Quantitative cytochemical studies of the RNA in the spinal cord of gamma-irradiated mice. Quantitative analysis of RNA content was carried out in the oligodendroglia apposed to motor neurons and oligodendrocytes located far from the perikaryons in the spinal cord of mice subjected to 630 rd of whole body gamma irradiation. Decrease of relative RNA content in the glial cells apposed to the neuronal body in the irradiated animals 30 min to one hour after irradiation and the increase of RNA content in these cells two to eight hours after radiation was found. Glia located far from the perikaryons of motor neurons reacted with increase of RNA content 30 min after irradiation and its sharp decrease one hour later. This difference in the reaction of glia to whole body irradiation may be due to different metabolic patterns between glia linked to neurons in neuroglial unit and glia located far from perikaryons.


In vivo metabolism of 3H-testosterone in adult male rats: effects of estrogen administration. The metabolism of testosterone (T) was studied in normal adult male rats using a constant infusion of trace amounts of the 3H-steroid into a tail vein for 3 h in order to attain a state of equilibrium. Samples of plasma, liver, kidney, prostate, seminal vesicles and muscle were analysed for 3H-testosterone, 3H-5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alphaDHT) and 3H-5alpha-androstanediol (Adiol). When compared to the 3H-T level in plasma there were high levels of 3H-T in kidney and of 3H-5alphaDHT in prostate and seminal vesicles. Intraperitoneal estradiol valerate administration (100 mug/day) for 4 days decreased and 3H-5alphaDHT levels in the prostate and seminal vesicles. The estrogen administration increased the T metabolic clearance rate from 17.5 1/24 h/100 g body wt to 22.6 1/24 h/100 g body wt.


Quantitation of deoxycorticosterone and its relationship to progesterone in the prepartum bovine. A method and its validation is described for the radioimmunological measurement of deoxycorticosterone (DOC) in bovine serum. Levels of DOC and progesterone were determined in six pregnant heifers from one to three weeks before and during parturition. Levels of these steroids fluctuated widely from day to day and tended to be inversely related (r = -0.24). High levels of DOC in conjunction with low levels of progesterone at or near parturition are suggestive that DOC is involved in the parturition process.


Steroid cyclicsulfites. III. Conformational and configurational aspects of steroid 3,5-cyclicsulfites. The reaction of 3beta, 5beta-dihydroxy cholestanes with thionyl chloride is shown to yield cyclicsulfite esters containing boat heterocyclic rings with the S=O oxygen axial or equatorial, depending upon the mode of formation. Treatment of a diol in pyridine at low temperature favors an equatorial S=O conformation while higher reaction temperatures in chloroform solution yield a mixture of axial and equatorial epimers. In the case of a 7alpha-bromo-6-oxo 3,5-sulfite, it has been shown that the S=O equatorial isomer may be converted to the axial isomer upon treatment with acid.


Estrogen metabolism in hyperthyroidism and in cirrhosis of the liver. Estrogen metabolism was studied in spontaneous hyperthyroidism (Graves disease) and in alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. The plasma concentration of estradiol-17beta (PCE2) was increased in men with hyperthyroidism. Although the metabolic clearance rate of estradiol-17beta (MCRE2) was reduced, the production rate (PR) of the steroid was increased above normal. The MCRE2 was also decreased in women with hyperthyroidism but the PCE2 and PRE2 was unchanged from normal. The conversion ratio of estradiol-17beta (CRE2E1) was increased in both hyperthyroid men and women. The PCE2 was significantly increased in men with cirrhosis of the liver. The MCRE2 was normal and this resulted in an increase in the PRE2 in this disorder. The CRE2E1 was significantly higher than normal. The plasma concentration of estrone (E1) was elevated in men with both disorders.


Properties and subcellular distribution of delta4-steroid (progesterone) 5alpha-reductase in rat anterior pituitary. The properties and subcellular distribution of anterior pituitary delta4-steroid (progesterone) 5alpha-reductase, which stimulates the conversion of progesterone to 5alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione, have been investigated utilizing 3H-substrate and a reverse isotopic dilution assay system. The enzymic activity was stimulated by NADPH but not NADH and exhibited a Km of 2.7+/-0.9 times 10(-7) M for progesterone. The substrate specificity of the enzyme for other delta4-3-ketosteroids and the effect of estradiol-17beta were also studied. 20alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one was more reactive than progesterone, while testosterone was less reactive. Estradiol-17beta in vitro had an inhibitory effect on the 5alpha-reduction of progesterone. Studies on the subcellular distribution of the 5alpha-reductase activity indicate that the bulk of the activity was widely distributed amongst particulates sedimenting at 1,000, 15,000 and 100,000xg; with the 15,000xg pellet containing the most enzymic activity. The 100,000xg supernatant possessed only a small fraction of the total activity. After further fractionation of the 1,000xg pellet, the activity was distributed equally between the purified nuclear and cell debris-membranes fractions.


Gas chromatographic differentiation of 4-desmethyl-, 4-monomethyl- and 4,4-dimethyl-sterols. Part II : differentiation of sterols based on deltaRAc-values on four stationary phases. The deltaRAc-values, i.e., ratios of retention data for sterol acetates to those for the corresponding free sterols, were determined for fourteen 4-desmethylsterols, seven 4-monomethylsterols and twenty-two 4,4-dimethylsterols on SE-30, OV-17, QF-1 and HiEFF-8B stationary phases. The QF-1 phase is found sperior to the others in affording the values which are the most effective for differentiation between the three sterol groups. Within the same sterol group, the values for individual sterol members on any of the stationary phases differ to some extent due to minor variations in their skeletal structure. These differences are useful for distinguishing individual members of the same sterol group differing in their skeletal structure, particularly in the position of double bond. The relative deltaRAc-values, i.e., ratios of deltaRAc-values of individual sterols to the deltaRAc-value of a standard sterol, are found almost independent upon the operating conditions of gas liquid chromatography and may be regarded as a characteristic value of sterols on one and the same stationary phase.


Thyrotoxicosis in Ugandan Africans.

Thyrotoxicosis in Ugandan Africans. A retrospective 5 year study of thyrotoxicosis at Mulago Hospital, Uganda is presented. 30 cases were analysed and features pertaining to the clinical pattern are described. Comment is made on 5 cases which had associated cardiovascular abnormalities. The increased incidence of the condition in Uganda and other parts of Africa is noted. It is suggested that this may provide the opportunity for workers to follow up larger series, and assess the clinical, epidemiological and immunological aspects of the disease which could provide important clues as regards the genesis of thyrotoxicosis.


The rôle of plasma proteins in chronic expansion of plasma volume in tropical splenomegaly syndrome. III. The interrelationships of albumin, immunoglobulins and plasma volume. The effect of alterations in serum protein levels on plasma volume in tropical splenomegaly syndrome has been investigated by determining plasma volume, serum albumin, globulin and immunoglobulin levels in 64 adult New Guineans suffering from this disease. Plasma volumes ranged from 51-2 to 129 ml./kg. Significant positive correlations were found between plasma volume and intravascular pools of albumin, IgG and IgM. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that 70% of the variance in plasma volume in this series was attributable to increases in these three pools, IgM and IgG accounting for 42% of the total and albumin for 28%. It is probable that the unexplained 30% of plasma volume expansion arises through a splenic arterio-venous shunt effect. It is suggested that initially in tropical splenomegaly syndrome the splenic shunt and immunoglobulin overproduction combine to produce expansion of plasma volume and a fall in intravascular colloid osmotic pressure; that the latter provides the stimulus to increased albumin synthesis, and that this further aggravates the plasma volume expansion and the consequent dilutional anaemia commonly seen in this disease.


A technique for isolating and concentrating microfilariae from peripheral blood by gradient centrifugation. A method for isolating microfilariae from blood cells by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation, followed by concentration by conventional centrifugation, is described. A 30 fold concentration and quantitative recovery of parasites was achieved. This technique should be of value for documenting low levels of parasitaemia, and for obtaining relatively pure suspensions of microfilariae for metabolic studies and antigen analysis.


A protocol for cryoprecipitate production. A three-year contract research program to study the production of cryoprecipitate has been completed. The investigators have collaborated to propose changes in the methods of production of cryoprecipitate. The investigators believe that the problem of low and variable yield of cryoprecipitate can be overcome and cryoprecipitate can be produced which contains, on an average, at least 100 Factor VIII units in nearly every bag. It is emphasized that breaches of technique and time delays in cryoprecipitate processing must be scrupulously avoided to achieve optimum, standardized yields.


Determinants of factor VIII recovery in cryoprecipitate. Many aspects of the production of cryoprecipitate were studied to determine which methods resulted in the greatest recovery of Factor VIII. The following recommendations resulted: 1) blood should be mixed with anticoagulant throughout phlebotomy; 2) blood should be centrifuged within a few hours of collection; 3) larger satellite bags should be used to contain the usual volume of plasma, for example, 200 ml of plasma should be frozen in a 600-ml capacity bag; 4) plasma should be centrifuged as soon as thawing is complete; 5) cryoprecipitate should be refrozen on dry ice; 6) cryoprecipitate should be stored at or below -30 C.; and 7) prolonged storage of frozen plasma or cryoprecipitate should be avoided. Variations in Factor VIII content from one bag of cryoprecipitate to another, under uniform production conditions, depends largely on two donor-specific attributes which tend to remain constant from time to time, namely, the donor's plasma Factor VIII level and the cryoprecipitability of his Factor VIII.


The influence of donor characteristics and preparation methods on the potency of human cryoprecipitate. An investigation of the influence of donor characteristics and preparative procedural variation on the potency of human cryoprecipitate was carried out on 30 whole blood and 139 plasmapheresis donors. Recovery of plasma Factor VIII in cryoprecipitate ranged from 11.2 to 89.4 per cent (average, 38 +/- 18%). The Factor VIII content of bags of cryoprecipitate ranged from 29 to 379 units (average, 111 +/- 77 units). No difference existed between whole blood donors and regular plasmapheresis donors. The only donor characteristic which was related to the potency of cryoprecipitate was the plasma concentration of Factor VIII which varied as much as sixfold on repeated visits of the same donor. The findings indicate that, within the limitations imposed by the regulations of the American Association of Blood Banks and the practicalities of an ordinary blood bank workload, no donor characteristic or variation in preparative procedures was of predictive value in obtaining cryoprecipitate of high potency. The potency of cryoprecipitate from individual donors appears to be related to factors inherent in the donor plasma itself.


