Hyperprolactinemia and primary amenorrhea.

Four women with primary amenorrhea and hyperprolactinemia are presented. These patients started thelarchal and pubarchal development but never had a spontaneous menses. Hypothyroidism was not demonstrable in these patients. The causes for hyperprolactinemia in these patients and the clinical follow-up are discussed. In the authors' experience, hyperprolactinemia is seen in about one third of women with normogonadotropic primary amenorrhea, and primary amenorrhea is seen in about 3% of women with hyperprolactinemia.


Amniotic fluid phospholipid profile as a predictor of fetal maturity in diabetic pregnancies.

The phospholipids in amniotic fluid from diabetic pregnancies were compared with those in normal pregnancies. There was little difference in the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratios on the basis of the gestational ages. However, in diabetic pregnancies, phosphatidylglycerol (PG) was absent or low, and phosphatidylinositol (PI) remained high even if the L/S ratio was greater than 2. The phosphatidylglycerol/phosphatidylinositol (PG/PI) ratio was expressed as a function of the L/S ratio. The PG/PI ratio was significantly lower in maternal diabetes. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) coincided with an L/S ratio of between 2.0 and 3.0 only when PG was absent. Infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers with a particularly low PG/PI ratio (less than 50% of the median) had higher relative birth weights and more often had hypoglycemia than those infants born to mothers with a high PG/PI ratio (greater than 200% of the median). The phospholipids of amniotic fluid correlate with fetal functional maturity and may reflect deviations of hormonal balance required for normal perinatal development.


Influence of preinduction prostaglandin E2 vaginal gel on cervical ripening and labor.

A sterile gel containing prostaglandin (PG) E2 (2 mg PGE2 10 ml gel) was instilled vaginally in 65 primigravidas with unripe cervixes to accelerate ripening before planned surgical induction of labor. The patients treated with the gel were compared with 30 similar untreated controls. In the PGE2-treated group a significant improvement on cervical score was achieved before labor began, and 47% began to labor "spontaneously" without further treatment. Both the duration of subsequent labor and the incidence of cesarean section were significantly lower in the PGE2-treated group. There were no unwanted fetal or maternal effects. Pretreatment with intravaginal PGE2 gel reduces the risk of failed induction and provides the mother with an experience similar to spontaneous labor without harming the fetus.


Real-time ultrasound in locating intrauterine contraceptive devices.

Roentgenography and ultrasonography have been recommended for location of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) when the strings are not visible at the cervical os. Real-time ultrasound may have limited application compared to gray-scale B-scanning in certain clinical applications. Because of previous difficulty in locating an IUCD in 2 gravid and 2 nongravid patients, a blind study of 68 women was conducted. Seven patients were eliminated from the study because of inadequately filled bladders and failure to return for follow-up visits. There were 37 patients with IUCDs and 24 patients in the control group who used other forms of contraception. An incorrect diagnosis was made in 12 of 61 patients. Ten of 37 patients with an IUCD were identified as having no IUCD and 2 of 24 patients without an IUCD were identified as having an IUCD present. The accuracy of correctly identifying the presence or absence of an IUCD appears to be related to the type of device used. All of the 20 patients with a Copper-7 were correctly identified as having an IUCD, although the type was in error in 11 of the 20. Five of 7 patients with a Lippes Loop and none of the patients with a Saf-T-Coil were correctly identified as having an IUCD. Prior literature is reviewed, and possible sources of error are discussed.


Benign breast disease: studies of prostaglandin E2, steroids, and thermographic effects of inhibitors of prostaglandin biosynthesis.

Plasma levels of estradiol (E2), prostaglandin (PG)E2, and progesterone (P) were measured in both phases of the menstrual cycle in 22 women with benign mastopathies and in 5 normal women. In both phases of the cycle, PGE2 blood levels were significantly higher in patients with benign mastopathies than in normal women. In contrast, the plasma levels of both steroids were lower in patients than in controls. An estrogen-directed synthesis of PGE2 is proposed. In 10 patients, breast thermogenic response to inhibitors of PG biosynthesis (aspirin and indomethacin) revealed a cooling effect in 4 cases, a partly positive response in 3 cases, and no response in 3 cases. The 7 cases with positive responses also had a deficiency of variable magnitude of both steroids without an unbalanced P/E2 ratio. In contrast, patients with a negative thermographic response manifested very low levels of progesterone and a low P/E2 ratio. The significance of patients' unresponsiveness to inhibitors of PGE2 biosynthesis is discussed, as well as the implications with regard to breast cancer.


Fine-needle aspiration cytology in gynecologic oncology. I. Diagnostic accuracy.

A prospective study was undertaken to determine the diagnostic accuracy of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology in gynecology. A total of 77 aspirations were performed on 74 patients. In 34 instances the purpose was to rule out or confirm a diagnosis of primary disease, and in 43 cases the procedure was used for suspected metastatic disease or disease recurrent after surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy. Excellent correlation was noted between the cytologic and subsequent histopathologic diagnoses of 58 aspirations from patients who also underwent surgical biopsy. Two specimens were false negatives as the result of sampling errors. The applicability of FNA cytology in the field of gynecolotic oncology is discussed.


Unusual cystadenofibromas: endometrioid, mucinous, and clear cell types.

Cystadenofibromas are benign ovarian neoplasms containing both epithelial and stromal components. The epithelial component is usually of simple serous type resembling fallopian tube epithelium. Occasionally, tumors with unusual epithelial pattenrs are encountered. In this study, 16 cystadenofibromas with unusual epithelium are described. Twelve are examples of an endometrioid type, 3 of a clear cell (mesonephroid) type, and 1 of a mucinous-type epithelium. The stromal component in all tumors is identical to that of ordinary cystadenofibromas. One of the patients with a tumor containing endometrioid epithelium developed recurrence in the vagina after surgical removal of the ovarian tumor. The rest of the clinical features of these tumors are similar to those of ordinary cystadenofibromas with the exception that the median age is 10--20 years greater in the unusual-epithelium group.


Evaluation and clinical application of the quantitative radioreceptor assay for serum hCG.

An evaluation of a radioreceptor assay (RRA) for the quantitation of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in serum resulted in intra- and interassay variations of 2.6 and 5.5% (average), respectively. Recovery of hCG in a preparation of second IRP-hCG gave an accuracy of 93.2%. Standard curve data demonstrated that variation in reagent addition and incubation time allowed for flexibility in the use of the assay depending on the level of sensitivity desired. The most sensitive assay, which used an incubation of 2 hours, gave a usable range of 40--250 mIU/ml hCG on the standard curve. The applicability of the quantitative RRA in clinical cases is shown with 9 patients (total of 31 serum samples) in a comparison study with a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for the beta-subunit of hCG.


Cervical incompetence, hourglass membranes, and amniocentesis.

A method is described for treatment of cervical incompetence when there are bulging fetal membranes (hourglassing). The technique consists of abdominal amniocentesis and amniotic injection of antibiotics prior to closing the cervical defect.


An undeliverable fetus with an ominous fetal heart pattern: an obstetric dilemma.

An unusual fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern was detected in a patient with sickle cell crisis in early labor. Despite the potentially ominous significance of this pattern, immediate delivery by cesarean section had to be deferred because of maternal contraindications. Institution of treatment directed at possible etiologic factors failed to correct the heart rate abnormalities. An attempt at symptomatic treatment by administration of propranolol to the mother was successful and was associated with good fetal outcome.


Heterotopic pregnancy: midtrimester management.

A case of heterotopic pregnancy is presented. A search of the English literature reveals the present case to be the first instance in which a living second-trimester abdominal fetus has been extracted while its placenta remained undisturbed, and the intrauterine pregnancy progressed normally to term.


Early cervical pregnancy: ultrasonic diagnosis and conservative treatment.

Five cases of cervical pregnancy collected over an 8-year period (1971--1978) are analyzed. The incidence of cervical pregnancy at this institution is 1:7040 pregnancies. All cases were diagnosed prior to 12 weeks' gestation, and conservative treatment was instituted in each case. Etiology, criteria, definition, and clinical and pathologic signs are discussed. Several unusual features are emphasized, particularly conservative treatment and the use of ultrasound as a diagnostic aid.


Protecting workers from chemical hazards.

The most significant problem in recognizing workplace hazards is the lack of adequate surveillance systems for the identification and assessment of harmful exposures.


OSHA noise regulations: pathways to compliance.

Personal ear protection is probably the most expensive and least fruitful approach when one considers the cost of plugs, tests, monitoring and record keeping.


Cancer detection: industrial screening programs.

Development of oncologic occupational medicine has an interesting history and emphasizes the need for early detection of cancers in the industrial environment.


Tumor-bound immunoglobulins. Hemagglutinins on ascites tumor cells grown in mice immunized with xenologous erythrocytes.

In this study we demonstrated that gamma G2A myeloma cells in syngeneic BALB/c mice and Ehrlich adenocarcinoma cells in outbred Swiss mice, when grown in animals previously immunized against RRBC, have RRBC antibodies bound on their surface. Ascites tumor cells obtained from animals not immunized against RRBC can bind RRBC antibodies from the medium. Tumor cells from RRBC-immunized mice and tumor cells with RRBC antibodies bound in vitro were both able to form 'rosettes' when tested with RRBC, thus demonstrating that the combining site of the antibody molecule was not involved in the binding. Some theoretical implications of the presence of nonspecific antitumor immunoglobulins on cancer cell membrane are discussed.


Lactic dehydrogenase in ethylnitrosourea-induced rat gliomas. Total lactic dehydrogenase activity and isozymes in autochthonous gliomas and cloned transplantable astrocytomas.

Total lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and LDH isozyme patterns were measured in homogenates of 12 autochthonous ethylnitrosourea-induced rat gliomas and 5 cloned rat astrocytoma cell lines maintained in culture and transplanted to brain or flank sites in syngeneic hosts. The total LDH values in the autochthonous gliomas did not differ appreciably from normal brain controls, but the proportions of the cathodal isozymes, LDH4 and LDH5, were increased to a degree similar to that reported by others in spontaneous human malignant astrocytic gliomas. The cloned astrocytoma lines, both in vitro and in transplants at intracerebral or subcutaneous sites, commonly demonstrated elevated total LDH values and, without exception, showed a preponderance of isozymes, LDH4 and LDH5, that was distinctly more marked than in autochthonous tumors. Especially in cultured and transplanted rat gliomas, these findings suggest that astrocytic tumor cells maintain energy supplies by utilizing anaerobic glycolysis in relatively hypoxic environments. These data further underscore the need to develop laboratory brain tumor models for use in therapy trials that not only retain the convenience and predictability of transplantable gliomas but also approximate closely the metabolic properties of human spontaneous gliomas.


