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Inhibition of adrenal function in man by heparin or heparinoid Ro 1-8307.
|
Heparin and the heparinoid Ro 1-8307 inhibited the secretory rate of aldosterone in physiological or pathological aldosteronism to the level found in normal subjects on liberal sodium intake. In addition, these compounds inhibited corticosterone biosynthesis, although less markedly than that of aldosterone. Indications of interference with cortisol production have not been found. During drug treatment angiotensin, in doses of 5-10 ng/kg b.wt./min, did not stimulate aldosterone secretion. ACTH responsiveness of the adrenals--indicated by the fractional increases of both aldosterone and corticosterone secretory rates--remained unchanged. In two studies heparin had no consistent effect on plasma renin activity.
| 47,702
|
Potential for polyvalent infectious bronchitis vaccines.
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Numerous antigenic types and subtypes of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) have been isolated and characterized from field epornitics of infectious bronchitis (IB). Thus obvious failures in obtaining the necessary protection from vaccination have been documented and they underscore the urgent need for vaccines which stimulate a broader spectrum of protection from heterologous IBV challenge than is presently obtained. If polyvalent IB vaccines are to be employed, assurance must be provided that variant IBV serotypes are not indiscriminately spread throughout the country or globe. Furthermore, possible interference, alteration, and reduction in immune response with the component antigens should be critically evaluated. Differences and comparative levels of postvaccinal respiratory signs with the different antigens, used singly and in combination, should be determined. As an alternative to polyvalent IB vaccines, certain Massachusetts-type strains, e.g., a Holland isolate IBV, at different passage levels in the authors' laboratory, have induced heterologous and homologous protection to some serotypes causing vexing field problems. Advantages are present in using a single antigenic type IB vaccine, if it is safe and effective, when compared to polyvalent vaccines. The absence of a serologic relationship to the results of immunity challenge is frequent with IBV isolates, which emphasizes that challenge results are considerably more important. In some IB problems, on a local or regional basis, autogenous vaccines may be indicated. Because of the multiplicity of IBV serotypes, however, it is doubtful that completely effective and safe IB vaccines will be forthcoming in the near future to satisfy the diverse needs of a dynamic poultry industry.
| 47,726
|
Investigation into the relationship of M ulcerans to M. buruli and other mycobacteria.
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The main characteristics of Mycoplasma ulcerans are its remarkably distinct drug sensitivity pattern and its rather poor enzymatic activity. M. microti is clearly distinguishable from M. bovis and M. tuberculosis. Some of the M. buruli strains appear to be identical with M. ulcerans, Whereas others show similarity either to M. microti or to M. tuberculosis. It seems that M. buruli is not a legitimate species.
| 47,730
|
Replacement of class instruction in histology by audio-tape and booklet self-instruction sessions.
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A system of self-instruction in histology is described, using audio-tape and booklet instruction to supplement the microscopical examination of tissue sections. A pilot test demonstrated a slight superiority in retention of knowledge among students using this system, compared with those in the conventional class.
| 47,754
|
Activity, isoenzyme pattern, and synthesis of UDPglucose 4-epimerase during differtiation of Physarium polycephalum.
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1. The specific activity of UDPglucose 4-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.2) increases by about 50% during the first 24 h of starvation-induced differentiation (spherulation) of Physarum polycephalum. 2. At all stages during differentiation, the enzyme activity is very sensitive to actinomycin-C and cycloheximide, inhibitors of transcription and translation, with a half life against cycloheximide of about 20 min (if added 12 h after the induction of differentiation). 3. The isoenzyme pattern, as revealed by isoelectric focusing in sucrose gradients, does not change during spherulation. One main band with a pI of 6.7, with a shoulder (pI 7.6) and a minor band (pI 6.0) was observed in extracts both from growing and differentiating cultures. 4. Density labelling experiments using deuterated amino acids with subsequent analysis by equilibrium density gradient sedimentation in 15-35% (w/w) metrizamide gradients revealed a rather slow rate of enzyme synthesis, which is in contrast to the observed high sensitivity against actinomycin-C and cycloheximide.
| 47,762
|
A partial reaction in photosystem II: reduction of silicomolybdate prior to the site of dichlorophenyldimethylurea inhibition.
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Silicomolybdate functions as an electron acceptor in a Photosystem II water oxidation (measured as O2 evolution) partial reaction that is 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea (DCMU) insensitive, that is, reduction os silicomolybdate occurs at or before the level of Q, the primary electron acceptor for Photosystem II. This report characterizes the partial reaction with the principal findings being as follows: 1. Electron transport to silicomolybdate significantly decreased room temperature Photosystem I side of the DCMU had no effect on the fluorescence level, consistent with silicomolybdate accepting electrons at or before Q. In the absence of DCMU, silicomolybdate is also reduced at a site on the Photosystem I side of the DCMU block, prior to or at plastoquinone, since the plastoquinone antagonist dibromothymoquinone (DBMIB) did not affect the electron transport rate. 3. Electron transport from water to silicomolybdate (+ DCMU) is not coupled to ATP formation, nor is there a measurable accumulation of protons within the membrane (measured by amine uptake). Silicomolybdate is not inhibitory to phosphorylation per se since neither cyclic nor post-illumination (XE) phosphorylation were inhibited. 4. Uncouplers stimulated electron transport from water to silicomolybdate in the pH range of 6 to 7, but inhibited at pH values near 8. These data are consistent with the view that when electron flow is through the abbreviated sequence of water to Photosystem II to silicomolybdate (+ DCMU), conditions are not established for the water protons to be deposited within the membrane. Experiments reported elsewhere (Fiaquinta, R.T., Dilley, R.A. and Horton, P.(19741 J. Bioenerg. 6, 167-177) and these data, are consistent with the hypothesis that electron transport between Q and plastoquinone energizes a membrane conformational change that is required to interact with the water oxication system so as to result in the deposition of water protons either within the membrane itself or within the inner oxmotic space.
| 47,764
|
Axoplasmic transport of a brain-specific soluble protein.
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The rate and extent of axoplasmic transport of the brain-specific soluble protein (14-3-2 protein) has been investigated in the avian visual system. 1-day-old chicks were injected monocularly with tritiated proline, Incorporation of the isotope into the 14-3-2 protein synthesized within the retina of the injected eye, as well as the appearance of the labeled protein in the optic lobes was determined at 6 h and 6 days. These time periods were chosen to distinguish between the rapid and slow phases of axophlasmic flowmfollowing preparation of high-speed supernatant fractions, dialysis, chromatography on Sephadex G-150 and immunoprecipitation with specific antiserum, identification of the labeled 14-3-2 protein was carried out by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel analysis of the radioactive immunoprecipitates; 6 days after isotope administration, approxo% of the 14-3-2 protein synthesized in the chick retina had been transported to the contralateral optic lobe. By contrast, at 6 h no labeled 14-3-2 protein was detectablemthus, transport of this neuronal protein appears to be relatively slow process with little or no rapid component.
| 47,766
|
Steroid-binding proteins in rabbit plasma: Separation of testosterone-binding globulin (TeBG) from corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG), preliminary characterization of TeBG, and changes in TeBG concentration during sexual maturation.
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Two distinct steroid-binding proteins are present in rabbit plasma. One of the proteins (TeBG) binds [3-H]5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha DHT) and [3-H]testosterone. The affinity of this binding protein for 5 alpha DHT was 3-4 times greater than for testosterone. Binding of [3-H]5 alphaDHT could be inhibited by unlabeled 5 alpha DHT, testosterone, 5 alpha-androstan-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (3 alpha-diol), and 17 alpha-methyl- B-testosterone (skf) 7690). The relative affinity of the competitors was: 5 alpha DHT greater than 3 alpha-diol greater than testosterone greater than SKF 7690. The antiandrogens, cyproterone (1,2 alpha-methylene-6-chloro-pregn-4,6-diene-17 alpla-ol-3,20 dione), cyproterone-17-acetate, and 6 alpha-bromo-17 beta-hydroxy-17 alpha-methyl-4-oxa-5 alpha-androstan-3-ine (BOMT) were ineffective in competing for [3-H5d alpha DHT binding sites, as were 4-androstene-3, 17-dione, 17 beta-estradiol (E2), progesterone, and cortisol. The formation of the [3-H]5 alpha DHT-TeBG complex was extremely rapid; the binding reaction was essentially completed in 15 s. The complex dissociated rapidly in the presence of charcoal. The dissociation rate constant (Kdiss) was 0.157 min- minus 1 and the dissociation half-time t-1/2) was 4.5 min. In the presence of charcoal and unlabeled 5 alpha DHT the Kdiss was 0.268 min- minus 1 and the t=1/2 was 2.6 min. The sedimentation coefficient of TeBG was congruent to 4.6 S and its molecular weight, estimated by gel filtration on a calibrated Sephadex G-200 column, was congruent to 75,000. The concentration of TeBG in male rabbit plasma decreased with sexual maturation and was approximately three times higher in adult females than in adult males. The other protein (CBG) bound both [3-H]cortisol and [3-H]progesterone. Binding of these compounds could be inhibited by unlabeled cortisol and progesterone, but not by unlabeled 5 alpha DHT, testosterone, or E2. CBG had a sedimentation of congruent to 3.9 S and an apparent molecular weight of congruent to 105,000. TeBG could be separated from CBG by a 60% ammonium sulfate precipitation and by gel filtration chromatography. Both proteins are thermolabile; TeBG is inactivated at temperatures above 30 degrees C and CBG is inactivated at temperatures above 50 degrees C.
| 47,821
|
Immunity to influenza.
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Immunity to influenza virus may be considered from the standpoints of viral and hostfactors. Amonst viral factors the phenomena of antigenic 'shift' and 'drift' of the surface antigens. Hemagglutinin HA and neuraminidase NA, are of utmost importance in enabling the virus to combat host immunity and to produce recurrent pandemics and epidemics of disease. 'Shift' involves major changes in the antigenic character of the HA and NA antigens, and serological studies reveal little or no crossreactions between antigens of different subtypes. However, immunological 'memory' may exist between the surface antigens of viruses of different subtypes, for example between the hemagglutinins of Asian (H2) and Hong Kong (H3) subtypes. Antigenic 'drift' occurs more frequently than 'shift' and involves subtle changes in the antigenic configuration of HA and NA within a subtype. It is clear that the hemagglutinin antigen contains a multiplicity of antigenic determinants, one or more of which remain stable (CR determinants) whilst others (strain-specific determinants) change completely during antigenic 'drift'. Amongst host factors humoral antibody to HA and NA appears to be a reasonable index of natural or vaccine induced immunity to infection. As far as the specificity of such antibodies is concerned, it is likely that future studies will place considerable emphasis on the distinction between antibody for the stable (CR) antigenic determinants and antibody to strain-specific determinants. It seems likely that antibody to strain-specific determinants is of more relevance to immunity than CR antibody. The studies of Virelizier et al. described elsewhere in this Symposium employing single-radial-diffusion tests give hope of simple methods for the investigation of such antibody specificity. There is no evidence that antibody to the internal, antigenically stable ribonucleoprotein is related to immunitywhilst the role of the other internal antigen, the membrane protein, in immunity is at present unknown. Numerous studies have been carried out to establish the importance of secretory antibody in the respiratory tract. Although secretory IgA specific for the influenza virus has been clearly demonstrated in the respiratory tract, the levels are low and its significance is not yet established. Whilst the role of cellular aspects of immunity to influenza in man remains to be established there is no doubt from the recent studies of Tyrrell and his colleagues that delayed hypersensitivity to influenza antigens can be demonstrated. In considering the host aspects of immunity it is important to attempt to distinguish factors which are merely an index of past exposure and those which are involved with the actual mechanism of immunity. It is likely that animal experimental models, in particular with inbred mice, will provide an important contribution in this field of investigation.
| 47,824
|
Studies on parainfluenza-3 virus neuraminidase.
