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63,979
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[Study of serologic cross reactions between the antigens of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Histoplasma capsulatum].
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A comparative study of serologic cross-reactions between histoplasmosis and paracoccidioidomycosis was carried out using complement fixation (CF) and agar gel immunodiffusion (ID) tests. Sera from 77 patients with paracoccidioidomycosis, 38 with histoplasmosis and 50 healthy individuals were studied. The Pan American Health Organization microtiter CF test and the Hupper ID technique were employed. The antigens were prepared by the method of Ajello as modified by Negroni. Paracoccidioidin CF test was positive in all patients with paracoccidioidomycosis; 29 of these (37%) presented serologic cross-reaction with histoplasmin. Histoplasmin CF test was positive in all but one of the patients with histoplasmosis and only 4 of them (10%) showed cross-reaction with paracoccidioidin. Positive reactions with the ID test were registered in 74/77 cases of paracoccidiodomycosis, with only one case of cross-reaction (1,3%). The result for the ID test was positive in all but one of the cases of histoplasmosis, with only one cross-reaction with paracoccidiodin (2,7%). The ID test seemed to be much more specific although it could be less sensitive. It was also easier to perform and less expensive than the CF test. Nevertheless the authors urge that the CF test also be carried out whenever posible, since the information obtained is likely to be of more value in follow-up and control of patients.
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63,987
|
The first example of an isoallotype of human IgG located on the Fd fragment.
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An isoallotype of IgG is described that is an isotype on heavy chains of IgG3 and IgG4 proteins and an allotype for IgG1 proteins, in which it is associated with Glm(f). The isoallotypic determinant is located on Fd. Binding of light chains (independent of their type) is required for its antigenic expression, since isolated heavy chains are not reactive in inhibition tests. It is suggested that the coding for the amino acid sequence related to this isoallotype was present on the ancestral gene before the duplication of subclasses. The presence in many non-human primate species proves that it is strongly conserved in evolution.
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63,984
|
[Diagnostic methods in drug allergies].
|
Immunological exploration of a patient following an allergic complication is based on tests in vitro, which are free of danger. At the present time it remains very difficult, on the one hand on the basis of the antigenic radicle responsible, secondly because of the characteristics of the immune response which it induces. The aim of exploration is the objective demonstration, using several techniques, of an immune response directed specifically against the medication. The pathological significance of this response must be analysed in each case.
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63,978
|
[Competitive inhibition of the fixation of various cytotropic antibodies to mast cells of the peritoneal serous membrane in the guinea pig].
|
The degranulating capacity of guinea pig peritoneal serous membrane mast-cells due to IgG1 and reaginic homocytotropic antibodies and heterocytotropic rabbit IgG antibody was studied, as was the interference which nonspecific immunoglobulins may produce in the fixation of antibodies. Although the capacity to degranulate mast-cells proved identical for all the antibodies studied, reagin appears to possess a greater fixation capacity for a possible cellular membrane site. The greater resistence of reagin to elimination by washing could account for this.
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63,990
|
Experimental production of rheumatoid factor-like antibodies and antibodies against the cathepsin D site of IgG following the injection of autologous Fab2.
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In a very high proportion of rabbits, repeated intra- or extra-articular injections of autolous Fab2 produced by homologous cathepsin D induce the formation of Rf-like antibodies reacting with both homologous and human IgG. Moreover, intra-articular injections of this kind cause a significant rise in the titre of thm of all the animals so far tested. Rf-like antibodies against human IgG appear earlier and have higher serum titres than those reacting with homologous IgG. The reason for this latter observation seems to be the blocking of the anti-rabbit IgG antibodies by the animal's own IgG. The anti-rabbit IgG antibodies can be absorbed only on aggregated rabbit IgG. The anti-human IgG antibodies cross-react to some extent with rabbit IgG. The results of inhibition studies suggest that the formation of anti-Fab2 homoreactants is directly stimulated by the injected Fab2, whereas the Rf-like antibodies owe their appearance to immune complexes formed in vivo by the injected Fab2 and the naturally occuring anti-Fab2 homoreactants. In respect of immunoglobulin class, the two kinds of Rf-like antibody are possibly of both IgM and IgG type.
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63,989
|
The concentration of doxycycline in human prostate gland and its role in the treatment of prostatitis.
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The concentrations of doxycycline were measured in 36 enucleated, enlarged prostate glands. After administration of 200 mg of doxycycline intravenously significant tissue concentrations (mean value 1.79 mug/g) were rapidly obtained. The mean concentration of the drug 14 hours after a repeated oral dose of 100 mg was 1.56 mug/g. The ratios of tissue and serum concentrations were 0.610 and 0.568, respectively. As there are only a few antibiotics which penetrate into the prostate, the importance of these data for the treatment of bacterial or mycoplasma prostatitis is obvious.
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63,991
|
[The importance of clinical observations for medical research].
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Medical progress owes a great deal to the fundamental medical sciences and to the application of chemistry, physics and mathematics to medical problems. However, clinical observations and investigations are still of decisive importance in any field of medicine. By a feed-back mechanism they may even stimulate and fertilize fundamental medical sciences. Thus, our knowledge of the blood coagulation mechanism has been considerably enlarged by clinical analysis of hereditary bleeding disorders. - Chemotherapy of neoplastic diseases started from clinical observations during World War I (production of leucopenia by sulfur mustard gas). - Surgical procedures and their consequences have contributed greatly to our knowledge of thyroid function, of the segmental anatomy of the lung, and of the conduction system of the heart. - Observations of side effects of drugs have often enlarged or completely changed their primary clinical indications: from antibacterial sulfonamides, anti-diabetic, antihypertensive and powerful diuretic drugs have been developed, and from histaminics the modern neuroleptics and antidepressants. - Fundamental immunology has been enormously activated by clinical transplantation of kidney and bone marrow. Selective immunological defects in men, real experiments of nature, contributed much to our knowledge of the various types of allergic response. The quality of clinical investigations, particularly of controlled clinical trials, has been considerably improved during the last two decades. Although it is an applied science the reliability of its results is to-day comparable with that of "pure" natural sciences. However, medicine is more than a natural science: examples of outstanding scientists who at the same time were great and human physicians are presented.
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63,992
|
Salivary gland hyperglycemic factor: an extrapancreatic source of glucagon-like material.
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Extracts of homogenates of rat, mouse, rabbit, and human submaxillary salivary glands contain a significant quantity of a material with glucagon-like immunoreactivity. Fractionation of this material on columns of Sephadex G-100 reveals a single peak immediately following a gamma globulin marker but in advance of a rat growth hormone marker, crystalline amylase, and isotopically labeled porcine insulin and glucagon. This material, which is urea stable, shows identical immunoassay dilution curves when measured with the highly specific K-30 glucagon antiserum. Study of paired glands in vitro shows that low concentrations of glucose stimulate and high concentrations of glucose suppress release of this material. Arginine promotes brisk release in vitro. Somatostatin does not influence arginine-stimulated secretion and insignificantly suppresses basal release in vitro. These findings lend support to previous speculations that the salivary glands may possess endocrine as well as exocrine functions. Salivary gland glucagon may also be the source of circulating glucagon recently reported in pancreatectomized and eviscerated rats.
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63,993
|
Oncornavirus: isolation from a squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) lung culture.
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An oncornavirus isolated from a squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) lung culture has a density of 1.16 to 1.17 grams per milliliter, contains 70S RNA, and has an RNA-directed DNA polymerase that prefers Mg2+ over Mn2+ in an assay in which polyribocytidylate - oligodeoxyguanylate (12-18) is used as a synthetic template. Morphologically, the virus resembles Mason-Pfizer monkey virus but is antigenically distinct from this virus. The virus grows in cells of human, chimpanzee, rhesus monkey, canine, and mink origin, but not cells of squirrel monkey origin. On the basis of its properties, the newly isolated virus can be classified as a retravirus.
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63,996
|
Markers for ovarian cancer: regan isoenzyme and other glycoproteins.
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Since embryonic genes are not generally active in normal adult subjects and because certain of these genes are activated in cancer leading to ectopic synthesis, it is the difference between the ectopic level and the normal adult concentrations of embryonic gene products which we seek in developing "markers" for ovarian cancer. The carcinoplacental alkaline phosphatases corresponding to the term gestational phenotypes correlate positively with ovarian cancer as does hCG. Other fetal and placental glycoproteins whose presence is noted in ovarian cancer include CEA, alpha-FP, and Björklund's antigen. Antigens of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma have not yet been examined for their possible fetal or placental origins. The degree of concordance of expression of Regan isoenzyme and hCG is variable. Profiles of glycoproteins would appear to offer an opportunity to inquire more deeply into the nature of ovarian cancer and from this inquiry, one can expect to develop a system of markers which can be of clinical use.
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63,994
|
Reverse banding on chromosomes produced by a guanosine-cytosine specific DNA binding antibiotic: olivomycin.
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Characteristic reverse fluorescent banding patterns (R bands) on human, bovine, and mouse metaphase chromosomes are produced by treating chromosome preparations directly with olivomycin. With the DNA in solution, the repeating polymer poly[d(G-C)] - poly[d((G-C)] (where G is guanine and C is cytosine) enhanced the fluorescence of olivomycin, while the antibotic fluorescence was not affected by the alternating polynucleotide poly]d(A-T)] - poly[d(A-T)] (where A is adenine and T is thymine). Calf thymus DNA, with an intermediate G-C content of about 40 percent, showed a smaller fluorescence enhancement in the presence of olivomycin as was observed for the synthetic polynucleotide poly[d(G-C)] - poly [d(G-C)]. The closely related antibiotic chromomycin A3 showed the same results as were obtained with olivomycin either in the solution interaction with specific DNA's or with the netaphase chromosome preparations. The production of R bands by these G-C-specific DNA binding antibiotics lends credence to the suggestion that the arrangement of the nucleotide sequences along the chromosome is a primary determinant for the appearance of fluorescent bands.
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63,998
|
Establishment of a continuously growing cell line from primary carcinoma of the liver.
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A continuously growing cell line has been established from autopsy material taken from a primary liver carcinoma, a cancer which has a high incidence in Southern Africa. The cell line was initiated from multifocal areas of outgrowth in the primary culture, and adaptation to in vitro conditions was completed after 18 months. The cells resemble hepatocytes in culture, have a doubling time of 35-40 hours and a plating efficiency of 40-50%. No virus particles have been found in the cells by ultrastructural examination. The isozyme pattern and the karyology of the cells are human. The chromosome pattern is heteroploid (mean number 56) and there are marker chromosomes.
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64,000
|
An optical switch for improved photography through the operating microscope.
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An optical switch is described which allows utilization of both a 35 mm still camera and a video camera on the operating microscope. This allows more versatile photodocumentation without sacrificing the other port on the beamsplitter which would normally be utilized by the assistant.
