Superoxide dismutase activity in the maternal and cord blood.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured in the maternal and cord blood by the modified method of Beauchamp and Fridovich, using a carbonate-buffered (pH 10.2) xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. No great differences between maternal and cord blood in erythrocyte SOD levels were observed, with the exception of whole blood; namely, washed RBC showed a SOD activity of a fairly high level, which was comparable to the activities of crude SOD, but showed no difference between them. In contrast, the SOD activity in the maternal whole blood was significantly lower than that in the cord blood. In measuring SOD activity, the serum factor has a great effect, and serum contains a substance that inhibits NBT reduction. Only one band of SOD has been detected which shows identical Rf values both in maternal and cord blood by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis.


Heterogeneity of fetal hemoglobin in severe alpha-thalassemia.

The heterogeneity of residue 136 of the gamma-chain of human hemoglobin has been determined for a patient afflicted with severe alpha-thalassemia. Separation of the cord blood sample into the various constituent hemoglobins A, F, FI and Bart's were done on a column packed with DEAE Sephadex. The amount of glycine or alanine at position 136 was determined for hemoglobins F, FI and Bart's. The ratios determined for all three hemoglobins indicated that the G gamma/A gamma ratio is the same for all three fractions and is similar to that observed in normal cord blood samples.


'Minor hemoglobins': an alternative approach for evaluating glucose control in pregnancy.

'Minor hemoglobins' (Hb AI) were measured in 178 women during pregnancy and immediately postpartum by a thiobarbituric acid spectrophotometric method. The patients were classified according to an oral glucose tolerance test (GTT) and an assessment of risk factors for diabetes in normal (n = 75), probably normal (n = 72) and chemical diabetics (n = 26). 5 pregnant insulin-dependent diabetics were also studied. Hb AI was unchanged during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and immediately postpartum (less than 6 days) in women with normal glucose tolerance. Moreover, no difference of Hb AI level was found when compared with a separate group of nonpregnant individuals (n = 15). Chemical diabetics had significantly higher mean third trimester and postpartum Hb AI than normals (p less than 0.001). The highest Hb AI levels during pregnancy were found in the insulin-dependent diabetics, although these were lower compared to a separate group of nonpregnant insulin-dependent diabetics (n = 10; p less than 0.05). During pregnancy, a significant correlation was found between Hb AI and the 2-hour value of the GTT (p less than 0.001). A positive correlation was also found between third trimester maternal Hb AI and infant birth weight (p less than 0.001). Hb AI may complement other parameters in evaluating maternal glucose tolerance during pregnancy.


Metabolic response to thyroxine in the newborn pig.

The oxygen consumption rate (ml O2/kg/min), the pulse rate, respiratory frequency and body temperatures were measured after a single subcutaneous injection of thyroxine (80 micrograms/kg) or adrenaline (200 micrograms/kg) in unfasted pigs aged 1--11 days. Thyroxine produced a metabolic response after a latent period and potentiated the metabolic action of adrenaline. As reported in the literature, the existence of an immediate metabolic response to thyroxine was not evidenced. The obtained results support the view that in the newborn pig the physiological rise in metabolism which leads to metabolic stability might be caused by thyroxine, whose free fraction and highest level in the blood occurs shortly after birth. Potentiation of adrenaline action by thyroxine can contribute to this process.


The metabolic effects of cold exposure in the newborn rabbit.

Blood glucose, lactate, plasma free fatty acid and plasma and tissue individual free amino acid levels were followed in newborn rabbits exposed for 10 h to an environmental temperature of 25 degrees C. Severe hypothermia developed with an increase of blood lactate and accumulation of total free amino acids in plasma and liver. Alanine, isoleucine, leucine, valine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, ornithine and taurine were elevated in the plasma; alanine and ornithine in the liver; leucine and isoleucine in the muscle.


Effect of hypothermia on plasma metabolites in preterm newborn infants with particular references to plasma free amino acids.

Blood glucose, blood lactate, plasma free fatty acids, plasma alpha-amino nitrogen, plasma free amino acids and blood urea nitrogen were measured in 15 hypothermic preterm infants (mean rectal temperature: 34.5 +/- 0.28 degrees C) during a 2-hour 'warming-up' period following admission to our neonatal intensive care unit. Hypothermia was associated with lactacidemia and hyperalaninemia. The increase in body temperature of the infants resulted in the decrease of lactacidemia and hyperalaninemia. Normal levels of other metabolites remained unchanged.


A longitudinal CNV study in a group of five bipolar cyclothymic patients.

The authors carried out a longitudinal study in five subjects with bipolar cyclothymic psychosis, recording contingent negative variations in the same patients in the different phases of illness and under normal clinical conditions. An average voltage decrease was found in the depressive phases and a more conspicuous decrease in the manic phases. Furthermore, an evident postimperative negative variation was present in four subjects during the manic phase. The authors set forth tentative psychological and neurophysiological interpretation of their results.


Neurolepticlike actions of l-methadone: effect on mescaline-induced altered behavior and on tissue levels of mescaline in mice.

Mice were injected ip with either saline, l-methadone (2.5, 5, 20 mg/kg), perphenazine (1, 10, 15 mg/kg), or chlorprothixene (1.25, 2.5, 15 mg/kg) 30 min prior to mescaline-14C (25 mg/kg). Mescaline-induced behavioral changes such as agitation, excitement, slight increase in ventilation, and fright to sound stimuli were prevented by all doses of three drugs, and head-shaking, scratching, and locomotor-increasing effects by 5 and 20 mg/kg methadone and by all doses of both neuroleptics. Catalepticlike state and moderate to marked hypothermia induced by all doses of chlorprothixene, 10 and 15 mg/kg perphenazine, and 20 mg/kg methadone were not reversed by mescaline. Chlorprothixene (all doses), perphenazine (10, 15 mg/kg), and methadone (5, 20 mg/kg) caused marked retention of mescaline and its deaminated metabolite, 3, 4, 5-trimethoxyphenyl acetic acid in both brain and plasma. The fact that relatively higher doses of methadone than neuroleptics are needed to ensure effective antagonism to mescaline action tends to indicate a less specific interaction of the opiate with the neuroleptic/dopamine receptor proposed for central mescaline effects.


Hydroxylated metabolites of tricyclic antidepressants: preclinical assessment of activity.

Studies investigating a possible relationship between the plasma concentration of tricyclic antidepressants and clinical response have measured only the tertiary and secondary amine forms of these drugs. The present study shows that the hydroxy metabolites of tricyclic antidepressants might also be active. Hydroxylated imipramine, desipramine, chlorimipramine, and nortriptyline inhibit the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin into synaptosomes to the same extent as do their parent compounds. Hydroxylated nortriptyline and imipramine reverse or prevent reserpine-induced motor retardation and ptosis. Following chronic imipramine, significant steady-state concentrations of unconjugated hydroxylated metabolites are present in rat tissues including the cerebrospinal fluid. Accounting for steady-state concentrations of hydroxylated metabolites of tricyclic antidepressants in man may help to clarify whether there is a relationship between active drug concentration and clinical effect.


Human leukocyte antigen system not closely linked to or associated with bipolar manic-depressive illness.

An association and linkage study of the HLA system and bipolar affective illness is reported. HLA B-14 showed an increased frequency and HLA-Bw27 a decreased frequency in 92 bipolar patients compared to 210 controls, but significance is not reached when appropriate statistical corrections are made. It is shown that ethnological differences can lead to sampling biases; a purported increased frequency of HLA-Bw 16 in Ashkenazi Jewish bipolar patients is negated when ethnologically similar controls are used. The transmission of HLA alleles in nine families with at least two generations of affective illness revealed independent assortment, and nonlinkage to either locus A or B was demonstrated using a multigenerational method of linkage analysis. The nonreplicability of the HLA association studies, and the failure to demonstrate linkage of the HLA loci with afe development of affective illness, although further analyses are necessary.


Qualitative identity of cerebral neuronal membrane actions of 5HT LSD, and CPZ.

Extra- and intracellular recording of the cerebral cortical actions of close-arterially injected serotonin (5HT) and LSD in the cat shows them to be powerful synaptic inhibitors. They are specifically and differentially blocked by chlorpromazine (CPZ). The membrane parameters including spike generation, polarization, transmembrane conductance, and IPSPs show that all three produce qualitatively identical changes, which must, therefore, be presumed to act on the same receptors with block by CPZ taking place because of competitive inhibition. The relation of these neuronal membrane findings to the characteristic actions of LSD and CPZ in mental disturbance is considered in relation to a general concept of cerebral synaptic dysfunction.


Screening for PKU heterozygosity in bipolar affectively ill patients.

There were no significant differences noted between bipolar manic-depressive patients and normal controls for plasma phenylalanine or tyrosine following an L-phenylalanine loading test given to determine if some affective illness may be related to the heterozygous phenotypic expression of phenylketonuria (reduced liver phenylalanine hydroxylase). The test was able to distinguish known PKU heterozygotes from the other subjects. It is possible that other heterozygous states may be implicated in the development of some psychiatric disorders.


Lithium carbonate in the treatment of schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorder: review and hypothesis.

The success of lithium carbonate in the treatment of manic-depressive illness has led to its use in many other psychiatric disorders. Within this group, schizophrenia and schizo-affective disorder have come under the closest scrutiny. The literature, however, is difficult to reconcile. Conclusions are often contradictory, methodologies confusing, and well-designed studies few in number. In this paper, the authors have attempted to extract common denominators that may prove of value in delineating those symptoms which predict therapeutic response to lithium carbonate.


Heart rate changes with exercise and voluntary heart rate acceleration.

