[Pulmonary tuberculosis in the outpatients clinics of the Social Security in Biscay (author's transl)]. The authors review the problem of active pulmonary tuberculosis in the clinics of the Social Security in Biscay. The high number of cases offers a wide panorama and the possibility of arriving at general conclusions within the Biscayan demographic structure. It is rather disturbing to discover an average of 24.37 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year in this partial study of the situacion. The indexes for 1967 and 1974 were practically the same. Although the disease occurs with greatest frequency in persons between 30 and 60 years of age, there is a marked tendency for it to appear at increasingly lower ages. The disease is much more common in men than in women, and immigrates seem to be more susceptible than the native population. Pulmonary tuberculosis was reported as the cause of 1.12 percent of the 61,341 deaths registered in Biscay during the 8-year period under study (1967-1974). In view of this situation the authors insist on the urgent need for strategic methods to erradicate this serious menace to public health. They consider the role of tuberculosis sanatoriums in the state to be of outmost importance.


[Electrocardiographic disturbances in the left spontaneous pneumothorax. A case report (author's transl)]. Spontaneous pneumothorax is a relatively frequent acute medical problem. Acute chest pain, sudden dyspnea, and a sensation of discomfort are the usual clinical symptoms: these manifestations also occur in coronary occlusion, with which the condition my easily be misdiagnosed. This is especially true in cases of spontaneous pneumothorax of the left side because the ECG anomalies that arise could be erroneously confused with a coronary condition. The literature on the subject is reviewed and a case of left spontaneous pneumothorax is presented, pointing out the electrocardiographic disturbances: decrease of the amplitude of the QRS complex and R waves, inversion of the T wave in AVL and flattening of the T wave in most of the derivations, slight deviation of the electric axis of QRS toward the right, and phasic variation of voltage (very slight in this case). The importance of ECG studies in these cases is stressed in order to establish the differential diagnosis and avoid unnecessary delays in the application of the proper therapy.


[Bile acids II. Physiopathologic and clinical aspects (author's transl)]. It is generally accepted that the bile acids are responsible for pathologies as a result of deficiency or by toxic action. Quantitative deficiency is difficult to evaluate but the normal pool of bile acids is generally considered to be between 2 and4 grams. Daily loss and replacement by synthesis is thought to be between 500 and 700 mg. There is experimental evidence to demonstrate the toxic action of certain bile acids on metabolic structures and processes. There is no doubt that alterations in the metabolism of bile acids give rise to certain pathologic aspects in some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or the hepatobiliary system. There are other conditions, on the other hand, in which the study of these acids may reveal significant physiopathologic implications. The first group includes terminal ileopathy, blind loop syndrome, gastric ulcer, gastritis, cholestasis, cirrhosis of the liver, and cholelithiasis. In the second group are such diverse conditions as acute pancreatitis, cancer of the colon, endocrine disturbances, some hyperlipidemias, and others. Much of the present day understanding of the physiopathology of the bile acids will probably have to be revised in the nex few years, in view of the rapid advances being made in this field.


[Double tachycardia (hisian and auricular) in a bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome (author's transl)]. The present case corresponds to a patient with a mitro-aortic valvulopathy of rheumatic origin with syncopal episodes and nauseas, who, in the ECG showed alternatively an extreme sinusal bradycardia and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. It was interpreted as a typical case of bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome in which the crises of tachyarrhythmias consisted of episodes of double tachycardia with incomplete supra-hisian atrial-ventricular dissociation, documented by obtaining right atrial electrograms and hisian-electrograms during the episodes. Treatment was initiated with verapamil (10 mg intravenously every 8 hours) after an endocavitary pacemaker of demand had been placed. After 3 months the result was very satisfactory with good tolerance to the medical treatment and complete disappearance of the symptomatology.


[Congenital intraduodenal diaphragm. Review of two new cases (author's transl)]. Two cases of congenital duodenal diaphragm were discovered during a review of 2.724 duodenal X-rays performed over the past 3 years. An analysis is made of the total of 40 cases published in the literature. The duodenal diaphragm is a thin wall located into the duodenal lumen with excentric perforation and which undergoes a progressive sacculation. Its embryologic development and close relationship to intraduodenal diverticulum are described. Clinical manifestations are few and unspecific, and the condition can easily be overlooked during surgery even when external palpation or digital exploration of the duodenal lumen is performed following duodenotomy. Special emphasis is placed on the significance of the X-ray images, though they are only orientative when dealing with this condition. Congenital duodenal diaphragm should be kept in mind as a possibility whenever chronic stenosis of the duodenum is diagnosed.


[Phantom tumor (author's transl)].

[Phantom tumor (author's transl)]. Phantom tumors are accumulations of pleural effusion in the interlobular spaces of the lungs. They appear in patients with heart failure simulating a lung tumor but disappearing with medical treatment. The encystment of the fluid is apparently due to congenital defects in the pleura, which tends to store up the transudate produced by heart failure. Another pathogenetic possibility is the existence of pleural adherences. The most common localization is in the minor cissure, perhaps because it is more easily identified in the posterior view of the chest X-ray. In most of these cases the pleural effusion is due to left heart failure, though pleural effusion in normally associated with right congestive heart failure. On the posterior chest X-ray the fluid is observed as a round or fusiform mass. Differential diagnosis should be established for measotheliomas, pulmonary infarctions, pulmonary or metastatic tumoral nodules, hydatic cysts, and tuberculomas. Sixteen cases of phantom tumors are reported; nine of them were localized on the minor cissure, five on the right major cissure, one on the left major cissure, and one case of double localization on the left major cissure and minor cissure. All of them were due to left congestive heart failure.


[Extraskeletal manifestations of unusual localization in a case of myeloma (author's transl)]. A 46-year-old woman presented and IgG myeloma without metastases at the time of the diagnosis. A complete hematologic remission was achieved with melphalan and prednisone, but the patient then developed a polysymptomatic condition with myelomatous metastases in different organs. In some cases these were confirmed histologically (meninges, stomach, skin, and scalp); in others there was a strong clinical evidence (liver, oral mucosa, lymph nodes, and lumbar vertebra). There were manifestations of the disease in all of these sites, while complete hematologic remission was maintained. The meningeal metastasis was treated by surgery and irradiation with orbital penetration; the lymph nodes were irradiated, and COPP polychemotherapy was given to treat the rest of the metastatic localizations. In this way an apparently remission was achieved temporarily. The incidence of each one of the extraskeletal manifestations in this unusual case of myeloma is reviewed in the literature.


Bone scanning in otolaryngology.

Bone scanning in otolaryngology. Modern radionuclide bone scanning has introduced a new concept in physiologic and anatomic diagnostic imaging to general medicine. As otolaryngologists must diagnose and treat disease in relation to the bony and/or cartilaginous supporting structures of the neurocranium and upper airway, this modality should be included in the otolaryngologist's diagnostic armamentarium. It is the purpose of this manuscript to study the specific applications of bone scanning to our specialty at this time, based on clinical experience over the past three years. This thesis describes the development of bone scanning in general (history of nuclear medicine and nuclear physics; history of bone scanning in particular). General concepts in nuclear medicine are then presented; these include a discussion of nuclear semantics, principles of radioactive emmissions, the properties 99mTc as a radionuclide, and the tracer principle. On the basis of these general concepts, specific concepts in bone scanning are then brought forth. The physiology of bone and the action of the bone scan agents is presented. Further discussion considers the availability and production of the bone scan agent, patient factors, the gamma camera, the triphasic bone scan and the ultimate diagnostic principle of the bone scan. Clinical applications of bone scanning in otolaryngology are then presented in three sections. Proven areas of application include the evaluation of malignant tumors of the head and neck, the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorders, the diagnosis of facial fractures, the evaluation of osteomyelitis, nuclear medicine imaging of the larynx, and the assessment of systemic disease. Areas of adjunctive or supplementary value are also noted, such as diagnostic imaging of meningioma. Finally, areas of marginal value in the application of bone scanning are described.


[Effect of long-term moderately hard and hard physical work on the psychomotor efficiency and mental work capacity (II.)]. 23 women, aged 19--24, of average physical efficiency, were examined. The following aspects were taken into account: an influence of long-lasting cyclic physical work on bicycle ergometer on the results obtained during the visual and auditory reaction time, the task performed with different speed using the test of visual and motorial coordination and Piórkowski's Test, as well as work efficiency in Pauli's test and learning and reproduction of nonsensical syllables. Long-lasting physical work resulted in a significant prolongation of the visual reaction time and increased number of mistakes in case of a task performed with maximum speed using the test of visual and motorial coordination. Negative but weak effects of physical effort were observed in the results of auditory reaction time and tasks checking the mental work efficiency. In the initial stage of the experiment (the early part) in some tasks a positive effect of physical effort was observed.


[Evaluation of acute toxic effect of 3-cyanopyridine]. General acute toxicity, irritating, and allergic effects of 3-cyanpyridine were studied. LD50 after oral administration amounts to 1185 mg/kg of body weight, 3-cyanpyridine is absorbed through the intact skin: administration of 3-cyanpyridine solution into rabbit skin caused death of animals. Histopathologic studies showed reversible liver and kidney injuries after single administration of lethal and sublethal doses. 3-cyanpyridine significantly irritates damaged skin and in a solid state produces an irreversible cornea opacity. Allergic effect was not found.


[Determination of phenol in the urine by means of gas chromatography]. A simple method of determination of phenol in urine was presented. The conditions of phenol combinations hydrolysis and extraction were the same as those used by Buchet (10). 2,4-dichlorophenol was used as an internal standard. The accuracy of this method for phenol concentrations in urine from 25 to 200 mg/l is +/- 8,2%. This method is specific both for the compounds excreted with physiological urine and the metabolites used in the industry of organic solvents.


