[Humoral immunity in mice with transplantable leukemia during chemoimmunotherapy]. The article treats of the effect of cyclophosphamide (CP), and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and their combination on the development of transplantable leukemia-hemocytoblastosis in mice and some host humoral immune reactions. The optimal combinations of the CP (on the 3rd day after the transplantation of leukemia) and of the CFA (on the 10th day) led to increase in the average survival up to 93,9 days (8.5 days in control). This combination also increased the survival of 42.9% of the animals for over 180 days. Enhancement of humoral immunity proved to take place in the course of chemoimmunotherapy. In spite of deep immunodepression after the CP and CFA administration the number of antibody-producing cells increased and enhancement of the cytotoxic activity of the serum IgM was observed.


The influence of vesical distension on urethral resistance to flow: the collecting phase. Using female dogs, changes in the urethral pressure profile in response to vesical distension were studied. It was noted that during the collecting phase there was an increase in the amplitude of the profile tracing. These experiments revealed that this increase is not mediated through an autonomic reflex and does not reflect a significant enhancement of alpha-adrenergic activity. These changes are mainly due to increased tension of the urethral muscle, secondly to detrusor stretch.


The influence of vesical distension on urethral resistance to flow: the expulsion phase. The influence of vesical distension of the urethral pressure profile was studied in female dogs, using a model in which the bladder and urethra were separated. There was a reduction in the urethral resistance involving its smooth and striated muscle components. This reduction was completely blocked by ganglion blocking agents. Atropine did not influence these changes. Propranolol could only partially block this reflex. The other possible mechanisms that could be involved were discussed.


Developmental changes in pre-adult behavior in confined colonies of golden hamsters. Eight litters of hamsters living in a large enclosure were observed from birth to 120 days. For the first 65 days each litter was confined to a separate compartment. Basic motor coordination was reached by the 3rd week. Marking was seen during the 6th week when males began to mount their mothers sexually, but lordosis was not seen in female pups before the 7th week. Fighting appeared at this time with the females being the more aggressive. At 65 days the litters were combined into 2 groups of 4.A gradual shift followed in the relative aggressiveness of the sexes. Females, which had previously initiated over 90% of attacks, became less aggressive, whereas attacks by males increased to the former female level. This unusual behavior for hamsters, where females are normally dominant, may have been due to crowding. Also, severe disruption of maternal behavior occurred with marked infanticidal tendencies.


Effect of atropine on behavioral arousal in the developing rat. Atropine-induced changes in behavioral arousal were examined in the developing rat between 21 and 40 days of age using a single exploratory trial on an elevated T-maze. Under atropine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) spontaneous activity as measured by numbers of errors, rearing responses, and stereotyped responses was significantly decreased in animals less than 25 days of age. It was significantly increased, however, between 26 and 30 days, with maximal action on the 28th day. After 30 days the effect of atropine was negligible. These results support the hypothesis of a cholinergic inhibitory mechanism controlling behavioral arousal and becoming efficient after the 25th day of life.


Effect of postnatal litter size on adult aggression in the laboratory mouse. Growth, emotionality, food competition, and aggression were examined in mice nursed in litters of 3 or 9 and reared in isolation until testing. Animals from large litters were lighter at weaning and in adulthood and were more emotional in the open field than subjects from small litters. They did not win more food competition tests than subjects from small litters although their consummatory behavior during food competition tests was greater. Subjects from large litters were more aggressive in initial encounters, but over repeated encounters became more submissive. In a 2nd open-field test, emotionality of large-litter subjects was reduced more than that of subjects from small litters. When later placed in group-living cages, subjects from small litters sustained less long term physical assault than subjects from large litters. High correlations were found between the 4 measures of brief aggression.


Taste-aversion learning in infant guinea pigs. Infant guinea pigs were hand-fed a 10% sucrose solution and poisoned after delays of 0 min, 30 min, or 24+ hr. Subjects in the first 2 groups showed significant sucrose aversions when tested more than a month later. No significant difference existed between the 0- and 30-min groups; no deficiency in this type of learning was evident even in neonates. All 3 groups showed a lower sucrose preference if first exposed at ages 0-6 days than at 7-11 days. Evidently exposure to sucrose at the earlier ages was less effective in reducing later neophobia to sucrose; although the youngest animals had no evident deficiency in learning aversions, they may have been deficient in learning "safety".


Aggressive behavior of juvenile mice: influence of androgen and olfactory stimuli. Testosterone propionate (TP) administered from Day 21 through Day 50 of life enhanced the aggressiveness of castrated and neonatally TP-treated juvenile male and female mice and, to a lesser extent, enhanced the aggressiveness of nonneonatally androgenized females. In addition, the enhanced aggressive behavior of juvenile male and female mice was directed principally toward juvenile male but not female opponents and was inhibited by the application of urine from juvenile females to the fur of juvenile male opponents. These experiments indicate that androgen and olfactory stimuli modulate the aggressive behavior of juvenile mice in a manner similar to that of adult animals.


[A further study of the mutation process in Chinese hamster cells in vitro]. Spontaneous mutagenesis and mutagenesis induced by chemical mutagens in culture Chinese hamster cells were investigated. Appearance of mutations controlling the resistance to 6-mercaptopurine (6M) and reverse mutations to sensitivity was studied. The rate of spontaneous mutations of 6M resistance in cells studied was found to be sufficiently stable: it was independent on the repeated freezing of these cells and the duration of their cultivation. 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) has been shown to induce mutations to 6M resistance in cells of the 237i clone; the rate of induced mutations in some experiments as compared to the rate of spontaneous mutations was 1-2 orders higher. No clear-cut delay of phenotypic expression of BUdR-induced mutations was found. Seven independently arisen mutant clones were isolated. Five of them appeared spontaneously and two clones were induced by BUdR. Three spontaneously arisen clones were found to be reversible to sensitivity. The rate of reverse mutations in cells of the other four clones, did not exceed (2,3-3,5)-10(-6) per cell per generation. The rate of spontaneous reverse mutations in these clones was less at least one order lower as compared to the rate of spontaneous mutations to 6M-resistance. The attempts to induce reverse mutations to sensitivity by N-nitrosomethylurea in spontaneously reversible resistant cells and by BUdR in mutant cells arisen as a result of the treatment with the same agent proved unsuccessful. A method of estimation of experiment's resolving power is described for cases, when no expected events (in our study reverse mutations) were observed.


[Characteristics of somatic cell hybrids (mouse x Chinese hamster) with a different ratio of chromosome sets from the parent species. II. Thymidine kinase activity]. The activity of thymidine kinase (TK) was studied in series of somatic cell hybrids between the mouse cell line 3T3-4E (TK-) and Chinese hamster cells M-15-1 (HGPRT-). Four groups of hybrid lines with different ratio of parental chromosome sets have been investigated: 1) three lines containing one hamster and one mouse chromosome set (1 hs+1 ms); 2) one line with 2 hs+1 ms; 3) one line containing 3 hs+1 ms and 4) one line containing 1 hs+2 ms. Mixtures of extracts from the parental cells were shown to possess the expected TK activity. The calculation of the activity per cell revealed that the 1 hs+1 ms and 2 hs+1 ms hybrid lines possessed about 50% of the initial hamster cell TK activity. The decreased TK activity in these hybrids might be due either to a loss of hamster chromosomes or to some inhibitory effect of mouse genome in cells with the studied ratio of parental sets. The enzyme activity in the 3 hs+1 ms hybrid was as expected, about three times greater than that of hamster cells.


[The "protective" effect of gamma-irradiation of cells in metaphase of mitosis following V-irradiation during the S period]. 20,1% cells with chromosomes aberrations were obtained after UV-irradiation of embryonal fibroblasts of mice at the S-stage in vitro at a decreasing dose of 40erg/mm2. Subsequent gamma-irradiation at the metaphase of the first mitosis at a 5 krad dose led to a statistically significant decrease of the frequency of aberrant cells observed in the same mitosis down to 11,7%. The frequency of spontaneous aberrations did not change during the first few minutes after gamma-irradiation of intact cells at the metaphase. The "protective" effect of gamma-rays can not be explained either by unequal changes of the duration of mitotic stages for aberrant and normal cells, or by sticking of chromosome fragments or by breaks of bridges at the anaphase. The death of cells "under irradiation" also appears to be a hardly probable case of the effect observed. It is assumed that the decrease of the aberrations frequency is the result of predicted earlier modification of the processes of realization of potential chromosome damages into visible aberrations at the metaphase.


[The genetics of cattle leukemia. I. Transmission, age at onset, influence of the size of the population, purity of the breed, and milk production on the development of leukemia]. The age of leucosis disease of cattle was found to be 6,5 years on the basis of the materials collected on seven State farms. The probability of the disease in young animals was found to be low, and it increased in adult cows. The size of population and the percentage of purebred in herd did not influence on the frequency of the disease. Highly productive animals were mostly exposed to the disease, while healthy and diseased animals exerted no differences in the fat content of milk.


[DNA replication and the development of spontaneous mutations in the somatic cells of mammals. I. The relationship between the outcome of gene mutations and the duration of cell life]. The reduction of serum concentration in culture medium to 0,1% was proposed as a method of slowing division and DNA replication in Chinese hamster cells in vitro. Under these conditions the rate of DNA replication was reduced by more than one order of magnitude, while cell viability remained high enough (about 10%) for a long period up to 30 days. The spontaneous mutation rate to 6-mercaptopurine resistance, as calculated per day in cells with reduced DNA replication rate, was comparable to that in normally dividing cells [(1,2 +/- 0,3) X 10(-5) and (3,1 +/- 0,5) X 10(-5) per cell per day respectively]. This proves that a considerable fraction of spontaneous mutants arise independently on DNA replicative synthesis.


[The effect of cysteamine on x-ray induction of mutations resulting in resistance to 8-azaguanine in Chinese hamster cells in vitro]. The survival of Chinese hamster cell was increased after the administration of cisteamine (at doses of 1,25; 2,5 and 5,0 mM/ml) in the culture for 15--20 min. before X-irradiation (600r). In the same experiment the protector decreased the rate of induced Ag-resistance gene mutations.