The present study examined the relationship between heart rate (HR) changes accompanying isometric and isotonic exercises and HR changes during attempted voluntary HR acceleration. Substantial cardiac accelerations accompanied both types of exertion, with the isotonic exercise attracting the larger magnitude HR changes. Significant HR increases were also observed during attempted voluntary HR acceleration both with and without feedback; however, feedback prompted larger HR increases than instructions alone. The HR changes accompanying both types of exercise reliably predicted the extent of voluntary HR increase but only for the condition in which feedback was available. This occurred in spite of the absence of observable EMG changes during attempted HR acceleration. Changes in respiration rate during voluntary HR increase were highly correlated with changes in HR. A similar co-variation occurred with the isotonic exercise but was absent with the isometric exercise. The results are discussed in terms of the possible mediational mechanisms underlying voluntary HR acceleration.


Heart-rate correlates of childhood activities: play, exploration, problem-solving and day-dreaming.

Heart-rate was monitored while children were engaged in different activities. The first study examined the hypothesis that the behavioural distinction between exploration and play would be supported by the psychophysiological measure. Two-year-olds showed suppression of heart rate variability (HRV) during exploration, and even more during solution of a puzzle, suggesting that the task demands these two activities were greater than those during play. The second study demonstrated a relationship between HRV during daydreaming and during problem solving in 9-year-old children which was similar to that obtained between play and problem solving in younger children. The correlative use of HRV thus strengthened functional interpretations of behaviour.


Differential effects of state and trait anxiety on heart rate responses and reaction time.

College students were tested on 10 trials of a reaction time task, using a variable interval warning signal, while heart rate was recorded. Subjects were divided into high and low anxiety groups using a median split based on their scores on a modification of the trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The low anxiety group exhibited faster reaction times, shorter latency heart rate deceleration following warning signal onset, and a more consistent deceleration immediately prior to the respond signal than the high anxiety group. When the same subjects were divided into groups according to state anxiety, no group differences were found in either heart rate or reaction time. In Part II of the study, subjects listened to six 15 s presentations of a 70 dbA, 250 Hz tone. No group differences in heart rate responses to the tones were found for either state or trait anxiety groups.


Successful and unsuccessful university students: quantitative hemispheric EEG differences.

Quantitative measurements of EEG amplitudes were obtained on academically successful and unsuccessful university students during a 5 min, eyes closed, relaxed state. Integrations measured continuously the fully rectified amplitudes of brain waves cumulated over successive epochs of 5 s, regardless of the correlation of a wave to a particular frequency band. The poor academic students, as a group, displayed a significantly higher right/left variance ratio of the cumulated amplitudes at both the temporal and occipital sites than the academically successful group. Upon examining the histograms for these cumulated amplitudes, it was found that the unsuccessful students displayed a greater number of polymodal (non-Gaussian) distributions, particularly in the right hemisphere. These data, which resemble patterns often found in depression, suggest a relative disorganization of right hemispheric activity in the unsuccessful students, and within limits, seems related to the cognitive and/or emotional stability of these students.


Personality and male-female influences on the EEG alpha rhythm.

The amplitude and frequency of the alpha rhythm was measured in electroencephalic recordings from 45 male and 46 female university students. The mean alpha frequency of the female group was significantly greater than the male group. There was no significant difference in alpha frequency between females in the first half of the menstrual cycle and those in the second half. The relationship between questionnaire measures of psychoticism, extraversion and neuroticism, and the alpha rhythm was investigated using analysis of variance, correlation analysis and factor analysis. Alpha amplitude was significantly greater in extraverted subjects, alpha amplitude and extraversion scores were significantly correlated and both had high loadings on a single factor. No relationship between psychoticism or neuroticism and alpha frequency or amplitude was observed.


The effect of placebo and tricyclic antidepressants on cortical evoked potentials in depressed patients.

Cortical evoked potentials in depressives were recorded in order to study stimulus intensity control in this group, and also to study the effect of treatment. In a sample of 33 psychiatric patients, the amplitudes of visual and auditory evoked potentials were found to be significantly greater during depression, than at recovery. The changes which appeared to be due to recovery were found not only in patients treated with tricyclic antidepressants (n = 22), but in those who had recovered following treatment with placebo (n = 11). The changes were most evident in the auditory system. In addition, no diagnostic predictors differentiated depressed patients who subsequently recovered on placebo from those who did not. It is concluded that: (i) cortical evoked potentials may change in amplitude with emotional state; (ii) placebo may have physiological consequences usually attributed to drugs alone.


The orienting response and stimulus significance: some comments.

Bernstein (1969, 1979) has argued that Skolov's (1963) model is not sufficient to account for the data concerning orienting response (OR) elicitation to stimulus change. He has argued that following the registration of stimulus mismatch, an additional stage of stimulus evaluation occurs and that only stimuli which represent change and are judged as 'significant' elicit ORs. The present paper takes issue with this assertion. It is argued that the data on which the 'significance hypothesis' was originally based are not replicable and that the argument, as it was formulated originally, is tautological. It is also argued that individual differences in OR responsiveness are more parsimoniously explained in terms of individual response stereotypy and that differential responsiveness to different sorts of stimulus change poses problems for the significance hypothesis. Evidence is also reviewed which suggests that the relationship between stimulus change and stimulus significance is additive rather than multiplicative as suggested by Bernstein, i.e., stimulus change and stimulus significance are each sufficient for OR elicitation. Finally, it is concluded that the concept of 'significance', introduced operationally, may be of value in terms of examining the role of the OR in information processing.


Synchronization of respiration.

In order to study synchronization of respiration, three different videofragments were presented to 21 normal subjects. Each fragment showed a 'therapeutic interview' specially performed for this purpose, with a 'patient' breathing in a particular way. The respiration of model 1 was deep, slow and clearly audible, the pattern of model 2 was rapid, superficial and slightly audible and that of model 3 was normal and hardly perceptible. The fragments were presented in three different sequences and each sequence was followed by seven subjects. Respiration amplitude (Vt), respiration irregularity (SD of Vt), respiration frequency (RF) and frequency of skin conductance responses (SCRF) were measured. Changes in mean values of these variables were demonstrated during the fragments; an increase in RF was the most pronounced and reliable change. These 'overall' physiological changes did not support the synchronization hypothesis, nor were they at variance with it: they seemed to be effects of attention. A detailed (cycle by cycle) analysis did reveal a synchronization effect in fragment 1. The number of cycles in the subject which were in rhythm with the model's respiration was significantly larger than could have been expected by chance. The effect of synchronization, however, was small and transient as it did not affect the mean RF and Vt of fragment 1.


The estimation of dental caries incidence in the presence of diagnostic error.

Diagnostic error in large scale screening programs for dental caries is frequent, as when teeth initially classified as carious are later diagnosed as never having been affected by caries. This paper presents a general formulation of diagnostic error in dental caries screening. The basic parameter of the formulation is the caries incidence rate. The general formulation of this paper permits an explicit comparison, in a common notation, of two specific models of diagnostic error--one due to Carlos and Senning, the other to Lu. Each model gives rise to a consistent estimator of the incidence rate. The distributional properties of these estimators had not previously been examined because of the dependence of teeth in the same mouth with respect to caries experience. Using the present formulation, the sampling scheme may be regarded as a one-stage cluster sample with mouths as clusters. This approach accounts for intracluster dependence thus permitting the derivation of an estimator of the relevant covariance matrix and a confidence interval for the incidence rate.


Detection of a treatment effect when not all experimental subjects will respond to treatment.

Non-responders attenuate average response an inflate sample variance, reducing the power of standard parametric tests. A new Fisher's type randomization test, which has no parametric analogue, is recommended when not all subjects may be capable of responding to treatment. The new test was evaluated by Monte Carlo means and applied to drug abuse data and to virus titre data. In most trial applications the new test proved to be more sensitive to treatment effects than Student's t.


Restricted randomization designs in clinical trials.

Though therapeutic clinical trials are often categorized as using either "randomization" or "historical controls" as a basis for treatment evaluation, pure random assignment of treatments is rarely employed. Instead various restricted randomization designs are used. The restrictions include the balancing of treatment assignments over time and the stratification of the assignment with regard to covariates that may affect response. Restricted randomization designs for clinical trials differ from those of other experimental areas because patients arrive sequentially and a balanced design cannot be ensured. The major restricted randomization designs and arguments concerning the proper role of stratification are reviewed here. The effect of randomization restrictions on the validity of significance tests is discussed.


Prophylaxis and therapy of HBsAg positive hepatitis.

Different forms of prophylaxis and therapy of HBsAg positive hepatitis are discussed. Prevention of HBsAg positive hepatitis has been attempted by passive and active immunisation. For passive immunisation against parenteral infections hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) of high titer has to be used. However, the protection provided by HBIG is incomplete and temporary. Therefore active immunisation is to be preferred for protection of high risk groups. Experiments using the 22 nm spheric particles prepared from plasma of chronic carriers showed the efficacy of this type of vaccine. The direct way to treat the different forms of hepatitis B is the eradication of the virus from the body. Success has been claimed with the use of interferon and adenine arabinoside. However, this antiviral therapy is still in an experimental stage. In some forms of HBsAg positive hepatitis the liver damage is supposed to be the result of an immune response against the virus. Immunosuppression in these conditions failed, however, to show a beneficial effect. Corticosteroids turned out to be harmful in all forms of acute hepatitis and are therefore contraindicated. Chronic hepatitis B seems to be caused by the inability of the immune system to clear the virus. Successful results have been claimed employing immune stimulative agents like BCG, levamisole, and transfer factor. Most of these reports, however, are anecdotycal and the more comprehensive studies are uncontrolled.


Radioimmunoassay determination of two main cross-reacting viral antigens during radiation and Rauscher induced leukemias.

