The relations between structural changes in small airways and pulmonary-function tests.

To examine the relation between small-airways abnormalities and specific lung functions, we performed pulmonary-function tests in 36 patients, of whom two were nonsmokers, one to three days before open-lung biopsy for localized pulmonary lesions. The primary lesion in the small airways was a progressive inflammatory reaction leading to fibrosis with connective-tissue deposition in the airway walls. Increase in disease in small airways correlated with deterioration in lung function. Lesions could be reliably detected (P less than 0.05) by tests for closing capacity, the volume at which air and helium flow ere equal (a test of airway caliber and elastic recoil), and the slope of phase III of the single-breath washout curve (which tests evenness of ventilation). These tests showed abnormalities at a time when the pathologic changes were still potentially reversible and when other tests were not appreciably changed.


Regulation of gonadotropin secretion in Turner's syndrome.

To determine the role of body fat in regulating secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, we measured both at 20-minute intervals for 24 hours in eight children with Turner's syndrome. The 24-hour mean luteinizing hormone levels varied from 20.2 to 70.5 mlU per milliliter. Total body weight, total body fat and percentage of body fat showed a significant negative correlation with the 24-hour mean luteinizing hormone concentrations (P less than 0.01). The 24-hour mean follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations ranged from 60.4 to 229 mlU per milliliter, with a significant negative correlation between total body fat and percentage body fat and the 24-hour mean concentrations (P less than 0.05). These negative correlations were not mediated by estrogens or androgens.


Endocrinologically incomplete transethmoidal trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy with relief of bone pain in breast cancer.

To assess endocrinologic completeness of transethmoidal trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy and the relation between postoperative pituitary hormone levels and relief of bone pain, we tested pituitary reserve by measuring base-line values of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, thyrotropin-relasing-factor-stimulated thyrotropin and prolactin, and levodopa-stimulated growth hormone after hypophysectomy in 15 menopausal women with metastatic breast cancer. In all 15 bone pain diminished or disappeared within 24 hours of operation. Pituitary-function testing identified only one patient as having had an endocrinologically complete hypophysectomy. Base-line gonadotropin levels and thyrotropin-releasing-factor-stimulated prolactin were the most reliable measures of residual pituitary function. We conclude that transethmoidal trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy may not totally ablate pituitary endocrine function; effective relief of bone pain in patients with metastic breast cancer can follow this procedure despite residual pituitary function and the lack of objective tumor remission.


Type B hepatitis after transfusion with blood containing antibody to hepatitis B core antigen.

We tested the hypothesis that donor blood containing antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) but lacking detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs)might transmit Type B hepatitis by examining donor and recipient serums from a Veterans Administration study of post-transfusion hepatitis. Donor blood was available from three patients with Type B hepatitis and from one patient with hepatitis B virus infection (development of anti-HBs and anti-HBc) without symptomatic disease. All four had received 1 unit of blood with high titer of anti-HBc but lacking HBsAg and anti-HBs. In contrast, no such units had been transfused into nine patients with "immunization-like" response (development of anti-HBs without anti-HBc) or into 26 control patients. These data stress the importance of anti-HBc as an indicator of hepatitis B virus infection and support the hypothesis that high-titer anti-HBc-positive blood might be infectious.


The born-again spleen. Return of splenic function after splenectomy for trauma.

We assessed splenic activity after splenectomy by interference phase microscopical examination of circulating red cells. Normal eusplenic children had a low number (less than 1 per cent) of red cells with surface indentations or "pits". About 20 per cent of red cells of children who had electively been subjected to splenectomy for hematologic indications were "pitted". Thriteen of 22 children who had had emergency splenectomy because of traumatic injury had a low percentage of "pitted" red cells, suggesting a return of splenic function. In five of these children a 99mTc sulfur colloid scan demonstrated multiple nodules of recurrent splenic tissue. In contrast to the prevailing opinion that splenosis is rare, we have found it to be a frequent occurrence. Return of splenic function may, in part, account for the low frequency with which overwhelming bacterial sepsis and meningitis have been documented after splenectomy for traumatic indications.


Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA): studies on the general and specific humoral response.

Serum specimens from 138 patients suffering from chronic respiratory disorders including 63 with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), 2o with suspected ABPA, 15 with pulmonary tuberculosis, 14 with bronchial asthma, 10 with chronic bronchitis and 6 with miscellaneous pulmonary conditions were studied for circulating antibodies to Aspergillus. The ammonium sulfate test was empolyed with an iodine-125 labeled mycelial component derived from Aspergillus fumigatus. When compared to normal controls from the same area, this test indicated that sera from 82 per cent of patients with ABPA had elevated binding titers to the radiolabeled antigenic component. Immunodiffusion using a culture filtrate antigen from A. fumigatus, revealed precipitating antibody to this fungus in 89 percent of sera from ABP patients. The majority of patients with ABPA demonstrated marked elevations of total serum IgE, moderate elevations of serum IgA and IgD and slightly increased levels of IgG and IgM.


Progressive pulmonary paracoccidioidomycosis a study of 34 cases observed in Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil).

Data on 34 patients with progressive pulmonary paracoccidioi domycosis seen in the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) are reviewed. Clinical manifestations were similar to those of a prolonged or a recurrent undifferentiated respiratory infection. Roentgenographic findings were also non-characteristic. A mycologic diagnosis was readily made when sputum was available.


Cross-linked surface Ig attaches to actin.

In lymphocytes and P3 myeloma cells, cross-linking of surface Ig by the capping and patching phenomenon has been used to demonstrate the induction of a specific association between surface Ig and cellular actin.


Sensitivites in vitro to antimicrobial drugs of bovine mycoplasmas isolated from respiratory and genital tracts.

A total of 155 Mycoplasma strains were examined for sensitivity to nine antibiotics and four nitrofurans by the agar dilution method. They consisted of 69 strains of Mycoplasma bovirhinis, 33 strains of M. bovigenitalium, 49 strains of Acholeplasma laidlawii and four strains of A. modicum isolated from the nasal secretions, tracheas and lungs of calves manifesting respiratory symptoms and from bovine genital tracts collected at a slaughterhouse. As a result, furamizole and mitomycin C showed the strongest growth-inhibiting effect on all the strains. They were followed in this effect by kitasamycin tartrate, spiramycin adipate, tylosin tartrate, tetracycline-HCl and chloramphenicol. Furthermore, these five drugs were followed in the effect by furazolidone, nitrofurantoin and sodium nifurstyrenate. Fradiomycin sulfate and kanamycin sulfate showed only little effect on all the strains. Erythromycin lactobionate showed a strong growth-inhibiting effect on the Acholeplasma strains, but not on the Mycoplasma strains. There were some cross resistant strains of the Acholeplasma species to the effects of the macrolides.


Choleresis and hepatic transport mechanisms. IV. Influence of bile salt choleresis on the hepatic transport of the organic cations, D-tubocurarine and N4 -acetyl procainamide ethobromide.

The influence of the bile salts taurocholate and dehydrocholate on the hepatic transport of two quaternary ammonium compounds, D-tubocurarine (dTc) and N4 -acetylprocainamide ethobromide (APAEB) was investigated in rats. The biliary excretion of APAEB and dTc in vivo was not enhanced by 106 mumoles/h of taurocholate or dehydrocholate. Infusion of 268 mumoles/h dehydrocholate caused an inhibition of the plasma disappearance and hepatic transport of dTc. This inhibition, which presumably occurred at the hepatic uptake level, was also observed in isolated perfused rat liver experiments. In animals with an intact renal function, the high dose of dehydrocholate caused a decreased biliary excretion and an increased renal excretion of dTc. The observed concentration gradients, plasma/liver cytosol and bile/liver cytosol 20 min after injection of both drugs were 1.6 and 23 for APAEB and 2.2 and 190 for dTc. These concentration ratios were based on free drug concentrations; corrections were made for plasma protein binding, intracellular binding and bilary micelle binding. No substantial binding of both compounds to ligandin and Z proteins was found. From the amount in the liver 20 min after injection of both drugs 70% of APAEB and 90% of dTc was bound to cellular particles. The rate limiting step in hepatic transport of APAEB from plasma into bile was concluded to be the hepatic uptake, which may explain the lack of effect of bile salt induced choleresis on its biliary excretion.


Pharmacological studies on tandamine hydrochloride, a potential heterocyclic antidepressant.

Tandamine, a potential heterocyclic antidepressant, was compared with imipramine for its ability to modify: (a) the contractions induced by noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the normal and chronically denervated nictitating membrane of the cat, (b) the neuron blocking effect induced by guanethidine in the guinea pig vas deferens, (c) the electroencephalograph and the physostigmine arousal in the rabbit and (d) the sleep pattern of the rat. Both tandamine and imipramine potentiated the NA and 5-HT induced contractions of the normalnictitating membrane and antagonized the effects of gaunethidine on the vas deferens. The potentiation by tandamine and imipramine of the NA and 5-HT contraction of the nictitating membrane disappeared after chronic denervation of the membrane. These results are consistant with the ability of the substances to block the neural uptake of catechol- and indoleamines. Tandamine did not induce EEG synchronization and did not affect the arousal reaction induced by physostigmine. Tandamine also reduced or abolished REM (rapid eye movement) sleep with a concomitant decrease in NREM (non-rapid eye movement) sleep.


Inhibition of hepatic uptake of bile acids by rifamycins.

The effect of rifamycin SV and rifampicin on hepatic acid uptake was studied using isolated rat hepatocytes in presence and in absence of albumin. The drugs inhibited cholate uptake more than taurocholate uptake and the inhibition was of non-competitive type. In presence of 3% albumin the inhibitory effect of the drugs was more for cholate and less for taurocholate uptake than in absence of albumin. Neither the binding of bile acids nor that of the drugs to albumin was altered by one another. Thus the effect in presence of albumin cannot be explained by the binding of the drugs and bile acids to albumin alone. It is suggested that albumin interacts with hepatic bile acid uptake process and this interaction with cholate uptake is different from that with taurocholate uptake. This additional and different effect of albumin may explain the effect of the drugs in presence of albumin. The results may be of clinical significance in rifamycins treatments.