Severe hemolytic anemia in an adult associated with anti-T. An adult woman hospitalized because of a stab wound suffered a severe hemolytic crisis during which she was found to be profoundly anemic. There was evidence of increased red blood cell fragility and extravascular hemolysis. Her cells, which were T-activated, were agglutinated spontaneously in vitro by anti-T in her own plasma. They were also agglutinated by some, but not all, human anti-M and anti-N sera, and were mildly aggregated by protamine sulphate. A normal amount of H antigen was present and no agglutination occurred in saline by incomplete Rh antibodies. The findings indicate that T-activation was incomplete. It is suggested that the patient experienced a short episode of acquired autohemolytic anemia caused by the activity of her own anti-T during a period when her normal enzyme-inhibiting substances were either not present or had been rendered temporarily inactive.


Differences in the sensitivity of tumor cells and normal lymphocytes toward lysis by alloantibodies and guinea pig or rabbit complement. Antisera produced against sarcoma I (SaI) cells in C57BL/6 and CBA mice tested for their cytotoxic activity against normal A lymphocytes and SaI tumor cells, using guinea pig or rabbit complement. Whereas high levels of cytotoxic activity against normal A lymphocytes were revealed with both antisera using either complement, only rabbit complement produced significant lysis of tumor cells under the standard conditions of the cytotoxic test (30 min, 37 C). However, upon prolonged incubation, guinea pig complement also produced high levels of lysis of SaI cells with the C57BL anti-SaI, but not with the CBA anti-SaI serum. Because these two antisera contain antibodies directed mainly against the H-2K and H-2D specificities, respectively, these results seemed to suggest that SaI cells are lysed in the presence of guinea pig complement with anti-H-2K antibodies but not with anti-H-2D antibodies. This conclusion was further supported by the use of antisera of restricted specificity prepared by selective absorption of the C57BL anti-SaI serum with CBA or DBA/2 cells. However, a C57BL anti-A serum which did not contain antibodies capable of lysing SaI target cells on prolonged incubation with guinea pig complement did not inhibit their subsequent lysis with the C57BL anti-SaI serum. These findings might suggest that under these modified conditions, mainly tumor-specific antigen-antibody systems are revealed with guinea pig complement, whereas with rabbit complement, under the standard conditions of the cytotoxic test, all antigen-antibody systems are detected.


Restoration of hematopoiesis in dogs by infusion of cryopreserved autologous peripheral white cells following busulfan-cyclophosphamide treatment. Canine cryopreserved autologous peripheral buffy coat cells were infused after an otherwise lethal regime of busulfan and cyclophosphamide. In seven dogs so treated, restoration of hematopoiesis occurred within 7 days, and six dogs recovered completely. Comparable colony-forming unit in agar activity was present in freshly processed and cryopreserved buffy coat cells and proved to correlate with in vivo marrow recovery. It was concluded that the peripheral blood is a convenient source for obtaining cells for autologous marrow reconstitution in canines.


The Kidd minus-minus phenotype in a Caucasian. This is the reported example in a Caucasian with the phenotype Jk(a-b-). A strongly reacting antibody was present which was of a single specificity and which could be completely absorbed by either Jk(a+b-) or Jk(a-b+) cells. Since no compatible donors could be found, autotransfusion was done. Family study failed to reveal any other members with the Jk(a-b-) phenotype. The question of a third allele at the Kidd locus is considered.


An autoantibody with anti-Wrb specificity in a patient with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia. A patient with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) has been found to possess an autoantibody with Wrb specificity. While this is the first known description of Wrb specificity in this disease, additional studies on the Wrb status of En(a-) cells indicate that autoantibodies previously thought to be anti-Ena are in reality also anti-Wrb. Autoantibodies with Wrb specificity may thus be a rather common finding in patients with AIHA who have been thought to have "panagglutinins" on their red blood cells. Since anti-Wra alloantibodies are found frequently in patients with AIHA, it seems possible that the Wright system holds some clue to the pathogenesis of this disease.


[Ultrastructure of the plastids of 3 types of Chlamydomonas reinhardi mutants phenotypically yellow in the light or in darkness]. A study was made of the ultrastructure of plastids of three mutant types of Chlamydomonas reinhardi which are phenotypically revealed either in the light or in the darkness as yellow mutants. Characteristics of pigments for each mutant have been given. Mutant Y-4 unable to synthesize chlorophyll either in the light or in the darkness shows a complete reduction of photosynthesizing membranes. Mutant Y-1 capable of synthesizing chlorophyll develops a normal system of photosynthesizing membranes. The dark synthesis of chlorophyll in this mutant is broken, the mutant accumulates only carotenoids, the membrane system of its plastid being reduced. On the contrary, mutant Y-3 has in the darkness a complete set of pigments and a well developed membrane system. In the light this mutant yellows due to chlorophyll photodestruction that is followed by destruction of the membrane system of chloroplasts.


An En(a-) red cell sample that types as Wr(a-b-). In the course of investigating a patient with autoimmune hemolytic anemia in which the causative autoantibody had anti-Wrb specificity, it was demonstrated that an En(a-) red blood cell sample typed as Wr(a-b-). The only known example of Wr(a+b-) blood typed as En(a+) so that anti-Wrb and anti-Ena do not have the same specificity.


Factor VIII preservation following collection into commercial plasmapheresis systems. The two-stage method of Pool and Robinson was used in determining plasma Factor VIII activity following contact with four commercially available plastic blood and pooling bag films. Employing a two-arm double plasmapheresis technique, it was shown that Factor VIII activity in whole blood initially drawn into BB-69 and PL-130 blood bags decreased only slightly from in vivo levels for activity in PL-130 blood bags (t equal 3.2317, p. less than 0.01). Factor VIII activity fell to 98 and 90 per cent preservation levels from an initial 104 per cent in vivo activity, for BB-69 and PL-130 respectively. Factor VIII activity in plasma collected in Ellay and PL-146 pooling bags, both decreased significantly to 85 and 86 per cent, respectively, after three hours storage at room temperature (24 to 25.5 C). Following five weeks storage (-30 C) in Ellay and PL-146 pooling bags, Factor VIII activity significantly (p less than 0.005) fell to 79 and 77 per cent, respectively. No significant differences were observed when Factor VIII activity levels were compared in BB-69 versus PL-130 or Ellay versus PL-146 plastic film systems.


[Effect of pilocarpine on the puffing of polytene chromosomes in the salivary glands of Chironomus thummi]. Under the influence of pylocarpine on polytene chromosomes of the salivary glands of Chironomus thummi at the end of the 4th age, the puff size increased in the region 3-A5cd, 3-C3ghi, 4-KB1 and 4-KB2, in parallel with the increase of the amount of secrete in the central reservoire. In this connection, the above indicated puff may be considered as closely correated in their function with the secretory process of salivary gland cells.


[Effect of stretching on the resting potential of isolated frog muscle fibers]. The resting potentials of single muscle fibers of the frog increased under a 30% stretching over the rest length (sarcomere length being about 3.2 microns). If the resting potential was increased during the resting state, no augmentation of the resting potential occurs under stretching. The stretching of fibres by 60% over the rest length (sacomere length about 3.9 microns) was accompanied, as a rule, by depolarization.


A computer-based interactive planning system for scheduling blood collections. Seasonal imbalances between supply and demand for blood products are common. This paper describes a planning system which utilizes conversational computer facilities to assist the manager of a regional or communitywide blood agency in scheduling bloodmobiles and fixed facility collections from one to 18 months in advance. The benefits from changes to only one day of a collection schedule recover the annual costs of using the system, estimated at at $600 for a blood service which collects 65,000 units annually.


[Stimulation of DNA synthesis and mitoses in the rat liver in experimental galactosemia caused by the prolonged administration of galactose]. Feeding of rats with galactose-rich ration results in the activation of galactoso-1-phosphate-uridililtransferase in the liver after 2--4 days. By days 5--13, the activity of the enzyme decreased to the control level in spite of continued feeding of rats with galactose-rich ration. The activation of galactoso-1-phosphate-uridililtransferase occurred on the first 5 days of the experiment, whereas all proliferative activity in the liver increased from days 12--60, and the maximum mitotic was attained by the 20th and 50th days of feeding with galactose-rich diet. DNA synthesis also increased considerably, and this evidenced the increased H3-thymidine incorporation in hepatocyte nuclei. If one accept that the induction of enzyme transforming galactose to glucose is an adaptive response of cells (organism) to galactose in the diet, then the subsequent stage of adaptation would be hepatocyte proliferation.


[5-Methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine (melatonin) in enterochromaffin cells]. As evidenced from the action of acetone extracts of the mucous layer of the human appendix, these extracts contain a substance capable of bleaching the frog's skin. Model experiments with 0.1% adrenaline, 0.2% noradrenaline, 2.5% hydrocortisone and solutions of various concentrations of synthesized melatonin permitted to identify the above substance as melatonin. The bleaching aciton dependence on the number of enterochromaffin cells (Ec-cells) in the mucous layer of the appendix, and the presence of serotonin in Ec-cells reveal a connection between melatonin and Ec-cells. An average content of 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine in the human appendix amounts to 0.004 mg per 100 Ec-cells. It is suggested that the epiphysis and enterochromaffin cells compose a common functional neuroendocrine system playing a definite role in maintaining the homeostasis of the organism.


[Effect of methotrexate on the leukemic cell cycle in mouse ascitic leukemia L1210]. In cells of L1210 ascite leukemia cells, methotrexate inhibited H3-thymidine incorporation, blocked shortly (during 4 hours) the G1 leads to S transition, and did not affect cells in G2-phase or in the late S phase. Almost half a cell population was degenerated and cells in S- and G1-phases were affected in equal proportion. This may suggest that methotrexate is not S-phase specific for cells of leukemia L1210. A simultaneous administration of vinblastine increases the antitumour effect of methotrexate. Cells in G2-phase constitute, presumably, a significant proportion of cells recovered after methotrexate administration. A comparison of the data obtained with literature evidence shows that in the sensitive (leukemia L1210) and resistant (acute mieloid leukemia of man) forms of leukemia, methotrexate affects cells that are in S-phase, whereas cells being in G1-phase are affected only when the sensitive tumours are treated.


