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The renal papilla has a double blood supply - from both the vasa recta and the calyceal arteries. The importance of the latter supply is not established. A case of polyarteritis associated with papillary necrosis is reported, in which the calyceal vessels, supplying the area, show acute necrotizing arteritis and occlusion. The pathophysiological and clinical implications are discussed.

Clearance experiments in calcium-stone patients (n = 60) and controls (n = 60) demonstrated significantly higher urinary uric acid (UA) in younger (less 40 years) stone patients than controls (median: 480 vs. 351 mug/min) but not in older (greater than 40 years) patients. Serum UA and urinary oxypurines were comparable in health and stone disease. Conversely urinary phosphate was significantly lower in younger patients than matched controls (males: 224 vs. 304 mug) and presumably is responsible for the more alkaline pH. It is suggested that calcium-stone formation in humans is represented by two different populations.

The plasma-ionized calcium levels decreased during haemodialysis when a dialysate calcium concentration of 5 mg/100 ml was used. When dialysis was performed with a bath calcium concentration of 7.5 mg/100 ml, there was a significant increase in the plasm-ionized calcium levels in the post-dialysis period. These results are discussed in relation of the optimal dialysate calcium concentrations and development of dialytic bone disease.

From the chemical and pharmalogical point of view it is impossible to separate strictly between antiepileptic and psychopharmalogical drugs. Inspite of that and several clinical overlappings it is possible and helpful finding differences between the two groups of drugs. Basing on the indication we try to demonstrate the use of these drug-groups. 1. Antiepileptic drugs in behaviour disorders. A. In spite of various publications we recommend carefullness and restriction. B. Only in case of behaviour disorders due to epileptic origin antiepileptic therapy is indicated. 2. Psychopharmalogical drugs in epilepsies A. The frequency of seizures may be reduced B. Psychical disorders connected with seizures may be influnced.

Soluble glycoproteins have been purified from a series of clones of Trypanosoma brucei 427. Each clone yielded a characteristic predominant glycoprotein which induced clone-specific immunity to trypanosome infection in mice. These glycoproteins were shown by specific labelling and enzyme digestion of cells to be the major components of the trypanosome surface coat. Each glycoprotein consisted of a single polypeptide chain having an apparent molecular weight of 65 000 (as measured by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and containing around 600 amino acid and 20 monosaccharide residues. Preliminary structural studies indicated large changes in amino acid sequence dispersed over a considerable length of the polypeptide chain. Proteolytic activity was demonstrated in semi-purified trypanosome extracts, providing one reason for the heterogeneity sometimes observed in surface glycoprotein antigen preparations.

The determination of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase by a reaction rate assay using optimal reaction conditions at 37 degrees is described. Specific conditions and instrument settings are described for the LKB Reaction Rate Analyser but the actual assay conditions are applicable to any similar reaction rate system. The precision of the method has been evaluated and a reference range for normal male (less than 45 U/l) and female (less than 30 U/l) subjects determined.

Administration of cortisol to fetal rabbits resulted in a 42% inhibition of pulmonary de novo fatty acid synthesis from acetyl coenzyme A (CoA) (P = less than 0.025). This was associated with inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (EC. 6.4.1.2.) activity (P = less than 0.01) and a tendency towards decreased activity of fatty acid synthetase. There was no effect on pulmonary microsomal fatty acid elongation activity. Light and electron microscopic examination of the apex of the right lung of control and cortisol-treated animals revealed changes consistent with accelerated lung maturation in the treated animals. The in vitro activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthetase were similar in rabbit lung and thus acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity does not appear to be rate limiting for de novo fatty acid synthesis in lung. No significant change in the activity of enzymes associated with de novo fatty acid synthesis of microsomal fatty acid elongation was found in fetal brain after cortisol exposure. However, in a parallel study on fatty acid synthesis in fetal liver, cortisol administration resulted in a 30% increase in fatty acid synthetase activity (P less than 0.025). The finding of cortisol-induced inhibition of de novo fatty acid synthesis in fetal rabbit lung may be related to the known inhibitory effect of cortisol on lung growth in the fetus.

ATPase activity of myosin in the heart muscle of the mouse, rat, guinea-pig, rabbit and pig was studied at neutral pH and under mild alkaline conditions. At neutral pH the ATPase activity of myosin is inversely related to body size of the animal species. The decrease of ATPase activity of myosin after alkaline preincubation depends on the degree of ATPase activity of intact myosin, i.e. myosin from the heart of the mouse exhibits high ATPase activity ae same relationship was found, when comparing myosin of new-born and adult heart muscle. It is concluded that the rate of alkaline inactivation of heart myosin is directly related to the degree of ATPase activity of intact myosin in all animals.

The responsiveness of the medullary chemoreceptors, measured by the ventilatory response to hypercapnia given in an hyperoxic gas mixture in intact anesthetized dogs has been evaluated during normothermia and at two levels of hypothermia. The response was studied in: 1) 20 dogs during normothermia, 2) 10 of these dogs at a blood temperature of 32-33 degrees C, and 3) in the other 10 dogs during deeper hypothermia (28-29 degrees C). The ventilatory response to CO2 decreased while blood temperature was lowered until the response became absent during deep hypothermia. For normothermia and both levels of hypothermia a similar oxygen drive of ventilation was found which was equivalent to approximately one fourth of the spontaneous ventilation. It is suggested, that in the deeply hypothermic animal the normal respiratory drive is apparently of peripheral (arterial) chemoreceptor origin and when this drive is nullified or significantly decreased, gentle shivering could be responsible for stimulating the respiratory center.

Metiamide an histamine H2-receptors antagonist has been used to treat a case of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome characterized by a long standing diarrhea, an important gastric hypersecretion and a moderatly elevated plasma gastrin but without digestive ulceration. At the dose of 600 mg per day, Metiamide induced a complete suppression of acid secretion, an effect which lasted for 15 days after stopping the drug. Accordingly and since the only finding at time of laparotomy was a small lymph node enlarged with endocrine metastatic tissue, the stomach was left intact and Metiamide pursued. During the first 4 months of chronic administration of Metiamide, acid secretion was maintained at levels below 25 p.cent of initial values. Ulteriorly however, although dosages of Metiamide were increased, acid hypersecretion resumed and a duodenal ulcer developed. Total gastrectomy was then performed 11 months after the beginning of Metiamide. In spite of the failure of Metiamide treatment, the long term follow up of this case of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, allowed us to get theoretical and practical informations.

Frequency of exercise-induced asthma has been studied in 75 unselected asthmatic patients (adults and children) by measuring the forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) and the vital capacity (VC) before and after a treadmill exercise, continued until heart rate was at least equal to 80 p.cent-85 p.cent of maximum heart rate. In 19 subjects (25 p.cent), a more than 20 p.cent decrease from control value of FEV1 was recorded ten minutes after exercise ended. Exercise-induced bronchial obstruction was relieved by a beta adrenergic bronchodilator aerosol inhalation. In the group of 19 subjects having exercise-induced asthma, a significant positive correlation was found between pre-exercise FEV1 values and post-exercise FEV1 decreases. In the whole group of 75 subjects exercise-induced asthma was related to the severity of asthma and not to other clinical or physical characteristics of the subjects. From the data of other authors it appears that frequency of exercise-induced asthma is variable. The reasons of those differences are discussed.

The authors report 5 cases of shock type anaphylactic reactions after the ingestion of glafenine. Up to the present, acute tubulo-interstitial nephritis had chiefly been reported. The existence of allergy to this medication remains to be proved by the wider application of allergological studies.

A double-blind study comparing betamethasone valerate and placebo aerosols was carried out in 40 patients with a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis and positive skin tests to grass pollens. Analysis of the symptoms recorded on a daily record card for a period of one month indicated that the mean monthly symptom-score was lower for all symptoms in the group on active therapy and that this reached statistical significance for the symptom of sneezing. Significantly more antihistamine tablets were used by the placebo group as compared with the active group (p less than 0-05). The patients' assessment of their treatment was in favour of betamethasone valerate (p less than 0-05). No clinically significant side-effects were associated with the treatment, which was well tolerated.

Urinary acid excretion was measured in 35 human renal allograft recipients during the first few days after the onset of diuresis and two months after transplantation. In 16 out of 17 rejection episodes an early significant decrease of renal total net H+ excretion was observed. This urinary acidification impairment preceded the serum creatinine increase. Only few patients showed variations in blood pH and C1-. The acidification defect may be due to the ischaemic changes of rejection. Early impairment of urinary acidification supports a clinical diagnosis of rejection.

Adding urine to a standard buffered fibrinogen solution and then coagulating it with thrombin gives reproducible coagulation times with normal urines. Coagulation of fibrinogen by thrombin is prolonged in acid solutions with a pH below six. Urines of high acidity lower the buffer pH of the fibrinogen solution below a value of six thus rendering the system uncoagulable or significantly prolonging the coagulation time. With this test system we found that out of 16 severe homograft rejections 15 were accompanied by a high acid excretion in six-hour urine specimens. Ten of these acid episodes became apparent 12 to 48 hr before clinical symptoms and before elevation of the serum creatinine could be detected.

