Alkaline phosphatase activity of epididymal contents in boars with normal or reduced spermatogenesis. The alkaline phosphatase activity was measured in testicular fluid and in epididymal plasma from caput and cauda epididymidis in boars with normal sperm production  and in boars in which the number of spermatozoa passing from the testis to the epididymidis was reduced. The testicular fluid and the epididymal plasma from caput epididymidis contained low amounts of alkaline phosphatase in comparison with epididymal plasma from the cauda. This applies to both groups of boars e.g. boars with normal as well as with totally lacking or lowered sperm production. As no fluid resorption takes place between caput and cauda the distal part of the epididymidis must be the main production site for alkaline phosphatase. The production there is not related to the presence of spermatozoa in the duct. In the caput, on the other hand, it seems that the level of alkaline phosphatase in some way is influenced by the sperm supply to the duct.


The fatty acid composition of the major phosphoglycerides of ram and human spermatozoa. The major individual phosphoglycerides of ram spermatozoa have specific fatty acid compositions, whereas human spermatozoan phosphoglycerides contain a similar pattern of fatty acids. The difference in the polyunsaturated:saturated fatty acid ratio of the spermatozoan phosphoglycerides between the two species were associated with the very high polyunsaturated fatty acid content of ram spermatozoan plasmalogens. The major unsaturated fatty acid of ram spermatozoa phospholipids, docosahexaenoic acid, was concentrated in the choline phosphoglycerides, whereas the chief saturates of ram and human spermatozoa, and docosahexaenoic acid in the latter, were largely located in the choline and ethanolamine diacylphosphoglycerides.


Vasectomy: a long-term study of its effects on testicular endocrine function in man. Plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone (L.H.) and follicle stimulating (F.S.H.) were measured before operation in 39 males, aged 26 to 53 years with 2 to 5 children, seeking vasectomy for contraceptive purposes. These measurements were repeated at 3 and 12 months after vasectomy. Levels of L.H. at 12 months were significantly higher than pre-vasectomy levels, suggesting some degree of decreased Leydig cell function. However, testosterone and F.S.H. levels were similar at the three sampling times. Continuing yearly measurements for at least 5 years are planned.


Two esterases common to seminal plasma, other external secretions and leucocytes in man. Two esterases previously identified in seminal plasma, on the basis of their electrophoretic mobility, immunogenicity and sensitivity to organophosphorus esters were detected in various human external secretions and leucocyte extracts. alpha-Esterase was found to be abundant in urine and milk whereas this enzyme occurred in a low concentration in seminal plasma, leucocyte extract, cervical  mucus and sweat. The concentration of betagamma-esterase was high in seminal plasma and leucocyte extract. The enzyme was present in small amounts in urine, milk, gastric juice, saliva, sputum, tears, cervical mucus and sweat.


Aeroallergens in Bangkok, Thailand.

Aeroallergens in Bangkok, Thailand. A survey of atmospheric pollens and molds, by Durham's gravity method, was made in Bangkok, Thailand from January, 1972, to December, 1974. The pollens and mold spores were counted daily. Grass pollen was found throughout the year, with a peak from November through February. Weed and tree pollens were found in low counts. Fungal spores of the class Fungi Imperfecti was predominant, with Hormodendrum the most common. Helminthosporium, Alternaria, smut, Fusarium and rust were found in that quantitative order.


Lack of interference in skin tests by histamine in food extracts. Because histamine occurs naturally in some food products, quantitative analysis of the histamine content of extracts of food used for skin testing seemed desirable to determine its effect in the production of positive reactions. Up to 200 nanograms of histamine per milliliter were found in some food extracts. When the extracts are diluted to 1:100 and 1:1000 W/V for skin testing the amount of histamine which would be injected in a intradermal skin test is one-thousandth of the amount required to produce a significant wheal. Therefore the histamine content of the foods analyzed is too small to be of practical concern and not enough to give nonspecific wheal reactions in intradermal tests using extracts of 1/1000 or 1/100 W/V concentrations. Nonspecific reactions in skin tests are probably most often due to use of food extracts of unnecessarily high concentration.


