Methionine requirement of developing turkeys from 8-12 weeks of age. Two experiments were conducted with Large White male turkeys from 8-12 weeks of age to estimate the methionine requirement for optimum growth rate and feed efficiency. The first experiment was conducted with five pens of 22 turkeys per treatment when the mean minimum temperature was 17.2 C and the maximum 32.2 C. The second experiment was conducted with four groups of 14 turkeys per pen when the mean minimum temperature was 1.4 C and the maximum 12.4 C. Initial body weight and rate of gain in the first experiment was lower than that in Experiment 2. Maximum growth and feed efficiency in Experiment 1 were obtained with a methionine level between 1.32 and 1.41 g./mcal. of M.E. and in Experiment 2 between 1.27 and 1.43 g. Adding 0.1% l-cystine to the basal diet in Experiment 2 failed to improve growth or feed efficiency significantly. The estimated requirement for methionine in these experiments agrees with the present estimate of the National Research Council.


Effect of selenium and mercury on survival of chick embryos. Factorial experiments were arranged in a completely randomized or randomized block design. The factors included: selenium and day of injection; mercury and day of injection; selenium and mercury; and selenium, mercury and day of injection. Each treatment factor consisted of several levels, selenium ranged from 0.00 p.p.m. to 0.05 p.p.m., mercury from 0.00 p.p.m. to 0.30 p.p.m. and injection was performed on day-3, 9, and 15 of incubation. Babcock-300, and White Leghorn x New Hampshire cross eggs were obtained from 13-15 month old hens. Mercury was injected into the air cell at 4 or 24 hours after selenium injection. Analysis of variance on arcsine transformed data showed that selenium significantly decreased  survival at all 3 injection times (P less than 0.01). Survival was significantly greater with increasing age at injection (P less than 0.01). Survival of embryos significantly decreased (P less than 0.01) with increasing levels of mercury from 0.00 p.p.m. to 0.20 p.p.m. injected into eggs on day-3 of incubation. Survival of embryos injected at later stages was less than that of controls but not significantly less. Injection of low levels of selenium, 0.01 p.p.m. or 0.02 p.p.m., to mercury treated eggs tended to improve the survival of embryos as compared to treatment with mercury alone, although individual differences were not significant. At higher levels, selenium accentuated the toxicity of mercury.


Effects of high environmental temperatures on cecal coccidiosis. Maintenance of broiler or White Leghorn cockerels in a high temperature (32 C.), high humidity (90%) environment for six days following artificial infection with Eimeria tenella significantly reduced coccidiosis severity as compared to birds similarly infected and maintained in an ambient environment averaging 24.5 C., and 62% humidity. Disease severity was determined by lesion scores, fecal scores, and hematocrit readings. The heavier broiler stock maintained body temperatures of 0.7-1.6 C. higher than those birds kept at ambient temperatures for the entire six days. Body temperatures of heat-treated Leghorn cockerels were 0.9 C. higher during the first 48 hours post-inoculation (P.I.), but similar to ambient temperature controls for the last four days. Elevated body temperatures during the first two days following inoculation impaired the survival and development of some parasites while shorter periods (24 hours) of heat treatment did not affect parasite survival.


Coccidiosis: effects of high environmental temperatures on anticoccidial protection. In a series of nine experiments birds subjected to heat-stress showed decreases of 9 to 61 percent in feed intake. In only one of these experiments, involving E. acervulina and monensin, was there sufficient reduction of anticoccidial intake to partially nullify effects of drug protection. In this case, a 40 percent decrease in monensin intake resulted in significantly higher lesion scores (1.9 vs. 1.0) (P less than or equal to 0.05) in birds maintained at 32 C. for days 1 to 7 postinfection (P.I.) compared to controls maintained at 20C. No other failures due to heat stress occurred with this anticoccidial in three other trials with E. acervulina or or five trials involving E. tenella infection. In one experiment E. tenella coccidiosis (lesion scores 0.7 vs. 1.1) was more severe in the cool environment than in birds under heat-stress from 2 to 7 days P.I. Similarly, less severe lesions of E tenella (0.4 vs. 0.8) occurred during heat-stress (32 C) than in controls maintained at 11 C. in zoalene-fed and unmedicated control birds. No differences in lesion scores occurred in birds in hot versus cool room environments in two experiments involving sulfaquinoxaline or one with robenidene and E. tenella infection. E tenella lesions inunmedicated controls were significantly more severe in the cool than the hot environment in one experiment. Results from these experiments suggest that decreases in feed and anticoccidial intake during heat-stress could seldom be the cause of coccidiosis breaks under field conditions.


Effects of early cyclophosphamide treatment on lymphoid organs and its immune response in ducks. Cyclophosphamide treatment of newly hatched White Pekin ducks significantly reduced the weight of their lymphoid organs and almost completely eliminated the formation of bursal lymphoid follicles at one week of age. There after the thymus and spleen of these ducks completely recovered in weight at 7 weeks of age. The bursa, however, retained its light weight and morphological defects, such as the absence of lymphoid follicles. The specific antibody producing-capability to Salmonella pullorum was also eliminated. The total dosage of cyclophosphamide was smaller than that employed in chickens, which makes effective chemical bursectomy in ducks possible.


Sexual maturation and productivity of Japanese quail fed graded concentrations of mercuric chloride. Japanese quail (Coturnix c. japonica) were fed 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 p.p.m. Hg as mercuric chloride (HgCl2) from the time of hatching up to the age of 1 year. None of the birds manifested any gross signs of mercury poisioning. Food consumption, growth rate, and weight maintenance were unaffected. Initial oviposition tended to occur at a younger age as dietary mercuric chloride increased, e.g., the median age at which egg laying began among hens fed 32 p.p.m. Hg was 6 days younger than for controls. The average rate of egg production was positively related to the concentration of mercuric chloride with the most pronounced differences between treatments occurring among young (less than 9-week-old) hens. Beyond 9 weeks of age production was more uniform among the treatments, but even after 1 year hens on 32 p.p.m. Hg were laying an average of 13.5% more eggs than controls. Rate of egg fertilization was generally depressed for all Hg-treatments above 4 p.p.m. Hatchability of fertilized eggs and eggshell thickness appeared unaffected by mercuric chloride.


Total fatty acid composition of duck fatty tissues. Total lipids extracted from duck fatty tissues were fractionated on thin layer plates into polar lipids and neutral lipids. Neutral lipids were similarly fractionated into their components. Fatty acid methyl esters from total lipids were fractionated by gas-liquid-chromatography. Results indicated that duck fatty tissues are mostly formed by neutral lipids and that triglycerides comprise the vast majority of neutral lipids. Results also indicated that the major fatty acids in duck lipids are: oleic greater than linoleic greater than stearic greater than palmitoleic. About 73% of all fatty acids present belong to the C-18 series. The unsaturation level for duck lipids is about 73%.


Relation between methionine and inorganic sulphate in broiler rations. In two experiments with 0-5 weeks old broiler chicks in battery-cages, it was examined whether the requirements for sulphur-containing amino acids in the ration could be reduced by addition of inorganic sulphate. The basal diet was a high energy practical-type broiler ration. The mineral mix included in this diet did not contain sulphates. The basal diet contained 0.73% methionine + cystine. By addition of synthetic methionine, experimental rations with 0.78, 0.82, 0.92 and 1.02% methionine + cystine, respectively, were obtained. The addition of methionine to the basal ration effected significant effects on weight gain (maximum 6-7% at 5 weeks of age) and on feed conversion (maximum 7-8% at 5 weeks of age). The addition of 0.1% Na2 SO4 (=0.068% inorganic sulphate) to the basal and the methionine supplemented diets resulted in an overall increase in weight gain at 5 weeks of age of 0.9% and a reduction in feed conversion of 1.2%; both effects were significant (P less than .05). However, the size of this effect proved to be independent on the contents of sulphur-containing amino acids in the ration. This indicates a small deficiency of the basal ration for inorganic sulphate.


Plasma steroid tendency, social environment and Eimeria necatrix infection. Chickens from a line selected for high levels of plasma corticosterone when housed in an environment faciliating considerable social interaction were more resistant to Eimeria necatrix infection than those from a line selected for low levels of plasma corticosterone housed in an environment that minimized social interaction. Individuals in the high steroid group had a more active phagocytic defense and fewer schizonts than those in the low steroid group.


Selection for body weight at eight weeks of age. 11. Ovulation and oviposition patterns. Two experiments were conducted to study oviposition patterns and ovarian activity at various physiological ages in S15 and S16 generation pullets from lines selected bidirectionally for high (HWS) and low (LWS) juvenile body weight. The fixed periods of lay for random samples of pullets from the date of first egg were 20, 40, 60, and 80 days in the first experiment and 40, 80, 120, and 160 days in the second experiment. HWS pullets matured significantly earlier than LWS pullets in both generations. The frequency and the percentage hen-day production (%HDP) of defective eggs were significantly greater in the HWS than LWS line in both generations. Delayed sexual maturity did not significantly change the pattern of defective egg production for a fixed period of lay. In the HWS line the %HDP of defective eggs progressively increased until about 40 days of lay and tended to decline thereafter, while in the LWS line the percentage decreased from 20 to 40 days and then stabilized. The frequency of normal unbroken eggs to 80 days of production did not differ among lines either in the S15 or S16 generation. When measurements were extended to 160 days of lay in the S16 generation HWS pullets produced significantly more normal eggs than LWS pullets. Possible effects of ovarian activity on the egg production pattern during the laying cycle are discussed. There was a significantly higher incidence of internal laying and atrecia of the growing follicles in the HWS than in the LWS pullets. Ovarian activity, evidenced by the  number of developing and ruptured follicles, was significantly greater in the HWS than the LWS line, as was the incidence of ova developing in pairs. Product moment correlations and multiple regressions among the measurements of ovarian activity were calculated within lines. In the HWS line, 62.5% of the variation in %HDP of defective eggs could be accounted for by the %HDP of normal eggs and the number of developing follicles while in the LWS line these variables accounted for only 7.29% of the variation in %HDP of defective eggs.


