Fish oil-induced yellow fat disease in rats. IV. Functional studies of the reticuloendothelial system. In rats with "stage S/E" yellow fat disease an injection of colloidal carbon resulted in a marked reduction in the number of circulating platelets. The death rate of rats with experimental Listeria monocytogenes infection, the number of bacteria in their spleens and the decrease of bacteria in their spleens on the days after infection were the same in rats with yellow fat disease as in controls. The fact that the rats died during the first few days after infection also may indicate that their immunological resistance to L. monocytogenes was not altered by yellow fat disease.


Serological study of ovine toxoplasmosis in Colombia: epidemiological study of a field outbreak. A serological study, using the indirect haemagglutination test, of an outbreak of toxoplasmosis in a flock of blackface sheep is described. The serological aspects of the disease are discussed with reference to this incident, and possible sources of infection are suggested.


The biological selenium status of livestock in Britain as indicated by sheep erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity. The reliability of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity as an indicator of selenium status in livestock is discussed. Based on this measurement, a survey is described of the biological selenium status of sheep on each of 329 farms in Britain. Results showed that 47 per cent of these farms were probably unable to provide grazing livestock with sufficient selenium to maintain blood levels greater than 0.075 microgram per ml. Increased selenium deficiency from the increasing use of home grown feeds as a major constituent of livestock rations may be causally related to the increase of white muscle disease and other selenium responsive diseases in Britain.


Reproductive performance of first parity sows. An investigation of the reproductive performance of first parity sows is described. In a retrospective study it was found that the size of the second litter was significantly greater in those sows with a prolonged weaning to oestrus interval of more than 15 days. Deliberately delaying mating until at least 12 days after weaning produced a similar increase in second litter size. This improvement was not associated with an increase in ovulation rate.


Pregnancy diagnosis in sows: a comparison of the vaginal biopsy and Doppler ultrasound techniques. Two pregnancy diagnosis techniques, vaginal biopsy and ultrasonic detection, were applied to 190 sows following service. Of 172 sows diagnosed pregnant by vaginal biopsy, five did not farrow. Of 18 sows judged not pregnant, one produced a litter. With the ultrasound technique, 175 sows were diagnosed pregnant, but 11 did not farrow. Of the remaining 15 sows considered not pregnant by the 39th day after service, four farrowed. The biopsy result was usually available up to 48 hours earlier than the ultrasound result. It was concluded that where laboratory facilities are available, the biopsy technique is the method of choice.


Pregnancy termination in the control of the tibial hemimelia syndrome in Galloway cattle. A description is given of the symptoms, frequency and mode of inheritance of a lethal genetic defect in Galloway cattle known as the tibial hemimelia syndrome. Plans for the control of the defect are described, and the role of the Galloway test herd identified. Investigations in the test herd demonstrate that it is possible to detect the tibial hemimelia syndrome characteristics in 90-day-old fetuses and that those fetuses can be regularly and readily obtained undamaged by pregnancy termination using prostaglandin F2 alpha. The role of pregnancy termination in the control of the tibial hemimelia problem is discussed and ideas for its development presented.


A passive haemagglutination test for the detection of antibodies to the contagious equine metritis organism. A passive haemagglutination test (PHT) which has been developed for the detection of antibodies to the contagious equine metritis organism (CEMO) in serum is described. Samples from each of 30 mares with metritis were positive with titres in the range 256 to 4096. Samples from each of 239 clinically normal mares and 30 colts and fillies believed not to have been exposed to CEMO were negative with titres of less than 256, the majority of samples (97 per cent) showing a titre of 32 or less.


Fertility in buffaloes after oestrus synchronisation with cloprostenol and fixed time insemination. Fifty-seven cycling buffalo cows of the river type were treated with two doses of 0.5 mg cloprostenol intramuscularly given 11 days apart. Each animal was inseminated twice at 72 and 96 hours after the second injection of cloprostenol. The first service conception rate diagnosed by rectal palpation at 90 days was 38.6 per cent. At the time of insemination the cervix was easily penetrable on both days in only 39 (68.4 per cent) of the animals. They were inseminated at or beyond the internal cervical os, while the others were inseminated in the cervical canal. There was a marked difference in conception rate between those receiving deep inseminations (48.7 per cent) and the others (16.7 per cent). In relation to the interval from calving to insemination the conception rates for those which had calved 60 to 90, 90 to 120 and 120 to 150 days earlier were 16.6, 36.4 and 55.5 per cent respectively. The use of cloprostenol treatment and fixed-time insemination is a useful method of overcoming the problem of oestrus detection in buffaloes. Acceptable levels of fertility can be obtained in those animals which have a sufficiently relaxed cervix to permit semen deposition at the internal os, provided the interval from calving to insemination is more than 90 days.


Ovulation rate and egg recovery in cattle treated repeatedly with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin and prostaglandin. Fourteen heifers were superovulated five to 10 times using pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and prostaglandin in a standardised regime which resulted in a mean interval of 42.1 days (SEM +/- 0.97) between treatments. There was a significant (P less than 0.02) fall in the mean ovulation rate at the second treatment when compared with the first but no significant difference between mean ovulation rate at the second and subsequent treatments. No significant difference between treatments in mean egg recovery rate or in the percentage of normal eggs recovered was demonstrated. Four heifers treated 10 times continued to respond with multiple ovulations on most occasions. At the end of the experiment 13 of the 14 heifers were inseminated and 12 conceived, requiring a mean of 1.67 services per pregnancy.


Increased incidence of still birth in piglets associated with levels of atmospheric carbon monoxide. Raised levels of atmospheric carbon monoxide, associated with malfunctioning gas-fired creep heaters and inadequate ventilation, appeared responsible for an increased incidence of stillbirths in two herds. In one, a concentration of 180 to 200 ppm of carbon monoxide was readily produced. Both problems resolved when the ventilation and heating were improved, the incidence of stillbirths in one herd falling from 28 to 6.7 per cent. It is suggested that similar incidents may have occurred during cold weather but have been ascribed to other causes.


Acorn poisoning in cattle.

Acorn poisoning in cattle. Ten cows in a suckler herd totalling 60 sickened after grazing parkland which was heavily covered with acorns. Two died. The main clinical signs were dullness, anorexia and constipation. The main pathological findings were severe nephrosis and some intestinal ulceration. After removal to an acorn-free pasture, the remaining eight animals made a full recovery.


The definition of border disease: problems for the diagnostician. Inocula derived from two sources of typical border disease (BD) and designated BP-77 and H-77 respectively, were prepared and injected into pregnant ewes of four breeds. The BP-77 inoculum produced higher serum neutralising antibody titres to the cytopathic BD virus than to the NADL strain of bovine virus diarrhoea virus. Only typical BD occurred among the progeny of all four breeds. In contrast H-77 produced higher titres to bovine virus diarrhoea than to BD and typical BD occurred only in the progeny of two of the four breeds. Progeny of the other two breeds appeared normal or had a range of malformations of the central nervous system but none of the characteristic clinical or pathological stigmata of BD. The existence of more than one strain of BD virus is confirmed. Virus strain/host genotype interactions may affect the character of disease in the progeny. The possible implications for diagnosis and control are discussed. It is concluded that the generally accepted criteria for diagnosis of BD are no longer adequate and that the disorder should be redesignated.


Prevention of navel bleeding in piglets by preparturient administration of ascorbic acid. Navel bleeding of newborn piglets was completely prevented by dosing the pregnant sows with ascorbic acid. The coagulation defect appeared to be caused by immature collagen which did not efficiently induce platelet plug formation. It seems that piglets depend upon their dams for their supply of vitamin C.


Observations on the selenium status of cattle in the north-east of Scotland. Cattle on 18 of 21 farms in north-east Scotland were found to have low whole blood activities of the selenium-containing enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (less than 5 units per ml whole blood), and a low blood concentration of selenium (less than 0.05 mg per litre). These cattle had all been fed on locally produced feedstuffs without any mineral supplementation. The low selenium status in cattle occurred on farms with soils derived from a range of parent material, no one particular type predominating.


Progesterone assays and rectal palpation in pre-service management of a dairy herd. Fifty-one dairy cows were examined three times at weekly intervals during weeks 5 to 7 after calving. Rectal palpation of the ovaries and plasma progesterone assay were used to determine cyclic ovarian function. Eight of 51 cows exhibited true anoestrus by day 49 after calving. Only 23 of 43 cycling cows were served by day 77, the end of the target period for first service. In 77 per cent of 142 examinations, rectal palpation and progesterone assay gave compatible results. Most incompatibility occurred early or late inthe cycle, or in association with cystic structures in the ovaries. Eleven of the 51 cows had cysts in the ovaries but cyclicity and fertility were not adversely affected.


An evaluation of the API ZYM system as a means of classifying spirochaetes associated with swine dysentery. Thirty-one strains of spirochaetes from pigs and two strains from poultry were tested in the API ZYM enzyme system. The spectrum of enzymatic reactions provided a means of differentiating between strains related to swine dysentery and strains not so related from pigs. The numerical coding system simplified the interpretation of the results.


Control of diarrhoea and death in home-bred dairy calves by bucket feeding pooled colostrum. The feeding of colostrum to newborn calves from a bucket was found to be more effective in ensuring immune globulin uptake than leaving cow and calf together for two days post partum. A marked seasonal variation in the immune globulin status of calves, which could not readily be explained by management factors, was noted during two consecutive seasons.


Intestinal leiomyoma in a cow.

Intestinal leiomyoma in a cow. A 10-year-old white Fulani Bunaji cow with clinical signs of ruminal stasis and melaena, was euthanised following discovery of a neoplasm in the spiral colon. Histopathological examination revealed a leiomyoma.


Effects of fever and hyperthermia on the embryonic development of rabbits. The effects of viral induced fever and environmental hyperthermia on embryonic development in pregnant rabbits are described. Embryonic development was not disturbed following fever, but there were anomalies in development following hyperthermia. Possible explanations for the different effects of hyperthermia and fever are discussed.


Effect of tipped horns on cattle bruising. Six trials in Queensland compared the bruising of 960 cattle with untipped, tipped and no horns. In three of the trials the treatment groups were kept separate during transit to the abattoir. In the other trials all cattle were handled as the one group. Tipped and untipped cattle had similar bruising, whether sent for slaughter as separate groups or together. Thus tipping was ineffective in preventing bruising. Hornless cattle had significantly (P less than 0.05) less bruising than horned cattle when consigned as separate groups. However, this advantage was lost when hornless cattle were mixed with tipped or untipped animals.


