Evidence for parallel development of tolerance to the hyperactivating and discoordinating effects of ethanol. Rats maintained on diets containing 6.5% ethanol or equicaloric sucrose solutions were challenged at weekly intervals with 1.5 or 2.0 g/kg ethanol or isotonic saline 14 h after withdrawal from the diet. Tolerance developed to both the hyperactivating (increased line crossings and time active) and discoordinating (disrupted rotarod performance) effects of the 1.5 g/kg dose of ethanol, but was less obvious with the 2.0 g/kg dose. Chlorpromazine (2.5 mg/kg) had a greater depressant effect in animals chronically treated with ethanol, suggesting that some alterations in the functioning of noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic systems may accompany chronic ethanol treatment. However, amphetamine and propranolol did not appear to affect ethanol- and sucrose-treated rats differently. The present studies have therefore shown a parallel development of tolerance to the discoordinating and hyperactivating effects of ethanol and have implicated an underlying noradrenergic and/or dopaminergic mechanism, although the precise nature of the mechanism has not been clarified.


The effects of two antidepressants, imipramine and viloxazine, upon driving performance. Forty male volunteers were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups on a double-blind basis: (1) Imipramine--25 mg t.d.s., (2) Viloxazine--50 mg t.d.s., (3) Placebo, and (4) Control--no tablets. Tests were carried out (1) before treatment, (2) 2 h after the first dose, (3) on Day 3 after 7 doses, and (4) on Day 7 after 21 doses. The driving tasks consisted of (1) weaving around a series of bollards while simultaneously responding to an auditory logic task and (2) a gap acceptance task. Using an analysis of covariance repeated measures design, it was found that imipramine tended to increase the level of risk acceptable to the subject as compared to either placebo or control. Imipramine also impaired performance on other tasks. Viloxazine appeared to be little different from either placebo or control on any of the tasks.


Behavioural antagonism between chlorpromazine and noise in man. The effects of 25 mg and 75 mg of chlorpromazine and of 95 dBA of white noise were studied separately and together in 12 male human subjects. Performance, analysed by signal detection theory, showed that both noise and chlorpromazine applied separately caused impairment in similar ways. Suspended judgements were reduced and negative decisions correspondingly increased at low levels of evidence. When applied together, chlorpromazine and noise cancelled out each other's adverse effects. It is concluded that chlorpromazine is a specific behavioural antagonist of the stressful effects of noise.


Rapid tolerance to the motor effects of p-chloroamphetamine in rats. Studies were designed to test the hypothesis that tolerance to the effect of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) on motor activity in rats would develop with repeated injections. In related biochemical studies the effects of single or repeated doses of PCA on the in vitro synaptosomal uptake of 3H-NE and 3H-DA and on the in vivo metabolism of intraventricularly administered 3H-NE and 3H-DA were investigated. The administration of 10 mg/kg of PCA induced a complex behavioral syndrome, which was quantified by scoring specific symptoms after direct observation. In agreement with previous data, this syndrome appears to be mediated by a release of 5-HT since pretreatment with PCA prevented its development on subsequent injection of the drug. After the administration of lower doses of PCA, total motor activity as measured in activity cages increased, and tolerance to this effect also developed rapidly. For example, pretreatment with 5 mg/kg of PCA greatly attenuated the stimulant effect of a subsequent dose of 3 or 5 mg/kg of the drug. Moreover, the degree of tolerance was the same if the time between the 2 injections was 1 day or 2 weeks, suggesting that 5-HT release is also involved in the tolerance to the motor effects of lower doses of the drug. Moreover, biochemical studies of the response of catecholaminergic neurons to PCA suggest that tolerance does not develop to the effects on DA and NE neurons on repeated injection of PCA.


Dopaminergic agonist properties of ephedrine--theoretical implications. Reports of ephedrine-induced psychoses resembling amphetamine psychosis prompted studies of this classic sympathomimetic agent in systems that indicate central dopaminergic actions. Ephedrine induced dose-related stereotyped behavior in rats. This behavior was antagonized by haloperidol, but not by alpha- or beta-adrenergic blockers. Pretreatment with AMPT, but not reserpine, attenuated the stereotypy induced by ephedrine under one of two sets of conditions. Consistent prolactin suppression in humans was not seen. These findings are discussed in the context of clinical and pharmacologic data regarding other dopamine agonist drugs (the central nervous system stimulants, apomorphine, ET 495). These data suggest the possibility that synergistic noradrenergic and dopaminergic facilitation may be important in the induction of the stimulant psychoses.


Open-field behavior after intravenous amphetamine analogues in rats. A variety of behaviors were studied in an open-field setting after i.v. amphetamine (0.5, 2.0, 8.0 mg/kg), phenmetrazine (1.0, 4.0, 16.0 mg/kg), or fenfluramine (1.0, 4.0, 16.0 mg/kg). Amphetamine and phenmetrazine increased ambulation initially and rearing during the whole experiment, and decreased grooming. At 30 and 60 min, with the three higher doses of amphetamine, stereotyped behaviors interfered with and decreased both ambulation and groomin. Fenfluramine decreased ambulation, rearing, and grooming, and was the only drug to induce backing. The technique seems to be a simple and rapid method to establish dependence liability in amphetamine analogues. Interrater and test-retest reliability was established through ITV recordings.


[Effects of hypothalamus and globus pallidus lesions and of apomorphine injections into the globus pallidus, caudate nucleus, substantia nigra and septum on the aggressive behavior induced by apomorphine treatment of rats (author's transl)]. Intraspecific apomorphine-induced aggressive behavior in the rat was not affected following electrolytic lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus. Some inhibition of the aggressive behavior was found after lateral lesions and an almost total suppression after destruction of globus pallidus. These results, as well as those following localized injections of apomorphine into the septum, substantia nigra, caudate nucleus, and globus pallidus suggested that the latter anatomical region may be the major site of the action of apomorphine in the behavior studies. The role of acetylcholine is discussed.


Retrieval failures in alcohol state-dependent learning. Retrieval processes subject to disruption by alteration of drug conditions were studied in a state-dependent learning experiment. On the first day of the 2-day experiment, 28 human subjects performed four verbal learning tasks in either an alcohol state (1.0 ml/kg) or a sober state, and the next day they attempted to recall the material in either the same or in an altered condition. Two of the tasks involved recall cues or prompts, and the other two required the subjects to recall the material unaided. Results indicated state-dependency on the two tasks that did not involve recall cues and no state-dependency on the two tasks involving cues. This finding indicates that memory failures resulting from a changed drug state can be reversed by appropriate experimental cueing or prompting, and implies that a learner's drug state has stimulus properties for recall. The role of drugs in contributing to a person's cognitive context and the resultant effects on memory are discussed.


6-Hydroxydopamine inhibits some effects of mescaline centrally administered to rabbits. The narcotic antagonist naloxone does not antagonize antinociception elicited in the rabbit by 100 microgram/kg of mescaline centrally administered, whereas pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) inhibits this mescaline effect. Stereotyped behavior of rabbits following central mescaline administration is also prevented by 6-hda pretreatment. Since 6-OHDA in known to produce a degeneration of catecholamine containing nerve terminals, a crucial role of catecholamines is suggested in the complex of effects seen in the rabbit after central administration of the hallucinogen.


Acetylcholine antirelease effect of morphine and its modification by calcium. The effects of morphine (10 mg/kg) and calcium (10 mg/kg) were studied on the neocortical release of acetylcholine (ACh) in ketamine-anesthetized rats. Morphine decreased ACh release as measured  by the dorsal leech muscle as well as by an enzymatic assay. Calcium was ineffective alone but antagonized the action of morphine. This study supports the hypothesis that the ACh antirelease action of narcotics is mediated through an interaction with calcium.


Penfluridol: an open phase III study in acute newly admitted hospitalized schizophrenic patients. An open study was carried out in 17 acutely ill, newly admitted, floridly psychotic schizophrenic patients to a city hospital in New York. Penfluridol was given on a daily basis up to doses of 120 mg and patients were rated objectively by means of different psychometric evaluations; vital signs were monitored daily as were side effects. The drug was found to be a rapid acting, well-tolerated, and highly effective antipsychotic agent within the population of patients explored and within the dose range used. It was particularly effective in acutely agitated floridly paranoid schizophrenics; a statistically significant impact was achieved by 7 days and usually within 72 h after initiating treatment. The drug appears unique in that (1) its effects are realized without the untoward and usually troublesome effects of nonspecific sedation attendant upon the use of many other 'neuroleptic' medications, and (2) even within the relatively high doses used it produced no hypotensive effects. It is concluded that this appears to be a unique antipsychotic agent and a potentially important addition to the treatment armamentarium of both acute and chronic schizophrenic individuals.


Blockage of progesterone-induced release of luteinizing hormone and prolactin by d-amphetamine and fenfluramine in rats. Subcutaneous administration of d-amphetamine at various doses (1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg) decreased plasma luteinizing-hormone levels in ovariectomized rats primed with estradiol and injected with progesterone. In these animals prolactin levels decreased after injection of 0.6 and 1.25 mg/kg of d-amphetamine. No significant hormone modifications were detected in oavariectomized and ovariectomized estradiol-primed rats after injection of 2.5 mg/kg of d-amphetamine. Fenfluramine at doses of 25 mg/kg induced decreases of plasma LH and prolactin levels in ovariectomized estradiol- and progesterone-treated rats. A low dose of fenfluramine, 2.5 mg/kg, had no effect. It is concluded that d-amphetamine and fenfluramine are able to alter the facilitatory actions of progesterone on luteinizing hormone and prolactin release in ovariectomized estradiol-primed rats.