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64,003
|
A simple fluorescence staining technique for the differentiation of human tissue transplanted into nude mice.
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Human and mouse nuclei can be distinguished by differences in the constitutive heterochromatin when stained with quinacrine dihydrochloride. With the staining method described, mouse heterochromatin during interphase appears as brilliant fluorescent chromocenters. By replacing the commonly used aqueous buffer mounting medium with a xylene-diluted synthetic resin, the haziness of the nuclear fluorescence is eliminated thus allowing identification of the heterochromatin pattern in histological preparations. A requirement for the definite identification of cells of human or murine origin in the nude mouse is the knowledge that the heterochromatin arrangements changes according to the stage of differentiation of the cell of the position of a particular nucleus within the cell cycle.
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64,005
|
Binding of [3H] methyltrienolone (R 1881) in rat prostate and human benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
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Methyltrienolone (R 1881 - 17beta-hydroxy-17alpha-methyl-estra-4, 9, 11-trien-3-one) binding to rat ventral prostate cytosol has a specificity typical of an androgen receptor. In human benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) tissue, the specificity of [3H] R 1881 binding is different from that measured in rat prostate: progesterone and R 5020 (17, 21-dimethyl-19-nor-4, 9-pregnadiene-3, 20-dione) being more potent while 19-nortestosterone is less potent competitor. Moreover, the synthetic progestin [3H] R 5020 binds to BPH tissue with a similar specificity. These data suggest the presence of progestin binding components or of an atypical androgen receptor in human BPH cytosol.
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64,006
|
Indian childhood cirrhosis: genealogic data, alpha-foetoprotein, hepatitis antigen and circulating immune complexes.
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Indian childhood cirrhosis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in young children in India. One hundred patients with ICC, 66 boys and 34 girls, were studied. Pedigree analysis yielded a segregation ratio of 0-2196, suggestive of an autosomal recessive inheritance. Serum alpha1-antitrypsin level was normal. Serum alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) concentration was increased in all the patients, parents and in some siblings. Serum immunoglobulins G, A, M, and D were elevated. Haemolytic complement and C3 were low. Electrophoretically altered complement components were detected in 36% of patients. There was an inverse relationship between C3 concentration and immunoconglutinin titre. Circulatingimmune complexes were detected in the sera of six out of ten patients who had significant proteinuria. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was present in the serum, ascitic fluid, saliva, urine and faeces of ICC patients more frequently than in controls. HBsAb was detected less often. Lymphocyte response to HBsAg was impaired. The first-degree relatives had a higher incidence of HBsAg and HBsAb than healthy controls. It is suggested that ICC occurs in infants with an inherited hepatocyte vulnerability and that one of the precipitating causes of liver cell necrosis is infection with hepatitis virus(es). The consequent immunologic epiphenomena contribute to progressive hepatic damage ending in death.
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64,007
|
T cell-specific human alloantisera-detecting antigens segregating outside the major histocompatibility complex.
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Two sera demonstrated non-HLA lymphocytotoxicity on the basis of reactivity with the cells of siblings genotypically identical to the serum donors for the major histocompatibility complex. These two sera, Bl and Caf, once contaminating HLA antibodies were removed by absorption with pooled platelets, demonstrated allogeneic lymphocytotoxicity that was restricted to T lymphocytes. Reactivity of the absorbed sera segregated independently of the major histocompatibility complex in 3 of 12 families tested. Unlike both cold lymphotoxins and HLA antibodies, the absorbed sera showed little temperature sensitivity against allogeneic cells, although reactivity of the Bl serum to autologous cells and to cells of the donor's HLA identical sibling did show a decrease with increasing temperature and restriction of activity to the 19S-containing fraction. Granulocytes were unreactive with the absorbed sera. Such sera may provide probes of minor transplantation antigens or markers, or both, of lymphoid subpopulations.
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64,009
|
Evaluation of cellular immunologic responsiveness in the clinical management of patients with prostatic cancer. I. Thymic-dependent lymphocytic blastogenesis.
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Thymic-dependent lymphocytic blastogenesis of peripheral blood lymphocytes of 59 patients with varying stages of prostatic cancer to the non-specific plant mitogen, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and the correlation of their responsiveness with the clinical stage of malignancy and level of alpha2-globulin have been evaluated. Patients within each of the four stages of malignancy possessed statistically significant extrinsic (noted in 40 (68%) of 59 patients) and intrinsic (noted in 21 (47%) of 45 patients) aberrations of their lymphocytic responsiveness to PHA compared with the responsiveness of a control population of non-cancer patients. The observed aberrations were, however, not significantly different between each stage nor did they correlate with the stage of disease. Similarly, levels of alpha2-globulin, while significantly elevated within each stage, as compared with the levels in the control population, no significant differences or correlation with the stage of disease was observed. Of interest, perhaps pending further study, were observations of the increased frequency of the number of patients with a significant elevation of alpha2 with a progression of malignancy from localized to invasive and metastatic disease. A similar trend in the incidence of the association of aberrations of lymphocytic reactivity with elevated levels of alpha2 were also noted with a progression of disease. The present confirmatory observations of a recent study in this laboratory of diminished cellular responsiveness in patients with prostatic cancer may be of considerable relevance in directing the therapeutic management of the patient - lest the therapy selected be further debilitating providing reduced surveillance - metastization of tumour cells, and alteration of tumour-host homeostasis.
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64,008
|
[Reliability of cytologic examination in the diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma (author's transl)].
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Cytologic examination has been performed as systematic survey, with drawing by plug in direct laryngoscopy, on 96 patients with intrinsic and extrinsic laryngeal lesions and, as control, on 22 patients with oro- and rhinopharyngeal lesions. The reliability of cytologic diagnosis in relation to the type of the lesion (histologically controlled), to the site of the lesion and to the staining method is evaluated.
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64,012
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[Electroresection at the apex of the prostate gland: aid for orientation by faradic stimulation of the external sphincter muscle (author's transl)].
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The localization of the external sphincter muscle can be very well demonstrated by its contractions, which can be produced by transurethral faradic electrostimulation. We present a simple and safe method of stimulating the sphincter muscle if wished during TUR or for diagnostic reasons. This exact orientation-aid, which is simultaneously a function test, is more precise than the known "sphincter signs".
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64,017
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The H specificities of butanol extracts of human erythrocytes.
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A previous report of other researchers that aqueous phase fractions of erythrocyte stromata of secretors contained more ABH blood group activity than similar fractions of non-secretors was confirmed. The recovery of H activity in the butanol phase extracts of both secretors and non-secretors, which had not been seen previously, is reported here for the first time. Three H specificities were present when the aqueous and butanol phases of group O secretor stromata were examined in inhibition of agglutination studies with anti-H of group Oh and group A1 sera and three lectins. The anti-H (group Oh) sera were inhibited by both aqueous and butanol fractions. Anti-H serum (group A1) and the lectin Ulex europaeus were inhibited by the aqueous fraction only. The lectins Laburnum alpinum and Lotus tetragonolobus were not inhibited by either the aqueous or butanol phase extracts.
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64,018
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Sterilized hepatitis B (surface) antigen for production of specific antisera.
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The combined treatment with beta-propiolactone and ultraviolet rays described for the sterilization of HBsAg-positive sera does not interfere with the purification procedures for the production of HBs antigen. The immunogenicity of the HBs antigen is retained.
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64,025
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[Various biological properties of diploid cell strains derived from various tissues of human embryo].
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Some properties of 4 diplod cell strains derived from the lung and skin-muscle tissue of human embryos were studied. Only one strain (L-63) was shown to have a stable karyotype throughout its life span and induced no tumor formation in the cheek pouch of hamsters. Species-specific and group antigens were revealed. In the cell strains of the lung and skin-muscle derivation differences in the distribution of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes were observed and found characteristic of the original tissue cells.
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64,023
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[Antigenic characteristics of oncovirus persisting in continuous Syrian hamster cell culture].
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The antigenic properties of an oncornavirus persisting in a continuous Syrian hamster cell culture (X-100) were studied. By the mutual immunodiffusion test it was shown that virions and virion-producing cells contained a protein antigenically identical to the main structural protein of oncornaviruses type C of Syrian hamsters. The materials tested contained no "GS-1" antigens (species-specific antigenic determinants of the main structural protein of mammalian oncornaviruses type C) of murine, feline, simian viruses or group-specific antigens of Bitner and Mason-Pfiser viruses.
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64,029
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[Changes in cell mitosis under the influence of antigenically different strains of respiratory syncytial virus].
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A peculiar effect on mitosis of RH cells of the reference Long strain and strain No. 14 of respiratory syncytial virus isolated during a rise of the incidence of acute respiratory diseases in Kharkov was observed. The Long strain affected mostly the qualitative and strain No. 14 the quantitative aspects of cell mitosis. The character of pathological mitoses under the influence of the Long strain indicated more considerable impairment of the mitotic apparatus of the cells than that caused by the strains No. 14. It is suggested that the peculiarities of the effect of the two respiratory syncytial virus strains on cell mitosis are associated with the structural and antigenic differences in the strains circulating in various geographic zones.
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64,028
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[Cellular immunity responses in studies of the specificity of leukocyte hepatitis virus].
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Hypersensitivity of a delayed type to leukocyte hepatitis virus (LHV) was established in patients with virus hepatitis. The results of the skin tests with the LHV antigen were positive in 15 out of 20 patients with active chronic hepatitis, in 17 out of 20 convalescents and in 3 out of 20 patients in the acute stage of virus hepatitis, and negative in 4 normal subjects and in 12 out of 14 patients with chronic hepatitis in the stage of stabilization. The results of the skin tests with the antigen of donor leukocytes were negative in 130 patients with hepatitis and normal subjects. In the leukocyte migration inhibition test, 1/4 of the patients with chronic hepatitis were found to be sensitized to the LHV antigen, in the absence of sensitization by this test to the HB antigen and the antigen in the plasma of hepatitis patient.
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64,024
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[Preparative isolation of alpha 2-macroglobulin, transferrin, albumin and study of their nonspecific gamma-inhibitory activity].
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Profiles of distribution of non-specific gamma-inhibitors of influenza A2/Victoria/35/72 in donkey and horse sera were established by gel chromatography in Sephadex G-200. High and low molecular inhibitors were found in 19S and 4S serum fractions. Highly purified preparations of a2-macroglobulin, transferrine and albumin were isolated by a combination of methods of salt precipitation, gel chromatography on Sephadex G-100, G-200 and ion exchange on DEAE-Sephadex A-50. Heating sera resulted in a considerable increase of the antiviral activity of a2-macroglobulin and transferrine and a reduction of albumin activity.
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64,027
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[Characteristics of encephalomyocarditis virus isolated from sick monkeys].
