Congenital cystic disease of the liver: isotope scanning, ultrasonography and angiography.

The radioisotope scanning, ultrasonic and angiographic findings in 16 patients with congenital cystic liver disease are described. Radioisotope scans are useful in determining the size, location and number of lesions. Ultrasonography is of value in differentiating solid from fluid-filled lesions, thus narrowing the differential diagnosis. At angiography, cysts produced well-defined avascular areas in the hepatogram in all 14 patients examined, enhanced by a well-defined "rim sign" in seven. This sign is considered pathognomonic of a cystic lesion (hydatid or congenital). Two had a "honeycomb" pattern at angiography, pathognomonic of congenital polycystic liver disease.


Radiology of breast tumors in the male.

Radiologic investigation of the male breast has given us a better knowledge of its physiopathology. We have reviewed more than 100 cases of breast tumors in male patients. We wish to describe the radiologic presentation of these lesions, the commonest of which is gynecomastia, to distinguish between cancer and gynecomastia, and to compare male breast cancer with female breast cancer. Examination of the breast in man is important. In the adolescent with an enlarged breast, examination may reveal a testicular tumor, whereas in the adult, where a malignant tumor of the breast must excluded, mammography is particularly helpful.


Patterns of breast parenchyma on mammography.

The hypothesis that two of four mammographic patterns show a marked predisposition to develop breast cancer was examined in a retrospective study. Four hundred patients with breast carcinoma were randomly chosen. The xeromammograms of the opposite breasts in these patients had been done and were studied. The conclusion of Wolfe was not supported by our findings.


Mammographic screening for breast cancer by lateral view only: is it practical?

If a single lateral examination would suffice for mammography, sose and risk would be cut in half in screening procedures. This prospective study of 150 lateral xerographic images would indicate that, while 80% true positive rate can be achieved using a single lateral view, the projected savings in radiation exposure does not offset the losses due to cancers not detected by this single exposure screening method.


Myocardial color scan with 43K in ischemic heart disease.

The value of myocardial scanning with 43K was assessed in 64 consecutive patients undergoing coronary arteriography, and in five young volunteers. Myocardial scans at rest detected only 16 of the 35 transmural infarcts documented on electrocardiograms, 11 of 11 anterior infarcts and five of 24 in other sites. Myocardial scans were obtained immediately after a graded exercise test in the five normal volunteers, in nine patients with normal coronary arteriograms and in 25 patients with atherosclerotic narrowing greater than 75% involving the left anterior descending artery, with or without disease of other coronary vessels. All patients with normal coronary arteriograms had normal myocardial scans. A regional perfusion deficit was observed after exercise in all six patients with single vessel disease, but in only 11 of the 19 patients with disease involving two or three vessels. Although the technique was specific, it lacked sensitivity, due mostly to poor resolution and the location of the disease.


The signs of a passed ureteral stone.

Ten patients with typical renal colic fortuitously passed a urinary calculus, which was retrieved during or shortly after excretory urography. Characteristic alterations in the urogram included: (a) no delay in passage of contrast medium down the entire length of the ureter, (b) decreased radiodensity of contrast on the affected as compared to that of the normal side, (c) dilatation of the ureter on the affected side and (d) a hazy appearance of the ureter with poor definition of its borders. Post-obstructive diuresis explains these changes. This constellation of findings, with accompanying absence of an opaque calculus on the plain film, correctly diagnoses a recently passed stone. The sign complex indicates that obstruction has been relieved, even when the calculus remains in situ.


The jugular "notch".

A characteristic "notch" in the petrous bone is described in relation to the superior outline of the jugular foramen. This notch seems to be a congenital anomaly and has a close relationship with ectasia of the dome of the internal jugular vein, as was demonstrated in two patients.


Tracheal collapse following esophageal atresia repair.

Expiratory collapse of the trachea was demonstrated radiographically in three infants with esophageal atresia who developed episodes of severe upper respiratory obstruction in the first few weeks of life. The abnormality is most readily seen fluoroscopically in such patients, though tracheal narrowing may be visible on an expiratory lateral chest radiography. An unusually long tracheostomy tube may be required to bypass the site of obstruction.


Radiologic appearance of the Collis-Belsey fundoplication.

The Collis-Belsey hiatal hernia repair is distinctive radiographically. Knowledge of the operative technique allows more meaningful evaluation of the postoperative appearance of the gastroesophageal region.


A clinician's expectation of the radiologist.

This personal viewpoint emphasizes the importance of establishing a dialogue between the clinician and the radiologist. Such a dialogue must be characterized by specificity and objectivity, and should foster a critical appraisal of attempts to solve our patients' problems.


Bronchial stenosis and segmental emphysema in a neonate.

An infant, with a normal chest film at birth, shortly thereafter developed hyperinflation of the apical-posterior segment of the left upper lobe due to stenosis of the aberrant bronchus supplying this segment.


Erosion of the pituitary fossa by benign nasal polyps.

This paper presents a case of bone destruction of the walls of the sphenoid sinus including the floor of the sella turcica from benign nasal polyps.


Role of nerve growth factor in the development of rat sympathetic neurons in vitro. I. Survival, growth, and differentiation of catecholamine production.

To study the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on neuronal survival, growth, and differentiation, cultures of dissociated neonatal rat sympathetic neurons virtually free of other cell types were maintained for 3-4 wk. In the absence of NGF, the neurons did not survive for more than a day. Increased  levels of NGF increased neuronal survival and growth (total protein and total lipid phosphate); saturation occurred at 0.5 microgram/ml 7S NGF. Neuronal differentiation examined by measuring catecholamine (CA) production from tyrosine also depended on the level of NGF in the culture medium. As the NGF concentration was raised, CA production per neuron, per nanogram protein, or per picomole lipid phosphate increased until saturation was achieved between 1 and 5 microgram/ml 7S NGF. Thus, NGF induces neuronal survival, growth, and differentiation of CA production in a dose-dependent fashion. Neuronal growth and differentiation were quantitatively compared in the presence of the high and low molecular weight forms of NGF; no significant functional differences were found.


Role of nerve growth factor in the development of rat sympathetic neurons in vitro. II. Developmental studies.

Adrenergic sympathetic neurons were grown for 4 wk in submaximal and saturating concentrations of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the virtual absence of non-neuronal cells. In 0.2 or 5 microgram/ml 7S NGF, the neurons gradually decreased in number during the first week, although fewer neurons died at the higher level. No significant change in cell number was observed thereafter. Total neuronal protein, a measure of cell growth, increased linearly with age in both concentrations of NGF. At each age, neurons in high NGF exhibited greater growth per cell than those in low NGF. The ability of neurons to produce catecholamine (CA) increased dramatically during the second and third weeks in both concentrations of NGF, and along a similar time-course, although neurons in submaximal NGF developed a lesser capacity for CA production. As neurons developed in culture, they became less dependent on NGF for survival and CA production, but even in older cultures, approximately 50% of the neurons died when NGF was withdrawn.


Role of nerve growth factor in the development of rat sympathetic neurons in vitro. III. Effect on acetylcholine production.

The effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the development of cholinergic sympathetic neurons was studied in cultures grown either on monolayers of dissociated rat heart cells or in medium conditioned by them. In the presence of rat heart cells the absolute requirement of neurons for exogenous NGF was partially spared. The ability of heart cells to support neuronal survival was due at least in part to production of a diffusable NGF-like substance into the medium. Although some neurons survived on the heart cell monolayer without added NGF, increased levels of exogenous NGF increased neuronal survival until saturation was achieved at 0.5 microgram/ml 7S NGF. The ability of neurons to produce acetylcholine (ACh) from choline was also dependent on the level of exogenous NGF. In mixed neuron-heart cell cultures, NGF increased both ACh and catecholamine (CA) production per neuron to the same extent; saturation occurred at 1 microgram/ml 7S NGF. As cholinergic neurons developed in culture, they became less dependent on NGF for survival and ACh production, but even in  older cultures approximately 40% of the neurons died when NGF was withdrawn. Thus, NGF is as necessary for survival, growth, and differentiation of sympathetic neurons when the neurons express cholinergic functions as when the neurons express adrenergic functions (4, 5).


Cell shape changes and the mechanism of inversion in Volvox.

Inversion is a dominant aspect of morphogenesis in Volvox. In this process, the hollow, spheroidal Volvox embryo turns inside-out through a small opening called the phialopore to bring flagella from its inner to its outer surface. Analyses of intact, sectioned, and fragmented embryos by light, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy, suggest that shape changes preprogrammed into the cells cause inversion. First, cells throughout the embryo change from pear to spindle shape, which causes the embryo to contract and the phialopore to open. Then cells adjacent to the phialopore become flask-shaped, with long, thin stalks at their outer ends. Simultaneously, the cytoplasmic bridges joining all adjacent cells migrate from the midpoint of the cells to the stalk tips. Together, these changes cause the lips of cells at the phialopore margin to curl outward. Now cells progressively more distal to the phialopore become flask-shaped while the more proximal cells become columnar, causing the lips to curl progressively further over the surface of the embryo until the latter has turned completely inside-out. Fine structural analysis reveals a peripheral cytoskeleton of microtubules that is apparently involved in cellular elongation. Cell clusters isolated before inversion undergo a similar program of shape changes; this suggests that the changes in cellular shape are the cause rather than an effect of the inversion process.


Surface distribution of LETS protein in relation to the cytoskeleton of normal and transformed cells.