Involvement of both cholinergic and catecholaminergic pathways in the central action of methylphenidate: a study utilizing lead-exposed rats. The effects of methylphenidate (MPH) and the cholinergic agonists nicotine and oxotremorine were tested on the spontaneous multiple unit activity in the mesencephalic reticular formation of two groups of rats. In control rats i.v. MPH (1 mg/kg), nicotine (0.125 mg/kg), and oxotremorine (0.5 mg/kg) all attenuated the unit activity with latencies of less than 10 min. In another group of rats, exposed to lead acetate since birth, the extent of attenuation of unit activity induced by MPH and nicotine was reduced and the latency of effect was delayed by 45--50 min. The latency of the oxotremorine effect was not changed but the attenuation of unit activity was more pronounced in the lead-treated group. Pretreatment with spiroperidol, to inhibit the aminergic receptors, diminished the inhibitory effect of MPH in the control group but not in the lead-treated group, whereas the attenuating effect of oxotremorine was not affected in either group. These data support our previous evidence that MPH exerts its action in the central nervous system by a cholinergic pathway in addition to published catecholaminergic pathways. Furthermore, the present findings indicate that chronic lead-exposure in rats results in cholinergic hypofunction and supersensitivity at central cholinergic receptor sites. This alteration of central cholinergic function may be partially attributed to the malnutrition observed in the lead-exposed animals.


Effects of chlordiazepoxide, oxazepam, chlorpromazine, and d-amphetamine on sexual responses in male and female hamsters. The acute effects on sexual behavior of oxazepam (16--64 mg/kg), chlordiazepoxide (8--64 mg/kg), chlorpromazine (2--8 mg/kg), and d-amphetamine (0.8--3.2 mg/kg) were examined in intact male and female golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Intraperitoneal injections were given 45 min before the first behavioral test. In 10-min tests, lordosis was observed in estrous females both before and after copulation, and mounts, intromissions, and ejaculations were observed in males. Dose-response related decrements in male sexual behavior were observed following chlorpromazine and chlordiazepoxide. All dose levels of oxazepam depressed male sexual behavior. The highest dose of chlordiazepoxide and oxazepam attenuated the onset of female sexual behavior, and all dose levels reduced postcopulatory lordosis durations. Amphetamine did not interrupt either male or female sexual behavior, and chlorpromazine disrupted male but not female behavior.


Reversal of ethanol intoxication in humans: an assessment of the efficacy of L-dopa, aminophylline, and ephedrine. The effect of postethanol treatment with L-Dopa, aminophylline and/or ephedrine was investigated. In one experiment, healthy, male, moderate drinkers ingested ethanol (0.8 g/kg) and then either L-Dopa (1.5 g), or placebo. In a second experiment, subjects ingested ethanol followed by aminophylline (200 mg), ephedrine (50 mg), aminophylline (200 mg) plus ephedrine (50 mg), or placebo. Double-blind, within-subjects, crossover designs were employed. Treatment with L-Dopa significantly reduced ethanol's effect on the electroencephalogram, motor coordination, and divided attention performance (t-test for paired data). Treatment with aminophylline and/or ephedrine also significantly reduced ethanol's effects on the electroencephalogram and motor coordination. The ethanol-antagonism may result from central noradrenergic stimulation.


Changes in fixed-ratio performance and blood alcohol levels in monkeys. Three female Bonnet monkeys prepared with indwelling venous catheters were maintained on a fixed-ratio schedule of food reinforcement until response rates were stable. The animals were then intubated with alcohol (5.0 g/kg) 30 min prior to testing. Blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) were determined every 15 min throughout the 90-min session. Each alcohol intubation was separated by 3 days and on the second control day an isocaloric sucrose solution was intubated. The results show that the alcohol-induced response suppression gradually returns to baseline levels after 5 alcohol intubations, and the BACs were concomitantly decreased. The results indicate that the reversibility of alcohol induced behavioral impairments and changes in BACs develop within similar temporal intervals.


Metabolism of 5-hydroxytryptamine and levels of tricyclic antidepressant drugs in rat brain after acute and chronic treatment. Because tricyclic antidepressants (TAD) are usually given chronically to patients, both their acute and their chronic effects on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) metabolism were studied. The probenecid method was used and, in addition to 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), some other indole compounds in brain were measured. Simultaneously, TAD levels in brain and plasma were determined. Dimethylated as well as monomethylated TADs were administered, both at 10 and 25 mg/kg i.p. Treatment with either 10 mg/kg during 14 days or 25 mg/kg given acutely resulted in a similar brain level of TAD, so any differences found could be attributed to differences in administration schedule. Drug levels in brain and plasma differed considerably after chronic and acute treatments but no major differences in the effect on 5-HIAA level in the brain were found, although accumulation of 5-HIAA following probenecid treatment was mostly lowered after treatment with dimethylated TAD. The TAD level in rat brain was not decisive for the effect on central 5-HT turnover. The monomethylated TAD affected the 5-HT turnover very little, not only acutely but also chronically.


Muscarine- and carbachol-induced aggressions: fear and irritable kinds of aggressions. In unaneasthetized and unrestrained cats, muscarine and carbachol were injected into the cerebral ventricles. The kind of aggressive behaviour depended on the cholinomimetic drug and was classified as fear and an irritable kind of aggression. Muscarine induced the fear kind of aggression. The aggressive behaviour was usually preceded by attempts to escape and the attack was relevant to the situation. For the attack the presence of some threatening agent was needed. The aggression was accompanied by intense motor but less autonomic activation. On the other hand, carbachol induced an irritable kind of aggression and had the following characteristics: for the attack the presence of some threatening agent was not needed; the attack was not relevant to the situation; the aggression was not preceded by attempts to escape; and the aggressive behaviour was accompanied by intense motor and autonomic activation. It is concluded that cholinoceptive mechanisms are involved in the control of aggressive behaviour.


Selective modification of spontaneous ECoG rhythms of the cat somesthetic cortex by psychoactive drugs: behavioral correlates. Three psychoactive drugs with known central effects were administered to the freely moving cat in order to study their action on spontaneous rhythmic activities recorded from the primary somesthetic cortex, which are analogous to the rolandic mu rhyhm in man. The ECoG patterns obtained are qualitatively identical to those of the normal subject, but their temporal organization is profoundly disturbed by the action of the drugs. The normal ECoG consists of three rhythmic systems with distinct frequencies and displays a considerable time variability. In contrast, psychoactive drugs induce a stabilized pattern with only one type (or at most two types) of rhythm prevailing for one or several hours, which never occurs under normal conditions. These ECoG rhythms underlie various behavioral states. Under d-amphetamine, correspondence remains excellent between behavior and ECoG; under Ditran, complete dissociation occurs; finally, LSD represents a borderline case in which ECoG and behavior are partially correlated and partially dissociated.


[Memorization and central catecholamines after a craniocervical injury carried out in rats: influence of imipramine administration (author's transl)]. A craniocervical injury has been carried out in rats (with head free to move) so that they get through a whiplash without any coma. Two days after the whiplash, comparable with a postcommotional syndrome, the acquisition of a labyrinth behavior is disturbed and, 7 days later, the retention is still disturbed. This disturbance of retention is not observed when the acquisition is performed before the whiplash. These data agree with the clinical observations, and we hypothesize a possible causal relation between the disturbance of learning behavior and the decrease of noradrenaline cerebral level induced by the whiplash. Treatment with imipramine (1 mg/kg) after the whiplash is able to remove these behavioral and biochemical disturbances.


Marijuana: effects on free recall and subjective organization of pictures and words. The free recall of pictures and words was compared following the administration of marijuana or placebo in a multitrial free recall task. Since pictures are thought to be registered in both visual and verbal memory stores with this encoding being mediated by some form of mental imagery, it was predicted that marijuana would produce a greater deficit in word recall in comparison to picture recall because the drug has been reported to facilitate imagery. A trend in the opposite direction followed intoxication; picture recall was inferior to word recall in the later stages of acquisition. Although overall recall was inferior under marijuana, no differences were found between the treatment conditions in subjective organization as determined by a variety of clustering measures. Recall performance following marijuana intoxication was positively related to level of recall performance in the placebo condition.


Hypnoticlike effects of cannabidiol in the rat. The actions of cannabidiol (CBD), one of the cannabis constituents, were assessed on the sleep-wakefulness cycle of male Wistar rats. During acute experiments, single doses of 20 mg/kg CBD decreased slow-wave sleep (SWS) latency. After 40 mg/kg SWS time was significantly increased while wakefulness was decreased. REM sleep was not significantly modified. Following the once-daily injections of 40 mg/kg CBD for a period of 15 days, tolerance developed to all the above-mentioned effects.


Changes in testosterone and behavior during adolescence in the male rhesus monkey. Five adolescent male rhesus were followed for 3 years, from age 2 through age 4, with the collection of monthly testosterone levels, along with observation of behavior. Testosterone levels showed initial rises by age 3, but did not show the adult male seasonal pattern until 4. Play behavior fell significantly from age 2 to age 3, while sex behavior showed seasonal increases in both Year 2 and Year prior to the rise in plasma testosterone. The number of adult males in the social group may influence the timing of the rise in testosterone during adolescence. Injury may also serve to delay the increase in testosterone in males during their third year of development.


Depression can be induced in a bonnet macaque infant. Depression is a well-known reaction to separation in all species of macaques studied except the bonnet (M. radiata), in whom this reaction has never before been observed. We have produced the depressive response of postural collapse and social withdrawal in a bonnet infant by altering the social structure of the group in which it lived in a way calculated to interfere whith the species-typical system of social support.


Radiological characteristics of primary intestinal lymphoma of the "Mediterranean" type: observations on twelve cases. Radiological findings in 12 cases of "Mediterranean" lymphoma are analyzed, 4 of which are associated with gammapathy. These findings have not permitted differentiation of this type of lymphoma from those classically described, although there are two signs that strongly suggest this diagnosis: extension of the lesions along wide areas of the small intestine, almost always including the duodenum, and spiculation of the mucosal fold edges, representing massive plasmocyte infiltration of the lamina propria. The principal clinical, immunological, and pathological aspects are described, as well as the radiological differential diagnosis.


Development and evaluation of a new water-soluble iodinated myelographic contrast medium with markedly reduced convulsive effects. A new water-soluble myelographic contrast agent with more hydrophilic properties than metrizamide was developed and tested in the primate (Macaca mulatta) and the cat. A new animal model that allows study of the convulsive effects of intrathecally administered contrast agents in the awake monkey was designed. With this sensitive model the new contrast agent was shown to have a remarkable reduced convulsive effect when compared with metrizamide and other media. Intrathecal hypertonic solutions in the cat depress the evoked cortico-spinal responses whereas the neurotoxic effects of the iodinated water-soluble contrast media increase them. The net effect is a combination of the two actions.


