Metabolism of platelet-activating factor in neutrophils isolated from Pichinde virus-infected guinea pigs

Metabolism of platelet-activating factor (PAF) was studied in cultured polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) obtained from Pichinde virus-infected strain 13 guinea pigs. Neutrophils obtained from control and infected guinea pigs on postinoculation days 10 and 14 were incubated with [3H]lyso-PAF, [3H]PAF, or [3H]acetate. After incubation for 1 h at 37 degrees C, formation of [3H]acyl-PAF from either [3H]lyso-PAF or [3H]PAF increased significantly in PMNs from infected guinea pigs compared to control PMNs. Furthermore, total radioactivity from [3H]lyso-PAF or [3H]PAF was higher in PMNs from infected animals than in those from controls. However, compared to PAF production by control PMNs, production of PAF by infected PMNs was unchanged. These results suggest that PMNs may not be the major source of increased blood PAF levels during Pichinde viral disease.

Technique for repeated collection of cerebrospinal fluid from cisterna magna of anesthetized strain 13 guinea pigs

To study biochemical changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), we developed a reliable technique for repeated collection of CSF in anesthetized strain 13 guinea pigs. The animal's head was mounted in a stereotaxic instrument with ventral tilt at 30 degrees, and cisternal puncture was made with an L-shaped, 23-gauge needle through the shaved skin. Clear CSF was collected in a 1-ml syringe surrounded by crushed ice. Each collection procedure lasted for 3 min, and three consecutive collections produced about 0.2 ml of CSF. Sampling was repeated at 3-hr intervals. With intravenous saline infusion (10 ml/kg.hr), a total volume of 0.6-1.0 ml of CSF was collected over 6 to 12 hr. Animals maintained a mean blood pressure, heart rate, and minute volume, with few changes during CSF sampling for the entire collection.

Pulmonary function in patients with pleural effusion of varying magnitude and fibrothorax

Pulmonary function was studied in sixty patients with pleural effusion and seventy patients with fibrothorax. The patients with pleural effusion were divided into three groups according to the extent of the effusion. The patients were submitted to spirometry and arterial blood gas analysis. The effects of pleural effusion on pulmonary function is evaluated with regards to the size of effusion. Small-size pleural effusion little affects arterial oxygen tension. Pleural effusion and fibrothorax have a similar pattern of pulmonary function.

Room-temperature microparticle-based persistent spectral hole burning memory

We show both theoretically and experimentally that a random distribution of spherical microparticles may be used as a spectral hole burning memory. This microparticle hole burning memory, which can be both written and read at room temperature, is a direct consequence of the properties of morphology-dependent resonances of microparticles.

From san gu liu po to 'caring scholar': the Chinese nurse in perspective

This study presents a re-evaluation of the origins of Chinese nursing from the earliest traditional carers to the mature, professionalized institution of the republican period. The influence of traditional cultural values on the nature of the modern profession is discussed and its emergence considered in historical context with particular attention to the role of missionaries, philanthropic institutions and other aspects of foreign intervention, both European and Japanese. The Chinese anti-imperialist response, as stimulated by the 'May 4th Movement' and later the Sino-Japanese war, is shown to be an important ingredient in the transition from foreign to national control of the profession and in its achieving respect. Some doubt is cast on the assumption that Chinese nursing has followed a process of rapid convergence to the Western model.

Pulmonary function in the patients submitted to lung exeresis

The effects of lung surgery on respiratory function were investigated in 80 patients; 17 patients were submitted to left pneumonectomy (LPN); 11 patients were submitted to right pneumonectomy (RPN); 7 patients underwent a left upper lobectomy (LUL); 16 patients a left lower lobectomy (LLL); 17 patients were submitted to right upper lobectomy (RUL); 12 patients underwent right lower lobectomy (RLL). All patients were submitted to spirometry and arterial blood gas analysis. The effects of lung surgery on respiratory function depends upon the extent of the resected tissue.