Toxoplasmosis in a calf.

Toxoplasmosis in a calf. Gross post mortem and histopathological changes are described in a calf with toxoplasmosis. The major pathological changes were restricted to the lungs and kidneys and comprised interstitial pneumonia with multifocal necrosis, and glomerular necrosis. Many pseudocysts were present in both organs. The calf had been in close contact with young cats, one of which was killed and examined and shown to have a high antibody titre to Toxoplasma gondii, although there was little histological evidence of infection. No antibodies to toxoplasma were detected in serum from the dam of the calf, and accordingly, it is suggested that the cat was the source of infection for the calf.


Spontaneous renal disease resembling hyperoxaluria in young lambs. Five out of 60 purebred Suffolk lambs died when four to six weeks old with a nephrosis characterised by heavy deposits of crystals resembling calcium oxalate in the tubules. The source of oxalate was not clearly identified but may have resulted from oxalate-forming mould contamination of concentrates fed to both ewes and lambs.


Disturbance in the growth of the tibia and femur in dogs. The clinical and radiographic features associated with premature cessation of the growth of the tibia (four) and femur (eight) in 12 dogs are described. Surgical correction of the resultant deformity was possible in only a few cases. Trauma was thought to be the cause of the local growth plate disorder.


Border disease: a sequential study of surviving lambs and an assessment of its effect on profitability. Pregnant Dorset horn gimmers inoculated with a non-cytopathic strain of the border disease virus produced "hairy shaker" lambs that were individually affected to a varying degree. Surviving lambs were observed for a period of up to 20 weeks when neurological signs were seen to gradually disappear. During this time live virus was isolated from a wide variety of sites in nearly all of the infected lambs. The infected animals grew at a significantly slower rate compared with the controls, particularly during the first 15 weeks. Several morphological defects are described the most consistent being the decreased weight of the central nervous system. By 20 weeks body-weights were about 20 per cent lower and carcase quality scores were reduced. An assessment is made of the economic losses attributable to BD taking into consideration carcase quality at 20 weeks and the perinatal losses.


Four cases of chondrodystrophy in fallow deer. The gross and microscopic pathology in four cases of chondrodystrophy in a herd of captive fallow deer is described. The gross pathology was similar in all cases with shortening of all the bones, especially of the limbs, but at the microscopic level two distinct types of abnormality were present in the epiphyseal plates. In one type there was failure of proliferation of chondrocytes and in the other proliferation and vascularisation were irregular.


Bromocyclen poisoning in the dog.

Bromocyclen poisoning in the dog. An 18-week-old male German shepherd dog had a convulsion following the accidental ingestion of bromocyclen two hours previously. The dog then vomited and had a second convulsion. A pulse rate of 150 per minute and a respiratory rate of 54 per minute were recorded. The dog was treated with 2mg acepromazine and 0.6mg atropine administered intramuscularly (im) and repeated every four hours, 10ml of 20 per cent calcium borogluconate administered subcutaneously and 2ml penicillin and streptomycin im. Eighteen hours later, the respiratory rate was in excess of 60 per minute, and penicillin and streptomycin plus 2mg betamethasone were administered im. Only atropine was administered over the next 12 hours and then discontinued. Forty hours after the original convulsion, the respiratory rate had fallen to 30 per minute and the pulse rate to 84 per minute. A day later, the dog had fully recovered.


Observations on avian pasteurellosis in Britain. An investigation into the extent and significance of Pasteurella multocida infections of birds and poultry in Britain during a three year period (1974--1977) was undertaken. This was achieved by means of postal questionnaires, coupled with the biochemical and serological examination of bacterial isolates from 91 outbreaks in poultry and from nine cases in other avian species.


An outbreak of ringworm in a group of young cattle. In an outbreak of ringworm, 30 out of 32 bull calves being reared intensively for beef showed infection. Weekly observations were made from their arrival at the farm at about one week old until slaughter at approximately 10 1/2 to 12 months of age. The outbreak lasted for 33 weeks and appeared to originate from two animals brought into the unit. Lesions occurred first, and most commonly, in the head region. The disease in individual animals lasted eight weeks and each lesion had a mean duration of 3.6 weeks. New lesions occurred after those elsewhere on the same animal had healed. The mean incubation period was estimated at 4.6 weeks. Spread of ringworm was probably mainly due to the licking and grooming activities of the calves' tongues.


Biochemical observations on beagle dog semen. Semen samples were collected at weekly intervals for six weeks from eight sexually mature beagles previously shown to produce normal ejaculates. Seminal plasma and sperm fractions were separated by centrifugation and the sodium, potassium, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, acid and alkaline phosphatase concentrations in the two fractions determined. Regression analysis of the mean weekly values obtained from physical and biochemical examination of the ejaculates showed that sodium ion concentration was highest in seminal plasma. The highest levels of aminotransferases were found in sperm fractions. Those enzymes may be indices of abnormal or damaged spermatozoa. Acid and alkaline phosphatase activity was 100 times greater in seminal plasma than in sperm fractions. Phosphatase concentrations are likely to be dependent on prostate activity. Measurement of acid phosphatase in canine semen therefore may be a useful index of prostate function. The motility of the semen samples was independent of the potassium concentration in seminal plasma. However, there was some evidence of a correlation between sperm motility and the enzyme and sodium content of seminal plasma.


Ischaemic neuromyopathy in cats.

Ischaemic neuromyopathy in cats. The effect of ischaemic neuromyopathy in cats on peripheral muscles and nerves is described. Motor function was severely decreased distal to the stifle particularly in the cranial tibial muscles. Skin sensation was absent distal to the mid tibial or hock level. The affected muscles were often hard and painful. Improvement of motor function began two to three weeks after onset and complete recovery could occur. Conduction to the interosseous and anterior tibial muscles is absent or severely reduced initially but returned and improved within two weeks. A few peripheral nerve fibres could survive the ischaemia, others showed varying defects on the myelin sheath but the majority degenerated. Shorter term recoveries were probably due to repair of the myelin sheath. Regenerated nerve fibres were also demonstrated. The cranial tibial muscles were commonly infarcted while less severe myopathic changes were found in the gastrocnemii. Provided further ischaemic episodes can be prevented the prognosis in these cases appears good.


Toxocara and ascaris infection in British pigs: a serological survey. A serological survey of growing pigs from farms throughout Great Britain revealed that antibodies to toxocara and ascaris larval antigens were present in 4.5 per cent and 39.3 per cent respectively. Heavy infection with toxocara occurred only rarely and it is considered that this parasite is unlikely to be an important cause of chronic focal interstitial hepatitis. Antibodies to both nematodes were detected more frequently in heavy hogs than in pigs of lighter weight. Reginal differences in the prevalence of antibodies were also observed.


Observations on the technical quality of radiographs submitted to a veterinary college. The technical quality of 75 sets of radiographs submitted from general practice was assessed. The most serious faults were underdevelopment and failure to collimate the beam adequately. The correction of these two faults should significantly improve the overall standard of veterinary practice radiography.


[Effect of flavonoids on aspects of nitrogen metabolism in experimental uremia]. Content of free ammonia and glutamine amide nitrogen was increased but content of protein amide nitrogen was decreased in brain tissue after bilateral nephrectomy of rats causing development an experimental uremia; an increased synthesis of urea and activation of arginase were observed in liver tissue. Flavonoids robinine and hyperine decreased the content of free ammonia, increased the content of glutamine amide nitrogen as well as of protein amide nitrogen in rat brain; robinine decreased slightly the urea synthesis and the arginase activity in liver slices of the nephrectomized rats.


[Tryptamine metabolic study in man].

[Tryptamine metabolic study in man]. A modified norharmane method was used for estimation of tryptamine in human urine at normal state. Tryptamine excretion did not depend on diuresis. Administration of neomycin did not affect the tryptamine excretion, which is inconsistent with the hypothesis on bacterial origin of the amine. Dynamics of tryptamine excretion was studied after administration of tryptophane, inhibitors of monoamine oxidase and their combinations. Sydnophen and sydnocarb caused hypotryptaminuria. Marked hypertryptaminuria was observed in severe chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.


[Effect of typhoid endotoxin and lipid A on the phospholipid content in liver tissue]. Content of phospholipid fractions was altered in mice liver tissue after intraperitoneal administration of typhoid lipopolysaccharide and of lipid A, isolated from the lipopolysaccharide. The intoxication was accompanied by an increase in content of choline-containing phospholipids within 6 and 24 hrs as well as by an alteration in the ratio of the fractions. Effect of lipid A on the tissue phospholipid spectra resembled the effect of the lipopolysaccharide, but was less prolonged. The lipopolysaccharide and lipid A altered the stability of phosphatidyl choline and cardiolipin bonds with the components of liver cells.


[Changes in the isoenzymatic makeup of pyruvate kinase in hepatic carcinogenesis]. Together with an increase in the total activity of pyruvate kinase, alterations in the isoenzyme spectrum were observed in hepatocarcinogenesis caused by treatment of rats with diethylinitrosamine. The alterations might be divided into two steps: initial, reversible changes and changes immediately related to development of the blastomatous process. The total activity of pyruvate kinase was gradually increased with appearance of hyperplastic symptoms as well as of primary tumoral foci in liver tissue. The M2-type of pyruvate kinase tended to exhibit activation. In primary hepatomas the L-type of the enzyme was decreased and activity of the M2-type was increased.


[Enzymatic characteristics of a peroxisome fraction isolated by the use of hypotonic treatment of subcellular structures]. A peroxisome fraction was isolated from rat liver tissue using hypotonic treatment of mitochondria and lysosomes. In the fraction obtained activity of marker enzymes was studied in various subcellular structures. Content of mitochondria, lysosomes and microsomes in the peroxisome fraction was about 15-20% of the total protein in the fraction. The results of hypotonic treatment of lysosomes and mitochondria are considered. Flotation activity of lysosomes was decreased to 1.16-1.20 g/cm3 after osmotic lysis and elimination of matrix enzymes from these organelles.