Growth of broilers and quail fed Fusarium (Gibberella zeae)-infected corn and zearalenone (F-2). There were no effects in commercial broilers after the long term ingesting of Fusarium-infected corn supplying 1, 10, and 30 p.p.m. zearalenone (F-2) in diets. Average gain and feed conversion were similar in all treatment groups. In the first feeding trial the average body weights were higher for males than for females, but the differences were not significant. Purified F-2, 30 P.P.M., was fed to broilers and no chronic effects were observed. Differences in mean body weights, between dietary treatments in the two Japanese quail lines were small and not significant after 4 weeks on diets containing 0, 10, and 25 p.p.m. F-2 from Fusarium infected corn.


Pesticide residues in eggs and chicks from laying hens fed low levels of several chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides. Eighty-four Single-Comb While Leghorn laying hens housed individually in laying cages were fed rations containing less than 0.1 p.p.m. of dieldrin, DDT, heptachlor and mirex individually or in combination for 7 days and in combination for 15 weeks. DDT residues in egg yolk reached 0.043 p.p.m. by 7 days when fed in combination with the other pesticides. None of the residues were above FDA action level at 7 days and all had declined to below trace levels by 8 weeks after termination of pesticide feeding. Residues in eggs from hens fed all four pesticides for 15 weeks increased steadily for the first few weeks and then reached a plateau or increased only slightly until pesticide feeding was terminated. By the end of the 5th week of pesticide feeding all pesticides except DDT had exceeded FDA action levels for pesticides in eggs. DDT residues reached a level of 0.139 p.p.m. by 8 weeks and did not increase thereafter. Traces of the pesticides were still present 24 weeks after termination of pesticide feeding. The pesticides tested did not affect fertility of hatchability of eggs collected during the 14th and 15th weeks of pesticide feeding. Total carcass fat of chicks hatched from these eggs had 0.024 p.p.m. dieldrin, .049 p.p.m. DDT, .001 p.p.m. heptachlor epoxide and, 0.47 mirex at 1 day of age.


Mortality and production characteristics of laying chickens fed high- and low-erucic acid rapeseed oils. Laying pullets were fed a diet supplemented with three percent of either high-erucic acid rapeseed (HEAR) oil or low-erucic acid rapeseed (LEAR) oil for 39 weeks. Egg production for the period was 78.8 and 80.1% by the birds fed the respective oils. Average egg weights were 56.8 and 58.7 g. respectively. Gains in body weight, liver weight and adrenal gland weight were similar with the two types of oil fed. Feed consumption was similar for the two groups of birds. The efficiency of utilization of the diet containing HEAR oil was accordingly lower than that of the diet containing LEAR oil. In the birds fed HEAR and LEAR oil respectively mortality attributed to metabolic disorders of the reproductive system, liver, and kidney was 3.3% and 1.2%. Mortality from other causes in the birds fed the two oils was 3.2 and 3.8% of the original populations.


Energy requirement of roosters as influenced by environmental temperature, dietary energy and age. Little information is available on the energy requirement of roosters. The voluntary energy intake is reported for roosters exposed to environmental temperatures of 23, 30 or 37 degrees C. while fed one of three diets differing in energy level. There was a reduction in the energy intake as the environmental temperature increased. The data indicated that the energy requirement was reduced somewhat as the birds get older than 9-10 months of age.


Amino acid supplementation of low protein turkey starting rations. Turkey poults fed rations containing 22.1% protein had a much slower rate of growth when compared with poults receiving a ration containing 29.8% protein. Methionine supplementation had no effect on body weight and mortality to 18 days of age. Supplementation of the 22.1% protein diet with lysine (0.2%) significantly improved growth rate over the unsupplemented 22.1% protein diet. The addition of methionine to the 22.1% protein diet supplemented with lysine (0.2%) produced slight additional response in body weight; however the drop in mortality was much more dramatic as increments of methionine were added to the 22.1% protein diet supplemented with lysine (0.2%).


Amino acid supplementation of turkey breeder rations. Beltsville Small White turkey hens (60) were randomized into four groups of 15 hens each, weighed and placed in individual laying cages. Immediately after lighting to initiate production, they were placed on a practical type turkey breeder diet calculated to contain 18.26% protein, 2893 Cal. M.E./kg., 3.13% Ca, 0.80% available P, 1.04% arginine, 0.86% lysine, 0.50% methionine & cystine and 0.24% tryptophane. Amino acids were added to this diet as follows: (1) none; (2) 0.1% lysine; (3) 0.05% methionine and (4) 0.1% lysine & 0.05% methionine. Lysine (0.1%) had no effect on reproductive performance when added to the basal ration or to the ration containing additional methionine. Methionine addition (0.05%) improved production significantly (P less than or equal to .005), improved feed efficiency, and increased egg size.


The effect of the duration of starvation of the assay bird on true metabolizable energy values. An experiment was made with adult, S.C.W.L. roosters to measure the effect of the duration of the starvation period, prior to force feeding, on the true metabolizable energy (T.M.E.) value of a laying hen diet. Lengthening the starvation period from 24 to 96 hr., by 24 hr. intervals, had no significant effect on the T.M.E. value. The excretion of metabolic fecal + endogenous urinary energy per day tended to decrease with the duration of starvation. It is therefore, essential that the duration of the starvation period is identical for control and force fed birds. It is also essential that the duration of the experimental period is identical for both groups of birds.


Partial replacement of chicken semen by turkey semen in artificial insemination of chickens. Chicken semen undiluted, diluted with a diluent containing fructose and/or mixed with turkey semen was used to inseminate Leghorn hens. In two of three experiments there was an improvement in fertility from insemination by mixed semen as compared to semen diluted to the same extent with the diluent.


The management of infertility.

The management of infertility. Infertility remains a difficult clinical problem but with only a small amount of effort most clinics can improve facilities and streamline investigations. Lack of continuity remains one of the most trying problems for both patient and clinician. Reasonable time limits limits must be placed on investigations and the idea of adoption should be introduced at the appropriate time. Future developments may gradually help to eradicate the problem.


Forensic gynaecology.

Forensic gynaecology. To put a patient at ease is always important, but this is especially so when making an examination following a sexual offence. The place of examination is important. The choice can be a police station, a hospital or your own consulting-room. If at all possible, your own consulting-room is best. Always explain exactly what you are doing and for what reason. This is reassuring to the patient. Take the specimens systematically. Number and label them carefully before handing them over to the police officer. Notes taken at the time of your examination can be used when giving evidence in court. Therefore legible notes are invaluable. I have also found it useful to have a photostat of my statement as a witness. The police will provide this on request. Note-taking is particularly important in cases in which there are special difficulties. Examinations following sexual assault involve attending court to give evidence. By no means all the examinations made will lead to court cases. Often the accused cannot be found, sometimes the woman drops the allegation, or the Director of Public Prosecutions does not recommend the case to come for trial. Since the Criminal Justice Act 1967 it has been possible in all criminal proceedings to admit a written statement as evidence just as if it had been given orally. This statement must be signed by the witness, who will be liable to prosecution if he has stated in it anything that he knew to be false or did not believe to be true. A copy is served on the opposing side and if they make no objection it can be used by the defence in evidence. In other words, your presence in court is necessary only if some point needs to be made clear by cross-examination. I should like to see long-term follow up of rape victims. At present there is none that I know of, but at least some immediate reassurance and explanation can be given to the patient, together with treatment and recommendations for further care if necessary.


Drug-induced deafness and its treatment. A comprehensive review is presented of the ototoxic effects of drugs which may damage hearing. These have been classified in tabular form together with the recommended dose, method of administration, and ill-effects upon the inner ear. Special emphasis is laid upon the hazard of prescribing such drugs in certain conditions, including in particular the presence of renal or hepatic insufficiency, and the importance of laboratory assessment of new antibiotics for ototoxicity before undertaking clinical trials.


Improved method for the purification of biologically active transcobalamin II. Transcobalamin II (TC II) was purified about 300,000-fold from Cohn fraction III using a modification of the procedure described by Allen and Majerus (J. Biol. Chem. 247, 7709-7717 (1972)). The simplified method incorporated isoelectric precipitation of the TC II into the purification scheme which permitted the elimination of two column chromatographic steps originally reported by the above workers. The final preparation had 26.7 mug of vitamin B12 (B12) bound per mg of protein and an A280/A361 ratio of 2.05, both of which are in good agreement with the reported values. The purified TC II was biologically active with respect to its ability to facilitate penetration of B12 into HeLa cells in tissue culture.


Effect of CNS depressants and stimulants on latency for the appearance of copulatory response in the female rat. Diethyl ether anesthesia, sodium hexobarbital (20 mg/kg), diphenylhydantoin (50 mg/kg), strychnine (1 mg/kg) and picrotoxin (1-0.25 mg/kg) effectively induced the copulatory response (lordotic behavior) in estradiol benzoate treated ovariectomized rats although no progesterone was given. As none of the tested compounds were effective in replacing progesterone in adrenalectomized animals, adrenal secretion is likely to be implicated in the lordosis activating effect of these compounds. The lordosis response appeared faster after the CNS stimulants than after treatment with the CNS depressants. The influence of diethylether anesthesia, strychnine (0.5 mg/kg) or picrotoxin (0.25 mg/kg) on the latency for the appearance of the lordosis response after IV injection of isopregnenone was studied in estradiol benzoate treated ovariectomized females. A 10 min ether anesthesia delayed the onset of the lordosis response in adrenal intact as well as adrenalectomized animals. Anesthesia given after receptivity had been fully established suppressed the responses for a short period (10-30 min) after the narcosis. The delay of the appearance of the first lordosis response after IV injection of isopregnone exceeded this period. Strychnine but not picrotoxin significantly shortened the latency to the onset of the female copulatory response. It is concluded that the lordotic activating action of progesterone or steroids with progesteronelike ability released from an endogenous source or given IV is influenced by compounds which exert a depressant or stimulant effect on neuronal activity. The total response obtained is not changed but the appearance of the response is prolonged by CNS depressants and shortened by certain CNS stimulants.


Time dependent effects produced in chicks after prenatal injection of methylmercury. Methylmercury dicyandiamide (0.05 to 10 mg/kg eff) injected into the volk sac of fertilized chicken eggs prior to incubation produced a dose related decrease in the percentage of chicks hatched (90-57% of control). With dosage fixed at 0.5 or 5.0 mg/kg egg and injections made on Days 0, 7 or 14 of incubation, hatches were 90, 68 and 75%, respectively, for the low dose and 63, 13 and 18% for the high dose. In contrast to results obtained from chicks hatched from eggs injected on Day 0 of incubation, chicks hatched from eggs injected with 0.5 or 5.0 mg MMD/kg on Day 7 or 14 were not different from controls in a detour learning situation. Administration of 14-C methylmercury revealed maximal brain radiolabel in embryos injected on Day 0 to be 10% that seen with eggs injected on Day 7 but twice that seen with eggs injected on Day 14. We tentatively conclude that a period of maximal sensitivity to the behavior effects exists prior to Day 7 and that the mechanisms of embryolethality is different from that producing the functional deficits.