Inferences about the catalytic mechanism of acetylcholinesterase (acetylcholine hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.7) are frequently made on the basis of a presumed analogy with chymotrypsin, EC 3.4.21.1. Although both enzymes are serine hydrolases, several differences in the steady-state kinetic properties of the two have been observed. In this report particular attention is focused on the second-order reaction constant, kcat/Kapp. While the reported pH dependence and deuterium oxide isotope effect associated with this parameter for chymotrypsin are generally consistent with simple models involving rate-limiting general acid-base catalysis, this study finds a more complicated situation with acetylcholinesterase. The apparent pKa of kcat/Kapp for acetylcholinesterase varies between 5.5 and 6.3 for neutral substrates and involves nonlinear inhibition by [H+]. Deuterium oxide isotope effects for kcat/Kapp range from 1.1 for acetylcholine to 1.9 for p-nitrophenyl acetate. The bimolecular reaction rate appears rate-limiting for acetylcholine at low concentrations, while a rate-limiting induced-fit step is proposed to account for apparent pKa values and low deuterium oxide isotope effects associated with low concentrations of phenyl acetate and isoamyl acetate.

The light-induced absorbance change at 518 nm of isolated chloroplasts consists of a rapid phase, and a slow phase which is complete in about 20 sec. The slow component of the 518 nm absorbance change correlates with the light-induced change in 90 degrees light scattering at 518 nm. Both show a similar time course, similar pH dependence with a maximum at pH 6.0, and similar sensitivity to inhibitors and to treatment of the chloroplasts with a low concentration of glutaraldehyde. Their light minus dark difference spectra are similar with maxima at about 520 nm. It is concluded that they are manifestations of the same phenomenon, and the slow absorbance increase at 518 nm is due to enhanced scattering. It is proposed that the light-induced changes in scattering at 518 nm reflect alterations in selective dispersion, due to proton uptake and conformational changes in the chloroplast thylakoid membrane.

Ammonium sulfate fractionation of crude extracts of E. coli yields a soluble enzyme fraction (about 25-fold purification) that catalyzes the conversion of phiX174 single-stranded DNA to duplex DNA. The reaction is rifampicin-resistant, requires single-stranded DNA, Mg++, deoxynucleoside triphosphates, and ATP, and is stimulated by KCl. Such soluble enzyme fractions were prepared from E. coli strains carrying the prophage mutant P1bac, in which the viral dnaB analog (ban) protein is expressed constitutively, or P1bacban, in which the expression of ban protein is prevented. DNA-synthesizing activity of ban protein containing fractions from wild-type or dnaB(P1bac) lysogens was more temperature-resistant than that from E. coli containing only wild-type dnaB protein, whereas that from dnaB(P1bacban) lysogens of dnaB cells was extremely thermolabile. It is suggested that the temperature-resistant DNA synthesis with fractions from P1bac lysogens is mediated by the P1 ban protein.

The intensely chromophoric intramolecular coordination complex formed between arsanilazotyrosine-248 and the active site zinc atom of azocarboxypeptidase A (Johansen, J. T. & Vallee, B. L. (1971) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 68, 2532-2535) is a spectrokinetic probe of catalytic events. The interconversion of the azoTyr-248-Zn complex and its constituents is measured by stopped-flow pH and temperature-jump methods. The rate of interconversion, 64,000 sec-1, is orders of magnitude faster than that of the catalytic step itself (about 0.01-100 sec-1). Rapidly turned over peptide and ester substrates disrupt the azoTyr-248-Zn complex before hydrolysis occurs. As a consequence, formation of azoTyr-248, substrate binding, and catalysis can all be monitored while catalysis is actually in progress. The results of these dynamic studies specify a course of catalytic events, different from those postulated based on x-ray structure analysis. If azoTyr-248 is displaced, the direction is opposite to the inward movement postulated on the basis of x-ray studies and is not unique to induction by substrates, since rapid changes in pH also result in analogous spectral changes. AzoTyr-248 carboxypeptidase has all the features which are essential for mechanistic studies: (1) It is enzymatically active; (2) the spectra of the metal complex differ characteristically from those of its constituents; (3) it responds dynamically to environmental factors; and (4) the response time of the probe itself is much more rapid than is required for the measurement of the catalytic step. These combined kinetic and spectral properties of the metal complex render it a powerful spectrokinetic probe to visualize and discern microscopic details of the catalytic process.

Addition of ubiquinone-1 to E. coli ML 308-225 membrane vesicles dramatically increases coupling between NADH oxidation and active transport such that initial rates and steady-state levels of lactose and amino-acid accumulation are comparable to those observed during D-lactate oxidation. Similar but less dramatic effects are observed with the quinone and succinate or L-lactate. In the presence of NADH and ubiquinone-1, the vesicles also generate a membrane potential (interior negative) that is similar in magnitude to that observed in the presence of D-lactate. Stimulation of NADH-dependent transport by ubiquinone-1 cannot be accounted for by increased rates of oxidation of NADH, and the effect of the quinone on NADH-dependent lactose transport is not observed in vesicles depleted of NADH dehydrogenase activity. Thus, it is apparent that ubiquinone-1 shunts electrons from NADH dehydrogenase [NADH:(acceptor)oxidoreductase; EC 1.6.99.3] to the portion of the respiratory chain containing the energy-coupling site. The findings demonstrate unequivocally that inefficient coupling of NADH oxidation to active transport cannot be due to the presence of inverted vesicles. In addition, they provide further support for specific localization of the energy-coupling site.

After lethal irradiation long-lived, immunologically vigorous C3Hf mice were produced by treatment with syngeneic fetal liver cells or syngeneic newborn or adult spleen cells. Treatment of lethally irradiated mice with syngeneic or allogeneic newborn thymus cells or allogeneic newborn or adult spleen cells regularly led to fatal secondary disease or graft-versus-host reactions. Treatment of the lethally irradiated mice with fetal liver cells regularly yielded long-lived, immunologically vigorous chimeras. The introduction of the fetal liver cells into the irradiated mice appeared to be followed by development of immunological tolerance of the donor cells. The findings suggest that T-cells at an early stage of differentiation are more susceptible to tolerance induction than are T-lymphocytes at later stages of differentiation. These investigations turned up a perplexing paradox which suggests that high doses of irradiation may injure the thymic stroma, rendering it less capable of supporting certain T-cell populations in the peripheral lymphoid tissue. Alternatively, the higher and not the lower dose of irradiation may have eliminated a host cell not readily derived from fetal liver precursors which represents an important helper cell in certain cell-mediated immune functions, e.g., graft-versus-host reactions, but which is not important in others, e.g., allograft rejections. The higher dose of lethal irradiation did not permit development or maintenance of a population of spleen cells that could initiate graft-versus-host reactions but did permit the development of a population of donor cells capable of achieving vigorous allograft rejection. These observations contribute to understanding of some of the persisting immunodeficiencies that are observed in man after fatal irradiation and bone marrow transplantation. These results should suggest better approaches to more effective cellular engineering for correction of immunodeficiency diseases and for treatment of immunodeficiency diseases and of leukemias and malignancies of man.

During penicillin treatment of an autolysin defective mutant pneumococcus we have observed three novel phenomena: (i) Growth of the mutant cultures is inhibited by the same concentrations of penicillin that induce lysis in the wild type. (ii) Mutant bacteria treated with the minimum growth inhibitory concentration of penicillin will lyse upon the addition of wild-type autolysin to the growth medium. Chloramphenicol and other inhibitors of protein synthesis protect the cells against lysis by exogenous enzyme. Sensitivity of the cells to exogenous autolysin requires treatment with penicillin or other inhibitors of cell wall synthesis (e.g., D-cycloserine or fosfonomycin) since exogenous autolysin alone has no effect on bacterial growth. (iii) Treatment with penicillin (or other inhibitors of cell wall synthesis) causes the escape into the medium of a choline-containing macromolecule that has properties suggesting that it contains pneumococcal lipoteichoic acid (Forssman antigen). Each one of these three phenomena (growth inhibition, sensitization to exogenous autolysin, and leakage of lipoteichoic acid) shows the same dose response as that of the penicillin-induced lysis of wild-type pneumococci. On the basis of these findings we propose a new hypothesis for the mechanism of penicillin-induced lysis of bacteria. It is suggested that inhibition of cell wall synthesis by any means triggers bacterial autolytic enzymes by destabilizing the endogenous complex of an autolysin inhibitor (lipoteichoic acid) and autolytic enzyme. Escape of lipoteichoic acid-like material to the growth medium is a consequence of this labilization. Chloramphenicol protects bacteria against penicillin-induced lysis by interfering with the activity of the autolytic enzyme, rather than by depleting the concentration of the enzyme at the cell surface.

Euglena gracilis contains a protein system which can utilize the reducing power of NADPH in the ribonucleotide reductase-catalyzed reduction of CTP. The proteins required for this reaction are a flavoprotien with a molecular weight of approximately 185,000 which is functionally similar to thioredoxin reductase (NADPH), EC 1.6.4.5, and another protein (Protein I) whose function in the reaction is unknown. This new protein does not appear to contain a prosthetic group and has a molecular weight of approximately 240,000. In addition, the ribonucleotide reductase active in the Euglena NADPH-thioredoxin reductase system is more complex than the protein reported in a previous publication [(1974) j. Biol. Chem. 249, 4428-4434]. The enzyme preparation described in this report contains four different types of polypeptide chains which may complex to form the active enzyme.