[Heterogeneity of a peripheral blood lymphocyte population stimulated by phytohemagglutinin]. Lymphocytes of human peripheral blood treated with PHA in short-living cultures can be divided into two subpopulations of cells according to their capacity to bind acridine orange. Cells of the first subpopulation are similar to unincubated ones, whereas the second subpopulation contains cells with higher dye-binding properties.


[Effect of ectopic transplantations on the cytological structure of mouse rhabdomyosarcomas]. 12 mouse rhabdomyosarcomas from V--XI transplant generations were investigated at their growing in the anterior chamber of the eye, in the testis, lungs and subcutaneous fibrous tissue. With these modes of transplantation rhabdomyosarcomas were seen differentiating to different levels and differed in their cell populations. The most differentiated rhabdomyosarcomas were in the anterior chamber of the eye: they formed myotubes with cross-striated myofibrilles; the least differentiated ones occurring in lungs. Rhabdomyosarcomas, inoculated in testes, intensively dessiminated in the lymph-nodes and in the organs of abdomen. It is concluded that the degree of tumor autonomy depends on the tumor--organism interactions.


[Effect of local UV microirradiation on the nuclear apparatus and cytoplasm of the infusorian Paramecium caudatum]. The work is the first attempt to study nuclear dualism of ciliates with ultraviolet microbeam (UV-beam), which was not applied earlier for these purposes. The special advantage of the UV-beam is that it allow to inactivate selectively of the particular elements of nuclear apparatus of living ciliates is to observe consequences of operation on distant descendants of irradiated cell. On Paramecium caudatum the ways of UV-beam have been devised specifically. The original rotocompression chamber was employed for immobilization of cell in space of irradiation. The effective UV-doses were selected, the relative resistance of cytoplasm, macro-, micronucleus (Mi), and symbiotic bacteria of Mi -- omega particles -- was detected. The "pure" and infected cells were irradiated, in some different variants. The effect of UV-beam depends on dose and consists in a reduction the effectiveness of cell cloning, the loss of omega-particles from Mi, the appearance of the cells with 2--3 Mi, and, possibly, of amicronucleate cells. The injuries due to UV-beam are restored by photoreactivation of visible light.


[DNA reproduction in the organism of planarians in post-injury recovery]. No mitotic figures were found during histological observations of intact as well as transsected planarians Dendrocoelum lacteum within 15 days after the operation. DNA content in intact and regenerating worms was measured. It has been shown, that the posttraumatic repair in planarians does not involve DNA synthesis or cell reproduction.


[Effect of a varying concentration of boron on the tempo of Paramecium caudatum multiplication depending on the temperature of the medium]. The rate of multiplication of Paramecium caudatum was studied using individual cultures with media containing 0.001, 0.005, 0.008 and 0.01% borate, resp. At room temperature (20--21 degrees C) with two first concentrations of boron, the ciliates multiply normally over 4 months often surpassing the multiplication rate of the control line. With the increase of boron concentration up to 0.008%, the division rate in paramecia decreases significantly, reaching the control rate only by the end of the 3rd month. At high temperature (26--27 degrees) with 0.001 and 0.005% of boron in the media, P. caudatum was also seen to multiply normally. At lower temperature (15--17 degrees) all the test concentrations of borate used decreased the rate of division, and the higher the concentration of boron the more pronounced was the depressing effect.


[Modified method of ultramicroelectrophoretic protein fractionation]. A modification is described for the method of ultramicroelectrophoretic fractioning of proteins in polyacrylamide gel in capillaries 400--100 microns in diameter. The original construction of the assembly of apparatuses is offered which can be assembled from details made in the USSR. The operation of dosed filling of capillaries is significantly facilitated. The optimal quantity of protein in one sample reaches 1.5--0.1 mkg (depending on the capillary diameter). The reproducability and sharpness of protein fractions by the offered method are not worse compared with the generally accepted method of macro-disc electrophoresis.


Evaluation of chromatin clumping and myelination of the spinal cord of pigs with congential tremor. Clumps of chromatin in the spinal cord of 2- to 10-day-old pigs with congenital tremor were of no diagnostic value since they were present also in unaffected pigs of the same age. No difference in shape, size, number, location, and staining characteristics of the clumps were found. The clumps were thought to be evidence of cellular necrobiosis. The cords of pigs with tremor had distinctly less myelin than those of normal pigs.


Torsion of the caudate lobe of the liver in the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus). Torsion of the caudate lobe was an incidental necropsy finding in three livers of 984 rabbits. The affected rabbits were mature (18-24 months), without a common background, and did not have clinical signs related to hepatic torsion. No lesions secondary to lobar torsion were seen.


Endometrial stromal tumor in a chimpanzee. A 25-year-old female chimpanzee with disseminated tuberculosis also had two uterine tumors. One a typical leiomyoma and the other, which occluded the uterine lumen, was composed of cells resembling normal endometrial stroma in its proliferative phase. It was diagnosed as an endometrial stromal tumor and was similar to that which occurs in the human female. This is the first report of this lesion in a nonhuman primate.


Spontaneous lesions in the aorta of the common brown hare (Lepus europaeus). The intimal surface of the aortic arch of 16 of 20 male common brown hares and 10 of 14 females had raised pale yellow to grey-white plaques up to 6 mm in diameter. These lesions were characterised by necrosis and calcification mainly in the tunica media and were not related to the age of the hares. In the hare this vascular disease may develop after injury to the connective tissue during obliteration of the ductus arteriosus. Although these aortic lesions were not the 'spontaneous' atherosclerotic variety they were morphologically similar to those in rabbits.


Pesticides and domestic animals.

Pesticides and domestic animals. Domestic animals are quite often poisoned by pesticides despite the considerable effort made through legislation and Ministry recommendations to provide adequate safeguards for the use of agricultural chemicals. All pesticides have to be registered and recommendations and restrictions for use are printed on the labels. But a number of cases involving the misuse of certain poisons as bait for vermin has caused concern recently to both Government and industry. Special problems face the veterinary surgeon who has to treat a pet animal with suspected esticide poisoning. This paper provides possible sources of information from which the veterinary surgeon may obtain help with diagnosis, advice on treatment and laboratory aid.


[Function of external respiration and hemodynamics of the lesser blood circulation circuit in lung cancer patients]. Bronchospirometric studies of the ventilatory function in 200 patients with pulmonary cancer inducated a dependence between functional losses in the involved lung and tumor localization, and the functional importance of the bronchus involved. A central localization of the tumor results in more pronounced functional losses in gas metabolism, in particular, that, as evidenced by rheographic findings, is conditioned by both the reduced ventilation and blood flow in the affected lung. The results of investigations have indicated that in 80% of patients the rate of functional losses and their distribution between the involved and intact lung allowed an accomplishment of an operative intervention such as pneumonectomy.


[Separation bronchospirography in the evaluation of the operability of patients with lung cancer]. Ventilatory function of the lung was studied in 184 patients with cancer by means of the method of general and separate spirography. The investigation has evidenced that separate bronchospirography rendered it possible in 51.1% of cases to solve with greater differentiation the problem of feasibility of radical surgery in cancer of the lung and extent of the resection.


[Classification of gallbladder cancer according to the TNM system]. Based on their personal experience (27 observations) and study of the literature data the authors give their considerations of the classification of the gallbladder cancer according to the TNM system. Twenty six patients were operated upon. In five cases hepatic resection together with the removal of the gallbladder was performed. One of these patients survived for over 6 years, 2 - over 1 year, two patients died during the first postoperative year.


[Integration and expression of the oncornavirus type D genome in transplantable cells]. The authors investigated five cell cultures producing oncornaviruses type D by the method of molecular hybridization of viral nucleic acids with cell nucleic acids. It was shown that nuclear DNA of the cell lines under study contained scores and hundreds of viral RNA genome-equivalents, while cytoplasmatic RNA contained hundreds and thousands of viral genomes. Viruses produced by the cultures involved are found to be identical or highly similar to nucleotid sequences of their nucleic acids.


[Reaction of the seedlings of flowering plants to the effects of imino-di-(paradimethylaminophenyl)-methane-aurine-00]. The influence of auramine-00 on seedlings of three species of plants - Cucurbita pepo L., Helianthus annuus L., Zea mays L.-was investigated. Auramine was added in agar-agar, on which the seedlings were growing. Two concentrations of auramine were used--0.001%. Besides the delay in growth, also the formation of local overgrowth of cotyledons and hypocotyl of C. pepo, the base of cotyledons of H. annuus and mezocotyl of Z. mays were observed. The histological analysis has shown these swellings to arise on the grounds of two processes: pathological proliferation and hypertrophy.


Incorporation into endogenous metabolic pathways of small fragments derived from I.C.I, 58,834(vioxazine). 1. Metabolic degradation of the tetrahydro-oxazine ring of 2-(2-ethoxyphenoxymethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-1,4-oxazine (I.C.I. 58,834) gives rise to one- or two-carbon fragments which are utilized by endogenous metabolic pathways. 2. Evidence of this in dogs is shown by the 14C-labelled residues in tissues, 14C-labelled material in blood which has a half-life of three weeks, and elimination of [14C]urea in urine. 3. The same phenomenon occurs in rat, mouse and man, but to a smaller extent than in the dog. 4. Intravenous administration of [14C]ethanolamine to a dog gave rise to residual 14C blood levels with a half-life comparable to that produced by metabolic incorporation of 14C from 14C-I.C.I. 58,834.


Metabolism of methocarbamol (robaxin) in the isolated perfused rat liver and identification of glucuronides. 1. Permethylation and g.l.c.-mass spectrometric analysis of bile from an isolated rat liver perfusion to which methocarmol was added showed seven components not present in control bile: methocarbamol, glucuronides of methocarbamol and desmethyl-methocarbamol, and four glucuronides of hydroxylated methocarbamol metabolites. 2. An interesting rearrangement of a methyl group has been found in the mass spectrum of 3-(2-methoxyphenyloxy)-1,2-dimethoxypropane, the permethylation product from methocarbamol.


