Anxiety and immune responsiveness

More stress from hospitalization, measured by level of anxiety at time of admission, in 75 males without cancer, infection, or autoimmune disease was associated with depressed immunological response of lymphocytes in vitro but positive reactions to skin tests of more delayed hypersensitivity. Findings suggest that psychological states of perceived stress and anxiety influence functioning of the immune system and could lead to greater vulnerability to infections and disease.

Human breast cancer: heterogeneity of estrogen binding sites

A patient who had two primary tumors in the same breast is described. Both tumors were infiltrating duct carcinomas, but they differed as far as histologic malignancy and estrogen-receptor-positivity are concerned. One tumor was estrogen-receptor-positive the other was estrogen-receptor-negative. The case illustrates the multicentric origin of breast cancer as well as its cellular heterogeneity. Problems of treatment are discussed.

The effect of female sex hormones on subgingival plaque

The periodontal status of three groups of women; pregnant, taking oral contraceptives, and nonpregnant, were evaluated clinically and microbiologically for changes in their gingiva and any corresponding changes in the subgingival microbial plaque, specifically the percentage of Fusobacterium species and Bacteroides species. Overall, the women had relatively good gingival health. However, statistically significant increased scores were observed in the Gingival Index and the gingival crevicular fluid flow in the pregnant group compared with the nonpregnant group. The most dramatic microbial changes were the increased proportions of Bacteroides species both in the pregnant group and the group taking oral contraceptives over the nonpregnant group. Increased female sex hormones substituting for the napthaquinone requirement of certain Bacteroides were most likely responsible for this increase. No statistically significant clinical difference was noted between the group taking oral contraceptives and the nonpregnant group, although a 16-fold increase in Bacteroides species was observed in the group taking oral contraceptives.

Histiocytosis X--an immune deficiency disease? Studies on antibody-dependent monocyte-mediated cytotoxicity

Six children with histiocytosis X, all in clinical remission, were investigated for antibody-dependent cytotoxicity mediated by monocytes and neutrophils. Monocytes demonstrated a reduced cytotoxicity and a normal Fc receptor activity. Judged by light microscopy the monocytes were normal. Preincubation with the patient's serum did not influence the cytotoxicity of normal monocytes. Neutrophils from patients with histiocytosis X showed a normal cytotoxic activity. We postulate a functional defect of the mononuclear phagocyte system in histiocytosis X.

Linkage of the hordein loci Hor1 and Hor2 with the powdery mildew resistance loci Ml-k and Ml-a on Barley chromosome 5

The linkage relationship among the loci Hor1, Hor2, Ml-k and Ml-a on the short arm of chromosome 5 was studied by progeny testing the F2 generation of two crosses. The loci Hor1 and Hor2 code for polypeptides of the storage protein hordein (prolamin) and the loci Ml-k and Ml-a determine the resistance reaction with some powdery mildew fungi cultures. The order of the loci is Ml-k, Hor1, Ml-a, and Hor2, the first named being nearest the centromere. The recombination percentage between Hor1 and Hor2 was determined in the F1 and F2 generations in both crosses, the combined estimate being 7.4±0.9 per cent. The recombination percentage estimated between Ml-k and Hor1 was 4.0±1.3, between Hor1 and Ml-a, 5.3±1.1, and between Ml-a and Hor2, 6.1±1.2. The estimates involving the Ml- loci were all probably a little too high.

Lymph node identification in carcinoma of the colon and rectum. Value of tissue specimen radiography

A method for identifying lymph nodes in tissue specimens from patients with carcinoma of the colon and rectum by soft X-rays is described and assessed. The method seems superior to more time-consuming and possibly tissue-damaging procedures, and it affords a possibility of identifying lymph nodes down to a size 1--2 mm in formalin-fixed as well as in non-fixed tissue specimens.

The effect of prednisone on serum thyrotropin, thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations in hypothyroid patients

The effect of exogenous prednisone on serum thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations was investigated in four patients with non-functioning thyroid glands receiving T4 replacement therapy. Orally administered prednisone, in a dose of 20 mg each day for nine days, resulted in a significant decrease in mean serum TSH levels (p less than 0.01) without significant changes in levels of serum T4, T3, and thyroxine binding globulin (TBG). These findings suggest an inhibitory action of relatively low pharmacologic doses of prednisone on TSH release without changes in circulating thyroid hormone concentrations or inhibition of the peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.