In vivo method for quantitation for anti-platelet potency of drugs.

Aortic strips from atherosclerotic rabbits or Achilles tendons from healthy rabbits were superfused with blood (3 ml/min) from anaesthetized and heparinized cats, while blood was returned to the venous system of animals. The superfused tissues gained in weight because of deposition of platelet thrombi on their surface. This gain in weight was continuously monitored and quantified. Forty minutes after intravenous administration of indomethacin (14 mg/kg), aspirin (7 mg/kg) or nictindole (2 mg/kg) the formation of platelet depostis was reduced by half. Three hours after i.v. administration of each drug at a dose of 20 m;/kg the remaining anti-platelet activities were 92% for aspirin, 59% for indomethacin and 18% for nictindole as compared to their antithrombotic action, which was recorded 40 min after their administration. Thrombogenesis was also prevented by a direct infusion of nictindole (50 ng/ml) or indomethacin (2000 ng/ml) into a stream of superfusing blood. Thereby our method enables us to quantify in vivo anti-aggregating potency of drug, to estimate the duration of this action, and to compare their in vitro and in vivo aggregation-inhibitory activities.


Sensitization by caerulein of guinea-pig ileum to contractions by acetylcholine, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and nicotine.

Low concentrations (0.63 and 1.25 ng/ml) of caerulein increase the submaximal contractions of the guinea-pig isolated ileum induced by several agonists and electrical stimulation. These effects of the polypeptide are due partly to neuronal pathways (i.e., a ganglionic stimulation) and partly to a non specific muscular sensitization. At higher concentrations of caerulein the effects of all the agonists were decreased. This seems related to the contractile effect of the peptide itself on the longitudinal muscle which interfers non specifically with the development of contractions induced by any other agonist.


Vasoconstriction after adenosine and inosine in the rat isolated hindlimb abolished by blockade of tryptaminergic mechanisms.

The isolated right hindlimb of the rat was perfused at a fixed flow rate through the femoral artery with heparinized blood from the carotid artery of a donor. Single injections of adenosine (1--300 microgram) induced a biphasic response, a long-lasting vasoconstriction preceded by a transient vasodilatation. Inosine (1--300 microgram) produced only vasoconstriction. After repeated administration of 300 microgram of these substances, the vasoconstriction became less prominent, and finally reverted to vasodilatation. The vasoconstrictor response to these substances (300 microgram) was also diminished or reverted to vasodilatation after pretreatment with reserpine or methysergide. From these results, it is concluded that vasoconstriction after adenosine or inosine may be mediated by 5-hydroxytryptamine released from the peripheral stores and that the intrinsic direct action of these substances on the femoral vascular bed is vasodilator.


Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2)--a potent coronary vasoconstrictor agent in the guinea pig isolated heart.

The action of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) on myocardial force of contraction (MFC) and coronary vascular resistance (CVR) was studied in the isovolumetrically perfused guinea pig heart at constant driving frequency (180 beats/min). PGD2 (2 . 10(-9) - 1 . 10(-6) M) produced a concentration-dependent increase in the CVR while the MFC remained unchanged. The ED50 (50% of maximum response) of the coronary vasomotor action amounted to 4.3 . 10(-8) M PGD2. The results give evidence for a potent coronary vasoconstrictor activity of PGD2.


Tissues concentration and excretion of deslanatoside C-3H in newborn and growing rabbits.

Deslanatoside C-3H was injected (i.p. 50 microgram/kg) into rabbits of 1, 4, 10, 20 days and more than 1 year old. The rabbits were sacrificed 2 and 6 h after dosing. Levels in all tissues were higher in newborn rabbits, decreased in the older animals and then in most tissues increased in adults to different degrees, showing the highest values in kidneys. Biliary excretion and above all urinary excretion increased with age. Levels in atria, ventricles, aorta and liver in rabbits 1 and 4 days old were consistently higher at the 6th h than those at the 2nd h, these tissues showing a particularly marked avidity with Deslanatoside C; in the older animals this behaviour was reversed. These data and those of other Authors working on other glycosides (incleding Digoxin) and other species (including newborn children) lead to the conclusion that digitalis glycosides in new born species are excreted at a lower rate and incorporated in the body tissues at a higher rate than in adults. They may also in part explain the large dosages employed in human infants in comparison with adults, as the higher distribtuion volume retains a large amount of the injected glycoside.


Autoradiography of 14C-choline uptake in endplates and skeletal muscle of mice.

The uptake of 14C-choline into the axonal part of the motor endplate and muscle of mouse diaphragms was investigated by autoradiography. With i.v. doses of 0.1 microgram/g choline chloride, the uptake into the nerve endings is fast (less than 2 min) and into muscle slower (greater than 2 min). With higher doses (1.0 microgram/g) the uptake into muscle tissue is accelerated. The radioactivity in the endplates decreases with a halflife time of 20 min and remains constant in the muscle fibres over 60 min. Denervation by cutting the phrenic nerve reduces the uptake into endplates by 40% within 14 h, but probably induces uptake into regenerating Schwann cells during 30 days. Som compounds with choline-like structure (hemicholinium-3, decamethylen-dicholine, triethyl-choline) reduce the high-affinity uptake of choline into the nerve endings with sublethal doses, whereas tetraethylammonium and N-hydroxyethyl-4-(1-naphthylvinyl)-pyridinium, an inhibitor of cholinacetyltransferase, are less active. Half lethal doses of cocaine, imipramine and reserpine have no significant action on uptake of choline into the endplates. Chlorpromazine slightly diminishes the uptake into endplates. Chlorpromazine and imipramine reduce uptake into the muscle fibres.


Investigations on the structure-activity relationships of verapamil.

An investigation was carried out towards a qualitative and quantitative structure-activity relationship of verapamil based on an analysis of the frequency-dependent negative inotropic action exerted in cat papillary muscles by various groups of verapamil derivatives. (1) Substituents of the benzene ring near the asymmetric carbon atom and the isopropyl group were found to be no essential substituents for the frequency-dependent negative inotropic action of verapamil but to have a strong influence on the potency of the drug. (2) Both the tertiary amino nitrogen and the two benzene rings are essential for the frequency-dependent negative inotropic action of verapamil (3) The molecular importance of the N-methyl group is probably based on steric effects. (4) Investigations of the verapamil derivative H 1 revealed that a quaternization of the drug is followed by a total loss of effectiveness. (5) No significant correlation of the biological activity of verapamil derivatives with the partition coefficient P has been obtained. (6) Hansch analysis with verapamil derivatives of group A (= different substitution of the benzene ring near C) shows that the variance of biological activity can be optimally correlated to a combination of the Hammett constant and the molar volume. Hansch analysis of group B (= exchange of isopropyl group) led to the conclusion that hydrophobic effects are responsible for the influence of the isopropyl substituent.


Effects of calcium-antagonistic coronary vasodilators, nifedipine and verapamil, on ventricular automaticity of the dog.

In isolated, blood-perfused canine papillary muscles intra-arterial injection of calcium-antagonistic coronary vasodilators, nifedipine and verapamil, produced a dose-related decrease in force of contraction. The ventricular rate of about 40 beats/min was not significantly changed by nifedipine even in doses which profoundly decreased the force of contraction. Verapamil changed the ventricular rate in a biphasic manner, but the changes remained as small as about 10% of the basal rate in doses which markedly suppressed the force of contraction. Calcium chloride elicited an increase in force of contraction but depressed automaticity. The present results show that in response to nifedipine, verapamil and calcium ions, ventricular automaticity has characteristics different from those of the sinus node.


[Responses of the neurons of the magnocellular portion of the medial geniculate body to acoustic and somatosensory stimulation].

The responses of 150 neurons of the magnocellular division of the medial geniculate body (MGB) to sound click and to contralateral forepaw electrical stimulation were studied in cats immobilized with myorelaxine. 68% of the studied neurons had bimodal responses, 16.6% of neurons responded only to click, and 15.4% - only to forepaw stimulation. The responses to click began with excitation more frequently, while initial inhibition was more often evoked by the forepaw stimulation. Latencies of the spike responses to click were between 5-27 ms (at an average 11.6 ms) and to forepaw stimulation between 6-33 ms (at an average 16.2 ms). A positive correlation was found in the same neurons between spike latencies to click and to forepaw stimulation as well as between the spike latencies to stimulation of the forepaw and of the spinal cord dorsal funiculus. A conclusion is made that the magnocellular division of the MGB is the transitional structure between VP and parvocellular division of the MGB and that is connected mainly with the auditory system. It is suggested that somatosensory input to the magnocellular division of the MGB is formed predominantly by the medial lemniscal fibres.


[Change in the evoked potentials in the visual centers of the rat brain following administration of tetanus toxin to the lateral geniculate body].

Changes in visual evoked potentials were studied under conditions of tetanus-toxin injection into the lateral geniculate body in rats. The main abnormality of the evoked potentials in the geniculate body was the function of a new phase of the primary response. At the same time a strong increase in the amplitude of the first negative component of the evoked response in the ipsilateral cortical visual field was observed. The results show the formation of disturbances in the relay function of the lateral geniculate body during the formation of a generator of pathologically enhanced excitation in this nucleus.


[Synaptic activation of the interneurons of the thoracic portion of the spinal cord by reticulospinal fibers of the lateral funiculus].

Synaptic processes evoked in various functional groups of thoracic interneurons (Th10,11) by stimulation of ipsi- and contralateral bulbar reticular formation were studied in anesthetized cats with lesions of the spinal cord that remained intact only the ipsilateral funiculus. Activation of reticulospinal fibres of the lateral funiculus with conduction velocities of 30-100 m/s evoked monosynaptic EPSPs in the following types of cells tested: monosynaptically excited by group la muscle afferents; excited by flexor reflex afferents; excited mainly by descending systems; excited by low-threshold cutaneous afferents to a less extent. All these neurons with responses to reticular stimulation were located predominantly in the central and lateral regions of Rexed's lamina VII. Most of the cells in the dorsal horn were not affected by short-latency reticulofugal influences. The only exception were 6 neurons located in the horn most dorsal laminae. Functional organization of connections between the lateral reticulospinal pathways and spinal neurons is discussed as compared to that of medial reticulo-spinal pathways as well as to the organization of "lateral" descending systems: cortico- and rubro-spinal.


