[Intraoperative control of revascularisation and indication for reintervention (author's transl)]. Among the procedures of intraoperative control of revascularisation the simple method of probe passage for determination of technical mistakes during anastomoses is very valuable. More informative is the measurement of bypass-flow using an electromagnetic flowmeter. We compared this method with the results of intraoperative angiography, which is performed in our hospital routinely for immediate control of revascularisation. A comparison of 214 veins demonstrated a good statistically significant correlation between run-off and bypass-flow. The quality of the anastomosis can only be judged by intraoperative angiography and does not correlate with a low bypass flow. According to these measurements it was necessary in four cases to perfrom an intraoperative reintervention.


In vitro conversion of 5-androstenediol to testosterone by the central nervous system and pituitary of the male rat. The in vitro metabolism of 7-3H-5-androstenediol by the pituitary, some brain structures, and ventral prostate of adult castrated male rat was studied. Conversion of 5-androstenediol to radiochemically pure testosterone was demonstrated in all tissues studied in the presence of a NADPH generating system. Formation of dihydrotestosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone was also detected. The higher conversion rates were found in the pituitary, hypothalamus and mesencephalic tegmentum. These results demonstrate the presence of 3beta-hydroxy steroid oxidoreductase, delta4- delta5 isomerase, 5alpha-reductase, and 17beta-ol dehydrogenase in the rat brain which may in part explain the behavioral and brain virilization effects of 5-androstenediol.


Modification of immunological potential by ultraviolet radiation. I. Immune status of short-term UV-irradiated mice. C3Hf/HeN mice support the progressive growth of most transplanted syngeneic ultraviolet (UV) light-induced tumors following short-term UV exposure whereas nonexposed mice reject these tumors. Because an immunosuppressive role in UV-mediated tumor susceptibility might be suggested by these observations, a comparison of several immunological parameters has been conducted. These include antibody production, proliferation in response to antigenic and mitogenic stimulation, and the generation of cytotoxic effector cells by normal or short-term UV-exposed mice. The results indicate that short-term UV irradiation of mice does not result in any readily detectable alterations of the host's immune system other than the consistent loss of the antitumor response mediating rejection of the transplanted UV-induced tumor.


The effect of thiabendazole in a mixed leukocyte culture. The effect of thiabendazole (TBZ), an anthelmintic, on a mixed leukocyte culture was assessed. Following i.p. administration of TBZ at a dose of 20 mg/kg to C57BL/6 mice, spleen cells were harvested and reacted in a one-way mixed leukocyte culture with irradiated BALB/c stimulator cells. When TBZ was administered 24 hr before the animals were killed, the proliferative response of spleen cells after 5 days in culture was greater than two times that of responder cells from normal, untreated C57BL/6 mice; the reactivity of spleen cells harvested 48 hr after TBZ administration was not statistically different from controls. Although proliferative response of normal responder cells reached a peak on day 6, TBZ treatment 24 hr before the mice were killed caused spleen cells to reach a proliferate peak on day 3. The magnitude of this peak was three times the normal proliferative peak on day 6. The population of spleen cells affected by TBZ is in the plastic-adherent fraction, and the drug effect can be transferred to normal responder lymphocytes by the addition of peritoneal exudate cells from TBZ-treated mice.


[Cytochemical study of different stages in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii. I. Amylopectin and lipids in endozoites]. Attempts were made to localize cytochemically acid micopolysaccharides, in addition to sulphate groups of mucosubstances in Toxoplasma endozoites of SS-119 and RH strains with negative results. Amylopectin was found to be the only polysaccharide so far detected in the endozoite stage, using the PAS technique. With RH strain toxoplasmas, the dynamics of amylopectin was followed within 6 days after mouse inoculation. On day 2, toxoplasmas and the host cells of the mouse peritoneal exudate being practically PAS-negative, the amount of amylopectin increased progressively towards day 6. The immune response of the host may be presumably involved in the pattern of this dynamics. Phospholipids were detected in the cytoplasm of intra- and extracellular endozoites of strain SS-119. Little, if any, amount of neutral fat was observed. Of special interest is the increased phospholipid content in the infected host cells.


A computer system for on-line decoding of ultrasonic Doppler signals from blood flow measurement. This work describes a computer system which may be used for analyzing Doppler signals obtained when measuring the blood velocity. The computer operates on-line, and the velocity components in the blood vessel are obtainedin real-time. The mean velocity and the relative velocity distribution is calculated from the velocity spectrum. Measurements taken from a femoral artery are shown.


[ATPase activity of the guinea pig central nervous system tissue with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis]. It is established that the activity of Na+, K+ = ATPase and Mg2+, Ca2+ = ATPase lowers significantly at the paralytic stage of the disease. At earlier stages of the disease preceding the appearance of peculiar neurological symptoms (the seventh and fourteenth days of the incubation period) a decrease of the Mg2+, Ca2+ = ATPase activity was observed in the brain and spinal cord, whereas the Na+, K+ = ATPase activity in the brain remained at the control level up to the appearance of the disease clearly developed symptoms. The Na+, K+ = ATPase activity of the brain on the fourteenth day of the incubation period corresponded to the level of the activity at the paralytic stage of the disease.


Chronic serous otitis media: an immune complex disease. In characterizing the immunochemical and biochemical nature of middle ear effusions (MEE) of chronic serous otitis media (SOM), we have previously shown that MEE contain all major immunoglobulin classes, increased levels of several lysosomal enzymes, decreased total complement, but increased levels of C3. This report extends these observations by showing that MEE also contains C3 proactivator (C3PA) that can be activated by those organisms involved in acute otitis media, which confirms a functional alternate complement pathway. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the presence of soluble immune complexes in MEE using the Raji cell test. These data further support an immune complex mediated etiopathogenesis for chronic SOM.


[Adenosine triphosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase activity of antigen-stimulated lymphocytes]. Albion mice were immunized with a suspension of sheep erythrocytes. The animals were killed on the fifth and eighth day, and lymphocytes were taken from their spleen tissue. Studied was the activity of the adenosinetriphosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase in the lymphocytes during the immunogenesis in terms of their link with the cellblast transformation. The enzyme activity was determined by the method of Emmelot, Bos, and the extent of the blast transformation was expressed by the so-called blastogenic index (BI). It was found that: 1. During immunogenesis 32% of the lymphocytes in the mouse spleen are transformed into blast cells. 2. The activity of 5'-nucleotidase drops, and that of adenosinetriphosphatase rises. 3. Parallelism exists between the extent of the lymphocyte blast transformation and the level of adenosinetriphosphatase. 4. The drop in the activity of 5'-nucleotidase is considered to be the aftermath of the drop in the intracellular adenosinetriphosphatase content.


[ATP and ATPase activity in the liver and brain cell fractions of gamma-irradiated chick embryos and newly hatched chicks]. Studied were the level of ADP and the adenosinetriphosphatase in nuclei, mitochondria, and microsomes taken from the brain and liver of singly gamma-irradiated at 1000 rd chick embryos and birds. As a result of the treatment of ADP content dropped, while the activity ADP rose. These changes were most strongly expressed in the nuclei, then in the mitochondria, and to a lesser extent-in the microsomes. Twelve-day chick embryos showed more markedly expressed radiosensitivity than newly hatched chicks. This embryonal state is characterized by intense growth, differentiation and metabolic processes in the liver, which substantiate not only the higher radiosensitivity of this age group but the more strongly expressed changes in the liver as compared with the brain.


Esthesioneuroblastoma. Histological, histochemical and electron microscopie studies of a case. A case of esthesioneuroblastoma was examined by histological, histochemical and electron microscopic techniques. The tumour cells showed an argyrophil reaction with the Grimelius technique and contained cytoplasmic secretory granules, but in contrast to previous reports were devoid of histochemically demonstrable biogenic amines. For routine diagnosis the argyrophil technique may be useful in differentiating this type of tumour from epidermoid carcinoma.


Chronic megakaryocytic-granulocytic myelosis--an electron microscopic study including freeze-fracture. II. Granulocytes, erythrocytes, plasma cells and myeloid stroma. In 5 patients with chronic megakaryocytic-granulocytic myelosis (CMGM) bone marrow specimens were studied by electron microscopy to investigate possible abnormalities of the granulocytic cell lineage. Thin sections were compared with freeze-fracture replicas to elucidate further aspects of leucocyte cytology. The atypia exhibited in these cells (eosinophils, basophils and neutrophil granulocytes) consisted mostly of a disorganization of granulopoiesis with hyper- and hypogranulation, a pathological increase in the number of nuclear blebs and a maturation asynchrony sometimes leading to Pelger-like cell forms. Moreover, a presumptive stem cell was demonstrated in the erythopoietic and granulocytic cell lines resembling CFU cells. In conclusion, granulopoiesis in CMGM exhibited abnormalities as generally observed in chronic myelogenous leukaemia. When considered with our previous finding of malignancy in megakaryopoiesis, CMGM has to be classified as a myelosis of mixed cellularity.


Spontaneous atherosclerosis: an ultrastructural study in the white Carneau pigeon. The atheroscleroit lesions, associated with the celiac intimal smooth muscle cushions, of four and five year old White Carneau pigeons were studied with the light and electron microscopes. Light microscopic examination of the spontaneous lesions demonstrated large intimal cushions composed of smooth muscle abundant collagen, clusters of foam cells and cholesterol crystal clefts. Ultrastructural examination of the intimal atheroma revealed dilatations between apposing endothelial cells which contained a flocculent material, similar to that seen in the subendothelial space. The subendothelial compartment contained abundant collagen, extracellular lipid, vesiculated material and cell processes which contained a flocculent matrix and tubular-like elements. In addition, fibroblast-like interlaminar cells were often observed. Numerous intimal smooth muscle cells were seen which displayed varied morphology. Abundant foam cells were also present within the intimal atheromas. The presence of atherosclerotic lesions in preexisting intimal smooth muscle cushions suggests that hemodynamic factors may be important in the progression of these spontaneous lesions. Endothelial cell dilatations may provide an important route of transport for circulating elements which may accumulate withing the subendothelial space. Morphologically, it appears that the smooth muscle cells undergo modification and may represent the precursors of foam cells in this species.


