Correlation between rises of gonadotrophins and rises of sex steroids during clomiphene test in men. Serum FSH, LH and testosterone and urinary excretion of androsterone, aetiocholanolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and total oestrogens were measured in normal and oligospermic men before and after clomiphene stimulation. Responses in all parameters were highly variably from one individual to another and this great variation formed the basis for investigating the correlations between responses. There was no correlation between increase of FSH and LH or increase of LH and steroids. Also there was no correlation between rises of FSH and rises of androgens. But a significant correlation existed between rises of FSH and rises of oestrogens. This confirms that one action of FSH is to stimulate production of testicular oestrogens which presumably takes place in the Sertoli cells.


Age dependence of testosterone precursors in plasma of normal adult males. Radioimmunoassays for the measurement of pregnenolone, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenediol (5-androstene-3beta, 17beta-diol) have been developed. In addition the reliability criteria of these methods have been established. Age dependence of testosterone precursors in plasma was studied in 80 normal males aged 19 to 93 years. When a young to middle aged group (19-54 years) was compared with an old age group (67-93 years) a highly significant (P less than 0.001) decrease was observed for all the precursors studied: DHEA -68.1%, pregnenolone -60.3%, androstenediol -53.8%, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone -47.5% and androstenedione -39.2%.


High precision mixing of anesthetic gases based on a new principle. A machine has been constructed for mixing O2 and N2O. It consists of: (a) a proportional pressure and thereby flow regulator at the inlets for O2 and N2O; (b) a digital gas mixer which determines the gas mixture; and (c) a rotameter to measure the outlet flow. The contents of mixtures obtained from the machine were measured with a quadropole mass spectrometer (at 2 and 5 1 min--1 with downstream pressures of 500 and 3000 Pa). The mean numeric difference between desired and registered vol% O2 varied between 0.3 and 0.5 vol% at the four conditions tested. The maximal deviation was 1.2 vol%. Five conventional machines in daily use at the hospital were also tested. The mean numeric difference for these machines varied between 1.1 and 2.7 vol% O2. The maximum deviation was 7.4 vol%.


A simple method of monitoring carbon dioxide output in anaesthetized patients. The mean CO2 output during anaesthesia in paralyzed patients can be monitored by continuous capnographic analysis of the total exhaled gases, the latter being mechanically integrated by pumice canisters. The gas is evacuated from the Hafnia A circuit via an ejector flowmeter. The results are not influenced by the flow rates employed.


Cytochemical properties of human endometrial cells in vitro. The cytochemical properties of the human endometrial cell nuclei have been studied during the menstrual cycle in eight women by means of two different microfluorometric methods, both considered to be specific for DNA: the BAO-Feulgen method and a method based upon an interaction between DNA and mithramycin. An in vitro system was developed where dissociated endometrial cells were studied at 4 hours and 18 hours of incubation at 37 degrees C. The cytochemical properties of the dissociated endometrial cells did not change significantly in the in vitro system used. An increase in the BAO-fluorescence intensity per cell nucleus was observed in all the endometrial samples when compared with the diploid standard DNA value of a non-growing cell population. A similar increase in the mithramycin fluorescence intensity per cell nucleus appeared only during the secretory phase. It is suggested that the nucleoproteins play an essential role in changing the cytochemical properties of the human endometrial cell nuclei during the menstrual cycle.


Some aspects of ocular function after precurarization. Small doses of nondepolarizing relaxants are often recommended as prior medication to suxamethonium in order to avoid or attenuate the side effects elicited by the latter drug. After D-tubocurarine (0.05 mg/kg b.w. and 0.075 mg/kg b.w.) in unmedicated volunteers, a dose-dependent recession of the monocular near point of accomodation was recorded. This recession, which parallelled the decrease in grip strength, was 4 cm and 9 cm, respectively. The same doses evoked an exophoria of 14 and 17 prism diopters, respectively. Intraocular pressure was significantly lowered by D-tubocurarine 0.05 mg/kg b.w., from 2.01 kPa (15.1 mmHg) to 1.64 kPa (12.3 mmHg), and by pancuronium 0.015 mg/kg b.w. from 1.90 kPa (14.3 mmHg) to 1.44 kPa (10.8 mmHg). The decreases lasted for 7 min. Gallamine 0.3 mg/kg b.w. also decreased intraocular pressure, but to a lesser degree, and with statistical significance only during the fourth minute after administration. Relaxation of extraocular muscles may change the slightly ovoid shape of the eyeball into a more spherical one, thereby inducing a fall in intraocular pressure and a recession of the near point of accommodation.


Effects of precurarization on the heart measured by systolic time intervals. The effects of precurarization, with or without prior atropine medication, on heart rate, systolic time intervals (preejection period (PEP) and left ventricular ejection time (LVET)) and derivatives from these were studied in 80 healthy patients before minor surgery. Atropine (0.5-0.7 mg i.v.) exerted a vagolytic action with no changes in systolic time intervals. D-tubocurarine (0.5 mg/kg b.w.) did not affect heart rate or systolic time intervals. Both gallamine (0.3 mg/kg b.w.) and pancuronium (0.015 mg/kg b.w.) increased heart rate due to the inherent vagolytic effect. Furthermore, a short-lasting decrease in PEP and an increase in LVET were demonstrated. Consequently, a fall in PEP/LVET and a rise in 1/PEP2 were induced, indicating an increase in cardiac pump performance. These changes were blocked by prior atropine medication, a result which is not easily explainable. Possible clinical implications are discussed.


The pharmacological action of pronase-digested egg albumin upon cerebral hypoxia. The purification of a substance which protects mitochondrial activity against its decay in association with various cerebral pathologies, and the effect of this substance in vitro and in vivo have been mentioned. Defatted egg albumin was hydrolyzed with pronase, and diafiltrated through mesh, to obtain fractions of molecular weight less than 5,000. The diafiltrate was further fractionated using Sephadex G-25 column chromatography, and a fraction which had a protective action against the decay of mitochondrial DNP-ATPase activity was gathered. This digested egg albumin (DEA 5,000 S) showed no immunological reaction and seemingly penetrated well through the cell membrane. DEA 5,000 S prevented the decay of DNP-ATPase activity and swelling of brain mitochondria during aging in vitro. Also, the administration of DEA 5,000 S in vivo shortened the duration of unconsciousness and reduced EEG abnormalities in rats subjected to hypoxia in a special chamber filled with N2 gas. It is suggested that this Digested Egg Albumin has a marked action in restoring the function of metabolically impaired brain.


[Classical low back pain and sciatica syndrome caused by a melanotic nerv sheath tumour of the first sacral root (author's transl)]. This is the description of the case of a 22 year old patient with low back pain and sciatica on the right side investigated by lumbar Dimer-X-Myelography. The result of the examination was an impression in the contrast column at the L5/S 1 level on the right. At operation an intradural tumour, plum-sized, well-defined, and blue-black in colour, was found and removed. Histologically the tumour was melanotic and of high cellular density, with spindle-shaped cells as well as giant cells, with round nuclei, considerable polymorphism, and atypical mitoses. On the basis of the operation finding, the clinical course, and the histology, the diagnosis is melanotic nerve sheath tumour of the first sacral root. For two years following operation the patient has experienced no discomfort.


Complications of long term transbrachial hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. A total of 127 transbrachial hepatic artery catheters were placed in 75 patients for prolonged infusion of chemotherapeutic agents for primary and secondary tumors of the liver. Hepatic or celiac artery catheterization was possible in 97.4% of patients. The most frequent major complication was partial or complete arterial thrombosis (30 patients). bleeding at the arteriotomy site and pseudoaneurysm also occurred. Minor complications included displacement of catheter from the hepatic artery in 46, cracks or leaks in the catheter at the arteriotomy site in 21, and clotted catheter in 10 instances. Infection occurred in four patients and loss of radial pulse in seven. In view of a significant increase in survival, the complications did not contraindicate long term intraarterial infusion of chemotherapeutic agents. The no. 5 French blue thin wall 1.24-1.70 mm tubing proved to be easiest to use and least prone to complications. Proper management of these patients by a team approach (nurse, oncologist, and radiologist) helps to minimize the frequency and severity of complications.


Echocardiographic correlate of presystolic pulmonary ejection sound in congenital valvular pulmonic stenosis. A presystolic ejection click was present in a patient with congenital valvular pulmonic stenosis. The coincidence of this sound with presystolic pulmonary valve opening was demonstrated by simultaneous phonoechocardiography. Hemodynamic confirmation of this observation was made by demonstrating presystolic crossover of RV-PA pressures. This sound was distinguished on phonocardiogram as a high frequency sound separate from a lower frequency presystolic (S4) gallop.


Valvular heart disease in osteogenesis imperfecta. Aortic and mitral valve abnormalities have been reported which clearly appear to be related to the underlying connective tissue disorder in two patients, a father and daughter, with osteogenesis imperfecta. Although this appears to occur with a much lower prevalence and lesser severity than in the Marfan syndrome, the true prevalence of cardiac connective tissue involvement is not known, and the orthopedic complications of osteogenesis imperfecta may have overshadowed attention to cardiovascular abnormalities. In evaluating patients with osteogenesis imperfecta, careful attention should be paid to cardiovascular findings and if valvular lesions are noted, patients should be instructed regarding the need for antibiotic prophylaxis for dental and surgical procedures. The valvular lesions can progress, and regular follow-up cardiovascular evaluation should be planned. Finally, despite potential problems with tissue friability and healing and a possible tendency for increased bleeding, successful valve replacement can be carried out if necessitated by cardiac disability.


Influence of etiology of atrial fibrillation on incidence of systemic embolism. Atrial fibrillation is well known to increase greatly the risk of systemic arterial embolism in patients with mitral valve disease. In light of the clinical frequency of embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation due to other types of heart disease, a study was made of embolic occurrences in 333 autopsy patients with atrial fibrillation associated with various kinds of heart disease. Considering only symptomatic emboli with pathologic or surgical confirmation, embolism occurred in 41% of patients with mitral valve disease, 35% of those with ischemic heart disease, 35% of those with coexisting mitral and ischemic heart disease and 17% of those with "other" types of heart disease. Embolism was found in only 7% of a control group of 58 autopsy patients with ischemic heart disease without atrial fibrillation. These findings suggest a high risk of embolism from atrial fibrillation of any origin, but particularly from that caused by ischemic heart disease and mitral valve disease.