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A cytopathic filterable agent designated EMC-70 was isolated in 1970 from Macaca rhesus monkeys with encephalomyocarditis. Its biologic and physico-chemical properties were studied. A number of primary and continuous cell cultures were found to be susceptible to the virus, and it was pathogenic for monkeys and small laboratory animals but did not multiply in chick embryos. The virus was stable to chlorofrom, thermolabile, stable to acids, and agglutinated group O erythrocytes of man, sheep, guinea pig. Electron microscopic examinations of infected cells revealed crystalline packings of subunits about 50 nm in diameter typical of picornaviruses. Serological studies demonstrated close antigenic relationship of the isolate with the virus belonging to encephalomyocarditis group.
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64,031
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[Comparative antigenic characteristics of 2 Marek's disease virus variants and of herpesvirus of turkeys isolated in the USSR].
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The antigens induced by pathogenic (55) and nonpathogenic (83) variants of Marek's disease virus, the Kekava strain (MDV-Kekava) and herpesvirus of turkeys, the M-24-72 strain (HVT-M24-72) were tested in the agar gel precipitation test. The antigens were prepared from feather follicles (FF) of the infected chickens, from the infected cultures of chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and from the culture fluid (CF) of these culttures. In the FF and CEF cultures infected with MDV-Kekava-83, the synthesis of the antigens was 6-10 times as low as in the FF and CEF cultures infected with MDV-Kekava-55. Both variants of MDV-Kekava retained their capacity for antigen synthesis in the CF up to 84 passages. Three antigens or three groups of antigens were found in the preparations examined: (1) strong common antigens in the CF and FF preparations; (2) weak common antigens in cell preparations and CF; (3) strong antigen(s) in cell preparations not identical to the CF and FF antigens. In CEF culture preparations infected with MDV-M-24-72, using sera from chickens with Marek's disease an antigen was detected partially identical to the weak antigen of cell preparations and cross-reacting with strong antigens of the FF, CF and cell antigens of MDV. No antigen was found in concentrates of CF from the CEF cultures infected with MDV-M-24-72 with the sera used. It is suggested that the CF and FF MDV antigens are virus antigens, while antigens of the cell preparations of this strain are autoantigens or embryonal antigens. Data are presented on relationship between the MDV-Kekava antigens with the MDV-HPRS-16 antigen.
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64,030
|
[Various properties of virulent and moderate Erwinia carotovora phages].
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A bacterial culture of E. carotovora 8638 lysed by virulent phage 62 after treatment with UV rays produces a moderate phage. The virulent and moderate viruses, antigenically unrealted, have a similar prolonged latent period (100 min) and the period of lysis (60 min). They also differ in the sizes of the capsids and the length of processes which are 750+/-30 and 2000+/-50A in the virulent phage and 600+/-30 and 1500+/-50A, in the moderate phage, respectively. The sedimentation constants are 602 and 340 S, respectively. In the virulent virus, the volume of the cavity of the protein capsid contianing 8 major and 5 minor peptides is twice as large as that in the moderate one (with 8 peptides); the molecular weight of their DNA shows approximately similar ratios: 52.53+/-17X10(6) and 29.79+/-0.88X10(6) daltons. Evidently, the moderate phage because of the reduced size of the genome contains less message for coding for structural proteins and nucleoprotein as a whole.
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64,040
|
The effect of bleomycin on mitochondrial DNA.
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Covalently closed circular mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA) from mouse fibroblasts (L-cells) forms a separate band from nicked circular or linear DNA molecules in ethidium bromide-cesium chloride byoyant density gradient analysis. The conversion of covalently closed circular mt-DNA to nicked circular or linear DNA may serve as a sensitive method of detecting DNA strand breaks induced by bleomycin (BLM). At a very high concentration BLM induces the conversion of closed circular mt-DNA to nicked circular or linear DNA, however even after 24 h of exposure to BLM at a high concentration a considerable amount of closed circular mt-DNA molecules remains intact.
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64,041
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[Intraarterial bleomycin therapy on squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity. Clinico-pathological investigations (author's transl)].
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The mode of action of bleomycin after intraarterial perfusion in 53 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity is reported on the basis of clinical results and pathologico-anatomic findings. In 29 out of 32 cases not previously treated a clinically complete remission could be achieved by primary chemotherapy. In 8 cases these findings were histomorphologically confirmed and 7 patients have shown a persistant remission for 9 to 61 months. The chances of success are much less favorable in the treatment of recurrences. No clinical advantages were observed when combining bleomycin with other chemotherapeutics.
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64,043
|
[Nucleus tuberis lateralis in the human brain. A pigmentarchitectonic study].
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In the present article the shape of the nucleus tuberis lateralis and a hitherto unknown cell group in the human hypothalamus is described. Neurolipofuscin is selectively stained with aldehyde-fuchsin. This method enables the exact determination of the three dimensional shape of a griseum by using slices more than 500 mum thick. Differences in the distribution and amount of pigment within different types of nerve cells provide a basis for cellular demarcation and subdivision (pigmentarchitectonics). The intensely stained nucleus tuberis lateralis can be seen as consisting of a main lateral and a medial group. There are elevan cell groups which constantly occur. The individual range of their shapes causes a great variation in the shape of the lateral tuberal nucleus. It also has portions in the medial field of the hypothalamus: a pars suprafornicalis and 'mediale Streuzellen' ('medial scatter-cells'). Rostrally it extends almost to the chiasma with scattered irregularly occurring groups of cells. The amount of intracellular lipofuscin depends on the respective cell group and the age of the brain. By the age of 12 years the nucleus is already more intensely pigmented than the surrounding grisea. There is an indication of a tendency towards an aggregation of the cell groups with age. Connections between pigmentation and the phylogeny are discussed. Ventrally the nucleus tuberis lateralis is bounded by a hitherto undescribed heteromorphous cell group. It is clearly delimited and can be divided into a longish pars lateralis and a spherical pars medialis. Both parts consist of small as well as medium-sized cells which accumulate diffusely distributed granula of lipofuscin in adult brains. The name 'nucleus paratuberalis' is suggested for this griseum.
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64,046
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Pharmacokinetic study with synthetic salmon calcitonin (Sandoz).
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18 patients randomly divided into 3 groups of six each received 35 mug (140 M.R.C. Units) of synthetic salmon calcitonin intravenously, intramuscularly or subcutaneously. Plasma and urin concentrations were determined using the radioimmunoassay method. There was a rapid distribution phase of ca. 12 minutes after intravenous injection then an elimination half-life of 1.1 hours. The volume of distribution was 11 litres. The invasion half-life after intramuscular and subcutaneous administration was 12 and 11 minutes respectively and the elimination half-lives 1 and 1.5 hours, respectively. The bioavailability of the intramuscular and subcutaneous forms was found to be 66 and 71% respectively when areas under their plasma concentration/time curves were compared with the intravenous area.
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64,048
|
Does salmon calcitonin influence the motility of the human gastrointestinal tract? An electromanometric and endoscopic study.
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The effect of salmon calcitonin--as a relatively high dose of 25 mug by single iv. injection--upon the basal and metoclopramide-stimulated motility phenomena of the stomach and proximal duodenum as well as upon the unstimulated colon and rectosigmoid was evaluated in 12 subjects without gastrointestinal disease by quantitative electromanometric measurements performed for one hour with the aid of fluid-filled micro-balloon-catheter-systems. Additionally, in 9 subjects the reaction of the cardia, stomach, pylorus and proximal duodenum upon the same dose of the hormone was observed endoscopically for 30 minutes. Under the conditions of our study there was no evidence to be obtained for any measurable or visible effect of salmon calcitonin upon the tonus and motility of the smooth muscle organs of the human gastrointestinal tract.
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64,049
|
Inhibition of pancreatic secretion of enzymes by calcitonin.
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Calcitonin in pharmacological dosage inhibits the secretion of enzymes in the human pancreas without influencing the production of fluid and bicarbonate. The degree of inhibition is the same in a juice stimulated by secretin alone and by secretin plus pancreozymin-cholecystokinin or caerulein. Thus the endogenous and the exogenously applied pancreozymin is inhibited in its action. The secretion of enzymes, which is induced cholinergically by carbamylcholine or insulin hypoglycemia, is not altered by calcitonin. The inhibitory action of CT is not counteracted by infusion of calcium thus showing that local depletion of calcium is not the mechanism of inhibition. Possible mechanisms are the direct interference with pancreozymin at the acinar cell and the inhibition of hormone-release from the pancreozyminproducing cells.
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64,051
|
Inhibition of gastric acid and gastrin secretion by somatostatin in man.
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Somatostatin inhibited gastric acid secretion significantly in three ZE patients, while serum gastrin was lowered only in two. A direct inhibition of pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion by somatostatin was demonstrated in three healthy volunteers and four patients with duodenal ulcer disease. Somatostatin reduced betazole-stimulated gastric acid secretion to a lesser degree. The immunohistological demonstration of somatostatin-producing cells apposite to antral G-cells suggest a physiological role of somatostatin in the regulation of gastrin secretion in man.
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64,052
|
Inhibition by somatostatin of pancreatic juice and enzyme secretion and gallbladder contraction induced by secretin, cholecystokinin-pancreozymin and carbachol administration.
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The effect of somatostatin on secretin-, CCK-pancreozymin-and-carbachol-stimulated pancreatic secretion was studied in eight healthy volunteers. In all instances there was a significant reduction in duodenal secretory volume after secretin without any change in bicarbonate concentration. CCK-parcreozymin and carbachol stimulated volume and enzyme secretion were significantly inhibited and gallbladder contraction was abolished by somatostatin. In three volunteers a reversible hypercoagulation during infusion of 200 mug/h cyclic somatostatin has been observed. Somatostatin inhibited the CCK-pancreozymin stimulated pancreatic enzyme secretion of anaesthesized rats.
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64,054
|
Effects of synthetic salmon calcitonin on gastric secretion and ulcer formation in conscious cats and rats.
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In conscious and unrestrained cats the gastric secretion and ulcer formation induced by i.v. infusion of pentagastrin can be inhibited by synthetic salmon calcitonin given simultaneously. The volume and various constituents of gastric juice are proportionally diminished. Pepsin alone is definitely more inhibited, which may be of significance in respect to the mode of action of calcitonin. These effects are dose dependent in the range of 0.01 mug - 1.0 mug/kg/h salmon calcitonin, corresponding to 0.05 - 5.0 MRC units. Based on the finding that such minute doses have effects, it may be speculated that calcitonin has a regulatory function in gastric secretion of cats. In Shay-rats a dose dependent inhibitory effect of salmon calcitonin on ulcer formation and gastric secretion is demonstrated. Besides the volume, the acid concentration of gastric juice is reduced, which may explain the high efficacy of salmon calcitonin to prevent ulcer formation in this species. Ulcerations induced by pylorus ligation, stress and phenylbutazone can be inhibited to a similar degree by calcitonin, suggesting interference with a basal mechanism common to all three types of ulcerogenesis.