[Characteristics of somatic cell hybrids (mouse X Chinese hamster) with ratios of chromosome sets different from the parent species. IV. An electrophoretic analysis of several enzymes of the dehydrogenase class]. Electrophoretic mobilities in polyacrylamide gel of five dehydrogenases: NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase (NADP-MDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) were investigated in a series of mouse X Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids. Seven hybrid lines with different ratio of chromosome sets of hamster and mouse: 1 : 1, 2 : 1, 3 : 1 and 1 : 2 respectively were studied. NADP-MDH and 6PGD of both parental species and intermediate hybrid hands were present in all hybrids except two lines. These lines had only hamster MDH due to the elimination of mouse chromosomes. A correlation was found between the gene dose and the intensity of the expression of the MDH bands. The mouse type ADH was detected in all hybrids. The hamster ADH was found in one of the hybrid lines that lost all mouse chromosomes during cultivation. It is suggested that hamster ADH activity was suppressed in hybrids by the mouse genome. The species origin of GDH and G6PD could not be established due to similarity of electrophoretic mobilities of respective enzymes in parenteral cells.


[In vitro induction of numerical changes in the karyotype of normal and transformed cells of Dzhungarian and Chinese hamsters]. The comparative study of the frequency of colcemid-induced aneuploidy and polyploidy in cultured normal and transformed cells of Djungarian hamster is described. The occurrence of variants with changed chromosome number is much higher in populations of SV40-transformed cell line (4/21) than in normal embryonic cultures. In transformed lines of Djungarian and Chinese hamsters (4/21 and V-79) the frequency of cells with changed chromosome number was found to be depend on the culture density: the percentage of polyploids was 4-5-fold higher when the number of seeded cells was 2-fold lower. The highest number (18-29%) of hypermodal cells was produced at drug concentrations of 0.02--0.025 mkg/ml. The percentage of polyploids under these conditions reached 10--20. At further increaseof colcemid concentrations the proportion of polyploid cells increased. In Djungarian hamster embryonic cell cultures there were single cells with changed chromosome numbers at a concentrarion of the drug of 0.015-0.1 mkg/ml.


[Possible association between epilepsy and dizygotic twining]. The frequency of twinning among 9457 children and abolescents suffering epilepsy and epileptiform syndrom was established to be 1,94%, exceeding that in general population and being particularly high in the group of patients with epilepsy (2,65%). The frequency of stillbirths and deaths in one of the co-twins amounted 18,57%. The proportion of same-sexed and opposite-sexed pairs in the sample examined differs from that in general population, dizygous pair exceeding their number expected.


[Fecundity and embryonal mortality of four inbred lines of mice, BALB/c, B10.CW, A/Sn CC57W and their hybrids]. The object of this investigation was the potential fecundity of four inbred strains of mice, viz. BALB/c, B10.SW, CC57W, A/Sn and of their different hybrid combinations. The inbred strains studied had different normal ovulation numbers varying from 9,2 to 11,9 and different death-rate of embryos before (10,99-39,49%) and after (9,05-22,47%) the implantation. The numbers of live embryos per female in the strains A/Sn, b10.cw and CC57W were practically equal to one another, but significantly larger than in the strain BALB/c. Interlinear crosses resulted in a considerable decrease of the totalembryonic deathrate, while the normal ovulation number did not undergo any changes. The number of liver embryos in simple hybrids did not differ significantly from that in the maternal inbred strains. Therefore the heterozygosity of embryos did not affect significantly the potential fecunidity of females. The number of surviving embryos per female increased in the cross between the simple hybrids (BALB/cXB10.CW) X (CC57WXA/Sn) to 8,9+/-0,37. This heterosis was the result of the total death-rate of embryos down to 14,89%. Asit is shown by the comparison of the potential fecundity of pregnant females carrrying homo- and heterozygous embryos to that of pregnant hybrid females, the rate of survival of embryos depends more on th


Studies on intermittent fluoride administration. The effects of the supplementation of equal amounts of fluoride given at different frequencies on caries inhibition and on fluoride uptake and retention by the molar surfaces were investigated in 3 rat caries tests. In the first experiment fluoride was supplemented to the drinking water, in the second it was incorporated in the cariogenic diet and in the third it was applied topically. In the first caries test fluoride was administered in the drinking water either continuously at concentrations of 20, 40 and 60 ppm F or at the double concentrations of 40, 80 and 120 ppm F every second day for 10 days prior to a cariogenic period of 21 days. At the end of the 10-day fluoride administration period the fluoride concentration in the molar surfaces (F-M) were closely correlated to the fluoride concentrations of the drinking solutions and to the intake by the animals. The molar surface disolution rates (S-M) were significantly lower in all fluoride groups than in the control groups but were not correlated to the F-M. At the end of the subsequent 21-day cariogenic period the S-M were not significantly lower in the fluoride than in the control groups. The F-M, significantly higher in the fluoride than in the control groups, were in the former groups not significantly different from each other. Irrespectively of the fluoride administration schedule, the caries incidences were equally lower in all fluoride groups than in the control groups. In the second caries test NaF and Na2PO2F were incorporated in the cariogenic diet and given to the rats at the same daily dose but at frequencies of 12, 18  and 36 times. The concentrations tested were 225, 150 and 75 ppm F. There were no significant differences between NaF and Na2PO3F in caries inhibitions, F-M and S-M. The frequency of fluoride administration had no significant effects on the parameters investigated. In the third caries test NaF and Na2PO3F were applied topically once, twice or thrice daily during a 20-day cariogenic period at concentrations of 4500, 2250 and 1500 ppm F respectively. While NaF and Na2PO3F were equally effective in inhibiting caries, NaF was more effective than Na2PO3F in enriching the F-M and in reducing S-M. Again the frequency of fluoride application had no significant effects. Because of the lack of influence of the frequency of fluoride supplementation on caries inhibition and the lack of correlation between caries reductions and F-M and S-M it was concluded from the caries tests that in the rat the interference of fluoride with the bacterial metabolism through its continous presence at the plaque-enamel interface rather than the reduction of enamel solubility and the promotion of enamel remineralization seems to be its most important cariostatic mechanism. A second series of experiments investigated the effects of the daily intragastric administration to pregnant rats of either 3.5 mg F once daily or 1...


Comparison of the catalytic properties of thrombin and trypsin by kinetic analysis on the basis of active enzyme concentration. The interaction of bovine thrombin [EC 3.4.21.5] with synthetic substrates and products was studied. The enzyme was purified from Parke-Davis topical thrombin. The purification process afforded some preparations with different clottin specific activities but with similar esterase specific activities. The preparation having highest clotting specific activity and that having lowest clotting activity were tentatively named thrombin-C and thrombin-E, respectively. Kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of synthetic substrates and normality titrants were determined on the basis of active enzyme quantity, which was assayed by means of a fluorometric normality titrant. It was shown that thrombin-E was acylated by the substrates more slowly than thrombin-C, while deacylation proceeded at similar rates in the two preparations. The results were also compared with those obtained with bovine trypsin [EC 3.4.21.4]. The acylation rates of both thrombin preparations were markedly lower than that of trypsin, while the deacylation rates of the former were only slightly lower than that of the latter. The effects of various product-type inhibitors, such as benzyloxycarbonyl-, benzoyl-, and tosyl-L-arginine, were also examined. Thrombin was affected by these inhibitors not competitively, though trypsin was inhibited competitively.


Rapid methods for identification of yeasts. Opportunistic infections by yeasts have been implicated as one of the major causes of complications in the compromised patient. Rapid recognition and identification of these yeasts is essential for patient management, but conventional liquid medium methods for completing identification tests are cumbersome and time consuming. Rapid tests have been devised based on modifications of methods commonly used in bacteriology. These rapid methods included tests for carbohydrate and nitrate assimilation, fermentation, and urease production. These were compared with several current methods for accuracy of results, for time to final identification, and for economy of time and reagents. In addition, the usual tests for pseudogerm tube formation, for production of hyphae or pseudohyphae, and for growth temperatures were included. The rapid tests achieved 96% or better accuracy compared with expected results, and 46 species of yeasts were identified in 1 to 2 days compared with the 10 to 14 days required by conventional liquid culture methods.


Consummatory behavior as a function of ambient temperature in septal-lesioned and control rats. Septal lesions or control operations were produced in male and female rats. Measurements of water and food consumption were carried out while the rats were housed under warm vivarium temperatures (24 degrees C) and when maintained in a cold room (6 degrees C). Examination of the data from the entire week spent in the cold revealed that rats with septal lesions deviated from precold water-comsumption levels less than comparable control rats. Further, whereas rats with septal lesions suppressed intake for the first 24 hr following either shift in environmental temperatures, control animals inhibited drinking only when returned to the warm environment. Both surgical groups elevated food consumption in the cold. The relative amount of food and water consumed during the day (vs night) increased for all groups when maintained in the cold. Differences in degree of reactivity to the manipulations were observed in male and female rats. These findings were interpreted as adding further support to our contention that septal lesions alter the behavioral (rather than direct metabolic) adaptations an animal makes to its environment.


Regional neurochemical studies on the effect of beta, beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) in the rat. A permanent hyperkinetic syndrome, characterized by excitation, choreiform head and neck movements and circling, which has led to it being called collectively the "ECC-syndrome," is induced in rats by the daily IP administration of beta, beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN), 300 mg/kg, for 7 days. The levels of the biogenic amines, norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), were measured in the striatum, midbrain, medulla, cortex, and cerebellum on the day the syndrome appeared (day 7) and one week later (day 14). The biogenic amine most affected by IDPN administration was 5-HT. On day 7, striatal 5-HT levels increased and 5-HIAA levels decreased while in the medulla and midbrain, 5-HIAA levels increased. On day 14, significant reductions in both 5-HT, in the midbrain, striatum, and cortex, and 5-HIAA, in all regions except the cortex, were observed. NE was markedly increased in the medulla, midbrain, and striatum on day 7, whereas on day 14 it was found to be within the normal range in these same regions. With the exception of a slight, but significant, increase in the cortex on day 7, DA levels in all regions were found to be relatively unaffected by IDPN administration on both day 7 and day 14. In an attempt to detect degenerative changes which might be taking place in the brain and which might provide an explanation for the permanency of the behavioral disturbances, the uptake of [3H]-labeled NE, DA, and 5-HT into synaptosomal-rich preparations of striatum and the uptake of NE and 5-HT into the midbrain area were compared between normal and syndromized rats on both day 7 and day 14. Small changes were observed but they were not statistically significant. The alterations of 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in several regions of the brain under the conditions examined may indicate that IDPN's neurotoxicity primarily affects 5-HT-containing neurones. The active membrane transporting system of the nerve endings studied, however, remained relatively intact. This latter finding eliminates the possibility that neuronal degeneration in these areas is responsible for the decreased 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels or is the pathology underlying the permanency of the syndrome. These results are evaluated in terms of a possible model for hyperkinetic disorders.