The two main proteins p 30 and gp 70 from the Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV) have been isolated, labeled with 125I and used in radioimmune competition assays to estimate the amount of cross-reacting antigens produced during the evolution of various leukemias. The Rauscher leukemia in Balb/c mice, the radiation induced leukemia (RadLV) in C57Bl mice and two types derived therefrom by serial passages in mice (RadLV-RS) and in rats (RadLV-rat) were studied. Whereas the p 30 from RLV or RadLV (rat) viruses showed complete identity, the cross-reaction of their gp 70 proteins wasonly partial. The main findings in the tissues were the following: 1. The concentration of p 30 and gp 70 antigens increased much more during the RadLV-rat leukemia than in irradiated or RadLV (RS) treated mice. 2. In the serum, the ratio p 30/gp 70 was in general higher than one in the Rauscher leukemic mice and less than one in all types of RadLV leukemias. 3. In the spleen, RLV and RadLV (RS) infected mice had higher levels of p 30 than of gp 70. The reverse occurred in irradiated mice and in leukemic rats. Finally, the catabolic degradation of labeled RLV gp 70 was similar in normal and leukemic mice.


Effects of ornithine alphaketoglutarate on blood insulin, glucagon and aminoacids in alcoholic cirrhosis.

After summing up existing theories about the origins and development of functional hepatic encephalopathy, the authors report on the effects of six-hour intravenous infusions of ornithine alphaketoglutarate (60 g dissolved in 500 ml distilled water), administered to 10 patients with ethylic hepatic cirrhosis in conjunction with a normal protein intake (70 g/day). Arterial blood ammonemia, venous blood aminoacidemia and the insulin/glucagon ratio did not vary during or after infusion. This method of treatment therefore seems to meet the protein requirements of these undernourished patients.


Humoral regulation of pluripotent stem cell differentiation.

Humoral regulators of CFU-S differentiation have been demonstrated in bone marrow of Ara-C treated animals. These factors are effective in vivo and are also capable of inducing erythropoietic differentiation of normal CFU-S in vitro. These results seem to indicate that the microenvironment acts at the committed stem cell level while the factors described in this paper act on the pluripotent stem cells.


Spontaneous rosette formation in patients with oral cancer.

The percentage of "total" E-rosettes was studied in the peripheral blood of 38 untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, performing the test at 4 degrees C and at 20 degrees C. At 4 degrees C the quantity of the E-rosettes was higher than at 20 degrees C. The mean value of E-rosettes was strongly reduced only in 17 of these patients with metastases in the regional lymph nodes when compared with a group of 40 normal individuals as well as with the group of remaining 21 patients with localized cancer (P less than 0.001), whatever the temperature of testing. The mean percentage of 20 degrees C E-rosettes was significantly higher in patients with localized disease than in the 22 normal donors (50.2 +/- 3.0% vs 41.8 +/- 2.0%, P less than 0.01) but in favour of 4 degrees C E-rosettes the difference was not significant (57.3 +/- 2.8% vs 54.2 +/- 2.9%). Thus there was a clear correlation between changes of the T cell level and the clinical stage of the disease.


Effect of a sarcolysin-containing polymer on the the lymphatic tissues and immune response to sheep red blood cells.

The influence on the size of lymphoid organs and immune response to sheep erythrocytes in BALB/c mice of an effective antitumor polymer preparation, a compound of sarcolysin with a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and maleic anhydride (SVPMA) was studied. A significant reduction in the weights of the thymus and spleen, and in the serum hemagglutinin titers as well as a slight decrease in the number of spleen rosette-forming cells were observed on animals receiving sarcolysin rather than on animals receiving SVPMA when compared with each other as well as with a control group of mice. Moreover a significant stimulating effect on the size of the lymph nodes and partly on the spleen was seen in the mice treated with SVPMA. These results, therefore, provide additional evidence on the possibility to obtain, on the basis of synthetic polymers, effective antitumor preparations with minimal or no immunodepressive properties.


In vitro estimation of the proliferative state of murine bone marrow "colony forming units in culture" (CFUc) with hydroxyurea (HU).

Exposure of CFUc to 1.0 mM of HU for two hours was at the plateau of both the dose--and time--respose curves, killing 38% of the CFUc. This is compatible with the result of the 3HTdR "suicide" method, a standard procedure for the estimation of the proportion of CFUc being in the S phase.


The histological changes in the liver, lung and kidney after scorpion poisoning (Buthus quinquestriatus).

The effect of sublethal doses of Buthus quinquestriatus on the hepatic vascular bed and hepatic parenchyma were studied. The main effect of the venom was primarily on the vascular bed of the liver as manifested by dilatation of branches of the hepatic artery, portal vein together with intravascular thrombi and subcapsular haemorrhages. Apart from mild hydropic degeneration some cells of the hepatic parenchyma showed focal necrosis and Kupffer cells were frequently hypertrophied and contained pigment. In the lung, dilated thrombosed vessels were observed. In the kidney, the vessels showed the smae changes. The epithelial and endothelial cells of the glomeruli appeared normal except for slight swelling with intact basement membrane. The tubular cells were swollen with increased granularity and attenuation of their tubular lumen, a picture compatible with hydropic degeneration. The possible mechanisms in inducing such lesions were discussed.


PBG-synthetase activity in the liver of Yoshida sarcoma-bearing rats.

The etiology of anemia in cancer is not fully understood. A possible cause of the anemia of tumor-bearing animals could be a decreased activity in the enzymes of the heme-pathway. We report the enzyme activity of porphobilinogen-synthetase in the liver of Yoshida sarcoma-bearing rats. PBG-synthetase activity in the whole liver, is higher in tumor-bearing rats than in controls, although the enzyme activity by a gram of wet liver is decreased. Hence PBG-synthetase activity is not a limiting factor in the biosynthesis of heme in tumor-bearing animals.


The value of serum alkaline phosphatase alpha 1 isoenzyme in the diagnosis of liver metastases. Preliminary results.

Serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme electrophoresis on cellulose acetate plates in a normal population of 91 controls and 255 cancer patients demonstrates the presence of an isoenzyme alpha 1 in 36 out of39 cases of confirmed liver metastases. In 188 cancer patients without apparent hepatic lesion and with a normal liver biology, the alpha 1 isoenzyme has been found in 45 cases, but 11 presented afterwards confirmed liver metastases. This isoenzyme remained negative in the normal population. Therefore, our results indicate that the alpha 1 alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme may be a useful marker for the biological diagnosis of liver metastases.


A comparative study of the Coulter Counter Model S, for the enumeration of peripheral leukocyte counts below 3.0 x 10(9)/l using whole blood and prediluted blood.

In this study low leukocyte counts were carried out using several methods. The results obtained by the visual method, the Coulter Model "S" using "whole blood", and the Coulter DN, show close correlation, but discrepancies exist when the Coulter S uses "prediluted blood". This is explained by excessive bubbles. This does not allow the Coulter Model S to be used with confidence for low leukocyte counts if "whole blood" is not available.


Electric birefringence of DNA and chromatin. Influence of divalent cations.

The effects of divalent cations on the DNA and chromatin conformation have been investigated by electric birefringence and birefringence relaxation measurements at low and constant ionic strength (0.001). An important decrease of the intrinsic optical anisotropy of DNA has been found in the presence of Mn2+ and Cu2+, but not with Mg2+. A complex variation of the mean relaxation time with the ratio I/P of ion to DNA-phosphate molar concentration has been evidenced in the presence of Mn2+ and Cu2+, while the mean relaxation time monotonously decreased in the presence of Mg2+. These observations are interpreted in terms of a specific organization of DNA in a compact, rigid structure, in the presence of Mn2+ and Cu2+, and a non-specific coiling in the presence of Mg2+. Drastic conformational changes encountered by chromatin in the presence of Mg2+ and Mn2+ cations have also been evidenced through electric birefringence measurements. They are interpreted by the formation of a superhelical compact arrangement of nucleosome strings which yielded a reversal of the birefringence sign with respect to the negative anisotropy observed in the presence of Na+ ions. The removal of the histone H1 prevented the appearance of this quaternary structure. More extended fragments of the chromatin chain obtained by ECTHAM chromatography of sonicated chromatin could not afford such compact arrangements.


Electric permittivity and dielectric dispersion of low-molecular weight DNA at low ionic strength.

The dielectric properties of sonicated calf-thymus DNA (MW approximately 3 X 10(5) g mol-1) have been investigated in a frequency range between a few kHz and 100 MHz. Two samples, sonicated in a different way were used after proper characterization including light-scattering, viscometry and contour length distribution by electron microscopy. Dielectric measurements were performed at several concentrations between 10(-4) and 3 X 10(-3) monomol 1-1 and 22 degrees C. Under all circumstances two separated dispersion regions were observed, the corresponding specific increments of which decreased with increasing concentration. The same was observed with the mean relaxation time of the high frequency dispersion. Both the frequency and concentration dependence was largely analogous to what is observed with other polyelectrolytes. Values of the dielectric parameters extrapolated to infinite dilution could also be interpreted in the same manner as for more simple, charged macromolecules and no specific effects had to be taken into account.


Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by TX-100.

At high detergent concentrations, approximately the equivalent of 2 micelles of TX-100 reversibly bind to acetylcholinesterase and fully inhibit the enzyme. This result suggests that the appropriate lipid environment might regulate this neuronal enzyme's function.


Selection and self-organization of self-reproducing macromolecules under the constraint of constant flux.

We investigate the dynamic behavior of a set of self-reproducing macromolecules (e.g., polynucleotides) under conditions such that the fluxes of all monomer units into the system are kept constant. Such conditions might prevail in an evolution reactor or in certain naturally occurring situations. A general set of equations is developed to describe the behavior of both the macromolecule and the monomer concentrations. The question of how the rate of macromolecule synthesis varies with the monomer levels is discussed briefly. With the help of several physically reasonable approximations, we obtain an exact solution for a simplified constant flux system. Comparison with the corresponding system under the constraint of constant overall organization reveals important similarities, most notably in the existance and composition of quasispecies. Given the same set of physical and chemical parameters, a system subject to constant flux will always evolve toward selective equilibrium more slowly than under the constraint of constant organization.


Statistical-mechanical theory of passive transport through semipermeable membranes.