Idiopathic enlargement of the right atrium. A huge saccular idiopathic dilatation of the right atrium was detected with angiography and echocardiography in a 75 year old man. Cardiac catheterization data were compared with data obtained 4 years earlier. Idiopathic right atrial enlargement is not usually accompanied by tricuspid valve disease, but in this case tricuspid insufficiency did occur over a period of 4 years, possibly as a complication in the late stage of idiopathic right atrial enlargement.


T cell leukemia--lymphoma in young adults. The clinical, pathologic, immunologic and electron microscopic findings in three cases of young men who had T cell leukemia and lymphoma are presented. The disease in this older age group appears to have the same characteristics as that seen in children. It is an aggressive, rapidly fatal disease with a poor response to the usual chemotherapeutic regimens for acute leukemia or poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma, with which this T cell disorder is frequently grouped. An example of Burkitt's lymphoma in another young man is presented briefly to illustrate the clinical, morphologic and immunologic similarities to and differences from an aggressive B cell lymphoma.


Immune complex nephropathy in mixed connective tissue disease. Initial reports on the clinical spectrum of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) indicated that renal involvement was uncommon. Four of 20 patients with MCTD underwent renal biopsy and all showed evidence of immune complex trapping with a membranous glomerulonephritis in three patients. Clinically evident renal disease was absent in two patients. These findings suggest that renal involvement in MCTD may be more prevalent than previously indicated.


The safety of combined abortion-sterilization procedure. To determine the safety of tubal sterilization performed at the time of induced abortion, we compared data on 616 women who underwent induced abortion and concurrent tubal ligation (Group 1) with 1,805 women  who had induced abortion only (Group 2). These two groups of women were healthy, seven to 12 weeks pregnant, and between the ages of 16 and 44 years. The partly-standardized morbidity rates for Group 1 and Group 2 were 5.4 and 3.6%, respectively. Thus, the sterilization procedure added 1.8% to the complication rate of induced abortion only. The complication rate for women who had interval culdoscopic ligation under the same conditions in the same department was 2.4%. This is not significantly different from the complication rate of 1.8% attributable to sterilization procedures in women who had abortion and concurrent ligation. We conclude that these data support our present practice of performing tubal ligation at the time of induced abortion, rather than changing to the practice of abortion followed by interval sterilization six weeks later, with its many disadvantages to the patient as well as to those providing family-planning services.


A case of elevated intraocular pressure associated with systemic steroid therapy. Although it is well known that topically administered steroids can increase intraocular pressure systemically administered steroids are much less frequently implicated in episodes of ocular hypertension. In the case reported, a marked increase in intraocular pressure was apparently caused by seroids used in treating poison ivy dermatitis. Pressures returned to normal shortly after the drug was withdrawn.


Interaction of dichloromethylene diphosphonate and vitamin D on bone of thyroparathyroidectomized rats. Dichloromethylene diphosphonate (Cl2MDP) antagonized the action of vitamin D on bone in thyroparathyroidectomized rats by reducing the metabolic activity of osteoblasts and osteocytes and decreasing the number of osteoclasts. Ultrastructurally, osteoblasts in Cl2MDP-treated rats were interpreted to be less active in bone matrix synthesis. Osteocytes in Cl2MDP-treated rats were interpreted ultrastructurally to be inactive; there was no evidence of bone resorption when compared to osteocytes in rats given vitamin D alone. Abnormal osmiophilic densities in the pericellular bone matrix of rats given vitamin D alone were not present in rats given vitamin D and Cl2MDP. The ultrastructure of osteoclasts was unaltered by Cl2MDT. These cellular changes were associated with a decrease in serum calcium and increase in bone ash and magnesium concentration in rats given high levels (10 mg/kg) of Cl2MDP. Bone adenosine triphosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities were not affected by Cl2MDP. These results suggest that Cl2MDP may limit the hypercalcemia of hypervitaminosis D by directly inhibiting bone cells in addition to its physicochemical action.


Macular corneal dystrophy. Studies of sulfated glycosaminoglycans in corneal explant and confluent stromal cell cultures. The inherited disorder macular corneal dystrophy (MCD), a localized corneal mucopolysaccharidosis, is currently thought to result from an inability to catabolize corneal keratan sulfate (keratan sulfate 1). As studies on isolated cells have provided insight into metabolic abnormalities in other inherited disorders, we investigated cultured corneal fibroblasts from 4 patients with MCD from several standpoints. Lines of corneal fibroblasts with MCD could not be distinguished from controls with cytochemical methods known to stain the naturally occurring accumulations. In contrast to cultured fibroblasts from patients with mucopolysaccharidoses Type I-H (Hurler syndrome) and Type II (Hunter syndrome), corneal fibroblasts from patients with MCD did not accumulate abnormal quantities of (35)S-sulfate-labeled glycosaminoglycans, but like normal corneal and cutaneous fibroblasts reached a state of equilibrium within 2 days. Also, the rate at which sulfated glycosaminoglycans were removed from cultured corneal fibroblasts in MCD by secretion and degradation more closely resembled that of normal cells than those with the systemic mucopolysaccharidoses. The secretion of sulfated glycosaminoglycans into the nutrient medium by corneal fibroblasts from patients with MCD occurred at a linear rate comparable to that of other cells studied. The aforementioned data, nonetheless, remain consistent with the hypothesis that MCD is an inherited disorder of keratan sulfate I (corneal keratan sulfate) catabolism, as isolated corneal fibroblasts in contrast to corneal explants synthesize little or no keratan sulfate in culture. In view of the latter, we also compared the profile of (35)S-labeled glycosaminoglycans produced by a corneal explant from a patient with MCD with that normally synthesized by human corneal explants. The latter synthesized and secreted a population of (35)S-sulfate-labeled glycosaminoglycans with properties of keratan sulfate. Considerably less material with these attributes was identified with the same analytic techniques in the cornea with MCD or in its surrounding medium after the abnormal cornea had been incubated under identical conditions. In addition to manifesting an impaired synthesis of corneal keratan sulfate-like material, the cornea with MCD produced a greater percentage of chondroitin-6-sulfate than normal. These findings suggest that the synthesis of corneal keratan sulfate and other glycosaminoglycans may be altered in MCD.


Contractile properties of rat soleus muscle: effects of training and fatique. The effects of exercise training and fatique on the contractile properties of rat soleus muscles have been investigated. Prolonged exercise, consisting of 2 h or daily treadmill running, induced small but significant decrease in contraction time, one-half relaxation time, and maximum tetanic tension (Po), and increase in the peak rate of tension development (dP/dt) during a twitch, and an increase in maximum shortening velocity (Vmax). The 20% increase in Vmax was proportional to the previously reported increase in actomyosin ATPase induced by 2 h of daily running. These results indicate that prolonged training can induce modifications of the neurally determined contractile properties of skeletal muscle. To investigate the effects of fatigue, soleus muscles were stimulated in situ with 250-ms trains of 100 Hz at a rate of 110 trains per minute for 30 min. This resulted in a 32% decrease in Po, a 48% decline in peak tetanic dP/dt, and a 12% decrease in Vmax in muscles of untrained animals. Muscles that had adapted to exercise were significantly protected against the decrease in Po (only an 8% decrease) and Vmax (no significant decrease) but not against the decline in peak dP/dt.


Oscillatory changes in muscle lipoprotein lipase activity of fed and starved rats. Lipoprotein lipase activity was measured at short time intervals in cardiac and skeletal muscles of normal and streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats fed ad libitum or deprived of food. In normal animals fed ad libitum, lipoprotein lipase activities of heart, diaphragm, soleus, and fast-twitch red fibers of the quadriceps muscle showed rhythmic oscillations that appeared to coincide with the nocturnal feeding habits of the animals. During the day (7 A.M. to 7 P.M.), when food consumption by the rats was greatly reduced, lipoprotein lipase activity in all muscles increased, followed by a decline to basal levels during the night. Similar oscillatory changes in lipoprotein lipase activity were observed in the muscles of diabetic rats fed ad libitum. In normal rats deprived of food, however, the oscillatory changes in muscle lipoprotein lipase activity were not abolished and persisted for at least 48 h. In diabetic rats starved during a 48-h period, the oscillatory changes in muscle lipoprotein lipase activity were markedly altered. In all animals, muscle lipoprotein lipase activities were not correlated to plasma glucagon levels.


Mechanism of active chloride secretion by shark rectal gland: role of Na-K-ATPase in chloride transport. The isolated rectal gland of Squalus acanthias was stimulated to secrete chloride against an electrical and a chemical gradient when perfused in vitro by theophylline and/or dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Chloride secretion was depressed by ouabain which inhibits Na-K-ATPase. Thiocyanate and furosemide also inhibited chloride secretion but ethoxzolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, did not. Chloride transport was highly dependent on sodium concentration in the perfusate. The intracellular concentration of chloride averaged 70-80 meq/liter in intact glands, exceeding the level expected at electrochemical equilibrium and suggesting active transport of chloride into the cell. These features suggest a tentative hypothesis for chloride secretion by the rectal gland in which the uphill transport of chloride into the cytoplasm is coupled through a membrane carrier to the downhill movement of sodium along its electrochemical gradient. The latter is maintained by the Na-K-ATPase pump while chloride is extruded into the duct by electrical forces.


Fibroplastic parietal endocarditis with eosinophilia. A 44-year-old woman with marked eosinophilia, leukocytosis, congestive heart failure, and the murmur of mitral stenosis had a restrictive type of pulse contour at cardiac catheterization. A right atrial angiogram revealed a huge right atrium, a small right ventricle, and a dilated contractile outflow tract consistent with the diagnosis of Loeffler's endocarditis. A marked conduction delay at the atrial level was demonstrated by His bundle electrogram studies.


[Antibiotic resistance dynamics of plasma-coagulating staphylococci isolated from patients in 1970-1975]. Resistance of 2345 strains of plasmocoagulating staphylococci isolated from purulent inflammatory foci of surgical patients was studied with respect to the widely used antibiotics by the method of standard paper discs in 1970--1975. It was noted that the cultures resistant to erythromycin and monomycin were more frequent, i.e. from 24.2 +/- 2.5 to 51.4 +/- 3.4 per cent and from 1.0 +/- 0.6 to 28.0 +/- 2.1 per cent respectively, p less than 0.001 in both cases, while the percentage of the strains resistant to benzylpenicillin and tetracycline steadily increased, i.e. from 69.9 +/- 2.4 to 47.0 +/- 2.3 per cent and from 72.8 +/- 2.4 to 28.4 +/- 2.1 per cent respectively, p less than 0.001 in both cases. The number of the resistant cultures to streptomycin and levomycetin slightly changed and was relatively high (about 50 per cent and more). Direct correlation (mean and pronounced) between the amount of levomycetin, tetracycline, erythromycin or monomycin used per citizen of Minsk and the frequency of the strains isolated from the patients to these drugs was noted.