[A preliminary study on the role of interleukin-1 in chronic lung disease]

Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage in 13 normal individuals, 17 lung cancer patients and 10 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were incubated in vitro for 24 hours. Every specimen was divided into two portions and lipopolysaccharides were used to stimulate PAMs to produce interleukin-1 (1L-1) in one. The levels of 1L-1 in normal subjects were 5547.65 +/- 2420.42 cpm/10(6) cells (stimulated) and 718.46 +/- 472.25 (unstimulated), which were higher than the 2733.20 +/- 1611.17 (stimulated, P less than 0.01) and 327.57 +/- 226.86 (unstimulated, P less than 0.05) in lung cancer patients, but lower than that of 8716.26 +/- 2977.66 (stimulated, P less than 0.05) in COPD patients. The enhanced 1L-1 activity in COPD patients might contributed to the active inflammatory process and tissue destruction of COPD. Our findings that 1L-1 activity in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma was decreased may reflect the local immune deficiency in malignant disease. The release of 1L-1 by PAMs stimulated by smoking was suggested to be associated with the development of COPD, but its role in immune response has to be determined.

[A survey on weight and height of children (1 month-7 years) and plotting of growth curves (1 month-18 years) in Taiwan, 1987-1988]

From July 1987 to December 1988, 19,625 children in Taiwan were measured for their body weights and heights. They were 9,564 boys and 10,061 girls and were seen either in a well baby clinic of a large community hospital or in the local kindergartens. We divided these children into 64 groups according to their sex and ages. The mean values and standard deviation of body weight and height were tried to correlate with those from children of school age reported for 1987 by the Ministry of Education. Furthermore, body weight and height growth curves were drawn for these children, aged from 1 month to 18 years.

Effect of ethanol on natural killer cell activity in vitro

The effect of ethanol on kinetic stages of natural killer (NK) cell activity was studied in vitro. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) were either co-cultured or pre-incubated with various ethanol concentrations and assayed for NK cell activity with a "4-hour chromium release assay" and a "single cell cytotoxicity assay in agarose" simultaneously. Direct addition of ethanol to the assay system resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of NK cell activity. The percentage of lysed conjugated target cells was suppressed from a control value of 21.2% to 17.0%, 15.1%, 11.8% and 10.0% with an ethanol concentration of 0.125%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1.0%, respectively. NK cell recycling was also inhibited. A 24-hour pre-incubation with ethanol, however, resulted in NK cell activity enhancement. The enhancement was around 20% with a 0.25% ethanol concentration and around 45% with a 0.5% and a 1.0% ethanol concentrations. The enhancing effect was noted mainly at the cytolysis stage after binding of effector cell with target cells.

Pathogenesis of viral hemorrhagic fevers: Rift Valley fever and Lassa fever contrasted

Although many viral infections have on occasion been associated with hemorrhagic complications, infection with any of several RNA viruses regularly results in vascular involvement and the syndrome called viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). In spite of clinically useful similarities among various VHFs, there are significant differences in their pathogenesis and clinical evolution; these are often related to characteristics of their viral taxon. Infection with Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus, a phlebovirus, appears to be regulated by interferon and terminated by neutralizing antibody. In contrast, Lassa fever (LF) virus, an arenavirus, is resistant to interferon, and LF is terminated by cellular immune effector mechanisms. The lytic virus-cell interaction typical of RVF virus suggests its major effects occur by direct, virus-induced cellular necrosis, particularly in the liver. In the primate RVF model, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) may be important. LF virus--characteristically noncytopathic--may exert its effects through induction of mediator secretion from infected macrophages. DIC does not appear to be a central pathogenetic mechanism in LF. Pichinde virus, which is not pathogenic for humans, provides an alternate model for study of LF. Infected guinea pigs do not show histologic lesions that could explain their body wasting, cardiovascular deterioration, and pulmonary edema. In the heart, for example, loss of tissue mass, protein, and contractile function proceed without direct viral involvement or myocarditis. Sulfidopeptide leukotrienes have been implicated as one relevant soluble mediator participating in the disease state.