Multiple persistent keratoacanthomas.

A unique case of multiple keratoacanthomas is described, with involvement of the face and lower extremities with persistent lesions clinically and histologically diagnostic of keratoacanthomas. The lower extremity lesions appear as giant keratoacanthomas, with evolution into a distinctive confluent plaque. This important tumor and its present classification are reviewed.


[Effect of teratogens on the functional state of the lysosomal segregation apparatus of embryonic hepatocytes].

The effect of chloridine, 2-mercaptobenzimidazol, 6-mercaptopurine, dichlorhydrate 2(beta-ethyl aminoethyl) pyridine, pentoxyl, actinomycin D and dimethyl sulfoxide on the functional state of lysosome-segregation system (red acridine granules) was studied in drugs to stabilize the lysosome membrane in the embryonic cells is proved on the basis of experiments with quenching the acridine orange granules adsorbed by the structures with the neutral red molecules.


[Phenotypic modulation of chick embryo muscle cells in a suspension culture].

Three-dimensional aggregates are formed in the suspension culture by myoblasts of the chick embryo femoral muscle. Cells present in these aggregates undergo mitotic divisions just as in a monolayer; thereafter they fuse with the formation of myosimplasts. Further stages of myogenesis are impaired under the conditions of the suspension culture. This was manifested in the formation of atypical, massive spherical or vesicle-like thick-walled myosimplasts with dozens or hundreds of randomly clustered nuclei. After the replating and attachment to a glass surface myosimplasts undergo gladual elongation and differentiate into muscle fibers. Thus the attachment to the artificial solid support is a necessary prerequisite for the completion of morphogenesis in vitro.


[Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymatic spectrum in preimplantation murine embryos].

The spectrum of LDH isozymes was studied using different concentration of X-100 triton for enzyme extraction from the eggs and embryos, different systems of electrophoresis and different methods of staining electrophoregrams. Similar results were obtained in all cases. The mouse eggs and embryos were shown to contain only LDH-1; the treatment of oviducal fluid with X-100 triton strengthened the activity of LDH-4 and LDH-5. The detection of the activity of LDH-5 and hybrid isozymes appears to be related to the presence of oviducal fluid in the sample under study.


[Effect of preovulatory overripeness of the ovum on the course of the early stages of rat embryogenesis].

One day delay of ovulation in rats, caused by the injection of medinal, resulted in the marked slowing down of the cleavage rate. The delay is due to additive effect of both the drug itself and preovulatory over-ripeness of the oocytes. Upon two days medinal delay of ovulation, the toxic effect of over-ripeness was not stronger than upon the twofold injection of medinal; two days hormonal delay of ovulation resulted in the distinct inhibition of cleavage.


[Change in the electrophysiological parameters of rat oocytes maturing in vivo].

The membrane potential (MP) and input membrane resistance (R) were measured in the immature (1) and mature ovulated (2) rat eggs. The population 1 is homogeneous enough: in 78.3% of all oocytes MP equaled --18 +/- 0.3 mV and R = 3 +/- 0.6 mO; 21.7% of cells had MP = --2 +/- 0.9 MV and R = 3.5 +/- 0.6 mO. The population 2 was divided by the indices under study into 4 groups. The respective values of MP and R in each of 4 groupd 5.5 +/- 0.5 mO, c) --15 +/- 0.6 mV and 7 +/- 1.0 mO, d) --3 +/- 0.4 mV and 9 +/- 0.5 mO. A suggestion is put forward that MP and R of the oocytes change with respect to the maturation stage.


[Ultrastructural characteristics of the salivary glands of the taiga tick, Ixodes persulcatus (Ixodidae). I. The granulosecreting alveoles of the fasting female].

Two types of granulosecreting alveoles were found in salivary glands of hungry females by means of electron microscopy of ultrafine sections. Alveoles of the IInd type occur in the anterior helf of the gland. They are not numerous and consist of three types of secretory cells (A, B, C) surrounding the inneralveolar cavity. The secretory cells are separated from each other and from the basal membrane by the strands of the epithelial cells P. Three types of spherical inclusions were found in the secretory cells. They differ in size, electron density and intensity of staining of half-fine sections with toluidin blue. The apical cytoplasmatic membrane of secretory cells bears numerous microvilli. Alveoles of the IIIrd type, which constitute the main mass of the gland tissue, have a narrow slit-like inneralveolar cavity. The basal part of the alveole is formed by 3--4 large cells filled with large spherical electron-transparent vacuoles of the secretion. The apical part of the alveole is occupied by 9 to 11 cells E, whose cytoplasm is filled with numerous flat cisternae of granular endoplasmatic reticulum and small and medium secretory vacuoles of different electron density. Alveoles of the IInd and IIIrd type of I. persulcatus are not identical with those of Hyalomma asiaticum, Boophilus microplus and other members of the subfamily Amblyomminae.


[Age-related changes of the mineral component content in the hemolymph of 2d- and 3d-stage larvae of the reindeer warble fly (Hypodermatidae)].

A mineral components concentration in the haemolymph of the IInd- and IIIrd-stage larvae of Oedemagena tarandi depends on the physiological state of parasites. Metabolism of mineral components is most intensive in a young actively growing organism and during moulting. The moulting is characterized by the decrease in the concentration of inorganic phosphorus and potassium and by the increase of calcium, magnesium and natrium.


[Interaction of Toxoplasma gondii endozoites with the omental cells of the white mouse in acute experimental infestation. An electron microscopic study].

The omentum of 8 white mice was examined 24--96 hours after the intraperitoneal infection. Endozoites are capable of intensive intrusion not only into phagocytizing cells (hystocytes, peritoneal macrophages) but also into the cells which are not phagocytes (mesothelium). Just after the intrusion metabolism of the host-cell intensifies and in it are formed special structures which facilitate metabolic processes between the cell and the parasite (microvilli on the membrane of the parasitophore vacuole). At the final stage of the interaction with the cell endozoites cause the lysis of the membrane of the parasitophore vacuole that facilitates their transition into new cells. The ability to intrude into the cells, which are not phagocytes, and to cause the lysis of parasitophores vacuole is a factor of pathogenicity of virulent strains of toxoplasms which determines the generalized character of the infection caused by them.


[Change in the amino acid makeup in the muscle and liver tissues of broiler chicks with coccidiosis (Coccidiida)].

Broiler 7-week old chicks were infected with E. tenella (150 000 oocysts). The contents of aminoacids of muscular tissues of femur and liver as well as combined aminoacids of femoral muscles were investigated. It has been established that the total amount of aminoacids of muscular tissues increases on account of free aminoacids while the contents of combined aminoacids decreases. In the liver of infected chicks there was observed an increase of alanine and a decrease of histidine, arginine and of total quantity of nonsubstituted aminoacids. Coccidial infection causes pathological changes in the organism of birds thus reducing their food value.


[Systematic position of monogenean species of the genus Diplozoon in Far Eastern fishes].

The paper concerns the toxonomic position of the species Diplozoon bychowskyi, D. ctenopharyngodoni and D. strelkowi. As far as there are no serious morphological differences between them the first two species are reduced to synonyms of D. strelkowi. Despite the great similarity between D. diplodiscus and D. strelkowi some characters do not allow to consider them synonyms. On the basis of new data the descriptions of D. diplodiscus and D. strelkowi are given.


Guanidination of kappa-elastin from bovine ligamentum nuchae.

Kappa-Elastin is exhaustively guanidinated in order to chemically modify the pre-existing lysine content to homoarginine. However the pre-existing lysine content is only modified to homoarginine content about 50 p.cent. The other lysyl-bonds are buried or/and engaged to aldi-imine bonds or other bonds. Therefore the first guanidinated kappa-Elastin is submitted to partial acide hydrolysis (HCL, 1 N, 110 degrees C for 2 hours) and submitted to a second exhaustive guanidination. The pre-existing lysin content in kappa-Elastin almost quantitively disappeared and is transformed to the corresponding homoarginine. These results are similar to those obtained by photolysis of (Iso) desmosine residues by UV light which will liberate "new" lysine containing peptides from kappa-Elastin.


Biosynthesis of acylglycerol fatty acids in dog arteries.

The incorporation of (2-14C) acetate into the diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol fatty acids of three aortic layers and of the coronary arteries of the dog was investigated. In all tissues of the health animals, 50-60% of the label was found in the fatty acids greater than C16. This percentage was significantly higher in the diacylglycerols of the aortic media than in the adjacent layers or in the triacylglycerols of the media preparation. Under the influence of an atherogenic diet rich in cholesterol, incorporation of the label into the long chain fatty acids of the acylglycerols was markedly elevated in the aortic media and in the coronary artery. These results are interpreted in terms of metabolic alterations due to hypoxia in the normal aortic media and under hypercholesterolemic conditions. An active metabolic role of the diacylglycerols without net accumulation in the aortic media is discussed. In addition, the present data lend support to recent results on the coronary arteries and their susceptibility to atherogenesis.


[Reaction of Philophthalmus rhionica (Trematoda, Philophthalmidae miracidia to light].

The light response of miracidia was studied by means of several original methodics. The heterogeneity in the character of light response between various larvae of the same age population was determined in the course of experiments. It was shown that a part of miracidia possesses the strict positive phototaxis. Moreover, in their movement to the light the larvae seem to orientate themselves on the light intensity gradient. Not all the miracidia possess the positive phototaxis ("+" miracidia). Some of them ("-" miracidia) leave for the dark side of camera under the influence of direct ray of light. There are also larvae indifferent to the light conditions in thepopulation. They can move in different directions in spite of the light ray direction ("0" miracidia). The number of "+", "-" and "0" miracidia in the population is inconstant. The number of the negative phototactic larvae grows with age and respectively the number of "+" miracidia decreases. It is obvious the "+" miracidia can transform into "0" or "-" forms, while there is no opposite transformation. The reasons of differences in the movement character of "+" and "-" miracidia are under discussion.


