Acceleration of peritoneal mass transport by drugs and hormones. The major restrictions to the transport of solute and solvent across the peritoneum are the limited peritoneal blood flow, area and permeability. Recent investigations have demonstrated that several vasoactive drugs influence transport parameters. Isoproterenol, nitroprusside, dipyridamole and dopamine exemplify drugs that dilate the splanchnic vasculature, thereby augmenting transport, whereas vasoconstriction induced by l-norepinephrine decreases clearances. The tissue prostaglandins affect peritoneal mass transport in accord with their known vasoactive effects, suggesting a role in modulating peritoneal blood flow. The gastrointestinal hormones vasodilate the splanchnic circulation. Exposure of the endothelial surface to glucagon markedly increases peritoneal mass transport, while secretin increases the ultrafiltration rate significantly. These preliminary studies suggest the possible future clinical use of drugs and hormones to augment the efficiency of peritoneal dialysis.


Applications of the Redy sorbent system to hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. The application of sorbent technology to the treatment of uremia has been limited by the inability to adsorb urea adequately. Conversion of urea to ammonium carbonate and adsorption by zirconium phosphate provides a practical means of removing urea. This combination, together with hydrated zirconium oxide and carbon, removes uremic waste products from dialysate. Over 1500 patients are undergoing maintenance hemodialysis with this system. The dialysate composition can be modified for the treatment of patients with acute renal failure. This sorbent system is now being used for the regeneration of peritoneal dialysate. Twenty patients have undergone a total of 90 dialyses, each of 4 to 24 hours duration. One home patient has been solely on this system for two months. The application of sorbent technology to peritoneal dialysis may be the most promising approach to a wearable dialysis system.


Continuous blood pressure monitoring during hemodialysis. As the number of patients suffering from circulatory problems increases, continuous blood pressure monitoring during hemodialysis is desirable. Monitoring of the fistulated venous pressure was proven to be a satisfactory substitute for that of the systemic arterial pressure, after fistulated venous pressure had been ascertained to correlate strictly with systemic arterial pressure. Utilization of a double-lumened cannula, one lumen for blood outflow and another for monitoring of fistulated venous pressure, was established and showed clinical applicability. This principle is considered to be useful not only for blood pressure monitoring, but also for activation of a dialysis machine control system.


Long-term experience with the technique of subclavian and femoral vein cannulation in hemodialysis. Large vein cannulation for hemodialysis was used in 1164 patients undergoing dialysis treatment and in an acute dialysis program. Subclavian vein cannulation was utilized in 2494 dialyses, and femoral vein cannulation was used in 2368 dialyses. No significant differences with regard to clinical complications were encountered in either type of cannulation. The mortality rate due to subclavian vein cannulation was 0.12%, while that due to femoral vein cannulation was 0.04%. The main risk of subclavian vein cannulation was arterial bleeding, due to trauma to an artery, and pneumothorax, more likely occurring in asthenic patients or in patients with emphysema. Single-needle hemodialysis using subclavian or femoral vein cannulation gave the same results as the arteriovenous Cimino fistula. Intermittent or combined use of both types of large vein cannulation is advantageous in long-term regular dialysis patients that are waiting for a new fistula.


The use of lyophilized vein grafts in vascular access for chronic hemodialysis. The feasibility of utilizing lyophilized veins for creation of A-V fistulas was examined in two studies. In Study I, the longevity of lyophilized vein fistulas was found to be comparable to that of fresh veins in the experimental animal. Study II showed that lyophilized cadaveric veins performed at least as well as bovine grafts when used for vascular access in chronic hemodialysis patients. The advantages of lyophilized veins for creation of A-V fistulas in dialysis patients are described.


The use of hemoperfusion as an adjunct to hemodialysis. Studies are reported on the use of short dialysis, sequential ultrafiltration/short dialysis and hemoperfusion in chronic renal failure. Short dialysis (less than 12 hours/week) is a satisfactory regime with good patient acceptance, adequate small and middle molecule clearance and control of fluid and blood pressure. Sequential ultrafiltration in the first hour improves fluid removal and reduces the side effects of dialysis. The addition of hemoperfusion increases clearance of small and middle molecules and has little effect on the osmolality of the serum. Thus, it does not increase the side effects of dialysis. Preliminary results suggest that hemoperfusion may be useful in the treatment of chronic renal failure in combination with ultrafiltration and dialysis.


Mass transfer characteristics of hollow-fiber dialyzers and hemoperfusion devices. Clearance versus time tests were carried out on three charcoal-based hemoperfusion devices (Sandev, Becton-Dickinson and Gambro) using solutions of 1 gm/L sodium salicylate in a pH 7.4 buffer and in bovine blood at flow rates of 200 ml/min. Similar tests were performed on a Cordis Dow 2.5 m2 hollow-fiber dialyzer at a tube side flow rate (QB) of 200 ml/min. Buffer was pumped through the dialysate side at a flow rate (QD) of 400 ml/min. Two dialyzers were run in series at QB = 200 ml/min and QD = 500 or 1000 ml/min. Mass transfer resistances were computed from the test results. These values are useful in that they constitute an index of the intrinsic initial kinetics of solute transfer in each device. However, the clearance versus time curves indicate that these initial kinetics decrease at different rates for each hemoperfusion unit as sorption capacity begins to be depleted. In contrast, the initial clearances for the dialyzers remain at their initial values. These data reveal much about the relative mass transfer characteristics of these devices.


Capabilities of the Redy cartridge for regeneration of hemofiltrate. Capabilities of the Redy cartridge for hemofiltrate regeneration were tested. Electrolytes, creatinine, BUN, uric acid, acid-base, glucose, heparin, fluoride and amino acids were measured in the cartridge inflow and outflow (V = 70 ml/min) over a four-hour period. There was complete adsorption of potassium, calcium, magnesium, creatinine, BUN, uric acid, phosphate and heparin. Sodium ions, hydrogen ions, fluoride ions and possibly other trace elements are released by the cartridge. Amino acid absorption is almost complete if the amino acids are aromatic, have two or more N-atoms or if they have S-atoms. When using hemofiltrate after sorbent regeneration for reinfusion to the patient, one has to consider electrolyte substitution (i.e., K, Ca, Mg), sodium balance, trace element metabolism, acid-base problems, amino-acid profiles and ammonia overload.


Influence of hemoperfusion on the concentrations of calcitonin, testosterone and cortisol in blood plasma. The influence of hemoperfusion with a cellulose-acetate-coated charcoal column (Adsorba 300-C, Gambro, Lund, Sweden) on plasma concentrations of calcitonin, testosterone and cortisol was studied in five psoriatic patients during 12 treatment periods. Calcitonin, testosterone and cortisol were effectively removed from blood plasma by the charcoal column with average plasma clearances of 34.0, 14.5 and 27.6 ml/min, respectively, at 30 minutes of hemoperfusion, and 4.9, 15.4 and 24.4 ml/min, respectively, at 180 minutes of hemoperfusion. After three hours of hemoperfusion, significant decreases of testosterone and cortisol were found in peripheral venous blood, while calcitonin fell insignificantly. It remains to be elucidated whether long-term use of hemoperfusion would require a detailed control of possible effects on the endocrine status of patients.


Problems with activated charcoal and alumina as sorbents for medical use. Although activated charcoal and alumina have been used extensively as sorbents in uremic patients, the following problems remain to be solved: 1) elution of SO4--from activated charcoal which does not adsorb it; 2) production of methylguanidine from creatinine on the surface of activated charcoal; 3) production of lipoperoxide from fatty acids by chemical reaction of activated charcoal; 4) adsorption of Ca++ and Mg++ when alumina adsorbs inorganic phosphate. These problems are studied in vitro and clinically.


Problems of competition in charcoal hemoperfusion for the treatment of intoxications. Both toxic and physiological substances are adsorbed during an extracorporeal hemoperfusion for the treatment of exogenous and endogenous intoxications. Using a closed circuit in vitro, we perfused one liter saline or fresh human plasma with 4425 mumol creatinine, 4854 mumol and 97,086 mumol barbital-Na, 597 mumol bromthalein, 1942 mumol and 29,126 mumol raffinose, and 200 mumol inulin in different combinations over 70 gm of uncoated charcoal with the following results: 1. The adsorptive capacity of other substances is not influenced by preadsorption of the charcoal with a low or middle molecular weight substance; 2. In the low and middle molecular weight range, there is no competition between two substances in a solution; 3. The simultaneous usage of two substances of middle and high molecular weight, or preadsorption with a high molecular weight substance, reduces the rate of adsorption and the capacity of charcoal for middle molecular weight substances, but not for low molecular weight substances.


A new method of urea removal using urease and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. A new method for urea removal using a gas membrane is introduced along with some preliminary results. The membrane used was expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (E-PTFE) which is highly permeable to gaseous substances, while at the same time it is highly resistant to water permeation. In in vitro experiments using 10 mmol/L ammonia solution it was revealed that the single-pass reduction rate was approximately 95% at 30 degrees C at a flow rate of 200 ml/min. In animal experiments using four dogs, the extraction rate of urea was 40.4 +/- 4.4% after four hours of dialysis using 5 L dialysate. However, elevation of blood ammonia was observed in all dogs tested. Removal of ammonia by means of a gas membrane is considered to be feasible and has the possibility of being used for maintenance hemodialysis in combination with urease and charcoal.


High-permeability membrane hemodialysis and hemofiltration in acute hepatic coma: experimental and clinical results. A high-permeability polyacrylonitrile membrane was used for hemodialysis in experimental animals with induced liver ischemia and for acute treatment of 39 patients with fulminant hepatic failure. Measurements were made of amino acids and other relevant compounds; nine patients survived. In long-term studies, the polyacrylonitrile membrane was used for hemofiltration in ten clinical cases of fulminant hepatic failure and coma. Five patients, including two pregnant women, survived.


