Growth and maturity characteristics of schoolboy gymnasts. Anthropometric and pubertal status data have been collected on 99 schoolboy gymnasts. There are marked differences compared with standard percentile values for British children. This is most evident in the gymnasts' high biacromial diameters and low skinfold measurements. The anthropometric measurements are tabulated according to pubertal rating. The patterns of training are also presented. The atypical growth patterns of the gymnasts might have resulted from the intensive training requirements of the sport, but alternatively their particular physique may have favoured participation in gymnastics.


Variation and inheritance of relative length of index finger in man. The length of index finger relative to fourth finger has been measured on parents and children in 190 families belonging to an endogamous Reddy community of Nalgonda District, India. The distribution of relative index finger length among various family groups was unimodal and symmetric. Heritability estimates based on parent-offspring regressions indicate a moderate level (40--70 percent) of additive genetic variance. There was no evidence for the influence of sex-linked additive genes.


Age at menarche in deaf girls.

Age at menarche in deaf girls. Using the status quo and retrospective methods, age at menarche was estimated for a sample of 212 deaf girls 7 through 20 years of age. Median age at menarche via probit analysis was 11.91 +/- 0.25 years, while the mean based on recalled age in older girls (greater than or equal to 15.5 years) was 12.56 +/- 0.16 years. These two estimates thus differ by approximately 0.6 years. The probit estimate of median age at menarche in deaf girls is similar to mean ages reported for blind girls. However, the retrospective age is later. Thus, the present data are inconclusive as to whether the sensory deprivation imposed by deafness has an accelerating effect on menarche similar to that hypothesized for light deprivation in blind girls.


ABO blood groups and cholera.

ABO blood groups and cholera. The ABO blood group of 87 bacteriologically proven cases of cholera and 33 bacteriologically negative cholera-like diarrhoea cases was determined. When compared with the normal blood group distribution in the population of the Philippines of the same racial group to which the patients belonged, a relatively larger number of cases were found to occur in individuals of group O and a lesser number in those of group A. A plea is made for further studies on these lines to explain the host susceptibility in cholera and other acute enterotoxigenic diarrhoeas.


Phage-typing of Salmonella weltevreden based on lysogeny. I. The phage-typing system. All of the 1070 strains of Salmonella weltevreden tested were lysogenic, temperate phage being demonstrable in 83.9% of the strains in broth culture, 6.4% in mixed culture and the remaining 9.7% after induction by UV-irradiation and MC treatment. A phage-typing scheme for Salmonella weltevreden based on the host range of temperate phages was developed. The strains could be classified into eight groups by means of the host range of their temperate phages on six indicator strains and a ninth group, the symbiotic phages of which failed to lyse any of the indicator strains.


Phage-typing of Salmonella weltevreden based on lysogeny. II. Epidemiological usefulness of the system and geographical distribution of its phage-types. Nine hundred and forty-six strains of Salmonella weltevreden isolated in different states of India during 1958-1974 and 124 strains from Australia, Burma, Holland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam during 1953-1971 were phage-typed according to the phage-typing scheme described in the first part of this paper (Sood and Basu, 1977). The epidemiological incidence and geographical distribution of phage-types of Salmonella weltevreden were studied. All the phage-types were present in India, the predominant phage-types being b, d and i. Phage-type g was isolated exclusively from India. All the 14 strains from Hawaii belonged to phage-type i. Phage-type h was the most predominant phage-type in Vietnam. The 15 strains isolated from Papua New Guinea in 1965, which were supposed to have originated from a single source, belonged to 3 phage-types. Except these cultures all the available epidemiologically related strains were of uniform phage-types - a finding which establishes the epidemiological validity of the scheme.


Metschnikowia lunata sp. nov.

Metschnikowia lunata sp. nov. Ascosporulation in the yeast strain designated as Selenotila intestinalis Krassilnikov was achieved. On the basis of mode of ascus formation and ascospore morphology it is included in the genus Metschnikowia Kamienski as a new species, M. lunata.


Carbohydrate composition and taxonomy of the genus Dipodascus. Carbohydrates released during acid hydrolysis of intact cells of Dipodascus were studied by gas-liquid chromatographic analysis as their trimethylsilyl derivatives. In addition, cells were characterized by pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography and pyrolysis mass spectrometry. The data obtained support the classification of Dipodascus uninucleatus in a separate genus Dipodascopsis. Glucuronic acid is present in D. uninucleatus and, therefore, a possible affinity to fungi classified in the Zygomycetes is considered. Dipodascus aggregatus and Dipodascus australiensis were found to be rather different, but very close to Geotrichum candidum and related species.


The taxonomy of Penicillium species from fermented cheeses. The taxonomy of the Penicillium camberti and P. roqueforti series is re-investigated. P. caseicolum Bainier is regarded as a synonym of P. camemberti Thom on the basis of morphological characters. P. casei Staub is considered to be identical with P. verrucosm Dierckx var. cyclopium (Westling) Samson, Stolk et Hadlok. Descriptions and illustrations of P. camemberti and P. roqueforti Thom are given. The occurrence and mycotoxin production of both species are shortly discussed.


[Morphogenic interactions between tooth components]. The in vitro evolution of interspecific associations between pulps and enamel organs of embryonic Mouse and Rabbit tooth germs was studied. It was shown that young pulps controlled the three-dimensional structure of tooth germs. It was also shown that dental papillae cells and dental epithelial cells, after monolayer culture, did not loose their respective ability to direct the histogenesis of teeth.


Surgical treatment of the bleeding peptic ulcer. Sixty-six patients were subjected to operation for a bleeding ulcer, 14 of them died. There was little difference between the results of truncal vagotomy and resection, in contrast to reports in the literature that vagotomy gave better results especially in duodenal ulcer. Emphasis is laid on the importance of locating the hemorrhage preoperatively. The mortality rate of the operation is determined to a significant extent by the patient's condition at the time of onset of the hemorrhage.


The treatment of benign strictures in the distal portion of the oesophagus. Oesophagocardial plasty combined with intrathoracic fundoplication (Thal-Nissen-Rosetti) appears to be efficacious in the treatment of severe achalasia and of stenosis resulting from reflux in hiatus hernia. Advanced age and moderately severe cardiorespiratory disorders do not preclude good results from this operation. The above procedure was applied to six patients, with results varying from very good to fair.


Typhoid osteomyelitis.

Typhoid osteomyelitis. A case of typhoid osteomyelitis of the left lower leg is described. The incidence, clinical features and therapy of this bone infection are outlined. This uncommon bone infection was confirmed 30 years after the initial infection with S. typhi. Surgical intervention and administration of chloramphenicol resulted in complete recovery.


[Electron microscopic examination of the morphogenesis of the elastic fibre in elastosis senilis and pseudoxanthoma elasticum (author's transl)]. We undertook to investigate the elastic and collagenous fibers of senile elastosis (s.E.) and pseudoxanthoma elasticum (P.e.). This was done by comparing the above with normal skin under the electron microscope. The main difference is the increasing occurance of a fine granular-filamentous substance composed of microfibrils of varying thicknesses. A new formation arises as this substance is excreted by the activated fibroblasts and the combines extracellulary with the pathological elastic fibers. In the case of P.e. there is an additional calcification. It seems that with the elastogenesis of s.E. small elastic fibers are formed. P.e., in contrast, shows irregular electron-dense reticular sheets with numerous holes. The alteration of collagen observed in both diseases is considered as the primary change (which arises in both cases through the fine granular-filamentous material). In both diseases it is a matter of alterations of the little vessels, in endothel and basement membranes. We find here the same fine granular-filamentous substance in the elastic fibers of lamina interna, where as in P.e. we can see the calcification.


[Some measures of proliferative activity in normal and leukoplakic buccal mucosa (author's transl)]. In 29 patients, the DNA synthesis rate of clinically healthy buccal mucosa epithelium in comparison to benign buccal leukoplakias has been studied by in vitro-autoradiography. The proliferative activity has been determined by means of the 3H-labelling indices of basal cells (LBC) and suprabasal cells (LSBC) including the total of labelled epithelium cells and the quotient of LBC:LSBC as well. The progenitor compartment of both leukoplakic and normal buccal epithelium comprises the stratum basale and the adjacent 2-3 layers of suprabasal cells. Around 70% of the DNA synthesis of normal mucosa was found in the suprabasal nuclei of the progenitor compartment. In the leukoplakic mucosa, some displacement of the labelled nuclei in the progenitor compartment resulting in a statistically significant change of the quotient of LBC:LSBC in favour of LBC was determined. Moreover, the leukoplakic specimens showed a moderate decrease of the mean proliferative activity of the total of labelled epithelial cells which may be due to a diminished exfoliation of cornified cells from the hyper(ortho)keratotic surface. It is supposed that in chronic oral leukoplakias some variation of the steady state between renewal and desquamative loss of epithelial cells is operating as far as no precancerous condition is present.


New appliance for in vivo determination of the thickness of the horny layer. Principle of the method, apparatus. An electronically guided mechanism permits the "unbloody" measurement of the horny layer (HL) thickness in vivo. If a steel needle is driven by a constant speed electrode through the HL from the exterior, it is possible to measure and catalogue specific resistance variations by means of synchronic recording following derivation from the alternating current circuit against an indifferent electrode per needle electrode through the HL, i.e. from the point of skin surface contact to that of the living "ell layer of the epidermis. The mechanical construction consists of a hydraulic trust with a measuring head which is affixed by subpressure to the skin surface. The electronic device of plug-in design constains: 1. a constant voltage generator for the analogous and digital electronic, 2. a high Ohm test amplifier as well as threshold value switch, and measuring area transformer, 3. a digital measuring value indicator, hydraulic-guidance logistics, inclusive of respective operational parts. Measuring values, made available by electronic output, are being transmitted numerically via code transformer to a teletypewriter and simultaneously transferred on an electronic data processing tape. Presented are measuring data for the calibration of the device as well as a series of results of HL-thickness measurements. Methodological errors are being discussed, just as the applicability of the device for research and practical usage.


