[Use of the systems approach in modeling the growth dynamics of a microbial biomass taking into account the cell division process]. The possibility of using systemic approach in the construction of the mathematical model allowing for changes in the biomass and the number of cells is shown. Definite rules were followed in the process of construction, calculations were made with the use of a computer. The satisfactory coincidence of rated and experimental data was achieved (in this instance, E. coli M17 were used).


[State of the nonspecific humoral factors of the body's natural resistance in patients with suppurative and septic infections having various ABO system blood groups]. The results of surveying 140 patients with severe purulent and septic infections of staphylococcal etiology, when compared with the distribution of the blood groups (as classified according to the ABO system) in 180 healthy donors, revealed that generalized purulent infections occurred most frequently in patients with blood groups A (II) and AB (IV), and more seldom in patients with blood groups O (I) and B (III). The average content of lysozyme, complement and normal antibodies to E. coli, as well as the average level of general bactericidal activity in the blood sera of the patients were considerably lower than in the blood sera of healthy donors; at the same time content of lysozyme, complement and normal antibodies in the blood sera of patients having different groups of blood did not reflect the degree of their predisposition or resistance to staphylococcal infections. The general bactericidal activity of the blood serum was found to correlate with the degree of predisposition or resistance to purulent septic infections of staphylococcal etiology to a greater extent than other characteristics.


Ontogenesis of the LH-RH-containing neuronal elements in the hypothalamus of the rat. LH-RH-containing neuronal elements were detected earliest in the median eminence and in the vascular organ of the lamina terminalis of newborn rats. The peroxidase-labeled antibody method was used. Since the synthesis of the gonadotrophic hormones starts already on the 18th day of intrauterine life in the rat, this finding does not support the view that LH-RH could have inductive effect on the differentiation of the gonadotropic cells of the anterior pituitary gland.


[Small angle X-ray scattering studies on the structure and symmetry of yeast pyruvate decarboxylase in solution]. The holo-enzyme of the pyruvate decarboxylase EC 4.1.1.1 isolated from brewer's yeast was studied by small-angle X-ray scattering. The point-group symmetry 222 deduced from electron microscopic investigations was confirmed for molecules in solution. The best approximation of the overall shape of the enzyme was reached by an homogeneous triaxial ellipsoid, with the half-axes of a = 2.47 nm, b = 5.08 nm and c = 8.0 nm. The ellipsoid is halved vertical to the a-axis, and both halves are turned from each other by about 30 degrees. As an explanation of the existence of four binding sites for Mg2+ and thiamine pyrophosphate on the dimeric molecule the hypothesis of a gene duplication is discussed.


[Analysis of coordinate systems of intracerebral structures and optimization of sterotaxic computations for the posterior longitudinal approach to the hippocampus]. In studying the three-dimensional interrelationship of the thalamic and temporal systems of co-ordinates it was proved that one of them cannot be used in calculating the stereotaxic co-ordinates of structures associated with the other. In combined stereotaxic operations it is necessary to construct combined independent systems of co-ordinates. The possibility of exact construction of the co-ordinate systems of intracerebral structures depends to a great measure on the positive contrasting of the ventricular system.


[Comparison between single-radial-hemolysis-test and indirect fluorescence-antibody-test for the serological diagnosis of influenza]. Two serological methods for the diagnosis of influenza were tested with sera of guinea pigs and compared. Up to now, both methods have only rarely been used in the diagnosis of influenza. The methods proved to be well reproducible and suitable for routine investigations. Correlation between antibody titres measured by SRH and FAT give a correlation coefficient of v = 0.75. The possible IgG-specificity of the SRH, indicated in the literature, is reported.


Tinea versicolor and Pityrosporum orbiculare: mycological investigations, experimental infections and epidemiological surveys. In patients with tinea versicolor, Pityrosporum orbiculare was cultured from tinea versicolor lesions in 100%, from normal-looking skin in 80%, and from apparently healed lesions in 69%. P. orbiculare was isolated from normal skin in 85% of patients with seborrheic dermatitis and in 90% of volunteers. The best substrate for isolation of P. orbiculare was a peptone-glucose-yeast extract medium containing glycerol monostearate and Tween 80, overlaid with olive oil. Germ tubes were produced when P. orbiculare was incubated in an atmosphere containing air with 7% CO2. Cultures of P. orbiculare and P. ovale did not show any fluorescence in Wood's light. The in vitro activity of miconazole, clotrimazole, econazole, sodium omadine, and sodium thiosulphate against P. orbiculare was found to correlate to the good clinical effect of these drugs in tinea versicolor. In addition several substances used as solvents or in vehicles had an inhibitory activity against P. orbiculare in vitro. Inoculation with P. orbiculare under plastic occlusion on the glabrous follicle-rich inside of the rabbit ear resulted in a tinea versicolor-like lesion after I week in 3 of 4 animals. One week after inoculation with P. orbiculare under plastic occlusion, experimental infections similar to those found clinically in tinea versicolor were seen in 10 of 12 patients with a history of tinea versicolor and in 3 of 6 normal volunteers. It was not possible to produce experimental infections without occlusion. Spontaneous healing usually occurred. In a retrospective study of 232 patients and prospective survey of 48 patients regarding susceptibility factors in tinea versicolor a higher (10.4%) than expected (3.8%) connection to seborrheic dermatitis was found.


[The McVay technic for inguinal hernia cure. Results of treatment in a teaching center (author's transl)]. Over a 20 year period 390 adults underwent 454 operations for inguinal hernia using the technique of McVay. The recurrence rate after primary repair was 7.61% and 18.33% for secondary hernias. This was usually early in the postoperative period. These results must be interpreted taking into a ccount that the operations were performed at a teaching institution.


[Documentation of arrhythmias - the value of long-term ECG monitoring]. Computer-supported long-term ECG-analysis, must be considered as complementary to other methods of documentation concerning arrhythmias. With the introduction of computers in the last several years, exact quantification and qualification of arrhythmias, over long monitoring periods, has become possible. With this method diverse forms of documentation and data presentation enhance its value of information and increase plausibility. Major indications for long-term ECG-monitoring of ambulatory patients are detection of occult arrhythmias, evaluation of subjective symptoms such as dizziness or syncope, recognition of pacemaker dysfunctions, selection of patients with coronary heart disease at high risk and evaluation as well as control of the efficacy of antiarrhythmic therapy.


Does the history of multiple sclerosis go back as far as the 14th century? A number of documents written before or shortly after the death of St. Lidwina of Schiedam (1380-1433) surprised us by their very accurate description of symptoms which for the most part correspond to the clinical criteria prevailing nowadays for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. These could be the oldest known documents, describing a case of multiple sclerosis.


Cytostatic and phagocytic capacity of lymphokine-activated human monocytes. Human monocytes were rendered cytostatic to the human cell line NHIK 3025 by exposure to lymphokine supernatants (LS) from BCG-stimulated lymphocytes. Exposure to LS for 1, 2 and 4 h induced a considerable cytostatic capacity in the monocytes. However, a stronger cytostatic effect was acquired by exposure to LS for 24 h and 72 h. The phagocytosis of 125I-labelled Candida albicans by LS-activated monocytes was compared with phagocytosis by monocytes treated with control supernatants (CS). The ingestion was increased by short exposure to LS. However, a 72-h exposure to LS induced a decreased ingestion capacity. The capacity of the LS-activated monocytes to digest ingested C. albicans was suppressed. DNA synthesis was increased in the LS-activated monocytes, while protein synthesis was not significantly influenced. The cytostatic capacity of LS-activated monocytes was abolished by culture for 24 h after removal of LS. Following removal of LS or CS with subsequent culture for 4 days, morphological and functional signs of differentiation were less marked in the LS-treated than in the CS-treated cells. The survival was also reduced in the former cells. However, these cells were strongly reactivated by re-exposure to LS.


A double-blind comparison of flupenthixol decanoate and fluphenazine decanoate in the treatment of chronic schizophrenia. Sixty-four chronic stabilised schizophrenics were studied for 18 months in order to assess the possible difference in therapeutic effects and side effects between flupenthixol decanoate and fluphenazine decanoate. Although certain differences in the BPRS sub-scores in favour of flupenthixol were present at various stages in the study, there was no significant difference between the two drugs in the overall antipsychotic scores at the end of the assessment period; however, more patients on fluphenating required additional therpay for depression or anxiety during the trial period.


A molecular basis of activation of the alternative pathway of human complement. The fluid phase interaction of native C3, B, D and P continuously generates C3b; C3b complexes with B to permit cleavage-activation by D, thereby generating C3b, Bb, the amplification C3 convertase. C3b, Bb formed in the fluid phase or on a non-activating surface for the alternative pathway undergoes decay-dissociation through release of Bi, and the residual C3b undergoes cleavage inactivation by the C3b inactivator (C3bINA). The capacity of P to stabilize C3b, Bb and therby augment C3 cleavage is counterbalanced by beta 1H, which inactivates the convertase by displacing Bi and facilitates the inactivation of residual C3b by C3bINA. Transition to amplified C3 cleavage is achieved because the surface characteristics of an activating particle protect C3b from inactivation by C3bINA in the presence of beta 1H, and the stabilized alternative pathway convertase, P, C3b, Bb, from extrinsic decay-dissociation by beta 1H. Natural activating surfaces such as zymosan (Zy) and rabbit erythrocytes are relatively deficient in sialic acid residues as compared to non-activating surfaces such as sheep erythrocytes (Es). Sialic acid residues on C3b-bearing particles augment binding of beta 1H to favor competition with B, inactivation of C3b and decay-dissociation of C3b, Bb. The absence of this carbohydrate on the membrane in the environment of C3b results in low affinity binding of beta 1H, a circumstance that permits uptake of B to form the amplification convertase and impairs extrinsic decay of the C3-cleaving enzyme. This natural humoral host resistance reaction based on the relative content of sialic acid on target particles has a cellular counterpart in the capacity of human monocytes to engage in antibody-independent phagocytosis of sialic acid-deficient cells. Thus, the non-immune host may respond to such cells by dual humoral and cellular recognition mechanisms and this response may represent a primordial basis for protection against microbial invasion.


