A note on nursing ethics in the USA.

A note on nursing ethics in the USA. In this note on nursing ethics, Mr Martin Bunzl, a philosopher who is involved in seminars on medical ethics at his university, describes the ethical dilemmas of the nurse in the USA. He sets out the arguments to support the view that a nurse ought always to follow the orders of the physician and critically evaluates them both from an ethical and a legal standpoint. The practical implications of the view that a nurse's responsibility is to do what is in the best interests of patients are also discussed.


Initiation problems and time structuring in brief sex therapy. The paradox of "spontaneous work" appears to be basic to therapeutic intervention in many sexual problems. One area where the paradox of spontaneity and effort is especially acute is that of initiating sexual activity. Numerous couples have initiation problems, whether or not a specific sexual dysfunction also exists. This paper explores the dynamics of initiation difficulties and elaborates a treatment technique that is already part of most approaches to brief sex therapy: time structuring, or scheduling of sexual homework sessions, in such a way as to relieve the anxiety associated with beginning sexual contact.


Imagery, shaping, and orgasm.

Imagery, shaping, and orgasm. Shaping is the gradual addition of more or different increments in the learning of complex skill or response pattern. As applied to imagery or fantasy during sexual activity, it provides another tool to be utilized by the therapist. Imagery is seen as a normal if not inevtiable covert level of the sexual response pattern. Careful inquiry will nearly always reveal imagery during masturbation which can be deliberately incorporated with intercourse. The effect of this procedure is to increase both excitatory and orgiastic capabilities.


Group treatment of sexual dysfunction in men without partners. This paper describes various group techniques used to treat sexually dysfunctional men who have no regular sex partners or whose partners are unwilling or unable to come for treatment. The relative effectiveness of two male co-leaders versus a male and female combination is also discussed. Preliminary results show that the program has been successful in achieving the goals of most of the members. Many of the men also reported favorable changes in nonsexual areas. Group treatment, therefore, does seem promising as a viable, relatively inexpensive, and efficient method of dealing with the sexual problems of men without available partners.


The diagnosis and treatment of transvestites and transsexuals. Transvestism and transsexualism are defined. The incidence of both as well as male versus female ratios are discussed. Etiology of each is considered. Psychotherapists can be used for proper diagnosis and couseling and, on occasion, for therapy for transvestites. Methods for this therapy are suggested. The need for establishing rapport is emphasized, and items to cover in a sex history are enumerated. Reality factors in sex changes are items that the therapist must grapple with. Factors that delineate differential diagnosis of transvestism and transsexualism are pointed out. Prevention of transsexualism in younger children is discussed.


Homosexuality--illness or life-style?

Homosexuality--illness or life-style? This paper addresses the issues of the labeling and selective discrimination of homosexuals. Psychiatry is encouraged to adhere to the medical model and treat the homosexual patient who is in conflict and motivated by inner turmoil and distress rather than assuming the job of society's regulator and the judge of acceptable behavior. The author discusses the concept of gender identity and presents evidence for the idea that homosexual behavior has its etiology in early child development. The cultural stigma of gender dysphorias is also discussed in detail as playing a sigificant role in the eventual character formation of an adult homosexual.


Dyspareunia.

Dyspareunia. Dyspareunia--painful intercourse--is a common cause of sexual difficulty. The following paper discusses, for both males and females, the common causes of dyspareunia and in many instances the appropriate treatment. Painful intercourse for the male is related either to the prepuce, glans penis, penile shaft, testicles, or urethra and prostate gland, whereas painful intercourse for the female is related to the vaginal opening, clitoris, vagina, or uterus, tubes, and/or ovaries. Each of the above is discussed.


The two-professional marriage: a new conflict syndrome. The two-professional marriage that begins during the period of preprofessional or professional training is apt to break down during the immediate postraining period. Reasons for this occurrence are discussed in the light of marital dynamics and adult developmental issues, with special emphasis on female professional role development.


Divorce and the single life: divorce as development. This article deals with the potential for growth and development during the postdivorce period, using a conceptual frame of reference, development psychoanalytic psychology.


Comparison of visual and tactile learning in octopus after lesions to one of the two memory systems. Sets of animals with lesions to either the vertical lobe or median inferior frontal lobe were trained first visually and then by touch. Lesions of the vertical lobe system did not affect the increase produced by food in tendency to attack a moving figure in the visual field. Any lesion that interrupted the circuit through the vertical lobe greatly impaired the capacity to inhibit attacks on crabs when these attacks resulted in shocks. Removal of the median inferior frontal lobe did not impair this capacity to learn not to attack a crab in the octopus's visual field. The capacity to learn to respond positively to a black disc but to avoid a white one was grossly impaired by an interruption of the vertical lobe circuit. After such operations the animals showed a strong preference for white over black. The capacity to learn to discriminate between black and white was not affected by removal of the median inferior frontal lobe. Animals with interruptions of the vertical lobe circuit could learn to make discrimination between white as a positive figure and black as a negative one, but they made more mistakes than controls. Most mistakes consisted of attacks on the negative (black) figure, but there were also some failures to attack the white. In tactile discrimination between rough and smooth spheres given successively, animals with vertical lobe lesions were, under some circumstances, less accurate than controls. They took more objects than controls. They were less able than controls to reverse the the discrimination. After removal of the median inferior frontal lobe tactile discrimination was greatly impaired. The animals showed a strong preference for rough objects and could not learn to take smooth objects. However, they showed improvement in discrimination when trained with smooth negative and are therefore not wholly incapable of long-term memory storage.


A hybrid compartmental model for the alligator Purkinje cell. I: Preferred somatopetal conduction of dendritic spikes and soma-axon interaction. A compartmental hardware model of an alligator Purkinje cell is described, consisting of a branched dendritic tree with four zones of spike generation and electrically excitable soma and initial-segment regions. Passive properties of the model compartments are represented by a cable analog circuit. Simulated action potentials, generated by a combination of depolarizing and hyperpolarizing conductance changes, are triggered in active compartments when the simulated membrane potential passes through preset thresholds. These were set at values corresponding to 28mV depolarization in the dendrites, 22 mV in the soma, and 7 mV in the initial-segment compartment. Synaptic inputs consisting of brief (0.35 msec) rectangular conductance changes give rise to exponentially decaying postsynaptic potentials in the input compartment which are electrotonically spread to other compartments. Orthodromic activation of the model neuron by computer-generated random pulse trains generates a simple spike discharge in the initial-segment compartment without evoking complex spikes. Synchronized excitatory input to the same compartments, however, does evoke a complex spike response in the soma and initial segment, coupled with dendritic spikes. Following antidromic activation of the model neuron, dendritic spikes are not generated, demonstrating a tendency in the dendritic tree for preferential conduction of spikes toward the soma. Investigation of some of the factors underlying this tendency suggests that variations in voltage attenuation due to dendritic geometry, convergence of electrotonically spread dendritic spikes, and the relative durations of dendritic and somatic action potentials may contribute to it. The presence of a threshold gradient in the dendritic tree, proposed by Llinás and his coworkers, was not found to be necessary to explain this tendency toward somatopetal conduction, although it cannot be excluded by the model. Examination of the role of the conically shaped initial-segment region suggests that this zone may provide a low-pass filter for signals conducted electrotonically from the axon to the soma, blocking repolarization of the soma during the complex spike burst generated in the axon.


Central adrenergic neurons in DOCA-salt hypertension. The effects of various doses of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) injected into the hypothalamus on DOCA-salt-induced hypertension were studied. The development of hypertension was prevented in the group treated with the highest dose of 6-OHDA, and the onset of hypertension was delayed in a dose-dependent fashion in the groups treated with the lower doses of 6-OHDA. Catecholamine histofluorescence observations showed that the cannula tips placed the drug lateral to the third ventricle. The most prominent change observed was a marked unilateral reduction in the fluorescence of the dopaminergic nerves of the caudate-putamen and in the number of cell bodies in the substantia nigra. These results suggest possible sites of central aminergic control of blood pressure.


Nicotine-induced reflex depression of alpha motoneuron activity in the absence of fusimotor-spindle feedback. The effects of nicotine on the stretch reflex and on electrically induced monosynaptic and cutaneous polysynaptic reflex responses at a lumbosacral level were studied in lightly anesthetized (chloralose-urethane) cats in which the regional fusimotor-spindle loops had been interrupted by ventral rhizotomy. Doses of 15-40 mug/kg injected into the superior vena cava or the right atrium produced depression of the reflex responses in extensor and flexor alpha motoneurons after latent periods of 1-3 sec, while gamma activity was initially accelerated. The early phase of this alpha depression was abolished by bilateral vagotomy. Sebacylcholine (a nicotinic agent) and acetylcholine also caused depression of evoked alpha activity in the absence of spindle feedback. It is concluded that nicotine activates a viscerosomatic reflex by exciting sensory receptors in the cardiopulmonary region and that alpha motor depression results independent of the changes in gamma activity. However, alpha depression with delayed onset can still be elicited by nicotine after vagotomy and Renshaw blockade, and this effect is also duplicated by sebacylcholine and abolished by hexamethonium. In the doses used, spindle or skin afferents were not excited by nicotine. Thus, two more mechanisms are described by which nicotine can depress alpha activity. Both are reflex in nature, one implicating vagal, the other nonvagal peripheral receptors.


Selective changes in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier after pharmacological or surgical deafferentation. Unilateral eye removal results in an increased delivery of blood-borne glucose, norepinephrine, choline, and tyrosine, but not of proline, to the denervated optic lobes. Administration of reserpine to chicks increases penetrance of norepinephrine into the brain but not of tyrosine, choline, or proline. Selective alterations in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier may represent a mechanism for the modulation of the delivery of critical nutrients to the brain.


In vivo measurement of 32P in the brain of a freely moving rat. A new method for measuring the uptake of materials labeled with radioactive phosphorus (32P) in the brain of a freely moving rat is described. The rate of uptake in the brain of a single animal of 32P-labeled phosphate was compared to the uptake rate in the animal's blood or liver. A comparison was made between the uptake following an intravenous (IV) or an intraperitoneal (IP) injection. The effect of convulsions caused by injections of metrazol on the kinetics of 32P uptake in the brain is described.


