bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ab-origin: an enhanced tool to identify the sourcing gene segments in germline for rearranged antibodies
Authors: Wang Xiaojing , Wu Di , Zheng Siyuan , Sun Jing , Tao Lin , Li Yixue , Cao Zhiwei
Published: December 2008

Background

In the adaptive immune system, variable regions of immunoglobulin (IG) are encoded by random recombination of variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) gene segments in the germline. Partitioning the functional antibody sequences to their sourcing germline gene segments is vital not only for understanding antibody maturation but also for promoting the potential engineering of the therapeutic antibodies. To date, several tools have been developed to perform such "trace-back" calculations. Yet, the predicting ability and processing volume of those tools vary significantly for different sets of data. Moreover, none of them give a confidence for immunoglobulin heavy diversity (IGHD) identification. Developing fast, efficient and enhanced tools is always needed with the booming of immunological data.

Results

Here, a program named Ab-origin is presented. It is designed by batch query against germline databases based on empirical knowledge, optimized scoring scheme and appropriate parameters. Special efforts have been paid to improve the identification accuracy of the short and volatile region, IGHD. In particular, a threshold score for certain sensitivity and specificity is provided to give the confidence level of the IGHD identification.

Conclusion

When evaluated using different sets of both simulated data and experimental data, Ab-origin outperformed all the other five popular tools in terms of prediction accuracy. The features of batch query and confidence indication of IGHD identification would provide extra help to users. The program is freely available at http://mpsq.biosino.org/ab-origin/supplementary.html.
An Integrated Korean Biodiversity and Genetic Information Retrieval System
Authors: Lim Jeongheui , Bhak Jong , Oh Hee-Mock , Kim Chang-Bae , Park Yong-Ha , Paek Woon Kee
Published: December 2008

Background

On-line biodiversity information databases are growing quickly and being integrated into general bioinformatics systems due to the advances of fast gene sequencing technologies and the Internet. These can reduce the cost and effort of performing biodiversity surveys and genetic searches, which allows scientists to spend more time researching and less time collecting and maintaining data. This will cause an increased rate of knowledge build-up and improve conservations. The biodiversity databases in Korea have been scattered among several institutes and local natural history museums with incompatible data types. Therefore, a comprehensive database and a nation wide web portal for biodiversity information is necessary in order to integrate diverse information resources, including molecular and genomic databases.

Results

The Korean Natural History Research Information System (NARIS) was built and serviced as the central biodiversity information system to collect and integrate the biodiversity data of various institutes and natural history museums in Korea. This database aims to be an integrated resource that contains additional biological information, such as genome sequences and molecular level diversity. Currently, twelve institutes and museums in Korea are integrated by the DiGIR (Distributed Generic Information Retrieval) protocol, with Darwin Core2.0 format as its metadata standard for data exchange. Data quality control and statistical analysis functions have been implemented. In particular, integrating molecular and genetic information from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) databases with NARIS was recently accomplished. NARIS can also be extended to accommodate other institutes abroad, and the whole system can be exported to establish local biodiversity management servers.

Conclusion

A Korean data portal, NARIS, has been developed to efficiently manage and utilize biodiversity data, which includes genetic resources. NARIS aims to be integral in maximizing bio-resource utilization for conservation, management, research, education, industrial applications, and integration with other bioinformation data resources. It can be found at http://www.naris.go.kr.
Characterization of Spinel Zinc Titanium Nitride Oxide as a Visible Light Driven Photocatalyst
Authors: Hisatomi Takashi , Teramura Kentaro , Kubota Jun , Domen Kazunari
Published: December 2008

Physical properties of zinc titanium nitride oxides (ZnxTiOyNz) were studied as a novel photocatalytic material with visible light activity. A series of ZnxTiOyNz having a spinel structure were obtained by nitriding an oxide precursor derived from a polymerized complex method under a high-temperature NH3 flow for various durations. The ZnxTiOyNz spinel obtained was metastable because the Zn in the nitride oxide volatilized during the nitridation process. Both Zn and Ti cations of the ZnxTiOyNz spinel were essentially located in the same cation sites as the inverse spinel phase of Zn2TiO4; Zn species at the octahedral sites were volatilized in preference to those at tetrahedral sites. The bandgap energy of the ZnxTiOyNz spinel decreased as the amount of N species was increased, eventually stabilizing at 2.3 eV.
In Situ, Fast-response, Molecular-selective Methods for Measuring Emission Factors of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the Atmosphere
Authors: Matsumoto Jun , Misawa Kentaro , Ishiuchi Shun-ichi , Fujii Masaaki
Published: December 2008

A sensitive, real-time, and molecular-selective analyzer using a resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometer (REMPI-TOFMS) was combined with the chamber method to measure emission factors of VOCs during painting. Temporal variation of VOC emission was successfully captured on site on a second time scale. Exact and detailed assessment of emission is realized with molecular-dependent characteristics considered.
When Is Uncertainty About Uncertainty Worth Characterizing?
Authors: Cox Louis Anthony , Brown Gerald G. , Pollock Stephen M.
Published: December 2008

In areas of risk assessment ranging from terrorism to health, safety, and the environment, authoritative guidance urges risk analysts to quantify and display their uncertainties about inputs that significantly affect the results of an analysis, including their uncertainties about subjective probabilities of events. Such “uncertainty characterization” is said to be an important part of fully and honestly informing decision makers about the estimates and uncertainties in analyses that support policy recommendations, enabling them to make better decisions. But is it? Characterization of uncertainties about probabilities often carries zero value of information and accomplishes nothing to improve risk-management decisions. Uncertainties about consequence probabilities are not worth characterizing when final actions must be taken based on information available now.

