Pharmaco-electroencephalography: the value of quantified EEG in psychopharmacology.

One of the first routine applications of quantitative EEG analysis was in the field of human psychopharmacology. As early as the 1960's, quantitative techniques, mainly period and amplitude integration analyses or analogue filtering, were successfully applied to EEG data with the aim of quantifying and objectifying changes induced by psychoactive medidation. Thus, step by step, a new research field, pharmacoelectroencephalography, was developed. Many other sophisticated new techniques have been described in great detail from the engineering viewpoint. However, due to the language barriers common between representatives of the various disciplines involved, it is still difficult to view them in context with the experimental design as a whole. Therefore, based on examples taken from our routine work, an attempt is made to give a balanced judgement on the value of such techniques in pharmaco-electroencephalography, and their contribution to the CNS pharmacology.


Vigilance and evaluation of psychotropic drug effects on EEG.

Dynamics and structure of EEG-patterning are highly sensitive indicators of psychotropic drug effects on the regulation of vigilance. Methodological requirements for an adequate evaluation of these effects and appropriate procedures for their measurement are discussed. The kind of information to be obtained by using these strategies is illustrated by the results of comparative investigations concerning the action of Viloxazine, a new antidepressant drug, on the resting activity and on the waking EEG during performance of various tracking tasks.


Automatic measurement of the vigilance level and its possible application in psychopharmacology.

The main object of the study was to separate the specific EEG effects of psychopharmaca from changes caused by drowsiness. The study was based on quantitative evaluation of the vigilance level during five minutes of EEG recording under standardized conditions. The equation for computing the vigilance level from EEG spectra was obtained by using a training material. The segments were classified visually either as alert EEG, or as EEG marked by drowsiness. As confirmed by independent test material, the coefficients derived by means of multiple linear regression were applicable to other EEGs for estimating the vigilance level. The procedure was used in the evaluation of the psychopharmacological treatment. It was concluded that the specific EEG drug profiles were certainly influenced by the accompanying drowsiness, but the main information was still preserved. In contrast to the specific drug effect, the drug-induced sleep activity could be isolated from other events and studied separately. It was also found that after a standard stimulation, both the general trend and periodicity of the vigilance fluctuations were closely related to the psychic state of the patient.


The significance of personality traits in EEG evaluation of drug effects.

The relatively clear and compact picture of an electroencephalographic classification of psychotropic substances becomes extremely more complex if the influence of personality traits and topographic differentiations in the EEG are taken into account. Using the example of EEG alterations under diazepam, amitriptyline, pyritinol, EMD 21-657 and caffeine, the complex structure of substance effects, personality factors, topographical differentiations, placebo reactivity and spontaneous circadian variability of the EEG is demonstrated.


Statistical handling of EEG-data.

This contribution focusses on the treatment of EEG data as time series. More emphasis is placed on spontaneous activity than on event-related potentials. Smoothing techniques are discussed, both for the nonparametric estimation of regression functions and of densities. Some new promising methods are presented. The fundamentals of time series analysis, and in particular of spectrum analysis, are reviewed. For the difficult area of parameterization of EEG time series, we compare desirable characteristica of parameters with the methods already in use.


Statistical problems in the analysis of comparative pharmaco-EEG trials.

Assuming already condensed data from the EEG power spectra, problems arising with the statistical analysis of such data in comparative pharmaco-EEG trials are discussed. Since, in general, there is only a limited number of subjects available in a study to evaluate and compare the effects of a number of drugs by means of the EEG, the experimental design is usually of the cross-over type. With respect to this design, the requirements for the application and for the appropriate analysis are stated. Further, the problems are indicated which arise when the number of subjects is not a multiple of the number of drugs and/or when there are missing values. Finally, the topic of repeated null hypothesis testing and the inflation of the overall significance level is treated. Suggestions are made how to at least partly avoid the indicated problems at the present stage of methodological statistical research.


Computation of bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra and comparison with spectra measured with a Ge(Li) detector.

A method of computing theoretical X-ray spectra in the range 30-150 kV is presented. The theoretical spectra are compared with constant potential, high resolution spectra from a tungsten target measured with a Ge(Li) detector, for a range of target angles, tube voltage and filtrations. Above 100 kV the spectra were also measured with a NaI detector but, as there was good agreement between the Ge(Li) and NaI detectors, only the former are presented. Spectra computed using Kramers' theory are also included for comparison, giving fairly good agreement at large target angles (30 degrees) but becoming gradually worse as the target angle decreased. Spectra may be computed by this method for any desired filtration, target angle, and tube voltage between 30 and 150 kV, in excellent agreement with the measured data.


Determination of the stopping cross-sections of N2, H2, CH4, C4H10 and C3H6 using alpha particles in the range 1 . 3--4 . 2 MeV.

The stopping cross-sections of N2, H2, CH4, C4H10 and C3H6 have been measured using natural alpha particles from a 238Pu source, with facilities to vary the energy in the range 1.3--4.2 MeV. The work is the extension of measurements made earlier, using C2H4 as the absorber, which showed discrepancies in comparison with results of other authors. The comparison is continued with the results presented here and brief comments made on the degree of agreement obtained.


The calculation of annual limits of intake for plutonium-239 in man using a bone model which allows for plutonium burial and recycling.

Values of the annual limit of intake (ALI) for plutonium-239 in man have been calculated using committed dose equivalent limits as recommended by ICRP in Publication 26. The calculations were made using a multicompartment bone model which allows for plutonium burial and recycling in the skeleton. In one skeletal compartment, the growing surfaces of cortical bone, it is assumed that plutonium deposits are retained and are not subject to resorption or recycling. In the trabecular bone compartment plutonium is taken to be resorbed with either subsequent redeposition onto bone surfaces or retention in the bone marrow. ALIs for plutonium-239 have been calculated assuming a range of rates of bone accretion (0-32 micron yr-1), different amounts of plutonium retained in the marrow (0-60%) and a 20%, 45% or 70% deposition of plutonium in the skeleton from the blood. The calculations made using this bone model suggest that 750 Bq (20 nCi) is an appropriate ALI for the inhalation of class W and class Y plutonium compounds and that 830 kBq and 5 MBq (23 muCi and 136 muCi) are the appropriate ALIs for the ingestion of soluble and insoluble forms of plutonium respectively.


Contributions to depth discrimination gamma-gamma-coincidence methods in scintigraphy.

Two problems in the gamma-gamma-coincidence method for depth discrimination in scintigraphy are discussed. Firstly, the FW (1/e)M of the distribution function of time differences between 'coincident' pulses is calculated to be the optimum resolving time for measurement of true coincidences. Secondly, the improvement of time resolution of such an apparatus by substituting a large volume NaI(TI) crystal by an array of many small ones is analysed. It is shown that such arrays will have no practical advantage since the loss in efficiency is of the same order of magnitude as the gain in time resolution.


A study of the application of a deconvolution method to scintigraphy.

It is shown that an Anger-type gamma camera can be considered as a linear filter. The image is therefore the convolution of the object by the camera point spread function. An important property of the objects is the fact that they are basically positive (count-rates as a function of space variables). The proposed deconvolution method (due to Biraud) is shown to work satisfactorily on a 1-D scintigraphic signal which is a particular cross-section of a 2-D image. This is a preliminary study of the enhancement of real scintigraphic images.


Thermal recovery of the skin after cooling.

A theoretical model of the skin is used to study the thermal recovery of the skin temperature after cooling. The analytical solution of the partial differential equation describing this model shows that recovery curves can be approximated by a two-exponential curve or even by a mono-exponential curve when the data from the first two minutes are omitted. With this model, it is possible to study the influence of the blood flow and the thermal conductivity lambda of the skin on the steady-state temperature and the decay constants mun. New experiments will be carried out to verify the relation between mu1, mu2  and the blood flow but now correcting for the influence of lambda, as predicted by the model.


A study of ultrasonically induced pulsations of gas-filled channels in Elodea.

The ultrasonically stimulated pulsation of pockets of in elodea has been studied using optical microscopy. The intensity dependence of the microstreaming associated with these pulsations has been measured by observing the rotation of chloroplasts and other organelles in the microstreaming vortices. The threshold energy density to produce microstreaming in a standing wave field was found to be 0 . 03 J m-3 at 700 kHz, equivalent to an average intensity of 5 mW cm-2 in the standing wave field, and 0 . 01 J m-3 at 3 MHz, equivalent to an intensity of 15 mW cm-2. The channels had resonant frequencies in the low megahertz range and the relationship between the channel diameter and the resonant frequency was found to be similar to that for a gas bubble in a liquid.


Influence of beam characteristics and detector size in negative-pion dose studies.

Dose calculations were performed for a tissue phantom irradiated by uniform circular beams of negative pions with an assumed gaussian momentum distribution. The mean momentum of the pions was varied from 104.4 to 171.5 MeV/c (mean range 5-20 cm in unit-density tissue) and the momentum spread from 0 to 5% of the mean. Depth-dose curves are shown for different mean momenta and momentum spreads. The radial distribution of dose as a function of distance from the beam axis was computed at different depths for a beam with a mean momentum of 153.4 MeV/c and spread of 2%. The responses of detectors of different sizes used to measure centre-line dose for this beam were shown by calculating depth-dose curves for detectors of radii 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 cm. Calculations were also performed for beams having radii of 1, 2 and 3 cm. Depending on particular conditions, it appears that considerable care may often be needed to infer the absorbed dose at a given location in a phantom irradiated by a negative-pion beam.


Theoretical determination of scatter factors at depths in walls of cylindrical chambers.

A theoretical evaluation has been made of the contribution from scattered photons to dose at depths in the walls of cylindrical cavity chambers for photon beams in the energy range 2-30 MV. Scatter factors calculated for graphite, Perspex and water walls over a range of depths and thicknesses show satisfactory agreement with the experimental results of other workers.


Air-gap correction in electron treatment planning.