[Inhibitory influences of reticulospinal fibers of the lateral funiculus on neurons of the reflex arc of the thoracic region of the spinal cord].

Experiments on anesthetized cats with partial lesions of the spinal cord show that reticulospinal pathways in the ventral part of the lateral funiculus take part in the polysynaptic reflex inhibition caused by stimulation of ipsi- and contralateral reticular formation. The reticulofugal volley in the ventrolateral funiculus produced relatively short (up to 7 ms) inhibitory PSP in some motoneurons of the internal intercostal nerve and at the same time long-lasting depression of EPSPs evoked by high-threshold segmentary afferents. This volley also caused inhibitory PSP in segmental interneurons (in 14 out of 91, i.e. 15.5%). The IPSPs lasted no longer than 100 ms, while the segmentary excitatory responses of 21 out of 43 interneurons were depressed for 120-500 ms. The described inhibitory action of the lateral reticulospinal system on segmentary reflex pathways is suggested to be caused by several synaptic mechanisms which do not necessarily include hyperpolarization of spinal neurons. Possible mechanisms of such inhibition are discussed.


[Depolarization of primary afferents during fictitious scratching of thalamic cats].

The cord dorsum and dorsal root potentials were recorded during fictious scratching in L6 segment of the thalamic cats. It is shown that primary afferent depolrization (PAD) can be modulated by the central generator of scratching. In some afferent fibres antidromic spikes appear on the top of PAD-waves. Antidromic spikes can be also evoked in the period of "rest" by mechanical stimulation of hindlimb receptors. It is supposed that PAD and resulting antidromic spikes which appear during real scratching may effectively control the level of afferent inflow to the spinal neurons.


[Study of the silent period during the post-stimulus histogram method].

Isotonic contractions of human hand muscles were elicited by nerve stimulation and the silent period was studied on single motor units employing post-stimulus histograms. At submaximal M-response (up to 70% of M-maximum) the motoneurons under study were not stimulated and thus the after-hyperpolarization was excluded from the experiment. Under these conditions the latency of the silent period was not less than 60 ms and the silent period parameters were similar to those after subthreshold for M-response nerve stimulation and to those after skin stimulation. The experiments proved that neither recurrent inhibition nor spindle unloading affected the spinal centres of muscles under study.


[Ionic mechanisms of burst activity in grape snail neurons].

The membrane steady-state current-voltage relations and ionic current developing under membrane potential shifts were investigated in the snail bursting neurons by the clamp method. The steady-state current-voltage relation revealed a nonlinear region. Replacement of sodium by tris-HCl completely removed this region. The membrane hyperpolarization resulted in the development of an outward current which became inactivated after achieving its maximum. The reversal potential of the outward current was about --55 mV. The membrane depolarization led to a slow inward current which also inactivated. The ionic nature of these membrane currents is discussed and a model of slow wave generation in the bursting neurons is suggested.


[Study of the reversion potential for the slow component of the entering current in the membrane of mollusk neurons].

The nature of a significant deviation of the reversal potential for the slow inward current component from calcium equilibrium potential was investigated in the snail neuron somatic membrane. It is shown that this deviation may be due to a development of a non-specific outward current during large depolarizing shifts of the clamped membrane potential. The real equilibrium potential for calcium ions in nerve cells may be of about +200 mV.


[Modulation of Renshaw cell activity during scratching].

The activity of the Renshaw cells was recorded during fictitious scratching in 7 decerebrated and 1 spinal curarized cats. The flexor and extensor Renshaw cells were identified according to the responses induced by orthodromic stimulation of muscle nerves. Before the beginning of rhythmical oscillations, the background activity of the flexor Renshaw cells was inhibited. When the rhythmical generation began, both flexor and and extensor cells generated short bursts of spikes at the end of the flexor phase and at the extensor phase of the cycle. The activity of flexor cells began and terminated earlier in the cycle than that of the extensor cells. The results show that the flexor Renshaw cells are active reciprocally with flexor motoneurons, while the extensor cells are coactivated with extensor motoneurons.


[Temporal and phase effects in the total synchronized response of the inferior colliculus of the corpora quadrigemina upon binaural acoustic stimulation].

Following binaural stimulation with tones of different interaural time delays, the frequency-following response (FFR) recorded in anaesthetized cats showed periodical changes in the amplitude. Their period was equal to the period of the tones. The "characteristic" delay delay was a function of both the signal frequency and electrode position. The sensitivity of the frequency-following response to the phase relations between the components of the complex sound signal depended to a great extent on the interaural time delay.


[Experimental cerebral infarction. Part 1: Production of thalamus infarction model in dogs (author's transl)].

Difficulties in producing temporary cerebral ischemia in experimental animals have delayed the study on the prevention and treatment of cerebral infarction. Although occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in dog proved to be fruitless, we eventually succeeded in producing focal cerebral infarction by temporary occlusions of brain arteries. Infarction confined to the anterior portion of the thalamus was obtained by simultaneous occlusion of four arteries for 60 or 120 minutes: internal carotid, anterior cerebral, middle cerebral and posterior communicating arteries. This experimental model in dogs is unique, since a marked infarction can be seen in high frequency, and the dogs can be managed for sufficient periods after temporary clipping. Consequently, it is possible to investigate cerebral infarction not only from the pathophysiological viewpoint, but also for its prevention and treatment.


[Electroencephalogram study of 52 cases following subarachnoid hemorrhage (author's transl)].

During the past nine years the authors have seen 140 cases of ruptured intracranial aneurysm. In order to assess the EEG abnormalities in the chronic period after SAH, 45 patients were examined with 108 serial EEG recordings. Cases of early death were excluded from this study. Seven cases of SAH of unknown origin were also examined as a control group. Range of age was from 28 to 79 years. All of these patients except one were able to return to their previous activities. Results and conclusion were as follows. (1) The period of EEG study varied from a few weeks to nine years after SAH with the average being ten months. (2) The overall incidence of abnormal EEG was 82.4% in Group A (aneurysm) and 83.3% in Group B (unknown origin). (3) EEG abnormalities were divided into two patterns: focal slow wave (sporadic, polymorphous theta and delta wave) and focal spike, located mainly in the frontal and/or temporal areas. (4) Symptomatic epilepsy occurred in 6 cases of this series (13.3%) with onset from 8 months to 3 1/2 years after SAH. (5) Recent papers on microsurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms have reported excellent results. Few studies, however, have dealt with EEG in the chronic period after SAH. The importance of EEG in the follow-up study of SAH is stressed because of the high incidence and long persistence of EEG abnormalities and because of the occurrence of epilepsy after SAH.


[A case of binasal quadrantanopsia due to opto-chiasmal arachnoiditis (author's transl)].

A case of binasal quadrantanopsia due to chiasmal arachnoiditis was reported. The patient was a 28-year-old man who complained of blurring of vision for 12 months. Visual acuity of the right eye was 20 cm/numerus digitorum and the left 0.7X contact lens. Visual field revealed binasal lower quadrantanopsia. Pneumoencephalogram showed poor filling in the chiasmatic cistern, but the angiogram and CT scan showed no parasellar mass lesion. Then optochiasmal arachnoiditis was diagnosed and a right frontal craniotomy was performed. The arachnoid around the post-fixed chiasm was thickened and adhered to the bilateral rectal gyri. Proximal parts of A--1 segments of bilateral anterior cerebral arteries were displaced medially and downward, compressing the both lateral aspects of the chiasm. Compression of the optic chiasm by the anterior cerebral arteries was relieved after removed of the arachnoid. Despite of the slight improvement of visual acuity, visual fields were not changed postoperatively. The authors briefly discussed the mechanism of binasal hemianopsia in our case and reviewed recent literatures.


[A case of aneurysm of the left internal acoustic meatus (author's transl)].

A case of aneurysm of the left internal acoustic meatus has been reported. The patient was 53-year-old man who was admitted with the history of sudden onset of a severe occipital headache 18 days previously. He also noted nausea, vomiting and became drowsy at that time. He was seen at a local clinic and a lumbar puncture showed bloody fluid. The next day his level of consciousness improved but he noted left tinnitus and neck stiffness. On admission, he only complained of a left tinnitus. The rest of the neurological examination was normal. Craniogram was of no abnormal findings. Cerebral angiogram showed an aneurysm at the left internal acoustic meatus fed by the left internal auditory artery. At operation, the aneurysm was clipped at the entrance of its feeding artery via retroauricural-retromastoidal craniectomy. The postoperative course was satisfactory except for the decrease of the left auditory acuity to 50dB. Postoperative angiogram revealed a complete disappearance of the aneurysm. In the literature only six cases have been reported, which were summarized in Figure 1. Clinical features of such an aneurysm are subarachnoid hemorrhage and symptoms of cerebello-pontine angle, namely tinnitus, hearing disturbance and facial palsy etc. Besides, on skull x-ray film, sometimes enlargement of the internal acoustic meatus has been found.


Luteinizing hormone response of castrated rabbits to treatment with testosterone propionate and estradiol benzoate.

The effects of sex steroids on luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in rabbits of both sexes castrated for at least 2 weeks previously were investigated. An intramuscular (i.m.) injection of testosterone propionate (TP) or estradiol benzoate (EB) was given about midway through blood sampling which ranged from 6 to 12 h. LH and steroids were measured by established radioimmunoassay (RIA) procedures. Variable responses were obtained with animals. Castration itself in most instances led to increases in circulating levels of LH which ranged from normal levels to greater than 200 ng/ml with some evidence for episodic variation. EB was more effective than TP in reducing LH levels and inhibiting episodic release.


Binding of dopamine to bovine anterior pituitary gland membranes.

