[The uncus exostoses syndrome and its treatment by means of the decompression operation of the vertebral artery (author's transl)]. In degenerative changes of the mobile segments of the cervical vertebral column, deformations of the uncovertebral gaps (joints), resembling exostoses, with a lateral or dorsolateral spread, are frequently seen. This involves irritation of neighbouring structures, such as the arteria and vena vertebralis including the nervus vertebralis or the corresponding nerve roots. This produces a disease pattern with a cervico-encephalic and cervico-brachial mixed pattern of symptoms. Angiography of the a. vertebralis proves the localisation and extent of the disturbance. The decompression of the a. vertebralis according to the method described by A. Jung offers good chances of curing the disease. The author's own operative results are presented and discussed.


[Biomechanical investigations on the aetiology of arthrosis of the first carpometacarpal joint (author's transl)]. Forty-eight carpometacarpal joints of the thumb (dissecting room material) were investigated roentgenologically and macroscopically.  The localization of arthrotic lesions of the  articular surfaces of the first metacarpal bone and the greater multangular bone support the view that arthrosis of the first carpometacarpal joint is due primarly to mechanical factors. The opposition movement of the thumb is combined with a pronating rotation of the first metacarpal bone. This rotation leads to an incongruity of the joint and  in consequence to an extreme diminuition of the pressure transmitting area. Photoelastic experiments demonstrate that the point-like contact areas are subjected to an extremly high stress. The functional analysis of the tangential fiber layer in the articular cartilage shows that the first carpometacarpal joint is adapted only to movements typical for a saddle-shaped joint.


[A cooled blade for use in upper tibial osteotomy (author's transl)]. A cooled blade for an oscillating saw has been developed. Using this blade heat necrosis can be completely avoided.


Solar retinitis.

Solar retinitis. Twenty-four cases of Solar Retinitis have been seen after the solar eclipse on April 18, 1977. The points of special interest which were the high incidence, bilateral involvement and comparatively less degree of visual disability have been discussed.


Haematological norms in Zambians with special reference to chemotherapy. Haematological norms for Zambian men have been determined, 100 students being studied prospectively in the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, care was taken to identify and quantify observer error. It was found that routine laboratory results for platelet counts were consistently low, the magnitude of the error being - 30%. From 1972 - 1977 a measurable alteration has occurred in the variables. It was concluded that the norms for healthy Zambian men were, in round figures as follows: haemoglobin 15.0g% total white cell count 6,000/cmm; neutrophils 50%, lymphocytes 44%, absolute granulocyte count 3,000/cmm; platelet count 160,000/cmm. The reason for the neutropaenia and thrombocytopaenia is obscure. For accurate work such as is required in tumour chemotherapy, special counts must be made, neutropaenia and thrombocytopaenia being borne in mind.


Caesarean section: a four year review with special emphasis on transverse. During the four year period 1973 to 1976, there were 3,182 cases of delivery by Caesarean Section (CS) in the University Teaching Hospital, (UTH) Lusaka. This constituted 4.68% of the total number of deliveries. The main indications for CS were fetal distress and cephalopelvic disproportion. 130 cases of transverse lie, in labour, were delivered by CS. The lower uterine transverse incision was the operation performed in most cases. 192 cases of ruptured uteri were treated also in the period under study.


Some traditional Tonga eye remedies.

Some traditional Tonga eye remedies. Tonga eye syndromes, aetiological concepts, and eye drops are presented. The attitude of a group of Secondary School Students to common traditional eye drops are presented together with ocular findings in a group of users and alleged non-users. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups. Not all traditional eye drops are dangerous, and a positive education approach is suggested to improve ocular health.


[Soil-hygienic points of view with respect to intensive plant production in socialistic agriculture (author's transl)]. With intensified plant production, also soil-hygienic points of view must be taken into account. Measures like fertilization, irrigation, and amelioration must be carried through in such a way that any damage to human health is excluded. As factors of risk have to be regarded pathogenous micro-organisms and parasites from sewage, sludge, and liquid manure, nitrate, potassium, pesticide residues, and heavy metals from agrochemicals and manure, as well as antibiotics from therapeutic and prophylactic treatments. The necessity of precise legal regulations emphasized.


Studies on azotobacters prevailing in Egyptian soils. Soil samples from different locations in Egypt, representing various types of soils, different degrees of fertility and under various standing crops, were used for isolating Azotobacter strains. Sixty Azotobacter isolates were obtained, and A. chroococcum was found to be the most predominant species (56 isolates), while A. vinclandii was sporadically found (4 isolates). Other species of the genus Azotobacter were not detected in the examined soil samples. Isolates were studied for their morphological, cultural, and physiological properties. Thirteen isolates, differing in morphological features, were selected for studying their pleomorphic character.


Studies on the aerobic non-symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria, other than Azotobacter, in Egyptian soils. Twenty isolates of micro-organisms capable of growing on nitrogen-deficient medium and found as contaminants in Azotobacter cultures were isolated from Egyptian soils and studied for their morphological, cultural, and physiological properties. These micro-organisms s are members of Rhizobiaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Achromobacteriaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Micrococcaceae, Bacillaceae, and Streptomycetaceae as well as some yeasts. In nitrogen-free medium the micro-organism fixed only small amounts of atmospheric nitrogen, hardly exceeding 3 ppm and because of their low sugar consumption rates, efficiences of N2-fixation sometimes reaching 18 mg nitrogen fixed/g carbon oxidized were recorded. Addition of 15 ppm combined nitrogen to the medium increased the amounts of nitrogen fixed to 3--9 ppm.


Temperature adaptability of nitrifying bacteria in soils of Egypt. Five soils, representing different locations in Egypt that vary in their climatic conditions, were studied for their nitrifying capacity under different temperature levels. The optimum temperature was 30 degrees C, followed by 20 degrees C. At both temperatures no differences among soils in their nitrifying capacity were observed, and nitrification approached completion after 4 and 6 weeks, respectively. NH4-N osication proceeded at lower rates of 10 degrees and 40 degrees C, but variations among soils in their capacity were observed. At 50 degrees C nitrification took place at fairly high rates in one soil, representing an area characterized by its extreme aridity and high temperature.


Lactic acid production from molasses by mixed population of lactobacilli. The production of lactic acid from molasses by mixed populations of (1) Lactobacillus bulgaricus AU (isolated from curd) and L. casei (supplied by NCL, Poona-8, India) and (2) L. bulgaricus, L. delbrueckii (supplied by NCL, Poona-8, India), and L. casei was studied. It has been found that association of L. bulgaricus with L. casei slightly enhances the yield of lactic acid, while the mixed population of L. bulgaricus, L. delbrueckii, and L. casei is as effective as L. bulgaricus alone.


Crown gall: economic importance and control. Many plants of economic importance are possible hosts for Agrobacterium tumefaciens, the causal organism of the crown gall tumor disease. Damage has been reported on stone fruit (Australia), vineyard (Hungary, Bulgaria), lettuce (Brasil) ... In Western-Europe, crown gall seems to be of less economic importance for plants growing in the open air. However, plants cultivated in greenhouses have a greater chance to be tumorized, because of the more favourable circumstances for tumor induction. Modern treatments are based on the inactivation or killing of the tumorigenic organism at the time of the wounding of the host plants.


Influence of virus infection on the leaf protein yield. Influence of cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) and common bean mosaic virus (CBMV) infection on the yield of extractable leaf protein of cowpea cvs. Pusa Phaguni, Pusa Barsati, and Yard Long was studied. An increase as well as decrease in the yield of leaf protein concentrate (LPC), due to virus infection, has been observed. CPMV infection increased LPC yield in all the cowpea cvs., but CBMV decreased it in cys. Pusa Phaguni and Yard Long. Variation in percentage of extractable nitrogen and protein in LPC was also notices. However, total N and protein in leaf and LPC were increased due to virus infection, but total sugar and starch decreased.


[Electron microscopical evidence of Spiroplasma citri in nucleus of infected testplants (author's transl)]. This is the first report for the evidence of mycoplasmas in an organelle of a plant cell. Spiroplasma citri was detected by electron microscopy in the nucleus of a phloem parenchyma cell of Chrysanthemum carinatum Schousboe plants, inoculated experimentally by Euscelis plebejus Fall.


Amino acid changes in abiogenic mixtures containing p-nitroaniline and p-phenylene diamine. Mixtures containing diammonium hydrogen phosphate, ammonium molybdate, and minerals in presence of p-nitroaniline resulted in formation of glycine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine. Proline and valine were observed in a few tubes. When p-phenylene diamine was present in the mixture, glycine was absent, while isoleucine and leucine were observed in the tubes. Predominance of proline was observed in all the studies executed.


[Effect of post-emergence application of two herbicides to winter wheat on the soil microflora (author's transl)]. In a field experiment the herbicides U 46 PD-Fluid (dichlorprop salt) and Tribunil (methabenzthiazuron) were applied in April 1976 post-emergence to winter wheat cultivated in 3 different soils. After 4 days, 1, 2 and 3 months samples were taken from 0-5 and 5-10 cm depth of a loamy sand soil. Dehydrogenase activity and respiration were investigated. Microbial populations were counted after 4 days only. In all 3 soils decomposition of straw in 10 cm depth was estimated using nylon gauze bags. The application of U 46 DP-Fluid stimulated bacterial and algal but reduced fungal and actinomycete populations at 0-5 cm depth. About 10% increase in the dehydrogenase activity was recorded during the whole season. Soil respiration investigated immediate after taking samples was stimulated on the 4th day after herbicide application, but reduced after 3 months. Storage of the soil samples at 5 degrees C for 10 months showed similar or opposite results depending on the incubation method used. A somewhat increased decomposition of the straw was also observed in the loamy sand until June. The application of Tribunil at the same depth stimulated populations of actinomycetes and algae but did not affect the other microflora. Reduced dehydrogenase activity was observed during the dry month of June, but the same remained unchanged at the other time of sampling. In freshly drawn soil samples, reduced soil respiration was observed after 1 and 3 months and this remained unaltered at other times. The storage at 5 degrees C of the soil samples revealed inhibition only after 1 month and at the other times a stimulation or no influence could be observed and this was found to be dependent on the incubation method. Straw decomposition was not changed following the application of Tribunil. In 5-10 cm depth, however, the above mentioned trends were only scarcely observed.