The metabolism of 3-chloro,- 3-bromo- and 3-iodoprpan-1,2-diol in rats and mice. 1. The metabolism of the 3-halopropan-1,2-diols (alpha-halohydrins) has been investigated in rats and mice. Apart from 3-chloropropan-1,2-diol (I), of which some 10% is excreted unchanged by both species, the compounds are completely degraded following intraperitoneal administration. 2. The alpha-halohydrins are detoxicated by conjugation with glutathione and produce two urinary metabolites, isolated and identified as S-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cysteine (VII) and the corresponding mercapturic acid N-acetyl-S-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cysteine (VIII). 3. When incubated with rat liver supernatant, the compounds do not conjugate with glutathione and their general chemical reactivity suggests that they react via a common intermediate proposed to be glycidol (2,3-epoxypropanol, IV). As the epoxide produces the same urinary metabolites as the alpha-halo-hydrins, and conjugates with glutathione either with or without liver supernatant to form the primary metabolite S-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)glutathione (VI), glycidol is also proposed to be the reactive intermediate in vivo. 4. The role of epoxides in intermediary metabolism is discussed.


Metabolism of sulphadiazine in goats.

Metabolism of sulphadiazine in goats. 1. Following intravenous administration of sulphadiazine (2-sulphailamido-pyrimidine) to goats, unchanged sulphadiazine comprised the major part of the total sulphonamide in blood plasma, milk and urine samples. 2. Relatively small amounts of N4-acetysulphadiazine were excreted in milk and urine. The amount of conjugated metabolites in urine was small, but was comparatively large in the milk samples. 3. A new metabolite, 2-sulphanilamido-4-hydroxyprimidine, which comprised about 15% of the total sulphonamide in urine was isolated.


The rate of aniline metabolism in vivo in rats exposed to aniline and drugs. 1. The rates of aniline metabolism have been studied in vitro using rat liver homogenates, and in vivo by determination of the unchanged aniline remaining in the cadaver. 2. Metabolism of aniline in vivo is stimulated by phenobarbital and 3,4-benzpyrene, and inhibited by SKF 525-A. 3. Cyclobarbital and phenacetin stimulate aniline metabolism both in vitro and in vivo. 4. Pre-treatment with aniline impaired the metabolism of aniline in vivo but increased the in vitro metabolism to p-aminophenol. Pre-treatment of rats with phenobarbital and aniline did not accelerate metabolism of aniline in vivo but the stimulating effect of phenobarbital on protein synthesis in microsomes was maintained. In contrast, pre-treatment with 3,4-benzpyrene and aniline stimulated metabolism of aniline in vivo. The possible mechanism of changes in aniline metabolism due to previous exposure to aniline is discussed.


The crystal structure of acetylcholine beta-resorcylate. Acetylcholine beta-resorcylate, C14H21NO6, crystallizes in space group P21/c with a unit cell having dimensions a=14.562(6), b=14.109(4), c=15.096(6) A, and beta=106.90(3) degrees. Z=8. The structure was determined by direct methods from diffractometer collected three-dimensional X-ray data and refined by full-matrix least-squares techniques to an R index of 0.078. Layers of beta-resorcylate ions alternate with layers of acetylcholine ions. The beta-resorcylate ions are linked together in infinite chains by strong hydrogen bonds while no hydrogen bonds involve the acetylcholine ions.


Crystal structures of synthetic analgetics. IV. Dextropropoxyphene. The molecular and cystal structure of dextropropoxyphene has been determined by X-ray methods. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P21, with unit cell dimensions a=9.257(2) A; b=9.048(3) A; c=12.074(7) A; beta=93.01(4)degrees. The phase problem was solved by direct methods and the model refined to an R-value of 0.038 for 1799 observed reflections. E.s.d's are, in average, 0.004 A and O.3 degrees in interatomic distances and angles, respectively. The propylamine chain in nearly fully extended, the dihedral angel C4-C5-C7-N being -174.2 degrees. The conformation of this side chain is similar to that in the hydrochloride of the title compound. Thus the proposed bioactive conformation is not preferred by propoxyphene in the crystalline state, as was the case for the free base of methadone.


Tobacco chemistry. 27. The structures of four stereoisomeric 8, 12x1-epoxylabd-14-en-13xl-ols isolated from Greek Nicotiana tabacum L. The structures of four stereoisomeric 8,12x1-expoxylabd-14-en-13x1-ols** obtained from Greek tobacco were determinedby spectroscopic means and by conversion to 12-norambreinolide. Plausible routes for the formation of the new labdanols and related tobacco constituents from a common precursor, abienol, are discussed.


Structural studies of the Klebsiella type 57 capsular polysaccharide. The structure of the capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella type 57 has been investigated. Methylation analysis, uronic acid degradation, modified Smith degradation and graded acid hydrolysis were the principle methods used. Pure oligomeric fragments were isolated using the three methods of degradation and characterized by chemical and physical methods. These studies show the structure to consist of a tetrasaccharide repeating unit (all sugar residues have the D-configuration and are pyranosidic).


Renal vascular resistance changes following thrombin-induced intravascular coagulation: role of platelet and fibrin emboli. The renal vasculature in the dog reacts to thrombin-induced intravascular coagulation with increasedd resistance. A constant rate infusion of 75 NIHu thrombin/kg b.w. reduced renal blood flow by approximately 55% in 30 min. Renal blood flow had almost regained preinfusion values within 30 min after the end of the infusion. Marked reduction in renal blood flow was not associated with increment of renal regional radioactivity in dogs pretreated with Cr-51 labeled platelets. The renal a-v difference in platelet counts did not contrast with other regions subjected to identical doses of thrombin. It is therefore unlikely that the flow changes are caused by vascular blockage by platelets. The flow decrease was accompanied by increase renal radioactivity in dogs pretreated with I-125 fibrinogen. This may imply renal accumulation of fibrin with obstruction to flow. Substantial renal blood flow reduction occurred with no or insignificant consumption of fibrinogen or changes in renal radioactivity after defibrinogenation. It is concluded that thrombin also induces a humoral vasoconstriction in the kidney.


The value of reinforcing intracranial aneurysms with plastic coating. Plastic coating of a ruptured intracranial aneurysm is a surgical measure which may be considered if, for anatomical or technical reasons, ligation of the base of the aneurysm is not possible. After the coating operation, there is still some risk of recurrent haemorrhage. Thus, the late results in a series of 35 patients subjected to this operation have been compared with those in patients treated conservatively. The mean observation period was 3.5 years and the surgical measure was found to reduce the natural mortality by 15%. The results are so satisfactory that this method may be regarded as an acceptable alternative in cases where definitive occlusion of the aneurysm is not possible. Qualitatively, the survival conditions are the same after surgical as after conservative therapy.


Superior mesenteric blood flow during experimentally induced dumping in man. The superior mesenteric circulation was studied with a dye-dilution technique after catheterization of the superior mesenteric artery and vein during provoked dumping in 5 patients. Dumping was provoked by intrajejunal instillation of 150 ml 50% glucose. A marked increase of, on the average, 157% was recorded in the superior mesenteric blood flow  within a few minutes of the installation of glucose. The maximal increase in the flow was, on the average, 223% and occurred about 40 minutes after provocation. The instillation of glucose was promptly followed by a reduction in vascular resistance of the superior mesenteric vessels by 63% which decreased further to a mean maximal reduction of 76% below the resting level. The increase in the ratio between the superior mesenteric blood flow and cardiac output from 12 to 27% following instillation of glucose further underlines the pronounced vasodilatation of the small intestine. Superior mesenteric angiography at different intervals after provocation of dumping showed that the increased superior mesenteric blood flow is due to a local increase in the flow.


Superior mesenteric blood flow during digestion in man. The superior mesenteric blood flow was studied with a dye-dilution technique after catheterization of the superior mesenteric artery and vein during the digestive phase after intake of a mixed meal (700 kcal). The material consisted of 5 patients. Within 5 minutes of the end of the meal the superior mesenteric blood flow, on the average, was increased by 60%. The largest increase was 113% and was noted one hour after the meal. The vascular resistance of the superior mesenteric vessles had by then fallen to a mean value of 55% below the prefeed value. The portal venous pressure was only slightly increased. The cardiac output was increased in 2 but slightly decreased in the remaining 3 patients. The pulse rate, blood pressure and haemoglobin concentration were largely unchanged. The ratio of the superior mesenteric blood flow to the cardiac output increased from 12 to 22% during the digestive period. The findings suggest the occurrence of a redistribution of blood after a meal with an increase in the superior mesenteric blood flow.


Clinical, secretory and motor effects of selective proximal vagotomy. A three-year follow-up. Sixty-three patients with duodenal ulcer were operated upon with selective proximal vagotomy (SPV). In 34 patients the vagotomy was combined with a pyloroplasty (PP). Before and after operation the acid secretion was investigated after Histalog (50 mg) stimulation. Insulin tests were performed 4-6 weeks, 1 year, and 3 years after operation. One and 3 years after operation ESR, Hb, SeFe, Protein, Albumin, Calcium, and Alkaline phosphatases were determined. One patient developed gastric retention and 3 got relapses during the first year. At reoperation, overlooked vagal branches in the region of the cardia were found. Five patients developed a minor anemia and 2 sideropenia, which is less than after truncal vagotomy and PP. The operation caused a highly significant reduction in acid output after Histalog stimulation. The postoperative insulin test was graded according to Bachrach: 49 were complete, 12 extensive but incomplete, and 2 incomplete. During the second hour after stimulation a probably significant increase was noted in the acid output between the postoperative and the one-year investigation. Between the one- and the three-years tests a significant increase was found during the first hour after insulin stimulation and a probably significant increase during the second hour. The gastric emptying of a composite fluid test meal was significantly faster after operation than before in patients where the insulin stimulation did not give rise to any acid production.


Morphological studies of the rat small intestine after jejuno-ileal transposition. The small intestine of the rat was studied by light, fluorescence, transmission electron and scanning electron microscopy after jejuno-ileal transposition. No systematic cell damage in the wall layers of the transposed intestine was observed. Two and 12 weeks postoperatively the villi of the transposed ileum were significantly higher than in the ileum of both sham-operated animals and intact controls. In corresponding comparisons the transposed jejunum also exhibited slightly higher villi 2 weeks postoperatively, but this difference had decreased 10 weeks later. The length and breadth of the villi appeared to be less affected by the operation. In comparison with corresponding sham-operated and intact animals the epithelial cells along the villi in the transposed ileum were initially increased in number per mm basement membrane, but later decreased.