The organization of LETS protein on the surface of NIL8 hamster cells has been examined by immunofluorescence staining. The distribution of LETS protein was found to depend on the culture conditions; in subconfluent, low-serum arrested cultures the LETS protein is predominantly located at the cell-substrate interface and also in regions of cell-cell contact, whereas in dense cultures the cells are surrounded by a network of LETS protein fibrils. Transformed derivatives of these cells exhibit only sporadic staining for LETS protein, in the form of short intercellular bridges. Agents that cause alterations in cell shape and cytoplasmic filaments have been used to explore the relationship of LETS protein to the internal cytoskeletal elements. Reciprocally, perturbations of the cell surface were examined for their effects on internal filaments. The arrangement of microtubules seems to be unrelated to the presence of LETS protein in the cells studied. Actin microfilament bundles and LETS protein respond in a coordinate fashion to some perturbants but independently with respect to others. The patterns of staining for LETS protein are consistent with an involvement in cell-to-cell and cell-to-substrate adhesion.


Cell-to-cell communication and myogenesis.

Cell-to-cell communication was characterized in prefusion chick embryo myoblast cultures, and it was determined that the prefusion myoblasts can interact via gap junctions, ionic coupling, and metabolic coupling. The biological relevance of this communication was supported by the detection of gap junctions between myoblasts in embryonic muscle. Communication was also examined in fusion-arrested cultures to determine its potential relationship to fusion competency. In cultures that were fusion arrested by treatment with either 1.8 mM ethyleneglycolbis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), 3.3 X 10(-6) M 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR), or 1 microgram/ml cycloheximide (CHX), both gap junctions and ionic coupling were present. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that cell communication is not a sufficient property by itself, to generate fusion between myob-asts. The potential role of communication in myogenesis is discusssed with respect to these observations.


Evidence for the autophagy of microinjected proteins in HeLA cells.

Rhodamine-conjugated proteins were microinjected into living HeLa cells. Fluorescence microscopy was then employed to study their segregation from the cytoplasm into lysosomes. Results obtained in this way were verified when the corresponding unconjugated proteins were localized by autoradiographic, histological, and antibody-staining methods after their microinjection. Most injected proteins were segregated into cytoplasmic granular structures during their removal from cells. As evidence that these were autophagic vacuoles, they were found to contain no detectable acid phosphatase activity upon formation, after which they moved to the juxtanuclear position of lysosomes and appeared to fuse with them. The segregation of microinjected proteins exhibited a high degree of selectivity. The half-times of placement of individual exogenous proteins into cytoplasmic granules varied from 3 h to nearly 3 days, and one protein, hemoglobin, was never observed to enter them. Furthermore, endogenous HeLa proteins in a size fraction near 200,000 daltons were segregated much more rapidly than those in a fraction near 40,000 daltons. In these studies, rapid protein segregation appeared to take place by a mechanism of exclusion of the injected protein from numerous cytoplasmic domains.


Optical diffraction of the Z lattice in canine cardiac muscle.

Optical diffraction patterns from electron micrographs of both longitudinal and cross sections of normal and anomalous canine cardiac Z bands have been compared. The data indicate that anomalous cardiac Z bands resembling nemaline rods are structurally related to Z bands in showing a repeating lattice common to both. In thin sections transverse to the myofibril axis, both electron micrographs and optical diffraction patterns of the Z structure reveal a square lattice of 24 nm. This lattice is simple at the edge of each I band and centered in the interior of the Z band, where two distinct lattice forms have been observed. In longitudinal sections, oblique filaments visible in the electron micrographs  correspond to a 38-nm axial periodicity in diffraction patterns of both Z band and Z rod. We conclude that the Z rods will be useful for further analysis and reconstruction of the Z lattice by optical diffraction techniques.


Remodeling of neuronal membranes as an early response to deafferentation. A freeze-fracture study.

The early effects of deafferentation on the postsynaptic membrane beneath the end bulb of Held in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) were studied with the freeze-fracture technique. Three distinct responses were seen on the external membrane leaflet after cochlear ablation. Within 12 h the number of nonaggregate particles increased 147% by the addition of new particles to the membrane. The increase in number of nonaggregate particles continued until 4 days after cochlear ablation. The other responses occurred later, after degenerative changes were present in the end bulb. Between 1 and 2 days after cochlear ablation, the number of perisynaptic aggregates surrounding the postsynaptic active zone decreased to 10% of normal numbers. By 4 days, all perisynaptic aggregates had disappeared from the membrane. Coated vesicles may be involved in removing these aggregates. Between 1 and 3 days, the number of junctional aggregates decreased, but the size of the aggregates increased, apparently as a result of coalescence of nearby junctional aggregates. The total number of particles in junctional aggregates in the membrane was not altered during the first 6 days after cochlear ablation. The three separate responses suggest the existence of at least three different types of intramembranous particles on the external leaflet of the principal cell membrane, with each type dependent upon different cues for its maintenance in the membrane.


Evidence for "twisted plane" undulations in golden hamster sperm tails.

Motile spermatozoa from the golden hamster have been arrested by rapid freezing and then fixed with glutaraldehyde at low temperature after substitution with ethylene glycol. As far as can be judged, the flagellar waveforms thus stabilized are similar to those seen in living sperm; in contrast, fixation in glutaraldehyde, without prior freezing, induces agonal changes in flagellar conformation. The characteristics waveform after freeze substitution contains three bends. Approx. half of these flagella are entirely planar. The rest are three dimensional, with the third bend displaced in a regular way from the plane containing the proximal two bends. From the geometry of these flagella, it is concluded that the plane of action of a given bending cycle undergoes a clockwise twist (from a forward viewpoint) as the cycle is succeeded by new bending cycles. This "twisted plane" undulation is quite different from helical movement. The twisting seems to occur abruptly, between cycles, as if each bending cycle has a preferred plane of action. The mechanism underlying the twisting is uncertain. However, on the basis of the angular displacements between the preferred planes, and the findings from electron microscopy, the following idea is presented as a working hypothesis: that, if the most proximal plane of bending is topographically determined by peripheral doublet 1, then successive distal planes of action are influenced predominantly by doublets 2, 3, etc., in clockwise sequence. The merits and weaknesses of this hypothesis are discussed.


Reconstitution of Semliki forest virus membrane.

The spike glycoproteins of the Semliki forest virus membrane have been incorporated into vesicular phospholipid bilayers by a detergent-dialysis method. The detergent used was beta-D-octylglucoside which is nonionic and has an exceptionally high critical micellar concentration which facilitates rapid removal by dialysis. The vesicles obtained were of varying sizes and had spikes on their surface. Two classes of vesicles were preferentially formed, small protein-rich and large lipid-rich (average lipid to protein weight ratios, 0.22 and 3.5, respectively). Both classes of vesicles retained the hemagglutinating activity of the virus. The proteins were attached to the lipid bilayer by hydrophobic peptide segments, as in the viral membrane. Most of the proteins were accessible to proteolytic digestion from the outside, suggesting an asymmetric orientation.


Arginine deprivation in KB cells. I. Effect on cell cycle progress.

When exponentially growing KB cells were deprived of arginine, cell multiplication ceased after 12 h but viability was maintained throughout the experimental period (42-48 h). Although tritiated thymidine ([(3)H]TdR) incorporation into acid-insoluble material declined to 5 percent of the initial rate, the fraction of cells engaged in DNA synthesis, determined by autoradiography, remained constant throughout the starvation period and approximately equal to the synthesizing fraction in exponentially growing controls (40 percent). Continous [(3)H]TdR-labeling indicated that 80 percent of the arginine-starved cells incorporated (3)H at some time during a 48-h deprivation period. Thus, some cells ceased DNA synthesis, whereas some initially nonsynthesizing cells initiated DNA synthesis during starvation. Flow microfluorometric profiles of distribution of cellular DNA contents at the end of the starvation period indicated that essentially no cells had a 4c or G2 complement. If arginine was restored after 30 h of starvation, cultures resumed active, largely asynchronous division after a 16-h lag. Autoradiographs of metaphase figures from cultures continuously labeled with [(3)H]TdR after restoration indicated that all cells in the culture underwent DNA synthesis before dividing. It was concluded that the majority of cells in arginine-starved cultures are arrested in neither a normal G1 nor G2. It is proposed that for an exponential culture, i.e. from most positions in the cell cycle, inhibition of cell growth after arginine with withdrawal centers on the ability of cells to complete replication of their DNA.


Arginine deprivation in KB cells. II. Characterization of the DNA synthesized during starvation.

DNA synthesis in cells deprived of arginine was examined. Three lines of evidence indicated that tritiated thymidine ([3H]TdR) incorporation in arginine-starved cells was due to replicative rather than repair DNA synthesis. (a) When made in the presence of bromodeoxyuridine, the [3H]TdR-labeled DNA sedimented at hybrid density in isopycnic gradients. (b) As determined by the diphenylamine reaction, there was a 15% increase in the chemical amount of DNA per culture 30 h after arginine deprivation. (c) [3H]TdR incorporation was hydroxyurea-sensitive. Alkaline velocity sedimentation of the total DNA made during starvation revealed the existence of two distinct size classes: most of the DNA sedimented at a position analogous to that of control DNA, but 40% migrated one-third the distance of the bulk. After arginine restoration, these shorter pieces appeared to be chased into DNA of normal length; thus, one lesion in deprived cultures may cause an arrest in completion of DNA stretches to mature size. These findings, together with results of morphological studies of starved cells, suggest that changes induced by arginine deficiency effect the organization of nucleoproteins. These changes are reversible upon arginine restoration.


Peripheral hyaline blebs (podosomes) of macrophages.