[Various disorders of cholesterol metabolism and their effect on the development of experimental arteriosclerosis in rats exposed to carbon disulfide]. Basing on the results of the author's own studies performed in a series of experiments in rats, the author discusses the mechanism of the atherosclerotic effect of CS2. The results of the studies carried out by the author indicated that the disturbances of body cholesterol metabolism (especially the increased rate of cholesterol synthesis and decreased rate of its degradation) contribute to elevation of cholesterol level in blood. The above alterations together with the cholesterol metabolism disturbances due to CS2 emerging directly in the aorta wall aggravate the development of the atherosclerotic changes in the vascular wall. The experimental (biochemical and morphological) evidences on the atherosclerotic effect of CS2 have been provided.


[Comparative evaluation of the functional state of the respiratory system in workers exposed to asbestos and cotton dust]. 63 spinners exposed to cotton dust and 75 spinners exposed to asbestos dust were examined. In the women working in asbestos spinning room chronic nonspecific respiratory tract diseases prevalence was found to amount to 30% and in the cotton exposed group it was 15%. Mean values of lungs' vital capacity remained within the due values, although they were statistically significantly lower in asbestos exposed spinners (p less than 0,001). On the other hand, the percentage ratio of the forced expiratory capacity of 1 second was statistically significantly lower (0,001 less than p less than 0,01) in those exposed to cotton dust. The authors point to the occurrence of functional disturbances of the respiratory tract prior to radiological symptoms of lung asbestosis and their correlation with clinical symptoms.


Persistent traditional Yemenite ways of dealing with stress in Israel. Using her own clinical-field case material, the author, an anthropologist working in ethnopsychiatry, analyzes and illustrates the contemporary Israeli-Yemenite cultural concepts and therapeutic approaches to mental illness. The sources and content of the traditional Yemenite health system are historically traced with particular emphasis on Judaism as the moral matrix. Despite the continuing identification and involvement with the traditional bases of health beliefs, it is pointed out that this folk conservatism has been no bar to the acceptance and utilization of scientific medicine. The Yemenite has been able to integrate, without apparent cognitive dissonance, both the traditional healers and the modern physicians. The moral approach of the Yemenite traditional healer in dealing with interpersonal, functional disorders, is reflected in the diagnostic and therapeutic behavioral and ritual prescriptions of Jewish religion and Islamic influences. In this connection, there is no incongruity perceived between the existence of the evil eye, devils and spirits possessing a person and the teachings of the Talmud.


The effects of various degrees of social pressure. If the social pressure exerted against a minority is overwhelming (slavery, concentration camps) no cultural efforts of the slaves or prisoners can be expected. Absence of any pressure is not conducive to high achievements either. A moderate degree of social pressure especially when combined with a possibility of social acceptance will stimulate minority people to perform well and to try to achieve status and acceptance. The cultural climate in which persons belonging to the minority grew up often determines their choice of endeavor in which to prove themselves and to achieve. Arthur Toynbee's thesis of the importance of Challenge and Response for the evolution of civilisations and Hans Selye's concept of Stress in biology are related to the proposed hypothesis. The author shows the usefulness of his hypothesis on examples from the history of Blacks in America and of the Jews.


A cultural anthropological approach to migrants' illness. The impact of collective representations on a person's health may be considerable. It is worthwhile for those who work in the health services to get acquainted with the representations of their patients and with the world view in which they figure. This is illustrated by an example of a Moroccan in Holland and the application of local beliefs which caused a serious problem for attending doctors.


Developmental imperatives in the latter half of life: some clinical implications. In the latter half of life men tend to shift from active to passive mastery, women the opposite. Four cases are described clinically and are discussed from the point of view of this thesis.


The meaning attached: attitudes towards the mentally ill. It was assumed that attitudes to the mentally ill differ among groups following a range of personal and social involvement, the four groups being patients, family members, professionals and non-involved persons. To test this assumption a semantic differential scale of qualities and constructs mental illness and questionnaire of situations on meeting the mentally ill were administered to 120 persons from these groups. Results indicate that a continuum of negative attitudes to the mentally ill exists, the most negative position being taken by the non-involved, the most positive by the professionals, with patients and family members in the middle. In response to the questionnaire it appears that close personal relations with the mentally ill and recent date of occurrence of disturbance are associated with positive reactions to the mentally ill.


Social profitableness: pathway to community acceptance of psychiatric patients. The concept of 'social profitableness' is explicated as a crucial determinant in community acceptance of formerly hospitalized psychiatric patients. Increase emphasis upon patients' capability to provide rewards to citizens as well as to forgo costly deviant behavior is recommended.


Linguistic aspects of transformative labelling: the case of repentant delinquents. This article describes the linguistic changes that occurred amongst a group of repentant delinquents and assesses their importance in the self-reconstitution process. Each of the three major themes of transformative labelling are not only reflected in the way that the repentants talk; they are also highly influenced by it. In particular, the adoption of new pattern of speech helps the repentants to (i) come to terms with their delinquent past and turn over a new leaf and (ii) forestall the doubts that are bound to occur during the escalation to normal identity.


Teachers as caregivers: mental health consultation in an army base. This article recounts the application of mental health consultation techniques to a special army framework. Specifically, female soldiers serving as teachers for a problematic population of male recruits, received group consultation from a psychologist serving in the reserves. By training the teachers as therapeutic agents or caregivers for the soldiers, it was hoped to achieve greater effectiveness in their work, and to reach individually as many soldiers as possible. These soldiers were taking part in a special enrichment and training program organized by Zahal (Israel Defense Forces) for those whose illiteracy or emotional difficulties had exempted them in the past from regular army service. The consultation process and subjects raised at group sessions are discussed.


A token economy in the framework of a hospital therapeutic community -- practice and psychosocial implications. A token economy (TE) aimed at enhancing self care, work habits, and social participation was initiated in conjunction with the restructuring of a chronic ward into a therapeutic community. Recorded data over a year revealed a differential impact of the TE on various patients. An attempt is made to characterize differential response modes to the TE and to delineate their correlates. Both participants in the program and therapeutic agents were interviewed as to their attitudes towards the TE. Beneficial effects were demonstrated mainly in patients with a relatively late onset of psychiatric illness, but a favorable attitude towards the TE was displayed by both patients and staff members. Implications for psychosocial readaptation are discussed taking into account humanistic and psychodynamic points of view. The reconsideration of possible merging of different therapeutic techniques seems to be desirable.


Attitudes of physicians in a general hospital towards psychiatric consultation service. The attitudes of 77 physicians in a general university hospital towards the psychiatric consultation service were studied using a questionnaire. The main findings were that the physicians found the psychiatric consultation helpful and not too difficult to obtain. Many of them wanted regular participation of the psychiatrist in the routine of their departments and in case conferences. The findings indicate that the expectations of the departments of surgery are for a consultation service and those of medicine for liaison service. The discrepancy between the positive attitudes of the physicians and the dissatisfaction of the consultants strongly suggest that emotional problems of the consultant, i.e. ambivalence about their profession, is the source of the common tension between psychiatric consultant and other physicians.


Remarks on the communication of psychotic children as seen in group therapy. A group of 26 psychotic children, aged 5--8, in a day hospital, was treated in small groups of 4 or 5, by 2 therapists (a male and female). According to our observations the treatment set-up enhances a 'present therapeutic symbiosis' where the 'other half' of the symbiotic dyad is composed of all the children in the group, the therapists and the physical environment. The newly acquired imitation (echolalia and echopraxia) impraxia) improves the child's means of expression and is used for communication. It also helps the therapists in their task of decodifying the messages to the children and themselves.


Murder on the job: case report of a unique disaster. This paper reports the experience of two psychiatrists who intervened in the aftermath of a 'disaster' affecting a small company of 75 people. The incident causing the crisis was a shooting spree in which an employee, responding to fantasied conspiratorial behavior among co-workers, shot and killed three of them, wounded two others and then killed himself. The company sanctioned and paid for this intervention and subsequently used the psychiatrists for formal and informal consultations. The report notes the similarities to and the differences from other reports for disasters in the literature. The clear link between present and past was noted in the emotional struggles of the survivors, and the value of helping them to establish these connections. The intervention appeared to be useful to the individuals and the company.


Calibration for quantitative X-ray microanalysis of skeletal muscle cells in culture. Skeletal muscle in culture is used to demonstrate that the intracellular concentration of elements in tissue culture cells, especially of diffusible ions such as sodium, chlorine, potassium, and calcium can be measured by X-ray microanalysis in the scanning electron microscope. Quantitative analysis is possible by comparison with X-ray spectra of cells incubated in electrolyte solutions of known concentration. The minimum detectable concentration is approximately 2 mM.


Studies on conformational changes in F-actin of glycerinated muscle fibers during relaxation by means of polarized ultraviolet fluorescence microscopy. By means of polarized ultraviolet fluorescence microscopy the conformational changes of F-actin occuring in glycerinated muscle fibers of rabbit and barnacle (Balanus rostratus Hock.) under the influence of adenosine triphosphate in the presence of ethylene glycol bis(beta-amino-ethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid were discovered. These changes seem to be located near the surface of the globules thus hampering the penetration of univalent iones and neutral molecules into the F-actin macromolecule. It is suggested that similar changes of F-actin take place in thin myofilaments of living muscle fiber during the contraction-relaxation process.


[Alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase activity of Candida lipolytica during alpha-ketoglutarate biosynthesis]. The activity of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH) was assayed in cell-free yeast homogenates with respect to studying the mechanism of alpha-ketoglutarate (KG) overproduction by the thiamine-heterotrophic culture of Candida lipolytica in media with hexadecane. Two types of yeast cells were used for analysis: (1) cells grown in the conditions of thiamine excess (500 mcg/l) and taken at the logariphmic growth phase; (2) cells grown in the conditions of thiamine deficiency and taken at the beginning of KG overproduction when the cultural growth was limited by thiamine. The activity of KGDH was assayed in the absence of thiamine diphosphate (TDP) and in its presence, the content of the holoenzyme and the total content of the holoenzyme and the apoenzyme being determined respectively. The activity of holoKGDH in the thiamine-deficient cells of C. lipolytica producing KG was almost five times lower than in the cells grown in the conditions of thiamine excess. In the latter, all KGDH was in the form of the holoenzyme; in the thiamine-deficient cells, 90% of KDGH was in the form of the apoenzyme devoid of TDP and therefore lacking the enzyme activity. The total content of holoKGDH IN THE THIAMINE-DEFICIENt cells producing KG was twice as high as in the cells grown in the conditions of thiamine excess. The data obtained are discussed in relation with the mechanism of KG biosynthesis from n-alkanes by yeast cells.


[Biomass accumulation by polyploid forms of Candida guilliermondii yeasts]. Under the action of a mitotic poison (acenaphthene), the haploid culture of Candida guilliermondii assimilating n-alkanes yielded a polyploid form whose cells were four times larger, on the average, than in the haploid culture. When the pure culture was grown under stationary conditions in media with glucose, the economical coefficient, i. e. the ratio between the assimilated glucose and the accumulated biomass, was by 16, 47 and 157% higher in the polyploid culture than in the haploid one after 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. The amount of biomass and the content of protein in it were the same in the haploid and diploid cultures grown in liquid nutrient media with n-alkanes. Cells of the polyploid culture were always larger in media containing n-alkanes, which facilitated separation; no cells were found after it in the cultural fluid. Not all cells of the haploid culture could be separated; therefore, the polyploid culture had the advantage over it. The polyploid cultures of C. guilliermondii were very stable when stored in the lyophilized state. Their morphological and physiological properties did not change within two years.


[Exopolysaccharide and proteolytic enzyme synthesis by M-, S- and R-forms of Mycobacterium lacticolum]. The composition of exocellular polysaccharides was studied in the M, S and R variants of Mycobacterium lacticolum 104. The exoglycans of the M and S variants were found to be rather similar but differ considerably from the exoglycan of the R form. The polysaccharides of the M and S cells contained glucose, mannose, galactose, and pyruvic acid; the exoglycan of the R cells contained also the fourth sugar arabinose, but lacked pyruvic acid. The specific rotation of the polysaccharides from the M, S and R variants ([alpha]d20), respectively, was +207.5, +168.0 and +25.0. The caseinolytic activity of the M, S and R variants, respectively, by the seventh day of growth was 0.93+/-0.21, 0.62+/-0.07 and 0.47+/-0.07 units/ml.


[Efficiency of glucose utilization by Gluconobacter oxydans]. The dynamics of growth and acid production in Gluconobacter oxydans cultures at various glucose concentrations has been investigated. Dinitrophenol (10-4 M) was shown to have effect on hexonic acids formation by the growing culture and resting cells of G. oxydans, as well as on the values of Y0. G. oxydans molar growth yield for glucose have been calculated. Oxidative transformation of glucose was shown to be not involved in energy supply of processes connected with the reproduction of G. oxydans. Glucose concentration in the growth medium determines the efficiency of utilization of this carbon and energy source.


[Induced variability of the lipase producing fungus Rhizopus microsporus]. The most effective way for inducing mutants of Rhizopus microsporus with an elevated lipolytic activity is the combined action of nitrosomethyl urea and UV. Variants with the lipolytic activity of 3600--3700 units per 1 ml have been produced, thus being by 72--75% more effective than the parent culture.


[Dynamics of the development of different microorganisms in soil]. The dynamics of individual components from the complex of soil microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes) and the population of Stm. olivocinereus introduced into soil was studied by luminescent microscopy and inoculation. The population density maxima for individual components from the complex of soil microorganisms were shown to be separated in time suggesting a succession. Fungi developed at the first steps of succession and dominated in biomass over the remaining components of the complex. Bacteria and actinomycetes developed at the later steps of succession. Glucose addition stimulated still earlier growth of fungi (the maximal mycelium legth was registered by the second day) but had hardly any effect on the dynamics of other components of the complex.


[Cyst formation by methanosarcina].

[Cyst formation by methanosarcina]. The morphology of a coccoid, methane producing bacterium growing on acetate was studied. The organism is capable of forming morphologically differentiated cells, nicrocysts, whose structure resembles that of bacterial surviving cells. The organism from peculiar macrocysts in the enrichment culture. In its other characteristics, the organism is similar to Methanococcus mazei. However, it clasibied as Methanosarcina, biotype 3, due to the characteristic formation of multicellular pseudococci.


[Nitrogen fixing activity of pea nodule bacteria during different phases of host plant development]. The activity of nitrogenase in nodules of pea plants and the rate of diurnal nitrogen fixation were studied at different phases of the plant growth using the acetylene and isotope techniques. At the same time, the morphology of nodule bacteria was studied by electron and phase-contrast microscopy. About 90% of the bacteria in nodules were found in the form of bacteroids from the early phase of the plant growth (budding) to ripening when gemmated arthrospores could be observed on some bacteroids. The highest activity of nitrogenase and nitrogen fixation was detected at the reproductive stage of growth. Therefore, in order to obtain more active strains of pea nodule bacteria, they should be isolated from nodules at this stage of plant growth.


[Effect of ionizing radiation on the structural and ultrastructural organization of Mycobacterium rubrum]. The structural and ultrastructural organization of Mycobacterium rubrum cells was studied in the course of normal growth and in the conditions of irradiation. The cytomorphological differentiation of the bacterial membrane structure was shown as well as their functional role. Ionizing radiation was used as a tool for revealing the role of the membrane structures; the latter were found to be related to a certain cellular function. Damages of various, individually functioning membrane systems upon the action of ionizing radiation on the cell are described. Mesosomes are absent from the cells if the synthesis of peptidoglycan is inhibited, whereas hypersynthesis of the cell wall material is observed upon their hypertrophy. The content of mitochondrial analogs in the cell increases with the rate of metabolic processes. The function of cellular division is disturbed as a result of damages in the nucleoid DNA structure and degradation of nucleoidosomes. Changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism are also observed.


[Microbiologic studies of a spodumene deposit]. A wide spectrum of heterotrophic and autotrophic microorganisms was detected in the zones of decomposition of spodumene and bed rocks, pegmatites and shales, in the spodumene deposit. The following aerobic microorganisms which did not from spores predominated in the deposit: Arthrobacter globiformis, A. pascens, A. simplex, Nocardia globerula, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Ps. putida, Ps. testosteronii. The following specific bacterial groups were found: thionic, sulfate reducing, and nitrifying bacteria. Degradation of spodumene and bed rocks was found to occur in moist regions containing cracks; it was accompanied with a decrease in pH. A possible role of microorganisms in decomposition of spodumene as well as removal of elements is discussed.


[Amination and biosynthesis of glutamate by R- and S-forms of Bacillus thuringiensis]. These studies were designed to determine the biochemical nature of the Bacillus thuringiensis growth being dependent on glutamate during cultivation in a minimal medium. This is possible to be due to the absence of enzymes which catalyze glutamic acid synthesis by direct amination of alpha-ketoglutaric acid, glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamate synthase, and a decrease in the activity of the enzyme catalyzing amination of pyruvic acid, alanine dehydrogenase. It has been shown that the lack of glutamate can be compensated by histidine and proline; in this case, the growth efficiency of R form is greater than that of S form which is consistent with an increased rate of protein synthesis of R form.


[Crocoite reduction by a culture of Pseudomonas chromatophila sp. nov]. Two cultures of chromium reducing bacteria have been isolated from samples of water accumulated at the bottom of an open-cut chromium deposit and from industrial sewage. The cultures were found to be identical. The cultures are described and their taxonomical position is discussed. They have been classed as Psuedomonas chromatophila sp. nov. the cultures reduce Cr(VI) from crocoite PbCrO4 to Cr(III). A possibility of chromium reducing bacteria being involved in the conversion of crocoite to chromite in the oxidation zone of chromite deposits is discussed.


[Bacterial destruction of synthetic organic flotation agents]. Microorganisms that use the flotation agent T-66 as the sole source of carbon have been isolated from soil enriched with this agent. A mixture of bacterial cultures belonging to the genus Pseudomonas (Ps. fluorescens, Ps. desmolyticum, Ps. rathonis, Ps. cyanoides viscosa, and Ps. aeruginosa) oxidized, after adaptation, at a high rate, components of the flotation agent T-66. Aeration of the medium accelerated the destruction. About 90% of the foltation agent components were oxidized within four months. The highest activity was observed during the first two months. The bacteria also decomposed, actively, oxidized kerosene and oxidized recycle stock added as the sole source of carbon to a mineral medium. Introduction of glucose to the medium accelerated destruction of oxidized recycle stock by the microorganisms, but inhibited destruction of oxidized kerosene.


[Systematics of acetic acid bacteria].

[Systematics of acetic acid bacteria]. The method of numerical taxonomy has been used in these studies. Fifty-six strains of acetic acid bacteria are characterized in 136 phenotypical features. The coefficients of similarity of the strains were calculated using computer. The nucleotide composition of DNA from 21 strains of acetic acid bacteria was determined. The results obtained by the method of numerical taxonomy were discussed basing on this genotypical criterion. The genera Acetobacter Beijerinck and Gluconobacter Asai were found to be related. Only one bacterial species, i. e. G. oxydans, was confirmed to exist within the genus Gluconobacter. The studied strains belonging to the genus Acetobacter were subdivided into three groups corresponding to the species A. aceti, A. rancens and A. xylinum.


Large 'small' groups: their place in higher education. Small group teaching in higher education appears to be an ideal worth aiming for. The review of the literature in this paper shows that factural information about the effectiveness of such teaching is far from prolific. In addition, what may be the most common form of small group, viz. the 'seminar', has received far less attention than the 'lecture' or 'tutorial'. Special attention is drawn to the relevance of the studies for medical education but the overall finding is that need for well designed evaluative research is urgent, particularly with regard to 'seminar' learning groups.