Treatment of carcinoma of the middle ear. 31 patients with carcinoma of the middle ear were observed over a period of 15 years. Polytomography was used to determine the local extent of the disease. Of 22 patients given radical therapy, 15 were treated by mastoidectomy followed by radiation therapy. The 5-year survival rate was 40%, which is in agreement with the findings of several other authors. Patients treated by irradiation alone had a poor survival rate.


Tumor cell respiration following irradiation. Oxygen consumption rates for mouse mastocytoma cells examined from 3 to 4 hours after x-irradiation with 250-2000 rads were consistently higher than controls. Cyclic fluctuations in oxygen consumption per cell were dose-dependent; peaks in consumption were generally greater in magnitude and occurred later in time with increasing dose. The cyclic response in consumption is probably due to cell synchronization effects, while the overall higher respiration rates of irradiated cells may reflect increased metabolic activity in response to radiation damage. Oxygen consumption rates for the total cell population were cyclic after 250 and 500 rads, but declined steadily after 1000 or 2000 rads; oxygen consumption rates tended to be lower than controls, especially 12-24 hours postirradiation. Differences between cellular and population oxygen consumption rates reflect changes in cell number after irradiation. It is suggested that postirradiation reoxygenation kinetics in solid tumors may result from changes in tumor oxygen demand.


Cyclotron fast neutron RBE for late kidney damage. Decrease in kidney weight six months after unilateral kidney exposure to single doses of neutrons or x rays has been studied. The relative biological effectiveness for late kidney damage was 1.7 at a neutron dose of 1,000 rads.


[Analytical expressions for the dose distribution of 42 MV X-rays from a betatron (author's transl)]. Absorption in water of 42 MV X-rays is described by means of equations whose parameters have been determined in such a way as to best fit the experimental data. The results obtained are employed in a general program for the calculation of dose distribution in external radiotherapy.


[Rapid and simultaneous screening and quantitation of antitetanus and anti-HBs antibodies using Laurell's method]. Every transfusion Center which must hunt out anti-tetanus and anti-HBs antibodies to obtain specific corresponding immunoglobulins, is submitted to rapidity, precision and low cost necessity. In order to satisfy these obligations, the authors describe a simple and rapid method, allowing use of the same serum, through a single stage, and simultaneously, screening and quantitation of anti-tetanus antibodies (according to Laurells' method) and of fractionation suitable anti-HBs antibodies (through electro immunodiffusion). Technical conditions exposed in this paper allow direct quantitation of anti-tetanus antibodies from 1 to 30-40 IU; dilutions can be made for upper titers. False negative reactions due to zone effect, as observed in EID and passive haemagglutination do not occur while using this method. Its routine use contributes to the increase of the percentage of fractionation suitable plasmas, without overloading the screening laboratory's tash.


Measurement of functional capacity with visual analogue scales. The value of three visual analogue scales for measuring aspects of functional capacity was assessed in 22 patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving long-term treatment. A scale in which patients were allowed to choose a function which was a particular problem gave the best results, with more severe initial impairment and greater change with treatment. This scale was as useful as pain in assessing the result of treatment.


Floctafenine (Idarac) in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind controlled cross-over trial comparing floctafenine 1.6 g daily with soluble aspirin 4.0 g daily and matching placebo, in 48 patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, is reported. Floctafenine and aspirin gave statistically significant reduction in morning stiffness, grip strength and better subjective assessment than the placebo. There was no difference in the relief of pain between the three treatments under the conditions of this trial where paracetamol was allowed as an additional escape analgesic. During the period of aspirin therapy there was a higher indicence of concurrent complaints, faecal occult blood loss and a reduction in haemoglobin. An open long-term study in 12 rheumatoid patients receiving floctafenine 1.6 g daily for 3--6 months showed satisfactory management of their clinical condition. There were no significant or serious side-effects or change in biochemical or haematological parameters, and patients completed their course of therapy.


The formation of nasal septum deviation in human evolution. The purpose of this research is to determine when in the process of human evolution nasal septal deviation first occurred. There is a higher incidence of nasal septal deviations in man, while the septum of anthropoid ape is vertical and has not been found to have nasal septal deviations. It is said that our ancestors evolved respectively from ape like primates through Australapithecus, Pithecanthropus, Neanderthal man and finally Modern man. I concluded from my observations that the nasal septal deviations in man first occurred at the Neanderthal stage.


[Electroclinical correlations during anticonvulsive therapy of status epilepticus and chronic focal epilepsies using clonazepam]. Clonazepam was used in 22 instances of status epilepticus by intravenous route with particularly good results. Severe etiologies in status were common. Therapy of partial and secondarily generalized convulsion is favoured. 18 patients with epilepsies of similar classification were treated by long term oral administration with inconstant results. Spatio-temporal and dose related profiles of convulsive and electroencephalographic desactivation are demonstrated. Signs of secondary generalisation were abolished first whereas focal signs turned out more resistent proved by repeated EEG recordings. Hypnotic effect as constituent or not in parenteral status therapy is discussed.


[Sensitivity of gonococcus to penicillin G in the canton Berne during the years 1972-1977. Isolation of penicillin-resistant strains]. Since January 1972 Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been systematically investigated by culture techniques at the Institute for Hygiene and Medical Microbiology of the University of Berne. From January 1st 1972 to September 30th 1977, 820 strains were isolated. A survey of the sensitivity of gonococci to penicillin G is presented. We found three groups: 1. 700 sensitive strains (85.4%), 2. 118 strains with decreased sensitivity (14,4%), 3.2 resistant strains (0.2%). The two penicillin-resistant strains are described. Only the patients infected with gonococci of the third group were untreatable with penicillin. In view of the present epidemiological situation penicillin remains the drug of choice. However, bacteriological examination including sensitivity tests is urgently recommended and is absolutely indicated in the event of treatment failures. In addition, culture is necessary to rule out gonorrhea because the asymptomatic form is observed with increasing frequency not only in female patients but recently also in male patients.


[Piperazine intoxication in long-term hemodialysis]. A 35-year-old patient with terminal renal failure who had received 30 mg piperazine hexahydrate/kg body weight daily for 10 days for oxyuriasis was subsequently admitted to hospital in precoma with severe clinical symptoms not unlike those observed in so-called dialysis dementia: loss of consciousness, dysarthria, apraxia, clonic spasms, tremor, muscular weakness, dropping of objects, inability to think clearly and/or hallucinations. The EEG showed disturbances with diffuse, multifocal delta waves. Under maintenance hemodialysis the patient became asymptomatic one week after discontinuation of the piperazine therapy. Piperazine is contraindicated in patients with renal failure.


Erythromycin in respiratory tract infection. One of the main uses of erythromycin in respiratory tract infection has been in the treatment of acute streptococcal tonsillitis as an alternative to penicillin. Studies on the quantitative bacteriology of tonsils obtained at tonsillectomy have shown large numbers of both haemolytic streptococci and Haemophilus species in most samples and these organisms can be effectively reduced in number by preoperative treatment with antibiotics such as erythromycin. Such investigations suggest that erythromycin might have wider use in the treatment of respiratory tract infections, particularly where Haemophilus influenzae and other Haemophilus species are involved. Apart from specific infections such as those due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, erythromycin is effective in the treatment of acute pneumonia due to organisms such as the pneumococcus, and this paper reports the further use of erythromycin in the treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis where the clinical and bacteriological effects of treatment with this antibiotic are compared with those of ampicillin.


Thermoregulation is impaired in an environment without circadian time cues. Squirrel monkeys synchronized to a 24-hour light-dark cycle show a prominent circadian rhythm in body temperature which is regulated against mild environmental cold exposures throughout the 24-hour day. However, cold exposures produce significant decreases in core body temperature when the circadian rhythms of the animal are free-running in the absence of environmental time cues. Effective thermoregulation appears to require the precise internal synchronization of the circadian timekeeping system.


Measurement of regional substrate utilization rates by emission tomography. Emission tomography can be used to monitor, in vivo and regionally, the utilization of metabolic substrates labeled with positron-emitting radioisotopes produced by a cyclotron. The concept was validated by measuring brain glucose utilization with carbon--11-labeled glucose in rhesus monkeys.


Studies of vesicoureteral reflux: a review of work in a primate model. Studies of vesicoureteral reflux in a primate model were reviewed. Reflux was found to be uncommon in adults but frequent in infants, suggesting that maturation of the ureterovesical junction occurs. Repeated bladder infections did not prevent this maturation. Infection did not cause reflux unless the junction was only marginally competent. Reflux prolonged urinary tract infection in the infant, but in the adult monkey it did not.


Nursery exposure of 528 newborns to a nurse with pulmonary tuberculosis. Newborn infants are thought to be particularly susceptible to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the possibility of exposure to unrecognized clinical tuberculosis in nursery and hospital personnel is ever present. To reduce this possibility, periodic skin testing of hospital personnel is often carried out, and tuberculin-positive personnel are given preventive treatment with isoniazid (INH). Also, environmental controls, such as ultraviolet light and periodic air exchange, are used. The efficacy of these measures has not been fully established. A nursery supervisor with smear- and culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis and a productive cough exposed 528 newborns over a three-month period before her disease was diagnosed. All 514 infants available for skin testing at approximately 3 months of age had negative skin tests. None received isoniazid preventive treatment. The nursery rooms all had ultraviolet lighting mounted above eye level. Calculated air changes per hour with positive pressure ventilation of fresh air ranged from 12 to 18. The hospital did not regularly test employees for tuberculosis. Periodic tuberculin testing of hospital personnel with preventive treatment of reactors presumably would have prevented this exposure.


Growth and development in children receiving hemodialysis. Five children, aged 12 to 18 years, received intermittent hemodialysis for as long as 60 months. Linear growth and development progressed in all children. Growth rate was 60% to 260% of the expected increment. Four of the children developed secondary sexual characteristics. Prolonged hemodialysis combined with good nutrition may promote maximal growth before renal homotransplantation in children with end-stage renal disease.


