Human antithrombin III heterogeneity

Crossed immunoelectrophoretic patterns were obtained on three patients with a congenital deficiency of anti-thrombin III (AT-III), and on normal single donor and "pooled" plasma controls. In the presence of heparin (incorporated into the agarose gel matrix), the AT-III of normal human plasma was separated into four components: two major, faster-moving components, and two minor, slower-moving components. The three patients with congenital deficiency of AT-III (levels approximately 50% of normal) appeared to possess only one of the faster-moving components, and one of the slower-moving components.

A controlled study of the results of femoral osteotomy in severe Perthes' disease

We compared 63 hips (Catterall Groups 3 and 4) contained by femoral osteotomy with 85 untreated hips and found that 50.7 per cent of treated patients developed congruous spherical femoral heads in contrast to 14.1 per cent of those untreated. We have also considered certain other features relevant to the outcome. We suggest that the indications should not be modified on the grounds of early age of onset. Relief from weight-bearing does not appear to improve the results of containment. We have assessed the shortening which follows femoral osteotomy and conclude that this is only significant when there is growth disturbance at the capital epiphysis. These changes are at least as frequent in untreated patients.

Growth cones in differentiated neuroblastoma: a time-lapse cinematographic and electron microscopic study

Growth cones of 'differentiating' neuroblastoma cells in monolayer culture were studied by time-lapse cinematography and electron microscopy. Morphological differentiation, and thus growth cone formation, was induced by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Growth cones lengthened gradually at an average rate of 30 microns/h, advancing in stages that involved alternating extensions and retractions of the filopodia and lamellar sheets. During neurite growth the cell body usually remained stationary. The ultrastructure of growth cones was typified by several filopodia, each containing a bundle of microfilaments, agranular endoplasmic reticulum, aggregates of large agranular vesicles lying adjacent to filopodia (previously termed vesicle-filled mounds), many dense-cored vesicles, 100-140 nm in diameter, microtubules, bizarre and distorted mitochondria, and scattered from ribosomes. Comparing the findings with previous ultrastructural accounts of growth cones of cultured ganglion cells, similarities outnumbered differences. The organization of the microfilament bundles and the abundance of free ribosomes were remarkable in the neuroblastoma cell as was the profusion of dense-cored vesicles which were most numerous in the proximal portion of the growth cone.

The inhibition of high and low molecular weight urokinase in plasma

The rates of inhibition of high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) urokinase (UK) incubated in plasma or with purified antithrombin III (AT-III) were compared. Using a fibrinolytic assay system to determine residual biologic activity, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to demonstrate the formation of complexes, and selective immunoprecipitation techniques to identify the plasma inhibitors participating in the neutralization process, it was established that: (A) HMW-UK is inhibited more rapidly than LMW-UK, both in plasma and with purified AT-III; (B) heparin (3--10 U/ml accelerates the neutralization process in both systems, but only slightly; and (C) in plasma, several inhibitors, alpha 2-macroglobulin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and antithrombin III, neutralize the activity of HMW-UK and LMW-UK.

Infant behavioral state and speech sound discrimination

In order to investigate the interaction between infant state and speech sound discrimination, records of state were obtained from infants participating in 3 speech sound discrimination experiments which employed the high amplitude sucking procedure. A total of 94 individual records were rated for state by 2 independent scorers. When treated as an independent variable, state interacted with responsivity to sound change as measured by sucking rate increases. Infants in the more alert states demonstrated significantly higher rates of sucking following sound change. Treating state as a dependent variable revealed that state was not significantly affected by a change in stimulus conditions.

