The development of middle-ear admittance in the hamster.

A high-frequency admittance meter was developed and used to study the maturation of physiological function in the middle ear of neonatal golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). The middle-ear input admittance in the frequency range of 0.8-1.8 kHz was measured in animals ranging in age from 6 to 69 days postpartum. Admittance magnitude was found to increase steadily with age, beginning on day 16, to asymptotic values at each test frequency. There were no obvious differences in admittance growth rates within the range of frequencies tested. However, an analysis of the slopes of the admittance ma;nitude frequency response curves revealed an increase from 4.6 dB/octave for animals 25 days old or younger, to 6.3 dB/octave for all older animals. This difference between younger and older subjects indicates that the development of the middle ear in the golden hamster is more complex than a simple increase in pure compliance.


Relationship between adaptation and the percept and transformations of stop consonant voicing: effects of the number of repetitions and intensity of adaptors.

Important issues in selective adaptation research concern the relative contribution of response related (perceptual) and stimulus related (acoustic) effects of the adaptor in the adaptive process. Two response related issues pertain to the effects of the adaptor percept and verbal transformations on adaptation. This investigation systematically examined perceptual and acoustic contributions of the adaptor on the adaptation of the voicing feature. Subjects rated the degree of voicing/voicelessness of end-point VOT adaptors, i.e., 5- and 55-ms VOT, and an acoustically neutral adaptor, i.e., 25-ms VOT, during periods of repetitions. The number of adaptor repetitions during each of ten trials was either 5, 32, or 95, and the intensity of the adapting stimulus was either 50, 70, or 90 dB SPL. The major findings were as follows: (1) No significant correlations were found between ratings of voicing percept of the adaptor and magnitude of boundary shift; (2) Increases in repetitions and relative intensity level of end-point adaptors produced significantly greater phonetic boundary shifts and generally greater affects on ratings of test stimuli; and (3) The end-point adaptors produced significant shifts in rating of boundary and nonboundary stimuli. The findings indicate that neigher the adaptor percept or verbal transformations affected the magnitude of adaptation. These results and those for acoustic parameters strongly suggest an acoustic as opposed to a phonetic basis of adaptation of the voicing feature. Furthermore, the effects of end-point adaptors on boundary and nonboundary stimuli support the generalized change in feature sensitivity assumed by a fatigue model of adaptation.


Ear dominance in perception of dichotic chords: pure tones versus tone glides.

Pitch judgments for dichotic chords composed of two pure tones often show a bias in favor of the chord-component going to one ear. This "ear-advantage for pitch" (EAP) varies between subjects, but is very stable within subject and is thought to reflect differences in spectral "sensitivity" of the two auditory pathways. The present study explored this hypothesis by examining pitch judgments of complexes composed of tones dichotically paired with frequency-varying signals. The direction and strength of EAP was first established using pure tones, then rising tone glides were introduced into the channel going to thenondominant ear. Since a glide possesses less energy at a given frequency than a pure tone of equal duration, an increase in EAP was expected. An increase in EAP was consistently observed for only one subject; three subjects showed small, variable effects; and six subjects displayed a decrease in EAP. The results suggested that factors other than relative spectral sensitivity affect observed EAP.


Auditory versus phonetic accounts of observed confusions between consonant phonemes.

The utility of phonetic features versus acoustic properties for describing perceptual relations among speech sounds was evaluated with a multidimensional scaling analysis of Miller and Nicely's [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 27, 338-352 (1955)] consonant confusions data. The INDSCAL method and program were employed with the original data log transformed to enhance consistency with the linear INDSCAL model. A four-dimensional solution accounted for 69% of the variance and was best characterized in terms of acoustic properties of the speech signal, viz., temporal relationship of periodicity and burst onset, shape of voiced first formanant transition, shape of voiced second formanant transition, and amount of initial spectral dispersion, rather than in terms of phonetic features. The amplitude and spectral location of acoustic energy specifying each perceptual dimension were found to determine a dimension's perceptual effect as the signal was degraded by masking noise and bandpass filtering. Consequently, the perceptual bases of identification confusions between pairs of syllables were characterized in terms of the shared acoustic properties which remained salient in the degraded speech. Implications of these findings for feature-based accounts of perceptual relationships between phonemes are considered.


A theoretical study of the effects of various laryngeal configurations on the acoustics of phonation.

Simulation of glottal volume flow and vocal fold tissue movement was accomplished by numerical solution of a time-dependent boundary value problem, in which nonuniform, orthotropic, linear, incompressible vocal fold tissue media were surrounded by irregularly shaped boundaries, which were either fixed or subject to aerodynamic stresses. Spatial nonuniformity of the tissues was of the layered type, including a mucosal layer, a ligamental layer, and muscular layers. Orthotropy was required to stabilized the vocal folds longitudinally and to accomodate large variations in muscular stress. Incompressibility and vertical motions at the golttis played an important role in producing and sustaining phonation. A nominal configuration for male fundamental speaking pitches was selected, and the regulation of fundamental frequency, intensity, average volume flow, and vocal efficiency was investigated in terms of variations around this nominal configuration. Parameters which were varied consisted of geometrical factors such as length, thickness, and depth, factors for shaping the glottis, as well as tissue elasticities, tissue viscosities, and subglottal pressure. Since nonlinear stress-strain properties were not included, subglottal pressure did not produce a pronounced effect upon fundamental frequency under these somewhat edealized conditions F0 rasing correlated strongly with increased tension in the ligament, and somewhat with increasing tension in the vocalis. F0 lowering correlated with increase in vocal fold length when the tensions were held constant, but not with increase in vocal fold thickness. Vocal intensity and efficiency are shown to have local maxima as the configurational parameters are varied one at a time. It appears that oral acoustic power output and vocal efficiency can be maximized by proper adjustments of longitudinal tension of nonmuscular (mucosal and ligamental) tissue layers in relation to muscular layers. Quantitative verification of the "body-cover" theory is therefore suggested, and several further implications with regard to control of the human larynx are considered.


Individual differences in the perception of dichotic chords.

A new method was employed to measure the changes in the strength of ear dominance in the perception of dichotic chords as a function of stimulus intensity. The results of the first experiment, where the right and left tones were of equal intensity, revealed striking individual differences in the way the ear dominance of five subjects changed as the intensity of the chords was varied over a 60-dB range--no two subjects exhibiting the same pattern of behavior. Since, within the context of the model of Yund and Efron [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 62, 607-617 (1977)] these individual differences could result from right-left asymmetries in the subject's intensity-response (I-R) transduction mechanisms, a second experiment was performed in which the two tones had different intensities. From the results of the second experiment the shape of the I-R function for each ear could be computed. Using these I-R functions as parameters, the model accurately predicted the idiosyncratic changes of ear dominance observed in the first experiment. The right-left asymmetries in the I-R functions also a-count for previously reported idiosyneratic changes in ear dominance as a function of the frequency difference between the two tones of the dichotic chord.


Musical pitch of two-tone complexes and predictions by modern pitch theories.

Most studies of the musical pitch of harmonic tone complexes have utilized signals comparing two or more successive harmonics. The present study provides systematic data on melodic interval recognition by three musically experienced subjects with sounds whose missing fundamentals were represented by two nonsuccessive harmonics nf0,(n + m)f0, delivered to separate ears. Data were obtained in the ranges 1 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 9, 2 less than or equal to m less than or equal to 4, and 200 Hz less than or equal to f0 less than or equal to 1000 Hz. The data are interpreted in the light of three theories, the "optimum processor theory," the "virtual pitch theory," and the "pattern transformation theory." For each theory, a constraint on preformance is proposed based on interference between the "analytic" and "synthetic" pitch perception modes. The former is obtained with large spacings between harmonics, where listeners are more likely to perceive harmonics as individual tones, each having their own pitch. This degrades the listener's ability to hear the fundamental pitch.


Performance of children aged 9 to 17 years on a test of speech intelligibility in noise using sentence material with controlled word predictability.

Performance of children aged 9 to 17 years on the SPIN test (Speech Perception in Noise) is described. The 11- and 13-year-olds performed significantly poorer than 15- and 17-year-olds, and this difference occurred primarily for high-predictability sentences presented at a O-dB signal-to-babble ratio. Performance of nine-year-olds was significantly poorer than performance of 11-year-olds. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.


Relation between voice-onset time and vowel duration.

As part of an investigation of the temporal implementation rules of English, measurements were made of voice-onset time for initial English stops and the duration of the following voiced vowel in monosyllabic words for New York City speakers. It was found that the VOT of a word-initial consonant was longer before a voiceless final cluster than before a single nasal, and longer before tense vowels than lax vowels. The vowels were also longer in environments where VOT was longer, but VOT did not maintain a constant ratio with the vowel duration, even for a single place of articulation. VOT was changed by a smaller proportion than the following voiced vowel in both cases. VOT changes associated with the vowel were consistent across place of articulation of the stop. In the final experiment, when vowel tensity and final consonant effects were combined, it was found that the proportion of vowel duration change that carried over to the preceding VOT is different for the two phonetic changes. These results imply that temporal implementation rules simultaneously influence several acoustic intervals including both VOT and the "inherent" interval corresponding to a segment, either by independent control of the relevant articulatory variables or by some unknown common mechanism.


Considerations in applying clustering techniques to speaker-independent word recognition.

