibovine beta-lactoglobulin antisera. Cross reactions were obtained showing the presence of beta-lactoglobulins in human milk and colostrum; the strength of these reactions was comparable with those already observed with porcine and equine mammary secretions. Identity reactions were obtained between human and sow's milk against anti-bovine beta-lactoglobulin antisera. Results are discussed from the immunological and structural point of view.


[Frequency and antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated from urine cultures]. The AA report the data pertinent to the urine culture performed during a year in the Sanitary and Prophylactic Laboratory of the district of L'Aquila. In urine samples with number of bacteria > 10(5)/ml have been found E. coli (49%), Proteus mirabilis (32%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12%), Staphylococcus aureus (5%), Proteus rettgeri (1%), Enterococco (1%). The data are also reported concerning germ resistance to several antibiotics.


[Action of thymic extracts on the growth of different cell populations in vitro]. Thymic, splenic and renal cellular extracts were obtained by tissular grinding and ultra centrifugation, from animals having undergone diverse hormonal treatments. These extracts were added to different cellular populations in culture (carcinomatous HeLa strain, established MRCs strain, primo-culture of human foetal lung strain). The thymic extracts of non treated animals and the splenic extracts rich in FK substance from intact guinea pigs treated by oestrogenes or FSH, provoque an inhibition of tumoral cell growth. The most important effects are obtained with thymus extracts rich in FK substance. The FK substance seems capable of concentrating certain antitumoral thymic fractions.


[Considerations about surgical treatment of complex fractures of malleoli (author's transl)]. According to the results established after careful observation of the series of cases (50 at all) examined, the malleolus fractures are submitted to analysis by the authors of the text. The outcome they achieve is the recovery may be attained, with better probabilities, only by the operation. The recovery is meant as complete both in the bony parts and in the ligaments' ones.


Turnover and degradation of mitochondria and their proteins. Very little is known about intracellular protein degradation. We have concentrated on mitochondrial proteins for simplicity. Even this is a complex problem and several mechanisms may be involved. The half-lives of mitochondrial proteins vary widely. Using immunological, autoradiographic (ferritin and iodine) and biochemical techniques we are delineating the extent of intra-mitochondrial protein degradation, lysosomal participation in that degradation, and signals controlling the overall process. As a high yielding dividend of our autoradiographic and immunological experiments it seems possible to clarify such important questions as whether there is a selective inactivation and turnover of mitochondria and their proteins. Calculations of autophagy and vacuoles, the concentration of mitochondrial proteins within lysosomes, as well as key aspects of the initiation and regulation of protein turnover and its elasto-plastic control are presented.


Effects of parasitic infections in pregnant women. This review focuses on the parasitic diseases which occur frequently in the tropics and which affect pregnant women. Clinical disease of the mother during pregnancy, vertical transmission of parasites and transplacental passage of soluble parasitic antigens are discussed in relation to their immunopathological significance for the fetus. The incidences of congenital malaria, African trypanosomiasis and Chagas' disease are reviewed, together with vertical transmission of filarial infection, involvement of the female genital tract in schistosomiasis, and fulminant colitis due to Entamoeba histolytica infection during pregnancy.


Sensitivity of Drosophila melanogaster to low concentrations of the gaseous 1, 2-dibromoethane: I. acute exposures. Drosophila melanogaster males were exposed to gaseous 1, 2-dibromoethane at concentrations lower than those used in aerosol treatments of suspected mutagens by other investigators. Premeiotic stages appear to be more sensitive than postmeiotic stages to gaseous mutagens. At an exposure of 125 ppm . hr, significant numbers of mutations were induced in spermatids, spermatocytes, and spermatogonia. Since this exposure increased the mutation rate in spermatogonial stages by a factor of 20--40 over the spontaneous rate, it appears that the lowest detectable exposures may be much lower than 125 ppm . hr for 1, 2-dibromoethane.


Lack of correlation between MMS-toxicity in larvae and in adults of mutagen-sensitive mutants of Drosophila melanogaster. Adult males of 20 different stocks of Drosophila melanogaster, including 16 with various X-linked mutagen-sensitive mutations, were tested for sensitivity to the lethal action of methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) in a continuous feeding experiment. It was impossible to establish a correlation between MMS-toxicity in adults and MMS-toxicity in larvae. In addition, experiments to examine the fertility of MMS-treated flies of four mutagen-sensitive strains and one wild-type strain were performed. These experiments demonstrated that the spermatogonia of mei-9L1 and mei-41D5 in larvae and in adults are more sensitive to MMS than the spermatogonia of the wild-type strain or the other two mutagen-sensitive strains.


