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The authors focus their attention on the problem of preparation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in total thyroidectomy. Similarly as the majority of authors, the present authors use as the main guide during preparation of the recurrent nerve its relationship to the lower thyroid artery. As an alternative procedure they mention Wang's method which they tested in several tens of total thyroidectomies. In the submitted paper they discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this method.

Fifty-one patients suffering from soft tissue injury of the cervical spine underwent clinical and psychometric examination. Clinical interview evaluated subjective complaints and formal testing of self-estimated cognitive impairment, divided attention, and speed of information processing. Results indicated at least two different syndromes: 1) the "cervicoencephalic syndrome," characterized by headache, fatigue, dizziness, poor concentration, disturbed accommodation, and impaired adaptation to light intensity; and 2) the "lower cervical spine syndrome," which is accompanied by cervical and cervicobrachial pain. When comparing patients with either of these two syndromes, those suffering from cervicoencephalic syndrome had significantly poorer results when tested for divided attention. Speed of information processing was reduced to a comparable extent in both syndromes. These findings were not related to the length of the post-traumatic interval. Reduced processing of working memory is assumed, which may account for more global cognitive problems as well as secondary neurotic reaction.

The authors analyze a group of 34 operated patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder operated in 1984-1990. Before operation the diagnosis was established only in 6% of the patients. The authors draw attention to certain symptoms which could lead to the diagnosis of the disease on the basis of clinical and paraclinical examination. Even in recent years the incidence of this disease is not declining, difficulties with early diagnosis persist, in the majority the finding before operation cannot be resolved and only 1-5% patients survive for 5 years (due to several incidentally detected cases of carcinomas during operations performed on account of concrements). The necessity of early treatment of all biliary diseases is still urgent.

The authors submit surgeons' and endocrinologists' views on treatment of thyroiditis. In the course of a 16-year period an acute spell of thyroiditis was treated by surgery only twice, once a case of subacute thyroiditis, and in all other 348 instances chronic thyroiditis was involved. In the latter group Hashimoto's thyroiditis predominated. Among various controversial reports concerning its treatment the authors maintain that surgery is suitable after failure of short-term conservative therapy. The extent of the operation usually corresponds to total thyroidectomy.

Using a contactless tonometer of Keeler Co. the authors assessed the intraocular pressure in enucleated eyeballs and compared the values with the intraocular pressure assessed in the eyeballs by means of a water manometer. In the second stage the scatter of assessed values in the eyeballs was compared with the scatter of values obtained by measurements in patients.

The author describes the case of a 64-year-old patient who had three attacks of haemorrhage into the upper portion of the digestive tract which were initially erroneously ascribed to post-medicamentous changes of the gastric and duodenal mucosa. The third massive haemorrhage into the GIT called for an urgent revision of the abdomen which revealed an infrarenal aneurysm of the abdominal aorta which perforated into the first jejunal loop. The operation and first four days after operation were free from complications, then however the patient died suddenly. The cause of death was a third relapse of a myocardial infarction in the course of one year. The rare incidence of this complication of an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta and the fact that the patient survived three attacks of haemorrhage made the author present this paper.

The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanical function of the C1-C2 capsular ligaments. Physiologic torques of up to 1.5 Nm were applied to human fresh cadaveric specimens (C0-C1-C2-C3) in three dimensions, and the three-dimensional motion of C1 relative to C2 was recorded. Two groups of cadaveric specimens were used to study the effect of two different sequential ligamentous transections. In the first group (n = 4), the transection of the left capsular ligament was followed by transection of the right capsular ligament. In the second group (n = 10), the transection of the left capsular ligament was preceded by transection of the left and right alar and transverse ligaments. The greatest changes in motion occurred in axial rotation to the side opposite the transection. In the first group, left capsular transections resulted in a significant increase in axial rotation range of motion to the right of 1 degree. After the right capsular ligament was transected, there was a further significant increase of 1.8 degrees to the left and 1.0 degree to the right. Lateral bending to the left also increased significantly by 1.5 degrees after both ligaments were cut. In the second group, with the nonfunctional alar and transverse ligaments, transection of the left capsular ligament resulted in greater increases in range of motion: 3.3 degrees to the right and 1.3 degrees to the left. Lateral bending to the right also increased significantly by 4.2 degrees.