Bloodless cardiac surgery utilizing a new low-prime oxygenator. One hundred consecutive patients undergoing open-heart surgery were subjected to a prospective protocol designed for reduction of homologous blood utilization. The main points of this protocol were careful surgical hemostasis, normovolemic hemodilution, and retransfusion of blood lost to the operating field. It included use of the new Bentley BOS-10 Spiraflo oxygenator (Bentley Laboratories, Inc., Irvine, California, U.S.A.). The patients' ages ranged from 6 to 68 years and their weights from 18 to 84 kg. Fifty-four patients were subjected to valvular surgery, 30 to coronary revascularization, 13 to congenital defects repair, and 3 to resection of atrial myxomas. All patients could be weaned from bypass without receiving any blood. Eighty patients completed their surgery, and 60 were discharged from the intensive care unit without receiving any homologous blood or its derivatives. Total blood usage for the series throughout the entire stay in hospital was 1.32 units/patient, which included six reoperations for excessive bleeding. This reduction in blood utilization was achieved without excessive hemodilution and did not produce significant complications.


A new technique to increase coronary flow. Preliminary report. This study was planned to investigate whether part of the energy produced by cardiac contraction to propel blood toward the systemic circulation can be used to increase the coronary flow in systole. Ten devices (I-X) designed to divert laterally part of a flow column (without substantially increasing resistance to flow) were tested in a mock circulation and in nine anesthetized dogs. An increase of 11.69 +/- 1.97% (mean +/- SEM, P less than 0.005) in "coronary flow" and of 8.98 +/- 0.56% (mean +/- SEM, P less than 0.001) in coronary sinus flow were obtained with device I mounted on a stylet and placed above the "aortic valve" in the mock circulation and the dogs, respectively, without increasing the flow resistance. The results in;dicate the possibility of diverting part of the aortic flow toward the coronary arteries without increasing mean aortic pressure.


Plasma beta-endorphin levels in chronic schizophrenic patients normal controls. Plasma beta-endorphin was measured in 35 chronic schizophrenic patients (15.47 +/- 15.39 pmol/L) and 3 normal volunteers (19.55 +/- 11.23 pmol/L). There was no significant difference between the levels of the two groups.


[Aspergillosis from sphenoidal sinus (author's transl)]. The authors describe an exceptional case of aspergillosis from sphenoidal sinus showed by oculomotar palsy its follow up simulates a malignant tumour.


[Cerebral cortex biopotential and blood oxygenation in glaucomatous patient (author's transl)]. This report presents the data of blood oxygenation investigations (performed according to the method of oxyphemography) of cerebral cortex biopotential determination (EEG) in 32 glaucomatous patients (27 having a bilateral process in developed and advanced stages of the disease. The majority of the patients appeared to have oxygen deficiency (26 subj.) and anomalous EEG (29 subj.). A statistically rather high coefficient of correlation between changes in EEG and OHG deviations was determined. The results enabled the authors to conclude that low cerebral cortex activity in glaucoma patients might be the result of blood oxygen deficiency.


[Intolerance causes of indentation material in retinal detachment surgery (author's transl)]. 129 Lincoff sponge's rejection, representing 4,3% of our retinal detachment surgeries during 4 years have been studied. Men were twice more than women, the larger the amount of material was placed the more frequent rejections appeared. Most rejections (56,2%) occured during the first 4 months. Percentage of infection was roughly not influenced by the time after retinal detachment surgery.


[Toxic retinopathies].

[Toxic retinopathies]. Among the drugs, which are topically administered, only epinephrine may produce retinal changes (macular oedema) in aphakic patients. Among the drugs, which are systemically administered, some immunodepressors, ethambutol, indomethacine, digitalis, but particularly chlorpromazine, thioridazine, quinine and chloroquine may produce toxic retinopathies. Concerning the intraocular metallic foreign bodies, siderosis is much more toxic for the retina than chalcosis.


[Massive orbital osteolysis by a chordoma. Report of a case and review of the litterature (author's transl)]. Clinical, radiological and anatomical description of sellar chordoma giving, on a sixty seven years old man, an unusually large tumoral exophthalmos, a massive orbito-sphenoidal osteolysis and a chiasmatic syndroma. Discussion stresses the topographic data of chordoma in connection with the embryonal chordal cell rests. Patterns of evolution and neuro-ophthalmologic symptoms of cephalic chordoma are studied with the literature facts. Morphologic criteria, specifical ones and those differential diagnosis, are exactly scheduled.


Foreign bodies in the tracheobronchial tree. A review of 110 cases. During the period from 1966 to 1974, 110 cases of foreign bodies in the tracheobronchial tree were treated in our clinic using the ventilation bronchoscope under general anesthesia, and good results were obtained. Upon reviewing the case records, the ventilation bronchoscope was evaluated to be safe even for infants. Of the 110 cases, male predominance was 2 to 1, and 76 infants were under 3 years of age. Although, various types of foreign bodies were removed, almost half of the cases involved peanuts. Generally, the right bronchus was obstructed more frequently than the left. However, in children under 6 years of age, this tendency was inverted especially in 53 cases involving peanuts. The relationships between the age factor and the location of the foreign bodies are discussed.


Tubular forms of papova viruses in human laryngeal papilloma. In two cases of recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis tubular forms of papova viruses could be observed. The same material revealed the close relation between nuclear chromatine and the release of particles, as well as a capsomere like substructure of the virions.


Human oral squamous cell carcinoma in in vitro culture. Human biopsy specimens from squamous cell carcinomas in the oral cavity were explanted to an in vitro system for organ culture. Carcinoma cells in great number were observed after 2 weeks in vitro. A considerable variability in cell survival occurred after approximately 1 week. This period of time is, however, sufficient to perform experimental manipulation of the tumor tissue, e.g., testing of chemosensitivity, radiation effects, etc.


[On the elasticity of the ligamentum anulare. Experimental investigations into human temporal bone preparations with the help of an electromagnetic probe (author's transl)]. An electromagnetic probe was used to investigate the elasticity of the ligamentum anulare in human temporal bone preparations. The static measurement showed with preserved auditory ossicles but without tympanic membrane an average displacement of 37--41 micron at a pressure of 10 mN. Five different points of measurement did not lead to any significant differences; we must assume that the elastic properties of the ligamentum anulare are completely equal. After the removal of the malleus and incus, the displacement increased by only 2.2 micron, by another 4.2 micron if the stapes tendon was severed. Under these circumstances, too, a completely even elongation is proved to occur in all sections of the ligamentum anulare. Different pressures lead to a no-load characteristic which is linear in the 5--20 mN range, suggesting excellent elastic properties of the ligamentum anulare. From these data we may assume that the oscillation behavior of the basis stapedis approaches that of a membrane pump, with a linear transmission of great oscillation amplitudes possible.


A new in vitro method of drug assay of nasal blood vessels. If nasal mucosa is removed from the dog's septum, mounted in a muscle bath and treated with a small dose of a nasal decongestant, the mucosa contracts, It appears, from the nature of the tissue and the nature of the drug responses, that nasal vascular smooth muscle is the contracting element. If the nasal mucosa is treated with a vasodilating agent, such as histamine, there is no relaxation response unless the mucosa is first pretreated with a vasoconstricting agent such as epinephrine. Both vasoconstricting and vasodilating drugs induce dose-related responses. It appears that this new preparation may be useful to assay drug effects in the absence of nervous and humoral control.


The autoimmune submandibular sialoadenitis of the NZB/NZW hybrid mice. A light and electron microscopical investigation. An electron microscopic study of the submandibular salivary gland lesion occurring in the NZB/NZW F1 hybrid mice was performed, and the findings were discussed and correlated to the autoimmune salivary gland disease observed in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Within the submandibular salivary gland of this mouse strain focal infiltrates of mononuclear inflammatory cells were observed. Lymphoid cells were observed inside the basal lamina of acini and ducts, leading to destruction of these glandular units. The typical duct cell proliferation found in the autoimmune sialoadenitis of Sjögren's syndrome with the formation of the typical epimyoepithelial islands was not found in the submandibular glands of NZB/NZW mice.


[Pachydermia of the larynx--treatment with the aromatic retinoid (Ro 10-9359) (author's transl)]. Eight patients with pachydermia laryngis were treated with an aromatic retinoid (Ro 10-9359, Hoffmann La Roche, Basel, Switzerland). The management was successful in five cases. The sideeffects are minimal. The new drug seems to be a good completion in therapy of such diseases of the larynx.


[A new laryngoscope for endolaryngeal microsurgery. A contribution to injector respiration (author's transl)]. A new laryngoscope was constructed in order to improve visualization of the larynx and to adjust the instrument to individual situation. The Kleinsasser laryngoscope was divided into two parts. The width between these two halfs can be changed by screws. Because the laryngoscope is open laterally there is more space for the operator and shorter instruments can be used.


Ultrastructure of blebbing phenomenon and phagocytosis of blebs in laryngeal carcinoma. The epithelial-connective tissue junction of invasive squamous cell laryngeal carcinoma was examined electron microscopically. The pleomorphic cytoplasmic protrusions known as blebs were observed on the lateral and basal surfaces of malignant keratinocytes. These blebs were pinched off from the malignant epithelial cells and were then observed in the connective tissue or in the intercellular spaces. After the pinching-off process some blebs were seen to be closely surrounded by pseudopods of phagocytizing histiocytic cells in the lamina propria or by adjacent malignant keratinocytes in the intercellular spaces. Since blebs are believed to be intact parts of viable cells this engulfment can be interpreted as cytophagocytosis. During cytophagocytosis the zeiotic blebs exhibited varying degrees of enzymatic digestion. The process of blebbing was discussed in respect to cellular locomotion of malignant keratinocytes during tumor invasion. This phenomenon seems to occur only in the preliminary stages of malignant tumor growth in the larynx.