[Physical forces in blister formation. I. Direct measurement of blister fluid colloid osmotic pressure in suction blisters and in bullous diseases (author's transl)]. The physical forces operative in the fluid migration from the interstitial spaces into the blister cleft have not been directly measured until now. The colloid osmotic pressure was determined in suction blister fluid after mild suction blister production by a modified "Dermovac" and in blister fluid of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis, bullous allergic contact dermatitis and pemphrigus vulgaris and in the sera of healthy persons. The colloid osmotic pressure was measured by means of a recently developed osmometer with a semipermeable membrane between two chambers, one of them filled with Ringer solution, the other with the blister fluid sample. The negative pressure in the first chamber was determined. The colloid osmotic pressure of suction blister fluid averages approximately 7 cm H2O, the values reach about 20 cm H2O in bullous diseases and about 38 cm H2O in the normal sera. The blister fluid colloid osmotic pressure has to rise to about 15 cm H2O or more to cause the fluid transport from the interstitial spaces of the surrounding tissue into the blister because of the negative interstitial fluid pressure and the colloid osmotic pressure of the interstitial fluid. Otherwise the blister fluid is reabsorbed back into the interstitial spaces.


Physiopathological variations in the mechanical properties of skin. An evaluation of the rheological properties of skin is provided by measuring "in situ" the ability of skin to withstand vertical forces of extension. In physiological conditions the biomechanical parameters are reproducible and related to age, sex, skin thickness and the microarchitecture of the connective tissue studied by scanning electron microscopy. These observations shed some light on the structure-function relationship of the fibrous framework of the connective tissue. Variation in the biomechanical parameters can be used to substantiate clinical diagnosis and to monitor the evolution and the therapy of various diseases of the connective tissue.


[Annulate nexus and "virus like particles" (author's transl)]. Dependent on the direction in which the specimens are sectioned annular shaped nexus of neighbouring cell membranes may be misinterpreted as "virus like particles". It is suggested that many of the "virus like particles" described in tumor research may be annulate nexus.


Low dose heparin: bleeding and wound complications in the surgical patient. A prospective randomized study. A randomized prospective study of low dose heparin  was performed in 175 surgical patients to determine the frequency of bleeding and wound complications. The patients were divided into three groups: (1) low dose heparin (5000 units two hours before operation and 5000 units every 12 hours following operation for five days); (2) low dose heparin postoperatively only; and (3) a control group. The frequency of bleeding and wound complications was 27% in group I, 7.5% in group II, and 1.4% in group III. The difference between the control patients and those heparinized pre- and postoperatively is statistically significant (p less than 0.005). None of the patients in any of the three groups had a pulmonary embolus, but the number of patients involved is too small to assess the significance of this finding. However, a bleeding and wound complication rate of 27% is significant. These findings indicate that perhaps the routine use of low dose heparin should be reserved for those patients with preoperative factors indicating an increased risk from thromboembolism.


Total pancreatectomy for cancer. An appraisal of 65 cases. Sixty-five patients operated with total pancreatectomy were reviewed with respect to factors influencing operative mortality and morbidity, long-term survival, and metabolic sequelae. The diagnoses were pancreatic cancer in 58 patients, periampullary cancer in three, cancer of the bile duct in two and leiomyosarcoma of the duodenum and cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas in one patient, respectively. In nine of the 58 cases with cancer of the caput, the histological examination revealed multicentricity of the tumor. In 44%, there were signs of degeneration and fibrosis in the distal part of the gland. Hospital mortality was 23% for the entire series. After 1970 the hospital mortality was 17%, and among patients operated by senior surgeons especially trained in pancreatic surgery, the hospital mortality was 12% during the whole period. The peroperative bilirubin levels seemed to influence survival time. Among 24 patients operated before 1975 in whom the operating surgeon judged the operation as radical, a five year survival of 21% was recorded. In patients without detectable lymph node metastases, the mean survival time was 25 months. The postoperative exocrine insufficiency and diabetes were possible to control. A blood sugar level above 10 micromol/l was found to significantly decrease the frequency of hypoglycemic attacks. Total pancreatectomy appears to be the surgical procedure preferred when radical treatment is selected.


[Some experimental data on the seroprophylaxis of tetanus]. The survival time of tetanus heterologous antitoxins, crude or digested, has been controlled by indirect haemagglutination (I.H.A.) and neutralization tests in guinea pigs and rabbits. Digested antitoxins are demonstrable in guinea pigs up to the 8th day, in rabbits only during the first day. They reach the highest level 24 hours after the injection: tested with I.H.A. show a good correlation with the quantity of injected antitoxin. In the sera of three wounded subjects, treated with Ig or digested horse antitetanic serum, after 24 hours the I.H.A. test was negative, while the neutralizing antibody titer was equal to 0.1/0.01 I.U./ml. These contrasting results are probably due to circulating Fab' gragments from decaying tetanus antitoxins.


Plasma insulin and surgery. I. Early changes due to operation in the insulin response to glucose. The effects of elective abdominal operation on the disposal of a sustained intravenous glucose load and on the biphasic response of plasma insulin have been examined. During operation, low plasma insulin concentrations were observed despite the high plasma glucose values achieved. On the morning after operation, both phases of the insulin response to glucose were increased. This increase was seen even when subjects were compared at the same plasma glucose value. The response to tolbutamide was also greatly exaggerated. Pre- and postoperative glucose curves were approximately parallel, suggesting that glucose uptake was similar in both situations despite the presence of the postoperative hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. This is at variance with previous reports based on conventional bolus dose intravenous tests which have suggested reduced postoperative glucose utilization. A new interpretation of the data is proposed.


[Electrosyneresis in identification of staphylococcal enterotoxins]. Counterimmunoelectrophoresis adjusted on the ground of proteins tested electrophoretic features, is described as a rapid, simple and specific method for staphylococcal enterotoxins identification. This technique has been applied to either purified enterotoxins A, B, and C1 or crude enterotoxins from 196 E, S6 and 137 strains. Enterotoxin-serum reaction takes place in 25 minutes with formation of a precipitation band. Method sensibility moreover allow to use diluted sera and to detect 2 microgram of the purified toxin.


[Incidence of oxyuriasis in a schoolchild population in Milan, with socio-economic correlations. Verification of the therapeutic effectiveness of pyrantel pamoate]. 440 children aged between 3 and 5 were examined for Oxyuriasis in three schools of Milan during three different days. 31% of the children resulted parasited by Enterobius vermicularis: a clear correlation between parasitosis and socio-economic condition has been demonstrated. Treatment with "pirantel pamoate" has been proved effective in 88% of the cases.


Follow-up study of gastrin response after resection of the jejunum and the ileum. An experimental study was conducted on the effect of resection of the jejunum and ileum on gastrin release. The intravenous infusion of L. arginine in a dose of 0.5 g per kg body weight for 30 minutes proved to be most practical in evaluating gastrin release in addition to insulin and glucagon release. Serum gastrin levels in response to this dose of arginine were determined before and three weeks, three months and one year after resection of the jejunum and of the ileum. At three weeks, a significant increase in gastrin levels occurred in bothe the fasting state and after stimulation in dogs with either jejunum or ileum resection. At three months, the elevated gastrin response persisted only in those with jejunum resection. By one year, the gastrin levels had fallen in almost all dogs to approximately the preoperative levels.


Carcinoma of the pancreas and periampullary region: a 41 year experience. A retrospective review of 329 cases of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and 31 adenocarcinomas of the ampulla and and common bile duct seen between the years 1929 and 1973 was carried out. The most common complaints for carcinoma of the pancreas were pain, weight loss, and jaundice in that order of frequency; while jaundice was the most common complaint with periampullary lesions. The most common procedure carried out was a gastric and/or biliary bypass. Thirty-five patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. The survival of this latter group was longer and better than those undergoing bypass and in 40% of patients with ampullary carcinoma a cure was effected. Patients undergoing bypass did not live longer than patients undergoing simple exploratory laparotomy. Duration of symptoms and location of tumor within the pancreas (excluding ampullary tumors) did not appear significantly to alter the prognosis. In view of our experience it is felt that pancreatoduodenectomy should be undertaken whenever the tumor is deemed resectable as this provides the only chance for cure and the best palliation.


[Epidemic parotitis in Italy: results of a 1st vaccination trial]. Forty children over 12 months of age were inoculated subcutaneously with live mumps vaccine (Jeryl Lynn strain) and tested before and 6 weeks after vaccination for complement fixing, (CF) and hemadsorption neutralizing (HN) serum antibodies against a wild-mumps virus strain. CF antibody titers were not reliable for assessing both the previous immunity and the vaccine response. Among the 13 HN seronegative subjects the responders to the vaccine were 7, with a seroconversion rate of 53.8% and a geometric mean titer (GMT) of 1:2.6. Twenty (74.1%) of the 27 subjects already seropositive before the vaccination had a booster effect with an increase of the GMT from 1:8.29 to 1:33.89.


Gastric ulceration in patients receiving intrahepatic infusion of 5-fluorouracil. Gastric ulceration developed in eight patients during intrahpeatic arterial infusion of 5-FU. Bleeding occurred in four instances and perforation in one. In all cases the catheter tip had been dislodged and was proximal to its correct position, allowing the stomach to be directly infused with 5-FU. No duodenal ulcers were noted. All patients were symptomatic for several days before the diagnosis was made. Of 20 patients with catheter dislodgement, five had documented ulcers, three had upper gastrointestinal bleeding of undetermined etiology, eight had epigastric pain or vomiting and only four were asymptomatic. Prompt determination of catheter position is necessary in patients receiving intrahepatic arterial infusion of 5-FU if symptoms consistent with gastric ulceration occur. Gastric ulcers should be vigorously treated because of the high rate of complications in patients receiving chemotherapy.


Neonatal small left colon syndrome.

Neonatal small left colon syndrome. Neonatal small left colon syndrome is a functional disease of the lower colon which produces typical signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction. It is manifest in the first 24-48 hours of life, particularly in infants of diabetic mothers  and, if detected early, it can be fully cured by radiographic contrast enemas, not unlike meconium plug syndrome. Intestinal perforation and death may occur, however. The etiology of the disease is unknown but it may relate to neurohumoral imbalances between the autonomic nervous system and glucagon.


[Mathematical models in epidemiological studies. I. Application to the epidemic of cholera verified in Bari in 1973]. An analysis of the cholera epidemic which occurred in Bari in 1973, is carried out under the assumption that the main infection source has been the widespread consumption of "raw fish". The analysis is based on a chain-binomial model which appears to be suitable to describe the epidemic. A statistical evaluation of the parameters of the model confirms the initial hypothesis, owing to the observed rapid decreasing of the probability of infection, which occurs immediately after the disinfection of the sewage going into the sea.


