Surgical correction of spastic thumb-in-palm deformity. A series of 31 operations on 27 patients for correction of the spastic thumb-in-palm deformity is reported. 19 patients were followed four years or longer post-operatively; the remainder have been followed for at least one year. In approximately 70 per cent of the operations, supplementary procedures were performed on the hand or forearm, as the deformity is usually only one facet of a complex spastic disability of the upper extremity. The surgical technique and illustrative cases are presented. Augmentation of a markedly weak extensor-abductor motor function is necessary, otherwise the spastic thumb-in-palm deformity will recur, as in two cases in the present series which required a second operation. The remainder of the patients were classified as improved, indicating that the thumb was no longer clenched in the palm, could be used in gross grasping activities, and the hand had become more useful. In no instance did the spastic hand become the primary functioning hand post-operatively.


Platelet mono-amine oxidase activity in the human fetus. Measurement of the platelet mono-amine oxidase (MAO) activity in the human fetus of 40 weeks gestation showed it to be equivalent to that found in the adult. The level represents a fully-developed mitochondrial MAO system in platelets and may reflect enzyme maturity in other tissues of the newborn.


Neurological disturbance in a phenylketonic child after discontinuation of dietary treatment. Signs of moderately severe spastic diplegia appeared in 14-year-old late-treated phenylketonuric boy 13 months after dietary restrictions were lifted. The literature contains reports of untreated phenylketonuric patients developing demyelinating conditions in later childhood. The possible implications of relaxing the diet in early- and late-treated cases of phenylketonuria are discussed.


Cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome with parental consanguinity. A case of cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome with some unusual features is reported. The neuropathological findings are described in detail. Electronmicroscopy showed astrocytes in the demyelinated areas of the brain to contain granules composed of laminated osmiophilic material. These structures could be abnormal mitochondria. The parental consanguinity in this case would further support an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.


Effect of calcium infusions of serum calcium and gastric acid secretion. 37 patients were studied with calcium infusions. Of these, 20 had previously undergone truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty for duodenal ulcer disease, and 17 were unoperated patients with duodenal ulcer disease. Calcium was given intravenously either at a dose of 5 mg/kg/h for 3 h, or 4 mg/kg/h for 4 h. Gastric juice was collected by continuous suction. Results showed the 3-hour infusion raised calcium more than the 4-hour infusion. Top serum calcium achieved, however, did not correlate with calcium-stimulated gastric acid output, either with or without vagotomy. Stimulated gastric acid secretion was markedly less with vagotomy than without. It is suggested that the level of gastric acid stimulated by infusions might discriminate complete, from incomplete, vagotomies better than insulin, and that the 4-hour infusion is safer.


The effect of phenobarbital on patients with Dubin-Johnson syndrome. 11 patients with jaundice of Dubin-Johnson type were treated for 2 weeks with phenobarbital. Serum bilirubin diminished and hepatic clearance of sulfobromophthalein was variably enhanced; other measures of hepatic function were not significantly changed during therapy.


Risk factors in ulcerative colitis.

Risk factors in ulcerative colitis. In 504 Jewish patients with ulcerative colitis the following risk factors were evaluated: sex, age at onset of disease, community group, extent of disease, and duration of disease. The disease was more severe in females. Severe attacks, weight loss, iron deficiency, liver disease and arthritis were significantly more frequent in females than in mles. Mortality was higher in patients who contracted the disease above age 50. The disease appeared to be more severe in patiets of Ashkenazi origin as compared to Orientals. The difference failed to reach statistical signifcance except for mortality. We confirmed the well-known adverse effect of extensive colonic involvement. Severe attacks, a severe course of the disease and extensive colonic involvement are more frequent with increasing duration of the disease.


Action of cholecystokinin and caerulein on the rabbit sphincter of Oddi. The action of cholecystokinin (CCK) and caerulein upon the rabbit sphincter of Oddi was investigated by electromyography, manometry and measuring of the flow. Intravenous injection of CCK resulted in a marked rise of the sphincter activity with a maximum at the 1st min and return to the basal level at the 10th min. Injection of increasing doses of hormone showed that the effect was proportional to the logarithm of the dose. The same results were obtained with caerulein. Parallely, CCK provoked a rise of the biliary pressure also proportional to the logarithm of the dose and a reduction to the biliary flow. The discrepancies between these results and some other experiments are discussed. It is concluded that, in the rabbit, CCK increases the activity of the sphincter of Oddi.


Experimental colitis.

Experimental colitis. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are complex, problematic diseases of unknown etiology in man, and appropriate experimental models would be useful in elucidating their pathogenesis and treatment. Although there have been numerous attempts to produce inflammatory ulcerative colonic disease in laboratory animals resembling those human disease forms, none has been entirely successful. Investigators have conducted experiments involving almost every etiological factor suggested for initiation of these diseases. The methods reviewed in this paper include production of experimental colitis by vascular impairment, and immunological methods such as bacterial infection, allergic reactions, direct and indirect hypersensitivity reactions, as well as autoimmune mechanisms. The results of carrageenan-induced colitis, irradiation, dietary, and drug-induced techniques are also discussed and the frequency and nature of spontaneous colonic lesions in animals is summarized.


Water filtration of the forearm in short- and long-term diabetes mellitus. Blood flow and capillary filtration coefficient (CFC) were measured by strain-gauge plethysmography on the upper and lower third of the forearm in 9 normal subjects and 29 well regulated patients with diabetes mellitus of varying duration (less than 10 years, 10 to 20 years, and more than 20 years). There was no difference in blood flow in the four groups, but CFC was significantly increased in long-term diabetes (duration above 20 years) when measured at the distal part of the forearm near the wrist. Calculations showed that this was probably due to the relatively high contribution of connective tissue in this part of the forearm. Increased water filtration in connective tissue in long-term diabetics is in accordance with earlier findings of a lowered subcutaneous interstitial fluid albumin concentration in long-term diabetics, this being explained by an increase in net water outflux from the microcirculation.


Insulin secretion and biosynthesis in sucrose fed rats. Long term feeding of a sucrose rich diet to rats is accompanied by a decreased glucose assimilation rate, despite high plasma insulin levels. Hyperinsulinism is at least partially based on a relative obesity, with increased amounts of abdominal- and retroperitoneal fat tissue, but unchanged total body weight compared to starch fed controls. The secretory pattern of insulin release was studied following glucose, arginine, fructose and sulfonylurea administration in the isolated perfused pancreas of sucrose and isocaloric starch fed rats. In addition, isolated islets of Langerhans were used to demonstrate the effects of glucose on insulin secretion and the incorporation of H-3 leucine into the proinsulin and insulin fraction of islet proteins. Following 11 mM glucose, the dynamics of insulin release in the isolated perfused pancreas of sucrose fed rats is characterized by a markedly elevated, late plateau-like response, usually seen only at higher glucose concentrations. Hyperinsulinism, as compared to starch fed controls, can also be demonstrated following arginine and the sulfonylurea HB-419, whereas fructose has no effect in the presence of low glucose concentrations. During incubation of the pancreatic islets, the hyperinsulinism in sucrose-, compared to starch fed rats, is more pronounced at 11 mM glucose than at 5.5 mM glucose. The incorporation of H-3 leucine into the proinsulin-insulin fraction of islet proteins in sucrose compared to starch fed rats, however, is significantly greater with glucose 5.5 mM than at high glucose level. In sucrose fed rats, secretion and biosynthesis of insulin thus appear to be elevated but closely linked only at physiological glucose concentration.


Effect of somatostatin on metabolic and hormonal changes induced by nicotinic acid in insulin-dependent diabetics. The study investigated the respective influences of nicotinic acid and somatostatin on plasma concentrations of blood glucose, free fatty acids, glucagon, growth hormone and cortisol in insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. After administration of nicotinic acid alone, marked depression of plasma FFA was accompanied by significant increases of plasma glucagon, growth hormone and cortisol. The glucagon and growth hormone responses to nicotinic acid were significantly reduced when plasma FFA were raised by intravenous administration of heparin and triglycerides. Somatostatin alone induced a significant decrease in blood glucose, plasma glucagon and growth hormone concentrations. Plasma FFA remained unchanged. Somatostatin did not modify the nicotinic acid-induced fall in plasma FFA, but completely blocked the corresponding increments in glucagon and growth hormone. The cortisol rise was not altered by somatostatin. Rebound of glucagon and growth hormone levels were seen upon discontinuation of the somatostatin administration. These results demonstrate that the plasma FFA concentration plays a role in the regulation of glucagon and growth hormone secretion in insulin-dependent diabetics. Furthermore, they indicate that somatostatin, previously shown to be capable of negating the stimulatory effect of various factors on glucagon and growth hormone secretion, also affects the response of these hormones to FFA depression.


Plasma concentrations of unconjugated estrone, estradiol-17beta and estriol, and HCS throughout pregnancy in diabetics and gestational diabetics. Plasma unconjugated estrone (E1), estradiol-17beta (E2) and estriol (E3), and HCS were measured in the same plasma samples collected throughout pregnancy in 19 gestational diabetics (GD) and 21 diabetics (D). When compared to the results obtained in 22 normal subjects, plasma levels of E1 and E2 were significantly elevated in D in the second half of gestation. The results were intermediate although closer to the normals, in GD. E3 values were not different from the normals in both D and GD. HCS values were lower than normal in early pregnancy in both D and GD. In late pregnancy HCS levels were not different from normal in either D or GD, although some individual values were much above the upper limit in some diabetic patients. The hormonal ratios in D and GD parallel those in normals, although E3/E2 and HCS/E2 were lower in D. These results are discussed with respect to the different behaviour of E2 and E3, taking into account the difference in their respective biosynthetic pathways. Besides a possible quantitative modification of the placental function in D, the results could tentatively be explained by a qualitative change in the fetal estrogen precursors to placental aromatization, in favour of the 16 non-hydroxylated compound. However, maternal modifications in precursor production or in estrogen metabolism can be an alternative hypothesis. Finally, the present work does not support the hypothetical estrogen deficiency in diabetic pregnancy. Estrogen treatment appears to have no objective justification.