In electron treatment planning involving irregular surface contours the technique of shifting standard isodose curves to compensate for air gaps is unsatisfactory for oblique angles of incidence. For electron beams at normal incidence on a flat surface, earlier workers reported that the broad electron beam may be considered as the sum of many narrow beams, and that the standard isodose curves may be reproduced using the data for a narrow beam derived from a collimation experiment. This paper describes a simple alternative experiment to derive the necessary data, which include electrons scattered from the applicator walls. Computed plans using these data for electrons incident at 45 degrees on a flat surface and for incidence on an irregular surface agree with experiment. The method is compatible with, and was designed for, a very limited computing facility.


The aging intervertebral disk.

This paper outlines the structure of the intervertebral disk and the process by which altered cellular mechanisms lead to deterioration with age. A reference list indicates current trends in research that attempt to explain the changing nature of the intervertebral disk and its role in spinal disease.


Acute symptomatic disk prolapse. Clinical manifestations and therapeutic considerations.

Intervertebral disk prolapse is a relatively common cause of acute low back dysfunction. The resultant symptoms and signs can be explained by the pathomechanics and pathophysiology of the intervertebral disk. Clinical manifestations should be used to differentiate the prolapse from more severe disk protrusions and from other types of spinal pathology, for treatment must be pathology-specific. Primary goals of management should include: resolution of the acute problem, restoration of optimal segmental mechanics, restoration of an optimal activity level, prevention of recurrent physical dysfunction, and prevention of chronic pain behavior patterns.


[Family therapy--encounters with a therapeutic fashion (author's transl)].

Following the boom in Group Therapy, the Federal Republic of Germany now experiences a similar boom in Family Thera;y. An attempt is made in the present article to show the stepwise progress from individual to group psychotherapy and finally to family therapy, and to describe and calssify the family therapy approach. The present family therapy boom is considered to be a kind of fashion. In the long run, however, family therapy as such will prove to be an important tool within the therapeutic spectrum. A cause for concern is the high demand made on the training and skill of family therapists. This deters those who had always considered family therapy as an integral part of their work in everyday paractice. This results in a plea for remaining close to actual practical conditions. The article close with recommendations for reading up relevant literature.


[Psychotherapy in anxiety caused by examinations and in learning difficulties (author's transl)].

Examination neuroses and learning difficulties in college students are almost always amenable to successful psychotherapeutic treatment. The total quota of examination neuroses among students should be about 3% to 4%. The article deals with the factors causing the neurosis, factors which made their appearance either during childhood or adolescence or during college studies only. The psychotherapeutic possibilities are discussed, special attention being paid to the active forms of psychotherapy and an analytically oriented form of group therapy. The good chances of success, which are between 90% and 95%, are underlined.


[The future rôle of psychotherapy in medical care from a medicosocial viewpoint (author's transl)].

The difficulties of futurological statement about the role of psychotherapy in the medical care system are seen (1) in the problemacy to define the object, (2) to assess the present state of the situation of psychotherapeutic care, (3) to recognize the environmental conditions of the role of psychotherapy is paramount. The futurological hypotheses are centred on the supposition that psychotherapy is more and more tending not be fixed at medical professional roles.


["Divided roles" as a therapeutic game in sociotherapeutic training (author's transl)].

Basing on an intergative concept in which various aspects of learning and behavioral therapy, depth psychology and communication therapy overlap, the article surveys the possibilities and limitations (inherent risks) of playing "divided parts" in theatrical fashion as part of psychiatric training. A section on the basic technique describes how a play according to divided roles is built up in practice. From the viewpoint of a theory of playing divided roles, the functions, aims and a system of typology are discussed.


Criminal responsibility: an action language approach.

Traditionally, the propositions of psychiatry are said to be in conflict with those of the law since psychiatry assumes a "psychic determinism" and the law assumes freedom of the will (Stone, 1978). An argument always arises over the insanity defense since it bridges psychiatry and the law. But one may hold that there is nothing intrinsic to psychiatry which requires causally stated propositions. By formulating psychiatric propositions in a different form, specifically by adopting the action language of Roy Schafer (1976a), there need be no incompatibility between psychiatric and legal statements about criminal responsibility.


The sense of identity and the role of continuity and confluence.

THE concept of identity, as it will be used in this paper, corresponds to Erikson's notion of psychosocial identity. It is a sense of "selfsameness and continuity in time" and of embeddedness in the "environment" (Erikson 1959, 1968). I will describe some of the factors which seem to be essential for the sense of selfsameness, and examine the manner in which continuity is preserved during transitional phases.


Culture as an internal representation.

IN ADDITION to many of the more traditional anthropological views of culture, it may be understood as a phenomenon in the minds of individuals. This "internal representation" of culture may be seen as the product, viewed from the inside, of the experience through the life cycle of the emotional attachment to a cultural group. Not only does the internal representation of culture play a role as carrier of values, attitudes, and other such phenomena usually  relegated to the realm of the superego, but it also has a significant psychological function in individual development. This may be demonstrated especially with regard to the development and maintenance of a cohesive sense of self. In this brief paper, I would like to present an instance of what may be understood about the development of this internal, experientially based self from the point of view of a psychoanalytically informed anthropological research model.


Hidden stresses in success.

There are many measures of success. For example, Logan Pearsall Smith, the English essayist, wrote: "How can they say my life is not a success? Have I not for more than sixty years got enough to eat and escaped being eaten?" (quoted in Flesch). Conventional measures of success include the attainment of wealth, position, esteem, favor, or eminence, but these things without an accompanying enforcement of self-esteem cause stress--emotional discomfort or strain. Self-esteem, then, is perhaps the essence of the conscious, pleasurable experiencing of success.


The classification of schizophrenic neologisms.

The use of neologisms has long been considered a symptom of schizophrenic thought disorder. However, a review of current literature and psychiatric textbooks reveals few clinical examples of neologism that may be used for illustrative purposes. A prominent exception is a paper by Forest (1969). The purpose of this communication is to present the case history of a schizophrenic patient, a partial list of his neologistic productions, and a brief analysis of the classification of neologisms.


The interaction of family therapy and psychodynamic individual therapy in an inpatient setting.

Although individual psychotherapy is an established treatment modality in psychoanalytically oriented hospitals, family therapy is a relative newcomer. When family therapy is introduced into such an inpatient setting, it raises issues which have not yet been widely discussed. On the one hand there is the question of how inpatient family therapy differs from outpatient family therapy, and what its special characteristics are. This question has only begun to be discussed. On the other hand there is the question of how family therapy relates to individual therapy that is being conducted simultaneously with a member of the same family. In general the individual psychotherapy literature tends to speak as if family therapy did not exist, and the family therapy literature speaks as if individual therapy should be abolished and supplanted by family therapy. Some authors have begun to try to build bridges between the two fields on the level of theory, but almost none have reported on the interaction between the two treatment modalities on a pragmatic level when they are conducted simultaneously (Kugel, 1974).


Ward tension and staff leadership in a therapeutic community for hospitalized adolescents.

Mental health workers on inpatient units spend a great deal of time trying to cope with interpersonal tensions that disrupt ward life. We have focused our attention on two aspects of this problem. The first is clarifying the nature of the social processes that underlie periods of increased tension and conflict on wards. The second is clarifying the kinds of staff leadership required to manage these tensions. We are sure that those who have worked on interactive treatment wards will recognize this situation: for a period of weeks or more there is an uneasy tension; patient cliques form and disruption occurs between cliques and with the staff. Often there is a climax of disruptive behavior, such as a day or weekend when a large number of patients break ward rules. Trouble seems to be contagious. Throughout the period staff members disagree about how to manage the patients and the disruption, and usually this disagreement is tinged with old philosophical or personal differences. No one feels very confident about taking leadership initiatives, and the formal leaders are blamed for various failures and lacks. Eventually, often after a climactic disturbance is resolved, ward life returns to "normal" and people feel much better about living and working on the ward. In this paper we review previous work on this kind of ward process and discuss some of the problems involved in conceptualizing it. We report on two period of ward observation that illustrate the sequence from low to high tension and back to relative calm. We then discuss our ideas about the kinds of staff leadership needed to manage different phases of this sequence and the problems of developing and integrating multiple ward leadership roles.


Mental health viewed as an ideal.

The concepts of health and disease have always challenged the human mind. They continue to be frequently discussed with reference to both the body and the mind, but conclusions seem elusive or at best heuristic. With respect to the mind, especially, the challenge seems awesome: When the investigator and what is being investigated are one and the same, impartiality, objectivity, and the other virtues of scientific inquiry appear difficult to assess, much less attain. And yet, not surprisingly, the subject continues to attract investigators (e.g., Kaplan, 1967; Sabshin, 1967; Shakow, 1967; Offer, 1973; Sedgwick, 1973; Bruhn, 1974; Margolis, 1976). Philosophers and physicians alike respond to the subject's appeal--its theoretical interest, the conceptual problem it presents, and its implications for our understanding of ourselves. And those of us who are clincians cannot deny the practical importance of our concepts of mental health and illness: We each daily base decisions on our understanding of these concepts, and even if we cannot provide solid basis for such an understanding, we perhaps owe it to our patients to make explicit what this understanding, our philosophy, is.


Development of psychosexual concepts in relation to expressive language performance.

Cognitive-developmental theory suggests that the learning of gender identity concepts is a sequential process, beginning with the learning of one's own gender, and moving to recognition of the invariance of gender as a human characteristic. Neither clinical nor theoretical literature can fully explain the steps involved. In this study, retarded and nonretarded children were asked to respond to tasks requiring knowledge of core gender identity and gender constancy. When both the retarded and nonretarded children were pooled, a significant interaction was found across all ages between expressive language performance and the development of the psychosexual concepts of core gender identity and gender constancy.


The relationship between friendship and altruism in preadolescent girls.

