Antibodies to hepatitis B virus x-protein in sera of patients with acute and chronic active hepatitis

Sera of patients with acute (AH) and chronic active hepatitis (CAH) were tested for anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) x-protein (HBx) by immunoblotting, using recombinant MS2- and beta gal-HBx fusion proteins as substrate. Antibodies against HBx were detected in 5 out of 17 patients with AH at an early stage of infection, and in 13 out of 35 patients with CAH. Positive sera from AH patients showed a relatively weak anti-HBx reactivity when compared to sera from CAH patients. In follow up studies we tested serial serum samples from patients positive for anti-HBx. Patients with AH were observed for 3 to 6 weeks and CAH patients for up to 51 months. In general anti-HBx reactivities appeared to be stable although significant differences in apparent antibody levels were noted when sera from individual patients were compared. Our data further support an early expression of HBx-antigen in HBV-infected individuals. There was no correlation between HBe-antigen and anti-HBx in CAH.

Modified diffusion blotting for rapid and efficient protein transfer with PhastSystem

An easy-to-perform and efficient blotting method was developed for the transfer of proteins separated in PhastGel media. The method was evaluated by comparing the blotting results of low molecular weight marker proteins at different times. 14C-Labelled proteins were used for the assessment of the transfer efficiency. Highly efficient transfer was achieved within 1 h of blotting and the proteins were almost completely eluted from the gel in 2 h. The gel remained on its solid plastic backing, which is not the case when using an electrophoretic transfer method. As little as 1.25 ng of electrophoretically separated protein were enzymatically detected on the blot when applying blot-biotinylation. The transfer was performed at low temperature (4 degrees C), which-in contrast to thermoblotting-additionally offers the chance to blot thermolabile proteins. These superior features, together with the method's versatility and low cost, mark an interesting alternative to the previously recommended blotting procedures after PhastSystem electrophoresis.

Adipose fatty acid composition and the risk of serious ventricular arrhythmias in acute myocardial infarction

The relation between subcutaneous adipose tissue fatty acid composition and serious ventricular arrhythmias during acute myocardial infarction was studied in 2 groups of patients. In group 1 (n = 42), studied retrospectively, patients with ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia had a higher concentration of long-chain saturated fatty acids than those without (32.5 +/- 0.8% vs 29.7 +/- 0.4% [mean +/- standard error of the mean], p less than 0.01). In a prospective study, patients with arrhythmias (n = 106) had higher levels of long-chain saturated fatty acids (32.1 +/- 0.5% vs 30.7 +/- 0.4%, p less than 0.05) and of stearic acid (4.9 +/- 0.2% vs 4.4 +/- 0.1%, p less than 0.02) and a lower concentration of palmitoleic acid (7.3 +/- 0.3% vs 8.1 +/- 0.2%, p less than 0.005). When peak plasma creatine kinase concentrations were included with the individual fatty acid levels in a multiple logistic regression, only creatine kinase correlated significantly with ventricular arrhythmias (p less than 0.01). Thus, saturated fatty acids in cardiac membranes may lead to greater vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias, although infarct size is the only statistically significant predictor after multiple regression analysis.

Gastroplasty for morbid obesity: technique, complications and results in 60 cases

A series of 60 gastroplasty operations based on Mason's vertical banded procedure are described. Details of technique, modifications, complications and results are discussed. Operative treatment results in a reduction to within 40 per cent of ideal weight in 80 per cent of patients between 12 and 18 months after surgery. The constricting band should not be greater than 5 cm; if it is most procedures will fail after 18 months. Pouch size should be measured and made no greater than 20 ml. The importance of nutritional counselling is emphasized. The surgical treatment should form part of a multidisciplinary approach with careful selection and long-term follow-up.

