Biochemical examination of sera during systemic Candida infection in mice

Candida pathogenesis was examined by intravenous challenge of mice with either C. albicans or C. guilliermondii. Animals were moribund 12 h postchallenge with C. albicans and were found to have the greatest number of organisms in the heart and kidney, severe interstitial myocarditis, and elevated serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatine phosphokinase, serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase. In contrast, challenge with C. guilliermondii resulted in a significantly lower renal census, no myocarditis, and no significant change in the concentration of these serum constituents. Challenge with nonviable C. albicans did not produce the effects observed with viable organisms. Moreover, challenge with filamentous C. albicans resulted in biochemical alterations of lower magnitude and in lower mortality rates. These results indicated that altered serum biochemistries were correlated with the histopathology of fatal Candida infection and that there were distinct differences with C. guilliermondii and the dimorphic phases of C. albicans.

The cardiomyopathy of the Syrian hamster (strain BIO 8262)--hypertrophic or dystrophic?

Chemical as well as cytophotometric studies were carried out on myocardium of cardiomyopathic hamsters of strain BIO 8262 and of healthy control hamsters of strain CLAC. Our interest was to find out whether the cardiomyopathic hamsters suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or not. The heart muscle mass was only slightly increased in the older cardiomyopathic hamsters when compared with the controls. This increase was accompanied by an elevated content of total DNS, RNS and protein. Furthermore, the number of hyperdiploid heart muscle cells was slightly increased in the older diseased animals. However, all these changes were of minor degree. Thus, a distinct hypertrophying process in the myocardium of the cardiomyopathic hamsters can be excluded. On the other hand, the connective tissue components (polysaccharides and collagen) were distinctly increased in the hearts of older cardiomyopathic hamsters. This is in accordance with morphological investigations, in which replacement of necrotic myocardium by fibrosis could be detected.

[Distribution of haemoglobin content in human red cells, estimated by scanning cytophotometry (author's transl)]

Haemoglobin content and surface area of human red cells were estimated using a scanning cytophotometer connected to a computer for registration and analysis of the data. The measurements were carried out on fixed, unstained peripheral blood smears at a wavelength of 414 nm. The scanning can be controlled on the screen in order to detect errors and to eliminate extinctions from other sources than the cell examined. The method allows to demonstrate the topographic quantitative distribution of haemoglobin within the cell, to estimate haemoglobin content and surface area in individual cells and to correlate these values, to establish frequency distributions of the data within cell populations and to calculate various statistical parameters. Results of measurements on normal and abnormal red cells (iron deficiency, haemolytic anaemias) are demonstrated. The method may be used for investigation on red cell pathophysiology and may serve as a basis for image analysis in blood smears. It is too time consuming for direct diagnostic application in clinical practice.

[Cell image analysis on the PDP-12 computer: a software system for processing the image information from a scanning microscope photometer (author's transl)]

A system of computer programs is introduced which allows image analyzing of cytological or histological preparations. The software system was especially developed for a microprocessor (PDP-12, Digital Equipment Corporation) which is often implied in connection with microscope photometers (SMP 05, Carl Zeiss). Users need not to know anything about computer programming because the computer gives the necessary orders via CRT-display or printer. The different descriptors as they are available after different cytochemical or histochemical staining procedures are combined to a pattern vector which is to be a numerical equivalent of cell morphology. A novel method in numerically describing the fine structure of cell nuclei is emphasized. Different cell populations are compared by means of a simplified multivariate discrimiatory analysis. All programs are written in assembler language and they are stored on LINC tapes (Digital Equipment Corporation). Copies of system tapes respectively tapes with the source programs are available from the authors on sending of blank magnetic tapes (2,000 blocks marked). Description and print out of individual programs are published in the dissertation cited in References. Changes and additions of the system which have been done mean-while will be summarized, and lateron such summaries are available on request.

Histoplasma capsulatum in vessels of the choroid

In a 3-year-old boy disseminated histoplasmosis was recognized from a liver biopsy. The patient died shortly afterwards and had foci of the disease in liver, spleen, and kidneys. Large numbers of yeast cells of Histoplasma capsulatum were found within histiocytes in other organs including the eye. This rare finding is remarkable in view of the search for Histoplasma capsulatum in the syndrome known as "so-called histoplasmosis of the choroid."

Accidental inoculation blastomycosis

The pathogenesis of blastomycosis as a primary pulmonary infection has been well established and widely accepted. The rate cases of primary cutaneous inoculation are in all documented instances related to "laboratory" accidents. A case of inoculation with a culture suspension of Blastomyces Dermatitidis is herein reported. A slow healing chancre remained active for about eight months.

