Urinary excretion of methadone during neonatal withdrawal: clinical application.

Methadone withdrawal manifestations in the neonate may be protracted and recur following therapy which suppresses symptoms. Sequential hemagglutination-inhibition measurements of methadone in urine can delineate the excretion period for this drug. A fall in titer to levels of 1:5 or less is associated with termination of the withdrawal process. The use of this technique serves as an adjunct to clinical assessment, particularly with regard to determining the length of time required for medical observation.


A cognitive-behavioral versus nondirective group treatment program for opioid-addicted persons: an adjunct to methadone maintenance.

Fourteen methadone maintenance individuals participated in a 10-week program comparing the relative effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral (CB) versus discussion-type (DISC) group in developing adaptive behavioral skills and self-evaluations. Posttreatment and follow-up results indicated that the CB group was significantly more successful than the DISC group in lowering reported levels of anxiety, depression, and situational non-assertiveness. These data are discussed in terms of a comprehensive, social rehabilitation program that involves multiple treatment techniques and measurement criteria.


Personality characteristics of heroin addicts: a review of the empirical literature with critique--part I.

The empirical literature on personality characteristics of heroin addicts is reviewed. Studies using projective techniques, attribution theory, measures of needs values traits, and self-report inventories are summarized as they relate to heroin addicts. Summary statements are included in each section.


Urban and rural Indian drinking patterns: the special case of the Lumbee.

This paper reports the results of a study of 460 adult male Lumbee Indians in a rural and urban setting. The study sought to determine what factors would explain the differences in drinking patterns between the rural and urban settings. The major variables considered were: (1) quantity, frequency, and variability of drinking; (2) occupational prestige; (3) commitment to work; (4) status satisfaction; and (5) job satisfaction. The urban Lumbee show a mean drinking pattern that is heavier than that of the rural group. In general, low achievement, as measured by occupational prestige and status satisfaction, and low satisfaction, as measured by job satisfaction and commitment to work, predict more excessive drinking patterns. Implications of the findings for treatment and future research are discussed.


The "German connection": a survey of the antecedents and patterns of drug abuse in veterans returning from European service.

Questionnaire responses were obtained from 20 servicemen returning from European duty (Germany) enroute to their homes following discharge for drug dependency. A descriptive analysis is provided in terms of personal background, drug history, and motivating factors for initiation and continuation of drug use in Europe.


Ethnicity and drug use among urban junior high school youths.

Data from a survey of youths attending a New York City junior high school were used to examine three perspectives of their drug involvement: (1) ethnic subculture, (2) social class, and (3) social adjustment. The results support the social adjustment view, although important differences were found in the demographic, attitude, and value correlates of drug involvement for the Black, Puerto Rican, and White students who were studied.


Pretreatment roles and therapeutic environment as correlates of in-treatment client "success": the case of the nonopiate user.

This study examined the effect of pretreatment role-involvements and therapeutic environment on the levels of in-treatment success for a sample of 704 nonopiate users. Within this sample, treatment type was found to be of little consequence in predicting success on selected measures of performance. The results of the analysis are interpreted as a function of theoretical difficulties in the paradigm that is used to organize the treatment effort.


Self-reported attitudes and behavior of Mexican-American drug use.

A drug usage study of students from a predominately Mexican-American population was conducted by comparing anonymously self-reported attitudinal and behavioral aspects of Mexican-American drug users and nonusers. Findings suggest M-A drug users and nonusers differ significantly in attitudes toward drug use and social behaviors, and users tend to be multiple drug users.


Personality characteristics of juvenile delinquent heroin users.

From a population of incarcerated delinquents coming from an urban minority community, 60 subjects with a history of heroin usage did not differ significantly from 60 controls on the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, the Culture Fair Intelligence Test, or in reading grade level on the Wide Range Achievement Test. The two groups were also similar in intactness of family and type of offense. Controls were more deviant than users on the Alienation subscale of the Jesness Inventory (p less than .05). Unique traits of adolescent heroin users from a high risk area may not be found if social variables are controlled.


A feminist approach for the treatment of drug-abusing women in a coed therapeutic community.

Experiences with female addicts in a feminist awareness group within a coed therapeutic community are reported. The group met for 16 months and was based on a variety of therapeutic techniques and educational presentations. The intervention resulted in more communication and trust among the women, increased interest in health-related concerns, a reduced sense of alienation, and gains in self-respect. The article discussed the issues and implications of resistance to the group, timing, development of indigenous leadership, training for feminist therapists, and the use of outside professional consultants in therapeutic communities.


Drug-related suicide: a DAWN profile.

Drug-related suicides and suicide attempts/gestures account for a relatively large percentage of the drug-involved cases seen by hospital emergency rooms and medical examiners. While tranquilizer involvement characterizes the largest subgroup of suicide cases in the emergency room, barbiturate involvement is most frequently true of suicide cases seen by medical examiners. However, in both settings the suicides tend to be older and to include relatively more females and fewer Blacks than the nonsuicides.


Pupillary correlates of methadone treatment in heroin postaddicts.

The immediate effects of methadone intake on the pupillary response were examined with a sample of 15 postaddicts. Twenty heroin-related and 20 neutral words were presented auditorially immediately prior to and 35 minutes following the administration of methadone. The premethadone pupillary data failed to differentiate between the two groups of words. After administration, the pupil while responding initially in a similar manner to the two groups of words, returned to baseline more rapidly for the neutral words. The results suggest that withdrawal-induced arousal may not be entirely eliminated by the heroin substitute, methadone.


Maternal attitudes of alcoholic and nonalcoholic upper middle class women.

The Mother--Child Relationship Evaluation and the Maryland Parent Attitude Survey were administered to 30 alcoholic mothers and 30 nonalcoholic mothers. All subjects came from professional-managerial households and had two or more children between the ages of 8 and 18. The two groups differed significantly on both tests. The alcoholic women were less accepting, more rejecting, disciplinarian, or overprotecting, and they displayed a significantly greater degree of conflicting attitudes. This pattern resembles that found in alcoholic parents of either sex and of widely differing socioeconomic status.


Source of referral as an indicator of motivational factors and treatment outcome with drug-dependent clients.

Source of referral to substance abuse treatment agencies was investigated as a potential indicator of client motivation and treatment outcome. Clients referred by nine different sources were compared in terms of length of stay in treatment, drug use status at termination, and closing evaluation. There were no differences between the nine referral sources in terms of the frequency with which clients were rated as improved, no improvement, or recovered. However, there were significant differences between referral sources and length of time in treatment. Clients referred by their families or those who had prior institutional experience remained in treatment longer than other groups. Length of stay in treatment was related to drug use status at termination. Clients who had detoxified remained in treatment significantly longer than clients who had not detoxified. It may be that a social support system (family) and experience in a structured setting (prior institutional experience) facilitate positive treatment outcomes.


A socialization program for chronic alcoholics.

The staff of a court-mandated treatment program for convicted drunk drivers set up an alternative socialization program for chronic alcoholics who failed to respond to the defense-reductive strategies employed in their general program. No attempt was made to deal directly with long-standing underlying problems; rather emphasis was on improving social skills, thus reducing alcohol dependence as a social "crutch" or escape from social interaction. As social functioning increased, general behavior improved and drinking was reduced, with sober periods lengthened. Specific suggestions are given for a model program within a small agency context.


Bias in drug abuse survey research.

An analysis of the drug abuse literature indicated that significant biases may affect the existing data. First, the lack of standardization in survey research leads to problems of reliability, validity, and objectivity in drug abuse measurement. Second, the "demand characteristics" of the survey situation may cause the subject to bias his responses in a particular direction, depending on his interaction with and his interpretations of the survey conditions. Third, both overt and covert biases of the researcher may significantly affect the outcome of the survey. Fourth, limitations of the survey method itself (e.g., the source of the survey data, difficulties in obtaining random samples, conclusions overemphasizing student drug use, limitations of the sample survey as a measurement device) seriously restrict our understanding of drug abuse phenomena.


Alcoholism and the Bender-Gestalt Test.

Research with the Bender-Gestalt Test and alcoholism has focused on possible organic deficits in alcoholics and elucidation of hypothesized alcoholic personality characteristics. The evidence for both is equivocal.


Efficacy of a three- versus a five-week alcohol treatment program.

Eighty-six male alcoholic inpatients were randomly assigned to comparable 3- or 5-week treatment progrrams. Psychometric testing at the beginning and the end of treatment was supplemented by follow-up data 6 months after discharge. While both the 3- and 5-week groups demonstrated significant improvement on both MMPI and follow-up data, few differences between the groups were revealed. The comparable results obtained offer little justification for prolonging inpatient treatment beyond 3 weeks. It is suggested that the inpatient phase of alcohol treatment be brief and oriented to developing a well-structured extended outpatient program.


Exploration of a live-together-group-together paradigm with incarcerated drug offenders.

Prisoners who both participated in biweekly, biracial therapy groups and lived together in large cubicles were compared with prisoners who grouped but did not live together. Results suggested: (1) greater group cohesion among inmates who lived and grouped together, (2) greater acceptance of Blacks by Whites exposed to the cubicle system, and (3) that the structure of measures used in studies of this nature may affect results appreciably. Implications for correctional treatment and future research are discussed.


University infirmary admissions for drug abuse, 1968--1970 and 1973--1975.

University overnight infirmary admissions for drug abuse were reviewed over the 2-year periods 1968--1970 and 1973--1975. Hallucinogen abuse diminished over the years studied while alcohol abuse increased. Marijuana abuse was essentially unchanged. Diazepam overdosage generally replaced barbiturate overdosage, while aspirin remained the most common drug in overdose situations.


Psychoanalytical studies on the causes of intoxication by marijuana.