Is actinomycin D suitable for the investigation of memory processes? The influence of Actinomycin D (AMD) applied intrahippocampally at doses of 1-6 mug/animal, on the acquisition and retention of a shock-motivated brightness discrimination was studied on rats in a semiautomatic Y-maze. The injection of AMD 4 hr prior to training did not influence the acquisition, but causes, dose-dependent, a retention loss in relearning 24 hr after training. Twenty-eight hr after AMD application, naive rats exhibited a deterioration of acquisition performance increasing equally with the dose. At the same time, both circumscribed necroses in the hippocampus and signs of a general intoxication were observed. Considering the described pro- and retroactive effects, it is concluded that the use of the inhibitor AMD in learning experiments is not suitable to provide reliable evidence of the specific importance of the cerebral RNA synthesis for memory consolidation.


The significance of dopamine, versus other catecholamines, for L-dopa induced facilitation of sexual behavior in the castrated male rat. The effects of a wide dose range of L-DOPA on male rat sexual behavior were investigated. The animals were castrated as adults and supplied with small amounts of testosterone propionate. It was found that doses of L-DOPA up to 2.5 mg/kg facilitated, while higher doses inhibited, sexual behavior in animals pretreated with pargyline, 20 mg/kg, + MK486, 50 mg/kg. The effects of L-DOPA on sexual behavior were not restricted to the copulatory act, but included elements preceding the copulatory act as well. Most of the facilitatory effects of L-DOPA 2.5 mg/kg were prevented by the dopamine receptor blocker pimozide; 0.10 mg/kg. It is concluded that dopamine is the catecholamine of major importance in mediating the L-DOPA induced facilitation of sexual behavior in the castrated male rat. However, some elements of the copulatory act appear to be modified by noradrenaline and/or adrenaline as well.


Selection of C3 alcohols by high and low ethanol selecting mouse strains and the effects on open field activity. Mice of the high-ethanol selecting C57BL/6j strain consume significantly larger amounts of 10% solution of 1,2-propanediol and 1-propanol than the low-ethanol selecting DBA/2j strain. Both strains uniformly avoid a 10% solution of 1,3-propanediol and 2-propanol. Open field activity was tested 30 min after an IP injection of 3 different equimolar doses of each alcohol. An increase in activity was produced in the DBA/2j strain by high (0.003 ml/mg) and middle (0.0015 ml/lg) doses of 1,2-propanediol and by a low dose (0.0005 ml/mg) of 2-propanol. The C57BL/6j strain were unaffected by these doses. High doses of 2-propanol produced sleep in both strains with the DBA/2j strain sleeping significantly longer, and 1,3-propanediol produced depression in both strains. Death resulted in all animals following injections at the high (0.002 mg/gm) and medium (0.001 ml/gm) doses of 1-propanol while the low dose (0.0005 ml/gm) produced slight depression.


Reduction by propranolol of raised urinary output of MHPG in hyperactive rats. Prolonged isolation of rats resulted in hyperactivity in the open field and a significant increase in 24 hr urinary excretion of MHPG (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol). Exploratory activity of group-housed rats in open field was not associated with raised MHPG excretion, compared with that of rats remaining in home cages. Exposure of group-housed rats to 4 degrees C for 2 hr also increased urinary excretion of MHPG. Pretreatment of isolated rats with dl-, d-propranolol or practolol abolished hyperactivity of isolated rats and reduced MHPG output in these rats and in rats exposed to cold. dl-Propranolol did not reduce activity of group-housed rats in open field or their urinary excretion of MHPG. It is suggested that propranolol may have a selective inhibitory effect on stress-induced increases in noradrenaline turnover.


Differential actions of d- and 1-amphetamine on the metabolism of 3H-norepinephrine in rat brain. Approximately equieffective doses of d- and l-amphetamine, using suppression of operant fixed-ratio responding for food reinforcement as the determinant of potency, were compared for their ability to alter the disposition of the major and minor metabolites of NE in push-pull perfusates from rat brain lateral ventricle. While 3 mg d-amphetamine/kg and 6 mg l-amphetamine/kg both increased total 3H and the relative amounts of the minor metabolites 3H-normetanephrine and 3H-dihydroxymandelic acid, only 1-amphetamine caused a significant increase in the major 3H-NE metabolite, methoxyhydroxyphenylethylene-glycol. The data is discussed in relation to the abilities of the isomers of amphetamine to stereoselectively interact with noradrenergic neurons at doses that produce similar effects upon operant behavior.


Dopamine efflux from the brain stem of the rat during feeding, drinking and lever-pressing for food. To determine whether endogenous dopamine (DA) is involved in the control of feeding and drinking, the cerebral activity of 14C-DA was examined in the rat while the animal consumed food or water. A push-pull guide tube was implanted above sites either adjacent to the third ventricle, the anterior hypothalamus or the substantia nigra in each of 41 rats. After the endogenous stores of DA at specific sites were labelled by a microinjection of 0.5 to 2.0 muCi of 14C-DA, an artificial CSF was perfused at half-hour intervals at a rate of 20-23 mul/min in these sites in the food deprived rat. After a 14C-washout curve of radioactivity in the perfusate was derived for successive control samples, the food-deprived rat was offered food or water which was ingested during the course of one or more perfusions. As the rat consumed food, 14C-DA was released in some experiments from circumscribed sites in the nucleus reuniens and the zona incerta. The efflux of 14C-DA from certain sites in the circumscribed sites in the nucleus reuniens and the zona incerta. The efflux of 14C-DA from certain sites in the ventromedial and dorsomedial hypothalamus as well as from the substantia nigra also was enhanced as the rat depressed a lever to obtain food pellets. Since 14C-DA was also released from the zona incerta, perifornical hypothalamus, and into the third ventricle as the rat drank water, these results suggest that dopaminergic neurons in the brain stem play some part in the motor component of ingestive behavior rather than feeding per se.


Modulation of the aversive qualities of shock through a central inhibitory cholinergic system in the rat. Evidence has been supplied which suggests that a central inhibitory cholingeric (i.e., muscarinic) system may be involved in modulating the aversive qualities of electric shock in the rat. Central cholinergic stimulation via the administration of pilocarpine or arecoline the threshold for grid shock, while central acting anticholinergics (i.e., scopolamine and atropine) produced decrements in the threshold. Peripheral acting anticholinergics (e.g., methyl scopolamine, methyl atropine) were less potent than central acting drugs given in equivalent doses, while peripheral cholinergic stimulants (i.e., neostigmine, carbachol) were inactive. In addition, only the central acting stimulant pilocarpine, and not carbachol, was able to block the decrements noted in response to scopolamine hydrobromide administration. Finally, only arecoline, and not nicotine, was able to elevate the aversive threshold indicating that muscarinic receptor sites are probably involved in mediating the effects of central cholinergic stimulants.


Comparative effects of various naturally occurring cannabinoids on food, sucrose and water consumption by rats. The effects of intraperitoneally injected detla9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD) were compared to d-amphetamine sulfate (d-AMP) on food and water consumption and intake of two different concentrations of sucrose solutions. Three groups of rats were given the following dietary regimens within a 6-hr feed period day: 1 - water and dry food; 2 - water, dry food and five percent sucrose solution; 3 - water, dry food and 20% sucrose solution. Food and water consumption were dramatically reduced by each test drug at feeding periods immediately following and in some instances up to 4 days after dosing in all 3 groups. However, sucrose consumption was much less affected by each cannabinoid, inidcating a preference for sweet calories, whereas d-AMP had an equal anorexic action on both food and sucrose consumption. These data suggest for the first time in rats that a preference for sweet calories occurs during an overall anorexic effect of THC, CBN and CBD.


Apomorphine self-injection is not affected by alpha-methylparatyrosine treatment: support for dopaminergic reward. Pretreatment with AMPT at doses which markedly altered the self-injection or amphetamine did not affect the self-injection of apomorphine. These data support the idea that the self-injection of apomorphine is produced via the direct activation of dopamine receptors rather than by the release of either norepinephrine or dopamine.


Intravenous infusion system for chronic drug administration in unrestrained rats. This paper describes a system for long-term intravenous infusion studies in relatively unrestrained rats. It has the advantage of allowing continual 24 hr studies to be run without the problems of having the infusion cable tangle or interfere with the normal activity of the rats, and most of the components are either easily made or readily available from commercial sources. The apparatus itself incorporates the features of several reported chronic infusion systems using modifications to produce a feed-through swivel and infusion cable which can be adapted to a wide range of experimental chambers. In addition, a skull implant is described which minimizes the restraining features inherent in harnesses and provides a secure link between the rat and the infusion cable. The implant mates directly with the infusion cable and is readily detachable. The entire system is inexpensive and requires a minimum of construction.


Effect of adrenalectomy and dexamethasone treatment on circadian running in the rat. Although adrenalectomy resulted in a marked decrease in total wheel running activity in male rats, the circadian rhythm of the running was not altered. Contrary to what has been previously observed in animals with intact adrenal glands, administration of the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone to adrenalectomized animals resulted in an immediate increase in the amount of running with no effect on the circadian distribution of running. It was concluded that the adrenal axis had an influence  on an animal's ability to express running behavior, but the adrenal axis had no influence on the neural control of the circadian rhythm of running.


Betel quid and reaction time.

Betel quid and reaction time. Fifteen male Yapese students participated in an experiment to see if the betel quid (betel nut, piper leaf, and calcium hydroxide) has overt effects on simple reaction time latencies. The data indicate that the entire quid produces discernible behavioral effects that are manifested in a relatively short time period following quid ingestion. Reaction time latencies lengthened following quid ingestion during the first 20 reaction time trials or within an apparent initial 5 minute interval.