Mutagenicity of nitrosocarbaryl and other methylating nitrosamides as related to uptake in Haemophilus influenzae. Differences greater than 6,000-fold in the mutagenic potency of three nitrosamides that are methylating agents [N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and N-nitrosocarbaryl (NC)] could be accounted for in part by differences in their uptake into the Haemophilus influenzae cells. Uptake was roughly correlated with the octanol/water partition coefficient. The most potent mutagen, NC, was concentrated by the cells. The least potent, MNU, was essentially excluded from the bacteria. Uptake was a linear function of concentration, whereas induction of novobiocin-resistant mutations followed higher-order kinetics. The effective dose of chemical to the bacteria (number of molecules taken up) under conditions of mutagenesis could be calculated.


Genetic effects of strong magnetic fields in Drosophila melanogaster: I. Homogeneous fields ranging from 13,000 to 37,000 Gauss. Drosophila melanogaster males were exposed to homogeneous magnetic fields of intensities of 13,000 to 37,000 Gauss as eggs, larvae, pupae and as adults. Sex linked recessive lethals were scored in chromosomes exposed as spermatozoa, spermatids and as spermatocytes. There was no indication of enhanced mutation induction by the magnetic fields.


[In vitro antibacterial activity of a halogenated derivative of D-alanine]. The "in vitro" effect of beta-chloro-D-alanine, a drug that inhibits cell-wall synthesis, was studied. We used some strains of microorganisms, mainly Gram-negative and resistant to antibiotics with the same mechanism of action. MIC and MBC values obtained show a poor efficacy of this drug. Therefore we studied the association of beta-chloro-D-alanine with ampicillin and fosfomycin. The evaluation of the results, determined by means of a graphic and a mathematical method, shows a good synergistic effect with both associations. Synergism is more marked with ampicillin.


A comparative study on the pretreatment methods for the cultivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on LJ medium. Part I. The sputa of 303 cases who were admitted at Ojha Sanitaurium Karachi were studied for comparing the efficacy and reliability of the three pretreatment methods including the standard method, and those recommended by Nassau (1958) and Becker (1916). Out of the total 223 cases were found to be positive after cultivation on LJ medium out of which 142 were found positive with ZNCF staining while in 81 cases no AFB could be detected. The number of cases found to be positive with standard method, Becker's method and Nassau's method were 117,131, and 147 respectively. As to the contamination, 58 were encountered with standard method, 25 with Becker's method and 84 with Nassau's method. 128 negatives were observed with the standard method, and 147 and 72 with Becker's method and Nassau's method respectively. The merits and demerits of the three methods are discussed.


[Lipopolysaccharides of Rickettsiaceae and the Limulus endotoxin assay]. The A.A. have examined by Limulus endotoxin assay some LPS preparations from R. typhi, R. slovaka, C. burnetti phase I and II, as a demonstration of endotoxicity. All the preparations tested were able to gel the Limulus amoebocyte lysates, even if to a different degree of reactivity. The results add credibility to the hypothesis that LPS from Rickettsiaceae can represent at least in part the pathogenetic mediators of some manifestations described in Rickettsiosis; however, without endotoxin assay in the blood of patients, one cannot assume to this be true.


[Gastrin levels in normal dogs subjected to truncal and selective parietal cell vagotomy]. Based upon the fact that there is an increase of serum gastrin levels after vagotomy, the authors compare normal gastrin levels in non-operated dogs, with two series of dogs submitted to truncal and parietal cells vagotomy (PCV), respectively. The surgical technique, as well as the method of gastrin determination employed are described herein. Three series of 7 dogs each were compared. A: "Normal"(non-operated) dogs; B: Dogs with truncal vagotomy and C: Dogs with PCV. The results of Mean values and P for every series were as follows: Series A: Mean 26 +/- 15.0 pg/ml. Series B: Mean 110 +/- 51.6 pg/ml. Series C: Mean 17.4 +/- 12.9 pg/ml. The relation of P showed high significance (P = 0,0004) between A and B; ("normal" vs truncal); slight significance(P = 0,128) between A and C ("normal" vs PCV) and again high (P = 0,0002) between B and C (truncal vs PCV). It is concluded that the rise in serum gastrin levels in dogs submitted to truncal vagotomy are highly significant when are compared with those in "normal" dogs. Dogs submitted to PCV showed slight rises in serum gastrin levels, without statistic significance when are compared with "normal" dogs, strongly indicating the near-physiologic effects of the PCV on the serum gastrin levels.