Quantitative evaluation of somatotrophic cells (SC) in the adenohypophysis of normal and diabetic male Chinese hamsters. The pituitary of genetically diabetic Chinese hamsters contains significantly (p less than 0.001) greater numbers of somatotrophes than pituitary of non-diabetics. This may play a role in the aetiopathology of diabetes in this species or at least contribute to the maintenance of hyperglycaemia.


Human C-peptide immunoreactivity (CPR) in blood and urine - evaluation of a radioimmunoassay method and its clinical applications. A double-antibody radioimmunoassay method, using synthetic human connecting peptide as an immunizing antigen and standard, was evaluated for clinical assay of blood and urine samples. Normal fasting blood connecting peptide immunoreacivity (CPR) was 2.45 +/- 0.96 ng/ml, increasing promptly after a 50 g oral glucose load, but somewhat slower than insulin. Molar concentration of CPR exceeded that of insulin. CPR responses to glucose were subnormal in diabetics, very low in juvenile-type cases, and often poor in patients on insulin treatment. Fasting CPR levels were elevated in patients on corticosteroid treatment and with uraemia. A patient with insulin "auto-antibody" had high serum CPR. A considerable amount of CPR appeared in urine. Normal daily excretion of CPR was 1.52 +/- 0.55 mug/kg or 55.1 +/- 18.2 ng/mg creatinine. Urine CPR was very low in juvenile-type diabetics, and elevated in patients on corticosteroid treatment. The results confirm that blood and urine CPR are useful measures of the endocrine pancreatic function.


Disappearance rate of endogenous human C-peptide from blood. Glucagon (1 mg) and glucose (60 ml of 50% solution) were infused over 60 min to three normal and one obese subjects and two insulinoma patients. Plasma C-peptide immunoreactivity (CPR) and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) increased during the infusion. Half time of CPR after cessation of the infusion was 20.1 +/- 4.0 min, and that of IRI 9.8 +/- 1.3 min, respectively. This difference partly explains the higher molar concentration in plasma of CPR than IRI.


The excretion of insulin in urine.

The excretion of insulin in urine. The concentration of biologically active insulin was measured by the isolated fat cell method in serum and urine from healthy subjects and compared with the concentration of immunoreactive insulin. In both urine and serum the values obtained by the two methods correlated closely; In addition, there was a close correlation between the concentration of biologically active and immunoreactive insulin in urine from maturity onset diabetics. Therefore, conclusions on the excretion in the urine and the urinary clearance of insulin, which are based on measurements of immunoreactive insulin, are also valid for biologically active insulin.


The role of calcium in glucagon release, interactions between glucose and calcium. The interrelationships between glucose and calcium in glucagon release were investigated using the dynamic system of the in vitro perfused rat pancreas. When calcium deprivation was induced in the presence of fixed concentrations of glucose prevailing throughout the experiments (3.3, 5.5, 8.3 and 16.6 mM), an enhancement of glucagon release invariably occurred, the shape and amplitude of such response differing in relation to the environmental glucose concentration. Such enhancement of glucagon release was readily reversible upon restoration of normal calcium levels. By contrast, during the period of calcium deprivation itself, glucagon release was little influenced by either raised (from 3.3 to 16.6 mM) or decreased (from 16.6 to 3.3 mM) glucose concentrations. These results clearly indicate that calcium plays, at least, a dual role - both inhibitory and permissive - in glucagon secretion, but the intimate mechanisms by which calcium exerts such a dual action are at present unknown.


Neural induction by previously induced epiblast in avian embryo in vitro. Pieces of previously neurally induced and competent epiblast of chick and, respectively, quail primitive streak blastoderms were cultured in close contact with each other for 48 h. In several cases, both pieces differentiated into neural direction, which indicates the occurrence of a homoiogenetic induction. There was a considerable mixing of cells of different origin, especially in the undifferentiated controls. In general, the dorsoventral orientation of the previously induced epiblast was retained, but the orientation of the competent epiblast cells was more flexible and could be influenced by the neighbouring neuralised cells.


In vitro transcription of partially deproteinised and reconstituted chromatins from pigeon erythroid cells. The role of protein fractions extracted from chromatin preparations with NaCl concentrations up to 0.7 M in the additional repression of pigeon erythrocyte genome was investigated. The chromatins from erythroblasts and erythrocytes were dissociated with 0.7 M NaCl and reconstituted from dissociated components to obtain the "original" and "hybrid" chromatins. The protein fraction extracted from erythrocyte chromatin at 0.7 M NaCl was more efficient in the restriction of transcription with partially deproteinised chromatin from both erythroblasts and erythrocytes. The partially deproteinised chromatin from both erythorblasts and erythrocytes. The partially deproteinised chromatins were also complexed in various conditions with purified F1 or F2c histones. In such complexes, F2c histone was a stronger inhibitor of template activity than histone F1.


On the mode of activation of sequestered messengers in Artemia salina. Activation of the dormant embryos of Artemia salina was marked by a rapid increase in 32P uptake which reached a stationary phase after 6 h of activation. The increase in 32P uptake by whole cysts was paralleled by its incorporation into nucleotides. Fractionation of acid-soluble nucleotides and alkaline hydrolysate of nucleic acids on Dowex-1-formate column revealed the 32P radioactivity to be exclusively localised in AMP. Analysis of the labelled RNA species extracted at different stages of development indicated a preferential labelling of small molecular weight species till the emergence of the embryos, followed by the de novo synthesis of messenger and stable RNA species in later stages of development. During early development, polyadenylated RNA species were localised in the particulate fraction sedimenting at 16,000 rpm and their location shifted to the soluble fraction as development proceeded. Activation of performed messengers by phosphorylation of the adenylate residue of their poly A stretches and translocation of the capacitated messengers to the cytosol via a RNP-membrane complex is proposed as a trigger of embryonic differentiation.


Evidence for chromosome endoreduplication in Eudorina californica, a colonial alga. Several nuclear events seen during the cleavage period in Eudorina suggest that chromosome endoreduplication, proportional to the number of cells to be produced, may occur in the gonidia prior to cleavage. Presumably the DNA concentration is reduced to the haploid level during rapid, successive divisions of the cleavage period. To test this hypothesis, I determined DNA content of gonidia as they grew from 4 mum to 38 mum in diameter between cleavage periods. During growth from 4 mum to 8 mum in diameter, the DNA concentration remained at the haploid level of 0.17 pg/cell. As gonidia in 64 cell colonies continued to grow from 8 mum to 33 mum in diameter, their DNA concentrations increased 60-fold. Analysis of the Eudorina DNA by equilibrium centrifugation in CsCl showed only 2 bands with buoyant densities of 1.721 g/cm3 and 1.699 g/cm3, presumed to be nuclear and chloroplast, respectively, on the basis of labelling with 3H-thymidine and 3H-adenine. The 8:2 ratio of the two bands did not change with increase in cell size and no other bands were detected, suggesting that both nuclear and chloroplast DNAs were synthesised proportionately prior to the cleavage period.


A model implicating the Langerhans cell in keratinocyte proliferation control. A tentative model is presented which is based on existing data and our own cell kinetic and morphological observations in mice. The model suggests that the epidermal Langerhans cell plays a role in proliferation control of keratinocytes and may also act as an epidermal stem cell.


DNA synthesis by hybrid echinoid embryos produced from parent species of low and high temperature tolerance. Synthesis of DNA, as measured by quantitative Feulgen microspectrophotometry, was studied in reciprocal echinoid hybrids and their homospermic controls. Both parent species develop at the same rate until hatching, at 20 degrees C. One parent (Lytechinus) will develop normally at 25 degrees C, a temperature lethal for the other parent employed in the studies (Strongylocentrotus). Strongylocentrotus will develop normally at 10 degrees C, a temperature at which Lytechinus fertilised eggs live, but fail to cleave. It was found that sperm of Lytechinus in eggs of Strongylocentrotus (SL hybrid) show a slowing of the S phase of the cell cycle at 10 degrees C, and that sperm of Strongylocentrotus in eggs of Lytechinus (LS hybrid) show a slowing of the S phase at 25 degrees C. These slowing effects are not noted during cleavage stages. The results are discussed in terms of proteins produced during the time of active transcription of the hybrid genome which may be rate-limiting in the synthesis of DNA in the hybrid embryos under these temperature extremes.


On the origin of primordial germ cells in the chick embryo. An attempt was made to re-examine the location of the primordial germ cells (PGCs) in very young chick embryos. Freshly laid blastoderms, prior to hypoblast formation, of a known anterio-posterior axis, were transversely bisected and each half was separately grown in vitro. Both anterior and posterior halves were shown to be fertile and each was shown to contain roughly the same amount of PGCs as a normal control embryo. It has been concluded that in the chick as well as in the duck there is no concentration of cells containing germinal plasm in the posterior part of the blastoderm. Two other possibilities should be investigated: 1. A concentric arrangement of cells containing germinal plasm. 2. The absence of a germinal plasm and a relatively late appearance of PGCs as a result of induction.


Foetal rat pancreas in organ culture. Effect of corticosterone concentrations on the acinar and islet cell components. Foetal rat pancreatic explants (20-day postcoitum) were grown in organ culture on medium enriched with serum and embryo extract containing various concentrations of corticosterone. Normal pancreatic exocrine morphology was preserved. In addition, media amylase concentration remained high and media insulin was suppressed. This is in sharp contrast to explants incubated on control medium without addition of steroid in which a rapid dissappearance of the acinar component and a selective proliferation of the islet cells was noted. The magnitude of these effects was related to the concentration of the steroid. Corticosterone was effective in preserving pancreatic acinar cells through 8-10 days in vitro. Removal of high levels of corticosterone from the incubation medium after 4 days of culture resulted in a decrease in media amylase and a fall in explant acinar cell mass. The media insulin returned to control levels during the following 4 days of culture. Addition of corticosterone to the media following 4 days of control culture resulted in no increase in media amylase and no statistically significant differences in explant acinar cell mass. Media insulin was decreased from control levels following the additional 4 days of incubation. However, corticosterone, even at a concentration of 10.0 mug/ml, was not effective in depressing insulin secretion as was foetal adrenal co-culture. It is proposed that adrenal corticosteroids are responsible for the maintenance of differentiated acinar cells previously observed in pancreatic adrenal co-culture. This suggests that corticosteroids may play an important role in in vivo pancreatic morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation. In addition, adrenal corticosteroids directly inhibit insulin release from the explant beta cells in vitro.


