Dose-related neurochemical changes in the levels of gangliosides and glycogen in various regions of the rat brain and spinal cord following methyl parathion administration

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neurochemical changes in the levels of gangliosides and glycogen of the cerebral hemisphere, cerebellum, brain stem and spinal cord following the intraperitoneal (ip) injection of the organophosphate pesticide methyl parathion (1.0 mg, 1.5 mg and 2.0 mg/kg) to each rat of the experimental group daily for 7 days. A remarkable dose-related depletion in the concentration of gangliosides was discernible in all the regions of the CNS. Also, the contents of glycogen exhibited a decrement in different parts of the brain with all the 3 dose-schedules following methyl parathion toxicosis. The results suggest that the levels of gangliosides and glycogen are affected dose-dependently in various regions of the rat brain and spinal cord.

Pharyngoesophageal dysfunctions. The role of cricopharyngeal myotomy

Eighteen patients were evaluated for primary symptoms of cervical dysphagia and/or laryngeal aspiration and subsequently had a cricopharyngeal myotomy. Twelve patients had a neurologic lesion as the cause of the symptoms. Four patients had a Zenker's diverticulum as demonstrated by barium contrast roentgenograms. Two patients complained of persistent suprasternal dysphagia following one or more antireflux repairs for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Esophageal manometry identified a pharyngoesophageal motor disorder in all but four patients, two of the four with Zenker's diverticulum and the two who had an antireflux procedure. The results show that cricopharyngeal myotomy should be reserved for patients with an identifiable motor disorder confined to the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, ie, failure of the pharyngeal pump or cricopharyngeal incoordination and/or incomplete relaxation. Exceptions to this rule are as follows: Zenker's diverticulum, in which an abnormality may not always be detected but of which the results of surgery demonstrate the effectiveness of this procedure; and pharyngoesophageal complaints associated with reflux, most of which resolve with the restoration of distal esophageal sphincter competence. In those few patients in whom these conditions persist, a cricopharyngeal myotomy may be beneficial. Caution should be used in applying the procedure to individuals who have had multiple antireflux repairs.

Technique and clinical importance of eustachian tube radiography

The intact eustachian tube is essential for a successful tympanoplasty. Since clinical function tests do not provide satisfactory results in every case, radiologic examination of the tube becomes very significant. The technique, which we have employed since 1966 in sixty-seven cases of transtympanic radiography of the eustachian tube, is described. The most important indications for this examination are discussed (cases of chronic middle ear suppuration, post-traumatic tube stenosis, and early diagnosis and clarification of tumors of the nasopharynx and middle ear). The transtympanic method is physiologic, simple to perform, and essential for hearing improvement.

Mitochondrial integrity and maltose utilization in yeast

Strains of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae able to utilize maltose only in the presence of functional mitochondria have been described. Two such strains Z104-4B and Z109-1C were isolated as revertants from parental strains unable to utilize maltose. These strains are unique in the sense that although they produce inducible maltase for normal growth on maltose agar plates in the presence of functional mitochondria, they are very poor fermenters of maltose under anaerobic condition. Glycerol negative mutants isolated from these strains simultaneously lose the ability to utilize maltose. One of the manganese induced glycerol negative mit- mutants Z104-4B-Mn1, reverts concomitantly to growth on glycerol and maltose agar plates. On the basis of results presented in this paper, we propose the possibility of existence of two alternate mechanisms for maltose utilization in yeast. An oxidative mechanism for which mitochondrial functions are indispensable, and a fermentative pathway for which mitochondrial integrity is not required.

Effect of a mild dose of X-irradiation on rats under stress

This investigation was apt at studying the effect of a mild dose of X-rays on the normal and shock administered rats. Administration of stress brought about a marked depression in the contents of DNA, RNA and protein in the brain. On the other hand, total body exposure to X-rays was found to increase the levels of DNA, RNA and protein in the brain. Thus, the use of a mild dose of X-rays in stressed animals seems to be stimulatory to the diminished levels of DNA, RNA and protein in the brain. There were rising levels of 5-hydroxy indol acetic acid and Vinyl mandelic acid in the urine of stress administered rats and the enhanced levels of these urinary metabolites appeared to be refractory to the application of X-rays.