The plasmalemma and hyaline ectoplasm together constitute the sensory and motor organ of macrophages. The purpose of this study was to isolate this cell fraction in order to analyze it biochemically and functionally. Brief sonification of warmed rabbit lung macrophages caused release of heterodisperse hyaline blebs and filopodia, which were easily collected by differential centrifugation. Viewed in the electron microscope, these structures consisted of membrane-bounded sacs principally containing actin filaments. Some contained secondary lysosomes. They were enriched threefold over whole cell homogenates in specific adenylate cyclase activity and in trichloroacetic-acid-precipitable (125)I when derived from cells labeled with 125(I) by means of a lactoperoxidase-catalyzed reaction. These markers were found to have identical isopycnic densitites when macrophage homogenates were subjected to sedimentation in a focusing sucrose density gradient system, and these markers had densities distinct from those of other cytoplasmic organelles. These markers were therefore assumed to be associated with macrophage plasma membranes. The specific beta- glucuronidase activity of the bleb fraction was similar to that of homogenates, but the blebs had considerably lower specific succinic dehydrogenase activity and RNA content, and DNA was undetectable. Electrophoresis of blebs solubilized in sodium dodecyl sulfate on polyacrylamide gels revealed polypeptides co-migrating with macrophage actin-binding protein, myosin, and actin; blebs also had EDTA-activated adenosine triphosphatase activity characteristic of myosin. The concentrations of actin-binding protein and myosin were higher in blebs than in cells or cytoplasmic extracts, whereas actin concentrations were similar (relative to extracts) or only slightly greater (than in cells). Blebs and intact cells had high lactate dehydrogenase activities in the presence but not the absence of Triton X-100. Blebs and cells oxidased 1-[(14)C]glucose, and the rate of glucose oxidation was increased substantially in the presence of latex beads. We conclude that intact sacs of plasmalemma encasing contractile proteins and cytoplasmic enzymes can be isolated from macrophages. They are enriched in myosin and actin-binding protein, indicating that the contractile apparatus is regulated in the cell periphery. These structures have the capacity to respond to environmental signals. We suggest the name "podosomes" for them because of their resemblance to macrophage pseudopodia. We propose that podosome formation results from rapid dissolution of the cortical gel when the membrane is in an actively extended configuration.


Evidence for contractile protein translocation in macrophage spreading, phagocytosis, and phagolysosome formation.

Macrophage pseudopodia that surround objects during phagocytosis contain a meshwork of actin filaments and exclude organelles. Between these pseudopodia at the base of developing phagosomes, the organelle exclusion ceases, and lysosomes enter the cell periphery to fuse with the phagosomes. Macrophages also extend hyaline pseudopodia on the surface of nylon wool fibers and secrete lysosomal enzymes into the extracellular medium instead of into phagosomes. To analyze biochemically these concurrent alterations in cytoplasmic architecture, we allowed rabbit lung macrophages to spread on nylon wool fibers and then subjected the adherent cells to shear. This procedure caused the selective release of beta-glucoronidase into the extracellular medium and yielded two fractions, cell bodies and isolated pseudopod blebs resembling podosomes, which are plasma-lemma-bounded sacs of cortical cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic extracts of the cell bodies eluted from nylon fibers contained two-thirds less actin-binding protein and myosin, and approximately 20 percent less actin and two-thirds of the other two proteins were accounted for in podosomes. The alterations in protein composition correlated with assays of myosin-associated EDTA-activated adenosine triphosphatase activity, and with a diminution in the capacity of extracts of nylon wool fiber-treated cell bodies to gel, a property dependent on the interaction between actin-binding protein and F-actin. However, the capacity of the remaining actin in cell bodies to polymerize did not change. We propose that actin-binding protein and myosin are concentrated in the cell cortex and particularly in pseudopodia where prominent gelation and syneresis of actin occur. Actin in the regions from which actin-binding protein and myosin are displaced disaggregates without depolymerizing, permitting lysosomes to gain access to the plasmalemma. Translocation of contractile proteins could therefore account for the concomitant differences in organelle exclusion that characterize phagocytosis.


Continuation of mitosis after selective laser microbeam destruction of the centriolar region.

The centriole regions of prophase PTK2 cells were irradiated with a laser microbeam. Cells continued through mitosis normally. Ultrastructural analysis revealed either an absence of centrioles or severely damaged centrioles at the irradiated poles. Microtubules appeared to focus into pericentriolar cloud material.


Motility occurring in association with the surface of the Chlamydomonas flagellum.

Chlamydomonas flagella exhibit a previously undescribed form of motility. This is the rapid, bidirectional, saltatory movement of marker particles occurring in association with the extracellular surface of the flagellum.


Evidence from serial sections that some cells contain large numbers of mitochondria.

Three-dimensional reconstructions based on serial sections through cells of the chloromonadophycean alga Gonyostomum semen Diesing indicate that there are many small unbranched mitochondria in log-phase cells. These organelles are approximately ellipsoid in shape with their longest axis ranging from 0-7 to 2-0 micrometer in length. Occasionally mitochondria reaching up to 3-6 micrometer in length have been observed: these have the same general morphology as their smaller counterparts. Preliminary observations indicate that cells of a related alga, Vacuolaria virescens Cienkowsky, also possess many small unbranched mitochondria. These observations are discussed in relation to recent reports that some cells contain a single branched mitochondrion or, at most, a small number of these organelles. It is suggested that mitochondrial number may be related to cell volume and that large cells may contain many mitochondria.


Outgrowth of human fibroblast aggregates on a substratum triggers a wide variety of morphogenetic properties in the cells.

Twenty-four-hour-old aggregates of human diploid skin fibroblasts are allowed to attach to a glass or plastic substratum. As a result of this attachment the cells in the aggregate demonstrate rapid and generalized changes in cell shape, cell surface and cytoplasm ultrastructure and in their ability to incorporate [3H]thymidine. Within 24 h they grow out on the substratum to attain the regular monolayer configuration. During the process of leaving the aggregate for the substratum a great number of different morphogenetic properties are displayed by the cells, resembling the properties of embryonic or epithelial cells. The simultaneous occurrence of this great variety of cell shape and cell surface changes, many of them unusual for fibroblasts, as well as the concurrent formation of organized cytoplasmic structures - microfilaments, microtubules - at localized areas of the cells, makes this system a potentially useful tool in the study of cell behaviour.


Intercellular junctions in the central nervous system of insects.

The intercellular junctional complexes in the central nervous system (CNS) from a variety of insect species have been examined by thin-sectioning and freeze-fracturing techniques. Of particular concern has been the fine-structural basis of the blood-brain barrier observed to be present in the outer perineurial layer around the avascular insect CNS. The basis of this has been found in the form of tight  junctions (zonulae occludentes) present both in sections and in replicas of the perineurium. In the latter, they appear as one or two simple linear ridges, lying parallel to the outer surface, which occasionally display overlapping. The complex geometry of the interdigitating perineurial cells apparently permits such a relatively simple series of ridges to function as a barrier, since tracers are found not to penetrate beyond this level into the underlying nervous tissue. Such evidence is supported by microprobe X-ray analysis of lanthanum-incubated tissues, the perineurium compared with the glia-ensheathed axons showing the presence and absence of lanthanum, respectively. Possible physiological mechanisms that could operate 'in vitro' to maintain the blood-brain barrier are also considered. Other intercellular junctions such as desmosomes, septate junctions and gap junctions are found in the perineurial layer too, the last exhibiting EF particle plaques and PF pits. Glia-glia junctions also occur in some insect species; they include desmosomes, inverted gap junctions and occasional tight junctions. Septate, gap and tight junctions are also found on the membranes of tracheoles penetrating the CNS. Short, ridge-like elaborations and other particle arrays are found on the PF on the axon surfaces and the significance of these structures is discussed.


Ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatase activity in root tips by the p-(acetoxymercuric) aniline diazotate reagent and a comparison with a Gomori procedure.

The localization of acid phosphatase was studied in root tip cells of pea and mung bean by use of a heavy metal azo-dye technique. Diazotized p-(acetoxymercuric) aniline in a post-coupling procedure, using naphthol AS-BI phosphate as substrate, yielded a fine particulate reaction product within vacuoles, intercellular spaces, multivesicular bodies and at various sites throughout the cytoplasm of pea root cells and differentiating mung bean protoxylem cells. An ultrastructural comparison with a modified Gomori lead-salt precipitation method revealed differences in the subcellular location of beta-glycerophosphatase and naphthol AS-BI phosphatase. The distribution of acid phosphatases within plant meristematic cells is discussed.


Accumulation of gene products in the oocytes of the dragonfly Cordulia aenea. II. Induction of annulate lamellae within dense masses during diapause.

During the 3 years  of nymphal development of the dragonfly Cordulia aenea, gene products slowly accumulate in the cytoplasm of the previtellogenic oocytes. Nuclear extrusions separate into nematosome and dense-mass components. The dense masses, RNP-containing globules of thightly packed fibrillar material, disperse throughout the oocyte cytoplasm. The last instar nymph experiences an obligatory diapause, after which oocyte development passes from mid to late previtellogenesis, and eventually to vitellogenesis proper in the adult. During diapause, annulate lamellae are induced within the dense masses. This process is continued during late previtellogenesis. The formation of annulate lamellae may be related to activation of some genetic message stored in the dense masses. The possibility of tubulin synthesis is discussed.


Plant protoplast agglutination and membrane-bound beta-lectins.

Plant protoplast agglutination caused by normal and immune serum and by artificial carbohydrate antigens is described. Evidence is presented that the new class of lectins, called all-beta lectins by previous authors, are present in protoplast membranes and responsible for both forms of agglutination. Some non-specific serum component and the artificial antigens are the 2 respective passive 'bridge' molecules between agglutinating protoplasts.


Cytochalasin B-induced pseudo-cleavage of mouse oocytes in vitro. II. Studies of the mechanism and morphological consequences of pseudocleavage.

Mouse oocytes are induced by cytochalasin B to undergo 'pseudocleavage' in vitro into 2 compartments, only one of which possesses microvilli. It has been found that this particular response to cytochalasin B is related to oocyte size and, possibly, to the acquisition of meiotic competence by the oocyte during its growth phase. Certain of the morphological events which characterize pseudocleavage have been determined using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. These events include: (i) an initial withdrawal of microvilli from the surface of the oocyte, together with the concomitant disappearance of microfilaments normally associated with the microvilli; (ii) the subsequent formation of a pseudocleavage furrow and contractile ring; and (iii) the reappearance of microvilli and associated microfilaments in one of the two resulting oocyte compartments. These changes in surface architecture are reflected in the distribution of fluorescein-conjugated lectins bound to the oocyte surface during pseudocleavage.