High arachidonic acid levels in the cord blood of infants of mothers on vegetarian diets

1. Maternal and umbilical cord plasma samples were collected from forty-seven Asian women, twenty-eight life-long vegetarians and seventeen non-vegetarians, during delivery of their babies. The concentrations and fatty acid profiles of the plasma free fatty acid and triacylglycerol fractions were determined. 2. There were no significant differences between the levels of free fatty acid and triacylglycerol in either maternal or cord plasma from vegetarian compared with non-vegetarian Asian women. The fatty acid profiles of the lipid fractions in the two groups were similar. Total plasma free fatty acid levels in the maternal circulation correlated with umbilical cord levels. 3. The levels of linoleic acid in the maternal plasma free fatty acid fraction of the Asian women were much higher than previous reports on mixed populations of European women. In the Asian women arachidonic acid concentrations in both maternal and umbilical circulations were over four times higher than those reported for women unselected for race and diet.

An increase in intracellular free Ca2+ associated with serum-free growth stimulation of Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts by epidermal growth factor in the presence of bradykinin

Bradykinin gave a biphasic increase in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in serum-deprived Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts loaded with the photoprotein aequorin. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) alone did not increase [Ca2+]i, but when added after bradykinin there was an increase in [Ca2+]i. The EGF-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i was maximal at 3 min and disappeared with a half-life of 6 min after bradykinin. Removing Ca2+ from the external medium did not abolish either the bradykinin or the EGF-induced [Ca2+]i responses. Although prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha also gave [Ca2+]i responses and permitted an EGF-dependent [Ca2+]i response, the effect of bradykinin did not appear to be mediated by prostaglandins since it was not blocked by indomethacin. Vasopressin and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate both gave a [Ca2+]i response but did not facilitate a [Ca2+]i response by EGF. Bradykinin or EGF alone did not increase DNA synthesis in growth-arrested Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, but EGF added together with, or after, bradykinin increased DNA synthesis. The effect disappeared with a half-life of 180 min after the addition of bradykinin. It is concluded that stimulation of receptor protein tyrosine kinase is unlikely, by itself, to explain the increase in DNA synthesis produced by EGF. The observed increase in [Ca2+]i caused by EGF after bradykinin probably reflects the interaction of intracellular second messenger pathways leading to facilitation of DNA synthesis.

Assessment of trace metal intake and status in a Gujerati pregnant Asian population and their influence on the outcome of pregnancy

Dietary assessments and biochemical indices including plasma zinc and copper were determined in pregnant vegetarian and non-vegetarian Gujerati women in India at 28 weeks gestation, and the results were contrasted with those of a comparable group of Gujerati pregnant women living in Harrow. Even though the dietary intake of energy, protein and zinc was significantly lower in the Indian vegetarian Gujerati group when compared to the equivalent group in Harrow, the birthweights of the babies delivered at term were similar. The intake of zinc in the diet of the Gujerati Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian groups was only one quarter of the US recommended intake during pregnancy and was approximately one half in the Harrow Indian groups. Even so, the plasma concentrations of zinc were similar in all dietary groups in either India or Harrow. The albumin content in the plasma of both the Gujerati Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian was significantly reduced when compared to the equivalent Harrow dietary groups. The plasma concentrations of both calcium and sodium were significantly correlated with the albumin concentration but not with the plasma content of zinc. Copper levels were elevated to the normal range in both dietary groups of the Gujerati and were similar to the concentrations found in the Harrow groups.

Left ventricular full-thickness cardiomyoplasty with pericardial neoendocardium: experimental development of a surgical procedure

Cardiomyoplasty, a surgical procedure using stimulated skeletal muscle graft to replace or repair damaged myocardium, has been successfully performed in experimental animals and clinical patients. Whenever feasible, endocardium of the damaged myocardial segment is retained and partial-thickness cardiomyoplasty should be carried out. However, if this procedure were to be applied to enlarge a hypoplastic ventricle or to maintain normal dimensions of the ventricular cavity in some repairs in adults, full-thickness replacement of the ventricular wall with contractile skeletal muscle mass would be required. To develop such a technique, several canine experiments were carried out. In 7 dogs, "simple full-thickness cardiomyoplasty" was performed by using a latissimus dorsi muscle graft to repair a full-thickness left ventricular wall defect. We found it was difficult to obtain adequate hemostasis between the nonscarred myocardial tissue and the skeletal muscle graft, and excessive suturing to obtain hemostasis resulted in strangulation of the muscle grafts. The skeletal muscle-blood interface in the left ventricle was found to be highly thrombogenic. The perioperative hemorrhage and the risk of muscle graft strangulation by excessive sutures were avoided by using a pericardial patch as neoendocardium in 5 dogs that underwent similar full-thickness cardiomyoplasty procedures. Although the pericardial neoendocardium was not fully antithrombogenic in this canine model, endothelialization of the endocardium occurred within several weeks after operation. Thus, when combined with an implantable synchronized burst stimulator, this technique may in the future provide an effective "full-thickness dynamic cardiomyoplasty" to enlarge the ventricles and augment myocardial function in select patients.

