Pulmonary arterial oxygen saturation during treadmill exercise. A discriminative index of functional class. Six patients in functional class II and 11 in functional class III underwent graded treadmill exercise, with severe fatigue as their limiting symptom. During exercise, none of the patients developed chest pain, or significant arrhythmia. Our data suggest that at a treadmill workload of 2 mph and 7 per cent slope, with an oxygen consumption four times that at rest, measurement of the pulmonary arterial oxygen saturation permits clear separation of functional class II from functional class III. Although there was a significant difference in the heart rate response, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and percentage change in pulmonary arterial end-diastolic pressure, considerable overlap occurred. The use of pulmonary arterial oxygen saturation may prove to be of value in instances in which the functional cardiac status is not reasonably clear from the clinical interview or routine exercise testing. It requires less than maximal effort on the part of the patient, and provides an objective end point to distinguish between two important groups of patients.


Vitamin A transport in human fetal blood. The average concentration of retinol in the serum of 20 newborn Thai infants was 23.1 +/- 6.0 mug/100 ml, with a range of 14.3-36.6 mug/100 ml, about 60% that found in a group of healthy Thai women (39.8 mug/100 ml). Retinol containing components in pooled fetal serum and in adult serum were purified by chromatography first on DEAE cellulose and then twice on Sephadex G-100 columns. Over 90% of the retinol in fetal serum was associated with a complex between retinol binding protein and prealbumin. By several criteria fetal and adult retinol binding protein appear to be identical.


Localization of human gene loci using spontaneous chromosome rearrangements in human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids. Analysis of human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids with spontaneously derived chromosome structural changes has provided data for the regional and subregional localization of gene loci which have previously been assigned to human chromosomes 2, 12, and X. Correlation of the expression of human gene loci with the human chromosome complements present in somatic cell hybrids indicates that the cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (MDH1) locus is in the 2p23yields2pter region, and red cell acid phosphatase (AcP1) is at or adjacent to 2p23. The cytoplasmic isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) locus is at or adjacent to 2q11, peptidase B (Pep B) is at or adjacent to 12q21, lactate dehydrogenase B (LDH B) is in the 12q21yiedls12pter region, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is in the Xq24yieldsXqter region, and the gene loci for phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), alpha-galactosidase (alpha-gal), and hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (GPRT) are in the Xp21yieldsXq24 region.


A syndrome of recurrent intrauterine adhesions. Traumatic intrauterine adhesions are known to be reversible. In some cases, following lysis of adhesions we find residual adhesions on hysterography. We have studied 11 cases in whom new adhesion formation, of different type and location have recurred following curettage for lysis of adhesions or in subsequent pregnancy. In each case there were between two and five different forms of intrauterine adhesions during the course of study. In all 11 cases hypomenorrhea was a prominent symptom. On premestrual curettage a scanty amount of endometrium was removed. Their obstetric history was characterized by sterility (four cases) and repeated early abortions, spontaneous or missed. Treatment consisted of repeated curettage and placement of an IUD. Four patients who subsequently become pregnant carried pregnancy to term or near term. Intrauterine adhesions may be considered as a localized manifestation of more generalized process of endometrial fibrosis. This may explain this syndrome of recurrent intrauterine adhesions and the paradoxical phenomenon of limited adhesions being associated with amenorrhea and hypomenorrhea.


Clinical fetal monitoring. VII. The evaluation and significance of intrapartum baseline FHR variability. The clinical usage of intrapartum fetal monitoring has increased dramatically in the past few years. Understanding of the pathophysiologic significance of FHR patterns has been further elucidated, but quantitation and prediction on an individual basis at times present a practical clinical dilemma. Baseline FHR variability was evaluated in order to see if it provided additional commentary on fetal status. The presence of FHR variability appears to be a favorable commentary regarding both fetal and newborn status. A clinical method of apprasing FHR is presented and the significance of FHR variability suggested.


Iridocyclitis associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In a study of 45 patients, those with monarticular and pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and with antinuclear antibodies, were likely also to have chronic, persistent iridocyclitis. In cases where iridocyclitis was present, topical mydriatics were used to prevent formation of posterior synechiae. Topical corticosteroids were used but discontinued if the uveitis failed to respond. Despite the generally poor prognosis for the vision of these patients, surgery for complicated cataract was often successful.


Nictitating membrane in trisomy 18 syndrome. A 2,290-g infant boy born after a 43-week gestation had the classic, somatic, and dermatoglyphic findings of trisomy 18 (Edwards) syndrome. The diagnosis was established cytogenetically. A bilateral nictitating membrane was present. In contrast to those in lower species this membrane was established horizontally and moved cephalad for closure. Thus, the membrane occasionally coverd the conjunctiva and cornea completely, giving the impression of corneal clouding. Postmortem studies were not permitted.


Adaptation to fasting in baboon. II. Regulation of lipolysis early and late in fasting. Regulation of lipolysis by the sympathetic nervous system, basal insulin, and glucagon was studied in fasted baboons. Beta-Adrenergic mechanisms were evaluated by blockade with propranolol after 24, 40, and 65 h of fasting. Inhibition of lipolysis decreased with increasing duration of fasting. Insulin concentrations were markedly reduced by propranolol at all stages of fasting, whereas glucose and glucagon concentrations were unchanged. The roles of insulin and glucagon were evaluated by a 2-h infusion of somatostatin after 18 and 65 h of fasting. At both times, insulin and glucagon concentrations were markedly reduced. At 18 h of fasting but not at 65 h, lipolysis doubled. At both times the plasma glucose concentration fell 15-30%. At 18 h, preventing the decrease in glucose with glucose infusion prevented the increase in lipolysis. These data suggest that a beta-adrenergic mechanism is largely responsible for regulation of lipolysis early in fasting and that insulin, glucagon, and beta-adrenergic mechanisms play no major part in the maintenance of the accelerated lipolysis later in fasting.


Cardiac glycogen in long-evans rats: diurnal pattern and response to exercise. The 24-h pattern of cardiac glycogen was determined in normally active, caged male Long-Evans rats. Relatively small fluctuation was observed during a 24-h cycle with maximal difference between mean values ranging from 3.41 +/- 0.28 (dark room) to 5.15 +/- 0.19 (light room) mg glycogen/g wet wt heart, suggesting that the substantial diurnal variation of cardiac glycogen reported in Wistar rats is not a universally observed phenomenon. Cardiac glycogen during and following a single bout of moderate running was compared to a bout of strenuous running in fed male Long-Evans rats. Moderate continuous running at 20 m/min for 30 min did not decrease cardiac glycogen below the average control level (4.09 +/- 0.10 mg glycogen/g heart) but did cause a short period of supercompensation, which reached a peak of 6.27 +/- 0.19 mg/g heart at 2 h postexercise. Strenuous running in bouts at 30 m/min over a 2-h period for a distance of 1,413 m caused a significant decrease in cardiac glycogen to 2.66 +/- 0.20 mg/g heart followed by an extended period of supercompensation, which reached a peak of 9.01 +/- 1.41 mg/g heart at 4 h postexercise and remained significantly elevated during the next 13 h. Thus, the severity of exercise in normal, fed rats determines not only the extent of cardiac depletion, but also the supercompensation pattern of glycogen repletion following exercise.


The ovary of the insectivorous bat Otomops martiensseni. Ovaries from 30 bats were investigated. The left ovary is atrophic in Otomops martiensseni. The histology and ultrastructure of the right ovary are described. The corpus luteum degenerates during early pregnancy. The interstitial gland tissue is well developed.


[Attempts at localisation and evaluation of the RNA amounts in the tail and the cytoplasmic droplet of bull spermatozoa]. The RNA has been located and proportioned by a spectrophotometric method which absorbs the ultra-violet light. The technique used allows us to execute punctual dosage into the spermatozoon's tail. Each of these punctual dosages makes us realise the RNA localisation; and the sum of these dosages makes us realise the total quantity which is contained in one spermatozoon. The signification of the collected data is debated. A comparison has been made with chemical methods. These methods give the advantage to obtain valuations on large quantities of spermatozoa. But these valuations are always global value, and the individual value is always a mean's expression. Without being dull, the microspectophotometry is slow and brings about to effect on much restricted numbers, but the data are all individual measurements, (and we can even obtain punctual measurements in the range of 400 to 500 for the tail only. So that we can interprete these individual measurements and make very interesting comparisons from cell to cell. The possibilities are therefore very large and they complete fortunately the chemical methods.


Comparative aggression in Sceloporus virgatus, S. undulatus consobrinus, and S. u. tristichus (Sauria: iguanidae). Aggressive behaviour in both sexes of Sceloporus virgatus, S. undulatus consobrinus, and S. u. tristichus were compared by introducing a conspecific to a resident lizard in the field.  Males of S. u. consobrinus exhibited high intensity aggression more commonly than did males of the other forms.  Of the females, S. u. tristichus showed the greatest propensity for aggressive behaviour; S. u. consobrinus showed the least.  In males, degree of aggression was correlated positively with degree of sexual dichromatism.  The high degree of aggression in male S. u. consobrinus may be selectively advantageous because of (1) low density increasing space between females, (2) low density reducing selection against a relatively high frequency of violent fighting, and (3) high predation favouring lizards that do not leave their sites upon intrusion of another male.  High aggression in female S. u. tristichus may be selectively advantageous because of (1) higher density leading to reduced food supply and fewer egg-laying sites, and (2) lower predation reducing selection against mobility and fighting in females.


Social interactions and antibody titres in young male chickens (Gallus domesticus). The influence of social interactions on established antibody titres to a Salmonella pullorum antigen was determined in several Athens Randombred families.  In two experiments, a large-bodied, aggresive family and a small-bodied, relatively non-aggressive family were placed in three social environments:  (1) Four-bird control groups with no changes in membership once formed; (2) three-bird resident groups to which a new fourth bird was introduced daily; (3) the single bird that had been moved to a new group each day.  The normal rate of decline in antibody titres was significantly accelerated in birds that were introduced as new members daily (group 3), but only in members of the small non-aggressive family.  In a third experiment, using families relatively close in size and aggressiveness, the effects of social grouping on antibody titres were not significant.


