[Use of transhepatic drainage in neoplastic stenosis of the upper biliary tract].

Rodney-Smith's technique (transtumoral transhepatic drainage) was used palliatively in 6 patients with cancer of the upper biliary tracts. Diagnosis from the symptomatology (essentially obstructive icterus) was not easy, though the picture can almost always be clarified by endovenous and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and, more particularly, by preoperative and intrahepatic intraoperative cholangiography and choledochoscopy in connection with laparatomy. Two patients survived for 9 months and 2 yr respectively, whereas the remainder died within 30 days of surgery. Despite this high mortality, primarily due to very poor general condition, this type of palliative operation is still the best form of management.


[Spontaneous bilio-digestive fistulas. Experience with 27 cases].

A series of 27 cases of biliary-digestive fistulae is presented. 26 were due to calculi and 1 to ulcer and calculi. 20 led to the duodenum, 6 to the colon, and 1 to the stomach from the gallbladder. The series constituted 1.4% of bile ducts operations. Females (mostly multiparae) formed 66%. The mean age was 64 yr. Direct fistulae (66%) had the appearance of surgical openings, whereas the indirect forms (34%) included a fistulous connection between the mucosae of the two organs. There was no distinctive symptomatology. In most cases, the fistula was formed during a serious exacerbation episode of the underlying diseases, whose symptoms, if occasional, tended to become continuous. Pre-operative diagnosis was difficult, though suspicion was present in 44% of cases. Radiological examination is essential for this purpose. Pneumoangiocholia observed during direct examination of the abdomen is virtually pathognomonic. Examination of the bile ducts with contrast medium given venously or per os proved less useful, since the fistula was very difficult to detect; at best, pneumocholecyst between the main duct and the opposing duodenum could be seen. Detection was, on the other hand, possible in over 50% of cases on examination of the digestive apparatus with contrast medium per os or rectally. Treatment consists of removal of the fistula and the disease responsible for it. Very good results were obtained, with a mortality of 3%.


Aryl-hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity in lymphocytes from lung cancer patients and normal controls.

A radiometric assay for the determination of AHH activity in lymphocytes is described. Subjects included eleven male patients with histologically verified lung cancer (nine squamous cell carcinoma and two adenocarcinoma) and eleven age- and sex-matched controls. Lung cancer patients exhibited considerably greater variation and elevated levels of both AHH activity per se and AHH activity adjusted for total cellular DNA than control individuals. Methodology for AHH determinations and implications for lung cancer epidemiology and control are discussed.


Effects of some low molecular weight sheep pineal fractions and melatonin on different tumors in rats and mice.

With these preliminary experiments attention is drawn to a possible relation between tumor development and the pineal. The influence of melatonin and some low molecular weight pineal fractions on the growth and incidence of different experimental tumors was compared. Some pineal fractions which have an effect on the activity of hypothalamus on anterior hypophyses of male rats and mice in vitro may be active in some of these tumor models.


Studies of a transplantable rat pheochromocytoma.

A transplantable rat pheochromocytoma in New England Deaconess Hospital (NEDH) was first described by WARREN in 1972. It is characterized by the documented association with systolic hypertension and the known presence of increased urinary metanephrines and vanilmadelic acid in tumor-bearing animals. The present report describes features of the transplantable tumor, our laboratories have noted, in five tumor transplantations starting in 1974. Tumor-bearing animals survive 49 +/- 5 days and die much sooner than aging, non-tumor-bearing litter mates. Gross measurements confirm the rapid growth of the primary tumor, although at autopsy, histologically proven metastatic foci are rarely seen. Polycythemia with or without increased erythropoietin (ESF) levels were not detected. Electronmicroscopic studies confirmed the presence in tumor tissue of the previously described intracytoplasmic granules. Further studies on this endocrine-associated transplantable tumor are warranted and feasible.


Etiologic related studies of ultraviolet light-mediated carcinogenesis.

Comparisons were made of cholesterol-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxide (CAE) levels in skin of hairless mice maintained on a regular or antioxidant supplemented diet and receiving chronic ultraviolet light (UVL) radiation over an 18-week period. Cholesterol-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxide levels in skin of animals on antioxidant supplemented diet, while reaching a peak four weeks after that of animals on regular diet, thereafter were consistently higher. Dietary antioxidants nevertheless had an inhibitory effect on UVL-induced tumors. These data are inconsistent with the theory of CAE involvement as an ultimate carcinogen in UVL-mediated carcinogenesis.


Early onset of oral cancer among women who drink and smoke.

