Chemical communication in Cavia: responses of wild (C. aperea), domestic (C. porcellus) and F1 males to urine.

Urine preferences of wild (Cavia aperea), domestic (C. porcellus), and F1 adult male guinea pigs were investigated. Males of all three types preferred female urine to male urine regardless of donor type. When given a choice between female urine of each type, males preferred conspecific urine. In choices between male urine of the three types, a conspecific preference was evident for wild and domestic but not F1 subjects. These data indicate that a loss of distinctive male and female odours had not occurred as a result of domestication. However, the urine odours of wild and domestic types have diverged. The possible effects of previous individual experience on the preferential response is discussed.


Ophthalmodynamometry: a reappraisal.

The accuracy of ophthalmodynamometry (ODM) was retrospectively analyzed in 36 patients who had ophthalmic examinations prior to carotid arteriography. In 75% of those patients, ODM correctly predicted the presence of absence of significant stenosis (ie, 50% or greater) or occlusion of the internal carotid artery. A 30% false-negative rate and 19% false-positive rate was found in this study. The accuracy was not improved when the examiner had more experience with the test. The accuracy of ODM with staff members who regularly perform the examination was 68% as compared to the ophthalmology residents' accuracy of 76%. Causes of false-negative and positive results include subjectivity of the examination, stenosis of arteries other than the internal carotids, and development of collateral circulation as was demonstrated arteriographically in 2 of our patients.


Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis presenting s serous detachment of the macula.

Of the many causes of serous detachment of the macula, toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is one of the least common. A case presented which responded to only medical treatment. The clinical picture of this case is consistent with the theory that the organisms may in some instances reach the retina from the optic nerve through an embryologic extension of the ventricular system of the brain. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent significant permanent visual loss as well as unnecessary retinal photocoagulation.


Antimicrobials and the corneal endothelium.

The effects of various intraocular antibiotics and preservatives on the rabbit corneal endothelium were evaluated using vital staining, light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy after topical application of the drugs and up to 2 days following anterior chamber injection. Benzalkonium chloride consistently produced the most severe and probably irreversible damage. Some changes which persisted for 2 days were found with methicillin. Gentamicin produced a moderate amount of cellular edema which disappeared after 2 days. Minimal changes were produced by dexamethasone and amphotericin B. Although these results should not be directly interpolated to the human situation, the face that some of these agents did produce changes in the rabbit corneal endothelium, which is well known to be heartier than human endothelium, indicates that caution should be taken when one considers injecting antibiotics intraocularly.


Some observations on the treatment of ischemic optic neuropathy.

We examined the efficacy of the treatment with steroids, vasodilators, and vitamins B1, B6, and B12 in 23 cases of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy treated at the Athens University Eye Clinic. We stress the necessity of an extended medication for 2 to 3 months, depending upon the improvement of visual acuity. Good results were achieved in 14 of the 23 patients.


Angioma-like lesion in hemoglobin sickle cell disease.

A lesion resembling a retinal angioma is reported in a 52-year-old man with hemoglobin S-C disease. Following surgery to destroy the tumor, the patient died. Postmortem examination confirmed sickle cell disease and the ocular findings revealed an angioma on the anterior side of the retina. It is believed this is the first report of sickle cell disease showing a large retinal angioma.


Decreased libido--a side effect of carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

Thirty-nine cases of decreased libido in glaucoma patients on carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are reported. This symptom completely reversed or markedly improved after discontinuation of the drug in all cases. Twelve of these patients restarted their carbonic anhydrase inhibitor medication which resulted in a recurrence of decreased libido symptoms. There were 3 cases of impotency which reversed after discontinuation of the drug. Most likely, these symptoms are a result of the malaise and depression occurring in some patients on carbonic anhydrase inhibitor therapy.


Patterns of benzo[alpha]pyrene metabolism in normal human pulmonary alveolar macrophages.

Pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAMs) obtained by bronchopulmonary lavage from 6 normal non-smoking volunteers were incubated with [3H]-benzo[alpha]pyrene to ascertain the normal metabolism and conjugation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Through the use of a crude glucuronidase preparation, both glucuronic acid and sulfate conjugates were examined. Phenols and quinones were identified by high-pressure liquid chromatography as the principal free metabolites formed during 1 h incubation with benzanthracene induced PAMs. In addition, phenols and quinones were major substrates utilized by these cells for conjugation during the incubation period. The ranges of benzo[alpha]pyrene metabolites produced by PAMs from non-smokers were compiled and the variation in production as well as detoxification of proximate carcinogenic benzo[alpha]pyrene metabolites are presented.


Enhanced efflux of actinomycin D, vincristine, and vinblastine in adriamycin-resistant subline of P388 leukemia.

In vitro cross-resistance of adriamycin-resistant subline of P388 leukemia to non-anthracycline agents-actinomycin D, vincristine and vinblastine was elucidated. Decreased uptake of these 3 drugs was observed with the resistant cells. In addition, 2,4-dinitrophenol, a metabolic inhibitor, greatly enhanced the uptake of these drugs by the sensitive and resistant cell lines, particularly by the latter, abolishing a difference in drug uptake between the 2 which was observed under the normal condition. These results suggest that adriamycin-resistant cells are endowed with an enhanced capacity for outward transport of not only anthracycline antibiotics, but chemically and pharmacologically dissimilar agents such as the aforementioned agents.


Metabolism of isomeric N-methyl-N-nitroso-(methylphenyl)-methylamines.

Isomeric N-methyl-N-nitroso-(2-, 3-, and 4-methylphenyl)-methylamines (2a, 2b and 2c, Fig. 1.) were metabolized in rats to the corresponding 2-, 3- and 4-(N-methyl-N-nitroso-aminomethyl)-benzoic acids (4-MNAB) (3a, 3b and 3c). The structures of 3b and 2c were established by synthesis and confirmed by spectroscopic evidence. Metabolic formation of 3a, 3b and 3c was determined by HPLC analysis and the time-course of 3c excretion was established. Oral intubation of the acid 3c resulted in almost quantitative excretion of this metabolite in 24 h urine thus indicating rapid detoxication. Toxicity and carcinogenicity of the isomeric 2a, 2b and 2c were compared with those of the parent N-methyl-N-nitroso-benzylamine (MNBA).


Volatilization of mutagens from beef during cooking.

The process of cooking beef substances which are mutagenic in the Ames Salmonella/microsome bioassay [1,2]. In this study, the formation and disposition of basic mutagens produced by cooking beef at different temperatures were examined. Mutagenic activity increased exponentially with cooking temperature between 137 degrees C and 252 degrees C. However, the amount of mutagenic activity remaining in the meat was only 1--7% of that which was volatilized into the air. The ingested dose of mutagens may therefore be significantly influenced by factors which restrict the dissipation of mutagens from the container, as well as by cooking temperature. Inhalation of airborne mutagens from cooking, as an alternative route of exposure, should be investigated when considered in light of some epidemiological data showing an excess of lung and bladder cancer among cooks and kitchen workers.


Mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague--Dawley rats following 3 repeated exposures to 14.8 MeV neutrons and steroid receptor content of these tumor types.

166 Sprague-Dawley Rats (148 males and 118 females) submitted to different hormonal conditions were exposed to 3 repeated whole-body irradiations of 14.8 MeV neutrons or sham-irradiated between 50 and 65 days of age (total absorbed doses: 3 x 2 rad and 3 x 8 rad). They were observed for 11 months. In the male group, a small number of tumors was obtained. In the female group, 75 breast neoplasms were scored in 41 of 78 irradiated animals (54 fibroadenomas, 20 adenocarcinomas and 1 fibrosarcoma). A second group of benign and malignant tumors was observed from 200 days on. The neoplastic response to fast neutron fractionated irradiations was increased by pregnancy with subsequent lactation. Estradiol and progesterone receptors were measured in 34 tumor samples. Fibroadenomas (1;5) and adenocarcinomas (1;3) bound labelled steroids. Like in human breast cancer metastases, steroid receptors are found in recurrences only if present in the primary tumor.


Quantitative analysis of N-(guanin-8-yl)-N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene and N-(guanin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene in modified DNA by hydrolysis in trifluoroacetic acid and high pressure liquid chromatography.

N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene (AAF)- and 2-aminofluorene (AF)-modified DNA was hydrolyzed in dry trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The hydrolysate was analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Using this procedure N-(guanin-8-yl)-[G-3H]2-aminofluorene was released quantitatively from DNA, modified by the reaction with [G-3H]N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene. From DNA that had been reacted with [G-3H]N-acetoxy-N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene, 70% of the total bound radioactivity was isolated as N-guanin-8-yl)-[G-3H]-N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene. Thirty eight percent of the DNA bound radioactivity after i.p. injection of [G-3H]N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene followed by isolation of the rat liver DNA and subsequent hydrolysis in trifluoroacetic acid was identified as N-(guanin-8-yl)-[G-3H]-N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene. In this DNA the corresponding deacetylated compound N-(guanin-8-yl)-[G-3H]2-aminofluorene could not be detected.


Response of the Syrian golden hamster to a nitrosourea amino acid carcinogen.

Syrian golden hamsters were treated with N delta-(N-methyl-N-nitrosocarbamoyl)-L-ornithine (MNCO), a nitrosourea amino acid, which has induced a high incidence of breast, kidney and skin neoplasms and a low incidence of pancreatic carcinoma in rats. MNCO induced a few breast and skin carcinomas, and a high incidence of foci of atypical acinar cells and of focal ductular abnormalities in the exocrine pancreas. The latter were similar to lesions observed in rats treated with MNCO. MNCO was less toxic and less effective as a carcinogen in hamster than in the rat.


Biochemical changes induced by tumors at distant sites: altered transfer RNA profiles in livers of mice bearing plasmacytomas.

Tumor growth is known to have systemic effects upon the host's metabolism. We report here for the first time that histologically normal livers of mice bearing subcutaneous plasmacytomas contain chromatographic peaks of asparaginyl-, aspartyl-, histidinyl-, and tyrosinyl-transfer RNAs not found in significant amounts in normal livers. Lysyl-, prolyl-, seryl-, threonyl-, tryptophanyl-, and valyl-transfer RNAs, from normal tissues, but these tRNAs are not altered in livers of tumor bearing mice. This suggests that distant tumor growth causes a derangement in one of the liver enzymes that normally modify transfer RNA after transcription.


