Heme synthesis in anemia of the uremic state

Anemia is a constant complication of uremia. As it has been suggested that uremic toxins (middle molecules) play an important role in the mechanism of anemia, we studied the activities of three heme-synthesizing enzymes: delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, porphobilinogen deaminase and ferrochelatase. In 26 patients on regular dialysis therapy, all three enzymes had significantly lower values than in normal control subjects. From our results, it can be assumed that the decreased heme biosynthesis in chronic uremic patients might be caused by a lack of erythropoietin or by uremic toxins inhibiting erythropoietin and/or heme-synthesizing enzymes.

Changes in Chloroplast Membrane Lipids during Adaptation of Barley to Extreme Salinity

During adaptation of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedlings to extremely high concentrations of sodium chloride in the root space, the content of galactolipids of chloroplast membranes decreased considerably. Alterations in membrane lipids were due to the high concentration of ions rather than to the increase in the water potential. Sodium chloride was accumulated in the leaf cells and affected lipid-synthesizing enzymes such as galactosyl transferase and acylase which are attached to the chloroplast envelope. The return of salt-adapted barley seedlings to a nutrient solution with low salt concentration resulted in a reversal of the observed changes. It is suggested that the decrease in content of galactolipids in biomembranes is one of the factors causing increased salt resistance in barley plants which are adapted to extreme salinity.

Respiration of hydrogenosomes of Tritrichomonas foetus. II. Effect of CoA on pyruvate oxidation

Hydrogenosomes of the anaerobic flagellate Tritrichomonas foetus can use oxygen as terminal electron acceptor in pyruvate metabolism. In particles broken with the detergent, Triton X-100 or by repeated freezing and thawing, pyruvate-supported respiration is greatly enhanced by coenzyme A. Additions of small amounts of CoA result in a phenomenon resembling respiratory control. ADP and GDP also have a stimulatory effect; however, the rate of respiration in the presence of saturating concentrations of CoA is always much higher than with saturating concentrations of ADP or GDP. The results suggest that the availability of CoA as acetyl acceptor is the primary controlling factor of pyruvate oxidation and that the observed effect of nucleotide diphosphates (Cerkasov, J., Cerkasovová, A., Kulda, J., and Vilhelmová, D. (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253, 1207-1214) is explained by their participation in reactions that liberate CoA from acyl-CoA complexes in connection with substrate level phosphorylation.

Chemical and structural alterations at the cell surface of Candida tropicalis, induced by hydrocarbon substrate

The surface-localized polysaccharide of alkane-grown cells of Candida tropicalis was identified as mannan containing approximately 4% covalently linked fatty acids. Glucose-grown cells lacked the mannan-fatty acid complex. The surface structure of alkane-grown cells showed a radial arrangement of the wall polymers, with protruding parts. The cell surface of glucose-grown cells was smooth, with a coherent outer limit. The mannan was localized by using concanavalin A. Masking of the mannan with concanavalin A reduced the binding affinity of the surface for alkane, indicating the involvement of the surface-localized mannan-fatty acid complex in the binding of alkanes.

[Transhepatic occlusion of bleeding oesophageal varices in cirrhosis of the liver (author's transl)]

The transhepatic method for occluding bleeding oesophageal varices described by Lunderquist and Vang has been carried out in eight patients. The technique, success rate and complications are discussed. In two patients attempt at thrombosis was unsuccessful. One patient suffered a fatal complication. Recurrent bleeding occurred from four days to four months. Bearing in mind the efficiency of the method, its risk, compared with other palliative measures, is acceptable.

[Clinical study on experimental Theileria annulata infections of cattle. 1. Clinical-chemical studies]

The extent of liver and kidney damage in 10 young steers, infected with a stabilate of Theileria annulata, was estimated by the determination of enzymes (GOT, GPT, SDH, ALD), serum levels of bilirubin and urea. At the same time the effectiveness of some liver protecting medical agents was tested. The following results were obtained: Change in the activity of the enzymes GOT, SDH and ALD and the increase of bilirubin during the advanced course of the disease are indicative of severe tissue damage in the liver. The levels of urea were found to be in the normal range with only a few exceptions. This seems to exclude the involvement of the kidney in the disease. The group of animals receiving liver protecting medication did not show any difference compared with those animals without medication.