Recent work at Bell Laboratories has demonstrated the utility of applying sophisticated pattern recognition techniques to obtain a set of speaker-independent word templates for an isolated word recognition system [Levinson et al.,IEEE Trans. Acoust. Speech Signal Process. ASSP-27 (2), 134--141 (1979); Rabiner et al., IEEE Trans. Acoust. Speech Signal Process.(in press)]. In these studies, it was shown that a careful experimenter could guide the clustering algorithms to choose a small set of templates that were representative of a large number of replications for each word in the vocabulary. Subsequent word recognition tests verified that the templates chosen were indeed representative of a fairly large population of talkers. Given the success of this approach, the next important step is to investigate fully automatic techniques for clustering multiple versions of a single word into a set of speaker-independent word templates. Two such techniques are described in this paper. The first method uses distance data (between replications of a word) to segment the population into stable clusters. The word template is obtained as either the cluster minimax, or as an averaged version of all the elements in the cluster. The second method is a variation of the one described by Rabiner [IEEE Trans. Acoust. Speech Signal Process. ASSP-26 (3), 34--42 (1978)] in which averaging techniques are directly combined with the nearest neighbor rule to simultaneously define both the word template (i.e., the cluster center) and the elements in the cluster. Experimental data show the first method to be superior to the second method when three or more clusters per word are used in the recognition task.


Masking of filtered noise bursts by synthetic vowels.

The present investigation assessed the simultaneous and temporal masking produced by computer-generated synthetic vowels. The durations (100 and 200 ms) of each of four vowel-like maskers were employed. The masker was presented at 70 dB SPL. The probe signals were three filtered noise bursts whose spectral distributions corresponded to regions of high spectral energy in three English stop consonants. Quiet and masked thresholds were determined using the method of adjustment. Data are reported for two experienced listeners who participated in all the listening conditions. The results were generally in accord with the results of masking experiments using nonspeech signals in that both the frequency specificity of masking and temporal masking effects were demonstrated.


Predicting vocal frequency from selected physiologic measures.

Simultaneous physiologic measures were obtained on four young adult male subjects as they sustained phonation at seven frequencies within their modal-to-falsetto voice range. Data were analyzed using a multiple regression program to determine the contribution of each measure singly and in combination with other measures to the prediction of the resultant voice frequency. Results showed that by far the best predictor was cricothyroid muscle activity for both the pooled data model, and for each individual subject. The contribution of subglottal air pressure and thyroarytenoid muscle activity increased the variance explained by only 4% while the measure of vertical laryngeal position was a significant factor in only one subject's predictive model. Partial models from the pooled data explained from 67% to 73% of the variance; whereas the obtained measures for individual subjects explained from 90% to 94% of the variance.


Exploring azimuth effects with an anthropometric manikin.

In these experiments, the effects of sound direction on the eardrum response of an anthropometric manikin (the KEMAR manikin) were investigated. Pure tones and pink noise (analyzed in 1/3-octave bandwidths) over a wide frequency range were used as signals as the manikin rotated 360 degrees with respect to a point source in a anechoic chamber. The simulated eardrum SPL was compared with the averaged human field-to-eardrum data reported by Shaw [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 56, 1848--1861 (1974)]. It was concluded that the KEMAR manikin can be used up to frequencies of approximately 8.0 kHz, with (1) 1/3-octave pink noise signals to measure a response equivalent to tht obtained by averaging over a number of humans, and (2) pure-tone signals to measure the response equivalent to that of a single human having average head and ear dimensions.


Evidence for direction-specific channels in the processing of frequency modulation.

Evidence is provided for the existence of at least three feature-specific channels in the auditory system. Thresholds for the detection of small repetitive or nonrepetitive frequency changes were measured following various adapting stimuli using a 2IFC procedure in two subjects at 1 kHz. Thresholds for single linear upward frequency sweeps (up sweeps) were increased by a factor of 2 to 3 following exposure to repetitive (8 Hz) up sweeps but not following exposure to down sweeps or tone bursts; correspondingly, thresholds for down-sweep stimuli were increased only by down sweeps. Sinusoidal FM test stimulus thresholds were elevated by both up-sweeps and down-sweeps and to a lesser extent by tone bursts. These results suggest the existence in the auditory system of channels specific to upward FM, downward FM, and probably repetition rate.


Central denervation hypersensitivity in the auditory system of the cat.

Data are reported for seven cats with a total of 29 electrodes permanently placed in or near the cochlear nucleus, the superior olivary complex, the nucleus of the inferior colliculus, and the medial geniculate body. Detection thresholds for pulsate electrical stimuli were measured using an operant behavioral procedure. Electrical stimulation thresholds were measured prior to and following bilateral destruction of the cochleas in all animals. In addition, four of the animals were tested using a site-of-stimulation discrimination prior to and following the cochlear lesion. Finally, hearing loss was evaluated in all cats after the completion of the experiments. Electrical stimulation thresholds showed a mean reduction of 7.9 dB throughout the brain stem auditory system fater cochlear destruction. The ability of the animals to perform the site-of-stimulation discrimination was not permanently impaired by the cochlear lesion. The data indicated the presence of increased sensitivity to electrical stimulation in most regions of the subcortical auditory system, although a lesser effect was found at the thalamic level. It was concluded that stimulation threshold provides an index relevant to the state of auditory neurons proximal to the electrode tip.


Temporal summation of pulsate brain stimulation in normal and deafened cats.

Behaviorally measured, electrical-stimulation thresholds were obtained from 11 electrodes permanently positioned in the auditory system and other brain loci. Number of pulses and interpulse intervals were varied to determine how detection thresholds were affected by stimulation parameters. Detection thresholds generally decreased with increased number of pulses and with shorter interpulse intervals. A method is presented to describe the parametric threshold data for each electrode in terms of three constants: a single-pulse threshold which characterizes the sensitivity of the placement; a time constant of temporal summation; and a compression factor which describes the range of threshold variation. For three placements in the vicinity of cochlear nucleus, bilateral cochlear destruction permanently altered parametric thresholds. In particular, single-pulse threshold was lowered by 9.2 dB; time constant of temporal summation was reduced by a factor of 100; and the compression factor was increased. Classic strength-duration time constants were determined using behavioral methods and were shown to be equal in magnitude to the greatly reduced time constants for temporal summation in the deafened animals. This implies that capacity for temporal integration may be substantially reduced or lost in at least the lower level of the auditory system following deafness.


The effects of aging on the stapedius reflex thresholds.

The acoustic reflex thresholds for broadband noise and 500-, 1000-, and 2000-Hz activating signals were measured in a group of young normal hearing adults and a group of elderly normal hearing subjects. The results indicated that the acoustic reflex thresholds for tonal activating signals in the young subjects were similar to those in the elderly subjects. However, the acoustic stapedius reflex thresholds for broadband noise activating signals is significantly higher in the elderly subjects than in the young. These differences were explained in light of Bredburg's findings [Acta Otolaryngol. Suppl. 236, 1--135 (1968)] regarding degeneration of outer hair cells as a function of aging.


Parent behavioral training: an analysis of the relationship among multiple outcome measures.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship among three types of outcome measures that have been employed to evaluate parent behavioral trainining: observational data collected by independent observers, parent-collected data, and parent-completed questionnaires. Previous research suggests that all three measures yield positive outcome data; however, a correlational analysis has not been performed to determine if the subjects who demonstrate the largest (smallest) change on one measure demonstrate the largest (smallest) change on the other measures. The present study undertook such a correlational analysis. Subjects were 20 young clinic-referred children and their mothers. Treatment consisted of a standardized parent training program to modify child noncompliance. All three outcome measures (observational data, parent-collected data, and questionnaire data) indicated that therapy was effective. A correlational analysis performed on the outcome measures indicated a number of significant relationships for dependent variables within the observational data and within the questionnaire data; however, there were no significant relationships across the three outcome measures. Although different outcome measures may yield similar conclusions about the effectiveness of parent behavioral training, the results suggest that any one subject, relative to other subjects, does not demonstrate uniform degrees of change across the three outcome measures. Explanations for the findings, as well as their implications, are discussed.


Gender-deviant boys compared with normal and clinical control boys.

The physical movement and social characteristics of effeminate behavior-problem, referred boys (N = 13) were compared with those of normal boys (N = 25) and boys (N = 12) referred for nongender problems. Parent reports, observer ratings, and videotapes were collected in a series of structured tasks. As expected, mothers described gender-problem sons as much more feminine than the other two groups in interests, activities, and mannerisms. Gender-problem sons were also seen as relatively inactive and introverted. Further, they were nonsignificantly lower than the clinical control boys in perceived behavior problems, but both groups had marginally more problems than the normal boys. Gender-problem and clinical control boys both showed more body constriction than normal boys in ratings of a videotaped interview. They also both showed less ideal ball-throw form than normal boys on a set of variables scored with slow-motion video. However, in a set of behaviors directly rated in the various tasks, the gender-problem boys gave a uniquely general impression of uncoordination. The groups did not differ on seven additional variables.


An analysis of the hyperactive syndrome: a comparison of hyperactive, behavior problem, asthmatic, and normal children.

In an attempt to determine whether the commonly described deficits associated with hyperactivity--inappropriate activity, short attention span, low frustration tolerance, and impulsivity--are unique to this population, hyperactive, behavior problem, asthmatic, and normal control children were studied. The test most often used in research with hyperactives were administered. Hyperactives, when compared to normals, did show deficits in the aforementioned areas. However, when compared to the behavior problem and asthmatic children only the attentional deficits clearly differentiated hyperactives from the other children.


The utility of tracking child behavior.

To assess the impact of observation training and tracking of child behavior, each of 20 elementary school teachers participating in a behavior modification practicum was assigned to either an experimental or a control group. For each teacher, a disruptive, distractible child was identified as appropriate for behavioral intervention. All teachers were taught identical intervention strategies, but the two groups differed in the degree to which teachers were initially trained and subsequently required to observe and record discrete child behaviors. Multiple measures were used to assess the influence of monitoring child behaviors. These included observed child behavior, observed teacher behavior, teacher ratings, and correspondence between teacher perception and child behavior. Results showed that tracking the behavior of children had little or no effect on any measure.


The relationship of children's attitudes toward alcohol to their value development.

