[Genetic counseling in cases of chromosome insertions]. The principles of the estimation of the risk of repeated birth of malformed child and spontaneous abortion in families of balanced carriers of insertions are presented. A risk for a carrier is formed from two parts: a risk for a carrier of reciprocal translocation and a risk for a carrier of insertion of the came length as inseried segment. The first component of the risk is a constant, the latter one is a variable. It depends on the length of the inserted segment, the type of its inclusion (direct or inverted) and sites of break points. An estimation of the risk in hypothetical insertion 46, XX, inv ins (4; 2) (q24; q22q34) is described as a model. The same method of counselling may be used for the families with triple translocations t(a-, b-, c+) with "insertion" of fragment of chromosome "a" between the parts of "b" and "c" chromosomes. A tentative empirical mean value of repeated birth of malformed child and spontaneous abortion in families with insertions is 29% and 45% for the female carrier, and about 37% and 25% for the male carrier.


[Dependence on and preference for morphine. (III) Improvement of spontaneous drug intake after combined treatment with morphine and cocaine]. One group of rats (n equals 6) was allowed free access to food combined with morphine and cocaine for 3 weeks, another group combined with either morphine or cocaine alone for 3 weeks. Intensity of decrease in body weight by withdrawal and ratios of spontaneous morphine and cocaine intake were compared, and the cross-spontaneous drug intake between morphine and cocaine using cocaine and morphine dependent rats was investigated, respectively. The results indicate that (a) decreased rate in body weight by withdrawal after 3 weeks administration with morphine-cocaine mixtures increased slightly, and spontaneous intake ratio for the higher drug-admixed food during administration period was also slightly increased as compared with a morphine added diet alone.  (b) However, spontaneous intake ratio of both morphine [morphine (1 mg/g of food) vs. a normal diet (N.D.)] and cocaine [cocaine (2 mg/g of food) vs. N.D] increased 30 and 50 approximately 60% respectively, and these changes were maintained for about two months. (c) Spontaneous cocaine intake ratio after 3 weeks administration of morphine was almost the same level as that in cocaine dependent rats and decreased dependently when the administration period was extended. Spontaneous morphine intake ratio after 3 weeks administration of cocaine was 20% lower in total daily intake ratio as compared to morphine dependent rats, but spontaneous morphine intake ratio as compared to morphine dependent rats was gradually increased as in morphine dependent rats. (d) Furthermore, morphine-quinine combined treatment and cocaine or codeine treatment had no effect on spontaneous intake of quinine. These data suggest that combinations of morphine and cocaine have promoting properties of morphine and cocaine intake, respectively. Cross-spontaneous drug intake between morphine and cocaine was successful only in cocaine dependent rats using this method.


[Biological assay of prostaglandin using the rat uterus]. Isometric contraction of rat uterus with PGF2alpha was more reliable and stable than when a stomach preparation was used. The method of PG bioassay using rat uterus was as follows: ovariectomized rats were given 10 mug of estrone s.c. 48 hr before the decapitation. Uterine strips were suspended in 2 ml of organ bath containing modified Locke-Ringer solution at 25 degrees C, and the isometric contraction was determined. As little as 4 ng/ml of PGF2alpha was determined quantitatively with this method.


[Oxidant-drug induced hemolytic anemia in dogs]. Heinz body anemia was induced in dogs by consecutive oral administration of 200 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg of aminopyrine, 200 mg/kg of phenacetin and 5 mg/kg of acetylphenylhydrazine, for either 8 or 16 weeks. Biochemical analysis showed a decrease of haptoglobin in plasma and reduced-glutathion in red blood cells in association with anemia. Hematologically, an increase in osmotic fragility and cell volume of erythrocytes were also noted. Pathological examination revealed marked erythrophagia and hemosiderosis in the reticuloendothelial system of treated animals. A new anti-inflammatory analgesic 31252-S (3-(1-hydroxy-2-piperidinoethyl)-5-phenylisoxazole citrate) was also tested for the hemolytic effects in dogs. Blood analyses revealed a slight increase of Heinz bodies and a decrease of reduced-glutathion in red blood cells without anemia. These findings suggest that 31252-S have weaker oxidant properties than those of aminopyrine and phenacetin. The present studies showed that the concentration of reduced-glutathion in red blood cells of non-treated dogs was approximately 50% lower than that of the erythrocytes of normal human beings. This finding appeared to correspond with high susceptibility of red blood cells to hemolytic effects of oxidant-drugs in dogs.


[Action mechanism and effects of ifenprodil on the regional blood flow, especially on cerebrovascular circulation]. Effects of ifenprodil on the regional blood flow of some organs (skin, skeletal muscle, liver, myocardium, kidney, cerebral cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, hypothalamus and cerebellar cortex) of the curarized cat under artificial respiration were studied using the thermoelectrical method. 1) Blood flow in the skin decreased, whereas renal blood flow increased. 2) Blood flow in the liver showed a biphasic response, being more active in the increasing phase. 3) Blood flow in the hypothalamus and cerebellar cortex (vertebral arterial region), skeletal muscle and myocardium markedly increased. 4) Blood flow in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (external carotid arterial region) was not influenced by ifenprodil, but slight changes were noticed and were dependent on the blood pressure response. 5) Blood pressure fell in accordance with the dose level of ifenprodil given i.v. 6) Those results suggest that the mechanisms of action of ifenprodil are alpha-adrenergic blocking, beta-mimetic and direct vasodilating. A cholinergic effect was also suggested. 7) On certain functions such as blood flow in the skin and blood pressure a dual action, that is alpha adreno-mimetic and -lytic was seen. 8) Concerning the vascular smooth muscle relaxative action, it would appear that ifenprodil has not only a direct effect but also a secondary effect resulting presumably from its action on the local metabolism.


[Pharmacology of cornary dilator agent, trapymin. (2) Analysis of its mode of action]. Trapymin (TM) relaxed excised renal, coronary, pulmonary, femoral and mesenteric arteries and this relaxation was not antagonized by propranolol. The dose-response curve of TM was parallel to that of nitroglycerin and papaverine and steeper than that of dipyridamol or adenosine. TM exerted inotropic and chronotropic actions on excised rat atrium. TM was also effective through the oral route and the effectiveness tended to decrease slightly after repeated use for ten days. TM was effective on vasopressin induced angina in rats and electrocoagulation-induced myocardial infarction. TM suppressed adrenaline-induced arrhythmia but not CaCl2-induced arrhythmia. TM reduced catecholamine content in brain, adrenals and heart but had no influence on monoamine oxidase or dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. TM revealed ganglion-blocking and neuron-blocking actions in cervical ganglion in cats. With propranolol, TM-induced hyperglycemia and reduction in glycogen content in liver and heart was antagonized but TM-induced rise in free fatty acid in serum was not antagonized. Na+-K+ dependent ATPase of bovine heart and P/O ratio of mitochondria of rat heart was not influenced by TM. ADP-induced aggregation of platelets was antagonized by TM. These data indicate that TM induced coronary dilation is partly due to a papaverine like action and also to ganglion-blocking, neuron-blocking and anti-adrenergic action. On the other hand, TM possessed catecholamine release and cardiotonic action as related to beta-receptors.


[Effect of a new bronchodilator, S-1540 (Bitolterol) and S-1541 on the tracheo-bronchial and cardiovascular system]. The actions on the bronchial smooth muscle and cardiovascular system S-1540 (Bitolterol) (Shionogi Pharmaceuticals), a new bronchodilator which is chemically related to isoprenaline, and S-1541 which is the active metabolite of S-1540 were studied in comparison with the action of isoprenaline (isoproterenol) and orciprenaline (metaproterenol). 1) The relaxing effect on isolated guinea-pig tracheal muscle constricted previously with histamine BaCl2 or acetylcholine was highest with S-1541, followed by isoprenaline and orciprenaline, in that order, and lowest with S-1540. The relaxing effect of S-1541 on acetylcholine-induced tracheal constriction was reduced and that of S-1540 was completely abolished by a previous treatment with propranolol. The relaxing actions of those drugs on bronchial spasms induced by histamine in vivo were highest with S-1541, followed by isoprenaline, and lowest with S-1540. 2) All these drugs exhibited the depressor and positive chronotropic actions in guinea-pigs. The potencies of the actions were found to be in the following order; isoprenaline was most potent, followed by S-1541 with a little less intensity, orciprenaline much weaker, and S-1540 still weaker with a positive chronotropic action of about 1/1000 of S-1541 and depressor action about 1/500. In the open chest guinea-pig, positive inotropic and chronotropic actions of S-1541 were about the same or slightly more potent than those of isoprenaline; S-1540 had a very weak action, being only about 1/1000 as active as S-1541. These actions of S-1540 were completely eliminated by propranolol pretreatment. S-1540 induced to remarkable changes in the electrocardiogram wave forms even in high doses. 3) Those drugs elicited the depressor, positive chronotropic and inotropic actions in rabbits and dogs. In rabbits, isoprenaline was most potent; S-1541 was similar to or a little weaker than isoprenaline; and S-1540 was extremely weak. In the dog, isoprenaline showed the highest of the above effect, followed by S-1541, orciprenaline and S-1540 in that order, with S-1540 having an extremely low activity. 4) The actions of S-1541 and isoprenaline appeared very rapidly but were of short duration, the duration of orciprenaline was moderate, and the actions of S-1540 rapidly appeared and were of an extremely long duration. It is suggested that S-1540 itself has pharmacological activities in vivo and the active metabolites such as S-1541 also have the activities. S-1540 can be administered by the oral route, is of long duration, and is thus considered to be a bronchodilator with a relative high specificity.