“But there seemed to be no chance of this, so she began looking at everything about her to pass away the time.”—Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Front Range Aggregates Optimizes Feeder Movements at Its Quarry
Authors: McKenzie Peter , Newman Alexandra M. , Tenorio Luis
Published: December 2008

Front-end loaders extract sand and gravel (aggregate) from a pit and haul it to a feeder, which releases the aggregate onto a conveyor belt that is connected to a stockpile; the material is subsequently distributed to a processing plant. As mining progresses, the mining frontier moves farther away from the feeder, increasing loader cycle time. In turn, plant managers add loaders to maintain production rates. Eventually, the feeder must be moved closer to the mining frontier. Such a move requires shutting down production so that a crew can move the feeder. Historically, because a feeder movement did not occur until all loaders were in operation, such feeder movements overtaxed the loaders and lacked advance warning. We present a model to determine how often the feeder should be moved to the mining frontier. A shortest-path algorithm can quickly solve our model to minimize feeder movement and loader cycle-time costs. This model revolutionizes how aggregate companies, specifically Front Range Aggregates, plan feeder movements.
Five Immigrant Waves: Their Ideological Orientations and Partisan Reverberations
Authors: Wiseman Nelson
Published: December 2008

Dans cet article nous identifions cinq vagues d’immigration au Canada en quatre siècles et faisons le lien avec les points de vue idéologiques et expressions partisanes de chacune d’entre elles. Une perspective panoramique et historique permet de localiser les groupes d’immigrants dans les régions où ils se sont concentrés et de voir le lien entre les courants idéologiques de l’ancien et du nouveau monde. Ces groupes ont effectivement eu une influence formative continue sur les politiques des partis au Canada en créant en soutenant des partis qui existent encore aujourd`hui. Plusieurs cascades d’immigration indiquent que leurs orientations idéologiques n’étaient ni monolithiques, ni statiques. Certains immigrants au sein des quatre premières vagues furent des fondateurs qui déterminèrent quels autres groupes seraient admis et qui mirent sur pied des partis politiques encore identifiables aujourd`hui. La cinquième vague, arrivée depuis la seconde guerre mondiale, n’a pas réorienté idéologiquement la politique des partis ni n’en a créé de nouveaux, mais elle a amené ceux qui étaient établis à s’ajuster et à s’accommoder à sa présence. Des personnalités politiques et des journaux reflèteront les biais idéologiques de chacune de ces vagues. On remarquera des différences dans la participation politique de la cinquième vague, et son caractère international.
A simulation of void variation in wood-strand composites during consolidation
Authors: Li Peng , Dai Chunping , Wang Sunguo
Published: December 2008

The void variation in a wood-strand composite mat during consolidation was simulated using computer-aided design, finite element analysis, and computer image processing. Compared with prior models, this simulation provided a different and more visual approach to analyzing the mat structure, particularly the void variation during consolidation. The simulated results showed similar trends to the experimental data. The size of voids in the final panel decreased with the panel density and increased with the strand thickness, whereas the relationship between the void size and the strand length was non-linear. The wood-strand density and strand thickness had a much greater effect on the non-linear void variation than the wood strand width and length. The simulated results are beneficial to improve the fundamental understanding of composite processing and performance characteristics.
INFLUENCE OF OESTROGENS ON TSH-THYROID RELATIONSHIP
Authors: Noach E. L.
Published: December 2008

1. Oestradiol benzoate in a dosage range of 10-1000 μg. administered daily for a week to castrated male rats enhances the thyroid weight and increases the uptake of radioactive iodine by the thyroid. There is, however, no clear-cut quantitative relation between dosage of oestrogens and effect on the thyroid.

2. In hypophysectomized rats oestrogens enhance the action of T. S. H. on thyroid weight and radioactive iodine uptake, though, in the absence of T. S. H., they have by themselves no »thyrotrophic« action. The enhancement increases with increasing doses of oestrogens.

3. It is concluded that oestrogens influence the thyroid in two ways, viz. by diminishing the release of T. S. H. by the hypophysis and by sensitizing the thyroid to the effect of T. S. H.

4. The abovementioned conclusion is supported by control experiments, performed in order to eliminate possible objections:

a. The transformation of inorganic iodides into organically bound iodine is not inhibited by oestrogens.

b. Although oestrogens cause a slight diminution of the urinary iodine excretion, we were able to show that this could not be the only factor responsible for the observed increase in radioiodine uptake in the thyroid.

c. Even in vitro isolated thyroids from oestrogen treated rats show a larger uptake of radioiodine from the medium.
THE INFLUENCE OF PROMINAL ON THYROID FUNCTION IN THE RAT
Authors: Schwarz F.
Published: December 2008

Prominal (methyl-phenyl-ethyl barbituric acid) and other barbituric acid derivatives can depress the basal metabolic rate in hypermetabolism, in normal subjects and in experimental animals. It has been assumed that, particularly in the case of Graves disease, this is caused by an effect on the diencephalic centres controlling thyroid function (Falta & Fenz, 1937). We were interested in this problem because of the variable results obtained in the clinical treatment of thyrotoxicosis and other hypermetabolic conditions with Prominal. Some animal experiments were therefore done in which, much to our surprise Prominal appeared to raise the I131 uptake of the thyroid gland of rats instead of depressing it. This unexpected result led us to further investigation.