Effects of magnesium ion and temperature on the phasic and tonic contractions of the potassium contracture in the pregnant rat myometrium. Effects of Mg ion, low temperature and 2,4-dinitrophenol on the Kcontracture were investigated in pregnant rat uteri. At 36-38degrees C, the addition of Mg ions increased the amplitude of tonic contraction when the isotonic K media contained 2.2 mM Ca (inhibitory effect). When the muscle strip was loaded with Mg ion by exposing it previously to a Locke-Ringer solution containing 1as nearly abolished but the inhibitory effect persisted. The amplitude of the tonic contraction was reduced, and the potentiating effect of the Mg ion was depressed at lower temperatures. The inhibitory effect persisted at low temperatures. The time course of relaxation of the phasic contraction consisted of two exponentials, the initial one fast and succeeding one slow. The effect of Mg on the relaxation during the initial phase was variable, butthe succeeding one always became slower when Mg ions were added. The initial phase of the relaxation became slower at lower temperatures. However, the succeding phase became faster. The above experimental results were interpreted to suggest that the sites of Mg action were two, one being at the outer surface of the membrane competing for occupation with Ca ions, and the other within or at the inner surface of the membrane regulating the amount of bound Ca which is in turn utilized to evoke contraction. The latter is probably mediated by metabolic processes.


[The treatment of posner-schlossmann's syndrome. (acute glaucomatocyclitic crises) (author's transl)]. In the surgery two patients with Posner-Schlossmann-Syndrome were observed for several months. The therapy of the acute attack secondary glaucoma was the combination of Diamox, Cortison - and Neosynephrine eye-drops. With Pilocarpine the I.O.P. lowering was insufficient. In one case corneal precipitates typical for Heterochromia complicata Fuchs were observed.


[Loss of nutritional value of proteins in meat products caused by thermal processing]. In certain cases, the proteins in meat products may be damaged during thermal processing to such an extent that their nutritional value is reduced. This might be caused above all by a loss in the availability of the essential and semi-essential amino-acids. Cooking of the meat produces no marked change in the availability of the amino acids. More marked changes are observed at temperatures needed for sterilization. The availability of cystine is in most cases affected by the length and temperature of sterilization, which is due to a reduction of its digestibility and to its degradation. The extent of the cystine degradation follows from the difference from the average reduction of the availability of the other amino acids. Since the sulphur-containing amino acids in meat proteins are limiting ones, this loss results in a reduction of the nutritional value of the proteins. Apart from cystine, lysine may also become less available if greater amounts of polysaccharides are present. The reduction of the availability can be so marked that lysine may be considered to be a limiting amino acid. In these cases, lysine is essential for the nutritional value of the proteins in such products.


[Protein denaturation in frozen fish].

[Protein denaturation in frozen fish]. To inhibit the rapid deterioration of the production-technological properties of fish meat minced and frozen on board, it is necessary to become acquainted with the causes of protein denaturation under these conditions. It was found that the protein solubility in codfish is impaired by formaldehyde which develops from trimethyl-amine oxide during storage and also by the salt content. After 7 days at -20 degrees C, the solubility of the sarcoplasmic and myofibrillary proteins in minced fish meat added with 80 mg of formaldehyde per 100 g of total protein amounted to almost 70% and 35%, respectively, of the value determined in controls, i.e., samples without formaldehyde. After this period of storage, only 30% of the added formaldehyde were in the free state. After 1 month, the solubility of the myofibrillary proteins in waterleached fish meat was by 30% higher than in unleached controls, 80 mg of formaldehyde per 100 mg of total protein having been added in both cases. After 1 month at -5 degrees C and -20 degrees C, only 90 and 15 p.p.m. of formaldehyde, respectively, were found in minced fish meat, whereas leached samples contained no formaldehyde. The solubility of the myofibrillary proteins in leached fish meat (the initial salt content of which had been restituted) was by 30% lower than in the unleached controls.


[Use of 2-stage continuous culture for studying the physiological state of Candida utilis]. The effect of D2 (second stage) on the growth rate, the content of RNA, and the rate of its formation was studied during two-stage continuous cultivation of the yeast Candida utilis. At the same time, the effect of changes of D1 (first stage) on the properties of the yeast during the second stage was also investigated.


Indolamine metabolism in the intact and denervated pineal, pineal stalk and habenula. Indolamine metabolism in the rat pineal is regulated by central influences mediated through the superior cervical sympathetics. The pineal stalk and medial habenular nucleus also have serotonin-containing cells and an innervation from the superior cervical ganglion (SCG). The present study was carried out to determine if the habenula and pineal stalk are similar to the pineal in certain aspects of indolamine metabolism. No diurnal rhythm in habenular serotonin content was observed, but ganglionectomy or decentralization of SCG results in a significant increase in habenular serotonin content. Unlike the pineal, the habenula and pineal stalk exhibit no rhythm in N-acetyltransferase (N-AT) activity; the activity of the enzyme in those tissues is comparable to low values of the diurnal rhythm in the pineal. N-AT activity in the pineal stalk and habenula is unaffected by sympathectomy. Similarly, there is little, if any, hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) activity in the pineal stalk and habenula; unlike the pineal, it is unaffected by continuous environmental lighting conditions or sympathectomy. These observations indicate that neither the pineal stalk nor the habenula represents a 'deep' pineal in the rat but that habenular indolamine metabolism is regulated by its peripheral sympathetic innervation.


L-Dopa effects on serum LH and prolactin in old and young female rats. Serum LH and prolactin changes in response to an acute systemic L-dopa injection were measured in young (4-6 months) proestrous, estrous and 2nd day diestrous rats, and in aged (23-30 months) constant estrous and pseudopregnant (long diestrous) Long-Evans rats. Serum LH and prolactin were measured by radioimmunoassays in serial blood samples taken before and 15, 60 and 120 min after i.p. injections of 0, 3 or 30 mg of L-dopa. Pretreatment serum prolactin levels were elevated in afternoon samples from young proestrous and estrous rats and in both aged groups. Both the 3- and 30-mg injections caused a reduction in serum prolactin in all groups. The reduction in serum prolactin following 3 mg of L-dopa was less in both the aged groups than in the young rats. The pretreatment serum LH concentration was markedly elevated only on the afternoon of proestrus. The pretreatment serum LH level of the aged constant estrous group was greater than that of either the young estrous or diestrous group. Pretreatment serum LH levels were lower in aged pseudopregnant rats than  in young diestrous rats. After the 30-mg L-dopa injection serum LH increased in all groups except the aged pseudopregnant group. Although the increase in LH following L-dopa injection was similar in young estrous and aged constant estrous rats, the increase in serum LH occurred later and lasted longer in the latter group. These data indicate that the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary endocrine control mechanisms are less responsive to acute L-dopa treatment in the aging female rat.


[Success in a case of fulminant hepatitis treated with extracorporeal liver perfusion and exchange transfusion]. Extracorporeal perfusion of pig liver lasting 4 hr, followed by isovolaemic exchange (6 litres in 1 hr) were employed in the management of coma in a case of acute virus hepatitis. Liver perfusion led to temporary regression of coma, whereas transfusion was followed by gradual improvement in the clinical picture; this was apparently not a direct consequence of the procedure adopted. Assessment of the degree of purification obtained with these two methods offers an explanation for the difference in their clinical effectiveness.


[Protoplast production from Candida utilis]. The protoplasts of Candida utilis 295 t were produced with the aid of the lytic enzyme from Helix pomatia. If the cell wall of C. utilis 295 t is not treated with SH-compounds (the best effect was found with L-cysteine), it is resistant to the action of the enzyme. The yield of the protoplasts was 100 per cent after 15 minutes of the incubation with the lytic enzyme if the cells were preliminarily treated with L-cysteine. Optimal conditions for the production of the protoplasts are described.


Levels of urea in the blood and urine of rats fed raw and heated soybean meal. Protein from many sources show negative correlation between their biological values and the levels of urea in the blood or urine of rats or pigs. On the basis of the difference in protein quality between raw and heated soybeans, it would be predicted that there should be a higher level of urea in the blood and urine of rats fed raw soybean meal. In the present study, however, little or no difference in the levels of urea in the blood and urine of animals fed raw or autoclaved soybean meal could be demonstrated. It is postulated that the increased catabolism of the poor quality protein of raw soybeans may be masked by a concomitant depression of liver arginase activity and/or a decrease in the total quantity of amino acids available for catabolism because of lower digestibility of the raw soybean protein.


[Yeasts utilizing methyl alcohol].

[Yeasts utilizing methyl alcohol]. The ability to utilize methanol was found in the yeast strains isolated from forest substrates (Zygowillia pini IBFM y-655, Torulopsis molicshiana IBFM y-657) and in the collection yeast cultures (Candida boidinii IBFM y-588 and IBFM )-587). These yeasts assimilated not only methanol but other alcohols (ethanol, glycerol, erythrol, mannitol, and sorbitol), nitrates or nitrites. Their fermentation ability was low.


Diurnal variation in the feeding pattern of guinea pigs. Male and female guinea pigs maintained under controlled lighting and fed ad libitum exhibit a diurnal fluctuation in feed intake. This is characterised by periods of increased eating activity at the beginning and end of the light period and in the middle of the dark period. However, the feed consumption for the light and dark periods is similar. If the normal lighting cycle is retarded by 6 h, the guinea pigs adjust their diurnal rhythm of eating in the new cycle within 8 days. Similar findings in female rabbits have previously been reported from this laboratory.


