Meningioma and intracranial hemangiopericytoma. A comparative electron microscopic study.

Electron microscopic study of 2 intracranial hemangiopericytomas and 7 meningiomas revealed fundamental morphologic differences between the 2 neoplasms. The most significant finding in hemangiopericytoma was the presence of ultrastructure features suggesting leiomyoblastic differentiation. These included characteristic fusiform intracytoplasmic and submembranous dense bodies, abundant cytoplasmic filaments, elongated cells with blunt-ended nuclei and juxtanuclear polarization of organelles. This observation is considered highly significant as an indicator of the pericytic nature of this tumor. In addition, hemangiopericytoma cells sometimes were arranged in spirals around pools of basement membrane-like material, perhaps a manifestation of the biologic capability of the cells to synthetize such material. Meningioma cells displayed as their main feature an ability to produce surface membrane specializations including interdigitations, desmosomes, zonulae adhaerentes and gap functions. Sometimes the last 3 elements were linearly juxtaposed forming junctional complexes similar to those seen in certain epithelia. It is suggested that the characteristic whorls of meningioma are the result of cell interconnections arising from the specialized junctional attachments. Thus the distinctive morphology of the 2 neoplasms appears to derive from basic biologic properties of their elements.


The effect of undernutrition on spinal ganglion nerve cell size. A morphometric study on rat.

In previous investigations on rat it has been shown that prenatally instituted undernutrition leads to an irreversibly impaired calibre growth in sensory fibres of the peripheral as well as the central nervous system. A study was made on the increase in size of spinal ganglion nerve cells of normal and undernourished rats. Although the undernourished rats weighted only 50% of the controls no differences in spinal ganglion nerve cell size were found in the four age groups examined, i.e. rats 20, 60, 90 and 180 days of age.


Sensory neuropathy produced in the cat with thallous acetate.

A method of poisoning cats with thallium is described. The chief functional disturbances in the nervous system are hypotonia and ataxia. The pathological changes are confined to the central and peripheral axons of primary sensory neurones and are of the 'dying back' type. No motor nerve fibre degeneration was found in this species. While extensive degeneration of sensory nerves was found, those in muscle were apparently unaffected. The significance of this anomalous finding is discussed in relation to the mechanism of the 'dying back' process.


Multiple system degeneration and involving thalamus, reticular formation, pallido-nigral, pallido-luysian and dentato-rubral systems. A case report.

An autopsy case of multiple system degeneration is characterized by the following; (1) progressive dementia and abnormal sleep patterns, followed by Parkinsonian symptoms with terminal akinetic mutism; (2) severe symmetrical degeneration in the thalamus, particularly nucl. medialis thalami, the reticular formation of the brain stem, also the pallidonigral, pallido-Luysian and dentato-rubral systems. As far as we known, there is no case in the literature, of combined system degeneration, which shows such a wide anatomical range of lesions as the present one. Clinico-pathological correlation between dementia and degeneration of the thalamus, and between abnormal sleep-consciousness mechanism and degeneration of the reticular formation are discussed. The extrapyramidal symptoms are discussed from the clinico-pathological aspect. In addition, peculiar eosinophilic bodies are described, which were most frequently found in the putamen.


Spastic paraplegia with neurogenic amyotrophy manifesting ballooned axons in sural nerve.

A 21-year-old man had progressive symmetric, distal muscle atrophy and weakness, as well as spasticity of the limbs. Histologic examination of the sural nerve disclosed swollen axons containing membranous tubular profiles, ring tubules, large mitochondria with abnormal cristae, and glycogen like granules. Peripheral sensory nerve fibers also were affected. The pathologic features of the peripheral nerves were similar to those of infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy. Sural nerve biopsy may be useful in the study of pathologic processes in spastic paraplegia.


Further observation on the fine structure of a colloid cyst of the third ventricle.

The fine structure of a surgically excised colloid cyst is described. The cyst was lined by ciliated and nonciliated columnar cells. The nonciliated cells contained secretory material and had a surface coating. In addition, a third type of smaller cell was seen wedged between the columnar cells and abutting on the basement membrane. These cells contained abundant free ribosomes and tonofilaments and displayed well developed desmosomes and half desmosomes. The cyst lining closely resembled the upper respiratory epithelium rather than neuroepithelium, thus supporting the contention that colloid cysts are derived from an endodermal source.


Experimental spongy degeneration in calves.

Experimental reproduction and ultrastructural findings of spongy degeneration of the central nervous system of hyperammonemic calves are described. Hyperammonemia was produced by intravenous infusion of ammonium acetate. Histologic findings were stereotyped in all calves and characterized by widespread vacuolation of white and grey matter of the brain spinal cord. Electron microscopy revealed widespread intramyelinic vacuoles, some expansion of extracellular spaces and swollen mitochondria. There were minimal changes in neurons, axons and glia, and little evidence of myelin breakdown. Hyperammonemia may be one of the pathogeneses involved in the CNS spongy degeneration in man and domestic animals effected with hepatocerebral diseases and some hereditary disorders.


Clofibrate-induced myopathy in the rat.

Rats were given daily injections of 0.2 or 0.5 g/kg chlorophenoxyisobutyrate (clofibrate) for 9 to 46 days. Lower leg muscles were studied with light and electron microscopy. Daily treatment with 0.5 g/kg of the drug for 26--46 days caused myopathic changes.


Post-irradiation pituitary sarcoma.

A fibrosarcoma developed in the pituitary fossa of a patient who had been irradiated 13 years previously for treatment of pituitary adenoma. The tumor was a large aggressively growing spindle cell neoplasm which eroded adjacent structures, causing increased intracranial pressure, and eventual cerebellar tonsillar herniation. In common with previously described post-irradiation sarcoma of the pituitary, this lesion developed in the path of irradiation after a long latent period, did not metastasize, and contained histologically recognizable benign appearing pituitary adenoma interspersed among the spindle cell tumor. The dose of radiation (5000 rads) also lay within the range associated with sarcomatous transformation.


Ascites tumour NK/Ly as a model of the growth of malignant lymphoma in the brains of mice.

The NK/Ly ascites tumour inoculated into the brain of a mouse is well adapted and grows, causing clinical symptoms similar to a primary tumour of the brain. The clinical and histological features of the cerebral growth of the NK/Ly tumor (Nemeth-Kellner Lymphoma, 1960) are discribed. These features entitle us to treat NK/Ly tumour growth, transplated into the brains of mice as a model of malignant lymphoma in the C.N.S.


Experimentally induced round window membrane lesions.

This investigation confirmed previous studies indicating that the middle and inner ear of the guinea pig have a pronounced tendency to healing. Middle ear hemorrhage of surgical origin appears to stop quickly in the guinea pig. A surgically created perforation of the round window with or without removal of perilymphatic fluid by suction resulted in a spontaneous healing of the round window membrane in 12/13 animals. Perilymphatic hemorrhage, associated with short post-surgical interval was found in a substantial number of cases. The origin of the perilymphatic hemorrhage is doubtful. Degeneration of the organ of Corti was found in four ears in three animals and appeared to be correlated to the perilymphatic hemorrhage. Electrophysiological measurements appeared to correlate well with the anatomical findings for one animal with very small changes and for three animals with pronounced middle and inner ear pathology. In three additional animals less agreement was observed. In general these animals showed a more pronounced decrease of function than would be expected by the anatomy.


Acoustic measures for detecting laryngeal pathology.

Perturbations in the fundamental pitch and in the peak amplitude of the acoustic signal derived with a contact microphone system were investigated for the purpose of developing useful measures for the detection of laryngeal pathology. Sixty-three patients with various laryngeal pathologies and 31 normal subjects were studied. In 14 cases high speed motion pictures of the larynx were taken in order to examine the physiological mechanisms giving rise to the perturbations in the acoustic signal. The collected acoustic data were statistically processed, and a "critical ellipse" was computed for each subject category. The significance of the concept of a "normal standard" was discussed. It was pointed out that the physiological mechanisms for the acoustic perturbations were rather complicated and that many physiological aspects may have to be taken into account. The need for basic physiological research in relation to pathologic speech production was emphasized.


Influence of temperature and decreased water content of inspired air on the ciliated bronchial epithelium. A physiological and electron microscopical study.

Experiments have been carried out on the bronchi and intrapulmonary airways of rats in vitro, to determine the physiological effects of air with water content (WC) of: 2.19 mg/1 (5% RH (relative humidity) 37 degrees C), 8.77 mg/1 (20% RH, 37 degrees C), 24.13 mg/1 (50% RH, 37 degrees C) and 30.71 mg/1 (70% RH, 37 degrees C) on ciliary beat frequency; and also, the morphological effect of air at temperatures of 30, 40 and 48 degrees at a constant WC of 28.0 mg/l on the ciliated epithelium. The results showed that (i) ciliary beat frequency decreased with decreasing WC and irreversible ciliostasis was reached sooner, the lower the WC value; (ii) ciliary beat frequency was not significantly affected above 24 mg/l; (iii) 45 min and 90 min exposure at 30 degrees C caused an enormous increase in the depth of the mucus film. The cilia and the epithelial cells did not differ from the controls at 40 degrees C; (iv) in airways exposed for 45 min at 48 degrees C, the cilia appeared to be in total disarray. Some were clustered together in whirling arrangements, while others were detached from their bases. The substructure and the cytoplasm of the cells on the surface and in the deeper layers, appeared to have been destroyed; (v) after 90 min at 48 degrees C, the damage to all structures had progressed. Only isolated tissue or cytoplasmic elements were perceptible.


Firing pattern of motor units in the vocal muscle during phonation.

Electromyographic activity of the vocal muscle was analysed in 10 subjects during the phonation of different vowels and with different voice pitches. Analysis of the firing pattern of single or a few motor units was performed with the aid of an amplitude discriminator on the computer. The firing rate increases with increasing voice pitch (in the region co-ho the decrease of mean interspike interval with the slope 30-40 msec/octave was found). In the firing pattern of several motor units the periodicity was observed to be correlated with the voice pitch. The period of 8 msec corresponding H, 123 Hz, decreased to about 6 msec during phonation of do, 147 Hz. The periodicity was present both in units with pure prephonatory activity and in units which were active during phonation. It seems possible that the activity in the vocal muscle changes characteristically during the phonation of different vowels.


[Surface of the olfactory region in man observed by scanning electron microscope].

This report describes the surface of the regio olfactoria of a 25-year-old man as observed in the scanning electron-microscope. Corresponding to the distal ends of the receptor cells, the surface displays various planes: (a) Upper-most is a film of mucus of varying thickness. (b) The olfactory hairs, which are arranged closely together, mostly in a parallel fashion in layers, dip into this mucus film. The long, distal parts of the olfactory hairs are of a rather uniform shape and form, together with the mucus film, a single functional unit. (c) Now follows a layer consisting of the short parts of the olfactory hairs. They branch from the olfactory vesiculae, mostly in a stellar fashion (5-12 on one vesicula) and arch themselves, after a short course, into the mucus film. (d) There then follows the plane of the olfactory vesiculae, mostly bulbous, partly club- and pyramidal in shape. (e) After that comes the plane of the microvilli receptors, which have about 100 or more villi on one cell. (f) Right at the bottom is the apical surface of the supporting cells, different in size, showing microvilli in a regularly arranged pattern. Because of the various planes of the surface of the olfactory region and because of the close situation of the long, distal parts of the olfactory hairs and their rather uniform shape, one could assume, from observations in the scanning electron microscope, that the olfactory-active molecules react immediately with the functional unit of mucus film and long distal parts of the olfactory hairs, so that for the different sense of smell, a quite different structure of the olfactory-active molecules must be assumed as a different shape of the distal ends of the olfactory receptors.


The effect of high level sound on hearing sensitivity, cochlear sensorineuroepithelium and vasculature of the chinchilla.

Ten young chinchilla were tested for hearing and then exposed for 8 hours to a 110 dB (SPL) broad-band noise. Post-stimulation recovery was assessed daily until permanent threshold shifts were obtained. Cochlear tissues were prepared in order to allow viewing of sensory cells as well as the vascular supply of the cochlea. Findings included inconsistent displacement of the vestibular membrane, poor injection of a contrast medium into vessels, moderate outer hair cell loss and displaced inner hair cell nuclei. Small basal turn cell damage was accompanied by greater than expected losses for high frequency pure tones.


Comparative surface studies of ototoxic effects of various aminoglycoside antibiotics on the organ of Corti in the guinea pig. A scanning electron microscopic study.

It was the purpose of this study to establish criteria for use in comparing the toxic effects of aminoglycosid antibiotics on the organ of Corti by means of scanning electron microscopy. Amikacin, Tobramycin and Gentamicin were administered twice a day subcutaneously for 10 days to healthy guinea pigs. One group of animals was sacrificed 1 day after completion of the treatment; the other group was allowed to survive 22 days. Depending upon the dosage of the administered drug, Amikacin (150 mg per kg body weight daily, corresponding to 10 times an average recommended human dose) caused pronounced outer hair cell damage even 1 day after the treatment was stopped. At this time Gentamicin and Tobramycin (150 mg per kg body weight daily, corresponding to 50 times an average human dose) showed less damage. After 22 days' survival, late toxic effects were found mainly in Gentamicin- and Tobramycin-treated animals. After 3 weeks, nearly total outer hair cell loss was found in the basal coil, while the 2nd and 3rd coils were often less severely damaged. At this time Amikacin-treated animals showed severe damage in all coils. 300 mg per kg body weight Amikacin (i.e. 20 times the average human dose) showed about the same toxic effect on sensory cells of the guinea pig as did 150 mg Gentamicin or Tobramycin per kg body weight. We are conscious of the fact that there are problems in correlating the weight of a drug and its probable toxic effect. In comparative animal experiments we consider it useful to standardize the time of exposure, the amount of drug administered (e.g. related to the human dose) and the survival time.


Socio-psychological factors and metabolic control in juvenile diabetes.

The influence of exogenous and environmental factors on metabolic control was studied in 58 insulin treated juvenile diabetics, 6-17 years of age. Duration of diabetes varied between 3-14 years and age at onset of diabetes between 1-13 years. The social situation as well as knowledge about and attitudes towards diabetes among the patients and their parents were estimated by interviews, questionnaires and special tests. The quality of the diet, exercise and insulin treatment was assessed. An index of diabetic control was calculated on the basis of the patients daily urinalysis made at home. Multiple regression analysis and a special statistical "instrumental" variable technique were used in an effort to analyse the correlations between all variables. The social situation of the diabetic children was comparable with that of other Swedish children, but many parents felt the economic burden of the diabetic treatment as a problem. Knowledge tests showed that 25% of the parents and 62% of the patients above 12 years had unsatisfactory knowledge about diabetes. However, 93% of the patients seemed to have predominantly positive attitudes towards the treatment. Severe psychological problems had occurred in 7 cases. Food habits were appropriate among 21% of the patients and 26% had very regular exercise customs. Physical exercise seemed to be the most important of the exogenous factors for the diabetic control (p less than 0.001). Among teenagers knowledge was positively correlated to positive attitudes which in turn were positively correlated to physical exercise. Instrumental variable technique gave further indications of a positive influence of knowledge on control, and the correlation between diabetic control on one hand and knowledge combined with positive attitudes on the other was significantly positive. The results emphasize the importance of assisting young diabetic patients and their families in their socio-psychological adaptation to the strains of diabetic therapy.


Metabolic disorder of otoconia after streptomycin intoxication.

Little is known about the origin or the metabolism of otoconia. Streptomycin sulfate was found to cause a decrease in their number on the otolithic membrane of the utricle and saccule in guinea pigs. The remaining otoconia on the otolithic membrane varied in shape and size and giant otoconia with multilayered arrangement were observed by means of a scanning electron microscope. These otoconia contained the normal amount of calcium in the form of standard calcium calcite crystal. The lost otoconia were found attached to the surface of some vestibular dark cells. Otoconia in this new position were irregular, shrunken or fragmented. Their calcium content, measured with an X-ray micro-analyzer, was variably diminished. The dark cells appeared to be actively engaged in absorption of calcium ions, from the attached otoconia. The dark cell is considered to be a receptacle for the disposal of otoconia.


Blood pressure in children and adolescents.

Blood pressure (BP) levels were recorded in 2223 male and 2205 female children and adolescents ranging in age from 7 to 18 years. In addition, 521 male adults (soldiers) ranging in age from 21 to 25 years were included in the study. Children and adolescents who participated in the survey were selected at random the Elementary and High Schools. The results of the study showed that a gradual increase occurred in the systolic, as well as in the diastolic component of blood pressure from 7 to 18 years of age. By contrast, there was no increase with age in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the young male adult subjects, who had BP measurements comparable to those observed in children. A child was characterized as hypertensive according to the criteria outlined by Master et al. Children with BP between the 90th and the 95th percentile were considered as suspect hypertensive, whereas those with BP exceeding the 95th percentile were considered definitely hypertensive. The overall incidence of hypertension in children in this survey was 3.1%.


Endocrine aspects of trisomy 4p.

The main endocrinological parameters were investigated in two sisters affected with trisomy 4p. Our findings rule out any impairment of the endocrine system in this rare syndrome, even in those cases in which stunting of growth is more pronounced. The marked weight deficit in one of the two patients had no relationship to the chromosomal anomaly; it was determined by the association of a deficit of immunoglobulin with a Giardia Lamblia infestation.


Fine structure of the medial and descending vestibular nuclei in normal rats and after unilateral transection of the vestibular nerve.

Cells and neuropil are of similar structure in the descending and medial vestibular nuclei. Two cell types were found: small neurons and larger cells. Three  types of axon terminals have been defined: small and large terminals containing spherical vesicles (SV) and terminals with elongated vesicles (EV). Small SV terminals contact perikarya and dendrites, whereas large SV terminals contact fine dendritic branches. EV terminals contact neurons at perikarya and large as well as small dendritic profiles. SV terminals can be presynaptic to EV terminals. Vestibular nerve transection resulted in degeneration of small SV terminals which were found from the first to fifth postoperative day in the ipsilateral nuclei. Glycogen granules were found in various types of axon terminals bilaterally in the vestibular nuclei 3-5 days after right vestibular transection. They were not observed in normal animals or in degenerating vestibular afferent terminals.


Continuous negative chest-wall pressure therapy for assisting ventilation in older children with progressive respiratory insufficiency.

Continuous negative chest-wall pressure (CNP) was used to assist ventilation in 14 children, 6 months to 14 years of age, who had progressive respiratory insufficiency caused by diffuse bilateral alveolar disease. Before the start of CNP therapy, each child had a respiratory rate greater than 50/min, arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) less than 70 mmHg (FIO2 greater than or equal to 50%), and arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) less than 45 mmHg. The mean intrapulmonary right-to-left shunt was 28.7 +/- 3.8%. Within 6 hours after therapy was started, PaO2 increased from 55.4 +/- 15.9 to 81.6 +/-17.7 mmHg (p less than 0.005). This improvement was sustained and within 24 hours permitted a decrease in fractional concentration inspired oxygen (FIO2) from 51.8 +/- 6.2 to 41.0 +/- 8.4% (p less than 0.001) and in respiratory rate from 78.1 +/-23.0 to 56.4 +/- 21.3 (p less than 0.01). There was a concomitant decrease in intrapulmonary right-to-left shunt. Four of the 14 patients developed pneumothorax that was successfully decompressed. Ten patients survived. These observations establish CNP therapy as an effective means of improving arterial oxygenation in spontaneously breathing older children. Of added significance, this mode of therapy eliminates the need for endotracheal intubation and prolonged use of muscle relaxants and sedatives. It also minimizes exposure to high FIO2, thereby minimizing the hazards of pulmonary oxygen toxicity.


Atopic disease in seven-year-old children. Incidence in relation to family history.

The incidence of atopic disease and its relation to the family history was studied by questionnaire in 1325 children, 7 years of age. A higher incidence of bronchial asthma (2.7%) was found than in a previous Swedish study. The total incidence of atopic disease in the children was 15.1% with a higher level when there was a double parental history of such disease (42.6%) as compared with a single such history (19.8%). When both parents had an identical type of atopic disease, i.e. respiratory or skin, the incidence of atopic disease was higher (72.2%) than when non-identical types occurred in the parents (20.8%). The findings support theories of a polygenic transmission of atopic disease as well as a genetic influence on symptom specificity in such disease and may be of value in genetic counselling.


Response of single Purkinje neurons in the flocculus of albino rabbits to caloric stimulation.

The response of Purkinje neurons of the flocculus to caloric stimulation was investigated in the Urethane-chlorarose anesthetized rabbit. Twenty-five of 37 flocculus neurons which responded to ipsilateral caloric stimulation showed an increase in firing response, while 12 neurons showed a decrease. Fifteen of 28 flocculus neurons which responded to contralateral caloric stimulation showed an increase, while the firing of 13 neurons was decreased. Forty-one percent of flocculus neurons responded to ipsilateral caloric stimulation, and 41% responded to caloric stimulation of both sides. Eighteen percent of flocculus neurons responded only to contralateral stimulation. The ipsilateral flocculus may thus be responsible for the major control of the primary vestibular signal flow in the cerebellum.


Normal values in a routine ENG test.

A total of 50 normal subjects were examined by electronystagmography for spontaneous and positional nystagmus. In this way the normal limit of the speed of the slow phase was determined to be 6.5 degrees/sec. By examining 15 of the subjects twice, the normal limit of the mean value of the two results was determined to be 4.5 degrees/sec. Forty-nine of the subjects were calorically tested, using 30 degrees and 44 degrees C stimulation. The results were calculated as indices expressing the degree of unilateral hypofunction and directional preponderance relative to the total caloric excitability. The results were evaluated for the duration of and for the maximum eye speed of the slow phase. The normal limits were determined as the mean value +/- twice the standard deviation. Our results indicate that a left-side hypofunction is a normal phenomenon and that duration and maximum eye speed of the slow phase reflect different aspects of the vestibular function.


On the source of lipase activity in gastric contents.

--A convenient assay procedure for determination of the activity of pharyngeal lipase (gastric content lipase), using a long chain triglyceride as substrate, is described. Lipase activity in extracts of rat tongue, salivas collected from the upper esophageal pouch from two human newborns with congenital esophageal atresia and in gastric content obtained from an infant with pyloric stenosis were studied. Optimal lipase activities of the three enzyme sources were found in the same pH-range. During hydrolysis the composition of the products formed were also similar. The data presented indicate that at least some of the lipase activity which is responsible for lipolysis in the stomach of the newborn, originates in pregastric tissues.


The foam stability test on gastric aspirate in the prediction of respiratory distress syndrome.

To evaluate the usefulness of the foam stability test (FST) on gastric aspirate for predicting respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants, samples were collected at delivery or within 30 min from 194 infants less than or equal to 36 weeks gestation. Of 123 samples adequate for complete testing, 44 were positive at 1 : 2 dilution, 43 were positive only at dilutions less than 1 : 2 and 36 were negative at all dilutions. RDS was found in 2%, 21% and 25% of each group respectively. The FST on gastric aspirate at birth gives useful information only if positive at 1 : 2 when a very low incidence of RDS may be expected. However, a large proportion of infants with FST negative at 1 : 1 do not develop RDS, and hence the test is of limited value in screening for those with highest risk.


Effect of early and late cord clamping on the systolic time intervals of the newborn infant.

The effect of early and late cord clamping on the left ventricular performance of the newborn infant was assessed by measuring the systolic time intervals from the indirect carotid pulse tracings and simultaneous phonocardiogram and electrocardiogram. The study was performed in 13 normal, full-term infants sequentially at 20-105 min, 6-6 1/2 hrs, and 24-27 hrs of age. The umbilical cords were clamped early in 7 (E.C.) and clamped late in 6 infants (L.C.). The ratio of the pre-ejection period (PEP) to the left ventricular ejection time (LVET) was found to be significantly higher in the L.C. infants (mean +/- S.E., 0.400 +/- 0.18, 0.433 +/- 0.018, 0.410 +/- 0.021) compared with those of the E.C. (0.334 +/- 0.010, 0.347 +/- 0.009, 0.361 +/- 0.007) with p values of less than 0.01, less than 0.005 and less than 0.05, respectively in the three examination periods. The higher PEP/LVET ratios in the L.C. infants were mainly attributable to a prolongation of the PEP. It is suggested that late cord clamping, by allowing a sizable placental transfusion, appeared to affect adversely the left ventricular performance of the neonate. Furthermore, it is suggested that in evaluating systolic time intervals of the neonate during the first days of life, the volumic state or status of placental transfusion should be taken into consideration as a determinant.


Effect of age on human adipose tissue metabolism and hormonal responsiveness.

The effects of age and fat cell size on the metabolism of white human adipose tissue were analysed independently. Abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue specimens were obtained from children varying in age from 0-15 years and from adults (mean age +/- S.D.; 38.2 +/- 14.1 years). The basal rates of lipolysis and glucose incorporation into lipids were considerably higher in children than in adults even when differences in fat cell size had been taken into account. Lipolysis in response to a maximal concentration of noradrenalin was higher in fat cells from children. However, on a percentage basis the responsiveness to this agent was similar in children and adults. Irrespective of age, glucagon did not elicit a lipolytic response. Thus, it does not seem that the increased lipolysis known to occur in vivo in the neonatal period is due to a direct effect of glucagon on white adipose tissue. However, the overall lipolytic capacity is increased in fat cells from children.


Screening for autosomal aberrations.

A method of screening for autosomal aberrations is important as an indication for chromosome analysis such as that used in sex-chromatin examination for sex chromosome aberrations. In our clinic, malformed patients with mental retardation and abnormal dermatoglyphic patterns are strong suspects for autosomal aberrations. Abnormal dermatoglyphic patterns are separated into two categories: (1) Absolutely abnormal--radial loop of 1st finger, radial loop of 4th finger, radial loop of 5th finger, arch over 6 fingers, arch tibial, loop tibial, and arch fibular; (2) Borderline abnormalities--high axial triradius (t' and t"), simian crease, interdigital loop, and single crease of 5th finger. Of 416 cases showing malformation, retardation, and abnormal dermatoglyphics, 308 had autosomal aberrations, while 108 had normal karyotypes. In the group with autosomal aberrations, 279 patients (90.6%) had absolutely abnormal dermatoglyphics. In the group with normal karyotypes only 8 patients (7.4%) had absolutely normal dermatoglyphics, while most had abnormal dermatoglyphics in the borderline category. These clinical manifestations: absolutely abnormal dermatoglyphics, mental retardation, and malformations are therefore very useful in screening for autosomal aberrations.


Factors related to early termination of breast feeding. A retrospective study in Sweden.

In 1972, 298 mothers representative of the city of Uppsala in general breast fed their babies for only a brief period of time despite a clear wish to continue--36% up to 8 weeks. The most common reason for terminating breast feeding was that the "milk dried up" (66%). More precise reasons commonly mentioned were anxiety of all kinds, lack of motivation, stress, tiredness and work outside the home. It was further found that mothers who enjoyed their breast feeding, were well educated, were older than 25 years and belonged to social class 1, tended to breast feed longest.


An epidemiological study of haemoglobin levels in infancy in Jerusalem. The effect of social factors and the relation to physical growth.

The infant population of a mixed middle and low social class community in a western neighbourhood of Jerusalem has been examined for haemoglobin, haematocrit weight and length at 9 months of age. The mean haemoglobin has been 11.1 g/100 ml, the mean haematocrit 36.1 and the mean MCHC 31.1%. In most cases the anemia has been mild. Statistically significant differences in the mean haemoglobin have been found by social class of father and sex of the child. No statistically significant association has been found between birth weight, weight and length at 9 months and mean weight increment per week between birth and 9 months of age and haemoglobin. Lower levels of Hb have been demonstrated in the males by categories of birth weight and categories of weight increment.


Failure of determination of fetal lung maturation due to false-negative lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in a case of pierre robin syndrome.

A case is reported of a baby with Pierre Robin syndrome born at term with adequate lung maturity. The evaluation of fetal lung maturity before birth by means of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio and foam test in the amniotic fluid revealed immaturity of the lungs. Examination of the tracheal aspirate following delivery, however, showed adequate lung maturity in the neonate.


Echocardiographic diagnosis of an aneurysm of the membranous ventricular septum.

A patient with a small ventricular septal defect complicated by an aneurysm of the membranous ventricular septum is reported. The aneurysm was diagnosed by left ventricular angiocardiography and, non-invasively, by echocardiography. The clinical significance of the anomaly is discussed in relation to the pertinent literature.


Serum immunoglobulin levels in the course of anaphylactoid purpura in children.

Serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE) were determined at frequent intervals in the course of anaphylactoid purpura (AP) in children. AP was cured without complications in 16 out of 26 cases, recurring in 7 cases. Melena was manifested in 9 cases and nephropathy in 5. The levels of IgA and IgM were elevated in AP, but serum IgG, IgD and IgE showed no significant changes. The serum level of IgM was significantly (p less than 0.0125) higher in patients with AP nephropathy than in those with recent AP. The elevated serum IgA and IgM levels are possibly related to the pathogenesis of AP and/or its renal involvement.


Transepidermal water loss in newborn infants. I. Relation to ambient humidity and site of measurement and estimation of total transepidermal water loss.

Insensible water loss (IWL) is an important factor in the thermoregulation and water balance of the newborn infant. A method for direct measurement of the rate of evaporation from the skin surface has been developed. The method, which is based on determination of the vapour pressure gradient close to the skin surface, allows free evaporation. From measurements performed on 19 newborns placed in incubators, a linear relation was found between the evaporation rate (ER) and the humidity of the environment at a constant ambient temperature. A 40% lower ER was recorded at a high relative humidity (60%) than at a low one (20%) in the incubator. At measurements on different sites of the body, a high ER was observed on the face and peripheral parts of the extremities, while ER at other sites was relatively low. By determining ER from different parts of the body and calculating the areas of the corresponding surfaces, the total cutaneous insensible water loss for the infant in question could be obtained. The transepidermal water loss (TEWL) for the whole body surface area was calculated to be 8.1 g/m2h. On the basis of measurements performed it was found that the total cutaneous insensible water loss can be estimated with a reasonable degree of accuracy by recording ER from only three easily accessible measurement points.


Plasma-diazepam in infants after rectal administration in solution and by suppository.

Twenty infants aged 1-2 years who had previously had one attack of febrile convulsions were randomly given a single dose of diazepam rectally, either as a solution (0.7 mg/kg) or by suppository (5 mg). Plasma-diazepam levels were determined repeatedly during the first hour using gas chromatography. Rectal administration of diazepam in solution resulted in anticonvulsant plasma values within 4 +/- 1 min. Similar plasma levels were obtained only after 20-30 min in the group treated with suppositories. Diazepam in solution given rectally may therefore be useful in the acute treatment of febrile convulsions, while treatment by suppository would seem to be of little value in this respect. Moreover, diazepam in solution given rectally seems suitable for use at home in case of recurrent febrile convulsions. This treatment, however, cannot be recommended until the anticonvulsant effect and side-effects have been elucidated further.


Genetic-environmental interactions in physical growth.

Variability in stature among young children is often ascribed to health and nutrition differences in malnourished populations and to genetic differences in well-nourished populations. Hence, it was hypothesized that parent-child correlations in malnourished Guatemalan populations would be markedly lower than those reported for European samples. Instead, it was found that parent-child and sibling correlations were similar in both kinds of populations. The simplest interpretation of these results is that variability in stature among malnourished children is as much as reflection of genetic differences as in developed nations. However, explanations can also be advanced which would attribute the higher than expected correlations to the environment. For instance, it could be that socioeconomic and nutritional status is correlated across generations. In other words, parents who had relatively better conditions as children are more likely to provide a better environment for their children. Consequently, the relative contribution of genetics and environment to variability in height is still unsettled. Nonetheless, it appears that variability in body size in malnourished populations, regardless of the relative importance of its causes, is a useful indicator of health and nutrition.


The effectiveness of phenobarbital in the prevention of recurrent febrile convulsions in children with and without a history of pre-, peri- and postnatal abnormalities.

Three hundred children who had an initial febrile convulsion were divided into two groups. In one group were children with a single brief generalized initial febrile seizure and no history of pre-, peri- or postnatal abnormalities which might suggest the possibility of brain damage and in the other group those with such abnormalities and/or a "severe" initial febrile convulsion. Daily phenobarbital produced a significant decrease in febrile seizure recurrences in both groups, as compared to children who received phenobarbital at the onset of fever and no phenobarbital prophylaxis. "Intermitten" phenobarbital given at the onset of fever did not produce a significant difference in recurrence rate as compared with no phenobarbital.


Short colon malformation with imperforate anus.

Ten cases of a rare high anorectal malformation associated with short colon are presented. The significance of a large gas fluid level (occupying more than half of the abdominal cavity on invertogram) is stressed for pre-operative diagnosis. Terminal colostomy or ileostomy with disconnection of colo-vesical/colo-vaginal fistula has been considered the only adequate therapy. Associated congenital malformations have been responsible for high mortality in these patients.


Studies on maturity in newborn infants. IX. Further observations on the use of external characteristics in estimating gestational age.

A simple method for assessing maturity based on 8 external characteristics has previously been described. Some new results with the use of this method are now presented. The precision in estimating gestational age is sufficiently good, more than 95% of the infants were correctly estimated within +/- 3 weeks. Reducing the criteria to seven and thereby excluding the ophthalmoscopic examination did not significantly change the precision of the estimation. The examination based on external characteristics is a very simple and useful method for maturity assessment, even in sick newborn infants. Tables for transforming maturity score into gestational age are presented.


Treatment of septicaemia in the newborn infant: choice of initial antimicrobial drugs and the role of exchange transfusion.

The therapeutic success of antibiotics used at the beginning of treatment and the effect of exchange transfusion in cases of septicaemia were tested in 22 newborn infants. The clinical course of these patients was compared with the outcome of 11 newborn infants who received antibiotic treatment without exchange transfusion. The following results were obtained: 1) All 6 patients initially receiving antibiotics, which were ineffective in vitro, died. In this group of patients the incidence of septic organ involvements (meningitis, ventriculitis, peritonitis) was significantly increased. 2) Following exchange transfusion, an impressive clinical improvement was consistently observed. 3) In patients who had initially received effective antibiotics and exchange transfusion, the lethality was significantly lower than in patients without exchange transfusion. 4) Our bacteriological findings show that continuous monitoring of cultures from blood, CSF and stool is necessary to choose the most effective antibiotic in the prevailing nosocomical circumstances.


Pain cry in full-term asphyxiated newborn infants correlated with late findings.

115 pain-induced cries from 45 full-term newborn infants with pre- and perinatal asphyxia were analyzed by sound spectrographic methods. All the infants had signs of intrauterine asphyxia and Apgar score of 6 or less at 5 min. The mean birth weight was 3170 g. The pain cries were recorded before the age of 8 days, 83% of the cries before 3 days of age. The cry analysis was compared with the pain cries of 75 full-term, healthy newborn infants of corresponding birth weight and gestational age. The results showed significant differences between the cries of the asphyxiated newborn and the healthy infants. The duration of the phonation was shorter, the maximum and minimum pitch of the fundamental frequency was significantly higher. Bi-phonation and vibrato occurred more often, double harmonic break and glottal roll less often. An increase in rising, falling-rising and flat types of melody was observed. Retrospectively, the cries were more abnormal if the infant was found to be neurologically damaged at t he check-up at 2-8 years.


Cell-mediated immunity and immunoglobulin levels in light-for-date infants.

Cell-mediated immune response and circulating levels of immunoglobulins were studied in 75 full-term newborn babies. The results showed that though the immunoglobulin levels were not altered, cell-mediated immunity was significantly depressed in infants with birth weight less than 2 500 g and this may result in lowered resistance of infection.


Neonatal thyrotoxicosis.

Neonatal thyrotoxicosis is a transient hyperthyroidism in infants of mothers with current or previous thyrotoxicosis. The pathogenesis have been accepted to be placental transfer of maternal thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins. Of two siblings from a previous thyrotoxic mother the first had marked symptoms of thyrotoxicosis but during the second pregnancy antithyroid treatment was given to the mother and though the child had high levels of thyroid hormones for 6 weeks it had only minimal symptoms of thyrotoxicosis.


Aneurysm of the nonpatent ductus arteriosus in the newborn.

Aneurysm of the nonpatent ductus arteriosus in the newborn is a rare, but potentially fatal condition. Of reported ductal aneurysm up to 1969, diagnosis was made at autopsy only. We report here to our knowledge for the first time on a two week old infant with correct preoperative angiographic diagnosis followed by a successful surgical cure.


The Larsen syndrome and glial proliferation in the brain.

A case of the Larsen syndrome is reported in which postmortem examination of the brain revealed glial proliferation resembling tuberous sclerosis. The differential diagnosis of the syndrome and the possible significance of the lesions are discussed.


Primary cerebral melanomas. Report of six cases and a review of the literature.

Six cases of primary malignant melanoma of the leptomeninges and brain are reported. Three were diagnosed histologically at surgery, three at autopsy. Four presented as solitary brain tumours which is unusual compared to other reported cases. In all six there was infiltration of the leptomeninges which must be regarded as the site of origin. Three of the cases have had a relatively long survival, two of them have died 2 years after the operation, and the third patient is still alive 18 months after surgery. It is suggested that the frequency of these tumours is underestimated on account of their resemblance to astroblastomas and poorly differentiated astrocytomas, and because biopsies are not always taken from small and atypical haematomas.


Fine structure of epithelial thymus cysts in dogs.

Epithelial thymus cysts in dogs were investigated by electron microscopy. Epithelial cells from one and the same cyst showed morphological differences. Regular columnar or cuboidal epithelial cells predominated. These had an elongated nucleus, poor in chromatin but with abundant cytoplasmic organelles, e.g. mitochondria, and a Golgi region with sacs and vacuoles. Other cells possesed a narrower, indented nucleus richer in chromatin, a cytoplasm with numerous tonofilaments and cell membranes showing interdigitations with other cell membranes. Some cysts displayed a pseudostratified epithelium. In these cells the same organelles were present as were seen in the cuboidal cells. Abundant cilia and microvilli were present in the lumenal cells. All these different morphological characteristics were considered to be different functional aspects of the same kind of thymus epithelial cell. The cells had a structure indicating a secretory-activity.


Liver biopsies from psoriatics related to methotrexate therapy. 3. Findings in post-methotrexate liver biopsies from 160 psoriatics.

The purpose of this paper is to report findings in post-MTX liver biopsies from 160 psoriatics treated with Methotrexate (MTX) in single biopsy and B. 68 patients with serial biopsies. At the time of liver biopsy the 92 patients had received a mehosis and six patients had fibrosis. Comparing these 7 patients with patients having normal liver histology (13 patients) revealed no statistically significant difference in cumulative doses of MTX, but a statistically significant higher admitted alcohol intake during MTX therapy (p less than 0.002) and an older age (p less than 0.01) in the patients with cirrhosis or fibrosis. in the 68 patients MTX had accumulated to a mean dose of 3940 mg (range 32k-8355 mg) at the time the latest liver biopsies were taken. Among the latest liver biopsies were 14 cirrhosis (21 per cent, 95 per cent confidence limits: 12-32 per cent) and 16 fibrosis (24 per cent, 95 per cent confidence limits: 14-35 per cent). The 14 patients with cirrhosis when compared to patients with normal histology (9 patients), had taken an equal total dose of MTX at the latest liver biopsy, but had consumed a statistically significant higher amount of alcohol (p less than 0.05) during MTX therapy and also tended to be older (p less than 0.006). Comparison of a material A and B indicates that the prevalence of cirrhosis and fibrosis among MTX treated psoriatics increases rapidly beyond a cumultative dose of two to four grams of MTX. No MTX treated psoriatics should thus be allowed to pass this dosage range without having a liver biopsy performed.


Transthoracic aspiration biopsy. Cytological classification of aspirated malignant tumour cells.

On correlating our cytological classification of aspirated malignant tumour cells from intrathoracic lesions with the histological classification of the same lesions, agreement was found in 75 per cent. The cytological criteria used for the classification of the  differentiated types of tumour cells were convenient. It is proposed to utilize the cytological classification in the planning of an individualized tumour therapy in cases not accessible to pretreatment bioptic histological classification.


Spontaneous hypertension and hypertensive vascular disease in the NZB strain of mice.

NZB nice spontaneously develop a high blood pressure and hypertensive vascular disease in the heart and the kidney. Treatment with cyclophosphamide decreased the level of blood pressure; congenital athymic nude NZB mice failed to develop a high blood pressure. These findings suggest that thymus and the thymus-dependent immune reactions have pathogenic importance for the spontaneous hypertension in these mice.


Estimation of the parenchymal-cell content of the parathyroid gland, using density-gradient columns. Preliminary report.

The parenchymal cell mass was measured by the density-gradient technique. The results of this technique were compared with those obtained by an ocular semiquantitative method as described by Gilmour and Martin. In most parathyroid glands good correlation was found between the two methods. In contrast to the method of Gilmour and Martin the density-gradient technique is easy and rapid and therefore seems to be a more convenient tool in intraoperative diagnosis.


Age changes in the quantity of hematopoietic tissue.

The ratio between hematopoietic tissue and lipoid tissue was determined by histologic planimetry in bone marrow biopsies from 52 persons without bone or blood disorders, aged from 20 to 85 years. The ratio decreased significantly with increasing age, Equally in the two sexes. The ratio correlated significantly to the hemoglobin concentration in the blood.


The lytic effect of lysolecithin on acholeplasmas and mycoplasmas.

Lysolecithin exhibits a lytic activity on acholeplasmas and mycoplasmas. The acholeplasmas studied, viz. Acholeplasma laidlawii A and B, were found less susceptible than were the mycoplasmas, viz. Mycoplasma gallisepticum and M. pneumoniae. The sensitivity to lysis was found to differ according to species, growth temperature and number of organisms used. Variations in age of the population and the concentration of bivalent ions in the test medium had but little influence. The greatest lytic activity of lysolecithin was found at the optimal growth temperature and decreased with lowering of the temperature. This lytic activity was inversely proportional to the density of the cell suspensions used. The possible mechanism of the lytic effect of lysolecithin is discussed.


Morphology and ultrastructure of Ureaplasma urealyticum in agar growth.

Colonies of Ureaplasma urealyticum serotype VI grown on agar were examined by thin sectioning technique. The arrangement of cells within the colonies was less dense and less stratified than that observed in most other mycoplasma colonies. Small, dense and pleomorphic cells were located mainly along the colony borderline towards the agar. Studies of cell morphology after 3, 10 and 15 days of growth revealed that such cells were younger than the less dense, mostly ovoid cells seen in the central area of colonies. The ultrastructure of individual cells was similar to that of Ureaplasma grown in liquid medium, as described earlier, featuring geometrical ribosome arrangements and extramembranous coat. Serial sections demonstrated the difficulties involved in discussing cell morphology on the basis of single thin sections. The advantages of the preparation method used for electron microscopy are discussed.


Bovine myelin basic protein: immunochemical specificity examined by the macrophage migration inhibition test.

Guinea pigs were injected with saline or with one of the following antigens incorporated into Freund's complete adjuvant: Bovine myelin basic protein (MBP), lysozyme, carboxymethylated lysozyme, or a crude commercial calf thymus histone preparation. Examination of the migration of peritoneal cells from these animals in the presence (50 microgram/ml) or the absence of the antigens revealed, at most, a slight one-way form of cross-reactivity between MBP on the one hand and the histone preparation--and possibly also lysozyme--on the other. This was observed only with cells from animals injected with the two last-mentioned antigens. Cells from animals sensitized with either histone or lysozyme mixed with poly AU instead of Freund's complete adjuvant were also slightly inhibited in their migration by the bovine MBP. Cells from animals injected with complete Freund's adjuvant alone or with the purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) in poly AU did not react to MBP. Thus, in contrast to the high degree of internal cross-reactivity shown previously MBP shows a low degree of cross-reactivity with either ordered or unordered forms of some unrelated basic proteins.


Influence of hydrocortisone on granulocyte function and glucose metabolism.

Examination has been made of the influence of hydrocortisone on the in vitro phagocytosis and intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human neutrophils and the production of lactate and CO2 during phagocytosis of latex particles. In high concentrations, 0.5-2 mg per ml, hydrocortisone caused a significant reduction in the phagocytosis and the production of lactate. Neither the bactericidal activity nor the production of 14CO2 from (U-14C) glucose in phagocytizing leukocytes was influenced by these hydrocortisone concentrations.


Neutrophil granulocyte chemotaxis in vitro. Comparison of the response to casein and a bacterial chemotactic factor, and evaluation of an automatic method for counting cells on a membrane filter surface.

A method is described for evaluating neutrophil granulocyte chemotaxis in vitro, using a modified reversible Boyden chamber. The variation in cell detachment from the attractant surface of the filter after the migration through the filter was shown to be eliminated by reversing the chambers during the incubation period. In unreversed chambers, the loss of cells from the bottom surface of the filter was much higher on attraction with casein than with a bacterial chemotactic factor (BCF). The finding of a different kinetic response to casein and to BCF may suggest differing affinity to various chemoattractants within circulating neutrophils. The results obtained after introducing an automatic quantitative image analysis system for the counting of the cells at the filter surface are found to be very well correlated to those with conventional direct microscope counting.


Production of monospecific antisera against two vaccinia virus antigens.

Vaccinia virus antigen was prepared from infected rabbit lung fibroblast monolayers grown in Eagle's medium supplemented with serum obtained from the rabbit going to be used for immunization. Monospecific rabbit antisera against the L and S antigens were produced by immunization with immunoprecipitates cut out from the agarose after quantitative line immunoelectrophoresis using antigen produced in HeLa cells.


In vitro effects of Rubella virus, strain RA 27/3, on human lymphocytes. II. Specific antigen stimulation in relation to Rubella haemagglutination inhibition antibodies.

Investigation has been made of the specific in vitro stimulation of human lymphocytes by live or inactivated rubella virus of the strain RA 27/3. The thymidine incorporation of lymphocytes from blood donors with different serological immunity against rubella was measured following incubation with the viral antigens. UV-inactivated rubella virus caused a moderate degree of stimulation of lymphocytes from seropositive individuals. On the other hand, live rubella virus stimulated lymphocytes from donors with low titres of anti-rubella HI-antibodies but not lymphocytes from donors with high antibody titres. Possible explanations for this discrepancy are discussed.


Visual extrapolation of a line segment to the point of its intersection with a straight line. I.

A study is made of the capacity of fifty subjects to estimate the position of the point of intersection between a straight line and the visually extrapolated extension of a line segment at three different angles between the line and the segment: 30 degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees. The results show systematic deviations in the estimation of acute angles. The point of intersection of the straight line and the segment is misperceived to be shifted inwards in the angle between them. It is also shown that the set of imaginary extensions of a line segment with a given length, until its intersection with the given straight line, is determined only by the angle between the straight line and the segment and does not depend on the distance between them. Various possible mechanisms which could determine the solution of the task facing the subjects are discussed.


Localization of disappearance of a light target during tracking eye movements. I.

A light target moving at a constant velocity in horizontal direction and disappearing at a locus determined by the experimenter is presented to the subjects in the experiments. The task of the subjects is to track its movement with their eyes and to determine the place of its disappearance using a scale fixed on the screen. Under these conditions they systematically mislocate the locus of disappearance in the direction of the eye movement. The mislocation is in linear dependence on the velocity of tracking and, moreover, it depends on the locus of disappearance of the target. The error is smaller when the target disappears at the end of tracking. The theory that mislocation is due to perception time is rejected.


Influence of clonidine on cardiac vagal component of baroreceptor reflex in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats.

In normotensive (NR) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) the cardiac vagal component of baroreceptor reflex was checked before and after intravenous infusion of clonidine (25-30 microgram/kg). 1) The decrease of heart rate due to the arterial baroreceptor reflex was the same in NR and in SHR. 2) Intravenous injection of clonidine produced much greater decrease of the heart rate in SHR than in NR. 3) After administration of clonidine the stimulation of arterial baroreceptors decreased the heart rate to the same low level in NR and SHR. In these conditions the maximal neurogenic slowing of the heart rate was probably achieved. 4) Atropine abolished almost completly heart rate change following baroreceptor stimulation or/and clonidine administration.


Right ventricular systolic sub-periods. Normal values.

Right ventricular systolic sub-periods were examined in the group of 18 healthy subjects, basing on simultaneous electrocardiographic, phonocardiographic and pulmonary artery pressure tracings. The values established were compared with corresponding left ventricular systolic periods and correlated with selected hemodynamic parameters. Following mean values of the right ventricular systolic sub-periods were found: Q -- 1. sound interval = 0.051 sec., systolic time = 0.404 sec., ejection period = 0.319 sec., pre-ejection period = 0.085 sec., and isovolumetric contraction time = 0.034 sec. Both the right ventricular systolic and ejection periods were significantly longer than the corresponding left ventricular systolic ones. The ratio: right ventricular pre-ejection period to ejection period was lower than that calculated for the left ventricle. Both the right ventricular systolic and ejection periods negatively correlated with heart rate, whereas the ratio: right ventricular isovolumetric contraction time to ejection period depended on pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary resistance and right ventricular work index.


Effect of thymoanaleptic agents on the course of experimental arterial hypertension and catecholamine content in tissues and urine.

Experimental hypertension was induced in rats by two methods. In the course of hypertension development the rats of experimental groups were treated with following tricyclic antidepressive agents: Imipramine, Opipramol, Amitriptylline and Nortriptylline injected in doses of 5.0 or 0.5 mg per 1 kg of body weight. Higher doses of the above drugs inhibited the development of hypertension, whereas the lower doses had no effect on arterial blood pressure.


Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on some basic vital functions.

The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HOT) on the respiratory system and cardiovascular system in patients with ischaemia of lower extremities exposed repeatedly to hyperbaric oxygen for therapeutic reasons. Oxygen pressure of 2.4 ATA was used, the duration of exposure to 100% oxygen was 90 min on the average. Hyperbaric oxygen was applied every 2-3 days during 1 to 3 months. During the treatment airway resistance, pulmonary elastance, respiratory rate, respiratory volume, intraoesophageal pressure, closing volume and vital capacity were determined. Changes of heart rate caused by this treatment were recorded as well. A statistically significant increase of airway resistance, increased pulmonary elastance, decreased respiratory volume and respiratory rate, increased closing volume, decreased vital capacity and slowing down of heart rate were observed.


The effect of environmental temperature on thermoregulatory disturbances caused by hypoxaemic hypoxia in the guinea pig.

Unanaesthetized guinea-pigs, unadapted to cold, were used to study the effect of 20--30 min hypoxaemic hypoxia on the thermoregulatory responses to a moderately low ambient temperature. Hypoxia was produced by intravenous infusion of gaseous CO2. The rate of CO2 administration was adjusted to obtain oxygen uptake equivalent to 70% of the value found at neutral temperature. It was found that at 28 degrees C neither the internal nor the surface temperature changed significantly during hypoxia and oxygen uptake returned to its initial value 15--20 min after cessation of CO2 infusion. At 15 degreesC both the internal and surface temperature as well as oxygen uptake were reduced during hypoxia and they did not return to the initial level 60 min after cessation of CO2 infusion. The temperatures measur-d and oxygen uptake decreased further after each succesive period of CO2 infusion.


Hyperglycaemic effect of glucagon after prolonged exhausting exercise in dogs.

The purpose of this work was to compare the hyperglycaemic effect of glucagon at rest and after prolonged exhausting exercise in dogs. The following doses of glucagon were administered in 10-minute i.v. infusions: 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 micgrogram-kg-1 min-1. Significant differences were demonstrated in the blood glucose level after glucagon administration in doses of 0.1 and 0-5 microgram-kg-1 min-1 at rest as well as after exercise, and glucagon-induced hyperglycaemia was always lower after exercise than at rest. Increasing of glucagon dose from 0.5 to 1.0 microgram-kg-1 min-1 was not followed by a similar increase of the hyperglycaemic response. In additional experiments glucagon was administered together with adrenaline using two combinations of doses: 0.1 micron g-kg-1min-1 of glucagon and 0.25 microgram-kg-1 min-1 of adrenaline or 1.0 microgram-kg-1 min-1 of glucogen and 1.0 microgram-kg-1 min-1 of adrenaline. The hyperglycaemic effects of glucagon and adrenaline were additive at rest and after exercise when low doses of both hormones were used. After prolonged exercise this additive effect was not found when the "saturating" doses of glucagon and adrenaline were used (1.0 microgram-kg-1 min-1). The results obtained suggest that the hyperglycaemic response to glucagon is decreased in dogs after prolonged excise. It seems that this can be partly explained by the changed reactivity of hepatic tissue to this horme after prolonged exercise.


Anaerobic performance capacity in athletes.

Anaerobic performance characteristics of the whole body and at muscle tissue level were studied in 89 athletes and 31 reference subjects. The main parameters were vertical velocity during running up the stairs, maximal isometric force of leg extensor muscles, blood lactate concentration after maximal treadmill running test, percentage of fast twitch muscle fibers (% FT fibers), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity in vastus lateralis muscle. These parameters tended to divide the athletes and their sport events into neuromuscular, anaerobic and aerobic types. The specific needs of the different sport events might have masked the expected characteristics of energy and power utilization. However, a high percentage of FT fibers might be a prerequisite for a successful athlete in certain neuromuscular-anaerobic type events ("power events"). The main parameters describing the anaerobic performance capacity of the whole body (vertical velocity, leg force, blood lactate) were found to be related to muscle fiber composition (% FT fibers). The running velocity rather than muscle strength seemed to be more influenced by activity of enzymes LDH and CPK.


Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of psycholeptic drugs in the course of radiation disease. Effect of premedication with metanabol on dynamics and kinetics of nitrazepam.

The effect of metanabol given to rats before irradiation (600 R) on exploring motility and cataleptic action of nitrazepam was investigated. The level of nitrazepam in the blood plasma and urine was determine. Most evident radioprotective effect of metanabol was found on 3rd day after irradiation. The drug inhibited the inhibited the increased response of the rats to the anticonvulsive action of nitrazepam and prevented the pharmacokinetic disturbances appearing in the course of radiation disease.


The effect of parasympathetic nervous system on hydrodynamics of intraocular fluids and distribution of electrolytes and amino acids.

Tonographic determinations Po and C), cannulation of the anterior chamber and measurements of the secreted aqueous humor volume by the method of posterior-anterior chamber perfusion with inulin solution were carried out in normal eyes, in eyes after parasympathetic denervation and during the action of a cholinergic neurotransmitter under the conditions of postdenervation hyperexcitability. Parasympathetic denervation of the eyeball was obtained by excision of the ciliary ganglion. Additonally, pharmacological blockade of the adrenergic neurons was applied. In the aqueous humor from the posterior and anterior chamber osmolality, as well as concentrations of sodium potassium, calcium, magnesium and total alpha-amino nitrogen were determined. The cholinergic effect on the volume of secreted aqueous humor and on the channels of its outflow was described. This effect was enhanced by the postdenervation hyperexcitability state, indicating a stimulating parasympathetic influence on the passage of electrolytes and amino acids into the intraocular fluids.


Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of psycholeptic drugs in the course of radiation disease.

The effect of metanabol (1 mg per kg) applicated to rats during 10 days before irradiation (600 R) on pharmacodynamics and some indices of thioridazine kinetics was investigated. It was found that the increased cataleptic action of thioridazine (20 mg per kg), during radiation disease was inhibited ater metanabol premedication. The protective effect of metanabol was found to be due to shortening of the half-life time of thioridazine (from 5.5 h in irradiated to 2.38 h in irradiated premedicated animals) as well as to lowering of thioridazine content in the brain tissue.


Differentiation of vasoconstrictor sensitivity caused by prostaglandin E in peripheral vascular beds of the rabbit.

The increase in perfusion pressure in the rabbit ear, hindleg and mesentery caused by close intra-arterial injection of noradrenaline (NA), and the contractile response to NA of the rabbit aortic strip were investigated with respect to their sentitivity to prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and to the prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor indomethacin. PGE1 (100-200 ng) potentiated the increases in perfusion pressure caused by NA in the perfused hindleg and mesentery, and the contractile response to NA of the aortic strip by 25-80%, but inhibited the increase in perfusion pressure by NA in the perfused ear by 35-100%. Indomethacin (3-5 X 10(-5) M) significantly decreased the pressor responses to NA in the hindleg (by 45%) and mesentery (by 55%). This inhibitory effect by indomethacin was completely reversed by PGE1. The responses to NA in the aortic strip and the perfused ear were unaffected by indomethacin. It is concluded that the process of vasoconstriction in the vascular beds of the rabbit displays qualitative differences concerning its sensitivity to added PGE1. Furthermore, the decreased pressor responses to NA observed in some of the rabbit vascular beds after indomethacin indicate that the sensitivity to NA in these tissues in fact is increased by endogenous prostaglandin-like substances (PLS). The current results thus suggest that endogenous PLS may regulate, at a local level, the vasoconstrictor sensitivity in the rabbit systemicresistance vessels.


The poor reactivity of retinal vessels to systemic administration of vasoactive agents in pentobarbital anesthetized rats.

The responsiveness of retinal vasculature to i.v. administration of several potent vasoactive agents was studied in pentobarbital anesthetized rats by taking fundus photographs. Since cerebral vasculature had been claimed to react in a similar manner but less liably than retinal vessels to some vasoactive substances, the findings were applied to the problem of reactivity of brain vessels. Sublethal doses of noradrenaline, adrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine, angiotensin amide and arginine orlysine vasopressin caused no marked acute ( less than or equal to 2 min) vasoconstriction in retinal vessels. Nor did any of these agents or bradykinin elicit vasodilatation. The late vasoconstriction (greater than 2 min) found in succumbing animals was most likely unspecific, since it did not occur until severe toxic symptoms appeared. The findings support the concept that intracerebral vessels are quite resistant to the direct action of many vasoactive agents given i.v.


A programming unit for prolonged, cyclic stimulation.

A system is described allowing for automatization of prolonged frequently repeated stimulation with independent control of individual stimulation time and intervals between consecutive stimulations. Through a controlling system of electromagnetic relay it was possible to obtain bipolar mechanical isolation of the stimulator from the electrodes during intervals between sucessive stimulations which eliminated sompletely the possibility of uncontrolled stimulation of the preparation.


Direct and reversible synchronization unit for one-channel magnetic record.

Some principles and the practical application of a system making possible direct and reversible synchronization of one-channel magnetic record are described. The system makes possible superimposition of a simple synchronizing impulse upon magnetically recorded physiological process. The system is provided with an electromagnetic synchronizing relay started either with external signal during magnetic recording of experimental procedures or reversibly with a signal programmed in advance. The contacts of the electromagnetic relay could be used for simultaneous control of various systems of data processing.


Effect of "vein pump" activation upon venous pressure and blood flow in human subcutaneous tissue.

The effect of "vein pump" activation upon superficial venous pressure and blood flow in human subcutaneous adipose tissue was studied in 6 normals and 2 patients with venous insufficiency. Blood flow in subcltaneous tissue was measured at the lateral malleolus by the local 133Xenon washout technique, with the subject placed in a supine position. During passive lowering of the leg blood flow decreased 50 per cent and total vascular resistance increased 136 per cent. Activation of the vein pump by continuously tipping the foot up and down caused a decrease in venous pressure of 5 mmHg in horizontal position. Venous pressure increased only by 8 mmHg when the leg was lowered during exercise. In this situation blood flow remained constant corresponding to an increase in vascular resistance of 42 per cent. However increasing venous pressure to 28 mmHg by venous stasis in the lowered leg during exercise caused an additional increase in vascular resistance of 82 per cent. In the patients with venous insufficiency exercise did not prevent the decrease in blood flow during lowering of the leg. Hence venous pressure elevation of 25 mmHg or more caused an additional increase in vascular resistance in subcutaneous tissue, "vasoconstrictor response". It is concluded that this "vasoconstrictor response" depends on a vasoconstrictor impulse transmission from veins to arterioles, veno-artertolar reflex.


A system of pre-forming of physiological processes for automatic frequency analysis.

The system described was designed for automatic frequency analysis during considerable amplitude oscillations as well as changes in the shape and interferences of the signal examined. The system was connected with ANOPS-101 digital computer.¿


Intrarenal distribution of blood flow and glomerular filtration during chronic unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Paired hydronephrotic (HN) and hypertrophic (HT) rat kidneys were studied after 6 days with complete unilateral ureteral obstruction without exposing the kidneys. Total HN renal blood flow (RBF), estimated by total microsphere (MS) uptake and from local 125I-antipyrine (Ap) uptake, averaged about 3/4 of control. HN kidney GFR was reduced to about 1/2 of control level as estimated from inulin clearance of HT kidney times the HN to HT ratio for mean single nephron filtration rate, determined by 14C-ferrocyanide. Whereas blood flow (Ap) was proportionately reduced in outer and inner cortex (OC and IC), fractional flow to the outer medulla (OM) was doubled as compared to controls (p less than 0.01). Filtration was well preserved in deep as compared to superficial glomeruli with a smaller deep nonfiltering fraction (p less than 0.02). Thus the results oppose the current concept that HN is characterized by disproportionate circulatory damage to IC and OM with little or no filtration in deep nephrons. In HT kidneys average RBF (MS) and GFR rose by about 1/2. Whereas total blood flow (Ap) rose proportionately in OC and IC, it remained at control level in OM, indicating dissociation between the total RBF and GFR and the effective blood flow to the OM zone.


Regulation of salivary kallikrein secretion in submandibular gland.

Unstimulated pairs of rat submandibular glands were compared with regard to their wet weight, total protein content and kallikrein antigenic activity. Paired glands from the same animal were found to be comparable, whereas differences from one animal to another were considerable. One of two paired glands was extirpated and used as control, and the other was subsequently subjected to stimulation. Salivary secretion was induced parasympathomimetically (intraperitoneal injections of pilocarpine; perfusion with acetylcholine and electrical stimulation of the ductal nerve plexus near the gland hilus) or sympathomimetically (cervical sympathetic nerve stimulation with or without administration of alpha- or beta-adrenergic blocker; perfusion with epinephrine, norepinephrine or isoproterenol). The effect was studied by measuring the change in total gland kallikrein content and by quantitation of kallikrein in saliva. A small secretion of kallikrein was always observed. However, alpha-adrenergic stimulation was 40 and 1 500 fold more effective in releasing kallikrein than beta-adrenergic and parasympathomimetic stimulation, respectively. Also, significantly more kallikrein was released by beta-adrenergic than parasympathomimetic stimulation. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the observed depletion of kallikrein following alpha-adrenergic stimulation. No alteration in kallikrein localization was observed in stimulated glands.


Deuterium induced extinction of ADH-release in response to intracerebroventricular infusions of hypertonic NaCl and angiotensin.

Infusions (20 microliter/min) of hypertonic (0.3 M) NaCl and angiotensin II (1 ng/kg min-1) in isotonic (0.15 M) NaCl were made for 1 h in the hydrated goat during fully developed water diruesis. Either H2O or deuterium (D2O) WAS USED AS SOLVENT. A pronounced antidiuretic response, outlasting the infusion period by 30 min or more, was seen when the substances were dissolved in H2O. Only a weak inhibition of the water diuresis, which was extinguished during the infusion period, was obtained when D2O was used as the solvent. The infusion of 0.3 M NaCl/H2O invariably induced drinking in one of the goats, which, however, showed no drinking response to the infusions of 0.3 M NaCl/D2O. The possibility is discussed that D2O (perhaps by its inhibitory effect on (Na+-K+)-ATPase activity) reduced the sensitivity of juxtaventricular receptors regulating ADH-release and water intake.


Shortlasting increase in the synthesis and utilization of noradrenaline due to Axotomy-induced irritation.

The synthesis and the utilization of noradrenaline in the caudal and cranial part of intact and sectioned rat spinal cords were determined at 20 h or for 30 min--2 h after an operation. The synthesis and the utilization of noradrenaline in the caudal part of spinal cords transected 20 h previously were retarded as compared to those in the cranial part of sectioned cords or in the caudal part of intact cords. The synthesis of noradrenaline was stimulated in the caudal part of the spinal cord when measured for 30 min after a transection. The utilization of noradrenaline in the spinal cord caudal to a transection was not decelerated during 2 h after an operation. Local application of lidocaine to the cord prior to the cut changed the synthesis and the utilization of noradrenaline in both parts of the spinal cord to values similar to those obtained 20 h after the operation. Transection of the spinal cord might stimulate the synthesis and the utilization of noradrenaline by a shortlasting mechanical irritation of neurons cut by the lesion.


Mechanical, electrical, and biochemical effects of hypoxia and substrate removal on spontaneously active vascular smooth muscle.

Effects of hypoxia and glucose-free solution on the isolated rat portal vein were studied. Decrease of extracellular PO2 below 50 mm Hg caused graded inhibition of spontaneous mechanical activity; below 7 mm Hg, inhibition was complete in most preparations. Contracture force of depolarized portal vein was less sensitive to decreases in PO2. Responses to noradrenaline at all concentrations were markedly depressed at extreme hypoxia. Sucrose-gap experiments showed that hypoxia reduced the spontaneous electrical spike discharge. Mean tissue contents of PCr, ATP and glycogen (expressed as glucose) were 3.02, 2.47 and 5.07 micromol/g cell wt. in spontaneously active control muscles and 1.07, 1.65 and 1.83 after 20 min anoxia. Physiological variations in PO2 may influence myogenic activity of vascular smooth muscle largely through an action at the membrane level and this mechanism may participate in local blood flow control. Caculations indicated that the graded response to hypoxia in the present in vitro experiments was not due to diffusion limitation. Spontaneous mechanical activity was relatively well maintained even after prolonged exposure to glucose-free solution, whereas the responses to K+ and noradrenaline were markedly suppressed. Electrophysiological recordings during spontaneous activity indicated desynchronization and impaired conduction. PCr and ATP were maintained at control levels and glycogen reduced by 50 per cent after 2 h in glucose-free medium. Indications of the use of amino acids (glutamate) as substrate under these conditions were obtained.


Denervation stimulation of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid uptake by the diaphragm in developing rats.

Effect of denervation on accumulation of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) by the the diaphragm was studied in 11-, 21-, 31-, and 51-day-old rats. In both innervated and denervated diphragms the accumulation steadily decreased with age. Denervation significantly enhanced accumulation at all ages, the relative increment being greater in older animals owing to the lower basal accumulation ratio for AIB. The denervation-induced stimulation was partially abolished by dactinomycin administration. The drug obviously inhibits the formation of new carrier sites at plasma membranes for AIB transport.


Oxygen consumption and lactate production of the rat portal vein in relation to its contractile activity.

Energy turnover in the isolated rat portal vein was investigated by measurement of oxygen consumption (JO2) and lactate production (JLA) under simultaneous recording of mechanical activity. In spontaneous activity under aerobic conditions and at optimal muscle length JO2 and JLA were 0.55 and 0.62 micromol/min X g, respectively, corresponding to an ATP-production of 4.3 micromol/min X G. When muscle length was changed, an approximately linear relation was found between energy turnover and mean isometric tension. The tension-indpendent part of ATP-production was 3.0 micromol/min X g. In Ca2+-free solution the metabolic rate was 20% lower still. JO2 was nearly equal in isometric contractions and in afterloaded isotonic contractions from the same initial muscle length. During a maximal tonic contracture in 5+-depolarized portal vein JO2 increased to about twice that in spontaneous activity. Changes in contracture force by variations in muscle length or in [Ca2+]0 were associated with identical linear relations between JO2 and active tension. This relation was less steep than the corresponding relation for spontaneous activity. The anaerobic lactate production of the portal vein was 2.7 times theaerobic leve. The accelerated glycolysis did not compensate for eliminated oxidative metabolism. Under substrate-free aerobic conditions no lactate was produced by the muscle and compared to the control situation JO2 declined more than could be accounted for by reduced mechanical activity alone. The metabolic turnover rate in relation to isometric tension is high in the rat portal vein compared to that of tonic vascular smooth muscle from larger vessels. This correlates with differences in dyanmic mechanical properties. At comaparable tension levels in the portal vein, the rate of cross-bridge turnover may be higher in spontaneous phasic activity than in sustained contracture.


Life-weariness, suicidal thoughts and suicidal attempts among women in Gothenburg, Sweden.

A representative sample of 800 Gothenburg women in the age group 38-54 years were investigated by psychiatric interview, completed by information from other sources. An assessment was made of the maximum degree of suicidal tendency during life according to a 5-degree scale. The observed incidence of suicidal attempts was 4.5%. A further 14.9% had at some time in their lives had suicidal ideas and in addition there were 22.3% who had the feeling that life was not worth living. Approximately 60% of the suicidal attempts resulted in psychiatric care. One fifth of the suicidal attempts did not lead to any contact with the health services.


Predictive value of neuropathic traits.

The classic textbook concepts of neuropathic traits--enuresis, nail-biting, finger-sucking, sleep-walking, anxiety, nightmares, fear of darkness--have been anamnestically recorded in patients in a somatic hospital who were referred for psychiatric interview. More than 50% of the patients could report having had one or more such traits with an even distribution between males and females except for enuresis, which was recorded more frequently in males. The presence of such traits was correlated to adult mental health. No correlation was found between one single trait and later disorders. There was a positive correlation between two or more traits and neurotic states of anxiety or conversion neurosis, but no correlation with depressive disorders or psychosomatic diseases (after Alexander's concept).


Female alcoholics. I. Ways of admission of the alcoholic patient. A study special reference to the alcoholic female.

The aim of this study has been to describe the different ways in which 100 alcoholics of each sex sought treatment, with special reference to the females. In addition, some psychiatric and social characteristics of the two groups of patients are presented. A significantly higher number of the females were admitted as a result of an acute complication: unconsciousness, suicide attempt, confusion, neurological disorders, etc., while the males generally sought treatment under less dramatic circumstances. As the patients selected were early cases, most had not been treated before, but in those with previous in-patient psychiatric treatment a diagnosis without an alcohol connection was significantly more common among the women. Drug abuse was considerably more frequent among the female as compared with the male alcoholics, and the specific lonely drinking pattern was also more common among the women. A striking difference between the sexes appeared with respect to partner: more than one-half of the married women had alcoholic husbands. The corresponding figure for the married men amounted to about 10%.


Effect of chlorpromazine treatment on monoamine metabolite levels in cerebrospinal fluid of psychotic patients.

Levels of HVA, MOPEG and 5-HIAA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from psychotic men and women with a schizophrenic symptomatology were measured by mass fragmentography. Measurements were made before, 2 and 4 weeks after treatment with chlorpromazine (CPZ) which was given randomly in doses of 200, 400 or 600 mg per day. Before treatment there were positive correlations between the levels of HVA and 5-HIAA in both sexes. During CPZ treatment HVA was significantly elevated, whereas MOPEG and 5-HIAA were reduced. There was a tendency towards tolerance to CPZ's effect on HVA during treatment but a significant effect persisted after 4 weeks. No indication of tolerance to the effects on MOPEG or 5-hiaa was found. There were the same tendencies for the elevations of the HVA/MOPEG and HVA/5-HIAA ratios. The changes in HVA, MOPEG, 5-HIAA, HVA/MOPEG and HVA/5-HIAA were related to dose of CPZ in men but not in women. The bidirectional change of the different metabolites in CSF during CPZ treatment excluses a general and non-specific mechanism for the metabolite changes. The HVA elevation is in accordance with previous results in animals and man, and is presumably related to blockade of central dopamine receptors. Possible mechanisms for the effects on MOPEG and 5-HIAA are discussed.


Season of birth and schizophrenia - an equatorial study.

Studies in the northern and southern hemispheres have generally demonstrated an association between shcizophrenia and winter birth. No previous study has been performed in an equatorial region. The present study investigated the distribution of births of 3,508 schizophrenic patients born in the Philippines. A 15% excess above expectation was found for patients born in the coldest 3-month period of the year (December-February). An excess of births in that period was found in both sexes and in each decade of birth examined. The hypothesis that schizophrenics have a greater sensitivity to those physiological factors which determine conception in the general population is not supported.


Alcoholic females. II. Causes of death with reference to sex difference.

The aim of this study has been to explore and compare the mortality of 100 female and 100 male alcoholics, admitted to a department of alcoholic diseases in 1963-69. The patients were early cases and mortality was studied during an observation period of 6-12 years. A total of 18 women and 16 men died. As compared with the general population, mortality was 5.6 and 3.0 times higher than expected for the women and men, respectively. Among the women a significant excess mortality was found for accidents, suicides, diseases of the respiratory system, and especially cirrhosis of the liver. Mortality among the men was significantly higher than expected due to suicides, diseases of the circulatory system, neoplasms, chronic alcoholism, and acute alcohol poisoning. The excess mortality from suicides found for both sexes was highest in the female group. Despite the hitherto rather small number of deaths in the two groups, the high frequency of cirrhosis of the liver among the women is striking.


War stress and civilian Vietnamese. A study of psychological effects.

Psychological disturbance, measured by Macmillan's Health Opinion Survey, was assessed among 102 evacuees from a battlefront in South Vietnam. The amount of stress experienced was estimated by means of Cantril's Self-Anchoring Scale as well as by indicators of economic disadvantage associated with herbicide spraying and of family break-up by military service and casualties. Through comparative analysis with other groups in Vietnam and elsewhere, it is shown that the evacuees display a higher level of emotional disturbance than any group to whom they can be compared except for a sample of Vietnamese prisoners of war. The levels of disturbance exhibited by the evacuees are in turn correlated with indicators of various kinds and combinations of war stress. It is suggested that women who were bereft of a husband or son and who experienced economic reverses were especially vulnerable. The psychological response most characteristic of the evaucuated men and women has features similar to clinical depression, and it appears not to have been short-lived or transient.


Stress and the major psychiatric illnesses.

Sixty patients who had a major psychiatric breakdown following stress were studied. The mode of presentation of one group led to the suspicion of a reactive psychosis and comparison with the other group showed that in terms of the actual or threatened loss of an emotionally significant person, the temporal relationship between stress and illness and the distribution of vulnerable personalities, there was a significant difference between the groups. The sex ratio and frequency distribution for age were also suggestive. In view of the above and the known clinical course of the illness and comparison with the work of major workers in this field, it seems reasonable to believe that grounds exist for accepting the diagnosis of reactive psychoses in Sri Lanka.


Immunoglobulins, psychopathology and prognosis in schizophrenia.

On admission, IgA, IgG and IgM concentrations were determined in 76 schizophrenics, and the correlations of these concentrations to the variables relating to psychopathology, background and prognosis were investigated in the present study, which is a part of a more extensive unpublished study. On the basis of factorization, the highest IgM concentrations were found in withdrawn schizophrenics and the lowest in paranoid schizophrenics. Of the background variables, the patient's present age had a positive correlation and his place of birth (rural-urban) a negative correlation to IgA concentrations, both being at a statistically significant level. IgA and IgM values higher than average at the beginning of treatment predicted a short hospital stay. Earlier, these patients had also needed little hospital care in relation to the duration of the disease. A hypothesis based on the results is presented, according to which a different way of reacting to stress may explain the differences in IgM concentrations in withdrawn and paranoid schizophrenics. The connection between prognosis and immunoglobulins was considered at least partially explainable on the grounds of age at the onset of the disease.


Aspects of suicide and parsuicide.

Five aspects of suicidal behaviour in Edinburgh from 1968 to 1974 were examined. The data referred to 478 suicidal deaths and to parasuicide (attempted suicide) admissions to the Regional Poisoning Treatment Centre (R.P.T.C.). Firstly: 28% of suicides were found to have had a parasuicide admission and there was some evidence of a slight excess of deaths in the years immediately following parasuicide. Secondly: among suicides preceded by parasuicide, those with a recent episode (within 2 years of death) were found to be essentially similar to those with a longer interval. Thirdly: a history of previous parasuicide at any time was found to be important in delineating two groups of suicide. Suicides with prior parasuicide died more often from poisoning with drugs and were more likely to have a history of psychiatric treatment; suicides without prior parasuicide died more often from poisoning with domestic gas or violent means, were older, of higher social class and less often married. Fourthly: parasuicides who killed themselves within 2 years of admission to the R.P.T.C. were compared with a group of (broadly nonsuicidal) parasuicides. And lastly: a scale predictive of repetition of parasuicidal behaviour was used in an attempt to distinguish parasuicides who killed themselves from those who did not. The scale did not discriminate between the two groups.


Primary peptic ulcer in childhood. Psychosocial, psychological and psychiatric aspects.

Twenty-five children with radiologically confirmed primary peptic ulcers were investigated. All patients suffered from duodenal ulcer and there was an unexpected female preponderance. The frequency of introverted personalities was greater in the patients than in the controls. Five patients suffered from psychiatric disorders, three had histories of suicidal attempts and three reported homosexual experiences. Six patients had nicknames. Eight patients had been operated on for appendicitis. The above parameters were negative in all control cases. The patients had lower mean IQ, worse adaptation to school, more anxious and overprotective parents, higher frequency of faddiness in food and lower frequency of nail-biting than the controls. The onset of symptoms was preceded by psychotraumatic events in eight cases. The findings suggest that the manifestation of the genetic background of duodenal ulcer is strongly influenced by environmental factors and factors associated with the personality of the patients.


Vascular occlusion with a ferromagnetic particle suspension. An experimental investigation in rabbits.

Magnetically controlled iron thrombosis has been attempted in rabbits. A horseshoe magnet across the jugular vein could arrest injected iron particles in the blood stream so that a well localized, solid thrombus developed. The connection between the strength and orientation of the magnetic field and the force developed on the iron particles was also investigated.


Intravenous bolus of 125I labeled meglumine diatrizoate. Early extravascular distribution.

A mixture of 125I labeled meglumine diatrizoate and 131I labeled human serum albumin was injected into the femoral vein of 26 anesthetized male rats. Measurements of the activities in cardiac blood and in different tissues of the lower extremity and in the testis were performed at time intervals ranging from 5 s to 5 min after injection. The determination of tissue uptake and distribution volumes of diatrizoate showed widely differing accumulation of contrast medium. Over 50 per cent of the intravenous bolus of diatrizoate was extravascular at 40 s.


Angiography in pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder. Report of a case.

A case of pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder in a 20-year-old female is reported. This is the 36th reported case in the English language literature. The patient had classical symptoms of vesical pheochromocytoma with sudden onset of headache, palpitations, and blood pressure elevation during voiding. The provisional diagnosis was arrived at on clinical history, laboratory investigations, including the estimation of catecholamines and vanil mandelic acid (VMA). The diagnosis was confirmed and the tumor was exactly localized by means of angiography. The angiographic appearance of pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder is not pathognomonic and is similar to that previously described for adrenal pheochromocytoma. Angiography is, with adequate precautions, a safe and useful procedure for ruling out synchronous adrenal or extra-adrenal tumors and for exact localization of the bladder tumor.


Phlebographic appearances of the left renal and left testicular veins.

The normal phlebographic appearances of the left renal and left testicular veins are described, based upon the findings in 100 patients admitted because of confirmed or possible testicular tumor. The patients had no metastases demonstrated at foot lymphography, urography and phlebography of the inferior vena cava.


Arterial segmental vasoconstriction. Frequency and pathogenetic factors.

Frequency and pathogenetic factors involved in arterial segmental vasoconstriction observed in a series of 55 patients are analyzed. A large number presented peripheral nutritional disturbance and these included 5 patients with definite or highly possible Buerger's disease. The possibility that in certain patients segmental vasoconstriction may be an early sign of systemic or local arterial disease is discussed.