The effect of prophylactic proteinase inhibitor therapy on post-traumatic pulmonary insufficiency and platelet counts. In a prospective double blind clinical study of 70 patients with bony trauma and shock, 35 patients were allocated into each group receiving either a placebo or Aprotinin. In both groups there was a high incidence of pulmonary insufficiency and thrombocytopaenia. In the placebo group there was a higher incidence of pulmonary insufficiency, but not its severity, with greater volumes of blood transufsion and the most severe form occurred only after decompensated shock. Thrombocytopaenia showed a similar pattern in all patients from both groups falling to a mean minimum on the 2nd day and rising thereafter. In the placebo group counts were lower in those with decompensated shock, and the fall was more profound, rapid and earlier in patients developing severe pulmonary insufficiency. Counts of less than 100,000 on the first day were associated with a high probability of severe pulmonary insufficiency subsequently occurring and this finding was not associated with greater volumes of blood transfusion. In those patients receiving Aprotinin, the subsequent incidence of severity of pulmonary insufficiency was less and not associated with increased volumes of blood transfusion. The platelet counts were not lower in decompensated shock and there was a more rapid rise from the minimum level.


Blood pressure regulation by angiotensin in the spontaneously hypertensive rats. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was subnormal or normal in the main strain of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). PRA increased greatly in the stroke-prone substrain of SHR (SHRSP) at 20-30 weeks of age. Captopril (SQ 14,225) is an orally active angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. The drug acutely decreased blood pressure moderately in SHR, and markedly in SHRSP. Participation of the renin-angiotensin system in the pathogenesis of hypertension in SHR may be limited. Etiology of hypertension in connection with renal excretory function and the central and peripheral nervous system is discussed.


Responses of the renin-angiotensin system and kallikrein-kinin system to sodium and converting enzyme inhibitor (SQ 14,225). Plasma renin activity, blood angiotensin I, urinary kallikrein and blood bradykinin levels have been measured concurrently in rats over a range of daily sodium intake. Plasma renin activity, blood angiotensin I levels and urinary kallikrein were significantly increased by the low sodium diet (0.02 mmole per day). Bradykinin levels did not change. Plasma renin and blood angiotensin I were closely linearly related over the range of sodium intakes. Both were associated positively with urinary kallikrein excretion. Converting enzyme inhibition caused prompt, significant changes in plasma renin activity, endogenous circulating angiotensin I, and bradykinin. The changes in circulating hormone levels were dose dependent. Blood angiotensin I levels showed a greater responsiveness than blood bradykinin levels. Plasma renin activity and blood angiotensin I levels are closely related after converting enzyme inhibition. Both increased plasma renin, and impaired clearance of angiotensin I may contribute to blood angiotensin I levels. Difference in responsiveness of blood angiotensin I and blood bradykinin levels after inhibition suggests that other independent controls of the circulating levels of these hormones exist.


The vasotoxicity of the lysosomal contents from the renal cortex. The retained proteins (fraction B: rich in renin) and the not retained proteins (fraction A: no renin activity) were obtained from the concanavalin A affinity column chromatography of the lysosomal contents from the hog renal cortex. Intraperitoneal injection of fraction A, B and highly purified renin produced angionecrosis of fibrinoid type of the small arteries and arterioles in the bilaterally nephrectomized rats. The angionecrosis producing activity (vasotoxicity) as well as vasopressor activity of fraction B were prevented completely by the oral administration of SQ14225. Although fraction A demonstrated no renin activity, intraperitoneal injection of fraction A produced gradual and transient elevation of blood pressure and fibrinoid necrosis which was milder and less consistent as compared with fraction B. The vasotoxicity as well as the transient vasopressor activity of fraction A were completely abolished also by the previous administration of oral SQ14225.


GABA transaminase inhibitors.

GABA transaminase inhibitors. In summary, several branched-chain fatty acids appeared to be competitive inhibitors of GABA-T and non-competitive inhibitors of SSADH. These compounds produce an increase in brain GABA level, and for two of these it was shown that the increase differs among various brain areas. An increase of GABA cannot be obtained by inhibition of SSADH. The increase in brain GABA seems to correlate with the anticonvulsant activity of branched-chain fatty acids.


L-Glutamate decarboxylase.

L-Glutamate decarboxylase. Much progress has been made in recent years regarding enzymological aspects of mammalian brain GAD, such as its purification and characterization, but some uncertainty still remains concerning its molecular weight and forms, and its subunit structure. The availability of antibodies to this enzyme has allowed immunocytochemical studies which have provided important information on the intrinsic organization of GABA-ergic neurones in the CNS, particularly in the cerebellum and nigrostriatal pathway. With the increased understanding of the enzymology of GAD and the distribution of central GABA-ergic neurones, it is becoming feasible to study the regulatory biochemistry of GAD in terms of control and adaptive mechanisms at the cellular level. In our own laboratory, as well as in others, initial approaches have already begun. Obviously, cellular regulation of this phenotypic enzyme is an important issue for the understanding of GABA-ergic neurones and their functions.


Blood and blood substitutes: current practice. We have seen that the vast majority of previously healthy patients can tolerate a significant reduction in red cell mass without adverse effect on oxygen consumption. For these patients, volume replenishment with electrolyte solutions will adequately restore blood volume and cardiac output. Colloid solutions offer no advantage over electrolyte solutions, certainly are more expensive and may even be harmful. For patients who need restoration of oxygen-carrying capacity, washed, packed red cell administration is the therapy of choice, and frozen, thawed red cells represent optimal utilization of a scarce commodity. Other components, such as fresh frozen plasma, factor VIII or IX concentrates and platelets, are not indicated unless a specific deficiency exists. Autologous blood, using one of the techniques described above, is a safe and effective means of replacing lost red cells in special circumstances. The use of these techniques, combined with realistic ordering of homologous blood for elective surgical procedures, should act in concert to relieve shortages of blood.


Effects of BCG, levamisole and PS-K on the rejection of male skin grafts by female mice. Rejection of male skin grafts by BALB/c female mice was accelerated by one s.c. injection of BCG (5 X 10(5) microorganisms/mouse) into recipients on the day of transplantation. Levamisole 20 mg/kg injected similarly was without any effect. Protein-bound polysaccharide Kureha (PS-K) injected 250 mg/kg s.c. or i.p. once every other day from the day of transplantation stimulated graft rejection. The s.c. route was more effective than the i.p. route. These results show that, in sex-linked graft rejection in mice, PS-K has an immunostimulant action similar to that of BCG. This property may be important to the antineoplastic activity of PS-K.


Epidermal growth factor-like material in rat submandibular gland. By using an antiserum specific for mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF), only the granular convoluted tubule (GCT) cells revealed immunochemical staining in rat submandibular glands. There was no regular sexual difference in the frequency or size of immunoreactive cells. Extracts of gland contained an antigen which showed a complete cross-reactivity with mouse EGF in radioimmunoassays. The relative amounts of EGF, determined by a heterologous radioimmunoassay, were not significantly different in the glands of rats of the two sexes. Administration of testosterone caused an increase, in both sexes, in the number of GCT cells stained for EGF and in the amount of EGF in the gland. There was no significant sexual differeence in these two parameters after androgen treatment.


Laboratory prediction of the carrier state in hemophilia B: role of replication of assays. The authors studied the effect of averaging replicated assays of Factor IX coagulation activity and Factor IX antigen on each plasma specimen in improving the ability to detect carriers of hemophilia B. The improvement resulting from this procedure is particularly marked in tests depending on the linear regression of one characteristic on another to diagnose the carrier state. The effects of averaging assays on the ratio of Factor IX coagulation activity to Factor IX antigen were also explored. The benefits of averaging replications were not greatly increased by use of more than four replications.


Hepatitis B-associated membranous glomerulonephritis in a child. This appears to be the first reported case of membranous glomerulonephritis in a pediatric asymptomatic carrier of hepatitis B virus in North America. Routine immunofluorescent methods were used to identify the hepatitis B surface antigen in glomeruli. In addition, the glomerular immune deposits were searched for the known ultrastructural forms of the virus.


Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase immunofluorescence of bone marrow smears: experience in 156 cases. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) is a valuable marker for non-B-, non-T-, and T-cell lymphoblastic disorders. Determination of TdT activity by enzymatic assay is laborious and requires fresh cells. The authors evaluated a new technic for TdT determination, using indirect immunofluorescence on air-dried bone marrow smears. Specimens from 156 consecutive patients with hematologic, oncologic, and other disease states were tested. The TdT visualization by indirect immunofluorescence gives results comparable to those previously reported for lymphoproliferative disorders. Several unusual cases with positive TdT were uncovered. TdT by indirect immunofluorescence is a convenient and rapid technic that enables easier access to TdT determinations than the enzymatic assay.


Extralobar pulmonary sequestration: analysis of 15 cases. Extralobar pulmonary sequestrations occurring in 15 patients were studied. Twelve of the lesions were discovered during the first day of life; all of these patients died. The lesions occurred more often in male patients (11 cases). Polyhydramnios was present in four infants, and these four plus an additional infant had localized or generalized edema. Associated congenital anomalies were present in ten patients, including three examples each of diaphragmatic hernia and bronchogenic cyst. In one case the extralobar pulmonary sequestration was composed entirely of a congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation. In one other case, congenital adenomatoid malformation was present in a nonsequestered portion of lung. Significant lymphatic dilatation was found in four cases, two of which resembled congenital lymphangiectasis. Hyaline membranes, present in the normal lungs of three preterm infants, were absent in extralobar pulmonary sequestrations.