Changes in body weight and body surface area in strain 13 guinea pigs infected with Pichinde virus

In studying pathogenetic mechanisms of Pichinde virus-induced disease in strain 13 guinea pigs, a large decrease of body weight (approximately 28%) observed within 14 days postinoculation raises a question concerning the validity of standardizing body or organ functions in terms of body weight. This study was to examine changes in body weight and body surface area of Pichinde virus-infected strain 13 guinea pigs after various days postinoculation. Control guinea pigs were also subjected to the same experimental procedures and experimental days. While body weights and body surface areas increased progressively in controls, I observed only slight decreases in body surface areas (4-6%) in the infected guinea pigs, despite large decreases of body weights throughout the 14-day experimental period. In conclusion, Pichinde virus-infected strain 13 guinea pigs demonstrated a small reduction of body surface area within 14 days postinoculation, suggesting that body surface area, rather than body weight, should be used for standardizing body or organ functions for comparison with their own baseline values.

Body surface areas and K values in strain 13 guinea pigs with different body weights and ages

Body surface areas (BSA) were determined for strain 13 guinea pigs with body weights ranging from 191 to 1011 g. For this determination, the entire skin of each animal was removed immediately after death and flattened on a wax film with a homogeneous paper. The skin outlines on the paper were cut and weighed for determining BSA. The K value was calculated for each guinea pig as the ratio of BSA (cm2)/body weight (g)2/3. Significantly different K values of 11.31 +/- 0.11, 9.66 +/- 0.09, 9.22 +/- 0.05, and 9.17 +/- 0.05 were determined for average body weights of 218 +/- 24, 527 +/- 33, 706 +/- 60, and 943 +/- 30 g, respectively. By plotting these K values on semilog paper and determining the best fit curve of the slope, it was possible to extrapolate exponentially the K values for different body weights. The relationship between age and body weight was also established for guinea pigs, and a series of K values were determined from birth to 35 weeks of life. We conclude that a different K value should be used for calculating BSA for various ages and body weights of strain 13 guinea pigs.

Transforming genes in duck hepatic carcinoma--mht(raf) and Ha-ras

The transfection of NIH 3T3 cells was performed with DNAs from 2 duck primary hepatic carcinomas (DHC 40K, 9K) and 1 tumor-adjacent liver tissue (TAL, 9N). Transfectants were found from 40K, 9K and 9N DNAs. The secondary transfectants were obtained after transfection of RAT-1 cells with DNAs from primary transfectants. After hybridization with Ha-ras, Ki-ras, N-ras and mht oncogenes, it was found that duck mht (5.2 and 3.2 kb EcoRI fragments) and duck Ha-ras (3.4 kb EcoRI fragments) were present in all these transformants. This is the first report on transforming genes in duck primary hepatic cancer as well as tumor-adjacent liver tissue.

Energy balance and growth rate of outbred and inbred male guinea pigs

Water intake, food consumption, growth rate, and rectal temperature were measured daily for 14 days and oxygen uptake was determined weekly for 3 weeks in healthy outbred (Hartley stock) and inbred (strains 2 and 13) male guinea pigs. Body weights ranged from 300 to 465 g, and ages were approximately 6 to 10 weeks. Strain-13 guinea pigs had the lowest daily body weight gain (3.27 +/- 0.33 g), when compared with strain-2 (4.04 +/- 1.21 g) and Hartley guinea pigs (5.72 +/- 1.08 g). Outbred guinea pigs also had highest values of water intake and water/food intake ratio(s), and had significantly (P less than 0.05 and 0.01) lower oxygen uptake values than did inbred guinea pigs. The ratio of daily average body weight gain to the corresponding daily retained calories, with or without corrections of body surface area (0.05 m2), was higher in Hartley stock than in the strain-13 guinea pigs. Rectal temperatures and food consumption were similar in all guinea pigs. Data indicated that the outbred Hartley guinea pig had a faster growth rate and appeared stronger physiologically, compared with inbred strains.

Observation of the in situ contracting heart of guinea pigs infected with Pichinde virus

The in situ beating hearts from anesthetized control and Pichinde virus-infected strain 13 guinea pigs, between days 7 and 19 postinoculation, were directly observed and video recorded. Although some hearts from Pichinde virus-infected animals were visually depressed and had altered contraction patterns, such a pronounced cardiac dysfunction was not associated with any marked histopathological changes in the cardiac tissue. The manifestations of cardiac dysfunction were limited mainly to the right side of the heart and occurred only from days 11 to 19 postinoculation. We suggest that certain biochemical "lesions" in the heart after lethal Pichinde virus infection may be present, which may have been caused by the actions of endogenous pathogenic mediators and an overall metabolic deficiency of the infected body.