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical validity of functional flexion-extension roentgenograms of the lumbar spine in a defined patient population. One hundred and one adults with low-back pain or functional disorders underwent passive functional flexion-extension examinations. Their roentgenograms were analyzed using a computer-assisted method to determine segmental motion parameters such as rotation and translation of the lumbar vertebrae. The patient population was broken down into five groups with similar pathologies or physical conditions, and their motion parameters compared to a normal population and to each other. It was found that all of the patient groups exhibited significantly hypomobile motion, spread equally among all levels, in comparison to the normal population, except for the group of high-performance athletes, who had significant hypermobility. The uniform spread of hypomobility limits the ability to distinguish with any confidence between the four pathologic groups by their motion. Thus, we believe that the analysis of the segmental motion of the lumbar spine using passive flexion-extension roentgenograms does not aid in differentiating the underlying pathologic condition of patients with low-back pain, and that no useful information can be derived form this procedure, especially in relation to the need for surgical intervention.

Magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex, motor roots, and proximal nerve trunks was performed in 46 healthy adults and in 73 consecutive patients with disorders of the lumbar spine. In combination with neurography and F-wave recordings, the fractionated stimulation of the motor pathways allowed calculation of conduction times of the pyramidal tract fibers, of the motor roots (ie, caudal fibers), and of the motor fibers of the lumbosacral plexus. Normal values for motor conduction times to the quadriceps, anterior tibial, and extensor digitorum brevis muscles were established. Patients had clinical and radiologic diagnoses of spinal stenosis (n = 43) and nerve root compression syndromes (n = 30). Motor conduction times to lower limb muscles were significantly delayed (above mean normal value +/- 2 x SD) in 65% of the patients with spinal stenosis and 50% of the patients with nerve root compression syndromes. Conduction slowing could be localized within the motor root and caudal fiber segment of the motor pathways in 80% of the patients in whom F-waves could be recorded. This method can be used to verify, quantify, and locate lesions of the motor pathways in conditions such as compression of the spinal cord, the caudal fibers (spinal stenosis), or the motor root passing through the intervertebral canal.

Several attempts have been made to measure the segmental range of motion in the lumbar spine during flexion-extension with the purpose of gathering additional data for the diagnosis of instability. The previous studies were performed in vitro or in vivo during active motion. The aim of this study was to obtain normal values of passively performed segmental motions. Forty-one healthy adults were examined by means of functional radiographs during flexion-extension and lateral bending. A graphic construction method and a computer-assisted method were used to measure rotations. Comparing with recent in vivo studies, the values obtained for normal angles of rotation were predominately larger. This might be due to the passive examination used in the study. The graphic construction method and computer-assisted method techniques are equally reliable, but the computer-assisted method method yields other important kinematic data, such as translations. It is proposed that passive motion be applied during functional examination of patients with suspected instabilities. However, the large variation of rotational values between individuals in the normal population may limit the clinical usefulness of functional lumbar analysis using this parameter. Future studies should explore the clinical relevance of determining altered segmental mobility in low-back pain patients.

For evaluation of the function of the upper cervical spine, especially assessment of the range of motion, functional X-rays films are useful in addition to the clinical examination. For the diagnosis of segmental instability, passive motion should be induced in order to obtain the full range. If anterior instability of the upper cervical spine is suspected, flexion-extension X-rays in the lateral view are appropriate. If a lesion of the alar ligaments is suspected, then lateral flexion X-rays films should be taken. In the normal situation, the atlas glides in the direction of bending, coupled by forced rotation of the axis. In cases with rotatory instability of the upper cervical spine, functional computed tomography should be performed. Atlantoaxial rotation of more than 52 degrees should be considered pathological as a result of a lesion of the alar ligaments. For examination of the relationship between the spinal cord and bony structures or inflammatory tissue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, functional MRIs are helpful. Not only the exact diameter of the spinal canal can be measured during flexion and extension, but the degree of basilar impression or cranial migration of the axis can also be assessed. Optimal use of functional X-ray diagnostics, including functional the CT and MRI, is not only helpful for clinical diagnoses, but also for the planning of surgical procedures.