Inhibition of Human Platelet Function Induced by Sulphinpyrazone

A single 400 mg dose of sulphinpyrazone (S) administered orally to 5 volunteers inhibited arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation and platelet MDA production ex vivo biphasically. The initial inhibitory phase coincided with the maximum plasma concentration of S but the second phase occurred 24 h after dosing when no plasma S was detectable. At 2 h the concentration of AA inducing half-maximal aggregation was increased 1.95 times and at 24 h by 1.61 times. Dosing 7 volunteers with 200 mg q.d.s. for 7 days and 5 volunteers with 400 mg b.d.s. for 5 days also led to inhibitory activity against AA-induced platelet aggregation and MDA production which declined to zero 48 h after the last dose. Platelet count, fibrinogen, F VIII, β-TG and AT III were not influenced by the longer term treatment but bleeding time was slightly extended in all but one subject.

Characteristics of intraluminal pressure sensing balloons of different materials

The physical properties of the balloons made of some polymeric substances were studied. The polyurethanes provided high frequency characteristics but air-leaking disqualified except ECD-651 which was most satisfactory: low permeability and ease of fabrication. Saran was proper but troublesome in making the balloon. Polypropylene and polyethylene, available in film, required heat sealing, which resulted in deformity and low frequency characteristics.

Histochemical demonstration of alkaline phosphatase in human large intestine, normal and diseased

Alkaline phosphatase activity has been investigated by histochemical methods in normal and diseased human large intestine. The tissues were constantly maintained at 4 degrees C or below. Specimens were either frozen in liquid nitrogen, freeze-dried and embedded in glycol methacrylate for sectioning at 2 mu, or, fixed in ice-cold formol-calcium for frozen sectioning at 10 mu. The simultaneous coupling azo dye method using the substrates sodium alpha-naphthyl phosphate and Naphthol AS-BI phosphate, resulted in the demonstration of alkaline phosphatase activity in the surface epithelial cells, and the middle and upper crypts, of normal and transitional mucosa.

An analysis of the components of the pulmonary shunt equation: significance of the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, arterio-venous oxygen content difference, and mixed venous oxygen pressure

Pulmonary shunt calculated by the Berggren method is commonly used as an indicator of pulmonary function. Although there is usually a good correlation between the shunt and the A-aDO2, other physiologic parameters involved in the shunt equation may significantly alter pulmonary function. The purpose of this study is to show the contribution of the PVO2 and a--v diff to the shunt equation. Data from eight selected patients with A--aDo2 values ranging from 300 to 395 torr and calculated shunts ranging from 6 to 35% were selected for this purpose. In patients with significant changes in PVO2 and a--v diff, the A--aDO2 is more reliable as an indicator of pulmonary function than is the calculated shunt.

Inhibition of Human Platelet Function Induced by Sulphinpyrazone

A single 400 mg dose of sulphinpyrazone (S) administered orally to 5 volunteers inhibited arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation and platelet MDA production ex vivo biphasically. The initial inhibitory phase coincided with the maximum plasma concentration of S but the second phase occurred 24 h after dosing when no plasma S was detectable. At 2 h the concentration of AA inducing half-maximal aggregation was increased 1.95 times and at 24 h by 1.61 times. Dosing 7 volunteers with 200 mg q.d.s. for 7 days and 5 volunteers with 400 mg b.d.s. for 5 days also led to inhibitory activity against AA-induced platelet aggregation and MDA production which declined to zero 48 h after the last dose. Platelet count, fibrinogen, F VIII; ß-TG and AT III were not influenced by the longer term treatment but bleeding time was slightly extended in all but one subject.

Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds. 21. Murine oncolytic and antifertility effect of adamantylaziridine compounds

P,P-Bis(1-aziridinyl)-N-adamantylphosphinic amide and N,N'-bis(ethylene)-P-(1-adamantyl)phosphonic diamide were synthesized as potential anticancer and male antifertility agents. Log P values (octanol-water) of the agents were determined and compared to calculated values. Both derivatives displayed intraperitoneal murine antileukemic activity and antifertility effects when given intraperitoneally and orally.