Neutrophil chemotaxis in patients with burns. In a group of 22 patients with second and third degree burns, seven were found to have impaired chemotaxis. The chemotactic defect was present from two to 68 days and eventually became normal. The impairment was found to be due to a primary transient defect in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and not to an inhibitor or inactivator in the serum.


Heparin induced thrombocytopenia: eight cases with thrombotic-hemorrhagic complications. Increased heparin tolerance and recurrent thromboembolism which included myocardial infarction (3 patients), pulmonary embolism (2 patients) and complete aorto-iliac occlusion (2 patients), heralded the development of thrombocytopenia between the eighth and twelfth day of heparin therapy in six women and two men. The thrombocytopenia persisted until heparin was discontinued. Bleeding (cerebral hemorrhage) was the initial complication in one patients and occurred in conjunction with thrombotic complications in four other patients. Agglutination absorption testing in one and complement fixation testing in five patients suggested the presence of heparin dependent antiplatelet antibodies. After platelet recovery, four of the eight patients responded to parenteral heparin rechallenge with rapid decreases in their platelet counts. The early recognition of the syndrome with cessation of heparin therapy is imperative for the successful management of afflicted patients.


Experimental gastric sympathectomy: an effective prophylaxis of gastric stress lesions. Fifteen mini-pigs were bled to a mean aortic blood pressure of 40 mm Hg and maintained at that level for three hours. The control group consisted of eight animals with shock for three hours, while the test group was comprised of seven animals with a similar shock period but which had undergone splanchnicectomy 14 days earlier. In all animals a stimulated gastric secretion test was performed three days before and eight days after splanchnicectomy. All animals in the control group showed severe gastric mucosal lesions after shock. Conversely, the piglets with splanchnicectomy developed no changes (five animals) or only minor changes (two animals). The efficacy of splanchnicectomy was confirmed by a stimulated gastric secretion test in which basal acid output did not change after operation, but peak acid output increased significantly. This study suggests that gastric splanchnicectomy prevents gastric ulceration following experimental shock.


Hematuria as a sign of aorto-caval fistula. An aorto-caval fistula is a rare complication of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Typical features, including congestive heart failure and a loud abdominal bruit, may be present and allow prompt diagnosis, but not infrequently they are absent or overlooked and the diagnosis not made preoperatively. Four patients with an AAA and an aorto-caval fistula are described, each of whom presented with hematuria. We believe the presence of hematuria in a patient with a symptomatic AAA should suggest the diagnosis of an aorto-caval fistula. A correct preoperative diagnosis may contribute to better planning of the operative procedure, reduced blood loss, and avoidance of possible pulmonary embolization.


[Coexistence of aorto-pulmonary calcification]. The importance of finding in chest roentgenograms the coexistence of aortic and pulmonary artery calcification in emphasized. This radiologic feature is useful in patients which offered difficulty in the clinical diagnosis, it should suggest as a first possibility in the diagnosis patent ductus arteriosus.


Changes in spontaneous activity and emotional responses of rats treated with 6-hydroxydopamine at the suckling age. Spontaneous activity and emotional responses in mature rats treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA: 100 microgram X 2) injected into their left and right lateral ventricles during the suckling age (12th and 15th day of birth) were investigated. The 6-OHDA treated rats showed normal growth and no significant change in the norepinephrine levels of peripheral organs despite a marked and long-lasting decrease of catecholamine levels in the central nervous system. In the open field test, ambulation and rearing within 3 min were not altered by 6-OHDA treatment whereas a significant decrease in ambulation was noted in the treated rats during continuous 30 min observation. The running-wheel activity of the treated rats was significantly lower than that of control rats during 10 days of continuous observation. Methamphetamine (1 mg/kg s.c.) produced a marked increase of activity in both groups, but the activity of the treated rats was significantly higher than that of the control rats. In the emotional response test, an increased startle response to tail pinching was observed in the 6-OHDA treated rats. Thr results showed that compensatory mechanisms following destruction of catecholamine neurons developed to a considerable extent in the rats injected with 6-OHDA intraventricularly at their suckling age. The possible role of increased activity in the remaining intact or regenerated catecholamine neurons on the compensatory mechanisms was discussed.


[Vegetations of the mitral valve and the mitral prosthesis in patients with subacute bacterial endocarditis. Echocardiographic diagnosis]. In a patient with SBE in three differents ocassions in a period approximately of 9 months, the mitral valve was replaced on two occasions. The echocardiogram detected vegetations on two ocassions. The diagnosis of vegetation at the level of the mitral valve, was done for the first time in our hospital by this method. During the last admission, the echocardiogram suggested a vegetation at the level of the artificial mitral valve, projecting into the left atrium with the systole. This was confirmed by surgery.


Negative chronotropic effect of propanidid on the SA node of the dog heart in vivo. Effect of propanidid on the pacemaker activity of the SA node was investigated in anesthetized dogs by injecting 30 microgram to 3 mg into the SA node artery in a single dose in a period of 4 sec. The doses of more than 100 microgram usually induced a negative chronotropic response. The injection of more than 1 mg frequently caused a sinus arrest followed by AV nodal rhythm. The initial sinus rhythm, however, was restored within 2 min after the propanidid administration. Its negative chronotropic response was not altered by pretreatment with atropine which completely blocked the action of acetylcholine. Bilateral vagotomy also did not affect the response induced by propanidid. A control solution or histamine failed to cause such a depressant effect on the SA node as observed after the propanidid injection. Thus, we conclude that propanidid supresses the SA nodal activity by a direct local action.


The acute systemic and coronary hemodynamic effects of acetaldehyde. Acute coronary and systemic hemodynamic effects of acetaldehyde before and subsequent to beta adrenergic blockade by propranolol were studied in intact anesthetized dogs. Acetaldehyde produces a sympathomimetic effect compatible with catecholamine release as seen by an increase in heart rate, cardiac output, pulmonary and systemic pressures and body oxygen consumption. The marked decrease in coronary vascular resistance and increase in coronary blood flow is blocked to only a minor degree by propranolol, indicating that a major part of its action on the coronary circulation is not due to catecholamine release. Acetaldehyde dilates large coronary vessels and appears to increase collateral blood flow to obstructed arteries, as determined by angiographic study.


The systemic and coronary hemodynamic effects of intracoronary arterial tolazoline (Priscoline). Intracoronary injection of tolazoline in dogs produces transient coronary vasodilatation with marked reduction in the arteriovenous oxygen difference and little change in myocardial oxygen consumption. At lower doses coronary effects are produced almost exclusively but as the dose increases, systemic cardiovascular changes occur also. No fatalities occurred even with large doses of tolazoline into the coronary arteries of these healthy dogs. Since intraarterial tolazoline is used to improve visualization of vascular beds in other portions of the body, its possible use for coronary arteriography is discussed.


Coronary dilatory action of adenosine analogues: a comparative study. The coronary dilatory action of 23 adenosine analogues was investigated on a comparative basis after i.v. administration in anaesthetized dogs. Substitution of adenosine in position 5' with a COOH group and esterification led to a 50- to 100-fold increase in coronary efficacy (flow increase integrated over the time of action). Amidation of the carboxylic acid analogue further enhanced the coronary efficacy. The most effective analogue, adenosine-5'-ethyl-carboxamide, showed 20000 times greater activity than adenosine. Additional substitution in positions 2' and 3' with NO2, O-methoxy-methyliden or O-methoxyethyliden resulted in a delayed onset and prolonged duration of action.


Adrenal catecholamine release by trivalent metallic cations. The order of effectiveness of trivalent metallic cations in releasing catecholamines from isolated perfused bovine adrenals is La greater than Ce greater than Pr greater than Nd. Other trivalent metals are essentially inactive in this system. A second exposure of the glands to trivalent metals causes little or no secretion. Omission of calcium from the perfusing medium decreases the response to La+3 or Ce+3. Trivalent metallic cations of a relatively narrow range of charge density appear to temporarily open a calcium gate which results in calcium influx and adrenomedullary catecholamine secretion.


A stop flow analysis of the effects of intrarenal infusion of bradykinin. The effects of bradykinin (Bk) on renal function were investigated in the in situ dog kidney by means of the stop-flow method. Bradykinin, when injected into the renal artery of the dog, reduced the proximal reabsorption of sodium and water and decreased the secretion of p-aminohippuric acid (PAH). Because filtration was stopped during the experiments, there was no alteration of the peritubular colloid osmotic pressure, and geometric changes of the tubules were minimized. This enabled us to conclude that Bk decreased the transport efficiency of sodium and PAH. The demonstration of the inhibitory effects of Bk on PAH secretion suggests that the inhibition of acid secretion is dependent not only upon the increase in medullary blood flow, but also upon a reduction of the cortical clearance of PAH.


Anti-inflammatory activity in oak gall extracts. A method for the purification of the Hungarian oak gall extracts containing anti-inflammatory activity is described. The anti-inflammatory activity of the purified extract was tested in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and in rat polyarthritis induced by mycobacterial adjuvant. In doses of 4.3 and 8.5 mg/kg i.p., the extract inhibited dose-dependently the formation of paw edema induced by carrageenan in rats. When rats were treated daily from 3 days prior to and 16 days after the injection of the mycobacterial adjuvant, the severity of the polyarthritic symptoms was significantly reduced.


Characteristics of 45Ca uptake and efflux in rat lung slices. The distribution and movements of 45Ca were investigated in lung slice preparations obtained from rats. The accumulation of 45Ca was measured in either 5.0 mM Ca2+, 0.5 mM Ca2+ or 0-Ca solutions. The 45Ca tissue to medium ratio was greatest in the 0-Ca solution; the presence of either 5.0 mM Ca2+ or 0.5 mM Ca2+ reduced this ratio 8- and 5-fold, respectively. Efflux of 45Ca indicated that there are at least two washout components. Exposure to either La3+ or Sr2+ (0.5 mM) during the washout resulted in a transient increase in 45Ca efflux (Sr2+ greater than La3+), whereas 0 degrees C slowed the loss of 45Ca. Uptake of 45Ca was increased by the metabolic inhibitor iodoacetic acid and inhibited in the presence of either La3+ or Sr2+. These findings indicate that the 45Ca accumulated within the lung is not readily depleted and a portion appears to accumulate at intracellular or less superficial sites or stores.