[Respiratory distress due to traumatic lesions in newborn infants and in adults]. 1.  The clinical features of the condition we presently term resipratory distress syndrome of neonates, was described by Jörg in 1832 and 1835.  2.  In many, however not in all cases in which this syndrome is clinically observed, band-like ("membranous") and also massive depositions of fibrin occur in bronchioli, alveolar ducts and alveoli.  They develop as the consequences of acapillary exudation process.  3.  More frequently and more regularly, often combined with fibrin precipitation, intraalveolar, intrabronchiolar and intrabronchial hemorrhages arise in such cases.  Peribronchial, peribronchiolar and periarterial extravasations also belong to the typical histological findings.  These hemorrhages originate in capillaries during circulatory disturbance due to vasomotor excitation.  4.  Excessive dilatation of the entire pulmonary vascular net, arteries, veins and capillaries, their overfilling with quite frequently conglutinated blood, is considered the basic phenomenon of the pulmonary changes.  It signifies the climax of a peristasic circulatory derangement caused by vasomotor paralysis, i.e. the stanstill of an organ function.  5.  A similar, pathogenetically and functionally equivalent circulatory interruption occurs in many other organs of the neonate.  6.  Typical birth traumatic cerebral lesions, hemorrhages and softening processes ensue in the majority of cases of the respiratory distress syndrome.  We consider them to be the cause of the generakl circulatory paralysis and therefore also of the respiratory dysfunction.  7.  The respiratory distress syndrome represents a partial manifestation of the neonatal parturitional crisis, displaying many resemblances to a shock of traumatic origin.  8.  Resipratory distress and morphologic pulmonary lesions observed in neonates are identical with acute clinical, pathophysiological as well as pathoanatomical finidings in adults, victims of cerebral of extracerebral traumatic or of other critical, sudden interventions.  9.  The lungs with their extraordinarily rich vascularization and their insertion in the cenyer of a systme exposed to hormonal and nervous influences, belong to organs which frequently produce deleterious instant reactions...


[Role of brain biogenic amines in the central thermoregulatory mechanism of the rat (author's transl)]. Changes in rectal and skin temperatures following intraventricular injection of biogenic amines and related substances were investigated in rats. Intraventricular injection of norepinephrine in a small dose (6 mug) produced a slight elevation of rectal temperature, but in larger amounts (25-50 mug) resulted in a dose-dependent hypothermia which was associated with a marked rise of skin temperature. No change was observed in plasma free fatty acid and glucose levels and oxygen consumption after intraventricular injection of norepinephrine (25 mug). Intraventricular injection of imipramine and safrazine produced a slight fall in the rectal temperature. Norepinephrine-induced hypothermia was more pronounced in rats pretreated with safrazine and less in rats pretreated with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, as compared with that in controls. Intraventricular injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (0.75-250 mug) brought about a marked dose-dependent hypothermia. The second injection of 6-hydroxydopamine 5 days after the first injection had no effect on the body temperature. Norepinephrine injection 2 days after the second injection of 6-hydroxydopamine produced a more pronounced hypothermia than the change in control rats without pretreatments. Haloperidol did not affect the hypothermia induced by 6-hydroxydopamine. Intraventricular injection of dopamine and L-DOPA showed less effect that norepinephrine had. Intraventricular injection of phenoxybenzamine prior to norepinephrine blocked the hypothermia and skin temperature elevation which are normally observed following norepinephrine injection, while propranolol given in the same way showed less or no effect. Intraventricular injection of phenylephrine produced a dose-dependent hypothermia, whereas no dose-response relationship was obtained by isoproterenol. These results suggest that in the rat the hypothermic effect of norepinephrine injected intraventricularly is mediated by an action of central alpha-receptor. At high and low ambient temperatures hypothermia was similarly observed following intraventricular injection of 5-hydroxytryptamine (25 mug) as at normal room temperature. On the other hand, norepinephrine (25 mug) produced a rise in rectal temperature at high ambient temperature and a marked fall at low ambient temperature. The hypothermic effect of norepinephrine was not different between cold-adapted ones at room temperature. From the results the role of norepinephrine and other biogenic amines in the brain in thermoregulatory processes was discussed.


[Role of thyroid hormone in cold adaptation. 1. Requirement of thyroxine during the course of cold acclimation as estimated by noradrenaline sensitivity (author's transl)]. The amount of thyroxine required for the development and maintenance of cold acclimation was investigated in the rat. Warm-adapted thyroidectomized rats could not survive at 5 degrees C. When thyroxine was replaced, these rats could survive and responded to noradrenaline with increased oxygen consumption in proportion to the dose of replaced thyroxine. Judged from the amount of thyroxine in thyroidectomized rats necessary to restore noradrenaline sensitivity to the same level as seen in intact controls, 30 degrees C-adapted rats were found to require 3.3 mug thyroxine/100 g b.w./day, while 5 degrees C-adapted rats required only 1.2 mug. It is concluded that the amount of thyroxine necessary to produce cold acclimation is much larger than that for the maintenance of cold acclimation.


[Morphological study of lymphatic tissues after removal of the submandibular gland in the mouse (author's transl)]. In dd-mice of both sexes, the thymus, spleen and mesenteric lymph node were morphologically examined after the submandibular gland was extirpated at 35 days of age. When the bilaterally extirpated animals were fed with dried diet pellet which was commonly given to laboratory mice, the body weight decreased rapidly after operation and the thymus and spleen generally atrophied. The atrophy of the lymphatic tissues was especially marked in mice showing a fetal loss of body weight. In the lymphatic tissues, the cortex of the thymus, the follicular area and germinal center of the splenic white pulp, and the cortex of the mesenteric lymph node underwent remarkably atrophic changes. On the other hand, however, when the mice were fed after operation with a liquid diet made of commercial dry pellets, they grow gradually and the thymus, spleen and mesenteric lymph node were almost the same in weight and structure as those in controls. Very recently Martinez-Hernandez, Nakane and Pierce reported that removal of the submandibular gland from mice and rats was followed by loss of body weight and atrophy of the thymus and spleen, and that it caused selective depletion of lymphocytes from the thymus-dependent areas in the peripheral lymphatic tissue. These findings, however, could not be confirmed in the present study.


[Role of thyroid hormone in cold adaptation. 2. Increase of food consumption and fecal excretion of thyroxine during cold exposure (author's transl)]. In order to clarify the relationship between food consumption and excretion of thyroxine during cold exposure, 131I-thyroxine was injected to 1w- and 3w-cold exposed rats and the radioactivity of 131I in the feces and urine was counted over the first 24 hr and the next same period of time following the injection. The percentage of a dose of radioactive thyroxine excreted into the feces over the first 24 hr was the highest in 1w-cold exposed rats, whereas in 3w-cold exposed rats the excretion of radioactive thyroxine did not differ from the values in warm adapted rats. Since the correlation curve between fecal excretion of thyroxine and fecal weight was linearly positive and food consumption increased during the early stage of cold exposure, larger fecal thyroxine observed in the first week after cold exposure was inferred to be result from increased food consumption as well as fecal volume in this period. Nevertheless, since the increment of fecal excretion of thyroxine in 1w-cold exposed rats was only 30% as compared with the value of control group, it is impossible to explain 2-3 fold increase in thyroxine requirement during early stage of cold exposure by the increase in fecal excretion of thyroxine.


[Effect of vitamin B6 group on cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis (author's transl)]. The effect of vitamin B6 groups, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine, pyridoxal (pyridoxal phosphate and pyridoxal phosphate Ca) on hepatic cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis in mice were studied. 1. Acetate-14C incorporation rate into cholesterol and fatty acid in pyridoxal phosphate supplement in vitro increased remarkably, relative to pyridoxine or pyridoxamine. 2. When daily subcutaneous injection of pyridoxal phosphate or pyridoxal phosphate Ca were given to normal mice, pyridoxal phosphate produced the decrease of liver cholesterol biosynthesis and cholesterol levell and the increase of fatty acid biosynthesis and fatty acid level, while pyridoxal phosphate Ca did not produce any significant changes, relative to the normal groups. 3. The dietary cholesterol supplement given pyridoxine fed mice did not produce any changes in liver cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis, and liver cholesterol level, while the increase of liver fatty acid and blood cholesterol biosynthesis were seen. Pyridoxal phosphate Ca plus cholesterol feeding did not produce any changes in liver cholesterol and fatty acid biosynthesis, and liver fatty acid levels and blood cholesterol biosynthesis, while the increase of liver cholesterol leve was seen, relative to the cholesterol fed group.


[Studies on the pudendal nerve. Part 4. A macroscopical observation of the branches of the pudendal plexus in dogs and cats (author's transl)]. The pudendal plexus and its branches of 20 dogs and 20 cats have been observed macroscopicaly. The main findings are summarized as follows: 1) The pudendal plexus in dogs is formed most frequently by the ventral rami of the first, second and third sacral nerves. 2) The bigeminal nerve of dogs and cats is formed respectively by the union of the ventral rami mentioned above. 3) The perineal nerve in dogs arises with one root from the bigeminal nerve and that of cats two roots, of which the main root arises from the points where the bigeminal nerve joins the asciatic nerve and the accessory one from the bigeminal nerve. 4) In dogs and cats the dorsal nerve of the penis or clitoris arises from the main trunk of the perineal nerve (Fig. 5, type IB) at an average rate of 57.5%. 5) In the dogs and cats, the inferior rectal nerve consists of two divisions; a division had the branches which are derived the perineal nerve to supply the skin around the anus and the other branches which arises from the muscular branch of the dorsal nerve of the penis or clitoris to supply the Sphincter ani externus. 6) The muscular branch of dogs and cats which is analogous to that of the perineal nerve in man, arises from the dorsal nerve of the penis or clitoris. 7) In dogs and cats the muscular branch to the Obturator internus is derived from the dorsal nerve of penis or clitoris. 8) The pelvic splanchnic nerve of dogs originates from the ventral rami of the first, second and third sacral nerves and that of cats from the ventral rami of the first and second sacral nerves. 9) In the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve in dogs, as well as in rats and rabbits, the lateral deviation of the origin from the sciatic to the perineal nerve is observed.


Radioimmunoassay of arginine vasopressin in human plasma. Antibodies for the radioimmunoassay of arginine vasopressin (AVP) described here were produced in rabbits using synthetic AVP coupled to rabbit gamma-globulin with carbodiimide. In three out of six rabbits, significant antibody titres were obtained. Using the best antisera produced, 40% of labeled AVP was bound at a final dilution of 1:50.000. After iodination of synthetic AVP with 125I using the chloramin-T method, a gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 was performed to purify the iodinated AVP. For separation of antibody bound and free hormone, a second antibody precipitation was used. There was no crossreactivity with oxytocin. AVP was extracted from plasma after ammoniumsulfate precipitation of the proteins by adsorption to Florisil. The recovery of AVP added to plasma in amounts between 5-25 pg/ml was 60 +/- 15% (n equals 6). The minimum amount of AVP detectable was 1 pg per ml plasma. The plasma level in normal adults under standard conditions was 3.4 +/- 2.2 pg/ml. This is in agreement with data recently published by other researchers. The applicability and reproducibility was further tested in measurements of samples taken hourly during the entire day under water diuresis and after hormonal stimulation of AVP.


