[The liver and aging. The effect of age on liver function and drug metabolism]

Theophylline (oxidative phase I metabolism) is biotransformed by the liver at an increasingly delayed rate with advancing age. Hymecromone (phase II metabolism) does not display any dependence of glucuronidisation on age. The indocyanine green half-life and the galactose elimination capacity show a highly significant dependence on age. Drugs with flow-limited elimination or mainly oxidative phase I biotransformation should be administered with reduced dosage level while monitoring the serum concentration levels. Drugs that are transformed via phase II reactions usually do not require dosage adjustment.

Genetic variation between woodchuck populations with high and low prevalence rates of woodchuck hepatitis virus infection

Woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) infection is known to be endemic in areas of the mid-Atlantic states but is apparently absent from populations in New York and much of New England. Blood samples of 40 woodchucks (Marmota monax) from New York and from Delaware were examined by starch gel electrophoresis, and 18 monomorphic and six polymorphic protein-coding genetic systems were identified. Mendelian inheritance of variants of the six polymorphic systems was confirmed in 52 laboratory offspring of the original samples. Average heterozygosity of 0.066 in New York woodchucks and 0.039 in Delaware woodchucks were high values for mammals, although similar to those of other sciurids. Significant heterogeneity between samples from New York and Delaware woodchucks was observed at two loci (peptidase with glycyl leucine-4 and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase), suggesting that these populations were genetically distinct. Whether there are genetically determined differences in response to WHV infection remains to be determined experimentally.

Sound localization of frequency-modulated sinusoids by Old World monkeys

Directional hearing acuity, as measured by the minimum audible angle (MAA), was determined in four Old World monkeys, Macaca radiata. The acoustic stimuli were linear changes in frequency (sweeps) for different frequency ranges and sweep rates. The sweeps ranged between 0.5 and 1.3 kHz, at two durations, 100 and 200 ms. In upsweeps which began at 0.5 kHz and were 200 ms in duration, MAA decreased as sweep rate and frequency range increased. These thresholds were compared to MAAs of sweeps which traversed the same range of frequencies but at a different rate, to MAAs of sweeps with identical rates but over different frequency ranges, and to the MAAs of downsweeps. These comparisons indicated that range, and not sweep rate, exerts the greatest effect on the MAA. Interaural phase differences derived from the upper limits of the frequency range are discussed as potential FM localization cues.

Enhanced formation of sulfidopeptide-leukotrienes in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease: inhibition by sulfasalazine and 5-aminosalicylic acid

Release of sulfidopeptide (SP)-leukotrienes (LT) in vitro from normal human colonic mucosa and from mucosal tissue obtained from patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) was investigated. It was found that inflamed mucosal tissue released significantly more SP-LT than normal colonic mucosa both under control conditions and after addition of calcium ionophore A23187. These results indicate the presence of endogenous stimuli as well as an increased responsiveness to an exogenous stimulus of LT formation in the inflamed mucosa. Sulfasalazine (SASP), a drug used in inflammatory bowel diseases, and its active metabolite 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) were found to inhibit colonic mucosal SP-LT formation, while only 5-ASA inhibited simultaneously synthesis of another arachidonic acid-derived inflammatory mediator, prostaglandin (PG) E2. The results suggest that SP-LT might be important mediators of inflammation in CD and UC.

Genetic bases of isozyme variation for alkaline phosphatase and glucosephosphate isomerase in Solanum

Genetic bases of isozyme phenotypes of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and glucosephosphate isomerase (GpI) from tuber extracts of potato species of the genus Solanum were investigated by starch gel electrophoresis. Data were obtained from reciprocal F1 matings of S. tuberosum X ssp. andigena (Juz. & Buk.) Hawkes and ssp. tuberosum X (S. phureja X S. chacoense) and BC1 matings where ssp. tuberosum was the recurrent parent. AKP and GPI are dimeric enzymes and the variation observed for each was found to be coded by single tetrasomic loci (Akp and Gpi) with three (A, A', A″) and five (G, G', G″, G‴, G[Symbol: see text]) alleles, respectively. Although the G‴ and G[Symbol: see text] encoded homodimers have similar electrophoretic mobilities, the specific enzymatic activity of the G[Symbol: see text] encoded homodimer is approximately 25% that of the G‴. The predictable genetic bases for these two enzymatic polymorphisms make them suitable for use as genetic markers in the potato. Chromosome mapping of the loci which encode these enzymes is now possible.