The social revolution in health services. In the past, health care was predominantly curative and was directed mostly at the individual. It largely neglected the community and the true object of health services, i.e. to improve the health of the entire population. A comprehensive health service should meet all the health needs of a community and should not be orientated solely towards disease and hospital care. The importance of community participation in the social rehabilitation of individuals recovering from mental or organic diseases is emphasized, and the role of primary health care in helping to relieve pressure on hospital services by caring for more people at the community level should be recognized. In training health personnel greater emphasis needs to be placed on promoting more flexible attitudes of mind to fit professional skills covering all problems confronting the community. The social function of health services should be recognized and accepted in order to ensure that health technology is developed and applied in harmony with this social function.


Regional localization of a beta-galactosidase locus on human chromosome 22. Human white blood cells with an X/22 translocation [46, XX, t(X;22)(q23;q13)] were fused with Chinese hamster cells. The isolated hybrids were analyzed for human chromosomes and 21 enzyme markers. An electrophoretic technique for studying the beta-galactosidase isoenzymes in man-Chinese hamster hybrid cells was developed. Immunological studies showed that the beta-galactosidase marker studied in these hybrids did contain immunological determinants of human origin. Furthermore the results provided evidence that a locus for beta-galactosidase is situated on chromosome 22 distal to the breakpoint in q13.


Hormones and the pathophysiology of fibrocystic mastopathy. There is some reason to believe that common benign diseases of the breast are in great part caused by abnormalities of the hormonal milieu in which the breasts exist. Relative hyperestrinism by itself may cause mammary dysplasia, but it is likely that etiologic contributions are required from genetic factors within the cells of the mammary gland, from abnormalities of pituitary mammotropic hormone activity and from surplus or deficit of other circulating nongonadal factors.


Intrathoracic meningocele and vertebral anomalies in a case of neurofibromatosis. A case of an intrathoracic meningocele associated with vertebral scalloping, enlarged intervertebral foramina and scoliosis in neurofibromatosis without spinal or nerve root rumors is described. A markedly attenuated dura mater anteriorly was present at autopsy and may have predisposed to meningeal herniation and scalloping.


Insulin-releasing activity and successful transplantation of pancreatic islets preserved by tissue culture. Preserving pancreatic islets for 7 days by a making use of the organ culture, we studied the insulin-releasing activity at the time of administration of glucose and various digestive tract hormones for the purpose of clarifying the function of preserved pancreatic islets. Furthermore, we transplanted pancreatic islets preserved for 3 to 5 days into the portal vein of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and reached the following conclusions: (1). The islets of Langerhans of the pancreas responded well to glucose up to the seventh day of preservation and showed patterns similar to those of fresh pancreatic islets with respect to both the dose response and the time response. (2). Preserved pancreatic islets of the pancreas had insulin-releasing activity almost equal to that of fresh pancreatic islets against stimulation by glucagon, tolbutamide, and various digestive tract hormones. (3). Rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes showed a marked improvement in blood glucose and urine glucose following transplantation of preserved pancreatic islets into the portal vein, and this effectiveness persisted for 6 to 8 weeks.


Inhibition of aspirin-induced bronchoconstriction by sodium cromoglycate inhalation. Five patients with asthma and severe aspirin hypersensitivity were challenged on separate days with increasing doses of aspirin given by mouth, starting with 5 mg, until a reduction in FEV1 greater than 15% was obtained. Sodium cromoglycate in doses of 20-40 mg inhibited the bronchoconstrictive reaction not only when inhaled before the challenge but also after it, at a time when progressive reduction in FEV1 values was taking place. According to these results, it seems reasonable to postulate sequential mast cell degranulation and liberation of mediators of anaphylaxis as the mechanism through which aspirin induces bronchoconstriction in aspirin-sensitive asthmatics. The differences between bronchial provocation tests and oral challenge with aspirin are stressed.


[Incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in the intestinal contents of broilers on different farms (author's transl)]. The intestinal contents of 3,090 broilers, one day to five weeks of age, from 1,025 broiler houses, were examined for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes was isolated in 243 cases, i.e. 23.7% of the broiler houses, 58.8% were of type 1, 35.5% of type 4b, 1.2% were of type 5 and 2.4% of the strains could not be typed. In spite of cleaning and disinfection after the chickens had been taken to the poultry slaughterhouse, reinfection occurred in the broiler houses in 16.9% of the cases; this occurred as many as eight times in succession. Various serotypes were isolated on one farm. Listeria organisms in the intestinal contents of healthy broilers do not affect the growth rate. Contaminated deep-litter (chips of white deal-wood) is a potential danger for man and animals, especially when used inn loose-housings on cattle farms.


[Hemodynamic and echocardiographic investigations following mitral valve replacement by glutaraldehyde preserved xenografts (author's transl)]. Sequential hemodynamic and echocardiographic studies following mitral valve replacement by glutaraldehyde preserved bioprotheses have been carried out in 40 patients. These investigations have been compared to those of patients having received Björk-Shiley or Lillehei-Kaster valves. Between the two groups the data of heart catheterization showed no differences. Echocardiography however showed an earlier normalisation of the data of the left ventricle after replacement by Hancock valves. Therefore and because of low thromboembolic risc and good mechanical stability and low immunogenecity the use of bioprotheses is recommended.


Innervation of the palatine mucous membrane in the Cebus apella monkey. A histological study was conducted on the innervation of the Cebus apella palatine mucosa. Ten monkeys were used for the present study. After perfusion with 10% formalin, the whole hard palate mucosa was removed in one piece and made into histological sections according to De Castro's method for silver impregnation. We concluded that the nerve fibers form free endings and organized corpuscles, like Meissner corpuscles. Free nerve endings are numerous in the hard palate mucosa and they show a great variety in form and size.


[Some remarks concerning the tissue-air-ratio (TAR) in the case of bilateral total body irradiation (author's transl)]. The TAR's resulting from the bilateral 60Co-irradiation of an homogeneous whole body phantom and of a quadratic phantom are measured in their midlines and at their surfaces of incidence. They are compared with measurements on a patient. The dose contributions of scattered radiation and its effective energy are determined by means of a simple water-phantom. Investigations concerning the influence of the "os ilium" on the midline dose showed that besides the former mentioned other bone structures too in the pelvic area are responsible for the low rectal dose in patients. Rectal doses therefore should not considered representative for the midline dose. The variation of the midline dose depending on the source distance is discussed.


[Light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic observations on phagocytosis of Plasmodium berghei infected erythrocytes by mouse macrophages [author's transl)]. Peritoneal macrophages from mice were cultured in Leighton tubes for 2 hours. Thereafter suspensions of washed red blood corpuscles originating from Plasmodium berghei-infected mice were offered to the cultured cells for phagocytosis. After 15 minutes of incubation 13,5% of the macrophages showed phagocytized parasites if the peritoneal cells came from malariaimmune mice. Cells from normal mice or from infected mice had lower rates (4,8/9,1%). After an incubation of 3 hours about 50% of the cells showed phagocytosis in all three groups. The system used allowed to estimate the halftimes for intracellular elimination of the parasites. The values are 27 minutes for cells from immune animals, 57 minutes for cells from normal animals, and 66 minutes for cells from infected animals. Details of the process of phatocytosis were recorded by scanning electron microscopic pictures.


Studies on Theileriidae (Sporozoa) in Tanzania IX. Unidentified bovine Theileriae. Two strains of nonpathogenic Theileriae, designated as Theileria sp. (Idobogo) and Theileria sp. (Mwanza), were isolated from cattle in southern and northern Tanzania respectively. They were similar to each other, producing low numbers of T. parva-like macroschizonts and of small piroplasms. Both were readily transmitted by Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. No serological relationship with T. mutans was found, while serum of some of the recovered animals gave fleeting, low titres in the indirect fluorescent antibody test to T. parva schizont antigen. Recovered animals were fully susceptible to T. parva challenge. The possibility that these strains may be similar to Theilleria sp. (Githunguri) of Kenya is suggested.


Studies on Theileriidae (Sporozoa) in Tanzania. X. A large-scale field trial on immunization against cattle Theileriosis. 50 cattle immunized by an infection and treatment method with 3 strains of Theileria parva (Mugaga, Kiambu 5 and Serengeti transformed), together with 19 controls, were exposed to natural tick infestation in Tanzania, in a site where a continuous influx of infected ticks from different regions of the country may be expected to occur. Exposure lasted for 2 months, monitoring continued for 3 more weeks after exposure ended. All 19 controls contracted East Coast Fever and died. 40 of the 50 immunized animals survived the whole period of monitoring; the other 10 died of accidents (2), heartwater (3) and unidentified causes (5); none died of ECF. It is recommended that this method of immunization be routinely applied to protect valuable animals at risk. An attempt to immunize against pathogenic Theileria mutans, by injecting blood containing piroplasms of a strain of low pathogenicity, showed that this method may protect against high parasitaemias caused by natural tick-borne infections and may be useful in eliminating the confusing factor of T. mutans in future trials on East Coast Fever.


Theileria parva piroplasmosis in mice, and its attempted transmission with Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks. Theileria parva piroplasm infection of mouse erythrocytes was detected, following intraperitoneal inoculation of mice with irradiated cultures of T. parva-infected bovine lymphoid cells. Infection could not be transmitted to cattle using Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks.


The use of tetracyclines on the chemotherapy of experimental East Coast Fever (theileria parva infection of cattle). In a series of experiments, groups of cattle, undergoing patent East Coast fever (ECF) reactions induced by the inoculation of tick-derived stabilates of Theileria parva infective particles, were treated by parenteral administration of 2 tetracyclines. Ten cattle were treated with n-pyrrolidinomethyl tetracycline at 15 mg/kg for 5 days, starting on the first day macroschizonts were detected in lymph node biopsy smears. Nine of these treated cattle survived ECF reactions induced by an inoculum which killed 7 of 10 untreated controls. The same tetracycline, at 10 mg/kg daily for 5 days from the first day of febrile response had no effect on the disease. Oxytetracycline was administered at 15 mg/kg daily for 5 days to 2 groups of cattle infected with ECF. All 5 cattle survived which were treated on the first day parasites were seen. Four of 5 survived in which treatment was delayed till the onset of febrile response. All 5 untreated controls in this experiment died.


