[Strabismological terminology (author's transl)]

Differences and confusion in strabismological terminology are pointed out, i.e. in fixation behaviour, in classification of strabismuc angle, in naming of scotomas. On the whole about 20 differences in different languages are discussed.

The maximum activities of enzymes that are involved in substrate cycles in liver and muscle of obese mice

The maximum activities of some dehydrogenases and enzymes involved in substrate cycles are increased in both liver and muscle of obese mice. This suggests that endocrine control rather than maximum capacity of the activities of enzymes constituting such cycles is impaired in obese mice.

Waterskiing Injuries

Although 14 million people water-ski, injury data are sparse and there is disagreement about safety. More detailed and accurate studies are needed so that preventive steps can be taken.

[Scotoma in the binocular field of vision in severe amblyopia and microstrabismus (author's transl)]

Binocular perimetry with Aulhorn's Phase difference haploscope is described. Of 62 patients with primary micro-squint, 21 patients showed no scotoma, 15 patients showed a fixation or zero point scotoma of 0.5-1 degrees, 26 patients showed a larger scotoma (average: 3.7 degrees). In addition, 15 patients with larger angle and deep amblyopia were examined. The scotoma average was 8.8 degrees. A zero point scotoma was always present, whereas the central foveal scotoma was often missing.

[Nystagmus (author's transl)]

In 37,500 patients 291 cases of nystagmus were found. Jerky nystagmus of latent typ was the most frequent form, pendular nystagmus the next. Jerky nystagmus of gaze paretic type, micronystagmus, nystagmus amblyopicus and endpoint nystagmus are compared and contrasted.

Action of ultrasonic irradiation on the DNA of cultivated bovine epithelial lens cell

Cultivated epithelial lens cells have been submitted to a 20 kHz continuous ultrasonic irradiation. At relativity high intensity, destruction of the cells was observed. At lower intensities, where no cell destruction appeared, the molecular weight of the single strand DNA of these cells was monitored to determine whether breakage of DNA molecules was induced by the ultrasound. No breakage of the single strand DNA was observed for intensities below 0.1 and 0.4 W cm-2 with irradiation times of less than 20 minutes and 15 seconds, respectively. These intensities and their corresponding irradiation time are higher than those used in current diagnostic practice.

Steroids: theoretical and experimental basis for utilization in prevention of contrast media reactions

In vitro and in vivo studies were done to examine the effects of methylprednisolone on the adverse reactions induced by contrast media. At very high concentrations, the steroid potentiated the complement-activating effect produced in vitro by iodipamide, but inhibited the immune and nonimmune mechanisms of hemolysis. Rabbits pretreated for 3 days with intramuscular methylprednisolone (at high or low dosages) were significantly protected against an LD47 challenging dose of iodipamide. Those treated once with a low intravenous dose immediately prior to iodipamide challenge were protected to a lesser degree. Rabbits treated once with a very high intravenous dose of steroid evidenced no protection. A hyper-responsive dog was consistently protected against adverse reactions to injected sodium iothalamate by a 3-day steroid pretreatment.

[Binocular triplopia induced by weak prisms (author's transl)]

The prescription of weak prisms may induce monocular diplopia or binocular triplopia. The monocular double image is due to internal reflexion at the glass-air interface. The intensity of the secondary image is very weak (0.2% of the primary image). The prismatic deflection of the secondary image is six times the deflection of the primage image.

Structure and postnatal organization of heretofore uninvestigated and infrequent ossifications of the sella turcica region

A heretofore unreported spine, which protrudes into the pituitary fossa, has been described and recorded. Complete and incomplete 'sella bridges', their angle formations with the planes of the head, dimensions and sutures have been detailed and their origin postulated. The development and formation of the carotico-clinoid foramina have been exhibited and interpreted. Development stages of the ophthalmic canals have been elicited. An ossified trigeminus bridge has been measured and its origin elucidated. The supracochlear cartilages have been traced from their appearance in the new-born to their supposed fate (os suprapetrosum).

Preliminary evaluation of di-iodo-triglucosyl benzene. An approach to the design of nonionic water-soluble radiographic contrast media

A new compound, di-iodo-triglucosyl benzene (DTB), was synthesized and tested for contrast medium potential. It is stable and soluble in water, with a molecular weight of 864 and a viscosity of 33.3 cps at 40degrees C for a 66.6% w/v solution. It is rapidly excreted unchanged by the kidneys. Its estimated LD50 in mice at an intravenous injection rate of 330 mg l/min is 34.0 g/kg. It is highly hydrophilic and not epileptogenic, but its low iodine content (29.4%) makes it unfavorable for clinical use.

Isolation and characterization of three phospholipases A from the crotoxin complex

1. Three phospholipases A (phosphatide acyl-hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.4) have been isolated from the crotoxin complex, the main toxic compound of the Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. 2. Two basic phospholipases A were highly purified from the crotoxin complex by single chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose. The yields were 10% and 38% (w/w), respectively. They showed no differences with regard to isoelectric point, enzymatic activity, immunological properties, and toxicity. One acidic phospholipase A, purified to a final yield of 1-3% by chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose, gel filtration on Sephadex G-50, and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, was found to have one third of the specific enzymatic activity of the basic enzymes. The acidic phospholipase A was nontoxic and antigenically different from the basic enzymes. 3. Crotapotin, an acidic peptide of the crotoxin complex (31% yield, w/w), potentiated the toxicity and inhibited the enzymatic activity of the basic phospholipase A isoenzymes, but did not interact with the acidic phospholipase A. 4. The purified enzymes were homogeneous with respect to cellogel electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis, and isoelectric focusing. 5. The molecular weights of the three phospholipases were found to be in the same range as determined by gel filtration in 6 M guanidine - HCl (14 500) and dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis (15 800). The isoelectric points of these enzymes were at 9.7 and 4.8 for the first two and the third, respectivlar. The acidic enzyme contained more acidic instead of basic amino acid residues. The two methionine residues of each phospholipase were found to be positioned nearby the NH2 - and the C-terminal of the protein chains. A third methionine residue was demonstrated in the acidic phospholipase A. Fingerprint maps of the basic enzymes showed only slight differences. 7. NH2 - and C-terminal sequence analyses indicated a striking homology between the three Crotalus phospholipase A isoenzymes and several phospholipases from other sources.

[Fixation devices for the cover-test (author's transl)]

A special fixation device for distance consisting of a music box and a fixation light with changing colour is described. For near examination a fixation bar with a vertical row of pictures and numbers, and a fixation cube with pictures are recommanded.

Failure to induce hypersensitivity reactions to opaque contrast media analogs in guinea pigs

In a further exploration of idiosyncratic reactions to injections of contrast media, a systematic study of immediate or delayed hypersensitivity in guinea pigs injected with contrast media analogs was performed. No evidence of immediate or delayed hypersensitivity could be ascertained to either contrast media analogs alone, or analogs bound to protein carriers. This does not represent conclusive evidence against the notion of antibody formation as a factor in the production of some adverse reactions, but makes such a pathogenesis less likely.

Inhibition of adenosine triphosphatase and carbonic anhydrase by contrast media

In vitro inhibition of adenosine triphosphatase and carbonic anhydrase by several radiographic contrast media and other compounds was measured. The concentrations required for 50% inhibition were, in general, similar to those obtained for other enzymes. The effect of methylglucamine could not be determined for either enzyme because of interference with the assays.