The first general multicomponent equations for transport through semipermeable membranes are derived from basic statistical-mechanical principles. The procedure follows that used earlier for open membranes, but semipermeability is modelled mathematically by the introduction of external forces on the impermeant species. Gases are treated first in order to clarify the problems involved, but the final results apply to general nonideal solutions of any concentration. The mixed-solvent effect is treated rigorously, and a mixed-solvent osmotic pressure is defined. A useful specific identification of so-called osmotic flow is given, along with a demonstration that such an identification cannot be unique. Results are obtained both for discontinuous membrane models, and for a continuous model.


Self-association of lyophilized horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase.

The molecular weights of lyophilized and non-lyophilized horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase have been compared by quasi-elastic light scattering, and ultracentrifugation. Whereas the non-lyophilized enzyme has the expected molecular weight of 78 000, the lyophilized enz)me has an initial molecular weight of about 10(6) which increases with time by an endothermic process. This result shows that any physical measurement using lyophilized liver alcohol dehydrogenase to investigate the enzyme mechanism, which relies upon the molecular size, will be invalid.


Molecular mechanism for the initial process of visual excitation. IV. Energy surfaces of visual pigments and photoisomerization mechanism.

Using the twisted conformations of the chromophores for visual pigments and intermediates which were theoretically determined in the previous paper, energy surfaces of the pigment at - 190 degrees C were obtained as functions of the torsional angles theta 9-10 and theta 11-12 or of the torsional angles theta 9-10 and theta 13-14. In these calculations, the existence of specific reaction paths between rhodopsin (R) and bathorhodopsin (B), between isorhodopsin I (I) and bathorhodopsin, and between isorhodopsin II (I') and bathorhodopsin were assumed. It was shown that the total energy surfaces of the excited states had minima C1 at theta 9-10 approximately -10 degrees and theta 11-12 approximately -80 degrees, C2 at theta 9-10 approximately -85 degrees and theta 11-12 approximately -5 degrees, and C3 at theta 9-10 approximately -0 degree and theta 13-14 approximately -90 degrees. These minima are considered to correspond to the thermally barrierless common states as denoted by Rosenfeld et al. Using the total energy surfaces in the ground and excited states, the molecular mechanism of the photoisomerization reaction was suggested. Quantum yields for the photoconversions among R, I, I' and B were related to the rates of vibrational relaxations, radiationless transitions and thermal excitations. Some discussion was made of the temperature effect on the quantum yield. Similar calculations of the energy surfaces were also made at other temperatures where lumirhodopsin or metarhodopsin I is stable. Relative energy levels of the pigments and the intermediates were discussed.


The directional absorption properties of rhodopsin and its photoproducts.

The experimental data on the absorption of a plane polarised light by a solution of cattle rhodopsin at -196 degrees C have been theoretically analysed to model the directional absorption properties of rhodopsin and its photoproducts. It is seen that these molecules behave like planar absorbers having a ratio of about 100 : 7 between the extinction coefficients along the long axis and perpendicular to it. Using this result and the experimental observations on absorption and dichroism in the retina in situ, a model for the configuration of chromophores in the disc membranes has been derived. In this model the plane of the chromophore is perpendicular to that of the disc and the long axis of the chromophore makes an angle of 6.6 degrees with the plane of the disc. The solution of the problem depends on the assumption that the absorption axes are the same for the rhodopsin, prelumirhodopsin and isorhodopsin.


Influence of the 6-trimethylsilyl group on the fragmentation of the trimethylsilyl derivatives of some 6-hydroxy- and 3,6-dihydroxy-steroids and related compounds.

The 25 eV mass spectra of the trimethylsilyl derivatives of a number of 6-hydroxy and 3,6-dihydroxy steroids together with deuterium and 18O-labeled analogs have been examined to determine the influence of the 6-OTMS group on fragmentation patterns. Ions in the cholestane series at m/z 321 and 403 were the most characteristic ions derived from the 6-OTMS function; their relative abundances, although low in the spectra of 6-OTMS steroids themselves, were considerably elevated when a 3-OTMS or 3-oxo group was present. Similar ions were present in the spectra of androstane and pregnane derivatives. No correlation was found between the abundance of these ions and the stereochemistry at C3, C5, or C6. Fragmentation mechanisms and gas chromatographic data are discussed.


Separation and determination of oleic and cis-vaccenic acids by gas-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry using a polar cyanopropylsiloxane liquid phase.

The separation and quantification of the monoenoic isomeric oleic (cis-9-octadecenoic) and cis-vaccenic (cis-11-octadecenoic) acids as their pyrrolidine derivatives, was studied with a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer system using mass chromatography. By monitoring the characteristic ions of the pyrrolidine derivatives of oleic (m/z 208 and 222) and cis-vaccenic (m/z 210 and 224) acids, both derivatives were separated. The ratio of m/z 210 to 208 was proportional to the relative amounts of cis-vaccenic to oleic acid. By this method, the content of cis-vaccenic acid in choline phosphoglycerides from rat liver and Yoshida ascites hepatoma (AH 7974) was determined.


Some new fluorescent derivatives for the mass spectrometric quantitation of biogenic amines.

The 5-dimethyl-, diethyl-, dipropyl-, dibutyl-, and dipentyl-aminoaphghalene-1-sulfonyl (dansyl, ethanyl, propansyl, bansyl and pentansyl respectively) derivatives of tyramine and other biogenic amines were prepared and their mass spectra recorded. The relative intensity of the largest unique ion increased with increasing length of the alkyl group. Several O-alkyl-N-propansyl- and N,O-dialkyl-N-propansyl-, bansyl- and pentansyl-tyramines were also synthesized and their mass spectra recorded. Dimethylbansyl- and dimethylpentansyl-tyramines exhibited the largest unique ions in their mass spectra and the greatest sensitivity in quantitation by the integrated ion current method. Procedures for preparing these derivatives in amounts ranging from nanograms to milligrams are presented and their thin-layer chromatographic behavior in three solvent systems is described.


Methane-oxygen enhanced negative ion mass spectra of polychlorinated diphenyl ethers.

Methane-oxygen enhanced negative ion mass spectra of 15 chlorinated diphenyl ethers contained some combination of [M-]-., [M-1]-, [M-19]-, [M-36]-, [M-55]-, and [M+35]- anions. The relative abundances of these ions are related to the chlorine substitution pattern. Similar ions appear in the negative ion spectra of polychlorinated anisoles. The study of known isomers of polychlorinated model compounds extends the utility of the negative ion method in the analysis of polychlorinated aromatics such as polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins and furans. The spectra were shown to be very dependent on the temperature of the ion source; a temperature change of 25 degrees C was shown to have pronounced effects. Spectral variation with temperature has implications for computer library searches, ultimate sensitivity limits and analysis in the presence of interfering isobaric ions.


The electron impact mass spectra of some clinically important androsterones and androsterols as their formate derivatives.

The electron impact mass spectra of a number of androsterones and androsterols as their formate ester derivatives are discussed; these ester derivatives are in common use for routine assay of 17-oxosteroids and 17-oxogenic steroids in biological samples.


Inexpensive analog equipment for processing gas chromatography mass spectrometry data.

Using relatively simple analog circuitry, and an inexpensive analog frequency modulated tape recorder (or a modified audio recorder) for data storage, repetitively scanned spectra may be examined on an oscilloscope, and reconstructed mass chromatograms produced. The same equipment may be used for peak matching, and for selective ion detection over the full mass range of a sector instrument.


The effect of crystal size on the bioavailability of benoxaprofen: studies utilizing deuterium labeled drug.

A study of the effect of crystal size on the bioavailability of benoxaprofen, 2-[4-chlorophenyl]-alpha-methyl-5-benzoxazoleacetic acid, in man is reported. The technique utilized comparison of either the plasma concentrations or urine levels, resulting from administration of deuterium labeled (2H7) drug in solution coadministered with a test capsule formulation. Drug concentrations were determined by gas chromatography, and the ratio of labeled to unlabeled drug was obtained by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Measurements following coadministration of labeled and unlabeled drug in solution established the absence of an isotope effect due to the presence of deuterium. The dry formulations consisted of either a 3.17--100 micron fraction (mean = 18.5 microns) or a 32--1000 micron fraction (mean = 610 microns) formulated with starch powder. The results in three subjects indicate an almost complete availability (0.95--0.98) of the small crystals as measured by comparison of either area under the plasma level curves or urine excretion (0.94--0.97) of labeled versus unlabeled drug measured to 168 hours. The larger crystals exhibited a lower availability as shown by plasma levels (0.41--0.46) or urine recovery (0.39--0.43). A higher dose of the large crystal formulation resulted in decreased relative availability with a fourfold dose dropping availability to 0.22 in a single subject.


Aporphines. 25-trimethylislyl derivatives of N-methyl and N-propyl aporphines: gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties.

A series of synthetic, semisynthetic and naturally occurring aporphine alkaloids were converted to the O-trimethylsilyl derivatives, and analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. A discussion of structurally informative fragment ions along with gas chromatographic data is presented. Their applicability to the analysis of biological metabolites of apomorphine, a CNS active structural analog of dopamine, is discussed.


The effects of heating rate and sample size on the direct exposure/chemical ionization mass spectra of some biological conjugates.

A direct exposure probe has been used to obtain mass spectra of underivatized guanosine, deoxyguanosine, sucrose and the p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucuronide. In all cases, a protonated molecular ion is produced with good relative abundance. The effects of heating rate and sample size on the production of the [MH]+ ION ARE EXAMINED IN DETAIL FROM TOTAL ION ANd single ion currents produced during rapid, repetitive scanning of the spectra after probe insertion. From this data we conclude that protonated molecular ions are produced as a result of the enhanced volatility of neutral molecules on the probe surface, followed by chemical ionization, and not by surface ionization.


The identification of 3-keto-2-methylvaleric acid and 3-hydroxy-2-methylvaleric acid in a patient with propionic acidemia.

