[Burns in children: 10-year experience of the Pediatric Surgical Service of Tours (apropos of 850 cases)]. The records of 850 children hospitalized during a 10 years period (1965--1975) in the surgical pediatric unit shows: --A greater frequency of male over female children in all age groups of the study (64.4 p. 100). --A predominance of the 1--3 year age group over the other age group (46.3 p. 100). --A greater frequency of male over female children in all age groups of the scaldings were predominant (55.9. 100), flameburns (11.7 p. 100). Most burn accidents occurred at meal-time and during week-end and holidays. According to the burned area was as follows: 5 p. 100 = 214 cases; 5 a 10 p. 100 = 340 cases; 10 a 25 p. 100 = 142 cases; exceeding 15 p. 100 = 102 cases. 283 children had suffered some complications. Infection was most prevalent. The frequency of gastro-intestinal was lessened by continuous feeding and systematic sulpiride prescription (12 gastro-intestinal hemorragie). Of the 26 fatalities (2.7 p. 100 of hospitalized children) infection was listed as the cause of death for 14 cases. For 10 of them no cause was definitevely elicited. All (26 children) were burned over 25 p. 100, 15 area exceeding 40 p. 100. Mean of hospitalisation times was 30.8 days (63.6 days for burns exceeding 25 p. 100 area). Result in 392 children followed up burns shows high disability: 11.2 p. 100 functional disabilities and 27.7 p. 100 esthetic disabilities which are being treated by plastic surgery.


On data and methods in investigations on parental-age effects. Comments on a paper by J. D. Erickson. An analysis of the NIS data used by Erickson (1977) has revealed that this data contains too few Down's syndrome cases with older fathers. Thus the data is less suited for an investigation of a possible paternal age effect. In addition, the statistical tests used by Erickson have low power, so that they are unable to detect a moderate paternal-age effect. Our analysis has demonstrated that discussions on paternal-age effects and similar problems should be based on high-quality data. The investigation is better based on a small high-quality material than on a large one with serious underascertainment. In the latter case one has to be extremely careful because the missing observations nearly always have common characteristics which may cause serious bias of relevant kinds.


Spontaneous hematoma of the abdominal wall. In the differential diagnosis of the acute abdomen, the possibility should be considered of a hematoma in the anterior abdominal wall, especially if the patient is a woman of advanced age with abdominal scars, with a chronic cough and on anticoagulant treatment. Cystography is valuable as a supplementary method of examination.


A comparative study of bacteriophage, serological and enzymic typing of Staphylococcus aureus. The presently accepted method for marking individual strains of Staphylococcus aureus for epidemiological investigation is bacteriophage typing. However, phage typing is not a stable marker and many strains cannot be successfully typed. Serological typing is not readily available and preparation of sera is difficult. The aminopeptidase profile method described by Krawezyk and Huber was used to mark strains of S. aureus. Profiles were constructed diagramming the percent hydrolysis of 22 beta-naphthylamide substrates by 15 isolates of S. aureus. The aminopeptidase profiles (APP) were thought to be more complete in marking individual strains of S. aureus when compared to bacteriophage and serological typing. Thusly, this method has applicability in the clinical laboratory for epidemiological investigation of S. aureus.


[Porphyrinsynthesis of Propionibacterium acnes in acne and seborrhea (author's transl)]. The porphyrin productions of P a.-strains, isolated on the one hand from inlfammatory acne lesions, on the other hand from sebaceous follicle filaments from 10 persons each were compared quantitatively and qualitatively, after the appropriate material had been pooled, With respect to the acne strains one could observe a somewhat increased porphyrin production as well as the discharging of a precentually greater portion of porphyrins to the surrounding material. When separated by TLC the acne material showed a more intense coproporphyrin band.


Photoallergic dermatitis from 8-methoxypsoralen. A 36 year old woman with psoriasis vulgaris developed generalized photoallergic dermatitis to 8-methoxypsoralen after 16 uneventful treatments with 8-methoxypsoralen und UVA (PUVA). The diagnosis of photoallergy was confirmed by re-exposure to oral 8-methoxypsoralen and total body UVA irradiation; phototests using topical and oral 8-methoxypsoralen with a high intensity monochromator or with a new high intensity light apparatus for the delivery of UVA; and histological studies. Photoallergy occurred only with UVA, but not with UVB or UVC. There was no photoallergy following trimethylpsoralen.


A comparison between propranolol and hypothermia in preventing ischemic contracture of the left ventricle (stone heart). Ischemic contracture of the left ventricle ("stone heart") was studied utilizing a previously described stone heart model. Our studies suggest that beta-adrenergic blockade is not quantitatively as important as hypothermia in protecting ischemic myocardium. On the basis of reduced fibrillatory activity and a slight protective effect shown by electron microscopy, it would appear that combining propranolol with hypothermia may be superior to either used singly.


True aneurysm of the main pulmonary artery: surgical correction. A 23-year-old man who underwent surgical correction of a true pulmonary artery aneurysm is presented. Pathological features and the different surgical alternatives for treatment of this lesion are discussed.


Therapy of androgenetic sympatomatology with cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol. The effectiveness of therapy with cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol was studied in 103 women. Acne and seborrhea responded best with 91.7 and 93.3% respectively, including complete and partial therapeutic success. For hirsutism complete remission and partial improvement were found in 75.3% of the treated women. Under therapy, body weight did not change in 51.9%, while 24.7% of the patients gained weight and 23.4% lost weight. The cycle length remained normal after therapy in 35.8%. Normalization or improvement was found in 54.7%. In 6.3% no improvement was noted after therapy and in 3.2% cycle irregularity developed in women with previous undisturbed pattern. According to BBT, improvement of the functional capacity of the reproductive system was found in 32.9% of the patients. Only 3% of the women studied demonstrated a deterioration. The 17-ketosteroid excretion was diminished in 35.3% after therapy and remained unchanged in 64.7%. The therapeutic regimen used for the study was well tolerated and good cycle control was obtained.


[The induction of new bone formation after transplantation (author's transl)]. Bone induction by implantation of decalcified bone is described by many authors. This statement was proffed by implantation of decalcified pig bone in the abdominal wall muscle of rats. An enchondral osteogenesis was found following the implantation in a time intervall of 12 weeks according to the results of many other authors.


Doppler ultrasound flow detector used in temporal artery biopsy. A doppler ultrasound flow detector can be helpful in performing a temporal artery biopsy. The anatomical location of the arteries can be traced on each side of the patient's head during the preoperative stage, and the flow pattern can be compared with the findings on simple palpation. Selection of a vessel for biopsy may thus be influenced. The detector can also be used under sterile conditions to locate the artery when the injection of local anesthesia has made palpation more difficult, thereby facilitating dissection of an adequate specimen.


Thymoxamine test. Differentiating angle-closure glaucoma form open-angle glaucoma with narrow angles. To help differentiate mild angle-closure glaucoma from open-angle glaucoma in patients with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and angles so narrow that the structures cannot be seen adequately, we used a thymoxamine hydrochloride eyedrop that induces miosis and tends to widen the angle. Thymoxamine does not contract the ciliary muscle and does not alter the IOP or facility of outflow in open-angle glaucoma, but it can relieve angle-closure glaucoma. A test with thymoxamine was performed in 26 patients because of this differential diagnostic dilemma. When gonioscopic, tonometric, and tonographic findings appeared to indicate a diagnosis of angle-closure glaucoma, a peripheral iridectomy was done. Subsequent (one to 27 months) observations have substantiated that testing with thymoxamine is a helpful aid in this differential diagnosis, and merits more widespread evaluation.


Pathology of the Lens in Down's syndrome. A pathological study of the lenses of 21 patients with Down's syndrome disclosed no distinctive abnormalities of the lens capsule, as had been reported previously. Five patients, 15 years of age or older, had focal cortical changes consistent with the characteristic flake-like opacities seen in patients with Down's syndrome after the first decade of life. Three patients with more extensive, visually significant lens opacities showed nonspecific cataractous changes. No abnormalities other than pathological artifacts were seen in the lenses of patients younger than 15 years of age.


The pulp. A big issue about a little tissue. Difficulties in correlating pulp symptomology with available histopathological and biochemical data have hampered understanding of pulp reaction to stimuli. Some of the less well known biochemical cell and tissue regulatory systems are appraised. Pathways whereby such systems could be implicated in pulp function are suggested.


Laparoscopic examination of the reproductive tracts of gilts using a special crate. A crate for restraining gilts for routine laparoscopic examination of the reproductive tract is described, together with the techniques employed in anaesthesia and laparoscopy. The procedure is efficient, allowing two operators to examine 4-5 gilts per hour.


Troponin-like proteins from muscles of the scallop, Aequipecten irradians. Ca2+ regulation of molluscan actomyosin adenosine triphosphatase is known to be associated with the myosin molecule. Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, however, also suggests the possible presence of troponin, a thin-filament-linked Ca2+-regulatory complex. In the present study, scallop troponin and tropomyosin were prepared and complexed with rabbit actin; the resulting synthetic thin filaments form a Ca2+-dependent actomyosin adenosine triphosphatase with Ca2+-insensitive rabbit myosin, indicating that the troponin in scallops is potentially functional. Scallop troponin I was isolated and mixed with chicken troponin C and troponin T, forming a functional hybrid troponin complex, indicating that scallop and vertebrate troponins may act by a common mechanism. Densitometry of sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gels reveals that in synthetic thin filaments there are larger amounts of troponin than are present in native thin filaments. Amounts present in the intact muscle were not determined.


Tolerance to ischemia of hypertrophied human hearts during valve replacement. This study evaluates the tolerance to ischemia during induced cardiac arrest in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. In all patients cardiac standstill was of 45 minutes duration. Biopsies for electron microscopic study were taken from the left ventricle before induction of arrest, at the end of the ischemic period and 20 minutes after coronary perfusion had been reestablished. Structural ischemic damage was more pronounced in patients with severe hypertrophy and structural reconstitution was delayed. Degenerative changes of the myocardial cells, although observed frequency, apparently did not influence the tolerance to ischemia. It is concluded from this study that patients with severe hypertrophy represent a high-risk group in cardiac surgery because of their reduced tolerance to induced myocardial ischemia during cardiopulmonary bypass.