Aggression and dominance in the weaver bird, Quelea quelea. Previous work on agonistic behaviour in Quelea has been concerned primarily with hormonal variables.  In the present series of experiments, a number of behavioural correlates of aggression and dominance are examined in male and bisexual groups.  These include the effects of group arousal level on rates of agonistic encounters, the relationship between an individual's habitual level of activity and its relative dominance, aggressiveness and position on the perch in a resting "flock".  The temporal patterning of encounters is analysed and the reasons why encounters tend to clump in time determined.  The relationship between dominance in encounters over individual-distance infringements and dominance in encounters over access to a restricted food source is investigated and the effects of this on loss of weight in males and females determined.  The results are discussed in relation to Ward's (1965) finging that in the wild females suffer higher mortality than males during the dry season and in relation to the general determinants of aggression in Quelea.


Aggressive behaviour of male mice (Mus musculus) towards familiar and unfamiliar opponents. Two types of colonies of laboratory mice were employed; hierarchically organized ones formed by placing five unfamiliar 8-week-old mice in a cage together and amicably organized colonies in which four male litter mates were kept together throughout the whole period of the experiment.  During a 21-day pre-experimental period intra-colony aggressive behaviour was recorded.  A dominant animal and ranked subordinates occurred in every hierarchical colony, whilst no aggression was recorded in any of the amicable colonies.  During a 25-day period unfamiliar adult male or female mice were introduced daily into the amicable or hierarchical colonies for 10 min.  In a third experiment juvenile mice 17, 24, 31 or 38 days old were introduced into hierarchically organized colonies during a 20-day period.  In all hierarchical colonies the stranger was attacked irrespective of sex and age; the majority of attacks were carried out by the dominant mouse.  Aggression by the dominant declined exponentially throughout the experimental period and regression analyses compared the different data.  Unfamiliar adult females were the recipients of fewer attacks than unfamiliar adult males and the age of juvenile strangers was found to be an important factor.  Amicably organized mice initially did not attack strangers, but over a period of 25 days the number of attacks on unfamiliar males gradually increased.


Aggression patterns in three chromosome forms of the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi. Three chromosome forms of the mole rat, Spalax ehrenbergi, 2n = 52, 2n = 58 and 2n = 60 were studied in an especially designed apparatus which simulated a natural territorial situation by permitting the animal free movement into and out of its home cage. Observed were variables representing agonistic, conflict and territorial behaviour. The data were analysed by means of a Smallest Space Analysis, SSA-II, which gave a graphic portrayal of the interrelations of behaviour categories where differences between means of single traits had been of no significance. 2n = 52 animals were found to be 'losers' in encounters. 'Lose', 'win' and 'draw' could be characterized by specific behaviour patterns: each outcome of encounter was surrounded by a cluster of behaviour categories consisting of agonistic, conflict and territorial activities that characterized its region of the SSA space.


Open-field behaviour of oestrous and dioestrous rats: evidence against an 'emotionality' interpretation. Oestrous and dioestrous rats were observed during the initial 2 min of open-field exposure, and after a loud bell had sounded. Although defecation and ambulation showed characteristic difference between the two phases (less defecation and more ambulation at oestrus), other measures associated with emotional behaviour (latency to move from the wall, flight, and freezing to the bell) showed no differences. These findings supported Drewett's suggestion that open-field defecation and ambulation change with oestrous phase because of general metabolic changes and not as a result of 'emotionality' changes.


The relationship between the physiological condition of female mice and the effects of their urine on the social behaviour of adult males. The effect, on the agonistic behaviour of male mice, of urine from females which were either in oestrus or dioestrus, intact or ovariectomized, was examined. It was shown that the inhibitory effect on aggression previously demonstrated was independent of the state of oestrus and was unaffected by ovariectomy. In addition the presence of a factor in female urine which potentiates sexual behaviour in males was revealed. This effect was shown to be present at oestrus and not at dioestrus and to be abolished by ovariectomy.


The influence of the sex of litter-mates on subsequent maternal behaviour in Rattus norvegicus. Female rats reared in unisexual (U) or bisexual (B) cross-fostered litters were mated at 75 days of age and their maternal behaviour compared by periodic observation over 20 days following birth of their litters. In two separate experiments, U-females showed a lower incidence of pregnancy and, at birth, of litters with ten or more pups than B-females (P less than 0-05). Litters culled to ten animals on the day after birth were significantly heavier in B- than in U-females, although this difference was not evident at weaning as litters reared by U-females showed a relatively greater (P less than 0-01) increase in weight during the investigation than the corresponding litters reared by B-females. Using a scoring method, no difference was evident in the opportunities that U- and B-females offered for their pups to suck, and, when not nursing pups in the nest, both groups of females engaged equally in activities such as grooming, sleeping, eating, and rearing on their hind legs. Throughout the 20-day observation period, B-females maintained significantly more elaborate nests (as scored on an arbitrary scale) than U-females. This difference was evident in females rearing litters of both five and ten animals, and was observed in two separate experiments. In addition, whereas only 15 per cent of U-females were observed nest-building, over 60 per cent of B-females were noted to be engaged in this activity on one or more occasions (P less than 0-001). It is suggested that, in the light of previous findings, these results may reflect differences in oestrogen and/or progesterone metabolism in unisexually-reared and bisexually-reared female rats.


The inheritance of aggressiveness in the convict cichlid fish, Cichlasoma nigrofasciatum (Pisces: Cichlidae). Intraspecific comparisons in aggression were made between X-irradiated (2 times 500 R) ancestors and untreated control animals. Bites delivered to sub-adult conspecifics were counted to measure aggressiveness. When compared with corresponding controls, a significant reduction in male aggressiveness was found in the post-irradiation F1 generation. A greater variation in bites delivered occurred among the F2 post-irradiation generations than among the control equivalents. Three distinct back-cross generations were obtained as follows. a single F1 female from the irradiated line was mated to (a) her high aggressive (I-A) and (b) her low aggressive (I-NA) F2 son; a F1 control female was mated to her low aggressive F2 son. In the back-cross generations, both I-A and C-NA males were more aggressive than I-NA males. No differences were found between I-A and C-NA back-cross males. The findings are discussed in terms of a two-factor model based on Mendelian laws.


Effects of xylazine and acetylpromazine upon induced ventricular fibrillation in dogs anesthetized with thiamylal and halothane. Ventricular arryhythmias including ventricular fibrillation were produced with epinephrine in dogs induced to an anesthetic state with thiamylal and maintained with halothane. In dogs given (premedicated) xylazine 20 minutes prior to anesthesia, ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation, were induced with much smaller doses of epinephrine than in nonpremedicated dogs. Dogs premedicated with acetylpromazine 20 minutes prior to anesthesia with thiamylal and halothane displayed protection from epinephrine-induced arrhythmias. Caution is advised from using xylazine in the presence of halothane if epinephrine is to be administered.


Effect of tissue temperature on ulnar nerve conduction velocity in the dog. The motor conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve of 19 mature dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital was electromyographically determined before and at tissue temperature decrements of 2 degrees (C) during cooling of the forelimb. Precooling (37 C) conduction velocity was 56 +/- 7.6 m/second (mean +/- standard deviation). At a tissue temperature of 20 C, conduction velocity was reduced to 31 +/- 6.3 m/second. Regression analysis indicated that conduction velocity decreased linearly by 1.7 m/second for each degree of decrease in tissue temperature between 37 and 20 C.


Tuberculin sensitivity in pregnancy.

Tuberculin sensitivity in pregnancy. Of 452 women who had been tuberculin tested twice with an interval of one year between tests, there were 105 who were pregnant at the first test and 121 others who were pregnant at the second test. An equal number of matched control subjects were selected who were not pregnant on either occasion. All 3 groups showed slight and similar increases in median diameter of induration during the one-year interval. There was no indication that pregnancy affected the level of tuberculin sensitivity.


[Histological tissue study of cattly harboring the Hypoderma lineatum parasite (De Vill.) (Diptera-Oestriform) (author's transl)]. The migrating larvae of H. lineatum throughout the submucosal connective tissue of the oesophagus of cattle induce an acute inflammatory reaction. The aim of this study is to investigate histopathological tissue changes. Connective tissue damage is produced by the inflammatory reaction, but mostly by larval proteolytic enzymes. Fibrous proteins and matrix are all largely affected. Around the larvae there are 3 concentric levels of degradation. The external one is characterized by vascular response. No tissue component is destroyed, but the collagen fibers dissociate into fibrils. In the 2 internal levels (B, C) the fibrils lying along the larvae progressively degrade, splitting into large then small fragments. The elastic fibers are differently affected, but also show breaking and thinness. Finally, the matrix increases, metabhromatic reactions appear, and many mononuclear cells and granulocytes invade this injured area. Fibrin network generally present in inflammatory reaction is not found around the larvae except posteriorly in the regenerative zone. All the changes in the fibrous proteic structures of connective tissue facilitate larval migration. Repair in the larval pathway commences shortly after the passage of the larvae. Necrotic tissues are rapidly destroyed by larval enzymes and tissular and cellular enzymes, macrophages and granulocytes are abundant. The respective importance of larval enzymes and cellular enzymes in the necrotic phase is analyzed. This study, carried out between October and March, also shows an increase of inflammatory reaction and tissular degradation. The immune response of the host and the nutritional habits of the larvae are probably involved.


Effects of 5-bromodeoxyuridine and 5-iododeoxyuridine on a latent herpes simplex virus infection. A latent herpes simplex virus infection was established in rabbit kidney cells. Treatment of the cells with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine after the latent infection was established had no effect on the rate of virus recovery but did extend the latent period before active virus growth resumed. In contrast to this, treatment of cells with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine or 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine prior to infection with virus increased the subsequent rate of virus recovery.


Production of cephalosporin C by single and double sulfur auxotrophic mutants of Cephalosporium acremonium. An early blocked sulfur amino acid auxotroph, Cephalosporium acremonium mutant 274-1 (which could be satisfied by methionine or cysteine), utilized organic sulfur compounds for cephalosporin C production in the following order of decreasing effectiveness; methionine > cystathionine > cysteine, despite the fact that cysteine is considered to be the immediate precursor of the antibiotic. When a genetic block was added to mutant 274-1 in the transsulfuration pathway from cysteine to methionine, the double mutant 11-8 (which grows on methonine but not cysteine) failed to produce cephalosporin C from cysteine even though enough methionine was added to support normal growth. Addition of the non-sulfur analogue, norleucine, resulted in antibiotic production from cysteine in the double mutant. These facts support the hypothesis that methionine stimulation of cephalosporin C production is due to a role of methionine other than that of sulfur donation.