Two abnormal metabolites, 3-keto-2-methylvaleric acid and 3-hydroxy-2-methylvaleric acid, have been identified and quantitated in the urine of a child with propionic acidemia. These metabolites may be produced as a result of the self-condensation of propionyl-CoA. Data are presented to show that the unusual ketone, 3-pentanone, which has been observed previously in the urine of patients with propionic acidemia, is produced as a result of the decarboxylation of 3-keto-2-methylvaleric acid.


Synthesis and back exchange of 18O labeled amino acids for use as internal standards with mass spectrometry.

Amino acids with two oxygen-18 atoms in the carboxyl moiety can be synthesized easily from the amino acids and H2 18O through exchange. The exchange conditions are simply solution of the amino acid (1-4 mg) in acidic H2 18O (0.1-0.2ml) followed by heating at 60-70 degrees C for several days. Eighteen oxygen-18 amino acids with incorporations typically greater than 90% 18O2 have been achieved and characterized by mass spectrometry. The exchange conditions do not lead to racemization. Loss of the oxygen-18 atoms through back exchange was found to be pH and temperature dependent, but yet slow enough to allow these isotopimers to be used in most studies as internal standards for quantitative mass spectrometry. The 18O carboxylic atoms were not exchanged upon incubation in plasma for three days at 37 degrees C, PH 7.4. The exchange reaction is general enough to allow the simultaneous synthesis of several [18O] amino acids.


Mass-transfer effects on the rate of isomerization of D-glucose into D-fructose, catalyzed by whole-cell immobilized glucose isomerase.

The investigated catalyst system consists of immobilized Arthrobacter cells containing the enzyme glucose isomerase, which catalyzes the isomerization of glucose into fructose. The internal structure of the catalyst was determined from electrom microscope photographs of replicas of freeze-etched catalyst. On the basis of the photographs a model for the internal structure of the catalyst was proposed. This structure was subsequently used to describe the reaction including mass-transfer effects. It appeared that under normal operating conditions the external mass-transfer rate does not influence the overall rate of reaction. The effect of internal mass-transfer resistances on the overall reaction rate can well be accounted for by the so-called porous sphere model. The intrinsic kinetics of the isomerization catalyzed by the present catalyst system can be represented by a modified Michaelis-Menten equation for a reversible one-substrate reaction.


Kinetics and stability of immobilized chicken liver xanthine dehydrogenase.

Xanthine dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.37) was isolated from chicken livers and immobilized by adsorption to a Sepharose derivative, prepared by reaction of n-octylamine with CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. Using a crude preparation of enzyme for immobilization it was observed that relatively more activity was adsorbed than protein, but the yield of immobilized activity increased as a purer enzyme preparation was used. As more activity and protein were bound, relatively less immobilized activity was recovered. This effect was probably due to blocking of active xanthine dehydrogenase by protein impurities. The kinetics of free and immobilized xanthine dehydrogenase were studied in the pH range 7.5-9.1. The Km and V values estimated for free xanthine dehydrogenase increase as the pH increase; the K'm and V values for the immobilized enzyme go through a minimum at pH 8.1. By varying the amount of enzyme activity bound per unit volume of gel, it was shown that K'm is larger than Km are result of substrate diffusion limitation in the pores of the support material. Both free and immobilized xanthine dehydrogenase showed substrate activation at low concentrations (up to 2 microM xanthine). Immobilized xanthine dehydrogenase was more stable than the free enzyme during storage in the temperature range of 4-50 degrees C. The operational stability of immobilized xanthine dehydrogenase at 30 degrees C was two orders of magnitude smaller than the storage stability, t 1/2 was 9 and 800 hr, respectively. The operational stability was, however, better than than of immobilized milk xanthine oxidase (t 1/2 = 1 hr). In addition, the amount of product formed per unit initial activity in one half-life, was higher for immobilized xanthine dehydrogenase than for immobilized xanthine oxidase. Unless immobilized milk xanthine oxidase can be considerable stabilized, immobilized chicken liver xanthine dehydrogenase is more promising for application in organic synthesis.


Analysis of the coupled transport, reaction, and deactivation phenomena in the immobilized glucose oxidase and catalase system.

In a previous paper, the overall or macrokinetics of the immobilized glucose oxidase--catalase system has been presented. In this paper a detailed analysis of the interaction of diffusion and reaction in this system will be presented. The mathematical treatment includes two consecutive reactions with two-substrate kinetics. Furthermore, the deactivation of both enzymes due to the intermediate product peroxide is taken into account. The predicted results suggest that the efficiency of the glucose oxidase reaction depends on the concentration ranges of the two substrates. Furthermore, the external mass-transfer rate may cause a shift from glucose limitation to oxygen limitation. The efficiency of the coupled system is always higher than that predicted for the uncoupled reaction path. The calculations show that the economics of the coupled system depend a great deal on the deactivation of the enzymes.


Hydrophobic esters of cellulose: properties and applications in biochemical technology.

We have investigated the utility for enzyme immobilization of several hydrophobic cellulose esters, as a function of solvent composition, extent of esterification, and enzyme. Phenoxyacetyl cellulose was also used for immobilization of rat liver microsomes, hydrophobic chromatography of proteins, and removal of Triton X-100 from protein solutions. Phenoxyacetyl groups esterified to cellulose were much less subject to enzymatic hydrolysis than soluble phenoxyacetyl esters.


An electrochemical sensor for continuous intravascular oxygen monitoring.

The intravascular PO2 sensor described in this paper essentialal routine use. The small dimensions of the sensor permit its introduction into the vessel through a conventional guiding catheter size 4 F or larger. With 5 F catheters, simultaneous blood sampling and/or blood pressure measurement is possible. The accuracy and stability of the sensor permit continuous PO2 measurement to be performed over several days.


Intraarterial vs. transcutaneous PO2 monitoring in newborn infants. Indications and limitations.

For continuous PO2 monitoring as a valuable diagnostic tool in intensive care of newborn infants two methods are available, namely transcutaneous and intravascular monitoring. Both methods have advantages and limitations, but they are rather complementary than competing. The necessity of these new methods and the clinical implications are described.


Practical experiences with the routine application of the intravascular PO2 probe.

The practical experience with the routine use of 53 Roche PO2 probes, introduced through the radial artery in artificially ventilated patients of all age groups, during up to 8 1/2 days, is described. It may be concluded that many observations are only possible by continuous measurement, which, for example, makes possible a quicker and more accurate control of breathing and respiration. In some cases the cost-benefit calculation even favors continuous measurement.


Continuous measurement of arterial PO2. Significance and indications in intensive care.

The use of continuous arterial PO2 monitoring with the aid of intra-arterial electrodes is discussed with reference to 50 patients in an intensive care unit specializing in internal medicine. Monitoring time ranged from 2 h to 15 days. There were no serious complications which could, with certainty, be attributed to the intravascular measurement of PO2. The advantages of this method lie particularly in the early detection of hypoxemias, in the uninterrupted monitoring of artificial respiration and in the immediate indication of favorable and unfavorable response to therapy. Finally, a list is given of possible indications in which this method can be used in intensive medicine.


Clinical suitability and accuracy of a new combined system for the transcutaneous and intravascular determination of PO2.

The clinical suitability and accuracy of the Hoffmann-La Roche continuous oxygen partial pressure measuring system, consisting of transcutaneous and intravascular probes, modules and recorder, was tested in routine use in a unit for vascular and heart surgery of the University Clinic in Göttingen. The stability of the system was good, accuracy was sufficient for clinical purposes (compared with a conventional discrete blood gas analysis technique) and practical suitability was good in routine use. The unit was simple to use, provided preparatory and calibratory steps were completed with necessary care and precision. Based on our experience with the unit, it is correct to say that it represents a refined and sufficiently accurate method suitable for use under clinical conditions. The need for strict adherence to the operating instructions must, however, be emphasized if incorrect measurements are to be avoided.


[Treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma in mice C3H/He by Co 60 and hyperbaric oxygen (author's transl)].

Experimental study of rhabdomyosarcoma with successive transplantation upon C3H/He mice, treated by irradiation (Co 60) and combined irradiation-hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), dating from 3, 14 and 15 days after transplantation. The data (tumor volume evolution, histological modifications, pulmonary metastases) are compared with controls. curative radiotherapy depends on starting treatment as soon as possible with or without HBO. After the 14th day, sensitisation to combined HBO and C60 is seen. The extension of pulmonary metastases is a function of tumor growth. Paradoxically metastases were less frequent after HBO only and more frequent after HBO-Co 60.


Distribution and consequences of cell suspensions following intralymphatic infusion.

The fate and consequences of intralymphatic injections of cells was investigated in dogs. The distribution of intact radiolabeled cells was determined in vivo by whole body gamma scanning. Comparison of distributions resulting from intralymphatic, subcutaneous, intradermal and intravenous routes of administration showed that the distribution and duration of radiolabel in various organs varied with the route of administration. Following intralymphatic injection, radiolabel was concentrated in first echelon lymph nodes draining the site of injection and was retained in these nodes for over 4 weeks. Histologic studies showed intense cortical and paracortical lymphopoiesis to be associated with the retention of intralymphatically injected tumor cells by first echelon lymph nodes. Serial histologic examination of lymph nodes from intralymphatically injected inbred beagles revealed that the consequent lymphopoiesis persisted for 5 weeks. In vitro evaluation of peripheral blood and lymph node lymphocyte cytotoxicity to the injected cells indicated that retention and nodal lymphopoiesis was associated with the development of direct lymphocyte cytotoxicity. The effects of concommitant tumor burden, cytotoxic drugs and ionizing radiation were also investigated and suggest that the therapeutic potential for use of the intralymphatic route has not yet been realized.


[CEA and breast neoplasms: application of a personal method for determination of CEA in the clinical study of 242 patients (author's transl)].