The cardiomyopathy of the Syrian hamster (strain BIO 8262)--hypertrophic or dystrophic? Chemical as well as cytophotometric studies were carried out on myocardium of cardiomyopathic hamsters of strain BIO 8262 and of healthy control hamsters of strain CLAC. Our interest was to find out whether the cardiomyopathic hamsters suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or not. The heart muscle mass was only slightly increased in the older cardiomyopathic hamsters when compared with the controls. This increase was accompanied by an elevated content of total DNS, RNS and protein. Furthermore, the number of hyperdiploid heart muscle cells was slightly increased in the older diseased animals. However, all these changes were of minor degree. Thus, a distinct hypertrophying process in the myocardium of the cardiomyopathic hamsters can be excluded. On the other hand, the connective tissue components (polysaccharides and collagen) were distinctly increased in the hearts of older cardiomyopathic hamsters. This is in accordance with morphological investigations, in which replacement of necrotic myocardium by fibrosis could be detected.


Effect of dopamine on airways conductance in normals and extrinsic asthmatics. 1 Specific conductance was measured before and after infused and/or inhaled dopamine in nine normal subjects and twelve patients with extrinsic bronchial asthma. 2 There was no significant change in conductance in either group. 3 The alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist thymoxamine infused in combination with dopamine had no significant effect on conductance in three asthmatics. 4 It is concluded that dopamine has no acute effect on airways resistance and that specific dopamine receptors are unlikely to exist in human airways.


Skin problems associated with multifunctional acrylic monomers in ultraviolet curing inks. Fifteen cases of contact dermatitis and three of irritant contact conjunctivitis due to multifunctional acrylic monomers in printing inks are described. Seven with dermatitis were sensitized to pentaerythritol triacrylate but evidenced no cross-reactivity to methyl methacrylate. The other eight cases of dermatitis were irritant. Pentaerythritol triacrylate has been shown experimentally to be a cutaneous sensitizer for guinea-pigs and man. Multi-functional acrylates should be handled with minimal skin contact, to avoid cutaneous problems.


Percutaneous absorption of phenol and methyl alcohol in Magenta Paint B.P.C. Estimations of phenol and methyl alcohol in the urine of 16 infants with seborrhoeic eczema treated with Magenta (Castellani's) Paint B.P.C. were made to determine the degree of absorption. Phenol was detected in four cases and methyl alcohol in none.


Skin reactions caused by vitamin K in patients with liver disease. Vitamin K and its analogues are frequently used in treatment of the hypoprothrombinaemia found in disease of the liver, biliary tract and small intestine. Most cases of cutaneous toxicity to vitamin K have been described in the French literature, but only two cases from Britain. This paper reports six patients with chronic liver disease who developed cutaneous reactions around the site of injection of vitamin K, and the results of investigations to futher understanding of the pathogenesis of the rash.


Fibrinolytic activity in utero and bleeding complications with intrauterine contraceptive devices. Increased menstrual loss and irregular uterine bleeding are major drawbacks to acceptibility of intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs). Fibrinolytic activity around IUCDs removed from 80 women was measured by embedding the device immediately after removal in a plasminogen-rich fibrin plate. In fifteen of the women an endometrial biopsy was also taken at the time of removal of the IUCD. In women who had the IUCDs removed because of bleeding a much higher fibrinolytic activity was found than in women not complaining of excessive bleeding. The fibrinolytic activity was shown to be due to plasminogen activator and not plasmin. The findings suggest that the excessive menstrual bleeding which occurs with the IUCD may be due to enhancement of fibrinolytic activity in the endometrium which can be modified by fibrinolytic inhibitors such as epsilon aminocaproic acid.


A survey of 100 patients who had laparoscopic ventrosuspensions. The technique for and results of 100 laparoscopic ventrosuspensions are described; patients were followed for an average of 40 months and in all but 11 the uterus was anteverted at the end of the follow-up period. The presenting symptoms of dyspareunia, dysmenorrhoea or sacral backache were almost always improved as a result of the operation.


Ferric enterobactin transport system in Escherichia coli K-12. Extraction, assay, and specificity of the outer membrane receptor. An outer membrane preparation from cells of Escherichia coli K-12 grown in low iron medium was found to retain ferric enterobactin binding activity following solubilization in a Tris-HCl, Na2EDTA buffer containing Triton X-100. Activity was measured by means of a DEAE-cellulose column which separated free and receptor bound ferric enterobactin. The binding activity was greatly reduced in preparations obtained from cells grown in iron rich media or from cells of a colicin B resistant mutant grown in either high or low iron media. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis enabled correlation of this lack of activity to a single band missing in the outer membrane profile of the colicin B mutant. Evidence was obtained for in vitro competition between ferric enterobactin and colicin B for the extracted receptor. The binding specificity of the extracted receptor was examined by competition between ferric enterobactin and several iron chelates including a carbocyclic analogue of enterobactin, cis-1,5,9-tris(2,3-dihydroxybenzamido)cyclododecane. The ferric form of the latter compound supported growth of siderophore auxotrophs, apparently without hydrolysis to dihydroxybenzoic acid and resynthesis into enterobactin. These data may require revision of the accepted mechanism of enterobactin mediated iron utilization.


Specific labelling of the (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase of Escherichia coli with 8-azido-ATP and 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan. 1. 8-Azido-ATP is a substrate for Escherichia coli (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase (E. coli F1). 2. Illumination of E. coli F1 in the presence of 8-azido-ATP causes inhibition of ATPase activity. The presence of ATP during illumination prevents inhibition. 3. 8-Azido-ATP and 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NbfCl) bind predominantly to the alpha subunit of the enzyme, but also significantly to the beta subunit. 4. The alpha subunit of E. coli F1 seems to have some properties that in other F1-ATPases are associated with the beta subunit.


Membrane ATPase of Bacillus subtilis. I. Purification and properties. The membrane ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) of Bacillus subtilis can be solubilized by a shock-wash process. Two procedures for purifying the solubilized enzyme are reported. A protease inhibitor, phenylmethane sulfonylfluoride, was introduced in the solubilization and purification step. The resultant ATPase purified by density gradient centrifugation has a molecular weight of 315 000, an s20,w of 13,4 and an amino acid composition very similar to bacterial ATPases already studied. After exposure to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), or 8 M urea or SDS-urea, the purified ATPase can be dissociated in two non-identical subunits of molecular weights 59 000 (alpha) and 57 000 (beta) with different charges. Kinetic studies showed that Ca2+ or Zn2+ are required for ATPase activity, although Mg2+ was uneffective. At optimal Ca2+ concentration, the Mg2+ has an inhibitory effect. The Km for ATP is 1.3 mM. Inhibitors of the oxydative phosphorylation, of the mitochondrial ATPase and of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase are studied.


The ATPase activity of subfragment-1 from the hypertrophied heart. Myosin and subfragment-1 were prepared from rabbit hearts hypertrophied secondary to pulmonary artery constriction. The Ca2+ -stimulated ATPase activity was reduced while the potassium/EDTA-stimulated ATPase activity was unchanged in both the myosin and subfragment 1 (S-1) from hypertrophied hearts. When hypertrophy myosin was mixed with an equal quantity of control myosin, the ATPase activity of the mixed protein fell halfway between control and hypertrophy values. Similar results were obtained with control and hypertrophy S-1. The actin-stimulated ATPase activity of hypertrophy S-1 was slightly depressed but unlike hypertrophy myosin this depression was not significant when compared to normal S-1. This suggests that papain cleavage may have removed part of the conformational difference that exists between control and hypertrophy myosins.


Purification and characterization of quinate (shikimate) dehydrogenase, an enzyme in the inducible quinic acid catabolic pathway of Neurospora crassa. The bifunctional enzyme quinate (shikimate) dehydrogenase (quinate: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.24), which catalyzes the first reaction in the inducible quinic acid catabolic pathway of Neurospora crassa, has been purified to homogeneity. The enzyme is a monomer of 41000 daltons with an s20,w = 2.94 S. However, electrophoresis under non-denaturing conditions revealed three protein species, which have both quinate and shikimate dehydrogenase activities. The enzyme, with a single binding site for both substrates, has a Km of 0.37 mM for quinate and of 1.18 mM for shikimate, although the V is about 3-fold higher with shikimate. Essential sulphydryl groups which were not localized in the active site were detected. Thermal stability of the enzyme was greatly enhanced by low concentrations of quinate, shikimate, NADH, or by high ionic strength.


Glycogen synthesis in the fungus Neurospora crassa. An enzymic activity, obtained from Neurospora crassa, catalyzing the incorporation of [14C]glucose from ADP-[14C]glucose into a glucan of the glycogen type, is described. The properties of the ADPglucose : glycogen glucosyltransferase as compared with those of the already known UDP glucose : glycogen glucosyltransferase were studied. The radioactive products obtained with UDP-14C]glucose or ADP-[14C]glucose released all the radioactivity as maltose after alpha or beta amylase treatment. Glucose 6-phosphate stimulated the synthetase when UDP-[14C]glucose was the substrate but the stimulation was much greater with ADP-[14C]glucose as glucosyl donor. Glucose 6-phosphate plus EGTA gave maximal stimulation. The system was completely dependent &on the presence of a 'primer' of the alpha 1 leads to 4 glucan type.


[The dependence of the effects of calcium ions on enzymatic hydrolysis of phospholipids on the physical state of the substrate]. The role of calcium ions in the phospholipid hydrolysis by phospholipase D was studied. It was shown that the enzyme does not split egg lecithine in the absence of Ca2+. In the presence of Ca2+ the reaction occurs via different routes, depending on the type of initiation of the reaction. The optimal concentrations of Ca2+ necessary for activation of phospholipase D are different in the systems activated by various treatments (organic solvents, detergents and solid adsorbents). Optimal concentrations of Ca2+ for the hydrolysis and methanolysis catalyzed by phospholipase D are also different. It was found that the need for Ca2+ and their optimal concentrations are determined by the state of phospholipids at the substrate phase. The data suggest that the enzymatic hydrolysis may occur in the absence of Ca2+. Thus, Ca2+-induced activation is merely an alternative pathway of catalytically active conformation of lypolytic enzymes.


[The method of Hill's coefficient calculation for the region of inhibition of an enzyme by excess of the substrate. Inhibition of phosphofructokinase by excess of ATP]. The new method for Hill's coefficient (nH) calculation in the region of substrate concentrations where the latter acts as an inhibitor has been developed. The method does not need preliminary determination of maximum value of enzyme reaction rate (V) for ascending branch of the plot of enzyme reaction rate versus substrate concentration and allows to avoid over-estimation of value of nH when the magnitude of optimal reaction rate is less than value of V. The literature data for inhibition of phosphofructokinase by excess of ATP are used for illustration of applicability of the suggested method of Hill's coefficient calculation.