Potentially, one of the most useful warning signals for the detection of environmental hazards is an unusually early age at onset of disease. Animal studies have shown age effects of this type with co-carcinogens. A clearcut example of a downward age shift in humans is provided by a study of the consumption of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes in women with oral concer. Using data on 145 white females with intraoral cancer, and 1973 non-neoplastic controls from patients seen at Roswell Park Memorial Institute between 1957 and 1966, it can be shown that exposure to both alcohol and tobacco can lead to onset of oral cancer 15 or more years earlier than would occur in women who do not use either alcohol or tobacco. Exposure to smoking only produces a smaller age shift, but exposure to alcohol only does not produce any clear shift in age of onset. Implications for co-carcinogenesis and for early detection of co-carcinogens in the environment are suggested.


Evaluation of VP-16 and the combination of adriamycin and vincristine in advanced breast cancer.

39 previously treated patients with metastatic breast cancer were treated in a partially randomized study evaluating VP-16 and the combination of Vincristine (VCR) and Adriamycin (ADR). Of the 19 patients treated with VP-16 initially, two had partial remissions. No responses were noted in eleven patients who corssed-over after failing VCR plus ADR. Of the 20 patients treated with VCR plus ADR initially, four patients had partial responses. An additional 2/15 patients responded on crossover after failing initially on VP-16. No significant differences in time to last follow-up or death could be detected between the two treatment programs.


Ixodes (Afrixodes) Bakeri Arthur & Clifford, 1961 (Acarina: Ixodidae): description of the male and immature stages from rodents and insectivores and notes on its biology in South Africa.

The male, nymph and larva of Ixodes (A), bakeri are described and illustrated with line drawings and scanning electron microscope photographs. This species was originally described from 1 female from Otomys sp., Nyika Plateau, Malawi. The present material consists of 28 collections from insectivores and 19 collections from rodents, Van Riebeeck Nature Reserve, Transvaal, plus 1 collection from a rodent in the Jonkershoek Valley, Cape Province, Republic of South Africa. Its biology in South Africa is also discussed.


Leukoencephalomalacia: a mycotoxicosis of Equidae caused by Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon.

When 2 horses were dosed with cultures of a Fusarium moniliforme isolate that had previously caused only hepatosis, 1 developed brain oedema and hepatosis, and the other only leukoencephalomalacia. A 3rd horse developed both leukoencephalomalacia and hepatosis after being dosed with another isolate obtained from maize which was associated with a natural outbreak of the nervous form of the disease. Since leukoencephalomalacia and hepatosis could be induced by the same culture material, it was concluded that both syndromes were manifestations of the same toxicosis. There was also some evidence that leukoencephalomalacia might be specifically induced by the administration of smaller doses of the culture material to horses over a longer period. The clinical signs of nervous disorder included ataxia, paresis, apathy, hypersensitivity, frenzy, and other locomotory and psychic disturbances. Autopsy showed that the brains were oedematous, and focal areas of liquefactive necrosis were present in the cerebral white matter. In 1 case the malacic areas were not confined to the subcortical white matter but were microscopically visible in the cerebral cortex as well. An histopathological examination of the areas bordering on the malacic areas revealed rarefication of the white matter, perivascular haemorrhages, oedema and cellular infiltration composed mainly of plasma cells and eosinophiles. Many of the macrophages in these areas contained lipfuscin-like granules, but these granules also occurred extracellularly in the neuropil. In the layers of the cortex nearest the malacic areas, satellitosis and neurophagia were commonly seen.


Light and electron microscopic observations on the development of small merozoites of Babesia bovis in Boophilus microplus larvae.

The development of small pyriform merozoites of B. bovis in the granule-secreting cells of the salivary glands of B. microplus larvae, studied with a light microscope, showed a close resemblance to that of B. argentina described by Riek (1966) in the same tick vector. Dvelopment took place through a process of schizogony and resulted in the formation of many merozoites. A study of the ultrastructure of developing merozoites in the schizont revealed the following: a poorly defined outer membrane; a granular osmiophilic inner membrane; anterior and posterior polar rings; rhoptries; micronemes; microtubules; a nucleus; spherical bodies of varying size. The schizonts were membrane-bound but no parasitophorous vacuoles were seen.


Q fever in cattle and sheep in Southern Africa. A preliminary report.

In the course of a study initiated to elucidate the role of known abortifacient in ruminants in Southern Africa, Coxiella burnetti was identified in smears prepared from bovine and ovine placental tissues obtained from 12 farms. The organism was also isolated in embryonated eggs, and specific antibodies were demonstrated in sera of animals originating from these farms. In 7 of the 12 herds in which Q fever was diagnosed, other pathogens were identified concomitantly.


Fertilization capacity of Boophilus decoloratus (Koch, 1844) (Acarina: Ixodidae).