The present study was designed from a Sullivanian theoretical perspective to explore the nature of friendship patterns during preadolescence. Specifically, an attempt was made to replicate with females a previous finding that preadolescent boys involved in a chum relationship exhibited significantly greater levels of altruistic behavior than those without a chum.


Unity and diversity in biochemistry.

A consideration of A Biochemical Phylogeny of the Protists, by M.A. Ragan and D.J. Chapman (Academic Press, 1978) and Biochemical Adaptation to Environmental Change, ed. by R.M.S. Smellie and J.F. Pennock (the Biochemical Society, 1976), within some thoughts on biochemical evolution.


The principles of tomographic positioning with particular reference to skull tomography.

Because the principles of tomography relating to positioning have not been clearly understood it has generally been the practice to employ only basic positions when undertaking tomographic studies. The purpose of this paper is to outline tomographic positioning principles, and to integrate them in a simple positioning system for common usage. This has given rise to the need for a completely new set of technical terms which pertain to positioning for skull tomography. It is hoped to establish an understanding which will enable the radiographer to devise methods of demonstrating structures for which there are no text book references to act as a guide, and to assist the radiologist in the recognition of pseudo-shadows.


Ultrasonography of jaundice.

Ultrasonography is proposed as a valuable first step in the study of the jaundiced patient. Utilizing modern gray scale technology, it is nearly always possible to determine whether or not dilatation of the biliary tree is present. In the presence of diffuse liver disease without obstruction, some assessment of the state of the parenchyma can often be made. In patients with obstruction, its severity and level are usually easy to determine. It may be considerably harder to correctly diagnose the etiology of the obstruction, and more invasive investigations will then be required.


Clinical comparison of computed tomography and lymphangiography for detection of retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy.

The advantages of CT scan over lymphangiography are numerous and significant. The accuracy of CT scan was virtually identical to lymphogram for the detection of para-aortic lymph node involvement; however, CT provides a better means of assessing the true extent of disease. In such cases it is possible to determine whether the neoplastic process involves retroperitoneal structures such as the kidneys, ureters, pancreatic region, hilum of the liver, or the major vessels. Moreover, this excellent definition permits accurate follow-up assessment of therapy. Finally, CT is a noninvasive examination and does not require significant technical expertise, and the examination is easily reproducible following any time period from the initial examination. Finally, although we have not specifically discussed biopsy procedures, the CT scan is an excellent means for guiding biopsy procedures even for retroperitoneal abnormalities, perhaps precluding the necessity for laparotomy in order to provide histologic diagnosis of disease (Fig. 11). The disadvantages of CT are several. Of course, the acquisition of CT equipment is expensive and the cost effectiveness has not yet been proven. The most significant disadvantage is its inability to resolve or detect neoplastic disease within normal-sized lymph nodes. This was not a significant problem in our series, because our series contained only a few cases of suspected metastatic disease as opposed to lymph node neoplasms. The advantages of lymphography have been discussed by other authors. Because of the better spatial resolution of lymphograms, it is possible by proper interpretation to distinguish between neoplastic disease and lipogranulomatous changes. In a few cases in our series, this did not prove to be true; however, this may have been due to deficiencies in our interpretations (two cases of lymphoma were called positive for neoplasm, but proved to be lipogranulomatous changes by biopsy). Secondly, surveillance films may be easily and cheaply obtained to detect recurrences of disease. In addition, lymphography also provides the opportunity for biopsy of lymphoma masses, but to date this has only been accomplished by skinny-needle biopsy aspirations and not by large core biopsy techniques. After reviewing the literature and evaluating our data, we believe that several recommendations are appropriate with respect to the roles of computed tomography and lymphography. We agree with the previously stated concept that CT should be used for screening for lymphoma; however, we disagree that lymphograms have a greater advantage over CT in the biopsy-proven cases of lymphoma. Rather we believe that CT is better suited than lymphography for those cases with biopsy proven lymphoma. CT is better able to accurately localize the lymph node masses for surgeons if the surgical approach is desired and better able to define the extent of the disease throughout the abdomen. As a result of this it is capable of providing a better follow-up for therapy...


Fluoroscopic technique for double-contrast knee arthrography.

The fluoroscopic double-contrast technique of arthrography of the knee is useful in documenting the extent of suspected injury to the knee. It is of particular value in demonstrating small and large lesions involving the menisci, cruciate ligaments, patellar cartilages, as well as the articular cartilages of the femoral condyles and tibial plateaus. This examination is instrumental in the diagnosis of the patient with an atypical history of injury and unusual physical findings. A simple restraint device allows the fluoroscopist complete control over the stress applied to the knee while positioning the patient for filming. Fluoroscopic spot radiographs of excellent contrast and sharp detail can be obtained of each of the various structures, applying the stress needed. When the radiologic technologist takes a little time to become more knowledgeable about the anatomy of the knee jount, and the rationale for the various views, the knee arthrographic examination is easily understood.


A collegiate model within a hospital-based program.

In the current age of consumerism, educators in radiologic technology must be accountable to provide high level educational experiences for students. The authors address the issue of standardizing and upgrading education by proposing that a collegiate model be developed and implemented with a hospital-based radiography program.


Cervical spin protocol for emergency room use.

At the University of Alabama Hospitals, we have established a protocol of routine and supplementary projections to provide an unusually thorough and complete evaluation of the patient suspected of harboring certain acute cervical spine injuries. This paper reports an evaluation of a protocol designed for use in the radiographic emergency room. The protocol was designed to provide uniform roentgen assessment of the cervical spine with a minimum number of exposures, ease in radiographing the patient, and strict avoidance of manipulation of the patient. A total of 268 patients were evaluated. Of these patients, 98 (thirty-six per cent) were admitted to the hospital for various reasons and none required additional roentgenograms of the cervical spine for better delineation. In addition, in no instance was a previously undiagnosed cervical spine injury later found.


[Radiology in chest trauma (author's transl)].

In chest trauma, a routine chest film, preferably in the lateral as well as the frontal projection, is the basic part of the work-up. Occasionally valuable additional methods are fluoroscopy, tomography, bronchography, contrast studies of the GI Tract and angiography and angiocardiography. In 679 chest trauma patients, traffic accidents and falls were the main reason for the trauma. There were 248 fractures; then - in order of frequency - hemopneumothorax (76), lung contusion (58), subcutaneous emphysema (33) cardiac (16) and vascular trauma (12) and damage to other organs. While 20--30% mistakes are made in diagnosing rib fractures in acute trauma, there is high accuracy in the diagnosis of the other injuries. Many cases are shown to demonstrate the value of diagnostic radiology.


[X-Ray findings of the complications of central venous catheters (author's transl)].

The increasing use of central venous catheters requires knowledge of possible hazards. Complications such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, hematomas in the chest wall or mediastinum and pulmonary emboli caused by the catheter are easily seen on plain chest films. Cardiac tamponade, perforation of vessels, air emboli and thrombosis have to be considered as a possible cause in case of sudden deterioration of a patient.


[Cystic pseudotumors (baker cysts) of the popliteal fossa (author's transl)].

Report on 38 Baker cysts found in 300 knee arthrographies performed for clinically suspected meniscus lesions. In order not to miss these cysts, fluoroscopy and/or X-ray documentation immediately following the instillation of contrast material and air into the knee joint is mandatory, because these contrast agents tend to disappear fairly rapidly, leaving the lesion poorly visible towards the end of the examination. Furthermore, the clinical significance and the therapeutic aspects of Baker cysts are discussed.


[Angiographic findings in hemangiopericytoma of the urinary bladder (author's transl)].

Case report of a 31 years old white female presenting with a large filling defect in the urinary bladder occupying one half of its lumen. Selective arteriography demonstrated an intramural highly vascular mass, which histologically proved to be a hemangiopericytoma. Angiography in the lateral projection in addition to the frontal projection was necessary to establish the exact location of the mass and thus permit a reasonable differential diagnosis; and angiography also facilitated surgery, of course.


[Comparison of screens and screen-film-systems (author's transl)].

Important details are to be payed attention in comparison of different scrreens resp. screen-film-systems: 1. Physical characteristics of different groups of luminescent materials: f.i. calcium tung-state, rare-earths compounds, double halogenides. - 2. Different types of screens: highest details up to highest speed intensifying screens, have to be defined more specifically and differentiated against to each other too. - 3. Besides intensification, resolution has to be included into consideration since one of these dates alone does not allow any statement on the total function of a screen or a screen-film-system. - 4. The technical methodological conditions of apparatuses, object and its positioning have to be defined, f.i. X-ray quality, distances, grid, and in automatically controlled exposition, if necessary, position of ionization chamber as well as absorption of cassetts and screen. - 5. Considering these points gradation curves have to include the whole necessary or interesting diagnostic range. - 6. Due to functional correlation between intensification and resolution, the resolution has to be taken in consideration due to application; its interdependence of density and object (f.i. scattered radiation) is often not taken enough in consideration.


Images, image quality and observer performance: new horizons in radiology lecture.

Technical and diagnostic image quality are distinguished and the limitations of three methods currently used for assessing diagnostic image quality are discussed. They are evaluations based on individual clinical experience, measurement of diagnostic performance, and physical measurements made on images or imaging systems. Finally, a psychophysical approach to image quality evaluation is presented and its potential value discussed.


Breast cancer screening with mammography: a population-based, randomized trial with mammography as the only screening mode.

A population-based, randomized breast cancer screening project was undertaken using mammography alone. Of 17,447 invited women aged 50-69, 12,765 (73%) attended the screening. On the basis of the screening films, malignancy was suspected in 405 women (3.2%) who were recalled for complete mammography. Additional films showed that the suspicion of malignancy was false in 194 women. The remaining 211 women (1.7%) were referred for clinical and cytological examination. Of these, 159 had surgery. Breast cancer was proved in 97 women, corresponding to a prevalence rate of 7.6/1000. Fifty-three (55%) of the carcinomas were either in situ or invasive with a diameter of less than or equal to 1 cm. Axillary metastases were found in 19 patients (19.6%). Cancers detected at screening were significantly less advanced than those in the control group. There was a remarkably high frequency of tubular carcinoma among cancers detected at screening.