Postnatal developmental changes in adrenergic receptor responses of the dog tracheal muscle. Age-related changes in responses of tracheal muscle strip to norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), phenylephrine (PE), dopamine (DA) and isoproterenol (IP) were examined in dogs 1-55 days of age. NE, E, PE and DA contract tracheal muscle in dogs 1-12 days of age. NE- and E-induced contractions are potentiated by propranolol. Contractile responses are little affected by atropine, but are completely blocked by phenoxybenzamine or phentolamine. NE-, E-, PE-, and DA-induced contractions gradually decrease with increasing age. Acetylcholine (ACh) contracts and IP slightly relaxes the tracheal muscle at all ages studied. On ACh-contracted tracheal muscle, PE and DA at all ages, and E and NE in 1-18 day old animals, induce a superimposed contraction (SIC) while IP causes a superimposed relaxation (SIR) at all ages. After approximately day 18, E and NE induce SIR while PE and DA still elicit a SIC on ACh-contracted tracheal muscle. These results suggest that E, NE, PE and DA contract the tracheal muscle through alpha adrenergic stimulation; however, beta adrenoceptors seem to be present and functioning to relax the tracheal muscle. As age advances the alpha receptor responses progressively decline; however, alpha receptors still respond to adrenergic agonists at relatively lower level of sensitivity in older animals.


Noradrenergic mediation of the positive reinforcing properties of ethanol: I. Suppression of ethanol consumption in laboratory rats following dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibition. Ethanol-drinking rats were injected with the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor FLA-57, prior to free-choice presentations of ethanol and water either for 5 alternate days (25 or 40 mg/kg i.p.) or for 5 consecutive days (45 mg/kg i.p.). In all cases, the FLA-57 treated animals markedly attenuated ethanol consumption while vehicle-injected controls showed no change from baseline. In the post-injection period ethanol intake gradually returned to baseline levels. Biochemical assays revealed that whole brain norepinephrine levels following injection of FLA-57 (15-60 mg/kg i.p.) were significantly depressed while dopamine and serotonin levels were slightly increased. It is suggested that norepinephrine may be involved in the mediation of the positive reinforcing properties of ethanol regulating its self-administration.


Noradrenergic mediation of the positive reinforcing properties of ethanol: II. Extinction of ethanol-drinking behavior in laboratory rats by inhibition of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. Implications for treatment procedures in human alcoholics. Following stabilization of consumption of a 15% (v/v) ethanol solution in a free-choice with water, rats were presented with a forced-choice of ethanol for 10 consecutive alternate days. Prior to each forced-choice presentation experimental animals were injected with the non-toxic dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor FLA-57 (30 mg/kg i.p.) while control animals received only vehicle injections. At the termination of the injection phase when ethanol was again made available in a free-choice with water, ethanol consumption for the FLA-57 treated animals was markedly suppressed. These data are interpreted in terms of extinction resulting from the procedure whereby performance of the ethanol drinking response was perpetuated by force with the pharmacological reinforcing properties being blocked by FLA-57-induced depletions of norepinephrine. Applications of these procedures in the treatment of human alcoholics are discussed.


Improvement of shuttle-box performance of mice by combinations of benzodiazepines and morphine given during training. Chlorodiazepoxide, diazepam and morphine, given alone or in combination, were tested in naive mice subjected to five 100-trial avoidance sessions in the shuttle-box. When given alone before each training session all three drugs improved avoidance behaviour. However, facilitation of avoidance responding was much more evident when either benzodiazepine derivative was given in combination with morphine.


Action of phenytoin, ethosuximide and of the carbidopa-L-dopa association in semi-chronic cobalt-induced epilepsy in the rat. A semi-chronic model of cobalt-induced experimental epilepsy in the rat was used to investigate the action of two classic anticonvulsant drugs, phenytoin and ethosuximide. Single injections of ethosuximide lead to an inhibition of the epileptic discharges. We failed to demonstrate an inhibitory effect of phenytoin after preventive administration. The carbidopa-L-dopa association was investigated owing to the inhibitory effects of dopamine and its presence in the cortex. We showed that a dose of 100 mg/kg of L-dopa combined with 25 mg/kg of carbidopa is necessary and sufficient to produce an almost complete inhibition of the discharges.


Effect of cations on tetraehtylammonium exit from mouse kidney cortex slices. Exit of 14C-tetraethylammonium (TEA) was studied in mouse kidney cortex slices incubated in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer (37 degrees C, pH 7.4) aerated with O2-CO295:5 v/v%. Substitution of Na+ in the wash out buffer by K+, Rb+ or the organic cations TEA and choline resulted in a stimulation of exit which, however, may be secondary to concomitant biochemical changes in the tissue (increase of water content and relative loss of K+) seen in the presence of these cations. However, enhancement of 14C-TEA exit although less pronounced was also produced of low organic cation concentrations having no effect on tissue water and K+. The latter specific effect on 14C-TEA exit may represent an interaction phenomenon in renal organic cation transport of accelerative exchange diffusion type.


The effects of samarium on the contractile responses of the guinea-pig taenia coli to acetylcholine, potassium, histamine and barium. The role of calcium in supporting the phasic contractions of the isolated guinea-pig taenia coli induced by acetylcholine, potassium, histamine or barium has been studied using the lanthanid samarium (Sm3+). A carefully selected concentration of Sm3+ (6 X 10(-5)M) depressed to a same extent the phasic responses of the tissue to submaximal concentrations of the agonists used whilst maximum responses to histamine and barium were unaffected. Calcium and barium-induced responses of the depolarized taenia coli were not inhibited by 6 X 10(-5)M Sm3+. The rate of loss of responsiveness of the depolarized tissue to acetylcholine was increased, that to histamine was not altered while that to barium was decreased by 6 X 10(-5)M Sm3+. These findings support the concept that phasic responses of the guinea-pig taenia coli to submaximal concentrations of the agonists used are dependent on a Sm3+-sensitive calcium store(s) probably located at the cell membrane. However, maximum responses to histamine and barium seem to be supported, at least partially, by a Sm3+-insensitive depot(s) probably located at cytoplasmic compartments.


The absence of sensitivity changes of the rabbit oviduct to phenylephrine and isoproterenol during early gestation. The response of the rabbit perfused oviduct in vivo to phenylephrine (PE), isoproterenol (ISO) and epinephrine (EPI) was studied to determine if a purported change from alpha-adrenergic receptor dominance to beta-adrenergic receptor dominance during early gestation occurs (i.e. prior to implantation). The response of the tissue to PE did not change during early gestation, even in the presence of beta-receptor blockade by propranolol. The response to ISO of the PE-stimulated oviduct also did not change. However, the dose-response curve to EPI was shifted horizontally to the right 4 days after mating suggesting a tissue desensitization. It was concluded that the decreased oviductal sensitivity to EPI observed during early gestation could not be attributed to a change from alpha-receptor dominance to beta-receptor dominance.


Effects of clonidine on basal and cold-stimulated TSH secretion. Clonidine, injected i.p. 20 min before cold exposure, is able to counteract the blockade induced by alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine of cold-stimulated release of TSH in rats. Under basal conditions the alpha-adrenoceptor stimulating agent, administered into the lateral cerebral ventricle (10 microgram), produces, at 30 min, a sharp increase in plasma TSH that returns to control levels at 60 min. When the drug is given intraperitoneally (0.4 mg/kg) it causes a significant decrease in plasma TSH 120 min after the treatment.


Clinical experience with lorcainide (R 15 889), a new anti-arrhythmic drug. The anti-arrhythmic properties of a new drug, lorcainide, have been evaluated. Lorcainide is highly efficient for the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias, especially ventricular extrasystoles and recurrent ventricular tachycardia. It is also efficient in the treatment of supraventricular extrasystoles and repetitive auricular tachycardia. It is ineffective in cases of auricular fibrillation and flutter. The drug also has effective anti-arrhythmic properties when administered orally. It has a small negative inotropic effect which was not clinically relevant in the patient group studied. Side effects were within acceptable limits and essentially consist of dizziness, tremor and blurring of vision, occurring only during rapid i.v. injection and depending upon the speed of injection.


Change in automaticity of excised, sino-atrial node by alprenolol and its dextro isomer and several drugs injected into the sinus node artery of the dog. Effects of several drugs on the automaticity of blood-perfused canine sino-atrial node preparation were examined by injecting drugs into the sinus node artery. All drugs produced a dose-dependent decrease in sino-atrial rate, although dl-alprenolol in low doses produced a slight increase, and their relative potencies determined on the basis of the molar doses producing a decrease by 15 beats/min (ED 15) were in the descending order: SK&F24260 greater than or equal to nifedipine greater than or equal to adenosine greater than quinidine greater than dl-propranolol greater than or equal to dl-alprenolol greater than procaine, and 1:1/1.2:1/2.0:1/28.8:1/114.2:1/123.8:1/704.2. Potencies of dl- and d-alprenolol and propranolol in causing a negative chronotropic action were almost equal. In higher doses, SK&F24260 and nifedipine (3-10 microgram), quinidine (0.3-1 mg), dl-propranolol and alprenolol (0.3-1 mg), and procaine (1-3 mg) caused a sino-atrial arrest. The order of potency in causing arrest was approximately similar to that in causing arrest was approximately similar to that in causing a negative chronotropic action (ED 15). Adenosine showed a profound negative chronotropic effect but did not cause a sino-atrial arrest. The negative chronotropic action and sino-atrial arrest caused by dl- and d-alprenolol and propranolol, quinidine and procaine maybe due mainly to their calcium antagonistic properties, but it is considered that their action sites are individually different. Furthermore, we suggest that in conscious dogs the tachycardia produced by the systemic administration of dl-alprenolol is not entirely due to its intrinsic sympathomimetic effect.


Acute cardiovascular activity of beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs in awake or anaesthetized normotensive and hypertensive rats. The effects of intravenous dl-propranolol (5 mg/kg), 1- and d-alprenolol (5 mg/kg), on blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output and total peripheral resistance were investigated in normotensive and spontaneously, renal or neurogenic hypertensive rats. The animals were either awake or anaesthetized with urethane, chloralose or pentobarbital. Anaesthesia may induce hemodynamic changes in hypertensive rats; thus urethane decreased peripheral vascular resistance in spontaneously hypertensive rats. In anaesthetized rats, dl-propranolol, 1- and d-alprenolol caused significant falls in blood pressure, heart rate and cardiac output. The hypotensive activity was related to the initial blood pressure. Peripheral vascular resistance remained unchanged except in spontaneously hypertensive, chloralose anaesthetized rats. 1-Alprenolol had less cardiac effects than dl-propranolol. The decrease of blood pressure was shorter and/or smaller after d-alprenolol than after 1-alprenolol. In normotensive and renal hypertensive awake rats, dl-propranolol induced a short fall of blood pressure, due to a decrease of heart rate and cardiac output. These effects, except bradycardia, were not observed in spontaneously hypertensive rats. These results suggest that differences in the initial vascular state, in the hypertensive models and in the anaesthetics used can explain the variability of the responses to beta-adrenergic blocking drugs. Moreover, beta-blocking as well as quinidine-like activities are involved in the cardiovascular responses to dl-propranolol, d-alprenolol and 1-alprenolol studied here.