Developmentally, attitudes toward casual alcohol use and toward the abuse of alcohol should be related to the development of value content and value structure. Two studies were conducted that found this to be generally so with upper elementary schoolchildren. A negative attitude toward the abuse of alcohol was definitely related to general measures of the internalization of those values necessary to be a part of any group as well as the rejection of acts generally considered to be deviant in our culture. Attitudes toward casual use of alcohol were also somewhat related, but not as strongly. However, alcohol attitudes were unrelated to stage of moral development or other measures of thinking processes. Some shifts across age and sex were also noted. Programs oriented toward the prevention of alcohol abuse may need to communicate the value norms of our society and can proceed without impacting attitudes toward casual alcohol use.


Relating early child adjustment to infant and parent temperament.

The central question at issue was the role of both infant and parent temperament in determining child adjustment at age 4. Within the conceptual framework of the New York Longitudinal Study (NYLS), both infant and parent temperament were assessed. Factor analyses yielded three comparable infant and parent temperament factors: Mood, Energy, and Consistency. Correlations with teacher ratings of child adjustment indicated the most significant relationship to be with the infant girls' Mood factor (comparable to the NYLS high-risk "difficult" infant factor). No infant factors were found to relate to boys' adjustment, while maternal Mood was significant across sexes. Indices of the temperamental similarity within families also revealed sex differences relative to adjustment, with similarity across all family members significantly related to adjustment for girls and boy-father dissimilarity significant for boys. Discussion centered around continuity-discontinuity issues relevant to sex differences.


The structuring of interpersonal relations in schizophrenic adolescents: a decentering analysis of Thematic Apperception Test stories.

This study tested the hypothesis that schizophrenics employ more developmentally immature levels of decentering in their structuring of interpersonal relations. A 9-point scale of interpersonal decentering, developed originally by Feffer, was applied to Thematic Appercetion Test stories produced by schizophrenic adolescents and a control group of psychiatrically disturbed patients equivalent in age and intellectual functioning. Results provided convincing support for the hypothesis tested and suggest the theoretical utility of viewing interpersonal deficit in schizophrenia from a cognitive-developmental perspective.


The assessment of impulsivity and mediating behaviors in hyperactive and nonhyperactive boys.

Twenty boys (6-8 years) rated by their teachers as hyperactive and a matched sample of nonhyperactive boys performed a task that required them to withhold responding for a set time interval in order to be rewarded (DRL 6-second schedule). Half of each group worked on a one-button console while the other half was provided with additional collateral buttons. Results indicated that hyperactive children were relatively unable to perform efficiently on the task, and that this deficit endured regardless of age, IQ, or experimental condition. DRL was thus found to discriminate accurately between teacher-rated and parent-rated hyperactive and nonhyperactive children. Furthermore, a wide variety of self-generated mediating behaviors was observed, and it was determined that a child's DRL performance was related to the kind of mediating behaviors he displayed. Results are discussed in terms of the clinical assessment of hyperactivity and the training of impulsive children.


Short form and factor-analytic studies of the WISC-R with behavior problem children.

Two analyses of the WISC-R protocols of 100 children referred for behavioral problems in school were conducted to study (a) the utility of a variety of WISC short forms and (b) the factor structure of the WISC-R. Although the correlations between short form and WISC-R IQs were highly significant, mean differences and a high percentage of IQ classification changes indicated that the short forms were not acceptable WISC-R substitutes. Different factor analyses consistently evidenced two factors, Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Organization, which corresponded perfectly to the Verbal and Performance.


Children at risk for delinquency: a follow-up comparison of aggressive children and children who steal.

This study compared the follow-up incidence of court-recorded nonstatus offenses for three groups of adolescent children. These children had been seen 2 to 9 years earlier for problems with aggression in the home (N = 21), for stealing problems (N = 25), or for normative comparisons (N = 14). The results showed that 77% of the children with stealing problems had court-recorded offenses. This was significantly higher than the aggressive children, whose rate did not differ from the normative sample. These findings suggested that young aggressive children were not at risk for adolescent court contact. Instead, it was the young child with identified stealing problems who was highly likely to become an official delinquent. It also appeared that parental reports of stealing events constituted a predictive measure of later criminal acts.


Update on the male and female climateric.

The gonadal steroids--estrogens and androgens--appear to have a mood-elevating, psychotonic effect. The improved sense of well-being and increased vigor probably is engendered by restoration of somatic efficiency and psychic equilibrium. 1. The male climacteric, as observed in a limited number of men, is associated with a low level of serum testosterone. The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone are not elevated because estrogen concentration continues unaltered well into old age. Androgen replacement therapy often lessens fatigue, depression and headaches, and headaches, and improves libidinous drives. 2. In the aging female, many climatric symptoms other than those due to vasomotor instability were heretofore considered merely coincidental. Recent studies suggest that the metabolism of cerebral hormones is markedly influenced by endogenous and exogenous gonadal steroids. Thus, postmenopausal depression, headaches, and nervousness may be hormone-dependent symptoms. 3. The incidence of endometrial cancer is no greater and is probably less in estrogen-treated women than in women not treated with estrogen, if regular cyclic courses of an oral progestogen are added to the regimen.


Hypertension in the elderly: review of therapy with a hydroflumethiazide-reserpine combination.

A retrospective analysis revealed that 125 geriatric patients had been treated for mild to moderate essential hypertension with a combination drug, each tablet of which contained 50 mg of hydroflumethiazide and 0.125 mg of reserpine. The dosage schedule was one tablet once daily for most patients. The duration of treatment ranged from 1 to 93 months (mean, 22.1 months). After one month of therapy, the decreases in mean systolic (-18.3 mm Hg) and mean diastolic (-6.6 mm Hg) blood pressure were statistically significant and these initial reductions were well maintained over a 6-year period, without signs of tachyphylaxis. Side effects were reported by 53 patients, but these usually were mild and typical of those associated with antihypertensive therapy; discontinuation of treatment was required in only 3 patients. Use of the hydroflumethiazide-reserpine combination was associated with several significant advantages, including convenient once-daily dosing, improved compliance, and decreased cost.


Clinical pharmacy involvement in geriatric health clinic at a high-rise apartment center.

During an initial 9-week period of involvement in the operation of a health clinic for ambulatory geriatric patients in three high-rise apartment complexes, the activities and opportunities for a pharmacist and pharmacy students were documented. For 120 of the 550 geriatric residents of the center, medication histories were completed during the study period. These 120 patients reported a total of 270 medical problems. They were taking 366 prescription drugs (average, 3.9 per patient). During the 9-week study, 43 drug interactions were documented, and about 25 percent of the patients interviewed complained of some untoward drug effect. The opportunities for pharmacist involvement and the educational opportunities for pharmacy students were demonstrated. The period since the initial 9-week study has shown even greater acceptance and utilization of the pharmacy services, with an increased number of visits by patients.


Familial achalasia of the esophagus in mother and son: a possible pathogenetic relationship.

Familial achalasia most often has been recorded in siblings, and only rarely (twice previously) in a parent and offspring. This report concerns a third case of achalasia in a parent and offspring (mother and son). Clinical and radiographic features of the esophageal achalasia are presented. The possibility that genetic factors may play a role in the etiology of this disorder is discussed.


Evaluation of the effectiveness of reality orientation classes in a nursing home unit.

The effectiveness of a geriatric treatment program is determined largely by the extent to which it contributes to enhanced independent functioning. To examine the effectiveness of Reality Orientation (RO) classroom instruction, the verbal orientation and the everyday behavior of 22 residents in a Veterans Administration Nursing Home Care Unit were assessed before and after their participation in RO classes. The classes met five days a week for three months. Participants showed a significant increase in verbal orientation (as measured by the Reality Orientation Questionnaire) and a significant improvement in independent functioning (as measured by the Geriatic Resident Goals Scale). The results provide evidence of the effectiveness of RO as a treatment procedure for disoriented geriatric residents.


Vision health education: an idea whose time has come.

Health education has been a cornerstone of public health activities for over one hundred years, but recently it has received renewed interest as a method of promoting preventive health care and individual responsibility for one's own health status. While vision health education has not received the attention that other areas of health education have, the need for such information is apparent, and its anticipated effect upon the visual welfare of the population should be obvious. This paper accentuates some of the common objectives of doctors of optometry and health education specialists.


Nutrition in the vision of children.

The first section of this paper reviews some of the effects of fetal and postnatal nutritional status on central nervous system development. It is seen that early malnutrition can be an important determinant of visual performance in children. The second section described the key role of vitamin A in the visual process. The consequences of primary and secondary vitamin A deficiencies are considered. The third section discusses some effects of diet on vision, including the role of the B vitamins and vitamin C.


Screening for perceptual skills dysfunction: an up-date.

The paper argues that the primary-care practitioner has an obligation to screen the visual and auditory perceptual skills of all his/her elementary school-aged patients. Two easy-to-administer tests are described, along with guidelines for interpreting and making decisions on the basis of test outcomes.


The influence of clinical judgment on the rate of referral from a school vision screening program.

It has been observed that black preschool children low income families have a higher than average rate of referral from a school vision screening program. One potential contributing factor results from the fact that examiners often modified the referral criteria based on their clinical judgment. This study was designed to investigate the influence of the application of clinical judgment on the proportion of referrals as a function of ethnicity and socioeconomic income level. The results suggest that modifying the referral criteria based on clinical judgment does not significantly influence the proportion of referrals based on ethnicity or socioeconomic income level.


Advanced diagnostic procedures for evaluating the visual status of the child.

Single cell studies of cats and monkeys, recent behavioral testing methods, and improved sophisticated electrodiagnostic procedures have resulted in a new awareness of and concern for the development of the visual system. This paper will review select relevant research and highlight some of the new diagnostic vision tests presently available for the clinical assessment of infants and young children.


Refractive amblyopia: a preventable vision condition.

There are very few visual conditions which can be greatly reduced or prevented. One exception to this statement is amblyopia, particularly refractive amblyopia. The methods and concepts for prevention are discussed and guidelines are proposed for the management of those pediatric patients "at risk" to develop refractive amblyopia or secondary strabismus.


Prevention and care of strabismus in infants and pre-school children.