Diagnostic cytology of cerebrospinal fluid by the cytocentrifuge method. Seven hundred seventy-five cerebrospinal fluid samples from 748 patients with neurologic and non-neurologic disorders were studied by a modified cytocentrifuge technic for diagnostic evaluation. The technic proved to be simple, rapid, and inexpensive, and provided consistently good artifact-free morphologic detail suitable for differential and cytochemical analysis. Specimens from 525 patients (70%) had normal cytologic characteristics regardless of underlying condition. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluids of 40 patients (5%) revealed hemorrhage, confirming the presence of intracranial hemorrhage. Inflammatory reactions of various types (acute, chronic, and mixed) were encountered in 120 patients (16%). The appearance of neoplastic cells in cerebrospinal fluid was sometimes the first indication of malignancy. Twenty-six patients (4%) had tumor cells of various types in their cerebrospinal fluids on initial examination. Twenty patients (3%) had abnormal cells initially classified as suspect for malignancy; tumor cells subsequently were found in the spinal fluids of 11 of these, while five were proven to have neoplasms at autopsy without having had tumor cells found in their cerebrospinal fluids. There was no false-positive result. Samples of cerebrospinal fluid from 17 patients (2%) were classified as non-diagnostic, usually because of autolysis.


Comparison of three transport systems for recovery of aerobes and anaerobes from wounds. A clinical evaluation of three commercially available transport systems (Anaerobic Specimen Collector, Becton-Dickenson; Anaswab, Scott Laboratories; and Trans-Cul, Wampole) was done, using as subjects 75 patients suspected of having infections. Holding times were purposely varied and ranged from 30 min to 48 hours. Totals of 22 aerobic species and 15 anaerobic species were isolated. There was essentially no difference among the three systems in the recoveries of aerobic or anaerobic organisms. Discrepancies appeared to be related to the order of collection and amount of clinical material available for culture. Time delay from collection to plating did not affect the recovery of aerobes or anaerobes. The three systems performed equally in the recovery of clinically significant pathogens from purulent clinical material.


A semiquantitative culture technic for identifying infection due to steel needles used for intravenous therapy. Using steel intravneous needles obtained from patients with hematologic malignancies, the authors evaluated the efficacy of a semiquantitative method for culturing vascular cannulas on solid medium, comparing it with conventional broth culture. Of 148 needles studied, 140 (95%) were negative on semiquantitative culture (less than 15 colonies on the plate) although 38 produced growth in broth or on the plate; none of these needles caused septicemia. Eight needles were positive on semiquantitative culture (greater than or equal to 15 colonies), and two of these caused septicemia (P = .002). Positive semiquantitative cultures were associated with local inflammation (P = .02). Semiquantitative culturing was equal to the broth method in sensitivity (100%) in the diagnosis of needle-related septicemia; specificity (96% vs. 92%) and the predictive value of a positive needle culture (25% vs. 14%) were both enhanced with the semiquantitative method. The semiquantitative technic differentiates infection from contamination and offers other major advantages compared with the broth method, and is recommended for culturing steel needles as well as plastic catheters.


Drug therapy reviews: methenamine mandelate and methenamine hippurate. The mechanism of action, spectrum of antimicrobial activity, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, therapeutic use, and dosage of methenamine hippurate and methenamine mandelate are reviewed. The antimicrobial activity of methenamine depends on its conversion in the urine to formaldehyde. Formaldehyde's spectrum of antibacterial activity encompasses all urinary tract pathogens. Urinary concentrations of formaldehyde vary with pH and urine volume; however, there is no documentation that acdification of the urine enhances methenamine's therapeutic activity. Adverse reactions to methenamine, including gastrointestinal intolerance and skin reactions, are mild and reversible and occur infrequently. Methenamine mandelate and hippurate are effective in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections except in patients with Foley catheters or who require intermittent catheterization.


Nutritional aspects of malabsorption. Short gut adaptation. Adaptation of remaining small bowel after extensive intestinal resection plays an important part in maintaining adequate nutrition. The metabolic consequences of short bowel depend upon the anatomic extent of bowel removed, the functional condition of remaining digestive organs and the degree to which adaptive changes occur. The pathophysiology of short bowel results primarily from the abnormal absorption of nutrients and selective metabolites leading to malnutrition and other organ complications. Nutrients in the lumen of the small intestine are required to stimulate the process of intestinal adaptation (mucosal hyperplasia). This stimulation may be mediated via direct mucosal absorption or metabolism of nutrients, the presence of pancreaticobiliary secretions in the intestine, trophic effects of circulating enteric hormones, or neurovascular influences. Understanding the mechanisms by which mucosal growth may be stimulated could lead to important clinical applications.


The contaminated small bowel syndrome.

The contaminated small bowel syndrome. Contamination of the small bowel with an abnormal microflora causes a variety of disturbances of intraluminal digestion and of mucosal function resulting in malabsorption of fat, protein, carbohydrate, electrolytes and vitamin B12. Indirect clinical tests for the presence of small bowel bacterial overgrowth must be supported by careful roentgenologic examination of the small intestine and intestinal aspiration studies to establish a firm pretreatment diagnosis. However, the reversal of absorptive defects by antibacterial therapy is valuable confirmatory evidence.


Parasites ana malabsorption.

Parasites ana malabsorption. Intestinal parasites not only cause diarrheal illnesses but may also cause significant malabsorption in man. Separation of true malabsorption caused by a particular parasite from other factors that may coexist with and even mimic malabsorption, such as malnutrition may be very difficult. Despite these problems, it appears that giardiasis, coccidiasis, strongyloidiasis and capillariasis cause malabsorption of many important nutrients. D. latum interfere with vitamin B12 absorption.


Clinical usefulness and reproducibility of histologic subclassification of advanced diffuse histiocytic lymphoma. Thirty-one patients with stage III and IV diffuse histiocytic lymphoma (DHL) were treated uniformly with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP). The patients were subclassified independently by two hematopathologists into groups with predominantly large noncleaved cells (eight patients), predominantly large cleaved cells (seven patients), a mixture of large cleaved cells and large noncleaved cells (11 patients), tumors with the characteristics of immunoblastic sarcomas (two patients) and unclassified (three patients). The concurrence rate on applying the subclassification was 85 per cent. Survival in patients with large noncleaved cells was superior to that of the other patients as a group (p less than 0.001), and to that of those with large cleaved cells (p less than 0.05) and large cleaved and large noncleaved cells (p less than 0.025). All the patients with large noncleaved cells are alive and "off" therapy without evidence of progressive disease. This histologic subclassification seems to identify a subgroup of patients with advanced diffuse histiocytic lymphoma having large noncleaved cells who have an excellent prognosis when treated with CHOP.


Fat malabsorption--advances in our understanding. The intestinal absorption of triglyceride constitutes a multistep process with active involvement of the pancreatobiliary system, the intestine and lymphatics. It is only through the integrated function of these organs that dietary triglyceride can be efficiently absorbed and delivered to the peripheral blood for subsequent metabolism. In this review we discuss each aspect of triglyceride absorption and chylomicron formation and illustrate how various diseases may interfere with the process resulting in fat malabsorption. In addition, the role of the intestine as a major synthetic source of lipoprotein constituents for circulating lipoproteins is discussed.


Workplace contamination when performing the slide catalase test. This small study indicates that utilization of the slide catalase test potentially may contaminate the workplace and also the technologist performing the test. Suggested precautions when performing this test are made.


Brachydactyly C, short stature, and hip dysplasia. Short stature may be a component of the brachydactyly C syndrome. A family is presented in which the propositus has brachydactyly C, short stature, and hip dysplasia.


Failure of penicillin to eradicate group B streptococcal colonization in the pregnant woman. A couple study. Prophylactic treatment of couples with oral penicillin has been recommended as a means of eradicating GBS from the parturient female. In 1977 and 1978 this hypothesis was tested in an investigation of couples from a middle and upper socioeconomic group in Houston, Texas. A group of 40 women, known to be colonized with GBS during the third trimester of pregnancy, and their husbands were treated simultaneously with oral penicillin. Patients were recultured 3 weeks following completion of therapy and at the time of delivery. At the time of delivery 67% of the women remained colonized with GBS. This percentage does not differ substantially from that obtained in a series of untreated colonized women. This study demonstrates that oral penicillin treatment of couples is not an effective means of reducing maternal colonization at the time of delivery.


Application of specific red blood cell adherence test to the human cornea and conjunctiva. We modified the specific red blood cell adherence test used in the study of blood group antigens to apply to the human cornea and conjuctiva. For the first time this test was applied to these ocular tissues with considerably specificity and sensitivity. The test revealed a concentration of blood group antigens in the epithelium of cornea and conjunctiva and along the corneal endothelium, whereas it was absent in the stroma. The test is useful in studying ABO compatibility in corneal transplants.


Multiple cranial nerve palsies in late metastasis of midline malignant reticulosis. A 12-year-old man had a sudden onset of multiple cranial nerve palsies after treatment for a necrotizing lesion of the soft palate two years previously. It was thought that neurologic signs were secondary to extension of the local disease and radiation therapy to the base of the brain was begun. The patient died shortly thereafter. A diffuse atypical histiocytic lymphoma involving multiple cranial nerves, lumbosacral nerves, orbital muscles, and other organs was found on autopsy. Initial nasopharyngeal biopsy and autopsy findings were compatible with midline malignant reticulosis, a malignant lesion of the upper airway sometimes associated with metastasis. Our case is the first reported autopsy-documented case, to the best of our knowledge, of metastatic involvement of the cranial nerves in midline malignant reticulosis.


Well differentiated thyroid carcinoma: epidemiology, etiology and treatment. The well differentiated thyroid carcinomas are uncommon but are increasing in frequency. This increase may be related to the recognition that even low doses of irradiation to the thyroid may be carcinogenic with a latency period of 10, 20 or more years to clinical tumor expression. Although unproven for human cancers, elevated TSH levels will enhance irradiation-associated tumor development in animal models. Currently, a large portion of the population is at an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer because of head and neck irradiation received from 1920 to 1950 for various benign conditions or more recently for the treatment of lymphoma or carcinoma. Whether these individuals should receive thyroid hormone suppression of TSH is not known but careful yearly evaluation is essential followed by open surgical biopsy chould a nodule develop. Treatment of the well differentiated thyroid carcinoma is controversial due to a lack of adequate long-term, controlled trials. Based on current data, it is the author's opinion that surgery should in most cases be followed with radioactive iodine ablation of all remaining tissue which can concentrate iodine followed by lifelong thyroid hormone replacement sufficient to correct hypothyroidism and suppress thyroid stimulating hormone. All patients require close follow-up with examination and, possibly, imaging for 20 or more years.