[Biosynthesis of glycoconjugates in the arterial intima. VII. Isolation and purification of fucosyl-transferase from the aorta].

A fucosyl-transferase, catalysing the transfer of fucose, from GDP-fucose to proteinic or polyprenic acceptors, exists in microsomes of intima-media from aorta. Solubilization and purification of this enzyme is obtained by treatment of microsomes with Cemulsol NPT 12, column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Dowex 1 X 8 and electrofocusing. Only one molecular species is detected at pHi = 4.7.


[New species of tremstodes from Indian Ocean and Red Sea fishes].

On the basis of the material collected in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean four new species of trematodes are described: Bucephalopsis pseni sp. n., Diploproctodaeum chelonodoni sp. n., Bucephalus neoscombropsi sp. n., Phyllodistomum sobolevi sp. n. Anatomical and morphological characteristics of the above species as well as original figures of the trematodes are given, their taxonomic position is discussed.


Arterial lesions and hypertension induced by saline, unilateral nephrectomy, and deoxycorticosterone in spontaneously hypertensive SHR rats.

Male and female, 100 days old, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into two major groups: intact and uninephrectomized, given either no treatment, 1p.100 saline drinking water, 1p.100 saline + Deoxycorticosterone (DOC), or DOC alone. The DOC (Percorten pivalate) was given subcutaneously 2 times weekly, at a dose level of 2 mg/rat for 8 weeks. At autopsy, the combination of DOC + saline caused: the greatest exacerbation of blood pressure, marked catabolism, adrenal hypertrophy and thymic involution, little increase in heart weight, but a marked increase in kidney weight, elevated triglyceride and free fatty acids, cerebral and myocardial necrosis, fibrinous hyalinization of the cerebral, coronary, mesenteric, renal, testicular and ovarian arteries, foci of aortic cartilaginous metaplasia, PAN, foci of hepatic necrosis, and extensive lipid depletion from the zonae glomerulosa. Circulating corticosterone levels were suppressed to below normal levels. Excursion of circulating CPK levels coincided with the finding of myocardial necrosis and cerebral damage. It is suggested that the genetically-mediated hypertension of SHR is programmed through abnormal activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and the specific morphologic make-up of arterial lesions is dependent upon the variety of adrenal or gonadal steroids secreted and their conditioning effect on the arterial wall.


[Morphogenesis of the genital system of Passerilepsis crenata (Cestoidea: Hymenolepididae)].

The consecutive development of the genital organs in proglottides of the mature st obile of Passerilepis crenata was studied. The organs of the male and female genital systems, excluding testes and efferent ductules, are laid as a common genital anlage, which later become subdivided into three departments. On the basis of the degree of development of the genital organs zonation of the worm's strobile has been specified.


[Tabanid fly fauna (Tanidae) of southeastern Khanty-Mansiisk Autonomous Okrug].

The species compositon of tabanid flies from the southeastern part of the Khanty-Mansijsk territory (the river Vakh basin) was studied. 15 species belonging to 4 genera were found as follows: Chrysops, Atylotus, Haematopota, Hybomitra. The duration of flight, abundance of tabanid flies and the periods of their damaging activities were established.


Rickets: a roentgenographic scheme for diagnosis.

The roentgenograms in seventy-two (72) patients with all forms of rickets were reviewed in an attempt to determine whether specific forms of rickets could be identified and classified roentgenographically. All cases were clinically proven and after analyzing the roentgenographic changes in all of the patients, it was determined that such a scheme was possible. This scheme allows one to either diagnose the specific type of rickets or offer a short, pertinent differential diagnosis from roentgenograms alone.


The paradoxial movement of the mediastinum. A diagnostic sign of foreign-body aspiration during childhood.

The paradoxical movement of the mediastinum, in relation to the respiratory cycle, is a valuable fluoroscopie sign in the evaluation of partial obstruction of air-flow through the trachea or larynx. Its recognition in the presence of the normal chest radiograms together with the clinical history of aspiration, is of importance in the diagnosis of a foreign body located above the tracheal bifurcation. The pathophysiology and the radiographic manifestations of this phenomenon are described. Various etiologies are discussed in which this sign is also seen. The experience with 18 pediatric patients is presented and 3 cases are outlined in details.


Barotraumatic pneumothorax during cardiopulmonary bypass: a rare complication of open heart surgery.

In the absence of underlying lung disease, pneumothorax is a rare complication of open heart surgery in patients on cardiopulmonary bypass. However, barotraumatic pneumothoraces may be induced by manually applied endotracheal tube positive pressure to prevent air emboli from the left heart during open heart surgery. Two patients in whom barotraumatic pneumothoraces occurred during cardiopulmonary bypass and open heart surgery are reported.


99mTc-pyrophosphate imaging: bacterial endocarditis.

The authors describe a positive 99mTc-Pyrophosphate (99mTc-PYP) myocardial scan in a child with congenital cyanotic heart disease who developed bacterial endocarditis.


Double-contrast enemas in children: the "knee-chest" view of the rectosigmoid colon.

A modified prone lateral projection of the rectosigmoid colon with horizontal beam is described for double-contrast barium enemas in children. Elevation of the buttocks allows barium to drain retrograde from the air-filled rectum, improving visualization in selected patients.


A syndrome of multiple gastrointestinal atresias with intraluminal calcification. A report of a case and a review of the literature.

An infant with multiple gastrointestinal atresias from the stomach to the rectum is reported and the literature concerning this syndrome is reviewed. The syndrome has been reported, to date, exclusively in infants born to families with a French-Canadian background. The radiological hallmark of this syndrome is extensive calcification of intraluminal content between the areas of atresia which appears as rounded or oval homogeneous radiopacities on abdominal radiographs. Inheritance is thought to be autosomal recessive and the etiology is uncertain. All previously reported cases have died. The significance of biliary gas, seen in postoperative films, is discussed.


Reduction of dose in pelvic examinations of infants using modern X-ray techniques.

A simple dose-saving procedure for the diagnosis of congenital hip dysplasia employing a diaphragm in near-focus position is presented. Doses to the skin and the gonads are measured with a phantom, comparing the new and other techniques. With optimal techniques the skin dose is smaller than 2 mR and the gonadal doses lie around 0.1 mR for both male and female patients.


Rare pediatric conditions: contribution of grey-scale ultrasonography.

The authors report some unusual pediatric conditions where grey scale ultrasound was the most useful diagnostic tool. Cases of pericardial cyst, polycystic kidney disease of the adult type, hepatic hamartoma and hepatocarcinoma, gallstones, renal pseudo tumors, calcified inferior vena caval thrombus, acute pancreatitis, multicystic kidney and retroperitoneal lymphangioma are briefly described and compared to the literature. In a patient presenting with hereditary tyrosinemia, ultrasound not only disclosed evidence of hepatocarcinoma but was shown to be the procedure of choice for following the course of the disease.


Angiographic diagnosis of jugular venous system dilatation in children. A report of five cases.

We report five children with a soft mass in the neck due to congenital jugular venous ectasia. Three had fusiform dilatation of the internal jugular vein, which in one case was associated with dilatation of the ipselateral external jugular vein. Two children had aneurysmal dilatation of the superficial cervical communicating vein. The first four cases required angiographic studies for final diagnosis. Venography via the femoral vein was most valuable for visualization of the dilated segments of internal jugular veins but failed to show the vascular mass communicating with the superficial vein of the neck. These were best visualized by direct injection of the contrast medium into the vessel. In the fifth case a correct diagnosis was obtained with xeroradiography alone.


Large skull defect in a headbanger.

A mentally retarded self-mutilating child developed a large skull defect at the site of repeated trauma. The bony defect involved only the outer table and had smooth bony margins.


Giant lobar emphysema--neonatal diagnosis.

Giant emphysema of a lung lobe has distinctive features. Classically there is overdistension of the affected lung lobe, with one lobe only being involved, and, 50% of cases occur in the newborn infant [1, 4, 8]. The authors describe a particularly severe example with marked mediastinal shift and initially the hemithorax on the side of the lesion was opaque. Angiography was carried out and followed by resection when the infant was 4 months old.


Traumatic aneurysm of the ascending aorta in a child.

A case of traumatic aneurysm of the ascending aorta in a child is reported. This complication must be suspected in a child who sustains severe injury from closed thoracic trauma and develops an abnormally wide anterior mediastinum. A mechanism for ascending aortic rupture and aneurysm is proposed. Aortography is essential when aortic injury and its complications are suspected.


Regional distribution of acetylcholinesterase in the right atria of humans and dogs.

The regional distribution of acetylcholinesterase in the right atrium was determined by quantitative chemical measurements on hearts obtained from 14 infant and 9 adult humans of autopsy, and 9 adult dogs after termination of acute animal experiments. The atrium and interatrial septum were dissected, and the appendage was cut along its fold from the ventricular border to the superior vena cava. The atrium was cut into 20 consecutive sections. Homogenates (10% w/v) were prepared, centrifuged, and the supernatants were used for the enzyme assay by the method of Ellman. The acetylcholinesterase concentration [AChE] was mapped by section, or the sections were grouped into areas and mapped. The results show that: 1) in the dog, [AChE] is significantly higher in the nodal regions as compared to the appendicular areas, which contain the lowest [AChE]; 2) in the human, the [AChE] distribution pattern is qualitatively similar between the adult and infant, and in contrast to the dog, the appendicular areas contain the highest [AChE]; 3) for all areas studied, human infant [AChE] levels are significantly higher than human adult levels for corresponding areas. It is concluded that there is a distinct species difference between the regional distribution of the [AChE] in human and canine right atrium. Also, within humans, there is an age-related difference in the quantitative [AChE] levels. These species and age-related differences may reflect a varying pattern of distribution of the vagus nerve between the two species studied.


Kinky hair disease. Biochemical, histochemical, and ultrastructural studies.