Thirty individual Boophilus decoloratus (Koch, 1844) males were studied daily, some during the whole observation period of 37 days. Newly moulted males spent a mean of 3, 8 days (range 3-6 on the host before mating. Males mated with between 1-8 females (mean 4, 6), spending 2, 6 days (range 1-10) with each and 0, 5 days (range 0-4) in between females. The time spent by adult males on the host was from 9-37 days. The ability for males to produce viable offspring remained fairly constant with each successive female fertilized. Development took place in eggs produced by unfertilized female ticks but only a very small percentage (mean 0,008%) of these eggs hatched.


A highly fatal tremorgenic mycotoxicosis of cattle caused by Aspergillus clavatus.

During February 1975, a tremorgenic neurotoxicosis decimated a herd of cattle in the northern Transvaal. This hitherto unidentified disease was characterized by hypersensitivity, incoordination, a peculiar stiff-legged gait of the hind legs, severe generalized tumors of the sketetal muscles, progressive paresis, paralysis and constipation. The most notable gross pathological lesions were degenerative and necrotic changes in certain skeletal muscles, haemorrhages on the serosal surfaces, especially on the dorsal aspect of the rumen, and gastro-intestinal stasis. Microscopical examination of the central nervous system revealed cytopathological changes consisting of degeneration and necrosis of the large motor cells in the ventral horns of the spinal cord and bigger neurones in numerous nuclei of the medulla oblongata, midbrain and thalamus. By feeding the suspect ration and its component parts to cattle and sheep, it was possible to identify mouldy sorghum beer residue as the toxic component in the ration. A. clavatus, the dominant fungus on the toxic residue, was readily isolated in pure culture. The entire syndrome was then reproduced in a yearling Friesland steer dosed with pure cultures of the A. clavatus isolate grown on autoclaved non-toxic sorghum beer residue. The toxic principle is not known, but it does not appear to be patulin, tryptoquivalone, tryptoquivaline, or any other known tremorgen.


Gonad development and gametogenesis in Boophilus decoloratus (Koch, 1844) (Acarina Metastriata Ixodidae).

Phases in the growth of the reproductive organs and gametogenesis were followed in both males and females of Boophilus decoloratus (Koch, 1844). Special attention was given to the timing of meiosis, the production of mature spermiophores, mating and spermiophore relocation in the female. The main growth phase of the male testes takes place during the nymphal stage while that of the accessory gland complex takes place during the 4 days after moulting and before mating. The main growth phase of female ovaries and oviducts takes place during the post-mating period on the host and the previposition period. Meiosis in males takes place only after the attachment of the newly-moulted ticks; spematogenesis and spermiogenesis occur within a period of 4 days, after which pairing and spermatophore transfer take place. Meiosis was not observed in female ticks and it is concluded that this reduction division takes place only after spermiophore penetration of the oocytes and egg shell formation. Female ticks may be impregnated more than once, a maximum of 5 matings being deduced from counts of spermiophore capsules in the female seminal receptacle. Each spermatophore produced by male ticks yields either 1 but more commonly 2 spermiophore capsules. The reproduction of B. decoloratus is briefly discussed and compared with other Ixodoidea.


Theoretical interstellar and prebiotic organic chemistry: a tentative methodology.

A theoretical methodology for the systematic study of the interstellar molecules is proposed. Some examples, dealing with formaldehyde excited states, formyl radical and ion, reactivity of the excited states of formic acid, methyl cyanide and methyl acetylene, as well as the reaction patho of formaldehyde photodecomposition are presented. Quantum chemical methods appear to be a powerful tool to study the structure and behaviour of molecules related with interstellar space and the Origin of Life.


Vulcanism, mercury-sensitized photo-reactions and abiogenetic synthesis: a theoretical treatment.

Attention is called to the photodynamic and thermodynamic properties of Periodic Group IIb elements, most notably Hg, as they relate to ultra-violet sensitization in organic chemical reactions. The energy levels of 6(1) P1 and 6(3) P1 resonance states and the high vapor pressure ((greater than 10(-3) mm) of the metal at temperatures as low as 293 K bring Hg with the range of bond dissociation energies in most organic molecules and many inorganics. These capabilities considered together with recent evidence for Hg emission as a regular part of volcanic and geothermal processes provide the basis for our proposal that Hg-sensitized ultraviolet photo-reactions may have played a significant part in abiogenetic organic synthesis on the primative earth.


Glycine and alanine synthesis from formaldehyde and hydroxylamine in the field of ultrasound waves.

High intensity ultrasound waves coupled with other form of energy obviously were initiators of pre-biochemical reactions; these reactions occurred in the water masses of the primordial Earth. Essential biological substances like formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrocyanic acid, and amino acids compounds similar to carbohydrates by their properties were synthesized in the field of ultrasound waves in model experiments. The main partners of these reactions are water and gases of reductional atomosphere: hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, nitrogen and argon. Formation of amino acids takes place in aqueous solutions of formaldehyde and hydroxylamine. The sonication yielded alanine and glycine, 2.0 X 10(-7) and 1.8 X 10(-7) molecules per 100 eV respectively.