Surgical treatment of hereditary adenomatosis of the colon and rectum in Sweden during the last 20 years. Part I. Introduction. Surgical procedures used. Pre-and postoperative measures. Arrangement of follow-up. Propositi group, primary and late results. An investigation of the prevalence of hereditary adenomatosis of the colon and rectum (ACR) in Sweden was started in 1959. Up to the end of 1972, 97 families were traced and 80 of them were more fully investigated. In 56 of the latter families there were at least 2 affected members; in the other 24, only one. In all, 340 affected individuals were found, 150 of whom were operated upon with the aim of cure. Of the operated patients 82 had presented with symptoms, the propositi group, while 68 affected individuals were detected during the family investigations and underwent prophylactic operations, the call-up group. A comparison was made between the two groups of the primary and long-term results after operation. Major surgery with total proctocolectomy and ileostomy (PCI) or colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) was performed in 135 cases, 67 propositi and 68 call-up patients; minor surgery with segmental resection (SR) in 15 propositi. The propositi group is presented in detail in this paper, the call-up group in a following paper. In the propositi group there were 3 surgical deaths (3.7%). At the time of operation 48 patients (58.5%), had already developed cancer. Up to the end of the period of observation 16 of them died from metastases, 2 of other malignancies, and 3 of nonmalignant disease.


Surgical treatment of hereditary adenomatosis of the colon and rectum in Sweden during the last 20 years. Part II. Patients with prophylactic operations, primary and late results. Discussion and summary. During the investigation, started in 1959, of Swedish families with hereditary adenomatosis of the colon and rectum (ACR), 68 affected, but symptom-free, individuals were detected and referred for surgical treatment. In all of them major surgery was performed, total proctocolectomy and ileostomy (PCI) in 10 cases, colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) in 58. The surgical mortality was 4.4%. Six patients had cancer at the time of operation, and another 2 patients were operated on for colonic cancer many years prior to the diagnosis of ACR. One of those 8 patients died from metastases. Primary malignant kidney tumour was responsible for the only additional late death in this group. In a preceding paper the primary and long-term results after surgery in a group of patients who presented with symptoms, the propositi group, were reported in detail. In this group cancer was found in 48 patients, 16 of whom died from metastases. The most suitable time for operation, and the choice of operative method are discussed. The need for future supervision of affected families is stressed, and the arrangement of follow-up is outlined.


Ectopic liver lobule with portal cirrhosis. A patient who had an ectopic liver attached to the gallbladder is reported. Angiography, scintiscanning, and routine palpation at laparotomy did not reveal the ectopic liver. Advanced liver cirrhosis was found in autopsy and the same changes were seen in the ectopic liver. The embryology, localization, symptoms and incidence of ectopic liver lobules are discussed.


The use of tantalum clips in general surgery. Two and a half years' experience of a new type of tantalum clip for ligation and indication in general surgery is reported. 200 cholecystectomies were followed up without noting any complications due to the use of the clips. Other indications for the use of tantalum clips are discussed.


Evoked potential correlates of early conditioning in the rat ontogeny. In rats aged 2-8 weeks cortical EP to CS (20 flash - tone combinations, 0,9/sec, reinforced since the 10th application by electric shocks to the hind leg) were studied within different kinds of behavioral responses during avoidance learning and extinguishing. In contrast to our results in freely moving rats no developmental trend was found in this kind of avoidance (lifting of the hind leg). Average EP within reinforced trials (with escape or no reactions) differed in isolated application of CS from those when both CS and US were acting together. In younger animals the EP to CS combined with US were characterized by an evident late negative wave which shifted later (5-6 weeks toward the early negative complex. The EP changes in the auditory cortex were more pronounced, whereas visual EP with CS-US combination were rather decreased. In the youngest animals (2 weeks) the auditory EP within trials with avoidance were characterized by a distinct short latency deflection of the first positive wave, whereas in EP to extinguished CS the second deflection of the first positive wave prevailed. Also in these phenomena, the typical changes were clearly revealed in the auditory cortex. At later developmental stages (starting the 3rd, more prominently the 4th and 5th week) the wave following primary positive - negative complex was shifted toward the negativity if the animal responded by an avoidance; on the contrary an ample positive, often a double-peak wave arose if the response was extinguished. The stimulus and reaction dependence in the cortical EP showed the role of not yet fully mature cerebral cortex in avoidance learning. Both, fast as well as with some delay running processes participated in the observed phenomena during the ontogenetical development.


Driving activity. A quantitative study.

Driving activity. A quantitative study. A comparative study of driving activity between normal subjects and neurological patients was performed. Driving activity was considered as the energy of the visual evoked potentials filtered at the same frequency of stimulation (1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 12 and 15 cps) using a CAT 400 C computer as a digital filter. The hemispheric symmetry of the responses was measured by the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient and the signal energy ratio. Each symmetry measure for every patient was compared with the normal values and considered abnormal when differences were greater than 3 SD from the normal mean. Of 25 patients 14 of them with a normal EEG, 23 presented severe alterations in the symmetry of the filtered visual evoked responses. Each patient showed a peculiar pattern of abnormality. It is concluded that the procedure described is a very powerful method in the discrimination of brain lesions.


Polarity coincidence correlation coefficient and signal energy ratio of the ongoing EEG activity. II. Brain tumors. The asymmetry of the EEG in 35 patients with brain tumor was analyzed using a special purpose computer which provided two measures: Polarity Coincidence Correlation Coefficient (PCC) and Signal Energy Ration (SER). Significant differences were found between this group and a control group of normal subjects. A discriminant function was calculated using both measures and gave an overall separation accuracy of 87% in the sample studied. It was concluded that the method described offers great utility in routine screening and diagnosis of brain tumors.


Polarity coincidence correlation coefficient and signal energy ratio of the ongoing EEG activity. III. Cerebral vascular lesions. The EEG symmetry of 65 patients with different kinds of cerebrovascular disorders was analyzed using the Polarity Coincidence Correlation Coefficient (PCC) and the Signal Energy Ratio (SER) measurements. Significant differences were found between the pathology group and a control group of normal subjects for both measures. A discriminant function was applied for both values with an overall accuracy of 80%. It is concluded that since the method does not require an experienced electroencephalographer it may be useful for the diagnosis of cerebrovascular pathology and for screening purposes.


Correlation of spike intervals and amplitudes in hypersynchronous EEG episodes in rat with cobalt focus. EEG activity was recorded from rats with chronic cobalt foci and implanted electrodes. Within this activity, hypersynchronous rhythmic spike episodes (and those of waves) of mean frequency of 8-9/sec were studied. The spike amplitude-interval relationship was assessed, using correlation analysis method. A positive correlation of an exponential nature was found to be growing in line with temporal development of episode.


Factor analysis of EEG in healthy and diseased subjects. Factor analysis was applied to EEG recordings of healthy and diseased subjects to be analyzed by an "on line" broad-band frequency analyser. Differences between the healthy and the diseased as to the number of given factors were established by means of the Lawly test. Up to 6 factors were determined for patients, up to 3 for the healthy. On medication, the number of factors rose in the delta and beta bands, remaining unchanged in the alpha band dropping the theta band. The patients manifested a sort of interindividual uniformity and intraindividual simplification. Except for different sites of pathological foci, the patients' EEG recordings were more like each other than those of healthy subjects. The latter might have undergone a similar process on medication. This enabled to establish more factors in the patients, moreover in such a way as to expose some general laws of cortical electric activity, such as unified cortical activity despite its various facets, hemispheral specificity, and finally also a relative autonomy of the frontal lobes.


[Analysis of variance delimitation of factors influencing studies of acoustic evoked potentials]. The effect of the variables "stimulus intensity", "residual effect of previous stimulus intensity", "period effect" and "subject effect" on the amplitudes and on the peak latencies of the N1 and P1 components of the acoustical EEG evoked potentials was studied in human subjects with the use of an orthogonal experimental design. The stimulus intensity (30, 50 and 80 dB) accounts for the greatest part of the total variance of the amplitudes and of the peak latencies of N1.-The existence of a totalvariance component due to differences between the subjects is also statistically significant (P equals 5%), As far as the period effect (habituation effect) is concerned, only its effect on the amplitude of N1 - P2 is statistically significant. - The residual effect of the stimulus intensity used in the previous series was not significant.


The discrimination in time series analysis - a working procedure. A linear filter model can be differentiated into an autoregressive, a moving average and into a mixed autoregressive-moving average model of order k. In this paper is given a working procedure for the discrimination of short time series in its order.


Human evoked responses to potentially noxious tactile stimulation, II. Signal summation and minimally adapting tactile stimulation techniques permit the resolution of a critical time domain of the somatosensory evoked response, recorded from human scalp, which is sensitive to the stimulus variables represented by the sensations of tapping and pinprick respectively. The variation of this time-domain suggests the influence of myelinated mechanical nociceptors in the Group III range.


Some effects of methyl mercury salts on the rabbit nervous system. Young adult rabbits have been given methyl mercury salts by subcutaneous injections or by gastric intubation. After 3 daily doses of 7.5 mg/kg by the 8th day moderate to severe ataxia developed, and after 4 doses, severe ataxia. Some of these latter animals might die. This species, therefore, seems to be about twice as sensitive to the neurotoxic properties of methyl mercury salts as the laboratory rat. With the light microscope extensive degenerative changes were seen in primary sensory ganglion cells, in both Purkinje and granule cells of the cerebellum, and in certain cells in several regions of the forebrain. The earliest changes became visible microscopically about the fourth day after commencing dosing, and reached a maximum of severity from the 7th to 10th day. The pattern of neuronal damage more closely resembled that found in the cat and in man than that seen in the rat. No evidence of changes vascular permeability was detected.


The effect of serum from ALS patients on organotypic nerve and muscle tissue cultures. Serum from 11 ALS patients was assayed for cytotoxic activity using several different organ culture models. No specific neurotoxic activity was found. Slight myelinotoxic activity was present in 2 sera. (A total of 415 cultures were examined).