A human placental hormone (UTPH) with uterine growth and DNA promoting effects. A human placental protein previously described is studied in order to expand its biological characterization. Dose-response-curve of its action on uterine growth of prepuberal mice showed to be a significant logarithmic function and this effect is neutralized by its specific antiserum. It is also demonstrated that the uterine growth-promoting effect is not due either to estrogen, protein-bound estrogen, progesterone or chorionic gonadotrophin. Experimental evidence is given to demonstrate that the mechanism of action of this placental protein is to stimulate the synthesis and to increase the concentration of DNA in uterine tissue, differing then in this respect from the effect of estrogen. Previous work has shown that this placental protein is present in full-term placentas within similar ranges as HCG and HPL. It is also detected in blood during pregnancy and acts biologically in at least two target organs: uterus and mammary gland. Therefore the name of uterotrophic placental protein (UTPH) has been suggested for this substance.


Open withdrawal of antiparkinson drugs in the neuroleptic- induced Parkinson syndrome. The study was finished according to schedule with 32 of the 49 examined patients, i.e. without changes in neuroleptic medication. The antiparkinson medication had been suddenly withdrawn in all patients. No patient had to be given another antiparkinson treatment due to reappearing Parkinson symptoms. Slight and constant deterioration in their condition occurred in four patients within 1-3 weeks following withdrawal of the antiparkinson medication; this fact justified recommencement of the antiparkinson therapy. All but seven patients had been given antiparkinson drugs for more than 1 year. All patients were on neuroleptic drugs. The neuroleptic dose was increased in seven patients, a slight transient deterioration of the Parkinson symptoms occurring in two cases. Investigation into the longitudinal course of the diseases revealed that the intensity of symptoms is not always steady, but that certain variations occur. An equable course was observed in paranoid schizophrenics. In cases of catatonia and hebephrenia variations in the symptoms and their intensity must be expected. However, these variations need not inevitably call for recommencement of the antiparkinson treatment. Thus, our results confirm similar available studies in that the incidence of relapses in cases of neuroleptically conditioned Parkinson's disease is very low in patients who had been receiving antiparkinson medication for long periods; this incidence of relapses amounts to 8% in our study. Our figures are lower than those referred to in literature up to now. Within 1-3 weeks following withdrawal it becomes obvious whether another antiparkinson therapy will be necessary or not. Within the scope of our study, we cannot comment on the statement that antiparkinson drugs may be withdrawn, without any risk of a relapse, after 3-month administration.


The corpus luteum periodicum in the bitch: histochemical and biochemical investigations during different phases of the cycle. The corpus luteum periodicum (c.l.p.) of the bitch was studied using enzyme histochemistry, clinical and biochemical methods. Assessment of variations of the serum progesterone level during different stages of the ovarian cycle and the study of enzymatic activity of the luteal tissue furnished informations on vitality and biosynthetic capacity of luteinizing cells: The period of functional activity of the c.l.p. nearly ceased about day 60 of the cycle (proestrus included) in the animals examined. In the light microscope the neo-synthesis of progesterone in the c.l.-tissue can be made visible by histochemical demonstration of the activity of Delta(5)-3 beta-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) only up to a progesterone level exceeding 6.7 ng/ml plasma. The data obtained contribute to our baseline knowledge of the mechanism involved in the etiology of pseudopregnancylike conditions in the bitch.


Changes in the surface features of choroid plexus of the rat following the administration of acetazolamide and other drugs which affect CSF secretion. The surface of the choroid plexus of the rat was examined by scanning electron microscopy before and after administration of acetazolamide and other drugs (cardiac glycosides and pilocarpine) which affect the rate of secretion of the CSF. In control animals, bleb-covered cells were more common on the IVth ventricle choroid plexus than on the lateral ventricle choroid plexus (20 per specimen compared to 0-3 per specimen). Following administration of acetazolamide the number of bleb-covered cells was reduced significantly (P less than 0-001). The effects of the other drugs were less well defined. Since acetazolamide is known to interfere with the active transport of the extra chloride ions normally added to the CSF in the IVth ventricle, it is suggested that the bleb-covered cells of the IVth ventricle choroid plexus are the specific site for chloride secretion.


Energy expenditure cutting supercane.

Energy expenditure cutting supercane. VO2 VE, and heart rates (fH) were measured in 61 Colombian sugarcane cutters while harvesting cane in the AM and PM and in the laboratory during a VO2max test. Productivity and sweat rates were also measured in the field. The subjects had an estimated dietary intake of 2,970 kcal/day, which was lower than calculated daily energy expenditure. During the work measurements the VO2 was 1.5 1/min, VE 48 1/min, and fH 135 beats/min; there were no differences between AM and PM values. The subjects sustained about 35% of VO2max during the 8 h workday, but worked at 57% of VO2max during the tests. Measured energy cost was 7.4 +/- 1.5 kcal/min during the workday. Sweat rates were higher PM than AM (5 KG/8 h day). Grouping of the men according to productivity demonstrated that taller, heavier men were better producers and had lower calculated heart rates at VO2 1.51/min. Efficiency of cane cutting was higher (9%) PM.


Similarities and differences of the alpha and beta components of tropomyosin. Rabbit skeletal tropomyosin was separated into two components, alpha and beta, by CM cellulose column chromatography in the presence of urea. The two components are apparently different from TN-T, since, 1) upon addition of the components to F-actin solutions, they increase the degree of flow birefringence delta n, while TN-T does not, 2) the reduced mean residue elipticities [theta] at 220 nm are about 2.5-fold higher than for TN-T, and they contain no proline. These features are similar to those of intact tropomyosin, but the two components are not identical for the following reasons; 1) leucine is the C-terminus of the beta component and isoleucine is the C-terminus of the alpha component, 2) the beta component has a lower helicity and a somewhate lower capacity to increase delta n of F-actin solutions than the alpha component, and 3) the beta component has a higher content of glutamic acid and methionine than the alpha component. The two components can be crystallized into paracrystals in the presence of magnesium. Electron micrographs of the paracrystals of both components show a band pattern with 400 A periodicity. Bovine cardiac tropomyosin migrates on SDS gels as two poorly resolved bands, which could be separated by CM cellulose column chromatography. The C-terminus of the slower moving component was leucine, and that of the faster moving component was isoleucine, corresponding to the beta and alpha components of skeletal tropomyosin.


Ascorbate 2-sulfate inhibits dopamine beta-hydroxylase reaction, but not ascorbate oxidase reaction. Bovine adrenal dopamine beta-hydroxylase [EC 1.14.17.1] was considerably inhibited by ascorbate 2-sulfate. The inhibition was competitive with regard to ascorbate. The Ki value was 3.44 mM. The possibility that ascorbate 2-sulfate may play a regulatory role in the biosynthesis of norepinephrine is suggested. Another copper-containing oxidase, squash ascorbate oxidase [EC 1.10.3.3], was not inhibited by the same compound at a concentration of 150 mM.


Conformation of biological macromolecules. Circular dichroism and magnetic circular dichroism studies of metmyoglobin and its derivatives. The circular dichroism (CD) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of horse heart metmyoglobin and the following derivatives were measured in the Soret and near ultraviolet regions: metmyoglobin and its peroxide compound, and hydroxide, cyanide, azide, and fluoride derivatives. The heme-related CD bands in the Soret and near ultraviolet wavelength regions were altered by ligand substitution, though their relationships to the magnetic moment were quite different. In the Soret region, the CD peak had no definite relation to the magnetic moment, while in the near ultraviolet region the magnitude of the CD peak decreased with the magnetic moment. The MCD peak in the Soret and near Ultraviolet regions also varied with ligand substitution. The magnetic ellipticity decreased with the magnetic moment in both wavelength regions. There was a more quantitative correlation between the magnetic ellipticity and the magnetic moment in the near ultraviolet region than in the Soret region. Metmyoglobin peroxide compound exhibited slightly different behavior in the MCD spectrum from other derivatives. It is suggested that the heme iron of the metmyoglobin peroxide compound is in an oxidation state other than the ferric state and that the porphyrin structure of metmyoglobin may be modified by the reaction with hydrogen peroxide.


Structures of singly branched heptaoses produced by bacterial liquefying alpha-amylase. 1. A singly branched heptaose produced as a limit dextrin in the digest of beta-limit dextrin with liquefying alpha-amylase [EC 3.2.1.1] of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was isolated in a paper chromatographically pure state. 2. Analysis using several enzymes revealed that the isolated branched dextrin was a mixture of six singly branched heptaoses with different ramifying points. 3. All the branched heptaoses contained a 62-alpha-maltosylmaltotriose moiety in their molecules, differing only in the mode of attachment of one maltose or two glucose residues by alpha-1,4-glucosidic bonds from this core dextrin. 4. The formation of various singly branched heptaoses (the present paper) and hexaoses (the previous paper) is discussed regarding the attack site specificity of the enzyme on beta-limit dextrin.


Effect of sodium dodecyl fulfate on the dissociation of bovine liver catalase. Native bovine liver catalase [EC 1.11.1.6] and catalase acetylated with N-acetylimidazole (AI) both combined with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to form catalase-SDS complexes. The differences between native and acetylated catalase bound to SDS were investigated as regards enzymatic activity, absorption spectra, ORD and CD, sedimentation velocity and fluorescence spectra. It was found that the binding of SDS with both catalases depended on incubation time and SDS concentration, and that the acetylation of catalase had some protective effect on the denaturation of the molecule by SDS, which may be ascribed to a reduction of ionic interaction between SDS and the protein on acetylation. The native catalase was found to split into three smaller components on incubation with 1% SDS for 96 hr, whereas the acetylated catalase split into two smaller components. These smaller components were isolated by gel filtration through Sephadex G-100. The isolated components has estimated molecular weights of 60,000, 30,000, aide. It seemed likely that the modification occurred stepwise. Approximately 26% of the carboxyl groups of fibrinogen was modified finally. The modified fibrinogen had no interaction with cationic detergent, and did not form any complex with the detergent. In dilute acid, fibrinogen was observed to show only a slight interaction with cationic detergent. It is probable that the exposed and ionized carboxyl groups are essential for the formation of a complex between fibrinogen and cationic detergent.


