Distribution of Corynebacterium renale among healthy bulls with special reference to inhabitation of type III in the prepuce. Distribution of Corynebacterium renale among apparently healthy bulls reared in Hokkaido was investigated. The organism was detected from 46 (39.3%) of 117 specimens of preputial cavity washing and from 60 (51.7%) of 116 specimens of semen. The isolates studied in this survey belonged to type III, except a few which belonged to type II. No type I strain was isolated from any bull. C. renale type III was isolated from the prepuce in six of seven bulls slaughtered and from urethra in three, but not at all from any other organ. In the seven bulls, no macroscopic changes were seen, but a slight infiltration of lymphocytes and formation of lymph nodules were noticed in the prepuce. No other microscopical changes could be demonstrated in any other organ. No serum antibody response was detected. To ascertain the virulence of C. renale isolated from the bulls, a strain of type II was inoculated into the urinary bladder of a healthy cow. The cow exhibited fever and hematuria on and after the 10th day. Typical cystitis was proved when the cow was necropsied on the 14th day after inoculation. From these result it is conceived that C. renale type II organisms inhabit the prepuce of apparently healthy bulls at a high rate, without inducing any disturbance.


Pathogenicity for several laboratory animals of toxoplasma oocysts originated from naturally infected cats. The pathogenicity of four strains, O-1, O-2, O-3, and O-4, of Toxoplasma isolated in the form of oocyst from the feces of naturally infected cats was examined for such laboratory animals as mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and dogs, in comparison with that of the Beverley strain. Suspensions of seven graded doses of oocysts of each strain ranging from 1.0 X 10(-1) to 1.0 X 10(5) were inoculated orally into seven groups of five mice each. The O-1, O-2, and O-3 strains were as pathogenic for mice as the Beverley strain, but the O-4 strain was not so pathogenic as any other strain. Rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and dogs were inoculated orally with around 1.0 X 10(5) oocysts. The four O strains were not so severly pathogenic for rats and rabbits as to cause death. The O-2 and O-3 strains showed strong pathogenicity for guinea pigs, almost all of which, when inoculated with them, died after manifesting severe clinical symptoms. The pathogenicity of the O-1 and O-2 strains showed essentially the same tendency for dogs as for any other animal. In inoculation with oocysts, as well as with proliferative forms or cysts, the same pathogenicity was not observed in different strains, even if the same species of host animals was used. On the contrary, the same pathogenicity was not always found even in one strain when a different species of animals was used.


Destructive effect of heating against toxoplasma oocysts. Heating was examined for destructive effect against Toxoplasma oocysts, both unsporulated and sporulated, of the O-1 and O-3 strains. Sporulation-inhibition rates were measured by counting sporulated and unsporulated oocysts in each examination. As a result, the sporulation of Toxoplasma oocysts was completely inhibited by exposure to 60 or 70 degrees C for 10 seconds, 55 degrees C for 30 seconds, 50 degrees C for 2.5 minutes. 45 degrees C for 1 hour, or 37 degrees C for 48 hours. When examined by the mouse inoculation method, the infectivity of sporulated oocysts became extinct after heating at 90 degrees C for 30 seconds, 80 degrees C for 1 minute, 70 degrees C for 2 minutes, 55 or 60 degrees C for 15 minutes, or 50 degrees C for 30 minutes. It was confirmed that heating was effective for the sterilization of Toxoplasma oocysts.


Appearance of Fasciola cercariae in rice fields determined by a metacercaria-detecting buoy. The appearance of Fasciola cercariae in aquatic rice fields of fluky areas was investigated by using a metacercaria-detecting buoy. The buoy consisted mainly of a foam styrol disk 10 cm in diameter and 3 cm in thickness, and a polyethylene sheet 16 cm in diameter covering the bottom and side of the disk. Each buoy was floated at each corner of a section of rice fields. To determine the serial appearance of Fasciola cercariae, the polyethylene sheet was renewed at intervals of a week over a period of rice cultivation and the number of metacercariae was counted on each sheet. In most rice fields an evident peak of metacercarial detection was observed between the middle of July and the end of August. The time of the first detection of cysts in a small number varied from one section to another of the same field or from one area to another. Metacercariae decreased in number in accordance with drying up the fields. The metacercaria-detecting buoy method was applied to rice fields fertilized with cattle manure for 7 days in mid-summer, as well as to fields located closely to cattle pens, but not fertilized. Many cysts were detected from both groups of fields. The results obtained from weekly observation on the population of snails, particularly infected snails in their habitats, and those from the cercarial appearance detected by means of the buoy method were essentially the same.


The relation between the effects of veratridine on action potential and contraction in mammalian ventricular myocardium. In the isolated papillary muscle of the guinea pig veratridine produces an increase of the force of contraction by increasing the rate of force development. Time to peak force is slightly reduced, whereas relaxation time is markedly prolonged. Threshold, half-maximally and maximally effective concentrations for the positive inotropic effect are 0.1, 0.4 and 1.6 muM, respectively. 2. The positive inotropic effect of the maximally effective concentration of veratridine amounts to 68% of the maximum positive inotropic effect of dihydro-ouabain tested on the same muscle (N = 12). 3. Veratridine prolongs the action potential (AP) by delaying repolarization. The effect is concentration-dependent (range: 0.4--3.2 muM); it requires 1--2 hrs of maintained exposure to reach a steady state and is only slowly reversible upon removal of the drug. A concentration causing a nearly maximal positive inotropic effect (0.8 muM) does not affect resting potential or rate of rise of the AP; the overshoot is slightly depressed. 4. Tetrodotoxin (5--16 muM) reversibly inhibits both AP prolongation and positive inotropic effect of veratridine by shifting the concentration-effect curves for these effects to higher concentrations of veratridine. It also prevents veratridine-induced spontaneous activity. 5. Dihydro-ouabain or reduction of [K]o below 5.9 mM augument the positive inotropic effect of veratridine, while the interaction between veratridine and noradrenaline is additive. 6. The positive inotropic effect of 1.6 muM veratridine declines progressively when the contraction frequency is reduced below 0.5 Hz; rested-state contractions (at 0.004 Hz) are not increased by 1.6 muM veratridine. 7. It is concluded that (a) veratridine delays repolarization by prolonging the Na permeability component which is mediated by the fast Na channels; (b) this specific sarcolemmal effect of veratridine is the sole cause for its positive inotropic action by effecting an increase of [Na]i which probably leads to a subsequent increase of Ca uptake.


Uperolein and other active peptides in the skin of the Australian leptodactylid frogs Uperoleia and Taudactylus. Methanol extracts of the skin of the Australian leptodactylid frogs Uperoleia rugosa, Uperoleia marmorata and Taudactylus acutirostris contain several highly active polypeptides belonging to different peptide families. The most abundant peptide was uperolein, a tachykinin closely related to physalaemin and possessing the same spectrum of biological activity. Uperolein was present in the three species examined. Other tachykinins were represented by Rugosa-uperolein II and Marmorata-uperolein II, the structures of which still await full elucidation.  Another peptide family represented in both Uperleia and Taudactylus was that of bombesin-like peptides. They were abundant in Uperoleia rugosa and scarce in Uperoleia marmorata and in Taudactylus. These bombesins are possibly similar to the bombesins, among which is litorin, present in the skin of other Australian leptodactylid frogs. Finally, Taudactylus contained a bradykinin-like peptide and both the Uperoleia species an hitherto unclassified peptide. These new findings have further enriched the already considerable list of active peptides and biogenic amines occurring in the amphibian skin.


Adrenal cortex adenylate cyclase. Specific binding sites for 5'-guanylyl-imidodiphosphate in partially purified plasma membranes from bovine adrenal cortex. Specific binding sites for 5'-guanylyl-imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NG)p] have been identified in a partially purified plasma membrane fraction from bovine adrenal cortex. The apparent affinity of Gpp(nh)p at 30 degrees C was 12muM-1 and the concentration of binding sites was 100 pmoles per mg of protein. Binding of Gpp(NH)p is inhibited by Mn2+ greater than Mg2+ greater than Ca2+ and enhanced by low concentrations of the chelators ethylenediamino-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and ethylene glycolbis-(beta-aminoethylether))-N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). High concentrations of EDTA are inhibitory and at 2.5 mM EDTA binding of Gpp(NH)p is only 10% of that observed in the absence of the chelator. The bound labeled GTP analogue exchanged only slowly with the unlabeled nucleotide after a steady state has been reached. EDTA also releases the bound labeled Gpp(NH)p from its binding sites. The slow dissociation of Gpp(NH)p can explain the persistent activation of adenylate cyclase observed after pretreatment of bovine adrenal cortex plasma membranes with Gpp(NH)p and subsequent washing. It is suggested that at least parts of these binding sites are identical to the sites identified earlier as regulatory sites for angiotensin high-affinity receptors (Glossmann et. al., 1974a) and for ACTH-stimulated cyclase Glossmann and Gips, 1974).


Toxic effects of phallolysin from amanita phalloides. Phallolysin, a protein from Amanita phalloides with cytolytic effects in vitro, was highly toxic when given intravenously to rats, mice, rabbits and guinea pigs: i.v. LD50 in rats was 85 Haemolytic Units (HU)/kg, corresponding to 0.05 mg protein/kg b.w. Death ensued from intravascular haemolysis. In rats large doses (600 HU/kg b.w.) caused cardiac death within a few minutes due to liberation of potassium from lysed cells. The serum contained lethal concentrations of potassium. There was also histological evidence of severe renal damage as a result of the haemolysis. In addition, phallolysin directly damaged the isolated guinea pig heart  and the isolated rat liver, probably by its action on membranes. Given by mouth, phallolysin was not poisonous to rats.