Corneal transplantation in familial dysautonomia. A 15-year-old girl with familial dysautonomia had acute corneal ulcerations while on a respiratory during a dysautonomic crisis. Within 18 days she developed irritating corneal ring calcifications. Subsequent corneal perforation in the left eye was treated successfully with a lamellar graft, followed later by a penetrating graft in the right eye under local anesthesia. Four days postoperatively, the patient died during a vomiting crisis. Neuropathologic studies showed marked cell reduction in the superior cervical and trigeminal ganglia, but slight in the ciliary. The foveas appeared immature and macular ganglion cells were mildly reduced. The corneal button and lamellar grafted cornea had severe thinning and superficial calcification.  Keratoplasty in familial dysautonomia is considered hazardous because of the continual threat of vomiting crises, but with sufficient care may be worthwhile for corneal perforation or advanced corneal scarring.


Corneal edema with several hard corneal contact lenses. Five patients were each fitted with polymethylacrylate (PMMA), BP Flex, and Polycon corneal contact lenses of the same dimensions. Corneal edema was monitored with a slit-lamp biomicroscope and pachometer. Lenses were worn in a double-masked and random sequence for periods of 6 hr. Patients developed less corneal edema with Polycon lenses than with PMMA lenses. There was no significant difference in corneal edema with PMMA and BP Flex lenses. Those patients who developed little corneal edema with optimum-fitting PMMA lenses also developed little edema with the BP Flex and Polycon lenses. Steeper-fitting PMMA and BP Flex lenses produced more corneal edema than optimum-fitting lenses made of the same materials, while steeper-fitting Polycon lenses produced only slightly more edema than the optimum-fitting Polycon lenses.


An over-refraction program for the TI 59 card-programmable calculator. Over-refraction provides a powerful method for the refractive examination of the aphakic or highly ametropic patient. Nevertheless, in the past, practical difficulties that attend mathematical or graphical combination of over-refraction and original spherocylinders have tended to limit the clinical use of over-refraction methods. Programmable calculators, now available inexpensively, render over-refraction clinically practical. An over-refraction program for the Texas Instruments TI-59 Card-Programmable Calculator is presented. Program running time, exclusive of data entry and readout, is under 15 sec.


Jaw muscle silent periods before and after rapid palatal expansion. 1. The electromyographic silent period was observed in jaw-closing muscles during a maximal clench following a tap to the mandibular symphysis in eight subjects before and after rapid palatal expansion. 2. No differences in mean silent period duration were observed among the three jaw-closing muscles examined. 3. A large (r = 0.96) and statistically significant (p less than 0.01) correlation coefficient between two sets of silent period durations at one session indicates that these measurements are repeatable and reliable. 4. The mean silent period duration for the eight patients with malocclusions was 33.5 msec. prior to rapid palatal expansion and 51.2 msec. after the completion of palatal expansion. The difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.01) and represents a 61 percent increase. 5. Patients with symptoms of TMJ dysfunction are not the only group showing a prolonged silent period duration.


Disease and mortality in the Early Bronze Age people of Bab edh-Dhra, Jordan. During the 1977 field season at the Early Bronze Age site of Bab edh-Dhra 92 individuals were recovered from underground shaft tomb chambers. Morbid conditions found in these skeletons include trauma, possibly two cases of tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, post-menopausal osteoporosis and congenital anomalies. Of the 92 skeletons recovered 56 (61%) were 18 years of age or older, 28 (30%) were between 1 and 18 years of age and 8 (9%) were less than one year of age.


Human treponematosis and tuberculosis: evidence from the New World. The purpose of this study has been first, to critically review the evidence for the presence of human treponematosis and tuberculosis in the skeletal remains of prehistoric natives in the New World, and second, to report on nine new cases dated to before contact and suggesting the presence of these two disease conditions. A review of the medical history and findings by human paleopathologists leaves little doubt that both diseases originated in the Old World. The findings of this study lend further support to the fact that, although rare, human treponematosis and tuberculosis were indeed endemic in the pre-Columbia New World before contact. There is no evidence that these two diseases could have arisen independently and de novo, especially during the relatively short time since man's arrival in the New World. Where a disease has been endemic for quite some time as appears to be the case with human treponematosis and tuberculosis, milder forms of the disease and improved host response could have developed in which only the most severe cases would be observable. This explains the rarity of skeletal lesions suggestive of these two human disease conditions in prehistoric human populations.


Log-linear analysis of dental caries occurrence in four skeletal series. Four skeletal series (Corinth, Greece; Gran Quivira, New Mexico; Semna South, Sudanese Nubia, and a large group from scattered sites in England) were coded for sex, jaw, tooth group, dental attrition, dental caries, site and time period. Through thec concepts of a basal level of caries and a cariosity gradient, a single model was found which best described the occurrence of this disease in these samples. All factors were found to contribute significantly to the model. Within the possible subsamples the general characteristics are that the profiles of males, of the mandibulae and of those with light attrition are more likely to have lower overall dental caries levels  and to be relatively more carious in the back of the mouth than the front when compared to the pooled sample of all teeth and caries. The opposite is also found to be generally true; the teeth of females, maxillae and heavy attrition are associated with more caries, especially toward the front of the mouth. These results imply that samples appearing otherwise homogeneous display much variation. They also reveal distinct regularities in the reactions of diverse human groups to dental caries.


Health and differential survival in prehistoric populations: prenatal dental defects. Linear hypoplasia of the deciduous teeth is rare in most human populations, but common where nutritional status is poor. Deciduous enamel hypoplasia, hypocalcification, and hypoplasia-related caries are described in Middle and Late Woodland skeletal series from the Lower Illinois Valley. Gross enamel defects that can be referred to pre-natal development are found in 83 of 170 children under six years of age at death. Circular caries secondary to hypoplasia is significantly more common in the Late Woodland series, reflecting the apparent higher cariogenicity of Late Woodland diets. There is a significant association between prenatal dental defects and bony evidence for anemia and infectious disease. Children with enamel defects show relatively higher weaning age mortality than those without. These relationships suggest that at least moderate levels of malnutrition existed in Illinois Woodland populations.


Skeletal evidence for kneeling in prehistoric Ecuador. Bony changes on the superior distal surface of the metatarsals and the superior proximal surface of the first proximal foot phalanx are described in a prehistoric skeletal sample from Coastal Ecuador. The location and morphology of the alterations, as well as their association with femoral "squatting facets" strongly suggests they were produced by prolonged hyperdorsiflexion of the toes, probably resulting from habitual kneeling posture. Comparative data are presented from five other New World skeletal samples.


Chronic blockade of angiotensin II formation during sodium deprivation. The present study was designed to investigate the mechanisms by which the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) regulates arterial pressure (AP) and renal function during chronic sodium deprivation. Intravenous infusion of the converting enzyme inhibitor SQ 14225 (14 microgram.kg-1.mm-1) for 8 days in 12 sodium-deficient dogs caused a marked decrease in AP from 90 +/- 1 to 67 +/- 2 mmHg and a reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), filtration fraction (FF), and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC). Despite the fall in AP and GFR, urinary Na excretion and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) increased above control levels. In four dogs, infusion of aldosterone (200 micrograms/day) for 8 days during continuous SQ 14225 infusion restored PAC to levels above control, but did not significantly change AP or renal function from the values observed during SQ 14225 infusion alone. However, infusion of angiotensin II (AII) (10 or 20 ng.kg-1.min-1) for 5--8 days during continuous SQ 14225 infusion almost completely restored AP and renal function to control levels. These data indicate that the RAS plays a major role in regulating AP, renal hemodynamics, and Na excretion during Na deprivation, probably through the direct effects of AII rather than through changes in PAC.


The effects of alcohol on anxiety in problem- and nonproblem-drinking women. Nonclinical samples of female problem and nonproblem drinkers were compared for their reactions to experimentally manipulated anxiety under alcohol-free and alcohol-dose conditions. The problem drinkers showed more subjective anxiety reduction, were higher in trait anxiety, and experienced more physical and psychosocial life problems.


Utilization of medical services by alcoholics participating in an outpatient treatment program. Utilization of medical services by alcoholics participating in an outpatient alcoholism treatment program was examined, comparing these with alcoholics who chose not to participate.


Physicians treated for alcoholism: a follow-up study. Studying alcoholism and chemical dependency among members of the medical profession, the authors discovered that, despite the special problems associated with alcoholic physicians, the number responding to treatment and showing improvement is high, and the overall results are encouraging.


Genetic factors in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. The authors study the role of thiamine-deficient diets in genetic variations contributing to Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.


Alterations in zinc, vitamin A, and retinol-binding protein in chronic alcoholics: a possible mechanism for night blindness and hypogonadism. Deficiencies in zinc and vitamin A may play a role in the night blindness and hypogonadism of some chronic alcoholics; abstinence and zinc and vitamin A therapy may be of some benefit in these processes.


Effects of ethanol on the determinants of intestinal transport. The interplay between the stomach, liver, pancreas, and the small intestine and their influence on the effects of ethanol on the determinants of intestinal transport are examined.


On being the offspring of an alcoholic: an update. Reporting on research advances in a previous review of the literature, this article discusses the relative lack of controlled and prospective studies, the need for more treatment resources, the vulnerability of children of alcoholic parents compared to those of parents with other psychiatric diagnoses, and speculates on the sources of strength of the competent child of alcoholic parents.


Ethanol, calcium, and naloxone in mice.

Ethanol, calcium, and naloxone in mice. Alcohol has been reported to produce a significant reduction in the brain calcium content of rats, which could be blocked by administration of naloxone. Ethanol pretreatment failed to decrease brain cortex calcium and, in fact, increased the calcium content at higher doses. The effects of naloxone were also studied.


Human stomach alcohol dehydrogenase: isoenzyme composition and catalytic properties. Two isoenzymes of alcohol dehydrogenase have been purified from human stomach and characterized with regard to electrophoretic mobility and kinetic properties with ethanol, hexanol, and acetaldehyde. Both undergo a time-dependent formation of multiple electrophoretic bands; the total amount of alcohol dehydrogenase activity in an average human stomach is only about 0.2% of that of the liver.


