Cardiac muscle taurine: effects of acute left ventricular ischemia in the dog and anoxic perfusion of the rat heart. It has been proposed that taurine, or one of its metabolites, may exert anti-arrhythmic effects in cardiac muscle. The present studies examined the effects of acute left ventricular ischemia in the dog (in vivo) and whole heart anoxia in the perfused rat heart (in vitro) on the content and distribution of taurine. In control dogs an increasing outer-to-inner gradient in taurine content was observed in the left ventricle. Left circumflex artery ligation for four hours markedly decreased tissue taurine content, the greatest disappearance occurring in the inner zone. Anoxic perfusion resulted in a similar decrease in rat ventricular taurine levels. Recovery of taurine in the heart perfusates indicated that tissue disappearance, secondary to oxygen deficiency, involved leakage into the extracellular fluid rather than metabolic conversion.


Coronary circulation, myocardial metabolism and hemodynamics of pacing-induced angina. The following changes were noted during pacing-induced angina: The coronary sinus blood flow was less than it was during the control period and less than that in the myocardial ischemic group without induced angina. While myocardial oxygen consumption did not increase, myocardial metabolism became anaerobic. The possibility of myocardial dysfunction also was noted.


Experimental studies on the effect of glucocorticoids on cardiac muscle. Abnormal electrocardiographic changes were found in some patients on long-term glucocorticoid treatment. In experimental animals, chronic glucocorticoid administration resulted in an increase of amplitude of the QRS complex and abnormal ST and T changes. Changes of action potential were somewhat different in the subendocardial and the subepicardial layers. Diffuse mitochondrial alterations were found, particularly in the subepicardial layer. In rabbits treated with glucocorticoids, no significant changes were found in either serum or myocardial potassium content. Slightly decreased Vmax was the observed hemodynamic change.


Elemental composition of ischemic myocardium determined by x-ray microanalysis. Elemental composition of ischemic myocardium was attempted with x-ray microanalysis. Energy dispersive spectrum exhibited calcium K alpha and phosphorus K alpha peaks from mitochondrial deposits, and Ca K alpha peaks from nucleus, contraction bands, and Z lines of the ischemic myocardial cell. Ca and P contents were confirmed with wavelength dipersive spectrometers. Mg was present in the mitochondrial deposits which lacked Ca. This study suggests a formation of phosphate salt of Ca at different intracellular sites and also of Mg with mitochondrial deposits.


Turnover rates of muscle proteins in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle: turnover rate related to muscle function. The turnover rate of muscle proteins was related to the physiological function of the muscle in dogs, fowl, rats, and mice. The turnover rates of mixed muscle proteins were most rapid in cardiac muscle, intermediate in red tonic and mixed fiber-type muscles, and slowest in white twitch skeletal muscle. This same progression in  turnover rates also was shown in the subcellular fractions of muscle-sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins-as well as in purified proteins, myosin, and tropomyosin. The RNA concentration of muscle was highly correlated with the protein turnover rate, and the RNA activity, i.e., the translational efficiency of the RNA, was similar in the different muscle types.


Myocardial metabolism of spontaneously hypertensive rat. Oxidative phosphorylation of myocardial mitochondria isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was determined polarographically. The concentrations of high-energy phosphate compounds, the concentrations of intermediate metabolites, and the activities of the enzymes within the metabolic systems of glycolysis, the pentose phosphate (PPh) cycle, and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle of the myocardium of SHR were determined. The gradual development of cardiac hypertrophy was observed in SHR in comparison with normotensive Wistar rats. There were no significant differences in the function of oxidative phosphorylation of the mitochondria, in concentrations of high-energy phosphate compounds and carbohydrate metabolites, or in activities of glycolytic enzymes between SHR and normotensive Wistar rats.


X-ray microanalysis of mitochondrial calcium. X-ray microanalytical techniques using wavelength dispersive (WDS) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) indicate that Ca2+ is present in intramitochondrial granules which occur in myocardial cells following irreversible ischemic injury. Preliminary results using tissue prepared for routine electron microscopy suggest that the degree of calcium binding that occurs in the mitochondria increases with increased duration of ischemia. Free ions are leached out of the tissue during processing; hence, the role of ion redistribution in producing myocardial necrosis cannot be elicited from a study of this nature. However, with continued progress in the development of techniques of tissue preparation x-ray spectrometry may provide a means of assessing quantitative ion alterations that occur during ischemia.


Comparison of the synthesis of light and heavy chains of cardiac myosin.


Experimental study on enzyme distribution and its relation to myocardial ischemic changes following coronary circulatory disturbances. Coronary artery ligation of canine heart was performed to investigate the relationship between the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) pattern in myocardium and the distribution of coronary flow, especially in the early stage of ligation and after reperfusion. In the myocardium of normal dogs, the LDH pattern was similar in the left ventricle, the interventricular septum, and the right ventricle; the average LD5:LD4 ratio was 1.1, 1.2, and 1.2, respectively, and consisted mainly of heart type. In the left and right auricles, however, the ratios were 0.3 and 0.2, respectively, lacking heart type. In the left ventricle, LD5:LD4 ratio in the subendocardium was different from that in the subepicardial layer. Blood flow distribution in canine myocardium was investigated by the fluorescent pattern on the cut surface of heart, in which 10% fluorescein sodium was injected into the cavity. By this method the evolution of the ischemic area from the endocardial layer to the epicardial side following coronary artery ligation and the effect of reperfusion on the ischemic area were clarified. Electron microscopic studies indicated that loss of mitochondrial function may account for the irreversibility of myocardial cell alteration. A new method for studying enzyme localization in tissues was introduced for studying LDH isoenzyme distribution in normal and injured myocardium.


Contribution of myocardial metabolism to the knowledge of myocardial failure and myocardial infarction.


Interrelation of left ventricular function and myocardial ultrastructure as assessed by endomyocardial biopsy: comparative study of hypertrophic and congestive cardiomyopathies.


Is there a calcium-caused defect of oxidative phosphorylation in cardiomyopathic hamster hearts? Mitochondria from cardiomyopathic hamster hearts have elevated calcium levels, which may cause a defect of oxidative phosphorylation in a small fraction of them. Using a combination of dual labeling density-gradient centrifugation, it was not possible to isolate such an abnormal fraction. However, cardiomyopathic mitochondria are more susceptible to damage by calcium in vitro, suggesting that an abnormal fraction does exist nevertheless.


Reduced response of cardiac norepinephrine release to isometric handgrip exercise in heart failure. In order to evaluate the relation of cardiac norepinephrine (NE) release to left ventricular function, blood was taken simultaneously from the coronary sinus (CS) and the aorta (A) in 19 patients with heart diseases, at rest and during isometric handgrip exercise (IHG) at 30% of their maximal contraction. Plasma NE was analyzed by Renzini's THI method. The concentrations of plasma NE at rest were 397 +/- 66 (S.E.M.) ng/liter in CS and 292 +/- 50 in A. IHG significantly increased NE to 578 +/- 88 in CS and to 462 +/- 85 in A (p less than 0.001). Estimated NE release from the heart (deltaNE = NECS - NEA) correlated inversely to left ventricular end-diastolic pressure at rest (r = -0.520, p less than 0.05) and during IHG (r= -0.689, p less than 0.01). The changes in deltaNE induced by IHG correlated to the slope of the left ventricular function curve (r=0.618, p less than 0.01). It is concluded that the response of cardiac NE release to exercise is reduced in patients with depressed cardiac function.


Changes in purine nucleoside content in human myocardial efflux during pacing-induced ischemia. Pacing-induced myocardial ischemia in 18 patients resulted in an increase of coronary sinus hypoxanthine levels from 1.20 +/- 0.18 micron during control to 2.41 +/- 0.52 micron (p less than 0.025) during pain. In addition, early lactate production occurred frequently before angina was noted. Neither hypoxanthine nor lactate levels changed in seven nonanginal patients, nor were significant alterations in potassium, inorganic phosphate, glucose, or oxygen saturation found in all patients. Myocardial hypoxanthine production seems a useful indicator of ischemia in the human heart.


Nucleic DNA and RNA in cardiac muscle cell of experimental myocardial infarct. Myocardial infarction was produced in dogs, and the changes in nucleic acid synthetic activity were investigated quantitatively by microspectrophotometer in the myocardial cells as time progressed. DNA value, immediately after infarction, was greatly increased in comparison to that of the control group. At two weeks after infarction the value had increased to the highest level. After this point the value decreased, and, in 12 weeks, the mean value was back to the control level. Changes in RNA followed a pattern similar to DNA changes. The mechanism of the repair process of myocardial infarction was investigated.


The influence of plasma volume changes on enzymatic estimation of infarct size. In 18 patients, myocardial injury was estimated by mathematical analysis of the rise in plasma activity of alpha-hydroxybutyrate (alpha-HBDH) dehydrogenase as observed by multiple sampling after admission. This enzyme represents the lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes LDH1 and LDH2. Changes in plasma volume were assessed by determining hematocrit values at the same time as the enzyme activities. Infarct size was expressed in IU/liter of plasma and in grams of heart muscle per liter of plasma (g/liter). Significant changes in plasma volume, reflected in hematocrit changes, occurred (average 12%): 10 patients without pulmonary edema showed an average change of 7%; for the group of eight patients with pulmonary edema, the change was 17%. When calculated infarct size was not correlated for plasma volume changes, a significant overestimation occurred (11.7%, range 0.7-29.7%). In the subgroup of patients with pulmonary edema the mean overestimation was 15.8%, and in patients without pulmonary edema, the mean overestimation was 8.5%. It is concluded that plasma volume changes after an acute myocardial infarction have to be taken into account when infarct size is calculated on the basis of plasma enzyme levels.


Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity after acute myocardial infarction. After acute myocardial infarction, serial serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity was elevated in both high and low DBH subgroups. The observed increase in DBH activity on the first, second, and third days after acute myocardial infarction suggests an augmentation in sympathetic nervous system activity after acute myocardial infarction.