Recovery and conversion of kinins in exsanguinated rat preparations. A rat preparation in which the perfusion route bypassed the lungs, which were substituted by an artificial oxygenator, was exsanguinated and perfused with oxygenated 4% dextran (M.W. 70,000) in Tyrode's fluid; a peristaltic pump propelled the perfusing fluid at 20-25 ml/min through the aortic arch and the perfusion medium returned to the right ventricle. Known amounts of bradykinin (BK), kallidin (lysul-bradykinin, LBK) and methionyllysylbradykinin (MLBK) were administered as single injections and samples of the perfusion fluid removed between 1.5 to 6 min following injection. Average total kinin activity remaining in the circulating fluid was calculated from assays on the isolated guinea pig ileum against respective kinin injected and found to be after 3 and 6 min respectively: 20 and 5% for BK, 54 and 21% for LBK, 60 and 30% for MLBK. When the lungs were introduced in the perfusion circuit BK recoveries decreased to 0.4% at 4 min and 0% at 6 min. In 2 experiments 1 mg MLBK and, in another two, 1 mg of LBK were recirculated for 3 to 3.5 min in the rat preparation with lung bypass; enzymic reactions were interrupted in the perfusates after removal by lowering the pH to 4.7 and placing them in a boiling water bath for 5 min. Following proper dilution, kinin activity left in the perfusates was separated on carboxymethylcellulose columns; in 3 experiments about 50% of the activity was identified as BK from its elution position and resistance to trypsin digestion. The average BK-inactivating potency of the perfusate obtained from the rat with lung bypass was 0.3 mug BK/min x ml compared to 16 mug BK/min x ml of rat plasma. The arylamidase activity on arginylnaphthylamide of the perfusate was 2 n moles NA/min x ml and it was about 25-fold lower than that of rat plasma. Rat liver was exsanguinated and perfused in situ through the portal vein and inferior cava vein using the same conditions as for the whole animal. The perfusion rate was 12 ml/min. The recovery of injected BK in this preparation was 40% after 2 min of recirculation, declining progressively in the following minutes. When MLBK was perfused in this preparation for 3 min or glycylarginyllysylbradykinin (GALBK) for 3 and 5 min, significant amounts of BK were found in the perfusates. We conclude that LBK, MLBK and GALBK may be converted at a high rate into BK by tissue aminopeptidases found in the rat preparations used. BK inactivation in the whole rat is a fast reaction, even when the pulmonary tissue is not involved in the inactivation.


Effects of lanthanum, calcium and barium on the resting membrane resistance of guinea-pig papillary muscles. 1. The influence of some cations upon the effective resting membranes resistance of guinea-pig isolated papillary muscles was investigated by means of the double sucrose-gap method. 2. Elevated Ca Concentrations and, to a higher degree La, increased the membrane resistance. The current-voltage relationship, however, revealed a marked difference. The action of Ca was restricted to cathodal pulses, whereas La decreased the permeability of both the hyper-and depolarized membrane. 3. With respect to the resting membrane properties La mimicked the action of Ba and of altered K concentrations, both of which are known to exert their effects mainly by changing the K permeability. 4. Taking into account the different actions of La and Ca on the current-voltage relationship and on the transmembrane potentials, it is suggested that in the resting state La, in contrast to Ca, mainly influences the K permeability. This difference should be considered when La is used as an agent for studying the cellular Ca exchange in heart muscle.


Effect of nafenopin (SU-13,437) on liver function: mechanism of choleretic effect. Administration of nafenopin (SU-13-437) to male rats for two days leads to a doubling of bile production and a 50% increase in liver weight. These two effects have been shown not to be directly interrelated. A marked decrease in biliary salt concentration suggests that the bile salt independent flow is stimulated. The extra bile produced is probably of canalicular origin since bile to plasma concentration ratios of erythritol are unchanged. At least three polar metabolites of nafenopin have been observed in rat bile. Observations in rats with partial biliary fistulas indicate that the drug and its metabolites undergo extensive entero-hepatic circulation. Our studies support the view that much of the enhanced bile flow is associated with the presence of nafenopin and/or its metabolites within the hepatobiliary system. However, the response is too extensive to be explained merely by osmotic choleresis. Induced structural changes in the liver may also account forsome of this effect.


The influence of metabolic inhibitors upon the transmembrane slow inward current in the mammalian ventricular myocardium. The effect of metabolic alterations of isolated trabeculae and papillary muscles of cats upon the transmembrane slow inward current was studied in voltage clamp experiments using the double sucrose gap technique. The slow inward current which is mainly carried by Ca ions was separated from the fast Na current by applying the conditioning clamp technique. 1. After inhibition of the oxidative phosphorylation of the myocardial cell caused by cyanide (100 mg/l), the transmembrane slow inward current decreased by 25% on average within 25 min. The same diminution appeared after poisoning with 2.4 dinitrophenol (40 mg/l) which amounted to 46% on an average. In both cases the extrapolated reversal potential of the slow inward current was shifted to less positive values. The reduction of the slow inward current seems to reflect a diminished Ca driving force due to a metabolically evoked increase in intracellular free Ca. But these metabolic inhibitors might exert some direct effects upon the membrane since after the treatment with cyanide and 2.4 dinitrophenol, respectively, a slight delay of current inactivation could be observed. Nevertheless, the kinetics of the recovery from inactivation remained unaffected. 2. Metabolic poisoning abolished the normal response of the slow inward current to an increase of the extracellular Ca concentration or to the addition of Sr ions. Excess Ca failed to augment the current, and in some cases even a slight diminution occurred. If at all 5.5 mM Sr caused an increase by not more than 20%. These unusual reactions may also result from a reduced driving force for Ca or Sr, respectively. 3. Catecholamines still exerted their promoting effects upon the slow inward current after poisoning with cyanide or 2,4 dinitrophenol. The addition of 5 mg/l isoproterenol not only neutralized the effect of these metabolic inhibitors but caused an increase of the slow inward current even surpassing the initial control values.


Caffeine and chlordiazepoxide: effects on motor activity in the chronic thalamic rat. The effects of three doses of caffeine and of chlordiazepoxide (CDX) on motor activity were tested in the chronic thalamic rat. In this preparation virtually all cortical, striatal and limbic structures were ablated. A small dose of caffeine had only a weak motor stimulant effect which was succeeded by sedation. Larger doses that are stimulatory in intact animals, depressed motor activity in the thalamic rat. Amphetamine, in contrast to caffeine, produced a substantial motor stimulation. CDX caused a dose-dependent reduction of motor activity, similar to its effect in the intact rat. It is concluded that (a) telencephalic structures are involved in mediating the stimulatory action of caffeine; (b) a sedative component of caffeine may be present, but masked, in the intact animal, and may be due to serotoninergic mechanisms; (c) the presence of limbic structures is not necessary for the sedative effect of CDX.


Inhibition of furosemide-induced renin release by vasoconstrictors. The effect of i.v. infused (asp1-beta-amid, val5)-angiotensin II (1.0 mug/kg min), octapressin (phe2, lys8-vasopressin) (10.0 mU/kg min) and of the alpha-sympathomimetic amine phenylephrine (40.0 mug/kg min) on the stimulation of renin secretion by furosemide (10.0 mg/kg i.v.) was investigated. The vasoconstrictors abolished the renin release induced by forosemide. Studies on the clearance of p-aminohippuric acid (PAH) (i.e. renal plasma flow) showed that the action of the vasoconstrictors cannot be explained by a decrease in access of furosemide to its intrarenal sites of action. The mechanism of the suppressive action of the vasoconstrictors on renin release is discussed.


Suppression of isoprenaline-induced increase in plasma renin concentration by vasoconstrictors in rats with nonfunctioning Macula densa. The mechanism of the increase in plasma renin concentration caused by the beta-sympathomimetic agent isoprenaline has been further investigated. Rats were pretreated by occluding the left renal artery for 2 hrs, thus rendering the macula densa cells of this kidney nonfunctioning. After contralateral nephrectomy infusion of isoprenaline (1.5 mug/kg min) still caused a strong increase in plasma renin concentration. This increase was significantly suppressed by simultaneous infusion of angiotensin II (1.0 mug/kg min). The alpha-sympathomimetic amine phenylephrine (60 mug/kg min) or octapressin (10 mU/kg min). The results exclude any mediator-role of the macula densa receptors in the isoprenaline-induced release of renin. The possibility of a stimulation of renin release via the baroreceptors or a direct "secretomotoric" action of isoprenaline is discussed.


125I-Labelled tetanus toxin as a neuronal marker in tissue cultures derived from embryonic CNS. Primary cultures derived from embryonic mouse brain and spinal cord were exposed to 125I-labelled tetanus toxin and subjected to autoradiography. Cells with neuronal, but not glial, morphology selectively accumulated the toxin. The distribution of the grains over these cells and their processes was not uniform, discrete processes showing heavier labelling.


[Topographic forms of herniated lumbar discs. Contribution of saccoradiculographie and zonographie]. The clinical signs of herniated lumbar disc do not always allow to settle their level. Therefore authors add, to sacco-radiculography with standard plates, frontal zonographic sections. Then, they study radiographic findings and segregate some particular topographic forms of herniated discs: 1) with fragment behind verebral body, 2) with deviated root outside the disc herniation, 3) in front of the lamina and behind the root. Some of them have their own clinical signs, especially paralysed forms of L5 sciatic with abolition of achilean reflexe. Further more they propose hemilaminectomy for total removal of herniated lumbar discs with fragment behind the vertebral body. They conclude to advantage of usually making a saccoradiculography with the dimer iothalamate of methyl glucamine (Dimer X) before each operation.


[Pan-spinal ependymoma. Apropos of 2 cases with complete exeresis]. Authors performed in two patients a macroscopically complete exeresis of a panspinal ependymoma. The first case concerns a 27 years old woman, submitted to surgery in 1971, soon after a delivery, who exhibited a tumor in all points identical to the one described by G. Horrax an D. Henderson (1939). The second case concerns a male subject submitted to surgery in May 1973 because of a lesion extending from C2 to L2 and corresponding to a dorsal fleshy ependymoma, surrounded by two voluminous pseudosyringomyelic cysts, with respectively cervical and dorsal-lumbar localization. Such cases rare, with sometimes difficult clinical and roentgenologic diagnosis, raise before all problems of surgical tactics. We are dealing here with benign ependymomas, few favourable to roentgentherapy. Their management is surgical, i.e. complete exeresis. The few common extent of some of these tumors to the totality of the spinal cord does not modify in any manner such a principle. The same may be said of some etiologic circumstances, such as pregnancy, that often enough constitute a postponing of diagnosis and mangement detrimental for the patient. Only, the march of the surgical procedure may be object of discussion. The here reported experience lets appear that, when necessary, complete exeresis may be performed in one session under the same conditions and with the same spinal risks than for a less extensive analogous tumor. At long term the problem of spasticity of lower extremities has to be considered. However, in spite of extensive laminectomy, no major deformity of the vertebral column is to be noted.


