Neurotensin inhibits glucose but not glucagon-induced insulin and somatostatin release in isolated islets. The effects of neurotensin on insulin and somatostatin release were examined in isolated pancreatic islets prepared from 3-4 days rats, and maintained in culture for 48 h before use. In the presence of 12 mM glucose, glucagon (50-2,000 ng/ml, i.e. 14-560 nM) caused a 2-fold increase in insulin and somatostatin release. Neurotensin (150 ng/ml, i.e., 100 nM) did not affect the glucagon-stimulated release, nor did it alter the release of either peptide measured at 12 mM glucose in the absence of glucagon. In contrast, neurotension markedly inhibited the release of both insulin and somatostatin that was induced by 23 mM glucose. These observations suggest that neurotensin may modulate the release of insulin and somatostatin evoked by high glucose concentrations, but not that resulting from the action of glucagon on pancreatic islets.


Arginine-induced hypophosphatemia and hyperkaliemia in man. The effects of a 0.5 g/kg body weight arginine infusion on plasma inorganic phosphates and potassium were examined in nineteen normal subjects. Plasma phosphorus displayed a highly significant (p less than 0.001) fall with a maximum depression below baseline of 1.11 +/- 0.15 mg/100 ml or 33 +/- 3% (mean +/- SEM); there was a significant correlation (p less than 0.01) between this fall and the insulin peaks induced by arginine. Plasma potassium levels displayed a distinct and significant increase in eleven of the twelve subjects studied; the maximum increase above baseline was 1.02 +/- 0.14 mEq/1 or 27 +/- 4.5% (p less than 0.001). No change occurred in blood pH values determined in four subjects. In six normal subjects, the test was repeated with the addition of somatostatin (250 micrograms bolus, followed by 500 micrograms/hr), which abolished the insulin and growth hormone response to arginine. It also abolished the fall in plasma phosphorus but appeared (if anything) to augment the increase in potassium. These findings show that arginine is responsible for a fall in plasma phosphorus related to the insulin response, and for an increase in plasma potassium of clinical significance, the mechanism(s) of which, however, are still obscure.


Quantitation of the information content of multi-dimensional gas chromatography and low-resolution mass spectrometry in the identification of doping drugs. On the basis of information theory, a comparison of the performance of the identification of compounds by multi-dimensional gas chromatography and binary-encoded low-resolution mass spectrometry is made for doping drugs. This group of compounds was not selected at random but according to their pharmocological effects. For these compounds it was observed that the m/e values of the peaks in the mass spectra are highly correlated, while a number of chromatographic columns can be found on which the retention data are only slightly correlated. As a result, the information content of two-dimensional gas chromatographic retention data on such columns equals the information content of binary-encoded low-resolution mass spectra. It is shown that the accuracy and precision of retention data in gas--liquid chromatography, and therefore the information content, can be significantly improved if the data are corrected for adsorption effects of the solid support and extrapolated to a limiting value in the case of asymmetric peaks.


[Place of routine amnioscopy in the screening of fetal distress (author's transl)]. In order to assess the benefits of routine amnioscopy in the screening of fetal distress, the CTG score, the pH of umbilical artery and the Apgar score were determined and compared in two groups of patients: one group had meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF), the other (control) had clear amniotic fluid. Although the prepathological and pathological CTG scores were more frequent in the MSAF group, the values of the umbilical artery pH had the same distribution in the two groups. The percentage of acidotic fetuses in the MSAF group is very low (2.9 p. 100) and practically the same as in the control group (2.5 p. 100). The Apgar score distribution at one and five minutes is also the same in the two groups. The distribution of CTG scores in acidotic fetuses is the same in the two groups, but the pre-acidotic fetuses born with meconial fluid have more often a pre-pathological or pathological CTG score. Fetuses with normal or suspect CTG-score and nevertheless acidotic or pre-acidotic pH values at birth are equally present whether the liquid is stained or not. Amnioscopy is therefore of no help even in this situation. In conclusion, the discovery of a MSAF is the manifestation of fetal hypoxia in only 2.9 p. 100 of cases: the detection of this condition is better achieved by CTG recordings than by routine amnioscopy.


Studies on the reaction between pyridine nucleotides and mercury compounds in artificial intracellular and extracellular fluids. The strong complex formations of pyridine nucleotides with mercury compounds were demonstrated in artificial intracellular fluid containing oxianions (HPO42-, HCO3-), while those in artificial extracellular fluid were considerably weaker. Dissociation constants (K) of the complexes of [MC.NADP], [MC.NADPH], [MC.NAD], [MC.NADH], [MC.adenine], and [MC.nicotinamide mononucleotide] were found to be 1.0 x 10(-4), 2.6 x 10(-5), 1.2 x 10(-4), 2.9 x 10(-5), 7.2 x 10(-6), and 3.8 x 10(-3), respectively in phosphate buffer (43 mM, pH 8.0).


A redefinition of normal acid-base equilibrium in man: carbon dioxide tension as a key determinant of normal plasma bicarbonate concentration. It has been shown recently that normal acid-base equilibrium in the dog is characterized by a strong positive correlation between plasma bicarbonate concentration and PCO2. The present study was undertaken to examine the possibility that a similar relationship between normal levels of PCO2 and plasma bicarbonate might be present in man. The results indicate that values for bicarbonate within the normal range are highly dependent upon the prevailing level of PCO2 ([HCO3-] = 0.36 PaVCO2 + 10.4; r = 0.73). Thus, approximately 50% of the normal variance in bicarbonate concentration is explained simply by the variance in PCO2. The joint confidence region for bicarbonate concentration and PCO2, that can be derived from these data provides a new and more rigorous definition of normal acid-base equilibrium in man.


Further observations on a low-molecular-weight natriuretic substance in the urine of normal man. Large quantities of the low-molecular-weight natriuretic material (F4), which appears after the salts when fractionated on G-25 Sephadex column, were obtained from the urine of normal man on a normal diet. The natriuretic substance in F4 was (1) untrafiltrable through a membrane with a claimed molecular-weight cut-off of 500 daltons (Amicon UMO5); (2) soluble in more polar organic solvents; (3) totally soluble in 95% acetone when specific activity was doubled; (4) relatively resistant to heating at 100 degrees C for 1 hour at a pH of 10, and to heating at 110 degrees C in 6 N hydrochloric acid for up to 90 hours under anaerobic conditions, and treatment with nitrous acid; it was less resistant to these procedures when extracted into 95% acetone; (5) not destroyed by trypsin, chymotrypsin, pronase, pepsin, leucine aminopeptidase, and subtilysin, nor was it destroyed by pepsin, leucine aminopeptidase, subtilysin, carboxypeptidase A and B, and aminopeptidase M, or by monoamine oxidase, aryl sulphatase, and beta-glucuronidase when extracted into 95% acetone. The natriuretic substance in the 95% acetone-soluble F4 was totally destroyed by incubation with prolidase. The least amount of 95% acetone-soluble F4 required to produce a significant natriuresis in the bioassay rat was that derived from a 7-min sample of urine. The maximal response was obtained from a 30-min sample of urine. Continuous i.v. infusion of the 95% acetone-soluble F4 for 40 min produced a sustained natriuresis, whereas a greater amount injected as a bolus produced an effect which was not sustained beyond 20 min.


Differing effects of acid versus neutral phosphate therapy of hypercalciuria. Studies were performed on 12 patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria to evaluate the hypothesis that the acid load accompanying potassium acid phosphate would adversely affect renal calcium reabsorption and citrate excretion compared to the neutral form of the phosphate salt. During acute clearance studies, neutral phosphate (NP) led to a fall in FECa (2.2 +/- 0.6% to 0.8 +/- 0.1%, P less than 0.02) and no change in titratable acidity (TA) or net acid excretion (NAE). Acid phosphate (AP) did not reduce FECa acutely, and led to a rise in TA (22 +/- 4 to 62 +/- 6 muEq/min, P less than 0.02) and NAE (46 +/- 6 to 6 89 +/- 7 muEq/min, P less than 0.02). During chronic administration, AP resulted in higher urinary calcium excretion in both absorptive (187 +/- 29 vs. 141 +/- 18 mg/day, P less than 0.02) and renal hypercalciuric patients (233 +/- 24 vs. 173 +/- 190.02 mg/day, P less than 0.02). Also, TA and NAE were higher following AP, whereas citrate excretion was lower (375.4 +/- 64.6 vs. 633.4 +/- 28.8 mg/day, P less than 0.01). These data suggest that the reported ineffectiveness of AP in the therapy of nephrolithiasis may be related to the deleterious effects of the acid load on calcium and citrate metabolism.


NMR of fd coat protein.

NMR of fd coat protein. The conformations of the major coat protein of a filamentous bacteriophage can be described by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the protein and the virus. The NMR experiments involve detection of the 13C and 1H nuclei of the coat protein. Both the 13C and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra show that regions of the polypeptide chain have substantially more motion than a typical globular protein. The fd coat protein was purified by gel chromatography of the SDA solubilized virus. Natural abundance 13C NMR spectra at 38 MHz resolve all of the nonprotonated aromatic carbons from the three phenylalanines, two tyrosines, and one tryptophan of the coat protein. The alpha carbons of the coat protein show at least two different classes of relaxation behavior, indicative of substantial variation in the motion of the backbone carbons in contrast to the rigidity of the alpha carbons of globular proteins. The 1H spectrum at 360 MHz shows all of the aromatic carbons and many of the amide protons. Titration of a 1H spectra gives the pKas for the tyrosines.


Mitotic factors from mammalian cells: a preliminary characterization. The objective of this study was the preliminary characterization of the factors from mitotic HeLa cells that can induce meiotic maturation in Xenopus laevis oocytes. We found that this factor is a heat-labile, Ca2+-sensitive, nondialyzable protein with a sedimentation value of 4-5S. Furthermore, no new protein synthesis was found to be required for this mitotic factor to induce maturation in the amphibian oocytes. These data suggest that the factors involved in the breakdown of nuclear membrane and the condensation of chromosomes that are associated with three different phenomena, mitosis, meiosis, and premature chromosome condensation, are very similar in different animal species.


Distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae types in Norway. A total of 129 isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae from nasopharyngeal specimens was typed by the Neufeld reaction using diagnostic antipneumococcus sera produced at Statens Seruminstitutt, Denmark. Most isolates (87.6%) reacted with the serum pools B (41.9%), H (34.9%), and D (10.8%) comprising the types 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 23, 28, 36 AND 37. Only 12.4% of the isolates belonged to the remaining six serum pools. Among the strains reacting with serum pools B, D, and H, the most frequently encountered types were 6 (33%), 19 (18%), 3 (13%), 14 (11%), 23 (11%) and 15 (7%). Among these six types, only type 15 is not included in the available pneumococcal vaccine.


[Compressive extradural lipomatosis as an unusual complication of corticosteroid therapy: one case (author's transl)]. In a 43 year old man we reported a spinal cord compression by extradural lipomatosis associated with long term corticosteroid therapy for periarteritis nodosa. Decompressive surgery at the 16th month of corticosteroid treatment resulted in regression of symptoms and signs. Corticosteroid therapy was felt to be responsible for this neurological complication, which is unknown in periarteritis nodosa, but has been seen in association with intraspinal lipomas.


Evaluation of cefaclor and amoxycillin in the treatment of acute otitis media. Twenty-eight patients with acute otitis media were treated in a random double blind manner with either amoxycillin or cefaclor. The predominant organisms isolated were H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae. All patients responded satisfactorily except one, treated with cefaclor, whose compliance with the regimen was very doubtful. One instance of mild elevation of SGOT and one case of mild erythematous rash occurred in each treatment group. In this limited study, cefaclor appeared comparable to amoxycillin in the treatment of acute otitis media.


Treatment of acute bacterial bronchitis and pneumonia with cefaclor. Sixty patients with pneumonia and/or bronchitis were treated with cefaclor, a new orally administered cephalosporin. Of those 60, 27 adults were treated with 500 mg every 8 hours, 26 adults with 250 mg every 6 hours, and 7 children with 50 mg/kg/day. In the adults, pneumonia was caused most frequently by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. The 7 children had pneumococcal pneumonia. All but 2 adults, both elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were successfully treated. One instance of drug hypersensitivity occurred. All 7 children responded rapidly, with no side effects, to cefaclor therapy.


Cefaclor: clinical and bacteriological evaluation in 45 cases. This report deals with studies of the effectiveness, tolerance and toxicity of cefaclor in the treatment of 45 patients with urinary tract infections (40 cases) and pneumonia (5 cases) caused by susceptible pathogens. Cefaclor was administered orally in a dosage of 1 to 3 g per day for 7 to 11 days. Clinical and laboratory examinations were performed before, during, at the end of treatment, and 4 weeks later in cases of urinary infection. All 5 patients with pneumonia and bronchopneumonia were cured. Clinical and bacteriological cures were obtained in 28 (70%) of the 40 cases of urinary tract infections. Identification and typing of microorganisms, disk sensitivity tests, minimal inhibitory concentrations and cefaclor blood levels also were determined.


Comparative in vitro microbiological activity and stability of cefaclor. The in vitro activity of cefaclor was compared with that of cephalexin and cephradine. This new antibiotic was the most active of the oral agents against Haemophilus influenzae (especially non-beta-lactamase producing strains). It was also significantly more active against N. gonorrhoeae and the Enterobacteriaceae. The instability in agar raises some issues that need further study.


Diuretic-induced renal impairment without volume depletion in cirrhosis: changes in the renin-angiotensin system and the effect of beta-adrenergic blockade. In 4 patients with cirrhosis and ascites, diuretic therapy resulted in an impairment of renal function that was associated with a rise in plasma renin activity (PRA). In 3, this occurred in the absence of volume depletion. When diuretics were discontinued, renal function returned to normal. beta-adrenergic blocking drugs were then given to suppress renin secretion and diuretics restarted. On this occasion, impairment of renal function did not occur. In 2 further patients, administration of beta-adrenergic blockers during a period of diuretic-induced renal impairment resulted in an improvement in renal function. Although these findings may indicate that diuretic-induced renal impairment in cirrhosis is at least partly due to activation of the renin-angiotensin system, in another group of patients a diuretic-induced rise in PRA was not associated with a deterioration in renal function.


Adverse reactions to medication on a coronary care unit. In a prospective survey of treatment on a coronary care unit 23.6% of patients who received medication had one or more side effects. In several cases these were severe enough to cause marked deterioration of the patient's clinical status. Whilst antiarrhythmic therapy is an integral part of modern coronary care its potential hazards should be recognized, particularly in the elderly patient.


Potassium clorazepate (Tranxene)-induced jaundice. A first report of jaundice and hepatic necrosis probably due to potassium clorazepate is described. The histology is discussed and it is suggested that the drug should not be given in the presence of suspected hepatic dysfunction.


RDT with acetate-free bicarbonate buffered dialysis fluid: long-term effects on lipid pattern, acid-base balance and oxygen delivery. Thirteen uraemic patients with hypertriglyceridaemia were treated for 9 months with acetate-free, bicarbonate containing dialysis fluid. With this treatment more physiological correction of acid-base balance and better tissue oxygenation were obtained. This fact can explain the better tolerance to treatment we have seen. In 9 of these patients triglyceride levels fell significantly on bicarbonate treatment; they shifted back to higher values after return to acetate dialysis. No changes were found in the other 4 patients.


The influence of acetate versus bicarbonate on patient symptomatology during dialysis. The effect of large-surface area dialysis (LS) using dialysate containing both acetate and bicarbonate (LS-C) on a patient's symptomatology was compared with that noted with acetate (LS-A) or bicarbonate (LS-B) in the dialysis fluid. Patients experienced significantly more symptoms and deterioration of objective performance test scores with both LS-A and LS-C than LS-B. Furthermore, a correlation was seen between plasma acetate level at the end of dialysis and decrement in the performance test scores. The results suggest that accumulation of acetate rather than acute alteration in acid-base status is primarily responsible for the morbidity.


Acute effects of propranolol and metoprolol on plasma concentrations of parathyroid hormone and calcitonin in uraemic patients. Nine uraemic patients not yet on dialysis received IV 1 microgram/kg/min of propranolol for 85 min after a priming dose of 1 mg. Fifteen days later six of them received IV 1.2 microgram/kg/min of metoprolol after a priming dose of 1.2 mg. Plasma concentrations of PTH and calcitonin decreased significantly with propranolol but not with metoprolol. No change was observed with either drug as regards plasma concentration of total and ionised Ca and PO4. Heart rate was decreased similarly with both drugs. We conclude that (i) propranolol acutely suppresses PTH and Calcitonin secretion in uraemic patients. This warrants further studies to assess its long term effects on the secretion of these hormones and on renal osteodystrophy; (ii) the contrast between the significant effect of propranolol and the lack of effect with metoprolol supports the concept that PTH and CT secretion are moderated through specific beta 2 receptors.


Chemical relaxation studies on the horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase system. Chemical relaxation studies on the system horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and ethanol were conducted observing fluorescence changes between 400 and 500 nm. Temperature-jump experiments were performed at pH 6.5, 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0; concentration-jump experiments at pH 9.0. The reciprocal of the slowest relaxation time was found to be linearly dependent upon the enzyme concentration for relatively low enzyme concentrations, as predicted earlier. Use of the wide pH-range necessitated expression of the four apparent dissociation constants of the catalytic reaction cycle in terms of pH-independent constants. The system was described in terms of only one (or two) catalysis-linked protons not associated with the electron transfer. Protonic steps in a buffered system are in rapid equilibrium, too fast to be measured with the equipment available. Assuming only two of the four bimolecular reaction steps in the four-step cycle are fast compared to the remaining two, six cases may be considered with six expressions for the reciprocal of the slowest relaxation time. Comparison with the experimental data revealed that the bimolecular reaction steps governing the slowest relaxation time change with pH. Above the effective time resolution of the temperature-lump instrument with fluorescence detection (0.1 msec) only one other relaxation time was detectable and only at pH 9. This relaxation time, found to be independent of the concentration of all reactants within experimental error (r = 10 +/- 5 msec), is most likely due to an interconversion among ternary complexes.


Immunochemical characterization of surface antigens of Bacteroides melaninogenicus. Major surface antigens of Bactmbrane complex by gentle methods, purified, and characterized immunochemically. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was found to be chemically distinct from the LPS of facultative gram-negative bacteria in that it lacked two core sugars, 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate and heptose, as well as beta-hydroxymyristic acid, the predominant fatty acid in the lipid A moiety. The LPS was further atypical in that it had a very low level of biologic activity. A capsular polysaccharide was demonstrated morphologically by electron microscopy with ruthenium red staining and a ferritin-labeled antibody technique. This antigen was shown to be subspecies-specific by indirect immunofluorescence. Antibody to the capsular polysaccharide was measured by an enzyme-linked immunospecific assay. The presence of a relatively impotent LPS and a surface capsular antigen may partly explain the rarity of bacteremia and septic shock due to B. melaninogenicus subspecies asaccharolyticus and the common association of this organism with abscess formation.


The role of Bacteroides melaninogenicus and other anaerobes in periodontal infections. Recent taxonomic and anatomical studies of dental plaque associated with periodontal health and disease have demonstrated that differences in the microbial populations in plaque may be responsible for the initiation and progression of disease. The consistent isolation of large numbers of anaerobic and capnophilic bacteria from the depths of periodontal lesions has suggested an important role for these organisms. Bacteria that have been isolated include Capnocytophaga (Bacteroides ochraceus), other species of Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Selenomonas, spirochetes, Campylobacter, Veillonella, Actinomyces, Propionibacterium, Peptococcus, and other genera. The periodontopathic potential of oral strains of Bacteroides melaninogenicus has been explored in a number of investigations because these organisms are consistently isolated from periodontal lesions. Studies of B. melaninogenicus have included purification of a capsular substance, characterization of the lipopolysaccharide and a variety of toxic substances and lytic enzymes, and ecologic aspects of its colonization. Understanding of the nature and pathogenic mechanisms of the oral microbiota may lead to control of this pandemic infection.


[Fructose and citric acid content in the sperm of stud males with forms of impotencia generandi]. Fructose and citric acid content was investigated in the sperm of 27 bulls with anamnesis data for "low quality sperm". The bulls were used as breeding males in various stations for artificial insemination. Three forms of Imp. generandi are described and several grades of Oligokinospermia are differentiated. Changes in fructose and citric acid quantity differed in degree in the various forms of Imp. generandi described. Fructose and citric acid value in I and II grade Oligokinospermia were insignificantly lower than the low limit of these indices observed in bulls with normal spermoproduction. Correlation between the changes observed is positive, slight, insignificant or entirely missing. Fructose content is insignificantly lower in cases of III and IV grade Oligokinospermia and in Akinospermia, while citric acid content is reduced only in Akinospermia. The correlation between the changes is positive , high and significant. Fructose reduction in bull's semen below 400.0 mg% and of citric acid below 500.0 mg% in case of negative data for inflammatory changes in vesiculae seminalis is a diagnostic symptom for disfunction of vesiculae seminalis. More considerable changes occur in fructose values.