Drug pretreatment effects in drug induced taste aversions: effects of dose and duration of pretreatment. The effectiveness of a dose of 3.0 mg/kg methamphetamine in inducing a conditioned taste aversion to saccharin was found to be reduced by chronic pretreatment with the same dose of the drug. The degree of attenuation of the aversive properties of the drug was found to be directly proportional to the duration of pretreatment, a pretreatment regime of 9 or more daily injections completely abolishing the aversive properties of the drug. However, such a regime was only slightly effective in attenuating the aversive properties of a higher dose of methamphetamine (10 mg/kg) and failed to attenuate the aversive properties of a number of other drugs (p-chloramphetamine at 5.0 mg/kg, fenfluramine at 5.0 mg/kg and morphine at 20 mg/kg). Interpretations of these data are considered and it is suggested that the most parsimonious explanation of the effectiveness of chronic drug pretreatment in attenuating the aversive properties of a drug is that the effect is due to the development of tolerance to the drug administered.


Effects of prenatal alcohol consumption on open-field behaviour and alcohol preference in rats. Throughout gestation pregnant Wistar rats consumed a liquid diet containing sustagen and ethanol. Control mothers were fed on lab chow. Subsequently, the offspring of the ethanol-fed mothers displayed significantly greater activity (ambulation and rearing) in an open-field test. Further, pups whose mothers were exposed to ethanol consumed significantly more ethanol in a preference test, compared to control offspring.


Theoretical and methodological considerations on drug discrimination learning. A method is described which allows the assessment of discriminative stimulus properties of drugs, and the ability of amphetamine (0.16 mg/kg s.c.), chlordiazepoxide (5 mg/kg p.o.), desipramine (5 mg/kg s.c.), and haloperidol (0.02 mg/kg s.c.) to produce a discriminative stimulus complex (DSC) is evidenced. The method is found to yield clear-cut data that are specifically related to drug discrimination learning without being possibly confounded by state dependent effects. In addition, the experimental procedure is designed so as to provide an appropriate measurement of operant response modulating drug effects.


Plasma dopamine beta hydroxylase activity in affective disorders. Plasma dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH) activity was measured in patients with affective disorders and in their relatives. The groups studied had wide distributions of values for plasma DBH activity. No significant difference of plasma DBH activity was found between unipolar and bipolar patients, nor between patients given lithium or placebo. Exercise on a treadmill at 40 degrees or 10 degrees C elicited a different pattern of response for plasma DBH activity in three patients as compared to control subjects. In familial studies we found the values of plasma DBH activity to be almost identical in monozygotic twin pairs and quite similar in dizygotic twin pairs. All pairs, however, were discordant for affective illness. There was also a marked similarity of plasma DBH activity in 15 pairs of the same sex sibs discordant for affective illness. These studies suggest that the resting level of plasma DBH activity is not related to affective illness but is genetically determined.


An integrated approach for the evaluation of psychotropic drug in man. I. Studies on amphetamine. Relationship between drug levels and psychophysiological measurements. Following an integrated approach based on the contemporary recording of drug plasma levels, central (CNS) and peripheral responses and performance tests, the effects of two different amphetamine formulations were evaluated in healthy volunteers. Interesting relationships were observed between amphetamine initial rate of entry into the blood stream and both incidence of side effects (S.E.) and rise in arterial blood pressure. Minimal thresholds for CNS (5 ng/ml) and peripheral (20 ng/ml) effects could also be determined. It appeared also that the personality of the subject may have some bearing on both incidence of side effects and performance. The described methodology seems valuable in valuating psychotropic drug effects in man through a comprehensive integrated approach.


Comparison of the effects of morphine, pentazocine, cyclazocine and amphetamine on intracranial self-stimulation in the rat. Rats were trained to press a lever in order to stimulate their hypothalamus through a chronically implanted electrode. Dose-response curves were determined for the effects of morphine (0.3-10 mg/kg), pentazocine (1.0-30 mg/kg), cyclazocine (0.03-30 mg/kg) and d-amphetamine (0.1-3.0 mg/kg) on responding for intracranial stimulation, and then were redetermined in the presence of one or two doses of naloxone. The three analgesics produced only dose-related decreases in responding with the following relative potencies: cyclazocine greater than morphine greater than pentazocine. The well-documented rate-increasing effects of d-amphetamine on intracranial self-stimulation were observed at 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg of the drug; decreases in responding at 3.0 mg/kg were associated with stereotyped behavior. Naloxone, which had no effect of its own on self-stimulation, increased the dose of the analgesics required to depress response rate in a manner consistent with a competitive antagonism. In contrast, response rates at all doses of d-amphetamine tested in the presence of naloxone. Thus, the interaction between naloxone and d-amphetamine is qualitatively different from the one between naloxone and the analgesics. This finding extends to intracranial self-stimulation the generality of a previous report of interactions between d-amphetamine and naloxone on behavior in the rat.


Methamphetamine self-administration in the cat. A procedure for studing intravenous drug self-administration in the cat is described. Ten cats were given 24-h access to methamphetamine reinforcement (0.04 mg/kg/inj). The subjects maintained a significantly higher response rate for drug reinforcement than for saline. The pattern of self-administration over days alternated between periods of high and low drug intake. Six additional cats were used to study the effect of dose per injection on methamphetamine self-administration under conditions of limited access. When methamphetamine was subtituted at various doses per infusion in animals maintained on cocaine reinforcement, response rate was shown to be an inverted U-shaped function of dose. These studies demonstrate that methamphetamine is a reinforcer in the cat and its patterns of intake under conditions of 24-h and limited access resemble other species.


Delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, ethanol, and amphetamine as discriminative stimuli-generalization tests with other drugs. Three groups of rats (A, B, C) were trained in a T-maze discriminate between drug-and control solution-induced internal discriminative stimuli. The drugs used to induce discriminative stimuli were: delta 9-THC, 5.0 mg/kg (Group A); ethanol, 1.2 g/kg (Group B), and amphetamine, 1.0 mg/kg(Group C). After discrimination acquisition several drugs were tested for generalization in each group. Group A was tested with delta 8-THC, CBD, CBN, ethanol, pentobarbital,chlorpromazine, amphetamine, and apomorphine; only delta8-THC and CBN induced delta9-THC-like responses. Group B was tested with delta 9-THC, delta 8-THC, CBD, CBN, pentobarbital, and amphetamine; pentobarbital induced ethanol-like response. Group C was tested with delta 9-THC, apomorphine, and ethanol; delta 9-THC and apomorphine elicited amphetamine-like responses.


The effect of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and LSD on the acquisition of an active avoidance response in the rat. The course of active avoidance learning of rats in a symmetrical Y-maze under the influence of 1, 3, and 9 mg/kg of delta 9-THC i.p., and 5, 20, and mug/kg of LSD was investigated. Delta-THC in a dosage of 1 mg/kg had no effect on avoidance learning. Three to a lesser extent 9 mg/kg produced more rapid learning with a significantly better performance. Learning under delta 9-THC proved to be state-dependent. The withdrawal of delta 9-THC caused a decrease in the avoidance rate, which was dependent on the dosage. Upon renewal of the THC doses, the animals reattained their earlier preformance. In the course of the experiment there was rapid tolerance development, especially of the sedative properties of THC. LSD retarded the rate of acquisition of the active avoidance response. Whereas the control animals displayed over 80% successful active avoidance from the 14th session onwards, this was achieved by the LSD groups only after the 20th session. However, in contrast to the control group the LSD animals were able to increase their avoidance rate to over 90%, and this was maintained to the end of the experiment (a total of 24 sessions with LSD). The sudden withdrawal of LSD produced a fall in avoidance rate, which was dependent on the pervious training dosage; as with delta 9-THC state-dependent learning can also be assumed for LSD.


Differential behavioral responses of male and female adult rats treated with five psychotropic drugs in the neonatal stage. Male and female rats received during infancy either handling or injections of saline, phenobarbital, haloperidol, diazepam, chlorpromazine, and amphetamine. On reaching adulthood, the behavior of these animals was measured in an open-field arena and in a Lashley III maze. Saline injections per se affected the behavior of males but were unable to change that of females. The drugs provoked increased ambulation and/or decreased defecation of males in the open field, whereas with the females the opposite was observed, that is, a decreased ambulation and/or an increased defecation. Consequently, the early drug treatments abolished the sexual differences normally observed in ambulation and defecation of rats. Four of the 5 drugs tested deteriorated the maze performance of both male and female rats.


Effect of physostigmine on Y-maze discrimination retention in the rat. A series of experiments was designed to assess the effect of physostigmine on the retention of an appetitively-reinforced Y-maze discrimination. The results supported in part the model of cholinergic involvement in long-term memory as proposed by Deutsch, in that physostigmine respectively impaired and enhanced well-remembered and poorly-remembered responses. However a modification of the model was presented to accommodate futher findings that variations in both dose-level of administered physostigmine and initial leraning ability influenced subsequent retention, depending on the training-testing interval.


Electrophysiological effects of triiodothyronine and propranolol. The effects of triiodothyronine (T3), T3 combined with propranolol, and propranolol alone on somatosensory evoked responses (SER) and EEG were studied in 2 groups each of 6 male volunteer subjects. The following results were obtained: (1) T3 increased SER amplitude during the first 100 ms after stimulus. (2) Addition of propranolol eliminated the SER amplitude increase resulting from T3 administration. (3) Neither T3 nor T3 plus propranolol significantly altered the mean level or the temporal variability of EEG amplitude and frequency. (4) There were no significant effects of propranolol alone on SER and EEG measures.


The relationship between acetylator status and inhibition of monoamine oxidase, excretion of free drug and antidepressant response in depressed patients on phenelzine. This study was designed to examine the hypothesis that phenelzine is metabolized by polymorphic acetylation and that its effects are dependent on acetylator status. 30 depressed inpatients were given a 3-week course of phenelzine 30 mg t.i.d. The antidepressant effect, the degree of inhibition of monoamine oxidase and the amount of free phenelzine excreted in the urine were all significantly greater in slow acetylators than in fast. These findings strongly support the hypothesis.