[Space-occupying lesions of the occupital lobe of the cerebral cortex]. The authors report 90 cases of space occupying lesions originating in the occipital lobe, including 58 primary (26 malignant gliomas, II "benign" gliomas, 19 meningiomas, I sarcoma nad I hémangioblastoma (and 32 secondary masses (i. e. 16 metastatic tumors, 15 abcesses and I hydatid cyst). The onset of clinical features was progressive (gradual increase of intracranial pressure : 59 p. 100) rather than acute (41 p. 100 mostly as a visual (II) or a non visual (10) epileptic seizure). The time elapsed between the first symptom and the surgical procedure in any case appeared to be much shorter than in masses with other hemispheric localisation. This is thought to be due to the precocity and the intensity of the increased intracranial pressure, in relation to the blocage of posterior venous drainage. Increased intracranial pressure : only 7,7 p. 100 of the patient were free of IIP. Fundal changes are of little value in excluding this finding since no less than 3 months of evolution are necessary for their appearence. Visual disturbances consisted of acute obscurations (7.7 p. 100), controlateral deviations of head and eyes (3.3 p. 100) and visual field defects = 10 p. 100 of the patients were comatose and unable to be examined, 16.6 p. 100 had normal visual field. All the others had visual field defects wich could be evaluated by campimetric examination in only 26.6 p. 100. These included 14 hemiopias (7 without macular sparing) and 10 quadranopsia, always with incongruence (4 superior and 6 inferior). When the mass was strictly occipital, the same disparity was observed. Finally these visual field defects appeared to be variable and could well recover after surgery. Visual hallucinations were mostly of elementary type (21 p. 100) and always controlateral in cases of strictly occipital lesions. Elaborate hallucinations were rare (2 patients with extensive lesions). 8.8 p. 100 suffered from visual illusions wich always were related to large and right-sided masses. Disturbances of higher functions : Alexia was seen in 33 p. 100 of the left-sided masses (24 p. 100 "agraphic", 9 p. 100 "pure word blindness") Space agnosias of different type was found in 10 p. 100 of the patients, sometimes with purely occipital tumors.


[Intraosseous meningioma in a child].

[Intraosseous meningioma in a child]. The authors present a case of intra-osseous meningioma in a 10 years old boy, located on the level of the vertex in the fronto-interparietal region, with the shape of a hand mass, painless, free from all neurological, ophtalmological and angiographic signs. The x-rays examination permit a diagnosis of an osteoma of the cranial vault. The surgery enables the exeresis of a large tumor of the vault 3 cm thick, without any attachment to the dura-matter. The histological examination reveals that it is, in fact, an intra-osseous meningioma. From this observation the authors carried out a review of all litterature in this field, only 12 observations are found again, and none of them deal with children. These intra-osseous meningioma develop from Pacchioni granulations included in the diploic region. They bring about handly any clinical signs and the x-rays findings do not enable us to put forward or suggest the diagnostic of intra-osseous meningioma.


[Experimental studies on a hereditary central nervous system disease in PT rabbits. V. Clinical syndrome in generations 1-10]. Sex-linked mutation designated by the genetic symbol pt causes in rabbits a syndrome of parkinsonian tremor and spastic paralysis of extremities. Clinical phenotypes were observed in 10 geenratoins. Fig. 1 shows the types of matings. The appearance in pt rabbits of clinical improvement permitting to use them for reproduction and abortive or asymptomatic cases appearing in later generations are connected by the authors with the fact the a healthy rabbit had been introduced into the flock (rabbit No 84432). This rabbit had the genetic trait M modifying the clinical course of the pt syndrome. In Mm heterozygotes clinical improvement was observed, in MM homozygotes abortive and asymptomatic courses occurred. The M trait must be transferred by autosomes. The hypothetical M trait explains the clinical phenomena observed in the pt group but it requires still confirmation by specially planned experimental matings.


[Choroid plexus in angiographic studies]. On the basis of analysis of 911 carotid angiographic investigations the authors describe the frequency of visualization of the choroid plexus in healthy subjects and in patients with vascular diseases. The topography of the choroid plexus is presented in accordance with the method of di Chiro on angiograms.


[Spontaneous rhinorrhea due to (congenital?) evagination of arachnoidea in the paranasal sinuses]. Report on two cases of spontaneous, intermittent and long lasting spinal fluid rhinorrhea. The lesion responsible of the spinal fluid fistula is a glio-arachnoid expansion of the convexity of the frontal pole, contained into a fibrous pedicle ; it crosses the dura mater and penetrates, through a well individualized bone orifice, into the posterior wall of the frontal sinus or into an ethmoid-frontal cell. This arachnoid diverticle is not associated with an hydrocephalon. In the absence of any traumatic past history, its congenital nature may be admitted. No para-clinical investigation makes possible to detect such a minor abnormity ; the isotopic transit of the spinal fluid may remain silent, when performed at a moment of drying up of the nasal flow. Surgical exploratory study of the anterior level has to be complete, while numerous independent diverticles may coexist.


[Some postural reflexes and the development of static functions in children with infantile cerebral palsy]. The development of postural reflexes and static functions were analysed in children with different forms of central nervous system damage developing in the first three years of life. A correlation was found between the persistence of tonic reflexes and disturbances of development of static functions and this finding may be used in differential diagnosis of early central nervous system lesions and in selection of appropriate treatment.


[Comparison between results achieved by administering L-dopa and Sinemet in parkinsonism in the light of our records]. On the basis of observations of 18 patients the authors evaluated clinically the action of Sinement preparation (Merch, Sharp and Dohme) containing L-dopa 250 mg and carbidopa 25 mg in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. In the evaluation particular attention was given to side effects. Therapeutic results of Sinemet and L-dopa alone were compared in patients receiving these drugs alternatively. The observations of authors indicate that Sinemet gives the same therapeutic results as L-dopa, but in much lower doses and with less frequent side effects. Sinemet, similarly as L-dopa exerts the best effect on bradykinesia and muscular rigidity and less on tremor.


[The course of epilepsy in girls at the age of puberty]. In 62 women the course of epilepsy was analysed at the age of puberty from 11 to 15 years of life. In 19 cases the course of the disease remained unchanged at that time, in 20 cases the seizures disappeared or became less frequent, in 20 cases the frequency of seizures increased, other types of seizures developed, or seizures present previously in childhood reappeared. The unfavourable change in the course of disease was observed more often in girls with onset of the disease at an early age, frequent seizures at the beginning of the disease, partial combined seizures, neurological and psychic abnormalities and with delayed menarche in relation to the general population.


[Aneurysm of pericallosal artery].

[Aneurysm of pericallosal artery]. The authors describe 3 cases of saccular aneurysms of the pericallosal artery. They accounted for 3.36% of all intracranial aneurysms in the material of the authors. Difficulties in management of pericallosal artery aneurysms are discussed. All patients with aneurysms in this area were operated upon from an approach through the interhemispheric fissure and the results were good.


[Analysis of cases of funicular myelosis]. In a material of 14 cases of funicular myelosis the authors demonstrated frequent presence of peripheral signs, psychic changes and rare occurrence of such infrequent syndromes as transverse myelitis, cerebellar syndrome, optic nerve atrophy. Diagnostic difficulties are discussed in cases of pernicious anaemia without blood changes, without gastric achylia, or in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency, malabsorption syndromes and other more infrequent pathological conditions. The importance of such investigations as Schilling's test in atypical cases and the necessity of regular, long-term substitutive treatment with B12 are stressed.


[Device for hand rehabilitation].

[Device for hand rehabilitation]. The author described an apparatus for hand rehabilitation made by students from the Mechanical-Electrical Technical School for Workers in Bielsko-Biała. The apparatus is driven by an electric motor and it provides passive movements of paralytic hand with alternate flexion and extension of the wrist and fingers, and abduction and adduction of fingers in a special glove. The apparatus can be used in management of central and peripheral paralysis of the hand.


[Spread of pituitary adenomas beyond the sella]. Two cases of giant pituitary adenomas spreading extensively beyound the sella are described. In the 1st case death occurred 18 hours after the operation, in the 2nd case a good result was obtained by operation from subtemporal approach followed by 60Co radiotherapy. Control scintigraphic and angiographic examinations 11 months after treatment failed to demonstrate the signs which indicated extrasellar spread of adenoma before treatment.


Further studies on the maturation of the estrogen negative feedback on gonadotropin release in the female rat. To evaluate estrogen negative feedback in infantile female rats, 9-day-old rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and treated with different doses of estradiol benzoate (Eb, s.c. once daily for 2 days); plasma LH, FSH and estradiol (E2) levels were then determined by RIA. The responses of these rats were compared with those of 25-day-old rats subjected to the same experimental procedures. In intact sham-operated controls, plasma FSH was elevated on days 9--13 and low on days 25--29, whereas LH did not change significantly throughout the period studied. OVX at day 9 or 25 increased the levels of both hormones, with the response faster and larger in the older rats. Treatment with Eb was more effective in suppressing the post-castration rise in gonadotropin levels in 27-day-old than in 11-day-old rats. At day 27 plasma E2 was elevated to pre-castration values by as little as 10 ng of Eb, whereas at day 11 this dose produced plasma E2 titers even higher than pre-castration values. Plasma E2 titers were high at 9--13 days of age and low at days 25--29. OVX on day 9 decreased E2 2--4 days later to about 1/2 the initial concentration, whereas adrenalectomy (ADRX) or ADRX-OVX was followed by an almost complete disappearance of the steroid. When E2 was injected at day 10 in intact rats to elevate plasma E2, E2 remained elevated when measured 3 to 120 min after its injection, but on day 25, 50% of the injected E2 had disappeared from plasma in 90 min. These results provide additional support for the view that estrogen negative feedback, even though present in infantile rats, is less effective than later in life and hence indicate that high gonadotropin titers observed at days 9--13 in the presence of high E2 may be caused by the relative ineffectiveness of the feedback at these early ages. The high E2 titers appear to be caused by an enhanced rate of production of E2 by the adrenals and ovaries and by a reduced metabolic clearance of the steroid.