The role of adrenergic receptors in the regulation of gastric motility in the rat. Gastric motility was investigated under the effect of adrenergic receptor agonist and antagonist substances in albino rats of both sexes and weighing 150 to 180 g. Gastric evacuation was studied, after introducing 2 ml/100 g of Novobarium suspension in the stomach, by radioscopy and radiography. Epinephrine (Tonogen) was found to inhibit gastric motility, this inhibition being effective even after pylorotomy. The dominantly alpha adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (Sympathomim) had not any effect; the alpha blocker phenoxybenzamine (Dibenzyline) slightly depressed gastric evaluation. A marked inhibitory influence was noted with stimulating the beta receptors by isoproterenol (Prophylon), while propranolol (Inderal) slightly accelerated gastric evacuation by blocking beta receptors. A pretreatment by phenoxybenzamine of the animals did not affect epinephrine influence whereas a pretreatment by propranolol completely abolished the inhibitory effect of epinephrine on gastric motility. These results suggest the presence of a slight beta receptor tone in gastric motility at rest, and indicate further that epinephrine exerts its inhibitory effect on gastric motility via adrenergic beta receptors.


Ecological studies on Azotobacter in Egyptian soils. The present survey includes 156 representative soil samples. Results obtained confirm the richness of Egyptian soils, particularly the Nile Valley soils, in Azotobacter (60% of the samples contained greater than 10(3) colonies/g soil). Colony counts were lower than MPN estimations. Glucose is recommended for use in plating medium. Among the environmental factors affecting Azotobacter densities in soils of Egypt are: organic carbon content, total soluble salt content, pH and type of the soil, depth, cultivation, and standing crop. Pot experiments performed indicated that high incubation temperature (30, 37 degrees C) markedly enhanced development of Azotobacter as well as the gains of total nitrogen, particularly when soils are amended with 1% maize straw and incubated for 12 months. A. chrococcum was the most prevalent speciee; A. vinelandii was encountered as well. The analysis of some samples, representing soils of near Middle Eastern as well as North African countries, indicated the common occurrence of Azotobacter in these soils. Beijerinckia could not be detected in any of Egyptian or non-Egyptian samples examined.


Effect of ruthenium on nitrogen fixation by some nitrogen fixers. The effect of ruthenium chloride in the culture media on the nitrogen-fixing ability of the three nitrogen fixers (unidentified species of Azotobacter, designated here as D3, B3, and B), isolated from Allahabad soil, was studied. It was observed that the nitrogen-fixing ability of the organisms is much increased in presence of 25-75 micro M concentration of ruthenium chloride in the culture media, while sugar consumption remains more or less steady. Also, if mg nitrogen fixed/g carbon consumed in two culture media with successive increasing concentrations of ruthenium chloride is compared by calculating the difference in increase of the amount of nitrogen fixed and carbon consumed in these two culture media, it was observed that high amounts of nitrogen are fixed by B3 and B between 25-50 micro M, and between 50-75 micro M concentration of ruthenium chloride by D3.


Screening studies of yeasts capable of utilizing petroleum fractions. In these studies, 23 yeast cultures belonging to 10 genera of ascosporogenous, ballistosporogenous, and asporogenous yeasts, were screened with respect to their abilities of hydrocarbon utilization in synthetic media. Thus, kerosene, n-hexadecane, and wax distillate were compared as sole carbon sources in 2% final concentration. Kerosene exhibited marked inhibition on the growth of the majority of the strains, whereas active growth was observed with Debaryomyces vanrijii and many species of the genus Candida in media with n-hexadecane or wax distillate as sole source of carbon. In addition, some cultures belonging to the genera Sporobolomyces, Hansenula, Cryptococcus, and Trigonopsis could utilize some of these substrates, but to a lesser extent. Highest yield of cells and protein was obtained with Candida lipolytica NRRL 1094 in n-hexadecane medium, supplied with 0.03% yeast extract and trace element solutions. The results are discussed with respect to the possibilities of using new yeast genera, with special reference to the genus Debaryomyces, in microbiol protein production.


Do mosquitoes breed in maiza plant axils? One thousand five hundred and seven tasselled maize plants in Lusaka and 96 in a rural village where mosquitoes were plentiful, have been surveyed. About 28% of plants contained water mainly around developing cobs. No mosquito larvae were found. It is concluded that maize slashing as part of the programme for malaria control is unjustified.


[Comparative studies on the vaccination of mice with inactivated influenza virus administered by the aerosol technique, by the intranasal or intramuscular route (author's transl)]. NMRI mice were immunized intramuscular, intranasal or by Aerosol, using the ethylethylenimine inactivated and polyethylenglycolconcentrated influenza virus strain A/PR/8/34 (HO/N1). Differences in the immune response resulted from all three routes. Intranasal and intramuscular vaccination were superior to aerosol application. A possible explanation for this could be the fact that relatively small amounts of the inhaled virus antigen developed antigenic activity on the mucous membrane. A single vaccination by the aerosol technique gave significant protection only, if the challenge virus was applied by the same procedure. However no protection was found after intranasal challenge. Intranasal challenge on the third day post vaccination revealed that intramuscular immunization had a significant better protective effect than intranasal immunization. However from the 5th to the 10th day post vaccination this effect reversed and intranasal vaccination became superior. This immunity persisted for the whole period of observation and it was accompained by a higher titer of local antibodies. Similar results were obtained in experiments with aerosol challenge. Here only the intranasal vaccinated mice were completely protected after the 10th day post vaccinationem while intramuscular vaccinated animals were less protected. Sera of intramuscular immunized mice revealed a higher content in antibodies of the Ig M type and less of the Ig G type compared to mice vaccinated by the intranasal route.


Isolation of a new avian paramyxovirus from a rock pigeon (Columba livia). A hemagglutinating agent identified as paramyxovirus was isolated from the respiratory organs of a rock pigeon captured in Hokkaido, Japan. The virus was serologically distinct from the known members of genus Paramyxovirus. Of the 160 pigeons collected in Hokkaido, 6 possessed the antibodies to the virus. The virus was designated as Paramyxovirus/pigeon/Otaru/76.


[Rabies specific IgM- and IgG-antibody response in persons immunized with HDCS vaccine according to the Essen postexposure vaccination schedule (author's transl)]. A solid phase enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) was applied for the determination of rabies virus antibodies of the immunoglobulin classes G and M in sera of 10 young adults. Vaccinations were carried out with the Essen post-exposure vaccination schedule, which is recommended by the W.H.O., with the rabies HDCS vaccine with an antigen value of 1.9. From these results the rabies virus IgM/IgG-conversion was derived. Furthermore a comparison was carried out of results obtained with the ELISA, the mouse neutralization test, the complement fixation test and the hemagglutination inhibition test. Rabies virus-IgM-antibodies were detected already three days after the first vaccination. The IgM-antibody concentration increased to a maximum at the 22nd day p.v. In sera of seven of eight vaccinees rabies virus IgM-antibody was still detectable until the 90th day p.v. Rabies virus antibodies of the IgG-class were found in the serum of 1/7 vaccinees at the 7th day p.v. A steep increase of the rabies virus IgG-antibodies was observed from day 10 p.v. to a maximum between the 30th and 40th day p.v.. The titer values varied between 1:10-1:1600. The rabies virus IgM/IgG-conversion was observed after the 10th day p.v.. More than 75% of the total antirabies virus globulin fraction belonged to the IgG-class in sera of 6 of 9 vaccinees between the 22nd and 30th day of p.v.. A preponderance of the rabies virus IgM-antibodies was seen in 3 of 9 vaccinees until the 90th day p.v.. Most sensitive for the early detection of rabies virus antibodies was the IgM-ELISA followed by the IgG-ELISA, mouse-neutralization test, hemagglutination inhibition test and complement fixation test.


[Improved method for the demonstration of protein A of Staphylococcus aureus (author's transl)]. Protein A (PA) could be extracted completely from Staphylococcus aureus by treatment with concentrated formic acid. This led to the development of a semi-quantitative determination of PA by hemagglutination (fig. 1). The treatment with formic acid yielded PA more effectively than the commonly used extraction by boiling (table 1). It could be conducted directly on a loopfull of staphylococci obtained from blood agar. It required no additional cultivation in a fluid medium. Most suitable for the hemagglutination was a commercial preparation of Rh-positive human erythrocytes, blood group O, loaded with Rh-antibodies from humans. This relatively stable preparation had also a higher susceptibility for PA in the slide-test and served for a better detection of PA-positive staphylococci (table 2).


Neisseriaceae, a group of bacteria with dihydrofolate reductases, moderately susceptible to trimethoprim. Dihydrofolate reductases of five species of the family Neisseriaceae were compared by means of inhibition profiles, using several structurally different inhibitors, including trimethoprim (TMP) and pyrimethamine. All enzymes were seen to be highly susceptible to the folate analog aminopterin, but exhibited moderate susceptibility to all other inhibitors tested. Approximately 200-fold higher concentrations of TMP were needed to inhibit neisserial reductases as compared to the E. coli enzyme. Besides poor penetration this is assumed to be the main basis for the low susceptibility of neisseriae to TMP. In addition to TMP all other inhibitors were also moderately active or inactive in vitro. The enzymatic differences, as seen from inhibition profiles, were statistically significant but small among all species of the genus Neisseria. Branhamella catarrhalis on the other hand was seen to be far less related to the other neisseriae, as seen by the inhibition profile of its reductase, its dihydrofolate reductase conttent, as well as by its in vitro properties.


Spectrum of Escherichia coli agglutinins in dam's sera, colostrum and calf's sera in Fresian cows and buffaloes in Egypt. Sera collected from 18 pregnant buffaloes and Fresian cows during the last two weeks before parturition and from the newborn calves during the first two weeks after birth. All the samples together with the colostral whey of the first three days were examined for the presence of E. coli agglutinins using the tube agglutination and passive hemagglutination tests. The latter test was more sensitive and demonstrated higher titres in all cases, and consequently more O groups. Agglutinins to various E. coli O groups were detected in all samples. It is worthy to note that agglutinins to all E. coli O groups used as antigens were detected in 13 dam's sera, 17 colostrum and in one buffaloe calf. The titres were higher in colostrum than in dam's or calf's sera. The highest titre was 1:640. The O groups 101, 115, 117, and 26 were the most common among Fresian cows whereby the O groups 101 and 115 showed the highest titres. In buffaloes the O groups 101, 115, 8 and 26 were the most common with the O8 having the highest titre.