Prominal administered for 7 days in a dosage of 15 mg. raised the thyroid uptake of I131 significantly. This was confirmed in three strains of rats. Barbital and phenobarbital appeared to have the same effect as
STUDIES ON SULFATION FACTOR (SF) ACTIVITY OF HUMAN SERUM
Authors: Almqvist Sven
Published: December 2008

An improved design of the in vitro bioassay of SF activity in human serum, based on the 35S-uptake of cartilage from hypophysectomized immature rats, has been evaluated. The method is based on a completely randomized block design, each assay statistically evaluable. The elimination of the error among the rats improved the mean precision (λ)rom 0.28 to 0.14. L̄ωas 6.3. The suitability of the design was shown in a series of 157 consecutive assays, in which 10 % had indeterminate confidence limits when P [2266] 0.05. The standard error of 13 replicate assays within one group was ± 1.9%. Six duplicate assays of sera of different SF activities on two groups had a mean difference of 0.09 SF units per ml. The sensitivity of the method was high, [2266] 0.005 units of SF activity, and permitted its application to normal subjects as well as patients with hypopituitarism. The response of the animal strain was stable for at least one year. The limits of the linear range of the dose-response curve with the local reference serum were 35 and 140 μl of serum. The serum factor was stable at −20° C for one year and at +18°C for one week. Although human growth hormone and glutamine in vitro significantly increased the 35S-incorporation, each of them could account for only a small part of the SF activity of normal human serum.
A SIMPLE SHORT ASSAY OF PREGNANT MARES' SERUM GONADOTROPHIN
Authors: Santamarina Enrique , Joven Luz Libertad
Published: December 2008

Swiss Albino mice, 22-days old, received a single subcutaneous injection of the desired dosage of gonadotrophic hormones, and were autopsied 12 hours later.

In the group of mice treated with 0.25 IU of pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMS), macroscopical observation showed clear evidence of hormonal reaction in 41.7 % of the animals, and a lesser stimulation in 28.8 %. In the group of animals receiving a 0.5 IU of PMS, 52.5 % exhibited marked, and 26.4 %, slight, hormonal reaction. In the group of mice receiving 1 IU of PMS, macroscopical observation showed 84.4 % markedly stimulated and only 11.1 % exhibited slight reaction. Finally, mice treated with 2.5 IU of PMS all exhibited a strong positive reaction. In 12 hours morphological changes occurring in the ovaries and uterus of immature female mice accurately depict hormonal activity of even a fraction of 1 IU of PMS. Quantitative assay is made by checking the weight of ovaries and uterus. Characterization of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) may be obtained by serial histological sections of the injected animals. Three mice should be used for every test.
ASSOCIATION OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE ACTIVITY WITH AN ACIDIC PROTEIN FROM SHEEP PITUITARY GLANDS
Authors: Ward Darrell N. , Adams-Mayne Mabelle , Wade Jane
Published: December 2008

A fraction possessing luteinizing hormone activity isolated by chromatography on a carboxymethyl cellulose ion exchange column and previously designated LH1 has been studied. The potency of this fraction relative to a reference standard was less when assayed by the ovarian ascorbic acid depletion method than previously obtained with the ventral prostate assay in hypophysectomized rats. It has been found that the LH1 fraction possesses heterogeneity upon sedimentation in the ultracentrifuge directly after chromatography, thus does not dissociate into other molecules with luteinizing activity with subsequent handling as previous evidence had suggested. The LH1 fraction was shown to arise from association of luteinizing activity with an acidic »combining« protein from the original sheep pituitary glands. Thus the LH1 fraction was a chromatographic artefact and presumably has no physiological significance. The »combinig« protein was analyzed for its amino acid composition to demonstrate the acidic nature of this material.
TESTICULAR GERMINAL DYSGENESIS (MALE TURNER'S SYNDROME)
Authors: Fraccaro M. , Ikkos D. , Lindsten J. , Luft R. , Tillinger K. G.
Published: December 2008

A case of so-called male Turner's syndrome is reported in a 25 year old patient. Chromosomal studies revealed a normal male karyotype. The sex chromatin pattern was negative. Histological examination of the bilaterally cryptorchid testes showed a picture typical for intraabdominal testes.

Analysis of the published cases of so-called male Turner's syndrome revealed uniform histological changes of the testis in the form of slight to moderate alterations of the tubular walls and absence or immaturity of the cells of the germinal epithelium. The clinical, histological and hormonal findings in this syndrome have been tentatively defined.

The term testicular germinal dysgenesis is suggested as more appropriate for this syndrome than the commonly used name of male Turner's syndrome.
CHANGES IN THE METABOLISM OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS IN THE VARIOUS PHASES OF ACROMEGALY AND FOLLOWING THE IMPLANTATION OF THE PITUITARY GLAND WITH 90Y
Authors: Molinatti G. M. , Camanni F. , Losana O. , Olivetti M.
Published: December 2008

A study of calcium and phosphorus metabolism has been carried out on 13 acromegalic patients, in various stages of the disease. This study was repeated in nine patients following implantation of the pituitary gland with 90Y and in another two patients after deep X-ray therapy and suction removal of a pituitary adenoma respectively.