Pharmacodynamic study of a pyrophtalone: [methyl-2 (piperidino-2 ethyl-1)-1 dihydro 1-4 pyridylidene-4 yl]-2 indanedione 1-3. I. Anti-inflammatory activity. The anti-inflammatory activity of a pyrophtalone [methyl-2 (piperidino-2 ethyl-1)-1 dihydro 1-4 pyridylidene-4 yl]-2 indanedione 1-3, has been demonstrated with different methods (carrageenan-induced edema of rat's paw, granuloma formation, adjuvant-induced arthritis). The anti-inflammatory potency is lower but sometimes comparable to that of phenylbutazone. Moreover, the acute toxicity and the ulcerogenic effect of the pyropthalone derivative are clearly less marked.


Concentrations of acidic antiinflammatory drugs in gastric mucosa. In rats, the concentrations of the acidic antiinflammatory drugs salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, phenylbutazone, flufenamic acid and indomethacin in the glandular portion of the gastric mucosa were determined 30 and 60 min after oral or subcutaneous administration. In another series of experiments, solutions of the drugs were introduced into the ligated stomach and the concentrations in the mucosa and in the contents of the stomach were determined after 60 min. The ratio between the concentrations in the musoca and those in serum or gastric contents were much lower than expected according to the distribution by passive non-ionic diffusion. This apparent discrepancy may be explained as a result of a drug-induced damage to the mucosal cell allowing free diffusion of ionized drug across the cell membrane.


Suppression of the hyperacute form of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by drugs. Numerous drugs were tested for ability to suppress the hyperacute form of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). This very severe disease produced clinical signs after 7-9 days which progressed rapidly to paralysis and death. Treatment during the first five days of the incubation period with cycloleucine, cyclophosphamide EN3638, 6-mercaptopurine, methotrexate and procarbazine produced important delays in onset. Corticosteroids, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, antilymphocyte serum, asparaginase, gold, cytarabine and tilorone, all previously reported to suppress ordinary EAE, had moderate, little or no effect in hyperacute EAE. Proteacted treatment was of no avail with some of these drugs, but it revealed the remarkable suppressive effect of EN3638, equal to cyclophosphamide. Hyperacute EAE was a rapid and economical screening test for immunosuppressive drugs, and a highly discriminating tool for comparison of potent agents.


Effects of some antineoplastic agents on plasma levels of corticosterone, prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone. The effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 1,3 bis(2-chloroethyl)-1 nitrosurea (BCNU) and cyclophosphamide on plasma levels of corticosterone, prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were investigated. All the three drugs produce a remarkable adrenocortical activation but the duration of this effect is different. Hypophysectomized rats do not show any increase of plasma corticosterone levels in response to the considered antineoplastic agents. This may be indicative of an action mediated by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). The same drugs caused a significant fall of plasma TSH. Also the duration of this effect was different for the three compounds. No relevant modifications of plasma prolactin were observed.


Isolation and partial characterization of normal and defective bacteriophages of gram-negative hydrogen bacteria. Widespread defective lysogeny was detected in Alcaligenes eutrophus by electron microscopic analysis of cultures. Mitomycin C treatment of the cultures resulted in the production of defective (inco-) particles. Polysheaths were produced both with and without induction. With the simultaneous isolation technique six phages were isolated for hydrogen-oxidizing strains of the new species Pseudomonas pseudoflava. The phages were able to replicate under autotrophic conditions and were found to have a very restricted host range. Electron microscopic analysis allowed classification into two structural groups. Group I contained phages with contractile tails; group II contained phages with flexible, noncontractile tails. All but one (gb) of the new phages were shown to be temperate by isolation of lysogens and induction with mitomycin C.


Differentiation of the intracytoplasmic membrane of Rhodopseudomonas palustris induced by variations of oxygen partial pressure or light intensity. The photosynthetic apparatus of Rhodopseudomonas palustris contains, in addition to reaction center bacteriochlorophyll (Bchl) two spectral forms of light harvesting (LH) Bchl, i.e. LH Bchl I, characterized by an infrared absorption maximum at 880 nm (890 nm at 77 degrees K) and LH Bchl II absorbing at 805 and 855 nm (805 and 870 nm at 77 degrees K). LH Bchl I seems to be associated with a single protein species of an apparent mol. wt. of 13 000 whereas LH Bchl II is apparently associated with two proteins of mol. wts. of 9000 and 11 000. Cells in anaerobic cultures adapt to changes of light intensity 1. by variation of the size of the photosynthetic unit, i.e. the molar ratio of LH Bchl II to reaction center Bchl, 2. by variation of the number of photosynthetic units per unit of membrane area, 3. by regulation of the size of the intracytoplasmic membrane system. During adaptation of changes of oxygen partial pressure cells are able to synthesize reaction center Bchl, LH Bchl and intracytoplasmic membranes at different rates. The synthesis of reaction center Bchl and LH Bchl I are, however, coordinated with each other, while the synthesis of LH Bchl II and reaction center Bchl proceed independently.


Glycogen and other soluble glucans from chytridiomycete and oomycete species. Dry weight, protein, lipid, and glycogen were determined at various times during cultivation of the Chytridiomycetes, Rhizophydium sphaerotheca and Monoblepharella elongata. M. elongata had relatively stable levels of glycogen, but, in R. sphaerotheca, glycogen levels showed significant changes, particularly in older cultures in which a depletion of glycogen was accompanied by a marked thickening of the cell walls. Glycogen was a significant cellular constituent in both chytridiomycete species. In R. sphaerotheca and M. elongata, respectively, glycogen accounted for as much as 6% and 8.1% of the dry weight. In purified glycogens of both species, only alpha-1,4- and alpha-1,6-linked glucosyl residues were detected and the absorbance spectra of I2-complexes were similar to those of other well characterized glycogens. Purified Rhizophydium glycogen had a beta-amylolysis limit of 43%, and a CL of approximately 12. For the Monoblepharella polysaccharide, the respective values were 45% and 11. In extracts of the Oomycetes, Pythium debaryanum, Mindeniella spinospora, and Apodachlya sp., only beta-1,3- and beta-1,6-linked glucosyl residues were detected. These glucans were not iodophilic nor were they sensitive to alpha-amylase and beta-amylase. The properties of the oomycete polysaccharides suggested that they were similar to the mycolaminarans of Phytophthora spp. Although both investigated chytridiomycete species produced glycogen with typical properties, glycogen was apparently absent in the investigated Oomycetes.


Control of luciferase synthesis in a newly isolated strain of Photobacterium leiognathi. In previous studies with luminous bacteria of all different species it has been reported that the synthesis of luciferase is autoinducible: during growth at low cell densities synthesis is effectively repressed while after induction, at higher cell densities, the rate of synthesis of enzyme is up to five times the growth rate. In this paper we report on newly isolated strains of Photobacterium leiognathi which show continued luciferase synthesis irrespective of the cell density. The specific synthesis rate may nevertheless differ from the rate of growth and depends on the luciferase content of the inoculated cells. A ratio of 1 was established for cells having a maximum luciferase content varying to a ratio of about 2 for cells that contained only 1% of the maximum.


Isolation of alpha-glucan and lipopolysaccharide fractions from Acetobacter xylinum. A cellular phenol-water extract of Acetobacter xylinum NRC 17007 was fractionated on Sepharose 4 B. The fraction eluting with the void volume consisted to about 95% of glycogen-like material. The lipopolysaccharide fraction was of lower molecular weight and had the following composition (%, w/w): Mannose, 42; glucose, 7; galactose, 3.8; heptose, 2; 2-keto-3-deoxy-octonate, 1.2; glucosamine, 3.3; phosphate, 4.5; total fatty acids, 3.9. Among the fatty acids, 3-hydroxy-tetradecanoic acid was present, and 2-hydroxy-hexadecanoic acid predominated.


Nitrogen fixation by Spirillum sp. from rice roots. Nitrogen fixation by Spirillum sp. obtained from the roots of rice plants grown at different levels of combined nitrogen was studied. The roots of rice plants exposed to low levels of combined nitrogen (20--40 kg N/ha) harboured Spirillum sp. possessing higher nitrogen-fixing efficiency as compared to the cultures from plants receiving 60--100 kg N/ha. Moreover, the nitrogen-fixing efficiency of these Spirillum spp. varied with age of the plant, irrespective of the dosage of combined nitrogen.


Multiple cholinesterases in rat brain homogenate. Two kinetic evidences revealed that two cholinesterase forms are present in rat brain homogenate and involved in the hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine. These two kinetic forms have different affinity to acetylthiocholine (34 fold), and different sensitivity to carbofuran, 2,2-dimethyl 2,3-dihadro-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate (33 fold). The proportion of the enzyme in each kinetic form is 0.52 form I and 0.48 form II.


[Blood vessels in cattle teats].

[Blood vessels in cattle teats]. The behaviours of arteries and veins in the teats of cattle of different age groups is described against the background of general formation and development of the vessels. Growing age was found to have been accompanied by numerical growth of veins (rather than arteries) towards the teat tip and by some thickening of the median vein region. No correlations were established between those vascular changes, on the one hand, and milkability, on the other.


[Hemoglobin, hematocrit, lactates and glucose in blood of fattening pigs in the course of slaughering and snout loop fixation]. Blood was sampled from fattening pigs fixed with the snout loop in the pen as well as during slaughter after control or container transport. Assays were made of haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hk), glucose concentration (PG), and lactic acid (MS) in the plasma. The mean values and standard deviations of Hb and Hk were 13.97 +/- 1.14 g/100 ml, 48.36 +/- 3.67 per cent, 15.24 +/- 1.12 g/100 ml, 49.83 +/- 4.04 per cent, 15.32 +/- 1.23 g of 100 ml, and 51.08 +/- 3.73 per cent. The means values of PG were between 51 and 101 mg of 100 ml and those of MS between 8 and 16 mMol/l.