[Quantitative determination of protein, albumin, and antibiotics in the nasal secretions of patients with acute sinusitis (author's transl)]. Forty outpatients with sinusitis were treated with equimolar doses of Ampicillin (556 mg) of Bacampicillin (800 mg) three times daily in a doubleblind fashion. To control the efficiency of the therapy the number of leukocytes, sedimentation rate, subjective and objective symptomes were evaluated before the first dose and on the 2nd and 10th day. On the 1st day nasal secretions were collected at the time the first dose was given and 1, 2, and 3 h later. In these samples the concentrations of the antibiotic, of protein and albumin were determined. The amount of nasal secretions collected as well as the protein and albumin content remains fairly constant during the experiment. The concentration of Bacampicillin in nasal secretions reaches its maximum of 0.92 microgram/ml 1 h after the application whereas with Ampicillin it is 0.59 microgram/ml after 2 h. These values correspond to the concentrations which were found in normal test persons. The clinical result of the therapy is slightly better with Bacampicillin only if patients with severe sinusitis were taken into account. In the patients with moderate or slight symptoms no difference was found. Two of the patients which were treated with Ampicillin had to stop the therapy because of severe diarrhoe. When using Bacampicillin no patients had diarrhoe. This study shows that Bacampicillin (as an inactive ester of Ampicillin) is resorbed quicker and gives higher concentrations in the nasal secretions. Thus, the therapeutic effect is better in severe cases as compared to Ampicillin. Moreover, the side effects are less.


[Quantitative determination of protein, albumin, and antibiotics in nasal secretions of healthy probands (author's transl)]. This study on the pharmacokinetics of antibiotics in nasal secretions was carried out with two orally applicable penicillin derivatives which show different resorption patterns. Each of the antibiotics (Ampicillin and Bacampicillin) was given in equimolar doses to 20 healthy young volunteers, with normal mucosa, in a double blind cross over fashion. Nasal secretions were collected 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 h after the application of a single dose to the overnight fasted persons. In 10 of them blood was taken at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4 h after the administration. For the sampling of the nasal secretions cotton wool was weighed together with an airtight vial containing 300 microliter of phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The dry cotton wool stayed in the nasal cavity for 20 min, was then put into the PBS and weighed again. The difference determines the amount of secretions collected. After 30 min the soaked cotton wool was pressed out into a vial with a sterile syringe. One hundred microliters of this solution was taken to determine the antibiotic concentration by a micromodification of the agar diffusion technique. In the remaining fluid total protein and albumin were quantitatively determined. The amount of nasal secretions which have been collected are, on average, independent of the time (Fig. 1). With rising secretion the protein content decreases (Fig. 5) as is the case with the albumin concentration. Regarding all persons, the protein content and albumin (Fig. 4) remain constant during the experiment from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The differences between the values shown in the figures are not significant. Comparing the mean concentration for the antibiotic at different times after the application, it is obvious that the agents show different curves (Fig. 6). With ampicillin the maximum of 0.13 microgram/ml is reached at 2 h after the administration whereas with becampicillin the maximum of 0.84 microgram/ml is reached after 1 h. The concentrations in the nasal secretions are clearly dependent of the serum values. In the serum the maximum of the mean values plotted against the time of 2.7 microgram/ml is to be found at 2 h, if ampicillin is given, whereas the maximum of 9.3 microgram/ml is reached at 1 h after bacampicillin administration. In both cases in serum and nasal secretions the mean concentration maximum is about three times higher after bacampicillin as compared with ampicillin. As a reference for the concentration of the antibiotic the total protein content of the sample is more suitable as compared with sample volume and albumin because of its easy and exact determination. The results show that the nasal secretions can be used as a model to evaluate the pharmacokinetics in the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract if an adequate number of test persons is used.


Vascular perfusion of the cochlea: effect of potassium-free and rubidium-substituted media. By means of vascular perfusion of the cochlea with K+-free synthetic blood, it is possible to maintain the endocochlear potential (EP) at normal or supernormal levels for periods of 20-42 min. The subsequent decline of the EP is comparatively slow. This is in contrast to the immediate onset and rapid decline of the EP during perilymphatic perfusion with K+-free media. Possible implications of these data concerning the mode of generation of the EP are briefly discussed. It is further shown, that synthetic blood, in which K+ is replaced by Rb+, maintains the EP at normal or near normal levels for 2 h.


[Growth and extension of the carcinoma of the sinus piriformis (author's transl)]. Seven cases of sinus piriform cancer have been studied in which a pharyngolaryngectomy was performed after a biopsy had confirmed the diagnosis. The macroscopic study of the tumors shows a clear predominance of exophytic forms besides their tendency to spread in the endolaryngeal structures in a submusous way. The microscopic study indicates that in all the cases epidermoid carcinoma were predominating those that moderate cellular differentiation. The surgical pieces were embedded in celloidin and sectioned both in the horizontal and frontal plane, afterwards being stained with hematoxylin and eosin.


Cystic fibrosis: is it relevant to family practitioners? There has been a major change in the outlook for children with cystic fibrosis during the last 20 years. Provided the diagnosis is made before serious irreversible lung disease has occurred, most patients can expect to reach adult life without very serious disability.


The young child in hospital: a health hazard. In this paper I have described a young child most at risk from institutional care, and called for a new awareness of the emotional needs of young children. I have called for changes in our training programmes, for changes in our hospital policies, and for a deeper involvement of the mother in the health team when the patient is a young child. The glaring inconsistency now so prevalent in the management of children must be countered by clear positive guidelines and by 'unifying principles' which are embodied in legislation. A healthier adult population will then emerge. As our investment in the next millenium, young children are our most precious resource.


Child abuse.

Child abuse. Child abuse is an emotional topic, and one which features frequently in newspapers. Newspapers, however, tend to report only the most serious cases and those which have been the subject of court hearings. The reporting tends to concentrate on lurid details. In fact, there is a wide spectrum of child abuse encompassing physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, and ranging in severity from the most minor incident through to injuries sufficient to cause death.


Early and continuing management of congenital limb deficiencies. As parents require immediate support following the birth of a limb deficient child, this review is directed towards the nature of such support, the availability of specialist services, and the need for continuing care.


Sudden infant death syndrome.

Sudden infant death syndrome. The death of an infant has always resulted in grief and distress to the family involved. When this death occurs in an apparently healthy infant without warning and for no apparent reason, the grief can be magnified and complicated by feelings of confusion, self-recrimination, guilt and fear. Some of these complications can be avoided by early and adequate explanation, and the assurance that while the specific cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is not known, a great deal is known about the condition and this information is available to parents.


Children and smoking.

Children and smoking. An experimental educational programme to reduce childhood cigarette smoking in the Hunter health region (NSW) is described. It is an example of the efforts currently being made to tackle childhood cigarette smoking as an increasing problem, particularly among teenage girls. The key factors influencing children to begin smoking are the role of the family, and pressures from the peer group. Preventive strategies need to be implemented in childhood before the smoking habit becomes firmly established in an individual's lifestyle.


Gastroscopy.

Gastroscopy. Gastroscopy has become a safe and reliable procedure following the development of modern fibreoptic instruments which have replaced the semi-flexible gastroscope. Indications for gastroscopy may be diagnostic (to elucidate the nature of definite or indefinite radiological abnormalities, in persistent X-ray negative dyspepsia, post gastric surgery symptoms and upper gastrointestinal bleeding) or therapeutic (including polypectomy, electrocoagulation of bleeding points, papillotomy and removal of retained stones and the use of a laser beam to control bleeding). In can be done as an outpatient procedure with a low incidence of complications in experienced hands, but should be performed only in a properly equipped area with resuscitation facilities. Gastroscopy should form part of the routine investigation of patients with upper gastrointestinal problems where the appropriate indications are present.


'Oscopy' in children. Urethroscopy, cystoscopy and vaginoscopy. Recent advances in paediatric endoscopic equipment have simplified and improved paediatric urinary and vaginal endoscopy. Urinary endoscopy is usually performed when radiology has already demonstrated an abnormality; in the bladder mainly for further investigation, but in the urethra frequently for therapy as well. Vaginoscopy in childhood is usually more satisfactory using a panendoscope than a conventional speculum. The indications for endoscopy in childhood include most of the local pathological processes.


Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography involves endoscopic visualization of the papilla of Vater, placement of a cannula in the orifice of the papilla and contrast radiology of pancreatic and biliary ducts. With experience, the procedure can be performed relatively rapidly with visualization of the desired duct in the majority of patients, and a low frequency of complications. The technique appears to be highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of biliary and pancreatic disease. Valuable additional information may be obtained from duodenal endoscopy, duodenal biopsy and duct aspiration for cytological studies. An extension of the technique--endoscopic sphincterotomy of the papilla of Vater--has become a therapeutic option in selected patients with choledocholithiasis.


Colposcopy.

Colposcopy. Colposcopy is the ideal method of establishing the site, nature and extent of abnormal areas of the uterine cervix or vagina. Use of the three modalities of cytology, colposcopy and histology will enable an accurate diagnosis to be made. Appropriate, well documented treatment can be planned and confirmed under anaesthesia. Follow-up of treated lesions can also be accurately performed.


Menstruation.

Menstruation. Societal attitudes to menstruation are largely negative, and so serve to reinforce the inferior social status of women. These attitudes have extended into medical practice and research on menstruation. As a result, much research on 'premenstrual syndrome' has been biased both in methodology and interpretation. Correlations between hormone levels, mood changes and other behavioural measures, which cycle together, are often incorrectly assumed to indicate causal relationships. These problems are discussed along with the report of a pilot study which used a new, and more comprehensive method of studying menstruation. This study has demonstrated numerous correlations between hormone levels, mood and psycho-physical performance. A relationship was found between task performance and early education about menstruation. Studied of the kind reported here provide a basis on which to formulate new questions about causal influences, which can only be established by entirely different methods of study.


Medical sociology in general practice. An evaluation of course content and course strategy. The increasing role of general practitioners in the medical curriculum has been accompanied by a greater concern for those aspects of the medical course directed toward an understanding of human behaviour. Medical sociology is one of the new disciplines which provides an understanding of this behaviour. As with any other new discipline, two types of question stand out. Firstly, what are medical sociologists trying to teach? Secondly, how do students react to this content? Both these questions are addressed via an evaluation of two medical sociology courses at Queensland University. Students begin a medical sociology course with a somewhat negative stereotype of how relevant the subject is likely to be. Following the two courses, some of their previously held views are modified. The nature of the modification appears to depend upon the balance between practical or theoretical orientations in the course, and their reflection in specific components of the course content.