[Mitochondrial thymidine kinase isoenzymes from normal and proliferating rat liver tissues]. Isoenzyme composition of thymidine kinase was studied in submitochondrial fractions of liver tissue with various proliferative activity (intact, regenerating livers and Zhaidel ascites hepatoma) using polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis. Three zones, corresponding to proteins with Rf 0.1-0.2 (I), Rf 0.5-0.55 (II) and Rf 0.85-0.87 (III) and exhibiting thymidine kinase activity, were found in fractions of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial matrix proteins from resting and proliferating rat liver tissues. In fractions of outer and inner mitochondrial membranes three zones of the enzymatic activity were also observed but two of them did not coincide in the Rf value with the thymidine kinase isoenzymes from cytoplasmic fraction and mitochondrial matrix: I Rf 0.1-0.16, II Rf 0.35-0.4 and III Rf 0.62-0.68. Redistribution of the enzymatic activity between thymidine kinase isozymes occurred in conversion of liver tissue from the resting state to increased proliferation. In these cases slowly migrating enzymatic fraction (Rf 0.1-0.2) was activated in mitochondrial matrix and membranes; formation of TMP, catalyzed by isozymes with fast mobility (Rf 0.5-0.55 in matrix and Rf 0.62-0.68 in membrane fractions of mitochondria), which are typical for intact liver tissue, was decreased, respectively.


[Postmortem inhibition of RNA synthesis in the liver and skeletal muscles of rats]. RNA synthesis was studied at various postmortal periods in liver and sceletal muscle slices, incubated in Krebs-Ringer solution (pH 7.4) containing NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, KH2PO4, MgSO4, NaHCO3, glucose, normal horse blood serum, penicillin, heparin, mixture of 20 amino acids and 14C-uridine. The higher rate of postmortal inactivation of RNA synthesis was found in liver tissue as compared to muscles; decreased stability of total endogenous RNA from liver tissue was observed under conditions of autolysis. Various dynamics occurred in dissociation of endogenous RNA from sceletal muscles studied at early (6 hrs) and late (24 hrs) postmortal periods and maintained in Krebs-Ringer solution. As shown by analysis of newly formed RNA from liver tissue using disc electrophoresis, synthesis of high molecular RNA (28 S, 18 S) was primarily impaired in cases of postmortal inhibition of the synthesis; liver cells maintained their capacity for the synthesis of low molecular RNA within 3 hrs after death of the animals.


[Induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis with encephalitogenic myelin proteins from the spinal cord of a bull]. A homogenous base protein, exhibiting high encephalitogenic activity towards guinea pigs and rabbits, was isolated from bovine spinal cord using column chromatography. Administration of the preparation obtained together with Freund's adjuvant into the animals caused development of neurogic symptoms typical for experimental allergic encephalomyelitis as well as formation of demyelinization foci both in spinal cord and in brain of guinea pigs and rabbits.


[Change in the enzymatic activity of liver carbohydrate metabolism after the one-time carbon tertrachloride poisoning of rats]. Activity of gluconeogenesic enzymes was more distinctly decreased than the activity of glycolytic enzymes within 8 and 24 hrs after a single intoxication of rats with CCl4. Within 72 hrs the enzymatic activity of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis was similar but the activity of the enzymes participating in the hexose monophosphate shunt was 2-3-fold higher as compared with the patterns characteristic for the intact animals. Mechanisms of these alterations are discussed; they are apparently related to the change in hepatocyte population due to necrosis and regeneration as well as to localization of enzymes of gluconeogenesis in central part of liver lobule.


[Isolation of renin from human kidneys]. Isolation and partial purification of renin from human kidney was carried out as follows: defatting of the homogenized kidney; extraction with methyl cellosolve; chromatography on DEAE cellulose; affinity chromatography using immobilized pepstain. Activity of the preparation obtained was 0.1 GU/mg of protein. The preparation of human renin might be used for measurement of renin activity in blood of patients.


[Effect of the total flavonoids from red clover and chick-pea on the lipid content in the blood and liver of rats]. Total flavonoids from clover red and nut, containing isoflavones, decreased the content of cholesterol and triglycerides in intact rats, inhibited the development of hyperlipidemia, caused by Triton WR-1339, prevented accumulation of triglycerides in rat liver and blood caused by ethanol administration. The flavonoids from these plants inhibited lipolysis, stimulated by adrenaline.


[Glutathione: dehydroascorbate-oxidoreductase activity in rat tissues]. Glutathione: dehydroascorbate reductase activity was studied in rat liver, heart, spleen, lungs as well as in Zajdela hepatoma. Correlation between the activities of glutathione reductase and glutathione: dehydroascorbate reductase was observed in all the tissues studied. Glutathione: dehydroascorbate reductase activity was higher in Zajdela hepatoma as compared with the rat liver. The role of glutathione: dehydroascorbate reductase in regulation of antioxidative activity and of cell division is discussed.


[Hexokinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity and isoenzymatic makeup of the soluble fraction of dissimilarly functioning rabbit muscles normally and in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis]. Only one isozyme of hexokinase (type I) was found in a soluble fraction of smooth muscle of rabbit stomach using column chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. By the pattern of metabolism the smooth muscle of rabbit stomach accupies an intermediate position between rapidly and slowly contracting sceletal muscles, approaching to musculus soleus by the activity and isozyme spectra of hexokinase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Activity of these enzymes was altered not uniformly in dissimilarly functioning muscles of rabbits with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis: it was increased in musculus gastrocnemius of rabbits and decreased in soleus or in smooth muscles. LDH isoenzyme spectra changed towards an increase in aerobic H-subunits and decrease in anaerobic M-subunits in the soluble fraction of musculus gastrocnemius of rabbits with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Content of LDH-5 and LDH-4 was about 2-fold increased and content of LDH-1 and LDH-2 was decreased in musculus soleus.


[Effect of the early postnatal induction of microsomal enzymes on their activity and the cholesterol content in the blood of adult mice from a hypercholesteremic line]. Activity of microsomal enzymes and the patterns of cholesterol metabolism were studied in mice of WSR/y strain, characterized by spontaneous development of atherosclerosis within the later periods of life, after early postnatal administration of an inductor of the enzymes 3-acetate-16 alpha-isothiocyanopregnenolone (ATCP). Administration of ATCP into newborn mice of SWR/y strain, from the 2nd up to 16th day after birth, led to a stable increase in activity of arylhydrocarbonate hydroxylase (an enzyme participating in unspecific metabolism of drugs), which was observed during the whole experimental period (4 months). The treatment with ATCP caused also a distinct increase in activity of cholesterol-7 alpha-hydroxylase (a key enzyme of cholesterol biotransformation and elimination) as well as a considerable decrease in content of cholesterol and lipoprotein atherogenic fractions in blood serum. The rate of cholesterol biosynthesis was similar both in mice treated with ATCP and in the control animals.


[Effect of light deprivation on GABA metabolism in subcellular fractions of the rabbit visual system]. Specific activity of glutamate decarboxylase was decreased in subfractions of light and heavy synaptosomes, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transaminase activity--also in subfractions of free mitochondria, isolated from visual zone of brain cortex and of anterior mesencephalon but not from locomotive region of brain cortex of the light-deprived rabbits. Decrease in the ratio GABA transaminase/glutamate decarboxylase indicated distinct inhibition of GABA degradation as compared with its synthesis due to absence of sensory impulsation within the early periods of postnatal ontogenesis of the animals.


[Identification of the amino acids participating in interaction with DNA in the makeup of a viral nucleoprotein]. A method is described for identification of amino acids participating in covalent DNA-protein cross-links formed in the course of modification of native CD phage by soldium bisulfite. The method is based on estimation of increased content of free amino acids, formed after treatment of the isolated cross-link products using equimolar mixture of O-methyl hydroxylamine and sodium bisulfite. Thin layer chromatography on the plates Fixion 50 x 8 was used for comparative semi-quantitative analysis of amino acids.


[Cholesterol content in human and rabbit erythrocytes in atherosclerosis and experimental hypercholesteremia]. Direct correlation was observed between the content of cholesterol in erythrocytes and the level of alimentary hypercholesterolemia as well as the severity of heart ischemic disease in patients. Data on alterations in cholesterol content in erythrocytes may be used as a prognostic test for development of ischemic impairments of heart.


[Interaction of acrylonitrile with the microsomal oxidation system of the rat liver]. A complex with unusual spectral properties was formed after interaction of acrylonitrile with microsomal cytochrome P-450. In the absorption spectrum of the complex the minimum was observed at 400-410 nm but no distinct absorption maxima were found. Acrylonitrile stimulated utilization of oxygen during oxidation of NADP and inhibited hydroxylation of p-nitroanizol and N-demethylation of dimethylaniline. The data obtained suggest possibility of interaction of acrylonitrile with the microsomal system of oxidation.


[Nonpathogenic Neisseria studied for the content of histidine decarboxylase]. Histidine decarboxylase activity was not found in cells of nonpathogenic neisseria, obtained from bronchi of patients with infectious asthma. The absence of the histidine decarboxylase activity in nonpathogenic neisseria cells suggests that the sensitizing activity of these cells was not caused by a direct effect of histamine of bacterial origin on human branchopulmonary tissues.


[The evaluation of patients with urinary calculi discloses disturbances of metabolism in 75% of all cases (author's transl)]. The causes of, and physiopathological factors underlying the most common metabolic disorders implicated in the formation of renal stones are reviewed. These include hypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria, renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria and disturbances of purine metabolism. Apart from metabolic disorders the risk of stone formation is also influenced by a low inhibitor activity in urine. Though some aspects in the pathogenesis of urolithiasis remain uncertain, the exact knowlege of important aetiological factors of stone formation is the basis of correct treatment and the prevention of recurrence of urinary calculi.


[Amanita phalloides poisoning in Austria (author's transl)]. An analysis of 28 cases of amanita phalloides poisoning serves as basis for a discussion of the clinical features and therapeutic problems involved. A critical review of recent experimental investigations in animals points to new possibilities in the treatment of amanita phalloides poisoning.