Regulation of translation in rabbit reticulocytes and mouse L-cells; comparison of the effects of temperature. Various parameters of protein synthesis were analyzed in rabbit reticulocytes exposed to various temperatures for up to five hours. Between 10 degrees C and 40 degrees C total protein synthesis exhibited two different apparent activation energies (36 kcal/mole, 10-24 degrees C; 22 kcal/mole, 24-40 degrees C), as did protein elongation and release (35 kcal/mole, 10-25 degrees C; 12 kcal/mole, 25-40 degrees C). However, the level of polysomes remained essentially unchanged between 0 degrees C and 42 degrees C which implies that the activation energy for polypeptide initiation is quite similar to that for elongation and is also biphasic. This situation is different from that in cultured mouse L-cells where the polysome level is dependent on temperatures. Nevertheless, reticulocytes and L-cells appear to be similar in their temperature dependence of initiation and in their rate of elongation (5-6 amino acids/second at 36 degrees C.


Maturation of membrane function: transport of amino acid by rat erythroid cells. The membrane changes which occur during cellular maturation of erythroid cells have been investigated. The transport of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, alanine, and N-methylated-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid have been studied in the erythroblastic leukemic cell, the reticulocyte, and the erythrocyte of the Long-Evans rat. The dependence of amino acid transport on extracellular sodium concentration was investigated. Erythrocytes were found to transport these amino acids only by Na-independent systems. The steady state distribution ratio was less than 1. Reticulocytes were found to transport alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and alanine by Na-dependent systems, but only small amounts of N-methylated-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. Small amounts of these amino acids were transported by Na-independent systems. The steady state distribution ratio was greater than one for Na-dependent transport. The erythroblastic leukemia cell, a model immature erythroid cell, showed marked Na-dependence (greater than 90%) for alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and alanine transport, and greater than 80% for the Na-dependent transport of N-methyl-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. The steady state distribution ratio for the Na-dependent transport was greater than 4. In the erythroblastic leukemic cell, at least three Na-dependent systems are present: one includes alanine and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, but excludes N-methyl-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid; one is for alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, alanine and also N-methyl-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid; and one is for N-methyl-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid alone. In the reticulocyte, the number of Na-dependent systems are reduced to two: one for alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and alanine; one for N-methyl-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. In the erythrocytes, no Na-dependent transport was found. Therefore, maturation of the blast cell to the mature erythrocyte is characterized by a systematic loss in the specificity and number of transport system for amino acids.


[Steroidogenic function of the intra-arterial trophoblast in the rat. Ultrastructural, histoenzymologic and biochemical data]. The ultrastructural study of the intra-arterial trophoblast has revealed in the pregnant Rat a steroidogenic activity which has been confirmed by histoenzymologic observations (presence of delta 5-3 beta-HSDH and 17 beta-HSDH). At the 15th day postcoitum an in vitro investigation upon the metabolism of steroid hormone precursors suggests that the steroids (oestrogens, progestogens and androgens) secreted by the intra-arterial trophoblast have a local action upon the wall of the uterine placental arteries and are actively concerned with an important part upon the utero-placental hemodynamic as a whole.


The early development of haploid and aneuploid parthenogenetic embryos. The early development of parthenogenetically activated oocytes had been studied in C57BL X CBA-T6T6 (F1T6) translocation heterozygote mice and C57BL X CBA-LAC (F1LAC) mice. All F1T6 oocytes had either a quadrivalent or a univalent-trivalent configuration at meiosis I; no such chromosome configurations were observed in the F1LAC oocytes. At ovulation 36-5% of the F1T6 oocytes had 19 or 21 chromosomes, whereas 97% of the F1LAC had the normal haploid chromosome number of 20. After parthenogenetic activation, chromosome counts at metaphase of the first cleavage mitosis were made of the eggs with a single pronucleus following extrusion of the second polar body. These activated eggs had similar frequencies of 19, 20 and 21 chromosomes as had the oocytes at ovulation. The activated 1-cell eggs were transferred to the oviducts of pseudopregnant recipients and the embryos recovered 3 days later. At this stage of development, most of the F1T6 embryos with 19 chromosomes were no longer found, but the frequency of 21-chromosome embryos was similar to the frequency of 21-chromosome oocytes and activated eggs. There was a similar mean number of cells in the embryos with 20 and 21 chromosomes. The results indicate that nearly all the embryos with 19 chromosomes failed to develop, probably beyond the 2-cell stage, whereas oocytes with 21 chromosomes had a similar development of oocytes with 20 chromosomes up to the morula stage.


Epithelio-mesenchymal interface during mouse kidney tubule induction in vivo. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the epithelio-mesenchymal interface between the interacting mouse ureter-bud and the metanephric mesenchyme. The gap between the epithelial and mesenchymal cells varied in width. At the stalk of the ureter-bud the interspace was often about 1 mum, but in the inductively active areas at the tips of the branching ureter-bud epithelio-mesenchymal contacts were seen through discontinuities in the basal lamina. At these points the gap between the interacting cells was often less than 20 nm, in places less than 10 nm. The amount of electron-dense, ruthenium-red-positive material was greatest at the stalk of the ureter-bud, but only a small amount of extracellular material was found between the interacting cells at the tips. Whether epithelio-mesenchymal cell contacts play a role in kidney tubule induction is not yet known, but their existence in the inductively active areas and their absence in inactive zones suggests that they are morphogenetically significant. The finding also obviates the need to postulate long-range transmission of inductive signals to explain this example of embryonic induction.


[The incidence of constitutional chromosome aberrations]. The incidence of constitutional chromosomal abnormalities in livebirths has been estimated at 0.62% from 7 surveys pooling 45,183 newborns. The repartition of these abnormalities is reported and compared to the incidence observed in spontaneous abortuses, perinatal deaths and in normal adults.


Time-limited phototherapy of term newborns in ABO hemolytic disease and hyperbilirubinaemia. "Limited" phototherapy was used to treat full term babies with and without ABO-isoimmunization. Serum indirect bilirubin levels calling for irradiation during the first five days of life are summarized in a diagram (Fig. 1). Seperate indications were given for babies with different etiologies of jaundice, maturity (gestational age and birthweight) and indicational levels were correlated with the postnatal age (days and hours) of the infant. After a fall or harmless stagnation of bilirubin levels irradiation was stopped. Clinical assessment of the treatment of 17 babies with ABO-isiommunization, and 16 newborns without it and with hyperbilirubinemia is given in detail. Results were compaired with the outcome of treatment of 44 newborns who received the same care in every respect, but phototherapy. These control cases, selected by pairs, were similar. Exchange transfusion, based on identical indications was necessary in 13 of the 44 babies treated without and only 3 of the 33 infants treated with phototherapy. The billirubin levels of the treated babies were lower during the whole course of the irradiation. The difference in favor of the treated babies was significant on the second and third days of life incases of ABO-hemolytic disease, and from the 4th day of life in cases of hyperbilirubinemia. The values of standard deviations, important in view of the indication for exchange transfusion were also lower in the light treated babies. Successful irradiation required on average of 44 hours (30-72 hours) in cases of ABO-isoimmunization and 40 hours (18-50) in cases of hyperbilirubinemia, respectively. Re-elavation of the bilirubin level after finishing phototherapy was not observed.


Persons, situations, and time: a genetic view of behavioral change in children. Twin children participating in a longitudinal study were observed at 9, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months of age in two settings: unstructured free play and relatively structured test taking. Behaviors relating to adaptability to the two settings were rated and the scores analyzed for evidence of continuity both across settings and across ages. Age-to-age correlations for the adaptability scores for each setting yielded a simplex pattern of low-moderate order. Correlations of individuals' scores across settings were also of low-moderate order. Within-pair correlations indicated that identical twins were more similar that same-sex fraternal twins in both settings, but correlations were consistently stronger in the playroom setting. Analysis of variance was performed to test for within-pair concordance in the direction and degree of change. Identical pairs remained significantly more similar in adaptability from one setting to another even when change in adaptability occurred. Similar results were found for change across ages; however, these differences were significant only in the playroom setting. Results suggest that situation variables contribute to the low stabilities frequently reported for personality dimensions but that the direction and degree of behavioral change are genetically conditioned.


Bile peritonitis due to ruptured amoebic liver abscess. A fatal case of bile peritonitis due to ruptured amoebic liver abscess is reported. Exudation of bile from a solitary abscess within the liver was the cause of the biliary peritonitis. Secondary bacterial peritontis and Gram negative septicaemia were complications and their clinical significance has been discussed.


[Experimental study of schizophrenia I. Cognitive structure of emotionally expressed voices (author's transl)]. The purpose of this study was to examine the cognitive structure of the schizophrenic patients. Two, one word sentence, "father" and "mother", with 15 different emotional expressions were given by both male and female announcers as verbal stimuli. Stimuli were judged by 29 normal students and 22 schizophrenic patients on 5 monopolar rating scales. Using both d-index and factor analysis, 4 factors were found. With Factor 1 no difference between the normals and the patients was found. With Factor 2 a little difference was found between the two, and with Factor 3 a great difference was found. Factor 4 was responded only by the normals. Considering the hypothesis states there are 2 stages in the cognition, the schizophrenic character was found on the second stage of the process where the reinterpretation of the information was made.


[Functional hemispheric asymmetry in perception of random forms (author's transl)]. 2 experiments were conducted in which Ss made the "same-different" judgement with respect to a pair of random forms which were serially presented to the right and the left VF tachistoscopically. In Exp. I, the stimulus materials were random form painted solidly, and in Exp. II they were contour forms. The major results of both experiments were essentially the same. The results indicated that right VF-lead condition produced more errors than the left VF-lead condition, and that the high complexity form group produced more errors than the low complexity form group. The tendency of left VF-lead superiority was more pronounced when the interval between the 2 stimuli was longer. These results suggest the possibility of the right hemisphere's superior function concerning the perception of random forms.


[An analysis of individual differences in reading abilities of the partially sighted children (author's transl)]. The purpose of present study was to analyze the intra- and inter- individual differences in reading abilities of the partial-sighted children. The Ss, consists of 79 normal-sighted children and 20 partial-sighted ones, were given 20 tests by the E. In order to analyze the intra-individual differences by the ratio of individual scores obtained, T scores were converted into Z scores after obtaining each T score of 20 tests. The partial-sighted were significantly inferior to the normal-sighted in 7 tests. By both cluster analysis and Q-technique, the clusters were found to be unstable in terms of the discrimination of the partial-sighted from the normal sighted. 2 groups, however, were completely discriminated by the method of multiple correlation coefficient of which ratio was .839.