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Various parainfluenza-3 virus (PIV-3) strains differ in neuraminidase (NA) activity, some being neuraminidase strong (NAS) and some neuraminidase weak (NAW). No difference in the ability of these strains to elicit antibody activity to hemagglutinin (HA) or NA of PIV-3 was observed. Samples of formalin-treated PIV-3 released more N-acteylneuraminic acid (NANA) than samples of Piv-3 not treated with formalin when these samples were incubated with the substrate sialolactose for 16 h at 37 degrees C. The initial activity of PIV-3 NA, and the Km-value, were similar for a NAS strain whether it was treated with formalin or not. The results suggest that formalin stabilized the NA structure of PIV-3. A NAS strain of PIV-3 dialyzed against distilled water showed an increased initial neuraminidase activity as compared to virus dialyzed against isotonic NaCL or to non-dialyzed virus. The increased enzyme activity indicates an increased affinity of NA tothe substrate sialolactose as an increased Km-value was also obtained. It is suggested that PIV-3 neuraminidase facilitates the penetration of the virion through the mucociliary barrier of the respiratory tract by releasing the virus from inhibitors in the gel phase. It has been found that antibody in the gel phase of nasal secretion inhibits the NA activity of PIV-3 Following exposure of a gel phase of bovine tracheal secretion to a NAS strain of PIV-3 an increased initial viscosityof this phase was observed. The gel phase of bovine nasal secretion showed a structural change in scanning electronmicroscopy following exposure to a NAS strain. Stimultaneously an increased amount of free N-acetylneuraminic acid was found in the gel.
| 47,826
|
Plasma proteins in canine gastric lymph.
|
Because it has not been possible to collect gastric lymph by cannulation of lymph vessels, the methods of renal micropuncture were adapted to collection and analysis of 0.5- to 3-mu samples obtained by puncturing lymph vessels on or immediately adjacent to the ventral surface of the dog's stomach. Samples of gastric lymph collected immediately after completion of surgical exposure of the stomach were subjected to acrylamide gel electrophoresis, and they were found to show all the protein bands exhibited by simultaneously collected samples of plasma. Quantitative analysis of similar samples by cellulose acetate electrophoresis gave the following ratios of protein concentration in gastric lymph to plasma: total protein, 0.51; albumin, 0.68; total globulins, 0.42; alpha1-globulin, 0.49; alpha2-globulin, 0.62; beta-globulin, 0.35; fibrinogen, 0.39; and gamma-globulin, 0.46. When samples were collected over 4 hr the concentrations of all proteins in lymph increased, and an argument is presented that this was not the result of increasing small pore size as the result of injury. When the mucosa was irrigated with solutions of dithiothreitol, a substance causing plasma shedding, the concentrations of proteins in gastric lymph over a 4-hr period were similar to those found in control experiments. Gastric lymph mixed with 100 mN HCl was found to have proteolytic activity.
| 47,827
|
Relationship of hepatitis B antigen in cirrhosis and hepatoma in Thailand. An etiological significance.
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A study of 221 patients revealed that detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBS Ag) was found in 16.3% of 49 patients who had hepatoma associated with cirrhosis. None of the 8 hepatoma patients without cirrhosis had detectable HBS Ag in the serum. When known causes of cirrhosis were excluded, HBS Ag was present in 18% of 22 patients. Positive alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) was found in 25 of 49 cases (51%) of hepatoma with cirrhosis but was found only in 1 of 8 cases (12.5%) of hepatoma without cirrhosis. Of 25 patients whose AFP was positive, HBS Ag was also present in 7. The latter was detected in only 1 of 24 patients in whom AFP was not detected. This study suggests that HBS Ag is closely associated with hepatomas in cirrhotic patients but not in noncirrhotic patients with hepatoma.
| 47,828
|
Cell-mediated immunity to moloney sarcoma virus in mice. I. Analysis of antigens responsible for lymphocyte stimulation in regressor mice.
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Purified viruses, viral antigens, and cell extracts have been tested for their ability to stimulate protein synthesis by MSV-M-1 regressor spleen cells from BALB/c mice. Immune, but not normal cells, responded to MSV-M, but not to MSV-G virus-1, and to the type-specific viral envelope glycoprotein from MSV-M virus. Extracts of mouse embryo fibroblasts transformed by either MSV-M or MSV-G, however, specifically stimulated MSV-M regressor spleen cells. Cells stimulated by different antigens, and by phytohaemagglutinin, had the same sedimentation profile and were identified as T-lymphocytes.
| 47,841
|
Localization and characterization of carbohydrates in adrenal medullary cells.
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The localization and characterization of carbohydrates in adrenal medullary cells were studied by histochemical and cytochemical methods. Adrenaline (A)-and noradrenaline (N)-storing granules were argentaphobic when ultrathin sections of Araldite-embedded medullae were stained according to the periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-silver proteinate technique of Thiery. A small amount of glycogen in the form of single beta-particles as well as lysosomes were, however, visualized by this technique. The entire core of the A granules was markedly positive after ultrathin sections of glutaraldehyde-fixed, glycol methacrylate (GMA)-embedded medullae were stained with phosphotungstic acid (PTA) at low pH (0.3). The N granules, in contrast, were mostly unreactive. In the A cells, PTA stained a large part of the Golgi complex, whereas in the N cells the Golgi complex was mostly unstained. In both cell types, the cell coat, lysosomes, and multivesticular bodies reacted to PTA. The periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) technique showed A but not N granules in semithin sections of GMA- or Araldite-embedded medullae. The PTA and PAS stains were abolished by acetylation, restored by saponification, unchanged by methylation, and greatly diminished by sulfation. In ultrathin sections of GMA- or Araldite-embedded medullae incubated with colloidal iron according to various techniques, the cell coat and lysosomes of both cell types were stained, unlike all the other cytoplasmic organelles. These results indicate that A granules and the Golgi complex of A cells, unlike the same structures in N cells, are rich in glycoproteins which are probably not acidic.
| 47,862
|
Olivocochlear and vestibular efferent neurons of the feline brain stem: their location, morphology and number determined by retrograde axonal transport and acetylcholinesterase histochemistry.
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Anterograde degeneration studies have shown that the cochlear and vestibular receptor organs receive an efferent innervation from neurons in the brain stem. This pathway may provide a mechanism by which the CNS could modulate its own afferent input. The neurons which provide this innervation have so far escaped positive identification with methods which depend on retrograde cell changes after axotomy. In the present study, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the labryinths of kittens and after allowing 24 hours for the retrograde axonal transport of this tracer, its presence in neurons of the brain stem was demonstrated histochemically. Because there is evidence that the efferent innervation of the labyrinth is cholinergic, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was also demonstrated histochemically in the same or in adjacent tissue sections. Neurons labelled with HRP were found bilaterally in most periolivary cell groups of the superior olivary complex (cochlear efferents) and in the parvocellular reticular nucleus lateral to the abducens nucleus (vestibular efferents). Counts of labelled neurons yielded estimated totals of 1,700-1,800 cochlear and 400-500 vestibular efferent neurons. Approximately 60% of the neurons in each total were located on the side ipsilateral to the injection. The distribution of HRP-labelled neurons was virtually identical to that of AChE-positive neurons found in adjacent sections, and in those regions with predominantly ipsilateral or contralateral projections, there was an approximate correspondence in number of HRP- and AChE-positive neurons. In tissue sections processed successively for demonstration of HRP and AChE, virtually all HRP-labelled neurons were found to be AChE-positive. These findings suggest that a number of current conceptions regarding labyrinthine efferent systems may need revision.
| 47,866
|
Histochemical localization of cytochrome oxidase in gastric mucosa.
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A cytochemical technique for localizing cytochrome oxidase activity, based upon the oxidative polymerization of 3,3-diaminobenzidine (DAB) to an osmiophilic reaction product, has been employed to test the possibility of extramitochondrial cytochrome oxidase in gastric mucosa. Deposition of reaction product was found to be exclusively localized within mitochondris; in particular, no reaction product was observed at the apical plasma membrane. Measurements of the effect of DAB on acid secretion revealed a biphasic action consisting of an initial stimulation followed by inhibition. The stimulation of secretion of DAB is interpreted to indicate that DAB is oxidized via a pathway which is linked to the secretory process. The combined cytochemical and physiological measurements provide evidence that the metabolic energy supply for acid secreation is derived from mitochondrial reactions. The results are discussed in relation to current models for the coupling between acid secreation and oxidative metabolism.
| 47,870
|
Functional heterogeneity of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-specfic T lymphocytes. I. Identification of effector amd memory subsets.
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At varying intervals after immunizing infections of adult BALB/c mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus, splenic lymphocytes were tested for their ability to either elicit acute LCM or protect against lethal intracerebral LCM virus challenge when transferred to syngeneic recipients that were, respectively, virus carriers induced by cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression and normal susceptible mice. These lymphocytes were also assayed for their capacity to lyse, in vitro, LCM virus-infected BALB 3T3 cells labeled with 51Cr. Only lymphocytes obtained from donor mice between 6 and 8 days postimmunization significantly protected normal recipients from the development of lethal central nervous system (CNS) disease when transferred 18-24 h before virus challenge. At 10 days they were not protective even though their cytolytic activity in vitro either exceeded or approximated that of protective lymphocytes. The capacity to protect more closely corresponded with a period of virus-induced DNA synthesis in donor spleens as measured by the incorporation of [5--125I]-2'-DEOXYURIDINe. However, none of these cytolytically active lymphocyte populations were effective in mediating acute CNS disease when transferred to virus-carrier mice. In contrast, lymphocytes obtained 18 days or later after primary immunization, although having no protective capacity and exhibiting minimal cytolytic activity in vitro, were able to regularly produce acute disease in virus-carrier mice. The ablation by anti-theta-serum treatment of these in vivo and in vitro virus-specific immune functions established that the relevant lymphoid cells were T lymphocytes. Similarly, reconstitution of C3H times C57BL F1 adult mice, depleted of lymphocytes by thymectomy and lethal irradiation, with syngeneic day 8 immune donor lymphocytes rendered them resistant to the development of the carrier state after intracerebral virus challenge; reconstitution of such animals with nonimmune lymphocytes restored their ability to develop typical LCM. Collectively, these data indicate that immunogenic stimulation with LCM virus leads to the development of at least two different virus-specific T-lymphocyte subsets: (a) an early appearing transient effector population of cells and, perhaps, their immediate precursors whose generation requires the presence of virus, and (b) a stable memory population that appears well after virus clearance and which has little or not no cytolytic activity. The possible mechanism by which these functionally different subsets can influence the outcome of acute or chronic LCM virus infections is discussed.
| 47,887
|
Recognition by pregnancy serums of non-HL-A alloantigens selectively expressed on B lymphocytes.
|
A group of alloantibodies are found in pregnancy sera which react with antigens present on B lymphocytes and monocytes but are not detectable on the vast majority of unstimulated T cells. This specificity distinguishes them from HL-A antibodies which react with both cell types. They were readily recognized through indirect fluorescent antibody analysis by employing the combination of B-cell lymphoid lines and normal peripheral blood T cells. Different sera gave a variety of patterns of reactivity with a panel of 11 lymphoid lines. Similar differential patterns were also observed with normal B cells from different individuals particularly after concentrating the B cells. The antibodies were also cytotoxic to B cells and this procedure gave parallel results to the fluorescence method. The pattern of reactions obtained indicated a very heterogeneous system similar to that for HL-A. Special study of certain of the sera provided evidence that the lymphocyte-defined determinants of the mixed lymphocyte reaction system were involved. For convenience the term HL-B has been employed for these antigens.
| 47,890
|
Normal serum-lipids in renal-transplant patients.