Because of relatively low frequency of pathological changes of the upper cervical spine in childhood and adolescence, their management is not well known. Diagnostic problems occur due to the variety of malformations possible, persisting growth plates and ligamentous laxity. Because of this laxity, conservative treatment with immobilization is advocated even in severe dislocations as long as they are reducible. Persistent dislocations, chronic atlantoaxial instability (ADI greater than 5 mm), dens fractures type II and existing or progressing neurological deficits all indicate surgical intervention. Internal fixation allows easier postoperative care. Complications are rare. Patients with orthopedic problems of the upper cervical spine are presented, together with their management.

Fresh human cadaveric specimens of occiput (C0) to C3 were subjected to 1.5 nm of flexion, extension and bilateral bending and axial torque. The resulting physiological motions were studied in an unconstrained three-dimensional manner. The effects of sequential transections of the left and right alar ligaments on the relative motion of C0-1 and C1-2 were studied. After transection of the left alar ligament, the percentage increases in neutral zones (NZ) and ranges of motion (ROM) were documented at both the C0-1 and C1-2 joints. In the sagittal plane, the most increase was at C1-2 due to the flexion moment, e.g., 47.4% in NZ and 27.6% in ROM. In lateral bending, the left alar transsection resulted in mostly right lateral bending increases and at the C0-1 joint, 37.1% in NZ and 19.6% in ROM. In axial rotation, changes in the total motion of the C0-2 joint complex were more reliable indicators. For left alar transsection, most increases were in right axial rotation, e.g., 25.6% for right rotation versus 11.2% for left rotation in the NZ parameter. Functional loss of the alar ligaments indicates a potential for instability which, however, must be determined in conjunction with other clinical findings, such as neurological dysfunction, pain and deformity.

Clinical and biomechanical testing of the stability of atlantoaxial fusions was studied. For biomechanical testing, four different techniques for posterior atlantoaxial fusion were tested: (1) wire fixation with one median graft; (2) wire fixation with two bilateral grafts; (3) transarticular screw fixation and two bilateral posterior clamps. Ten fresh human cadaveric specimens were tested. The loads applied were 6 pure moments. The motion of C1 relative to C2 in the intact, injured and mechanically fixed spine were measured and compared. In flexion/extension the difference between Brooks, Magerl and Halifax were not significant, but each was significantly less than the Gallie-system. For the anterioposterior translation the stabilization of all fixation techniques was about equal. In axial rotation measuring the translations between C1 and C2, the screw-fixation technique proved to be the most stable. For lateral bending, there was no significant difference between the different techniques, except for Galliefixation, but the screw-fixation technique allowed the least motion. In additional in vivo tests ten patients with posterior atlantoaxial fusion by the transarticular screw-fixation technique underwent bending X-rays of the upper cervical spine as well as computertomograms. Solid fusion was achieved in all patients. Both investigations proved the reliability of the multidirectional stability of the atlantoaxial screw fixation technique.

Measurements of spinal cord and individual lumbar nerve root lengths were performed in 20 dissected cadavers. These data were correlated with the pyramidal tract and motor root conduction times obtained in 53 healthy subjects using motor evoked potentials. The distance between motor cortex and the level of the anterior horn cells ranged from 50.2 +/- 3.0 cm (mean +/- standard deviation) for the L1 segment to 54.4 +/- 3.6 cm for the L5 segment. The length of the motor roots from their exit from the myelon to their exit from the intervertebral foramen ranged from 10.3 +/- 1.7 cm in the L1 root to 17.5 +/- 1.9 cm in the L5 root. The central motor conduction velocity calculated for the distance motor cortex - anterior horn cells of the L5 segment was 50.1 +/- 4.5 m/s. The proximal peripheral conduction velocity of the motor nerve root between its exit from the spinal cord and its exit from the intervertebral foramen was 75.9 +/- 29.0 m/s. The overall conduction velocities between motor cortex and exit of the nerve roots from the intervertebral foramen were 57.4 +/- 6.3 m/s for the L4 fibers to the quadriceps femoris and 57.3 +/- 6.1 m/s for the L5 fibers to the anterior tibial muscle.