[The problem of crossed eye-hand dominance (author's transl)]. The manual and visual dominance of one side has in recent times attracted much attention from many aspects. Crossed dominance (right eye - left hand) seems significant in strabismus of childhood. For the first time recently it has become obvious, that the structure of the body and its muscles, especially of the trunk is asymmetrical. Even in normal persons the centre of gravity of the body is not in the midline, but displaced usually some distance to the left. We have examined the stabilographic proportions in 30 normal and 30 squinting children. In the normal children, with closed eyes the centre of gravity of the body was displaced in 80% to the right, in the quinting children this point was in 73% displaced to the left. We can deduce from this, that the marked right-eye dominance in squinting children is responsible for the displacement of the centre of gravity. If the right eye is open, then the vertical body-axis tends a little to the left. This tendency demands an increase of muscle tone on the left side of the body and with this a displacement of the body centre of gravity to the left; this not only, when the right eye is open, but also, when both eyes are opened or closed. From our experience this adjustment is especially suited to normalise the working together of the hand and the eye in squinting children.


[Present state of diagnosis and treatment of the adrenogenital syndrome (author's transl)]. The adrenogenital syndrome (AGS; congenital adrenal hyperplasia [CAH]) is caused by a congenital defect in biosynthesis of cortisol. It is transmitted by the autosomal recessiv mode of inheritance. Its frequency in Central Europe is about 1:5000 live births, which means two to three times more frequent than phenylketonuria. The following enzyme deficiencies have been described so far: 21-kydroxylase (mild and severe type), 11-hydroxylase, 3-beta-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase, 17-alpha-hydroxylase, cholesterol desmolase, 18-hydroxylase, 18-dehydrogenase. The clinical symptoms of AGS consist of signs of virilism in girls and macrogenitosomia praecox in boys. In addition, life threatening salt losing crises occur in patients with the severe form of 21-hydroxylase deficiency and the rare cases of 3-beta-hydroxysteroiddehydrogenase and 18-hydroxylase deficiency. The diagnosis should be made as early as possible by a thorough clinical examinations revealing signs of virisism and by the determination of elevated concentrations of androgens in plasma and urine. The therapy consists of substitution of cortisol (hydrocortisone) in the doses of 25--40 mg per m2 body surface per day. If synthetic derivatives are used glucocorticoid equivalent doses must be considered. Regular, short-term follow-ups on outpatient basis are necessary in order to monitor proper growth, bone age development and urinary steroid excretion. On this supposition almost normal growth and development can be achieved in children with AGS. Girls may become fertile following additional corrective surgery. Only in patients with the salt losing form of AGS normal growth appears to be limited despite optimal medical supervision.


[Long term follow up after parenteral specific hyposensitization in children (author's transl)]. The long term follow up of 55 children with allergy treated by specific hyposensitization therapy is reported. Hyposensitization therapy had been terminated from 2--7 years previously. The success of treatment was subjectively judged to be satisfactory of good in 62% of the cases. In the group of asthmatic children, asthma attacks had decreased or ceased in 74% of the cases: in children with hay fever only 24% continued to have as many or more symptoms as before treatment. In children with asthma and pollen allergy, the success rate was slightly higher with aqueous extracts (68%) than with pyridine-extracted and alum-precipitated extract administration (43%). Also in children with hay fever symptoms alone the use of aqueous extracts seemed to bring somewhat better results (57% with good or satisfactory success) in comparison with pyridine-extracted and alum-precipitated extracts (45%). Side effects of hyposensitization therapy occured in 29 children (53%).


[The juvenile bone cyst. Diagnosis, therapy and late results. Report about 60 cases (author's transl)]. 60 patients were operated for a solitary bone cyst during a 20 years period. In about 50% the patients were between 8 and 14 years old. The quotient male to female was 2:1. In 65% the cyst was located in the femur and humerus. The therapy was in 43 patients autoplasty, in 8 cases heterotransplantation--"Kieler Span", in the other cases resections were carried out. The follow-up study covered 41 patients. The results were excellent in 50%, sufficient in 36%, poor in 12%. The best results were achieved with autoplasty bone chips. Among 43 cases 1 recurrency.


[Age-dependence of the complement (beta 1A/C) serum concentration in healthy children (author's transl)]. In 496 sera of healthy children(cord blood, newborn infants, children up to 10 years of age) complement (C'3) was determined quantitatively by single radial immunodiffusion technique. Higher values are found in cord blood as compared to newborns during the first days of life. Adult levels are reached in infants aged 12 to 36 months. Complement is produced in excess. Normal concentrations do not necessarily exclude a pathologic situation. Abnormally high or low levels of complement (C'3) in the serum may point at pathologic processes. However, single determinations are of pathognomonic value only when low concentrations are found. Age dependency of C'3-levels in children has to be kept in mind when used for diagnosis.


[Congenital spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia: follow-up of a case over 9 years (author's transl)]. A girl with the symptoms of dysplasia spondyloepiphysaria congenita has been observed during 9 years. The progressively severe alterations of the skeleton are demonstrated and briefly discussed.


[Compression of trachea and esophagus by abnormal course of the left pulmonary artery (author's transl)]. A three months old infant with abnormal origine and course of the left pulmonary artery is described. The course of the left pulmonary artery between oesophagus and trachea causes narrowing of the distal trachea leading to in- and expiratory stridor. A ventral indentation of the oesophagus, visible on the lateral plane of an oesophageal roentgenogram, is characteristic for the anomaly which can be proven by pulmonary angiography.


Ethyl alcohol and defence behavior in the cat. The effects of graded doses of ethyl alcohol on defence behaviour were studied in nine cats: 0.25 g/kg of body weight had a slight but not significant excitatory effect, 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg had no effect and 1.5 g/kg significantly depressed some behavior components. When taking the scores for all the manifestations combined as an index of gross behaviour, 0.25 significantly intensified, 0.5 and 1.0 did not change and 1.5 g alcohol/kg significantly depressed defence. These results are consistent with the expected effects of alcohol on physiological functions in general.


[Histoid variety of lepromatous leprosy]. Three cases of the so-called "histoid variety" of lepromatous leprosy are reported. This variety has definite clinical features, associated with characteristic histological and bacteriological findings. Some of the features presented by our patients are similar to those described originally by Wade, especially the resistance to treatment. Considering the discrepancies existing among the authors that studied the subject, our opinion is that further studies should be done in order to elucidate the controverted points.


[Genital amebiasis and cancer].

[Genital amebiasis and cancer]. Genital amebiasis is not a frequent entity. Its association with cancer is still more rare. The author found just two other cases reported in the literature reviewed since 1892 up to date. A clinico-pathologic study was made of 4 cases of this uncommon coexistence: in two patients the lesions were located in the vulva; in the other two at the cervix uteri. Two of them showed eczematous reactions that disappeared with the antiamebian treatment; they were considered as Amebids, though mechanisms of photosensitivity.


[Multiple dermatofibromas with protuberans dermatofibrosarcoma]. A 40 year-old female with multiple dermatofibromas (82) associated with Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans is presented. Although of a common fibroblastic origin, these lesions are considered independent. Their presence in the same patient is considered of interest.


[Achromic malignant lentigo].

[Achromic malignant lentigo]. A case of achromic lentigo maligna is presented. The rarity and the importance of the differential diagnosis is emphasized.


[Symptomatic or secondary allergic vasculitis. Pathogenesis of cutaneous vasculitis]. The histopathologic alterations of the allergic cutaneous vasculitis (fibrinoid necrosis of the walls of the small blood vessels with infiltration of neuthrophils in Karyorrexis) is seen in several entities. It is possible to divide such entities in two groups: a) Primitive allergic vasculitis in which the vascular lesion is dominant and. b) Secondary allergic vasculitis in which the vascular alterations, not constant, are integrants of variable histopathologic conditions. Many classifications have deen done on clinical and pathological bases. Such classifications are not satisfactory. A classification in base of physiopathologic and immunologic mechanisms could permit adequate therapeutic planning. In this paper we consider the secondary vasculitis only. The secondary angitis are seen in: 1) Difuse colagen diseases. 3) Conditions related to infections or inflamatory processes. 3) Angitis produced by drugs. 4) Conditions produced by insects or parasites bites. 5) Heterogeneous group that include diferent tipes of not necrotizing sistemic angitis in uhich, some times, trombosant and necrotizing processes are associated.


[Experimental studies on seborheric alopecia. III. Localization of testosterone receptors in human hairy follicles]. The author studies the location of the testosterone receptors in huamn hair follicles, by means of the isolation of the two most outstanding fractions of the pilosebaceous follicle, i.e., hair follicle and sebaceous gland. The two fractions were obtained by micro-dissection, homogenisation by separate, and isolation of the correspondig cytosol fraction. It was demonstrated that the two fractions possess the same binding activity against the andreogen tested.


[World survey on the use of thalidomide in leprosy reaction]. Review of the answers of a questionary sent to 62 different Leprosy Departments. The results indicate that in 99% of lepromatous patients with lepra-reactions, the response to thalidomide was satisfactory. In the tuberculoid and borderline types of lepra, the results were not good.


[Relapsing childhood digital fibromatosis. Study of a case with electron and light microscopy and review of the literature]. The first Latin-American case of a relapsing digital fibromatosis in a 6 months old child is presented by the authors. With the H.E. staining cytoplasmatic inclusions were found in the fibroblasts. For the first time the presence of cellular synctitiums in the entity is described. Many of these synctitiums contain inclusion bodies. This inclusion observed with electron microscope was constituted by a considerable amount of filaments condensing in the center and the well developed stages occupying most of the cyloplasm. No viral particles were found. The accumulation of filaments in the fibroblast causes a degenerative final stage of the cells. The possibility whether this inclusion represents an accumulation of the synthetised fibers by the fibroblast or a conglomerate is not determined by this study. An extensive review of the literature on this subject is made by the authors.