Experimental infections of brush-tailed possums, common wombats and water rats with Leptospira interrogans serovars balcanica and hardjo. Of 12 brush-tailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) inoculated with Leptospira interrogans serovar balcanica 11 developed migroagglutination (MA) antibody to jardjo antigen by 14 days postincubation (PI). Leptospiruria was observed in 2 possums 117 to 145 days PI. Of 6 possums inoculated with serovar hardjo 4 developed low short-lived titres by day 18 PI. Two of 3 wombats (Vombatus ursinus) inoculated with balcanica had high MA titres (greater than or equal to 1:128) by day 16 PI and leptospiruria occurred by day 16. One wombat inoculated with hardjo developed a low MA titre. Low transitory MA titres to hardjo were found in 1 of 3 water rats (Hydromys chrysogaster) after inoculation with balcanica and 1 of 2 given hardjo. Histopathological examination of kidneys revealed mild to moderately severe focal interstitial nephritis in 4 of 8 possums, in 2 wombats and in 2 water rats following experimental infection with balcanica. Similar lesions were observed in 2 of 4 possums, 1 wombat and 2 water rats following experimental infection with hardjo.


The suppressive effect of circulating specific antibody on the response to oral immunisation with Vibrio cholerae. Species IgG antibody given intravenously 3-4 hours prior to oral immunisation with Vibrio cholerae led to a specific depression of both the systemic and loca limmune response. One vibriocidal unit of IgG antibody, which itself would given undetectable levels of circulating specific antibody, was significantly immunosuppressive. The suppression is considered to be due to central repression of the antigen-reactive lymphocyte, rather than to antigen exclusion at the gut mucosal surface. The repression appeared less pronounced in some immunoglobulin classes than in others.


Clearance of bacteria from lungs of mice after opsonising with IgG or IgA. The clearance of organisms from the lungs of mice was followed after aerosol administration. Preopsonisation of the organisms with immune serum, as a source of specific antibody, enhanced the rate of pulmonary clearance while s.IgA delayed clearance. In the peritoneal cavity, bacteria pre-treated with immune serum were cleared more rapidly than unopsonised bacteria, but s.IgA had little effect. The presence of Fc receptors for IgG and not s.IgA on alveolar macrophages suggests that, in secretions, IgG is the predominant antibody promoting phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages and that any protective effect of s.IgA is not mediated by these cells.


Hybridoma antibody immunoassays for the detection of parasitic infection: development of a model system using a larval cestode infection in mice. A prototype immunodiagnostic assay has been developed using chronic infection with the larval cestode, Mesocestoides corti, as a model system in mice. The assay is highly sensitive, it appears to be absolutely specific for M. corti infection, and is based on the inhibition of binding (by sera from infected mice) of a radiolabelled anti-M. corti hybridoma antibody to a crude M. corti antigen extract. The hybridoma antibody binds to living M. corti larvae and is an IgG1 protein. In large scale experiments no false positives were detected and the only M. corti-infected mice not detected by the assay were hypothymic nude (nu/nu) mice. Only limited success has been achieved in attempts to convert the assay to one not requiring parasite antigen and based on the inhibition of binding of radiolabelled anti-parasite hybridoma antibody and a large pool of anti-idiotype antiserum. Monoclonal antibodies derived from anti-parasite antibody-secreting hybridoma cell lines will be of particular use in the development of new, highly specific, immunodiagnostic reagents for the detection of parasite infection, exposure and disease.


Persistence in the mouse gut as an important factor in oral immunogenicity of strains of V. cholerae. The immune responses of mice following oral vaccination with two strains of live V. cholerae have been examined. A strain which persisted in the small intestine was a superior local immunogen by comparison with another non-persisting strain. Local persistence and the ability to induce a local immune response appeared to be correlated, since the two vibrio strains elicited identical responses when given parenterally.


Clinical and electrocardiographic findings in suspected viral myocarditis of pups. Surviving puppies from three separate litters in which deaths had occurred from suspected viral myocarditis were examined clinically and electrocardiographically. Of 11 puppies examined, 5 subsequently died or were euthanised within 11 days of initial examination. ECG changes present in these puppies for 1 to 11 days prior to death were small R waves (less than 0.4 mV in lead II), S-T segment elevation, QRS notching and paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia (PVT). No clinical signs referable to the ECG changes were present before the terminal episodes of apparent sudden death or death following a brief period of dyspnoea. Multifocial subacute myocarditis was present on post-mortem examination. A sixth puppy with small R waves remained clinically normal for a further 4 weeks. It then developed severe dyspnoea which persisted for 24 hours before euthanasia. Extensive fibrosis of the left ventricle was present on post-mortem examination.


Isolation of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae from lesions in experimentally infected pigs. Pigs aged 6 to 9 weeks from enzootic pneumonia-free herds were inoculated intranasally with a suspension of pneumonic lung containing Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae or were placed in contact with such inoculated pigs. All the inoculated pigs had gross lesions of enzootic pneumonia when killed 27 to 42 days after inoculation. The culture methods described enabled M. hyopneumoniae to be isolated from all 29 inoculated pigs. Of 45 pigs in contact with inoculated pigs 35 had gross lesions of enzootic pneumonia when killed 28 to 71 days later and M. hyopneumoniae was isolated from 33. Another 9 had lesions, detected only microscopically, and M. hyopneumoniae was recovered from 3 of these when killed 75 to 98 days after contact began. In a separate experiment M. hyopneumoniae isolated from experimentally infected pigs, and adapted to the culture medium after 6 passages, caused gross lesions of enzootic pneumonia in 1 of 4 pigs inoculated intranasally.


Hepatosis dietetica, nutritional myopathy, mulberry heart disease and associated hepatic selenium level in pigs. Outbreaks of Hepatosis Dietetica (HD), Nutritional Myopathy (NM) and Mulberry Heart Disease (MHD) in Western Australia are described. Hepatic selenium concentrations were low in pigs with HD and NM, but not with MHD. The mean hepatic selenium concentration in pigs unaffected with these conditions was 1.07 +/- 0.12 ppm dry wt. Cereal grain in an area of Western Australia where HD and NM frequently occur was found to be low in selenium and the addition of 0.1 ppm selenium to pig rations appeared to be an effective prophylactic measure. The extensive use of lupin seed as a protein source replacing much of the meat meal in pig rations may have contributed to an increase in the incidence of HD and NM.


Efficacy of anthelmintics against cattle nematodes. The efficacies of fenbendazole and thiabendazole against artifically acquired cattle nematodes and the efficacies of fenbendazole, prabendazole and levamisole against naturally acquired cattle nematodes were studied in western Victoria. Fenbendazole significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced numbers of late and early fourth stage larvae (greater than 96%), artificially acquired Cooperla spp (100%) and naturally acquired adult Ostertagia ostertagi (98%) and Trichostrongylus axei (90%). Thiabendazole significantly reduced numbers of artificially acquired late fourth stage larvae (83%) and parbendazole significantly reduced numbers of adult O. ostertagi (72%) in one group of cattle. Fenbendazole was the most effective anthelmintic.


The prevalence of udder infection and mastitis in herds producing bulk milk with either consistently high or low cell count. Quarter samples from twenty-five dairy herds, representing 223 herds supplying direct to Brisbane, were cultured and submitted to the Wisconsin Mastitis Test (WMT). Thirteen herds had a history of producing bulk milk with a consistently high WMT score (greater than 15 mm) and in twelve herds the WMT score was consistently low. Prevalence of infection was higher in group A herds (22.2% quarters were infected with Staphylococcus aureus or streptococci) than in group B herds (9.8% of quarters were infected). There was considerable scatter of prevalence among both groups of herds. Overall, S. aureus was found in 19% of cows and 7% of quarters, and Streptococcus agalactiae in 15% of cows and 7% of quarters. Quarters from group A herds showed a higher WMT score than those in group B herds whether infected with S. aureus, Str. agalactiae, micrococci or yielded no detectable organisms. It was concluded that regular surveys are required of the high cell count herds to monitor mastitis status in the industry.


Temporary infertility in Merino ewes grazing improved pastures in western Australia. A temporary infertility was observed in flocks of ewes on a commercial property at Kojonup in Western Australia. During 1970 evidence of oestrogenic stimulation of the ewes was recorded. Two possible explanations of the cause of the condition are discussed.


An outbreak of porcine pleuropneumonia due to Haemophilus parahaemolyticus. An outbreak of porcine pleuropneumonia in an intensive piggery in south-eastern Queensland is described. Haemophilus parahaemolyticus was isolated from weaner piglets at post-mortem examination. The disease began in weaners and later occurred in suckling piglets 3 weeks of age. It was associated with poor ventilation, hygiene and overcrowding. Treatment and control measures included intramuscular lincomycin hydrochloride (10 mg/Kg body weight), creep feed medication with oxytetracycline (500 g/tonne) and disinfection and improvement of housing. These appeared to be successful.


A comparative histochemical study of intrinsic laryngeal muscles of ungulates and carnivores. The intrinsic laryngeal muscles of the horse, donkey, sheep, ox, pig, dog and cat were examined for myosin ATPase, following acid and alkali pre-incubation, SDH and M-alphaGPDH activities. In all laryngeal muscles two fibre types, betaR and alphaR, belonging to slow and fast-contracting, fatigue-resistant motor units (types S and FR) were present in different proportions. The alphaW fibre type, belonging to fast-contracting and fatigue-resistant motor units was absent (type FF). The alphaR fibres of the dog and the cat were subdivided into groups by the various degrees of acid stable myosin ATPase, oxidative and glycolytic activities. In the ox and pig laryngeal muscles, the same fibres showed an atypical myosin ATPase activity, as high as the fast-contracting fibres but acid-resistant like the slow-twitch fibres. The most uniform muscle was the CAD, which was formed of a higher percentage of slow-twitch fibres than the other laryngeal muscles of the same species. Also the VE muscle was very uniform in the dog, horse and donkey but the fast-twitch fibres were by far the most numerous, the highest in fact among all the laryngeal muscles. In the TA muscle of the cat, sheep and ox, the percentage of fast-twitch fibres was very high in the rostral portion decreasing gradually towards the caudal portion. Thus it was possible to separate histochemically the TA muscle in the rostral (pars ventricularis) and caudal (pars vocalis) portions which are related to the VE and the VO muscles of the dog, horse and donkey. In the VO muscle the slow-twitch fibres are more numerous than in the VE. The two portions of the TA were not detected by histochemical methods in the pig. However, this muscle has the highest percentage of fast-twitch fibres. The qualitative and quantitative data presented in this paper together with the data reported in the literature, enable us to correlate morphological and functional aspects of fibre composition among the species.