Effect of spraying developed shoot system with insecticide "endrin" on rhizosphere mycoflora of both okra and lupins. Spraying shoot system of okra and lupins plants with insecticide endrin caused changes in plant metabolism. These changes reflected themselves on root exudates. Accordingly, the balance between the higher plant and the fungal population in the root zone was disturbed.


The effect of magnesium sulphate on the photochemical formation of microstructures with properties of biological order. The photochemical formation of microstructures in 1:2:1:1 mixture of ammonium molybdate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, biological minerals, and formaldehyde showed better results at 9.6 x 10(-5) M concentration of magnesium sulphate in the mixture. The number of particles decreases with increasing concentration of magnesium sulphate.


[Treatment of anal sphincter insufficiency due to injury of the rectum and perineum]. Insufficiency of the anal sphincter due to injuries of the rectum and perineum in our series comes up to 75.7% of all degrees of anal insufficiency. The treatment--conservative or by surgery--depends on the kind and degree of insufficiency. For operative reconstruction unilateral and bilateral pedicled muscular flaps were used. In 94.2% of all cases good and satisfactory results were obtained.


[Suture insufficiency following BI-resection (author's transl)]. 33 out of 135 patients (24.5%) developed suture insufficiency after Billroth I-resection. There was no selection of patients in respect of elective, corrective and emergency surgery. The diagnosis is always possible on the grounds of clinical criteria. On the contrary, the early radiographic postoperative direct proof of suture insufficiency is not always possible (14 out of 24 cases). Indirect radiographic signs, such as gastroatonia, delayed gastric emptying, medio-paragastric atypical fluid levels may be relied upon and likewise on signs of the upper abdominal and intestinal stasis, such as radiographic intestinal fluid level, or more frequently pleural effusion on the left side. Typical laboratory changes are absent in the early phase. The rare, but threatening early insufficiency (first until third postoperative day) requires immediate relaparotomy. Dehiscence comes into existence not before the fourth and sixth postoperative day (late insufficiency). They can be treated conservatively. By adequate drainage late complications should not be expected. The period of hospitalization is prolonged over eight days on an average. If the fistula persists, surgical closure should be considered after 30 days because of the increased possibility of severe arrosive haemorrhage.


[Concentrations of local anaesthetics and vasoconstrictor drugs (author's transl)]. By checking the list of local anaesthetics produced in the GDR containing vasoconstrictor drugs it could be proved that there exist disproportions concerning maximum concentrations and maximum doses of the local anaesthetic on the one hand and epinephrine as well as norepinnephrine concentration on the other. This dangerous situation could be changed on initiative of the Society of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation of the GDR.


[Comparative studies into causes of acyclic uterine bleeding (author's transl)]. Abrasion was performed on 4,909 of 20,822 gynaecological patients (23.6 per cent), between 1956 and 1978. Variable distribution and proportionality were recorded from the most frequent diagnoses which included endometritis, glandular-cystic hyperplasia of the endometrium, and mucosal strophy. Age, body weight, parity, and records of previous abrasions are reported and compared.


[Artificial marital (homologous) insemination of women with sterility and retroflexion of uterus (author's transl)]. Successful use of artificial marital (homologous) insemination is described in this paper by examples of eight sterility patients (women aged 31 on average) with mobile retroflexion of uterus and procreative husbands. After an average period of 4.7 years had elapsed with desires for children unaccomplished in spite of special treatment, the above approach led to positive success in al cases. Five women turned pregnant in the first insemination cycle, one in the second, and two in the third. There were five spontaneous births of six intact infants, while two patients still are pregnant. Laparotomy was necessary in one case for ectopic gravidity. The authors are inclined to conclude from their own experience that homologous insemination may be used as one of the therapies applicable to childlessness, if no causative factors are detectable in addition to mobile retorflexion of uterus.


[Epidemiology of corpus carcinoma in Austria (author's transl)]. The rates of endometrial carcinoma incidence in Austria were investigated for the period between 1971 and 1975 by the authors in cooperation with the Austrian National Institute of Statistics. The incidence of corpus carcinoma has increased also in Austria over the past decades, as may be seen from the ratio between corpus carcinoma and cervical carcinoma which is 1:1.9 at present. Age related incidence was studied, as well, with continuous growth in incidence having been observed along with growing age. In women aged between 60 and 69, corpus carcinoma was almost as frequent as cervical carcinoma, and it was predominant among women of 70 and above. The findings obtained from age group surveys have also suggested that irradiation therapy rather than primary surgery was required for more than 50 per cent of the patients reviewed.


[Herlyn-Werner and Wunderlich syndromes (author's transl)]. Reported in this paper are four cases of rare, combined, congenital, urogenital abnormalities, that is combination of inhibitory malformation (duplication) of uterus, paracervically localised cystic resistance, and renal aplasia on the same side. With all apparent similarity of the four cases, there were two different syndromes, the Herlyn-Werner syndrome in two cases and the Wunderlich syndrome in the other two. Both syndromes are presented in diagrams and described.


Hydrophobic binding of phenoxyacetic and phenylacetic acids to horseradish peroxidase and human serum albumin: structure-activity relationships. Studies of protein binding in homologous series of drugs are of great interest for drug research. Apparent binding constants of phenoxyacetic and phenylacetic acids to horseradish peroxidase and to human serum albumin are evaluated by NMR studies and an optical method. These constants are good parameters to describe hydrophobic interactions, and the results are in a good agreement with our protein binding model described previously.


Photoaffinity labeling of rat liver ribosomes by N-(2-nitro-4-azidobenzoyl)puromycin. N-(2-Nitro-4-azidobenzoyl)-[3H]puromycin (NAB-puromycin) was synthesized as a photoreactive derivative of puromycin in order to detect ribosomal proteins located near the peptidyltransferase centre of rat liver ribosomes. Irradiation of ribosome-NAB-puromycin complexes leads to covalent attachment of the affinity label to proteins of the large ribosomal subunit, in particular to proteins L28/29, and, to a somewhat lower extent, to proteins L4, L6, L10 and L24. The results are discussed in the light of earlier studies performed with other affinity labels that attacked the peptidyltransferase region of rat liver ribosomes.


[Studies of the target cell problem in N-nitroso-N-methylurea induced leukemogenesis]. After i.p. application of 14C-nitrosomethylurea (NMU), mice were killed at different periods and the 14C-activity in various organs was determined by scintillation counting and by autoradiography. Contrary to expectations, bone marrow showed a significantly higher activity than the thymus, which is the supposed target-organ for the lymphatic leukemogenesis. The specificity was secured by examinations of the proliferation kinetics. The radioautographic results of bone marrow favorize the lymphatic cells as the target for NMU. The target-cell problem is discussed in respect to thymectomy examinations and recent results on nude mice. With high probability the thymus is not essential for lymphatic leukemogenesis.


[Function of the rabbit myocardium sarcoplasmic reticulum and the resting potentiation of isolated trabeculae following cholesterol-oil feeding]. It is assumed that the resting potentiation of contraction corresponds to the Ca accumulating activity of the sarcomplasmic reticulum (SR). To test this supposition, resting potentiation and Ca transport by isolated microsomes of the heart were compared. The experiments were done in isolated trabeculae and in hearts of rabbits which had received a lipid-rich diet for 12 weeks. Preparations of control animals were used for comparison. Resting potentiation of the isometric contraction as well as Ca binding and Ca uptake were enhanced by the lipid-rich diet. The results confirm the strong relation between the resting potentiation of contraction and the Ca accumulating activity of the SR. The increased Ca transport may be related to differences in the lipid content of SR membranes.


[Erythropoietin and erythropoiesis inhibition factor in the newborn and infants with cyanotic heart abnormalities]. In the present study, hematocrit, pO2 in the capillary blood, reticulocyte count, erythropoietin activity in plasma and activity of the erythropoiesis inhibition factor in 24-h collective urine were determined in newborns and infants with cyanotic malformations of the heart (transpositions of the big arteries). The plasma of the healthy newborns shows immediately after birth an erythropoietin activity below 1%, as measured by the 59Fe incorporation. The erythropoietin activity of the plasma of infants with cyanotic malformations of the heart is enhanced up to the 14th day of life. In the period of day 14--30 it corresponds to the values of healthy newborns despite the persistence of hypoxia. After the 30th day of life there is again demonstrable an increased erythropoietin activity in the plasma of infants with cyanotic malformations of the heart. Obviously, the low values of 59Fe incorporation from day 14--30 are due to the occurrence of the erythropoiesis inhibition factor. In the urine of infants with cyanotic malformations of the heart there could be demonstrated distinct inhibitions of the stimulated erythropoiesis of the polycythemic mouse. The present studies suggest that the erythropoiesis inhibition factor occurs in postnatal development irrespectively of the degrees of O2-supply of the tissue, and is possibly dependent on the gestational age.


Alternative transport pathways of cholephilic 14C-hexobarbital metabolites in rats with experimental hepatitis and cholestasis. Object of the investigation was to find out whether otherwise cholephilic metabolites are excreted via an alternative pathway into urine in experimental liver disease. Intraduodenal application of 14C-labelled hexobarbital in rats is followed by an immediate biliary excretion of metabolites in the range of 400 microgram/100 g bw/h. Using TLC these metabolites can be separated into a polar fraction (about 80% of total) and a non-polar fraction. Phenobarbital treatment leads to a decrease of the total biliary excretion of metabolites to about 200 microgram/100 g bw/h, the metabolite pattern remaining unchanged. Animals with a mild form of GalN-hepatitis had a moderate reduction of bile flow and a total metabolite output of 40 microgram/100/gbw/h. The metabolite pattern showed a decrease mainly of the polar fraction. In animals with an early stage of ANIT cholestasis a 50% reduction of bile flow was associated with a total metabolite excretion of only 20 microgram/100 g bw/h and polar metabolites were nearly absent. In both types of experimental liver disease in corresponding urine samples otherwise cholephilic metabolites appeared. The results obtained show that clinically moderate stages of experimental liver disease lead to a significantly diminished output especially of polar 14C-hexobarbital-metabolites into the bile, which can, therefore, appear in the urine instead.