A modified procedure for the rapid preparation of efficiently transporting vesicles from small intestinal brush border membranes. Their use in investigating some properties of D-glucose and choline transport systems

We have worked out a simplification of the procedure described by Schmitz et al. (Biochim. Biophys. Acta (1973) 323, 98--112) for the preparation of brush border membranes from small intestine. The procedure ultimately adopted is simple, rapid, does not necessarily require scraping and can be started from fresh or frozen material. It can be scaled up easily, allowing a quick production of large amounts of brush border membrane vesicles. These vesicles prove to be excellently suited for transport studies, as suggested by our measurements of D-glucose transport. Using these vesicles, the mode of choline transport across the brush border membrane was also investigated. Choline transport was found to occur by a saturable component with a Km of 83 +/- 4 micrometer (at 20 degrees C) and by a non-saturable component. It is independent of the presence of Na+ and appears to be non-electrogenic.

Assay conditions and the demonstration of nitroimidazole resistance in Tritrichomonas foetus

Tritrichomonas foetus KV(1), a nitroimidazole-susceptible strain, and KV(1)/M100, its nitroimidazole-resistant daughter strain, differed markedly in their in vivo susceptibility to metronidazole. In vitro susceptibility testing in multiwell plates and tubes with different trichomonad media containing no, or low concentrations of, ascorbate demonstrated that the resistant strain behaves like the susceptible one, if tested under anaerobic conditions (deep cultures in tubes or multiwell plates in anaerobic jars), but shows resistance if tested in the presence of air (multiwell plates exposed to air). In media containing high concentrations of ascorbate, no resistance was observed even in air. The results suggest that the two strains differ in the regulation of internal redox systems and underscore the role testing methods may play in the in vitro detection of nitroimidazole-resistant protozoan parasites.

Absence of strand breaks in deoxyribonucleic acid treated with metronidazole

The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-degrading potential of metronidazole was evaluated in vitro by three techniques: determination of melting curve, measurement of viscosity, and centrifugation in neutral or alkaline sucrose gradients. Studies were performed on calf thymus DNA and on (3)H-labeled or unlabeled pneumococcal and T7 phage DNA after treatment with metronidazole alone or metronidazole reduced by sodium dithionite in the presence of DNA. This latter process is known to elicit covalent binding of metronidazole to DNA. Reduced or unreduced metronidazole had no effect on the melting properties, viscosity, or sedimentation velocity of the nucleic acids studied. Sodium dithionite alone, however, caused a 25% decrease in the intrinsic viscosity of pneumococcal DNA, and decreased the sedimentation velocity of pneumococcal and T7 phage DNA in both neutral and alkaline sucrose gradients. These data suggest that degradation of DNA is not important in the interaction of metronidazole with nucleic acids, an interaction assumed relevant to the cytotoxic, radiosensitizing, and mutagenic activities of this compound.

The structure and morphology of the abnormal serum lipoprotein-X

The structure and morphology of an abnormal lipoprotein particle present in the serum of patients with obstructive jaundice has been investigated by gel filtration, electron microscopy and NMR spectroscopy. Lipoprotein-X is a spherical lipoprotein particle with an average Stokes diameter of approximately 40 nm and a wide size distribution ranging from 20 to 70 nm. Different from all lipoprotein structures known so far lipoprotein-X is a hollow particle (= vesicle) with a water-filled internal cavity surrounded by a continuous, single bilayer which is impermeable to cations and K3Fe(CN)6. The packing of the bilayer is tighter and the segmental motion of both the polar group and the hydrocarbon chains are significantly reduced relative to typical phosphatidylcholine bilayers. In terms of segmental motion and anisotropy of packing the lipoprotein-X bilayer closely resembles a model bilayer system consisting of phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin and cholesterol mixed in the same molar ratio as in lipoprotein-X. In that model system the phospholipid distribution between the two layers of the bilayer is asymmetric with (sphingomyelin + lysophosphatidylcholine) being preferentially located on the inner layer and phosphatidylcholine preferentially on the outer layer of the bilayer. By analogy with the model system the phospholipid distribution in lipoprotein-X bilayers is proposed to be also asymmetric.

[Caries prevention by means of a Na2FPO3-toothpaste after 7 year's application]

After 7 years unsupervised use of a Na2FPO3 paste the number of new DMF-surfaces was 36 to 38% lower than in the control group. The caries-inhibiting effect is statistically significant (P less than 0.001). Separate consideration of the first molar reduced caries of the other teeth to 40--42%.