Effect of phenacetin and N-alkylacetanilides on N-2-fluorenylacetamide hepatocarcinogenesis.

Phenacetin, N-methylacetanilide and N-ethylacetanilide prevented N-2-fluorenylacetamide hepatocarcinogenesis in F344 strain rats. Phenacetin was most effective followed by N-ethylacetanilide. Phenacetin was not carcinogenic when fed at 0.8% level for 16 weeks followed by control diet for another 10 weeks.


Fc gamma receptors receptors on fetal rat brain cells during neoplastic transformation in culture after exposure to ethylnitrosourea in vivo.

Fetal rat brain cells, undergoing neoplastic transformation in long-term culture after a single transplacental pulse of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea on the 18th day of gestation, were investigated for Fc gamma receptors. Rosette assay with cells in suspension and the hemadsorption to cells on coverglasses were used for their detection. The receptors were found on cells after about 2 months in culture. A maximum of 20% of the cells were Fc gamma receptor-positive after 3 months. About 3 weeks later no Fc gamma receptors could be detected. Malignant rat neurogenic cell lines were also negative.


Swelling and contraction of heart mitochondria suspended in ammonium phosphate.

Bovine heart mitochondria which have been allowed to swell in isotonic NH4+ phosphate contract in response to initiation of oxidative phosphorylation. The contraction occurs optimally at pH 6.0 and appears from inhibition studies to result from Pi uptake being slower than removal of internal Pi via phosphorylation of external ADP. Similar results are obtained when K+ + nigericin is substituted for NH4+. Mersalyl inhibition of Pi transport in respiring, nonphosphorylating mitochondria which have been allowed to swell in NH4+ phosphate reveals a contractile process having an alkaline pH optimum. This contraction resembles closely the contraction observed in salts of strong acids and presumably occurs by electrophoretic ejection of Pi anions driven by electrogenic H+ ejection.


Electromyographic biofeedback: behavioral treatment of neuromuscular disorders.

Electromyographic biofeedback is becoming widely used to help patients regain voluntary control of specific muscles affected by neuromuscular disorders. Electromyographic feedback training has been employed in the rehabilitation of patients affected by poliomyelitis, cerebrovascular accident, torticollis, nerve injury, temporomandibular joint syndrome, bruxism, and other disorders. While EMG biofeedback appears to be a promising treatment technique, the research literature on its effectiveness consists mainly of uncontrolled case reports and clinical trials. It is concluded that new studies with more sophisticated design and more careful control are needed to demonstrate that EMG biofeedback makes a unique contribution to the treatment of neuromuscular disorders. Research is needed to identify relevant patients characteristics predictive of success, specify appropriate muscle groups for the treatment of particular disorders, determine how feedback can be most efficiently combined with more conventional techniques in achieving a therapeutic effect, and establish meaningful criteria of success in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders.


Anxiety management training for pattern A behavior.

During a 3-week period, seven subjects were treated with Anxiety Management Training (AMT) while seven subjects served as a wait-list control. Pattern A behaviors, measured by the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS), self-report of anxiety, as measured by the Spielberger state (STAI-S) and trait (STAI-T) anxiety inventories, and indices of blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides were obtained before and after treatment. Results indicate that treated subjects compared to controls showed significant reductions in the Hard-Driving component of pattern A behavior, showed lower posttest STAI-A and StAI-T scores, but failed to evidence a statistically significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure or cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The implications of these data to theoretical and practical conceptualizations of stress management are discussed.


Frequency of church attendance and blood pressure elevation.

Blood pressure levels were examined with regard to church attendance patterns in a group of white male heads of households who appeared in the 1967-1969 follow-up examination of the Evans County Cardiovascular Epidemiologic Study. A consistent pattern of lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures among frequent church attenders was found compared to that of infrequent attenders which was not due to the effects of age, obesity, cigarette smoking, or socioeconomic status.


Premorbid psychological factors as related to cancer incidence.

In planning for studies relating psychological factors and/or stress (PF&/oS) to cancer, one should be aware of epidemiological findings that might contribute to or even account wholly for any found relationships. Most studies have not examined the known biological causes of cancer, nor have they described a rationale for relationships sought. The two broad mechanisms leading to cancer, carcinogens and lowered resistance to it, include physical and chemical causes, viruses and chronic infection, medication, genetic predisposition, hormonal stimuli, and aging. Interfering variables may bias or dilute a real relationship. Validity and reliability of instruments measuring PF&/oS are so variable as to warrant considerable care in their use. The latent periods of different cancers are measured in years, not months, with consequent potent impact on possible inferences drawn from prebiopsy and short prospective studies. In these and in retrospective studies, cancer can have strong and biasing effects on apparently straightforward PF&/oS measurements, as can iatrogenic effects. Some theoretical issues are discussed. The known prospective studies are discussed and reasons are given for the view that they are less convincing then many seem to think. A sketch of a model relating PF&/oS to cancer appearance is outlined, with some theoretical implications, and issues in research design are addressed.


Rhythmical stereotypies in normal human infants.

Naturalistic, longitudinal observations of 20 normal infants biweekly during their first year showed that they performed a great quantity and variety of rhythmical and highly stereotyped behaviours. Forty-seven movement patterns are described involving the legs and feet; the head and face; the arms, hands, and fingers; and the whole torso in various postures. These behaviours showed developmental regularities as well as constancy of form and distribution. Groups of stereotypies involving particular parts of the body or postures had characteristic ages of onset, peak performance, and decline. The onset of particular stereotypy groups was highly correlated with motor development. It is proposed that rhythmical stereotypies are manifestations of incomplete cortical control of endogenous patterning in maturing neuromuscular pathways.


Postnatal effects of prenatal sound stimulation in the guinea pig.

Pregnant guinea pigs were stimulated with a natural sound alien to their species. Postnatally the response of their young to this sound was compared with that of unstimulated controls. All young were tested with a series of the alien sounds followed by series of guinea pig calls. Heart rate changes showed that prenatally stimulated young responded less to the alien sounds than did controls, whereas both groups responded equally to guinea pig calls. Response of controls diminished during daily test sessions and over the five test days and comparison with an older control group showed that this was due to repetition of the stimulus. It is suggested that the response of prenatally stimulated animals had waned before birth.


Eye histoplasmosis.

Mainly in the endemic area, eye histo strikes healthy adults in their 30's and 40's. They note distortion and blurring of central vision of 1 eye. Such patients can tell when they are having this muculopathy before the ophthalmologist is able to detect any damage. Later a hemorrhagic maculopathy may develop. The diagnosis of eye histo is made by the characteristic eye picture. To bring you up to data about this common but little known entity, we will use a question and answer format.


Blood induced secondary glaucomas.

Hyphema may lead to a secondary glaucoma in some patients. Six different mechanisms by which anterior chamber blood may cause elevated intraocular pressure are described and the treatment of these different conditions is discussed. It should be noted that more than 1 mechanism may be present simultaneously and that other mechanisms unrelated to the blood may also contribute to the problem.


Pituitary tumor made symptomatic during hormone therapy and induced pregnancy.

An infertile patient with amenorrhea-galactorrhea syndrome lost vision during a pregnancy occurring after Bromocryptine treatment. A pituitary adenoma was removed, vision recovered, and the pregnancy completed successfully. Two prior episodes of visual loss had occurred during oral contraceptive treatment, an association not heretofore reported. Intrasellar and parasellar tumors made manifest by hormonal influences of pregnancy may become more common as treatment of infertility becomes more refined and successful.


[24 hours plasma tryptophan levels in patients with endogenous depression (author's transl)].

The variations of total and free tryptophan during 24 hours were measured in patients with endogenous depression. In depressive patients, plasma tryptophan levels are significantly lower than in control subjects. Plasma tryptophan levels in depressive patients are low during the night (when high at the same hours in normal subjects). The physiopathological mechanisms of such alterations and their possible influence on symptomathology are described.


Cataractogenous effect of hair dyes: a clinical and experimental study.

Observations based on a clinical and experimental study of the effect of hair dye (paraphenylenediamine) on the lens are reported. Two hundred individuals of either sex using hair dye were examined in detail and lenticular changes were found in 89% while only 23% in controls. The lenticular changes were related to duration, amount, and individual sensitivity to dye. Various types of lenticular opacities encountered are mentioned. In addition some individuals (7%) were found to develop early presbyopia. Experimental study which was conducted in rats and rabbits confirmed the cataractogenic effect of hair dye beyond doubt. It is concluded that hair dye is potentially toxic to the human lens.


"Vitelliform" lesions in adults.

Symmetric yellow ("vitelliform") foveal lesions are occasionally seen in adults. These patients should not be diagnosed as having Best's vitelliform dystrophy unless the EOG light/dark ratio is severely depressed and the family history reveals a dominantly-inherited maculopathy. Adult vitelliform lesions may vary in size from one third to several disc diameters, and may be present with or without drusen. More than one etiology may be involved, but many of these lesions seem to be degenerative changes related to drusen or pigment epithelial detachment.


Neuro-ophthalmologic signs in a recurrent cerebellar astrocytoma after 48 years.

This is a report of the neuro-ophthalmologic and neuropathologic findings in a patient with a recurrence of a cerebellar astrocytoma after 48 years. Dr. Harvey Cushing performed the initial operation at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in 1928. This patient was included in his classic review: "Experiences with the Cerebellar Astrocytomas--A critical review of seventy-six cases." The extensive documentation of the original tumor by Cushing, the unusually long period of 48 years for the recurrence of the tumor, and the opportunity to examine the patient and postmortem brain specimen in detail make this a unique case report.


Spontaneous subperiosteal orbital hematoma.

A case of spontaneous subperiosteal orbital hematoma is reported. The clinical differentiation of a subperiosteal orbital hematoma from an intraorbital hematoma is described. Although many "spontaneous" orbital hematomas have been associated with systemic and local orbital diseases, only 3 other truly spontaneous subperiosteal hematomas have been reported.