The effects of high doses of oxprenolol and of propranolol on pursuit rotor performance, reaction time and critical flicker frequency. The effects of oral oxprenolol (320 mg) or propranolol (240 or 320 mg) and of diazepam (5 mg) or lorazepam (2 mg) on pursuit rotor performance, reaction time and critical flicker frequency were investigated in healthy subjects in 3 separate studies. A 240-mg dose of propranolol significantly impaired pursuit rotor performance but not 320 mg of propranolol or oxprenolol. Both beta-adrenoceptor blockers did not affect reaction time or critical flicker frequency. Diazepam impaired pursuit rotor performance and reaction time, but not critical flicker frequency. Lorazepam generally impaired all three parameters. The findings suggest that it is possible for beta-adrenoceptor blockers to depress skeletal muscle activity without having a central effect, as shown by impairment of CNS function tests which rely also on muscle coordination but not of those relying only on central activity. These results also show that single oral doses of oxprenolol or propranolol, as high as 320 mg, do not have central effects, and support the belief that small anxiolytic doses of these blockers exert their actions through peripheral blockade of beta-adrenoceptors.


Rate-dependent effect of amphetamine in rats: extension to between-subjects effect. Following either variable-interval or fixed-interval training. 20 rats received both 0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg of amphetamine. For both schedules, amphetamine decrease response rates of high-rate subjects and increased those of low-rate subjects. Within-subject analysis of fixed-interval rates revealed the same rate-dependent effect. It is suggested that the between-subject and within-subject effects may have the same basis.


Acute effects of morphine and chlorpromazine on the acquisition of shuttle box conditioned avoidance response. Morphine sulfate, 0.25-24.0 mg/kg, or chlorpromazine hydrochloride, 0.0625-4.0mg/kg were administered subcutaneously to naive rats 30 min prior to the start of massed-trials conditioned avoidance response (CAR) testing. The graded doses of both drugs were applied in each of three CAR task difficulty levels created by manipulation of the duration of conditioned and unconditioned stimuli, intertrial interval and shock intensity. Chlorpromazine, in a dose-related manner, caused a decrement in CAR acquisition in all tasks. Morphine, in comparison, produced a biphasic dose response. For a given task difficulty, low doses of morphine enhanced acquisition, whereas higher doses inhibited acquisition. With increasing task difficulty, relatively larger doses of morphine were required to inhibit or facilitate acquisition of CAR. These results emphasize the need to consider not only drug dosage levels, but also the interaction of task difficulty in the application of drugs in learning paradigms.


Developing quality assurance programs in radiation therapy for technologists. In every radiation therapy department, quality assurance procedures performed on treatment units are a necessary portion of the department's daily routine. Technologists, given the necessary information and instruction, can perform these procedures under the auspices of the medical physicist.


Predicting clinical performance of radiologic technology students. The lack of scientific studies on predictive criteria for evaluating the clinical potential of students in radiologic technology led to the current study. Students during a ten-year period was subjected to the ACT examinations. These scores were subsequently compared with the students' scores on the examination of The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, high school grade point average and earned high-school grades in pertinent subjects to see if any predictive factors were evidenced. The result showed correlation of some of these factors with the Registry score of sufficient statistical significance to warrant using them as part of the process for selecting students for radiologic technology programs.


Ultrastructure of Babesia major in the tick Haemaphysalis punctata. Haemaphysalis punctata ticks were infected with Babesia major by allowing them to feed on an infected splenectomised calf. Heavily infected ticks were dissected and the guts and the ovaries were processed to study the ultrastructure of B major in these organs. The morphology of the parasites in the gut and the ovary was identical. It was shown that the parasite contained a reduced form of an apical complex consisting of characteristic organelles such as the polar ring, rhoptries, micronemes and microtubules. A primitive conoid was situated at the anterior end of the parasite and consisted of delicate helical rings. The occurrence of these organelles confirmed the inclusion of this parasite in the subphylum Apicomplexa.


Management by commitment: theoretical personnel management. The commitment to quality patient care is an untapped motivational resource. A theory, Management by Commitment, can assist in the development of this resource to its fullest potential. The end result is a renewed dedication to quality patient care, as well as an improved working relationship between the manager and his subordinates.


The composition of ruminal and abomasal fluid from catheterised fetal sheep during the last 50 days of pregnancy. A catheterisation technique for obtaining fluid samples from the rumen and abomasum of fetal sheep between 90 and 140 days gestation is described. The osmolalities and sodium concentrations were higher and the potassium concentrations lower in the ruminal and abomasal fluids than in amniotic fluid, and the mean pH of the amniotic, ruminal and abomasal fluids was 7.0.


Tomographic technique for visualization of the cruciate ligaments in double contrast arthrography. Double contrast arthrography of the knee is the method of choice for visualization of the menisci, while the single positive contrast technique is the preferred method for evaluation of the cruciate ligaments. A technique is described which combines the advantages of these two methods. Following radiography of the menisci, an essentially single positive contrast study of the cruciate ligaments is obtained by positioning the patient in the lateral recumbent position with the knee flexed to about 90degree. The positive contrast medium in this position fills the joint cavity beyond its mid-point and surrounds the cruciate ligaments. Tomographic studies of the midline of the knee joint, made in this position with a polytome unit, demonstrate the cruciate ligaments to best advantage.


Plasma thyroxine concentrations in ewes and their fetuses during the last six weeks of pregnancy. Changes in plasma thyroxine (T4) concentrations were followed in 27 fetal sheep after surgical implantation of catheters. Fourteen days were required before stable concentrations of T4 were achieved, whether surgery was performed between 90 and 96 days or 109 and 120 days gestation. Twenty-three fetuses were followed to birth, and during the last four days the T4 concentrations showed no change in 11 fetuses and a significant decrease in the other 12. Birth occurred between 142 and 157 days gestation in both groups. There was a significant rise in T4 concentration during labour in all 23 fetuses. There were large differences among the plasma T4 concentrations of individual ewes which were not related to ambient temperature.


Effect of pyrantel tartrate on the third stage larvae of Ascaridia galli. Oral administration of solutions of pyrantel tartrate at 50, 75, 100 and 125 mg/kg body weight gave 43.9, 82.1, 92.8 and 99.1 per cent efficacy respecively. None of the chicks given 100 and 125 mg/kg body weight showed any sign of toxicity.


Observations on two strains of bovine malignant catarrhal fever virus in tissue culture. Two cell-free strains of bovine malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) virus were examined by fluorescent antibody staining and for cytopathogenicity in secondary bovine thyroid (BTh) and secondary bovine kidney cell cultures, and in a bovine embryo lung cell line. The hartebeest-derived strain (K30) induced syncytia and intra-nuclear inclusions in all three systems, whereas the widebeest-derived strain (WC11) induced intra-nuclear inclusions in all systems, but syncytia in only BTh cells. Fluorescent antibody staining detected virus in tissue culture at least 24 h before the appearance of cytopathic effect.


Plasma volume measurements in sheep using Evans' blue and continuous blood sampling. After intravenous injection of 0.3-0.4 mg Evans' blue/kg liveweight in sheep, blood was collected continuously for 10 min into 10 tubes. Calculations using the dye concentrations in the plasma collected between 3 and 10 min gave values of plasma volume in close agreement with those obtained by intravascular dilution of labelled macromolecules. The dye has no adverse effects on carcase quality and can be used in standard holding pens.


Antibody to porcine, feline and rat parvoviruses in various animal species. Porcine, feline and rat parvoviruses were shown to be antigenically distinct. Specific antibody to feline and rat parvoviruses was shown in a high proportion of porcine sera, and to the porcine parvovirus in sera from cattle, sheep, cats, guinea-pigs, mice and rats, but not from horse, dog, rabbit, chicken or human.


Are changes in serum N-acetylhexosaminidase level associated with uterine involution in the cow? A peak in the level of serum N-acetylhexosaminidase immediately after parturition in three cows coincided in time with uterine involution.


Aggregation and anticomplementary activity of an antigen used in the complement fixation test for Johne's disease. Exhaustive lipid extraction of the Johne's bacilli before preparing the Maltaner-Wadsworth antigen removed both the anticomplementary activity of the preparation and its ability to fix complement. Gel filtration temporarily removed anticomplementary activity but tended to reduce the antigenic activity of the extract. Sonication significantly reduced the anticomplementary activity of the antigen without affecting its capacity to fix complement but the effects were only temporary. It is suggested that the antigen exists as micelles which gradually aggregate and re-arrange thereby exposing anticomplementary sites hitherto masked in the dispersed micelles.


Serum calcium fractions in sheep treated with Solanum malacoxylon. Sheep treated with a single dose of an extract of the dried leaves of Solanum malacoxylon (SM) at the rate of 0-2 g of leaves per kg liveweight produced a pronounced hypercalcaemia (49 per cent, P less than 0-005) after 24 h, which persisted for at least six days. The ultra-filtrable fraction of the serum calcium rose to approximately the same extent as the protein-bound calcium. This finding is consistent with osteosclerosis and parathyroid atrophy found to occur in cases of experimental SM intoxication. At the dose level given serum inorganic phosphorus was not significantly increased and packed cell volume, serum proteins and ceruloplasmin concentrations remained constant.


An additive effect of cold exposure and hypoxia on pulmonary artery pressure in sheep. When shorn sheep were exposed to cold (3 degrees C) pulmonary artery pressure (PPA) increased by 24 per cent. When they were caused to breathe an air mixture containing only 11 per cent oxygen there was a similar rise in PPA (27 per cent). During simultaneous exposure to 3 degrees C and low oxygen tension, the rise in PPA was greater than the sum of the two separate treatments (61 per cent). These results indicate the possible significance of cold exposure in the occurrence of high mountain sickness.


Neuropathology of experimental swine vesicular disease in pigs. A total of 26 young pigs were inoculated intracerebrally, intravenously or intradermally with the UKG27/72 strain of SVD virus, grown in tissue culture, and killed two, four, eight or 16 days after exposure. Overt nervous symptoms were seen only in pigs inoculated intracerebrally, but all pigs of all groups showed a non-suppurative meningitis and panencephalomyelitis principally affecting the mid- and fore-brain. Ganglioneuritis with intranuclear inclusion bodies in perineuronal amphicytes were found to be the most consistently useful characters for distinguishing SVD from other virus encephalitides of pigs. Spinal radiculitis was a feature of the early stages of CNS involvement and lesions were found also in the optic nerve, retina and cornea.


Histological observations on the developing intestine of the bovine fetus. Histological changes in the samll intestine of 36 bovine fetuses were studied, with particular reference to the villi and intestinal glands. The first evidence of rudimentary villus formation was observed in a fetus estimated to be 30 days old. Crypts of Lieberkühn were noted at 110 days of fetal life. In late gestation and at birth the mucosal structure was fully mature.