Release of lysosomal enzymes during ischemic injury of canine myocardium. The pathobiology of the process of myocardial injury during ischemia comprises a series of events that results in the release of lysosomal enzymes from their subcellular locations within the myocardium. We have developed a canine model of acute myocardial ischemia in which the anterior descending coronary artery is ligated, myocardial blood flow is measured using radioactive microspheres, and tissues from subendocardium and subepicardium are assayed for activity of lysosomal hydrolases:N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG), beta-glucuronidase (beta-gluc), and acid phosphatase (AP). Particulate fractions of subendocardium revealed significant depletion of of total acid hydrolases (NAG, beta-gluc, and AP) after one and two hours of ischemia. In addition, after two hours of ischemia, the total activity of these three hydrolases in the subendocardial supernatant was decreased, correlating significantly with diminished myocardial blood flow (NAG: r =0.96; beta-gluc: r = 0.95; AP: r = 0.75). The diminished enzymatic levels in thesupernatant suggested "washout" of the hydrolases that was more efficient in those ischemic areas that had higher myocardial flow (greater than 20% of control). These changes in distribution of lysosomal hydrolases indicate early involvement of these enzymes in the pathobiology of myocardial injury and demonstrate the dynamic relationship of "washout" of acid hydrolases with the degree of diminished blood flow.


Features of lysosomal proteolytic enzyme activity in infarcted myocardium. Myocardial infarction was produced in dogs to investigate the behavior of cardiac lysosomal enzymes; acid protease and beta-glucuronidase activities were measured in whole myocardial homogenate and 30,000 X g supernatant fractions. Total activity of acid protease in the whole homogenate of the myocardium increased after 1 hr of infarction and showed maximal value after 6 hr, while in the 30,000 X g supernatant fraction the activity began to increase after 3 hr and reached the maximal level by 24 hr. Total beta-glucuronidase activity in the whole homogenate decreased during the initial 3 hr after myocardial infarction and markedly increased after 12 hr. The activity in the 30,000 X g supernatant fraction showed corresponding changes. These findings that the increase in whole homogenate activity preceded that in the 30,000 X g supernatant fraction may support the hypothesis that lysosomal enzymes may be newly synthesized and then solubilized in the infarcted myocardium.


Ultrastructural features of diseased human atrial muscle cells. Left atrial myocardial tissues, excised at the time of surgery from 30 Japanese patients, were studied using light and electron microscopy and the freeze-fracture technique. All had mitral valvular disease, and, in 22 (74%) patients, atrial fibrillation also was present. In all patients, most of the left atrial cardiocytes were hypertrophied and surrounded by various amounts of fibrous tissue. Degenerative alterations included large masses of lipofuscin granules and lamellar bodies, disorganized myofibrils, widened Z-line material, selective loss of thick filaments, and prominent tubules of sarcoplasmic reticulum. A high incidence of tubular aggregates was observed in 70% of the cases. Such alterations were seen more often in the mitral regurgitation group as compared to the mitral stenosis group. Atrial cardiocytes were found to be more susceptible to disease processes, such as rheumatic fever and subsequent pressure and/or volume overloading, than ventricular cardiocytes. Human atrial cardiocytes may be utilized in future cytopathological studies to study the effect of processes leading to cardiocyte hypertrophy and degeneration.


Pepstatin inhibition of rat myocardial acid protease. The protease inhibitor, pepstatin, inhibited acid protease in rat heart homogenates with a Ki of 7 x 10(-11) M by a noncompetitive mechanism, but it had no effect on myocardial acid protease activity when given in high doses to intact animals. Exposure of heart slices to 10(-7) M pepstatin for two hours also failed to produce demonstrable acid protease inhibition, suggesting that myocardial acid protease activity is unaffected by this potent inhibitor unless the integrity of the cell is disturbed.


Autophagy in cardiac myocytes.

Autophagy in cardiac myocytes. The fetal mouse heart (FMH) in organ culture continues to beat for a period of weeks, but degenerative changes occur. Electron microscopy revealed formation of autophagic vacuoles containing damaged organelles in some cells after the first day, indicating focal cytoplasmic injury. This process was accelerated by transient deprivation of oxygen and glucose followed by resupply of oxygen and glucose. FMHs were maintained for up to four hours in glucose-free media in an atmosphere of 95% N/5% CO2 followed by resupply of O2 and glucose. Twenty-four hours later, many cells recovered without residual injury. Many others revealed autophagic vacuoles ranging from those in which organelles were readily identified to those characteristic of residual bodies. It appears that focal injury stimulates the endoplasmic reticulum to enclose the damaged components, permitting localized lysosomal digestion without causing injury to the entire cell. Autophagy has not been emphasized as an important mechanism in transient ischemia in adult myocytes, but it may play a role in repair of sublethal injury. The FMH organ culture provides an excellent model for studying the sequential autophagic changes in a system in which these events can be accelerated.


Investigation into the causes of increased protein synthesis in acute hemodynamic overload.


Myocardial protection during open-heart surgery: preservation of myocardial metabolism and ultrastructure by cold coronary perfusion. Myocardial protection by means of selective, continuous coronary perfusion with cold oxygenated blood of low flow rate and of low perfusion pressure is an excellent procedure both clinically and experimentally. This method should be particularly useful in poor-risk patients, for whom a maximal preservation of the myocardium is imperative.


Myocardial energy metabolism and protection of heart muscle at low temperatures.


Preservation of myocardial membrane integrity in the early phase of acute myocardial ischemia. Myocardial uptake of dexamethasone (Dex) or methylprednisolone (MP) was studied using tritiated tracers in isolated perfused cat hearts during acute myocardial ischemia. Considerable amounts of Dex and MP were incorported into the plasma membranes in control, border-zone, and ischemic myocardium. Lesser amounts were bound to the remaining subcellular organelles. A gradient of the glucocorticoid uptake was observed decreasing from control myocardium to ischemic myocardium in all subcellular fractions. By the first hour of ischemia, the myocardial plasma membranes underwent marked depletion of activity of 5'-nucleotidase, a plasma membrane marker enzyme, indicating early loss of plasma membrane integrity in acute myocardial ischemia. The incorporation of Dex or MP into the plasma membranes resulted in a significant decrease in loww of 5'-nucleotidase activity of the plasma membranes in the border-zone and ischemic myocardium. The data provide direct evidence 1) to support a membrane stabilizing action of glucocorticoids, and 2) to focus on the plasma membranes as a potentially important site of protection during the early phase of acute myocardial ischemia.


Experimental studies on myocardial metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids in surface-induced deep hypothermia. In surface-induced deep hypothermia, metabolic acidosis resulting from lactacidemia was observed. In the hypothermic heart, the rate of reduction in the coronary arteriovenous (A-V) difference ratio of lactate, pyruvate, and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) was proportionately less than that of coronary flow and myocardial oxygen consumption, suggesting that lactate, pyruvate, and NEFA play important roles as energy fuels in the hypothermic heart. Myocardial metabolism of glucose was reduced; exogenous corticosteroids and ATP do not influence the myocardial metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids in the hypothermic heart.


Effect of physical fitness on myocardial damage and circulation after myocardial necrosis. The effect of physical training (conditioning) on myocardial circulation and myocardial damage has been evaluated in experimental myocardial necrosis in albino rats. Conditioning was done by making the animals swim in a tank of water, thermostatically controlled at 32 degrees +/- 1 degrees C, 60 minutes daily, six days a week, for eight weeks. Myocardial necrosis was produced by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol, 85 mg/kg body weight, on two consecutive days. Investigations included ECG (lead II), SGOT, SGPT, SLDH, SCPK, histopathology of the heart, and myocardial Rubidium 84 uptake. It was observed that, in conditioned animals, elevation of serum enzymes was less, incidence of cardiac arrhythmia was lower, myocardial damage was less marked, and myocardial circulation was better after myocardial necrosis in comparison to unconditioned animals. Less myocardial damage and lower incidence of cardiac of cardiac arrhythmia are presumably associated with a better prognosis.


Viability and histopathology of eleven fresh, antibiotic-treated allografts removed three weeks to three years after implantation. Changes in metabolic activity of removed heart valve allografts have been measured. The fresh heart valves were sterilized and stored in antibiotic solution before implantation in patients. Viability was determined before insertion and after removal from patients by two methods: 1) tissue culture, and 2) autoradiography, using tritiated thymidine. The length of storage in the Hank's antibiotic or nutrient-antibiotic medium before insertion did not seem to influence the final metabolic activity nor the structural integrity of the allografts when they were removed. Results from the present study show that the most severe degenerative changes occur in valves stored in Hank's solution and then implanted in the mitral position. The viability percentage declined progressively during the time that a valve treated in this manner was functioning in a patient.


Pharmacological protection of hypoxic heart. The ability of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, with and without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, and of verapamil to protect the heart against hypoxia-induced damage was investigated. Damage was quantitated in terms of a raised end-diastolic resting tension and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) release. The results indicate that both the d and the l isomers act differently, the isomers preventing CPK release and the d isomers preventing the increase in resting tension.


Transmural gradients in ischemic canine left ventricle: effects of blood reflow on glycolytic intermediates. Following two and four hours of left ventricular ischemia, 20 minutes of blood reflow cannot produce a complete return to normal oxidative metabolism in ischemic canine myocardium. Glycolysis remains increased and aerobic metabolism is most extensively depressed in the subendocardium.


Studies on experimental coronary insufficiency. II. Effects of beta-adrenergic blocking agent (propranolol) on metabolic response to adrenaline and noradrenaline in dogs with coronary constriction. To obtain further information on the mechanism by which catecholamines produce myocardial ischemia, the effects of propranolol on metabolic and mechanical responses to adrenaline or noradrenaline were investigated in coronary-constricted dogs. Propranolol suppressed the myocardial ischemia produced by noradrenaline and adrenaline in dogs with moderate coronary constriction.