Formation of biologically relevant carboxylic acids during the gamma irradiation of acetic acid.

Irradiation of aqueous solutions of acetic acid with gamma rays produced several carboxylic acids in small yield. Their identification was based on the technique of gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. Some of these acids are Krebs Cycle intermediates. Their simultaneous formation in experiments simulating the primitive conditions on the earth suggests that metabolic pathways may have their origin in prebiotic chemical processes.


Prebiotic condensation reactions in an aqueous medium: a review of condensing agents.

Biopolymers are formed by dehydration-type condensation reactions. In aqueous solutions dehydration reactions are very unlikely to happen spontaneously. However, coupling of dehydration-condensation to the hydrolysis of condensing agents could facilitate the synthesis of biopolymers in an aqueous solution. The literature shows that the peptides, nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides can be formed in this way. A careful study of the literature pertaining to prebiotic condensing agents was conducted in order to determine the most plausible prebiotic synthesis of biopolymers. The condensing agents taken into consideration are cyanamide, carbodimide, dicyanamide, dicyandiamide, hydrogen-cyanide-tetramer, cyanogen and the linear- and cyclic polyphosphates. From both a chemical as well as biological point of view the polyphosphates appear to be the most plausible general prebiotic condensing agent.


A cybernetic approach to the origin of the genetic coding mechanism. I. Methodological principles.

It is postulated that some quasi-deterministic code features (universality, connectedness, systematic degeneracy, symmetry, regularity and so on) resulted from unique (and therefore universal) relization of a stochastic evolutionary process. The evolution of real genetic systems should satisfy the principle of succession; that is, loss of a feature that is necessary for a genetic system means death to its carrier. The hypothesis of unique key coincidence is proposed which indicates the mechanisms of arising of the primary correspondence between the linear structures of polynucleotides and polypeptides. If the collinear coincidence was to appear in the key positions of pra-protein with, at least, some of the primitive properties of the pra-amino-acyl-t-RNA-synthetase required for the accelerated recognition of the key positions of pra-template, the positive feed-back mechanism in the system would be most short-circuited so that the repetitive reproduction of pra-synthetase would be much accelerated.


A cybernetic approach to the origin of the genetic coding mechanism. II. Formation of the code series.

The sequential fulfillment of the principle of succession necessarily guides the main steps of the genetic code evolution to be reflected in its structure. The general scheme of the code series formation is proposed basing on the idea of "group coding" (Woese, 1970). The genetic code supposedly evolved by means of successive divergence of pra-ARS's loci, accompanied by increasing specification of recognition capacity of amino acids and triplets. The sense of codons had not been changed on any step of stochastic code evolution. The formulated rules for code series formation produce a code version, similar to the contemporary one. Based on these rules the scheme of pra-ARS's divergence is proposed resulting in the grouping of amino acids by their polarity and size. Later steps in the evolution of the genetic code were probably based on more detailed features of the amino acids (for example, on their functional similarities like their interchangeabilities in isofunctional proteins).


The palirrhotrophic origin of energy metabolism.

It is proposed that the earliest cellular organisms relied upon a novel type of energy transduction termed palirrhotrophy, which generates a high-energy "currency" chemiosmotically by exploiting the rhythmic variations in salinity which occur in the estuarine environment. Calculations based on estimates of contemporary chemiosmotic transduction efficiency suggest that such a mechanism could produce usable energy in high yield. The minimum polypeptide requirement for palirrhotrophy compares favorably with that of a fermentative pathway. It is suggested that palirrhotrophic organisms exist today but are difficult to detect.


General constraints on the Viking biology investigation.

The Viking biological investigation will be conducted in the face of a number of constraints. Problems are created because of the inherent engineering of the instrument, communication constraints and other factors.


[Cutaneous cholesterol and phospholipids in atherosclerosis].

Previously, a lesion parallelism between skin and vascular wall was established when aging. Besides, we have pointed out a significant increase of cutaneous sterols rate along with aortic atheromatous stage. This study brings forward a new fact: increase (not significant because wanting much more examples) of cutaneous squalene rate varying with atheroma intensity, but reversely stability of total phospholipids with their various fractions.


[Incorporation of labeled precursors in glycosaminoglycans of the media-intima of the arterial wall].

The enzymes involved in glycosaminoglycans biosynthesis are characterized in homogenates of aortic media-intima. Incorporation of hexosamine from uridine nucleotide precursor was done into the saccharide chains of glycosaminoglycans. Labelling of aortic glycosaminoglycans by 35S-precursors is performed in our fractions; the results obtained demonstrate the uptake of 35S-sulfate from its corresponding active nucleotide sulfate ; highest sulfation is obtained for the post-microsomal supernatant. Following incorporation of 35S-sulfate or 14C-radio-activity into the different glycosaminoglycans, the largest percent uptake is obtained for heparan sulfate and the lowest for chondroitin sulfate.