Associative recall and formation of stable modes of activity in neural network models. Models of neural networks with recurrent inhibition are studied, as well as one model which also includes recurrent excitation. The models are intended as possible descriptions of the cerebral cortex. Each network model is composed of neuron models called pyramidal cells and stellate cells in accordance with the names of two types of cells in the cortex. Inputs and outputs of the network are connected to the pyramidal cells while feedback is provided by the stellate cells. Connections within the network are random. During a learning phase the pyramidal cell excitatory synapses become facilitated according to a two-conditional facilitation rule. This is the basis of the model's ability for associative learning. The associative retrieval of information can be studied during a subsequent association phase. This has been done by simulation on a digital computer. It was shown that all of the models considered can be designed to perform a so-called decision-making function. This means that if the associating input pattern is similar to several patterns which occurred during learning the model can decide which similarity is greatest by responding with the appropriate associated pattern. The model also including recurrent excitation differs from the simpler models in that it can become stabilized in so-called stable modes of activity which are self-sustaining and remain even after the input has been turned off. Normally, only one stable mode can be active at a time. However, through careful choice of construction parameters it was possible to obtain a model in which a maximum of two stable modes could be activated independently of each other. Physiological and psychological interpretations are discussed and so are the limitations of the models, which are evident in certain situations.


Single-cell responses associated with rhythmic slow-wave potentials in rat superior colliculi. The present study was designed to investigate the features of rhythmic slow-wave potentials in the superior colliculi of rats and to study the relationship between these potentials and the activity of single colliculi neurons. In contrast to studies in other portions of the visual system, rhythmic slow-wave potentials in the colliculi fell within a single limited range of frequencies from 9 to 26 cycl/sec. Single-cell recordings revealed that numerous collicular neurons were also responding rhythmically, with discharge frequencies generally coinciding with those established for collicular slow-wave potentials. In some animals slow-wave and single-cell potentials were recorded simultaneously through adjacent electrodes, and in all instances the frequency of discharge of single neurons coincided with the frequency of oscillation of the slow-wave potentials. These data suggest that rhythmic postsynaptic potentials in individual collicular neurons may be the mechanism by which rhythmic slow-wave potentials are generated.


Histamine H1- and H2-receptors in the central thermoregulatory pathways of the rat. The effects of pyrilamine and burimamide (histamine H1- and H2-receptor blockers, respectively) on the hypothermic response to histidine loading have been studied in rats. The antagonists were injected into one of three sites in the brain: the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic nuclei, the lateral ventricle, or the third ventricle. Only injections of burimamide into the third ventricle blocked the hypothermic response to systemic injection of histidine. Behavioral studies revealed that, after histidine, the animals increased their time of exposure to a heat lamp, which suggests that efferent heat loss pathways had been activated. Previous studies have shown that H1-receptor antagonists will block the hypothermic effect of histamine injected into the rostral hypothalamus. These data suggest that there are, at least, two sets of histaminergic receptors on the neuronal pathway through the hypothalamus: H1-receptors in the rostral hypothalamus and H2-receptors on neurons lying close to the wall of the third ventricle. Activation of this thermoregulatory pathway leads to increased heat loss and a fall in body temperature.


Nerve growth factor-induced rapid activation of RNA labeling in dorsal root ganglionic dissociates from chick embryos. Dorsal root ganglionic cells, from 8-day chick embryo, undergo anabolic declines when incubated in vitro without Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) or other supportive agents. To determine whether the decline could be opposed by delayed administration of the NGF, cells were incubated without the factor for varying times, then supplies with it and tested periodically with pulses of radiouridine or radioleucine. The decline in RNA labeling was actually reversed by a delayed addition of NGF, and the effect was fully elicited within less than 10 min from the treatment. With delays up to 6 hr, this rapid activation by NGF fully restored the incorporation rate exhibited by fresh cells or by cells continuously incubated with NGF. From the hour 8 on, the NGF-induced activation of RNA labeling fell progressively shorter of restoring maximal performance until, by 18 hr, it was no longer significant. The residual (irreversible) decline in RNA labeling, starting after 6 hr, developed with a time pattern coincidental with that of the irreversible decline in protein labeling also displayed by those untreated cells, and similar to the appearance of RNA degradation and the acceleration of protein degradation. All four such "degenerative" events were fully prevented by NGF when administered with delays shorter than 6 hr, and only interrupted (or delayed) by NGF delivered at later times. Additional experiments revealed that, over the first 6 hr, NGF also prevented or reversed a decline in TCA-soluble radioactivity of the cells, an effect which was not blocked by actinomycin D. This rapid increase of soluble radioactivity could be responsible for the rapid activation of RNA labeling and may also be involved in the prevention by NGF of the later developing degenerative events.


Food intake of weanling rats with lesions in the ventromedial and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei in response to intragastric loading and caloric density manipulation. Male rats received bilateral electrolytic lesions shortly after weaning in the ventromedial (VMN) and dorsomedial (DMN) hypothalamic nuclei, respectively. A third group of rats served as sham-operated controls. The animals were subjected to intragastric preloading with 33% d-glucose and egg-white solutions and a 33% corn-oil suspension, and ad libitum feeding was assessed hourly for the first 7 hr after preloading. The pattern of food-intake depression was similar in all groups but the quantitative greatest depression was found in the DMN rats. The response of these three groups of animals to a diet diluted with 20% alpha cell, a nonnutritive bulker, showed an initial failure to meter calories by both VMN and DMN rats which, however, was compensated for during the remainder of the 24-hr test period. In response to a 50% glucose-chow mixture, both VMN and DMN rats, as well as the controls, showed the same pattern and behaved like mature dynamic hyperphagic rats inasmuch as they did not eat more of this mix than of the standard diet. After a 48-hr fast, both VMN and DMN rats showed refeeding hypophagia rather than hyperphagia. The data suggest that Panksepp's contention that the VMN in the mature rat is involved in long-term satiety regulation may be extended to the weanling rat with VMN destruction. Thus, this controlling role appears established early in ontogeny.


Binding of gamma-aminobutyric acid and taurine to synaptosomal fractions of regions of the feline CNS. The "binding" of 3H-gamma-aminobutyric acid (3H-GABA) and 14C-taurine (7 X 10(-5) M) to synaptosomal fractions of the feline CNS was studied using differential centrifugation and double-isotope methods. Of the regions examined, the "binding" of GABA (in nmole/mg protein) occurred to the greatest extent, in cerebral cortex, olfactory bulb, and colliculi and, to a lesser extent, in caudate nucleus, corona radiata, and fornix. Distribution ratios revealed that GABA binding was greater in the cerebral cortex than in caudate nucleus, brain stem, spinal cord, and white matter regions. The binding of taurine (in nmole/mg protein) was lowest in cerebral cortex and highest in brain stem and spinal gray regions. Distribution ratios for taurine indicated that its accumulation was similar in all CNS regions studied, except for slightly higher values for cerebellar cortex and fornix. These results indicated that preferential binding of both GABA and taurine exists among regions of the feline CNS.


A psychoneural model of visual contrast. A typical set of visual contrast data can be described by a function which relates brightness responses to the luminance stimulus provided by a target that is viewed against an illuminated surround. This brightness-luminance function is represented by a psychoneural visual-contrast model having two channels, one corresponding to the brightness of the target and the other to the brightness of the surround. The principal ascending and descending pathways in each channel are represented by a submodel which is equivalent to the intensity-perception model described by MacKay. The interaction between the channels, which accounts for the perception of contrast, takes the form of nonlinear lateral inhibition. Brightness responses calculated with the use of the psychoneural contrast model correspond very closely to the data upon which the brightness-luminance function is based.


Prolonged unit responses in thalamic reticular, ventral, and posterior nuclei following lateral hypothalamic and midbrain reticular stimulation. In unanesthetized postcollicular cerveau isole rats, prolonged responses over 10 sec periods following intracranial stimulation (0.2 sec, 100 Hz, 0.5 msec. 600 muA cathodal pulses) were studied with extracellular recordings of 150 nucleus reticularis and 122 ventral and posterior thalamic units. After medial forebrain bundle (MFB) or midbrain reticular (RET) stimulation, most nucleus reticularis units showed significantly decreased firing, and the MFB and RET effects converged on 64%. None was excited. In ventral and posterior thalamus, however, long-lasting unit responses were mixed. MFB and RET stimuli elicited significantly increased firing in 17% and 20% of the units, respectively, and decreased firing in 21% and 16%, respectively. Convergence of MFB- and RET-elicited responses occurred in 25% of the cells, but none showed convergence of opposite responses which might reflect believed motivational differences between the stimuli. Similar stimuli delivered to ventral medial thalamus evoked pronounced excitation of nucleus reticularis discharge, contrasting the MFB and RET effects and confirming previous reports by others. The substantial responses elicited by MFB and RET stimuli in nucleus reticularis fulfill previously proposed criteria for definition of an arousal dimension in terms of single cell activity. The similarity of MFB and RET effects in the posterior nucleus of thalamus raises questions regarding its role in nociception.


3-Methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol sulfate (MOPEG-SO4) in ventricular and cisternal cerebrospinal fluid of dogs. Cerebrospinal fluid was collected from the lateral ventricles and cisternal space from beagle dogs under light pentobarbital anesthesia. Homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglyco-sulfate (MOPEG-SO4) levels in the liquor taken from these two regions were evaluated, and the ventricular-cisternal ratio (V/C) was calculated for each monoamine metabolite. A marked similarity in the V/C ratio of 6:1 for 5-HIAA and 5:1 for MOPEG-SO4, as compared to a much higher V/C ratio of 18:1 for HVA, perhaps reflects the more diffuse distribution of norepinephrine and serotonin, precursor amines, as compared to dopamine in the CNS and also emphasizes the probable existence of an active transport mechanism for the removal of MOPEG-SO4, as has been well documented for 5-HIAA and HVA.