The biosynthetic activities of protein and collagen from the patient of kinky hair disease, were reduced to 70 and 50%, respectively, compared with control. In tissue cultures, fast-green FCF staining coarse granules were found in the cytoplasm of skin fibroblasts from the patient. Ultrastructurally, collagen fibrils by iliac cartilage biopsy were irregular in width. Ruthenium red staining granules, presumed to be proteoglycans in the cartilage matrix, were relatively small in size and few in number. Chondrocytes showed poor development of organelles and relatively small glycogen accumulation.


Studies on the effects of saturated and unsaturated short-chain monocarboxylic acids on the energy metabolism of rat liver mitochondria.

The effect of eight branched-chain amino acid metabolites, four metabolites from the beta-oxidation, and the unphysiologic acid 4-pentenoic acid on the oxygen consumption rate of liver mitochondria oxidizing pyruvate, 2-oxo-glutarate, and L-palmitoylcarnitine has been investigated. The 12 metabolites are: propionic, isobutyric, 2-Me-butyric, isovaleric, acrylic, Me-acrylic, tiglic, Me-crotonic, butyric, hexanoic, crotonic, and 2-hexenoic acids. The oxidation rate of pyruvate was strongly inhibited by propionic, 4-pentenoic, and isovaleric acids at 0.1, 0.1, and 1.0 mM, respectively. With 2-oxo-glutarate as substrate, the oxygen consumption rate was strongly inhibited at 0.1 mM of propionic, 4-pentenoic, and isovaleric acids. The L-palmitoyl-carnitine oxidation rate was very strongly inhibited by 0.1 mM 4-petenoic acid, whereas butyric and hexanoic acids exerted a moderate inhibition at 0.1 mM. Propionic acid inhibited L-palmitoylcarnitine oxidation slightly at 1.0 mM. It is argued that propionyl-CoA and isovaleryl-CoA inhibit pyruvate and 2-oxo-glutarate dehydrogenases directly, and the significance of the results for ketotic episodes in organic acidurias is discussed.


Possible sodium and D-glucose cotransport in isolated jejunal epithelium of children.

Some experimental data in human jejunum suggest a Na dependence for glucose absorption and a glucose dependence for Na absorption. However, the relationship between these two transport processes is not yet known. Na+ and D-glucose absorptions were, therefore, measured simultaneously, in vitro, in isolated jejunal mucosa of children. The results are as follows: 1) the steady-state accumulation of D-glucose (C/M glucose) is a function of the Na concentration gradient between cell and medium (C/M Na). In Ringer solution, C/M glucose = 3.97 and C/M Na = 0.29; in the presence of 10(-4) M ouabain, C/M glucose = 1.63 and C/M Na = 0.60, and in Na free solution, C/M glucose = 0.99. In the presence of phloridzin, C/M Na is not statistically different from that in Ringer, but C/M glucose is significantly decreased. 2) The influx of D-glucose at the luminal membrane is a function of Na concentration in the bathing solution; it has the value of 4.41 mumole/hr cm2 in the presence of Na and of 1.65 mumole/hr cm2 in absence of Na. 3) The short-circuit current is a saturable function of D-glucose and of 3-O-D-methylglucose. The Kt for glucose is 8.01 mM. These results support the concept of a coupling between Na and D-glucose absorptions at the luminal membrane of jejunal mucosa of children.


Immunologic studies of prothrombin in newborns.

Prothrombin of newborns was investigated by means of the quantitative immunoelectrophoresis and the two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis. The plasma of 10 of 24 healthy term newborns and of 5 preterm infants taken immediately after birth showed one prothrombin precipitate in the alpha-2-beta-globulin position when a buffer containing 25 mM calcium lactate was used. No differences in the mobility and form of the precipitate could be observed as compared to healthy adults. The plasma of the other 14 term newborns and one small-for-date infant showed two precipitates, one in the alpha-2-beta-globulin position and a second in the alpha-1-globulin position. Twenty-four hr after the injection of vitamin K, the precipitate in alpha-1-globulin position was no longer evident. When a buffer without calcium was used in the two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis, only one precipitate in the alpha-1-globulin position was found in all newborns. In the quantitative immunologic determination, the prothrombin was found to be decreased as compared to that of adults. The quantitative immunologic determination and the activity assay gave equal results in those infants who had only one precipitate in the two dimensional immunoelectrophoresis. In those newborns, who had two precipitates, the quantitative immunologic determination gave higher results than the measurement of the activity assay. From this study, no evidence of differences between the prothrombin of newborns and that of adults could be derived. Vitamin K deficiency, as judged from the appearance of a second peak in alpha-1-globulin position in the two dimensional immunoelectrophoresis was a frequent findings in term newborns, even on the 1st day of life.


Kniest dysplasia. A histochemical study of the growth plate.

Chondro-osseous tissue from four patients with the Kniest dysplasia was studied histochemically using a new plastic embedding technique. Extensive vacuolar changes were observed p--1 throughout the endochondral growth plate and adjacent resting cartilage. These changes occurred within the cartilage matrix and also in the lacunae of degenerating chrondrocytes. The septa of the lesions contained chondroitin sulfate, but little keratan sulfate or collagen. Resting cartilage not adjacent to the growth plate stained irregularly and showed few of the vacuolar lesions, and chondrocytes were enlarged and contained cytoplasic inclusions, but no vacuolar material. Thus, there appears to be a sequence of events initiated by cellular accumulation of a substance and progressing to cellular and matrix degeneration.


Cardiovascular and respiratory responses to right atrial injections of phenyl diguanide in pentobarbital-anesthetized newborn piglets.

The present series of experiments was designed to determine whether the piglet has mature cardiorespiratory responses to the administration of phenyl diguanide (PDG) similar to those reported in adult mammals. A total of 26 acutely instrumented piglets aged 2--23 days were lightly anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. After control conditions were established, PDG was injected into the right atrium. Each animal was its own control for determination of presence and magnitude of aortic pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and volume, and blood flow responses to test doses of PDG. A fall in blood pressure was observed in all animals within 2--4 sec after right atrial injection of PDG. Bradycardia occurred and a transient cardiac arrhythmia, consisting of 2nd and 3rd degree heart block, was observed in most animals; the latter has not been previously reported. Apnea followed by rapid shallow breathing was observed in most animals. This respiratory effect was more pronounced in the younger animals. After atropine, PDG elicited a monophasic rise in aortic pressure; the cardiac rhythm and rate changes were abolished. However, the apneic response was retained. Subsequent bilateral vagotomy abolished the hypotensive effect on PDG. Such results suggest the possibility that the piglet,s cardiorespiratory response to the administration of PDG may be evoked by stimulation of type J pulmonary receptors. These have been postulated to be responsible for the triad of responses of hypotension, bradycardia, and apnea seen in other species after PDG administration.


The fat and water content of the dead infants skinfold.

Precentages of total fat and water in skinfold tissue from the suprailiac site were estimated in 46 newborn infants of varying gestations. No significant correlation between fat content and gestation was present and no marked difference existed between the sexes at term (the mean fat value in males being 44.6% and that in females 41.5%). A significant correlation was demonstrated between water content and gestation, levels decreasing from 86% at 30/52 to 65% at 40/52, and the mean water value in term males was, at 68.9%, significantly different from the female mean of 59.33%.


Rapid detection of neonatal intracranial hemorrhage by transillumination.

Using transillumination and a sensitive cadmium sulfide light meter, 145 newborns were screened for the presence of intracranial hemorrhage. Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) was suspected when the light meter could not detect any light passing through the anterior fontanel when the light beam was directed through the frontal eminence. ICH was confirmed by branial computed tomography or postmortem examination in all 17 infants not transmitting light. Spectrophotometry was performed on samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to demonstrate the mechanism through which blood in the CSF blocks light transmission.


Children's car seat restraints: when top-tether straps are ignored, are these restraints safe?

Children's car seat restraints are impact sled-tested to evaluate their safety qualities. To determine whether these restraints can protect the child, it is necessary to test in two different ways those restraints that require a top-tether strap: (1) installed in accordance with the manufacturer's directions; and (2) installed in the manner they are actually used. In this study the five children's car seat restraints top-rated by a leading consumer organization were impact sled-tested with a top-tether strap in use. They were then tested without the top-tether strap--the way such restraints are often being used as indicated by an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety survey. In addition, two leading restraints not requiring a top-tether strap, but secured by the auto lap belt, were tested. This study shows that the five top-tethered restraints, when installed with top-tether and lap belt, and the two restraints not requiring a top-tether give good protection in a frontal crash. It also shows that, with one possible exception, the five restraints that require a top-tether strap do not provide adequate protection if the top-tether strap is not used.


Motor vehicle occupant deaths in young children.

Motor vehicle occupant deaths of US children aged 0 to 12 years were analyzed. Surprisingly, the death rate is highest for children less than 6 months old: 9.0/100,000, dropping to 4.5/100,000 for 1-year-olds and about 3/100,000 for children aged 6 to 12. The second and third months of age are a period of especially high risk. More attention should therefore be focused on protecting infants from injury and death resulting from motor vehicle crashes.


A comparison of absentee rates of elementary schoolchildren with asthma and nonasthmatic schoolmates.

Daily school attendance has been suggested as a health status measure for children. The present study compares school absence in children known to have asthma (N = 95) with a random sample of nonasthmatic elementary schoolchildren (N = 711). The differences in average percentage of days absent over one year were analyzed by comparing both groups' conditioning on ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, and grade. Children with asthma have a significantly higher absentee rate (absent 8.4% of days) than do nonasthmatic children (absent 5.9% of days) (P less than 9001). This significant difference holds true regardless of ethnicity of sex and for most socioeconomic groups. A comparison by grade level shows a similar trend for children with asthma and nonasthmatic children: absentee rates decrease as children get older; however, except for one grade level, children with asthma have a greater percentage of school days absent. Mean absentee rates for children with asthma were different when compared according to their mother's perception of severity of asthma--mild (6.9%), moderate (7.9%), and severe (13.9%).


The influence of different electrode temperatures on the recorded transcutaneous Po2 level.