The study of 27 illegal users of marijuana, through psychoanalysis and analytical group psychotherapy and through psychiatric examinations, made it possible to discover that these patients felt their parents to be aggressive or indifferent or unaffectionate or absent (among the parents of different temperaments, and confirmed by statistical data). These feelings were related to the errors committed by their parents during the molding periods (lactation and family environment).


Electrostimulation of the median nerve in tetraplegics by means of implanted stimulators.

Since 1971 we studied on the possibility of utilization of implanted stimulators in tetraplegics caused by spinal cord injury of the cervical segment. Restoration to tetraplegic patients of the ability to perform some grasping functions of the hand may make them recover some independence and reduce the degree of disability. The examination conducted so far supplied much valuable information regarding reactions of a neuromuscular system at implanted stimulators as well the influence of systematic stimulation training on functions of the hand. This was not observed by other authors using transcutaneous stimulation. The examinations we performed revealed a several-fold increase in the force and prolongation of the period of maintenance of the maximal moment developed by the stimulation as well as the result of the stimulation training. Another observation we made was the possibility of active influence of the patient on the stimulation results. It consists in the possibility of active increase by the patient of the value of forces developed by the stimulated, previously paralysed muscles. The effect on the stimulation level, and on the extent of the "stimulation base" was found. The effect of active "support" of stimulation by the patient is the more effective, the lower the stimulation base is. We believe that our observations may have practical significance. Perfection of control over the stimulators' activity from inner sources will probably permit in many instances to utilize functionally tetraplegics' paralysed hand.


Technical and clinical function testing of hand orthoses in Sweden.

The technical and clinical function testing of hand orthoses by the Swedish institute for the Handicapped at EFTO (the Unit of Applied Orthotics) is performed according to the test instructions for each specific hand orthosis, wrist-driven, finger-driven, etc. The clinical testing follows a specific routine where a medical record of the patients with the specific questions regarding the hand orthoses are noted; diagnosis, function loss, psychological questions, technical aids, etc. The improvement in function and patient independence is checked against the list of Activities of Daily Living. The technical test follows test instructions specially designed to indicate the special characteristics of the type of orthosis which is to be tested. The technical type test includes an examination and dimensional inspection, mechanical, climatic and durability tests. Our test records are checked with our requirement specifications for each type of aid. When our requirements are fulfilled, the orthosis is recommended. 6 of 9 commercially available wrist-driven hand orthosis have been tested. Only 2 are recommended for prescription: They are from Orthotic System, USA, and from Jaeco Orthopedic Specialties, USA. Two finger-driven hand orthoses have been tested and recommended for prescription: One from Orthomedics Inc., USA, and one from Jaeco Orthopedic Specialties. Three electrical power units for hand orthoses have been tested and two were recommended. The two are from Hosmer/Dorrance, USA, and from EEN-Holmgren Orthopedic Inc., Sweden. One self-contained hand orthosis powered with the Een-Holmgren Actuating Unit has been tested and recommended.


Teaching toothbrushing behavior in severely retarded adults: systematic reduction of feedback and duration training.

Eight severely retarded adults were trained to brush their teeth. Component behaviours were trained in a predetermined sequence of 15 steps. Training included scheduled opportunities for independence performance, instruction, modelling and partial and total physical guidance. Four types of feedback were used, i.e., verbal praise plus explicit head nodding, explicit nodding, inconspicous nodding and no feedback. Stepwise reduction of feedback was made contingent on a subject's repeated performance of each individual step. Five of the eight subjects learned to perform all 15 steps for three consecutive sessions. A different procedure for fading out feedback was used for the other three subjects, two of which learned to perform 14 steps reliably. Acquisition training was followed by procedures to establish persistance of criterion performances for an interval of eight days. Training procedures were based on interval shaping. All seven subjects learned to demonstrate the 14 or 15 component behaviours after an interval of eight to 17 days in which no systematic training occured.


Interdisciplinary cooperation in an integrated psychiatric rehabilitation program.

The development of psychiatry is at present stormy with discussions dividing, polarising and partly paralysing. Current experience shows that psychotherapeutic approaches are not alternatives to psychopharmacological ones but necessary complements. An integrated therapy which treats the patient as a social, psychological and organic entity has not yet been spread to the poorly-equipped psychiatric periphery but is mainly restricted to the modern richly-endowed psychiatric centers. Modern psychiatric rehabilitation principles according to this integrated synoptic view seem however to be applicable even to custodial-treated patients at peripheral psychiatric institutions. In this article we present the special psycho-social, epidemiological, administrative and economical structure of the island of Gotland due to its geographical isolation. We describe the construction and forming of a rehabilitation program under greatly limited economical conditions. The program combines communication-oriented group therapy with consequent pharmacotherapy and a structured ergotherapeutic and ADL-therapeutic program and is applied to a primarily unselected sample of patients. We also describe the education and supervision of the staff as well as the components of our program. Positive results in spite of limited resources have been achieved. Problems are discussed.


[Antisociality and school failure as judged by elementary school teachers (author's transl)].

126 elementary school teachers were interviewed in respect to their concepts of school failure and antisociality. According to their opinions antisociality finds its expression especially in the following behaviour: delinquent and/or destructive actions against others or the state, deliberate disturbance of social peace and order in a society, and criminality. The main causes of school failure are seen in intellectual-emotional development retardation, social isolation, rejection of a child by its parents, insufficient maturity for education hereditary mental retardation and lack of intelligence. The teachers' appraisal of antisociality and school failure are largely influenced by implicit theories, by which "the antisocial" and "the school failure" are regarded as deficit personalities. The teachers are aware of the overrepresentation of children from fringe groups and low social classes among antisocial or educationally failing pupils, they do, however, not realistically recognize the respective causal relations. In difference to other social control agents, their judgements nearly deny that school failure may also be caused by teachers.


[Rapid diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning and quantitative determination of CO-Hb in blood].

A quick diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning is a very difficult clinical problem. This paper describes a photometric method which permits a reliable diagnosis in a time of 7 to 10 minutes. Only 0.3 ml whole blood are necessary for the total procedure. Carboxyhemoglobin changes in absorption maximum slightly after reduction, whereas Oxyhemoglobin shows a significant change in extinction. Measurement of the hemolysate at the same wave length before and after alkaline reduction results in large differences in the extinctions (very large for Oxyhemoglobin and very small for Carboxyhemoglobin). Calibration curves are prepared by calibrating rest-extinction defined as: (formula: see text) to percent Carboxyhemoglobin. This curve can also be produced in mathematical way (as control e.g.). In practice there are the following steps: blood collecting (from fingerpad), hematolysis, first photometric measurement, reduction, second measurement, then reading the result from the calibration curve. The method can be automated (as demonstrated with the "Gilford System") providing the same results as with the manual method. All steps of quality control are given in full detail; as is the preparation of the hemolysates with various percentages of Carboxyhemoglobin.


Effect of altered central and peripheral visual field stimulation on correct recognition and visual evoked response.

Hemispheric asymmetry was assessed using combined electrophysiological (visual evoked response) and behavioral (percentage-correct-recognition) techniques. Right-handed, right-eyed, male undergraduates who viewed tachistoscopically exposed CVCs and random shapes in both central and peripheral visual fields were scored for their ability to recognize the stimuli correctly. Latency and amplitude of visual evoked responses were compared with correct recognition. Central and peripheral stimuli produced significant results. Superiority of the left hemisphere for verbal stimulus processing was supported. Small but consistent positive peak latencies of visual evoked responses also indicated language specialization of the left lobe. Results were interpreted as supporting hemispheric functional asymmetry. Additional findings of "cognitive masking" and marked reduction in intersubject variance in postive peak latencies of visual evoked responses by a central stimulus occurring at approximately 300 msec were also obtained. Mechanisms of iconic image storage, neuropsychological attentional theories, and differential hemispheric structural organization were discussed in interpreting results.


The turnover of myelin proteins in adult rat brain.

The turnover of proteins of myelin of brain was followed after an intracerebral injections of [1-14C] leucine into adult rats and compared with the turnover of proteins of total brain homogenate, microsomal and supernatant fractions. The myelin proteins were separated into three major fractions, viz., the Wolfgram, proteolipid and basic proteins as fluorescamine derivatives by a new preparative sodium-dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis method. The bands were visualized, without staining, by their fluoresence under UV light. The maximal incorporation into myelin proteins was about 11% of that in the microsomal proteins. The maximum amoount ofnto myelin proteins was about 11% of that in the microsomal proteins. The incorporation of the label in myelin proteins reached a moximum about six hr after the injection, while the microsomal and supernatant and myelin proteins declined at multiphasic rates with half-lives varying from three hours to several days. Individual myelin proteins also appeared to turn over at multiphasic rates, with half-lives of 5, 20 and 90-100 days for the Wolfgram proteins, 7 and 100-120 days for the proteolipid proteins and 5 and 80-110 days for the basic proteins.


Relationship of age and education to performance on a standardized version of Luria's neuropsychological tests in different patient populations.

A.R. Luria, a Russian neuropsychologist, developed many qualitative bedside tests that have been effective in the diagnosis and localization of neurological disorders. Recently, a standardized and objectively-scored version of Luria's tests has been developed. Knowledge of the effects of patient age and education on neuro-psychological test performance has been found crucial in the neurodiagnostic decision-making process. The present study examined the effects of patient age(younger subjects between 20 and 40 years and older subjects between 50 and 70 years of age), education (grade school, high school, and post-high school), and diagnosis (normal, schizophrenic, brain damaged) on 14 standardized Luria measures. A weighted means analysis of variance found 11 significant age effects, 14 significant educational effects, and 14 significant effects diagnosis. One significant interaction was found between education and diagnosis, the results support the contention that with appropriate age and educational corrections, the standardized Luria battery would satisfy the need for a short, objectively scored, and diagnostically effective neuropsychological battery.


Morphological differences in cerebral cortex and corpus callosum are genetically determined in two different strains of mice.