Importance of colicinogeny for the course of acute bacillary dysentery. The development of acute bacillary dysentery was followed in 23 patients involved in two outbreaks and in three sporadic, mutually unrelated cases. Repeated cultivations performed at 2-day intervals for 10 days yielded 386 identifiable strains of "opportune intestinal flora". Escherichia coli colicinogenic activity is one of the significant factors of gastrointestinal tract protection. The period of shigella excretion is significantly reduced (p less than 0.02) if an appropriate colicinogenic E. coli strain is present. Analysis of the results suggested a working hypothesis of differentiated approach to bacillary dysentery treatment in outbreaks. In the absence of a suitable colicinogenic flora neomycin therapy should be administered since it does not damage the natural colonizing flora (bacteroids, bifidobacters, aerobic lactobacilli); in the presence of a suitable colicinogenic flora, no antibiotic should be used as this would abolish the coli-flora.


Antigenic variation in Klebsiella.

Antigenic variation in Klebsiella. The serological reactions of klebsiella strains repeatedly isolated from four patients were examined. Variations in capsular antigens of strains from the same patient were mainly restricted to slight changes in the titre of quellung reactions and occasionally differences in cross-reactions were noted. In one case a strain reacted more strongly with a heterologous antiserum than with homologous antiserum after it had been resident in the bowel of a patient for five weeks. No significant antigenic variation was observed when multiple colonies from the same klebsiella culture were tested.


Incompatibility of R plasmids from clinical material. Thirteen R plasmids derived from strains of E Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical material have been characterized. They belonged to many incompatibility groups and differ widely respecting other phenotypic characteristics, even if they come from bacteria isolated from a small geographic area.


Further characterization of "promptly" and "delayed" human serum-sensitive strains of Serratia marcescens. The kinetics of the bactericidal activity of 80 vol% of fresh human serum against representative 'delayed serum-sensitive' (DSS) and 'promptly serum-sensitive' (PSS) strains of Serratia marcescens were further examined with regard to various chemical and absorption procedures known to affect various components of the alternative and classical pathways of human complement activation. Inulin treatment of fresh human serum failed to diminish serum bactericidal activity against DSS and PSS assay strains. Fresh human serum that had been depleted of properdin (factor P) through absorption with zymosan, was as active as control serum against DSS strains of S. marcescens; however, PSS strains were killed in a 'delayed' fashion. Human serum that had been heat-inactivated at 50 degrees C for minutes (depletion of factor B), no longer killed DSS strains, whereas PSS strains of S. marcescens and the PSS control strain Escherichia coli C were killed in a slightly delayed fashion. Hydrazine-hydrate treatment (inactivation of C3 of the complement system) and exposure of fresh human serum to dithiothreitol completely abolished serum bactericidal activity. Bentonite-absorbed fresh human serum no longer killed DSS strains of S. marcescens; some PSS strains of S. marcescens were killed in a delayed manner, whereas control strain E. coli C was as PSS as before. Addition of Seitz-filtered fresh human serum, that lacked beta-lysin and was deficient in lysozyme, to bentonite-absorbed human serum restored bactericidal activity against DSS and PSS strains of S. marcescens; addition to heat-inactivated or Seitz-filtered, heat-inactivated human serum failed to do so. Therefore, bentonite absorption removed to a heat-labile component from fresh human serum clearly different from beta-lysin and lysozyme. Furthermore, human serum beta-lysin and lysozyme were not required for serum-mediated killing of S. marcescens strains of either serum susceptibility category.


Studies on antibody levels to Brucella abortus, Toxoplasma gondii and Leptospira serogroups in sera collected by the National Serum Bank during 1974-1976. The New Zealand National Serum Bank is a collection of human sera consisting predominantly of specimens taken from healthy New Zealand blood donors. The studies presented here were designed to assess the antibody levels in two urban centres to Brucella abortus, Toxoplasma gondii and several Leptospiral serogroups including all those found in New Zealand. In none of the sera could complement fixing leptospiral antibodies be detected. There was evidence of low level immunity to both Toxoplasma gondii and Brucella abortus.


[Effect of bacterial infections and antibiotics on tsetse flies (Diptera, Glossinidae) (author's transl)]. The membrane feeding technique (in vitro feeding) used for the rearing of tsetse flies has advantages over the conventional method of feeding the flies on host animals. However, as long as blood remains the sole source of tsetse fly nutrition, the risk remains of blood being contaminated during collection, storage or feeding with bacteria pathogenic to the flies. The resulting high mortality of the tsetse flies endangers the success of this rearing. The experiments described here have shown that Glossina m. morsitans Westw. are more sensitive to Pseudomonas aeruginosa than G. p. palpalis Rob.-Desv. Rearing experiments over several years have confirmed this finding in that the latter species has never been threatened by high bacterial-induced mortality, whereas in 1973-74, due to contamination of the in vitro fed blood, a population of G. m. morsitans was difficult to colonize. The quantity of infected blood intake (14 to 70 mg) had no influence on the survival rate. However, when flies were infected once with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (dilution stage of 10(-3)), the organisms were eliminated after only nine days in living G. p. palpalis, but after 14 days in living G. m. morsitans. Females were infected at different stages of pregnancy but the same bacteria were not isolated in any puparia. Therefore, transmission of the bacteria to larvae growing in the uterus could not be demonstrated. All antibiotics used, to which bacteria isolated from tsetse flies in the laboratory were sensitive, caused a reduction in productivity. Parental females as well as females which emerged from larvae deposited by these flies (= F1-generation) 6 days after the administration of the drug to the pregnant females showed a similar loss in productivity. This corresponds with a degeneration of mesenteric symbionts. The most successful way to cope with bacterial infection in the membrane feeding technique in the rearing of tsetse flies has proved to be prophylactic measures, i.e. sterile membranes, sterile underlying aluminium trays and sterile blood. The methods employed at this laboratory, where up to 20 000 flies are being fed daily through membranes, have prevented dangerous bacterial infections in both species.


[Transmission of toxoplasma oocysts from domestic cats to rabbits (author's transl)]. The importance of the role of toxoplasma oocysts in the mode of spread of the infection for men and animal has differently been estimated. In own earlier experiments, we found out that the transmission of the infection by means of oocysts from cat to cat is not the rule. In a similar experimental setup, we tested now whether rabbits can be infected by getting into contact with faeces of cats containing sporulated toxoplasma oocysts (see table 1). 8 toxoplasma-free rabbits and two toxoplasma-free cats as control were placed on infectious faeces of 10 cats (group 1-8). As further controls served four non-infected rabbits being kept in the same cage (group 11-12). Four of eight rabbits which had been placed on the infectious faeces and one control animal having had no intended contact with those faeces got infected. Our experiments show that the question whether domestic cats have any significance as source of infection with toxoplasms cannot generally be answered. It has to be differentiated each time which mammal gets into contact with oocysts.


Quantitative determination of the disintegration of nerve cells in the cortex caused by viral encephalitis (17 D-yellow fever) (Preliminary communication). The counting of nerve cells give an answer to the question whether there is a significant loss of cells in the cortex in the course of viral encephalitis. For normal animals, average cell numbers of 275.42 were counted; for infected animals divided into two groups depending on the severity of illness, 144.95 and 192.87 cells, respectively (p = 0.0001).


[Effect of magnesium ions on the thermostability of inorganic pyrophosphatase from baker's yeast]. The interaction of magnesium ions with inorganic pyrophosphatase from baker's yeast was studied by means of heat denaturation. The heat inactivation of this enzyme is a biphasic process. The velocities in the initial range and in the subsequent slower part of inactivation are diminished with rising Mg2+ concentration in the inactivation assay. A model is proposed which describes this behavior. It is assumed that two enzyme conformations exist in equilibrium whose conversion rates correspond to the inactivation rate in its order of magnitude. The equilibrium is shifted by Mg2+. The two enzyme species differ in their Mg2+ binding behavior as evidenced by differences in the half-saturation constants and the cooperativity of the binding. The same conclusions are drawn from the fluorimetric measurement of denaturation of inorganic pyrophosphatase. Besides, an additional Mg2+ binding site is demonstrable, the saturation of which obviously leads to stabilisation of part of the enzyme structure without protecting it against loss of enzymatic activity. With the same method the labilizing effect of Zn2+ on the structure of the inorganic pyrophosphatase from baker's yeast was studied.


The effect of temperature and ouabain on the breakdown of ATP and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate in glucose-depleted human red cells. Ouabain exerts only a minor effect on ATP breakdown at 37 degrees C and practically none at 4 degrees C. The effect is less at higher pH values. At 4 degrees C the rates of breakdown at ATP, AMP and of 2,3 P2G are nearly two orders of magnitude less than at 37 degrees C.


The breakdown of adenine nucleotides in glucose-depleted human red cells. 1) The rate of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate breakdown is independent of pH value. 2) The adenine nucleotide pattern at alkaline pH values with its characteristic lowering of ATP and the accompanying accumulation of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate is caused by a relative excess of the activity of the hexokinase-phosphofructokinase system as compared wity pyruvate kinase. 3) The breakdown of adenine nucleotides proceeds via AMP mainly through phosphatase and not via AMP deaminase. 4) The constancy of the sum of nucleotides as long as glucose is present is postulated to be due to resynthesis via adenosine kinase which competes successfully with adenosine deaminase. 5) A procedure is given to calculate ATPase activity of glucose-depleted red cells. The results indicate that the ATPase activity is less at lower pH values and declines with time. An ATPase with a high Km for ATP is postulated. 6) During glucose depletion ATP production is mostly derived from the breakdown of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate and the supply from the pentose phosphate pool both of which proceed at a constant rate. The contribution of pentose phosphate from the breakdown of adenine nucleotides amounts to 40% of the lactate formed at pH 6.8 and is about twice the lactate at pH 8.1.