Serum creatinine concentration and renal interstitial volume. Analysis of correlations in endocapillary (acute) glomerulonephritis and in moderately severe mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis. Renal biopsies of 44 patients with endocapillary acute glomerulonephritis (gn) and 64 patients with moderately severe mesangioproliferative gn were investigated morphometrically (point-counting-method, tubulometry). In both gn's statistically significant positive corrleations between relative interstitial volume and the concentration of serum creatinine at the time of biopsy were found. Despite severe glomerular lesions the serum creatinine concentration is not increased in most cases of endocapillary acute gn, providing the relative interstitial volume is not increased by more than 15%. Increased serum creatinine concentration without a markedly enlared interstitium was found in 11 cases of endocapillary acute gn with clinically and morphologically proven acute renal failure. In these cases the glomerular function is probably impaired by the Thurau-mechanism. In all other patients, especially in those with moderately severe mesangioproliferative gn, the serum creatinine concentration rises with an enlargement of relative interstitial volume. This reduction of renal function may be explained by a decrease to the total cross-sectional area of postglomerular vessesl, caused by interstitial fibrosis. That may possible lead to diminished renal blood flow and glomerular filtration with an increase of the serum creatinine concentration.


The mechanism of palatal shelf elevation and the pathogenesis of cleft palate. Both normal Wistar rat fetuses and those with cleft palate induced by 5-Fluoro-2-Desoxyuridine were studied with a view to elucidating the mechanism of palatal shelf elevation and the pathogenesis of cleft palate. It was postulated that normal shelf elevation is brought about rapidly by an intrinsic turgor shelf force generated by binding of water to mucopolysaccharides. Interference with mucopolysaccharide synthesis would seem to be an important factor in the pathogenesis of some types of cleft palate.


[Role of mass screening in detection of ovarian tumors]. The author presents an analysis of mass prophylactic examinations among female population both according to the literature data and based on the personal observations. Gynecological examinations are shown to be inadequate for active recognition of early forms of malignant ovarian tumors. Low percentage (from 0.0018 to 0.07%) of recognition of boundary and malignant ovarian tumors during mass prophylactic examinations enabled the author to advocate changing of the aim of prophylactic examinations proper and to single out the contingent with a high-risk of ovarian tumors. It is of great practical value, since it makes possible to select only those potential patients among the females, who are likely to be affected by ovarian tumors in future.


[Value of dispensary examination for the earliest possible detection of malignant ovarian tumors]. A comparative estimation of the results of dispensary observation, based on the data of only gynecological study and effective dispensary control with the organization of high-risk groups and application of the complex diagnostics system, proved the rationale to raise the question on the need of effective recognition of patients with ovarian tumors. The effective dispensary control was found to enable the detection of ovarian tumors with an adequate reliability in 93.6%; (versus 22.0% without using a detailed examination), unsuspected ovarian tumors being found clinically in 3.0%. There were not only benign but also proliferating and malignant tumors in early stages among effectively revealed ovarian tumors.


[Acromegalic cardiopathy].

[Acromegalic cardiopathy]. A patient with acromegaly is described with a relatively small eosinophilic adenoma of the hypophysis, the cardiopathy standing out on the foreground of the clinical pictrire, due to which it has for a long time been interpreted as a primary cardiac ailment. The cardiac disorder proceeds with cardiomegaly, conductivity disturbances and left, quickly progressing into complete and resistant to treatment cardiac insufficiency. The problem of the origination of the so called primary cardiac insufficiency is discussed, resulting from the direct effect of STH upon myocardium.


[Functional characteristics of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]. The hemodynamics was studies in 59 patients with hypertrophic cardiopathy: obstructive (33 cases) and non-obstructive (26 cases). The diagnosis was made and the hemodynamics studied by left and right ventricle catheterization, left ventriculography and echocardiography. A general hyperkinetism of the left ventricle pump function was established--increased fraction of forcing, per cent of the systolic shortening and contraction rate of the circumferential fibres with a not adequately large beat and minute volume. The regional functional of the left ventricle is characterized by hypokinetism of the interventricular septum and considerable hypercontractility of the left ventricle free wall. The diastolic filling of the left ventricle is impeded due to the decreased telediastolic size and volume and diminished extensibility. That leads to the increase of the final diastolic pressure in the left ventricle and the pulmonary artery, manifested especially after physical loading. The subaortic constriction is a result mainly of the systolic shifting of the posterior papillaris muscle forward and upward towards the hypertrophic interventricular septum. Subaortic  stenosis shows considerable deviations and changes during the dynamic observations of the patients.


[Characteristics of the microflora of food products from the southwest zone of Kazakhstan]. The question as to the prevalence of toxigenic microscopic fungi in foodstuffs originating in Kazakhstan is but little studied. In particular, no information on the microflora in the products coming from the south-western areas of the republic are available. The paper brings forth the results consequent upon the study of the problem in the Guriev and Dzhambul regions typical of this area. Microflora in 317 samples of various foodstuffs (wheat grains, flour and mealy products, rice, husket millet, dried meat, etc.) taken in rural families was studied by conventional methods. A highly frequent and intensive contamination of the vegetable and animal products with micomycetes, among which a definite prevalence of the species belonging to genus Aspergillus was noted. Aspergilli were represented mainly by the species known by their toxigenicity (A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. candidus, A. niger, A. versicolor and others). A conclusion is drawn as to a potential hazard of mycotoxicoses arising in the south-western part of Kazakhstan. Recommendations for instituting preventive measures are given.


[A new method for the fixation of the "T"-drainage in long-term experiments]. A new method of long-term fixing the T-drainage in the abdominal wall in animal experience is discribed. Measurements of the pressure in the ductus choledochus were carried out by using a caroli-manometer in an long-term experiment.


Carcinogenic activity of anthanthrene on mouse skin. Dibenzo [cd,jk] pyrene (anthanthrene), considered to be noncarcinogenic, was examined for carcinogenicity in a comparative study with other polycyclic hydrocarbons. Anthanthrene induced benign and malignant epidermal neoplasms in female Swiss mice after repeated skin application. The incidence of these tumors (47%) was lower and the latency longer than those found after benzo[a]pyrene or dibenzo[a,h]pyrene treatment. Since the proportion of malignant neoplasms was similar (60%) in these three groups, the results indicate that anthanthrene is a relatively strong carcinogen. A rationale accounting for previous negative results in percutaneous experiments with this compound is suggested.


Hepatocarcinogenetic effect of DENA in pigs. DENA was fed to Göttingen mini-pigs at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg body weight with a total dosage of 420 mg/kg over an experimental period of five years. The animals showed multiple neoplasia of the liver with all transitions, including hepatocellular carcinoma and Kupffer-cell sarcoma with metastases in the regional lymph nodes and the lung. Two animals had metastases in the lung as well as one renal carcinoma and one tumor in the hemisphere of the brain.


[Experimental investigations on the tumorigenic activity of cigarette smoke condensate on mouse skin. VII. Comparative studies of condensates from different modified cigarettes (author's transl)]. Condensate from different modified cigarettes were compared with condensate from a standard cigarette with regard to its tumorigenic activity on mouse skin. Significant lower effects were observed in test series with cigarettes from expanded tobacco. Different results were obtained in experiments with cigarettes from the new smoking materials. In one case the effect was higher, in two another cases the effect was lower in comparison to the effect of condensate from reference cigarettes. A certain influence may be referred to the diameter of the cigarette, i.e. a thinner cigarette shows a lower biological effect. The lowest tumoringenic effect was observed in tests with cigarettes with a high content of Burley-stems.


The effect of dimethylbenz(a) anthracene on murine hematopoiesis. DMBA was given p.o. to young adult female CBA/J mice in two regimens, a single dose of 1 mg and 4 doses of 1 mg in weekly intervals. In the peripheral blood only a transient reticulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia was observed in both groups. After 4 doses the thymus and spleen weights were reduced up to 4 weeks after the last dose. In the bone marrow the cellularity was lower in treated animals than in controls. After 1 mg DMBA pluripotent stem cells (CFUc) in the marrow were reduced to about 50--70% over a 2- to 3-week period, in the spleen the CFUs concentration was reduced to 10% at day 3 with about normal levels after 3  to 4 weeks. The compartment of granulocytic committed stem cells (CFUs) in both organs followed the same pattern with an overshoot in CFUc concentration in the spleen after 3 to 4 weeks. After 4 doses CFUs and CFUc were more depressed, regeneration began about 2 weeks after the last dose in both organs. CFUc in the marrow had normal and in the spleen supra-normal concentrations 3 and 4 weeks after the last dose.


[Determination of the residual monomer diffusion from implanted kallokryl-K bodies and their mandibular tissue reactions]. The paper, after discussing the problems associated with the implantation of cold-polymerizing polymethyl methacrylates, describes the methods and results of determining the diffusion of residual monomers from implanted Kallokryl K bodies. Also described and discussed are histological studies of the implant supporting tissue and possible consequences of the decreasing, but constant diffusion of residual monomers, respectively.


[Visceral diseases as cause of lumbar syndromes]. 30 patients with hepatitis, 50 patients with gynecological diseases, and 100 with urological diseases were investigated with regards to lumbago to find out whether there is a correlation between the internal disease and the signs of low back pain. The patients were compared with a control group of 33 healthy people. The vertebral localisation of the pain and its radiation were investigated and discussed in certain diseases as well as any correlation between lumbago and average age. The various possibilities of pain radiation are described and the importance of the vertebral column as secondary seat of low back pain is pointed out.


[Changes in the retinal vessels in mandibular nerve anesthesia. A potential for complications]. Examinations of the eyegrounds were made on thirty subjects after conduction anesthesia with xylocitin of the inferior alveolar nerve as well as on nine subjects after sodium chloride injections in order to determine the effect of mandibular conduction anesthesia on retinal vessels. Retinal vascular widths were measured and arteriovenous indices determined. The subjects were divided into groups according to preexisting general diseases, age, sex, and smoking habits. Retinal vascular changes were determined in dependence on age and smoking habits after injections made into the mandibular foramen, and the manner of origin and the results are discussed with particular reference to data reported in the literature.


[Results after surgical therapy of temporomandibular joint ankylosis]. This paper reports the results of, and experience gained from, seventy-nine operations for ankylosis performed between 1946 and 1974 at the Berlin Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery. In fourteen surgical operations freeze-dried dura was used as an implant, with good functional results being obtained.