Transcription of repetitive and unique DNA nucleotide sequences in pigeon erythroid cells with different degrees of specialization. HnRNA fractions with sedimentation coefficients greater than 45 S isolated from pigeon bone marrow as well as from the immature and mature erythroid cells of periferal blood were hybridised with a large excess of DNA fractionated on the basis of renaturation kinetics. 58-62% of the input RNAs were recovered as RNAase-resistant hybrids. About 1/3 (20%) of bone marrow greater than 45 S RNA found in the hybrids was hybridised with the repetitive and baout 2/3 (40%) with the unique DNA sequences. In addition, a considerably smaller portion of greater than 45 S RNA from the "reticulocytes" (13%) and "erythrocytes" (approximately 6%) was hybridised with the repetitive DNA.


An electrophoretic analysis of RNA synthesis in normal and lobeless Ilyanassa embryo. RNA from pulse-labelled normal and lobeless Illyanassa embryos was analysed by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. The proportional distribution of radioactivity among the RNAs made by these two types of embryos was compared statistically. It was shown that removal of the third polar lobe from the Ilyanassa egg at first cleavage did not produce any change in the proportion of several size classes of RNA transcribed during the first day od development. The post-gastrular lobeless embryo did show a significant deviation from the normal pattern of RNA synthesis, though it is not clear that this was a direct effect on transcription by the polar lobe cytoplasm.


Isoenzymes of acid phosphatase and non-specific esterases in cultures of neoplastic and normal tobacco tissues. Axenic cultures of normal, habituated and crown gall teratoma were grown under varying conditions to examine the effects of environment on the expression of neoplastic character. Acid phosphatase patterns on polyacrylamide gels did not vary greatly among tissues although there were differences in acid phosphatase activity between various strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, the bacteria which cause crown gall. Certain esterase isoenzymes were found only in tissues grown on specific media, while others were tissue-specific but independent of the nature of the medium. Comparisons of liquid and solid grown cultures revealed that culture conditions also influence esterase expression. Both sunflower and tobacco crown gall tissue contained an esterase not found in habituated or normal tissues, and similar in electrophoretic mobility to an esterase found in extracts of the bacteria that had induced the tumors. The basic difference between the three tissue types studied is the manner in which they respond to a given environment.


[Use of atrial pacing in diagnosis of coronary insufficiency. Comparison between coronarography and exercise test (author's transl)]. --123 atrial pacings (AP) performed as diagnostic investigations in patients with chest pains were re-examined. By using floating catheter without fluoroscopic control, this technique is very simple to perform and free from relevant risks. The diagnostic sensibility and specificity of AP were examined in 93 patients in which a coronary arteriography was performed; these figures were compared with the corresponding values observed in 65 patients in which an adequate diagnostic exercise test (ET) was also available. The diagnostic sensibility of AP examined in 63 patients with significant coronary artery disease was 90%; the corresponding value of ET was 79%. In particular, in patients with single vessel disease, the sensibility of AP (90%) was much higher than that observed in ET (40%). The specificity of AP examined in 30 patients free from significant stenosis of the coronary arterial tree was 43%. This value was largely lower than that observed in ET (82%) in the same patients, and appears to be inadequate for validation AP as a diagnostic tool in coronary heart disease. Therefore, AP must be limited to functional, and not diagnostic, evaluation of patients in which the diagnosis of coronary heart disease can be made by other means.


[Coronarographic and ventriculographic aspects of 76 cases of unstable angina (authors transl)]. -- Coronarographic and ventriculographic aspects of 76 patients with unstable angina were analyzed. 8 cases (10%) had normal coronary arteries, 9 (11.8%) had slight stenotic lesions (less than 50%), 59 (77.6%) had serious stenosis. The stenosis concerned only one principal branch in 22 patients (37.2%), 2 branches in 24 (40%), 3 branches in 13 (22%). In 77-79% of cases, ventricular contractility was normal. A collateral circulation was found in 58% of cases, but no link was discovered between the coronaric lesions and the clinical type of angina. The course of the illness was studied during the hospitalization and post-hospitalization period for an average observation time of 14 months (55 cases). The course of illness type depends on the number of affected branches and the myocardial contractility. In 25% of the patients with lesions in 3 branches there was an unfavourable course of illness (either infarction or death), whilst where there were lesions in one or two branches, negative results were 11% and 15% respectively. Patients with normal coronary arteries or slight stenosis had no unfavourable course of illness. In 37% of patients with altered contractility, an unfavourable course of illness was found, as against 27% with normal contractility. The presence of collateral circulation doesn't seem to influence the course the illness takes. A coronarographic examination seems to be an essential elelment in deciding on the prognosis of unstable angina.


[Variable aspects in mitral valve prolapse. Echographic and phonocardiographic studies of 68 cases (author's transl)]. Previous parallel echocardiographic-angiocardiographic studies have proven specificity and sensitivity of ultrasonography in diagnosing prolapse of the mitral valve. Echocardiograms and phonocardiograms from 68 patients with mitral valve prolapse were studied. Echocardiograms suggestive of mitral valve prolapse were obtained in 66 patients. The typical abnormality consisted of an abrupt posterior displacement of the mitral valve leaflets, either late systolic or pansystolic. Moreover a new pattern not previously described was observed, i.e. an abrupt isolated early systolic posterior motion of the mitral leaflets ("early prolapse"). Phonocardiography, on the other hand, showed a variable spectrum of acoustic findings: non-ejection systolic click and/or late systolic murmur, pansytolic murmur, early systolic click,ejectioarly systolic click, ejection murmur, in variable association, and finally no abnormal sound at all ("silent prolapse"). The authors conclude that mitral valve prolapse may be suspected, whatever the auscultatory finding. Echocardiography provides a useful, non invasive method for detecting those forms which also present an uncommon auscultatory pattern.


[Phonomechanocardiographic diagnosis of the apparently "silent" mitral valve prolapse syndrome (author's transl)]. Five cases with angiocardiographically diagnosed posterior mitral valve prolapse and without ausculatotory findings of midsystolic click or late systolic murmur were studied with phonocardiographic technique employing pharmacological tests and postural changes. A midsystolic click was thus obtained. Isoprenaline was the must helpful drug to achieve it. The accompanying electrocardiographic and coronarographic features of this syndrome are described and discussed.


Influence of "Polarizing" infusions on anthiarrhythmic effects of beta-blockers. The antiarrhythmic effect of practolol (0.30 mg/kg) was studied in 25 patients pretreated with infusion of glucose-insulin (GI) solution. GI solution showed an antiarrhythmic effect either after or before the beta-blocker with pH in normal range or compensated metabolic acidosis. GI infusion produced a metabolic acidosis and an arrhythmogenic effect in some cases. Practolol had no antiarrhythmic effect in patients with VPB and GI infusion raised metabolic acidosis.


[Early changes of respiratory function in mitral valve stenosis]. In order to detect early changes of respiratory function in patients affects by pure mitral valve stenosis, the authors selected 12 patients-non smokers, without symptoms of respiratory disease, of I and II NYHA class. In all subjects right and left cardiac catheterization and conventional spirometric measurements were performed. Then maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), maximal expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (MEF 50%), maximal expiratory flow at 25% of vital capacity (MEF 25%), closing volume (CV) and closing capacity (CC) were determined, to find a small airways (bronchi of caliber inferior to 2 mm) disease. Whereas conventional spirometric measurements showed normal values, the small airways disease was proved by MEF 50% and MEF 25% measurements. The small airways obstruction observed by the authors may be due to: a) dilatation of pulmonary vessels because of venous congestion resulting in the compression of adjacent small airways; b) partial bronchiolar obstruction because of congestion of submucous venous plexus; c) interstitial oedema due to increase of extravascular pulmonary water because of pulmonary venous congestion.


["Peripheral infarction blocks". Vectocardiographic analysis and electrogenetic hypothesis (author's transl)]. 500 vectorcardiograms of variously located myocardial infarctions were analysed. Abnormalities of the afferent limb of QRS loop, consistent with intraventricular conduction disturbances, were detected in 42 cases. This pattern, according to Rosenbaum, was called "infarction block"; it was always associated with inferior and/or posterior infarction. This kind of block is shown by a large downward, righward and backward-directed vector, which always appears about 50 msec after the onset of ventricular activation. Total ventricular depolarization time was not significantly prolonged. The pattern was explained as a variant of "peri-infarction block" and its origin is hypothesized as the interruption of a peripheral ramification of LBB posterior fascicle.


[Echocardiographic diagnosis of the dissection of the thoracic aorta]. Nine patients with aortic root dilatation without dissection and four patients with a dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta were studied with single-plane echocardiography. Previously reported echocardiographic findings, which have been shown to be similar in these two groups of patients, are confirmed. In addition to (a) aortic root dilatation, (b) thickening of the anterior and/or the posterior aortic wall, and (c) the multiple parallel echoes within the widened aortic walls, which are all considered to be not specific signs of dissection, the authors outline the presence of some specific echocardiographic patterns in patients with a dissecting hematoma of the ascending aorta. These include: 1) the loss of contiguity between the inner borders of the anterior aortic wall and the interventricular septum when the dissection is confined to the anterior wall of the aorta; 2) the loss of contiguity between the inner and/or outer borders of the posterior aortic wall and the mitral anulus if the hematoma extends to the posterior wall of the aorta.


[Study of the descending phase of the aortic pressure curve. Possible applications to the monitoring of peripheral resistance and arterial compliance (author's transl)]. In 21 patients aortic pressure was recorded just above the diaphragm. The curve after the dicrotic notch is an exponential function of the time, and it is possible to characterize it by a unique time-constant. This constnat is shown to depend on aortic compliance and peripheral resistance: as aortic compliance does not vary abruptly in physiological conditions, this allows monitoring of peripheral resistance by monitoring time constant. Mathematical bases of time constant and of the peripheral resistance are briefly discussed.