Bright greenish-yellow fluorescence and aflatoxin in agricultural commodities. The corn milling industry has widely accepted the presence of bright greenish-yellow fluorescence under a black light as a presumptive indicator of aflatoxin (a poison produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus). This test was applied to wheat, oats, barley, rice, coconut, white corn, yellow corn, peanuts, sorghum, and soybeans, and evaluated in the laboratory. Our study supported the use of bright greenish-yellow fluorescence as a presumptive test for aflatoxin in wheat, oats, barley, corn, and sorghum.


Tracheobronchial particle deposition and clearance. A study of the effects of cigarette smoking in monozygotic twins. Particle deposition and tracheobronchial clearance were measured in six pairs of male monozygotic twins, four of which were discordant for cigarette smoking. The fraction of an inhaled aerosol that deposited on the ciliated airways showed variations within twin pairs comparable with variations in repeated tests on a single subject, and significantly smaller (P less than .001) than among tests on different subjects. Variations that did occur were consistent with differences in forced expiratory volume (FEV1.0) values. The proximal shift of aerosol deposition and reduced FEV1.0 values in smokers indicated that they had some degree of bronchoconstriction. Mucociliary clearance characteristics are qualitatively and quantitatively similar for nonsmoking and smoking concordant monozygotic twins, ie, comparable with repeated tests on a single individual, reflecting their constitutional similarity. With one exception, clearance curves for twin pairs discordant with respect to smoking were also qualitatively indistinguishable. Nonsmokers, however, had greater upper bronchial clearance rates than their smoking twins.


Hexamitiasis in cadmium-exposed mice.

Hexamitiasis in cadmium-exposed mice. Mortality was observed in 4- to 5-week-old Swiss Webster mice exposed to 300 or 3 ppm cadmium as cadmium chloride in the drinking water. Mice receiving 300 ppm cadium suffered 26% mortality as compared with 7% of those on the low cadmium dose. Death did not occur in control mice. Clinical signs and histopathology established Hexamita muris as the causative agent. Cadmium lesions were not observed. It is suggested that mortality due to hexamitiasis resulted from synergism between cadmium and H muris.


Effects of hydroxylamine on the consequences of long-lasting administration of morphine in mice. I. Effect on the morphine tolerance. C57BL/6J mice were injected daily with increasing doses of morphine sulfate for 5 weeks. Twenty-four hours after the final morphine administration, they were injected intracranially with 10, 20 or 50 mul of a 0.3 M solution of hydroxylamine. Two weeks later, hot plate testing indicated that hydroxylamine interfered with the developed tolerance of the mice to morphine.


Teratogenicity of cyproheptadine in pregnant rats. The teratogenicity of cyproheptadine HCL (Periactin) was studied in 3 groups of pregnant rats which received respectively 0.5 mg/kg/day, 2.5 mg/kg/day and 5 mg/kg/day cyproheptadine subcutaneously and in a control group of pregnant rats which received 0.2 ml/day of the solvent normal saline. Higher doses were toxic to pregnant rats. There was no significant difference in the birth rate, foetal resorption rate and malformation rate between the 4 groups. Moreover, there was no significant difference between average weights, average foetal placental weights and male/female ratio in the experimental and control foetuses. It is concluded that cyproheptadine is devoid of any teratogenic effect in rats.


Factors associated with mortality in brain abscess. Coma on admission, multiple, deep, or ruptured abscess, inaccurate diagnosis, and inability to prove the diagnosis were factors contributing to mortality. In survivors, abscess generally followed cranial injury, surgery, or contiguous infection; in most fatal cases, brain abscess was secondary to a more remote primary infection. Ruptured or multiple abscesses or positive spinal fluid cultures were not found in survivors, and coma was present in only one. Fatal cases in patients admitted in coma usually did not exhibit focal signs, seizures, or symptoms of meningitis early in the illness; none of these patients had prior cranial injury or surgery. Absence of these delayed their seeking care and accurate diagnosis. Ruptured abscess was frequent in these patients. Most patients not in coma on admission had focal signs, seizures, symptoms or meningitis, or had prior cranial injury or surgery.


Central action of drugs acting on the cholinergic muscarinic receptor I. Influence of cholinomimetic drugs administered into the lateral cerebral ventricle on behavior in rats. Carbachol (CCh), physostigmine (Pht) and pilocarpine (Pil) injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle (ivtr), diminished spontaneous motility and open-field performance, lowered body temperature, depressed amphetamine-induced hypermotility, and inhibited amphetamine stereotypy. On the other hand, they had no effect on duration of hexobarbital anesthesia, except Pil, which slightly prolonged it, or on the action of threshold dose of pentetrazole and maximal electroshock. The compounds raised levels of "free" and "total" ACh, but not those of "bound" ACh. Level of NA in the brain was decreased, while level of DA was unaltered. These results are further evidence of an inhibitory influence of cholinomimetic drugs on behavior in animals.


Central action of drugs acting on the cholinergic muscarinic receptor. II. Influence of ecothiopate administered into the lateral cerebral ventricle on behavior in rats. Ecothiopate (Etp), 10 mug injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle (ivtr), diminished spontaneous motility and open-field performance, lowered body temperature, inhibited amphetamine-induced hypermotility and stereotypy, prolonged hexobarbital anesthesia and did not induce catalepsy. These behavioral symptoms were accompanied by lowered level of NA and elevated levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the brain. No change in levels of DA were noted. Smaller doses (0-1 and 1 mug) had virtually no influence on behavior of the animals. The dose of 1 mug caused a rise in levels of 5-HIAA in the brain, but had no influence on levels of NA, DA and 5-HT.


Central action of drugs acting on the cholinergic muscarinic receptor. III. Influence of atropine and scopolamine injected intraventricularly on behavior and levels of biogenic amines in the rat brain. Atropine (At) and scopolamine (Sc) in low doses intensify basic activity, increase amphetamine stereotypy, and suppress catalepsy induced by injection of haloperidol. High doses lower body temperature, antagonize amphetamine stereotypy, and intensify the hypnotic action of chloral hydrate. Doses of about 1/2 LD50 induce narcotic sleep. Both At and Sc in a wide range of dosage protect against the tonic phase of convulsions produced by electroshock. Sc depresses content of acetylcholine in the brain proportionally to its dosage; At had a similar effect only at the lower of the two doses that were used. Both compounds had no effect on levels of noradrenaline and dopamine in the brain. The results indicate that low doses of blockers of the cholinergic muscarinic receptor, injected intraventricularly, produce strong central stimulation, whereas high doses produce depression of the central nervous system.


The effect of 5-hydroxytrytamine synthesis inhibitors on neuroleptic-induced catalepsy in rats. The influence of factors which inhibit 5-hydoxytryptamine (5-HT) synthesis, i.e. p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) and p-chloroamphetamine (PCA), on cataleptic action of the neuroleptics: spiroperiodol, pimozide, reserpine and fluphenazine was studied. PCPA showed weak anticataleptic activity in reserpine-induced catalepsy but had no effect on catalepsy induced by spiroperidol or fluphenazine. PCPA also tended to depress the cataleptic effect of pimozide, but the results were not statistically significant. PCA had no influence on catalepsy induced by neuroleptics from the group of butyrophenones, potentiated the cataleptic action of reserpine in the dose of 5 mg/kg, and suppressed catalepsy induced by reserpine in the dose of 10 mg/kg. The results suggest that under conditions of the inhibition of the inhibition of 5-HT synthesis the cataleptic action of some neuroleptics may be slightly modified.


Studies on ovine infertility in agricultural regions of western Australia: plasma progesterone levels of fertile and infertile ewes. No differences were observed in the levels or patterns of production of progesterone between fertile ewes and ewes with the "permanent" type of infertility due to ingestion of phyto-oestrogens.


Meningeal haemorrhage and congestion associated with the perinatal mortality of beef calves. Thirty Angus, Hereford and Shorthorn term calves dying before, during or within 7 days of birth in a large beef herd were autopsied. Selected specimens were examined histologically. Two carcasses were classified in the category of ante-parturient death, 24 as parturient, and 4 were classified in the post-parturient death category. Three of the latter showed evidence of starvation. Eight of the calves in the parturient death category were assisted during delivery, and 16 were not assisted. The incidence of nulliparous dams among assisted parturient deaths was significantly higher than among the unassisted group. A high incidence of meningeal haemorrhages and congestion were observed at single or multiple sites, within and around the cranial and spinal meninges. The lesions comprised subdural and epidural haemorrhages, bloodstained cerebrospinal fluid and leptomeningeal haemorrhage and congestion. They were seen in calves in both parturient and post-parturient death categories but not in the ante-parturient group. All calves classified in the parturient death category which were assisted during delivery showed haemorrhages involving the cranial and/or spinal meninges. Additional birth injuries, including separation of the costo-chondral junctions, fractured ribs, haemorrhage into the hip joints, inter-vertebral fibrocartilages and axillae, and rupture of the liver, were frequently present. Ten of the calves in the parturient death category which were unassisted during delivery showed meningeal haemorrhage and congestion. Two of the 4 calves in the post-parturient death category showed similar lesions and both showed evidence of starvation. The meningeal haemorrhages and congestion were similar to those observed in perinatal lamb mortality. They are considered manifestations of injury to the CNS arising from trauma and/or hypoxia during birth. Gross or microscopic evidence of infection was present in 2 calves in the post-parturient death category. Calves which had starved showed subcutaneous oedema of the distal limbs, congestion and focal haemorrhage of the adrenal cortex and red-brown fat depots. It is suggested that these changes are evidence of cold injury, and that fat in newborn calves responds to cold and starvation in a manner similar to the brown fat of newborn lambs.


Anthelmintic efficiency related to strategic control schemes for helminthiasis in sheep. A comparison was made of the effects on worm egg output from groups of sheep treated with either thiabendazole or levamisole at 3 dose rates in different weight categories of weaned lambs. Neither thiabendazole at 79.8 mg/kg nor levamisol at 12.8 mg/kg completely prevented worm egg output by treated sheep. Over all dose rates thiabendazole was significantly more effective than levamisole. The data indicated that dose rates may need to be increased for use in strategic control schemes for helminthiasis.