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In contrast to previous reports, most patients (78%) with a successful renal transplant being followed up at the University of Kentucky Medical Center had a normal serum-lipid profile. The patients with hyperlipidaema (22%) had normal fasting insulin levels; they received similar immunosuppressive therapy but were significantly older and more obese than those with normal lipids. This lower prevalence of hyperlipidaemia and the absence of fasting hyperinsulinaemia are tentatively attributed to the use of alternate-day corticosteroid therapy in stable renal-transplant patients. If confirmed, the relative infrequency of hyperlipidaemia in patients of alternate-day corticosteroid therapy would be an additional advantage of that therapy over a daily regimen.
| 47,946
|
Doxycycline treatment and human infertility.
|
The role of mycoplasmas in infertility was studied in 120 couples. During the twelve months of the study 27 couples (22-5%) conceived. T mycoplasmas were isolated from 63% of these couples, and Mycoplasma hominis from 18%, compared with 56% and 13%, respectively, in those who did not conceive. 88, with primary infertility of unascertained cause, took part in a controlled trial with doxycycline. The couples in the trial were allocated randomly to three groups: 30 received doxycycline, 28 received a placebo, and 30 couples were untreated. Although a twenty-eight-day course of doxycycline eradicated M. hominis and T-strain mycoplasmas from 27 (96%) of the 28 couples harbouring them, the rate of conception was no higher in those treated with the drug than in control groups. It is concluded that mycoplasmas are not associated with primary infertility and that, although doxycycline eradicates them, this drug is of no benefit in the treatment of primary infertility of unascertained cause.
| 47,949
|
Complement changes and disseminated intravascular coagulation in Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
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Complement activation as shown by increased clearance of radioactive C1q and reduction in serum-C3 level was found in fifteen (83%) of eighteen patients studied during Plasmodium falciparum infection. Six patients had haemostatic defects suggesting disseminated intravascular coagulation (D.I.C.), and five others had other clinical complications. A correlation was found between reduction of C3 and clinical complications as well as with the degree of anaemia and with thrombocytopenia. Moreover, the most severe thrombocytopenia and the most severe reduction of C3 levels were found in those patients with D.I.C. An immune reaction associated with complement activation in P. falciparum infection is believed to contribute to injury of red blood-cells and platelets and to promote the development of D.I.C. and other serious clinical complications.
| 48,001
|
Atypical spherocytosis, a disease of spleen as well as of red blood-cells.
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It is proposed that atypical spherocytosis is a result of severe spherocytosis combined with splenic dysfunction. The spleen exercises a "conditioning" effect on the red blood-cell but is insufficient in the "culling" and "pitting" functions. As a result, a large population of severely damaged erythrocytes is circulating in the peripheral blood giving rise to atypical autohaemolysis.
| 48,127
|
[Basophil leucocytes and hyperlipidemia (author's transl)].
|
In explorations with 42 patients, who have got 2 g of fat per kg body weight, Heidsick, a member of our hospital, discussed quantitative and qualitative changing in basophil leucocytes in relation to the cholesterol and triglyceride content of the blood and the body weight. He showed, that there was an increase of basophil leucocytes under the load of fat and a changing in their cellular structure. There was no significant relation to the cholesterol level in blood, but there was such one in a group of healthy persons to the triglyceride level. Important was also a significant correlation between the body weight and the number of basophilic leucocytes.
| 48,182
|
[Propafenon, a new antiarrhythmic agent for the treatment of ectopic and rapid cardiac arrhythmias (author's transl)].
|
Propafenon (SA 79, Fenoprain, Baxarytmon) is a new antiarrhythmic agent with "quinidine-like" localanaesthetic direct membrane and beta adrenergic blocking actions. The drug was given to 50 patients with various types of cardiac arrhythmias. The effective and compatible dose was 70-140 mg administered intravenously in 1 to 3 minutes. Therapeutic success was observed in ectopic beats and paroxysmal tachycardias of both atrial and ventricular origin. Propafenon is effective on the sinus node, the atrial wall and the atrioventricular muscle; the rate of sinus node and ectopic pacemakers is lowered. The atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction time may be increased. Within the therapeutic dose Propafenon has only minimal cardiodepressive activity. Propafenon should not be given in patients with severe heart failure, hypotension and shock and atrioventricular block.
| 48,183
|
[Criteria for choice of therapeutic procedures in lymphomas].
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Surgery, high-energy radiotherapy and cyclic polychemotherapy are best indicated for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease and other forms of lymphoma. Overall evaluation will determine the most suitable management in each case. Clinical andpathological stage, the histological picture, the degree of vascular invasion and the immunological reactivity of the patient are the most important factors in such an evaluation. Close cooperation between the haematologist, histologist, radiologist, surgeon, radiotherapist, pharmacologist and immunologist will obviously be required.
| 48,217
|
[Current problems in therapy of evolutive malignant granuloma. Our experience with a new scheme of polychemotherapy].
|
Treatment of advanced Hodgkin's disease by associating vincristine, adriblastine, prednisone and procarbazine is compared with other widely employed protocols. Most subjects in the series had already received one or more drugs and had relapsed. In spite of this, 60% were still in complete remission one year after the administration of 6 courses of the new association. An account is given of maintenance therapy in Hodgkin's disease once remission is obtained, and the problems thus raised are illustrated.
| 48,218
|
Subacute thyroiditis. A diagnosis in otolaryngology.
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Subacute thyroiditis is often unrecognized and patients may be treated for pharyngitis, laryngitis, otitis media or similar disorders connected with otolaryngology. It is conceivable that these patients may seek treatment in ENT departments. The difficulties encountered in making a correct diagnosis are illustrated here on the basis of 12 consecutive cases. Eight of these patients were initially misdiagnosed resulting in useless therapy. Subacute thyroiditis is a self-limiting illness, and permanent myxoedema is rare. Nevertheless, one case with this sequela is reported.
| 48,224
|
[Value of calcium gluconate labelled with 99mTc in the detection of intracranial tumors].
|
In a preliminary communication, the authors compare the success coefficients of pertechnate 99m-Tc and of a new labelled molecule: calcium gluconate 99m-Tc, in a group of 32 patients. The results obtained showed the undoubted superiority of the gluconate in comparison with the pertechnate in the detection of intracranial metestases, and in particular those of the posterior fossa. It proved equally effective as bleomycin labeled with 57-Co. Amongst the other types of tumour studies, the use of the gluconate seems to be particularly indicated for neoplasms of the posterior fossa and in those close to the base of the skull and venous sinuses, given the marked reduction in "background noise" obtained when this method is used.
| 48,229
|
Interspecies brain antigen detected by naturally occurring mouse anti-brain autoantibody.
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Normal mouse sera contain naturally occurring antibodies that are cytotoxic in the presence of rabbit complement for NB1, a cell line derived from a neuroblastoma adrenal metastasis of a spontaneous ovarian teratoma. The anti-NB1 antibodies can be specifically removed from normal mouse sera by absorption of the sera with homogenized brain tissue of mouse, rat, guinea pig, chicken, and man and by homogenized kidney tissue of mouse and man. The antigen recognized by anti-NB1 naturally occurring autoantibodies, designated mouse brain antigen-2 (MBA-2), is not present on other normal tissues or tumor cell lines tested. MBA-2 is distinct from previously described mouse brain antigens.
| 48,248
|
Oncornaviral protein modulation in mouse uterine tissue by estrogen (38467).
|
Treatment of ovariectomized NIH Swiss mice with estrogens elevated the level of the murine leukemia virus group specific protein and the activity of an RNA-directed DNA polymerase in the uterus. The extent that these markers were raised was dependent on the relative biological potency of the estrogen and on the time interval following treatment. Increases in the levels of both viral marker proteins were evident within 24 hr of treatment and were highest at 48 hr. Subsequently, viral protein levels declined to pretreatment levels.
| 48,257
|
Replication of IPN virus: a cytochemical and biochemical study in SWT cells.
|
Although IPN virus failed to multiply at 30 degrees, it replicated at 16 degrees and 22 degrees in SWT cells. At 22 degrees the viral eclipse period lasted nearly 6 hr with maximal virion titers attained by 24 hr, whereas replication at 16 degrees was much slower. The replication of the virion was inhibited by 0.05 mug/ml of AD which did not interfere with the production of reovirus. Biochemical studies revealed that cellular DNA synthesis was markedly reduced (greater than 50%) soon after infection whereas total RNA synthesis was enhanced. The period of rapid increase in RNA synthesis paralleled the exponential production of infectious virus. Viral inclusion bodies, revealed by acridine orange-staining of virus-infected cells (SWT and RGG-2) late in the infectious cycle, were found to contain single-stranded RNA on the basis of their staining characteristics and sensitivity to RNase.
| 48,260
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Correlation of the critical micelle concentrations of surfactants with their effects on a bacterial demethylase.
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The activity of a sarcosine dehydrogenase isolated from a strain of Pseudomonas is enhanced by the addition of Triton X-100, Brij 35, and Tween 80, and is inhibited by deoxycholate and Sarkosyl NL-97. 2,6-Dichlorophenolindophenol, which is used as the oxidant in the dehydrogenase assay, has also been employed as an indicator in the spectrophotometric determination of the critical micelle concentrations (CMC) of both the nonionic and anionic detergents under conditions optimal for the enzyme analyses. A correlation between the activation or inhibitory activities of the surfactants and their CMC values has been established.
| 48,265
|
Turkey syndrome 65, oedema syndrome and Mycoplasma meleagridis.
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Comparisons of liver histology and serum protein characteristics from cases of oedema syndrome and from poults with Mycoplasma meleagridis induced ascites revealed that the two conditions, though presenting grossly similar post mortem appearances, are different entities. Serum albumin concentrations, but not total serum protein levels, were markedly reduced in poults with M meleagridis induced ascites and in those with turkey syndrome 65. Poults which were infected with M meleagridis but which failed to develop either of these conditions had more normal serum protein characteristics. It is argued that M meleagridis induced ascites may be an acute manifestation of a pathological process of which TS65 is the chronic form. It is also suggested that low serum albumin concentrations may play a primary role in the pathogenesis of TS65.
| 48,271
|
Glomerular antigen complexes associated with transitional cell carcinoma.
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An immunofluorescent pattern consistent with glomerular complexes of tumor antigen bound to IgM antibody has been observed in a patient without clinical or pathologic evidence of renal disease. The findings support the thesis that tumors may shed antigen capable of eliciting an immune response which may or may not be associated with clinically evident glomerulopathy.
| 48,285
|
An approach to experimental scleroderma, using urinary glycosaminoglycans from patients with systemic scleroderma.
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As a result of intraperitoneal injections in mice of crude glycosaminoglycans obtained from the urine of patients with systemic scleroderma, a fibrotic process similar to the intial changes of human scleroderma was frequently observed, especially in the skin and esophagus when the glycosaminoglycans contained a probable variant of heparan sulfate. Furthermore, the scleroderma-like change was also observed, to some extent, in the ultrastructure of collagen fibers and glycosaminoglycans of the skin.
| 48,324
|
Interactions in the uptake between catecholamines and estradiol in the human uterus.