The value of a perception and control test in predicting performance in dental students and ancillary personnel. A test designed to measure basic manual perception and control skills, assumed to be less susceptible to the effects of haphazard and unplanned training, was developed and used with groups of dental students and ancillary personnel. The test was similar to one reported to be successful in predicting practical ability in American dental students. Statistical techniques were used to compare the results of the perception and control test with practical and theory examination results. The results show that the perception and control test is not a reliable predictor of performance with British dental students but was more successful with the ancillary groups and particularly with dental auxiliaries.


[Total number and biomass of microorganisms in the depths of the Black Sea]. The total number and biomass of microorganisms, as well as the ratio between their main morphological forms, were determined by capillary microscopy in 22 water samples taken at various depths from the surface to 1500 m in the eastern part of the Black Sea. The total number of microorganisms was several times higher at depths over 150 m in the hydrogen sulfide zone than in the oxygen zone (0--150 m), whereas the biomass was greater by an order of magnitude. The number of microorganisms varied within  a range of 1.4--12.4X10(3) cells/ml in the oxygen zone and 3.8--34.9X10(3) cells/ml in the hydrogen sulfide zone, whereas the biomass was 0.9--6.9 mg/m3 and 10.8--55.6 mg/m3, respectively. The bulk of the microbial biomass in the hydrogen sulfide zone was constituted by peculiar filamentous forms described for the first time by Lebedeva (1953, 1963) and, apparently, participating in sulfur turnover.


Clinical problem solving and clinical knowledge. Videotape and simulated patients were used for evaluating third year medical students' performances in solving familiar and unfamiliar clinical problems. To assist the doctor to rate the students' performances by the review of videotapes, criteria were set up for students' behaviours that could be construed as evidence that the students recognized cues obtained by interviewing the patient and the information content of such cues. Criteria for data use by the students were also set. A mean of 90% of the pertinent medical history data was collected by the students. The amount of pertinent historical data collected was found to correlate very closely with student-patient interaction analysis score for the familiar and unfamiliar problems (r = 0.89 and r = 0.92, respectively). Significant differences in mean scores for data generation (P less than 0.001) and for data use (P less than 0.01) were found between those students who solved and those who failed to solve the familiar problem. With the unfamiliar problem a significant difference was found between the mean scores for data generation (P less than 0.01), but not for data use. The implications of these findings in medical education are discussed.


A comparison of multiple-choice tests and free-response tests in examinations of clinical competence. This paper reports a study which compared the performance of different groups of students and doctors on identical and equivalent tests set in an objective-type format and in a free-response format. The tests were designed to ensure that the content was relevant to clinical practice at the hospital intern level. In all test situations candidates' scores were significantly higher in the objective tests than in the free-response tests. This difference was greater for the more junior and less competent students than for the more competent doctors. The cueing effect of the options was thought to be the main factor responsible for the difference in performance. The results of a questionnaire survey demonstrated that students were aware of the deficiencies in multiple-choice tests. A large majority of the students believed that the free-response tests gave a more accurate assessment of their clinical ability. It was found that in these tests, aimed at measuring aspects of clinical competence, multiple-choice questions appeared to overestimate the candidate's ability to an extent that made them less suitable than free-response questions for this purpose. It was also found that free-response tests, of the type used in this study, provide a suitable alternative to multiple-choice tests for use in the written section of clinical examinations. It was concluded that the written component of the final examination in the medical course should have a preponderance of free-response items over multiple-choice items.


Occupational medicine: student evaluation of a postgraduate course. Postgraduate students attending a ten-week course in occupational medicine have evaluated all contributions to this course on the basis of value, interest and presentation. Assessments given for the standards of presentation of items of the teaching vary more than the assessments given for interest. Interest in those parts of the course with a direct clinical content is greater than in other sections of the course. Methodological problems necessitate certain assumptions in this form of audit. The results nevertheless provide worthwhile feedback to contributors and co-ordinators that can be used to maintain and improve the quality of courses.


The careers of women graduates from St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, 1961--72. The careers of women doctors who qualified from St Mary's Hospital Medical School between 1961 and 1972 inclusive have been studied. Thirty-eight per cent were in full-time work, 47% were working part-time, and 15% were not practising medicine at the time of the survey. Those working full-time were predominantly single women and married women with no children. With the birth of children most women stopped working for a time, and 38% of those whose children were all under school age were not working. However, 90% returned to medicine, usually to part-time jobs that were compatible with family responsibilities. Eighty-six per cent of the respondents held one or more postgraduate qualifications. More of those with higher qualifications were in full-time work than was the case for women with a basic medical degree only, and fewer were not practising medicine. An equal proportion of single and married women intended to make their career in general practice. Fewer married women than single women chose a hospital career, because the possibilities of part-time work in this field were seen as limited.


Special provisions for women doctors to train and practise in medicine after graduation: a report of a survey. The findings of a survey of 3262 women doctors registered between 1945 and 1974 are reported. The results are based on 2433 returned questionnaires (75% response). The survey confirmed that the special forms of assistance provided to enable women doctors to continue training and to work after graduation are inadequate. Although the Women Doctors' Retainer Scheme and part-time training schemes are suited to women's needs, they are insufficiently publicized, inflexibly administered and limited in availability. The need for a counselling service for women doctors is not met. Facilities for child care on NHS premises are very deficient. With more substantial provision of all these forms of assistance to women doctors, the scope and extent of their contribution to medicine could be increased. The Medical Register is an unreliable means of ascertaining the numbers and whereabouts of women who may require this special assistance.  The main problem now is not a lack of ideas about suitable provision for women doctors, but the implementation by the relevant authorities of the proposals already made, to enable both women doctors themselves and the NHS to benefit.


Perception of teaching competencies by medical educators. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an introductory educational planning workshop on perception of teaching competencies by medical educators. A questionnaire containing twenty-seven teaching competencies (TC) was administered before and after the workshop. The twenty-five participants, from four different countries, were asked to rate each TC regarding its importance for teachers and whether they possessed them or needed further training. The results showed that this workshop created more awareness regarding the importance of these TCs and also created a need for further training for specific TCs in order to put educational principles into practice.


Health status of Seventh-Day Adventists. A comparison of health status between 779 Seventh-day Adventists, who have a strong commitment to heal-related life styles, and two other groups of people--8363 persons referred by general practitioners and 9825 volunteers--was made. The Seventh-day Adventists showed less impairment of systolic and diastolic blood pressures, of plasma cholesterol and plasma urate concentrations, and of lung ventilatory capacity; and less obesity at most specific ages. With increasing age, the level of breathlessness, reported heart disease, hypertension, and hypertensive and diuretic therapy in this sample approached that of the comparative groups, possibly because of natural attrition of high-risk persons in the latter. Depression, sleeplessness, use of sedatives and tranquillizers were lower in the Seventh-day Adventists; although, once again, a drawing together of the three groups in older age categories was evident. It is concluded that the life style of Seventh-day Adventists is conducive to lessened morbidity, delayed mortality, and decreased call on health services in comparison with the general population.


Prescription drug advertising: medical journal practices under different types of control. Medication is one important aspect of health care delivery. The sources of information used to select appropriate medication include drug advertisements which appear in professional journals. There is a need to monitor the quality of these advertisements. The study reported in this paper includes a longitudinal (1961 to 1977) and cross-societal (Britain, United States and Australia) content analysis of drug advertisements. Such a comparison contributes to the debate concerning the type of regulation likely to be effective for this form of advertising.


Knee impedance testing machine.

Knee impedance testing machine. A device is described that measures the mechanical impedance of the human knee in vivo. The device and method were tested in a reliability study, on a normal control population, and in a follow-up test of previously injured subjects. Finally, impedance measurement was compared with the clinical examination, the currently employed test for ligament injuries. This impedance method to measure ligament stiffness was found useful in diagnosing acute injuries.


Hodgkin's disease: evaluation of staging procedures for abdominal involvement. Results of preoperative assessment procedures and subsequent staging laparotomy are evaluated in 32 consecutive patients who presented with extra-abdominal Hodgkin's disease which was not already known to be in an advanced stage. Disease was found in the abdominal cavity of 10 of the 27 patients who presented with disease above the diaphragm, and of two of the five patients in whom disease presented in the inguinal nodes. In patients who initially presented with disease above the diaphragm, the spleen was involved in all 10 cases where abdominal disease was detected. Lymphography was not found to be reliable as a diagnostic aid in doubtful cases. Neither liver nor spleen scans were found to be helpful in assessment of these patients.


Childhood asthma and grass pollen aerobiology in Melbourne. Children from the Melbourne metropolitan area with laboratory proven bronchial sensitivity to ryegrass pollen were selected for a clinical trial which was run concurrently with an aerobiological survey during the grass pollen season of 1975 to 1976. During periods of high pollen counts, significant deterioration in the children's asthma occurred. The grass pollen season was of 10 weeks' duration with the highest daily counts during November and December. Highest diurnal pollen concentrations occurred at night and were associated with winds from the north, north-west, and south-east and with other meteorological factors.


A comparison of various parameters of social grade: a study of a Sydney population. A comparison has been made between different methods of classifying a Sydney population of 118 persons into social grades. A positive correlation was found between address and occupation, education and occupation, occupation and father's occupation, address and education, address and father's occupation, and education and father's occupation, all correlations being significant at or below the P=0.004 level of statistical significance.


Elastic stockings in the control of hand oedema. Elastic support and compression in the form of an elastic finger stall or glove seems to be a simple and comfortable way to obviate and reduce oedema of the hand and fingers after surgery or trauma. It may also prove useful in inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, though the authors have not used it as yet for that condition.