Spontaneous and flash-induced multiple unit activity in the hypothalamic gonadotropic areas: effects of photoperiod and of optic nerve section in quail. The present study was devoted to recording of spontaneous and flash-evoked multiple unit discharges in the gonadotropic areas of the quail hypothalamus and to investigate the influence of the length of the day and of bilateral optic nerve section. Blinding resulted in a marked decrease of MUA in the tuberal region which was musch less important in the dorsal part of the nuclear infundibular complex. Burst and continuous patterns of discharges subsisted in tuberal and dorsal areas of blinded quail but responses to flash were completely suppressed. Lengthening the photofraction led to a very strong reduction of firing rates in both tuberal and dorsal hypothalamic regions. Furthermore, flash stimulation was no longer effective in intact photostimulated quail (18L-6D). Flash-evoked modification of MUA in gonadotropic regions were differentiated in a clear-cut fashion from specific responses which were obtained in the visual system.


Glucose preference and caloric regulation in weanling rats with ventromedial and dorsomedial hypothalamic lesions. Weanling male rats received electrolytic lesions in the ventromedial (VMN) and dorsomedial (MDN) hypothalamic nuclei, respectively. A third group served as sham-operated controls (CON). After the two hypothalamic syndromes had been well established, the animals were subjected to (1) a glucose preference test assessing the choice between a 10% w/v and a 35% w/v d-glucose solution, and (2) a test examining the anorexigenic effect of intraperitoneally injected glucose. Weanling rats with VMN lesions, like their mature counterparts, consistently preferred the stronger over the weaker glucose solution throughout the experiment (16 days). Weanling DMN rats, on the other hand, showed a bimodal response, initially like that of the CON rat, toward the end of the experiment, like that of the VMN rats. The weanling CON animals behaved differently from their mature counterparts, inasmuch as their preference for the dilute solution became evident only toward the latter part of the test. An analysis of the calorie intake shows that calories from glucose are similar in all three groups of rats, that the pattern and magnitude of caloric intake in DMN and CON rats are almost identical, and that the total caloric intake (from chow plus glucose) is reduced in the DMN rats because the calorie component from chow is profoundly reduced. In response to intraperitoneally injected glucose, VMN rats show a longer depression of food intake than has been reported for mature VMN rats. The CON and DMN rats recovered quicker and reached preinjection levels of food intake sooner than the VMN rats. The data indicate that in the weanling VMN rat, as in its mature counterpart, the VMN are involved in long-term feeding behavior and do respond to the metabolic signal arising from administered glucose. Nevertheless, the principle factor in their preference seems to be taste rather than solely a metabolic signal. The data show that the DMN are less involved in this sensing and integrating mechanism. In essence, the DMN rat functions quite normally, but its control system is set at a subnormal level.


Caffeine-induced potentiation of twitches in frog single muscle fiber. To clarify the detailed mechanism of caffeine-induced twitch potentiation in single muscle fibers isolated from semitendinosus muscles of the frog, the fibers were stimulated by the different patterns of repetitive pulses. On rapid application of 1 mM caffeine to the fiber, progressive potentiation of the twitches were observed in all cases, and as the stimulation frequencies were increased (from 0.1 to 5Hz), the periods taken to the fully potenitated twitch were shortened from 23 sec to about 4 sec on the average. If the repetitive stimulations at 2 Hz were stopped for a while during the potentiating phase of an ordinarily stimulated fiber, the fully potentiated twitch occurred later than that observed in the ordinarily stimulated fiber. It was confirmed that facceine did not have any significant effects on both the features of the action potential and themagnitude of the resting potential of the single muscle fiber. These results indicate that the responses of the fiber themselves play an important role in the caffeine-induced twitch potentiation, and its mechanism was discussed with reference to the behavior of the fiber membrane and the triadic junction through which caffeine is assumed to act on the sarcoplasmic reticulum.


The role of the positive dynamic current on the action potential of cardiac Purkinje fibers. The role of positive dynamic current (chloride current) on action potenitals of cardiac Purkinje fibers was studied. The removal of most extracellular chloride ions brought about a slowing of the repolarization process. The most prominent effect was noted onthe initial rapid repolization (phase 1) of the action potentials. Purkinje action potentials showed marked and consistent slowing of phase 1 with increasing rate of stimulation. The removal of (Cl-)0 caused marked loss of these frequency dependency in phase 1 and this effect was more prominent with slow rate of stimulation. The slopes of phase 2 and phase 3 also changed with varying frequency of stimulations but these changes were not affected much by chloride removal. Chloride conductance at the peak of the positive dynamic current increased linearly with membrane voltages from -20 mV up to +20 mV. Above this voltage, the conductance reached a plateau. A steady-state current voltage relationship was not influenced much by the chloride removal except slight decrease 031% in membrane conductance near the resting membrane potential. The increase in frequency of pulses produced marked decrease in the positive dynamic current in the voltage clamp experiments. These results suggest that the positive dynamic current mainly contribute to the electrogenesis of phase 1 in Purkinje action potentials.


Effects of norepinephrine and thyroxine on the turnover rate of plasma free fatty acids. Effects of norepinephrine infusion on rectal temperature, plasma free fatty acids (FFA) concentration and its turnover rate were studied in rats treated chronically with norepinephrine, thyroxine, or both. Chronic treatments with these hormones resulted in greater increases in rectal temperature and FFA turnover rate in response to norepinephrine as compared with the alterations in controls. Norepinephrine-induced elevation of FFA concentration was smaller in norepinephrine-treated and norepinephrine plus thyroxine-treated rats than in  controls, and in thyroxine-treated rats the elevation was similar to that of controls. The regression coefficient of FFA concentration of its turnover rate was greater in all the treated groups than in controls although positive correlations were observed among both variables in the former and the latter. From the results it was inferred that the greater increase in removal of plasma FFA was produced by norepinephrine in parallel with the greater increase in rectal temperature by norepinephrine in rats treated with norepinephrine or thyroxine than in the controls. The effects of norepinephrine infusion were also studied in surgically thryoidectomized rats. In thyroidectomized rats adapted to warm or cold, the smaller increases in rectal temperature and ithe turnover rate of plasma FFA were induced by norepinephrine as compared with the changes in intact rats. The alterations in FFA concentration produced by norepinephrine were less in warm-adapted thyroidectomized rats and greater in cold-acclimated thyroidectomized rats than in respective controls.


Electrical and mechanical properties of longitudinal and circular muscles of the guinea-pig ileum. The membrane potential of the electrically quiescent circular muscle fibre is higher than that of the spontaneously active longitudinal muscle fibre. The length constant of circular muscle fibres is longer than that of the longitudinal muscle. The electrical activity of the longitudinal muscle membrane is enhanced by caffeine and PGE1 is suppressed for the circular muscle. Isotonic K Krebssolution generates a large tonic response of the contracture of longitudinal muscle tissue, but in circular muscle it is small. Following an inward current pulse, a large rebound contraction of the circular muscle was generated during K-INDUCED CONTRACTURE BUT IT WAS SMALL IN THE LONGITUDINAL MUSCLE TISSUE. Caffeine suppressed the K-induced contracture of both tissues but enhanced the rebound contraction of the circular muscel. Verapamil and lanthanum suppressed the mechanical responses of both muscle tissues but rebound contraction evoked in isotonic K Krebs solution was of longer duration in circular muscle tissue than in longitudinal muscle tissues. It is postulated that both muscle tissues possess different electrical and mechanical properties, and that these differences are not caused by nervous activity.


The effect of procaine on the mechanical and electrical activities of the smooth muscle cells of the guineal pig urinary bladder. Procaine (1-15 mM) enhanced the spontaneous contractions of the urinary bladder smooth muscle. When a low concentration of procaine was added to normal Krebs solutions, spontaneous rhythmic contractions were enhanced. On increasing the concentration of procaine, a rise in tone (resting tension) of the preparation was observed and gradually decreased with time. The action of procaine of enhancing spontaneous contraction was observed in Na-deficient (sucrose substitutiona) and Na-free (Tris substitution) Krebs solutions. Tetrodotoxin (3 X 10(-7) G/M) DID NOT INHIBIT THE EFFECT OFPROCAINE ON MECHANICAL RESPONSE. In normal Krebs solution, procaine depolarized the membrane and increased spike frequency. The peak potential of the spike increased at 1 mM of procaine, but was suppressed at concentrations of more than 5mM. After-hyperpolization of the spike was diminished by procaine and spike duration was prolonged. The maximum rate of rise of the spike was increased immediately after application of 1 mM of procaine, but decreased wiith time. The maximum rate of fall of the spike was markedly decreased by procaine. Relative membrane resistance was increased by the application of procaine. From these results it is suggested thatprocaine mainly reduces K conductance and causes depolarization, and that enhanced spontaneous contractions are caused by depolarization and increased spike activity.


[Angle block glaucoma and prophylactic iridectomy in the eye without symptoms (author's transl)]. 58% of 114 patients who had been treated stationarily with an angle block glaucoma in one eye and who had had conservative therapy got an attack in the second eye in the course of 5 years from 1960 onwards till 1970. From 1970 onwards 77 patients were treated by prophylactic iridectomy in the eye without symptoms with a narrow chamber angle; no patient has an acute attack since then received.


[Trabeculectomy, a fistulizing operation with refixation of the scleral flap (author's transl)]. The study is based on 122 trabeculectomies performed on eyes with open angle glaucoma (glaucoma simplex). Satisfactory control of intraocular pressure was achieved in 80 to 90 percent of the eyes. Refixation of the scleral flap into its bed with sutures is an essential feature of the operation. This provides a valve mechanism. As a rule the valve does not open postoperatively unless the intraocular pressure has again reconstituted itself to some extent. Clinical advantages are: 1. Generally the anterior chamber has normal depth at the first postoperative day. 2. Postoperative hypotony is rare. 3. Usually postoperative inflammation is of low degree and of short duration. 4. Short hospitalisation. At present trabeculectomy is the authors operation of choice in eyes with glaucoma simplex.


[Keratoprosthetics (author's transl)].

[Keratoprosthetics (author's transl)]. General and special problems of keratoprosthetics are discussed with regard to experineces obtained from 38 prosthetic Cardona operations on 32 patients.