[Long-term treatment of tuberculosis with isoprodian (author's transl)]. The results of combination therapy of Isoprodian with ethambul in patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis were found to be comparable with the results previously obtained by us with other first-choice therapeutic regimens. 61% of the 140 cavities found before treatment disappeared within 5 months and 74% within 8 months of therapy. Disappearance of bacilli from the sputum was demonstrated in 89% of the patients by 12 weeks and in all patients by 20 weeks of treatment. The satisfactory therapeutic results, the low toxicity, the convenience of administration and, moreover, the economic aspect of the relatively lower cost of Isoprodian therapy justify the further use of Isoprodian supplemented with a first-choice tuberculostatic drug in the initial phase of treatment followed by long-term therapy with Isoprodian on its own in the stabilizing phase of even severe cases of tuberculosis.


[Biomedical technique in physiology (author's transl)]. On the basis of two examples of projects being realized in the department of physiology in Graz the use of engineering methods in physiological research is demonstrated. The first example presents a survey of the use of system-theoretical methods for the investigation of overall regulation of circulation under working conditions. Using two test-signals (impulse input, random input) for experimental identification, the impulse response of heart-rate to changes in work load was obtained. The impulse responses of the volunteers were then characterized by a set of three parameters, allowing statistical evaluation, classification for diagnostic means and verification of hypotheses. The second example deals with an investigation of the signal structure of ultrasound-CW-Doppler-systems. Basing on the general Doppler-principle, which is already in use in angiology it was tried to quantify the determinants of the audio-signal, describing it by statistical functions and by experiments on simple models (tube-models). The goal of the experiments is a quantitative assessment of volume-flow and an enhancement of information about the scattering medium (rheological properties of blood).


[Significance and tasks of work physiology (author's transl)]. In the department of physiology in Graz the projects in the field of work physiology are concerned with basic and applied research. Currently the interest is focussed mainly on problems of exercise physiology. By a system analysis of the cardiorespiratory system the influence of exercise on respiration and circulation is examined. Furthermore routine methods for testing the training condition of athletes are being developed.


[Investigations concerning the body fluid homeostasis (author's transl)]. The mechanical oscillator technique is used to investigate venous hemodynamics and body fluid homeostasis. The continuous recording of blood density and its relation to hematocrit, plasma density and red cell density yields information about transcapillary fluid shift phenomena.


[Analysis of respiration in the sleeping infant. Possible relationship to sudden infant death]. Preliminary results are indicating, that disorders of the control of respiration during sleep may be an explanation of the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It should be possible to determine individual risk factors for SIDS by means of improved and extended studies, leading finally to a successful prevention of infant's death.


[Physiology of carbohydrate absorption (author's transl)]. The only enzymatic mechanism concerning carbohydrates in the chymus is starch decomposition by enzymes in the saliva and pancreatic juice, In contrast to the chymus the enterocytes dispose of all necessary enzymatic activities in their brush border, above all for disaccharide splitting. Furthermore these activities show relatively fast physiological adaptation. The activity of the disaccharidases and the transport of glucose depend on luminal sodium concentration. The transport of glucose and galactose takes place by active mechanisms, the transport of fructose by facilitated diffusion, other monosaccharides are absorbed passively.


Metabolism of [14C]phenol by sheep, pig and rat. 1. Following an oral dose of [14C]phenol (12.5 or 25 mg/kg) to sheep, pig and rat, urinary elimination of radioactivity was rapid, 80-90% dose being excreted in the first 8 h. 2. In anaesthetized, ureter-cannulated rats, 70-80% of an intraduodenal dose was eliminated in 2 h; 2% dose was excreted as phenol conjugates in the urine within 10 min. 3. The major urinary metabolites from phenol (25 mg/kg) were phenylglucuronide and phenylsulphate. In the sheep, pig and rat, the glucuronide accounted for 49%, 83% and 42% respectively, of the total urinary metabolites and sulphate accounted for 32%, 1% and 55%. Conjugates of quinol were minor urinary metabolites (less than 7%) in all three species. 4. In sheep some 12% of the urinary metabolites was conjugated with phosphate; this metabolite was not found in rat or pig.


The influences of the route of administration on the metabolism and excretion of bitolterol, a new bronchodilator, in the rat. 1. [3H]Bitolterol, an ester prodrug to colterol (N-t-butyl-arterenol), when administered orally, was excreted mostly in the urine; approx. equal amounts of 3H were found in urine and faeces after intraperitoneal or intravenous injection. 2. Half the dose was excreted in the bile following parenteral administration, while only a small amount of radioactivity was found in bile after oral dosage. The biliary-excreted material consisted mainly of glucuronides, for all routes of administration. 3. The glucuronides of colterol and 3-O-methyl-colterol were excreted in urine after oral administration of bitolterol. In addition to the glucuronides, free colterol and 3-O-methyl-colterol were excreted in urine following parenteral administration. 4. A part of bitolterol was hydrolysed to colterol in rat stomach, and bitolterol was more rapidly hydrolysed to colteral with homogenates of intestinal mucosa than with stomach homogenates in vitro.


Metabolic fate of noscapine. II. Isolation and identification of novel metabolites produced by C-C bond cleavage. 1. The metabolism of noscapine was studied in rabbits, rats and human. 2. Apart from the O-demethylated metabolites already reported, three metabolites were isolated and identified as meconine, cotarnine and hydrocotamine, respectively. 3. Mass fragmentography (chemical ionization) was used to determine these products simultaneously. 4. Meconine was the major metabolite in all three species, accounting for about 3, 8 and 2% of the dose in the first 24 h urines of rats, rabbits and humans, respectively, although one woman excreted to a very high extent (22%). In rats, cotarnine bases were excreted at almost same level as that of meconine, but at lesser extent in other two species. Hydrocotamine and unchanged noscapine were excreted to less than 1% dose.


Metabolism of norcocaine, N-hydroxy norcocaine and cocaine-N-oxide in the rat. 1. The metabolism of [3H]norcocaine, N-hydroxy[3H]norcocaine and cocaine-N-oxide has been investigated in rats after i.v. injection. 2. The biological t 1/2 of norcocaine (dose 2 mg/kg i.v.) in plasma, liver and brain were 0.4, 1.6, 0.5 h, respectively and the compound was not detectable in the central nervous system 6 h after injection. The % dose of norcocaine excreted unchanged in urine and faeces in 96 h were 0.7 and 1.0, respectively. Benzoylnorecgonine, norecgonine, norecgonine methyl ester and an unidentified compound were excreted in urine. 3. The biological t 1/2 of N-hydroxynorcocaine (5 mg/kg i.v.) in brain and plasma were 0.3, 1.6 h respectively and only 1.3 and 1.6% of dose were excreted unchanged in urine and faeces in 96 h. N-Hydroxybenzoylnorecgonine and N-hydroxynorecgonine methyl ester were the major urinary metabolites. N-hydroxynorcocaine was not metabolized to norcocaine in vitro by liver microsomes. Doses of greater than 7.5 mg/kg i.v. resulted in death of rats by cardiorespiratory arrest. 4. Cocaine-N-oxide (50 mg/kg i.v.) yielded ecgonine-N-oxide methyl ester as its major metabolite; other minor metabolites were cocaine (0.5%), norcocaine (1%), benzoylecgonine, ecgonine, ecgonine-N-oxide, along with minor amounts of unmetabolized compound. Lethality of cocaine-N-oxide (100 mg/kg i.v.) was possibly due to metabolism to norcocaine and cocaine.


[Comparative ultrasonic Doppler blood pressure determination on the upper and lower extremities as a possibility in the early detection and course observation of peripheral arterial circulatory disorders]. The comparative measuring of blood pressure on the arm and foot artery by means of the ultrasound technique after Doppler is a method for the diagnostics of the disturbance of the peripheral arterial blood supply relevant to practice. Its advantages are in the short time of examination, the simple manipulation, the little technical expenditure and the providing of clear measuring data. The course of examination used by us is explained, the normal and borderline values got are reported. Patients with haemodynamically effective disturbances of the arterial blood supply of the vessels of the leg have on the malleolar artery a by more than 10 Torr lower blood pressure than on the brachial artery. For recognition of early changes we propose a simple loading test in form of a position test. The comparative ultrasound measuring of the blood pressure after Doppler on the upper and lower extremity is suitable for the observation of the course and should stand in the first place of the functional diagnostics of peripheral angioorganopathies.


[Simultaneous occurrence of arteriosclerosis obliterans and venous diseases]. It is reported on the pathophysiological peculiarities which may appear in the coincidence of the two vascular diseases. As therapy the fibrinolysis with Awelysin should always be taken into consideration.


[Etiology and possible prevention of hemostasis-related complications in angiographies with triiodinated contrast media]. The influence of the triiodinated angiographic contrast medium Visotrast 370 on haemostasis was studied in a total of 30 angiographic examinations with and without previous injection of 5,000 IU heparin. The contrast medium alone caused prolongation of bleeding time and inhibition of plasmatic coagulation. The effect of the contrast medium was enhanced by injection of heparin. The fibrinogen concentration remained unchanged in all cases. Aggregation of platelets enhanced by the contrast medium was found to be further increased by heparin. Enhanced platelet aggregation is considered an essential factor in the incidence of thromboembolic complications during engiographic examinations. Since heparin does not inhibit platalet function, the use of inhibitors of aggregation is discussed.


[Transvenous electrode implantation into the left heart auricle via vena saphena magna]. A new simple variant of the transvernous implantation of atrial electrodes for the pacemaker therapy is reported. It consist in the fact that via the V. saphena magna under fluorography a hook electrode is shifted into the right auricular appendix by means of a slightly bent conducting wire and is anchored by leading out the hooks.


[The problem of hypertension and ovulation inhibitors]. It is reported on a 46-year-old woman who died of a haemorrhage of the cerebral matter in renally fixed hypertension and severe arteriosclerosis of the arteries of the basis of the brain. The possible connection between hypertension, arteriolosclerosis of the kidneys and arterioclerosis of the arteries of the brain basis and an intake of ovulation inhibitors lasting 10 years is critically discussed.


[Differential diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases]. It is reported on the different forms of the interstitial pulmonary diseases. Apart from the clinical examination the establishment of the professional and hobby anamnesis play an important part for the differential diagnosis. Allergologic and immunologic examination methods may contribute to the etiologic clarification. In unclear findings a bioptic ascertainment is necessary, though histologically not all cases are to be clarified. The author enters the most important clinical pictures and refers to the difficulties of the radiological differential diagnostics. Questions of therapy are briefly discussed.