[Purification and some properties of skeletal muscle sarcolemma Ca2+-ATPase]. Ca2+-ATPase of skeletal muscle sarcolemma has been isolated and purified. It is prepared from salt extract of sarcolemma by ammonium sulfate fractionation and further purified by gel chromatography on Sepharose 4B. The purity of preparations was evaluated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. It has been shown that Ca2+-ATPase possesses the same mobility as skeletal muscle myosin under gel chromatography on Sepharose 4B and the same mobility as myosin heavy chains in sodium dodecyl sulfate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Membrane protein binds to rabbit skeletal muscle actin, and this complex dissociates by ATP. Interaction with actin does not change Ca2+- or Mg2+-stimulated ATPase activity. Enzyme has only one pH optimum at 7,0-7,6. Membrane protein is highly specified to calcium--ATPase activity in the presence of Mn2+ is 10% and in the presence of Sr2+, Mg2+ or Co2+ are 3-5% of the activity in the presence of Ca2+. Other nucleoside triphosphate (UTP and ITP) are hydrolyzed at lower rates than is ATP.


[ATP regeneration in the outer segments of frog photoreceptors]. The outer segments of retinal photoreceptors of the frog Rana temporaria were found to possess the adenylate kinase and creatine phosphokinase activities. It was shown that the activities found are not due to contaminations by the fragments of inner photoreceptor segments and pigment epithelium processes which are in direct contact with outer segments. The absolute value of the ATP resynthesis rate exceeds the rate of its hydrolysis. It is concluded that ATP synthesis in the creatine phosphokinase and adenylate kinase reactions is one of the pathways of ATP regeneration in vivo.


[Substrate specificity of soluble mitochondrial ATPase]. The parameters of the hydrolysis of ATP and several analogs by soluble mitochondrial ATPase were determined. Vmax of the reaction decreases within the range: 2'-desoxy-ATP greater than ATP greater than etheno-ATP greater than GTP greater than 3'-O-methylATP greater than UTP. ATP, 2'-desoxypATP, 3'O-methyl-ATP, GTP, and etheno-ATP are hydrolysed by soluble mitochondrial ATPase with close Km(app) values. CTP is not hydrolysed by the enzyme and does not inhibit the ATPase reaction at a concentration of 10(-2) M. Nucleoside triphosphate derivatives with an "open" ribose cycle 9-[1',5'-dihydroxy-4-(S)-hydroxymethyl-3'-oxapent-2' (R)-yl]adenyl-5'-triphosphate, and 1-[1',5'-dihydroxy-4'-(S)-hydroxymethyl-3'-oxapent-2'(R)-yl[cytosine-5'-triphosphate are effective inhibitors of ATPase (Ki approximately 5.10(-5)M). Mitochondrial ATPase binds the ATP analogs that have hydrocarbon radicals-(CH2)2-, -(CH2)3-, and (CH2)4- instead of the ribose residues: 9-(2'hydroxyethyl)adenyl-2'-triphosphate, 9-(3'-hydroxypropyl)-adenine-3'-triphosphate, and 9-(4'-hydroxybutyl)adenine-4'-triphosphyl)adenine-4'-triphosphate were not hydrolysed by the enzyme, although they inbibit the ATPase reaction (Ki 2.10(-4)M). 9-(2'-hydroxyethyl)adenine-2'-triphosphate is hydrolysed by ATPase eight times more slowly than ATP. It is suggested that the hydrolysis of the substrates of mitochondrial ATPase is- preceded by the binding of the substrates in a tense conformation in the active site of the enzyme.


[Mimosa pudica adenosine triphosphatase]. The morphological structure (pulvinus P1, P2 and P3) directly involved in the seismonastic movements of the Mimosa pudica leaf have been used to isolate: 1) "soluble" ATPase, loosely bound to pulvinus structures; 2) Ca, Mg-dependent ATPase, which is tightly bound to pulvinus structures and is extracted by a saline solution of high ionic strength, used to isolate actomyosin from muscles and non-muscle motile cells; 3) ATPase bound to the pulvinus membrane structures, which is solubilized by the detergents, e. g. Triton X-100 and Tween-80, and is similar to membrane ATPase. Physico-chemical and kinetic studies of the APSases have shown that Ca,Mg-ATPase is similar to the ATPases from muscle and non-muscle motile cells in a number of characteristics, e. g. solubility in saline solution of high ionic strength, aggregability in a solution of lower ionic strength, activation by bivalent metal ions, pH-optimum, specificity for substrates, etc. The protein composition of the ATPases has been determined by gel-electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. The molecular weight of purified Ca,Mg-ATPase from Mimosa pudica pulvinus is found to be 139 000. The role of ATPases in seismonastic movements of the Mimosa pudica leaf is discussed.


[Administration of immobilized firefly luciferase for quantitative estimation of ATP and enzymes synthesizing and destroying ATP]. A possibility of using immobilized Luciola mingrelica luciferase for quantitative test of ATP and ATP synthetizing and degrading enzymes activities is demonstrated. A kinetic scheme is given, and experimental conditions for using L. mingrelica luciferin-luciferase system for kinetic enzyme analysis are determined.


[Properties and localization of Mg- and Ca-ATpase activities in wheat embryo cell nuclei]. The isolated nuclei of wheat embryo possess the ATPase activity. The addition of Mg2+ and Ca2+ significantly increases the activities of nuclear ATPases, whereas Hg2+, Cu2+ and Mn2+ inhibit the activity. The activating effect of Mg2+ is enhanced by an addition of Na and K ions. The activity of wheat embryo nuclear Mg-ATPase is higher than its Ca-ATPase activity; both ATPases also differ in their pH optima. Separation of total nuclear protein according to the solubility of its individual protein components in wheat and strong salt solutions, using the detergents, as well as ammonium sulfate precipitation and dialysis do not result in separation of Mg-activated and Ca-activated ATPases, although their levels of activities and ratios change in the course of fractionation. The Mg- and Ca-ATPase activities of the wheat embryo nuclei were found in the nuclear fraction of albumin, in nonhistone proteins and nuclear membranes. In the albumin nuclear fraction and subfractions of non-histone proteins the higher level of activity is observed in Ca-ATPase, whereas in the nuclei and soluble fractions of residual proteins in Mg-ATPase.


[Isolation and properties of CF1 ATPase chloroplasts with changed submolecular structure]. An isolation procedure is worked out and properties are studied of CF1 ATPase from chloroplasts with changed submolecular structure. The enzyme, isolated by chlorophorm treatment, produced Ca-dependent ATPase activity in water solution. As compared with the enzyme isolated by well known Lien and Racker method, the enzyme preparation obtained is slightly activated by heating, is not activated by trypsin and has a lesser ability to recover ATP synthesis in EDTA-treated chloroplasts. Purification on DEAE-Sephadex produced the enzyme preparation free of delta-subunit. Chlorophorm treatment is suggested to change submolecular protein structure, in particular, loosening of the link of delta-subunit with other enzyme subunits. The data obtained suggest that delta-subunit participates in the binding of CF1 ATPase with chloroplast membrane.


[Effects of anticonvulsive substances on Na,K-ATPase from the synaptic membranes of animal brain]. The distribution pattern of marker enzymes (Na, K-ATPase, acetylcholinesterase) in three fractions of synaptic membranes (SM) of rat brain were studied. The effects of three anticonvulsive agents on Na, K-ATPase from the total fraction of rat brain SM and purified membrane preparation from ox brain were estimated by different methods. Under optimal conditions (Na/K = 5) diphenylhydantoin (DPH) at a concentration of 0,1 mM activates Na, K-ATPase from the total SM fraction only in the absence of ouabain, whereas carbamazepine and pyrroxane taken at the same concentrations have no effect on Na, K-ATPase, irrespective of the type of the enzyme assay. DPH seems to compete with ouabain. Under non-optimal ionic conditions (Na/K = 250) all the anticonvulsive substances studied inhibit Na, K-ATPase of the total SM fraction. The mixture of hydrophobic agents (propylene glycol and ethanol) used to dissolve carbamazepine inhibits Na, K-ATPase from the total SM fraction only under non-optimal conditions. The inhibiting effect of the anticonvulsive substances under study on Na, K-ATPase from the purified membrane preparations is maximal at the concentration of 10(-6) M; at higher concentrations the effect is less pronounced.


[Analysis of changes in the structural state of chromatin in Down's disease]. Dependence of optic density (lambda = 260 nm) of human lymphocyte nuclear chromatin on temperature under normal conditions and in Down's disease was studied. The low temperature (t approximately 70 degrees C) absorption maximum, absent in the nuclei of lymphocytes in patients with Down's disease, was characteristic of the lymphocyte nuclei of healthy donors. Analysis of the mentioned correlation for individual regions of the nucleus demonstrated the presence of at least two types of regions, i.e. with and without the low temperature absorption maximum. There were more regions of the latter type in Down's disease in comparison with the normal.


[Participation of Na, K-ATPase in the mechanism of isotonic fluid absorption by the epithelium of the frog gallbladder]. In experiments on the isolated frog gallbladders it was shown that addition of ouabain (1.10(-4) M) or noradrenaline 3.10(-6) M) into the incubation Ringer solution from the serous surface of the gallbladder and also replacement of K+ in the solution for the equivalent quantity of Na+ ions caused a reduction of the absorption of isotonic fluid by the epithelium and a fall of the Na,K-ATPase activity in its cells. Noradrenaline also cased a reduction of Mg-ATPase activity. A significant positive correlation was found between the transport rate of the isotonic fluid by the epithelium and the Na,K-ATPase activity in its cells.


Electrocardiography: the electrical axis. The term "electrical axis of the heart" as conventionally used refers to the mean frontal-plane axis of the QRS complex. It is defined as the angle between the mean QRS vector and lead I and can be determined to the nearest 15 degrees by simple inspection of the frontal-plane leads. The axis is related to age and body build and deviates significantly from normal in various disease states. There are two common causes of abnormal LAD and several common causes of abnormal RAD.


[3H]-Ouabain binding to peripheral organs of cats: effect of ethanol. 1 The specific [3H]-ouabain binding to microsomal fractions derived from cat heart, liver, spleen, and kidney increased significantly following chronic administration of ethanol. 2 Since ouabain binds exclusively to cell membrane (Na+ + K+)-adenosine triphosphatase ((Na+ + K+)-ATPase), these results provide evidence for an increase in number of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase macromolecules during chronic alcoholism. 3 The importance of the increase in number of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase molecules in the adaptive increase in ethanol metabolism and cardiac myopathy in chronic alcoholism is discussed.