A morphological analysis of the cerebral cortex and corpus callosum was performed in two inbred strins of mice (SEC/1ReJ and C57BL/6J) different for a number of inborn and acquired behavioral patterns and for their ontogenic behavioral development. The data obtained indicate that in these two strains there are clear differences in the total thickness in the medial-anterior cortical region and temporal region, in the thickness and cell grey coefficient of the layers II-III, IV and V of some areas of parietal and frontal regions, and in the thickness of corpus callosum. These findings are discussed in terms of possible correlations between brain structure and behavior.


Erythrocyte electrolytes in recurrent affective disorders.

A modified method for determination of erythrocyte electrolytes is presented. The claims which have been made regarding the predictive value in periodic psychoses of erythrocyte electrolytes and 'lithium index' are questioned. Clinical experimental data of serial studies in patients receiving lithium suggests that theoretical predictions of distribution of lithium across erythrocyte membranes are not supported in practice and this lends support to the suggestion of active lithium transport in the red cell. A simple method is described of determining the attainment of 'stable state' in long term lithium treatment.


Plasma magnesium in chronic schizophrenia. A preliminary report.

A group of 36 subjects, 20 chronic schizophrenic patients and 16 nonpsychotic mentally retarded patients were chosen at random from the chronic care wards of the Douglas Hospital to assess levels of magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. No significant differences were found between the two groups in calcium and phosphorus. However, the magnesium level was significantly lower (p less than 0.01) in the schizophrenic group than in the mentally retarded group. This difference reached a level of 0.001 significance when chronic female schizophrenic patients were compared to the female mentally retarded group. Hospitalization, diet and medication were excluded as possible etiological factors.


Turnover of mouse photoreceptor outer segments in constant light and darkness.

Pigmented mice differ from frogs in that lighting regime has only a small effect on rod outer segment turnover. During 8 days in constant light or darkness, disc addition measured as total displacement of a radioactive band in rod outer segments of mice which has received injections of tritiated amino acids was never modified by more than 7% compared to cyclic light controls. Disc shedding continued in each lighting regime, and as judged from outer segment dimensions, disc shedding approximately balanced disc addition.


Sustained release of BCNU for the treatment of intraocular malignancies in animal models.

Sustained release of 1,3-bis(2)chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) via an episcleral implanted silicone device was used to treat Brown-Pearce epithelioma in the anterior chamber of rabbit eyes. One group of test eyes received BCNU dissolved in sesame oil; a second group received BCNU in pure ethanol. Control eyes received only the diluent, sesame oil or pure ethanol. The effectiveness of the various dosages and diluents was compared by clinical observation, by weight of the enucleated eyes, and by histopathologic examination. Sustained release of BCNU via an episcleral implanted silicone device delayed the growth of Brown-Pearce epithelioma in rabbit eyes of both test groups. The most effective action resulted from administration of BCNU in pure ethanol.


Blue-sensitive cones of the cat produce a rodlike electroretinogram.

Two cone mechanisms are identifiable in the strongly yellow light-adapted electroretinogram (ERG) of the arterially perfused cat eye. One has its maximum spectral sensitivity near 555 nm; the other has its maximum near 450 nm. The former cone system produces a much larger signal with characteristics of a typical cone or inhibitory ERG. The latter cone system produces a small, saturable signal (less than 5 microV) which resembles a rodlike or excitatory ERC. The results imply that the latter ERG is generated by blue-sensitive cones, which form a small fraction of the total cone population and share some physiological and perhaps anatomical properties of rods.


Accommodative and fusional components of fixation disparity.

Traditional measurements of fixation disparity, like other binocular measurements, confound influences from both blur-driven and disparity-driven components. Measuring fixation disparity with accommodation open-loop eliminates accommodative interactions, and results show fixation disparity is reduced to about half the value observed normally for high levels of forced vergence. Thus fixation disparity curves are shaped by both accommodative and fusional vergence processes.


Secretory immune system of rabbit ocular adnexa.

A distinct system of immunity in a variety of animals is located subjacent to epithelial surfaces and is typified by the predominance of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and secretory component (SC) in various external secretions, including tears. The present study examined normal rabbit lacrimal gland, conjunctiva, and cornea for the presence of immunoglobulin and SC. IgA-staining plasma cells predominated within lacrimal gland and conjunctival stroma, and SC was found in the epithelial cells of both these tissues but not within corneal epithelium. These observations are consistent with findings for other secretory sites in both rabbits and humans and establish lacrimal gland and conjunctiva as integral parts of the rabbit secretory immune system.


The early appearance of disc shedding in the rat retina.

Postnatal development of the processes of rod outer segment shedding and phagocytosis was examined in 10- to 50-day-old rats. The number of phagosomes increased gradually from a minimallevel in the second postnatal week to that of the adult at 4 weeks after birth. No differences were observed in animals raised under two different light intensities i.e., relatively bright (45 to 50 ft-cd) and very dim (0.3 to 0.5 ft-cd). A definite circadian rhythm was observed first in 15-day-old animals, indicating that this is an important internal control mechanism that is synchronized with eye opening and the initiation of visual function.


Passive radiotelemetry of intraocular pressure in vivo: calibration and validation of continual scleral guard-ring applanation transensors in the dog and rabbit.

Continual monitoring of intraocular pressure (IOP) by passive radiotelemetry, with a miniature scleral applanating device, mounted in a haptic contact lens (applanating transensor) is reported in the rabbit and dog. Several prototype transensors were calibrated in vivo in the rabbit and dog; a consistent linear output was obtained for each eye, although reproducibility of the slope between eyes over a period of time was less than ideal. Accuracy of determination of IOP was found to be better for the rabbit and will have to be improved before the instrument can be applied to the human. Multiple regression analysis of calibration studies in six rabbits established that the transensor output was not significantly affected by the small changes in body temperature and atmospheric pressure encountered during the study. Continual scleral tonometry with a standard Mackay-Marg tonometer showed that ocular rigidity has a significant effect on calibration curves, in contradistinction to standard Mackay-Marg corneal tonometry. A time-dependent decay in tonometer readings was more evident in canine eyes with low ocular rigidity. Since the transensor is also a guard-ring applanating device, calibration may be necessary for individual eyes and species.


Developmental ocular abnormalities in rats with X-ray--induced cataract mutation.

Prenatal and early postnatal devpelopment of eyes of Wistar rats with X-ray-induced cataract mutation was assessed histologically, to determine the events leading to cataract formation. A significant phenomenon appeared to be retinal folding, which occurred regularly at 14 to 15 days of gestation and might have pushed the lens against the cornea. A corneal reaction with the lens was indicated by corneal adhesions to the lens, seen frequently during and shortly after the period of retinal folding, and could have stimulated the epithelial hyperplasia that leads invariably to anterior polar cataract in these animals. Changes in the lens fiber cells, which could have been generated by the epithelial hyperplasia, included the sporadic detachment of newly developing fibers from the lens epithelium and the eventual swelling of the anterior ends of fibers still attached to the epithelium. The detached fibers became fusiform and developed postnatally into posterior, suture-associated vacuoles. Anterior uveitis was noted postnatally in some eyes and probably contributed to the subsequent development of the cataract. The results are discussed in the light of congenital anterior polar cataract formation reported in humans and other animals.


The dynamics of IgG in the cornea.

Fluoresceinated IgG was injected centrally into the rabbit's cornea and both its rate of loss from the tissue and its rate of spread in the stroma were estimated by objective fluorometry. A new technique for determining the rate of loss was established which required only the measurement of the maximum fluorescence in the tissue. The rate at which freshly formed IgG in the blood would arrive at the central regions of the cornea was estimated for the human eye. As penetration continues from the limbus and the protein is lost to the aqueous humor, a standing concentration gradient is set up with a minimum at the corneal center. Calculation suggests that this gradient should be small for IgG in the human eye.


The role of accommodative convergence at the limits of fusional vergence.

Two possible explanations are presented for the mechanism which limits the maximum fusional vergence response. An experimental paradigm is developed to differentiate between these alternatives. Experimental results indicate that the blur generally associated with strong fusional effort is due to convergence accommodation "overdrive." Th important theoretical and clinical implications of this finding are presented.


Improved electrode for electroretinography.

Corneal electrodes useful for clinical electroretinography require topical anesthesia, interfere with vision, can abrade, and are not well accepted by most children and many adults. A low mass conductive thread, corneal (DTL) electrode is described and comparatively tested against the Burian-Allen electrode. The DTL electrode was found to have few of the limitations of the hard contact lens electrode. Furthermore, the DTL electrode signal quality was comparable to that of the Burian-Allen electrode and provided less between-patient variability.


Observer variation in interpreting radiographs of the pituitary fossa.

Observer variation in interpreting sellar radiographs in patients suspected or known to have a pituitary tumor has been examined. Two radiologists experienced in interpreting sellar radiographs examined independently, without clinical details, plain films and tomograms of the sella of 101 patients. In most, only minor changes were anticipated. Of the 93 female patients, 67 were under investigation for amenorrhea. Radiographs were examined four times, each radiologist examining each set twice. Appearances were classified as normal, doubtful or abnormal on each occasion. Overall intraobserver agreement was 76%--85%. Neither radiologist changes his opinion by more than one category, e.g. from normal to doubtful. Overall interobserver agreement was 63%--75%. Disagreement between observers concerning 11 (11%) of the patients resulted from differences of opinion about whether minor changes in sellar outline represented an abnormality or merely a normal variation. Kappa analysis suggested that much of the agreement may be ascribed to chance. Agreement rates resemble those for other clinical and radiological investigations.


Bone mineral measurements of the central skeleton by in vivo neutron activation analysis for routine investigation os osteopenia.