Histologic and electron-microscopic liver changes in diabetic children. The results of 99 histologically examined liver biopsy samples--14 of them also examined under the electron microscope--taken from 68 insulin-treated diabetic children of both sexes at an age from 2-14 years. most of them with long-standing diabetes, are presented, thus giving a survey of morphologic liver findings of diabetes mellitus in this age group. Apart from metabolic changes, such as amount of fat and glycogen storage--including the nuclear glycogen of the liver--secondary diseases of inflammatory nature were found to play a prominent role in one third of the children. There are definite correlations with the degree of metabolic decompensation, demanding preventive and therapeutic measures.


The influence of extended glucagon infusion on liver cell regeneration after partial hepatectomy in the rat. Extended infusion of various amounts of glucagon leads, in normal rats, to a slight reduction in liver cell DNA synthesis. After partial hepatectomy the extended infusion of glucagon causes a large reduction in DNA synthesis in the remaining liver.


Deficiency of antibody formation to HBsAg in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis? Sera of 832 healthy persons and patients suffering from chronic inflammatory liver disease were investigated by radioimmunoassay for HBsAg and anti-HBs. Diagnosis in patients was secured by biopsy. The persons were divided into: 1. Healthy persons: n = 478 blood donors, hospital especially exposed to HBV, patients with healed hepatitis; 2. n = 354 acute hepatitis, chronic persistent and aggressive hepatitis, post-hepatitic, cryptogenic and alcoholic cirrhosis. The results demonstrate considerable accumulation of HBsAg in chronic liver disease (72% in CAH, 66% in posthepatic liver cirrhosis) whereas anti-HBs was more frequently observed in healthy persons (38% in hospital staff, 49% in healed hepatitis). Furthermore, HBsAg and anti-HBs were frequently observed simultaneously in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis (23% in CAH). A strong shift in the relation of antigen to antibody to the disadvantage of antibody in the examined collectives of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis is evident. Chronic inflammatory HBsAg positive liver disease should therefore be regarded as chronic virus infection. We suppose an absolute or relative deficiency of antibody to HBsAg is probably an important factor for the development of chronicity of hepatitis B.


Consumptive coagulopathy during the Bromsulphalein test--indocyanine green as an alternative. Liver function tests involving the use of Bromsulphalein can lead to hemolysis and consequent DIC. Latent forms can be detected by means of fibrinolytic degradation products and reduction in the number of leukocytes containing acid mucopolysaccharides of the heparin type, together with an increase in the total leukocyte count as a sign of stress. In comparisons between the bromsulphalein and indocyanine green tests, these parameters have sho4n that liver function tests using indocyanine green are harmless.


Cell turnover of the gastric mucosa is reduced by clanobutin. 4-(4-chlor-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-benzamido)-butanic acid (clanobutin) reduces gastric cell exfoliation at an oral dose of 1800 mg/day. A dose of 900 mg/day had no effect. It may thus exert its benefical effect on ulcer healing.


Fasting serum gastrin in primary hyperparathyroidism and in chronic hypercalcemia. In order to investigate the frequency of fasting hypergastrinaemia in primary hyperparathyroidism (A) and in chronic hypercalcaemia (B), in 40 and 16 patients respectively gastrin, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum calcium levels were measured and compared with those of a control group (40 subjects) with similar distribution of sex and age. Moreover, possible linear relationships between these parameters were investigated. Notwithstanding significant differences in calcium and PTH levels between the three groups (A: high PTH, high Ca++; B: low PTH, high Ca++; C: normal PTH and Ca++ levels), no significant difference in gastrin levels were found. However, in the first group, a marked increase of gastrin was observed in one patient, very probably affected by a gastrin-secreting tumor (positive secretin test). While no linear relationship between PTH and gastrin values was present in all the three groups, a significant correlation between serum calcium and fasting gastrin was detectable in the group A, ruling-out the above mentioned patient. Present data suggest that PTH does not modify gastrin levels and that chronic moderate hypercalcaemia does not raise serum fasting gastrin, at least in clinical conditions. Moreover, the frequency of hypergastrinaemia in hyperparathyroidism is very low and it seems to be present only in patients with gastrin-secreting tumors.


Effect of low dose secretin and caerulein on pure pancreatic bicarbonate secretion and plasma secretin in man. In six healthy volunteers pure pancreatic juice was obtained by endoscopic cannulation of the main pancreatic duct. Following a 20-min basal period, secretin (0.03 CU/kg, h) was intravenously infused alone for 20 min and then with caerulein 15 ng/kg, h for further 20 min. From a basal level of 28 +/- 13 mu mol/5 min, secretin by itself significantly increased pancreatic bicarbonate to 182 +/- 24 mu mol/5 min. A further significant two-fold increase to 396 +/- 50 mu mol/5 min was observed during caerulein. The increment in plasma secretin of 2.1 +/- 0.3 pmol/l is comparable to the rise that may be observed post-prandially. It is concluded that secretin in combination with cholecystokinin may indeed play a physiological role in the regulation of duodenal pH.


Serum prolactin response to acute and chronic cimetidine administration in man. The effects of cimetidine administration on the serum prolactin (PRL) response has been studied in twenty healthy volunteers and 46 duodenal ulcer patients. Cimetidine acute administration in two different doses (200 or 400 mg i.v.) induced a similar conspicuous rise of PRL while CB154, a dopaminergic drug, inhibited said increase. No high PRL level was observed when the drug was administered per os in a single acute dose (800 mg), nor in the chronic short-term treatment (1 g/die/28 days) for duodenal ulcer. 1. Cimetidine has no antidopaminergic activity or this hypothetic action is very slight; 2. serum PRL increase after the drug is probably ascribable to the H2-receptor blocking, 3. this effect is observable only with the bolus i.v. of cimetidine, but not during or after acute and chronic oral administration.


Morphometric analysis of the loss of chief and parietal cells after partial gastrectomy for duodenal ulcer. Relative chief and parietal cell volume densities were estimated morphometrically in the remnant mucosa of 98 male patients ("series"), operated on for duodenal ulcer by the Billroth II, and in the body mucosa of 55 subjects, age and sex matched, from a random series of a Finnish population ("controls"). The relative volumes of chief and parietal cells were significantly lower in the series than in the controls. The mean chief cell: parietal cell ratio was significantly higher in the series than in the controls. In the controls the ratio decreased with increasing loss of normal tubules. However, no such decrease was discernable in the series, owing to wide scatter of the individual ratios. High ratios (greater than or equal 2.0) were found in 17 cases of the series and in one of the controls. These 17 patients with high ratios had a significantly higher mean length of the foveoles and a significantly lower mean score of the round cell infiltration than the operated patients with lower ratios.


Metabolism of C-terminal pentapeptide of gastrin in the rat. Part III. The catabolism of the BOC-pentapeptide and its distribution in the organs. The metabolism of labelled BOC-14 C-glycine-pentapetide was investigated in rats, both in blood and urine. We report on the following findings: --radioactivity could be measured in the blood even after the disappearance of the bioactive- and immunoreactive pentapeptide. --the bulk of the radioactivity in the blood after 8 minutes originates from a metabolite which, after subsequent systematic chemical identification, proved to be the BOC-14C-glycine fragment of the pentapeptide. --the radioactivity in the urine comes entirely from this split product of the labelled pentapeptide --the organ distribution of radioactivity of labelled pentapeptide was checked after i.v. administration; 1 minute after the injection, most of the radioactivity was found in the liver, followed by the kidney, pancreas, jejunum and lung. After 1 hour, radioactivity could be detected only in the kidneys. It was concluded that the N-terminal amino-acid of the naturally occurring pentagastrin (glycine) remains linked to the BOC protecting group in the course of the catabolism of the molecule and this fragment is excreted in the urine.


Occult blood testing using the guaiac method (haemoccult-test) for detection of tumorous lesions induced with 1,2-dimethyl-hydrazine and acetoxymethyl-methyl-nitrosamine in rats. Colon tumors were induced by 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) and Acetoxymethyl-methyl-nitrosamine (AMMN) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The usefulness of the Haemoccult-test (HT) was investigated for early detection of these chemically induced tumorous injuries. As a prescreening method HT was shown to be unsuitable for early detection of tumours under the conditions of the models used. The accuracy of HT in cases of advanced chemically induced tumors was explored in rats with known colonic tumors, diagnosed by rectoscopy and exploratory laparotomy. In animals with proven colonic tumors HT gave a positive result only in 63% of rats with AMMN-induced tumors and in 50% rats with DMH-induced cancers. Therefore, HT is thought to be an insensitive and thus unsuitable method for the detection of colonic cancer in rats.


Regression of amyloidosis secondary to granulomatous ileitis following surgical resection and colchicine administration. A patient with nephrotic syndrome was found to have amyloidosis secondary to an otherwise asymptomatic Crohn's disease. Resection of a major portion of the affected bowel and long-term colchicine therapy were followed by a complete clinical remission of the nephrotic syndrome, most probably due to a significant resolution of amyloidosis. The combination of resection of affected bowel segments, together with long-term colchicine therapy may offer a better prognosis than either method alone.


Blood saving techniques: indications and contraindications. Pre- and peroperative blood saving can be realised in different ways, without inducing important changes in the biological parameters of the organism. Different replacement solutions are studied in detail. Three principal techniques are as follows: a) The peroperative autotransfusion consists in recovering the blood lost in the operative field during the surgical intervention, filtering it and transfusing it at the end of surgery. b) The peroperative normodilution consists in collecting a certain amount of blood (till up 2 l.) from the patients before operation; it is replaced by plasma expanders and transfused at the end of operation. c) The third technique, called the 'frog leap', consists in collecting blood during the weeks preceding surgery, in various amounts in function of the importance of the estimated blood loss. This blood is stored and transfused during intervention.


The comparative influence of gamma-hydroxy butyric acid, althesin and etomidate on the neuromuscular blocking potency of pancuronium in man. The potentiating effect of gamma-hydroxy butyric acid (GHB), Althesin and etomidate on pancuronium was studied in man. GHB proved to influence pancuronium the least whereas Althesin and etomidate potentiate considerably. It is concluded that the amount of non-depolarizing relaxant needed depends on the type of anesthesia given. For neuromuscular blocking studies, GHB and/or thiopentone anesthesia seem to be preferable.