[Simplified measurement of blood flow in cerebral angioma]. On the basis of physical laws formulated by Reynolds and Poisseuille the blood flow in the arteries supplying angiomas of cerebral hemispheres was calculated in 22 cases at the time of presence of active vascular anomaly and after its surgical removal. An increase in blood flow in these arteries by 10 to 50% was observed in three-fourths of patients, while in one-fourth this flow decreased by 10--25%. Increased blood flow was observed mainly in angiomas situated in the area of vascularization of the middle cerebral artery, mainly in the sensori-motor area. Decreased blood flow was present usually in patients with raised intracranial pressure and in cases of angioma situated in farther vascularization areas. After the operation the blood flow in corresponding arteries was nearly normal in most cases.


Demonstration of cystic brain tumors by angiotomography. Cysts in cerebral tumours, as small as 1 cm in diameter, have been demonstrated by angiotomography with the sections made in the frontal plane. Two signs suggest a cystic lesion; a geometrically round, vessel-like outline in either the arterial or venous phase, resulting from a cystic cavity under pressure, and, during the parenchymatous phase, a radiolucent area having a radiological contrast identical to the non-injected hemisphere.


Amipaque myelography. The side effects compared with Dimer X. In a comparative study between Dimer X and Amipaque (metrizamide) for lumbar myelography it was found that there is a little higher frequency of monor, but unimportant side effects after Amipaque. Amipaque has also been used for thoracocervical myelography with excellent results and without greater discomfort than after myelography in the lumbar region. A new puncture technique was used for the eximation of the cervical region alone: lateral puncture on the neck between the laminae of C1 and C2 under TV control. In more than 75 reinvestigations no arachnoid changes were observed.


[Hereditary episodic adynamia. Gamstorp's disease]. The authors report a family in which the mother and her one son had typical eipsodes of flaccid muscular paralysis with raised serum potassium level during the episode. In the period between these episodes only myotonia was observed. Histological examinations and EMG confirmed the diagnosis. Myotonia was present in two other siblings.


[Evaluation of blood loss in the course of neurosurgery]. In 95 patients with known Hb level of the blood before operation the volume of blood lost during neurosurgical operations was determined by the spectrophotometric method based on determination of Hb concentration in the water obtained from washing machine after washing of linen and surgical material, taking into account the contents in the aspirating part of the machine. The mean blood loss in ml was in this material: in supratentorial gliomas 918 in supratentorial meningiomas 1142 in posterior cranial fossa tumours 356 in spinal tumours 487 in operations for prolapsed lumbar disc 259.


Some aspects of the spinal cord circulation in cervical myelopathy. Under usual technical conditions, it is possible, in a great percentage of cases, to visualize angiographically the afferent radiculospinal artery feeding the anterior cervical spinal axis, coming from the vertebral arteries. The level of its emergence is varied, predominating at C5--C6. This radiculospinal artery can be directly affected by a spondylotic lesion at the foraminal level and is one of the causes of the ischemic syndrome observed in the cerival myelopathies resulting from this process.


[Case of giant meningioma of the small wing of the sphenoid bone in a 9-year-old boy]. The authors report a boy aged 9 years in whom a giant meningioma of the small wing of the sphenoidal bone was removed surgically. Attention is called to the rarity of these tumours in the first decade of life. Developmental retardation, speech beginning at the age of 4 years, large head and epileptic seizures developing at the age of 7 years without signs of intracranial hypertension suggested the possibility of organic brain disease and development of massive hemiparesis, speech disturbances and choked disc in the last period of the disease were the cause of referral of the child to a neurosurgical unit. Plain skull films and angiography demonstrated changes typical of raised intracranial pressure and presence of an expanding lesion in the left cerebral hemisphere. Meningioma was found on operation hidden within the left frontal and temporal lobes but connected by means of a narrow band to the dura of the small wing of the sphenoidal bone. A good result was obtained. Follow-up examination after 2 years demonstrated slight neurological abnormalities and a very good general state of the child.


Intracranial foreign body subsequent to head injury in childhood. A woman of eighteen was operated because of an intracranial foreign body. It had penetrated the skull at the age of four. Now, it was discovered while the girl was consulting because of rhinitis.


Transient enlargement of deep medullary veins in encephalitis. This case report concerns a woman who presented an atypical clinical pattern with some features of encephalitis and other features of brain tumor. Cerebral angiography showed a unilateral cerebral mass with prominence of deep medullary veins, usually interpreted as evidence of a neoplasm. Brain biopsy was interpreted as astrocytoma. Subsequent spontaneous clinical remission and regression of angiographic findings led to a reappraisal of the microscopic interpretation with a final diagnosis of encephalitis. The pathogenesis of cerebral angiographic abnormalities observed with encephalitis is reviewed. The transient prominence of deep medullary veins is probably due to hyperemia. Followup angiography is recommended when encaphalitis is suspected.


Protrusion of calcified cervical discs into the spinal canal in children. A report of two cases. The occurrence of calcified discs with large calcified masses protruding into the spinal canal in two children is reported. The discs affected had increased height in the acute stage. Air myelogram, performed in one case with muscular weakness in the hand demonstrated compression of the spinal cord. The condition improved on conservative treatment without sequelae in both cases.


[Clinical contribution to the surgery of adrenal glands]. The anatomopathological and clinical features of 131 cases subjected to adrenalectomy for metastasis of breast cancer, hypercortico-adrenalism and pheochromocytoma are described. The results of surgical management are analysed.


[Surgical problem of extensive iliaco-femoral artery obstructions]. Extensive iliacofemoral obstruction has always posed a difficult therapeutical problem for the surgeon. Personal experience is cited in support of employment of the deep femoral artery as a natural by-pass, together with its anastomoses. The indications for this form of management are discussed, along with the techniques required. Some personal cases are described.


[Therapeutic indications for immature angioma in the early infancy]. Angiomas are classified briefly and their main features are described. Attention is then directed to the most frequent type: immature angioma. Its main feature is a parenchymatous or soft-elastic consistency; this is important for diagnosis. Little swelling is noted during crying, laughing and with the patient in an inclined position. These angiomas are typical of early infancy and usually regress spontaneously with visible sequelae, as in 70% of the reported series. Treatment should thus be avoided, since it is often useless and may even be damaging. Exceptions include cases where further growth is noted during monthly or bimonthly controls, or where clinically ascertainable cavernomas are formed. Reference is made to the possibility of treatment with triamcinolone, though this is viewed more as a test of the possibility of regression.


[Indications and technics of the surgical treatment in iliaco-femoral thrombophlebitis in the acute phase]. A personal technique employed in the successful resolution of a case of iliacofemoral phlebothrombosis is described. Attention is drawn to the indications for this type of operation. The technique is not traumatic and can be easily performed, particularly with the aid of a Fogarty catheter. The results obtainable as far as the prevention of lung embolism and postphlebitic syndromes are concerned are also described.


[Study of 4 cases of chronic subdural hematoma with unusual symptomatology]. Some cases of chronic subdural haematomas (in patients aged from 17 to 27 years) with unusual symptomatology and difficult diagnosis are presented. The usefulness of cerebral scintigraphy which can clarify any diagnostic doubt and lead to a right neuroradiological behaviour is underlined.


[Antibiotic therapy and renal insufficiency. Pharmacokinetics of pivampicillin, cephaloridin and streptomycin in chronic uremic patients undergoing conservative or hemodialytic treatment]. The plasma kinetics of some antibiotics (pivampicillin, cephaloridine, streptomycin) has been studied in patients with chronic renal failure. The oral administration of pivampicllin promptly increases the plasma levels of the antibiotic, without any toxic side effect: this antibiotic is to be chosen in chronic uremic patients, also during regular dialytic treatment (R.D.T.). Cephaloridine has some renal toxic effects in high concentration; in the renal failure it is advisable to calculate the exact dose of the antibiotic by the use of nomograms when the creatinine clearance is known. These nomograms must absolutely be employed when administrating some toxic antibiotics, as gentamycin and streptomycin in chronic uremic patients. Some formulas have been experimentally determined, which allow a calculation of the exact dose of the antibiotic, also during R.D.T. If a kidney or urinary tract infection is present in patients with low G.F.R. (creatinine-clearance less than 30 ml/min.), it is necessary to administer only those antibiotics which can reach an active urinary concentration (i.e. penicillin and derivatives, cephaloridine).


[Intestinal perforations caused by food foreign bodies]. Accidental ingestion of foreign bodies is common enough, especially in children, but is of relatively small importance as such objects readily pas through the body and no particular treatment is required. A more interesting and less frequent occurrence is the ingestion of objects such as bone fragments, fish bones, etc. that form part of ordinary food. Cases of intestinal perforation caused in this way are described, together with their clinical and surgical management.


[Frequency of goiter and urinary iodine in the Peidmont school children. Data on iodine contents in some local food]. The frequency of thyroid alterations was examined and dietary iodine intake was assessed via urinary iodine in 6-15 yr-old schoolchildren from 145 towns in Piedmont and the Aosta Valley. Local food iodine values were also determined in 56 towns. Alteration frequency and daily urinary elimination of iodine were inversely proportional, even within individual school populations. The endemic goitre urinary iodine threshold (around 40-50 mug I/g creatine) varied from area to area, with as much as double this value in some instances. Drinking water iodine was usually from 0 to 3 mug/l, with relatively low values in high localities. Much higher levels were noted in the presence of salsobromoiodic hot springs. Local Piedmontese foods contained less iodine than those bought in city markets.


[Behavior of glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase in the serum of a group of cholecystopathic patients]. The activity of glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase was studied in the serum of patients suffering from cholelithiasis. Patients were divided into chronic sufferers with jaundice complication and those without jaundice; a similar subdivision was made for patients with acute cholecystitis. The data showed an increase in the frequency of the alteration in enzyme activity in patients suffering from acute forms, probably as a result of the greater incidence of jaundice than is the case with chronic cholelithiasis.


[Study of arterial stationary waves in angiography]. Three instances of "arterial stationary waves" in the course of aortography in hypertensive patients are presented. A new view concerning the nature of this phenomenon is proffered, emphasis being placed on the part played by hypertension as a concomitant cause.