Coronary microcirculatory factors and cardiac muscle cell injury. Coronary artery ligation with or without reperfusion was carried out in Wistar rats to study the role of coronary microcirculatory factors and membrane permeability alteration of cardiac muscle cell in the evolution of cardiac muscle cell injury by using the fine structural extracellular protein tracer, horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The findings were compared with those obtained in noncoronarogenic myocardial injury models following administration of norepinephrine, a pressor, and isoproterenol, a depressor catecholamine. Following left coronary artery ligation lastingfor 10 and 20 minutes, some of the collaterals in the ischemic zone were perused by the tracer, but the numer of patent capillaries decreased during 60-min ligation. The inhomogeneous involvement of cardiac muscle cells in ischemic injury correlated well with these microcirculatory findings. In comparison to permanent ischemia, an abrupt deterioration of the cardiac muscle cell alteration occured after reperfusion with influx of HRP into the damaged cells. The binding of tracer to myofilaments was, however, a later event as compared to that seen in the catecholamine models. The latter observation implies that, in addition to microcirculatory factors, direct cardiac muscle cell stimulation should also be considered in the evolution of noncoronarogenic myocardial injury.


The effects of coronary artery ligation on transmural high-energy phosphates following 20 minutes of blood reflow. Normal or elevated levels of ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) were observed from the subepicardium to the subendocardium of the canine left ventricle after five and 20 minutes of left circumflex artery occlusion followed by 20 minutes of blood reflow. However, after two or four hours of occlusion, followed by reflow, ATP and PCr levels were markedly depressed, and a significant decreasing decreasing subepicardial to subendocardial gradient appeared, suggestive of inhibition of oxidative metabolism during extended periods of ischemia but not during short periods of ischemia.


Studies on experimental coronary insufficiency. I. Effects of a physiological dose of adrenaline and noradrenaline on myocardial metabolism in dogs with graded coronary constriction. To investigate the mechanism by which catecholamines produce myocardial ischemia, the effect of intracoronary-administered adrenaline and noradrenaline was studied in dogs with graded coronary constriction. A physiological dose of catecholamines was favorable for augmentation or improvement of myocardial metabolism and cardiac function in dogs without or with slight coronary constriction. However, in dogs with moderate or severe coronary constriction, similar doses of catecholamines produced myocardial ischemia and cardiac dysfunction.


Evaluation of perfusion conditions in cardiopulmonary bypass. Fresh sections of left ventricular drill biopsies, taken at the beginning and end of cardiopulmonary bypass in 164 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, have been analyzed for myocardial function. This has been assessed by changes in biochemical function, measured by semi-quantitative histochemical methods, and by changes in birefringence, measured quantitatively by polarization microscopy. It has been shown that continuous perfusion at 32 degrees C with the heart beating provided better preservation than did the other three perfusion procedures, in all of which the heart was fibrillating. More recently, in a small number of cases, cardioplegic arrest has been found to given even better preservation.


Ultrastructural change in myocardium subsequent to ischemic cardioplegia "no-reflow phenomenon". Mongrel dogs were subjected to cardiopulmonary bypass with hemodilution and to normothermic anoxic arrest for 30 minutes, to study the subepicardial and the subendocardial myocardial ultructure and the DPTI/TTI ratio. "No-reflow phenomenon" was demonstrated in the myocardium after cardiopulmonary bypass, associated with normothermic anoxic arrest. No-reflow phenomenon was a contributing factor to subendocardial ischemia in the normotrophied ventricle after open-heart surgery. Severe hemodilution with hemoglobin less than 5.0 g% resulted in irreversible damage in both myocardial layers.


Fucosidosis: a neuropathological study.

Fucosidosis: a neuropathological study. The involvement of the central nervous system in fucosidosis is related to severe lesions of both nerve and glial cells. The morphology of cells degeneration is characterized by both vacuoli containing water-soluble fuco-derivatives (fuco-oligosaccharides) and/or granular substances probably constituted by fuco-sphingolipds. The cerebral cortex is the most severely affected. The involvement of the white matter is related to the glial cells degeneration. The relationship between the morphology of nerve and glial cells lesions, and the accumulation of oligosaccharides and sphingolipids following the absence of alpha-L-fucosidase, is briefly discussed.


Studies on the clustering of multiple sclerosis in Finland. The epidemiological investigation of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Finland revealed a prevalence rate of 40.3 per 100.000 inhabitants. The geographic distribution of MS was uneven in the country. MS seemed to occur more often in the western and southwestern parts of the country, where the prevalences varied between 51.7 and 62.1 This phenomenon became even more pronounced when the distribution of the disease was investigated in small geographic units. Optic neuritis showed a geographic distribution similar to that of MS, with clustering in the same parts of the country and even in the same narrow districts. The correlation between the birthplaces of MS and optic neuritis patients was very significant (p less than 0.001), which suggest that they share a common aetiology. The possible aetiological role of genetic and exogenous factors was discussed in the western cluster of MS, where the percentage of familial cases was 13 and an accumulation of muscular dystrophy of cattle was observed.


The syndrome of carnitine deficiency.

The syndrome of carnitine deficiency. Three cases of lipid storage myopathy and carnitine deficiency are presented. Two had a fatal course and were insensitive to cortisone and carnitine-replacement therapy. The two fatal cases had lipid accumulation in organs other than the skeletal muscles and carnitine was reduced in plasma, skeletal muscles, heart and liver. Fibroblasts from one of these "generalized" cases of carnitine deficiency were grown from a skin biopsy. Carnitine level, fatty acids uptake and oxidation were not appreciably different between the patients' fibroblasts and those of controls.


The neurophysiological features of various diseases with NCL storage. Combined EEG/ERG/VER studies were carried out on 47 children with verified neuronal storage of ceroid/lipofuscin-like material. The majority of patients fell into one of three main groups. Each group showed its own characteristic combination of neurophysiological features which were of diagnostic importance and closely parallel to the age of onset and the evolution of clinical symptoms characteristic to each group. These findings suggest that general terms such as "NCL" or "Batten's disease" imply a single disease process and are misleading.


Pleiotropic effect of serum on beating rat heart cell cultures and their modulation by hormones. The multiple effects of serum on metabolic activities and macromolecular syntheses of heart cell cultures are discussed in this chapter. This pleiotropic response, which is linearly related to the amount of serum used, allowed us to quantitatively test the growth-promoting activity of different hormones. In addition, the possible mediation of the serum effects by cyclic nucleotides is considered.


Recent findings on some "new" neurometabolic diseases. The most common inborn error of glycoprotein catabolism appears to be aspartylglycosaminuria (AGU). It is characterized by deepening mental retardation, progressive lesions of connective tissue, and increased urinary excretion of aspartyglycosylamine. The first symptoms usually appear after 3 years of age and closely resemble those of Hurler's disease. The condition is a hereditary lysosomal storage disease due to a defective enzyme. The main clinical findings in a infantile type of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (INCL) are psychomotor retardation, visual failure, and a virtually isoelectric E.E.G. at the final stage of the disease. The symptoms of this hereditary disorder first appear between 8 and 18 months of age and the mean age at death is 6.5 years. Striking cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, together with neuronal loss and accumulation of lipofuscin-like material, can be observed at neuropathological examination.


Epidemiological survey on multiple sclerosis in Italy. An epidemiological survey on Multiple Sclerosis was carried out in 1975 with similar methods in 9 italian provinces: 4 in the North, 2 in central Italy and 3 in the south and islands. It was found that the incidence of the disease was partically uniform in the northern provinces, in the central Italy and in Bari province. It is important however to complete in greater detail such survey in the south of Italy where the data are still incomplete.


Effect of environmental factors and tissue culture methodology in producing and studying cultured cardiac cells. Improvement in the method of heart cell cultures is described and justified in relation to environmental factors. The validity of such cardiac cell culture for cardiac research is discussed in light of particular cellular activities: differentiation of lipoprotein lipase, myoglobin biosynthesis, glucose and fatty acid metabolism pleiotypic responses (rotein, RNA, and DNA biosyntheses, substrates transports) to serum stimulation, and the architectonic growth of muscle and nonmuscle cells.


Tissue culture of myocardial cells: introductory remarks.


Fetal mouse hearts in organ culture. Studies in cardiac metabolism.


Palmitate oxidation by beating heart cells in culture. Palmitic acid oxidation has been studied in cultures of beating heart cells. The data reported suggest: 1. The main source of fatty acids for oxidation in cell cultures is provided by lypolysis of preexisting intracellular fatty acids. Most fatty acids that have just entered the cell are not oxidized immediately. Thus, aged heart cells in culture seem to retain their ability to utilize fatty acids as their main energy source. 2. In cultured heart cells, the amount of CO2 obtained from the carboxyl group was much higher than that obtained from the methyl group. On the other hand, beta-hydroxybutrate has been shown to be formed mainly from the methyl group. This may indicate that beta-oxidation terminates at the beta-hydroxybutyrate stage because of premature dissociation of this last intermediate from the enzyme complex.


Synthesis and phosphorylation of canine cardiac myosin in tissue-culture assessment of hypertrophying factors. Canine cardiac myosin, which was synthesized in a 14-day tissue culture, based on L-[3H] leucine incorporation, was precipitated with goat gamma G antimyosin (cardiac-specific) and analyzed on dodecylsulfate gels. Incorporation of 32PO4 into myosin chains occurring in culture was the same as that obtained in vivo and appeared to be coupled with translation. Removal of 32PO4 from myosin heavy chains with base treatment indicated the presence of phosphoserine and phosphothreonine in canine cardiac myosin heavy chains. Further acid hydrolysis confirmed the data. The system described here, i.e., analyses of 32PO4 and L[3H] leucine incorporation into myosin heavy chains, could be used as a system for assaying hypertrophying factors.


Fucosidosis: diagnosis of five patients and carrier detection. The clinical and biochemical data of the two original cases of fucosidosis type I and of three other type II are reported. Of less than forty patients affected with fucosidosis, described in the literature, seven belong to two pedigree originating from a small, isolated area of the Southern Italian region of Calabria. All the affected children were born from first cousin marriages. Clinical heterogeneity has been observed inside both pedigrees and some patients show angiokeratoma while others do not.


The effect of aerobic and anoxic perfusion on protein synthesis in cardiac arrest.