Diets of Asian pregnant women in Harrow: iron and vitamins

In a study of the Asian pregnancy, the dietary intakes of 813 Asians and 54 Europeans living in Harrow were compared. Results of calculation of intakes of iron and vitamins are presented in this paper. The key findings were that vitamins D and B12 intakes were markedly lower amongst the Asians, particularly the Hindu vegetarians. Asians had lower intakes of other vitamins but these levels are unlikely to lead to deficiency and therefore not relevant in clinical terms. The Hindu vegetarians can be regarded as a fairly homogenous group with differences occurring within the group only in vitamin B12 intake. From the nutritional data it appears unnecessary to advocate any change in the Gujarati diet other than supplementation with vitamin D.

[Aicardi's syndrome. Report of 2 cases]

Aicardi's syndrome is a clinical entity characterized by agenesis of the corpus callosum, severe mental subnormality, seizures (most frequently spasms in flexion), characteristic electroencephalographic changes (burst-suppression pattern), typical chorioretinal lacunae, present only in females. Other associated findings are rib and vertebral dysplasias; frequently found are cortical heterotopias. This syndrome is of hereditary origin, now considered a probable X-linked dominant trait with male lethality. The authors describe two cases of this syndrome with the full clinical picture.

Rapid induction of forestomach tumors in partially hepatectomized Wistar rats given butylated hydroxyanisole

Rats subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) and given the antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) at a dietary concentration of 2% for 3 months developed forestomach lesions. Histologically, these lesions were classified as hyperplasia, dysplasia of the basal cell, papillomas, and carcinomas in situ. In intact rats forestomach carcinomas were seen by other investigators after feeding 2% BHA for 15-20 months. Histochemical studies of tumors revealed a marked increase in the phenotypic expression of the oncofetal enzyme, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in the tumors of treated rats.

Electrophysiological effects of ethmozine in perfused rabbit hearts

His-bundle electrocardiography was used to evaluate the effects of ethmozine on cardiac conduction in isolated perfused rabbit hearts electrically driven at cycle lengths of 320 and 250 ms. There was no significant change in conduction until high concentrations of ethmozine were reached. His-Purkinje and atrioventricular (AV) nodal conduction were slowed significantly at 0.1 microgram/mL and atrial conduction at 1.0 microgram/mL. Conduction block occurred at 10.0 micrograms/mL in all the hearts treated. Effects of the drug (0.1 and 0.01 microgram/mL) on conduction of extrasystoles were also studied in hearts driven at a basic cycle length of 270 ms. No significant change was observed in atrial conduction of extrasystoles throughout the coupling intervals tested at both concentrations. Ethmozine (0.01 and 0.1 microgram/mL) caused slowing of His-Purkinje conduction of extrasystoles but the effect of the drug did not change as a function of the coupling interval. An interval-dependent increase in AV-nodal conduction time was observed, with the maximum slowing of conduction occurring at coupling intervals close to the effective refractory period of the AV node. AV-nodal functional refractory period was increased significantly by ethmozine (0.01 and 0.1 microgram/mL). The effective refractory period was significantly increased only at the higher concentration.