[Dynamics of consumption and threshold concentration of glucose during the culture of Torulopsis latvica]. The rate of glucose utilization is lower if Torulopsis latvica is grown on a medium with gradual addition of glucose cf. the complete growth medium. The threshold concentration of glucose, causing a decrease of the respiration activity of the culture, increases in the course of the growth of the microbial population. A correlation is established between the growth phases of the microbial population and the threshold concentration of glucose.


Neurohormonal determinants of sex differences in the hypothalamic regulation of feeding behavior and body weight in the rat. Androgens produce a permanent organizational effect on the brain of rats during a postnatal period of sexual differentiation. In male rats, this process occurs as a consequence of the endogenous release of androgens; however, exposing female rats to exogenous androgens during this critical period initiates the same process, such that early exposure to androgens results in a dose-dependent increase in body weight. Sex-specific gonadal hormones further modulate this basic organizational difference in that androgens and estrogens have facilitatory and inhibitory effects, respectively, on the regulation of food intake (FI) and body weight (BWt). While the biochemical or anatomical basis of this sexual dimorphism in energy regulation has not been defined, the data presented here support the idea of a functional sex difference in the hypothalamic regulation of FI and BWt. In general, the same kinds of behavioral tests which differentiate between normal animals and rats with lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) or lateral hypothalamus (LH) also differentiate between male and female rats. Male rats respond to regulatory challenges more similar to VMH lesioned animals than do female rats. In addition, it has been shown that the VMH may be a primary neural site for the organizational effects of androgens on the brain. Based upon these data and the fact that rats show a sex difference in exactly those regulatory behaviors which are presumably controlled by the VMH, a model is proposed to account for sex differences in energy regulation.


[Radioimmunological determination of luteinizing hormone in the hypophysis and blood of rats during the estrous cycle]. A study was made of the dynamics of the synthesis and secretion of the luteinizing hormone in the course of the sexual cycle in female rats by its determination by the radioimmunological method. Depending on the stages of the sexual cycle there were seen regular changes in the LH content in the hypophysis and the blood of female rats. LH content in the hypophysis was the minimal at 3 p.m. at the estrus stage and the maximal at 6 p.m. at the proestrus stage.


[Communicative aspects of studies in schizophrenia]. Family studies of schizophrenics have shown the importance of factors such as a malignant mother-child symbiosis, changes in the family role structure, pseudo-mutuality and techniques on how 'to drive someone crazy'. More recent studies concern themselves with disturbance of communication and interaction within schizophrenic families. In particular, the problems of double-bind and other paradoxical modes of communication are discussed by the author. In contrast to double-bind as a sociological aetiological model which defines schizophrenia as a metacommunicative disturbance and evoked reaction of the self-system, the hypothesis is proposed of an intrapsychic double-bind which the patient is producing wihtin himself.


Alcoholic cardiomyopathy: the effect of ethanol and acetaldehyde on cardiac protein synthesis. The occurrence of cardiomy opathy in chronic alcoholics is well known, but the causes are as yet unclear (Mitchell and Cohen, 1970). Metabolic effects of ethanol, such as accumulation of triglycerides despite a decrease in fatty acid extraction (Regan et al., 1966; 1969), have been suggested as a cause of ultimate impairment of myofibrillar function. The suggestion has also been made that the detrimental effects of ethanol may actually be an acetaldehyde effect, mediated through the release of norepinephrine causing chronic chronotropic and inotropic effects which may often play a role in the development of the myopathy (James and Bear, 1967). It has been reported that acute exposure to alcohol decreases to one-third that of the control the capacity of the liver to synthesize albumin (Rothschild et al., 1971). In view of the rapid inhibitory effect, it was felt to be of interest to study the effect of alcohol in the perfused heart to see whether myocardial protein synthesis was similarly inhibited. In addition, since alcohol is apparently not metabolized by the heart (Gailis and Verdy, 1971; Lochner, Cowley, and Brink, 1969). The effect of a primary metabolite, acetaldehyde (James and Bear, 1967), synthesized in liver was also studied. The results indicated that acute exposure to levels of alcohol which decreased albumin synthesis in the perfused liver had no effect on protein synthesis in the perfused heart. However, acetaldehyde, at levels that produce a marked chronotropic and inotropic effect, markedly inhibited protein synthesis of total cardiac protein. To further define the inhibition of protein synthesis by acetaldehyde, the effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde on cardiac micorsomes were also studied in cell-free systems. Some of these data were reported previously (Schreiber et al., 1972; 1974).


[Heat resistance of 2 types of protoplasmic movement in Physarum polycephalum plasmodia]. The thermostabilities of the "unordered" and shuttle protoplasmic streamings in myxomycete Physarum polycephalum plasmodia was studied. A comparison of these thermostabilities has revealed that the cessation of the former streaming occurs at temperatures higher than those required for arresting the shuttle streaming. The difference between the two types of protoplasmic streamings is better seen in the rate of repair of protoplasmic streaming halted by a 10 minutes heating at 38-41 degrees C. For example, the unordered streaming is restored 2 minutes after heating plasmodia at 39 degrees for 10 min., while the shuttle streaming is resumed in 24 minutes. It is supposed that the two protoplasmic streamings are independent to an appreciable extent, and that the shuttle streaming, being more complex and coordinated, has appeared in the evolution at later stages than the unordered one. The higher heat sensitivity of the shuttle streaming substantiates a view of the lower stability to injury in regulatory mechanisms if compared to the stability of motile mechanisms.


[Immunological reactivity of suckling pigs born to sows immunized against the lapinized K vaccine]. The lapinized K vaccine was used to immunize 25 five-day-old pigs and 27 ten-day-old pigs. A group of 10 pigs were also included in the experiment as controls. All animals originated from eight sows treated with a lapinized K vaccine on the 70th day of pregnancy. On the 14th day following vaccination part of the pigs of the two test groups were revaccinated. Three months later half of the immunized pigs were infected with a pathogenic swine fever virus. The remaining animals were infected then in a six months time following immunization. Systematic clinical and morphological investigations were carried out. It was concluded that the 5-day-old animals possessed much lower immunologic responsiveness to the lapinized K vaccine against swine fever as against the 10-day-old ones. Revaccination with the same vaccine on the 14th day led to a weaker immune response as compared to single vaccination. The immunity of the vaccinated 10-day-old pigs, originating from sows that had been immunized with the same vaccine during pregnancy, lasted about three months.


[Interdependance between age, stage of lactation and occurrence of subclinical mastitis in cows]. Examined were for subclinical mastitis within the period of the first to tenth lactation 3252 cows of the Bulgarian Brown breed, 1409 cows of the Bulgarian Simmental breed, 1082 cows of the Bulgarian Red breed, 314 cows of the Iskur breed, and 1086 cows of the Black Pied breed. It was established that with advancing in age the frequency of subclinical mastitis occurrence rose. This correlation varied in different breeds. In Iskur cattle the percentage of positively reacting cows in all lactations was more than twice lower than that in the Bulgarian Brown, Simmental, and Red cows. Highest frequency of occurrence as regards the various forms of subclinical mastitis was observed in the first and second month from the beginning of lactation; in later months it was found to drop to a varying extent with the different breeds, and in the ninth and tenth month it again rose. Highest percentage of subclinical mastitis during the first lactation month was established in Bulgarian Brown cows (44%), followed by Bulgarian Simmental cows (36.88%).


[Serum testosterone level in male alcoholics]. The authors examined 48 males, with alcohol disease aged 20-50 and 10 healthy males. The dosing of testosterone was performed by radioimmunologic method with double antibodies. A significant increased level of serum testosterone was established when alcohol patients were examined. Serum testosterone is with the highest values in patients with sexual disturbances and in rather more advanced stages of the disease. The authors explain that paradoxical, at first sight, increase of testosterone in alcoholics by shifting of testosterone metabolism from oxidative way towards reductive way of metabolization.


[Rudimentary uterus in testicular feminization (author's transl)]. The absence of uterus has been regarded by a number of authors as a condition for the diagnosis of testicular feminization, although cases with a rudimentary uterus have been reported. However, their number within the framework of this syndrome cannot be exactly determined. In the present report on a 22 year-old patient with testicular feminization and uterus bicornis solidus a double uterus malformation identical with that described in the Mayer-Rokitansky-küster syndrome was found. Forms of testicular feminization with rudimentary uterus in genetically-male individuals may be explained by the absence of androgens, or the absence of reactivity on the part of the target organ, and a simultaneous disturbance (lessening) of the function of the so-called X-factor (oviduct repressor) during early embryonal development. Our own observations, as well as reports in the literature, suggest a theory according to which testicular feminization may be regarded as a series of morphological variants, from male-oriented forms with vaginal aplasie, hypertrophy of the clitoris and male distribution of pubic hair, to female-orientated ones with a vagina of normal length and a rudimentary uterus. The absence of a uterus as a condition for the definition of the syndrome can be maintained only so far as no cases have, as yet been observed with a normally-developed uterus in a typical position. The karyogram showed a small Y-chromosome. Functional anomalies may only be surmised, since Y-anomalies are frequent (3% in a random collection). The morphology of the testes mirrored the functional embryonal insufficiency (pre-pubertal, undifferentiated testicular tissue with a varying amount of stroma and Leydig cells); the basal excretion of testosterone, 17-ketosteroid fractions and pregnane in the 24-hour urine was within the normal range for males. Oestrogen production over and above the "adrenal values" was also present. The values for plasma testosterone, which are in accordance with those of males of a similar age, are considered as indicating the importance of "androgen resistance in the periphery" as a factor in the aetiology of testicular feminization.


[Effective method of isolating influenza virus on chick embryos]. An effective method for isolation of influenza virus from the nasopharyngeal specimens of patients is described consisting of interruption of the virus reproduction cycle in chorioallantoic membranes of chick embryos (CECAM) at early stages of development of the infection followed by inoculation of infected CECAM homogenate into a fresh homologous medium. The new method of virus isolation is superior to the conventional one by a higher isolation rate, economy of material and time saving which is important for identification of influenza outbreaks.


[Natural occurrence of progesterone in commercial milk products (author's transl)]. By means of radioimmunoassay the concentrations of progesterone in commercial milk products were determined. The values range from 1.4 ng/ml (skin milk) to 300 ng/g (butter). The results show a close correlation between progesterone and fat contents in milk products. It is discussed that - due to recent progress in analytical methods - hormones in their natural occurrence in food are now measurable in micro-quantities which were not yet considered to be of biological importance; these findings should provoke a revision of terms like "free of hormones" in the sense of "zero tolerances".