Natural antibody in mammary tumor virus-infected mice that reacts with intracytoplasmic A particles of mouse mammary tumors

By an indirect immunofluorescence technique with prolonged serum incubation on murine mammary tumor (MT) slices, 179 of 424 mice examined were found to possess natural serum antibody (antibodies) that reacted with intracytoplasmic A particles (iAp) of MT cells. The immunologic specificity of this antibody was supported by absorption and blocking experiments. Furthermore, a strong similarity was seen between the mouse antibody reaction on various MT and the fluorescence pattern of rabbit anti-iAp antiserum on these tumors. In female mice, incidence and geometric mean titers of the antibody in part were correlated to the spontaneous MT frequency of the mouse strains examined. Some mice of the strains XVII/Bin and CBA/BinfXVII/Bin, hitherto regarded as "free" of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MuMTV), also contained anti-iAp antibody in their sera. In contrast to MuMTV)-producing CBA/Bin micethese animals did not possess detectable spontaneous antibody reacting with MuMTV-B particles. Therefore, hypothetically, the antibody response in these mice might be induced by incomplete MuMTV expression. In the strain CBA/Bin, females 4 months old and older possessed the antibody in significantly higher geometric mean titers when compared to 4-week-old female mice. The history of lactation seemed to have no influence on the titer of antibody. In the comparatively high MT strains CBA/Bin and C3H/Bin, adult (4-month-old) females had the antibody in significantly higher levels when compared to age-matched males.

Immunological tumour profile: organ-specific carcinoma diagnosis in patients employing the macrophage electrophoretic mobility test

The macrophage electrophoretic mobility (MEM) test provides a highly sensitive in vitro technique for the detection of cell-mediated immunity in man. The principle involved is the lymphokine-mediated reduction of the negative surface charge of guinea pig macrophages shown by the slowing of the macrophages during cell electrophoresis. Lymphocytes from 162 patients were tested by MEM. They were exposed to a battery of KCl extracts from normal and malignant human tissues, to encephalitogenic protein (EP), to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and to thyroglobulin. Variable lymphocyte responses to EP, CEA and KCl extracts from different cancers gave MEM reaction profiles common to patients with carcinomas of the same organ origin.

Electron microscopic investigations of intracytoplasmic A particles in mouse mammary tumours

Mouse mammary tumour cells were investigated with special regard to intracytoplasmic A particles using ultrahistochemical techniques, especially for the detection of DNA. The findings are discussed in connection with biochemical and immunological results, previously reported by several groups.

The stichosome and its secretion granules in the mature muscle larva of Trichinella spiralis

The stichosome of the mature muscle larva of Trichinella spiralis consists of a single row of 45 to 55 stichocytes. Each stichocyte is about 25 mum in diameter and possesses a single nucleus. A duct leads from each stichocyte to the lumen of the esophagus. The stichocyte cytoplasm contains mitochondria, structures resembling Golgi-complexes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and usually 1 of 2 types of secretory granules. The alpha-granule measures about 800 mn in diameter, contains a prominent inclusion, and has a granular matrix. The beta-granule is about 600 mn in diameter and is homogeneous in appearance. Both granule types are surrounded by a single membrane. Ten to thirteen stichocytes containing alpha-granules are confined to the posterior portion of the stichosome. After isopycnic centrifugation in sucrose gradient of large granule fractions obtained from cell-free homogenates, the alpha- and beta-granules show characteristic distribution patterns as revealed by the morphology of the fractions. The median equilibrium density of the alpha-granules is 1.245, while that of the beta-granules is 1.230. There is a correlation between the distribution of the granules and of antigens reacting with hyperimmune antitrichinella seruma. At least 4 unique antigens can be attributed to each of the granule types. Fractions enriched in mitochondria do not contain specific antigens. Antigens from both types of secretory granules cross react totally with those present in the excretion-secretion products of living muscle larvae. Cytoimmunochemical data show that antigens are distributed in a patchy fashion throughout the stichocyte cytoplasm. This finding is consistent with the distribution of the secretory granules in the intact stichocyte.