Care of children at risk of developing strabismus is discussed. Recommended care consists of parental counseling combined with early and periodic examinations. Examinations should begin by age 3 weeks and continue at 3-6 month intervals until the child reaches age 5. Treatment of strabismus or amblyopia should begin as soon as these conditions exist. Using recent electrophysiological research as a background, a model care for infants with congenital strabismus is presented. Care reports are presented describing results of orthoptic treatment of non-congenital strabismus.


Remarks on certain unique conditions of human aggression (the hand, speech, and the use of fire).

I have tried to single out for study, from the limitless complexity of human physical and mental life, three decisively fundamental elements, which, individually and synergistically, in biological and psychological spheres, have contributed importantly to the distinctiveness of human aggressive behavior and psychology and their transformations. These are: (1) the remarkable development of the human hand; (2) the primordial role of human speech, especially in drive economy; (3) the purposive utilization of fire. The pervasive dynamic importance of human orality and its vicissitudes, in relation to its phylogenetic background, has been stressed throughout. In this connection, the revolutionary role of fire has been brought into drive-economic relationship with the other two critical human instrumentalities. It is suggested that in its myriad roles, ranging from cooking to the prodigious function of sacrifice in human history and psychology, the decisive position of the role of fire in the emergence and development of homo sapiens may conceivably include a significant "overdetermining" position among the multiple elements conditioning the appearance of human speech and language.


"Totem and Taboo" in a latency boy.

Against the background of Freud's "Totem and Taboo" the case of a seven-year-old boy is discusses, focusing on his identification with a cat. Guided by Freud's dialectic thinking and his discussion of the phenomena of patriarchy and matriarchy, one is led to contemplate the totemism of a matriarchally oriented boy. The attempt to understand this child's pathology is based upon the concept of the specificity of a developmental phase. In the light of anthropological data, clinical phenomena are evaluated ontogenetically, in analogy with the recapitulation hypothesis.


[Fluorescein angiography of the optic disc in ocular hypertension and glaucoma (author's transl)].

A fluorescein angiography of the optic disc has been performed on 62 eyes in 41 patients suffering from ocular hypertension or glaucoma. The angiogram was abnormal in 32 eyes. 11 eyes showed an absolute hypofluorescence involving the whole optic disc. 15 eyes showed an absolute hypofluorescence limited to a part of the cup and the rim. 6 eyes showed a late hyperfluorescence of the fundus of the cup. Total hypofluorescence throughout all phases of fluorescein angiogram corresponds to filling defects. Absolute hypofluorescence involving the whole optic disc is associated with visual field loss in all cases. Absolute hypofluorescence involving only an area of the optic disc is associated with a normal visual field in a few cases. It is postulated that the limited filling defects without visual fields defects may be an indication of impending loss of the visual field. Therefore fluorescein angiography could be helpful in clinical assessment of visual prognosis of chronic ocular hypertension and glaucoma. Nevertheless wider experience and followup are necessary to confirm the value of the method.


[Lymphangiomatous hyperplasia with eosinophilia; Kimura's disease (author's transl)].

Kimura's disease is a benign affection of young people in which there are non-specific subcutaneous nodules, mainly found in the region of the head. They can be identified by their particular histological appearance which includes vascular and inflammatory components, and by local and sometimes blood eosinophilia. The etiology is not known but could be allergic in nature.


[Silicone sponges rejection (author's transl)].

Out of 633 retinal tears or detachments treated by cryocoagulation and Lincoff sponges without scleral dissection, our rate of sponge rejection is 8 per cent (51 out of 633). Out of these 51 rejections we have 4 spontaneous expulsions and 45 surgical removals. In 2 cases we could preserve the buckle by medical treatment. The most pre-eminent causes are in decreasing frequency: --the peroperative sponge infection, mostly by staphylococcus epidermidis, --the existence of an anterior positioned sponge, more than a quadrant long, factor of bad mechanical tolerance, --several operations. The rate of anatomical success is of 86% in this group of 51 patients (80% if we only number successes at six months). We have had 8 recurrences after sponge removals (15%). Recurrences are due to sponge infection; they are mainly due to the reopening of the primitive lesions (6 times out of 8). Only 5 recurrences have been cured (62,5%). This result seems, however, better than the one reached by authors using scleral dissection techniques; according to us this is due to the relatively rare severe vitreous reactions when episcleral sponges' infection occurs.


[Recurrent ocular herpes simplex infection and HLA antigens; preliminary results (author's transl)].

HLA-antigens of 80 patients with recurrent ocular herpes simplex infection were compared to a control population. HLA-B5 antigen was significantly more common in the first group. Several hypothesis are discussed in order to explain a relationship between recurrent ocular herpes simplex infection and HLA-antigens.


[Is adamantiades-Behçet disease contagious? (author's transl)].

Literature concerning Adamantiadès-Behçet disease is silent with regard to its contagiousness. 21 patients manifesting the complete triad of the cardinal signs were followed up; 17 for long lapses of time, one of them for 39 years. Although living in promsicuity and totally indifferent as to measures for the prevention of transmission, no trace of contagion could be found in their immediate surrounding despite all our efforts to detect it. The partners of 18 married couples were all in excellent health throughout.


[Conjunctival biopsies in diffuse amyloid (author's transl)].

Amyloid well known as a homogeneous eosinophilic material deposited in various body tissues. Conjunctival biopsies in four patients distributed among the different classical type of diffuse amyloidosis demonstrate the diagnostic value of this simple procedure. In all cases, by optic microscopy amyloid deposits were seen in the subepithelial connective tissue of the conjunctiva. Electron microscopy showed the characteristic fibrillar material of amyloid, with its fiber diameter of 9 to 12 nm in all cases. Since it is a totally harmless procedure, it seems obvious that each time systemic amyloidosis is suspected, conjunctival biopsy must be done first.


[Sedative measures during surgery on old patients. Result on ocular tension (author's transl)].

An attempt of sedative procedures associated with a locoregional anesthesia was performed on fifty old patients before cataract operation. The blood gases, the blood pressure and the heartrate were measured and the behaviour of the patient just before he awoke was examined to determinate the sedative value. A parallel study revealed a decrease of the intra ocular pressure of 2,5 mm d'Hg due to a slight decrease of the blood pressure and to the effect of the neurolep mixture: the Innovar. This method seems to be very satisfactory in Ophthalmology.


[For or contra Crédé's method? (author's transl)].

We no longer see newborn gonococcal endophtalmia. In France, it was the direct consequence of practical obligations. As gonococcic infection is growing up all over the world, is it wise to give up every prophylactic procedure? That is the question.


[Implantation of Binkhorst's iridocapsular lens (author's transl)].

Advantages of the extracapsular extraction for implantation of Binkhorst's iridocapsular lens. Description of the surgical procedure; its indications and contre indications. Analysis of the results of 131 operations. The follow up of 120 patients exceeded six months. 84% of the patients have a visual acuity higher than 10/20. The major complication is secondary cataract which requires new surgery in 20% of the cases. The major complication is secondary cataract which requires new surgery in 20% of the cases. Other complications are the same as in classical intracapsular extraction when the indications of iridocapsular implants are correct.


[Renewed peripheral sub-retinal vascularization and its pathological consequences (author's transl)].

The existence of renewed peripheral sub-retinal vascularization has been known for some time, but it has not attracted the attention that it merits. It possesses similar features to that of renewed sub-retinal vascularization of the posterior pole, and the consequences of this condition are well known. Two clinical cases are reported in which clinical and angiographic investigations demonstrated this type of alteration. Histological examinations showed its continuity with the choriocapillary. It is possible, though still not conclusively demonstrated, that renewed peripheral sub-retinal vascularization plays an important role in peripheral retinal diseases such as serohemorrhagic detachments of the peripheral retinal degenerations.


[True and false cerebellar oculomotor manifestations (author's transl)].

The oculomotor perturbations of cerebellar affections are numerous. Their localizing value is however extremely variable: It is amongst the abnormalities of refixation that one can find the most typical cerebellar feature: such as dysmetria, macrosquare wave jerks, macrosaccadic oscillations only be seen in cerebellar disease. The ocular static of cerebellar patients is often abnormal, and affected by square wave jerks and pendular nystagmus. However, the abnormalities of cinetics are not specific.


[Venous pressure in the expulsive hemorrhages and loss of the vitreous (author's transl)].

It is insisted in the importance of the rising venous pressure as a cause of concause of the loss of the vitreous and the expulsive hemorrhages. We remind a simple way of measuring the venous pressure clinically and we recommend the inclined position of the patient as a prophylactic way to avoid the venous hyperpressure. While we do not have the operative tables that allow us to perform that inclination as low as oculists are used to operate sitting and with microscope, we suggest a simple way to obtain the inclination in a common low stretcher, with a triangular pillow. Some details are also advised, so the general anesthesia does not rise the venous pressure. The article specially pointing out the importance of the venous pressure, expressely omits the reminding of the surgical rules assigned to prevent the vitreous complications, because they are already known and exposed by the authors in other publications.


[Criteria for choosing a vitreotome (author's transl)].

The number of instruments available for performing vitrectomy has greatly increased, and the authors have used many of the different types available. Based on a series of personal observations, they define the criteria for the most suitable apparatus and describe several principles for its use.


[What's new in B-scan ultrasound? (author's transl)].

B-mode ultrasound has only really become common and easy to perform vs. immersion techniques since 1972 when contact B-scan was introduced in ophthalmology. Ocular exploration became easier and more complete, especially as far as topographic evaluation is concerned. B-scan allows accurate diagnoses in the pathology of the optic nerve head and an easy evaluation of the size of recti muscles, whereas quantitative data are still better obtained with A-mode. The best solution at present seems to be to use both methods until gray-scales improve enough for B-scan to be used alone.


[Retinal cavernous hemangioma (author's transl)].