[Malignant granular-cell tumor of the cerebral white matter: morphological, cytophotometrical and neurochemical studies (author's transl)]. This is a report of the second known case of a primary malignant granular-cell tumor of the cerebral hemispherical white matter. Two cell types may be distinguished apparently representing different developmental stages of otherwise identical tumor cells. Quantitative histochemical and biochemical studies have shown that tumor cells were containing markedly elevated levels of DNA and RNA. Only few ribosomes and polysomes could be detected, however, by electron microscopy. While cytophotometry disclosed only slightly elevated cytoplasmic proteins, there was a distinct increase in total protein concentration of tumor tissue per unit weight, as measured by conventional techniques. It is suggested that this increase is mainly attributable to structural proteins of cellular and subcellular elements of multiplicating malignant cells. A ratio of RNA to DNA in excess of 1 was found for white matter derived from the central tumor, while the ratios of control tissue were lowered to values far below one due to postmortem changes greatly reducing tissue concentrations of RNA. No detailed characterization of RNA was attempted. The nuclear DNA content of tumor cells reached values equivalent to chromosomal hexadekaploidy. This was in sharp contrast to control data from an Abrikossoff tumor of the oral cavity and from a neurohypophyseal tumorette ("choristoma"), respectively, displaying diploidy only associated with a much lesser increase of cytoplasmic RNA and proteins. Qualitative lipid studies were consistent with a marked active demyelination of the tumor centre as indicated by a severe reduction of cerebrosides and sulfatides and the presence of cholesterol esters. In addition there was a striking loss of phosphatidylethanolamine and a lesser one of sphingomyelin of white matter of both the tumor-stricken and the contralateral unaffected hemispherical regions, possibly suggesting a generally disturbed metabolism of myelin. It is not clear whether these general changes were resulting from the presence of the unilateral tumor or from precocious cerebral involution.


[Polyneuritis in chronic lymphoid leukemia. Ultrastructural study of the peripheral nerve (author's transl)]. A 75 years old man had a chronic lymphoid leukemia for 5 years. Within a period of three months he developed a polyneuritis. The biopsy of a peripheral nerve showed a large cellular infiltration by lymphocytes. The ultrastructural study shows in some Schwann cells disruption of the myelin. Their cytoplasm is invaded by a lymphocyte process as in Guillain-Barré. But in this case some of these invading lymphocytes show polygonal structures in their cytoplasm; that is sometimes seen in the proliferating cells of the chronic lymphoid leukemia.


An evoked response study of the first-order difference tone in man. The amplitude of the N1-P2 component of a response evoked by a 250 Hz test stimulus presented once each 5 sec was measured. Interposed at a rate of one per sec were either 1) a 4000 Hz tone, 2) a 4000 Hz and a 4250 Hz tone presented simultaneously which generated within the ear an audible 250 Hz difference tone, or 3) a 250 Hz tone. The results indicated that the N1-P2 component when preceded by the 4000 Hz plus 4250 Hz stimulus pair was larger than when preceded by a 250 Hz tone, but smaller than when preceded by a 4000 Hz tome. Apparently the processing of the difference tone is unlike that of a sinusoid of the same frequency or that of a high frequency sinusoid which participated in the generation of the difference tone. Parallel electrophysiological data from cochlear recordings are discussed.


Analysis of curves Na-24 efflux from membrane labyrinth containing stria vascularis. The efflux of Na-24 was investigated in isolated labyrinths from a membrane section containing stria vascularis and spiral ligament in artificial endolymph medium. The efflux curves were calculated and compartmental analyses were made. The theoretical possibility of a exchange of sodium between compartments connected in different ways was considered. The calculated values of rate constant of transmembranal sodium fluxes are 0.0282+/-0.0052 min-1 and the half-time of the exchange of sodium between intracellular compartments is 24.27+/-4.53 min. The distribution of sodium in tissue with a commonly applied simplification gives 90% Na+ in the extracellular compartment and 3% Na+ in the intracellular compartment of the total tissue sodium content. The possibility of measuring the rate constant of transmembranal electrolyte fluxes in this tissue seems encouraging for future investigation of the mechanism by which they are transported.


Surgical anatomy of the Geniculate ganglion. The position and the average dimensions of the geniculate ganglion have been measured with the Zeiss screw micrometer in 24 temporal bones obtained from the histological collection of the ENT department of the University of Zurich. The geniculate ganglion has been found to lie like a cup over the anterior portion of the genu of the VII nerve. Its dimensions have shown only minimal variations (standard deviation of average length, height and width less than 10%). Surgical resection of the anterior third of the genu of VII nerve has been shown to include 90% of the ganglion cells but not to endanger the motor fibres. These surgical measurements are the basis for performing a resection of the geniculate ganglion in cases of geniculate neuralgia.


Ultrastructural features of human juvenile laryngeal papillomas. The ultrastructural organization of 12 juvenile laryngeal papillomas was investigated. Four patients were more than 40 years old but had carried the disease since childhood. The other 8 patients were 2-10 years old and had carried the disease from 1-5 years. There is regularly observed a discontinuity of the basement membrane and the basal cells of ten exhibit abundant cytoplasmic processes. In the stratum spinosum there is often found glycogen-like inclusions as well as Odland bodies and keratohyalin granules. In the superficial layers there are nuclear remnants as in parakeratosis. Virus-like particles of a diameter around 330 A have been demonstrated in a disintegrated superficial cell. The scarcity of such particles is discussed with possible regard to a transformation occurring in the superficial layers of the papilloma and to the high shedding rate of the surface cells.


Hyperplasia of the parotid gland U.N.S. A stress phenomenon? The secretory function of the parotid glands, as represented by the salivary secretion rate, has been examined in 10 patients with parotid hyperplasia U.N.S. Different levels of gustatory stimulation were used. The secretion rate was reduced in 8 out of 10 of the patients at a moderately high level of stimulation but normal at submaximum levels in all the 10 patients. The results suggest that the cause of the parotid hyperplasia may be an elevated sympathetic influence, possibly due to stress.


Recent advances in microsurgery of the maxillary antrum. A new and more detailed approach to the maxillary sinus is described. It has the advantage of avoiding the canine fossa and potential dental trauma. This procedure is performed intranasally and is accompanied by less morbidity than with the Caldwell-Luc operation. The opening into the sinus is small, thus minimizing bone removal. However, the interior of the antrum can be visualized sufficiently well to justify the procedure. A sinuscope and operating microscope compensate for the diminished exposure. In the majority of cases antral surgery is carried out for chronic sinus disease, and this procedure conforms to basic principles of adequate drainage and exteriorization of the sinus into the nasal cavity.


Macromolecular transport by the middle ear and its lymphatic system. The macromolecular transport in the middle ear mucosa of the guinea pig was investigated by means of light and electron microscopy using tracer substances such as Evans blue, India ink, and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). HRP particles were readily taken up by the middle ear mucosa and Eustachian tube. They were absorbed by all cell types, including ciliated, secretory and nonsecretory cells. The particles were first taken up by the pinocytotic vesicles and then transported into the intercellular spaces by reverse pinocytosis. These particles were transported toward the connective tissue through the basilar membrane. Some of the tracer particles were engulfed by the tissue histiocytes, but most of the particles entered into lymphatic and blood capillaries. By Evans blue instillation of the bulla, the retroauricular and junctional lymph nodes were positively identified as those draining the middle ear and the Eustachian tube. When HRP was used, the tracer particles were detected in the ipsilateral retroauricular and junctional lymph nodes as early as 5 minutes following the tympanic instillation. HRP in these lymph nodes were mainly found in the specific granules of the macrophages.


An electron microscopic study of the otolithic maculae of the lamprey (Entosphenus japonicus). The sensory epithelium of the otolithic maculae from the inner ear of the lamprey (Entosphenus japonicus) was studied under the scanning and transmission electron microscope. Two different types of sensory hair cells were discerned and each had a patterned distribution over the various maculae. One type of hair cell had 20-30 short stereocilia and one long kinocilium on its surface. The other type exhibited much longer stereocilia which were arranged in graded heights (organ-pipe configuration) from one side of the cell to the other. So-called striated organelles were found in the cytoplasm of both types of sensory cells. These striated organelles exhibited periodic electron-dense and less dense striations of 170 mum extending from the cuticular plate down to the basal portion of the cell. Generally, this organelle was found in profusion in the sensory cells with long hair bundles but rarely found in the other type of cells.


Methodologic observations on tympanometry with regard to the probe tone frequency. Changes in the tympanogram shape in the frequency range from 200 to 2000 Hz have been investigated. The tympanogram undergoes, as the probe tone frequency rises, characteristic morphologic modifications which are consistently observed both in normals and in some middle ear disorders. The only exception to this regular behavior is the pathological picture in which the structure or the dynamic of the tympano-ossicular system is remarkably anomalous (cholesteatoma and otitis media) where there are flat tympanograms. It is suggested that the frequency interval at which one of the characteristic tympanometric configurations appears in the element capable of furnishing a diagnostic tool for differentiating pathophysiologic conditions of the middle ear.


[Connection complex on the cells of Reissner's membrane in freeze-fractured preparations]. The Reissner membrane of the chinchilla inner ear was studied with the freeze-fracture method. Zonulae occludentes, composed of 2 to 8 strands, seal the intercellular space close to the endolymphatic surface. They are morphologically simialr to those seen between the marginal cells of the stri vascularis, but much less developed than those between the basal strial cells.


SISI test and adaptation. II. Subjects with conductive hearing defects. The effect of adaptation of the ear on the SISI test was studied at 500 Hz and 2000 Hz in 43 patients with chronic otitis and in 20 patients with otosclerosis. The mean adaptation was slightly over 10 dB, except in the otosclerosis group at 2000 Hz, for which the value was nearly 20 dB after continuous stimulation at 20 dB SL for 3 min. The mean SISI values ranged from 15% to 31% in the preadaptation tests and from 9% to 31% in the postadaptation tests. The scatter of the pre-and postadaptation SISI scores was wide, making statistical treatment of the results difficult. In the total material 22% of the values at 2000 Hz were positive according to Jerger's classification, and 32% were questionable. Adaptation slightly reduced the proportion of positive values, but there were changes towards both higher and lower levels in the cases of chronic otitis, while all the otosclerosis changes were diminutions.


Measurement of systolic blood pressure in fingers of newborn infants. The systolic blood pressure in the index finger was measured using a minicuff and a strain gauge both placed around the finger. 122 measurements in four newborn infants were performed during monitoring in an incubator and the systolic blood pressure values obtained were compared with the simultaneously recorded intra-arterial blood pressure in the aorta. Good correlation between direct and indirect pressure values was found. An important advantage is that the measurements do not arouse the infants nor disturb their sleep. The procedure seems suited for further technical development and automatic measurements.