In vivo neutron activation analysis has been used to measure bone mineral content in the central skeleton where osteoporotic fractures occur. To be of diagnostic value, the results must be normalized for body size. From data obtained from 74 healthy children and adults up to 55 years of age, we have found that the calcium in the central skeleton is approximately proportional to the cube of the subject's height. The correlation for the adults alone has an r value of 0.81. When data from both adults and children are used, r = 0.95. The validity of this cubic height relationship to the Ca concentration measurements has been further substantiated by studies on rats. The total femur calcium content of 110 rats from weanling to 25 weeks of age was proportional to the overall femur (length) 3.6 (or (length)2.6 per unit length) with r = 0.99. When the level of Ca content is related to data on normal subjects of the same body size (giving the Calcium Bone Index or CaBI) a good separation is obtained between normal volunteers and osteoporotic subjects. Volunteers who were 20 to 55 years of age had CABI 1.0 "/- .12 (SD) while osteoporotics had CaBI 0.69 +/- .10 (SD). When the calcium content as determined by in vivo activation analysis is expressed as a CaBI, it provides a powerful tool for the diagnosis of osteopenia. We suggest that all bone measurements, including peripheral ones, be normalized for body size in order to increase their diagnostic value.


Contrast gradient and the detection of lung nodules.

The effects of edge gradient and blur on the detection pulmonary nodules were studied, using a test series of 175 artificial nodules on 30 chest films. The nodules were of homogeneous texture, about 1 cm in diameter and had a mean contrast of .12. Six observers viewed the film set, scoring both location and confidence. The sensitivity or the probability of a true-positive response was linearly related to the blur and a modified ROC analysis resulted in a family of ROC curves with the index of detectability monotonically decreasing with increased blur.


Transcatheter electrocoagulation: experimental evaluation of the anode.

Transcatheter electrocoagulation using direct current has been shown to be an effective method for vessel occlusion. To date, the stainless steel anode has not been entirely satisfactory. Thus, an evaluation of bipolar platinum electrodes and a comparison of monopolar platinum and stainless steel electrodes have been performed. Experimental results have shown that both monopolar and bipolar platinum electrodes caused perforation in most cases. At the present time, we have not found a satisfactory replacement for the unipolar stainless steel anode.


A comparison of area-equivalent phases of systole and diastole as a method for evaluation of left ventricular movement.

A method of left ventricular motion evaluation is described that does not use the end-diastolic contour as a reference point. The systolic outline in the RAO view was divided into four equal time periods. The systolic outline at the end of each period was paired to the diastolic outline with approximately the same area. Index values were calculated in order to elucidate any existing asymmetry of movement between the anterior and diaphragmatic left ventricular wall. In a group of 14 patients with coronary artery disease without obvious local left ventricular contractility disturbances, pathological asymmetry index values were found in 10. In a group of 16 patients with local left ventricular contractility disturbances, abnormal asymmetry index values were found in eight. This index of assymmetry demonstrated pathological changes of left ventricular motion in spite of a normal appearance of local left ventricular contractility during visual evaluation.


Rectal balloons: complications, causes, and recommendations.

Nine previously unreported rectal injuries caused by barium-enema examinations have been reviewed. In each case, the injury occurred in conjunction with inflation of a rectal balloon. Analysis of the clinical material suggested that certain mechanical properties of balloon catheter tips might transfer mechanical stress to the rectal wall and contribute to the observed injuries. Careful manometric evaluation of in vivo rectal balloons suggest that significant anatomic differences in patients may be clinically important. Further experimental bench studies revealed undesirable mechanical properties in many commercially available rectal balloon catheters. These mechanical problems include low compliance, asymmetrical inflation, strong lateral and anterior displacement of a firm catheter tip into the restraining wall, and self-obstruction of the balloon deflation outlet by the inflated baloon. Many of these problems were clinically confirmed by careful in vivo observations and by evidence collected from the nine cases of rectal injury. A series of practical prophylactic procedures are recommended.


Metrizamide, the ideal radiopaque filling material for detachable silicone balloon embolization.

Porcine visceral and extremity arteries were embolized with detachable silastic balloons; 10 balloons were filled with isoosmolar metrizamide, five were filled with 30% meglumine-sodium diatrizoate and five were filled with 3:1 mixtures of blood and 76% meglumine-sodium diatrizoate. Follow-up radiographs were obtained weekly for 2 weeks, at 4 weeks and at 5 months. At 3 months, arteriography was performed. All balloons occluded the vessel completely upon detachment. Balloons filled with metrizamide did not change their volume or radiopacity during the entire observation period and all remained inflated. The balloons filled with diatrizoate salts enlarged by osmotic growth during the first two weeks and there was a decrease in opacity. Thereafter, one balloon filled with 30% diatrizoate salt solution and one filled with blood-76% diatrizoate deflated. In the former, the embolized artery remained occluded, while in the latter, the vessel reopened and the balloon was found incorporated into the vessel wall at the site of detachment. It is concluded that isoosmolar metrizamide is an ideal filler for detachable silastic balloons since it does not lead to changes in volume or radiopacity and also guarantees long-term vascular occlusion.


Computed tomography of splenic subcapsular hematomas: an experimental study in dogs.

Following baseline CT scans, splenic subcapsular hematomas were produced in dogs by direct splenic trauma. The CT scans of the spleen were obtained one to two hours before and after administration of IV contrast media and one, two, seven, 14 and 28 days following splenic trauma. Variations in the CT image of the hematomas was correlated with time and alterations in the chemical and histologic nature of the hematoma. Initially, the hematomas were isodense with the normal spleen and identified only following IV contrast administration. The initial number of hematomas identified by CT decreased to about half after seven to 14 days and then remained stable. Analysis of the hematomas revealed an initial increase in hemoglobin which was followed by a decrease. Dry weight increased, then decreased; lipid content decreased over time; and calcium content showed no appreciable change. The CT appearance of splenic subcapsular hematomas is dependent on the age of the hematoma. CT scans done soon after trauma should be performed following administration of intravenous contrast media, while less acute hematomas should be apparent without contrast media. Changes in attenuation values of hematomas appear due to a reduction in hemoglobin content and an increase in water content of the hematoma.


Radiologic assessment of pulmonary arterial pressure and blood volume in chronic, diffuse, interstitial pulmonary diseases.

Chronic, diffuse, interstitial pulmonary diseases may cause an increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and a decrease in pulmonary blood volume (PBV). We compared 12 cardiovascular and three parenchymal assessments on plain chest radiographs with values of PAP and PBV obtained during cardiac catheterization in 29 patients with such diseases (progressive systemic sclerosis 20, sarcoidosis six, miscellaneous three) and normal pulmonary venous pressures. PAP ranged from 10 to 40 torr (mean 19, SD +/- 7), PBV from 6.4 to 10.8% of total blood volume (mean 8.4, SD +/- 1.2). PBV was significantly related to eight radiologic variables. PAP was significantly related to the severity of parenchymal disease and size of the central pulmonary arteries, both of which were assessed radiologically. Diversion of blood flow to upper zones was significantly related to restriction of the pulmonary vascular bed, but was not necessarily a sign of increased PAP. In general, pulmonary hemodynamic abnormalities appeared proportional to the radiologic severity of parenchymal disease.


ROC analysis applied to the evaluation of medical imaging techniques.

Analysis in terms of the relative operating characteristic (ROC) has recently been applied to several studies of medical decision-making, primarily to decisions based on imaging techniques. This paper presents a brief description of the ROC, and shows how it provides a measure of diagnostic accuracy that is free of judgmental bias. The results of medical studies are reviewed, and the main questions of theory and method that have arisen in the medical context are identified. Certain of these questions are basic to any psychophysical test, in which case an attempt has been made to present the best available answers. Other questions are of special medical importance and relevant reports are reviewed along with a description of current efforts to provide answers.


Bone mineral analysis using single-energy computed tomography.

We present a new method for evaluating in vivo changes in bone mineralization in the peripheral skeleton, using computed tomography (CT). A set of bone mineralization indices are generated from numerous CT images of the patient's distal radius. The cross-sectional anatomy displayed by the CT scan allows for separate evaluation of the cortical and trabecular bone. Correction for possible drift of the CT number scale (Hounsfield scale) is achieved by scanning standard solutions of dipotassium hydrogen phosphate simultaneously with the forearm. Preliminary data indicate that this is a precise method for evaluating in vivo changes in bone mineralization.


Inspiratory lung volume achieved on routine chest films.

Posteroanterior and lateral chest radiographs were obtained in 19 healthy subjects after routine instruction. Immediately afterwards, repeat films were obtained with the subjects vigorously coaxed to maximal inhalation. Total lung capacity was measured from both sets of radiographs. Normal subjects inhale to 95.5% +/- 3.8% (SD) of total lung capacity during routine chest radiography. Routine chest radiographs will provide useful total lung capacity measurements. Old chest radiographs, in addition to frequently being a mandatory part of the clinical evaluation of patients with chest problems, may provide the only antecedent information about lung function (total lung capacity).


In vivo assessment of bone metabolism using the cortical striation index.

Metacarpal cortical striations were evaluated in 350 patients using fine-detail radiography with optical magnification. Compared to the control population, mean striation-indices were elevated in growing children, primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism, osteomalacia and reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. This technique may provide a useful quantitative assessment of bone metabolism, allowing differentiation of normal from hypermetabolic states. Serial assessment of cortical striation may be useful in monitoring response to therapy.


Physical parameters affecting the visibility of small ventricular septal defects using two-dimensional echocardiography.

We report a study showing that two-dimensional echocardiography is capable of visualizing a ventricular septal defect as small as 3 mm. The physical parameters which determine the visibility of an aperture in the myocardium include the presence of anterior refractile tissue, the amount of ultrasound beam focusing and range over which this occurs, the angle of incidence of the ultrasound beam on the septum, and the number of lines of information per degree of sector sweep. These factors are illustrated by in vitro tests. The influence of operator controllable variables in two-dimensional sector scanning echocardiography is discussed.


Sequential changes in the CT numbers of the normal canine kidney following intravenous contrast administration. I. The renal cortex.