A comparison of the virulence of three strains of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and one strain of Mycoplasma gallinarum in chicks, turkey poults, tracheal organ cultures and embryonated fowl eggs. The virulence of three strains of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (S6 of low broth passage, S6 of high broth passage and A514) and of one strain of M gallinarum was investigated in specific pathogen free chicks, turkey poults, chick embryo tracheal organ cultures and embryonated fowl eggs. One strain of M gallisepticum, S6, of low passage, caused high mortality in newly hatched chicks, and turkey poults, high embryo mortality, and rapid suppression of ciliary activity in tracheal organ cultures. The other strains of M gallisepticum and M gallinarum had relatively less effect. In view of its greater sensitivity, chick embryo mortality is preferable to tracheal organ culture for assessing the virulence of experimental strains of M gallisepticum.


Plasma and organ counts of 3H in normal or immune mice and sheep injected with 3H-epsilon-dinitrophenyl-lysine. Mice and sheep with circulating antibody to dinitrophenol (Dnp) retained injected 3H-epsilon-Dnp-lysine in their circulation for three and seven days respectively. In normal mice and sheep the 1 h post injection counts of 3H/g of kidney were higher than those per ml of plasma. In immune mice, plasma 3H counts were always higher than kidney counts, whereas at 1 h in immune sheep, plasma and kidney counts were similar. Liver, spleen and lung counts were also made in some experiments. Increased 3h counts could be demonstrated in mice treated passively with sheep anti-Dnp serum and then given 3h-epsilon-Dnp-lysine. The fast gamma-globulin of sheep antiserum is mainly responsible for retention of hapten in mouse plasma.


Observations on the effects of weaning in the young pig. Clinical and histopathological studies of intestinal function and morphology. A study of the effects of abrupt weaning on the very young pig showed that the samll intestine undergoes an acute inflammatory response and a reduction in plasma cell population by weaning day +7 or +8, in the absence of severe scours and abnormal proliferation by intestinal coliform bacteria. It is suggested that these changes may be common progenitors of nutritional and bacterial scours, and that they are due in part to increased metabolic activity of the "normal" microflora.


Preliminary results using metabolites and in vitro grown larvae of Ostertagia circumcincta to immunise lambs against oral challenge. An attempt was made to immunise lambs by the intra-muscular injection of concentrated metabolites obtained from the in vitro culture of Ostertagia circumcincta, by the oral administration of lyophilised metabolites or by the subcutaneous injection of living third, fourth and fifth stage worms grown in vitro. Protection appeared to have been elicited by each treatment as the worm burdens, the lengths of the worms and the faecal worm egg counts in the immunised lambs were less than those of the control lambs.


An ultrastructural study of the liver, kidney and myocardium in the fatty liver and kidney syndrome in the fowl. In birds with the fatty liver and kidney syndrome large lipid droplets measuring up to 4 mum in diameter were observed in increased numbers in liver, kidney and heart muscle, particularly in the livers and the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) of the kidneys. In the hepatocytes and the PCT a much smaller type of lipid particle (LP) was also observed, both intracellularly within the cisternae of the Golgi-ER system and outside the plasma membranes in the space between neighbouring parenchymal cells, within the space of Disse and among the basal processes of the PCT. The origin of these LP is discussed.


The effects of exposure to warm environments on bovine plasma lipid composition. The concentrations of total fatty acids and free cholesterol in the plasma of Ayrshire calves decreased following, but not during, short-term exposure to heat. Lower concentrations of total fatty acids and free cholesterol were maintained on prolonged heat exposure. Blood and plasma volumes were little affected by either short-term or prolonged heat exposure. Haematocrit rose during short-term heat stress and on prolonged heat exposure there was a decrease in erythrocyte fragility.


Fractionation of fowl immunoglobulins.

Fractionation of fowl immunoglobulins. Serum, Na2SO4-precipitated serum immunoglobulins and bile from 12-week-old fowls, and serum from day-old chicks, were fractionated by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, DEAE Sephadex A-50 ion exchange chromatography and ultracentrifugation through 10-40 per cent sucrose gradients. Elution of IgM, IgG, IgA and albumin was monitored by examination of fractions in agar gel diffusion against antisera specific to these proteins. Serum and bile from 12-week-old fowls contained IgM and IgA in two molecular sizes and a single molecular size of IgG. Day-old chick serum contained IgM estimated to be 7S, a polymerised form of IgG in addition to the normal 7S component, and a small molecular weight protein antigenically related to IgA. Most of the albumin in bile was of lower molecular weight than serum albumin, while heavy forms of albumin were detected in ultracentrifugation of bile and day-old chick serum.


Studies on ventilation of Caiman crocodilus (Crocodilia: Reptilia). The ventilatory mechanics of freely moving Caiman crocodilus were studied by cinefluorescopy and electromyography. The buccal oscillations serve only to flush the internal nares in olfaction. Ventilations are coincident with abdominal oscillations. The larynx ordinarily lies adpressed to the internal nares so that the posterior buccal chamber is excluded from the path of air flow during ventilation and does not contribute to respiratory dead space. The pulmonary pressures may be variably polyphasic and the tracheal flows diphasic. Exhalation involves an anterior shift of the liver by action of the transverse abdominal muscles, while inhalation proceeds due to contraction of the diaphragmatic muscle pulling the liver caudad. The various costal muscles facilitate air flow by shifting the position of the ribs. They also play a role in fixation of the flexible rib cage so that it resists the aspirating and compressing actions of the hepatic piston. The pattern of muscular activity shifts as the trunk is immersed; expiration becomes passive and inspiration requires increased muscular effort. The ribs, instead of changing position with each breath are comparatively fixed by the costal muscles, while changes in the volume of the pleural cavity are caused almost exclusively by movements of the hepatic piston.


Estimation of blood gas contents from expired air under normal and pathologic conditions. Methods of estimating arterial-venous O2 content difference, mixed venous CO2 content and tension, and average arterial CO2 content are presented. They are based on the continuous gas analysis of expired air during a prolonged expiration. The influence of CO2 storage in lung tissue and certain pathophysiologic conditions on the accuracy of these methods was systematically investigated with a comprehensive multi-chamber computer simulation of the lung. For normal levels of CO2 storage capacity, satisfactory estimates of arterial-venous O2 content difference are feasible for differences less than 8 volumes percent; with high levels of CO2 storage capacity, large errors can occur. Storage of CO2 in lung tissue causes large errors in the estimates of mixed venous CO2 content and tension, and average arterial CO2 content; reliable estimates do not appear to be feasible from analysis of expired gas. Simulated pathophysiologic conditions of interstitial pulmonary edema or atelectasis also introduce large errors. This analysis delineates the theoretic limitations of an estimation technique in clinical applications where acute respiratory dysfunctions occur.


A technique for study of lung function in birds by blocking the primary bronchus. The technique described allows in vivo placement of a blocking balloon in the avian primary bronchus between the origins of the two sets of secondary bronchi, the medioventrals and mediodorsals. With caudal air sacs cannulated the animal may then be ventilated with a constant flow of gas passing entirely through the gas-exchanging parabronchi. This technique has been found useful particularly in studies of pulmonary gas exchange in birds.


Effects of CO2 on pulmonary air flow resistance in the duck. Effects of CO2 on pulmonary smooth muscle were assessed by measuring the air flow resistance of secondary bronchi and parabronchi in ducks unidirectionally ventilated with a constant gas flow through the parabronchial lung, the bypass of the primary bronchus being occluded by a blocking catheter. Pressure differences across the blocking balloon (deltaP), corresponding to the pressure drop in the gas flowing through the mediodorsal and medioventral secondary bronchi (MD and MV) and parabronchi, were measured at flow rates (V) varied from 0.5 to 3 L-min-1 and at CO2 concentrations of ventilating gas (FICO2) varied from 0 to 10%. 1) deltaP increased more than linearly with V. The resulting flow resistance R(= deltaP/V) averaged 43 and 95 cm H2O-L-1-sec at V = 0.5 and 3 L-min-1, respectively. 2) Step changes in FICO2 at constant V were followed within 0.5 to 5 sec by changes in R. 3) Lowering FICO2 from 5% resulted in marked increases in R, the value at FICO2 = 0% being more than twice the average value at 5%. Raising FICO2 from 5% up to 10% was followed by only slight changes in R. 4) Vagotomy did not consistently change R at any level of CO2; it did, however, slightly increase the delay time for changes in R on step changes of FICO2. 5)The medioventral secondary bronchi and their orifices into the primary bronchus appeared to be mainly responsible for the resistance measured and its changes with CO2. The resistance offered by the parabronchi appeared to be much smaller and much less dependent on CO2. The results suggest importance of lung gas CO2 in aerodynamic valving of respiratory flow in avian lungs during normal breathing and particularly during thermal panting to prevent alkalosis.


Diameter, length and branching ratios in the bronchial tree. This paper is concerned with morphology and pattern of branching in the bronchial tree and their interrelationships. Branching ratio (Rb), diameter ratio (Rd), and length ratio (R1) are the factors by which the number of branches, mean diameter and mean length increase in successive orders of branching. An analysis based on the concept of minimum work suggests that ideally Rd = R1/3 b, whilst geometric considerations suggest that R1 = R1/3 b. Thus Rd = R1. These theoretical results are compared with those obtained from measuring one human and six dog bronchial tree casts. Values obtained from the human lung are in close agreement with the predicted values, whilst in the dog lungs the agreement, though less good, is still close. Rb is determined antenatally, the reason for its particular value being unknown. Diameter and length of branches may be modelled postnatally by growth in a manner which ensures that Rd = R1 - R1/3 b.


Respiratory surface area as a factor controlling the standard rate of O2 consumption of aquatic salamanders. The standard rate of O2 consumption of various aquatic lunged salamanders is compared for animals breathing water only and for animals breathing both air and water. When submerged and prevented from surfacing in air-equilibrated water, most species studied were capable of survival for periods of at least two weeks. The animals that were allowed to respire bimodally exhibited an increased rate of O2 consumption relative to their submerged counterparts who were denied the use of pulmonary respiration. The standard rate of oxygen consumption is submerged and air-and-water-breathing Siren lacertina was determined over a large range of body size. The rate of the bimodally breathing animals was higher than that of the submerged animals, and the difference increased with increasing body size. These data suggest that it is the oxygen transport capacity of these animals that at least partially regulates the standard rate of O2 consumption rather than all such control being exerted at the cellular level.