The retinal cavernous hemangioma is a unilateral retinal or prepapillary vascular malformation disposed in clusters, sometimes recovered by a fine glial membrane which can in some cases be complicated by retinal or vitreous hemorrhages. In fundus fluorescein angiography, it is characterized by a delayed and incomplete filling with accumulation inside the angioma in the later phases of the angiogram, but without leakage through its wall. The authors report 7 cases, 5 are pure typical forms and 2 cases present an association of retinal cavernous hemangioma and Leber-Coats angiopathy. These mixed forms set the problems of relationship between these 2 diseases.


[Surgical treatment of secondary glaucomas with extensive goniosynechias (author's transl)].

The authors propose to consider that the liberation of the ciliary body of Benedikt, combined or not with vitrectomy and/or with surgery of the exposed ciliary body and/or with reconstruction of the angle and/or with the treatment of secondary glaucomas with extensive goniosynechias. 30 eyes were operated according to these principles during a period of two years. They presented an angle closure glaucoma that was neglected, provoking a chronic state via the formation of a ring shaped goniosynechia (11 eyes), an aphakic secondary glaucoma (7 eyes), neo-vascular glaucoma (3 eyes), a malignant glaucoma (3 eyes), absolute glaucoma (4 eyes), or secondary glaucoma of diverse causes (2 eyes). A favourable result in the IOP control was obtained in 69% of the cases with only a minor number of complications (ciliary body hernia (5 eyes), cataract (2 eyes), choroid hematoma (1 eye). In the future, the number of undesirable results and complications should diminish as the knowledge of the principles that guide this new surgical approach of secondary glaucomas becomes better understood.


[Cone dysfunction and cone dystrophy. A dynamic classification (author's transl)].

Since Goodman and coll. introduced the concept of cone dysfunction syndromes, many papers have been published. Some authors based their diagnosis on functional data while others referred to the classic denominations. As a consequence there is no uniformity with regard to terminology of the cone dystrophies. In an effort to avoir the introduction of new terms the author presents a classification of cone dysfunctions based on the results of electroretinography and color vision examination. This classification is dynamic since it allows the follow-up of a cone dystrophy into its late stages.


Plasma renin activity and urinary aldosterone in acromegaly.

The behaviour of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was evaluated in 16 acromegalic patients, of whom 7 were hypertensive. The patients were studied in basal conditions, after suppression with 9alpha-fluorohydrocortisone, and after stimulation with furosemide. Baseline and after furosemide PRA were significantly lower in acromegalic hypertensive patients than in the normotensive group. Mean urinary aldosterone excretion was found at the upper limits of the normal range; it was occasionally elevated, but the values were not satistically different in the two groups. There was a suppression after 9 alpha fluorohydrocortisone in both groups, though it did not reached the 50%. These data show that there is a disorder of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in acromegalic subjects. This defective regulation is sometimes similar to that present in primary aldosteronism. In fact in two patients a typical phlebographic and scintigraphic picture of primary aldosteronism has been found; surgery, performed in both patients, revealed a large cortical adenoma in one case and a macronodular hyperplasia in the second case. However, the relationship between this adrenal abnormalities and hypertension in acromegaly are not yet completely clarified.


Pineal N-acetyltransferase activity in hamsters maintained in shortened light cycles.

Pineal serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity (NAT) was compared among Syrian hamsters maintained in light: dark (LD) cycles of 14:10 or 2:22 or in an interrupted (LD 1/4:53/4 X 4) photoperiodic cycle. In hamsters maintained in a LD 14:10 photoperiod, the zenith of pineal NAT activity occurs at 04:00 h, approximately 8 hours after the onset of the dark phase. When the onset of the dark phase was advanced by 8 hours (in hamsters maintained in LD 2:22 cycles), the pineal NAT activity was advanced by an equivalent length of time. Hamster pineal NAT activity was suppressed throughout a 24-hour period when the animals were maintained in darkness interrupted with brief periods of light at 6 h intervals (LD 1/4:53/4 X 4). The results suggest that melatonin synthesis is determined according to when light occurs during the photoperiodic cycle rather than by the total amount of darkness or the dark: light ratio to which animals are exposed in a 24-hour period.


Measurement of free thyroid hormones in serum by column adsorption chromatography and radioimmunoassay.

A new method for the assay of free thyroid hormones in human serum is described. This method is based on a chromatographic adsorption process of thyroid hormones onto a Sephadex LH-20 resin column. Protein fractions are eliminated by washing columns, adsorbed hormones are eluted with methanol and determined by radioimmunoassay. It was demonstrated that under the experimental conditions adopted the presence of the resin R does not significantly change the free hormone level in the serum, and the amount of hormone adsorbed onto the resin HR is exclusively in function of the free hormone concentration [H], according to a linear relationship: HR = phi [H], where phi is the resin adsorption constant K ads multiplied by the number of resin binding sites nR. The phi value, experimentally determined, was 32 ml for T3 and 58 ml for T4, when 150 mg resin were used. The method sensitivity was 0.3 pg/ml for FT3 and 0.6 pg/ml for FT4. The within-assay reproducibility was about 5% (CV) and the between-assay reproducibility was about 6% (CV), both for FT3 and FT4. FT3 and FT4 levels, in 96 normal subjects, were 3.9 +/- 0.7 pg/ml (mean +/- SD) and 11.1 +/- 1.9 pg/ml (mean +/- SD) respectively.


Effects of estrogen on the release of gonadotropins and prolactin in male pseudohermaphrodites.

Three adult patients with male pseudohermaphroditism were given 15 microgram/kg body weight of 17 beta-estradiol im daily (at 08:00 hours) for 12-15 days and circulating levels of gonadotropins, prolactin and estradiol were determined by radioimmunoassay before and during the steriod course. All patients had elevated gonadotropin levels prior to starting on estradiol. During estrogen treatment all patients demonstrated suppression of FSH and LH with a subsequent rise in LH (positive feedback) while estrogen levels remained elevated. A similar positive feedback effect on the secretion of FSH could not be demonstrated. In two patients, who had never received estrogen treatment prior to this study, estradiol induced a significant elevation of serum prolactin levels within 24 h and levels remained higher than basal values for the rest of the estrogen treatment period. In the third patient, who had been previously treated with estrogen, serum prolactin levels did not change significantly during estrogen treatment. This study was afforded evidence for the presence in humans of an estrogen mediated LH release concomitant with an augmented prolactin secretion.


Effect of bromocriptine administration on gastric acid and gastrin secretion in man.

The effects of acute oral administration of the dopaminergic drug, bromocriptin (5 mg), on basal and submaximal (1 and 3 microgram per kg bw given sc) and maximal (6 mug per kg bw) pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion and on basal and meal-induced gastrin release have been evaluated in healthy volunteers. Although basal and maximal pentagastrin-stimulated acid output did not change, the response to submaximal pentagastrin doses was significantly increased. Basal and stimulated serum gastrin concentrations were not modified, nor was fasting serum gastrin during chronic bromocriptine treatment (10 mg per day for 90 days) in acromegalic patients. As dopamine infusion is known to reduce basal and pentagastrin-induced gastric acid secretion, the presently reported effect of bromocriptine is not dependent on dopamine receptor stimulation. It is suggested that it might be due to alpha-adrenergic and/or serotoninergic antagonism, both actions being properties of bromocriptine. Alternatively, since bromocriptine, at variance with iv infused dopamine, crosses the blood-brain barrier, the effect of this drug on gastric function might depend on interference by centrally mediated actions on those directly exerted at the gastric level.


Radioimmunoassay of plasma and pituitary oxytocin in pregnant rats during various stages of pregnancy and parturition.

Radioimmunoassayable plasma and pituitary oxytocin (ROT) was measured during pregnancy and parturition. The highest mean plasma ROT level was seen in maternal rats on day 20 of pregnancy followed by a non significant decrease on day 21 reaching the basal level just before delivery. Plasma ROT level declined continuously up to the time of delivery of the first pup and then gradually increased until the completion of parturition. The highest maternal mean pituitary ROT level was found on day 21 pregnancy. Just before delivery of the first pup, the mean pituitary ROT level significantly declined by 22%. Pituitary ROT level declined steadily during the delivery of the first five pups. This pattern of reduction was reversed and ROT levels increased between the delivery of the fifth pup and the completion of labor. The increase of maternal pituitary and plasma ROT levels during delivery of the pups suggest that maternal ROT may play a role in normal parturition. Fetal hypothalamic-pituitary ROT does not seem to play any part in parturition.


Serum prolactin and progesterone concentrations in ovulatory infertility.

The luteal phase serum prolactin and progesterone concentrations were studied by radioimmunoassay in 31 ovulatory but infertile women and 58 women wearing intrauterine device (IUD). In the infertile patients the prolactin concentrations were significantly higher (mean +/- SE 24.0 +/- 1.0 mug/l vs. 18.7 +/- mug/l) than in IUD users (p less than 0.001), and the progesterone concentrations were lower (22.9 +/- 1.7 vs. 37.4 +/- 2.3 mnol/l) (p less than 0.001). However, infertile patients with a high serum prolactin did not have a mid-luteal phase progesterone level different from those with normal prolactin. There was no correlation between prolactin and progesterone levels.


Stimulation of prolactin release by intravenous cimetidine: a dose-response study.

The PRL response to iv cimetidine was tested in 8 healthy males and 8 females at 4 different dose levels (0.75, 1.5, 3.0 and 6.0 mg/kg bw). Serum PRL levels were significantly increased in comparison with a placebo study by the second cimetidine dose in both sexes. The PRL response was significantly higher in females than in males at all but the lowest dose tested. A significant correlation between the cimetidine dose and the PRL response was observed. There was no significant modifications in serum GH, LH, FSH, IRI and glucose. Present findings demonstrate that the stimulation of PRL release by iv cimetidine is quite specific and dose-dependent.


Treatment of benign breast disease with bromocriptine.