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64,055
|
Calcitonin-biochemistry and physiology.
|
Calcitonin is still a mysterious protein hormone. Secreted by the C-cell in ultimobranchial body or thyroid glands, it seems to act as a hypocalcemic antagonist against parathyroid hormone by inhibiting osteolysis. This concept which was developed especially in small mammals like the rat, does not entirely fit the results gained from other species: in fish, CT levels change in connection with the reproductive cycle in the female, in amphibians, buffering capacity of the organism is bound to the ultimobranchial body, and in birds, sexual development in the male is accompanied by increasing calcitonin levels.
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64,056
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Long-term effects of calcitonin on gastric secretion in normals, peptic ulcer and high risk patients.
|
Using a 12-hour infusion of salmon synthetic calcitonin (S-CT), distinct and sustained inhibition of gastric acid and pepsin secretion has been demonstrated in 4 normal subjects, 3 patients with peptic ulcer disease and 3 high risk patients. In 3 patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, treated in the same way, elevated serum gastrin was reduced by about 50% and acid secretion by more than 90%. In healthy volunteers oral administration of human synthetic CT (H-CT) led to reduction in basal and pentagastrin-stimulated acid and pepsin secretion by about 50%, lasting for more than 2 hours after the instillation of CT. In 4 subjects receiving CT intravenously, slight nausea and headache were registered, while there were no side effects after the oral route. Serum calcium did not change after i.v. or oral administration of CT. Wheras therapeutical applications of CT, given by i.v. route, seem to be restricted to selected cases, i.e. acute gastric ulcerations with imminent or existent bleeding, the eventual benefit or orally administered CT in peptic ulcer disease should be evaluated in controlled long-term trials.
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64,090
|
[Current state of radiotherapy of mouth neoplasms].
|
Beside surgery and chemotherapy, which has recently become important, radiotherapy is an efficacious means in the treatment of oral cavity cancer, both when applied alone and in combination. Clinical radiotherapy is based on the differences in sensitivity between normal tissue and tumor. The radiosensitivity of oral cavity cancers--above all squamous cell carcinoma--may even be considered to be mediocre: therefore a dose should be reached in order to destroy the malignant growth. In percutaneous radiotherapy orthovoltage is without any prospects; high-energy methods, above all telecobalt, have certain advantages, particularly the lower absorption in the bones. In "brachytherapy" we prefer the artificial nuclides 137Cs and 60Co instead of 226Ra for moulds and 198Au grains for interstitial application. At first the radiotherapist has to decide whether to advise radical or palliative treatment. Patients with secondary nodes in whom "radical surgery is inadvisable should have radical radiation therapy..." (Gibb and Todd) in a dose of nearly 5000 rads. Radiotherapy after an inradical neck dissection is burdened with a therapy before surgery can be considered in select cases. The treatment of oral cavity cancer should be practiced in close cooperation between the surgeon and the radiotherapist.
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64,094
|
[Epidemiological and laboratory criteria in the assessment of meningococcus carrier state].
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A study was made of the duration of meningococcus carrier state, immunological indices and group-specific properties of meningococci isolated from them. The periods of meningococcus discharge were studied in 738 persons. Three categories of the carrier state were revealed: a single discharge (67% of the carriers), of average duration (up to 4 weeks), and prolonged. Greater indices of group-specific antibodies (in the passive hemagglutination test) were revealed in the carriers with prolonged presence of meningococci in the nasopharynx. Dynamics of immunological indices and periods of the carrier state formation in the foci of infection permitted to characterize the prolonged carrier state as a latent form of meningococcus infection. A study of the group-specific properties in 1845 strains and comparison of the group-specific pattern of the circulating strains with the epidemic situation indicated that meningococci of group A were not only epidemic, but also more virulent.
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64,095
|
[Vaccine from the cell fragments of Bordetella pertussis. I. Protective, sensitizing properties and morphological characteristics of the vaccine].
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The authors present the results of studying the protective and sensitizing properties of a new preparation made of a ultrasonic disintegrate of pertussis microbes treated by ethyl ether. As shown by electron microscopy, the preparation consisted of the cell wall elements (the membrane), remnants of the cytoplasm and protectosome, i.e. it represented a vaccine consisting of cell fragments. In crude and sorbed condition it possessed marked protective properties (a test on mice). The content of protective units in the adsorbed preparation increased 1.5-3 times. The vaccine produced no sensitizing action, and its histamine-sensitizing activity was 3-5 times lower by protein and 5-10 times--by IOU than that of the whole-cell vaccine prepared form the same microbial suspension.
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64,096
|
[The effect of homologous gamma-globulin on nonspecific factors of antiviral immunity in prophylactic and therapeutic application].
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Administration of homologous gamma-globulin for prophylactic purpose promoted an increase in the interferon-synthesizing activity of leukocytes. The therapeutic use of this preparation in tick-borne encephalitis produced no stimulating effect on this index.
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64,097
|
[Identification with the aid of various serological reactions of L forms of streptococci isolated from the live organism].
|
Growth inhibition, agglutination, precipitation, and passive hemagglutination tests were used for the identification of the L-forms of streptococci isolated from the organism of experimental rabbits both after the infection with the L-forms of streptococci and with the streptococci of group A. The tests were positive not only with the antiserum of homologous, but also of heterologous strains of the L-form of streptococcus, group A. The L-form cultures isolated from the experimental animals failed to differ from the laboratory strain of the L-forms of streptococcus, group A, by serological properties.
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64,103
|
A cytological method for the simultaneous staining of nucleoproteids and some cathionic proteins.
|
A cytochemical method is suggested for the simultaneous and differential staining of cellular nucleoproteids [ribonucleoproteids (RNP) and desoxyribonucleoproteids (DNP)], as well as for the simultaneous contrast staining of some basic (arginine- and lysin-containing) proteins. The staining technique is based on DNA-denaturation procedures and the application of mixtures of basic dye--methylene blue and acid dyes--eosin or fast green at low concentrations. The combination of methylene blue with eosin is used for the staining of ribonucleoproteids (RNP) whereas methylene blue-fast green for the simultaneous detection of ribonucleoproteids and desoxyribonucleoproteids (RNP and DNP), as well as for the differential staining of nuclear DNP (after cold hydrolysis with 5 N HCl). The acid dyes eosin and fast green stain in pink resp. in green some cathionic proteins in the lysosomal (specific) granules of the neutrophilic and eosinophilic leucocytes in the cytoplasm of erythrocytes, and after cold hydrolysis in the cytoplasm of lymphocytes. A fluorescent variant of the method with sulfaflavin is also suggested for the fluorochromation of cytoplasmic cathionic granules in the luecocytes. Acid mucopolysaccharide components in the granules of basophilic leucocytes, tissue mastocytes and thrombocyres are stained intensively pink-violet (gamma-metachromatic). The possibilities for the application of the method in the quantitative analysis of blood and exfoliated cells, as well as for purpose of haematology, immunology and exfoliative cytology are discussed.
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64,104
|
Changes in the mitochondria in the initial part of the axon during regeneration.
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The initial part of the axon including the axon hellock, the initial unmyelimated segment and the beginning of myelinated axon was studied electron microscopically during regeneration, 1--30 days following a crush lesion of the rat hypoglossal nerve. Large mitochondria reaching 1.1 mum in diameter, with abundant cristae and dense granules in the matrix were observed between days 3--21. They formed clusters in the initial myelinated segment of the axon. End-to-end contacts and ribosomes around them were very often visible. The large mitochondria exhibited strong succinate dehydrogenase and NAD - H2 diaphorase activities. The relationship between the appearance of large and active mitochondria in the initial part of the axon and the elevated axonal transport during regeneration of the peripheral nerve is also discussed.
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64,105
|
The cellular pathology of microgyria. A Golgi analysis.
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A case of extensive classical four layered cerebral microgyria was examined in whole brain serial section using routine cell and fiber stains, and in Golgi impregnations. Golgi preparations demonstrate that microgyric cortex contains the spectrum of neurons characteristically found in normal cortex, and that they are segregated by class into horizontal laminar comparable to layers I--VI in the normal. In microgyric cortex neurons of the mid-cortical layers, variably layers II--V, are replaced by a tangential band of fibrous astrocytes. These findings confirm impressions from general cell and fiber stains that classical four layered microgyria is the result of a destructive process striking predominantly in mid-cortical regions. It must occur after migration is complete but before the development of secondary and tertiary gyri, that is, between the fifth and seventh fetal months. The cellular pathology as seen in Golgi impregnations establishes that neurons surviving above the scar are normally differentiated, aligned, and oriented. By exception, many surviving neurons at the border of the scar have attenuated dendritic arbors which are oriented tangentially. Very few axons or dendrites actually traverse the scar.
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64,106
|
Demonstration of the heterogeneity of the mast cell population on the basis of the mucopolysaccharide content.
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From the aspect of its mucopolysaccharide content the mast cell population is not homogeneous. The pulmonary and heart muscle mast cells of the rat are alcian blue positive, the mast cells of the thyroid gland, lymph nodes, subcutaneous connective tissue, mesentery and peripheral nerve are safranin positive, whereas among the mast cells of the peritoneal cavity and the thymus there are both alcian blue and saffranin positive forms. The least acid mucopolysaccharides are in the mast cells of the peritoneal fluid, the mesentery and the lungs, whereas the most acid ones are in the mast cells of the lymph nodes, the subcutaneous connective tissue and the thyroid gland. There is a considerable difference between the two last mentioned organs. The mast cells of the subcutaneous connective tissue are end-product cells without amine or precursor turnover, whereas the mast cells of the thyroid gland incorporate and deliver amines, which may participate in the regulation of the host gland.
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64,108
|
Lysosomal enzyme studies after endotoxin administration in normothermia and hypothermia.
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The LD50 dose of endotoxin results in a considerable increase in the plasma level of acidic phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase. The endotoxin decreases the quantity of gamma-globulin fraction of sera as an effect of neutral lysosomal proteases. In hypothermic rabbits the activity of lysosomal enzymes is increased only slightly after administration of endotoxin and the change in the gamma-globulin level is also more less than in the normothermic animals. The importance of our results in the pathogenesis of inflammation induced by endotoxin is discussed.
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64,110
|
Prenatal genetic diagnosis.
|
More than 100,000 children are born in the U.S. each year with major congenital defects or genetic disorders, with or without mental retardation. Advances in prenatal diagnosis have now made it possible to detect an increasing number of these disorders in utero. Carrier detection is advised prior to pregnancy, rather than after the birth of a defective child, or during pregnancy itself. Patients have a right to know about their genetic risks and should have the freedom to exercise their options.
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64,102
|
Orcein staining of hepatitis B antigen (HBAg) in conventional paraffin sections of liver biopsies.