Pattern of cardiovascular disease in Lusaka. As far as is known, no previous work has been done regarding pattern of cardiovascular diseases in Lusaka. Cardiac case record analysis was done and the pattern obtained is compared with reports from other parts of Africa.


[Human meat-borne salmonellosis: epidemiological reflections on a bacteriological survey of the butchers' shops of a large town (author's transl)]. The bacteriological examination of 100 butchers' blocks has led to the identification of eight strains (two from the same sample) of Salmonella belonging to the following serotypes: S. wien, S. coeln (horsemeat), S. newport (poultry), S. infantis, S. derby, S. panama, S. bredeney, S. sofia. The relative importance of these serotypes in the region of Toulon is considered and compared to the frequency of human serotypes, the most important of which is S. typhi murium. The methods used for isolation seem to have little influence on these apparently-conflicting results.


Non-ribosomal biosynthesis of the cyclic octadecapeptide alamethicin. The biosynthesis of the cyclic octadecapeptide, alamethicin, in a cell-free system of Trichoderma viride has been investigated. It was shown that nucleic acid- and ribo-some-free extracts of Trichoderma viride could catalyze alamethicin biosynthesis. Puromycin, erythromycin and RNAse did not inhibit this synthesis. The Sephadex G 200 filtrate contains a fraction (Kav=0.1) that catalyzes the biosynthesis of alamethicin and shows an ATP-32PPi exchange with 6 of the 8 constituent amino acids of alamethicin. The activated amino acids are bound to the enzyme as aminoacyl adenylates and as thiolesters in a proportion of 1 : 1. About 50% of each bound amino acid could be split off with 7% TCA. The TCA-stable bound amino acid could be split by mercury acetate, hydroxylamine and performic acid. N-ethylmaleimide blocked the binding of 50% of the amino acids to the enzyme, proving that some of the amino acids first bound as aminoacyl adenylates are then transferred into a thiolester bond.


[Experimental studies on the ketogenic effect of high doses of proteins in dairy cows]. A 14-month feeding experiment was conducted with 16 high-yielding cows, each given a daily supplement of 2 kg soya meal regardless of milk yield or the stage of lactation, in comparison with 8 normally-fed cows. At monthly intervals various parameters of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism and of liver function were determined. At the end of the trial, samples of liver were obtained by biopsy for morphological and histochemical examination. Supplementation had a pronounced effect on milk yield and fat content, averaging over 900 kg of milk and 0.2% fat content more than during the preceding year. The parameters of metabolism revealed clear signs of subclinical ketosis, particularly during the first third of the trial period. Changes were greatest during the 3rd and 4th months of the trial, when the protein content of the ration was particularly high (over 3 kg) and when the energy supply ratio was particularly unfavourable (PEQ 300). At the end of the trial some abnormalities were detected in individual animals in the biochemical properties of blood and urine, and the morphological, histochemical and ultrastructural appearance of the liver. These changes included increases in KK, BTS and bilirubin concentrations in the blood; ketonuria, proteinuria; perilobular fat infiltration with glycogen depletion; changes in succinate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities. In most animals the liver seemed to have become adapted to a high protein intake.


[Tolerance of the porcine kidney for temporary ischemia. (Biochemical and morphological studies)]. Pigs were used as experimental animals to study the relationship between the duration of renal ischaemia and the extent of biochemical, serological and pathological changes. In pigs subjected to unilateral nephrectomy, the maximum duration of ischaemia tolerated without adverse effects on vital functions was 3.5 to 4 hours.


[Studies on the endocrine and spermiogenic functions of testes. I. Relationship between the quality of dietary protein and testosterone content in testicular tissue of pubertal rats]. Growing, male Wistar rats were fed for 21 days one of four qualitatively different proteins, as follows: 1. casein and 4% methionine (group K) 2. maize meal and amino acid supplement (group M + As) 3. maize meal alone (group M) 4. casein plus 4% of a 1:3 mixture of methionine and gelatin (group K/G) (These rations constitute a decreasing range of biological activity of the diet.) After 21 days of feeding these rations, the testosterone content per 100 g body weight averaged 80 ng in groups K and M + As, compared with 8 ng in groups M and K/G. Body weight increment averaged 48 g in group K, 40 g in group M + As, 19 g in group M and -9g in group K/G. Total testicular mass averaged 1658, 1730, 1485 and 641 mg in the four groups, respectively.


[Exogenous peroxidase in the eggs of rats during cleavage]. The presence of exogenous peroxidase of the rat's eggs during cleavage at the 1-, 2-, 8-cellular stages and the blastocysts were studied after 30 minute incubation with horseradish peroxidase (molecular weight 40.000, approximate size of the molecule 40 A). The activity of exogenous peroxidase in the area of zona pellucida was established in the perivitelline space, in the cytoplasm - in the pinocytosis vesicles, in certain greater vacuoles and in certain secondary lysosomes. At the stage of blastocyst the penetration of exogenous protein was greater than at earlier stages. The reaction product was found here in the intercellular space and in the blastocyst cavity. The obtained data suggest possible penetration of the protein from the surrounding area into the egg during its passing the uterine tube. The substances influencing the differentiation of the egg or teratogens may penetrate the egg in the same way.


[The rhythm of mucus formation in the small intestinal epithelium of rats and mice]. The diurnal rhythm of mucose formation was studied in the epithelium of villi of the small intestine in rats and mice. The total amount of goblet enterocytes on a villus as well as their amount in the basal, medial and apical areas underwent changes during the day. The period of the greatest mucose formation was noted in the night time. The process of secretion of goblet enterocytes was found to be rhythmical and to alternate with predominant accumulation and producing secretion. The mutual shift of similar processes in the phase was noted at different levels of the villi. In the medial third of the villus the corresponding state is observed later than in the basal third and earlier than in the apical one. The agreement of these processes in time permits considering the villus as a system with circadian organization. The rhythmics of mucose formation in rats and mice has certain species peculiarities: in rats there is no difference in the distribution of goblet enterocytes along the length of the villi, but the diurnal rhythm of the changes of their total amount is more pronounced.


[Diseases caused by inhalation of organic dusts]. The inhalation of organic dusts can provoke in man various types of diseases, being the respiratory system the most frequently involved. A great number of organic dusts provoke, even in small amounts, in genetically pre-disposed atopic subjects, type I allergic reactions, i.e. bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, mediated by IgE reaginic antibodies. On the other hand, a small number of vegetal or animal organic dusts, may provoke type III reactions, mediated by IgG precipitinic antibodies. These reactions can be triggered by a massive and prolonged exposition, probably even in normal subjects and be localized in bronchial tree (precipitnic asthma) or in the pulmonar parenchyma (extrinsic allergic alveolitis). From 5,000 patients observed in the Allergology Unit of the Lisbon University Hospital, a group of 27 cases of extrinsic allergic alveolitis or precipitinic asthma were isolated. This group comprises 21 cases of birds breeders, 4 cases of suberosis, 1 case of yeasts lung and 1 case of seaweed threshing lung. These last two situations have not been previously described and must probably be added to other situations of extrinsic allergic alveolitis described for the first time in Portugal (Vineyard sprayer's lung, furrier's lung). The same type of clinical disease has been observed in 4 patients exposed to inorganic dusts (fuel oil and plastic). In 2 from 21 cases of bird breeder's lung, systemic symptoms without pulmonary manifestations have been observed; in the first patient a thrombocytopenic prupura experimentally reproductible by skin or inhalation tests with a platelet metabolic lesion marked by a decrease in platelet ATP, in the presence of complex of human and bird's serum. Some of these platelet disturbances can be provoked by a vascular lesion in a type III Arthus-like reaction, with intra-vascular coagulation. In another patient with positive precipitins to bird's dropplets and lung histology of the usual pattern in these situations, uveitis has been observed. This uveitis was worsened by skin tests with bird's serum. In a third typical case of birds breeder's disease with positive skin and inhalation tests and positive precipitins, an IgA monoclonal gammapathy has been observed. These patients are always as symptomatic 5 years after the diagnosis. The occurence of thrombocytopenic purpura and monoclonal gammapathy in birds breeder' have probably not been previously reported. An increase in serum immunoglobulins IgA and IgG, but not in IgM has been usually observed in the diseases provoked by inhalation of organic dusts. This pattern reverses after allergen withdrawal. It is possible that the monoclonal gammapathy was related to prolonged antigenic stimulation and proliferation of the IgA producing clone. The increase of immunoglobulins has not been so clear in the some observed cases of inhalation of inorganic dusts. Cellular type IV reactions have been however observed in these patients...


Congenital malformations in twins: epidemiologic survey. Among 1195 twins born in the Collaborative Perinatal Project, for whom information was available, 219 (18.33%) were found to have malformations, 179 (14.98%) single and 40 (3.35%) multiple. The frequency of malformations and malformed individuals was significantly higher in twins than in singletons from the same population but the difference was entirely contributed by MZ twins. This held true for both major and minor malformations. There was no significant difference in the frequency of multiple malformations. Negro twins were more frequently malformed than white, and male twins were more frequently malformed than female. Twins had a significant, more than two-fold, increase of cardiovascular and alimentary tract malformations, and smaller increases of central nervous system, musculoskeletal, ear, and respiratory malformations over singletons. Significantly increased among specific malformations were macrocephaly, encephalocele, cleft lip and palate, anomalies of the diaphragm, cardiac septal defects, tracheoesophageal fistula, malformations of the alimentary tract, inguinal and umbilical hernias, and cystic kidney. A significant increase of malformations in twins over singletons occurred only in live births who survived to one year. There was a small but not significant increase of malformations in twin fetal deaths and deaths beyond the neonatal period; but among neonatal deaths, twins were less frequently malformed than singletons. Monoamniotic twins had higher mortality, more complications of delivery, and significantly more congenital malformations than diamniotic twins. One of the 9 pairs of MA twins in the study was a conjoined thoracopagus twin pair with multiple cardiovascular, alimentary, and other malformations. The case is interesting because of the medical history of the mother before and during pregnancy, and its possible bearing on the cause of MZ twinning and of congenital malformations. There was no difference in the frequency of malformations among first- and second-born twins. Concordance rates were significantly higher among MZ than among DZ twins for any malformation as well as for the categories of major, minor, single and multiple malformations. In the majority of cases, the twins were concordant for the same malformation. Concordance rates of MZ twins were consistently higher than those of DZ for all systems, but the difference was significant only for the musculoskeletal system, comprising mostly clubfoot. Because of the small numbers involved, the results of the concordance analysis should be interpreted with caution.


