Nucleoside phosphotransferase of chick embryo. This paper describes a purification procedure and some properties of a nonspecific nucleoside phosphotransferase of chick embryo, an activity which catalyzes the transfer of chick embryo, an activity which catalyzes the transfer of the phosphate ester from a deoxyribonucleotide or a pyrimidine ribonucleotide to a deoxyribonucleoside acceptor. The enzyme is very unstable to heat, dilution and dialysis and it is almost entirely inactivated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography or gel filtration. A marked enhancement in its stability is caused by numerous nucleotides. In these experiments at least 920-fold purification was obtained by using dTTP (50 microM) as nucleotide protector. The enzyme, purified in presence of dTTP, has a molecular weight about 270,000, an isoelectric point of 6.27, a pH optimum of 8.8 and is stable at 37 degrees C at least for 10 min. In absence of nucleotide protector, nucleoside phosphofranserferase is connected at 37 degrees C or by gel filtration in a very small active form with a lower molecular weight (about 30,000) and a pH optimum of 7.6.


Sodium azide-induced mutagenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Sodium azide (0.5--2.0 X 10(-5) M), applied for 24 h on cells growing in complete medium, increased up to 26 times the frequency of reversions and locus-specific suppressor mutations of allele ilv1-92 in diploid strain D7 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Similarly, it enhanced the frequency of reversions and/or mitotic gene conversions of alleles trp5-12/trp5-27 up to 19 times. Reconstruction experiments showed that the increase of mutations in complete medium was not due to a selection of prototrophic types under growth conditions and, therefore, that sodium azide acts as a weak mutagen in S. cerevisiae under growth conditions at a low pH. No mutagenic or convertogenic effect was observed when azide was applied to resting cells in buffer at pH 4.2.


Pertussis vaccine--an analysis of benefits, risks and costs. Using decision analysis, we estimated the benefits, risks and costs of routine childhood immunization against pertussis. Without an immunization program, we predict that there would be a 71-fold increase in cases and an almost fourfold increase in deaths (2.0 to 7.6) per cohort of one million children. With a vaccination program, we predict 0.1 case of encephalitis associated with pertussis and five cases of post-vaccination encephalitis; without a program, there would be only 2.3 cases of encephalitis associated with pertussis. Community vaccination would reduce by 61 per cent the costs related to pertussis. Our analysis supports continuation of vaccination in routine childhood immunization programs, but suggests the need for more reliable data on complications from the vaccine, further study of the epidemiology of pertussis and development of a less toxic vaccine.


[Influence of temperature, pH and glucidic substrates on the growth and conidiogenesis of Arthroderma (trichophyton) simii Stockdale]. Growth and conidiogenesis of the (+) IMI 101 693 and (-) IMI 101 695 strains of Trichophyton simii were compared at several temperatures (20 to 40 degrees C) and various pH (pH 4 to 9) and were correlated with the concentration of glucose (20 to 100 g/l) or other glucidic substrates (10 g/l). Although the development of both strains was optimal between 25 to 33 degrees C at pH 6 and with 10 g/l of glucose, the (-) strain always growed less than the (+) strain. Conidiogenesis was inhibited by sucrose in the (-) strain and by lactose in the (+) strain.


Clostridium botulinum can grow and form toxin at pH values lower than 4.6. It is generally accepted that in Clostridium botulinum both growth and toxin formation are completely inhibited at pH values below 4.6. This critical pH value has been confirmed by many investigators using food as substrate or culture media. Occasionally growth of C. botulinum and toxin formation at pH values lower than 4.6 have been reported. In these cases the authors ascribed the unexpected outgrowth and toxin formation to local pH differences in inhomogeneous media and growth of C. botulinum before pH equilibration, or to the fact that fungi created microenvironments within or adjacent to the mycelial mat, where the pH was higher than 4.6 as was demonstrated by Odlaug and Pflug. We show here that the general assumption that C. botulinum does not grow below pH 4.6 is incorrect. We have observed that growth and toxin formation by C. botulinum can take place in homogeneous protein rich substrates (containing 3% or more soya or milk protein) at pH values lower than 4.6.


Investigations on the mechanism of cyclic guanosine monophosphate increase due to depolarizing agents as studied with sea anemone toxin II in mouse cerebellar slices. Sea anemone toxin II (ATX II) and MCD-peptide, like other depolarizing agents, raise the content of cGMP and to a lesser extent of cAMP in mouse cerebellar slices. Na+ influx and Ca2+ movement are involved in their mode of action, as indicated by the following observations: 1. The rise of cGMP due to ATX II, MCD-peptide and high potassium was diminished when Na+ had been replaced by Li+. 2. The effects of both toxins and veratridine, but not of high potassium stimulation were prevented by tetrodotoxin (TTX). 3. The cGMP accumulation due to both toxins was abolished in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. 4. The so-called Ca2+-antagonist (-)-D-600 blocked the increase of cGMP due to ATX II, MCD-peptide, veratridine and high potassium. 5. ATX II stimulated the 45Ca2+ uptake in mouse cerebellar slices which was prevented by TTX and (-)-D-600.


The effect of vanadate on human kidney potassium dependent phosphatase. This study examined the effects of vanadate on the potassium dependent phosphatase activity present in purified human kidney microsomal (Na+ + K+)-adenosine triphosphatase. Vanadate anion inhibited the K+-dependent phosphatase at a K1 of 35 nM. This inhibition was noncompetitive with the substrate, p-nitrophenylphosphate. The inhibition by vanadate at 1 mM K+ was only 45% of the inhibition that was observed at 10 mM K+. Neither preincubation of the enzyme with vanadate, nor changing the pH of the assay from 8.2 to 7.2 had any effect on the K1 for vanadate. The inclusion of 2.5 mM isoproterenol, to complex the yanadate, reversed the inhibition, as did diluting the enzymatic reaction. Vanadate also inhibited the overall (Na+ + K+)-ATPase reaction at a K1 of 1.91 microM. This inhibition was also reversible upon inclusion of isoproterenol in the assay. Increasing the level of magnesium from 6 mM to 30 mM lowered the K1 of vanadate to 0.25 microM. The possible role of vanadate as a physiological mediator of (Na+ + k+)-atpase activity is discussed.


Oxygen consumption during maintenance hemodialysis. The influence of hemodialysis on oxygen consumption was studied in 15 patients on maintenance dialysis. Red cell 2,3-DPG, P50, an inverse measure of oxygen affinity of hemoglobin, arterial and central venous blood gases and cardiac index were measured. 2,3-DPG remained unchanged, whereas in vivo P50 fell significantly during dialysis due to a rise of pH (Bohr effect). Arterial PO2 was lower after than before dialysis, but arterial and central venous oxygen saturations did not change significantly. Cardiac index increased from 3.66 to 4.0k liter/min/m2. Oxygen consumption rose from 120.5 to 131.7 ml/min/m2 (p less than 0.05), the rise being accounted for by an increase in cardiac index and by a slight post-dialysis hemoconcentration. However, even correcting for these parameters did not reveal a decrease in oxygen consumption. It is concluded that, contrary to previous assumptions, the hemodialysis-induced rise in pH with its consequent increase of oxygen hemoglobin affinity did not impair oxygen delivery in this group of patients on maintenance dialysis.


Effect of renal physicochemical milieu on stimulation of human lymphocytes by phytohemagglutinin. The effect of changes in certain physicochemical parameters, analogous to those occurring in the kidney, on stimulation of normal human lymphocytes by phytohemagglutinin was studied. Increase in osmolality by sucrose or urea, and increases in concentration of sodium, potassium and calcium all significantly inhibited stimulation while magnesium did not. Lowering pH to 6.8 and 6.5 inhibited stimulation. Raising the pH to 8.0 had no effect bu at pH 8.4 stimulation was decreased. The effect was largely but not entirely due to decrease in viability.


[Regional differences in the sensitivity of the metabolism of coelenterate larvae to external influences]. The regional differences in the sensitivity of protein synthesis and free radical processes to temperature, trypsin, urea and LiCl were studied in Obelia flexuosa by means of autoradiography. The regional differences were also determined with respect to the rate of incorporation and excretion of a labelled aminoacid under the normal conditions. The metabolic reactions of larvae can be divided in primary (the first 30 min following the effect) and subsequent adaptive ones. The primary reactions are characterized by the greater sensitivity of the anterior larval regions to all factors under study. The subsequent reactions are characterized by synchronous and unidirectional metabolic starts in both the anterior and posterior larval regions, the starts being bigger in the anterior regions. The restoration of the normal ratios of metabolic activities of the opposite larval regions does not always correlate with the restoration of the normal absolute level of metabolism. The adaptive reactions are better expressed for protein synthesis, rather than for free radical processes. The anterior larval region has the greatest metabolic non-stability by a series of indices.


Pneumococcal bacteremia in infants and children: a ten-year experience at the Cook County Hospital with special reference to the pneumococcal serotypes isolated. In a ten-year period we identified 305 hospitalized children with a pneumococcal bacteremia. From these children 293 pneumococcal isolates were serotyped, and 90% belonged to a group of 11 "prevalent serotypes." These 11 serotypes were the prevalent serotypes isolated from children in all disease categories, as well as from children with sickle-cell disease. No more than 1% of the isolates belonged to any one of the other serotypes. A pneumococcal vaccine effective against these 11 prevalent serotypes should be optimal for use in children. Our highest case fatality rates were noted in children with meningitis (13%) and children with sickle-cell disease (20%). A polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine might not have prevented most of our pneumococcal meningitis, as 80% of these children were less than 1 year old, an age when polysaccharide vaccines are poor antigens. On the other hand, many of our children with sickle-cell disease acquired their pneumococcal bacteremia at an older age and should have benefitted from such a vaccine.


Intracellular pH changes during experimental sustained hypercapnia. During various time periods lasting 3--28 days rats were continuously exposed to FICO2 = 0.08 or 0.16 in normoxic conditions, pHi was measured by the 3H-inulin and 14C-DMO method in the erythrocyte, the gastrocnemius and in the whole body. The erythrocyte acid base disturbances were linked to the extracellular acidosis. The muscle and the mean body pHi developments were the same during 9 or 14 days depending on the FICO2. They diverged after 28 days at FICO2 = 0.08 (Tables and Fig. 2). This could be explained as an acid base reaction of the "non-muscular" part of the whole body intracellular compartment which may be different from the acid base development of the muscular mass. A short term (1 h) acute hypercapnia (FICO2 - 0.20--0.22) was superimposed on the sustained hypercapnia (FICO2 = 0.16). Acid base disturbance was greater when the acute hypercapnia was added at the beginning (3rd day) of the CO2 exposure (Fig.1).