Increased urinary calcium and phosphorus excretion was found in all the patients in whom the disease was in an active phase of evolution. The calcium tolerance test revealed a marked decrease of calcium retention in certain subjects, while in others, calcium retention was found to be increased. Such changes were not found in patients in whom the disease was in a quiescent phase. The blood calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase were found to be either normal or slightly increased.

The implantation of the pituitary gland with 90Y and deep X-ray therapy induced a marked decrease of hypercalciuria, both spontaneous and induced, and of hyperphosphaturia, together with a definite improvement, of the clinical picture and glucose metabolism. It is concluded that the changes in calcium and phosphorus metabolism described above depend either directly or indirectly on a pituitary factor. They may therefore prove a reliable index for assessing pituitary growth hormone activity.
METABOLIC DEFECTS OF THYROID HORMONE SYNTHESIS IN A CASE OF INFANTILISM WITHOUT CLINICAL EVIDENCE OF THYROID PATHOLOGY (THYROGENIC INFANTILISM)
Authors: Leszynsky Hannah E.
Published: December 2008

Biochemical investigations in a 19-year old male with »thyrogenic infantilism« are reported. The patient presented severe developmental defects which, notwithstanding the absence of clinical or laboratory signs of thyroid pathology, dramatically responded to thyroid therapy.

Studies were made to determine whether there was a metabolic defect of thyroid hormone synthesis. Serial determinations of thyroidal 131I uptake during 96 hours gave normal results. The serum protein bound 127iodine as well as the serum trichloracetic acid precipitable 131iodine were in the normal range. There was evidence of early formation of butanol insoluble iodine which remained more or less constant at around 24 % of the endogenously labelled iodinated serum compounds after 24 hours. In addition to comparatively small quantities of iodothyronines, inorganic iodide and iodotyrosines were identified by chromatographic separation of the labelled iodine compounds of serum.

The patient apparently suffers from a congenital biochemical disturbance of thyroid hormone synthesis which is characterized by the early formation and release into the circulation of biologically inactive iodoprotein and iodinated amino acids. The significance of this abnormality in relation to previously recorded findings in this case and in other cases with congenital defects of hormone synthesis is discussed. It is proposed to classify the underlying pathogenetic defect of thyrogenic infantilism as an »inborn error of metabolism«.
THE VALIDITY OF THE CALCULATION OF SECRETION RATES FROM THE SPECIFIC ACTIVITY OF A URINARY METABOLITE
Authors: Laumas K. R. , Tait J. F.. , Tait S. A. S.
Published: December 2008

The validity of the calculation of secretion rates from the specific activity of a urinary metabolite after the injection of the radioactive hormone (secretion rate equals radioactivity injected divided by the specific activity of a urinary metabolite ) has been critically examined. Although in previous applications of the method the expression has been assumed to be valid on an intuitive basis, it is concluded that this is not justified unless after continuous infusion the specific activity of the hormone is constant throughout the body. In the case of a single injection, where W has been termed the single injection factor, and must be equal to one for the method to be valid. If the transport and metabolism of the hormone can be described in terms of an outer and inner pool, it has been shown that the single injection factor is nearly equal to one unless the metabolite which is analyzed is formed mostly in one pool but the overall metabolism largely occurs in the other space.

Other assumptions and sources of error in the method are discussed. It is concluded that a comparison of the specific activities of various metabolites is the most generally applicable experimental test of the validity of the method. On this basis, applications of the method to obtain the secretion rates of aldosterone and cortisol seem to be justified.
THE THYMOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF 21-DEOXYCORTICOSTEROIDS
Authors: Stephenson N. R.
Published: December 2008

A bioassay procedure utilizing the thymus weight of the immature rat as the criterion of the response was employed to estimate the potency of several 21-deoxycorticosteroids relative to cortisol. The steroids were dissolved in corn oil and administered subcutaneously in divided doses over a period of two days. Although many of the 21-deoxy derivatives were more active than cortisol, the removal of the 21-hydroxyl group always depressed the ability of the corticosteroid analogue to produce thymic involution. A reduction of 60 to 90 per cent in thymolytic activity relative to the parent corticosteroid was experienced when either a hydrogen or a fluorine atom was substituted for the hydroxyl group at C21. The magnitude of the decrease in biological effectiveness appeared to be dependent on the presence of other groups in the corticosteroid molecule. A loss of 90 to 95 per cent in relative potency was obtained when the 21-hydroxyl was replaced by either an aldehyde, a methyl, or a piperidino group. When the a ketol side chain at C17 of a Δ4-3-keto-11-oxysteroid was exchanged for another type of grouping, the resulting compound no longer behaved like an adrenal corticosteroid in the thymus involution assay. The results of this study suggest that the biological activity of 21-deoxycorticosteroids relative to their parent steroids depends largely on the target organ used to measure the response to the compounds.
ÜBER DIE WIRKUNG INTRATESTIKULÄRER TESTOSTERONIMPLANTATIONEN AUF SEXUALVERHALTEN UND FERTILITÄT ÖSTROGENBEHANDELTER RATTENMÄNNCHEN
Authors: Hohlweg W. , Dörner G. , Kopp P.
Published: December 2008

In adult male rats subcutaneous injections of 50 μg dienoestrol [3,4-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl)-hexa-2,4-diene] diacetate, given twice weekly, produced an inhibition of spermiogenesis and sexual behaviour resulting in total sterility. By one intratesticular implantation of 3 mg testosterone these alterations could be prevented and even rechanged in spite of continued oestrogen administration. These results prove an important direct influence of testosterone on the generative testicular function.
THE TIME RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OESTROGEN ADMINISTRATION AND THE SECRETION OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE IN RATS
Authors: Presl Jiǐi
Published: December 2008

The time relationship between administration of oestrogen and secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) has been investigated in pregnant and pseudopregnant rats. The criterion taken for LH secretion was cholesterolization of corpora lutea determined 48 hours after oestrogen administration, which could be expected to be positive within 42 hours.