Experimental revascularization of acute myocardial infarction. III: Correlation between the behaviour of the free nucleotide acid solubles and some aliphatic biogenic amines. Free nucleotide, polyamine and nucleic acid synthesis was studied in myocardial acute ischemia and reperfusion. An early stimulation of biosynthesis of these compounds was observed during ischemia, than later, a remarkable decrease of their specific radioactivity appeared. Reperfusion experiments cause a significant increase of nucleic acids and related compound biosynthesis. The results indicate that the biochemical mechanism of myocardial protein synthesis, under our experimental conditions are not irreversibly damaged by ischemia. In fact, the  reperfusion causes a remarkable recovery of nucleic acid, free nucleotide and polyamine specific radioactivity. The changes during the period of infarction and subsequent reperfusion show that polyamines play a key role in myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.


[Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (author's transl)]. The case of a three year-old child with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is presented. He had a clinical picture and an electrocardiographic pattern of antero-lateral myocardial infarction that suggested a cardiac malformation. Once the diagnosis was established by cardiac catheterization and coronary arteriography, the defect was successfully correted by transplanting the anomalous coronary vessel to the aorta. The clinical, electrocardiographic and angiographic features of the anomaly are given.


[Rupture of interventricular septum secondary to blunt chest trauma. Report of a case surgically treated with success (author's transl)]. A case of interventricular septal defect secondary to blunt chest trauma is reported. It was characterized by a disconnection of the interventricular muscolar septal in the  anterosuperior part of the heart wall. The diagnosis, suspected by clinical and instrumental parameters, was definitely confirmedy by hemodynamic and contrastographic examination. Repair surgery of the defect with a dacron patch was performed, using extracorporea normothermic circulation seven months after the accident. The patient was examined three months and twelve months after the operation; the clinical examinations did not reveal any cardiac murmur and the patient's health was satisfactory. The incidence, mechanism of rupture of interventricular septum and the main surgical and clinical aspects of this type of pathology are discussed.


Peptic ulcer in diabetes mellitus.

Peptic ulcer in diabetes mellitus. Twelve cases of peptic ulcer with diabetes mellitus were found in 165 hospitalized diabetics. All of them had gastric ulcer and no duodenal ulcers were found. The incidence of peptic ulcer in diabetics was comparatively higher than the previously reported series. But there was nosignificant correlation between the duration of diabetes and the onset of gastric ulcer. The gastric ulcer with poorly controlled diabetes showed more intractability than those without triopathy and well-controlled diabetes.


Ultrastructural studies of experimental acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis was studied by electron microscopy after retrograde infusion of either trypsin, and/or beta-glucuronidase into the canine pancreatic duct. Marked changes were induced by the mixture of trypsin and beta-glucuronidase. (1) The acinar cells were initially excavated from the acinar lumen and formed cystic bodies in themselves. The cystic bodies were then disrupted at their marginal membranes, and the acinar cells were filled with a large amount of fibrillar materials which originated from the contents of the cystic bodies. At this time, the luminal margin of the acinar cells completely disappeared. (2) The cellular organellas and the intracellular fibrillar materials in the acinar cells were discharged into the interstitial space through the disrupted basal lamina. Infection in the pancreatic ductal system was considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis.


Clinical investigation on abnormal glucose tolerance in liver cirrhosis. The changes of blood glucose, serum insulin, serum free fatty acid and its fatty acid composition following oral glucose load were observed in twenty-nine cirrhotic patients. The insulin secretory response was significantly lower in the cirrhotic patients with overt diabetes than in those without overt diabetes. There were no definite relation between serum free fatty acid level or its composition and glucose intolerance. These results suggest that the diabetic state in most of the cirrhotic patients with overt diabetes is due to essential diabetes and that serum free fatty acid livel and its composition are not important factors contributory to the glucose intolerance in liver cirrhosis.


Serum gastrin and gastrin-like immunoreactivity of gastrointestinal mucosa in fetal, neonatal and adult rats. Serum gastrin concentration became became detectable in rats at one week after birth (56 pg/ml), and a rapid rise to 198 pg/ml was seen at two weeks after birth. Gradual decreases were seen again at three weeks and four weeks, and thereafter it attained the adult level of 132 +/- 17.6 pg/ml. In regards to the gastrin-like immunoreactivity (GLI) in the gastrointestinal mucosa during the fetal period, the values were extremely low even in the antral mucosa. However, the GLI showed an increase during the neonatal suckling period, and was accompanied by a remarkable increase at the commencement of feeding. This GLI coincided with so-called little gastrin, and while an increase accompanied by the development of growth was seen, no qualitative changes were evident. GLI values were high in the duodenal mucosa followed by the antrum, and positive evidence was also seen in the corpus of the stomach and jejunum. High values of GLI in the mucosae were gradually seen at two weeks after birth coinciding with the rise in serum gastrin levels, and the significance of the increases was discussed from the anlge of the trophic effect of gastrin.


Vitamin B2 metabolism in the isolated perfused rat liver. An investigation on vitamin B2 (V.B2) metabolism was undertaken, using perfused livers isolated from 1. normal rats, 2. riboflavin deficient rats, 3. choline deficient rats with fatty cirrhtic livers, and 4. alloxan diabetic rats, without the effect of extrahepatic factors. From the results, it was concluded that phosphorylation of V.B2 was performed in the liver, and was remarkably reduced in fatty cirrhosis. Moreover, in alloxan diabetic liver, the affected phosphorylation of V.B2 was improved by the infusion of insulin. The important role that liver performs on V.B2 metabolism, can be emphasized from these findings.


Immunological studies on drug-induced allergic hepatitis. In many cases of drug-induced allergic hepatitis, peripheral lymphocytes were transformed by the stimulation with a given drug in the presence of autologous serum. However, when rat liver microsome fraction of soluble liver specific antigen fraction was added to the culture instead of autologous serum, the drug-induced lymphocyte transformation was more efficiently seen than autologus serum, while rat liver mitochondria fraction was less effective. On the other hand, in the cases of allergic drug eruption which did not show any liver injury, the addition of liver subcellular fractions were much less effective to induce the lymphocyte transformation than autologous serum. These results may suggest that liver subcellular component is involved in pathogenesis of drug-induced allergic hepatitis.


Effect of premedication of coenzyme Q10 on pancreozymin-induced pancreatic secretion in rats. Effect of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an essential coenzyme in oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria, was studied in the rat's pancreas. A dose of pancreozymin (0.2 u/100 g body wt) was injected into the femoral vein at 20 min intervals. The initial injection produced a definite increase in amylase output and the pancreatic juice flow. Subsequent injections, however, caused smaller responses than the preceding (tachyphylaxis). When CoQ10 (3 mg/100 g body wt) had been administrated 1 hour prior to the initial stimulation, both the amylase output and the rate of juice flow were significantly enhanced: the tachyphylaxis almost disappeared. Effect of CoQ10 was also observed in the isolated and perfused pancreas. CoQ10 produced slight increase in pancreozymin-induced amylase output, but the increase was not significant. The effect of CoQ10, to increase the pancreatic blood flow, seems to be involved in the in situ effect of CoQ10 in cooperation with the direct effect on pancreatic acinar cells.


Clinical effects of anticancer drugs to pancreatic diseases as protein synthesis inhibitors. The anticancer drugs, like 5-Fluorouracil, which are believed to interfere with enzyme protein synthesis in the exocrine cells of pancreas were administered intravenously to fifteen patients with various pancreatic diseases. The improvement of clinical symptoms and the diminution of serum and urinary amylase levels were observed in four cases with acute pancreatitis and two cases with chronic relapsing pancreatitis. The postoperative complications, namely the formation of pancreatic fistula and the rupture of pancreaticojejunostomy, or the aggravation of concomitant pancreatitis were not observed in three cases with benign surgical pancreatic diseases and six cases with pancreatic carcinoma. Furthermore, the diminution of amylase and protein output of pancreatic juice from canulae inserted into pancreatic ducts were observed.


Comparison of pancreatic dysfunction in chronic alcoholic pancreatitis and chronic gallstone pancreatitis. Comparative assessments of the endocrine and exocrine functions of the pancreas associated with gallstone pancreatitis or alcoholic pancreatitis were performed in a series of 86 patients, 20 with cholelithiasis, 12 with chronic alcoholism, 24 with chronic gallstone pancreatitis and 30 with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis and 32 healthy subjects were served as controls. The patients with cholelithiasis showed exocrine hypersecretion of the pancreas. In the patients with gallstone pancreatitis, all the assessed parameters of exocrine function were depressed. On the other hand, no pancreatic exocrine dysfunction was dispalyed in cases with chronic alcoholism. In the non-calcifying alcoholic pancreatitis, both the volume output and the the maximum concentration and output of bicarbonate were diminished but depression in amylase output was not seen. All these parameters were lowered in patients with calcifying pancreatitis. Elevation of hexosamine concentration in the pancreatic juice was evident in alcoholic pancreatitis as compared with gallstone pancreatitis, being particularly prominent in cases of non-calcifying pancreatitis. Patients with alcoholic pancreatitis were observed to secrete viscous pancreatic juice richer in amylase and hexosamine content, than those in the patients with gallstone pancreatitis. Endocrine dysfunction of the pancreas is more frequent and intense in alcoholic pancreatitis than in gallstone pancreatitis.


The discrepancy between plasma clearance tests of indocyanine green (ICG) and sulfobromophthalein (BSP): --report of cases and a study of ICG-binding pattern of serum proteins. Two cases of Gilbert's syndrome and three cases of other diseases showed abnormally low plasma indocyanine green (ICG) clearance as contrated with normal or nearly normal plasma sulfobromphthalein (BSP) clearance. To evaluate the role of serum proteins in pathogenesis of these cases, ICG-binding patterns of serum proteins of the patients were compared with that of normal persons by the method of Sephadex G200 column chromatography. No qualitative differences in binding patterns were observed between serum proteins of the patients and normal persons. From these results, serum proteins were thought to be minor determinants of the hepatic ICG uptake mechanism. Because of normal or nearly normal plasma BSP clearance in these patients, the contents of hepatic organic anion-binding proteins, Y and Z, were thought to be sufficient. Possible qualitative abnormalities of the Y and/or Z proteins were also discussed.