[Clinical biological possibilities of the early detection of the side effects of antibiotics]. The study of the dynamics of biogenic amines in the blood of patients provided to a certain extent determination of the possible thread of the drug complications. In this respect the serotonin level was of special significance. As for the reaction of leucocyte agglomeration it may be used before the treatment if there is a doubt in the tolerance of the antibacterial drug prescribed. Increased serotonin blood levels in this case also serve a confirmation of the thread of the possible allergic or toxic reaction in the patient.


[Modern problems of drug allergy to antibiotics in the clinical aspects of skin and venereal diseases]. Allergic dermatoses induced by antibiotics amounted to 45.2 per cent of all determined drug reactions according to the data of the Kharkov Research Institute of Dermatology and Venerology. The data on the factors favouring development of the drug dermatoses are presented. Difficulties in differential diagnosis by means of clinical and laboratory methods are indicated. The modern immunological tests of etiological diagnosis of drug resistance and the results of studying non-specific reactivity in patients with medicamentous dermatoses were analyzed. The principles of therapy and prophylaxis are summarized.


Reduction of fensulfothion to fensulfothion sulfide by Klebsiella pneumoniae. A cell suspension of Klebsiella pneumoniae converted the organophosphorus pesticide fensulfothion to a product that was shown by chemical oxidation, gas-liquid chromatography, infrared spectrophotometry, and mass spectrometry to be fensulfothion sulfide. Further alteration of this metabolite was not noted.


Experimental alteration of physiological state of inner ear fluids. Mechanisms of endolymphatic hydrops formation in the inner ear are not yet fully understood. The available knowledge of the composition and the function of inner ear fluids, of mechanisms for maintenance of microhomeostasis, and the possible factors responsible for hydrops formation were reviewed. The nature of the functional barrier systems of the inner ear was investigated by measuring the amount of intravenously or intracisternally injected test substances which entered the perilymph. Based on studies of the osmotic relationship between the blood and the perilymph, an hypothesis of hydrops formation is proposed. The hypothesis predicts an osmotic imbalance, resulting from an upset of the homeostasis between the fluid compartments and the tissues of the inner ear, as a factor responsible for endolymphatic hydrops formation. An osmotic imbalance can be induced by various experimental conditions including metabolic disorders. The results of animal experiments strongly suggest the necessity of further survey of metabolic imbalance in Ménière's patients.


Exocellular mucopolysaccharide closely related to bacterial floc formation. A bacterium isolated from activated sludge formed a visible floc and also produced an exoenzyme that could bring about deflocculation. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed that the cells were embedded in a film mesh in the floc, which disappeared after treatment with the deflocculating enzyme. Polysaccharides isolated from the floc were fractionated into three fractions by diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex A-25 column chromatography, whereas those from the free cells were fractionated into only two fractions. The missing fraction was a mucopolysaccharide composed of glucosamine, glucose, mannose, galactose, and rhamnose and was hydrolyzed to oligosaccharides by the deflocculating enzyme. The other two fractions were resistant to the enzyme. These results show that the mesh structure of the floc is dependent on a mucopolysaccharide hydrolyzed by the deflocculating enzyme.


Topical clindamycin in acne vulgaris. Safety and stability. Eighteen patients with acne vulgaris used a hydroalcoholic solution of clindamycin hydrochloride topically. Serum samples were obtained and assayed for clindamycin; no evidence for systemic absorption was found. The clindamycin capsules used in this preparation contained insoluble fillers that may be removed by filtration without loss of in vitro antibacterial activity. This solution is stable for at least six months.


Immunological and chromosomal studies in a patient with Sézary syndrome. A patient with the small-cell variant of Sézary syndrome was studied before and during treatment with low-dose chlorambucil. He had depressed responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A that returned to normal with clinical improvement. Spontaneously dividing cells were found in the peripheral blood by culturing lymphocytes without PHA for 24 hours. Seventy-two-hour PHA-stimulated lymphocyte cultures revealed predominantly hypodiploid chromosome numbers. Both abnormalities improved during treatment. Lymphocytes that were studied for sister chromatid exchanges had an increased number of exchanges per metaphase. Immunofluorescence studies revealed immunoglobulins and C at the dermoepidermal junction and in the dermal vessel walls. Our findings demonstrate that the depression of mitogen responsiveness that is sometimes seen in Sézary syndrome can be favorably affected by chemotherapy. Likewise, some chromosomal abnormalities may regress during successful therapy. These findings may provide a way of measuring the response to therapy.


The effect of cadmium on soluble proteins, enzymes, and essential metals of the  duodenal mucosa. In this study, it was observed that Cd administration had effects on metal distribution and enzyme activities and induced metallothionein in the soluble fraction of the duodenal mucosa. Wistar rats were given water containing 100 ppm of Cd ad libitum for 30 days. Cd treatment caused a significant increase in the mucosal weight and in the soluble protein. The existence of metallothionein was apparent and 40% of the soluble Cd was bound to the thionein. Most of the remaining Cd was bound to the larger proteins. The activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) enzymes, localized in the soluble fraction, were significantly increased by  Cd ingestion. The increase of Zn and the decrease of Mn and Mg were also observed in the soluble fraction of the duodenal mucosa.


Islet transplantation in genetically determined diabetes. Hyperglycemia induced in animals by beta cell toxins or by pancreatectomy can be reversed by pancreatic islet transplantation. Abnormal carbohydrate metabolism in juvenile onset human diabetics has also been corrected, albeit temporarily because of graft rejection, by pancreatic transplantation. It does not necessarily follow that naturally occurring diabetes in animals or adult onset diabetes in man would respond to similar treatment. Islet transplantation was studied in mice with chemically induced or genetically determined diabetes. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were permanently cured by syngeneic islets and, when immunosuppressed, were rendered normoglycemic for six weeks after receiving xenogeneic rat islets. In contrast, histocompatible islets from normoglycemic coisogenic donors were ineffective in hyperglycemic db/db recipients as were xenogeneic rat islets in immunosuppressed db/db hosts. However, when islets were isolated from db/db donors and transplated to genetically normal coisogenic mice, which had been rendered hyperglycemic with streptozotocin, they became normoglycemic. Apparently the metabolic defect in the db/db mice, which is similar in some ways to human maturity onset diabetes, does not reside in their islets as these cells can function normally if transplanted to genetically nondiabetic hosts. In two other types of genetic diabetes (ob/ob and NZO) islet transplantation was more effective. Pancreatic transplantation is unlikely to be the proper treatment for all types of diabetes even if technical and immunological problems are overcome.


Advantages of potassium cardioplegia and perfusion hypothermia in left ventricular hypertrophy. An attempt was made to determine the effect of hypothermic potassium cardioplegia (35 mEq of potassium chloride) on the hypertrophic ventricle. Puppies with induced left ventricular hypertrophy were divided into four groups and studied after one hour on global ischemia. Myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was best preserved in the hypothermically perfused groups and correlated well with measurements of coronary sinus creatine phosphokinase (CPK). In Groups 1 and 2 (anoxic arrest at 37 degrees C and KC1 perfusion at 37 degrees C), CPK at 30 minutes of reperfusion was 1,031 and 198 IU, respectively, compared to 35 IU in Group 3 (KC1 perfusion at 4 degrees C) and 44 IU in Group 4 (Ringer's lactate at 4 degrees C). Myocardial injury was milder in Groups 3 and 4 regardless of whether potassium chloride was added. It is apparent that hypothermic perfusion of a hypertrophic ventricle was the major factor in myocardial preservation, as determined by myocardial ATP and coronary sinus CPK.


Health hazards to timber and forestry workers from the Douglas fir tussock moth. A heavy infestation of the tussock moth caterpillar (Orgyia pseudotsugata McDonnough) in forested areas of Oregon was associated with itching of the skin and eyes, nasal discharge, cough, and, at times, respiratory difficulty, Personal interviews and inspection of forty-one occupationally exposed persons were supplemented by a questionnaire administered to 428 individuals, composing three groups at various degrees of risk and a control group. There was a cause and effect relationship between the adverse symptoms and the exposure to tussock moth larvae. The specific etiologic agent was not identified, but it was felt that the secretion, hairs, or other substances in the larvae or cocoons of the moth acted as a potent allergenic substance and, for some persons, was also a primary skin irritant.


Fructose metabolism in four Pseudomonas species. 1. ATP-Dependent phosphorylation of fructose could not be detected in extracts of fructose-grown cells of Pseudomonas extorquens strain 16, Pseudomonas 3A2, Pseudomonas acidovorans and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Instead, phosphorylation of fructose to fructose-1-phosphate was found to occur when cell-free extracts were incubated with fructose and phosphoenolpyruvate. Such an activity could not be detected in cell-free extracts of succinate-grown cells. 2. High levels of 1-phosphofructokinase were found in extracts of the above organisms when growth on fructose. 3. Mutants of Pseudomonas extorquens strain 16 lacking 1-phosphofructokinase were unable to grow on fructose. Revertants to growth on fructose had regained the capacity to synthesize this enzyme, indicating its necessary involvement in fructose metabolism. 4. A survey has been carried out of enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism in the species listed above.


Sex therapy and marital counseling for the disabled. The myth that handicapped people have no sexual needs has been recently dispelled. Professional concern is now present for their sexual rehabilitation, ideally starting shortly after injury, surgery or disease and continuing in specialized clinics for sexual counseling and therapy. The patients are referred either in couples or as singles, married or non-married. Therapy is similar to that for able-bodied individuals: the couple is seen together, then separately and finally together again for detailed discussion. Both the disabled and his or her partner learn that when open, honest communication is possible and sexual potential is present, a mutually rewarding sexual relationship can be obtained and developed.


Laparoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of abdominal pain in adolescent girls. Between 1973 and 1976, laparoscopy was performed on 50 girls aged 12 to 18 years old for evaluation of abdominal pain severe enough to warrant hospitalization. In nine patients, a pelvic mass was suspected on physical examination or ultrasonography. Twenty-three patients had histories of previous episodes of salpingitis, but negative cultures at time of admission. Eighteen patients had no significant past medical history and normal physical findings. Laparoscopy established a diagnosis in 28 of the 50 patients, and in the 32 patients in whom a specific preoperative diagnosis was entertained, laparoscopy proved it to be incorrect in 15. In all cases where laparoscopy resulted in specific treatment, the symptoms were relieved. There was no morbidity or mortality.


Successful simultaneous renal transplantation and abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy. At the time of related donor renal transplantation, a 49-year-old man with chronic glomerulinephritis was found to have a large fusiform aneurysm involving the internal and external iliac arteries, the abdominal aorta, and both common iliac arteries. Transplantation and abdominal aneurysmectomy using a standard Dacron bifurcation graft were successfully carried out. This patient has had no associated complications and is currently five years after transplantation and aneurysmectomy, with excellent renal function. It is believed that transplantation may now be offered to an older age group of patients with end-stage renal disease in whom atherosclerosis wll have developed as a natural process of aging.


[Microspectrophotometric study of the content of various metabolites in cervical cancer]. The composite microspectrophotometric study of the content of DNA, PAS-positive, alcian-positive substances, lipids, and the activity of succinate dehydrogenase and ascorbic acid in the cervical epithelium normally and in cancer tumors showed preinvasive forms of cancer to be characterized by increased polyploidy, content of DNA and lipids, and increased activity of succinate dehydrogenase, and decreased content of glycogen, acid mucopolysaccharides and ascorbic acid. Invasive forms of cancer are characterized by more marked changes in these values.


Cerebrospinal fluid gamma-aminobutyric acid variations in neurological disorders. Neuropathologically, Huntington's disease is characterized by a profound reduction in neuronal cells originating in the corpus striatum and globus pallidus. Since one of these cell types utilizes gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a neurotransmitter, it may be possible to differentially diagnose this disorder on the basis of the CSF content of this amino acid. In order to determine the validity of this hypothesis, cerebrospinal fluid GABA was analyzed, using a recently developed radioreceptor assay procedure and was found to be significantly reduced in patients diagnosed as having Huntington's disease and also lower in patients with Alzheimer's disease, though no difference was noted between Parkinson patients and control subjects. The results suggest that analysis of cerebrospinal fluid GABA may have diagnostic, and perhaps predictive, value in certain neurological disorders.


Early mobilization and rehabilitation in fractures and orthopaedic conditions. Many advances have taken place during the past decade in the early mobilization of orthopaedic patients and those with injuries. Light-weight scientific splinting, early rigid fixation with compression plates and nails, and the early mobilization of patients with pathological fractures in neoplastic disease, have meant that these patients can often be mobile in days, and home in a fortnight, instead of spending months languishing in hospital. Scientific treatment of patients with neck and low back pain may similarly minimize chronic disability, while early rehabilitation can enable their early return to employment. It is the purpose of this paper to underline some of the important advances in treatment which have made this possible.


[Toxic ulcerative contact dermatitis due to prefabricated concrete (cement burns)]. In the present report the case of a toxic ulcerous contact dermatitis (cement burns) by pre-fabricated concrete is described. This can be clearly distinguished by anamnesis, findings and development from the allergic and cumulative-toxic contact dermatitis caused by cement and related substances. It is pointed out, that in the few cases of "cement burns" made known up to now, pre-fabricated concrete was always the triggering agent.


[Allergic eczema due to textile pigment-supports]. A worker employed in a textile printing-shop showing a rebellious eczema on hands and forearms, was submitted to three series of patch-tests which disclosed a polysensitization to chromium, to formaldehyde, to the urea-formaldehyde resin and to some pigments (Helizarine BASF, Fluolac FMC). The chemical analysis of some of these pigments shows an interesting relation between allergenicity for a certain pigment and the presence of formaldehyde. Thus, it is an allergy to the pigment-support and not to the pigment itself.


[Skin diseases and work disability in the Netherlands. 1. Results of a preliminary examination]. Based on official Dutch Government data a study was performed in order to define the relative importance of skin diseases in causing a short- or longlasting incapacity to work. At the same time it was investigated which skin diseases caused a longlasting incapacity during the years 1967--1974 in Groningen, one of the provinces of the Netherlands.


[Expert-testimony and therapeutic findings and observations in wine-dressers of the Mosel-region with late sequelae of arsenic intoxication]. During the years 1972--1976 an overall number of 122 vine-dressers of the middle Moselle region called for examination, control, and medical treatment because of late damages caused by arsenic intoxication. In 1976 there were twenty-two new cases. By keratolytic treatment, excision, cauterization, and X-ray therapy a considerable reduction of precancerous and carcinous degenerations of the skin caused by arsenic in the form of keratosis and melanosis of the head, rump, arms, chest, volae and plantae could be achieved. By comparing two groups of vine-dressers with skin damages caused by arsenic a distinct reduction of praecancerous and carcinous degenerations of the predestined skin regions could be seen in those who had had medical treatment. A 3 months' dermatological survey of the patients is required.


The primary plasmin inhibitor in rheumatoid synovial fluid. In 20 consecutive rheumatoid arthritis patients, 14 women and 6 men, age 26--76, average 62 years, the concentration of the recently found "primary plasmin inhibitor" and phase proteins was estimated in plasma and synovial fluid. In 12 patients a complex between the inhibitor and plasmin could be demonstrated by crossed immunoelectrophoresis into immunoglobulins against the primary plasmin inhibitor and immunoglobulin against plasminogen. Only free inhibitor was found in corresponding plasma. All plasminogen present in synovial fluid could be activated to plasmin upon addition of urokinase (24 nM/1). In those patients where enzyme-inhibitor complex in synovial fluid was present, a higher concentration of phase proteins in synovial fluid was found, indicating an increased degree of inflammation despite identical scores in the Lansbury clinical index in the two groups. From these experiments it was concluded that the fibrinolytic capacity in rheumatoid synovial fluid is not decreased. It is suggested that the fibrin-like material in synovial tissue and upon the synovial membrane is a poor substrate for plasmin.


QRS voltage of the electrocardiogram and Frank vectorcardiogram in relation to ventricular volume. Left ventricular volumes were estimated in 59 patients, who were investigated by single plane ventriculography and coronary arteriography. The relation of the left ventricular end-diastolic volumes to the QRS voltage of the 12-lead electrocardiograms and Frank vectorcardiograms was examined. It was found that the maximum spatial QRS voltage and the R wave voltage of leads V5 and V6 in patients without left ventricular hypertrophy were inversely correlated with end-diastolic volume. This inverse relation of QRS voltage and left ventricular volume may explain loss of QRS voltage with dilatation of the heart. In patients with left ventricular hypertropy QRS voltage is usually positively correlated with the degree of hypertrophy, but there is no significant correlation in the presence of cardiac dilatation. If the results of this study are extrapolated to patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac dilatation, then the inverse correlation of volume and QRS voltage may reduce the diagnostic sensitivity of unipolar chest lead and vectorcardiographic criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy.


An assessment of the Gapmeter Lab Kit.

An assessment of the Gapmeter Lab Kit. The Gapmeter Lab Kit series of flowmeters has been calibrated using air. Two of the flowmeters were also calibrated using argon and oxygen as the priming gases. Linear calibration graphs have been obtained for all the Gapmeters. The two low flow Gapmeters are extremely susceptible to back-pressure.


Lymphocyte transformation in subjects with nodulo cystic acne. Patients with severe nodulo-cystic acne are known to have elevated serum antibody levels and increased immediate hypersensitivity reactions to Propionibacterium acnes. This organism is the predominant bacterium in normal pilosebaceous follicles of human skin, and can be consistently isolated from pustular lesions in acne. Previously it had been observed that delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions to P. acnes were negative in patients with acne. The present study investigated the proliferative response of lymphocytes from patients with nodulo-cystic acne to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and P. acnes antigen stimulation. The response to PHA stimulation was within normal limits. The response to P. acnes antigen showed a significant increase over control values obtained by testing lymphocytes from acne-free subjects. Thus cell mediated immunity to P. acnes may be present in subjects with severe inflammatory acne. These findings raise the possibility that reactions to P. acnes may contribute to intensifying the inflammatory response in acne lesions.


Dilating dangerous pupils.

Dilating dangerous pupils. Altogether 85 eyes from patients at risk to the development of closed-angle glaucoma were dilated with either parasympatholytic or sympathomimetic drugs. Of 21 eyes dilated with cyclopentolate 1/2%, 9 developed angle closure and a significantly raised pressure at some stage during dilatation and subsequent miosis. Of 58 eyes dilated with tropicamide 1/2%, 19 developed angle closure and a significantly raised pressure during dilatation. Treatment with intravenous acetazolamide and pilocarpine rapidly returned pressure to normal levels. Six eyes that had previously had a positive provocative test with simultaneous pilocarpine and phenylephrine were safely dilated with phenylephrine alone. Subsequent miosis with pilocarpine produced closed-angle glaucoma in all eyes. The significance of these observations is explained and discussed, and it is suggested that high-risk eyes should never be dilated with cyclopentolate. Tropicamide is safe if elementary precautions are observed. Safest of all, however, is phenylephrine-induced mydriasis and subsequent miosis with thymoxamine drops 1/2%.


Physarum action. Observations on its presence, stability, and assembly in plasmodial extracts and development of an improved purification procedure. Actin is readily extracted from plasmodia of Physarum polycephalum by low ionic strength solutions which do not solubilize the plasmodial myosin. The actin in such extracts exists predominantly as a monomer which slowly denatures, apparently via removal of bound nucleotide, and is subsequently proteolyzed. However, the native monomeric actin can be induced to assemble into polymeric arrays under appropriate solvent conditions. Actin assembly is dependent on the addition of ATP and is a function of KCl and CaCl2 concentrations. These observations have allowed the development of an improved actin purification scheme which is simple, rapid, and efficient, yielding approximately 60 mg of protein from 100 g of plasmodium. The actin thus obtained is pure, stable, and comparable to that obtained by previously described procedlres. Furthermore, the observations suggest that actin polymers may be metastably assembled in vivo and raise the possibility that actin assembly, and plasmodial movements, could be regulated via alterations in intracellular concentrations of nucleotide and/or divalent cation.