The technique of transcutaneous monitoring of oxygen partial pressure (PtcO2), first described in 1969, provided a new clinical possibility for continuous and noninvasive surveillance of changes in the oxygenation of the organism. To obtain optimal arterialization of the skin and thus a relieable recording, the electrodes used have been supplied with microheating elements. The electrode temperature used implies the risk of producing burns; this is especially true when the measurements are performed in patients with decreased skin circulation or in immature children with a thin and vulnerable skin. Thus, a careful choice of the electrode temperature is important in PtcO2 recording; a higher temperature is desirable for obtaining adequate arterialization, whereas a lower temperature is preferred for reducing the risk of burns. The electrode temperatures described for PtcO2 measurements range from 42--45 C. A systematic study with the Radiometer TCM 1 equipment showed that changing the electrode temperature influences the OtcO2 in a systematic way within the temperature range 43.0--45.0 C. The study also showed that simultaneous measurements obtained from two electrodes with different temperatures showed a highly parallel course and a comparable oscillating pattern within this temperature range. The results of the present study suggest that an electrode temperature of 44.5 C may be the most appropriate for this equipment in clinical applications with newborns.


Increase of IgA-bearing peripheral blood lymphocytes in children with Henoch-Schoenlein purpura.

Aberration of IgA-bearing peripheral blood lymphocytes in children with Henoch-Schoenlein purpura has been investigated. Eighteen children with Henoch-Schoenlein purpura demonstrated a marked increase of IgA-bearing lymphocytes in peripheral blood during the acute phase of the disease. The levels of IgA-bearing lymphocytes returned to the normal levels after the acute symptoms of Henoch-Schoenlein purpura had subsided. However, in patients who developed purpura nephritis, the increased levels of IgA-bearing lymphocytes in peripheral blood were retained after the disappearance of purpura, and lasted for more than 12 months. It is concluded that the monitoring of IgA-bearing peripheral blood lymphocytes is useful for the screening of patients with Henoch-Schoenlein purpura and purpura nephritis.


Amebic liver abscess in children: clinical and epidemiologic features.

Amebiasis, that is, infection with Entameba histolytica, continues to be endemic in the United States, with liver abscess occurring as an infrequent but constant complication. Seven cases are reported, with epidemiologic investigation of two. Reliable findings in hepatic abscess include fever, abdominal pain, respiratory distress, tender abdomen, and large, tender liver. Anemia, elevated white count with left shift, and the radiographic findings of an elevated right hemidiaphragm are constant. Epidemiologically, amebiasis occurs in clusters in the United States with person-to-person transmission predominant in spread. Infection is associated with poor sanitation and crowding. Investigation of the families of two patients documented 9/21 carriers and an additional 3/21 who were seropositive, as well as crowding and poor sanitation. In this country, treatment of a patient with amebic disease should include investigation of his home and family.


The Cockayne syndrome: an evaluation of hypertension and studies of renal pathology.

Three children with renal disease, hypertension, and the Cockayne syndrome were evaluated. All patients had severe hypertension; peripheral vein renin was elevated in two patients. Renal biopsy specimens from two patients were studied by light microscopy, electron microscopy, and immunofluoresence. Immunohistologic studies demonstrated deposits of immunoglobulin and complement in the vessels and glomeruli of the first patient; deposits of immunoglobulin and complement were seen in the glomeruli of the third patient. Also electron-dense deposits were seen in the glomerular basement membrane of the third patient. Circulating immune complexes were detected by the Raji cell and Clq binding techniques in this child as well. Both hypertension and renal disease are frequent complications of the Cockayne syndrome.


Skin surface carbon dioxide tension in sick infants.

Skin surface PCO2 (PSCO2) was measured at 44 C in 17 sick infants using a Radiometer surface PCO2 electrode. Values obtained for PSCO2 were compared with simultaneous values for arterial PCO2 (PaCO2). PSCO2 was found to be linerarly related to PaCO2 by a regression line with a slope 1.37. PaCO2 could be predicted from PSCO2 to within 6 torr in all instances. The relationship was not affected by the patient's gestational age, postnatal age, weight, or blood pressure. This electrode is a valuable clinical tool in the management of sick infants.


Daydreaming: a measurable concept.

Research has been reported which supports the psychometric properties of the Imaginal Processes Inventory. The purpose was to confirm and extend this research as well as investigate the interrelationships between daydreaming and depression, locus of control, and visual imagery. This inventory (7 scales), Beck Depression Inventory, Rotter Locus of Control Scale (I-E), and Gordon's Test of Visual Imagery Control were administered to 100 female undergraduates. A sample of 39 subjects were retested on the scales an average of 6.8 wk. after the first administration. Correlations with Imaginal Processes Inventory and test-retest data were consistent with Giambra's (1977) findings for males and support the reliability and generalizability of the scores. Other results include significant intercorrelations between the various scales of this inventory and the others. Implications for an understanding of the process of depression are discussed.


Reliability of the Karolinska Rod-and-Frame Test.

Retest and internal consistency-reliability of the rod-and-frame task, a version which required the body be erect, and using a Rod-alone series, was satisfactory. There was a slight but statistically significant improvement over a 1-mo. interval.


Classification of placebo drugs: effect of color.

To study the role of color in the pscyhological effects of placebo drugs, 100 subjects were asked to place each of six different colored capsules into one of three classifications of drug effects. Results indicate that red and yellow placebos are classified as stimulants while blue placebos are classified as depressants.


Cognitive correlates of sex-role identification.

This study examined sex role and its relationship to several cognitive variables. No relationship between these variables and sex role but a significant difference between males and females was found for only a perceptual-motor speed task. These findings may indicate that sex role is unrelated to cognitive style as measured here.


Estimation of distance and Preferred State Theory.

This paper describes the application of Preferred State Theory to provide quantitative predictions of a variety of psychological effects, including the prothetic-metathetic distinction, and the expected form of the matching functions between physical stimuli and the estimates produced by magnitude and category subjective estimation methods. The subjective distance from a midwestern university campus to each of 24 American cities was judged by 157 male and female undergraduates. It was hypothesized on the basis of the theory that subjects would process short geographical distances as a metathetic continuum and longer distances as a prothetic continuum. This hypothesis was supported for the method of category judgments but not for the method of magnitude estimation. Based on the theory, the matching functions between physical and subjective distances for short distances were expected to be more nearly linear than for long distances for both judgment methods. The data do not support this hypothesis for either method.


Behavior rating scales: need for refining normative data.

The purpose of this study was to generate normative data by grade and sex to accompany behavior rating scales. Teachers rate 483 boys and girls in Grades 1 through 4. The findings suggest rating scales be re-examined since norms by grade level and sex may be desirable attributes.


Dichotic ear effects with digits and tones: a within-subject comparison.

56 right-handed adults (23 men, 33 women) with IQs ranging from 79 to 140 on the Quick Test each performed on two dichotic tests, one with digital input, one with tonal input. The average magnitude of the right-ear advantage for digits was comparable to that of the left-ear advantage for tones, but there was greater between-subject variability with tonal input than with digital input. Ear advantage with digits was unrelated with ear advantage with tones, and high intelligence was not associated with clearly opposite directions of ear advantage for the two types of test material. The results were discussed in terms of hemispheric specializations, as well as the reliability and validity of the dichotic ear effects.


Examination stress and performance on a color-word interference test.

Interference observed in the Stroop color-word task is influenced by various characteristics of the words employed. 38 students in their final year, approaching examinations, were asked to name the colors of words associated with this theme. These words produced greater delay than a control set, and those students who were most anxious about the examinations experienced most interference. This effect might be more generally employed in stress research, providing a performance-based index of reaction to issues or situations which are potential sources of anxiety.


Fitts' reciprocal tapping task, a measure of motor capacity?

Employing Fitts' reciprocal tapping task, the capacity of the motor system in bits processed/second was assessed across different ages. In Exp. I a comparison was made among Grades 1, 5, 9, and university females. Motor capacity and average movement time/tap were significantly lower for Grade 1 girls than the other three grades. In addition, within-subject variability and percentage error rate decreased with increasing grade level. These findings were discussed in comparison to other studies looking at motor capacity changes across ages. Exp. II was designed to study the changes in motor capacity throughout 25 days of practice by two 5-yr.-old children. Two different methods were used to calculate motor capacity. One method (Kay, 1962) which assessed motor capacity separately for each tapping condition led to the conclusion that capacity increased with practice. A second method (Fitts & Peterson, 1964) treating all tapping conditions together in a regression equation and measuring capacity as the reciprocal of the slope (1/b) showed capacity to decrease with practice for one subject and oscillate with practice for the other subject. The general conclusion drawn from the two experiments was that motor capacity, as assessed by Fitts' tapping task, is not an extremely useful measure. Consideration of movement time is usually just as informative.


Perception: a model comprising two modes of consciousness.

A model of human perception is proposed in which conscious awareness is assumed to be the result of two separate mechanisms each involving consciousness, one outer, sensori-produced, and one inner, conceptual. By mediation of flexible memory representations the sensory data of the outer consciousness give rise to a matched "copy" in the inner consciousness which conceptually organizes the former and also serves as input to the memory store. The model is applied to some perceptual problems in vision such as ambiguous stimuli, subjective contours, space perception, a case of metacontrast, and subliminal perception.


Effects of cerebral dominance on college-level achievement.

Ability to perform successfully on multiple-choice tests was assessed for students displaying various cognitive styles. Male and female undergraduate students were classified according to right, left, or integrated cerebral functioning as determined by Your Style of Learning and Thinking test. The students participated in introductory classes in educational psychology and completed multiple-choice questions designed to assess content. The effects of cerebral dominance on student's ability to complete multiple-choice questions successfully were determined. Students designated by SOLAT as left dominant correctly completed significantly more multiple-choice questions than did right-dominant students. Implications for education were discussed.


An examination of relationship between subliminal perception, visual information processing, levels of processing, and hemispheric asymmetries.

A sublimiinal letter was exposed to the left or right hemisphere for either 15 or 30 msec. Subjective guesses were more accurate for visuo-spatial positional recognition made to presentations in the right hemisphere whereas verbal recognition was more accurate to presentations in the left hemisphere. The 30-msec. exposure increased the accuracy of the guesses. These findings were discussed in terms of differential triggering mechanisms for levels of hemispheric processing.


Behavior problems of children in regular classes and those diagnosed as requiring speech therapy.