[Altitude adaptation. Part II. Altitude adaptation as a problem of human biology. I. Growth)]. There are 3 main components influencing the mean stature of high altitude natives. The lower mean birthweight, which seems to result from the impossibility of complete adaptation during the last trimenon of gestation, which cannot be fully compensated during life. The general protein deficiency, or the habits of nutrition which are not comparable with the food-composition in industry-nations may be important. A definitive undernourishment has not been observed in those nations with longtime adaptation to the available food since generations, but several deficiencies of substances which specially influence growth, cannot be outruled. We also have to recognize the generally lower mean stature of the population in whole (South America Indians), that means of the both parents of a child. In the presence of low gene flow from one to the other generation this may influence also individual body measurement.


Stages of seminiferous epithelial cycle and relative duration of spermatogenic processes in the buffalo (Bos bubalus). By using haematoxylin-eosin preparations, the seminiferous epithelial cycle (SEC) in the buffalo has been divided into 8 stages; stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 have been subdivided. The percentage frequency of these stages and substages has been determined by using the serial sections. The approximate relative duration for the various spermatogenic cells and processes has been worked out from the percentage frequency of a substage or a stage, and the number of substages or stages in which the particular cell or the cell phase was present. The total approximate duration of spermatogenesis in the buffalo is 457 units, which has been divided by the duration of one SEC (i.e. 100 units). The buffalo spermatogenesis is constituted by 4.57 cycles of seminiferous epithelium. The results of the present studies have been compared and contrasted with those of previous studies on various mammalian species including farm animals. For its kinetics of spermatogenesis, the buffalo resembles the bull closely.


[Quantitative description of growth processes in man as a basis for the objective comparison of sex-specific data for various body measurements]. To compare growth processes of feminine human beings with such one of masculine we have taken as realizations of the growth characteristic the morphological height of face (distance between nasion and gnathion), length of nose (distance between nasion and subnasale) and body length of two spatially and temporally different populations. Measured values of these characteristics for different ages of individuals provide the basis for mathematical evaluation. The parameters of the following three types of mathematical functions were adjusted to the measured time course of the growth characteristics: Gompertz' function, inverse tangent and the generalized logistic growth function. The principal possibilities are explained which a mathematical expression can offer for qualitative and quantitative description of dynamical processes. The results of fitting the 3 competitive function types to the course of the measured values are given and several quantitative conclusions are demonstrated arising from comparisons of corresponding growth processes of feminine and masculine human beings.


[The origin and ramifications of the intracavernous section of the internal carotid artery]. The fine ramifications of the internal carotid artery arising in the cavernous sinus were minutely prepared and investigated on 23 heads: 1) Origins, branchings and their variations have been systematically traced. 2) The areas supplied by the carotico-cavernous ramifications of the internal carotid artery their anastomoses and positioning to one another have been analysed and classified. 3) Three schematic illustrations prepared from the specimens dissected summarize and annotate the findings. 4) The diagrams have also been included which summa iza and compare the results of earlier investigators. The newly discovered and heretofore unpublished variations have been included along with a comparison to these of the already varying terminology extant for the origins, branchings, final destinations and relationships.


Structural observations on the gills of two fresh water teleost fishes, Notopterus notopterus and Colisa fasciatus. 1. The structural observations of the gills of Notopterus and Colisa fasciatus have been studied in detail. 2. The gills of Notopterus notopterus and Colisa fasciatus consist of 2 regions: a) Gill head region, and b) Gill lamellae region. Gill head region is covered by epithelial layer possessing the mucous and mast cells. Gill head region consists of bony arch, gill rakers and interbranchial septum. 3. Interbranchial septum is reduced in Notopterus notopterus while it extends near half to the length of the filament in Colisa fasciatus. 4. In both fishes, the adductor muscle, afferent and efferent branchial vessels and gill rays are present in the interbranchial septum area. 5. Gill lamellae region consists of primary and secondary lamellae in both the fishes. 6. In Notopterus notopterus the primary lamellae are compressed flat structures possessing gill rays, 1 afferent and 1 efferent branchial vessel, while in Colisa fasciatus 2 efferent vessels are present. 7. Secondary lamellae are arranged parallel to one another on both sides of the primary lamellae. Secondary lamellae consist of basement membrane, epithelial cells, vascular layer and pillar cells. Mucous and mast cells are also present in this region in case of Notopterus notopterus while only mast cells are present in Colisa fasciatus. 8. Mast cells are eosinophilic, highly granulated in both the fishes.


[Methods for approximate and exact complanation of spheroidal-cell nuclei as an aid for statistical karyometric studies on nuclear variation]. After short mathematical explanations on exact formulas for surface area calculation of the three-axis ellipsoid and the spheroid, approximation formulas, which for the most part are modified formulas of the spherical surface area, are developed. By application of of Jacobj's linear method and Lange's curvimeter-planimeter method, these approximation formulas are used to calculate the surface areas with identical semi-axis and diameter values being inserted, and the results are compared with each other and the true values. If the design procedure is extended to other axial rations, numeric and per cent surveys result in the form of tables. The approximation formulas, whose results differ only a little from the true value and which require only a minimum of computing effort are selected. For the three-axis ellipsoid as well as for the spheroid, the true surface area values can be determined from the approximate value, with help of tabulated percentages and by interpolation of intermediate values are required. Interpolation formulas have been formulated, for that purpose, in addition. In the last part an exact formula for the nucleus surface area, if it has the shape of a spheroid, has been developed. According to the formula there exists a dependence of nucleus volume and axial ratio as the basis of a mixed cyclometric function. A further detailed table contains these surface area values, arranged in groups of equal axial ratios. In addition two other formulas have been evolved for exact computing of the nucleus surface area. For one it is dependent on the two diameters and the mixed cyclometric function which is based on the axial ratio; for the other it depends on the large diameter, the axial ratio and the mixed cyclometric function. Numerical examples have been worked out for all representations. For u = n = const, the surface values from terms of an arithmetical second-order procession. In case of equal axial ratios a recurrence formula can be worked out, according to which the succeeding term can be calculated from its predecessor.


[Passive electric studies on the normal and atherosclerotic human aorta at ultra-low frequencies]. The passive electrical behaviour of the normal and the atherosclerotic human aorta was investigated at very low frequencies between 0.4 and 0.002 Hz. In the normal as well as in the pathologically changed vessel wall the upper part of an additional dispersion area below the region of alpha-dispersion was found. Furthermore all values of the dielectric constant in atheromatous plaques were situated above the values of the normal aorta. There is every indication that also at very low frequencies the dispersion behaviour of the atheromatous plaques is determined by larger structures than in the normal aorta. The further extension of the measurements to even lower frequencies and theraby the registration of the total dispersion area is limited by the inconstancy of the measuring object during a period (about 15 min).


Quantitative analysis of the growth of the myotomes of freshwater teleost, Ophicephalus punctatus Bloch (= Channa punctata). A positive correlation was found to exist between the growth of the myotomes, in thickness, and that of the body length of Ophicephalus punctatus Bloch, a common freshwater teleost. The changes in the absolute and the relative growth of the myotomes, as observed in this fish, were found to be age-specific. The constancy in the mysosomatic indices as also in the ratios of the differential growth rates of the myotomes did not seem to permit any divergence from the linear relation between the growth of the body and the myotomes.


[The jet-wash-technique (author's transl)]. For the early detection of the endometrial adenocarcinoma the Gravlee-Jet-wash-technique was used in 600 cases. The procedure is simple and requires only 2 to 3 minutes to the gynecologist. An anesthesia is not necessary. In women with stenosed os externum and in anxious patients we use an analgesia of the paracervix (PCB). The technique allows a cytologic and/or cytohistologic investigation. In 600 examined cases we found 37 endometrial adenocarcinomas. We obtained a 100 per cent accuracy in the detection of the 37 malignant lesions. Our experience up to now with the Jet-wash-technique should stimulate its wider use also for outpatients with a high risk for the endometrial adenocarcinoma.


[Results of the conservative management of carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix by conization (author's transl)]. From 1958 to 1969 conizations for carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix were carried out in 683 women. In 523 cases no further therapy was instituted immediately. Step serial sections of the conization specimens showed that carcinoma in situ was completely removed in 346 (66.2%) of the cases. In 177 (33.8%) of the cases, the excision of the atypical epithelium was incomplete or not with certainty complete, by the conization. Of these patients 43 women were older than 45 years. Follow-up examinations after conization with complete removal of all atypical epithelium showed that only one case showed again a pathological epithelium. In this case, hysterectomy for an adnexal tumor four years after conization showed a mild dysplasia of the endocervix. Follow-up examination of the cases with incomplete or possibly incomplete conization showed no further pathological finding in 90% of the cases. In 19 (10.7%) of the women, atypical epithelium reappeared after varying lengths of follow-up. In 4 women, invasive carcinoma had developed and in 2 women, microinvasive carcinoma had developed. Following operative treatment, further follow-up examinations in these patients were negative. Conization of the uterine cervix with complete removal of all atypical epithelium is shown to be adequate treatment for carcinoma in situ. In cases with incomplete or not with certainty complete removal of atypical tissue by conization, individual follow-up is necessary. If further pregnancies are desired the small risk of observation is justifiable. Diagnosed persistence of atypical epithelium is an indication for a hysterectomy. Hysterectomies are also necessary if the patient does not comply adequately with the follow-up protocol.


[Adequate treatment of micro-invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix (author's transl)]. At the University Department in Heidelberg 58 micro-invasive carcinomas of the uterine cervix were found between 1965 and 1974. 8 cases were diagnosed in other institutions by directed biopsies. Three cases were detected during the microscopic examination of uteri removed for emergency indications and three cases were detected after hysterectomy for cytological findings indicative of carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix. In 44 cases an optimal conization of the cervix was carried out. Microscopic examination of these cases showed early stromal invasion in 33 cases. In 6 cases a newtork infiltration was found und in 5 cases a plump infiltration was found. The incidence of radical Wertheim operations of 21 in this group is explained by cases in this group who had inadequate diagnosis prior to admission. In 8 cases the indication for the Wertheim radical hysterectomy was a carcinomatous lymphangiosis in the conization specimen. In none of these cases metastatic tumor was found in the lymph nodes although 13 to 44 lymph nodes were examined per case. In accordance with the newer literature it is recommended to limit treatment of micro-invasive changes of the uterine cervix to routine hysterectomy or to optimal conization of the cervix if certain prerequisites are met. The results of the follow-up examinations of the reported cases appear to justify this recommendation.