Nonnutritive, thermotactile induction of filial huddling in rat pups

Norway rat pups, 15 days of age and older, huddle preferentially with members of their own species. This normal filial response can be reassigned, however, by altering the olfactory characteristics of the mother. The present series of experiments was designed to isolate those aspects of maternal stimulation that establish the filial huddling preferences of rat pups. Results of two-choice huddling tests indicated that daily, 4-hr exposures to a perfumed foster dam induced filial preferences for odors associated with maternal care. Similar effects were also achieved with equal amounts of "mere exposure" (familiarization) to odors. Different kinds of odor-experience pairings were evaluated with a within-subject regime of alternating, daily exposures. It was found that preferences induced by maternal contact are stronger than those resulting from familiarization. We rejected the hypothesis that the nursing relationship is a necessary or contributory factor in the establishment of the rat's filial attraction; preferences for odors associated with a nonlactating foster mother were as strong as those derived from maternal contact that included nutritive nursing. Contact interactions with an inanimate, warm, scented tube induced preferences as strong as those induced by maternal care. It was concluded that thermotactile stimulation during mother-young interactions induces olfactory preferences in the weanling rat.

Some characteristics of regular and irregular attenders for dental check-ups

Previous surveys of dental care have shown that a substantial proportion of people do not attend dentists regularly. Reasons given for such non-attendance included fear as well as other negative attitudes. Recent studies have attributed fear of dentistry to painful traumatic experiences. The purpose of this study was to compare regular and irregular or non-attenders for dental check-ups on a number of variables, including sex and age, self and family dental anxiety, and previous dental experience. A sample of 531 subjects of both sexes and ranging in age from 16 to 78 years was made available by two large organizations in London and surveyed during office hours. Dental anxiety appeared as a significant factor in non-attendance but there was little support for a simple conditioning hypothesis to explain dental anxiety. Attenders and non-attenders differed markedly in their perception of dentists but there was no difference between the groups as to sex and age.

Patients' perception of dentists' positive and negative attributes

Earlier studies have shown that dental patients concern themselves with the personality characteristics of their dentists as well as with their professional competence. The present study is part of a wider survey which compared the characteristics of regular and irregular or non-attenders for dental check-ups. In this article patients' characteristics such as sex, age, level of dental anxiety and certain previous dental experiences were related to their perceptions of dentists' positive and negative attributes. The results confirmed previous findings that dentists were seen generally by their patients in a favourable light. Respondents who admitted to higher levels of dental anxiety were more likely to choose more negative attributes and less positive ones than respondents who admitted to lower levels; women, younger subjects and the dentally anxious consistently chose unsympathetic and indifferent as the two top negative characteristics of their dentists.

Theophylline elimination in congestive heart failure

The elimination of theophylline (clearance, half-life) was investigated in 50 patients with chronic congestive heart failure (grade III/IV) and in 20 controls. The cardiac diagnosis was based on clinical and hemodynamic parameters. Patients with congestion of the liver showed a significant reduction of the theophylline body clearance to 25.7 ml/kg/h +/- 12.1 vs 68.3 ml/kg/h +/- 14.8 in the control group, and a corresponding prolongation of the half-life to 5.7 h +/- 2.5 vs 3.1 h +/- 1.4 in the control group. The main pathogenetic factor is obviously the functioning hepatic tissue, reflected by the galactose elimination capacity (r = 0.666; P less than 0.01; theophylline clearance vs galactose elimination capacity).

[Histochemical differential diagnosis of intestinal metaplasia of the stomach--new sialic acid stains]

tients with precancerous lesions of the stomach should be followed regularly, since the prognosis of gastric carcinoma is still rather bad. A histochemical method implaying the use of sialic acid is described, which allows differentiation of two forms of intestinal metaplasia of the gastric mucosa, exhibiting possibly different degrees of premalignancy . The two types of metaplastic areas produce, respectively, duodenum-like or colon-like goblet cell mucus. Probably only the latter type is to be classified as a premalignant lesion. This hypothesis is being supported by the fact, that during histochemical work-up of routine biopsy material of gastric mucosa intestinal metaplasia of the colon type was found only in two out of twenty cases of metaplasia.