Using a 30-second computed tomography (CT) scanner, the sequential changes in CT numbers of the kidney were determined in three healthy dogs after intravenous administration of sodium and meglumine diatrizoate and iothalamate. For all contrast media, the mean CT number of the cortex was greatest within 2 minutes of rapid intravenous administration. At doses comparable to those used clinically, a linear relationship was demonstrated between the amount of iodine administered (in mg/kg body weight) and the corrected peak mean CT number of the cortex, such that doubling the amount of iodine caused the corrected peak mean CT number of the cortex to approximately double. Following the peak, the mean CT number of the cortex gradually declined. For all contrast media, the corrected mean CT number to corrected peak mean CT number ratios at 5, 10 and 20 minutes were 58 +/- 3%, 39 +/- 3%, and 28 +/- 5% respectively. Our data suggest that rapid-sequence CT may be a valuable tool for evaluating the physiology of renal contrast media excretion.


Therapeutic embolization with detachable silicone balloons: long-term effects in swine.

Twenty-one embolizations were performed in 12 swine using a detachable silicone balloon-catheter system. In 11 embolizations, balloons were filled with 60% meglumine sodium diatrizoate (R-60); 30% meglumine sodium diatrizoate (R-30) was used in 10 embolizations. Serial radiographs were obtained to determine the duration of balloon inflation. Repeat angiography and autopsy examinations were performed three to six months following embolization. Eighty percent of balloons filled with R-30 were still inflated after 10 days, as opposed to 27% of the balloons filled with R-60. Balloons which remained inflated for more than 10 days caused permanent occlusion of the embolized arteries. The vessels were occluded precisely at the point at which the balloons were initially attached. Pathologically, the occluded vessels exhibited organized thrombi with minimal inflammation. Detachable balloons appear to be an effective, safe method of performing selective vascular occlusion in many circulatory systems. Careful control of the volume and osmolarity of the contrast medium used to inflate the balloons produces permanent arterial occlusion.


Protein binding to iothalamate ethyl ester.

A major problem in the development of a particulate hepatolienographic agent is the prevention of particle aggregation upon contact with blood. When iothalamate ethyl ester, a particulate suspension for potential use as an hepatolienographic agent, was mixed with human or animal plasmas, it resulted in moderate to severe flocculation. In a study conducted to define the binding of plasma proteins to the iothalamate ethyl ester particles, plasma was reversibly adsorbed to various particle preparations. Fractions obtained by incubation of the particle-plasma complexes in buffers of increased ionic strength and decreased pH were subjected to polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. The fraction containing the specifically bound proteins produced three distinct bands corresponding to prealbumin, albumin, and fibrinogen. Since the particles flocculated only when mixed with plasma, it is postulated that the fibrinogen-particle interaction is a major factor leading to particle agglutination.


Intracolonic pressures during barium-enema studies using the single- and double- contrast techniques.

Six dogs were examined by means of single- and double-contrast barium enemas, and colonic pressures and diameters were recorded at five intervals while the volume of the contrast medium was increased. Examinations were performed with and without administration of glucagon. Changes in colonic pressure and diameter were similar for the two techniques in 77% of the studies with and in 65% of the studies without administration of glucagon. Neither technique produced significantly different pressure or diameter changes with glucagon as compared to without it. Limitations in the experimental technique must be considered before extending results to human subjects.


Development of a radiographic chest phantom with disease simulation.

An anthropomorphic chest phantom with realistic disease simulation is described with a review of previously available chest phantoms. The need for subjective image analysis is discussed and compared with the existing physics parameters as a means of evaluating image quality in chest radiology. An introduction to the use of such a radiographically realistic chest phantom with lung parenchymal detail and disease simulation is illustrated.


Yersinia enterocolitica antibodies in thyroid disorders.

Yersinia enterocolitica agglutinating antibodies were present in 42% of 36 patients with thyroid disease and in none of 77 control subjects. Since the frequency of Yersinia infections in Israel is low, the association of thyroid diseases with Yersinia antibodies is of particular interest. The significance of this finding is discussed in view of some recent observations.


Leydig cell density and function and their relation to gonadotropins in infertile oligospermic men with varicocele.

Circulating gonadotropin and testosterone levels in infertile men with varicocele and sperm counts of less than 10(7)/ml were correlated with testicular Leydig cell density and in vitro testosterone synthesis. A significant correlation was found between Leydig cell density and both plasma testosterone levels and in vitro testosterone synthesis. Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels paralleled the in vitro testosterone synthesis. Although in the majority of patients, in vitro testosterone synthesis and Leydig cell density were low, plasma testosterone and LH levels were within the normal range. The only abnormal circulating hormonal level was high follicle-stimulating hormone in the most severely oligospermic patients. No difference were found between the right and left testes with regard to in vitro testosterone synthesis or Leydig cell density, and no correlation with patient age or site or degree of varicocele could be demonstrated. These findings suggest that Leydig cell dysfunction was the mechanism responsible for the oligospermia and infertility of these patients.


In vitro sensitization of human lymphocytes against allogeneic cells by antigen-fed macrophages.

Primary in vitro sensitization of human lymphocytes against allogeneic tumor cells was induced by antigen-fed macrophages. Spleen or peripheral blood macrophages were fed with cell-free extracts of allogeneic tumor cells. Autologous lymphocytes that were sensitized by the macrophage culture for five days manifested cytotoxic activity against the corresponding target cells.


Acute intoxication with ajmaline.

A 57-year-old man ingested 1,000 mg of ajmaline with suicidal intent. He was unconscious, hypotensive and showed serious disturbances in cardiac conduction on admission. High serum and urine levels of ajmaline were found. Although only 4% of the ingested dose was excreted following forced diuresis, all evidence of toxicity disappeared within 21 h.


Chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma in a rural community in Israel: relation to socioenvironmental factors.

Prevalence rates of chronic bronchitis and asthma in a rural community in Israel in 1976 were 2.5 and 2.1%, respectively. The relationships with age, sex, country of origin, marital status, number of children, household crowding, education, occupation and cigarette-smoking habits were studied. A number of significant univariate associations were found. A multiple regression analysis showed a significant independent association between chronic bronchitis and age. Age alone accounted for 4.6% of the variance in chronic bronchitis. Five other variables were significantly associated with chronic bronchitis. Together, these accounted for an additional 1.3% of the variance in chronic bronchitis. The multivariate analysis showed that only one variable--the number of children--had an independent relationship with asthma. It accounted for 0.8% of the variance. All the variables together accounted for 1.3% of the variance observed in bronchial asthma.


Comparison of radioimmunoassay and counterimmunoelectrophoresis for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen carriers in a high-prevalence region.

Solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) and counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) were compared for the detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers among blood donors in Jerusalem, which is in a region characterized by a high prevalence of HBsAg and a predominance of the ayw subtype. RIA detected 84% more HBsAg carriers than CIE, with the resultant exclusion of 1.8 times as many potentially infective donors. The results provide additional information concerning the specific increases in donor-carrier detection that are associated with the introduction of highly sensitive HBsAg tests in different geographic and epidemiologic circumstances.


Steady-state serum quinidine concentration: role in prophylactic therapy following acute myocardial infarction.

Steady-state serum quinidine concentrations were monitored in 24 patients with acute myocardial infarction who were on a 1,300-mg daily dosing regimen. Mean serum concentrations spanned the therapeutic range, from 2 to 6 microgram/ml in 21 patients. In no patient was the level of 7 microgram/ml exceeded. Mean levels were similar in patients with congestive heart failure [3.6 +/- 1.5 (SD) microgram/ml] as in those free of failure (3.2 +/- 1.3 microgram/ml), and did not vary with impairment of renal function. There was a significant correlation between mean individual serum quinidine concentrations and the rate-normalized QT interval prolongation (r = 0.54, P less than 0.01); however, variability of the response was high. Variability of the mean serum quinidine levels among individuals was 41%. Variability within individual patients was only 18%. In the individual patient receiving prophylactic oral quinidine therapy, monitoring serum quinidine levels appears to be an accurate, reproducible and pharmacologically significant guideline to therapy.


Effect of large doses of morphine on experimental myocardial ischemia in cats.

The effect of large doses of morphine (1 mg/kg, i.v.) on experimental myocardial ischemia was evaluated in anesthetized open-chest cats. Myocardial ischemia was produced by intermittent coronary artery occlusion and assessed by measuring ST-segment elevation in multiple epicardial leads. The results obtained in the group of animals given morphine were compared with values obtained in animals given saline (control group), propranolol or nitrous oxide (reference groups). Morphine injected before coronary occlusion produced a significant increase in ST-segment elevation after left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, whereas no significant change was noted in animals receiving normal saline or nitrous oxide. As expected, in the animals that received propranolol there was a pronounced decrease in ST-segment elevation. Our data suggest that large doses of morphine may increase myocardial ischemia when administered before coronary occlusion in the anesthetized open-chest cat.


Severe hypermotility during sleep in treatment of cataplexy with clomipramine.

A case of narcolepsy with marked cataplexy is described in detail. Clomipramine hydrochloride effectively controlled the cataplexy and partially alleviated the daytime sleep attacks. However, clomipramine treatment resulted in episodes of severe motor hyperactivity during sleep, which were most intense during rapid eye movement sleep.


Dynamic morphology applied to human and animal leukemia cells.

Dynamic morphology, which describes the shape and surface architecture of fixed cells in terms related to their behavior in the living state, is based on the concurrent use of two methods: scanning electron microscopy and microcinematography. This combination has both advantages and disadvantages. In this study on leukemic cells, we were able to draw the following conclusions about the usefulness of dynamic morphology. It confirms that white blood cells do not flatten on a glass substrate; they stay spherical and are either round or polarized. Round cells of similar size, whatever their origin, cannot be classified by dynamic morphology. Polarized cells can be classified as blasts, promyelocytes, myelocytes, granulocytes and lymphocytes, although polarized blast cells of different origins cannot be differentiated. Dynamic morphology cannot classify the same cell type as benign or malignant.