Ouabain-induced arrhythmias of cultured myocardial cells and their improvement by quinidine. Single-isolated myocardial cells obtained in vitro from fetal mouse heart developed various types of arrhythmic movements, such as fibrillatory and fluttering movements, in medium containing ouabain. The percentage of isolated myocardial cells that exhibited arrhythmic movements increased as ouabain concentration was increased. The arrhythmic movements induced by relatively low concentrations of ouabain were reduced by addition of quinidine. Cell clusters also developed various types of arrhythmic movements in medium containing ouabain. These arrhythmias became more severe when the ouabain concentration was increased. Under conditions such that approximately 43% of the single-isolated myocardial cells showed arrhythmias, many cells in cell clusters showed fibrillatory movements, but the cell clusters as a whole still maintained rhythmic beating. Under conditions in which about 65% of the single-isolated myocardial cells showed arrhythmias, cell clusters as a whole showed irregular beating. The cell clusters stopped beating under conditions in which about 79% of the single-isolated myocardial cells showed arrhythmias. Relatively mild types of arrhythmias of cell clusters were improved by addition of quinidine. From these observations, the genesis and improvement of arrhythmias of cell clusters were concluded to be essentially a result of the genesis and improvement of arrhythmic movements of the individual component cells in the clusters.


Morphological evidence for neural control of the activity of rat heart pacemaker.


Fine structure of the sinoatrial node of rabbit heart.


Experimental studies on cardiac arrhythmias with special reference to fibrillation in heart cell culture. Fibrillation-like beating of cardiac muscle cells in culture was induced by altering the concentrations of various ions. Fine structural changes of cell membrane and intercellular alteration of cardiac muscle cells appeared to be more prominent in cells with fibrilliation-like beating than in others. From the results of the present study, it may be concluded that fibrillation-like beating may occur in the presence of altered concentrations of certain ions, accompanied by fine structural changes in the cells.


Myocardial depressant factor and rat heart myoblasts in tissue culture. Beating rat heart myoblasts in tissue culture are suitable for the demonstration of the effect of sera from patients with cardiogenic shock upon the contractility of heart muscle. Shock serum either promptly stops beating or causes discoordinated movements of the cultivated myoblasts (fibrillation). This effect of the shock serum is concentration-dependent. Hydrocortisone before and/or after treatment of the cultivated cells does not influence the effect of the shock serum. Calcium ions shorten the period of standstill of the muscle cells after washout of the shock serum.


Fine structure of the conduction system and working myocardium in the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus. In the little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus, topography and ultrastructure of the sinus node and the atrioventricular (AV) node resemble those in large mammalian hearts, except that the P cells in the sinus node are smaller than those in the bat AV node or those in the sinus node of slower hearts (e.g., dog, man). Despite rich innervation in the bat nodes, true neuromuscular synapses are rarely formed. Bat working cardiocytes have a well developed sarcoplasmic reticulum, but otherwise resemble working myocytes of larger mammals.


Prognosis in arteriosclerotic heart disease.


Cardiovascular physiology of dynamic and static exercise.


The art of caring.

The art of caring.


The family system and physical illness.

The family system and physical illness.


Stress electrocardiogram--probabilities of disease.


Hobson's choice.

Hobson's choice.


Cardiotoxic effects of adriamycin in mammalian cardiac cells in culture. Cardiotoxicity of unknown etiology may preclude the use of adriamycin, a cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Mammalian cardiac cells in culture were used as a model system in the study of the mechanisms involved. Adriamycin inhibited cell growth, particularly of the fast-dividing nonmuscle cells. This inhibition might be a contributory factor to cardiomyopathy, but it does not explain the cessation of the rhythmic contractions characteristic of myocardial cells in culture. The concentrations of ATP and phosphorylcreatine (PC) were decreased in the adriamycin-treated cells, but the addition of creatine resulted in a several-fold increase of PC. Therefore, the regulation of energy production and the potential to maintain a high, steady-state concentration of PC were not impaired.


Pathophysiology and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.


Unusual electrocardiograms in athletes.

Unusual electrocardiograms in athletes.


Studies on cartilage formation XIX. Oxygen and glucose supply of the regenerating articular surface. Complete removal of the articular cartilage in dogs is followed by regeneration of the articular surface. At the site of the bone wound, granulation tissue develops, which later differentiates into cartilage. The O2 and glucose supply of the regenerating articular surface is ensured by the synovial fluid, by the large exposed surface of the medullary cavity, and by the capillary network of the granulation tissue. Oxygen and glucose supply of the articular surface in different stages of differentiation has been statistically analyzed. It is suggested that in the early stage of regeneration O2 supply comes predominantly from the capillaries of the granulation tissue. Later on, as capillarization regresses, the oxygen supply, originating from the synovia and medullary cavity, assumes a more important role. In the stage of cartilage regeneration an oxygen-deficient state can be supposed in the entire articular surface, but areas differing in oxygen supply may be formed owing to local differences (due mainly to the extent of vascularization and degree of generation of the subchondral bone layer). At the site of chondrogenesis, conditions allowing aerobic metabolism of cells with reduced O2 requirements seem to be ensured. Glucose supply deriving from the above-mentioned sources satisfies the highest glucose requirements of the cells in the regenerating articular surface.


Dry weight and 5HT concentration in the cerebral ganglia of Anodonta (Mollusca) during activity. As shown by interferometry, the amount of protein in neuron bodies of Anodonta cygnea L. cerebral ganglia changed in direct relation to the duration of the active state of the mollusc. The amount of serotonin in cerebral ganglia changes independently of the amount of protein in nerve cells, although it varies consistently with the activity and rest of the animal.


Rosette formation of concanavalin A-treated erythrocytes around polymorphonuclear leucocytes and lymphocytes. Concanavalin A (Con A) induces rosette formation of erythrocytes around polymorphonuclear leucocytes and lymphocytes in cell suspensions of autologous human blood cells. The effect which is most characteristic in a concentration between 25 and 50 microgram/ml is due to Con A bound on the erythrocyte membrane. A similar effect, although less pronounced, was observed with phytohaemagglutinin at concentrations of 10 and 25 microgram/ml. The treated erythrocytes showed a higher affinity to polymorphonuclears when compared with lymphocytes. At the contact area, the membrane of the erythrocyte became highly folded while its free surface was smooth and spherical. The effect of the local concentration and immunobilization of the lectin on the erythrocyte membrane and the similarity of the contact pattern to that of erythrophagocytosis are discussed.


Role of ultimobranchial body and corpuscle of Stannius in regulation of the plasma calcium and phosphorus levels in the teleost Heteropneustes fossilis. Effects of NaF, CaCl2, NaCl and mammalian calcitonin on the histology of ultimo-branchial (UTB) and corpuscle of Stannius (CS) and plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus in the teleost Heteropneustes fossilis are recorded. Administration of NaF, NaCl, and mammalian calcitonin resulted in varying degree of hypolcalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia, whereas hypercalcaemia and hypophosphataemia developed during CaCl2 treatment. These treatments also produced various histological changes in UTB and CS. It is suggested that CS and UTB are involved in metabolisms of Ca and P, and in osmoregulation. Moreover, it is an important hypocalcaemic mechanism in this fish in combating hypercalcaemia.


Heterogeneity in the fibres of the body wall muscles of the earthworm.


Ventilation efficiency after different incisions for cholecystectomy. Forced expiratory vital capacity (VC), forced expired volume during the 1st second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured preoperatively and during the first four postoperative days in 44 patients undergoing cholecystectomy. 18 patients had a muscle splitting incision (M.S.), with no transection of the abdominal muscles; 15 patients had a subcostal incision with transection of the rectus muscle; 11 patients had a midline incision with transection of linea alba. Postoperatively, VC and FEV1 were reduced to 75% of the preoperative value with a m.s. incision, and to 40-55% with a subcostal or midline incision PEF was reduced to 65% of the initial value with a m.s. incision and to 50% with the other incisions. Almost every second patient with a m.s. incision had returned to the initial VC and PEF within four days, whereas only one did so with a subcostal or mid-line incision. In conclusion, the m.s. incision reduces postoperative ventilation efficiency less than other incisions. Its use may reduce postoperative pulmonary complications and shorten the hospital stay.


A comparison of Mersilene and polyglycolic acid sutures in pararectal abdominal wounds after appendectomy. A total of 206 patients were subjected to operation for acute appendicitis through a pararectal laparotomy. Mersilene was used in 101 and polyglycolic acid (PGA, Dexon) in 105 patients as buried sutures for the closure of the abdominal wall, including the fascial layer. Wound complications developed after Mersilene in 23 and after PGA in 10 cases. PGA did not lead to an increased frequency of early wound infections. Granulomata or fistulae developed after Mersilene in 18 patients, but not in any of the cases in which PGA was used. Wound rupture and incisional hernia did not occur in any of the patients in the two groups.


Preoperative localization of nonpalpable breast tumours. A simple method for the preoperative localization of nonpalpable breast tumours detected by mammography is described. A small amount of a mixture of contrast media and visible dye is injected into the breast precisely ventral to the lesion and the site of injection is marked on the skin. Forty patients have been operated upon and all the tumours were found without difficulty.


The development of the ipsilateral retinothalamic projections in the Xenopus toad. The appearance of ipsilateral terminal degeneration in the thalamic visual centers is studied with the aid of the Fink-Heimer II technique in Xenopus larvae and postmetamorphic toadlets following unilateral eye removal. The youngest age at which degeneration can reliably be shown in the lateral geniculate complex (nucleus of Bellonci and corpus geniculatum thalami) was at stage 62, that is, 10-12 days before metamorphic climax. The whole compliment of the ipsilateral retinothalamic projection develops only in postmetamorphic toadlets, and it is much more abundant in Xenopus than in Rana species. The first appearance of the ipsilateral degeneration in the lateral geniculate complex coincides in time with the first ipsilateral visuotectal responses described by others. The possibility that the two phenomena may have  a closer relationship than the mere time coincidence, is discussed.


Axonal labyrinths in the rat spinal cord: a consequence of degenerative atrophy. Transection, crush or local colchicine treatment of a peripheral nerve induces degenerative atrophy of central terminals of primary sensory neurons in the Rolando substance of the rat spinal cord. In addition to osmiophilic alterations that occur in the course of degenerative processes in general, degenerative atrophy is characterized by the appearance of spectacular labyrinthine formations. Electron-microscopic analysis reveals that these consist of flattened axonal profiles. Axonal labyrinths are interpreted as signs of futile regenerative efforts of axon terminals undergoining degenerative atrophy. Labyrinths disappear from the Rolando substance several months after peripheral nerve injury, when degenerative atrophy of the central terminal is replaced by regenerative proliferation.