An inadequate efficiency of the fibrinolytic system was revealed in 50-60% of subjects suffering young age from venous thrombosis or myocardial infarction. In a group of 27 patients with the history of deep venous thrombosis of the idiopathic type the authors revealed a significant relationship between the elevated body weight and inadequate fibrinolysis manifested by a reduced fibrinolytic capacity and excess inhibitor of plasminogen activator and its inadequate decline after desmopressin infusion (DDAVP). In a group of 29 patients, who had suffered a myocardial infarction when young, the authors revealed a significant association between reduced fibrinolytic capacity and elevated body weight, hypertriglyceridaemia and increased immunoreactive insulin secretion after a glucose load. In half the investigated subjects it proved possible to improve the reduced fibrinolytic capacity by a low energy diet.

The paper suggests an objective method for the choice of a suitable estimate of the spectral power density in the context of the analysis of biosignals. The method is based on the principle evaluating the degree of prewhitening (i.e. elimination of autocorrelation): this prewhitening is achieved just by means of filters exploiting the compared spectral estimates. The method is demonstrated by a practical example estimating the spectral power density of EEG signals.

A general method based on variation in repeated nucleotide sequences was developed for the identification of diploid species most closely related to a specific genome of a polyploid species. The utility of this method was demonstrated by showing that Triticum speltoides is the most closely related extant species to both the B and G genomes of tetraploid wheats.

The author presents some methods of special logopaedic examinations of children hospitalized in a psychiatric sanatorium for children. This diagnosis is part of a multidimensional evaluation of the child and the basis for the special development of verbal performance. The author mentions therapeutic methods some diagnostic groups and emphasizes that this work is irreplaceable in the comprehensive concept of paedopsychiatric treatment. Effective logopaedic assistance depends on professional skill which is not taught to teachers at present. In the conclusion the author submits the demand that specialists in this field should be according to norms on the staff of these institutions and should not be engaged only on an optional basis.

Repeated nucleotide sequence pLeUCD2 cloned from Lophopyrum elongatum is highly abundant in the genomes of diploid and polyploid wheatgrass species of genera Lophopyrum, Thinopyrum, Pseudoroegneria, Agropyron, Elymus, Elytrigia, and Pascopyrum but undetectable by Southern blot hybridization in Triticum and representative species of Dasypyrum, Hordeum, Psathyrostachys, Secale, Taeniatherum, Heteranthelium, and Leymus in the tribe Triticeae. The DNA fragment inserted in pLeUCD2 is 277 bp long and AT rich (65%), and contains numerous inverted and palindromic repeats. In situ DNA hybridization substantiated a previous hypothesis that the sequence is interspersed in the wheatgrass genomes. Heterogeneity and clustering of like repeats of the pLeUCD2 family along wheatgrass chromosomes was used to map a segregation-distortion factor, designated Sd-1, proximal to the Lr19 locus in recombinant chromosomes of L. ponticum chromosome 7Ag and wheat chromosome 7D.

Detection of outliers in recorded biosignals and their interpolation is described. The detection of outliers is based on the simple rule of 3 sigma. The subsequent interpolation is performed according to the method proposed by Brubacher and Wilson for autoregressive processes. The output of the suggested procedure can be treated by standard programs of statistical analysis as long as the influence of outliers is eliminated. The program in Fortran IV developed in the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Prague, performs automatically the detection of outliers in an input signal and their replacement by means of the proposed interpolation method.

We present a novel technique for the enrichment of cDNA libraries to enhance the abundance of clones of differentially expressed genes. The technique is relatively simple, requires moderate quantities of poly(A) + RNA and results in preferential enrichment of clones derived from mRNAs that were of low abundance in their original population. This method was used to isolate cDNA clones of salt-stress-induced genes in the roots of Lophopyrum elongatum, a highly salt-tolerant wheatgrass. An excess of sonicated plasmid DNA from a cDNA library from nonstressed roots was hybridized in a formamide-phenol emulsion with inserts from a cDNA library of stressed roots. Clones that were more abundant in, or were unique to, the library of the stressed roots were recovered as double-stranded fragments by virtue of reconstituted restriction-enzyme-digested ends by ligating them to a plasmid vector. The resulting enriched library was screened by differential colony hybridization and clones of eleven different genes that were more strongly expressed in stressed roots than in controls were selected.