Mirex residues in nontarget organisms after application of 10-5 bait for fire ant control, northeast Florida--1972-74

The 10-5 bait formulation of mirex insecticide was applied to a 20,000-acre area of northeast Florida. For 24 months after application, samples of a wide variety of fauna were collected and analyzed for mirex content. Insects accumulated mirex to the greatest extent in the first 6 months after application; most residues had decreased greatly by 12 months. Other invertebrates showed low mirex levels during the first 9 months after application and none after 12 months. Fish possessed low levels of insecticides for 9 months; amphibians showed mirex residues for 12 months after application. In general, reptiles had low levels throughout the 24-month period and mammals had higher levels, particularly in fat tissues. Birds consistently had low to moderate mirex levels. After a single application of 10-5 mirex bait, only relatively low levels of insecticide were detected in exposed fauna. After 24-months, mirex was found infrequently and at low levels.

Influence of dietary fat on fatty livers of choline-deficient rats

Our purpose was to evaluate the influence of type of dietary fat on nature and severity of liver lipid changes induced in male weanling rats by low choline diets. Beef tallow, a blend of tallow and safflower oil (SO) each provided 48% of total energy value of a control diet and a low choline diet. Livers from choline-deficient rats fed tallow, blend, or SO diets contained approximately 4.5, 5, and 2.5 times as much lipid, respectively, as livers from corresponding control groups. Liver lipids from rats fed SO diets as compared with those from rats fed tallow diets contained lower percentages of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, and higher percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Values for groups fed blend diets were intermediate, except for 18:0 and 20:4 in the control group. Choline deficiency resulted in significant increases in proportions of the predominant fatty acid(s) of the dietary fat in liver lipids (but not in fat pad lipids) at the expense of 18:0 and 20:4. Ratios of 16:0 to 18:0 in both liver and fat pad lipids were greater in choline-deficient than in corresponding control groups, probably reflecting greater fatty acid synthesis.

Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds. 20. Thiophosphorus hydrazones

Six pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde, one pyridine N-oxide 2-carboxaldehyde, and five diketone thiophosphoric hydrazones, three thiophosphoric hydrazides, and two cupric chelates were synthesized. The chelates and nine of the hydrazones were tested against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Seven of these latter agents were administered concurrently with either cupric and/or ferrous salts to mice bearing this tumor. The greatest activity was found with the chelate, cimethyl pyridine-2-carboxyaldehyde phosphorothioic hydrazone-copper (1:1). The hydrazone portion of this chelate also formed a ligand-copper (2:1) complex. Although all of the hydrazones but one were inactive when evaluated alone, the concurrent injection of cupric ion increased survival times by an avoli alkaline phosphatase was found to be inhibited by two thiosemicarbazones in a manner similar to that previously reported by these agents against alkaline phosphatase derived from Sarcoma 180-6-thiopurine resistant ascites cells. None of the 14 hydrazides or hydrazones tested against E. coli enzyme displayed significant inhibition.

Ultracryotomy of biological tissues to preserve membrane structure

A vacuum transfer stage is described which permits visualization of ultracryotome sections without the considerable distortions found in sections which have either thawed or rehydrated after freeze drying. Membrane structure-nucleus, nucleolus, mitochondria with their cristae and plasma membrane-was observed only in cells at the surface of the tissue which had undergone the fastest freezing rates. Inspection of knife damage in sections through these superficial cells showed that glass or diamond knives which are perfectly adequate for sectioning resin-embedded tissues are less suited to sectioning frozen biological tissue. Deeper in the tissue, where the freezing rates were slower, ice crystal cavities destroyed all membranous structures.

Haemoglobin C and haemoglobin O Arab-thalassaemia in families of Greek origin

A case of Haemoglobin C trait and a family with Haemoglobin O Arab thalassaemia from Greece are described. Both Haemoglobin C and Haemoglobin O Arab were identified by peptide analysis.