A Revision of the Genus Stenozygum Fieber (Pentatomidae: Strachini) From the Oriental and Australian Regions, With Reference to Zoogeography and Phylogeny

Three new species of the genus Stenozygum Fieber, viz. pakistanensis and woodwardi in the subgenus Stenozygum Fieber and constrictus in Setozygum Ghauri, are described from the Oriental (Pakistan) and the Australian-Melanesian (Fiji) regions, with special reference to their male and female genitalia. The new species are compared with the type-species S.(S.) coloratum (Klug), a Palaearctic and Ethiopian species, and S.(S.) gemmeum (Walker), S.(S.) lepida (Walker) [previously treated as a synonym of gemmeum (Walker) (Kirkaldy, 1909)], S.(S.) pseudospeciosum Ghauri and S.(S.) speciosum (Dallas) from the Oriental region, and S.(S.) meridionale Gross and S.(S.) miniatulum Distant from the Australian region. The last six are redescribed, a key to all these species is given, and their relationships briefly discussed.

Congenital pericardial defect associated with atrial and ventricular septal defects

Congenital pericardial defects are rare anomalies but in recent years improved diagnostic techniques have often led to a pre-operative diagnosis. The present communication describes a case of a partial pericardial defect with herniation of the lung into the pericardium associated with a lung cyst which is extremely rare. The sternum showed some deficiency in its lower portion. Atrial and ventricular septal defects with a small pericardio-peritoneal foramen were also present.

Suppression of maltose-negative phenotype by a specific nuclear gene (PMU1) in the petite cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A small percentage of the primary petites isolated from strain 1403-7A-P1, constitutive for maltase synthesis, simultaneously lost the ability to utilize maltose and alpha-methylglucoside. Further studies showed that these primary petites were not stable with respect to maltose utilization. Approximately 30% of the secondary petites when isolated from the primary petites after vegetative growth were found to papillate on maltose plates. Tetrad analysis data revealed that a nuclear gene has reverted in these papillae, which is responsible for suppression of the maltose negative phenotype in primary petites. We have designated this nuclear gene as the PMU1 gene (petite maltose utilizer). The functional form of the PMU1 gene is required in addition to the MAL4 gene for both constitutive maltase synthesis and maltose utilization in cytoplasmic petite cells derived from strain 1403-7A-P1.

Genetic control of maltase synthesis in yeast. IV. Function of the MAL4 gene: extragenic suppression of a maltase negative mutant

A new series of maltase negative mutants have been isolated from yeast strains carrying the MAL4 gene. These mutants are allelic to the MAL4 gene and fail to ferment maltose, sucrose, and alpha-methylglucoside. Most revertants isolated from these mutants restore the ability to ferment above sugars, and also produce the same levels of maltase as the parental strains. One of the revertants (NA-520-R1), however, ferments maltose slowly, and produces 24 fold less enzyme than the parental strain. Genetic studies revealed that revertant (NA-520-R1), is not a true back mutation but is carrying an extra-genic suppressor, which suppresses the mal4 allele in mutant (NA-520). Since several lines of published evidence indicate that the MAL4 gene is a regulatory gene, it is suggested that the MAL4 gene codes for a regulatory protein, which acts as a positive regulatory element in maltase synthesis.

Genetic control of invertase formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. II. Isolation and characterization of mutants conferring invertase hyperproduction in strain EK-6B carrying the SUC3 gene

Invertase formation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is subject to repression by hexoses in the growth medium. Mutagen-induced (ethyl methanesulfonate or N-methyl-N-nitro-nitrosoguanidine) invertase hyperproducer mutants have been derived from the SUC3 MAL3 strain EK-6B by selecting for their ability to grow on media containing the sugar raffinose plus 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG). Raffinose like sucrose is a betta-fructoside which can be hydrolyzed by yeast invertase (beta-fructoside which can be hydrolyzed by yeast invertase (beta-fructofuranoside fructohydrolase). These mutants, designated dgr, produce higher levels of invertase (pi-glucosidase levels are also elevated but to a lesser extent) under conditions normally repressing invertase biosynthesis in the parent. Invertases of mutants dgr2 and dgr3 are indistinguishable from that of EK-6B with respect to their Km's for sucrose and thermal labilities. Genetic studies revealed that dgr2 and dgr3 are recessive and unlinked to the SUC3 gene.