Characterization of ciprofibrate and clofibric acid as peroxisomal proliferators in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

We have determined the comparative activities of peroxisomal proliferators, ciprofibrate and clofibric acid on various hepatic parameters associated with endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and peroxisomes in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. We have measured the activities of carnitine acetyltransferase and fatty acylCoA oxidase, and the amount of 60 and 80 kD polypeptides as biochemical markers of the peroxisomal function; laurate hydroxylase and cytochrome P-450 as markers of the endoplasmic reticulum; and carnitine palmitoyltransferase as a marker of mitochondria in primary cultures of hepatocytes. Ciprofibrate (0.01 to 0.3 mM) and clofibric acid (0.1 to 3 mM) produced similar changes in several components of cultured hepatocytes within 72 hr. Increases of protein (18 and 11%), carnitine palmitoyltransferase (23 and 97%), cytochrome P-450 (37 and 49%), carnitine acetyltransferase (484 and 614%), fatty acylCoA oxidase (529 and 931%) and laurate hydroxylase (624 and 671%) were obtained in hepatocytes after a 72-hr exposure to 0.1 mM ciprofibrate and 1.0 mM clofibric acid, respectively. In cultured hepatocytes, ciprofibrate was about 30-fold more active than clofibric acid for the stimulation of carnitine acetyltransferase, laurate hydroxylase and fatty acylCoA oxidase activities. Ciprofibrate was also more potent than clofibric acid as an inducer of the 60 and 80 kD proteins in hepatocytes. The maximal drug-induced increases in carnitine acetyltransferase activity were not additive, and the induction of carnitine acetyltransferase by ciprofibrate was blocked by addition (1 micrograms per ml) of cycloheximide or actinomycin D. Changes in protein and RNA synthesis preceded the drug-induced increases of carnitine acetyltransferase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evidence for the involvement of sulfidopeptide leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of Pichinde virus infection in strain 13 guinea pigs

Strain 13 guinea pigs inoculated subcutaneously with Pichinde virus developed fever, lost body weight, decreased water and food consumption, and died at 14 +/- 0.6 days. After FPL-55712, a leukotriene D4 antagonist, was administered beginning on PID (post-inoculation day) 3 for 18 days, the magnitude of body weight loss decreased and food intake increased, despite a persistent fever. The treated guinea pigs also survived significantly longer than infected animals receiving placebo injection (21 vs 14 days). Using guinea pig ileum bioassay and radioimmunoassay, we detected significant levels of plasma leukotrienes in Pichinde virus-infected guinea pigs on PID 11 and possibly PID 14. These findings strongly suggest that leukotrienes play a role in the pathogenesis of arenavirus infection and may account in part for the observed cardiac depression, pulmonary edema, and eventual death.

Inhibition of overall protein and RNA synthesis as a mechanism for the tunicamycin induced decrease in cytochrome P-450 in rat hepatocytes

In rat hepatocytes maintained in culture, cytochrome P-450 and NADPH cytochrome c reductase activities were decreased by tunicamycin in a dose and time dependent fashion. The effect of tunicamycin was mainly due to inhibition of protein synthesis. Tunicamycin decreased L-[35S] methionine incorporation into many proteins, including a 52 kDa cytochrome P-450 isozyme. Tunicamycin also reduced RNA synthesis. These results indicate that tunicamycin decreased cytochrome P-450 levels in hepatocytes by inhibiting protein and RNA synthesis.

Techniques for isolation and performance of the perfused guinea pig working heart

This study demonstrated new approaches which enabled evaluating the work performance in both ventricles of an isolated guinea pig heart. By changing the right atrial filling pressure (RAFP, preload) from 6 to 20 mm of Hg at a constant aortic pressure (Pa, 20 mm of Hg), cardiac output, stroke volume, aortic flow, coronary flow, cardiac work, O2 consumption, CO2 output, as well as end-diastolic ventricular, and pulmonary arterial pressures increased. Cardiac contractility and both ventricular systolic pressures reached peak values between 12 and 14 mm of Hg of RAFP and then gradually decreased. With graded increases of Pa (afterload) from 10 to 45 mm of Hg at a fixed RAFP (8 mm of Hg), coronary flow, cardiac contractility, cardiac work, cardiac O2 consumption, glucose utilization rate, and pulmonary arterial and both ventricular systolic pressures increased. Although aortic flow decreased with an increase in Pa, cardiac output, stroke volume, and coronary resistance did not show significant changes. Furthermore, cardiac mechanical efficiency decreased with an increase of pre- or afterload of the perfused isolated heart. These findings indicate that the total working heart model is suitable for studying cardiac functions.