2,991 white children in regular classes and 106 white children requiring speech therapy were compared on Quay's Behavior Problem Checklist. The former had fewer problems checked in areas such as personality disorders and inadequacy-immaturity than did the latter, as expected, although the amount of variance accounted for was small. The groups did not differ on conduct problems and socialized deliquency. A question was raised about variations in psychotic signs.


Maintenance of uncued isometric contractions by blind and sighted.

A comparison of 10 blind and 10 sighted subjects to a proprioceptive task was examined by analysis of response to maintenance of uncued static contractions. In attempting to sustain hand-grip tensions at specified percentages of maximum voluntary contraction, blind and sighted groups showed no significant difference in performance.


Clinical utility of the WISC-R and the French Pictorial Test of Intelligence with native American primary grade children.

Cultural bias and the clinical utility of the WISC-R and French Pictorial Test of Intelligence were evaluated using scores of 22 male and 22 female Navajo primary grade children. There were no significant differences in performance on either test according to sex. As expected, the Verbal IQ and Full Scale IQ of the WISC-R and the Deviation IQ of the French provided significantly depressed estimates of ability. A prorated Performance IQ might be the least depressed measure of potential among these children.


Information processing in imagination using nonverbalizable visual stimuli.

In groups of 20 to 25, 146 undergraduates were tested as to their ability to mentally combine two shapes. They were to pick the correct choice from 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, or 15 alternatives. The shapes were previously proven to be effectively unverbalizable but recognizable and discriminable. Contrary to expectation, there was no negative decrement in performance with increasing numbers of incorrect alternatives.


Augmentation-reduction and pain: reply to petrie.

The comments by Petrie (1978) on our earlier paper (Elton, et al., 1978) are discussed. Clarification of procedures demonstrates that Petrie's comments do not warrant any modification of our conclusion that the relationship between perceptual reactance and pain has not been clearly established.


Personality and environmental variables associated with dental anxiety.

94 adult dental patients' anxiety was assessed. Scores on Spielberger, et al.'s inventory showed attractiveness of the waiting room, age, and Edwards' Harmavoidance were significantly related to anxiety.


Attention demands of ball-tracking skills.

This study was one of a series of experiments which investigated the theoretical basis underlying practical approaches to coaching ball skills. The results supported the notion that the attention demands of a ball-tracking task were greater at the beginning and end of the flight path.


Temporal locus of inference in the comprehension of brief passages: recognizing and verifying implications about instruments.

Recent investigations of language comprehension have shown that people frequently report recognizing test sentences which express ideas that were only implied in an antecedent passage. The present study asked whether the inferences underlying these false alarms are drawn when the original message is encoded or at test time. In Exp. 1, it was shown that the recognition rate for direct quotations from brief passages is clearly higher than for sentences expressing implications about the instruments used to perform actions. In Exps. 2, 3, and 4 the subjects were timed while they decided whether test sentences (a) had been heard verbatim in the passage or (b) were true concerning the passage. In all conditions, subjects needed about .2 sec. more to respond affirmatively to "implicit" sentences than to ones that quoted or paraphrased the passage. It was concluded that at least a subset of the cognitive processes associated with the inferences in question is executed at test time.


Sighting-eye dominance related to composite sidedness in classroom and clinic samples.

Near-point and far-point binocular and monocular sighting tests given 20 high and 20 low achievers each from regular classrooms at Grades 4, 8, and 12 (N = 240) yielded significant chi 2 for differences of proportions of lateral agreement with sidedness in comparison to distributions unrelated to sidedness. Composite sighting congruent to sidedness yielded significant differences between classroom and reading clinic samples. The near-point binocular sighting test markedly influences distributions of combined scores in sighting.


Effects of body image on tactile sensitivity to a tickle:: a study of pregnancy.

A group of 20 middle-class women between 20 and 40 yr. of age and in the third trimester of pregnancy was compared with a control group of 20 non-pregnant women for cutaneous sensitivity (to a tickle) and for modifications of body schema which were hypothesized to occur during pregnancy. Latency and actual duration were considered in the perception of the tickle. Body schema were studied using two of Fisher's tests, Body Prominence and Body Cathexis. Pregnancy leads to modifications in sensitivity to tickle, specifically with regard to the right half of the body and to some extent in body schema.


Clinical use of the Quick Test with sheltered workshop clients.

The purpose of this note is to provide clinical reference data on the Quick Test responses of 48 adult sheltered workshop clients. The mean IQs for Forms 1, 2, and 3 were 66.3, 67.6, and 69.7, respectively. The mean IQ for combined Form 1 + 2 + 3 was 68.4. Standard deviations of IQs for the three forms were 13.68, 13.99, and 15.31, respectively, and for Form 1 + 2 + 3 was 13.65. There were 17 females and 31 males ranging in age from 18-2 to 61-1. These data provide tentative local norms for psychologists to use when the Quick Test is given to evaluate mentally subnormal clients of these sheltered workshops for placement or to predict their success in work programs. Future norms should be checked and updated for workshop clients.


Effects of instructions and format on reported visual imagery.

156 subjects (students and working adults) completed Marks' Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire in one of two formats reflecting item order (blocked, random) under one of three instructional conditions (easy, neutral, difficult) reflecting ease of image formation. Although the effect of instructions (but not format) was significant, scores were lower, i.e., more vivid imagery was reported, in the easy than in the neutral or difficult conditions, which did not differ. These results suggest that the validity of Marks' questionnaire is not seriously weakened by response leniency.


An argument for administering WISC-R Digit Span.

An argument is presented in favor of always administering the optional Digit Span subtest of the WISC-R. Use of Digit Span in conjunction with other subtests in a subtest grouping schemata--according to factor loadings--will substantially increase the usefulness of the WISC-R. Data show that often the Digit Span is not being given.


Relationship between sex, age, education and field-dependence: a cross-cultural comparison.

Past examination of the relationship between field-independence and age has indicated a developmental trend of increased field-independence up to 17 yr., with a movement toward greater field-dependence after this point. However, discrepancies between longitudinal and cross-sectional findings suggest that this relationship may be confounded by socioeconomic variables. The present study examined the age/field-dependence relationship in a sample of Northern Italians controlling for educational background. Results for females indicated statistical control of educational variables modified the age/field-dependence relationship, but did not for the male sample.


Analysis of the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale: public school version.

Many state agencies have ruled that assignment of students to special education classes for the mentally retarded must be determined by assessment of verbal, performance, and adaptive behaviors. The AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale: Public School Version was subjected to a normative and validation study using 291 subjects from the southcentral area of Texas. Data were collected from groups of regular and special education students, both white and nonwhite, at 8, 10, and 12 yr. of age. Results were compared to the original normative data provided in the AAMD manual and indicated that (1) the instrument is effective in discriminating between regular and special education groups; (2) a shortened version may be feasible and more practical; and (3) the derived total score may be useful and effective when used as a cut-off score for placement in special education for the mentally retarded.


Differing lateralized perceptual-motor patterns in schizophrenic and non-psychotic children.

A neuropsychological assessment stressing lateralized perceptual-motor and cognitive abilities was administered to two groups of hospitalized child and adolescent psychiatric patients, 25 schizophrenics and 25 non-psychotics. The findings included an increased incidence of crossed eye-hand dominance in schizophrenics, poorer tactile sensory function in the right hands of schizophrenics than in the left hands, and lower Vocabulary and Similarities WISC subtest scores than Block Design and Object Assembly scores for schizophrenics. Right-left confusion was associated with finger agnosia for schizophrenics. The results supported the hypothesis that there may be left-hemisphere dysfunction in schizophrenia; however, no single pattern of dysfunction was apparent.


Concurrent validity of a children's version of the Stroop Color-Word Test: the Fruit Distraction Test.

To assess the concurrent validity of the Fruit Distraction Test, the Stroop Color-Word Test and the Fruit Distraction Test were administered to two groups of boys aged 12 yr. (N = 63) and 8 yr. (N = 52). Partial correlations, with IQ controlled, based on time and error scores derived from both tests, provided no convincing evidence that the Fruit Distraction Test is a valid downward extension of the Stroop.


Nature of the representation for picture-recognition memory.

When distracting pictures are randomly selected from the same pool of pictures as the target pictures, performance with large numbers of pictures (1,000) is much poorer than has previously been reported. Further, performance drops quite substantially after 1 wk., a finding that differs from the conclusion that picture memory is relatively stable over time. Under conditions where the distractors were selected to reduce similarity between targets and distracting pictures, performance approximated levels previously reported in the literature. The results of the experiments seem to demand some type of categorization model of picture-recognition memory.


Response preference within the Rotter I-E Scale: perceived locus of control of self, average, and ideal others.

The Rotter I-E scale was administered to college juniors in education under five different instructional sets. Subjects were asked to complete it (a) as they would ordinarily (self-perception), (b) as they believed an average person of the same sex would, (c) as an average person of the opposite sex would, (d) as an ideal person of the same sex would, and (e) as an ideal person of the opposite sex would. As hypothesized, subjects saw the ideal person of both sexes as significantly more internal than themselves, while they saw the average person of both sexes as more external than themselves. These results suggest the general desirability of being perceived as internally oriented.


Neuroticism and the effect of stress on the pupillary light reflex.

The pupillary light reflex was recorded under control, stress and fatigue conditions for 30 subjects equally divided into groups low, moderate, and high in Neuroticism. The effects of stress were distinguished by a decrease in both latency and extent of pupillary constriction during the initial light stimulation trials, as well as by a greater magnitude of redilation. Latency to maximum constriction and extent of constriction and redilation progressively decreased during the fatigue condition. No differences between Neuroticism groups were observed although it was noted that Neuroticism was negatively correlated with magnitude of redilation during the post-stress condition.


Hemispheric equality in reaction times to emotional and non-emotional nouns.

Twenty presentations of 6 emotional and 6 non-emotional words in mixed random orders were monaurally presented to the right or left ear. Using the left hand, subjects pushed one of two response buttons indicating type of word heard. Performance improved in later trials and emotional words were recognized more quickly regardless of ear presentation. No differences were associated with the separate ear presentations. Equivalent hemispheric performance indicates equal processing sensitivity to four-letter emotional and non-emotional nouns and substantiates the right hemisphere's verbal processing capability for simple nouns.


A first order approximation of satiation time: (IRT)2/Rt.