Excitation-contraction coupling in frog sartorius and the role of the surface charge due to the carboxyl group of sialic acid. Frog sartorius muscle fibres were incubated with the enzyme neuraminidase which is known to remove surface-bound sialic acids. The sialic acid content of the incubation media was analysed, and the relationship between the threshold of contraction and the altered pH and divalent cation concentration was investigated. The threshold potential of fibres treated with 3.3, 5 or 6.7 units of neuraminidase (at pH 5.5 and 30 degrees C for 2 h) was more positive than that of the control muscle fibres incubated under the same conditions, but without the enzyme. The potential shift is positively correlated with the enzyme concentration and with the amount of sialic acid released. After incubation with 5 units of neuraminidase the potential shift rose to +8.5 mV, depending on [Ca2+]0, [Mg2+]0 and pH. The threshold shift is greatest at low divalent cation concentration (0.5 mM), and not significant at high concentrations of divalent cations (50 mM). In both neuraminidase-treated and control muscles, the effectiveness of Mg2+ is half of that of Ca2+. The dependence of the contraction threshold on pH in the range 5.5--10 is even more pronounced in enzyme-treated than in control muscle fibres. Resting potential, time-course and overshoot of action potential are not affected by treatment with neuraminidase. Threshold shifts are explained by shifts of an external surface potential upon variation of [Ca2+]0, [Mg2+]0 and pH. Treating the muscles with neuraminidase diminishes the net negative charge density, and hence shifts the surface potential to more positive values, by release of negatively charged sialic acid. The different effectiveness of Ca2+ and Mg2+ is ascribed to their different effectiveness of Ca2+ Mg2+ is ascribed to their different binding behaviour towards the negative surface charges.


Photodimerization of chlorpromazine radical CPZS.+ under the irradiation of UV light. CPZS.+ radical excited at S atom in the phenothiazine ring was obtained by illumination of aqueous solution of chlorpromazine (CPZ..) for 15 min with UV light (303 nm). The radicals in oxygenated solution formed green, dimeric photoproduct CPZSOOSCPZ (m. wt. 628 +/- 1) lambda max. 741.9 nm, IR spectrum 760, 1470, 3400 cm1, fluorescence emission at 485 nm (max. excitation 365 nm). The dimer decomposed in alkaline methanol (pH 10.0) with intensive luminescence (max. at 500 nm).


Chemical investigation of decomposition processes of pyrazolidine-3,5-dione derivatives. Part 3. Kinetics and mechanism of degradation of ketazone in aqueous solutions and solid phase. Kinetics of decomposition of Ketazone were studied in the Britton-Welford buffer solutions under anaerobic conditions, as well as in the solid state. The sequential type of reaction was found and the first order rate constants for hydrolysis (k1) and decarboxylation (k2) processes were calculated by the so-called "subtraction technique". Thermodynamic parameters were used for prediction of ketazone stability at 20 degrees C. S-shaped curves were obtained from the data of solid state kinetic studies. The decomposition products of Ketazone were isolated and identified by means of TLC, elemental analysis, UV and IR spectra and by their appropriate chemical transformations. The mechanisms of decomposition of Ketazone sodium in aqueous solutions and its acidic form in solid state are proposed.


Effects of neuroleptics on blood glucose, free fatty acids and liver glycogen levels in the rat. In fed rats the mechanisms of the action of spiroperidol (SPI), chlorpromazine (CPZ), fluphenazine (FLU) and thioridazine (TRZ) blood glucose, liver glycogen, serum free fatty acids (FFA) and K ion levels were investigated. Phenothiazines induced significant hyperglycemic responses with concomitant increase in liver glycogen, elevation of serum FFA and hypokalemia. CPZ and FLU were the most potent and TRZ was least potent in inducing above mentioned metabolic responses, which were most pronounced in 4--6 hr. SPI produced significant hyperglycemia for sorter period of time with a subsequent decrease of liver glycogen. An alpha-adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine prevented neuroleptic-induced hyperglycemia, impaired the increase of liver glycogen, partially diminished hyperlipemia and did not substantially change hypokalema occuring following neuroleptics. Antagonist of beta-adrenergic receptor, propranolol did not practically influence metabolic responses to neuroleptics. Adrenalectomy impaired substantially but did not abolish neuroleptic-induced hyperglycemia, indicating that also extraadrenal mechanisma, conceivable impairing glucose utilization and metabolism, are responsible for hyperglycemia induced by neuroleptics. This experiments suggest that phenothiazines may induce hyperglycemic response by activation of alpha-adrenergic receptors by contrast to alpha-adrenertic blocking action of these drugs in the central nervous system.


Evidence for the histamine-mediated myotropic effect of angiotensin II in the rabbit aorta. Histamine H1-receptor antagonist mepyramine and H2-receptor antagonist metiamide, respectively diminished and potentiated angiotensin II(A II)-induced myotropic responses in the rabbit aortic strips. The responses of the octapeptide were also inhibited in the presence of histidine decarboxylase inhibitor, 2-hydroxy-5-carbomethoxybenzoxyamine and restored when subcontractile quantities of histamine are added to the inhibitor-containing medium. Inhibition of histamine degradation by aminoguanidine potentiates A II's responses. These results are taken as evidences indicating A II-induced histamine synthesis in the test preparation.


Reversal of neuroleptic-induced stupor by procyclidin. Two case reports and their theoretical implications. Two case reports and data from literature on the subject are used by the authors to describe characteristics of pathogenetic importance of neuroleptic induced stupor (NIS). The origin of NIS is outlined briefly and some fundamental clinical and experimental facts are presented, all of which stress the importance of the acute blockade of postsynaptic DA-ergic receptors. Emphasis is placed on the significance of the possible relationship and similarity between NIS and catatonic stupor, and on the theoretical possibilities which this offers.


[Incidence of anonymous medication before admission to the hospital (author's transl)]. Only about 1/4 of the statements made by the patients or accompanying persons regarding preclinical medication proved to be true. In about 66% of the cases 1--5 drugs were not stated during the first interview, while in 10% of the cases more drugs were stated than had actually been taken. Among the substances which had remained anonymous, the main shares are represented by benzodiazepines (28%), narcotic drugs (19%), neuroleptics (15%) and alcohol (15%). If one relates the number of false statements to the individual patients grouped according to diagnoses, the relatively highest quota of defaulters is found among the addicts, namely, 100%. This means that all the addicts had made false statements. The second rank is occupied by the alcoholic group who made 66% false statements, followed by the patients suffering from psychoses with 52% false statement, and the depressive patients with 47% false statements.


A monitoring test for the liability of neuroleptic drugs to induce tardive dyskinesia. Two Cebus apella monkeys with haloperidol-induced tardive dyskinesia have been studied. Substitution of chlorpromazine, thioridazine, clozapine, melperone, or fluphenazine for the daily haloperidol administration temporarily reduced the signs of tardive dyskinesia. In a monkey with low-grade symptoms, persisting for more than 100 days after withdrawal of haloperidol, neuroleptic drugs induced a typical sequence of events: first the dyskinetic movements were abolished, but 1--3 days after administration of a single dose of a neuroleptic drug there was a rebound worsening of symptoms. It was noticed that this aggravation of symptoms corresponded in magnitude and duration to the approximate liability of each compound to induce tardive dyskinesia in man. It is therefore suggested that this animal model could be used to monitor neurological side effects in neuroleptic drugs.


Failure of MIF-I to affect behavioral responses in patients with Parkinson's diseases under L-dopa therapy. In eight subjects with Parkinson's disease under an optimal daily dose of L-dopa, acute administration of MIF-I (200 mg i.v.) did not ameliorate either the total disability score or the intellectual test PM 38 when evaluated in comparison with the effect induced by acute administration of a placebo. Also concomitant evaluation of the effect of MIF-I on the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones which are under dopaminergic control i.e., growth hormone and prolactin, did not reveal any potentiation of the L-dopa-induced stimulus.


Swimming capacity of mice after prolonged treatment with psychostimulants. III. Effect of fencamfamine on swimming endurance and availability of metabolic substrates. The effect of long-term treatment with fencamfamine on swimming endurance and availability of metabolic substrates was investigated in mice. Fencamfamine (14 micrograms/g per day orally for 6 weeks) reduced maximum swimming capacity by more than 40%. This effect could not be attributed to motor incoordination or a diminution of pre-swimming levels of metabolic substrates such as liver and muscle glycogen or blood glucose and non-esterfied fatty acids. However, during swimming the hepatic and muscular glycogen stores were depleted more rapidly in the fencamfamine-treated animals. Thus it appears that fencamfamine leads more rapidly to a shortage of combustible substrates in the swimming animals.


Differential enhancement of locomotor activity by dopamine agonists following chronic morphine treatment. Aniamls were administered increasing doses of morphine for 16 days. During withdrawal they were challenged with an apomorphine ester or lergotrile. These dopamine agonists produced quantitatively different effects on behaviour. The results suggest that chronic morphine administration leads to dopamine supersensitivity which may be anatomically distinct in origin.


Benzodiazepines alter acquisition and retention of an inhibitory avoidance response in mice. These experiments were performed to examine the effects of graded doses of diazepam, flurazepam, or lorazepam given to Swiss-Webster mice either 30 min prior to training or immediately after training in a one-trial inhibitory (passive) avoidance task. A 350 MUA footshock was administered following entry into a darkened compartment and retention was tested three days later. Doses of 10.0 mg/kg diazepam and 20.0 mg/kg lorazepam given before training significantly impaired acquisition, while 1.0 mg/kg flurazepam, given immediately after training, produced retrograde amnesia. These results indicate that benzodiazepines affect memory processes and that various drugs of the benzodiazepine family differentially affect acquisition and memory consolidation.