Perinatal lamb mortality in Western Australia. 7. Congenital defects. Four hundred and one malformed lambs were examined during a 3-year investigation into the causes of perinatal lamb mortality. Frequence of involvement of the various body systems was: musculo-skeletal 55.4%, digestive 12.7%, cardiovascular 9.7%, uro-genital 7.1%, nervous 6.0%, special senses 3.5%, integument 3.2%, and endocrine 1.5%. A third of the defects (32.9%) involved more than one body system. There was a sex difference of 3 males: 2 females. The common defects in the lambs autopsied in order of frequence were: agnathia, atresia ani, cardiac defects, arthrogryposis, micrognathia, scrotal bifurcation, embryonic duplications, hernias, meningocele, and perosomus elumbis. Agnathia, atresia ani and persistent umbilical haemorrhage appeared to be hereditary. There was no relationship between congenital defects and the time of lambing and phytoestrogens.


Embryonic duplications in sheep.

Embryonic duplications in sheep. Twenty-seven embryonic duplications were examined during a 3-year investigation into the causes of perinatal lamb mortality. Twenty of the 27 were anomalous twins with 19 being conjoined (diplopagus 9 and heteropagus 10). The various duplications were: haloacardius acephalus 1, diprosopus 2, dicephalus 2, dipypus 3, diprosopus dipygus 1, syncephalus dipygus 1, pygopagus parasiticus 1, heteropagus dipygus 3, melodidymus 6, polyury 4, penile duplication 2, and bilateral otognathia 1. Four lambs were living and the time of death of the others was: parturient 8, and post-parturient 15. Average dry weight of the lambs was 3.35 kg (range 1.59 to 5.45 kg). Breed distribution was: Merino 77.8%, Crossbred 14.8%, Dorset Horn 3.7%, and Corriedale 3.7%. The caudal region was involved in 10 of the conjoined twins (52.6%), anterior region in 7 (36.9%), and both anterior and caudal regions in 2 (10.5%). Associated defects were present in 70.4% of the 27 lambs, the most common being atresia ani.


Laboratory and field studies with a bovine ephemeral fever vaccine. Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) virus vaccines, prepared from the brains of suckling mice infected with strain 525 BEF virus, were evaluated in housed cattle and in the field. The virus in lyophilised preparations was stable for 6 months at -50 degrees C. Thirty-four calves, 5 to 18 months old, were used in laboratory vaccination trials. An increase in serum neutralising antibody was detected in 13 of 14 calves initially free of serum antibody, and all 13 failed to develop clinical illness following challenge with virulent BEF virus. Vaccination resulted in no detectable serum antibody increase in 4 calves, 5 months old, with pre-existing antibody of presumed maternal origin. Seven animals, 18 months of age with serum antibody presumed due to previous BEF infection, developed increased antibody titres following vaccination. In 3 animals vaccinated but not challenged, vaccine-induced antibodies decreased to low levels over 5 months. In contrast, the antibody titres following infection with virulent virus in 2 calves were maintained over 5 months. Field trials, involving 236 animals initially free of serum antibody, were conducted on 5 properties near Mackay and 4 properties near Brisbane. Most of 164 animals were vaccinated with a single dose of lyophilised vaccine containing aluminium hydroxide adjuvant. Only 4 animals failed to develop serum antibody and no adverse reactions to vaccination were reported. Natural infection with BEF occurred in 4 herds at Mackay and clinically mild BEF occurred in 3 of 109 vaccinated and 3 of 46 control animals. On the basis of measured serum antibody titres it was assumed that 8 of 53 animals receiving full vaccine volume, 20 of 40 animals receiving half vaccine volume and 18 of 40 control animals became infected with BEF virus. Two dairy herds in Brisbane became naturally infected with virulent BEF virus 7 months after vaccination. Clinical BEF was observed in 8 of 11 control animals and in 3 of 26 animals which received 2 doses of vaccine. Two strains of BEF virus were isolated from unvaccinated animals that developed clinically mild BEF in the field. These strains either failed to infect, or produced subclinical or very mild BEF, when inoculated intravenously into susceptible calves. The anitbody response to natural infection with apparently mild viruses was short-lived, similar to that produced by vaccination.


Induction of globin mRNA in Friend leukemia virus-infected cells and its presence in viral 60S RNA. The Friend leukemia virus (FLV)-infected cell line, T-3-Cl-2, undergoes a form of erythroid differentiation in culture when treated with an appropriate inducer, such as dimethylsulfoxide ((CH3)2SO). Thus, whereas untreated cells contain no detectable hemoglobin, treated cells accumulate hemoglobin in quantities comparable to those in the mature mouse red blood cell. We have investigated the mechanism of hemoglobin induction by quantitating the number of globin genes and the amount of globin mRNA in cells before and during the period of hemoglobin accumulation. The results indicate the number of globin genes does not change as the cells accumulate hemogtobin: There are less than 5 globin genes per haploid genome. On the other hand, whereas cells lacking hemoglobin contain little, if any, globin mRNA, hemoglobin-containing cells accumulate, on the average, 8,000 molecules of globin mRNA per cell. The most direct, although, by no means, the only interpretation of these results is that the induction of hemoglobin synthesis involves transcriptional activation of the globin genes. Using this same cell line, we show that mouse globin mRNA sequences are also present in viral particles purified from the culture medium of globin-producing cells. These globin mRNA sequences are absent from viral particles derived from T-3-Cl-2 cells which are not producing globin mRNA. Virus-associated globin mRNA sequences sediment in association with 60S viral RNA complex as well as in free, 9S form. However, under mild denaturing conditions which result in the conversion of viral 60 S RNA to 30S and smaller forms, all the globin sequences sediment as 9S RNA. Appropriate control experiments indicate that the virus-associated globin mRNA is resistant to degradation by exogenous ribonuclease; that exogenously added globin mRNA does not become associated with the 60S viral RNA complex; and that globin mRNA can be detected in virions derived from cells both induced for and constitutively synthesizing globin mRNA. The presence of globin mRNA sequences in FLV particles has important implications in terms of our ability to distinguish between host and viral RNAs in viral particles and in terms of the possible role RNA tumor viruses might play in transduction of genetic information.


Separation and properties of DNA polymerase from murine leukemia L1210 cells. The possible existence of several species of DNA-dependent DNA polymerases in mammalian cells in addition to those 2 polymerases which are the smaller enzyme from nucleus and larger one from cytoplasm each having distinct characteristics, have been reported recently. In order to examine the heterogeneity of DNA polymerases in murine leukemia L1210 cells and to characterize their general properties, we have attempted to separate the DNA polymerase activities from L1210 cells. By diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose chromatography (0.2 M-1M KCl) of the whole cell extract from L1210 solubilized by 1% Triton X-100 and 0.5 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), 4 fractions with DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activities were obtained and designated as DD-1, DD-2, DD-3, and DD-4 for eluents with each corresponding concentration of 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 M KCl, respectively. They were distinguishable in properties such as template preference, divalent cation requirement, DNase sensitivity, isoelectric point (pI) and the behavior on the phosphocellulose chromatography. DD-1 preferred native DNA as template exhibiting similar characteristic as nuclear polymerase with low molecular weight and insensitivity to SH-inhibitors. DD-2, DD-3, and DD-4 utilized activated DNA most efficiently, while activity of DD-3 increased even in the presence of DNase 1 under the condition where the others were completely inhibited. Distribution of DNA polymerase activities in the cells is discussed briefly.


The association of bovine beta-casein. The importance of the C-terminal region. Bovine beta-casein exists in the monomer form in solution (pH 6.5, 0.1 M NaCl, 0.5% w/v) at low temperatures, but associates to form polymers at higher temperatures. Gel filtration chromatography at 36 degrees showed that the polymer is large with a hydrodynamic size greater than that of a globular protein with a mol wt of 1.34 times 10(6). Removal of two C-terminal amino acids per molecule decreased the proportion of polymer in the solution, although the chromatographic behavior of the modified beta-casein monomers and polymers was retained. Removal of a 20 amino acid peptide from the C terminus of the beta-casein completely destroyed its ability to form polymers and removed the 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate binding site. However, deletion of segments of the protein from the N terminus did not decrease the ability of the modified beta-casein to associate, nor did it affect the 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate binding site greatly. It seems likely that all, or some, of the 20 amino acids at the C terminus are responsible for the associative behavior of beta-casein, possibly by the direct participation of their side chains in hydrophobic bond formation. However, removal of the C-terminal peptides may have disrupted the spatial structure of the native protein so that it could no longer associate normally.


Studies on interaction between poly(L-lysine58, L-phenylalanine42) and deoxyribonucleic acids. A random copolymer of 58% L-lysine and 42% L-phenylalanine, poly(Lys58Phe42), was used as a model protein for studying the role of phenylalanine residues in protein-DNA interaction. Complexes between this copolypeptide and DNA, made by direct mixing, were studied by absorbance, circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence, and thermal denaturation. Complex formation results in an increase in absorbance, and an enhancement, red-shift, and broadening of phenylalanine fluorescence. The fluorescence enhancement is opposite to the quenching observed when a tyrosine copolypeptide is bound to DNA (R. M. Santella and H.J. Li (1974), Biopolymers 13, 1909). The positive CD band of DNA near 275 nm is reduced and red-shifted by the binding of the phenylalanine copolypeptide to a greater extent than by the tyrosine copolypeptide. Thermal denaturation of the complexes in 2.5 times 10(-4) M EDTA (pH 8.0) shows three characteristic melting bands. For complexes with calf thymus DNA, free base pairs melt at Tm,I (47-49 degrees) and copolypeptide-bound base pairs show two melting bands (Tm,II at 73-75 degrees, and Tm,III at 88 -90 degrees). Similar thermal denaturation results have been observed for complexes with Micrococcus luteus DNA. The fluorecence intensity of the complexes is greatly increased when the temperature is raised to the Tm,II region. In addition to fluorescence measurements, the effects of increasing temperature on absorption and CD spectra of the complexes were also studied. Stacking interaction between the phenylalanine chromophore and DNA bases, either partial or full intercalation, is implicated by the experimental results. Several mechanisms are proposed to describe the reaction between the copolypeptide and DNA, and thermal denaturation of the complex.