[Rule of antibody structure. the primary structure of a monoclonal IgG1 immunoglobulin (myeloma protein Nie), I: Purification and characterization of the protein, the L- and H-chains, the cyanogenbromide cleavage products, and the disulfide bridges (author's transl)]

Myeloma protein Nie has been isolated from the serum of a myeloma patient by free flow continuous high voltage electrophoresis or by Pevicon-block electrophoresis. It was further purified by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration, and characterized by amino acid analysis and end group determination. Serologically, the protein belongs to the IgG1 subclass. It has been typed as Gm1+, 2-,4- and 17+. The L-chain is of the k-type. The L- and H-chains have been separated by gel-filtration after partial reduction and alkylation and characterized by amino acid analysis and end group determination. The F(ab)- and Fc-fragments, prepared by limited tryptic digestion, have been separated and characterized. Cyanogen bromide splitting products have been prepared both from the intact IgG and from the Fc-and the partially reduced and alkylated F(ab)-fragment. These splitting products have been purified and characterized by amino acid analysis and end group determination. By means of these cyanogen bromide splitting products and by partial reduction and alkylation, the disulfide bridges in the protein could be localized: one L-H-bridge, two inter-H-bridges and four loop forming intra-H-bridges.

An assessment of protein secondary structure prediction methods based on amino acid sequence

Five of the several secondary structure prediction methods based on protein amino acid sequence has been computerized, allowing the calculation of joint prediction histograms which have been shown to be superior to any individual prediction. The known structures of about 40 proteins experimentally determined by X-ray crystallography are compared with the predictions resulting from calculated histograms. The accuracy of the predictions for helices is generally much better than for both beta-sheet regions and for turns. The overall agreement between prediction and observation within the amino terminal half of the protein molecules is clearly superior to that for the carboxyl half, suggesting an amino nucleating core. Predictions for smaller proteins and thermally stable proteins are generally good, indicating the sensitivity of the methods to short-range but not long-range interactions. In less than half the cases tested were the predictions useful; there was no way of knowing ahead of time if a favorable prediction would result. Given the lack of dramatic improvement with an increase in data base for the schemes and the generally poor agreement factors, it appears that a perfect predictive algorithm must include a consideration of energy minimization, thermalization, and long-range interactions. Extreme caution is suggested in applying present prediction routines to unknown protein structures.

Detection of precipitating antibodies to Histoplasma capsulatum by counterimmunoelectrophoresis

The technique of counterimmunoelectrophoresis was evaluated for its usefulness in the detection of precipitating antibodies to Histoplasma capsulatum, designated h and m precipitin bands. Forty-four patients with active histoplasmosis had either m bands or both h and m bands. The h precipitin band occurred primarily in patients with disseminated disease, chronic pulmonary disease, or mediastinal lymphadenopathy of several months' duration; with resolution of the infection, this antibody disappeared. The m band appeared earlier in the course of histoplasmosis and persisted for months to years after resolution of the infection. Antibodies detected by counterimmunoeelectrophoresis were in the immunoglobin G class and were more specific for histoplasmosis than those detected by the complement fixation test. Only one false positive h band occurred in a total of 81 sera tested (specimens from 24 healthy control subjects and 57 patients with other diseases). Counterimmunoelectrophoresis was both more sensitive and quicker than immunodiffusion at detecting h and m antibodies. Combining this assay with standard complement fixation tests and fungal culture methods should lead to the accurate, rapid diagnosis of histoplasmosis.

Biliary secretion in elasmobranchs. II. Hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of organic anions

[35S]Bromosulfophthalein ([35C]BSP), [14C]sodium taurocholate ([14C]NaTC), AND 10 MG OF UNLABELED BSP.and of phenol-3,6-dibromophthalein disulfonate (DBSP) per kilogram body weight were injected in the caudal artery of free-swimming dogfish sharks (Squalus acanthias) and small skates (Raja erinacea). Twenty-four hours later, 85.8 +/- 15.7% of [35S]BSP was recovered in bile and liver in dogfish and 78.4 +/- 9.9% in skates. Similar results were obtained for [14C]NaTC. Unlabeled BSP or DBSP (10 mg/kg body wt) were also selectively excreted in bile over a 4-day period and at comparable rates in both species. More than 85% of [35S]BSP, BSP, and DBSP in bile was in unconjugated form. Selective hepatic clearance of BSP occurred despite nonselective binding to liver homogenates and very low concentrations of binding proteins in liver cytosol. Analysis of the organic anion plasma disappearance curves suggest that the clearance of anions into bile in elasmobranchs is delayed disproportionately relative to hepatic uptake. Albumin-BSP infusions did not prevent selective hepatic uptake of [35S]BSP, although biliary excretion was delayed further. These studies demonstrate that transport systems for biliary excretion of organic anions evolved prior to migration of marine life from the sea and relatively independently of intrahepatic conjugation and organic anion-binding proteins.