5-Bromodeoxyuridine-induced formation of virus-like particles in Naegleria gruberi EGs.

Exposure of axenic cultures of the amoeboflagellate Naegleria gruberi EGs to the thymidine analogue 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) resulted in the induction of virus-like particles (VLP) and various structures associated with their development and presumed transmission. Previously, VLP induction could be accomplished only by growing amoebae in the presence of living bacteria as a food source. Addition of excess thymidine along with BrdU did not block induction of particles. This account demonstrates that the EGs-VLP system responded to BrdU as do a number of mammalian cell lines harbouring latent viruses, and provides the basis for future work on the infectivity of the VLPs for other amoebae as well as tissue culture cells.


Development and regulation of the phosphorylase-glycogen complex in myogenic cells of the L6 line.

The development of the phosphorylase-glycogen complex was studied in cells of the myogenic line L6 at different stages of differentiation. Our results indicate that the complex is already present in mononucleated myoblasts. However, several features of the complex observed in the myoblasts, such as the total amount of phosphorylase bound to the polysaccharide, and the type of glycogen agglomerates present in the cells, differ from those of the myotubes. It is postulated that at the moment when the myoblasts differentiate, definitive metabolic events take place. At this time the protein-glycogen complex is completed, phosphorylase being bound to small glycogen particles, and the multinucleated myotubes begin to accumulate a reserve of free glycogen. This latter constituent is mobilized first upon glucose starvation.


[Rehabilitation of the portal vein. Anatomical, experimental and clinical observations of liver metastases].

We have studied the macroscopic anatomy of the portal vein to explain the distribution of metastatic emboli, by the orientation of its branches and its internal flows. Its termination seen under the microscope permits, by knowledge of the portal microcirculation of the lobule, one to localise nidation of these emboli in the hepatic sinus and, to explain their proliferation, without neglecting the dynamic role of the hepatic artery through the numerous arterio-portal anastomoses. The portal blood flow is essential to liver regeration even if arterio-biliary proliferation provides the initial impulsion. Interruption of a portal branch produces hepatic atrophy with resultant metabolic disorders. In this context, a precise physiopathological approach permits one to consider the consequences of metastases and, particularly, porto-lymphatic reflux which explains the topography and onset of new emboli. The study of the portal system is an important factor in the decision to operate widely. A nutrient route, the portal vein is followed by the metastasis, it may be interrupted by ligature to prevent the latter. Finally it is an efficacious route for destruction of macroscopic foci (chemotherapy) or prevention and destruction of infraclinical foci (active non-specific loco-regional immunotherapy).


[Colonic and rectal villous tumors. Comparative study of treatment by surgery or radiotherapy. Report of 104 cases].

The authors report and analyse two series of observations of colonic and rectal villous tumours. 47 treated initially by surgical removal, 57 treated by radiotherapy, (contact radiotherapy or interstitial radium therapy). After recalling the basic pathology, they expose the results of each group of treatment and draw practical conclusions. The treatment should first be surgical, the method depending on the site and volume of the tumour; radiotherapy may be a beneficial complement when the tumour is malignant and non-invasive or when a recurrence occurs. It may exceptionally be used as a cure when the tumour has a small diameter (less than 3 cm) and is situated less than 12 cm from the anus.


[Single ruptured pelvic hydatid cyst as an unusual manifestation of secondary peritoneal echinococcosis].

The authors report the case of a large pelvic tumour compressing the bladder, the ureters and the recto-sigmoid junction. Its sudden rupture into the peritoneum led to an emergency operation and the discovery of a hydatid cyst ruptured into the pouch of Douglas and a hepatic cyst. The most frequent presentation of peritoneal echinococcosis, peritoneal cysts are metastases from a hepatic or splenic cyst which has ruptured into the peritoneum. They are usually multiple. Single pelvic lesions are rare, their hydatid nature is in the absence of a past history of hydatid disease difficult to suspect before operation. The object of the latter is to treat in one stage the primary cyst and its peritoneal metastases. The narrow vascular connections of the pelvic cysts render cystectomy dangerous and make one prefer removal of the germinal membrane followed by marsupialisation or drainage of the remaining cavity. In the long term, the frequency of peritoneal recurrences makes prolonged supervision necessary.


[Elective decompression of esophageal varices using Warren's distal splenorenal bypass].

Distal spleno-renal anastomosis is worth consideration in the treatment of certain forms of portal hypertension, especially when there is a satisfactory portal blood flow. Apart from the low operative mortality and morbidity its main advantages are the preservation of portal hepatic blood flow, the reduction or suppression of which may have a deleterious effect on the liver, and also avoid or reduce to a minimum the risk of portal systemic encephalopathy, while producing effective decompression of the oesophageal varices. This operation is contra-indicated in presence of a greatly reduced or inversed portal blood flow, and also in cases of ascites or marked stasis of the splanchnic or retroperitoneal lymphatic network.


[Heterotopic cystic pancreas of the duodenal wall without associated chronic pancreatitis (author's transl)].

Reporting a case of cystic dystrophy of ectopic duodenal pancreas without associated pancreatitis, the authors recall the special characteristics of this exceptional entity and conclude that cephalic duodene pancreatectomy is the only operation which in their opinion can confirm the diagnosis and cause the symptoms to disappear.


[The blood supply of the semitendinosus, gracilis and sartorius muscles and surgical applications (author's transl)].

The vascular pedicles of the semitendinosus, gracilis and sartorius muscles were identified by the authors. Although devascularisation of the tendons is of no importance in plastic operations, any technic using the fleshy part of these muscles should take care to preserve the blood supply. It is therefore important to know their anatomy.


Simultaneous gas chromatographic analysis of lower fatty acids, phenols and indoles using a glass capillary column.

The simultaneous gas chromatographic separation of a mixture of 14 lower fatty acis, 11 phenols and 7 indoles has been effected by using a glass capillary column. Complete separation of the mixture has been obtained, except for phenol and o-cresol and o-ethylphenol and 3,5-xylenol whose peaks overlapped, and 2- and 3-methylindoles which were poorly separated. The optimum conditions are as follows: stationary phase, FFAP or PEG-20M; column (20 m X 0.28 mm I.D.) temperature, held for 1 min at 145 degrees (FFAP) or 130 degrees (PEG-20M); column oven, heated at 4 degrees/min from 145 or 130 to 180 degrees (FFAP) or 165 degrees (PEG-20M), maintained at 180 or 165 degrees for 30 min; carrier gas (helium) flow-rate, 0.6 ml/min (FFAP), 1.3 ml/min (PEG-20M); flame ionization detector. The method has been applied to the analysis of lower fatty acids, phenols and indoles in Japanese cigarette smoke, where the peaks were identified by the disappearance method using an alkaline pre-column.


Gas chromatographic analysis of acetophenone oxime and its metabolites.

A gas-liquid chromatographic (GLC) method has been developed for monitoring the metabolic reduction of acetophenone oxime or oxidative metabolism of the corresponding amine, alpha-methylbenzylamine in liver homogenates. The oxime, amine, n-hydroxy-alpha-methylbenzylamine and acetophenone are quantitatively determined after GLC separation of components with temperature programming on an SP-2401-DB-coated column. The first three compounds were silylated with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)-acetamide prior to chromatographic analysis to enhance the stability and improve the chromatographic properties of these components. The effluent gas was monitored with flame ionization detection, and permitted quantitation of components at sub-microgram/ml levels with reproducibility between injections of +/-2%. The optimal composition of enantiomeric mixtures of (R,S)-alpha-methylbenzylamines formed during metabolic reduction of acetophenone oximes were determined by conversion to diastereomeric amides and subsequent GLC analysis.


Sensitive and specific gas chromatographic and extraction method for the determination of orphenadrine in human body fluids.

A gas chromatographic and extraction method for the assay of orphenadrine in plasma and urine has been developed, in which diphenhydramine is used as the internal standard. The procedure involves extraction with isopentane and alkali flame ionization (nitrogen) detection. Orphenadrine N-oxide and N-dealkylated orphenadrine did not interfere with the analysis. Orphenadrine concentrations down to 1 ng/ml can be determined. Application in a pharmacokinetic/bioavailability study is reported.


Gas-liquid chromatographic determination of clonidine and some analogues in rat brain tissue. Brain concentrations and hypotensive activity.

A simple and sensitive gas-liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the quantitative determination of clonidine and some structurally related imidazolidines in rat brain tissue. The aqueous brain homogenates are first purified and then extracted into benzene. Samples are injected directly into the gas chromatograph. The extraction procedure is selective, and the use of a phosphorus-nitrogen detector enables accurate determinations corresponding to brain concentrations down to at least 10ng/g. The rat brain concentrations of clonidine and its derivatives achieved at the moment of maximal decrease in arterial pressure are proportional to the doses administered intravenously, and are not influenced by the effect of the compounds on the blood pressure or by the method of anaesthesia employed. It is concluded that, for the linear part of the dose-response curves for these compounds, the brain concentration is a measure of the hypotensive effect.


Specific thin-layer chromatographic method for the determination of quinidine in biological fluids.

A sensitive, accurate and specific spectrodensitometric method has been developed for the determination of quinidine in biological fluids. It involves extraction of quinidine, dihydroquinidine and metabolites, their separation on thin layers and quantitation of the corresponding spots by direct scanning in a densitometer at 278 nm. A linear relationship was obtained between the ratio of the peak area of an unknown sample to that of the standard and the concentration of the compounds at 0.4-4microgram/ml. The recovery from plasma was from 96 to 103% for quinidine and from 93.5 to 98.5% for dihydroquinidine. A comparison was made between this thin-layer chromatographic method and the fluoriemtric assay frequently used for the determination of quinidine in plasma at present. The method is recommended for clinical assays and pharmacokinetics studies.