Control of respiration in newborn babies. III. Developmental changes of respiratory depth and rate responses to CO2. Thirteen healthy babies with PM ages varying between 32 and 43 weeks were investigated with regard to respiratory depth and rate changes on exposure to 4% CO2 in air. Two different types of responses were seen: above 37 weeks of postmenstrual age, the changes of depth and rate corresponded mostly to what is known in the adult human with a rate increase appearing only when the tidal volume had increased markedly ("Type A" responses). The preterm babies (i.e. under 37 weeks of PM age) responded mostly with a prompt rate increase without any preceding increase of the tidal volume ("Type B" response). The results indicate that the preterm baby in contrast to fullterm babies and adults may be dependent on the pulmonary vagal mechanoreceptor system for the regulation of the breathing in eupnoe.


The use of the drill in ear surgery.

The use of the drill in ear surgery. The surgeon of today has at his disposal a large arsenal of technical aids. For the ear surgeon it is primarily the rotating drill which has helped him in the operating theatre. In spite of the fact that the drill is such an important tool in daily operative procedures, the problems concerning drills have been accorded surprisingly little attention in the medical press. It is also noticeable when visiting various clinics in different parts of the world that there appears to be little correlation between surgical standards obtained and the quality of the technical equipment used. The object of this article is to illustrate some of those problems which exist concerning the use of the drill in oto-surgery.


Modifications of the stapedius muscle reflex under spontaneous and experimental brain-stem impairment. An oscilloscopic plus a graphic method of recording of the stapedius muscle reflex has revealed peculiar modifications in the latency, threshold, and shape of development of the reflex in cases of brain-stem impairment. Many subjects have been examined who were affected by nucleo-reticular vestibular syndrome, vascular insufficiency, disseminated sclerosis, tumours, etc. and a comparison has also been made in normal subjects and in the same subjects during a temporary impairment of the brain-stem structures following barbiturate administration. The greatest semeiological value is attributed to the modifications in the shape of the reflex.


Diagnostic value of disaccharide tolerance tests in children. Diagnostic value of disaccharide tolerance tests in children. Acta Paediatr Scand, 64:693, 1975.--The diagnostic value of oral lactose and sucrose tolerance tests was investigated in 61 children. A total of 105 oral disaccharide tests were carried out. When the rise in blood sugar was low, the same disaccharide was, as a control measure, instilled directly into the small intestine through a tube. This was carried out in 40 cases. In 21 patients the rise in blood sugar following the two forms of administration was correlated with the disaccharidase activity in a peroral small-intestine biopsy. The incidence of false-positive oral lactose tests was between 23 and 30%, that of false-positive oral sucrose tests between 24 and 33%. A border value of 20 mg per 100 ml in the rise of blood glucose within the first hour following a direct intra-intestinal administration affords a very satisfactory distinction between patients with and without disaccharide malabsorption. Blood glucose determinations exceeding one hour were found to be without diagnostic value.


Studies on the effect of orally administered agar on the serum bilirubin level of premature infants and mature newborns. The effect of orally administered agar on the serum concentration of bilirubin was tested in 366 premature and newborn infants. For this purpose two different concentrations of agar were added to the milk for 8-10 days. On none of the groups tested did the serum level of bilirubin show a significant decrease after administration of agar. Therefore the attempt to lower the level of serum bilirubin in premature and newborn infants by inhibiting enteric reabsorption by means of adsorbents must be considered a failure.


Immediate restoration of basal sensorineural hearing (Mb Meniere) using a pressure chamber. A new technique for the restoration of basal sensorineural hearing loss in Mb Meniere was described. Three cases with unilateral basal sensorineural hearing loss, fullness of the ear, and tinnitus were reported. In the acute stage of their disease the patients were treated in a pressure chamber where it was possible to increase or decrease the air pressure within the range +/- 110 cm H2O. The equilibration of middle ear pressures to surrounding air pressures was checked. Exposure to underpressure resulted in a rise of the hearing thresholds at low frequencies and relief of subjective symptoms. When the air pressure was increased the hearing thresholds were lowered and the sensation of tinnitus and fullness of the ear was accentuated. Changes in air pressure did not affect the healthy ears or the high frequencies in the diseased ear. Hearing improvement attained at exposure to underpressure seemed to remain at atmospheric pressure level. The investigation was performed on the hypothesis that a distended membranous labyrinth might cause a venous congestion of the vestibular aqueduct, resulting in impaired endolymph absorption in the endolymphatic sac. Possible effects of changes in environmental air pressure on the inner ear were discussed.


Cortical evoked potentials recorded from the guinea pig without averaging. Potentials evoked by tonal pulses and recorded with a monopolar electrode on the pial surface over the auditory cortex of the guinea pig are presented. These potentials are compared with average potentials recorded in previous studies with an electrode on the dura. The potentials recorded by these two techniques have similar waveforms, peak latencies and thresholds. They appear to be generated within the same region of the cerebral cortex. As can be expected, the amplitude of the evoked potentials recorded from the pial surface is larger than that recorded from the dura. Consequently, averaging is not needed to extract the evoked potential once the dura is removed. The thresholds for the evoked cortical potential are similar to behavioral thresholds for the guinea pig at high frequencies; however, evoked potential thresholds are eleveate over behavioral thresholds at low frequencies. The removal of the dura and the direct recording of the evoked potential appears most appropriate for acute experiments. The recording of an evoked potential with dura electrodes empploying averaging procedures appears most appropriate for chronic studies.


The effect of calcium infusions on renal handling of amino acids in hypophosphatemic vitamin D resistant rickets. Amino acid clearances were studied in four patients with hypophosphatemic vitamin D resistant rickets. T,e clearances of the single amino acids in the patients did not differ from that of control individuals for all amino acids tested. The reabsorption of amino acids and phosphate was further investigated with the use of calcium infusions. Under these conditions there was a significant decrease in the filtered fraction of phosphate and amino acid excreted in the vitamin D resistant group suggesting a depression of parathyroid hormone secretion. It seems likely, as demonstrated in the vitamin D resistant group, that in this disorder the renal tubule is particularly sensitive to changes in parathyroid hormone secretion in respect to amino acid reabsorption.


Asymptomatic bacteriuria in school girls. V. The clinical course and response to treatment. The short-term prognosis of 116 school girls with asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) treated or left untreated is reported. In untreated girls a spontaneous remission was obtained in 11% within one year. A short course of nitrofurantoin eliminated the bacteriuria in 93% of the girls in the treatment group. The recurrence rate was 30% in one year in the patients that became abacteriuric spontaneously, after a bladder washout test or after treatment with penicillin or nitrofurantoin. The first recurrence occurred withn 3 months in 79% (19/24). Nineteen of the 24 patients with recurrences (79%) had a third infection within 9 months. In patients with parenchymal reduction or reflux the renal concentrating capacity increased significantly after treatment of the bacteriuria. All the girls left untreated had normal renal concentrating capacity on detection and this remained unchanged during the year of follow-up. One of 28 untreated girls attracted a symptomatic pyelonephritis caused by a strain different from that at detection of ABU. Of 81 girls cured from the bacteriuria 24 recurred, 5 with a symptomatic pyelonephritis and 3 with cystitis. It is concluded that strains isolated from girls with ABU do not commonly cause symptomatic pyelonephritis.


SISI test and adaptation. III. Subjects with perceptive hearing defects. The effect of the adaptation of the ear on the SISI test was studied in 60 completely and 18 incompletely recuriting patients and in 5 patients with a verified acoustic neurinoma at 500 and 2000 Hz. The subjective suprathreshold adaptation to a 3 min tone of 20 dB (SL) ranged from 10 dB to over 20 dB, depending on the frequency and type of defect. The pre-adaptation mean SISI values in the recruiting groups ranged from 38 to 51% and the post-adaptation means from 38 to 49%. In retrocochlear lesions only one SISI value was questionable before and after adaptation, the others being 0%. The dispersion of the SISI scores was considerable, a fact that made statistical treatment difficult. Adaptation did not significantly affect the SISI value. It could be ascertained that high SISI values did not reliably distinguish between the hearing defect types, but if the SISI was low the possibility of a retrocochlear lesion should always be borne in mind.


Cochlear damage resulting from kanamycin and furosemide. Permanent cochlear damage has been shown to occur in guinea pigs following the combined administration of kanamycin and furosemide. At the doses used, only a transient effect was measured with furosemide alone and no effect was detectable with kanamycin alone. This interaction results when a single subcutaneous dose of 400 mg/kg of kanamycin is followed in 2 hours by a single intravenous dose of furosemide. The dosage range for furosemide was 50 mg/kg for a just-detectable effect to 100 mg/kg for a very severe effect. Damage to the cochlea was ascertained by measures of the a.c. cochlear potential as well as surface preparation histology.


Renal control of sodium and fluid balance in newborn infants during intravenous maintenance therapy. Changes in accumulated fluid and sodium balance during intravenous maintenance fluid therapy has been studied in 38 newborn infants with different clinical disorders and gestational ages 28-42 weeks. The results from the infants born before 36 weeks of gestation (preterm) have been compared with the result from infants born after 36 weeks. Three different saline infusions 10, 20 and 40 mEq Na1/2/1000 ml 5.5% glucose have been given. The infusion rate has in preterm neonates been 3.3 ml/kg and hour and in the more full-term neonates been 3.6 ml/kg and hour. The study lasted for 5-8 hours. Urine was collected by spontaneous voidings in plastic bags. The balances were calculated as the difference between the amount given intravenously, and the amount excreted in the urine. In the more full-term neonates Na1/2 balance became increasingly negative with the 10 mEq solution, just balanced with the 20 mEq solution and increasingly positive with the 40 mEq solution. A different response was found in the preterm neonates. The natriuresis was higher and the sodium balances were increasingly negative with both the 10 and 20 mEq solutions. With the 40 mEq solution the negative balance tended to level off. The fluid balances were fairly well maintained in all infants regardless of the sodium concentration in the infusate.