[Differential diagnosis of pleural diseases]. Diffuse and circular focal processes are radiologically recognized as possibly pleurally conditioned by the position near to the chest wall. A clarification is possible by means of the diagnostic pneumothorax, the pleuroscopy and the exploratory excision under vision. Callous processes may be of inflammatory and malignant genesis. Transthoracic punctures, punch biopsies and surgical exploration may become necessary for the clarification. The effusion is the most frequent symptom of pleural diseases. The differentiation of transudate and exudate is diagnostically as essential as a functional interpretation of the cell sediments of above all inflammatory effusions. Not all malignant processes are cyto-morphologically to be recognized as such. By means of the determination of the protein coagulation after Weltmann, simultaneously performed in the blood serum and in the effusion into the pleura, we, therefore, try to find additional informations. The colorimetric measuring of the contents of hyaluronic acid of pleura exudates serves the identification of diffuse mesotheliomas.


[Cytodiagnosis in lung diseases].

[Cytodiagnosis in lung diseases]. The main application of the clinical cytology in pulmonary diseases is a possibly early and certain tumour diagnostics. This is successful in 80 to 90% of the cases. The rate of the falsely positive findings is in general lower than 1%, in the own material at 0.5%. When the cytodiagnostician taken into consideration reference pictures to benign diseases and helps his clinical partner in the classification of these findings into the entire clinical pictures, the value of the cytodiagnostics increases manifold. These descriptions were confirmed by cytological pictures and of cases instances.


[Immunologic diagnosis].

[Immunologic diagnosis]. The development of the immunologic basic research and a deeper insight into the pathogenesis of diseases with changed immune reactivity led to an intensivation of the clinic-immunologic in-vivo- and in-vitro-diagnostics. At the instance of the pulmonary diseases according to the classification of Gell and Coombs the immunologic-diagnostic possibilities and problems are shown. Here is referred to the importance of the use of standardized tests and of the wide replaceability of in-vivo-techniques by in-vitro-methods.


[Importance of the work environment for the respiratory system]. In the working process a great number of dusts, gases and smokes affect on the respiratory organs which may lead to fibrogenic, irritative, toxic, cancerogenic or allergic reactions, when the norms of industrial hygiene are not observed. In addition to this come still infective agents. Also communal surroundings, habits of life and medicaments are able to impair the respiratory organ with concurrent noxae. Among the professional diseases which are annually acknowledged about 1,200 (10%) concern the respiratory organ. Apart from the classical professional diseases silicosis and asbestosis unspecific diseases of the respiratory organ, carcinomas and allergoses come into the foreground of interest. The report needs special knowledge in the field of professional medicine and an analysis of the working conditions. The observation of the MAK-values is the prerequisite for the prophylaxis and prevention. For noxae with biologic long-term effects the life-long control of the exposed persons is necessary.


[Comparative studies in young hypertensive patients at rest and after standardized physical and sensomotoric exertion]. The acknowledged role of central-nervous mechanisms in the etiopathogenesis of the essential arterial hypertension led to the use of a psycho-physiologic test method with the aim of the early recognition of stress-induced permanent changes of physiologic functions. We succeed in proving the chosen sensumotoric stress in a group of patients with essential arterial hypertension which at first appears uniform in clinical respect allows a further differentiation. On the basis of the behaviour of defined physiologic and biochemical parameters after physical and sensumotoric stress it is referred to the necessity of a differentiated therapy of the early form of the essential arterial hypertension.


[Hepatitis prophylaxis in dialysis centers. A list of recommendations and tips. I]. From the standpoint of prevention of hepatitis in this first report references are given to the construction of dialysis centres, to their apparative equipment with special regard to the artificial kidneys, to the dialysators and to the blood-leading systems. Finally the author deals with the technique of punctures and to the possibilities for avoiding too large blood losses in patients undergoing a chronic dialysis.


[Doppler-sonographic findings in media sclerosis of the extremities, verified by radiography]. 23 patients were examined who in the ultrasound-Doppler-pressure measurement were evident by too large peripheral systolic measuring values. On the X-ray pictures of the soft tissues of these patients more or less expressed linear and longitudinal calcifications of the vascular wall in the sense of a Mönckeberg sclerosis of the media were to be proved. Though these changes of the arteries which are to be established in most cases in diabetics of older age do not cause, as a rule, any disturbances of the peripheral blood supply, they are of clinical interest, since they falsify the results of indirect measurements of the pressure (pseudohypertension). An arterial obstructive disease which is simultaneously present may possibly been overseen and the false diagnosis of a therapy-resistant arterial hypertension may be made.


[Prevention of hepatitis in dialysis centers. A catalog of recommendations and directions. 2]. On 33 patients who underwent a lung resection under conditions of stress in the majority of cases also after parenchyma-sparing operation a pulmonary hypertension, in about 50% already a slight hypertension in rest could be proved. The increase of the pulmonary pressure correlated with an increase of the resistance of the pulmonary vascular system, of resistance and age and showed tendencies to the increasing postoperative interval.


[Leiomyomatosis of the anal canal].

[Leiomyomatosis of the anal canal]. The solitary occurrence of a leiomyoma in the anal channel is rarely observed. Still more infrequently is the multiple appearance of such tumours in the anal channel which is to be named leiomyomatosis. On the basis of an own observation concerning the appearance of a relapsing leiomyomatosis of the anal channel in a 66-year-old woman is reported, which hitherto has not yet been described in literature. The clinical and morphological problems of this disease are discussed.


[New aspects in the pathologic anatomy of arteriosclerosis obliterans]. The pathogenetic notion of arteriosclerosis and the clinical syndrome of the arterial obstructive diseases are not identical, but interfere in different points which are discussed in detail. Arteriosclerotic changes must be delimitated from pure age-conditioned changes of the arteries, since the two are sufficiently defined and deviate from each other in important characteristics. Only the so-called fibrous thickening of the intima is still doubtful concerning its classification. For the understanding of the severe obliterating arteriosclerosis the knowledge of the early stages is necessary. The disease begins with focal proliferations of smooth muscle cells and a disturbance of permeability of the arterial endothelium. The two cell forms are discussed more in detail and estimated in its significance for the vascular disease. Particularly the lesion of the endothelium nowadays plays an increasing role as causative factor for the development of an arteriosclerosis, since already simple increases of permeability via and edema of the intima may lead to an accumulation of lipoproteins in the vascular wall, also when the lipid level in blood is not increased. At present in clinical practice often the question of the delimitation of an obliterating arteriosclerosis from other arteriopathies leading to a vascular obstruction arises. Since a part of these diseases is to be diagnosed by biopsies of the arteries, the histological differential diagnosis of the most important inflammatory arterial diseases is discussed.


[Modern aspects of the physiopathology of arteriosclerosis obliterans]. In a shortened survey new points of view concerning the pathophysiology of disturbances of the peripheral arterial blood supply are discussed. Here the author deals in short with the new hypothesis of the atherogenesis, according to which on the basis of a lesion of the endothelium an aggregation of thrombocytes with following stimulation of the smooth muscle cells of the media develops. The haemodynamic changes by vascular stenoses and obstructions with the possibilities of their recognition are discussed in detail, in which especially examinations under load and phasic measurements of flow are taken into consideration.


[Modern angiological diagnostic methods]. The tasks of apparative examination methods in the angiologic diagnostics are explained. Apart from the mechanical oscillography the possibilities of registration and evaluation of the peripheral pulse wave are discussed. As quantitative examination method the plethysmography is broadly used. The most important applications of the ultrasound-Doppler-technique are described.


[Hemodynamics of the liver. I. Liver perfusion after ligation of the dog hepatic artery and portal vein]. By means of direct method hepatic blood supply was examined after ligation of hepatic artery and portal vein. 15 per cent of the total blood supply to the liver were arterial. This amount can rise to 30 per cent under extreme conditions, caused by an increase of arteriovenous pressure difference as well as by a decrease of the arterial flow resistance in the liver.


[Hemodynamics of the liver. II. Hemodynamics of the dog liver after resection of 70% of the liver and ligation of the left branch of the portal vein]. Blood supply to the liver was determined by help of the direct method after 70 per cent hepatic resection and after ligation of the left branch of portal vein in dogs. The total blood supply remains unchanged after both surgical procedures, while the circulation in the remaining lobes, resp. in those patent for portal blood stream, considerably increases. After the resection portal hypertension develops. This elevated portal pressure was not observed after ligation of the left portal branch.


[Hemodynamics of the liver. III. The importance of the hepatic artery for intrahepatic circulation]. Values of intrahepatic arterial pressure gradients are presented on a table, based on own hepatic circulatory measurements and own anatomic studies. The importance of the peribiliar net for hemodynamics is stressed, which has regulative properties steering the pressures under which arterial blood gets into the sinusoid capillaries.


[Critical considerations on the production of a pulsating fluid stream]. Two types of gears are used for perfusion of cadaveric kidneys. Electric models are presented for both types and the optimal devices are discussed. Based upon in vivo conditions, the relevant parameters are transferred to the model and an according equipment for pulsatile fall-stream perfusion is presented, which is compared with another gear. The clinical criterion for good initial perfusion is the erythrocyte count in the initial perfusate. Judged from that, the chosen device is significantly better than its predecessor.


The glucoregulatory hormones in cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is complicated by numerous abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism although these are seldom of clinical importance. Carbohydrate intolerance is extremely common and is accompanied by hyperinsulinaemia, hyperglucagonaemia and elevated levels of gluconeogenic precursors. The hyperinsulinaemia results from impaired hepatic degradation of insulin while recent evidence suggests that pancreatic hypersecretion is responsible for the elevated levels of glucagon in cirrhosis. The role of hepatocellular damage and portal-systemic shunting in the pathogenesis of these abnormalities is controversial but the derangements in carbohydrate metabolism probably reflect hepatocellular damage rather than portal-systemic shunting.


[Treatment of recurrent herpes simplex and recurring stomatitis with levamisol]. The therapeutic effect of levamisole was tested both in double blind and open clinical trials in all together 32 patients with recurrent herpes simplex and 17 patients was recurrent aphthoses. The frequency, the duration and the painfulness of the herpes eruptions were improved significantly under levamisole treatment, while there was only a short lasting favorable influence on the clinical course of the recurrent aphthoses.