Vitrectomy in penetrating ocular trauma: an experimental study using rabbits.

To study the value and the proper timing of vitrectomy in cases of ocular trauma involving the posterior segment, 24 rabbit eyes were traumatized by introducing a steel foreign body and autogenous blood into the vitreous. Twelve eyes underwent vitrectomy, 6 in the first week after trauma ("early") and 6 in the fourth week ("late"). The other 12 eyes, which underwent removal of the foreign body but not vitrectomy, served as controls. Traction retinal detachment did not develop in the 6 early-vitrectomy eyes, but it did occur before vitrectomy in 4 of the 6 eyes of the late-vitrectomy group and in 6 of the 12 control eyes. Iatrogenic cataract and retinal breaks were twice as frequent in the late as in the early group. The data seem to favor early vitrectomy in eyes with posterior-segment trauma. However, in routine clinical practice we advise prompt primary repair and exploration to evaluate the extent of posterior-segment damage, and vitrectomy within 14 days after injury.


Mechanical behavior of the vitreous.

A description of the experiments of the mechanical behavior of the vitreous body is presented. The experiments were performed with a photoelastic material surrounding both rabbit and human eyes. The results show that the vitreous body transmits forces isotropically as any newtonian fluid. Tests done on rabbits' eyes with a previous vitrectomy agree with the previous statements. Finally, a hypothesis of the effect of pressure on the posterior pole in myopia is given, stressing the changes clinically observed.


Complete third nerve paralysis and decreasing vision secondary to subdural hematoma.

We treated a patient with a subacute subdural hematoma who manifested only a complete third cranial nerve paralysis and decreased visual acuity. The gravity of delayed diagnosis in such a situation should prompt the ophthalmologist to consider subdural hematoma as the underlying cause in cases of third nerve paralysis.


An unusual presentation of pseudotumor cerebri.

A 25-year old grossly obese woman presented with decreased visual acuity. She had bilateral total (internal and external) ophthalmoplegia, a left-sided seventh cranial nerve palsy, and florid bilateral papilledema. The diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri was made on the basis of high cerebrospinal fluid pressure and the absence of other abnormalities on systemic, neurologic, and neuroradiologic examination. The patient responded favorably to corticosteroid treatment; however, bilateral optic atrophy occurred with persistent loss of visual field and acuity.


Effects of timolol and Daranide on elevated intraocular pressure after aphakic keratoplasty.

In a randomized, blind clinical study, we tested the effect of timolol and Daranide against placebo medications among patients who had intraocular pressures greater than 30 mm Hg on the first postoperative day after aphakic keratoplasty. The study failed to show any significant difference in the pressure course. We concluded that because this type of severe secondary glaucoma is extremely difficult to treat, it should be prevented by using a donor cornea larger in size than the recipient bed.


Ocular penetration of orally administered minocycline.

Minocycline administered orally with a loading dose of 200 mg followed by 2 doses of 100 mg 12 hours apart was found to produce adequate levels in the aqueous of patients with noninflamed eyes at the time of routine cataract extraction. The plasma to aqueous ratio was approximately 2:1. This study suggests the potential usefulness of minocycline in ocular infections that are due to sensitive bacteria.


An Impressive Result: AIR.

Results of endothelial photography indicate the occasional disregard for implant-corneal touch that may occur during many intraocular maneuvers. The use of air reduces this risk and undoubtedly can give the physician an impressive result.


Cystic suprasellar and retrosellar arachnoiditis: a clinical and pathologic follow-up case report.

A patient, previously operated upon for a supra-and retrosellar arachnoid cyst, had again to undergo surgery for a recurrence and died in the early postoperative course. The gross and microscopic pathologic evidence obtained through necropsy is described: it seems to confirm the inflammatory nature of the arachnoid cyst, thus legitimating the term cystic optochiasmatic arachnoiditis used for the description of the same case in a previous report.


Multifocal choroiditis after retinal detachment surgery.

A 50-year-old white man with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment of the right eye developed multifocal choroiditis after repair of retinal detachment. The mechanism appeared to be hypersensitive to the scleral buckling material. The choroiditis rapidly cleared following removal of all scleral buckling material.


Senile macular degeneration and risk factors: a case-control study.

A case-control study of patients ranging in age from 52 to 88 years was done to determine any possible relationship between health factors and senile macular degeneration. Thirty cases and 30 controls were pair-matched according to age, sex, and race. Chart reviews and telephone interviews were the methods of data collection used. The patients were interviewed concerning a history of vascular disease and other health characteristics. The data were analyzed by a paired-sample method. The results of the study showed a definite relationship with age and sex. Moreover, a significant relationship between refractive error and senile macular degeneration was noted. Such an association has not been previously reported. No relationship was found between vascular disease and senile macular degeneration.


Limit aesthesiometry.

An aesthesiometer with disposable monofilaments is designed for measuring very small pressures on the corneal surface. This was achieved by using various lengths of a nylon monofilament with diameters of 0.08, 0.10, and 0.12 mm. With these lengths and diameters pressures between 0.1 and 1.0 g/mm2 can be exerted on the corneal surface.


Congenital euryblepharon.

Three cases of congenital euryblepharon are presented. In these cases, horizontal width of the eyelid margin is abnormally increased in comparison to the globe and orbit. The 3 cases were all different. One case had involvement of all 4 lids. Another had unilateral involvement of upper and lower eyelids. A third case had bilateral lower lid involvement associated with other anomalies. The additional anomalies which have not been previously reported include a double row of meibomian gland orifices and an extreme lateral displacement of the lower canaliculus and punctum. All cases had varying degrees of vertical shortage of skin in the involved lids leading to lagophthalmos with a mild to moderate exposure keratitis. A review of previously reported cases of euryblepharon is made. The types of surgical procedures used to correct the deformities are discussed.


Association of foveomacular retinitis, ankylosing spondylitis, iritis, and acquired iris atrophy.

A case of foveomacular retinitis, ankylosing spondylitis, iritis, and iris dissociation is described. Only ankylosing spondylitis was present in other family members. The differential diagnosis is discussed. The iritis of ankylosing spondylitis must be considered in cases of developmental full-thickness iris holes.


Pterygium and basic tear secretion.

In order to investigate the correlation between the occurrence of pterygium and dryness of the eyes, a Schirmer's No. 1 test was done on both eyes in 60 patients with unilateral pterygia. No difference was found between the mean basic secretion of tears in the diseased eyes (15.33 +/- 8.09 mm) and the fellow eyes (15.65 +/- 7.89 mm), and both were in the normal range for this test. This data suggest that dryness of the eyes cannot be regarded as the cause of pterygium.


Jensen procedure modified.

A modification of the Jensen procedure is presented to aid in preserving the anterior segment blood supply. It involves a union of only part of the lateral rectus muscle with the temporal halves of the superior and inferior rectus muscles. The anterior ciliary artery in the lateral rectus is not included in in the union.


Source of fungus contamination of hydrophilic soft contact lenses.

Fungus infiltration within hydrophilic lenses has been a rare finding. This case report confirms previous findings that fungal contamination of hydrophilic contact lens is possible. The present report, to our knowledge, is the first demonstration of the association of fungus from contaminated cosmetics with hydrophilic contact lenses. It is important to be aware of the possibility of fungal invasion of hydrophilic lenses, as well as to be able to differentiate this from the more common harmless spot formation. On the basis of this study, good lid hygiene, strict adherence to the sterilization procedure, and discontinuance of any soft hydrophilic contact lenses with spot formation seems appropriate.


Eales' disease: a case of rapid progression.

A case of bilateral vitreous hemorrhage is presented in a young black man. Work-up showed the patient to have Hb AA with a markedly positive PPD and a negative chest roentgenogram. A diagnosis of periphlebitis retinae or so-called Eales' disease was made. This case was remarkable in its speed of progression and the severity of the disease process. This case calls attention to the importance of rapid diagnosis and evaluation for possible treatment.


Unilateral conjunctival inflammation resembling a neoplasm.

An 11-year-old black girl with excessive tissue growth from the conjunctiva and adjacent tissue, of several years' duration, was treated with excision of the tissue and topical steroids. Histopathologic examination revealed eosinophilic and plasma cell infiltration with a few lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear cells. Proliferation of the capillary endothelium was also noted. To our best knowledge, this type of inflammatory reaction of the anterior aspects of the globe has not yet been reported.


Carcinoembryonic antigen in aqueous humor of patients with primary malignant choroidal melanoma.

Carcinoembryonic antigen levels were simultaneously determined in the aqueous humor and in the plasma of the 3 patients with primary choroidal malignant melanoma undergoing enucleation. An elevated carcinoembryonic antigen level was detected in the aqueous humor of 1 patient with no increase in plasma CEA level. In the other 2 patients no such elevation was found. A local increase of CEA levels produced by the tumor is likely to occur. Further studies are required of CEA levels of patients with primary malignant choroidal melanoma as an aid in diagnosis and treatment of this condition.


Retinal branch vessel occlusion in acute intermittent porphyria.

Three patients with acute intermittent porphyria were noted to have retinal branch vessel occlusion. Branch "vein" occlusion, segmental optic atrophy, and soft exudate were the most common ocular manifestation. Two patients had labile elevated hypertension. When patients present with retinal branch vessel occlusion and a constellation of bizarre symptoms that might include hypertension, abdominal pain, acute psychotic behavior and/or cutaneous photosensitivity, the diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria should be considered.


Ophthalmic manifestations of visceral larva migrans.

Two patients had ocular manifestations of infestation with visceral larva migrans. In neither case did the eye involvement improve despite thiabendazole, local and systemic steroids, and cryotherapy. The lack of ocular response to treatment may be assumed to be because of organisms were already dead. Thiabendazole therapy is probably worth trying for early ophthalmic involvement with visceral larva migrans if the organism is still alive. In most cases the diagnosis of visceral larva migrans can be made with the help of the ELISA serum antigen determination so that enucleation of the eye will not be necessary for diagnostic purposes.


Encysted corneal contact lens presenting as an eyelid mass.