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Optimal conditions of pH, dose, time and temperature for the in vitro uptake of radioactivity from 3-H-E or 3-H-NE by the human endometrium and myometrium were established. Uptake was dependent on temperature but not on pH. Uptake of radioactivity from 3-H-NE was always higher (p smaller than 0.05) in both tissues than the uptake of radioactivity from 3-H-E at all the studied times but 10 minutes. Only the uptake of radioactivity from 3-H-NE by the myometrium increased continuously from 2 to 90 minutes. E2 increased the uptake of radioactivity from 3-H-E and decreased the one from 3-H-NE, being both effects more significant (p smaller than 0.05) in the myometrium. Both E and NE increased significantly (p smaller than 0.05) the uptake of 3-H-E2 by the myometrium but not by the endometrium. These results indicate that the interactions between E and NE and E2 are more marked in the myometrium. The uterine tissues studied corresponded to the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, which was established by the endometrial histology and plasma levels of progesterone.
| 48,342
|
Auto-tutorial method for teaching manual skills.
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This paper describes a self-learning method for teaching craft and activity techniques developed by the faculty at St. Mary's Junior College, Minneapolis. The basic assumption is that, in order for learning to take place, the student must be actively involved in the learning-teaching process. Personalized instruction was simulated in an auto-tutorial laboratory where the student was responsible for organizing his time and for mastering specified craft and activity techniques.
| 48,344
|
Mucous glands in the developing human nose.
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In 56 fetuses the development and spread of the nasal glands were studied by three different whole-mount methods. Development starts anteriorly in the nose and proceeds with a given regularity backward. The anterior nasal, serous glands are found only most anteriorly in the nose. They are laid down in the 11th week by the formation of long ducts that grow backward. Small seromucous glands start forming in the 13th week. They gradually spread backward in the middle and inferior meatus and hence to the medial and lateral surfaces of the inferior and middle conchae. They are present in all parts of the respiratory region except in a small area above and behind the nasal vestibule and behind the conchae, Bowman glands start developing in the 16th week, in the roof of the nose, and gradually spread down through the entire olfactory region. They are very small, tubular, and serous. Bythe 23rd week gland formation has been completed.
| 48,372
|
Acute myelogenous leukemia of the Wistar/Furth rat: establishment of a continuous tissue culture line producing lysozyme in vitro and in vivo.
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A transplantable myelogenous leukemia of an inbred Wistar/Furth rat has been established in tissue culture and cloned. The resulting transplantable leukemia line demonstrates in vitro doubling time of 20 hr, colony-forming efficiency of 5% in liquid and methylcellulos-containing medium, and a saturation density of 3.0 x 106 cells/sq cm in liquid medium. Following intraperitoneal inoculation, newborn rats developed solid tumors, ascities, and leukemia with ld50 of5 x 103 cells and mean latency of 60 days. The tumor cell morphology was consistent with that of acute myelogenous leukemia. Histochemical staining for myeloid enzymes revealed no evidence of myeloperoxidase, esterase, or leukocyte alkaline phosphatase; however, fluorescent antibody staining for lysozyme was markedly positive. Serum, urine, and ascitic fluid from rats with transplanted leukemia also contained elevated levels of lysozyme. There was no detectable type-CRNA virus production by this cell line after as long as 100 days in vitro. This inbred rat myelogenous leukemia should provide a useful model for studies of chemotherapy and immunoltherapy of human acute myelogenous leukemia.
| 48,387
|
Microscope fluorometric investigations on the reticulocytic maturation distribution as diagnostic criterion of disordered erythropoiesis.
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A microscope fluorometric technique is described which permits not only the visual identification of reticulocytes under the fluorescence microscope but also the determination of their relative stage of maturation to normocytes. The technique is based on a specific staining procedure which results in a fluorescent complex between the reticulocytic RNA and acridine orange. Thus, the relative mass of RNA in the individual reticulocytes can be measured by means of mciroscope fluorometry. As the reticulocytic RNA content decreases and finally disappears during the final maturation process of reticulocytes after their release into the peripheral blood stream, the fluorescence signal indicates the relative degree of this maturation. A characteristic frequency distribution of this parameter can be obtained for a given blood sample by microscope fluorometry measuring 200 to 300 reticulocytes. The preliminary use of this technique for following up the course of two cases of hemolytic anemia and one of pernicious megaloblastic anemia during their treatment demonstrates the potential diagnostic value of this technique of identifying the change of the reticulocyte maturation distribution in addition to the reticulocyte count. Satisfactory agreement between the microscope fluorometric results and those obtained by counting separately the four reticulocytic maturation stages according to Heilmeyer and Wesbäuser has been achieved. The possibility of obtaining quantitative and comparable results by use of this method may be considered a general advantage and a promising basis for the development of an automated technique.
| 48,388
|
Evaluation of [3-H]proline for radioautographic tracing of axonal projections in the teleost visual system.
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The efficacy of [3-H]proline radioautography for tracing retinal ganglion cell projections to the optic tectum of the jewel fish, Hemichromis bimaculatus, has been compared with that of degeneration techniques. There was good agreement between the various methods. Retinal projections to the optic tectum of two other teleosts, the oscar, Astronotus ocellatus, and the goldfish, Carrasius auratus, were examined radioautographically. In addition to conventional methods of analysis, radioautograms were scanned in a slit microdensitometer and by an automated isodensity scanning system. Results of studies with the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, are compatible with the suggestion that axonally transported proteins labeled with [3-H]proline may release diffusible precursors that are reincorporated into protein in adjacent regions. The possible advantages and limitations of radioautography of [3-H]proline-labeled axonally transported protein in brief or extended studies are discussed in terms of the results obtained in the teleost visual system.
| 48,408
|
Properties of prostatic cultures transformed by SV40.
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SV-40-transformed hamster prostatic tissue has been previously evaluated as a model for human prostatic carcinoma. Because the original cell line was lost, Syrian golden hamster prostatic tissue has been established in explant culture and infected with a 10-6-cell tissue culture infectious dose (50 percent effective) of SV40. After in vitro transformation, the cells were produced in quantity and 60 times 10-6 cells were injected into adult male Syrian golden hamsters 24 hours after 400 rads of whole-body radiation. After 60-90 days, a small palpable tumor developed. These tumors could be serially transplanted in adult male animals without immunosuppression. The tumor cells were established in tissue culture and the cells were returned to adult animals without immunosuppression where they rapidly produced fast-growing tumors. The solid tumors were composed of sheets of pleomorphic polygonal cells with large nuclei and many nucleoli; they resembled undifferentiated human prostatic carcinoma. In vitro, the cultures contained small, rapidly growing cells with a population doubling time of about 1.3 days. The cells carried the SV 40-specific antigen. The modal chromosome number was 66-68 with a distribution of 47-120. Cells exposed to 2-bromo-5'-deoxyuridine in culture did not release particles with RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity. Endocrine sensitivity in vivo and in vitro is undertermined to date.
| 48,416
|
Induction of the polyamine-biosynthetic enzymes in mouse epidermis by tumor-promoting agents.
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A single topical application of 1.0 mg of crotol oil or 17 nmoles of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) resulted in a rapid, transient stimulation of mouse epidermal ornithine decarboxylase activity. The activity reached a peak (230-fold greater than control after TPA) at 4 to 5 hr after croton oil or TPA treatment and returned to control level by 12 hr. The stimulation of S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase activity was less pronounced, reaching a peak of activity (6- to 7-fold greater than control) at 9 to 12 hr after TPA or croton oil and slowly declining to control level. The stimulation of both enzyme activities was dependent on the dose of TPA applied and correlated well with the promoting ability of these doses on mouse skin. Phorbol, the nonpromoting parent alcohol of TPA, did not affect the enzymes activities. Cycloheximide pretreatment abolished the increase in enzyme activities after TPA application. By measuring the decline of enzyme activity following cycloheximide treatment, enzyme half-lives of 17 and 41 min were obtained for ornithine and S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase, respectively. 5-Azacytidine pretreatment prevented the stimulation of enzyme activities by TPA, while actinomycin D had no effect. Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) partially blocked the rise in enzyme activities.
| 48,421
|
A quantitative electron microscopic analysis of the keratinizing epithelium of noral human hard palate.
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The epithelium of normal human hard palate was subjected to sterologic analysis. Ten biosies were selected from a total of twenty specimens collected from 9 to 16 year old females, and processed for light- and electron microscopy. At two levels of magnification, electron micrographs were sampled from three strata (basale, spinosum, granulosum) in two locations (epithelial ridges and portions over connective tissue papillae). Stereologic point counting procedures were employed to analyse a total 1560 electron micrographs. In general, the thickness of the palate epithelium was 0.12 mm (over papillae) and 0.31 mm (in ridges), the epithelium is distinctly stratified, and homogeneously ortho-keratinized. From basal to granular layers, the composition of strata revealed decreasing densities of nuclei, mitochondria, membrane-bound organelles and aggregates of free ribosomes. Keratohyalin bodies and membrane coating granules increased, and cytoplasmic filaments with a constant diameter of about 85 A increased from 14 to 30% of cytoplasmic unit volume. The cytoplasmic ground substance occupied a stable 50% of the epithelial cytoplasm in all strata. The composition of basal layers in ridges differed from that over connective tissue papillae. The data are discussed in relation to the observations that (1) an increasing gradient of filament density is not the most characteristic feature of ortho-keratinizing oral epithelium and (2) differences in the degree of differentiation in cells of the stratum basale coincided with the comparable frequency distribution pattern of dividing cells.
| 48,425
|
The location of the genes coding for hexon and fiber proteins in adenovirus DNA.
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A serological analysis has been made of the capsid antigens hexon and fiber from 17 Ad5-Ad2+ND1 recombinants that enables us to determine the phenotype of the recombinants. By correlation of this data with the genetic and physical maps of the adenovirus genome, obtained by recombination and restriction endonuclease analysis, the genes coding for the hexon and fiber have been assigned to specific locations on the adenovirus DNA.
| 48,427
|
[New chemotherapy (adriamycin, belomycin and vincristin) of metastasizing malignant testicular teratoma (author's transl)].
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In a prospective study 18 patients with metastasizing testicular teratomas were treated with adriamycin, bleomycin and vincristin. Sixteen could be fully evaluated: 12 in stage IV (visceral metastases), three in stage III (lymphondular involvement beyond the diaphragm) and one with advanced stage II (iliac, para-aortic and inguinal nodes). None of the patients had previously received chemotherapy. Toxic side-effects were not severe enough to prevent 12 patients from being treated on an outpatient basis. Complete remission occurred in five, with four of them still in remission two, eight, ten and eleven months later. Partial remission (50% decrease in tumour size for at least four weeks) occurred in three, with one still improving. No change was noted for 11 months in a patient with advanced pulmonary disease. Progression under therapy occurred in seven patients and in some of them there was an initial response which did not, however, meet the criteria of partial remission. The therapeutic results as well as toxicity suggest that this regime is superior to actinomycin D montherapy and various previously used combinations.
| 48,459
|
Intraaticular treatment of tarsal degenerative joint disease in cattle.
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Tarsal degenerative joint disease (DJD) in 12 cattle was classified as primary or secondary, based on age, evidence of hereditary or congenital joint conformation defects, faulty hindlimb alignment, duration and type of usage joints were subjected to, and history or signs of repeated trauma. Three of the cattle had bilateral primary tarsal DJD, 7 had bilateral secondary tarsal DJD, and 2 had secondary DJD of the left tarsus. Analyses of synovial fluid samples provided a means of characterizing pathologic changes of tarsal DJD, Results of blood and synovial fluid analyses were grouped in compilation of data for cattle affected with either primary or secondary tarsal DJD. Corticosteroids and a long-acting synthetic progestational agent were injected singly or in combination with aqueous antibiotics into affected tarsal joints. Tarsal joints of 5 of the cattle responded favorably to a single intraarticular treatment, as manifested by palliative relief and functionally usable joints. Seven joints of 5 cattle were subjected to repeated intraarticular treatment. Serial synovial fluid analyses in 7 of the cattle provided a means of assessing tarsal joint response to intraarticular treatment or to therapeutic arthrocentesis, exclusive of patient objective response. One cow developed a mild self-limiting bilateral postinjection synovitis that was resolved after the 2nd and final intraarticular injection. Usable function returned to tarsal joints of cattle that responded favorably to intraarticular treatment at different periods after single or repeated injections. Three cattle with advanced tarsal DJD experienced minor temporary relief and were euthanatized at their owner's request. Improvement did not occur in the tarsal joint of 1 cow subjected to therapeutic aspiration only. Intraarticular treatment in all cattle was considered supportive to the animal's well-being rather than curative.
| 48,510
|
Primary interaction between antibody and components of Alternaria. I. Immunology and chemical characteristics of labeled antigens.