[The immunologic tumor diagnosis]

Issuing from a possibility of classification of tumour-associated antigens (TAA), corresponding to themodern state of recognition, the present situation of the immunological tumour diagnostics is discussed. The direct proof of tumour-associated antigens in the blood or in other body fluids, as one of the fundamental possibilities, is hitherto practically matured only for the alpha-fetoprotein and in this case only contribute to the diagnostics of liver carcinomas and malignant teratoblastomas. The determination of the carcinoembryonal antigen (CEA) in the serum or plasm has at present no essential diagnostic significance, may however, be used for the control of the therapeutic effect of cancer of the colon, rectum as well as the stomach. It is reserved for prospective studies to estimate the valency of the determination of CEA or fetal sulphoglycoproteid antigen in the gastric juice for the recognition of early carcinomas of the stomach. At present the proof of an immune response of the tumor carrier to TAA in vitro seems to be more favourable as a second way of the immunological tumour diagnostics. Sensitivity as well as specificity might here at first higher be estimated, when they are theoretically established. Whereas the inhibition test of leucocyte migration and technically similar variants in apparently sufficient specifity have an insufficient sensitivity and thus give too many falsely negative results the mobility test of the electrophoresis of macrophages in the modification of the immunological tumour profile distinguishes itself by a high certainty and by evidence on the probable localisation of the organ and the primary tumour (up to now verified for the cancer of colon and rectum, carcinomas of the stomach). Apart from the research of further principles, however, even for this test technological simplifications are to be found, before a broader use in routine work becomes practicable.

[Studies on the mechanism and duration of antibody-mediated immunosuppression (author's transl)]

The simultaneous injection of either 10(8) or 5 X 10(5) sheep erythrocytes (SE) and an allogeneic anti-SE serum into mice produced not only a suppression of the primary immune response, but, moreover, the secondary immune reaction elicited, either 4, 8, 12, 16 or 30 weeks after the primary antigenic stimulation, was found to be impaired. This was mainly demonstrated by the significantly reduced numbers of 7 S antibody-synthesizing spleen cells. The suppression of the secondary immune responses is hardly compatible with the conception that the antibody-mediated immunosuppression is solely due to an inactivation of the antigenic determinants by the passively administered specific antibody in the periphery of the immune system. This objection against the so-called "peripheric theory" is supported by a further finding. When mice primarily immunized by a simultaneous injection of 10(8) SE and anti-SE-serum were treated with 2 X 10(7) SE 24 hours before boostering with 10(8) SE, in order to eliminate a possibly existing residual activity of the passively administered specific antibodies given together with the primary antigenic stimulus, the secondary 7 S response was likewise found to be significantly suppressed. On the basis of these findings it is suggested that besides the "peripheric mechanism" a "central" effect plays a significant role in the phenomenon of antibody-mediated immunosuppression, this being due to the reversible or irreversible inactivation of immunocompetent precursor cells by the attachment of antigen-antibody-complexes which results in an inhibition of their differentiation into antibody-producing cells.

Congenital hemihypertrophy and malignant giant pheochromocytoma - a previously undescribed coincidence

This is apparently the first report on connatal hemihypertrophy with malignant pheochromocytoma. The coincidence of hemihypertrophy with other diseases, particularly neuroectodermal dysplasias on the one hand and the frequent association of neuroectodermal dysplasias with pheochromocytoma on the other, are emphasized. Furthermore, basically known particularities of this case as malignancy of the tumor, the unusual size of the tumor in children, and the normal catecholamine levels in serum as well as the normal excretion of vanillylmandelic acid are discussed.

Uptake of metronidazole and its effect on viability in trichomonads and Entamoeba invadens under anaerobic and aerobic conditions

[(14)C]metronidazole used at the chemotherapeutic concentration of 10 mug/ml is taken up rapidly by the anaerobic protozoa Tritrichomonas foetus, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Entamoeba invadens kept under anaerobic conditions. It can be calculated that within 30 to 60 min the intracellular concentration of the label is 50 to 100 times higher than in the medium. The presence of air markedly suppresses the uptake in the trichomonads and abolishes it in E. invadens. The suppression disappears after anaerobic conditions are established. The rate of uptake in T. foetus is dependent on the concentration of the drug in the range studied (1 to 200 mug/ml). Analysis of double reciprocal plots suggests that the drug enters the cells predominantly or exclusively by diffusion. The major factor driving the uptake is most likely the intracellular biotransformation of the compound. If less than 3 mug of drug per mg of protein is taken up by T. foetus no decrease in viability is observed. Above this level the cytotoxic activity corresponds roughly to the amount accumulated in the cell, irrespective of whether the conditions are anaerobic or aerobic.