Morphology of the post-ovulatory follicle of house sparrow. The morphology of the post-ovulatory follicle (or corpus luteum) in the sparrow (Passer domesticus) ovary has been investigated with special reference to the origin of luteal cells which finally fill the fillicular activity. The development and degeneration of luteal cell mass has been described in three phases. The luteal cell mass consists of hypertrophied granulosa luteal cells during the first phase and of both granulosa and thecal luteal cells during the second phase. During the second phase owing to their different staining reactions, both types of luteal cells can be differentiated. In the advanced stages of regression, i.e. during the third phase, the whole luteal cell mass consists of thecal luteal cells and connective tissue elements as the granulosa luteal cells had degenerated and disappeared by this stage.


Oestradiol uptake by intact and sympathectomized genital tract of the female rabbit.


Popliteal vessel injury.

Popliteal vessel injury. Popliteal vessel injury still carries a high amputation rate despite the progresses which have been made in vascular surgery. Three patients with such injuries treated with vascular repair are reported and a review of the recent literature is given. Prognostic factors as early diagnosis, delay in treatment, associated injuries as fracture/dislocation and venous injury, soft tissue injuries, adequate vascular repair, and postoperative complications are discussed.


Abdominal stab wounds.

Abdominal stab wounds. The records of 57 patients with abdominal stab wounds, treated at the Surgical Departments of the Sahlgrenska Hospital, Göteborg, between 1969-1974, were revised. Fifty-five patients were males and 2 females. The wounds were situated in the upper abdomen in 72% of the patients. Forty-nine patients were treated with an explorative laparotomy and the findings were considered to be negative in 31% of these patients. Liver injuries were found in 45% of the operated patients. No complications occurred in the patients with negative laparotomy findings. One patient with multiple intra-abdominal lesions succumbed from an irreversible septic shock.


Temporary arterio-venous shunts to dilate saphenous crossover graft and maintain graft patency. A modification of the Palma operation is described in a 25-year-old man with impaired venous outflow of the right leg. After a phlebitic occlusion of the right superficial femoral and external iliac veins he had been operated on twice for varicose veins. The result of these operations was a serious outflow stasis of the right leg during exercise. A saphenous cross-over graft to the right popliteal vein was constructed. Preoperatively a temporary arterio-venous shunt between the left posterior tibial artery and the great saphenous vein had been made in order to increase the diameter of the saphenous vein. Three months later the dilated saphenous vein was resected at the level of the sapheno-tibial artery shunt and anastomosed to the popliteal vein of the right leg. The cross-over graft occluded several times during this operation. A temporary popliteo-popliteal arterio-venous shunt was established distally to the sapheno-popliteal anastomosis to keep the vein graft patent. This second arterio-venous shunt was resected after three months. Venography one month later showed that the vein graft was patent. The patient's complaints had disappeared one month after the operation and a normalization of his venous outflow was recorded plethysmographically. The graft has remained patent during an observation time of eighteen months.


Non-occlusive enteric gangrene associated with severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Six cases of non-occlusive enteric gangrene in association with severe upper gastro-intestinal haemorrhage are described, the incidence of which corresponds to approximately one per cent of the patients with serious gastric bleedings. A brief discussion of the pathophysiology of ischaemic gut lesions is given. In order to reduce the incidence of this disease rapid and adequate treatment of all massive gastro-intestinal bleedings is emphasized. Patients with unexplained abdominal pain in association with haemorrhagic shock should especially be regarded as being at risk of developing the enteric gangrene.


Gastric acid secretion in patients with prepyloric ulcer and with combined gastric and duodenal ulcer. The gastric acid secretion during stimulation with histamine given via a continuous intravenous infusion (i.e. during steady state conditions) was studied in 13 patients with prepyloric ulcers and in 21 patients with combined gastric and duodenal ulcers. The rate of volume secretion, the acidity and the acid output were analysed separately. The results were compared with earlier studies of patients with gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Starting from the secretory pattern these four groups of ulcer were characterized. Gastric ulcers thus show hypoacidity. The pyloric ulcers do not differ from a normal material. The combined gastric and duodenal ulcers and the duodenal ulcers show hypersecretion, most pronounced in duodenal ulcers.


Pyogenic liver abscess as a cause of acute upper abdominal pain. A report of two cases. The clinical course of 2 patients with acute abdominal pain, which was eventually found to be due to pyogenic hepatic abscesses is described. One patient, operated on late in the course, died; the other, who was operated on early, recovered. The importance of considering this life-threatening disease in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain is emphasized.


Neurolept anesthesia: balanced or unbalanced?


A double blind comparison of buprenorphine and morphine in conscious subjects following administration by the intramuscular route. Buprenorphine was studied to determine the respiratory depressant effect in a double blind comparison with morphine. Buprenorphine produced a more prolonged displacement of the carbon dioxide response curve than morphine. Because of the marked difference in the time effect curves the relative potency was determined at the time of peak effect--3 hours post-administration for buprenorphine (0.15 and 0.3 mg) and 1 hour post administration for morphine (5 and 10 mg). The data from the subjects who received higher doses of buprenorphine (0.6 and 1.2 mg) showed that there was a linear relationship over the dose range 0.15-1.2 mg in terms of respiratory depression.


Muscle relaxants: the classical receptor theory. According to the classical receptor occupancy theory non-depolarizing and depolarizing muscle relaxants differ in one respect: both types of drugs possess affinity for the cholinergic receptor at the neuro-muscular function, but only the depolarizing relaxants show efficacy. The two properties, affinity and efficacy are independent from each other.


Affinity concept and the action of the muscle relaxants.


Internal surface and fine structure of the rat seminal vesicle. The seminal vesicle of the rat was studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The internal surface of the organ is partitioned into small areas by a system of elevated ridges of connective tissue and covered by a columnar epithelium. This consists of small basal cells, presumably reserve elements, and larger ones containing the typical cell organelles involved in protein synthesis. The surface of the cell is covered with slender microvilli, varying in height and number from region to region. It is suggested that they are involved in the maintenance of hydration and/or regulation of low molecular weight substances in the secretion product. The latter develops from small granules which pass the apical cell border and then fuse together as larger drops.


Endocrine control of postcranial body proportions. An experimental study of allometry.


Biology of the rice rat (Oryzomys palustris natator) in a laborabory environment. X. Postweaning growth of the skull. A survey of skull development of the rice rat (Oryzomys palustris natator) covering a period of 21 days to 16 months involving equal numbers of males and females (108) was undertaken using various skull parameters. Sexual dimorphism in relation to body weight and length emerged before that of the skull which was only clearly marked by 2 months. A number of the skull parameters by virtue of their individual growth potential did not show sexual differences in size for a long time, whereas others were clearly marked. Once the differences between the sexes had been established they were maintained. One parameter - lenght of cranium - represents those parameters which show changes and it was found that the male rat continued to show a steady linear increase in length up to 16 months, whereas the female cranial length shows a deceleration with termination around 12 months. The skull differences are mirrored in the weight and length findings and it suggested that the earlier sexual maturity of the females is compensated by an earlier cessation of growth compared to the males which mature later and have a correspondingly later cessation.


Arterial vascularization of the sinuatrial node in the embryonic rat heart. We studied the embryological development of the extracoronary cardiac vessels, determining their origins, courses and terminations in embryonic rat hearts. The sinuatrial node is supplied by an extracoronary artery, which can originate from (a) the right internal mammary artery, as a nodal artery, based on its origin; (b) the internal mammary artery, or (c) the right subclavian artery as a collateral artery of the cardiac branch of the cardiomediastinal trunk. The intimate relations of the nodal artery with the sinus node make it possible to study, at the same time, the development of the sinuatrial node in the rat embryo. The sinuatrial node always develops before the nodal artery, which does not appear until 16 or 16.5 days of development.


Ultrastructural study on topographical variations of the ependyma in Bradypus tridactylus. An electron-microscopic study of ependymal cells in 24 different areas of the encephalic ventricular system of Bradypus tridactylus was made, with a view to making a comparative analysis, of a topographical kind, of various cell components: cilia, microvilli, plasma membrane, cytoplasmic protrusions, types of cellular junctions, ribosomes, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, microfilaments, microtubules, mitochondria, granules and dense bodies. There were differences in the distribution of all these cytologic elements, according to the topography, being a complement to a similar work done by the same authors with light-microscopy. By means of a morphofunctional analysis they draw the conclusion that even if one can admit the passage of substances by an intracellular route, on the other hand few facts support the idea the intracellular absorption or secretion could be considered as important phenomena in a great number of the ependymal areas studied.


Possible phylogenetical significance of the corpus callosum with special reference to the dolphin brain (Stenella graffmani). The surface area of the corpus callosum was measured in several animals as compared to the brain weight. A general consideration of the importance of this structure on the phylogenetic scale, with special reference to the corpus callosum of the dolphin, Stenella graffmani, is given. Some theoretical considerations about the significance of this structure upon some specialized features are mentioned.


Hypothalamic neurosecretory system of the spotted owlet, Athene brama Temminck.


Alkaline phosphatase in the thymus.

Alkaline phosphatase in the thymus. (1) Fetal thymuses, organs from patients who died from diseases that are not clinically known to be associated with concomitant lymphoid tissue involvement, as well as thymuses from patients dying from diseases which effect the lymphatic complex of the body, one way or another, have been investigated for their alkaline phosphatase activity, using Gomori technique and applying four different phosphate esters as substrates. (2) Three substrates (beta-glycerophophate, riboflavin 5-phosphate and adenosine triphosphate) showed essentially the same pattern of activity in which the cortex and Hassall's corpuscles were reactive, while the medulla was negative. A reversal of this pattern was demonstrated with 5-monophosphoric acid. (3) Before the age of 32-36 weeks of intra-uterine life there is no alkaline phosphatase activity in the thymus; therafter, the enzyme begins to make its first appearance. (4) There is a definite increase in the intensity of the reaction with advance of intra-uterine life. This increase in phosphatase content is continued postnatally, to reach its maximum at about the age of 10 years: after that, the enzyme activity gradually subsides. (5) There is a tremendous augmentation of phosphatase activity in the case of disease which are known to affect the lymphoid complex. (6) The phosphatase activity of the thymus has been discussed in relation to the prevailing concepts about the function of the thymus, with special emphasis on a possible association with 'lymphocyte-stimulating factor' production and/or secretion.