Ventilation and respiratory evaporation in the flying crow, Corvus ossifragus. Tidal volume (VT), respiration frequency (f) and respiratory evaporation (mre) were measured in the passeriform fish crow, Corvus ossifragus (mass 0.28 kg), during steady state, horizontal, wind-tunnel flight, at air speeds of 7.4-11.0 m-sec-1 and air temperatures (TA) of 12-28 degrees C. Ventilation (V1) of the respiratory system was calculated as f-VT. All parameters were independent of speed. Respiration frequency was independent of TA. VT and V1 were independent of TA below 23 degrees C, but above 23 degrees C increased linearly, as did mre. Oxygen extraction (E), the fraction of available oxygen removed from respiratory system air, was calculated using oxygen consumption data (VO2) reported previously, and VI. E was independent of TA below 23 degrees C, where mean E, similar to that in crows resting at 20 degrees C, was substantially higher than in resting mammals of the same mass. E decreased at higher TA, reflecting hyperventilation accompanying elevated mre. mre accounted for the loss of only 17% of total metabolic heat production (Hp), as calculated from VO2, with a partial efficiency of 25%. Thus most heat loss must follow cutaneous evaporative, or nonevaporative routes.


Ventilatory response to CO2 inhalation and intravenous infusion of hypercapnic blood. The ventilatory responses to intravenous infusion of hypercapnic blood (equilibrated with 80% CO2: 20% O2) and inhaled CO2 (1.5-2.0% CO2) have been compared in anaesthetized rabbits. A control infusion of blood equilibrated with 4% CO2: 21% O2 produced no change in V, PaCO2 or PaO2. The ventilatory response to a given rise in PaCO2, deltaV - (delta PaCO2)-1, was greater during infusion of hypercapnic blood (69 +/- 33 ml-min-1-mm Hg-1, mean +/- SD) than during CO2 inhalation (28 +/- 16 ml-min-1-min Hg-1, P less than 0.01). There was no difference between the rates at which the final levels of ventilation were reached during inhalation of CO2 or infusion of hypercapnic blood. It is suggested that the difference between the responses may be accounted for by differences in the pattern of PaCO2 oscillations in the two situations.


Expiratory effects of brief carotid sinus nerve and carotid body stimulations. The expiratory response, measured directly as ventilatory volume and as internal intercostal or abdominal muscle EMG activity, to brief intermittent electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve or chemical stimulation of the carotid body was determined in anesthetized cats. Stimuli given during expiration had a specific expiratory effect, manifested by increased expiratory duration, increased activity of expiratory muscles and increased depth of expiration. The later in expiration the stimulus was exhibited, the greater all effects became. Vagal section had no effect on the response and the duration of response persisted after spinal cord section at C7-T1. It is concluded that expiratory stimulations have effects on expiration similar to those on inspiration from stimulations given during inspiration. It is concluded that the mechanism operates at a brain stem level. However, because the latency of the response is much longer than the inspiratory response to the same stimuli, the pathway must be different.


[Differences found in serum serotonin between a group of normal and subjects of obese patients following intravenous tolbutamide administration]. We have studied the effect of the i.v. administration of 1 g tolbutamide upon glycemia, insulinemia and serotoninemia in normal subjects and obese patients. We have seen an elevation of the last two variables in direct relationship with the previous blood sugar levels. The baseline serotonin level in obese people is higher than in normals, but the tolbutamide induced elevation is of a lesser magnitude. We believe this fact is due to the competitive action of insulin, as our obese patients have shown to have a "hyperinsulinism" with "disinsulinism".


[Dynamics of growth hormone secretion in patients with primary hypothyroidism, before and after treatment with thyroideal hormones]. Growth hormone (GH) secretion was studied in a group of alut controls and a series of patients with primary hypothyroidism before and after treatment with thyroid hormones. Intravenous insulin-induced hypoglycemia was the stimulus used (0,1 UI/kg body weight). It is concluded that in primary hypothyroidism, GH secretion is almost absent due to relative inactivity of the somatotropic cells and/or lack of GH-RH. This decreased secretory response becomes rapidly normal after treatment with physiological doses of thyroid hormones.


[Effect of the thyroid in the development of intestinal hydroxylases]. The authors studied the saccharidase levels in the intestines of rats during the perinatal period. Sucrase and maltase values increase with advancing time, while lactase values decrease also age-dependently. The thyroid gland has a decisive role in the intestinal maturation of fats. In an assessment of circulating blood thyroxin levels, the authors found that the amount of thyroxin at birth is practically undetectable (less than 0,05 mug/100 ml expressed in iodine), rapidly increasing up to adult levels (3,8 mug/100 ml) 22 days after birth.


A comparison of mice in rebound-thrombocytosis with platelet-hypertransfused mice for the assay of thrombopoietin. Rebound-thrombocytosis and platelet hypertransfusions were compared as methods of preparing assay animals for the measurement of thrombopoietin (TSF). In immunothrombocythaemic mice, the amount of 35S incorporation into the platelet mass after injections of a standard dose of TSF was related to the length of time after rabbit anti-mouse platelet serum (RAMPS) injection. After 2 platelet transfusions, however, there was no decrease in 35S incorporation values of mice with time after injections of control or TSF-containing substances. When platelet counts were made 3 days after the last platelet transfusion, the counts decreased with the number of transfusions. Mice in rebound-thrombocytosis were responsive to TSF as evidenced by higher platelet counts (P less than 0.05) and increased 35S incorporation into platelets (P less than 0.005), whereas mice made thrombocytotic by platelet transfusions were not. Assuming that increased platelet counts induced by the different techniques affect assay mice only by inhibiting blood cell production by haematopoietic cells, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that sensitivity to TSF depends upon the proliferative state of the megakaryocytic precursor population.


Immunosuppressive treatment in haemophiliacs with inhibitors to factor VIII and factor IX. 9 patients with severe haemophilia A and inhibitors (inhibitor levels between 0.1 to 5.8 U/ml) and 3 patients with severe haemophilia B and inhibitors (inhibitor levels between 0.1 to 11 U/ml) were treated on a total of 16 and 13 occasions, respectively, with a large dose of antigen (factor VIII or factor IX) and cyclophosphamide (10-15 mg/kg b.w. i.v. initially and then 2-3 mg/kg b.w. orally for 7-10 days) in connection with severe bleeding and surgery. All the patients had proved not to respond to treatment with factor VIII or factor IX concentrate alone, and all except one had shown strong secondary antibody increases. In 6 of the patients with haemophilia A the treatment (11 occasions) had a satisfactory haemostatic effect and even permitted neurosurgery without bleeding complications. The inhibitor level remained at zero for 5-10 days, after which it gradually began to return towards its original level. In these cases it was possible to give factor VIII in amounts which neutralised the inhibitor and afterwards raised the factor VIII initially to at least 50%. In the 3 patients with haemophilia B treatment (13 occasions) was successful except on one occasion, and surgery was performed without abnormal bleeding. The factor IX level was initially raised to at least 50% except in the one failure. The inhibitor level remained at zero for 12 days to 3 months, after which it gradually rose towards its original level. One patient was treated on 8 occasions.


Streptokinase resistance test in a group of Mediterranean people and its possible variations as regards sex and age. A streptokinase resistance test (SK-RT) was studied on a group of people from the Mediterranean coast of Spain. It was found that 87.5% of the studied population required a dose of 250,000 U or less to obtain an adequate neutralization of the circulating antibodies. In none of the cases was the required dose higher than 500,000 U. The average dose was of 132,969 U (SD = 102,269). No significant differences were found between the dose required for men and that required for women. A significantly inferior dose to the average was, however, required for people over 50 years old (x = 112,280, SD = 100,459).


IgG1 subclass restriction of oligoclonal IgG from cerebrospinal fluids and brain extracts in patients with multiple sclerosis and subacute encephalitides. Oligoclonal-IgG-containing cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) from patients with multiple sclerosis and subacute encephalitides were studied for IgG subclass distribution by immunoelectrophoretic and hemagglutination inhibition methods. The immunoelectrophoretic results indicated the presence of electrophoretically restricted IgG1 proteins in a number of CSF, compatible with an association between this IgG subclass and oligoclonal IgG proteins. The combined results indicated a greater dominance of IgG1 over other IgG subclass proteins in CSF than in matching sera. Similar results were obtained in experiments with brain extracts from patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. The results differed from those obtained with normal CSF, where the distribution of IgG subclasses resembled that of the matching sera. It is concluded that the oligoclonal IgG of the CSF and brain in the patients studied belong mainly to the IgG1 subclass.


Complement receptors in human renal glomeruli. Glomeruli in Cryostat sections of foetal and adult renal tissues adsorbed sheep erythrocytes sensitized with IgM antibody and human or mouse complement (EAC). Activated complement was essential for the reaction to occur. The receptor had specificity for the C3b fragment of C3 and is probably of protein or glycoprotein nature. Complement receptors in glomeruli may explain the deposition of complement components or complement-containing complexes in immune-complex glomerulonephritis.


Experiences with various types of mitral valve prostheses. During the period 1967-1973, four different types of mitral valve prostheses were used by the same surgical group. Altogether 139 patients are included in this study. With the exception of the surgical approach, the operative technique was the same in all groups. The total mortality varied from 17% in the group receiving the Björk-Shiley valve to 40% in the Beall valve group. Thrombo-embolic complications were responsible for three deaths in the Beall and one death in the Lillehei-Nakib group. All patients had been on the adequate anticoagulant therapy. At follow-up, 40 to 77% of the patients had improved functional class, the best results being obtained in the Björk-Shiley group. The diastolic gradients across the prosthetic valves varied from 9 to 4 mmHg at rest. Again, the Björk-Shiley valve gave the most favourable result. The results and significance of the various parameters are briefly discussed.


Experimental evaluation of mechanical haemolysis with Starr-Edwards, Kay-Shiley and Björk-Shiley valves. Mechanical cell damage was studied in vitro with three types of prostheses: Starr-Edwards, Kay-Shiley and Björk-Shiley valves. Mechanical cell damage was found to be closely related to the flow characteristics in the prosthesis. Considering valves of similar orifice diameter, Björk-Shiley valves produced the lowest rate of haemolysis. This is due to the improved haemodynamic characteristics of the valve which resulted from the laminar type of flow. With Starr-Edwards valves, smaller sizes produced unacceptably high rates of haemolysis. Increasing the mean forward flow across the valve resulted in a disproportionate rise in the energy loss and the rate of haemolysis when compared with Björk-Shiley valves of similar annulus diameters.