Comparative changes in rat liver cytosolic proteins by mirex, diethylnitrosamine, and dimethylnitrosamine exposure

Using a newborn rat model for carcinogenesis, changes in liver cytosolic proteins at three stages of tumorigenesis, on Days 21, 97, and 120, by mirex (dodecachloropentacyclo-1,3,4-metheno-2H-cyclobuta[cd] pentalene), and diethyl- and dimethylnitrosamines (DEN and DMN) were studied. Following multiple exposure to the hepatocarcinogens, groups of weanling rats were given dietary phenobarbital (PB) up to 120 days. SDS-PAGE separation of cytosolic proteins showed that at 21 days, prior to PB, two proteins of 26K and 23K mol wt were significantly induced by mirex and DMN while a high mol wt 63K protein was induced only by DEN and DMN. During the period of PB treatment up to 97 days, these proteins were well sustained at a higher level. A marked increase in 21K protein band was also observed at this point. In tumor tissues obtained from DEN and DMN rats continued on PB diet for 120 days, the high level of 63K protein was seen only in DEN and not in DMN tumor. The tumors also showed a significant reduction in 25K protein compared to 21- and 97-day groups. The presence of even lower mol wt proteins of 14-21K was seen in tumors. The early detection and further characterization of these low mol wt proteins may provide clues as to whether they are preneoplastic markers or oncogene products as speculated by other investigators. Moreover, certain similarities in the induction of cytosolic proteins by "epigenetic" and "genotoxic" carcinogens raise more interesting questions regarding the mechanisms of action of these distinct classes of carcinogens.

Zinc and copper in Asian pregnancies--is there evidence for a nutritional deficiency?

In 92 Hindu Asians, 59% of them vegetarian, and 51 Europeans longitudinal measurements were made during pregnancy of the zinc and copper concentrations in plasma and hair together with urinary zinc excretion, as indices of their zinc and copper status. Maternal diets were assessed once at booking. Zinc intakes ranged from 3.1 to 16.9 mg/day, with average intakes least in vegetarian Hindus and most in Europeans. Average copper intakes ranged between 1.48 and 1.80 mg/day and were similar in the three patient groups. Both ethnic groups showed the pregnancy-associated fall in the plasma concentration of zinc and rise in that of copper but throughout the study Hindus had statistically significant lower levels of zinc and higher levels of copper than Europeans. Urinary zinc excretion was not only significantly lower throughout the study in Hindus than in Europeans but the increase in excretion which occurred after 20 weeks gestation was smaller. There were no ethnic differences in the zinc content of hair. Urinary zinc excretion correlated with both plasma zinc levels and dietary zinc. Mean birthweight in the Hindus was 2912 g and 34% of infants were below the 10th centile, using the Aberdeen standards, compared with 6% of the European babies (mean birthweight 3349 g). No association was found between crude or adjusted birthweight and any of the measures of zinc or copper status in either ethnic group. The Hindus had an apparently lower average zinc status than the Europeans, but there was no evidence that this had acted as a nutritional constraint and was the cause of their slower rate of intrauterine growth.

Agenesis of the corpus callosum: magnetic resonance imaging

Three patients who had complete agenesis and two patients who had partial agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. In addition to excellent visualization of the indirect signs of ACC, direct vivid display (short T1) of the corpus callosum on sagittal images allowed better evaluation of subtle abnormalities than has been possible with other modalities. Associated abnormalities were also well-displayed. MR is the initial procedure of choice in evaluation of the corpus callosum.

Diet during pregnancy in an Asian community in Britain--energy, protein, zinc, copper, fibre and calcium

Dietary intake of 813 pregnant Harrow Asians of mainly Gujarati descent was compared with the intake of 54 pregnant Europeans living in the same area. The diet of the Europeans had more protein and zinc but less fibre and fat that that of the Harrow Asians. The average rate of weight gain and the energy intakes were similar in both groups. Hindu non-vegetarians and Muslim non-vegetarians differed somewhat, because the Hindus, who are more recent converts to meat-eating, have diets with a lactovegetarian basis to which small amounts of meat have been added. Among the Hindu vegetarians, those who ate eggs and cheese had higher protein and zinc intakes, but otherwise Hindu vegetarians can be regarded as a fairly homogeneous group. Although the protein and zinc intakes of the Asians, particularly the vegetarians, were lower than those of the Europeans, there was no evidence of adverse consequences to the mother and fetus.