Use of enzymatic and electron microscopy (freeze-etching) methods for studying ATP-dependent masking of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids.

Membrane phospholipids of ATP-depleted chicken, rat, and toad erythrocytes are more susceptible than fresh cells to hydrolysis by phospholipase C (Bacillus cereus), phospholipase A (bee venom), or the combination of these enzymes and sphingomyelinase. ATP depletion of chicken and rat erythrocytes greatly increased the membrane phospholipid fraction, which can be extracted by dry ether. Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid attacked about 20% of the phosphatidylethanolamine of fresh chicken erythrocytes and 45% of ATP-depleted chicken erythrocytes. The intramembranous particles on the PF face of fresh chicken, rat, and toad erythrocytes are evenly distributed, while those in the same ATP-depleted erythrocytes are significantly clustered. The average distance between the intramembranous particles in the PF face of fresh chicken erythrocytes is about 13 nm, while in ATP-depleted erythrocytes it is about 30 nm. Studies with chicken erythrocytes revealed that ATP depletion is accompanied by dephosphorylation of certain membrane polypeptides. The correlation of dephosphorylation of membrane polypeptides, exposure of membrane phospholipids, and clustering of intramembranous particles is discussed.


Investigation of crystallosis of the kidney by means of polarization, scanning, transmission and high-voltage electron microscopy.

This report deals with the investigation of renal crystallosis in the autopsy tissue of a fatal human case of ethylene glycol poisoning. A previously healthy 22-year-old man consumed about one liter of Prestone antifreeze, which contains 95% by weight of ethylene glycol. He died in coma 48 h later with clinical evidence of metabolic acidosis and renal shutdown. Postmortem histological examination showed abundant crystallosis of the renal tubules. Polarization microscopy demonstrated brilliant birefringence of the crystals. In addition to the tubular crystallosis, scanning electron microscopy showed crystalline particles within the glomeruli as well. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis of the crystals gave a strong calcium signal. The crystals were demonstrated by means of conventional and high-voltage electron microscopy. Electron diffraction gave several hexagonal patterns of calcium carbonate-calcite and a tetragonal pattern suggestive of calcium oxalate monohydrate. X-ray diffraction of the crystals separated from the kidney showed the presence of calcium carbonate and calcium oxalate monohydrate as the major constituents.


Electron microscopic x-ray microanalysis in pathology: current status.

Electron microscopic X-ray microprobe analysis is very suited to pathological investigations. It may lead to a better understanding of the relationship between structure and function in disease processes. It may also help to detect localized abnormalities before the appearance of morphological changes. This methodology may thus contribute to earlier diagnoses and detection of the carrier state, and may aid in the study of reactions to injury and therapy.


Diagnostic applications of scanning electron microscopy and microanalysis in pathology.

Microanalytical technology developed within the last decade provides important information in diagnostic pathology. Scanning electron microscopy, including backscattered electron imaging and energy dispersive X-ray analysis should become at least as valuable as polarized light microscopy, histochemistry and conventional transmission electron microscopy. Other as yet less available techniques such as the ion microprobe and laser Raman microprobe are also valuable. The pathologist should consider the use of microanalytic techniques in any disease process in which endogenous or exogenous materials may be present in the tissues, in the same manner in which one would perform stains for microorganisms. Cases are presented illustrating the tissue preparation and results of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis in diagnosis.


[The dermoepidermal junction in skin diseases].

Dermatological conditions characterized by dermo-epidermal separation, basal lamina discontinuity, multiplication, and thickness variability, and/or irregularity of the subepidermal space are discribed. Pathological changes of the dermo-epidermal junction are considered to be destructive or reproductive. Both may appear in combination. Destructive processes may be relfected by dermo-epidermal separation. Epidermal cells and/or dermal connective tissue appear degenerated. Thickening of the lamina may occur by reactive hyperproduction or by precipitation of pathological materials. Reproductive processes of the junction originate in the epidermal cells and are reflected in multilayering of the basal lamina. Interruption of the lamina and irregularity of the subepidermal space often precede these phenomena.


[Infantile centrifugal abdominal lipodystrophy].

Lipodystrophia centrifugalis abdominalis infantilis is an atrophic skin disease characterized by a localized depression of the abdominal and/or chest wall of infants. The depression starts either from the groins and their surroundings or from the axillae and their surroundings, and later gradually enlarges centrifugally to involve the larger part of abdominal and/or chest wall. The depressed areas are usually surrounded by slight erythema and scaling. Regional lymphnodes are usually swollen. Histologically, the loss or decrease of the subcutaneous fat is noted in the well-depressed areas. On the other hand, in the surrounding erythematous areas marked to moderate amount of inflammatory infiltrate is present in the subcutaneous fat.


[Immunotherapy of allergic disease. Studies on 460 patients].

The results and side effects of immunotherapy in atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma and/or allergic rhinitis are evaluated in 460 patients. The findings are listed in terms of diagnosis, age, sex and preparations as well as duration and number of incorporated allergens of immunotherapy-vaccine. In 82% a good result was reported, while in 18% no improvement could be seen. The results increase gradually from atopic dermatitis to bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, although the differences fail to be significant statistically. Males respond better than females. However, in bronchial asthma only, the differences are significant (p less than 0.01). According to the preparations used (Bencard, Novo-Helisen, Allpyral), no differences could be seen. The percentage of side effects is higher than 50%, but is mainly restricted to local swelling, tiredness and itching. Again no significant differences could be seen between the vaccines used.


[Motor-conduction velocity of cubital nerves in patients with leprosy reactions. Summary of a 13-year observation series during thalidomide therapy].

The motor conduction velocity of the ulnar nerves was examined repeatedly in 34 patients with lepromatous leprosy. In patients with active lesions the reduction in velocity paralleled clinical deterioration. In "burned-out" control patients, who had never suffered from leprosy reaction, the conduction velocity remained slow and unchanged over many years. Twenty-six of 34 patients suffering from leprosy reaction received Thalidomide treatment over a period of 6-13 years in order to suppress the reaction, with good effect. In none of these 26 patients neurotoxic disturbances were found.


[Disseminated piloleiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas of the skin].

Two cases of smooth muscle cell tumors of the skin are reported: a 39 year old female patient with disseminated piloleiomyomas on her left leg, and a 53 year old male patient with a leiomyosarcoma on his right shoulder. The clinical features and specially the typical histolocigal characteristics are shown.


[Paratibial symetric muscle hernias].

Two cases of uncommon tumor-like alterations on the lower legs are discussed to be related to peizongenic pedal papules and diagnosed as myoceles.


[An unusual case of carpal tunnel syndrome].

A severe form of a carpal-tunnel-syndrome with motoric and sensoric deficits and trophic disturbances of the fingers II and III is presented, which reminds also of syringomyelia, erysipeloid or a chronic erysipelas.


Hemoglobin Dunn: alpha 6 (A4) aspartic acid replaced by asparagine.

Hemoglobin Dunn, alpha 6 (A4) Asp leads to Asn was found in a 39-year-old black woman and her daughter. The hematological data on the propositus were normal and there were no apparent clinical or pathological findings associated with this abnormal hemoglobin. The structural characterization of this variant is described.


Hemoglobin Sunshine Seth - alpha 2 (94 (G1) Asp replaced by His) beta 2.

Hemoglobin Sunshine Seth in which a histidyl is substituted for an aspartyl residue at position 94 of the alpha chain was detected at birth in a Caucasian male infant during cord blood screening and is present also in the mother and a male sibling. Although the substitution is in the alpha 1 beta 2 contact, it is without obvious deleterious effect on the hematological parameters or the health of the affected individuals.


Hemoglobin Suan-Dok (alpha 2 109 (G16) Leu replaced by Arg beta 2): an unstable variant associated with alpha-thalassemia.

An abnormal hemoglobin variant was detected in a seven-year old Thai girl. The clinical and hematological pictures were indistinguishable from hemoglobin H disease. Upon cellulose acetate electrophoresis at pH 8.5 an abnormal hemoglobin variant was found together with hemoglobins A and H. The variant moved slightly behind HbF and amounted to approximately 9%. Globin chain synthesis studies of peripheral blood reticulocytes incubated with tritiated leucine revealed that the total radioactivity ratio alpha-chain + variant alpha-chain/beta-chain was 0.59, while the ratio variant alpha-chain/beta-chain was 0.12. The variant hemoglobin was somewhat unstable under heat denaturation and in the isopropanol test. Structural studies by component isolation, globin chain separation, peptide mapping and aminoacid analysis of abnormal peptides showed that the leucine residue 109 of the alpha-chain was replaced by arginine. This hemoglobin mutant has not been described before and is named Hemoglobin Suan-Dok.


Globin synthesis in bone marrow cells of patients with sickle cell anemia and beta O-thalassemia: contamination of the beta-chain with non-globin proteins.

Chromatographic separation of labeled globin chains was performed in stroma-free hemolysates prepared from peripheral blood and bone marrow cells of 11 patients with beta O-thalassemia and 2 patients with sickle cell anemia. A small radioactivity peak, slightly preceding the beta-chain and more prominent in bone marrow cells, was often observed. This peak, which represents synthesis of non-globin proteins, did not exceed 5% of the radioactivity incorporated in the alpha-chain. It is concluded that contamination of the beta-chain with non-globin proteins undoubtedly occurs, but its extent is insufficient to explain the different synthetic ratios which have been repeatedly observed in peripheral blood and in bone marrow cells of patients with heterozygous beta-thalassemia.


Hemoglobin Lepore Washington and hemochromatosis in a Hungarian patient.