[Sarcoma of the abdominal wall ruptured during labor]. A case of fibrosarcoma of the extraperitoneal connective tissue of the right rectus muscle with rupture intra partum is reported. A review of the literature is presented. The prognosis after treatment by two consecutive operations and irradiation is discussed.


[Effect of peptidoglycan preparations on phage inactivation: decrease in phage 187 binding using monosaccharides]. Monosaccharides were found to be capable to decreasing the binding of phage 187 with peptidoglycan. Galactosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine hydrochloride proved to be the most effective, followed in order of decreasing activity by N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, glucose and galactose; mannose produced a weak effect. Ca2+ ions increased the reduction of phage peptiglycan binding with N-acetylgalactosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. Both of these monosaccharides also reduced the adsorption of phage 187 by the Staphylococcus aureus cells. In the medium enriched with Ca2+ ions; in the absence of Ca2+, they were, however, incapable of releasing the phage irreversibly bound with the peptidoglycan.


[Interrelationship between toxigenic and non-toxigenic diphtheria microbes in the epidemic process]. A study of the circulation of toxigenic and nontoxigenic diphtheria bacilli was carried out in several carrier state foci under conditions of a natural course of the epidemic process. There were 2623 persons under observation. A total of 32158 analyses were carried out, and 2271 strains were isolated and studied. No formation of the toxigenic variants of diphtheria bacillus as a result of phage conversion was revealed in the foci of carrier state despite the wide spread in them of nontoxigenic lysosensitive cultures capable of acquiring the toxigenic properties under experimental conditions, and of the cultures which had converting corinephages. Thus, autonomy of the circulation of the toxigenic and nontoxigenic diphtheria bacilli occurred in the carrier state foci; the leading role in the change of the diphtheria bacillus type belonged to reinfection.


[Magnesium-activated adenosine triphosphate of the ampullae of Lorenzini of the skate Dasyatis pastinaca]. Studies have been made on Mg2+-activated ATPase of electroreceptor structures of the lateral line organin the ray D. pastinaca. It was shown that the enzyme is activated by magnesium ions (2.5 mM), maximum activation being observed at pH 8.0-8.5. The enzyme exhibits substrate specificity to adenyl nucleotides. Walls of ampullar canals also contain Mg2+-ATPase, however the level of the enzymatic activity in these walls is significantly lower.


[Basic patterns in the epidemic process of measles under conditions of massive immunization]. Observations over the measles epidemic process in Leningrad showed that the sporadic morbidity level reached in 1974--4.1 per 100 000 residents; however periodic elevation and decline of morbidity and tis seasonal variations persisted. A rise of morbidity in 1972--1973, and by preliminary data--in 1975, occurred on account of the older age groups. There was revealed no dependence of the disease incidence among the persons vaccinated on the time lapse after their vaccination. Individual batches of live measles vaccine issued in 1963--1969 were not up to the standard, this serving as one of the cases of the occurence of group incidence of the infection in some foci.


[Cerebral synaptosome ATPase activity in Citellus erythrogenys susliks during periods of wakefulness and hibernation]. The activity of synaptosomal Mg- and Na, K-ATPases has been compared during natural hibernation and active periods in ground squirrels. Being assayed in vitro at temperature 37 degrees, the activity of Na, K-ATPase decreases during hibernation by 25%, that of Mg-ATPase--by 37%. The decreased level of the activity of these enzymic systems may result from structural alterations in the brain membranes during hibernation of the animals.


[Possible disorder of tissue immunity function in mothers who have given birth to a child with Down's disease]. The rates of DNA synthesis were studied in PHA-stimulated lymphocytes from the peripheral blood of mothers giving birth to a child with Down's disease. For control purposes a group of donors of the same age and sex were studied as wells. A decrease of 3H-thymidine incorporation was detected in the lymphocytes of the mothers of such children. The found differences were due to a drop of lymphocyte PH-reactivity in the older maternal age group (over 30 years). Interrelation between the changed function of the maternal immune system and the birth of children with chromosome unbalance are discussed.


[Electron-cytochemical distribution of acetylcholinesterase, monamine oxidase and Mg2+-ATPase in the human hypothalamus]. The distribution of acetylcholinesterase, monoaminoxidase and ATP-ase was studied in human hypothalamus by means of electron microscopy. The study demonstrated a possibility of differentiation of the hypothalamic neurons according to phases of neurosecretion. These data were achieved on the basis of electron cytochemistry in detecting ATP-asa in the nuclei of neurons. Comparing literary data concerning the nonmediator role of acetyl-choline and catecholeamines with personal studies, the authors demonstrate the internal and external barrier functions of acetylcholinesterase and monoamineoxidase in the brain.


[Demography of several hereditary diseases of the nervous system among the population of the Fergan valley]. The author studied some hereditary diseases of the nervous system among the population of the Fergan Valley. An analysis of 19751 case histories made it possible to estimate the frequency of separate forms of neuroheredodegenerative diseases (Huntington's chorea, Strümpel's paraplegia and different forms of myopathy). A clinico-genetical study of 50 families of the probands permitted to define some clinical and genetical traits of these diseases. It was established that in families of the probands there was a recessive type of inheritance of Strümpel's paraplegia and Erbb's myopathy. Huntington's chorea was characterized by a dominant type of inheritance. It was also established that in famalies with a higher inbreeding, Strümpel's paraplegia was characterized by an early onset of the disease and a rapid development. The author established the frequency of mutations in these diseases which in Hutington's chorea was 2.8X10(-6), for Strümpel's paraplegia--5.8 X 10(-5), Erbb's myopathy 1.12 X 10(5) and Duchenne's myopathy--2.4 X 10(-5).


[Effect of lithium on the energy metabolism of nervous tissue]. Lithium (0.5--4 mM) either significantly increase, either completely normalizers the intensity of the oxidative and energy metabolism of the brain mitochondria, decreased by the influence of the blood serum of patients with manic-depressive psychosis and attack like schizophrenia. At the same time lithium gives an insignificant increase in the intensity of processes of phosphorilation in cases of an action of the blood serum of patients with a continuous development of schizophrenia. Processes of phosphorilation become normalized in a joint action on the mitochondria by lithium and antioxidants. In the process of phosphorilation in comparison with the blood serum of patients who do not receive this preparation. It is assumed that an increase in the intensity of the energy metabolism is one of the mechanisms of therapeutical and prophylactic action of lithium.


[Lithium and nucleotide metabolism in brain tissue]. The paper is concerned with the influence of lithium on the metabolism of free nucleotides and the main sourse of marcoerges in the cell ATP. It was established that lithium increases the consumption of glucose by the brain tissues of rats and guinea pigs, stimulating the creation of macroegic phosphates. Lithium increases the synthesis of cyclic adenosinmonophosphates (AMP) especially on the background of stimulators of adenylatcyclase, the activity of which is inhibited by lithium and calcium and is not changed under the influence of rubidium. Lithium exerts an inhibiting action on the activity of phosphodiestherase, especially expressed on the background of detergent actions. In experimental conditions it stimulates the formation of inosinmonophosphates from AMP and by this way may change the synthesis of nucleotides in the CNS.


By-pass grafting for femoro-popliteal atherosclerosis. 175 by-pass operations were performed for femoro-popliteal atherosclerosis during the period January 1967-April 1975. 154 were femoro-popliteal vein by-pass grafts. The material in addition includes 12 distal tibial arterial by-pass grafts, 6 homologous vein grafts, 2 Sparks prosthesis and 1 dacron graft. In the femoro-popliteal vein by-pass group 51% were operated for rest-pain or distal gangrene, while 49% had intermittent claudication. The 4 year patency rate in the two groups was 54% and 66% resepctively and was more favourable when the distal anastomosis was placed above than below the knee. However, the latter group had more severe ischaemic symptoms and the difference is probably in part due to case selection. The results were also more favourable when the proximal anastomosis was placed on the common femoral artery. The operative mortality was 38%. Vein by-pass to the lower leg arteries had a 2 year patency of only 34%. Semi-closed endarterectomy is preferred to homologous vein, Sparks prosthesis or dacron grafts where no sufficient vein for grafting exists. It is concluded that saphenous vein by-pass is the method of choice in patients where femoro-popliteal reconstruction is indicated.


Development of a probe for endoureteral investigation of peristalsis by flow velocity and cross section area measurement. A probe system for measurement of ureteric flow velocity and ureter cross section area is described. The flow velocity transducer is placed at the tip of a conventional 4-F ureteric catheter. The cross section transducer consists of two circular electrodes at an interval of 4 mm, mounted on the catheter just behind the flow velocity transducer. In vitro calibration established voltage as a function of flow velocity according to Kings law. Stability was excellent (0-point drift less than 1%/hour). Response time for flow rise was 0.02 second, and for flow fall 1.0 second. Variations of the ambient temperature at constant flow showed a margin of error in flow determination of 10 to 15%/1 degrees C temperature variation. In vitro calibration of the cross section transducer established linear correlation between voltage and tube diameter, but limited by the actual interelectrode interval. Probe displacement from tube axis gave an error of up to 10%. In vivo studies were made in anaesthetized pigs. The probe did not affect ureter peristalsis. Flow velocities ranged from 0 to 5 cm/second and ureter cross sectional areas between 0 and 0.2 cm2. Further developments in the measuring system are discussed.


Muscle spindles in the inferior constrictor pharyngis muscle of the crab-eating monkey (Macaca irus). Pharyngeal muscles were considered to be lacking in spindles. A search was made for the same in the inferior constrictor pharyngis muscle of the crab-eating monkey (Macaca irus). Muscle spindles were found for the first time in this muscle. Transverse serial sections and teased preparations were obtained from this muscle belonging to six such animals, and these tissues were stained by Masson's trichrome and Ranvier's gold method, respectively. Both the methods were successful in revealing these receptors. The potential significance of this finding was discussed in relation to the activities of the pharyngeal muscles and a suggestion for a thorough re-investigation of the so-called spindleless muscles was made.