[Interaction of cimetidine and metoclopramide on the lower esophageal sphincter in man]. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Cimetidine and Metoclopramide on human lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure. Intravenous Metoclopramide in a bolus injection (0.3 mg/Kg or a maximal dose of 20 mg) produced an increase of LES pressure from 20,8 +/- 3,1 mmHg to a peak response of 42,0 +/- 5,0 mmHg. Intravenous Cimetidine in a bolus injection of 300 mg failed to alter basal LES pressure and LES response to Metoclopramide. Cimetidine in continuous infusion (100 mg/h) also failed to alter basal LES pressure and LES response to intravenous Metoclopramide. These studies suggest that: (1) Human LES pressure increases in response to intravenous Metoclopramide; (2) H2-Antagonism with Cimetidine has no effect on the human LES basal pressure; and (3) The H-2 receptors have no apparent role in the human LES response to Metoclopramide.


[Value of liver biopsy in the diagnosis of cholestatic jaundice]. 50 patients with cholestatic jaundice were studied with liver biopsy and fine needle transhepatic cholangiography. In 36 cases there was obstruction of the extrahepatic bile ducts. Rest of the cases had normal bile ducts. These findings were compared with those of the liver biopsy. When there is portal inflammation, bile pigment intracellular, cholangitis and bile plugs associated there was obstruction in 99 per cent of cases. A concluded that cholangiography should precede biopsy in cholestatic jaundice.


Radiation-induced fluctuation of the polysome content in adequately oxygenated tetrahymena pyriformis. The polysome content of the ciliate protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis is transiently reduced by gamma-irradiation. In order to test whether this is a result of a respiration-produced or radiation-produced hypoxia or some other mechanism, the oxygen content of the culture was determined during and after irradiation, and the polysome contents and rates of amino acid incorporation were measured with and without air bubbling. Irradiation (40 krad at approximately 3 krad/min) produced approximately a 25 per cent loss in dissolved O2 content in the medium. This decrease is not sufficient to affect the polysome level, since (a) the same radiation-induced loss of polysomes and inhibiition of amino acid incorporation was observed whether or not the culture was bubbled with air during the irradiation and (b) bubbling unirradiated cultures with gas mixtures containing as little as 17 per cent of the normal O2 content did not influence the polysome level. As long as the cells are irradiated as a shallow layer in open flasks, replacement of O2 from the gas phase appears adequate, and neither respiration-induced nor radiation-induced hypoxia masks the effects of the radiation.


[Contact cholangiography in the pathology of the terminal choledochus]. We performed 25 operative contact cholangiographies in patients operated upon for biliary and/or pancreatic diseases. With this technic we obtained better operative radiologic studies of the distal portion of the common bile duct and of the proximal segment of duct of Wirsung; these images were sharper than that of the conventional operative cholangiography, giving a better idea of the real size of both biliary and pancreatic ductal size. The technic is performed placing a small dental occlusal X-ray plates that measures 5 x 7 cm behind the mobilized second portion of the duodenum and head of the pancreas by a Kocher maneuver and iodized contrast medium is injected through the cystic duct; we performed first a conventional operative cholangiography followed by contact cholangiography. In this series of patients we compared the results obtained with both types of cholangiographies, concluding that when there are doubts in the interpretation or in the diagnosis of the biliary condition at the distal portion of the common bile duct or at the ampullary region in a conventional operative cholangiography, it should be performed a contact cholangiography since this will yield better and sharper images.


Effects of varying O2 concentration on the X-ray sensitivity of transforming DNA. The X-ray-induced inactivation of the biological activity of Bacillus subtilis transforming DNA in dilute aqueous solution has been studied over a wide range of O2 concentrations in an attempt to elucidate the mechanisms involved in O2 action. When the DNA is irradiated in the presence of 100 per cent O2 there is a protection of the transforming DNA compared to the sensitivity in N2-saturated or in N2O-saturated solutions. When the equilibrating gas contains intermediate concentrations of O2 (1 per cent--90 per cent) in N2 or N2O, the DNA sensitivity is equivalent to that in pure N2 or N2O respectively. At low O2 concentrations (approximately 0.14 per cent O2 in N2 or in N2O) there is a sensitization of the DNA and this sensitization can be prevented by .OH scavengers. Possible mechanisms for these actions of O2 on the radiation sensitivity of transforming DNA are discussed.


[Cambendazole - a new substance for the treatment of strongyloidiasis]. The Author studied the therapeutic activity of a new drug - Cambendazole, in the treatment of 100 children suffering from strongyloidiasis infection. The patients received a single dose of the 5 mg per K of body weight, and laboratorial controls were made in the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th after the treatment and consisting of Berman-Moraes method.


[Malabsorption in strongyloidiasis].

[Malabsorption in strongyloidiasis]. The author studied fifty cases of Strongyloidiasis infection. In fourteen patients (28%) who had heavy (massive) infection the author detected clinically and laboratorially six cases (12%) with defects of the malabsorption syndrome.