A Hungarian family with four heterozygotes for Hb Lepore Washington is described. One, a 43-year-old male, had high levels of serum iron, saturated iron-binding capacity, and ferritin, and normal levels of folic acid and vitamin B12. Liver biopsy showed slight cirrhosis and marked iron deposition in parenchymal cells and in cells of the reticuloendothelial system. Heavy iron deposition was also found in the bone marrow. The patient is not an alcoholic and has no disease that requires blood transfusion. The hemochromatosis thus seems to be of idiopathic nature.


Development of neurons containing acetylcholinesterase and cholinacetyltransferase in dispersed cell culture of rat cerebellum.

Cells from one-day-old cerebellum were grown for up to 30 days in dispersed cell culture. The characteristic neurons (deep cerebellar, Golgi and Purkinje cells) maintained their properties. It was found histochemically that some of the large cells display strong AChE activities in the perikaryon and in some processes, while biochemically the specific activities of the marker enzymes of the acetylcholine system, AChE (EC 3.1.1.7) and ChAc (EC 2.3.1.6), were increased and unchanged, respectively. During cultivation, the number of AChE-positive neurons increased. It can be inferred from these studies that, besides the AChE-positive (cholinoceptive) cells, ChAc-active (cholinergic) neurons (possibly Golgi II. type cells and some neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei) are present in the cerebellum of the rat.


Ultrastructural demonstration of dehydrogenases in rat cerebral cortex.

Techniques for the ultrastructural demonstration of dehydrogenases in cerebral cortex are described. The best fixation for good fine structural preservation and retention of LDH and NADH-diphorase was obtained by perfusion with a misture of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde and for SDH by perfusion with formaldehyde. Comparison of incubation conditions showed that consistent results were obtained using enzyme markers NBT and DS-NBT for LDH and NADH-diaphorase: DS-NBT was more satisfactory than NBT and BSPT for SDH. Penetration of incubation media was improved by Triton X-100: DMSO and ultrasonic treatment were less effective. The techniques enabled the first electron cytochemical demonstration of dehydrogenases in different elements of prefixed cerebral cortex. Ultrastructural sites of enzyme activities were localized within cristae and inter-membrane spaces of mitochondria in nerve cell cytoplasm and its processes, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Authenticity of the ultrastructural sites was confirmed by four different control experiments.


Further cytochemical studies on the perichromatin granules.

The perichromatin granules were studied in hepatocytes of experimental rats injected with cycloheximide because the increased number of these nuclear components after such treatment facilitated their cytochemical investigation. Most perichromatin granules were sensitive to the digestion with pepsin and ribonuclease. In contrast, small population of perichromatin granules was resistent to such digestion under conditions which remove known RNA containing components such as ribosomes, nucleolar RNP components and interchromatin granules. The size of these resistent perichromatin granules was reduced and they consisted of filaments the width of which was similar to that of filaments in the chromatin. Moreover, a small population of perichromatin granules was sensitive to the digestion with pepsin and deoxyribonuclease. The size of these granules was only slightly reduced. All these observations indicate that most perichromatin granules contain the RNA and some the DNA. A possibility also exists that the perichromatin granules might contain both RNA and DNA but in various proportions. In addition, partial digestion with pepsin followed by a complete digestion with ribonuclease and deoxyribonuclease removed perichromatin granules as well as other nucleoprotein structures. On the other hand, such digestion facilitated the visualization of the nuclear and cytoplasmic skeleton (matrix) in situ.


Resolution of a gold latensification-elon ascorbic acid developer for Ilford L4 emulsion.

The electron-microscopical autoradiographical resolution of a gold latensification-elon ascorbic acid (GEA) developer for Ilford L4 emulsion was determined experimentally, using radioactive line sources of tritiated albumin (Heijnen and Geuze, 1977). For sections with a thickness of 62 nm (SD +/- 11), which were covered with a carbon layer about 5 nm thick and a slightly overlapping monolayer of L4 silver bromide crystals, the measured half-distance (HD) of resolution was 115 nm. This improvement in resolution, the high efficiency of the GEA developer for L4 emulsion (Wisse and Tates, 1968), and the excellent visibility of the cellular structures under the small silver grains, mean that the L4-GEA combination deserves preverence as a method for quantitative electron-microscopical autoradiography.


Folate metabolism in the superior cervical ganglion histochemical study.

By means of histochemical methods, folic acid, dihydrofolate reductase and NADH2-cytochrome-C-reductase were studied in the bovine superior cervical ganglion, in parallel with quantitative estimations of dihydrofolate reductase activity and in connection with the process of ageing. Various levels of folate metabolism were present in nerve cells and glial cells, as well as in pre or postganglionic nerves. In the process of ageing the activity of dihydrofolate reductase gradually decreased and the folic acid concentration in the nerve cells increased. Thus the enzyme --- substrate ratio appeared to favour the enzyme in young animals but the substrate in old animals.


The kinetics of the histochemical method for dihydrofolate dehydrogenase (dihydrofolate reductase).

The purpose of the present investigation is to report some histochemical and cytospectrophotometric observations providng more objective evidence for the specific activity of the histochemical method for dihydrofolate reductase activity (5.6.7.8-tetrahydrofolate: E.C. 1.5.1.3). Kinetic factors of the enzymic reaction, such as fixation, pH, coenzymes, substrate concentration, Michaelis constant, temperature, time of incubation, aerobiosis, and anaerobiosis, activators and inhibitors, were investigated.


Dual wavelength scanning cytophotometry (Bicoscan).

A computer program has been developed for stage-scanning cytophotometry of double-stained microscopical specimens. The program permits the simultaneous measurement of absorbance values at two wavelengths in each measuring spot. To account for overlap in the absorbance spectra of the two stained endproducts, the program incorporates correction of the measured data to compensate for the contribution of each chromophore to the absorbance measured for the other. The program will compute the corrected local absorbance values at specified wavelengths for each chromophore at each measuring spot and integrate these values over the total object to give separate totals for each stain. It is also possible to have integrated the absorbance values of one chromophore for all those measuring spots where the local corrected absorbance value of the other chromophore exceeds a preset minimum value. When this other chromophore is a nuclear DNA stain, it is possible to obtain an approximate measure of the content of any compound in the nuclear area which can be stained with a chromophore having an absorbance spectrum different from the DNA stain. The validity of the program was investigated on model preparations consisting of two (differently) coloured films of which the absorbance values could be measured either individually or in combination, by partially overlaying one film on the other. The program's potential has been demonstrated by using the combination of either Naphthol Yellow S or dinitrofluorobenzene as protein stains with the Feulgen-pararosaniline(SO2) procedure for DNA in chicken erythrocytes and rat liver cells.


A coupled peroxidatic oxidation technique for the histochemical localization of monoamine oxidase A and B and benzylamine oxidase.

A coupled peroxidatic oxidation technique is presented which employs benzylamine and tyramine as substrates and clorgyline, deprenyl, phenelzine and pargyline as specific inhibitors. Using this technique with frozen sections of human term placenta and rat liver, the histochemical localization of monocamine oxidase A and B and bnezylamine oxidase has been demonstrated.


[Experimental heterograft tracheal transplants in animals. II (author's transl)].

In sequence with an earlier publication on the results of heterograft tracheal transplants in animals, changes in the Formol-Cialit preserved heterogenous tracheal grafts were studied by light microscopy, and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Two main queries arise. Where does the graft respiratory epithelium come from, and what happens to the grafted tracheal cartilage? We found that in the epithelium of graft the number of ciliated cells decreased and that there was ultrastructure evidence of cilial destruction, the goblet cells increased in number, there was a loss of strict polarity of the respiratory epithelium, subepithelial accumulations of cells of probable epithelial origin appeared, and there was a subepithelial accumulation of lymphocytes just beneath the basal lamina. Resorption and transformation of the grafted tracheal cartilage into connective tissue was also observed. Hence, the following conclusions may be made. (1) Small tracheal defects can be corrected by Formol-Cialit preserved heterologous grafts. (2) The mucosa of the host trachea produces a functioning respiratory epithelium in the graft. (3) Tracheal grafts should not exceed 2 x 3 cm in size otherwise a new stenosis from resorption and transformation of grafted cartilage into connective tissue will occur.


[Rupture of the round window membrane (author's transl)].

Labyrinthine fistula of the round window should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vertigo and sudden hearing loss occurring in patients, who are not only divers, during physical stress or exertion. Surgical exploration and closure of the fistulae are the only means of diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Since these fistulae may heal spontaneously in most instances early surgery is recommended after a short interval of conservative therapy. Five patients, of whom 4 underwent surgery and one was seen for an expert opinion are presented.


[A review of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea (author's transl)].

Thirty-two patients described in the literature between 1947 and 1977, together with a personal one, with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea are presented. These 32 patients are assessed and the different aspects of their problems discussed. There is a striking female to male preponderance of 5:1.


[Complications of transtympanic eustacian tube insufflation (author's transl)].

Serous otitis media is sometimes treated by Eustacian tube catheterization or by insufflation of the middle ear via a myringotomy. Both techniques can cause death as has been described in the literature. Two patients, in whom following middle ear insufflation via a myringotomy air was found intracranially are presented. In one the finding on skull X-ray was coincidental and no symptoms occurred, whereas in the other a paresis of the right foot that lasted for 30 min occurred from the time of the middle ear insufflation for his serous otitis media.


[Stereoscopic photography in plastic surgery (author's transl)].

A major problem in reconstructive and plastic surgery of the face is the assessment of exact distances between certain points of reference across facial contours. Incorrect estimation of these variables produces unsatisfactory postoperative anatomical results. Therefore a method, which permits exact measurements using stereoscopic photography of models, was tested. On the models quantitative studies of the effects of surgical techniques were made. Facial asymmetry and various phases of facial animation can be assessed and documented, and the progress of expanding tumours can likewise be followed.


Surface modification of intraocular lenses to reduce corneal endothelial damage.