The kinetics and specificity of the reaction of 2'(3')-O-bromoacetyluridine with bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A. 2'(3')-O-Bromoacetyluridine reacts rapidly and selectively with bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A at pH 5.5 and 25 degrees. Under conditions of high molar ratios of nucleoside derivative to enzyme, the only derivative is N-3-carboxymethylhistidine-12 ribonuclease A. The reaction occurs almost exclusively with the histidine-12 residue at the active site inactivation of the enzyme is accompanied by the stoichiometric disappearance of unmodified ribonuclease A and appearance of the product, N-3-carboxymethylhistidine-12 ribonuclease A. Kinetic studies indicate a mechanism involving saturation of the enzyme by the nucleoside derivative. The inhibitor constant, Kb, is 0.087 M and k3 is 35.1 times 10(-4) sec minus 1. The reaction of 2'(3')-O-bromoacetyluridine with the enzyme occurs at a rate approximately 3100 times greater than that corresponding to the reaction with L-histidine. The alkylation reaction is inhibited competitively by uridine with a Ki of 0.013 M. 2'(3')-O-Bromoacetyluridine inactivates ribonuclease A 4.5 times faster than bromoacetic acid and the specificity for alkylation of active-site histidine residues is different. 2'(3')-O-Bromoacetyluridine reacts 1000 times more rapidly with ribonuclease A than iodoacetamide. The contribution of nucleoside binding to the overall rate of alkylation is discussed.


Role of tyrosine residues in mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from beef kidney. Mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase from beef kidney is 50% inhibited after 2 hr treatment with 2.5 mM tetranitromethane at pH 8. Two tyrosine residues per enzyme protomer (46,000 daltons) are modified by the reagent either in the holoenzyme or in the apoenzyme. In both cases the five SH groups titratable with p-mercuribenzoate are not modified by the reagent. However, with a tetranitromethane concentration higher than 2.5 mM and 10 mM mercaptoethanol, an additional tyrosine residue is nitrated in both holo- and apoenzymes. These results are not affected by the presence in the incubation mixture of the substrates alpha-ketoglutarate and glutamate both at ten times their Km values. Mercaptoethanol does not impair the recombination of native or nitrated apoenzyme with the coenzyme and does not reduce the coenzyme moiety of native or nitrated holoenzyme, but promotes a conformational change in the nitrated holoenzyme which causes inactivation. Hydrosulfite promotes the reduction of the coenzyme moiety of native and nitro holoenzyme resulting in their inactivation, largely in the nitrated form. The recombination of the coenzyme with native or nitrated apoenzyme is not influenced by hydrosulfite.


Low molecular weight RNA species from chromatin. Several methods of preparing low molecular weight RNA from chick embryo chromatin have been examined. Traditional methods for dissociating chromatin utilizing high concentrations of salt (greater than 2 M) followed by high-speed centrifugation resulted in very low yields of RNA. Increased yields of RNA were obtained by treating chromatin at lower salt concentration (0.2-0.5 M). By using low salt extraction and sodium dodecyl sulfate-phenol deproteinization, six to eight low molecular weight homogeneous RNA species were isolated from chick embryo chromatin and mouse myeloma chromatin. In the myeloma system, all these RNAs are metabolically stable. Each component is homogeneous as examined by gel electrophoresis and hybridizes with mouse DNA at a rate consistent with a single species. There are multiple gene copies for these RNA species in the mouse genome, varying from 100 to 2000 copies for the different species. One of these RNAs is identical with 5S rRNA. In addition, the redundancy of genes for 18S, 28S, and 5S rRNA and tRNA was determined. Approximately 300 copies for 18 and 28S rTRNA and 500 copies for 5S rRNA were found. tRNAs were on an average 110-fold redundant with about 55 different species measured.


Casein micelle size from elastic and quasi-elastic light scattering measurements. The average molecular weight, particle radius and size distribution of particles in skim milk from eight cows in mid-lactation have been measured by means of elastic and quasi-elastic light scattering techniques. The properties of sub-micellar casein particles in the milk of each cow were also studied. Particular attention has been given to the effects of particle size heterogeneity in the interpretation of results. The weight average molecular weight of the particles from different cows varied from 2.6-10(8) to 15-10(8) and the corresponding average particle radius varied between 90 and 130 nm. An unusual feature of these particles is their high water content, which was found to vary from 2.4 to 6.4 ml/g with a positive correlation between average particle density and average particle mass. Variations in particle water content can be most readily understood in terms of a gel-like casein micelle.


Hydration and thermal denaturation of beta-lactoglobulin. A calorimetric study. The thermal properties of the beta-lactoglobulin-water system were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry in the temperature range from -50 to 130 degrees C. Determination of the heat and temperature of fusion of the absorbed water allowed resolution of the water into four different states. The amounts of water in these states were different for samples before and after heat denaturation. In the case of denatured beta-lactoglobulin, a smaller amount of water with thermal properties different from ordinary water was observed and its total water binding capacity was lower. The thermal stability of beta-lactoglobulin in the water content range from 0 to 0.75 g/g showed a strong dependence on the degree of hydration. A correlation was observed between the changes in the thermal stability of the protein and the changes in the state of the absorbed water. The results are compared with those obtained from similar measurements of other globular proteins and of fibrillar proteins.


DNA replication by a possible continuous-discontinuous mechanism in homogenates of Physarum polycephalum containing dextran. Nuclear DNA synthesis in homogenates of Physarum is greatly stimulated by the presence of dextran in the homogenizing medium. In this cell-free system, the DNA precursor is incorporated approximately equally into two classes of DNA intermediates. On of these is similar in size to that observed previously in the intact organism, i.e. its sedimentation rate in alkaline sucrose density gradients increases, presumably by chain elongation, as the organism progresses through the S phase. The other class (approx. 10 S) is similar to 'Okazaki' fragments. Thus, nuclear DNA synthesis in homogenates of Physarum may occur by a continuous-discontinuous mechanism. Substantial DNA-synthetic activity is obtained by the addition of dextran to dextran-free homogenates. Maximal activity in this system requires the presence of both the nuclear and post-nuclear supernatant fractions. It is possible that a partial separation and recombination of a DNA polymerase and the endogenous template is effected by this procedure.


Efficient experimental designs for the estimation of genetic parameters in plant populations. Procedures for estimating the genetic parameters of plant populations frequently employ progeny testing to ascertain the genotype of maternal plants. However, when experimental resources are limited (e.g., electrophoretic markers), the large progeny sizes required for accurate typing severely restricts the numbers of families which can be tested. In this paper, four experimental designs with partial progeny testing are compared with the standard procedure of complete testing for their statistical efficiency in estimating the gene frequency, fixation index, and outcrossing rate at a single diallelic locus. It is shown that substantial increases in efficiency can be obtained (especially in inbred populations) if one or two individuals per family are assayed, and then further progeny testing is confined to those families which give rise to a heterozygote in this initial screening. Sample size for various purposes are computed and factors affecting the applicability of such "censored" designs are discussed.


The gamma-aminobutyric acid system in rat cerebellum during cannabinoid-induced cataleptoid state. Repeated, but not single, intraperitoneal injections of delta1,6-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta1,6-THC) 20 mg/kg to rats administered daily for two weeks, produced increased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration and decreased glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity in the cerebellum, as well as enhancement of [3H]-GABA uptake by cerebellar crude synaptosomes. It seems that the motor impairment elicited by delta1,6-THC was not associated with the GABA system, but presumably might be related to changes in brain excitability.


Phospholipids of Cladosporium resinae cultured on glucose and on n-alkanes. Cladosporium resinae was grown on glucose, on n-dodecane, and on n-hexadecane. Total lipid was greatest in dodecane-grown cells and least in hexadecane-grown cells, while glucose-grown cells contained the most phospholipid and hexadecane-grown cells contained the least. Cells from all three media contained phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine as their major phospholipids, with lesser amounts of phosphatidylserine and traces of a cardiolipin-like compound. The major fatty acids associated with each phospholipid were palmitic acid and one or more 18-carbon unsaturated fatty acids. There was no correlation between n-alkane growth substrate and fatty acyl components of cellular phospholipids.


Role of pectic and cellulolytic enzymes in the invasion of the soybean by Rhizobium japonicum. Past workers have suggested pectic enzyme involvement in the invasion of legumes by Rhizobium. However, no role for pectic acid, pectin, or methyl cellulose depolymerase enzymes in the invasion of R. japonicum was suggested by the current study. Seedling inoculation with infective bacteria did not result in increased enzyme activity. Rhizobium japonicum cell-free culture extracts and 3-indoleacetic acid did not affect the activation, induction, or binding of these enzymes.


Subcellular compartmentalization of the luteal cell in the ovary of the dog. The compartmentalization of the parenchyma of the corpus luteum in the dog was studied by both 100 and 1000 KV electron microscopy. The organells within the luteal cell are oriented with a high degree of consistency towards the pericapillary space. Characteristically, the avascular pole and the lateral margins of the cell posses predominantly stacked and whorled cisternae of agranular ER. In the central medial portions of the cell, pleomorphic mitochondria with tubulo-vesicular cristae and anastomosing tubules of agranular ER predominate. However, the distribution of organelles in this compartment is graded. Mitochondria predominate in the central medial areas while tubular ER is more dominant peripherally. Microfilaments are ubiquitous in this compartment and run a longitudinal course between and around the subcellular components towards the pericapillary space. The Golgi apparatus is large and prominent and is positioned over the pole of the nucleus that faces the basal lamina. Coated vesicles are abundant in the Golgi regions and along the lateral surface of the cell. Three distinct regional specializations of the cell surface exist. The basal surface contains long pleomorphic cytoplasmic folds that fill the pericapillary space, are interconnected by small gap junctions and contain abundant multivesicular bodies. The lateral cell surface is covered with microvilli and is organized into tortuous intercellular channels and canaliculi. These are interrupted at intervals by cytoplasmic protrusions that extend from one cell well into the cytoplasm of the next. Large, well-developed gap junctions line the margins of the cells furthest removed from the pericapillary space. Finally, the individual cells exhibit heterogeneity with respect to the amount one subcellular organelle or compartment is expressed relative to another. These observations are discussed in relation to the subcellular compartmentalization of progesterone synthesis and release.