The effects of chronic and acute alcohol administration on fetal development in the rat. The effects of chronic alcohol administration and acute maternal oral alcohol intake on fetal development in rats were investigated, both regimens causing substantial increase in fetal mortality. Decrease body, brain, heart, kidney, and liver weight did not appear to be due to zinc deficiency.


Cupro-zinc superoxide dismutase: a possible biologic marker for alcoholism (studies in black patients). Cupro-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD-1) was measured by competition radioimmune assay of erythrocyte lysates of alcoholic and control subjects. Normal amounts of SOD-1 were found in the extract from control subjects (815 ng/mg Hb) and from white alcoholics (874 ng/mg Hb). However, the level of SOD-1 in lysates from black alcoholics (1033 ng/mg Hb) was significantly increased (p = 0.0001, rank sum test) compared with black and white controls. This increase was not related to any other observed hematologic disorder or to any historical, demographic, or laboratory value examined.


Alcohol problems and the availability of alcohol. This study assesses the statistical effects of the physical availability of alcohol as measured by the number of liquor store employees per 100,000 persons. Controlling for the effects of per capita income and urbanism, it is found that there are effects of physical availability on current tangible consequences but not on alcoholism rates or frequent heavy drinking.


Toward a rapprochement of empirical and clinical injury in evaluation of psychologically oriented alcoholism treatment. The need to synthesize clinical and empirical considerations in naturalistic studies of psychologically oriented alcoholism treatment is discussed. Well done naturalistic studies are viewed as a necessary complement to more traditional controlled studies of treatment in order to maintain an interface of clinicall reality with scientific respectability. A general clinical framework and scientific model for naturalistic study are proposed by which scientific and clinical considerations may be reconciled.


Effect of modification of brain serotonin (5-HT) on ethanol tolerance. The effects of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine and L-tryptophan treatment on ethanol tolerance in the rat, as measured by the moving-belt test of motor impairment and by hypothermia, were examined in separate studies. A 2 x 2 design was used for all experiments. 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine (200 microgram in 20 microliter CSF) or vehicle alone was administered once into both lateral ventricles of the rat. Desmethylimipramine was administered intraperitoneally prior to an intraventricular injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine to prevent the destruction of norepinephrine. L-Tryptophan (75 mg/kg p.o. twice daily) or water was administered chronically. Ethanol (4--5 g/kg p.o.) or sucrose was given daily, and the development of tolerance was monitored at 5--7-day intervals. Chronic ethanol treatment produced tolerance to both the motor impairment and hypothermia effects of ethanol. 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine and L-tryptophan treatment did not alter either the motor impairment or hypothermia produced by the initial dose of ethanol. 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine produced a 75% depletion of brain 5-HT and slowed the development of tolerance to ethanol in both measurements. In contrast, elevation of 5-HT by L-tryptophan (39% increase by a single dose) facilitated the development of tolerance to ethanol, as seen in both measures. These findings support our hypothesis that brain 5-HT has a modulating role in the development of tolerance to ethanol.


Interaction of salsolinol and tetrahydropapaveroline with catecholamines. Formation of aberrant amine metabolites, tetrahydroisoquinolines (TIQs) has been hypothesized to account for some of the effects of ethanol. These compounds have been shown to interact with catecholamine neurons in a variety of ways by in vitro techniques. The most interesting facet of these alkaloids, however, is the fact that they cause an increase in preference for and voluntary consumption of ethanol when administered into the ventricle of the rat in exceedingly low amounts. Investigation of the neurochemical effects in vivo of two of the TIQs tetrahydropapaveroline (THP) and salsolinol, indicates that they influence several aspects of presynaptic catecholamine function when examined acutely. The mechanism of action responsible for the radical long-lasting behavioral effects of these substances has yet to be defined.


Cellular localization of prostaglandin E in the rabbit iris by indirect immunofluorescence method. To demonstrate the cellular localization of prostaglandin E (PGE) in the normal and irritated rabbit iris, the indirect immunofluorescence method was employed. The amounts of PGE1 and PGF2 alpha in the aqueous humor were determined with radioimmunoassay. Immunofluorescence of PGE was observed in the cytoplasm of mesenchymal cells of the iris. PGE-positive cells in the normal iris were scattered in the fibrous stroma, and the shape of these cells was oval to spindle-shaped. The numbers of these cells were remarkably increased in the iridectomized and inflamed iris. The amounts of PGE1 in the aqueous humor was 2.0 +/- 0.53 ng/ml in the normal eyes and 7.92 +/- 2.93 ng/ml in the irritated eyes. The mean level of PGF2 alpha was 0.4 +/- 0.27 ng/ml in the normal eyes and 0.8 +/- 0.58 ng/ml in the irritated eyes.


A new lancet for skin prick testing.

A new lancet for skin prick testing. A new lancet with a point length of 1.0 mm suitable for skin prick testing is described. The weal reactions appearing after the use of histamine chloride 1 mg/ml and an extract of Phleum pratense in a 1 HEP concentration (1 histamine equivalent prick) prove suitable as regards size and reproducibility compared with the reactions produced by a more conventional prick test method. The new lancet simplifies the prick test procedure and does not require as much experience as do needles and longer lancets.


A double blind controlled trial of N-(3',4'-dimethoxycinnamoyl) anthranilic acid on children with bronchial asthma. N-5' Study Group in Children. A double blind controlled trial of N-(3',4'-dimethoxycinnamoyl) anthranilic acid (N-5') was carried out for treating children with bronchial asthma to determine its efficacy and safety. The results showed that the drug was significantly more effective in the N10 and N5 groups than in the N0 group. Adverse reactions appeared only in one patient in the N10 group who complained of slight anorexia while another patient in the N0 group reported moderate diarrhoea. Moreover there was no indication of abnormality in further laboratory investigations. It can be therefore concluded that this drug is useful for the treatment of children with bronchial asthma.


Anatomy of the cecum of the vole, microtus agrestis. The anatomy of the cecum of the vole, Microtus agrestis, was investigated using macroscopic dissections, "wet" and dried total specimens, and correlated light, scanning and electron microscopy. The cecum of the vole reveals a series of structural differentiations including a mural lip in the ampulla ceci and a spiral fold in the corpus ceci. The mucosa covering the cecal wall possesses short, wide-opened crypts and differs from the classical descriptions of the large intestinal mucosa. Fine structural observations suggest the cecal epithelium to be capable of active absorption. The morphological findings are correlated with the herbivorous habit of the vole and compared with observations in the rabbit and other rodents.


Treatment of male infertility with human gonadotrophins: selection of cases, management and results. To obtain optimal results with gonadotrophic therapy (HMG/hCG) in infertile males, strict selection of patients is of paramount importance. The use of algorithmic schemes permits the exclusion of patients with primary testicular failure, genetic and non-endocrine causes of infertility. This paper describes a retrospective study on the results of gonadotrophic therapy in 25 severe oligozoospermic males, preselected according to the above scheme and in whom levels of FSH, LH and Testosterone before and during GnRH stimulation were assessed. This study indicates that low basal levels of FSH, concomitant with low or lack of FSH response to GnRH stimulation may be useful in selection of patients with a fair chance of success for gonadotrophic therapy.


[Immunological reactivity of the host as an environmental factor and its significance for the development of parasitism]. Concepts--mainly of SPRENT (1959, 1963), DINEEN (1963) and DAMIAN (1964)--concerning the immunological aspects of the phylogeny of host-parasite associations and the function of immune processes in the host-parasite relationship are discussed. In the light of some recent findings an integrating interpretation of the available body of evidence is attempted. The significance of the immuno-selection pressure during the course of host-parasite coevolution is stressed and some of the consequences of this pressure seen in the existing host-parasite systems are pointed out.


Comparative serologic study of equine piroplasmosis, with card and complement-fixation tests. An agglutinating antigen and a rapid card test (CT) for equine piroplasmosis was developed. The antigen for the CT was prepared from lyophilized Babesia caballi complement-fixation (CF) antigen. Serum and plasma samples for testing were obtained from known B caballi-infected horses and clinically normal horses maintained at the laboratory. Serum samples also were obtained from horses outside the continental United States, in areas where piroplasmosis is endemic. Comparative CT and CF tests were done on all samples. The CT correctly identified 85% of 192 plasma samples from known infected and normal horses and 92% of 188 serum samples from these same horses. The CT results agreed closely with CF results. There was good agreement between CT and CF results. There was good agreement between CT and CF results on serum samples from horses outside the United States. Of 19 CF-positive samples, 90% were also CT-positive and 92% of 177 CF-negative samples were also CT-negative.


Human lymphocyte cytotoxicity against target cells infected with influenza A viruses of both recent and old strains. In vitro measurement of lymphocyte cytotoxicity (LC) reflects one aspect of human cell-mediated immunity against influenza. We studied peripheral blood LC against target cells infected with 1 of 3 strains of influenza A virus; these represent both recent and old strains. Positive LC responses were obtained in 94 % of subjects. Responses were significantly greater against the older strains, A/New Jersey/76 (Hsw1N1) and A/PR/8/34 (H0N1), than against A/England/42/72 (H3N2). LC reactivity occurred even in the absence of detectable HAI antibody titers. These results showed that positive LC responses to a variety of influenza A strains are common in normal adults and suggested that LC may be a more sensitive indicator of previous influenza exposure than conventionally measured HAI antibodies.


The value of Pneumocystis carinii antibody and antigen detection for diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia after marrow transplantation. Thirty-three marrow transplant patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were studied to determine the usefulness of antibody and antigen detection in the diagnosis of pneumocystis infection. Antibody against P. carinii was present in one half of all patients tested, and changes in antibody titer were not helpful diagnostically. P. carinii antigen was detected by counterimmunoelectrophoresis in the serum of 22 of 28 patients tested. Fifteen of 28 patients had antigen detected before or within 72 h after diagnosis. However, antigen was also present in 35 of 52 marrow transplant patients with viral or idiopathic pneumonia, in 11 of 25 transplant patients with no pneumonia, and in 22 of 28 other patients with pulmonary infiltrates. Only 1 of 50 normal marrow donors had detectable antigenemia. Detection of this antigen does not appear to establish the diagnosis of P. carinii pneumonia in the absence of other clinical or histologic data. The data may suggest that subclinical infection with this agent is more common than was previously recognized.