[Incorporation of 32P-orthophosphate in aortic phospholipids in chronic lathyrims in the rat].

Study of 32P orthophosphate incorporation into rat aortic phospholipids after B.A.P.N. treatment, which was followed or not by a lipid-supplemented diet (4.5 p. 100 cholesterol and 37 p. 100 butter). The 32P orthophosphate turnover in the total phospholipid was twice as slow among B.A.P.N.-treated rat than among control-rat. Such a decrease of the 32P orthophosphate turnover could be found as well in phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylcholines and lysophosphatidylcholines. Sphingomyelins showed a very weak metabolic activity among two groups of rats. 32P orthophosphate incorporation into inositolphosphatides was slowed down by B.A.P.N. treatment. Maximal specific activity of inositolphosphatides after injection of 32P orthophosphate was reached within 4 hours in control rats, and 8 hours in B.A.P.N.-treated rats. Three months after the end of B.A.P.N. treatment, no difference in specific activity could be found between control-rats and B.A.P.N.-treated rats. Lipid supplemented diet modified the metabolic activity of phospholipids equally in control rats and B.A.P.N.-treated rats. Specific activity decrease in total phospholipids, phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, and increase in lysophosphatidylcholines were noted in both groups of animals under a high rat diet. These modifications of the metabolic activity of different phospholipids were most marked fourteen hours after 32P orthophosphate injection. B.A.P.N. treatment only slowed the incorporation of 32P phosphate into phospholipids. Administration of a single lipid supplemented diet or a diet associated with B.A.P.N. treatment induced a slower turnover of phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines, and a faster turnover of lysophosphatidylcholines.


Luminal eccentricity and deformity in atherosclerotic coronary arteries.

Detailed analyses of the configuration of lumina from one hundred (100) segments of severely atherosclerotic epicardial coronary arteries (at least 75 p. 100 of the area of their original lumina narrowed, determined by planimetry) were made. All lumina were distended by a standardized coronary injection technique. In contrast to the general impression, concentric lumina occurred as commonly as eccentric lumina and there were more arteries with an eccentric lumen and/or with significant luminal deformity, i.e. with their smallest diameter smaller than 50 p. 100 of their greatest diameter, than the concentric and more regular ones. The eccentricity and significant deformity of atherosclerotic lumina apparently cause difficulties in precise angiographic measurements of coronary stenosis. To solve the problem of the discrepancies between angiographic and anatomical estimation of coronary arterial stenosis, utilization of more than three different projection angles should be considered in clinical angiographic appraisal.


Schistosoma mansoni in the baboon (Papio anubis): parasitological responses of Kenyan baboons to different exposures of a local parasite strain.

The course of infection with a local strain of Schistosoma mansoni was investigated in Kenyan baboons (Papio anubis). A single exposure to 5000 cercariae per baboon (cpb) killed five 4-8 kg baboons; a sixth survived the full 30-week post-exposure period, with suppressed egg production after week 11. Lower doses were not lethal. A single exposure to 1000 cpb gave satisfactory adult worm recoveries, high and steady faecal egg excretion, and a high tissue egg recovery, predominantly from the large intestine. A similar but less consistent picture was obtained with a single exposure to 200 cpb. Baboons receiving 5 monthly exposures of 200 cpb (1000 cpb total) showed some evidence of the development of protective immunity. Three animals showed patterns resembling those for 200 and 1000 cpb. The other 3 had suppressed egg production (faecal and tissue) indicating, perhaps, some immunological process. They also had an abnormally high percentage of eggs in the liver.


Studies on the hatchability of Schistosoma mansoni eggs from a naturally infected human community on St Lucia, West Indies.

A relatively simple, standardized hatching test was devised, tested and used to estimate the Schistosoma mansoni hatching rate for 88 St Lucian subjects selected by age, sex and intensity of infection. The hatching rate was dependent on the intensity of infection and rose proportionately with it. The rate also decreased with increasing age of the subject. Sex alone had no direct effect but there was a suggestion of an interaction between sex and age. These results suggest that several hatching tests are necessary, before and after treatment in schistosomicidal drug trials, to permit valid conclusions to be drawn. The hatching data are used in conjunction with survey results to calculate the contamination potential of different age groups in a population. School children (5-14 years old) are about twice as important as young adults (15-29 years old) who, nevertheless, contribute over a quarter of the total contamination potential. However, whereas school children are fairly accessible for mass chemotherapy control programmes, young adults often are not and, furthermore, involve problems associated with the treatment of women of child-bearing age.