[In vitro maturation of rabbit reticulocytes: oxygen consumption reaction]. With a simple experimental system the changes of endogenous, antimycin A-suppressed, oligomycin-suppressed and antimycin A-resistant oxygen consumption are studied during the maturation of intact cells of the 6th day of bleeding. All functional characteristics of oxygen consumption decrease during maturation. The rate of decrease is strongly increased by high inorganic phosphate concentrations (125 mM). This effect is most obvious for the oligomycin-suppressed and the endogenous respiration. The degree of uncoupling of non-incubated cells is 14%. During 24 h incubation it rises to 75%. Inorganic phosphate accelerates the increase of uncoupling during maturation. Reticulocytes of the 4th day of bleeding are characterized by a higher respiratory capacity and also by a higher rate of maturation of antimycin A-suppressed and endogenous respiration. The degree of uncoupling does not increase during maturation. This may be attributed to the low lipoxygenase activity of these cells. 25% of the endogenous oxygen consumption of unmatured cells are antimycin A-resistant. This type of respiration declines by 50% in 4 h incubation irrespective of inorganic phosphate concentrations and day of bleeding. In nitrogen all functional characteristics of respiration during the maturation decline more rapidly than in oxygen. The antimycin A-resistant respiration, however decreased more slowly and reached 50% after 12 h. A pH dependence of maturation (maximum at pH 8.4) was found for the endogenous and the antimycin A-suppressed respiration. The degree of uncoupling rises most quickly at pH 7.4. This is possibly related to the pH maximum of lipoxygenase.


Studies of assay conditions for macrophage migration from an agarose droplet. The agarose microdroplet method is a relatively simple and economic technique to determine migration inhibition of leukocytes or macrophages in vitro. In the present study, further cultural and technical requirements of this method for the determination of macrophage migration inhibition have been defined: influence of macrophage handling before the assay, kinetics of migration and dependence on the pH of the medium. Considering defined conditions, the agarose microdoplet assay gives highly reliable and reproducible results. In comparative experiments, it proved to be as sensitive and valid as the capillary tube technique.


Peroxidase activity in non-parenchymal cells isolated from rat liver: a cytochemical study. The cytochemical demonstration of endogenous peroxidase activity has been used as a marker for the Kupffer cells present in a heterogeneous population of non-parenchymal cells isolated from normal rat liver by perfusion and enzymatic digestion. Peroxidase activity was present in the cytoplasm of a greater proportion of cells than were activities of acid phosphatase and non-specific esterase. The value of endogeneous peroxidase as a marker for the Kupffer cell is discussed.


Psychotropic effect of antiepileptic drugs. Eighteen controlled studies investigating the psychotropic effect of anti-epileptic drugs are critically reviewed. The neurochemical evidence for existence of psychotropic properties is still speculative. It seems questionable on the basis of this survey that there exist genuine psychotropic effects of antiepileptic drugs, which are not related to antiepileptic efficacy and/or differences in toxicity.


Pharmacological reactions of the circular muscle of the guinea pig vas deferens. Pharmacological responses of spiral strips prepared from the guinea pig vas deferens to various adrenergic and cholinergic agonists and autacoids were studied. On the circular muscle alpha adrenergic, muscarinic cholinergic and histaminergic receptors were identified. The responses evoked on the circular and longitudinal muscles were of the same type.


Apoptosis. Its nature and implications for dermatopathology. Apoptosis is a distinctive mode of cell death with characteristic morphologic features which serves as a balance to mitosis in regulating the size of animal tissues. In contrast to coagulative necrosis, the cytologic features of apoptosis suggest active self-destructive rather than progressive disintegration. It typically affects scattered individual cells which condense and bud to produce many membrane-bounded fragments in which organelles appear intact when viewed by the electron microscope. These apoptotic bodies are then phagocytosed and digested by cells resident in the tissue. Apoptosis, unlike coagulative necrosis, does not itself evoke an inflammatory response. Apoptosis is a feature of such diverse processes as deletion of phylogenetic vestiges during normal embryonic development, involution of endocrine-dependent organs after withdrawal of trophic hormones, cell-mediated immune attack on tissues, and therapeutically induced regression of neoplasms. Apoptosis has received scant attention in dermatopathology. However, it is now known to be an important feature of lichen planus, certain drug eruptions, the skin lesions of graft-versus-host reactions, the regression of plane warts, and the effects of ultraviolet damage. It is also involved in the kinetics of cutaneous neoplasms. In some of these situations, apoptotic bodies have, in the past, been given names such as Civatte bodies, colloid bodies, single-cell necrobiosis, sunburn cells, and dyskeratotic cells without their basic nature having been recognized.


[Bacteriology of the atmosphere in microclimate tents]. Micro-climate tents (pulsed filtered air) are frequently used in burns departments. In the Surgical and Traumatological Intensive Care Unit of the Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care of the Henri Mondor Hospital, these tents are used in two types of indications: --placing of a tent over the head end of patients following tracheotomy with free spontaneous ventilation;--placing tents over irregular wounds. In these two categories of use, the aim is to isolate the zone under the tent by protecting it against secondary infection, but also to limit to this micro-climate any possible dissemination from the injured individual placed under the tent. Comparative study of the bacterial flora of the biotopes thus enclosed by micro-climate tents has been attempted.


[Factors responsible for post-operative infection]. Post-operative infection is often due to a combination of several factors. A decrease in immune defence processes represents the first factor. This is seen in situations such as malnutrition (undernourishment or obesity), alcoholism, diabetes, neoplasms, infections and old age. It may also be induced by therapy such as immunodepressants, antimitotic chemotherapy, corticosteroids and radiotherapy. Finally, certain antibiotics have been accused of reducing immune defences. The second factor responsible for infection is bacterial flora. Errors such as broad spectrum antibiotic therapy prescribed in the presence of unexplored fever, or changed repeatedly, are responsible for imbalance in the bacterial flora and the acquisition of resistance to antibiotics. These errors firstly increased the prevalence of infections and, secondly their severity and the difficulty of their treatment. The last factor responsible for infection is rupture of the natural barriers formed by the skin and mucosae. This is related on the one hand to surgery itself and, secondly, to the intensive care techniques surrounding the surgical act: venous catheterization above all, but also bladder catheterization, tracheal intubation, etc.


[Prevention of post-operative infection in heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation (apropos of 295 cases)]. From April 1977 to November 1978, 295 patients were operated on using artificial circulation. 31 p. 100 of these developed a post-operative infectious complication, 7.3 p. 100 being of a serious nature (3.3 p. 100 suffered from mediastinitis, and 4 p. 100 from septicaemia). The organisms responsible are, in the case of the mediastinal infections the staphylococcus Citreus, and Gram negative bacilli in the case of the septicaemias. A retrospective analysis shows that there are two successive periods and that in the course of the second there is a decrease in the occurence of all of the infections and particularly in the cases of mediastinitis. This improvment would seem on superficial analysis to correspond with a change in the preventive antibiotic treatment, the cephradine--gentamicin combination having replaced penicillin G. However, the statistical study shows that other factors were altered between the two periods (type of antiseptic, duration of treatments, time of postoperative intubation) and that these equally contributed to the fall in the incidence of infection. In the light of this study, it would seem that if prophylactic antibiotic treatment essentially directed against staphylococci has a place in cardiac surgery with artificial circulation, it can only be regarded as one of several preventive factors. The statistical data gathered so far is not sufficient to prove the efficacy of this treatment.


[Changes in erythrocyte lipids in severe septic states]. In cases of major sepsis the erythrocyte lipids undergo significant change especially when there is concomitant hepatic insufficiency and this in turn lead to alteration in the blood viscosity and very probably to the genesis of disorders of coagulation.


[2d-generation cephalosporins in the treatment of gram-negative superinfections]. The second generation cephalosporins are those drugs that are totally or partially resistant to betalactamases (cefamandole, cefuroxime) or the cephamycins (cefoxitine). This property allows them to destroy the enterobacteria resistant to cefalotine and they may have a place in the treatment of certain post-operative infections (abdominal, gynaecological, urinary) on their own or in combination with an aminoglycoside. They also may be of use in combination with an aminoglycoside in the management of secondary septicaemia infections. Outside of these indications which are dependent on the bacteriological findings, their use should be limited even when there is an absence of organisms that are Cefalotine sensitive on the antibiogram. This careful approach (which applies particularly for cefotaxine) may be abandoned once a certain quantity of resistant strains have emerged. For the time being, the second generation cephalosporins ought to be used only for specific indications, and as a general rule should not be first line antibiotic treatment.


[Undesirable effects of antibiotics].

[Undesirable effects of antibiotics]. A restatement of the principal mechanisms involved in the production of unwanted side-effects to antibiotics: immediate or delayed hypersensitivity immunological reactions; tissue toxicity (renal and liver parenchyma), damage to the bone marrow and the neurosensory system; interference with metabolism and drug interactions; the development of resistant strains and the risk of secondary infection. Principal unwanted effects associated with the preparation employed, with the organ involved and with the overall physiopathological state. Certain specific side-effects occur with some antibiotic combinations and following drug interactions.


[Infectious enterocolitis in intensive care patients fed by nasogastric tube]. Infectious enterocolitis sometimes spreads through intensive care units, the origin being contamination by "drips". A 9 month study concerning patients fed by nasogastric "drip" revealed 70 p. 100 of cases of severe diarrhea. Stool cultures confirmed the infectious origin of this diarrhea in 66 p. 100 cases. Virtually all of the suspect drip containers and fluids contained the organisms found in the stool culture, with a concentration of 10(6)-10(9) per ml/foodstuff. Enquiry revealed that contamination of these drips occurred above all in the kitchen at the time of preparation (poorly washed material, personnel often unaware of elementary hygiene). The great vulnérability of such intensive care patients predisposes them to infection of this type and the limit of danger for them is as low as 10(4) organisms per ml/foodstuff. Solutions concerning hygiene in preparation were tried with success (drips then containing only 50-100 organisms per ml/foodstuff.


[Results of a year's mycologic and immunologic surveillance of Candida in an intensive care ward]. Patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit must be considered to be exposed to a "high risk" in terms of candida infection. They often combine several of the factors favouring the development of "candida disease": generally deficient state, multiple antibiotics, iatrogenic or pathological immune depression. While certain patients who are admitted are already suffering from "candida infestation" (endogenous localization), the possibilities of exagenous infection are numerous. This study involved 63 patients spending at least one week in the department, from September 1977 to September 1978. Mycological (pharyngeal swab, urine culture, blood culture) and immunological (hemagglutination, immunoelectrophoresis, immunofluorescence) studies were carried out routinely on admission and then every week. Amongst the 63 patients studied, 12 were admitted with negative serology, which became positive during the first 10 days. 5 already had positive serology at the time of admission. From a mycological standpoint, the pharyngeal swab was frequently positive on admission (17 times out of 63). In 63 patients, the infection was acquired during the course of the hospital stay and, in this case, positive urine cultures were more regularly associated with a positive pharyngeal culture.