Size and shape in dermatoglyphic analysis of palmar interdigital areas

With very few exceptions, dermatoglyphic methodology either refers to shape (pattern) or to size (quantitative value). In this study, an attempt is made to consider simultaneously these two basic components of morphology in the analysis of the third palmar interdigital area. For this purpose, three criteria of shape and bc ridgecount (size) were studied in 150 male and 150 female Viennese pupils, and were each classified according to whether they could be interpreted as showing strong reduction, slight reduction or no reduction. Their frequencies alone and in combination were calculated. Their interrelation with the mean ridge counts and their comparison with the traditional reduction types of c-triradius or mainline C strongly suggest that the traditional notation is not sufficiently precise to evaluate criteria of reduction which are thought to indicate different embryonic growth patterns.

Uptake and disposition of mirex in hepatocytes and subcellular fractions in CD1 mouse liver

In vivo uptake and disposition of [14C]mirex by CD1 mouse liver subcellular fractions and cells of different nuclear ploidy were examined following single or multiple doses of mirex injected intraperitoneally. Significant amounts of mirex were rapidly taken up by liver (21-29%), suggesting that liver is one of the primary sites of accumulation of the chemical. Among subcellular fractions, mirex was predominantly distributed in mitochondria and microsomes in the irreversibly bound form (about 20%), although its levels fluctuated considerably with time. Mirex was completely dissociated with trichloroacetic acid treatment from both nuclear and plasma membrane fractions, although the total uptake by these fractions was markedly high. The time course of uptake and concentration-dependent disposition of mirex revealed that polyploid hepatocytes selectively accumulated higher amounts of the chemical (two to three times) compared to diploid hepatocytes. The increased affinity of polyploid cells to mirex may indicate a greater susceptibility of this cell type to the chemical insult and also may suggest a possible early involvement of polyploids in the tumorigenic process in rodent livers.

Nuclear ploidy of neonatal rat livers: effects of two hepatic carcinogens (mirex and dimethylnitrosamine)

The effect of two hepatic carcinogens, dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) (genotoxic) and mirex (epigenetic), on polyploidization in 12-d-old neonatal rats was investigated by Coulter counteranalysis and [3H] thymodine uptake in isolated hepatic nuclear classes. DMN disturbed the normal ploidy development in the neonatal liver and the proportion of nuclei in the ploidy classes by inducing the premature formation of a significant population of tetraploids with a concomitant reduction in diploids. A great proportion of the replicative activity was present in tetraploid nuclei as measured by the incorporation of [3H] thymidine. The labeling index and number of mitoses were also increased. In contrast to DMN, mirex had no influence on polyploidization. The neonatal rats used in these studies thus offer an opportunity to investigate in vivo the mode of action of genotoxic versus epigenetic compounds with reference to their effect on DNA.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of d-tubocurarine and metocurine in the elderly

The effects of age (older than 70 yr) on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of d-tubocurarine (dTc) and metocurine (MTc) were evaluated in studies of 21 patients aged 70-87 and 21 patients aged 29-59. There was a significant difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters of all elderly patients compared with younger controls. With both dTc and MTc, the elderly exhibited a decreased plasma clearance, decreased initial volume of distribution, decreased volume of distribution, and a prolonged elimination half-life. After 0.3 mg/kg of dTc, the times for 50% return of twitch and recovery index (25-75% return of twitch response) in the elderly were significantly longer than in the young (P less than 0.02). A similar observation was made for the elderly patients receiving 0.15 mg/kg of MTc. No significant difference was seen in the log plasma concentration-twitch response relationship between 20-80% paralysis in young and in elderly patients receiving dTc. There was a similar lack of significant difference between the log plasma concentration-twitch response lines for elderly and young patients receiving MTc. Because there was no difference between the plasma concentration-response relationships in the elderly and young, altered sensitivity to dTc or MTc cannot explain the longer duration of action seen in the elderly. The most likely explanation for this difference is the altered pharmacokinetics of these two drugs in the elderly.