Cortisol levels during enflurane anesthesia in man. Serum cortisol levels were determined in 44 patients who underwent hysterectomy under enflurane or under halothane anesthesia by means of a radioimmunoassay technique. Of the 44 patients, in 21 anesthesia was maintained by enflurane and d-tubocurarine and 23 patients maintenance of anesthesia was carried out by halothane and d-tubocurarine. Blood samples for serum cortisol estimations were obtained from each patient before induction of anesthesia, 10 min. after induction, 10 min. after skin incision, at the end of the operation and in the ward on the fourth postoperative day. Cortisol levels increased in both groups at the end of the operation with a significantly higher mean value in the enflurane group (p less than 0.05) compared to that of the halothane group.


Antagonism of the cardiovascular effects of ketamine by diazepam in volunteers. In healthy volunteers pretreated with atropine (0.5 mg), ketamine given as a bolus i.v. injection (2 mg/kg) followed by an infusion of ketamine (1 mg/kg/hr) for one hour, caused a significant rise in blood pressure and heart rate. This cardiovascular stimulation was rapidly counteracted by diazepam (0.2 mg/kg i.v.) given when the response to ketamine was already maximal.


A case of ventricular fibrillation during halothane anesthesia caused by eye drops. A case is described of a 22 years old, high risk female patient who underwent an ophtalmological operation. She developed a ventricular fibrillation during halothane anesthesia by an excess of adrenaline (epinephrine) administered in eye drops.


Neurological, electroencephalographic and neuropsychological examination of 53 former amateur boxers. The purpose of the present study was to reveal possible neurological sequelae of amateur boxing after the introduction of modern medical supervision and safety precautions. Neurological, electroencephalographic and neuropsychological examinations were performed in a total of 53 former champion amateur boxers together with a control group consisting of 53 former football players. The football players were, on an average, better educated than the boxers, but otherwise the two groups were comparable. Complaints, neurological findings and electroencephalographic changes were identical in the boxers and control group. Only minor neuropsychological disturbances were found in the boxers most pronounced in impaired motor function of the left hand. This was further demonstrated by comparing 19 pairs, each consisting of one boxer and one football player, matched according to age, education and vocabulary. No relation between abnormal findings and "occupational exposure" during the boxing career could be demonstrated, not even by comparing three pairs of identical twins, although in each twin of the pairs there was a great difference in the number of fights. This study provides no basis for legislation against amateur boxing at the present time, as it indicates that the existing safety precautions protect the boxers against serious and permanent brain damage.


Neurogenic intermittent claudication in association with spondylolisthesis. In the last three decades, more attention has been put upon neurogenic intermittent claudication, also called pseudoclaudication. The syndrome usually develops in patients with congenital narrow spinal canal and secondary additional narrowing. Two cases of spondylolisthesis with neurogenic intermittent claudication are presented. The pathogenesis, symptoms and findings of neurogenic intermittent claudication are discussed.


Inhibition of Na235SO4 incorporation of granulomatous tissue by a glycosamine derivative. The effect of N-acetyl-4-6-(p-oxy-benzylidene)-D-glycosamine on Na235SO4 incorporation has been studied in vitro. The 0.25-2.0 mmoles of the compound significantly inhibited the Na235SO4 incorporation of granulomatous tissue. The inhibitory effect proved to be dose dependent.


Comparison of the brain specific protein alpha-albumin and GFA (glial fibrillary acidic protein). In this study, the brain specific proteins alpha-albumin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFA) are compared by several biochemical and immunological methods. It is concluded that alpha-albumin and GFA are immunologically identical and biochemically narrowly related. The existence of two forms of this protein, a water soluble and a water insoluble, under physiological conditions is discussed by comparing the results of quantitative determinations and histoimmunological localizations.


Effect of long-term alcohol intake on the cardiovascular system of the rat. A group of rats was fed on control liquid diet, while another group was fed on liquid diet containing alcohol up to 36% of the total calories. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment ECG, haematocrit, histological structure of the heart, blood pressure, cardiac output, distribution of the organ fraction of cardiac output (by Sapirstein's method and 85Sr labelled microsphere technique), nutritive blood flow and circulatory resistance of the organs were studied. A mild repolarization disturbance was shown by the ECG record of the alcohol exposed animals. Haematocrit values and the histological structure of the heart did not change in any of the groups. Relative heart weight increased, blood pressure, total peripheral resistance and nutritive blood flow of the myocardium decreased, while myocardial vascular resistance increased. There was no significant interaction between the effects of alcohol and the duration of exposure to alcohol for any of the parameters monitored. It is concluded that chronic alcohol intake should be taken into consideration in aetiology of ischaemic heart disease.


Cerebrospinal fluid protein electrophoresis without prior concentration. There is a need for new methods to study CSF proteins. Kerenyi et al., 1973 and Verheecke, 1975 have already used this method and discussed its advantages. The electrophoresis is carried out according to the method of Wieme with as supporting medium agar. The volume applied varies between 5 to 15 microliter according to the total protein content and the width of the slit. Care must be taken to work at all times with bidistilled water and pro analysis reagents. After drying, the electrophoretic plates are reduced in a 10% solution of thiodiglycol, dried again, then immersed in 2% potassium hexacyanoferrate, washed thoroughly, then revealed with a silver nitrate solution (Kerenyi et al., 1973; Verheecke P., 1975) and left in 1% acetic acid. This technique is of major value as: 1. It avoids artefacts due to concentration and loss of proteins; 2. It works with very small amounts of fluid; 3. Where the CSF is silent for antibodies restricted heterogeneity using the classical methods, it reveals marked IgG Fractionation.


Metabolic and EEG alterations during the early phase of triethyltinsulphate (TET) intoxication. EEG changes as well as the mechanisms of the hyperglycaemic effect of triethyltinsulphate (TET), a compound known to induce brain oedema, were investigated in cats and rabbits, respectively. Considerable EEG alterations characterized by slow waves appeared in some minutes after TET administration. The hyperglycaemic effect of TET like that of epinephrine could be prevented by the administration of 1 mg/kg of the beta blocker, pindolol. It is suggested that the hyperglycaemic effect of TET is brought about by sympathetic activation.


Depression in treated narcotic addicts, ex-addicts, nonaddicts, and suicide attempters: validation of a very Brief Depression Scale. Samples of heroin-addicted veterans in treatment at a VA drug clinic, ex-addict and nonaddict Vietnam veterans followed-up after return to the United States, and male suicide attempters who were not drug abusers completed a very short (five item) form of the Beck Depression Inventory developed for screening and research purposes. Results confirmed prior findings of high rates of depression among narcotic addicts in treatment. Two samples of patients assessed at intake to treatment did not differ significantly from the suicide patients in BDI-5 scores. Methadone maintenance patients and ex-addicts scored below those groups, but higher than nonaddicts. Relief of inner tensions or worries was chosen most frequently as the reason for continuing use of narcotics by patients in treatment, suggesting that self-medication for psychiatric problems may be common. The BDI-5 proved to be an efficient method for screening for depression in these samples, and thus might be useful in clinical or research settings when a very brief method is needed.


Client evaluations of drug abuse treatment in relation to follow-up outcomes. A national sample of drug treatment clients admitted to the Drug Abuse Treatment Program (DARP) during 1969--1972 was followed approximately 5 years after admission. Subjective evaluations of treatment were compared for clients in methadone maintenance, therapeutic community, outpatient drug-free, and outpatient detoxification treatment programs, as well as a comparison group of clients who completed intake but received no treatment. These evaluations were also analyzed in relation to client background and treatment performance measures and post-treatment outcomes. The overall evaluation of DARP treatments by former clients was generally favorable and was highest for the DARP therapeutic community. Over two-thirds of the combined treatment sample indicated satisfaction with the treatment they received and a willingness to recommend it to others. Favorable evaluation was also positively related to during-treatment performance and tenure in DARP treatment as well as to behavioral outcomes after leaving treatment.


Outcomes of pregnancy for addicts receiving comprehensive care. This study reports pregnancy outcomes for 105 addicted women enrolled in New York Medical College's Pregnant Addicts and Addicted Mothers Program. Three classes of variables are examined: prenatal care variables, obstetrical outcomes, and neonatal outcomes. As a first step, percentage distributions are shown for all variables within each class. With respect to the second and third classes, comparisons are made when possible to findings reported elsewhere on heroin-addicted, methadone-maintained, and drug-free populations. Zero-order correlations are then shown for the prenatal care variables versus the neonatal outcomes. It is found that the mother's number of prenatal medical visits correlates significantly with the neonate's gestational age at birth and birth weight, and that her methadone dose at time of delivery correlates significantly with the neonate's withdrawal status. The effect of the prenatal care variables on the two key neonatal outcomes--gestional age at birth and birth weight--is then examined via a stepwise regression analysis. It is found that two of the variables--gestional duration at first prenatal visit and number of prenatal visits--together account for 18.5% of the variance in birth weight and 26.9% of the variance in gestational age at birth, while maternal methadone dose has virtually no effect on these outcome measures. The findings indicate that better neonatal outcomes are associated with the mother's joining the program relatively early in pregnancy and coming in relatively often for prenatal care.


Difficulties in taking care of business: women addicts as mothers. This paper is devoted to a discussion of women addicts as mothers. Women who are addicted while pregnant begin their careers as mothers with extreme guilt and a sense of initial failure. Heroin becomes a mechanism for coping with the routine difficulties of childraising. Children can also act as a controlling force on their mother's addiction if she has the option to perform her mothering duties in an otherwise "normal" fashion. If the woman is being supported adequately and can be available for her children, it is possible to combine addiction and mothering. Often, however, the woman has to work outside the home (usually in criminal pursuits) and the general chaos of her life greatly impinges on her ability to fulfill her mothering duties. Children are occasionally mistreated, sometimes neglected physically, and often neglected psychologically by a mother who is frequently absent. Addicted mothers feel extreme guilt and remorse over this neglect, and often take stock of their situation when their roles as a mother is threatened; the children are being taken away physically or growing up and she is losing them to time. The woman addict most often wants "out" of the heroin life when her children and her role as mother--her last remaining option--are in jeopardy.