[Plasmocytoma of the orbit (author's transl)]. After a survey of the clinical picture of plasmcytoma including histological, internal and radiological findings the special aspects of affections of the orbit are described and demonstrated by four own cases since 1955. The authors propose the differentiation between plasmocytomas with bony erosive changes, solitary or multiple, and extrameudllary myeloma for theapeutical and prognostical reasons. The extramedullary myeloma of the orbit has a better prognosis and should be treated by local excision of the tumor with following radiation (CO-60). In case of bony erosive changes the extension of the tumor has to be considered, in case of multiple involvement of the body the radiation should be prefered as a palliative treatment in combination with chemotherapy.


[Examination of function by scintillography after dacryocystorhinostomy (author's transl)]. By means of a radiotracer 99mTc-pertechnetate the function of the lacrimal system was determined after dacryocystorhinostomy. The results of the examinations demonstrate that the function of the lacrimal system is more quickly normalized if the lig. canthi int. is fixed to the periosteum of the os lacrimale.


[Alternate day squint (author's transl)]. 3 cases of cyclical convergent strabismus (48 hour rhythm) were investigated. In contrast to intermittant strabismus, cyclical strabismus is not fatigue dependant. An alteration in the rhythm of the cyclical esotropia was produced by wearing prisms, red glasses or occlusion for several days. This observation indicates that centrally inaugurated rhythm processes can be altered by peripheral sensory influcences. In the case of our third patient, who was not operated upon, there was a cyclical strabismus which persisted from the age of 4 to 19 years, before changing to a constant convergent strabismus. The other two patients, following strabismus surgery, had a small angle esophoria with good fusion and stereopsis.


[A contribution to the study of the correlation between the depth of the anterior chamber and the coefficient of aqueous humor outflow (author's transl)]. The depth of the anterior chamber was measured and the coefficient of the aqueous humor outflow was ascertained by means of tonography in 88 normal eyes. The mean value of the depth of the anterior chamber established was 2095+/-0.42 and the median value of the outflow coefficient of the aqueous humor was found to be 0.27+/-0.07. Both values showed a regular distribution. A statistically significant correlation was established between the two values. Expressed through a correlation coefficient this would mean in practice that the coefficient of aqueous humor outflow is affected up to 10 percent by the value of the depth of the anterior chamber.


[Scanning electron microscope investigations on soft contact lenses (author's transl)]. In this article soft contact lenses made from various substances were examined by the SEM with regard to their ultrastructural nature under various experimental conditions. It was established, that the contact lens material of various chemical compositions was homologous, free from streaks and bubbles and absolutely smooth in the surface and fracture planes. Dirty lenses showed deposits on and in the surface, whose origin and composition is explained.


[Blood-filled macrocysts of the retina. A comtribution to the differential diagnosis of malignant melanoma of the choroid (author's transl)]. In 3 cases of bloodfilled macrocyst of the retina diagnosis malignant melignant melanoma was made twice. The differential diagnosis of macrocyst of the retina and of malignant melanoma of the choroid is discussed. The macrocyst of the retina is a special form of of retinoschisis. It differs as well in the age group of the patients as in its localisation from presenile and senile retinoschisis. As a complication of macrocyst an oral tear of the retina must be considered.


[Does cryoextraction really improve cataract-surgery? (AUTHOR'S TRANSL)]. In the past 8 years 1058 out 3970 cataract operations, that is 26.7%, were performed with different cryoextractors. There was an increase in frequency from 41 operations in 1967 to 410 in 1974. Since March 1974 the cryoextractor from the Opticon Company was used exclusively. The experiences with the cryoextractor are reported and the results compared with the extraction by aspiration.


[Circumscribed detachment of Descemet's membrane after cataract operation (author's transl)]. A circumscribed central bullous detachment of Descemet's membrane occuring on day 8 after an uncomplicated cataract extraction is reported. The lesion responded to conservative management and resolved without sequelae.


[An attack of glaucoma after a cataract operation associated with pigment degeneration of the retina (author's transl)]. From four cases the appearance of acute glaucoma attacks after cataract-operation in association with pigment degeneration of the retina is described. We could show in none of the cases the previous presence of glaucoma. It is concluded from this there is an increased danger of an acute pressure rise in operative procedures in association with pigment degeneration of the cornea as a result of dysregulation of the intraocular fluid mechanics. Appropriate preventive measures are recommended.


[Problems concerning the enucleation of both eyes in cases of incurable retinoblastoma (author's transl)]. Despite considerable advances in the treatment of retinoblastoma tumor growths cannot be arrested in a proportion of cases. The consent fro the removal of both eyes constitutes a burdensome decision on the part of the child's parents, so that it is quite frequently refused. A short movie illustrating the behaviour of a 6-year-old boy, who had undergone bilateral enucleation because of retinoblastoma should aid the parents having to face a similar situation.


[Clinical feature and histopathology of v. Hippel-Lindau's disease (author's transl)]. A case of familial v. Hippel-Lindau's disease is described. Both clinical symptomatology and histological changes, not only of the eye but also of other organs are considered and the findings are compared with reports in the literature.


[The "synoptometer" as basis for surgical indication and postoperative follow-up study in cases with complicated extraocular muscle diseases (author's transl)]. Determinating the objective angle of squint with the usual diagnosis procedures false results are not uncommon. On the other hand muscle-function cannot be estimated in the extreme direction of gaze because of interference with the patient's nose and orbital margin. The newly developed "Synoptometer" (Oculus-Dutenhofen, W-Germany) provides the possibilities of determination the objective angle of squint in the extreme direction of gaze; false results can be prevented. This new instrument offers wide range of diagnostic possibilities for the evaluation of extraocular muscle paresis and for surgical indications; typical cases are demonstrated.


[Dissociated nystagmus: congenital or acquired? (AUTHOR'S TRANSL)]. A case of probably not congenital dissociated pendular nystagmus is reported in which on the contrary to similar published cases no neurological disorder is present.


[Pigment dispersion in a family with albinism (author's transl)]. A report is given on a family wherein two males showed albinism; of the female members, who all had been light blonde in childhood, two were carriers (one of them with pigment changes in the iris and the fundus), a third had no ocular changes, while the fourth showed the typical phenomenon of bilateral idiopathic pigment dispersion without glaucoma. The occurrence of pigment dispersion in a family with albinism has not yet been described. It is regarded as accidental combination.


[A new type of trephine (screw trephine) (author's transl)]. A description of a new type of trephine is given with its technical advantages during a fistulizing procedure in glaucoma surgery.


[Possibilities of application of the ERG-apparatus (author's transl)]. An ERG-Testapparatus is described. This apparatus makes the judgement of the b-waves amplitude possible. Experience in the practical employment of this apparatus and its rang of application in ascertaining ophthalmological diagnosis, as well as its limitations in the judgement of such an ERG, are discussed.


[Loss of an eye after two blunt injuries within one year with blindness after the first injury caused by retinal detachment in a 10-year-old boy with bilateral congenital high myopia and cataract (author's transl)]. The liability in the second accident to a blind eye is only for the treatment and rehabilitation costs. In the first accident a cataract operation performed early after the accident made the judgement of the original connection between the retinal detachment which caused the blindness and the accident itself difficult.


[The german language in modern medicine (author's transl)]. The widespread carelessness in modern language use is also evident in medical literature, as can be demonstrated by many examples. A return to a higher standard of language use should be aspired to.


[The chemistry of prostaglandins--biosynthesis, metabolism, total syntheses (author's transl)]. Extensive recent research has established that Prostaglandins (PG) are a widespread new class of biomediators. From polyunsaturated fatty acids PGs are formed enzymatically upon a variety of stimuli and then act at low concentrations. Participation has been shown so far for inflammation and pain, gastric secretion, various regulatory functions and others. Total synthesis has been achieved on a number of routes. Structure variations aim at a greater specificity and a less rapid metabolistic breakdown. Therapeutic possibilities are indicated.


[Capacity of nitroblue tetrazolium-reduction of neutrophilic granulocytes (author's transl)]. A modification of the NBT-reaction is described which allows a differentiation of the NBT uptake and NBT-reduction. By means of this method it has been shown that the capacity of NBT-reduction of neutrophil granulocytes taken from hematologically healthy persons is independent of the probands' age and, moreover, of the presence of acute infections and their etiology. It has been shown, that the increase in the NBT-reduction of neutrophilic granulocytes of newborns and persons with acute bacterial infections results from an increased NBT-ingestion. To grive an example of a strongly reduced capacity of NBT-reduction of the neutrophilic granulocytes 2 patients suffering from fatal granulomatous disease in childhood have been examined.


The diagnostic significance of intrahepatocellular hepatitis-B-surface-antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis-B-core-antigen (HBcAg) and IgG for the classification of inflammatory liver diseases. (Studies on HBsAg-positive and -negative patients). Liver biopsies of patients with inflammatory liver diseases and clinically healthy HBsAg-carriers were examined for presence of intracellular HBsAg, HBcAg and IgG by direct immunofluorescence. The studies revealed the following results: 1. In most cases healthy HBsAg-carriers had HBsAg in the cytoplasm, but they did never show HBcAg in the nuclei of hepatocytes. 2. In the early phase some patients with HBsAg-positive acute hepatitis had HBcAg and/or HBsAg in their hepatocytes. In a normal course with complete recovery the immunoelimination may clear either phenomenon at variable stages of the disease. 3. Cases one year after complete recovery of acute virus B-hepatitis had no HB-components in their liver tissue. 2 cases without immunoelimination of HBsAg developed chronic active hepatitis within one year and had HBcAg in their liver cell nuclei. 4. Patients with HBsAg-positive CAH and highly inflammatory activity had HBcAg in the nuclei and a low percentage of cells with HBsAg in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. HBsAg-negative cases with CAH never had HB-components in their tissue. 5. Patients with HBsAg-positive and -negative CAH in complete remission never had HBcAg and HBsAg in their hepatocytes. 6. Most cases with HBsAg-positive acute hepatitis and chronic active hepatitis positive for HBcAg had also IgG in the same liver cell nuclei. The coincidence of this finding gives strong evidence for the presence of anti-HBc in these liver cell nuclei. The importance of this finding for the course of the disease is unknown.