[Mortality factors in infectious diseases in a surgical intensive care unit]. Among 350 patients admitted to a surgical intensive care unit between 1.1.77 and 31.9.77, their profile and septic course being defined, two populations were studied: -- the first involved 49 patients dying of infection during their stay in the department; -- the second involved 132 patients developing a non lethal infectious syndrome. Comparative study of these two patients groups made it easier to understand why, in the same department and apparently with the same kind of care, certain patients die of infection and others do not. It was thus attempted to demonstrate certain difference between the two groups in terms of biometric data, predictable risk factors, the type of underlying pathology and the nature and course of the infectious process. Finally, the role played by the intensive care unit in the onset of these deaths of infectious cause is considered.


[Epidemiology of infections on a thoracic surgery service]. The aim of the present work is to discover the origin of the post-operative infections presented by certain patients following surgery for pulmonary exeresis in a surgical unit that deals both with thoracic and general surgical patients (most commonly cancer surgery). A prospective epidaemiological investigation of 54 pulmonary cases was thus undertaken, lasting for a period of 6 months. This consisted in obtaining multiple microbiological specimens from the patient himself, but also from the patient's environment and from the hospital staff (more than 1000 specimens were examined). The study begins at the stage of entry of the patient to the hospital department and follows him through the operation theatre stage and the post-operative period in the intensive care unit. In the intensive care unit the patients will come into contact with other patients who have been admitted urgently. These cases may or may not be of a pulmonary nature. Among the 54 subjects studied, 19 presented with infectious post-operative complications that led to 2 deaths. In 9 cases the infection was due to auto-contamination. It would appear that the environment plays a very small rôle as a factor leading to the development of post-operative infection since very few of the specimens taken were postive and usually the staphylococci were of various different lysotypes and never corresponding to the lysotype of the infective organism. Some predisposing factors to infection were demonstrated: an association with alcoholism and chronic bronchitis, pre-operatory bronchial suppuration, and widespread pulmonary exeresis was found.


[Nature and antibiotic resistance of bacteria encountered in an intensive care unit. Computerized study based on 422 antibiograms]. A computer analysis of 422 sheets of data from antibiograms performed on 146 patients in a resuscitation unit of multipurpose type, was performed. The study comprises the investigation of the nature of the isolated bacteria and the resistance of the organisms to antibiotics alone or in combinations. The results obtained show on the one hand, that there is a development over time of resistance to antibiotics and a change in the nature of the bacteria, and on the other, that a precise knowledge of the bacteriological data concerning a given department enables the intiation of treatment before having the antibiogram results with an increased chance of efficacy. The importance of such a study is controversial.


[Bacterial flora of 241 patients in an intensive care service]. The investigators performed an epidaemiological study of 260 patients in intensive care and identified the causal organisms by the obtaining of various specimens: tracheobronchial, urinary, blood cultures and catheter samples. By means of these specimens, they attempted to effectuate counts for each patient and the compare each month the patients definitely infected with the infections presented by the new patients. This study attempts to demonstrate the frequency of infections of the same kind when the intensive care unit consists of a single ward without separation of the patients and where the hospital staff treat all the patients in the unit in turn.


[Bacteriological survey of the surgical and traumatology intensive care service at the Henri Mondor Hospital]. --A purely bacteriological presentation of the information on the infections of 567 patients hospitalized for 18 months (January 1977 to the end of 1978) in a resuscitation unit for cases of trauma. -- 975 organisms were isolated and identified. 75 p. 100 Gram negative bacilli. -- The various specimens are analysed. Lung infections were present in: 54.6 p. 100 -- urinary infections are rare, giving rise to 10 p. 100. One remarks the low number of septicaemias, only 29 or 5 p. 100 of those hospitalized compared with the 942 vascular catheters that were introduced and all bacteriologically tested.


[The Davenport diagram and the international system of units]. The implantation of the international system of units in medical science leads to revising the Davenport diagram. This diagram has been widely used for 20 years as a system displaying the variations in acid-base equilibrium. In order to conserve its familiar aspect the coordinates are: a pH abscissa complete with a scale of H+ ion concentrations (nmol.l-1) and an ordinate using real plasma HCO-3 concentrations. The isobars of PCO2 are reconstructed for whole and semi-whole kilopascal values (kPa). The real plasma buffer lines are reconstructed for 3, 6 and 9 n.mmol.-1 of monomeric hemoglobin which are the nearest whole values of 5, 10 and 15 g of Hb/100 ml. The diagram is calculated for 37 degrees C and the constants used for pK' and aCO2 are the most recently suggested values.


[Modification of curarization after acute administration of 2 antiepileptic drugs]. In rats anaesthetised with sodium pentobarbital the previous administration of a single dose of an anti-epileptic agent (carbamazepine or sodium valproate) significantly increases the curarising action of two short-action curare-like agents--pancuronium bromide and fazadinium bromide. It seems that this potentialisation of curare action might be the result of either a pharmacokinetic interference (competion for plasma protisen receptor sites), or due to a summation of depressor actions at the neuromuscular level, especially through changes in the levels of GABA and/or cAMP.


[Neonatal consequences of cesarean section on the presumably healthy infant]. The authors studied the effects on the child of 196 caesarian sections performed in the absence of foetal distress. The following were noted for each child: the time before the first cry, the Apgar score, pH and the need or not for resuscitation techniques. Each feature was studied in terms of different factors: foetal, obstetric, anaesthetic and surgical. The conclusions were as follows: caesarian section, which remains the best means of preventing obstetric trauma, has its own direct complications which are linked to the conditions in which the operation takes place. These can be reduced to a minimum or even completely suppressed if the caesarian section is performed under ideal conditions: few or no depressant drugs before the operation (the use of diazepam for induction should be abandoned); inclined position of 15 degrees, even of the mother has never suffered from utero-caval syndrome and if possible on a heated mattress; extraction of the infant between the 5th and 15th minutes; finally, and above all, prior labour is desirable whenever obstetric conditions permit.


[New non-volumetric method for estimating peroperative blood loss]. The authors have developed a new method for the estimation of peroperative blood loss by measurement of the haematocrit of a fluid obtained by diluting the blood from swabs in a known volume of isotonic saline solution. This value, referred to a monogram, may be used to assess the volume of blood impregnating the compresses, in relation to the pre-operative or present haematocrit of the patient, by direct reading. The precision of the method is discussed. The results obtained justified its routine application in surgery in children, patients with cardiac failure and in all cases requiring precise compensation of per-operative blood loss.


[Comparison of postoperative blood cortisol levels after neuroleptanalgesia and extradural anesthesia]. Postoperative plasma cortisol levels were measured in two series of surgical patients who had undergone a gynaecological operation, with respectively 17 and 16 subjects. Samples were drawn on D0 6pm, D1 8am, D2 8am and D3 8 am. A reference sample had been taken before the premedication on D0 at 8 am. The first series had been anaesthetised using a dextromoramidedroperidol type neuroleptanalgesia followed by postoperative analgesia by a noramidopyrine compound. The second series required epidural anaesthesia followed by postoperative analgesia by the injection of lidocaine at constant rate, interrupted between the last two samples. In the neuroleptanalgesia group: from a basal level of 470 nmol.l-1, plasma cortisol rose to 800 nmol.l-1 (p less than 0.01) on D0 at 6 pm to subsequently remain on a plateau between 500 and 550 nmol.l-1 (NS) within the normal physiological limits for the laboratory. In the epidural group, from a basal level of 420 nmol.l-1, plasma cortisol rose to 1000 nmol.l-1 (p less than 0.01) to return to basal levels only on D3: 450 nmol.l-1 (NS) with intermediate values of 700 and 630 nmol.l-1 (respectively: p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.05). Statistical comparison between the two groups showed that the increase in cortisol in the epidural group in relation to the other was significant throughout the period of administration of lidocaine at constant flow rate: p less than 0.05 on D0 at 6pm, D1 and D2. The results are discussed.


[Heatstroke among psychiatric patients under neuroleptic therapy. Apropos of 2 fatal cases]. Heat stroke is uncommon in temperate climates but may be favourised by drug treatment. A report of two cases of fatal hyperthermia occuring in patients treated with neuroleptic drugs and during a heat wave is followed by a discussion of the characteristics which may be used to differentiate heat stroke from the hyperthermia of malignant twenty cases. It indicated that high degree of severity of this type of heat stroke, in great part related to the high prevalence of massive inhalation. The action of neuroleptics is very probably central by an effect upon the thermostat and also by changes in behaviour. The role of associated anti-parkinsonian agents is discussed. A review of treatment emphasises its difficulties.


[Clinical study of massive transfusions (108 cases)]. Amongst 108 surgical patients receiving massive transfusions, 60 died. Study of the aetiology of the haemorrhage, the circumstances of the transfusion, and the role of massive transfusions in the transmission of infectious diseases, disturbances in haemostasis, immunological, respiratory and metabolic complications led to the determination of certain simple criteria of gravity which may restrict their use:age over 60 years; the number of units used, if it exceeds 30; the existence of cirrhosis, of an acute lesion as the source of bleeding, or of peroperative haemorrhage. By contrast, the transmission of hepatitis, coagulation disturbances, immediate or delayed incompatibility accidents and variations in pH, blood potassium and calcium levels and arterial pO2 had little influence on mortality.


[P50 and stored blood (+4 degrees C and -80 degrees C). In vitro studies]. The authors studied the hemoglobin oxygen affinity (P50) and the 2,3 diphospho-glycerate (2,3-DPG) level in: 33 samples of total stored blood (ACD medium); 14 samples of the same blood after mixing with a solution including inosine, pyruvate, phosphate (I.P.P.); 9 samples of freezed erythrocytes. The increase of the hemoglobin oxygen affinity, associated with a decrease of the 2,3-DPG level appears to be very fast in the samples of ACD stored blood since two hours after sampling, the P50 decrease was of 4 torr. Exposure to the I.P.P. solution (1 H at 37 degrees C), caused the hemoglobin oxygen affinity and the 2,3-DPG concentration to return to their normal values (P50 = 25.4 torr +/- 0.4 torr); 2,3-DPG = 15.6 +/- 0.9 muM.gHb-1). When freezed red blood cells, were defreezed the P50 was found to be 4 torr lower than that of fresh blood and the 2,3-DPG level was also decreased (-4.1 muM.gHb-1). These decreases are probably related to the delay which occurred between blood sampling and freezing.