Sequential intellectual recovery after near-drowning. Sequential neurological and intellectual recovery after childhood near-drowning is discussed. Decisions concerning the persistence and intensity of resuscitation require a knowledge of the natural history of intellectual improvement after rescue from near-drowning. A severe case of fresh-water immersion, leading to recovery, is described. Evidence is presented to suggest that the time interval of one hour before the first spontaneous respiratory gasp forms the upper limit of the apnoeic time bracket after which survival can still be expected, and to indicate that intellectual improvement (to a measured IQ of 97) can occur even after initial decerebrate signs if vigorous therapy is prosecuted. The proportion of cases capable of sequential neurological improvement is unknown. A time base for sequential clinical and intellectual improvement after near-drowning is presented to form a yardstick with which future cases may be compared.


Choreiform movements induced by anticholinergic therapy. A case is reported where long term therapy with anticholinergic drugs caused choreiform movements in a 73-year-old man. After the therapy was ceased the movements disappeared. The elderly are particularly at risk from developing side effects from drug therapy. We believe this to be the first report of chorea produced by long-term therapy with benzhexol.


Rapid cholesterol measurement: patient classification in heart risk evaluation clinics. Plasma cholesterol levels of patients attending a heart risk evaluation clinic were measured both in the clinic at the time of attendance, and later in a reference laboratory. The workflow of evaluation clinics may be improved, and patient satisfaction enhanced, by in situ measurement, since more than 60% of patients can be given a complete risk score at the time of attendance.


Effect of high-energy feedings on low birthweight infants. A comparison of the effect of 100.5 kJ/30 mL (24 kcal/30 mL) feedings with that of 84 kJ/30 mL (20 kcal/30 mL) feedings on infants with a birthweight of 1500 g or less was made. No consistent benefits in growth occurred and there was a tendency for an increase in complications in infants fed the 100.5 kJ/30 mL milk. Hence the higher-energy feeding cannot be recommended as the routine feeding for low birthweight infants.


Copper 7 devices devoid of copper: implications for duration of useful life. Two copper 7 intrauterine devices were found to be devoid of copper on removal after 55 and 63 months of use respectively. The implications of this observation are discussed in relation to data regarding the useful lifespan of such contraceptive devices.


The effect of termination of pregnancy on maturity of subsequent pregnancy. Therapeutic termination of pregnancy performed during the first trimester was associated with a statistically significant increase in the incidence of second trimester abortion and of premature labour in the next pregnancy. In a series of 520 patients who had previously been aborted 8.1% suffered a mid-trimester abortion in their next pregnancy and 8.6% had premature onset of labour (compared to 2.4% (P less than 0.001) and 4.4% (P less than 0.01) respectively in a control series). The incidence of incompetence of the cervix after termination of pregnancy was 4.4%.


Tetanus and psychiatry: unexpected bedfellows. Six patients who were admitted with the initial diagnosis of tetanus to a general hospital serving 130 000 people over a 10-year period are reviewed. In three of these patients psychogenic factors played a major part in the presenting pictures. These cases followed a markedly different course from the others. Guidelines to the early differentiation of such atypical cases, and to the way psychogenic factors can be identified and their importance evaluated, are discussed.


Survival in subzero temperatures: two field experiments on temperature estimation and "snowhole" (survival hole) temperatures. Two field experiments in a subarctic environment are described. Individuals consistently underestimated the degree of cold, because visual cues dominated sensory skin receptors in the subjective estimation of temperature. In snowholes (survival holes) temperatures rose 20 degrees C within 30 minutes of occupancy, but stabilized at freezing point. Implications for travel and survival in a subzero environment are described.


Perhexiline maleate in the treatment of severe angina pectoris. Perhexiline maleate was used as a prophylactic agent in 26 patients suffering from severe angina pectoris. The mean duration of treatment was 8.9 months, with a maximum of 28 months. Fifteen patients experienced a reduction in frequency of attacks to less than one-third of their previous level; six experienced a reduction to two-thirds of their previous level; no patient showed an increase in attack rates. During the period of study, there was one death. Frequently observed side effects included dizziness, gastrointestinal irritation and malaise. One patient developed clinically apparent hepatic dysfunction which resolved on withdrawal of perhexiline maleate, but recurred after rechallenge with a lower dose of the drug; the results of liver function tests in five others showed mild abnormalities. One patient developed peripheral neuropathy after taking perhexiline maleate for 18 months, but this resolved in two months after cessation of therapy. Good responses to perhexiline maleate were observed in patients who were concurrently treated with beta-adrenoreceptor blocking drugs.


Lymphoid hyperplasia of small bowel in an adult female. A case of terminal ileum lymphoid hyperplasia in an adult female is presented. Symptoms have been alleviated by limited resection of affected ileum and a segment of ascending colon. It appears that this process has been previously reported only in children and young people, most of the patients being male.


A new cricothyrotomy cannula.

A new cricothyrotomy cannula. A simple, easily constructed cricothyrotomy cannula and its method of use are described. Experiments have demonstrated that the instrument admits adequate air to sustain life without causing trauma to the posterior laryngeal wall. The dimensions allow the concurrent use of the FG10 suction catheter. An accessory device which enables single instrument cricothyrotomy is also described.


Mammography. An aid or distractor in diagnosis? A retrospective analysis of 155 mammograms has indicated the value of this procedure even with simple and inexpensive equipment. In women with a discrete mass requiring biopsy, mammography combined with clinical findings predicted with 100% confidence over half the cancers diagnosed. When both X-ray and clinical findings suggested a benign lump, only one in nine was a carcinoma. In the one-third of patients in whom signs and X-ray findings were in conflict or equivocal, the malignancy rate was about one in three. In women with breast signs or symptoms, but without discrete mass and with a "benign" mammography report, no cancer has been found in follow up for from 12 months to seven years.


Carcinoma of the cervix, endometrium, and ovary: an 11-year review. Over an 11-year period, 164 patients with genital tract carcinoma were managed at the Austin Hospital, Melbourne. For patients receiving primary treatment at the hospital, the five-year survival rates of patients with carcinoma of the cervix, endometrium, and ovary were 47.8%, 41.6% and 4.3% respectively. Improved results rest upon earlier diagnosis and alternative therapeutic measures, especially for carcinoma of the endometrium and ovary. Routine surveillance after initial therapy may detect asymptomatic metastatic disease when curative treatment is still possible.


Cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (II) in advanced ovarian carcinoma. Twenty-seven patients with advanced ovarian cancer were treated with a total of 80 courses of cis-dichlorodiammine platinum (II) (cisplatin). The doses in three courses were less than 50 mg/m2, in 64 courses they were 50 mg/m2, and in eight courses they were 100 mg/m2. In addition, five courses of low-dose daily treatment (20 mg/m2 for five days) were administered. Twelve patients received cisplatin alone, 12 received cisplatin and cyclophosphamide (750 mg/m2), and three patients received cisplatin with other drugs. There were eight responders (33%) in the 24 evaluable patients. Renal toxicity occurred in four patients, ototoxicity in four, and leucopenia (which was life-threatening in one patient) occurred in 16 patients (white cell count less than 3.0 X 10(9)/L). There were two early drug-related deaths. The median survival of patients who responded to cisplatin treatment was longer than 30 weeks compared with nine weeks for non-responders.


Indomethacin-induced hyperkalaemia.

Indomethacin-induced hyperkalaemia. A patient with mild chronic renal failure developed significant hyperkalaemia while receiving indomethacin therapy. The hyperkalaemia, which was reversed by discontinuing indomethacin, is attributed to a drug-induced defect in the cellular uptake of potassium.


Patterns of life after graduation.

Patterns of life after graduation. The integration of work and family life is problematic for many doctors. Most of us received little help in resolving the relevant issues during our own formal education. This paper describes a series of informal meetings which were organized for the fifth-year medical students to provide information about possible patterns of work, and to encourage discussion and comment. Areas of particular concern turned out to be postgraduate training, parenting, and the dual-career family. The project was only partly successful.


Malingering: a dangerous diagnosis.

Malingering: a dangerous diagnosis. Karl Kast, a migrant with a bad back, was examined by four Brisbane orthopaedic surgeons who all independently agreed that there was no physical basis for his complaint. After brooding over this for months, he resolved to kill these doctors and shot three (killing two) before taking his own life. This tragedy and its background are summarized, and a second instance is recorded where a surgeon could have been killed by another accident litigant. There is more to emotional disturbance after injury than a mere quest for compensation. Doctors who hold this simple belief may be at risk if they do not carefully handle the rare cases of severe and dangerous mental illness which masquerade as malingering.


Transanal stapled anastomosis after resection for Hirschsprung's disease. A treatment of Hirschsprung's disease in an adult is described. It consisted of rectosigmoidectomy, with continuity being restored by means of a transanal end-to-end stapled anastomosis. The implications of this technique are discussed.


Management of urinary incontinence. A new absorbent bed sheet. A new, highly absorbent bed sheet (Kylie sheet) was evaluated against cotton drawsheets in the management of incontinence of urine in a crossover study of 19 male and female geriatric patients. When the new Kylie sheets were in use, there was a significant decrease in skin wetness, in disturbance of patients, in nursing workload, and in laundry costs. There were no adverse effects.


Relationship between spontaneous abortion and presence of antibody to Toxoplasma gondii. Five hundred and twenty-three pregnant women were screened to determine whether a relationship existed between spontaneous abortion, and the presence of antibody to Toxoplasma gondii. The percentage of women with this antibody and a past history of spontaneous miscarriage was not statistically different from the percentage of women without antibody and a past history of spontaneous abortion.


"Satellite" haemodialysis.

"Satellite" haemodialysis. Thirty of the 39 patients treated at the Blacktown Dialysis Centre, the first "satellite" dialysis centre in the greater metropolitan Sydney, had been referred from four Sydney renal units for long-term dialysis therapy. The move save approximately 150 kilometres in travelling and eight hours time each week for each of these patients. The cost of running the unit was approximately $10,000 per patient per year in the first year--no greater than that of home dialysis, and less than that of dialysis in a teaching hospital. The advantages of establishing satellite dialysis centre, the method of operation, and the results of the first year of operation of the Blacktown Dialysis Centre are described.