Ultrastructural effects of parachlorophenylalanine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and the imipramine group on the nerve processes of the small intestine. The structure of the nerve fibres in the chronically isolated cat ileum was studied by fluorescence and electron microscopy after imipramine group compounds, parachlorophenylalanine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine treatment. Following treatment with parachlorophenylalanine and imipramine group compounds in the nerve fibres of the small intestine, specific granules were selectively decreased (p less than 0.001) in number. In concordance with ultrastructural observations, a marked diminution of fluorescence intensity was demonstrable in the small intestine. In addition, the number of the granular vesicles was significantly increased following 5-hydroxytryptamine treatment, and yellow fluorescent neurones and processes were observed in the myenteric and submucous plexuses. On the basis of these observations, the serotoninergic nature of certain nerve fibres could be demonstrated.


Anastomotic aneurysms of the femoral anastomosis after aortic bifurcation graft. A 17 year experience (1958-1975 with anastomotic aneurysms of the femoral anastomosis after aortic bifurcation graft is presented. An anastomotic aneurysm is a progressive dilatation of an anastomosis between an artery and a prosthesis, caused either by a defective suture line or by a wall dilatation. One thousand one hundred and eighty-four femoral anastomoses with a decent follow-up were reviewed and 89 aneurysms were encountered, a per site incidence of 7.5%. Aetiological agents were arterial hypertension, non-infective bad wound healing, type of suture material, defect of the graft and trauma. The therapeutical approach with only 12% recurrences is a segmental interposition. The rate of satisfactory results was 78%. By reducing our bad wound healing from 15 to 10% of the anastomoses over the last five years, we reduced considerably our percentage of anastomotic aneurysms. The use of ultraleight weight prostheses seems to have also reduced the incidence and, in our study that we closed in December 1975, we encountered no aneurysm on Cooley or Milliknit, even with a follow-up of four years. Since the end of the study, however, we encountered one case of bilateral anastomotic aneurysm with Milliknit, one year after the primary operation but with a definite trauma in the anamnesis.


On the molecular composition and physico-chemical properties of the pseudo-exfoliation material. The protein tracer peroxidase has been found to be excluded from pseudoexfoliation (PE) material. But after the treatment of the PE material with cetylpyridinium-chloride, peroxidase was found to penetrate into the material. This observation seems to support the concept that the PE material is a gel of proteoglycans, from which peroxidase is excluded by an excluded volume effect. Microperoxidase was found to penetrate into the superficial parts of the (untreated) PE material, and to be regularly distributed according to two different patterns: 1) along the PE fibrils, and 2) along lines in the interfibrillar matrix; lines which can not be seen without the presence of microperoxidase. At both locations the microperoxidase reaction product was found at regular intervals, with spacings of about 53 nm. The interpretation is that both the fibrils and the interfibrillar matrix are composed of the same kind of long extended linear proteoglycan complexes, but with a different arrangement and density.


Lithium treatment of Huntington's chorea. A placebo-controlled clinical trial. The therapeutic effect of lithium in Huntington's chorea was tested in six patients through a double-blind cross-over comparison of lithium and placebo, each administered for 6 weeks. Four of the patients received neuroleptic drugs at the same time. Lithium and placebo periods did not differ as regards motor skills, hyperkinesias, or total ward situation, all rated quantitatively with the use of scales. Lithium does not seem to be of therapeutic value in Huntington's chorea.


Deoxyuridine suppression test: a comparison of two methods and effect of thymidine on the incorporation of 3H-deoxyuridine into DNA in human bone marrow cells. Deoxyuridine suppression tests have been performed by two different methods of six normoblastic and eight megaloblastic marrows. A good correlation was obtained between the results by the modified and the original methods. The simplified method was found to be applicable for a clinical purpose to diagnose megaloblastosis in the marrow. Uptake of 3H-deoxyuridine into DNA and effect of various concentrations of thymidine was studied on five normoblastic and six megaloblastic marrows. In megaloblastic marrows, a greater amount of thymidine was required to obtain the same rate of suppression of 3H-deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA than in normoblastic marrows. Impairment of thymidine incorporation into DNA in megaloblastic marrows was not revealed. Therefore, lower rate of suppression of 3H-deoxyuridine by thymidine in megaloblastic marrows may be due to impairment of the incorporation of deoxyuridine before the addition of thymidine.


RNA synthesis in mitochondria isolated from rat liver. Mitochondrial RNA (mtRNA) was synthesized from purine and pyrimidine nucleosides in coupling with oxidative phosphorylation using isolated mitochondria. The in vivo synthesized mtRNA was adenine-uracil rich and sedimented at about 20 S by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. A major part of the newly synthesized mtRNA was shown to be poly (A)-containing RNA by the resistance to the digestion with pancreatic RNase and RNase T1 and the affinity to poly (U)-Sepharose columns or Millipore filters.


Electrocardiographic abnormalities in the sick elderly. From a study of routine electrocardiography on 300 ill elderly patients in an acute geriatric unit, it is evident that the incidence of atrial fibrillation, ventricular extrasystoles, myocardial ischaemia and myocardial infarction is much higher than in the general population of similar age group. In females, the incidence increases with advance in age. It is suggested that the time is ripe for a large multicentre study which would help to decide the true incidence and significance of the abnormalities.


The role of histamine in wound healing I. The effect of high doses of histamine on collagen and glycosoaminoglycan content in wounds. The effect of high doses of histamine (Hi) on collagen and glycosoaminoglycan (GAG) content in skin wounds of rats was studied on days 1, 3, 5, 10 and 14 after wounding. Injection of high doses of Hi into the wounded area inhibited colagen production, collagen polymerization and GAG synthesis; levels of chondroitin sulphates (chondroitin-4,6-sulphate and dermatan sulphate) and hyaluronic acid were decreased.


Cardiomegaly as a cause of nonuniform pulmonary artery perfusion. In patients with cardiomegaly, a common cause of nonuniform pulmonary artery perfusion on pulmonary arteriograms is compression of the left lower lobe arteries by the enlarged heart, an effect which is accentuated by gravity in the supine position. This may impede flow in such a manner as to erroneously suggest the presence of pulmonary emboli. Subselective left lower lobe arteriography with the patient in the right posterior oblique position will allow better anatomic definition of the vessels in this region and result in fewer equivocal or false positive studies.


Therapeutics of disordered movement.

Therapeutics of disordered movement. Human motor behavior is organized around two major neurotransmitter systems in the basal ganglia--dopaminergic and cholinergic. Hypokinetic disease may result from hypofunction of the dopaminergic system or cholinergic hyperfunction. The reverse seems true for many hyperkinetic movement disorders. Drugs which facilitate dopaminergic neurotransmission or which block cholinergic transmission relieve many hypokinetic disorders; the opposite approach is useful in treating many hyperkinetic disorders.


Septal perforator compression (narrowing) in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. Thirteen patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis were compared with two groups of subjects: 10 patients with chest pain, normal coronary arteries and a normal left ventricle, and 10 patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. Five of the latter had aortic stenosis and five had idiopathic left ventricular hypertrophy. Coronary arteriography revealed that the septal branches of the left anterior descending artery closed or narrowed during systole in patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis and did not do so in the other patient groups. This narrowing is possibly related to an abnormal position of the septal arteries within the septum in idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. Systolic compression of the septal perforator arteries is not a pathognomonic sign of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis.


Muscle fiber disarray in common heart diseases. Myocardial fiber disarray was found at necropsy in each of 53 hearts, 33 from patients with cardiovascular disease--systemic hypertension (12 patients), coronary heart disease (17 patients) or cor pulmonale (4 patients)--and 20 from patients with a normal heart. The myocardial fiber disarray was of mild degree in all 53 patients and, although similar to that observed by others in hearts of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the amount of myocardial fiber disarray per heart was considerably less than that observed in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.


Displacement of the heart by a giant mediastinal cyst. A giant mediastinal cyst caused marked cardiac displacement, factitious cardiomegaly and clinical and hemodynamic findings suggestive of constrictive pericarditis. The correct diagnosis was established with echocardiography and confirmed with angiography and surgery.


Handicapped children in a developing nation--Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a young, struggling nation that is emerging with strong religious and family networks and a positive hope for the future. Children are viewed as the step toward that future. The attitudes toward handicapped children were explored by examining the available health services and then conducting a survey of parents of handicapped children. Since there are few treatment facilities and these are located in cities, many children do not receive treatment. Family-oriented treatment in which therapeutic activities are incorporated into the child's daily routine and where therapists can train the child and family members, periodically reassess the child, and provide guidance and advice when necessary may be an effective way to treat handicapped children. Unlike more developed nations, the families of Bangladesh were not interested in institutions for their handicapped children, and expressed hope even in the face of serious disabilities. Providing training to these families could perhaps help them achieve that hope.


A continent colostomy: The magnetic stoma cap. An apparatus to create continence in an end left-sided colostomy in dogs is assessed. The device consists of a samarium-cobalt magnetic ring encased in methyl methacrylate and a magnetic cap. The ring is implanted in the abdominal wall and the colon delivered through it and matured to the skin. The stoma is later obturated by the magnetic cap to provide continence. Ten dogs exposed to "uncoated" samarium-cobalt magnets for periods of up to eight months showed no elevation of cobalt levels in the serum or tissues and no histopathologic changes on postmortem examination. In twelve dogs, magnetic rings were used to create continent colostomies. Eleven of twelve dogs followed for periods up to eight months were continent and tolerated the appliance well. One ring was extruded after a peristomal skin dehiscence occurred. Two skin strictures appeared and were readily controlled by digital dilatation. Sinus, fistula, or infection were not seen. Clinical application of this device is discussed.


Pitfalls in peripheral vascular surgery: Disseminated intravascular coagulation. Disseminated intravascular coagulation is infrequently encountered in the practice of peripheral vascular surgery. Nonetheless, it has devastating and often fatal effects. In our series of eight cases, the mortality rate was 62.5 per cent. A better understanding of the basic disease process as prompted by this review, earlier diagnosis, and rational treatment should lead to higher survival rates and lowered morbidity.


Renal allograft artery stenosis.

Renal allograft artery stenosis. Thirteen renal artery stenoses occurred in 127 renal allograft transplantations performed at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center over a four year period. The most common symptoms were hypertension and decreasing renal function occurring from three days to three years post transplantation. Eight lesions occurred in patients with a single artery and five when double arteries had been joined together prior to anastomosis rather than implanted separately. The most common causes of renal artery stenosis was intimal hyperplasia of the donor vessel distal to the anastomosis (8 patients), atheromatous plaques (2), technical failure (2), and external compression (1). Surgical correction was facilitated by a midline incision. Resection of the stenotic segment and reanastomosis was the preferred procedure. Surgical failure and recurrence of hypertension were associated with involvement of small arteries or distal arteriolar level. When kidneys with multiple arteries are available, Carrel patches should be used when possible; if not, they should be implanted separately rather than joined together prior to anastomosis, thus decreasing the possibility of creating turbulent blood flow.