A 57-year-old woman presented with a 10 by 10 mm movable eyelid mass which had been present for 8 months before examination by me. Diagnostic exploration of the eyelid was performed, and a cyst containing a hard corneal contact lens was discovered. Further history obtained after surgery revealed that the patient had lost her contact lens approximately 4 years prior to the surgical exploration.


Chalazion: a clinical evaluation.

A clinical study was done to evaluate the common treatment modalities of chalazions. The effectiveness of 2 current therapies on an alternative case basis was done. This was correlated with bacteriology, underlying ocular disease, percentages of spontaneous cure and refractive error. The average clinical course revealed that approximately 50% of chalazions can be expected to be cured or improved with medical treatment within 1 month.


Updated concepts in extracapsular pseudophakia: posterior chamber pseudophakia.

Some concepts regarding posterior chamber pseudophakia have been set forth. Clearly, this is still investigational, and it is for that reason that I would urge the readers to exercise great judgement and wait for the results of laboratory testing of this rhetorical hypothesis. Currently, I am proceeding most patiently with posterior chamber pseudophakia in Rhesus monkeys using the Harris-McGhan lens, the Praeger suture style modification, and the Shearing posterior chamber lens. The ultimate answers will probably be answered over a due course of time in the human subject, but suffice it to say that the scientific approach to this problem must first be meticulously studied by the ocular histopathologist after surgery has been accomplished in primates. If, after an adequate trial with primates, the ocular histopathologist establishes this to be a safe and effective technique, then a conservative study should be undertaken wherein a number of humans will have this procedure done using different types of lenses by surgeons familiar with the lens and technique.


Cryopexy of a choroidal melanoma.

Transconjunctival cryopexy was applied to a malignant melanoma of the ciliary body and choroid of a 46-year-old white man. The tumor immediately became gray-white and pigment cells were liberated in the anterior chamber. Subsequently, an enucleation was performed which showed a localized area of cryodestruction of the melanoma which was lined by macrophages. The significance of this finding in implications for the use of cryopexy in the management of melanomas are discussed.


Chiasmal ependymoma.

A 15-year-old boy with a histologically proven malignant chiasmal ependymoma showed transient improvement following irradiation therapy. A large tumor recurrence responded dramatically to PCV chemotherapy. The diagnosis was unsuspected until biopsy. The rarity of chiasmal ependymoma, in our experience, combined with its dramatic response to low morbidity PCV outpatient chemotherapy prompted this report.


[Long-time observations of serum-lipase for controlling of acute and chronic recurrent pancreatitis (author's transl)].

Long-time observations of serum-lipase were demonstrated by selected cases of different kinds of pancreatitis. Serum-lipase was determined by a new half-micro-method, which is representing a simplifying and time-saving modification of the titrimetric and kinetic method of analysis from Rick. This method is integrated in our routine-diagnostics since more than three years.


Lack of evidence for adrenergic innervation of the external urethral sphincter.

Catecholamine histofluorescence studies of the external urethral sphincter in 11 normal dogs, 4 dogs treated with tranylcypromine and 4 humans have demonstrated that this striated muscle does not possess adrenergic innervation. This finding suggests that the sympathetic nervous system affects outlet resistance only through its influence on the smooth musculature of the bladder neck and urethra.


Transplacental action of sodium nitrite on embryonic cells of Syrian golden hamster.

Hamster embryos were treated with various doses of NaNO2 in utero, by its oral administration to the mothers, and then the embryonic cells were examined for micronucleus formation, chromosomal aberrations, morphological or malignant transformation and drug-resistant mutations. For induction of resistant mutations, the cells were cultured in normal medium for 72 h, and then selected in media containing 8-azaguanine (10 or 20 microgram/ml) or 1 mM ouabain. This treatment with NaNO2 caused marked dose-dependent induction of 8-azaguanine- and ouabain-resistant mutations. Cultured embryonic fibroblasts in the resting state also showed a marked dose-dependent increase in micronucleus formation but not an increase in chromosomal aberrations. This treatment also caused morphological and neoplastic transformation of the cells. Transplacental oral treatment with DMN, as a positive control, caused changes of similar extent in biological effects of embryonic fibroblasts, and in addition it caused chromosomal aberrations in metaphase plates. On the contrary, transplacental oral application of NaNO2 did not induce any biological change in cultured embryonic fibroblasts.


The effect of membrane-fluidizing agents on the adhesion of CHO cells.

Treatment of CHO cells with drugs which are known to increase membrane lipid fluidity reduced the cells' ability to adhere to protein coated substrates, The concentrations of local anesthetics, nonionic detergents or aliphatic alcohols required to reduce CHO cell adhesion by 50% were similar to those reported to block nerve conduction, indicating that these drugs can affect the membrane at physiologically significant concentrations. Nonionic detergents and aliphatic alcohols, but not local anesthetics, caused increases in the fluidity of CHO plasma membranes (measured by fluorescence polarization) at concentrations which inhibited cell adhesion. The adhesion versus temperature profile had a sigmoidal shape, suggesting that a temperature dependent cooperative process such as a lipid phase transition, might be involved. However, the temperature profile for CHO membrane fluidity manifested no discontinuities, indicating the absence of any discrete phase transitions of the lipid matrix. This observation, coupled with the result that the inhibition of CHO cell adhesion produced by low temperatures was not relieved by drugs which can increase membrane fluidity, suggests that the reduced adhesion seen at low temperature is probably not due to reduced lipid fluidity.


[Rectal prolapse. Clinical studies on rectal prolapse].

A series of 164 patients with procidentia recti has been studied. Symptoms are sensation of obstruction, difficulties in emptying the bowel, proctitis, incontinence, reduced tonus of anal sphincters, and complete rectal prolapse. During I the rectum prolapses only under increased intraabdominal pressure and retracts spontaneously. Massive prolapse (stage II) often occurs without increased intraabdominal pressure and has to be reposited manually. Best results are obtained by fixing the mobilised rectum in the hollow of the sacrum as described by Wells in 1959 or by Ripstein in 1969. In bad risk patients a sublevatoric wire can be used. Most patients have satisfactory continence postoperatively without a corresponding physiological tonus of anal sphincters.


In vitro action of digitalis on guinea pig detrusor and urethra.

An in vitro investigation of the action of ouabain on the guinea pig bladder and urethra is presented Detrusor strips responded with an increase in baseline tension and in the amplitude and frequency of contractions. The response of the detrusor to ouabain was not significantly altered by phentolamine, propranolol, or hexamethonium. The response of the detrusor to ouabain was significantly reduced, but not abolished, by atropine suggesting that ouabain acts mainly by stimulating cholinergic receptors in the detrusor although it may also have some direct action on the detrusor smooth musculature. The action of ouabain on the guinea pig urethra was inconsistent. The most common response was a slight decrease in urethral tension.


The effects of maternal protein deprivation on renal development and function in neonatal rats.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of pre- and/or postnatal maternal protein deprivation (PD) on renal functional development in the offspring. Pregnant rats were fed either a control (24% protein) or low (8 or 10%) protein diet during gestation and lactation. Progeny of these dams were cross-fostered at birth, yielding four experimental groups: pups born of control dams and nursed by PD or control dams and pups born of PD dams and nursed by control or PD dams. While the effects of prenatal PD on body and kidney growth were negligible, PD during the nursing period appeared to have a more profound effect on body and kidney weight. Renal transport functions, quantified in vitro, were differentially affected by these dietary manipulations. Renal transport capacity for organic acids and bases was depressed in pups nursed by PD dams. Maturation of the renal organic acid transport system was also delayed in these pups. alpha-Aminoisobutyric acid accumulation by renal cortical slices was enhanced only in 10-day old rats stressed by pre- and postnatal maternal PD. Renal gluconeogenic and ammoniagenic capacity was not impaired by these dietary manipulations. No differences in protein or water content of renal cortical slices were observed.


[Laryngoscope with suction tube (author's transl)].

A laryngoscope blade with an integrated suction tube is described. Suction and laryngoscope can be handled simultaneously by one hand. The suction guarantees a free sight during intubation in cases of bleeding in the nasopharyngeal region and may also prevent the aspiration of acid gastric contents.


Current management of atrial myxoma with emphasis on a new diagnostic technique.

Sixteen patients aged 22-64 years have undergone removal of atrial myxoma at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. The first two patients had myxomas removed by closed surgical approach, and both died. Fourteen consecutive patients have undergone operation with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass, and all survived. There has been one late death unrelated to myxoma. Current surgical approach is excision of the tumor and its stalk or base and resection of the portion of intra-atrial septum to ensure complete removal. Recently a new diagnostic technique of two-dimensional phased array real time echocardiography has been used in four patients, including a pregnant woman, to confirm the clinical diagnosis of atrial myxoma. This technique provides a two-dimensional view of both atria and ventricles in cross section or sagittal view. This noninvasive method is painless, is independent of cardiac function and carries no risk or radiation hazard. The two-dimensional echocardiogram is superior to the standard one-dimensional or M-mode echocardiogram for diagnosis of myxoma in that it can evaluate simultaneously both right and left atria, can detect smaller space-occupying lesions because of better resolution and can more readily determine the size of the lesion and its stalk, can evaluate the mobility of the tumor and can determine more accurately the extent of tumor obstruction. Because of these qualities, we have relied on two-dimensional echocardiography as the definitive diagnostic procedure for detection of atrial myxoma. Currently operation for atrial myxoma is performed without cardiac catheterization or angiocardiography.


Non-specific reactions caused by diluents containing glycerol in nasal and bronchial challenge tests.

Sixty-one patients hospitalized because of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis were given nasal and bronchial challenge tests with diluents containing glycerol. 62% of the patients with rhinitis and 37% of those with asthma gave positive reactions. Glycerol should therefore not be used in allergen extracts which are meant for challenge tests. The non-specific effect of glycerol seems to be cumulative with increasing dose.


[The influence of chronic pentroxifylline medication on ergometric and hemodynamic parameters in intermittent claudication (author's transl)].

In an open clinical trial 14 patients with intermittent claudication caused by an obliteration of the femoral artery received 400 mg pentoxifylline 3 times daily over a period of 6 months. The walking distance, time to peak flow and calf ergometry showed a significant increase. Minor improvement of working hyperemia and peak flow could be found. The systolic pressure gradient over the obstruction didn't change. No patient complained about side effects.