[Levamisol therapy in chronic prostatistis and epididymitis]. Eight patients suffering from chronic epididymitis, prostatis and urethritis were treated with levamisole. A definite and lasting improvement was seen six of the eight patients.


[Contribution to the DNCB therapy of alopecia areata]. 14 patients suffering from longstanding alopecia areata totalis or fere totalis were treated with dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) over a period of 2 to 11 months. Hair growth was induced in 9 patients. Side effects were not observed so far.


[Adjuvant DNCB immunotherapy in malignant melanoma]. Report on the application of a dinitrochlorobenzene ointment of 61 postoperative melanoma patients exhibiting clinical stages I and II. After contact sensitization the erythemogenic threshold concentrations of DNCB were mostly found in the range of 0,05% and 0,1%. Patients with reactions at low concentrations of 0,01% and 0,05% DNCB were in the mean 8 years younger than those with reactions at 0,1% and 0,5%, but no connection to different stages of malignant melanoma could be evaluated. 3 melanoma patients suffering from skin metastases were treated by epifocal DNCB-application. One of them became clinically tumor free since more than 1 year, whereas the two other exhibiting multicentric and/or profound tumor growth did not respond. In a 82-year-old wife a superficial lentigo maligna melanoma disappeared by DNCB-application. In none of the 61 cases we observed a "tumor enhancement" after immunoprophylaxis or adjuvant immunotherapy with DNCB. The DNCB-method in malignant melanoma is yet in the experimental stage and is not recommended for general use in practice.


[Effects of acute beta-adrenoceptor blockage (metoprolol i.v.) on plasma norepinephrine concentration and hemodynamics in postmyocardial infarction patients]. The effect of acute beta-adrenoceptor blockage (Metoprolol) (M), 0.1 mg/kg i.v.) on left ventricular performance has been investigated at rest and during exercise in 15 patients with 2--3 months old transmural myocardial infarctions. Coronary venous and arterial norepinephrine (NE) concentrations were determined. There was no significant change in arterial and coronary venous NE concentrations (0.27 and 0.22 ng/ml, respectively) after blockage of beta-adrenoceptors (0.36 vs 0.26 ng/ml), which caused a fall of stroke volume from 79 to 68 ml, a reduction of ejection fraction from 62 to 55% and of circumferential fibre shortening form 1.2 to 0.9 circ/sec. During physical exercise the plasma NE concentration in the arterial (0.51 ng/ml) and coronary venous (0.6 ng/ml) blood increased significantly and increased even further to 0.65 and 0.76 ng/ml, respectively, following administration of Metoprolol. The arterio-coronary sinus difference in NE concentrations demonstrate a release of NE from the myocardium. As compared to control values, heart rate following Metoprolol was lower (116 vs 106/min), mean PCV pressure was slightly increased (from 21 to 23 mm Hg) and there was a fall of cardiac index from 6.3 to 5.2 l/min X m2. It is likely that the increased sympathetic activity after Metoprolol and during exercise is a compensatory reaction due to the hemodynamic effects of blockade of beta-adrenoceptors. Further studies are in preparation in order to find out if this is only a transient phenomenon during the early adaptation phase after blockade of beta-adrenoceptors.


[Long-time follow-up scintigraphy with 99m Tc pyrophosphate after myocardial infarction (author's transl)]. Follow-up scintigraphies with 99m Tc pyrophosphate 3--4 weeks and 6--12 months after a myocardial infarction revealed the possibility of persisting a myocardial tracer activity in cases in which reinfarction can be excluded. There was a relation between the persistence of the tracer activity and the pressure in the pulmonary artery under stress conditions. The diastolic pulmonary pressure was regular in those patients whose scintiphotos showed no tracer activity in the myocardial area in the follow-up scintigraphy. Patients who showed a persisting tracer activity in the infarcted areal had elevated pressures in the pulmonary artery under stress conditions or even at rest. The elevation of the diastolic pulmonary pressure is a sign of an elevated enddiastolic pressure in the left ventricle caused by a limited left ventricular function. This could be proved by left ventriculography. The results in follow-up scintigraphy 3--4 weeks and 6--12 months after the infarction were quite similar. Therefore we believe that the results of a follow-up scintigraphy 3--4 weeks after an infarction allows to draw prognostic inferences about the further course of the disease.


[On diagnosis of myocardial infarction in the polytraumatized investigation in dogs (author's transl)]. The reliability of CKMB in cases in which damage of sceletal muscles and myocardium occurred in close sequence is tested in dogs. Results show that in simultaneous damage of heart and muscles, CKMB exceeds the requested ratio of 5 to 8% of total CK, thus proving the myocardial infarction. In cases in which myocardial infarction succeeds a damage of sceletal muscle--e.g. a polytrauma --within distance of hours only, the absolutely high level of CKMB proves the infarction, even below the critical ratio of the total CK.


[The applicability of systolic time intervals in patients before and after aortic valve replacement (author's transl)]. In order to evaluate the systolic time intervals (STI) for characterizing the left ventricular pump function and the clinical course in patients with aortic valve disease, 35 patients with aortic stenosis (AS) and 25 patients with aortic insufficiency (AI class III or IV (NYHA) were studied before and 1 year after valve replacement either with Björk-Shiley, Lillehie-Kaster or Starr-Edwards aortic prostheses. Left ventricular ejection time index (LVETI), preejection period index (PEPI) and PEP/LVET were determined and compared with cardiac index (CI), stroke volume index (SVI) and ejection fraction (EF). Prosthetic valve replacement leads to a high significant decrease of LVETI from preop. 468 +/- 31 ms to postop. 394 +/- 26 ms (mean normal values 415 ms) and an increase of PEPI from 100 +/- 26 ms to 136 +/- 25 ms (normal 132 ms) as of PEP/LVET from 0.21 +/- 0.09 to 0.41 +/- 0.12 (normal 0.31). Pre- as well as postop. there is no difference in STI between AS and AI. Also the groups with the three prosthetic valve types do not differ significantly. LVETI and PEPI correlate only postop. with CI and SVI, but PEP/LVET correlates well with EF (r = -0.73) before and after operation. The comparison of STI with the hemodynamic data suggest that preop. values of STI near normal and postop. LVETI below, PEPI and PEP/LVET above the mean values of the whole group with aortic valve replacement indicate left ventricular pump dysfunction. The STI are helpful in the pre-/postop. follow-op of patients with severe aortic valve disease to characterize the clinical and hemodynamic course.


[The right ventricle at rest and during exercise. I. Pump-function of the normal right ventricle (author's transl)]. Right ventricular volumes and function were assessed by biplane cincventriculography at rest and during exercise in 7 normals. Simultaneously pressure in the left ventricle was measured. 1. Stroke volume index of the right ventricle increased from (x +/- SEM) 46.8 +/- R.R ml/m2 at rest to 66.8 +/- 5.5 ml/m2 (p less than .05) during exercise. Ejection fraction increased from 56.4 +/- 3 to 70.3 +/- 3.7% (p less than .02). Enddiastolic volume increased from 82 +/- 5.8 to 95 +/- 7 ml/m2. Enddiastolic right ventricular pressure increased from 5. +/- .8 to 8 +/- 1 mm Hg (p less than .05). Increase of R.V. stroke volume during exercise is achieved at least in part by increased fiber stretch. 2. Endsystolic volume decreased from 36 +/- 3.2 to 28 +/- 4 ml/m2 (p less than .02). Right ventricular mean velocity of diameter shortening (VD) increased from 1.2 +/- .08 to 1.65 +/- .14 D/s (p less than .05). Decrease of endsystolic volume may be caused by decrease of afterload or increase of contractility. Our data do not enable evaluation of these mechanisms.


Assessment of regurgitation fractions by radionuclide ventriculography. The ratio A for left ventricular and right ventricular enddiastolic-endsystolic count differences was used for quantitative evaluation of aortic and mitral valve regurgitation. The mean value of A for patients without valvular insufficiencies was determined (Am = 1.43 +/- 0.27).23 (96%) of 24 patients with aortic or mitral valve regurgitation showed significantly increased A values (A greater than 2). The numerical value was used for classification of the degree of insufficiency and for comparison with angiography. The correlation between A and the average angiographic degree of insufficiency was 0.79.


[Echocardiographic representation of the fetal heart (time-motion registration) (author's transl)]. With time-motion registration of the fetal heart it is possible to get information about the size of the ventricles, the left atrium and the aorta. First results of this method of investigation are demonstrated.


[Echocardiographic investigation of the left ventricular outflow tract in healthy children (author's transl)]. The width of the left ventricular outflow tract was measured in the echocardiograms at the beginning and the end of the systole in 80 healthy children ranging from 3 to 16 years. The values were referred to the body surface area and the heart volume which was estimated by mean of X-ray. The regression lines as well as the confidence levels of 95 per cent are marked. It becomes obvious that the dispersion of the data related to the heart volume is less than that related to the body surface area. The width of the left ventricular outflow tract with reference to the heart volume and the body surface area resp. shows in relation to the heart volume and the body surface area resp. an exponential behaviour, i.e. in the growing heart the outflow tract decreases in relation to the two parameters. The narrowing of the outflow tract from start to end of the systole is about one third.


[The influence of a long-term cardioselective and noncardioselective beta-receptorblockade on blood pressure, O2-uptake and carbohydrate metabolism. Ergometric investigations in hypertensive patients (author's transl)]. 1. In 9 male hypertensives the influence of a long-term cardioselective (200 mg Metoprolol) and non-cardioselective (15 mg Pindolol) beta-receptor blockade on the blood pressure, O2-uptake and carbohydrate metabolism was investigated at rest and during a short (6 min, 100 Watt), long (30 min under steady-state conditions with a heart rate of 130/min) and maximal ergometric work and 5 min after that. 2. In this cross-over trial the blood pressure was reduced significantly (p less than 0.01) and in an identical manner by both beta-receptor blockers. 3. Though there was a significant (p less than 0.01) reduction of the heart rate of 26% by Metoprolol (M) and of 21.2% by Pindolol (P), the O2-uptake during submaximal work was unchanged under P with 1.66 +/- 0.4 l/min and under M with 1.7 +/- 0.44 l/min in comparison with the control (C) of 1.71 +/- 0.38 l/min. The maximal O2-uptake was insignificantly reduced by Pincolol (C 2.51 l/min; M 2.46 l/min; P 2.11 l/min). 4. Only under Pindolol we found in all patients a marked and insignificant (p less than 0.01) drop of the blood sugar level in the 30th min of ergometric work (C 76.2 +/- 11; M 72.6 +/- 9; P 55.3 +/- 11 mg/dl), under maximal work (C 74 +/- 12; M 73.2 +/- 10; P 54.2 +/- 11 mg/dl) and 5 min after (C 83.6 +/- 11; M 87.6 +/- 15;  69 +/- 19 mg/dl). 5. The lactic acid level showed under both beta-receptor blockers the same tendency to decrease. 6. The drop of the blood sugar to hypoglycemic values is due to an impaired glycogenolysis in the skeletal muscles and implies a considerable reduction of the physical capacity. Therefore the cardioselective beta-receptor blocker Metoprolol is recommended especially for the treatment of young hypertensives and for all patients who need their physical fitness in order to achieve their work or to perform a preventive and rehabilitative training.