Errors of interpretation as elicited by a quality audit of an emergency radiology facility.

A process-oriented quality care audit was performed in a large metropolitan hospital emergency radiology facility with an annual volume of over 50,000 examinations. One aspect of the audit dealt with errors found among interpretations by radiology residents, the initial interpreters of x-ray studies. Misinterpretations were identified by staff radiologists, who checked all examinations and countersigned the reports. Error rates were correlated with duration of training and were separated as to significance and whether the errors were false-negative (omission) or false-positive (commission). The false-positive to false-negative ratio was 27:73% which is in agreement with previous studies. For all cases of errors, the significance of change in interpretation was high in 20%, moderate in 29% and low in 51%. The effect of inadequate clinical history on the rate and significance of interpretation errors was also determined. When clinical information was inadequate, the significance was high in 27%, moderate in 40% and low in 33%.


Pleural telangiectasia and absence of a pulmonary artery.

The radiological features of absence of a pulmonary artery are often characteristic enough to allow a diagnosis based on the plain radiograph. They include a small hemithorax, ipsilateral displacement of the mediastinum, absence of the corresponding pulmonary artery, and reticular parenchymal densities, generally attributed to bronchial collateral vessels. Six cases are reported; 3 patients had peripheral, hazy, confluent densities and pleural thickening. Aortography disclosed extensive intercostal and subdiaphragmatic transpleural collaterals, which formed telangiectatic networks within the pleura of the oligemic lungs, corresponding to the areas of increased density on the plain radiographs. The appearance of these transpleural collaterals is helpful in diagnosis. Pleural telangiectasia in association with prolonged pulmonary oligemia of any cause indicates significant transpleural collaterals.


Transluminal angioplasty of the iliac, femoral, and popliteal arteries.

The recently developed Grüntzig balloon dilatation catheter has facilitated the performance of transluminal angioplasty. The authors used this catheter in 35 arteries supplying the lower extremities in 27 patients. Immediate relief of symptoms (claudication and rest pain) occurred in 30 vessels (86%) in 23 patients. The procedure was well tolerated by all patients. Over 90% of initially successful dilatations were patent at 3 to 10 months.


Hemodynamic significance of iliac artery stenosis: pressure measurements during angiography.

Peak systolic pressure gradients were obtained before and after vasodilatation in 42 patients (50 limbs) with arteriographic iliac artery stenosis of questionable significance. Patients were divided into three groups according to per cent narrowing of the iliac artery. Pressure gradients across the site of stenosis tended to be significant in patients with greater than 75% stenosis (greater than or equal to 20 mm Hg) but not in patients with less than 50% stenosis; patients in the middle group (50-75% stenosis) demonstrated a wide variance. Thus the arteriogram is not an accurate indicator of hemodynamically significant lesions, particularly in patients with 50-75% stenosis where pressure measurements are of greatest value. Variations in the aortic and femoral artery systolic peak pressure occurred following vasodilatation, indicating the importance of simultaneous pressure recording.


Arteria magna revisited.

Arteria magna has been described pathologically in the literature as a peculiar and unique form of atherosclerosis. The authors offer an alternative hypothesis, based on results of angiographic studies with pathologic correlation in 18 patients with arteria magna. The findings indicate that this vascular entity might be more accurately described as a loss of the medial elastica with subsequent vessel enlargement both in length and diameter.


"Mini" Gianturco stainless steel coils for transcatheter vascular occlusion.

Small stainless steel coils have been developed for transcatheter vascular occlusion procedures. The coils can be passed through a 5-French polyethylene catheter, extending the clinical applications of coil occlusion procedures for small and/or tortuous vessels. Two cases describing the use of these coils are reported.


The angiographic features of extraabdominal desmoid tumors.

Extraabdominal desmoid tumors are nonencapsulated locally invasive neoplasms of fibrous tissue. The angiographic features include arterial stretching, neovascularity, and tumor staining (4 of 6 cases in this series). Although benign, these tumors are difficult to cure because they tend to recur locally.


Urticaria of the colon.

The clinical manifestations of colonic urticaria vary, depending on the presence of associated abnormalities. A case of an association between colonic urticaria and cecal volvulus is described.


Thermographic diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis: anatomically based diagnostic criteria.

Deep venous thrombosis is associated with increased heat emission from involved muscle groups and deviation of blood flow from the deep to the superficial venous system. Both of these features can be documented by thermography. An appreciation of the muscular and venous anatomy of the lower limb allows recognition of predictable thermographic images reflecting involvement of various muscle groups in the leg. It is expected that these anatomically based criteria will improve the diagnostic accuracy of thermography and offer a noninvasive, easily repeatable modality of examination for the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis.


Effects of radiopaque contrast media on the microcirculation of the rabbit omentum.

Histamine concentration in plasma was measured and the microvasculature studied after injections of radiographic contrast materials and hypertonic NaCl solutions. Only 8 ml/kg of contrast material caused a prolonged decrease in systemic and microvascular pressure and a drop in erythrocyte velocity. Concomitantly, a significant increase in plasma histamine concentration was observed after two minutes. Signs of cellular defects and constriction of arterioles were noted after several minutes. These findings suggest that the hyperosmolality of the radiopaque materials tested could initiate the microhemodynamic reactions but is not responsible for cellular and endothelial damage in the microcirculation of the rabbit omentum.


Inhibition of platelet aggregation by contrast media.

The effect of 30% Urografin on platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), epinephrine, and arachidonic acid was examined. In vivo and in vitro experiments in 10 nondiabetic subjects and in vitro experiments in 7 diabetic-uremic patients showed a statistically significant decrease in platelet aggregation 20 minutes after in vitro incubation or in vivo infusion with Urografin. Urografin concentration was about 2.4-2.5%. The possibility of bleeding induced by contrast media and the connection with acute renal failure in diabetic-uremic patients are discussed.


Long-term effects of bacteriuria on the urinary tract in schoolgirls.

In order to examine the effects of bacteriuria on renal growth and scarring, 208 schoolgirls aged 5 to 12 years, in whom bacteriuria was detected during a screening program, were followed for 4 years. Of these, 110 were treated. Excretory urography and micturating cystography were performed at the start and end of the study period. Remission of ureteric reflux was equally common in both treated and untreated children. Renal scarring progressed in 12, and diminution in renal growth without scarring occurred in 9 others; treatment did not affect either of these events. A significant association existed between reflux and scarring. No new scars developed in previously unscarred kidneys. Difficulties in assessing normal renal growth and progression of scarring are discussed.


Acute ureteral obstruction secondary to bullous cystitis of the trigone: report of 2 cases.

Two boys presented with acute bullous cystitis limited to the trigone and periureteral zone and producing marked but transient acute ureteral obstruction. One patient was anuric and likely would have died without intervention. Cystoscopy in both cases showed localized bullous edema of the bladder mucosa; biopsy showed acute inflammation, mucosal edema, and lymphangiectasis. Radiological findings included distal ureteral obstruction and numerous nodular filling defects in the bladder, caused by the edema. The etiology of the cystitis could not be determined in either case.


Duration of voluntary apnea in children.

Results of breathholding were recorded in 50 children prior to excretory urography to help determine the optimal sectional imaging technique according to age and expected ability to suspend respiration during examination.


Posterior cerebral artery occlusion: clinical, computed tomographic, and angiographic correlation.

The distribution of low-density areas on computed tomography (CT) suggested occlusions in the proximal half of the circummesencephalic portion in 38 patients with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusion. Correlation between clinical, CT, and angiographic findings in 24 cases showed that occlusion was most common in the crural segment. Clinical manifestations and infarction extension varied widely among proximal occlusions. In cases with good collateral filling, the infarction was restricted to the thalamus; in those with poor filling, it involved most of the PCA's territory, and hemorrhagic transformation occasionally ensued. Discrepancies between findings were ascribed to dislodging of emboli or thrombi, recanalization, and transient obscuration of the infarction on CT.


Angiographically undetected ulceration of the carotid bifurcation as a cause of embolic stroke.

The accuracy of angiographic diagnosis of carotid artery ulceration was evaluated. Of those carotid bifurcations showing ulceration at surgery, 60% were diagnosed as having ulcers at angiography. Half of the remaining ulcers occurred in smooth, benign-appearing plaques and were too small to be seen at angiography. An incorrect angiographic diagnosis of ulceration was made in 17 of 50 carotid arteries; in most cases this was due to the presence of a subintimal hematoma in the wall of the artery.


Venous occlusions of the cavernous area--a complication of crushing fractures of the sphenoid bone.

Four patients who sustained crushing fractures of the sphenoidal bone had angiographic evidence of venous occlusions of the cavernous area. Signs depended upon the type of basal venous and cavernous anatomy. The diagnosis can be made by demonstrating abrupt cutoff of veins in the cavernous region, preferred retrograde flow of the anterior cavernous sinus, direct venous hemorrhage, and venous stasis.


Intrasellar carotid anastomosis simulating pituitary microadenoma.

Arterial communication between the cavernous segments of the carotid arteries associated with agenesis of the unilateral internal carotid artery is a rare anomaly. Two cases of this anomalous artery with an abnormal sella turcica due to the intrasellar course are reported.


Computed tomography of the cruciate ligaments.

Computed tomography was used to delineate the cruciate ligaments of the knee joint in 31 patients. Optimal positioning for demonstrating the length and body of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments is described and the CT, arthrographic, surgical, and clinical findings are correlated. The potential and limitations of CT and its role in combination with double-contrast arthrography in the clinical setting are discussed.


Preoperative determination of abdominal extent of renal cell carcinoma by computed tomography.