[Experimental findings concerning the effect of alcohol on fertilization]. Experiments were conducted on golden hamsters. A study was made of the effect of alcohol on the fertilization process and the early stages of embryonic development. In chronic alcoholism there occurred deviations in the early development of the embryos. A single inebriation, particularly during rut and mating, caused disturbances in the fertilization and polyspermia became greater. An experimental model for the establishment and studying the disturbances of fertilization resulting from the action not only of alcohol, but also of other substances and preparations, is suggested.


[The effect of pharmacologic substances on intraspecies aggression]. It is found, that aggression which occures in rats under inevitable painful stimulation is coursed as excessive excitation of the rats. This aggression may be used for revealing the sedative effect of drugs. The method of fighting for the stool which is caused by motivated fighting for the territory was worked out. This motivated aggression may be used for revealing the tranquillizing effect of drugs. Using these methods it is found that stelasine, haloperidol, amitriptyline, imipramine, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam and benactyzine in small doses have a tranquillizing effect, while pentobarbital and chlorpromazine have primarily a sedative effect.


[Embryonic development of three Cestoda from the genus Acanthobothrium (Tetraphyllidea, Onchobothriidae) (author's transl)]. The embryonic development from the egg to the oncosphere is examined in three Cestoda: Acanthobothrium coronatum (Rud., 1819), Acanthobothrium filicolle, Zschokke, 1888 and Acanthobothrium zschokkei Baer, 1948 (Tetraphyllidea, Onchobothriidae). The three ontogeneses have in common the following data: -- Two vitelline cells pass with the zygote into the ootype where a thin shell is formed out of a material which comes from the vitelline cells. -- At first the cleavage is equal, then it becomes unequal resulting in the formation of four types of blastomeres: macromere, secondary macromere, mesomere and micromere. -- The preoncospheral phase is characterized first by the blastomere multiplication and later by their decreasing number and differentiation. -- The embryonic envelopes are formed within the shell. The vitelline layer includes the cytoplasm, a vitelline nucleus and possibly the secondary macromere, the nucleus of which always lies against the outer membrane of this envelope. The syncytial embryophore develops from mesomeres coming from the embryo. -- The oncosphere is limited by its owm membrane whose posterior region seems to double in order to form a kind of cap bending over the six hook tips. The final number of embryonic hexacantha cells is relatively low.


[Sexology].

[Sexology]. Whatever type of practice he may have, the physician is confronted daily with an increasingly important demand for help concerning sexual problems, be they "masked" in terms of functional symptomatology, or be they openly "verbalised" as sexual difficulties. Possessing no real sexological background, [corrected] and having merely heard of "methods", without knowing either their bases or their qualities, the physician is not capable of responding in more than a minimally effective manner. Confronted with this need, american researchers have perfected, with Masters and Johnson, new techniques which have been borne out by their statistical results. The originality of these techniques lies in their being carried out by a couple, centered around the relation of the solliciting couple, and aiming at a psychosensorial reeducation. If the application of such methods, as well as sexology research and training, is still timid in Western Europe, their importance is no way lessened. They represent, in fact, for the psychiatrist, a new way of approaching sexuality, by means of: --medical team work; --"manipulation" of body language; --and perhaps, also... reality.


The possible mode of action of iproniazid. I. Differential luteolytic effect of iproniazid before and after the establishment of placental adolescence. Iproniazid, a very specific monoamine oxidase inhibitor, at a dose level of 200 mg/kg body weight induced luteolysis and caused lysis of deciduomata as well as resorption of the established embryos. Exogenous replacement of prolactin, a most consistent stimulant of the endocrine functioning of corpus luteum, or progesterone absolutely reversed the adversity developed following iproniazid injection. Moreover, failure of iproniazid even at a higher dose level in the deviation of the normal sequence of pregnancy after the establishment of placental adolescence strongly tempting to suggest that iproniazid could only show its luteolytic effect when the hypothalamic-pituitary complex is exclusively involved in the maintennance of pregnancy.


Studies on the mechanism of the ovulation-inhibiting effect of 19-norsteroids in cyclic rats. Experiments performed in cyclic female rats demonstrated an equal ovulation-inhibiting activity of the 19-norgestagens norethynodrel, lynestrenol and norethisterone acetate after injection in oestrus and metoestrus, and after daily administration from oestrus to pro-oestrus. The results furthermore show that, after application of the minimal ovulation-inhibiting doses during oestrus and metoestrus, these substances 1. induce an increase in prolactin secretion, 2., with the exception of norethisterone acetate, possess a hypophysial site of action, 3. are able to induce deciduoma formation following traumatization of the uterus, and 4. maintain the reactivity of the cyclic corpora lutea to the injection of prolactin. The findings suggest that the prolactin-releasing and luteotrophic action of the progestagens studied may form an essential part of the mechanisms that are responsible for the inhibition of ovulation observed in rats after administration over one cycle.


Plasma levels of LH and prolactin in cows following enucleation of the persistent corpus luteum. LH and prolactin were measured in plasma of 5 cows before and after enucleation of the persistent corpus luteum. Two cows returned to normal oestrous cycles following enucleation and did not differ from normal, cycling cows, with respect to hormone levels. Three other ones developed follicular cysts following enucleation and had decreased levels of LH and prolaction as compared with cycling cows. On the day of enucleation the fluctuations in LH-levels were higher than either before or after enucleation.


Peripheral plasma levels of lh in the cow throughout the estrous cycle. Peripheral plasma levels of LH during the bovine estrous cycle were measured in 5 cows and one heifer by using double antibody radioimmunoassay. The sources of variability of basal LH-levels were analyzed in detail. The range of basal levels of LH WAS 0.3--3.5 Ng/ml. Between days 11 and 14 of the cycle the mean daily levels were lower in all cows by about 28% as compared with the remaining parts of the cycle. This did not seem to be directly influenced by changes in progesterone levels. A single peak of LH was observed around estrus. The magnitude of that preovulatory peak varied from 6.7 to 16.0 mg/ml, and lasted only a few hours.


On possible genetic and epigenetic modes of diabetes transmission. 1 In 4058 diabetics, an inverse relation (negative semilogarithmic correlation) was found between the age of onset and the familial aggregation of diabetes mellitus (P less than 0.01). Hence, juvenile (especially infantile) diabetes appears to be predominantly caused by genetic defects (mutations), whereas adult onset diabetes appears to be essentially based on epigenetic factors. 2. In 3890 diabetics with an onset age of more than 10 years, a highly significant predominance of familial diabetes aggregation was observed on the maternal side as compared to the paternal side (P less than 0.001). This finding suggests the possibility of an epigenetic ("teratogenetic") mode of diabetes transmission mediated by the mother.


Toxicity of platinum (IV) salts for cells of pulmonary origin. The acute toxicity of tetravalent platinum was studied in vitro by use of rabbit alveolar macrophages and human lung fibroblasts (strain WI-38). Alveolar macrophages were exposed in tissue culture for 20 hr to platinum dioxide (PtO2) or platinum tetrachloride (PtCl4). There was no evidence of dissolution of PtO2 and no decrease in viable cells at concentrations as high as 500 mug/ml. PtCl4 was soluble in the macrophage system and after a 20-hr exposure, resulted in loss of viability in 50% of the cells originally present at a concentration of 0.30mM (59 mug Pt/ml). After a 20-hr exposure, rapidly growing human lung fibroblasts were rendered nonviable by PtCl4 at comparable concentrations. A decrease in total cellular ATP was observed at lower concentrations in macrophages and fibroblasts along with a reduction in phagocytic activity of macrophages as compared to controls. With the fibroblasts, a 50% decrease in incorporation of 14C-thymidine was observed after a 22-hr exposure to PtCl4 at a concentration  of 0.007mM; higher concentrations were required to inhibit the incorporation of 14C-uridine and 14C-leucine. Time-course studies indicated that the inhibition of 14C-thymidine incorporation was nearly complete (90%) after 7 hr in the presence of 0.06mM PtCl4. Under the same conditions, there was little inhibition (15%) of 14C-leucine incorporation and moderate inhibition (50%) of 14C-uridine incorporation. Higher concentrations of PtCl4 were required to inhibit 14C-thymidine incorporation into the acid-soluble fraction than were required to inhibit incorporation into the acid-precipitable fraction. Hence, the preferential inhibition of DNA synthesis by PtCl4 may result from an impairment of the incorporation process.


[Participation of brain cholinergic mechanisms in the action of neuroleptics]. Tests conducted with mice demonstrated the neuroleptics droperidol, galoperidol and aethaperazine capable of subduing in mice greatly the agressive reaction provoked by an electric stimulation of pain and to distinctly raise at the same time the sensitivity of the M-cholinoreactive systems of the brain to the tremor-inducing effect of arecoline. Amizyl (benactyzil) and cyclodol, by abolishing this M-cholinopositive action of the neuroleptics, greatly reduce, at the same time, their antiagressive activity, Il may be presumed that in the antiagressive activity of neuroleptics the activation of the M-cholinergic plays a definite part in cerebral mechanisms produced by them.


[Effect of methyluracil on the sensitivity of animals to cardiac glycosides and on the coronary blood flow]. Tests conducted with rabbits, cats and mice showed methyluracil to lower the sensitivity to strophanthin in rabbits with myocardial infarction and in intact mice and its intravenous introduction reducing the toxicity of Adonis L. in cats. Oral administration of methyluracil for one week did not prevent in critical tests a strophanthin-induced arrhythmia in intact rabbits and in those with myocardial infarction. Intravenous administration of methyluracil caused an increase of the coronary circulation rate.