Anteversion versus torsion of the femoral neck. The usual term 'torsion angle of the femur' denotes the 'anteversion' of the neck of the femur as a whole, caused by the twist in the shaft of the femur rather than the twist in the neck. This has been differentiated from the twist in the neck of the femur around its own axis, termed 'torsion neck' and the values of both have been measured. To differentiate these two different phenomena, the term 'anteversion' is used to denote the usual angel described, while 'torsion neck' is sued to denote the twist in the neck around its own axis measured in this work. 1,000 femora from 21 cites in different parts of the country have been measured and the average anteversion angle calculated. The Indian average works out to be 12 degrees with a significantly (double) high value for females. The incidence of negative angle is 7% in the normal femora. All fractured femora invariably show a negative angle. The above information should be of great significance on orthopaedic surgery of the neck of the femur in these bones. The 'torsion neck' has been measured by tracing and its average reported as 30 degrees.


Further observations on the ear in fossorial mammals with special considerations of Chlamyphorus truncatus (Harlan). The morphology of the external and the middle ear (auditory ossicles) in Chlamyphorus truncatus is influenced by its fossorial life. The external auditory canal consists of three parts. The most distal part is a short (cartilaginous) auricle which reaches anteriorly close behing the eye. Posteriorly to the auricle is a long, thin bony duct which consists of two segments, movable against each other. This tube leads through a narrow porus into the third part of the canal, the recessus meatus, which is enclosed in the bulla. The recessus with the narrow porus is characteristic for many fossorials and has a morphology with physical chracteristics of a resonator (HELMOHOLTZ). The malleus and the stapes in Ch. truncatus are also influenced by fossorial life. Based on the dorsal view of the malleus head, the Xenarthra can be divided into two groups. To the first division belong the Dasypodidae with Chlamyphorinae and Dasypodinae, to the second the Myrmecophagidae and Bradypodidae. The malleus of Cyclopes, a myrmecophagid, differs from that in the other Mymecophaginae and is similar to the malleus in the Dasypodinae. Two kinds of experiments should be undertaken: (a) physiologic-acoustic experiments in a fossorial to determine the effect of the recesses and (b) acoustic experiments varying the dimensions and positions of a tube and a porus leading into a resonator.


Some ultrastructural observations on human palmar stratum corneum. Ultrastructure of human palmar stratum corneum was examined for cell junctions and cytoplasmic material. Interdigitated microvilli are shorter and less uniform in man. Most of these processes are either conical or truncated in shape, as distinct from the relatively smooth cell surfaces except for sigma-shaped junctions in hairy sites. It is suggested that this provides strength against shearing force in the palm and sole. There is less cytoplasmic breakdown in palmar horny cells than in hairy cells.


Effect of cortisol and insulin on alpha1-acid glycoprotein biosynthesis on cellular level.


The role of cortisol and insulin in control of alpha1-acid glycoprotein biosynthesis.


Radiation--induced damages of the heart and major arteries.


Serum isoenzymes of the lactic acid dehydrogenase, carboxylesterase, peroxidase and catalase in the thyroid disease with respect to thyroid cancer.


Hydatid cyst originating from ampulla of Vater.


Growth of the chick embryo pineal body (epiphysis cerebri) between the fourth and twelfth day of incubation.


Some applications of the theory of ordinary differential equations to population growth problems.


The chemistry of the inhibition of blood xanthine oxidase by -SH reagents. In this study it was shown that the rat blood serum xanthine oxidase (X.O.) is differently inhibited by -SH reagents and seems that the blood serum enzyme has two types of -SH groups, one reacting relatively rapidly and unrelated to the enzyme activity and the other reacting slowly to produce inactivation. The results presented suggest that there are only few fundamental relationship between the different -SH reagents used and the inhibition of the enzyme activity in the blood serum. With mercurials it was shown that the most reactive -SH groups of the rat blood serum are not related to the X.O. activity, but when sufficient number are reacted the enzyme is structurally altered so that inhibition appears. With oxidants such as iodine the inhibition of the X.O. activity of rat blood serum seems to be not related specifically with the oxidation of -SH groups.


Isolation and some properties of a trypsin inhibitor from seeds of Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Toledo. A trypsin inhibitor was isolated as a homogenous protein from the seeds of guapuruvu-tree (Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Toledo). In addition to its strong inhibitory activity against trypsin the purified inhibitor presented a lesser activity against alpha-chymotrypsin. The purification of the protein inhibitor was achieved from the crude extract of deffated seeds through ammonium sulphate salting-out, successive chromatographies on Sephadex G-75 and DEAE-Sephadex A-50 columns followed by preparative polyacrylamide-slab electrophoresis. The following properties were presented by the purified inhibitor: molecular weight of 12,000 daltons, as estimated by gel filtration; isoelectric point at pH 5.0 - 5.2, by electrofocusing; combining molar ratio of 1:1 (mole trypsin/mole inhibitor), on the basis of inhibition assay and the molecular weight of 29,800 daltons found for the trypsin-inhibitor complex; A1%1-cm = 4.35, at 275 nm and pH 7.0. The inhibitor presents a high content of cystine (14 cystinyl residues per molecule) and is entirely devoid of methionine, tryptophan and free sulhydryl groups. The fluorescence spectra are typical for tyrosine with a strong quenching of emission indicated by the quantum yield. The circular dichroism spectra suggest a predominantly unordered structure for the inhibitor molecule.


Evaluation of branched ear derivatives of Triticum aestivum L. The branched spikes of Triticum turgidum L. have a potential of producing a high number of kernels. Some of the selected lines of T. turgidum yielded up to 150 kernels per spike as compared to 60--70 kernels per spike in the common wheat cultivar Chenab-70. The best of these lines were crossed with the common wheats Chenab-70, Mexipak, and C-271. Among the lines obtained by selection from the advanced generations of the T. turgidum X Chenab-70 cross, some are similar to Chenab-70 with respect to tillering, plant shape, plant height, and leaf position, but their spikes are branched like those of the T. turgidum parent. These lines appear to be fairly homozygous. Chenab-70 produces, on the average, 60 kernels per spike, 34.8 g of grain per plant and has a 1000-kernel weight of 35 g. The number of kernels per spike, the yield of grain per plant and the 1000-kernel weight of the selected hybrid lines ranged from 25 to 133, from 8.5 to 59.6 g, and from 30.0 to 46.0 g, respectively, which shows that the chances of obtaining high-yielding new common wheat cultivars having spikes branched as those of the T. turgidum parent fairly good.


Norin-10-based semidwarfism.

Norin-10-based semidwarfism. Many short-strawed wheats, including the Norin-10-based semidwarfs now grown in many countries, are characterized by their relative "insensitivity" to gibberellic acid. The nature of this insensitivity, its genetic control, and the relationships between the Gai genes and the Rht genes, which control height reductiion in Norin-10 and Tom Thumb wheats, are described. The role and potential of these genes in agriculture and their relationship to other genes affecting yield, height, and other agronomic features are considered.


The world food crisis: population, food, and environmental issues as they affect Pakistan.


Principal diseases of major crops in Pakistan with reference to genetic resistance.


The measurement of disease severity in cereal smut.


Stabilizing selection for pathogenicity in cereal rust fungi.


Coadaptation in plant populations.

Coadaptation in plant populations. One of the most important questions of plant breeding is whether alleles at different loci act independently or whether the population genotype is structured so that favored combinations of alleles occur more frequently than expected under randomness. Studies employing allozyme loci as markers have demonstrated that the distribution of alleles in both natural and experimental populations of inbreeding plants is closely correlated with environment on both micro- and macrogeographic scales. Multilocus analyses have also revealed the occurrence within local populations of striking gametic phase disequilibrium (linkage disequilibrium). These observations demonstrate that selection acts to organize the population into sets of highly interacting coadapted gene complexes that promote high fitness to the local environment.


Effect of high-temperature stress on the growth and seed characteristics of barley and cotton. The existence of a sensitivity gradient to a uniform high-temperature stress applied at stages during seed maturation can be demonstrated in barley. The germination of freshly harvested seed is depressed following heat stress at 7--10 days after awn emergence, but is enhanced by the same stress applied 3 weeks after awn emergence. The depression is attributed to reduced viability associated with thermal injury. The stimulation following stress at more mature stages of seed development is related to a thinner seed coat, increased permeability as evidenced by faster imbibition rate, and decreased content of water-soluble inhibitors in the seed. These effects of environmental stress during seed maturation aid in explaining differences noted in the germinability at harvest of seed produced in successive years or produced in the same year at different locations. Seed of American Cotton, var. AC 134, was stressed at 50 degrees, 60 degrees, 70 degrees, 80 degrees, and 90 degrees C for 24 or 48 h before seeding. Stresses at 50 degrees to 70 degrees C increased seedling emergence and subsequent performance of the cotton plants, but higher temperatures caused thermal injury or killed the seed.


Heritability estimates from four generations of a diallel cross of common wheat. The heritabilities of 10 quantitative characters were studied on F1, F2, backcross, and selfed backcross generations of a five-parent diallel cross of common wheat grown at two locations. From this study it was found that (a) most of the characters in question were highly heritable, (b) the heritabilities estimated by regression and variance component methods were more or less the same (r=0.84** to 0.95**), and (c) the heritability of some characters was affected by location or by generation; in one case only (1000-kernel weight) was the heritability of the character affected by both.


A simple method for continuous pressure recording. A relatively simple, nonoperative, percutaneous procedure for recording continuous cerebrospinal fluid pressure was carried out on 12 patients at UCLA Hospital. The experience with pressure recording in these patients has demonstrated no mortality or permanent sequelae and the technical character of the records has been excellent. This technique could make continuous pressure recording more easily available to the average practioner. Other uses for this procedure are also suggested.