[Experiments in biological engineering to induce puberty in young female swine. 3: Effects of different FSH/HCG combinations on heat and ovulation in animals aged 170 to 180 days]. FSH/HCG combinations in four different variants were applied subcutaneously to 18 young female pigs, aged about 175 days and kept in one and the same fattening stock, for the purpose of puberty induction. The following combinations, in International Units, were used in the four groups: 100/200 (I), 200/200 (II), 100/300 (III), and 200/300 (IV). Strong oestric symptoms were produced in following-up period up to ten days after-injection in 44.4 per cent (I), 33.3 per cent (II), 55.6 per cent (III), and 27.8 per cent (IV). Fifty per cent of each group were laparotomised on the fifth or sixth day from injection, but no visible differences were found to exist between the patterns of these two days. Ovulation had taken place by the time of laparotomy in 33.3 per cent (I), 44.4 per cent (II), 66.7 per cent (III), and 44.4 per cent (IV) and by the time of slaugher, 13 to 17 days from injection, in 33.3 per cent (I), 72.2 per cent (II), 72.8 per cent (III), and 38.9 per cent. The uterus weights of the animals with ovulation were 355 g (I), 373.3 g (II), 293.8 g (III), and 300 g (IV) and the numbers x of corpora lutea accounted for 17 (I), 17.6 (2), 29.3 (III), and 10.8 (IV). The corpus luteum level was beyond 20 in 57.1 per cent of all animals with ovulation in group III and in something between 12.5 and 33.3 per cent in the other groups. The differences in action that existed between the gonadotrophin combinations are discussed.


[Experiments in biological engineering to induce puberty in young female swine. 4: Ovulation period after puberty in animals aged about 200 days, using different combinations of gonadotropic hormones]. 44 prepuberal gilts were treated with gonadotropic combinations and investigated for ovarian dynamics. 400 PMS + 200 HCG (Suigonan-Vemie) induced ovulations at the 4th day p.i., 100 FSH + 100 HCG resp. 200 FSH + 200 HCG at the 6th day p.i. At the 8,-11th day p.i. the PMS/HCG-treated animals showed corp. lut, in 100, the FSH/HCG-treated in 50 resp. 87% of the cases. A second injection of 250 HCG 3 days after 200 FSH + 200 HCG increased the number of animals which had ovulated. Zystic ovaries (larger than or equal to 11 mm) developed in all groups. Declaration of gonadotropins in "international units".


Capacity of attenuated swine fever vaccines to prevent virus carriers in the vaccinated pigs, after contact with field virus. Virus carriers have been detected in pigs vaccinated with attenuated Swine Fever vaccines after challenge with field virus. Virus carriers were found only if the vaccination was made with 20 PD50 or less. Clinical protection was obtained already with 8 PD50. In insufficiently vaccinated pigs, virus was detected in the tonsils as long as 6 weeks after the virus challenge, by Immunofluorescence. A minimal potency of 100 PD50 is proposed as requirement for the acceptance of Swine Fever vaccines.


[Ultrastructural studies of mitochondria in striated muscles of birds with reference to experimental hypokinesis]. Electron microscopic studies have been carried out on the mitochondria of the transversely striated muscles with regard to experimental hypokinasis. As compared to the control group the mitochondria of m. pectoralis thoracicus and the m. iliotibialis posterior in hypokinetic birds reveal marked changes. In filamentous and ovoid mitochondria vacuoles can be observed which in some cases produced larger light formations with following disappearance of the cristae and destruction of mitochondria. Fat particles located at the poles of the altered mitochondria, sporadically occurring also laterally, presented another finding. The Z-lines of the sarcomer did not form a continuous line, but were somewhat shifted.


[Quantitative-morphological studies of the heart of MINI-LEWE minature swine. 2: Atrioventricular and semilunar valves]. Reference is made to the possible use of cardiac valves of animal origin as heteroplastic material in cardiac valve surgery. In that context, quantitative studies were conducted into all four cardiac valves. The data measured from clinically intact animals exhibited wide scatter. Different numbers of leaflets (between two and six) were recorded from atrioventricular valves, whereas three valvulae were always found on the semilunar valves. The volume of the tricuspid valve was significantly higher than that of the mitral valve, and among the semilunar valves bigger size was established for the aortic valve. Valve size grew along with body weight, as established by correlative analysis. The data measured by the examiners were compared with variables reported in literature.


The microdetermination of ascorbic acid with N-chlorosuccinimide. New methods for the microdetermination of ascorbic acid are described. The 3 proposed methods based on the fact that N-chlorosuccinimide in acid, alkaline or neutral medium readily oxidizes ascorbic acid. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed. The proposed methods are simple rapid, and sufficiently accurate to determine concentrations as low as 10 micrograms of ascorbic acid. The experimental error does not exceed +/- 2%. The methods were also used for the determination of ascorbic acid in such biological fluids as bloody, urine or edible fruits with an error not exceeding +/- 5%.


[Study of ECG in lactating cows. 2: ECG compared to behavior of various parameters of mineral and carbohydrate-fat metabolism]. Four electrocardiographic recordings were taken from 52 cows in a high-performance dairy cattle stock, between the time of calving and the end of the third month of lactation. The voltage of all peaks dropped in the second to fourth weeks after parturition and went up significantly during the second month of lactation. The changes were attributed to tonogenic voltage rise of the heart. Additional tests were applied to 16 cows which had been given increased protein amounts in their feed rations over a prolonged period of time. Their PQ-interval was prolonged in comparison to eight controls.


[Effect of sulfur dioxide on broiler performance and health]. Investigations were conducted, with the view to establishing short-time effects of SO2 alone and in combination with power station fly-ash as well as long-time effects of SO2 on broiler. The experimental concentrations up to 16 X 330 ppm did not reveal any deterimental impact upon live weight or feed consumption. Histological, haematological, and clinico-chemical tests indicated that damage was caused only by highly repetitive short-time exposure to very high SO2 concentrations (330 ppm), such damage being reflected in slight increase of erythrocyte count, lowered colour index, rise in SGPT activity, and histologically, inflammatory changes in the lungs and degeneration in the liver. Broiler fattening units, therefore, can be established with good economy also in areas with high SO2 emission.


[Experimental Pasteurella multocida infection of swine. A contribution to the etiology of enzootic porcine pneumonia]. Pasteurella can be isolated from about 50 per cent of pneumonically changed pig lungs. Isolation, however, is possible also from intact lungs of conventional or secondary SPF animals. The authors of this paper used the positive hyaluronidase test and identified exclusively Pasteurella multocida, with predominance of capsular type A. Most of the Pasteurella strains tested in this context caused pneumonia in SPF animals, particularly, following intratracheal application. No correlations were found to exist with murine virulence, the serological type or the origin of the strains from affected or intact lungs. Apart from virulence differences between the strains, host reactivity was found to depend primarily on high germ counts and, under natural conditions, on environmental stresses. Pasteurella multocida, hence, can be considered as one of the potential pathogens of porcine pneumonia. Pneumonia foci with transduced localised fibrinous pleuritis are characteristic and constitute a process of purulent inflammation with early involvement of fibrin.


[Influence of blood volume drain on some factors of circulation in rabbit]. Blood volume were drained from 20 female rabbits, all White New Zealanders, 2.5 kg in average body weight. Several factors of their circulation were determined twice, prior to and after the blood volume withdrawals. Included in the tests were haematocrit, haemoglobin, plasma volume by means of Evans blue dye dilution technique, and blood volume. The amounts of blood volume, BV0, drained ten, 20, 40, 60, and 70 minutes after beginning of the experiment were 4.4, 6.7, 8.9, 11.2, and 13.4 per cent. The ambient temperature was 15 degrees C and the relative humidity 60 per cent. The haematocrit value dropped to 91.2 per cent of the original figure over the whole experimental period and haemoglobin to 87.5 per cent, but decline of the latter was of minor importance along with blood volume loss from 8.9 per cent to 11.2 per cent BV0. Blood volume drain of 8.9 per cent BV0 was accompanied by 102.04 per cent plasma volume, PV0, and 100.4 per cent BV0. Erythrocyte volume and total haemoglobin exhibited similar behaviour in connection with the above amount of blood drain and did not return to their original values. Rabbit response to blood loss (re-absorption of fluid and splenic depletion) is discussed.


[Experimental studies of anemia in cattle caused by immune antibody. 1. Release of an immune antibody-induced anemia]. Subclinical moderate to medium haemolytic anaemia may be produced in cattle by intravenous slow drip infusion of erythrozyte-specific serum with immune antibody. Anisocytosis may be caused to appear in the blood count even by low-quantity intravenous application of iso-immune serum. Increase in serum quantity will lead to predominance of small erythrocytes (microspherocytes). The Price-Jones curve is likely to shift to the left and will flatten. The detection of microspherocytes actually reflects an antigen-antibody reaction caused by transmission of iso-immune antibody and resulting in partial damage of the erythrocyte membrane rather than in complete erythrocytolysis. The absence of both haemoglobinaemia and haemoglobinuria seems to support the assumption that premature degradation of the damaged erythrocytes takes place extravasally in the reticulohistiocytary system.


[Effect of the type of extraction solution and length of storage on the distribution of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in piglet liver homogenate]. Type of extraction solution applied to preparation of homogenate of piglet liver is of negligible importance, if immediately follows electrophoretic separation of tissue material. --Storage of liver homogenates in frozen state over 30 days involves insignificant changes of distribution of LD isoenzymes in 0.25 M sucrose, distinct changes in 0.1 M Tris-buffer, pH 7,5, and important ones in mercaptoaethanol-containing extraction solution, applied to preparation of tissue homogenates.


[Activity and isoenzyme pattern of alkaline and acid phosphatases in bull seminal plasma]. Investigations are carried out on the activity and isozyme pattern of the alkaline and acid phosphatases in bull's seminal plasma. To determine the activity of the two phosphatases, two different colorimetric methods are used. The electrophoretic separation of the isozymes of the acid and alkaline phosphatases is performed on polyacrylamide and starch gels.


[Use of anorganic rhodanides in the breeding of piglets]. Breeding results of sows reared under conventional conditions could be raised by treating them with 20 mg potassium rhodanide/day 14 days before up to 14 days after farrowig. An increase of the rhodanide level could be demonstrated in the colostrum providing a higher rhodanide supply in piglets of treated sows.