Determination of diminazene in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

An analytical method is described for determining diminazene levels in plasma of cattle. Diminazene is reduced to 4-aminobenzamidine which is extracted and assayed by high-performance ion pair reverse phase partition chromatography. 3,4-Dimethoxybenzamidine served as an internal standard. Diminazene levels as low as 0.1 microgram per ml were detected.


Suppression of thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) release by pyridoxine in chronic primary hypothyroidism.

A single iv dose of pyridoxine (V) (300 mg) caused a significant decrease in the concentration of serum thyrotropin (TSH) in 6 patients with primary hypothyroidism. There was no consistent change in serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine concentrations suring the experiment. The serum prolactin (PRL) levels were also suppressed by pyridoxine administration. These findings suggest that pyridoxine inhibits TSH secretion as well PRL by a direct action on the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.


Benign breast dysplasia causing hypercalcemia.

An adolescent female had hypercalcemia and massive, bilateral breast enlargement. At neck and mediastinal explorations three parathyroid glands were removed and found to be histologically normal. Following bilateral mastectomy the hypercalcemia resolved within two days and did not recur during a six-year period of followup. Microscopic examination of the excised breast tissue revealed marked dysplasia but no cancer. Those findings suggest that benign, dysplastic breast tissue can release humoral mediators of hypercalcemia.


Lipid metabolism in pregnancy. IV. C Apoprotein changes in very low and intermediate density lipoproteins.

In vitro studies indicate that relative amounts of apolipoproteins CII and CIII in plasma may alter lipoprotein lipase mediated triglyceride removal from very low density lipoprotein. Therefore, we have determined relative amounts of these peptides in pregnant women in late gestation (mean 36 weeks) and 6 and 20 weeks postpartum. Very low density (d less than 1.006) and intermediate density (d 1.006-1.019) lipoproteins have been examined because they are affected similarly in pregnancy. Triglyceride and cholesterol in these two fractions increased 3 1/2 to 4 1/2-fold in pregnancy in keeping with previous reports. On a relative basis, apo CII was decreased and apo CIII1 and CIII2 increased in both VLDL and IDL at 36 weeks gestation. At 6 and 20 weeks postpartum relative amounts of C peptides returned to identical levels and were unaffected by lactation. It remains to be seen if in vivo triglyceride removal in pregnancy is altered by the reduction in apo CII relative to apo CIII.


Influence of glucagon replacement on the hyperglycemic and hyperketonemic response to prolonged somatostatin infusion in normal man.

Somatostatin was infused for 6 h into seven normal subjects with and without a replacement dose of glucagon. The addition of glucagon to somatostatin resulted in a 30-40% rise in plasma glucagon, whereas plasma insulin declined by 40-50% in both treatment groups. Plasma glucose and glucose production initially increased 2-fold with glucagon replacement, and subsequently declined by 2-3 h to levels comparable to those observed with somatostatin alone. After 6 h plasma glucose and glucose kinetics were no different whether or not glucagon was present. The rise in blood ketones after somatostatin was not exaggerated by glucagon replacement. We conclude that glucagon lack is not a modifying factor in the late hyperglycemic and hyperketonemic response to prolonged infusions of somatostatin.


Radioimmunoassay of human beta-lipotropin in unextracted plasma.

A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay for human beta-lipotropin (betah-LPH) in unextracted plasma was developed using pur betah-LPH as tracer and standard and an antiserum not cross-reacting with human beta-MSH and hACTH. In healthy volunteers plasma betah-LPH ranged from less than 20 to 150 pg/ml at 8:00 a.m. and rose after metyrapone administration. betah-LPH was very low in panhypopituitarism, normal in most patients with untreated Cushing's disease, elevated in acromegaly and extremely high in Nelson's syndrome.


Human pituitary prolactin (hPRL): the entire linear amino acid sequence.

For the first time the entire linear amino acid sequence of hPRL has been ascertained. The sequence features 198 amino acid residues, leucine at the NH2-terminus, and 6 half custines. hPRL sequence identity with porcine, ovine, and rat PRL is 77, 73, and 60%, respectively. However, hPRL sequence identity with hGH is only 16%, and with human placental lactogen 13%.


Metabolism of catechol estrogen by human erythrocytes.

In a study designed to evaluate the kinetics of catechol estrogen formation from plasma estrone in vivo, we obtained evidence that the red blood cell (RBC) enzyme, catechol-O-methyl transferase, catalyzes the transformation of 2-hydroxyestrone to 2-methoxyestrone. Under in vitro conditions, the rate of conversion of 2-hydroxyestrone to 2-methoxyestrone by human RBC's was such that 7 nmol of 2-methoxyestrone were formed per h per ml of RBC.


Glucose, insulin and somatostatin infusion for the determination of insulin sensitivity.

Glucose, insulin and somatostatin infusion over 2 hours effectively suppressed endogenous secretion of insulin, glucagon and growth hormones. Steady state plasma glucose level (SSPG) which should be inversely proportional to insulin sensitivity was obtained. In 6 adult-onset non-obese untreated diabetics, mean value of insulin sensitivity indices was significantly reduced compared with normal. In 5 insulin-treated diabetics and in 5 subjects with borderline glucose tolerance including 2 obese subjects, insulin sensitivity for glucose utilization was also significantly diminished.


The use of tetrahydrocortisone-3-beta-D-glucuronide in the measurement of urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids.

THE 3-G was added to H2O and 56 urines, and the recovered THE was measured by the Porter-Silber method. The recovery from H2O was quantitative (98 +/- 2%), but highly variables from urine, ranging from 35 to 100%. The necessity of the proper standard in analysis of urinary steroid glucuronides was demonstrated. The presence in urine of endogenous inhibitors to beta-glucuronidase was confirmed.


Radioimmunoassay of estriol-16-glucuronide.

A specific radioimmunoassay of estriol-16-glucuronide has been developed, using an antiserum obtained by immunization of rabbits against estriol-16-glucuronide-BSA. The assay does not require hydrolysis, extraction and purification, but only a dilution of the crude sample. This constitutes the main advantage of the precedure. Accuracy, precision and sensitivity of the method are similar to those reported for other radioimmunoassays of estriol. Its specificity is good for the measurement of estriol-16-glucuronide in urine and in amniotic fluid, but not in serum of pregnant women, which apparently contains material interfering with the radioimmunoassay, at dilutions of less than 1/100. A significant correlation was observed between estriol-16-glucuronide and total estriol in urine during pregnancy; however, the contribution of the glucuronide to the total increases as pregnancy progresses, rising from 50% for a total of 5 mg/24 h to 85% for a total of 50 mg/24 h. The present radioimmunoassay can be used as a quick and reliable method for the measurement of urinary estriol-16-glucuronide in high risk pregnancies.


Studies in the biotransformation of cortisol to cortoic acids in man. III. 21-Oxidation of 4-14C,21-3H-desoxycorticosterone.

The metabolism of (4-14C, 21-3H) desoxycorticosterone (DOC) in man has been studied. DOC, like cortisol, undergoes oxidation at C-21 with the formation of acidic metabolites (2.3-8.2% of the dose). The release of 3H into the body water, either by oxidation or exchange, is approximately twice as great as the actual formation of acidic metabolites (as judged from the recovery of 14C in the urinary acidic fraction), but both parameters were considerably smaller than the corresponding values for cortisol. The principal metabolite isolated from the urine was 21-hydroxypregnanolone, which had an isotope ratio (3H/14C) greater than that of the dose; the pregnanetriols, which were formed in lesser amounts, had significantly lower isotope ratios than the dose. The absence of the 17-hydroxy group in DOC appears to modify C-21 oxidation, decreasing its magnitude and altering the character of the products.


Demonstration of specific plasma protein binding sites for somatomedin.

Native somatomedin (SM) has an apparent mol wt of at least 60,000 daltons, while all the purified SM peptides have mol wt 5-8,000 daltsons. We have studied the behavior of somatomedin in plasma during gel filtration at pH 8.1 and pH 2.8, and by the recombination of fractions. Using porcine bioassay for SM, displacement of 125I-insulin by SM, and binding of 125I-SM to plasma proteins, we can demonstrate that the disparity in apparent mol wt of SM is due to reversible binding to plasma proteins which are themselves biologically inactive. This binding site is specific for the SM peptides, saturable, and has high affinity and relatively low capacity.


Two outbreaks of Flavobacterium meningosepticum type E in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Two separate outbreaks due to Flavobacterium meningosepticum type E occurred in a neonatal intensive care unit in March-April and July 1975. The first outbreak involved all five infants in the unit. Two infants developed meningitis, one had bacteremia, and two were colonized. During the second outbreak, five of seven infants were colonized but none developed disease. The upper respiratory tract was colonized first in most instances, and the organism persisted at this site for a mean of 17.3 days. Duration of colonization was more prolonged in infants receiving antibiotics than in untreated infants. Extensive environmental surveillance failed to demonstrate a reservoir, however, F. meningosepticum was recovered from three nasoendotracheal tubes and from an aerosol tube before colonization of four infants. The organism was resistant to most antimicrobial colonization of four infants. The organism was resistant to most antimicrobial agents tested and developed resistance to others during the treatment course of one infant. Although F. meningosepticum was not recovered from cultures of transport vehicles, several other gram-negative bacteria were isolated and were also resistant to multiple antibiotics.


Bacteriology of the urethra in normal men and men with nongonococcal urethritis.

Sixty-nine Caucasian males without a previous history of urethritis and who developed nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) and 39 similar men without urethritis (NU) were cultured from the urethra for Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, aerobes, and anaerobes. C. trachomatis infection was proven by culture of serology in 26 (38%) of the NGU group and 1 (3%) of the NU group; the C. trachomatis-negative NGU group had significantly more U. urealyticum (81%) than the C. trachomatis-positive NGU group (42%) or the NU group (59%). Aerobes were isolated from significantly more NU men (91%) than from men with NGU (66%). The aerobic and anaerobic flora of the two NGU groups were similar. The NU group had significantly more aerobic lactobacilli. Haemophilus vaginalis, alpha-hemolytic streptococci (not Streptococcus faecalis), and anaerobes, predominantly Bacteroides species. This study has provided information about the prevalence and the variety of the aerobic and anaerobic microbiological flora of the anterior urethra of sexually active males. It does not implicate any bacteria other than C. trachomatis and U. urealyticum as potential causes of NGU.


Evaluation of kanamycin-esculin bile agar for isolation and presumptive identification of Bacteroides fragilis group.

A kanamycin-esculin bile medium was useful for selective isolation and presumptive identification (24 h) of the Bacteroides fragilis group.


Modified Lombard-Dowell broth as a general growth medium.

A new liquid medium (modified Lombard-Dowell broth) was inoculated with stock culture strains of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and compared with prereduced chopped-meat glucose inoculated with the same anaerobes. Both broths were subcultured at 48 and 72 h to aerobic and anaerobic blood agar plates, and the numbers of colonies were compared after 48-h incubation of the agar plates. This was repeated with mixed cultures of both aerobes and anaerobes. For a period of 11 months all specimens received for anaerobic-aerobic culture were inoculated into prereduced chopped-meat glucose and modified Lombard-Dowell broth plus the appropriate plate medium. Growth from subcultures was compared with primary plate isolates. Chopped-meat glucose and modified Lombard-Dowell broth isolates agreed, with the exception of one, Fusobacterium necrophorum, that did not grow in chopped-meat glucose.


Neonatal calcaneous osteomyelitis related to contaminated mineral oil.

Contaminated mineral oil may have been associated with calcaneous osteomyelitis in a newborn. Staphylococcus aureus is viable for 1 month as a suspension in mineral oil.


Anxiety and actualization: a reconceptualization.

In line with Dabrowki's theory of Positive Disintegration, deGrace recently reported no significant difference in terms of anxiety level between groups of actualized and nonactualized Ss. Several methodological and theoretical flaws noted in the deGrace study led the present authors to hypothesize that actualized Ss would score significantly lower than nonactualized Ss on separate but conceptually related measures of manifest or neurotic anxiety. Ss (83 females and 42 males) were administered the Personal Orientation Inventory, the IPAT Anxiety Scale, and the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale. The results, which substantiate the hypothesis that levels of actualization and anxiety are correlated negatively, are discussed in relation to the conceptual distinction between debilitating and facilitating anxiety and their respective effects on psychological growth.


The effect of indefinite pretrial incarceration on the anxiety level of an urban jail population.

This study investigated the effect of indefinite incarceration on the anxiety levels of males (N = 60) held in a large metropolitan county jail. The IPAT Anxiety Scale Questionnaire (Self Analysis Form) was administered to 60 male Ss (18 to 26 years of age) at intervals of 1 weeks and 8 weeks after incarceration. An analysis of variance, one-way with repeated measures, on the matching IPAT Anxiety Scale scores revealed a highly significant increase in anxiety (p less than .001) from 1 week to 8 weeks. A Newman-Keuls posttest comparison also indicated that anxiety levels rose significantly (p less than .001). The results suggested that indefinite pretrail incarceration can increase anxiety to a level of psychological morbidity. The possible effect of this finding upon the guarantee of a right to speedy trial was discussed.


The measurement of psychological androgyny: an extended replication.

The Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI), the recently developed measure for psychological androgyny, was administered to 344 middle-Tennessee high school and university students. The BSRS's reliability coefficients and mean scores were very similar to those reported earlier for California junior college and university students, respectively. The present scoring patterns for the BSRI remained unchanged with the introduction of the four "familial context" variables of sex of Ss' siblings, sex of Ss' nearest-in-age sibling, parent whom the Ss considered emotionally warmest, and parent whom the Ss would most prefer to be like. Contrary to Bem's original findings, the present results with the BSRI suggested that Ss' responses to the measure may be affected by the social desirability phenomenon. Moreover, scores on the BSRI did not correlate consistently or highly with those presently obtained with a symbolic sex-role measure and a verbal sex-role scale. This lack of construct validity has been reported previously in at least two other studies. Though apparently reliable, the validity of the BSI remains problematic.


Dream reports and the test of emotional styles: a convergent - discriminant validity study.

Thirty-eight undergraduates completed the forced-choice form of the Test of Emotional Styles and participated in a 4-day dream recall study. Correlational analysis was performed with the three dimensions of emotional style and two dream report aspects as variables. The dimensions failed to correlate significantly with any of the dream report variables, although the dimensions intercorrelated significantly among themselves. Doubt is expressed as to the construct validity of the subscales of the Test of Emotional Styles.


Choice of defense mechanisms by Indian and white adolescents.

An analysis of Defense Mechanism Inventory scores from Indian and white adolescents indicated some cultural differences. Differences between white, male-female performance scores were found in all five defense catagories. Differences between Indian, male-female performance scores were found for three of the five defense categories. Indian-white differences were found only for males and involved the two categories of turning against object and reversal. It was concluded that Indian child-rearing practices and culture may foster the development of reversal type defenses and inhibit the development of turning against object type defense within Indian males.


A retest of MMPI prediction of admission to a psychiatric hospital.

In a previous study, Jones, Kahn, and Langsley (1965) investigated the hypothesis that the MMPI would prove clinically useful in the prediction of admission to a psychiatric hospital. They found that the MMPI had negligible predictive validity for such an application. However, several methodological flaws left the conclusion of that study in doubt. This paper retested the hypothesis that the MMPI can be predictive of the admission decision when a sophisticated multivariate classification technique and adequate sample size are used. Given our results, the hypothesis again must be rejected. Possible problems associated with testing an hypothesis such as this are discussed.


A new approach to determine the reliability of the rater technique by use of Smith's Rating Scales.

Used as the base for the study a sample of ratings of 15 pilots made by supervisors during a 6-month period. This report of that evaluation confirms the validity of technique (Smith, 1974) using intraclass correlation and Spearman's rho to identify which rates were unreliable. More rigorous criteria for the elimination of unreliable raters were developed by applying the Kuder-Richardson reliability than the intraclass correlation criteria used by Smith. The proposed technique permits improved reliability by the criterious removal of the raters who are not contributing significantly to the total consistency of the behavioral scale and thus eliminates partially the inconvenience of the unavailable significant table of data to test the acceptance of the reliability.


M-F: biopolar and probably multidimensional.

Scores on the MMPI MF scale and the WAIS M-F index were found not to be correlated highly with each other, but to be correlated significantly with self-rated sexual orientation in a mixed-sex group of Ss. Only when the implicit bipolarity of each of the test scales were taken into account were the scales significantly related to sexual orientation. The combination of the two M-F indices accounted for significantly more of the variance in sexual orientation than either scale alone. The results suggest that M-F may be considered accurately to be both a bipolar and a multidimensional construct.


Repression-sensitization and processing of favorable and adverse information.

One hundred forty-two female Ss divided into repressors and sensitizers by their median score on the R-S scale received either a favorable or an unfavorable evaluation of themselves, both discrepant at a similar degree from their own self-evaluation. Sensitizers, in comparison to repressors, exhibited greater adoption of the negative evaluation and acceptance of its source, but less acceptance of the positive evaluation and its source. These results were explained as providing support for the contention that repressors and sensitizers differ in their willingness to assign negative vs. positive qualities to one's self and to endorse internal conflict rather than in their choice of defense mechanisms in the face of threatening information.


Comparability of WISC and WISC-R scores among borderline and mildly retarded children.

The comparability of WISC and WISC-R IQ scores was studied in a sample of 48 mildly retarded and borderline children. All WISC-R and WISC IQ and subtest scores were found to be related significantly, but not directly comparable. Generally, the WISC-R yielded lower scores with the exceptions of the Performance IQ score and the PC, PA, and OA subtest scores. Subtest patterning on the WISC-R for this group was similar to previously reported data on the WISC. Caution was suggested in making direct comparisons of WISC and WISC-R scores, at least within the ability range studied.


Case studies on remediating memory deficits in brain-damaged individuals.

Two case reports illustrate the application of mnemonic techniques for the remediation of memory problems common to brain-damaged patients. A clinical paradigm for such work that includes general and specific assessment; laboratory evaluation of intervention strategies, and finally in-vitro application is described.


Male homosexual behavior and ego function strategies in the group encounter.

This paper analyzes characteristic patterns of interaction by male homosexuals in the group treatment context according to both psychodynamic and behavioral criteria. Extensive clinical observation has yielded an overview of high probability homosexual response in group settings to the masculine male, older male, feminine male, feminine female, older feminine female, and masculine female. The nature of self-exploration and expression of intimacy is affected deeply by certain key intrapsychic factors and subtle situational cues. The paper stresses the critical importance associated with group leaders acquiring an understanding of antecedents to personality deficits in male homosexuals.


The effects of rational stage directed imagery on self-concept and reduction of psychological stress in adolescent delinquent females.

This study examined the effect of four treatment conditions on self-concept and reduction of psychological stress in adolescent delinquent females. The treatments were Rational State Directed Imagery, a cognitive behavioral approach that utilized intensive muscle relaxation and vivid-emotive-imagery, a rational (cognitive) restructuring treatment, a placebo condition, and a no treatment control. Ss were assigned randomly to one of these treatment groups, which met 1 hour per week for 6 consecutive weeks, with in-vivo homework assignments also utilized. Statistically scale were noted for the RSDI group at the posttest and at a 2-month follow-up, which supports the therapeutic efficacy of this treatment. Support was found for the effectiveness of the rational (cognitive) restructuring approach immediately posttreatment; however these effects disappeared at the 2-month follow-up. The placebo and control groups showed no significant effects at either posttreatment or the follow-up. These results suggest that RSDI has potential for use as a short-term psychotherapeutic approach when self-concept modification is a primary goal.