Convergence of active center geometries. Comparisons have been made between the active center geometries of lactate dehydrogenase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, chymotrypsin and papain, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and papain. In the dehydrogenases, orientation of the nicotinamide ring about the glycosidic bond is determined by the substrate stereochemistry. The proper positioning of the carboxyamide moiety allows for the close approach of the C4 atom on the nicotinamide and the reactive carbon of the substrate. It follows that, once the conformation of the substrate or substrate intermediate has been established with respect to the functional groups in the enzyme, the A- or B-side specificity of the nicotinamide ring is predetermined. Hence, dehydrogenases which are divergently evolving from a common precursor must maintain the nicotinamide specificity if the protein fold of the catalytic domain is conserved. The tetrahedral intermediates produced during acylation of chymotrypsin and papain are found to be of opposite hand, while those of papain and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase can be regarded to be of the same hand. Thus the serine proteases, subtilisin and those of the chymotrypsin family, are of one hand while the cysteine enzymes, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and papain, are of the other.


(Na, K)ATPase activity in membrane preparations of ouabain-resistant HeLa cells. Membrane preparations from two independent ouabain-resistant HeLa cell clones, HI-B1 and HI-C1, each appear to contain two species of (Na,K)ATPase. Two-thirds of the total (Na,K)ATPase in each mutant is indistinguishable from the enzyme in preparations of wild type cells with respect to ouabain binding, ouabain inhibition of (Na,K)ATPase activity, and dependence of ATP hydrolysis on Na, Mg, K, and ATP concentration. The remaining (Na,K)ATPase activity in the mutants is up to 1000 and 10 000 times, respectively, more resistant to ouabain than wild type enzyme. Resistance results from a lower affinity of the mutant enzymes for the inhibitor. The presence of Na, K, or Mg has little or no effect on the degree of resistance expressed by the mutant enzymes, although the resistance of the wild type enzyme varies 400-fold in the presence of different ligands. Incubation with 5 X 10(-8) M ouabain abolishes the activity of the wild type enzyme without affecting the activity of the resistant enzymes. Using this procedure we compared the parameters of ATP hydrolysis via the resistant and wild type enzymes. Ouabain-resistant (Na,K)ATPase of HI-C1 has an apparent K0.5 for potassium 3-4 times higher than that of either wild type enzyme or the resistant enzyme of HI-B1.


Different effects of inhibitors on two mutants of Escherichia coli K12 affected in the Fo portion of the adenosine triphosphatase complex. The effects of the inhibitors dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide (DCCD), bathophenanthroline and tertiary octylcatechol, on some enzyme activities in membranes from strains of Escherichia coli carrying mutations in the uncB or uncC genes have been studied. Membranes prepared from uncC mutants retain a normal DCCD-sensitive Mg2+-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase (Mg-ATPase) activity whereas in uncB mutants this enzyme activity is insensitive to DCCD. The membrane-bound Mg-ATPase activity from the uncC mutant strain, as compared with that from the normal strain, is only partially sensitive to the inhibitors bathophenanthroline or tertiary-octylcatechol. Both of these inhibitors stimulate the membrane-bound Mg-ATPase from uncB mutant strains. A DCCD-insensitive Mg-ATPase activity is found in the cytoplasmic fraction following cell disruption of either the uncB or the uncC mutants. The lipophilic chelators bathophenanthroline and tertiary-octylcatechol stimulate the activity of the 'soluble' Mg-ATPase in the uncB mutant but partially inhibit the activity in the uncC mutant. The NADH oxidase activities in membranes from both mutant and normal strains are strongly inhibited by tertiary-octylcatechol and bathophenanthroline but not by DCCD.


Arginine modifiers as energy transfer inhibitors in photophosphorylation. Photophosphorylation by spinach chloroplasts is inhibited after they have been incubated in the dark with either phenylglyoxal or butanedione. Inhibition by phenylglyoxal is strongest when N-ethylmorpholine is the buffer used during the incubation; that by butanedione requires the presence of borate as buffer. The inhibitions are not reversed by simply washing out the inhibitor, suggesting that a covalent modification of one or more arginine residues is responsible. This is supported by the reversibility of the butanedione inhibition if both the inhibitor and borate buffer are removed. ATPase of the chloroplasts, and of extracted protein, is inhibited, whether activated by trypsin or by heating. This indicates that arginine residues of the coupling factor are the probable major site(s) for attack by these modifiers, leading to the observed inhibitions.


Synthetic inhibitors of trypsin, plasmin, kallikrein, thrombin, C1r-, and C1 esterase. p-Carbethoxyphenyl episol-guanidinocaproate and p-(p'-guanidinobenzoyloxy)-phenyl derivatives were prepared, and their inhibitory effects on trypsin, plasmin, plasma kallikrein, thrombin, C1r- and C1 esterase were examined. Among the various inhibitors tested, p-nitrophenyl p'-guanidinobenzoate, N,N-dimethylamino p-(p'-guanidinobenzoyloxy)-benzoyl glycolate and N,N-dimethylamino p-(p'-guanidinobenzoyloxy)-benzilcarbonyloxy glycolate were the most effective inhibitors of trypsin, plasmin, plasma kallikrien and thrombin, and they strongly inhibited the esterolytic activities of C1r- and C1 esterase.


The interaction in human plasma of antiplasmin, the fast-reacting plasmin inhibitor, with plasmin, thrombin, trypsin and chymotrypsin. The inhibition of plasmin, (EC 3.4.21.7), thrombin (EC 3.4.21.5), trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4) and chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) by antiplasmin, the recently described fast-reacting plasmin inhibitor of human plasma, was studied. To determine the quantitative importance of antiplasmin relative to the other plasma protease inhibitors, enzyme inhibition assays were performed on whole plasma and on plasma specifically depleted in antiplasmin, after addition of excess enzyme. Plasmin was the only enzyme for which the inhibitory capacity of antiplasmin-depleted plasma was lower than that of normal plasma. To determine the affinity of the enzymes for antiplasmin, as compared to the other inhibitors, various amounts of enzymes were added to normal plasma and the formation of enzyme-antiplasmin complexes studied by crossed immunoelectrophoresis using specific antisera against antiplasmin. Plasmin and trypsin, but not thrombin or chymotrypsin formed complexes with antiplasmin. It is concluded that antiplasmin is the only fast-reacting plasmin inhibitor of human plasma. It is also a fast-reacting inhibitor of trypsin but only accounts for a very small part of the fast-reacting trypsin-inhibitory activity of plasma. This can be explained by the low concentration of antiplasmin (1 muM) in normal plasma, compared to the other inhibitors (e.g. alpha1-antitrypsin: 40-80 muM).


Conformational changes of purified (Na+ + K+)-ATPase detected by a sulfhydryl fluorescence probe. The fluorescent sulfhydryl reagent S-mercuric-N-dansyl cysteine (Dn-Cys-Hg+) has been used to label a purified preparation of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase obtained from the electric organ of Electrophorous electricus. The labelled (Na+ +K+)-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3), although reversibly inhibited, was capable of undergoing conformational changes associated with the active enzyme that could be monitored fluorometrically. The presence of ligands (Na+ + Mg2+ + ATP or Mg2+ + Pi) which are known to convert the enzyme from the E-1 state to the E-2-P state brought about large (97--100%) increases in fluorescence of the dimethylaminonaphthalene sulfonyl (Dn) label. An E-2 state could be achieved by the addition of Mg2+ which caused only a 32.3% increase in fluorescence over the E-1 state. Neither AMP nor TTP with or without Mg2+ or Na+ or Pi added without Mg2+ had any effect on the Dn fluorescence. If the enzyme was denatured, no fluorescence changes were observed. Small changes in the polarization of fluorescence of the Dn moiety were observed under all the conditions used. These small polarization changes and the large increases in the fluorescence intensity suggest that the enzyme can change conformational states in the presence of appropriate ligands and these conformational changes may take place in a relatively limited region of the protein's structure.


Immunochemical evidence for the species-specificity of mammalian cardiac myosin and heavy meromyosin. Structural differences between various myosins were investigated by means of antibodies to heavy meromyosin, a tryptic subfragment of myosin. Heavy meromyosin was purified from rabbit white skeletal and from pig and human cardiac muscles by gel filtration, and antisera were produced in guinea pigs. Analyses, carried out with the quantitative micro-complement fixation technique, indicated that the antibodies were specific to heavy meromyosin and myosin and not to other contractile proteins. For each muscle type, the corresponding intact myosin reacted, and the degree of dixation was always lower than with heavy meromyosin (50 and 70% fixation respectively). This vertical shift was the same for the three muscle types, indicating that the heavy meromyosin represent corresponding fragments of the myosin molecule from one muscle to the other. Antisera to pig or human cardiac heavy meromyosin clearly distinguished antigens (heavy meromyosins, myosins, or crude extracts) from the ventricles of various heterologous species. Relative to pig, the immunological distances were 50 for the rabbit, 73 for the rat and greater than 100 for human and mice. Relative to human, these values were 20 for the rat, 60 for the rabbit, 72 for the pig. These data provide direct evidence that mammalian cardiac myosin is species-specific.


A direct analysis of lamellar x-ray diffraction from hydrated oriented multilayers of fully functional sarcoplasmic reticulum. The profile structure of functional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes was investigated by X-ray diffraction methods to a resolution of 10 A. The lamellar diffraction data from hydrated oriented multilayers of SR vesicles showed monotonically increasing widths for higher order lamellar reflections, indicative of simple lattice disorder within the multilayer. A generalized Patterson function analysis, previously developed for treating lamellar diffraction from lattice-disordered multilayers, was used to identify the autocorrelation function of the unit cell electron density profile. Subsequent deconvolution of this autocorrelation function provided the most probable unit cell electron density profile of the SR vesicle membrane pair. The resulting single membrane profile possesses marked asymmetry, suggesting that a major portion of the Ca++ -ATPase resides on the exterior of the vesicle. The electron density profile also suggests that the Ca++-dependent ATPase penetrates into the lipid hydrocarbon core of the SR membrane. Under conditions suitable for X-ray analysis, SR vesicles prepared as partially dehydrated oriented multilayers are shown to conserve most of their ATP-induced Ca++ uptake functionality, as monitored spectrophotometrically with the Ca++ indicator arsenazo III. This has been verified both in resuspensions of SR after centrifugation and slow partial dehydration, and directly in SR multilayers in a partially dehydrated state (20-30 percent water). Therefore, the profile structure of the SR membrane that we have determined may closely resemble that found in vivo.