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In an unselected group of 213 liver biopsies, paraffin sections were treated with an orcein staining method with the view to demonstrate HBAg. In 8 patients with positive HBAg serology, only 3 biopsies yielded positive orcein material in hepatocytes. A good correlation appears to exist between orcein positive material and the "ground glass" cytoplasm of liver cells.
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64,112
|
Lung biopsy in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia: a histopathologic study of typical and atypical features.
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This study of 36 patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia emphasizes a spectrum of histopathologic changes that have not been classically considered features of the infection. These atypical microscopic findings were present in 69% of the cases as defined in this retrospective examination. As expected, the suggestion of the correct diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia on the basis of a frozen section and without the aid of appropriate special stains was extremely difficult in the majority of biopsies. It is important for the pathologist to maintain the possibility of this infection in his differential diagnosis when he examines a pulmonary biopsy from a patient who is immunologically compromised.
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64,113
|
Detection of hepatitis B surface antigen by means of orcein staining of liver.
|
Paraffin-embedded sections of liver biopsies from 65 patients and 16 autopsies were stained by a modified orcein method as described by Shikata, to appraise the efficacy of the method in detecting hepatitis B antigen, (HGsAg). Of the liver biopsies from patients with chronic hepatitis, 55% were positively stained. Staining was observed in the cytoplasm of liver cells but was frequently irregular in distribution. The technic is simple and may be used for evaluation of fresh or stored liver. The positive stain is of value in the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis with minimal or absent histologic changes, as well as the distinction of chronic from acute hepatic disease. The method may be useful for detecting asymptomatic carriers. However, weak positive staining of hepatic parenchyma should be evaluated with caution when serologic tests for HBsAg are negative. It may warrant repeated serologic testing. Evaluation of stored autopsy material suggests that Shikata's stain may also be used in determining the etiology of cirrhosis. Inclusion bodies seen in hepatomas stain positively with orcein, suggesting that they contain, or are related to, HBsAg.
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64,114
|
Human nucleolus organizers: the satellites or the stalks?
|
A silver-staining technique specific for demonstrating nucleolus organizer regions (NOR) showed that the achromatic stalks of the 10 acrocentric autosomes of the human complement represent the NORs. Some variability in number of stained stalks is observed from cell-to-cell and from individual-to-individual. The silver-stained masses may extend beyond the stalks and cover the satellites, especially in chromosomes with short stalks or minute satellites.
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64,119
|
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency syndrome in CBA/J mice. II. Biochemical studies.
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Premature activation of proteolytic zymogens (trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen) as an early step in the pathogenesis of exocrine pancreatic insufficency (EPI) syndrome in CBA/J mice was investigated in electrophoresed pancreatic homogenates. Polyacrylamide gels containing extracts from control pancreas required prior activation of trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen (with exogenously added enterokinase and trypsin, respectively) to produce activity staining with specific synthetic substrates. On the contrary, bands of activity staining in gels containing homogenates from mice with EPI syndrome could be readily detected without trypsin or enterokinase preincubation. Subcellular fractionation of control and diseased pancreas revealed that the premature intracellular proteolysis was confined to the zymogren granule fraction, which, even in very moderately affected pancreases (10 to 30% acinar cell autolysis), was very labile in vitro. These proteolytic events reflect the biochemical consequences of zymogen granule destabilization that were observed at the ultrastructural level.
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64,121
|
View box exercises for teaching problem solving in radiology.
|
An organized radiologic problem-solving system is presented for developing improved view box exercises for students and residents. It is based on six components: (1) problem sensing, (2) problem hypothesizing, (3) problem searching and definition, (4) problem identification, (5) resolution, and (6) verification. Since all examinations by the practicing radiologist involve these components, worthwhile simulated clinical management games should also incorporate them. A simulated radiologic exercise should be a valid measurement of the resident's ability to manage a wide range of clinical situations and techniques and should improve problem-solving strategies. Use of simulated clinical cases eliminates risk to patients during the educational process.
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64,120
|
Chemical and histochemical studies of human alveolar collagen fibers.
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Light and electron microscopic studies have established that the normal human alveolar argyrophilic (reticulum) fiber is collagen fiber. The silver impregnation method is highly sensitive and specific for histologic demonstration of the elaborate collagen fiber network of alveolar septa. The argyrophilic alveolar collagen fiber does not stain with the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) or periodic acid-thiocarbohydrazide-osmium tetroxide (PTO) reaction. The materials positive for the PAS and PTO reactions in alveolar septa are epithelial and endothelial basal laminas, which are nonargyrophilic. Chemically, lung collagen fibers are composed of Type I and Type III collagens, which differ in amino acid composition, chain composition, and carbohydrate content. The chemical heterogeneity of lung collagen may have important biologic implications in the maintenance of normal structure and in the repair of lung injury.
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64,128
|
[Centrifugal fibers in the human retina].
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The examination of 16 human retina stained in toto according to the Gallego method (1953) demonstrated the presence of centrifugal optic fibers. These fibers appear as large argyrophilic axons and can be traced as of the papille, amongst the centripetal optic fibers. The centrifugal fibers show a high degree of ramification which may extend over a quarter of the total retinal surface and terminate in the internal plexiform layer. Elsewhere the existence of perivascular and intravascular axon terminals as well as short axon ganglion nerve cells were demonstrated.
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64,122
|
Chronic rotator cuff impingement in the throwing athlete.
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Compromise of the space between the humeral head and the coracoacromial arch may be a source of chronic shoulder pain associated with rotator cuff impingement in the athlete participating in throwing sports. In certain carefully selected individuals, surgical decompression may alleviate these symptoms. The surgical procedure can be done under local anesthesia and may enable the athlete to return to his previous level of performance without disability.
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64,129
|
Urticaria. An updated review.
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Urticaria can result from many different stimuli, and numerous factors, both immunologic and nonimmunologic, are involved in its pathogenesis. Most commonly considered of immunologic mechanisms is the type I hypersensitivity state mediated by IgE. Another immunologic mechanism involves the activation of the complement cascade, which produces anaphylatoxins that can release histamine. Immunologic, nonimmunologic, genetic, and modulating factors converge on mast cells and basophils to release mediators capable of producing urticarial lesions. In addition to the clinical and laboratory diagnosis and treatment regimens, we review such mediators as histamine, kinins, serotonin, slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis, prostaglandins, acetylcholine, fibrin degradation products, and anaphylatoxins that increase vascular permeability and can thereby produce wheals. Special consideration is given to histamine and the factors that regulate is secretory release from mast cells and basophils, including the modulating role of intracellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate.
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64,130
|
Comparative studies of the incorporation inhibition of radioactive nucleotides and amino acids in vitro under the influence of adriamycin, bleomycin, and sodium arsenate.
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The incorporation of 14C-marked nucleotides and amino acids into the nucleic acids and into the cellular protein of PHA-stimulated human lymphocytes was inhibited variably by increasing doses of Adriamycin, Bleomycin and Na2HAsO4. The findings, which were obtained with the aid of the liquid scintillation counter and partly by means of 14C-thymidine-marked autoradiographies shows clearly that Adriamycin causes the strongest incorporation inhibition. In contrast to this, the inhibition caused by Bleomycin and arsenate is considerably less destructive. It was shown by means of cytophoto metrical examinations that Adriamycin is capable of fixing cells in the G2 phase and in the S phase. Cells react similarly to Bleomycin and arsenate. The differential inhibition of nucleic acid and protein metabolism induced by Adriamycin, Bleomycin and arsenate is correlated with a varying responsiveness of lymphocytes to the cytostatically effective substances.
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64,131
|
Detection by electron microscope of rod-shaped organisms in synovial membrane from a patient with the arthritis of Whipple's disease.
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Rod-shaped organisms identical to those present in the jejunal mucosa have been found in the synovial membrane of a patient with Whipple's disease. These probably caused inflammatory changes which sere reflected in an increase of the cellular content and high enzyme levels (acid phosphatase and 5-nucleotidase) of the synovial fluid. Tetracycline was effective in controlling the bowel lesion but only had a temporary effect upon the arthritis. Erythromycin controlled both the bowel lesion and the arthritis.
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64,133
|
Palliation of malignant esophago-respiratory fistulae by permanent indwelling prosthetic tube.
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Malignant esophago-respiratory fistula is an incurable condition calsing severe distress to those patients suffering from it. Sixty two successive patients with esophago-respiratory fistulae, secondary to squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus, were intubated for palliation. The first 14 were intubated by a traction technique using the Celestin tube, and the remaining 48 were intubated by the Procter-Livingstone tube inserted by a pulsion method. Celestin intubation had a mortality of 64.3% but 75% of those intubated by the Procter-Livingstone tube were discharged from hospital, swallowing satisfactorily and relieved of their respiratory distress. In our experience the insertion of the Proctor-Livingstone tube by a pulsion technique, can be performed in a few minutes, with little morbidity and allows the patient to be discharged from hospital within 3-4 days of the procedure. It is a successful and acceptable method of treating malignant esophago-respiratory fistulae.
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64,132
|
CEA monitoring of palliative treatment for colorectal carcinoma.
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Palliative treatment was applied to 131 cases of unresectable or palliatively resected colorectal carcinoma being monitored with serial CEA determinations. There were 84 instances of disease progression with 67 (80%) of them showing an increase in CEA above pretreatment levels or maintaining high levels, and 17 (20%) showing a fall when compared to pretreatment values or maintaining low initial values. There was a clear-cut regression of the disease in only 9 instances. In all 9, the CEA clearly dropped or maintained low valles throughout the period of regression. No patient in regression had a rise or maintained an elevated CEA level. These changes in CEA followed closely the clinical response of our patient to the use of a particular agent, although for the Nitrosourea compounds there may be a tendency to lower the CEA regardless of the patient's tumor response to the drug. This could be due to the fact that the Nitrosoureas produce a diffuse block of cellular activity, both at the nucleous and cytoplasm; while other compounds act as alkylating agents or by inhibition of enzymes involved in the metabolism of nucleic acids (i.e., 5-FU inhibiting thymidylate synthetase). In general, longer survival was found in those patients who had initially lower levels of CEA as compared to those with high initial levels. The patients with a favorable CEA response to the treatment (falling CEA or maintained low value), even in many who did not show a clinical response had a longer survival than the group with rising or stable high levels. The main value in CEA monitoring of patients resides in its correlation with the amount of disease present and then its ability to detect progression of tumor mass which is not clinically measurable.
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64,134
|
Effects of citrulline administration on enzymes of liver and brain in rats.
|
Intraperitoneal administration of citrulline (30 mg/kg body weight) for three days to rats brought about an increase in the activity of hepatic ornithine-aminotransferase without any change in glutamine-synthetase activity. In the brain of the same animals, the activity of the glutamine synthetase in cerebellum and brain stem increased significantly. In cerebral hemispheres the activity of ornithine aminotransferase was increased without a change in glutamine-synthetase activity. Under these conditions, there is a rise in the content of glutamine, citrulline, arginine and ornithine in all the three regions of the brain.