[Gastric cancer. A review of the subject]. Of 102 cases of gastric carcinoma operated on, the tumor could be resected in only 53 patients. Over 60% of all cases had prolonged medical treatment before the diagnosis of gastric cancer was made. Most of the lesions were huge and locally advanced. Twenty nine operations could be considered as radical procedures, but, only fifteen of them filled the requirements of a curative radical operation (28,3%). There was no uniformity in the way that the surgical treatment was performed and too many Billroth I operations were done, (28%). This mainly because a preoperative surgical plan was not on hand. The overall surgical mortality was 14 per cent for all the cases explored, but increased to 22,5 per cent for the cases in which the tumor was resected. There was no case in which the tumor was limited to the mucosa and in the four cases classified as T1 the lesion infiltrated the muscular layer. The radical gastrectomy showed its benefits, only in those cases with limited penetration and negative nodes. This was sustained by the fact that the only survivals over ten years were four cases in the category of T2N2M0 and all of them were submitted to a radical gastrectomy. But, in advanced cases with large lesions and positive nodes the morbidity and mortality were considerable higher and survival was not even above two years. An effort in every way must be done to try to operate lesions much less advanced, but at the same time it is necessary the practice of radical surgical curate procedures in such cases.


[Carbon dioxide laser and gynaecological surgery (author's transl)]. The authors describe their one year's experience with a CO2 Laser in gynaecology. They emphasise the ease of use of the equipment. Three major divisions of gynaecology can benefit from the CO2 Laser: benign or precancerous lesions of the vulva and of the vagina, dysplasia of the cervix, surgery of the fallopian tubes. In the future, technical progress will enable the CO2 Laser to be used in laparoscopy and its indications will certainly be extended to laparoscopic surgery.


Oxidative deamination of epsilon-N-acetylthialysine and epsilon-N-acetylselenalysine by snake venom L-aminoacid oxidase. epsilon-N-acetylthialysine and epsilon-N-acetylselenalysine are oxidatively deaminated by Crotalus adamanteus l-aminoacid oxidase, giving rise to the corresponding alpha-ketoacids, identified by some chemical and chromatographic tests and by comparison with synthetic compounds. no cleavage of the C-S or C-Se bonds of the substrates occurs during the reaction. The enzyme acts as well on the epsilon-N-acetylderivatives of thialysine and selenalysine as on epsilon-N-acetyllysine. The substitution of the gamma methylene group of lysine by a sulfur or a selenium atom seems not to greatly affect the substrate specificity of the enzyme.


Postnatal amino acid uptake by the rat small intestine. Changes in membrane transport systems for amino acids associated with maturation of jejunal morphology. The uptake of a number of amino acids by the developing small intestine of the rat was investigated in vitro. L-valine, L-leucine, L-methionine, L-phenylalanine, L-arginine and L-lysine were all taken up by active transport and concentrated within the jejunal mucosa. GABA was not actively transported by the jejunum. The kinetics of carrier transport of amino acids was determined from birth to maturity. The Michaelis constant (Km) of the L-leucine, L-methionine, L-arginine and l-lysine transport systems was found to be low postnatally and increased with age, particularly after the time of weaning. The rate of l-leucine, L-methionine, L-phenylalanine and L-lysine transport (Vmax) was high postnatally but decreased after weaning. Neutral amino acids were transported at higher rates than basic amino acids. l-arginine was poorly transported by the jejunum. The specificity of transport systems for amino acids was investigated in inhibition studies. Amino acid transport systems appeared to be polyfunctional in the postnatal period but were more specific in post-weaned animals. The changes in kinetics and specificity of amino acid transport in the small intestine are discussed with reference to their possible functional significance and to the maturational changes in the jejunum, particularly with the appearance of a functionally distinct absorptive cell lining the intestinal villi during the third postnatal week (the time of weaning).


The differential diagnosis of the bovine theilerias of Southern Africa. It is currently thought that the following species or sub-species of Theileria occur in cattle in southern Africa: Theileria parva parva (East Coast fever), Theileria parva lawrencei (Corridor disease), Theileria parva bovie (Rhodesian theileriosis), Theileria mutans proper (transmitted by Amblyomma species), so-called Theileria mutans (a non-pathogenic species transmitted by Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, possibly identical with Theileria taurotragi) and Theileria velifera. The parasites can be differentiated on serological, morphological and epidemiological grounds. The four true species are serologically distinct. T. mutans proper and T. velifera show morphological differences from the other two species in some stages of their development. The T. parva group are the only parasites that are commonly pathogenic. Differentiation of the three members of this group is based on differences in the numbers of schizonts and piroplasms present and on differences in the epidemiology of the diseases they cause.