23 women with benign breast disease (fibrocystic disease or fibroadenosis) were treated for three months consecutively with a prolactin inhibitor drug, bromocriptine, at the dose of 2.5 mg every eight hours. Serum prolactin levels were normal before treatment; during treatment prolactin concentrations were significantly suppressed all the day long. 21 out of 23 patients receiving bromocriptine showed marked relief to pain and mammary tension after a few days of treatment; adenomatous of cystic nodules became smaller and softer, often with disappearance of the smaller ones. Two patients failed to respond to treatment. In all positive cases the improvement persisted for at least six months after the end of treatment. No important side effects were observed during the therapy. Our results do not allow any conclusion on the real mechanism of action of bromocriptine in benign breast disease, nevertheless they indicate the possible usefulness of this drug in treating patients with benign breast disease.


Relationship between kallikrein and PRA after intravenous furosemide.

Interrelationships between plasma renin activity (PRA), urinary kallikrein and sodium excretion were studied before and after furosemide iv administration in nine normal volunteers and in one low renin non hypertensive patient. PRA, urinary kallikrein and sodium excretion increased within 15 min of furosemide injection in nine subjects; kallikrein excretion then decreased sharply, whereas plasma renin activity reached peak values within 15-120 min of stimulation. In low renin subject low basal levels of PRA paralled undetectable values of kallikrein excretion, and PRA and kallikrein excretion showed no increase after furosemide, despite the expected natriuretic response. The following conclusions appear feasible: (i) the natriuretic effect of fuorsemide is direct and independent of the effect on PRA and urinary kallikrein; (ii) in man, furosemide induces an increase in urinary kallikrein excretion which is immediate, of short duration and simultaneous in all the patient studied; (iii) no statistical correlation is demonstrated between the temporal behavior of urinary kallikrein and PRA; it is however possible that, at least for certain stimuli, renin release is in some way correlated with the activation of the renal kallikrein-bradykinin system.


Circulating calcitonin in lactating women.

As part of an initial study we have attempted to ascertain whether lactating women exhibit high, clearly measurable levels of immunoreactive calcitonin (CT). Plasma levels of CT were measured in women who had been lactating for either a short time (less than 4 months) or a very long time (17-73 months). In 2 of 18 women lactating for only a short time CT levels were high and easily measured (greater than 200 pg/ml) while, in contrast, CT levels were undetectable (less than 60 pg/ml) in all of 16 nonlactating control subjects. In all six of the women studied who had been lactating for a long time, measurable levels of CT were observed, although provocative testing of women with measurable plasma CT using iv pentagastrin and calcium did not show a consistent pattern of CT secretory response. Thus, out of the total of 24 lactating women studied, one third were found to have measurable plasma levels of CT. The findings agree with studies in experimental animals which have indicated hypercalcitoninemia during lactation, but the factors responsible for the elevated CT levels during lactation remain to be elucidated.


Ultrastructural modifications of the testes and accessory sex glands of genetically dwarf mice after treatment with human chorionic somatomammotropin.

We have studied the effects of treatment with human chorionic somatommatropin (hCS) in the dwarf mouse on the weight and ultrastructure of the testes and accessory sex glands. We used animals of the Snell-Bagg (dw/dw) strain, whose hypophyses secrete neither prolactin nor growth hormone. The effects found were compared with those produced by a similar treatment with ovine prolactin. The administration of hCS causes a significant increase in the wet weight of the testes and accessory sex glands. Ultrastructural observations have demonstrated that hCS is able to stimulate sperminogenesis and the secretory function of the accessory sex glands. Prolactin, as shown in previous reports in the literature, has a similar action on the  male reproductive system. However, contrary to the observation after prolactin therapy, no matings were observed after treatment with hCS.


Studies on metabolic alterations after a mixed meal and during a 39-hour fast in thyrotoxicosis.

In order to determine the endocrine and metabolic state of thyrotoxicosis we measured blood glucose and plasma insulin response to ingestion of a mixed meal in 19 euthyroid and 9 hyperthyroid subjects. Moreover concentrations of glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, acetoacetate (AcAc) beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB), insulin and human growth hormone (hGH) were determined in the blood of both healthy and hyperthyroid patients after an overnight and a 39-h fast. In another group of thyrotoxics the overnight fasting respiratory quotient (RQ) was measured. After a mixed meal blood glucose and plasma insulin changes of FFA, AcAc and beta-OHB was significantly higher in thyrotoxics, whereas hGH increase did not appear significantly greater in these subjects. There was no statistical difference between the respiratory quotient mean values found in hyperthyroid and in control subjects. In conclusion, these data indicate that in thyrotoxicosis absolute insulin response to a mixed meal is normal and that food deprivation considerably increase lipid mobilization from adipose tissue and causes an exaggerated starvation ketosis. The RQ mean valoue suggests that in the hyperthyroid state lipid-derived fuel as well as carbohydrate-derived fuel contributes to the increased oxygen consumption.


3,3',5'-Triiodothyronine concentrations in amniotic fluid at different stages of pregnancy.

Since it is feasible to detect reverse T3 (rT3) in amniotic fluid, we investigated the possibility as to whether measurements of amniotic rT3 could be useful in diagnosing fetal hypothyroidism during pregnancy. In 55 amniotic fluid samples, obtained at different stages of pregnancy, we have documented increasing concentrations of this hormone. The results obtained are conflicting with previous reports. The reason for this discrepancy is not clear, however methodological differences in rT3 determination should be taken in account. The large scatter of rT3 values in amniotic fluid suggests that the diagnosis of neonatal hypothyroidism based on measurement of rT3 may require caution.


Hypoproteinemia in acromegaly.

Although it is well known that growth hormone may influence protein metabolism, few investigations have been undertaken on serum protein levels in acromegaly; recently hypoglobulinemia has been observed in this endocrine disorder. In 28 acromegalic patients and 56 control subjects sera have been analyzed for total protein determination and for electrophoretic protein separation. The results have shown that in acromegalic there is a slight but statistically highly significant decrease of serum total protein (mean +/- SE 6.66 +/- 0.07 g/100 ml vs 7.10 +/- 0.07 g/100 ml), albumin, alpha 1 and alpha 2-globulins. Since growth hormone stimulates protein synthesis, the pathophysiological significance of hypoproteinemia of acromegaly is at present obscure.


Radioimmunoassay measurement of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha in human urine.

Techniques are described in detail for the radioimmunological measurement of prostaglandin (PG) E2 and F2alpha in human urine. 50 ml urine samples are extracted with an organic solvent system and then purified by silicic acid column chromatography. The overall recovery after extraction and purification, calculated with labeled as well as unlabeled compounds, is in the order of 70%. The column eluates are assayed at 1:12-1:60 dilution in the "standard diluent" of the assay: 8 pg PGE2 or PGF2 alpha/ml of whole urine represents the lowest measurable concentration. A urine blank and a solvent blank were evaluated separately, subjecting 50 ml of urine obtained from an indomethacin treated subject ("PG-free" urine) or 50 ml of distilled water, respectively, to the extraction-purification procedures. Both were found not to interfere with the antigen-antibody reaction. Urinary PG-like immunoreactivity (LI) was characterized in terms of immunochemical and thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) behavior. Both urinary PGE2-LI and PGF2 alpha-LI behaved as authentic PGE2 and PGF2 alpha, upon dilution and on TLC. In 33 healthy female subjects (aged 19-58 yr), urinary excretion rates averaged 178 +/- 80 (mean +/- SD) ng/day for PGE2 and 498 +/- 181 ng/day for PGF2 alpha. In a group of 8 healthy men, both PGE2 and PGF2 alpha excretion rates were higher and more scattered than the female values. When two healthy women were given indomethacin (200 mg/day), urinary PGE2 and PGF2 alpha dropped to undetectable levels during the 4th day of drug therapy. Intravenous injection of furosemide (50 mg) in a female volunteer was followed by an immediate rise of urinary sodium, PGE2, PGF2 alpha and PGE2/PGF2 alpha ratio and plasma renin activity. In a 10 year old girl with Bartter's syndrome, urinary PG excretion rate was elevated with a 3 times higher than normal PGE2/PGF2 alpha ratio. Indomethacin therapy resulted in a prompt drop of PG excretion rate and of plasma renin activity. These results show that a combination of adequate purification steps and antisera with optimal characteristics provides a reliable method for measuring PGE2 and PGF2 alpha in urine, and therefore a valuable tool to further our knowledge of the physiology and physiopathology of the renal PG-system.


[Growth and maturation of the follicle in the prepubertal ovary in a normal or ectopic position (author's transl)].

It has been shown by comparative study of prepubertal ovaries both in the normal and ectopic positions that there is obvious follicular development which is quantitatively greater in ectopic ovaries. If the follicles reach the stage of cavitation they generally progress towards atresia. In any case it is possible however for follicular rupture to occur in the true sense with the onset of luteinisation. A perfectly developed corpus luteum has been observed in the ovary of a newborn infant.


Strategies for monitoring the effects of Proposition 13 on health services.

The passage of Proposition 13 in California resulted in a reduction of funds available to support local programs. It is important to assess what is happening in California and to communicate that information to the rest of the nation. Background is presented on the origins of Proposition 13 and its potential effects on publicly funded health services. Specific strategies for monitoring the effects of Proposition 13 on health services are presented, along with types of data to be monitored. Early effects of Proposition 13 include personnel shortages, service reductions, introduction of fees for services, disruption of program continuity, service delays, demoralization of public employees, termination of contracts with community clinics, and drastic reductions in staff and services by special districts.


[The contribution of ultrasonic echography in the study of uterine involution (author's transl)].

We have measured 3 diameters in the uterus in 50 women after delivery by ultrasound scanning. A fourth diameter as well as the formula for the volume of the uterus was mathematically calculated. The computer was used to carry out the calculations. The height of the fundus of the uterus could be compared to the ultrasonic measurements. An index for involution was calculated. Typical forms were found for variations in diameters and uterine volumes according to whether the women were primiparous or multiparous. All the same, there was no difference in the mean values between the groups. Only the age of the women seemed to us to be a specially important parameter.