[Chylous ascites. Diagnostic problems apropos of a case]. A case of chylous ascites in a patient affected with ovarian adenocarcinoma is reported. After a survey of the diagnostic and aetiopathogenetic problems of chylous ascites and as in particular of those concerning the case reported the surgical operation and the macro and microscopic data encountered are described. The therapy of chylous ascites, consisting of a short-chain triglyceride diet is also mentioned.


[Prognostic evaluation of cardiorespiratory insufficiency in chronic bronchitis]. The course of chronic bronchitis is examined with particular stress on the most important clinical and functional factors for the purposes of the prognostic judgment on the disease. Phenomena of reoccurrence of cardiorespiratory insufficiency are also examined.


[Immediate treatment of pleuropulmonary complications of inflammations of the pancreas]. Seven cases of pancreatic pleuropneumopathy are presented and the relevant literature is examined. Treatment of this unusual complications is an offshoot of the modern management of the underlying disease. Attention is drawn to the possibility of serious and sudden acute chest pictures with a clinical picture reminiscent of pancreatic storm. Resuscitation, pneumological and surgical management is required. The histological data for the series shows that a pleural response to the action of matter excreted by the pancreas was responsible. Early local treatment and physiotherapy may be followed by a surprising degree of functional recovery.


[Patient population and length of stay in a pneumologic hospital]. The patient population of a phthisiopneumological hospital over the years 1972 and 1973 is reviewed. The mean stay of patients with lung T. B. is determined and the most frequent pictures are described. It is suggested, contrary to what is sometimes maintained, that hospitalisation is still a valid form of management for such subjects. Reference is made to the diseases most commonly encountered in the pneumological sections. Notes of a policy and health type are offered with respect to the mean stay and the establishment of departmental status in hopefully envisaged.


[Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar non-ketotic diabetic coma with prolonged insulin-resistnace and extremely high values of insulin-IgG-binding]. The paper reports the occurrence - over a period of some days - of a hyperosmolar non ketotic coma, with prolonged relative insulin-resistnace in a micro- and macroangiopathic long term diabetic subject, after infection and minor surgery. The patient was on oral hypoglycemic treatment during the past 11 years; previously he had been treated with Protamin Zinc Insulin. The case is characterized by extremely high values of Insulin-IgG-binding (12 MU/ml), which still further increased to 20 mU/ml when an emergency insulin management was recommenced, perhaps as the result of an immunogenic booster effect. A diagram of underlying and precipitating conditions likely to lead to diabetic non-ketotic coma is presented. Exogenous anti-insulin immunitary factors are postulated as exceptional condidates for inclusion.


[Role of hypnosis in psychosomatic medicine]. In Italy, the attitude displayed by psychosomatists towards hypnosis and A.T. is decidedly favourable, since they are considered as forms of short-term psychotherapy, this being primarily indicated in the management of psychosomatosis. While some reservations may be expressed with regard to the employment of hypnosis solely for the suppression of psychosomatic symptoms before their full significance is assessed, support may be given for the insertion of hypnosis in a wider psychotherapeutical context that is psychodynamically oriented. Psychogenesis may have different degrees of depth and not all forms of psychosomatosis are open to hypnotic attack, or even to short-term psychotherapy. Psychological therapy is only effective in cases where it releases the patient for his neurotic, infantile way of life and allows him to mature in a suitable manner. A result of this kind can hardly be reached in a short period of time. Hypnosis is, on the other hand, strongly indicated in a number of situations; these are listed.


[Hypnosis and experimental psychology].

[Hypnosis and experimental psychology]. Experimental psychology contributes to hypnology and vice versa and it is pointed out that this mutual relationship should be looked at as a function of the significance of methodology in psychology and of the way in which such methodology has been developing. After reviewing the distinguishing features of the experimental, clinico-social and statistico-probabilistic approaches, the possibilities of using hypnosis as a technical tool for investigating general psychological problems or for throwing light on the diagnostic situation of a particular patient are investigated. The possibilities of using experimental psychological methodology for examining the hypnotic state in rigorous terms are then analysed and the need to systematize basic scientific research is stressed.


[Neurophysiology of hypnosis. The suggestive process and contributions of the learned control of brain waves]. The contribution that neurophysiological examination, subordinate to psychodynamic analysis, can bring to the investigation of facts and results in the therapeutic application of hypnosis is discussed. Phenomena with a suggestive background are analysed, particularly those of ideomotor transformation with reference to prereflective though (Polanyi & Dyer). A special case is represented by phobic-obsessive disturbances. Here analysis of the process of ideative reinforcement must take account of the untranslatability of certain linguistico-syntactic connotations at this level. The part played by sensorimotor EEG biofeedback training in practical therapeutics is also examined.


[Individual multistage psychofilm treatment in a group of chronic alcoholic patients]. A short account of chronic alcoholism as a social and individual disease, and of the difficulties associated with its treatment, particularly as far as disaddiction is concerned, is followed by the description of a new method of psychotherapy, using psychofilms for the application of group hypnosis therapy covering a wide spectrum, based on reflexological premisses associated with behaviour therapy, backed up by techniques leading to reinforcement of the Ego. The method thus enables a polycentric approach to be made to the disturbances of the diseases and certain aspects of the patients' personality. Four stages in psychofilm management are described: conscious awareness, hypnotic induction, reinforcement of the Ego, and behaviour therapy. It is shown that films enable constant intervention on the part of the hypnotist to be dispensed with. A wide range of patients can be dealt with by applying standard techniques that are effective against various aspects of the psychopathological state in chronic alcoholism.


[Hypnosis in anesthesia].

[Hypnosis in anesthesia]. After a review of the history of the subject, it is pointed out that Mason's deep trance hypnosis, were it employable in all cases and not just in 10-15% of them, would be the ideal anaesthetic. "Narco-hypnosis" is described as a method employable by the anaesthetist and advantageous in a certain number of operations. Present-day techniques of pharmacological anaesthesia have reached such a level of perfection, however, that hypnotic anaesthesia is really only indicated in certain well-defined situations: in obstetrics, in plastic surgery, in burn cases, in dentistry and in ophthalmology. Hypnosis is also useful in the postoperative course (as it re-establishes intestinal and vesical function and eases respiratory exercises), and in a number of painful conditions, especially long-standing ones.


[Hypnosis in ophthalmology].

[Hypnosis in ophthalmology]. Hypnosis is able to induce a state of total psychological calm in very many subjects, including maintenance or even enhancement of their ability to cooperate. A smaller number of more receptive subjects may even achieve ocular anaesthesia, though this is not suitable for the performance of operations because the Dagnini-Aschner reflex persists and hypotonia is not attained. It is considered, therefore, that the association of hypnosis, retrobulbar pharmacological anaesthesia, and akinesia offers the best conditions for the performance of operations involving major opening of the eyeball, such as those associated with cataract, i.e. psychological tranquility with the ability to cooperate, anaesthesia with neurovegetative areflexia, hypotonia, and a postoperative course undisturbed by coughing and vomiting. The results of several years' experience have shown the complete suitability of the method and its wide possibilities of application.


[Hypnosis in dentistry].

[Hypnosis in dentistry]. Hypnosis is defined as that branch of science which studies the application of controlled suggestion and hypnosis in stomatology. Its indications and usefulness at various stages of dental practice are examined. Emphasis is laid on the basic psychological and physiological advantages, and contraindications, including the impossibility of using hypnosis as a routine application, are discussed. A number of deontological problems connected with hypnosis are dealt with and the practical aspects discussed.


[New concepts in the prognosis of renal obstructions based on radiological examination data]. The study deals with obstructed kidneys not visualizable by normal radiography. The various radiological techniques after endovenous urography are analysed as to what extent the data obtained enable the surgeon to choose between radical and conservative measures. The usefulness and limitations of i.v. urography with high doses of contrast medium, of retrograde pyelography (with or without concomitant study of renal function), of selective intra-arterial arteriography and perfusion, of minimum nephrostomy with repeated nephrostograms and of translumbar pyelography are discussed. The last technique, involving urine aspiration and anterograde pyelogram is simpler than other methods and is of greater interest in the prognosis of hydronephrotic kidney.


[Recurrent ulcer after gastric resection]. A retrospective study was made of 34 cases of recurrent ulcer following gastric resection. Males, especially above the age of 40, were shown to be particularly susceptible. The intact vagus apparently plays the most important role in the pathogenesis. Radiological examination and endoscopy are of the greatest diagnostic importance. Truncal vagotomy must be regarded as the treatment of choice in uncomplicated recurrent ulcer. Resection procedures are indicated in perforating ulcer, gastrojejunocolic fistula, antral residues and ZES.


[Long-term survival in persons with cardiac pacemakers. Study based on 1,159 patients, 499 with regression at 4-10 years]. Analysis of the long-term survival of pacemaker carriers showed a parallelism between two curves: that of the survival in patients treated with a pacemaker as from the second month, and that of a control group with the same age and physical structure. Treatment in the first few years was made problematical by defects in surgical technique: while in 17% of reoperations, the reason was straightforward substitution of the pacemaker owing to wear on the battery, 83% were the consequences of complications. Of these, 23% consisted of shifts in the intracavitary probe, electrode failures, or increase in the threshold. The frequency of infections due to implantation or reoperation was 7,4%, in certain cases with fatal outcome. Bearing in mind that mortality from Adam-Stokes disease was 50% prior to the introduction of pacemakers, it can be maintained that this therapy represents a considerable step forward in cardiology. Mortality was 27% in all patients submitted to implantation.


[Radiological and endoscopic study of the esophagus in 33 cases of generalized scleroderma]. The radiological and endoscopic picture of the oesophagus was investigated in 33 patients with generalised sclerodermia. Signs of involvement were noted in 26 subjects, whereas symptoms of such involvement had been observed in 13 only. Screening for oesophageal sclerodermia sites requires accurate assessment of oesophageal kinetics. Fibroscopic examination gives equally reliable evidence of involvement in the form of two distinctive signs: absence of peristaltic contractions in the lower half of the oesophagus and persistence of a "pool of water" in the organ for over 30 secs following injection of a few cc of water in the lying patient. Endoscopy frequently reveals concomitant peptic oesophagitis (10 cases). This is invisible radiologically. Endoscopy also permits accurate appraisal of the lesions associated with peptic stenosis. Fibroscopic examination of the oesophagus, in fact, could well be made a feature of the evaluation of all patients with actual or suspected generalised sclerodermia, on account of its aid to diagnosis and the early notice it gives of oesophageal complications.