[Spontaneous bilio-digestive fistula after intraoperative choledochus ligation]

Intraoperative lesions of the extrahepatic bile ducts during cholecystectomy do occur; the incidence is about 0.2 to 0.8%. Lesions of the hepatic duct and the choledochus duct followed by stenosis (usually of the cystic duct confluent) do occur most frequently. Intraoperative ligation of the hepatic duct or the choledochus duct are the most severe sequelae of biliary surgery; the leading symptom is progressive postoperative obstructive jaundice. A bilio-digestive fistula may be formed spontaneously and may masquerade this complication leading to relapsing cholangitis. Pathogenesis, clinical symptoms and therapy of bilio-digestive fistula are discussed, after an own case report is given.

Genetic variation and joint segregation of biochemical loci in the common meadow mushroom, Agaricus campestris

In this paper we report the results of an electrophoretic examination of genetic variation in the common meadow mushroom, Agaricus campestris. An examination of variability at 10 biochemical loci in a single natural population revealed an average heterozygosity of 0.281. Mendelian segregation was verified for 13 loci in single-spore-derived lines from individual sporophores. One linkage was found (Gpt-2 with Pep-GL-1, r = 0.065) among 47 pairwise examinations for joint segregation.

Correlations among scores on the 1966, 1973, and 1979 norms of Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices for economically disadvantaged students

The correlations between the scores on the 1966, 1973, and 1979 norms on Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices for economically disadvantaged students in Grades 3 to 5 were significantly high. It seems appropriate to use any of the three sets of norms with economically disadvantaged students.

Correlations between scores on Form A, Form B, and Form A + B of the Culture Fair Intelligence Test for economically disadvantaged students

The Culture Fair Intelligence Test Form A (Scale 2, Forms A and B) correlated moderately with Form B ( r = .59). Form A correlated highly with Form A + B ( r = .88) and Form B with Form A + B ( r = .88) for 133 economically disadvantaged children in Grades 3 to 5.

[Hematologic and dermatologic side-effects of antibiotic therapy]

The report details possible haematological and dermatological side effects due to co-trimoxazole: agranulocytosis and epidermiolysis bullosa (Lyell) respectively developed after short-term therapy with co-trimoxazole in two women treated for tonsillitis and acute relapse of chronic obstructive bronchitis respectively. The clinical findings, therapeutical management and clinical outcome of both patients are described. Reviewing the literature the relevance of co-trimoxazole induced side effects is discussed.

Joint segregation of biochemical loci in salmonidae. III. Linkage associations in Salmonidae including data from rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

The results of 107 pairwise examinations of joint segregation of biochemical and skin color loci in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, are presented. Three examinations revealed significant nonrandom assortment: Idh-3 with Me-2, Ada-1 with G3p-3, and Mdh-3, with Mdh-4. We believe the first two instances to be cases of classical linkage and the latter instance to reflect pseudolinkage based on similar findings in Salvelinus. All known salmonid linkage associations are reviewed. The results of this summary indicate a high degree of genome conservatism among genera within the Salmonidae, which would seem to be in contrast to the highly plastic genome of this family based on karyotypic data. Data are presented which negate the view that Robertsonian fusion of homologous acrocentric chromosome arms was the preferred mode of metacentric formation in salmonid evolution.

[Cholesteryl ester storage disease in the liver (author's transl)]

Cholesteryl ester storage disease is a rare disorder if cholesterol metabolism characterized by excessive hepatic storage of cholesteryl esters. The underlying defect probably is decreased activity of alpha-naphtyl-acetatesterase, a lysosomal acid lipase. The leading symptom in the early stage is a pronounced enlargement of the liver without subjective complaints or other changes in the physical status. Diagnosis can be established by liver biopsy, which will yield characteristic findings, and by exclusion of other storage disease. Histologic examination of the biopsy specimen will show lipid droplets in hepatic parenchymal cells, vacuolated Kupffer cells and focal accumulation of foamy cells. Biochemical analysis of the biopsy specimen will show an increased content of cholesteryl esters. Investigation of media of culture fibroblasts will show decreased activity of lysosomal alpha-naphtyl-acetat-esterase. In addition adrenal calcification has to be ruled out, in order to exclude wolman's disease. The prognosis of the disease will depend upon the degree of liver insufficiency, since lympho-histiocytic infiltration as a secondary phenomenon may lead to septal fibrosis and cirrhosis in children or adolescents in most cases. A case report is given of a 13-year old girl suffering from this disease.