[Postnatal development of the median eminence in the rat]. The postnatal development of the zonation and the glial cells of the median eminence (EM) was investigated in male rats. On the 1st day of life, the ME is mostly undifferentiated. In contrast to adult animals, only the ependymal, subependymal and palisade layer can be observed. The remaining area is almost unorganized. A more distinct zonation of the EM exists about the 10th day of life. Ependymal and subependymal layer are reduced to a monolayer of cells; in addition, the reticular layer appears. The adult structure of the EM is seen for the first time about the 14th day of life. The development of the zonation of the EM is finished at the 3rd week of life. Mature microglial cells occur in the median eminence at the 1st day of live. Ependymal cells, tanycytes and astrocytic tanycytes (Zaborszky and Schiebler 1978), which can be found in a greatter amount as an individual cell type, are relatively immature. Protoplasmatic astrocytes occur at the 4th, and fibrous astrocytes at the 14th day of life. The development of glial cells may be finished at the end of the 4th week of life together with the maturation of oligodendrocytes. The opening of the 3rd ventricle needs 2 weeks, that of the recessus infundibularis is finished after the 3rd week of live. On the basis of their lipid granules and the synaptic contacts with neurosecretory axons it is presumed that the tanycytic and astrocytic tanycytes have regulatory functions in connection with neurosecretory processes.


Seasonal variations in the pharyngeal and pronephric thyroid tissues of the fresh water teleost Puntius sophore (Ham). An attempt has been made to study pharyngeal and pronephric thyroid follicles and contribute seasonal changes in them in a fresh water teleost, Puntius sophore. Their activity has been assessed histologically by the study of size of thyroid follicles, the shape and cell height of epithelial cells and the nature of their colloid. These follicles exhibit notable seasonal changes and record two periods of activity, one in summer months from May to August and the other in November.


[Occurrence and ultrastructure of mast cells in the hypothalamus of teleost fishes]. From 56 light-, fluorescence- and electronmicroscopically investigated brains of fishes mast cells could be found only in 4 cases. They were concentrated in the meninges of one pike (Esox licius) and in the meninges and at larger blood-vessels of the hypothalamus of 2 trouts (Salmo trutta fario). In the hypothalamus of a carp (Cyprinus carpio) an infiltration of mast cells was detectable in the meninges, at blood-vessels and capillaries, between neuronal and glial fibres and sub- and intraependymaly. Contrary to the pike the granules of the mast cells of the carp show changes, hinting at release of their content. Junctions between mast cells and capillary walls or ependymal cells are characterized by structures indicating an enhanced cytopempsis. The present results are compared with observations on mast cells in the brain and peritoneum of mammals.


Physiology of circulation in the architecture of Anura. A functional relationship exists between the size of erythrocyte and size of capillary passage at metamorphosis. The shift in red cell a/b (major/minor axis) ratio in relation to the changes in cross-sectional capillary area is signficant. These changes have been worked out in thyroxine induced Rana cyanophlyctis tadpoles in comparison with untreated controls. The physiological aspects of phylogenetic origin in relation to ontogenesis of lymphatic sinuses are summed up. A further correlation between the narrowing of capillaries and the sprouting and spreading of lymph sinuses is postulated.


Histochemical studies on iron absorption in Ophiocephalus punctatus and Heteropneustes fossilis. Iron absorption in both the teleost fishes Ophiocephalus punctatus and Heteropneustes fossilis, initially starts after 2h of feeding the iron diet. However, at this stage, there is no absorption of iron in the posterior intestine of both the fishes. Absorption initially starts along the brush border of enterocytes of the villi. Later, it gets accumulated in the supranuclear region of the epithelial cells and then through these cells, it is transported into the cores of the villi. The absorbed amount ultimately reaches along the bases of the villi. Through the blood capillaries, which are situated in the submucosa, absorbed iron is passed on to the blood stream. Although, the entire intestine of both the fishes is able to absorb iron but the regional variations have been noted. In contrast to the posterior intestine, the anterior and middle intestine of both the fishes show better iron absorption. The pyloric caeca of Ophiocephalus have comparatively less affinity for iron absorption. However, the intestine of Heteropneustes shows more affinity for iron absorption than the intestine of Ophiocephalus.


Influence of 6-mercaptopurine on the prenatal development of the rat cortex. The prenatal cortex development after the application of 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) was studied in the rat embryo. 24 h after application of a single dose of 6-MP on day 12, 13, 14 or 15 of gestation first cell lesions occured in the form of necroses. 48 h after injection of the drug these necroses were most pronounced. Their extent and distribution pattern was, however, dependent on the developmental stage. In the early developmental phase, on days 12 and 13, massive necroses could be observed in the intermediate zone. At later stages of development (drug application on day 14 or 15) damaged cells could occasionally also be found scattered over the whole ventricular wall. The late toxic response to 6-MP treatment suggests that, after incorporation of metabolites of the agent into DNA during the S-phase, at least one additional S-phase is completed before the disturbance created in a cell is sufficient to cause necrosis. The necrosis may be a result of an action of 6-MP directly on DNA or via an affect on transcription. The different extent of the lesion during the various developmental phases suggests different growth dynamics of the cortex.


[Cellular ultrastructure of the superior cervical ganglion of the rat in homo- and heterografts following organ culture of the transplant]. Transplantation of the superior cervical ganglion of rat, after by organe culture retains ultrastructural integrity of the cells for a longer period than transplantation alone. Whatever the graft--homo or heterograft--neuronal survival is extended. Apart from minuts differences, S.I.F. cells show the same evolution. Ultrastructural features modified after culture always return to their initial state. Numerous after the culture always return to their initial state. Numerous after the culture, the lysosomes disappear in the first weeks following the graft. This cytoplasmic epuration is very important, since it might regenerate the cell and dilate its antigenic properties. Without the graft, the cytoplasmic epuration does not take place; vascularization is considered as a favourable factor of evolution. The association graft-culture has a double impact on survival of SCG cells. The culture initiates a cellular epuration, the graft quickens and perfects the return to a normal morphology.


Observations on the Leydig cells in the male East African spring hare (Pedetes surdaster larvalis). The morphology of Leydig cells of the testis of sexually mature and sexually immature spring hares was studied. The cytoplasm of the Leydig of cells the sexually immature spring hares was packed with large lipid droplets leaving little space for the other organelles. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum was poorly developed and occasionally formed concentric layers of fenestrated cisterns around the large lipid droplets. The Leydig of cells the sexually mature spring hares were almost devoid of lipid droplets and their cytoplasm was occupied by abundant tubular smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Cells which shared characteristics with both immature Leydig cells and undifferentiated mesenchymal cells were observed in the limiting membrane of the seminiferous tubulus. These Leydig-like cells may play a role in the differentiation of Leydig cells in the spring hare.


Seasonal changes in the corpuscles of Stannius and the gonads of the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). The seasonal changes in the corpuscles of Stannius (CS) and the gonads of the catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis were studied. The annual sex cycle of the fish has been divided into 4 phases on the basis of the variations in the gonosomatic index and histocytological features displayed by the testes and ovaries. There is a rise in the percentage of aldehyde fuchsin (AF)-positive cells in the CS and an increase in the nuclear diameter, at the beginning of preparatory period (February). In the prespawning period (May--June) the AF-positive cells undergo degranulation. A slight regranulation and rise in the percentage of AF-positive cells occurs during early spawing period (July). During the postspawning phase (September--January) the corpuscles remain predominated by AF-negative cells and show histolytical changes; the nuclear indices are reduced. In view of the concomitant changes occurring in the CS and the gonads the possibility of some direct or indirect relationship between the two has been discussed, although it is difficult to ascertain whether the changes in the corpuscles are cause or consequence of the gonadal cycle.


[Indications for the reconstruction of the female breast]. In 7 years reconstruction of breasts amputated due to carcinoma have been carried out 139 times in our clinic, with good aesthetic results. This operation was mostly performed on female patients with ages ranging between 30--50 years. A survey is made of the state of malignancy of the tumour of our patients in which the breast amputation was carried out and of the histological findings. A discussion will be made concerning at which point of time reconstruction should take place depending upon the state of malignancy of the tumour at the time of the first operation. Reoccurrances of primary tumours were found in 15 patients, 4 tumours of the contra-lateral breasts, and 3 micro-metastases in the scar tissue following amputation were discovered during reconstruction. The evidence gathered by us during the time of the survey confirmed the significance that breast reconstruction following amputation has upon the total personality of the patient.


[Structural analysis of the capsules around breast prostheses (light and electron microscopic studies)]. Fibrous tissue capsules around silicone-gel and saline filled breast implants were examined by light microscopy as well as by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. This study revealed the following details: 1. Regularly arranged dense connective tissue forms the basis of the reactively developed capsules around the breast implants. This tissue contains bundles of collagenous fibers which are densely packed and lie parallel to each other forming structures of great tensile strengthes. 2. The outer surface of the connective tissue capsules contain reticulum fibers, the diameter of which is small. The fibers branch variously to form a netlike framework, which obviously can support the mechanical significance of the collagenous material. 3. At the inner surface fibrocytes and histiocytes are single layered and form an epithelium-like structure. These cells possess specializations of their free surface as microvilli, microplicae, and cell protrusions. In some areas dense connective tissue forms a felt-like surface. 4. Contractile fibroblasts (myofibroblasts) were found in these fibrous capsules. These cells share electron microscopic features of both smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. Along with the rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, these cells have long thin bundles of microfilaments. 5. The connective tissue of the capsules contains also capillaries and fibrocytes, which are usually deployed along bundles of collagen fibers and appear in sections as fusiform elements with long processes. The fibrocytes also contain lysosomes, and because these are involved in hydrolysis or digestion of material within the cell, their appearance depends upon their functional state, leading to their characteristic pleomorphism. 6. The frequently resulting unshapelyness of the breast implants cannot be caused by the action of the so-called myofibroblasts, the number of which is too small, but more likely because of the unelestic arrangement of large amounts of collagenous material.