Choice by constraint: the selection and function of specialties among women physicians-in-training.

This paper asserts that the selection of medical specialty by women physicians-in-training is a "choice by constraint." Comparative data on men and women interns and residents are provided in order to document parameters of constraint in three separate areas: 1) subjective reasons for selection of medical specialty and subspecialty; 2) the type of practice a physician intends to enter; and 3) the differential function served by high vs low interaction specialties. Findings suggest that severe constraints occur on the specific level of subspecialty, rather than on the more general level of specialty. Findings also show that high and low interaction specialties serve two distinctly separate socioeconomic functions for different types of women. Within the present medical system these functions are considerably restrictive.


[Some exceptional evolution of the abdominal pregnancy (author's transl)].

The authors have reported 5 exceptional cases of abdominal pregnancy observed at the clinic of obstetrics and gynecology of the university of Dakar. This pathology remains important and shows various clinical aspects in these counties presenting insufficient medical development. In a review of the literature the authors have studied the frequency and the etiopathogenic aspects of this "dystocical" pregnancies.


[The difficulty of being St-Joseph. The sterile "father" confronted with artificial insemination by donor (AID) (author's transl)].

Two cases of total marital sexual impotence which occurred after the diagnosis of pregnancy following AID are reported by way of illustration. This impotence was accompanied by reoganisation of the economic situation in the marriage with a declaration that there was a very strong attachment for the wife and the child and a desire to have a second child and apparently for the wife to accept the whole situation. The influence of AID on the dynamics of a couple where the husband is sterile has been presented (it is the theme of a preliminary psychological enquiry which has been undertaken following the creation of CECOS IN 1973). A psychological study is a catch if we try to understand the interpretation. It is necessary to carry out a long-term psychoanalytical study of both partners in the marriage.


New species of Moaciria freitas 1956 (Nematoda: Heterakoidea) from Australian reptiles.

Moaciria sphenomorphi n. sp. is described from the skink Sphenomorphus gracilipes, Moaciria butleri n. sp. from the elapid snake Pseudechis australis (both from Western Australia), and Moaciria etnae n. sp. from the python Liasis childreni from Queensland. These species differ from one another and from M. alvarengai and M. icosiensis principally in the number and disposition of body and caudal papillae, and from M. freitasi in possessing caudal alae. M. butleri and M. etnae also differ from the other species in possessing a conspicuous three-pointed internal lip tooth, and all three new species possess a small median papilla within the posterior rim of the precloacal sucker.


The anoplocephalid cestode parasites of the spectacled hare-wallaby Lagorchestes conspicillatus Gould, 1842 (Marsupialia: Macropodidae).

Progamotaenia gynandrolinearis sp. nov. is described from the small intestine of Lagorchestes conspicillatus Gould, 1842 from Barrow I., Western Australia. It is distinguished from other species by the small number of testes arranged in a single transverse row. Progamotaenia lagorchestis (Lewis, 1914) is redescribed. The name Progamotaenia thylogale sp. nov. is proposed for a second species described previously under the name P. lagorchestis. Progamotaenia zschokkei (Janicki, 1905), Progamotaenia festiva (Rudolphi, 1819) and Progamotaenia villosa (Lewis, 1914) were also found in L. conspicillatus.


Fibricola ramachandrani (Betterton, 1976) Palmieri, Krishnasamy and Sullivan comb. nov. from Malaysian rodent hosts with a special note on intraspecific morphological variation.

Neodiplostomum (Conodiplostomum) ramachandrani Betterton, 1976 has been reported from four species of rodent hosts: Echinosorex gymnurus (Raffles): Rattus whiteheadi (Thos); R. muelleri (Jentink) and Callosciurus notatus (Boddaert). A comparison of trematodes recovered from these hosts revealed patterns of host-induced morphological variation taking place. Because N. (Conodiplostomum) ramachandrani shows little generic difference from Fibricola intermedius (Pearson, 1959) Sudarikov, 1960 it is transferred to the genus Fibricola and is now designated Fibricola ramachandrani (Betterton, 1976) Palmieri, Krishnasamy and Sullivan.


Influence of the bn gene on mitosis of immature red blood cells in turkeys.

The binucleated and large mononucleated red blood cells found in the blood of bnbn mutant turkeys result from nondisjunction of chromosomes in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes. The major ultrastructural abnormality that is observed in these mutant cells is malpositioning of the centrioles in the cell. This involves failure to assume a normal pole-to-pole position in the center of the cell, and, often, centrioles are seen close together near the cell membrane. In addition to the abnormalities in centrioles, incomplete spindles are formed with large masses of chromatin unattached to microtubules. Cytokinesis is blocked in many instances because large amounts of chromatin remain at the region of the metaphase plate. None of the aforementioned abnormalities were seen in bone marrow cells from genetically normal turkeys. The results of this study suggest that malorientation of the centrioles has adverse effects on chromosome movement in animal cells. The concept that the spatial orientation of the centrioles is fundamental in achieving normal separation of chromosomes during anaphase movement is supported by our work. Finally, the close ultrastructural parallels with the human blood disease congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I are discussed.


Biology teachers: genetics educational needs and related values stances.

A questionnaire completed by 542 secondary school biology teachers in four states in widely divergent parts of the United States reveals the genetics educational needs of the respondents. The data suggest that, although the teachers are fairly confident of their ability to teach about classical and molecular genetics, they are much less knowldgeable of the recent developments in genetics that impinge on the science/society interface. The data further imply that if teachers are to deal effectively with these current and controversial topics, they will need instruction not only in human and medical genetics, but also in the methodologies of teaching about controversial issues. Finally, the data collected and the literature reviewed suggest that if the general public is to be served effectively, college and university courses in general genetics should include a major emphasis on recent developments in human genetics.


Fine structure of mouse testes following intraperitoneal treatment with 5-thio-D-glucose.

The male antifertility compound, 5-thio-D-glucose, was administered to six groups of C3H/HeJ mice. Three groups received daily intraperitoneal injections of 40 mg/kg for 21, 28, and 35 days, respectively. The other three groups all received injections for 35 days, but were allowed to recover for 21, 42, and 75 days, respectively. The seminiferous tubules of the experimental and control mice were examined and compared with the electron microscope. Histological changes were noted as early as 21 days, with a complete cessation of sperm production by 35 days. The alterations included a reduction in the layers of the germinal epithelium, the formation of giant multinucleated cells, degeneration of germ cells, and the presence of cellular debris in the lumina of the tubules. Accumulation of lysosomes and a dramatic increase of small and large lipid droplets and vacuolar structures morphologically resembling residual bodies containing membranous elements and cellular debris were found in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. A reinitiation of spermatogenesis was observed in the 21- and 42-days recovery groups. The testicular cells of the 75-day recovery group appeared essentially identical to those of the control animals and had an abundance of sperm.


Genetics of superoxide dismutase in the forest tent caterpillar and other organisms.

The electrophoretic assay of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in Malacosoma disstria revealed a total of 13 bands arranged in 9 patterns. One locus, composed of bands 28, 32, 36 was polymorphic in some locations. Band frequencies varied by location, but not by generation or by time in the laboratory. Significant interactions between sibling groups and SOD types for development time suggest that selective advantage is a function of genetic background. SOD, an important enzyme protecting diverse organisms against the toxic radicals of oxygen, has been extensively analyzed by biochemists. Geneticists have assayed individuals and populations for the smae enzyme, calling it tetrazolium oxidase (TO). The biochemistry and genetics literatures were reviewed and results from the two disciplines were discussed.


Blood type analyses of creole-like cattle: a comparison with Longhorns and mixed controls.

Creole-like cattle blood types were compared with a mixed control group and Longhorn data using hemolytic and electrophoretic techniques. Among the hemolytic tests, the crucial B system analyses indicated that 1) the Creole-like animals were more similar to Longhorns than were the controls; 2) the three groups were different from each other; 3) the three groups were not mutually exclusive. Eleven new phenogroups were postulated. The remaining blood group systems and the electrophoretic tests raised interesting biohistorical questions but were generally less useful in discriminating among the three groups of cattle.


Gene order in linkage group XVI of the house mouse.

Data have been presented to show the linkages and most probable order of eight loci in LG XVI. The map of LG XVI is as follows: spa-3-ma-2-ft-1-soc-6-op-3-(Amy-1, Amy-2)-20-Va with the position of de known to be on the ma side of Va. Data from a 3-point cross with ma, Va, and the Robertsonian translocation, Rb5, showed no linkage with the centromere of Chr 12 with either end, ma or Va. We conclude that LG XVI is not carried on Chr 12, and preliminary data indicates it is most likely carried on Chr 3.


Evidence for a new lethal gene causing cardiomyopathy in Japanese black calves.

Sudden death with severe dyspnea in new-born or infant calves confined to a family of Japanese black cattle was studied. Neither environmental nor bacteriological factors seemed to be involved in the etiology of the disease. Histopathological examination revealed focal degeneration and necrosis of the muscle fibers in the myocardium, to which a diagnosis of idiopathic cardiomyopathy was proposed. The pedigree and mating type analyses suggested that a new autosomal recessive lethal gene was responsible for the syndrome. Rates of incidence of the affected calves in five sire families were tested for an expectation of 12.5 percent incidence by the chi-square method.


Distribution of sexes in cattle.

Data were obtained from records of 1,046 Holstein dams included in the dairy herd at Cornell University during the years 1940 through 1977. Sex by order of parity was determined for the offspring of each dam. The overall sex ratio for 4,245 single parities was 52.74 percent males. Sex ratios for different parities were relatively consistent. Within progenies of the dams, there was no consistent evidence of association between the sexes of successive and various nonsuccessive calves. Frequencies of combinations of sexes in the different sizes of offspring occurred as expected.


Gene frequencies in the domestic cats of Reno, Nevada: confirmation of a recent hypothesis.