[Sympathetic control on salivary secretion by the parotid gland in rabbit. II. Effects upon the gland submitted to a weak parasympathetic stimulation (author's transl)]. Superior cervical ganglion stimulation significantly increases both, flow and amylase activity of saliva. Stimulation provokes two markedly different periods of flow: during the first half, flow is very high and differs significantly from the flow of the second half which closely resembles the one previous to stimulation. Alpha-adrenergic blocking agents, when administered intravenously, abolish the hypersecretion induced by sympathetic stimulation; beta-adrenergic blocking agents do not. These facts strengthen the hypothesis that alpha-adrenoceptors are most important in fluid secretion. The infusion of epinephrine acts similarly on cervical ganglion stimulation, but it differs because of its more diffuse effects and deeper cardiovascular alterations. Isoproterenol, after a long latency period, slightly increases salivary flow, which seemingly indicates that beta-adrenoceptors are involved in the fluid secretory processes although in a lesser degree than alpha-adrenoceptors.


Effect of the pH on intestinal absorption of sugars in vivo. Influence of the pH on the absorption rate of sugars by rat intestine in vivo has been revised by means of a technique for intestinal lumen perfusion with 1 minute absorption periods. Absorption at pH 2.5, 5, 7, 8.5, and 10 has been comparied in each animal. Absorption rate of D-glucose, D-galactose and D-fructose is highest at pH 7 and decreases at the lower or higher pH values. The pH does not affect the absorption of D-arabinose. The pH effect is attributed to changes in the transport system for sugars.


A simple and efficient method for preparation of immunoelectrophoretically pure guinea pig IgM and isolation of monospecific anti-IgM antibodies. This report describes experimental conditions developed for the rapid and efficient preparation of guinea pig IgM in a purified form and in high yield. A combined immunization procedure had to be designed to obtain sufficiently high IgM concentrations in guinea pig serum. The isolation procedure includes precipitation at low pH, followed by sedimentation at 110,000 g and reverse flow gel chromatography on Sephades G-200. Furthermore,we describe in detail the isolation of relatively large amounts of pure and specific anti-guinea pig mu-chain antibodies by immunoaffinity chromatography.


Metabolic changes during prolonged total parenteral nutrition in intensive care. Intensive care patients receiving prolonged total parenteral nutrition (TPN) developed alterations of liver function tests, seen in the activity of certain serum enzymes. Hepatomegaly and jaundice sometimes appeared. The changes in chemical pathology were in serum transaminases activity (GOT, GPT, GDH); alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase as indices of cholestasis; lactate dehydrogenase, hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase, as enzymes related to energy metabolism; pseudocholinesterase, as a protein metabolism-related enzyme. The possible causes of these alterations in critically ill patients undergoing TPN are considered and a functional final metabolic interpretation is proposed.


The effect of beta-adrenergic and cholinergic blockade on the circadian rhythm of gastrins in serum. The importance of beta-adrenergic and cholinergic mechanisms to the circadian rhythm of gastrins in serum was studied in 15 healthy volunteers. The subjects were investigated during peroral treatment with 1) a beta-adrenergic blocking drug (propranolol), 2) an anticholinergic drug (glycopyrron), 3) both drugs, and 4) without treatment. Gastrin concentrations were measured with an antiserum that measures all four main components of gastrin in serum, and with a gastrin-17 specific antiserum. A circadian rhythm was observed with both antisera. The total immunoreactivity in serum increased from 39 pg per ml +/- 3 (mean and S.E.M.) in the morning to a peak at 2300 (77 +/- 7), followed by a nadir at 0400 (38 +/- 2). The circadian rhythm was maintained during administration of the drugs, but the concentrations of component III (gastrin-17) were reduced by beta-adrenergic blockade, while the anticholinergic treatment increased the concentrations of the other gastrin components. The inhibition of gastric secretion of acid by anticholinergics is presumably due to an action on the parietal cells; according to this study, the inhibition is connected by an increased gastrin stimulus. Beta-adrenergic blockade, on the other hand, seems to reduce the gastrin stimulus and might be of therapeutical interest in duodenal ulcer disease.


Influence of body position, dry and water swallows, smoking, and alcohol on esophageal acid clearing. Esophageal acid clearing in normal subjects was studied in different body positions, with an assessment of reproducibility, after dry and water swallows, after smoking, and after alcohol intake. A significant increase in the number of swallows to raise the distal esophageal pH to 5.0 was found in the head-down position (p less than 0.003), after smoking (p less than 0.003), and after alcohol intake (p less than 0.001). It is proposed that the outcome of the acid-clearing test reflects both the transporting capacity of the esophageal muscles and the production of saliva. The precision of the acid-clearing test is not satisfactory, which makes it unsuitable for use in individual cases. It seems, however, well fitted for evaluation of esophageal acid clearing in larger samples.


Pancreatic secretion obtained by endoscopic cannulation of the main pancreatic duct and secretin release after duodenal acidification in man. The main pancreatic duct was cannulated in 12 individuals with a teflon catheter by means of a side-viewing duodenscope. Six individuals received a duodenal infusion of 40 ml 100 mmol/l HCl over 5 min, while the other six served as controls for basal pancreatic secretion. Pancreatic juice was collected in 5-min samples, and blood was frequently drawn for radioimmunoassay of immunoreactive secretin (IRS). In the control group, during 20-min cannulation of the main pancreatic duct, no effect was seen on basal secretion of water, bicarbonate, or alpha-amylase--nor did the IRS levels change. After duodenal acidification there was a significant increase in IRS (p less than 0.02), reaching the highest level at 7 min. The mean flow rate, bicarbonate concentration, and bicarbonate output showed a significant increase as compared to the control group (p less than 0.02), the highest levels being reached in the third 5-min period after the start of the duodenal acidification. The alpha-amylase output was also significantly higher after acidification (p less than 0.02) than in the control group, but the mean alpha-amylase concentration decreased after acidification, reaching its nadir in the third 5-min sample (p less than 0.02). The present results demonstrate a basal and HCl-stimulated pancreatic secretion collected by endoscopic cannulation of the main pancreatic duct in man together with plasma IRS levels.


Salt-losing diarrhoea in idiopathic proctocolitis. The faecal output of chloride, sodium and potassium was studied in 14 patients with active idiopathic proctocolitis, in an attempt to establish a relationship between faecal electrolyte output and acid-base balance data. 7 patients with ileostomy and 8 healthy volunteers were used as controls. The daily faecal excretion of chloride and sodium in proctocolitis was significantly in excess of normal, whereas that of potassium was within the normal range. From the comparison with the results in patients with ileostomy it is concluded that colitic colon has an impaired capacity to absorb chloride and sodium but retains the ability to secrete potassium. The intestinal loss of chloride in addition to that of sodium and water may be regarded as a salt-losing diarrhoea and may account for the metabolic alkalosis commonly found in proctocolitis.


Effect of intragastric bile on canine lower oesophageal sphincter pressure. The effect of intragastric bile on lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) pressure was studied in 7 dogs. Five ml of fresh canine bile was instilled into the stomach, and its effect on LES pressure and intragastric pH was observed for one hour. In a control study 5 ml of physiological saline was used instead of bile. Bile instillation led to a statistically significant increase in LES pressure, which reached its maximum in 20 min. LES pressure returned to the resting level in 60 min. Saline instillation produced no signficant change in LES pressure. The rise in intragastric pH was slight and equal in both groups. The results suggest that bile contamination of gastric juice, at least one of short duration, does not have any immediate harmful effect on LES competence in the dog.


[The shape of fibrin-monomer molecules in solution]. Human fibrin monomers after thrombin and reptilase proteolysis can be kept in solution at pH 4.6. Using dynamic light scattering, the hydrodynamic data of these two monomer solutions and of fibrinogen in the same buffer were compared to fibrinogen at pH 7.4. The translational diffusion coefficient DT20W of fibrinogen at pH 7.4 was 1.95 +/- 3% 10(-7).cm2.sec-1 and the rotational diffusion coefficient DR20,W 50,000 +/- 30%.sec-1. The corresponding DT and DR for the two monomer solutions and fibrinogen at pH 4.6 did not significantly deviate from the above values. It is concluded that enzymatic proteolysis of fibrinogen, triggering release of the aminoterminal fibrinopeptides A and B, does not produce a major conformational change in the resulting monomers.


Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in familial dysautonomia. Tyrosine hydroxylase antigen was localized immunohistochemically in sympathetic neurons from human autopsy tissue. The reaction persists in paraffin-embedded tissue, and the method is applicable to archival specimens. Increased amounts in this antigen per cell may partially compensate for decreased numbers of sympathetic neurons in familial dysautonomia.


Effect of beta-endorphin on calcium uptake in the brain. The uptake of 45Ca2+ by nerve-ending fractions from brains of mice was inhibited in vitro by 10(-9)M concentrations of beta-endorphin and in mice injected intraventricularly with 7 picomoles of beta-endorphin. That the effect was a specific opiate agonist response of beta-endorphin was demonstrated by use of the opiate antagonist, naloxone, which reversed the action. A role for beta-endorphin in the regulation of calcium flux and neurotransmitter release should be considered.


Erythrosin B inhibition of neurotransmitter accumulation by rat brain homogenate. A mixture of seven food dyes inhibited the accumulation of eight neurotransmitters or neurotransmitter precursors by rat brain homogenate. At a low concentration (1 microgram per milliliter), erythrosin B (FD&C red 3) was the only dye that inhibited dopamine accumulation. Erythrosin also was effective in decreasing the accumulation of all the other transmitter substances, suggesting that the inhibition is nonspecific and probably secondary to general membrane alteration.


[A study of a neurotropic product in a rehabilitation centre (author's transl)]. The authors studied the effects of tiapride in 28 patients with various painful conditions, tremors and abnormal movements, and behavioural disorders admitted to a Rehabilitation Centre. Good results were obtained in the painful conditions, especially following amputations, and in those with dystonia. Side-effects were very rarely observed, caused little disturbance to the patient, and were immediately reversible.


[The prevention of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (author's transl)]. The study on the effect of the "tiapride" on the elements due to the withdrawal syndrome effected on thirty alcoholic patients allows us to draw the following results: failure, 13% studied cases; partial results, 50% very good results, 37%. The effect on the shivering was considered as good, but the effect on insomnia and anxiety was moderate. It appears that the doses which have been used are unsufficient to use this medecine as a "monotherapy". The authors intend to carry on this study using more important doses, taking into account the excellent tolerance observed.