[3H]-dopamine (DA) binding to bovine anterior pituitary membranes were measured using sensitive in vitro ultrafiltration and centrifugation techniques. The specific interaction of [3H]-DA with the membrane fraction reached a steady-state level within 15 min at 30 degrees C and was reversible by incubating with excess nonradioactive DA. Scatchard analysis suggests the presence of 2 sites for DA specific binding having Kd values of 4.4 x 10-10 M and 4.7 x 10-8 M, respecively. Correspondingly, the total receptor concentrations were calculated to be 336 and 2,340 pmoles/g protein. Blockade of [3H]-DA binding was produced most effectively by ergocryptine and apomorphine. Perphenazine and haloperidol were considerably less active and primozide did not compete. The importance of DA in the regulation of prolactin (Prl) secretion and the characterization of pituitary DA receptor sites are discussed.


A heterologous radioimmunoassay method for measurement of hamster growth hormone.

A heterologous radioimmunoassay (RIA) for determination of hamster growth hormone (GH) is described which involves the use of radioiodinated rat GH (NIAMDD Rat GH-I-2), antiserum to rat GH (NIAMDD Anti-Rat-GHS-3), a standard hamster anterior pituitary homogenate (SHAP), as well as purified hamster GH (AFP-1595-B). This RIA was shown to be a reliable, sensitive, and specific method for measurement of hamster GH. With this method we have determined the effects of stress and hypophysectomy on serum GH concentrations as well as changes in serum GH concentration, and pituitary GH content and concentration as a function of hamster age. In contrast to responses noted in rats, the stress of ether anesthesia and i.c. puncture caused significant increases in serum GH. A decrease in the serum GH concentration was observed in hamsters at the age 2 to 16 days. Pituitary GH content and concentration increased steadily between 9 and 120 days of age.


Effects of amygdaloid lesions on reproductive function of grouped caged mice.

Amygdalotomized, sham-operated and intact wild-derived house mice of both sexes were group-caged (8-10) or singly caged for 3 weeks. The weights of ovaries (p is less than 0.05) and uteri (p is less than 0.01) were less in intact and sham-operated grouped females compared to singly caged intact and amygdalotomized females. The weight of the reproductive organs in amygdalotomized grouped female mice was not different from singly caged controls. Body weights among amygdalotomized grouped females were heavier (p is less than 0.05) than singly caged controls. Seminal vesicle weights of intact and sham-operated grouped males were less (p is less than 0.05) than that of singly caged controls and grouped amygdalotomized males. Plasma LH values from the various groups coincided with the morphological data. These results support the hypothesis that increased population density impairs reproductive function in mammals. Perhaps the effects of decreased pituitary-gonadal function associated with overcrowding are mediated via amygdalar nuclei.


Effects of gonadal hormones on the hypothalamic multi-unit response to glucose and saline in the rat.

The role of gonadal hormones in modulating the hypothalamic multi-unit activity (MUA) response to glucose and saline was studied in normal and gonadectomized male and female rats. In intact male rats, unlike intact females, all hypothalamic placements showed either an increase or a decrease in MUA following an injection of glucose. Gonadectomy alone did not produce a significant change in the pattern of hypothalamic response to glucose. Daily injections of estradiol-17beta resulted in a significant increase in the number of hypothalamic sites that did not show a glucose-induced change in MUA. In general, the effects on saline tended to parallel those on glucose, although the changes were not as extensive. The results are discussed of estradiol modulation of body weight (b.w.) and of the hypothalamic responsiveness to various stimuli, including glucosse and saline injections.


Male rat brain androgen metabolism and sexual behavior.

Four groups of male rats, previously treated for sexual behavior and differing in age and length of time following castration, were examined for the localization of (3H)-testosterone (T) and (3H)-5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the brain following the injection of (3H)-T. Significant differences existed in the concentration of the 2 androgens among brain regions in all groups. Only in the subcellular particulate fraction from the hypothalami of 1 group castrated for 48 h was there a significant correlation (r=-0.97) between DHT and T levels and pretest mating performance. Though the amount of DHT found in the pituitary was strongly affected by the length of time between castration and sacrifice, no similar effect was found in the brain.


Effect of ventriculo-cisternal perfusion with angiotensin II and indomethacin on the plasma vasopressin concentration.

In anesthetized dogs, perfusion of the cerebral ventricles with indomethacin (IM), an inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis, at rates of 1.9 or 7.6 microgram/min was without effect on the plasma ADH concentration. Ventriculo-cisternal perfusion with angiotensin II (AII; 19 ng/min) resulted in a 3-fold increase in the plasma ADH concentration within 45 min. When AII and IM were perfused together, the plasma ADH concentration increased only 2-fold, a response which was significantly lower than that obtained with AII alone. Thus, the ability of central AII to stimulate ADH release may depend, at least in part, upon the local release of prostaglandins.


The effect of ovariectomy on the responsiveness of preoptic-septal neurons to microelectrophoresed estrogen.

Extracellular potentials were recorded from medical preoptic-septal (MPOA-S) neurons in 2-week and 3--4 month ovariectomized rats, and the effects of microelectrophoresed 17beta-estradiol hemisuccinate (17betaE2S), acetylcholine (Ach), cortisol hemisuccinate (CS) and glutamate (Glut) were studied. 17betaE2S failed to produce changes in the firing rate of the majority of MPOA-S neurons tested, but Ach excited 48% of these neurons. MPOA-S neurons showed very little response to either Glut or CS. Previous findings from this laboratory have demonstrated that MPOA-S neurons recorded in 4-day cyclic female rats will respond to 17betaE2S. Therefore, the present results suggest that the ovarian steroids are necessary for maintaining this electrical sensitivity. Also, the involvement of a specific membrane or cytoplasmic receptor is discussed.


Comparison of the effects of restricted morning or evening water intake on adrenocortical activity in female rats.

The effects of restricting daily water intake to either a 30-min morning or evening period were investigated on: (1) the overall circadian pattern of adrenocortical activity, and (2) adrenocortical activity during the 20-min period immediately after water presentation. Morning water restriction produced a substantial increase in pre-water levels of circulating corticosterone without affecting evening levels, thereby changing the form of the circadian pattern. In contrast, evening water restriction did not elicit any pre-water increase in corticosterone levels, and there was no change in the circadian pattern. Both morning and evening water restricted animals showed a pronounced and rapid decline in corticosterone levels during the 20-min post-water period, with levels dropping by more than 50% within 10 min of water presentation. The dissociation of the pre-water elevation and post-water decline in corticosterone evident in evening water animals indicates that these 2 processes may be governed by different factors. It is suggested that the pre-water effect involves circadian regulatory mechanisms whereas the post-water effect is associated with the process of reinforcement.


Neuroendocrine mechanisms mediating the suppression of circulating testosterone levels associated with chronic stress in male rats.

Neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in the reduction of testosterone (T) levels induced by the chronic surgical stress of s.c. gauze implantation were investigated in male rats. The reduction resulted from a decline in T secretion and not an increase in clearance of the hormone from the circulation. In most cases, the decrement was accompanied by a reduction in LH levels, indicating that decreased LH stimulation is the primary factor mediating the drop in T levels. The suppressive effect of surgical stress on LH and T levels was apparently not mediated by the pituitary-adrenal system.


Angiotensin II immunohistochemistry of the rat brain.

Immunoreactive angiotensin II (AII) in rat brain is identified histochemically by the unlabelled antibody-enzyme method. Addition of protease inhibitors, phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), to subzero (-10 degrees C) fixation with propylene glycol and formaldehyde provides reproducible preservation of immunoreactive AII. Synaptic boutons within the brainstem and cerebellum contain immunoreactive AII. The deep cerebellar nuclei have the richest density of AII positive synapses. Other nonneuronal cells such as pinealocytes, pituicytes, and 3rd ventricular tanycytes contain immunoreactive AII. This dual AII localization suggests that both neurons and blood vessels may be involved in the transport of AII to sensitive sites within the rat brain.


A genetic study of schizophrenia pedigrees. II. One-locus hypotheses.

One-locus models have been fitted to two sets of two-generational families, studied by Kallmann because each contained a schizophrenic twin proband; in one set each twin proband was in the nuclear group, in the other in the peripheral group. Allowing for a lognormal age of onset distribution and a dependence of ascertainment probability on age of onset, the following hypotheses were tested and rejected: ascertainment probability is a noncurvilinear function of age of onset on a log-log scale; the transmission of schizophrenia is via one Mendelian locus, and the transmission of schizophrenia is independent of parental type. The last hypothesis is more likely than one-locus Mendelian inheritance, but it too must be rejected.


Systemic structural analysis of the electroencephalogram of depressed patients. General principles and preliminary results of an international collaborative study.

In previous articles, evidence has been presented which supports the hypothesis that detectable neurophysiological changes occur in the course of affective disorders, mainly of a depressive type. The scope of the present report has been to expand the previous investigation to comprise variables not hitherto taken into account and to present a new approach to the analysis of EEG in psychiatry. This new approach, a systemic structural analysis, follows the concepts borrowed from the general system theory, and is based on the assumption that brain activity can be regarded as a type of hierarchical system. Hints about the theoretical principles beyond a systemic structural analysis of EEG are given, and the point is stressed that possible correlations between, e.g., neurophysiological and clinical variables must be south starting from characteristics which are at a comparable level of integration in both realms. The preliminary findings of an international collaborative study of depressive syndromes are presented. 45 patients suffering from depressive syndromes of different aetiology and of varying severity participated in the study. These were rated by means of a rating scale which permitted a division for further analysis into subgroups according to the main symptomatology. The results show that characteristic neurofunctional structures can be identified which correspond to various symptomatological patterns. The occurrence of pronounced interhemispheric differences in electrical activity, related to the severity of the depressive syndrome, has also found further support in the results of this present investigation.


Amotivational syndrome in chronic schizophrenics. A biophysiological model of schizophrenic impairment.

An attempt is made ot provide a description and a biological foundation of the amotivational syndrome as a part of the schizophrenic impairment. The role of a reward system, brain stem arousal, and cortical facilitation is discussed as a neurophysiological support for self and species preservation functions, goal directed behavior and performances. Damage caused to the NA-ergic neurons by toxic metabolites of DA results in a flattening of basic motivations and an incapacity to achieve higher cortical motivations and to perform high cortical activities. As the source of the syndrome a pathological gene might be involved; as its end the superimposed institutionalization has to be removed, in order to uncover the schizophrenic defect itself.


Serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase in affective disorders.

Serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity was tested in 160 psychiatric patients suffering from affective disorders. The patients were divided into subgroups according to strict diagnostic criteria and clinical state at the time of the examination. Since no relationship was found between DBH activity and age or sex, these variables have been discarded from further analyses. Bipolar (manic-depressive) patients had lower (p less than 0.05) BDH mean values than patients suffering from unipolar, recurrent depressive psychoses. No other differences were found either among group or in relation to the clinical state. As such a wide range of DBH values was recorded in all the groups examined, measurements of DBH activity do not seem to be useful as a diagnostic acid, or as an indicator of the clinical state of patients suffering from affective disorders.


[Behavior of the serum electrolytes after jejuno-ileal bypass for obesity].

Serum electrolytes, diarrhoea and absorption of bile salts were examined before and for one year after jejuno-ileal by-pass in 5 obese subjects. Marked decrease in blood potassium, calcium and magnesium was noted post-operatively, with potassium and calcium levels still well below the preoperative levels after 1 yr. Faecal volume increased considerably soon after operation, then fell to about 1 1/day in the first few months and changed little thereafter. Absorption of bile salts was seriously and lastingly compromised. In the light of the relevant literature, these results show that electrolyte imbalance, being closely linked to diarrhoea induced by bile salts, is an inevitable consequence of this operation and cannot be controlled by changing the surgical procedure.


[Personal experience with gastric resection in the treatment of gastroduodenal ulcer].

Billroth I or II resection was adopted in the treatment of 85 subjects with simple or complicated gastroduodenal ulcer. Operative mortality was 1.4% in surgery of choice and 18.7% where emergency management was required to combat perforation of serious haemorrhage. Follow-up after 1-2 yr showed that marked benefit had been obtained from the operation in 83%, while partial success was achieved in 15,5%. Postoperative peptic ulcer was observed in one case only. Comparison with a series of 120 patients subjected of choice or in emergency to truncal vagotomy and gastric drainage during the same period for duodenal ulcer and followed for 2-6yr (no operative deaths and complete success in over 91%) made it clear trat, while resection was attended by a smaller number of recurrences (1.5% as opposed to 2.9%), this advantages was obtained at the price of a greater operative risk and by no means negligible long-term sequelae.


[A case of atypical bone metastasis from breast carcinoma].

Clinical and radiographical data are presented for a case of suspected pathological fracture of the right ulna in a 66-yr-old women mastectomised two years previously. Multiple skeletal lesions were noted, often morphologically different from those usually observed in metastasis of breast cancer, with a fibrous and cystic appearance reminiscent of von Recklinhausen's disease. However, indisputable serohumoral data, the histological picture on biopsy, and repair of bone as a result of immuno-antiblastic management showed that true metastases were involved. The radiographical picture and the response to therapy make it clear that atypical bone pictures must be carefully watched, since metastasis from breast cancer may be responsible for special morphological and structural features requiring close differential investigation.


[Electrophysiological evaluation of the aberrant pathways of intraventricular conduction obtained by means of premature atrial stimulation].

12 patients with normal QRS either in basal condition or during atrial pacing, undergone on single premature atrial stimulation, showed several types of intraventricular aberrancies. These have been revalued with atrial premature stimulation introduced over a progressively increasing frequency of fixed atrial stimulation (extrastimulus method), sometimes after atropine. In 9 cases it was possible to eliminate completely the above mentioned aberrancies, having thus a clear reduction of the refractory periods regarding their responsible structures. In 3 cases this was not possible, owing to a less significant reduction of the refractory periods. Such fenomenon is considered as the only parameter able to identify probable initial organic facts of the His-Purkinje system.


[Protein-losing enteropathy in chronic constrictive pericarditis in children].

Protein-dispersive enteropathy was noted in three children with chronic constrictive pericarditis. Increased intestinal permeability to proteins was detected by using lavelled albumin in one patient. Biopsy showed absence of mucosa lesions and normal villi in another case. Partial pericardiotomy led to rapid resolution of pseudo-cirrhosis and normalisation of serum proteins in all three cases.


Diabetes insipidus and pregnancy. Case report, incidence and review of literature.

The coexistence of diabetes insipidus (D.I.) and pregnancy is rare. Sixty-seven cases are reviewed, including one of our own. The condition tends to become worse in pregnancy, labor appears unaffected and lactation appears to lead to an improvement in D.I. Theories are discussed to account for the effect of pregnancy on D.I.


Clinical and urodynamic features of failed incontinence surgery in the female.

Sixty women with urinary incontinence were treated by the Burch colposuspension operation and bladder neck plication. The pre- and postoperative clinical and urodynamic features of the 15 patients with recurrent incontinence were compared and contrasted with 45 women who were cured. Factors which were associated with failed surgery included increaseing age, previous continence surgery, the presence of detrusor instability, and a postoperative rise of intrinsic bladder pressure either on filling of standing up.


Ovarian function, reproduction, and later operations following adnexal surgery.

Among 3102 patients who had major gynecologic operations, only 223 (7.18%) needed adnexal operations during which reproductive potential was preserved. Operations involved ovaries (156), tubes (55), and embryologic cysts (32). After recovery 53.69% of these patients had viable babies (64.46% of patients under age 30). Patients were examined up to 28 years after operations, an average 11.32 years. When last examined. most patients still retained physiologic evidence of ovarian hormonal function; 20 patients had passed through spontaneous menopause, at an average age of 49.4 years. Fifty-two patients needed subsequent pelvic operations, but only 7 for possibly related conditions (4 repeat tubal pregnancies and 3 cyst-adenomas). All but one twisted adnexal mass, with gangrene, originated as a paramesonephric duct cyst. Seventeen adnexal operations were associated with pregnancy: 15 mothers had healthy babies, and 2 aborted. Details concerning numbers and characteristics of specific lesions are included in the paper.


Squamous cell dysplasia and carcinoma in situ of the cervix and vagina after prenatal exposure to diethylstilbestrol.

Squamous cell abnormalities of the vagina and cervix were evaluated in 1424 women exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero. The prevalence of dysplasia was 2.1% and the incidence 0.85/100 person-years of followup. The dysplastic epithelial changes were almost always mild in women with no prior history of dysplasia and was slightly more frequent in the cervix than the vagina. Severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ (CIS) were encountered only in those subjects specifically referred because of those abnormalities. The most common problem in the diagnosis of these squamous cell changes was the misinterpretation of mature and immature metaplastic cells for dysplastic squamous cells. Discordance between biopsy and cytology was common-place in the detection and followup of dysplasia, especially when it was mild. There were no instances in the study where cytology and biopsy samples from the vagina were both abnormal concurrently. Colposcopically directed biopsies did not increase the frequency of confirmation of cytologic findings. These data suggest that both cytology and biopsy of abnormal segments of the vagina and cervix remain an integral part of the examination of the DES-exposed female during long-term follow-up studies.


Carcinoembryonic antigen levels in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

A modified CEA-Roche kit was used to determine the pretreatment value of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in patients with intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. A positive correlation between tumor volume and CEA levels was found in patients with invasive disease, and patients with intraepithelial neoplasia also had elevated levels compared with a reference material of blood donors. Pre- and posttreatment levels were measured in 156 patients with invasive lesions, and a significant response to treatment was seen in 80%. The resutls of this study indicate that any pretreatment level can be of interest in the followup of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.


Menstrual dysfunction of patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

This study group consisted of 10 female patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. The duration of their illness was from 10 months to 8 years. Nine of the 10 had been undergoing hemodialysis for more than 1 year. Their menstrual patterns have been investigated, specifically with regard to menstrual history, gonadotropin and progesterone levels, and basal body temperature. Nine of the 10 patients had had regular menses prior to their renal illnesses. All patients became amenorrheic during and after hemodialysis with the exception of one patient who became hypermenorrheic. The gonadotropin levels were as follows: the luteinizing hormones were high-normal and the follicle stimulating hormones were low, almost to a hypogonadotropic range; progesterone level coupled with the basal body temperature showed no evidence of ovulatory cycles, except in one case.


Erroneous clinical diagnosis of leg vein thrombosis in women on oral contraceptives.

Most studies demonstrating an increased risk of venous thromboembolism in women on oral contraceptives are based on clinical manifestations of the disease. Because of the fallibility of the clinical diagnosis of suspected leg vein thrombosis, Doppler ultrasonic evaluation (with a 93% accuracy compared to venography) was performed for clinical manifestations in deep vein thrombosis in 54 women taking birth control pills and 75 women of similar age who were not on contraceptives. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by Doppler in only 16.7% of the women taking contraceptives and 30.7% of women not taking contraceptives (P = 0.052). This study suggests that the clinical diagnosis of leg vein thrombosis is frequently erroneous, particularly in women taking oral contraceptives. Future investigations reporting venous thromboembolism associated with oral contraceptives should be based on diagnoses validated by accurate objective techniques.


The association of uterine and renal anomalies.

The ACI rat provides a mammalian model for the study of spontaneously occurring defects of partial uterine agenesis and renal agenesis. A variable uterine deformity also occurs with hydronephrosis. A mesonephric duct defect appears responsible for these anomalies.


Evaluation of single-stitch tubal ligation in postpartum women.

Permanent contraception by tubal surgery on completion of the family unit is increasingly becoming acceptable to younger women. Contraception by spacing methods during the long span of the reproductive period is impractical because of the cost involved, the fear of failure, and the possibility of side effects. Reversal of tubal surgery may be necessary in some young women as a result of unforseen infant deaths. Old and new techniques of tubal surgery,with or without endoscopy, still require the interruption of a long segment of the tubes (more than 1 cm) except in the spring-clip method, in which only 4 mm of tube is involved. These clips are expensive and not easily available. In a study of 463 women, the clip method was replaced by a single-stitch method to interrupt a small segment (1 mm) of the tubes. However, 24 failures occurred in the 230 women followed for a period of 6-36 months. In view of the high failure rate, use of this method was discontinued. This experience demonstrates that methods causing minimal tubal damage and providing maximum potential reversibility have greater risk of failure.