[BPO-Specific, complement-dependant cell-lysis of differently sensitized sheep red cells: evaluation of haptenic groups and their influence on IgM and IgG-induced lysis (author's transl)]

Sheep erythrocytes were coated with bencylpenicilloyl-(BPO)groups. Different incubation periods resulted in erythrocyte preparations with different hapten density. Complement dependent lysis induced by IgM or IgG antibodies was studied with the cell preparations. The calculation of hapten density on the erythrocyte surface was not possible by direct measurement of coupled radioactive BPO since more than 90% of radioactive material was found in the soluble supernatant after osmotic cell lysis and less than 10% was fixed to the cellular membrane. Measurement of membrane bound immunologically relevant BPO-groups was achieved, therefore, by comparison of the inhibitory capacity of the test cells with that of a standard cell preparation. The latter consisted of tannic acid treated erythrocytes coated with protein complexed radioactive BPO. Surface hapten density of the different target cell preparations varied between 1.9 x 10(5) and 4.8 10(5) BPO-groups per cell depending on the time of incubation. Complement dependent antibody mediated cell lysis was significantly reduced by reduction of haptenic sites per target cell, IgG induced lysis being much more affected than hemolysis induced by IgM antibodies. Statistical calculations led to the conclusion that 18,000 protein islets per cell bearing 4 or more BPO-groups are not sufficient for hemolysis induced by IgG antibodies. 48,000 protein islets with this hapten density are necessary for "optimal" sensitization. IgG antibodies must be apparently bound to the cell surface in bivalent form.

[Clinical aspects of cystinuria and its treatment by thiola (author's transl)]

Cystinuria is an inherited disorder of amino acid transport affecting the epithelial cells of the renal tubules and the gastro-intestinal tract. Treatment consists of the prophylaxis of recurrent urolithiasis, which is the clinical manifestation of the disease. Long-term treatment with alpha-mercapto-propionyl-glycine (MPG; Thiola) promises to be successful. 3 cytinuric patients with recurrent urolithiasis underwent treatment over a period of 6 months. Therapy was controlled by regular follow-up investigations of the urinary excretion and serum levels of cystine and di-basic amino acids. The results did not indicate any permanent decrease in cystine excretion. No recurrence of renal calculi was observed. The possibility is discussed of a direkt mechanism of action of the drug on the metabolism of the involved amino acids.

Specificity of human antibodies to intracytoplasmic type-A particles of the murine mammary tumor virus

Large-scale studies showed that antibodies previously detectable in women with proliferating mastopathy or breast cancer were directed to intracytoplasmic type-A particles (iAp) of mouse mammary tumor virus. Immunofluorescence revealed the human antibodies to be bound only by those tumors producing a certain amount of iAp clusters visible by light microscopy. The intensity of the reaction corresponded to the iAp content of every tumor tested as revealed by electron microscopy and rabbit antisera to iAp. The fluorescence patterns obtained with positive human sera were similar to those obtained with rabbit antisera specific for iAp and resembled the tissue distribution patterns of iAp inclusions stained by acid fuchsin. The reaction with human sera was entirely blocked by rabbit antisera to iAp and, less so, by rabbit or mouse antisera to B particles. The human antibody activity was exhaustively absorbed by purified iAp or purified and disrupted B particles, which indicated that the human antibodies were directed to antigenic components shared by iAp and B particles. Preliminary immunoperoxidase studies supported the assumption that the human antibodies were bound to the iAp membrane; technical details might have accounted for the finding that the human antibodies reacted with the iAp but not with B particles in situ.