Ultrastructural observations on collagen and proteoglycans in the annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. Replicas of freeze-fractured collagen fibrils of peripheral and central parts of the annulus fibrosus of bovine intervertebral discs show microfibrils which run either arranged in parallel or in a helix with an inclination-angle ranging from 4 degrees to 8 degrees. According to results of freeze-fracutred tissues, thin sections of specimens treated with 4M guanidinium chloride show collagen fibrils with a parallel or a slightly wavy microfibrillar packing. Thin sections of specimens treated with alcian blue diluted in MgCl2 critical electrolyte solutions reveal interfibrillar proteoglycan particles with a filamentous shape in the peripheral zones of the annulus fibrosus and a predominant leaf-like appearance in the inner ones. These observations are discussed with reference to previous data concerning the variation in composition from the peripheral to the inner parts of the annulus fibrosus.


Lipids in the Harder's gland of certain rodents. I: Neutral lipids. The major components of the lipid fraction from Harder's glands of mice and rats were studied, including examination of the influence of age and sex on absolute and relative amounts of the most relevant components. The data, based on thin layer chromatographic analyses, is discussed in detail and possible explanations suggested for the biological roles which the different components may play.


Lipids in the Harder's gland of certain rodents. II: Phospholipids. The phospholipid components of Harder's glands of rats and mice were investigated. The content of phosphatidylcholine and of sphyngomyelin is notably less in the rat than in the mouse difference among the other components, being negligible. In the male rat the total phospholipid content is larger than in the female, while in mice the opposite is true. The presence of a large red fluorescent spot, which is not phospholipid, has been shown.


Lipids in the Harder's gland of certain rodents. III: Glycolipids. Following the study of total lipid and phospholipid contents of Harderian gland, we carried out analysis of glycolipid fractions. The data showed that most of the pigment is bound to mono-hexose ceramides, while only a minor fraction of it is bound to ceramides and/or to phospholipids. Histochemical studies confirmed the lipid and glycolipid nature of the Harder's gland secretion. The presence of mono-hexose ceramides linked to the characteristic fluorescent porphyrin was shown.


Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) activity and sexual dimorphism in rat exorbital lacrimal gland. Leucine amonopeptidase (LAP) activity was histochemically studied in the rat exorbital lacrimal gland. The enzyme is present in the secreting cells of both male and female prepuberal rats, in vivo and in monolayer cultures, while in the adult rat it is demonstrable only in the female. Furthermore, LAP is influenced by the sex hormones, disappearing in the female gland after testosterone treatment and appearing in the adult male gland after administration of estradiol or cyproterone acetate. These results show that the behaviour of LAP can be considered as another character of sexual dimorphism of the rat exorbital gland. Furthermore, our findings, showing an inverse relationship between LAP activity and the PAS positivity of the secretion products, suggest the hypothesis that the presence of this exopeptidase could induce qualitative modifications of one or more secreted glycoprotein.


Histochemical analysis of the haemopoietic tissue in Spirographis spallanzanii. Physical and cytochemical techniques have demonstrated that in Spirographis spallanzanii there is a highly pigmented tissue surrounding the ventral and circular vessels. Melanin and carotenoids are absent in the clubshaped cells, but there is evidence for the presence of lipids, haemopigments and Fe+++, probably in connection with haemopoietic processes. Tests on the ala-dehydrase activity in this tissue confirm this hypothesis. From these results it can be concluded that in Spirographis spallanzanii this tissue is the site of synthesis of respiratory pigment.


Behavior of ovarian and testicular interstitial cells during ontogenesis in the horse. Morphological and histochemical studies "in vivo" and "in vitro". The results of a study on interstitial cells of the horse gonads from foetal life to puberty are reported. The morphological (also ultrastructural) histochemical, histophysical and histoenzymological findings both in the organ and in monolayer cultures, clarify the problem of the ontogenesis of these cells showing that: --foetal interstitial cells give origin to "xanthochrome" cells; --"xanthochrome" cells in the prepuberal gonad are continuously renewed; --the same type of cells which in th prepuberal period undergo lipochromic degeneration, differentiate at puberty into Leydig cells in the testis and probably into thecal cells in the ovary.


Histochemical and biophysical study of cuticle sclerotization in Pycnoscelus surinamensis L. (Blattaria). The problem of melaninogenesis and quinone tanning of the cuticle was examined by histochemical and biophysical methods (electroparamagnetic resonance: EPR) on normal subjects of Pycnoscelus surinamensis and on subjects with abnormal cuticular colour. The cuticle of abnormal subjects showed a lower content of polyphenolic substances and a greater positivity for the indole group. This suggests that in these insects tanning products can be synthetized differently and not derived from tyrosine but from tryptophan as postulated by Pryor (1955). Furthermore, a higher number of unsaturated aminic groups is found in abnormal subjects. Granules present only in the cytoplasm of the epidermal cells of the abnormal newly moulted subjects may indicate that the polyphenolic compound of tanning, secreted in an inactive form as 4-O, beta-glucoside, is not freed from the beta-glucosidase and remains as such in the cytoplasm.


Effects of intraventricular and intra-aquaductal 6-hydroxydopamine on monoamine containing neurons of the fowl paleostriatum, diencephalon and mesencephalon. The effects of a single intraventricular or intra-aquaductal infusion of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on monoamine fluorescence in the paleostriatum augmentatum, diencephalon and mesencephalon were studied. Present experiments have enable us to better characterize the distribution of catecholaminegic axons in the paleostriatum augmentatum, preoptic area, hypothalamus, median eminence, periventricular areas as well as of cell-bodies and axons exbiting green fluorescence in the n. mesencephalicus properties and other mesencephalic nuclei.


Ultrastructural localization of acetylcholinesterase in retino-deprived optic tectum of the goldfish. The ultrastructural localization of AChE has been studied in the optic tectum of the goldfish after unilateral eye ablation. 1 or 4 months after the operation the patterns of enzyme localization were essentially the same in the normal and affected optic tectum, despite structural modifications caused by the degeneration of retinal terminals and dendritic atrophy of some tectal neurons. The results are discussed in relation to the different hypotheses put forward concerning possible cholinergic mechanisms in the optic tectum of teleosts.


In vitro binding of radioiodinated rat follicle-stimulating hormone to the testis of the mallard duck, Anas platyrhynchos l. The binding of 125I-labelled rat FSH to homogenates and frozen sections of mallard duck testis was investigated. The equilibrium association constant (Ka) in the homogenates (8.5 x 10(9) M-1) was similar to those reported in other avian and mammalian species. Autoradiography suggested that the binding sites for the labelled hormone were localized in the tubular compartment.


Animal health survey of cattle for the Bombali region, Sierra Leone, 1977. The results are presented of an animal health survey of cattle in the Bombali Region in Northern Sierra Leone between Feb 14 and June 30, 1977. 2009 faecal samples were found to contain 19 cases of liver fluke infestation (0.94%), 1648 cases of hook and round worms (82.03%), 162 cases of type worms (8.06%), and 964 cases of coccidiosis (47.98%). 110 blood and milk samples were found to contain 29 positive cases of brucellosis (26.36%). 1644 cattle were examined for blood parasites. Babesiosis was found in 30 cases (1.82%), anaplasmosis in 1 case (0.06%), and trypanosomiasis in 4 cases (0.24%). The need is stressed to continue such investigations.


The evaluation of suitable waterers for broiler chicks reared under hot summer conditions. In four groups of 150 broiler chicks each the suitability of different waterers (ordinary pans I, clay II, continuous folowing III, automatic trough waterers IV) was tested between 0 and 8 weeks at daily maximum temperatures not below 40 degrees C, and their effect was compared on the growth and the feed requirements. The eight-week weights were 1105 g (I), 1114 G (II), 1194 g (III), and 1160 g (IV). They were significantly higher in groups III and IV, which is attributed to the lower (2--3 degrees C) water temperatures. The feed efficiency was between 2.01 and 2.07 kg/per kg liveweight.


Hemagglutinin prepared from cells of Aedes albopictus, clone C6/36, infected with type 1 dengue virus. A high titer of hemagglutinin (HAnin) was found in culture fluids of cells of Aedes albopictus, clone C6/36, infected with type 1 dengue virus. The HAnin (TC antigen) was associated with complete virions and no appreciable small-sized HAnin was produced, in contrast to the case in an infected suckling mouse brain (SMB) homogenate, in which most of the HAnin is smaller than complete virions. Extraction of the TC antigen with Tween 80-ether disrupted the HAnin into smaller-sized particles, resulting in complete loss of infectivity (TE-TC antigen), but it did not affect the titer or reactivity of the HAnin. Comparative hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assay of human sera using TC antigen, TE-TC antigen or standard antigen extracted from infected SMB (SMB antigen) showed that TC or TE-TC antigen could be used for routine diagnostic or epidemiological HI tests instead of SMB antigen, which is rather hard to prepare.


Reduction of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D by antipyrine. 1 Twenty-four Asian vegetarians had significantly lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels and longer antipyrine half-lives than twenty white non-vegetarians (P less than 0.001). 2 Treatment with oral antipyrine over 4 or 5 weeks in seven vegetarian Asians and five racially different non-vegetarians increased drug oxidation significantly in both groups as measured by a fall in antipyrine half-lives and a rise in serum gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase levels and urinary 6 beta-hydroxycortisol/17-hydroxycorticosteroid ratios. 3 Antipyrine treatment produced a fall in circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D of around 60% in all subjects in whom pretreatment levels could be measured, independent of race and diet. 4. In the Caucasian non-vegetarian group 1,25 dihidroxyvitamin D levels, the most active metabolite of vitamin D, were also measured and remained unaltered despite a substantial fall in 25-hydroxy substrate. 5 The acute fall in 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration with a maintained level of 1,25 dihidroxyvitamin D may represent the early changes of drug-induced osteomalacia.