Side chain oxidation of ifosfamide in man. Ifosfamide as well as its stable alkylating metabolites namely carboxy-Ifosfamide and two dechloroethylated compounds were determined in the urine of a patient with progredient lung carcinoma who had been treated with 6 g of the drug. Quantitative measurements were carried out using a colorimetric procedure which consists of TL-spectrophotometric determinations on sheets which had previously been sprayed with 4-pyridinaldehyde-2-benzothiazolylhydrazone. In the case investigated the Ifosfamide was found to have been converted largely into two dechloroethylated compounds (48%) and only a small portion of carboxy-Ifosfamide (2.2%).


[Lymphocyte sensibilisation by fetal antigens in man after immunisation with xenogeneic fetal cells and with malignant tumors (author's transl)]. Specific lymphocyte sensibilisation in man can be shown one to four months after injection of xenogeneic fetal cells by means of in vitro lymphocyte stimulation by the previous injected lyophilised fetal antigens. Adult lyophilised xenogeneic cells demonstrate no stimulatory effect. In the same test positive lymphocyte stimulation against lyophilised fetal cells can be demonstrated in about 50% of a group of patients with malignant tumors. These preliminary findings could be a possible link in evaluating the effects of fetal cells as a form of tumor-immunotherapy in man.


[Epidemiological survey on symptomatology of subject exposed to carbon disulphide (author's transl)]. Some epidemiological parameters were recorded in a group of 185 workers of a rayon viscose factory. An higher prevalence rate of diseases and an higher relative risk for respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular and nervous morbidity in exposed people were found. In order to put into evidence the existence of chronic CS2 intoxication in non-occupationally CS2-exposed people, the authors suggest to investigate morbidity in people who live near these factories.


[Urinary excretion of hippuric acid in workers exposed to toluene. Recommendation for a group biological standard (mac) (author's transl]. Four groups of workers of the rotogravure, shoe and plastic industries, all exposed to toluene, were studied by the authors. Hippuric acid was measured by a colorimetric method, on urines collected at the end of the work shift. From the obtained results, the authors believe that the biological standard (MAC) for an homogeneous working group could be 1100 mg/liter. Such a threshold, which could however be further revised, ought not to be exceeded; higher toluene concentrations will require technical changes of the working environment.


[Toxic polyneuropathy in shoe-industry workers. A longitudinal electromyographic study (author's transl)]. A longitudinal electromyographic study was carried out on fifteen shoe-industry workers (one man and fourteen women) affected with toxic polyneuropathy. The mean values of age, duration of exposure and lenght of the follow-up period were 23.2 years, 4.2 years and 12.2 months, respectively. Twelve subjects (80%) had a sensory-motor involvement of both upper and lower limbs; in the remainder, only the latter were affected. From a clinical standpoint, the polyneuropathy was classified as mild in seven subjects (46.6%), moderate in four (26.7%) and severe in four. On the basis of electromyographic criteria (maximal motor nerve conduction velocity; features of voluntary contraction tracings; existence of spontaneous activity recorded in different points of the same muscle), the polyneuropathy could be defined as mild in two patients (13.3%), moderate in three (20%) and severe in 10 (66.7%). In eight subjects (53.3%) the electromyographic abnormalities disappeared completely, through a gradual improvement in six and alternative phases of improvement and worsening in two. As for the remainder patients (7, viz. 46.6%), improvement and worsening in two. As for the remainder patients (7, viz. 46.6%), four showed a reduction of their electromyographic abnormalities, whereas no significant changes occurred in the last three. The obtained results are discussed and the following conclusions drawn: 1. the lower limbs are mostly affected, both clinically and electromyographically; 2. the clinical symptoms do not parallel the electromyographic findings; 3. the course of the disease appears to be independent of the initial electromyographic pattern; 4. recovery appears to occur in most instances within approximately eighteen months since the onset of symptoms, generally without significant residual deficit. Finally, the role of electromyography in the diagnosis and the follow-up study of the observed toxic polyneuropathy is underlined.


[Measurement of "flow-volume" curves and "closing volume" in occupational medicine. Normal findings in healthy subjects (author's transl)]. A method is described for measuring, by a single test, some functional respiratory indexes, such as lung volumes, dynamic tests (flow-volume curve included), rapid He and CO2 curves, "closing volume". The normal values of "closing volume" and of forced expiratory flows obtained in 114 healthy subjects (65 men and 49 women) are then reported. Such values are comparable to those obtained by other authors. An equipment is used by the authors which is easily transportable to the workplace; their method can therefore be used for surveys of workers exposed to occupational respiratory risk during a working shift. The described respiratory index should be able to detect in a pre-clinical stage the early functional changes in chronic bronchitis.


[Bi-dimensional correction of x-ray images]. The frequency and contrast characteristics of the unit of the shadow image formation point to a material weakening of the high-frequency components in the spectrum of spatial frequencies already during the formation of the X-ray image. To compensate for this weakening that also takes place in other subassemblies of the television X-ray installation the introduction of an aperture corrector is necessary. As such a corrector in transmitting an image of little mobile objects a bidimensional aperture corrector set up on the transmitting television tube can be effectively used.


[Improvement of optic characteristics of the x-ray protective glass]. The optic characteristics of the roentgen protection glass (RPG) are shown to be capable of being improved through application of a translucent coating onto its working surface. This eliminates losses due to reflection from the RPG of a luminous flux proceeding to the examiner from the fluorescent screen of the X-ray apparatus. The proposed improvement of optic characteristics of the RPG will make it possible to cut down by 15 per cent the dose rate of ionizing radiation to which both the patient and the physician are exposed during roentgenoscopy.


[Preparation of an elastic compound on the basis of oligomer OUA]. An elastic compound with polymerization duration of 4 hours at 40 degrees has been devised. The use of the new compound helped speed up the fabrication of new functional subassemblies and improve working conditions in the manufacture of medical radioelectronic equipment.


[Evaluation of technical equipment for roentgenological examination of children]. A procedure involving an assessment by marks of the roentgenological examination (of chest organs in children) based on the availability of special equipment and apparatus and on the relative level of the radiation  load on the patients and the personnel is proposed. The assessment in marks is determined as a result of an analysis of medical and technical data. Examination procedures demanding additional or special equipment are singled out and a standard series of apparatus and equipment needed for realization of these examinations has been drawn up.


[Experience with the operation of a device for roentgeno-endoscopic examination]. An appliance for roentgeno-endoscopic investigation permitting rotation of the patient is made in the shape of a crable that turns through 130 degrees and is firmly held in all positions of the X-ray apparatus mounting. The appliance provides good conditions for a multifarious roentgenological control over the manipulations with the bronchoscope, catheters, biopsy instruments and allows it to perform selective bronchography, pneumomediastinography angio- and lymphography. The appliance facilitates the arrest of the intrabronchial hemorrhage after biopsy and does not hamper the performance of reanimation procedures in cases of cardiac arrest. The use of the appliance increases the irradiation (absorbed) dose to which the service staff is exposed at their workplace by no more than 10 per cent.


[Experience with the operation of a panoramic tomograph]. The first results obtained by clinical trials of a panoramic tomograph of the Soviet design and make are discussed. The apparatus has a movable armchair, this making it convenient to examine seriously ill or debiliated patients. The pictures of the jaws, teeth, maxillotemporal articulations, nasal cavity, maxillary sinuses are fully suitable for diagnosing major diseases of the dentomaxillary system.


[Substantiation of requirements for basic informative characteristics of tomograms]. In order to estimate the clinical efficiency of the method of layer-by-layer roentgenography a comparison of the apparatus with different translocation trajectories of the tomographic system has been made. The efficiency of the tomographs was appraised by such parameters as: coefficient of purity, thickness of the section and the degree of blurring. Investigations showed that the circular trajectory is to be preferred to the non-linear one. The adoption of such a trajectory enables it to simplify the design of the non-linear tomograph, makes it less costly and convenient in handling.


[Manual opthalmoscope OR-2].

[Manual opthalmoscope OR-2]. An ophthalmoscope of the OP-2 type has been designed and built to investigate the eye fundus in white and "red-free" light and also intended for use with an orange photofilter. The device enables the eye fundus to be examined without restoring to a medicamentous dilatation of the pupil. The illumination produced by the ophthalmoscope is nearly twice as great as the one provided for by the earlier manufactured ophthalmoscope, model sigma0-61. The slit and diaphanoscopic attachments that go with the ophthalmoscope allow it to see the "optical sections" of the cornea, the iris, as well as the crystalline lens and also to make demonstrable sections to the eye with lesser transparency, this enabling one to judge about the presence of tumours and other pathological conditions of the eyeball.


[Study of the characteristics of flexible fiber endoscopes]. An important step in constructing flexible fibre endoscopes is elaboration of methods for measuring their Optical and phototechnical characteristics. Methods and patterns of setups for measuring the field of vision angle, the field of fixation angle, resolving power, transmission coefficient and other parameters of flexible endoscopes are proposed. The knowledge of such parameters enables the key characteristics of endoscopes to be calculated, viz. the Optimal efficiency, informative capacity, information density per unit area of the fibrous band utilized in the device, etc.


[Artistic design of medical steam sterilizers]. The shaping of any manufactured product provides for a solution of a number of problems associated with improvement of its quality. In this connection the designer should take into consideration not only the ergonomic factors, but also seek to make the object under construction to meet artistic and esthetic demands. An analysis of shortcomings incident to the autoclaves type AIII-1M turned out by the industry helped to create a series of sterilizers with novel design features and of a larger capacity whose servicing requires from the opserator the least physical efforts. A comprehensive solution of the problem as to the composition, simplicity and regularity of the shape, along with proper external shaping of individual functional components secure favourable conditions for the operation of the sterilizer and also make it possible to adopt it as a basic unit in building up centralized sterilization installations.