[Comparative macro- and microscopic anatomy of the nasal cavity of European insectivores]. The topography of the nasal fossa and its epithelium were studied in 4 European Insectivores, Sorex araneus L., Crocidura russula (Hermann), Talpa europaea L. and Erinaceus europaeus L. The following results were obtained: 1. The length of the nasal capsules is in relation to the length of the head in all 4 species the same. 2. The noses of all forms studies, except E. europaeus are very similar because of the trunk-shaped pars anterior nasi. 3. The numbers of turbinals are constant. 4. Of all turbinals the atrio-turbinal is ventrally the rostral one, and in the shrews it is considerably longer than in E. europaeus and T. europaea. 5. There is a maxillo-turbinal caudal of the atrio-turbinal. Both of these turbinals can be found separated by an incisura atrio-maxillo-turbinalis in T. europaea and the shrews. In E. europaeus the skeleton of the 2 turbinals is bridged by a fold of mucous membrane. 6. The maxillo-turbinal is bilamellar in T. europaea and the shrews, with each of the laminae rolled up in opposite direction. The surface of the maxillo-turbinal of E. europaeus is increased enormously by means of secondary folds. 7. The naso-turbinal begins almost at the tip of the nose and approaches the lamina cribrosa, where it disappears. One can discern 3 differently shaped parts of the naso-turbinal: Crus orale, crus intermedium and crus aborale. The nasoturbinal originates out of 2 different structures (the crus orale of the naso-turbinal and the lamina semicircularis) which are ontogenetically different, however, they have become fused during ontogeny, thus forming a structure which seems to be homogenous. 8. There are 3 ethmo-turbinals. The 1st ethmo-turbinal is the largest one and its free anterior tip is found in the intermediate part of the nasal fossa. Its epi-turbinal is an accessory lamella found in the aboral part of the first ethmoturbinal. Except in S. araneus it always appears in paraseptal views between the ethmo-turbinal I and II. 9. There are 3 ecto-turbinals. 2 ecto-turbinals are situated between the naso-turbinal and the ethmo-turbinal I, whereas the 3rd ecto-turbinal appears between ethmo-turbinal I and II. 10. There are 3 recesses of the lateral parts of the nasal fossa: The recessus frontalis anterior is found rostral-dorsally of the pars intermediate of the nasal fossa. The recessus frontalis posterior communicates with the former, but is located caudal of it. The 3rd recessus sphenoidalis is actually a subcerebral niche of the nasal fossa in the os sphenoidale. 11. There is only one pneumatic cavity in Insectivores, the sinus maxillaris. 12. The nasal fossa can be divided into a regio vestibularis, regio respiratoria and regio olfactoria. The epithelium of the nasal fossa is similar in all forms studied. 13. The anterior part of the oral regio vestibularis is outlined by keratinized epithelium; posteriorly, by loosing its stratum corneum, it changes into unkeratinized pseudostratified epithelium. 14...


[Development of 0-methylhydroxylamine induced mutations causing resistance to 8-azaguanine in Chinese hamster cells]. The dependence of the yield of mutations of the resistance to 8-azaguanine induced with 0-methylhydroxylamine on the number of cell generations that have passed by the time of the creation of selective conditions and the existence of a phenotypic lag period is established. The highest rate of mutations is found after 8-azaguanine treatment in two generations. As the number of generations increased, the number of detectable mutations decreased. A dependence is observed between the induced mutation frequency and death of cells as the latter are transferred to selective conditions after two generations. In experiments on induced mutagenesis, one can obtain more exact quantitative characteristics by introducing a selective agent into the cell suspension but not by treating growing cells in colonies.


[The effect of 0-methylhydroxylamine on the chromosomes of Chinese hamster cells]. 0-methylhydroxylamine increases the frequency of all kinds of aberrations in Chinese hamster cells, except chromatid exchange. The percentage of aberrant metaphases and the average number of breakages per cell increases by 5,5-6 times as compared with the control. OMHA proves to be very effective inducer of chromosome aberrations. Since OMHA induces, except gene mutations, also chromosome aberrations, there are reasons to suppose that its effect is connected not only with transitions, but also with some other molecular mechanisms.


[Collateral formation in abdominal arterial vascular obstructions]. The development of different collateral routes in abdominal arterial occlusion is reported. In three case reports the possible collateral flow is demonstrated. It is shown that impressive occlusions do not correlate to the symptoms the patients present. Therefore it is necessary to remember the phenomenon more frequently. The therapeutic approach--in the acute stadium preferably surgical, in other cases more conservative--is not presented in this paper.


Cell-mediated immunologic status of healthy members of families with a history of leprosy. The cell-mediated immune status of 20 apparently healthy children from families with a history of leprosy has been studied. They have been compared with 20 age- and sex-matched controls from families with no history of leprosy. Lymphocyte transformation tests using PHA, PPD and lepromin and skin tests to lepromin, PPD and candida were carried out. No evidence of a depression of cell-mediated immunity in the children from families with leprosy was obtained. The only two children giving a negative Mitsuda lepromin skin test both subsequently developed leprosy in the succeeding 16 months. One was classified histologically as indefinite lepromatous and the other as borderline lepromatous. This emphasizes the practical significance of a negative lepromin skin test in an endemic leprosy area as a prognosis of clinical lepromatous leprosy.


Anthropozoonotic helminthiases in Australasia: Part 3: - studies on the prevalence and public health implications of helminth parasites of dogs and cats in urban environments. Man has acquired helminth infections at different times during his evolutionary history and animals have and do serve an important role in supplementing these acquisitions. Helminth species are divided into those which accompanied man as he emerger as a species and those which he has since acquired from domestic, wild and domiciliated animals by breakdown of ecological, physiological and immunological barriers (Sprent 1969). With particular reference to helminth zoonoses transmitted through domesticated animals, the role played by dogs and cats in disease transmission to man (in urban environments) has been largely overlooked. In the Australasian region, the most important helminth zoonoses transmitted by dogs and cats in heavily urbanised areas as Toxocara sp., Ancylostoma sp. and Dirofilaria immitis. The prevalence, geographic distribution and major epidemiological considerations for each parasite are discussed with the view that future control and/or eradication programs should be based on a sound epidemiological understanding of the natural life history of the helminths concerned.


Immunologic aspects of leprosy with special reference to the study of immunoglobulin E. The serum levels of IgG, IgM, IgD and IgE have been determined in normal subjects, individuals suffering from ascariasis and filariasis, and in leprosy patients. Allergic and parasitic diseases were excluded in these normal subjects and in leprosy patients before they were taken for the study of their serum IgE. The circulating IgG was significantly raised in both tuberculoid and lepromatous forms of leprosy and also in filariasis; IgM was significantly elevated in only the lepromatous form of leprosy, ascariasis as well as in filariasis; while  IgA was exclusively raised in both forms of leprosy. IgD was detected in the sera of more subjects with ascariasis and filariasis than in normal individuals and leprosy patients. The mean level of serum IgE in 35 normal Indian subjects was 1,025 I.U. per ml, 9 of them (25%) having serum IgE concentrations above 700 I.U. per ml. The highest mean level of serum IgE was found in ascariasis (7,328 I.U. per ml), followed by leprosy (5,180 I.U. per ml), and filariasis (4,244 I.U. per ml). Furthermore, no significant difference between the mean serum IgE levels of tuberculoid and lepromatous leprosy patients was observed. Although the rise of serum IgE level in these parasitic diseases, as well as in leprosy, was spectacular, the augmented synthesis of this unique class of immunoglobulins was not invariably present in all patients. The results have been discussed on the basis of recent ideas on immunoglobulin synthesis.


Macromolecular components of the vitelline membrane of hen's egg. I. Membrane structure and its deterioration with age. The vitelline membrane of hen's egg has been successfully solubilized in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), guanidine hydrochloride and urea solutions, and its macromolecular components examined. SDS-gel electrophoresis of the membrane solution revealed the presence of three major components designated I, II, and III, all containing carbohydrate and protein. The approximate molecular weights of components I and II were 32,000 and 260,000, respectively, and the sedimentation coefficients were 2.2S and 4.3S. Component III was in an aggregated form which disintegrated into smaller components upon reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol. It was found that component II (4.3S component) deteriorated during storage of the egg with the concomitant formation of degraded components. The loss of this component was accompanied by a gradual decrease of the neutral sugar content of the vitelline membrane. On the basis of these data, the membrane structure and its deterioration during storage are discussed.


Platelet function in leprosy.

Platelet function in leprosy. In a group of 50 leprosy patients, platelet function tests were found to be abnormal in 44. More than half the patients showed significant impairment in platelet adhesiveness and aggregation to collagen which correlated best with increase in serum IgM levels. ADP-induced aggregation of platelets was not a major defect and Pf-3 availability was reduced only in a fourth of the patients. In vitro incubation of collagen with plasma from leprosy patients significantly reduced its ability to clump normal platelets. This appears to be the first report of defective platelet function in leprosy, and it is thought that such changes may in part be due to increased IgM globulins in the blood and/or to alterations in the collagen brought about thereby.


The Kveim test in leprosy.

The Kveim test in leprosy. The response to lepromin and Kveim antigens was compared and studied in 15 leprosy patients who were tuberculin negative. Of the 11 lepromin positive tuberculoid patients, 4 were Kveim positive, 1 was equivocal, and the rest were negative. Of the four lepromin negative lepromatous patients, one gave a positive Kveim test while the other three were negative. It has been shown that false-positive Kveim reactions are found in a higher percentage of South Indian leprosy patients than in those of other backgrounds, such as Japanese and Malaysian Chinese patients. It is also suggested that no definite relationship exists between the reaction of leprosy patients to lepromin and Kveim antigens. We further suggest that the anergy exhibited by lepromatous patients to the antigen of M. leprae is specific, as evidenced by the positive Kveim response in one lepromatous patient.