CT whole-body scanning in pediatric radiology

In an 8 month period 57 scans in 28 children have been performed using an EMI-CT 5005 General Purpose Scanner. Thirteen primary malignant tumours were evaluated, and scanning was of great value in localizing and delineating the lesion, and hence predicting the operability. Furthermore, secondary spread of malignant tumours was easily detected. In the continuing evaluation of treated malignant tumours CT has been used to estimate regression and relapse.

Lymph node identification. Specimen radiography of tissue predominated by fat

A method for identifying, by soft x-rays, lymph nodes in tissue specimens predominated by fat is presented. The method is quick and demonstrates lymph nodes as small as 1 to 2 mm in diameter.

Inner ear malformations with oto-liquorrhea. Tomographic findings in three cases with a mixed hearing impairment

The paper deals with three boys suffering from a mixed hearing loss. They were all referred to tomography of the temporal bones in order to find some middle ear malformation amenable to surgery. The tomograms revealed identical malformations of the inner ear; the lumen of the labyrinth are found irregularly dilated and the internal acoustic meatus is widened. Its course in the lateral end is abnormal with a downwards turn towards the basal coil of the cochlea. Explorative tympanotomy in one of the patients revealed a severe otoliquorrhea during an attempt to perform a stapedectomy, and this may serve as a warning against operation in patients presenting the mentioned tomographic changes which, once seen, are easily recognized.

Low dose heparin in major surgery: clinical relevance of plasma heparin concentrations

56 patients undergoing elective major surgery received low dose heparin prophylaxis, 5,000 IU 2 h before surgery and every 8 h for 7 days. The patients were tested by the 125I-fibrinogen uptake test, which, if positive, was controlled by venography. The heparin concentrations were measured by the method of DENSON and BONNAR and by the chromogenic method of TEIEN et al. in blood samples drained immediately before and after surgery and on the 1st and 5th postoperative day 2 and 4h after the injection of heparin. The values were found higher when estimated by the method of DENSON and BONNAR than by the chromogenic method. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) developed in 11 patients, and in 10 of them within the first 48 after the operative procedure, in 1 after 4 days. The preoperative values were not lower in the patients who developed DVT, and the heparin concentrations found on the 1st and 5th postoperative day were at the same level as in those who did not develop DVT.

Adenosine diphosphate binding to sodium-plus-potassium ion-dependent adenosine triphosphatase. The role of lipid in the nucleotide-potassium ion interplay

Delipidated dogfish rectal-gland Na++K+-ATPase (Na++K+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase), almost devoid of hydrolytic activity, is able to bind about 2nmol of ADP/mg of protein. The "affinity" of delipidated enzyme for ADP is not affected by K+ in concentrations that greatly decrease the "affinity" of native Na++K+-ATPase. The K+-sensitivity of the ADP binding is in part restored by relipidation with dioleoyl phosphatidylcholine.

Chromosome studies in "preleukemia". III. Myelofibrosis

Cytogenetic studies were done on 18 patients with myelofibrosis or the closely related syndrome, undifferentiated myeloproliferative disorder (MPD). Clones of cells with chromosome abnormalities were demonstrated in the blood of eight individuals, including two with a history of radiation therapy and two with "acute myelofibrosis". Trisomy 8 was present in the latter two patients, but otherwise, there was no consistent cytogenetic pattern or correlation with specific hematologic findings. Sixteen of these patients have been followed for more than 1 year or until death; none has progressed to leukemia. The results indicate that chromosome abnormalities are relatively common in this disorder, but as with polycythemia vera, and unlike some other "preleukemic" states, the aberrant clones in myelofibrosis do not appear to indicate that clinical leukemia is imminent.

The vestibular aqueduct in Meniere's disease

The vestibular aquaeduct was evaluated blindly in tomograms from patients with Meniere's disease or chronic otitis and from patients without ear disorders. The descending part of the aquaeduct was clearly visible in 95% of the patients without ear disease. In the two other groups, it was visible only in about 50%. It is suggested that a narrow or invisible vestibular aquaeduct is an unspecific radiological sign in a variety of ear diseases.