[Development of fiber endoscopes and some aspects of gastrointestinal endoscopy]. Clinical evaluation of the up-to-date fibre endoscope models makes it possible to set apart 3 successive stages in the course of creating gastro-intestinal endoscopy, viz. construction of instruments with side optics, making esophagofibroscopes with end optics and transformation of esophagofibroscopes into panendoscopes. Depending upon the nature of the disease and the diagnostic objectives to be fulfilled various types of fibre endoscopes, both new and old, are recommended for clinical use.


[Rod-like optics of endoscopes].

[Rod-like optics of endoscopes]. The optical characteristics of endoscopes can be made more effective and the quality of the image improved through incorporation in their optical systems of rod-like components. The use of rod-like components in the rigid choledochoscope helped increase three-fold the optimal efficiency by comparison with that in the formerly manufactured device provided with an optics that was made up of small thickness lenses.


[1st experience with the use of a flexible fiber endoscope]. X-ray examinations as a basic method of recognizing pathological processes in the descending segments of the intestinal tract do not always make it possible to ascertain the nature of the affection. An effective diagnostic method is endoscopy that can be implemented with the help of the Soviet-made flexible fibre endoscope, model CBO-1. The device is reliable in operation, easy and convenient to handle and allows it to examine not only the sigmoid flexure, but the descending segment of the large intestine as well.


[Distinctive features and methods of use of the choledochoscope with the fiber light guide KhVS-1]. In current surgical practice there are used rigid and flexible choledochoscopes with a glass fibre. The choledochoscope provided with a glass fibre, model XBC-1, designed by the All-Union Research Institute of Instrument Making, is a highly efficient apparatus that enables it to carry out detailed visual examinations of the major bile ducts. The procedure of examining the bile ducts with the new model of the choledochoscope is safe for the patient and is within an easy grasp of any surgeon familiar with the technique of surgery of the biliary tract.


[A flexible Russian sigmoidoscope with fiber optics]. A brief characteristics of endoscopes manufactured by the leading specialized firms is given. At the same time optical and mechanical systems of the Soviet-made sigmoidoscope, model CBO-1, an apparatus equipped with fibrous optical elements for transmission of ligh and image, now in batch production, are described. Data derived from a comparative investigation of the resolving power of the CBO-1 unit and of the analogous devices manufactured by the firm "Olympus" are presented.


[Acetate photometabolism in Ectothiorhodospira shaposhnikovii]. The cells of Ectothiorhodospira were cultivated under autotrophic conditions and assimilated 14C-acetate in the presence of bicarbonate. The label was incorporated rapidly into phosphoglyceric acid (PGA) and phosphorous esters (PE) of sugars, into compounds of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TAC), aspartate, glutamate. After some time the content of the label became the highest in glutamate and decreased in other compounds. The same products were formed upon the assimilation of acetate by the cells cultivated in its presence. However, the amount of PGA and PE of sugars, especially those formed in the presence of sulphides, was less, and their curve had a positive slope. Fluoroacetate inhibited the incorporation of 14C from acetate in the cells and caused an increase of labeled citrate. Iodacetate inhibited almost completely the fixation of CO2 by the cells in the presence of sulphide; the fixation of carbon dioxide constituted about 60 percent of the control if both sulphide and acetate were present in the medium. Therefore, the assimilation of acetate by Ect. shaposhnikovii can be accomplished via the glyoxylate shunt and TAC, and also as a result of action of pyruvate synthase and the production of C4- and C5-organic acids with the participation of CO2. The pathways of acetate metabolism depend on the growth conditions and on the presence of sulphide in the medium.


[Preliminary metabolism of D-ribose by Candida bombi]. The activity of D-ribokinase increases and its constitutive synthesis takes place in the yeast Candida bombi after its adaptation to D-ribose. The activity of the enzymes of preparatory metabolism of D-ribose via the reductive pathway after the adaptation to this pentose is low and no growth is found in the medium containing ribitol; therefore, metabolism of D-ribose in C. bombi proceeds via the kinase pathway. D.ribokinase of C. bombi is briefly characterized.


[Activity of microorganisms decomposing cholesterol]. The rates of cholesterol decomposition was compared among cell suspensions of different microorganisms. Fifty seven cultures were studied: 2 strains of actinomycetes, 23 strains of proactinomycetes, 22 strains of mycobacteria, and 10 strains of bacteria. During four hours of incubation, 11 strains virtually did not decompose cholesterol at all, 10 strains decomposed it by up to 20 per cent, 21 strains by 20 to 70 per cent, and 15 strains by 70 to 100 per cent. The highest activity was displayed by Mycobacterium rubrum 297 and Mycobacterium sp. 2B, which decomposed all cholesterol in the sample within 4 hours. The high activity was also displayed by Proactinomyces sp. 2006, Nocardia opaca JMET 7030, and Nacardia erythropolis  JMET 7252.


[Interaction of acridine orange with teichoic acids of Staphylococcus aureus]. Teichoic acids of the cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus 209-P belong to the class of ribitol teichoic acids and can bind actively the molecules or acridine orange, changing its optical properties. The intravital fluorochromy of the cells with acridine orange may be caused by the sorption of its molecules by the teichoic acids of the cell wall.


[Change in Bacillus anthracoides spores and their content of dipicolinic acid during germination]. The content of dipicolinic acid (DPA) was assayed in the spores of Bacillus anthracoides 96 during various stages of its growth. The content of DPA was ca. 10.7 per cent of the dry biomass weight in the seven-day-old culture containing 96 to 99 per cent of the spores in a "starvation" medium. The morphology of the culture was modified, and the content of DPA in the spores fell to 3.6 per cent half an hour after the inoculation into the medium favourable for the growth (MPA). During the following one to four hours of the germination, the refraction index of the spores and the content of DPA in them decreased (the content of DPA to 2 per cent).


[Effect of different factors on the germination of spores in S and P- variants of Bacillus brevis]. The effect of temperature, duration of heating and the presence of L-alanine and L-glutamine in the medium on the spore germination was studied with the S and P- variants of Bacillus brevis which did not contain gramicidin S and with the R and P+ varants obtained on a defined medium with beta-phenyl-beta-alanine, an inhibitor of the biosynthesis of gramicidin S. The experiments were carried out according to the scheme of complete factor experiment. Germination of the spores was found upon their incubation in a defined medium with L-alanine within two hours after their preliminary heating at 80 degrees C during 45 minutes (S variant), at 60 degrees C during 45 minutes (R variant+trace amounts of gramicidin S), at 80 degrees C during 15 minutes (P+ variant/trace amounts of gramicidin S). Germination of the spores of the P- variant was best upon heating to 60 degrees C during 45 minutes. Gramicidin S is presumed to inhibit, to a certain extent, germination of the spores of its producing culture.


[Heterogeneity of the genus Actinomadura Lechevalier a. Lechevalier]. Studies of the morphology of Actinomadura spp. have shown that the genus comprises several morphological types of actinomycetes which differ by the presence and structure of the sporophores on the aerial and substrate mycelium. The actinomycetes differ also by the fatty acid composition of lipids in the mycelium, and can be subdivided into three groups: (1) fatty acids with a straight chain prevail; (2) fatty acids with branched chains of the iso- and anteiso structure predominate; and (3) fatty acids with straight and branched chains are contained in almost equal amounts. Therefore the genus separated on the basis of differences in the composition of the cell wall was heterogeneous according to the properties used in the taxonomy of the actinomycetes at the level of genus. These data prove that morphological properties have to be taken into account in the taxonomy of the actinomycetes.


[Dynamics of the formation of extracellular protease and the ATP pool in a thermophilic strain of Bacillus brevis]. The dynamics of varying ATP concentration was studied in the cells of the thermophilic strain of Bacillus brevis 224 synthesizing a neutral exoprotease. Some irregularities during the primary and secondary growth of the culture corresponded to the changes in the amount of ATP. A sharp decrease (by a factor of ca. 100) in the level of ATP pool was detected in the bacterial cells after 2.5 hours of their exponential growth; their growth ceased and the synthesis of protease was depressed. A decrease in the rate of the enzyme synthesis coincides with an increase in the concentration of ATP in the cells.


[Characteristics of a new species of budding purple bacteria containing bacteriochlorophyll b]. A culture of phototrophic purple bacteria containing bacteriochlorophyll b has been isolated. The bacterium forms a sessile bud and, along with producing motile swarmer cells, it produces immobile oval cells surrounded with a slime capsule. It grows on media with simple organic substances  in the presence of yeast extract or vitamins, under anaerobic conditions in the light or under microaerophilic conditions in the darkness. Besides organic substances, the culture assimilates hydrogen sulphide and thiosulphate as electron donors; it is incapable of assimilative sulphate reduction. In the light, the bacterium oxidizes thiosulphate to sulphates, without accumulation of molecular sulphur. The bacterium is classed as a new species of the genus Rhodopseudomonas--Rhodopseudomonas sulfoviridis nov. sp.


[Cytomorphological characteristics of Hydrodictyon reticulatum Lagerch]. The growth of the nucleus and cytoplasm, and the cytoplasm-nucleus ratio (CNR) were studied in the alga Hydrodictyon reticulatum Lagerch. The nucleus divides at the maximum values of CNR; CNR decreases between divisions. The synthesis of the nuclear matter takes place immediately after the mitosis, the growth of the cytoplasm prevails before the nuclear division. This unusual phenomenon can be presumably explained by the fact that Hydrodictyon is a polynucleate organism.


[Tolerance to H202 of Mycobacterium carotenum and its carotinoidless mutant]. Mycobacterium carotenum is more tolerant to the action of hydrogen peroxide than its white, carotenoidless mutant. This elevated tolerance to H2O2 correlates with a higher content of DNA, RNA, and polysaccharides in the cells; it is not related to the content of proteins and lipids, or to the level of the catalase and peroxidase activity.


[New species of thermophilic bacilli--Bacillus thermocatenulatus nov. sp]. Detailed study of the obligate-thermophilic aerobic spore-forming bacterium, indentified earlier as Bacillus megaterium, allowed to describe it as a new species--Bacillus thermocatenulatus nov. sp. This organism is characterized by a high content of GC in DNA (69 mole percent).