Care must be exercised in interpreting the clinical and radiologic findings when assessing patients with cervical spondylosis and involvement of neural structures for surgery. If the clinical picture cannot logically be explained by the radiologic findings, further investigation is indicated to exclude a coexistent disorder. Investigations may include electrophysiologic tests, transcranial magnetic stimulation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Only then can the indication for surgical intervention be properly determined.

Measurements of motor-evoked potentials by means of fractionated magnetic stimulation of motor pathways to the upper limbs was performed as part of the clinical assessment in 268 patients with cervical spine disorders. Seventy-two percent of the 127 patients with degenerative changes of the cervical spine, 67% of the 55 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and 57% of the 51 patients with trauma of the cervical spine showed a pathologic delay of central motor latency (CML). The data suggest that this method has a high sensitivity and therefore is recommended in the diagnosis of cervical spine disorders in patients with suspected compression of neural structures.

The authors describe their own observation of a complicated course of emphysematous cholecystitis caused by anaerobic microorganisms. An extensive subhepatic abscess was involved which developed as a results of emphysematous cholecystitis diagnosed by sonographic and CT examination. After two operations on account of the abscess and a phlegmon of the abdominal wall the patient recovered. The authors emphasize that early diagnosis and adequate treatment calls for collaboration of clinicians, microbiologists and roentgenologists.

Painless transcranial magnetic stimulation has been performed on 53 healthy adults in order to obtain normal values of central motor pathway conduction times to cervical segments innervating upper limb muscles. Central motor latency was 5.1 msec when recording from the biceps brachii and 5.2 msec when recording from the abductor pollicis brevis or abductor digiti minimi muscles. The plexus motor latency as the conduction time between the cervical motor root and the proximal nerve trunks in the axillary region was 2.2 msec and 2.6 msec when recorded from the abductor pollicis brevis and abductor digiti minimi muscles, respectively. Conduction times higher than mean latency + 2 standard deviation may indicate a pathologic conduction slowing. Magnetic stimulation of the motor system is a new painless neurophysiologic technique enabling examination of the central motor pathways in awake subjects. With respect to spinal cord diagnostics, this method is useful in conditions such as compression of the spinal cord or of the motor root in the intervertebral foramen or canal.

Recombination was investigated within the Nor-B2 locus of wheat chromosome 6B that contains several thousand of the 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA (rDNA) repeated units. Additionally, recombination was assessed for several chromosome regions, in arm 6Bq between the centromere and the B2 locus (awn suppressor) and in arm 6Bp between the centromere and Nor-B2, between Nor-B2 and a distal C-band and between Nor-B2 and Gli-B2 coding for gliadins. The experimental design permitted the distinction between crossing over between homologous chromosomes and exchange between sister chromatids. No homologous crossing over within the Nor-B2 locus was found in a sample of 446 chromosomes, but one exchange with the attributes of unequal sister chromatid exchange was identified. The molecular characteristics of this presumed sister chromatid exchange indicate that the spacer variants present in the Nor-B2 locus are clustered. No homologous recombination was detected within the distal Gli-B2 locus containing repeated genes coding for gliadin seed-storage proteins. Both arms of chromosome 6B showed low crossing-over frequency in the proximal regions. The distance from the centromere to Nor-B2 was only from 0.3 to 2.2 cM although it accounts for about two-thirds of the metaphase chromosome arm, which shows a great distortion of the metaphase map of the arm. The level of homologous recombination within the Nor-B2 locus is lower than in the chromosome region immediately distal to it. Whether it is comparable to that in the chromosome region proximal to it could not be determined. Recombination frequencies of different pairs of chromosome 6B in all but one interval paralleled the frequencies of their metaphase I pairing: Lower pairing at metaphase I was paralleled by lower crossing-over frequency. This relationship indicated that reduced metaphase I pairing between 6B chromosomes from different populations is due to impaired crossing-over and not due to precocious chiasma terminalization.

Among the methods for intramuscular injection, Hochstetters technique into the gluteus medius muscle is anatomically sound, but there are a few practical defects which make it difficult to perform. The method we describe has been tested and is simpler. Anatomical orientation is easier, vessels and nerves are not endangered, asepsis is better guaranteed, and the injection can be given with the patient in any position, even lying down. Instead of Hochstetters method of injecting into the vastus lateralis muscle, in which three connecting lines must be drawn mentally, we use our simple method: the injection is given in the middle third of the thigh, dorsal to a line joining the anterior superior iliac spine and the lateral border of the patella.