Further evidence for common antigens in intracytoplasmic A particles of mouse mammary tumors and B type virions of murine milk

Using the indirect immunofluorescence technique and radioimmunoprecipitation test (RIP test) according to ABELEV and ELGORT (1970) immunological investigations intracytoplasmic A particles isolated from mouse mammary tumors were performed. In order to purify the virus particles sucrose gradients were employed according to TANAKA et al. (1972) and in some details according to SMITH and WIVEL (1973). In immunofluorescence studies on mammary tumor slices a complete cross-reaction between antisera against A particles from mammary tumors and MTV-B particles from mouse milk was observed. Both kinds of antisera reacted in identical fluorescence pattern types with intracytoplasmic A particle clusters and with extracellular accumulations of B type virions, respectively, in tumors of different histological structures. RIP test studies suggest that these cross-reactions are attributed to three common antigens in A and B type viruses. Thus, there does not remain any doubt that intracytoplasmic A particles in murine mammary tumors are MTV-related. All these A particles antigens were identically detected using an antiserum against A particles isolated from mouse leukemia cells (serum kindly provided by Dr. TANAKA). The biological role of intracytoplasmic A particles in mouse tissues is discussed. In contrast to the precursor theory, it is believed that they could represent something like a nonsense way of particle maturation in MTV-infected cells.

[Investigation of the mucociliary clearance by means of 99mTc-labelled sulfur colloid (author's transl)]

The mucociliary system of the lung was studied in eight normal subjects and ten patients with chronic bronchitis, using sulfur colloids, labelled with 99mTechnetium. By recording the radioactive impulses over the lung with a scintillation camera and analysing the data with a computer, we were able to exclude extrapulmonary artefacts and to select central areas of the tracheobronchial tree. Time activity curves obtained over the central airways were interpreted by means of a model. In bronchitics the disappearance rate of the radioactive particles was found to depend upon the pattern of deposition and the degress of airway obstruction. Because of the good reproducibility in one and the same subject, the effect of drugs, influencing the mucociliary system, can be tested. We used a newly developed vagolytic substance which did not influence the mucociliary system and which reduced little the airway resistance in patients with chronic bronchitis at the administered dose.

[Influence of acute preload changes on the mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening of the left ventricle]

The cineangiographically determined mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (-vcf) has been used as a measure of basal cardiac contractility in man. In order to test the effect of acute changes in preload on -vcf, dextran was administered i.v. in steps of plus 2 percent, plus 4 percent and plus 6 percent of body weight to 8 closed-chest anesthetized dogs after minimizing cardiac reflex adjustments by 0.5 mg/kg propranolol i.v. and by cutting the vagi. -vcf, end-diastolic and end-systolic volume were estimated from left ventricular (LV) monoplane cinefilms in the right anterior oblique projection. At plus 2 percent and plus 4 percent of dextran -vcf remained unchanged as compared to control, i.e. after autonomic blockade. At plus 6 percent -vcf decreased significantly. LV max dP/dt increased significantly up to the step of plus 4 percent and decreased then slightly despite a further significant increase of LV end-diastolic pressure. In additional 6 dogs the largest volume load (plus 6 percent) was applied as the first step after control. Under these conditions there was no significant change in -vcf. In conclusion, -vcf appears to be essentially independent of changes in preload. Its usefulness as a measure of contractility is however limited by the negative inotropic effect of repeated injections of contrast dye.

[The effect of aneurysm resection on left ventricular function]

The effect of successful aortocoronary artery bypass surgery on left ventricular (LV) function was studied by angiography in 13 patients with coronary-artery disease and resection of a ventricular aneurysm. The following were calculated from single-plane right anterior oblique LV cine-angiograms: LV end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), ejection fraction (EF), percentage shortening of the medial perpendicular short axis (deltaM), mean velocity shortening of the circumferential fibres (VCF). The changes in the five hemi-axes of the anterior LV wall, and five of the inferior wall were averaged to give a value for relative anterior wall motion (SMV) and inferior wall motion (SMH). Changes in apical motion (SMS) were calculated from the percentage changes in the base-to-apex axis. The following mean values (x plus or minus s) were obtained four months before and 11 months after aneurysmectomy: EDVI (ml/m2) 154 plus or minus 27 (126 plus or minus 23), ESVI (ml/m2) 107 plus or minus 28 (56 plus or minus 15), SVI (ML/M2) 46.5 plus or minus 12.7 (69.9 plus or minus 23.1), EF (%) 32.6 plus or minus 8.0 (54.6 plus or minus 12.0), SMV (%) 6.1 plus or minus 10.0 (25.0 plus or minus 13.4), SMH (%) 25.9 plus or minus 13.1 (31.2 plus or minus 11.1), SMS (%) 5.1 PLus or minus 3.4 (13.1 plus or minus 4.2). These results indicated significant improvement in ventricular pumping action and wall motion after aneurysm resection and aortacoronary bypass surgery in patients with coronary-artery disease and severe cardiac failure.