[Affective-cognitive structure and psychosis. New perspectives of the study of hallucination experience with psychodysleptics]. This paper comparates classic experimental "model psychosis" psychodysleptic induced and psychotic adverse reactions to psychodysleptic habitude or episodic use as clinically observed. Biochemical, neurophisiological and psychopathological back-ground of psychodysleptic states and clinical data are discussed in the aiming to investigate and explain interaction between cognitif and affectif destructuration in spreading off a psychotic crises. A multidisciplinary approach provides new insight about destructuration processes in exogenous or endogenous psychoses and about mental developmental in child.


[Psychotic manifestations complicating surgical operation in the ocular region]. The authors report ten observations as well as the results of an investigation conducted by ophtalmologists and psychiatrists with intention of better understanding clinical, physiological and psychological problems, provoked by occurance of complications stemming from psychoses which are the result of ophtamological complications. They conclude that it is necessary to form accurate distinctions with regard to the total manifestations of the malady "black patch delirium". They emphasize the fact that its manifestations are not an appanage of the aged ; they especially insist upon not only the role of visual disorientation but also of the social factors which are united with restrictions, beyond those of motor, control and biological imvalances. With regard to etiopathology they acknowledge a need for a combination of organogenic and psychodynamic models to account for each case ; a certain number of communal points can be found : subjects (declined in physical and metal capacities), there is a rapid weaking of the external comportment, resulting in an imptiness, which must be compensated for by a fantasy life or some other physiopathological mecanisms.


Temperature relationships in Mycobacterium kansasii: correlation between heat inactivation of protein synthesis and thermal death. The temperature relationships of Mycobacterium kansasii were investigated. The optimal temperature of growth of these bacteria was between 37 and 38 degrees C, and their thermal death point was about 70 degrees. The temperature characteristic of growth of M. kansasii was about 23,400 cal.mole-1. Experiments on the effect of temperature on protein synthesis showed that the temperature and time relationships required to complete and irreversibly inactivate protein synthesis correlated with thermal death. Judged from the data obtained, it was hypothesized that the initial cause of thermal death in the bacteria might be the heat inactivation of the protein synthetic machinery of the cells.


[Lysine and arginine requirement of "Ustilago cynodontis" 4001 yeast-like cells. I. --Growth in the presence and in the absence of lysine (author's transl)]. For optimal growth, the yeast-like cells of Ustilago cynodontis 4001 (originating from the mycelium 4001 prototroph forms) require the presence of both arginine and lysine. However, in the absence of lysine, growth does occur, but two exponential growth phases can then be observed: a pseudo-lag phase during which the growth rate is slow, and a second, true exponential phase. The initial OD of the culture and the arginine concentration of the medium do not appear to affect the duration of the pseudo-lag phase. The arginine concentration does, however, affect the growth yield. Upon addition of lysine to the culture medium, the period of the pseudo-lag phase is reduced and the growth rate increased. The pseudo-lag phase can be completely suppressed by the addition of adequate amounts of lysine. In the presence of lysine and in the absence of arginine, cells are not capable of multiplication. Addition of arginine initiates growth; whether or not a lag phase occurs depends on the quantity of arginine added. The successive inoculation of cells into lysine-free medium leads to suppression of the pseudo-lag phase but only after three or four passages. Therefore it does not seem that there is selection of cells which do not require lysine during the pseudo-lag phase. It is shown that it is not the modification of the culture medium which suppresses the lysine requirement: the cells which are put to grow in the supernatant of a culture in which a pseudo-lag phase had taken place behave in the same way that when they are inoculated in a new medium. The modification of the cell metabolism itself is discussed.