Concurrent and sequential use of drugs and alcohol: patterns, characteristics of users, and implications for treatment and prevention. A treatment population of 1,544 drug/alcohol abusers at 10 combined treatment centers was studied to determine the various patterns of sequential use and their corresponding policy implications. Most of the persons who began their substance abuse with alcohol continued to use only alcohol. Alcoholics who did use another substance, either sequentially or concurrently, tended to select a drug other than opiates or marijuana. Although a majority of opiate users eventually became concurrent or sequential users of another substance, a sizable number remained mono-users. A miniscule number of the opiate users moved on to alcohol or marijuana. Most of the users initiated into regular use with marijuana eventually began to use a nonopiate, nonalcoholic substance. A majority of the users who started with a nonalcohol, nonopiate, nonmarijuana substance eventually used marijuana. Sequential and concurrent users in general were more similar to each other than to mono-users. The implications of the development of drug use typologies for direct treatment are discussed. Having identified target groups, the author then suggests policies for controlling substance abuse indirectly, such as those dealing with employment.


Patterns of drinking among the deaf.

Patterns of drinking among the deaf. Thirty-nine White deaf persons functioning normally within the general hearing community were surveyed on a variety of factors concerning their use of alcohol, and compared to the data from two comparable hearing samples reported previously in the literature. No significant differences were found between the deaf and hearing samples on patterns of drinking or other parameters of alcohol use. Heavier alcohol use among the deaf correlated significantly with reported frequency of driving after having drunk too much, age of having had the first drink, ever having been drunk, feeling guilt over drinking too much, and others criticizing the respondent for drinking behavior. Heavier use also tended to be correlated with attendance at an all-deaf school. Implications of the findings of similar drinking patterns for the deaf and the hearing are discussed in terms of the lack of specific rehabilitation facilities for the deaf, along with possible reasons for the lack of use by deaf clients of alcohol rehabilitation agencies in the community.


A follow-up of alcoholics treated by multimodal therapy. A general hospital sponsored for the psychotherapeutic treatment of alcoholism is described. In this context a multimodal approach, emphasizing methods derived from principles of learning, is applied to training the individual in new life-style skills for the management of alcoholism. Demographic characteristics of the population served by the program are of a predominantly blue collar clientele, mostly employed (72%), married (61%), and from urban centers (95%). Attrition as a major problem in evaluating results at the follow-up stage is identified and a method of reporting follow-up results taking this factor into account is presented. This method showed that under the most stringent conditions for reporting results, 36.64% of a sample of 131 alcoholics were showing improvement at 12 months, while under the least stringent condition 84% were showing some improvement over the same period.


Control orientation among alcoholics: a cognitive social learning perspective. A cognitive social learning model of the maintenance of problem drinking is presented. Basic constructs involving social skills acquisition, experienced cognitive control and self-efficacy expectations as they relate to alcoholism are discussed. It is concluded that the model provides a useful theoretical framework in which to conceptualize the development, maintenance and treatment of drinking problems. A number of specific suggestions are made for further research which test various hypotheses generated by this model.


Urine screening of arrestees as a source of drug abuse indicator data. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recently sponsored a study which examined the utility of jail urine screening programs as a source of drug abuse indicator data. During the study, short-term urine screening programs were set up in the central jail facilities of four urban counties. To determine whether jail urine screening programs have the capacity to detect patterns of drug use not readily detectable through existing indicators, the urinalysis findings for each county were compared with data generated by the DAWN and CODAP systems. The results of the study suggest that jail urine screening programs can be useful as a supplement to existing sources of information on drug use patterns in local communities.


Frequency of use of diazepam in individuals on probation and in methadone maintenance programs. During the spring of 1977 a survey was taken of drug analysis results for over 17,500 urine samples from Los Angeles County probationers and over 8,500 urine samples from Los Angeles County methadone clinic enrollees to determine the frequency of diazepam (Valium) use. The probation department specimens were found to contain diazepan less frequently than the methadone clinic specimens as a group. There were, however, wide variations in use frequency between the seven methadone clinics.


Vascular calcification in dermatopathology. Calcification in cutaneous blood vessels is an uncommon finding in biopsies submitted for dermatopathological examination. Of 14 biopsy specimens showing the phenomenon that was studied by us, the greater number was from women who had a combination of severe diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Unusual clinical syndromes as the bases for the vascular calcification were hyperthyroidism in three patients and arteritis in two patients. Three patients died as a consequence of massive cutaneous infarction and sepsis, probably stemming from cutaneous vascular calcification. Vascular calcification in biopsy of skin may result from metabolic, inflammatory, or degenerative diseases of blood vessels.


The chloroacetate esterase reaction. A useful means of histological diagnosis of hematological disorders from paraffin sections of skin. A method which utilizes the enzyme chloroacetate esterase as a marker for cells of the neutrophil series, monocytes, and mast cells in tissue that has been fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin is described in detail.


The patch stage of mycosis fungoides. Criteria for histologic diagnosis. It has long been claimed that a specific histologic diagnosis of mycosis fungoides cannot be made in the premycotic" or "eczematous" (patch) stage of the disease. Indeed, the histologic features of the premycotic lesions were constantly said to be those of "chronic non-specific dermatitis." We studied 46 biopsy specimens of patch lesions from patients in whom mycosis fungoides was unequivocally established by clinical events (i.e., concurrence or later development of typical plaque and/or nodular lesions) and indubitable histologic findings. We divided patch lesions into early nonatrophic patches and late atrophic ones. The early patches are considered to be evolving lesions of mycosis fungoides, whereas late patches represent resolving plaques of the disease. On the basis of this study, we concluded that histologic diagnosis can be made with near certainty in patch lesions of the disease. We found that the critical feature for histologic diagnosis of early and late patch lesions of mycosis fungoides is the presence of an increased number of mononuclear cells distributed singly or in small collections within an epidermis devoid of spongiotic microvesiculation. Other important features are lacunae surrounding intraepidermal mononuclear cells which gives them the appearance of "haloed cells." A sparse infiltrate of mononuclear cells is present around the blood vessels of the superficial, and sometimes the deep, vascular plexus. Atypical mononuclear cells are not necessary for the diagnosis of early patch lesions of mycosis fungoides, but they are found commonly in late patch lesions. Late atrophic patches show a thinned epidermis, loss of the usual configuration between rete ridges and dermal papillae, and coarse collagen throughout a thickened papillary dermis.


[Results of lung biopsy in interstitial pneumopathies in children. A report on 100 cases (author's transl)]. Needle biopsy was performed in 100 children with diffuse interstitial pneumopathy. Severe histological lesions were noted in the biopsy sections in 4 out 5 cases. Those most frequently observed (57 cases) were non-specific lesions of diffuse interstitial pneumopathy (DIP) or idiopathic fibrosis, the course of which was followed, in some cases, by repeating the biopsy. Specific lesions, especially idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (8 cases), were noted in 22 children, either associated with interstitial fibrosis or apparently better tolerated. The other 16 cases included the lipoidoses (Niemann-Pick, histiocytosis X), alveolar microlithiasis, and some specific inflammatory diseases (tuberculosis, syphilis) or those related to inhalation of a foreign body.


[Bone localisation of Hodgkin's disease. A report on 13 cases (author's transl)]. The authors review 13 cases of bone localisation of Hodgkin's disease taken from 120 case-reports, and compare the findings with those reported in the published literature. The frequency of bone lesions in this series was 18%. Initial signs were clinical in one half of the cases and radiological or scintigraphic in the other half. Early diagnosis of bone lesions was more frequently made in this series than late discovery of bone locations; the lesions ware more frequently present in the spine, the pelvis, and the sternum; the usual appearance was osteolytic or mixed, lytic and condensed. Scintigraphy is a reliable early diagnostic procedure, as is medullary biopsy which has become essential for the investigation of extension of the lesions. An inflammatory syndrome is present in most cases. In this series, bone lesions usually were of haematogenic origin and were mainly of the scleronodular histological type. Definite recovery was obtained in more than half of the cases. In the other patients, the bone lesions coincided with a long disease course, were never the reason for great concern, and were never directly responsible for death in the 3 patients that died.


[Arthrodesis of the cervical vertebrae by the anterior approach for the treatment of cervicobrachial neuralgias of discal origin (author's transl)]. Cervicobrachial neuralgia of discal origin can be improved by a simple operation: excision of the pathological disc followed by an intercorporeal arthrodesis by the anterior approach, using an implanted graft without the use of any osteosynthetic material. The authors performed 20 such operations, using this method as described by Cloward, with very encouraging results. The selection of patients suitable for surgery, however, depends on strict criteria: isolated definite discal pathology, usually post-traumatic, suspected clinically and confirmed by a standard radiograph and gas myelography; finally, conclusive proof of immobilisation. The simple nature of the operation, the rapidity with which it can be performed, the short period of hospitalization and professional care required, and the absence of sequelae, are several factors which suggest that this surgical procedure should become the standard therapy for cervicobrachial neuralgias, as it is for the surgical cure of lumbar disc hernias. The introduction of more precise and comfortable radiographic methods, such as the scanner and metrizamide myelography, will ensure that this functional type of surgery becomes more economical and responds to the individual needs of the patients.


[Malignant histiocytosis with bone involvement (author's transl)]. Malignant histiocytosis, an affection in which there is proliferation of morphologically atypical histiocytes, traditionally associates high fever, deterioration of the general condition, adenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and less frequently, cutaneous lesions. Clinical, radiological, and histological signs of bone involvement are rarely observed, which demonstrates the interest of the case reported of a pure medullary form with massive necrosis and successive bone localisations of the osteolytic type. The clinical picture was completed by the progressive development of adenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Multiple chemotherapy, according to the A.V.E.C. procedure, controlled the affection for three months before it became totally ineffective. Survival for twelve months after clinical onset demonstrates the extreme malignancy of the affection.


[Immunological study of primary non-obstructive myocardiopathies. A report on 37 cases (author's transl)]. The pathogenicity of primary non-obstructive myocardiopathies remains unknown at the present time. Immunological disturbances have been demonstrated but their role is open to discussion. A comparison between 37 such patients and 37 control subjects with cardiac insufficiency, similar according to age and sex, gave the following results: circulating immune complexes levels, anti-organ or anti-tissue antibody levels, and the levels of serum complement and its fractions were the same in both groups. Serum IgA levels were significantly higher in the "patient" group, and this appears to be partly related to alcoholism. Finally, an antimyocardial cellular immunity exists. These results would appear to demonstrate that conventional immunological techniques are of limited value in primary cardiac insufficiency.


[Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis in children. A report on 7 cases (author's transl)]. The authors describe 7 cases of idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis occurring in children, and emphasize the diagnostic value of the association of pulmonary and anemic manifestations, one of which could appear to be an isolated finding and thus delay diagnosis. Complementary investigations are discussed and the relative inocuity of a lung biopsy with a Gerbeaux needle, and the greater value of bronchoscopic samples over those obtained by gastric intubation for evaluating the presence of siderophagic activity emphasized. Functional pulmonary tests, especially for blood gases and ventilatory function, were also conducted. The difficulties in classifying the various types of pulmonary hemosiderosis, especially the "idiopathic" form in children, are outlined. Immunological disorders must be systematically searched for in order to choose the most effective therapy: corticoids or immunodepressants.


[Results of bronchial scrapings in interstitial pulmonary diseases in immunodeficient children (author's transl)]. Endobronchial scraping was used in 53 immunodeficient children, aged 4 months to 15 years, and divided into three categories (37 receiving immunosuppression treatment, 8 with marasmus, and 8 with immunodeficiency), in order to determine the etiology of their interstitial pneumopathy. The examination was made under blind conditions in 21 cases using an intubation tube (under assisted ventilation), and with bronchoscopy under general anesthesia in the other 32 cases. Three scrapings were required for cytological, bacteriological, and virological and mycological examinations. In 32 cases (60%), the etiology of the interstitial pneumopathy was discovered; in 18 patients it was due to pneumocystis carinii, in 10 cases to bacterial infection, in 7 cases a viral infection, and in 3 others a fungal infection. An association of infective agents was reported in 6 cases. The major incident observed was a pneumothorax in 17% of the cases, more especially in 45% of the children under 20 months of age. Bronchial scraping is a valid examination the results and complications of which compare well with other non-vascular methods of diagnostic evaluation of such lesions.


[Specific renal lesions revealing the presence of sarcoidosis (author's transl)]. Three cases of granulomatous nephropathy are reported. In two patients this was definitely related to a true renal sarcoidosis, while the third case raised the problem of the significance of an "isolated sarcoidosis nodule". The authors discuss the frequency, clinical symptoms, and pathological appearances of these renal lesions which reveal the presence of sarcoidosis, as well as the relationship between renal insufficiency and the parenchymatous lesions observed, and therapy.


[Effect of isoptin chlorhydrate on the sino-auriculo-ventricular conduction in the heart of the dog]. The effects of Isoptin chlorhidrate (Verapamil) on sino-auriculo-ventricular conduction and automatism were studied on the heart in situ of 13 dogs. In three of them the drug was associated with intermittent intravenous drip of succinylcholine infusión (2 ml in 500 ml 5% dextrose solution). The drug was administered intravenously in 2 minutes (10 mg). In a first step, the action was followed during 45 minutes. In a second step, a second dosis (10 mgr) was administered 45 minutes after the first one. Proximal bipolar leads in the sinoauricular node, His bundle and Purkinje nets as well as distant bipolars leads between the ostium of the superior vena cava and left atrium or lead II, were recorded. Grass's preamplifiers and a Dumont Dual beam oscilloscope with two electronic switches were used for recording. Automatism of the sinus as well as of the His-Purkinje specific pathway was depressed. A significant prolongation of conduction time in A--V node was manifested by increased duration of P--R and A--H intervals. The sinoauricular as well as the Purkinje-muscle conduction were also slightly prolonged. An accumulation of the drug was demonstrated (a second dosis administered 45 minutes after the first one) by an accentuation of A--V block (second degree) and accentuated bradycardia. No escape rhythms were observed and circulation was maintained by mechanical stimulation of the ventricles. The latter effects were more accentuated in dogs in which an intermittent succinylcholine solution drip was administered.


[Alveolar arterial O2 gradient in patients with cardiopulmonary pathology. Its study at rest with respiration of environmental air]. The arterial oxygen pressure (PAO2) and the arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PACO2) are the mirror of the whole stage in alveolar ventilation, because there is a numerical correlation between them, in the alveolar air equation. In our material no difference was found when the respiratory cocient is used to calculate the equation modifying the PACO2 value. On the other hand, the PaO depends on a great amount of variables, i.e., the rationship V/Q. Qs/Qt and the arteriovenous oxygen difference in volume percentage, which reflect the functional stage of the gaseous interchange; other variables depend essentially of technical factors as the methodology used in the obtention and management of the samples and the measurement of the PAO2 at the laboratory. Thus, the alveolo-arterial oxigen Difference delta (A-a)O2 is considered as a mirror of the fluctuations in gaseous interchange, only if the alveolar ventilation the cardiac output, the systemic arterial-vein oxygen difference and in minor importance the respiratory cocient (RP remain constant. The delta (A-a)O2 is not always correlated with other parameters far from the gaseous interchange at lung level in the critically ill patient, for this, it has not a pronostic mecaning by itself. Nevertheless, we believe that delta (A-a)O2 continues being a useful measurement to evaluate the gaseous interchange if at the same time all the factors which may have influence in it are analysed. We consider, for trying to be simple in the management of the acute respiratory failure at the bedside that the (A-a)O2 must not be linked to only one parameter of the respiratory function, i.e. the intrapulmonar veno-arterial shunt, without considering the cardiac output and the systemic arterial-vein oxygen difference.


[Pheochromocytoma and pregnancy (3 cases)]. In this paper, a review of pregnancy and pheocromocytoma is shown. The importance of early diagnostic and adequate management is essential in this patients. When this associations exists the management must be very carefully considered to avoid high mortality risks for both, fetus and mother. 56 cases of pheocromocytoma were studied at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología, three of them were pregnant women which are described in this work.


[Cardiovascular manifestations of chemical rhysolisis of the trigeminal nerve]. Twelve chemical rhyzolisis (surgical instilation of 10 c.c. of 15% NaCl solution) of trigeminal nerve were performed in 11 patients with trigeminal neuralgia resistent to medical treatment. Before and at least in the first 30 minutes after instilation the following parameters were monitorized: electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, intrarradial arterial pressure and venous central pressure. In 10 cases after a 2.8 +/- 2.4 seg. latency period the following arrhythmias appeared (in paragraphs number of cases): sinus bradicardia, sinoauricular block, sinus arrest, atrial-ventricular block and atrial pacemaker migration. During sinus arrest (8 episodes in 4 cases; mean duration 17.6 secs.) slow, high voltage waves appeared in the electroencephalographic tracings. Ventricular scapes were not seen at the end of the sinus pauses. In 6 cases after this slow arrhythmic phase the following arrhythmias were observed: ventricular premature beats, atrial premature beats, sinus tachycardia, bidirectional ventricular tachycardia, and nodal tachycardia. All cases exhibited an elevation of mean arterial pressure after instilation of the nerve which was preceded by a short period of hypertension in 4 occasions. Average and standard deviations changes of systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure (mm of Hg), pulse (beats/minute) and central venous pressure (cms of H2O) during the procedure were 46.7 +/- 29.3, 23.0 +/- 13.3, 34.1 +/- 16.4, 25.8 +/- 16.2 and 6.6 +/- 5.8, respectively (p less than or equal to 0.001) in all changes but the last ones, less than or equal to 0.05). Physiopathologic considerations of this autonomic crises are done.


Pharmacological studies on new oncostatic acridine derivatives. I. Acute and subchronic action. Preclinical pharmacological studies of two acridine derivatives, dihydrochloride N10-oxide 1-nitro-9-/3-dimethylaminopropylamino/-acridine (C-666) and dihydrochloride 1-nitro-9-[(2-dimethylamino)-1-methylethylamino]-acridine (C-829) are reported. Both compounds are characterized by biological activity, poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and local irritant action. Quality differences in an effect of both investigated acridine derivatives on the central nervous system were noted. C-666 proved to be deprived of the effect typical of the central component compounds while C-829 demonstrated mostly sedative activity. Clear dissociation in the effect of these both compounds was seen in in vitro experiments on isolated smooth muscle organs. C-666 acted spasmolytically on the motory action of intestine muscles while C-829 acted spastically. Both preparations had clearly hipotensic influence which can be due to the vascular effect and to their affinity with the intramyocardium transmitting system. Neither a distinctive effect on reproductivity of animals nor the teratogenic action were observed in the functional experiments.


Pharmacological studies on new oncostatic acridine derivatives. II. Chronic action. Encouraging results of preclinical pharmacologic analysis prompted the following study on the chronic action of N10-oxide 1-nitro-9-/3-dimethylaminopropylamino/-acridine (C-666) and 1-nitro-9- [/2-dimethylamino/ -1-methylethylamino] -acridine (C-829). Toxic influence of both compounds on liver, kidneys, gonads and intestine epithelium was observed. These histological changes were not, however, followed by any disorders in functions of liver and gonads. Only administration of compound C-666 was followed by the decrease of filtration of renals glomuses. A slight involutional influence of acridine derivatives on lymphopoetic reproductive center of thymus and lymph nodes was observed. At the same time there were no disorders in the value of circular leukocyte system. It was stated that the investigated compounds had no effect on the system of the red cells of the blood; only blood clotting time was prolonged. Compounds C-666 and C-829 did not inhibit the growth of tested animals.


[The electrocardiogram of high frequency in the evaluation of hypertensive cardiopathy]. The High-Frequency ECG was studied in 78 patients with systemic arterial hypertension and in 10 normal subjects. The study has shown: a) the P wave is altered initially, according to the disturbances in the myocardial complicance; b) the signs of LVH are mainly: delayed in the appearance of the intrinsecoid deflection, abnormal left direction of vector 3, left electrical systole diminished and counter clockwise rotation; c) the exhaustion fase is represented by increased of the electrical systole, delay in the duration of the intrinsecoid deflection and by primary disturbances of repolarization. The relationships between the ECG and the hymodynamic and metabolic disturbances, are discussed.