Prophylactic antibiotics in high-risk cesarean section.

A brief perioperative course of ampicillin was recommended for high-risk patients undergoing cesarean section at our institution. High-risk patients were defined as those with two or more of the following factors: general anesthesia, obesity, hematocrit less than or equal to 30%, and labor prior to delivery. Fifteen percent of high-risk patients who received prophylactic antibiotics experienced postoperative febrile morbidity compared to 63% for the high-risk untreated group (P less than 0.001). Twenty-five percent of low-risk patients (less than 2 risk factors) developed this complication. Endometritis was the leading cause of postoperative febrile morbidity. Postoperative stay was only slightly decreased in the prophylactically treated group (5.9 vs 6.2 days). Prophylactic amplicillin given perioperatively was an effective agent in reducing post-cesarean-section febrile morbidty among high-risk patients.


Urinary urea-nitrogen ratio as an index of protein nutrition in diabetic pregnancy.

Urinary urea nitrogen-total nitrogen ratio (UN/TN) was measured at intervals throughout pregnancy in 12 normal women and in 10 with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and the results were related to protein ingestion estimated by dietary history. While urea and nitrogen correlated significantly with each other in both normal and diabetic subjects, the relationship between UN/TN and protein intake was quite different in the two groups. Nondiabetic patients exhibited generally close correlation between UN/TN and protein intake with statistically significant correlation coefficients (r = 0.74-0.99) in 11 of 12 subjects. In none of the 10 diabetic patients, however, was significant correlation found. While the reliability of the index in diabetic patients tended to improve as hyperglycemia lessened, even under conditions considered clinically to indicate excellent metabolic control (mean plasma glucose less than or equal to 125 mg/dl), UN/TN still did not correlate significantly with protein intake. These observations suggest that the unstable carbohydrate metabolism characteristic of diabetes mellitus may be responsible for altered protein retention during pregnancy. From a clinical point of view, the utility of urinary urea studies as a simple and objective index of protein intake in the normal pregnant women does not apply in the diabetic patients.


Dopamine administration in the normotensive pregnant ewe.

Dopamine was administered to pregnant ewes at randomly selected rates of 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, or 40 microgram/kg/min. Doses less than 10 microgram/kg/min produced no significant change in maternal areterial blood pressure, cardiac output, or renal or uterine blood flow. Higher doses increased maternal cardiac output and blood pressure, did not change renal blood flow, but decreased uterine blood flow. Dopamine consistently caused mild maternal and fetal respiratory acidosis.


Spontaneous remission of Cushing syndrome after termination of pregnancy.

A 27-year-old women developed Cushing syndrome during pregnancy. The course of pregnancy was characterized by abnormally low urine and plasma estrogen levels despite the presence of a living fetus. The signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome disappeared spontaneously within 2 months after delivery. Hormonal studies, however, suggested the presence of an adrenal tumor. An adrenocortical adenoma was found at surgery and removed.


Incidence of Staphylococcus aureus for an obstetric population.

The incidence of Staphylococcus aureus recovered from cultures of anterior nares was determined for personnel and patients of an obstetric and a neonatal unit. Among the hospital personnel, 10.2% harbored S. aureus. On admission to the hospital, 4% of the obstetric patients were identified as carriers of S. aureus and only 1.3% of the patients acquired the microorganism during hospitalization. The neonates of these mothers with S. aureus were not colonized during hospitalization. Subsequent bacteriophage typing indicated that microbial isolates were primarily in the Group 1 and Group 3 classifications of S. aureus.


Laminaria as an adjunct in induction of labor.

The safety and efficacy of laminaria tents as an adjunct to labor induction near term were examined in a prospective, controlled, and randomized study involving insertion of laminaria into the cervical canal the evening prior to planned induction. Six of 35 subjects in whom laminaria were used entered labor spontaneously and delivered overnight, compared with 1 of 39 controls. Of the remainder, the Bishop score increased an average of 3.7 points, a highly significant change, in the laminaria-treated group compared with no change in the controls. Labor, induced primarily by amniotomy with intravenous oxytocin then given to patients in whom regular contractions did not begin within 8 hours, was shorter with laminaria use than in controls, though the amniotomy-to-delivery interval did not differ significantly. However, comparison of the subgroup with cervices relatively unfavorable for induction, indicated by an initial Bishop score of 5 or less, showed both length of labor and amniotomy-to-delivery interval to be significantly shorter (each by an average of 3 hours) in the laminaria-treated group compared with controls. Complications, including febrile morbidity, did not differ. We conclude that laminaria tents are both effective and safe as an adjunct to labor induction, acting by accelerating the preparatory changes in the cervix which normally occur in late pregnancy.


Significance of biparietal diameter differences between twins.

Twins of dissimilar size have increased risks both at delivery and in the neonatal period. When dissimilar growth is severe, it should be reflected in birthweight and biparietal diameter (BPD) growth. Sonograms were done on 74 of 106 sets of twins delivered from July 1, 1973, to June 30, 1977. Excluding prematurity and birth trauma, the difference in BPD between twins with normal outcomes in the last scan prior to delivery was 1.32 +/- 0.20 mm (mean +/- SE) and the difference in birthweight was 250.3 +/- 31.4 g (mean +/- SE). In 7 sets of twins with poor outcomes (intrauterine fetal demise or severe intrauterine growth retardation) without central nervous system anomalies the difference in BPD between twins in the last scan,  while both fetuses were alive, was 6.86 +/- 1.06 mm (mean +/- SE) and the difference in birthweight was 604.3 +/- 217.2 g (mean +/- SE). Both the BPDs and birthweights are significantly different at the P less than 0.01 level. Large differences in BPD between twins may possibly indicate compromise of one twin.


Oxytocin challenge test: achieving the desired goals.

The desired goals of the oxytocin challenge test (OCT) are preventing stillbirth and avoiding unnecessary premature intervention. To effectively reduce stillbirth the test should be done on a significant proportion of those fetuses who would subsequently succumb in utero. To analyze whether or not the OCT is achieving these goals. 5351 deliveries over a 2-year period at the University of California, Irvine, Medical Center were studied retrospectively. Four hundred and thirty of these patients had 823 OCTs performed. There were ten positive and 19 suspicious tests, and five neonatal deaths in these two groups. In patients who were studied with OCTs only one stillbirth occurred (in a patient who was noncompliant). During the same period, all stillbirths were reviewed. In the group in which stillbirth occurred, it was determined that 11 or 35% of the patients had indications for antepartum testing but were not tested. All 11 of these patients were transferred to the University hospital or had no prenatal care. It is suggested that these stillbirths may have been prevented had appropriate prenatal care allowed identification of patients for antepartum testing.


Behcet syndrome: with immunologic evaluation.

A case of Behcet syndrome with immunologic evaluation, including screening of a vulvar ulcer for IgG, IgM, IgA, and fibrinogen by direct fluorescent microscopy is presented. Attempts were made to demonstrate cellular and humoral immune responses to mucosal antigens by lymphoblast transformation in the presence of cadaver esophageal mucosal extracts and indirect immunofluorescence using autologous serum and mucosal tissue. Serial measurements of percentages of total T, active T, and B lymphocyte populations, and lymphocyte response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation during the course of Behcet syndrome are also presented. Clinical evaluation, histology of a Behcet vulvar ulcer, and a 2-year followup with good response to chlorambucil are reviewed.


Incompetent cervix in a hormone-exposed offspring.

Intensive interest has focused on DES-exposed men and women since the first reports on this in the early 1970s. We are presenting here what we feel is the first case of incompetent cervix in a DES-exposed female. It is hoped that this will stimulate further interest in the functional as well as anatomic problems which these individuals experience.


Microfilm storage of fetal monitoring records: a practical solution.

Microfilming of fetal monitoring records has, at our institution, been found to be a practical method for storage of recording papers from fetal monitoring. This system permits a reduction of the records by a factor of 20:1 and up to 7.64 hours of fetal monitroing records will fit into a 4 x 6 inch film jacket. This microfilm record can easily be placed into a patient's chart and can thus easily be retrieved.


Colposcopically directed cone biopsies in the management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Thirty-three patients with severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ had a colposcopically directed cone biopsy in the operating room immediately prior to vaginal hysterectomy. In 3 cases (9%), the hysterectomy specimen showed the same type of residual disease as in the cone biopsy; in the remainder no residual disease was evident in the hysterectomy specimen. If colposcopically directed biopsies were performed, the long-term debate over the use of cone biopsy or hysterectomy for intraepithelial neoplasms would be resolved. Selected patients could be treated adequately by cone biopsy with a small number of patients requiring hysterectomy as indicated by direct examination with the colposcope.


OHN's play an important part in eye care and treatment.

Eye services the occupational nurse can render have been outlined. The degree to which the nurse may render care will vary according to applicable state statutes governing the practice of medicine, nursing, optometry and, in some cases, opticianry. Written directives must conform and consultation with company legal representatives is in the interest of the company and the medical staff.


Some metabolic aspects of a nitrogen mustard of prednisolone.

Prednimustine (Leo 1031), a conjugate of prednisolone and chlorambucil, was administered to humans and baboons and the metabolic fate of the compound ascertained. Compared to the excretion of prednisolone, prednimustine is excreted more slowly and less quantitatively, with a significant part of the compound being retained in the body. Hydrolysis of the prednimustine molecule appears to take place quantitatively after oral administration, but a substantial part of prednimustine appears to remain intact after its intravenous administration. Fecal excretion of radioactivity was minor compared to the urinary route. The biliary excretion in the baboon was relatively insignificant. Localisation within the lung and spleen of the baboon points to a potential therapeutic use of this drug in neoplastic conditions affecting these organs.


Tumor markers: hormones, antigens, and enzymes in malignant disease.