[Fractionation of stable sulfur isotopes during microbiological processes in Slavyansk lakes]. The isotopic content of sulphur in sulphates increases with depth in waters containing hydrogen sulphide of the meromictic lakes Repnoe and Veisovo as a result of microbiological reduction of sulphates. At the same time, hydrogen sulphide enrichments 19 to 25% of the light isotope 32S in the lake Veisovo, and 24 to 32% in the lake Repnoe. The fractionation of sulphur isotopes, manifested in the enrichment of sulphides with lighter isotopes, and that of sulphates with heavier isotopes, was found also in the bottom deposits of the lake Repnoe. The isotope and microbiological data suggest that, in the zone of mass growth of the phototrophic sulphur bacteria in the lake Repnoe, there are two processes of fractionation: (a) due to the bacterial reduction of sulphates; and (b) due to anaerobic oxidation of hydrogen sulphide, resulting in the enrichment of hydrogen sulphide with the light isotope 32S by 5 to 7 promille.


[Use of gamma-irradiation of soil for analyzing the state of microbial coeneses]. Increasing doses of gamma-irradiation eliminate some physiological and ecologo-trophical groups from microbial cenoses in soil. Soil fungi are least resistant to the action of gamma-irradiation (do not grow on agarized soil (AS) at a dose of 0.5 Mrad). Actinomycetes are more resistant (do not grow on AS at a dose of 0.75 Mrad). Bacteria are most resistant to irradiation. Asporogenous bacteria do not grow on agarized soil at a dose of 1.25 Mrad. Sporogenous bacteria survive at higher doses (1.75 Mrad). The method of gamma-irradiation permits to accomplish differential analysis of ecological groups of soil microflora and experimental synthesis of microbial associations. The effect of gamma-irradiation on soil enzymes is weak compared with autoclaving. gamma-Irradiated soils may serve as a substrate for model experiments during analysis of microbial associations.


[Growth of nodule bacteria in soil].

[Growth of nodule bacteria in soil]. As was found with the aid of capillary microscopy, the nodule bacteria of pea and lupine in soil are encountered as rods, bacteroids, and cocci. The rod-like cells form bacteroids not only in the nodules but also outside, in soil. The bacteroids are viable and later reproduce the coccoid cells (arthrospores). The rods and bacteroids prevail in soil during flowering of the legumes, and the cocci are predominant at the end of vegetation.


[New species of yeast from soil--Candida podzolica sp. n]. A new species of Candida podzolica is described. This species is widely distributed in podzolic and soddy-podzolic soils of the forest zone and in krasnozem. The yeast belongs to the nitrate-negative species of the genus Candida Berkhout, which do not ferment sugars, and is similar to the species C. humicola and C. curvata inhabiting soil. C. podzolica has a peculiar shape of the cells and does not produce films in liquid media. Extracellular polysaccharides contain glucose, mannose, galactose, and xylose; G+C in DNA is 62 mole percent.


[Migratory and recurrent pneumonias (authors transl)]. Pneumonia migrans and pneumonia recurrens are rarely seen non typic developments of pneumonia mostly due to viral infections. We observed the course of a pneumonia migrans on a 38-year old woman with development of new pneumonic infiltrations in other lung segments before definite healing. A 34-year old gravida developed a pneumonia of the right upper lobe immediately after total healing of the lower lobe of the same lung. The atypic course of the disease is looked for in an insufficient local immunity.


[Lysogeny in heat-tolerant hydrocarbon-oxidizing actinomycetes of species Actinomyces griseomycini]. Six strains of thermophilic hydrocarbon-oxidizing Actinomyces griseomycini were tested for lysogeny. The lysogenic state was detected in the four strains and their phages were isolated. The phages isolated from the three strains were virulent and cause lysis of the host culture. All isolated phages were specific and did not cause lysis of other actinomycetes species. However, the phages had different activity towards the six studied strains of Actinomyces griseomycini. One phage induced lysis only of its indicator culture, other phages caused lysis of four strains, including those two from which no phage was isolated. All phages produced negative colonies of identical morphology. The morphology of their particles was also the same. The phages induced cross-resistance and were characterized by thermoresistance.


[Protective effect of beta-adrenergic substances on the allergic rhinitis (author's transl)]. The protective and curative effect of Th 1165a (Fenoterol) and Salbutamol on the allergic rhinitis is reported. 70 patients with positive nasal provocation tests (speezing, rhinitis and eosinophilia of the secretions) were tested some days later with the same allergen after application of 100 mug TH 1165a. Protective effect could be shown in 64 patients who did not react with clinical symptoms. Another 85 patients were treated in the same way after a positive nasal provocation test and the clinical symptoms disappered within 5 minutes. In 10 patients nasal resistance was measured objectively by bodyplethysmography. Salbutamol showed the same protective and curative effect in 30 patients proved in the same way as described before. Application of the substances in the contralateral nostril had no systemic effect.


[Saccharomyces phenotypes (killer, neutral, sensitive) in viticulture and methods for their determination]. A method for determination of the Saccharomyces phenotypes-- "killer" (K), neutral (N), and sensitive (S) -- has been elaborated. These phenotypes were studied in the collection cultures of the Institute of Viticulture and Viniculture and in the samples of fermented grape must. The phenotypes K and N prevailed in the samples, and the phenotype S in the collection cultures. The interconversion of the phenotypes K, N, and S was shown to be possible.


[Rapid selection of microorganisms producing extracellular lipases]. A method for rapid selection of microorganisms producing extracellular lipases is described. The method is based on diffusion of the enzyme into agar containing olive oil. The hydrolysis zones revcal by 0,05--0,25% OSO4 solution.


[Swollen lymph nodes of the neck as a cardinal symptom of lymphoepithelioma (Schmincke-Regaud) (author's transl)]. Of two cases of lymphoepithelioma (Schmincke-Regaud) is given report. Swollen lymph nodes of the neck, which in the beginning have been thought to be inflammatory, persisted in the first case five years, at the second patient one year before diagnosis. In both cases the tumor originated from the epipharynx. After X-raying both patients since 2 1/2 years are free of recidivation.


[Formation of keto acids by barotolerant marine bacteria under atmospheric pressure]. Production of keto acids by washed cells of the barotolerant strains was studied under atmospheric pressure on a glucose-mineral medium in balloons made of the copolymer of ethylene with propylene. Production of keto acids in these conditions requires elevated concentrations of glucose and minimum concentrations of ammonium nitrogen. Active aeration inhibits the accumulation of keto acids by the barotolerant bacteria. The majority of the barotolerant bacteria did not form free extracellular keto acids, other bacteria liberated comparatively small amounts of these acids. The ability to accumulate keto acids was different in particular strains.


[Yeast flora of plant rhizosphere and phyllosphere]. The species belonging to the genera Cryptococcus and Hansenula with saturnian spores predominate in the rhizosphere of agricultural plants. The sporiferous strains of Debaryomyces, Hanseniaspora apiculata, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, and asporogenic Candida krusei and Trichosporon cutaneum prevail in the rhizosphere of wild plants. Candida krusei and Trichosporon cutaneum prevail in the rhizosphere of wild plants. The cultures of Rhodotorula, Candida krusei and Metschnikowia pulcherrima are typical of the phyllosphere of both cultural and wild plants. The phyllosphere of cultural plants contains also the asporogenic strains of Cryptococcus, Candida tropicalis, Trichosporon pullulans, Tr. cutaneum, and Hansenula, while Hanseniaspora apiculata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae predominate in the phyllosphere of wild plants. The yeast flora of the majority of studied plants is diverse and comprises 10--20 species (in cabbage, potato, linden, aspen, and pear trees). The rhizophere and phyllosphere of some plants contain only 2 to 4 yeast species (onion, hop, wild apple).


[Enzymatic breakdown of steroids during 11 alpha- and 11 beta-hydroxylation of the 21-acetate of Reichstein's "substance S" by Tieghemella orchidis (fam. Mucoraceae)]. By-products of the transformation were studied, which were formed in the process of 11alpha and 11beta-hydroxylation of 21-acetate of the Reichstein substance "S" by the culture of Tieghemella orchidis. The following steroid derivatives, known before, were isolated: epihydrocortisone, 6beta-hydroxy derivative of the Reichstein substance "S", hydrocortisone, cortisone. The following steroid derivatives were isolated from the initial chloroform extract of the fermentation medium, and identified: prednisolone, androstendione, testololactone, and 1,2-dehydro derivatives of the Reichstein substance S" and its 21-acetate. The quantitative ratio between the products of transformation depended on the conditions of growth and transformation. These compounds seem to be intermediate metabolites in the course of the steroid destruction via the pathway common for fungi and involving the destruction of D ring of the steroid molecule.


[Effect of mineral and organic fertilizers on algal growth on soddy-podzol soil]. The effect of various fertilizers and lime on the composition of algae and their content in soil was studied both in the field and laboratory conditions. The maximum yield of the algae was found upon continuous combined introduction of organic and mineral fertilizers, especially together with lime. In short-term experiments, the maximum yield was also registered upon combined introduction of the fertilizers and lime.


[Otitis media in premature infants].

[Otitis media in premature infants]. From the 253 infants admitted to the praemature unit of the Department of Pediatrics, University of Pécs in 1971 87 showed signs of respiratory tract infection. 44 of these babies suffered from otitis media diagnosed by means of tympanal suction-drainage. This reliable diagnostic method is completely harmless and less traumatic than paracentesis. We have isolated Gram negative bacteria from the tympanal secretion in three quarters of the cases Bacterial culture proved to be negative in only two infants. We should like to stress that tympanal suction drainage--apart from its good therapeutic effect--is also beneficial to the anatomical development of the ear: the early embryonal tissues sucked out in this way could disturb the transformation of embryonal tissue to normal mucoperiosteum. The persistent embryonal tissue thickens the tympanal mucosa. This is a factor promoting inflammation.


[A special brain tumor in the early babyhood (author's transl)]. A case of "mixed glioma" in early infancy is reported with characteristic histology and extension causing elevated cerebro spinal pressure. Incidence and problematic nature of these brain tumors are discussed briefly. Possibly a tumor inducing irritation in utero stimulates embryonic pluripotent cells of glia to proliferate, which differentiate during further life to form various tumor cells. In this way they produce the picture of a "mixed glioma". The term "congenital tumors of the brain" is examined critically.