On the basis of a sample of 156 animals, allele frequencies for the cat population of Reno, Nevada have been estimated. Comparison of this population with populations of 22 other cities shows that Reno's cats are more similar to those of northeastern North America than to those in the southwest. This is consistent with a recent hypothesis that suggests there were two distinct European sources of North American cats, and that present gene pools in North American cities depend primarily on their history of early settlement.


Linkage group IV in the Syrian hamster: spontaneous seizure and jute.

It was shown that sz and J are closely linked and that the recombination frequency between these two genes is 7.41 +/- 2.91. It was also shown that J is not linked with markers in linkage groups I and III, and that sz is not linked with a marker in linkage group II. Therefore, linkage between sz and J is a new linkage group. Since only three linkage groups have so far been established in the Syrian hamster, linkage groups I, II and III, this new linkage constitutes linkage group IV.


Zika virus infections in Nigeria: virological and seroepidemiological investigations in Oyo State.

A study of Zika virus infections was carried out in four communities in Oyo State, Nigeria. Virus isolation studies between 1971 and 1975 yielded two virus isolations from human cases of mild febrile illness. Haemagglutination-inhibition tests revealed a high prevalence of antibodies to Zika and three other flaviviruses used. The percentages of positive sera were as follows: Zika (31%), Yellow fever (50%), West Nile (46%), and Wesselsbron (59%). Neutralization tests showed that 40% of Nigerians had Zika virus neutralizing antibody. Fifty per cent of zika virus immune persons had neutralizing antibody to Zika alone or to Zika and one other flavivirus. A total of 121 sera had antibody to Zika virus; of these 48 (40%) also showed antibody to two other flaviviruses, and 12 (10%) had antibodies to three or more other viruses. The percentage of neutralizing antibodies to other flaviviruses in Zika virus immune sera was 81% to Dengue type 1, 58% to Yellow fever, 7% to Wesselsbron, 6% to West Nile and 3% to Uganda S.


Food poisoning in hospitals in Scotland.

A review of 50 hospital-based outbreaks of food poisoning which were reported in Scotland during 1973--7, is described. At least 1530 persons consuming hospital-prepared food were involved. Thirty-one episodes were associated with Clostridium perfringens (C. welchii), 11 were due to food-borne salmonella infection, three to enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus, and five incidents were of undetermined aetiology. This differs noticeably from the experience in England and Wales where salmonellas appear to predominate as the main cause of hospital outbreaks. Twenty-two incidents occurred in hospitals for psychiatric or mentally subnormal patients, and ten others were located in geriatric units. Only 33 hospitals were involved in the 50 outbreaks as nine hospitals experienced two or more episodes. The role of the hospital in the occurrence of food poisoning may be over-emphasized in comparison with other catering establishments, as outbreaks are more readily recognized and laboratory facilities are usually available for investigation, but it is also believed that many episodes may not be reported. The peculiar problems of the hospital-catering service and particularly those of the older long-stay hospitals, are discussed in relation to preventive measures which would minimize the hazards of food poisoning.


Myxomatosis: the release and spread of the European rabbit flea Spilopsyllus cuniculi (Dale) in the Central District of Victoria.

The European rabbit flea was first released in Victoria in August 1969 at Werribee. Releases were made on five different land forms. At one site the first flea was recovered 2 weeks after release. Fleas were recovered between 4 and 6 weeks after release at the other sites. Differences in establishment and spread on the different land forms were due to physically restricted movement of some rabbit populations. By June 1971 80% of rabbits were infested but an occasional young uninfested rabbit was still found in August 1978. Infestation numbers were higher than in the Mallee region especially on pregnant does.


Inheritance of spotting in the leopard danio.

The inheritance of spotting pattern was investigated in the teleosts Brachydanio nigrofasciatus (leopard danio) and B. frankei (spotted danio). The segregation patterns observed in the progenies from nine different matings indicate a single-factor inheritance of the leopard and spotted phenotypes with complete dominance of the leopard type. In view of these observations, it is suggested that the species status of B. frankei be reexamined.


Laboratory test of seven rodenticides for the control of Mastomys natalensis.

Laboratory feeding tests were carried out to assess the efficacy of seven rodenticides against Mastomys natalensis. The poisons (warfarin, coumatetralyl, difenacoum, brodifacoum, bromadiolone, calciferol and zinc phosphide) were all toxic at the concentrations normally used against Rattus norvegicus (Berk.), although several were unpalatable. Trials are now needed to demonstrate the relative efficacy of these poisons in the field, but it is likely that, given suitable bait formulations, they would all be useful as practical control agents.


Solid-phase radioimmunoassay techniques for the detection of African swine fever antigen and antibody.

A solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been successfully developed to measure both African swine fever virus (ASFV) antigen and antibody. Studies show that the assay is reproducible and will detect limiting antigen concentrations equivalent to 50--500 HAD50/ml. Both direct and indirect antibody RIA have been developed and have proved to be approximately 100 times fore sensitive than the complement fixation test at present available and 1000 times more sensitive than the immuno-electro-osmophoresis test for the detection of ASFV antibody.


The antibody response in Legionnaires' disease.

From 22 patients with Legionnaires' disease, 86 sera were examined for specific serotype 1 IgM and IgG antibodies by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. No antibody was detectable until 8 days or more from the onset of symptoms. When produced the amount was widely variable and remained detectable for periods from less than 34 days to more than 1 year. Intially IgM antibody predominated, ten patients produced only IgM in the first 21 days, six produced only IgM in the first 28 days and three did not produce IgG at any time. One patient, and possibly a second, produced only IgG antibody. Since IgM antibody was still present in one patient after a year it is important not to accept the presence of this as evidence of very recent infection. It is advisable that any type of serological test for L. pneumophila infection should detect the production of both IgM and IgG antibodies.


Immunotherapy of a murine ovarian carcinoma with Corynebacterium parvum and specific heteroantiserum. I. Activation of peritoneal cells to mediate antibody-dependent cytotoxicity.

Immunotherapy with a combination of Corynebacterium parvum and specific heteroantiserum is significantly more effective than treatment with either single agent in prolonging the survival of mice that have recevied an i.p. injection of syngeneic murine ovarian carcinoma (MOT) cells. Invitro, a combination of C. parvum-activated peritoneal cells and specific heteroantiserum has proven significantly more effective than either single component in destroying 51Cr-labeled MOT cells in the absence of complement. Activation of peritoneal cells to produce lysis of tumor in the presence specific antiserum peaked 3 to 7 days after a single injection of C. parvum and declined to baseline over 3 to 4 weeks. With repeated i.p. injections of C. parvum at appropriate intervals, activation of peritoneal cells could be prolonged and augmented. Among the routes tested, only i.p. administration of C. parvum was effective, although activation of peritoneal cells for cooperation with heteroantiserum was observed over a broad range of i.p. dosage (0.45 to 4.20 mg). These data suggest that the administration of C. parvum by appropriate doses, routes, and schedules can attract and activate a population of peritoneal effectors that mediate antibody-dependent cytotoxicity more effectively than resident peritoneal cells.


Inhibition of growth of ASL-1w murine leukemia cells by anti-thymus leukemia antigen (TL) serum in the absence of complement.

Previous studies have shown that the cell surface expression of thymus leukemia antigen (TL) on ASL-1w leukemia cells varies with the progression of the cells through the growth cycle. Expression of TL is maximal in S phase, and its quantitative expression varies directly with DNA synthesis. In the present study, the effect of anti-TL serum on the growth of ASL-1w cells was examined. The antiserum, tested in the absence of complement, affected the growth of these cells in biphasic manner. When the antiserum concentration was 0.1% or greater, there was a rapid decline in the rate of DNA synthesis, and after 5 to 7 hr, cell death. When the antiserum concentration was 0.067% or less, the decline in the rate of synthesis of DNA did not become apparent until 5 to 6 hr after treatment. Under these conditions, there was approximately a 20% increase in cell number after 24 hr of culture. The hypothesis that treatment of ASL-1w cells with the lesser concentration of anti-TL serum blocks the cells in G2 phase of the cell cycle is discussed.


Activation to IgG secretion by lipopolysaccharide requires several proliferation cycles.

We have investigated the relationship between IgG secretion and cell proliferation after polyclonal activation of murine spleen cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). It was found that IgG secretion was optimal when cells proliferated extensively. Under those conditions, DNA synthesis commenced 8 to 12 hr after exposure to LPS. Increased proliferative activity was observed up to day 3, when the majority of the lymphoblasts were mitotically active. Two inhibitors of DNA synthesis, thymidine (TdR) and hydroxyurea (HU) caused a reduction in both the IgM and the IgG response, but the latter was more severely reduced. The inhibition was strongest when TdR and HU were added to cultures early after exposure to LPS, indicating that the cells developing to Ig secretion were continuously proliferating. 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) caused a general inhibition of IgM and IgG secretion at high concentrations, and a selective inhibition at low concentrations. The selective inhibition of IgG secretion, when measured on day 4, was also observed after a pulse of BrdU on days 1 and 2. The data suggest that development to IgG secretion is a complex process, which requires several proliferation cycles.


Prebursal stem cells in the intraembryonic mesenchyme of the chick embryo at 7 days of incubation.

Cyclophosphamide-treated 18-day-old chick embryos were transplanted with cells from 7-day intraembryonic mesenchyme; the recipients and donors were identical at the major histocompatibility locus. At the age of 35 days, the cell recipients were studied to determine the reconstitution capacity of the transplanted cells. The transplantation resulted in a complete restoration of IgM and IgG class antibody production against human gammaglobulin and Brucella abortus, and of microscopic morphology of the bursa of Fabricius and of the germinal center formation in the spleen. These findings demonstrate that 7-day intraembryonic mesenchyme of the chick embryo harbor prebursal stem cells. These findings confirm our previous observations in the yolk sac-embryo chimeras indicating that lymphoid stem cells originate in the intraembryonic hematopoietic sites.