Two methods of surface modification of PMMA, permanent and temporary, were investigated for use on intraocular lenses to reduce corneal endothelial damage due to corneal-IOL touch. Monomer grafting using gamma irradiation was found to produce permanently hydrophilic surfaces. Temporary surface modifications developed and tested were peelable and dissolvable coatings. Test samples were touched to freshly excised rabbit corneas to evaluate the effectiveness of the various surface modifications in reducing endothelial cell damage. This touch testing was performed using static testing in which the test sample was touched to the cornea without movement and dynamic testing in which there was relative movement between the cornea and the test sample. While unmodified PMMA did significant cell damage in both static and dynamic tests perpamently modified (hydrophilic grafted) surfaces were found to perform well in the static, but not in the dynamic tests. Dissolvable coatings performed well in both tests, even with very thin coatings. There was little differentiation between the various water-soluble coatings tested. Due to its characteristics and rate of dissolution, polyvinyl alcohol appears to be an optimum material for coating IOLs. A series of in vitro and in vivo tests performed to assess its safety indicate that PVA is nontoxic and safe in animal eyes.


Indomethacin as a means of preventing cystoid macular edema following intracapsular cataract extraction.

It has been theorized that prostaglandins E1 and E2 may be responsible for the vascular leakage leading to cystoid macular edema following cataract extraction. Indomethacin is a known inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis. A prospective, double-blind study to evaluate the effect of oral indomethacin on four and eight week cases of postoperative CME following intracapsular cataract extraction as determined by fluorescein angiography was carried out on 42 patients. Twenty patients received 25 mg of indomethacin three times a day for three days preoperatively and three weeks postoperatively. Twenty-two patients received a placebo on an identical schedule. Four (20%) patients in the indomethacin group and five (22.7%) patients in the placebo group had positive angiograms for CME. No contributory factor resulting in CME was found.


Primary vs. secondary insertion of anterior chamber lenses.

In this prospective study, patients with cataracts were divided into two groups. In Group I, intracapsular cataract extraction with anterior chamber lens insertion was performed as a one-step procedure. Patients in Group II underwent intracapsular cataract extraction followed by secondary insertion of an anterior chamber lens two to three months later. The higher incidence of CME seen with the secondary procedure seems to indicate that primary rather than secondary insertion of anterior chamber lenses is advisable.


Volumetric method for determing traces of organic chlorine in lipids.

The official AOAC method for determining chlorine in cake flour lipids has been modified to determine chlorine in lipids of animal carcasses cooled with chlorinated water. The sensitivity of the method has been improved 1000-fold to attain a detection limit of 2 ppm Cl in lipids. Recovery of the fine silver chloride precipitate was improved through centrifugation rather than filtration. The official method also did not take into consideration that when the silver chloride precipitate is exposed to light, it is converted to free chlorine and silver. Recovery of organic chlorine ranged from 84.6% at 4.1 ppm to 100.1% at 100 ppm. A number of samples of commercially chlorinated beef, pork, and chicken and laboratory-chlorinated chicken were analyzed by this method. In all cases where the level of chlorination was sufficient to result in a chlorine level in lipids in excess of 2 ppm, the chlorine content of the carcass lipids was measurable.


Detection of Salmonella in onion and garlic powders: collaborative study.

The relative efficiency of trypticase soy broth with added 0.5% K2SO3 and lactose broth as pre-enrichment media for recovering Salmonella from onion powder and garlic powder was collaboratively studied. For each spice, 13 collaborators each received 5 duplicate samples; 4 of the 5 replicate samples were inoculated with 1 of 4 levels of S. thompson ranging, at initiation of analysis, from greater than 3 to 93 organisms/g onion powder and greater than 3 to 43 organisms/g garlic powder. Salmonella growth was inhibited in each of these spices as evidenced by a rapid decline of most probable number values in samples determined immediately after and 7 days following inoculation. Collaborative results of cultural analyses demonstrated superiority of the modified tripticase soy broth for recovering Salmonella in each of the 2 spices. The improved method of detecting Salmonella in onion and garlic powders has been adopted as official first action.


Spectrophotometric method for hydroxymethylfurfural in honey.

A new method is described for hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in honey; accuracy and precision are improved over the most used optical and chemical methods. With a clarified honey solution containing 0.1% sodium bisulfite as reference and a similar solution without bisulfite as sample, a difference spectrum is obtained which represents only the HMF in the sample, without the interfering absorption of the honey. The average recovery was 97.5% for 24 additions to honey of 0.8--40 mg HMF/100 g. Forty honey samples ranging from 0 to 40 mg/100 g were analyzed by 3 methods with the following average results: Winkler optical method, 7.25; Winkler chemical method, 4.83; and new bisulfite method, 5.05 mg HMF/100 g honey. Values by the latter 2 methods did not differ at the P = 0.05 significance level.


Methods for determinging carbohydrates, hydroxymethylfurfural, and proline in honey: collaborative study.

A modification of the official selective absorption method for honey carbohydrates, 31.124--31.133, was studied collaboratively; the determinations of sucrose, total monosaccharides, disaccharides, and higher sugars by this procedure were satisfactory and were adopted by the AOAC. High pressure liquid chromatography of glucose, fructose, and sucrose in honey showed better precision than the modified official method and gave concordant results; it was also adopted. Two methods for hydroxymethylfurfural do not qualify. A method for proline was also adopted.


Spectrophotometric determination of tolbutamide in tablets.

Two spectrophotometric methods, Glenn's method of orthogonal function and the basic dye method, are described for determing tolbutamide in tablets without interference from the tablet excipients. In Glenn's method, the absorbance of tolbutamide in 95% ethanol is measured in the vicinity of 250--270 nm at 4 nm intervals and the p2 coefficient is calculated. The coefficient is linearly related to concentration within a range of 0.1--0.4 mg/mL. Tolbutamide gives a complex of a ratio 1:1 with basic dye Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) or Safranin T (ST). The complex is easily extracted with chloroform. The absorbance of the chloroform extract is measured against either a blank or reference experiment. The latter is obtained by using a specific concentration of tolbutamide: 0.4 mg/mL in tolbutamide-BCB or 0.024 mg/mL in tolbutamide-ST. The ST complex method is more sensitive compared with the other methods. When the t-test is applied, the results of the proposed methods are more accurate than those of the traditional ultraviolet spectrophotometric method.


Spectrophotometric determination of acetaminophen in tablets, sirups, and suppositories.

A differential spectrophotometric method and Glenn's method of orthogonal function are described for the assay of acetaminophen in tablets, sirups, and suppositories. Interference from excipients in the formulations is thereby avoided. Accuracy of the analyses is greater with the proposed methods than with the British Pharmacopoeia method.


Semiautomated method for the analysis of formulations of chlorpheniramine maleate and brompheniramine maleate.

The determination of chlorpheniramine maleate and brompheniramine maleate in tablets, capsules, injections, and elixirs has been automated. The active ingredient is dissolved in dilute HCl. The dilute acid solution is sampled, made basic with dilute NaOH, and extracted with isooctane. The isooctane phase is resampled and the drug is re-extracted into dilute HCl. The absorbance of the acidic aqueous layer is monitored at 265 nm. The method is an automated version of the general USP XIX assay for salts of organic nitrogenous bases. The results from the semiautomated procedure agree well with the USP XIX and NF XIV official methods. Recoveries were 100% from an authentic tablet material. The system is linear from 0 to 300% of declared potency. The procedure is free from common excipient and dye interferences. Precision data are included for both the automated and official methods.


DC polarography of cephradine and its application to capsules.

A polarographic method has been developed for the quantitative analysis of cephradine and its dosage forms. Direct determinations on capsules are carried out; excipients and coloring matter do not interfere in the determination. The electroactive product is formed by acidic hydrolysis with 5.0N HCl and heating at 80 degrees C for 60 min. Two polarographic waves are obtained: I = -0.46 V and II = -0.78 v vs. SCE. Both reduction waves are diffusion controlled. Wave I is preferred for analytical purposes. The precise chemical identity of the electroactive product has not been determined, but UV spectral data and the TLC Rf value are reported. A linear relation is established for levels of cephradine between 10(-2) and 10(-5)M in 5.0N HCl.


Gas-liquid chromatographic quantitation of phencyclidine.HCl in powders: collaborative study.

Six laboratories collaboratively studied a method for the quantitative gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) determination of phencyclidine.HCl in powders. The phencyclidine.HCl and other water-soluble compounds are dissolved in dilute HCl. A portion of the aqueous solution is made weakly basic with K2HPO4, and the organic-soluble compounds are extracted in CHCl3 for the GLC determination of the phencyclidine.HCl. Eicosane (n-C20) is incorporated in the extracting CHCl3 as an internal standard. The samples collaboratively studied included samples of known phencyclidine.HCl concentration and one sample of unknown purity. Recoveries ranged from 92.1 to 104% and per cent standard deviations from 1.05 to 3.39. The method was adopted as official first action.


Laser fluorometric determination of aflatoxin B1 in corn.

A 2-step chromatographic separation, using both thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), in conjunction with the high sensitivity of laser fluorometry permits extension of the detection limits of aflatoxin contamination in corn to 0.1 ppb (microgram/kg) with a 26% root mean square variation. Aflatoxin B1 is extracted from corn with water-methanol and cleaned up by TLC. The recovery of aflatoxin from the TLC plates was linear from 10 to 1000 pg. Aflatoxin B1 is converted to the more highly fluorescent B2A derivative by treatment with 1N HCl. Experiments with aflatoxin B1 standard establish a constant conversion to B2A over approximately 3 orders of magnitude in B1 concentration. An extract of the B2A aflatoxin derivative is injected onto a reverse phase HPLC column. A flowing droplet of eluant is irradiated by an amplitude-modulated 325 nm He-Cd ion laser beam, and fluorescence from the droplet is detected by a lock-in amplifier in phase with the laser modulation. Several chromatograms are presented that demonstrate the capability of this procedure for removing interfering components in the corn extract.