New look at pelvic exenteration

Our experience with 18 patients undergoing pelvic exenteration for advanced primary or recurrent pelvic malignancies is presented. Only one postoperative death was noted, and morbidity was minimal despite the advanced age and high incidence of radiotherapy failures seen in our patients. Although no improvement in cure of malignancy has been seen in this small series, appreciable periods of symptom-free life have been achieved in patients who were previously incapacitated by extensive pelvic pain, fistulas, sepsis, hemorrhage and urinary-fecal incontinence. Because of the symptomatic palliation obtained in our experience, with minimal morbidity and mortality, we have developed a liberal attitude toward the use of pelvic exenteration in the management of selected patients with extensive pelvic malignancy, even when cure is not anticipated.

Ischemic colitis after abdominoperineal resection

Four cases of ischemic colitis occurring at intervals from 3 months to 7 years after abdominoperineal resection are described. In 3 of the 4 cases patency of the direct arterial supply to the ischemic segment was documented. The lack of collateral circulation provided by the resected colon probably increases the risk of developing ischemic colitis in the remaining colon.

Hemoglobin-A2-Coburg or alpha2delta2116Arg leads to His (G18)

Hemoglobin-A2-Coburg or alpha2delta2-116 Arg leads to His (G18) has been found in members of a family of Sicilian origin. The propositus is heterozygous for hemoglobin-A2-Coburg as well as for beta-thalassemia, and family data indicate that the gene for the delta-Coburg chain is in trans of the beta-thalassemia determinant.

Septic lung and shock lung in man

Two series of patients were studied by serial measurements of blood gas exchange and pulmonarmonary dysfunction and to evaluate the dangers of respiratory failure in post traumatic patients. There were 27 patients who had sustained profound hemorrhagic shock and massive blood replacement averaging 9.7 liters and 38 patients who suffered general peritonitis or other forms of fulminating nonthoracic sepsis. All were supported by endotrachael intubation and volume controlled ventilators. The overall mortality for the post shock patients without sepsis was 12% while in the septic patients it was 35%. The maximal pulmonary arteriovenous shunt encountered in the post hemorrhagic shock patients at 36 hours averaged 20 plus or minus 8% and was accompanied by high cardiac indices (average 5.1 plus or minus 1.3 L/M-2/min) but no significant rise of pulmonary arterial pressure or peak inspiratory pressure (PIP). Severe pulmonary dysfunction subsequently occurred only in those patients who later became septic. The studies on the septic patients were divided according to the magnitude of the cardiac indices (the high indices averaged 4.8 plus or minus 1.6L/M-2/min) and thelow indices averaged 1.9 plus or minus 1.0 L/M-2/min. In the former, the average maximal shunt of 30 plus or minus 6% was sustained for 4 or more days, accompanied by an elevation of PIP to 36 plus or minus 6 cm H2O and by Pa pressure of 28 plus or minus 5 mm Hg. The patients in low output septic shock usually had an associated bronchopneumonia and had an average venous admixture of 34 plus or minus 8% and PIP values of 41 plus or minus 8 cm H2O. The mean Pa pressure in this group was 29 plus or minus 6 mm Hg.

Comparison of Rorschach anatomy responses from psychosomatic out-patients and a matched group of psychiatric controls

35 out-patient Ss with demonstrable psychosomatic symptoms were matched with 35 psychiatric out-patients with "milder" forms of psychopathology, i.e., neurosis, personality disorders and latent schizophrenia. The psychosomatic group showed significantly more anatomy responses on the Rorschach but there was much overlap, leading to the conclusion that anatomy does not directly reflect simply psychosomatic disturbances but, rather, is associated with psychodynamics which tend to underlie psychosomatic illnesses.

Further data on the incidence and segregation of genetically determined electrophoretic variants of human red cell NADH diaphorase

Human red cell NADH diaphorase isozyme patterns have been examined in 3,060 unrelated Australians of European origin, by starch gel electrophoresis. 26 people with variant isozyme patterns were encountered: 12 were phenotype Dia 2-1 and 13 were Dia 4-1. A new variant isozyme pattern (Dia 7-1) was identified. No variants were identified in 100 Melanesians and 70 Australian Aborigines.

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