[Severe side-effects of treatment with D-penicillamine (author's transl)]. In a 53-year-old woman an acute allergic thrombocytopenia (acute Werlhf's disease) occurred after treatment with D-penicillamine for one month which led to death. In two further patients transitory platelet deficiencies were observed after six and two months which regressed completely in six months and four weeks, respectively. One of the patients had nephrotic syndrome and a retrobulbar neuritis at the same time. Both symptoms were equally transitory and could not be demonstrated five weeks after cessation of therapy. In a further case a lethal Lyell syndrome developed three weeks after therapy was started. These observations show that during D-penicillamine treatment weekly, and later fornightly, blood counts should be performed. In the occurence of thrombocytopenia, leucopenia or anaemia treatments should be stopped; Signs of drug intolerance together with exanthemata should also led to a critical review of the indications and the dosage. D-Penicillamine should not be used when hypersensitivity to penicillin exists or when cell deficiencies have occurred after anti-reheumatic medication. The development of proteinuria should also result in withdrawal of the drug. Therapy with D-penicillamine requires conscientious follow-up urinalyses and blood counts as well as attention to allergic rashes.


Preparation and some properties of strongly acidic proteins from calf-thymus nucleohistone. The isolation of acidic proteins from calf-thymus nucleohistone (starting from purified nuclei) is reported. The method involved dissociation in 1 M KCl solution. Denaturating agents were not used at all. After electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel, fractions containing a small number of components were obtained. The fractions display high ratios of acidic to basic amino acids, the ratios ranging from 4.0 to 1.5. In all fractions, the major components were of molecular weights in the ranges 12000-15000 and 24000-28000 as determined by gel-disc electrophoresis in dodecylsulphate and by equilibrium ultracentrifugation. Minor components of high molecular weights were also present. Amino-acid analyses are also reported. The tryptophan content was determined by a fluorometric method. Circular dichroism spectra depict a very low content of alpha-helicity that did not increase at higher ionic strength. A marked RNA-polymerase activity was found in one fraction.


Red cell esterase-D polymorphism in the population of Tuscany. Esterase-D phenotypes were determined in a population sample of Tuscany, Italy. The observed frequencies of the three alleles are: EsD1 = 0.856, EsD2 = 0.143 and EsD3 = 0.001. Studies of the pedigree of the propositus's EsD 3--1 family and mother-child combinations confirm an autosomal co-dominant inheritance.


Dextran sulphate: a synthetic activator of C3 via the alternative pathway. I. Influence of molecular size and degree of sulphation on the activation potency. The polyanion dextran sulphate (DS) triggers the alternative pathway of complement. The influence of the molecular weight and degree of sulphation on this potency was studied. The degree of substitution turned out to be the critical parameter for optimal C3 turnover: 60 SO4/100 glucose units (Glc) showed optimal activity; an increase up to 190 SO4/100 Glc did not increase the activation potency, while lowering the degree of sulphation diminished this activity. DS preparations (120 SO4/100 Glc) of molecular weight: 1 x 10(4); 8 x 10(4); 2-5 x 10(5); 2 x 10(6) were equally active; a DS of molecular weight 5 x 10(3) was inactive. These results indicate that above a critical molecular size (greater than 5 x 10(3)) only the degree of substitution is responsible for the C3 activating capacity. Clusters of several glucose residues each carrying one or two sulphate groups are thought to be the essential structure in DS for the activation of the alternative pathway.


Ultrastructural cytochemical evidence for the activation of lysosomes in the cytocidal effect of Chlamydia psittaci. The cytopathic effect of the polyarthritis strain of Chlamydia psittaci was studied in cultured bovine fetal spleen cells and found to be mediated by the release of lysosomal enzymes into the host cytoplasm during the late stages of chlamydial development. Ultrastructural cytochemical analysis and cell fractionation studies of infected cells revealed a close relationship between the stage of chlamydial development, fine structural features of the host, and localization of lysosomal enzyme activities. After adsorption, chlamydiae entered the host cells by endocytosis. The endocytic vacuoles containing individual chlamydiae and later the inclusion vacuoles containing the different chlamydial developmental forms were always free from lysosomal enzyme activity. Even after extensive multiplication of chlamydiae, lysosomal enzymes remained localized within lysosomes or their precursors in the host cell. Coincident with the process of chlamydial maturation, lysosomal enzymes were released into the host cytoplasm and were always associated with disintegration of host cell constituents and lysis. The chlamydiae appeared to be protected from this lysosomal enzyme activity by the inclusion membrane. After release from the inclusion, elementary bodies maintained their fine structural features, whereas all other chlamydial developmental forms lost their ultrasturctural integrity.


Inhibitory effect of flavin mononucleotide on the hemolysis of rabbit erythrocytes by staphylococcal alpha-toxin. Flavin mononucleotide diminished the hemolytic action of staphylococcal alpha-toxin on rabbit erythrocytes by competitive inhibition, probably by its interaction with the alpha-toxin binding sites on the cell membrane.


Outline of the World Health Organization's programme on epidemiological studies of non-medical drug use and drug dependence. The establishment of prevalence and incidence rates relative to drug use can help authorities to plan the development of health and welfare services for the drug users. An analysis of epidemiological data permits a discussion concerning action to be taken to prevent non-medical use of drugs. Research in this area is very complex; results must be interpreted with extreme caution; statistically significant data might not necessarily create a safe basis for decision-taking; nevertheless, epidemiological research provides important information about trends and changes in the use of patterns and the magnitude of drug use related problems, and helps to clarify etiology of drug use. Such studies are also critical for the evaluation of effectiveness of prevention and treatment programmes. Epidemiological research requires a multidisciplinary approach and careful planning over years; comparability of such studies is of utmost importance. The World Health Organization within the framework of its expanded drug dependence programme has developed WHO guidelines for reporting available information on the non-medical use of dependence-producing drugs. WHO has begun field testing these guidelines and is undertaking the creation of a number of drug dependence research and training centres to foster epidemiological and other research, and to help to develop badly wanted manpower.


Studies on dopamine kinetics in rat brain tissue under the influence of morphine. The effects of several drugs on the kinetics of 14C-dopamine were studied in slices of rat striata in vitro. While morphine (35 muM) did not affect the uptake of 14C-dopamine into the slices, d-amphetamine (50muM) and imipramine (100 muM) strongly inhibited it. Morphine significantly slowed the K+ -induced release of the labelled dopamine; imipramine almost completely blocked it, while amphetamine h had no clear effect. The effect of morphine was dose-dependent and could be inhibited by the narcotic antagonist naloxone. The results demonstrate that each of the drug had a characteristic pattern of effects in our system studied. The inhibitory action of morphine on the dopamine release in vitro probably reflects in vivo symptoms of a central dopamine deficiency in rats (catalepsy, akinesia, muscular rigidity) after morphine application. In further series of experiments, it was studied if the sensitivity of brain dopamine receptors increased after repeated applications of morphine, which induced clear signs of physical dependence. Since chronic morphine treatment did not increase the potency of apomorphine (which directly stimulates dopamine receptors) in inducing stereotyped behavior, it is concluded that an increased sensitivity of dopamine receptors is not necessarily involved in morphine tolerance and dependence.


Effects of street drugs on anesthesia.

Effects of street drugs on anesthesia. The magnitude of the drug abuse problem in the United States and the pharmacological and toxicological actions of street drugs are discussed. The interactions of these drugs with anesthetics and related drugs and with the anesthetist and members of the health care team involved in pre- and post-operative care are pointed out, and methods of dealing with various problems are suggested.


Metabolic N-oxidation products of aliphatic amines as potential mediators in amine pharmacology. Whilst it has long been recognized that many tertiary amines are converted by the body into the corresponding amine oxides, little attention has, until recently, been paid to the metabolic oxidation of the nitrogen occurring in primary and secondary basic amines. Moreover, the extreme water solubility of tertiary amine oxides generally rendered them pharmacologically inert. In contrast, the primary and secondary hydroxylamines derived from aralkylamines are lipophilic substances and could well be involved in the pharmacological activity of this group of drugs. Data are presented on the metabolic formation of these N-oxidation products from a variety of basic drugs, and evidence for the involvement of these metabolites in the pharmacology of these drugs is discussed.


The clinical application of laboratory animal experimental findings: treatment of hypersexualized behavior in a male. Exposure of animals to drugs which induce hepatic enzymes results in an acceleration of hydroxylation of endogenous as well as exogenous steroid hormones (Conney, A.H., Pharma. 19 [1967] 317). Fahim et al. in a two part study, noticed when phenobarbital was administered to sexually mature male rats, it accelerated the metabolism of androgen as reflected by significant reductions in weight and RNA content of male accessory organs [3]; it was also observed that vitamin B 12 is an enzyme inducer [2]. Currently we observed a significant synergism between vitamin B 12 and phenobarbital in acceleration of drug metabolizing enzymes in rats. This demonstration of drug-steroid interaction reinforces the possibility of utilizing such phenomena as therapeutic modalities for human reproductive syndromes associated with overprodduction of sex hormones. This was applied in a young 16 year old mildly retarded male who was having much difficulty coping with sexual urges. His serum testosterone level was 960 ng%, which is abnormally high for his age. The patient was treated with 30 mg phenobarbital, morning and evening, and 50 mcg vitamin B 12 daily. After three months of treatment, his testosterone level decreased significantly to 620 ng%, and his hypersexualized behavior with girls had completely dropped out. There were no side effects in his physical appearance or general health. This therapy encourages its utilisation in humans with androgen overproduction instead of utilizing estrogen or other drugs which may have side effects.


Narcotic addiction in the newborn: differences in behavior generated by methadone and heroin. The nutritive sucking performance of congenitally addicted infants undergoing narcotic withdrawal was used to provide objective measures of adaptive behavior in a series of 50 infants born to mothers addicted either to heroin or methadone. Sucking rates as well as average pressures developed during sucking were significantly reduced for the addicted infants relative to a control group born to normal mothers and a second control group born to toxemic mothers. The subgroup of infants born to methadone-addicted mothers was significantly more depressed with regard to sucking behavior than the infants of heroin-addicted mothers. Furthermore, infants treated with paregoric (an opiate) for symptoms of the narcotic withdrawal syndrome showed significantly less depression of the sucking response than those treated with sedatives such as phenobarbital.