The authors report their experience of the clinical application of monitoring serum CEA levels in breast tumours, obtained by a new direct method of determination. A total of 242 patients were studied: 124 with benign tumours, 75 with primary carcinoma in various stages; and 43 who had previously undergone to surgery for breast carcinoma. The analysis of pre-surgical specimens demonstrate consistently normal values for the benign tumors, whereas patients with malignant tumours had positive values in 40 p. 100 of cases. Significant differences in values were seen between benign tumours and Stage II malignant tumours, and between Stage II and Stage III tumours, whereas there was no significant difference between benign forms and Stage I, and between Stage III and Stage IV. In patients with metastases, followed up after surgery, the CEA was positive in 94 p. 100 of the cases. In the opinion of the authors, CEA levels do not seem to be useful for the early diagnosis of malignant breast tumours but are important, harmless and inexpensive, in the follow-up of patients who have undergone surgery for breast neoplasms.


[Thyroid trabecular carcinoma. A clinicopathological entity of poor prognosis? (author's transl)].

The records of 32 patients with trabecular carcinomas of the thyroid gland were critically reviewed from a previously published serie of 138 thyroid cancers referred to the Centre Claudius Regaud, between 1952 and 1973. On the basis of clinico-pathological considerations, it seems possible to divide trabecular carcinomas into two groups. Pure trabecular carcinomas (moderately differenciated follicular carcinomas--WOH) which have a poor prognosis (5 years actuarial survival: 13%) related to high rate of local recurrences, fast metastatic spread to the lung, bad response to suppressive hormonotherapy and lack of 131 iode uptake by malignant tissue. Mixed trabeculo-vesicular carcinomas which have in comparison a fairly good prognosis (5 years actuarial survival: 63%) in keeping with a lower tendency to local recurrences and a useful concentration of radioactive iodine by metastases (most of them located in the skeleton) although dependent on the pourcentage of vesicles in the tumor process. Among differentiated thyroid carcinomas, distinction between pure trabecular and mixed trabeculo-vesicular carcinomas with quantitative determination of vesicules seems of great interest in relation to the therapeutic approach.


[Mortality of bladder cancer in France: 1952--1976. Trends and increase, particularly in the South of France (author's transl)].

Trends in mortality from bladder cancer have been described with several statistical methods using bi and multivariate analysis. Between 1952 and 1976, the mortality by bladder cancer was marked by an increase for both sexes with a predominance among the males (annual increase + 3,65%, against 1.34% among the females). In 1976, the age-adjusted rate/100,000 of mortality was 11,35 for males and 3,20 for the females showing an high sex-ratio. The computerized mapping of this cancer geographical distribution shows a significant predominance in the south of France and also a high statistically significant correlation with the geographical distribution of lung and gallbladder cancer mortality in France.


Influence of Temik (aldicarb) on herbicide persistence in cultivated cotton field soil under field conditions.

The effect of the insecticide Temik on the persistence of the herbicides Cotoran and Cobex was investigated in cultivated cotton fields. Temik was applied to the soil which had also been treated with Cotoran or Cobex. Residues were determined at 15 day intervals for four months. Temik was found to inhibit the degradation of both compounds as long as it persisted. As Temik disappeared the degradtation of Cotoran and Cobex increased, attaining after the 15th day the rates shown by Cotoran and Cobex when applied in isolation.


Compartmentalization of 14C-DDT in an experimental old-field plot.

Of the 2.81 X 10(6) micrograms DDT applied to the plot in June 1976, 2.58 X 10(6) micrograms (91.8%) were accounted for as of June 1977. Silk screens, ethylene glycol air samples, and run-off contained 40.57 X 40(-3)%, 0.09 X 10(-3)%, and 1.18 X 10(-3)%, respectively of the DDT aplied. Soil was the major sink for DDT in this study, with 91.8% of the applied DDT located there. Most of the remaining 8.2% was probably lost during the formulation and application of the 14C-DDT granules, some was probably lost in organisms (mainly flying insects) leaving the plot, and some was accounted for by experimental error and error in the counting technique.


Earphone termination and the response of behind-the-ear hearing aids.

An investigation was carried out on the effects on hearing aid response of placing the earphone in the earmould rather than in the case of a behind-the-ear hearing aid. Results from a number of physical configurations are reported and discussed and it is shown that it is possible to achieve a considerable reduction in the height of frequency response peaks. On the basis of the research reported some specific recommendations are made about future aid design.


Investigation of the relationship between adaptation measured binaurally and monaurally.

Recently it has been demonstrated that auditory adaptation can be measured with a monaural technique (Weiler and Friedman, 1973; Weiler and Gross, 1976; Feaster and Weiler, 1975). Because the magnitude of adaptation measured monaurally was nearly identical to that measured binaurally in other experiments, it was assumed that they measured the same phenomenon or phenomena. In the present study the same group of subjects were tested for magnitude of adaptation both monaurally and binaurally. The means were 11.75 dB and 12.17 dB, respectively (N=13). Depsite nearly identical means for the present conditions there was no significant correlation (r=+.27) between the magnitude of adaptation measured under the two conditions. Except for the possibility that individual differences in the ability to do monaural versus binaural tasks may have obscured individual similarities in adaptation, the only other explanation the authors can suggest is that the two techniques measure different aspects of loudness adaptation.


Auditory deprivation--an intrinsic or extrinsic problem? Some comments on Kyle (1978).

The relevance of animal work to early auditory deprivation, as discussed by Kyle (1978), is questioned. It is argued that auditory experience from birth, or even much later, is not necessarily required for subsequent hearing for spoken language. It is also questioned whether concern for intrinsic difficulties, such as possible cortical damage resulting from auditory deprivation, is appropriate. A more productive approach may be to pay more attention to the extrinsic aspect--the linguistically principled rehabilitation of the hearing-impaired child.


Air-borne radiation from bone conduction transducers.

The relative magnitudes of air-borne radiation and mechanical vibration from three types of bone conduction transducer have been measured. The study suggests that the presence of excess air-borne radiation can lead to the observation of a false air-bone gap in audiometry. Some methods of overcoming this effect are considered.


Monaural balances and loudness coding during auditory adaptation.

A monaural simultaneous balance technique was used to compare amounts of adaptation for two conditions: (1) with the test intensity equal to the adapting intensity, and (2) with the test intensity +10 dB above the adapting intensity. Previous findings (Weiler and Hood, 1977) showed a decline in measured adaptation for the second condition using simultaneous binaural balances. That this was not the case for the monaural balances investigated in this study may indicate different adaptation-induced auditory changes are being measured monaurally vs. binaurally.


The BKB (Bamford-Kowal-Bench) sentence lists for partially-hearing children.

Linguistic guidelines for the design of sentences for speech audiometry with children are described, and new lists of test sentences which are based on such guidelines--the Bamford-Kowal-Bench Sentence Lists for Children--are introduced. Audiometric data relating to the use of the new lists are presented and discussed.


The effect of content of initial instructions on the speech discrimination scores of hearing and hearing-impaired children.

This paper investigated the effects of content of initial instructions on the speech discrimination abilities of 8 groups of children (4 groups of hearing children; 4 groups of hearing-impaired children--N = 10 children in each group). The speech discrimination abilities of the children in each group were ascertained with the AB monosyllabic word lists following two modes of initial instructions. It was concluded that with monosyllabic word lists scored phonemically it is essential to instruct each listener to repeat not meaningful whole words but also everything else that he/she recognises, including words which do not make sense, or parts of the words or even single sounds. Failure to highlight in the initial instructions the phonemic aspects of scoring brings about significantly lower speech discrimination scores.


Effects of jet noise on mortality rates.

Two areas, containing a total of over 160,000 people, were examined for mortality rates; one area was directly under incoming flights, near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The other was removed from the LAX flight patterns so that jet noise was not dominant. The two areas were chosen so that they were as nearly alike as possible in age, racial distribution, income and in other relevant factors with the sole major difference of jet noise in one of them. It was found that there was a substantial increase in mortality rates in the area under the jets where there was large noise radiation. In particular, by a most conservative statistical treatment there was in the jet noise area: a 15% increase in deaths due to strokes (cerebro-vascular disease) which accounted for 39 deaths in the two-year period of the study--presumably attributable to the excessive jet noise. Further, in the noise-radiated area there was a 100% increase in deaths due to cirrhosis of the liver (primarily attributed to alcoholism)--amounting to 24 extra deaths in the two years, due to jet noise. One of the disturbing side results of this study was that in these relatively poor regions it appears that there should be about 50% more deaths than were reported and recorded by Los Angeles County. These losses were perhaps due to a concentration of bad, given addresses in the areas in question; this serious loss casts grave doubt on previous studies of eath rates for minority peoples (e.g. blacks), suggesting that the rates may be considerably higher than those previously reported.


Hearing aid candidates--some relevant features.

The age of individual seeking NHS aids has risen steadily since the service was commenced, and the median age is now over 70 years. The major type of hearing loss observed is sensorineural, but a substantial proportion of hearing aid candidates still have a significant conductive element in their hearing loss. This latter group of patients tend to be significantly younger than those without middle ear involvement. The hearing loss when applying for a hearing aid tends to be around 50 dB but is age dependent, younger subjects coming with smaller hearing losses. The most disturbing information obtained on questioning applicants was the long time lapse between recognition of hearing impairment and application for a hearing aid. This averaged almost ten years. The true delay is probably considerably greater than this and must have a substantial bearing on the outcome of hearing aid fitting. Public education and counselling of hearing aid users are suggested as vita needs.


Continuing education and library services for physicians in office practice.

A program is described which incorporates library services into continuing medical education for physicians. The educational service is based on the actual needs of the physician rather than on his perceived needs. The needs assessment is accomplished by reviewing drug-prescribing habits. Current medical literature is then selected for the physician to coincide with his unique educational needs. The program is further designed to evaluate the change in the physician's drug-prescribing habits as a result of his study of the literature received.


Evaluation of manuscripts in health sciences librarianship.