Eimeria tenella: experimental studies on the development of resistance to robenidine.

The development of resistance by the Houghton strain (H) of E. tenella to robenidine has been studied in the laboratory, by serially passaging the strain in chickens fed increasing concentrations of drug. Resistance to robenidine developed more readily in experiments using larger numbers of birds with higher numbers of oocysts in the inoculum. Both these factors increased the parasite population and increased the chance of selecting parasites resistant to the drug. E. tenella (H) was made resistant to 264 ppm robenidine and showed no cross-resistance to other anticoccidial agents. Resistance arose in a series of 'steps' as the concentration of drug was increased. E. tenella (H) was continuously passaged at concentrations ranging from 2 to 33 ppm of robenidine. After 16 passages, lines passaged at 2,4 and 8 ppm were not resistant to 33 ppm robenidine, suggesting that the degree of resistance developed was dependent upon the drug selection pressure.


Further studies on the use of chicken embryo infections for the study of drug resistance in Eimeria tenella.

Infections in the chicken embryo have been used to study the development of drug resistance in an embryo adapted strain of E. tenella. Resistance was developed to decoquinate, clopidol and robenidine by serially passaging this strain, but evidence for the development of resistance to amprolium was inconclusive. Resistance to decoquinate developed more readily than to the other drugs. Attempts to increase resistance to clopidol, robenidine and amprolium by increasing the sporozoite inoculum and by the use of a mutagenic agent were unsuccesful. No cross-resistance was found between the 4 drugs. Drug resistant lines of the Houghton strain (H) of E. tenella, made resistant to the 4 anticoccidial drugs by passage in chickens, were found to be resistant when evaluated using chicken embryo infections. Lines made resistant to decoquinate were not controlled by any concentration of this drug, suggesting that resistance, once developed, was absolute and not dependent on drug concentration. Lines made resistant to robenidine, clopidol and amprolium, however, were controlled by higher drug concentrations suggesting that in this case resistance was dependent on drug concentration.


Laboratory studies with some older anticoccidials.

Features of the anticoccidial activity of nicarbazin, amprolium, zoalene, sulphadimidine, diaveridine, Darvisul, spiramycin, chloramphenicol and oxytetracycline have been re-investigated both in vivo and in cell culture using Eimeria tenella. Of the drugs studied, only spiramycin was appreciably coccidiocidal, although nicarbazin and amprolium showed possibly slower coccidiocidal activity. In order to show activity against a particular stage in the life-cycle, higher concentrations of drug than those usually recommended for field usage had in most cases to be used. Under these conditions, parasites were usually inhibited as multinucleate 1st generation schizonts. With delayed medication, effects against 2nd generation parasites were in most cases found, and in many cases, although the parasites never matured to give viable merozoites, the large degenerating forms produced were able to cause extensive tissue destruction and haemorrhage. Methodology in this type of study is discussed in relation to more active and more recent anticoccidials, and some further experiments with robenidine reported.


Studies on site finding and site specificity of Eimeria praecox, Eimeria maxima and Eimeria acervulina in chickens.

Sporozoites of 3 species of Eimeria were introduced into the caecum of young chickens. E. praecox and E. maxima failed to develop in this site, but light infections of E. acervulina were detected. Infection of the small intestine with all 3 species occurred when sporozoites were introduced via the caecum. Infections were produced when mucosal scrapings of small intestine from birds, inoculated via the caecum 1-4 h previously, were inoculated orally to susceptible chickens. Experiments with 51Cr-labelled sporozoites of E. praecox introduced in the caecum, confirmed that small numbers of sporozoites are capable of migrating from the lower to the upper intestine. Sporozoites were not transferred with liver tissue from birds given sporozoites via the caecum but were transferred with the liver of chickens given sporozoites intraperitoneally.


Some observations on the sexual differentiation of Eimeria tenella using single sporozoite infections in chicken embryos.

Unsporulated oocysts were recovered from the allantoic cavity of 5 chicken embryos inoculated with a single sporozoite of Eimeria tenella; some of these oocysts sporulated. Both macrogametes and microgametes are required for the formation of viable oocysts. The results conclusively demonstrate the bisexual nature of the sporozoite, suggest that sexual differentiation is influenced by environmental factors, and show that true clones of Eimeria can be established from individual sporozoites.


The effect of moisture supply upon the development and hatching the eggs of Nematodirus battus.

Experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of variations in humidity and osmotic pressure upon the development and hatching of the eggs of Nematodirus battus. It was found that no development or hatching took place unless there was free water available, though humidity effects could enhance the subsequent response of the eggs in water. Larvae were found to be very resistant to prolonged exposure to low humidity. The concentration of the hatching medium showed little effect upon development of eggs, though the rate of larval emergence was reduced as the concentration of the culture medium increased. The relevance of this information is discussed in the context of other requirements of the egg stages during their hatching phase and how this may affect the behaviour of this nematode under field conditions.