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64,135
|
[Metabolism of glucosamine in the liver of Scyliorhinus canicula (selachian)].
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(1) The metabolism of the glucosamine was studied in the liver of S. canicula, after injection of D-(1-14C) glucosamine into the animal. (2) The labelled acid-soluble derivatives were separated by ion exchange columns and characterized by chromatography and electrophoresis, and were identified as glucosamine, glucosamine 6-P, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylmannosamine, N-acetylneuraminic acid, N-acetylglucosamine 6-P, N-acetylglucosamine 1-P, N-acetylmannosamine 6-P, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine. (3) The variation with time after glucosamine injection of the radioactivity of the fractions separated on Dowex 1-X4 was investigated. This study showed a decrease of the radioactivity in the fraction 1 (glucosamine and glucosamine 6-P), an increase in the fraction II (N-acetylneuraminic acid) and the fraction IV (UDP-N-acetylhexosamines), and a stability in the fraction III (phosphorylated N-acetylhexosamines). (4) The absence of label in neutral hexoses and their phosphorylated derivatives was interpretated as due to the weak activity of the glucosamine 6-P isomerase, which is positively modulated by the N-acetylglucosamine 6-P.
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64,136
|
Oral fructose tolerance, gastric emptying and absorption: a compartmental model.
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Gastric emptying and intestinal absorption regulate transfer of ingested fructose from stomach to plasma. Using conscious rhesus monkeys we have developed a compartmental model which describes this system. Fructose tolerance tests were performed in groups of monkeys by intragastrically administering 2 g/kg of 10.5% D-fructose solution; fructose concentration in arterial plasma, [fructose], and intragastric volume were measured at intervals afterward. One group was pretreated with atropine; stomachs imptied with a time constant, tau, of 67 min. Another group received fructose solution with trisodium citrate added; tau was 18 min. Another group received only fructose; tau was 30 min. Using these constants, a model was developed to describe the [fructose] data. In this model k1 related amount of fructose in intestine to absorption rate and Ae represented absorption efficiency. K1 = 0.03 and Ae = 89% provided a good fit for data from the atropinized group. k1 = 0.018 and Ae = 56% provided a good fit for data from the other groups. Differences were explained by considering effects of atropine on gastrointestinal secretion. The model adequately describes our [fructose] data and may be adapted for tests utilizing other substances.
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64,137
|
[Biochemical polymorphism in the red partridge (Alectoris rufa)].
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Egg white proteins, hemoglobin, serum proteins and enzymes from Alectoris rufa have been examined by starch gel electrophoresis. All three genetic parameters, mean proportion of loci polymorphic per population (P), mean numbers of alleles per locus (A), and mean proportion of loci heterozygous per individual (H) are given for Alectoris rufa, and comparison were made between the proteins of the related species Coturnix coturnix japonica.
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64,138
|
On the induction of the hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase by quinolinic acid.
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The induction of tyrosine aminotransferase by quinolinic acid is inhibited completely by cycloheximide and by alpha-amanitin, but only partially during the first 3 hours by 5-azacytidine and 8-azaguanine; longer treatment with 8-azaguanine, however, also prevents the major increase in enzyme activity. The hepatic concentration of cyclic AMP does not change after administration of quinolinic acid. Insulin, like hydrocortisone, acts additively to qlinolinic acid. The isoenzyme pattern of tyrosine aminotransferase is not changed cosniderably during induction of quinolinic acid. Most likely, quinolinic acid acts through its own mechanism of induction.
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64,139
|
Purification and properties of human placenta arylsulphatase A.
|
1. Arylsulphatase A (arylsulphate sulphohydrolase E.N. 3.1.6.1) has been purified 7200-fold from human placenta using concanavalin A Sepharose chromatography. 2. Ultracentrifugation studies indicated that the purified enzyme was homogenous with respect to sedimentation coefficient and molecular weight and has a molecular weight of 102000. 3. The purified enzyme could hydrolyze cerebroside 3-sulphate, seminolipid and sulphogalactosylsphingosine under identical conditions. 4. The kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of all sulphate esters used in the present study were the same. 5. Both seminolipid and sulphogalactosylsphingosine were competitive inhibitors for the hydrolysis of cerebroside-3-sulphate with an inhibition constant of 0.2 mM. 6. Kinetic parameters, metal ion effect and heat inactivation profile of enzyme suggest that the same active site of enzyme is responsible for the hydrolysis of cerebroside 3-sulphate, seminolipid and sulphogalactosylsphingosine.
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64,140
|
A duplex retina and the electroretinogram in the nocturnal Perodicticus potto.
|
The presence of cones in potto's retina has been proved beyond doubt although they are very restricted in number (1 cone for 300 rods). Morphologically, speaking there is no point in calling these cones "rudimentary" except for their slender outer segment. There are red sensitive elements in that retina at wavelengths beyond the spectral sensitivity of visual purple and it is tempting to assume that these elements are cones. The ERG evoked from these elements by red light differs from that in response to white and blue light. They dark-adapt faster than the receptors sensitive to blue and white flashes. However in some of their properties, for example fusion frequency, these cones behave like rods in other species. As these few cones seem to activate the bipolar cells nearly as effectively as the numerous rods, it is suggested that these cones may be responsible for day vision in the potto.
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64,141
|
Changes in blood glucose, blood and muscle lactate,and plasma lactic dehydrogenase levels in the pigeon on acute exposure to cold.
|
Adult pigeons were subjected to acute cold exposure (-25 degrees C; 30 min) after which the levels of blood glucose, blood and muscle lactate and plasma lactic dehydrogenase were measured. Partially defeathered (dorsum and pectoral regions) birds, following exposure to cold, showed marked reduction in blood glucose and blood and muscle (pectoralis) lactate. Fully plumed birds, in contrast, showed no significant reduction in body temperature or blood glucose and only moderately reduced lactate levels indicating the effectiveness of the insulative feather coat in maintaining thermal and metabolic homeostasis. The partially-defeathered pigeons exposed to cold showed a two-to-three-fold increase in plasma lactic dehydrogenase activity, which may reflect a molecular adaptation in their calorigenic response to cold.
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64,142
|
Influence of aminooxyacetate administration on ammonia-induced metabolic disturbances in the rat liver.
|
The purpose of the present report was to investigate the effects of aminooxyacetate administration to rats on the ammonia-induced disturbances in the substrate levels and in the activities of the enzymes involved in glutamine metabolism. 1.--Aminooxyacetate enhances the accumulation of ammonia following an ammonia load and prevents the other substrate level changes induced by ammonia. Thus, this transaminase inhibitor suppresses ammonia detoxication by formation of aminoacids as well as by urea synthesis. 2.--A significant decrease of glutamine synthetase activity is observed only after administration of both aminooxyacetate and ammonium chloride. 3.--Like in rats injected with ammonium chloride alone, an ammonia-induced activation of liver glutaminase I is found in inhibitor-pretreated rats. This result confirms the specific enhancement of glutaminase I activity by ammonia in excess.
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64,236
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[Treatment of rhythm disorders by fenoxedil hydrochloride].
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Fenoxedil chlorhydrate (FC), which is used as a treatment for cerebral circulatory failure and peripheral vascular disease, has been given to 100 patients with a cardiac arrhythmia: atrial fibrillation (78 cases), atrial flutter (4 cases), atrial tachysystole (2 cases), ventricular extrasystoles (12 cases), and supraventricular extrasystoles (4 cases). FC has been prescribed alone, or as a complement to current anticoagulant or digitalis treatment; combination with prenylamine, amiodarone, dysopyramide or a drug of the quinidine group must always be avoided, and the potassium level checked and corrected if necessary before treatment. In 78 cases of atrial fibrillation, the authors found that sinus rhythm was restored in 58 (74.4%); four cases of flutter were restored, and one case out of two of atrial tachycardia. In case of supraventricular and ventricular extrasystoles the results are less clear, and merit a further study with a larger number of cases. The electrocardiographic disorders encountered in this series have been evaluated: lenghthening of the QT interval, disorders of atrioventricular conduction, sinus inhibition. They were either produced by or aggravated by the FC. No cases of axis deviation were encountered. The authors make mention of the complications observed by other authors, but draw a distinction between the prescription of FC in cases of cerebral vascular insufficiency, without previous knowledge of the exact cardiac status of the patient (otherwise there is a risk of severe accidents), and the use of FC in cases of arrhythmia which have undergone full assessment before the drug is used. According to this study, FC appears to be a very effective anti-arrhythmic agent, but its use demands very rigorous clinical and electrocardiographic supervision.
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64,240
|
Pharmacokinetics of a neurotoxic oral dose of leptophos in hens.
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A pharmacokinetic profile of [14C] leptophos was determined in laying hens following a single oral dose of 400 mg/kg (0.58 muCi). Most of the radioactivity was excreted into the urine and feces. After 15 days, the total radioactivity recovered in the combined urinary-fecal excretion was 73.5% of the administered dose. A major part of the absorbed leptophos was concentrated in the eggs. The total 14C radioactivity in egg albumen was 7.29% of the administered dose as compared to 4.67% in egg yolk. The half-life for the disappearance of radioactivity from the birds' bodies following the administration of [14C] leptophos was 11.55 days. A correlation between the pharmacokinetics of leptophos and the susceptibility of the hen to delayed neurotoxicity is discusses.
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64,241
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[Feeding rhythms and the diurnal rhythm of cell proliferation in pharmacologically induced liver growth (author's transl)].
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Stimulation of hepatic DNA synthesis can be achieved in the intact rat by alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-HCH = alpha-benzene hexachloride). The extent of stimulation is high in the morning and low in the evening. These rhythmic variations in the rate of DNA synthesis are synchronized indirectly by the light-dark rhythm, but directly by the animal's feeding habits: Rats eat preferentially during the night. If the diurnal rhythm of food intake is abolished, the rhythmic fluctuations in the rate of DNA synthesis are no longer detectable; if rats are adapted to daily feeding periods of only 5 h, these fluctuations are pronounced and almost synchronized. Further experiments show that the time of feeding determines the time of DNA replication. It is concluded that food intake provides a "2nd stimulus" or permissive factor, which is required for the induction of DNA synthesis in a certain critical stage of the prereplicative phase. Labelling experiments with orotic acid suggest that foot intake initially induces an increase of RNA synthesis. The results indicate that controlled feeding schedules provide the possibility to synchronize, in the living animal, a proliferating population of hepatocytes. A hypothesis is derived which offers an explanation for the generation of the diurnal rhythm of cell proliferation in the liver.
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64,242
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Double-exposure duplication of preoperative and postoperative 2 X 2 transparencies.