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Components were isolated from Alternaria tenuis and its culture filtrate, and were radiolabeled with 123-I. The labeled antigenic components had a high polysaccharide content as determined by staining patterns following electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels and by inactivation with sodium metaperiodate. A primary binding test was employed to detect and measure serum antibodies to the components from A. tennuis. This procedure was more sensitive in detecting antibodies that bound to antigens than were comparable tests dependent upon precipitin types of reactions. The labeled components of A. tenuis cross-reacted or shared antigens with 3 other species of molds: Stemphylium sp., Curvularia sp., Aspergillus fumigatus, but not with a variety of other fungal and nonfungal materials.
| 48,526
|
Subtypes of hepatitis B surface antigen in Southeast Asia.
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The prevalences of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) subtypes in Thais, Cambodians, and Vietnamese were compared with the prevalences in Americans residing in Southeast Asia. HBs Ag was found with approximately equal frequency in Thai (43 percent) and American (39 percent) patients with hepatitis. However, higher prevalences of HBs Ag were found in asympotomatic Thais (9.5 percent), Cambodians (11.9 percent), and Vietnamese (14.3 percent) than in asymptomatic Americans (0.7 percent). Among asymptomatic Thais, the ratio of HBs Ag/adr to HBs Ag/adw was approximately 10:1, with one exception: adw was not detected in a rural population of northern Thailand. The y determinant was not found in Thais. In contrast, both d and y determinants were found in Americans. These observations conform to a geographic pattern, with ad as the predominant combination in the Far East. In Southeast Asia determinants w and r are more useful epidemiologic markers than y and d.
| 48,531
|
Salmonella typhimurium mutations conferring resistance to Felix O phage without loss of smooth character: phage attachment and immunochemical and structural analyses of lipopolysaccharides.
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Salmonella typhimurium mutants, called Felix O-resistant (FOR), selected for resistance to phage Felix O (FO) which has its receptor in the core lipopolysaccharide (LPS), retain most of the properties of the smooth parent strain (MacPhee, Krishnapillai, Roantree & Stocker, 1975). LPS extracted from one parent and two FOR strains by the phenol-water and the phenol-chloroform-light petroleum methods have been subjected to passive haemagglutination inhibition and methylation analysis. The amount of LPS, the amount of O-specific sugars in the LPS, and the average length of the O chains were almost the same in parent and mutant strains. Neither passive haemagglutination nor methylation analysis revealed the presence of incomplete cores in the mutant strains. Determination of the rates of attachment of P22 (receptor in O chain) and FO phages to whole bacteria of the same strains also suggested there is as much O-chain material in the FOR strains as in the parent strain. The data suggest that the FOR strains are the result of a mutation in the synthesis of the core, leaving few, if any, completed cores accessible to the FO phage.
| 48,537
|
Quantitation of avian RNA tumor virus reverse transcriptase by radioimmunoassay.
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A radioimmunoassay was developed that can detect and quantitate 3 ng or more of the avian RNA tumor virus reverse transcriptase. The assay detected no antigenic sites in Rous sarcoma virus alpha virions or in virions of a murine RNA tumor virus. About 70 molecules of reverse transcriptase were found per virion of avian myleloblastosis virus with this assay or with an assay based on antibody inhibition of enzymatic activity. The assay detected about 270 ng of enzyme per mg of cell protein in virus-producing cells; uninfected cells had much less antigenic material but contained some determinants able to displace radioactive antigen. No additional antigenic determinants on reverse transcriptase could be detected that were not found on the separated alpha subunit of the enzyme. Although sevenfold less sensitive than enzymatic activity as a measure of reverse transcriptase, the radioimmunoassay can detect antigen using small amounts of protein and in the presence of inhibtors.
| 48,558
|
Scabies masquerading as dermatitis herpetiformis.
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Scabies can be easily mistaken for dermatitis herpetiformis because the two conditions have features in common, namely, pruritic papules, vesicles, and crusted erosions in the sacral and gluteal regions. In five patients with scabies who were initially judged clinically to have dermatitis herpetiformis, histological examination was decisive in the eventual correct diagnosis.
| 48,563
|
Androgen-induced hepatoma.
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Three cases of hepatocellular carcinoma are reported in young men who had been taking androgenic-anabolic steroids. The tumours were histologically similar to those described in previous reports. The tumour progressed slowly in two patients during four and seven years of observation, but in the latter bony metastases occurred. In two patients the tumours regressed after administration of the drug was discontinued. These cases strengthen the evidence that exogenous androgenic-anabolic steroids may produce liver tumours. The use of these drugs should be confined to serious conditions in which they are known to be effective. Biochemical tests of liver function and serum alphs-fetoprotein estimation are not useful as screening-tests for hepatoma in patients taking androgens, and regular isotopic liver-scanning is recommended.
| 48,615
|
Gastric-acid output, pepsin output, and lean body mass in normal and duodenal-ulcer subjects.
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Gastric-acid output bears a significant relationship to parietal cell mass and to lean body mass. The relationships of pepsin output to gastric-acid output and to lean body mass have been investigated in 13 normal subjects and 40 duodenal-ulcer patients. Peak pepsin output (P.P.O[I]) was stimulated by insulin-induced hypoglycaemia and the enzyme was assayed by Piper's method. Peak acid output to pentagastrin (P.A.O.[Pg] was obtained at a separate test. P.P.O.(I) correlated significantly with P.A.O.(Pg) in normal subjects (r equals 0-889, P less than 0-0001). P.P.O.(I) also showed good correlation with lean body mass (L.B.M.) (r equals 0-714, P less than 0-01), suggesting that P.P.O.(I) reflects peptic cell mass in normal subjects. In 40 duodenal-ulcer subjects there was no significant overall correlation of P.P.O.(I) with P.A.O(Pg) or with L.B.M. However, expressing the results as output of pepsin per milliequivalent of acid per kilogramme of lean body mass allowed separation of the ulcer patients into two groups whose ratios appeared to correlate with their symptomatic state at the time of testing: thus mean P.P.O(I) per meq. acid per kg. L.B.M. for duodenal-ulcer patients in relapse was significantly greater than the ratios for the patients in remission and for the normal group (P less than 0-001), suggesting either the presence of an increased sensitivity to insulin stimulation or a lack of pepsin inhibitor substance during a relapse of ulcer symptoms.
| 48,672
|
Nucleoside-phosphorylase deficiency in a child with severely defective T-cell immunity and normal B-cell immunity.
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A 5-year-old girl with a history of recurrent infection and anaemia has no measurable purine nucleoside phosphorylase (N.P.) activity in her red blood-cells. Her serum-immunoglobulin levels are normal, as are her antibody responses to thymus dependent and independent antigens. However, she has severe lymphopenia, pronounced depression of lymphocyte response to mitogenic and allogeneic cell stimuli, and greatly decreased T-cell rosette formation. Her parents are second cousins; their red cells contain less than half the normal level of N.P. activity. They also share an unusual N.P. isozyme pattern indicative of molecular hybridisation between catalytically active and inactive subunits, which strongly supports the assumption that they are heterozygous and their daughter is homozygous for a "silent" allele at the N.P. gene locus. Inherited deficiency of adenosine deaminase, an enzyme catalysing a reaction only one metabolic step away from that of N.P., is known to cause immunodeficiency. It is therefore very likely that this patient's lack of demonstrable N.P. activity is responsible for her syndrome.
| 48,676
|
Lymph-node biopsy during simple mastectomy.
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The distribution of pectoral (external mammary) nodes identified during the operation and removed with the axillary tail of the breast was studied in 45 patients treated by simple (total) mastectomy. Up to 13 nodes may lie within the axillary tail, and these are continuous with the pectoral nodes. Lymph-nodes were identified in 90 percent of patients treated by simple (total) mastectomy without dissection of the axilla.
| 48,724
|
Antibody to cultured human insulinoma cells in insulin-dependent diabetes.
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Circulating antibodies to live tissue-cultured human-insulinoma cells were identified in 34 out of 39 insulin-dependent diabetic patients by an indirect immunofluorescent technique. The antibodies were unrelated to insulin therapy since 8 of 9 sera obtained before insulin-replacement treatment were antibody positive and the test results were not influenced by prior addition of porcine insulin to sera. The antibodies were of the IgM and IgG classes. The findings suggest that autoimmune mechanisms are important in the pathogenesis of most cases of insulin-requiring diabetes.
| 48,725
|
Ultrasound in the diagnosis of spina bifida.
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Three patients who were at risk of having a baby with a neural-tube defect were investigated by ultrasonic examination and alpha-fetoprotein (A;F.P.) estimation. In all three cases amniotic-fluid A.F.P. levels were significantly raised and pregnancy was terminated. In the first case ultrasound failed to detect a small lumbo-sacral meningocele; In the second case ultrasound successfully diagnosed a dorso-lumbar meningo-myelocele but did not recognise internal hydrocephalus. In the third case ultrasound did not define any lesion, and pathological examination of the fetus revealed no abnormality. It is concluded that ultrasonic examination is an important diagnostic technique in the antneatal investigation of spina bifida.
| 48,732
|
Rubella-virus infection in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
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Antibody activity against mumps, measles, polio, and rubella viruses was determined in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (J.R.A.), rubella-vaccine associated arthritis, adult rheumatoid arthritis, other chronic systemic disorders (e.g., systemic lupus and dermatomyositis), and in a matched population of normal, non-rheumatoid (control) children. The antibody levels against mumps, measles, and poliovirus were similar in all patients. Rubella-antibody levels in rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic disorders were similar to those observed in controls. The mean rubella-antibody levels in rubella-vaccine arthritis were 4 times higher than in controls. The IgM and IgG rubella-antibody levels in J.R.A. were found to be 4-6 times higher when compared to titres observed in the controls. Highest antibody levels were seen in younger children with J.R.A. Detection of rubella-virus antigen was attempted by immunofluorescence in the sediment smears of synovial fluid of patients with J.R.A., adult rheumatoid arthritis, and other non-rheumatoid joint diseases. Specific staining for rubella virus antigen was observed in the synovial fluid of 33 percent of patients with J.R.A. No antigen was detected in the synovial fluid from other patients. These observations suggest a possible role of rubella-virus infection in J.R.A.
| 48,775
|
Grey-scale ultrasonography for monitoring industrial exposure to hepatotoxic agents.
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Industrial exposure to several potentially hepatotoxic agents, such as vinyl-chloride monomer may occur, and there is a need for non-vasive, diagnostic techniques to detect and monitor progressive pathological processes in liver or spleen. Grey-scale ultrasonography permits display of detailed anatomy and pathology in the liver, portal veins, and spleen. The combination of fine resolution, non-invasiveness, absence of ionising radiation hazard, and portable equipment makes the technique ideal for screening populations at risk.
| 48,839
|
Porcine streptococci causing meningitis and septicaemia in man.
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From 1968 to 1974 seven cases of septicaemia and purulent meningitis caused by porcine streptococci of the Lancefield group R and three cases caused by similar streptococci lacking R antigen occurred in the Netherlands. Bacteria isolated from all ten patients shared the characteristics of a biochemically well defined bacterial species (provisionally called Streptococcus subacidus) which until 1968 was only found in pigs. Nine of the ten patients had had intensive contact with live or slaughtered pigs.
| 48,908
|
Effect of intravenous B.C.G. in guineapigs and pertinence to cancer immunotherapy in man.