It was found that the stimulating effect of oestrogen could be blocked by phenobarbital given up to 32 hours after oestrogen administration. This period 0–32 hours after oestrogen administration was termed the »critical period« during which stimulation of oestrogen-sensitive regions of the CNS occurs, with activation of the anterior pituitary and consequent LH secretion. During this critical period the blocking action of phenobarbital gradually decreases, and the number of ineffective »block« rises. The first failure of phenobarbital blockade was found at 22 hours following oestrogen administration. From 22–32 hours after oestrogen instances of partial blockade occur, which support the view that the activating impulses to the anterior pituitary are not instantaneous and sharply delimited in character. Apparently anterior pituitary activation and LH secretion occur simultaneously, and there is a quantitative relationship between LH secretion and the duration of pituitary stimulation. The duration of neurogenic stimulation was approximated statistically as being about 9½ hours.

The differences between our findings and those obtained with hypophysectomy or pituitary stalk section are discussed.
»FERTILE EUNUCHOIDISM« CAUSED BY AN ARREST OF PUBERTAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Witte Jac. J. , Schwarz F.
Published: December 2008

A patient is described, who developed markedly eunuchoid proportions between his sixteenth and his eighteenth year. He also showed other signs of hypogonadism, but his testicles were of normal size and the presence of spermatogenesis could be demonstrated. The bone age had not advanced since the age of fifteen years. The excretion of 17-KS was low but increased rapidly to normal values during the administration of HCG. The diagnosis was made of an isolated ICSH deficiency, because of an arrest of pubertal development, about the fifteenth year. Possible causes of this arrest is discussed. No signs of a pituitary or hypothalamic tumour could be found. At the age of fifteen years the patient had had a cerebral concussion, which might have caused a hypothalamic lesion.
INFLUENCE OF STEROID SEX HORMONES ON THE F. S. H.-RELEASE BY RAT HYPOPHYSES IN VITRO
Authors: van Rees G. P.
Published: December 2008

The hypothesis that steroid sex hormones influence pituitary F. S. H. by independent actions on its production and capacity of the gland to release it has been investigated by means of incubation experiments. During incubation, rat pituitary glands released considerable amounts of F. S. H. into the medium. Inactivation of F. S. H. during incubation could not be demonstrated; once (in females) some production of F. S. H. was even observed. The amount of F. S. H. which is released into the medium is influenced by the quantity of F. S. H. stored in the hypophyses.

Hypophyses from male rats pretreated with oestradiol released relatively more F. S. H. into the medium than hypophyses from control animals. On the other hand, pretreatment with testosterone caused the pituitary glands to release less F. S. H. into the medium. In agreement with these results, hypophyses from intact male rats released relatively less F. S. H. than hypophyses from intact female rats.

These facts support the hypothesis that androgens depress pituitary F. S. H.-secretion by inhibiting the capacity to release it, while oestrogens, which can even promote this property of the pituitary gland, also act by directly inhibiting its production.
ÜBER DIE BINDUNG VON OESTRON AN ÜBERLEBENDES UTERUSGEWEBE DER RATTE
Authors: Dirscherl Wilhelm , Schriefers Herbert
Published: December 2008

Surviving rat uterine tissue is capable of taking up oestrone from the incubation medium. Experiments to liberate the hormone have shown, that there exist different binding strengths.
ZUR EXTRARENALEN WIRKUNG VON MINERALOCORTICOIDEN
Authors: Dirscherl Wilhelm , Wahle Hans
Published: December 2008

It was assumed that mineralocorticoids are capable of changing the binding properties of acid mucopolysaccharides. To test this hypothesis, the sodium and potassium contents of tissues containing mucopolysaccharides (cartilage, aorta, skin) were investigated in rats at three different conditions, i. e. after adrenalectomy, salt loading, administration of mineralocorticoids or the combination thereof. Heart muscle with its prevalent cellular tissue served as basis for comparison.

The results point to a possible extrarenal action of fluorohydrocortisone and deoxycorticosterone on the cell membranes. Though extrarenal factors of the hormone action effecting the interstitium could be detected, they were difficult to differentiate from those on the cells proper as the investigated cartilage, aorta and skin tissue cannot be considered cell-free.
EFFECTIVENESS OF FLUOXYMESTERONE ON LINEAR GROWTH AND WEIGHT IN CHILDREN WITH GROWTH RETARDATION AND UNDERWEIGHT
Authors: Laron Zvi
Published: December 2008

The effect of fluoxymesterone (Halotestin) on body weight and body height has been studied in 13 children with growth retardation and underweight.