[Effect of enzymatic meat tenderizers].

[Effect of enzymatic meat tenderizers]. Tenderizing preparations which are applied intramuscularly or via the blood vessels spread throughout the endomysium and the perimysium and produce there their effects (especially on the collagenous portion of the connective tissue) during cooking in certain ranges of temperature. Sarcoplasmic proteins are also attacked, whereas myofibrillary proteins are not affected. Consequently, in contrast to natural meat ageing, only the collagen-induced background toughness is actually eliminated, and the actomyosin-induced toughness is influenced only in so far as the degradation of the connective tissue causes a general structural loosening of the meat.


[Calculation of thermal protein changes in food with heat conduction. Determination of reaction rate and activation heat]. The velocity constant k of protein changes is commonly determined by heating as abruptly as possible to a given temperature for various periods. Its dependence on temperature or activation heat is deduced from the k value determinations at different temperatures, using the ARRHENIUS diagram. In contrast to this, the authors determined the k and E values in a temperature field for a constant reaction time. This is done directly in the foodstuff which is introduced (in ball form) into a bath of constant temperature. In case of foodstuffs with mere heat conduction, there are in the interior innumerable spherical shells subjected to the same thermal stress which increases from within towards the exterior. Thermal protein changes (such as the thermal coagulation of egg white and muscle proteins and the formation of metmyochromogen) which can be visualized directly or, in case of enzymatic denaturation, indirectly by colour reactions, using the presence-absence method, may be observed if the ball is cut in half. This procedure (termed "change-over method" by the authors) permits to calculate the unknown k and E values from the radius of the visible inner circle. (This applied also to cylindrical forms.) Since this method allows to estimate approximately these reaction kinetic constants directly in the foodstuff under conditions encountered in practice, it is in many cases better suited for simulating, calculating, or optimizing desirable or undesirable protein changes occurring during thermal processing than the mere model experiment with abrupt heating which does not reproduce the changes in the reaction medium occuring during the slow increase or decrease in temperature.


[Rheological properties of wheat gluten and their relation to molecular parameters]. In the light of the general results of protein chemistry and of the interrelationships up to now established, it is stated that the factors which determine the mechanical properties are complex in nature. Though the amino-acid composition (cystine content, amino acids with hydrophobic side-chains) and the ratio of the wheat gluten fractions (ratio of high molecular protein components to low-molecular ones) exert some effect on the rheological properties, the linkages and the interactions between the different fractions play the main role in the development of the mechanical properties of the gluten. Among the various linkages and interactions which occur in protein architecture, the disulphide linkages, the hydrogen bonds (amido group, primary amino group) and the hydrophobic interactions (side-chains of proline, leucine, isoleucine, glutamine, etc.) are of great importance. The complex evaluation of data about the content of disulphide linkages, the degree of amidation of the glutamic and aspartic acids and the amount of amino acids with hydrophobic side-chain gives a significant insight which might be of practical value.


[Structural differences between various quality glutens and between their protein components]. The rheological differences between glutens of varying quality are determined by the non-uniform "packing density" of the protein components in the gluten complex which is due to the different amounts of the structure-stabilizing disulphide and hydrogen linkages. There is no direct relationship between the gluten quality and the protein composition of the gliadine fraction. On the contrary, it is apparent that structural differences between the gluteline fractions from glutens of varying quality are essential. Some recent knowledge concerning such differences is discussed.


[Reduction dynamics of S-S bonds in wheat gluten]. The new method of S-S bond determination was elaborated. It was based on the reduction of S-S bonds using 2-mercaptoethanol/ME/, the separation of the excess of ME using the Sephadex column and the application of ELLMAN's reagent for the determination of reduced SH groups. Using this method much higher contents of total S-S bonds, as well as of intermolecular ones could be observed, than by using Na2SO3 as a reducing agent. During the experiments on the reductivity of intermolecular S-S bonds in all investigated samples of gluten under the action of ME initially the increase of SH groups and then some steady state period could be noticed, in which no increase occurred, followed by further reduction. This means, that the one more type of S-S bonds, more accessible for the reducing agent of all may exist. It is suggested, that it can be the quaternary S-S bonds joining together separate molecules to form complexes able to disperse. As the observed "plateau" representing those bonds occurs at different level of the reduction percent and at the different time, after the reduction have been started, does the amount and strength of those bonds not influence the gluten quality.


The protein complex of bread dough as an interacting system. The interactions occurring in the protein complex of wheat dough have been characterized by the extraction and molecular sieving techniques supported with optical methods as well as with some rheological examinations. The effects of wheat albumin, soya globulin and beta-lactoglobulin preparations have been determined. The interactions of dough protein complex with soluble pentosans isolated from rye flour and with lipid fractions of wheat embryo were analysed as well. In most cases the advanced aggregation, leading to formation of high molecular weight product similar to glutenin fraction and the increase of insoluble protein fraction were observed. The albumin, globulin and gluten type proteins participated in the interactions. The beta-lactoglobulin generally caused an intense disaggregation of the dough protein complex. The increase of low molecular weight fraction contents was, however, accompanied with formation of some quantities of the high molecular weight complex.


[Some new results from isolation and fractionation of low molecular weight wheat proteins]. The alcohol-soluble wheat gluten fraction (gliadine) and the petroleum-ether-soluble wheat protein fraction (purothionine) were isolated and analysed. The gliadine fraction was itself fractionated by gel chromatography (Sephadex G-100). The partial hydrolysis of sub-fractions (molecular weight 20000-30000) yielded (after separation by gel and ion-exchange chromatography) several peptide fractions. The amino-acid composition and the N- and C-terminal groups of the gliadine fractions were determined. Characteristic differences were stated between various fractions. By means of gel chromatography, purothionine was separated into 4-6 fractions. The study of the amino-acid composition and of the N-terminal groups of the fractions revealed differences in both properties.


[Protein screening in wheat and broad bean specimens in Gatersleben]. Actually and in future times plant proteins will constitute the main and primary source of proteins in animal feeding and human alimentation. Therefore, the main efforts to resolve the world nutrition problems are focused on the increase of the protein production and the improvement of the nutritional quality of plant seed proteins. In this regard plant breeding occupies one of the most important strategic positions. With the aim of selecting forms with elevated grain protein content and improved protein quality the systematic screening of collections of wild forms and cultivated cereals and leguminoses constitutes a pre-requisite of successful breeding work in relation to the above-mentioned task. In 1970 the Central Institute of Genetics and Investigation of Cultivated Plants at Gatersleben, GDR, belonging to the Academy of Sciences, started a systematic protein screening with about 10000 wheat, 6500 barley and 450 broad bean specimens, which are parts of the World Collection of Cultivated Plants at this institute. Protein determination was performed by the traditional KJELDAHL-method. Limiting amino acids, essentially lysin from cereal grains, were estimated by automatic ion exchange technique. The annual analytic capacity amounted to 6000 to 8000 samples. First results and problems of wheat- and broad bean-screening are reported in the present publication.


[Seed globulins from legumes. III. Seed globulins from broad bean (Vicia faba L.)]. The seed globulins from Vicia faba predominantly consist of two components, vicilin and legumin, which are exclusively deposited within the protein bodies of the storage cotyledons. The globulin biosynthesis commences with high intensity within a distinct phase during seed development as a consequence of reactivated genetic information. Isolation and purification of vicilin and legumin were achieved by a combination of zone precipitation, ion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. Purity was controlled by disc electrophoresis on polyacrylamide e gels at pH 4.3 and by two dimensional immunoelectrophoresis, respectively. Vicilin prepared by zone precipitation and ion exchange chromatography consists of several serologically different proteins. One of them occupies the legumin position on polyacrylamide gels, although not identic with legumin, as revealed by tandem immunoelectrophoresis. The serological nonrelationship of vicilin and legumin was confirmed. Vicilin is characterized by micro heterogeneity which seems to indicate a molecular polymorphism.


[Formation of bitter peptides in cheese and from casein]. Whereas a slightly bitter taste is desirable in certain foods, it is an off-flavour in cheese which may even lead to unfitness for consumption. Bitter principles from cheese have been found to be peptides with molecular weights ranging from 2000 to 3000. For the purpose of further characterization, bitter peptides were isolated from enzymatic casein hydrolysates as well as from bitter cheese and purified. 30 proteases from different origins proved to be able to form peptides with bitter taste of varying intensity from casein. Present experience shows that the formation of bitter peptides during casein hydrolysis can be inhibited only to a very small measure. Bitter peptides are extrmely resistant to proteases, which is probably attributable to their high contents of hydrophobic amino acids and hydrophobic bonds. The detection of only N- or C-terminal amino acid in each of 11 different bitter peptides shows that peptide chains are present and not cyclic peptides as repeatedly assumed. It must be aimed at avoiding the cheese defect "bitter" by using appropriate starter cultures and rennet substitutes as little disposed as possible to produce bitter peptides.


[Criteria for indirect evaluation of protein status of organisms]. The value of the determination of blood protein and amino acids is discussed. The results suggest that the serum albumin concentration is perhaps not very sensitive index of the protein value. But the level of plasma amino acids may yield valuable information of the protein state. However, there is no evidence that the use of the plasma amino-acid level as an indicator of the protein value is exclusively profitable. Determination of the urea level in the blood under standardized experimental conditions may be a good indirect estimation of the adequate protein ratio in an individual. Various enzyme activities seem to be no conclusive indices of the state of protein nutrition. A simple determination of the urinary nitrogen might perhaps be a satisfactory method for evaluating the protein quality for an individual. The determination of urinary urea closes not seem to be a more valuable indicator than the protein state. It has been shown that the diameter of the myofibrils depends on the adequate protein ratio in the feed. The weights of several muscles and different organs are also in agreement with the supply of protein. Furthermore, the author discusses the correlation of the nitrogen concentration in a single leg of the rat to that in the total body as a possible indirect method for determining the protein value.