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Intravenous injection of heat-killed or irradiated B.C.G into tuberculin-positive guineapigs produced macroscopic lesions in the lung when examined 10 days or 4 or 6 weeks later. Microscopically, granulomas typical of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction were seen. Intravenous B.C.G. in normal guineapigs did not produce lesions. At equivalent doses to the killed vaccine, viable vaccine caused only mild lesions. Liver lesions were also found on early examination but by 4 weeks had almost resolved. Acid/alcohol-fast bacteria were only rarely detected. Purified portein derivative did not produce lesions, and antihistamine treatment did not modify the results. These results suggest that B.C.G. should be given by the intravenous route for cancer immunotherapy in man with great caution, especially in tuberculin-sensitive persons. The guineapig observations stress that hypersensitisation is a potential complicating feature of cancer immunotherapy, and this is discussed in the light of published clinical experience of B.C.G. by various routes. It is concluded that B.C.G. vaccines with a high proportion of viable organisms are to be preferred.
| 48,944
|
Infection caused by Proteus mirabilis strains with transferrable gentamicin-resistance factors.
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During a period of 10 weeks, four patients in one hospital became infected with gentamicin-resistant Proteus mirabilis. In two of them septicaemia associated with indwelling catheters developed, one had urinary tract and wound infections, and in the fourth patient the organism was isolated from a superficial wound. The P. mirabilis strains showed multiple drug resistance. Strains form the first three patients were apparently identical and were sensitive to tobramycin. Their gentamicin resistance was not transferable to Escherichia coli K12, but could be transferred to another strain of P. mirablilis (PM13-3). The fourth strain was resistant to tobramycin; its gentamicin/tobramycin resistance was transferable to E. coli K12.
| 48,945
|
[Transurethral electroresection of prostatic adenoma (author's transl)].
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The affliction of disturbances of the voidance of urine in aging men is becoming an ever more frequent medical problem because of the rising life expectancy of our population. The cause of the urinary obstruction is fibromyoadenomatosis of the paraurethral glands which may develop at any time after the age of 40. Transurethral electroresection ist the ideal method for the complete removal of a small to medium sized prostatic adenoma. Once the technique of resection has been mastered, complications are always absolutely avoidable and rare.
| 49,013
|
Diabetes mellitus: changes in the transport properties of isolated intestinal microvillous membranes.
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Isolated, small intestinal microvillous membranes from normal and acutely diabetic rats were compared with respect to D-glucose transport. D-Glucose was accumulated to a greater extent by diabetic membrane vesicles when supplied with energy in the form of a NaC1 or a NaSCN gradient across the vesicle membrane. The difference appeared to be caused by an ability of the diabetic membranes to maintain a higher driving force for active D-glucose transport and not by changes in the glucose "carrier." Increasing the glucose-independent Na-+-conductance of the membrane with monactin or gramicidin D reduced the active accumulation of D-glucose by membrane preparations from both control and diabetic groups. Concentrations of monactin and gramicidin D in the incubation medium of membrane vesicles from diabetic animals could be adjusted so that their D-glucose transport became indistinguishable from that of membranes from normal animals not treated with ionophores. These observatins suggest the microvillous membranes as one site where changes occur in acute diabetes. In addition, the change in the transport properties of the isolated membranes offer a rational explanation for the simultaneous elevation of active intestinal sugar, amino acid, and bile salt transport observed for intact intestinal tissue.
| 49,051
|
Complement components in normal serum and plasma quantitated by electroimmunoassay.
|
Sjöholm, A. G. Complement Components in Normal Serum and Plasma Quantitated by Electroimmunoassay. Scand. J. Immunol. 4, 25-30, 1975. The concentrations of C1q, C1s, C3, C4, C5, C3 proactivator, and C1 inactivator in serum and EDTA plasma from 100 normal adults were determined by electroimmunoassay. The normal range of each of the proteins is given. The C1q values varied more closely with the C1s values than with the levels of the other complement components. C3, C5, and C3 proactivator seemed to form a fairly interdependent group. The reproducibility of double determinations (interplate variation) was 4.9% to 7.9%. The variation of the complement component levels on repeated sampling from normal individuals was investigated. Also, repeated freezeing and thawing and storage at room temperature of serum and plasma were studied for their effect on the quantitation of the complement components. C3 and C4 values obtained by electroimmunoassay were in agreement with the values obtained by single radial immunodiffusion.
| 49,076
|
Variability of dermal elastin visualized ultrastructurally with iron hematoxylin.
|
The Verhoeff iron hematoxylin-lead citrate (VIH-LC) method demonstrated vertical elastic fibers that were often composed only of microfibrillar component extending into the epidermal basement membrane in human skin. These fibers connected with a network of trabeculae composed of microfibrils and elastin fibrils in varying proportions. The large elastic fibers in the deep two thirds of the dermis consited mainly of compact bundles of small elstin fibrils in infants and of solid elastin cores with a fimbriated periphery in adults; Dermis of a 6-month-old fetus contained very few small elastic fibrils except around blood vessels. Skin of an elderly subject revealed exteme proliferation of unusual reticulated elastic fibers in various areas and disclosed abnormal nodules of elastin or collagen fibrils in finely particulate matter. Small elastin fibrils, abundant microfibrils, and intermixed individual collagen fibrils comprised an adventitial collar between sweat glands and fibroblasts. Elastin fibrils were absent from this collar in the fetus and increased with the subject's age. A permanganate-high iron diamine sequence appeared to impart density to the microfibrillar component of elastic fibers.
| 49,149
|
Adverse reactions to intravenous anaesthetics.
|
One hundred consecutive reports of reactions to intravenous anaesthetics Althesin, thiopentone and Epontol are reviewed and analysed. Ten reactions are attributed to causes other than the anaesthetic drug, and four are believed to have been caused by the muscle relaxant employed. The remaining 86 reactions were grouped according to their clinical presentation: histaminoid reactions ( 19), histaminoid with bronchospasm (33), bronchospasm (12), cardiovascular collapse (uu), delayed histaminoid reactions (6), and clonic contractions (5). None of the first four reaction types was associated with only one anaesthetic. A knowledge of the sales of Althesin has allowed the incidence of reactions to be estimated as between one in 11,000 and one in 19,000.
| 49,189
|
Molecular conformation of bovine A1 basic protein, a coiling macromolecule in aqueous solution.
|
Aqueous solutions of bovine A1 protein, the major component of the basic protein fraction of myelin, were studied by small angle X-ray diffraction. The experimentally determined molecular weight, 17,800, is within 3% of that corresponding to the amino acid sequence, 18, 395, and the radius of gyration was found to be 46.3 A. No equivalent scattering particle of uniform electron density could be found which was compatible with all parameters evaluated from the diffraction measurements. The possibility of a coiled shape was therefore investigated using a worm-like chain model. This yielded a contour length of 439 A and a persistence length of 15.7 A. The radius of gyration of this model chain, 47.1 A, is in quite reasonable accord with the experimental value. The latter, after correction for excluded volume effects and finite chain length, yields for the characteristic ratio, ro2/nplp-2, 5.4. This may be compared with the value, 6.1, obtained after applying a correction for finite chain length to the viscosity data given by Tanford et al. for 12 proteins in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride and 0.1 M beta-mercaptoethanol. These two experimental values fall in the expected order, since the 15% glycine content of the A1 protein is considerably higher than the average for other proteins, which is about 8%. The corresponding values predicted from conformational calculations by Miller et al. for random copolymers of the L-alanine-glycine type are 5.9 (18% glycine) and 7.0 (8% glycine). We conclude that the A1 protein exists predominately, if not exclusively, as a random coil in aqueous solution.
| 49,193
|
Current-voltage studies on the thylakoid membrane in the presence of ionophores.
|
The reversibility of the binding of ionophores to the thylakoid membrane is studied. While gramicidin binds practically irreversibly, valinomycin and nonactin bind reversibly, however, only a small fraction (about 1%) of the membrane-bound valinomycin or nonactin is active in ion transport. The current-voltage relationship is evaluated under these circumstances. We have found that it is practically linear. This together with the relationship between current and ion concentration agrees qualitatively with the results reported for bimolecular lipid membranes, which contain a large fraction of negatively charged lipids. For the ionophores, valinomycin and nonactin, the binding equilibria (K approximately equal to 10-4) and the turnover numbers (approximately equal to 3-10-4/s) are evaluated for their action on the thylakoid membrane. Possible reasons for the inactivity of the majority of membrane-bound ionophore molecules are discussed.
| 49,197
|
Serum ferritin assay and iron status in chronic renal failure and haemodialysis.
|
Forty-four patients with chronic renal failure on haemodialysis for four months to eight years were studied. All recieved intravenous iron dextran 100 mg on alternate weeks. Serum ferritin concentrations correlated well with body iron stores estimated by grading the bone marrow stainable iron. Altogether 34 patients showed increased bone marrow iron stores and serum ferritin concentrations greater than controls; four patients showed absence of iron in the marrow, and three of these had subnormal serum ferritin concentrations. Serum ferritin assay represents the best method of repeatedly monitoring the exact amount of iron therapy needed by patients with chronic renal failure, particularly those on regular haemodialysis.
| 49,205
|
[Whipple's disease].
|
Whipple's disease is characterized morphologically by macrophages in the small intestine which store PAS-postive material, as well as coarsening and atrophy of the intestinal villi, with pseudocystic cavitations. Without treatment it ends fatally due to irreversible diarrhoea and cachexia. Until 1963, only 90 cases had been diagnosed, most of them at autopsy. Intestinal biopsy has facilitated the diagnosis in life. Treatment with antibiotics results in dramitic improvement and remission for many years. From this an at least partial bacterial cause of the disease has been deducted, but it has not been possible so far to identigy more precisely any causative bacteria. Two cases of Whple's disease with some special features are reported. Both occurred in women (previous reports were almost entirely of men). The severely ill patients were cured by tetracycline within a few weeks and have remained completely well at follow-up examinations. The morphological changes in the intestinal mucosa had partially regressed.
| 49,262
|
Immunological comparison of basic encephalitogen and histone F2A1.
|
The extent of immunological cross-reaction between basic encephalitogen and histone F2A1 on both the humoral antibody level and on the cellular level has been established. The extent of humoral cross-reaction was tested by direct complement fixation employing both anti-histone F2A1 and antisera to basic encephalitogen, by inhibition of complement fixation, by radioimmunoassay and by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. The data obtained failed to reveal immunological cross-reaction at the cellular level was tested by the lymphocyte stimulation technique in rabbits and guinea pigs, by inhibition of lymphocyte stimulation and by delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions. A slight but significant cross-reaction between the two proteins on the cellular level was detected by inhibition of lymphocyte stimulation and by the delayed hypersensitivity test. It is concluded that the immunological studies provide limited evidence that the two proteins share antigenic determinants.
| 49,268
|
Mammalian chromosome identification in interspecific hybride cells using "Hoechst 33258".
|
Treatment of fixed chromosome preparations of mouse-human hybrid cells with the benzimidazol derivative "Hoechst 33258" makes it possible to distinguish between mouse and human chromosomes. Treatment of live cells results in differential condensation of mouse and human centromeric regions. The effects of the dye on a mouse-human translocation and the species specific differences of staining and of condensation are in accordance with the assumption that the action of "H 33258" is specifically dependent on the base composition of the DNA.
| 49,289
|
The histochemistry and structure of tentacle cartilage tissues in the marine polychaete, Sabella melanostigma.