Clinical trial of danazol for benign breast disease. A clinical trial of danazol was undertaken in 30 patients with severe fibrocystic disease of the breasts. Twenty-three of the patients continued the drug for five or six months to allow adequate evaluation. Partial or complete relief of breast pain, tenderness, and nodularity occurred in all patients studied. One previously unsuspected carcinoma of the breast was discovered after three months of therapy. Side effects from the drug were generally mild. Recurrence of symptoms and physical findings occurred in most patients after the drug was discontinued but have not been as severe as prior to therapy.


A newly identified bacterium phenotypically resembling, but genetically distinct from, Legionella pneumophila: an isolate in a case of pneumonia. A bacterium with growth characteristics similar to, but genetically distinct from, either Legionella pneumophila or WIGA (a "rickettsia-like agent") was obtained from a postmortem lung specimen of a patient with fatal atypical pneumonia at the M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute in Houston, Texas. This bacterium and WIGA have essentially the same cellular fatty acid composition, which is distinct from that of L. pneumophila. Deoxyribonucleic acid-reletadness studies show that the isolate from Texas is only about 10% related to both L. pneumophila and WIGA and there fore may represent a new species. This new bacterium should be considered in selecting laboratory procedures in the diagnosis of atypical pneumonia.


Prolonged herpes-zoster infection associated with immunosuppressive therapy. Unusually prolonged zoster was observed in four patients, two with cardiac transplants, one with acute lymphocytic leukemia, and one with diffuse histiocytic lymphoma. Lesions increased in number and persisted for 5 to 24 weeks before beginning to resolve. Specific cellular-immune responsiveness to varicella-zoster virus was markedly depressed during these infections. Absolute numbers of T lymphocytes were also very low. Reducing immunosuppressive therapy to increase immune responses appeared to initiate resolution of zoster lesions and halt dissemination. In one patient treatment with adenine arabinoside was also needed for resolution of disseminated zoster. This syndrome appears to be counterpart of the prolonged mucocutaneous herpes-simplex infection previously reported in immunosuppressed cardiac and renal transplant patients.


Ibuprofen.

Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen was introduced in England in 1967 and in the United States in 1974 as an anti-inflammatory drug in humans. It has weak but definite anti-inflammatory properties similar to those of aspirin, milligram for milligram, but with considerably less adverse effect on the stomach. Ibuprofen is chemically related to fenoprofen and naproxen, but lack of effect for any one in this chemical class of propionic-acid derivatives does not necessarily mean lack of effect for any other in an individual patient. The drug has analgesic properties, probably related to its anti-inflammatory effect. It inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and has no effect on the adrenopituitary axis, making it a nonsteroidal agent. Ibuprofen has been shown to be effective in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and is probably effective in ankylosing spondylitis, gout, and Bartter's syndrome.


Thalassemia major: molecular and clinical aspects. NIH Conference. Thalassemia major is a severe and transfusion-dependent anemia that occurs in persons homozygous for a mutation that affects the capacity for synthesis of the beta-globin subunit of hemoglobin. Characterization of the molecular defects that cause beta-thalassemia is providing insight into the mechanism of globin gene regulation. Newer approaches to the management of thalassemia major include more effective chelation by use of subcutaneous desferrioxamine and attempts to obtain young erythrocytes with a longer potential for survival in recipient patients. Development of more effective chelators that may be given orally is an ongoing effort. Noninvasive evaluation of cardiac structure and function in patients with thalassemia major suggests that myocardial iron deposits begin at an early age, causing functional impairment long before the onset of clinical symptoms. Prevention or reversal of these cardiac abnormalities remains the goal of chelation therapy.


[Epileptology of Apuleius].

[Epileptology of Apuleius]. The AA. take into consideration the chapters of the "De magia" by Apuleius from Madaura, which bear the description of two clinical cases of morbus comitalis, and propose the theory of epilepsy, taken from the "Timaeus" by Plato. The AA. point to the exacitude in the observation of the phenomena and some interesting intuitions in the light of todays epileptology. It follows, amongst others, that epilepsy by intermittent photoic stimulation was already known in acient times and that the problem of the dominant hemisphere was already hunched at the clinical level.


Chevalier Jackson Lecture: pediatric laryngobronchoesophagology. The Jackson heritage in Pediatric Laryngobronchoesophagology is briefly outlined. It has been precisely 25 years since the author completed his pediatric endoscopic residency. With the aid of references to the scientific papers presented at the meetings of the American Broncho-Esophagological Association, the evolution of a number of facets of present day Laryngobronchoesophagology have been delineated over the intervening quarter century.


[Sucruta Samhita: an original chapter of surgery or an interdependence of values in the history of medicine?]. Until the close of the eighteen century the western world remained ignorant of the ancient Hindu culture, in spite of early achievements found in the ancient Greek philosophy, in the Arabic translations and in the Italian Renassaince. The reason was that Hindu traditions were oraly transmitted and the records, written exclusively in Sanskrit, were incomplete. The European scholars and philogists evoked a late interest in Hindic studies, but for many years the dispute has been confined for scientific Medicine to a question of priority. By going through the Sucruta Samhita in the English translation of K. L. Bhishagratna one can afford to say that Sushruta has in many way not been a pupil of western culture but an original thinker.


Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in France: II. Clinical characteristics of 124 consecutive verified cases during the decade 1968--1977. One hundred twenty-four consecutive cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in France, verified by biopsy or autopsy between 1968 and 1977, were analyzed with respect to their clinical characteristics. The series comprised equal numbers of men and women, with the most frequent age at onset being 60 to 64 years and the most frequent duration, two to three months. A prodromal illness was observed in more than one-third of the patients. Clinical presentations and symptom frequencies are tabulated, and a multifactor analysis has been performed to obtain those combinations of symptoms and signs which occurred at least as often as the triad of dementia, myoclonus, and a positive electroencephalogram. Two groups of atypical cases are also emphasized: one with sudden, strokelike presentation and rapidly evolving illness of less than 2 months' duration, and the other with a long clinical course of between 2 and 10 years.


Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in France: III. Epidemiological study of 170 patients dying during the decade 1968--1977. Systematic search for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in France yielded a total of 170 patients dying between 1968 and 1977. The overall annual mortality rate from CJD for France was 0.32 case per million persons, with by far the highest rate (1.33 cases per million) in the most densely populated parts of Paris. A highly significant correlation between population density and the mortality rate of CJD in the Paris urban agglomeration was consistent with the hypothesis of human-to human disease transmission, although in the rest of France CJD occurred at equally low rates among rural and urban populations. Temporospatial case clustering was not observed, nor could occupation, surgery, or potential exposure to scrapie be associated with an increased risk of contracting CJD. Six to 9% of cases were familial, analysis of which discouraged the notion of a familial "common exposure" in favor of genetic transmission of susceptibility to the virus or of the virus itself. A prospective epidemiological study or newly occurring cases of CJD, especially familial and geographically isolated cases, is being undertaken in the hope of identifying the means by which CJD is naturally acquired.


[Methodological procedures for detecting antibiotic producers among cultures of the family Micromonosporaceae]. Data on intensification of the search for active cultures among Micromonospora are presented. It was shown that the frequency of detecting the antibiotic-producing cultures among Micromonospora under conditions of fermentation on the corn-glucose medium inoculated with agar blocks amounted to 35 per cent. The use of nutrient media of different composition for growing submerged inoculum of Micromonospora demonstrated that the rate of its growth reached maximum on the peastarch medium. The use of this medium for growing submerged seed material for fermentation in the corn-glucose medium increased the frequency of detecting active cultures from 35 to 43.1 per cent. The assay of Micromonospora antibiotic activity twice, i.e. in 96 and 240 hours of the fermentation process increased the frequency of detecting active cultures up to 57.1 per cent and revealing greater variety of antibiotics. Fermentation of Micromonospora cultures simultaneously on 6 different nutrient media inoculated with submerged seed mycelium and assay of the activity for 2 times, i. e. in 96 and 240 hours allowed a detection of up to 76.2 per cent of active strains out of the total number of the isolates.


[Study of Leydig cells and gonadotropin activity in 14-18 days old fetal mouse (author's transl)]. An organ culture system has been developed for mouse embryo testes and pituitaries at 14-18 days of gestation. The testosterone (T) production by fetal testes has been measured by RIA in the culture medium: it increases from day 14 to day 18 and may be specifically stimulated by ovine LH and hCG. Fetal pituitaries in culture release a gonadotropin activity at 16 and 18 days (not found at 14 days), which is detectable by an heterologous RIA of LH and by a significant increase in T production from age-matched testes in co-culture. The 18-days old pituitaries respond to synthetic LH-RH by an enhanced production of immunologically and biologically active LH.


Hemiballismus complicating stereotactic thalamotomy. The pathology of poststereotactic hyperkinesis has been rarely documented and the pathophysiology is still poorly understood. In a case of hemiballismus following thalamotomy for parkinsonism, detailed anatomical studies showed bilateral cortical pseudolaminar necrosis and no involvement of the subthalamic nuclei by the thalamic lesions. The structural and functional effects of surgical lesions upon the preexisting pharmacological abnormalities present in parkinsonism probably constitute the substrate necessary for occurrence of hemiballismus following stereotactic surgery.


Cancer of endocrine glands and target organs: genetic considerations. The pathogenesis of cancer in general is influenced by many factors, genetic and environmental. Epidemiological studies demonstrate familial aggregation of cancer in a significant proportion of cases. Many of these familial cancer syndromes contain endocrine hormone-related components. The etiology of endocrine-related cancers is complex, as is that of other cancers. Tumors of endocrine glands and target organs are subject to the same influences as other cancers; an additional variable is that of hormone-responsiveness.


[Gonadotropic function in female Cushing syndrome (author's transl)]. A study of 38 female Cushing syndromes showed decreased levels of FSH and LH, with normal LH-RH stimulation in most adrenal hyperplasia and benign adenoma, and absent stimulation in carcinoma. The levels were normalized by suppression of hypercorticism. This suggests a blunted gonadotropic function, in female Cushing syndrome, probably at the hypothalamic level. The predominant respective roles of hyperandrogeny in carcinoma and of hypercortisolism in adrenal hyperplasia and benign adenoma seem probable.