Human umbilical cord serum was found to contain both free folate and folate complexed to a high-molecular weight factor. The complexed folate was bound to a very high affinity binder and was present in concentrations equivalent to as much as 60 ng of 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid per ml of serum. Acidification of the serum caused disassociation of the folate-binder complex. Released folates were separated from binder by Sephadex gel filtration, zonal centrifugation through sucrose gradients, or adsorption onto activated charcoal. The separated binding factor, either saturated or unsaturated with folate, had a molecular weight of about 40,000 on Sephadex G-200 chromatography. Binding of [3H]pteroylglutamic acid was rapid and, as in the original endogenous folate-binder complex, was essentially irreversible at neutral pH. The affinity and specificity of the binder were examined by competition experiments using [3H]pteroylglutamic acid and nonradioactive folate derivatives. Oxidized folates were bound in preference to reduced derivatives, but only three to four times more unlabeled 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid than pteroylglutamic acid was required to produce an equal level of competition. The strong affinity for 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid, the main serum folate, suggests that the binder could be part of the mechanism by which the fetus concentrates maternally supplied folate for its growth and development.

Norepinephrine and the enzymes involved in its synthesis and degradation were found to be associated with isolated brain microvessels. The significance of these results are discussed with respect to adrenergic innervation of the cerebral microvessels and thereby neural regulation of the cerebral microcirculation.

Measurements of urinary flow rate were performed in 16 patients with established prostatitis before and after a course of antimicrobial therapy. Before treatment the maximum flow rates were poor with abnormal flow curves and significant improvement in voiding characteristics were observed with treatment (P less than 0.01). A preliminary electrophysiological (EMG) study of sphincter activity suggested that the obstruction to the flow of urine was at least in part due to failure of the external sphincter to relax during micturition. Although the total number of cases in this series was small the study showed that prostatitis was associated with a disorder of micturition which correlated with the other clinical features of the disease and could be objectively evaluated. Eradication of infection restored normal conditions in the lower urinary tract.

The experimental conditions of nonenzymatic reactivation of des-acetyl citrate lyase from K. aerogenes were studied. It was found that at pH 8.5 0.2 MM acetyl AMP causes a fast reactivation of the enzyme. The pH dependence of activity and the Km for citrate are very similar for both native and reactivated enzyme.

From the analysis of titration curves with hydrogen and 5-HT ions, it was found that the electrostatic interaction parameter of protein macroion and the number sites of 5-HT fixing were smaller over an acid and base pH range as compared to their values at neutral pH. Our data were interpreted by the conformational changes which can be induced when BSA is exposed to denaturation by acid and alkali pH.

The authors describe different properties of brain mitochondrial and cell sap alanine aminotransferase. They showed that the mitochondrial enzyme was inhibited by maleate, chlorides, acetate and phosphate with a high ionic strength (over 1.8), that its pH optimum lay between 7.5 and 8.5, that it was thermolabile at over 40 degrees C and that it was salted out from solutions with ammonium sulphate at 0.6--0.8 saturation. The activity of the cell sap enzyme was inhibited by phosphate at an ionic strength of only 0.12, less markedly by maleate and not at all by chlorides and acetate; its pH optimum was about 8, it was thermostable up to 60 degrees C and was precipitated from ammonium sulphate solution at between 0.35 and 0.6 saturation. The authors conclude from their results that two different alanine aminotransferase enzymes are present in the CNS.

By means of two cases of postvaccinal encephalomyelitis following antirabies vaccination has been demonstrated the meaning of these complications. In one of these cases has been presumed a simultaneous illness of quiet rabies. The difficulty of an aetiological diagnostic by the morphological effigy of the encephalomyelitids has been referred. An improvement of the dispensaire-system and of the diagnostic of complications following antirabies vaccination is postulated.

Thirteen out of 18 young out-patients with simple schizophrenia under neuroleptic treatment completed a double-blind cross-over trial with Madopar [L-Dopa + benserazid (a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor)] and placebo. Nine patients were given 900 mg L-Dopa + 225 mg benserazid daily, 1 patient received 600 mg L-Dopa + 150 mg benserazid, and 3 patients, 300 mg L-Dopa + 75 mg benserazid. In these doses, L-Dopa was effective against emotional withdrawal, blunted affect, tendency to isolation and apathy, without inducing or aggravating productive, accessory symptoms. The activity score, according to the specific activity-withdrawal scale, was significantly increased (P less than 0.05), whereas the total BPRS score (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) was slightly, but significantly reduced (P less than 0.05). In cases where L-Dopa had to be limited to 600 and 300 mg daily, a tendency to anxiety, distortion of thinking, and a sense of unreality were observed, depending on the dose of L-Dopa. In no case were gastrointestinal, cardiovascular or neurological side-effects observed.

When 3H-etorphine was administered to rats in a pharmacologically effective dose (0.75 mug/kg intracisternally), the labeled drug was concentrated in synaptic membrane fractions isolated from the brains of rats killed 10 min after etorphine injection. Pretreatment of the animals with the narcotic antagonists naloxone, diprenorphine or l-cyclorphan, blocked the pharmacological responses to etorphine and reduced 3H-etorphine binding in the membrane fractions. The differences between 3H-etorphine bound in synaptic membranes of rats treated with d-cyclorphan (inactive isomer) and l-cyclorphan (active antagonist) were in the same range as the reductions in etorphine binding in antagonist-treated rats, indicating that stereospecific and pharmacologically-specific binding sites in synaptic membranes in vivo were of the same magnitude: about 0.04 pmol/g brain.

In Experiment 1 the shock titration task was used to evaluate the antinoceptive properties of 5 different classes of cholinergic compounds in the rhesus monkey. Only scopolamine and high doses of physostigmine were effective in elevating the shock threshold. The apparent antinociceptive effect of physostigmine, however, was difficult to separate from its nonspecific behavioral depressant effect and was probably not related to an increase in cholinergic tone. Experiment 2 examined the interaction of morphine with arecoline, scopolamine and physostigmine. Only scopolamine (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) and high doses of physostigmine (0.1 mg/kg) interacted with morphine in the shock titration paradigm. The multiplicative interaction of morphine with scopolamine was confirmed in Experiment 3 over a wider range of doses. It was concluded that morphine and the cholinergic compounds produce antinociceptive effects through different mechanisms of the pain system.

The effects of new thienodiazepine derivatives, such as clotiazepam and Y-7131, on normal human sleep were investigated on 5 subjects and compared to those of benzodiazepine derivatives, such as diazepam and nitrazepam. REM sleep was significantly decreased only with 2 mg of Y-7131 and rebound elevation of REM sleep did not follow in recovery 1 and 2 nights. By using partial differential REM deprivation which was designed by us, there was also no rebound elevation of REM sleep noted in recovery 2 nights following 2 mg of Y-7131 medication. REM sleep was not suppressed with 15 mg of clotiazepam, 6 mg of diazepam and 10 mg of nitrazepam when compared to the baseline night. With regard to NREM sleep, stage 2 was significantly increased with 15 mg of clotiazepam and 10 mg of nitrazepam, but stage SWS was significantly decreased with 10 mg of nitrazepam.

Forty paid healthy male students participated in two subacute experiments of 6 weeks each. In the first trial 20 of them received bromazepam, thioridazine, and placebo double blind cross over for 2 weeks each, and in the second trial the active agents administered to the other 20 participants were chlorpromazine and sulpiride. The tests used were paired associate learning with nonsense syllables and digit memory span. Before testing the subjects took either an alcoholic or a nonalcoholic bitter drink. As in the previous study from this laboratory, alcohol was found to impair learning capacity. Of the drugs used only bromazepam impaired learning significantly, and the combined effect of alcohol and bromazepam on learning capacity was very deleterious. The adrenolytic effect of drugs did not correlate with their effect on learning. Caution is necessary when prescribing bromazepam for active outpatients at least in doses used in this study.

A single exposure to a severe stressor (either cold swim or inescapable shock) impairs subsequent performance in a shuttle avoidance-escape task (1), a deficit attributed to reduction in brain noradrenergic activity produced by these stressors. In the present paper, two experiments are described which examine how repeated exposure to such stressors affects (a) shuttle avoidance-escape performance (Experiment 1), and (b) aspects of brain norepinephrine metabolism (Experiment 2). Experiment 1 showed that, whereas subjects receiving the single exposure to cold swim or shock showed a large avoidance-escape deficit, subjects that received repeated exposure to these stressors for 14 days performed similarly to the control group that received no stressor. Experiment 2 showed that, whereas subjects that received one session of the inescapable shock stressor showed a lower level of norepinephrine in hypothalamus and cortex than did subjects that received no shock, subjects that received repeated exposure to inescapable shock or cold swim showed neurochemical "habituation." Subjects that received repeated shock showed elevated tyrosine hydroxylase activity and no depletion of norepinephrine level, and both repeated shock and cold swim caused a decrease in uptake of 3H-norepinephrine by slices of cortex in vitro. Thus, it is concluded that the behavioral and neurochemical changes that were observed after the stressful conditions studied are consistent with the hypothesis that changes in avoidance-escape responding following exposure to these stressful events are due to changes in brain noradrenergic activity.

78 patients suffering from various functional abdominal complaints have been trated in a 2 x 2 double-blind design: (a) psychotherapy with Ro 5-3350 (TH/Ro); (b) psychotherapy with placebo (TH/P); (c) Ro 5-3350 without psychotherapy (NIH/Ro); (d) placebo without psychotherapy (NTH/P). Results show that a considerable amount of improvement cannot be ascribed to the two critical factors or the interaction of both, but are due to unspecific influences in the course of treatment. Some of the results concerning the combination of TH and the psychotropic drug pose interesting questions for further research and bare implications for double-blind trials of psychotropic drugs. The results suggest that possibly properties of any psychotropic drug have to be related to a doctor-patient relationship within which the personal problems of the patient are dealt with. In order to evaluate such properties, special methodological precautions have to be taken. These will be briefly discussed.

Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen uptake, and blood values of PO2, PCO2, and pH were studied in unanesthetized rats for 8 hours. After a cardiotoxic dose of 20 mg/kg isoprenaline, s.c., blood pressure fell from 117 to 72 mm Hg, heart rate accelerated from 326 to 497 beats/minute, and cardiac work diminished by about 15%. Metabolic rate increased by about 80%, blood values of PO2 rose, and those of PCO2 fell somewhat, whereas blood pH dropped from 7.48 to 7.38, indicating metabolic acidosis. Propranolol (40 mg/kg, i.p.) and verapamil (50 mg/kg, i.p.), both of which almost completely prevented isoprenaline-induced cardiac necroses, inhibited the chronotropic and calorigenic actions of isoprenaline by about 50%. While propranolol inhibited the depressor effect of isoprenaline completely, verapamil enhanced it: blood pressure fell to 46 mm Hg. Isoprenaline-induced fall of blood pH was not prevented by either propranolol or verapamil. Decrease of blood pH and cardionecrotisation were enhanced when isoprenaline was given together with 4.8 g/kg ethanol, p.o. In conclusion, hemodynamic actions of isoprenaline, especially hypotension, seem to be nonessential for the production of cardiac necroses. Strong acidification can aggravate the cardiotoxicity of isoprenaline.

In the albino rat, the evolvement of myocardial necrosis induced by a single injection of ISO was accompanied by a fall in total NE. Pretreatment with propranolol and pargyline protected against ISO-induced necrosis and myocardial hypertrophy, but did not influence the ISO-induced depletion of NE stores. The depletion of NE stores is not due to impairment in synthesis or increased intraneuronal metabolism of NE since, in ISO-treated rats, neither cardiac tyrosine hydroxylase activity nor MAO activity was altered. The decrease in endogenous NE is not due to a defect in the storage of NE. The ability of myocardium to take up and store NE returned to normal within 48 hours, whereas endogenous levels returned to normal within 5 days, even in the presence of demonstrable necrosis. Thus, there is lack of correlation between chemical and morphological changes, since catecholamine depletion occurred in the absence of morphologically demonstrable tissue injury, and the function of the adrenergic neuron returns to normal in the presence of demonstrable necrosis.

The crucial point in the pathogenesis of isoproterenol-induced myocardial necrotization is an abundant intracellular Ca accumulation leading to high energy phosphate exhaustion. Accordingly, in the early stage of the isoproterenol-induced necrotization process, the onset of ATP and creatine phosphate breakdown strictly parallels the acute Ca gain. In this type of necrosis, the Mg losses from the myocardium appear as a concomitant phenomenon. The hearts can be protected against the deleterious Ca overload and necrotization by increasing the plasma concentration of Mg, K, or H ions in order to counterbalance Ca according to the ration (see article). On the other hand, if Mg, K, or H ion concentrations are too low, isoproterenol-induced Ca uptake and myocardial lesions are potentiated.

Addition of the cell soluble supernatant fraction to an assay medium containing NADPH generating system, mixed function oxidase substrate and microsomes, resulted in a stimulation of drug metabolism ranging from 12-75%. This stimulation was observed only when the supply of DADPH generating system (isocitric dehydrogenase or glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase) was insufficient, leading to a NADPH oxidation rate which was greater than the rate of reduction of NADP+ during the oxidation of a drug. Hence, under our assay conditions, the soluble supernate (SS) is only providing sufficient NADPH generator, and possibly relieving inhibition by the generated NADP+. Finally, microsomal lipid peroxidation measurements under these same conditions indicate negligible to no peroxidation activity in the absence of SS.

The analgesic activity of delta9THC, morphine and sodium salicylate was studied concomitantly with changes in brain stem levels of 5HT, 5HIAA, DA and NA. The results show that a correlation exists between analgesia and changes in the serotonergic system of the brain stem. Furthermore morphine sulfate was found to increase the DA concentration of the brain stem while delta9THC increased NA levels. We conclude that serotonergic system may be of major importance in analgesia while simultaneous changes in this system and/or the DA and NA systems may lead to a more pronounced analgesic activity.

A simple and convenient colorimetric method is described for the quantitative determination of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and N-acetyl-5-ASA in urine and feces after oral administration of salicylazosulfa-pyridine (SASP), the drug of choice in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. N-acetyl-5-ASA is extracted directly from the acidified biological specimen, deacetylated, and the liberated 5-ASA subjected to a modified Bratton-Marshall reaction. The 5-ASA present in the specimen must be acetylated with acetic anhydride prior to extraction. The violet colored product of the Bratton-Marshall reaction has a lambdamax of 560 nm and conforms to Beer's law over the concentration range of 0-70 umg/ml. Average recoveries (+/- S.D., N = 6) OF 5-ASA added to rat and human urine and rat fecal homogenates were 91.6 +/- 4.9%, 102 +/- 6.0%, and 71.0 +/- 4.8%, respectively. Interference by SASP and its sulfapyridine metabolities is negligible. As demonstrated, the colorimetric method is of sufficient sensitivity for application in most metabolic and pharmacokinetic studies conducted with SASP in laboratory animals and man.

In 24 patients (16 women, 8 men, mean age 60 years), who underwent abdominal operations and who had a uncomplicated postoperative course, a teflon-tube was inserted into the portal vein at the end of laparotomy and remained there for maximal 9 days. The mean values of the portal venous pressure as well as of the portal-central venous pressure gradient are unchanged during the period of all 9 days and are between 7,4 and 7,9 mmHg, between 5,6 and 6,9 mmHg respectively. The arterio-portal venous 0(2)-content difference shows in the mean no fluctuations and is about 2 Vol.%. On the first postoperative day the lactic and pyruvic acid concentrations in the artery and portal vein are moderately, but significantly elevated and decrease to normal values until day 7. - 9.

Animal experiments were set up mainly to derive additional diagnostic data from the study of biochemical changes after acute head injury. In standardized experiments guinea pigs were subjected in groups of 20 to three identical head injuries, each of either 1.0 J or 1.5 J intensity. The trauma was likely to result in a concussion or contusion syndrome similar to that found in man; 40 animals served as controls. During the 60 min after injury observation and measurement of body functions did not reveal signs of a shock-like condition or hypoxaemia in the traumatized animals compared with control animals. Superficial anaesthesia probably did not influence the findings. Temperature and respiration were altered significantly in all the animals receiving head injuries. Blood gas analysis showed a decrease of standard bicarbonate only after the 1.5 J injury but even though hypoxaemia was not present 2,3-diphosphoglycerate values and P50 increased, compared with the control animals. The fall of plasma lipid concentrations reported probably had to be seen as a sympathomimetic effect of the minor (1.0 J) trauma. Of special significance was the increased activity of malate dehydrogenase and aldolase, found only in the blood of severely traumatized animals, as this could serve as an early diagnostic aid for evaluating head injuries.

Cross-clamping of the ascending aorta in dogs for 15 min produced severe neurological deficit, observed for up to 20 h. Immediately after restoration of the circulation, the intracranial pressure in the cisterna magna increased transiently to a mean peak of 22.8 Torr (SD +/- 1.7) because of a compensatory increase in systemic arterial pressure, without a fall in cerebral perfusion pressure. The intracranial pressure returned to control values 15-30 min after ischaemia and showed no secondary rise during the 8 h of observation. The electroencephalogram became isoelectric 34 +/- 6.5 s (mean +/-SD) after circulatory occlusion, and was abnormal when it reappeared 5 h 36 min (SD +/- 2 h 4 min) after the circulation was restored. The electrical impedance of the brain increased immediately after ischaemia and returned rapidly towards pre-ischaemic values during re-perfusion. The cerebral water had not increased measurably 4 h after ischaemia. After ischaemia, the lactate concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid increased to 4.7 mequiv./1(SEM +/-0.1) and the pH decreased to 7.17 (SEM +/-0.02); both returned to control values after 3.5 h. The cerebral glucose uptake was decreased 35 min after ischaemia, cerebral oxygen uptake remained unchanged but cerebral blood flow decreased (P less than 0.05 at 90 min). Immediately after cardiac arrest, recovery was impaired more by the presence of focal abnormal brain perfusion than by intracranial hypertension.

Oxygen and CO2 dissociation of duck blood was studied in blood samples equilibrated with known gas mixtures at the bird's body temperature (41 degrees C) and analyzed in the Van Slyke manometric apparatus and in pH electrodes. At various pH values between 7.38 and 7.55 the Hill plots yielded straight and parallel lines over a wide range of O2 saturation, the Hill coefficient being 2.9. Half saturation pressure P50 at pH = 7.50 was 36 torr. The Bohr effect factor was -0.53. Buffering properties were analyzed by equilibrating blood samples with gas mixtures of different PCO2 at 41 degrees C. The buffer value for whole blood in the range of 3-7% CO2 was 19.3 mMol-L-1-pH-1, the buffer value for true plasma 22.9 mMol-L-1-pH-1. The CO2 dissociation curve constructed using the buffer values had a slope of 0.17 mMol-L-1-torr-1 in the PCO2 range from 40 to 50 torr. The CO2 content of oxygenated blood at PCO2 = 40 torr was 21.7 mMol-L-1. The Haldane effect factor at PCO2 = 35 torr equalled 0.30 mMol of combined CO2 per mMol HbO2. With the values of PO2, PCO2 and pH measured in arterial blood of undisturbed and unrestrained, resting ducks effective dissociation curves for both O2 and CO2 were constructed assuming a metabolic R.Q. of 0.8. These curves are expected to resemble closely the actual in vitro dissociation curves of resting ducks.