Loss of duplicate gene expression in salmonids: evidence for a null allele polymorphism at the duplicate aspartate aminotransferase loci in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

Unusual phenotypic distributions at the muscle-specific, duplicate aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) loci were found in wild populations of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), a species of the tetraploid-derivative Salmonidae. Analysis of these phenotypic distributions ruled out disparate gene frequencies, nonrandom association between the two loci, and inbreeding as possible explanations; however, models incorporating a null allele fit the data. Inheritance data from hatchery populations of brook trout also indicated a null allele polymorphism. This proposed AAT null allele, along with other null allele polymorphisms in salmonids, is evidence that loss of duplicate gene expression is still occurring. In contrast, there is no such evidence of ongoing loss of duplicate gene expression in the Catostomidae, another tetraploid-derivative lineage. We interpret this and other differences between salmonids an catostomids as reflecting an autotetraploid origin for salmonids and an allotetraploid origin for catostomids. The significance of these findings is also considered with respect to current models of the rate of loss of duplicate gene expression in tetraploid-derivative organisms.

[Liver changes in acute rheumatic fever]

Following the course of disease in a 19 year old patient with acute rheumatic fever we report the reaction of the liver parenchyma: on histological examination besides a marked steatosis several "unspecific" granulomas were seen. Nutritional and toxic factors were excluded aetiologically. Difficulties in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of acute mono/poly-arthritis as a leading symptom are discussed.

[How strongly does heavy work in the heat affect metabolism?]

The study covered 39 acclimatised workers of a ball-bearing forge, aged 39,03 +/- 9,95 years. Temperature of the air, relative humidity and air speed were measured immediately at work. Additionally electrocardiogram, heart rate and temperature of the skin were continuously transmitted by telemetry. Before and at the end of the shift analysis of blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram, blood cells and coagulation, serum acidity and a great number of other metabolic parameters was performed. The netto calories were calculated as 3250 kcal/8 hours (= 13585 kJ/8 hours). Hematological analysis demonstrated a tendency to increase of leucocytes favouring neutrophil granulocytes. The main alterations comprised decrease of actual pH, base excess and standard bicarbonate. Furthermore serum lactate and triglycerides increased, creatinine attained the upper limit of the normal range, mineralogram remained unchanged by drinking ad libitum. The so called "liver enzymes" remained stable. As to circulatory parameters systolic blood pressure slightly declined whilst heart rate increased.

[Occupational liver diseases: (author's transl)]

A large number of exogenous substances with potential liver toxicity are to be found in work places and in the environment. Decisive importance is ascribed to regular supervision of exposed persons and adhering to the appropriate safety provisions without being able to ensure reliable prevention of toxic liver damage thereby. The prognosis of occupational toxic liver damage is good if recognition is timely and the causal noxae are eliminated. The aim of all diagnostic and prophylactic efforts must be rehabilitation, in addition to specific occupational medical and hygienic measures.

Pseudolinkage of the duplicate loci for supernatant aspartate aminotransferase in brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis

Electrophoretic variation involving three alleles is described for the duplicated loci for supernatant aspartate aminotransferase (AAT-1,2), from muscle extracts of brook trout. Both loci exhibit largely disomic inheritance. Exceptional progeny types are proposed to be the result of a form of tetrasomic inheritance. Nonrandom segregation was found among the progeny of males doubly heterozygous for AAT markers; where so-called linkage phase was known, this nonrandom assortment was shown to be pseudolinkage (78.9 percent recombination). Analyses of joint segregation of triply heterozygous males for the AAT-(1,2) loci and for the single alpha glycerophosphate dehydrogenase locus (AGP-1) revealed true linkage of AGP-1 with one AAT locus (mean r = 11 percent), but pseudolinkage with the other AAT locus (r = 74 percent). Intraindividual variation for homoeologous multivalent pairing of two acrocentric with two metacentric chromosomes in males, but with bivalent pairing in females, is proposed to account for pseudolinkage and for the tetrasomically inherited types.