[Migraines and tiapride. About four observations (author's transl)]. Many therapies have been tried in migraines syndroms without completely successful results. So it seems to us interesting to try the efficiency of triapride in this indication. There were 4 observations of patients treated during six months, at least. they all four showed excellent, or very good results. Clinically, headaches of migraine syndroms have been less frequent and less acute; sometimes they have completely disappeared. So, we think that triapride may, in particular migraines, be useful in long term therapy.


[A controlled clinical study of Pneumorel Retard tablets in the treatment of chronic bronchitis (author's transl)]. The authors studied the action of Pneumorel retard tablets in the treatment of chronic bronchitis, comparing 2 groups of 20 patients each, one group was prescribed 1 pneumorel retard tablet in the morning and evening and the other group was treated with a speciality associating proteolytic enzymes and balsamics; the 2 groups also received an antibiotic treatment. The duration of the treatments was 20 days, with controls at entry, 10 days and 20 days later. Pneumorel retard showed to be significantly more active on the criteria studied (cough, dyspnea, expectoration, signs of auscultation) and this more often than not from the 10th day of treatment. Clinical and biological tolerance was perfect concerning the hepatic sphere, gastrointestinal, renal or cardiovascular systems. The convenience of the use of Pneumorel retard is particularly indicated in the thorough long-term treatment of chronic bronchitis, in preventing episodes of over-infection, worsening the disease.


Biochemistry and the schizophrenias.

Biochemistry and the schizophrenias. This paper reviews the present status of the transmethylation and the dopamine hypotheses of schizophrenia and presents recent data on the definitive identification and measurement of the endogenous hallucinogen, dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in human cerebrospinal fluid and urine. Elevated levels are found in some cases of schizophrenia and of liver disease. Evidence is discussed showing that DMT may be a normal neuroregulatory agent which is responsive to stress or emotional reactions.


Bancroftian filariasis in a Philippine village: entomological findings. Bancroftian filariasis in an isolated Philippine village has been intensively investigated; this paper reports the entomological findings. Surveys were carried out six months apart in the driest and wettest months. Significant transmission was demonstrated only during the wet season. Aedes poicillius was the major vector of Wuchereria bancrofti. Ae. poicilius accounted for 58% of larvae found in the axils of banana plants and 31% of those in abaca axils; negligible numbers of larvae of this species were found in pandanus and gabi axils. Mosquitoes were collected from indoor harbourages twice weekly for five weeks during the wet season; 615 mosquitoes were caught of which 80% were Ae. poicilius and 9% were Culex quinquefasciatus. 11% of the former and 13% of the latter contained filariae; whereas all stages of development were seen in Ae. poicilius, no development beyond the first stage was seen in Cx. quinquefasciatus. Human bait trapping was used for 110 manhours; 371 mosquitoes were caught of which 58% were Ae. poicilius and 24% were Culex summorosus. Filarial larvae were seen only in Ae. poicilius; 3.7% of mosquitoes were positive and all stages of filarial development were seen. The mean landing/biting rate between 1900 and 0500 hours was 3.37 mosquitoes per man-hour with a maximum of almost seven mosquitoes per man-hour at midnight. Overall, 2.26% of vectors collected in the human studies were infective. There was an average of 3.38 third-stage larvae per infective mosquito. The efficiency of transmision was estimated as 6.1 x 10-5, or one new case of microfilaraemia for every 16, 400 bites by infective mosquitoes in the village population. In contrast to the human studies, large numbers of mosquitoes were caught by animal bait trapping in both the wet and dry seasons. The distribution of mosquito species was similar in the two seasons. Ae. poicillius represented only 1.0-1.5% of all mosquitoes seen. No filarial larvae were seen. It was concluded that transmission of filariasis in the village was inefficient and postulates were advanced to explain the increased intensity and severity of filariasis inmen as compared to women.


Biochemical genetic analysis of pyrimidine biosynthesis in mammalian cells: III. Association of carbamyl phosphate synthetase, aspartate transcarbamylase, and dihydroorotase in mutants of cultured Chinese hamster cells. Carbamyl phosphate synthetase (EC 2.7.2.9), aspartate transcarbamylase (EC 2.1.3.2), and dihydroorotase (EC 3.5.2.3), the first three enzymes in de novo pyrimidine synthesis in Chinese hamster ovary cell strain Kl (CHO-Kl), cose diment through a glycerol gradient. When an extract from Urd- A, a pyrimidine-requiring auxotroph reduced in all three activities, is run on a glycerol gradient, the enzyme activities appear in two peaks higher in the gradient, a peak of aspartate transcarbamylase separated from a peak of carbamyl phosphate synthetase and dihydroorotase. Revertants of Urd- A have increased activity of all three enzymes and give glycerol gradient patterns similar to either CHO-Kl or Urd- A. The gradient pattern for Urd- A and some of its revertants can be mimicked by treating the CHO-Kl cell extract with trypsin. Hybrids made between a CHO-Kl purine-requiring auxotroph (Ade- C) and a Urd- A revertant gave a glycerol gradient pattern which is a composite of the CHO-Kl and revertant patterns. A model is presented for the structure of this multifunctional protein.


Relative merits of partial splenectomy, splenic reimplantation, and immunization in preventing postsplenectomy infection. Partial splenectomy, splenic autotransplantation, and immunization with pneumococcal vaccine have been reported to protect patients against overwhelming postsplenectomy infection, and this study was undertaken to evaluate these therapeutic alternatives. For this purpose 136 rats were divided into experimental groups: 34 controls, 34 splenectomy, 34 partial splenectomy, and 34 splenic autotransplantation animals. Five weeks after operation, two-thirds of the animals were immunized with killed pneumococci. The effects of operation and immunization were studied by challenging the animals intravenously with pneumococci. Pneumococcal antibody titers were determined, and phagocytic uptake of pneumococci by the spleen and liver was measured. Immunization impressively increased the survival rate in all groups. At low-challenge doses autotransplantation prolonged survival. At higher-challenge doses only partial splenectomy increased survival. Partial splenectomy and control animals had higher antibody titers than did splenectomy and autotransplantation rats. Animals with the highest antibody titers had the greatest splenic and hepatic phagocytic uptake of pneumococci. Partial splenectomy was more efficient in removing pneumococci than was autotransplantation. Thus immunization is one of the most important factors contributing to survival after splenectomy. Partial splenectomy is preferable to splenic autotransplantation because it is associated with higher antibody titers after immunization, better pneumococcal splenic uptake, and improved survival rates.


[Studies on the persistence of Clostridium botulinum on a cattle farm (author's transl)]. In the winter of 1978-1979, the presence of Clostridium botulinum was studied on a cattle farm, on which botulism caused by feeding the animals contaminated brewers' grains occurred in 1977. Cl. botulinum type B, the cause of mortality among cattle at the time, was detected in grass silage prepared in 1978. This organism was not detectable in a grass silage pit dating from 1977 and made prior to the outbreak of botulism. Investigations showed that proteolytic types of C. botulinum having grass as the substrate may produce large amounts of toxin. The production of toxin in grass silage pits may, however, be prevented by a low pH in conjunction with low water activity. The present study showed that the faeces of cattle were also contaminated with Cl. botulinum type B. The degree of infection ran parallel with the degree of contamination of silage feeding in these cases.


[Isolation and identification of psychotropic drugs by circular chromatography (author's transl)]. The "SelectaSol Solvent System" manufactured by SCHLEICHER and SCHULL is convenient for practical circular chromatography. These new possibilities are suitable to the rapid determination of psychotropic drugs in biological fluids of patients in emergency clinical toxicology. We are comparing circular and linear techniques with regard to the choice of solvent systems, diffusion time, isolation and characterization of implicated drugs.


Induction by thymic fractions of T cell subsets capable of modulating GVHR intensity. Two thymic stromal fractions previously shown to have specific enhancing effects on anatomically distinct T cell populations were tested for their capacity to induce functionally distinct T cell subsets. Parental mice were injected with either soluble thymic fraction (STF) or insoluble thymic fraction (ITF), and their lymphoid cells were harvested 11 days later. It was shown that ITF elicited a splenic corticosensitive T cell subset endowed with enhanced graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR)-inducing capacity. On the other hand, STF increased, mainly in lymph nodes, the number of corticoresistant T cells significantly less active in GVHR. Furthermore, lymphocytes from ITF-treated parental donors could become corticoresistant with reduced GVHR activity after a 1-hr in vitro incubation with STF. We have thus shown that two different elements of the thymic microenvironment could modulate the intensity of the GVHR by modifying the equilibrium between two T cell subsets. These are believed to represent two consecutive differentiation stages.


The effect of seasonal changes and socio-economic status on urinary pH and specific gravity. Specific gravity and pH of urine in the dry and the wet season in three socio-economic Nigerian groups have been studied. Samples were collected at 7 a.m., 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. High-income subjects had a significantly lower urinary pH than low-income. During the wet season pH values were lower than in the dry, but not significantly so. During the day S.G. values did not differ, neither did they in different seasons. But there were significant differences between high and low income groups. S.G. and pH samples of high and low income groups were similar in children and in their parents. In medical students S.G. and pH in 24-hour urines were similar to the morning value of high and middle income groups and were not affected by season, but the volume was. The relevance of these findings is discussed relative to the rarity of urinary calculi in Nigerians.


Electron microscopic studies of testes in Kallman syndrome. A patient with Kallman syndrome is presented emphasizing the urologic aspects of this unusual disorder. Testes biopsy at the time of orchiopexy demonstrated infantile testes with interstitial fibrosis and a diminished Leydig and Sertoli cell population. The electron micrograph confirmed type B Sertoli cells. The implications of these findings are discussed and details of treatment given.


[Use of narcotic analgesics for the postoperative anesthetization of oncological patients]. The authors have studied the efficacy of narcotic analgesics in the postoperative period by a complex method, including a psychosomatic questionnaire, spirography, volumetry, analgesiometry, as well as a examination of the cardiovascular system and acid-base balance. Under examination were 183 patients subjected to surgery for tumors of the female genitalia and rectum (a lower laparatomy). The analgesic activity of promedol, omnopone, morphine and polyvinly-morpholidone in routine doses was estimated. It was noted that, if not contraindicated, narcotic analgesics may be successfully employed for analgesia in the early postoperative period.