Inhibition of protein synthesis: a basis for tunicamycin-induced decrease in rat liver cytochrome P-450

Tunicamycin caused a dose and time dependent decrease in cytochrome P-450 in rat liver. A dose of 50 micrograms/kg caused a decrease of about 50% in 72 hours. A similar decrease in the activities of rat liver microsomal aniline hydroxylase, aminopyrine N-demethylase and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase were also seen after the tunicamycin treatment. Tunicamycin also suppressed food and water intake but the decrease in cytochrome P-450 was not related to these effects. NADPH cytochrome c reductase was not markedly decreased by tunicamycin. A decrease in cytochrome P-450 was also observed in cultured rat hepatocytes treated with tunicamycin. It decreased incorporation of [35S]-methionine into total proteins as well as into various cytochrome P-450 isozymes of rat hepatocytes. This indicates that a decrease in protein synthesis may be responsible for the tunicamycin-induced decrease in cytochrome P-450 and drug metabolism.

Placentas in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes

PDMs tend to be large and the size is generally in proportion to fetal size. Infarcts are both more numerous and more common in PDMs than in normal placentas. These reflect the in utero hypoxia found in IDMs. Placental infarcts are increased not only in cases of severe DM (classes D, F-R) but also mild and early DM (class A). We infer from this that maternal vascular disease may be present functionally long before pathologic changes can be detected by direct examination of vessels. More subtle evidence of hypoxia in PDMs, such as an increased number of syncytial knots, has been suggested by qualitative data but has not been confirmed by morphometric analysis. Other qualitative observations in PDMs include thickened basement membranes, flattened microvilli on trophoblasts, ectasia of capillaries and villous stromal edema; changes in intracellular organelles and structures include enlarged mitochondria, increased pinocytotic vesicles, and dilated profiles of endoplasmic reticulum. Quantitative morphometric analysis shows no differences between normal placentas and PDMs with regard to these changes. The transport and secretory functions of the placenta, especially important in pregnancy complicated by DM, are not addressed here. As our understanding of placental physiology enlarges, it will be useful to relate each function with its structural counterpart. Perhaps this review will in part provide rational data from which to proceed with the task.

Two lethal chondrodysplasias with giant chondrocytes

Two infants, each with a different form of sporadic lethal chondrodysplasia, had multinucleated giant chondrocytes in resting cartilage. Both patients also had severe laryngeal stenosis and normal chromosomes. The radiographic abnormalities in one patient conformed to the recently delineated entity, atelosteogenesis (spondylohumerofemoral hypoplasia or giant cell chondrodysplasia); the other patient had an unclassified type of spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia. The findings in these two patients and the previously reported observations in spondylohumerofemoral dysplasia confirm that chondrocytic giant cells are a causally nonspecific phenomenon.

Changes in body fluid compartments, tissue water and electrolyte distribution, and lipid concentrations in rhesus macaques with yellow fever

Rhesus macaques were inoculated subcutaneously with 40 plaque-forming units of yellow fever (YF) virus. To identify pathophysiologic mechanisms of YF, rectal temperatures and evidence of viremia were observed daily; physiologic and biochemical changes were studied on postinoculation day (PID) 5. Marked viremia was detected on PID 2 through 5, and fever was first observed on PID 4. On PID 5, blood and plasma volumes and circulatory K+ values increased, whereas RBC volume, PCV, and plasma cholesterol concentration decreased. Total lipids (mainly triglycerides) accumulated in the liver of inoculated macaques; alterations in hepatic content of water, electrolytes, and trace metals were also observed. Certain parts of the CNS, skeletal muscle, skin, heart, diaphragm, and renal cortex were affected, with changes noticed in water, electrolyte, trace metal, and lipid concentrations. These tissue changes indicated that cellular metabolism was altered and that the transport mechanisms of cell membranes of certain tissues were modified by YF virus or the disease process caused by the virus. Terminal hypoglycemia (57.6 +/- 12.1 mg/dl) was observed. The YF-induced intracellular dehydration of the medulla oblongata at the later stage of illness may depress the cardiovascular and respiratory centers, thus contributing to death of rhesus macaques infected with YF virus.

