Spectral analysis of tremorine and cold tremor electromyograms in animal species of different size

In 14 mice (36.2 +/- 5.4 g), 17 rats (425 +/- 46.4 g), and 11 rabbits (3,200 +/- 340 g) a comparative electromyographic analysis of tremorine tremor and cold tremor was performed in gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles using spectral analysis. The mean frequency of cold tremor decreased with increasing body weight (mice: 40.2 +/- 4.5 Hz; rats: 31.3 +/- 4.9 Hz; rabbits: 16.4 +/- 3.2 Hz). With tremorine tremor no such allometric correlation was found for tremor frequency and body weight (mice: 17.7 +/- 3.6 Hz; rats: 19.6 +/- 5.1 Hz; rabbits: 15.9 +/- 2.1 Hz). Cross spectral analysis revealed that during cold tremor the flexor muscle (tibialis anterior) and the extensor muscle (gastrocnemius) of rabbits are activated alternately. The mean phase shift between the activation of flexor and extensor muscle was -155.5 degrees. Stronger activation was observed in the flexor muscle. Tremorine tremor was characterized by synchronous activation of flexor and extensor muscles with a mean phase angle of 3.0 degrees and a predominance of the extensor muscle. The results suggest that the nervous mechanisms for the generation of tremorine tremor and cold tremor are different.

Laryngo-tracheo-oesophageal cleft. Clinical features, diagnosis and therapy

The laryngo-tracheo-oesophageal cleft is marked by a missing anatomical separation of the oesophagus and the larynx. The cleft can be restricted to the dorsal part of the larynx (type I), extend to the upper area of the trachea (type II) or involve the whole of the trachea (type III). In reviewing our three cases and 82 cases in the literature, clinical features, diagnosis, and therapy of this rare condition are presented. The condition leads almost always to life-threatening disturbances in the form of asphyxia and aspiration pneumonia. The diagnosis is made through direct laryngoscopy. Radiological demonstration of swallowing and tracheo-oesophagoscopy are necessary additional investigations. In many cases further severe malformations of organs are found, i.e., oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistulae. Despite early detection the prognosis remains unfavourable with a mortality of 46%. With few exceptions, an early operative correction of the defect is required. Access to the dorsal laryngeal area is achieved usually by a lateral pharyngotomy. Difficulties arise in securing adequate closure of the dorsal larynx, because of lack of sufficient tissue material. Despite secure closure of the laryngo-tracheo-oesophageal cleft, disturbances of swallowing often persist. Development of speech is not impaired.

[An unusual form of craniofacial dysmorphism with mechanical respiratory disturbances in newborns (author's transl)]

Gross and histologic findings at autopsy of a one week old newborn baby with respiratory distress and mechanical obstacles to adequate intubation revealed a variation of the craniofacial dysmorphy syndrome: hypoplasia of the mandible combined with dysplastic and hypoplastic tongue and complete situs inversus. The tongue consisted of an hypoplastic smooth anterior part and a hypertrophic posterior part with the usual papillae. Both parts were separated by a deep sulcus across the middle of the tongue with a predominantly fibrous amuscular bottom. Because of this anomaly the posterior part of the tongue was retracted covering the orifice of the larynx and thus causing the respiratory distress. The lesion is discussed in context with data of similar syndromes.

Utilization of (E)-2-butenoate (crotonate) by Clostridium kluyveri and some other Clostridium species

Clostridium La 1 obtained from a Clostridium kluyveri culture was compared with a typical C. kluyvery strain (DSM 555). The former grows on cortonate and is unable to use ethanol-acetate as carbon sources. The latter grows on crotonate only after long adaptation periods. Resting cells of both strains show also pronounced differences in the fermentation of crotonate. This holds even for C. kluyveri grown on crotonate. Besides several other differences the most striking is that there is no hybridization between the DNA of both strains. Crotonate seems not to be a very special carbon source since C. butyricum and C. pasteurianum grow on crotonate medium supplemented by peptone and yeast extract.