Manganese oxidation by an intracellular protein of a Pseudomonas species. Cultures of a Pseudomonas sp. strain MnB 1 produce an intracellular, manganese oxidizing protein (abbrev. as Mn ox. protein) during the stationary phase of growth. This protein is heat labile, can be inactivated by protease and has a pH-optimum for manganese oxidation at pH 7.0. Mn2+ is oxidized only at concentrations below 3-10(-5) M. The occurrence of the protein is not dependent on the presence of Mn2+, but is clearly related to the cessation of growth after the end of the exponential growth phase. Oxygen, coenzymes, and low molecular weight components of the cell extract seem not to be involved in the reaction as electron acceptors for the oxidation of Mn2+. Continued manganese oxidation by Mn ox. protein results in a progressive decrease in activity which corresponds to the amount of formed manganese oxide.


Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase from Vibrio marinus, a psychrophilic marine bacterium. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (Fru-P2A) from a psychrophilic marine bacterium was found to be Class II aldolase based on activation by K+, activation by divalent cations, inactivation by EDTA, low molecular weight, and similar values for Km, Vmax, and Arrhenius activation energy. This enzyme was not markedly different in amino acid composition from the enzymes from mesophilic and thermophilic organisms, yet it has unusual thermal properties.


[Long-term studies on the beta blocker talinolol (cordanum) with special reference to side effects]. 224 patients with coronary heart disease, hypertension, disturbances of cardiac rhythm or hyperkinetic heart syndrome were treated with the cardioselective beta-blocker Talinolol (Cordanum) for a period up to 3 years. In 239 examinations in intravenous or peroral application of this medicament we controlled among others the appearance of side effects. This test was carried out with the help of standardised questionings and clinical controls. Apart from registrations of ECG and blood pressure clinico-chemical investigations were included and in the long-term experiment also tests by dermatologists, otorhinolaryngologists and ophthalmologists. In the total number of patients the proportion of side appearances was 17,6%, in the long-term experiment (100 patients with on an average 12.9 months) 7%. The symptoms most frequently cited in the initial phase, such as fatigue, weakness, insomnia and nausea receded within 4 weeks apart from few exceptions. There did not appear any essential bradycardic disturbances of the cardiac rhythm, just as little were references to disadvantageous reactions in the sense of a practolol syndrome.


[Bronchoselective beta stimulators and corticoid aerosols in the treatment of asthma]. In the treatment of the obstructive ventilation disturbance in bronchial asthma the beta 2-receptor stimulants and the inhalable corticoids best proved. With the help of own clinical experiences and studies of literature Arubendol, Salbutamol, Berotec, Auxiloson and Beclomethason are described and it is reported on their bronchospasmolytic qualities as well as their protective effect against repeated acetylcholin and allergen irritation, respectively. They all distinguish themselves by a selective effect on the bronchial system and in therapeutic doses they guarantee the absence of systemic side effects. Though with Arubendol a secure beta 2-receptor stimulants with a good protective effect against acetylcholin and allergen irritation is at our disposal, the application of Berotec and of in inhalable corticoid would be an effective enrichment of our antiasthmatic remedies.


Polypoid gastric heterotopy of the small intestine in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency belonging to a MEA-family. With particular reference to the ultrastructure of the epithelial cells. A patient with a solitary polypoid gastric heterotopy in the jejunum and severe bleeding as a complication is described. Previous reports on this rare disorder and the conditions of its development are discussed. The patient belongs to a family with multiple endocrine adenomatosis (MEA), some members of which had an alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. The association between the familial disease and the gastric heterotopy in this case might be another argument for the assumed congenital nature of the latter. The polyp was studied by means of light and electron microscopy. It was mostly lined by fundic mucosa and only partially by antral mucosa. Focal foveolar hyperplasia, cysts and lymphoplasmacellular infiltration of the mucosa are regarded as secondary tissue alteration. Parietal cells, chief and endocrine cells were identified. The parietal cells were in the nonsecreting state and appeared in two distinct forms which are described in detail.


[The care of patients with urate calculi]. In patients with urate calculi as well as in endangered persons--formation of calculi in the anamnesis, excretion of calculi or sand, urate diathesis--a regular permanent control and care is also of importance as in every other patient suffering from a chronic renal disease. It would be desirable to establish the actual frequency of urolithiasis by introducing the duty of notification. On this way a network of care units could be established within the leading regional institutions, which would further the elaboration of unitary directives for the examination and treatment of patients.


[Metabolic studies during urinary diversion by way of the small intestine]. Examinations of the metabolism were carried out in 23 patients with ileal conduit and undisturbed renal function, in order to recognize the causes of stone-formation. In the infection calculi they are given with the alkaline urine, when an infection and a urinary retention is present. Perhaps the Ca-oxalate calculi develop within the hyperoxaluris in connection with a reduced citrate urine concentration. Differences in the composition of the conduit and renal pelvis urines could be proved.


[Comparative tests of various liquid media for the preenrichment of salmonellae from milk powder (author's transl)]. In applying S. mendoza the following four liquid media were tested as to whether they can be used as enrichment broths for salmonellae in milk powder: phosphate buffered water, correspondingly buffered peptone broth, tetrathionate and selenite lactose broth. The yield of salmonellae in these tests is largely independent of the starting pH value of the prepared milk suspension which was varied between 5.8 and 8.2 (Fig. 1). In water the pH dropped within 24 hours (Fig. 2), in peptone and tetrathionate broth within 48 hours down to figures between 4.1 and 4.4 (Fig. 3 and 4), in selenite broth final figures of pH 5.7 were not attained before the lapse of 6 days (Fig. 5). The absolutely highest germ figures were observed in selenite broth. Quite in general the bacteria figure maximum was not attained until the 3rd--5th day, whereupon the germ figures dropped again. In peptone broth the introduced salmonellae were recovered in 73% of all cases after the lapse of 24 hours. Also in tetrathionate the success quota was about 73%, but part of it (8%) did not increase until a lapse of more than 72 hours incubation time, although the pH had already become strongly acid some days previously. In water the introduced salmonellae were traced only in 67%, in selenite broth even only in 61%. Also the time until the first detection increased a little in these media (Table 1). The period during which salmonellae were traceable was equally highest in peptone broth being 57% relative to the complete testing period (tetrathionate: 55%, water: 51%, selenite: 39% (Table 1). This permits the conclusion that peptone broth is the best preenrichment medium in which salmonellae may become traceable after a lapse of approx. 24 hours. Not considerably more unfavourable is the tetrathionate broth which so far had been considered as an exclusive selectivity medium. In this context it is, however, necessary to face the possibility that predamaged salmonellae do not begin to increase until the end of some days incubation and even at a strongly acid pH.


Arterial carbon dioxide tensions during anaesthesia with manual ventilation. A descriptive study of the effects of various non-polluting circuits. In 660 supine, intubated and anaesthetized, healthy patients scheduled for various elective surgical procedures, the distribution of arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) was investigated during manual non-monitored ventilation. The study comprised six equal groups: group 1: ventilation with a circle circuit absorber system; group 2: ventilation with the Hafnia A circuit using a total fresh gas flow (FGF) of 100 ml . kg-1 . min-1; groups 3-6: ventilation with a Hafnia D circuit with fresh gas flows of 100, 80, 70 and 60 ml . kg-1 . min-1, respectively. The mean PaCO2's of the first three groups were situated in the lower range of normocapnia (the observations in the first group having the greatest total range), whereas the rebreathing (Hafnia A and D) circuits resulted in a clustering of observed data. Employing the rebreathing circuits, protection against hypocapnia can be achieved by lowering the fresh gas flow. The most satisfying result was obtained with the Hafnia D circuit with a fresh gas flow of 70 ml . kg-1 . min-1 resulting in normocapnia with a modest and limited spread towards hypo- and hypercapnia. FGF in excess of this level must be considered as wasted. The study indicates that corrections of fresh gas flows for age are superfluous. Use of relaxants and type of surgery had no influence on the observations.


Influence of chlormethiazole on cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption in the rat, and its effect on the recovery of cortical energy metabolism after pronounced, incomplete ischaemia. The influence of an anaesthetic dose of chlormethiazole (Hemineurin) on blood flow (CBF) and oxygen consumption (CMRO2) in the rat brain was investigated. In spontaneously breathing animals a dose of 160 mg . kg-1 of chlormethiazole, infused i.v., induced a state close to surgical anaesthesia. In paralyzed animals, the same dose decreased CBF and CMRO2 to about 60% of control, an effect similar to that observed after an anaesthetic dose of phenobarbitone. Neither a protective nor a detrimental effect of chlormethiazole could be demonstrated when the drug was given during reversible and pronounced, incomplete ischaemia, as evaluated from the postischaemic tissue concentrations of labile phosphates (PCr, ATP, ADP, AMP) and of lactate and pyruvate. It is concluded that protection in this situation (as earlier shown with phenobarbitone) must, at least partly, be related to other mechanisms than a depression of metabolism.


Anaphylaxis in the monkey: respiratory mechanics, acid-base status and blood gases. Aggregate anaphylaxis was induced by intravenous injection of the specific antigen in eight ovalbumin-sensitized monkeys. Changes in respiratory mechanics, acid-base status and blood gases were studied during the following half hour. Within 1 minute after challenge, a short period of respiratory depression, probably reflex-mediated, was observed. This was followed by hyperventilation, and arterial PCO2 decreased. There was a rapid increase in pulmonary resistance (Rpulm) and a concomitant decrease in pulmonary dynamic compliance (Cdyn), suggesting constriction of smooth muscles in the lung. Rpulm returned to the control value but Cdyn remained depressed, as a result of constriction of small airways and pulmonary congestion. Oxygen saturation in arterial blood decreased slightly due to a marked desaturation of mixed venous blood and increased venous admixture. Progressive metabolic acidosis developed, indicating poor tissue oxygenation and perfusion. The changes observed in this study were not severe enough to cause any major disturbance of the gas exchange in the lungs, despite a severe anaphylactic shock.