Comparative aspects of the inactivation of fructose 1,6 bisphosphate aldolase by D- and l-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase inactivation by L- and D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (Ga 3-P) obeys pseudo first-order kinetics. L-Ga 3-P is much more effective than the D-isomer: the Ki values obtained are 0.032 mM and 0.54 mM respectively. Kinetic analysis suggests that one residue of the active center region is involved in the inactivation mechanism: specifically, a cysteine residue appears to be responsible for the initial inactivation by L-Ga 3-P. Lysine and arginine residues become involved at further steps of the inactivation mechanism. No correlation between loss of thiol groups and decay of catalytic activity was observed for the enzyme treated with D-Ga 3-P. The role of lysine and arginine residues in this reaction is discussed.


The primary structure of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from pig heart: peptides obtained by cleavage with pepsin and with Staphylococcus aureus protease. Results obtained after digestion of mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from pig heart with pepsin and with the protease from S. aureus are described. Peptic digestion produced a very complex mixture of peptides, which were purified and analyzed; structural information contained in these peptides covered nearly the entire molecule. Moreover, the lengths of some individual peptides and the peculiar self-overlapping found with families of peptides from adjacent regions were especially useful and interesting. Not all the possible peptides originating after digestion with S. aureus protease were isolated and examined. However, the high specificity of this protease and its usefulness for sequence studies were confirmed. In particular, the S. aureus peptides obtained were important for establishing the amidation state of glutamic acid/glutamine residues.


[Prophylactic use of antibiotics in biliary tract and stomach surgery (author's transl)]. 115 patients undergoing elective surgery on biliary tract (80 patients), and stomach (35 patients) for duodenal ulcer were divided into three groups: some received prophylactic antibiotics, cephalothin sodium or sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim and some received none. The antibiotics were started preoperatively and continued postoperatively for three days. The wound infection rate was reduced from 7.1% in the control group to 2.3% in patients treated with cephalothin sodium and 3.2% in sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim treated group. In patients who had biliary tract surgery, the wound infection rate was reduced to 3.3% and 0% with cephalothin sodium and sulfamethoxasole-trimetoprim respectively from 10% in the control group. Only one patient who had gastric surgery who received sulfamethoxasole-trimetoprim prophylactically, developed wound infection postoperatively. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However the wound infection rate was higher in patients who had positive bile culture (p < 0.05).


[Antigenic relationships between Salmonella choleraesuis strains and Torulopsis (author's transl)]. Antigenic relationships between Candida clausseni and Salmonella choleraesuis were presented before. In this study, antigenic relationships between Salmonella choleraesuis and different strains of Torulopsis analyzed by immunodiffusion studies. Antigenic relationships between intragroups of Torulopsis were also studied. The results showed that the common thermostable component (s) of S. choleraesuis and Torulopsis musae may probably be related to the common enterobacterial antigen. Other results are also discussed.


[Bartter's syndrome: the long term effects of indomethacin on growth (author's transl)]. Six children with Bartter's syndrome aged 6 years 4 months to 13 years 11 months were treated with indomethacin (1.7 to 4.3 mg/kg/day) during 7 to 27 months. A catch up growth was first observed, then growth curve was parallel to the normal. A catch up weight was also observed. The osseous maturation was the faster it was more delayed. These changes were observed despite a partial correction of potassium and plasma renine activity.


[Hypophosphatemias (author's transl)].

[Hypophosphatemias (author's transl)]. Severe hypophosphatemia may be observed after the ingestion of certain antacids which complex phosphorus in the intestinal lumen. In severe burn cases, during realimentation after denutrition, during intense and prolonged hyperventilations responsible for respiratory alkalosis, in diabetic ketoacidosis and in alcoholics. Hypophosphatemia lead to erythrocyte abnormalities which may eventually approach hemolysis, to phagocytosis and platelet function disorders and to neurological troubles which suggest a metabolic encephalopathy, a myopathy, a metabolic acidosis or a change in hepatic functioning. Treatment for hypophosphatemia with milk and sodium or potassium phosphate must be begun as soon as possible and must be sufficient to maintain blood phosphate levels above 10 mg/liter.


[Effects of the parenteral administration of trinitroglycerin on myocardial function, coronary flow and myocardial oxygen consumption in the coronary artery disease patient (author's transl)]. An angiographic study, combined with the determination of coronary flow (thermodilution) and of coronary arteriovenous difference was performed in 10 patients with coronary artery disease under basal conditions and following an infusion of trinitroglycerine. The following changes were noted under the influence of trinitroglycerine: significant fall in left ventricular telediastolic pressure (40%), telediastolic volume (18%), telediastolic strain (53%), mean aortic pressure (11%) and mean systolic strain (21%). Significant increase in ejection fraction (8%), mean shortening (Vcf: 22%) and thickening (Vep: 22%) rates. Significant fall in coronary flow (11%) without any change in coronary arteriovenous difference. Decrease in myocardial oxygen consumption parallel to the reduction in mean systolic strain. These results indicate that the essential mechanism of haemodynamic and metabolic action of trinitroglycerine is located at the level of "load", in particular "preload".


[Intravenous trinitroglycerin during acute myocardial infarction with cardiac failure. Cooperative study of 68 patients (author's transl)]. Intravenous trinitroglycerine was administered in 68 patients in cardiac failure during the acute phase of myocardial infarction. With a mean hourly dose of 1.58 mg, trinitroglycerine was effective against signs of left and right heart failure after about ten minutes for almost all the teams involved, its tolerance being excellent. Mean capillary pressure fell by 33% (from 22.4 +/- 0.71 mmHg to 15.5 +/- 0.60 mmHg; n = 68; p < 10(-9), as did mean pulmonary artery pressure. Mean right atrial pressure fell by 25% (from 9.96 +/- 0.53 mmHg to 7.48 +/- 0.58 mmHg; n = 68; p  < 10(-9). Cardiac output increased by 10.7% (from 2.48 +/- 0.07 l/mn/m2 to 2.74 l/mn/m2; n = 68; p < 10(-7). Since cardiac output was unaltered, systolic index was improved, as was cardiac index, by 11.5% (from 28.4 +/- 1.08 cm3/syst/m2 to 31.7 +/- 1.15 cm3/syst/cm2; n = 68; p < 10(-5). Mean arterial blood pressure was slightly decreased (-9.3%; p < 10(-9), as were systemic resistance (-13%; p < 10(-6) and pulmonary resistance (-27%; p < 10(-6). Systolic work index was significantly improved by 8.37% (from 31.3 +/- 1.73 g-m/m2 to 33.7 +/- 1.74 g-m/m2); n = 68; p < 0.01), which reflects, in view of the decrease in the total work supplied by the heart, a redistribution in favour of more useful work. Treatment must be adapted for each patient, in order to determine the optimum hourly dose of TNT,. which ensures the best cardiac index whilst adequately reducing capillary pressure to levels of the order of 14 to 18 mmHg. Treatment must be closely observed and altered several times a day in relation to values of cardiac output and pulmonary capillary pressure.


[Intravenous trinitroglycerin in the treatment of pre-infarction syndrome. Preliminary results (author's transl)]. Intravenous trinitroglycerine (IV TNT) was used in 17 patients with myocardial pre-infarction syndrome defined by the presence of prolonged spontaneous attacks of attacks of angina, with electrocardiographic changes, persisting despite medical treatment with beta-blockers and oral nitrite derivatives. Seven patients had chronic angina, 7 had angina of recent onset and 3 patients had early post-infarction angina. IV TNT was used for 3 to 11 days at a mean dose of 40 micrograms/mn in 11 patients and 8 micrograms/mn in 6 patients. In the latter, cardiac output and pulmonary pressures were measured. IV TNT made it possible to decrease or stop angina attacks in all the patients except one. There was no significant variation in heart rate and mean blood pressure fell by 8 mmHg (p < 0.001). Cardiac index was maintained despite a fall in capillary pressure of 4.1 mmHg (p < 0.01). Coronary arteriography was performed in 16 cases, with circulatory assistance in 4 patients. Thirteen patients were treated by surgical revascularisation, with two operative deaths. IV TNT appeared to be effective and well tolerated treatment in these particularly severe forms of unstable angina.


[Nitroglycerin infusion in patients with or without cardiac failure. Demonstration by multifactorial analysis (analysis of correspondences) of three types of hemodynamic response dependent upon the initial state (author's transl)]. The effects of nitroglycerin on systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output are highly debated. This study demonstrates that these effects depend on the initial haemodynamic condition, and explains the conflicting results previously reported. 31 patients presenting initially with a fairly wide spectrum of various haemodynamic parameters underwent cardiac catheterisation with measures of parameters before and after nitroglycerin infusion. Multifactorial statistical analysis by correspondence analysis identifies 3 types of haemodynamic responses and demonstrates the association of each response with a particular haemodynamic profile. It is demonstrated that systemic vascular resistance is decreased only when it is initially elevated and cardiac output is increased only when initial pulmonary wedge pressure and systemic vascular resistance are elevated and cardiac output is low. The effects of nitroglycerin on cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, heart rate and arterial pressure differ significantly according to the presence or not of cardiac insufficiency and depend mainly on the initial value of three parameters: systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary wedge pressure and cardiac output.