The first apparent dissociation constant of carbonic acid, pK'1, of plasma and red cells was determined on venous blood of ten healthy, adult, male, human subjects. pH and PCO2 of plasma and red cells were analyzed electrometrically and a micromanometric method was used for the determination of total carbon dioxide content. Erythrocyte carbamino hemoglobin levels were estimated and used for the correction of erythrocyte pK'1. Each blood sample was subjected to the following regimen before centrifugation, 1) As drawn from the antecubital vein, 2) Oxygenated with a 5% CO2, O2 balance gas mixture, and 3) Reduced with a 5% CO2, N2 balance gas mixture. pK'1 of plasma and red cells are presented: (see article). The consistently larger values for red cell pK'1 than the respective plasma data may be attributed to the greater amount of carbamino hemoglobin concentration present in the erythrocytes. A simplified method for the calculation of erythrocyte bicarbonate concentration using the experimentally determined red cell pK'1 value has been formulated. The method involves the use of a regression equation relating plasma and red cell pH, the equivalence of plasma and red cell PCO2, along with the experimentally determined red cell pK'1.

The effect of sustained hypercapnia on the acid-base balance and gill ventilation in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, was studied. The response to an increase in PICO2 from 0.3 to 5.2 mm Hg was a five-fold increase in gill ventilation volume and a slight increase in breathing frequency. There was a concomitant rise in PACO2 and an immediate fall in pHa. If PICO2 was maintained at 5.2 mm Hg for several days, ventilation volume gradually returned to the initial, prehypercapnic level within three days. Arterial pH also returned to the initial level within 2-3 days. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that under these conditions fish regulate pH via HCO3/C1 exchange across the gills rather than by changes in ventilation and subsequent adjustment of PACO2. A reduction in environmental pH causes a reduction in pHa but only a slow gradual increase in VG. Injections of HC1 or NaHCO3 into the blood have opposite effects on pHa but both cause a marked increase in VG. It is concluded that a rise in PACO2 results in a rise in VG and that changes in pH in blood or water have little direct effect on VG in rainbow trout. Possible location for receptors involved in this reflex response are discussed.

The relationship between pH and fluoride uptake in intact enamel of permanent premolars was investigated by using: (1) a sodium fluoride dentifrice, (2) a potassium fluoride + manganese chloride dentifrice, and (3) a sodium fluoride solution of the same fluoride concentration. The first part of this paper deals with the in vitro uptake of fluoride from dentifrice slurries and from sodium fluoride solutions of different pH ranging from 7.1 to 4.5. This investigation showed that there was no significant difference between the agents but that the effect of the pH was significant. The uptake of fluoride in the form of fluorapatite was more than five times larger at the lower pH level. The second part of the paper deals with the rate of fluoride uptake (increase in fluoride content) from dentifrices in the same pH range. It was shown that the three agents gave the same initial rate of fluoride uptake (about 50 parts/10(6)/min) at pH 6 and that the rate of fluoride uptake in the outer layer of the enamel was proportional to the hydrogen ion activity.

The enzyme inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPiase, EC 3.6.1.1) from the odontoblastic layer of rat incisors has been studied by means of a radiochemical micromethod. The enzyme was incubated with 32P-pyrophosphate in tris-HCl buffer at 37 degrees C. The reaction was linear with time for at least 45 min, and the pH optimum was found to be 8.8, independent of the amount of pyrophosphate present. Heating the enzyme at 56 degrees C inhibited the enzyme activity rapidly, Mg2+ ions activated the enzyme by 15% at an ion concentration of 4 mM, while higher concentrations were inhibitory. Ca2+ ions and PO43-ions inhibited the enzyme at all concentrations. F- ions did not affect the PPiase at concentrations below 8 mM, whereas higher concentrations had an inhibiting effect. Urea was found to inhibit the enzyme at concentrations above 1.5 M, while EDTA was a strong inhibitor at very low concentrations. The characteristics of PPiase agree well with the properties of the enzyme nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1.) studied earlier.

To evaluate the "resting" pH and induced pH changes in denture plaque, soft deposits were collected from the fitting surface of the denture, pooled and suspended in water. Plaque pH was determined with microelectrode equipment before and after mouth rinsing with a sucrose solution. A characteristic level in the "resting" pH of denture plaque was found in most of 12 subjects tested. pH values below the baseline level were recorded for more than 2 h after a rinse. The pH depressions were more pronounced in maxillary than in mandibular plaque. Further, the pH minima tended to be lower in subjects with denture stomatitis than in controls. No clear relationship could be established between the "resting" pH and the concentration of Candida hyphae in denture smears or palatal inflammation.

A method is presented for the simultaneous assay of buccal enzymes by measuring reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and adenosine triphosphate with the aid of the bioluminescence of luciferase extracts. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) was shown earlier to be increased in homogeneous leukoplakias of the oral mucosa. Since smoking has been implicated as an etiologic factor of leukoplakia, G6PDH was measured in the normal buccal epithelium of cigarette smokers. No difference was found in the activity of G6PDH between smokers and nonsmokers when related to the activity of pyruvate kinase, which is known to be invariable in healthy and leukoplakic oral mucosa. A new compact kinetic luminescence analyzer is briefly described.

22 HL-A antigen and mixed leukocyte culture-matched sibling bone marrow transplants were attempted in patients with acute leukaemia (at the National Cancer Institute) to define the toxicities of four different immunosuppressive regimens, the complications associated with warrow engraftment and antileukaemic effect. 73% (16/22) were engrafted as indicated by a change to donor red blood cells (RBC) type, leukocyte, immunoglobulin allotype or by the speed of morrow repopulation and the occurrence of the Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). 12 of 16 (75%) successful engrafted patients developed GVHD. The current published results of clinical bone marrow transplantation from major centers has been reviewed and will be discussed in relationship to current clinical complications associated with bone marrow transplantation.

Proper treatment of pneumonia is dependent upon a correct diagnosis. Pneumonia may be due to infectious agents, allergic phenomena, or chemical causes. Treatment regimens are outlined for the various types of pneumonia--pneumococcal, staphylococcal, fungal, and pneumonia due to gram-negative and anaerobic gram-negative bacilli, to Blastomyces dermatitidis, and to the parasite Pneumocystis carinii. In discussing current concepts of treatment, several well-known methods are emphasized, as well as newer developments, knowledge of which is essential for optimal treatment of pneumonia.

A member of a family which was known to be susceptible to malignant hyperpyrexia, who was identified as a carrier by the presence of an elevated serum creatine-phosphokinase, has been investigated further. Muscle was examined biochemically, and the study included the sarcoplasmic ATPase-activity, actinomycin, Mg2+ ATPase activity, ATP, phosphocreatine and glucose-6-phosphate. In addition, the calcium uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum was studied. The histochemical analysis of the muscle revealed the presence of a new fibre type characterised by a dense rim of ATPase activity, which gives the impression of a 'picture-frame'. Ultramicroscopic study revealed changes in the mitochondria and areas of myofibrillar disruption with swelling of the sarcoplasmic reticulum.

The proceedings of a conference organised by students are reported. The present standing of the general practitioner and his need in different societies are equated and the obvious deficiencies are considered. Such themes as maldistribution, service and education are discussed. Resolutions derived from the conference are reported in full.

Gastric emptying of five liquid meals which differ in their physicochemical properties have been measured in control dogs and dogs that have received a Heinecke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty alone, proximal gastric vagotomy without drainage, selective gastric vagotomy and pyloroplasty and truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty. The first two phases of emptying have been computed by the method of least squares to obtain a logarithmic-linear pattern and are expressed as relative rates: The initial post-ingestion process is characterized by beta or the average relative rate of emptying in the first ten minutes, the basic or exponential rate as beta and the change in rate from the initial to basic pattern as deltabeta. Each measure of gastric emptying was statistically analyzed to determine specific differences in rates between the operations studied. We confirmed the earlier claims that pyloroplasty alone does not change the emptying rate of liquid meals. Each measure or phase of emptying varies consistently across the operations from meal to meal tested. Initial emptying after all three vagotomies is significantly faster than control with progressive rate increases as proximal gastric vagotomy is compared with selective gastric vagotomy with pyloroplasty and with truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty, probably indicative of gastric fundal loss of accommodation to volume distention after denervation. The basic exponential pattern of emptying is not lost after any of the operations studied. The basic rate after proximal gastric vagotomy and selective gastric vagotomy with pyloroplasty is nearly identical, slightly delayed from the control rate and significantly slower than the more rapid rate after truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty. Possible explanations for these are discussed and imply a particular importance of the hepatic and celiac vagal fibers, sectioned only with truncal vagotomy, in the regulation of gastric emptying of liquids.

Elemental diets can maintain or slightly improve the nutritional status without a major stimulatory effect on the pancreas. Six dogs were maintained with a regular chow diet, switched to an elemental diet and, subsequently, returned to a chow diet. Cannulation of the pancreatic duct through a duodenal cutaneous fistula revealed the enzyme response to be decreased in a dog maintained with an elemental diet, with no or only a slight weight gain. Return to a regular diet resulted in a return of pancreatic enzyme response.