[Lesions of the rabbit cornea produced by laser light (author's transl)]. Threshold radiant exposure of the cornea of gray rabbits was evaluated for Argon- and YAG-Laser light. Threshold for the Argonlaser is about 15 kJ/cm2 (exposure time 200 ms to 2 s, spot size 65 micron). For experimental and methodical reasons the value for the YAG-Laser (115 kJ/cm2) is of limited accuracy. The healing process of supraliminal lesions of the cornea is observed clinically and histologycally up to six weeks following exposure to laser radiation.


[Adenosine triphosphatases in the bovine endometrium and in the trophoblast during implantation. Microscopic and electron microscopic investigations (author's transl)]. Investigations of the bovine epithelium uteri and trophoblast between the 22nd and 24th day after insemination have been made according to the method of FARQUHAR and PALADE (1966) concerning the activity and microstructural localization of the Mg++-, Ca++- as well as the (Mg++-Na+-K+)-ATPases which may be made active (E. C. 3.6.1.3). The evidence of the ATPases in the so-called free cells during the pre-implantative stage is associated with a production of immunoglobulin A and thus the importance of these cells within the scope of an immunological position of reaction of the endometrium is being discussed. On the epithelium uteri there is a correlation at first between the activity of this hydrolase, which can only be proved at the later pre-contact stage, and the microstructural symptoms of increasing secretion. During the subsequent stage of apposition and after consolidated implantation ATPase-dependent transportations through membranes are likely to serve in the formation of hemotrophs as well as in the hemotroph metabolism. Finally, an attempt is made to give an explanation of the precipitate depositions on the cells of the uterine glands.


The ultrastructural histochemistry of the basement membranes of the exocrine pancreas. The basement membranes in the exocrine pancreas were examined by routine electron microscopy, by fixation for electron microscopy with a glutaraldehyde-tannic acid solution and by staining for ultrastructural demonstration of mucosubstances with the dialyzed iron, high iron diamine, ruthenium red and Concanavalin A-horseradish  peroxidase procedures. The basement membranes are considered from morphologic and histochemical observations to consist of an inner lamina lucida, an intermediate lamina densa and an outer lamina diffusa. Sulfated mucosubstance was found in the lamina diffusa of the basement membrane of all epithelial cells and capillary endothelial cells but was encountered in the lamina lucida of the duct cells exclusively. Bridging structures, presumably polypeptides, were also seen connecting the lamina densa and the basal plasma membrane in specimens fixed with the glutaraldehydetannic acid solution. The findings demonstrated that the histochemical and morphological qualities of the basement membrane are uniform of a given cell type but differ considerably among the several cell types in the pancreas.


Corticosteroid glaucoma.

Corticosteroid glaucoma. Chronic as well as acute glaucoma can be induced by corticosteroids. The hypertensive response to the topical corticosteroid test is not genetically determined. The pathogenesis of the corticosteroid glaucoma can be explained by clones of goniocytes, which contain mucopolysaccharides sensitive to hyaluronidase. When these mucopolysaccharides are polymerized, they retain water and when they are depolymerized, they loose water. As the corticosteroid strengthen the lysosomal membranes, the retained catabolising enzymes prevent the catabolism of the mucopolysaccharides, which tend to accumulate in a more polymerized and more hydrophilic form.


Cutaneous larva migrans, an occupational disease. Creeping skin eruption is known to follow exposure to canine and feline hookworm larvae found in contaminated soil encountered in humid, tropical and subtropical regions. A little known hazard of similar infections exists among veterinarians and laboratory workers exposed to Strongyloides larvae from horses located in temperate climates. The evolving clinical picture is described in detail. Continued exposure may lead to a state of hypersensitivity to the parasitic protein resulting in severe hyperimmune reactions. The invasiveness of Strongyloides larvae through intact skin and the pathologic changes associated with infection were demonstrated in a rabbit.


[Plasma concentrations and urinary excretion of gonadotropins in azoo and oligospermia. Relationship with spermatogenesis and plasma concentration of androgens (author's transl)]. Plasma concentrations and urinary excretions rate of gonadotropins, testosterone, delta 4-androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone and 17 and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone plasma concentrations have been studied in 69 patients with oligo or azoospermia and compared with results obtained in 30 normal control subjects. A sperm count and a caryotype have been done in all patients and a testicular biopsy in 35. Analysis of the histo-hormonal correlations does not show a particular stage of spermatogenesis associated with a modification in FSH production. There is a quantitative relationship between spermatogenesis and FSH production. Plasma testosterone is low and LH production normal in excretory azoospermia. In the other patients plasma testosterone is also low but associated with an increased production of LH. Finally there is a direct relationship between urinary excretion of LH and FSH in both normal subjects and patients, suggesting a modulation by specific factors of a common regulation of the secretion of both gonadotropins.


[Suppressor cells in the "in vitro" induced cell mediated immune response: their origin and target (author's transl)]. Suppressor cells, produced in a mixed lymphocyte reaction between CBA and irradiated DBA/2 lymphocytes, inhibited the production of cytotoxic CBA cells in a second MLR. There were several suppressor cells: T and non-T cells, cells with or without Fc-receptors, and cytotoxic as well as non-cytotoxic cells. Reconstitution of the in vitro production of cytotoxic as well as non-cytotoxic cells. Reconstitution of the in vitro production of cytotoxic lymphocytes in suppressed cultures by supplementary CBA cells was better than that which took place after the addition of DBA/2 stimulator cells.


Effects of membrane-energy mutations and cations on streptomycin and gentamicin accumulation by bacteria: a model for entry of streptomycin and gentamicin in susceptible and resistant bacteria. Several mutants of Escherichia coli affecting aerobic energy generation and energization of the bacterial membrane have been examined for their effect on streptomycin and gentamicin accumulation and susceptibility. A heme-deficient mutant (K207) and two mutants (CJ-8 [colicin K insensitive] and NR-70) associated with defective aerobic active transport were associated with decreased transport of streptomycin and gentamicin and increased resistance to those antibiotics. These mutants also exhibited increased resistance to several other aminoglycoside antibiotics, but not the aminocyclitol spectinomycin. The same observations were made with a ubiquinone-deficient mutant, but a strA derivative of this mutant was shown additionally to be saturable for streptomycin accumulation at a concentration four or more times lower than that required for saturation of the parent. A mutant uncoupled for adenosine 5'-triphosphate synthesis from electron transport and membrane Mg-adenosine 5'-triphosphatase deficient was hypersensitive to those aminoglycosides tested and spectinomycin, and showed enhanced transport of streptomycin and gentamicin. A variety of compounds structurally related to streptomycin were examined at high concentrations for inhibition of streptomycin uptake in a strA mutant of E. coli K-12 SA 1306, but no evidence for competition was detected, suggesting the absence of a common transport carrier. Four different divalent cations were shown to inhibit streptomycin and gentamicin accumulation in E. coli K-12 SA 1306. Divalent cations were shown to inhibit uptake of these two drugs in two bacterial species with distinct cell wall structures, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, and to inhibit streptomycin uptake in spheroplasts of streptomycin-susceptible and -resistant E. coli. However, calcium had almost no inhibitory effect on streptomycin uptake by the ubiquinone-deficient mutant E. coli AN66. These and previous findings have been used to formulate a model for aminoglycoside entry into bacteria using a low-affinity membranous complex involved in membrane energization that includes respiratory quinones, which probably act to bind and transport aminoglycosides across the cell membrane. This phase of transport is associated with the lowest accumulation rate (termed energy-dependent phase I) that is rate limiting for susceptibility. It is further proposed that subsequent association of the membrane-bound aminoglycoside with higher-affinity binding sites on membrane-associated ribosomes carrying out a normal ribosomal cycle and protein synthesis results in a more rapid transport rate (termed energy-dependent phase II). The increased rate could result from a state of membrane energization analogous to that causing enhanced aminoglycoside transport rates seen in the uncoupled mutant, AN120. How this model explains the mechanism by which enzymatically modified aminoglycosides render cells resistant to unmodified aminoglycosides is also discussed.


Allergic contact dermatitis from sunscreen preparations complicating photodermatitis. Two men with known histories of photosensitivity had apparent exacerbations of their dermatoses. Patch-testing showed the presence of allergic contact sensitivity to the sunscreens that they were using. The clinical distribution patterns of adverse reactions to sunscreens naturally simulate sun-induced reactions, thus providing clinical problems that require evaluation by both patch and photo-patch tests. These findings emphasize that allergic contact or photo-contact dermatitis from sunscreens that are used for prophylaxis of photodermatitis can actually complicate or aggravate the preexisting state of photodermatitis for which the sunscreens are prescribed.


[Quantitative isolation of acid mucopolysaccharides from urine in progressive scleroderma (author's transl)]. After filtration the urine was concentrated to about 1/10 of the original volume. The urine was centrifuged for 15 min at 5000 rev/min. The supernatant was chromatographed on Bio-Gel P-2-with a 10% aqueous solution of ethanol. Then the glycosaminoglycan fraction was separated into seven further fractions by chromatography on Dowex 1 X 2 and elution with increasing concentration of sodium chlorid. The desalted fractions were analysed. From the analytical data presented no definite correlation between excretion of glycosaminoglycans in urine and progressive scleroderma can be observed. These results were discussed with further data presented by Hexosamine determination.