[Air movements and animal performance in temperatures above the optimum]. High indoor temperatures in modern stables of livestock farming units have to be offset to avoid loss in animal performance, and this is possible only through improved heat emission of the organism. Increase in air movement, for the time being, is the most effective method. A theoretical account is given of the amount of air movement required in temperatures above optimum and compared with literature data.


[Studies on the effects of intravenous administration of glucose, fructose, invertose and sorbitol on various blood constituents of blood plasma (monosaccharides, insulin, lactate, pyruvate and free fatty acids as well as glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase) in the horse]. Horses were examined for the behaviour of various blood constituents prior to and following infusions of solutions of glucose, fructose, invertose, and sorbitol. Infusion of 0.5 g/kg live weight glucose to six horses was followed by half-life variation between eleven and 23 minutes. Subsequent infusion of invertose to the same animals usually caused prolongation of glucose half-life. Half-life values were between 17 and 33 minutes for fructose and between 21 and 80 minutes for glucose. Infusion of 0.5 g/kg live weight fructose to two horses was followed by half-life values between 17 and 18 minutes, while the half-life values of sugar alcohol were 16, 16, 27, and 29 minutes in four horses who had received sorbitol. Sugar or sorbitol infusion was not followed by substantive change of lactate and pyruvate concentrations in the blood or free fatty acids in the blood plasma or GOT activity. The rise of insulin in the blood plasma was differentiated. Invertose and sorbitol solutions, consequently, can be recommended for application to horses.


[Experimental studies of anemia in cattle caused by immune antibody. 2. Behavior of plasma hemoglobin, and serum bilirubin, inorganic phosphorus and calcium]. The course of haemolytic anaemia, caused by immune antibody, was characterised in greater detail with reference to eight heads of young cattle examined for plasma haemoglobin, bilirubin, inorganic phosphorus, and calcium in serum. Inorganic serum phosphorous values were found to decline strongly immediately after the onset of iso-immune serum transmission. Severe haemolysis developed, but only moderate haemoglobinaemia and no haemoglobinuria at all occurred. Bilirubin was increased over a long time, which seemed to support the assumption of gradual erythrocyte decomposition. The usefulness of inorganic serum phosphorus determination as an approach in support of early diagnosis of aggravating haemolysis is confirmed and recommended for metabolic monitoring of cattle herds.


[Electrocardiographic functional diagnosis of the autonomic nervous system in cattle. 1. Electrocardiographic determination of maximum dose for the beta-adrenergic substance isoprenaline]. Reference is made to the importance of functional diagnosis of the autonomic nervous system in cattle, and a concept is described by which higher methodological reliability should be obtainable for intra-organic diagnosis of sympathetic nerve activity. What is needed, among others, is to eliminate the autonomous cardiac effect through pharmacological blockade by means of the parasympathetic atropine and the beta-receptor blocker propanolol. The beta-adrenergic substance isoprenaline, required to estimate propranolol blocking action upon the beta-adrenegic receptors, then was injected through indwelling catheters to the external jugular veins of cattle. The doses were between 50 microgram and 560 microgram. Isoprenaline doses between 200 microgram and 250 microgram were established as maximum doses by electrocardiographic examination, determination of heart rate, and clinical observation. Such maximum isoprenaline doses were found to be suitable for checking the extent to which beta-adrenergic blockade of the heart has been caused by beta-receptor blockers. However, sub-maximum isoprenaline doses of something between 100 microgram and 150 microgram should be used to establish the extent to which beta-receptors have caused relaxation of smooth musculature.


[Electron microscopy study of mitochondria in the transversely striated muscles of birds after experimental hypergravitation]. An electronmicroscopical study has been carried out on the mitochondriae of transversely striated muscles in birds at experimentally induced hypergravitation. In the matrix of some mitochondriae sporadic small light focuses were observed located mainly at the periphery of the organelle. Thereby, however, no greater damage of the outer membranes was seen. The stress state of hypergravitation resulted in more important and more marked alterations on the inner membranes and the matrix of the mitochondriae of the femoral muscle.


[Studies on the orthology of epiphysis cerebri in cattle (Bos taurus var. domesticus L.)]. The pineal organ from 20 cattle (10 week-old female calfs, from one year to several years of age male and female cattle) were investigated with histological and histochemical methods. Carbohydrats are evident in a insignificant quantity in the parenchyma cells. The content of lipids is very high according to the age of the cattle the quantity varying. Proteins are evident only in small quantities. The content of ribonucleic acid is equally high in the cytoplasma of the parenchyma cells.


[Problems in the use of radioactively labelled bacteria in experiments. 2. Quantitative method for the evaluation of pathogens in the calf lung by means of labelled bacteria after aerosol or intratracheal administration]. By means of two aerosol apparatures radioactive labelled Pasteurella-multocida-germs were given to calves via a respiratory mask. Labelling of Pasteurellae was done internal by using special nutritive media with Fe-59 or P-32. In a period of 10-25 minutes 5 X 10(9)-10(10) labelled bacteria were given to the animals for inhalation. Another animal group was injected intratrachealy with the same quantity of labelled germs. Immediately after termination of germ application the animals were killed and dissected. After solution or homogenization, respectively of the total lung tissue radioactivity was determined by liquid-scintillation-counting (Fe-59) or Cerenkov-measurement (P-32), respectively. The activities recovered from lung homogenates rendered is possible to calculate the received amount of bacteria. 40-80% of germs would be recovered in the lung after application by intratracheal injection while only 1-7% could be recovered after individual aerosol application lasting for 15-25 minutes.


[Critical remarks on an essay by K.T. Kalveram, "Factor analysis. Critical comments on a theoretical concept and its mathematical reformulation"]. The following contribution is a critical discussion of a paper by K. T. Kalveram Uber Faktorenanalyse. Kritik eines theoretischen Konzepts und seine mathematische Neuformulierung", which was published in this journal in 1970. In the following it is shown that Kalveram's attempt of a mathematical reformulation must be considered a failure, even if mathematical misrepresentations are not taken into account.


[Avoidance learning in a social situation- extinction resistance and defense reaction under stress. A pilot study]. Two successive experiments were conducted resulting from observations of the stability (resistance to extinction) of avoidance reactions and the manifestation of such reactions beyond the specific avoidance conditions in which they were acquired: a) 15 subjects were set the task to avoid an aversive acoustic stimulus for a helpless experimental partner. They could achieve this by reacting with contraction of either the forearm or the calf muscles in a difficult discrimination task. The stability of these avoidance reactions was assessed on different levels of forced extinction. Measures taken were HR, GSR and EMG of the avoidance reactions. Specific courses of the two autonomous measures evolved (Fig. 1,2). 14 of the 15 experimental subjects showed the avoidance behaviour during all phases of forced extinction. b) Six weeks after the experimental subjects had acquired the motor avoidance reactions all subjects were exposed to a relatively unspecific stress situation. Comparisons between experimental and control group (which consisted of the experimental partners) showed a tendency but not a significant difference as far as the reaction of the calf muscles was concerned. Contraction of the forearm muscles, however, occurred significantly more often in the experimental group. The subjects executed these reactions without being aware of it.


[Psychiatrically noticeable anxiety, EEG alpha index, alpha feedback and relaxation]. In a follow-up study (first investigation: KIRSCHBAUM u. GISTL, arch. Psychol. 1973, 125, 263-273) fifteen patients with psychiatric or neurological disorders were examined for correlations between anxiety (clinical rating), scores from MAS and MMQ, and EEG-Alpha-percentage alterations during an unspecific relaxation training with or without Alpha-Biofeedback. Clinically and psychometrically high anxious patients (n = 10) showed under both conditions significant diminuation of Alpha-percentage in contrast to earlier examined students whose Alpha-rates had increased (significantly). Theoretical explanations of these results are discussed.


[Predictive value of cognitive variables for the information utilization process]. Sequential predictive behaviour is used to analyse human problem solving. The most predictive and discriminative variables regarding the observable information reducing phases of the problem solving process are variables of cognitive complexity. The same holds for variables of cognitive flexibility regarding the information generating phase. Empirical evidence with respect to the thereby occurring interaction between the heuristic and epistemic part of the cognitive structure is yielded.


[A psychophysiologic time series study with 20 students over 8 weeks]. A longitudinal (time series) study was performed (N = 20 students; T = 16 points of observation during 8 weeks) on a considerable number of psychological and physiological variables to investigate the suitability of these parameters for general and individual state change description. Some problems of correlational analysis and the generality-individuality-dilemma of this kind of research are discussed.


[Macro-element excretion and retention in early weaned piglets with vitamin B6 deficiency]. Two metabolic trials using early-weaned piglets were performed to find out whether highly vitamin B6 deficient prest,rter- or starter feeds (0.4 mg vitamin B6/Kg) would affect the excretion and retention of Ca, P, Mg, K and Na as compared with pair-fed control animals given 6.5 mg B6/Kg. The depleted animals showing typical vitamin B6 deficiency symptoms in the course of the trials, were found to excrete in the feces somewhat smaller amounts of minerals during both metabolic periods. Likewise, the deficiency animals had lower renal Ca and P excretion rates. On the whole, the Ca balance gave significantly higher retention values for the depleted piglets. In terms of nitrogen deposition, both Ca and P revealed significantly higher retention under vitamin B6 deficiency.


[A new dynamic index in the clinical evaluation of muscle efficiency]. A dynamic index for the clinical evaluation of muscle performance is proposed. It takes account of Gowers time, supine time and the ability of the subject to hold up his neck and lower extremities. Its experimentation in 98 healthy subjects and 99 myopathic patients divided into four age groups showed it to be useful, particularly in the follow-up of patients subjected to pharmacological and/or physical management.


[Mode of action of proteinase inhibitors in rats. 2. Effect of leupeptin on N-balance and biological half-life in ad lib feeding]. During a 15-day period, growing Wistar rats (75 g) were fed ad lib. a whole-egg diet containing 10% crude protein (control group) and the same diet + a daily subcutaneous injection of 1 mg of leupeptin per animal (experimental group), respectively. To investigate the influence of the peptide aldehyde leupeptin on the M-metabolism, N-balance trials were carried out between the 1st and the 6th, and the 10th and the 15th experimental days. Leupeptine was not found to influence the true N-digestibility. However, the intermediary N-utilization, characterized by the biological value of the dietary protein, deteriorated in comparison with the control group. The peptide aldehyde under study resulted in an extension of the biological half-life of the proteins in the tissue of the small and large intestine. It was measured via the decline of radioactivity in protein following application of L-guanidino-14 C-arginine and L-(4,5-3H)-leucine. The amino acid utilization appears to have been increased as well. In connection with previous studies (SIMON et al., 1976) i, which, under somewhat different experimental conditions, leupeptine resulted in a higher intermediary N-utilization, the mentioned agent is supposed to be able to influence N-utilization. However, additional studies are required to make statements regarding the influence of dosis and metabolic situation.