It was found that fluoxymesterone administered for periods of 3 months in a dose of 0.1 to 0.15 mg per kg body weight per day had a beneficial effect on body weight and linear growth rate. A daily dose greater than 0.25 mg/kg body weight had virilizing effects.
AN UNUSUAL CASE OF GONADAL DISORDER
Authors: Kádas I. , Pejtsik B. , Seres G.
Published: December 2008

A case is presented of a 15-year-old girl with female chromatin pattern and, in the presence of normal external genitalia and vagina, clitoris enlargement, imperfectly developed, undescended testes as well as complete failure of development of the Müllerian ducts. The probable pathogenesis of the condition is briefly discussed.
STUDIES ON SULFATION FACTOR (SF) ACTIVITY OF HUMAN SERUM
Authors: Almqvist Sven , Rune Inga
Published: December 2008

The relationship of serum sulfation factor (SF) activity to age has been studied in groups of healthy subjects of ages ½, 4, 8, 11, 15, 25 and 70 years. Serum SF activity was present in all subjects. The concentration of serum SF was lowest at ½ and 4 years, rising to comparable peaks at 8 and 15 years of age. The SF activity was the same at ages 11, 25 and 70 years.
STUDIES ON SULFATION FACTOR (SF) ACTIVITY OF HUMAN SERUM
Authors: Almqvist Sven , Ikkos Denis , Luft Rolf
Published: December 2008

The sulfation factor activity (SF activity) of human serum has been estimated in patients with hypopituitarism and acromegaly using an improved assay method. Although occasional SF values were within the normal range, both groups differed significantly from normal. Two patients with metastatic breast cancer, one with acromegaly and five with juvenile diabetes mellitus had significantly decreased SF activity after hypophysectomy, and in six of these patients the serum SF activity could not be distinguished from zero. The serum SF fell to zero levels in three patients followed before and after hypophysectomy. The decreased serum SF activity in four patients with hypopituitarism was brought to normal by human growth hormone. Four of six pituitary dwarfs had decreased serum SF activity. In the other two dwarfs the SF levels were at least low normal but could not certainly be distinguished from normal. Four patients with selective or total hypopituitarism had normal or decreased serum SF levels. A group of 11 patients with acromegaly, in nine of whom the disease was considered active, had increased mean serum SF activity.

Decreased serum SF levels in cases of hypopituitarism were found in patients with a normal production of adrenocorticotrophin, thyrotrophin or pituitary gonadotrophin or substituted with thyroid, adrenal or gonadal hormones.
NUCLEAR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ARGYROPHIL (= A1) AND NON-ARGYROPHIL (= A2) PANCREATIC A CELLS IN THE DUCK
Authors: Hellman Bo
Published: December 2008

Previous investigations have shown that the A cells in the islets of Langerhans do not constitute a homogeneous cell group, but can be divided into two distinct fractions, on the basis of the presence (= A1 cells) and the absence (= A2 cells) of an argyrophil reaction. In order to asses the biological significance of this finding, it is important in the first instance to study, whether the A cells show any other mutual differences. In a comparison of the A1 and A2 cells within the dark A cell islets from ducks, significant differences were obtained with regard to nuclear size and eccentricity. The larger nuclear size in the A1 cells is possibly an expression of the higher functional activity in these cells. The findings support the concept of two different forms of the A cells.
IN VITRO PRODUCTION OF TESTOSTERONE AND ANDROST-4-ENE-3,17-DIONE IN A HUMAN OVARIAN HOMOGENATE
Authors: Kase N. , Forchielli E. , Dorfman R. I.
Published: December 2008

Testosterone and androst-4-ene-3,17-dione have been isolated and identified by isotope dilution techniques from an incubation of 7-3H-progesterone and 14C-17α-hydroxyprogesterone with a normal human ovarian homegenate. This offers substantial proof that the production of this highly active androgen is possible under normal physiological circumstances.
A NEW STRESS TOLERANCE TEST WITH SIMULTANEOUS STUDY OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL VARIABLES
Authors: Levi Lennart
Published: December 2008

A new stress tolerance test is presented, which allows of a quantitative estimation of the working capacity of the individual in a stressful working situation. It also allows of a quantitative measurement of some physiological changes as well as observations of psychological behaviour caused by the experimental stress situation, which attempts to parallel the different stresses of actual working life. In two clinically different groups investigated, statistically significant differences were found with regard to working efficiency, and to urinary output of adrenaline and noradrenaline, but not to 17-ketosteroids and corticosteroids in the urine, or to reduced glutathione in the blood. In spite of the small series, it seems justifiable to conclude that a simultaneous estimation of the working capacity and probably of the behaviour, and of the urinary output of adrenaline and noradrenaline during the described stress situation may serve as an improved diagnostic aid in the estimation of the stress tolerance of different individuals in psychiatric, medical and psychotechnical work. At present the test is being investigated on a larger series of cases.
ZUR FRAGE DER AROMATISIERUNG VON 1-METHYL-ANDROST-1-EN-17β-OL-3-ON IM MENSCHLICHEN ORGANISMUS
Authors: Kuji N.
Published: December 2008

In 5 women the excretion of urinary oestrogens was not increased after intramuscular injection of the acetate and oenanthate respectively of 1-methyl-17β-hydroxy-androst-1-en-3-one. The inhibitory effect of the 1-methyl-group on the enzymatic aromatization of Ring A is discussed.
DEMONSTRATION OF THYROID FOLLICLES BY MEANS OF SILVER PRECIPITATION
Authors: Rosenkilde Per , Wingstrand Karl Georg
Published: December 2008