Muscular exertion: a test of pituitary function in children. The elevated level of growth hormone after moderate standardized physical exercise was compared with that induced by intravenous arginine infusion and by insulin induced hypoglycemia in children with normal pituitary function. Tests were performed on 49 prepubertal children (34 boys and 15 girls); in 42 cases the increase was significant for all three tests, in 5 cases the response was minimal after insulin stimulation but normal after arginine and physical exertion; in 1 case arginine produced no response but the other tests were positive; in 1 case there was a response to arginine but none to insulin or physical exertion. The results indicate that frequently more than one test is necessary for the diagnosis of normal pituitary function; physical exertion being a physiologic test, is simple to perform, acceptable to the children and without side effects. It appears the test of first choice because it can be used in patients seen ambulatorily, other tests being performed in case of doubt or negative response.


Subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy. Clinical, ultrastructural, biochemical and therapeutic studies in an infant. Subacute necrotizing encephalomyelopathy (SNE) has been observed in an infant with regressing psychomotor development. The concentrations of alanine, pyruvate and lactate were increased in the serum and blood as well as in the cerebrospinal fluid. Pyruvate carboxylase activity was reduced in the liver tissue. An inhibitor of thiamine-pyrophosphate-ATP-phosphotransferase was present in the urine. Thiamine treatment was followed by a decrease of serum alanine and blood pyruvate and lactate, but there was no clinical improvement during a period of 17 months. Ultrastructural investigations revealed high glycogen levels in liver tissue and skeletal muscle. These findings contrast with decreased gluconeogenesis, which is suggested by the diminished pyruvate carboxylase activity. Therefore it is concluded that reduced hepatic pyruvate carboxylase activity is not the primary cause of SNE.


Systemic allergic reaction to initial insulin therapy in a juvenile diabetic. Enhanced blast transformation to insulin. A 14-year-old girl with recent onset of diabetes developed a severe systemic allergic reaction to beef-pork insulin on the third day of insulin therapy. The same reaction developed following the injection of pork insulin and monocomponent insulin. The patient was induced to tolerate pork insulin by systemic desensitization to this insulin over an interval of 6 days. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from the patient cultured in the presence of insulin responded by increased blast cell transformation, as compared with controls, who either had previously presented local allergic reactions to insulin or never had manifested insulin allergy.


Familial qt prolongation and risk of sudden death. Two sisters with the syndrome of familial QT prolongation in the ECG and syncope are presented. A recently suggested mechanism of the syndrome is presented and preventive measures to reduce the risk of sudden death associated with it are proposed.


Experimental studies on the effect of aging and endocrine control on collagen formation in various organs. Physiological changes with advancing age of collagen content, fiber and fibril sizes in some connective tissues, the morphological profiles and enzyme histochemical activities of fibroblasts in different organs. and the effect of gonadectomy, adrenalectomy, hypophysectomy and their hormone replacement on the collagen and fibroblasts were studied using DDD, C57BL/6J, A/Jax, DW/J mice and Wistar rats. It was suggested that connective tissue in these organs was under the specific control of endocrine organs such as gonads, adrenals and the pituitary and that these controls might be effected through their hormonal effects on the specifically differentiated fibroblast localized in different organs and tissue.


Metastatic carcinoma in cirrhotic liver--Statistical survey of autopsies in Japan. Autopsy records for the period of 1958-1972 in Japan as listed in 'The Annual of the Pathological Autopsy Cases' were reviewed and the incidence of metastatic neoplasms in the cirrhotic liver was surveyed. This included data from 240,377 patients of which 8,798 cases (3.66%) had liver cirrhosis excluding biliary and cardiac types. Those who had coexistent liver cirrhosis and extrahepatic malignant neoplasm totalled 737 (8.4% of the cirrhotics). Of these 737 patients, 194 had metastatic neoplasms to the cirrhotic liver (26.3% of those who had cirrhosis and neoplasms). The incidence of hepatic matastases in the non-cirrhotics was 38.3% during the period 1958-1959, and 43.2% in 1967-1968. The difference in incidence of metastasis to the cirrhotic as opposed to the non-cirrhotic liver is statistically significant. This finding supports the claim that metastatic neoplasms to the cirrhotic liver are less frequent than metastasis to the non-cirrhotic liver. However, they are by no means rare. These results may be due to that the patients with both cirrhosis and neoplasms can not live long enough for metastasis to develop.


Coronary heart disease in familiar hypercholesterolemia. Autopsy findings of a 36-year-old male with familiar hypercholesterolemia were reported and discussed. Hyperlipoproteinemia found in this case might belong to the type IIa in the classification of hyperlipoproteinemia while there was no skin lesion such as xanthoma and hypertension. Remarkable strictures due to atherosclerotic plaques in the lumens of the right and left coronary arteries and wide-spread myocardial infarction in the left ventricle were found. In the aorta just above the aortic valve there were atherosclerotic plaques in which foam cells could be seen. From the histological findings of the aortic valve the possibility that the thickening of the valve might have been induced by a similar mechanism as that of aorta and coronary arteries was suggested.


Malignant mesenchymoma of the heart.

Malignant mesenchymoma of the heart. An autopsy case of malignant cardiac mesenchymoma, which arose in the atrial septum was presented. This tumor contained fibrosarcomatous, rhabdomyosarcomatous, chondrosarcomatous and osseous elements. A small metastatic lesion was found in the lung. Histogenesis of this tumor was also considered with a survey of literature.


The cranial index according to Cronqvist compared to echo-ventriculography for determination of hydrocephalus. The Cronqvist cranial index with the normal values for different age groups according to Austin & Gooding is compared with the ventricular index estimated by ultrasound in a series of 166 neuropaediatric subjects aged 0 to 5 years. A large number of hydrocephalic patients has a normal cranial index. The cranial index alone is thus an unreliable method for the screening of hydrocephalus.


Cisternography with the non-ionic water-soluble contrast medium metrizamide. A preliminary report. In 11 patients the basal cisterns in the posterior cranial fossa were examined with the new water-soluble compound metrizamide. Promising results were obtained when the medium was administered suboccipitally or through the foramen ovale but less favourable after lumbar administration. The clinical tolerance of the compound with regard to short term effects was good.


A tomographic test object.

A tomographic test object. Testing of the tomographic and photographic system is a prerequisite for successful reproduction of minor details particularly in tomography of the temporal bone. A test phantom has been developed, consisting of a single layer of small metal balls which can be adjusted to varying inclinations to the tomographic plane. It involves a simple procedure for examining the homogeneity and stability of the tomographic layer at wide movement angles and may also be used for calculating the layer thickness.


Circulatory disturbances after experimental fracture. Early hemodynamic and angiographic effects after fracture with a minimum of soft tissue injury were investigated in anesthetized dogs. A close relation between hemodynamic and angiographic findings was observed. The fracture procedure did not change the regional blood flow in the soft tissues outside the bone in the injured extremity.


Angiography in vascular injuries of the extremities. Angiographic findings in 31 cases of vascular injuries of the extremities sustained to a variety of traumas are reported. Angiography will usually demonstrate the type and site of the lesion as well as the presence and extent of collaterals. Its value in cases with obscure clinical findings as well as its importance for the therapeutic approach is stressed.


Projection difference index in lymphographic diagnosis of lymph node metastases. The Projection Difference Index (Px%) of Wiljasalo for lymphographic diagnosis based on the hypothesis that normal nodes are flat while metastatic nodes are globular or grape-like was investigated in a material of 220 removed lymph nodes. The transverse diameters were measured on films exposed in four projections. The metastatic lymph nodes as a rule deviated from the globular or grape-like shape and doubt is therefore expressed about the diagnostic value of the Px%.


Turnover of 65Zn and 82Sr in growing rats. A comparative investigation. Analysis of bone retention data using 2- or 3-compartment models gives nearly equal relative accretion rates for zinc and calcium (85Sr) in endochondral bone and calcifying cartilage. The rate for zinc in cortical bone is 70% of that for calcium. As the existence in cortical bone of large, slowly exchanging compartments limitating accretion is consistent with the data, the relative accretion rate for zinc may more closely reflect the relative accretion rate of cortical bone.


Combined surgery and radiation therapy versus surgery alone in primary mammary carcinoma. I. The effect of orthovoltage radiation. The effect of routine postoperative irradiation in the treatment of carcinoma of the breast has been evaluated. Postoperative irradiation had no effect on the proportion of patients free of disease nor on the survival rate, but the incidence of local recurrence and homolateral supraclavicular lymph node metastasis was reduced. In stage II patients homolateral axillary lymph node metastases were also encountered less frequently in the irradiated group. Distant metastases occurred either in stage II patients with postoperative irradiation as compared with controls.


Frequency of severe complications after radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma. An analysis of a material of 265 patients treated by radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma was performed with respect to severe complications. The complication rate in patients free of recurrence was 1.9 per cent and in those with recurrence 23 per cent, which indicates that severe complications are often caused by recurrence of the tumour.


Carcinoma of the larynx. IV. Recurrences more than 5 years after primary treatment. The annual frequency of recurrences appearing during the 5th to 10th year of observation was a little more than 1 per cent a year. A formula is described for calculating this frequency. Apart from one case all 12 late recurrences were ordinary recurrences and not new independent tumours. Mortality was almost exclusively attributable to causes other than carcinoma of the larynx.


Cell kinetic approach to optimising dose distribution in radiation therapy. A simple tumour-cell radiation-response model was coupled to a dose-calculation routine and applied to a clinical situation in radiation therapy. The dose distributions resulting from various settings of two radiation fields, as well as the tumour response under various assumptions regarding sensitivity and distribution of tumour cells, were calculated automatically. The probability of zero surviving tumour cells after 30 fractions was taken as a measure of goodness of the dose distributions and was found to vary rather smoothly over the parameter intervals considered. For some parameters a distinct optimum was found, rather insensitive to different assumptions regarding cell response. A tolerance factor for healthy tissue, based on a dose-volume relationship, was also considered. It is concluded that a cell kinetic approach to automatic optimisation of field parameters in external radiation therapy might be realistic both from computional and economic points of view.


Objective symmetry detector method for gammaencephalography. I. Physical characteristics. A symmetry detector method for gammanecephalography is described. It is based on two detectors, collimated by square tubes with large apertures. Increase ratios and side difference ratios should be used as evaluation parameters in clinical applications and are therefore analysed theoretically and experimentally from measurements on a phantom system. The effect of energy discrimination is analyzed and found to be small over a wide range of the lower discrimination level setting. The chosen performance of the measuring routine used made errors caused by the electronic devices negligible in relation to the loss of precision occurring from counting statistics.