Joint segregation of biochemical loci in Salmonidae. II. Linkage associations from a hybridized salvelinus genome (S. namaycush X S. fontinalis)

The results of more than 300 pairwise examinations of biochemical loci for joint segregation in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and in the hybridized genome of lake trout (S. namaycush) X brook trout are summarized. Nineteen loci have been assigned to tahe following eight linkage groupings on the basis of nonrandom assortment, including cases of both classical linkage and pseudolinkage: ODH with PMI with PGI-3, PGI-2 with SDH, ADA-1 with AGP-2, AAT-1(1,2) with AGP-1 with MDH-1, MDH-3 with MDH-4, LDH-3 with LDH-4, IDH-3 with ME-2 and GUS with CPK-1. Pseudolinkage (an excess of nonparental progeny types) was observed only for male testcross parents. The results suggest that this phenomenon involves homeologous chromosome arms as evidenced by the de novo association of presumed duplicate loci in each case. Classical linkage has not been found for the five pairs of duplicate loci examined in Salvelinus, suggesting that not all of the eight metacentrics in the haploid complement involve fusions of homeologous chromosomes. Females consistently showed a greater degree of recombination.

Effect of spinal cord temperature on carotid blood flow in the Pekin duck

Spinal cord heating in white Pekin ducks increases breathing rate and carotid blood flow. During naturally induced panting, the reverse effect was achieved by spinal cooling. An increased beak and expired air temperature during spinal heating suggest an importance of the increased carotid blood flow in maximizing heat dissipation during polypnoea. The results indicate that both the polypneic response and the increase in carotid blood flow are dependent on the same sensory input, namely the temperature of the spinal cord.

Genetic basis of creatine kinase isozymes in skeletal muscle of salmonid fishes

The genetic basis of isozyme phenotypes of creatine kinase (CK) from extracts of skeletal muscle of salmonids has been resolved through breeding data including double heterozygous crosses and backcrosses of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), and backcrosses of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). The two-three-, or four-banded phenotypes of homozygous individuals and all heterozygous and hybrid phenotypes of ten salmonid species are readily explained by the following model: (1) there are no detectable heterodimers either between allelic products at a single locus or between loci: (2) each allele is represented electrophoretically by two bands, presumably a reflection of stable posttranslational modification of a single polypeptide unit; (3) CK of salmonid muscle is encoded by two loci--CK-1 and CK-2. The distance separating the paired bands reflecting each allele provides a basis for two groupings--a broad-spaced group (including all species of Oncorhynchus tested excepting O. masou) and a narrow-spaced group (including all species of Salmo tested and O. masou). The relationships among species suggested by the relative mobilities and spacings of these CK bands are consistent with taxonomic schemes inferred from morphological, cytogenetic, and other isozymic data.

Theophylline-7-acetic acid: lack of absorption and therapeutic effectiveness

A double-blind cross-over trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of oral theophylline-7-acetic acid (T7AA) in 13 asthmatic patients. Pulmonary function tests showed no difference between T7AA and placebo. No T7AA or theophylline was found in the sera of these patients or of healthy volunteers who took T7AA tablets or syrup.

Genetic variation, inheritance, and quaternary structure of malic enzyme in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

Electrophoretic variation is described for malic enzyme (ME) for the first time in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Since the quaternary structure of ME was not clear from examination of banding patterns in brook trout alone, ME phenotypes in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)X brook trout hybrids as wel as in esocid species demonstrated that ME is tetrameric. A model of two duplicated loci is proposed to account for the observed variation. One locus (ME-2) is fixed and one locus (ME-1) is variable with three electrophoretically distinct alleles; the protein products of ME-1 are reduced in activity relative to the protein products of ME-2. Joint segregation was examined between ME-1, ME-2, and nine other biochemical loci in a splake--lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) X brook trout hybrid--backcross. All pairwise examinations showed random assortment except ME-2 with an isocitrate dehydrogenase locus (IDH-3), which showed complete linkage in the splake backcross. This may be due to a chromosomal aberration.