Cytodiagnosis of pancreatic and biliary cancer by endoscopic duct aspiration. Duct aspiration was performed immediately after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in 33 patients with ductal changes which were suggestive of pancreatic or biliary cancer. Malignant cells were identified in 10 of 17 patients (60%) with cancer of the pancreas, and in two of 10 patients (20%) with cancer of the biliary tract. Atypical cells were identified in additional patients with cancer, but cytological characteristics did not permit a definitive diagnosis. No false positive diagnoses were made. Duct aspiration is a relatively simple extension of ERCP, and enhances diagnostic accuracy, particularly in patients with carcinoma of the pancreas.


Childhood deprivation: an antecedent of the irritable bowel syndrome. Three hundred and thirty-three consecutive patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were interviewed. By the age of 15 years, 31% of the patients had either lost a parent through death, divorce or separation; 19% had an alcoholic parent, and 61% reported unsatisfactory relationships with, or between their parents. The findings support the important influence of childhood deprivation in the aetiology of IBS.


Prevalence of hepatitis B in a general hospital: screening of patients and staff. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was sought over a six-month period in patients and staff members of the intensive care, cardiothoracic, and haematology/oncology units of a large general hospital. In addition, HBsAg was sought in all inpatients, outpatients and staff members at one point in time during August, 1977. A positive HBsAg state occurred with a prevalence of 1.55% in the three intensively studied units (cardiothoracic unit, 0.88%; haematology/oncology unit, 1.65%; and intensive care unit, 3.1%) and 0.9% for the point prevalence survey of hospital patients excluding the three intensively monitored areas. Very few of these patients had disorders traditionally associated with hepatitis B antigenaemia. In the survey of staff members, 0.72% of results were HBsAg positive. Of the factors examined, the most important determinant of the hepatitis B positive state both in patients and in staff members was their country of origin (that is, being born in southern or eastern Europe or in Asia).


Evaluation of mebendazole for the treatment of trichuriasis. Trichuris trichiura was found to cause severe refractory clinical illness in 25 child patients admitted to a rural hospital in northeast Queensland over a six-month period. Mebendazole produced significant alleviation of symptoms. Symptomless carrier states in 70 patients admitted to hospital for other complaints were also studied. Thirty-five of these were treated with mebendazole with a notable reduction in worm loads (as measured by Stoll egg counts) when compared with the control group. The effects of three-day and four-day courses of mebendazole on symptomless carriers are compared.


Ultrasonography in an early hydatidiform mole. An early hydatidiform mole containing a fetal sac is shown in grey scale echograms. It is suggested that all hydatidiform moles can be shown to contain a gestation sac if examined early enough.


Severe hyperkalaemia with Moduretic.

Severe hyperkalaemia with Moduretic. Three patients with impaired renal function suffered complications of hyperkalaemia within 10 days of beginning therapy with hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride combination (Moduretic). The possible relationship between hyperkalaemia and this diuretic is discussed.


High gastric ulcer after Nissen fundoplication. Three of 100 patients who underwent Nissen fundoplication developed gastric ulcers, all high on the lesser curve. Two patients presented one year after, and the third seven years after fundoplication. All healed with medical therapy, but a relapse in one patient necessitated partial gastrectomy. The pathogenesis, is not known, but vascular factors may be relevant. Patients complaining of epigastric pain after fundoplication require careful endoscopic examination for ulcer, especially near the cardia, since this may be a site of predilection.


[Yersinia enterocolitica: A rather unknown agent (author's transl)]. A survey is given about epidemiological data and the different forms of clinical course of Yersiniosis enterocolitica. As a rule the enteric Yersiniosis heals spontaneoulsy without antibiotic therapy. In our own cases 9 of 13 patients were children. In the majority of these 13 cases symptoms of appendicitis were found. A survey about the behaviour against antibiotics of our tested strains show that Yersinia enterocolitica is resistant to all beta-lactam-antibiotics. The detection of Yersinia enterocolitica in stool specimens is not difficult provided that the inquiry is directed specially on this agent.


[Effect of biguanids on the lactate metabolism. Studies in diabetics under submaximal ergometric exercise (author's transl)]. 24 diabetics without any complications were subjected to an exercise test before and after biguanid therapy. The schedule of the physical strain was a modification of the Kaltenbach diagram. Changes of lactate, pyruvate, pH-standard bicarbonate and base excess values were analysed. Additionally to antidiabetical therapy each of the 8 patients was given either metformin or buformin or phenformin now. Each one of the biguanid derivates induced a rise of the lactate level before and after the exercise test. Phenformin showed the greatest influence on the lactate metabolism, metformin the smallest. Reasons causing the lactogene effect and the quantitative differences of the biguanides are discussed.


[Correlation of glycerin-level and body weight (author's transl)]. In 202 non selected males and females the concentration of free glycerin in the fasting serum was evaluated. There was a significant parabolic correlation of the glycerin-levels in the serum  with the deviation of the actual body weight from the ideal weight. There is a theory that glycerin regulates the appetite through a negative feed-back mechanism. Our findings do not contradict this hypothesis, as it cannot be excluded that feedback mechanism is disturbed in long lasting obesity. The serum level of free glycerin is not correlated with the concentration of triglycerides or total cholesterol.


[The effect of etofibrate on serum cholesterol and triglycerides (author's transl)]. Etofibrate retard administered in a daily dose 500 mg to 14 outpatients with hyperlipoproteinemia type IIa decreased the cholesterol only 1.7% after a treatment period of 6 weeks. After a treatment of 12 weeks the serum cholesterol was higher in 10 of the 14 patients than in the pretreatment period. Of low grade was the effect of etofibrate retard in 6 patients with type IIb or IV. The triglycerides decreased from 564 mg/dl to 455 mg/dl in the mean. The effect of this double ester from clofibrinic and nicotinic acid (59% to 41%) is uncertain in HLP type IIa, IIb and IV in the recommended dose of 500 mg/day.


[Endocrine insufficiency in alcaptonuria? A case report and survey of the literature (author's transl)]. In a 49 years old patient with alcaptonuria we studied the question whether disturbances of the endocrine organs by deposition of products of homogenistic acid could be detected analogous to disturbances of connective tissue. The function of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland were shown to be normal. The only defect of the endocrine organs was a hypergonadotropic hypogonadism with a serum testosterone of 5.4 and 9.4 mumol/l respectively (155 and 270 ng/dl rsp.) at elevated LH and FSH values. A sufficient stimulation of the testosterone in serum by chorionic gonadotropin (Primogonyl) could be demonstrated, thus supporting the diagnosis of a compensated insuffiency of the Leydig cells. This disorder might be a late endocrine defect due to the basic metabolic disturbance of the disease.


[Pancreas gastricum intramurale submucosum in a 50-years old man (author's transl)]. Aberrant pancreas is a rare anomaly. It may be found by chance while operating or in autopsy and it need not cause any troubles to its bearer. In other cases it may be the cause of acute or chronic disorders. It is reported about a patient with chronic gastric disorders caused by heterotopic aberrant pancreas in the stomach wall.


[Lipoma and pseudolipoma of the liver (author's transl)]. Tumors and tumorlike lesions of fatty tissue arise only rarely in the liver. Those solitary nodules usually do not extend 2 cm in size and therefore remain clinically asymptomatic. Their gross appearance demands differential diagnosis from other tumorous or granulomatous lesions by means of biopsy and histological examination. Two characteristic cases with review of the literature are presented.


[Treatment of highly resistant germs by dibekacin in patients with urinary tract infections (author's transl)]. The aminoglycoside dibekacin, developed in Japan and now on the market in Germany, has been tested for its clinical and microbiological effectiveness on 45 patients with highly resistant germs. 41 of the 55 primary sensitive germs could be thus eliminated from the urine, 6 of the 11 being pseudomonas germs. The clinical results of 33 of the 45 patients were very good, only 4 of them were not convincing. The nephrotoxic side effects were noticeably slight. No evidence of damage to the VIIIth brain nerve was observed in these patients. The results were satisfactory considering the selection of problem patients in the test group. Dibekacin can be regarded with gentamicin as a first choice aminoglycoside.


[Treatment of hospital-acquired urinary infections with amikacin (author's transl)]. The efficacy of amikacin was evaluated in 32 patients with urinary infections due to hospital-acquired rods. Treatment with amikacin was successful in all cases of acute urinary infection by gentamicin-resistent gram-negative strains. Amikacin shares with other aminoglycosides the risk of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Follow-up studies are preferable to patients already suffering from damage of hearing. Lesions of n. vestibularis were relatively infrequent.


[The influence of age and weight on the normal oral glucose tolerance (author's transl)]. The individual influence of age and weight on the normal glucose tolerance after an oral glucose load of 50 g was investigated in 332 test subjects (231 male + 101 female) presenting a healthy metabolism. The results show that, even within the range of normal glucose tolerance, the relative weight (age factor eliminated) exerts an influence both on the fasting blood sugar and on the 1 h-value (p less than or equal to 0.01), in women even on the 2 h-value (p less than or equal to 0.05) ("plain" glucose tolerance--weight correlation). The influence of the age factor (weight eliminated) on the normal glucose tolerance can only be demonstrated in the 1 h-value of men as sole value (p less than or equal to 0.01). Here it even slightly exceeds the influence of the weight factor ("plain" glucose tolerance--age correlation). Apart from this value, however, it can be stated that, within the normal glucose tolerance of both male and female subjects, the weight factor is of greater importance than the age factor. With increasing weight the sugar levels progressively approach the upper limit of the norm. Perhaps this is already the forefield to future secondary arteriopathies.