[Cephalic mycetoma, caused by Streptomyces somaliensis, involving the cranial cavity]. A case of cephalic mycetoma caused by Streptomyces somaliensis which has involved the orbit and craneal cavity with exoftalmus and symptoms of irritation and brain compression is reported. The patient has improved with a medical treatment (sulfomethoxazol-trimetoprim) associated with a descompressive craniectomy. The authors comment the geographic distribution of the agents of mycetoma especially of S. somaliensis very rare specie in America. Only 10 proved cases of Mycetoma caused by this Actinomycete have been found in Mexico. Our patient came from the state of Chihuahua, in the north of Mexico and is the second case from this state and the most septentrional (parallel 32 degrees) in the American continent.


[Venereal granuloma. Its clinical manifestation in the genitals and other parts of the body]. Ten patients with granuloma inguinale (venereum), were studied and treated in the "Institute of Dermatology" of Guatemala city, and the high incidence of this venereal desease is noted by the author. Also, there is the detailed description of two cases which were complicated with dissemination of the granuloma inguinate to distant organs of the body; one shows knee joint lesions and the other the invasion of the lungs. 9 cases were successfully treated with a semisynthetic Tetracycline drug alone and one patient, received the combined treatment of Tetracycline and Streptomycine, with spectacularly good results.


[Goltz syndrome. Focal dermal hypoplasia with polyoysplasia]. The focal dermal hypoplasia is a neuroectodermal syndrome involving the epidermis and dermis, giving rise to characteristic lesions and associated visceral lesions of different organs (eye, ear, central nervous system and bones). The radiological and histological data are very demonstrative. The author presents three observations of this disease and in the article a review of the literature is made.


[Dermatoses caused by atypical mycobacteria]. The authors discuss the main characteristics which enable a differential diagnosis to be made between the dermatoses due to atypical mycobacteria. Persistent bacteriological and epidemiologic studies are likely to result in a solution to the challenging problem presented by the conditions under consideration.


[Sclerodermoid porphyria cutanea tarda associated with cataract]. Two cases of Porphyria cutanea tarda with sclerodermoid changes associated with cataracta are studied. Far from being considered as an authentic scleroderma, the sclerodermoid aspect, very common in patients with Porphyria cutanea tarda, seems to represent one among the many residual alterations of the precocious cutaneous senescence, peculiar to these individuals hypersensitive to luminic radiations. The first patient had familial cases of cataracta. The second had no familial occurrence of it. The association of cataracta and Porphyria cutanea tarda, for the first time mentioned in the literature, would be one complication to be added to this very polymorphous syndrome.


[Cutaneous neuroma].

[Cutaneous neuroma]. A case of cutaneous neuroma is presented. This rare type of tumor is described in its clinical and pathological aspects. The differential diagnosis with other painful tumors of the skin is discussed.


[Tissue immunology in psoriasis. I. Changes in the immunologic mechanism caused by methotrexate]. To evaluate the posibility of detecting immunological alterations in psoriasics after MTX's treatment, lymphocyte culture was used, following Nowell's techniqe with slight modifications. There were no significant differences in blastic response between psoriasic patients and normals. Important variations were not observed in blastogenesis, after three and six weeks of MTX'S treatment, in the group of patients without previous medication. Another group of patients, selected for their therapeutic resistence to the drug employed, was also studied. There were no significant differences between the group sensitive to medication and the control. The values obtained suffered no modification, when treatment was continued, in similar doses, at three and six weeks of starting it. Finally, no alterations were found in the blastic response of those patients who had complete remission of psoriasis, after having been under MTX at least, six months before our work began.


[Cheilitis caused by photosensitization]. Many clinical entities show manifestations in the lips and sometimes such localization is eminent. In the photodermatosis there are different degrees of compromise of the lips. In the Polimorphus Light Eruption the cheilitis is a very common feature in the tropics and sometimes is the only manifestation of the disease for some time, or is accompanied by scant elements in the face and forearms. It is necessary to distinguish between chronic Antinic Cheilitis and the Eczematous cheilitis produced by the photosensitizing action of very well known substances contained in lip-sticks. The exfoliative cheilitis sometimes is found in atopic patients or patients with emotional disturbances. The Cheilitis present in patients with actinic chronic dermatitis are able to transform in Epithelioms.


[Generation time of pure cultures of heterotrophic microorganisms isolated from Lake Baĭkal]. Generation time was determined in pure cultures of heterotrophic microorganisms in the conditions similar to those of Baikal in June--July of 1972. Generation time was found to be 37+/-7, 16+/-2.5, 16+/-3.2, and 10+/-2.5 hours, respectively, when the cultures had been diluted with Baikal water in the following rations: 1 : 0,1 : 5,1 : 10, and 1 : 20. No differences in the growth rate were found among 11 cultures of heterotrophic microorganisms isolated from Baikal. Conditions limiting the microbial growth improve from the dilution of 1 : 0 to the dilution of 1 : 5. The mean time of generation is 27 hours for June--July. Generation time determined for pure cultures of heterotrophic microorganisms in the conditions similar to natural can be used to calculate production of the bacterial biomass for a definite period of the year.


[Lipids of Aureobasidium (Pullularia) pullulans]. Fractional composition of free and bound lipids was studied in Aureobasidium (Pullularia) pullulans 8 by preparative TLC on Silufol. Bound lipids contained a fraction (27.76 +/- 0.5%) of dark brown colour, similar to melanin. The composition of fatty acids was studied by GLC. The following fatty acids were identified and determined quantitatively: C12:0, C14:0, C15:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1+C15:2. The following fatty acids predominated in free and bound lipids: C16:0, C18:1+C18:2. The ratio between unsaturated and saturated fatty acids in all fractions of free and bound lipids was more than unity. The following parameters were determined for lipids; ester number (173.89 and 178.53); iodine number (44.1 and 33.10), and saponification number (181.17 and 206.03) (the values are given for free and bound lipids, respectively).


Erysipelothrix endocarditis.

Erysipelothrix endocarditis. This communication describes the second reported Australian case of erysipelothrix endocarditis; after treatment with penicillin, the patient survived. It also gives up-to-date summary and brief discussion of the literature.


Stress in hospitals. The married intern: vintage 1973. Forty-five married interns and their spouses were interviewed about the stresses the intern's profession placed upon the marriage. Long hf hospitality to interns' wives in the hospital were seen as stresses which could be considerably eased by appropriate administrative action.


[Lecithinase activity of various yeast strains]. The activity of lecithinase was studied among 50 yeast strains belonging to the genera Rhodotorula Harrison, Cryptococcus Kütz, and Lipomyces Lodder et Kreger van Rij. The maximum activity of lecithinase is typical of epiphyte yeast strains belonging to the genus Rhodotorula and is not manifested by species of the henus Lipomyces which inhabit soil. Strains of the genus Cryptococcus cannot be distinctly differentiated into soil and epiphyte cultures, and occupy an intermediate position by the activity of lecithinase.


Stress in hospital personnel.

Stress in hospital personnel. Stress levels vary both with the stressful situation and the person's ability to cope. We compared stress levels of nurses, hospital administrators and public service administrators. The highest stress levels occurred in the interns and nurses. The highly stressful situations are analysed and some remedies are suggested.


Parasexual genetic analysis of aggregation-deficient mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum. One hundred and thirty-nine independent, nitrosoguanidine-induced mutants blocked early in development were isolated in two haploid strains of D. discoideum. Forty of these developmental mutants were completely aggregation-deficient on bacterial lawns (Class I mutants) and these mutants were selected for parasexual genetic analysis. By fusing the Class I mutants with developmentally-competent strains the developmental mutations in 39 of these mutants were shown to be recessive; the remaining mutation appeared to be partially dominant. Complementation analysis of the developmental mutations in the Class I strains identified 5 complementation groups. Statistical analysis of the complementation data suggests that there are approximately 40 genes in this organism which will completely block aggregation when mutated and perhaps as many as 150 genes involved in some aspect of the aggregation process. Linkage analysis of 18 Class I developmental mutations revealed that 10 of these mutations map in linkage group II at a minimum of 5 loci.


Probable synchronous replication of mitochondrial DNA in cultures of chick embryo fibroblasts. Cultures of chick embryo fibroblasts were synchronized using a procedure previously described. The profile of incorporation of tritiated thymidine showed a main peak of nuclear DNA replication followed by a small peak between 18 and 24 hr after induction of the cell division, and representing 10 to 25% of the main peak. To identify this small peak, cells were treated with ethidium bromide(EB) chloramphenicol (CAP) or 9-B-D arabinofuranosyl adenine (Ara-A). When EB (1 mug ml-1) and CAP(25mug ml-1) were added at time of induction of mitosis (T0) or 14 hr later (T14) the small peak was suppressed whereas the main peak was not decreased. On the contrary, only the main peak was suppressed when Ara-A was added at T0 or T14. These results suggest that the peak might correspond to the synchronous replication of the mitochondrial DNA during the G2 and M phases of the cell division cycle.


[Modification of the high frequency of reversion of the nicotonic-2 mutant of Coprinus radiatus.  II. Polymorphism of strains with low frequencies of reversion (author's transl)]. The nic2 mutation of Coprinus radiatus is unstable at meiosis. Strains derived from the initial mutant can be divided intto two classes: the "neutral genomes" which all revert at meiosis with different frequencies but in an autonomous way; and the "aggressive genomes", which inhibit the reversion of neutral genomes, present a large polymorphism in their own reversion and lose their aggressiveness at meiosis, becoming neutral genomes. The characteristics and the relationships of these two strains are presented in this paper.


A comparison of the 8-azaguanine and ouabain-resistance systems for the selection of induced mutant Chinese hamster cells. The forward mutation selection system based on resistance to 8-azaguanine has been widely used with cells cultured from a diversity of species and with a variety of mutagens. Ouabain resistance is an alternative selective system. Both systems show a substantial influence of expression time on the number of resistant variants observed after addition of the selective agent such that the frequency reaches a maximum which is dose dependent, and then declines rapidly. Metabolic cooperation has been propsed as the mechanism responsible for this decline with the 8-azaguanine system, but it is less likely to account for the loss of ouabain-resistant variants where it is necessary to invoke generalised effects on the viability of variants due to overcrowding on the plates. A comparison of the two selective systems showed that, with the exception of gamma-irradiation, which was apparently non-mutagenic in the ouabain system, there was broad agreement between the two systems for each mutagen tested. Ethyl methanesulphonate was the most efficient mutagen by a substantial factor. Ouabain resistance permitted greater discrimination particularly between weak mutagens because of the low frequency of spontaneous variants (4 x 10(-7) and also produced data with less intrinsic variability. The absence of gamma ray induced mutation in the ouabain system shows that it may fail to detect certain types of mutagens. Thus the two systems should be used to complement each other. Mutation by the fungicide captan was evaluated using both systems and the positive results indicate that it may pose a hazard to man.