Properties and function of fumarate reductase (NADH) in Streptococcus lactis. The fumarate reductase (NADH) present in cell-free extracts of S. lactis C10 was purified approximately 100-fed by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose in the presence of the non-ionic detergent Teric X-10, and some of the properties of this partially purified enzyme were characterized. Fumarate was able to act as a terminal electron acceptor and decreased the amount of lactate formed and oxygen used during the metabolism of pyruvate by resting cells of S. lactis. Anaerobic growth of S. lactis on glycerol was not observed and fumarate reduction was not coupled with glycerol-3-phosphate oxidation.


[The action of cyclic somatostatin on hypoglycemia due to prolonged fasting in normal animals]. The authors have examined the action of cyclic Somatostatin on blood glucose levels in normal rats and in rats starved for 36 and 50 hours. The infusion of 0,235 gamma/min. of Somatostatin for thirty minutes in the normals induced a slight increase in blood glucose levels that was statistically non significative. Under the same condition, the cyclic Somatostatin increased, in a statistically significant way, the levels of plasma glucose in both starved groups of rats.


[Changes of the biohumoral picture in alcoholic hepatopathy treated with thiazolidinecarboxylate of arginine]. In 28 patients suffering from alcoholic well compensated hepatopathy, different laboratory parameters have been controlled before and after treatment with arginine thiazolidinecarboxylate, i.v. a the daily dose of 800 mg for 7-10 days. The compartmental analysis showed that the improvement in the BSF clearance is mainly due to a reduction in the "regurgitation fraction" and therefore to an improvement or restoration of the processes of conjugation, binding and transferring of the dye in the liver cells. A significant increase in platelets and an equally significant decrease in bilirubinemia, gamma GT, OCT, GOT and alkaline phosphatase were reported. Such variations might be at any rate due to the sole alcohol abstinence. The observed increase in transferrin, haptoglobin and albumin cannot be reported to the sole abstinence, but must be considered as consequence of the pharmacological influence, of arginine thiazolidinecarboxylate on the protidosynthetic activities of the liver.


[Effect of cyclic somatostatin on ethanol-induced hypoglycemia]. The authors examined the activity of the cyclic Somatostatin on Ethanol hypoglycemia. While the peptide is capable of increasing the plasma glucose levels of hypoglicemia starved rats, it does not increase the levels of plasma glucose in normal rats under the action of ethanol perfusion.


Sequestration of adenosine in crude extract from mouse liver and other tissues. Adenosine (1 microM) was incubated in the presence of dialyzed crude tissue extract from mouse liver and its degradation determined. At high concentration of tissue extract, a fraction of adenosine was not metabolized. This phenomenon, termed sequestration of adenosine, was shown to be affected in the same way by the same factors (pH, salt, reducing agent and adenine) as those affecting the protection of adenosine against deamination in the presence of the purified cyclic AMP-adenosine binding protein/S-adenosylhomocysteinase from mouse liver (Saebø, J. and Ueland, P.M. (1979) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 587, 333--340). These data point to a role of this protein in the sequestration of adenosine in crude extract. The sequestration potency in crude extract could be determined by diluting the extract in the presence of a constant amount of adenosine deaminase added to the tissue extract. Under these conditions there was linearity of adenosine not available for degradation versus the concentration of tissue extract, and a total recovery of the sequestration potency of purified binding protein added to the crude extract was observed. The tissue level of the cyclic AMP-adenosine binding protein/S-adenosylhomocysteinase in mouse liver was determined by two independent procedures based on the sequestration of adenosine and the hydrolysis of S-adenosylhomocysteine, respectively. The intracellular concentration was calculated to be 10 microM. The sequestration of adenosine in crude extract from mouse, rat, rabbit and bovine tissues was determined and showed requirements similar to those of the sequestration in mouse liver extract. The ability to sequester adenosine was high in liver and decreased in the following order: liver, kidney, adrenal cortex, brain, uterus, cardiac and skeletal muscle.


Heterotopic development of DMBA subcutaneous sarcoma in rats. In gonadectomized and totally or partially criptorchid rats, subcutaneous inoculation of 0,5 mg of DMBA often determines the development of sarcomas at variable, sometimes marked, distances from the site of inoculation. The phenomenon is exhibited maximally in rats subjected to unilateral cryptorchidism or to unilateral gonadectomy; in minimal measure in those subjected to bilateral gonadectomy. It is not exhibited in the intact animals. The Authors, though presenting several hypotheses, are not able to furnish a satisfactory explanation of the phenomenon.


Molecular mechanisms of olfactory reception. IV. Some biochemical characteristics of the camphor receptor from rat olfactory epithelium. Some parameters of the receptor element from the rat olfactory epithelium are evaluated; it is characterized by high affinity for camphor (KD = 1.5. x 10(-9) M). Triton X-100 has no marked effect on the binding of [3H]camphor. Neither RNAase nor phospholipase C affected [3H]camphor-binding activity. Pronase and trypsin abolished [3H]camphor binding activity by 65 and 40%, respectively. Sulfhydryl reagents decrease the binding of [3H]camphor by a factor of 5--8. The isoelectric point of the receptor solubilized with Triton X-100 is 4.8, as determined by isoelectric focusing. The molecular weight of the receptor as determined by gel electrophoresis is about 120 000. It is proposed that the camphor receptor is a membrane protein containing sulfhydryl groups and playing a key role in olfactory reception.


The pH dependence of the reactions of flavin triplet states with amino acids. A laser flash photolysis study. The pH dependence of the rate constants of reaction of several amino acids with the triplet states of flavin mononucleotide in aqueous solution has been determined. In addition, the relative contributions of hydrogen atom transfer, electron transfer and physical deactivation to the overall process of triplet quenching by amino acids have been estimated. Analogous experiments to those with amino acids were carried out with EDTA as the substrate. The results indicate that the flavin triplet state abstracts an electron from EDTA but does not form an excited state flavin-EDTA complex as suggested in a previous study.


Some properties of lipase from Geotrichum asteroides. The optimal conditions for the manifestation of the lipase activity of an enzyme preparation from the culture liquid of the fungus Geotrichum asteroides were determined. It was found that the rate of hydrolysis depends on the substrate concentration, the enzyme concentration, and the reaction time. The lipase from G. asteroids is rather stable--it loses practically no activity in a year at 4 degrees C. The temperature optimum of the enzyme preparation is 37 degrees. The lipase from G. asteroides is most active at pH 8.0; it retains its activity when kept for 3 h in a reaction medium with a pH from 3 to 10.


In vitro Dimroth rearrangement of 1-(2-carboxyethyl) adenine to N6-(2-carboxyethyl)adenine in single-stranded calf thymus DNA. The new adduct N6-(2-carboxyethyl)adenine (N6-CEA) was prepared from 1-(2-carboxyethyl)adenine (1-CEA) by base catalyzed (Dimroth) rearrangement of 1-CEA. The structure of N6-CEA was assigned on the basis of UV spectra and electron impact and isobutane chemical ionization mass spectra. When the carcinogen beta-propiolactone was reacted in vitro with calf thymus DNA, 1-CEA but not N6-CEA was detected on paper chromatograms following acid hydrolysis of the DNA. When BPL-reacted single-stranded DNA was incubated at pH 11.7 (37 degrees C, 18 h) prior to acid hydrolysis, it was found that 1-CEA was completely converted to N6-CEA in DNA by Dimroth rearrangement, whereas no conversion occurred at pH 7.5. The extent of Dimroth rearrangement at various pHs and temperatures was determined for 1-CEA, 1-methyladenine (1-MeA), 1-(2-carboxyethyl)-deoxyadenosine-5'-monophosphoric acid (1-CEdAdo5'P) and the phosphodiester 5'-O-(2-carboxyethyl)phosphono-1-(2-carboxyethyl)deoxyadenosine (1-CE-Ado-5'-P-CE).


Loss of nitrogen by denitrification.

Loss of nitrogen by denitrification. A series of experiments showed the quantity and composition of nitrogen lost in gaseous form from fertilizers in soil is largely determined by the conditions of denitrification. Loss of nitrogen from ammonium sulfate or calcium nitrate was mainly through the release of nitrous oxide and molecular nitrogen, while nitrogen was released from sodium nitrite in the form of nitric oxide. Under anaerobic conditions and at neutral soil pH in the presence of glucose, the more reduced gaseous forms of nitrogen were released. However, the oxides of nitrogen predominated under conditions unfavorable for denitrification. The nitrogen oxides were not the terminal products of nitrogen conversion (nitrates and nitrites). By a process of dissimilation, the nitrogen oxides acted as electron acceptors for microorganisms, being converted to N2O and N2. The reduction of NO generally led to the formation of N2O as an intermediate, and depended on pH, aeration, and the presence of an energy source for the denitrifying organisms.


New aspects of glutathione metabolism and translocation in mammals. An appreciable fraction of the sulphur present in the mammal occurs in the form of glutathione, whose concentration in various tissues ranges from about 0.8 to about 8 mM; the extracellular concentration of glutatione (largely present as the disulphide) is in the micromolecular range. The synthesis of glutathione and its utilization take place by the reactions of the gamma-glutamyl cycle, which include those catalysed by gamma-glutamylcysteine and glutathione synthetases, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, cysteinylglycinase, gamma-glutamyl cyclotransferease, and 5-oxoprolinase. gamma-Glutamyl transpeptidase catalyses transpeptidation (with amino acids and dipeptides) and hydrolysis reactions with both blutathione and its disulphide. The transpeptidase is membrane-boudn, apparently to the outer surface of the cell, and is found in certain epithelial cells in anatomical sites that are involved in transport and secretory activities (e.g., renal tubule, jejunal villi, choroid plexus, ciliary body). Evidence that the reactions of the gamma-glutamyl cycle take place in vivo has come from studies with labelled metabolites and selective enzyme inhibitors, and on inborn errors of metabolism associated with specific enzyme deficiencies. Inhibition in vivo of gamma-glutamyl cyclotransferase and 5-oxoprolinase leads, respectively, to decreased and increased renal levels of 5-oxoproline. Administration of a specific inhibitor of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase, such as buthionine sulphoximine, leads to a rapid decline in the glutamylcysteine synthetase, such as buthionine sulphoximine, leads to a rapid decline in the glutathione level of the kidney and other tissues, reflecting the appreciable rate of glutathione utilization. When gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase is inhibited in vivo by injection of L- or D-gamma-glutamyl-(o-carboxy)phenylhydrazide, there is extensive glutathionuria and the blood plasma level of glutathione increases. Studies in which inhibitors of glutathione synthesis and transpeptidation were given to mice showed that transport of intracellular glutathione to membrane-bound transpeptidase is a discrete step in the gamma-glutamyl cycle, and that the level of plasma glutatione reflects (a) synthesis of glutathione and its export by liver, muscle, and other tissues and (b) utilization of glutatione by kidney and other tissues. Studies on several lymphoid cell lines show that these cells also actively translocate glutathione out of the cell. A summary scheme is given for the metabolism of glutathione in which glutathione is translocated to the cell membrane where it may be utilized as such or oxidized to glutathione disulphide. Oxidation is inhibited, and transpeptidation is promoted by the presence of amino acids that are substrates of the transpeptidase. Glutathione exported from cells that have membrane-bound transpeptidase may be recovered by the cell transport of gamma-glutamyl amino acids and free amino acids...