Factors influencing the uptake of DNA by Neurospora crassa. Under optimal conditions intact Neurospora crassa cells incorporated nearly the same amount of 3H-labelled DNA as that of the endogenous DNA content of cells. After 18 h of incorporation more than 80 per cent of the radioactivity was retained in the cells. A maximum uptake of exogenous DNA occurred at 28 degrees C, pH 6.35, in the presence of 100 mM calcium when the concentration of donor DNA was 150 micrograms/ml. Denatured DNA was incorporated at a higher rate than native DNA. The present findings suggest that the uptake of DNA by Neurospora crassa is a biologically active process.


Formation of dityrosine by human salivary lactoperoxidase in vitro. The study dealt with the formation of dityrosine - a cross-link in some proteins including collagen - by human salivary lactoperoxidase. Dityrosine formation was found at pH range 6.6 to 9.3 with maximum reaction velocity at pH 8.5. However, thiocyanate ions at physiological salivary concentrations inhibited dityrosine formation by 70 to 80 per cent compared with the optimum rate. The inhibition seemed to result from the competition of SCN ions and L-tyrosine for the same binding site on enzyme surface. The possibility of dityrosine cross-linking in vivo in human oral fluid seems to be limited compared with e.g. human milk or macaque saliva where the concentration of SCN ions is low but the activity of lactoperoxidase is considerably high.


Complement activation by pneumococci associated with acute otitis media. Pneumococci (types, I, III, VI, XIV, XVIII, XIX and XXIII) associated with acute otitis media were shown to activate complement in normal human serum by the classical as well as by the alternative pathway. In serum incubated with pneumococci classical pathway activation was demonstrated by decreased C4 values and the appearance of C1r-C1s-C1 IA complexes. Pneumococci caused C3 conversion in C2-deficient serum and in serum chelated with Mg++ EGTA showing activation of the alternative pathway without participation of the C42 convertase. Complement activation was more efficient when both pathways were intact. This was evident from a more pronounced C3 conversion and a greater reduction of the values for properdin and factor B in non-chelated serum as compared to Mg++ EGTA chelated serum.


Investigation of adaptive processes in child and adolescent swimmers. Acid-base parameters of swimmers and weight-lifters. Acid-base parameters of adolescent swimmers (capacitive sport) and of adult weight-lifters (athletoid sport) were investigated before and after training in the submaximally trained phase of a year-round training period. In swimmers, training induced incompensated metabolic acidosis, which persisted at 10 min after the training. This acidosis showed no correlation to the blood lactate level. In weight-lifters, there was only a slight, compensated posttraining acidosis, which tended to decrease 10 min after the training. The weight-lifters had extremely high posttraining ammonia levels. It might be supposed that ammonia-genesis has a role in the compensation of exercise-induced acidosis in weight-lifters. The differences in acid-base status of swimmers and weight-lifters might be related to the different breathing mechanism needed for the two different sports.


Chemical nature of functional cholinoreceptor groups of Lymnaea stagnalis neurons. 1. The effect of pH and the influence of some alkylating agents on the properties of the cholinoreceptive membrane of the mollusc Lymnaea stagnalis neurons have been studied using the microelectrode voltage clamp technique. 2. Lowering below 7.5 of the pH of the bathing solution had to decrease the neuronal responses to ACh. A twofold decrease in cholinoreceptive membrane conductivity was found at the pH 6.7 +/- 0.1 (n=10). Raising the pH to 10.6 did not influence the response to ACh. 3. The pH effect is not associated with the influence on the properties of ionic channels but appears to be due to reduction of a functional group at the ChR active site by proton. 4. No highly reactive SH-groups were found at the ChR active site, but some functionally important carboxyl groups have been discovered. 5. The effect of pH is probably connected with reduction of --COO-- or imidazol group with a pKa of about 6.7.


Disseminated intravascular coagulation related to outcome in head injury. In 46 head-injured patients coagulation studies were performed immediately after admission. In 76% of all cases signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were found. DIC was related to the severity of the injury and outcome. It is suggested that DIC may be used as an important parameter in assessing craniocerebral trauma. In a previous report it was stated that disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is met frequently in head-injured patients (2.5--15.3%), and is associated with a more severe grade of injury and an increased mortality. This paper explores in more detail the relationship between outcome after head-injury and signs of DIC, as detected by laboratory studies performed in the first few hours after injury.


Use of Staphylococcus aureus for rapid radioimmunoassay of influenza A virus haemagglutinin. In a rapid method for the radioimmunoassay (RIA) of influenza A virus haemagglutinin, Staphylococcus aureus (strain Cowan I, Czechoslovak State Collection No Mau 55/64) was used for separation of bound and free antigens. With rabbit and human immune sera, the binding of antigen-antibody complexes to heat-killed, formalin-fixed staphylocci was comparable to the double antibody technique. The time required for the completion of binding reaction was about 10 min compared to 18--24 hr required for double antibody precipitation. S. aureus did not bind directly (i.e. in the absence of specific antibody) a significant amount of radiolabelled antigen.


Detection of "alpha-type" inhibitors in the presence of low levels of specific influenza antibodies. In native, heated or otherwise treated egg white and in sera of men and guinea pigs, haemagglutination inhibition titres were determined against three inhibitor-sensitive (IS) strains and one inhibitor-resistant (IR) variant on influenza A virus. A few human sera with no detectable antibody revealed high inhibition titres even against the IR variant. Human sera after treatment with trypsin and periodate revealed mostly a reduction or no change, and exceptionally an increase of their inhibition titre. The extent of these changes varied with different influenza virus strains and showed a positive correlation with the inhibitor content and no correlation with the antibody levels of the sera. The so-called "nonspecific" thermostable inhibitors possess a certain degree of specificity for different influenza virus strains.


Characterization of two Chikungunya virus variants. The stability of virulence and plaque size of two variants of Chikungunya virus (genus Alphavirus) were examined. Mouse pathogenicity did not coincide with infective virus levels in the brain. An increase in the average survival times of mice receiving a lethal dose of the variant which allowed prolonged survival at high doses and harvested late after infection was observed. Studies in Vero cells suggested that the number of infective virus particles produced per cell was lower with the small plaque variant, though these cells were selective for this clone. On the other hand suckling mice or antisera favoured a more virulent large plaque variant.


Epstein-Barr virus infections in childhood. IgM and IgG antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antigen and antibodies against EBV nuclear antigen and heterophil antibodies were investigated in 115 paired sera of children with acute infections and in 100 sera of healthy controls of the same age and sex. EBV-specific IgM antibodies could be recognized in 13.7% of the patients and in 7% of the controls. Antibodies against EBV nuclear antigen were not detected in the IgM-positive sera.


Chronic form of experimental rabies in mice. The L-28 strain of street rabies virus isolated from the salivary gland of a red fox caused chronic infection in mice. After intracerebral (i.e.) infection with virus-containing fox salivary gland suspension, 13.9% of mice showed clinical signs of disease for 11--52 days. Clear-cut stages of irritation and paralysis were distinguished in the course of infection of mice. The diagnosis of chronic rabies in mice was confirmed by immunofluorescence and isolation of virus by i.c. inoculation of mice. Electron microscopic examination of the Ammon's horn of mice revealed a slow development of morphological changes connected with the formation of virus-specific structures. The gradual increase in the number and size of aggregates of viral ribonucleoprotein was followed by the appearance of membranous and tubular structures. Along with the latter, typical bullet-shaped particles of rabies virus were found in some neurons on the 43rd day of infection.


The effects of polyacrylic acid and virazole on the replication and component formation of red clover mottle virus. Polyacrylic acid and Virazole inhibited the replication of red clover mottle virus (RCMV) in systemically infected pea (Pisum sativum) plants, as shown both by serological and infectivity tests. The Virazole-induced changes had little effect on the proportion of the three components in the total virus yield, but treatment with polyacrylic acid markedly increased the proportion of the RNA-free top component. This suggests that either viral RNA synthesis or RNA encapsidation was inhibited.


Comparison of antiviral properties in mice of bis-pyrrolidinoacetamido-fluorenone (MLU-B75), bis-dipropylaminoacetamido-fluorenone (MLU-B76), and tilorone hydrochloride. Like tilorone . HCl, its analogues, bis-pyrrolidinoacetamido-fluorenone (MLU-B75), and bis-dipropylaminoacetamido-fluorenone (MLU-B76), significantly protected mice against intraperitoneal challenge with a lethal dose of Mengo virus when administered prophylactically in a single oral dose of 250 mg per kg body weight. At lower doses the antiviral activity of MLU-B75 and MLU-B76 decreased more rapidly than that of tilorone. HCl. At the dose of 250 mg per kg the degree of antiviral protection and the titre of interferon induced by tilorone. HCl correlated well, but there was no correlation between the extent of protection and the detected amount of virus inhibitor induced by MLU-B76. It remains to be determined whether the antiviral protection elicited by the analogues of tilorone is mediated by interferon.


Autoantibodies in human sera after vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine. Sera from persons vaccinated with inactivated bivalent influenza vaccine were tested for the presence of smooth-muscle antibodies (SMA) and antibodies against the brush border of proximal renal tubuli (ABBA). The autoantibodies were found with the highest frequency in persons repeatedly vaccinated with the vaccine.


Long-term culture of guinea pig tongue cells: a suitable interferon system. The interferon system was investigated in a long-term culture of guinea pig tongue (GPT) cells. Interferon synthesis was induced with Newcastle disease virus (B strain) and f2 phage double-stranded RNA. Guinea pig interferons were about 2 times more active in cell cultures established from guinea pig embryos than in the GPT cells. Human leukocyte and mouse peritoneal cell interferons were active in this cell system also.


Enhancement of Epstein-Barr virus antibody production in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Two groups of 22 patients suffering from either systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or infectious mononucleosis (IM) were checked for Epstein-Barr virus capsid antigen antibody (EB-VCA) production. The average significant antibody levels as well as the frequency of their occurrence were clearly higher in SLE than in IM patients.


Electron microscope study of mosquito densonucleosis virus maturation. Maturation of mosquito densonucleosis virus (MDV) was studied in its natural host, Aedes aegypti L. larvae. First ultrastructural changes were observed in the cytoplasm of virus-infected cells. They consisted in the formation of paracrystalline structures containing particles 18--20 nm in diameter as well as microtubules 20 nm in diameter. Virogenic stromas and paracrystalline virion arrays were found in the nuclei of virus-infected cells.


Recombination and complementation between orthomyxoviruses under conditions of abortive infection. On interaction of ts mutants of fowl plague virus (FPV) belonging to different complementation groups and human influenza A viruses under conditions of abortive infection for both partners, complementation was marked and recombinants occurred with a high frequency. The level and degree of complementation as well as the frequency of recombinants depended on the stage at which the reproduction of the human influenza A viruses involved was blocked. On simultaneous inoculation of chicks with two apathogenic ts mutants of FPV belonging to different complementation groups, pathogenic ts+ recombinants appeared. On interaction of influenza B virus with ts mutants of FPV or ultraviolet-irradiated FPV, neither complementation nor recombination was observed. There was no complementation between influenza B virus and ts mutants of FPV even at the level of the formation of virus-specific substructures.


Contrasting effects of acute beta blockade with propranolol on plasma catecholamines and renin in essential hypertension: a possible basis for the delayed antihypertensive response. Blood pressure, heart rate, plasma renin activity, plasma norepinephrine and plasma epinephrine were determined in 11 patients with essential hypertension at rest before and 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after an intravenous infusion of 0.12 mg./Kg. propranolol given over five minutes. After propranolol mean blood pressure was unchanged; heart rate decreased by 14 per cent within 15 minutes and showed no further changes. Plasma renin activity decreased progressively by 48 per cent 60 minutes after propranolol, whereas plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine were always higher after propranolol than control values. Increases in norepinephrine were statistically significant at 30, 45, and 60 minutes (respectively 49, 39, and 45 per cent, P less than 0.005 at least) and those of epinephrine even at 15 minutes (respectively 60, 82, 62, and 94 per cent P less than 0.01 for all). These results indicate that acute beta blockade with propranolol incudes increases in circulating plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine which might be consequent to rapidly induced hemodynamic changes. This augmented sympathetic activity might explain why propranolol, when acutely infused, does not decrease blood pressure despite effective cardiac and renin blockade.


Experimental studies on the pathogenesis of asystole after verapamil in the dog. The effect of verapamil on automaticity and conduction in the atrioventricular (A-V) junctional region was studied in anesthetized dogs. In five normal dogs verapamil, 10 microgram/ml, was selectively perfused into the A-V nodal artery and caused first degree heart block, which progressed to second degree heart block in three of the five. Higher concentrations of verapamil, 25 microgram/ml, caused complete heart block in three of five other dogs, but no episodes of asystole (defined as a ventricular pause of 10 or more seconds). In six other dogs after beta receptor blockade with propranolol, 20 microgram/ml, perfused into the A-V nodal artery, verapamil, 10 microgram/ml, regularly caused second degree heart block; in four of the six dogs there was a transient episode of third degree A-V block, and in two of these there was a period of asystole. In each of the 10 dogs pretreated with reserpine, verapamil, 10 microgram/ml, caused third degree A-V block; in seven of these there was a period of asystole with ventricular standstill up to 30 seconds. Concentrations of verapamil that do not produce high grade heart block in the normal heart thus readily cause both high grade block and prolonged ventricular standstill after elimination of adrenergic influences in the A-V junction.


Helpful hints for measuring pH.

Helpful hints for measuring pH. Although pH is probably one of the most common laboratory measurements, it often is one of the most troublesome. Frequently the trouble arises because of improper care of the electrodes. Considered here are several common problems and suggestions for solving or avoiding them.


An evaluation of a continuous tissue pH monitor in the fetal and neonatal goat. The validity of continuous tissue pH measurements was established in the fetal and neonatal goat model. Simultaneous determinations of tissue, arterial, and venous pH were done during alterations in acid-base status. A highly significant correlation was found between tissue and blood pH levels (r = 0.89, p less than 0.001). These data confirm the accuracy of the tissue pH instrumentation in predicting core blood pH status and support the potential usefulness of the instrumentation in perinatal medicine for continuous fetal acid-base monitoring.


[A mathematical model of the kinetics of collagen metabolism in the tendons and skin of young and old rats]. Two groups of 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 3 and 20-24 months respectively were used to establish a 3-compartmentmodel of the kinetics of the collagen metabolism in the tail tendon and skin by means of tritium labelled L-prolin. The 3 compartments were divided into pro- and tropocollagen, labile polymer collagen and stabile polymer collagen respectively. The results suggest the following conclusions concerning the metabolism and ageing of the collagens investigated: 1. Collagen of the tendon and collagen of the skin reveal different dynamics of metabolism. 2. Stabile and labile polymeric collagen originate from different tropocollagens. 3. Both intracellular and extracellular processes are responsible for the age-changes of tendon- and skin-collagen.


Treatment of Parkinson's disease with dopamine agonists: a review. Bromocriptine and lergotrile were administered to 81 patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and increasing disability despite optimal treatment with levodopa (secondary levodopa failures). Sixty-six patients were treated with bromocriptine and 53 patients were treated with lergotrile. Both groups had significantly decreased rigidity, tremor, bradykinesia and gait disturbance upon addition of bromocriptine or lergotrile to levodopa. Twenty-five patients improved at least one-stage on bromocriptine, and 21 improved at least one-stage on lergotrile. The mean dose of bromocriptine was 47 mg, and the mean dose of lergotrile was 49 mg, permitting a 10% reduction in levodopa. Bromocriptine was discontinued in 29 of 66 patients because of adverse effects, including mental changes (14 patients) and involuntary movements (9 patients). Lergotrile was discontinued in 33 of 53 patients because of adverse effects including hepatotoxicity (11 patients) and mental changes (12 patients). The results of treatment with bromocriptine or lergotrile were comparable, with patients either responding or not. Bromocriptine will shortly be available for use in PD. Lergotrile, because of the hepatotoxicity, will not.


[Age-dependent avidin induction. V. Changes on the level of post-transcriptional modification]. For the elucidation of the age-dependent reduction of the avidin induction in the ovidict of quails, studies on the level of the post-transcriptional events were performed. In estrogen-treated young animals, the extractable activity of DNA dependent RNA polymerase II increases by 145% after progesterone treatment, while in old animals no increase is observed. In the presence of actinomycin D the incorporation ratio [3H] Ado/[3H] Urd into mRNA increases by about 80% in the case of mature animals; this value is drastically lower (15%) using old animals. The activities of the poly(A)-degrading enzymes in oviducts of mature animals are lower than those in old ones. After progesterone treatment the activities of these enzymes increase in oviducts from old animals, while in young quails no alteration is observed. The possible consequence of these findings on the chain length of the poly(A) segment of mRNA is discussed with regard to its translation capacity.


Influence of heavy smoking upon the bone mineral content of the radius of the aged and effect of tobacco smoke on the sensitivity to calcitonin of rats. Using Norland-Cameron Bone Mineral Analyzer BMA 178 Type, it has been found that bone mineral content of the radius is considerably less in male heavy smokers aged 61 to 75 and 76 to 90, then in nonsmokers with similar age. Less difference was found within the group of 61 to 75 year old women. Furthermore, also it has been pointed out that the sensitivity to calcitonin of rats inhaling tobacco smoke is considerably less, than that of control rats. It is possible that smoking promotes the decrease in mineral content of bones i.e. the aggravation of osteoporosis, by the means of calcitonin resistance. The authors recommend tobacco abstinence to patients with osteoporosis and to persons who are particularly endangered by osteoporosis (e.g. in menopause, in post-gastrectomic state ect.).


Aminoglycoside antibiotics and sympathetic ganglionic transmission. The effects of streptomycin, gentamicin, tobramycin and amikacin on transmission in sympathetic ganglia have been studied using the guinea pig isolated hypogastric nerve-vas deferens preparation. These aminoglycoside antibiotics produce dose-related sympathetic blockade at concentrations greater than the common therapeutically effective antibiotic concentrations.


The effect of thiopentone and fazadinium on intraocular pressure. Intraocular pressure was measured in twenty-four patients using an applanation tonometer, after using thiopentone and fazadinium as induction agents. No significant rise in intraocular pressure above resting levels was noted before or after tracheal intubation, and it is suggested that this combination of induction agents should be satisfactory for general anaesthesia of a patient with a perforating eye injury who presents with a full stomach.


[Dental injuries during general anaesthesia and their forensic consequences (author's transl)]. 145 dental injuries in 83 patients occuring during general anaesthesia are classified on the basis of the material from a liability insurance company. These mainly affected the upper incisors. In childhood only luxations occured, in other ages no characteristic distribution of different types of damage could be found. Besides intubation, 20 per cent of injuries were caused by Guedel oral airways. Damage to teeth is the main cause of claims in tort from its total number. Damage of healthy teeth generally is due to carelessness, whereas an injury to teeth damaged by other reasons before administration of general anaesthesia causes liability of the anaesthesiologist because of inadequate examination and exploration.


[Heparin-induced changes in blood gas analysis (author's transl)]. In modern blood gas analysis heparin is used for preventing coagulation in the syringe and the analyzer. If the amount of heparin added is too large the pH of the blood sample falls and so an artificial metabolic acidosis is induced. Consequently the amount of heparin used should be just enough to prevent blood coagulation without changing appreciably the acid-base status of the sample. High concentrations of inspired oxygen have no additional effect on the ability of heparin to alter the pH values.


[On the narco-hypnotic of o-chloro 2-phenyl ethyl allophanate (S. C. S. 100) in animal (author's transl)]. Oral administration of o-chloro 2-phenyl éthyl allophanate (S. C. S. 100) to male and pregnant, or not, female mice, to male and female rats, to male guinea-pigs and rabbits induces, according to tested doses and animal species, a reduction of motoricity, a state of sleepiness giving way to exterior solicitations, a loss of balance, a diminution of muscular tonus or a temporary loss of righting reflex going with narcosis and a reversible suppression of sensibility. The narco-hynoticaction of S. C. S. 100 qualitatively similar to that of secobarbital needs 1.5 to 3 times higher doses to appear and has a little longer latent period but without any excitation. The new synthesized molecule differs also from the barbiturate as its therapeutic index is 3 times more important which means a better maniability confirmed moreover in mouse after several repeated administrations of ED 50 doses of S. C. S. 100.