Effect of topically applied serotonin on local cerebral blood flow. It has been hypothesized that acute lesions of the brain enlarge through an autodestructive process. Serotonin (5HT), a potent cerebral vasoconstrictor, is believed by some to mediate the process by reducing cerebral blood flow (CBF) in tissue surrounding the lesion. The hypothesis was tested in cynomologus monkeys anesthetized with ketamine and nitrous oxide. Craniectomies, 7 mm in diameter, were performed in each parietal area. The dura was opened and polarographical electrodes of thin platinum wire were inserted into the parietal lobe cortex of each hemisphere. Mock cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was irrigated continously onto the brain surrounding the electrodes, from which local CBF was determined repeatedly by the hydrogen-clearance technique. After baseline CBF was established, solutions of 5HT in mock CSF (in concentrations of 5 X 10(-7) M, 5 X 10(-5) M, and 5 X 10(-3) M) were irrigated onto one hemisphere while the opposite hemisphere served as control. 5HT failed to change CBF. Although 5HT is a potent vasoconstrictor, under physiologic conditions it apparently is unable to effect hemodynamically significant constriction of the peripheral cerebral vasculature of the anesthetized monkey brain.


Theileria mutans the infectivity for cattle of parasites derived from prefed Amblyomma variegatum nymphs. A steer was infected with Theileria mutans (Aitong) by application of infected Amblyomma variegatum nymphs. Uninfected A. variegatum larvae were applied to this steer when piroplasms developed. The resultant (and infected) A. variegatum nymphs were applied to the ears of rabbits. Equal numbers of ticks were removed daily from rabbits and ground in Eagles Minimal Essential Medium. The infectivity of the supernatant fluid was tested in cattle. The produced supernatant fluids were infective between days 3 to 7 but noninfective on days 0, 1 and 2. The feeding of A. variegatum on cattle and rabbits was compared and the increase of haemoglobin in the supernatant was correlated with the weight increase of the nymphs. It is hoped that infective T. mutans (Aitong) stabilate derived from ticks can be produced using this information.


[The course of trypanosoma cruzi infection in nonsplenectomized SPE rats with and without Haemobartonella muris infection (author's transl)]. Rats were infected with H. muris from the first to the second week of their life. Four weeks later 20 of the infected rats were inoculated with 1.5 x 10(5) T. cruzi. Control animals were given the same number of parasites. In both experimental groups no hemoflagellate could be seen in blood smears four weeks after infection. The comparison of the course of infection of T. cruzi in rats with and without H. muris was made using t- and Wilcoxon-Test for Pair Differences. Rats with H. muris infections showed a low development of T. cruzi up to the 16th day of infection with this flagellate (P less than 0.0005). This difference in the development of the trypanosomes is lost from the 17th to the 27th day after infection.


[Antibodies in rhesus-monkeys after experimental infection with African lung-worms (Paragonimus uterobilateralis and P. africanus) (author's transl)]. The following publication gives a report about serological studies on experimentally infected Macaca mulatta with Paragonimus uterobilateralis and P. africanus supplied by parasitological findings and chest X-ray experiments from other authors. It was shown that at first in the chronological sequence serological changes were noticed in the animals followed by X-ray changes of the lungs. Somewhat later the monkeys started with the excretion of worm-eggs. Egg production did not take place in all monkeys and was also very irregular from monkey to monkey. The passive haemagglutination and complement fixation test were suitable serological methods to indicate a Paragonimus infection in monkeys. It was shown that in older infections the complement fixation test is not as suitable as the passive haemagglutination since the complement fixing antibodies loose most of their activity within six to eight months. Antigenic relationship between the two African Paragonismus species could be demonstrated by cross-reactions with the passive haemagglutination, complement fixation and double gel diffusion test. Nevertheless by disc-electrophoretic experiment it could be proved that there were two taxonomically different Paragonimus-species in Africa.


[Ultrastructure of the micronucleus of the infusorian Didinium nasutum during meiosis]. Six stages can be distinguished in the micronuclear first maturation division prophase of D. nasutum. Nucleolus-like structures of fibrillar nature, connected with micronuclear chromosomes seem to develop at the late leptotene. At zygotene-pachytene, the chromosomes condense, forming irregular loops. This coincides with formation of classically structured synaptinemal complexes in the micronuclei. At diplotene-diakinesis, chromosomal bivalents are uniformly scattered throughout the micronucleus. They aggregate into a net equatorial plate in the first division metaphase; chromosomes show prominent kinetochores with attached chromosomal microtubule bundles. The second maturation division starts immediately after the completion of the first division and is morphologically similar to agamic mitosis of the micronuclei of D. nasutum. During the 2th maturation division prophase, the compact chromosomes form a dense group and show no spreading inside the nucleus. They are interspaced by an amorphous material being possibly involved in the formation of spindle microtubules. The telophase spindle of the 2nd division likely as that of the Ist division divides into three parts, the two daughter nuclei and the separation spindle containing a material of depolymerized microtubules. Only one of the 2nd division derivatives enters the third maturation division. A short telophasic third division spindle is perpendicular to the surface of the contact between the conjugants and produces two pronuclei. The envelopes of the daughter micronuclei are formed from parts of the original nuclear envelope surrounding the entire spindle.


The extent and importance of sensitization by opportunist mycobacteria in Lagos, Nigeria. 3505 school children aged 6 to 15 years were tested with PPDS and at the same time one of the following tuberculins, namely, PPDG, PPDPL, PPDA, PPDF and PPDY. The tuberculins were prepared from human tubercle bacillus, the Gause organism, M. marinum, M. avium, M. fortuitum and M. kansasii respectively. PPDY, PPDA and PPDG gave more reactions of greater than 2 mm induration than did PPDS. Furthermore, tests with PPDY, PPDA, PPDG and PPDPL showed a significant proportion of children with reactions of 10 mm or more, suggesting that many of them had been sensitized to these antigens, particularly in the older age groups. The tuberculin sensitivity profile of these children resembled that found for a small community in Georgia, U.S.A., which had been studied previously. The profile also resembled that of guinea pigs which had been experimentally infected with the Gause organism. This supports the conclusion that a high proportion of these children had past or present infection with either the Gause organism or antigenically related mycobacteria. Finally, PPDS gave the highest percentage of children who had reactions greater than 10 mm. It is suggested that 10 mm might be a useful size of induration to divide opportunist mycobacterial infection from infection by M. tuberculosis in Lagos.


Comparison of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from British, Ugandan and Asian immigrant patients: a study in bacteriophage typing, susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide and sensitivity to thiophen-2-carbonic acid hydrazide. Strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were obtained from 65 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis resident in Uganda, and from pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis in 42 British patients of European ethnic stock and in 67 Asian immigrants, often from Uganda, resident in Britain. The bacteriophage-type patterns of the African, British and Asian strains were different. The pattern for the Asian strains resembled that found previously in patients from South India, suggesting that there has been little interchange of organisms between the Asian community and the African and British communities alongside whom they have lived. The patterns for pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis were similar. Strains of bacteriophage type 1, mainly obtained from Asians, were characterized by a greater susceptibility to the bactericidal activity of hydrogen-peroxide and/or a greater sensitivity to thiophen-2-carbonic acid hydrazide than strains of other types.


Accidental self-inoculation with killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Freund's complete adjuvant. The case is described of a laboratory worker who was carrying out an animal immunological experiment and accidentally punctured the palm of his hand with Freund's complete adjuvant which contained heat-killed M. tuberculosis in a paraffin emulsion. A serious localised chronic tuberculoid granulomatous reaction developed which persisted for nine months. The significance of this phenomenon is discussed and the importance of the prevention of such an occurrence is emphasized.


[Search for translocation heterozygous female mice among the progeny from males subjected to chemical mutagen (thioTHEPA) exposure]. C57Bl/6Y male mice were intraperitoneally injected with thioTEPA at a dose of 1.25 mg/kg. The male mice were crossed with F1CD hybrid females during the second week after the treatment. 122 females F1 obtained from this cross were examined. The embryonic lethality was studied and preparations of meiotic metaphases I in oocytes were found among the progeny F1. Among F1 females 41 (33.6%) "semisterile" and sterile ones were found. Translocations were cytogenetically confirmed only in 8 females out of 38 investigated.


[Cytogenetic activity of radioprotectors in a human lymphocyte culture. IV]. The effect of indene compounds F-11 and F-37 was studied during induction of chromosomal aberrations by thioTEPA. The investigated substances did not change the spectrum of chromosomal aberrations in the culture. When introducing these substances in equimolar concentration into the lymphocyte culture no protecting effect was found.


Inhibition of sodium transport by hyperbaric oxygen in the toad urinary bladder. In the isolated toad bladder, 2--10 ATA of oxygen reversibly inhibited the active transport of sodium ions across the bladder, measured as the short-circuit current. Extent of inhibition was dependent on the oxygen pressure and length of exposure. Oxygen at 1 ATA had no effect on sodium transport for up to 2 days of exposure. However, bladders exposed for 18 h to oxygen at 1 ATA were more sensitive to a subsequent exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. The hormonal stimulation of sodium transport by pitressin or aldosterone was inhibited by hyperbaric oxygen but was unaffected by prolonged exposure to oxygen at 1 ATA. Incubation of bladders with aldosterone or sodium pyruvate increased the sensitivity of sodium transport to the inhibitory effects of hyperbaric oxygen. The mechanism of the inhibition of sodium transport in the toad bladder by hyperbaric oxygen was not known.


[Restoration of continence using TUR (author's transl)]. A case of incontinence and diverticulum of urethra produced by TUR is demonstrated. By turning the diverticulum inside the urethra continence could be restored.


Comparisons of placebo, pyridoxine, and topical thiotepa in preventing recurrence of stage I bladder cancer. Animal studies have shown that metabolites of tryptophan can cause bladder cancer, and human observations reveal an appreciable incidence of abnormalities of tryptophan metabolism in patients with bladder cancer. It has been suggested that pyridoxine (vitamin B6) may correct this abnormality and prevent recurrences of superficial bladder cancers. Intravesical instillation of thiotepa has been used for more than fifteen years in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer, but no controlled trials have been done. We report here a prospective clinical trial of 121 patients with Stage I bladder cancer randomized to placebo, pyridoxine, or intravesical thiotepa. The percentages of patients with recurrences over the period of study were 60.4, 46.9, and 47.4 for the three groups, respectively, and did not differ significantly. However, if patients having recurrences during the first ten months or followed up less than ten months were excluded, pyridoxine was significantly better than placebo (P = 0.03). Thiotepa significantly reduced the recurrence rate compared with placebo (P = 0.016) or pyridoxine (P = 0.015). These results suggest that a new trial of pyridoxine should be undertaken in which the tryptophan metabolites are measured and that further study of intravesical instillation of chemotherapeutic agents is warranted.