[The collateral circulations of the spermatic veins (author's transl)].

The frequency and appearance of anastomoses between the spermatic veins and the inferior vena cava and portal vein, are analyzed in a series of 171 patients examined by retrograde spermatic phlebography. Spermatocaval anastomoses are divided into those that occur above the scrotum: direct (spermatocaval and iliospermatic) and indirect (perivertebral and ureteric); and those seen at the level of the scrotum (with the scrotal veins, veins of the vas deferens, and those from the contralateral scrotal area). Spermatoportal anastomoses are frequent but difficult to confirm because of the existence of proximal valves. Three cases are also reported which give examples where the spermatic vein played an important part in the collateral circulation (inferior vena cava thrombosis, left renal vein thrombosis, portal hypertension).


Pathological changes in the lumbar spine of pigs: gross findings.

The lumbar vertebral columns from 60 sows and 30 slaughter weight pigs were examined grossly for pathological changes. Asymmetry of lumbar articular facets and minor periarticular osteophytes were seen in the slaughter weight group. Degeneration of intervertebral discs or vertebral osteophytes were not present. In contrast, 38% of 60 sows had vertebral osteophytes and 40% had degeneration of intervertebral discs. Extensive ankylosing spondylosis was present in two sows. Other vertebral lesions observed in sows include asymmetry and arthrosis of articular facets, fissures and areas of cavitation in the annulus fibrosus and vertebral end plate, and vertebral osteomyelitis and/or vertebral fracture. Extravertebral skeletal lesions, some of which could be related to a clinical history of lameness or posterior paralysis, include sacroiliac arthrosis, pelvic deformity, polyarthritis, femoral osteomyelitis, sacroiliac dislocation and epiphyseolysis involving the femoral head or tuber ischii.


[Electroencephalogram recordings during eserine treatment for overdosage with anticholinergics (author's transl)].

The value of electroencephalographic recordings during eserine treatment for overdosage with anticholinergics is discussed, based on the results obtained in 6 cases. The results were spectacular in three cases, and a partial improvement was noted in one other case (suicide attempts with overdoses of atropine compounds), but only a slight effect was observed in two patients (with overdose of neuroleptics). Three points have to be underlined concerning the E.E.G. recordings: --eserine did not cause supplementary E.E.G. changes;--with eserine, the paroxystic abnormalities observed during overdoses of atropine compounds and amitriptyline rapidly disappear;--with mixed overdoses (atropine, barbiturates, or minor tranquillizers), eserine has no effect against non-anticholinergic products. Therapy with eserine, however, is still limited in its indications because of its short period of activity, its side-effects, and the possible risks of cardiac or convulsant complications.


[Seasonal variations of a forest soil microflora (author's transl)].

Variations between seasonal samplings of a forest soil were studied during a one year cycle. The total number of microorganisms was maximal in march, while qualitative variations of the bacterial and fungal flora were unimportant. Electron microscope studies showed physiological differences and enabled to evaluate the seasonal variations of the type of associations of soil microbes.


[Evolution of the H index in infants from birth (author's transl)].

The technique of using Hoffmann's soleus reflex can be simplified and carried out more rapidly if only the M and H latences are recorded. The calculation of the H index from these latences by using the formula (formula, see text), can eliminate variations due to morphotype and tends to express an overall, sensory-motor, proximal conduction rate of the reflex arc. Recordings were made in 50 normal infants aged from 0 to 7 years and two phases of evolution of the H index were observed during this period of change. 1. a rapid, practically linear increase as a function of age up to 18 months: y (IH) = 3.6 X (month) + 27.5. 2. a second phase during which there is little correlation with the age, but, on the contrary, there is a very significant and constant relationship, continuing up to adult life, between the interval (H--M) and the height of the subject: y (H--M) ms = 0.125 X (height in cm) + 3. These results can be used to calculate the theoretical reference H index throughout the growth period of infants.


[Extraction and purification of the chief glycoprotein of the erythrocyte membrane].

The major glycoprotein of the human erythrocyte membrane has been released from ghosts, by the non-ionic detergent Tween 20 at pH 8,5 and at low ionic strength and further purified by successive passages through columns of DEAE Sephadex at pH 6,8 and CM Sephadex at pH 5 or by hydroxyapatite chromatography at pH 6,8. The purified glycoprotein thus obtained represents about 1 % of the membrane proteins, and shows two major bands upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These bands designed as PAS 1 and PAS 2 are the dimer and the monomer of the glycoprotein. Several other minor bands can also appear on SDS gels, according to experimental conditions of solubilization and purification and are probably oligomers of PAS 1 and PAS 2. This glycoprotein possess inhibitory activity against various phytohemagglutinins.


[Liver injuries at the surgical clinic in Novi Sad from 1967-1978].

Experience gained from 80 ceses of liver injuries which have been under treatment at the Clinic of Surgical Diseases in Novi Sad in the period from 1967 to 1978 has been presented in this article. The number of liver injuries has amounted to 0,3% from a total of 23.300 injuried persons who have undergone the treatment at this clinic. The problems of dealing with liver injuries, especially those which can be expected in wartime, have been particularly emphasize.


[Structure of primary prostatic endogenous calculi].

A crystallographic analysis ("fine plate") is carried out on a total of 62 primary or endogenous prostate stones and the particular features of their structures are described. We observed that they present a compact nucleus consisting of just apatite or whitlockite or of mixtures of the first with other minority components, with apatite (basically carbo-apatite) being the essential component in 98.38% of the stones studied. The periphery present concentric layers, some of which are lobe-shaped, intercalated in cases of mixed periphery and in which there is a qualitative and quantitative predominance of apatite, which may be the only component of the same. The most frequent observation is the association of layers of apatite intercalated with whitlockite to which fine, oxalic or uric layers may sometimes be added. There is sometimes no apatite in the periphery in which case this is made up of layers of whitlockite either interspersed or not with other oxalic or uric ones.


The disappearance of the decidua capsularis and Reichert's membrane in the mouse.

Starting on the eleventh day the decidua capsularis and trophoblastic giant cell layer disappear from the ends of the conceptus towards the middle. The disappearance is complete antimesometrially on the eighteenth day, but lateral remnants are still present on the nineteenth day. New uterine lumen never intervenes between undegenerate decidua capsularis and the uterine stroma. Reichert's membrane is intact on the sixteenth day, but has ruptured on the seventeenth. It is suggested that its apparently earlier disappearance in histological material is an artefact reflecting the weakening that leads to its rupture.


[Tuberous sclerosis with unusual retroperitoneal massive bleeding caused by monstrous hamartoblastoma in both kidneys. A case report].

This paper reports the case of a 22-year-old woman with tuberous cerebral sclerosis and monstrous angioleiomyolipomata in the two kidneys, who died of spontaneous retroperitoneal mass bleeding from the hamartoblastomata in both kidneys. The disease had not been diagnosed during life despite imbecility since early childhood and the presence of guiding peripheral symptoms in the form of Pringle's disease.


Dorsal displacement of the left ventral and dorsal colon in two horses.

This paper describes the clinical signs and surgical treatment of 2 cases of dorsal displacement of the left ventral and dorsal colon. The condition, in which the colon becomes enclosed in the space bounded by the base of the spleen, the dorsal aspect of the suspensory ligament of the spleen (phrenicosplenic ligament), the left kidney and the adjacent body wall, is characterised by moderate to severe pain, minimal signs of shock, no response to medical therapy and a tendency for a ventral midline abdominal paracentesis to enter the spleen. Both horses recovered after surgical replacement of the colon, one case requiring a second laparotomy because of a recurrence of the displacement.


[Vegetative parameters under the effect of ouabain (g-strophanthin) in endogenous depressive patients. 1. The salivation rate].

In 7 healthy test persons and in 17 endogenous depressive patients the salivations rate was measured in a survey investigation with the SHP-test. The salivation rate of healthy test persons is constant. In endogenous depressive patients it develops a diminishing of depression depth under treatment with Ouabain (g-Strophanthin) between the 6th and the 12th day which is connected with reduction of the drive diminishing and the restauration of mood. The effective salivation rate is gaining. Possible principles of the influence of Ouabain are discussed.


[Causes of pain in the right iliac fossa].

A practical approach to the patient with pain in the right fossa iliaca is presented, stressing the importance of a clinical diagnosis. It is essential to select patients in need of urgent surgery, e.g. those with ectopic pregnancy, ruptured abdominal aneurysm, and perforated viscus, but not to operate on patients in whom surgery may be detrimental, e.g. those in diabetic precoma, or those with porphyria and pneumonia.


[The problems that arise when making and using an intra-uterine growth curve (author's transl)].

The author analyses the different intra-uterine growth curves that are described in the literature and shows how in use as reference norms they have a restricted value. The author draws attention to the fact that no other author cited in the literature has used an objective method to control the gestational age of the fetus when making curves. The author demonstrates that in 17.3 p. 100 of cases the gestational age has to be corrected when making his own growth curve and this is done by measuring the bi-parietal diameter early in the pregnancy. He studies the repercussions of this high figure of non-correspondence with the dates at different levels of the curve and the percentage of infants defined as hypotrophic, macrosomic or post-mature.


[Doses levorin display an antiandrogenic action?].

The antiandrogenic effect of levorin on immature castrated rats treated with exogenic testosterone was studied. In a dose of 200 mg/kg levorin lowered the cholesterin blood levels in the rats, inhibited the testosterone-induced increase in RNA concentration in the ventral and dorsal prostate and the seminal vesicles and to a less extent suppressed the growth of the accessory sexual glands. However, the antiandrogenic effect was observed with the use of levorin in the dose producing a pronounced toxic action evident from death of a part of the animals and a marked decrease in the animal body weight. This fact casts doubt on specificity of the levorin effect. Apparently, in high doses levorin impairs metabolism as a whole which cannot but affect the response of the sexual glands to administration of testosterone.


Spontaneous pregnancy in a patient with hypergonadotrophic ovarian failure.