CT scans were assessed for ability to detect abdominal extent of tumor in 17 patients with renal cell carcinoma. Computed tomography has a unique advantage over other imaging modalities in that it can distinguish between tumors confined to Gerota's fascia and those which show contiguous spread, invading adjacent structures such as muscles, liver and the periaortic and pericaval regions. CT can also detect regional lymph node metastases and tumor extension into the renal vein and inferior vena cava. Preoperative assessment of tumor extent helps to determine patient prognosis, surgical approach and whether transcatheter tumor embolization should be used.


Nonuniform attenuation in computed tomography study of the cirrhotic liver.

Diffuse hepatocellular processes are not well imaged by most radiologic modalities. At present, CT has not added significantly to the evaluation of hepatocellular disease, particularly in the cirrhotic liver. The CT patterns of cirrhosis previously described are reviewed, and the pathophysiology of cirrhosis is discussed. In 3 cases, a pattern was seen in cirrhotic livers characterized by nonuniform attenuation with varied response to administration of intravenous contrast agents. With further evaluation of fatty infiltration and cirrhosis, CT may prove helpful in understanding these disease processes.


Gray-scale ultrasound detection of carotid body tumors. Report of 2 cases.

Ultrasonography may be useful as a screening test for carotid body tumors before arteriography. Such tumors are seen as solid, well-circumscribed, weakly echogenic masses located at the carotid bifurcation.


Limitations in the echocardiographic assessment of aortic root dimensions in the presence of aortic valve disease.

Aortic root M-mode echocardiograms were evaluated in 79 patients who had aortic valve replacement. Echocardiographic measurements of aortic root dimensions correlated poorly with surgical estimates. Inclusion of a portion of the sinuses of Valsalva in the former set of estimates probably accounts for this discrepancy.


Ultrasound and computed tomography of the abdomen in the staging and management of testicular carcinoma.

Ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) are ideal for imaging enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes. The authors evaluated 290 ultrasound and 188 CT examinations in 136 patients with testicular cancer. Although interpretation of CT was more reproducible than that of ultrasound, there was no significant difference in accuracy of enlarged retroperitoneal lymph node detection between the two modalities. Accuracy improved when both examinations were used and interpreted in combination by a single radiologist. Accuracy rates for ultrasound and CT were equal to those reported for lymphangiography. Lymphangiography and excretory urography are no longer routinely indicated in testicular cancer patients.


Sensitivity of radionuclide brain scan and computed tomography in early detection of viral meningoencephalitis.

The sensitivity of radionuclide imaging and computed tomography (CT) was evaluated in 25 patients for early detection of viral meningoencephalitis. Diagnosis was based on clinical evidence, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies, electroencephalography (EEG) and radionuclide imaging. Computed tomography with contrast enhancement was performed within four days after onset of neurological signs or symptoms in 23 patients; no significant findings such as low-absorption abnormalities, mass effect or abnormal enhancement were seen. Radionuclide imaging demonstrated a sensitivity of 90% in the detection of viral meningoencephalitis; the temporal lobe was most commonly involved in patients with herpes encephalitis. Radionuclide imaging should be considered as the first diagnostic procedure in suspected early viral meningoencephalitis.


Bone stress: a radionuclide imaging perspective.

Thirty-five college athletes with lower leg pain underwent radiography and radionuclide studies to rule out a stress fracture. Their asymptomatic extremities and 13 pain-free athletes served as controls. Four main patterns were observed: (a) sharply marginated scintigraphic abnormalities and positive radiographs; (b) sharply marginated scintigraphic abnormalities and negative radiographs; (c) ill-defined scintigraphic abnormalities and negative radiographs; and (d) negative radionuclide images and negative radiographs. Since the patients with the first two patterns were otherwise identical medically, the authors feel that this scintigraphic appearance is characteristic of bone stress in the appropriate clinical setting, regardless of the radiographic findings. A schema is proposed to explain the occurrence of positive radionuclide images and negative radiographs in the same patient, using a broad conceptual approach to the problem of bone stress.


Percutaneous biopsy following positive bone scans.

When a bone scan reveals an abnormal radionuclide accumulation and the cause is uncertain, bone biopsy is sometimes necessary. One hundred thirty biopsies have been performed in our institution with a percutaneous needle guided by fluoroscopy. This procedure is safe and effective.


Altered growth and development of lower teeth in children receiving mantle therapy.

The improvement in survival and local control rates in children with neoplasms in the head and neck region can be expected to demonstrate increased iatrogenic adverse effects of treatment. The authors report on mandibular growth and developmental abnormalities in 3 children with Hodgkin disease treated by external beam megavoltage therapy. Radiations to the mandible during mantle field therapy were measured and found to be significant. Possible methods of dose reduction are discussed.


Pathological findings after preoperative irradiation for carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

Pathological descriptions of specimens obtained in 17 patients with urinary bladder carcinoma both at biopsy before preoperative irradiation and after surgery are presented. No positive lymph nodes were found in 16 patients who had lymphadenectomy at the time of surgery. No tumor was found postoperatively in 58.8% of patients and 82.3% had a reduction in tumor stage.


A study of mammographic exposure and detail visibility using three systems: Xerox 125, Min-R, and Xonics XERG.

A breast phantom of novel design has been used to measure visibility of simulated calcific and soft-tissue fibrillar details in mammography, as well as to determine the roentgen exposure vs. depth. Exposure data were combined with a model of the breast as compressed during mammography to compute the mean exposure to the ductal parenchyma (MDE). Three different imaging systems were compared over a wide range of x-ray beam energies and breast characteristics. "Dosage" criteria other than the MDE are discussed.


Semiautomated methods for quantitating CSF volume on cranial computed tomography.

Two methods for quantitating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume in each hemicranium and on the total section on cranial computed tomography are described and compared. Both analyses utilize information input by the user, but differ in their treatment of volume averaging. The second analysis (Automated Section Information-I) measured partially volumed CSF more sensitively. Potential inaccuracies due to technical artifacts are summarized.


Preparation of 52Fe and its use in a 52Fe/52mMn generator.

Clinically useful quantities of 52Fe have been prepared at the Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (BLIP) by bombarding manganese or nickel targets with medium energy protons. After chemical separation, 52Fe is loaded onto a generator column from which carrier-free 52Mn is eluted. The 52mMn generator is potentially useful in emission computed tomography.


Factors predisposing to radiation-related small-bowel damage.

From 1970 through 1977, 92 patients with ovarian cancer received 20 Gy (2,000 rad) to the abdomen, followed by 30 Gy (3,000 rad) to the pelvis. Small-bowel obstruction developed in 7 (7.6%). The number of previous laparotomies, thin physique, and hypertension were significantly associated with complications. Two patients receiving isoniazid and 2 receiving Premarin had enteric complications. Pre-existing vascular damage may potentiate radiation damage to the small bowel.


The medial adductor approach to arthrography of the hip in children.

In small infants and children, the medial or adductor approach for arthrography of the hip has several advantages over direct anterior insertion of the needle into the joint capsule, primarily the fact that extravasated contrast material runs along the adductor area and is not superimposed on the hip joint.


Xeroradiographic localization of implanted 125I seeds.

In many instances implanted 125I seeds are shown better by xeroradiography than by conventional film-cassette combinations.


Wire localization of nonpalpable breast lesions.

The authors describe a method of localizing nonpalpable breast lesions using a needle and wire. It allows accurate localization without worrying about shifting of the wire before or during biopsy.


An adjustable sterile lead apron for radiation protection during angiography.

A simple sterile lead apron can be mounted directly on any vertical-beam image-intensifier housing and readjusted by the angiographer to shield himself from scatter during fluoroscopy and cineangiocardiography, even if the image intensifier is titled in the longitudinal plane. Properly placed, the apron effectively reduces exposed due to scatter.


Immobilization of intra-oral interstitial radioactive-needle implants using an intravenous catheter.

A method of immobilizing intra-oral needle implants using an intravenous catheter is described. A loop formed by the catheter immobilizes the tongue and serves as an anchor for the needles. The technique is simple, flexible, and well tolerated.


The effects of trans trans methyl linoleate on the concentration of prostaglandins and their precursors in rat.

Four groups of weanling male rats were fed a diet containing hydrogenated coconut oil (Treatment A); 9-trans, 12-trans linoleate (trans linoleate, (Treatment B); an equal mixture of 9-cis, 12-cis linoleate (cis linoleate) and trans linoleate (Treatment C); and cis linoleate (Treatment D); respectively for 12 weeks. The level of dietary fat was 11% of calories. Only trace amount of eicosatrienoic acid (C20:3w6) was detected in tissues, (liver, platelets) of rats in Treatments A and B. The level of C20:3w6 in platelet lipids of Treatments C and D was 0.1 and 0.33% respectively. The level of arachidonic acid in rats on Treatments A, B, C and D was 2.0, 1.4, 14.1 and 17.6% for platelet lipids, respectively. The serum levels of prostaglandin PGE1 for Treatments A, B, C and D were 1.10 +/- 0.24, 0.22 +/- 0.02, 3.51 +/- 0.58 and 5.69 +/- 0.59 ng/ml, respectively and 2.19 +/- 0.85, 0.15 +/- 0.03, 11.64 +/- 2.63 and 24.89 +/- 4.35 ng/ml for PGE2, respectively. Thus feeding trans linoleate to rats apparently caused decreased biosynthesis of PGs resulting from decreased levels of precursor acids. This was apparently due to the inhibition of conversion of cis linoleate to longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The results indicate that the availability of precursor acids is one limiting factor in PG biosynthesis in rats, and small differences in the level of precursor acids, affected by dietary trans fatty acids may cause large variations in amounts of PGs synthesized.


Desensitization of prostaglandin-activated platelet adenylate cyclase.