Seasonal abundance of Neoechinorhynchus cylindratus taken from largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in a heated reservoir.

Samples of largemouth bass were collected from Par Pond located on the Energy Research and Development Administration's Savannah River Plant in Aiken, South Carolina, from June 1972 to May 1973 inclusive. The sampling stations reflected water temperatures which were both normal and greater than 10 degrees C above normal for the area. The acanthocephalan Neoechinorhynchus cylindratus was the dominant species found in the bass sampled. Incidences of infection for this parasite were generally greater than 95% regardless of location. A pronounced seasonal cycling pattern in the intensity of infection was noted in both thermal regions. Significant differences, however, in the mean density of N. cylindratus per host in fish taken from the heated area as compared with unheated areas were noted. Turnover in the acanthocephalan population was measured by following the percentage of individuals less than 2 mm long. Fall proved to be the most intense parasite recruitment season, followed by maturation of parasite and subsequent loss from the fish host. The principal factors responsible for the seasonal incidence and intensity patterns are considered to be changes in the fish feeding behaviour and annual temperature regimes.


Parasitic helminths of the American avocet Recurvirostra americana: four new species of the families Hymenolepididae and Acoleidae (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidae).

Records are presented of 11 species of parasitic helminths recovered from 37 American avocets. Birds were collected in Kansas and Colorado from April 1973 to August 1974. Parsites found included 3 trematodes, 2 nematodes, 1 acanthocephalan and 5 cestodes, 4 of which are new species. Hymenolepis cervotestis sp.n. (Hymenolepididae) is described from the small intestine of 7 avocets. It exhibits extreme protandry with the testes appearing before external segmentation is evident. Sobolevicanthus coloradensis sp.n. (Hymenolepididae) is described from the small intestine of 4 avocets. This species is found to have its scolex embedded in the intesttinal mucosa of its host. Diorchis recurvirostrae sp.n. (Hymenolepididae) is described from specimens recovered from the small intestine of 5 avocets. Diplophallus coili sp.n. (Acoleidae) is described from the small intestine of all 37 avocets. The family Diploposthidae is suppressed and the family Acoleidae is emended to include the 4 genera previously placed in Diploposthidae. A key to the genera of Acoleidae is presented.


Dynamic determinants of the route of larval Strongyloides ratti in lactating rats and the control of experimental error in quantitative studies of milk transmission of skin-penetrating roundworms.

Subcutaneous injection of nursing mothers from day 16 to day 20 post partum with infective larvae of Strongyloides ratti or Nippostrongylus brasiliensis does not result in the development of worms in the litters if 1 h is allowed between injection and resumed nursing and suckling is terminated 24 h later. Thus the low numbers of N. brasiliensis (1% of the dose) which develop in litters after 24 h, 4 day or 5 days suckling when mothers are injected and returned  to their young immediately, represent skin invasion and not milk-borne infection. Taking precautions consistent with the foregoing, S. ratti equivalent to 28%, 45%, 45% and 48% of the dose were shown to be transmitted in the milk to suckling rats of 4 mothers injected with 4000 L 3 on day 18 post partum and 72 h before weaning. One mother of the same batch failed to transmit worms (1% of the dose in the litter) and the take in all 5 mothers was insignificant (max. = 3% of the dose versus an average of 21% in controls). Large numbers of S. ratti were subsequently found in the intestines of mothers whose litters were weaned immediately after (21%) or 6 h after (16%) injection, whereas very few (less than 1%) developed in mothers deprived of their offspring 24 h after injection. Dynamic, rather than static, determinants of larval routes inside the host present the only logical basis for an explanation of these facts.


Echinococcus granulosus: development in vitro from oncosphere to immature hydatid cyst.

Echinococcus granulosus cysts were cultured in vitro from the oncosphere, and cyst morphogenesis is described. Cysts grew to a mean diameter of 16 mm in 120 days, with a maximum of 20 mm. An amorphous layer was apparent around the larvae during early post-oncospheral re-organization. Organisms became vesicular at 6 days and laminations appeared in the amorphous layer at 10 days. Confluence of proliferating cells to form the syncytium of the germinal membrane was observed.


Persistent pneumatoceles associated with systemic leukocyte abnormalities.

Three patients with leucocyte related immune deficiency developed pneumatoceles during acute bacterial pneumonia. A fourth patient with chronic granulomatous disease of childhood developed persistent lung cysts following pulmonary abscesses. The pneumatoceles persisted without significant change for one year to five years. In 25 immunologically normal patients, pneumatoceles that were associated with acute bacterial pneumonia resolved in 3 weeks to 11 months. Perhaps alterations in leukocytic function and in local inflammatory response result in fibrotic cellular reaction and sequestration of parenchymal air collections, precluding their resorption.