The spine in sport and veteran military parachutists. Spinal injuries and symptoms were studied in 109 ex-military parachutists and 112 sport (free fall) parachutists by means of postal questionnaires. 46 ex-military parachutists aged 50 years or over had a radiological examination of the lumbar spine and 58 sport parachutists had a radiological examination of the cervical spine as part of the survey. A history of back pain was significantly (P<0.01) associated with body weight in sport parachutists but not with the number of descents or with the subject's age. In the older ex-military group neither age, weight, nor the number of descents was significantly associated with backache. Of those ex-military parachutists x-rayed, 10 (21.7%) were found to have vertebral body fractures (most frequently at D12), and 8 of these were unaware of these lesions. Vertebral fractures caused no disability and did not permanently curtail parachuting activities in either the sport or ex-military group. Of the ex-military parachutists x-rayed, 84.7% had lumbar disc degeneration of all grades of severity, 17.4% had moderate changes, and 10.8% had severe changes. The frequency of moderate and severe disc degeneration was significantly related to age but not to body weight or to the number of descents. Spondylolysis was found in 2 subjects (4.3%) and spondylolisthesis unassociated with spondylolysis in 4 (8.7%). Spondylolisthesis was always associated with a history of back pain.A low prevalence of radiological cervical intervertebral disc degeneration of all grades of severity of 8.7% was found among the free fall parachutists (mean age 33 years). 2 cases of cervical vertebral body fracture were seen, one related to a parachute landing injury and the other to a parachute opening injury. This study does not implicate parachuting as a cause of intervertebral disc degeneration, either cervical or lumbar, nor as a cause of spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis. Serious long-term disability from pain appears to be uncommon among parachutists despite the frequency of the spinal trauma they sustain.


Experience with valved conduits for repair of congenital cardiac lesions. Dacron valved conduits or aortic allografts were placed between the right heart and the pulmonary artery for repair of various complex congenital cardiac anomalies in 56 patients (aged 15 days to 33 years; median, 11 years). Forty-four patients had a total of 56 previous palliative procedures, which contributed to postoperative morbidity and mortality. Six patients had a total of seven episodes of early or late sepsis involving the conduit. One patient, treated for early sepsis, again developed infection in the Hancock graft 1 year postoperatively and died. Three other patients, 2 with calcified allografts, developed infections 4 months to 7 years following repair and required graft replacement. Hemodynamic data 1 month to 5 years (mean, 1.6 years) following repair revealed mild to moderate obstruction (less than 45 mm Hg gradient) at the Hancock conduit valve ring in 13 of 19 patients, while 5 had large pressure gradients (greater than 75 mm Hg). All aortic allografts had severe obstruction and calcification necessitating graft replacement. It is anticipated that improved technique and appropriate timing of palliative and corrective operations will substantially reduce or eliminate these problems.


Aneurysm of pericardial right ventricular outflow tract patches. Among 1,022 patients who underwent repair of tetralogy of Fallot, 252 received a pericardial patch of the right ventricular outflow tract; of these, 10 subsequently developed an aneurysm of the right ventricular outflow tract. Cardiac catheterization and angiography revealed moderate pulmonary insufficiency in all patients, a residual pressure gradient in the right ventricular outflow tract in 7, and a residual ventricular septal defect in 2 patients. Reoperation was indicated in 8 patients because of progressive distention of the aneurysm, residual infundibular or pulmonary artery stenosis, and recurrent ventricular septal defect. Reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract was accomplished by resection of the aneurysm and insertion of a woven Dacron patch in 5 patients, primary suture of the pulmonary artery in 2, and implantation of a woven Dacron conduit containing a Björk-Shiley cardiac valve prosthesis in 1 patient. There were no early or late deaths. When reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract is necessary, we recommend a woven Dacron patch because pericardium may form an aneurysm.


Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta: whether or not, when, and whom? Recently, those who profess conservative views concerning management of aneurysms of the abdominal aorta argued against operative treatment, saying that the mere presence of an aneurysm is an indication that a patient often suffers from an advanced, terminal stage of diffuse arteriosclerosis and that operation in this patient is futile because it does not prolong life. The experience reported here represents a contrary view. Four hundred and eighty consecutive patients were followed from three to ten years postoperatively. Although the survival rate of these patients was lower than that of the general population of comparable age, it remained significantly higher than that of patients with known aneurysms who did not have the benefit of surgical treatment.


Therapeutic regimens for anorectal gonococcal infection in males. Anorectal gonococcal infection is particularly prevalent in women and homosexual men. Although the currently recommended Public Health Service therapeutic regimens for uncomplicated gonorrhea appear to be effective also for anorectal gonorrhea in women, their efficacy for anorectal infection in men has not been adequately evaluated. We report a case of gonococcal proctitis in a homosexual man that did not respond to therapy with ampicillin plus probenecid and tetracycline, but subsequently responded to spectinomycin therapy. Currently available therapeutic regimens for anorectal gonococcal infection in males are reviewed.


Fine structure of taste buds in the rat. The taste buds of rat circumvallate papillae contain three distinct types of cells. The type I (dark) cell is characterized by the presence of dense round granules, which are precursor to the dense substance of the taste pore. The granules are discharged into the pore by exocytosis. The type II (light) cell is filled with numerous vesicles and smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. The type III cell contains in its basal cytoplasm characteristic dark-cored vesicles and masses of clear vesicles, and makes synapse-like contacts with nerve fibers. The fine structure of foliate buds corresponds to that of circumvallate papillae, while fungiform buds differ in their apical regions. In the latter the pore is filled with vesicles alone, and the type I cell contains rod-shaped granules of moderate density. When polysaccharides were examined by means of the periodic acid-silver methenamine and the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide methods, slightly positive reactions were found on the dense granules of the type I cell and the dense substance in the pore, whereas the membranes of the pore vesicles, apical cytoplasmic processes and cytoplasmic vesicles in type II cells showed intense reactions.


[Cytochemical characteristics of the labrocyte-like cells in the capsule of the plerocercoids of Triaenophorus nodulosus (Pallas, 1781) and Diphyllobothrium dendriticum (Nitzsch, 1824) cestodes]. Out of six fish species examined (Esox lucius, Paracottus kessleri, Perca fluviatilis, Leuciscus leuciscus baicalensis, Coregonus autumnalis migratorius, Thymallus arcticus baicalensis) labrocyte-like cells were detected in Esox lucius, Leuciscus leuciscus baicalensis, Coregonus autumnalis migratotius. The cells contain large metachromatic granules. Histochemical methods revealed in them sulfated and carboxylic acid mucopolysacharides. The amount of labrocyte-like cells in the capsules around plerocercoids of Triaenophrus nodulosis from Esox lucits liver depends on the age of the capsule and that of the plerocercoid. It increases when the connective tissue papsule is forming and decreases again under aging and degeneration of the capsule containing plerocercoid. The amount of labrocyte-like cells in the cestodes capsules of Raillietina increases sharply when they locate in an accidental organ (liver). This demonstrates the acuteness of organ reactivity to a nonspecific helminth.


[Idiopathic myocardial hypertrophy].

[Idiopathic myocardial hypertrophy]. Pathoanatomical studies on the hearts of 20 fatal cases of idiopathic myocardial hypertrophy (IMH) were carried out. In all the cases the dilatational form of IMH was found. The utilization of routine histological methods did not reveal any changes specific for the dilatational form of IMH with the exception of uneven hypertrophy of myocardial fibers. In most cases, sclerotic changes in the endocardium and subendocardial parts of the myocardium were observed in the area of the efferent tract of the left ventricle. In the analysis of case histories of the patients dying with IMH noteworthy was a rapid progression of the symptoms of cardiac failure stubborn to treatment as well as ECG signs of significant disorders in rhythm and conductivity. The etiological factors and pathogenetical mechanisms of IMH remain obscure.


[Epidemiological studies of arteriosclerosis according to pathoanatomical materials]. Data are presented on the principles of carrying out morphological epidemiological studies on atherosclerosis. The important conditions for such studies are: (1) representative character of the materials to be studied (they must be characteristic of a certain population group), and (2) objective quantitative evaluation of the intensity of atherosclerosis in arteries. When these conditions are fulfilled, it is possible to obtain comparable data for populations of different areas and towns. Some results of epidmiological studies are presented indicating significant differences in the intensity of manifestations of atherosclerosis in people of different countries and some towns of the USSR. Moreover, in different ethnical groups of the population of one town the intensity of atherosclerosis may differ widely )Frunze, Ashkhabad, Yakutsk). The epidemiological studies are very important for the research on the factors of risk of ischemic disease and atherosclerosis.


[Enzymomorphology in cholerogenic intoxication in suckling rabbits]. The cholerogenic effect produced in suckling rabbits by intraintestinal administration of a cholerogen was shown to be accompanied by the edema of villi, formation of lympho-histiocytic infiltrates in the stroma and bases of crypts, hemorrhages in the stroma of the villi and loss of individual enterocytes mostly on tops of the villi. In the large intestine, vacuolation and pyknosis of the epithelial nuclei and edema of the submucosa were observed. The intensity of the cholerogenic effect correlated with the degree of the decline of the activity of succinate dehydrogenase, adenosine triphosphatase, alkaline and acid phosphatases in the intestinal tract. Intraintestinal administration of heat-inactivated cholerogen induced no cholerogenic effect and the enzymatic activity in the intestinal tract declined focally and insignificantly.


[Tumors and pseudo-tumoral dysplasias of orbital bones]. The authors review and study, especially from the anatomo-pathological aspect, the different tumours and pseudo-tumoural dysplasias of the orbital bones taken from the collection of the Laboratory of Ocular Pathological Anatomy of the Hotel-Dieu in Paris. They demonstrate the particular frequency of osteomas and fibrous dysplasias and discuss the orbital predisposition of giant cell tumours of bone. Finally they underline the existence of vascular bone tumours and aneurysmal cysts.


[Total expansion of the orbit for micro-orbitism]. Micro-orbitism which follows the very early arrested development of the optic vesicles hinders the fitting of a prosthesis. A total enlargement of the orbit is proposed which restores the normal dimensions and enables facial symmetry to be re-established. The risks and advantages of this procedure are discussed.


[Soft hydrophilic lenses and the fluorescein test]. The author briefly explains the value in the use of fluorescein in contact lens fitting. The use of such a substance is not possible with soft hydrophilic lenses as it colours the lens. A special type of fluorescein was tested and the author explains how to use it and emphasies its value in the adaptation and control of these lenses.


[Electroretinographic changes in experimental metalloses]. In this experimental study the authors studied the Eclectroretinographic alterations and the histological lesions after the introduction of foreign bodies of iron and copper into the vitreous body of eyes of rabbits. The ERG alterations depend on the kind of the intraocular foreign body and on the size and the time it remained into the eye. These alterations are characterised either by a parallel diminution of the a and b wave of the ERG, or by an increase of the a wave while the b wave becomes flat. From the histological studies it was found that the iron is deposited into the nucleus and the cytoplasm in the form of granules, while the copper causes a violent inflammatory reaction and is deposited extracellularly.