An artificial amphiploid from a cross between salinity-sensitive bread wheat cultivar Chinese Spring and highly tolerant Elytrigia elongata (Host) Nevski (= Agropyron elongatum Host) shows enhanced salinity tolerance relative to Chinese Spring. Poly(A)(+) RNA was isolated from roots, expanding leaves, and old leaves from amphiploid and Chinese Spring plants prior to and after acclimation to high levels of NaCl in solution cultures. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the in vitro translation products was used to compare these mRNA populations. The amphiploid had 10 mRNA species induced or enhanced and 8 species repressed in root tissue during acclimation to saline growth conditions. These 18 transcripts affected by salt treatment were also detected in wheat roots, but only 4 of these were similarly regulated. In Chinese Spring the acclimation to saline stress resulted in a marked change in the level of expression of 34 transcripts in root tissue; of these, 26 were detected in the amphiploid and only 6 were regulated as in the amphiploid. No differences were seen in gene expression between salt-treated and control plants in leaves and meristematic crowns and unexpanded leaves of the amphiploid.

Pairing frequencies of a single telosome in groups of two, three, four, five and six equally related homoeologues were calculated for a range of values of c (the ratio of actual chiasma frequency to the total possible number of chiasmata, as described by Driscoll, Bielig and Darvey 1979). At low c values, the frequency of telosome pairing is little affected by the number of homoeologues. At high c values, the frequency is little affected by the number of homoeolgues if the number is even; if the number is odd, the frequency is dependent on the number of homoeologues and increases with increasing numbers of homoeologues. At intermediate c values, the pairing frequency is dependent on the number of homoeologues for both even and odd numbers of homoeologues.

Mechanics of the respiratory system was simulated on analogue computer by a two-compartmental model. Each compartment expresses a functionally (not anatomicall) different part of the lungs, corresponding to some unhomogeneity within the system. The influence of this unhomogeneity on characteristics parameters of the lung (resistance, compliance) was analysed in simulated experiments. This seems to show the way how to express the degree of the lung function disturbance by some quantitative relations.

Most species of the genus Lophopyrum Löve (Agropyron Geartn.) grow in saline environments and are more tolerant of saline stress than the species of the related genus Triticum L. A 56-chromosome amphiploid from the cross Triticum aestivum cv. Chinese Spring x Lophopyrum elongatum exceeded Chinese Spring in salt tolerance, measured as plant dry-matter production and seed yield in solution cultures with 250 mM NaCl. Thus, the adaptation of Lophopyrum to saline environments is expressed in the wheat genetic background. None of the disomic additions or substitutions of L. elongatum chromosomes in Chinese Spring showed a similar level of saline stress tolerance, which indicates that the trait depends on the activity of genes on more than one chromosome. Comparisons of disomic additions, double monosomic additions from half-diallel crosses among disomic additions, and disomic substitutions of L. elongatum chromosomes in Chinese Spring with Chinese Spring indicated that the enhanced salt tolerance of the amphiploid is primarily controlled by genes with minor effects on three of the seven chromosomes, 3E, 4E, and 7E, interacting in a largely additive manner. The salt tolerance of L. elongatum additionally depends on several minor nonadditive gene interactions. It is concluded that the adaptation of L. elongatum to growth in saline environments evolved by accumulation of new alleles in a number of loci, each with a relatively small effect on salt tolerance. It is further inferred that most of these new alleles were codominant to the original alleles and were able to act independently in enhancing salt tolerance.

The paper reports on the observations of biventricular intracardiac thrombosis in dilated cardiomyopathy. The diagnosis was made with the aid of two-dimensional echocardiography used as the method of choice in suspected intracardiac thrombosis. In the authors' opinion, the principal hemostatic disorder in intracardiac thrombosis in dilated cardiomyopathy can be caused by insufficient fibrinolysis whose degree of reduction was confirmed with stimulations tests, some of which were developed at the authors' department. Adequate treatment of intracardiac thrombosis in dilated cardiomyopathy is open to discussion. At present, apart from the standard therapy, the authors mainly suggest anti-coagulation treatment as this can prevent embolization affecting the greater or lesser blood circulation.