High incidence of a concentration-dependent skin reaction in children treated with phenytoin. A particularly high incidence of rash was seen in children with epilepsy treated with phenytoin. Ten children with untreated epilepsy were therefore included in a prospective study and given either 3 (group 1) or 6 (group 2) mg of phenytoin/kg body weight/day for five days followed by 6 mg/kg body weight/day for both groups. Four of the five children in group 2 compared with only one of the five in group 1 developed a rash seven to 12 days after the start of treatment. Patients with rashes had significantly higher plasma phenytoin concentrations. Whenever the phenytoin concentration was higher than 14 micromol/l on day 5 a rash occurred. These findings indicate that the generalised skin reaction is caused by a high body burden of phenytoin, which results from either a high load of the drug or a low clearance rate.


New approach to organ transplantation based on the fetal allograft. A new approach to organ transplantation that may be particularly applicable to kidney transplantation is suggested by analogy with the immunological mechanism responsible for the survival of the fetal allograft. The method concerns identifying donor-recipient tissue compatibility by use of the two-way mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), in which reacting cells from patients awaiting transplants are primed with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and stored. When a donor becomes available, these PHA-primed cells may then be tested against donor lymphocytes, possibly giving a result within 36 hours. Immunosuppressive agents occurring naturally in pregnancy, such as alpha-fetoprotein and chorionic gonadotrophin, may eventually replace standard immunosuppressive treatment with potentially toxic regimens in transplant recipients. If the results of the two-way MLR using PHA-primed cells are shown to be comparable to those of the standard two-way MLR graft survival may be successful in 80% of cases.


[Influence of L.5-hydroxytryptophan (L.5-HTP) on the development of chick embryo]. L.5-hydroxytryptophan (L.5-HTP) injections provoke, in the chick embryo, some malformations of the nervous system, when treated at 24 hours of incubation. The same treatement after 48 hours of incubation does not lead to malformations, but to a reduction in size which is as much obvious as the embryos are treated at a later stage. It seems that there could be some relation between the serotonin metabolism and the growth hormon secretion.


[In vivo regulation by calcium of thyroid metabolism of iodine in rats]. In vivo experiments using a calcium deficient or a normal diet, proved that calcium enhance iodine entry and concentration into the thyroid gland of the rat and the intra-thyroidal T4 pool, T4 level in serum was also increased. Peripheral metabolism of T4, serum TSH levels and pituitary TSH contents were unaffected. Calcium has a local regulatory function on the thyroid gland.


[In vitro liberation of lymphocytic factors inhibiting migration of human leukocytes induced by gold, cadmium and mercury chlorides]. The presence of 300 microgram gold and cadmium and 10 microgram mercury chloride per millitre of survival medium, during the process of T.I.M.L., results in the release by human lymphocytes of soluble factors which inhibit migration of leucocytes (L.I.F. and M.I.F.). This stimulation of cellular immunity suggests that the anti-infectious therapeutic effect of gold and mercury inorganic salts results from activation of the histiocytary system, through the release of these lymphokins.


[Reticular activation by splanchnic afferents: its influence on visual projections at the level of the cerebral cortex in cats]. In an previous work, we have shown a strong increase of visual evoked potentials of the medial lateral gyrus by splanchnic stimulation. This present study demonstrates that this effect is due to the activation of the substantia reticularis. Actually, we observed: 1) an increase of the reticular visual potential by splanchnic stimulus in convergent zone; 2) an increase of the visual evoked potential in the primary cortical area by stimulation of this reticular formation. These results show the existence of a functional pathway including the splanchnic nerve, the reticular formation and the visual cortex.


[Effect of Corynebacterium parvum on the immune response in guinea pigs. I. Mode of enhancement of the anamnestic response and development of delayted hypersensitivity after treatment with Corynebacterium parvum]. The effect of Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvuum) on the immune response of the guinea pig to ovalbumin varies with the protocol of immunization. The marked effect of C. parvum on the anamnestic response in the rabbit has been confirmed in the guinea pig when immunization is carried out intradermally with a mixture of C. parvum and ovalbumin. When C. parvum is given intravenously or subcutaneously or intradermally but separately from the antigen, this effect is not observed. Whatever the route of injection guinea pigs treated with C. parvum show skin reactions of delayed type hypersensitivity at the site of an intradermal booster when the latter is given at least 27 days after primary immunization.


[Effect of Corynebacterium parvum on the immune response in guinea pigs. II. Passive transfer of enhanced anamnestic response and delayed hypersensitivity observed after treatment with Corynebacterium parvum]. After intradermal immunization with a mixture of Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum) and ovalbumin guinea pigs show a markedly increased anamnestic response to an intradermal booster of ovalbumin as compared to controls treated with ovalbumin only. At the same time a reaction of delayed type hypersensitivity is observed in the treated animals, but not in controls. The enhanced anamnestic response as well as the posivitive skin reaction were transferred to strain 2 histocompatible guinea pigs by peripheral blood leukocytes as well as by peritoneal exudate cells. Passive transfer was not obtained after prior irradiation of donor animals.


[Radioimmunologic determination of the thyrotropin releasing hormone]. We describe the preliminary steps for a radio-immunoassay of Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone (TRH). Rabbit antiserum at dilution 1 : 10 000 is used with radioiodinated TRH (125I). We are able to assay from 5 to 1 000 pg unlabeled TRH with an intraassay reporducibility varying from 7 to 4 % and the lowest detectable amount in this system is 10 pg TRH. TRH mean and standard deviation in normal subjects are 136,9 and 25,3 pg/ml.


[Hydroxocobalamin treatment of hypercyanemia and hypercyanuria following sciatic nerve compression in rabbits]. Compression of sciatic nerve of rabbits with an inoxidizable clip increases free and combinated cyanides levels both in blood and urine in days following the operation. A treatment with hydroxocobalamin decreases them significantly.


[Effect of guanidine dderivatives on choline acetylase and acetylcholinesterase of the rabbit brain]. The effects of 14 guanidino compounds on the activity of rabbit brain choline acetyltransferase (CAT) and acetylcholine esterase (ACE) have been studied, comparatively with that of pentylentetrazol. No guanidino compound examined nor pentylentetrazol had an effect on CAT activity. 4 of them showed a moderate inhibitory effect on ACE, of the same order of magnitude as that of pentylentetrazol, but significantly lower than that of the specific inhibitors eserine and mytelase.


[Sexual cycle period and resistance of mice to acute experimental hypoxia]. Variations of survival to an acute hypoxia (nitrogen) were studied, in 200 females, OF1, SPF mice, 72 days old, in groups of 10, at different periods of their estrus cycle, which were evidenced by vaginal smears. In mice which were in diestrus since 3-4 following days, the hypoxic survival (27.27%) was statistically less than in mice which were in estrus (58.00 %) or at the beginning of the diestrus (53.85 %).


[Action of dicrotophos on the development in vitro of the tibia of chick embryo]. Comparison between Chicken embryos tibias cultured  on standard  medium and on added dicrotophos medium shows that the organophosphate lead to a great growth and weight decrease. Co-treatment with nicotinamide significantly reduces the teratogenic effects. These above results points to a direct sensibility of long bones to that poison.


[Effect of energy restriction during late pregnancy on plasma insulin, blood glucose, blood urea and blood free amino acids in pregnant and suckling sheep]. The experiment was carried out in autumn using 27 Limousine ewes during pregnancy and lactation. Some blood essential and non-essential free amino acids increase during late pregnany. Blood glucose, blood urea and blood free threonine, valine and glycine increase after parturition. Reducing the energy supply of the ration during late pregnancy results in a decrease of plasma insulin and blood free tyrosine, phenylalanine and alanine.


[Absence of 5 alpha-reductase in plasma membranes of the hypothalamus in male rats]. No 5alpha-reductase activity was found in plasmic membranes from male rats hypothalami. Contrary to all expectation, it was found that 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone which was synthetized in microsomes or nuclei, was accumulated in plasmic membranes. The significance of this fact is at the moment unknown.


[Hoffmann's reflex evoked on the soleus muscle and motor neural conduction velocity of the tibial nerve]. H reflex on the soleus muscle and motor tibial nerve conduction velocity are used to study peripheral nervous system maturation in 68 healthy children, from birth to 4 years of age. Proximal an distal conduction velocities develop in a parallel and approximately exponential way but proximal conduction velocities remain always faster. The latencies slightly decrease during the first 18 months of life and then increase very slowly.


[Cardiac arrhythmia in dogs under the action of adrenaline and difluorodichloromethane (FC 12)]. Inhalation of gas mixtures containing different concentrations of FC 12 by anesthetized and normally oxygenated dogs produces blood levels of FC 12 which are stable and proportional to the rate of FC 12 in the mixture. From the arterial concentration of 40 microgram/ml FC 12 (5 % FC 12 mixture) and over, FC 12 alone causes effects proportional to doses: arterial pressure decrease with tachycardia. At high rates of FC 12 tachypnoea and slight morphological alterations of the electrocardiogram can be recorded. Arhythmia never occurs under the action of FC 12 alone even at maximum arterial concentration reached here : 230 microgram/ml (40 % FC 12 mixture). Recorded disturbances are always reversible. The intravenous perfusion of epinephrine alone evokes the appearance of premature contractions at the only dose of 5 microgram/kg/mn. The presence of FC 12 in blood conjoined with epinephrine induces the inhibition of the hypertensive action of epinephrine at high concentration and lowers the arhythmogenic threshold. The dog is clearly more sensitive than the rabbit to the arhythmogenic action of epinephrine and FC 12. The required rates of epinephrine and FC 12 validate the hypothesis of cardiac sensitization by FC 12 to the arhythmogenic action of circulating adrenaline to explain the cases of sudden "sniffing" deaths in man.


[Effects of tritoqualine on hepatic and blood levels of histamine after partial hepatectomy in rats]. Looked as a specific inhibitor of histidin-decarboxylase, tritoqualine has been injected subcutaneously to Wistar rats immediately after partial hepatectomy and, then, once in 24 hours until 72 hours. It has thus provoked : an unexpected, but transient rise (reaching its apex 3 hours after the operation) of the hepatic and blood histamin concentrations ; then, the expected decrease (more durable and greatest at 48 hours) of the same concentrations. Therefore, an effect of tritoqualine on the liver regeneration might be expected, whether histamin plays some part in this phenomenon.


[Effects of aminoguanidine sulfate on hepatic and blood levels of histamine after partial hepatectomy in rats]. Known as a specific inhibitor of histaminase, amino-guanidin sulfate has been administered subcutaneously to Wistar rats immediately after partial hepatectomy, then once in 16 hours until 80 hours. It has thus provoked: an initial rise of the hepatic and blood rates of histamin, which is transient and reaches its apex 6 hours after the operation; then, a new rise of these rates, which lasts and even is, in percentage, maximum at 72 hours. Therefore, amino-guanidin sulfate is available to estimate the influence of the endogenous histamin upon liver regeneration.