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is one of several prostaglandins that can inhibit platelet aggregation and activate adenylate cyclase. Platelets were exposed to varying concentrations of PGD2 washed, and the adenylate cyclase response to prostaglandins, epinephrine, and sodium fluoride determined. Incubating platelets with 5 x 10(-5) M PGD2 for 2 hr resulted in a 45% decrease in PGD2 activation of adenylate cyclase and a 25% decrease in stimulation by PGE1. Fluoride activation (7-fold) epinephrine inhibition (30%) and basal enzyme activity were unchanged by exposure of the platelets to PGD2. Desensitization was concentration dependent, with loss of enzyme activity first noted when platelets were incubated with 10(-7) M PGD2. Enzyme sensitivity could be partially restored when desensitized platelets were washed free of PGD2 and incubated in buffer for 2 hr; complete resensitization required incubation for 24 hr in plasma. Regulation of prostaglandin sensitive platelet adenylate cyclase could be of importance in mediating the response of platelets to aggregating agents.


Plasma catecholamines in man are not influenced by the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.

Indomethacin has been reported to potentiate the release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve endings in vitro and to increase urinary noradrenaline excretion in rats. We have studied the influence of indomethacin on plasma catecholamine levels in 10 normal men, using measurement of plasma renin activity (PRA) as an index of the pharmacodynamic effect of indomethacin. Both in the supine and standing positions indomethacin failed to alter the plasma concentrations of noradrenaline, adrenaline or dopamine, while PRA was markedly suppressed. It is concluded that in the intact human indomethacin does not influence catecholamine concentrations.


Interaction of prostaglandins with adrenal microsomal cytochrome P-450 in the guinea pig.

Studies were carried out to investigate the effects of prostaglandins (PG) in vitro on adrenal microsomal steroid and drug metabolism in the guinea pig. The addition of PGE1, PGE2, PGA1, PGF1 alpha or PGF2 alpha to isolated adrenal microsomes produced typical type I difference spectra. The sizes of the spectra (delta A385-420) produced by prostaglandins were smaller than those produced by various steroids including progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and 11 beta-hydroxyprogesterone. However, the affinities of prostaglandins and steroids for adrenal microsomal cytochrome P-450, as estimated by the spectral dissociation constants, were similar. Prior addition of prostaglandins to isolated adrenal microsomes did not affect steroid binding to cytochrome P-450 or the rate of steroid 21-hydroxylation. In contrast, prostaglandins inhibited adrenal metabolism of ethylmorphine and diminished the magnitude of the ethylmorphine-induced spectral change in adrenal microsomes. The results indicate that prostaglandins inhibit adrenal drug metabolism by interfering with substrate binding to cytochrome P-450. Since 21-hydroxylation was unaffected by PG, different cytochrome P-450 moieties are probably involved in adrenal drug and steroid metabolism.


Uterine vein prostaglandin levels in late pregnant dogs.

We studied the uterine venous plasma concentrations of prostaglandins E2, F2 alpha, 15 keto 13,14 dihydro E2 and 15 keto 13,14 dihydro F2 alpha in late pregnant dogs in order to evaluate the rates of production and metabolism of prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha in pregnancy in vivo. We used a very specific and sensitive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assay to measure these prostaglandins. The uterine venous concentrations of prostaglandin E2 and 15 keto 13,14 dihydro E2 were 1.35 +/- .27 ng/ml and 1.89 +/- .37 ng/ml, respectively; however, we could not find any prostaglandin F2 alpha and very little of its plasma metabolite in uterine venous plasma. Since uterine microsomes can generate prostaglandin F2 alpha and E2 from endoperoxides, prostaglandin F2 alpha production in vivo must be regulated through an enzymatic step after endoperoxide formation. Prostaglandin E2 is produced by pregnant canine uterus in quantities high enough to have a biological effect in late pregnancy; however, prostaglandin F2 alpha does not appear to play a role at this stage of pregnancy.


Role of endogenous prostaglandins in regulating the tone of opossum lower esophageal sphincter in vivo.

The role of prostaglandins in maintenance of basal myogenic tone of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of opossum has been studied in vivo. Intra-arterial infusion of arachidonic acid decreased LES tone, and this was inhibited by intravenous indomethacin (IDM) or intra-arterial 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETA). Alone these drugs did not reduce LES tone except transiently. In addition they did not affect relaxation of the LES to distention of a balloon located proximal to it or inhibit the "off" contractions of esophageal body and LES pressure which followed balloon deflation. Spontaneous oscillations of LES pressure were increased with IDM. Thus prostaglandin synthesis plays no essential role in maintenance of resting LES tone or in functioning of non-adrenergic inhibitory nerves in the esophagus in vivo. Endogenous inhibitory prostaglandins might reduce LES tone if synthesized in increased amounts.


Effects of prostaglandins E1 and E2 on activity in laryngeal and pharyngeal afferent fibers.

Prostaglandins (PG) E1 and E2 were applied topically to the receptive fields of feline laryngeal and pharyngeal sensory receptors, while action potentials were recorded from single - or few-fiber preparations of the superior laryngeal nerve. When initially dissolved in ethanol, PGs stimulated these sensory receptors. If ethanol was not used as a solvent for the PGs they did not stimulate the sensory receptors. Similarly, local application of dilute (0.025%, v/v) solutions of ethanol alone excited the receptors, whereas phosphate buffer alone did not. Thus PGE1 and PGE2 do not themselves stimulate sensory receptors in the larynx and pharynx. These findings suggest that irritant properties of PGEs on upper airways are attributable to the ethanol used as a solvent.


[Radiological study of the hand of patients undergoing periodic hemodialysis. Possibilities and limitations of the method as an index of the evolution of the uremic disease].

The periodic X-ray examination of the hand in 50 patients in hemodialysis shows a good correlation between the radiologic findings and bone bioptic patterns. The method had instead a lesser interest in following the evolution of vascular and metastatic calcification.


[Pulmonary throboembolism: radiological examination without contrast media. (Findings in 70 cases)].

The results are reported of radiologic investigations carried out without contrast medium in 70 selected patients with pulmonary thromboembolisms. The frequency of different signs is reported. Attention is stressed of the following data: 1) value of some semeiologic findings both hilar (hilar amputation, arterial dilation) and parenchimal (increased translucency, hypoperfusion), mainly compared with previous radiographic examinations; 2) frequency of atelectasis with its various findings; 3) significance of the evolution referred both to the infarction and the thromboembolic pattern.


[Radiologic evaluation of bronchial asthma (author's transl)].

The physiopathologic and anatomic findings of bronchial asthma are shortly reviewed. A description follows of the radiologic patterns based on personal experience. Only seldom the radiologic investigations provide the possibility to reach the correct diagnosis of bronchial asthma. But they always complete the clinical evaluation and allow the demonstration of the numerous and frequent complications which influence the evolution and prognosis of the disease.


[Correlations between nephrotomography and arteriography in the diagnosis of renal mass lesions (author's transl)].

A series of 325 patients with renal mass lesions were examined by means nephrotomography during the years 1973-76; 85 of them (26%) underwent angiographic investigations. The basic findings observed with nephrotomography are described followed by the criteria which have suggested the necessity of the arteriographic examination. The analysis of the correlations between the two methods, shows the criteria which may limit the use of renal arteriography.


[Prilocaine as an hypotensive ocular agent (author's transl)].

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the action of prilocaine as hypotensive ocular agent. Prilocaine in doses of 2.5 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg was administered intravenously in dogs anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (30 mg/kg). The experiments show that prilocaine when used i.v. in doses of 2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg causes ocular hypotension in dogs, whereas doses of 10 mg/kg i.v. produce this effect only when artificial respiration is employed, thus preventing the increase of the pCO2 in the blood.


[Radiological findings in traumatic lesions of the achilles tendon (author's transl)].

Xeroradiography fits particularly well in the study of the soft tissues and given better results than traditional radiographs. Traumatic pathology of the Achille's tendon has been studied. Usually the lateral projection both of the affected and the unaffected sides is enough. In some cases xeroradiographs are made with the foot both in hyperflexion and in hyperextension. Cases with partial or complete fracture of the Achille's tendon are described as well as cases with nodular tendinitis or tendinosis, as a sequela of traumatic lesions of the tendon. Finally the findings of the surgical reconstruction of the tendon are discribed.


[Aneurysms of the renal artery (author's transl)].

After a review of the literature concerning the frequency, aetiology, roentgenologic diagnosis and treatment of the aneurysm of the renal arteries, the author reports 2 cases of renal aneurysm with hypertension causing segmental reduction of renal blood flow. The value of selective renal arteriography and aortography is stressed.


[Reactions of subcutaneous connective tissue and incised wounds to strips of furacin gauze. Histologic study (author's transl].

Strips of gauze and furacin gauze were implanted into the subcutaneous space and employed as dressing of dorsal incisions of albino rats. The animals were sacrificed after 24 hours, 2, 5, and 7 post-operative days. The pieces were processed for histological examination. It is possible to conclude that the furacin gauze provokes more severe inflammatory reactions and does not favour the connective neoformation and the epithelization. The furacin gauze should be utilized only as germicide aim.


[Results of radiotherapy in tumors of the rhinopharynx].

Cumulative 5 years survival following radiotherapy for carcinoma of the nasopharynx does not exceed 30 divided by 35%. Better survival rates are reported in patients with primary lesion of limited extent (T1) or without neck lymph node involvement (N0): 5 years survival 50 divided by 60%. Reports from the most recent series and a review of 159 cases treated at National Cancer Institute of Milano indicate the prognostic significance of the histological type. The 5 years survival rate for "well differentiated carcinoma" ranges from 10 to 34%, in comparison with 25 divided by 50% for the "undifferentiated" type. Local recurrence and invasion of the base of the skull are seen more frequently in the "well differentiated" group while the "undifferentiated carcinoma" shows a stronger tendency to distant metastases (30 divided 35%). On the base of these data a more selected therapeutic approach is suggested.


[Sodium transport and potassium excretion by the salivary ducts of the dog's submandibular gland (author's transl)].