Factors affecting birthweights in Hindus, Moslems and Europeans

The birthweights of 664 Hindu and 132 Moslem babies were compared with those of 486 European babies born at the same hospital. The mean birthweight of the Europeans was 3362 g, compared with 3146 g for the Moslems and 2960 g for the Hindus. The Asian women were smaller than the European and tended to have a shorter length of gestation. Forty-four per cent of the Asians and 46% of the European mothers were of social classes I and II; 28% of the Europeans and 2% of the Asians smoked. There were no significant differences between Asians and Europeans in the effects of maternal size, parity, gestational age and fetal sex on birthweight. After adjustment for these variables and for cigarette smoking there was no significant difference in birthweight between the Moslems and the Europeans, but the mean birthweight of the Hindus was about 190 g lighter than that of the Europeans. Hindus from East Africa had lighter babies than those from India.

Ultrastructural observations on rabbit blastocysts after maternal exposure to cadmium chloride

Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) (0.1 or 1.0%) was given in the drinking water to pregnant rabbits on Days 0 to 5 of gestation. Electron microscopy of the blastocysts revealed significant changes in the lysosomes (e.g. autophagic vacuoles and residual bodies) of endodermal cells as well as those of the inner cell mass. No such changes were evident in the trophoblast.

Effects of various exposure levels of 2-phenylethanol on fetal development and survival in Long-Evans rats

Phenylethanol was given at different levels (432, 43, or 4.3 mg/kg) by gavage to pregnant Long-Evans rats during the "critical period" of organogenesis. Examination of offspring revealed adverse reproductive and teratogenic effects in a dose-related manner. Intrauterine growth retardation occurred at levels of 432 and 4.3 mg/kg. Embryolethality was 18% at 43 mg/kg and 10% at 4.3 mg/kg. Malformations occurred in the following sequence: 100% at 432 mg/kg; 93% at 43 mg/kg, and 50% at 4.3 mg/kg. Noteworthy dose-related teratogenic effects of phenylethanol in offspring manifested themselves in increased incidences of malformed eyes, neural-tube defects, hydronephrosis, and limb defects.

Ploidy patterns in hepatic tumors induced by Mirex

The effects of chronic exposure to dietary Mirex was investigated in rat livers over a 13 month period. The distribution of ploidy (diploid and tetraploid nuclei) in nodular and nonnodular areas was analyzed in a Coulter Counter fitted with a Channelizer. The nodules, such as adenomas and carcinomas, were identified in histologic sections obtained from companion samples, part of which was used for analysis of nuclear ploidy. The carcinogen disturbed the distribution of nuclei in the ploidy classes, selectively reducing the number of tetraploid cells. This reduction in tetraploid cells corresponded to the nature of the tumor, the most significant effect being noted in hepatocellular carcinomas.

Acute embryopathic effects of ethanol in the Long-Evans rat

Thirty-two pregnant Long-Evans rats were divided into 10 groups of 3 or 4 pregnant rats, and each rat was given a single dose of 4 ml ethanol/kg (20 ml/kg of a 20% solution) between d 6 and 15 of gestation. An 11th group of 50 pregnant rats received distilled water and served as controls. Offspring body weights were decreased in groups of rats given ethanol as compared to controls (3.0-3.6 g, versus 3.9 g for controls). Total litter weight was decreased in dams given ethanol on d 6. Skeletal variants were seen in 13-78% of the offspring given ethanol, compared to 0.6% of the controls. Variations may be considered as additional signs of embryotoxicity. Malformations such as hydronephrosis, pelvic kidney, microcephalus, cranioschisis, and microphthalmia occurred in 72-100% of the ethanol treated offspring, as compared to 12% of controls. Hydronephrosis was most frequent on d 9 or 14, pelvic kidney on d 8 and 11, and microphthalmia from d 10-12. Cranioschisis was maximal on d 7, 11, and 15, and microcephalic offspring were most frequently born to dams given ethanol on d 7 or 14. Skeletal defects were usually single entities, while soft-tissue anomalies occurred in a consistent pattern. These results suggest that ethanol is a stage-specific teratogen in the rat at comparable exposure levels attained by many humans.