Metaphase I (MI) pairing of homologous chromosomes in wheat intercultivar hybrids (heterohomologous chromosomes) is usually reduced relative to that within the inbred parental cultivars (euhomologous chromosomes). It was proposed elsewhere that this phenomenon is caused by polymorphism in nucleotide sequences (nonstructural chromosome variation) among wheat cultivars. The distribution of this polymorphism along chromosome arm 6Bp (=6BS) of cultivars Chinese Spring and Cheyenne was investigated. A population of potentially recombinant chromosomes derived from crossing over between telosome 6Bp of Chinese Spring and Cheyenne chromosome 6B was developed in the isogenic background of Chinese Spring. The approximate length of the Chinese Spring segment present in each of these chromosomes was assessed by determining for each chromosome the interval in which crossing over occurred (utilizing the rRNA gene region, a distal C-band and the gliadin gene region as markers). The MI pairing frequencies of these chromosomes (only the complete chromosomes were used) with the normal Chinese Spring telosome 6Bp were determined. These were directly proportional to the length of the euhomologous segment. The longer the incorporated euhomologous segment the better was the MI pairing. This provided evidence that the heterohomologous chromosomes are differentiated from each other in numerous sites distributed throughout the arm.-The comparison of the physical map of arm 6Bp with the linkage map showed a remarkable distortion of the linkage map; no crossing over was detected in the proximal 68% of the arm. A population of 49 recombinant chromosomes was assayed for recombination within the rRNA gene region, but none was detected. No new length variants of the nontranscribed spacer separating the 18S and 26S rRNA genes were detected either.

Unstable angina pectoris is a clinical syndrome characterized as a rule as rapid deterioration of angina or newly developed angina pectoris. The authors examined 30 patients with unstable angina pectoris who were admitted to hospital within 24 hours after the attack. Coronarography was performed on average after 14.6 hours. In all patients significant coronary stenoses were found. Streptokinase was administered into the coronary artery exhibiting the maximum narrowing in a total dose of 500,000 u. at a rate of 10,000 u/min. After streptokinase administration improvement of the coronarographic finding was recorded in 53% of the group, subjective improvement in 77%. Newly developed angina pectoris exhibited coronarographic improvement in 100%. Deteriorated angina improved coronarographically in 36%, subjective improvement was recorded in 68%. The authors found a significant difference (p less than 0.01) between the group of new anginas and deteriorated anginas following treatment, the coronarographic improvement being in favour of the group of fresh anginas (100% vs. 36%). The authors did not detect a significant difference between the groups when evaluating subjective improvement. In the group of deteriorated anginas more frequently subjective improvement was observed (68%) without detectable coronarographic improvement (36%). The authors verified on their own material that in more than 50% of the patients with sudden deterioration or the development of angina pectoris classified as unstable angina pectoris thrombotic narrowing can be found or even occlusion of the coronary arteries. The authors recommend therefore intravenous streptokinase administration in newly developed angina pectoris. In deterioration of angina pectoris they recommend heparin or possibly streptokinase as the drug of choice.

For the purpose of testing the effect of ionizing radiation, feeds for dogs (meat feed mixture VETACAN and loose feed mixture VETAVIT) irradiated by 60Co radioisotope at the dose of 25 kGy/kg were studied for 60 days. It has been found out that the total volume of energetic and non-energetic nutrients is not changed. Qualitative structure, however, displays a significant, on the average 35% disintegration of essential amino acids, decrease of proteins and increase of free ammonic bases. A significant oxidation effect of radiation is exerted on the decomposition of fats with a release of free fatty acids from glycerol bond in a process similar to rancidification (from 13.3-37.10 mg/g in meat mixture, from 103.1-103.04-135.04 mg/g in loose mixture). A certain disintegration of nutrients, only within the limits of significance, occurred also in the saccharide proportion of the loose feed mixture (acidity of water extract 348.8-403.99-436.60 mg/100 g). It has been proved that radiosterilization reliably secures microbiological and mycological sanitation of feeds and causes no sensory changes noticeable by human senses. It follows from the results that ionizing radiation has a pronounced antimicrobial and antimycotic effectiveness. However, it causes significant structural changes of energetic nutrients in the feeds of animal as well as of vegetable origin.