In order to study the possibility of the existence of a threshold for the transport capacity for sodium by the salivary ducts of the dog's submandibular gland 10 mongrel dogs were rendered hypernatremic by the intravenous infusion of a hypertonic sodium solution. The main excretory duct was canulated and the vegetative branch of the chorda tympani nerve was maximally excited for 20-minute periods intercalated by similar periods of rest. A threshold for sodium transport was observed, dependent on the amount of sodium offered to the salivary ducts and on the salivary flow. This threshold is around 75 uEq/min with a flow of saliva of 1.3 ml per minute. The excretion of potassium in these experiments did not show a trend to reach a threshold.


[Normal values of T3-index and of thyroxine (T4) (author's transl)].

The normal values of T3-index and of thyroxine (T4) have been evaluated comparing a binomial distribution to frequential curve of all the values obtained. The findings are: T3-index = 89 divided by 112; T4 = 3.7 divided by 15.3 microgram/100 cm3 of serum.


Occurence of Veillonella and Neisseria in the niches of the human oral cavity.

Samples collected from the dental surface, gingival sulcus, dorsum of the tongue and from the cheek of ten adults (18 to 32 years) were investigated to identify the Veillonella and Neisseria species present by applying the taxonomic criteria suggested in the latest edition of Bergey's Manual. The various niches contain both V. parvula and V. alcalescens, but with the predominance of strains which do not fit precisely the described catalase and putrescine requirements. Eighty-nine out of 100 isolated strains of Gram negative oxidase positive cocci could be identified as N. sicca and N. subflava; about 11 unidentified strains exhibited characteristics of N. flavescens species.


Interactions between homologous and heterologous IgE in the induction of PCA reactions in rats.

Various inbred strains of rats presented differences in sensitivity to the induction of PCA reactions by mouse reaginic antibody. This was shown to be due to the presence of non-specific IgE in the normal sera of the bad recipients. Both positive and negative interaction, as measured by PCA reactions, could be observed between sera of the two different species. Inhibition of PCA reactions was seen when positive serum was diluted with normal serum from rat and mouse strains which were bad recipients, as opposed to what occured when sera from good recipients, were used to dilute. Synergism, on the other hand, was observed when mixtures of subsensitizing doses of both rat and mouse positive sera were tested. These results give further support to the suggestion that rat mast cells receptors for rat and mouse IgE are either the same, or are present, near enough each other, to produce steric hindrance.


[Effects of parotidectomy on the blood sugar level and hepatic glycogen (author's transl].

This work was carried out in order to investigate the influence of parotid glands on the metabolism of carbohydrates in the rat. The animals were selected by age (10, 20, 30 and 40 days-old) and distributed in 3 experimental groups as follows: Group I -- Parotidectomized animals; Group II -- Sham-parotidectomized animals; and Group III -- Control animals. The animals from all the groups were sacrificed 20 days after the beginning of the experiment. From the discussion of the results it was observed that the parotidectomized animals at 20, 30 and 40 days have presented significantly larger glycaemic means than control animals. These control animals, by the other hand, have also presented significantly larger glycaemic means than sham-parotidectomized animals. Concerning the 10 days-old animals, the statistical analysis have not showed any significance among the three groups. The results obtained from hepatic glycogen dosages, in the same animals, have showed a coherence, because the animals that have presented larger glycaemic levels, have also presented less hepatic glycogen content; contrarily, the animals that have presented a less glycaemic levels, have also presented a larger amount of hepatic glycogen.


Plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity in normal full-term newborn infants.

Plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was studied in 100 normal full-term newborn infants during the first few days of life. The present study shows that plasma LCAT activity present at birth-though at much lower levels than those in the maternal blood-undergoes a fall after birth followed by a rise. It is also shown that the activity of the plasma LCAT enzyme is not strictly linked to the esterification of plasma-free cholesterol in the first three days after birth. However, from the fourth day onwards, there was a good correlation between LCAT activity and esterification of plasma-free cholesterol. The results suggest that plasma LCAT in newborn infants could be partially derived from maternal sources.


[Papillosphincterotomy of Oddi's sphincter (experience in 401 cases)].

The authors present a statistics covering 401 cases in whom sphincterotomy of the Oddi sphincter was performed, in most of them for treating stenosing inflammations (papillo-odditis). Indications of this method are analized, for the surgical treatment of hydatic cysts opening in the biliary pathways, and of cholestatic hepatitis. Considerations are made on the place of sphincterotomy in the treatment of the main biliary pathway and the results are analized obtained with this method, as well as re-interventions after sphincterotomy. Some conclusions can be made on the indications and the contraindications of the method in the surgery of the hepato-choledocus.


[Surgical shock. Acute hypocatecholaminemia and therapeutic indications of an adrenocortical vasopressor sympathicolytic drug mixture. Clinical studies and experimental research].

In cases with postoperative shock and collapse a constant fall in the concentration of serum cathecholamines was noted. Thus adrenalin was reduced by 77%, noradrenalin by 86.5%, in direct proportion with the fall in the blood pressure, of the pulse amplitude and with the slowing-down (or the arrest) of the microcirculation. The reduction of serum cathecholamines also coincided with a decrease in the amount of buffer bases and of the diuresis. The adrenocortical vasopresor sympathicolithic mixture is indicated in the prolonged arterial hypotension following failure of therapy aimed at filling of the vascular bed associated with the administration of sympathicolytic drugs.


[A surgical technic deserving reconsideration for closure of vesicovaginal fistulas: the Dittel-Forgue-Legueu operation].

A personal statistic is presented, on 24 patients with vesico-vaginal fistulae that have been operated. In 15 of the patients the Dittel-Forgue-Leguen procedure was adopted, of transperitoneo-vesical approach, and 14 good results were recorded (93%). The authors suggest that this procedure should be reconsidered, expecially for cases with very large, circular fistulae, in which the vaginal approach is not practicable, and when associated interventions are necessary, such as ureteral reimplantation, enteroplasties for enlarging the bladder capacity, resection of annexes, hysterectomy etc.


[Venous shunts in the treatment of acute thromboses of the cavernous body].

Six cases are presented, of acute thrombosis of the cavernous bodies, that were treated surgically. In five of the cases saphenous-cavernous anastomosis was performed and in the sixth spongio-cavernous anastomosis was carried out. The results are mediocre, four of the patients remaining impotent. The cause of the failure is probably the long duration of stasis in the cavernous bodies before venous derivations were performed.


[Unusual clinical and therapeutic aspects of intrathoracic goiter].

Out of the 220 cases of goiters operated in the clinic 19 were partially or totally intra-thoracic, as follows: --totally intra-thoracic: 7 cases; --partially intra-thoracic: 12 cases, of which: mediastino-cervical: 2 cases; cervico-mediastinal: 10 cases. Five of the totally intra-thoracic goiters were in the anterior mediastinum, while two were in the posterior mediastinum, in a retro-oesophageal position. Three of the 19 intra-thoracic goiters were malignant. The symptomatology, the diagnosis and especially the therapeutical attitude are discussed.


[Surgical infections with anaerobic bacteria  (splenic abscess ruptured into the peritoneum].

A case is presented, of a patient aged 19, who, in the course of otic suppuration treated by tetracycline administration, developed a septicemic condition with a gigantic splenic abscess followed by generalized peritonitis. The initially unfavourable evolution had an improved course following splenectomy and peritoneal drainage, especially after the identification of the anaerobic germs that determined the infection (Bacteroides clostridii formis and Clostridium bifermentans) and the introduction of an adequate therapy.


[Primary splenic abscess ruptured into the peritoneal cavity (peritonitis in 3 stages)].

The authors present a case with peritonitis following rupture of a splenic abscess in a female aged 18 years. Peritonitis developed in three stages. The diagnosis before surgery was of pelvic peritonitis. Bacteriologic examination revealed the presence of B. colli. Splenectomy was followed by complete recovery of the patient. The site of the primary infection could not be determined. The authors stress the usefulness of exploration of the splenic lodge in the so-called "primary" generalized peritonitis, in pelvic peritonitis or in all cases when the origin of the peritoneal infection is not known.


[Influence of extracorporeal circulation on renal function].

The renal function was investigated comparatively in two lots of patients with cardiovascular diseases that had been operated with and without extra-corporeal circulation. It was shown that extra-corporeal perfusion alters the renal function in an increased number of cases (28% against 17.75%). Other parenchymatous tissues have also been involved, such as the liver and the pancreas. The humoral parameters and the clinical data are discussed, which demonstrate the organic involvement following such interventions. The good results obtained stress the necessity of an energetic treatment, which should include early dialysis.


[Role of the adrenal medulla in reaction of the body to stress (clinical and laboratory studies and experimental research)].

The authors have carried out a clinical study of acute medico-surgical complications occuring in patients hospitalized following psychical stress, myocardial infarction, operatory shock and after the earthquake. In patients with duodenal ulcers and hyperacidity due to vagal neurogenic origins it was noted the presence of a sympatico-adrenergic constitutional background in 38% of the cases. By applying chemical sclerosis of the adrenals medullary the role of the medullary was demonstrated in the production of acute digestive lesions due to stress, as a result of standard electrical stimulus and of their influence on the bioelectrical reactivity of the brain, on the active learning behaviour by conditioned reaction and on the number of the circulating eosinophils following injections of A.C.T.H.


[Anatomoclinical and therapeutic considerations on non-lithiasic benign papillo-oddian stenosis].

Based on their personal experience involving 19 cases of benign, non-lithiasic stenoses of the Oddi sphincter (in a total of 2,500 interventions on the cholecyst and the choledocus), the authors review the etiopathogenic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. The difficulty is stressed, encountered in evaluating the reversibility of these lesions and the codification of the therapeutic attitudes.


[Pancreatic fistulas].

Based on 17 observations the authors review the major etiopathogenic, evolutive, clinical and therapeutic aspects of pancreatic fistulae. In 14 cases the cure was achieved by medical treatment while surgery was resorted to in only three cases. The medical measures are discussed, as well as the indications for surgical treatment.