Adoptive immunotherapy and chemo-immunotherapy in murine L-1210 leukemia and its influence on the kinetics of leukemic proliferation. Donor allogeneic C57Bl/6 lymphoid cells from peritoneal cavity, lymph nodes, thymus and spleen of immunized and non-immunized mice were used for adoptive immunotherapy of L-1210 ascites leukemia in DBA/2J recipients. Donor effector cells were injected i.p. into leukemic mice which were given a whole-body irradiation in a dose of 300 r X-rays prior to leukemia inoculation. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the effector cells was tested by the LT- and 51Cr-tests. Cytokinetics of leukemia undergoing therapy was followed by impulse-cytophotometry. An adoptive chemo-immunotherapy with the aid of peritoneal or splenic lymphoid cells from immunized donors proved to be most effective. The cells were injected on the second day into recipients inoculated with leukemia on the day 0, and then given on the first day a single i.p. injection of cyclophosphamide in a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. Under these conditions the secondary disease did not influence therapy and apart from a distinctly prolonged survival there was also noted a number of permanent survivals of leukemia. It was also found that peritoneal and splenic lymphoid cells of immunized donors exhibited most pronounced direct and indirect cytotoxicity against target cells in vitro. In vivo, the effector cells mounted an attack on the L-1210 cells probably at the onset of the G1-phase of the cell cycle.


Prostaglandin activity in the course of immune specific and nonspecific inflammatory reactions in chickens. The presence of prostaglandins in inflammatory infiltration evoked by tuberculin and thermal factor in chickens was studied. The prostaglandin E2 activity was found in both specific and nonspecific immune inflammatory reactions in chickens. The authors discuss the role of prostaglandins as mediators in inflammatory processes.


Sensitivity to chemotherapeutics of Yersinia enterocolitica strains. 290 Y. enterocolitica strains were tested as regards their sensitivity to 20 chemotherapeutics. All the strains were isolated from fecal specimens taken from human beings in Czechoslovakia. It should be noted that the strains presented homologous group as they belonged to 3 serological group according to Winblad or IA according to Knapp and Thal, they also belonged to biotype 4 according to Nilehn. It has been found that apart from their homogenicity, they showed quite different patterns of sensitivity to chemotherapeutics. Among them quite a great number of the strains were of high level of resistance to antibiotics. It was not possible to transfer their resistance to the sensitive E. coli K12 strain. All the strains proved to produce betalactamase.


[Electrocardiogram in interstitial pneumonia. Electrocardiographic-hemodynamic correlation]. Twenty four patients with interstitial pulmonary disease from the Cardiopulmonary Service of the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología were studied. Surface electrocardiograms and pulmonary hemodynamic studies were registered to all patients in order to obtain the pulmonary vascular resistances and pressures to find out the electrocardiographic-hemodynamic correlation. Three groups were made according to the pulmonary artery sistolic pressure: Group I, 30 to 45 mm Hg (6 patients); Group II, 46 to 70 mm Hg (12 patients) and Group III more of 60 mm Hg (6 patients). Also, arterial gaseous partial pressures were determined, among other pulmonary test parameters. Electrocardiographically, the rhythm, A=V node conduction, AQRSF, APF, atrial and ventricular hypertrophy, intraventricular conduction and ventricular repolarization were studied in leads II, III, aVF, aVR, V1, V2, V3 and V6. The characteristics of the ventricular repolarization and depolarization processes of each group are described, in order to discuss the mechanism of the anormalities. Finally, the electrocardiographic findings were correlated with the different degrees of pulmonary arterial hypertension; the conclusions are: I. The electrocardiogram allows us to differenciate the patients with III degree of arterial pulmonary hypertension, from those of I and II degrees. II. Patients with I and II degrees of pulmonary arterial hypertension determine nearly the same electrocardiographic alterations; the mean differences to establish the differential diagnosis is the AQRSF, shifted to the right and upwards, in the II degree of pulmonary arterial hypertension.


The influence of dimethylsulfoxide on level of serum sialoproteins in rats. Intraperitoneal injection of DMSO in rats significantly lowered level of serum sialoproteins and caused appearance of seromucoid fractions devoid of NANA (asialoproteins). The influence of DMSO on sialoprotein metabolism in the liver is discussed.


[Current results of the aortic valve changes]. The prosthetic substitution of the aortic valve has experienced a great advance over the last years in relation with the surgical and hospital mortality. In the personal experience of one of the authors (F. López Soriano), the mortality rate was 0% in 40 patients in which an aortic valve change was performed, isolated or associated to other pathology. Between 1973 and 1978, 167 patients were operated at the "Instituto Nacional de Cardiología", with an early mortality of 11.3%; these results were superior to those previously published. The percentage of myocardic infarction following surgery was  similar in both groups 8% less, than the 15% reported in other statistics. 25 patients of the total group needed second surgery due to prosthetic malfunction. A Starr Edward Model 2320 had been implanted on most patients, known for the high percentage of malfunction which is being discarted at present. Thromboembolic phenomena occurred in 9 patients (5.3%) from which five were located in the brain, none of them being fatal. The present results justify early surgery in moderately sinthomatic aortic valve disease, when comparing these results with the natural history of the disease and the evolution of said patients operated in later stages.


Morphological changes observed after stimulation or inhibition of adrenic system in rats chronically treated with hydrazinophtalazines. Morphological studies of the heart muscle were carried out in healthy rats as well as treated with hydralazine or binazine after administration of adrenaline, noradrenaline, isoprenaline, regitine or propranolol. Hydrazinophtalazines (25 mg/kg body wt, daily) were given during 7 months. After discontinuation of this treatment the drugs were administered during 15 days. Evident changes (e.g. inflammatory infiltrations, focal necrosis and fibrosis) were found after administration of noradrenaline, adrenaline or isoprenaline. No differences were found in the reactivity to catecholamines in healthy and hydrazinophtalazine-treated rats.


Action of d-propranolol in manic psychoses. Six manic patients were treated with high doses of d-propranolol or d- and dl-propranolol in a double-blind, placebo controlled study. The following variables were measured: propranolol dosage, propranolol serum concentration, pulse frequency, blood pressure, and psychotic behavior. In all cases an improvement was noticed. High dosages were necessary to obtain sufficient effect. The antimanic property of d-propranolol was approximately 50% smaller than the antimanic property of dl-propranolol. We conclude that at least some part of the antimanic action of beta-blockers is independent from the beta-blocking property.


[Immunologic diagnostic of blood CSF barrier in the course of delirium tremens (author's transl)]. Fifty chronic alcoholics with acute withdrawal (in the state of delirium tremens) were examined initially and in the following weeks by quantitatively testing immunoglobulins in the serum and in the cerebrospinal fluid to study the dynamics of the blood-CSF barrier. Compared -to other persons of the same age, acutely delirious patients show a pathologic IgG-IgA constellation in the CSF which does not depend on the serum. That points to an infrastructural barrier function disorder. After 2--4 weeks, delirium tremens, normally in the process of recovering, shows distinct sanitation of the immunologic spectrum of the CSF. With regard to their dynamic proceedings, the results confirm other findings on brain metabolism, biochemistry, neurophysiology, and pathologic anatomy during delirium tremens. The totally and progressively disturbed blood-CSF barrier system of complicated cases of delirium tremens (e.g., Korsakov's and Wernicke's syndromes) seems to provide the possibility of deterioration of the clinical syndrome. The method, simple to implement in the laboratory, permits not only an overall evaluation of the dynamic blood-CSF barrier function in acute and postdelirious state, but also provides both the possibility to diagnose a persistent infrastructural residual syndrome and to indicate a pathophysiologic complication of the clinical course.


Aspects of aggression in formerly depressed patients and in healthy controls. Thirty former inpatients (14 male and 16 female) who had suffered from a nonpsychotic depressive syndrome were investigated by means of a new personality inventory--the KSP--when they had recovered from the depressive disorder, and their results were contrasted to those obtained from 53 healthy controls (19 male, 34 female). Attention was focused on the subscales of the KSP which refer to aspects of aggression. Former patients scored significantly higher than controls in the variables 'irritability,' 'suspicion,' 'guilt,' and 'inhibition of aggression.' The findings suggest a particular personality makeup for at least one subgroup of depression-prone subjects and closely resemble classical concepts of hostility and depression.


Electromyographic examination of gluteal muscles in the differential diagnosis of lumbar herniated discs. The aim of the present investigation was to establish the value of gluteal muscles (m.gluteus medius, GME; m.gluteus maximus, GMX) as segmental reference muscles in the topical diagnosis of lumbar root compression syndromes. The methodological rationale consisted in determining the frequency with which denervation potentials could be recorded in the GME and GMX of patients with clinically and electromyographically well-defined monosegmental or bisegmental lumbar root compression syndromes. Of the L5-syndromes (N=36), 81% revealed denervation potentials in GME, but only 6% in GMX. Of the S1 syndromes (N=26), 63% exhibited denervation potentials in GMX and 32% in GME. L5 syndromes showed a better correlation of positive findings to GME than S1 syndromes to GMX. As far as the differential diagnosis is concerned, the advantages of recording EMG from GME and GMX are two-fold: (a) the immediate certainty of excluding a peripheral nerve lesion and (b) a reduction in the incidence of false negative findings.


[Stability of the factor structure in the AMDP-Scale (author's transl)]. A factor analytic study of the Psychopathology Scale and the Somatic Symptoms Scale of the AMDP System in reported. The random sample was comprised of 1166 psychiatric inpatients, and the resulting factors are compared with other factor analytic studies based on the AMDP System. The study concluded that the AMDP scales have a stable factorial structure, but more exact comparative methods of factorial structure should be applied in future studies.


Early auditory evoked potentials (EAEP) in vertebral basilar insufficiency. Stimulation with a short tone pip elicits an acoustic nerve compound action potential (I) and different waves (II--VII) in the inital 10 ms. Seven waves have been studied in 40 control subjects and five waves in 12 patients with vertebral-basilar insufficiency. Abnormalities of the different waves were observed at levels such as cochlea and/or acoustic nerve, medulla, caudal pons, rostral pons, and midbrain. The recording of early auditory evoked potentials (EAEP) is a noninvasive method of confirming impairment of the auditory pathway caused by a reduced vascular supply of vertebral and basilar arteries.


[Epicritical evaluation of the submicroscopic aspects induced with administration of hepatotropic drugs]. Five currently drugs employed in the treatment of diseases of the liver were administered to groups of healthy rabbits to detect possible biochemical and ultrastructural changes induced in the liver cell. E.M. serography revealed various signs of morphological and metabolic disturbance, whose possible interpretation is discussed in the light of earlier investigations on a similar model relating to protective treatment of the membrane.


