Ultrastructural and biochemical changes of hepatocytes during ether and fluothane anesthesia under experimental conditions

A study was made of a possibility of using Soviet made membranes "Vladipor" with a pore diameter of 16--17 nm for the purpose of concentration and purification of antigenic extracts from stab cultures of S. typhi obtained by the action of typsin, hydrogen peroxide and detergents. Preparations, complete by antigenic structure, were obtained by ultrafiltration, with a good yield. The maximal rate of ultrafiltration was noted in case of "peroxide" antigenic preparations. The use of diafiltration provided a significant reduction of the ash content in the end products.     

Cervical lymph node metastasis as the first manifestation of localized extramedullary plasmacytoma

Two patients who had cervical lymph node metastases as the first symptom of a localized soft tissue extramedullary plasmacytoma of the epiglottis and nasopharynx, respectively, are described. Classical multiple myeloma was excluded by bone marrow biopsies and x-ray studies of the skeleton. In both patients, the primary tumor was diagnosed 2 years after excision of the cervical lymph node. One patient had a IgD, lambda myeloma protein in the serum and excreted lambda Bence-Jones protein into the urine. No M-component was found in the other patient. Both are living with a long survival of 8 and 4 years respectively. The presence of a cervical lymph node plasmacytoma should suggest an upper respiratory tract or oropharynx plasmacytoma rather than a primary lymph node plasmacytoma.     

Automated method for L-carnitine determination

Because of renewed interest in a possible connection between carnitine, lipid disorders, and myopathy, an automated method of analysis is desirable. Deproteinization of serum by use of membrane filter cones and automated assay with a bichromatic analyzer (the ABA-100) substantially increases efficiency without sacrificing the specificity and accuracy of the original manual enzymatic method. The described procedure allows for analysis of 80 speciments a day and is thus suitable for screening of selected populations. Normal values found in blood sera of adults were in the range of 25.0-73.8 mu mol/liter and the method has sufficient sensitivity to accurately measure concentrations as small as 10 mu mol/liter.     

Rapeseed meal glucosinolates: metabolism and effect on performance in laying hens

Two experiments were conducted with Hyline Leghorn hens to study the metabolism and detrimental effects of rapeseed meal (RSM) glucosinolates. Raw Target RSM was force fed to 12 hens which were killed after varying time intervals (15 min., 30 min., 60 min.) and the contents of areas of the digestive tract (crop; proventriculus and gizzard; duodenum and ileum) were analyzed for the presence of hydrolysis products of progoitrin. Nitrile compounds were found to be present in all areas of the digestive tract in much larger relative amounts than was oxazolidinethione. When commercially prepared RSMs of varying glucosinolate content were fed to laying hens at a 50% level of dietary inclusion, high glucosinolate-content RSM depressed egg production (P less than 0.05) more than low glucosinolate-content RSM but did not cause a greater frequency of liver hemorrhage. Histological examination of liver tissues from hens suffering liver hemorrhage revealed a severe reticulolysis.     

A dose-response study of anorectic drug effects on food intake, self-stimulation, and stimulation-escape

The DNA polymerase of Ustilago maydis is stimulated by a DNA binding protein from the same organism. Analysis of this stimulation shows that there is an increase in affinity for both substrates of the reaction. The apparent Km for deoxynucleoside triphosphates is decreased 3 fold, and that for denatured DNA by 4 fold. In both cases the maximum velocity (Vmax) is increased 1.2 to 1.4 fold. It is suggested that the variability in the affinity of the enzyme for deoxynucleoside triphosphates mediated by the binding protein may provide the basis for the UV sensitivity of pyrimidine auxotrophs in this organism.     

Laryngeal papillomatosis: immunologic and viral basis for therapy

The distressing nature of laryngeal papillomatosis and lack of clinical progress in its treatment are reviewed. Presently accepted and investigative methods of therapy are reviewed with special attention being given to immune therapy. Support for the concept of a viral etiology is discussed and other etiologic agents considered. Known and possibly significant roles of wart virus antibodies are discussed and the importance of complex interplay between maternal and fetal immune systems explored as a possible explanation for some puzzling aspects of laryngeal papillomatosis. Finally, a proposed experimental design is outlined, the purpose of which is to provide a useful animal model to investigate immune changes in laryngeal papillomatosis, as well as effects of surgical or medical therapy.