[The low dosis gestagen therapy (author's transl)]. In young women aged 22-34 years the hormone profile under continuous therapy with 0.5 mg lynestrenol/day have been investigated. Estradiol, progesterone and FSH values have been determined in plasma by the RIA or protein-binding method, whereas LH excretion was daily measured in the urine starting on the 5th day of cycle. The low-dose-gestagen therapy shows all possible hormonal patterns ranging from the ovulatory to anovulatory one. The estradiol-17 B values in half of the patients were higher than in the cycle preceding treatment. In the first few treatment cycles all women showed markedly decreased progesterone values. However, this defect seems to recover and return to normal in later cycles. In order to be able to further explain the alterations occurring during the luteal phase under the treatment with 0.5 mg/day of lynestrenol, ovarian tissues wedge resection of women undergoing gynecological surgery has been examined macroscopically and microscopically. At the same time the hormonal profile has been determined in plasma. These investigations revealed that the morphological alterations in the ovary proceed in an unchanged way under the mentioned treatment. Histologically it could be demonstrated that ovulation is delayed by several days. The histological findings of tubal tissue (from patients who underwent sterilization) showed that the secretional activity of the tubal epithelium is considerably decreased and ciliogenesis increased. In our clinical study neither tablet nor patient failures occurred. With the exception of cycle- and tempo-disturbances no severe adverse reactions were reported. Breakthrough bleedings and spotting as well as amenorrhea in most cases manifested already in the first treatment cycles. It is important that the daily tablet is taken at midday because the maximum effect on the cervical mucus of the mini-pill therapy is most pronounced 4-6 hours after tablet intake. Especially in young patients it is recommended to get written reports on tablet intake. The strict following of these directions mainly guarantees a successful mini-pill therapy.


[The optimal caesarean section rate in breech deliveries (author's transl)]. A critical review of 535 breech deliveries over 15 years is presented and compared to the present trend to deliver all primigravida breech presentations by Caesarean Section. Management of the labour and delivery in view of a vaginal delivery was started in 84% of the cases. The Caesarean Section rate was 16%. The prenatal mortality compared well to that reported in the literature. The relatively high total morbidity of 3.2% showed the increased risk for the infant of the primigravida (1.9%) and of the multigravida (1.7%). 1.5% of the infants were transferred to the pediatric department because of birth trauma. All children with birth trauma were delivered prior to the increase of the Caesarean Section rate from 9.2% to 21.2%. Since 1969 the fetal morbidity was 0% for breech deliveries.


[Sexual education and contentment with the feminine sexual role (author's transl)]. The correlation of sexual education during childhood and the later contentment with the feminine sexual role was quantitively tested for its statistical significance. The data were collected for 386 women with a questionnaire and psychometric testing. Contentment with the feminine sexual role showed correlations to the age of the first sexual education (p smaller than 0.01), to the quality of the sexual education (p smaller than 0.05) and to the experience of the individual sexuality during adolescence (p smaller than 0.05). The earlier and the more positive the sex education the higher was the contentment with the own sexual role. Women who were most content with their presently experienced sexuality were also most content with their social role (p smaller than 0.01). Of importance in the discussion of the results were relationships between the contentment with the sexual role and the age (p smaller than 0.05), neurotic personality traits (p smaller than 0.01), obesity (p smaller than 0.01), psychosomatic complaints (p smaller than 0.05) and the present state of health (p smaller than 0.001). These results are of practical importance for sexual councelling in gynaecology.


[Rokitansky-Küstner syndrome (absent vagina, rudimentary uterus) associated with renal aplasia, phokomelia and Klippel-Feil anomaly (author's transl)]. A case of multiple malformations, absent vagina, rudimentary uterus (Rokitansky-Küstner syndrome), renal aplasia, fusion of the cervical vertebral bones (Klippel-Feil anomaly) and phokomelia is presented. Association of absent vagina and Klippel-Feil anomaly is variously reported, however in this case these anomalies are associated with phokomelia. Etiology of these malformations is discussed with the view to similarity to the Thalidomide syndrome.


[Histological changes in the ligated vasa ovarica (author's transl)]. During gynecological operations 45 ligamenta infundibulopelvica were resected after 5 to 45 minutes. The intravascular changes of the ligated vasa ovarica were examinated. The histological examinations of the stumps showed, that the organism protects itself by formation of obstruction thrombi against a hemorrhage. The blood coagulation processes are local limited and the endothelial damages are causal important for the obstruction and obliteration.


[Premature infant with traumatic loss of the left arm and shoulder caused by an ineffective interruption of pregnancy (author's transl)]. A case of a premature infant with traumatic loss of the left arm and shoulder is reported. The trauma was caused by an ineffective interruption of pregnancy.


[The vaginal transverse low segment hysterotomy for second trimester therapeutic abortion (author's transl)]. A series of 100 therapeutic abortions by vaginal hysterotomy is reported. This method of vaginal hysterotomy with a transverse low segment incision just above the internal os of the cervix was first described by Fuchs in 1939. The important advantage of this method is complete avoidance of the uterine cervix. With this method a therapeutic abortion after the tenth week of gestation and in a few cases, up to the 20th week of gestation can be accomplished by a fast one stage technique with few side effects. The method is considered to be superior to the injection methods and the two stage procedures. With skill in vaginal operative techniques, this method can be used in any gynaecological department as a routine method. In this series, 28 cases had concomitant tubal ligations. There were two subsequent pregnancies. Complications were one uterine perforation during the curettage requiring laparotomy and suture. There was one laceration of the trigon of the bladder requiring suture. There were 2 cases of hemorrhage. There were 6 inflammatory reactions in the perimetria of which two required administration of antibiotics. There was superficial thrombophlebitis in one case. And there was a severe coagulation defect in one case of a missed abortion at 5 months gestation.


[Methods of artificial termination of pregnancy with special consideration of the use of prostaglandin (author's transl)]. For termination of a pregnancy up until the 12th week, the method of choice is suction curettage. The dilation of the cervical canal is made easier and sometimes the embryo is aborted if a viscid preparation containing Prostaglandin F 22 is injected intracervically 12 hours prior to the scheduled procedure. For termination of pregnancy after the 14th week, prostaglandin is superior to all other methods. It can be used intraamnially, extra-amnially or intravenously. Not enough information and experience is available in Europe regarding the intravaginal application.


[Psychosocial problems of young patients with aplasia vaginae (author's transl)]. 10 patients with aplasia vaginae et uteri (Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-syndrome) were interviewed by 2 psychologically trained persons. Vaginoplasty had already been performed in 8 patients. For these patients, the time between their first consultation of a doctor and vaginoplasty had been rather difficult. During this time, they had the strong feeling of being different from other girls. This feeling was favoured by the lack of information about the kind of their anomaly and the operation. The preoperative well informed patients possibly tolerated the painful application of vaginal prosthesis better than others. All patients with aplasia vaginae et uteri had many questions concerning their exspected sexual relations. Their knowledge on sexual function was very poor. We think, that cooperation between gynecologist and psychologist or psychiatrist is necessary for good results in treatment of patients with the Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-syndrome.


[Prostaglandin-F-levels in human plasma during late pregnancy and labour (author's transl)]. The concentrations of prostaglandin F-equivalents were measured in peripheral plasma during labour at a cervical dilatation of 5 cm and at complete dilatation. After purification, extraction and chromatography the PGF-equivalents were measured radioimmunologically. The intraassay variation was 1.5%, the interassay variation 3.5%. The specificity for PGF was 96-98%. Logit/log transformation of the standardcurve yielded a sensitivity of the assay of 120 pg. At cervical dilatation of 5 cm PGF-equivalents varied between 1300 and 3200 pg/ml plasma. At complete dilatation values changed between 1200 and 5400 pg/ml. These fluctuations correlate timedepending to the uterine contractions recorded and may be interpreted as a result of uterine PGF-release.


[Does the site of the placenta in the area of the caudal section of the uterus change during pregnancy? An echographic observation of the course of pregnancy (author's transl)]. Via examinations by ultrasonic sectional view during the course of pregnancy, the growth of the placenta was followed in 52 pregnant women. When a pathologic location of the placenta could be excluded during the first examination in the second trimester (26 cases), secondary development of a pathologic insertion was not observed. In 26 cases in which a pathological location of the placenta could be established before the 20th gestation week, a cranial shift in the caudal placenta border of up to 8 cm could be established in 19 cases. A pathological location of the placenta diagnosed in the second trimester can disappear. The shape of the uterus and the alterations in the spacial relationship between placenta and internal os uteri were caused by the development and stretching of the lower segment of the uterus. The vaginal hemorrhages in the second trimester caused by a low placental insertion (13 cases) stopped (with the exception of 2 cases) at the latest after the 6th month of pregnancy. The definitive establishment of a placenta pravia before the 5th-6th month of pregnancy is virtually impossible sonographically.


[Influence of lumbar peridural anaesthesia on fetal heart rate patterns in the second stage of labour (author's transl)]. The influence of lumbar peridural anaesthesia (PA) on fetal heart rate patterns in the second stage of labour was studied in 218 vaginal deliveries without maternal and fetal risk. A CTG-Score as proposed by Hammacher was used to evaluate fetal heart rate patterns. No influence of PA on fetal heart rate in the second stage of labour was found with primiparae, whereas multiparae showed more normal patterns under PA than without PA. All patients were strictly kept in lateral position throughout the first and second stage of labour. The pushing-period in lateral position was limited to 30 minutes (pushing 3-times per 10 minutes).


[Physical and physiological principles of CO2 hysteroscopy (author's transl)]. Various possibilities of developing the uterine cavity for hysteroscopy were presented together with their advantages and disadvantages. The authors consider CO2 gas insufflation to be the method of choice. The physical, physiological and technical principles and data of the procedure were discussed. The construction and function of the Hysteroflators 1000 S, a special gas insufflation apparatus for hysteroscopy were also discussed.