[Eysenck's personality dimensions (MPI) in breast and lung cancer patients and their relationship to patients' delay (author's transl)]

In 1148 control persons and 498 cancer patients, the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI), developed by H. J. Eysenck, was used to determine the personality dimensions neuroticism (N) and extraversion (E). The results in the control group were similar to studies in other countries showing that the MPI is a useful instrument for psychometry in the G.D.R., too. Personality scores depend upon sex, age and social group (defined by education and occupation). Cancer patients generally do not differ from non-cancerous patients (so-called "controls"). In patients with breast cancer (female N = 231) or lung cancer (male N = 123), it was found that patients consulting the doctor without delay after onset of symptoms (breast cancer < 4 weeks; lung cancer < 8 weeks) are characterized by low scores for neuroticism (N) and high scores for extraversion (E). The combination of low N (--12) and high E (13 +) is significantly more prevalent in patients seeking medical advice without delay. It is suggested that these observations which are in agreement with reports from other countries and observers should be used in planning health education. Obviously it is not enough to disseminate factual information on cancer but it seems necessary to develop means and methods to reach people with low education, high scores for neuroticism and for introversion in order to influence their health behavior by personal discussion.

Some clinical considerations on congenital anomalies of the nose

The diagnosis and treatment of nasal cysts and fistulas are reviewed on the basis of a material of 16 cases. Definite evidence of cyst size is often unobtainable. Surgery of nasal cysts and fistulas should be done as early as possible to assure unimpaired nasal growth. In secondary fistulas re-operations may be quite problematic. Bifid noses vary substantially in terms of severity. Severity, in fact, will dictate the surgical techniques to be employed, i.e. decortication or external incisions. Saddling, which is a consistent finding can be corrected by preserved cartilage. The results thus obtainable are satisfactory by follow-up evidence. Congenital flat nose is a rare anomaly. Eight cases were encountered in the past 10 years. The techniques of columellar lengthening and strutting of the nasal tip are reviewed.

Properties of two Clostridia strains acting as catalysts for the preparative stereospecific hydrogenation of 2-enoic acids and 2-alken-1-ols with hydrogen gas

A Clostridium strain growing on crotonate/hydrogencarbonate, which is able to hydrogenate stereospecifically 2-enoates as well as other unsaturated compounds with hydrogen gas, has been isolated and methods for its propagation elucidated. For this strain and for Clostridium kluyveri DSM 555 grown on ethanol/acetate/hydrogencarbonate, samples of 200-l batches were assayed to determine the hydrogenation activity for (E)-2-methyl-2-butenoate and (E)-2-buten-1-ol as a function of time during the exponential and stationary growth phases. For the strain growing on crotonate/hydrogencarbonate, the hydrogenation rate as a function of substrate concentration, pH and temperature has been measured. Storage conditions for both strains are given.

Serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in epileptic children receving anticonvulsant drugs

In 40 epileptic children on long-term anticonvulsant treatment, serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) isoenzymes were separated semiquantitatively using a combination of L-phenylalanine inhibition and heat inactivation. Though mean total serum AP activity was significantly increased compared to age matched controls, only 4 individual values exceeded the upper limit (mean + 2SD) of the reference sample. In epileptics the mean activity of the heat-sensitive non L-phenylalanine sensitive AP fraction (non-LPSAP) was significantly increased (P less than 0.01) and the mean Q-value (i.e. percentage ratio of heat-stable non-LPSAP/non-LPSAP) was significantly decreased (P less than 0.05), thus indicating an enhancement of the bone isoenzymes during anticonvulsant treatment. In 4 patients the isoenzyme pattern was abnormal although total serum AP activity was normal and in 3 of them the deviation indicated enhanced bone isoenzyme. The data provide evidence that in anticonvulsant treated children the bone isoenzyme, rather than hepatobiliary isoenzyme fraction, may be increased even when total serum AP activity is normal. Thus, semiquantitative separation of serum AP isoenzymes may be a helpful guide as to whether or not an eplieptic child should be given vitamin D.

Serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes in childhood

Using a combination of L-phenylalanine inhibition and heat inactivation, the serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) in 2 to 13 year old children without evidence of hepatobiliary, osseous, or intestinal disease was separated in three fractions; i.e. L-phenylalanine sensitive AP (LPSAP), heat-stable non-L-phenylalanine sensitive AP (heat-stable non-LPSAP) and heat sensitive non-L-phenylalanine sensitive AP (heat-sensitive non-LPSAP). The activities of total AP and the different fractions were measured using optimized test conditions. LPSAP, (mainly intestinal AP), accounts for approximately 12% of the total serum AP activity, heat-stable non-LPSAP (mainly hepatobiliary AP) for approximately 9%, and heat-sensitive non-LPSAP (mainly bone AP) for approximately 77%. To give a better differentiation between bone and liver AP, the percentage ratios of heat-stable non-LPSAP/non-LPSAP (Q value), and heat-stable non-LPSAP/total AP, were determined. Both quotients showed a significant negative correlation with total AP, which has to be taken into account in the interpretation of the results of isoenzyme determinations of serum AP activity. The above semiquantitative separation of AP isoenzymes can be readily done in a routine clinical laboratory.

Synthesis of stereospecifically deuterated phenylalamines and determination of their configuration

1. Starting from trans-cinnamic acid a chiral (-)3-phenyl-[2,3-2H]propionic acid has been synthesized using Clostridium kiuyveri cells as catalyst. 2. The chiral dideuterated acid has been converted by chemical methods to a mixture of (2R) and (2S)-phenyl[2,3-2H]-alanine. 3. By means of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the action of D and L-amino acid oxidase the configuration of the phenylalamine has been shown to be (2R, 3S) and (2S, 3S), respectively. The labelled phenylalanine is thus sterically and isotopically homogenous at position 3 but heterogenous at position 2.

[On the specifity and stereospecificity of the conversion of different 2,3-unsaturated acids by Clostridium kluyveri (author's transl)]

Further 2,3-unsaturated acids are revealed which can be reduced by Clostridium kluyveri with crotonate or butyrate as hydrogen donors. Unsaturated and saturated 3-halogenated acids are transformed into the saturated halogen-free acids. The following reaction sequence is proposed: a) hydrogenation, b) elumination of HX and c) again hydrogenation. Tiglinate ((E)-2-methyl-2-butenoate) and (E)-2-methyl-2-pentenoate are stereospecifically reduced to the (S)-2-methyl substituted acids. C. kluyveri contains endogenous material; in the presence of hydrogen acceptors such as 2,3-unsaturated acids this is degraded to acetate, and the reducing equivalents liberated hydrogenate the unsaturated acid. In a transient phase the hydration products of the unsaturated acids are present in the non-activated form in appreciable amounts. Tiglinate as well as crotonate is partially converted to ethyl methyl ketone and aceton and/or propanol, respectively.

[The occurrence of a reductase of delta2-carboxylic acids in Clostridium kluyveri with a stereospecificity different from that of butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase (author's transl)]

A Clostridia strain (R-strain) which hydrogenates tiglinate (1b) and alpha-methylcinnamate (1c) in the presence of hydrogenase gas in 2H2O to (2R, 3S)2-methyl-[2,3-2H]butyrate (5b, H = 2H) and (alphaR, betaR)alpha-methyl[alpha,beta-2H]dihydrocinnamate (5c, H = 2H), respectively, was isolated. The configuration at C-3 was determined by 1H-NMR spectroscopy in the presence of Eu(fod)3. The stereochemistry of this hydrogenation is the mirror image of that which has been determined with intact cells of another strain of Clostridium kluyveri (S-strain). In the presence of hydrogen gas, the R-strain hydrogenates crotonate in 2H2O to butyrate with the following deuterium distribution: C-2, 1.85; C-3, 1.35; and C-4, 0.63 deuterium atoms. Crotonate seems to be the substrate of two reductases with sterically different actions. Tiglinate (1b) and alpha-methylcinnamate, however, are hydrogenated only by that reductase which is different from the butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase.