[Health aspects of antibiotic manufacture with particular emphasis on respiratory and genital disturbances (author's transl)].

Sixty-seven workers employed in incapsulating and manufacturing antibiotics were studied by the authors by means of questionnaire, environmental survey, clinical examination and hematochemical, immunologic and microbiological determinations. The main features of respiratory and genital disturbances are discussed. Two cases of occupational asthma due to ampicillin were detected. Twenty-four out of forty-five female workers were found to be affected with vaginitis (due to Candida albicans in fourteen): a relationship with the working environment is hypothesized. The digestive tract disturbances are reported and the prevalence of dental discoloration is stressed. Finally the psycho-pathological pattern of the factory workers is outlined.


Prevalence of coronary heart disease risk factors in active children, 7 to 12 years of age.

Forty-seven active boys and girls, 7 to 12 years of age, underwent a comprehensive medical and physical evaluation in order to assess their prevalence of single and multiple coronary heart disease risk factors. Each subject received a densiometric determination of body composition, blood lipid analysis, pulmonary function and a physical work capacity test to assess their peak oxygen consumption (Vo2max). Obesity (greater than 25% fat), elevated triglycerides (greater than 100 mg %) and the presence of Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia appear to be the more predominant risk factors. Twenty-nine (62%) of the children had at least one risk factor. Of these, seventeen had two or more risk factors with one subject having as many as five factors.


[Analysis of the performance of the clamping pads of jet injectors].

Nine shapes of clamping pads for injector syringes were tried out in the course of mass immunoprophylaxis (34 thousand injections). The reliable locking of injectors was judged about by the frequency and intensity of complications. Optimal shapes of clamping pads were determined, the ones suitable to be used for mass immunoprophylaxis that ensure, alongside a regular performance of high-quality subcutaneous injections, a firm fixation of the injector in the skin at the time of vaccination.


[Apparatus for cryosurgery in gynecology].

A new cryosurgical apparatus, model AKT-01 for treatment of erosions, uterine cervix polyps, pointed condylomas and for cryocoagulation of the uterine mucosa has been designed. As a refrigerant nitrous oxide is employed in the apparatus. The latter made up of a cryoprobe, a stand and a cylinder with compressed nitrous oxide is mounted on a trolley. The cryogenic action on the tissue is exerted by interchangeable tips cooled down to--70 degrees with the cryogenic action lasting for 2--5 minutes.


[Optical holography in ophthalmology].

Physical characteristics of the photography object determining the specificity of the holographic experiment are analyzed and the following procedures are cited, viz. the choice of an optimal wave length for the laser, of the peak exposure length and maximum permissible exposure of the corneal surface to a laser beam illuminating the eye. The data presented in the article may be used in assessing temporo-spatial and power characteristics of the laser units.


[Means of manufacturing platinum microcathodes with a mirrored operating surface].

An arc-type discharge in a protective medium was used in manufacturing miniaturized cathodes with mirror working surface for memranous PO2 sesnsors. The obtaine thereby spherical fused end of the platinum wire has a diameter measuring from 35 to 120 micronm, being dependent both on the length of the wire and on the magnitude of the applied discharge voltage. Platinum should be fused into the glass capillary tube in the oxidizing zone of the flame.


[An extracorporeal blood-correcting device].

An apparatus "artificial kidney" has been constructed to improve the equipment for controlling and regulating the blood composition in the extracorporeal loop. The apparatus provides for regeneration of the dialyzing solution, ensures individual action on the blood composition, eliminates the discharge from the body of such useful substances as vitamins and amino acids and reduces the consumption of the dialyzing solution. The unit is intended for treating patients with chronic renal insufficiency.


[Present state and prospects for the development of medical mass spectrometry].

The Soviet-made mass-spectrometer, model MX-6202 has a number of features that distinguish it from foreign-made devices. The experience with its operation suggests it to be a promising piece of equipment in evaluating the state of gas exchange in the organism, the one that will find wide application in the medical practice. The progress of the mass-spectrometric technique clears the way for detailed, in-depth medical and medico-biological research.


Factor IX levels in patients with hemophilia B (Christmas disease) following transfusion with concentrates of factor IX or fresh frozen plasma (FFP).

There has been no systematic re-examination of variables that may affect the level and duration of response of patients with hemophilia B (Christmas disease) to transfusion. Therefore, 49 of our transfusion episodes and 171 previously reported transfusions were evaluated. Mean calculated initial increase of Factor IX levels (delta %/unit (U) of procoagulant activity infused/kg) was 0.82 +/- 0.09% (mean +/-S.E.) in previously reported cases and 1.01 +/- 0.13% in our patients, after transfusion of concentrate; but only 0.05 +/- 0.11% after fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Response was not altered by acute hemorrhage, baseline Factor IX levels, or body weight. Proplex (Hyland) and Konyne (Cutter) produced similar responses. Following transfusion, the disappearance curve was biphasic. The mean T1/2 for the second component was 27.5 hrs, but the direct T1/2 was only 6.4 +/- 1.0 hr. Regardless of common clinical variables, increase of Factor IX following transfusion of American concentrates is 1.0% (or 0.01 U)/1 administered/kg. Appropriate frequency of transfusion depends upon an understanding of the biphasic disappearance of Factor IX. Importantly, the initial frequency of transfusion therapy should be based on a direct T1/2 of only 6 to 8 hrs.


Body fat and adipose tissue cellularity in infants: a longitudinal study.

Body fat, fat cell size, and fat cell number were determined in a longitudinal study on 16 normal-weight infants during the age period 1-18 mo. The methods used included whole-body counting of 40K for determination of body fat and adipose tissue biopsies. A new method of calculation of body fat in infants is presented. No sex differences were found. Body fat expressed as per cent of body weight increased from 16.2% to 28.1%. From 1 to 12 mo of age the expansion of body fat was explained by and increase in fat cell size, while in the age period 12-18 mo it was mainly due to an increase in fat cell number. At 18 mo lthe fat cell size was the same as in 8-yr-old girls and 22-yr-old women (normal-weight females previously studied). The fat cell number at 18 mo, however, was far below the number at 8 yr of age, as well as the still higher number of the 22-yr-old women.


Effect of hyper- and hypothyroidism on platelet monoamine oxidase activity and serotonin metabolism.

We evaluated platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in 13 hyperthyroid and 9 hypothyroid patients. The platelet MAO activity of these patients did not differ from that of age- and sex-matched euthyroid control subjects. Nineteen hyperthyroid and twelve hypothyroid subjects had serum serotonin concentrations similar to those of age- and sex-matched euthyroid control subjects. We also determined the urinary excretion of 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid (5-HlAA), serotonin, tryptamine, and tyramine in five hyperthyroid and four hypothyroid subjects. Two hyperthyroid patients had increased tyramine excretion; one of these patients also had increased tryptamine excretion. Three hypothyroid patients and one hyperthyroid patients had slightly decreased serotonin excretion. Both the hyper- and the hypothyroid subjects had normal urinary 5-HIAA excretion. There was no relationship between platelet MAO activity and monoamine excretion in the patients with thyroid dysfunction. We conclude that there is no systematic change in platelet MAO activity or serum serotonin concentration in patients with hyper- or hypothyroidism.


Relation between delayed skin reactivity and macrophage migration inhibition or lymphocyte transformation in tuberculin-type hypersensitivity and Jones-Mote hypersensitivity.

Precise time-course studies on delayed skin reaction, lymphocyte transformation and macrophage migration inhibition were carried out from day 3 to 270 and from day 3 to 120, respectively, in guinea pigs immunized with bovine gamma-globulin (BGG) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and those immunized with BGG in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA). a) Delayed skin reactions could be elicited for a long period of time after immunization with BGG in CFA in the presence of prominent antibody production and were accompanied by induration. b) Delayed reactions could be elicited transiently after immunization with BGG in IFA and were not accompanied by induration. c) At the peak of hypersensitivity, infiltrating cells at the reaction sites were composed largely of mononuclear cells and basophils, respectively, in the animals immunized with BGG and CFA and those immunized with BGG in IFA. d) Uptake of 3H-thymidine by lymphocytes was increased remarkably in the presence of BGG when cells were obtained at early stages after immunization by both methods. e) Macrophage migration inhibition was strongly positive in animals immunized with BGG in CFA but weakly positive in those immunized with BGG in IFA. Increased lymphocyte transformation preceded the appearance of positive migration inhibition. f) After immunization with BGG in CFA, Jones-Mote hypersensitivity appeared to precede the development of tuberculin-type hypersensitivity.


[Participation of sulfate reducing bacteria in copper precipitation].

Chemical precipitation of copper by hydrogen sulphide at three values of pH (3.0; 5.0; 7.0) did not result in complete elimination of the metal from a solution. If sulphate reducing bacteria and a source of organic substance, for instance, disintegrated reed, are introduced into the medium, the microorganisms begin to grow, the redox potential decreases, hydrogen sulphide is formed, and copper is completely eliminated from a solution within 10--15 days in model experiments.


[Repair of damage caused by 313 nm light and photoprotection in Candida guilliermondii].

The study of the effect of near-UV light (300-380 nm) on the yeast Candida guilliermondii has shown that certain doses of 313 nm light cause inactivation which is reversible after the cells have been kept for some time in a non-nutrient medium. The findings suggest a different nature of the lesions resulting in killing the cells irradiated with light of 313 and 254 nm. The data obtained are interpreted in terms of a new, yet unknown, repair mechanism, other than the classical dark reparation, which is involved in the recovery of cells inactivated by light of 313 nm. Non-lethal doses at 313 nm induce photoprotection of the cells against UV lesions. The effect was compared with the photoprotection described in literature, and was found to be different.


The obstetric performance of the grand multipara.

The computerized records of all women delivered between July, 1974, and June, 1975, at the Mater Mothers' Hospital were analysed, and the obstetric complications associated with grand multiparity were examined. Hypertension, preeclampsia, unstable lie, malpresentation and retained placenta are found to be more common in women of high parity. The low morbidity associated with these conditions in the data may have been related to the close supervision and active management carried out. Anaemia remained more frequent in the grand multiparous women despite modern antenatal care. Hypertension in the grand multiparous women could not be explained by age in the data presented. The cause for hypertension in this group of women remains obscure. Newborn babies of grand multiparas developed neonatal jaundice more frequently. The association between jaundice and oxytocic usage in the data only partially accounted for this observation.


Some comments on heart valve testing and other observations.

Testing of cardiac valve prostheses has been conducted primarily to ascertain flow patterns, fatigue, and thrombogenicity. The authors present their observations on valve dynamics, strain factors, and clinical correlations resulting from extensive experience in testing valve prostheses. They emphasize the need to retest valves that have undergone even minor modification.


Papilloedema in an adolescent due to tetracycline.

Benign intracranial hypertension due to tetracycline is described in an adolescent female. Complete resolution of the condition occurred when the drug was withdrawn.


A pulsatile flow study comparing the Hancock porcine xenograft aortic valve prostheses models 242 and 250.

A modified version of the Hancock porcine xenograft aortic valve bioprosthesis has recently been introduced into clinical use. In this valve, the leaflet containing the septal shelf has been replaced by a leaflet from another valve, thus increasing the effective orifice area of the prosthesis without changing its external dimensions. Modified valves (model 250) have been subjected to pulsatile flow studies and compared to similar studies carried out on the current aortic valve xenografts (model 242) over a range of sizes (19-25 mm). The new model 250 valves caused significantly lower pressure drops or gradients than those of the previous model. They also allowed between 33 percent and 45 percent more flow (depending on size) at a gradient of 20 mmHg than did the model 242 valves. These results indicate that the new valves hould have clear clinical advantages over the current prostheses.


Drug analysis in the overdosed patient: its application to clinical toxicology.

A study was made of 187 patients suffering from overdosage by means of clinical records and drug analysis. Drugs were detected in 152 patients. The groups of drugs most frequently involved in these patients were sedatives (51-7%), tricyclic antidepressants (21-8%) and analgesics (11-2%). This overall pattern differed little from that determined by clinical diagnosis. However, discrepancies between clinical diagnosis and laboratory analysis were found in 43 patients. A retrospective assessment was made from clinical records of the influence of drug assay results upon clinical management. Decisions as to the need for admission to hospital and decisions relating to the management of patients suffering from overdoses of analgesics and tricyclic antidepressants were aided by drug analysis.


Burkitt's lymphoma in Australia.

An Australian case of Burkitt's lymphoma is reported. The clinical features of large ovarian masses and subsequent bone marrow invasion, as well as the results of investigations related to the Epstein-Barr virus, were more consistent with the American than the African type of Burkitt's lymphoma. After a good initial response to cyclophosphamide and vincristine, the tumour rapidly became resistant to these and other therapeutic measures and the patient died 10 months after diagnosis.


Immunization with influenza vaccine in patients with haematological malignant disease.

Fifty-eight patients with a variety of haematological lymphoproliferative or myeloproliferative disorders were given bivalent subunit influenza virus vaccine, and their antibody responses after vaccination were compared with those of a normal control group. Although geometric mean titres of the patient group showed lower initial antibody levels, smaller increments, and lower final titres, after vaccination 83% of this group achieved satisfactory antibody levels to the A/Pt Chalmers strain, and 57% to the B/Hong Kong strain. The lowest antibody levels and smallest responses occurred in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and multiple myeloma. Four of seven patients who showed low antibody levels, and no response to the first injection, responded to a second dose.


Amodiaquine agranulocytosis.

A case of profound neutropenia and severe infection after the administration of amodiaquine is presented. The recommended dose for malaria prophylaxis was administered.


The substance reacting with SRBC (sheep red blood cells) and rabbit IgG. Isolation under mild conditions from rat thymus.

A factor reacting with SRBC and rabbit IgG was obtained under mild conditions from rat thymus and spleen. The isolation procedure includes incubation of thymocytes or splenocytes with IgG-cellulose adsorbent, destruction of cells, washing the adsorbent and elution of an adsorbed material at pH 2. This preparation as well as the purified substance previously obtained by affinity chromatography on IgG-cellulose columns were found to agglutinate both SRBC and autologous erythrocytes. Preincubation in 1% SDS leads to dissociation of the preparation into several components separated by gel electrophoresis. A probable relation of this structure to the rosette forming capacity of T-lymphocytes is discussed.


Repetitive sequences and hairpin-like structures in giant RNA of pigeon erythroid cells.

In giant molecules (greater than 45 S) of HnRNA from pigeon bone marrow and peripheral blood erythroid cells a correlation is demonstrated between the amounts of hairpin-like structures and the sequences transcribed from the DNA repetitions. The same correlation is observed in the greater than 45 S poly(A)+ and poly(A)- subfractions.


[On the psychosomatic theory of asthma bronchiale. A review (author's transl)].

Following a review of classical psychosomatic theory on asthma bronchiale new research findings leading to a revised formulation of an actual psyschosomatic concept of this disease are reviewed. Furthermore results of different research studies in the literature using behavior modification methods and structural family therapy are presented. Finally, clinical implications of the findings reviewed are proposed.


[Potentially uropathogenic enterobacteria on the periurethral mucosa of urologically normal individuals (author's transl)].

Swabs from the periurethra from 160 urologically normal individuals, male and female, of various age groups were examined for potentially uropathogenic enterobacteria. Children from 0--3 years constantly showed (100%) high numbers of different enterobacteria. The frequency of identification and the number of these bacteria diminished abruptly with advancing age. In adult women we found a prevalence of 15%. The periurethral flora with regard to enterobacteria is probably the result of a dynamic equilibrium between contamination and elimination. The important role of contamination is documented by the massive seeding in the 0--3 years age group and the abrupt diminuition after successful bowel training. The mechanism of elimination is unknown. Personal hygiene, the pH of the periurethral mucosa, a special antibacterial substance and the ecological equilibrium of the periurethral flora are discussed as possible factors.


[Aplasia and hypoplasia of the lung (author's transl)].

The different forms of aplasia and hypoplasia of the lung are described. Differences in anatomic structure, prognosis and concomitant congenital anomalies suggest two special forms of hypoplasia of the lung: a) aplasia of one lobe of a lung with hypoplasia of the rest of the lung--b) hypoplasia of all parts of a lung. Bronchographic and angiographic studies are necessary for the differentiation between the special forms of hypoplasia of a lung and diseases with similar radiographic findings. The possible combination of hypoplasia of one lung with ipsilateral anomalies is pointed out.


[A short-term test using DDAVP for determination of the renal concentration capacity (author's transl)].

A short-term test to determine renal concentrating ability without any water deprivation has been described. It consists of osmolatity determinations in three onehour urine portions from spontaneous voidings following an intranasal application of 7 microng of the synthetic analogue of vasopressin-DDAVP per 0,5 m2 body surface. The values of maximal urine osmalatity over 900 mosm/Kg H2O following DDAVP are considered normal whereas values under 600 mosm are consistent with impaired renal function. If, however, the maximal urine osmolality is in the so called "uncertain range" i.e. from 600 to 900 mosm, it is advisable to perform in the same patients also the classical concentration test based on a prolonged dehydration (26 h).


[Experiences with the hyperoxia test in neonates and infants with congenital heart malformations (author's transl)].

Hyperoxia test with arterialized capillary blood was performed in 63 neonates and infants suffering from congenital heart defect with shunt. The lowest values were found in neonates with transposition of the great arteries without major systemic-pulmonary shunt. In cases with left to right shunt requiring surgical intervention the pO2 increased less than in those not needing operation. Observations with this non-invasive mentod proved valuable in early recogniton of congenital heart defect of neonates and infants requiring urgent surgical treatment.


Chilamydia trachomatis infection in patients with acute salpingitis.

We examined the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in the cervix and the fallopian tubes of patients with acute salpingitis. Cycloheximide-treated McCoy cells were used as the growth medium. For purposes of comparison, women with infections confined to the lower genital tract and women without signs of genital infections were also studied. C. trachomatis was isolated from the cervix in 19 of 53 patients with acute salpingitis, in one of 18 lower-genital-tract infections and in none of 12 without signs of genital infection. C. trachomatis was recovered from six of the 20 valid specimens from the fallopian tubes of the patients with acute salpingitis. Our results indicate that chlamydia is a common etiologic agent in acute salpingitis.


Electrophoresis along cell membranes.

Bioelectric fields may segregate charged components floating in the plasma membranes of cells by a process of electrophoresis along the membrane. Molecules in cell membranes may be sorted to different portions of the cell surface by such electrical gradients. We present here a theory to support this hypothesis.


Electrophoresis of concanavalin A receptors along embryonic muscle cell membrane.

Fluorescent concanavalin A (con A)-labelling showed that an electric field of 4 V cm-1 grossly redistributed con A receptors alone the plasma membranes of living muscle cells within 4 h. This field produced a voltage drop of 12 mV across these 30 micronm-wide cells. The movement of receptors was independent of cell metabolism and seemed to be electrophoretic in nature.


DNA sequence of a region of the phi X174 genome coding for a ribosome binding site.

The DNA region corresponding to a newly identified ribosome binding site in phi X174 DNA is sequenced and mapped in relation to the physical map of phi X174. Assignments of the binding site to a specific gene are discussed, and the possibility of a second case of overlapping genes in phi X174 is considered.


Isolation and characterisation of the phiX174 ribosome binding sites.

Sequence information for four RNA ribosome binding sites has been obtained from phiX174 phiRNA synthesised in vitro. The ribosome binding sites have been assigned to sites on the phiX174 genome by comparison with known DNA sequence data.


Collagen-mineral axial relationship in calcified turkey leg tendon by X-ray and neutron diffraction.

The axial relationship between the collagen and mineral componetns in calcified turkey leg tendon was investigated using low-angle X-ray and neutron diffraction. The results indicate that the mineral is arranged with the same axial periodicity as the collagen and occupies the gap region of the collagen structure.


Irreversible binding of 3-14C-antipyrine to hepatic protein in vivo and in metabolizing liver microsomes.

After i.p. injection of 3-14C-antipyrine (10 micronmole = 1.9 mg with 10 micronCi per 10 g of body weight) to mice radioactivity was irreversibly bound to liver proteins. The irreversible binding reached maximal values of 0.15 nmole/mg protein in liver microsomes after 30-60 min. During 60 min incubation with liver microsomes of mice and rabbits (phenobarbital pretreated) and a NAKPH-regenerating system 3-14C-antipyrine was irreversibly bound to microsomal protein at a rate of 1.5 nmole/mg protein (mouse) and 3 nmole/mg protein (rabbit). In identical incubates with rabbit liver microsomes the 4-hydroxylation of antipyrine was 24 nmole/mg protein in 60 min and formaldehyde production from antipyrine 3 nmole/mg protein in 60 min. In incubates with rabbit liver microsomes the binding rate was 80-90% inhibited by 1mM metyrapone, SKF 525-A and trichloropropene epoxide respectively; 4-hydroxylation was 70-80% inhibited by the same substances. In the presence of 1mM GSH, cysteine or ethylene diamine binding was 30-40% inhibited, whereas 4-hydroxylation showed no inhibition.


The effect of 5,6-trans-25-hydroxycholecalciferol in relative vitamin D resistancy.

The relative vitamin D resistance in patients with chronic renal failure and in those with hypoparathyroidism is due to an impairment of 1-hydroxylation of cholecalciferol. 5,6-trans-25OHCC, which has a similar steric configuration as 1,25(OH)2CC was examined at a daily dose of 18,000 IU fro 14 days in both diseases. Intestinal 47calcium absorption as well as serum calcium level could be normalized in most patients with hypoparathyroidism. The improvement was less in patients with chronic renal failure, suggesting an additional depressing influence of uremia on calcium metabolism.


Dopamine agonists and interaction with other neurotransmitter systems.

Studies on the interaction of two dopamine (DA) agonists (selected as most specific): apomorphine (APO) and 1,3-dimethyl-5-aminoadamantane (DMAA) with serotonin (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) brain systems have revealed that the drugs induce the activation of 5-HT and NA neurons in an indirect way (via primary DA stimulation). These interactions are relevant for some pharmacological effects of DA agonists.


Prostaglandin and thromboxane biosynthesis inhibitors.

All acidic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs suppress the activity of microsomal cyclo-oxygenase of arachidonic acid; therefore, these drugs are equipotent inhibitors of prostaglandin and thromboxane generation. A non-acidic anti-inflammatory agent, 1'-(isopropyl-2-indolyl)-3-pyridyl-3-ketone (L 8027), selectively inhibits biosynthesis of thromboxane A2 in blood platelets and in lungs.


Mediation of hyperthermia by prostaglandin E2: a new hypothesis.

In rat hypothalamus prostaglandin (PG) E2, unlike PGF2 or arachidonic acid shared the site of hyperthermic action with E. coli endotoxin. The in vitro catabolism of PGE2 in the hypothalami of endotoxin-treated rats was significantly suppressed. It is proposed that endotoxin fever in rats is due to the inhibition of PGE2 breakdown in the hypothalamus.


[Quantitative histochemical study of monoamine oxidase in the rabbit hippocampal formation].

Distribution of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the rabbit hippocampal formation was studied using the quantitative histochemical methods. Specific reduction of the nitro-blue tetrazolium was observed in the str. lacunosum-moleculare of hippocampal fields CA1 and CA2 and in str. moleculare of the fascia dentata. There is a large number of myelinated fibres in stratum alveus and Shaffer's collaterals with strong positive reaction. However, large amounts of diformazan were found in this stratum after incubation without a substrate. This and other data on spontaneous reduction of nitro-blue tetrazolium by myelin allow considering that the positive reaction of Glenner in alveus and collateralis of Shaffer is nonspecific. The diformazan in the str. pyramidale and str. granulare is nonspecific too, which was confirmed by preincubation in iproniazide and incubation without a substrate.


[Comparative characteristics of the dendritic spines of the 3 chief zones of the forebrain cortex of steppe and bog turtles].

A comparative study of dendritic spines in the principal cortical regions of the forebrain was performed for two turtle species by the Golgi and electron-microscopy methods. Common features of spines were revealed for every cortical region of both turtle species. Distribution peculiarities in the proximal, middle and distal sections of the spines, as well as their density, shape, length and ultrastructure were taken into account. Apart from similar features for two turtle species, there are some differences between spines of the same cortical region in Testudo horsfieldi and Emys orbicularis, which might be associated with ecological peculiarities of both species.


[Convergence of visceral afferent impulsation on hypothalamic neurons following stimulation of the vagus and splanchnic nerves].

Responses of single hypothalamic units to stimulation of the vagal, splanchnic and sciatic nerves and to photic stimulation were studied in anaesthetized, curarized cats. Most of the reactive neurons of the posterior and anterior hypothalamus responded to stimulation of vagus and splanchnicus. The pattern of responses of these polysensory units reactive in most cases to sciatic nerve and (or) photic stimulation too, were mainly unidirectional, nonreciprocal and excitatory in case of stimulation of visceral afferents of parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves. Absence of reciprocal responses to stimulation of "antagonistic" autonomic nerves and predominance of "convergence" units with polysensory inputs suggest that the electrical reaction of most of posterior as well as anterior hypothalamic neurons are of nonspecific "reticular" type.


[Effect of acetylcholine and cholinolytics on the activity of Pacinian corpuscles].

The effect of acetylcholine and cholinergic antagonists (atropine, d-tubocurarine, hexamethonium) was studied as applied to isolated decapsulated preparations. Acetylcholine (10(-5)-10(-4) g/ml) enhanced the sensitivity of the receptors to mechanical stimuli due to increased excitability of the Ranvier node. The amplitude of the receptor potential decreased. Cholinergic drugs did not block the responses of receptors to mechanical stimuli. The results provide evidence against the role of acetylcholine as a transmitter in the Pacinian corpuscles.


[Effect of serotonin on neuronal activity in the visual region of the cerebral cortex evoked by direct cortical stimulation].

Neuronal responses in cortical area 17 evoked by direct stimulation of areas 18 and 19 were investigated in acute experiments on unanesthetized cats. It was found that microiontophoretic application of serotonine changed late components of phasic neuronal responses and influenced the diffuse-tonic responses. The question on serotonin participation in trace responses and regulation of the excitability of visual cortex neurons is discussed.


Effect of subtotal parathyroidectomy on dialysis dementia.

A case of dialysis dementia syndrome is reported which apparently responded to parathyroidectomy. Serial electroencephalograms reflected the changing clinical condition of the patient. Her brain calcium level was elevated which may inplicate secondary hyperparathyroidism as a cause of this neurologic syndrome. Further studies are indicated to elucidate the relationship of this disorder to parathormone excess.


Post partum renal failure due to progressive systemic sclerosis treated with chronic hemodialysis.

An unusual case of progressive systemic sclerosis with rapidly progressing renal failure after a successful delivery is described. The presenting syndrome was malignant hypertension. The blood pressure was refractory to the various therapeutic measures which were instituted, including hemodialysis. The patient, therefore, underwent bilateral nephrectomy, following which the blood pressure returned to normal, and she survived on hemodialysis for 17 months. To the best of our knowledge, the patient presented herein is the only reported case of this kind of fetal and maternal salvage.


Increased incidence of malignancy in chronic renal failure.

We have analysed the causes of death in a group of patients with chronic renal failure--serum creatinine more that 225 mumol/l (2.5 mg/100 ml)--and find that there is an increased incidence of malignancy when compared with the fatality rates for cancers in England and Wales (p less than 0.0005). No patient in the series had received a transplant kidney or was therapeutically immunosuppressed for other reasons.


Closed loop dialysis: a complication of the Buselmeier shunt.

This report describes the development of a coil-fistula closed loop dialysis circuit, excluding the systemic circulation, as a complication of dialysis utilizing a variant of the Buselmeier shunt. This complication might theoretically occur with other types of dialysis circulation access systems. The presence of a closed loop system may be recognized by a rising hematocrit, rising viscosity, and progressive darkening of the blood in the dialysis circuit.


[Isoproterenol test in the diagnosis of coronary insufficiency].

Coronary performance was evaluated in 18 men and 6 women by i.v. infusion of increasing doses of isoproterenol and minute-by-minute ECG monitoring. The results appeared fully reliable. In some cases where the conditions for effort testing were satisfied a comparison was made with the cycle-ergometer findings. This shown the ISP test to be more precise, more sensitive and easier to perform technically.


[A case of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome].

A case of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, personally observed, is described. Stress is laid on the rarity of this syndrome (less than 200 cases in the world literature) and on its peculiar symptoms. The familial character of this syndrome was not proved in the case observed.


[Use of the bronchofibroscope in the diagnosis and therapy of bronchopneumonial diseases].

After a brief description of the bronchofibroscopic technique used, a survey of the results obtained in 1200 diagnostic and therapeutic bronchofibroscopies is made. The importance of this method in the diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma, even in its first stage, is underlined.


[Endoscopic-bronchographic comparison in chronic bronchitis].

A selective bronchographic and endoscopic comparison is made of some of the most significant pictures of chronic bronchitis, particularly as regards Ist and IInd order bronchi. Morphology is discussed and a number of problems in differential diagnosis are reviewed.


[Functional re-education in various types of respiratory insufficiency].

The kinesitherapeutic and functional re-educational approach is indicated for each type of respiratory insufficiency, special attention being paid to those syndromes and diseases most frequently encountered in clinical practice. In the case of these (asthma, mucoviscidosis, emphysema, bronchorrhoea), the essential phases of kinesitherapy and re-education are outlined in greater detail. Clinically and psychologically, the conclusions sum up the attitude which should be assumed by the attending staff in cases of patients with respiratory insufficiency. Finally, the importance of physiopathological and clinical data and physiokinesitherapeutic experience are recalled.


[Therapeutic results with a vitamin complex (A,E,B6) in fibrocystic mastopathies].

A vitamin complex of recognized therapeutic activity in mesenchymal degenerative processes was administered to women suffering from fibrocystic mastopathies. The clinical results and alterations to the mammographic picture after two-three months of treatment are reported.


[Benefits to be derived from space and aviation medicine].

Reference is made to the conquest of space and the biological, social, and general scientific advantages that this may involved. A project for a space-ship hospital is put forward. This would mainly benefit heart patients and those with functional injuries, especially where the lower extremities were involved.


[EEG screening of candidates for underwater activity].

Following a review of a number of EEC recording technique, a screening technique for candidates for sporting and/or professional underwater activities is proposed in replacement of the routine examinations which are considered unsuitable. Modalities are described involving basic recordings in hyperpnoea and 12 tests in apnoea. Examples are given and the practical advantages of the proposed technique are discussed in the light of experience.


[Role of psychodynamic factors in the etiology of possible psychological disorders in aviators].

The main psychodynamic factors governing the psychological balance of aviators are examined. Their alteration often lies behind the psychological disturbances observed in such subjects. On the other hand, importance must also be given to the constitutional factor as the background for one syndrome or another. Examination of this question is regarded as indispensable in the formation of prognosis an the planning of treatment.


[Comparison of xeroradiography and photographic radiography in the study of breast pathology].

The peculiar characteristics of xeroradiography make it respond fully to the requirements of the radiographic represenattion of the breast. All the anatomical components of the breast are virtually identical as far as atomic number and low density are concerned. Xeroradiography has proved to be particularly suitable for highlighting the little difference in contrast between the various anatomical components of the breast. Pictures show the quality differences between traditional photographic mammography and xeromammography. The latter differs by its high power of resolution at all contrast levels thus making for easier identification of details and clearer outline, and by its broader exposure latitude making it possible to focus on a wider range of tissues. Visualization of dense, compact, youthful breasts [so-called opaque breasts] is also more reliable. Density differences can be exploited more effectively in cases of concomittance of two or more pathological situations such as: association of two mastopathic pictures, the presence of a small benignant formation or of a heteroplasia within an intensely dysplasic region. Thanks to a more smaller than immediate greater than interpretation of the picture, xeromammography also provides clearer evidence of the radiographic signs typical of benign neoformations and those typical of malignant forms.


[Aberrant pancreas in gastric site].

The conclusions contained in recent and past literature regarding the heterotopic pancreas are reviewed. A case of accessory pancreas located in the stomach, whose clinical, radiological and endoscopic aspects simulated a carcinomatous process, is reported. The case is studied anatomo-pathologically and important aspects, including surgical, noted.


[Gastric leiomyoma. Presentation of a case].

The only case of gastric leiomyoma observed at the S. Croce Hospital of Cuneo, in over 15 years of surgical activity, is described. On the basis of the literature on the subject, the clinical aspects of the disease are then discussed.


[Clinico-radiological studies on 3 cases of bezoars].

Three cases of phytobezoar (2 in the stomach and 1 obstructing the ileum) are presented. The bezoar described are due to persimmon in one cases and to applies in two cases and have been observed during a period of over 10 years.


[Carcinoma of the colon and rectum. Our experience in 395 cases observed in a period of 10 years 1963-1973].

A personal series of 395 cases of malignant tumours of the large intestine observed at the Surgical Division of the Cuneo Hospital from 1963 to 1973 is reported. Of the series examined, 206 cases involved the sigmoid colon and rectum and 33 the remaining colon. The percentage in which radical surgery was possible was of the order of 52%. Survival at 5 years after the operation was: 1) carcinoma of the colon 30%, 2) of the sigmoid 42.1% and 3) of the rectum 45%.


[Electric stimulation of the heart : treatment indications and criteria for choosing of pacemakers. Contribution of the Ospedale Santa Croce in Cuneo].

The various types of emergency electrical heart stimulation for the short and medium terms or permanent, are reviewed along with choice criteria. The personal series represting 5 years experience at the Cuneo S. Croce Hospital is reported.


[Complications due to a change of electric circuit in patients with intracavitary pacemakers].

Two cases of electrolytic chemical necrosis of the right ventricle and tissue surrounding the pocket in patients with intracardial pacemakers are presented. The clinical signs of this condition include absence of normal ventricular electrical stimulation and inflammation and/or necrosis of the site if battery implantation.


[Conductivity of the dialysis bath. Measurement, significance and electrolyte and clinical correlations].

The problem of the conductivity of dialysing solution is discussed. Measurement technique is analysed, highlighting the possibility of error connected with variations in the temperature of the dialysis bath, its mixture, the presence of air bubbles and the presence of dissolved substances that are not electrical charge carriers, and stressing the absolute proportionality with free ions and not with total ions. On the basis of these observations, the lack of any real, reliable correlation between conductivity and electrolytic composition of the dialysing solution unless particular conditions are respected is pointed out. Most important of these are exact knowledge of the composition of the mother solution and the degree of purity of the water. In conclusion, the imprecision of the values given by clinical and technological tradition and widely accepted is pointed out. Such values do not correspond to correct measurement.


[Bronchopneumopathies during a course of brucellar infection].

The clinical polymorphism of brucellosis is well known fact. It is thought personally that respiratory system localizations are more frequent than have so far been reported in the literature and serious differential diagnosis problems arise with tuberculosis, neoplasia and pneumoconiosis. After discussing such problems, some cases of pleurobronchopneumopathies during brucellosis which were cured are reported.


Clinical survey of the forms, number and localization of retinal tears in cases of relapses and recurrences in retinal detachment.

This study deals with the clinical observations of the different forms and shapes of retinal tears, their number and localizations in cases of relapses and recurrences in retinal detachement surgery. Two groups of patients were considered, the first belongs to our own centre and the second to referred patient operated in other hospitals. 45.1% of both groups account for relapses. We find 7.35% of undetected retinal breaks. The greater number of tears are mainly distributed in the temporal quandrants. The most common shapes of breaks are the punched-out hole, fingernail-tip-like tears, small and medium horseshoe tears, oval and 'pebbled'-like (cluster of microholes) holes. Approximately 25% of the breaks were seen in areas where thermotherapy had not been applied and 15% of them were found beside most probably overtreated areas.


Metastatic epibulbar carcinoma.

Epibulbar tumour developed in the left eye of a 53-year-old woman. Light and electron microscopic study of the tumour revealed undifferentiated metastatic carcinoma. The patient underwent surgical intervention because of mammary carcinoma 5 years before the development of the epibulbar tumour.


Surface and shape of the optic disc in healthy subjects in various age groups. Application of computer picture processing.

The method of computer analysis with the Digital Image Transformer system for assessment of the shape of optic disc and optic cup and disc/cup ratio in healthy subjects is described. The relationship of these parameters of age was also studied.


Statistical study of pseudopapillits vascularis.

In pseudopapillitis vascularis the male sex is preponderant. There are two peaks of frequency in the male as well as in the female group, although 72% of the cases appear between 51 and 70 years of age. The onset may be sudden or progessive. The most important aetiological factors are diabetes, arterial hypertension and arteriosclerosis. The disease is bilateral in 46% of the cases. The vision is less than 3/10 in 77% of the cases. An improvement of the visual acuity is observed in 52% of the unilateral cases, but only in 15% of the bilateral cases. The treatment is ineffective. The biopsy of the temporal artery shows an obvious arteriosclerosis in more than two-thirds of the cases.


Polyglycolic acid suture in retinal detachment surgery.

A resorbable suture, Dexon, was used in retinal surgery as a temporary encircling material. The mean loss of tensile strength was 18 days, which is too short to be effective in retinal surgery. The rate of tensile strength loss varies from 5 to 36 days, which makes the sutures not reliable in this specific surgery.


[Intelligence prognosis for autistic children (author's transl)].

The degree of intelligence respectively development quotient, gained in the first test, proved to be a valuable prognosis for autistic children. This has been shown in repeated psychological tests with 13 autistic children (10 boys, 3 girls, aged 4.10-13.6). An at least minimal speech development has a better prognosis as consequence. Usually the patient gains an equal, sometimes an even better result in the second test if any development of speech can be registered. A correlation between progress of speech and improved intelligence and social interests was discovered. Therapeutic support of autistic children, nearly without the ability to speak, may improve development of social reaction and ability of learning. These results, waiting to be verified statistically, underline clearly the prognostic value of single indicators. They also indicate the high correlation between speech, intelligence and social integration.


[Transcutaneous measurements of pO2 (ptcO2) in sick newborn babies (author's transl)].

PaO2 as well as transcutaneous pO2 (ptcO2) was measured simultaneously for 132 times in 34 sick newborns. PtcO2 data were obtained by the KONTRON 5300 Monitor, its electrode heated to 44 centigrades. The correlation coefficient "r" was rated at 0.98. The introduction of the ptcO2 method into routine clinical usage markedly enhanced efficiency and safety of oxygen treatment of sick newborns. However superficial burning of the skin at the measuring site might occur if the electrode is attached more than 6 hours.


[Acid-base balance during exchange transfusion (author's transl)].

During exchange transfusion with ACD blood severe metabolic acidosis may occur. ACD blood contains increasing amounts of acid which depends on the age of the blood. The mature newborn infant has different ways to compensate metabolic acidosis: the lungs, the immature kidneys and the conversion of citrate to bicarbonate. In preterm infants as well as in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome and mechanical ventilation the compensatory mechanisms may be reduced or even absent. Therefore ACD blood may lead to severe complications. To prevent acidosis adequate buffering with TRIS is recommended.


[Calcification of the urinary bladder, a rare finding in the newborn (author's transl)].

The rare X-ray finding of urinary bladder wall calcifications in a newborn is reported. The newborn suffered from micturition disturbance caused by urethral valves, bilateral hydroureter and bilateral hydronephrosis. No possible definite cause for the calcification of the bladder wall could be found. The calcifications could never be detected by X-ray after the age of 5 months.


Trace elements (zinc, cobalt, selenium, rubidium, bromine, gold) in human placenta and newborn liver at birth.

Concentrations of zinc, cobalt, selenium, rubidium, bromium, and gold have been determined by neutron activation analysis in 18 placental and 6 liver tissue samples at birth. Their respective mean concentrations +/- standard deviations (parts per million) were 58 +/- 10, 0.060 +/- 0.036, 1.90 +/- 0.41, 14.0 +/- 3.5, 26.9 +/- 14.3, and 0.31 +/- 0.14 in placenta, and 651 +/- 257, 0.156 +/- 0.077, 4.52 +/- 1.96, 9.2 +/- 3.7,11.2 +/- 4.1, and 0.12 +/- 0.06 in liver tissue. Thus, we observed that the mean concentrations of essential trace elements (zinc, cobalt, and selenium) were significantly higher in liver than in placenta, whereas the nonessential trace elements (rubidium, bromium, and gold) were found in significantly higher concentrations in placenta than in liver tissue.


Pubertal food intake, body length, weight, and composition in the well fed female rat.

Pubertal age, food intake, body length, weight, and composition were determined by direct measurements in 29 well fed female rats studied from birth to first estrus. The average birth and weaning weights of the 12 early maturing rats were 6.99 +/- 0.13 g and 50.13 +/- 1.16 g, respectively, and did not differ significantly from those of the 11 late maturers (6.97 +/- 0.16 g and 49.72 +/- 1.42 g, respectively). Mean values for all pubertal measurements are included in Table 1. At puberty, the late maturing animals were heavier, longer, and had attained a greater quantity of total body water than the early maturers. Although both groups ate the same total amounts of food, late maturing rats at vaginal opening and at first estrus consumed relatively less food per 100 g body weight than did early maturers. Estrus was simultaneous with vaginal opening in 10 (83%) of early and 4 (36%) of the late maturing rats. Despite the similarity in the proportions of total body water, fat, and protein in early and late maturers, a regression analysis, shown in Figure 1, indicates a significant decrease in the proportion of body water (P less than 0.001), and a significant increase in the proportion of body fat (P less than 0.05) with increasing age at first estrus. The percentage of body protein does not change with increasing age at first estrus (regression coefficient = 0.13).


Semen straw (French straw) in the uterus.

Four cases in which a french straw was deposited into the uterus in connection with insemination are descibed. Of these, two cows were slaughtered as they did not get into calf despite repeated inseminations. The two others were laparotomised, and the straw removed in the one case. This straw was partly embedded in the uterine wall. This cow conceived on being inseminated 14 days after operation. In the other case, no straw was found in the uterus. Contractions must have caused the straw to be pushed out. This cow conceived to the insemination during which the straw was deposited, in spite of the lumen of the uterine body and the entrances to both uterine horns being thoroughly examined by finger palpation the day after insemination. The causal circumstances and mode of action with deposition of french straws in the uterus is discussed.


A study of blood eosinophil counting in calves.

Blood eosinophils were determined in eight 7--13-month-old calves that had been reared under parasite-free conditions. Eosinophil counts were obtained by three methods, a) a direct count, b) a differential count and c) an indirect count (i.e. differential count x total leucocyte count). Methodological errors of these methods were determined. Upper limits of 1,000 eosinophils/micronl (direct count) and 9.5 per cent eosinophils (differential count) have been estimated an suitable working standards for calves of this age group. The distribution of eosinophils was skew, most direct counts being below 700 cells/micronl and most differential counts being below 7.5 per cent. A high degree of correlation was found between results obtained by either method, but an even higher correlation was found between direct and indirect counts.


Migration of connective thecal cells after ovulation. An ultrastructural study.

This paper describes the fine structure of the rabbit connective thecal cells in the developing corpus luteum 20 h after mating. These cells are characterized by an irregularly shaped soma containing the nucleus and the bulk of organelles and many thin and long prolongations. The observations reported here suggest that the migratory movements of the front thecal cells could be mediated by an anchoring contraction machinery of the cell prolongations.


Polymorphism of indomethacin. Part I. Preparation of polymorphic forms of indomethacin.

Technologically useful methods of preparing defined polymorphic forms of indomethacin (especially gemma-form) have been described. The influence of various crystallization parameters on the formation of individual form of indomethacin have been discussed.


A comparative study of dextran-70, warfarin and low-dose heparin for the prophylaxis of thrombo-embolism following total hip replacement.

In a randomized, controlled clinical study, dextran-70, warfarin, or low-dose heparin were administered to patients undergoing total hip replacement on one surgical unit in an attempt to prevent deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Calf vein thrombosis was detected by the 125I-fibrinogen uptake test. None of the methods prevented calf vein thrombosis (dextran-70, 51%; warfarin, 58-6%; heparin, 52-6%). Pulmonary embolism was completely prevented in patients treated with warfarin but occurred in 4% of patients treated with dextran-70 and 15-5% of those treated with low-dose heparin. The incidence of complications of therapy was small and comparable in each group. It is suggested that calf vein thrombosis is a frequent and in itself a non-serious complication of total hip replacement surgery and that emphasis might be placed more usefully on prevention of pulmonary embolism.


Pseudo-obstruction and a sprue-like syndrome from stronglyloidiasis.

Symptomatic disease from Strongyloides stercoralis has been recognized for the first time in Trinidad. Five cases are reported, all showing clinical features suggestive of a sprue-like syndrome. Subtotal jejunal villous atrophy was seen in one case and partial villous atrophy in two. Three patients had laparotomies because of suspected partial intestinal obstruction. A sprue-like syndrome in certain Caribbean immigrants should arouse a suspicion of S. stercoralis.


Primary unruptured ovarian pregnancy with intrauterine device.

A case of intrafollicular and unruptured ovarian pregnancy associated with intrauterine device which meets the rigid criteria of Spiegelberg (1878) is presented. Clinically, unruptured cases can be confused with ovarian cysts. Intrauterine devices are highly effective for protection against uterine gestation and to a lesser degree against tubal gestation, but they have no effect in preventing ovarian gestation.


Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis.

A case of pulmonary avleolar microlithiasis is reported. This is of especial interest as it is the first case to be reported from Africa South of the Sahara. The clinical presentation of the patient follows a similar pattern as that of cases already described by other workers. The diagnosis in this case was made in life by a combination of radiological examination and a lung biopsy. The clinical presentat on and aetiology of the condition are briefly discussed.


The differential diagnosis of the short-limbed dwarfs presenting at birth.

Attention is drawn to the fact that in a number of types of short-limbed dwarfism a precise diagnosis can be made in the neonatal period. Examples are given and the prognostic and genetic implications are discussed. It is important to be able to advise parents of the likely outlook for the infant and of the genetic implication. Early diagnosis is therefore not merely an academic exercise.


Co-existent chronic lymphatic leukaemia with polycythaemia vera.

A patient presenting with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and iron deficiency anaemia who, following oral iron therapy, developed the clinical and pathological features of polycythaemia vera is reported. The relationship between these two diseases when co-existing is discussed.


Perforation of the right ventricle and cardiac tamponade caused by a venous catheter.

A case is reported in which a venous catheter perforated the right ventricle and caused cardiac tamponade. Methods recommended to avoid such complications include limiting the length of the radio-opaque catheter, and modifications to the catheter tip.


Pneumothorax and hydrothorax after subclavian vein cannulation.

A patient is described who developed a right pneumothorax and a left hydrothorax following percutaneous subclavian vein cannulation. The prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this complication are discussed.


Vitamin E and antioxidant activity.

Forty years after its discovery, vitamin E remains a biochemical Don Basilio, not to be trusted or believed but impossible to dismiss. It is a powerful antioxidant in vitro, in many animals and probably in the newborn. To assess its physiological role and possible therapeutic usefulness in the human adult we need to know more about the mechanisms which normally protect from autoxidative damage.


Tolerance to the effects of delta9-THC on shuttle-box performance and body temperature.

Two groups of rats were trained in a shuttle-box and received delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC), either before or after being tested. The drug-before group showed tolerance--within 3-6 sessions--to the response-inhibiting effect of THC. The drug-after animals appeared also to be tolerant when they received delta9-THC before being tested. It is concluded that the tolerance to this effect probably is not learned, but has a physiological base. This is corroborated by the finding that during the same study all the animals developed tolerance to the hypothermic effect of delta9-THC.


Differences in placebo effects.

Constant volume injections of water and saline were evaluated in terms of their effects upon locomotor activity in the rat. Both solutions produced an overall decrease in activity and were found to be nonequivalent in their effect.


A simple chronic microinjection system for use with chemitrodes.

An inexpensive, electrically operated microinjection system is described which is small enough to be mounted on the animal side of a standard Mercury commutator. This eliminates the troublesome swivel joint needed for chronic microinjection in freely moving animals. This system allows simultaneous electrical stimulation or recording and chemical stimulation via a chemitrode using a standard 4-channel Mercury commutator.


Synthesis of certain 4-oxo-1.2.3.4-tetrahydroquinoline and benzazocine derivatives likely to possess analgesic activity.

Cyanoethylation of anthranilic acid afforded the N-cyanoethyl derivative which on treatment with ethanolic and methanolic hydrogen chloride yielded the corresponding diethyl and dimethyl esters respectively. Application of the Dieckmann's conditions to the N-acetyl derivatives of the two esters using sodium hydride and sodium ethoxide afforded different products. With the former, the expected products were obtained, while with the latter catalyst both esters furnished one and the same compound which was shown to be a benzazocine trione. The structure of the azocine was inferred from elemental analysis, spectroscopic data and formation of derivatives.


Functional surgery for intractable conditions of the sole of the foot.

Our reasons for preferring local plantar flaps from the same foot for the repair of plantar defects are discussed. Four illustrative cases are shown.


A change in the technique of supratarsal fixation in upper blepharoplasty.

Fixation of the orbicularis muscle to the levator muscle in an upper blepharoplasty can create a higher supratarsal fold in selected caucasians. The technique that I introduced two years ago has been refined to eliminate one of the major problems (postoperative morbidity).


Rupture of inflated breast implants in closed compression capsulotomy: case report.

A case is reported of bilateral rupture of inflatable implants from a closed capsulotomy, with ingrowth of fibrous tissue through the inflation valves.


Rupture of a silicone bag-gel breast implant by closed compression capsulotomy: case report.

A previously unreported complication of closed capsulotomy is presented--rupture of a silicone bag-gel breast implant with silicone granuloma formation. We make some suggestions as the pathophysiology involved, and speculate that the complication might be more likely with an implant containing a less cohesive gel.


Detection of a relatively radiolucent foreign body in the hand by xerography.

A case is presented in which a piece of wood, broken off in a hand, failed to show on a conventional radiograph and was clearly discernible on a xerogram.


Cultural factors in the training of psychiatric residents in an Hispanic urban community.

This paper describes a resident's experience with his first Puerto Rican patient who practiced spiritualism, also elaborating on the major problems encountered, in so far as training for psychiatric residents is concerned. Furthermore, an attempt is made to analyze the role that residency training programs should play in preparing the student psychiatrists to assume a more sophisticated role when confronted with such patients, who are so common in the urban ghettoes of the United States.


Diverse constituencies and the public human service organization.

Clients, donors, and professionals are identified as three constituencies directly involved in public human service organizations. Each of these groups has different expectations from human service organizations, and these expectations reflect different needs. Concomitantly, each of these groups represents a different ideological perspective. Furthermore, the products or outcomes of human service organizations are generally only vaguely defined. Taken together, the combination of different needs, varying ideologies, and unclear goals renders many human service organizations prone to considerable conflict and inefficiency.


Soviet psychotherapy: the tasks and methodological problems.

Soviet psychotherapy follows Western European traditional pre-psychoanalytical "rationalistic" methodology. On the other hand, Soviet therapists assign great importance to clinical diagnosis within the framework of the classical scheme of Kraepelin. Finally, methods close to behavior therapy, especially so-called "training" approaches, are popular.


On some difficulties of inpatient individual psychoanalytically oriented therapy.

I wish in this paper to examine some of the difficulties a therapist can encounter in the treatment of psychologically ill patients by individual psychoanalytically oriented therapy within the setting of a hospital community, particularly when he is responsible not only for the therapy itself but for the total management of the patient outside of sessions as well. I think that many of my colleagues in the same position will have had similar experiences to my own, but I cannot generalize too much and must be held solely responsible for the difficulties encountered as well as for my account of them.


Marital therapy in prison: one-partner 'couple therapy'.

The intent of this article is, first, to describe some currently available means of strengthening marital and family ties for the incarcerated offender, and to point out the inherent limitations of these processes. Second, we will describe common reactions of inmates to marital crises, especially impending divorce. Third, we will make some comments and recommendations about the conduct of 'marital therapy' when the therapist has access to only one spouse or partner. Inefficient and dysfunctional as such an approach may sound to the therapist accustomed to working with couples 'on the streets,' it is often the only alternative available to the correctional mental health professional when the imprisoned marital partner is in a state of acute pain, with both crisis intervention and follow-up treatment critical.


The family romance fantasies of adopted children.

Despite the absence of psychoanalytic studies to support the position, family romance fantasies have been assumed to be similar in form and function in both the adopted child and the blood kin child. My studies, documented herein from the analyses of three adoptees, reveal that knowing one is adopted results in modifications of the fantasy and that certain types of adoptees seem incapable of effectively creating the paradigmatic family romance fantasy.


On the occurrence of incest fantasies.

Incest fantasies are often regarded as suggesting important ego or superego deficits. Actually, some nonpsychotic patients are found to experience such fantasies. In these cases the phenomenon occurs when certain psychogenetic and psychodynamic factors are present.


The effects of social changes in chronic schizophrenia: a study of forty patients transferred from hospital to residential home.

Various clinical and social measures were applied to forty long-stay schizophrenic patients before and after transfer from hospital to a residential home and similarly to twenty-five patients retained in hospital. The results are used to test specific hypotheses concerning the relationship between social changes and clinical state in chronic schizophrenia.


Platelet serotonin concentration and monoamine oxidase activity in unmedicated chronic schizophrenic and in schizoaffective patients.

Elevated blood serotonin, perhaps secondary to reduced platelet MAO, has been reported in a group of chronic schizophrenic patients. We have failed to find elevated platelet serotonin, or any relationship between platelet serotonin and MAO either in a group of unmedicated chronic schizophrenic patients or in a group of schizoaffective patients. Possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed.


The relation of deviant symptoms and behaviour in a normal population to subsequent delinquency and maladjustment.

A survey of more than 6000 school children in 1961 established norms for symptomatology and behavior at ages 5-15. A follow-up to 1968 identified all children from the survey attending a child guidance clinic or appearing in court within that time. Those thus identified contained a significantly high proportion of boys who were reported as having more than 3 deviant items (i.e. occurring in approximately 10% of subjects in 1961). Specific health and behavioural items were found to have been reported in 1961 in proportions which were significantly different for children later appearing in child guidance clinic from those appearing in court. The amount of concern expressed by their parents over psychological and behavioural items distinguished court from clinic boys, while the concern shown by parents over items of physical health showed little difference in these 2 groups.


[Selected promising radiological imaging techniques (author's transl)].

This paper informes about physical basics of computerized axial tomography.


[The diagnosis of intracranial tumors by CT (computerized tomography) from a practical point of view (author's transl)].

In a historical abstract the mathematical basis of image reconstruction techniques and CT is reviewed. The enhancement of iodine contrast media is essential in CT diagnostic of space occupying intracranial lesions. Intracranial tumors usually show relatively characteristical but mostly non-specific absorption patterns. Additional clinical information is necessary for differential diagnostic evaluation. The development of tables with various tumor patterns is recommended. Absorption feature of primary and secondary brain-tumors with the surrounding edema is explained. Glioblastomas as well as metastases often show a distinct cerebral edema which has been observed in 64% of our patients with metastases and distinctly localized high dense foci in 69%. 6000 patients were investigated by CT and 1708 examinations were performed with contrast enhancement of other intravenously applicated contrast media.


[Computer tomography in intracranial hemorrhage (author's transl)].

For the detection of acute intracranial and intracerebral hemorrhage computer tomography C.T.- examination is of greatest importance. The diagnostic value exceeds angiographic findings. Especially in cases of urgency C.T. should be used as routine examination.


Scintigraphic evaluation of lymphoma: a comparative study of 67Ga-citrate and 111In-Bleomycin.

Sequential whole-body scans with both 67Ga-citrate and 111In-bleomycin were performed for 14 patients undergoing staging for Hodgkin's disease or other lymphomas. A comparison or these scans gave a sensitivity in detecting the pathologically-proved tumor sites of 84% for 67Ga-citrate and only 56% for 111In-bleomycin. In 12 patients, the gallium scan demonstrated the lesions more clearly; in the others, the uptake of the two radionuclides was equal. In no case was a clinically diagnosed or histologically proved lesion identified by 111In-bleomycin that was not also demonstrated by 67Ga-citrate. 111In-bleomycin does not complement the 67Ga-citrate scan in the scintigraphic evaluation of lymphomas.


Psychophysical studies of detection errors in chest radiology.

In 62 of 124 cases analyzed, there occurred a failure to detect a pulmonary nodule which was retrospectively noted only after detection at a subsequent examination. The characteristics of the lesions and their surrounds were measured, and a computer analysis used, to identify that combination of parameters (the conspicuity, K) which was best capable of separating the group into populations of missed and detected lesions.


Coronary artery fistula seen as a mediastinal mass.

The authors describe a case of coronary artery fistula seen as a mediastinal mass on a chest radiograph. Such a diagnosis should be considered when a bulge is seen along the left cardiac border on the plain film.


Dissecting hematoma of the aorta secondary to blunt chest trauma.

Two types of dissecting aortic hematoma occasionally follow blunt chest trauma. Localized subadventitial dissecting may occasionally accompany aortic laceration or transection. This subadventitial hematoma may itself rupture, or it may compress the true aortic lumen. In the presence of arteriosclerosis, classical (medial) dissecting hematoma may occur following blunt trauma. The trauma may be considerably less than that required to cause aortic rupture. Differentiation of the two forms may have practical significance. The treatment of aortic laceration is surgical repair, whether or not there is an associated subadventitial dissection. However, medial dissection following trauma is indistinguishable from spontaneous aortic dissection, and medical therapy may sometimes be the preferred method of treatment.


Innominate lines of the colon. Radiological--histological correlation.

Radiological-histological studies showed that the normal mucosal units of the colon are bounded by the innominate lines. The lines are superficial identations of the mucosa with depths of 0.23 mm. No histological difference was demonstrated according to the three radiographic types found. These lines are demonstrable in about 90% of double-contrast examinations using 60-70% w/v barium. The colon should be prepared with dietary restriction, magnesium citrate, and contact laxative under sufficient hydration. The lines can also be demonstrated at endoscopy with dye scattering.


Pelvocalyceal wall opacification--a new radiological sign.

A new radiological sign is described consisting of opacification of the pelvocalyceal wall during the early stage of an excretory urogram. This sign is associated with acute infection in an obstructed urinary tract system.


Renal microvasculature following papillary resection.

Surgical papillectomy was performed on 39 rabbits. Microvasculature initially remained normal. After cortical fibrosis occurred, a diversion of the blood flow from the cortex to the medulla was noted. Cortical atrophy following papillary loss is not secondary to microvasculature insufficiency, but is a consequence of obstruction of the collecting ducts. The physiologic changes which follow papillectomy are due to interruption of the loops of Henle and cortical scarring.


Malignant hemorrhagic renal cyst with occult neoplasm.

An asymptomatic hemorrhagic renal cyst was benign at angiography, nephrotomography, cystography, and cytologic examination. Malignancy was found at surgery. Malignancy cannot be excluded in a hemorrhagic cyst which is benign by all other criteria.


Skin necrosis following extravasation during peripheral phlebography.

Skin necrosis is an unusual complication following venography of the legs. The authors have found only four cases in the English literature. Two cases of skin necrosis following extravasation of  contrast medium are reported. Their pathogenesis, clinical course, and treatment are discussed along with methods of prevention.


Storage and retrieval of radiographic images.

Storage and retrieval of radiographic images was studied to quantify existing procedures and determine the applicability of new technology. Storage practices were found to be consistent among different types of hospitals. About one third of American hospitals have serious problems, particularly lack of space. Most hospitals save radiographs 4-7 years after the latest examination, but one third fall outside this range. It does not appear that there is near-term technological solution for radiographic storage problems.


The tentorium in axial section. II. Lesion localization.

Most juxtatentorial lesions may be localized accurately on contrast-enhanced axial section CT scans by use of the opacified tentorial bands. Lesions that lie lateral edge of the diverging bands are supratentorial. Lesions that lie medial to the V-shaped tentorial bands are infratentorial and/or incisural. Flattening of the tentorial border of a lesion helps to identify its location. Use of the tentorial bands identifies transincisural extension of meningioma reliably, but does distinguish well between true transtentorial growth of meningioma and marked upward bulging of the tentorium from purely infratentorial meningioma.


Cranial computed tomography in aphasia. Correlation of anatomical lesions with functional deficits.

A variety of aphasic patients were studied to determine the relationship betweeen lesion size, as demonstrated by cranial computed tomography (CCT), and the type of aphasia, as classified by the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE). CCT demonstrated a variety of lesions. Those in nonfluent Broca's aphasics and fluent Wernicke's aphasics were separable into pre-Rolandic and post-Rolandic areas, respectively. Conduction, global, and anomic aphasics had different lesion sites. Correlation of lesion location by CCT with aphasia type supports Geschwind's concepts of aphasia.


Peritoneal localization of gallium-67.

Diffuse abdominal localization of 67Ga was found in two patients with peritonitis; one due to M. tuberculosis, and the other presumably pyogenic, following multiple perforations of the small bowel due to necrotizing ulcerating enteritis. After 7 months of antituberculous treatment of the first patient, a normal gallium distribution was noted. It is suggested that gallium scanning may be useful in the diagnosis of peritonitis and perhaps of other serosal infections.


The importance of perfusion imaging in brain scintigraphy for subdural hematoma.

The authors report a case of subdural hematoma in a patient who showed bilateral perfusion defects, highly characteristic of subdural hematoma, but did not show the expected complementary static abnormalities. This appears to be the first such case in the literature.


The lateral view in radionuclide imaging of the sacrum.

Radionuclide bone images in the anterior and posterior views failed to demonstrate a large metastatic tumor involving the sacrum which was obvious on the lateral view. Evaluation of the sacrum by radionuclide imaging may be incomplete without the lateral projection, particularly when there is a question of false-negative anterior and posterior views or difficulty in interpreting the radionuclide images.


Osteochondritis of the tarsal navicula: radioisotopic appearances.

A case of Köhler's disease of the tarsal navicula is described as presenting with swelling, tenderness, and hyperthermia of the right foot. Scintigraphy revealed decreased uptake in the right midtarsal area. The ability of the pinhole collimator to image these tiny bones is demonstrated.


Cranio-carpo-tarsal dysplasia. A report of seven cases.

Clinical and radiographic features of seven cases of cranio-carpo-tarsal dysplasia are presented. Radiographs show bilateral dislocation of the hips, bilateral vertical talus deformity hand deformities, and characteristic skull changes.


Infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma: a surviving case.

A surviving case of infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma is presented. The patient was treated with a combination of radiation therapy, cytotoxan, and prednisone, resulting in regression of the tumor.


Juvenile aponeurotic fibroma. A review and report of a case with osseous involvement.

Juvenile aponeurotic fibroma with radiographic soft-tissue calcification and osseous involvement was seen in a six-month-old boy. This tumor and other fibromatoses in infancy and childhood are reviewed.


Ultrasonic characterization of solid renal lesions: echographic, angiographic and pathologic correlation.

Seventy-two patients with solid renal lesions were studied by renal echography and the echography and the results were correlated with angiography and pathologic examination of excised specimens. Thirty-one tumors were diagnosed by echography and were proved by angiography and pathology. Renal tumors are either more echo-producing or less echogenic than adjacent normal renal parenchyma. All angiographically hypervascular tumors and hypovascular tumors with areas of hemorrhage and necrosis are more echo-producing. Hypovascular homogenous renal carcinomas, transitional cell carcinoma invading the kidney, and metastases are less echo-producing. Pseudo-tumors have the same echo characteristics as surrounding and adjacent normal renal parenchyma.


The role of radiation therapy in medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.

Postoperative radiation therapy was given for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid in 5 patients. Moderately high doses of radiation achieved local control. Four patients died of metastatic disease. The favorable response of this tumor to doxorubicin suggests that both postoperative irradiation and chemotherapy should be used in its treatment.


Response of extremely hypoxic cells to hyperthermia: survival and oxygen enhancement ratios.

Chinese hamster V79 cells and mouse EMT6 cells were made extremely hypoxic with a chamber technique that relies upon gas exchange rather than respiration-assisted oxygen depletion. Cells in these chambers were treated with heat (43degrees C) or heat plus x-irradiation, and colony-forming ability was determined. Hyperthermia: (a) kills exponentially growing V79 cells more efficiently than plateau-phase cells; (b) kills euoxic and extremely hypoxic cells equally; and (c) radiosensitizes euoxic and extremely hypoxic cells to the same degree, leaving the oxygen enhancement ratio unchanged.


Regional distribution of coronary blood flow during left ventriculography in anesthetized dogs.

Changes in total and regional left coronary blood flow in response to ventriculography were studied using electromagnetic and microsphere techniques. Correlation of coronary flows by these methods showed excellent agreement (r = 0.947). Ventriculography produced a characteristic triphasic response in total flow and in endocardial/epicardial perfusion ratios. Changes in coronary flow can be explained as a result of hypotension and vasodilatation.


Metrizamide--CSF contrast medium. Analysis of clinical application in 215 patients.

Two-hundred-fifteen patients were evaluated with metrizamide, a new water-soluble contrast agent for use in the subarachnoid spaces. Side effects were reported in 67% of these; 39% were moderate or severe. Cervical injections monitored by fluoroscopy provide the most precise positioning of the medium. The benefits of metrizamide use outweigh its risk.


Toward the automation of echocardiography.

Schemes applicable to the automated classification of disease states identifiable through echocardiography are being studied. Initial success has been achieved in the classification of anterior mitral leaflet wave forms associated with mitral stenosis and mitral valve prolapse. These two categories were found to be readily distinguished from the normal state in a Fourier analysis framework.


Autotomography: a means of improving visualization of the upper cervical spine.

Autotomography permits improved visualization of the atlas-axis and occipito-cervical articulations with virtually any x-ray equipment in less time than is required for anteroposterior and lateral tomograms. This technique is best applied in nontraumatic cases in which the dens is not seen clearly on the "open mouth view".


Bilateral venography of the lower extremities.

The authors describe a simplified method of venography of the lower extremity which gives improved visualization of the proximal deep venous system. The technique involves high volumes of contrast material, no tourniquets, a relatively vertical, non-weight-bearing position, and passive elevation of the legs.


Informed consent: a medical decision (II).

The obtaining of informed consent prior to urography is a practice of some radiologists based largely on legal considerations. Because of the possibility of inducing anxiety, a relevant factor in idiosyncratic reactions, radiologists should not obtain informed consent prior to the urographic examination.


Informed consent: some newer aspects and their relation to the specialty of radiology.

Several recent court decisions have focused the attention of radiologists upon the medicolegal subject of informed consent. Some of the legal principles and precedents of this subject are reviewed, and the impact and implications of recent legal decisions considered.


Drug interactions on body temperature maintenance in the mouse.

Exposure of mice to an environmental temperature leads to a loss of body temperature and death in 5-6 hours. Intraperitoneal injection of water or d-amphetamine exacerbates this effect, while caffeine has a modest antagonistic effect. The combination of caffeine and d-amphetamine is synergistic and leads to a rapid loss in body temperature with death occurring in less than 3 hours.


Enhanced lung toxicity of O2 in selenium-deficient rats.

To test the hypothesis that glutathione (GSH) peroxidase is an important component of the lung's anti-oxidant defense systemes, O2 toxicity was studied in selenium (Se)-deficient rats. Chronic respiratory disease free rats fed a Se-deficient diet or a diet supplemented with Se for 40 days after weaning were exposed to 80% O2 at atmospheric pressures for 3 days. Activities of GSH peroxidase in lungs of Se-deficient rats were markedly lower than corresponding activities in rats supplemented with 0.5 or 2.0 ppm Se. With O2 exposure, 35% of the rats fed the Se-deficient regimen died, whereas all rats fed Se-supplemented diets survived. Lungs from surviving Se-deficient rats exposed to O2 were edematous. The data suggest that the toxic effects of O2 are enhanced in Se-deficient rats and that nutritional factors contribute to lung susceptibility to oxidant-induced damage.


A simple, rapid and semi-automated method for the quantitative determination of expired 14CO2 in metabolism studies with laboratory animals.

The automatic features of a commercial instrument which prepares 14CO2 for liquid scintillation counting have been adapted  to assay the 14CO2 collected in aqueous NaOH from the expired air of experimental laboratory animals in metabolism experiments. The method involves the liberation of 14CO2 trapped as Na214CO3 with dilute H2SO4 and the entrainment of the 14CO2 with nitrogen into the sample handling system. Recoveries were 87.3+/-1.2% and precision+/-2.0%. The method was simple and rapid; 6-8 samples were processed in one hour.


The effect of chronic ethanol administration on arachidonyl transfer to 1-acyl-glycerophosphorylcholine in rat brain synaptosomal fraction.

Enzymatic transfer of arachidonate to synaptosomal diacyl-GPC in a group of rats (n=14) administered 30% ethanol by intragastric intubation for 21 days was 24% higher than controls (n=5) (P less than 0.05). No apparent difference in enzymic activity was observed with respect to different periods of withdrawal (8-24 hrs). The acyl transferase activity in another group of rats (n=5) which were given 15% ethanol as the sole drinking source for 13 months was 58% higher than controls (P less than 0.025). The increase in acyl transferase activity with respect to the two types of chronic ethanol administration may be due to an adaptive mechanism in brain to facilitate the increase in membrane transport activities which are known to occur under the influence of ethanol.


Influence of imipramine and various steroids on hepatic in vitro N-demethylation of tricyclic antidepressants.

The effects of equimolar doses of imipramine (IP) and three catatoxic steroids, pregnenolone-16alpha-carbonitrile (PCN), spironolactone (SNL) and dexamethasone (DEXA), on hepatic mixed-function oxidases were investigated in female rats. Liver weight and N-demethylation of IP and amitriptyline (AMI) were significantly increased by 3 days of catatoxic steroid pretreatment. Repeated prior administration of IP enhanced N-demethylase activity and 9000g supernate protein, but diminished hepatic weight.


Microlesions on rumen papillae of sheep fed diets of wheat grain.

Scanning electron microscope evidence of microlesions on the rumen papillae of lambs fed a wheat grain diet is presented. These represent an early and previously unrecognised stage of rumenitis.


Further studies concerning the toxicity of ingested ergot sclerotia (Claviceps purpurea) to young and growing pigs.

In three experiments pigs were offered diets contaminated with milled ergot sclerotia. In a metabolism study 0-5 per cent (w/w) of American wheat ergot decreased urinary nitrogen losses and improved the efficiency of nitrogen retention. When early weaned piglets ingested a diet contaminated with 2-5 per cent of the ergot, feed intake was reduced and growth rate decreased. Reduction in growth rate was also evident in growing pigs given a diet containing ergotised English wheat. These latter pigs had lesions in stomach, intestine and liver, consistent with a toxic insult. With respect to feed intake and growth these results agreed with those of an earlier study, although a toxic response was produced by a lower dosage rate and there was additional internal evidence of toxicity. Improved nitrogen retention was contrary to earlier evidence at higher dose rates but may merely reflect a tonic action which, at higher doses, becomes toxic.


Isolation of encapsulated strains of Staphylococcus aureus from bovine mastitis milk.

Among 1598 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis milk samples, 19 exhibited a diffuse-type growth using the serum-soft agar (SSA) technique. By the application of a capsular typing method using the SSA technique, they could be separated into five different serological types. Mouse virulence of individual strains varied significantly. Two strains showed high mouse virulence but the majority showed relatively low virulence or were avirulent. The avirulent strains and those of low virulence were capable of absorbing protective antibodies from rabbit antisera to type strains of human encapsulated S aureus. These results suggested that encapsulated strains of S aureus may play a part in the pathogenesis of bovine mastitis.


Fusiform erythrocytes resembling sickle cells in angora goats: light and electron microscopic observations.

Fresh blood from nine mature non-pregnant angora goats was found to contain a varying proportion of spindle-shaped, fusiform, triangular, pear-shaped, and other bizarre forms of erythrocytes in addition to normal discoid biconcave erythrocytes. The number of spindled and fusiform erythrocytes varied from 2 to 66 per cent, with two goats having such cells in excess of 50 per cent. Other aberrant forms of erythrocytes ranged from 3 to 54 per cent. Although the aberrant erythrocytes seemed to be present intravascularly, all goats studied were clinically normal and exhibited no other haematological abnormality. Light and electron microscopic observations indicated that polymerisation of haemoglobin in the form of longitudinal tubular fibres was responsible for conferring the fusiform and spindle shapes to erythrocytes, a phenomenon akin to that seen in sickle-shaped human and deer erythrocytes.


Babesia major in Britain: infectivity for cattle of cryopreserved parasites derived from Haemaphysalis punctata nymphs.

Babesia major-infected Haemaphysalis punctata nymphs, prefed for four days on rabbits, were ground in a modified Eagle's minimum essential medium containing N-2 hydroxyethylpiperazine-N1-ethane-sulphonic acid (HEPES) buffer using sterile sand or ground glass as triturating agents. The resultant supernatant fluids were shown to be infective for splenectomised calves. When attempts were made to cryopreserve the fluids using either dimethyl sulphoxide or glycerol to a final concentration of 10 per cent, only the former successfully maintained the intravenous infectivity of the organisms released by grinding with glass. A cooling rate of approximately 1 degrees C/min resulted in successful cryopreservation but a more rapid cooling rate did not.


Half-life, apparent volume of distribution and protein-binding for some sulphonamides in cows.

The half-lives, apparent volume of distribution and protein-binding of 11 sulphonamides were determined in 89 experiments on 49 cows. The estimations of half-lives indicated the presence of a distribution phase (alpha-phase) for all the sulphonamides investigated with the exception of sulphachloropyridazine. The elimination half-life (beta-phase) of the sulphonamides in plasma varied from 70 to 1000 min and was positively correlated with the solubility of the compounds in organic solvents. This was explained by the greater reabsorption of the more fat-soluble compounds in the kidneys. All the sulphonamides except sulphadimidine had a shorter half-life in cows than previously reported from human investigations. The apparent volume of distribution was about one for sulphanilamide and lower for all the other sulphonamides investigated. The protein-binding estimated in vitro agreed well with the in vivo results. It was slightly lower than in humans and the degree of protein-binding decreased with increasing sulphonamide concentration in plasma.


Bovine leptospirosis: experimental infection of pregnant heifers with a strain belonging to the Hebdomadis serogroup.

Twenty pregnant heifers were inoculated with a leptospire of the Hebdomadis serogroup. Leptospiraemia was accompanied by pyrexia which lasted from one to five days. Sixteen animals had relapses of fever. One of these aborted and two produced weak calves, one of which was premature. In the heifers, leptospires localised in the placentae, where they were demonstrable for 14-60 days after inoculation, and in the renal tubules for as long as 174 days. They were also demonstrated in liver, kidney and lung from the aborted fetus. Antibodies were detected in susceptible heifers six days after inoculation and maximum titres of up to 1:100,000 developed between 11 and 21 days. A titre of 1:10 was demonstrated in the serum of a premature live calf. These findings indicated that leptospires of the Hebdomadis group were capable of causing abortion in cattle.


The lens epithelium of American cocker spaniels with inherited and non-inherited lens cataracts.

The normal lens epithelium of American cocker spaniels exhibits a monolayer of cells similar to that seen in other animals. The lens epithelium from spaniels with presumed inherited cataracts shows a lack of cell division and a decrease in cell density. Lens epithelial preparations from spaniels with presumed non-inherited cataracts show a multilayering of cells with several mitotic figures.


Post-transfusion purpura in a pig.

A pig which was being immunised with thrombocytes from another pig developed thrombocytopenia and purpura. This appears to be analogous to the post-transfusion purpura syndrome which has been reported in humans and it is suggested that similar systems in pigs could be useful models for experimental studies on the human condition.


Attachment of Mycoplasma gallisepticum to the tracheal epithelium of fowls.

An electron microscopical study of fowl trachea infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum showed slight to moderate changes at the cellular level. Mycoplasmas were demonstrated extra-cellularly and showed triple membranes, intracytoplasmic spaces, fibrillar nuclear areas and blebs. Blebs were seen attached to the plasma membrane of the epithelial cells.


Cytotoxic antibody in the serum of cattle with squamous cell carcinoma.

Sera from two cattle with ocular squamous cell carcinomas were cytotoxic for two different cultures of cells derived from bovine ocular squamous cell carcinomas. Sera from normal cattle, and from one tumour-bearing animal, were not cytotoxic. Cytotoxicity could be demonstrated in vitro only in the presence of guinea-pig complement.


Head injury admissions to a teaching hospital.

A prospective study of head injury admissions to a city teaching hospital over one year has shown that most were minor. Of the 918 patients, 85% were discharged within 48 hours, only 3% required definitive neurosurgical care, and the overall mortality was 2%. Most cases came to hospital after 5.00 p.m. especially at the weekend. Head injuries accounted for almost one-third of emergency admissions to male general surgical wards.


Drug information centres: new role for pharmacists?

In the last few decades there has been a great increase in the number of new drugs available for general use. In consequence, drug information centres have been developed, particularly in U.S.A., to disseminate information on the uses, toxicity and cost of these drugs. Such centres have been slower to appear in the United Kingdom, with the exception of certain specialised centres, e.g. Poisons Information Bureaux. The present report describes the development of a drug information centre in Glasgow and gives preliminary data on its use during the last year. It is proposed that such centres provide a valuable aid in encouraging rational drug use particularly in hospitals. The centres may be run by a variety of interested personnel but in our view the professional group most likely to fill this role adequately is hospital pharmacists.


Evidence for abnormal heart induction in cardiac-mutant salamanders (Ambystoma mexicanum).

Homozygosity for simple recessive gene c in axolotl embryos results in the absence of a heartbeat. Gene c alters the morphology of the mutant anterior endoderm - the primary heart inductor.


Suckling as incentive to instrumental learning in preweanling rats.

Neonatal rats as young as 7 days of age learned, reversed, and retained a left-right discrimination with a nonlactating nipple as the incentive. These results have implications for the ontogeny of associative processes and for their neurological and neurochemical mediators.


Heteromorphic sex chromosomes in male rainbow trout.

A pair of subtelocentric chromosomes differs in the size of the short arm in male, but not female, rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). The morphological similarity of the X and Y chromosomes, and the observation of Y chromosomes intermediate between the X and normal Y, suggest that the sex chromosomes are at an early stage of differentiation in this species.


Hibernation and body weight in dormice: a new type of endogenous cycle.

Under conditions unfavorable to hibernateion (22 degrees C), the body-weight cycles of dormice are only a few weeks long, but under conditions in which dormice hibernate (5 degrees C), the cycles can last many months; the more the animals hibernate, the longer are the cycles. Such cycles contrast with the relative independence from torpor of the period of circannual cycles in other hibernating rodents and with the temperature compensation of circannual and circadian cycles in general.


Lesch-Nyhan syndrome: low dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity and diminished sympathetic response to stress and posture.

Patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome with virtually no hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase activity demonstrate significantly low plasma activity of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase but normal basal levels of norepinephrine. Under conditions of emotional or postural stress the plasma concentrations of norepinephrine in Lesch-Nyhan patients increased less than in a normal population.


The cell membrane sodium pump as a mechanism for increasing thermogenesis during cold acclimation in rats.

Increased sodium pump activity is a major component of enhanced tissue thermogenesis in skeletal muscle, liver, and kidney of cold-acclimated rats. The sodium pump may play a major role in the thermoregulatory heat production during cold adaptation in mammals.


Lithium ion entry through the sodium channel of cultured mouse neuroblastoma cells: a biochemical study.

Lithium ion entry at low concentrations (1 to 5 mM) into an electrically active adrenergic clone of mouse neuroblastoma cells was stimulated by veratridine; and this stimulation was blocked by tetrodotoxin, These data provide biochemical evidence that lithium ions enter by way of the sodium channel which may be a major pathway for entry of this ion into electrically active cells.


Duchenne dystrophy: alteration in muscle plasma membrane structure.

Freeze fracture studies of skeletal muscle from eight patients with Duchenne dystrophy showed nonuniform distribution and depletion of particles on both protoplasmic and extracellular faces of the muscle plasma membrane. The findings support the view that the muscle surface membrane is abnormal in this disorder and indicate that alterations are present in the internal molecular architecture of the membrane.