[Forssman's heterogenetic antigen and its demonstration in sheep muscle tissue]. Preparation of Forssman's antiserum by means of hyperimmunization of rabbits with multiple injection of guinea-pig kidney emulsion i.v. in the course of 36 days is presented in the paper. The titre of the antiserum of rabbits utilized varied in the range between 1:1600 and 1:3200, using the antiserum to prove Forssman's antigen. On the basis of the Sachs-Georgi reaction, the presence of the Forssman's heterogenous antigen was recorded in all samples of meat collected from different parts of the slaughtered ewes. The experiments resulted, unlike the statement of Tanaka, in proving the incidence of the Forssman's antigen in many parts of the muscle tissue, not only in the connective tissue.


[Ram sperm survival during the use of various solvents after deep freezing in liquid nitrogen]. Suitability of three diluents for a deep-freezing of ram ejaculates and sperm survival after de-freezing and in the course of a six-hour incubation were investigated. The longest survival was found with the use of diluent containing Tris, fructose, and citric acid: 49.2% after de-freezing and 20.7% after six hours. The influence of the de-freezing procedure on the motility of spermatozoa can also be taken into consideration. The best proved rapid de-freezing without any diluent. The stated results serve for orientation only as the suitability of the diluents will be confirmed by the fertility of inseminated ewes.


[Fibrinogen level in clinically healthy horses]. Various sets of horses were examined in view of the necessity of widening the range of biochemical substances for diagnostic purposes in the field of veterinary medicine. The aim of the investigations was to obtain basic information on fibrinogen level and its variability. The average value stated was 280 mg% s = 89, sx = 12, V% = 32). The fibrinogen level in horses of the pronounced oxidation type was lower than in those with reduced metabolism, the difference being connected with the speed of sedimentation of erythrocytes. Repeated examination of a part of the set of horses (n = 10) on three different days within one week under the same conditions, showed a nonsignificant difference in the variability of the investigated horses (F = 0.901); neither did the coefficient of repeatability (rop = 0.11) reach the level of the testing criterion. The results indicate variability, with normal physiological condition of the animal, in the fibrinogen level. The physiological variability in fibrinogen level can also be explained in connection with other protein fractions.


[Microelements in the liver and kidney of laying hens kept on large-capacity poultry farms under normal and increased supply to the organism]. The contents of manganese, zinc, copper, and iron in the liver and kidney of laying hens (Shaver), kept on modern large-capacity poultry farms, were determined under the conditions of a normal and increased supply of these microelements to the organism. The content of the mentioned trace elements was determined by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry, flameless technique, and with the use of graphite cell. In the layers fed a diet with a normal content of trace elements the average concentrations of the microelements in the liver were the following: manganese: 15.8 +/- 8.8 mg kg-1, zinc: 35.0 +/- 5.1 mg kg-1, copper: 19.9+/- 2.8 mg kg-1, and iron: 761.6 +/- 245.8 mg kg-1. When increased amounts of microelements were added to the diet, their average content generally increased just in the kidneys, whereas their average concentrations in the liver remained the same, with the exception of iron, the content of which showed an increase.


[Ultrastructural study of the hypothalamic region after administration of aurothioglucose in mice]. Aurothioglucose dose of 1 mg g-1 1. w. was applied intraperitoneally to experimental female mice. After 24 hours the animals were decapitated and samples for ultrastructural examination were immediately taken from the region of the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus. The following findings were obtained from the study of 243 electronograms of 8 experimental animals: 1. dense round particles 0.034 to 0.016 mu in size, representing the gold of aurothioglucose; 2. parenchymatous dystrophy of the mitochondria; 3. peeling off of the individual layers of myelin sheath and the granularity of these layers corresponding to the disintegration of nerve fibres.


[Determination of chlorinated pesticides in food and in human adipose tissue]. Residues of chlorinated pesticides in feed for laying hens, in eggs, poultry organs, potatoes, flour, and human fat tissues were determined by means of gas chromatography using electron recording detector. Further the amount of chlorinated hydrocarbon residues in potatoes from various parts of the South Moravian Region was stated. HCH amounts in human fat tissues recorded in Czechoslovakia were higher than in some West European countries, DDT content being, however, on the same level.


[Lead in the organs and tissues of slaughter cattle as a result of environmental pollution]. The normal values of lead in the organs and tissues of clinically healthy slaughter cattle were determined by the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry and by the polarographic method. Animals of various age categories came from several farms of the East-Slovakian region. The lead found in the liver of young fattened cattle was not determined polarographically, since its concentration was under the threshold of sensitivity of the method (1.0 ppm). In the older category of animals (4-16 years old dairy cows) the following lead levels were revealed by the method of atomic absorption spectrophotometry: liver: (n = 76) 1.4 ppm, kidney cortex (n = 51) 1.5 ppm, bone tissue (n = 37) 3.3 ppm, muscle (n = 24) 1.0 ppm. The animals coming from different places had diverse amounts of lead in their tissues. The fact that the organs and tissues of slaughter cattle contained lead as a non-biogenic element is attributed mainly to environment pollution. The normal concentrations of lead, as determined in our study, can be used in chemical diagnosis of poisoning and in the evaluation of the hygienic safety of foodstuffs of animal origin.


Studies on the pathogenesis of ischemic cell injury. VI. Accumulation of calcium by isolated mitochondria of ischemic rat kidney cortex. Mitochondria isolated from rat kidney subject to in vitro ischemia at various time intervals demonstrated a continuous decline of the ability to accumulate calcium following a high initial stable phase of accumulation of calcium which is dependent both on ATP and respiration. This decline occurs during the reversible phase of cell injury and appears to be a sensitive indicator of membrane changes in a binding and/or transport protein or of other membrane permeability characteristics. The morphology of mitochondrial densities related to calcium accumulation in mitochondria varied. Any form of calcium accumulation, resulted in marked swelling of mitochondria. Control renal mitochondria in sucrose were highly condensed. Partially inhibited calcium accumulation in the presence of phosphate was also associated with numerous small spheric or punctate deposits in close relationship to the inner membrane. Uninhibited calcium accumulation resulted in the formation of needle-like structures radiating from such inner membrane associated sites.


Studies on the pathogenesis of ischemic cell injury. XI. P/O ratio and acceptor control. Acceptor control index, P/O ratio and inner membrane permeability were examined in isolated mitochondria following periods of renal ischemia for 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min. It was noted that the P/O ratio remained unchanged until 1-2 h after the onset of ischemia. A similar change was noted in the contraction rate of isolated ischemic mitochondria after swelling in KCl and addition of ATP+Mg2+. Both changes are probably indications of a basic membrane alteration which correlates with the occurrence of irreversibility of cell injury. In contrast, the swelling rate in KCl and the acceptor control index are altered almost simultaneously with the onset of ischemia. Therefore, acceptor control index and the rate of swelling are affected prior to the point of irreversible cell injury. They are not, therefore, good as indicators of irreversible changes in the inner membrane of mitochondria leading to the "point-of-no-return."


Configuration of surfaces of human cancer cells in effusions. A scanning electron microscopic study of microvilli. The surfaces of viable cells of metastatic human carcinomas of various histologic types and primary origin, suspended in pleural and ascitic fluids, were shown by scanning electron microscopy to be covered by microvilli of variable configuration and distribution. Microvilli of some cancer cells appeared biologically active since they were capable of forming extensions and anastomoses when settling on glass. The possible specificity and significance of microvilli in the light of the experimental data were discussed.


Adaptive changes of the rat liver cells induced by repeated intraperitoneal injections of d-galactosamine. II. Light and electron microscopic investigations of hepatocellular nucleolar alterations. The effects of repeated d-galactosamine (GalN) administration - i.e. subacute GalN intoxication - on rat liver cell nucleoli were examined. After an initial intraperitoneal injection of 375 mg GalN/kg body weight the rats were treated with 250 mg GalN/kg body weight daily at intervals between 24 h and 30 days. The rats were sacrificed six h after the last injection by decapitation. Specimens of liver were studied by light and electron microscopy. According to the nucleolar size three stages were to be distinguished. Stage I: decreased nucleolar size after one injection, stage II: increased and maximal nucleolar size after two to five injections, stage III: slightly increased relatively stable nucleolar size after six and more injections. Fine structural observations suggest a nucleolar hyperfunction in subacute GalN intoxication as well as a minor disturbance of the transcription and the transfer of the nucleolar RNA.


Normal blood group B antigen and B transferase activity in a patient with IgM autoanti-B agglutinin. Studies carried out on the red cells of a patient with autoanti-B agglutinin gave further evidence that it is probably not modified red cell antigens which cause autoantibody formation.


[Complex characteristics of an epileptogenic focus in intracerebral space-occupying processes according to the findings of electrocorticography, polarographic studies and electron microscopy]. The work discusses the results of a study of the overall electric activity of the cerebral cortex, its frequency analysis and integration in brain tumors attended with epileptic seizures. The changes in electric activity are correlated with the cortical ultrastructure and the oxygen balance in the brain tissue. The possible mechanisms responsible for the development, cessation or absence of epileptic seizures in the clinical picture of brain tumors are analysed. Data are presented in evidence of the important role of hypoxia of various degrees in these mechanisms. It is established that activation of the synaptic apparatus may be considered as an ultrastructural correlator of hyperexcitation in the epileptic focus.


Complement binding anti-D made in a Du variant woman. A Du variant negro woman developed, during pregnancy, an anti-D that was unusual in that it bound complement. The Rh groups of the propositus and other members of her family were also unusual.