Habituation, satiation, adaptation, and boredom are a few of the words used to label the behavioral consequences of a fundamental operation: repeated and protracted presentation of a stimulus. The cumulative measure of the response associated with that stimulus is expected to display an inflection at some time Ti after which the slope approaches zero. Ti can be estimated by dividing the square of the interresponse time (IRT)2 by the duration of the response associated with reinforcement (Rt), where Rt is expressed in the nearest whole temporal unit of interresponse time. Calculated TiS for habituation to the same sexual, aggressive, or social stimuli are compatible with general observation.


Analysis of visual and auditory rhythmic perception abilities of piano majors.

7 male and 15 female college level piano majors representing three categories of majors served as subjects. Piano instructors were asked to rate subjects' sight-reading ability on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicated minimum sight-reading ability and 10 professional sighting. Subjects were exposed to 30 pairs of rhythmic stimuli from the rhythm subtest, Seashore Measures of Musical Talents, to determine whether the second pattern was the same or different from the first. The visual test was reproduced by a 7.5-v bayonet lamp and socket. These flashes were near exact replications of the original source with little or no detectable latency. Aural and visual presentations were significantly different and favorable for aural medium. A significant correlation of .60 was found between ratings of sight-reading and grade point average.


Arousal seeking as a moderator of life stress.

This study investigated the relationship between life stress and measures of anxiety, depression, and hostility as a function of subjects' arousal-seeking status. Results indicated significant relationships between negative life change and measures of both anxiety and hostility. These relationships, however, held only for subjects who were low on the arousal-seeking dimension. The results suggest that arousal-seeking status may serve as a moderator variable in determining the relationship between life stress and other variables.


Immediate carbon monoxide estimates and self-reported smoking.

Because carbon monoxide (CO) is an easily understood danger of cigarette smoking, new breath CO analyzers may be useful in cessation programs. Self-reported cigarette consumption and breath CO correlated .70 using a 90-sec. CO-determination method. Smokers averaging 17 daily cigarettes had average breath CO of 24 parts per million (ppm), falling to 7.71 ppm for smokers claiming at least 24-hr. abstinence. Corresponding carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) estimates were 4.34% (slightly above World Health Organization 4% safety limit) and 1.39%. Smoking clinics can use CO-monitoring devices for feedback or surveillance, although feedback would provide the most benefits for participants.


Organochlorine pesticide residues in human milk samples from women living in Northwest and Northeast Mississippi, 1973-75.

Organochlorine pesticide analyses were performed on human milk samples obtained from 34 women living in the Mississippi Delta, a high pesticide usage area, and from six women living in Starkville, Mississippi, a low pesticide usage area. Nine women collected samples before and after their babies had nursed so that fat levels and sigma DDT levels could be compared on whole milk and milk fat bases. sigma DDT values were independent of collection time if calculated on a milk fat basis, but not if calculated on a whole milk basis. Thus, the most consistent indicator of DDT residues were values calculated on a milk fat basis. Residue levels for p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, and sigma DDT were significantly different (P less than 0.01) in samples from the two areas. Residues of o,p'-DDT, beta-BHC, and oxychlordane in milk samples from women living in the high pesticide usage area also were significantly different (P less than 0.05). A mean value of 19.17 ppm sigma DDT, found in the milk fat of samples from the high pesticide usage area, is the highest ever reported. Samples from the low pesticide usage area contained a mean level of 2.36 ppm sigma DDT.


Pesticide residues in human milk, Alberta, Canada--1966-70, 1977-78.

Organochlorine pesticide residues were determined in human milk of residents of Alberta, Canada, during 1966-70 and 1977-78. Levels of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and some common organophosphorus pesticides were also monitored during 1977-78. Average residue levels were generally lower in 1977-78 samples, whereas the percent incidence of residues was generally lower in 1966-70 samples. beta-BHC was found in all 1977-78 samples, but was not detected in 1966-70 samples. PCBs were detected in all but two of the 1977-78 samples. Average levels of p,p'-DDT and is metabolites were substantially lower during the second period than during the first. Large increases in the average levels and percent incidences of heptachlor epoxide and o,p'-DDT have been attributed to refinements in both cleanup and gas chromatographic analysis. Although no PBBs or organophosphorus pesticides were detected in 1977-78 samples, an unidentified hydrocarbon similar to dicofol was found in all samples of that period. No correlation between donor age groups and average pesticide residue levels could be inferred.


Dicofol residues in United States soils having a known history of its use as a miticide, 1974.

Soil samples were collected from a total of 21 sites in California, Washington, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Dicofol (Kelthane) miticide had been applied at various times over a 5-year period to 17 of the sites; four sites had received no applications. Samples were collected at 0-75-mm and 75-150-mm depths, and submitted to gas-liquid chromatographic analysis. Samples from only four of the 17 treated sites contained mean residues equal to or exceeding 2.00 ppm. Residues in all cases were only a small fraction of the total amount applied. Apparently, a mechanism for the dissipation of dicofol exists, but it is unidentified at this time.


Effect of incubation on red cell shape and water content as measured by gas-liquid chromatography.

A new method for measuring water content of red cells by using gas chromatography is described. Water content of healthy adult red cells was estimated to be 71.73 +/- 0.72%. Changes in water content and red cell shape following incubation are described. Intracellular water content increased in relation to the incubation time, reaching a maximum of 109% at 24 h, and then decreased to 82% at 48 h. Intercellular water content (trapped water) also increased for 24 h, reaching 209%, and then showed no remarkable change until 48 h. Observations with the scanning electron microscope revealed that these changes were associated with the process of transformation to echinocytes, both in numbers and stages.


[Monoclonal myelomatous IgA with antilipoprotein antibody activity of Ra specificity (author's transl)].

Investigations performed in a patient with myeloma, hyperlipidemia, and xanthomatosis demonstrated the antilipoprotein activity of the monoclonal IgA directed against an antigenic site--called Ra.--different from those previously described. A complex IgA beta-lipoprotein has been firstly characterized. After isolation and purification of the IgA, it has been shown that the association between IgA and lipoprotein was immunologically mediated. The antibody is an IgA lambda bound via its Fab portion and in fixed combining ratio to an antigenic determinant shared only by LDL and VLDL of humans and some other mammalians to the exclusion of any other serum proteins. The results obtained with passive hemagglutination and inhibition of hemagglutination suggest that the antigenic site Ra. is not located on apoprotein B (major proteic moiety of LDL and VLDL), since the antigenic determinants of apolipoproteins are different in humans and in animals and since IgA Ra. fails to react with apolipoprotein B obtained by delipidation of LDL. On the other hand, the lack of reaction between IgA Ra. and HDL suggests that the antigenic determinant is not only present on the lipid hapten such as in the case of PG and AS determinants which are located on VLDL, LDL, and HDL from humans and animals. So the antigenic determinant revealed by IgA Ra. seems to be different from those previously described.


Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II: serologic and morphologic family study.

A 29-year old woman with a history of chronic anemia, jaundice, and splenectomy was found to have congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II (CDA II), based on the following: marrow erythroid hyperplasia, abundance of binucleated erythroblasts, electron microscopic evidence of double membranes lining the cell membrane, erythrocyte lysis in the acidified serum test, erythrocyte agglutination and lysis by anti-i antibodies. Three healthy relatives (mother, father, and brother) of the patient had marrow erythroid hyperplasia and a percentage of binucleated erythroblasts that was higher than normal. A structural alteration of the nuclear membrane was detected in some of their erythroblasts. Furthermore, the erythrocytes of the father and the brother were agglutinated by anti-i antibodies. This observation is consistent with a recessive mechanism of inheritance, and suggests that heterozygosity for CDA II can be somatically expressed at different levels.


A nuclear precursor to human gamma-globin messenger RNA.

RNA isolated from human foetal liver at an erythroid stage of development was transferred from methyl mercury hydroxide agarose gels to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper. A 16S RNA species containing gamma-globin mRNA sequences was identified by hybridisation to 32P-labelled human gamma-globin cDNA recombinant plasmid pHgamma GI. This RNA is found only in the cell nucleus and is polyadenylated. Human globin gene transcription is thus analagous to that in mouse: interventing sequences are transcribed and processed from the pre-mRNA in the nucleus after polyadenylation.


Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of adult chicken betal globin cDNA.

The molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence analysis of adult chicken beta globin mRNA is reported. DNA sequences derived from in vitro transcrption of globin mRNA were purified and amplified as recombinant DNA using the plasmid pBR322. Sequence analysis of several clones coding for beta globin strongly suggests that transcription errors may be generated near the 5' end of transcripts in vitro by reverse transcription. The complete sequence of the longest beta globin insert containing 51 bases of the 5' untranslated region as well as the complete coding and 3' untranslated regions has been determined.


Isolation and characterization of cloned human fetal globin genes.

Three clones containing both the human G gamma and A gamma globlin genes have been isolated and characterized from a library of DNA fragments generated by partial Eco RI digestion of cellular DNA using charon 4A phage as vector. Two of the clones (NY 2 and 3) are identical and have an insert of 14.0 kb. The third clone (NY 1) has a 15.4 kb insert by virtue of an extra 1.4 kb Eco RI fragment at its 5' most end. This clone also has a Kpn I site not present in the other two suggesting it is the product of the gamma gene on the opposite chromosome. Restriction analysis of the three clones indicates that the G gamma and A gamma genes are linked on a single continuous piece of DNA and are separated by 3.5 kb and each contains at least one large intervening sequence of 0.85 kg between the Bam HI and Eco RI sites. These findings in cloned DNA provide direct evidence for linkage and organization of the gamma genes in man.


A unique subgenomic species of adenovirus 2 DNA generated under high multiplicities of infection.

We have identified a novel subgenomic viral DNA in KB cells infected with adenovirus 2 (Ad2) under high multiplicities of infection. KB cells were infected with Ad2 at multiplicities of infection greater than 100 PFU/cell. 32P-labeled viral DNA was selectively extracted by a modification of the method of Hirt (8) from the infected cells and analyzed by electrophoresis on agarose gels. In addition to full-length DNA (33 to 23 x 10(6) daltons), a unique subgenomic DNA species of about 12 to 13% (2.6 x 10(6) daltons) of full-length DNA in size was found in the infected cells. This subgenomic DNA was found to be double stranded and was not packaged inside the virus particles. This DNA could be isolated in large amounts (30 to 50% of total viral DNA) from infected cells. When cleaved with restriction endonuclease KpnI, the subgenomic DNA yielded two fragments, each corresponding to about 6% and 7% of the full-length genome in size.