Use of casein, tyrosine, and hypoxanthine in the identification of nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli. Four hundred and five (405) strains of nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli (NFB) were identified using conventional tests. The NFB studied include 323 originating from clinical specimens, 37 from environmental samples, and 45 authentic strains from other workers and from our culture collections. All these strains were studied for their ability to degradate casein, tyrosine, and hypoxanthine. It was found that these tests are useful in identifying NFB within 24 to 48 h when used with other tests.


Application of the laser to the study of pathogenic fungi. Laser microanalysis has been applied to the study of pathogenic fungi. Such a method allows chemical information to be obtained and permits the detection of 74 elements in the periodic system of Mendeleev from lithium (3) to uranium (92).


Naked megakaryocyte nuclei revisited.

Naked megakaryocyte nuclei revisited. Bone marrow smears from 35 patients with various neoplasms and from 32 control patients were examined for the presence and percentage of naked megakaryocyte nuclei (NMN). The percentages of NMN in the two groups did not significantly differ. We conclude that the enumeration of NMN is of no value as a diagnostic test of malignancy.


Teratomas in children and young adults.

Teratomas in children and young adults. A review of all teratomas seen at the University of Wisconsin Hospital between 1965 and 1977 revealed that sacrococcygeal and presacral teratomas were most common. In these cases survival was best in infants less than one year old, with the exception of two cases of malignant medulloepithelioma. Testicular teratomas were predominant in the young adult male, and survival was poor. Pathology and treatment of teratomas are discussed, with an accompanying discussion of congenital anomalies associated with teratomas.


Childhood non-Hodgkin Malignant lymphomas: a clinicopathologic retrospective study. Between 1968 and 1975, 44 evaluable children under 16 years of age with the histologic diagnosis of non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma (ML) were treated at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan. Histologic diagnoses were reclassified as follows: 13 lymphoblastic (others) ML, 15 convoluted cell type lymphoblastic ML, 9 Burkitt type ML, and 7 immunoblastic ML. Only 36% of the patients had stage I and II disease. At diagnosis 25% showed malignant cells in the bone marrow smears. Bone marrow infiltration was particularly frequent in the convoluted cell type lymphoblastic ML and in the lymphoblastic (others) ML subgroups. Burkitt type ML frequently was associated with abdominal lesions and subsequently a high incidence of central nervous system involvement. Patients with stage I and II ML were encountered mostly in the immunoblastic ML subgroup. After 1973 more intensive chemotherapy plus radiotherapy seems to have slightly improved the survival of the patients, except in the Burkitt type ML Subgroup.


Pulmonary toxicity from carmustine (BCNU): a case report. A patient who had a pneumonectomy for lung carcinoma was treated with carmustine when brain metastases developed. His pulmonary function was mildly compromised prior to the pneumonectomy by many years of smoking. After six months of carmustine therapy [total dose: 2,250 mg (1,200 mg/m2)] he developed interstitial pulmonary fibrosis with histologic changes consistent with drug toxicity. With seven previously reported cases of this drug-effect and the addition of our case, carmustine must be added to the list of cancer chemotherapeutic agents that can cause pulmonary toxicity.


A feasibility study of prompt capture gamma in vivo neutron activation analysis. The feasibility of using the information contained in the radiative capture gamma ray spectrum of the neutron-irradiated human body to measure quantitatively total body elemental composition in vivo has been investigated. Results of time dependent Monte Carlo simulations have shown that spectral interference of nonradiative capture origin can be completely eliminated by pulsing the detector/spectrometer system in anticoincidence with the neutron source. Calculations based on the results of the Monte Carlo simulation and on an experimental measurement of the efficiency versus energy characteristics of a Ge(Li) detector suggest that the primary limitation of the proposed technique would be inter-element spectral interference rather than inadequate detector sensitivity. Experimental measurements using a pulsed 14-MeV neutron generator and Ge(Li) gamma-ray spectrometer have produced results that are consistent with the predictions of the theoretical model. A radiative capture gamma-ray spectrum of a tissue-equivalent phantom was measured in pulsed mode and analyzed offline using a computerized spectral analysis procedure. The results were scaled to a proposed facility consisting of a 2.5-MeV pulsed neutron source and a detection system comprising two 50-cm3 (Ge(Li) detectros past which the subject would be scanned. It has been shown that in principle the elements hydrogen, chlorine, calcium, and nitrogen [the latter using large NaI(T1) detectors] could be measured with such a facility at an average body dose level of 0.1 rad. At this dose level the coefficients of variation based on counting statistics alone would be +/- 2%, or better, for these four elements. With an improvement in the detector/spectrometer energy resolution, the elements sulfur and carbon might also be measurable. It is also shown that by modifying the pulsing sequence appropriately and using 14-MeV neutrons, total body oxygen could also be measured at the 0.1 rad dose level via its inelastic neutron scattering deexcitation gamma activity.


The design and performance of a scanning multiple slit assembly. A scanning multiple slit assembly (SMSA) has been constructed for the purpose of reducing scatter in medical radiography. The SMSA consists of a series of long, narrow beam-defining slits above the patient that are aligned and synchronously moved with scatter-eliminating slots beneath the patient during an exposure. Evidence, based on measurements of the ratio of scattered-to-primary radiation imaged and radiographs of patients, is presented indicating that such a device is a practical and efficient method of reducing scatter and improving contrast compared to conventional grids. The design considerations and trade-offs associated with the choice of slit width, slit separation distance, and aft slot depth are discussed along with the effect of these parameters on the SMSA's performance. The various problems encountered in obtaining a uniform scan and the manner in which they were handled are also discussed.


Relative carcinogenic effects of different mammography techniques. Comparisons of different mammography techniques can be significantly altered by assumptions about the relevant measures for carcinogenic effects in mammography at low doses. Using a combination of recent data available from the literature, a study as been made of the significance of various assumptions concerning both the appropriate measures for carcinogenesis in mammography and the shape of the dose-effects relationship. It is found that for techniques typical of current reduced-dose mammography systems, the comparison of the relative carcinogenic effects of the techniques is significantly affected by both the measures that are used and the shape of th dose-effects relationship.


A laser scanner for the densitometric analysis of radiographs. An instrument is described which can scan radiographs and collect densitometric readings for subsequent computer analysis. A laser beam is focused onto the film. Raster scan of the beam is provided by two orthogonal mirror galvanometers. The light, attenuated by the radiograph, is gathered by a lens in such a way that it is directed into a small detector regardless of the scan position. Beam position signals and density readings are stored and analyzed in a minicomputer.


Absorbed dose comparison: positron emitters 11C, 13N, and 15O versus gamma-ray emitters. Absorbed doses were calculated or taken from the literature for various compounds of 11C, 13N, and 15O, and compared to those of presently gamma-ray-emitting nuclear medicine radiopharmaceuticals. As a rule of thumb, the doses per millicurie of the injectable positron-emitting compounds are of the same order of magnitude as the dose per millicurie of 99mTc compounds. The absorbed doses from the injectable positron emitters are nearly one or more orders of magnitude lower on a per millicurie basis than those from the other injectable gamma emitters that were investigated.


Multiple window rectilinear scanner modification. Although the gamma camera and multi-crystal scanner have largely replaced the old dual probe rectlinear scanners in the larger hospitals, a large number of such scanners are still in use today. Modifications to these units can greatly enhance their usefulness. This paper describes the addition of dual SCA windows to each probe of a rectlinear scanner to increase sensitivity to multiple gamma-ray isotopes such as 67Ga. This method allows increased information density and/or decreased scanning time without degrading image quality. NIM electronics are used to keep down capital costs, as these modules can be shared with other counting systems when multiple-peak isotopes are not being scanned. A simple connection to an Ohio Nuclear Mdl 84 dual probe scanner is described. For other scanners, a slight modification would be necessary.


Evaluation of a new x-ray film with reduced crossover. The improvement in MTF that can be obtained by the reduction of crossover exposures is evaluated using an experimental film supplied by the 3M Company (3M XUD). It was found that image resolution, as measured by the equivalent passband (2 integral of infinity 0 [M(f)]2df), of 3M Trimax 8 screens when used with the experimental 3M XUD film was 2.9 c/mm as compared to 1.8 c/mm when used with a conventional double coated film such as Kodak Ortho G or 3M XD. On the other hand, system speed with 3M XUD film was only 1.6 mR-1 as compared to 3.2 mR-1 with 3M XD film and 2.4 mR-1 with Kodak Ortho G film. These findings were substantiated by phantom studies as well.


Effects of focal spot intensity distribution and collimator width in reconstructive x-ray tomography. In computed tomography the finite width of the collimator aperture implies that the image is reconstructed from scans having finite strip width. This blurs the image and limits scanner resolution. Bracewell has discussed the nature of the blurring produced and suggested a method to partially restore the image under the assumption that the x-ray focal spot has a uniform intensity distribution. However, pinhole radiographs of x-ray focal spots reveal intensity distribution in the scanning plane which peaks at the edges of the focal spot with a reduced intensity in the center. A model is presented which simulates this intensity distribution as the sum of two point sources of x rays separated by a uniform line source. This results in a point absorber response function which is a superposition of two rectangular distributions and the one discussed by Bracewell. The corresponding tranfer function is derived which shows that the intensity distribution of the focal spot influences the high spatial frequency components of the reconstructed image more than the low frequency components.


Gamma dose measurement in a d(80) + Be neutron beam. The gamma-ray dose component of a d(80) + Be neutron beam was measured with a 6Li-shielded Geiger-Mueller counter in a tissue-equivalent liquid phantom. The proportion of gamma-ray dose to total dose increased from 0.07 near the surface to 0.09 at 25 cm depth. Due to thermal neutron sensitivity, the G-M count rate increased by 25% in the absence of 6Li shielding.