Human blood-group A- and H-specified glycosyltransferase levels in the sera of newborn infants and their mothers. The level of blood-group A1-specified alpha,3'-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminyl-transferase in the serum of recently-delivered women was found to be appreciably lower than the level of this enzyme in the serum of non-pregnant adults and of newborn infants; a similar but less striking decrease was observed in the levels of the A2-specified alpha,3'-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminyltransferase and the H-specified alpha,2'-L-fucosyltransferase. Although the red cells of newborn infants are known to have relatively few A and H antigen sites, the serum of neonates was found to have a level of A1- and A2-dependent N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases and H-dependent fucosyltransferase as high as, if not higher than, the serum of non-pregnant adults. This finding is compatible with the fact that the haemopoietic tissue contributes only about 20% of the serum transferase level.


[Morphological changes in the liver due to the parenteral administration of casein hydrolysate and aminopeptide]. In experiments set up on 30 mongrel rats kept for 10 days on a protein-free diet the influence of an intraperitoneal introduction of caseine hydrolysate or aminopeptide on the morphological structure of the liver was studied. It was found that introduction to rats of aminopeptide or caseine hydrolysate caused stabilization of morphological changes in the liver produced by protein fasting. However, with aminopeptide introduced after protein fasting positive morphological changes proved greater than with an analogous utilization of caseine hydrolysate.


Serological inhibition of blast transformation to purified streptococcal antigens by planned immunization in HLA (A,B) compatible unrelated individuals. Sera obtained from planned immunizations between unrelated donors and recipients, identical or compatible at HLA-A and B, were assessed for their capacity to alter the in vitro response of a test panel of lymphocytes to PHA and a purified streptococcal antigen (PAS). In the case of PHA, no serum effects were apparent. The response to PAS, however, significantly inhibited by two sera. When tested for their complement-dependent cytotoxicity on enriched populations of T and B lymphocytes, none of the sera manifested cytotoxicity against T cells nor did serological inhibition correlate with the capacity to lyze B cells. The data suggest that inhibition of the PSA response is mediated by blocking antibodies specific for a subset of lymphocytes, possibly T cells. While the precise mechanism governing the response to PSA is not known, the data are compatible with the idea that an HLA-linked Ir gene, expressed on a subset of T lymphocytes, controls immune responsiveness to PSA.


[Effect of a 10-day partial parenteral feeding on gastric secretion]. Investigations conducted on dogs subjected to a lengthy (10 days) parenteral introduction of the caseine hydrolysate ascertained an intensification of gastric secretion and an increase of total proteinases in the juice in the course of the experiment, reaching its peak on the 8-9th day. A study of the juice secretion in response to the food stimulant showed that this becomes more intensive during the first phase of the gastric secretion, which points to the importance of the nervous factor in the action of nitrogenous substances on the stomach.


[Admixtures of antibiotic substances in enzyme preparations of microbial origin intended for use as food additives]. A group of enzymtic preparations, mainly of the Soviet make were investigated for the presence of antibiotic substances admixtures. Altogether 25 preparations obtained from molds, actinomycetes, bacteria and yeast were studied. The results showed that 18 preparations contained antibiotic substances in an amount of 0.6-1300 U, equivalent to oxytetracycline units per 1 g. Most often antibiotics were present in preparations of the pectinase and protease group. In the group of glucoamylase the antibiotic activity was uncovered in a single preparation. Procedures employed in determining the antibiotic activity of enzymatic preparations is described and the possible role of antibiotics in the manifestations of their toxic properties discussed.


The Rh antigen Evans.

The Rh antigen Evans. Two families are described which clearly show that the low frequency antigen Evans is a part of the Rh system, in which it defines a 'new' gene complex.


[Spinal cord influences on immune responses demonstrated following interruption of the spinal cord as a result of injury]. Specific and nonspecific immunity reactions were studied in dynamics in 126 patients with injury to the spinal cord, in 162 healthy persons (controls), and in 30 persons who had suffered injury to other organs. The serum agglutinins against the causative agents of infection of the urinary system (colibacillus, Proteus, enterococcus) and C-reactive protein were studied. Phases were revealed in the course of the immunologic reactions depending on the neurodynamics of the damaged spinal cord. The correlation established between the character of changes in the immunologic reactivity and the time elapsed after the injury, the level and the degree of damage to the spinal cord allows the conclusion that cerebrospinal effects are one of the links in the complex chain of central control of immunogenesis.


Automatized hemagglutination kinetics.

Automatized hemagglutination kinetics. An automatized technique for the study of hemagglutination kinetics is described. It was used to differentiate between homozygous and heterozygous individuals in the Rh system. Other applications are proposed.


Maternofetal transfusion during delivery and sensitization of the newborn against the rhesus D-antigen. The presence of maternal cells was determined in a blood sample of 86 rhesus D-negative newborns with a rhesus D-positive mother using the 'minor cell population technique' of Jones and Silver. Maternal cells were found in 43 percent of the samples, irrespective of ABO incompatibility. Anti-D antibodies were detected in 22.2 percent of serum samples from 53 children taken at 6-10 months after birth. There was no correlation between the presence of anti-D and the results of the minor cell population technique at birth. The results are discussed.


[Clinical diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (author's transl)]. 5 patients are described in which normal pressure hydrocephalus was diagnosed. The criteria on which the diagnosis was based were a cerebrospinal fluid perfusion test and an air study. Pathological verification was additionally obtained in 2 patients. The clinical picture in all patients was characterized by dementia. 4 patients were incontinent and 3 were paraspastic.


Metabolism of arylacetic acids. 3. The metabolic fate of diphenylacetic acid and its variation with species and dose. 1. [carboxy-14C]Diphenylacetic acid has been administered to seven primate species including man, and four other mammals and the qualitative and quantitative aspects of its elimination determined. 2. In most species, 50-100 percent of the administered 14C was excreted in the urine in 48 h; 2-30 percent of the dose was recovered unchanged in the 24 h urine. 3. In all species the only urinary metabolite detected by radiochromatogram scanning was diphenylacetylglucuronide (10-70 percent of dose). Reverse isotope dilution additionally revealed the formation of trace amounts (less than 1 percent of dose) of the glycine conjugate by four species and of the taurine conjugate by the cat. No evidence was found for the formation of a glutamine conjugate. 4. The influence of dose on the pattern of metabolism and excretion of diphenylacetic acid has been studied in the rat. In this species diphenylacetic acid undergoes extensive elimination and enterohepatic circulation.


The metabolism of ftorafur in the beagle dog and rhesus monkey. 1. Ftorafur, a fluorinated pyrimidine nucleoside antimetabolite, is metabolized by the beagle dog and rhesus monkey to 5-fluorouracil, which is subsequently biotransformed to the corresponding nucleosides, to alpha-fluoro-beta-ureidopropionic acid, to urea and to CO2. 2. In the dog, urea was the primary urinary metabolite while in the monkey, alpha-fluoro-beta-ureidopropionic acid predominated. 3. The dog and monkey excrete about 35 percent of the recovered dose as CO2. 4. The possibility that ftorafur is a relatively inactive transport form of 5-fluorouracil is discussed.


The metabolism of phenolic opiates by rat intestine. 1. A range of phenolic opiate agonists and antagonists undergo conjugation during passage across the rat intestine. 2. The efficiency of conjugation, mediated by gut UDP-glucoronyltransferase, is a function of the lipophilicity of the substrate. 3. Conjugation of lipophilic substrates such as buprenorphine and etorphine in rat intestinal mucosa is such that the gut wall must be regarded as the primary site of metabolism of these compounds after oral administration. 4. N-Dealkylation of the N-cyclopropylmethyl opiate, buprenorphine, has been demonstrated in rat gut sacs though dealkylation of N-methyl substrates was not detected.


Some characteristics of two morphological mutants of Nostoc linckia induced by nitrosoguanidine. The blue-green alga Nostoc linckia was treated with nitrosoguanidine and two classes of morphological mutant clones were isolated. One class shows certain abnormal phenotypic features of vegetative cells, spores, and heterocysts. It has increased heterocyst frequency and impaired growth rate. The other class exhibits an altered heterocyst spacing pattern. Both classes of mutants have reduced nitrogenase activity.


Differential binding of IgA proteins of different subclasses and allotypes to Staphylococcal protein A. The binding of myeloma proteins of known subclass and allotype to staphylococcal protein A has been studied using affinity chromatography with Protein A-Sepharose CL-4B. Three IgA1 proteins did not show any binding, whereas two IgA2 A2m(1) and one IgA2 A2m(2) proteins were found to bind to the column.


Transfer of antibacterial immunity by "Immune" RNA from animals treated with pseudomonas lipopolysaccharide. The humoral primary immune response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide was studied. Mice immunized with various doses of LPS developed anti-LPS antibodies. Antibody activity was due to 19S and 7S immunoglobulins. Extracts rich in RNA from spleen cells of immune mice were able to transfer specific anti-LPS response to normal recipients. Immunogenic antigen contamination of RNA was ruled out by a variety of controls.


[Influencing factors of previous testing on blood determination (author's transl)]. The demonstration of individual characteristics, especially those of the blood group types are substantially disturbed through the hydrogenperoxide- and the luminol spray procedure, which when it is previously employed, can cause changes in the blood spot. These changes are expecially by very small blood spots to be expected, but even larger ones under intensive spraying can be effected. Only with great caution are such spray procedures to be used and then only if it is impossible any other way to gather information about the existance of blood spots.


The social life of a black-and-white Colobus monkey, Colobus guereza. To investigate relationships between ecology and social organization, observations were made on several populations of Colobus guereza in East Africa in 1970-74. Study time was concentrated in the Kibale Forest and the Kabalega National Park, Uganda. Findings on social behaviour are reported in this paper. Assessments of group composition were made. The repertoire of communicatory acts was analysed. During five-day continuous observation periods at Kibale (12 consecutive months) and at Kabalega (two months) all social interactions between members of one habituated group, and between this group and others, were recorded. 6 Kibale groups were monitored over a four-year period to examine changes in group structure. The results are compared with those from other studies and the adaptive significance of guereza social behaviour is discussed, emphasizing differences in male and female strategies.