The [14C]-aminopyrine breath test. A comparison of different forms of analysis. 1 Following ingestion of [14C]-aminopyrine, breath 14CO2 data were analysed from normal individuals, patients with hepatic disease, epileptics receiving anticonvulsant therapy and volunteers before and after treatment with glutethimide. 2 The 'standard' 2 h [14C]-aminopyrine breath test discriminated successfully between the main groups but failed to detect the change in microsomal enzyme function produced by glutethimide. 3 A 'modified' form of the 2 h breath test calculated from the area under the breath specific activity curve detected the increase in demethylation following glutethimide. 4 The breath elimination constant (Kb) derived from the breath 14CO2 disappearance curve was as sensitive as the 'modified' 2 h breath test and was simpler to compute. 5 Glutethimide 500 mg/day for 14 days resulted in a 42% increase in the metabolic clearance of antipyrine and a 26% increase in demethylation of [14C]-aminopyrine.


Plasma fluphenazine levels by radioimmunoassay in schizophrenic patients treated with depot injections of fluphenazine decanoate. 1 Using a radioimmunoassay, plasma fluphenazine (FPZ) concentrations were examined in 33 schizophrenic patients during 38 intervals between injections of FPZ decanoate. Doses ranged from 12.5 to 150 mg and intervals from 1 to 5 weeks. At least three blood samples were taken between injections from each subject; also in 26 subjects additional samples were taken during the first 24 h post-injection. 2 FPZ was measurable in all plasma samples. 3 Each injection was followed by a rapid rise in plasma FPZ concentration to a maximum at 1-8 h. The height of this peak varied considerably. Within the next 12-36 h plasma FPZ fell to a level slightly above that found before injection and then remained stable until the next injection, thus confirming the steady release of FPZ from the depot over this period. 4 For the group, dose and mean plasma FPZ levels correlated strongly. 5 Despite this, there was a four-fold variation in plasma FPZ concentration among subjects receiving the same dose. 6 The FPZ level on the last day of an interval between injections was a satisfactory estimate of the mean FPZ level for the interval. 7 In one subject examined in this way, a positive correlation was found (r = 0.76) between plasma FPZ (by radioimmunoassay) and plasma prolactin levels.


Pharmacokinetics of methylphenidate in hyperkinetic children. 1 Pharmacokinetic study has been carried out following oral administration of 10-20 mg of methylphenidate hydrochloride to four behaviorally disorders children. 2 It is indicated that the drug is metabolized to ritalinic acid with an apparent plasma half life of 2.5 h. 3 The variability in magnitude of plasma concentration seems to be due not to its metabolism to ritalinic acid but due to the variability in the apparent volume of distribution. 4 The brief half life of methylphenidate which parallels the short duration of action of methylphenidate in behaviorally disordered children may be explained in part by its low protein binding which results in high percentage of free drug being made available for metabolism to pharmacologically inactive metabolites.


Serum morphine concentration after oral administration of diamorphine hydrochloride and morphine sulphate. 1 Venous blood was obtained from patients with far-advanced cancer receiving either diamorphine (diacetylmorphine, heroin) hydrochloride (65 samples) or morphine sulphate (24 samples) regularly by mouth in doses from 2.5 mg to 90 mg every 4 h. 2 Samples were obtained within 30 min of the 09.00 h drug round. 3 Serial samples were also obtained over a 4 h period from three patients receiving diamorphine hydrochloride. 4 Assay of serum 'morphine equivalents' was by radioimmunoassay using an antibody that cross reacts almost equally with diamorphine, 6-0 monoacetylmorphine and morphine. 5 The serum concentration of opiates expressed as 'morphine equivalents' ranged from 11 ng/ml to 1440 ng/ml. 6 A highly significant positive linear correlation exists between the dose administered and the serum concentration (P less than 0.001) with respect to both drugs. 7 There was no difference between the two drugs in relation to the serum concentration achieved per 10 mg of opiate administered. 8 Higher oral doses of both diamorphine and morphine are now being used when indicated rather than, as before, resorting to injections when an oral dose in excess of 40 mg is indicated.


The frequency of renal stones within Great Britain in a gouty and non-gouty population. In a general practice survey carried out during 1976, the incidence of renal stones was found to be 82/100,000. When this population was divided into gouty and non-gouty subjects, the incidence of stones was found to be 870/100,000 respectively. Only 28% of the stone patients were found to have a chronic condition, including hyperuricaemia, which might predispose towards stone disease. In the population of 604 gout patients, 37 were found to have renal stones. These patients were diagnosed later than the average gout patient and also had a higher incidence of other chronic conditions.


The composition of urinary stones in the Sudan. Seventy-eight urinary stones from the Sudan were analysed quantitatively; 75.6% of upper urinary tract (UUT) stones and 37.8% of lower tract (LUT) stones were composed of pure calcium oxalate monohydrate. The composition of adult UUT stones in the Sudan is almost identical to that of similar stones from Leeds except that the former contain much more calcium oxalate and much less calcium phosphate. A smaller proportion of adult LUT stones from the Sudan contain magnesium ammonium phosphate and a larger proportion contain uric acid/urate than similar stones from Leeds. Juvenile LUT stones from the Sudan probably contain more calcium oxalate and less uric acid/urate than juvenile bladder stones in some other developing countries.


Hydatid cyst of the kidney: 8 cases.

Hydatid cyst of the kidney: 8 cases. The clinical features, investigations and treatment of 8 patients with renal hydatid diseases are presented. It is stressed that this condition is a rare differential diagnosis of space-occupying kidney lesions and diagnosis depends mainly upon radiological evaluation. Of the laboratory tests that suggested infestation eosinophilia was the most reliable. When partial nephrectomy was carried out or when there was the danger of rupture of the cyst during the operation, preliminary instillation of 2% formalin into the cyst was always done.


Evening urinary oxalate excretion in stone formers. Urine collections from stone formers and controls were made between 6 p.m. and midnight and analysed for oxalate content. No difference in oxalate output was found between these groups. This makes it unlikely that hyperabsorption of oxalate from the intestine is a common cause of idiopathic calcium oxalate stones. The convenience of 6-h urine collections for detecting hypercalciuria is discussed.


Cutaneous ureterostomy, the preferred diversion of the solitary functioning kidney. Ten cases of cutaneous ureterostomy are presented. The results illustrate that the fear of stenosis and slough in transplanting even a normal calibre ureter to skin is generally not warranted. The diversion of a solitary kidney to an interposed ileal segment is to be discouraged since it prolongs operation time and increases morbidity. In 2 patients with stenosis of the stoma a revision involving the then-dilated ureter was easily performed.


Vesicoureteric reflux following endoscopic extraction of lower ureteric calculi. Twenty-three patients subjected to endoscopic ureteric meatotomy or Dormia extraction were examined for vesicoureteric reflux. Reflux into the lower third of the ureter was found in 2 asymptomatic patients. The risks of reflux from endoscopic stone removal seem to be minimal.


A comparison between propantheline and imipramine on bladder and salivary gland function. The effects of propantheline and imipramine on detrusor function and salivary gland secretion were studied in the dog. Both drugs caused a decrease in the rise of intravesical pressure following pelvic nerve stimulation in the anaesthetised dog. Propantheline had a profound effect on the salivary gland, whereas imipramine had very little effect on the volume of saliva produced after electrical stimulation of the chorda tympani. This suggests that the action of imipramine on the bladder is not anticholinergic. The significance for treatment of detrusor dysfunction is discussed.


Giggle incontinence (enuresis risoria). A study and an aetiological hypothesis. Questionnaires answered by 99 student nurses concerning bladder responses to laughter showed that roughly 25% had experienced such reactions at some time in their lives and about 10% could still register such phenomena at the end of their second decade. Giggle incontinence is not a condition confined to an "all or nothing" response of complete micturition. The evidence seems to indicate that the condition is due to some inborn and quite ordinary trigger mechanism exposed by physiological variations in sensitivity or specific control.


The value of kanamycin-colistin bladder instillations in reducing bacteriuria during intermittent catheterisation of patients with acute spinal cord injury. Two groups of patients with acute spinal cord trauma had initial bladder management by standard non-touch techniques of intermittent catheterisation. Twenty-two patients (17 males and 5 females) had kanamycin-colistin solution instilled into the bladder at the end of each catheterisation, and 25 patients (21 males and 4 females) were not given these instillations. The incidence of significant bacteriuria during intermittent catheterisation of both males and females receiving the instillations was only half the incidence of those not receiving the instillations. Also, a significantly higher proportion of males receiving the instillations did not have any episodes of significant bacteriuria compared with those not receiving the instillations, and the same trend was evident in the small number of female patients. It is recommended that patients should have kanamycin-colistin bladder instillations when they are being intermittently catheterised.


Comparative study of the Iglesias technique and the suprapubic drainage technique for transurethral resection. Previously we presented a method of suprapubic vesical drainage in which the irrigation fluid was continuously drained from the bladder during transurethral resection of the prostate gland. This method has now been compared to the Iglesias procedure of continuous irrigation. Twenty patients were used for the study, which measured blood loss, intravesical pressure, fluid resorption, operation time and flow of irrigation fluid through the bladder. Bladder pressure was also measured when using different anaesthetics. The results showed that the operation time was much shorter when the suprapubic technique was used. Bladder pressure during the suprapubic procedure was similar to intravenous pressure but was higheer with the Iglesias procedure.


Evaluation of plasma hormone concentrations in relation to clinical staging in patients with prostatic cancer. British Prostate Study Group. Plasma concentrations of testosterone, oestradiol-17 beta, luteinising hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin and growth hormone (GH) were measured in patients with histologically proven prostatic cancer, before any form of therapy was given for this disease. Patients were categorised according to UICC classification. No systemic change in the group means of any of these hormones was associated with the progression of the disease from the T0 to the T4 stage. When multivariate analysis was applied to the combined intraprostatic (T0 + T1 + T2) and extraprostatic (T3 + T4) tumour category in patients without clinically evident metastases (M0) a discrimination was observed, GH substantially contributing to the separation of the 2 groups. When plasma hormone data from patients classified as M0 (without metastases) were compared with M1 patients (with metastases), mean GH values were significantly larger (P less than 0.02) in patients with metastases. GH was also a major contributory factor to the discrimination between the M0 and M1 groups, using multivariate analysis. Testosterone group means for M0 versus M1 were also significantly different (P less than 0.02).