Beta-lactam resistance in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli caused by elevated production of the ampC-mediated chromosomal beta-lactamase. Among cephalothin-resistant isolates from patients with urinary tract infections, six Escherichia coli strains were found to produce elevated amounts of a beta-lactamase indistinguishable from that coded by the ampC gene of E. coli K-12. The resistance levels displayed by these isolates toward a number of beta-lactams were, for five of them, considerably higher as compared with E. coli K-12 with the same amount of beta-lactamase, implying the importance of intrinsic resistance in these isolates. Cefuroxime, and to a lesser extent cefamandole, were stable to hydrolysis by E. coli chromosomal beta-lactamase but acted as inhibitors of the enzyme. Nevertheless, increased beta-lactamase production mediated an increased resistance toward these drugs. No plasmids were found in the isolates, suggesting a chromosomal location for the respective ampC locus.


Antimicrobial susceptibility of clinical isolates of Serratia marcescens. The in vitro susceptibilities of 242 isolates of Serratia marcescens to 17 antibacterial drugs have been determined. Oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, cefoxitin, and amikacin were the most active drugs. Ampicillin, kanamycin, and cephalothin were among the least active. A 4-year study showed that resistance of S. marcescens to dibekacin, tobramycin, sisomycin, and gentamicin has increased at least one order of magnitude in that period, whereas resistance to amikacin showed but a twofold increase.


Bile acid inhibition of Clostridium botulinum. Bile acids and their glycine and taurine conjugates were tested in vitro for inhibition of Clostridium botulinum types A and B. Cholic acid inhibited most strains at 2 mg/ml, whereas chenodeoxycholic acid inhibited all strains at 0.4 mg/ml. Deoxycholic acid inhibited one strain at 0.08 mg/ml and other strains at 0.4 and 2 mg/ml. Lithocholic acid inhibited all strains at 0.016 mg/ml. Glycine conjugates also showed considerable inhibition of some strains, whereas taurine conjugates were inactive.


Toxins of molds from decaying tomato fruit. Among 27 mold isolates from decaying tomatoes, culture filtrates or ethyl acetate extracts of 8 isolates grown in yeast extract-sucrose medium were markedly toxic (mortality, greater than 50%) to brine shrimp larvae. The toxicity of six of these isolates could be attributed to the presence of citrinin, tenuazonic acid, or T-2 toxin. Ethyl acetate extracts of five Alternaria isolates and one Fusarium isolate were mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium strains. In ripe tomatoes inoculated with toxin-producing isolates and incubated at 25 degrees C, one Alternaria alternata isolate produced tenuazonic acid in seven of seven tomatoes at levels of up to 106 micrograms/g and alternariol methyl ether in one of the seven tomatoes at 0.8 microgram/g. Another A. alternata isolate produced tenuazonic acid or alternariol methyl ether at much lower levels in only three of seven tomatoes. Patulin and citrinin were produced by a Penicillium expansum isolate at levels of up to 8.4 and 0.76 microgram/g, respectively. In tomatoes incubated at 15 degrees C, a Fusarium sulphureum isolate produced T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, and neosolaniol at levels of up to 37.5, 37.8 and 5.6 micrograms/g, respectively. If these mycotoxins are thermostable, they may occur at detectable levels in tomato products whenever partially moldy tomatoes are used as raw material.


Noncorrelation between mouse toxicity and serologically assayed toxin in Clostridium botulinum type A culture fluids. Toxicity in culture fluids of several Clostridium botulinum type A strains was assayed in mice and converted to weight equivalent. The toxin-related antigen in the samples was quantitated by a radioimmunoassay which used standards of known antigen concentration instead of the usually used toxicity. Freshly prepared samples had reasonably similar titers of toxin and antigen. When the samples were held at room temperature for several weeks, toxicity decreased more than antigenicity, but the relative decreases of the two varied with the samples. The results are discussed as evidence that serological assays of botulinum toxin cannot always be used for accurate determination of toxicity.


Evaluation of millipore coli-count samplers for monitoring fecal coliforms in the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus. Analyses of crab meat homogenates with Coli-Count Samplers (Millipore Corp.) resulted in fecal coliform counts comparable to counts obtained from standard most-probable-number testing procedures.


Discontinuation of continuous positive airways pressure in infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Unexpected stability of arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions occurred in infants recovering from respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) on the abrupt withdrawal of CPAP at 6 cmH2O pressure. 30 preterm infants (birthweights 880--3200 g gestational ages 29--38 weeks) were treated at a mean age of 10 hours and for a mean duration of 62 hours. CPAP was stopped when F1O2 requirement fell below 0.3, and stable PO2 was maintained for 4 hours. Discontinuation of CPAP at 6 cmH2O resulted in a mean change in PO2 from 66 to 64 mmHg (8.8 to 8.5 kPa) and a mean change in PCO2 from 41 to 40 mmHg (5.4 to 5.3 kPa). We conclude that this population of infants suffering from moderate RDS tolerated the abrupt withdrawal of CPAP, and that gradual reduction of pressure was unnecessary.


Comparison of corticosteroids and prostaglandins in treatment of hemorrhagic shock. The hemodynamic and microcirculatory effects of prostaglandin E1 and methylprednisolone sodium succinate were compared in a standard canine shock model. Prostaglandin significantly increased cardiac output and decreased total peripheral resistance when compared to control animals while steroids did not. There was no significant effect upon heart rate or arterial pressure by either drug. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate significantly increased arterial pH at the conclusion of the experiment and showed directional improvement in venous lactate and proteolytic activity. Prostaglandin significantly increased length of survival compared to both steroid and control infusion. It is concluded that prostaglandin and steroid have different hemodynamic effects in shock, that steroid protects microcirculatory flow more efficiently and that the prolongation of survival seen with prostaglandin infusion is not entirely due to its hemodynamic or lysosomal stabilizing effects.


Iliac artery ligation: the relative paucity of ischemic sequelae in renal transplant patients. In order to assess the effect of iliac artery ligation on the distal extremity, the ten year experience of the Johns Hopkins renal transplantation program was reviewed. Among 467 transplant procedures in 390 patients there were six cases in which the common and/or external iliac artery had been ligated for control of untoward hemorrhage from an infected arteriotomy site. These six cases were studied in detail with particular attention to ischemic sequelae in the involved leg. There were no immediate or causally-related deaths. No patient lost a leg or required an immediate reconstructive procedure for limb salvage. Four of the six recovered ambulatory status, and only two of these required a later, elective reconstruction for claudication. The combination of these six with eight other similar patients previously reported provides a total of 14 cases of iliac artery ligation in renal transplant patients. No patient suffered actual limb loss, and only three underwent subsequent elective reconstruction for claudication. It is concluded that common and/or external iliac artery ligation without immediate revascularization may be performed for control of hemorrhage with little danger of limb loss in renal transplant patients.


Effect of pimozide on the response of LH-RH in intact adult male rats. The effect of Pimozide on serum and pituitary concentration of LH was studied in adult male intact rats. Also the release of LH under stimulation of exogenous LH-RH was measured. The treatment for 5 days with pimozide did not alter the serum LH levels, decreased the release of LH by exogenous LH-RH stimulation, and increased the pituitary LH concentration. These results would indicate that blocking the dopaminergic receptors alters pituitary LH release mechanism.


Purification and properties of neutral alpha-1,4 glucosidase from human seminal plasma. Following a preliminary fractionation of neutral alpha-glucosidase (E.C. 3.2.1.20) from human seminal plasma, we have shown by ion exchange chromatography, Sephadex G-200 filtration, and adsorption chromatography that this alpha-glucosidase activity corresponded to two isoenzymes having the same ability to hydrolyse p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-glucopyranoside. Both isoenzymes present a heat-stable fraction at 60 degrees C, require the presence of divalent cations in the incubation medium to demonstrate their glycolytic activity, and are inhibited by maltotriose and maltose. They have a molecular weight of approximately 200,000 daltons and different sedimentation profiles on sucrose density gradient. This basic knowledge appears to be the prerequisite for further studies dealing with the importance of such isoenzymes as markers of epididymal function in male fertility.


Clinical characteristics of anaerobic bactibilia. During a two-year period, 1,892 patients underwent biliary tract surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Both aerobic and anaerobic bile cultures were performed in 371 patients and 253 of these were positive. Anaerobes were isolated from 100 patients, although only twice in pure culture. Only aerobes grew from cultures from 153 patients. One hundred cases of biliary tract infections involving anaerobes and an equal number involving aerobes only were reviewed in order to determine their clinical characteristics. Prominent features of anaerobic bactibilia included (1) a history of complex, multiple, biliary tract surgeries often involving biliary-intestinal anastomoses and common bile duct manipulation, (2) severe symptoms, (3) high incidence of postoperative infectious complications, especially wound infections. Further analysis of anaerobic biliary infections suggested that Bacteroides fragilis was more often associated with serious pathologic conditions of the biliary tract than was Clostridium.


Tuberculosis. A chemotherapeutic triumph but a persistent socioeconomic problem. There is evidence that man has suffered from tuberculosis for more than 5,000 years, and through crowded living conditions, debilitation, and malnutrition, tuberculosis became epidemic in Western civilization and was a major cause of mortality. Identification of the tubercle bacillus as the causative agent in 1882 firmly established the infectious nature of the disease  and the development of sanatoriums soon followed. Before the advent of effective chemotherapeutic agents, treatment involved rest, diet, and various surgical procedures, which were of little or no benefit to the patient. The discovery of dihydrostreptomycin, aminosalicylic acid, and isoniazid in the late 1940s and early 1950s meant that tuberculosis was now entirely curable in virtually all patients. Despite these effective chemotherapeutic and preventive agents, tuberculosis has receded to socioeconomically disadvantaged urban and rural areas, where the incidence parallels that of developing countries. Conquest of the disease will require improved health care delivery to the indigent and dispossessed.