Isolation and characterization of the chicken ovomucoid gene.

The chicken ovomucoid gene has been isolated by screening a chicken DNA library with a plasmid containing ovomucoid mRNA sequences. Twelve recombinant phages carrying ovomucoid mRNA sequences were isolated. Two of them, extending farthest into the 5' and 3' direction respectively, were characterized by restriction mapping and Southern hybridization as well as by electron microscopic analysis of hybrids between the cloned DNA and ovomucoid mRNA. Seven intervening sequences interrupt the ovomucoid mRNA sequence in chromosomal DNA. From these data a minimal size of 5.6 kb can be estimated for the length of the ovomucoid gene.


Structure of plant nuclear and ribosomal DNA containing chromatin.

Digestion of plant chromatin from Brassica pekinensis and Matthiola incana with staphylococcus nuclease leads to a DNA repeat of 175 plus or minus 8 and a core size of 140 base pairs. DNase I digestion results in multiples of 10 bases. Ribosomal RNN genes were studied as a model system for active plant chromatin because of their great redundancy and their high transcriptional activity in growing and differentiating tissues. The actively transcribed genes were identified by nascent RNA of ribosomal origin still attached to its matrix DNA. Hybridization techniques were used to demonstrate that even transcriptionally active gene sequences are present in nuclease generated chromatin subunits. Comparison of the DNase I kinetics of chromatin digestion with the amount of ribosomal RNA genes which is available for hybridization at the given times indicated that ribosomal RNA genes are digested, but not preferentially degraded by DNase I.


Novobiocin; an inhibitor of the repair of UV-induced but not X-ray-induced damage in mammalian cells.

In addition to inhibiting replicative DNA synthesis in HeLa cells, novobiocin has a severe effect on the cellular response to UV irradiation, reducing the number of breaks made in pre-existing DNA by the excision repair process. The inhibition of UV repair by novobiocin is reflected in enhanced UV-killing of these cells. Rejoining of DNA after X irradiation is not impaired by novobiocin. The recognition and removal of UV damage may require unwinding of the DNA by gyrase, which--in bacteria--is the target for novobiocin.


The number, physical organization and transcription of ribosomal RNA cistrons in an archaebacterium: Halobacterium halobium.

Because it is now clear that archaebacteria may be as distinct from eubacteria as either group is from eukaryotic cells, and because a specifically archaebacterial ancestry has been proposed for the nuclear-cytoplasmic component of eukaryotic cells, we undertook to characterize, for the first time, the ribosomal RNA cistrons of an archaebacterium (Halobacterium halobium). We found these cistrons to be physically linked in the order 16S-23S-5S, and obtained evidence that they are also transcribed from a common promoter(s) in the order 5'-16S-23S-5S-3'. We showed that, although slightly larger immediate precursors of 16S and 23S are readily seen, no common precursor of both 16S and 23S can be easily detected in vivo. In all these respects the archaebacterium H. halobium is like a eubacterium and unlike the nuclear-cytoplasmic component of eukaryotic cells. We found, however, that it differs from eubacteria of comparable (large) genome size in having only one copy of the rRNA gene cluster per genome.


Distribution of DNA damage in chromatin and its relation to repair in human cells treated with 7-bromomethylbenz(a) anthracene.

We have examined the relationship between the distribution of DNA damage and repair in chromatin from confluent human fibroblasts treated with the carcinogen 7-bromomethylbenz (a) anthracene. Analysis of staphylococcal nuclease (SN)4 digestion kinetics and gel electrophoresis revealed that more total damage occurs in nucleosome core DNA (approximately 80-85% of chromatin DNA) than in SN sensitive DNA (APPROXIMATELY15-20%). Furthermore, over a 24 hr period, damage is removed at about the same rate from these two regions. In contrast, virtually all of the nucleotides incorporated during repair synthesis are initially SN sensitive even when measured at 12 hr after damage. With time many repair-incorporated nucleotides become SN resistant and coelectrophorese with nucleosome core DNA. To explain these data we propose a model whereby excision repair occurs in both linker and core DNA; however, in core DNA the repair process induces conformational changes resulting in temporarily increased SN sensitivity; subsequently, rearrangement occurs and results in the re-establishment of native or near-native nucleosome conformation and SN resistance.


Non-polyadenylated 22 s ribonucleoprotein particle is insensitive to translational inhibitor RNA of cryptobiotic gastrulae of Artemia salina.

A free cytoplasmic 22 S ribonucleoprotein particle exhibiting a major template activity in rabbit reticulocyte system has been identified in the cryptobiotic gastrulae of Artemia salina. This particle contains non-polyadenylated 9 S messenger RNA which codes primarily for a non-histone basic protein with an apparent molecular weight of 26 000 daltons. We have previously demonstrated the presence of a translational inhibitor RNA which is apparently responsible for transforming polyadenylated messenger (Slegers et al., FEBS Letters 80, 390-394, 1977). This inhibitor RNA was found to be completely ineffective on the template activity of non-polyadenylated 22 S messenger ribonucleoprotein, confirming the specificity of this regulatory RNA for polyadenylate sequences.


Senile pulmonary amyloidosis.

Lung tissue obtained from 340 necropsies of persons aged 80 years and over was investigated for the occurrence of pulmonary amyloid deposits by means of a sensitive fluorescence technique. The incidence of pulmonary amyloidosis was about 2% below the age of 80, nearly 10% in individuals between 80 and 84 years, and more than 20% at and beyond 85 years. Vascular and concomitant alveolar-septal amyloidosis was seen slightly more often than the pure septal form of senile amyloidoisis. The two modes of deposition correspond to two different forms of cardiac amyloidosis, vascular and nodular. On the other hand, the two different modes of pulmonary amyloidosis affect different age groups. It is postulated that the disorder is related to age-linked immunological disturbances and to genetically determined factors.


Terminal care: evaluation of in-patient service at St Christopher's Hospice. Part II. Self assessments of effects of the service on surviving spouses.

Self-assessments of 34 spouses of patients who had died from cancer at St Christopher's Hospice were compared with self-assessments of a matched group of spouses of patients who had died in other hospitals in the vicinity. The spouses of St Christopher's patients differed significantly from the comparison group in spending more time at the hospital, talking to more members of staff, other patients and visitors, reporting less anxiety and psychosomatic accompaniments of anxiety before (but not after) the patient's death and being less worried about pain, others hurting or harming the patient or about revealing their own fears to the patient. The institutional ideals of the Hospice were characterized as: 'The hospital is like a family', 'Nothing is too much trouble' and 'Don't worry'.


The problem of tricyclic antidepressant poisoning.

In the year May 1976 to April 1977, 489 enquiries about the management of tricyclic antidepressant poisoning received at the London Centre of the National Poisons Information Service were followed-up. One hundred and sixty-four patients (33.5%) were unconscious, convulsions occurred in 62 (12.7%), hypotension in 31 (6.3%), respiratory depression in 28 (5.7%), tachydysrhythmias in 17 (3.5%) and cardiac arrest in 12 patients (2.5%). Sixteen patients died (3.3%). No statistically significant differences were found between individual antidepressants although poisoning with amitriptyline-like drugs resulted in a significantly higher proportion of unconscious patients than poisoning with imipramine-like drugs (P less than 0.01). There were more asymptomatic children than adults and more unconscious adults than children. Tricyclic antidepressant poisoning is a major clinical problem in general medical and paediatric practice.


Prevention of amino acid losses during peritoneal dialysis.

The addition of amino acid supplements to peritoneal dialysis fluid has been studied in 8 patients with compromised renal function requiring peritoneal dialysis. By the addition of 10 ml of Vamin-glucose solution to each one litre of peritoneal dialysate, amino acid losses were curtailed, no significant alterations occurred in the plasma amino acid concentrations, there were no local complications and no infections were seen. This procedure is recommended as a safe, simple way of keeping a patient in positive amino acid balance during peritoneal dialysis.


Propranolol in acute intermittent porphyria.

Twenty cases of acute intermittent porphyria were studied during the acute phase. Cardiovascular manifestations were noted in all the cases, with tachycardia in 20 and with hypertension in 17. Propranolol in doses ranging from 20--200 mg was given to all the cases and produced adequate control of tachycardia and hypertension. At follow-up, smaller doses of propranolol were found to maintain the pulse rate and BP within normal limits and also to prevent acute attacks.


Fatal intestinal amoebiasis.

The clinical presentation of amoebic colitis are diverse. Amoebiasis is comparatively rare in the U.K. and, unless the clinician is aware of the condition, wrong diagnosis often leads to delay in appropriate treatment resulting in high mortality. Diagnosis rests on clinical suspicion, stool examination, sigmoidoscopy with rectal biopsy and serological tests. Amoebiasis is readily treatable and death from it should be very rare.


Quality of specimens and sputum culture results: a retrospective study.

A retrospective study of laboratory reports of sputums examined in the first 3 months of 1977 and of 1978 showed some interesting findings, which were similar in these 2 years. Analysis of the findings demonstrated that information from a proportion of sputum cultures were not helpful to the clinicians. Probable causes of such unhelpful results and some ways to overcome these problems were discussed, along with reviews of relevant literature. A conclusion drawn at the end of the discussion was that, under present circumstances, it was not expected that sputum cultures would produce totally reliable aetiological agents, unless attempts were made to obtain a better quality of specimen, e.g. those obtained by transtracheal or bronchoscopic aspirations.


Toxic psychosis with antihistamines reversed by physostigmine.

A case of toxic psychosis due to antihistamine poisoning is described. The reversal of this state by physostigmine supports the contention that it is caused by an anticholinergic syndrome. The management of antihistamine poisoning is discussed.


Hypocalcaemic chorea secondary to malabsorption.

A patient presented with chorea and a recent history of Crohn's disease. Investigation revealed the cause of the chorea to be hypocalcaemia secondary to malabsorption. So far as is known there has been no previous report of hypocalcaemic chorea due to malabsorption.