Post-replication repair of DNA in Chinese hamster cells treated with cis platinum (II) diamine dichloride. Enhancement of toxicity and chromosome damage by caffeine. The anti-tumor agent cis platinum (II) diammine dichloride (cis Pt(II)) caused chromosomal abnormalities in Chinese hamster V79-379A cells. The time of appearance of these abnormalities suggested that they arise as a consequence of DNA synthesis on a damaged template. The yield and severity of chromosomal abnormalities was greatly enhanced by a non-toxic concentration of caffeine, and this enhancement was associated with a potentiation of cis Pt(II) induced cell death. These results suggest that damage to DNA which arises from cis Pt(II) treatment can be repaired in this cell line by a caffeine-sensitive post-replication repair process.


Isolation and characterization of variant clones of Chinese hamster cells after treatment with irradiated 5-iodouridine. Variant clones were isolated from cultured Chinese hamster Don cells after treatment with irradiated 5-iodouridine. The following characters of a primary variant clone, C-11 and a secondary variant clone, C-24 were compared with those of the original clone C-1: colony-forming activity, growth rate in the presence of irradiated and unirradiated 5-iodouridine, distribution of chromosome numbers and cell cohesion. The variant clones C-11 and C-24 were partially resistant to unirradiated 5-iodouridine at lower concentration and C-24 cells were slightly resistant to short-term treatment with irradiated 5-iodouridine. Unlike clines C-1 and C-11 the variant clone C-24 showed no lag phase on growth in 5-iodouridine medium. The modal numbers of the chromosomes of all three clones were 22, like that of normal Chinese hamster diploid cells. Of the three clones, the variant C-24 cells showed the least mutual cohesion and the original C-1 cells showed the most. The possibility that an alteration in cellular membrane might be related to an increase in the resistance to radiosensitizing agents are discussed.


Sensitivity of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis to some antimicrobial agents. Sensitivity tests were done against two isolates of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, using amphotericin B in combination with chloramphenicol, Chloramphenicol alone, amphotericin B in combination with 5-fluorocytosine, and 5-fluorocytosine, myxin and clotrimazole alone. Results indicated that the effectiveness of amphotericin B was improved in the presence of chlormaphenicol or 5-fluorocytosine. Growth inhibitory values recorded for chloramphenicol alone and combined with amphotericin B did not show much variation. Resistance of the fungus has been noticed to 5-fluorocytosine; but the organism's response was much better when tested against 5-fluorocytosine in the presence of amphotericin B. Both myxin and clotrimazole proved very effective and their ED50 was 50 and 2.5 mug/ml of the medium, respectively. Thus, clotrimazole may be the drug of choice in the cases of deep scopulariopsis.


Different inhibitory effect of nitrogen mustard (HN2) and TS-160 (HN3) on choline transport in L 5178Y lymphoblasts. The inhibitory effect of the alkylating agents nitrogen mustard (HN2) and TS-160 (HN3) on the choline transport in L 5178Y lymphoblasts was studied. The two alkylating agents differed in the degree and in the nature of the inhibition of the process examined. Competitive inhibition of choline transport by HN2 was confirmed, whereas the noncompetitive inhibition by the less efficient inhibitor HN3 has been found. The results achieved indicate that in spite of the structural similarity between HN2 and HN3 only the former is transported into L 5178Y lymphoblasts by the choline transport carrier.


[Diagnostic value of isocount scanning in cerebrovascular diseases (author's transl)]. In the previous report the theoretical background and technical details of the isocount scanning were described. Based on clinical experiences of various brain diseases, the newly developed scanning method was confirmed to be more useful than the conventional scintiscanning. Besides the new scanning method, a new display system was also developed for the sake of more precise analysis of the isocount scanned data. This display method is called multilevel analysis or multilevel slicing of the scanned data. In the present investigation, this method was applied to thirty-two cases of cerebrovascular diseases, including seven cases of cerebral arterio-venous malformation, four cases of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage and twenty-one cases of cerebral infarction, positive rates being 86%, 100% and 90% respectively. In case of arterio-venous malformation, minimum size detected by the isocount method was 2 cm in diameter. To twenty one cases of the cerebral infarction, total thirty two scanning examinations were performed, including postictal follow up studies. It is often said that it is two or three weeks after the ictus when the infarcted cerebral lesion is most clearly detectable by the scintigraphic procedures, presumably due to focal neovascularizations which may occur in the lesion most prominently at this postictal stage. Contradicted to the current concept, our experiences show that abnormal dot accumulations are recognized in the scintigrams even at the earlier stage, thus among five cases of cerebral infarction scanned within a week after the ictus positive figures were obtained in four cases, two of which were examined within two days after the ictus. Focal breakdown of blood brain barrier at the acute stage is considered to be responsible for the early positivity in cerebral infarctions. In eight cases among twenty one cerebral infarctions angiographies failed to demonstrate the vessel occluded. The isocount scanning method, however, succeeded in getting positive results in seven of the eight cases. It will be emphasized that the isocount scanning is a preferable diagnostic procedure in the cerebrovascular diseases, especially when the angiography is hesitated to be performed because of the patient severely affected.


[Neuroradiologic diagnosis of trigeminal neurinoma originating from the gasserian ganglion (author's transl)]. Three cases of trigeminal neurinoma originating from the Gasserian ganglion were reported. The findings observed on plain roentgenograms, cerebral angiograms and pneumoencephalograms were described in detail. Neuroradiologic examinations used routinely our department for the diagnosis of the skull base tumors were as follows; (1) plain skull examinations, including lateral, straight posterior-anterior, anterior-posterior half axial (Towne), axial, Stenvers, optic canal as well as tomograms in frontal, sagittal and axial projections; (2) angiographies by transfemoral catheter technique including selective internal carotid, external carotid and vertebral angiograms, and orbital-cavernous sinus venography via frontal and femoral veins; (3) pneumoencephalography with tomography. Bone destruction of the middle fossa including foramen ovale, foraman spinosum and lateral aspect of the sella was seen in all cases. Superior orbital fissure, optic canal and anterior surface of the petrous bone were also eroded depending upon the extent of tumors. Sharply circumscribed erosion of the petrous apex was seen in one of 3 cases, indicating the tumor extention into the posterior fossa. A soft tissue mass in the sphenoid sinus and ethmoidal air cells was recognized in all cases. Selective internal and external carotid angiograms demonstrated tumor vessels in 2 of 3 cases. Orbital-cavernous sinus venography was helpful for the interpretation of the lesion extending to the cavernous sinus and its neighboring structures. Conventional gas encephalography showed elevation of the temporal horn, and the concave arch formed by the supracornual cleft and lateral cleft was directed basally and medially in all of the cases. Tomography was also useful in the more detailed analysis of temporal horn. It should be stressed that the plain skull features are most important for deciding which contrast examination should be performed further.


[Osteochondroma of the high cervical spine--a case report (author's transl)]. Osteochondroma is one of the most common benign bone tumors, but it is rare in the spine. A woman aged 54 was admitted for investigation of left nuchal pain with radiation to the occipital region for one and a half years duration. Physical and neurological examinations revealed no objective abnormalities. The cervical spine film showed the presence of a calcified mass in the left articulation between atlas and axis. Myelogram outlined a left sided filling defect at the level of a calcified mass. The tumor was totally removed using operating microscope technique through transcervical approach. This calcified mass was confirmed as the benign osteochondroma by histological examination. The patient became completely symptom-free after the operation.


[A new method of autotomography in cerebral angiography (author's transl)]. Acompanied with the recent advances of various techniques of cerebral angiography, the angio-tomography is now going to be recognized as one the significant techniques. But, this angio-tomography requires a special work place with tomographic equipment. Thus the applicability of the method is now limited as far as the routine use is concerned. So, the technique of autotomography is often tried as a convenient substitute for the angiotomography, because this technique is very simple and does not need any special facilities. But, as the autotomography is only possible to take the midline tomogram, it's application is strictly limited. So, we have invented a new method of the autotomography using a simple device. This device is constituted of two portions; one is a plate of rotation, and the other is a box to fasten a patient's head. By sliding the box on the plate, it is possible to move the rotatory axis to the aimed portion of the head. In this way, it is possible to take an arbitrary tomographic plane. As our device is simple and it's use is very easy, this method of the autotomography is possible to apply in a routine examination. This report describes the principle and the method of the use of our new device and demonstrates several films taken by this method.


[Junctional dilatation of the posterior communicating artery (author's transl)]. Junctional dilatation of the posterior communicating artery was investigated on 1,286 carotid angiograms, which were displayed to 750 patients for recent five years in our department, and the following results were obtained. 1) Incidence; The junctional dilatation was seen on 96 out of 750 cases (12.8%), whereas on angiograms, this was 105 times out of 1,286 angiograms. A difference in ratio of appearance between men and women was not statistically significant. 2) Comparison between the left and right side; 58 cases of junctional dilatation was seen out of 633 cases (9.2%) on the left side, and 47 out of 653 cases (7.2%) on the right side respectively. Bilataral junctional dilatations were seen only 9 out of 536 cases. There was no difference in appearance of the junctional dilatation on either side. 3) Relationship to age; There was a very few cases of junctional dilatation under the age of 20, while it rapidly increased in 3 to 4 decades. The incidence of junctional dilatation was seen in 32 out of 329 patients (9.7%) under 40 years of age, which was 6.7% of angiograms, on the other hand the incidence increased to 15.2% (64/421) over 40 years of age, which was 9.3% of angiograms (p less than 0.05). 4) The incidence of visualization of posterior communicating artery and posterior cerebral artery relation to junctional dilatation. We divided cases into the following 3 groups. (a) Type I: Visualization of partial or whole length of the posterior communicating artery (76.2%). (b) Type II: Visualization of the proximal portion of the posterior cerebral artery (18.1%). (c) Type III: Visualization of whole length of the posterior cerebral artery (5.7%). 5) Shape and size of junctional dilatation: The shape of dilatation could be divided into a funnel shape and a round shape. The funnel shape was seen in 32 cases (30.5%) and the round shape was seen in 73 cases (69.5%). Also the most of cases was larger than 2 mm in diameter.