[Kinetics of I-131 fibrinogen in cancer patients: pharmacological approach]. The results obtained in a previous study using 131I fibrinogen in cancerous patients suggested a local intravascular clotting precess. In order to elucidate the mechanism of fibrinogen kinetic abnormalities different drugs, including heparin, prednisone, ticlopidin, aspirin and indomethacin were administered in 68 patients and their effects evaluated by change in the 311I fibrinogen disappearance rate. The results suggest that these drugs may counteract with the early stages of coagulation (kinin-forming system, factor XII) and that abnormal 131I fibrinogen kinetic in cancer would be a non specific phenomenon.


[Histochemical study of the subcommissural organ in chickens during development]. Some histochemical and particularly histoenzymological tests are performed on the subcommissural organ of chick embryos. A secretory activity appears about the 7th day. In 10 days old embryos and new hatched chicken the enzyme activities are of rather low intensity. Compared with the 10 days embryos, the newborn show some increase, but compared with the adult birds the activities remain weak. However the acid phosphatase activity is higher in the subcommissural organ than in the ependyma even in 10 days embryos.


[Influence of horizontal immersion on urinary excretion of catecholamines]. Normal man submitted to thermoneutral water immersion in horizontal position presents an increase in diuresis, natriuresis and creatininuria. Noradrenalinuria and adrenalinuria are reduced, indicating a decrease in orthosympathetic activity.


[Influence of sauna baths on urinary excretion of catecholamines]. The urinary excretion of noradrenaline, adrenaline and creatinine has been studied in 22 normal young men during a sauna bath (20 minutes). The radio noradrenalinuria/creatinine is specifically increased, indicating a stimulation of the orthosympathetic system (19.6 ng.mg-1 +/- 7.9 in basal state; 30.5 +/- 15.7 in sauna bath).


Radioimmunoassay for the detection and quantitation of 5-fluorodexoyuridine. A sensitive radioimmunoassay for 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FdUrd) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-monophosphate has been developed by using antibody induced in rabbits, [3H]FdUrd, and a separation technique with nitrocellulose filters. Antibody specificity was characterized by using compounds chemically related to FdUrd and comparing their effectiveness for displacing [3H]FdUrd from the antibody-combining site. Drug levels in serum samples from patients receiving FdUrd chemotherapy were easily and rapidly determined, and the serum disappearance of the drug was followed by this method. FdUrd was also detected and quantified in urine samples. According to the antiserum used, as little as 1 to 10 pmol FdUrd were measurable.


Effect of actinomycin D and neoarsphenamine on tumor control and skin tolerance in the rat. Actinomycin D and neoarsphenamine were tested for their ability to produce therapeutically favorable radiosensitization in the WAG/Rij rat. Acute and late skin reactions and control of the BA1112 rhabdomyosarcoma were examined in drug-treated and untreated animals irradiated in single- and five-fraction schedules. Actinomycin D was found to protect skin and tumors when added 15 minutes before irradiation. Actinomycin D added 2 hours before irradiation in a five-fraction trial produced slight tumor sensitization accompanied by slight skin protection. Neoarsphenamine produced significant tumor sensitization without skin sensitization in one of the single-fraction trials, but had no effect in the five-fraction trials.


Endogenous thymic factors regulating cell proliferation and analysis of their mechanism of action. Endogenous factors inhibiting the proliferation of T-lymphocytes were investigated which may function as modulators of T-lymphocyte production within the thymus. An extract from calf thymus (T4) enriched in lymphocyte chalone arrests rat thymocytes at the G1 leads to S boundary and in the S phase of the cell cycle in short-term cultures. It also inhibits the proliferative response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to PHA-P in a time-dependent manner, as well as the spontaneous proliferation of in vitro cultured human chronic leukaemic lymphoblasts. This crude extract contains two active moities which can be isolated by molecular filtration on Sephadex G-75 column. A species non-specific, cell line selectivity inhibitory effect is characteristic of the high molecular weight fraction (mol. wt. greater than 40,000). This activity is resistant to moderate heat treatment and trypsin but is sensitive to mild alkaline hydrolysis and to RNase A digestion. About ten protein components and a toluidine blue positive substance can be detected by analytical polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The active inhibitor, a proposed protein-RNA complex, might be identical with the chalone. The low molecular weight, non-dialysable factor (T4-4) inhibits [3H]thymidine incorporation into acid insoluble DNA in a cell non-specific manner. A possible relationship between the two activities is discussed.


Tormogen cell and receptor-lymph space in insect olfactory sensilla. Fine structure and histochemical properties in Calliphora. (1) The basiconic sensilla on the antennae of Calliphora resemble other insect epidermal sensilla; one or several bipolar sense cells are surrounded by three non-neural cells. (2) The apical cell membrane of the tormogen cell (one of the three accessory cells) forms microvilli coated internally with particles. (3) In the (extracellular) outer receptor-lymph space hyaluronic acid can be demonstrated histochemically. (4) Demonstration of non-specific alkaline phosphatase, Mg2+-activated ATPase, and the presence of mitochondria in the apical part of the tormogen cell suggest active transport processes through these cells into the outer receptor-lymph space.


Delayed flow-through cytoplasm of newly synthesized Balbiani ring 75S RNA. With a nonaqeous microdissection technique, the cytoplasm of Chironomus salivary gland cells can be separated into concentric zones situated at increasing distances from the nuclear envelope. This dissection technique is used here to investigate the cytoplasmic distribution of 75S RNA of Balbiani ring origin. The Balbiani ring 75S RNA has properties of a messenger RNA coding for secretory proteins. After a pulse of RNA precursor to the living animal, labeled Balbiani ring 75S RNA is found mainly in the cytoplasm located closer to the nuclear envelope, with smaller amounts toward the periphery of the cell. This gradient, initially very steep, lasts for a least 2 days, but less than 6 days. Experiments with 5-fluorouridine indicate that the formation of the gradient does not depend upon simultaneous export of ribosomal subunits. After a pretreatment of the animals with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, however, newly synthesized 75S RNA distributes evenly in the cytoplasm-that is, this treatment prevents the formation of the 75S RNA gradient. The gradient in salivary glands of normally cultured animals is therefore likely to be the result of diffusion restriction of the labeled 75S RNA. Thus the 75S RNA located closer to the nuclear envelope is the most recently exported 75S RNA. An explanation of these results is the the 75S RNA associates with the membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum early or immediately after nuclear release. This association should occur in the cytoplasm surrounding the nucleus and may occur either as single particles and/or as parts of polysomes.


Hydrolase activities in the rat aorta. I. Effects of diabetes mellitus and insulin treatment. Vascular disease in diabetics could arise in part from altered vessel wall catebolism. Specific activities of hydrolases in aortic smooth muscle cells from rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were measured. Enyzmes included: neutral alpha-glucosidase, alpha-mannosidase, and lysosomal N-acetyl beta-glucosaminidase, beta-galactosidase, cathepsin C, acid alpha-glucosidase, and acid cholesteryl esterase. After 4,8, and 11 weeks of diabetes, activities of all enzymes studied were decreased significantly in diabetic vessels, decreases ranging from 15% for cathepsin C to 62% for alpha-mannosidase. After 3 weeks of diabetes, insulin treatment for 1 week restored enzyme levels to normal. After 7 weeks of diabetes, 1 week of insulin treatment did not restore enzyme levels fully to normal (acid cholesteryl esterase was unchanged); 4 weeks of insulin did. Acid phosphatase and N-acetyl beta-glucosaminidase activities were reduced markedly in histochemical studies of diabetic aortas at all time periods and were restored by insulin treatment. Alloxan-induced diabetes gave results similar to those with streptozotocin. Significant decreases of aortic hydrolase activities, including those of lysosomes, occur in experimental diabetes mellitus and could contribute to accumulation of substrates in vascular smooth muscle cells.


Coronary blood flow in experimental canine left ventricular hypertrophy. To determine whether left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH] altered total and regional coronary blood flow, we inflated a balloon around the ascending aorta of nine dogs; six acute and six sham-operated dogs were controls. After 6 weeks, all dogs were studied with an open chest under anesthesia; the balloons were deflated. There was moderate LVH as shown by increased left ventricular weight and fiber diameter. At rest there were no major differences of coronary flow or resistance per gram of muscle. With maximal coronary vasodilation due to adenosine or carbochrome, mean coronary vascular resistance was 84% higher in LVH than in normal hearts; with isoproterenol, resistance was 54% higher in LVH. These changes were similar in right and left ventricles. Minimal coronary resistance at end diastole also was higher in LVH--64% and 94% for the two sets of vasodilators, respectively. There were no significant differences in capillary or large vessel proportional volumes in LVH and control dogs, but arterial capacity could not be estimated. The raised minimal coronary resistance suggests the possibility that, with stress, coronary flow, especially to subendocardial muscle, might be inappropriate and perhaps cause ischemic damage. However, the changes noted might have been due to coronary arterial responses to raised coronary pressures rather than to hypertrophy itself.


An approach to the evaluation of early intervention projects with mothers of severely handicapped children: the attitude dimension. This paper describes a research investigation currently being carried out into the changing attitudes of mothers of severely handicapped pre-school children. A summary is made of the most frequently cited emotional reactions following the birth of a handicapped child and this is followed by a detailed description of a Maternal Attitudes Battery designed to obtain quantitative measures of relevent maternal attitudes. This is presented within the framework of an evaluation model specifically chosen to investigate the effectiveness of the Honeylands Home Intervention Project.


Identification of severe mental handicap. Parents of 212 severely educationally handicapped children ESN(S) were asked about the circumstances of the identification of their child's handicap. Findings for the group as a whole were similar to those quoted in other studies but varied significantly according to the clinical group of the child. The 'no specific pathology' group gives cause for most concern: identification of these children occurs later, and is further delayed from the time that parents become anxious, than it is for children in other groups. Since 'no specific pathology' children may benefit as much or perhaps more from early intervention as do children in the more easily identifiable groups, attention should be paid to means of recognition and of giving appropriate help and support to their parents.