Sulphatase A: an arylsulphatase and a glycosulphatase. Sulphatase A was first described as an arylsulphatase but was subsequently shown to have cerebroside sulphatase activity, bydrolysing galactose 3-sulphate residues in certain lipids. A characteristic feature of the arylsulphatase activity is the substrate-induced inactivation of the enzyme which occurs during the catalytic reaction. Present views of the course of this modification are considered. A similar modification of the enzyme does not occur during the cerebroside sulphatase reaction and the fall in velocity noted during most such assays can be explained by disappearance of substrate and accumulation of sulphate. Possible reasons for the difference between the two types of activity are considered. Sulphatase A also hydrolyses hexose sulphates at rates comparable to those of aryl sulphates. The specificity of sulphatase A towards its natural substrates, sulpholipids, is considered in the light of these findings.


[The role of renin after betablocking diuretic and vasodilator treatment in essential hypertension (author's transl)]. Ten patients affected by essential moderate or severe hypertension were given five sequential treatments, each for three weeks: 1) placebo, 2) chlorthalidone (Cl) 100 mg daily, 3) Cl 50 mg + oxprenolol slow release (Ox) 160 mg daily, 4) Ox 160 mg and 5) Ox 320 mg daily. Four subjects poor responders (DPB greater than or equal to 110 mmHg) received a later administration of Ox 160 + Cl 50 + hydrallazine (Hydr) 25-100 mg daily. Both groups of patients showed the greatest antihypertensive action with Ox 160 + Cl 50 mg daily. Oxprenolol induced a similar hypotensive effectiveness at 160, as well as 320 mg/day. Relationship between plasma renin activity (PRA) values and antihypertensive response to each treatment takes the following conclusions: 1) Basal PRA levels cannot be a guide for preferential choice of diuretic or betablocking therapy. 2) It is likely that renin activated by Cl and Hydr partially blunts their hypotensive activity. On the contrary, essential hypertension with normal or low PRA does not seem depending on angiogensinogenic factors. 3) Oxprenolol remarkably inhibits the overreninism induced by chlorthalidone and hydrallazine, in such way increasing their antihypertensive action. 4) In the management of essential moderate or severe hypertension is preferable to employ a mild dosage of betablockers and diuretics, rather than use higher doses of a single agent.


[Hypereosinophilic syndrome. Centrifugal annular erythema as an initial manifestation]. Several closely related conditions make up the idopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by persistent and prolonged eosinophilia. The most frequent lesions are in the hematologic, neurologic and gastrointestinal systems. A case is reported in which the initial complaint was an erythema annulare centrifugum.


The effect of dietary vitamin E on indomethacin stimulated chemiluminescense in rat liver microsomes. Peroxidation of endogenous lipid by rat liver microsomes, coupled with oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) was markedly stimulated in the presence of indomethacin [1-(p-chlorobenzyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-3-indole acetic acid], a potent anti-inflammatory drug. This system also generated a rapidly developed chemiluminescense (CL), the intensity and rate of development of which were related to indomethacin concentration and the amount of peroxidation in the sample. Microsomes from rats fed a liquid diet based on Sego diet drink (Pet Incorporated) failed to chemiluminesce with or without added indomethacin. Supplementation of the Sego diet with a polyunsaturated fatty acid (C18:3) did not restore the chemiluminescense. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that vitamin E (a component of the Sego liquid diet) inhibited the microsomal chemiluminescense reaction in a dose related manner.


Is a slow reacting substance-like compound involved in rat platelet agglutination. Endoperoxide analogs at doses 100-fold higher than those required to aggregate human platelet-rich plasma (PRP), were ineffective on rat PRP. Indomethacin (20 microM) and imidazole did not affect arachidonate-induced aggregation of rat PRP. On the other hand, prostaglandin (PG) E1 inhibited aggregation at doses similar to those effective on human PRP, while high doses of PGI2 failed to inhibit arachidonate aggregation in the rat. Eicosatetraynoic acid (10 microgram) blocked the second phase of aggregation; the Ca2+-ionophore A 23187 potentiated the arachidonate effect. Thus, it appears that endoperoxides or thromboxane A2 may not be involved in rat platelet aggregation and that the formation of aggregants from arachidonate shares many properties with the biosynthesis of slow reacting substance, a metabolite of arachidonic acid containing a sulphate group. To test this, rat PRP was incubated with labeled sulphate and aggregated with arachidonate. After column and thin layer chromatography a labeled lipid was identified having a mobility higher than phospholipids but lower than PGF2 alpha. Treatment with arylsulphatase decreased radioactivity by at least 70%.


Rapid test for screening of narcotic analgesics in mice. 50 microliter of a solution of 0.35 N NH4OH containing 2.325% EDTA and 0.837% NaCl injected intradermally in mice elicited reproducible short term behavior typical for nociceptive stimulus. This behavior was inhibited specifically by narcotic analgesics. This procedure may be used as a specific test for screening and for dose--effect studies of narcotic analgetic drugs in mice.


Experimental extracorporeal haemabsorption in the post-resuscitation period in dogs. Experimental extracorporeal haemabsorption in dogs, administered in the post-resuscitation period after cardiac arrest due to electro-trauma, improved the blood chemistry and diminished the acidosis considerably.


[Medico-veterinary importance of mosquitoes in Cuba]. Cuban mosquitoes are an important factor in the transmission of both viral and protozoal and helminthic diseases. Eighteen species which have transmitted or are potential transmissors of different agents causing diseases in man or in domestic animals are reported in this paper. Sixteen illustrations of the mosquito species with a highest significance in Cuba are enclosed to the paper for their better identification.


Multiple endocrine neoplasia: Part I. Wermer's syndrome. Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type I is a genetically inherited disorder which predominantly involves the parathyroid and pituitary glands and pancreatic islets. Symptoms relevant to each endocrine gland may be present individually or in combination, since the tumours or hyperplasia can occur either synchronously or alone. Measurement of plasma hormone levels, endocrine function tests and radiological examination are necessary to make the diagnosis. Resection of the affected glands or treatment with specific pharmacotherapy is required for control of the disease. Long-term follow-up examination is vital to detect the appearance of lesions in other endocrine glands or the development of metastases. Screening of relatives and genetic counselling are important in the management of affected families.


Diagnostic and therapeutic problems of polyarteritis nodosa. Eleven patients with a diagnosis of polyarteritis nodosa were seen over an 8-year period in Cape Town, and evaluated as to clinical presentation, the most effective diagnostic approach, and the response to therapy. The major features of fever, abdominal pain, peripheral neuritis, myalgia/arthralgia, weight loss, proteinuria, positive urinary sediment and high white blood cell count should readily lead to the diagnosis which can be confirmed by multiple muscle biopsies. At the same time an ellipse of skin and subcutaneous fat can be taken. If the diagnosis is made early enough, an aggressive approach to therapy with steroid and immunosuppressive drugs can induce a response even in those patients who already have renal failure.


Prifinium bromide - a new antispasmodic. A new antispasmodic, prifinium bromide (Riabal; Intal Ethicals) has been evaluated clinically and found to be most effective in the therapy of spastic and inco-ordinated lesions of the oesophagus.


Suppression of uterine activity with salbutamol before caesarean section. In 32 patients undergoing emergency intrapartum caesarean section labour was suppressed with 250 micrograms salbutamol. The biochemical status of the neonates was compared with that of 15 controls. The initial results did not demonstrate a major difference between the two groups, but when only proven cases of fetal distress (H less than 7,25) in the two groups were compared, a significant improvement in the PO, pH and base deficit values in the umbilical vein as well as in the PO2 and pH values in the umbilical artery was noted in the group which had been given salbutamol. No major maternal side-effects were noted and this, together with the simplicity of the regimen, makes it a valuable temporizing measure in such cases.


Danger of haemodialysis using acetate dialysate in combination with a large surface area dialyser. Large surface area, high mass transfer dialysers have recently come into widespread use, and it has been shown that they promote the loss of large amounts of bicarbonate when acetate is used in the dialysate. The present study was designed to confirm these metabolic consequences and quantitatively to compare two commonly used dialysers in this respect. Simultaneous measurement of arterial and venous blood gases has shown that there is a significant reduction in bicarbonate, carbon dioxide tension, and pH of blood returning to the patient from the dialyser. These changes were greatest with the 2,5-m2 hollow-fibre dialyser, and least with the 1,4-m2 coil dialyser. In the chronic dialysis patient in a steady state, these effects may be inconsequential but, in an acutely ill patient, the combination of a dialysate containing acetate and a high-efficiency dialyser may be extremely hazardous. A return to the use of bicarbonate as the source of base would avoid such hazards and would promote the more physiological correction of the metabolic acidosis of renal failure.


An analysis of a continuing medical education questionnaire sent to psychiatrists in the Southern Transvaal. The problem of continuing medical education (CME) for psychiatrists was studied by questionnaire. Of the 16 out of 40 people who responded, all felt CME was necessary and most favoured symposia, lectures and congresses. While nearly everyone read journals in psychiatric and non-psychiatric fields, group journal reviews as a form of CME were categorically rejected. Most respondents are prepared to contribute time and effort. The implications of CME are discussed, and the need for further research is emphasized.