[Osteogenesis imperfecta of Vrolik's type. Case contribution]. A case of osteogenesis imperfecta congenita is described. The relations between this and other forms of bone fragility are discussed and the disease itself is briefly reviewed.


[Clinical and statistical considerations on the relation between hematocrit value and blood viscosity]. Blood viscosity at various speed gradients was determined in 186 patients, a range of 245 haematocrit readings varying between 12 and 72 being examined. Statistical analysis of the results revealed a direct proportionality relationship between the two parameters, with viscosity expressed in logarithms. The regression lines accentuate their slope as the speed gradient falls. When determined at high speed gradients, blood viscosity can quintuplicate its value by varying the haematocrit from 10 to 70, while it can increase fully ten times at low speed gradients with the same haematocrit reading variations. Using blood from the same subject, resuspended at different haematocrits, viscosity values were obtained along the lines of regression up to haematocrits of about 70; for higher readings, viscosity data lie above these lines to a greater extent the higher is the speed gradient. Emphasis is laid on the great importance of the haematocrit reading from the rheological viewpoint and the significant clinical deductions that can be made.


Vitamin E and sex behavior in mice.

Vitamin E and sex behavior in mice. C57BL/6J male mice responded to dietary deficiency of vitamin E with reduction in spermatogenesis. Sex behavior and seminal vesicle weight were unaffected. Supplements of alphabeta-tocopherol (vitamin E) at 0.33 or 72 IU per day maintained spermatogenesis but did not affect seminal vesicles or sex behavior.


Levels of histidine and histidine derivatives in breast muscle of protein-depleted and repleted adult cockerels. Four groups of adult cockerels, consisting of a control group given adequate protein, a protein-depleted group, and two groups that had been given, respectively, a low and a higher nitrogen-containing diet following protein depletion, were killed after appropriate time intervals and histidine and histidine derivatives analyzed in breast muscle extract. The concentration of l-methylhistidine increased more than 12-fold during protein depletion and returned to near control levels during repletion. Carnosine decreased during depletion to less than 1/20 of the concentration in controls, yet increased more rapidly during repletion in the group fed a low-nitrogen diet free of histidine compared to the group fed a high-nitrogen diet containing histidine. Depleted cocks showed an elevation in the concentration of free histidine which decreased toward control levels after repletion. Levels of 3-methylhistidine were highest in the cocks fed diets containing histidine. Evidence for an accumulation in the breast muscle of adult cocks of 3-methylhistidine consisted of unusually high ratios of this derivative to muscle protein in all experimental groups. It was suggested that both 3-methylhistidine and 1-methylhistidine might serve as useful indices for assessing protein depletion in the adult cockerel, but that consideration should be given to the possibility of species differences in the metabolism of histidine derivatives during protein depletion.


Cholesterol esterification and lipids in plasma and liver from newborn and young guinea pigs raised on milk and non-milk diet. Plasma lecithin:cholesterol acyltransfer (LCAT), liver acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransfer (ACAT) and plasma and liver lipids were examined in newborn and young guinea pigs fed ordinary or a non-milk diet. LCAT in newborns was about 70% of the adult value, increased the first 3 days to values about three times the adult value, and decreased during the next 3 weeks to about adult value. Plasma lipids varied in a similar way. Liver ACAT in newborns was considerably higher than in adults. In young animals on non-milk diet the LCAT and ACAT were lower than in normally fed animals. LCAT was positively correlated to free cholesterol in plasma.


Influence of carbohydrate-free protein-rich diet on free alpha-amino nitrogen changes in plasma, erythrocytes and leucocytes. On feeding carbohydrate-free, protein-rich diet, plasma, erythrocytes, leucocytes and hepatic free alpha-amino nitrogen levels were increased within 2 days in rats but were later nearly normalized within 8 days. It may be suggested that the given diet results in a temporary rise of the amino acid pool in the body but high dietary protein, in the absence of carbohydrate may further be utilized by the body for the purposes of energy.


[Experimental animal studies on the absorption of zinc from various parts of the small intestine and various zinc compounds]. The absorption of zinc in different parts of the small intestine and from various Zn compounds was studied in situ, using rats. Segments of equal length from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were ligated. Into these loops, 65Zn-ZnC12 or 65Zn-ZnC12 with an excess of histidine at a molar ratio of 1:250 and 1:2,000 was injected. The uptake of 65Zn was measured in blood, plasma and different organs after 1 h of absorption. The absorption of zinc was significantly greatest from the duodenum, followed by the jejunum and ileum. The jejunum differed only slightly from the ileum in the absorption capacity for zinc. A 250-fold excess of histidine did not alter the Zn absorption in comparison to ZnC12. There were, however, distinct interactions between the site of Zn absorption and the Zn compound at the molar ratio of zinc:histidine of 1:2,000. With this addition of excess histidine, zinc was absorbed just as well from the jejunum as from the duodenum. The 2,000-fold addition of histidine raised the Zn absorption from the jejunum by about 40% in comparison to ZnC12.


Rheumatic cardiac disease in pregnancy. Long-term followup. All but 3 of 263 women with confirmed rheumatic cardiac disease seen during pregnancy in the 5-year period, July 1937 to August 1942, have been traced up to 1974. The series was enlarged by including all the cases (57) in functional Classes III and IV at conception which were seen from 1931 through 1943; all have been traced. The remote mortalities have been: in patients Class I at conception, 58.3% dead (with an average annual death rate of 23.5/1000); Class II at conception, 73.8% dead (average annual death rate 36.5/1000); Classes III and IV at conception, 91.3% dead (average annual death rate, 66.5/1000). A comparison of women with and without pregnancies subsequent to the one admitting them to the study fails to show any remote adverse effect of later pregnancies of the course of the disease.


Pregnancy and pulmonary tuberculosis.

Pregnancy and pulmonary tuberculosis. There are 1565 premature and full-term deliveries in patients with tuberculosis at The New York Hospital included in this report. About 10% of the patients had active pulmonary tuberculosis immediately before or during gestation. The obstetric management of the patient with inactive tuberculosis is similar to that of the nontuberculous woman. In patients with active or recently active tuberculosis, delivery under regional anesthesia, with forceps when necessary to avoid excessive straining during the second stage of labor, is advised. Tuberculosis is not an indication for cesarean section. Chemotherapy is now the cornerstone of all therapy for tuberculosis; the various regimens and modifications depend on the type and extent of the disease. The best combination of drugs is isoniazid and ethambutol. Therapy in all cases must be multiple drug, continuous, and long-term. Prophylactic isoniazid is used infrequently during pregnancy and only in special circumstances. Results of treatment with the newer antituberculosis drugs show that the disease progressed in less than 1% of patients between 1957 and 1972 compared to 3 to 4% of patients from 1933 to 1956. Infants born to the 1565 tuberculous mothers reported here were of average weight, and none of the 1588 infants (23 sets of twins) had congenital tuberculosis. Patients should be carefully followed postpartum with sputum tests and x-rays. They should also be given medical and socioeconomic counseling.


Ultrasound prior to amniocentesis for genetic counseling. Ultrasonic placental and fetal head localization, although not mandatory, may minimize the risks of amniocentesis for use in genetic counseling. It permits choosing a site other than low midline with a low-lying anterior placenta; with a posterior placenta, the insertion within the amniotic cavity should stop short of the placenta. Although complications of amniocentesis in the second trimester without ultrasound have been very few, it seems worthwhile to try to decrease even this small risk by the use of ultrasound.


The optical design of intraocular lens implants. Intraocular lens implants have been around for more than 25 years. On the verge of a major breakthrough to ever widening popularity, there is, however, a general lack of understanding of the pertinent optical principles. A critical comparison is made between this new method and conventional methods of correcting aphakia. From this it appears that the visual needs of the patient are a decisive factor in the selection of the method of correction. Moreover, the full potential of intraocular lens implants can only be realized by appropriate selection of the power of the implant in each situation. To this end, ultrasonic measurement of the ocular axial length is indispensable. The use of standard power lens implants is inadequate. Formulas are presented to make an eye emmetropic or to give it any refractive error. Guidelines are given for the use of these formulas. Two methods for obtaining equal image size in unilateral antiphakia are described.


The treatment of dog bite injuries of the eyelids and adnexa. A series of dog bites in the area of the eyes is described. Primary treatment with direct approximation of all tissues is emphasized. Based on our experience these wounds heal nicely leaving minor scarring and no infection. However, in some cases eyelid deformities are often left which might require further reconstructive surgery.


Treatment of enophthalmic narrow palpebral fissure after blow-out fracture. Surgery for a narrow palpebral fissure caused by enophthalmos after a blow-out orbital fracture was performed in three patients from seven months to three years after injury. The surgery was directed not to the cause of the enophthalmos, but to the narrowed palpebral fissure which was the noticeable cosmetic defect. The surgical procedure used to widen the palpebral fissure was the Müller's muscle-conjunctival resection blepharoptosis operation, and a phenylephrine test was used preoperatively to select candidates for this operation. After widening of the palpebral fissure, which created the illusion of exophthalmos, the cosmetic result was acceptable.


Radiographic aids in the management of intraocular foreign body in the chamber angle. A technique of bone free radiography for the purpose of diagnosis of a minute intraocular foreign body and for the purpose of confirming the removal of the foreign body under sterile operating room conditions has been described. In addition to the obvious medical advantage of absolutely confirming the removal of an intraocular foreign body there is also the medico-legal benefit of documentation before leaving the operating room.


Reconstruction of conjunctival fornices using silicone rubber sheets. A simple procedure is described for reconstructing conjunctival fornices obliterated by severe symblepharon and ankyloblepharon, re-establishing lid movement. After dividing attachments of the lids to the globe and to themselves, a thin sheet of silicone rubber is sutured into the fornices and over the lids. A soft contact lens or scleral shell is worn postoperatively. Epithelialization occurs over denuded surfaces of the reconstituted fornix. The sheets remain in place as long as they are tolerated. Regrowth of symblepharon may not be preventable by this method, but their reappearance can often be postponed for weeks or months.