[Patterns of sexual behavior. A study on gynecological patients (author's transl)]. With a standard questionnaire 7356 lying-in patients at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, were asked about their social background and their sexual habits. First of all some statistical facts concerning the frequency of distribution: 20% of all women questioned had their first cohabitation before the age of seventeen. 53% had sexual intercourse with one man, 23% with two, the remainder with more than two men. Quite a number of social characteristics influenced the sexual behavior of women. Thus it was shown that women have their first cohabitation before the age of eighteen the sooner the lower their social status is and the more partners they had. Insufficient contraceptive precautions or the neglect of any contraception were mainly met with women of lower social status. The same correlation could be found between contraceptive behavior on the one hand and the parameters education and strong religious commitment on the other hand. In rural aereas contraceptive measures were used insufficiently or less often then in urban communities.


[Studies on the birth-weight and the size of the new-born child with reference to the parity of the mother (author's transl)]. The relation between the parity of the mother and the birth-weight as well as the size of the new-born child, taking into account the sex, were examined as follows: From the patients needing obstretical care during the period of 1966 to 1971 those 3441 women were chosen who had born twice or more times during this time. By means of an electronic data processing system the weight and size differences of the children were correlated with the parity of the mother taking again into account the order of male and female births. Births with uncertain gestational age, non-cephalic presentations, and premature births were excluded (WHO definition or gestational age less than or equal to 266 days counted from last menstruation). 1. The average birth-weight increases by 105 g from the first to the second child, by 39 g from the second to the third, and by 12 g from the third to the fourth child. Obviously, there is no linear link between the increase of the birth-weight and the increasing parity. The major weight-increase is to be observed from the first to the second child. 2. A corresponding statement concerning the size of the new-born children cannot be made which is partly due to the relative inaccuracy of the method applied. 3. On the average boys weigh between 130 g to 150 g more than girls according to the parity.


[A study about 3rd degree perinatal rupture (author's transl)]. 29 cases of 3rd degree perineal rupture occured from 1962 to 1975 at the Städtische Frauenklinik and Hebammenlehranstalt Braunschweig and have been analysed retrospectively. Most of these were observed in the last five years. The increase is undoubtlessly related to the shorter expulsion peried by ocytocin infusion. Investigations for avoidable courses and how to reduce them to a minimum were made in this analysis. Not at least this study was motivated by the lack of informations about obstetrical complications and the eventual consequences in literature. The only prophylaxis is the adequate support of the perineum and the sufficient episiotomy at the right moment. According to the operative and post operative treatment mentioned there could be achieved a good functional result in all cases. The stationary treatment has been reduced by these measures from 19,0 to 10,5 days.


[The problem of Caesarean section (author's transl)]. The Caesarean sections at the Universitäts-Frauenklinik Innsbruck from January 1st, 1969 to December 31st, 1974 have been surveyed. Related to the total number of 12 579 deliveries 627 Caesarean sections have been performed. Two 3-year-intervals have been compared: 1969-1971 (group I) without and 1972-1974 (group II) with modern practices of prenatal supervision. There was a high significant increase of the section rate in group II (5,8% versus 4,1% which has been related to the increasing number of mainly fetal indications. The maternal morbidity didn't rise with the increasing section rate. A significant decrease in total infant mortality rate and mortality rate at vaginal deliveries has been found with the increasing incidence of Caesarean sections; whereas the number of depressed infants (Apgar score less than 7) was increased in group II. The reasons therefore have been discussed. The rise of the number of Caesarean sections in group II performed because of breech presentation (14,2% versus 6,2%) was correspondent with a statistically significant decrease in the mortality rate from 11,7 to 4,1%. A Caesarean section rate between 7% and 10% seems to be the limit at least in our hospital--the total infant mortality rate cannot be reduced by further increasing the section frequency: the infant mortality rate possibly could be lowered by a better and more wide spread prenatal care especially by taking more care for prematurity and by intensifying the perinatal period.


[Comparison of labour induction with intravenous prostaglandin E2 and intravenous oxytocin (author's transl)]. Based on our results we are able to attribute to the PGE2 a special importance during the beginning of cervical dilatation. A cervical dilatation up to 3 cm is faster achieved by cervical relaxation effect and a direct effect on myometrial tissue independant from exterior parameters. The earlier the cervix has reached such a dilatation, the earlier regular contractions are registered at inductions with PGE2. These contractions are furthermore more effective and led to a shorter induction delivery interval under a minimal physiologic stress. This procedure is combined to a lower intrauterine pressure and shows no negative sideeffects on child and mother.


[Investigations on the occurrence of mycoplasma in the amniotic fluid (author's transl)]. In order to elucidate the pathogenetic importance of mycoplasma in amnionitis and in infectious syndrome of the amnion, the amniotic fluid of 185 healthy pregnant women was investigated for mycoplasma, bacteria and fungi. In no case mycoplasma were detected. This means that amniotic fluid is normally free of mycoplasma. If mycoplasma occurs in the amniotic fluid it has to be considered as a possible cause of amnionitis and infectious syndrome of the amnion.


[Seasonal variations in the birth rate and conception rate within the last 200 years (author's transl)]. The monthly variations and the mean daily conception rates of 136,828 deliveries from 1803 to 1970 within the same population area are reviewed. It was found that the conception rate during the first half of the 19th century showed a rapid increase from its low during the winter to its maximum in May and that this pattern became much less pronounced in the 20th century. During the second half of the 20th century, the highest conception rate shifted for the first time to the summer and the third quarter of the year. In contradistinction to this development, the low of the conception rate during the winter from January to March is much less pronounced during the first half of the 20th Century and remains constant with the lowest conception rate in February into the second half of the 20th century. The importance of the influence of nature during the spring and winter and of the working and living patterns as well as the influence of family planning and recreational activities on the intensity of procreation in the human within the last 200 years is discussed.


[A modification of the bladder flap of Boari for the management of defects of the distal ureter (author's transl)]. The results of the management of defects of the distal ureter of various causes with a bladder flap of Boari including the anti-reflux implantation of the ureter in 65 patients are reported. 50 patients had prior gynaecological operations. The other 15 patients had prior urological operation, inflammations (tuberculosis), tumors or anomalies of the ureter. The follow-up time ranges from a few weeks to five years and 80-90% of the patients were cured. 24 of these patients had prior malignant tumors.


H1- and H2-receptors for histamine in the ileum of the guinea pig. Clark's equation used in its inverted form (double reciprocal plots) was shown to be valid regarding the interaction of histamine with its receptors in the guinea-pig ileum. Burimamide, a typical H2-receptor antagonist potentiated the stimulating effect of small concentrations of histamine (10(-6) M) on the intestinal smooth muscle, probably, by blocking H2-receptors which may show the opposite effect. The calculated parameters of affinity (pKn) remained constant under different conditions. A linear correlation between length of the preparation and maximal contractions has been found.


Supersensitivity induced by the toxin of Brazilian scorpion venom (Tityus serrulatus Lutz e Mello). The purified toxin of the Brazilian scorpion venom (TsTX) enhances the pharmacological actions of directly and indirectly acting substances on several preparations. The enhancing action of TsTX is more pronounced for the indirectly acting drugs, which is highly suggestive of a prejunctional site of action. Secondarily, TsTX does also produce an unspecific increase of sensitivity at the level of the pharmacological receptor itself. The mechanism by which these changes are brought about remains to be determined.


Cholinergic and adrenergic effects of tityustoxin. The effects of purified scorpion toxin (Tityustoxin or TsTX) were investigated on the isolated guinea-pig and rat ileum, rat spleen strip and hen rectal caecum. The contraction of the ileum was due only in part to the release of acetylcholine, whereas the contraction of the spleen strip and the relaxation of the rectal caecum were due to the release of catecholamines.


Potentiation of bradykinin action on smooth muscle by a scorpion venom extract. Gel filtration of the water extract of the venom of the scorpion T. serrulatus showed four peaks; the first peak (P1) is devoid of toxic activity but increases the bradykinin-induced contraction of isolated rat uterus and guinea-pig ileum. The stepwise fractionation of the pooled P1 peak was performed in a DEAE-cellulose column and the bradykinin potentiating activity was found in the second protein peak. Finger-printing of this material showed that the bradykinin potentiating material migrates to the anode, giving two spots when submitted to chromatography, the activity being found in the spot that presents the greatest Rf. The potentiator is destroyed by heating at 97 degrees C, is not dialysable and is destroyed by incubation with pronase. Some of these properties differentiate it from the BPF's from snake venoms.


Calcium and the muscarinic receptor.

Calcium and the muscarinic receptor. Pharmacological receptors may be viewed as composed of two linked functions, a recognition site through which the specificity and selectivity of ligand action is expressed and an amplification or catalytic site which translates the ligand-recognition site interaction into response. The successful elucidation of receptor mechanisms requires analysis of both sites. The muscarinic cholinergic receptors of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal smooth muscle will be discussed from this two function stand point and the source and utilization of Ca2+ in excitation-contraction coupling discussed.


Origins of the spontaneous receptor potential in the tuberous organ in a mormyrid fish. In an electroreceptor of a Mormyrid fish: 1. The correlations between the number of sensory cells in each receptor organ and the mode of the intervals of time between receptor potentials are not significant within the temperature ranges of 20.0-26.0 degrees C, 20.5-21.5 degrees C, 22.0-23.0 degrees C and are significant at a level of 4.9% within 25.0-26.0 degrees C. 2. The correlations between the mode of intervals of time between receptor potentials and temperature are significant at a level inferior to 1% for isolated receptor organs and also at a level of 5.8% for 21 different receptor organs from 9 different fishes.