[Adjustment of the ammonia level in the rumen by sorption on bentonite and dried beet pulp]. The effect was studied of bentonite and spent sugar beet pulp on the ammonia level in the rumen juice sheep fed hay, ground barley and a urea supplementation. In comparison with a control trial, the nitrogen supply to the rumen juice proved more continuous, this fact improving the conditions for the microbial protein synthesis at the time fo the strongest fermentation. The interaction of bentonite, beet pectin and ammonium ions is attributed to the ion exchange.


[Study of the fatty acid components of the triglyceride fraction of the blood in normal and thalassemic subjects, using gas chromatography]. Thin layer chromatography was used to separate the triglyceridic fraction of plasma lipides in normal (19) and thalassaemic (15) subjects. Gas chromatographic analysis of the fraction was then carried out and the fatty acids represented were identified qualitatively and quantitatively. Statistically significant variations, specifically increase in arachidonic acid and reduction in palmitic and linoleic acids, were observed in the thalassaemic patients.


[Long-term feeding of acetyl urea to dairy cows]. After an introductory survey of investigations dealing with the conversion of acetyl urea in the ruminant organism, a feeding trial using dairy cattle is described in which the effects of long-term acetyl urea feeding on the clinical picture and various performance parameters have been studied. Five Black-Pied cows of medium milk yield were fed a natural diet and received, over at least 14 months, a daily acetyl urea supplementation of 430 g (= 40 to 44% of the digestible crude protein). The clinical control, including the analysis of blood parameters, did not produce any deviation from normal. As to milk and butterfat yields, the experimental group reached results comparable to those of the control group. Over the entire experimental period the experimental group and the control averaged per cow and day of milking 11.1 and 11.3 kg FCM, respectively. The reproductive behaviour proved normal for all the cows under study. Postmortem findings of 4 cows revealed, among other things, chronic kidney alterations that cannot be safely exluded to be caused by the experiments. A stress over several months of two cows fed 850 g acetyl urea per day was not found to affect animal performance and health.


[Requirements of Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata domestica) for crude protein and energy levels of fattening diets]. Groups of male and female Cairina ducks subjected to equal starter feeding (1st to 3rd weeks) were used from the 4th week of live (fattening period) to test feed mixes of varying energy and crude protein levels (480 energetic feed equivalents/heu[EFH] - 140 g crude protein[CP]; 480 EFh - 180/g CP; 555 EFh - 140 g CP; 555 EFh - 180 g CP; 625 EEh - 140 g CP; 625 EFh - 180 g CP - all figures referred to 1 kg of feed). The different energy levels remained without influence of the live weight development. High-energy feed caused, however, higher expenditures of energetic feed equivalents per kg of gain and resulted in carcases with higher fat proportion. At all the 3 energy levels under study, high-protein feeding proved superior to low-protein rations with regard to live weight gains and meat yield. For the time being, 500 EFh and 180 g CP per kg of organic matter are recommended as indicators for Cairina duck fattening rations.


[Metabolism-oriented determination of amino-acid requirement by means of catabolic rates of 14C- and 15N-labelled lysine under maintenance]. Male Wistar rats (of 60 g live weight) allotted in 10 groups were fed diets with gradually increasing lysine levels ranging from 1.4 to 7.4 g lysine/16 g N. Feed intake was restricted so much that the experimental animals did not change their live weights during the last 3 days of the 8-day experiment period. On the 7th experimental day, 4 animals of each group were injected i.p. 14-C-L-lysine, the 14CO2-excretion being subsequently measured over a period of 2 hours. On the next day, 6 animals of each group were applied an i.p. injected of 15N-L-lysine, the urine being collected over the following 24-hour period to measure the 15N-frequency. Applying both labelling methods, an increased catabolisation of the amino acid was observed after the metabolically necessary lysine requirement had been covered. The methods are very sensitive and revealed, under the experimental conditions chosed, a lysine requirement coverage of about 3 g lysine/16 g N. The possibility of using also 15N-labelled compounds in the metabolism-oriented amino acid requirement determination is likely to facilitate the transfer of the methodology to farm animals and would thus allow to study the amino acid requirement of man. The metabolism-oriented amino acid requirement determination will likewise allow to estimate exact amino acid requirement data under conditions that cannot be rated on the basis of productive yields.


[Effect of various anion and cation concentrations in the diet on the utilization of calcium and phosphorus in swine]. Experiments on growing swine revealed that diets with an excess of anions or cations will cause calcium and phosphorus to be utilized less. This, in turn, results in markedly decreased weight gains of the pigs and poor nutrient utilization. The diet with an excessively high concentration of anions was found to have a more unfavourable effect than diets with excessive cations. It is, therefore, recommended to carefully calculate the acid-base balance when formulating complete feed mexes for fattening pigs. The economic effect of such a practice proved high.


[Studies on the protein and amino-acid metabolism of laying hens using 15N-labelled casein. 15N-incorporation into N-fractions and amino acids of various parts of the body]. Four colostomized Leghorn hens were fed, during 6 days, 15N-labelled casein as sole protein source. Two animals were slaughtered 48 hours, the other two 144 hours after the last 15N-application. The share of TCE-soluble N in total N averaged 16% for the body parts analysed, i.e. meat, bone, liver, kidneys, oviducts, residual viscera and other. The variation of the lysine, histidine and arginine levels in the body parts ranged from 3.6 to 7.9 g, 1.1. to 3.7 g and 6.4 to 7.4 g in 16.7 g hydrolysate N, respectively. Except for feathers, the analysed body parts contained and excess amount of heavy nitrogen. The degree of labelling was found to depend on the time of slaughtering after the tracer application. In the liver and in the oviduct being metabolically active organs, the 15N-excess in the total N fraction decreased by 45% between the 2nd and the 6th days after 15N-feeding, whilst in the meat it went down by 20%. The decline of the 15N-concentration in the TCE-soluble N compounds was faster than in the total N-fraction. Out of the body samples analysed, the lysine of the liver having 0.26 atom % 15N-excess was found to be more strongly labelled in hens 1 and 2. The amino acid arginine reached about the same level of labelling, the 15N-frequency of histidine being the lowest.


[Neonatal diseases with onset during fetal life. Clinical and etiopathogenetic considerations]. A modern definition is given of the perinatal period. The boundary between embryonal and foetal life is drawn to enable diseases than occur solely during the foetal period to be distinguished. Placental physiology, exchanges between mother and foetus and the general pathology of the foetus, with particular regard to immunological phenomena, are examined. An account is given of the carriage by the placenta of substances foreign to the body, the transplacental passage of drugs, and the permeability of the placenta to micro-organism. The several factors involved in this process are discussed. The effect of various micro-organisms on the foetus is illustrated. Modern views concerning the immunological position of the foetus are expounded and various situations where the foetus is at risk with respect to infection of the mother are considered.


[Studies of the energy and crude protein requirements of young fattening geese. 1. Influence of varying energy and crude protein levels in the feed on fattening performance parameters]. In 5 trials using a total of 5367 geese (Deutsche Legagans male X White Italian Goose female), the influence of varying energy and crude protein levels in the feed on fattening performance was studied. After a uniform 4-week starter period (1st to 28th days of life) rations with conventional components were fed, their energy and crude protein levels ranging from 500 to 620 energetic feed equivalents (poultry) and 140 to 180 g CP, respectively. Subsequently, a test under commercial conditions was made to compare the optimal variant found (530 energetic feed equivalents-poultry/175 g CP) with a high-energy feed (620 energetic feed equivalents/175 g CP). As the energy concentration of the feed increased the live weight was not found to rise but slightly. At all energy levels under study, increasing crude protein from 140 to 180 g/5g resulted in higher gains. Feed expenditure was found to decrease as the energy concentration of the rations went up. High energy expenditure did not produce but slightly higher weight gains. Fattening beyond 56 days resulted in considerably higher energy expenditure.


[Action of calcium dobesilate on capillary fragility in diabetics]. Calcium dobesylate was administered for 30 days to diabetics with or without clinical signs referable to microangiopathy and increased capillary fragility unaccompanied by coagulation and haemostasis disturbances. Good results were observed in 90% of cases. It is felt that the drug can also be used in the tertiary prevention of systemic microangiopathy, as well as the medical management of diabetic retinopathy.


[Studies of the tolerance and toxicity of Luzern-green-meal pellets after selenium fertilization]. In a feeding trial, rabbits allotted in 3 experimental groups were fed rations containing 2.09, 9.83 and 19.5 mg selenium/kg feed in the form of selenium-enriched alfalfa green meal pellets. The selenium enrichment was done by foliar application (spraying) of the 20--25 cm high plant stand with 2.5 kg SeO2 per hectare in watery solution. The control animals were given normal alfalfa green meal pellets of 0.16 ppm selenium content. Toxicity and lethality, tolerance limit and nutritive effect of the pellets were studied. Plant-assimilated selenium was found to be converted more efficiently by the animal organism than was selenium from inorganic compounds (higher retention rate, better gain in body weight and lower feed expenditure). Therefore, the selenium supply to farm animals should be improved by feeding crops that were given selenium dressings.


[Structural organization of the cetacean neocortex]. As a result of investigation on architectonics of structural organization of the brain neocortex in dolphin, frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital regions, as well as certain fields were distinguished. Monotonous character and incomplete stratification of the neocortical lamina, lack of clear border line and similarity with interstitial formations demonstrate symbolic meaning of the word neocortex as it is applied to the cetacean brain. Therefore, the term preneocortex is suggested for the dolphin brain.


[Blood supply and the atrioventricular conduction system of the dog heart]. In 30 experiments in order to specify the blood supply and conducting system in the dog heart, coronal arteries were injected with a contrasting mass that was followed by roentgenography and preparation of the coronal arteries. The topography and blood supply of the atrioventricular conducting system with application of prevital blood supply, and the left coronal artery is the main source of blood supply for all the parts of the cardiac atrioventricular conducting system.