[Nutritional status in critically ill patients. Relationship with mortality (author's transl)]. Plasma proteins, triglyceridemia, body composition and delayed hypersensitivity were determined in 154 critically ill patients after admission. Plasma proteins levels were significantly increased in patients that were subsequently discharged vs. those that died: albumin: 33 +/- 6 g/l vs 28 +/- 6 g/l (p < 10(-6)); transferrin 2,18 +/- 0,65 g/l vs. 1,54 +/0 0,55 g/l (p < 10(-7)); prealbumin: 14,32 +/- 7,79 mg/100 ml vs. 7,28 +/-5,36 mg/100 ml (p < 10(-7)) and triglyceridemia was decreased: 1,07 +/- 0,38 g/l vs. 1,66 +/- 1,12 g/l (p not equal to 10(-3)). Body weight, fat weight and lead body mass were not correlated to subsequent mortality. Muscle cell mass was decreased (-17%, p < 10(-2)) and extracellular water was increased (+14%, p < 10(-4)), in patients who subsequently died. Total body water and visceral cell mass did not change. Initial anergy (tested with 3 antigens: candidin, tuberculin, varidase) did correlate with mortality: 35/62 died when delayed hypersensitivity was negative vs. 13/71 when it was positive (p < 10(-4)). Mortality was associated with decreased total lymphocyte count: 884 +/- 1025 vs. 1270 +/- 870 (p < 0,02) and serum iron: 51 +/- 40 micrograms/100 ml vs. 74 +/- 45 micrograms/100 ml (p < 10(-2)). Sepsis correlated with mortality (p < 10(-3)) and could produce these changes. These results suggest that critically ill paients have a protein-calorie malnutrition syndrom marktly different from that observed in simple starvation. Nutritional therapy must be, in this group of patients, adapted to this concept.


[Sodium cromoglycate in spray treatment (author's transl)]. 1) Intal nebuliser solution can be effectively administered to young asthmatic children. 2) The treatment is well accepted and efficacious with no reported side effects. 3) Nebulisation provides a practical alternative for patients unable to inhale Intal powder via a spinhaler.


Determination of the minimal amount of IgG synthesized within the central nervous system in different neurological diseases. The albumin and the IgG were determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from 312 patients by radial immunodiffusion. The correlation between the CSF/serum ratio of IgG and the CSF/serum ratio of albumin was determined by regression analysis in three groups of patients with no signs of IgG synthesis within the central nervous system. The patients were selected on the basis of the state of the blood-CSF barrier, as indicated by the ratio of serum/CSF of albumin. Using the +2 S.D. regression borderlines, the maximal amount of IgG derived from the blood and the minimal amount of IgG synthesized within the central nervous system can be calculated in CSF samples of patients with acute infections and chronic inflammatory diseases.


Diagnosis of urethral diverticula in females. Female urethral diverticula are probably a more common cause of symptomatology than is generally suspected. Radiologic techniques may play a key role in their demonstration. Particularly in the patient with clinical findings referable to the urethral area, fluoroscopy of the urethra as part of cystography as well as the use of urethral catheters may be helpful in diagnosis.


Malignant external otitis with multiple cranial nerve involvement. A case of bilateral malignment external otitis with multiple cranial nerve deficits is presented. Thirty-five similar cases reported in the world literature are reviewed. All cranial nerves have been involved with the exception of the first and fourth. The resultant pseudomonas ostemyelitis may be spread extensively in these elderly diabetic patients to involve the entire base of the skull as well as other structures. The preferred treatment is long term systemic antibiotics followed by surgical intervention for plateau or further progression of disease. The overall mortality is 61 percent (22/36), a lower figure than previously reported.


Deficiency of arylsulfatase B in 2 brothers aged 40 and 38 years (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome, type B). Two brothers, aged 40 and 38 years, suffered from dysplastic features, coarse facies, bone and skeletal abnormalities, deformities of spine, and joint impairments. Body heights were 168 and 164 cm, respectively. Enlargement of liver and spleen, cardiac insufficiency, marked corneal clouding, and hernias were absent. Both patients had signs of cervical and lumbar radiculopathy and cervical myelopathy (tetraspastic syndrome). Vacuoles, acid phosphatase-positive granules, and metachromatic inclusions were found in peripheral lymphocytes; granulocytes and monocytes contained azurophilic hypergranulation. By electron microscopy, clear membrane-bound vacuoles were noted in lymphocytes (but not in neurtrophils), fibroblasts, Schwann cells, mural cells of the vasculature, and epidermal cells. Leukocytes, urine, and cultured skin fibroblasts revealed a deficiency of arylsulfatase B (N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate sulfatase). The 6-year-old daughter of one of the patients has an intermediate level of this enzyme. Fibroblasts exhibited a constant intracellular accumulation of 35S-labeled mucopolysaccharides. The urine of one of the brothers showed an abnormal mucopolysacchariduria; in both, the presence of urinary dermatan sulfate could be demonstrated. These findings conform to the mild B variant of Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome with high longevity.