Demographic and clinical characteristics as predictors of length of hospitalization and readmission.

The present study investigated demographic and clinical characteristics of psychiatric patients in relation to the two criterion variables of length of hospitalization and readmission within 3 months of discharge. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified five variables as the optimal set of predictors for length of hospitalization: age, history of commitment, number of prior psychiatric hospitalizations, recent employment history, and past history of suicidal behavior (R = .451). Regression analysis also identified six variables as the optimal set of predictors for readmission within 3 months of discharge: type of discharge, number of prior psychiatric hospitalizations, race, suicide attempt within 1 month prior to admission, subjective report of depression upon admission, and occupational level (R = .452). Implications of the findings for identifying short-term treatment candidates and factors related to readmission are discussed.


Characteristics of state prisoners who demonstrate severe adjustment problems.

Hypothesis was tested that prison inmates who present serious disciplinary problems during incarceration that result in human injury, threat to personal safety, or extensive property damage also will tend to show a history of significant societal maladjustment as compared to prisoners who do not demonstrate adjustment problems. Societal maladjustment was defined to include significant problems in education, marriage, military service, and job stability. This project was an effort to present a picture of the types individuals who cause what generally are considered to be the more severe prison disturbances. The social and relevant background areas were investigated of 50 male state prison inmates who had committed serious acting-out infractions. The same background data were checked on 50 inmates who demonstrated good prison adjustment within the same time period. When background data were analyzed carefully, a trend was discovered that indicated that prisoners who create serious trouble while confined also tend to have significant histories of social failures. The results are interpreted as in favor of the hypothesis.


Therapists' expectations for in-therapy roles of hospitalized patients.

Therapists' expectations with regard to in-therapy behavior of hospitalized patients were measured and factor analyzed. Five interpretable factors emerged and supported the conclusion that therapists' role expectations for patients complement patients' role expectations for therapists. Mean scores on the factors were independent of therapists' experience and professional training.


The therapeutic community: toward a model for implementing patients' rights in psychiatric treatment programs.

This article identifies patients' rights demands and discusses the therapeutic community's potential to act as the conceptual framework for implementing these demands. The author cites five areas in which policy and procedural changes will have to be made: philosophy, physical environment, organizational structure, program, and staff roles and attitudes. Recommendations for change are made in each area. The author concludes that the therapeutic community concept and its philosophy of treatment provide a viable alternative to traditional mental health policy and practice and have the capacity to become the conceptual framework for future residential treatment.


Effects of positive reinforcement on physical complaints at a therapeutic summer camp.

Two studies were conducted that were designed to investigate the role of a staff nurse as an adjunct in a nonmedical therapeutic camp for emotionally disturbed children. Study I was designed to assess the relationship between somatic complaints and daily interpersonal successes and failures of the camper. While visits to the infirmary tended to increase as social reinforcement available elsewhere decreased, correlations generally failed to reach statistical significance. Study II demonstrated that frequency of requests by campers for medical attention could be altered predictably by varying the amount of social reinforcement dispensed by the nurse who attended camper complaints. Implications for the role of the nurse in a network of mental health service delivery were discussed.


Use of the MMPI to predict effective hotline workers.

The present study investigated the use of the MMPI to discriminate between two groups of hotline volunteers: those who after training would become effective interviewers and those who would not. Effective interviewers were defined as those who emitted 40% or more good responses when they were responding to a crisis call. The criterion measure employed was the Therapist Error Checklist. When a specification equation based on standard MMPI scales was used, 91% of effective interviewers and 90% of ineffective interviewers were identified correctly.


Differences in the therapeutic functioning of paraprofessionals with varying lengths of experience.

Measured differences in the ability of paraprofessionals to discriminate and communicate facilitative conditions in psychotherapy as a function of length of experience. Hypothesis tested were that discrimination and communication abilities would be greater in Ss with longer experience and that these abilities would be correlated positively within individuals. Thirty-six mental health workers were categorized into three levels of experience and initial competency. Ss were administered the Carkhuff Discrimination Rating Scale; the level of conditions communicated to patients was assessed through replies to taped patient interviewers. Results failed to support the hypothesized relationships between functioning and experience. However, several interactions were found. Initially more competent Ss tended to improve over time and less competent Ss declined. A positive correlation between abilities within individuals was found. Results were compared with studies that measured the functioning of professional psychology trainees over time, are relevant to issues of therapist selection, and support the use of experiential training programs.


An experimental study of the effectiveness of attitude change techniques for enhancing self-esteem.

A frequent goal in psychotherapy is the modification of low self-esteem. While such modification is accomplished most often in an indirect manner, it is possible to apply attitude change techniques directly to this purpose. In this study, 36 college students who had scored poorly on a standardized measure of self-esteem were exposed to a videotaped counter-attitudinal message under conditions of either high or low credibility; controls did not view the videotape. Results were consistent across several esteem measures and demonstrated significant positive changes in esteem for Ss exposed to the high credibility communication. The possibilities of adapting attitude change techniques to psychotherapy are considered.


Increase of positive self-attributions by means of demythologizing seminars.

In an attempt to change attitudes toward mental illness, as well as to increase positive self-attributions, 37 community residents were presented a series of "demythologizing" seminars. As predicted, the data indicated that seminar participants significantly changed their attitudes in the direction of an antimedical model position, and these attitudes remained stable on a 3-month posttest. After the seminars, participants also changed remained stable on follow-up. Implications of these results for clinical and community psychology were discussed.


The assessment of a relationship disposition, "fantasy withdrawal," from Rorschach face sheet data.

This study investigated the predictive relationship of Rorschach face sheet variables, selected on the basis of psychoanalytic considerations of the patient-examiner relationship, to a dimension of clinical-theoretical relevance in the evaluation of treatment outcome, "fantasy withdrawal." The first step in the present study involved rank ordering and grouping of 19 nosological subgroups along the dimension of fantasy withdrawal. This ranking and grouping served as the criterion against which several quantified aspects of fantasy production on the Rorschach were assessed. The score categories were selected on an a priori basis as most likely to predict the ordering of the patient groups along  the dimension of fantasy withdrawal. A formula for such prediction was developed, applied to the original groups, and then reapplied to a patient group in the present hospital setting.


The aggressive characteristics of abused and neglected children.

Awareness of child abuse as a serious social problem has risen sharply in recent years, yet there has been only limited and inadequate research on the abused child's growth and development. This study investigated the aggressive characteristics of young abused children with those of nonabused-neglected and normal children, a comparison not previously made. Results indicated that abused children exhibited significantly more aggression than the nonabused-negected and normal children on TAT stories and in a free play environment. Both the abused and the nonabused-neglected groups demonstrated significantly more aggression in a school setting than did normals. The findings lend empirical verification to previous descriptions of abused children as overly aggressive and support the social learning formulation that children exposed to aggressive parental models will demonstrate aggressive characteristics outside the home. The data are also consistent with prior research that links physical punishment in the home with hyperaggressiveness in children. The need for early identification and treatment of abused children is discussed.


Body disclosure and self-disclosure--relating two modes of interpersonal encounter.

This study investigated the relationship between body-disclosure and self-disclosure. The author drew upon current research in self-disclosure and body image and hypothesized that self-disclosure and body-disclosure would be directly related. Ss who volunteered for the experiment were matched for sex, past disclosure, and willingness to disclose to someone of the opposite sex. A social nudity experience was provided for one group, an outing day was provided for the second group, and a third group recieved no treatment. Testing included a tape recorded self-disclosure dialogue and ratings of self- and body attitudes. Finally, the Ss were asked to write their subjective "experience of the experiment." Ss who had undergone a body-disclosure experience disclosed more to each other than did Ss in the other groups. Ss also tended to like themselves better after the social nudity experience. Furthermore, they described the body-disclosing day as a peak experience.


WAIS performance in young normal, young alcoholic, and elderly normal groups: an evaluation of organicity and mental aging indices.

Investigated the effects of alcoholism and advanced age on Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) performance and tested the validity of indices of "organicity" and "mental aging" derived from WAIS scores. The WAIS was administered to three groups of 20 males each: young normal (mean age 31 years), young alcoholic (mean age 33 years), and elderly normal (mean age 71 years. In terms of scaled scores, the young normal group was generally superior to the other groups on Verbal and Performance subtests, and the alcoholic and elderly groups resembled each other more on the Verbal than the Performance subtests. In view of an almost 40-year difference in age between the young alcoholic and the elderly normal Ss, similarities in pattern of performance provided some evidence for the hypothesis of "premature aging" in alcholics.


Death expectancies in alcoholic and nonalcoholic persons.

The Do-It-Yourself Death Certificate (DIYDC) was administered to a group of alcoholic inpatients (N = 39) and to a group of university employees (N = 39). The groups were matched on age, sex, and race. Both alcoholics and nonalcoholics projected unrealistic expectations about their deaths when compared with actuarial cause of death data, but this was somewhat more true of those in the alcoholic group, who expected to live longer than would be expected and who only infrequently attributed their deaths to drinking. Strong preferences were expressed for a quick death, and some differences were observed between the groups with regard to seasonal expectations of time of death and attitudes toward life-prolonging techniques. The DIYDC appears to be a useful adjunct to existing methods of death research, and it may have practical applications with some clinical groups, provided that certain ethical considerations are observed.


The effects of self-induced mood states on behavior and physiological arousal.