[Pregnancy in diabetic women. Apropos of 9 pregnancies. Management]. Pregnancy in a diabetic woman carries with it a risk of intra-uterine death for the foetus. In this paper the authors report on 9 cases of pregnancy in diabetic women and the results obtained when a systematic management of the condition involving delivery before term, always by caesarean section, is carried out. It is absolutely vital to have perfect stabilisation of the diabetic state during the pregnancy, in order to do this the patient must be seen very often and brought into hospital early, soon after the 28th week. It would appear to us that caesarean delivery is the delivery of choice because it allows the extraction of a foetus in good condition, at a chosen time when a trained team is ready. It is essential to end the pregnancy somewhere between the 36th and 37th week of the pregnancy and sometimes even earlier if there is associated pathology such as toxaemia. This systematic method implies a constant check on the fetal well-being by oestriol estimations, although we realise that the levels are still low between the 7th and 8th month and that watching a graph that is steadily climbing allows the team to wait until the calculated date for bringing the pregnancy to its conclusion. In two cases the pregnancy was interrupted early because of variations in the graph; in one early delivery was justified by the development of toxaemia and in the other a moderate drop in the oestriol levels led us to intervene early. When there is a drop in the levels is it very important to ensure that is is due to fetal distress and not to daily physiological changes because the risk is of excessive prematurity if induction is carried out too soon.


Serum factors affecting the cell migration inhibition response to lepromin. Cell migration inhibition of white blood cells in the presence of total protein lepromin (TPL) was studied in ten lepromatous patients, six tuberculoid patients, and ten normal controls; adding normal, tuberculoid, lepromatous, or no serum to the culture medium. Using normal or no serum, lepromatous patients and skin negative controls gave negative reactions, while tuberculoid patients and skin positive controls gave positive cell migration inhibitions. The addition of lepromatous serum gave a very significant overall increase of migration indices in all groups of subjects, turning to negative the positive reactions of lepromatous patients and positive controls. On the contrary, the addition of tuberculoid serum gave a decrease of migration index in all groups of subjects, turning to positive the reactions in lepromatous patients. The significance of these circulating factors, able to enhance or inhibit cell migration inhibition responses in patients and controls, is discussed.


Mean circadian cosinors of vital signs, performance of blood and urinary constituents in patients with leprosy. We have herewith examined the characteristics of circadian rhythms in patients with lepromatous leprosy, active or inactive, allowing a comparison with corresponding properties of rhythms in healthy subjects mapped earlier. Group results were illustrated by cosinor plots, produced directly on microfilm by computer. Eventually such reference standards in the form of cosinors, among other displays, notably of waveform, may be individualized and carried on a person's health record. Such a quantitative assessment of an individual's rhythms in health may serve for rigorous comparison with any changes accompanying increased susceptibility or occult or overt disease.


Identification of the chemical structures of schizoflavins as 7,8-dimethyl-10-(2,3,4-trihydroxy-4-formylbutyl)isoalloxazine and 7,8-dimethyl-10-(2,3,4-trihydroxy-4-carboxybutyl)isoalloxazine. Studies to elucidate the chemical structures of new flavins formed by Schizophyllum commune, namely schizoflavin (SF), were carried out. It was found by an enzymatic study that riboflavin (FR) was apparently converted via SF2 to SF1, and that SF2 was a direct precursor of SF1. SF1 was crystallized from water and repeated recrystallization produced yellow needles. The carboxylic group in SF1 and the aldehyde group in SF2 were detected by spot tests. Elemental analyses and the spectroscopic analyses of the crystalline SF1 supported the existence of carboxylic group in the terminal of its ribityl moiety. From these experimental results, schizoflavins were revealed to be oxidation products of FR that C-5' site of its ribityl moiety is oxidized. Consequently, SF1 and SF2 were identified as 7,8-dimethyl-10-(2,3,4-trihydroxy-4-carboxybutyl) isoalloxazine and 7,8-dimethyl-10-(2,3, 4-trihydroxy-4-formylbutyl) isoalloxazine, respectively.


Proliferation of mouse ascites mammary carcinoma MM2 cells in the primary culture. Culture conditions suitable for active proliferation in primary culture of transplantable mouse ascites mammary carcinoma MM2 cells were investigated; kind of serum, its optimal concentration, composition of medium, inoculum size of cells, addition of ascites, conditioned medium or hormones, and others. The most active growth was obtained in the medium consisting of 5% fetal calf serum and 95% RPMI-1640, so far as examined. The addition of 1 mug/ml of estriol more accelerated the proliferation. MM2 cells were found to have preserved their tumorigenicity after 5 months of cultivation.


[Hereditary acrokeratotic poikiloderma]. A new case of hereditary acrokeratotic poikiloderma of Weary is presented by the authors. There was no eczematoid dermatitis and the patient was the only member of the family affected. There were similarities with the cases published by Piñol Aguadé and co-workers. The authors suggest that this disease can appear in two forms; a complete form (Weary type) and an incomplete form (Piñol type). The histology of the keratotic lesions is reported for the first time. The lesions are very similar in the 15 cases published up to 1975, and the authors believe that it constitutes a well defined entity.


[Congenital granular cell epulis].

[Congenital granular cell epulis]. A case of congenital granular-cell epulis is reported. This tumor is most frequent in females and it grows in the incisive part of the gum. Histologically it is characterized by large eosinophilic granular cells in a very vascular stroma. The surface epithelium underlying the granular cell proliferation is not hyperplastic.


[Epidermal peripilar nevus].

[Epidermal peripilar nevus]. A classic case of Epidermal Nevus with a particular peripilar arrangement is presented. Histopathologically, acanthosis, hyperkeratosis and papillomatosis is observed. The indemnity of the hair appendages was demonstrated in three biopsies. Some observations are made about the classification of the epidermal nevus following recent research which includes epidermolytic hyperkeratosis and linear includes epidermolytic hyperkatosis and linear inflammatory nevus. Follicular and comedo nevus, which was included in the differential diagnosis of this patient, is discussed.


[Is there chromomycosis in Spain?].

[Is there chromomycosis in Spain?]. The first case of autochthonous chromomycosis in Spain is described by the author. The patient lived in the Valencia province and the mycologic investigation was carried out by Prof. Dante Borelli of Venezuela.


[Transformation of an intraepidermic epithelioma into spinous cell malpighian epithelioma]. A case of carcinomatous transformations of an intraepidermal epithelioma is presented by the authors. The rarity of this transformation is emphasized.


[Annulus migrans and bacterid of Andrews]. A case of annulus migrans associated with a Pustular Bacterid of Andrews is presented by the authors. The relationship between annulus migrans and psoriasis is discussed.


[Postoperative synergistic progressive gangrene]. A case of synergistic postoperative progressive gangrene is presented. After a bibliographic review and a description of the main clinical chacteristics of the condition, the authors emphasize the fact that tests for cell mediated immunity showed slight impairment. Howeves the immediate type sensitivity tests and the leucocyte function were normal. The patient was treated successfully with fusidic acid after other antibiotics had proved ineffective.


[Basal and spinous cell epitheliomas].

[Basal and spinous cell epitheliomas]. A study on 502 epithelial cutaneous cancers was carried out by the authors. The study included 377 basal cell carcinomas (57,5% in males and 42,4% in females) and 125 squamous cell carcinomas (78,4% in males and 21,6% in females). The basal cell carcinomas in both sexs had an earlier onset than the squamous cell carcinomas.


Blood-vessel neoplasms in children: epidemiologic aspects. In a search for etiologic leads to blood-vessel neoplasms, we examined 111 death certificates of U.S. children who died from 1960 to 1968 of angiosarcoma, hemangioendothelioma, and hemangiopericytoma and 127 medical records of similar cases from 12 institutes. The available data provided no leads to environmental agents (vinyl chloride, thorotrast, arsenic) that can produce vascular liver tumors in adults, but one infant, who died from a hepatic tumor, lived within a mile of an industrial source of polyvinyl chloride. About half of the children with hepatic hemangioendotheliomas had associated skin hemangiomas, which may aid in the differential diagnosis of liver tumors in infancy. Hepatic hemangioendotheliomas also predominated in girls, a possible clue to the origin of the tumor. A familial influence was suggested by one sibling aggregation of cutaneous hemangioendotheliomas.


[Microsurgical experiments in 12 cases of intramedullary hemangioblastomas]. 12 patients (8 males and 4 females) operated on for intramedullary hemangioblastomas, using microsurgical techniques are presented. Special consideration is given to the clinical and pathological aspects. The results of surgery are discussed. The family history is positive in 4 cases. Clinical aspect : a) the initial symptoms is usually pain (9 patients) motor deficits were present in 2 cases. Only 1 patient presented visual disturbances at the beginning of the disease. b) the interval of time between the first symptom and the fully developped clinical picture is shorter than 1 year in 4 patients and longer (up to 18 years) in 8 patients. c) the full clinical picture consists of motor deficit, sensory disturbances (especially dorsal columns), cerebellar signs, raised intracranial pressure, sphincter disturbances, retinal angiomas, arterial hypertension and psychoorganic syndrome in decreasing order of frequence. Pathological findings at opsurgery : There are. a) 3 cases of hemangioblastomas at the bulbo-cervical junction b) 5 cases of cerebello-medullary hemangoblastomas. c) 4 cases of medullary hemangioblastomas. 1 patient had renal and pancreatic cysts. 2 patients had pheochromocytomas with arterial hypertension. Operative technique. Microsurgical techniques, bipolar coagulation, and continuous irrigation of the operative field are of primordial importance. The tumor must be approached from the periphery and never from the center. One should coagulate the afferent vessels first and the efferent vessels only at the end. Results of surgery. In 1 case, only a partial removal was possible and the patient did not improve. A complete removal was possible in 11 patients with the following results : -- 4 patients are in excellent condition and have a normal socio-professional life. -- 5 patients improved and are independant. The are able to perform partial time-work. -- 1 patient, with bulbar extension of the tumor improved from the motor point of view, but he presents a permanent. deficit of the IX, X, XI cranial nerves. He has a permanent tracheal canula. -- 1 patient improved following surgery, but he died 12 months later (stress ulcer and cardiac decompensation). The autopsy revealed a recurrence of the cerebellar tumor.


[Statistical notes and long-term results in 178 patients operated for benign breast diseases]. 178 patients of both sexes operated on for benign conditions of the mamilla between 1957 and 1967 were reviewed and the results are reported. The most frequent condition was sclerocystic mastosis, followed by benign cancer and forms with chronic inflammatory aetiology. The most affected sex, obviously, was the female. At follow-up, on average 9 yrs after operation, 19 female patients reported the reappearance of benign neoformations of the mamilla while carcinoma had occurred in a further 7 patients.