Trabeculectomy.

Trabeculectomy. The more important surgical steps in a trabeculectomy are the creation of a lamellar-scleral flap, the excision of a block of limbal tissue without damaging underlying structures, the creation of a basal peripheral iridectomy, and, finally, the closing of the scleral flap to maintain fluid within the anterior chamber. Careful attention to certain modifications of these steps can prevent the most common operative complications that occur with this procedure. One method is described in this paper.


Scleral patch for exposed silicone buckles. A technique using preserved sclera to patch exposed retinal silicone is described. Permanent silicone buckles may be preferred in certain cases. If cultures are negative, a rectangular piece of preserved sclera, full or half thickness, is sutured to an anteriorly dissected scleral flap and directed posteriorly over the previously exposed silicone. Tenon's and conjunctiva are sutured over the scleral homograft.


Ultrasonic localization of choroidal detachment associated with flat anterior chamber. In postoperative patients with flat anterior chambers and small pupils or dense media, A-scan and B-scan ultrasonography can be useful tools in establishing the proper etiologic diagnosis. By searching for the presence of a choroidal detachment and determining its full location, complete drainage of the suprachoroidal fluid can be accomplished satisfactorily should this form of surgical intervention become necessary. If sufficient evidence of a choroidal detachment is not found, then therapy can be more assuredly directed at relief of pupillary block or reduction of excessive fistulization, other causes of a flat chamber.


Helminths recovered from the bontbok, Damaliscus dorcas dorcas (Pallas, 1776). A report is given on the helminths collected from 4 bontbok, Damaliscus dorcas dorcas, which died following capture at the Bontebok National Park, Swellendam, and transfer to the National Zoological Gardens, Pretoria. Seven of these helminths are new host records. Lungworms submitted to the institute for identification over the last 2 years are also reported; these were all Dictyocaulus magna. The various scientific and common names that have been applied to the bontbok in the past are reviewed.


An outbreak of ringworm in karakul sheep caused by a physiological variant of Trichophyton verrucosum Bodin. An outbreak of ringworm in Karakul sheep occurred during 1973 among the flocks of at least 14 farmers in South West Africa and the northern Cape Province. Infections spread from one farm to another as a result of introducing infected stud rams. On one farm a few cattle, a goat and a horse developed lesions after being in contact with infected sheep. Some of the attendants handling infected sheep also contracted the disease. Strains recovered from infected animals resembled Trichophyton verrucosum morphologically, but when grown on laboratory media they did not require an exogenous source of vitamins, which was found to be indispensable for strains of this species studied previously.


A histological study of the effect of cortisol and some six steroids on the immune response to sheep erythrocytes by the mouse. Sections of the spleen, thymus, lymph nodes and liver, collected from mice at various time intervals after injection with either steroid hormones only, sheep red blood cells (SRBC) only, or SRBC plus steroid hormones, were compared by histological examination. A regimen of 3 injections of 4 mg of cortisol given at 24 hourly intervals was shown to have a more severe effect than 3 injections of 1 mg given at the same times irrespective of whether SRBC were injected or not. The thymic cortex showed rapid and extensive depletion of lymphocytes very soon after corticosteroid treatment and did not recover until about the 8th day. The medulla was affected to a lesser extent. Spleens and lymph nodes showed early lymphocyte destruction, active ingestion of debris by macrophages, and germinal centres were considerably decreased in number and less clearly demarcated in corticosteroid-treated animals than in SRBC immunized controls. Spleens and lymph nodes of mice that received SRBC only exhibited the characteristic morphology of active germinal centre development associated with the immune response. Corticosteroid treatment of mice sensitized with SRBC caused an increase in neutrophilic promyelocytes in bone marrow smears to the 4th day, whereafter their numbers returned to normal. The normoblasts were decreased on the 2nd and 3rd days whereafter they increased to normal. Plasma cells were increased in SRBC injected animals in bone marrow smears. Of the effects of the sex steroids studied the most notable was a drastic effect of estradiol on the thymus; both the cortex and medulla were completely depleted of lymphocytes and could hardly be distinguished.


Some observations on the use of D-glucose-2-3H as a tracer in turnover studies in merino sheep. Bolus injection of a mixture of D-glucose-2-3H and -(U)-14C into each sheep enabled a turnover rate to be calculated for each isotope and to be compared in the same animal. No statistically significant differences were found in pool size, or glucose space. The total entry rates calculated from the D-glucose-2-3H results were found to be significantly higher (P is greater than 0,95 paired t test) than those calculated from the D-glucose -(U)-14C results, the average difference being 18%. This difference indicated that the extent of glucose recycling was somewhat less than that reported for monogastric mammals (30%--Katz & Dunn, 1967) and similar to that found by Judson & Leng (1972) in sheep. Glycogen was isolated from skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle as well as from the liver and the 3H:14C ratios determined. These ratios were found to be significantly higher than those reported for monogastric mammals such as the rat or dog.


The origin of optical asymmetry on earth. The nature of optical isomerism, and the problem of the origin of optical asymmetry in relation to the origin of life are defined. Developments in particle physics, such as the discovery of parity non-conservation in weak interactions and more recently, of neutral currents, are described. Their significance is that there are a number of possible mechanisms whereby the fundamental asymmetry of matter could be reflected in a preference for one enantiomer over the other, and that, contrary to long-established views, optical isomers do not have identical energy contents: the difference, however, is estimated to be very small. Theories regarding the origin of optical asymmetry are classified in a two-dimensional matrix (origin by chance or due to already existing order; susceptible or not susceptible to experimental test). Recent experimental results and theoretical speculations are reviewed, and proposals are made for further experimental work.


Nonlinear mathematical models for the origin of asymmetry in biological molecules. The origin of chemical chirality is probably associated with a difference in the initial concentrations of two separate populations of primeval organic molecules and possible even two types of primeval organisms and amplified by nonlinear kinetic processes leading to the death of one population. This theory, as originally developed by F. C. Frank of the University of Bristol, is reviewed in this paper with additional derivations, discussions and generalizations. The possible effect of asymmetry in the rate constant is compared to the role of statistical fluctuations, and it is shown, that within the simple model investigated here that the role of statistical fluctuations is much more important for the death of one isomer. In the unlikely absence of any fluctuations, the non-linear kinetic processes amplify the asymmetry in the rate constant and lead to the death of one enanthiomorph. The role of spatial diffusion is discussed, and it is shown that in the presence of a local excess of one enanthiomorph this excess would have spread in space and grown, destroying the opposite enanthiomorph. If the total population of both enanthiomorphs was exactly composed of equal parts of both types, but local fluctuation increased one type at one place and decreased the same type at a different location, the diffusion and growth rate would have caused spatial separation in the population of both enanthiomorphs. For general nth order nonlinear symmetric rate processes (incorporating multitudes of reactions and general diffusion), it is shown that if initially two populations of enanthiomorphs were exactly the same at all locations, then for all times both populations would have increased and remained equal to each other. Mathematical model was constructed for stereoscopic autocatalysis suggested by Calvin. It was found that under certain special local conditions in the presence of large fluctuation it is possible indeed to have growth of only one type of isomer. Various approximate methods and numerical solutions are presented in order to facilitate the handling of nonlinear rate equations.


The temperature dependences of some types of gaseous ionic reactions of astrochemical interest. The rate constants of ion-molecule reactions which are of potential significance in astrochemical systems are found to exhibit significant, and in many cases, negative temperature dependences. The rate constants of fast ion-polar molecule reactions (e.g., XH+ + B leads to BH+ + X) may increase by a factor of 5-10 between 1000 and 10D. Slow reactions that proceed via reaction complexes (e.g., H- transfer and association reactions) often exhibit temperature dependences of the form k = AT-n, n = 1-5. Both transition state theory considerations and the coupled-oscillator RRK-type model are seen to be able to account qualitatively for the behavior of slow ion-molecule reactions.


Fluorescence detection of organic molecules in the Jovian atmosphere. A search for fluorescent emission due to the presence of possible organic molecules in the Jovian atmosphere is described. We first consider natural Jovian fluorescent emission excited by precipitating auroral particles. Due to our lack of knowledge of the Jovian precipitation particle energies and fluxes we next consider fluorescent emission excited by a laser system aboard a Jupiter spacecraft. Laser-induced fluorescence is routinely used to monitor trace constituents and pollutants in the terrestrial atmosphere. Several spacecraft laser systems are currently under development. Our calculations indicate that laser-induced fluorescent detection is approximately two orders of magnitude more sensitive than rocket ultraviolet measurements of possible Jovian absorption features at 2600 A that have been attributed to the presence of adenine or benzene.


Polymerization of amino acid methyl esters via their copper complexes. Polymerization of glycine methyl ester catalyzed by cupric ions in organic solvents yields oligoglycines with a degree of polymerization up to none. With a trifunctional amino acid, the yield and degree of polymerization were much lower. Extension of this reaction to an aqueous medium was not successful even when copper ions were complexed with substances like montmorillonite or fatty acids. The prebiotic significance of this reaction is discussed.


Speculations on the evolution of the genetic code. An evolutionary scheme is postulated in which the bases enter the genetic code in a definite temporal sequence and the correlated amino acids are assigned definite functions in the evolving system. The scheme requires a singlet code (guanine coding for glycine) evolving into a doublet code (guanine-cytosine doublet coding for gly (GG), ala (GC), arg (CG), pro (CC). The doublet code evolves into a triplet code. Polymerization of nucleotides is thought to have been by block polymerization rather than by a template mechanism. The proteins formed at first were simple structural peptides. No direct nucleotide-amino acid stereo-chemical interaction was required. Rather an adaptor-type indirect mechanism is thought to have been functioning since the origin.


Primary catalytic systems of biogenesis and structure-functional evolution of biocatalysers. An important aspect of biological evolution is the development of biocatalyzers. The connection between abiotic and biological catalyzers is discussed, and the role of metal ions as primary catalysts is considered. The evolutionary demand for greater specificity and efficiency may have been fulfilled through the formation of metal-organic complexes and later through enzyme systems. Metal ions are probably responsible for the formation of some of the isoenzymes found in contemporary organisms.