A 27-year-old woman was referred to the gynaecological endocrine clinic because of infertility and secondary amenorrhoea. Serum luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone levels were raised and oestradiol concentrations were subnormal. In spite of these findings, spontaneous resumption of menstrual cycles associated with a fall of gonadotrophin concentrations was followed by a normal pregnancy.


Relevance of the barium follow-through examination in the diagnosis of adult celiac disease.

Significant changes on a standard barium follow-through examination in celiac disease have been determined by comparison with functional changes (irritable bowel syndrome), malabsorption without a villous lesion (chronic pancreatitis), and a villous abnormality without malabsorption (dermatitis herpetiformis). Patients with iron deficiency anemia formed the control group. Slight jejunal dilatation (26-30 mm) was found in 15% of the celiacs and 17% of the irritable bowel patients. Dilatation in excess of 30 mm and/or effacement of jejunal fold pattern occurred only with an abnormal jejunal biopsy, in 54% of the celiacs and 33% of the dermatitis herpetiformis patients. Patients with malabsorption by itself and 46% of the celiacs could not be distinguished from those with irritable bowel syndrome. The concept of a malabsorption pattern is considered invalid, and the diagnosis of celiac disease can be reliably established only by peroral jejunal biopsy.


[A traumatic glaucoma by epithelial invasion of the anterior chamber (author's transl)].

Taking into account the latest data described in the specialized literature, the authors present a clinical case of secondary traumatic glaucoma which was determined by a cystical shaped epithelial invasion of the anterior chamber. The patient was subjected to a surgical intervention and the final result was successful. The diagnosis and the treatment of these cases are discussed. The authors underline the importance of the correct treatment of the penetrated traumatisms of the eyeball.


Cultural factors and attrition in drug abuse treatment.

The present study examined how race related to attrition in drug abuse treatment. 165 male voluntary admissions to an inpatient Substance Abuse Unit were tested at admission on functioning, motivation, attitudes, symptoms, and mood-using reliable and valid scales. One week later they completed a 12-factor scale measuring perception of the treatment milieu. Data were analyzed in a 2 x 2 factorial design of analysis of variance. There were 106 White subjects and 59 Blacks. The dropout rate for Blacks and Whites was 63%. Two factors measured at intake, motivation and social functioning, showed statistically significant interactions between race and attrition. Four ward perception factors showed a differential effect related to race and attrition. The White dropout and completer did not differ in how they perceived the ward. Blacks, however, who perceived the environment as being more insightful, spontaneous, autonomous, and practical remained. Although Blacks and Whites differed on many variables, only six showed race-related differences in attrition. Having higher motivation and poorer adjustment influenced Whites to stay. Factors in the environment, however, influenced Blacks. What might be considered a more "therapeutic" milieu was effective in helping Blacks remain in treatment. Knowledge of these cultural differences could help in designing treatment programs.


Outcome research in therapeutic communities for drug abusers: a critical review 1963-1975.

Twenty-five publications, conference presentations, and unpublished reports on outcome of therapeutic communities for drug abusers are reviewed for the period 1963 to 1975. A wide variety of methodological limitations are noted, including retrospective designs, unclear definition of outcome variables, low follow-up completion rates, lack of descriptive data on either the treatment processes or the patients, inadequate sampling procedures, lack of comparison control groups, and the absence of data to validate self-reports. Some speculations are offered on the reasons for such methodological inadequacies and a model proposed for future studies.


Crimes of violence and alcohol abuse in Sweden.

Of 793 offenders submitted to forensic psychiatric examination in 1972-1976, 44% were guilty of crimes of violence against persons. Among them, 68% were drunk when committing their crime; for nonviolent offenders this percentage was 38. Psychotic assailants stood apart as mostly sober. While Swedish and United States drinking patterns are similar, the homicide rate in Sweden is about one-tenth that in the United States. The possible cause-effect relationship between alcohol abuse and assaultive behavior is complex. A common basis could be found in personal and interpersonal distress rather than in socioeconomic and educational shortcomings.


The frequency of narcotic use before and after admission to a methadone maintenance program.

A total of 453 program participants of the Narcotic Abuse Treatment Program, San Diego Country, a methadone maintenance program, were asked to report their use of heroin prior to and after program participation. Results indicated a significant reduction in reported heroin use, suggesting that the program has affected change in the quantity of heroin used by participants and that heroin use of program participants is not sufficient by itself to motivate other criminal involvement. A program may be effecting a reduction in heroin use by clients as well as criminal activity, but the effects may be totally unrelated.


Hydrogen sulfide poisoning.

Poisoning by hydrogen sulfide has been recognized as an occupational hazard for at least two centuries. The development of alternative sources of energy in North America may increase the incidence of this medical emergency in the future. Until recently, no specific antidote to sulfide was recognized. We have compared sulfide poisoning to cyanide poisoning and documented recent findings that indicate many similarities between the two. The therapeutic induction of methemoglobinemia, as by the intravenous administration of sodium nitrite, has both protective and antidotal effects against sulfide as well as against cyanide in laboratory animals. This procedure has been used successfully in at least one severe human case of sulfide poisoning. Industries at risk should be prepared to initiate this form of therapy in addition to the usual measures for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. No evidence exists to suggest that sulfide poisoning results in an impairment of the oxygen transport capability of blood. On  the other hand, some victims of hydrogen sulfide poisoning exhibit frank cyanosis, suggesting that the respiratory tract obstruction is more common in this condition than is generally recognized. Suction of the upper tract and the administration of oxygen may be important ancillary procedures to the administration of sodium nitrite.


[Psoriatic arthritis: analysis of 69 cases and review of the literature].

In a retrospective study 69 cases of psoriatic arthritis evaluated at the Centre hospitalier de l'université Laval (CHUL) between 1968 and 1977 were studied. Certain clinical and laboratory features (age, sex, nail involvement, date of onset of the cutaneous psoriasis, date of onset of the arthritis, and the presence or absence of rheumatoid factor and the HLA-B27 antigen) and the radiologic data were compared with findings previously described in the literature. With three exceptions the findings compared well: at CHUL (a) the frequency of the HLA-B27 antigen in patients with axial psoriatic arthritis was very low, (b) patients with synchronous psoriasis and arthritis were not more severely affected, and (c) certain radiologic signs that seem to be rare and have probably been overemphasized in the literature were not found.


The amino acid sequence of mouse pancreatic ribonuclease. Extremely rapid evolutionary rates of the myomorph rodent ribonucleases.

The complete amino acid sequence of mouse pancreatic ribonuclease has been determined by analysis of tryptic, chymotryptic, thermolytic and CNBr peptides and by automatic sequence analysis of the intact protein. The sequence of mouse RNase differs in 20--30% of the positions from other RNase sequences. Three unique or neraly unique substitutions were found, viz. Gly-68 leads to Arg-68, Arg-85 leads to His-85 and Ser-123 leads to Thr-123. All these three residues might be involved in interactions with substrate molecules. A most parsimonious tree of the myomorph rodent RNase shows that after the divergence of rat and mouse, the ribonuclease of rat accumulated substitutions at a rate 2.5--4.3 times as high as the rates in other branches of the tree and 23 times as high as the average rate in the Bovidae ribonuclease evolution. These extreme fluctuations in substitution rate are difficult to reconcile with the hypothesis of the evolutionary clock. The high evolution rate of rat ribonuclease is thought to be caused by positive selection, leading to new functional properties of the enzyme.


Mortality of workers employed in the manufacture of chlordane and heptachlor.

A retrospective mortality study has been carried out on workers employed in the manufacture of chlordane and heptachlor between 1946 and 1976. The study group was comprised of 1403 white males who worked for more than three months at either of the two plants in the United States now producing these compounds. Information on deaths among terminated employees was obtained from the Social Security Administration and supplemented by information collected by another investigator by individual follow-up. There were 113 deaths observed in the group, compared to 157 expected, giving a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of 72. There was no overall excess of deaths from cancer, even among workers followed twenty or more years after entry into the occupation. There was one death from liver cancer. An excess of deaths from lung cancer (12 observed, 9.0 expected) was not statistically significant and was not distributed by duration of exposure or of latency in any pattern suggesting an etiologic role for chlordane-heptachlor exposure. Although diseases of the circulatory system as a whole showed fewer deaths than expected (SMR 83), there was a statistically significant excess of deaths from cerebrovascular disease (17 observed, 9.3 expected). This excess was not related to duration of exposure or latency and occurred exclusively after termination of employment.


[Epidemiology of hepatitis in Swiss hemophiliacs].

A total of 108 Swiss haemophiliacs (89 haemophilia A and 19 haemophilia B patients) were investigated for the presence of serological hepatitis B virusmarkers and for transaminase abnormalities; the patients were also evaluated regarding hepatitis history. 22% of the patients were found to have a history of acute clinical hepatitis. 82% showed signs of hepatitis B virus (or hepatitis Bs-antigen) exposure: 6% were shown to be hepatitis Bs-antigen carriers, hepatitis B2-antibodies were found in 71% and hepatitis Bc-antibodies in 72% of the patients. 39% of the haemophiliacs showed elevated transaminase activities; it must be assumed that a proportion of the patients of this group have asymptomatic chronic liver disease.


A long-term mortality study of workers occupationally exposed to metallic nickel at the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant.

This study was undertaken to determine whether mortality from respiratory cancer among workers occupationally exposed to metallic nickel at the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (ORGDP) differed from that of workers at the same plant with no record of occupational exposure to metallic nickel or any nickel compound. A cohort of ,14 nickel-exposed workers and one of 1600' controls were identified. The members of both cohorts had a minimum follow-up period of 19 years. Mortality from respiratory cancer and from other causes was examined in both groups. The data showed no evidence of an increased risk of mortality due to respiratory cancer among the nickel-exposed workers. The exposed cohort experienced lower mortality than the controls, both in deaths due to respiratory cancer and in deaths due to all causes, although neither of these differences was statistically significant.


Clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses: malignant melanoma of soft tissues? Report of four cases.

