[Isolation of various fractions of human placental nuclei and their utilization in an in vitro transcription system]

A new approach to isolating chromatin and DNA from human placental nuclei is described. Criteria of purity are given by spectrophotometry and chemical analysis. Chromatin and DNA keep their template efficiencies after isolation. We used them in a transcription system where wheat germ RNA polymerase intervenes. The role of histones was tested on this system.

Deep level transient spectroscopy for diodes with large leakage currents

A Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) system is described for measuring deep levels in diodes exhibiting large leakage currents. A capacitance bridge employing the diode to be tested along with a dummy diode of similar characteristics is used. The DLTS spectrum of a leaky GaAs planar diode is measured and compared to experimental results obtained with two standard DLTS systems. It is shown that measurements with the standard systems are impossible in certain temperature ranges because of overloading problems. The approach described here, however, gives the DLTS spectrum between 77 degrees and 300 degrees K.

Acute ischaemic neuropathy in the rabbit

Ligation of either the common and internal iliac or the internal and external iliac arteries produced ischaemic lesions of the sciatic nerve and its branches, as well as direct muscle damage, in 5 out of 6 rabbits. In one animal, ligation of the aorta and of the internal iliac artery on one side produced a similar mixture of nerve and muscle damage on the side of the double ligation. Ligation of the femoral artery alone in 3 animals failed to produce significant changes. In the 6 affected animals there was paralysis of the hind leg on the side of the iliac ligations, with loss of tendon reflexes. Appreciation of pinprick over the foot and lower leg also appeared to be impaired. Complete ischaemic necrosis with irreversible damage to both neural and connective tissue elements did not occur in the main nerve trunks, but was present in some of the intramuscular nerve bundles as part of generalized coagulative necrosis of the most severely affected muscles. The characteristic pathological changes in the nerve fibres of the main nerve trunks were Wallerin degeneration and paranodal demyelination, the former being more extensive than the latter. In the animals with double iliac ligations, the upper level of ischaemic nerve damage was in the thigh, the tibial portion of the sciatic nerve being more commonly affected than the peroneal. Nerve and muscle damage tended to occur at different levels in the limb, but there was no example of clinical paresis due to neural damage without any ischaemic muscle changes being present. In two of the 3 animals in which the plantar muscles were examined, these muscles appeared to escape direct damage in spite of ischaemic lesions in the more proximal parts of the limb.

Stapedius reflex in multiple sclerosis

An analysis was carried out of recordings of the crossed stapedial reflex response in a series of normal subjects and 30 patients with multiple sclerosis. Parameters measured included latency, contraction time, amplitude, and relaxation time. Criteria derived from the normal group and applied to the multiple sclerosis group showed clear evidence of abnormality in 10 patients. This can be attributed to lesions in the pathways of the second and third order neurones in the trapezoid body and superior olivary complex. Present evidence suggests that further refinements in the measurement technique might significantly increase the detection rate of abnormalities in multiple sclerosis.

Clinical and theoretical aspects of head movement dependent oscillopsia (HMDO). A review

Head movement-dependent oscillopsia (HMDO) with peripheral vestibular, brainstem and cerebellar lesions is reviewed. The differentiation of this kind of oscillopsia is based mainly on clinical grounds. HMDO with bilateral abolition of caloric responses, and in the absence of disease of the central nervous system, is due to bilateral vestibular disease. HMDO in patients with internuclear ophthalmoplegia and other brainstem signs is probably due to a lesion of VOR pathways in or near the medial longitudinal fasciculus. The occurrence of HMDO with ataxia of gait and cerebellar eye movement disorders (rebound nystagmus, flutter-like oscillations), in the absence of brainstem lesions (medial longitudinal fasciculus), is clinical evidence for HMDO due to a cerebellar lesion. An attempt is made to associate the different kinds of oscillopsia with current knowledge of the vestibulo-ocular reflexes.

Massive extracorporeal blood clotting during discontinuous flow leukapheresis

A case is reported in which massive extracorporeal blood clotting necessitated the discontinuance of leukapheresis and loss of the product. An investigation of the cause of the massive clotting is reported along with suggested precautions to prevent similar occurrences in pheresis programs.

Gaze failure, drifting eye movements, and centripetal nystagmus in cerebellar disease

Three abnormalities of eye movement in man are described which are indicative of cerebellar system disorder, namely, centripetally beating nystagmus, failure to maintain lateral gaze either in darkness or with eye closure, and slow drifting movements of the eyes in the absence of fixation. Similar eye movement signs follow cerebellectomy in the primate and the cat. These abnormalities of eye movement, together with other signs of cerebellar disease, such as rebound alternating, and gaze paretic nystagmus, are explained by the hypothesis that the cerebellum helps to maintain lateral gaze and that brain stem mechanisms which monitor gaze position generate compensatory biases in the absence of normal cerebellar function.

[Clinical double-blind study with two different dosages of maprotiline (150 and 225 mg per day) (author's transl)]

Effects and side-effects of 150 mg and 225 mg maprotiline per day were compared by means of a double-blind trial in 20 depressed inpatients. The first 2 days patients received a high initial dosage of 300 mg per day. Patients were examined on days 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30. Symptoms were evaluated by the AMP system and the Hamilton scale for depressions. Laboratory examinations were carried out on days 0, 10, 20, and 30. Exanthemas developed in five patients, three of whom were on the higher dosage. Moreover, the lower dosage caused less fine hand tremor. Coinciding with the beginning of treatment a linear decrease of depressive symptoms was noted. This demonstrates the rapid onset of the antidepressant effect. Moreover, contrary to what has been stated for antidepressants generally, the onset of action was frequently noted well before 10-20 days of treatment. Some patients improved within a few days while others needed more time. The time lag until antidepressants influence depressive symptoms shows pronounced individual differences. No significant difference between the two dosages was found. The profiles show a better antidepressant effect for the higher dosage; however, because of a higher incidence of side-effects on the higher dosage of maprotiline, it cannot be recommended as routine. On the other hand, depressive inpatients should receive a daily dosage of at least 150 mg. Our findings suggest a dose-effect relationship for maprotiline.