[Experimental retinal vascular photocoagulation with the argon laser. Optic microscopic study of the results in rabbits and humans]. Argon laser vascular retinal photocoagulation's experimental study on rabbit point out hemorrage risk when using 1500 mw, 0,05 sec, 200 microns beam. If 800 mw 0,05 sec, 200 microns beam is selected white cell migration comes at 48 hours inside and outside the photcoagulated vessel. On human one can success intermaculopapillar photocoagulations without injurying intern retinal layers (we use 300 mw, 0,05 sec, 200 microns beam). At 650 mw, 0,05 sec, 200 microns perivascular retinal injury is considerable, but at 24th hour on artery there is no evidence of obliteration possibility.


[Action of physostigmine on the acetylcholine level of the bovine iris]. The work discusses the measurement of acetylcholine (ACh) in the bovine iris in 150 mg of tissue on guinea-pig ileum. Prior to the extraction of ACh, a 1% solution of physostigmine salicylate (eserine) was instilled into the conjunctival sac ten times at a dose of three drops at intervals of three minutes (to a total of 15,000 micron g). The fellow eye of the same animal was left untreated and served as a control. One hour after the least instillation the animal was killed. The nine eserinised irides showed an average of 0.65 micron g ACh, and the nine controls an average of 0.47 micron g ACh (for 150 mg of tissue). The difference was statistically significant. In the discussion the authors admit that the amplitude of contraction of the guinea-pig ileum can be very little influenced by traces of eserine, possibly by binding effect. The form of eserine applied no longer influences the amplitude of the guinea-pig ileum contractions after an hour of in vivo action, and this is the same in considerably smaller doses where it is possible to prove its inactivation. Augmentation of the activity in the eserinised iris is adequate for the levels of acetylcholine. The more intensive action of eserine on the iris compared to that of pilocarpine is related to its greater binding power with the iris tissues.


Cell membrane receptors for cardiac glycosides in the heart. Cell membranes contain special binding proteins for hormones and drugs. These binding sites ("receptors") located on the outside surface are linked to or are part of an enzyme facing the inner side of the membrane and are transducing and probably amplifying the information carried by the pharmacological agent to the cell. As the first step of their action cardiac glycosides reversibly bind with high affinity to specific receptors in cardiac cells and by this inhibit the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, which is the enzyme system responsible for the active transmembraneous transport of sodium and potassium. It is thought that the inhibition of this active cation transport precedes the positive inotropic effect. Cardio-inactive glycosides have but low affinity to this receptor and thus do inhibit the (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase only at very high concentrations. The characterization of the cardiac glycoside-receptor interaction in the heart reveals several factors that influence the affinity of the binding sites for the glycosides and thereby determine the sensitivity to this widely used group of potent drugs.


[Early embryonal maldevelopment of the umbilical cord with defect of the abdominal wall and severe body malformations (dysplasia umbilico-fetalis) (author's transl)]. A case of dysplasia umbilico-fetalis is demonstrated. The malformation comprises a rare and strange reduction anomaly of the feto-umbilical unit, which is caused during early embryonic life (around the 7 mm stage, corresponding to the end of the third week of gestation). The cause of the damage is not known. The folding off of the embryo from the yolk sac and the development of the abdominal stalk are impaired. No abdominal wall is formed, and the umbilicus and umbilical cord are not developed. The abdominal organs are enclosed in a short amnion-mesoderm tube, which is bordered by the retroperitoneum at the fetal side and by the chorionic plate at the placenta side. The umbilical vessels are only a few centimeters long and traverse in the mesodermal layer of the amnion-mesoderm tube. The thin wall of the tube usually ruptures before birth, thus causing an abacterial fibrinoid peritonitis by the chemical irritation of the peritoneum through the constituents of the amniotic fluid. The lower extremities of the fetus reveal varying degrees of reduction deformities. One leg and large parts of the pelvis may be entirely missing, if the side of origin of the extremity is included in the amnion-mesoderm tube. Severe kyphoscoliosis is probably a secondary phenomenon. In addition, malformations of the inner organs occur such as caudal displacement and hernia of the diaphragma, hypoplasia of the lungs, dysplasia of the genito-urinary tract and non-rotation of the gut. The pathophysiology of the rare developmental defect and its secondary implications are discussed with special reference to related malformations such as omphalocele and infraumbilical defect of the abdominal wall.


Effect of fasting and streptozotocin-diabetes on the coronary flow in isolated rat hearts: A possible role of endogenous catecholamines and prostaglandins. The coronary flow rate of retrogradely perfused hearts from fasted (group I) and streptozotocin-diabetic rats (group II) is increased when compared with the flow rate of control, fed animals (group III). The enhanced coronary flow is absent when hearts of groups I and II are perfused in the presence of indomethacin (1 microgram/ml) in the perfusion fluid and the lowest flow rates are observed after depletion of the endogenous catecholamines by reserpin. Hearts from groups I and II showed a marked increase in prostaglandin-release which was counteracted both in the presence of indomethacin (1 microgram/ml) and by reserpin-pretreatment. The results suggest that the increased coronary flow rates in hearts from fasted and streptozotocin-diabetic rats are mediated by an effect of released endogenous catecholamines on coronary vascular smooth muscle and by a catecholamine-induced release of vasodilatory, prostaglandin-like substances.


Effect of citrate on the activities of 6-phosphofructokinase from nervous and muscle tissues from different animals and its relationships to the regulation of glycolysis. 1. Citrate inhibits the activities of phosphofructokinase from muscles and nervous tissues from different animals across the Animal Kingdom except for the insects. The enzymes from the flight muscle of nine different insects and the cerebral ganglion of the locust were investigated: no inhibition by citrate was observed. Inhibition was observed with the enzymes from both aerobic (e.g. pectoral muscle of pigeon) and anaerobic (e.g. fish muscle, pectoral muscle of the game birds) muscles. It is suggested that this inhibition is of physiological importance in decreasing the rate of glucose utilization in skeletal muscle of animals during starvation and/or prolonged exercise. 2. The rates of glucose utilization by the sartorius and gastrocnemius muscles of the frog were markedly decreased by ketone bodies. The latter elevated the glucose 6-phosphate and citrate contents of the gastrocnemius muscle, indicating that citrate inhibition of phosphofructokinase could be, in part, responsible for the decreased rate of glycolysis. 3. These findings provide evidence that the concept of the glucose-fatty acid-ketone-body cycle involves both aerobic and anaerobic skeletal muscle and nervous tissue from a wide range of animals except the insects. In the latter the concept of the cycle may not be applicable.


Electrocardiographic changes in cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters (strain BIO 8262). Under ether anesthesia electrocardiograms were derived from Syrian hamsters (strain BIO 8262) suffering from cardiomyopathy and muscular dystrophy. In addition, ventricular weights and body weight were determined. Young hamsters -- not yet showing morphological signs of the cardiomyopathy with the exception of possible left ventricular hypertrophy -- demonstrated only a longer ventricular activation time than normal hamsters. With the onset of cardiac necrotization left axis deviation in frontal plane projection and right bundle branch blocks are developing in the cardiomyopathic hamsters followed by first degree atrioventricular conduction defects. During the late stage of the cardiomyopathy left bundle branch blocks are additionally arising, while left ventricular hypertrophy is disappearing. Since no overt heart failure is occurring in this strain of cardiomyopathic hamsters, gradual development of high degree conduction defects is assumed to terminate their lives. The electrocardiographic pattern of the hamster cardiomyopathy fits partly into that of human primary as well as secondary cardiomyopathy. Nevertheless, it seems to form an entity of its own, as arrhythmias, higher degree atrioventricular conduction disturbances, typical signs of ventricular or septal hypertrophy, abnormal P and Q waves, ST segment and T wave changes are lacking.


A description of rheumatology practice. The American Rheumatism Association Committee on Rheumatologic Practice. Four rheumatologists kept a log of the diagnoses of all patients seen their offices for 2 months. The great majority of patients had rheumatic complaints. Musculoskeletal pain syndromes and back syndromes were encountered most frequently; rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis were also common. Patients with SLE and connective tissue diseases were relatively infrequent.


The ribosomal RNA genes on Neurospora crassa mitochondrial DNA are adjacent. Hybridization of separated 24 S and 17 S ribosomal RNA from Neurospora crassa mitochondrial ribosomes to restriction fragments of mitochondrial DNA leads to the conclusion that the large and small ribosomal RNA are adjacent on the restriction endonuclease cleavage map of the DNA. The distance between the two genes is estimated at 900 basepairs. This result is consistent with the existence of a ribosomal precursor RNA in N. crassa mitochondria and is in contrast to the situation in yeast, where the ribosomal genes are far apart on the mitochondrial DNA. The position of the ribosomal RNA genes on the cleavage map of N. crassa mtDNA provides a start for ordering the Hind III restriction fragments.


A combined sensor suitable for telemetering respiratory functions. A system for measuring oxygen consumption from momentary respiratory values of free moving person is described. The main part presented here is a sensor consisting of a flowmeter based on the impeller principle, called 'Wirbelrespirometer', joint with a polarographic electrode sensitive to oxygen, and a very fast reacting thermistor. First comparative studies in computation of respiratory volume and oxygen consumption yielded average deviations against comparison methods of less than +/- 1% for computation of volume, and +/- 4% for computation of oxygen consumption.


[Analysis of the pathways of substance transport into the acinar cells]. In the exchange link of the microcirculation system of the exocrine part of the pancreas of Rana temporaria the substances moved from the blood capillary into the pericapillary space, then into the intercellular clefts and into the acinar cells by active transport. This is confirmed by the electron microscope studies of the ATP-ase activity localization in the exchange link: there are numerous lead phosphate granules in the endothelium of blood capillaries, on the fibrillae structures of the pericapillary space interstitium, on the lateral plasmic membrane of the exocrine pancreacytes, and on the cytoplasmic plates forming pinocytotic vacuoles.


Classic slow virus diseases.

Classic slow virus diseases. Two human disease, kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and two animal diseases, scrapie and mink encephalopathy, comprise the group designated the subacute spongiform encephalopathies. Studies on these four classic conditions have generated a new philosophy, new concepts, and new technology that provide a basis for the study of chronic diseases and latent infections of man and animals. These aspects are discussed more broadly and in variable detail in the references listed on the following page.