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Before and after photographs in plastic surgery are an essential part of the patient's record. They also provide visual data to supplement both primary and continuing education lectures. When successive photographs are used in lectures, a sharp visual memory is required to compare effectively the preoperative and postoperative photograph. The method presented in this article uses a specially constructed frame used as an accessory for one of the common commercial slide copiers. This device makes it possible to copy, duplicate, and frame preoperative and postoperative 2 X 2 transparencies onto a single 2 X 2 transparency without any additional work on the original, such as framing, cutting, and remounting. This technique leaves the original preoperative and postoperative 2 X 2 transparency slides intact for possible use elsewhere in the same lecture or subsequent lectures on the same subject.
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64,244
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Properties of erythrocyte catalase from homozygotes and heterozygotes for Swiss-type acatalasemia.
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The unstable catalase variant found in the blood of individuals homozygous for Swiss-type acatalasemia and the enzyme species present in heterozygous carriers of this rare defect have been further characterized. The mutant enzyme isolated from acatalasemic red cells is considerably more heat labile and differs in electrophoretic mobility from the normal enzyme. Catalase preparations obtained from heterozygotes consist of an apparently uniform enzyme species, probably representing a molecular hybrid, with properties intermediate to those of the normal and the variant enzyme. However, antigenic identity of catalase from all three sources is observed. Model experiments indicate that hybrid catalase molecules can be produced by recombining normal and variant dimer subunits. Fractionation of erythrocytes according to density and age shows that most of the residual catalase activity is localized in juvenile acatalasemic cells, whereas in normal and heterozygous individuals the catalase activity level does not alter significantly during the life span of the red cells. These findings agree with the observation that there is no gene dosage in heterozygotes, their catalase activity values falling within the normal range.
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64,245
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The alpha macroglobulins of rat serum.
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A three-stage method for isolation of alpha1 macroglobulin and alpha2 macroglobulin from the serum of normal and injured rats is described. The methods successively used, namely gel filtration, ultracentrifugation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, were chosen to minimize loss of tryptic esterase-protecting activity. The two proteins differed slightly with respect to the following properties: mol.wt., alpha1 macroglobulin 7.46 X 10(5), alpha2 macroglobulin 7.16 X 10(5); isoelectric focusing, alpha1, macroglobulin pI 4.4, alpha2 macroglobulin pI4.5. Amino acid analyses were identical, except with respect to tyrosine: alpha1 macroglobulin 3.96 +/- 0.24, alpha2 macroglobulin 3.16 +/- 0.32 mol/100 mol of total amino acids. When isolated from the serum of uninjured rats, alpha1 macroglobulin retained the capacity to bind 1.05 mol of trypsin/mol. However, if isolated from serum 2 days after injury only 0.78 mol of trypsin/mol of alpha1 macroglobulin was bound. alpha2 macroglobulin isolated from this latter serum bound on average 0.97 mol of trypsin/mol. When reduced with N-acetylcysteine, both molecules formed subunits of size corresponding to that expected for quarter molecules. When alpha2 macroglobulin was reduced with dithiothreitol, quarter molecules were again produced. alpha1 macroglobulin, however, when thus treated gave a more complex mixture, containing a component having a mol.wt. of less than 6 X 10(4). Antisera raised against the two proteins permitted estimation of the concentration of each protein in the plasmas or sera of normal and injured rats. Plasma from normal male rats contained 3.76 +/- 0.56 mg of alpha1 macroglobulin/ml (n = 33) and 0.016 +/- 0.001 mg of alpha2 macroglobulin/ml (n=33). After injury by injection of turpentine and cortisone, the concentrations in plasma were at 3 days 5.19 +/- 0.81 mg of alpha1 macroglobulin/ml (n = 12) and at 2 days 1.38 +/- 0.35 mg of alpha2 macroglobulin/ml (n = 12). Antisera to the two proteins did not cross-react with one another. The quarter molecules formed by reduction of both proteins showed increased antigenicity.
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64,246
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Rat alpha2 acute-phase macroglobulin. Isolation and physicochemical properties.
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1. Rat alpha2 acute-phase macroglobulin was isolated from turpentine-injected rats by Sephadex G-200 chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. This method, since it does not include (NH4)2SO4 treatment, allows the study of the physicochemical as well as the biological properties of the molecule. 2. The purity of the preparation was demonstrated by ultracentrifugation, polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, fused "rocket" immunoelectrophoresis as well as double immunodiffusion. 3. The rat alpha2 acute-phase macroglobulin was characterized in terms of its main physical and chemical properties. Its isoelctric point was determined by isoelectrofocusing to be 4.55; s020,w was 18.4S and E1%/1cm at 278 nm was 6.8. The mol.wt. was determined by light-scattering to be 770000. 4. The amino acid content was compared with that of rat alpha1 macroglobulin and was found very similar. The carbohydrate composition of alpha2 acute-phase macroglobulin was determined to be: hexose, 4.25%; glucosamine, 3.4%; sialic acid, 2%; fucose, 0.2%. From these results it was concluded that alpha2 acute-phase macroglobulin, although a typical acute-phase reactant, possesses the characteristic physicochemical properties of alpha macroglobulins.
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64,247
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Hepatic synthesis of carnitine from protein-bound trimethyl-lysine. Lysosomal digestion of methyl-lysine-labelled asialo-fetuin.
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The biosynthesis of carnitine in the rat was studied by following the metabolism of two radioactive derivatives of asialo-fetuin. The first contained 14C-labelled methyl groups covalently bound to the 6-N-amino fraction of its lysine residues as 6-N-monomethyl- and dimethyl-lysine. By treating this protein with iodomethane, a second derivative was produced in which the radioactivity was preferentially incorporated as 6-N-[Me-14C]-trimethyl-lysine. These desialylated glycoproteins, like other asialo-proteins, were immediately cleared from the blood by rat liver. Within hepatocyte lysosomes, the 14C-labelled proteins were rapidly hydrolysed, producing free amino acids containing the various 6-N-[Me-14C]methylated lysine residues. The radioactive amino acids crossed the lysosomal membrane and were further metabolized in the cytosol. Carnitine was the major radioactive metabolite detected in extracts of the rat carcass and liver after intravenous injection of 6-N-[Me-14C]trimethyl-lysine-labelled asialo-fetuin. Within 3h, at least 34.6% of the trimethyl-lysine in the administered protein was converted into carnitine. Similarly, an isolated perfused rat liver converted 30% of the added peptide-bound trimethyl-lysine into carnitine within 90 min. On the other hand, in numerous attempts we failed to detect radioactive carnitine in both rat liver and carcass between 20 min and 22 h after injection of 6-N-[Me-14C]-monomethyl- and -dimethyl-lysine-labelled asialo-fetuin. These data provide evidence for a pathway of carnitine biosynthesis that involves trimethyl-lysine as a peptide-bound precursor as proposed by R.A. Cox & C.L. Hoppel [(1973) Biochem. J. 136, 1083-1090] and V. Tanphaichitr & H.P. Broquist [(1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 2176-2181]. The findings also show that rat liver can synthesize carnitine without the aid of other tissues, but cannot convert free partially methylated lysines into trimethyl-lysine.
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64,251
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His bundle recordings in diagnosis of impulse formation in Kent and Mahaim tracts.
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His bundle electrograms were recorded in 2 patients with ectopic beats arising in accessory atrioventricular tracts. Case 1 had Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) type A and a left-sided Kent tract with a short effective refractory period. Though ectopic impulse formation most probably occurred within the Kent tract itself, a vulnerability-related origin in the ventricular muscle close to the distal end of the Kent tract could not be excluded. In Case 2, with a Mahaim tract extending from His bundle to ventricles, there were three types of QRS morphologies resulting from : (a) atrioventricular conduction exclusively through the normal pathways; (b) atrioventricular conduction through both, normal pathway, and Mahaim tract; and (c) ectopic impulse formation in the Mahim tract. Specialized electrophysiological studies were essential to diagnose these unusual arrhythmias.
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64,252
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Excretion of alpha-foetoprotein in the urine of rats during exposure to 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene.
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Female rats were maintained on standard laboratory diet, Miller's diet or Miller's diet containing 3'MeDAB. Animals fed standard or Miller's diet did not excrete alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) in their urine. Early appearance of AFP was demonstrated by examining the urine of rats on the 3'MeDAB regimen. The incidence of positive urine samples was high between the 5th and 7th week of the experiment. It thereafter declined, but from the 3rd month it steadily rose and reached a maximum of 80% at about 10 months. Though urinary excretion of AFP was irregular in individual animals, several positive urine samples were obtained from all rats followed for more than a few months. The urine of 90% of hepatoma-bearing rats contained AFP at the time of killing. The incidence of elevated serum AFP levels as determined by immunodiffusion, increased with the duration of the experiment, but was still only 70 percent in rats fed 3'MeDAB for over 34 weeks. The severity of the hepatic alterations, as well as hepatocytic uptake of [3H]thymidine, increased with time. The serum of animals fed the standard diet was negative, whereas AFP was very infrequently detected in the serum of rats given Miller's hypoprotein diet. The results demonstrate that, in a population exposed to hepatocarcinogenic agent, the recurring detection of urinary excretion of AFP is a useful indicator of the high risk of developing hepatomas.
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64,253
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Serum alpha1-foetoprotein levels in 153 male patients with germ cell tumours.
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--alpha1-Foetoprotein (AFP) levels have been measured by radioimmunoassay in the serum of 153 male patients with gonadal and extragonadal germ cell tumours. Thirty-five patients with pure seminoma, and 34 patients with teratoma but without any postoperative evidence of residual or recurrent tumour, consistently had normal serum AFP levels (less than 25 ng/ml). Of 84 patients with active teratomas, 56 (67%) had serological evidence of AFP production. Ten patients with histological evidence of pure yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumours all had raised levels. Teratomas containing yolk sac (elements may or may not be associated with raised serum levels. Trophoblastic (choriocarcinomatous) elements in a teratoma were not normally associated with high values. Fourteen patients with teratomas had elevated levels in the absence of histologically detectable yolk sac elements. Serum AFP levels often became elevated before clinical evidence of recurrence, so that AFP can act as an effective marker of the course of the disease and its response to therapy in many patients, but recurrent or progressive disease may be present in the absence of raised levels.
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64,254
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Oral anticoagulation in the treatment of a spontaneously metastasising murine tumour (3LL).
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The effects of long-term anticoagulation with phenprocoumon on growth of the Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) were studied. Oral anticoagulation initiated at the day of i.m. transplantation of the 3LL into C57BL mice significantly inhibited primary tumour growth and reduced the number of spontaneous metastases to the lungs. Intermittent anticoagulation was without effect on metastasis formation but still retarded primary growth. There was no influence of anticoagulation on the mean survival time (MST) of tumour-bearing animals. Phenprocoumon appears to improve the results of cyclophosphamide of 5-fluorouracil treatment, but there were no statisticially significant differences. In contrast, bleomycin treatment in combination with adjuvant anticoagulation suggested a possible drug synergy. No significant influence of anticoagulation on the response of the primary tumour to irradiattion was found, though the MST of irradiated and anticoagulated animals was greater than in the solely irradiated controls. The present investigations suggest that coumarin derivatives have some direct tumour-inhibiting capacities, but exert their antimetastatic action via deceleration of the blood clotting mechanism.