Fentanyl concentrations in brain and serum during respiratory acid--base changes in the dog. It is a clinical impression that less fentanyl is needed for anesthesia during hyperventilation and hypocarbia. If true, it might be due to both increased penetration of fentanyl, a highly lipid-soluble agent, into the brain and increased brain tissue binding. Serum and brain concentrations of fentanyl were determined in dogs anesthetized with halothane during normocarbia, hypocarbia by hyperventilation, and hypercarbia by addition of CO2 to the inspired mixture. Fentanyl, 12.5 micrograms/kg, was injected iv, and serum and brain samples were taken for fentanyl analysis by radioimmunoassay. Brain fentanyl values peaked latest (15--20 min) and were highest during hypocarbia; brain fentanyl values peaked earliest (0--5 min) and were lowest during hypercarbia; values during normocarbia were intermediate in time to peak (10--15 min) and concentration. Thereafter, brain levels declined, but during hypocarbia were significantly higher and during hypercarbia were significantly lower than during normocarbia. Interestingly, serum fentanyl levels were also significantly higher during hypocarbia. The brain--blood fentanyl ratios for each of the three CO2 levels increased for 30 min and thereafter stayed relatively constant. The brain--blood ratios were highest with hypocarbia and lowest with hypercarbia. At 35 min, when clinical analgesia may be considered terminated, hypocarbic brain levels were double those of normocarbia. The authors feel this reflects, to a large extent, higher serum fentanyl concentrations and delayed cerebral wash-out because of decreased blood flow. To a small but unknown extent the higher brain fentanyl levels result from increased brain--blood penetration due to increased lipid solubility, and increased brain tissue binding of fentanyl during respiratory alkalosis.


Decrease in dose requirement of d-tubocurarine by volatile anesthetics. Volatile anesthetics are known to decrease the requirements for neuromuscular blocking agents. To obtain a quantitative measure of the extent of this drug interaction, studies were performed on isolated guinea pig nerve--lumbrical muscle preparations exposed to methoxyflurane, halothane, isoflurane, diethyl ether, fluroxene, and enflurane in concentrations equal to MAC. From the relationship between indirect twitch height and d-tubocurarine concentration, the concentration depressing the twitch height by 50 per cent was determined. In the presence of MAC levels of anesthetic, the ED50 was decreased by the following fractional amounts: methoxyflurane, 0.311; halothane, 0.334; isoflurane, 0.335; diethyl ether, 0.462; fluroxene, 0.580; enflurane, 0.697. Comparison of the fractional decrease of d-tubocurarine dose requirement by an anesthetic at MAC and previously obtained values for the fractional depression of end-plate depolarization by an anesthetic at MAC showed that the more the anesthetic depresses depolarization, the smaller the d-tubocurarine dose requirement. Thus, clinically observed decreases in dose requirements may be explained by the effects of the anesthetics on chemosensitivity of the end-plate region.


Echocardiographic findings in patients with aortitis syndrome. Echocardiography was performed in 18 patients with the aortitis syndrome and in 20 age-matched normal volunteers. The aortic root dimension, the aortic dimension at the level of the sinotubular ridge, the aortic arch dimension, the left ventricular internal dimension, the left atrial dimension, the interventricular septal thickness, and the left ventricular posterior wall thickness were measured. All measurements, except for the left atrial dimension, were significantly greater in patients with aortitis syndrome than in the control subjects. We concluded (1) that the patients with the aortitis syndrome may have an enlarged or narrowed aorta, a dilated left ventricle and left atrium, and a thickened interventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall; (2) that the incidence and the degree of these abnormalities depend on the presence of complications such as aortic regurgitation and arterial hypertension; and (3) that M-mode as well a cross-sectional echocardiography plays an important role in the assessment of the aorta and heart in the aortitis syndrome.


Pneumonia and pneumococcal infections, with special reference to pneumococcal pneumonia. The 1979 J. Burns Amberson lecture. An etiologic classification of acute pneumonia was presented and the relative importance of some of the causative agents was briefly reviewed. The early developments of the therapy of pneumococcal pneumonia with type-specific antisera, sulfonamide drugs, and antimicrobial drugs were reviewed, mostly from the experiences of the author at Boston City Hospital. Changes in the occurrence and relative importance of the pneumococcus as a cause of infections associated with bacteremia, empyema, and meningitis were demonstrated, based on cases observed at Boston City Hospital during 12 selected years between 1935 and 1972. These findings, among others, indicate that the pneumococcus is still one of the most important causes of serious bacterial infections and of mortality from such infections, particularly in the elderly. Some possible indications for polyvalent pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine were discussed, and the need for further extensive clinical and field trials to demonstrate its range of effectiveness was stressed.


The role of bacterial interference in the increased prevalence of oropharyngeal gram-negative bacilli among alcoholics and diabetics. The oral flora of alcoholics, diabetics, and normal control subjects were compared using an agar overlay technique to determine whether the increased prevalence of oropharyngeal gram-negative bacilli among alcoholics and diabetics exists because patients with these diseases have decreased numbers of normal inhibitory bacteria in the oropharynx. Alcoholics generally had slightly lower concentrations of inhibitory bacteria than control subjects, and diabetics had somewhat higher concentrations than control subjects. However, colonized subjects did not differ from noncolonized subjects with respect to concentrations of these inhibitory bacteria in the oropharynx. Characterization of inhibitory bacteria demonstrated a preponderance of nongroupable alpha-hemolytic streptococci in each of the study groups. Stimulated saliva obtained from subjects failed to demonstrate significant differences in pH between study populations or between colonized and noncolonized subjects within each study population. These results suggest that the frequent oropharyngeal colonization of alcoholics and diabetics by gram-negative bacilli involves mechanisms other than that of a deficiency of normal interfering aerobic bacteria in the oropharynx or an altered salivary pH leading to inactivation in vivo of bacteriocins produced by these inhibitory bacteria.


[Reye's syndrome. Clinical revision (author's transl)]. Authors studied nine cases of Reye's syndrome, seen over a period of five years. Their ages ranged from 45 days to 3 6/12 years, eight being less than a year old. Mortality rate was 55% and two of the four surviving children presented serious neurological sequelas. In all cases liver pathology was studied by percutaneous biopsy and/or necropsy. Clinical, analitical and anatomopathological findings were similar to those usually described in this syndrome. Medical literature was revised as to etiology and pathology, noting specially the tendency of this syndrome to present in groups, its possible relationship to viral epidemics and the inconsistency of the results of certain therapeutic measures widely used until now. The possible relationship between Reye's syndrome and the usual infant vaccinations, as they found in two cases, as well as the convenience of hepatic studies in the event of postvaccinal encephalopathy is suggested.


[Interferon inducing activity of rabies cell culture vaccine in humans]. Rabies cell culture vaccines are able to induce circulating interferon in human sera. In 8/15 cases a low peak of interferon appears in the serum about 8 h after the vaccination. The inhibition has been considered as due to interferon because of the resistance to pH 2 and lack of activity on other animal species.


[Dynamics of the NADP+ and NAD+ levels in the mycelium of P. nigricans Thom strains of varying productivity depending on the carbon source]. The levels of NADP+ and NAD+ in the mycelium of the highly productive strain 117 and low productive strain B of P. nigricans were studied by the 2nd, 5th, 9th and 13th days of development on the mineral medium in the presence of glucose, succinate or acetate. It was found that at the beginning of the growth the levels of NADP+ in both strains in the presence of the same carbon source were the same, just as the levels of NAD+ in the presence of glucose or succinate. The same strain had different levels of NADP+ in the presence of different carbon sources. The levels of NAD+ depended on both the carbon source and the strain. In the presence of glucose both nucleotides were accumulated by the end of the culture development and in greater amounts by strain 117. In the presence of succinate the maximum levels were observed at the beginning of the culture growth, while in the presence of accetate the maximum levels were recorded by the end of the culture development (strain 117) and by the 19th day (strain B). It is supposed that NAD+ is transformed into adenylates in the fungi.


Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of pneumococci: determination of Kirby-Bauer breakpoints for penicillin G, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and rifampin. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of pneumococci is now essential to monitor for the presence of resistance to agents such as the penicillins, macrolides, lincomycins, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline. In this study, clinical isolates of a selection of resistant South African strains were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination and by a modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique, using Mueller-Hinton medium supplemented with 5% horse blood. Disk diffusion breakpoints were determined for penicillin G, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and rifampin. Reliable results were obtained on disk diffusion for all these agents except for penicillin G. With 6-mug penicillin G disks, zones of strains with intermediate penicillin susceptibility overlapped those of sensitive and resistant strains. With 5-mug methicillin disks, clearer separation of strains based on susceptibility to penicillin G occurred. Strains with zones of <35 mm around penicillin G disks and <25 mm around methicillin disks should have penicillin G MICs determined to confirm their resistance to penicillin G. In view of the potential for pneumococci to be resistant to the agents used in this study, antimicrobial susceptibility of all clinically significant isolates should be determined.


Enrichment of cadmium-mediated antibiotic-resistant bacteria in a Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) litter microcosm. A set of Douglas-fir needle litter microcosms was amended with cadmium, acid, a combination of both, or neither. After 2 weeks of incubation, bacterial colony counts were made of litter homogenates inoculated onto agar media containing an antibiotic (streptomycin, chloromycetin, ampicillin, or gentamicin), cadmium, both, or neither. In all microcosms bacterial abundance was similar but the quality was very dissimiliar. Cadmium-treated microcosms had populations enriched for cadmium and gentamicin resistance and streptomycin and chloramphenicol sensitivity. Acid amendment had no consistent effect on the microcosm populations except that which could be attributed to the cadmium treatment amendment alone.


Survival of coxsackievirus B3 under diverse environmental conditions. The survival of coxsackievirus B3 was studied under various conditions of incubation. The comparative study demonstrated that coxsackievirus B3 was stable for 24h (less than 0.4-log decrease in titer) when suspended at neutral pH (6 or 23 degrees C) in the presence of 0.25% bovine serum albumin in saline regardless of whether the preparations were subjected to evaporation. Bovine serum albumin provided increased stability to the virus for each of the conditions tested. At 37 degrees C, evaporation greatly reduced the virus infectivity between 6 and 20 h of incubation. Nevertheless, coxsackievirus B3 was found to be stable for at least 24 h under conditions similar to those of a household environment, and its presence represents a potential biohazard to nonimmune persons. These data provide a rationale for using coxsackievirus B3 as a model for investigating the role of environmental surfaces in the transmission of enteroviral diseases.