Salmonella and Arizona from snakes in the Judean desert (1974-1975). Ninety-four (77.7%) of the 121 snakes captured during the years 1974-1975 in the Judean desert were found to carry Salmonella and/or Arizona organism. Sixty-six snakes (54.4%) harboured only one serotype. From 19 animals (15.7%) both Salmonella and Arizona organisms were isolated. From 9 snakes (7.5%) 2 or 3 serotypes of Arizona were isolated. Only 27 snakes (22,3%) harboured no detectable Salmonella nor Arizona in their intestinal contents.


Organic amendments and control of foot rot of Piper betle caused by Phytophthora parasitica var. piperina. Experiments have been performed to control foot rot of Piper betle by organic amendments and antagonists in soil. Soil amended with corn straw gave best control. Corn straw supplemented with nitrogen (NH4NO3) gave still better control. The effect of different antagonists growing on corn-straw and til (Sesamum indicum) oil cake amendments showed that Trichoderma viride gave best control. Aspergillus terreus failed to control the disease although it showed great antifungal activity under controlled condition in Petri dishes.


Natural resistance of an African rodent Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis to rabies infection. Praomys (Mastomys) natalensis, the multimammate mouse, proved resistant to the intracerebral and peripheral infection with rabies virus of serotype 1, which is found world-wide. It is, however, fully susceptible to the other serotypes of this virus group, which to-date have only been found on the African continent. Resistance develops between the third and twenty-first day after birth. In the brain of the resistant animal the inoculated virus multiplies to a low degree and the animal does not develop a fatal disease.


[The dehydrogenation of butandiol by "vibrio parahaemolyticus" and other vibrios (author's transl)]. The butandiol dehydrogenase was examined in 64 vibrios isolated in Togo 1970/71. This enzyme was found in all of the not halophilic strains and in the species Vibrio alginolyticus, whereas the species V. parahaemolyticus exhibited as well dehydrating as not dehydrating strains. The butandiol dehydrogenase could be a good marker for epidemiologic analysis in characterizing V. parahaemolyticus strains isolated from different sources, especially if no antisera are available.


[Sclerosis of esophageal varices. Results of 10 years experience]. Before they give their results, the authors, whose experience of sclerosis of oesophageal varices under the oesophagoscope has so far involved 157 patients, deal specifically with the problems facing the anaesthetist and resuscitator when this technique is used, tolerance of the product injected and possible accidents. Firstly, they point out the unsuitability of the patients referred to them by their medical or surgical colleagues. By implication therefore, treatment should only be undertaken with the assistance of a team of experienced resuscitators and every precaution taken to mitigate the effects of possible accidents to these patients who are particularly at risk. These cases are mainly characterized by serious haemorrhages (seven cases described, one resulting in death). Oesophageal injury is, on the other hand, the exception where trained personnel are involved (2 minor mucosal tears out of more than 800 oesophagoscopies). Finally, secondary parietal oesophageal necrosis occurs. Quininaemia assessment after injection of quinine-urea confirms that the product is being efficiently eliminated. Overall results reveal a survival rate of 61 p. 100 after more than a year and 20 p. 100 after more than than three years. These figures underline the limitations of therapeutic possibilities and the serious prognosis for this result of portal hypertension. This leads the authors to express a wish that the procedure should be used as a measure to prevent haemorrhage as soon as the presence of varices is realized. On the other hand, they reject on practical grounds emergency sclerosis of oesophageal varices, as a direct heamostatic method, since, according to their statistics, this almost invariably results in failure.


[Cranio-mandibular eosinophilic granuloma starting in the lung]. The authors describe the case of a young man with a worsening general condition who was found to be suffering from bilateral pulmonary infiltration. Pulmonary tuberculosis was diagnosed after clinical and radiological investigation and specific antituberculous treatment was instituted. When the patient later complained of headaches, he was found to have cranial and mandibular lacunae which were treated surgically. Pathological examination showed this to be a case of eosinophilic granuloma.