The effects of reading emotionally loaded statements on behavioral tasks and physiological measures were investigated. Statements were constructed to arouse elation, depression, or neutrality. Ss were both pre- and posttested on Writing Speed, Reaction Time, Decision Time, and Spontaneous Verbalizations. Base rates were obtained for heart rate and galvanic skin response. Elation Ss significantly outperformed both Neutral and Depression Ss on the Reaction Time task. Scores for Neutral Ss fell between those of Elation and Depression Ss on three of the four behavioral measures. No significant differneces were found on the physiological measures.


Psychiatric symptom dimensions in the Cornell Medical Index among normal adult males.

Factor analysis of items from the psychiatric portion of the Cornell Medical Index (CMI) was performed to determine the empirical symptom dimensions in a sample of 1682 normal adult males. Six factors were extracted and interpreted as Irritability, Inability to Cope, Depression, Timidity, Normal Anxiety, and Clinical Anxiety. The factors showed some correspondence to the clinical groupings in the CMI and to factors discovered in other studies. Whiel all showed small positive correlations with a measure of Neuroticism, the consistency of these results argues against the hypothesis that the CMI M-R sections measure only a urinary factor of neurotic complaining. Some modifications in the CMI are recommended that could emhance its utility as a diagnostic or personality instrument.


Maladaptive antisocial aggressive behavior and outlets for intimacy.

Psychotherapy research literature suggests that maladjustment and self-disclosure patterns are related. Male psychiatric patients (23-37 years) were selected according to a stratified random sampling procedure with conditions for Ss: (a) who actually have engaged in maladaptive antisocial aggression (N = 41); (b) who exhibited aggressive impulses, urges, or fantasies (N = 111); and (c) who served as patient (N = 105) and non-patient (N = 137) controls. Results of this study supported the prediction that those patients who actually engaged in maladaptive antisocial aggression employed fewer outlets for self-disclosure than any of the other patient or non-patient groupings. Clinical implications that concerned the actual range of an individual's outlets for intimacy as predictive of maladaptive antisocial aggression in male adults were discussed.


Children's understanding of their emotionally disturbed peers: a replication.

Despite increasing recognition of the early importance of peer relations, virtually no systematic information exists on the way in which normal children view their emotionally disturbed peers. This paper reports a replication of recent findings on children's use of the concept of emotional disturbance. Ss were 40 fourth and sixth graders. Five vignettes that described one normal and four emotionally disturbed boys were read to individual Ss; who were interviewed about their understanding of the central figures (CFs). Interviews were coded to a 5-point scale of degree of perceived emotional disturbance. Earlier findings were replicated to a remarkable degree. Ss differentiated among the CFs in a manner congruent with clinician judges' ratings. Grade differences indicate the differential attention to and valuing of specific behaviors, rather than global differences in perception of emotional disturbance.


Neuropsychological differences between violent and nonviolent adolescents.

Administered the MMPI and elements of a neuropsychological assessment battery to 40 violent and 40 nonviolent adolescent males (M = 14.6 years). Multivariate analysis showed significant differences between groups on neuropsychological tests, but not on the MMPI. Discriminant function analysis indicated that the neuropsychological assessment had greater power to predict group membership of violent and nonviolent Ss than did the MMPI. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that organic impairment contributes to the impulse dyscontrol and associated violent behavior seen in some delinquent adolescents.


Schizophrenic performance during interpersonal competitive conditions.

Two equivalent forms of four standardized tests were administered to 41 schizophrenics, 36 patients with personality disorder diagnoses, and 36 employees at the Wyoming State Hospital. Each diagnostic group was divided into experimental and control groups; the experimental Ss from each diagnostic group took the second form of each test under paired, competitive conditions. The competitive conditions did not affect the experimental Ss' performance on any of the four tests to an acceptably significant level, although the experimental Ss from each diagnostic group performed better on a visual-motor task at a borderline level of significance. The results of the research are interpreted as supporting previous competition research that showed competitive conditions to be highly task-specific. The results do not support the numerous theories and some research studies that suggest that competitive conditions impair schizophrenic functioning.


Prediction of help-seeking with the MMPI: the problem of base rates.

The usefulness of combined elevation of the Depression and Psychasthenia scales of the MMPI as a predictor of psychological help-seeking was investigated for two classes at a small liberal arts college for men. Counseling service use rates during the 4 years of college for all students who scored at or above T = 60 on both MMPI scales (N = 83) were compared with rates for all other students (N = 269). Students in the high Depression-Psychasthenia group were significantly more likely to seek counseling during their freshman years than were other students (p less than .05). Among counselees the high MMPI group also made significantly more visits to the service (p less than .05). Application of a Bayesian rule disclosed that the MMPI measure would have improved decision accuracy only with respect to the prediction that a student would come in for counseling at some time during college. In this population, the MMPI measure is both a valid and a useful predictor.


Confusions in recognizing phonemes spoken by esophageal speakers III. Terminal consonants and clusters.

A methodology was developed to determine the patterns of phonemic errors that listeners would make in receiving the terminal consonants and clusters of monosyllables spoken by esophageal speakers. Analyses of the features preserved in the errors were performed. The identified phonemic error patterns and the features found to be poorly preserved in the errors were used to structure multiple choice intelligibility practice materials for esophageal speakers.


Accuracy of vocal emotional communications among children and adults and the power of negative emotions.

Two tapes of six emotions (anger, fear, sadness, contentment, happiness, love) recorded by child and adult speakers were played to child and adult listeners to determine whether (a) each group of listeners responds more accurately to positive or negative emotions; (b) each group of speakers communicates positive or negative emotions more accurately; (c-g) there were specific ways in which children adn adults differ in accuracy of perceiving and communicating the six emotions studied. Two hundred and ten white, male, middle-class Ss were used. It was found that (a) all listener groups perceived negative emotions more accurately; (b) all speaker groups communicated negative emotions more accurately; (c) there was a developmental trend in the ability to accurately perceive vocal communication; (d) children and adults did not differ significantly in the ability to express emotions; (e) adults perceived fear more accurately; (f) children communicated fear more accurately; (g) adults communicated sadness more accurately than children.


Temporal factors in the effects of masking noise on fluency of stutterers.

Nineteen stutterers read sentences under four conditions: continuous 95-db white noise over headphones; white noise preceding speech initiation; no white noise. White noise preceding speech initiation did not improve fluency, contrary to Webster's auditory interference theory. White noise presented following speech initiation led to shorter reading times and fewer disfluent words, especially for part-word repetitions. The more severe the stutterer, as measured by an external task, the greater was the ameliorative effect of auditory masking. Results indicated that white noise may attack a pathological condition existing in stutterers, and supported Timmons and Boudreau's (1972) adaptation model, which posits that stutterers have difficulty adapting to discrepancies in delays of auditory feedback through different channels.


Certain select variables as predictors of goal achievement in speech therapy.

A previous factor-analytic investigation indicated that 18 variables, structured within interpersonal and technical skill dimensions, contribute most significantly to supervisor's evaluations of student clinicians engaged in speech therapy. The present study was designed to extend that investigation by determining the relative contribution of the variables to the clinicians' accomplishment of the goals of the therapy session. Using the previously collected data, 17 of the resultant variables were regressed in stepwise fashion against the clinicians' accomplishment of the session's goals. The regression solution yielded a three-variable prediction system, which accounted for approximately two-thirds of the criterion variance. All three variables were related to clinicians' technical skills. The "schedule of reinforcement" variable was the single most valid predictor and accounted for half of the criterion variance. The other two technical skill variables were "implements carryover procedures in therapy" and "changes therapeutic procedure to meet client needs." Implications for inclusion of these variables in interactive and microtherapy methodologies of clinical training are discussed.


Parental attitudes toward and knowledge of stuttering.

Parenteral attitudes toward and knowledge of stuttering were studied in 50 parents of stutterers and 50 parents of nonstutterers following the development of the Parenteral Attitudes Toward Stuttering (PATS) Inventory and the Alabama Stuttering Knowledge (ASK) Test. Results indicated that the parents of nonstutterers displayed more desirable attitudes toward stuttering and more accurate knowledge of stuttering than did the parents of stutterers. Although the PATS Inventory and the ASK Test as presently constructed may be clinically useful particularly with respect to parental counseling, continued research appears warranted to enhance their usefulness as research and clinical instruments.


Oral vibrotactile sensation: an evaluation of children with normal and defective articulation.

Lingual vibrotactile thresholds (LVTs) were determined at 125, 250, and 500 Hz for 30 children with defective articulation and 30 children with normal articulation. Secondly, attempts to predict the phonemic and distinctive feature errors from LVTs for defective articulating children is presented. Children with normal articulation show significantly lower (better) LVTs at each frequency than do children with defective articulation. Significant relationships were not found between LVTs and phonemic scores or distinctive feature errors.


Plasma levels and bioavailability of cyclobenzaprine in human subjects.

Cyclobenzaprine was extensively metabolized in man, less than 1% of the dose being excreted unchanged in the urine. Comparison of areas under plasma level curves (AUC) after oral and intravenous doses suggests that the drug may be partly metabolized in the lumen or during its first passage through the gut wall and/or liver. Average plasma levels of the drug increased with increasing dosage, but the AUC increased less rapidly with increasing dose, possibly because of dose-dependent absorption.


The role of superior colliculus in vision: visual form discrimination in cats with superior colliculus ablations.

The rate of acquisition of visual form discriminations in cats with superior colliculus damage was measured in a testing apparatus requiring a minimal amount of stimulus localization in space. In animals with bilateral superior colliculus ablations, acquisition was imparied relative to acquisition in normal animals. In these animals, the extent of the lesion was related to the severity of the deficit. In split-brain preparations with unilateral superior colliculus ablations, acquisition with the eye ipsilateral to the lesion was impaired relative to acquisition with eye contralateral to the lesion. The deficits observed did not depend upon damage to pretectum. The results support the conclusion that the superior colliculus participates in certain aspects of form vision.