Growth yields, polysaccharide production and energy conservation in chemostat cultures of Rhizobium trifolii. Rhizobium trifolii was grown in a defined medium in chemostat cultures. Extracellular polysaccharide production was found in carbon-sufficient as well as in carbon-limited cultures. Extracellular polysaccharide production in carbon-limited cultures was strongly dependent on the growth rate. In mannitol-limited cultures, asparagine was always totally depleted from the culture medium. Only when the asparagine supply was not sufficient to meet the nitrogen need of the culture, ammonia assimilation took place. Excess organic nitrogen was excreted as ammonia. Whether ammonia assimilation or ammonia excretion took place was also dependent on the growth rate. Respiration-coupled proton translocation measurements showed the presence of three energy conserving sites in an electron transport chain which is branched. Assuming a H+/P ratio of 4, a P/O ratio of 2.33 was found. Growth yield calculations indicated a P/O ratio of approximately 2. Sulphate limitation in the chemostat culture resulted in a decrease in the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation and in a less stringent coupling between growth and energy yielding processes.


(1-14C) acetate assimilation by obligate methylotrophs, Pseudomonas methanica and Methylosinus trichosporium. The oxidation of one carbon compounds (methane, methanol, formaldehyde, formate) and primary alcohols (ethanol, propanol, butanol) supported the assimilation of [1-14C]acetate by cell suspensions of type I obligate methylotroph, Pseudomonas methanica, Texas strain, and type II obligate methylotroph, Methylosinus trichosporium, strain PG. The amount of oxygen consumed and substrate oxidized correlated with the amount of [1-14C]acetate assimilated during oxidation of C-1 compounds and primary alcohols. Oxidation of methanol, formaldehyde, and primary alcohols in extracts of Pseudomonas methanica, Texas strain, and Methylosinus trichosporium, strain PG, was catalyzed by a phenazine methosulfate linked, ammonium ion dependent methanol dehydrogenase. The oxidation of aldehydes was catalyzed by a phenazine methosulfate linked, ammonium ion independent aldehyde dehydrogenase. Formate was oxidized by a NAD+ linked formate dehydrogenase.


[A study on microbiological characteristics and sensitivity to antibiotics of 108 "Pseudomonas aeruginosa" strains collected during hospital infections (author's transl)]. The aim of this research has been considering the increasing importance of hospital infections due to the so called "opportunist bacteria", to value which is the frequency of isolating Pseudomonas aeruginosa types from various hospital sections pathogenous material. Moreover morphological, straining, cultivation and biochemical characteristics have been studied together with enzymatic properties (lipase, ecc.), serological characteristics and sensitivity to antibiotics. We hoped to find same differences among Pseudomonas aeruginosa different types related to the pathological material kind or to the department of origin. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa different types have been isolated, mostly from urine and bronchial secretions belonging to patients in the Reanimation Department, with a somewhat low frequency (9.8%) in relation to the total number of types. Results obtained showed how all the types have almost the some characteristics and only seldom (8.3%) a complete resistance to all antibiotics tested. Most past of them (31.4%) instead showed sensibility to 4 or more different antibiotics.


[Researches on the production of inhibitory substances by strains of "N. meningitidis" (author's transl)]. The possibility to produce some inhibitory substances has been researched in 85 strains of N. meningitidis belonging to different serogroups. By the double layer agar method, 9 of these strains have inhibited the growth of one or more indicator strains. We had the best results at 37 degrees C and 30 degrees C in tests made incubating 3 producer strains in different experiment conditions; the "Brain heart infusion agar" and the "Heart infusion agar" were the best and fittest culture media, used for the production of these substances. Several attempts to get the production of bacteriocins in liquid culture media have always given negative results, both by spontaneous growing and by ultraviolet irradiation and mitomycin induction. We were able to get 3 among these substances from as many strains of N. meningitidis (from the 85 tested) in the supernatant, only growing the strains in soft agar and centrifuging these growths. So these 3 bacteriocins had inhibited the growth of the 92% of the tested N. meningitidis, but they were inactive towards 296 bacterial strains belonging to Gram-positive and Gram-negative species (including the 15 strains of Shigella and E. coli given as indicators in the research of colicins), 70 strains of Mycoplasma and 9 L-forms of Pr. mirabilis and of St. aureus. Only 3 L-forms obtained from as many strains of N. meningitidis resulted to be inhibited by the three bacteriocins.


The action of humidified gas on the pulmonary lining layer. Ultrastructural observations after administration of pure oxygen and of various mixtures of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The study concerns the action of dehumidified or humidified gas on the pulmonary lining layer. The results of our research suggest that water vapor used in artificial ventilation may be an important determining factor of the respiratory problems reported by clinicians in man. Important modifications of the lining layer of the alveolar epithelium occur, accompanied by more important alterations, including those of the content of the alveolus, all of which contribute to the pulmonary edema observed.