Gastric juice from 15 normals, 20 patients with gastric ulcer and 14 patients with erosive haemorrhagic gastroduodenitis was investigated in respect of its activity on unheated and heated fibrin plates and its content of FDP and plasminogen or plasmin with immunochemical methods. Gastric juice from normals showed no activity on unheated and heated fibrin plates, and no FDP or plasminogen could be demonstrated. In the patients with gastric ulcer the gastric juice showed little or no fibrinolytic activity on fibrin plates except in 2, who had regurgitation of duodenal juice and neutral pH of the juice. These patients had equally high activity on heated as on unheated plates and no plasmin could be demonstrated. It was shown that this activity was not due to fibrinolysis, but to non-specific proteolytic activity (probably trypsin). The patients with erosive haemorrhage gastroduodenitis exhibited quite a different picture. The gastric juice from these patients showed extremely high activity on fibrin plates, the activity was higher on unheated than on heated plates. The activity was inhibited in vitro by addition of EACA and in vivo after administration of AMCA. The occurence of plasmic could be demonstrated directly immunologically in the gastric juice. By comparsion of plasmin and trypsin in various assays it could further be improved that the gastric juice in these cases contained plasminogen activator and plasmin. The patients with erosive haemorrhagic gastroduodenitis showed no increase in fibrinolysis in the blood, but low values for plasminogen and alpha2-M, and the serum contained FDP. These findings in the blood and gastric juice were interpreted as signs of local fibrinolysis in the stomach and duodenum. There is reason to assume that this gastric fibrinolysis contributes substantially to the bleeding tendency. The effect of administration of AMCA on fibrinolytic activity and the haemorrhage lends support to the assumption of such a mechanism.

The effect of prolonged (10 days) dehydration on acid-base parameters of camel blood was examined. The pH and PCO2 levels rose significantly in the course of dehydration. This state was comparable with compensated non-respiratory alkalosis found in other animals. The plasma sodium, and magnesium levels rose significantly also. The plasma oxygen and calcium levels declined significantly. There were no significant changes in potassium and phosphate levels. It is concluded that the changes found in acid-base status following dehydration are further evidence of water preservation mechanisms in the dehydrated camel.

50 transplantations of homologous vein grafts in reconstruction of arteries are reported on. Vein grafts were either transplanted immediately or used after deep freezing. This procedure has proved to be effective in the replacement of arteries during our observation period of four years. Results of homologous vein transplants are similar to those of autologous transplants.

The hydrogen clearance method was used to measure local and total cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the rhesus monkey before and for five hours after a simulated subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). CBF remained stable after SAH unless SAH was associated with a fall in cerebral perfusion pressure. In addition, cerebrovascular resistance did not increase after SAH. These results suggest that vasoactive agents in fresh whole blood, and the arterial spasm they produce when added to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), play only a limited role in the pathogenesis of ischemic encephalopathy that follows an SAH.

The effect of oxygen saturation and PCO2 on brain uptake of glucose analogues was studied in rabbits. Using a modified Oldendorf technique, 14C-labeled glucose analogues with a 3H2O reference standard were introduced into the cerebral circulation via the common carotid artery, and the radioactivity of the ipsilateral cerebral cortex was counted and expressed in terms of a brain uptake index (BUI). Severe hypoxia (oxygen saturation less than or equal to 18%) resulted in approximately a 40% decrease in the BUI of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and a 45% decrease in the BUI of 3-0-methyl-D-glucose. Severe hypercapnia (PCO2 = 100 mm Hg) caused a 45% decrease in the BUI of both of these glucose analogues. Hypercapnia superimposed on severe hypoxia had no additional effect. Hypocapnia (PCO2 = 15 mm Hg) increased the BUI of 3-0-methyl-D-glucose by 35% of the control value, and this increase was extremely sensitive to competitive inhibition. When BUI values were plotted against pH rather than PCO2 for the same experiments, there was a good correlation with the calculated linear regression. These results are compared with previous findings on pathologically induced changes in brain uptake of glucose analogues, and the possible role of blood flow is considered in detail.

The effect of blood injected into either subarachnoid space or subcortical brain tissue upon lactate and pyruvate concentrations as well as acid-base balance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was studied in the anesthetized dog. CSF lactate and lactate/pyruvate ratio (L/P ratio) increased progressively following the intracranial injection of blood and reached the maximum level at six hours after injection. These changes were significantly greater in animals with intracerebral hematoma than in those with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). An increase in CSF lactate and L/P ratio in hemorrhagic CSF seems to be caused by two different factors. Shed blood cells per se produce lactate and pyruvate, and blood in the subarachnoid space and intracerebral hematomas cause secondary changes in brain tissue metabolism by a probable reduction of cerebral blood flow. Therefore, an increase in CSF lactate with a concomitant rise in CSF L/P ratio is a useful indicator for brain tissue hypoxia, even when CSF is hemorrhagic. The association of an increase in CSF lactate to a disproportionate decrease in CSF HCO-3 was also observed in these animals.

The effect of variables associated with the donor and with methods of collecting, processing, and storing platelets on the quality of platelets kept at ambient temperature was studied. Changes in structural integrity of platelets, decrease in pH, loss of aggregability, and kinetics in vivo of platelets tagged with 51Cr were used as indicators of the tolerance of platelets to storage. A platelet concentration of less than 2.5 x 10(6) per cu mm, a temperature of storage less than 24 C, and continuous, gentle, agitation were found to be essential for satisfactory preservation of platelet integrity, function, and post-transfusion survival. Platelets from female donors tolerated storage less well than did platelets from male donors, possibly because the lower hematocrit of blood collection from females resulted in greater initial acidity of the concentrate. A number of other variables analyzed appear to be of little or no consequence for successful platelet storage.

Resistance to allogeneic bone-marrow grafts (AR) was found to occur in many species, including the dog. The i.v. administration of silica particles suppressed AR in vivo in this species. Genetic studies provide suggestive evidence for the existence of a previously unrecognized system or systems in the canine major histocompatibility complex controlling AR.

A comparative study of rat adenohypophysis extract and its alcohol fractions was performed by two variants of the method of electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel: at pH 9,5 and with the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate at pH 7.2. With the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate four protein zones are found which in the order from the anode towards the cathode are identified as hemoglobin, somatotropin, lactotropin and albumin. It is shown that the somatotropin zone after the extract separation at pH 9.5 is inhomogeneous and consists of somatotropin and hemoglobin.

Certain properties of the rat liver cell nuclei NAD-glycohydrolase (EC 3.2.2.5) were investigated. It is established that its highest activity is at 37 degrees with activation energy equal to 9480 cal/M and with factor Q10 equal to 1.5. The enzyme pH optimum in 0.2 M tris acetate is equal to 6.5 and in 0.2 potassium phosphate - 7.5. It was shown that the enzyme manifests its strict specificity only with beta-NAD, and it hardly decomposes NADP without affecting NADH, NADPH and NMN. The apparent Km value of the enzyme with respect to NAD is established. Isonicotinic acid hydrazide, nicotinamide and to the less extent nicotinic acid inhibit the enzymatic activity of nuclei. EDTA, EGTA, p-CMB, mercaptoethanol do not cause any changes in the rat liver cells nuclei NADase activity.

A comparative study was carried out of some properties of "soluble" Na+, K+-ATPase obtained from different subcellular membrane brain structures by means of non-ionic detergents of triton X-100 and digitonin. It is established that temperature and pH-optima of "soluble" Na+, K+-ATPase are close to these optima of the initial membrane preparations. A certain difference is observed in the dynamics of temperature and pH-dependence of Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the extracts from different subcellular structures. The stability of the preparations in storage was investigated. A conclusion is made that more stable enzyme extracts may be obtained by means of digitonin.

When investigating activity of glutamine synthetase of the enzymatic preparations isolated from the brain of rats of 0.5, 1, 3, 12 and 24-month age, no considerable differences were found in the indices of the values Km to a-glutamate and Vmax which are respectively equal to: Km (M-10(-3))=5.5; 3.5; 3.6; 3.9; 5.5; Vmax=3.1; 4.5; 5.0; 5.2 muM were found. When adding various concentrations of a-ketoglutaric acid into the incubation medium the differences are registered in the degree and character of the age changes in brain glutamine synthetase activity in comparison with this enzyme form the liver.

Certain characteristics of chicken liver cells nuclei NAD-pyrophosphorylase (NMN-adenylytranspherase, EC 2.7.7.1) were investigated. It was established that NAD-pyrophosphorylase activity optimum pH is within interval of 7.0-7.5; temperature optimum - 38-39 degrees C; factor Q10 is equal to 2. Enzyme activation energy, inactivation energy and enthalpy were calculated; apparent Km values of NAD-pyrophosphorylase with respect to NMN and ATP are equal to 1.62-10(-7) M and 2.61-10(-7) M, respectively.

The pH optima were determined for DNases and RNases of the loach eggs. For DNases they are 5.6 and 7.6 and for RNases - 5.2 and 7.2. It is established that Ca++ activates, and Fe++ has not effect on the activity of acid and alkaline DNases, while Mg++, Mn++ and especially Co++, Zn++, Cd++, Cu++ have an inhibitory effect on them. The activities of RNases is stimulated by Ca++ and Fe++, and inhibited by Zn++, Co++, Cd++ and Cu++. Iones Mg++ and Mn++ do not affect these activities. Localization of the above mentioned enzymes was studied by means of differential centrifugation of egg homogenates. Acid DNase is concentrated only in postmicrosomal supernatant liquid, its activity being inhibited in the presence of the nucleomitochondrial and microsomal fractions. Acid RNase is also localized predominantly in postmicrosomal supernatant fraction. Alkaline DNase is found to a great extent in nucleomitochondrial fraction, and alkaline RNase - in postmicrosomal one.