Estimation of genotypic and environmental variation in plants. The frequency of genotypes with the desired degree of expression of economically important quantitative characters within a hybrid or mutant population is usually very low. Therefore, the early identification and selection of such genotypes involves the analysis of very large populations. Because the breeding values of individuals in a population are masked by environmental, competitional, and ontogenic noises, special quantitative--genetic methods of analysis have to be used in order to eliminate their disturbing effects. The present chapter deals with a new approach to such an analysis by using either a simple background character or a background index obtained as a linear function of two, or more than two, background characters. It is believed that the use of this approach would greatly increase the efficiency of selection and shorten the time needed to produce improved new crop cultivars. As the analyses require the handling of large amounts of measurement data, plant breeders must use computer facilities.


Pituitary apoplexy, therapeutic assessment. The management of pituitary apoplexy with reference to both diagnosis and operative sequelae remains a major challenge. Acute onset of retro-orbital headache in association with visual loss and ophthalmoplegia are the cardinal symptoms; however, obtundation and signs of subarachnoid hemorrhage also may be present. Good quality plain skull radiographs and complete angiography prove sufficient for preoperative radiographic studies. Preoperative endocrine preparation focuses on supplemental glucocorticoids since these patients must be presumed deficient in cortisol reserve. Residual visual deficit appears to be more a function of the extent of damage at the time of ictus rather than rapidity of decompression. Our experience indicates that transsphenoidal decompression in appropriate cases offers an ideal opportunity to minimize mortality and morbidity. The acute onset of severe retro-orbital headache in association with stupor and ocular palsies would alert most physicians to the potential diagnosis of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage. The association of complex ophthalmoplegias and visual defects in this constellation of symptoms should, in addition, alert one to the possibility of an acute intrasellar or parassellar expansile process. During the past two years, we have had the opportunity to care for 8 such patients with confirmed diagnoses of acute hemorrhagic infarction of the pituitary enabling us to formulate diagnostic and therapeutic schemata with reference to management of this problem.


Quantitative genetically nonequivalent reciprocal crosses in cultivated plants. Quantitative expressions of character difference between reciprocal crosses have been studied by different researchers in a number of plant species, such as Epilobium, Zea mays, Oryza sativa, Hordeum sativum, Triticum aestivum, Trifolium hybridum, Linum usitatissimum, Nicotiana rustica, and others. In all cases it was found that the nonequivalence of reciprocal crosses manifested itself beginning with the F1 generation, with the exception of some flax crosses in which reciprocals differed beginning with the F2 generation. The nonequivalence of reciprocal crosses usually manifested itself in the inequality of their F1 and/or F2 or backcross means; however, there were instances in which their means were the same but the variances were different. Both matroclinous and patroclinous inheritances were reported in plants. Because of the casual complexity of reciprocal differences the experimental results often lack a simple explanation.


Selective radiofrequency heating of ferrosilicone occluded tissue: a preliminary report.


Plant responses to high temperatures.

Plant responses to high temperatures.


Sensitivity to some rubber additives.

Sensitivity to some rubber additives. The frequency of positive patch tests to 13 rubber accelerators in Poland was recorded. Of particular interest was the relatively large group of patients positive to several, mostly chemically unrelated, accelerators. The mechanism of this multiple sensitivity is discussed. Positive tests to N-isopropyl-N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine were observed in more than half of the patients reacting to several aromatic amines. Anamnesis indicated that in the case of cross-reactions to many aromatic amines, none of the patients positive to N-isopropyl-N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine had complained of a reaction to rubber products.


Diallel analysis of four agronomic traits in common wheat. The common wheat cultivars Aköz, Florence, Mentana, Jaral, and Siete Cerros were crossed in 1972 in all possible combinations excluding reciprocals. In 1972--1973 the F1 hybrids and the five parents were field grown at Bornova in randomized complete blocks. The characters studied were plant height, spike length, 1000-kernel weight, and plant yield. The analysis of data showed that (a) with respect to plant height and 1000-kernel weight all F1 combinations deviated from the corresponding midparental values, (b) for the same characters the GCA variances were significant and the GCA divided by SCA ratios high, (c) the characters' plant height, spike length, and 1000-kernel weight were probably controlled by two effective factors each, and (d) plant height had the highest and 1000-kernel weight the lowest heritability (h2=0.66 and h2=0.26, respectively). It was concluded that a desired response to selection could be expected for plant height and 1000-kernel weight.


The safety of topical erythromycin.

The safety of topical erythromycin. The prevention of allergic complications depends on the use of topical medications which have proved to be rare sensitizers. This is particularly true for stasis ulcers and eczemas which are notoriously readily sensitized. Topical erythromycin has proved to be such a non-sensitizing topical antibiotic. In a series of 60 patients with stasis ulcers, erythromycin in the form of Ilotycin ointment (erythromycin in petrolatum) was applied. Not a single instance of allergic sensitization occurred. No instances of sensitization with positive patch tests to topical erythromycin have been reported. Maximization tests with topical erythromycin did not produce sensitization. Topical erythromycin, an effective antibiotic, should be substituted for neomycin which is a common sensitizer.


Plant genotype effects on nitrogen fixation in grasses.


Allergic contact dermatitis and conjunctivitis to corticosteroids. This is a report of two patients suspected of having allergic dermato-conjunctivitis due to corticosteroids. Both were tested with the constituents of the ointments they were using, that is, corticosteroids, antibacterial agents, preservatives, and other active ingredients of the ointment bases. Both patients showed positive allergic patch test reactions to the respective corticosteroid betamethasone valerate, and one to hydrocortisone, neomycin, and a rubber additive. The importance of routine patch testing in ophthalmic practice to detect sensitizers in cases of allergy is mentioned. Hydrocortisone (25%) in petrolatum is recommended for patch testing.


What is a pain center?

What is a pain center? The authors present the concept that a multi-disciplinary interdepartmental pain center should include: 1) an initial out-patient pain clinic, 2) an inpatient pain service for diagnosis of pain problems and treatment of patients with intractable pain, including pain from cancer, 3) a psychotherapeutically-oriented chronic benign Pain Unit, 4) facilities for clinical and basic pain research, and 5) affiliations for an adequate teaching program.


Sensitizing and irritating properties of star anise oil. Star anise oil in 2 and 1% concentrations produced active sensitization in 5% of test subjects, and positive patch tests in 36 and 34%, respectively, of consecutive patients with dermatitis. A comparison of the results of tests with balsams and other essential oils showed that star anise oil does not give cross-reactions and pseudo cross-sensitivity. Patients positive to this oil are frequently positive to anethole and to other constituents of this oil: alpha-pinene, limonene and safrole. In tests with star anise oil it is noteworthy that a 1% concentration is strongly irritant, and 0.5% reveals sensitivity in only one fifth of the actively sensitized subjects. It is possible that the cause of false negative patch tests might be similar in the case of some other allergens.


Storage proteins in cereals.

Storage proteins in cereals.


Wheat protein.

Wheat protein. Results from AID-supported Nebraska research to improve the nutritional quality of wheat indicate that substantial genetic variation for grain protein content exists in wheat. Experimental lines with 5% higher protein in their grain than ordinary varieties have been selected from a high-protein X high-protein cross. Genetic variablity for lysine in wheat grain is limited. The genetic component of total lysine variability among 12,6000 wheats in the USDA World Collection was only 0.5%. Genetic increases in lysine ranging from 0.4 to 0.7% lysine have been identified in selections from a high-lysine X high-lysine cross. Lysine per unit protein is negatively correlated with protein content. In contrast, lysine per unit weight of grain is positively correlated with protein content suggesting that increasing the protein content of wheat can effectively increase the amount of lysine in the grain. Seed fractionation studies have determined that high protein in whole wheat results mainly from increased protein content of the starchy endosperm. Lysine differences were detected both in the endosperm and nonendosperm fractions. A new productive high-protein hard winter wheat variety derived from Atlas-66, with genetic potential for 2% higher grain protein content was released to growers by the Agricultural Research Service, USDA and the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station in 1975.


Patch tests with potassium dichromate removed after 24 and 48 hours. The rate of release in vitro of four potassium dichromate concentrations (0.5, 0.1, 0.05 and 0.01%) was determined. In the course of 24 h, 90.1-97.5% was released of the total K2Cr2O7 amount in 48 h. Out of 30 patients positive to 0.05% dichromate when the patch test was done routinely, 29 were also positive when the patch was removed after 24 h. The effect of the earlier removal of the patch test was also noted in seven other patients, when results of tests with lower dichromate concentrations were taken into account.


The variability of free amino acids and related compounds in legume seeds.


A genetic approach to the increase of methionine content in legume seeds.


Effects of vehicles and elicitation concentration in contact dermatitis testing. I. Experimental contact sensitization in humans. A study was made to evaluate the effects of vehicle and challenge concentration on response of human subjects to potential allergens. In the vehicle studies the modified Draize test was used to test the response of subjects to cinnamic aldehyde and to costus oil, administered at two skin sites, in petrolatum and in 95% ethyl alcohol. In two tests of costus oil, alcohol proved to be more effective in eliciting a response than petrolatum; on the other hand, in one test with cinnamic aldehyde, no difference in results was obtained with these two vehicles. In the concentration studies, subjects known to be sensitive to the test substance were tested by the Al test with costus oil (three concentrations), chloracetamide (four concentrations), or thimerosal (three concentrations); petrolatum was used as the vehicle in each case. Results of the vehicle test showed no compelling reason for the selection of one vehicle rather than another. Results of the concentration tests indicated that concentration does have an effect on the intensity and frequency of reactions to potential allergens.


Unconventional methods in plant breeding. There are three wass whereby unconventional methods of plant genetics can be used for applied plant breeding. 1. The time necessary for breeding by recombination can be shortened, making use of the discovery that plants can be obtained directly from the products of meiosis, the "Gonen." Two new cultivars bred in tobacco by this method already exist. 2. Microbiological methods may be applied to mutation and selection in haploid or dihaploid cell cultures. New cultivars bred by this method have not yet been published, but it should be possible to make use of this technique in plant breeding. 3. Somatic hybridization of plants by fusions of protoplasts or by uptake of nuclei and other organelles (plastids, mitochondria) or pure nucleic acids is another useful method. There exist up to now somatic hybrid plants (a) between mutants of the liverwort Sphaerocarpos donnellii, (b) some varieties of tobacco, and (c) two species of Nicotiana. All these hybrids can also be produced by conventional sexual hybridization. It is impossible to predict how often incompatibility for cross-fertilization can be surmounted by somatic hybridization, as incompatibility between two genomes must be restricted to the fertilization process, but it can work on any stage of the development of the hybrid.