[Rat brain Mg2+-ATPase activity and Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentration in the presence of amizil and arecoline]. The effect of benactyzine (the central cholinolytic) in a dose of 40 mg/kg and arecoline (cholinomimetic) in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg on the activity of Mg2+-dependent ATP-ase and the content of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in the brain was studied in rats. It was shown that benactyzine and arecoline evoked a biphasic change in the activity of the enzyme and the electrolyte content. A conclusion was drawn that the enzyme inhibition was connected with the accumulation of Ca2+ ions in the brain tissue, whereas its inhibition--with the Mg2+ ion accumulation. It is supposed that throught these effects benactyzine and arecoline influenced the release and retention of the neuromediators in the tissue depot.


[Connective tissue of capsules surrounding lavsan under conditions of long-term implantation]. An experimental study of the capsules formed around the net lavsan prostheses at periods of from 7 days to 5.5 years demonstrated that in the process of prolonged implantation morphology and metabolism of the capsule connective tissue underwent changes which could be associated with the release from the implants of low molecular products producing a damaging effect on the tissues surrounding the implant.


The role of Mg++-ATPase (actomyosin-like protein) in maintaining the biconcave shape of erythrocytes. Chemically different substances known to change the Mg++-ATPase activity in the red cell membrane, likewise alter the red cell shape. Normal human red cells retain their biconcave shape only when the activity of this enzyme remains unchanged. The present work deals with the possibility that Mg++-ATPase may cause certain tension in the membrane responsible for the biconcave shape of the erythrocyte.


The ultrastructure of mycosis fungoides, of Sezary's syndrome, and of Woringer-Kolopp's disease (pagetoid reticulosis). Skin lesions of 13 cases of mycosis fungoides, 2 cases of Sézary's syndrome and one case of Woringer-Kolopp's disease were studied. In mycosis fungoides two main cell types were observed: small atypical lymphoid cells, and large atypical lymphoid cells. The small atypical lymphoid cells were characterized by dense nuclei with varying degrees of nuclear lobulation. Normal-appearing lymphocytes and typical mycosis cells were in this cell group. The large atypical  lymphoid cells were characterized by large nuclei with little lobulation and by less chromatin condensation, as well as by a more abundant cytoplasm. Their identification is discussed and indications of their possibly being neoplastic or proliferating lymphoblasts are given. In Sézary's syndrome Sézary cells with more lobulated nuclei than in mycosis cells and lymphoblast-like cells as in mycosis fungoides could be found. In Woringer-Kolopp's disease cells similar to Sézary cells aggregated mainly in the epidermis. No interdigitating reticulum cells and no other morphological signs of a specific lymphocyte microenvironment were found in any of the cases.


Cytophotometric studies on mycosis fungoides and other cutaneous reticuloses. Feulgen-DNA cytophotometry was carried out in skin imprint preparations of patients with mycosis fungoides, reticulum-cell sarcoma, lymphomatoid papulosis and Sézary's syndrome. These patients proved to have aneuploid and polyploid DNA histograms. In tumour stage of mycosis fungoides a more bimodal distribution of the DNA values was found. Of 79 cases of suspected malignant reticulosis of the skin, 32 showed an abnormal DNA histogram with 5 percent or more tetraploid and hypertetraploid cells. Thirty of these patients developed a malignant skin reticulosis during the 4-year follow-up period. It is concluded that DNA cytophotometry has value as a supplement to routine morphological histopathology in malignant cutaneous reticulosis.


Preferential replication of Sézary cells in the epidermis. Skin biopsies from three patients with Sézary Syndrome have been labeled in vitro with H-3Thymidine. Labeled cells have been counted in semithin Epon embedded sections and characterized by electron microscopic autoradiography. The ratio of labeled Sézary cells to total lymphocytes was two to four times higher in the epidermis than in the dermis. It is concluded that Sézary cells replicate in the skin and that epidermal cells seem to possess new blastogenic properties in Sézary Syndrome.


Clinical and hematological heterogeneity of T-cell derived lymphoproliferative diseases. Human lymphoproliferative disorders characterized by T derived neoplastic cells include Sezary's syndrome and mycosis fungoides, most childhood lymphoblastic lymphomas, about a quarter of acute lymphoblastic leukemias and rare cases of poorly differentiated immunoblastic or lymphocytic lymphomas as well as a small percentage of chronic lymphocytic leukemias. Particular emphasis is placed on the immunological diagnosis of T derived cells using various membrane markers and on the hematological and clinical features of each of the disorders discussed.


A technical and clinical evaluation of the Disa uroflowmeter. This investigation reveals that there is a marked reduction in the rotational speed of the transducer disc as the stream flowrate is increased, although the non-linearity is partly reduced by electronic compensation within the instrument. The inaccuracy at low flowrates is probably unimportant in routine clinical applications. However, significant errors are recorded at high flowrates when the stream strikes the grid intersections or when the point of impact is close to the edge of the rotating disc. For these reasons, it is desirable that the patient should avoid micturating directly on to the grid. To obtain acceptable clinical recordings, an instrument time constant of 0-5 sec must be used. Although some characteristic tracings can be identified, the clinical measurements indicate that the effects of the volume voided and stream movement must be taken into consideration when the flow patterns are being interpreted.


The effect of ragwort (Senecio jacobea) on the liver of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) : a histopathological and enzyme histochemical study. 1. Twenty-five 1-week-old male chicks were fed for 6 weeks on a standard diet incorporating 7% dried and ground ragwort (Senecio jacobea). The chicks received the standard diet for a further 6 weeks whilst a control group of 25 similar birds received the standard diet throughout. 2. Two birds from each group were killed at intervals of about 1 week and their livers were examined histologically and histochemically. 3. Ragwort feeding caused megalocytosis, focal necrosis, focal hyperplasia and portal fibrosis. There were no veno-occlusive changes. 4. As the lesion progressed there was an overall loss of enzyme activity especially in the areas of necrosis. The groups of small hyperplastic cells showed normal or increased activity and there was increased enzyme activity in the megalocytes. 5. The development of groups of proliferating cells may be a prelude to the neoplastic changes described in earlier reports of longer term studies of the effects of pyrolizidine alkaloids on the liver of chicks.


[Perfusion of isolated rat liver. Utilization of a perfusion without heparin. Validity of the preparation]. The blood and liver giver animals are given "Tromexan" for a period of three days. The blood defibrination is finished off by shaking. The perfusion is made of defibrinated blood to which is added a compounding of mineral salts, albumin and glucose in adequate proportions. The fluid is used during 150 minutes with a biliary flow of 4 ul/minute (instead of 8 in perfusions with heparine). The validity of the preparation is tested by biliary acids, cholesterol and Brom Sulfon Phtalein biliary elimination research. This fluid can be used when heparin is avoided: for example in a case of investigation of fat emulsion scrubbing.


[Variation of phosphagens in sea urchin eggs before and after fertilization]. Improved methods of separation, identification and determination of phosphagens have been applied to the study of monosubstituted guanidines and phosphagenes in sea urchin eggs, before and after fertilization. We have been able not only to identify in these materials phosphoarginine, but also phosphocreatine and to detect an unknown phosphagen. After fertilization, free arginine and creatine decrease, within respect to unfertilized eggs, whereas phosphocreatine undergoes a large increase; phosphoarginine remains almost constant, and an unknown phosphagen appears. These observations allow to interprete the results of some authors, who, applyng less refined methods, found only an increase in phosphoarginine in the same materials.


[Distribution, uptake and hydrolysis of cholesterol oleate (-1-14C) in brain tissue after its injection in the cerebral ventricles of the conscious cat]. Distribution, uptake and hydrolysys of cholesteryl oleate (-1-14C) in vivo in the cat's brain were investigated. Four hours following intraventricular injection of cholesteryl oleate (-1-14C), about one third of the injected radioactivity was taken up and about 50 % of that radioactive material was hydrolysed by brain tissue. Even more, the labelled material was found in the brain tissue surrounding the cerebral ventricles as well as in the cerebral cortex, but in varying amounts: the smallest amounts were found in the cerebral cortex, while the highest were in the hypothalamus. Radioactive material was also detected in the peripheral venous blood.


[Social effects of the behavior of male and female mice in open field]. Canonical discriminant analysis is used to differentiate behaviors, in male and female mice, either isolated, either grouped by two, or grouped by five, and placed into two different open-fields, one of 1 m X 1 m and one of 2.5 m X 2.5 m. Social effects are experimentally demonstrated. In addition the evidenced complexity of the behavior of mice in an openfield cannot be merely reduced to a decrease or increase of an emotional or of an exploratory behavior, as it has been previously stated.


[Effect of pentobarbital on the biothermic individuality of growing rats and during instrumental conditioning in heat]. At the dosis of 12,5 mg by kg and in 30 growing white rats, pentobarbital acts by shortening the reaction time, by inducing a short period of psychomotor instrumental activity and after a latency of 5 to 20 mn by depressing the total reserve of instrumental activity acquired before this sessions under physiological serum or caffein injections state dependent larning in heat.


[Effect of catecholamines in blood flow in arteries of distribution]. In large arteries, distributing blood to an area (hind leg of dog), the vasomotor substances (catecholamines) induce differences in flow. In case of state of vasoconstriction, the mean velocity of flow decreases, while the amplitude of pulsatile flow and the pressure increase. The radial expansion is wider. In case of state of dilatation, inverse reactions are observed.


[Effect of localized heat on blood flow in arteries of distribution]. In large arteries distributing blood to an area (hind leg of dog), local heat induces a vasodilatation. The mechanical reactions (variations of mean velocity of flow and amplitude of pulsatile flow) express a distal dilatation. Radial expansion responds in original way (pulsation become uniform).


[Effects of alpha-amanitin on the development of Xenopus (Xenopus laevis Daud.) heart in vitro]. The differentiation of Xenopus heart is studied in vitro, in the presence of alpha-amanitin. The results obtained depend on the concentration of the inhibitor, the length of treatment and the stage of primordium. The mRNA pool assures the differentiation of explants, removed from young stages, for 12 hours. This time is half for the primordia removed from stages greater than 3,5 mm.


[Somatostatin-containing fibers and neurophysin-containing fibers in the median eminence of the fox, as seen with a double staining cytoimmunoenzyme technique]. In the external layer of the median eminence of the fox, the somatostatin-containing fibers and neurophysin-containing fibers of the hypothalamo-infundibular tract are located in distinct areas. In the neural lobe, somatostatin-positive areas are simultaneously neurophysin-positive. Outside the SON and PVN, some somatostatin-positive and neurophysin-negative perikarya are scattered close to the third ventricle. These facts suggest the existence of two somatostatin systems: a hypothalamo-infundibular (neurophysin-negative) one and a hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal (neurophysin-positive) one.