Manuscripts submitted for review and full-length papers and brief communications published in the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association from 1976 through 1978 have been analyzed in order to identify some of the most common problems in the preparation of a paper. The findings point to a need for instructing librarians in (1) understanding the nature of "explanation" in a scientific or historical paper; (2) designing a research project and analyzing the data; (3) preparing data for display; and (4) more effective writing skills.


Profile, data, and management of two learning resource centers, 1970--1978.

Eight years' data have been collected in the operation of learning resource centers (LRCs) for medical and dental students at the Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University. Data present evidence of high utilization of facilities and materials, including the successful use of small group cluster carrels. Management concepts and strategies to account for the data are identified and the LRC profile discussed for an understanding of how the strategies are implemented. These management concepts--responsiveness to students, interaction with faculty, and delivery of coordinated service--are transferable to other institutions and serve as guidlines for efficient management of LRC space, staff, equipment, and acquisition in support of medical and dental school curricula.


New library buildings: Bracken Library, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

A brief sketch is given of the past history and present functions of the Bracken Library. Architectural and decorative features of the new library are described.


The jaundiced patient.

Jaundice is a rewarding condition to investigate because an explanation is usually found. A preliminary diagnosis based on the clinical features and liver function tests is made. Specialized investigations are then undertaken. In cholestasis or if the diagnosis is in doubt an obstructing lesion must be excluded. Ultrasonography should be performed first followed by PTC if the ducts appear dilated, ERCP may be the most useful examination in patients whose ducts are normal and in those who have had previous biliary surgery. If either PTC or ERCP fails to demonstrate the biliary system the other should be attempted. Liver biopsy should be performed before submitting an undiagnosed jaundiced patient to surgery.


Medical treatment of gallstones.

The last 10 years have witnessed an enormous amount of work on the medical dissolution of gallstones. Many compounds have been tested and one, chenodeoxycholic acid, is already available for clinical use in the UK. Others will certainly follow. Much remains to be learned of the mechanisms of action of these drugs and the safety of prolonged administration. Effective methods of preventing gallstone recurrence need to be devised. The practice of cholecystectomy is not yet threatened by medical dissolution of gallstones, but in selected patients medical treatment is now a viable alternative. A start has been made.


Changes in the brain catecholamines in patients with dementia of Alzheimer type.

Brain monoamine concentrations were determined post mortem in 19 patients with dementia of Alzheimer type. Samples were taken from 10 parts of the brain and compared with an age-matched control group. There were lower mean concentrations of dopamine in the demented group of patients in seven regions of the brain, and two of these were at a significant level. There were also significantly lower concentrations of homovanillic acid in the nucleus caudatus and in the putamen. The means of the concentrations of noradrenaline were also lower, and in the putamen and the cortex gyrus frontalis significant differnces were observed. The 5-hydroxytryptamine concentrations were slightly lower in the demented group but the differences did not reach significance. The degree of intellectual deterioration was negatively correlated with the noradrenaline concentrations in the hypothalamus and the cortex gyrus cinguli.


Dichotic perception: evidence for right hemisphere dysfunction in affective psychosis.

The association between lateralized hemispheric dysfunction and psychiatric diagnosis was investigated with a measure of summation of dichotic clicks and with a dichotic competing message task. Ear asymmetries of affective psychotic patients were similar to those of right temporal lesioned controls and differed from those of schizophrenic patients and normal controls. In contrast, schizophrenic patients did not display abnormal auditory perceptual asymmetries.


The use of Schneider's typology for the diagnosis of personality disorders--an examination of reliability.

Schneider's typology of the personality disorders is described briefly. Three psychiatrists made diagnoses on two sets of patients, both of which contained one example of each type. The diagnoses were made with the help of a glossary and based upon the examination of clinical summaries and audio-recordings. Values of two reliability coefficients showed considerable variation between types. High reliability was found for Schneider's asthenic, explosive, depressive and affectionless types. Low reliability was found for the fanatic, labile and hyperthymic types. The insecure and attention-seeking types were overused. Some possible causes of this variation are discussed.


The distinction between the affective psychoses and schizophrenia.

In an attempt to demonstrate a valid boundary between schizophrenia and the affective psychoses, discriminant function analyses have been carried out with history, mental state and follow-up data in two populations of patients. A bimodal distribution of discriminant scores was obtained in one of them (a general psychotic sample of 128 patients), using a discriminant function derived from the same sample; but when the function was applied to the second population (a schizoaffective sample of 106 patients) the distribution was ambiguous. Functions derived from the schizoaffective sample produced highly skewed distributions of discriminant scores in the general psychotic sample. Kraepelin's hypothesis that the functional psychoses consist of two distinct disease entities receives some support from our findings, but there is still no compelling evidence that the universe of psychotic patients falls naturally into these two groups.


Thiamine and pyridoxine lack newly-admitted psychiatric patients.

One hundred and fifty four patients admitted to a general hospital psychiatric unit with a history of poor diet were examined. Serum pyruvate was estimated in all, red cell transketolase in 74 and red cell aspartate transaminase in 66. Significantly more of the 58 abnormally low thiamine patients than of the normal thiamine group showed clinical signs of malnutrition or were diagnosed as chronic alcoholics, drug addicts, schizophrenics or endogenous depressives. Significantly more endogenous depressives than other patients had a raised aspartate transaminase activity coefficient (pyridoxine lack.) While most low thiamine findings are probably manifestations of malnutrition pyridoxine lack may have some aetiological significance in endogenous depression.


Samaritan contact among 325 parasuicide patients.

With the aim of aiding primary prevention of parasuicide by Samaritans, a study of 325 parasuicide patients admitted to hospital was undertaken to discover the extent of knowledge about Samaritans, the proportion of patients who had contacted Samaritans and the reasons why the remainder had not done so. Ignorance about Samaritans was found in 28 per cent, such ignorance being significantly more common among teenagers than in other age groups. Only 1.4 per cent had sought help from Samaritans immediately before the present parasuicidal act, though a further 13 per cent had contacted Samaritans previously. Suggestions are made for future public education programmes about Samaritans.


The prevalence and clinical presentation of psychiatric illness in a rural setting in Kenya.

One hundred and forty patients seen in a suburban walk-in walk-out clinic over a period of 30 days were studied. Twenty-eight (20 per cent) of them were found to be primarily psychiatrically disabled, 83 (59.3 per cent) primarily physically disabled and the diagnosis of the rest (20.7 per cent) was uncertain. The psychiatric patients were found to be suffering from anxiety and depressive states. Their sex, age, education, economic status, symptomatology and duration of the illness were analysed. The findings suggest among other things that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the rural setting in Kenya is high and therefore calls for a proportionate provision of mental health care facilities. They also suggest that anxiety and depression in African patients are masked by somatic symptoms, often leading to unnecessary delays in diagnosis and management.


A case of tranylcypromine ('Parnate') addiction.

A case of addiction to tranylcypromine is described where tolerance occurred and a severe withdrawal illness followed discontinuation of the drug. Previous reports in the literature of similar cases are reviewed and comparisons made, and the implications for management are discussed.


Meaning specificity in sentence processing.

Two experiments were conducted to test the principle of encoding specificity in sentence recognition when the target sentence was embedded in a meaningful discourse. The results indicate that change in meaning context resulted in significantly less recognition of the target sentences while change in sentence form and the target-test interval had no significant effects. The findings were discussed within the framework of a semantic interpretation of the encoding specificity principle.


Differential effects of noise and incentives on learning.

Three experiments are reported. In the first, monetary incentives improved the learning of nonsense words in response to colours only when the test order was the same as presentation order. In the second, incentives increased the recall of spatial location which served as an additional retrieval cue for nonsense words. In the third, noise was used to manipulate arousal. Noise during learning produced a significant decline in recall of locations for nonsense words. The results suggest that incentives increase attentional capacity, while noise does not. Previous results showing that noise increases the use of order cues are discussed and it is suggested that noise induces a type of learning which depends on order cues. Existing hypotheses about the nature of this process are noted but it is argued that further work is needed to select between them.


Self-rated imagery and encoding strategies in visual memory.

The value of self-rated vividness of imagery in predicting performance was investigated, taking into account the mnemonic strategies utilized among subjects performing a visual-memory task. Subjects classified as 'good' or 'poor' imagers, according to their scores in the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ; Marks, 1972), were to detect as rapidly as possible differences between pairs of similar pictures presented consecutively. No coding instructions were given and the mnemonic strategies used were analysed by studying subjective reports and objective performance measurements. The results indicated that the subjects utilized two main strategies--a detail or an image strategy. The detail strategy was the more efficient. In accordance with a previous study (Berger & Gaunitz, 1977), it was found that the VVIQ did not discriminate between performance by 'good' and 'poor' imagers. However, among subjects who used the image strategy, 'good' imagers performed more rapidly than 'poor' imagers. Self-rated imagery may then have some value in predicting performance among individuals shown to have utilized an image strategy.


Perception of simple figures: implicit-shape constancy and mental rotation.

Adults were shown simple figures either drawn on their own or on a face of a depicted cube. Under each of these conditions they were required to find identical figures in an array of stimuli of either the first or the second type. The response chosen determined the next stimulus used, the figures in both being identical. Four chains of 10 responses were thus obtained. Comparison of the choices reveals that the set consisting of 'plain' responses to 'cube' stimuli diverges significantly from the other three sets. This result is discussed in the context of other studies of implicit-shape constancy.


Individual differences in visual imaging and the voluntary control of heart rate.

The role of visual imagery in the bidirectional control of heart rate (HR) was explored in 24 subjects. While voluntary HR increases were reliably demonstrated with and without HR feedback, appropriate HR decreases were modest and inconsistent. Changes in respiration rate (RR) generally paralleled the alterations in HR. Eighteen of the subjects reported conventionally using visual imagery to effect HR changes. For these subjects, vividness of visual imagery scores and the extent of HR change showed indications of a direct relationship in the HR increase condition. However, in the HR decrease condition, it was concomitant RR changes which were associated with the vividness and the control of imagery production. The remaining six subjects, who reported not employing visual imagery, demonstrated superior HR acceleration to the imaging subjects. Further, while the imaging subjects did not benefit from the introduction of feedback, the six non-imaging subjects showed reliably greater HR acceleration as a result of feedback introduction.