Effect of vehicles and elicitation concentration in contact dermatitis testing. II. Statistical analysis of data. Data obtained in tests of several potential allergens with different vehicles and at different concentrations have been analyzed statistically.


Comparison of guinea pig sensitization methods. Up to now, different methods in guinea pig sensitization were used, to assess contact sensitization potential of low molecular weight chemicals. In order to compare the efficiency of the epicutaneous, intradermal and combined sensitization methods, two stronger sensitizers, the water soluble chlormethylimidazoline hydrochloride (CMI) and the lipid soluble 1,3-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) were used for the experiments. Eleven modified sensitization methods were performed. In a first trial each substance was tested on 10 animals. In a further study those techniques which had produced the best results, that is the highest degree of sensitization, were applied to 25 to 30 animals. For comparison of the results of the various methods, a mean sensitization index was calculated. The best results were achieved with the Maximization Test of Magnusson & Kligman (1969) and the Split Adjuvant Technique of Maguire & Chase (1967).


Inaugural address: development of new plant types.


Nickel dermatitis--nickel excretion.

Nickel dermatitis--nickel excretion. Nickel excretion in urine in four females sensitive to nickel with an intermittent dyshidrotic eruption was measured with flameless atomic absorption. Excretion of nickel was found to be increased in association with outbreaks of vesicles. The results support the idea that the chronic condition was maintained by ingestion of nickel in food.


Nickel vasculitis.

Nickel vasculitis.


The investigation of quindoxin photosensitivity. Quindoxin (quinoxaline di-N-oxide) is a photosensitizer capable of producing photocontact dermatitis. The study of a group of seven affected subjects has provided evidence of persistent light reaction and "photoallergy", most probably to the parent substance and not to any photoproduct or contaminant. Clinical and photobiological similarities to the photosensitivity dermatitis and actinic reticuloid syndrome were demonstrated.


Distribution patterns of indigenous wheat varieties in Northern Pakistan.


Water solubility of zinc chromate primer paints used as antirust agents.


Immediate reactions to balsam of Peru, cassia oil and ethyl vanillin.


Connubial contact dermatitis to benzoyl peroxide.


Black discoloration of jewellery.

Black discoloration of jewellery.


Immediate- and delayed-type allergy to erythromycin.


A clinical study of naproxen in rheumatoid arthritis.


Biological studies of the rate of alimentary absorption and urinary excretion of tolbutamide and certain newly synthesized chemically related congeners in rabbits.


Liver function tests in rheumatoid arthritis. A study of the so-called "rheumatoid liver".


Cholinesterase activity in some human lymphatic organs.


Effect of doxycycline administration on nitrogen excretion in bilharzial hepatic fibrosis and chronic renal failure cases.


Sex chromatin pattern in patients with advanced cancer breast.


Evaluation of cardiac efficiency (a preliminary note on a new method).


Protein status in bilharziasis in Egyptian children. Fifty-nine bilharzial subjects aged 9-12 years and 18 parallel controls were investigated for total serum proteins, total liver proteins and total urinary proteins. Simple agar gel and immunoelectrophoretic studies were also carried out. The results revealed a highly significant decrease in serum total proteins in mixed infection. A very highly significant increase was demonstrated for serum alpha, globulin. The gamma globulin fraction and the total globulin moiety were very highly significantly raised. The albumin globulin ratio was considerably decreased in mansoniasis. Serum immunoelectrophoresis illustrated a decreased density of haptoglobulin, hemopexin and transferrin arcs, as well as a considerable increase in IgA, IgM and IgG in most of the cases. Urinary protein values were very highly significantly elevated in hematobiasis and mixed infection. A slight increase for alpha1, alpha2 and beta-globulins was found in some cases. Liver proteins were very highly significantly decreased in mansoniasis and mixed infection. The results are discussed and analysed.


The role of fibroscopy in diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal disease.


Clinical and biochemical study of serum iron and trace elements in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.


A study of portosystemic collaterals by the intrasplenic injection of radio-iodinated macro-aggregated human serum albumin (MAAI131).


Studies on platelet function in cases of hemophiliac Egyptian children. Eleven cases of hemophilia were studied for detection of any change in the platelet function. The results showed hyperfunction in 5 cases, normal function in 4, and hypofunction in the remaining two. The hyperfunction of the platelets was shown in the case with acute hemorrhage and it might be a compensation mechanism. The normal function was shown in cases during the quiescent phase. The hypofunction of the platelets was associated with the presence of AHg inhibitor and platelet antibody. Normal function returned after Cortisone administration. It may be postulated that the inhibitor of factor VIII and the platelet antibody are one and the same thing.


Platelet function by afibrinogenemia.

Platelet function by afibrinogenemia. Platelet function was studied in two cases with congenital afibrinogenemia. In these two cases there was no aggregation by ADP, while, there was increased calcium-induced platelet aggregation and decreased platelet adhesiveness to glass. Platelet aggregation was corrected in vitro, by addition of fibrinogen. It can be concluded from the above findings that the fibrinogen is an important factor for platelet aggregation by ADP and for platelet adhesion to glass surfaces, while platelet aggregation by thrombin does not need fibrinogen. The increased calcium-induced aggregation can be explained by postulating that thrombin finds no substrate to act upon except the platelets.


Vascularization of the femur and tibia in the human foetus.


Comparative pharmacological study of the neuromuscular blocking action of some antibiotics.


Nervous mechanisms involved in angiotensin action.


Investigation about the etiology of keratoacanthoma.


Treatment of psoriasis.

Treatment of psoriasis.


Discharge pattern and recruitment order of motor units in man.


The substrate specificity of an aminopeptidase (neutral arylamidase) from pig brain. Neutral arylamidase of pig brain has been purified 235 fold. At this purification the major band on disc-gel electrophoresis is associated with the enzyme activity, although several minor components are also present. The arylamidase is -SH dependent and puromycin inhibited. It has activity toward lysyl and arginyl beta-naphthylamides as well as toward the beta-naphthylamides of a large variety of neutral amino acids. The enzyme is strongly substrate inhibited, making the relative order of reactivity to aminoacyl beta-naphthylamides dependent upon the substrate concentration chosen for comparison. It also shows activity toward certain di-, tri-, and oligopeptides. When more than one residue is cleaved, the release is sequential, starting from the amino terminus of the peptide. It appears therefore that pig brain neutral arylamidase is an aminooligopeptidase of broad specificity. We suggest that beta-naphthylamides are model substrates representing the N-terminal end of peptides with three or more residues. The properties of pig brain enzyme are similar in many respects to those previously isolated from rat and bovine brain and bovine pituitary.


Intraaortic balloon pumping assist following open heart surgery for coronary artery disease. Intraaortic balloon pump (IABP) assist was employed in 36 patients after surgical operation for coronary artery disease. In 31 patients, the aid of IABP was required because cardiopulmonary bypass could not be terminated without it. In three of these patients, IABP assist was started before the surgical procedure because these patients were in cardiogenic shock due to myocardial infarction. In the remaining five patients, IABP assist was applied for refractory cardiogenic shock in the early postoperative period. The overall survival rate was 58 percent. IABP assist was used in 13 patients with an ejection fraction of 0.1 to 0.2 (normal 0.7). Nine of these patients survived. From our experience, it would appear that this temporary mechanical circulatory support provides a significant advantage in saving patients who might otherwise die after surgical procedures involving the coronary artery.


Nosocomial vaccinia infection.

Nosocomial vaccinia infection. Although hospital-associated spread of vaccinia has been reported in the past, there have been no recent reports. This paper describes hospital-associated spread of vaccinia virus infection, supplies data on the environmental survival of vaccinia virus and offers recommendations for the management of patients with vaccinia that may minimize the hazard of infection in other high-risk patients.


Pressure gun injection injuries of the hand. Pressure gun injection injuries are becoming increasingly common. Their effect on the fingers and hands, especially when improperly managed, can be devastating. Therefore it is important to review features, clinical course, anatomic distribution and operative management of such injuries. If a useful hand and fingers are to be attained, rapid and thorough decompression and debridement of these injuries are essential.


Rhabdomyolysis.

Rhabdomyolysis.


Acute iron poisoning in children.

Acute iron poisoning in children.


Another approach to health care problems?


Crohn's disease - a cause of arthritis, oxalate stones and fistulae in cystic fibrosis.


Cysticercus cyst of temporal lobe presenting as a tentorial pressure cone.


Parasitic infections among traveling students.


Radionuclide studies in coccidioidal meningitis.


Diethylstilbestrol in the treatment of rape victims. Despite growing controversy surrounding its use as a "morning after pill," diethylstilbestrol (DES) is prescribed liberally for rape victims. Guidelines for its use in these patients is lacking. Of 150 consecutive rape victims treated at a university medical center, 63 (42 percent) received prescriptions for DES. Of the 55 (87 percent) on whom follow-up was obtained, in 40 (73 percent) there were substantial side effects-nausea or vomiting, or both. At least six (11 percent) did not complete therapy because of these side effects. The authors offer guidelines for use of DES for rape victims and a plan for patient education and follow-up.


Toe tourniquet syndrome.

Toe tourniquet syndrome.


Chronic hepatitis; prognostic aspects.

Chronic hepatitis; prognostic aspects. Chronic hepatitis was diagnosed on the basis of biochemical, immunological and morphological criteria in 153 cases. On the evidence of observations for a mean period of four years the prognosis of chronic persistent hepatitis is regarded as favourable, no progression to chronic aggressive hepatitis or to cirrhosis having been observed in any of the cases. On the other hand, chronic aggressive hepatitis was found to progress to cirrhosis in 12 out of 65 cases. Cirrhotic transformation was more frequent in hyperactive processes (8 out of 25 cases). The sera of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma showed low immunoglobulin concentrations, with increased coeruloplasmin and reduced transferrin levels.