In a survey of 246 soft tissue sarcomas in the extremities and limb girdles reported to the Finnish Cancer Registry in 1960-1969, two clear cell sarcomas of tendons and aponeurones were diagnosed. We subsequently diagnosed two more examples. Three tumors were located in the foot and one in the wrist. The histology of the tumors was characteristic, and three of them were shown to contain brown pigment tinctorially indistinguishable from melanin. The pigment could be bleached with potassium permanganate. Ultrastructural studies performed in the most recent case revealed premelanosomes in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. Increasing evidence in the literature and results of the present study seem to suggest that clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses represents a soft tissue malignant melanoma.


[Elimination of extrachromosomal streptomycin resistance in staphylococci by experimental variations in geomagnetic field intensity].

The article comprises the data on the elimination of streptomycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus after its passage for a long time in a low permanent magenetic field (PMF) with H = 0.5 oe and in a space screened from the geomagnetic field in a permaloy chamber (H = 10(-2). Under these conditions the eliminating effect of the geomagnetic field intensity on the streptomycin resistance of Staphylococci became perceptible after 5--10 their passage under unusual conditions. At the next stages of investigation the eliminating effect of low PMF and of screening was enhanced. At the end of the experiment after 25--40 passages of Staphylococcus aureus throung MF of different intensity the elimination of streptomycin resistance was recorded in all the 11 cultures studied. The quantity of eliminates in populations of experimental substrains of Staphylococcus increased by 1.5--10 and more times as compared to the control.


[Morphogenetic shift of hemoglobin types in the ontogeny of rats].

The embryonic haemoglobin represented by 4 fractions was shown to form in the nucleate erythroid cells of the yolk sac. The dynamics of their quantitative changes was determined in 10 to 14 days old embryos. Anuclear red cells of the subsequent haemopoietic centers synthesize the heterogenous haemoglobin system (fractions 1--6). It includes components such as HbF (fractions 5, 6) the maximal contents of which is timed to a later embryonic stage. Fractions 3 and 4 constitute HbA haemoglobin. These fractions were shown to differ by their resistance against acids and to be unequally distributed among the red blood cells. In the blood of foetuses and phenyl hydrasine anemic animals the amount of cells with predominance of fractions 5 and 6 increases. Under these conditions the level of alkali resistant haemoglobin also increases.


[Effect of random shearing of DNA on the reassociation kinetics of repeating sequences].

Influence of random DNA shearing on reassociation of repeated sequences separated by considerably long unique sequences has been considered theoretically. Reassociation kinetic curves have been calculated for repeated sequences of various length. Dependence of the reassociation rate constant and the repeated sequences frequency on the fraction and length of the repeated sequences has been obtained.


[The treatment of arterial occlusion by means of ultraviolet radiation of the blood (author's transl)].

The advantages of ultraviolet radiation of the blood are obvious. In many cases threatened amputation could be avoided. Ultraviolet radiation of the blood entails little risk and for this reason should be given preference over surgery whenever success with the reconstructive technique is questionable. The length of hospitalization can be reduced by using the ultraviolet radiation technique, and many patients can be treated exclusively on an outpatient basis using this technique. It offers not only medical but also social and economic advantages. Owing to the fact that the ultraviolet radiation technique has proved to be effective in other fields as well, it also deserves more attention from researchers.


[Group specific peculiarities in the need for cultural entertainments for residents of nursing homes for the aged].

For the leading of the complex care as all social process the exact notice of need-structure among aged people important. The investigation of the complex need for cultural entertainments among inhabitants of geriatric nursing stations shows group-specific particularities, so that by taking cultural measures the didactiv principle is to be demanded to offer differentiated entertainments concerning the contents with different intentions. In our institution the complex need for cultural intertainments is satisfied by the real cultural offer with the exception of the indicators "moral-educational aspiration--special knowledge--compensation!" The existing difference must be used as a motiv power for increasing the cultural living standard. At a defined moment not all eventual and entitled aspects of the explored need can be satisfied, but the cultural measures must be set in relation to the objective [corrected] functions of a geriatric nursing station and to the orientation of action among the inhibitants.


[On the clinical importance of secondary hyperlipoproteinemia in old age (author's transl)].

The pathological aspects and clinical importance of secondary forms of hyperlipoproteinemia in old age are discussed by the author in his present review article. Consideration is first given to the relations between hyperlipoproteinemia and diabetes mellitus. Further, the author deals with secondary hyperlipoproteinemia consequent upon renal diseases, pancreatitis, alcoholism, endocrinal diseases, liver diseases, and use of certain drugs. Finally, therapeutic problems of secondary hyperlipoproteinemia, which hold in old age just as in any other, are also treated briefly.


Vaccination of calves against Taenia saginata infection using antigens collected during in vitro cultivation of larvae: passive protection via colostrum from vaccinated cows and vaccination of calves protected by maternal antibody.

Six-to-11-day-old calves which received colostrum from cows vaccinated with in vitro culture antigens of Taenia saginata during their last month of pregnancy showed a high level of resistance to a challenge infection with T saginata eggs. Although colostral antibody reduced the numbers of larvae which became established it did not promote destruction of those which had undergone development. Calves which had received colostrum from vaccinated dams were themselves vaccinated with culture antigen when they were eight to 10 weeks old. These calves showed strong immunity to a challenge infection of T saginata eggs administered four weeks after vaccination.


[Immunogenic properties of 3 local lentogenic strains of the Newcastle disease virus used in the spray method of vaccination].

Three local lentogenic strains of the Newcastle disease virus, GT, D and R, were made use of to produce live liquid vaccines. These proved harmless and immunogenic when applied through the spray-method to broiler chicks, aged 5 days, at three successive revaccinations (on the 25th, 60th and 140th day of age) carried out by the same method. The strain D vaccine induced serum antihemagglutinins that had higher titers than those induced by vaccines of the other local strains and the standard strains Hitchner-B1 and La Sota.


Effects of energy intake during late pregnancy and of genotype on immunoglobulin transfer to calves in suckler herds.

Blue-Grey (Shorthorn x Galloway) and Hereford x Friesian cows were given levels of feeding, during the last 12 weeks of pregnancy, varying between 75.2 per cent and 171.5 per cent of the maintenance requirements in one experiment and between 65 per cent and 125 per cent of the maintenance requirements in a second experiment. The concentrations of the immunoglobulin classes IgG1, IgG2 and IgM, in their colostrum and in their calves' serum were measured. The IG1 and IgM, but not the IgG2, concentrations were significantly higher in the Blue-Grey than in the Hereford x Friesian colostrum and serum. The relative concentrations of the three classes in the serum were almost identical to those in the colostrum, suggesting that absorption by the calves was non-selective. The amounts of immunoglobulin transferred to the calves were not affected by the cows' levels of feeding in the first year, but there was a small increase in transfer with increasing levels of feeding during the second year. Cows that transferred large amounts to their calves in the first year tended to do so in the second year. The milk intake and growth of the calves during the first 42 days were significantly correlated with their immunoglobulin concentrations.


Day-old vaccination of maternally immune turkeys against Newcastle disease.

Maternally immune day-old turkey poults were vaccinated against Newcastle Disease with La Sota live vaccine and, concurrently, with emulsion killed vaccine. After an initial fall in maternal antibody the haemagglutination inhibition (HAI) geometric mean titre (GMT) of these birds rose to log2(6) and persisted at that level for eight months. Re-vaccination of some birds at 10 weeks with the emulsion vaccine caused GMTs to rise to log2(11). Six months later these levels were at log2(7). Further emulsion vaccination at 28 weeks produced a good anamnestic effect, the titre rising to log2(12). The authors discuss the possible advantages of this programme of vaccination as a routine for the immunisation of both fattening and breeding birds.


Immunoreactive vasopressin and oxytocin: concentration in individual human hypothalamic nuclei.

Individual hypothalamic nuclei were microdissected from brain tissue of ten human subjects who had died suddenly while in apparent good health. Appreciable amounts of vasopressin and oxytocin immunoreactivity were found by specific radioimmunoassay in six hypothalamic nuclei including supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. Vasopressin and oxytocin are presumed to be synthesized in supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei for axonal transport to the posterior pituitary for storage and release. Vasopressin and oxytocin in other hypothalamic nuclei may be a part of this system of neurosecretion or may serve some other function.


Hydrophobic chromatography of prenyl transferases.

Several prenyl transferases were examined with respect to their affinity for C0--C10 alkyl-Agarose columns. C10-alkyl Agarose was effective in adsorbing each of the prenyl transferases tested but only undecaprenyl pyrophosphate and octaprenyl pyrophosphate synthetases could be effectively eluted with Triton X-100.


The ductus reuniens and utriculo-endolymphatic valve in  the presence of endolymphatic hydrops in guinea-pigs.

Described in the foregoing are postoperative changes in the ductus reuniens and the utriculo-endolymphatic valve of the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear upon obstruction of the endolymphatic duct in normal guinea-pigs. The ductus reuniens was postoperatively dilated more than three times that of the normal ear, and dilated to a maximum degree within the first 12 hours. The utriculo-endolymphatic valve was found to be open two days after the operation, and there was a tendency for the number of animals with an open valve to increase with time. At three weeks and also at two months after the operation, there were some animals whose utricles were compressed by the dilated saccules, and as a result, their utricular ducts and utriculo-endolymphatic valves appeared narrowed.


The sulfophosphovanillin reaction for serum lipids: a reappraisal.

New evidence is presented for the mechanism of this reaction, which is used in estimating lipids. The reaction occurs in two stages: (a) Stage 1 evidently involves an oxidation step, forming a specific type of carbonium ion called an alkenyl cation of the general formula R--C+--C==C--R' (previous evidence had indicated that a carbonium ion of general formula R--C+--R' was formed by protonation only.) (b) Stage 2 of the reaction was examined by nuclear magnetic resonance studies and by partition experiments, which have indicated that a vanillin phosphate ester is not formed as previously suggested. Comparative data from other acid-aldehyde reactions indicate that in this reaction 1,1-di(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl)ethylene ion is formed, a product compatible with the formation of an alkenyl cation at stage 1.


[The importance of human resources for development: the contribution of health (author's transl)].

The author reviews the publications that emphasize the imprtance of investments in human resources as a factor of economic development and presents results of his own research demonstrating, through an empirical study, the positive influence of health on economic productivity.