Individual differences in reported visual imagery and memory performance.

Seventy high school students completed the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ). Two months later, the 16 highest scores (low visualizers) and the 16 lowest scores (high visualizers) took part in a memory experiment involving abstract words, concrete words and pictures. Analyses of variance showed that high visualizers were superior to low visualizers on all three kinds of item in short-term recall, whereas they were only superior on the concrete words and pictures in long-term recall. Finally, both groups performed equally well on a subsequent recognition test. The results were interpreted as providing support for the validity of the VVIQ.


Variability in reading retardation.

It is argued that much of the confusion which has arisen as to the nature of dyslexia is because retarded readers have so frequently been studied as if they formed a qualitatively homogeneous group. It is suggested that in fact reading is not a unitary process, but that it involves the acquisition of a succession of skills; and that different retarded readers may break down at different stages in the acquisition of these. There may be types of retarded reader who are unable (1) to analyse complex visual shapes; or (2) to analyse whole word sounds into phonemes; or (3) to make simple regular grapheme-phoneme associations; or (4) to grasp irregularities in these; or (5) to group single words into phrases and sentences. Each of these disabilities may be associated with a particular type of deficiency in conceptual thinking.


Coordinating visual and kinaesthetic memory codes.

Four experiments examined the Connolly & Jones (1970) model which postulates that translation between modalities in the cross-modal paradigm occurs before storage in short-term memory. In general, the results provided no support for the translation notion. Delaying until the end of the retention interval knowledge of the reproduction mode failed to produce a matching performance decrement. Subjects were able to maintain the code of original presentation through the retention interval even when they did not expect reproduction to be in this mode. In addition, the asymmetry in the cross-modal matching of visual (V) and kinaesthetic (K) information, whereby K-V performance is more accurate than V-K performance, was found to occur only under certain visual display conditions. The implications of these findings for general models of cross-modal translation were discussed.


Short-term recall of nine-digit strings and the EEG.

In three exploratory studies, EEG changes were monitored while subjects performed a nine-digit recall task. Experiment 1 involved auditory presentation without practice or prior instruction. EEG characteristics measured before the task related to subsequent recall, EEG activation increased progressively during digit presentation and rehearsal, and several between- and within-subject analyses showed increased activation to be associated with poor recall performance. In Expt. 2 the digits were presented visually and subjects were given instruction and practice in an efficient rehearsal strategy. Recall performance improved but its relationship with the pre-task EEG disappeared. Activation increased with digit presentation but the relationship between the EEG and performance was complex since a within-subject analysis associated decreased activation with better performance (as in Expt. 1) while this relationship was reversed in a between-subject analysis. The results are explained both in terms of traditional findings relating activation to recall, and drive theory accounts of learning and performance. Finally, Expt. 3 demonstrated that performance was better, both in the morning (compared with the evening) and on a second testing session. There were complex time of day effects for the EEG, with lower and higher measured frequencies yielding higher voltage output in the evening and intermediate frequencies showing a reverse effect. In summarizing the data from the three experiments it is suggested that different EEG frequencies are differentially sensitive to different conditions (task specific factors, stimulus input characteristics, knowledge of success and failure, degree of task mastery and circadian variation).


The influence of lateral organization on the evaluation of paintings.

This study examines the influence of directional properties of lateral organization on evaluation of paintings. Lateral organization, as defined here, has two dimensions: (1) left or right location of the principal figure; and (2) left-to-right or right-to-left sequence of figures represented by the direction of suggested movement, action, or lines. That previous studies have failed to demonstrate consistently a relationship between evaluations and directional properties is attributed to methodological shortcomings involving lack of control of stimulus properties and exposure time. Here, on the basis of a well-defined judging procedure, paintings were distinguished according to whether each dimension of lateral organization depicted one or more than one direction. Under two exposure conditions, 5 and 20 s, three evaluations (general preference, balance, and dynamics) were made for paintings which were presented simultaneously in the artist-created, original view, and the mirror-image, reversed view. It was found that evaluations were influenced by directional properties (sequence of figures) with a 5 s exposure and by more inclusive formal features with a 20 s exposure. Implications of the findings for perception and aesthetics are considered.


Dimensions and determinants of judgements of colour samples and a simulated interior space by architects and non-architects.

Architects and non-architects made Semantic Differential ratings of colour samples (chips) and a simulated interior space (a model). In analyses of the total samples' ratings (architects and non-architects) of (a) colour chips and (b) models, and individual sample analyses, (c) architects' chip judgements, (d) architects' model judgements, (e) non-architects' chip judgements, and (f) non-architects' model judgements, five factors occurred, though not necessarily all in any one analysis. These were: (i) dynamism; (ii) spatial quality; (iii) emotional tone; (iv) evaluation; (v) complexity. Linear correlations between parameters of the Munsell Color System and the above factors in the various analyses were calculated, while parallel analyses were carried out employing a graphical technique described by Sivik (1974a) involving isosemantic maps. In all analyses, linear correlations between the colour parameters and judgements were found for the dynamism factor, spatial quality factor, and emotional tone factor. They were associated respectively with chroma, value, and hue. Inspection of the isosemantic maps indicated subsidiary effects of the non-dominant dimensions of a non-linear sort, though the maps also exhibited the linear relations. Linear correlations were low or non-existent for the evaluation and complexity factors, and the complex nature of their determinants was clear from the isosemantic maps. The dterminants of judgements were similar for architects and non-architects, with the exception of evaluative judgements for the models in which markedly different determinants were noted. Comparability of the present findings with other studies carried out in a variety of countries over a 20 year period was high for dynamism, spatial quality, and emotional tone, and it is suggested that there may be something inherent in the response to colour in relation to such judgements. Recent physiological work is discussed, and its limitations in terms of colours sampled and an overconcentration on the hue dimension noted. In contrast, it is suggested that dimensions of judgement, such as evaluation or complexity, reflect to a greater extent culture or training, and are hence independent of the basic colour attributes.


Emergence of unreported stimuli into imagery as a function of laterality of presentation: a replication and extension of research by Henley & Dixon (1974).

In Expt. 1, the research by Henley & Dixon (1974) was replicated. Two experimental groups (n=8 each) received subliminal words to the right ear and 8 min of music to the left ear or vice versa. Each group had its own control (n=8 each) with only music to one ear. Categorization and ranking of imagery reported, as well as performance on a checklist containing critical, associated, and non-related words, showed that emergence was greater with words to the right ear than with no words. There was no difference between experimental and control groups with words to the left ear. In Expt. 2, the music was eliminated, and subjects received subliminal words to the right ear (n=8) or no words. A significant difference between groups was found when the reported imagery was ranked as to emergence, and on the checklist, but not when the reports were categorized by judges.


Non-verbal and verbal judgements of length invariance by young children.

One hundred and fifty non-conservers in length were assessed for their ability to make a non-verbal judgement of length invariance on a task employing a train-transfer design in which the stimuli were pairs of pencils. Seventy per cent of the children from the group who had to respond to length equality as opposed to inequality made the correct invariance judgement and could, moreover, characterize their choices in invariance language (e.g. 'same size') whilst still failing the standard verbal task in which such phrases were used by the experimenter. This is regarded as supporting the hypothesis that the non-conserver's linguistic difficulty is not with framing the verbal judgement but in interpreting a question which he believes has to be interpreted unidimensionally in such a context of perceptual change.


On the nature of difficulties in spatial-perceptual tasks: ethnic and sex differences.

The common claim that Africans exhibit a general weakness in handling spatial relationships is questioned, as is that of a general male superiority. The aim of the study was to identify some of the specific areas in which ethnic and sex differences may be located. A sample of 72 Ghanaian children evenly divided according to sex and early, middle and later stages of primary schooling were administered a series of tasks adapted from Piaget & Inhelder (1971); the same tasks were given to an equivalent group of Scottish children. On a block construction task involving memory the Ghanaians performed at the same level as the Scots when working from models, but not when the presentation consisted of photographs or line drawings (P less than 0.001). On two tasks requiring mental rotation of shapes and, subsequently, the actual assembly of shapes into regular figures, the Ghanaians again experienced more difficulty (P less than 0.001). Intercorrelation of scores on the various tasks suggested that the underlying structures of abilities may differ in Ghana and Scotland. The pattern of sex differences was exactly the same in both cultures. Girls did less well with the block construction (P less than 0.001), but there was no significant sex difference on mental rotation or shape assembly.


How specific are perceptual skills? A cross-cultural study of pattern reproduction.

Pattern reproduction tasks were presented in four different media to samples of urban Zambian and urban British schoolchildren. When the patterns were reproduced as wire models, the Zambian children excelled the British. When the patterns were reproduced by drawing, the British children excelled the Zambian. No reliable cross-cultural differences were found when the patterns were reproduced as plasticine models or as configurations of hand positions. Both cultural groups were equally adversely affected when required to perform the modelling tasks or the hand positions task blind-folded. The results are interpreted as suggesting that cross-cultural differences in performance of pattern reproduction tasks reflect different sets of highly specific perceptual skills rather than differences on broader cognitive variables such as practical intelligence, field-dependency or sensotypes.


Interocular transfer of movement after-effects in schizophrenia.

A group of 16 chronic schizophrenic subjects were compared with 15 age-matched control subjects for interocular transfer of movement after-effects. Contrary to the hypothesis that schizophrenic subjects would show a deficit on this measure schizophrenics showed increased transfer compared to the controls. This effect is not due to response perseveration and is not correlated with length of hospitalization, age or dose of antipsychotic drugs. It is suggested that the effect reflects a deficit in 'inhibitory processes' in schizophrenia.