Immunopathologic processes in chronic viral diseases. Immune complex disease is frequently associated with chronic virus infections of both animals and man. The relative pathogenetic significance of tissue injury caused by deposition of immune complexes is only partly understood. Further study should be made of these problems through use of recently developed techniques for immune complex identification.


[Metabolic activation of a natural promutagen, eugenol, by replicative cultures of adult rat liver epithelial cells]. The metabolism of eugenol via the epoxide-diol pathway has been characterized by the incubation of this compound in replicative cultures of epithelial cells from sexed rat liver. It is a naturally occuring compound which has been found as the second metabolite of a known hepatocancerogen: safrole. Eugenol did not appear as a mutagen while epoxyeugenol was mutagenic using the Ames Test.


[Metabolic activation by adrenal tissue in rats of a liver carcinogen: safrole]. In vivo and in vitro metabolisms by the rat adrenal tissue of safrol, a natural hepatocarcinogen, were studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and compared to the hepatic metabolism. In the adrenals the epoxide-diol pathway was found besides demethylase and hydroxylase activities, suggesting that the adrenal cortex may participate to the metabolic activation of a procarcinogen.


[Experimental study of neural and neuro-muscular conduction during simulated diving in dogs and rabbits: anatomo-pathologic correlations]. Five dogs and twelve rabbits were submitted to simulated diving at 6 ATA (compressed air) and 13-15 ATA (normoxic oxygen + nitrogen). Progressive decompressions were carried on for the first, rapid for the lasts. Motor nerve conduction velocity and nerve-muscle delays were measured. No variations could be observed neither for nerve conduction velocity nor for muscular and nerve action potentials. Nevertheless optic and electronic microscopy observations shew some nerve, neuronal and a few muscular alterations occuring during rapid decompression.


[Plasma prolactin levels in normal children from birth to adolescence]. Plasma prolactin levels were determined by an homologous radio-immuno assay in normal children: in cord blood, at the first day of life, during childhood and along puberty. 1. In both sexes, there is a very important secretion of prolactin during the neonatal period. 2. Longitudinal studies make obvious a different pattern of plasma prolactin in boys and in girls at puberty.


[Radioautographic study of the in vitro incorporation of tritiated noradrenaline into central catecholaminergic fibers in active and hibernating hedgehogs]. After in vitro incubation for 15 min at 38 degrees C with tritiated noradrenaline (3H-NA) of pieces of brain, including cortex and hypothalamus, from active hedgehogs, significant radioautographic reactions were observed on thick and thin sections where they overlaid catecholaminergic varicosities. Such reactions were severely decreased in the same in vitro conditions using brains from hibernating animals. After reserpine treatment they disappeared in active animals and could not be observed during hibernation. There were no reactions in these two cases following incubation at 6 degrees C. Incorporation of 3H NA at 6 degrees C in central catecholaminergic fibers does not there fore differ in homeotherms and in this hibernating animal. Its reduction during hibernation, even after (rapid) warming up at 38 degrees C, might be related to the impairment of energetic metabolic processes during this period.


[Study of Hoffmann's reflex of the soleus muscle during spinal shock in man]. The Hoffmann's reflex of the soleus muscle, was studied in 14 patients mith complete spinal cord section and spinal shock. This H reflex was absent in most of the cases seen before the 24th hour. In others or in subjects later examined, there was some abnormalities of the recruitement and recovery curves-wich progressively disappeared. These date bring new understandings on the pathophysiology of the spinal shock wich, even in man, early corresponds to a complete depression of the alpha-motoneurone excitability.


[Effects of thiamine pyrophosphate and sodium dichloroacetate on the increase of lactate and insulin outputs induced by phenformin on the isolated and perfused rat pancreas]. Thiamine pyrophosphate and sodium dichloroacetate, substances which promote the aerobic metabolism of pyruvate, reduce the increase in lactate output induced by phenformin (100 mg/l) on the isolated and perfused rat pancreas. Both substances provoke a decrease in insulin secretion produced by phenformin.


[Influence of temperature on insulin secretion induced by different concentrations of glucose]. Lowering of the temperature from 37.5 degrees C to 28 degrees C provokes a decrease in the response of the beta cell to the stimulation by glucose (1.5 g/1, 3 g/1 and 5 g/1). The insulin secretion obtained at 28 degrees C, compared to that obtained at 37.5 degrees C, is weaker for strongly stimulating concentrations (3 g/1 and 5 g/1) than for a slightly stimulating concentration (1.5 g/1).


[Influence of temperature on the secretion of insulin and glucagon induced by stimulation of cholinergic receptors in the presence of glucose]. In the presence of a glucose concentration of 1.5 g/1 the secretion of insulin from the isolated perfused rat pancreas is clearly weaker at 28 degrees C than at 37.5 degrees C. In response to cholinergic stimulation, the absolute increase of insulin secretion rate is less at 28 degrees C than at 37.5 degrees C. However, when evaluated in percentage in relation to the baseline value, this increase is more important at the lower temperature. As to glucagon secretion, lowering of the temperature from 37.5 degrees C to 28 degrees C modifies neither this secretion in the presence of glucose alone, nor the increased secretion provoked by the cholinergic stimulation.


[Cardiovascular effects of S 2620 in dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital]. In the dog under pentobarbitone anesthesia, the intravenous infusion of 1 mg/kg S 2620 results in tachycardia and systemic arterial hypertension. The same attenuated effects are caused by a second injection of the drug after cervical vagotomy and chemoreceptors denervation. Tachycardia and peripheral vaso constriction can account for elevation of arterial pressure.


[Study in vapor phase of the reversible action of volatile narcotics and toxic drugs by the method of inhibition of bacterial photogenesis]. A new method is proposed in order to appreciate the potency of some volatile anaesthetics and toxics in vapour phase. The method is founded upon the classical concept of thermodynamic activity and on the reversible inhibition of bacterioluminescence tested in vapour phase. Deprived of all experimental inertia the method allows very precise kinetic studies of the various types of inhibition.


[Testing synergism between ethinyl estradiol and norethisterone on the histamine-induced deciduoma and vaginal mucification of castrated rats]. Through the histaminic deciduoma test and a vaginal mucification test, we have endeavoured to show that, in spayed female rats there exists a possibility of synergism between ethynylestradiol and pure norethisterone per os. No synergism could be shown in the former test, owing to, or so it seems, a lack of deciduogenic power proper to norethisterone. The latter test showed, indeed, that ethynylestradiol can, in low quantities, bring about a synergism on the mucifying properties of norethisterone, whereas, in large quantities, it creates an antagonism on the aforesaid properties.


[Effects of ligation of the ductuli efferentes or the epididymis on testicular function and secretion of gonadotropins in rats]. One week after ligating the vasa efferentes or the corpus epididymis in adult Wistar rats, we have studied the histological structure of the testes, measured their weights, as well as those of the seminal vesicles, and estimated F.S.H. and I.C.S.H. levels in  the plasma through radioimmunoassay. Whereas ligating the corpus epididymis has not effect, ligating the efferent ducts damages the germinal line, without any damage on the Leydig cells; it also raises F.S.H. circulating level, if not I.C.S.H. level. We therefore confirm an inhibin production by seminiferous tubules, this hormone returning to the blood stream in the testis or rather in the head of epididymis as our research in progress suggests.


[In vitro metabolism of (6,7-H3)estrone and of (6,7-H3) estradiol by the liver in pregnant guinea pigs]. Slices of pregnant guinea pig liver were incubated with (6,7-3H)estrone and with (6,7-3H)estradiol. Free, glucuro- and sulfo-conjugated fractions were isolated by specific extraction and hydrolysis. The radioactivity distribution in these 3 fractions demonstrated a predominance of conjugated compounds (95% of isolated estrogens) with slightly more glucuro-conjugated than sulfo-conjugated compounds. After isolating estrogens by TLC, we were able to determine estrone and estradiol in these 3 fractions from incubations with 3H-estrone or with 3H-estradiol by means of specific activity recrystallisation. Estriol was determined in glucuro-and sulfo-conjugated fractions after incubation with 3H-estrone as well as in sulfo-conjugated fraction after incubation with 3H-estradiol. Glucuro- or sulfo-conjugated estrone was the predominant estrogen after incubation with 3H-estrone just as after incubation with 3H-estradiol. This led us to conclude to an important 17beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase activity. The 16alpha-hydroxylastic-activity is weaker since estriol represented only 1,43 % of estrogens isolated after incubation with 3H-estrone and 0.82% after incubation with 3H-estradiol.


[Differential effect of estradiol on the activities of 2 thymidine kinases present in the oviducts of the newt Pleurodeles. I. Measurement of apparent Km and study of thermostability]. We have compared the properties of the deoxythymidine kinases extracted from the oviducts of newts which have been stimulated by estradiol or from control ones. The estradiol treatment affects the apparent Km which decreased from 10(-5) M (control) to 5.10(-6) M (stimulated). Experiments in which we mixed extracts of control and stimulated oviducts indicate that the increase of the affinity cannot be interpreted as the result of an hormonal action upon an enzymatic effector. The study of heat denaturation (45 degrees C) indicates that the oviduct of stimulated animals and control ones contains two thymidine kinases (one is heat resistant: ES; the other is heat denaturated: EL). The estradiol increases the activity of both enzymes (EL and ES) but this action is differential: the EL activity is twice or five time more increased than ES activity after 6 or 12 days of hormonal treatment.


[Comparative activity of ethaverine and papaverine on the effective refractory period of the isolated guinea pig atrium]. From lower concentrations (from 10(-7) to 10(-5) M) ethaverine reduces the maximal following frequency (MFF) of isolated guinea-pig's right atrium during its electrical driving at increasing frequencies. On the other hand, papaverine assumes a variable effect according to its concentration: increase (10(-7) M) or decrease (10(-6) M) of MFF. Modifications of MFF are related with those of atrial effective refractory period (ERP). These results show that ethaverine induces a lengthening of ERP whereas papaverine reduces or increases ERP. These observations are discussed comparatively with previous personal data on anesthetized dogs (Lacroix et al.) and with local anesthetic properties of ethaverine.