The optimal conditions are selected for electron-cytochemical detection of the ATPase activity in nuclei of the skeletal muscles of rabbits and nuclei of Vicia faba L. meristem. It is shown that the previous fixation of nuclei in the rabbit skeletal muscle for 10 min in a mixture of the buffer solutions of 4% glutaric dialdehyde and 4% neutral formalin (1:1) causes a decrease in their ATPase activity by 78% in the medium containing Mg2+ and by 34% - in the medium containing Ca2+; in nuclei of horse bean seedlings meristem it lowers respectively by 28 and 16%. Ions of lead in a concentration of 0.4 mM evoke a decrease in the ATPase activity in the medium containing Mg2+, in nuclei of the rabbit skeletal muscles by 35% and in nuclei of horse bean meristem by 15% in the medium containing Ca2+. The vaule of the residual activity is sufficient for detection of the product of ATP enzymic hydrolysis reaction by activity is sufficient for detection of the product of ATP enzymic hydrolysis reaction by the method of electronic cytochemistry. An increase in the Pb2+ concentration higher than 2.8 mM evokes nonenzymic hydrolysis of ATP. The ATPase activity under the electron-cytochemical study is found within the range of pH 6.3-8.5. The product of reaction forms most intensively at pH 7.2-7.5 in the medium with both Mg2+ and Ca2+.

In experiments on 30 animals and in observations over the course of acute closed craniocerebral trauma in 24 patients is was found that the course and prognosis of a posttraumatic period were dependent on the functional activity of the sympathoadrenal system and cholin- and serotoninergic processes. Based on the data obtained, it is concluded that the character of neurohumoral interrelations can serve as the prognostic criterion in craniocerebral traumas, whereas the information about these processes--in selecting the appropriate therapy.

Among 206 examined patients with cholecystitis and similar diseases in 112 (65%) cases, as evidenced by the authors' findings, the gallbladder proved to be non-functioning. Its escape in the biliary system was functional (indirect) or organic (absolute). The main causes of a direct organic escape of the gallbladder are as follows: destructive changes in its walls, strictures, strangulated gall stones, shrinkage or hydropsy. The reliable preoperative diagnosis of an escaped gallbladder by means of accelerated chromoduodenal catheterization, intravenous (infusion-drip) or associated (intravenous-peroral) cholecystocholangiography, correlated with the anamnesis data and clinical signs, rather speaks in favour of cholecystectomy on absolute indications.

There is a description of the determination of the enzymatic activity of acid proteinases: the method is based on the use of 125J-labelled natural protein substrates. Labelled albumin 125J, globulin 125J, and insulin 125J were tested for the determination of activities. All the substrates were hydrolyzed with the enzymes of the supernatant fraction (106 000 g) of beff liver homogenate in the zone of acid pH. Optimum comditions of enzymatic reaction were tested, the dependence of reaction on the concentration of the enzyme, on time, and on temperature was determined, pH optimum was ascertained for individual substrates, and pH stability was determined. It follows from the results that the method is suitable for the determination of the enzymatic activity of proteinases of the cathepsin character.

Serum pepsinogen estimations from serially bled lambs grazing on pasture from spring to autumn showed correlations with the availability of Ostertagia larvae on pasture, with faecal egg counts of O circumcincta, and with Ostertagia worm counts in similar lambs slaughtered fort-nightly from the same pasture. In the slaughtered lambs correlations were recorded between worm count, serum pepsinogen level and abomasal pH. The value of serum pepsinogen estimations as a diagnostic test is discussed with reference to these findings.

Studied was the possibility to isolate and culture Tr. gallinarum and Tr. tenax on a medium Trimed, proposed by the authors for the isolation and cultivation of Tr. vaginalis. The growth and development of the two Trichomonas species were followed up at various temperatures -- 38 degrees, 36 degrees, and 32 degrees C, in order to establish the most appropriate temperature for continuous cultivation at longer intervals of reseeding as well as the temperature optimum for the fast deposition of great amounts of biomass. It was found that the Trimed medium is suitable for the isolation and cultivation of Tr. gallinarum and Tr. tenax. Temperatures of 38 degrees and 36 degrees contribute to the accumulation of greater amounts of biomass, while at 32 degrees C the growth of these protozoa is delayed and reseeding is to be carried out at greater intervals.

alpha-Amylase of the thermophilic actinomycete Thermomonospora vulgaris was partially purified. Maximal enzyme activity was obtained at 60degreeC and pH 6.0. KM value was l.4%. The effect of some metal salts on enzyme activity was studied. Enzyme activity was inhibited by by KCN, EDTA, and iodoacetate. Inhibition by EDTA was completely nullified by CaCl2, but the inhibition by iodoacetate was not overcome by 2-mercaptoethanol. Exposure of the enzyme to pH 7.0 and 9.0 for 2 hr. did not affect the enzyme, but exposure to pH 3.0 for few minutes completely inactivated the enzyme. Exposure of the enzyme to 60degreeC resulted in an appreciable inactivation and exposure to 80degreeC completely inactivated the enzyme. Addition of CaCl2, 2-mercaptoethanol, or enzyme substrate the 60degreeC exposed enzyme. However, bovine serym albumin had a protective effect when the enzyme was exposed to 60degreeC but not to 80degreeC. The enzyme was stable in the presence of 8 M urea.

8 patients with chronic pyelonephritis were given gentamycin intramuscularly injected in individual dosage during 8-10 days. Here the behaviour of the excretion of protein, alanine aminopeptidase alkaline phosphatase, alpha-glucosidase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and lysozyme with the urine was tested. With the exception of the lysozymuria, which increased only in patients with chronic renal insufficiency, regularly a hyperenzymuria developed. Most distinctly the excretion of the alanine aminopeptidase increased. After initial decrease the excretion of total protein transiently increased after completion of the gentamycin therapy. All the deviations were reversible. From the increased excretion of enzymes may not be concluded to a nephrotoxicity of gentamycin.

Alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) in extracts of human feces resembles alkaline phosphatase in extracts of duodenal mucosa, except for its electrophoretic mobility in starch gel. It is very probable that the normal feces alkaline phosphatase derives from intestinal mucosa. Gall bladder alkaline phosphatase, which is markedly different, has not been found in normal feces. Some patients with acute viral hepatitis or protozoasis excrete an alkaline phosphatase which resembles gall bladder alkaline phosphatase and has the characteristics of 5'-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5). The appearance of this enzyme correlates with low total alkaline phosphatase activity of the excreta.

A simple method is described for the simultaneous determination of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) and 5'-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) in serum. The method is based on the determination of inorganic phosphorus released by the action of the two enzymes on adenosine-5'-monophosphate at pH 9.5 (200 mmol/l tris-buffer) in the presence and absence of L-cysteine. This amino acid at a concentration of 2--10 mmol/l was found to be a specific inhibitor for alkaline phosphatase but with no effect on 5'-nucleotidase activity.

The uptake of the shortest six fatty acids (acetic to octanoic) was studied in vitro, using everted segments of rat jejunum. The marked influence of medium-pH and fatty acid chain-length suggests that non-ionic diffusion through the lipoid membrane is quantitatively the most important way of transport, but ionic diffusion through the membrane as well as transport through hydrophilic pores also seem to play a role. Though fatt acids evidently are accumulated in the tissue-fluid, and saturation kinetics, competitive inhibition and sodium- as well as energy-dependence apparently are observed, the transport mechanism is assumed to involve solely passive diffusion, - the concept of a carrier-mediated transport for short and medium chain fatty acids seems improbable.

The reaction of the analgesic amidopyrine (100 mg) with nitrite extracted from cured meats and from spinach in varying degrees of spoilage was studied. Unde physiological conditions the carcinogenic dimethylnitrosamine was formed at milligram levels at nitrite concentrations as low as 4 mg (in 175 ml extracted from 100 g boiled ham). The rate of decrease in concentration in the human stomach after ingestion of amidopyrine and of nitrite contained in boiled ham or in a broth from boiled ham was also measured.

The author describes a very rapid and accurate method of determining the acidity of gastric juice which is based on recent findings. Starting from the electrometrically determined pH value and the volume of the gastric juice, the actual hydrogenion concentration may be read from a table. The laboratory work is considerably simplified by this method.

Histochemical studies were carried out on some of the glycolytic enzymes viz. phosphorylase, aldose, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and a key enzyme of the pentose phosphatase cycle, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), in the hepatopancreas of Scylla serrata (Forskal). 1. Weak activities of phosphorylase and aldolase and strong-activities of alpha-GPDH and LDH were noticed mainly in the brush border of the tubules and R-cell cytoplasm. A trace activity of G-6-PDH was noticed in the brush border. 2. Bilateral eyestalk removal results in inhibition of both phosphorylase and aldolase. However, enhanced activities of alpha-GPDH and LDH were noticeable 4 h after the operation. The G-6-PDH activity remained unaltered till 24 h. 3. Injection of eyestalk extract into both intact and destalked crabs activated all the enzymes.

Authors applied blood-gas analysis in 30 healthy gravid women on 3,3 occassions making out 90 cases altogether by blood samples taken from the pulp of the finger capillaries. As a control 27 healthy non-gravid women were examined for comparative analysis. In 10 cases between the 16. and 28. week the results of samples taken from the arteria femoralis and the pulp were evaluated. It has been found that in the gravidity period of the 16. and 28. week respiratory alcalosis does not appear. No metabolic changes have been found during the whole period of pregnancy. The parallel examination of blood samples taken from the arteria femoralis and the pulp have proved that it is sufficient and reliable to take blood-gas analysis on the material gained from the pulp capillary only. A special importance is attached to keeping to exact methodical prescriptions.