[Dynamics and karyotyping of a population of wild boar with clear colored fur]. The population of wild boars living in the wood of Chize contains 25 % of animals having a clear coloured fur. Chromosomal study of these, don't reveal any anomaly of number or structure of their chromosomes. This modification seems be due to a genic mutation and not to an eventual hybridization with domestic pigs.


[Effect of theophylline on the glomerular pathway of ferritin macromolecules in rats]. The present microscopic study evaluates the quantitative variations of ferritin particules density within the glomerular ultrastructures after theophyllin perfusion in the Rat. The ferritin particules density increases 3,65 times in the glomerular basement membrane and decreases 3,28 times in the glomerular capillary lumen. So, theophyllin increases considerably the glomerular pathway of the protein macromolecules. This results confirm the increased volumic flow (Jv) and macro-solutes flow (Js') noted with clearance methods and urinary excretion studies.


[Spinal, thalamic and cortical levels of splanchno-splanchnic interactions]. Using the occlusion method, we have shown splanchno splanchnic interactions on spinal, thalamic and cortical cells in cat. 1. At the first level, splanchno splanchnic interactions concern only the cells located in the Rexed V layer. The splanchnic fibres involved are small sized ones (Agammadelta, B and C types). 2. At the second level, splanchno splanchnic interactions have been observed in the VPL nucleus. The latencies of responses suggest that only large fibres are concerned. 3. At the third level, cortical cells of SI and SII areas have been studied. Splanchno splanchnic interactions have been elicited by different afferent splanchnic fibres (medullated and non medullated ones).


[Circadian variation in the free fatty acid level of abdominal muscle of Palaemon serratus (Pennant 1777) Crustacea, Decapoda]. Free fatty acids extracted from the abdominal muscle of Palaemon serratus (Crustacea, Decapoda) maintained on a L-D: 19-5 photoperiod show important circadian variations, characterised by two diurnal maximums and one nocturnal by the end of dark period. Principal maximum is diurnal and occurs 7 hours after the beginning of the light phase.


[Characterization of lipase activity in a yeast of the genus Rhodotorula (Rh. rubra)]. Lipase activity of whole cells of Rh. rubra has been localized in a particular fraction rich in walls and in isolated cell walls. The enzyme activity has been determinated with olive oil and the triglyceride fraction of olive oil as substrats. Gas chromatography of fatty acids and triglycerides isolated after enzyme hydrolysis shows that the action of Rh. rubra is not only limited to a simple hydrolysis of the substrate. The triglyceridase activity level is dependent of the phosphate content of the culture medium.


[Dynamic copper balance in a fresh water Lamellibranch "sentinel": effect of suspended matter]. The fresh-water pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera (L.) act as bio-indicator in the study of correlations between exchangeable copper mass and metabolic spaces, in situ and experimenteded. Competitions exercise between different copper localizations: sediment and suspended matter. The amount of copper in the "target" species is function of the balance: species contamination equilibrium surrounding contamination.


[Synergistic effects of ethynylestradiol and norethisterone on the formation and lengthening of uterine lace in immature rabbits]. We have shown, through a test proceeding from the McPhail test, in the immature rabbit female, the existence of succession and simultaneity synergisms between ethynylestradiol and pure or impure norethisterone, given by oral route. The estrogen, administrated before the progestative, is able to potentialize the action of the latter on the building of the endometrial lace in 5 days, more than on the lengthening of it in 15 days. Ethynylestradiol, absorbed with norethisterone, strengthens the effects of the latter on the second phenomenon more than on the first one. Absolute and relative doses of the estrogen and of the progestative differ only lightly according as norethisterone is pure or not pure, because of the more potent estrogenicity of the impure norethisterone.


[Evidence, in the epididymis, of a strong lowering factor for blood FSH in rats]. The supernatant of centrifuged epididymis homogenates was injected in the peritoneum of castrated Wistar rats for three days. It involves a strong decrease of FSH in the blood plasma, without a significant change of LH and LTH, measured by radioimmuno-assay. Now ligating the vasa efferentes --- but not the epididymis corpus --- involves an increase of the plasma FSH, as we showed in a previous paper. Then we conclude that testicular inhibin gets into the blood stream through the head of the epididymis.


[Localization of a 5alpha-reductase activity in the nuclear membranes of the anterior hypophysis of normal and castrated adult male rats]. A 5alpha-reductase activity may be found in purified nuclei from anterior pituitary of intact or castrated male rats. When nuclear membranes are separated from nucleoplams this enzymic activity is recovered in nuclear membranes. Following 7 days of castration, the 5alpha-reductase activity in nuclear membranes is increased by 105 % with regard to the activity in nuclear membranes from intact animals.


[Strong increase in hepatic and blood histamine levels after partial hepatectomy in rats]. The histamine rates, when established by fluorometry, according to the method of Shore, in the residual liver and in the whole blood of Wistar-Commentry male rats, quickly increase after partial hepatectomy carried out as described by Higgins and Anderson. The levels reach a peak 24 h after hepatectomy, then progressively lower, and on the 4th day are almost equal to the rates of control or sham operated animals.


[Antigenic reactivation in vitro of the cytotoxic activity of lymphoid cells from mice bearing syngeneic tumors]. The cytotoxic activity of lymphoid cells from mice bearing syngeneic sarcomas is increased when these cells are preincubated on heavily irradiated cells of the same tumours. This secondary stimulation is highest at the time when the cytotoxicity measured directly is relatively low. In consequence, whatever the age of the tumour, the level of cytotoxicity reached (35-45 %) cannot be increased further in normal conditions.


[Reversible inhibition of nucleolar function in fibroblasts treated in vitro with adriamycin]. In chick embryo fibroblasts treated in vitro with adriamycin, the mitotic activity is strongly depressed, the nucleoli are altered, nucleolar RNA synthesis is inhibited and the RNA content is lowered. These effects can be concomitantly and spontaneously reversible, but the mitotic activity does not resume.


[In vivo assay of antisomatotropic activity of somatostatin and two of its analogs]. Somatostatin (Growth hormone release inhibiting hormone or somatotrophin-release inhibiting factor) and its analogues can be measured in vivo by inhibiting the pentobarbital induced growth hormone release in male rats. Experimental conditions must be carefully defined to become optimal.


[Relationship between age of the male and spontaneous or radiation induced prenatal mortality in mice]. Control and X-irradiated male mice from the BALB/c strain, three or twelve months old, have been mated with 3 months old virgin females from the same strain. Dissection of the females on the seventeenth day after the beginning of the mating has shown that the preimplantation is increased when the males are twelve months old whereas exposure to ionizing radiations enhances only the postimplantation loss. It is possible that the increase in preimplantation loss results from some changes in the vitality or fertilizing capacity of the spermatozoa.


[Inhibition of the prostaglandin-liberating activity of bradykinin in the rat]. In the rat, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone and chloroquine do not inhibit the hypotensive activity of arachidonic acid, which is due to endogenous prostaglandin synthesis. They reduce or suppress the secondary hypotensive phase induced by bradykinin. These substances inhibit the prostaglandin releasing activity of bradykinin but do not interfere with prostaglandin synthesis.


[Blood calcitonin in alcoholic cirrhosis]. In spite of an important metabolic role of the liver in the synthesis and degradation of hormonal peptides and seco-steroïds, the clinical occurrence of disturbed regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism is rare in hepatic disorders. 23 patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis were studied. All had normal plasma calcium and phosphorus concentration as well as immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels. 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were decreased. Immunoreactive calcitonin were increased in relation to the increase in plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. The causes and consequences of these endocrine disturbances are discussed.


[Classification of the responses of a giant neuron from the snail Acatina fulica Férussac, caused by inhibitory sugstances depending on chlorine ions]. GABA, three of its derivatives (l-GABOB, d-GABOB and delta-amino valeric acid), acetycholine (Ach), dopamine (DA) and l-Phe-Tyr all inhibit an identifiable giant neurone (the TAN, tonically autoactive neurone) of Achatina fulica. These effects were examined by microdrop application in two different conditions: in physiological solution and in the absence of chloride ions. The results show that the relatively transient (rapid) inhibitions caused by GABA, by its derivatives and by Ach are dependent on chloride ions; the relatively maintained (long-lasting) inhibitions, caused by DA and l-Phe-Tyr, are independent of chloride ions.


[Thymus dependent immunity against Tyzzer's disease in the mouse]. Nude (nu/nu) mice fail to resist to challenge infection of Tyzzer's disease after pretreatment with formalin-killed organisms that was effective for protecting heterozygous haired (nu/ł) mice from challenge. Resistance was induced nu/nu mice after the transfer of spleen cells from immunized nu/ł and concomitant formalin vaccine treatment.


Cross-linking of minor subunits in the adenosine triphosphatase of rat liver mitochondria. The subunits of the purified ATPase of rat liver mitochondria were cross-linked with the cleavable disulfide crosslinking reagent dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate). Besides cross-linking of the major (alpha,beta) subunits interactions between beta and gamma and between gamma and epsilon subunits were observed.


Solvolytic desulfation of glycosaminoglycuronan sulfates with dimethyl sulfoxide containing water or methanol. A solvolytic desulfation of glycosaminoglycuronan sulfates was developed by treatment of their pyridinium salts with dimethyl sulfoxide containing 10% of water or methanol at 80-100 degrees. Chemical and physical studies showed that the solvolytic desulfation is a useful method applicable to all the known glycosaminoglycuronan sulfates without producing depolymerization or unfavorable chemical changes in the polysaccharide molecules. An almost completely desulfated, N-acetylated heparin (S: 0.12%) was obtained by treatment of an N-desulfated and N-acetylated heparin with dimethyl sulfoxide containing 10% of methanol for 2 h at 100 degrees.


Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with midventricular obstruction associated with mitral stenosis: partial relief of the obstruction by papillary muscle and trabecular resection. A patient is reported with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy where midventricular obstruction was found in association with mitral stenosis. Partial relief of the intraventricular obstruction was obtained by extensive papillary and trabecular muscle resection in the mid-left ventricular area, in conjunction with mitral valve replacement with a porcine heterograft.