Social class and carcinoma of the prostate. Three thousand, six hundred and four patients with carcinoma of the prostate attending the Royal Marsden Hospital, St Peter's Hospitals and all non-teaching hospitals of the South Metropolitan regions were reviewed, in addition, data from 1869 cases of prostatic carcinoma registered in the 2 South Metropolitan regions with determinable social class were compared with data collected from both teaching and non-teaching hospitals. Carcinoma of the prostate showed an increased incidence with decreasing socio-economic class.


Cavernosography in the management of prostatic cancer. Cavernosograms were used in the investigation of 22 patients with prostatic cancer to determine the incidence of venous invasion. There were 21 patients with T3/T4 category tumours and one with a T2 tumour. All but one, a T3 tumour, had the radiological features of periprostatic venous malignant thrombosis. An attempt was made to correlate these findings with lymphography and tumour grade but no correlations could be made and the clinical relevance of these findings remains uncertain.


Scrotal flap urethroplasty in the primary management of the "watering-can perineum". In 12 patients a primary first-stage scrotal flap urethroplasty was used to treat watering-can perinea. The generous scrotal flap is fixed by a single nylon suture to the bladder neck. The method permits better dependent drainage than can be provided by a suprapubic cystostomy.


Abnormalities of the suspensory ligament of the penis as a cause for erectile dysfunction. Four patients are described with a defect in the suspensory ligament of the penis. In one patient this was traumatic in origin but in the other 3 aetiology appeared to be congenital. The clinical history, physical findings and treatment are summarised.


Consequences of vasectomy: an immunological and histological study related to subsequent fertility. Studies of 2 groups of patients 2 years and 8 years following vasectomy failed to demonstrate evidence of cell mediated immunity to sperm. Histological examination of testicular tissue from 11 patients undergoing reversal of vasectomy showed significant abnormalities in each. However, subsequent fertility within 15 months occurred in 7 (63.6%) of these patients. The nature of the testicular changes and the possible aetiological factors are discussed.


The effect of rapeseed meal on the energy metabolism of laying hens. 1. The effect of 100 g rapeseed meal (RSM)/kg diet on the energy metabolism of hybrid laying hens was examined by indirect calorimetry. Thyroid hormone concentrations, thyroid weight, liver weight and body weight, egg production and food intake were also measured. 2. Fasting heat production was significantly lower in hens receiving RSM than in controls, but this difference disappeared when the birds were fed. 3. Thyroid hormone concentrations decreased, while thyroid and liver weights increased slightly; none of these effects was significant. Body weight, egg production and food intake were unaffected and no liver haemorrhages were noted. 4. The maintenance metabolisable energy (ME) requirement of control and treated birds, estimated from short-term energy balance measurements, was 474 kJ/kg0.75 d; net availability of ME in both treatments was 0.85.


The innervation of the hind gut of the domestic fowl. 1. The intestinal nerve adjacent to the colon in the domestic fowl, contains motor fibres descending from the vagal and sympathetic thoracicolumbar outflows. 2. No electrophysiological or histological evidence for the existence of motor fibres ascending from the sacral part of the central nervous system could be obtained; ascending sensory fibres, however, were readily demonstrated.


Histones and histone phosphorylation during quail myogenesis in vitro. Cultured quail myoblasts were labelled with 32Pi and nuclear proteins extracted before and after myoblast fusion. Histones H1, H4 and the H1-H2B-H2A complex were all phosphorylated in proliferating prefusion cultures, while histone phosphorylation was absent in B1-arrested postfusion cultures except for minor phosphorylation of the H3-H2B-H2A complex. Postfused cultures were distinguished by the appearance of the histone-like protein whch migrated slightly faster than H1. Histone phosphorylation is therefore correlated with cell proliferation, while the appearance of the new histone-like protein is associated with G1 arrest and the absence of cell division.


Tight junctions of dissociated and reaggregated embryonic lung cells. Treatment of embryonic lung tissue with trypsin resulted in clustering of intramembrane particles (IMP) and gradual disassembly of tight junctions. In dissociated single cells kept in trypsin-free medium, IMP are randomly distributed but degradation of tight junctions continue. Vesicles containing tight junction elements were observed within the cytoplasm. It is therefore assumed that tight junctions may be degraded in two ways: breakdown of elements to IMP, and endocytosis. In cells reaggregated by rotation tight junctions reassembled only in hystotypic aggregates. Cycloheximide which interferes with histotypic reaggregation prevents the reassembly of tight junctions.


The application of science to sport: physiological profiles of male and female athletes. Detailed physiological profiles have been established for athletes in various sports for both sexes. This paper synthesizes the results from previous studies in the areas of body composition and phsyique; muscle fiber characteristics; strength; and cardiovascular endurance capacity. Similarities and differences between male and female athletes are discussed. While there are rather substantial physiological differences between the average male and the average female, these differences are reduced considerably when comparisons are made between the highly trained male and female athlete who are competing in the same event or sport. Highly trained male and female athletes are similar in lower body strength, when expressed per unit of body weight; cardiovascular endurance capacity; body composition; and muscle fiber type. What once appeared to be dramatic biological differences in physiological function between the sexes, may, in fact, be more related to cultural and social restrictions placed on the female as she attains puberty, i.e. a sedentary lifestyle.


A mathematical model of speedskating performance improvement for goal setting and program evaluation. An analysis of world class performance improvement over chronological time was used to develop mathematical curves of performance for each speedskating event. The equations were calculated using an unconstrained non-linear least squares iterative curve-fitting technique. A non-linear model was selected to satisfy the principle of diminishing returns, that is, it is more difficult to achieve a unit of performance improvement as performance approaches the theoretical limits of man. Minimum criteria of acceptance for each curve were: 1) the coefficient of determination must be 0.90; 2) the year 2000 predicted value must be less than the current world record; and 3) the curve must be progressive, i.e. satisfy the principle of diminishing returns. Satisfactory curves were calculated for seven of the eight male and female events studied. A four year Olympic cycle was noted and a definite change in performance trend was identified as occurring in the mid 1960's. The calculated mathematical curves can be used in three applications: 1) setting objective individual goals and evaluating these goals; 2) evaluating and comparing training programs on successive years; and 3) evaluating total programs.


Characteristics of the elite minor hockey player. Few studies have been reported which evaluate the cardiorespiratory responses of young athletes and fewer still which are concerned with the young elite hockey player. The problems of measurement were outlined and described. These included the selection of appropriate samples for study, the identification of those variables to be measured which will yield the most important factors and the appropriate methods for use with these subjects. Comparisons between young athletes and normative data on less active boys were described. In the athletic population the maximal aerobic power increased across ages 10 to 14, whereas, the values for the less active norms decreased with age. Values for age related changes in blood lactate were also reported.


The effects of different feeding regimens and endurance exercise programs on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The effects of running or swimming regimens of 4 months duration, coupled with three different feeding patterns were investigated on the following parameters: (1) fat cell diameter, number, lipid content and free fatty acid mobilization; (2) skeletal muscle and liver glycogen storage and utilization; (3) work capacity. Regular enforced rigorous exercise resulted in decreased fat cell diameter and lipid content; enhanced liver and skeletal muscle glycogen stores; increased FFA mobilization; glycogen depletion with exhaustive exercise. Running was found to be a more strenuous exercise regimen than swimming in terms of total mobilization and utilization of energy substrates and time to exhaustion. Exercise was found to be more effective in reducing lipid accumulation and glycogen deposition than strict dietary restriction.


A physiological profile of Canadian Greco-Roman wrestlers. The sport of Greco-Roman wrestling is relatively new in North America. However, this is the national sport of seven European countries and a great deal of research literature is available. The purpose of the present investigation was to establish baseline data for Canadian Greco-Roman wrestlers for a data bank which can be used to compare with World Class wrestlers. The results indicate that the Canadian National Team is made up of athletes with only average values for the physiological measures taken. However, the correlation between wrestling success and the physiological parameters measured is 0.91.


Muscle fibre composition and energy utilization in CFL football players. Little research has been carried out with professional football players. The purpose of the present study was to compare the size of ST and FT fibres of athletes playing different positions. The results indicate that little variability exists between backfielders and linemen and that large FT fibres are representative of successful professional football players.


The sports scientist's role in identification of performance criteria for distance runners. A model has been developed for the identification of long distance running ability within a relatively large group of good runners. A simple multiple regression equation of yards run in 12 minutes and the height of the vertical jump in centimetres against points scored by an individual on International Scoring Tables discriminated elite runners from good runners. A further ranking of ability within such an elite group, once selected, may be made on the basis of the efficiency of their running measured at submaximal running speeds. The relative metabolic cost to each athlete of running at a speed of 15 mph (males) or 12 mph (females) compared to their maximal oxygen uptake is able to differentiate the best of the elite group from the others. Characteristics of elite runners identified in this way may be compared to World Class performers and their ultimate potential assessed.


The prediction of swimming performance from behavioral information: a further note. A recommendation has been made that performance predictions may have to be restricted to matched groups of athletes competing in similar competitive environments. This study assessed that statement for the sport of swimming. A 13 item discriminant function derived from the 1976 Canadian Team was applied to the 1978 Canadian Teams to predict those who would and would not improve over their entry times in the Commonwealth Games competitions. The predictions were no better than chance. The possibility of predicitng swimming performances from data obtained on a similar team does not appear to be feasible.