Antigens from disrupted cells of dysentery-provoking and of non-enteropathogenic Escherichieae were submitted to immunoelectrophoresis on cellulose acetate stripes at pH 8.0. Among 6 immune sera produced for this purpose by immunizing rabbits against desintegrated dysentery bacteria, only one contained a precipitine reacting with an antigen similar to the "generic antigen" of BELAYA. This - at pH 8.0 - cathode-bound group antigen (KGA) could not only be found in virulent but also in 5 attenuated cultures and in 5 from 6 avirulent strains of several dysentery types. Only the - apathogenic - type culture 1111/55 of dysentery-provoking E. coli O 136 showed no KGA-reaction. Some sources of methodical errors responsible for false outcomes of immunopherogrammes have been discussed.

B. pertussis suspension was tested by De Voe et al. method (1970) and its modification with the solutions of a definite ionic composition and a lysozyme. The best results were obtained by the following modification elaborated by the authors. The microbes were grown on the casein-carbon agar for 36 hours and were washed with chilled 0.5 M NaCl. The suspension was washed 4 times with the same solution and then the precipitate was suspended in saccharose solution (0.5 M). In 2 hours the saccharose was replaced by a solution of salts with lysozyme. After a 2-hour incubation at 35 degrees C the substance was centrifugated for 20 minutes and the precipitate suspended in the tris-buffer at pH 7.8. The following changes were observed: after the washing and incubation with saccharose there was seen a strong stretching and separation of the cell wall (CW) from the cytoplasmic membrane (CPM); cells without the CW were rarely revealed; 2) after the lysozyme treatment there were many cells of spherical shape (phasic-contrast microscopy) without any CW, limited by the CPM only. Morphologically they were no different from the true protoplasts of the Gram-positive bacteria. The chemical analysis also confirmed a possibility of obtaining the true protoplasts of the Gram-negative bacteria.

Experiments were carried out on linear mice immunized with sheep erythrocytes; it was found that the primary immune respose developed against the background of significant changes in the state of the sympathico-adrenal system, whose activity was determined by the dynamics of catecholamines in the blood and in the tissues of a number of organs, including the thymus, the spleen and the lymph nodes. By comparing the value of specific and neurohumoral indices it was revealed that the neurohumoral shifts preceded the maximal development of the immune response. On the example of studying the catecholamine dynamics the opinion on a close association between the state of the regulatory mechanisms and the effector formations responsible for the formation of specific immunological reactions was confirmed. It is suggested that a full-value immunological response developed on condition of activation of the sympathico-adrenal system.

The properties of peroxidase insolubilized by covalent binding to CH- and AH-Sepharose 4 B in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) are described. CH-Sepharose 4 B bound peroxidase yields an enzyme preparation with a residual specific activity of 60.6%. When bound to AH-Sepharose 4 B, the residual specific activity is to 78%. The reasons of these differences in the catalytic activity of the two insolubilized enzyme preparations are discussed. By covalent binding on CH- and AH-Sepharose 4 B, peroxidase exibits no changes in its pH optimum; it virtually keeps the same activity after being used ten times. Insolubilized peroxidase preparations, dried and reimbibed after being stored for 6 weeks at room temperature still display 50% of the initial specific activity of the insolubilized enzyme. Stored in acetate buffer, the enzyme preparations maintain their activity during all this interval.

A method for the preparation of a 150-fold purified and homogenous A. aerogenes urease is reported. The enzyme exhibited two pH optima at pH 7.0 and 7.5 in triethanolamine and phosphate buffer, respectively. The affinity of the enzyme toward its substrate increased with the increase of pH. No effect of the pH was observed on the measured temperature coefficient (Q10). There was no discontinuity in the Arrhenius plots at pH 5.4 and 7.5 but an upward discontinuity at pH 6.15 and 8.7 with transition temperature at 30 degrees C. Also, the calculated activation energies are greatly affected by the pH of the enzyme reaction mixture.

1. The behaviour and properties of membrane-bound GAPDH of rabbit reticulocytes were investigated. 2. The bound GAPDH is more resistant to inactivation by KCl than the soluble enzyme (allotopy). 3. The bound enzyme is released by electrolytes. This effect does not only depend on the ionic strength but additionally on the kind of ions, pH-value and protein concentration. 4. A comparison of the releasing effect of NAD analogues shows the necessity of the 5'-AMP moiety in the structure of the effector. 5. The represented results demonstrate the specifity of the GAPDH-membrane binding in rabbit reticulocytes.

By quantitative stimulation of the vagus nerves of isolated rabbit atria frequency-response relations were obtained for both the electrotropic effect (reduction of the area of the monophasic action potential) and the inotropic response. An addition of hexamethonium in a final concentration of 10(-5) g/ml resulted in a diminution of vagal effectivity in the range of lower and medium frequencies of stimulation, and was connected with a shift of the frequency-response characteristic to the right. At higher frequencies vagal effectivity was increased. In contrast to the inhibitory effect of hexamethonium the facilitating action is irreversible. By raising the concentration up to 4-10(-5) g/ml the vagal effects were reduced to a large extent, and the frequency dependence of the response was abolished at medium frequencies. In the range of 20 sec(-1) to 100 sec(-1) this dependence was re-established and may be considered as a part of a normal frequency-response relation extremely shifted to the right. The time courses of both types of effect are characterized by a steep rise and a decay of the response during the stimulation period. A mathematical handling of the frequency-response characteristics provides quantitative evidence for the extent of the hexamethonium blockade of vagal ganglion cells in the atria; furthermore it leads to the conception of these cells to act as a distributing system for a homogeneous innervation by a widespread divergency of postganglionic fibres.

Several years ago, Theorell and Czerlinski conducted experiments on the system of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and imidazole, using the first version of the temperature jump apparatus with detection of changes in fluorescence. These early experiments were repeated with improved instrumentation and confirmed the early experiments in general terms. However, the improved detection system allowed to measure a slight concentration dependence of the relaxation time of around 3 ms. Furthermore, the chemical relaxation time was smaller than the one determined earlier (by factor 2). The data were evaluated much more rigorously than before, allowing an appropriate interpretation of the results. The observed relaxation time is largely due to rate constants in an interconversion of ternary complexes, which are faster than three (of the four) dissociation rate constants, determined previously by Theorell and McKinley-McKee.1,2 This fact contributed to earlier difficulties of finding any concentration dependence. However, the binding of imidazole to the binary enzyme-coenzyme complex can be made to couple kinetically into the interconversion rate of the two ternary complexes. The observed signal derives largely from the ternary complex(es). A substantial fluorescence signal change is associated with the observed relaxation process, suggesting a relocation of the imidazole in reference to the nicotinamide moiety of the bound coenzyme. Nine models are considered with two types of coupling of pre-equilibria (none-all). Quantitative evaluations favor the model with two ternary complexes connected by an interconversion outside the four-step (bimolecular) cycle. The ternary complex outside the cycle has much higher fluorescence yield than the one inside. The interconversion equilibrium is near unity for imidazole. If it would be shifted very much to the side of the "dead-end" complex (as in isobutyramide?!), stimulating action could not take place.

The author shows complex analyses: clinical, laboratory, X-rays, bronchoscopical, bronchographical and measuring lung function tests as well as the serological examinations in blood serum of both groups of asthmatic and nonasthmatic children with virological infection. The calculation of statistically significant differences between the various diagnostical results of both groups has confirmed that in asthmatic children virological infection of the respiratory tract, pathological findings in X-ray and lung function tests, bronchiectasis and secondary bacteriological invasion occurs statistically significantly more often than in nonasthmatic children.

A group of proteins was readily extracted at neutrality from trichloroacetic acid precipitates of staphylococcal culture filtrate supernatants, while alpha-toxin was dissolved and activated by treating the precipitate with 8 M urea, with acidic buffers or by heating to 90-100 degrees C at neutrality. Heat activation of the precipitate produced a relatively pure alpha-toxin with a molecular weight of 39,000. alpha-Toxin was eluted together with three other proteins on hydroxyl apatite chromatography, and evidence was obtained for an association between the four proteins. On isoelectric focusing a haemolytic fraction was obtained at pH 6.2, probably due to acid activation of the precipitate formed at the cathodic end of the column. The alpha-haemolytic fractions with pI's of 7.4 and 8.6 were shown to consist of alpha-toxin only when analyzed by acrylamide electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate. The haemolytic component with a pI of 9.2 contained two additional components of molecular weights of 27,500 and 18,000. Chromatography of this material on Sephadex G-200 showed that alpha-toxin and the two proteins appeared as a high molecular complex.

A series of episodes of acute otitis media was studied with reference to bacterial findings and specific serological responses in 48 children with histories of frequent episodes before. D. pneumoniae and H. influenzae were the most frequently isolated pathogens. Re-isolations after therapy were often made in episodes with slow healing or therapeutic failure. Most children harboured pathogens in nasopharynx even when they had no signs of respiratory tract infections. Homologous relapses were seen only in few cases and never with pneumococcus type 3 and only once with H. influenzae type b. Specific serological responses were demonstrable generally in children over 2 years of age. D. pneumococcus type 3 and H. influenzae type b generally provoked antibody response. No levels indicating immunoglobulin deficiencies could be found in the children.

The relationship between the soft coral Sarcothelia edmondsoni Verrill and its symbiotic algae is considered as an early instance of cellular tolerance which can be disturbed by a variety of adverse conditions. The algal cells lie in vesicles deep within the endodermal cells of the host and are not subject to digestion. Their expulsion appears to be a reverse translocation to the distal end of the host cell and escape by a form of reversed phagocytosis resembling secretion. The cellular mechanisms involved are not clear.