Trisomy 12p syndrome. Evaluation of a family with a t(12;21) (p12.1;p11) translocation with unbalanced offspring. Two brothers (Nos. 1 and 3), with physical and mental retardation and many other clinical characteristics in common, were both trisomic for 12p(ter leads to 12.1) and monosomic for 21p. Their mother (No. 5), the maternal grandmother (No. 7), aunt (No. 8), and a first-cousin (No. 9) were balanced translocation carriers, 46 rep (12;21) (p12.1;p11). Another cousin (No. 10) had Down syndrome: he had two normal 21 chromosomes in addition to both translocation chromosomes. A sister (No. 2), who died at the age of 1 year without being karyotyped, had several phenotypical features in common with her brothers. Our two cases of trisomy 12p (ter leads to 12.1) were compared with eight cases of trisomy 12p described earlier, and the following common characteristics were found: severe mental and physical retardation; flat and round, broad face with prominent cheeks; flat and broad nasal bridge with short nose; anteverted nostrils and large philtrum; broad and prominent lower lip; low-set or slanting ears, poorly formed with folded helix, prominent antihelix and deep concha; short neck; short sternum; "spade"-shaped fingers, the fifth being short; bilateral genu valgum; bilateral pes planus and talus valgus; increased space between the first and second toes; generalized hypotonia; and certain dermatoglyphic characteristics. An elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured in four cases.


Erythrokeratodermia variabilis in a Jewish Kurdish family. A Jewish family, originating from Kurdistan and presenting erythrokeratodermia variabilis in three consecutive generations, is described. The major features were the variable age of onset (from early infancy to 6 years) and the distinctive cutaneous lesions with demarcated erythematous hyperkeratotic plaques with irregular borders. The affected members had mild to severe expressions of the disease. The skin lesions were not influenced by puberty, pregnancy or old age. None of the patients had lesions of the palms and soles or abnormal neurological signs.


Evidence for the presence of a receptor for IgM on the pathological cells of Sézary's syndrome. It has been demonstrated that in two patients with T-cell Sézary syndrome the pathological cells express a receptor for EA(IgM) when cultured in a medium with foetal calf or autologous serum. A study of the time-course of this rosette formation revealed that a large proportion, but not all, of E-rosetting cells progressively expressed this receptor. In agreement with previous reports by others on the normal T-cell population bearing the IgM receptor, incubation at 37 degrees C in the presence of serum was shown to be a necessary condition. The implications of this pathological subpopulation of T-cells are discussed.


Congenital leukaemia and the neonatal myeloproliferative disorders associated with Down's syndrome. Congenital leukaemia is a rare disease with approximately 100 cases reported in the literature. It is most often diagnosed as acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML). Leukaemic skin nodules and hepatosplenomegaly are the most frequent clinical findings noted. The laboratory manifestations include a markedly elevated white count with a large percentage of blasts, and a bone marrow aspirate that is cellular with a monotonous population of immature cells. Neonatal leukaemoid and leucoerythroblastic reactions may cause diagnostic confusion. In particular, the neonate with Down's syndrome can manifest either AML or a profound transient myeloproliferative syndrome that is clinically and haematologically indistinguishable from congenital AML. In contrast to congenital leukaemia, however, this myeloproliferative syndrome is transient and resolves spontaneously without anti-leukaemia therapy. On the other hand, untreated congenital leukaemia is a fatal disease. For this reason it is important to establish early diagnosis of congenital leukaemia and institute therapy. Treatment programmes should be modelled after established childhood programmes for acute lymphocytic leukaemia and acute myelogenous leukaemia.


The sensitizing capacity of Compositae plants. I. Occupational contact dermatitis from Arnica longifolia Eaton. Three patients with occupational contact dermatitis due to Arnica longifolia Eaton and Arnica montana L. are reported. During cultivation, harvesting of the flower heads, chemical investigation of the sesquiterpene lactone constituents and preparation of therapeutic tinctures, they had frequent contact with the plant materials. Patch tests with the two sesquiterpene lactones carabron and helenalin, isolated during investigation from A. longifolia Eaton, were positive in all three patients, though the second patient had never shown visible allergic reactions of the skin. Sensitization experiments with carabron in five guinea pigs were successful. The investigation results revealed that carabron, helenalin and the acetyl derivative of helenalin must be considered as the sensitizers of A. longifolia, and helenalin acetate and properly arnifolin as sensitizers of A. montana. Studies on cross reactivity in the sensitized animals with six related sesquiterpene lactones showed that only those compounds gave a positive test response which contain an alpha-methylene gamma-lactone group. Cross reactions were obtained with a crude extract of Chrysanthemum indicum L. The case reports supported by the patch test and investigation results demonstrate that persons handling a new drug from the Compositae family run a risk of developing an allergy after intensive contact with the plant and its constituents.


Gut eczema in slaughterhouse workers.

Gut eczema in slaughterhouse workers. In Danish bacon factories workers eviscerating and cleansing gut casings commonly develop a vesicular eczema starting in the finger webs, from where it spreads to the sides of the fingers. The eruption is called "gut eczema" or "fat eczema" by the workers. It is self-limiting, lasts for 1--2 weeks, and can recur at intervals of months or years. The etiology is unknown. Prick tests with extracts of ascaris and several organs of the pigs were negative.


Repair of acromioclavicular separation using a dacron prosthesis graft. Twenty patients were treated for acute acromioclavicular separation using a Dacron vascular prosthesis and followed for an average period of 13.1 months. None demonstrated loss of motion, or muscle weakness. All resumed their prior level of athletic activity. Satisfactory results were obtained in 18 patients. Residual deformity was the primary reason for an unsatisfactory rating. Recurrence of deformity can be minimized by technical skill and perfection of the surgical reduction.


Aortic atresia with normal left ventricle and intact ventricular septum. We report a case of aortic atresia with biventricular hypertrophy and death due to cardiac insufficiency (at 5 1/2 days of age). In the necropsy a normally sized left ventricle was observed, with endocardiac fibroelastosis, anomalous mitral arcade, intact interventricular septum and atresia of the aortic valve. The ascending aorta was moderately hypoplasic; there was a foramen ovale and persistent ductus arteriosus. We believe that this is the first case that has been reported of this anomaly occurring with a normal left ventricle and intact ventricular septum.


Tissue-puncher and loop-ligation--new aids for surgical-therapeutic pelviscopy (laparoscopy) = endoscopic intraabdominal surgery. The optimal development of the pelviscopic instruments for diagnostic purposes provides us with the start in the field of surgical therapeutic pelviscopy. Newly developed instruments: Loop ligation-applicator, Tissue-Puncher (morcellation-forceps), Aqua-Purator and the new CO2-PNEUS-AUTOMATIC (S = security) have enabled us to replace some of the prior operations requiring classic gynecologic laparotomy with surgical-therapeutic pelviscopy: Ovarectomy, adnectomy, myomectomy, cystectomy, resection of the tube-pregnancy. After more than 2,200 smaller surgical interventions were performed successfully since 1973 via pelviscopy with the hemostasis aided by 100 degrees C destructive heat (Endocoagulatory, Crocodile-Forceps and Point-Coagulator) more than 50 ovarectomies etc, could be performed in 1977 via pelviscopy without intra- or postoperative complications.


Rapid development of malignant metastases in the abdominal wall after laparoscopy. The authors describe a case of developing local tumor metastases after laparoscopy. In the second week after laparoscopy metastases developed at the place of the penetration of the pneu-needle and the trocar by the mediation of ascites containing malignant cell groups. This form of metastatisation seems to be extremely rare.


Blastogenic factor: its role in the mixed leukocyte culture reaction. The MLC-CML reaction depends on cooperation between different subsets of T lymphocytes in which soluble mediators may play a critical role. Evidence is presented that cell-free supernatants from mixed cultures, containing blastogenic factor (BF) activity can, together with solubilized membrane preparations, induce a primary cell-mediated lympholysis (CML) reaction of the same order of magnitude as intact allogeneic stimulating cells. Furthermore, BF alone can induce secondary mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) and CML reactions very efficiently. The results described suggest that BF is produced in response to activation by LD determinants, probably by helper T cells, and that the target of BF is the cytotoxic lymphocyte. It would appear that regulation of CML activity may be mediated by BF, and exhaustion of the mediator may be responsible for the decline of cell proliferation and effector function in the MLC reaction.


Regulation of the mixed leukocyte culture reaction by suppressor cells. Regulation of the mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) reaction by suppressor cells raised and tested in MLC has been evaluated. The experiments described suggest that suppressors are distinct from cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), both in terms of conditions optimal for their activation, as well as through demonstration of efficient suppression in the total absence of cytotoxic activity. Suppressor cells inhibit the activation of the precursors of CTL, and may also prevent the production of the lymphokine blastogenic factor; they do not appear to interfere with the reaction of primed cells. It is suggested that suppressor cells may regulate the MLC reaction by preventing recruitment of fresh competent cells, and by limiting the duration of the reaction of cells already activated.


Prednisolone-3, 20-bisguanylhydrazone: Na+, K+-ATPase inhibition and positive inotropic action. The relationship between two known actions of prednisolone-3, 20-bisguanylhydrazone (PBGH); Na+, K+-ATPase inhibition and positive inotropic effects, was investigated. In electrically driven left atrial preparations of guinea pig heart, the positive inotropic action of PBGH was not affected by beta-adrenergic or histamine antagonists. Pretreatment of animals with reserpine also failed to influence the positive inotropic action of PBGH. Inotropic concentrations of PBGH inhibited Na+, K+-ATPase and the ATP-dependent binding of (3/)-ouabain to Na+, K+- ATPase preparations in vitro. Additionally, ouabain-sensitive 86Rb uptake, an estimate of sodium pump activity was inhibited when sodium-loaded ventricular slices were obtained from Langendorff preparations at the peak inotropic response to PBGH. Guinea pig heart was highly sensitive to PBGH to the positive inotropic action, the inhibition of Na+, K+ -ATPase and (3H)-ouabain binding, whereas rat, rabbit and dog heart were markedly less sensitive. These findings suggest that the mechanism of the positive inotropic action of PBGH resembles that of ouabain and probably involves Na+, K+ -ATPase inhibition, although the mode of interaction of these steroids with Na+, K+ -ATPase may be different.


Increased plasma prolactin levels induced in rats by d-fenfluramine: relation to central serotonergic stimulation. d-Fenfluramine (7.5 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) and quipazine (10 and 20 mg/kg i.p.) increased plasma prolactin levels in male rats. Metergoline (3 mg/kg p.o.) or p-chlorophenylalanine (100 mg/kg X 3, orally) pretreatment markedly blocked the prolactin-releasing effect of both d-fenfluramine and quipazine. This result suggests that the effect of these drugs on prolactin secretion could be mediated through a serotonergic mechanism. Brain serotonin may thus exert a stimulatory role on prolactin secretion in rats.