Exponential kinetics of formation or organic microstructures. Organic microstructure production in Miller-Urey spark discharge flasks in an energy-dependent, autocatalytic process which follows first order kinetics similar to microbial growth curves. These relationships hold for all three major morphological types of microstructures observed. The three types are assembled from smaller precursor subunits which associate according to a binomial distribution. These structures could have formed bounded systems in which pre-biological processes might have occurred.


On the evolution of the photosynthetic pigments. During the course of terrestrial evolution, some organisms developed the capability of capturing and utilizing solar radiation. Colored compounds were undoubtedly incorporated within living forms from the earliest times, but during the transition from heterotrophic to a photoautotrophic metabolism only those pigments were selected that were components of the evolving photosynthetic apparatus and were able to catalyze reactions involving storage of light energy in chemical bonds. In this communication, some properties of tetrapyrroles with a closed porphyrin ring containing a metal ion in the center are discussed. These compounds are present in all principal contemporary photosynthetic pigments, and their synthesis has been demonstrated from simpler compounds under prebiotic conditions. It is probable that during intermediate stages in the evolution of photosynthesis, pigments with oxidizing potentials lower than that of chlorophyll were utilized to store light energy although they were not capable of removing electrons from water. The evolution and function of multiple forms of a given photosynthetic pigment in vivo are discussed. 'Accessory' pigments may be regarded as rudiments of the evolutionary development of the photosynthetic apparatus.


[Classification of the midge family (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae)]. On the basis of morfological analysis of ecological, paleontological and zoogeographical data the main evolutionary trends to biting midges are established, the description of the hypothetical ancestor of the family is given and the apomorphy and plesiomorphy of the genera are analysed. As a result, the subfamily Palpomyiinae is separated from Ceratopogoninae, the tribes Culicoidini and Ceratopogonini are united and the genus Dasyhelea is transferred to Forcipomyiinae.


[Ability of female ixodid ticks to recover from poisoning with DDT in the process of feeding]. Ability of hungary females of Ixodes persulcatus, Haemaphysalis concinna and Dermacentor silvarum to feed and lay eggs after having been exposed to different DDT doses (LD100) has been studied. The ticks heavily injuried but still mobile can feed on the host and lay eggs, i.e. to overcome the poisoning. Clutches laid by these females do not differ from control ones. Loss of mobility deprives the ticks of the ability to fed. An increase in DDT dose (LD100 X 100, experiment with I. persulcatus) does not allow the ticks to feed even if the ability to movement is preserved.


[Experience in the absolute calculation of pasture ixodid ticks (Parasitiformes, Ixodidae) on the eastern macroslopes of Sikhoté-Alin]. A new technique is suggested for absolute registration of adult ixodid ticks with an improved furrow plough. Due to this the number of ticks can be estimated per square unit to various biotopes. As a result of registrations conducted in 1973 the density of ticks populations from the main landscape zones of eastern Sikhote-Alin (from watershed spruce-abietic forests to coastal oak woods) was estimated for the first time.


Malaria, quinine and red cell lysis.

Malaria, quinine and red cell lysis. An hypothesis is presented to explain the red cell lysis which accompanies an acute malarial infection, as well as the mode of action of certain schizonticidal drugs in the quinoline and acridine series. Quinine and a number of other antimalarial drugs have been found to counteract the inhibition by protein of fatty acid-induced lysis, when tested in an in vitro system. It is suggested that these schizonticides exert their chemotherapeutic effect by inducing the premature lysis of the parasitized red cell, as a result of relieving the inhibition by protein of haemolysis.


[Ultrafine structure of the integument of the tick Hyalomma asiaticum P. Sch. et E. Schl. in starvation and feeding]. Integument fine structure of H. asiaticum nymphs during their feeding and starvation has been studied. In hungry nymphs hypoderma has an ultrastructure typical for hypodermal cells of arthropods in the intermoulting period and is characterized by a poor development of granular endoplasmic reticulum, small number of mitochondrial and absence of Golgi complexes. The apical surface of the cells is covered with short irregularly scattered microvilli. The cuticle consists of the procuticle, which has a homogenous fine-granular structure, and four-layered epicuticle. During the feeding period hypodermal cells greatly increase in volume and the elements of granular endoplasmic reticulum and metachondria increase in number. Golgi complexes and a variety of apical vesicles have been observed. The number of microvilli on the apical surface increases that is accompanied by a cuticle growth. Procuticle, which is being formed within this period, has a lamellar structure.


Development of Ancylostoma ceylanicum Looss, 1911 (hamster strain) in the albino mouse, Mus musculus, with and without cortisone. Complete development of Ancylostoma ceylanicum (Hamster strain) is reported for the first time in mice. A patent infection (viz. ova in faeces) could be established only under the influence of hydrocortisone acetate. Cultures made from the faeces containing eggs produced viable larvae which were infective to mice.


[Some peculiarities of the ultrafine structure of the neurons of the cestode Pelichnibothrium speciosum (Monticelli, 1889) (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea)]. In the scolex ganglia of the cestode Pelichnibothrium speciosum uni - and multipolar neurons can be found. Their neuroplasm is rich in free ribosomes. The ergastoplasmas membranes are frequently arranged in compact finger print-like structures. The nerve cells processes form tight junctions which cannot be interpreted as synaptic contacts.


Hatching rhythms in three species of Diclidophora (Monogenea) with observations on host behaviour. Eggs of three species of Diclidophora were incubated in alternating 12 h periods of light and darkness at 13 degrees C. Eggs of D. merlangi collected at Arbroath hatched during the illumination period with most larvae being recovered in the first 4-6 h; some evidence of a seasonal difference in hatching of these eggs was found. Eggs of D. merlangi collected at Plymouth hatched with a peak of larval recovery in the 2 h period before the light came on. Eggs of D. luscae hatched over 'dusk' while those of D. denticulata hatched after the light was switched off. Neither mechanical disturbance nor the proximity of host tissue caused hatching in D. merlangi or D. luscae. Observations on the behaviour of the host fishes suggest that the hatching rhythms are adapted to specific host behaviour patterns.


[2 new species of parasites of fish, Myxobilatus schulmani sp. n. and Apiosoma longiciliaris sp. n. of the water reservoirs of the Kol'sk peninsula]. Two new species of parasitic Protozoa are described, one of Myxosporidia and the other of Peritricha Sessilia. Myxobilatus schulmani sp. n. from Pungitius pungitius is near to M. paragasterostei but differs from it by the rhombus form of the spore, by less dimension of polar capsules. The spore of M. shulmani is longer and less broader than that of M. paragasterostei. Apiosoma longiciliaris sp. n. was found on the gills on Esox lucius and Phoxinus phoxinus. It is near to A. dallii but its micronucleus is situated over the macronucleus and has a stick like form.


Scanning electron microscopy of the duodenal mucosa of chickens infected with Eimeria acervulina. The morphology of the duodenal mucosal surface of chickens infected with Eimeria acervulina has been studied on days 5, 6, 8 and 11 post-infection and compared with that of the normal duodenal mucosa using the scanning electron microscope. The normal duodenum possessed tall, spatulate villi with horizontally-arranged surface clefts upon which a regular pattern of hexagonal absorptive cells and goblet cell mouths was superimposed.  A maximum degree of villous atrophy was shown on day 5 post-infection, the villi being thickened and flattened with frequent adhesions and fusions between them. The general effects of the disease together with the physical presence of intracellular parasites caused considerable changes in size and shape of the cell apices. By day 8 the mucosa was clearly recovering, with a normal pattern of somewhat thickened and truncated villi beginning to re-appear and by day 11 post-infection the mucosa had regained an outwardly normal morphological pattern. The mucosal changes are discussed in relation to similar changes which occur in diseases of the alimentary tract of other animals, including man.


[Sensitivity of inbred mice to toxoplasma of virulent and nonvirulent strains according to parasitological study data]. Genetic peculiarities of mice were studied in regards to their susceptibility to toxoplasms. Differences in susceptibility to little virulent toxoplasms in mice of 9 different lines are shown, which manifest at all stages of the infection process or only at acute or chronic stages. The susceptibility of 6 lines of mice to virulent toxoplasms was found to be equally high.


Inhibited development in Haemonchus contortus. Inhibited development of Haemonchus contortus was studied in single experimental infections of worm-free lambs. Chilling of the infective larvae at +4 degrees C was without effect on the percentage of larvae subsequently becoming inhibited and a period of exposure to autumnal conditions was unnecessary to induce a high rate of inhibition. It was concluded that seasonal inhibition of H. contortus in East Anglia is brought about primarily by an environmental stimulus acting upon the preparasitic stages but that, unlike Obeliscoides cuniculi and Ostertagia ostertagi, this was not cold. It could be provided in a culture kept in the dark at 25 degrees C for 12 days. While the age of the host did influence the phenomenon, in that larvae were less inclined to inhibition in very young animals, it was concluded that this was not a primary factor in the aetiology.


The measurement of the relative turnover rates of proteins of the surface membranes and other fractions of Schistosoma mansoni in culture. The double isotope labelling method of Arias, Doyle & Schimke (1969) and Dehlinger & Schimke (1971) was used to determine the relative rates of turnover of proteins in various tissue fractions and in the culture medium of adult Schistosoma mansoni. The majority of proteins in the surface membrane turned over at about the same rate. This is consistent with a model for membrane assembly and degradation involving multi-protein units. The proteins in the other fractions examined, except frozen-thawed supernatant fluid, also turned over at about the same rate. In the frozen and thawed supernatant fluid, the higher molecular weight (greater than 40 000 daltons) proteins turned over at a much greater rate than the lower molecular weight proteins (less than 40 000 daltons). The antigens in the culture medium, both particulate and soluble, had a higher turnover rate than the worm tissue proteins. It is concluded that the culture medium antigens are released as the result of two distinct processes: (a) surface membrane turnover and (b) a rapid secretory process. It is possible that the high molecular weight proteins found in the forzen-thawed supernatant fluid are involved in the rapid secretory process. The culture media of 6-day and 16-day schistosomula were also examined by the double isotope method. The culture medium of the adult worm and 16-day schistosomula contains more material presumed to be secreted than does that from the 6-day schistosomula. This may explain the poor immunogenicity of young schistosomula.