Modified technique of tympanoplasty with functional results of 494 cases after 3 years

This paper gives the functional preliminary and final results of tympanoplasty as modified by Khan in types I--III in the form of a comparison. We examined 494 patients who were operated according to our modified technique. It is emphasized that in reconstruction of the middle ear, the use of a prepared fascial graft, homograft incus cartilage and external auditory meatal flap is sufficient. The preliminary and final results were documented with the aid of audiograms which were described and critically appraised according to two different types of evaluation. The evaluation did not only include the hearing results of tympanoplasty, but also the change in individual frequencies for all types. According to our appraisal of the operations with regard to social hearing the functional results of operations performed in our clinic may be considered above average. The hearing gain achieved from the preliminary postoperative control to the final examination is especially satisfying, since it also includes an improvement in bone conduction values.

Effect of the petite mutation on maltose and alpha-methylgucoside fermentation inSaccharomyces cerevisiae

Several hundred petite mutants were isolated from yeast strains of different genotype to examine the effect of the petite mutation on maltose and alpha-methylglucoside fermentation. In most cases petite mutants isolated retain the ability to ferment maltose and alpha-methylglucoside, although at a slower rate. In one strain (1403-7A), however, the ability to ferment alpha-methylglucoside is completely lost in all petite mutants isolated from this strain. It is suggested that mitochondrial factors may be involved in the utilization of alpha-methylglucoside in strain 1403-7A.

[Diagnosis and treatment of conductive deafness due to middle-ear effusion in childhood (author's transl)]

Results of follow-up examinations of 132 ears with serous or mucous middle ear effusions indicate that this disease is common in childhood and is also found in adults. In childhood adenoid growth as well as repeated catarrhal infection of the paranasal sinuses and the weakness of the levator palati play an important role in the development of middle ear effusions and deafness. With the aid of the operation microscope we were able to recognize this characteristic disease through the tympanic membrane. We perform regularly adenoidectomy together with paracentesis in this condition. In cases which had undergon several adenoidectomies we limit our treatment in the first instance to paracentesis. If cure is not so achieved we insert an inert tube into the tympanic membrane after the paracentesis. In persistent and difficult cases of glue ear radiation of the eustachion tube and antrotomy may be necessary.

[Histological study of otological homografts (incus, cartilage and fascia) (author's transl)]

To summarise our morphological findings of this study the following conclusions are drawn: In bone grafts growth of vital cells originating from the Haversian canals is clearly demonstrated. The growth of connective tissue in the Haversian system is understandable on general principles of pathology. The morphology of the change of osteocytes from fibrocytes through osteoblasts is photographically clearly shown and is in keeping with the findings of Steinbach and of Kerr and Smyth. New bone formation was detected at earliest nine months after implantation. Our investigations do not confirm whether this new bone formation occurs persistently in all cases or to what extent the original homograft material, preserves in cialit solution, takes part in this process. A similar mechanism of tissue regrowth should be accepted in homograft cartilage. We have studied two cases, one after 6 months and the other after 5 years following implant. The three fascial grafts examined compare with earlier publications, with oedema, slight inflammation and little shrinkage occurring. The suitability for grafting of homograft incus, cartilage and fascia we believe to have been demonstrated.

Genetic control of maltase formation in yeast

Temperature-sensitive mutants affecting maltose utilization in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been isolated. Two such mutants although failing to ferment maltose at the restrictive temperature, have normal induced level of maltase. The third mutant (UNT-37) not only failed to ferment maltose but has 5-6 fold less induced level of maltase at the restrictive temperature than the parental strain. The genetic control mechanisms of maltase induction and maltose utilization have been discussed.