Inhibition of mitochondrial ATPase by 2,4,3',5'-tetrahydroxystilbene. 2,4,3',5'-tetrahydroxystilbene (THS) wa s found to inhibit rat liver mitochondrial adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity induced by various concentrations of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). The I50 was found to be 17 nmoles/mg mitochondrial protein. The maximum inhibitory effects of oligomycin and atractyloside on the DNP-activated mitochondrial ATPase activity can be enhanced by adding THS. The atractyloside-insensitive ATPase activity of Lubrol-treated rat liver mitochondria was also inhibited by low concentration of THS. The tetramethoxyderivative of THS was much less effective than the parent compound in depressing the ATPase activity of both intact and Lubrol-treated mitochondria. These observations suggest that the phenolic groups are essential for the mitochondrial actions of THS, and this compound most probably acts by a mechanism different from oligomycin on the mitochondrial ATPase complex.


Cardiac size and function in acromegaly. Sixteen acromegalic patients underwent echocardiography, phonocardiography, stress electrocardiography with Thallium perfusion scanning and gated radioisotope left ventricular angiocardiograms. Abnormalities consisting of increased echo left ventricular mass index, low velocity of circumferential fiber shortening or elevated pre-ejection period to left ventricular ejection time ratio were found in six patients with coexistent hypertension or coronary disease. Concentric left ventricular hypertrophy was also found in three patients with no known etiology other than acromegaly of greater than thirteen years' duration or with fasting growth hormone concentrations greater than 100 ng/ml. One of these three also had left ventricular dysfunction. Neither hypertrophy nor ventricular dysfunction was found in other acromegalics with shorter duration of disease or lower growth hormone concentrations or with normal growth hormone concentrations after therapy. A high prevalence of coronary artery and hypertensive heart disease is associated with acromegaly. A few patients with acromegaly have a specific, potentially reversible cardiomyopathy probably related to prolonged acromegaly or very high growth hormone concentrations.


Consumption coagulopathy and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with an axillo-femoral graft. Consumption coagulopathy and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia occurred as a complication of insertion of an axillofemoral, preclotted dacron graft. Treatment with heparin followed by dipyridamole and aspirin normalized the hematologic and coagulation abnormalities over a two month period. The mechanism of consumption coagulopathy associated with prosthetic grafts is discussed and a possible role for treatment with antiplatelet agents is suggested.


Differentiation of mucopolysaccharidoses by analyses of the excreted sulfated mucopolysaccharides. Analyses of sulfated mucopolysaccharides excreted by patients with Hunter, Hurler, Scheie, Sanfilippo A and Sanfilippo B syndromes are reported. Three distinct methods, namely agarose gel electrophoresis, enzymatic degradation and molecular weight determination, were used in an attempt to differentiate the mucopolysaccharidoses by analysis of the urinary mucopolysaccharides. It is shown that by the combination of these methods it is possible to differentiate most of the syndromes and also to demonstrated that some patients with the same syndrome excrete different types of sulfated mucopolysaccharides.


Dental care for the handicapped-ambulatory and hospital considerations. Estimates of the incidence of handicap are totally confused, and there is little coordination in provision of information as to types of disability. The author attempts to distinguish between the various handicaps from a standpoint of dental services delivery. Some of the psycho-social problems of the handicapped are discused in relation to dental care, and distinction is made between those who can be treated on an ambulatory basis and those who have to be hospitalized. Guidelines are established for each of the aforementioned techniques in order to make the experience more bearable for patient, parent and dentist.


Integration.

Integration. The problems of intergrating the disabled child in the ordinary school are examined. The child's adaptation and adjustment are briefly discussed and the influence on these of the home, medical and educational services is considered. Handicap is seen to be created by a combination of the functional limitations imposed by the disability and by the reaction of society to it. Successful integration is considered to be in some way dependent upon efforts which will reduce both this secondary socially induced handicap and also any peer group stigmatization. Positive professional attitudes and intensive family centered support and guidance are considered essential to the successful habilitation of the disabled child.


Treatment of Paget's disease of bone with mithramycin. The hypothesis that Paget's disease of bone is a low grade neoplastic process led us to use the cytotoxic antibiotic mithramycin in its treatment. The dramatic effects observed on the serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase, and urinary hydroxyproline are compatible with the concept that mithramycin is primarily toxic to osteoclasts. Subjective and objective clinical effects establish this agent as useful in the treatment of Paget's disease despite its observed toxicity to other organ systems.


Low back pain due to neisseria prostatitis: report of three cases. After a short term of employment in a new job, 3 young heroin addicts became disabled from low back pain due to neisseria gonorrhea prostatitis. Each returned to work after a few weeks of antibiotic therapy without symptoms following proper diagnosis. These patients demonstrate the importance of a careful history and thorough examination of the patient with low back pain including a rectal examination of the prostate gland.


Circulating inhibitor of sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase after expansion of extracellular fluid volume in rats. 1. Serum was collected from normal rats and from rats volume-expanded with isotonic sodium chloride solution. 2. The serum was fractionated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 and each fraction was tested for inhibitory activity against sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase prepared from rat kidney homogenate. 3. A single low-molecular-weight fraction, eluting after the salts and after exogenously added lysine-vasopressin, had significantly greater enzyme inhibitory activity when obtained from serum of volume-expanded animals than from control serum. 4. As this fraction has been shown in previous independent studies to contain a natriuretic factor, it may be concluded that one property of this factor is the ability to inhibit sodium-potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase.


Effect of alpha-methyldopa on the pulmonary vascular changes induced by chronic hypoxia in rats. 1. Groups of young rats were kept in a hypoxic chamber or in air as control animals for 28 days. 2. Hypoxic and control animals were treated with either alpha-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (alpha-methyldopa) or distilled water. 3. alpha-Methyldopa significantly reduced the increase in pulmonary artery pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy induced by chronic hypoxia and partially prevented the histological changes in the small pulmonary vessels.


Evaluation and accountability in a parent-implemented early intervention service. Traditionally human-service programs have lacked systematic procedures of evaluation and accountability to the clients served. The Regional Intervention Program, a parent-implemented early intervention service, developed and instituted one system of program evaluation to demonstrate its efficiency and effectiveness. The system as developed incorporates an economic justification in terms of the costs and benefits to the funding source, evaluation of specifically defined organizational and clinet objectives, data-based assessments of child progress, and accountability to a consumer-based evaluation committee. Collectively, these four components provide a means of continuous and reliable feedback to the funding source and to the clients served.


Variations in the length of S-phase related to the time cells are blocked at the G1-S interface. The inhibition of DNA synthesis with hydroxyurea or 5-fluorode-oxyuridine decreases the duration of S-phase of synchronously growing Chinese hamster cultures. - The observed drug effects are discussed in relation to an alteration of programmed DNA replication.


Effect of streptozotocin administration on somatostatin content of pancreas and hypothalamus in rats. A radioimmunoassay (RIA) method for somatostatin (SRIF) utilizing rabbit antiserum against synthetic SRIF coupled with human serum alpha-globulin is described. Synthetic N alpha-tyrosylated SRIF was labelled with 125I using the lactoperoxidase method and purified on a Sephadex G-10 column. This assay system was highly specific for SRIF and did not cross-react with hypothalamic trophic hormones, pituitary trophic hormones or gastrointestinal hormones. The effect of streptozotocin induced diabetes on the SRIF content was examined in the pancreas, the pancreatic islets, as well as the hypothalamus of rats. SRIF content in both the pancreas and islets of the diabetic rats was shown by RIA to have significantly increased. However, content in the hypothalamus of the diabetic rats did not differ from that of the control. The physiological and pathophysiological significance of the SRIF changes remains to determined.


Some histochemical observations on the epididymis of rat--a comparison with chronological events in testis. Histological and histochemical changes (lipids, phospholipids, neutral polysaccharides, acid mucopolysaccharides and sialic acid) were studied in the rat at pre- and postpubertal stages. At 10 days lipid and phospholipid staining was not observed both in the testis and epididymis though neutral and acid mucopolysaccharides and sialic acid were demonstrable. By 21 days, lipid and phospholipid staining was present in moderate amounts both in testis and epididymis. There was also a slight increase in other parameters studied. Maximum histochemical staining for all the parameters was seen at 60 days when the testicular and further components were well organized and functional. These findings reveal that both the testis and epididymis follow a similar pattern of development and are possibly governed by a common controlling factor--the androgens.


The binding constant of ATP to myosin S1 fragment. The extent of ATP synthesis from ADP and Pi at the active centre of myosin subfragment 1 has been reinvestigated. The results have been interpreted using a treatment which is not dependent on the number or nature of the intermediates in the ATPase mechanism. An average value for the binding constant of ATP of (3.25 +/- 0.96) X 10(11) M-1 at pH 8.0 23 degrees C and ionic strength 0.12 M was obtained. Additional evidence is given to confirm that synthesis at the active site has been investigated.


Immunodeficiency in Down's syndrome: relationship between presence of human thyroglobulin antibodies and HBsAg carrier status. The relationship between the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to human thyroglobulin (HTgAb) has been studied in 110 subjects with Down's syndrome (DS) from 4 months to 50 years of age and in 122 controls carefully matched for sex, age and socio-environmental conditions. The overall percentage of HBsAg carriers was 22.7 in DS and 6.6 in controls and that of HTgAb-positive subjects was 41.8 in DS and 19.7 in controls. In DS the frequency of HTgAb-positive subjects was very high, even in the youngest age groups in which the percentage of HBsAg carriers was relatively low; the latter thereafter showed a marked increase with age. A positive association between the presence of HBsAg and HTgAb was found only in the oldest age group of DS subjects. It is thus concluded that in DS the high frequency of HTgAb cannot be attributed to chronic hepatitis B virus infection. On the contrary, the presence of HTgAb might well represent an early "marker" of immunodeficiency and increased susceptibility to infection with hepatitis B virus.


Beta-glucuronidase deficiency in a girl with unusual clinical features. beta-glucuronidase deficiency in fibroblasts, leucocytes and in serum and increased urinary excretion of mucopolysaccharides were found in a girl, now 13 years old, who exhibits some features of a mucopolysaccharidosis such as moderate mental deficiency, craniofacial dysmorphism, a short neck, protruding sternum, vertebral deformities and corneal clouding. Coarse granulations were found in her leucocytes. The liver and spleen are not enlarged and there is no gingival hyperplasia. Additional features, hitherto undescribed, are hydronephrosis and defective ossification of the medial carpal and tarsal bones. Low enzyme activity in the parents and a normal brother suggests heterozygosity.