Drug-resistant and atypical mycobacterial disease. Bacteriology and treatment. The treatment of drug-resistant mycobacterial disease requires excellent laboratory technology combined with an effective means of monitoring patients for drug toxicity and assuring patient compliance in treatment. Most tuberculosis is readily treated with easily administered, well-tolerated antituberculous combination medications such as isoniazid-ethambutol hydrochloride or isoniazid-rifampin. Primary drug-resistant tuberculosis is prevalent in many developing countries; drug resistance in the United States is generally acquired through inadequate or irregular drug ingestion. Drug-resistant tuberculosis and many "atypical" mycobacterioses required carefully designed drug regimens based on accurate drug susceptibility studies. Occasionally, patients with certain types of infection will have isolated pulmonary involvement for which surgical extirpation is beneficial. Despite the continued decline in the incidence of tuberculosis, atypical mycobacterial disease has remained constant and may eventually become the most prevalent mycobacteriosis in the United States.


Inhibitory effect of ethanol on growth and solute accumulation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae as affected by plasma-membrane lipid composition. Incorporation of ethanol (1.0 or 1.25 M) into exponential-phase cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC 366 growing anaerobically in a medium supplemented with ergosterol and an unsaturated fatty acid caused a retardation in growth rat, which was greater when the medium contained oleic rather than linoleic acid. Ethanol incorporation led to an immediate drop in growth rate, and ethanol-containing cultures grew at the slower rate for at least 10 h. Incorporation of ethanol (0.5 M) into buffered (pH 4.5) cell suspensions containing D-[6-3H] glucose, D-[1-14C] glucosamine, L-[U-14C] lysine or arginine, or KH232PO4 lowered the rate of solute accumulation by cells. Rates of accumulation of glucose, lysine and arginine were retarded to a greater extent when cells had been grown in the presence of oleic rather than linoleic acid. This difference was not observed with accumulation of phosphate. Ethanol was extracted from exponential-phase cells by four different methods. Cells grown in the presence of linoleic acid contained a slightly, but consistently, lower concentration of ethanol than cells grown in oleic acid-containing medium. The ethanol concentration in cells was 5-7 times greater than that in the cell-free medium.


Antimitogenic activity of homogenates and culture filtrates of actinomycetes. Filtrates of cells homogenates and culture supernatants of some strains of Nocardia inhibited phytohemagglutinin-induced transformation of horse blood lymphocytes. The most active preparation that inhibited transformation by over 90% were obtained from strains of Nocardia asteroides N 668, N. asteroides N 1, N. amarae Se 6, N. amarae Se 97, and N. erythropolis N 11. Concentrations of the active factor were probably low since antimitogenic activity disappeared after 10-fold dilution of the preparations.


Psychosurgery on sex offenders and sexual "deviants" in West Germany. About 70 men have undergone a stereotaxic hypothalamotomy in West Germany for sexual behaviors. In most cases the nucleus ventromedialis (Cajal) has been unilaterally destroyed. The question of whether this kind of psychosurgery shoudl be legally controlled is being discussed by both scientists and the public in West Germany. The justification for this psychosurgery is taken from a theoretical basis which is at least questionable and which stems from a biologically truncated and therefore limited perspective on human sexuality. An inspection of the published reports shows that the indication for surgery was based on questionable scientific and clinical grounds and practically excluded psychotherapeutic and sociotherapeutic aspects. In the authors' opinion stereotaxic hypothalamotomy can in no way be regarded as an unquestioned, applicable method of therapy. We consider it essential that this surgery be suspended at least as long as the possible therapeutic effectiveness and the possible adverse side effects remain unclear.


Mutagenicity studies of 4-(2-carboxyethyl) phenyl trans-4-aminomethylcyclohexane carboxylate hydrochloride (DV-1006). A new antiulcer drug. An antiulcer drug, 4-(2-carboxyethyl) phenyl trans 4-aminomethylcyclohexane carboxylate hydrochloride (DV-1006), was studied for mutagenicity using bacterial systems, in vitro and in vivo cytogenetics, and dominant lethal tests. No mutagenicity of DV-1006 was observed either in the rec-assay on Bacillus subtilis or in the Salmonella/microsome test (Ames test). In in vitro cytogenetics, DV-1006 had no effects on the chromosomes of chinese hamster cells at cytotoxic doses. Rats were treated singly or on 5 consecutive days orally with dose levels of 16, 160, or 1600 mg DV-1006/kg for detecting cytogenetic effects in vivo. As a result, no increase of the incidence of chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells was observed in any group of DV-1006. A single or 5 daily oral administration of DV-1006 (16 or 1600 mg/kg) to male mice and subsequent mating for 8 weeks produced no dominant lethal mutational effects. These results show that DV-1006 has no mutagenic potential.


Detection of the carcinogenic nitrofuran derivative VR-6 as a mutagen in the Salmonella/microsome test. The carcinogenic nitrofuran, VR-6, was evaluated for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA 100 using the plate assay (Ames test). The dose-response curve indicated that S. typhimurium TA 100 is a very sensitive genetic indicator for this chemical class and that basepair substitution appears to be the molecular mechanism with VR-6. The results reported here provide evidence, that VR-6 is a directly acting mutagen for S. typhimurium TA 100 and that the chemical is partially deactivated in the presence of rat liver homogenates. Comparison of the results obtained with this agent in the Ames test with data from a subacute animal study, showed a good agreement in predicting the carcinogenic risk.


Non-occluded particles of nuclear polyhedrosis virus infecting Galleria mellonella L.: titration in vivo and in vitro. Brief report. Infectivity of non-occluded particles of nuclear polyhedrosis virus infecting Galleria mellonella L. was determined with bioassay technique in vivo and with plaque assay method in vitro using SCLd 135 (Quiot) established cell culture. A plaque-forming virus unit corresponds to about 50 ID50 for Galleria larvae injected into hemocoel for non-cloned and 0.1-1.0 ID50 for a virus isolate cloned from an infective plaque.


[Method of determining the quality of irrigation of the vessels of parenchymatous organs before injection]. The method suggested for qualitative estimation of the renal and hepatic vessels perfusion before an injection is based on measuring oscillations of the light beam diffused by the organ's surface (the source--a gas laser of continuous action of red spectrum). An absolute photometer protected by a red filter from external effects of light is used as a registrator. Successive injection of the renal and hepatic vessels with different masses and their investigation by means of roentgenography, preparation, carrosion demonstrate a satisfactory effectiveness of the method presented.


[Correction of hyperdyslipidemia using polyene-structure substances. Controlled clinical trial]. Mepartricin (SPA-S-160 enteric-coated tablets) fat-lowering effect was evaluated in 20 patients with lipids disorders of various type. The cross-over trial was carried out with clofibrate as reference drug. Posology consisted, in both treatments, of 3 tablets/die. All subjects received each drug for a 30-day period, with a drug-free interval of 30 days. The results proved positive for both drugs but mepartricin showed a better therapeutical index. Local and systemic tolerance was good for both drugs even though the transaminases values were found to be sensibly higher after the therapeutic cycle with clofibrate.


[Neuronal barrels and the problem of somatotopy]. Serial frontal, sagittal paraffin sections from the brain areas 4, 3, 1 of the human neocortex were treated after Nissl, Klüver-Barrer, Cajal, Peters. Changes in qualitative-quantitative parameters of the neuronal ensembles and their systems in functionally different parts of the above mentioned cerebral fields were studied. It was demonstrated that the ensembles having the form of a truncated overturned cone or cylinder in the cortical space and surrounded with a vascular-fibrillar capsule were distributed according to changes of their qualitative-quantitative indices. A hypothetic scheme (Fig. 2) on distribution of the neuronal ensembles and their systems along the pre- and postcentral gyri is presented, that demonstrates a direct relation between the distribution of the neuronal ensembles differing in their structures and functional architecture of the fields in question of the human brain.


[Role of the intramural arterial bed of the human heart in the pathogenesis of coronary arteriosclerosis and myocardial infarct (a stereometric study)]. Pathological and stereometric studies of the intramural arterial bed of 42 normal hearts and 39 hearts with myocardiac infarction were carried out by injection and non-injection methods. The stereometrical analysis has shown a wide variability of volumetric density of the intramyocardial arterial bed normally due to individual features of heart angioarchitectonics. Myocardial infarction developed more frequently in subjects with a small specific volume of the intramural bed. The low volumentrical density of the intramyocardial arterial bed appears to be conducive to rapid progress of atherosclerotic coronary sclerosis. It is suggested that the low volumentrical density of the intramyocardial arterial bed be considered as one of the risk factors in the development of ischemic heart disease.


[Method of embedding cultures in situ in epoxy resins for comprehensive light and electron microscopic analysis]. A simple method for making preparations for light and electron microscopy analysis both from tissue cultures and other biological objects is proposed. The techniques of in situ flat-parallel embedding in special forms between two layers of polyethylene phthalate (PEPh) film are described. The method makes the maximum use of all the properties of the PEPh film allowing to utilize it as a substrate-support for growing cultures and as a substrate for forming optical properties of the preparations. The preparations so made are suitable for preliminary examinations by light microscopy, photography, and marking the selected areas for subsequent flat and sagital ultratomy.


Diagnosis of Tritrichomonas foetus infection in bulls using two sampling methods and a transport medium. Preputial exudates were collected from 3 bulls infected with Tritrichomonas foetus by scraping the mucosa with a specially designed instrument and by aspiration. For diagnostic purposes the scraping method was superior direct microscopic examination but both methods were equally good when the samples were cultured within 2 hours of collection. The organism remained viable in a transport medium for 24, 48 and 72 hours showing a lineal decrease in viability with time which was more than 3 times greater in samples aspirated than in samples scraped.


Inhibition of puerperal lactation: evaluation of bromocriptine and placebo. Bromocriptine and placebo were randomly allocated to 50 patients who wished to suppress lactation. Patients on bromocriptine suffered no subjective symptoms such as breast pain and engorgement, and lactation was significantly reduced compared with patients on the placebo with or without breast binding. No side-effects were noted, and rebound lactation was seen in only 3 patients. In most patients contraceptives were commenced once the drug therapy ceased on the fourteenth day.