The effects of high and low erucic acid rapeseed oils in diets for rats. Fully refined rapessed oils of high (regular rapeseed oil, B. campestris) and low erucic acid content (Span oil, B. campestris; commercially hydrogenated Span oil and Zephyr oil, B. napus) and soybean oil were fed to male and female Sprague-Dawley rats at a level of 15% by weight in the diet. In the first experiment, 5 male and 5 female rats per treatment were housed individually, whereas in the second experiment 5 male or 5 female rats per treatment were housed in groups of five. Body weight gain was not influenced by the dietary treatments in experiment 1. However, in experiment 2 the groups fed the diets containing regular rapeseed oil or Span oil showed significantly (P less than 0.05) lower body weight gains when compared to soybean oil fed groups but not when compared to the hydrogenated Span or Zephyr oil fed groups. Focal lesions were found in cardiac tissue of the rats, but not in liver and spleen tissue. The incidence of lesions was similar on all ration treatments. A significantly (P LESS THAN 0.01) higher incidence of cardiac lesions was found in male rats than in female rats.


Occurrence of a new cephalosporoate in a culture broth of a Cephalosporium acremonium mutant. A new metabolite was isolated from the culture filtrate of a deacetylcephalosporin C-producing mutant, derived from Cephalosporium acremonium ATCC 14553, by means of adsorption on activated carbon, column chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 and gel filtration through a Sephadex G-10 column. The compound was identified as D-5-amino-5-carboxyvaleramido-(5-formyl-4-carboxy-2H, 3H, 6H-tetrahydro-1, 3-thiazinyl) glycine by spectral analyses, elucidation of hydrolysis products of the compound, and comparison of characteristics of the compound with those of a synthetic authentic compound.


Aminopeptidases of Physarum polycephalum. Activity, isoenzyme pattern, and synthesis during differentiation. In extracts from both growing and differentiating (spherulating) plasmodia of the true slime mold Physarum polycephalum, high aminopeptidase activities were found. The specificity of the aminopeptidases changed during differentiation with a higher relative activity towards hydrophobic NH2-terminal amino acids. This change in specificity was found to be the result of a shift in the isoenzyme spectrum during differentiation as was tested by isoelectric focusing in sucrose gradients. Three different classes of isoenzymes were found: one band which was present in both growing and differentiating cultures; two bands which were found only in growing cultures; and four bands which were detectable only in differentiating plasmodia. If cycloheximide was applied during the induction of differentiation, only one band, the one present in both types of plasmodia, was found in the isoelectric focusing. Density labeling experiments using deuterated amino acids revealed that the bands which are present in differentiated plasmodia only are synthesized de novo during this differentiation.


Supramolecular forms of actin from amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum. Actin purified from amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum polymerizes into filaments at 24 degrees upon addition of KCl, as judged by a change in optical density at 232 nm and by electron microscopy. The rate and extent of formation of this supramolecular assembly and the optimal KCl concentrations (0.1 M) for assembly are similar to those of striated muscle actin. The apparent equilibrium constant for the monomer-polymer transition is 1.3 muM for both Dictyostelium and muscle actin. Although assembly of highly purified Dictyostelium actin monomers into individual actin filaments resembles that of muscle actin, Dictyostelium actin but not muscle actin was observed to assemble into two-dimensional nets in 10 mM CaCl2. The Dictyostelium actin also forms filament bundles which are 0.1 mum in diameter and which assemble in the presence of 5 mM MgCl2. These bundles formed from partially purified Dictyostelium actin preparations but not from highly purified preparations, suggesting that their formation may depend on the presence of another component. These actin bundles reconstituted in vitro resemble the actin-containing bundles found in situ by microscopy in many non-muscle cells.


Morbidity of the lower genital tract during pregnancy. The lower genital tract of 280 pregnant women was studied in detail, and symptoms relevant to its morbidity were elicited and recorded. The study was contemporaneous with a study of microbial flora in the genital tract of these women (de Louvois et al, 1975). Complaint was made frequently of discharge (42%), irritation (15%), or both (11%). Apart from these symptoms, 14% admitted a past history of vulvovaginitis, emphasizing the importance of this condition in obstetric and gynaecological practice. The notorious discrepancy between the complaint, and the objective demonstration of discharge, was confirmed, but a significant difference in observations, varying with the clinical observer (P less than 0-001), was also demonstrated. This illustrates the necessity of even more accurate grading of signs when clinicopathological correlations are to be attempted. Only 30% of women had no evidence of vulvovaginitis or cervicitis. Morbidity did not relate to age, gestation or parity, but there was a significant correlation between clinical acumen, as evidenced by a request for a microbiological report with a view to treatment, and morbidity (P less than 0-001), between past vulvovaginitis and present morbidity (P less than 0-01), and between cervicitis and the presence of pus cells in the smear (P less than 0-001). The results indicate that microbiological investigations should be requested when there is past history of vulvovaginitis, and that lesions of the cervix, if not already noted, should be suspected if pus cells are demonstrable in stained smears.


Mechanism of action of glucocorticoids in induction of ovine parturition: effect on placental steroid metabolism. Maternal plasma progesterone levels in sheep may fall dramatically druing the last few days of gestation and following the administration of glucocorticoids to the foetus. To investigate the mechanism of the fall, metabolism of [3H] progesterone in vitro by ovin placental tissue was studied in five ewes before and after intra-foetal administration of dexamethasone in a dosage sufficient to induce parturition, and in one ewe after the spontaneous onset of labour at 143 days of gestation. Manual separation of maternal and foetal placental tissues showed that, in 11 out of 12 cases, the foetal and not the maternal placenta produced progesterone from pregnenolone in vitro. Total activities of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme and 3beta-hydroxysteroid  dehydrogenase in the foetal placenta were not influenced by intra-foetal dexamethasone. Befre administration of dexamethasone, homogenates of foetal placenta converted [3H] progesterone to 20alpha-hydroxy [3H]pregn-4-en-3-one in the presence of NADPH. Within 12 h of administration of dexamethasone, and after the natural onset of labour at 143 days, large amounts of 17alpha, 20alpha-dihydroxyI1pregn-4-en-3-one were formed form [3H]progesterone. Intra-foetal dexamethasone treatment also induced the formation of 17alpha, 20alpha-dihydroxy[3H]pregn-4-en-3-one by miced foetal placental tissue incubated with [3H]pregnenolone. This change in steroid metabolism did not occur in foetal placental tissue from a sham-operated animal receiving no dexamethasone. Assay of progesterone in foetal placentae showed that the increased fromation of 17alpha,20alpha-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one was unlikely to be caused by a change in the specific activity of added 3H-labelled precursor, although the production of 17alpha, 20alpha-dihydroxypregn-4-en-3-one in vitro increased at a time when both foetal placental and utero-ovarian venous levels of progesterone were decreasing in response to dexamethasone treatment. These observations indicate that intra-foetal dexamethasone treatment induces a placental 17alpha-hydroxylase enzyme, which is also present in foetal placental tissue after the spontaneous onset of labour at term.


Ultrastructure of the mammary gland in lactating rats after local implantation of oestrogen. Cannulae containing oestrogen were implanted in the mammary glands of rats on the first day after parturition and lactation assessed by daily measurements of the litter weight. Sham-implanted and intact lactating rats were used as controls. A clear-cut inhibition of the milk yield was observed in the oestrogen-implanted group. Mammary tissue was processed for fine structural study after 4, 8 or 10 days. The initial phase showed milk stasis and secretion of colostrum progressively involving the alveoli and culminating in regression of the mammary tissue. Disappearance of myofilaments from the myoepithelial cells was consistently observed. Secretion of colostrum and mammary regression could be the result of the stasis produced by an abnormal dynamic state of the myoepithelial cell elicited by the steroid.


Influence of serum free fatty acid levels on growth hormone secretion in lactating cows. The influence of intravenous injections or infusions of insulin (0-2 i.u./kg), propranolol (150 mg), 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (3 mg/kg), 3,5-dimethylisoxazole (0-08 mg/kg), glucose (0-5 g/kg), nicotinic acid (120 mg/kg), arginine (0-5 g/kg) or butyrate (0-5 mmol/kg) on plasma glucose levels, and on serum concentrations of growth hormone and free fatty acids of lactating cows was investigated. In all of these experiments we noted an increase in the level of growth hormone. This increase was not a direct consequence of alterations in the glucose concentration, since the growth hormone peak occurred both during a decrease (insulin, 3,5-dimethylisoxazole, nicotinic acid and butyrate tests), and during an increase of the glucose level (glucose, arginine and propranolol tests), whereas the glucose concentration remained unchanged during the 3,5-dimethylpyrazole experiments. However, in each instance a precipitous fall of the free fatty acid level was noted. The glucose, growth hormone, and free fatty acid levels of lactating cows were not affected by either i.v. injection or infusion of saline.


Hysterectomy of the newborn guinea-pig, subsequent effects on the oestrous cycle and life span of the corpora lutea. Longer oestrous cycles result from neonatal hysterectomy than from hysterectomy in adult life. Section and cauterization of the utero-vaginal union also prolonged the vaginal closure period up to an average of 55 days. The destruction of the mesometrium did not lengthen the oestrous cycle. Uterine autografts in hysterectomized newoborn guinea-pigs did not prevent the long cycles.


Sectorial mosaics in the domestic pigeion: 25 more years. The hypothesis of bipaternity--incorporation of tissue derived from supernumerary sperms into an embryo--to explain the origin of sectorial mosaicism in pigeons was advanced in 1949. Since then, 182 additional examples have come to my attention. Only one was reported to be a gynandromorph; sex ratios generally have been near 1 : 1. No environmental variable has shown significant relation to the origin of the mosaics, and only a slight familial tendency has been indicated. At least 15 color and pattern mutants have been involved, usually contrasting only two alleles. The frequency and its use in crosses. Complex mosaics, involving two or more loci in the contrasts numbered at least 38 cases, of which 11 are examined in more detail, and 6 shown in photographs. Several instances of germinal as well as somatic mosaicism were demonstrated by progeny tests. The bipaternity hypothesis has not been ruled out by evidence in any case.