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64,255
|
Airborne contact dermatitis from Compsoitae oleoresins simulating photodermatitis.
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American ragweed (Ambrosia) dermatitis has an airborne pattern and is caused by lipid soluble oleoresins of pollens. A similar weed dermatitis has been described in India and Australia. The weeds involved were all of the Compositae family and contain sesquiterpene lactones with one common antigenic determinant. This study reports seven Danish patients treated for many years under the diagnosis of photodermatitis, who eventually proved to suffer from Compsoitae oleoresin dermatitis. Probably, Compsitae dermatitis is a world-wide disease, although aften misdiagnosed as has happened in Scandinavia.
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64,256
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Sequential studies on components of the haemostatic mechanism in pregnancy with particular reference to the development of pre-eclampsia.
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Components of the haemostatic mechanism were studied at intervals in 60 primigravidae over the course of pregnancy and the puerperium; 12 of these developed pre-eclampsia. During pregnancy there was a fall in fibrinolytic activity and fibrinolytic capacity and a rise in fibrinogen, FR-antigen, alpha 1-antitrypsin and alpha 2-macroglobulin. The women who subsequently developed pre-eclampsia could not be identified on the basis of these measurements. Following delivery there was a more rapid return of fibrinolytic activity and capacity towards normal in the women who had not had pre-eclampsia. The urinary FR-antigen level was higher in the women with pre-eclampsia.
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64,258
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Immunochemical study of beta-glucuronidase inhibitor from porcine sublingual gland. Relationship between the antigenic determinant and the active site of the inhibitor.
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Following removal of sialic acid by neuraminidase treatment the activity of the beta-glucuronidase inhibitor was remarkably decreased, but the antigenic determinant was not affected. A partial common antigen to the inhibitor was isolated from porcine small intestine, by successive fractionation of trypsin extraction of the latter on Sephadex G-150, DEAE-cellulose and Sepharose 4B column chromatography. The immunologic and characteristic properties of the common antigen were compared with those of the beta-glucuronidase inhibitor is not identical with its antigenic determinant.
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64,257
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Biochemical changes in Bifidobacterium bifidum var. pennsylvanicus after cell wall inhibition. IX. Metabolism and release of cellular lipids in the presence of antibiotics.
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Inhibiton of cell wall synthesis caused simultaneously an increase in cellular phospho-and glycolipids and a marked release of these compounds to the medium. The composition of the cellular and the released glyco-and phospholipids was almost the same. Antibiotics, which inhibit cell wall synthesis, did not influence glycolipid composition, but increased the relative and absolute amounts of disphosphatidylglycerol and its lysoderivatives. Incorporation and chase experiments demonstrated a considerable stimulation of phospholipid metabolism, and of diphosphatidylglycerol synthesis especially. Release of lipids was not accompanied by loss of cellular protein. Omission of Tween 80 from the medium decreased the release by about 50% and increased the relative amounts of the phosphogalactolipids in the cells and in the culture fluid. Inhibitors of protein synthesis and valinomycin caused a decrease in cellular lipidphosphorus content, and a relative increase of the phosphogalactolipids. No release of lipids was observed under these conditions.
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64,259
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Photooxidase system of Rhodospirillum rubrum. I. Photooxidations catalyzed by chromatophores isolated from a mutant deficient in photooxidase activity.
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The aerobic photooxidations of reduced 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol and of reaction-center bacteriochlorophyll (P-870) have been investigated in membrane vesicles (chromatophores) isolated from a non-phototrophic Rhodospirillum rubrum strain. In aerobic suspensions of wild-type chromatophores, continuous light elicits an increase of the levels of 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol and of oxidized P-870, which reach steady-state values shortly after the onset of illumination. In contrast, light induces in mutant suspensions a transient increase of the levels of 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol and of oxidized P-870, which fall to low steady-state values within a few seconds. These observations suggest that the mutation has altered a redox constituent located on the low-potential side of the photochemical reaction center, between a pool of acceptors and oxygen. Since endogenous cyclic photophosphorylation is catalyzed by mutant chromatophores at normal rates, it appears that the constituent altered by the mutation does not belong to the cyclic electron-transfer chain responsible for photophosphorylation. However, the system which mediates the aerobic photooxidations and the cyclic system are not completely independent: endogenous photophosphorylation is inhibited by oxygen in wild-type chromatophores but not in mutant chromatophores; in addition, the inhibitor of cyclic electron flow, 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide, enhances the aerobic photooxidation of reduced 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol by chromatophores from both strains. These results support a tentative branched model for light-driven electron transfer. In that model, the constituent altered in the mutant strain is located in a side electron-transfer chain which connects the cyclic acceptors to oxygen.
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64,261
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The influence of phospholipid polar groups on gramicidin channels.
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The influence of well-defined changes in the polar part of phospholipid molecules on the properties of black lipid membranes was studied using a series of phospholipids with identical hydrocarbon chains, but systematically changed polar groups. The hydrocarbon tails of the lipids under study were composed of 1,2-dipentadecylmethylidene glycerol. The polar parts differed in the degree of N-methylation and comprised phosphocholine, -N,N-dimethylethanolamine, -N-methylethanolamine and ethanolamine. Stable black lipid membranes could be formed with the solvents octane, decane, dodecane, tetradecane and hexadecane. The properties of gramicidin-induced single ionic channels changed systematically in membranes from the phosphatidylcholine to the phosphatidylethanolamine analogue, as indicated by an increase in the amplitude lambda of the unit conductance step and a decrease in the average channel life-time or duration tau. The series of tau-values was opposite to that expected from hydrocarbon thickness (specific capacitance). It is suggested that the surface tension gamma is a relevant parameter for the prediction of tau-values.
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64,260
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Influence of membrane thickness and ion concentration on the properties of the gramicidin a channel. Autocorrelation, spectral power density, relaxation and single-channel studies.
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The properties of the gramicidin A channel in membranes made from a series of monoglycerides have been studied. In agreement with previous studies, the dissociation rate constant kD of the dimeric channel was found to increase strongly with increasing chain length of the monoglyceride, corresponding to a decrease of the mean life-time of the channel. The value of kD, however, was not strictly correlated with the membrane thickness, as seen from a comparison of membranes with different solvent content. Furthermore, the life-time of the channel increased with the concentration of the permeable ion. This effect was tentatively explained by an electrostatic stabilization of the channel. The single-channel conductance lambda was found to decrease with increasing membrane thickness d, if d was varied by increasing the chain length of the lipid. On the other hand, if d was changed by varying the solvent content of the membranes formed from one and the same lipid, lambda remained constant. These observations were explained by the assumption of local inhomogeneities in the membrane thickness. A striking difference between the lambda values obtained from autocorrelation analysis in the presence of many presence of many channels (lambda a) and those obtained from single-channel experiments (lambda sc) occurred with membranes from longer chain-length monoglycerides. This difference disappeared at low ion concentrations. Electrostatic interactions between channels in local clusters were proposed for an interpretation of these findings.
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64,262
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Raman spectroscopic investigation of the interaction of gramicidin A with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes.
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The interaction of gramicidin A with dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine liposomes is investigated by Laser-Raman spectroscopy. As revealed by the methylene C-H stretching mode the phase transition of the hydrocarbon chains near 40 degree C is eliminated in the presence of gramicidin A. Liposomes prepared from a mixture of lecithin and cholesterol seem to be unaffected by gramicidin A and show only the normal broadened phase transition.
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64,264
|
Factor VIII coagulant activity and factor VIII-related antigen released from isolated perfused human spleens.
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Eight human spleens were perfused for up to 65 h at normothermia and the coagulant Factor VIII activity measured in the perfusate. In addition, in three experiments Factor VIII-related antigen was determined in the perfusate. Although the spleens were pathologically enlarged and the normal structure involved by different diseases, all spleens released Factor VIII coagulant activity and Factor VIII-related antigen. On average the total amount of Factor VIII coagulant activity released was equivalent to that of 3.5 l of human plasma.
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64,265
|
Audiovisual materials: a survey of bibliographic controls in distributors' catalogs.
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The current pattern of bibliographic control in audio-visual distributors' catalogs is described. Eight bibliographic control elements are defined, and the criteria for evaluating the occurrence of these elements in sixty-four sample catalogs are specified. When the distributors are grouped according to category, such as educational or commercial, the pattern of bibliographic control has three distinct clusters of elements. When the distributors are grouped by the number of titles handled, there is no clear pattern. The implications of these patterns are discussed in terms of practical library reference services. A solution to the problem of bibliographic control of health science audiovisual materials is proposed.
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64,266
|
A two-phased model for library instruction.
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This article describes two methods of library orientation and instruction: self-paced audiotapes and computer-assisted instruction (CAI). The tapes are used to orient the user to the libraries' physical facilities, policies, services, and tools, while CAI is used to provide detailed library information in an interactive mode.
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64,268
|
Detrusor and urethral dysfunction in prostatic hypertrophy.
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Assessment of bladder and urethral function in 9 patients with prostatic hypertrophy before and after transurethral resection of the prostate was performed utilising gas cystometry, detrusor reflex activating procedures, combined electromyographic and gas urethral pressure profilometry and uroflowmetry. A high incidence of detrusor hyperreflexia was found preoperatively indicating neurogenic dysfunction of the bladder. Removal of the obstructive tissue implied a change in detrusor reflex function in a part of the patients confirming the findings from a larger series studied with watercytsometry. Decompression or injury of sensory nerve endings in the prostatic urethra thus seem to determine detrusor function after surgery to the prostate. The impact of the resection upon urethral function was an increase in maximum urinary flow due to a significant shortening of the functional urethral length. No change in maximum urethral intramural pressure could be demonstrated.
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64,267
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Testosterone metabolism in benign prostatic hypertrophy: in vivo studies of gestonorone caproate and cyproterone acetate.
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18 patients with obstructive benign prostatic hypertrophy were studied. A 5-day treatment with gestonorone caproate (200 mg daily and 200 mg on alternate days) and cyproterone acetate (300 mg daily) suppressed the plasma LH and serum LH levels. Subsequently, H3-testosterone was injected intravenously and its elimination from plasma and uptake and metabolism in the BPH tissue studied. The elimination of total radioactivity and H3-testosterone from plasma was not altered after the 3 treatment regimens as compared to the control group. The uptake of total radioactivity into BPH tissue and its intraprostatic metabolism particularly to dihydrotestosterone was significantly suppressed in the patients with daily injections of gestonorone. Cyproterone acetate and gestonorone caproate on alternate days did not cause this effect.
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