The role of central muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in the regulation of sodium and potassium renal excretion. The effect of intraseptal injection of carbachol and nicotine on urinary output of Na+ and K+ in untreated rats as well as in animals pretreated with locally injected atropine, hexamethonium, dibenamine and propranolol was studied in order to evaluate the relative role played by central muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in the regulation of salt and water renal excretion. The injection of 30-250 nmol of nicotine into the medial septal area caused a dose-dependent increase in Na+ and K+ urinary output whereas urine volume was little affected. The effect of 30 nmol of nicotine was blocked by pretreatment with 100 nmol of hexamethonium. In addition, pretreatment with 5 nmol of either hexamethonium or atropine partially antagonized the natriuretic and kaliuretic effect of 1 nmol of carbachol. Also the alpha-blocking agent, dibenamine (150 nmol) antagonized, while the beta-blocker, propranolol (100 nmol) significantly enhanced the effect of carbachol. Propranolol (100 nmol) alone caused a small, but significant increase in Na+ and K+ renal excretion. These results indicate that stimulation of both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in the septal area, as caused by carbachol, elicits increased disposition of Na+ and K+ by the kidneys. Also, part of the effects of carbachol appear to be mediated by the release of endogenous catecholamines, acting on central alpha receptors to increase Na+ and K+ urinary excretion. On the other hand, simultaneous activation of beta-receptors by the released amines would partially inhibit this effect.


Guanidines as analogs of histamine and antihistamines on the isolated guinea-pig ileum. The present work describes the interaction of phenylguanidine and cyclohexylguanidine with receptor structures of the isolated guinea-pig ileum. It is suggested that phenylguanidine in the range of 0.2-2 mM, acts in a way similar to histamine. At lower concentrations in the bath, phenylguanidine and cyclohexylguanidine, behave as competitive antagonists of histamine, with Ki values close to 0.1 mM and 0.4 mM, respectively. At higher concentrations phenylguanidine acts as agonist with a Kn near 0.3 mM; the Kn for histamine was found to be 0.127 muM, in agreement with previous data from the literature. The agonistic action of phenylguanidine is inhibited by promethazine and atropine, which have Ki values of 0.342 muM and 0.575 muM, respectively. Cyclohexylguanidine is devoid of spasmogenic activity, and this was attributed to the lack of aromatic character and to the bulkiness of the cyclohexyl side chain.


Rabbit brain thiol-activated endopeptidase. Hydrolysis of bradykinin and kininogen. A neutral brain endopeptidase which hydrolyzes bradykinin (Arg1-Pro2-Pro3-Gly4-Phe5-Ser6-Pro7-Phe8-Arg9) at the Phe5-Ser6 peptide bond was activated about 10 times by dithiothreitol. The preferential specificity of the enzyme for small peptides was suggested on the basis of the absence of activity toward a bradykinin-related protein such as S-carboxymethylated plasma kininogen.


Localization of acetylcholinesterase in a crustacean neuromuscular system. 1. The localization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was studied by light and electron microscopy (LM and EM) at the neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) of the abdominal superficial flexor muscle (SFM) and the claw adductor muscle (CAM) of the crayfish in view of reported pharmacological evidence of cholinergic transmission at the former but not at the latter site. 2. Survey of LM with the copper-thiocholine method disclosed staining for AChE, but not for butyrocholinesterase (BuChE), at numerous NMJs of the SFM; neither enzyme was detected at any NMJs of the CAM. 3. With the bis-(thioacetoxy) aurate (I) method, EM examination showed AChE-staining at NMJs of the SFM to be confined to the postjunctional membrane. 4. The published and present findings suggest a unique situation of more than one excitatory transmitter for the skeletal neuromuscular system in the crustacean studied.


Role of spleen in the interferon-lowering action of morphine. 1. Polyinosinie-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) administered intraperitioneally to mice produced an increase in the level of interferon in the tissues of the spleen, liver, lung, and kidney. The level of circulating serum interferon also was increased by the polynucleotide. 2. The highest titer of interferon, presumably resulting from the greatest response to poly I:C was measured in the splenic tissue. 3. Morphine inhibited the poly I:C induced increase in all tissues and circulating serum. The decrease in interferon titer was similar in spleen and serum. 4. These results may indicate the serum level of interferon was more closely related and dependent upon events occuring in the spleen than in the other tissues.


Centrally-acting drugs and the formation of brain gamma-aminobutyric acid. 1. The effects of a number of centrally-acting compoinds were tested on the levels of GABA and glutamate and on the formation of GABA from glutamate in rat brain. 2. Pargyline and desipramine increased the brain concentration of GABA but were without effect on GABA production. 3. Imidazoleacetic acid increased GABA levels, decreased glutamate levels but did not alter GABA production, whereas gamma-hydroxybutyric acid had an effect only on GABA formation. 4. Isonicotinc acid hydrazine caused a marked decrease in the formation of GABA from glutamate. 5. Chlorpromazine, diphenylhydantoin, bicucculine, and L-DOPA had no effect on any of the biochemical parameters measured. 6. The central effects of these drugs are discussed in relation to the above findings.


Hepatic and duodenal drug metabolism in the rat during fat deficiency. 1. The effect of dietary fat deficiency on the composition of hepatic microsomes and postmitochondrial supernatant fraction of duodenal mucosa and on the activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes was studied in the rat. 2. There were only little changes in the measured protein, cholesterol and phospholipid fractions in the liver microsomes. In the postmitochondrial supernatant fraction of the duodenal mucosa, however, protein content was increased during fat deficiency. 3. In the fatty acid composition of hepatic microsomal phospholipids marked differences took place during fat deficiency. The amount of palmitoleic and eicosatrienoic acids increased from undetectable level to the amount of 6.9 and 9.5%. Also the amount of oleic acid was almost doubled and the content of linoleic and arachidonic acid was markedly decreased. 4. Fat deficiency was found to affect the drug metabolism both in the liver and small intestine. Only minor changes took place in the measured hydroxylative enzyme activities but the activity of UDPglucuronosyltransferase was highly depressed during fat deficiency both in the liver microsomes and in the postmitochondrial supernatant of duodenal mucosa. The changes in the UDPglucuronosyltransferase activity are concluded to be mediated via changes in the lipoidal environment of the enzyme in the membranes.


The effect of oxygen on the enzymes concerned in the metabolism of 5-hydroxytryptamine by rat brain and liver preparations. 1. The effect of oxygen concentration at 1 atm on rat enzyme systems concerned in the synthesis and degradation of 5-hydroxytryptamine was studied in vitro. 2. Oxygen activated tryptophan hydroxylase and the deamination of both 5-hydroxytryptamine and tyramine by monoamine oxidase. 3. Oxygen did not affect the activities of 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase or peroxidase.


In vitro metabolism of aniline by sheep intestine. 1. The major metabolite after incubating aniline with sheep intestine was acetanilide. 2. Other metabolites detected in smaller amounts were 2-aminophenol, 4-aminophenol, 2-acetamidophenol and 4-acetamidophenol. 3. The rumen, abomasum duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon were all able to acetylate aniline. 4. 4-Aminophenol, 4-aminobenzoic acid, 4-anisidine and 4-nitroaniline were also acetylated.


A comparison of the effect of propylthiouracil on the respiration of thyroid slices from humans, chickens and rats. 1. The QO2 of thyroid slices from hyperthyroid patients treated with propylthiouracil (PTU) was 140% that of slices from euthyroid patients. Similar results were obtained using thyroid slices from PTU fed and control chickens. 2. PTU feeding caused thyroid hyperplasia, increased QO2 more than could be accounted for by the hyperplasia but neither increased QO2 of muscle, cerebral cortex or spleen nor altered serum T4 levels. 3. PTU in drinking water increased the size and vascularity of thyroids from control but not hypophysectomized rats and had no effect on QO2. 4. The observations made on human, chicken and rat thryoid apparently reflect the effects of TSH rather than a direct action of PTU.


Body build and behavior in emotionally disturbed Dutch children. Some physique-behavior relations were determined in 75 boys and 51 girls, aged 6 to 14, in a residential treatment center in Holland. Each child's behavior was rated by four group workers on a checklist yielding eight summary scores. Physique was judged from nude photographs for manifest endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy. While a number of moderate-sized relations appeared in zero-order and multiple correlations, canonical analysis showed two significant, independent sets of relations between physique and behavior in the boys, one in the girls. Among the boys, one set related mesomorphy and energy level, the other related primarily ectomorphy with unsocialness, excitability, and cooperativeness. Among the girls, these same behaviors were compressed in a single set, primarily relating energy level but also unsocialness, excitability, and cooperativeness positively with mesomorphy and negatively with endomorphy and ectomorphy. Compared with findings on the same instrument in a sample of normal American preschoolers, many individual associations were similar, despite differences in culture and language, age, intelligence, social status, adjustment, and residential setting of the S's.


[2 genetic systems of serum amylase in the Kholmogor breed of cattle]. All the genetic types of amylase I (AmI) and amylase II (AmII) known for the species Bos taurus are encountered in the Kholmogorskaya breed of cattle. Besides the two alleles, AmIB and AmIC found in all the other European breeds of cattle the locus in the Kholmogorskaya breed also includes a rare allele AmI-A hitherto considered to be characteristic only of zebu-like cattle. The frequencies of the alleles AmI-A, AmI-B and AmI-C in the Kholmogorskaya breed proved to be 0.014, 0.392 and 0.594 respectively (n = 1098). Of the two co-dominant alleles, AmII-A and AmII-B controlling the synthesis of the isozymes of the second amylase system the first is rare, occurring with the frequency of 0.131 (n = 245). The earlier assumption of Mazumder and Spooner, that there is no linkage between the genes of the loci AmI and AmII is corroborated. The breeds assigned to the Bos taurus brachyceros type have a lower frequencies of the AmI-C allele as compared to other breeds the origin of which is associated with the subspecies B. t. primigenius.


Making sense of cerebral dominance and syndromes of the nondominant hemisphere. Knowing the special function of each half of the brain is important to the clinician. If he doesn't understand what damage to the nondominant hemisphere can do, he may mistake the resulting syndrome for a psychiatric illness or generalized dementia, and the patient won't get proper treatment and counseling. The tendency is to think of dominance in terms of language, but other functions are asymmetrically located even though their input and output are bilateral. Generally, lesions in the left hemisphere cause problems with language and those in the right disrupt visual and spatial skills, attention, and emotional behavior. By far the most common syndrome in right hemisphere lesions is neglect of the left side. A patient may show lack of concern about his illness or he may deny that he is sick or even that the left side of his body belongs to him. Patients with left hemisphere lesions may neglect the right side but rarely to this extreme.