A method is described which allows selective precipitation of silver in the thyroid follicles of vertebrates. The follicles can then be identified either by dissection under a binocular microscope or in thick sections. The identification of the thyroid follicles according to the new method is critical, for it depends on the high iodine content. It is shown by means of 131I technique that the process involves precipitation of the iodine as silver iodide. It is suggested that the proteins of the thyroid reduce this salt to silver.
THE PHYSIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THYROXINE DEHALOGENASE
Authors: Tata J. R.
Published: December 2008

The activity of the enzyme thyroxine dehalogenase and the nature of products of deiodination of thyroid hormones were studied in skeletal muscle of normal and thyroidectomized rats. The capacity to deiodinate thyroxine was also measured after administration of L-thyroxine, D-thyroxine, 2,4-dinitrophenol and in animals maintained on diets of different iodine contents. A 2 to 3-fold depression in the level of thyroxine dehalogenase occurred 3 months after thyroidectomy which was reversed by the administration of L-thyroxine. Injection of L-thyroxine also stimulated thyroxine dehalogenase activity in normal rats; the increase in enzyme activity was not merely a response to administration of substrate since D-thyroxine, although an almost equally good substrate, failed to alter enzyme activity. The enzyme increased in parallel with the oxygen consumption of the animals treated with L-thyroxine. This relationship does not seem to be a non-specific manifestation of increased cellular metabolic activity because 2,4-dinitrophenol administration failed to cause a similar effect. 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine was not a major product of deiodination of thyroxine; the function of thyroxine dehalogenase therefore does not appear to be that of the conversion of thyroxine to its »active« form. Thyroxine dehalogenase is not uniquely involved in the recovery of iodine from the spent thyroid hormone since its activity was independent of the level of dietary iodine. It is therefore concluded that enzymic deiodination of thyroid hormones by skeletal muscle is linked in some way to their calorigenic action, although the exact nature of this relationship remains unknown.
THYROTOXICOSIS IN TWO ADULT MONGOLS
Authors: Abrahamsen A. M.
Published: December 2008

Two cases of thyrotoxicosis in adult mongols are reported. This combination appears to contradict the theory that mongolism is due to pituitary hypofunction resulting in hypothyroidism. The combination is most likely coincidental.
EFFECT OF DIALYSIS AND OXIDATION ON PLASMA PARATHYROID HORMONE ACTIVITY
Authors: Reichert Leo E. , L'Heureux Maurice V.
Published: December 2008

Comparative studies are reported on the effect of dialysis and peroxide oxidation upon the calcium mobilizing activity of a potent parathyroid gland preparation, Injection Parathyroid, U. S. P. (Lilly), when in aqueous solution and when incubated with freshly collected rat plasma prior to treatment. It was found that although dialysis and oxidation markedly decreased the potency of the parathyroid gland extract employed, prior incubation with rat plasma prevented this effect from occurring. It is suggested that a binding of the active principle of the extract to plasma proteins could account for the phenomena observed. The suggestion that oxidative inactivation of parathyroid hormone is of significance, in vivo, would not seem to be in accord with the observations recorded here.
VASCULAR CONNECTIVE TISSUE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THYROXINE
Authors: Lorenzen lb
Published: December 2008

Aortae were studied in three groups of rabbits: First group: Injected with epinephrine for two weeks and with 1-thyroxine for another two weeks. Second group: Injected with epinephrine for two weeks and with physiological saline for another two weeks. Third group: Untreated controls. The aortae were assessed by gross and microscopic examination, and the content of water, hexosamine, hydroxyproline and calcium as well as the in vivo uptake of 35S sulphate determined. The alterations in the epinephrine-thyroxine-treated group were not so pronounced as previously observed after simultaneous injections of epinephrine plus 1-thyroxine. But the thyroxine injections in this group brought about a clear-cut increase in hexosamine content and 35S sulphate uptake as compared with the untreated controls. This presumably indicates that owing to the thyroxine treatment the vascular wall was still exposed to damage despite the discontinuation of the epinephrine injections. In contradistinction, the epinephrine-saline-treated rabbits did not differ significantly from the controls as regards biochemical changes in the aortic wall two weeks after discontinuation of epinephrine. When the microscopic appearance were also considered, this was interpreted as a sign of cessation of the injuries to the vascular wall and of healing.
ADMINISTRATION OF CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN AS A TEST OF THE ENDOCRINE FUNCTION OF THE TESTIS
Authors: Huis in 't Veld G. , Louwerens B. , van der Spek P. A. F.
Published: December 2008

A critical investigation was made into the test described by Jayle et al. (1957) for investigating the endocrine activity of the testis.

The conclusion was reached that the results of the administration of 3 × 10 000 IU chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) (Test I by Jayle et al. 1957) can be more advantageously expressed by the increase of 17-KS during a period of 12 days, starting on the first day of HCG injection, than by the increase in 17-KS excretion on the third day of HCG administration (the criterion suggested by Jayle et al. 1957).

In the form in which the test with HCG was carried out by us, however, it still cannot be regarded as an ideal test for the endocrine activity of the testis.
THE EFFECT OF 17α-METHYL-19-NORTESTOSTERONE ON THE ENDOCRINE FUNCTION OF THE TESTES IN HUMAN SUBJECTS
Authors: Huis in 't Veld L. G. , Louwerens B. , van der Spek P. A. F.
Published: December 2008

The testicular function tests I and II described by Jayle et al. (1957) were carried out before and during treatment with 17α-methyl-19-nortestosterone (MNT) in 6 males (sexual delinquents), 2 patients with mild testicular hypofunction and 4 male castrates.