[Active chronic hepatitis and cryoglobulinemia. Considerations on a clinical case]. The Authors describe a case of bioptically documented chronic active hepatitis (CAH) (HBsAg negative) associated with circulating autoantibodies and mixed cryoglobulinemia. According to Mackay's CAH classification, the diagnosis of "cryptogenic" instead of "lupoid" CAH has been made.


[Vascular compression of the duodenum. Apropos of a case of acute obstruction]. A case of acute obstruction of the duodenum in an aged patient due to aorto-mesenteric squeezing is described. An account of the anatomopathological features, symptomatology, radiological diagnosis, and treatment of this condition is presented. Duodedenojejunostomy is the operation of choice, but it must be adjusted to the local and general anatomopathological situation.


[Dyskinetic-athetosic syndrome in a patient with prior radiculo-myelo-encephalopathy of probable viral origin. Therapeutic guidelines with levodopa and preliminary results]. The regulation of skeletal muscle tone and of the automatic and half-automatic movements by the extrapyramidal system in briefly discussed. The essential importance to keep separated the akinetic-hypertonic syndromes from the hypotonic-hyperkinetic ones is further confirmed. In fact two different chemical mediating agents work separately in these two cases: the Dopamine for the Nigro-Striatal system and the Ach for other tracts whose anatomy is still not well known, but which surely belong to the extrapyramidal system. Further more a clinical case of dyskinetic-athetosic post-infective syndrome, successfully treated with L.D., is discussed. The effectiveness of neuroleptic drugs in these hypotonic-hyperkinetic syndrome is stressed while they cause and worsen extra-pyramidal symptoms such as hypertonia and akynesia (hypertonic akinetic s.).


Milk carbohydrates of marsupials. II. Quantitative and qualitative changes in milk carbohydrates during lactation in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Milk was collected at various stages of lactation from a group of tammar wallabies, M. eugenii, in which parturition had been synchronized. The milk carbohydrate was determined by a phenol-sulfuric acid method which had been modified to give equal colour yields for galactose and glucose. The mean carbohydrate content increased gradually during the first 6 months of lactation to a peak of 13 g hexose/100 ml of milk, but then fell rapidly to much lower values, over the following 2 months. Throughouth lactation, galactose was the predominant monosaccharide constituent of acid hydrolysates of the milk carbohydrate. Glucose, glucosamine, galactosamine and sialic acid were the only other monosaccharides present. Qualitative changes were investigated by gel filtration and thin-layer chromatography. During the first 6 months post partum the milk carbohydrate was composed of a variety of oligosaccharides including lactose, but from 8 months onwards it consisted mainly of free monosaccharides. Between 6 and 8 months an intermediate pattern was observed, i.e. a mixture of lower oligosaccharides and free monosaccharides. In two animals which suckled both a new-born pouch young and a young at foot, the mammary gland supplying the new-born secreted milk which was rich in oligosaccharides, whereas that supplying the young at foot produced milk in which the carbohydrates were mainly free monosaccharides, and which had a much lower carbohydrate content.


[Normalization of the GH response to L-DOPA in acromegalics after treatment with bromocriptine]. The plasma GH response to the L-dopa test (500 mg per os) has been assessed in 7 acromegalics who had never been treated before. Whereas three patients showed an increase in plasma GH, the other four presented a paradoxical response with a significant reduction in plasma GH levels. All subjects were put on to treatment with bromocryptin (10 mg/die). Three months later it was noted that only the four subjects with paradoxical response to L-dopa responded positively to bromocryptin treatment (at least 50% reduction in plasma GH). The L-dopa test was repeated in these four patients. In three of them who presented basal levels of GH lower than 10 ng/ml the L-dopa response curve was found to be reversed. It is concluded that in responsive patients, bromocryptin not only reduces GH levels but also normalizes the response to certain stimuli such as L-dopa.


Summer and winter cycles in plasma melatonin levels in the elephant seal (Mirounga leonina). Plasma melatonin concentration of immature male elephant seals was determined by radioimmunoassay. Comparison of concentrations during two 24-h periods, one in midsummer and one in midwinter, showed that there was a marked circadian cycle in winter which was greatly modified during the long day length of summer. It is suggested that in summer there was sufficient ambient lighting during the night hours to depress the nocturnal rise in plasma melatonin. The complexity of pineal cycles in the natural environment is stressed, and in this regard the polar regions are of particular interest due to the extreme seasonal changes in day length there.


[Alcoholic epilepsy. Clinico-electroencephalographic analysis of 48 cases]. Various clinical pictures may be identified within the relationship between alcoholism and epilepsy: a) epilepsy existing prior to the drink habit in which attacks are facilitated by intake of alcohol: b) convulsive syndrome coming on following prolonged intake of alcohol (real alcoholic epilepsy); c) convulsive attacks arising after acute intake of alcohol. Within the field of real alcoholic epilepsy two forms can be distinguished. One is generally reversible and arises 5-10 years following the start of the alcohol habis, the other tardive, starting years later irreversible). These pictures probably have different aetiopathogenetic mechanisms and this implies a different therapeutic approach.


Control of parturition in the sow using progesterone and prostaglandin. The effect of progesterone and prostaglandin administration on the timing of farrowing was studied in three groups of 25 sows each. Progesterone treatment (100 mg/day) on days 112, 113 and 114 of gestation (group I) significantly prolonged the gestation length to 116.4 +/- 0.4 (mean +/- s.e.) days compared to the control sows (group III; 115.5 +/- 0.2; P less than 0.05). Administration of prostaglandin (200 micrograms Cloprostanol intramuscularly) on day 115 of gestation following progesterone treatment (group II) resulted in a gestation length of 116.0 +/- 0.1 days, with the sows farrowing 25.4 +/- 1.0 h after the prostaglandin injection. 80% of the sows farrowed between 0800 and 1700 h of day 116 of gestation. Plasma progesterone levels were maintained by the exogenous progesterone during treatment. At farrowing, higher levels of progesterone were observed in groups I and II compared to controls. Prostaglandin treatment did not significantly alter withdrawal of progesterone in progesterone treated sows, suggesting that the actions of exogenous prostaglandin is primarily on the myometrium and the cervix. Hormonal treatment in late pregnancy did not have any adverse effects on piglet viability and growth rate, or subsequent reproductive performances of sows. Lactation was initiated normally, and the concentrations of lactose, protein, fat, IgG, Na+, Ca2+ and K+ in colostrum and milk were similar in all groups during the first 5 days of lactation.


[Aggressiveness in humans].

[Aggressiveness in humans]. Aggressiveness is a deeply-rooted feature of human biology. Its underlying mechanisms can be analysed doctrinally from the biological standpoint, in the light of physiological, clinical and pharmacological data, the ecological standpoint, wherein comparison is made with the behaviour patterns observed in animals, and the psychological standpoint, which is strongly influenced by psychoanalysis theory in explaining the reasons for aggressive behaviour. Reference is also made to the form taken by aggressiveness in children, adults and persons with neurological and mental diseases. The ways in which pathological aggressiveness can be treated are discussed.


Cholecystokinin-like peptides in brain and intestine of obese-hyperglycaemic mice. Cholecystokinin-(CCK) like peptides have been measured in the brain and small intestine of ob/ob hyperglycaemic mice and lean littermates. CCK-like peptides were measured by radioimmunoassay employing an antiserum to CCK octapeptide (CCK 8) and gastrin 17 I125 label. Although this antiserum detects gastrin with equal affinity to CCK, concomitant assay of tissue extracts with a gastrin specific antibody failed to reveal any detectable gastrin. Extracts of brain and small intestine showed levels of CCK of 96 +/- 12.6 pmol g-1 and 45 +/- 6.1 pmol g-1 in the obese mice; 101 +/- 8.7 pmol g-1 and 36 +/- 2.5 pmol g-1 in the lean mice. These were not significantly different. It has been suggested that CCK may be a satiety factor and it has been reported that there is less CCK in brain of obese mice compared with lean mice. This study has failed to confirm the previous finding and indicates that, in this animal model, tissue levels of CCK probably do not modulate appetite.


Variation in H-2 antigen expression in F1 hybrid mice: analysis using monoclonal antibodies. Cells of (CBA/H X BALB/c)F1 hybrid mice express CBA/H-derived H-2k antigens more weakly than do CBA/H cells, but H-2d antigens are similarly expressed by F1 and BALB/c cells. This was evident when F1 hybrid macrophages were compared with CBA/H and BALB/c macrophages as targets for both alloreactive and H-2 restricted anti-viral TC cells. Quantitative absorption of anti-H-2Kk serum by spleen cells of F1 or CBA/H mice also suggested about 3-fold less H-2Kk antigen on F1 cells. With the use of two anti-H-2Kk monoclonal antibodies, 30R3 and 27R9, the reduced expression of H-2Kk in this F1 hybrid was further analysed in a two-stage radio-immunoassay employing the uptake of 125I-protein A to measure antibody binding. By a thermodynamic approach, estimates were made of the dissociation constant for antibody binding, and of the relative numbers of H-2 molecules expressed by both F1 hybrid and CBA/H spleen cells. The results indicate that there is a two-fold reduction in the number of H-2Kk molecules expressed on the surface of F1 cells. Similar dissociation constants for F1 and CBA/H cells indicated no detectable qualitative difference in their H-2Kk antigens with respect to sites recognized by 30R3 and 27R9.


Fused rocket immunoelectrophoretic analysis of human and sheep thyroglobulins purified by gel chromatography. The application of fused rocket immunoelectrophoretic methods for the analysis of human and sheep thyroid extracts is reported. Different experimental procedures, evaluating thyroglobulin preparations obtained by gel chromatographic separations with a variety of gel supports and elution conditions, were examined. Adsorption experiments demonstrated that many of the antigenic contaminants in chromatographed thyroglobulin were due to serum proteins. The precipitin profiles obtained with the fused rocket immunoelectrophoretic experiments indicate that considerable tailing of 19S-thyroglobulin occurs when chromatographed on either Sephadex G-200 or Bio-Gel A-1.5 m using low ionic strength buffers. The retention of thyroglobulin on these supports would account, in part, for the observed presence of thyroid proteins with antigenic determinants identical to 19S-thyroglobulin in chromatographed subfractions of notionally lower molecular weight. Because of the case of execution, the described methods provide a useful alternative to existing methods for the assessment of homogeneity of chromatographed thyroglobulin samples.