Congenic strains of RCS rats with inherited retinal dystrophy. Two congenic strains of RCS rats, RCS-p/+ and RCS-c, have been developed that differ from the parental strain at genetic loci affecting pigmentation. Inbred RCS rats are pink-eyed, while RCS-p/+ rats produce segregating litters of pink-eyed (p/p) and black-eyed (p/+) offspring, and RCS-c rats are albinos. All the strains are homozygous for the mutant form of the retinal dystrophy gene. The black eye pigment in RCS-p/+ rats slows the progression of the retinal degeneration by about 10 days in the posterior retina and by about 30-35 days in the peripheral retina in the superior half of the eye. No slowing of the disease occurs in the inferior half of the eye along the vertical meridian. All the strains are similar in body weight and litter size, and show a low incidence of cataract and microphthalmia.


The potentiation of the anti akinetic effect after L-dopa treatment by an inhibitor of MAO-B, Deprenil. The potentiation of the anti akinetic effect after L-Dopa treatment by an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO) "B", Deprenil, has been demonstrated in parkinsonian patients with or without previous L-Dopa theapy. Application of the drug has been performed orally, intravenously and intramuscularly. Excellent kinetic effects resulted when combined with Madopar. The combined treatment with L-Dopa was highly effective when applicated i.v. or i.m. Deprenil is an inhibitor of MAO-B and is characterized by less frequent side effects. These are predominantly involuntary movements and confusion, which can be eliminated by lowering the dosage of Deprenil. A daily rhythm of MAO could be demonstrated in several areas of human brains as well as in a control group as in parkinsonian patients with or without L-Dopa therapy. Maximal activity of MAO occurs between noon and 6p.m. The clinical and biochemical data are discussed regarding the off-phenomenons as Deprenil is an excellent drug for preventing these.


Pediatric echocardiography: a review of its clinical utility. Echocardiography is a new noninvasive tool which provides real-time motion visualization of intracardiac structures for the evaluation of anatomy and physiology in patients with congenital heart disease. This paper is presented to acquaint the pediatrician with the utilization and potential of this technique as practiced by pediatric cardiologists. A discussion of principles of physics and instrumentation in echocardiography is followed by a description of normal echocardiographic anatomy. Specific malformations which can be diagnosed reliably by this technique include: hypoplastic left heart syndrome, transposition of the great vessels, tetralogy of Fallot, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, mitral valve prolapse, and pericardial effusion. In addition, the evaluation of patients with atrial septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus is discussed. New advances in instrumentation and their potential impact in pediatric cardiology are reviewed.


Experimental infection of cats with Dirofilaria immitis. Natural and experimental infections of cats with Dirofilaria immitis have been reported. Experimental infections of D. immitis in cats with the subsequent detection of microfilaremia and immediate skin hypersensitivity to antigen to D. immitis were produced. Cutaneous nodules and chylothorax were also detected in some infected cats. Adult worm recoveries were low and dead worms were found in some cats indicating the unsuitability of the cat as a host for D. immitis. However, one successful mosquito passager of D. immitis from a cat to a dog was accomplished.


Intragenic complementation by gene 42 amber mutations of bacteriophage T4. Phage T4 amber mutants defective in gene 42 (dCMP hydroxymethylase) were shown by in vivo and in vitro experiments to participate in both positive and negative intragenic complementation. This argues that incomplete polypeptide chains can participate in subunit interaction.


[The effect of actinomycin d, acridine dyes and related substances on the biosynthesis of nucleic acids in normal and leukemic white blood cells. Comparative investigation in intact cells and in a cell-free system (author's transl)]. Acridine dyes inhibit the incorporation of 3H-thymidine and 3H-uridine in intact cells to the same extent as Actinomycin D. In contrast to Actinomycin D, RNA synthesis by DNA - dependent RNA polymerase in a cell-free system is inhibited at lo2 higher concentrations of acridine dyes, only. Possible differential effects on the cell membrane resulting in decreased intracellular pools of uridine and thymidine are discussed.


[Bioavailability of beta-acetyldigoxin and digoxin (author's transl)]. Five beta-acetyldigoxin and two digoxin preparations were given orally to eleven healthy volunteers. In a single dose crossover study bioavailability of the oral preparations was compared to an intravenous injection of digoxin as a standard for complete bioavailability. A mean bioavailability of 82% (sx = 1.8) was found for beta-acetyldigoxin tablets (Novodigal¿), PETN/beta-acetyldigoxin tablets (Nitro-Novodigal¿), oxyfedrin/beta-acetyldigoxin tablets (ildamen¿-Novodigal¿) and beta-acetyldigoxin liquid. Analysis of variance shows no differences in absorption for the five tested beta-acetyldigoxin preparations. Beta-Acetyldigoxin administered orally in an alcoholic solution is nearly completely absorbed (94%) whereas a corresponding digoxin solution is available to a significantly lesser content (79.2%). Comparable differences in absorption were found for beta-acetyldigoxin tablets (81%) and digoxin tablets (Digacin¿) (63.5%).


Mathematical modeling of differentiation in Dictyostelium discoideum. Methods for the dynamic analysis of biochemical differentiation are presented. These are demonstrated in the analysis of biochemical differentiation of the carbohydrate system in D. discoideum. Procedures for simplification which are presented are projection and contraction of the system trajectory in state space and the generation of reduced equivalent dynamic metabolic networks. The importance of the hierarchical structure of differentiating systems is discussed and the concept of a dynamic embedding diagram is introduced. It is shown that complex systems must be analyzed on an epoch by epoch basis, each epoch being a period of time characterized by a constant dynamic embedding diagram, and that widely different time scales and state space scales may be necessary in different epochs. In particular there is no a priori lower limit to the time scale which may be necessary during the analysis. Some problems in mathematically defining differentiation are discussed.


Effects of differential hippocampal damage upon rhythmic and stress-induced corticosterone secretion in the rat. The effects of dorsal, ventral, and near-total hippocampal lesions upon both rhythmic and stress-induced corticosterone secretion in adult male rats were examined. All hippocampally-damaged, cortically-damaged, and intact rats showed rhythmic corticosterone secretion as measured in 4 blood samples for each animal taken at 6-h intervals at least 1 week apart. There were no significant differences among the groups. In addition, there were no significant differences in the amount of stress-induced corticosterone across experimental groups.


Effects of estrogen on neuronal excitability in the hippocampal-septal-hypothalamic system. The effects of electrical stimulation of the medial preoptic area (MPO) upon unit firing in the periventricular arcuate nucleus, and that of the dorsal hippocampus (DHPC) on medial septo-preoptic and arcuate (ARC) neurons, were investigated in Wistar and Sprague-Dawley female rats throughout the 4-day estrous cycle. Unit activity was recorded using stereotaxically-oriented tungsten microelectrodes under light urethane anesthesia. Repetitive stimulation of monophasic square waves varying only in current intensity was used. The following results were obtained: (a) An increase in activity of all ARC neurons recorded was induced by MPO stimulation on each day of the estrous cycle. (b) The minimum current (threshold) effective in increasing activity in the ARC neurons varied throughout the estrous cycle; the lowest threshold was observed in proestrus and the highest on the first day of diestrus. Also, the threshold current of MPO stimulation required in increase ARC activity was found to be elevated after ovariectomy and markedly reduced to the levels of the proestrous animal by estrogen treatment. (c) Stimulation of the DHPC (field CA3) increased activity in the medial septum but decreased activity in the MPO. Two pools of neurons, one increased and one decreased by DHPC stimulation, were observed in the ARC. (d) Variation in the threshold hippocampal stimulation during the estrous cycle was observed in the response of MPO and ARC neurons (the stimulation was effective only in proestrus and estrus); but not in that of medial septal neurons. (e) In addition, the spontaneous activity of septal; MPO; and ARC neurons was increased at proestrus or after estrogen injection. The present results suggest that plasma levels of estrogen play an essential role in the cyclic process of the regulation of ovulation by way of the selective facilitation of neuronal excitability in specific functional neural pathways. Furthermore, the results support the existence of a hippocampal inhibitory projection originating in field CA3 and terminating in the final common pathway, MPO to ARC.


Quantitative determination of the content of available methionine and cysteine in food proteins. The content of available sulphur amino acids in food proteins has been determined by the chemical methods after preliminary digestion of proteins with pancreatin. The values for the available methionine and cysteine contents of pure protein (casein, bovine serum albumin) and protein of food (fresh milk, whey, mackerel, beef, pork, wheat flour) estimated by the specific chemical methods were similar to those for the total content determined by the method of Moore et al. (6). Differences between total and available methionine and cysteine contents of heated casein were found.


Contribution of an electrogenic sodium pump to the membrane potential in rabbit sinoatrial node cells. A study has been made of the transient hyperpolarization (K+-induced hyperpolarization) which developed following readmission of potassium after having pre-treated the rabbit sinoatrial node tissue with K+-depleted Tyrode solution for 4--5 min at 35 degrees C. Evidence is presented indicating that the K+-induced hyperpolarization results from the activity of an electrogenic sodium pump: The K+-induced hyperpolarization was inhibited by substituting Li+ for Na+ and by cooling the tissue. The amplitude of the K+-induced hyperpolarization was increased either by increasing K+ concentration in the recovery solution or by decreasing K+ concentration in the pre-treatment K+-depleted solution. By removing Cl- from the perfusates, the amplitude of the K+-induced hyperpolarization increased. In a Cl--depleted solution, the sinoatrial node cell membrane hyperpolarized by approximately 15 mV without a transient depolarization.


Effects of unilateral nephrectomy on plasma renin substrate and renin concentration in rats. Effects of unilateral nephrectomy on plasma renin concentration and renin substrate (angiotensinogen) concentration were studied over an experimental period of 10 days in rats. The maximum increase in plasma renin substrate concentration after bilateral nephrectomy was 9 times higher than the preoperative level. Very low but measureable plasma renin concentrations were found in rats nephrectomized bilaterally 24 hrs previously. In unilateral nephrectomized rats the concentration of renin substrate in plasma increased maximumly 3.5-fold within 24 hrs after the operation and on the third day it was decreased to half of the maximum level. Even 10 days after uninephrectomy the concentration of plasma renin substrate was significantly higher than that of normal rats. Twenty four hours after unilateral nephrectomy plasma renin concentration decreased to similar low levels as those found in bilateral nephrectomized rats. The decreased concentration of plasma renin, however, returned to normal 3 days after uninephrectomy. The inverse relationship was seen between the concentrations of plasma renin and plasma renin substrate. However, substrate concentration in plasma rised faster and longer than plasma renin decreased.