Effect of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in rats on hepatic water content, electrolyte concentration, and chemical composition

Total hepatic water content, dry weight, protein, lipid, carbohydrate, RNA, DNA, and electrolyte concentrations were determined in control and Streptococcus pneumoniae-infected rats. During infection, there was a significant (P = 0.001) increase in total liver weight. This increase was the result of increased total liver water content and increased total liver dry weight. Intracellular water content, diameter of hepatocytes, and all measured constituents of hepatic dry weight, excluding DNA, increased significantly (P varied from 0.05-0.001) during infection. Concentrations of liver Na+ and Cl- increased significantly (P varied from 0.05-0.005), whereas the concentration of liver K+ decreased significantly (P = 0.01). Seemingly, there is an enlargement of hepatocytes due to increased intracellular water and increased dry weight during pneumococcal infection in the rat. The mechanism of these liver changes may be due, in part, to a shift of Na+ and K+ across liver cell plasma membranes.

Electrolyte metabolism in rhesus monkeys with experimental salmonella sepsis

Prior investigations in the human indicate that alterations occur in electrolyte balance and serum concentration during infectious diseases. In order to explore these alterations in greater detail, electrolyte metabolism has been investigated in rhesus monkeys with a sublethal illness induced by intravenous inoculation with Salmonella typhimurium. The response to this illness was evaluated by a variety of measurements including serum and muscle electrolyte composition and renal function studies. In the animals with ad libitum dietary intake, a loss in muscle and serum potassium concentrations was evident within 24 h after inoculation. This was reflected in increased urinary potassium losses during the febrile phase of illness. Serum and muscle K concentrations returned to normal after 5 days of illness. Sodium and water content of muscle responded to infection in a more complex pattern. During the febrile phase, muscle sodium and water increased and sodium concentrations in serum and urine were elevated. During convalescence, renal retention of sodium was marked and overlapped the period of weight loss and the increased urine volume. This asynchrony in recovery of normal renal function appeared to be the cause of relatively large swings in plasma sodium concentrations during the early convalescent period. These investigations indicate that the altered serum concentrations in infectious diseases are the sum of renal and extrarenal factors controlling electrolyte metabolism, and that some of the most remarkable alterations occur during early convalescence as renal function returns to normal.

Diurnal changes in rectal and body surface temperatures of conscious, chair-restrained rhesus macaques

A system has been established for continuous recording of rectal and body surface temperatures in conscious, chair-restrained rhesus macaques. Diurnal changes in rectal temperature and body surface temperatures of head, back, abdomen, and inner thigh were recorded for 24 hours under conditions of intermittent or constant light. When lights were on for 8 hours (0800 to 1600 hours) and off for 16 hours, maximal rectal temperatures (37.6 +/- 0.3 C) were observed at 0900 hours, whereas minimal rectal temperatures (36.7 +/- 0.4 C) were demonstrated between 0200 and 0400 hours. Mean rectal temperatures varied 0.9 C during a 24-hour period. A trend of diurnal changes in body surface temperatures was also observed with low surface temperatures recorded between 0400 and 0800 hours. The surface temperatures (33.8 to 36.5 C) were markedly lower than rectal temperatures (36.7 to 37.6 C) under the same experimental conditions. When macaques were subjected to constant light, high rectal temperatures were recorded between 0900 and 1700 hours and low rectal temperatures were observed between 2400 and 0300 hours with a mean variation of 0.7 C (36.3 +/- 0.15 to 37.0 +/- 0.2). Diurnal body surface temperature changes during constant light were less pronounced than those of rectal temperatures. Furthermore, low surface temperatures of abdomen and inner thigh recorded between 0200 and 0800 hours were similar to those obtained with macaques exposed to the light-dark condition.