35S-sulphate incorporation into myelin sulphated mucopolysaccharides during rat brain development. Rat brain myelin acid mucopolysaccharides (AMPS) incorporate 15%, 8%, 5.5% and 4% of total associated 35S-sulphate, 14, 21, 30 and 75 days after birth, respectively. The course of 35S-sulphate incorporation into total rat brain mucopolysaccharides, as well in those from myelin, had a similar feature with peak on the 2nd week and a significant decrease on the 3rd and 4th week postnatally.


Down syndrome - transferrin parallels plasma iron changes. The transferrin level was studied in patients with simple trisomy 21 and with Robertsonian unbalanced translocations 21/22 and 21/14. In all these groups of patients, known to have significantly lowered plasma iron levels, the transferrin levels were found to be decreased with respect to the control group.


HCO-3-ATPase activity distribution in rat liver cell fractions prepared by zonal centrifugation. Plasma membrane sheets prepared by zonal centrifugation of a premicrosomal pellet obtained from a rat liver homogenate are devoid of HCO-3-ATPase activity. Since the microsomal fraction is also lacking in this ATPase activity, it can be concluded that the HCO-3-ATPase is not involved in the secretion of HCO-3 into bile.


Effect of ethylene glycol on transcription of Neurospora crassa conidial genome. Ethylene glycol (EG) was found not to alter DNA sequences in Neurospora crassa conidia, though it is believed to be mutagenic in nature. Molecular hybridization revealed 20% increase in whole RNA transcripts in EG-treated conidia, which indicates that while untreated conidia increase RNA synthesis by 2.35fold, treated conidia are inhibited and undergo only a 1.2fold increase. Thus there is an inhibition in potential RNA synthesis, though some RNA synthesis goes on in presence of ethylene glycol.


Effect of chronic alloxan diabetes and insulin administration on intestinal brush border enzymes. Brush border sucrase and lactase activities are significantly elevated in alloxan-induced chronic diabetes and are restored to control levels after insulin treatment. Alkaline phosphatase and Mg-ATPase levels remain unchanged in diabetes, compared to a control group. Insulin treatment alone to control animals also led to enhanced activities of these enzymes.


Histochemical characterization of the red fibres in pigeon pectoralis muscle. Red fibres of the pigeon pectoralis muscle showed high ATPase reaction at pH 9.4. Veronal-acetate pretreatment completely inhibited the ATPase reaction in these red fibres but not in type I fibres of the gastrocnemius. The former are type II red muscle fibres and hence are unlike type I red, the so-called slow-twitch muscle fibres.


[Metabolic indices in the connective tissue in experimental hyper- and hypovitaminosis K]. In experiments on rats the content of acid mucopolysaccharides (AMPS), collagen and elastin in a variety of the connective tissue--in the aorta of rats with hyper- and hypovitaminosis K was studied. In hypervitaminosis K no changes in the aortic wall were revealed. Hypovitaminosis produced by a special ration and pelentan was attended by a fall in the levels of AMPS and collagen. The elastin content reamained unchanged.


[Characteristics of the toxicological action of carbophos against a background of polychloropinene]. Tests conducted with rabbits brought evidence that carbophos priming per os (1/25DL50 for 45 days) reduces the oxyhemoglobin dissociation rate, increases the ascorbic acid concentration in the blood and brain, of copper in the blood, brain and kidneys. Priming with a mixture of carbophos and polychloropinene (in a summary dose of 1/25DL50) was attended by a decline in the oxyhemoglobin, rising a concentration of ascorbic acid in the blood, of manganese in the kidneys and iron in the muscles. Changes in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation rate and ascorbic acid concentration were more significant after introduction of a mixture of pesticides.


[Pharmacological properties of Adonis sibir and A. vernalis growing in Bashkiria]. Animal tests have evidenced that Adonis sibir, whose glucoside composition is close to that of Adonis vernalis, exerts cardiotonic, diuretic and sedative action. The activity of Adonis sibir, growing in Bashkiria, meets requirements of the State Pharmacopea X for Adonis vernalis. By comparison with the latter Adonis Sibir. displays more pronounced sedative properties, is less cumulative, is absorbed at a slower rate on its enteral introduction and produces a greater slowing down of the cardiac rhythm.


Suppression of allosensitization in vitro by cells from tolerant rats. Lymph node cells from AVN rats tolerant to Lew antigens after neonatal induction of tolerance, which did not react in the mixed lymphocyte culture and cytotoxicity assays, were tested for the presence of suppressor cells. Sensitization of lymphocytes from normal rats was inhibited by the addition of lymph node cells from these tolerant rats. The mixed lymphocyte culture reaction of lymph node cells from normal AVN rats with the irradiated Lew cells was inhibited when lymphocytes from tolerant rats were added. In contrast, the cytotoxicity of immune lymphocytes was not inhibited by the addition of lymph node cells from tolerant rats. Neither did a 24-h or 48-h co-cultivation of immune lymph node cells with lymphocytes from tolerant AVN rats suppress the cytotoxicity.


Reduction of sebaceous secretion in hyperseborrheic skin by a synthetic steroid: promestriene. Using the 'ground glass method', the forehead seborrheic index of 72 patients was determined before and during local treatment with promestriene 1% in a o/w base. In hyperseborrheic patients a significant decrease of the seborrheic index was obtained from the 3rd week of treatment and maintained for all its duration, while in normoseborrheics no change was observed under the same conditions. It may be concluded that promestriene reduces the sebum secretion but only in hyperseborrheic patients.


Methods for determination of plasmin, antiplasmin and plasminogen by means of substrate S-2251. The chromogenic substrate S-2251 (H-D-Val-Leu-Lys-pNA), a selective and sensitive substrate for plasmin activity, has made it possible to develop simple and reproducible methods for the determination of antiplasmin and plasminogen in human plasma. These methods have been optimized and studied in detail and found to be very specific for the respective factors.


Determination of fast-acting plasmin inhibitor (alpha2-antiplasmin) in plasma from patients with tendency to thrombosis and increased fibrinolysis. The physiologically important alpha2-antiplasmin has been measured by aid of a chromogenic tripepetide substrate. Low values in patients' plasmas are found in situations with increased fibrinolysis such as streptokinase therapy and liver cirrhosis, whereas high values are found postoperatively, postpartum and after an acute thrombosis.


Assay with chromogenic substrates of in vivo activated proteases. The proteolytic enzymes of the coagulation and fibrinolysis systems as well as others such as kallikrein, activated under pathological conditions can be determined directly, without manipulations of the plasmas, with the synthetic chromogenic substrates. With these substrates it is possible to follow the protease activity in disseminated intravascular coagulation, during thrombolysis and under other conditions. The lack of absolute substrate specificity makes it imposssible to identify the activated proteases.


Studies on assays for plasma prekallikrein and for the monitoring of coumarol therapy. Chromogenic substrates were used to assay prekallikrein, prothrombin and factor X. Plasma prekallikrein was contact activated and allowed the splitting of HD-Pro-Phe-Arg-PNA which has affinity for plasma kallikrein. Prothrombin was assayed in various ways (immunologically, after activation with Ecarin or in a less specific way). Determination of factor X is considered as a possible specific method in the monitoring of coumarol therapy.


Sensitivity and specificity of plasma serine protease chromogenic substrates. Rates of hydrolysis of the newly developed peptide chromogenic substrates S-2160, S-2238, S-2222 and S-2251 and Chromozym TH were tested against highly purified preparations of human plasmin, bovine trypsin, human alpha-thrombin, and bovine factor Xa. S-2160, S-2238, and chromozym TH are sensitive to thrombin, Chromozym TH and S-2238 exhibiting a substantially greater sensitivity than S-2160. All three substrates are insensitive to factor Xa but hydrolyzed to varying degrees by plasmin and trypsin. In contrast, S-2222 is sensitive to factor Xa and insensitive to thrombin. S-2251 is relatively plasmin-specific. In addition, the substrate Chromozym PK was evaluated and found to be relatively specific for plasma kallikrein. Clinically useful assays for antithrombin III and heparin using S-2222 as the substrate and factor Xa as the enzyme, plasma plasminogen and plasmin inhibitors using S-2251 as the substrate, and plasma prekallikrein and kallikrein inhibitors using Chromozym PK as the substrate have been developed.


The family as a system in hospital-based social work. Caring for disabled family members at home can create stress that may exacerbate existing dysfunctions in the family. By changing the orientation of hospital-based social work from "disabled family member as burden" to "family unit as an ongoing system," the authors have succeeded in helping dysfunctional, disunited families become functional family systems.


Biochemical activity and morphology of the Golgi apparatus in alloxan diabetic rats. In Golgi-enriched membrane fraction isolated from alloxan diabetic rat liver, the protein content is lower but the protein composition is similar to normal. The specific activity of galactosyl transferase in this membrane fraction is higher than normal, but the total activity of the enzyme in the whole liver is normal. Great dispersion is found among the individual values. Differences in the specific activities of some other marker enzymes were also found in the Golgi-enriched membrane fraction. The morphology of the Golgi complex examined in either thin sections of Golgi-enriched fraction or ultra-thin sections of livers appears normal. A slight reduction of the rough endoplasmic reticulum is observed. The results obtained are discussed in comparison with those obtained for streptozotocin diabetic rat liver.


[Osteoid osteoma. (Plain films, angiography and scintigraphy in fifty patients) (author's transl)]. The radiological diagnosis and differential diagnosis of osteoid osteomas was considered in relation to a series of 50 histologically verified cases. In twenty, angiography had been performed and scintigraphy was carried out seven times. Various problems in the diagnosis of osteoid osteomas in relation to their localisation within bone (cortical, medullary, sub-periosteal, subarticular) and within the skeleton (near the hip, in the hand or foot, in the spine and in flat bones) are discussed.


[Fibrous cortical defects (author's transl)]. During a period of two and a half years, twelve fibrous cortical defects were discovered as incidental findings. With the exception of two cases, the radiological findings remained unchanged during the period of observation. One large defect extending into the diaphysis was submitted to surgery and verified histologically. The characteristic radiological appearances and the differential diagnosis from similar looking benign and malignant bone abnormalities are discussed and compared with the findings of other authors.


[The early radiological findings of idiopathic necrosis of the femoral head in adults (author's transl)]. Idiopathic necrosis of the femoral head in adults occurs in about 2 to 3% of all cases of degenerative hip disease. Advanced necrosis with collapse of the head offers a difficult therapeutic problem in younger patients. Early radiological diagnosis is therefore important. The typical, early radiological findings were studied in a hundred patients with idiopathic necrosis of the femoral head. They consist of an area of sclerosis at the junction of the head and neck, with a periosteal response on the inferior margin of the neck. The relationship of these changes with mechanical stress and defective blood supply is discussed. Signs of more advanced necrosis are band-like sclerosis at the point of demarkation and sub-chondral decalcification of the femoral head. Recognition of the early radiological features improves the chances of successful treatment, particularly in the lower age group.