Paternal effects of ethanol in the long-evans rat

Ten male Long-Evans rats were given 20% v/v ethanol in the drinking water for 60 consecutive days. Ten other males were given distilled water and served as controls. Each male was then allowed to mate with three virgin female Long-Evans rats, once per week for three consecutive weeks. The males were necropsied after the third mating, the females were killed on d 20 of gestation, and the offspring were examined for parameters of fetal growth, skeletal ossification, and soft-tissue anomalies. Ethanol caused testicular weight reductions and gross testicular atrophy in 1 of 10 males. Five matings of alcoholic male rats proved infertile. Total embryonic deaths (resorptions and preimplantation loss) were increased by ethanol, while implantations and litter size were significantly decreased. Fetuses fathered by alcoholic male rats were malformed: 55% had soft-tissue anomalies (microcephalus, microphthalmia, cranial fissure, and hydronephrosis). Litter weight and average pups weights were also reduced by paternal ethanol consumption. No recovery in reproductive function was evident over the 21-d post-ethanol mating period.

Differential fluorescent staining of porcine heterochromatin by chromomycin A3/distamycin A/DAPI and D 287/170

R banding of porcine chromosomes by chromomycin A3 plus distamycin A and DAPI (DA-DAPI) revealed two distinct types of heterochromatin: The GC-rich centromeric heterochromatin of the biarmed autosomes (Nos. 1-12) and of the X chromosome exhibited bright chromomycin A3 fluorescence, while the heterochromatin of the acrocentric chromosomes (Nos. 13-18) stained brightly by DA-DAPI. The latter also fluoresced brightly when stained by D 287/170. In addition, significant fluorescent polymorphism was observed among both acrocentric and metacentric chromosomes.

Effect of hydrophobic detergent on lipid absorption in the rat and on lipid and sterol balance in the swine

The effects of hydrophobic detergent on fat absorption in the rat were determined under two conditions. In the first, a high dose of detergent was given in a test lipid meal to rats not previously exposed to this agent. A marked delay in digestion of triglyceride in association with malabsorption was observed. In the second, a relatively small dose of detergent was given to rats pretreated with dietary supplement of detergent. No delay of digestion or uptake was observed but absorbed, reesterified lipid was noted to accumulate in the mucosa. Morphologic studies showed abnormal collections of fat droplets in the enterocytes. Sterol and fat balance studies were done on swine on chronic dietary detergent supplement. Mild steatorrhea with excess fecal excretion of neutral sterols was observed. It is concluded that hydrophobic detergents can have an inhibitory effect on both intraluminal and intracellular events of fat absorption.

Lack of effect of butylated hydroxytoluene on dimethylhydrazine-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats

Rats were given 6600 ppm of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in the diet along with 10 weekly oral doses of dimethylhydrazine (DMH, 30 MG/KG). The incidence and mean number of colonic tumors produced were similar to that of rats given DMH alone. Thus, BHT did not provide any protective effect against colon carcinogenesis.

Lysosomal enzymes in macrophages of colonic tumors induced in rats by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride

Ten weekly doses of dimethylhydrazine (30 mg/kg) were given to rats to induce colonic tumors. Histochemical and electron cytochemical studies revealed a distinct pattern of lysosomal acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase activity in macrophages in the stroma of these neoplasms. A dramatic increase in the number of acid phosphatase-rich macrophages was present in adenomas when compared to that in normal colonic mucosa. Fewer numbers of these cells were seen in well-differentiated adenocarcinomas, and they were barely detectable in highly invasive mucinous adenocarcinomas. It is postulated that these macrophages may play a role in preventing the invasion of adenomatous neoplasms into the submucosa. Application of histochemical techniques to study macrophage lysosomal enzymes may prove a useful diagnostic tool in differentiation of human colonic tumors for prognostic evaluation.