Achondrogenesis: a review with special consideration of achondrogenesis type II (Langer-Saldino)

We describe two dwarfed infants with large head, short neck and chest, prominent abdomen, and short limbs. Both died neonatally. Radiographic and morphologic characteristics identified the Langer-Saldino form of achondrogenesis (type II). Review of type II achondrogenesis documented distinctive clinical and anthropometric manifestations (fewer stillbirths, longer survival time and gestation period, larger size of the baby, longer limbs, and characteristic craniofacial features) as compared with type I achondrogenesis (Parenti-Fraccaro).

Idiopathic arterial calcification in infancy. Report of a case in a premature fetus

A case of advanced idiopathic arterial calcification occurred in a macerated male fetus, 29 weeks' gestational age, delivered of a 22-year-old primigravida. The aortic valve, aorta, coronary arteries, ductus arteriosus, and pulmonary, mesenteric, periadrenal, and renal arteries were calcified and were detected on postmortem roentgenogram. Myocardial calcification and endocardial fibroelastosis were also present. The mother's calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase levels were normal. Vitamin D intake was not excessive. A maternal febrile illness at 18 to 19 weeks' gestation was the only untoward event during pregnancy.

Effects of intravenous and aerosol administration of crude Shigella toxin to rhesus macaques: preliminary study

Experiments were conducted to determine the dose response, survival time, blood biochemical changes, and cardiohepatic responses to a single IV injection of crude Shigella toxin in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Circulatory shock, hepatic falure, respiratory depression, dyspnea, convulsions, and coma were observed before death. The survival time was inversely related to the administered toxic dose, which ranged from 20 to 200 microgram/kg of body weight. However, the severity of lesions in the heart and gastrointestinal tract was directly correlated with the amount of the injected dose. Macaques exposed to aerosols of crude Shigella toxin did not show any signs of toxicosis within 7 days after exposure and were considered permanent survivors. Seemingly, an IV crude preparation of Shigella toxin is lethal to rhesus macaques, but an aerosol crude preparation of Shigella toxin is not.

Modification of lethality induced by staphylococcal enterotoxin B in Dutch rabbits

Intramuscular injection of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) at a dosage level of 50 microgram/kg of body weight caused death in Dutch rabbits. Lethality was not modified markedly by morphine pretreatment or by hyperthermia, thyrotoxicosis, propylthiouracil feeding, thyroparathyroidectomy, water deprivation, or fasting. The administration of acetylsalicylic acid to the SEB-inoculated rabbit also failed to protect the rabbits from the effect of SEB. Seemingly, the SEB molecular destruction was not markedly modified by alteration of cellular metabolism, and lethal effects of SEB remained unchanged in the morphine- or acetylsalicylic acid-treated rabbits. When SEB was given to six rabbits 3 days after total-body X-irradiation, fever persisted and three rabbits survived. An identical dose of SEB to nonirradiated rabbits produced fever initially, followed by hypothermia and death of all six rabbits.

Effects of intravenous injection of leukocytic endogenous mediator on cardiohepatic functions in rhesus macaques

A crude preparation of leukocytic endogenous mediator administered IV over a 10-minute period into a rhesus macaque at a dosage of 10 ml/kg of body weight resulted in hypotension, tachycardia, vasodilation, hypoalbuminemia, and hypoproteinemia. Decreases in cardiac and hepatic functions and biphasic changes in peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes also were seen. All measured changes, except hepatic functions and plasma albumin values, returned to base-line values within 24 hours. Data indicate that presently utilized crude leucocytic endogenous mediator preparations contain a heretofore undescribed, and as yet unidentified, component. Induced early cardiovascular changes may be related in part to certain compounds likely to be in the crude preparation.

Distribution of tissue water and electrolytes in normal rhesus macaques

Techniques for the determination of water and electrolytes in individual tissues of normal rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) are described. Base-line values are presented for intracellular and extracellular distributions of water and electrolytes in 14 tissues, including skin, skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius), cardiac muscle (left ventricle), lung, diaphragm, liver, renal cortex, outer medulla and inner medulla, cerebral cortex, cerebellum, thalamus-hypothalamus complex, medulla oblongata, and spinal cord.