[Two cases of infantile cortical hyperostosis (monostotic form) (author's transl)]. Two cases of infantile cortical hyperostosis, both of the monostotic form, are described. In the first patient the right clavicle was involved; the disease may have been present from birth, but resulted in the infant's admission at the age of six weeks. The second patient was a 7-month old infant who developed the disease after an upper respiratory tract infection. There were only minor changes in the left clavicle. Both cases regressed almost completely within six months. The discussion deals with the largely unsolved problems concerning infantile cortical hyperostosis.


[Radiological findings in Larsen's syndrome (author's transl)]. The clinical and radiological findings of Larsen's syndrome are illustrated by one case and the differential diagnosis is discussed. The condition is characterised by multiple congenital subluxations, particularly of the knees; there is a characteristic facial appearance and deformities of the fingers and feet, as well as a number of less constant features. The literature is shown in a table.


The roles of corneal mucopolysaccharides and water contents in post-mortem corneal clouding. The quantitative changes in mucopolysaccharides (MPS) and water contents in post-mortem rabbit corneas were studied. On the basis of the results, the post-mortem periods were classified into 4 stages. The first stage was during the first day after death when the MPS and the corneal water contents were observed to have maintained their initial values and the cornea was "clear". The second was 1 to 3 days after death when the MPS remained at approximately their initial value, whereas the water contents were very pronounced. In this second stage the cornea was "a little clear" or "cloudy". The third was 3 to 6 days after death when the MPS were found to have decreased gradually, but the water contents maintained their high level. The cornea in this third stage was "cloudy" or "very cloudy". The fourth was 6 or more days after death when the two parameters were found to have decreased significantly, and the cornea was "very cloudy".


[Acropathia ulcero-mutilans non familiaris (Bureau-Barrière). (Case report with special reference to the x-ray findings) (author's transl)]. Four cases of non-familiar acropathia ulcero-mutilans (Bureau-Barriere) are described. In all cases there was a history of alcoholism, abnormal liver function, painless foot ulcers and polyneuritis. The radiological changes were confined to the lower extremities. There were osteolytic changes in the metatarsal heads and the bases of the proximal phalanges, particularly of the great toes; in addition, there was general demineralisation of the bones of the feet. One case was remarkable in that the tarsal bones and the proximal protions of the metatarsals were also involved. A variety of bone deformities were observed, and there were pathological fractures as well as subluxation and dislocation. The differential diagnosis between familial and non-familial acro-osteolysis, and of some other bone abnormalities is discussed. A multifactorial pathogenesis of the disease is suggested.


[The value of visual judgements of the calcium content of the skeleton (author's transl)]. The mineral content in 113 forearm bones were evaluated visually and compared with the results of measurements of the cortex and of iodine 125 photon absorption measurements. There was a significant correlation between measurements of cortical width and direct measurements of mineral content. In general, visual grading into four groups was reasonably accurate, but in individual cases there were considerable errors. Of 11 cases with a mineral loss of more than 30%, only one was regarded as normal. A particular difficulty in the visual evaluation was the great physiological variation of mineral content related to age and sex; this must be taken into account.


[Errors in the radiological diagnosis of injuries of the cervical spine (author's transl)]. The frequency of fractures of the cervical spine has increased with the rise in traffic accidents, but the radiological diagnosis of fractures at the initial examination remains unsatisfactory. A false negative diagnosis in the accident department was made in 25 out of 86 patients (29%) by a surgeon and in 12 patients (14%) by a radiologist. Poor radiographic quality was an important source of error, particularly for the diffult fractures in the cranial and caudal parts of the cervical spine. Half the fractures of the arch of the atlas and of the odontoid were missed initially. There was also difficulty in diagnosing fractures of the articular processes, evulsion fractures of the vertebrae and unilateral subluxation. Since the late results of missed vertebral fractures may be fatal, it is necessary to make more use of those signs which may indicate a fracture. Widening of the pre-vertebral soft tissues was seen in 33 out of 100 patients and an increased distance between articular facets on the A. P. projection in 19 out of 100 patients. Angled A. P. projections are useful for the diagnosis of fractures of articular facets in bed-ridden patients. Fractures in the lower cervical spine are well seen on oblique supine views. In larger accident departments, tomography and immediate radiological consultation should be available.


[The radiological diagnosis of indirect rupture of the diaphragm (author's transl)]. The radiological morphology of indirect rupture of the diaphragm is described; this may be followed by transdiaphragmatic prolapse of viscera, possibly complicated by strangulation or incarceration. The differential diagnosis is discussed with reference to fifteen cases seen by the author(s).


[Specific oesophagitis (author's transl)]. Tuberculous oesophagitis is a very rare finding; of all organs, involvement of the oesophagus is the least likely. Autopsies on tuberculous patients show an incidence of 0.14%. According to Wexels, only 125 cases have been described in the world literature up to 1954. In general, tuberculous oesophagitis can be included in the differential diagnosis of dysphagia only if this symptom is associated with tuberculosis of an organ, or miliary tuberculosis.


[Angiographic examinations of the stomach following Billroth II resections with special reference to the gastro-jejunostomy (author's transl)]. The arterial blood supply of the anastomosis in 6 stomach resected dogs (Billroth II) is examined by common angiographic technique in vivo, microangiography, and microscopy. In all animals there are at the site of the gastrojejunostomy bizarre tortuous vessels which cross the anastomosis. These arteries have a diameter between 50 to 2000 mu. They are newly formed vessels which cannot be demonstrated by common coeliaco- and mesentericography in animal experiments or in patients.


[Radiologic visualization of the normal duodenal minor papilla (author's transl)]. The anatomical knowledge that the normal duodenal minor papilla is a rather flat protrusion situated on the anterior wall of the descending duodenum, means that double contrast hypotonic duodenography in the Prone position is the method of choice to visualize it. By using this technique the normal duodenal minor papilla can most frequently be demonstrated.


[The diagnosis of bleeding small bowel tumours (author's transl)]. Problems concerning the radiological diagnosis of bleeding, malignant, small bowel tumours are discussed with reference to two cases. The need for early selective visceral angiography is stressed; the significance of contrast pooling is pointed out and the value of recognising the tumour in arriving at a diagnosis and prognosis is discussed. In the presence of negative angiographic findings the small bowel enema has proved a very valuable method of examination. The vascular leiomyosarcomas of the small bowel are best demonstrated angiographically, whereas the avascular adenocarcinomas are best shown by small bowel enema.


[Endoscopy and radiological investigations of the stomach and duodenum. Alternative or complementary procedures? (author's transl)]. The results of radiological and endoscopic examination in 1,030 patients were compared. In one third of cases there was some discrepancy relating to a significant diagnostic finding (malignant process, peptic ulcer, polyp, stenosis or deformity, abnormal folds, diverticula or normal findings). In analysing false negative and false positive radiological diagnoses, the patients were divided into two groups (with or without a double contrast technique). Conventional radiography proved ten to 38% less reliable than the double contrast technique for a variety of reasons. In view of the high diagnostic accuracy of modern radiological investigations of the stomach and duodenum, endoscopy and biopsy are recommended as complementary procedures. In addition to the high degree of accuracy of radiological methods for various pathological processes, endoscopy places considerable demands during investigation of the upper intestinal tract. At present radiology is used 19 times as frequently as endoscopy, suggesting that there might have to be a tenfold increase in the capacity of pathological departments if endoscopy is used more frequently.


[Quantitative functional analysis of the left ventricle in coronary heart disease: an evaluation of current methods. I description of basic methods and definition of normal range (author's transl)]. The present work consists of an evaluation of quantitative laevocardiographic methods of analysis in coronary heart disease. An attempt has been made to find a correlation between the laevocardiographic results and the extent of coronary artery disease, heart size on a conventional chest X-ray with left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. In the first part, basic methods are described, particularly the laevocardiographic area-length-method of Dodge. The accuracy of the procedure and its statistical methods are discussed in detail.


[Complications due to migration of a Kirschner wire from the clavicle (author's transl)]. The complications due to migration of a Kirschner wire from the clavicle are described. The major complication of a vascular and pulmonary kind were found in five cases. Migration of the wire into major vessels (aorta, subclavian artery) were seen twice and in three cases, the wire entered the lung. Removal of the wire from the aorta had a fatal result. Before removing displaced fixation wires, accurate localisation is necessary, if necessary using angiography in order to plan the subsequent operation. To avoid migration of the wire, one end should be bent to form a walking-stick shape, and the arm should be immobilised.


[Angiographic demonstration of varices in the renal pelvis and the upper ureter (author's transl]. Two patients are described in whom varices in the renal pelves and upper ureters had been demonstrated angiographically. In the patients the varices were due to compression of the renal veins by the superior mesenteric artery. Renal vein varices should be considered as a cause of undiagnosed haematuria and, where necessary, phlebography should be carried out.


[A new substance for the therapeutic embolisation of renal tumours (author's transl)]. We report on a radio opaque substance for the embolization of kidney tumours which consists of amino acids mixed up with a contrast medium. It is relatively easy to be injected and can be well directed because of its radio-opacity. Past and recent histological examinations of embolized pig kidneys show that this material provides a durable closure of the vessels and that there is no essential tendency of intravasal dissolution. It is therefore also suitable for palliative embolizations. The first results in clinical trial have proved to be encouraging.


[Venographic and laboratory investigation of pheochromocytoma (author's transl]. Twenty-eight patients with the clinical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma were studied by adrenal venography and catecholamine determination in selective venous blood sampling. Results of this technique are correlated to pathologic findings. 87% of the existing pheochromocytomas were correctly identified. In cases with corresponding venographic and laboratory results correct preoperative tumor localization was established in 97%. False interpretations are discussed in relation to the phlebographic findings and the assay of the catecholamines.


[The value of ultra-sound examinations for tumours and hyperplasia of the adrenals (author's transl)]. The results of ultrasound examination of the adrenals in 76 patients are described. In ten patients, tumours were found and in five there was bilateral hyperplasia of the adrenals due to Cushing's syndrome; these were confirmed at operation or by autopsy or angiography. Two false positive and two false negative findings were corrected at operation. In 57 patients negative findings were confirmed by the subsequent clinical course. An accuracy of 88% in positive and 97% in negative findings is related to the composition of the clinical material and the size of the tumours. The value of sonography is compared with other methods of localisation.