The prediction of swimming performance in competition from behavioral information. The swimming performances of the Canadian Team at the 1976 Olympic Games were categorized as being improved or worse than previous best times in the events contested. The two groups had been previously assessed on the Psychological Inventories for Competitive Swimmers. A stepwise multiple-discriminant analysis of the inventory responses revealed that 13 test questions produced a perfect discrimination of group membership. The resultant discriminant functions for predicting performance classification were applied to the test responses of 157 swimmers at the 1977 Canadian Winter National Swimming Championships. Using the same performance classification criteria the accuracy of prediction was not better than chance in three of four sex by performance classifications. This yielded a failure to locate a set of behavioral factors which determine swimming performance improvements in elite competitive circumstances. The possibility of sets of factors which do not discriminate between performances in similar environments or between similar groups of swimmers was raised.


Sillitoe, Storey, Hines: their contribution to the sociology of sport and physical education. The place of sporting activity in literature is reviewed and attention is drawn to the outstanding depth and quality of much of the American writing in this genre. The focus of attention, however, in this paper, is the contribution of contemporary English literature. In recent years a number of novels, short stories and plays have translated sport into dramatic terms as well as placing such action within a recognisable and definable sociological framework. Selected writings by English authors Sillitoe, Storey and Hines are studied and examined to illustrate the many sources available to identify, describe, analyse and complement academic and empirical researches in the sociology of sport and physical education. There is unlimited scope for sports literature (especially in the North American situation) to provide a viable tool for sociological investigation.


Person-task congruence in sports.

Person-task congruence in sports. The proposition that an athlete's personality and the attributes of the task tend to be congruent was the focus of the study. One hundred and fifty athletes of a Canadian University (Males=87; Females-63) voluntarily participated in the study. Sports were classified on the basis of task dependence (independent versus interdependent), and task variability (closed versus open). The scales of Autonomy, Cognitive Structure, Dominance and Impulsivity were selected from the Personality Research Form. The 2X2X2 analysis of variance (two levels in each of sex, dependence and variability) did not yield consistent support for the notion of person-task congruence in sports. The hypotheses relating Cognitive Structure, Dominance, and Impulsivity to task attributes were confirmed in the case of males only. The finding that athletes in closed sports were significantly more autonomous than athletes in open sports was expected. However, contrary to the hypothesis, the interdependent athletes were significantly more autonomous than independent athletes. The hypothesis that males and females from the same sport would be similar in personality was not confirmed. The problem of classifying some sports tasks on the selected attributes and the need to test the congruency hypothesis with athletes of sufficiently lengthy and equal tenure in competitive athletics were stressed.


Present versus preferred public relations practices of athletic departments in Canadian universities. Public relations (PR) practices in athletic departments (AD's) of C.I.A.U. - member institutions were surveyed with a mailed questionnaire. The instrument which included fifty-seven items of a two-part nature, measured eight "present" and "preferred" public relations characteristics. A 74.5% (N = R35) response rate was achieved over a six-week period. Analysis of results indicated that: (1) Present concepts of the purposes of PR programs in AD's are much less clear than they could be; (2) While most AD's maintain an identifiable unit responsible for PR, the majority of personnel practising these roles are not qualified by experience and/or training in this area; (3) Even though relationships and internal communications within AD's, regarding PR issues, seem fairly adequate, additional means of providing internal feedback on PR activities are needed; (4) Even though local media have been well identified and are contacted regularly, the present flow of external communications appears to be one-way. i.e. from the AD's to the press, and more exphasis on information needs and requests originating from the media is required; (5) Provisions for performance evaluation and long-range planning of the PR programs appear very poor; (6) AD's in the Ontario and Great Plains athletic conferences generally offer far greater provisions for a sound PR program.


Acute circulatory failure.

Acute circulatory failure. Sophisticated techniques for invasive and noninvasive monitoring of the cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic consequences of shock, together with application to therapy of nutritional implications of disordered substrate metabolism that preferentially consumes vital protein stores, will result in further reduction of mortality, particularly in septic shock. Early recognition of the responsible hemodynamic abnormality and its underlying cause, followed by monitored fluid challenge and the selective rather than routine use of vasoactive drugs, is the basis of current shock therapy. As more is learned of the profound catabolic and related hyperdynamic abnormalities of severe sepsis, it is apparent that therapy will be redirected toward provision of energy substrates and altering hormonal patterns to favor anabolism.


Electron microscopic study of light muscle degeneration in queens of Atta sexdens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae. The reabsorption of the flight muscles of A. sexdens queens was studied just after the autotomy of the wings, and 1,10,15,25 and 45 days thereafter. The muscle cells degenerate slowly, the first alterations taking place in the mitochondria and sarcoplasm. Signs of degeneration appear in the myofibrils after only 10 days and alterations increase with time. After 45 days the myofibrils have completely disintegrated.


Dynamics of the nuclear envelope during cell cycle in plants. Stereology of Allium cepa root meristem cells was done to evaluate changes in the nuclear envelope during cell cycle. A naturally synchronous population was labelled as binucleate by caffeine inhibition of cytokinesis. Growth of the nuclear envelope preferentially occurs from mid G2 to the next mid G1, most probably in relation to the reforming sister nuclei after mitosis. On the other hand, the number of nuclear pores doubles from mid G1 to mid G2, their growth rate being higher in the first half of interphase (from mid G1 to mid S). Hence, the new nuclear envelope probably lacks nuclear pores, which appear later.


Chromosomal analysis of Trabala vishnu Lef. (Lasiocampidae, Lepidoptera) with clear indications of localized centromeres. Mitotic and meiotic chromosomes of Trabala vishnu Lef. (Lasiocampidae, Lepidoptera) were studied after treatment with different concentrations of colchicine. Although with milder concentrations of the drug the chromosomes bore typical spherical dot-like or elongated forms, the clear monocentric nature of the chromosomes was revealed at the mitotic metaphase, and metaphase II by the use of stronger concentrations of the drug. It was possible to make karyograms of the mitotic and metaphase II chromosomes on the basis of the centromeric position. The fifty-two elements were grouped into six pairs of metacentric, seven pairs of sub-metacentric, eleven pairs of acrocentric, and two pairs of microchromosomes. Diakinetic figures in the colchicinized insects showed discrete chiasmata in the bivalents.


Fine structure of the nemertean worm Lineus lacteus red blood corpuscles. In the blood of Lineus lacteus, haemoglobin-containing cells measuring 6-7 micrometer in diameter were seen. Using electron microscopy different cellular components were identified, including a nucleus which contains a nucleolus, mitochondria, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes, osmiophilic deposits, and Golgi apparatus. The morphological appearance of the Lineus lacteus erythrocyte was found to resemble an immature mammalian red cell.


Mauritius type black rats with peculiar karyotypes derived from Robertsonian fission of small metacentrics. All seventeen black rats collected from Mauritius Island were characterized by having many extra small acrocentric autosomes. Their basic karyotype was of Oceanian type, because of the presence of the large metacentric M1 and M2 pairs, but chromosome numbers in 13 specimens among them were 42, those of 3 specimens 43, and those of the remaining one specimen 44. Although the Oceanian type rat had 2 small acrocentric autosomes (pair no. 13), 16 Mauritius rats had 10 small acrocentrics, and the remaining one had 8 small acrocentrics. Comparative karyotype analysis between Oceanian and Mauritius type rats showed that the extra small acrocentrics found in Mauritius rats were due to Robertsonian fission of small metacentric pairs no. 14 and 18 of the original Oceanian type rat. Only one rat with 8 small acrocentrics showed the heteromorphic pair no. 18 consisting of one metacentric and two acrocentrics. The large metacentric M1 chromosome in 13 of 17 rats examined showed homologous pair, but two of them were heteromorphic by involving one metacentric M1 and two acrocentrics. In the remaining two rats M1 chromosome was not observed, but acrocentric pairs no. 4 and 7 were included. These acrocentrics were also suggested to be originated from Robertsonian fission of the large metacentric M1 chromosome. Robertsonian fission seemed to be one of the important mechanism found in karyotype evolution.


Chromatin diminution and a chromosomal mechanism of sexual differentiation in Strongyloides papillosus. Eggs obtained from feces of rabbits infected with Strongyloides papillosus were squashed and the karyotypes were determined. They contained cells with either two long and two medium sized chromosomes (2L2M), or one long, three medium and one short chromosome (L3MS). Two types of parasitic female gonad could be distinguished on the basis of oocyte chromosome morphology at prometaphase of the maturation division. All the oocytes in a gonad contained either two upaired long chromosomes and two unpaired medium sized chromosomes, or two unpaired medium sized chromosomes and two unpaired chromosomes segmented into beads in one region. At the maturation division in mitotic parthenogenesis the beads appear to be lost from one of the chromosomes. This generates a medium sized and a shorter chromosome, which together with the undiminished chromosomes make up the L3MS karyotype. Animals with beaded oocyte chromosomes lay eggs that develop into males. It is suggested that males are heteromorphic for the long homologue due to chromatin diminution, that occurs in the maturation division of mitotic parthenogenesis.


Genomic organization in the flesh fly Sarcophaga bullata. The genome of the flesh fly Sarcophaga bullata has been characterized both cytologically and biochemically. S. bullata has a haploid DNA level of 0.61 picograms which is five times larger than the haploid genome size of Drosophila melanogaster. Reassociation kinetics of Sarcophaga DNA shows that its sequence organization is very similar to that of D. melanogaster in having a very large proportion of single copy DNA (81%) and only small amounts of highly and moderately repetitive DNA (9% and 6%, respectively). cRNAs from all three sequence classes were prepared and their cytological distributions on biploid and polytene cells determined by in situ hybridization. The cytological distribution of the highly repetitive probe was found to be restricted to the centromeric heterochromatin of two of the five autosomes and this sequence class was also found to be markedly underreplicated in polytene foot-pad cells.  No highly repetitive DNA was localized on either of the sex chromosomes, but only on the two large centromeric regions of chromosomes C and E. Moderately repetitive DNA was found uniformly distributed on all of the autosomes in both testis and polytene foot-pad squashes. As in the case of the highly repetitive sequence probe, no moderately repetitive DNA was detected on either the X or Y chromosomes. Moderately repetitive DNA in Sarcophaga was also shown to have the "Drosophila type" pattern of sequence interspersion with a moderately repetitive element of congruent to 5,000 nucleotides adjacent to a unique element of greater than 10,000 nucleotides. The Sarcophaga genome is the largest for which this type of interspersion has so far been demonstrated.