[Splenectomy in chronic hepatitis with an autoimmune component].

The authors present a synthesis of studies performed on the role of the spleen in chronic active-digestive hepatitis with auto-immune participation. The study was based on a group of 48 patients out of which a lot of 20 patients was selected, with histological diagnosis of chronic active and aggressive hepatitis, in whom the presence of AgAu was ascertained, as well as of antiliver antibodies. From the immunological viewpoint, the effect of splenectomy was manifested, by a rapid and significant decrease of anti-liver antibodies mainly produced by the spleen, immediately following the intervention. In most of the patients the IgM antibodies disappeared somewhat later. At the same time the chronic hepatitis lesions were stabilized, the biological signs were improved and the clinical evolution of the patients was good. The authors consider that splenectomy in this category of hepatopathies is an immuno-suppressive therapy that may arrest the evolution towards cirrhosis.


[Bioelectric behaviour of intestinal wall in the earthworm Scherotheca sp (author's transl)].

Transmural potential difference (TPD) and short circuit current in the Scherotheca sp. intestinal wall in in vitro preparations have been studied, as well as their variations as related to ionic substitutions. Sodium ion seems to participate the most in the genesis of registered potential, so that its total substitution in the medium brings about the disappearance of the potential. Transmural potential relies on metabolic energy and is inhibited by N2, 2,4-DNP and CNK. Ouabain inhibits TPD only when present on the serosal side. This might indicate the existence on that side of a Na+ pump responsible for the active transport of the cation from mucosal.


Studies on the competitive intestinal absorption of amino acids, and sugars in two teleost fishes.

In both fishes Ophiocephalus punctatus and Heteropneustes fossilis, the compound of the same group inhibited the transport rate of another compound such as, both glucose and fructose inhibited the uptake of xylose. Glucose was comparatively more inhibitory in nature than fructose. Transport of one amino acid was also inhibited in the presence of another amino acid. In glycine transport, leucine was stronger inhibitor than tyrosine. Almost similar results have been observed in both fishes irrespective of different feeding habits.


Amino acids and lactate efflux from in vitro incubated soleus muscles of suckling rats.

The net in vitro release of lactate, pyruvate, alanine, glutamate, glutamine and total amino acids from soleus muscles of suckling rats was studied. In all cases, the net output of metabolites was considerably higher in young animals than in 30 day old controls. Glutamine efflux of 1 day old pups was very low, probably due to lack of effectivity of the glutamine synthesizing system. The considerable output of amino acids in the younger animals was partly due to depletion of internal amino acid pools.


Standardization and clinical application of a radioimmunoassay for human calcitonin.

A radioimmunoassay for the measurement of Human Calcitonin (HCT) is described. Serum levels of HCT in normal subjects and in individuals under different pathological conditions have been studied with this method. HCT labelling is performed following the chloramine T method of Hunter and Greenwood. Adding successively Quso G-32 (a finely powdered silica) and an anion exchange resin (AGI-X10 resin), to the tracer, reduces both the damaged fraction and the free isotope which originate during storage. Purification of the labelled hormone is carried out through a Sephadex G-50 gel column. Sera stored at --20 degrees C preserves its immunoreactivity up to 4 months after extraction. The mean basal HCT levels in 110 fasting normal persons is 277 +/- 123 pg/ml (undetectable 8.28%). No significant correlation between HCT levels and various serum ions has been observed. Basal HCT values in seven patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), oscillated between 5 and 110 ng/ml, while in six other patients with non medullary thyroid carcinoma the values remained within normal range. Both a calcium infustion and a pentagastrin injection are used to stimulate HCT secretion. The increase of HCT basal levels produced by the latter in normal controls and in patients with MTC, is faster and more intense. Calcium infusion produced a significant correlation between calcium and the increased HCT levels only in patients affected with MTC.


Alterations induced by large doses of furosemide in chronic renal insufficiency.

Eleven patients with different degrees of renal failure with creatinine clearances between 7 and 32 ml/min have been studied. After a standard water overload and control periods of clearances, furosemide 1 g was given/i.v. There followed significant increase of renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. In one case the increase was maintained during a follow up period of 3 hours. A significant increase was evident in phosphate, uric acid, sodium, potassium, and calcium clearances, as well as an increase in the sodium delivery to the distal nephron and a decrease in tubular reabsorption of phosphate. All this may be interpreted as the result of renal vasodilation induced by furosemide and its effect upon the proximal tubule and on Henle's loop.


Enzymatic disappearance of hydroxylamine in the presence of GABA.

This paper presents data on the elimination of hydroxylamine from Lupinus albus seeds when they were germinated in the presence of GABA and hydroxylamine. The possibility of an enzymatic reaction. ATP dependent, between GABA and hydroxylamine is discussed. Some kinetic properties from this reaction are studied.


[Direct method for osmotic pressure measurement (author's transl)].

A new dynamic method to measure osmotic pressure was presented. The method is easy and with only a 1.8% degree of error. All determinations were done with an osmometer, equipped with three small chambers of methyl metacrilate and dialyser membranes. The central area had two capillaries: one for measuring and the other for changing dynamic pressure. The data from different albumin concentrations were satisfactory, and they agreed with published results from others. The present results indicate that osmotic pressure is an exponential function of albumin concentration.


[Conditions for greater survival of neonatally thymectomized Swiss mice (author's transl)].

A total of 385 albino Swiss mice, of both sexes, between 24 and 30 hours of age are neonatally thymectomized, by means of a suction pump method. One batch is operated under ether anesthesia, another with sodium pentobarbital, and a third one with Cryoanesthesia. The last batch is subdivided into 2. In one of these the mother is anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital intraperitoneally, during the postoperative recovery of the litter, and in the other the mother is left without treatment. The mothers of the first two batches of thymectomized animals are anesthetized with the same products as their offspring. The percentage of survival of thymectomized breeding mice in greatest in the batch operated under Cryoanesthesia and whose mothers received the above mentioned treatment. Statistically the differences are very significant and they might be accounted to the fact that the mothers are anesthetized while their offspring normalize their physiological constants with better recovery in feeding, hydration, shelter and rest.


[The effect of the follicle-stimulating hormone on testosterone liberation induced by lh in the isolated leydig cell (author's transl)].

The effect of FSH on the liberation of testosterone induced by LH in the Leydig cell has been investigated. Leydig cells were obtained from adult male rats, and were incubated with LH in one group and with LH and FSH in another group. Incubation was kept at 37 degrees C, 120 cycles/min, in oxygen-carbon dioxide (95:5) atmosphere. Liberated testosterone was measured by RIA, at different periods of incubation. Other group of cells, in identical experimental conditions, were incubated for 120 min with LH and FSH, where the FSH had been previously incubated with anti-FSH antibody. The cells incubated with LH and FSH liberated more testosterone than those incubated with LH. However this effect disappeared when the added FSH had been previously incubated with its antibody. The results show clearly that FSH liberates testosterone by the action of LH, which must be specific since it disappears when the hormone is incubated with its antibody.


Method for successive absorptions with intestinal perfusion in vivo.

A simple technique to study intestinal absorption in vivo, a modification of that of SOLS and PONZ (34), is described. It uses a perfusion pump, with or without recycling of the solution along the intestinal lumen, and allows the carrying out of a series of successive absorption periods with high comparative value on the same intestinal segment. The technique is applied to sugar absorption in rat and hamster, but it can be extended to other substrates and other animal species. For each concentration of sugar, the intestinal absorption rate of glucose remains constant along a number of 1 min successive periods.


[Rehabilitation of brain-injured patients--demonstrated with the help of a successfully performed individual rehabilitation plan (author's transl)].

According to 5 Sect. 3 of the Act on the Standardisation of Rehabilitation Services (Rehabilitations-Angleichungsgesetz) an individual rehabilitation plan must be set up if several rehabilitation measures, e.g., medical, vocational and social measures are necessary, or, if different rehabilitation agencies are financially responsible for these procedures. This applies, as a rule, to the rehabilitation efforts for the severely brain-injured. The case history of a young brain-injured patient is used to demonstrate that an overal improvement can be achieved if a close co-operation between the hospital, rehabilitation centre, attending doctor, rehabilitation agencies and employers is ensured. The different measures must be adapted to the individual degree of work tolerance of the patient. Out-patient measures should be carried out -- and this not only because of the lower costs involved. The so-called "Anschlussheilverfahren" which means a treatment programme following the acute phase, initiated by the responsible agencies for the pension insurance scheme, does not seen to be the appropriate routine treatment to be carried out in the rehabilitation of the brain-injured, as they require more comprehensive and long-term therapy.


[Motor goals of therapeutic horseback riding for cerebral palsied children (author's transl)].

The article reviews in a critical survey the current opinions on the possibilities of improving the motor functions of cerebral palsied children with the help of riding therapy. Furthermore, the essential motor difficulties with spasm, athetosis and ataxia are described. It is demonstrated that only a small number of these typical difficulties can be tackled by means of riding therapy and that some key problems, particularly encountered by the spastics, cannot be solved. If, despite these facts, the favourable effects of riding on the cerebral palsied cannot be denied, then this must be attributed, first of all, to the unique psychological motivation derived from riding. Credit is given to the effects on the autonomic nervous system, the psyche, the world of experience and the behaviour.


[Judo -- a contribution to rehabilitation (author's transl)].

A judo group was formed at the Wolfsburg sports club with twenty 9 to 15 years old children who received treatment at the centre for developmental diagnostics and pediatrics. The children suffered primarily from more or less pronounced cerebral motor disturbances. Other functional disturbances such as perceptual disorders, language and reactive behavioural disturbances completed the picture of minimal brain-damage. The training programme attributed more importance to functional judo exercises than to perfect judo techniques. Allowances were made for individual difficulties. After 15 months of training improvements were observed in the motor, psychological and perceptual fields. This is why the authors believe it is worthwile to consider judo also in connection with rehabilitation.