Biliary secretion in elasmobranchs. I. Bile collection and composition

Bile composition and secretion were studied in tow elasmobranch species, Squalus acanthias (spiny dogfish shark) and Raja erinacea (small skate), after ligation of the common duct and insertion of cannulas into the gallbladder lumen. Fish were then allowed to swim freely in large pools and bile was collected in balloons attached to the externalized cannulas. Both species secreted bile for periods of 4-7 days at a maximum rate of 1.77 +/- .89 ml/kg per 24 h in Squalus acanthias and 2.66 +/- .89 ml/kg per 24 h in Raja erinacea. Comparison of the composition of cannula and gallbladder bile indicated that hepatic bile could be collected by this technique in both species without effective contact with gallbladder epithelium. The low concentrations of HCO3- and CL- and the gigh bile salt levels in dogfish gallbladder bile indicate that mechanisms for concentration and acidification of bile in the gallbladder developed early in vertebrate evolution. These results indicate that gallbladder cannulation in free-swimming elasmobranchs is a useful technique for the study of bile secretory and excretory function in marine species.

Selective hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of 35S-sulfobromophthalein in marine elasmobranchs

The hepatic metabolism of 35S-sulfobromophthalein was studied in the free-swimming Elasmobranchs, Squalus acanthias (spiny dogfish shark) and Raja erinacea (small skate), to evaluate the physiological significance of biliary excretion of organic anions in marine vertebrates. Twenty-four hours after intra-arterial injection, 85.8 +/- 15.7% of the administered dose was recovered in bile and liver in dogfish and 78.4 +/- 9.9% in skates. More than 85% of BSP in bile was in unconjugated form in both species. Furthermore, selective hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of 35S-sulfobromophthalein occurred despite very little specific binding protein (Ligandin). These studies demonstrate that transport systems for biliary excretion of organic anions evolved before migration of marine life from the sea and independent of conjugation and organic anion binding proteins which facilitate biliary excretion of compounds such as 35S-sulfobromophthalein in higher vertebrates.

Comparative evaluation of the Candida agglutinin test, precipitin test, and germ tube dispersion test in the diagnosis of candidiasis

Normal sera and sera from burned patients were examined for Candida agglutinin titers, precipitin titers, and the ability to disperse germ tubes of Candida albicans in an attempt to determine whether germ tube dispersion is correlated with Candida infection as animal models have indicated. Other investigators have reported that immunoglobulin G antibody to Candida interferes with a serum clumping factor resulting in germ tube dispersion. Germ tube dispersion in sera from burned patients with varying degrees of Candida infection is significantly greater than that found in uninfected controls. In addition, the germ tube dispersion test indicated the presence of Candida infection in several patients who had clinical evidence of infection but no detectable agglutinins or precipitins.

Pericarditis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum

Sixteen patients with pericarditis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum were studied. Fourteen were less than 30 years old, and no patient had an underlying illness or was receiving immunosuppressive therapy. All patients experienced a flu-like prodromal illness lasting from 2 weeks to 4 months. Pneumonitis or hilar adenopathy, or both, was found in 12; pleural effusion, uncommon in primary pulmonary histoplasmosis, was found in seven patients. Pericardial fluid, pleural fluid and bone marrow cultures yielded no growth. All patients demonstrated a fourfold or greater change in complement-fixing antibody titers. No patient had disseminated disease, and only one required treatment with ampholericin B. The illness ran a protracted course, and in six patients symptomatic pericarditis recurred. Ultimately all recovered. Ten patients were restudied 6 months to 12 years after recover. Only one patient had pericardial calcification, and none had constrictive pericarditis. This form of granulomatous pericarditis, unlike that caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, appears to carry a good prognosis.

Effects of local anaesthetics on calcium transport by canine cardiac microsomes (fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum)

Local anaesthetics inhibit calcium transport by cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum. However, the concentrations of lidocaine and procaineamide needed to produce these effects are high. No significant differences were found between these agents that could account for reported differences in their electrophysiological effects.

Cavitary pulmonary cryptococcosis complicated by aspergilloma

A roentgenogram of a 31-year-old office worker who had developed pleuritic pain showed multiple abscess cavities in the left lower lobe, and a clinical diagnosis of cryptococcosis was considered because of cryptococci recovered from a sputum smear and a positive indirect fluorescent antibody test. Lobectomy (after unsuccessful amphotericin therapy) proved the presence of a destructive cryptococcosis with Aspergillus proliferating in the cavities.