|
The cartilages (or "chondroid" tissue) in tentacles of the polychaete annelid, Sabella melanostigma, have been examined by electron microscopy and a series of histochemical techniques for the demonstration of mucopolysaccharides and protein end-groups. The ultrastructural studies indicated that the cartilages possess an investing layer of dense connective tissue which differs significanly from the matrix material secreted between the chondrocytes. The cartilage matrix was positive for acidic mucins with levels of sulfation above those of mammalian chondroitins A and C. This matrix as well as the investing connective tissue were intensely PAS-positive. Sabella cartilage was also stained intensely by methods for demonstrating tryptophan, tyrosine, side-chain carboxyl groups, disulfide groups, and amino groups. It was not stained by the procedure for sulfhydryl groups. Some evolutionary aspects of cartilage and chondroid tissues were discussed.
| 49,336
|
A study of the distribution of chromaffin-positive (CH+) and small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells in sympathetic ganglia of the rat at various ages.
|
Small intensely fluorescent (SIF) and chromaffin-positive (CH+) cells were independently investigated by formol-induced fluorescence and by chromaffin techniques in the superior cervical, thoracic and coeliac-mesenteric ganglia of neonatal (2--10 days), adolescent (2--4 months) and adult (6--15 months) rats. Identification of CH+ cells was facilitated by glutaraldehyde fixation prior to chromatin. Intraganglionic blood vessels were displaced by antemortem injection of either India ink or the fluorescent dye Thioflavine-S. SIF and CH+ cells were randomly distributed through the ganglia, either singly or in pairs related to principal neurons, or in variably-sized, highly vascularized groups. In chromaffin preparations these groups either consisted entirely of CH+ cells or else they contained a mixture of CH+ and CH- cells. CH+ cells were present in some adolescent and adult ganglia of all types, and in the neonatal coeliac-mesenteric ganglion at 10 days. In neonatal material generally, SIF cells were mostly green fluorescent, occurring separately or in homogeneous or mixed groups, but both yellow and green cells occurred in coeliac-mesenteric ganglia at 10 days. All ganglia in adolescent and older animals contained both yellow and green cells. There were more green than yellow cells, and more SIF than CH+ cells in all ganglia studied.
| 49,346
|
The binding of cationized ferritin at the surfaces of ehrlich ascites tumor cells: the effect of pH and glutaraldehyde fixation.
|
The densities of cationized ferritin (CF) particles binding to the surfaces of cultured Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were determined at pH 7.4, where the ferritin stain was applied either prior to or following glutaraldehyde fixation. The densities were also determined with CF adjusted to pH 1.9 and applied after fixation. For all fixed samples there was a higher density of particles bound to microvilli than to the spaces between them. Treatment with neuraminidase removed more particles from microvilli than from the inter-microvillus spaces, but did not reduce the levels of binding to the same value. When cationized ferritin is applied prior to fixation, an aggregation of the CF particles at the cell surface was observed, with the internalization of some clusters. This effect was independent of neuraminidase treatment.
| 49,356
|
Changes with age in protein-bound iodine (PBI) and body temperature in the mouse.
|
Protein-bound iodine (PBI), body temperature, and the response of the thyroid gland to different doses of thyrotropin (TSH) were examined in males of two inbred strains of mice at different ages. Results indicate persistent decline in PBI with advancing age that is significantly greater in DBA/2J than C57BL/6J mice. The magnitude of the PBI response to TSH diminishes in both strains with advancing age but is significantly greater in strain DBA/2J than C57BL/6J. Body temperature was found to decline with advancing age and was highly correlated with thyroid function. Although additional research is needed, a tentative conclusion is that advancing age imparts a diminished response of the thyroid gland to endogenous thyrotropin. This is the first report of age-related changes and particularly correlation between PBI and body temperature in genetically controlled mouse strains. The indications are that such thyroid-temperature relationships are genotype dependent.
| 49,375
|
Serodiagnostic application of immunohistoperoxidase reactions on antigen-coupled agarose beads.
|
Agarose beads to which antigens were covalently bound were subjected to indirect immunohistoperoxidase procedures. For detection and titration of serum antibodies against bovine gamma globulin (BGG) this method appeared to be specific and sensitive. One advantage is that no special instruments are needed. As an example of diagnostic applicability the system was successfully used for demonstration of antibodies in human serum containing antibodies against the trematode Schistosoma mansoni. At the microscopical level the technique is suitable for study of basic problems. Microspectrophotometric absorbance scanning of the beads revealed that the method can provide quantitative information, and is probably capable of quantifying stoichiometric relations in immunological reactions.
| 49,378
|
A radioimmunoassay of cellular surface antigens on living cells using iodinated soluble protein A from Staphylococcus aureus.
|
Soluble protein A from Staphylococcus aureus does carry great promise as a marker for cellular surface determinants, due to its specific reaction with, and high affinity for, most subclasses of mammalian IgG. In this article we present the different parameters involved in a radioimmunoassay using 125-I-labelled protein A. Using such an approach the actual technical procedures involved are reported in detail together with tests for mammalian alloantigens, including HL-A in the human, H-2 in the mouse and AgB antigenic sites in the rat, as this presents an unique opportunity to compare them with already widely used assays for transplantation antigens. The different parameters of the assay are analysed in view of measuring with precision quantities of cell-surface IgG molecules, thereby allowing possible determinations of antigenic site numbers in a new and simplified manner.
| 49,379
|
Immunological analysis of plasminogen activators from normal and transformed hamster cells. Evidence that the plasminogen activators produced by SV40 virus-transformed hamster embryo cells and normal hamster lung cells are antigenically identical.
|
Rabbits were immunized against the plasminogen activator released by SV4- virus-transformed hamster embryo cells. The resulting antiplasminogen activator immunoglobulin (APA-IgG) inhibited the enzymatic activity of the plasminogen activator produced by SV40-transformed hamster cells, and the plasmin-catalyzed release of these cells from the tissue culture dish. APA-IgG was not cytotoxic for these cells even in the presence of complement and did not inhibit their release of plasminogen activator. APA-IgG formed a single precipitin line in immunodiffusion plates using highly purified plasminogen activator as antigen. APA-IgG inhibited the plasminogen activator produced by newborn hamster lung cells and by an established diploid line (DON) of hamster lung cells, but did not inhibit plasminogen activators produced by normal or transformed hamster kidney cells or by cells of other species (mouse and human). We derive three major conclusions from these data: (a) There are several immunologically distinguishable forms (isozymes) of plasminogen activators in normal hamster tissues. (b) The plasminogen activators produced by normal hamster lung cells and by SV40 virus-transformed hamster embryo cells share antigenic determinants and are presumably the same isozyme. (c) The plasminogen activators produced by different hamster tumor cells do not share antigenic determinants and are presumably different isozymes.
| 49,388
|
Trisomy 22. Two new cases and delineation of the phenotype.
|
Two unrelated children, not affected with Down's syndrome, with strikingly similar phenotypes and an extra G-like chromosome are presented. Quinacrine and trypsin-Giemsa banding identified the extra chromosome as No. 22. The phenotype of these patients and the review of 15 additional similar cases from the literature permit a definition of the cardinal features of trisomy 22; mental and growth retardation, microcephaly and craniofacial asymmetry, strabismus, beaked and prominent nose, long philtrum, cleft palate, micrognathia, large low set ears with preauricular tags and/or pits, long slender fingers, congenital heart disease, inguinal hernia, and hip dislocation.
| 49,427
|
A patient with congenital anomalies and a deletion of the long arm of the long arm of chromosome 4 [46,XY,del(4)(q31)].
|
This paper describes the clinical symptoms and cytogenetic findings in a patient previously described in a doctoral thesis (van Kempen, 1969). The patient is a boy with multiple congenital anomalies and a deletion of the long arm of chromosome 4. A recent Giemsa banding study showed absence of the terminal G-band, as was found in the patient described by Golbus et al (1973). The symptoms and other data on the three patients known to have a deletion of the long arm of chromosome 4 are presented to facillitate comparison of these cases. However, the number of cases so far on record is too small to warrant conclusions on the basis of this comparison.
| 49,428
|
T-mycoplasmas: a study of the morphology, ultrastructure and mode of division of some human strains.
|
The morphology of 10 strains of T-mycoplasma was studied in wet preparations of viable cells by darkfield, phase-contrast and interference microscopy, and in fixed preparations by various techniques of electron microscopy. Mycoplasma-like artefacts in the horse-serum component of the medium were eliminated by filtration. All 10 strains were similar. Individual cells were spherical, 0-25-1-0 mum in size, with a bounding trilaminar membrane, 10 nm thick and containing 7-5-12-5-nm particles, and a layer of pilus-like projections, 5-8 nm long, on the outer surface. A possible capsular matrix was observed only by the pseudoreplica technique. The cells contained 12-15-nm ribosomes, nuclear fibroids 7-5-9 nm wide, and vacuoles. During replication, the cell elongated slightly and the ribsomes migrated to the ends of the cell leaving a ribosome-free area into which the bounding membrane invaginated to form a bud. The bud eventually separated by completion of the process of invagination; a cross-septum did not form. Usually only a single bud developed but sometimes two appeared simultaneously.
| 49,431
|
Inhibition of viral transcriptase by immunoglobulin directed against the nucleocapsid NS protein of vesicular stomatitis virus.
|
In search of an anti-transcriptase, antibody was raised in rabbits to partially purified, soluble NS protein present in cytoplasmic extracts of cells infected with the Indiana serotype of vesicular stomatitis (VSInd) virus. This antiserum gave specific reactions of identity by agar immunodiffusion with both cytoplasmic and virion NS protein. NS antiserum also preferentially precipitated NS 3-H-labeled protein from infected cytoplasmic extracts, whereas anti-whole VSInd virion serum also precipitated N 3-H-labeled protein from extracts both of infected cytoplasm and virion nucleocapsids. Transcriptase activity of VSInd cytoplasmic or virion-derived nucleocapsids was effectively inhibited by ribonuclease-free immunoglubulin prepared from homologous NSInd antiserum or from anti-whole vesicular stomatitis virus serum. Transcriptase activity of heterologous New Jersey serotype (VSNJ) nucleocapsids and virions was not appreciably affected by anti-NSInd or by anti-whole VSInd virion gamma globulin. Anti-NS gamma glubulin immediately switched off RNA synthesis by actively transcribing VSInd nucleocapsids, a finding which suggests that NS antibody inhibits RNA chain elongation.
| 49,440
|
Interspecies antigenic determinants of the reverse transcriptases and p30 proteins of mammalian type C viruses.
|
The major internal structural proteins (p30) of type C viruses isolated from several mammalian species were studied by radioimmunoprecipitation and competitive radioimmunoassays. Three antigenically distinguishable sets of interspecies determinants could be demonstrated by both methods. One set of determinants shared by viruses of rodent origin (mouse and rat) can be detected readily in feline leukemia viruses but not in other type C viral groups. The p30 proteins of murine viruses also contain a second discrete set of antigenic determinants related to those in infectious primate viruses and endogenous porcine viruses, but not detected in the feline leukemia virus group. The p30 proteins of endogenous viruses of baboons and domestic cats share yet a third set of cross-reactive determinants not detected in type C viruses isolated from other species of animals. Enzyme inhibition studies performed with antisera raised toward the reverse transcriptases of these same groups of type C viruses showed the same patterns of immunological cross-reactions as observed with p30 proteins. The antigenic cross-reactions between the homologous proteins of type C virus isolated from genetically distant animals may reflect transmission of type C viruses across species barriers.
| 49,443
|
Prevention of fatal postoperative pulmonary embolism by low doses of heparin. An international multicentre trial.