Tumor markers (TM) represent a critical area of clinical investigation in cancer management. The mechanism of TM production and release are discussed for the three classes of TM: non-endocrine tumor produced hormones, tumor associated antigens, and tumor related enzymes. The concept of TM as a means of screening large patient populations for detection of early cancer has not been worthwhile, related in part to the uncommon occurrence of elevated levels of circulating TM, and in part to the fact that TM are generally abnormally elevated in patients with advanced and clinically detectable disease. Tumor markers as sequential monitors or quantitative measures of disease and response to therapy have similarly demonstrated limited utility, related to the heterogeneity of the tumors and to the lack of a precise quantitative relationship between circulating TM levels and tumor volume or mass.


Correlation between characteristics of transformation and malignancy of intra and interspecific somatic hybrid cells.

The transformed properties of five hybrid cell lines which had either one or another parent in common were studied and compared with their tumorigenicity. Three hybrid cell lines, derived from the Chinese hamster DC-3F/ADX/Aza line, were resistant to actinomycin-D. This property seemed to be correlated with the presence of a marker chromosome from the common parent. The tumorigenicity was intermediate between those of the parent cell lines. On the other hand, agglutinability by concanavalin A (Con A) was variable. Three hybrid cell lines which had either the A9 or the clone 1D (both derived from mouse fibroblasts) showed very similar transformed characteristics, but two were tumorigenic and one not so. It appears from this study that the properties of the hybrid cell lines can be influenced more by one parent, depending on the genes retained at chromosome segregation. The limits of Con A agglutination as a characteristic of transformation and the validity of the check pouch grafts as tumorigenicity test for malignant human cell lines are discussed.


Inhibition of adenocarcinoma TA3 ascites tumor growth by rifamycin derivatives.

A growth inhibitory effect on adenocarcinoma TA3 ascites tumors in LAF1/J mice resulted from the repeated IP administration of subtoxic doses of 3 rifamycin derivatives: rifampicin (Rif)1, dimethylbenzyldesmethylrifampicin (DMB), and rifazone-82 (R-82). A high-viscosity methylcellulose vehicle was found to be essential for obtaining a uniform drug suspension and a significant antitumor effect by the least water soluble derivatives, DMB and R-82. The more hydrophilic derivative, Rif, was found to have a comparable growth inhibitory effect on TA3 cells when prepared in 0.9% NaCl solution with or without added methylcellulose. Oral or SC drug injections did not have an antitumor effect. The results of this study point to the importance of vehicle and route of administration in chemotherapy trials with these compounds.


Spontaneous regression of malignant melanoma.

The case of a 47-year-old white female patient has been described with malignant melanoma that started as a node on her right ankle twelve years ago and regressed spontaneously. During the last two years of her life, dissemination of the melanoma appeared in the form of subcutaneous nodes, which regressed spontaneously in successive crops. In the course of her disease there was evidence of distant metastases to the brain. Spontaneous regression seems to have been enhanced by immunotherapy, when most of the metastases had regressed, including those in the brain.


Studies on purification of antibodies against tumor-specific antigens.

The in vitro cytotoxic effect of anti Sarcoma I sera tumor cells in the presence of an exogenous source of complement was studied. The immune sera were obtained from xenogeneic and allogeneic animals, rabbits and mice, after injections with viable Sarcoma I tumor cells. Antibodies against mouse specific antigens were removed from the rabbit serum, by extensive absorption with mouse erythrocytes and lymphocytes. The absorbed serum was cytotoxic for Sarcoma I tumor cells and did not show any cytotoxicity for A/Jax lymphocytes. The antiserum was purified by an immunoabsorbent column using G-100 Sephadex conjugated with Sarcoma I tumor cell stroma. The eluted, purified antibodies were cytotoxic in vitro. Immunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion tests showed the presence of immunoglobulin in the purified antibody preparation. There was a hundred-fold increase of the specific activity of the purified antibodies as compared to the non-purified serum.


Learning experiences of medical students by different instructional methods.

We made a prospective study to determine students' response and perception of the various instructional methods during their pediatric rotation. We found that even those students who were used to passive learning adapted to the more self active learning and became more interested in this method.


DNCB sensitivity in healthy Pakistani subjects and patients with liver disease.

Delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity response using DNCB was studied in 51 apparently healthy Pakistanis and 60 patents with acute and chronic liver diseases. A Positive response was observed in all the healthy subjects, 22 out of 29 cases with acute viral hepatitis, 8 out of 22 patients with post-necrotic cirrhosis, one out of three cases of liver cancer and all the cases of alcoholic cirrhosis. It was postulated that hyperactive cell mediated immune response and a heavy exposure to hepatitis virus may be resonsible for the observed pattern of liver disease in Pakistan.


Extraction and partial purification of ricin from Ricinus communis L.

Ricinus communis L., usually cultivated for production of oil, has some use in medicine, cosmetic industries and as motor oil. The defatted seed meal is very toxic, and can not be used as human or animal food. This study undertook extraction and identification of ricin, a toxalbumine, from Iranian Ricinus communis L. Ricin, was extracted from the seeds using dilute acid solution, salted out with ammonium sulfate, and purified by Sephadex G - 75 and DEAE - cellulose column chromatography. Disc electrophoresis showed the degree of the purification. Ricin is an anti-tumor and allergenic compound. It is also useful in biochemical research in gene control and protein systhesis.


Fine structural aspects of an embryo-adapted strain of Eimeria tanella in the epithelial cells of the chorio-allantoic membrane.

The fine structure and development of the endogenous stages of an embryo-adapted strain of Eimeria tenella in chicken embryos is described. First-generation merozoites were formed by endodyogeny in uninucleate developmental stages as well as schizogony and the endoplasmic reticulum of merozoites of the second-generation schizonts appeared as a circular structure, often enclosing other organelles. In contrast to the parent strain, development of the second-generation schizonts was restricted to cells of epithelial origin. These observations confirm that the complete endogenous cycle of the embryo-adapted strain of E. tenella is restricted to epithelial cells of the chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM) and that no major ultrastructural changes have occurred as a result of repeated embryo passage.


Trichostrongylus colubriformis infection of guinea pigs: genetic basis for variation in susceptibility to infection among outbred animals.

Two lines of guinea-pigs, whose susceptibilities to infection with the parasitic nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis differ significantly, have been established. This difference is probably based on genetically determined differences between the ability of members of each line to bring about immune expulsion of the parasite.


Egg size and form as taxonomic criteria in Diphyllobothrium (Cestoda, Pseudophyllidea).

The size and form (length, width, and length: width ratio) of eggs of Diphyllobothrium dendriticum, D. ditremum and D. latum vary considerably among individual worms within each species. The size of eggs varies with host species and a decrease in egg size with increasing intensity of infestation is indicated. The egg size of D. latum increases during the first 10-12 days of egg production. For single worm infections in golden hamsters the mean egg length and width of D. ditremum are significantly smaller than the corresponding means of D. dendriticum and D. latum, while D. latum has significantly wider eggs than D. dendriticum. As taxonomic characteristics, egg size and form may contribute to species delimitation at the population level. For identification at the individual level the best possible accuracy is about 80%. This accuracy is considerably reduced when variation in host species and intensities of infestations are introduced. Scanning electron microscope studies did not reveal any differences among eggs of the three species.


[Radioautographic study of the incorporation sites and migration pathways of tritiated leucine in aortic myocytes].

The synthesis and fate of newly-formed proteins in the aortic media cell of 21 days old mice were investigated by quantitative radioautography after intravenous injection of tritium-labelled leucine. At 2 mn after injection, radioactivity was detected over the polysomes, the myofilaments and the rough endoplasmic reticulum, indicating that sedentary and exportable proteins were synthesized. It remained high on the sarcoplasm rich in polysomes and the myofilaments until 240 mn. However, the peak of radioactivity occured at 20 mn in the sarcoplasm and at 30 mn in the myoplasm. Therefore, the elaboration of sedentary proteins seems preponderant and they participate noticeably in the formation of the contractile apparatus. At 10 mn, radioactivity appeared in the Golgi apparatus at a high level, while increasing until 30 mn in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. By 20 mn, the labelling intensified along the plasma membrane and over the connective time lamellae. It occured earlier and was more intense on collagen fibrills than elastin, suggesting that the biosynthesis of elastin takes place more slowly. Thus, the pattern of two different metabolic pathways, as defined generally for the two types of proteins--sedentary and exportable--is true for the aortic media cell.


[Communicating acute aortic dissection (pathogenetic study)].

Thirty-five dissecting aneurisms of the aorta (D.A.). have been microscopically and ultramicroscopically examined. These data have been compared to those obtained from personal experiences on human aorta aging, as well as from Beta Aminopropionitrile treated rats. The authors conceive D.A. as a non-obligatory complication of a precocious and intense medianecrosis of the aortic wall, particularly characterized by a mucous imbibition and a loss elastic laminae. This medianecrosis is identical in dysplasic D.A. (Martan's syndrome for example) and in acquired D.A. (rapid aging or arteriosclerosis). The simultaneous occurence of a medianecrosis and conditions triggering tunica intima rupture, with blood afflux in the necrotic zone are undoubtedly rare. This explains the small number of observed D.A. in comparison to the large number of aortas with accentuated medial lesions.


Juvenile atherosclerosis and Reye's syndrome.

Four patients, three girls and one boy, ages 8 to 14 years, with clinical and pathological findings of Reye's syndrome, were found to have an unusual degree of intimal thickening in the coronary arteries and advanced fatty streaks in the aorta. It is suggested that viral infection or metabolic abnormalities may have played a role in their development. A careful examination of the cardiovascular system in children with this and other diseases of probable infectious etiology is emphasized.


Data on the role of the frontal cortex in vegetative behavior.

A homeostatic conditional reflex (CR) was elaborated to the effect of repeated inhalations in rats of a gas mixture containing 8 percent oxygen. The effect of the conditional response was opposite to that of the unconditional one. After ablation of the frontal cortex, the conditional reaction disappeared. The repeated administration of 40 mg/kg of histamine resulted in a tolerance to the temperature lowering effect of histamine similar to the habituation. An injection of distilled water brought about dishabituation. Tolerance was not influenced by the ablation of the frontal cortex, but the dishabituating effect of distilled water was absent.