[Metabolically stable classes of messenger-like nuclear RNA. II. Existence of homology between the 28S fraction of nuclear RNA, giant non-polyadenylated molecules of heterogeneous nuclear RNA and polyadenylated molecules of cytoplasmic RNA]. The existence and extent of homology between the 28S fraction of messenger-like nuclear RNA on one hand, and giant (greater than 45S) molecules of heterogeneous nuclear RNA and various fractions of cytoplasmic RNA on the other hand were studied by the method of competitive hybridization. The results obtained lead to the conclusion that the poly(A)-subfraction of hnRNA molecules with the size of greater than 15 000 nucleotides contains molecules subjected to rapid but incomplete processing with the formation of chains approximately 5000 nucleotides long (approximately 28S), which are then stored in the nucleus for up to 30 hours. Later polyadenylated and non-polyadenylated molecules of cytoplasmic RNA with the size of less than or equal to 2000 nucleotides are formed from the stored precursors.


[Model for tobacco mosaic virus assembly in vitro: specific dislocation by cooperative single-letter purine recognition and non-cooperative RNA "locking" between subunit layers]. A model of the molecular mechanism of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) assembly in vitro is proposed. The model is based on the assumption that on interaction of TMV RNA chain with a double protein disk two different types of structural alterations occur in the protein subunits: "dislocating alterations" leading to screw dislocation of the disk into a helix fragment and "locking alterations" leading to locking of the RNA chain between the subunits layers. During initiation of TMV assembly the dislocating alterations occur cooperatively in all subunits of the disk as a result of specific interaction of purines (guanines) in the middle (horizontal) position of every trinucleotide unit with the 32--39 loop of the TMV protein molecule. Locking alterations are induced non-cooperatively by phosphate groups and lateral (vertical) bases of trinucleotide units. The sequence of events during TMV assembly in vitro and the role of topological factors in this process are discussed.


[Conditions of formation of DNA optically-active particles in polyethyleneglycol-containing solutions of different salts]. Conditions of formation of the DNA optically-active compact particles (e. g. particles which are characterized by intense negative band in CD spectrum) in PEG-containing solutions of NaCl, NaClO4, KCl, KBr, KI and CsCL have been studied. It has been shown that the region of existence of the DNA optically-active compact particles is restricted not only by the definite concentration of PEG, but also by the definite ionic strength of solution. Above this region the intense band in CD spectra of the DNA compact particles is practically absent. The nature of cation influences the process of compactization (condensation) of the DNA double-stranded molecules; the nature of anion does not influence this process (up to 0,3 M salt concentration).


[Molecular mechanisms of 2-aminopurine and 2,6-diaminopurine induced mutations]. Molecular mechanisms of base pair substitutions induced by 2-aminopurine and 2,6-diaminopurine have been proposed by calculations of nonbonded interaction energy of this substances with nucleic acid bases. The calculation results suppose that the main pathways of the transitions are wobble pair formations of these analogues with cytosine. The possibility of the transversions as a result of incorporation of 2-aminopurine and 2,6-diaminopurine in DNA have been considered. The influence of nucleotide sequences and enzymes of nucleic acid synthesis on induced mutation frequencies have been discussed.


[Structural studies on tubulin in flat sheets formed in the presence of zinc]. Structure of the tubulin molecule was determined from microtubule images by methods of three dimensional reconstruction. We detected two types of zinc-induced sheets with different space latticies. Using the model of the tubulin molecule obtained by three dimensional reconstruction, the relationship of its projections was established by the method of optical filtration. Structural peculiarities in tubulin polymorphism are considered.


[Investigation of the initial steps of protochlorophyllide photoreduction in etiolated plants]. The irreversible nonfluorescent product of the protochlorophyllide photoreduction with the wide electronic band at 705 nm was discovered. The P705 product through the intermediate products with the fluorescence max at 695 nm and 687 nm turns into Chl684 678, as the result of heating in darkness. The P705, P695, P687 products quench protochlorophyllide fluorescence with great efficiency. Analysis of the intermediate product properties allow to propose a new photoreduction mechanism that includes energy transfer to the trapping center where the charge transfer is performed, nonradiative energy dissipation in the charge-transfer complex, and protonation and disproportionation of the pigment anion-radicals.


[Mixed aggregation of pigments with participation of bacteriochlorophyll]. In binar mixture of solvents (dioxane--water, 1 : 4) the spectral-luminescent investigation of the regularities of mixed association and the energetic interaction between molecules of bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) and its analogs (chlorophyll a--Chl, protochlorophyll--PChl, 4-vinyl-protochlorophyll--4VPChl) under variation of donor-acceptor ratio (0,001 less than or equal to CD/CA less than or equal to 1) in the polymer complex was conducted. The essential role of the elementary cell structure of the mixed associate was discovered: the associate of individual BChl did not possess measurable fluorescence whereas the introduction of PChl, 4VPChl and Chl admixture (approximately greater than 1%) into BChl aggregate resulted in the appearance of a BChl fluorescent ability. It was suggested that admixture and BChl molecules formed dimer cells in which the excitation nonradiative deactivation probability was strongly decreased in comparison with individual BChl aggregate. These cells are the centres of mixed associates emission. It was shown that under conditions of effective energy migration in the system of nearly arranged centres with a high degree of orientation the excitation trapping probability strongly depended on the resonance conditions for transition density--transition density interaction between partners of aggregation.


[Conformation of nucleotides, oligonucleotides and their analogues in aqueous solution. II. Syn-anti-equilibrium in solutions of adenosine, 5'-AMP, 3'-AMP, 5'-CMP and 3'-CMP]. A method for determining the equilibrium constant of sin-anti-states in the aqueous solution of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides and nucleosides has been proposed. This method is based on the measurement of the spin-lattice relaxation rate of H(1') atom of purine nucleotides before and after exchange of H(8) deuterium in the case of purine nucleotides or H(1') and H(5) atoms of pyrimidine nucleotides. The results obtained were interpreted by the two-state dynamic model. The method applied for investigation of the conformation situation in solutions of Ado, 5'-AMP, 3'-AMP, 5'-CMP and 3'-CMP. 5'-AMP and 5'-CMP were shown to exist predominantly in the anti-state (90%). In the case of 3'-nucleotides the enhancement of the relativity weight of sin-populations to 0.2 and 0.85 for 3'-CMP and 3'-AMP, respectively, was found. In the solution Ado both anti- and sin-state were equiprobable. Experimentally measured relaxation rates of H(8) of adenine or H (6) of cytosine nucleotides were used for determination of the time average orientation of nucleic bases towards the ribose ring in the anti-state. For all compounds investigated with the exception of 3'-AMP the "normal" anti-conformation was confirmed. The 3'-AMP was found to be characterized by high anti-conformation. The probable causes of the conformational situation organization and correlation between the N/S and sin/anti rations are discussed.


[Immunological and sedimentation analysis of UV-irradiated T4 phage DNA containing 5-bromouracil]. Conversions resulting from UV-irradiation of 5-bromouracil DNA of T4 phage were studied. The use of immunological and sedimentation techniques revealed that UV dose ranging from 1.4.10(2) to 1.4.10(3) erg/mm2 induced unwinding and single-stranded breaks in 5-bromouracil DNA which are not accompanied by debromination. Beginning with 4.10(3) erg/mm2 debromination but not degradation of DNA is detected. Doses higher than 4.10(3) erg/mm2 lead to extensive degradation of 5-bromouracil T4 DNA.


[Reaction of apo-aspartate aminotransferase with 5-thiophosphate analogues of the coenzyme. Split of the thiophosphate bond]. By the interaction of pyridoxamine- and pyridoxale-5'-thiophosphate with aspartate-aminotransferase complexes similar in their properties to corresponding forms of the native enzyme were obtained. Reversible convertions of the obtained complexes were performed by short time incubation with substrates. It was found that the thioester bond can be splitted as a result of incubation of the pyridoxamine-5'-thiophosphate form of the enzyme with the substrate mixture for several hours at pH 5.0. The same split took place during incubations of the complex of apo-enzyme with L-Nalpha-(pyridoxyl-5'-thiophosphate)-glutamic acid at pH 3.5 within several minutes. The split of the thioester bond was accomplished by formation of phosphate-enzyme bonds, the latter was found to be stable towards gel-filtration and denaturation, but unstable to proteolysis. The labilisation of the thiophosphate bond was explained in terms of changes of structure and specificity of the anchoring site of 5'-phosphoryl group according to the reaction coordinate.


[Analysis of kinetics of the combined inhibition of cholinesterases]. In the paper the analysis of the possible kinetic schemes is performed for the process of the combined inhibition of cholinesterases. It is shown that the considered schemes result in the identical experimental dependencies of the inhibition constants from the concentration of the inhibitor. Based on the analysis of about 200 experiments a linear dependence was found between logarithms of constants describing the reversible and irreversible action of the inhibitor.


[Comparative investigation of genomes of some higher plants]. By the equilibrium ultracentrifugation in the CsCl density gradient, high-resolution thermal denaturation and kinetics of reassociation the genomes of some higher plants were investigated. It is shown that nuclear DNAs of nonsatellite species Phaseolus aureus and Brassica oleracea contain fractions, resembling DNA satellite components of Phaseolus vulgaris and Brassica nigra. These fractions are not detected as discrete components because of insufficient length of blocks, containing the sequences of satellite DNAs.


[Semiempirical calculations of the structure of apamine]. Conformational properties of the neurotoxin apamine were investigated starting from the known amino acid sequence. Nonvalent and electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding and torsional energies were computed by variation of all backbone and side chain dihedral angles. In a search for the spatial structure of the molecule, di-, tri-, tetra- etc. fragments were subsequently analyzed. As the result, the apriori calculations of the 15-residue apamine fragment revealed strong energy differentiations of forms. The lowest energy conformation has a folded backbone, with an orientation of Cys-1--Cys-11 and Cys-3--Cys-15 side chain pairs favoring the formation of disulfide bridges.