Infanticide and social organization in the redtail monkey (Cercopithecus ascanius schmidti) in the Kibale Forest, Uganda. The redtail monkeys of the Kibale Forest, W. Uganda, live in social groups of about 35 members with only one adult male. In one of the study groups the harem male was replaced by a new male from outside the group. This male-replacement was followed by the new male killing and eating two newborn infants in the group. Infants and young juveniles older than one month were not attacked. Following the infanticide the new male copulated with several adult females in the group. 8 months after this male joined the group, 5 other adult and subadult males associated with it. This multimale influx was accompanied by frequent and intense aggression among the males. Comparisons are made with the studies of langurs in India and Ceylon and it is suggested that infanticide following male-replacement in the harem affords reproductive advantages to the new male.


Sensitivity of cellulolytic bacteria to antibiotics. The sensitivity of eight cellulolytic bacterial strains to eight antibiotics was tested. The results showed that, in general, the strains belonging to Cytophaga, Cellvibrio, and Cellfalcicula are more sensitive to antibiotics than those strains that belong to Sporocytophaga and Cellulomonas. The inhibitory activity of the tested antibiotics, though differing with different strains, showed the following categories: tetracycline, erythromycin, and chloromycetin were most active, kanamycin, streptomycin, and neomycin were intermediate, while novobiocin and penicillin showed low activity.


Bacteriolytic myxobacteria: parasites or scavengers? The activity range of an enzymatic preparation from Myxococcus xanthus was assayed against some soil and rhizospheric bacteria. The lysis of unequally aged sensitive eubacterial populations, as related to their viability, was investigated and, at last, the often used streak method was checked and the relationship between cell viability and susceptibility to lysis is discussed.


[Concentration of protein-bound iodine in the serum of women in puerperium in the 1st 10 days post partum]. Serum protein-bound iodine was investigated according to the requirements of the method at Barker and coll. in 127 women without clinical signs of thyroid disorders during the first 10 days after births. Immediately, after parturition the level of serum protein-bound iodine was elevated, while it decreased during the first 10 days of puerperium, reaching normal values about the 10th day after birth.


[New serovariants and/or antigen combinations of Listeria monocytogenes (author's transl)]. In 2111 samples of human faeces originating from 932 persons (midwives, pregnant women, slaughterhouse workers, laboratory workers, individuals with gastroenteritis and without specific symptoms) a total of 86 (9.22%) carriers of L. monocytogenes could be found. Serotyping revealed prevalence of serovar 1/2a (39%) which was characterized by beta-hemolysis and mouse pathogenicity; serovar 4b and 5, also showing beta-hemolysis and mouse pathogenicity, were met with in 11% and 2% of cases, respectively. The great proportion of non-hemolysing and apathogenic L. monocytogenes-strains (71 = 47.3%) was remarkable. They belonged to rare serovars (4a, 4ab, 4f, 4g) or, because of their O-antigen structure, could not be classified under the antigenic scheme by Donker-Voet and Seeliger. This was the case for 47 strains (approximately 31%). In these strains, O-antigen combinations V, VI, IX, XV and V, VI, IX, XIV, XV were found more frequently. With regard to epidemiology and epizootology no significance can be attributed to such strains. The question is raised whether these apathogenic and non-hemolysing serovars still should be classified among the species Listeria or whether they should be separated from this species.


Transduction, by phases F116 and G101, of gentamicin-tobramycin resistance, and of "autoplaque formation" property in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aerugionsa phages F 116 and G 101, propagated on ML 4262 strain into which gentamicin-tobramycin resistance determinants have been increased by means of conjugation, from wild-type strains Vy 28, 29 and 34, were capable to transduce R determinants to PAO 1670 strain. Transfer ability was co-transduced as well, with exception of transductants selected with streptomycin. "Autoplaque formation" ability, occurring in original wild-type strain Vy 28, could be co-tranduced with all tobramycin-resistant determinants by F116 but not G 101 phage.


[Clinico-epidemiologic characteristics of group illness caused by Bac. cereus food poisoning]. The authors describe an outbreak of food poisoning caused by Bac. cereus embracing 80% of persons who catered at the same catering establishment. The poisoning occurred in the course of 15 hours after the moment of eating a sauce stored in warm place. In the majority of cases the course of the disease was mild; 77.8% of the patients displayed phenomena of enteritis, 20.2%--of entercolitis, and 2.0%--of gastroenterocolitis. All the patients recovered without any treatment in the course of 1--2 days.


[Salmonellae in coastal sea waters: research methods, ecology and correlation with indicator microorganisms]. A high correlation of the salmonellae and enterococci indices with the distance from the sources of contamination (effluents) at calm weather and reduced correlation at storm was revealed in examination of coastal waters of Baltic sea for salmonellae and indicator microbes in the biotypes of two populated localities. Monotypical character of the isolated salmonellae served as the peculiarity of the results obtained: S. typhimurium prevailed (96.3%): S. give were isolated in 3.7% of the cases. The latter were isolated chiefly in the biotypes of one of the populated localities (B); their relative content showed a sharp elevation during storm.


[Soluble surface antigens of virulent Sh. sonnei]. The authors conducted an immunochemical analysis of the surface soluble antigen preparations (SSAP) obtained by extraction with physiological saline of the virulent Sh. sonnei microbes killed with acetone. Immunochemical studies by the immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion methods in agar gel, separation on sepharose 4B and in polyacrylamide gel showed the presence of 3 groups of the antigens in the SSAP composition: 1) protein antigens, determining the commonness with the Sonne microbes of the II phase and intergenera associations with typhoid and enteropathogenic E. coli; 2) specific somatic antigen of the Boiven type present in small amounts in the SSAP; 3) specific antigens differing by specificity from the Boiven antigen detected in the microbes of the I phase only and possibly playing a role in the virulent and immunogenic properties of the causative agent.


[Sensitivity of meningococci to the antagonistic activity of nasopharyngeal microflora and antibiotics]. Comparative study of the meningococcus sensitivity of various serological groups with different localization in the human organism to the antagonistic activity of normal microbes of the nasopharynx and the antibiotics it was found that strains isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of patients suffering from cerebrospinal meningitis, chiefly of serological group A, had the greatest resistance to the antagonists. Taking into consideration the leading epidemiological role of the cultures belonging to the serological group A in the USSR, it can be supposed that meningococcus sensitivity to the nasopharyngeal antagonists was of significance for the manifestation of their pathogenic properties. No association of the antibiotic sensitivity of the same strains with reference to a definite serological group or the site of the microbe localization was revealed.


[Structural features of the brain stem reticular formation, hippocampus and limbic region of the cortex]. The paper compares the structural reorganization of reticular formation of the brain stem with the cortical structures of the limbic system--hippocamp and limbic cortex in the mammalian comparative order (a hedgehog, a rabbit, a cat, a dog, a dolphin, a monkey, a man). In all the studied links of the limbico-reticular system the author revealed general regularity: the main trend of a structural development is expressed in the intensification of their structural heterogeneity: nuclei are divided in subnuclei, areas in subareas, layers in sublayers. In all structures these features are expressed more vividly in their phylogenetic new parts. Besides, changes of the brain caudal sections--reticular formation are relatively less expressed than the rostral sections, i.e. hippocamp and limbic cortex.


Towards a definition of living systems: a theory of ecological support for behavior. It is proposed that the Darwinian theoretical approach and account of living systems has not yet been clearly given. A first approximation to this is attempted, focussing on behavior in evolving environments. A theoretical terminology is defined emphasizing the mutuality of organism and environment and the existence of biologically theoretical entities.


A diffusion model for mesoderm induction in amphibian embryos. In this paper we try to answer the question whether diffusion is a possible mechanism to explain mesoderm induction in Amphibians. First the embryological data are discussed and a hypothesis for mesoderm formation is set forth. The blastula being essentially a hollow sphere, we assume that the induction mechanism in an embryo at the blastula stage can be simulated by diffusion-reaction processes on spherical surfaces. A model is constructed for the simple case when the source is held constant with respect to time, the decay proportional to the concentration and the diffusion coefficient a constant. From simulation we find a (best) value for the decay constant to be 6 x 10(-5)/sec and for the diffusion constant to be 0.24 x 10(-6) cm2/sec. The relation between the parameters is derived from an analytic solution for the diffusion process on a spherical surface with a continuously producing point source and the concentration proportional to the decay. The form and regulative properties of the steady concentration gradient are discussed.


The effects of calcium on glycolysis and ATP concentration in complete and membrane-poor hemolyzates of human erythrocytes. Hemolyzates prepared from packed human red cells with 30 micrometer total calcium were employed as a means to examine the relationship between ATP consumption and lactate formation. Hemolyzates exposed to ultracentrifugation accumulate membrane fragments in the top layer yielding membrane-poor fractions in the buttom layers of the centrifuge tube. Lactate formation accompanied by ATP depletion amounts to 12 mumoles per ml and hour in complete hemolyzates fortified with NAD. Complexation of calcium results in about 50% inhibition of the lactate formation with a concomitant increase of ATP. Lactate formation is reduced in membrane-poor hemolyzates approximately concurrently to the extent of membrance removal which produces no discernible change in the glyceral-dehydephosphate dehydrogenase activity. 50--200 micrometer total calcium has no effect on the membrane-independent lactate formation which amounts to 1--2 mumoles per ml and hour. Triton X-100 seems to solubilise also the membrane components responsible for the high calcium-dependent ATP consumption which governs the lactate formation.


Detection of cytochemical and morphological anomalies in 'preleukemia'. The present investigations confirm and extend previous reports on the occurrence of cytochemical anomalies among the hemopoietic cells in preleukemia. The cytochemical patterns of the hemopietic cells obtained from 19 patients suffering from a preleukemic disorder have been studied. The diagnostic value of the cytochemical examination using a panel of 10 different tests is emphasized. In a prospective study in 17 out of 25 patients, preleukemia had been correctly diagnosed. In 4 patients leukemia developed within 2-4 months from the diagnosis ('imminent leukemia'), in 13 patients leukemia or smouldering leukemia developed between 4 and 25 months after the diagnosis ('true preleukemia'). The cytochemical profiles of the hemopoietic cells of the latter have been compared with those of 14 patients suffering from aplastic anemia. In preleukemia the blasts did not exceed 3% of the nucleated bone marrow cells. The clinical value of the diagnosis 'preleukemia' is discussed as well as the prognosis and the possible therapeutic approaches.