In the test performed it was impossible to demonstrate that MNT, in the doses given (5 mg/d for a few weeks) exerts a direct inhibitory influence on the production and/or secretion of precursors of 17-ketosteroids by the testes.
THE ACUTE EFFECTS OF INFUSED ADRENAL STEROIDS ON RENAL FUNCTION IN ADRENALECTOMIZED DOGS
Authors: Slater J. D. H. , Mestitz Paul , Walker Geoffrey , Nabarro J. D. N.
Published: December 2008

Infusions of cortisol (11β,17,21-trihydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione), prednisolone (11β,17,21-trihydroxy-pregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione), aldosterone (11β,21-dihydroxy-3,20-dione-pregn-4-en-18-al), and adrenal cortical extract have been given to four adrenalectomized dogs. The changes of inulin, creatinine, para-aminohippuric acid clearances, urine volume, and sodium and potassium excretion have been measured. Between experiments oral replacement therapy was given to obviate the effect of slow absorption of previously injected steroids. The effects of steroid-free control infusions have been studied. Varying the rate of infusion from 1.0–2.6 ml/min, and sodium from 0–170 μeq/min has little effect on glomerular filtration rates (G. F. R.). Infusions of cortisol (1.5 and 10 mg/h), prednisolone (2 mg/h) and adrenal cortical extract (10 ml/h) raised the G. F. R. and lowered the filtration fraction. As the G. F. R. increased the ratio creatinine: inulin clearance fell. The different dogs varied in their responses. Infusions of prednisolone and cortisol (1.5 mg/h) usually increased sodium output as G. F. R. rose. With aldosterone, adrenal cortical extract and cortisol (10 mg/h) there was sodium retention in three of the four dogs, the fourth was resistant to the sodium retaining action of these steroids while the plasma level was high. All steroid infusions increased potassium excretion. Cortisol increased free water clearance independent of G. F. R. provided the infusion rate exceeded 2 ml/min, prednisolone increased both osmolar and free water clearance, aldosterone increased osmolar clearance and reduced free water clearance.
REDUCTION OF FERTILITY IN RATS BY AN ENZYME INHIBITOR
Authors: Wohlzogen F. X.
Published: December 2008

Daily oral doses of 10 mg polyphloretin phosphate to female rats significantly lowered their fertility. Various modes of action are discussed. The hypothesis is advanced, that the reduction of fertility is due to hyaluronidase inhibition in the ovarian follicles with consequent ovulatory failure.
STUDIES ON SULFATION FACTOR (SF) ACTIVITY OF HUMAN SERUM
Authors: Almqvist Sven , Falkheden Thomas
Published: December 2008

Serum SF activity was followed after hypophysectomy in three patients with mammary carcinoma and after excision of an eosinophilic adenoma in two patients with acromegaly. Serum SF decreased within 12 hours of hypophysectomy and then fell exponentially with time to the usual post-hypophysectomy level. The half life of serum SF in the three patients undergoing hypophysectomy was 9, 10.5 and 18 hours.
IN VITRO METABOLISM OF PROGESTERONE-4-14C IN AN ADRENOCORTICAL CARCINOMA OF THE RAT
Authors: Johnson David F. , Snell Katharine C. , Francois Daniel , Heftmann Erich
Published: December 2008

The in vitro metabolism of progesterone-4-14C and 11-deoxycorticosterone-4-14C acetate in a rat adrenocortical carcinoma, 494 and 494-H, has been studied and compared with adrenal tissue from normal rats. An accumulation of deoxycorticosterone in the tumour tissue with an accompanying decrease of corticosterone and aldosterone, indicates a blockade in the 11-hydroxylation of deoxycorticosterone. A difference in the distribution of radioactive metabolites is observed between incubation experiments with Tumour 494 and 494-H. These findings indicate a correlation between the metabolic activity and the physiological findings in the host.
EFFECT OF FOOD RESTRICTION ON BODY COMPOSITION AND ISLET HYPERTROPHY OF MICE BEARING CORTICOTROPHIN-SECRETING TUMOURS
Authors: Hausberger Franz X.
Published: December 2008

Mice bearing corticotrophin-secreting anterior pituitary tumours develop obesity and enlargement of the islets of the pancreas due to hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the beta cells. These animals consume during periods of maximal weight gain approximately 1/3 more food than controls. In the present study, tumour-grafted female mice and control animals of the same age and body weight were maintained on restricted food for 6 weeks. The experiment was started before any secretory activity of the tumour was evident. Reduction of the food intake to approximately 75 and 70 per cent of the norm was sufficient to either maintain the pre-experimental body weight or to produce a slow moderate weight loss. The fat content of the tumour mice was almost twice as high as that of the controls of the same weight. The islet volume of the controls decreased, and that of the experimental animals increased, although not to the same degree as that of tumour-bearing mice with food available ad libitum. Weight reduction in tumour mice was associated with greater loss of nitrogen than in controls. Postprandial blood sugar levels were of the same order of magnitude in both groups. Mice made hypothalamic hyperphagic by administration of goldthioglucose, and maintained at their pre-experimental body weight, failed to develop islet hypertrophy and increased fat deposition. Observations are discussed supporting the theory that hyperadrenocorticism stimulates increased secretion of insulin with resultant acceleration of synthesis and deposition of fat.