The Mustard operation for transposition of the great arteries (TGA). Technical considerations. Among the late complications described after Mustard's procedure, obstructions of the pulmonar veins. SVC or IVC have been the most serious ones. We consider that these complications are mostly related to the size and shape of the baffle and also to the way in which it is sutured into place. No such complications have hitherto been encountered in our patients. We feel that the technique described may help in the standardization of the Mustard procedure as well as tailoring of the baffle. Thereby this procedure is more easily reproduced and the frequency of late complications possibly reduced.


Total correction of Fallot's tetralogy.

Total correction of Fallot's tetralogy. Eighty-six patients with Fallot's tetralogy underwent total correction; 80% of them were less than 15 years old. Twenty-five patients were operated upon with primary intracardiac repair, while 61 had undergone some form of palliative heart surgery previously. A patch of woven Dacron was used in the outflow tract reconstruction in 9 cases. The total mortality was 28%, 11 of the 23 deaths were presumed to be caused by low cardiac output, arrhythmia and cardiac arrest. The 62 patients surviving surgery have continuously had a good result and are without disability. The reasons for the relatively high mortality in this series, as well as the controversy concerning the one-stage or the two-stage approach for repair of Fallot's tetralogy, are briefly discussed.


Congenital left ventricular apical aneurysm. An aneurysm of the left ventricular apex was accidently discovered on chest X-ray in an otherwise healthy 3 1/2-year-old-girl. Pre-operatively performed heart catheterization and ciné-angiography were followed by successful surgical removal of the aneurysm. Microscopic examination showed that the three layers of the myocardium were present, although it was degenerated by fibrosis. This case belongs to the fibrous type of aneurysm, which is the most rare type, not associated with other developmental defects, usually asymptomatic until there is rupture and sudden death, or the condition is accidentally discovered on chest X-ray and treated surgically.


Patch grafts or tubular grafts in the repair of coarctation of the aorta. A follow-up study. The occurrence of aneurysms after repair of aortic coarctation with patch graft and tubular graft techniques was studied. In the patch graft group, 3 out of 6 re-investigated patients developed aneurysms; 2 of them after several years. It is suggested that the causes of aneurysms originate from mechanical factors. In the tubular graft group, 2 out of 18 patients developed aneurysms. In this group, the aneurysms seemed to be due to infection.


Long-term observation of cardiac arrhythmias during and after cardiac surgery. II. Congenital heart disease. Twelve arrhythmias that occurred in conjunction with surgery for congenital heart disease were studied in a group of 38 randomly selected patients. Halothane was used for anaesthesia and procaine-magnesium-aspartate solution for cardiac arrest. Registration and analysis of rhythm disturbances were carried out at 10 different time points, spaced narrowly in the intra- and early postoperative phases, then more widely up to the 96th hour of observation. Arrhythmic incidence per case and occurrence per case and phase are given, thereby also allowing an account of transient arrhythmias. The peak occurrence of intra-operative rhythm disturbances was found at about the time of aortic cross-clamping and release (ischaemia and halothane effect). A decline in arrhythmic incidence in the 1st-6th post-bypass hours was followed by a 2nd peak in the 6th-23rd postoperative hours (electrolyte and acid-base disturbances and/or a digitalis effect). All 12 arrhythmia types of the cardiopulmonary bypass group, as well as the separately considered ventricular arrhythmias of the first "arrhythmia peak", did not reveal any significant relation to: patients' age, total anaesthesia time, total surgery time and total bypass time. It is recognized that any comparative evaluation of operative arrhythmias, and especially a study of the causes and development of "surgically induced" A-V block, is problematic.


Efflux of enzymes in right duct lymph and serum after coronary perfusion and ischaemic arrest. Right lymphatic duct was cannulated in 40 patients operated upon with cardiopulmonary bypass and moderate hypothermia, 30-32 degrees C. The diagnoses were aortic valve disease in 20 cases and mitral valve disease in 20 cases. The operative procedure was valve replacement with a Björk-Shiley prosthesis in 36 cases, fascia lata prosthesis in 1 case and plastic procedure in 3 cases. Coronary perfusion was used in 19 cases, ischaemic arrest in 10 cases and ischaemic arrest continued by coronary perfusion on the fibrillating heart in 11 cases. Frequent enzyme analyses were performed in lymph and serum for GOT, GPT, CPK and LDH before, during and after bypass. A statistically significant higher efflux of enzymes after bypass was found in the group of patients with ischaemic arrest continued by coronary perfusion as compared with coronary perfusion or ischaemic arrest. No difference was found between patients operated upon with coronary perfusion and those with ischaemic arrest. It is concluded that ischaemic arrest should not be followed by extended coronary perfusion on a fibrillating heart. Ischaemic arrest seems to have certain advantages over continuous coronary perfusion in selected cases.


Cardiopulmonary function during and after prolonged extracorporeal circulation with membrane oxygenators in dogs. Prolonged veno-arterial partial extracorporeal circulation using membrane oxygenator was performed in 19 alert dogs. Investigations of alterations in the corpuscular elements of the blood during the perfusion showed 89 mg% as the highest value of free haemoglobin. A significant decrease in the platelet count during the first two hours of bypass to a value of about 100 000/mm3 was found. Measurements of lung and heart functions did not reveal any significant differences between the baseline values and those obtained after 24 hours' bypass and again after three months' observation. Microscopic examination of the lungs and hearts only showed moderate focal alveolar oedema in the dogs killed immediately after 24 hours' bypass. These alterations could be explained as a consequence of the extracorporeal circulation. No changes were found at the microscopic examination of the lungs and hearts three months later. By haemodilution technique, the dogs suffered from severe universal oedema after a few hours of bypass and the perfusion time in these experiments did not exceed 13 hours. The observation that 24 hours of partial veno-arterial bypass using membrane oxygenators in healthy dogs causes only minor changes in heart and lung function and in lung histology might explain the possibility of using such oxygenators in prolonged perfusions.


Death during pneumonectomy from endobronchial tumour embolus. A case report. A case is reported in which the patient died during pneumonectomy from endobronchial embolus of a tumour resulting in obstruction of the main bronchus of the normal lung. It is believed that the complication might have been prevented by the use of a double-lumen endobronchial tube. If generally employed, this precaution would also lessen the risk of intra-operative spread of smaller tumour emboli that may cause implantation metastases.


Surgical treatment of "tuberculoma". A follow-up examination of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis resected on suspicion of tumour. On suspicion of tumour, thoracotomy was performed in 91 patients, who proved to have pulmonary tuberculosis. Short-term antituberculous chemotherapy was given pre-operatively in 66 cases. The 89 surviving patients received antituberculous chemotherapy after operation, and were examined one year after its termination. No signs of dissemination or other tuberculous manifestations were found, whether pre-operative therapy had been given or not.


Thymectomy for myasthenia gravis.

Thymectomy for myasthenia gravis. Thymectomy was performed on 31 patients with myasthenia gravis. Four of them had thymoma, 17 hyperplasia and 9 had normal thymic histology on microscopy. Discontinuation of anticholinergic medication together with tracheostomy, artificial ventilation and intensive observation were essential in the postoperative management. All the patients survived operation and were discharged from hospital. Sixty-eight per cent of the patients were in remission or improved after an average follow-up of 2.5 years. If the patients with thymoma were excluded, 74% were improved and, if only the patients with thymic hyperplasia were included in the series, 89% were improved after thymectomy. The severity of disease and duration of symptoms pre-operatively seemed to be of minor importance for the results of operation, since good results were obtained also in patients with a long history and in clinical classes III and IV. Two patients developed tracheal stenosis as a complication of intubation with a tracheostomy tube. Tracheal resection was performed in one of them and endobronchial removal of granulation tissue producing the stenosis in the other. Both recovered uneventfully. One patient, who was asymptomatic and without medication for myasthenia, died suddenly of acute cerebral bleeding 3 years after thymectomy.


The diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs by means of the transcutaneous Doppler ultrasound method. The transcutaneous ultrasonic flow velocity meter was employed in 120 limbs in which the presence of deep vein thrombosis was suspected. In 115 of these limbs confirmation of the ultrasound findings was obtained by venography or 125I-fibrinogen scanning, or both. The overall accuracy rate of the ultrasonic method was 90%, with a 3% false positive and a 7% false negative incidence. It is concluded that the transcutaneous ultrasound technique provides a reliable, rapidly available, non-invasive method to confirm the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.


Infants of very low birthweight: a follow-up study. The survival, growth and neurodevelopmental status of a group of non-White infants of very low birthweight, who were managed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Groote Schuur Hospital, is reported. The effect of certain high-risk perinatal factors on this status is assessed.


The repair of vesicovaginal fistulae by means of omental slings and grafts. The treatment of 19 consecutive cases of vesicovaginal fistulae, 16 of which were caused by obstructed labour, is described. The fistulae were treated with omental grafts and slings and the results and advantages of this method are discussed.


Cervical spinal cord injury without evidence of fracture or dislocation. An assessment of the radiological features. An analysis of plain X-ray films, tomography and myelography in 30 patients with proven cervical spinal cord injury, whose X-ray films were negative, has been performed. Features considered were the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal, associated cervical spondylosis, soft tissue changes, mobility studies and the value in cases of cervical injury of two recently described radiological signs. The only consistent feature in the majority of patients was a large posterior osteophytic spur in the lower cervical spine. No other radiological feature was found to be of particular value in diagnosis.


The pattern of acceptance by Blacks of family planning facilities in relation to socio-economic status. Two factors which are said to increase the acceptability of family planning in a developing country are, firstly, the ready availability of the facilities and, secondly, the raising of the socio-economic level of the community. This survey reports the effects on family planning of increasing socio-economic status on the one hand, and of urbanisation without an associated increase in the socio-economic level on the other. It is concluded that, although socio-economic status has some effect on family planning, it has a greater effect on the survival rate of children. Urbanisation, however, with family planning facilities more readily available, exerts a stronger influence upon the acceptance of family planning than socio-economic status.