[Subcutaneous preservation of free skull bone flap taken out in decompressive craniectomy (author's transl)]. The best material for cranioplasty of large skull bone defect as a result of decompressive surgery is a patient's own bone flap, since it fits exactly where it was and no recipient's reactions are elicited. Ideally the bone flap should be alive. However, there have been no effective ways to keep a bone flap alive. We have attempted to preserve a free bone flap in a sterile and living state by keeping it subcutaneously in the thigh. The reasons we choose this site for temporary implantation are as follows: 1) Sufficient space can be easily made to accommodate a bone flap. 2) Curvature of a bone flap fits that of a thigh without difficulties and extreme protrusions caused by implanted bone flap can be avoided. 3) The site of storage is well away from the operative field and independent from each other. 4) It is possible to get the fascia lata through the same skin incision for a large dural patch when needed. When the bone flap is too large to be comfortably accommodated and causes significant stretching and protrusions of the covering skin at the bone edge, it is simply divided into two pieces and these are implanted in the same place.


[Clinical evaluation of brain scintigrams for basal midline lesions (author's transl)]. Brain scintigrams with 8-10 mci of pertechnetate were studied refering to surgical, histological and other neuroradiological findings in 91 cases with diagnosis or suspect of basal midline lesions. Anterior view of 45 cases was stored in high speed magnetic tape, displayed on CRT of our data processing system and studied of the ratio of average count for regions of interest, 2 cm x 2 cm in size, placed on the areas of lesion, the sagittal sinus and the normal brain hemispheres. In 18 pituitary adenomas, excluding acromegaly and other intrasellar lesions, 89% of cases with surgical indication for optic nerve symptoms were reported as abnormal scintigrams. In 20 craniopharyngiomas, 11 positive cases consisted mainly of solid, recurrent or thick cystic tumors. Five of 6 ectopic pinealomas and all 6 parasellar or medial sphenoidal ridge meningiomas showed positive uptake. Average counts of the regions of interest placed on tumor areas were 169.4% of normal hemispheric areas in 9 pituitary adenomas, 192.5% in 3 solid craniopharyngiomas, 192.3% in 6 meningiomas and 193.3% in ectopic pinealomas. The difference in the average ratio of the lesion count to the normal hemispheric count was statistically significant between cystic craniopharyngioma and adenoma, ectopic pinealoma, meningioma, glioma and solid craniopharyngioma, and between adenoma and acromegaly with p less than 0.005, and between solid craniopharyngioma and acromegaly, and between glioma and acromegaly with p less than 0.025. In the ratio of the lesion count to the sagittal sinus count, on the other hand, the difference of the average ratio was significant with p less than 0.005, only between cystic craniopharyngioma and ectopic pinealoma, and between cystic and solid craniopharyngioma. These facts suggested that the sagittal sinus count was unsuitable to be the standard count of an anterior scintigram to compare with basal midline count. The routine Polaroid scintigram with Tc99m pertechnetate proved their useful clinical diagnostic value for various basal midline lesions, the size of which indicated the surgical procedures. The digital analysis of anterior scintigrams supported the clinical value of the routine brain scintigram in the detection of these lesions. The ratio of the average count of the basal midline lesion to the normal brain area on the anterior scintigram presents more useful clinical information than the ratio of the lesion to the sagittal sinus count. Brain scintigram is found to be very helpful for the differential diagnosis between solid and cystic sellar tumors which is very important for the decision of surgical indications, and is not always possible by any other conventional neuroradiological procedures.


[The experimental study of the cerebral vasospasm--the micro-circulation on the hypothalamus and the brain stem (author's transl)]. The correlation between the cerebral vasospasm and the micro-circulation in the hypothalamus and brainstem was observed histologically and electronmicroscopically using the colloidal carbon infusion method through the right vertebral artery of dogs. The posterior communicating artery of the dog was ruptured with a fine needle, which resulted in subarachnoid hemorrhage. The colloidall infusion was done at 30 min., 48 hours, 1 week and 4 weeks after the subarachnoid hemorrhage. Results 1) The cerebral vasospasm was confirmed by vertebral angiography on all cases with 30 min., 48 hours, and 1 week after the subarachnoid hemorrhage., In 1 case out of 5 with 4 weeks after subarachnoid hemorrhage vasospasm was also observed. 2) In the period of early spasm, ischemic changes were observed in the anterior-hypothalamus especially in periventricular area of the 3rd ventricle, and supraoptic nucleus. 3) In the period of late spasm, the ischemic changes in the hypothalamus became more conspicous, and these changes propagated into the tectal region of the midbrain and the central gray substance of the aqueduct. 4) In cases of 4 weeks after subarachnoid hemorrhage the ischemic change similar to cases listed in 3) was observed in 1 case whose angiography showed vasospasm. Another 4 cases showed no ischemic lesion at all. 5) Electron microscopic study showed the vasogenic edema in the hypothalamus in the case with cerebral vasospasm. There might be the possibility that vasomoter mechanism in the hypothalamus and brainstem would be involved with the vasogenic edema produced by cerebral vasospasm, which in turn would give a bad influence upon the spasmogenic vessels.


[Ventricular enlargement in experimental occlusion of superior sagittal sinus--in reference to histopathological findings (author's transl)]. An experimental occlusion of superior sagittal sinus was made in dogs according to ligation with thread at the posterior third portion of the sinus. Ventricular enlargement and histological changes in the cerebrum were studied in various stage after occulusion of the sinus. In the acute stage, no ventricular enlargement occured. However, in the chronic stage, nine dogs out of 12 dogs showed enlargement of the ventricle. Hitological examination revealed peeled ependymal layer from subependymal tissue, edematous findings in the periventricular tissue, perivascular gliofibrosis, perivascular hemorrhage, exanguination of plasm, and venous stasis in the ventricular wall and cerebral cortex in convexity. Extracellular space in the subependymal tissue, and the space between pial and glial membrane were widened remarkably. Two factors were raised by authors as the pathogenesis for ventricular enlargement. One factor was the hydrodynamic disturbance of CSF according to the CSF malabsorption into the superior sagittal sinus through arachnoid villi. The other one was the disturbance of venous circulation due to occlusion of the sinus.


Influence of septal nuclei on basal pituitary-adrenocortical function in birds. Septal influences on resting adrenocortical activity were tested in the pigeon by electrical stimulation or electrolytic lesions located in either the medical or the lateral septum. Stimulation of the medial septal area in unanesthetized unrestrained pigeons with chronic implants led to a marked decrease in plasma corticosterone. Stimulation of the lateral septal area was not effective in promoting any corticosterone variation. Lesion placement in the nucleus septalis lateralis resulted in a moderate increase in basal corticosteronemia. The elevation in circulating corticosterone was much higher after destruction of the n. septalis medialis and high values were found at every time during the day. Suppression of the diurnal variation in plasma corticosterone with such a high stable level was compared to previous data which were obtained in pigeons after hippocampectomy and after partial anterior or complete deafferentation of the hypothalamus.


Role of brain monoamines in release of gonadotropin before proestrus in the cyclic rat. To determine whether brain monoaminergic neurons are involved in the release of gonadotropins responsible for estrogen increases before proestrus, various inhibitors and precursors of monoamine biosynthesis were administered subcutaneously or intracranially to the 3rd ventricle at 10.00 or 20.00 on the day before proestrus, the 2nd day of diestrus (DII) in 4-day cycling rats. The inhibitors used were alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alpha-MPT) and bis-(4-methyl-1-homopiperazinyl-thiocarbonyl)-disulfide (FLA-63). The effects of these drugs on changes in vaginal cytology, ovulation, uterine weight of uterine intraluminal fluid, and on serum concentrations of LH and FSH were evaluated in selected experiments. (1) Administration of alpha-MPT (150 mg/kg s.c.), an inhibitor of tyrosine hydroxylase, at 10.00 on DII reduced weights of uterus and intraluminal fluid on the day of expected proestrus (P), prevented vaginal cornification on estrus (E), blocked ovulation in all 10 rats, and induced prolonged diestrus. (2) Administration of FLA-63 (10 mg/kg s.c.), an inhibitor of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, at 10.00 on DII reduced weights of uterus and intraluminal fluid on P, blocked ovulation for a few days but did not prevent vaginal cornification at the expected time of E. (3) Administration of alpha-MPT (200 mg/kg) or FLA-63 (15 mg/kg) at 20.00 on DII blocked ovulation in all of 8 and 7 rats, respectively, but these treatments did not block vaginal cornification at the expected time in any animal. (4) Administration of L-DOPA (100 mg/kg) or dihydroxy-phenylserine (DOPS, 200 mg/kg) with alpha-MPT (200 mg/kg) at 20.00 on DII reversed the blocking effect of alpha-MPT on ovulation in 3 out of 6 and 3 out of 5 rats, respectively. (5) Direct application of crystalline alpha-MPT or FLA-63 (about 3-5 mug) to the 3rd ventricle at 20.00 on DII also blocked ovulation in all of 7 and 5 rats, respectively. (6) Both systemic and intraventricular injections of alpha-MPT at 10.00 on DII reduced serum LH on P but not serum FSH. FLA-63 by intraventricular injection also reduced serum LH but not serum FSH. (7) Injection of 17beta-estradiol (40 mug s.c.) with alpha-MPT or FLA-63 partially removed the ovulatory blockade induced by conditions 1, 2, 3 and 5. Therefore, norepinephrine seems to be an important neurotransmitter in the release of gonadotropin responsible for estrogen secretion before P, but dopamine may also be involved during its early stage as represented by 10.00 on DII.


[Constitutive proteins of the oocytes and early embryos of rats]. 5 protein fractions were identified and their relative mobility was determined in the rat oocytes and cleaving embryos by means of vertical capillary microdisc-electrophoresis in 7.5% polyacrilamide gel (PAA-gel). The same fractions were identified in the cleaving embryos devoid of zona pellucida. A conclusion was drawn that these proteins were present in the oocyte cytoplasm and kept in the cleaving embryos until the stage of implantation. 4 groups of proteins with different anodic mobility were identified in the isolated zona pellucida by means of microdisc-electrophoresis in 7.5% PAA-gel added with 1% sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). The molecular weight of low molecular weight proteins of oocytes and preimplantation embryos was determined by means of disc-electrophoresis in 14% PAA-gel with 1% SDS. The zona pellucida of one embryo contained, according to the data of capillary spectrophotometry, 5 ng of protein.