[Surgical treatment of divertikulitis of the sigmoid colon (author's transl)].

32 patients suffering from diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon underwent resection with end-to-end-anastomosis. In 24 cases the operation was performed electively as a one step procedure, the rest of the patients were operated on by two or three steps. One patient with ileus and peritonitis came to death. 28 from 31 surviving patients live without trouble. Resection of the inflammatory part of intestine is recommended instead of permanent colostomy.


[Contribution to the exogenous development of Eimeria cameli (Henry and Masson, 1932), Reichenow 1953].

With reference to 4 illustrations, a complementary study on the morphology of 82-98 X 62-75 micron large oocysts of Eimeria cameli.


[The diagnostic value of wedged hepatic vein pressure in chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis (author's transl)].

In 38 patients with chronic hepatitis and 53 patients with liver cirrhosis the portal vein pressure was determined by wedged hepatic vein pressure (WHVP). There were significant differences among chronic persistent, chronic active hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. The wedged hepatic vein pressure increased in chronic active hepatitis according to the rate of hepatic connective tissue. The platelet count and the thromboplastin time were correlated to the values of wedged hepatic vein pressure not only in chronic active hepatitis but in liver cirrhosis as well. The correlation among serum albumin level, bromsulphalein retention and systolic blood pressure after Riva-Rocci and wedged hepatic vein pressure was significant in liver cirrhosis exclusively. Even if the determination of wedged hepatic vein pressure does not permit an absolute statement on the risk of hemorrhage of esophageal varicosis it is nevertheless suited for follow-up controls in chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis and renders possible an outlook on the progress of the disease.


[The perception of falling glissandos in prosodic contours (author's transl)].

The aim of this study is to determine whether the threshold and pitch of falling glissandos are identical to those calculated for rising ones--and consequently to test the hypothesis that rising glissandos are less well perceived than falling ones. The results show a threshold between 18 and 19 Hz for a duration of 200 ms, with an initial frequency of 139 Hz. The pitch corresponds to the frequency of a point at two thirds of the duration of the vowel. These results confirm those obtained for rising glissandos. The above hypothesis is not verified. In conclusion, a model of hearing is proposed which account for the modes of perception of glissandos.


[Comparative findings on the spread of healthy carriers of coagulase-positive staphylococci in a hospital milieu].

A comparative search was made for healthy carriers of pathogenic staphylococcus among the kitchen, canteen and scullery staff of the Malpighi Hospital and the paramedical personnel of its geriatrics, out-patient and nephrology sections. The following percentages of healthy carriers were observed: out-patient section 37.5%, nephrodialysis section 23%, kitchen 17.9%, and geriatrics section 14.2%. All staphylococcus strains were tested for their sensitivity to antibiotics. 25% were resistant to ampicillin, 21.8% to penicillin, and 21.8% to streptomycin.


[Results of a predictive trial of the response to nomifensine in ambulatory patients].

Nine hundred and fifty eight cases of neurotic-secondary ambulatory depression were treated with nomifensin by 135 psychiatrists. The analysis of visual analogue scales and of the global assessment shows that:--there were 2/3 responders and 1/3 non-responders--the most improved items were: crying, troubles in getting to sleep, abnormal tiredness, anxiety;--associated drugs from the beginning were frequent. They seemed to correspond to different initial symptomatologies but the final state did not differ substantially;--discrimination methods (linear discriminant function, stepwise discrimination) could separate groups of responders and non-responders, but did not allow for a valid individual prediction;--admist possible causes of these misclassifications, several factors are discussed: patient selection, choice of the variables, skewed or bimodal distributions, statistical methods used, acurateness of quotation, spectrum of the stutied drug.


[A new treatment for the on-line-registration of the pre-ejection-period of the human fetal heart simultaneously with the CTG (author's transl)].

A new noninvasive on-line technique for measuring the pre-jection-period (PEP) sub partu is described. It permits a continous registration of PEP patterns simultaneously with the fetal CTG.


[Doppler-sonographic control of a carotid-cavernous fistula occluded by balloon catheter (author's transl)].

Angiographic and Doppler-sonographic findings from a patient suffering from a traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula are presented. Data were obtained before, during, and after occlusion of the fistula by means of a balloon catheter. Doppler examination of the periorbital vessels and the carotid arteries in the neck region (selective for the common, internal, and external carotid arteries) allows a reliable and atraumatic evaluation of the carotid circulation and the pathologic venous drainage of the fistula by the orbital veins. The proper positioning of the balloon therefore is facilitated by simultaneous Doppler recording of the pathologic venous flow. The balloon-catheter technique described by Prolo et al. (1971) was modified and lead to a complete occlusion of the fistula without causing a carotid thrombosis.


[Infusion kinetics of drugs injected into the drip chamber of an infusion set].

The infusion kinetics of drugs injected into the "drip-chamber" of an i.v. infusion set has never been studied, although this route of drug administration is used more and more frequently in hospitalized patients. The drug is eliminated from this "drip-chamber" and hence infused into the body by 1.-order kinetics. A half-life of administration can be calculated and experimentally verified. This t 1/2 is equal to the ratio of the volume of infusion fluid in the "drip-chamber" (which can be estimated) and the infusion velocity of the i.v. drip (which is chosen) with the ln 2 as the proportionality constant. Hence the velocity of administration of the drug is not constant. Just after the injection more of the drug reaches the body per unit time than later on. This type of drug administration should therefore not be used if high plasma concentrations at the beginning are to be avoided or a constant infusion is desired.


[Selective arteriography of the carotid and vertebral arteries by the femoral route: review of 225 patients (author's transl)].

Selective arteriography of the carotid and vertebral arteries by the femoral route was carried out in 225 cases. The technique, results, indications and contraindications are reported and discussed together with complications.


[Fibrinogen estimation. A simplified gravimetric method (author's transl)].

A simplified gravimetric method is proposed for fibrinogen estimation in plasma. Technic: 0.5 ml plasma (citrated) are diluted to up 5 ml with saline. A stick, 5 to 6 cm long, made of a glass capillary tube, or, aluminium foil, with ends bended as a hock, are weighted up to 0.001 g. Introduce one stick previously weighted in diluted plasma. Place two drops of thrombin (10 U/ml), and mix. In seconds, all fibrinogen is transformed in fibrin, deposited around the stick. Remove the stick with the fibrin, and press gently with the fingers, expelling the liquid in excess. Hang the stick with the fibrin, on the rim of a dry centrifuge tube. Centrifuge at 3.000 rpm for 10 minutes (dry centrifugation). Centrifugal forces acting on the fibrin clot expell all liquid particles. Fibrin consist of a very thin layer adhered on the stick. The weight difference (initial and final), represents the solid fibrin. difference of weight added by 0.1 of the difference (anticoagulant dilution) x 200 to convert in dl. The method is highly reproductible, and takes about 20 minutes to be completed.


[Results and consideration on blood cultures activity in a great children Hospital (author's transl)].

This paper reports the results of blood cultures of a great children Hospital during the last three years. It regards 2164 blood cultures, 140 of which positive, and analyses the reasons that probably determinate the detected deficencies and defects.


[Vascularization of the plexus myentericus (Auerbach) in the small intestine of swine and cats].

The ganglia of the plexus myentericus (Auerbach) have their own self-acting vascularization in the form of periganglionic capillary networks. As to the architecture and density, they are quite different from the intramuscular capillary bed. Just as the arterial trunk and arcade vessels, the terminal arterioles and sphincter capillaries running into the periganglionic cappillary network are innervated by noradrenergic axons. Together with periganglionic arteriovenous short circuits, this means favorable prerequisites for a functionally adapted blood supply of the ganglia. The specific arrangement of intramuscular vessels and the plexus Auerbach effects the maintenance of the close topographic and functional relations between both systems in all cases of changes of the shape of the intestinal wall.


[Diagnostic patterns of CSF immune response (author's transl)].

The AA. critically evaluate the different methods used for the study of the CSF proteins and particularly examine the diagnostic meaning of some blood and CSF proteins ratios. According to the cases they report, the AA. think that some patterns characteristic of the nervous system diseases can be defined and they point out the importance of the contemporaneity of the examination of the CSF and of the serum in order to improve the significance of laboratory data.


[Fluorometric determination of propranolol and its metabolite n-desisopropylpropranolol in plasma and urine by direct meausrement of thin-layer chromatographic plates (author's transl].

The quantitative analysis of propranolol and its metabolite N-desisopropylpropranolol in plasma and urine is described. The drugs are extracted into 2-pentanol-heptane, and the solvent is concentrated. The whole residue is chromatographed on silica gel plates. The compounds are determined directly on the thin-layer plates without derivatization. The recovery of propranolol from plasma is 70%, with a standard deviation of +/- 4%.


[Familial translocation 3/22 MAT with partial trisomy 3q (author's transl)].

Two mentally retarded brothers with partial trisomy 3q show clinically similar malformations and deformities : dwarfism, bushy eyebrows, eversion of the nostrils, low inserted ears, high palate, microgeny, low hair insertion, short and broad hands with proximally inserted thumbs, clinodactylia of the 5th finger, syndactylies, mostly arch patterns on the digital pulps, muscular hypotonia, joint relaxation and cryptorchism. Both children had fits of convulsions. The younger boy showed, moreover, a perception deafness. The mother, the maternal grand-mother as well as the phenotypically normal sister of the patients revealed a balanced translocation 3/22 with a karyotype : 46,XX,t(3;22) (q25;p11).


[Excess of HLA-A2 and HLA-A2 homozygotes in patients with aplastic and Fanconi's anemias].

In 68 idiopathic aplastic anemia patients (65 HLA genotypes), HLA-A2 is slightly increased (p corrected less than 0.03) leading to a relative risk of 2.30. A slight excess of homozygotes for HLA-A was observed (22.2 vs. 14.09%), involving mostly the A2 antigen. In the siblings the patients were more frequently homozygote A2 than by chance (p less than 0.005). The same trends are observed in Fanconi's anemia = out of 18 patients, 7 are HLA-A homozygote (of whom 4 are A2). The hypothesis of the existence of one or several recessive genes involved in hematopoiesis situated close to HLA-A is advanced.