Role of computerized axial tomography in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of hydrocephalus. Preliminary communication

The authors have summarized their experience in the application of computerized axial tomography to the overall management of hydrocephalus.

Ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatase in the pollen tube of Prunus avium L. (sweet cherry)

The pollen tube of Prunus avium (cherry) consists of a growth zone of vesicles at the tip and an assemblage of organelles typical of an actively metabolizing cell. Electron opaque globules are closely associated with the plasma membrane and fibrillar cell wall layer at the tip. Acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) activity is localized in the membranes of 120 nm vesicles and ER system, the lumen of 50 nm vesicles, the plasma membrane and the tube nucleus.

The cyclization of some methylphenylhydrazones to indoles. The preparation of some polymethine dyes related to Astrazon Orange R

The cyclization of several substituted acetophenone methylphenylhydrazones to indoles has been achieved by means of polyphosphoric acid as the reagent. The resultant N-methyl-2- phenylindoles and their 3-formyl analogues were used for the preparation of several new polymethine basic dyes related to Astrazon Orange R, the ultraviolet spectral and lightfastness (on wool) properties of which are described. The cyclization of some cycloalkanone methylphenylhydrazones has been achieved in acetic acid.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors and cerebral vasospasm

Experimental cerebral vasospasm was studied in cat and monkey models. In the cat, the basilar artery was exposed by a transclival approach and spasm induced by the application of blood to the vessel. In the monkey, spasm was produced by injecting blood into the subarachnoid space. Vessel size was determined in the cat by direct observation and, in the monkey, by cerebral angiography. Several agents known to alter the synthsis and degradation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) were used to modity the vasospasm produced. Isoproterenol (Norisodrine) and aminophyline were effective in reversing cerebral vasospasm when applied topically and when administered parenterally. It is suggested that manipulation of the cyclic AMP pathways may be an effective method of controlling cerebral vasospasm.

Experimental cerebral vasospasm and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (c-AMP)

Blood induced acute and chronic cerebral vasospasm were studied in Rhesus monkeys by serial angiography. Two vasoactive agents were evaluated. In acute spasm, phosphodiesterase inhibition by Aminophylline consistently reversed the vasospasm. This agent alone was ineffective in chronic spasm and required the addition of Isoproterenol to produce reversal of vasospasm. It is proposed that cerebral vasospasm may be associated with a decrease of intracellular c-AMP in vascular smooth muscle which can be reversed by manipulation of the enzyme pathway involved. It is further proposed that c-AMP is a basic common pathway through which adrenergic vascular reactivities are mediated.

ENTROPY DIFFERENCES FOR SOME RELATED PAIRS OF COMPLEX IONS

The temperature coefficient of e.m.f. of a cell consisting of a saturated calomel electrode and a redox electrode of K4Fe(CN)6 and K3Fe(CN)6 has been determined by e.m.f. measurements at a series of equimolal concentrations of the above salts and at temperatures of 20, 25, 30, 35 °C. The results for this calomel–redox cell are expressed by the equation ECR0 = 0.1200 − 0.00214(t − 25), or for the redox electrode against a hydrogen gas electrode, EHR0 = 0.3644 − 0.00280(t − 25), with E in V and t in °C. Analogous results are available in the literature for other such pairs of complex ions; an examination of these data leads to the hypothesis that the following trichelated pairs: Fe dip32+/3+, Fe phen32+/3+, Ru dip32+/3+, are respectively nearly isentropic.