|
The efficacy of low-dose heparin in preventing fatal postoperative pulmonary embolism has been investigated in a multicentre prospective randomised trial. 4121 patients over the age of forty years undergoing a variety of elective major surgical procedures were included in the trial; 2076 of these were in the control group and 2045 patients received heparin. The two groups were well matched for age, sex, weight, blood-group, and other factors which could predispose to the development of venous thromboembolism. 180 (4-4 %) patients died during the postoperative period, 100 in the control and 80 in the heparin group: 72% of deaths in the control and 66% in the heparin group had necropsy examination. 16 patients in the control group and 2 in the heparin group were found at necropsy to have died due to acute massive pulmonary embolism (P smaller than 0-005). In addition, emboli found at necropsy in 6 patients in the control group and 3 in the heparin group were considered either contributory to death or an incidental finding since death in these patients was attributed to other causes. Taking all pulmonary emboli together, the findings were again significant (P smaller than 0-005). Of 1292 patients in whom the 125-I-fibrinogen test was performed to detect deep-vein thrombosis (D.V.T.) 667 were in the control group and 625 in the heparin group. The frequency of isotopic D.V.T. was reduced from 24-6% in the control group 7-7% in the heparin group (P smaller 0-005). In 30 patients D.V.T. was detected at necropsy; 24 in the control and 6 in the heparin group (P smaller 0-005). 32 patients in the control group and 11 in the heparin group developed clinically diagnosed D.V.T. which was confirmed by venography (P smaller than 0-005). In addition, 24 patients in the control and 8 in the heparin group were treated for clinically suspected pulmonary emoblism. The difference in the number of patients requiring treatment for D.V.T. and/or pulmonary embolism in the two groups was again significant (P smaller than 0-005). 9 patients were found at necropsy to have died from haemorrhage; 5 were in the control and 4 in the heparin group. A careful objective analysis of operative and postoperative bleeding in 1475 patients showed no statistically significant difference in the blood-transfusion requirements or in the fall in the postoperative haemoglobin level either in the individual operative groups or in the group as a whole. However, the difference in the number of patients who developed wound haematoma in the heparin and control groups was significant (P smaller 0-01). The results of the trial indicate that this form of prophylaxis can now be recommended for use on a large scale in "high-risk" patients undergoing major surgery.
| 49,649
|
Local production of specific IgE antibodies in allergic-rhinitis patients with negative skin tests.
|
A group of patients with allergic rhinitis had a clinical history strongly suggestive of house-dust-mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) allergy but negative skin reactions when prick tested with D. pteronyssinus extracts. These patients were proved to be clinically allergic by nasal provocation with this allergen. Although radioallergosorbent tests showed that these patients lacked specific IgE antibodies in their serum, they did have specific antibodies in their nasal secretions. These findings indicate that these patients had allergic rhinitis mediated by the local production of IgE antibodies.
| 49,744
|
Reduction in severity of acute renal failure in rats by beta-adrenergic blockade.
|
The effectiveness of beta-adrenergic blockade in preventing acute renal failure (A.R.F.) in rats was studied in the hypoxia model produced by unilateral nephrectomy and clamping of the contralateral renal artery for 70 minutes. Beta-adrenergic blockade effectively reduced the severity of A.R.F. in this experimental model. Treatment with a combination of propranolol and a synthetic angiotensin-II competitive inhibitor (P113) produced no further improvement. These results are consistent with the view that intrarenal release of renin is to some extent involved in the pathogenesis of A.R.F.
| 49,748
|
Electrolyte disturbances in beer drinkers. A specific "hypo-osmolality syndrome".
|
A syndrome is described which affects subjects whose consumption of beer is considerable but who take no or little ordinary food. The symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, and muscular weakness; the biochemical changes are hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia. The disorder is rapidly resolved by stay in hospital. Beer is poor in Na (1-2 meq. per litre). Consequently these patients' intake of Na was low, and the production of urea was very low.
| 49,796
|
Cytogenetic effect of bleomycin on human leukocytes in vitro.
|
Human leukocytes treated with bleomycin (BLM) for clinical use, at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 10 and 50 mug/ml were studied. Both chromosome- and chromatid-type aberrations were observed. The groups of larger chromosomes were more affected at every concentration. At dosages from 0.1 to 10 mug/ml no significant difference of effects on chromosomes was observed. However, a dose-difference of about 500 times showed significant differences in effect both on the degree of chromosomal aberration and on mitotic indices.
| 49,848
|
Immunoaffinity chromatography of human beta-hexosaminidase A.
|
A highly specific method for the purification of human beta-hexosaminidase A employing immunoaffinity chromatography is described. Using an antiserum against the unique antigenic determinant, alpha, of beta-hexosaminidase A, and elution with 8.0M urea, a 283-or 417-fold purification of the enzyme was obtained in a single step from crude human placental homogenate.
| 49,891
|
[Activity of the hypophyseal-thyroid gland system in relation to the funcitonal state of the sex glands. Report I].
|
Experiments were conducted on intact female rats; it was revealed that the content of protein-bound iodine (PBI) in the blood depended on the stage of the estral cycle. It was decreased at the metestrus and diestrus stages. Castration produced an even greater reduction in the blood PBI content. The blood PBI content proved to elevate in administration of estradiol dipropionate (EDP) to castrated rats. The TSH content in the hypophysis increased at the metestrus and diestrus stages and decreased at the proestrus and estrus stages. The relationship was reverse in the case with the blood TTH content. Castration was followed by a marked increase in the TSH content in the hypophysis accompanied by a reduction in the blood hormone level. The TSH concentration in the hypophysis decreased and in the blood increased under the effect of EDP in castrated animals. The data obtained indicated that the interrelationship between the thyroid gland and the sex glands was realized at the level of the hypophysis, and possibly, of the hypothalamus.
| 49,893
|
[Demonstration of cells of myothelial origin in canine mammary tumours by special staining methods (author's transl)].
|
Three recent staining methods, the TPA-, TPL-, and TPT-method, were used to demonstrate cells of myothelial origin in mammary gland tumours in bitches and were compared with older techniques. The newer methods proved more suitable for demonstration of myofibrils in myothelial cells. With these techniques it is possible to reveal myofibril containing cells in adenomatous, papillary, myomatour, and myxoid tumour regions but not in chondroid parts of mixed tumours. Two of the tumours examined were classified as malignant myotheliomas because of their staining qualities, structure, ultrastructural appearance and signs of malignancy.
| 49,985
|
[Vital fluorescent staining of microorganisms by 3',6'-diacetyl-fluoresceine for determination of their metabolic activity (author's transl)].
|
By fluorescent microscopy and spectroscopy studies involving micro-organisms which were either viable or devitalised by heat sterilisation or gamma irradiation and could not be cultured any more, fluorochrome binding with 3' , 6'-diacetyl fluorescein was shown to be linked with the viability of a cell and a function of its actual metabolic state. The incorporation of diacetyl fluorescein into cells, its storage and hydrolysis to fluorescein mean active processes taking place at high speed. Viable cells are capable of storing fluorescein intracellularly, bound to structural elements. If the storage capacity is surpassed, it will be eliminated from the cell. The mechanism of this process is discussed. Devitalised cells are not capable of active uptake of fluorescein nor of its storage and accelerated hydrolysis. Beyond this, they are incapable of fluorescein binding to structural elements. There will be only a minor homogenous staining of such cells by fluorescein. An express method based upon the results is providing information on viability, actual metabolic state, morphology, and motility of micro-organisms within a few minutes and without affecting onward culturing.
| 49,989
|
Hydralazine-induced lupus erythematosus-like syndrome.
|
A reversible syndrome resembling systemic lupus erythematosus and induced by hydralazine hydrochloride therapy is a well-recognized phenomenon in adults but does not seem to have been reported in children. A 9-year-old girl had fever, arthralgias, modest joint swelling, splenomegaly, antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), anitbodies against native and denatured DNA, and positive LE cell preparations after nine months of hydralazine hydrochloride therapy, 120 mg/day. Clinical findings returned to normal within four weeks of discontinuing the drug therapy, and serological abnormalities disappeared after 11 months. Like previously reported patients, the child is white and has a slow acetylation phenotype. It is not known whether children receiving hydralazine are as susceptible to this complication as adults. Periodic ANA determinations may be advisable for children receiving hydralazine, especially if they are white and have a slow acetylation phenotype.
| 50,009
|
Presence of two virus-like particles in Penicillium citrinum.
|
Two icosahedral virus-like particles (28 and 19 nm in diameter, respectively) have been detected in sporogenic and asporogenic segregants of a strain of Penicillium citrinum. The distribution of the two particles differed among the two segregants.
| 50,049
|
Intestinal lymphangiectasia. Long-term results with MCT diet.
|
The clinical course of 6 children with primary intestinal lymphangiectuasia who have been treated with low fat medium chain triglyceride-supplemented diets for between 3 and 8 years (4 for longer than 5 years) is described. Though laboratory findings indicate continuing chyle leak, evidence for long-term benefit from dietary treatment is provided by symptomatic relief while on the diet, clinical relapse upon relaxation of t,e regimen, and improvement in growth rates. In most patients the underlying lymphatic defect, and thus the need for dietary treatment, appears to be permanent.
| 50,050
|
[Formation of elastic fibers around basal cell carcinomas: light microscopical observations (author's transl)].
|
From 275 specimens of all sorts of basal cell epitheliomas the new formation of elastic fibers was histologically investigated by means of selective elastic tissue stains such as orcein and resorcinfuchsin. In nearly one third of the basal cell epitheliomas newly formed elastic fibers could be observed in the stroma. In places where a new formation of elastic fibers was demonstrated fibroblasts and mast cells (toluidine blue stain) were unusually numerous. Apparently the influence of the growing tumor masses of basal cell epitheliomas leads to a dermo-epidermal interaction in the form of 1. increase of mast cells 2. stimulation of fibroblasts 3. new formation of elastic fibers. The observation suggest that there exists a relationship between the above noted findings. Due to the dermo-epithelial interaction (even in senile skin) in the stroma of basal cell epithelioma fibroblasts can be stimulated to such a degree that they regain the ability to produce elastic fibers-a function which usually is greatly diminished with increasing age. The findings seem to be important from the view point of rejuvenation of aging human skin.
| 50,052
|
Conformational and spectral analysis of the polypeptide antibiotic N-methylleucine gramicidin S dihydrochloride by nuclear magnetic resonance.
|
The 220-MHz proton magnetic resonance spectrum of the cyclic decapeptide antibiotic, mono-N-methylleucine gramicidin S, is reported and all the resonances have been assigned to specific protons of the constituent amino acids. Three methods--temperature dependence and solvent mixture (methanol-trifluoroethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide-trifluoroethanol) dependence of peptide NH proton chemical shifts and proton deuteron exchange--habe been utilized to delineate peptide NH protons. The results of the above methods, coupled with the observed vicinal alpha-CH-NH coupling constants and chemical shifts, indicate that in trifluoroethanol the peptide NH PROTONS OF D-Phe4, D-Phe9, L-Orn2, and L-Val6 are exposed to the sovent, and those of L-Val1, L-Orn7, and L-Leu8 are solvent shielded and intramolecularly hydrogen bonded. In trifluoroethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and methanol, the decapeptide has no C2 symmetry, and there are only minor conformational differences in the different solvents. In the proposed conformation in trifluoroethanol, one-half of the decapeptide retained the hydrogen bonding pattern of gramicidin S, i.e. cyclo-(L-Val1 NH--O-C L-Leu8) (a beta turn) and cyclo-(L-Leu8 NH--O-C L-Val1). The second half of the molecule exhibits a different type of stable beta turn involving the ten-atom hydrogen-bonded ring, cyclo-(L-Orn7-NH--O-C D-PHE4).
| 50,084
|
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