The influence of body position on autonomic nervous system function.

Five physiological measurements were recorded while 20 males Ss listened to a series of tones in two body positions (horizontal and vertical). Half the Ss were tested in the horizontal position, then raised to a vertical position. The other half were tested vertically first. The results showed body position significantly influenced basal levels for heart rate (HR), finger volume (FV), skin resistance (SR) and blood pressure (BP). In the vertical position, sympathetic arousal was higher than in the horizontal position. In addition, the sequence in which a S was tested influenced physiological activity in the two body positions. It was concluded that both resting levels and pretest activity levels are important variables to consider in research on physiological differences in psychiatric populations.


Developmental changes in the enzymatic capacity for reduction and oxidation of alpha-ketoadipate in rat liver, heart, kidney, and brain.

alpha-Ketoadipate, an intermediate common to lysine and tryptophan metabolism, is a substrate for both alpha-ketoadipate reductase (alpha-KAR) and alpha-ketoadipate dehydrogenase (alpha-KADH). A comparison was made of the activities of these two enzymes in liver, heart, kidney, and brain of rats during the period from 5 days before birth to 56 days after birth. In general, both enzymes increased in activity during development in all tissues tested; however, different patterns of increase were observed (Figs. 1 and 2). The ratio of alpha-KADH to alpha-KAR (on the basis of activity/g tissue) did not change significantly in liver until day 10 and then increased 6.6-fold (from 0.08 to 0.53) in the period from day 10 to day 28. For other tissues the ratios increased 5.5-fold in hearts (from 0.2 to 1.1), 12-fold in kidney (from 0.2 to 2.4), and 5.3-fold in brain (from 0.3 to 1.6) during the period from day -5 to day 56. These results suggest that alpha-KAR has a major role in the metabolism of lysine and tryptophan during development.


Measurement of bilirubin-albumin binding. I. Comparative analysis of four methods and four human serum albumin preparations.

Four methods for the measurement of bilirubin-albumin binding have been compared. Three of these, the fluorescent dye binding (Direct Yellow 7), Sephadex G-25 column chromatography, and the 2-(4-hydroxyazobenzene)benzoic acid (HBABA) dye binding methods demonstrate significant correlations of measured binding capacities for bilirubin over a range of bilirubin/albumin molar ratios. All three methods concurred in the demonstration that fresh adult human sera had a higher molar albumin binding capacity for bilirubin than the purified human serum albumin preparations. The fluorescent dye binding and Sephadex column methods agreed most closely in defining presumed deficiency in binding capacity. The HBABA dye binding method was less consistent and appeared to measure non-bilirubin binding sites on albumin in addition to bilirubin binding sites. The fourth method, the saturation index, yielded highly variable results as compared with the other methods because of an inherent excessive risk of laboratory error.


Red blood cell size and glycolytic enzyme activity: relationship to number of intramedullary cell divisions.

In order to assess how the number of cell divisions influences the red blood cell (RBC) content of proteins other than hemoglobin, we measured the activity of two age-independent glycolytic enzymes in macrocytic, normal, and microcytic RBCs. The enzymes measured were phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). In macrocytes, both PGK and LDH activity/10(10) RBCs were increased 1.6-fold over normal RBCs. In microcytes, however, the activity of these enzymes was identical to that seen in normal RBCs.


Tay-Sachs disease: ultrastructural studies on cultured fibroblasts.

The knowledge that the biochemical lesion associated with Tay-Sachs disease is demonstrable in many tissues, and in particular in cultured fibroblasts, suggested that ultrastructural lesions might also accompany hexosaminidase A deficiency in cultured fibroblasts. Electron microscopic studies on six human skin fibroblast lines and four amniotic fluid fibroblast lines, biochemically confirmed to be deficient in hexosaminidase A, showed characteristic cytoplasmic inclusions not observed in any normal lines studied. Up to 60 of these abnormal cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in full cell cross sections in all affected lines examined.


Visualization of compound scenes.

Subjects listened to descriptions of familiar objects and the spatial relations between them and attempted to visualize these objects as a composite scene. The time taken to generate a composite visual image, measured from the end of the verbal description, increased dramatically and linearly with the number of objects in the scene. As this relationship was independent of the rate of presentation of the verbal description, over a wide range, it could not be due to the visualization process cumulatively lagging behind the verbal description. Our evidence indicates that this relationship is due to some process, necessary to the subjective visualization of a composite array as a whole, which commences only after the verbal description is complete.


The effect of visual frame of reference on a judgement of plane stimulus orientation by children.

Three studies are reported with children aged 4 1/2 to 9 1/2 years and also with educationally subnormal children, in which it was found that up to about 7 years children's selection of one of a pair of line stimuli as 'falling over' is affected by the nature of the visual surround contours provided. Both the form of the stimulus surround and the presence or absence of a baseline tilted 45 degrees relative to the horizontal were found to affect the children's judgements. The plane (horizontal or vertical) in which the stimuli were presented had no effect on the results. It is argued that while the results show the influence of the visual surround on children's comprehension of 'falling over', this may not be wholly explicable in terms of surround contour matching, as conventionally correct judgements were obtained in the absence of all straight line contours in the immediate surround.


Recognition and knowledge of the water-level principle.

Piaget and Inhelder showed that children do not realize that the surface of a fluid remains horizontal in a tilted vessel. Several studies have since shown that many adults do not have an adequate concept of the water-level principle. However, in all these studies, drawings of vessels, or other abstract displays, were used. The present experiment is an investigation of whether adults who do not know the water-level principle are able to recognize the correct orientation of a fluid surface in realistic three-dimensional scenes and in cinematographic sequences. It was found that all subjects who could state the principle clearly, could precisely and accurately recognize the correct fluid level. More than half the subjects did not know the principle and all these subjects showed evidence in their judgments of only the crudest perceptual schema.


Spatial-frequency masking with briefly pulsed patterns.

Spatial-frequency masking was studied with briefly pulsed (25 ms) vertical gratings. The mask was a noise grating, and the test pattern was a sinusoidal grating. A low-frequency band of noise masked a low- but not high-spatial-frequency test grating when the patterns were presented simultaneously. A high-frequency band of noise did not mask a low-frequency test grating when the patterns were presented simultaneously or when the mask was presented after the test pattern (backward masking). Masking was, however, observed when the mask or test pattern was of sufficiently high contrast so that the stimuli had nonlinear distortion and thus produced DC shifts of the field luminance.


Size and position invariance in the visual system.

The encoding of simple features such as lines and angles leads naturally to size and position invariance when these features are analyzed symbolically in terms of structure and connectedness. No such analysis is possible for a spatial frequency encoding, however, as all a priori indications of pattern unity are lost. An additional transformation of spatial frequency information is therefore demonstrated that automatically derives a size invariant representation of form. The feasibility of the transform scheme in the visual system is outlined with a hypothetical processing sequence. It is found that the organization of cells in the striate cortex shows a marked similarity to an intermediate stage of the proposed sequence.


Importance of relative width differences and instructions on shape constancy performance.

Adult subjects were instructed to select either the wider physical or the wider perspective shape of two rotated rectangles. With equal differences between the physical and perspective widths, responses were governed by instructions and by the magnitude of the differences between widths of the forms. However, with unequal differences between physical and perspective widths of the two rectangles, responses were governed primarily by the magnitude of the differences. Regardless of instructions, responses were to the dimension with the greater difference between widths. The results suggest that performance in the shape constancy experiment is a function of relative dimensional discriminability, as defined by instructions, and relative differences of widths between forms presented for comparison.


Illusory contours can arise in dot figures.

Frisby and Clatworthy have suggested that subjective contours depend on special contrast effects acting at the tips of lines and at right angles to the lines. Their suggestion depends in part on the absence of such contours in dot figures. However, if the dots are grouped regularly and make a 'good figure', strong subjective contours appear, including a pattern comparable to Kaniza's triangle. The kind of contrast explanation required for these figures would be one in which individual dots create small contrast effects which are only manifest in perception when the effects are grouped together, by Gestalt form indicators, overlap cues, or the like.


Monocular versus binocular contrast thresholds for movement and pattern.

The superiority of binocular vision over monocular vision has been compared for the detection of stationary sinusoidal grating patterns, and for the detection of the apparent movement induced by rapidly phase-reversing such gratings. The thresholds for binocular and monocular pattern perception were in the ratio 1:2 1/2, as found by previous workers. For apparent movement, however, binocular thresholds were lower than monocular thresholds by a factor of 1.9; for every subject tested (n = 20) the ratio for movement detection was larger than the ratio for pattern detection. The effects of combining inputs from the two eyes cannot be explained solely by linear summation models, but may in some circumstances depend on the nonlinearities of certain types of nerve cell.


Interocular transfer in individuals with strabismic amblyopia; a cautionary note.

Interocular transfer of the adaptation after effect was measured and correlated with residual binocular function for two strabismic amblyopes who represent different types of neural loss. The results indicate that for these two subjects there is paradoxical correlation between efficacy of interocular transfer and residual binocular function.


Orientation-selective inhibition and binocular rivalry.

It is hypothesized that a negative correlation exists between the readiness with which two visual stimuli display rivalry and the magnitude of the inhibition effects between the corresponding neural channels. With binocular rivalry being more readily observed than monocular rivalry, it is predicted that lateral inhibition between neural channels selectively sensitive to such fundamental parameters as orientation, is primarily confined to those monocularly driven channels deriving their sensory input from the same eye. In confirmation, it is shown that the visual tilt illusion, thought to reflect lateral inhibition between orientation-sensitive channels, is very much reduced under dichoptic viewing conditions. Moreover, it is shown that those subjects displaying the greatest interocular transfer of the illusion least readily experience binocular rivalry.


Another optical-geometrical illusion.

A new optical-geometrical illusion is described. The parallelism of short rows of dots is affected by some unknown factor, so that the rows appear as pivoting on their middle point. Some explanations of the illusion are considered, but with no success.