[Andromastectomy].

[Andromastectomy]. Andromastectomy, that is to say the removal of the male mammary glands, should prevent the development of Gynaecomastia which is both painful and deforming and may occur subsequent to certain illnesses or hormone treatment.


[Lengthening of the 1. metacarpal according to Matev after loss of the thumb]. In cases where loss of the thumb has occurred, the gripping function of the hand can be pariallly restored by the process of extending the first metacarpel. In our opinion the method according to Matev, involving distraction and the interpositioning of a bony wedge is a relatively simple operation and compared with similar methods has the advantage of achieving positive results in regard to the length. The only prerequisite for this method is good skin and soft tissue condition in the area of the stump.


[Need-information organization of brain activity]. Experimental results and literature data point to the leading role of four brain structures in the genesis of emotional states and in the organization of goal directed behaviour. Owing to the functioning of the frontal parts of the neocortex behaviour is oriented to signals with a high probability of their reinforcement, and owing to the hypothalamus--to satisfaction of the dominant need. Unlike the neocortex the hippocampus is necessary for reactions to signals of lowly probable events, which is typical of emotionally exicted brain. The amygdala complx participates in creation of a balance, a dynamic co-existence between completing needs (motivations) and corresponding emotions. As a result, behaviour becomes more plastic and adequate to the given situation.


[Stimulus recognition as a factor in establishing the effective properties of the signal]. An attempt was made to estimate the importance of preliminary perceptual learning of the recognition of indifferent stimulus for the formation of effective properties of the trigger signal of conditioned reflex functional system. The dynamics of the elaboration of instrumental conditioned reflexes was compared: 1) when an unfamiliar signal was introduced into the experimental environment (control experiments). 2) in case of introduction of a perceptually familiar signal, 3) after "erasing" of acquired perceptual experience by electroshock. The experiments revealed that a preliminary perceptual learning contributes to the formation of the effective properties of the trigger signal.


[Effect of low frequency stimulation of the head of the caudate nucleus on an instrumental defense reaction in dogs]. The effect of low-frequency stimulation of the caudate nucleus head (CNH) on motor components of instrumental defensive reaction (IDR) (IDR "coordination" program) and on realization of the instrumental task itself--avoidance of electrical current (IDR "sense" program) was compared in chronic experiments on six dogs with a model of IDR. Low-frequency stimulation of CNH of the right and left hemispheres exerted an inhibitory influence on the IDR components which characterize its coordination program. Inhibitory effects increased proportionally to the intensity of stimulation current. The changes were mostly pronounced in the early electromyographic components of the support extremity's muscle activity preceding IDR, which suggests an important role of CNH in rearrangment of the posture, preceding voluntary movement. Achievement of the instrumental task itself (avoidance of the electrical current) was inhibited only with a very high intensity of stimulation (higher than 1 ma).


[EEG correlation and cortical neurons spike activity during elaboration of a defensive conditioned reflex]. Elaboration of electro-defensive conditioned reflex to light in rabbits has shown, that the values of summary cross-correlation coefficients between EEG and impulse activity of cortical neurones do not change significantly as compared to the control. In these conditions does not change either the part of the neurones that have a significant correlation of their impulse discharges with any configuration of the EEG wave. During 6--10 days of conditioning there occurs a decrease in the amplitudes of both positive and negative EEG oscillations, connected with unit discharges in the neocortex. An EEG quantum has being recorded, i. e. a depolarization potential, directly connected with the generation of spikes by the studied nervous elements.


[Dynamics of the formation and interrelationship of trace phenomena in 6--7-year-old children]. The dynamics of formation, the reproduction characteristics and interrelation of trace phenomena in conditions of a stable vs. unstable pause between the stimuli in Konorski test were studied in 148 6--7 year old children. It has been shown that with a stable interstimuli pause, along with correct voluntary reactions, based on stimuli traces, two types of electropgraphic trace reaction to time are elaborated--anticipatory and post-stimulatory. In this case trace phenomena are formed much more rapidly and their connection with the volume of the children's short-term memory is tighter than in experiments with an unstable interstimuli pause. It has been also shown that children's school resluts significantly correlate with the caracteristics of their mnemic activity--the volume of the short-term memory and Konorski test data.


[Effect of unilateral section of the X septo-hippocampal pathways on the electrical activity of the dorsal hippocampus and behavior of rabbits]. The influence of unilateral section of the septo-hippocampal pathway on the electrical activity of the dorsal hippocampus of both hemispheres was studied in conditions of elaborated behaviour. The analysis of EEG data of the fields CA1 and CA3 before the section revealed an interconnection of the theta-rhythm and behaviour. Ablation of the septal input caused in the ipsilateral hippocampus a sharp decrease in the activity amplitude and in the number of theta-waves as well as an increase in beta-frequencies and an impairment of interconnection between the frequency bands of the theta-rhythm and the forms of behavioural act. Meanwhile, in the contralateral hippocampus, despite a certain decrease in the activity amplitude and an increase in the number of rapid oscillations, no sharp decrease in theta-waves was visible and the correlation of the theta-rhythm with the behaviour forms was clearly pronounced.


[Responses of visual cortex neurons to photic and acoustic stimuli in rabbits reared in the dark]. Unit responses in the visual cortex to photic and acoustic stimuli were studied in intact and visually deprived rabbits raised in the dark since birth up to 2.5--5 months of age. Photic flashes, tones, single and rhythmical clicks were used as stimuli. A significant increase of the number of bimodal units was revealed in the cortex of visually deprived rabbits. The level of significance of the statistical estimate of the change in the number of phonoreactive units (its increase due to deprivation) amounts to 92%. The nature of responses to flashes and the ratio of photoreactive units does not change due to deprivation, which suggests their genetic determination. Possible mechanisms of the re-distribution of neuronal reactivity in the rabbit visual cortex in conditions of deprivation are discussed.


[Changes in cortical neuron input resistance and the stimulation threshold of its electroexcitable membrane by a depolarizing current during the habituation process]. The habituation of neurones in the turtle visual cortex is accompanied by changes in their input resistance and in the threshold of stimulation of their electro-excitable membrane by depolarizing current. Input resistance of the neurone during monotoneous stimulation decreases throughout habituation and increases following an alien stimulus. The threshold becomes higher if the current acts as a monotoneous stimulus and gets lower if it acts as an alien stimulus. Input resistance of a habituated neurone and its threshold are restored after alien stimulation and spontaneously--after interruption. These changes are specific to the stimulation, appear during its action, and are reversible. They form postsynaptic mechanisms of habituation.


Toxic trace metals in food. I. A new voltammetric procedure for toxic trace metal control of wines. A new highly sensitive and particularly reliable analytical procedure for the precise determination of the most relevant toxic trace metals cadmium, lead and copper in wine is presented. It consists of a simple and convenient sample pretreatment by UV irradiation (1,5 h, 500-W-Hg-lamp) to release the toxic trace metals bound by organic substances and subsequent voltammetry (DPASV) of cadmium and lead simultaneously at a mercury film electrode (MFE) formed in situ on a vitreous carbon carrier and of copper on a gold electrode. Particular emphasis has been placed on the efficient exclusion of interference due to contamination. Only special wines, with more than 10% of sugar, require substitution of UV irradiation by a wet digestion also described. The procedure may be easily expanded to include the determination of mercury and zinc.


Transformation of the capillary wall elements in synovial tissue in rheumatoid arthritis. 1. The morphologically comprehensible starting point of rheumatoid arthritis is a permeability change of the synovial capillaries. 2. In the context of rheumatoid arthritis all three building elements of the blood capillaries undergo a transformation. 3. In the endothelial cells and the pericytes the endoplasmatic reticulum, the Golgi-apparatus, as well as the mitochondria can be multiplied (progressive transformation). The cell structures can, however, be subject to a degeneration (regressive transformation). The basement membrane as a secretion product, in contrast, undergoes exclusively quantitative changes. 4. The transformation possibilities of the capillary elements will be treated and classified on a graph under general pathological aspects. 5. As an element of the connective tissue the endothelial cell, as are lining cell and stroma cell in rheumatoid arthritis, is subject to transforming influences which, however, at the synovial capillary will be the starter of fibrin exudation into the joint cavity.


[The value of morphology in the diagnosis of chronic polyarthritis]. The clinician's question concerning the value of morphological findings in diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is answered by the pathologist. After a short discussion of clinical problems and the ARA-criteria, at first the diagnostic importance of synovial cytology in RA is dealt with. The patient's history, biopsy technique and methods are the most important prerequisites of an optimal assistance of the pathologist to a definite diagnosis; they are reviewed in short paragraphs. These data are the bases of the morphological evaluation which is discussed in detail. This is the most important part of the answer to questions of the clinician; the pathologist is not only able to verify the clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid synovitis or of RA but often he may decisively judge the course and activity of the disease and the therapeutic success.


[The therapeutic effect of glycosaminoglycan polysulfate (Arteparon) in arthroses depending on the mode of administration (intraarticular or intramuscular)]. The effect of GAGPS (Arteparon) was investigated on patients with osteoarthritis of hip-joints in dependence from the method of application. By that way 50 patients got each 6 injections with 125 mg/0,5 ml Arteparon intraarticular and 50 patients each 10 injections with 125 mg/0,5 ml Arteparon intramuscular. We have documented the qualities of pain, function and motility of the treated hip-joints. The tests applied have demonstrated that there is no significant difference between the both applications, in both groups the effect was good to the same extent. The therapeutic effect and the further indications by intramuscular administration of the GAGPS are discussed.