Colonic granulometry in the malabsorption syndromes.

After transit through the small intestine barium enters the large intestine and its characteristics in that gut segment can be studied. The pattern of distribution of barium in the colon is always altered in patients with malabsorption syndromes. The physical basis for this alteration is analysed in a manner analagous to that used in soil mechanics. The dispersal of barium granules within the liquid-solid content of the colon is related to certain factors among which is the polarisation and electrical potential of barium particles. A technique using four radiographs which permits evaluation of barium dispersal in the colon - colonic granulometry - is described. Lastly, the authors point out the necessity of classical barium studies in identifying the rare anatomical anomalies that can be the starting point of a typical clinical coeliac syndrome.


Pediatric abdominal angiography: practical guide to catheter selection, flow rates, and contrast dosage.

Abdominal angiography is an extremely valuable modality for the diagnosis of abdominal disease in infants and children. A practical guide to catheter selection, flow rates, and contrast dosage for abdominal angiography in the pediatric patient is presented.


Limb defects in the amniotic band syndrome.

The clinical and radiological findings seen in three babies born with characteristic limb defects are presented. These defects are thought to be due to intrauterine amniotic constricting bands rather than an endogenous developmental defect in the foetus. The theory of formation of bands is discussed.


Roentgen findings in fractures of the vertebral column in childhood examination of 35 patients and its results.

In the past 10 years we examined 35 children with fractures of the spine. The most important cause was an injury by a fall from a tree or a climbing stage (23 cases). Traffic accidents or other direct trauma was the cause in 10 patients. Two children had tetanus, The ages of the children range from 2 to 12 years. Clinical symptoms may be diagnostic of vertebral trauma, but quite often symptoms are insignificant or atypical. We detected fractures in every vertebra of the thoracic and lumbar part of the spine. The greatest number of fractures was found between T4 and L2. The typical injury of the spine is a compression fracture of the vertebral body with a wedgeshaped deformity (111 vertebrae); fractures of the transverse processus of lumbar vertebrae were not frequent (10 vertebrae). Other parts of the vertebrae were not involved. The value of scintigraphy in case of doubtful roentgenologic finding is pointed out.


Drug inducted bone changes in myositis ossificans progressiva.

Dermineralization and disorganized bone growth may result in children treated with diphosphonates.


Perforated appendix presenting with disproportionate jejunal distention.

Six cases of perforated appendix are presented in whom there was disproportionate gas distention of the jejunum without other radiographic signs of appendicitis. This appearance tended to divert one's attention from the offending cause in the right lower abdomen.


Intracranial calcification mimicking the Sturge-Weber syndrome: a consequence of cerebral folic acid deficiency?

Cerebral cortical calcification identical to that of the Sturge-Weber syndrome was observed in two children. In one child the calcification appeared after intrathecal administration of methotrexate and skull irradiation because of leukemia involving the central nervous system. In the other child, who had coeliac disease and epilepsy, the calcification appeared after treatment with anticonvulsants. This treatment was also contributing to the development of profound megaloblastic anemia. The unspecificity of the Sturge-Weber calcification is stressed and the hypothesis is put forward that the calcification may be secondary to folic acid deficiency interfering with the matabolism in the central nervous system.


Single bone involvement in congenital syphilis.

A case of congenital lues with single bone involvement is reported. Such a presentation of this disease can cause problems in diagnosis. This aspect of the case is discussed and the literature on the subject reviewed. The uniqueness of this case is emphasized for only two other such cases have been reported in the literature.


Hypophosphatasia. Review of 24 cases.

Radiographic analysis of 24 cases of hypophosphatasia (H) from 9 Paediatric Centres was performed. 3 cases were of neonatal (lethal), 18 cases of infantile (severe) and 3 cases of late (benign) type. Some of the patients were in reality borderline cases between these groups. In the authors' material all the patients showed radiographic signs of the disease. These were divided into diagnostic, characteristic and suggestive features. All of the patients had in common generalised (usually irregular) osteoporosis, generalised (usually irregular) metaphyseal changes, craniostenosis (13 of 18 infantile cases) or widened cranial sutures and ofter bowing of the long bones. Besides the well know radiographic features of hypophosphatasia some less well known, rare or 'new' ones such as, 1. spurs of the long bones (Bowdler sign), 2. distal femoral central metaphyseal defects and epiphyseal defects, 3. S-like deformities of the tibiae, 4. abnormal shape of the distal phalanges of the fingers, 5. multiple rib fractures and slender bones, 6. wedging of the lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae, 7. partial premature fusion of the epiphyses, 8. nephrocalcinosis, 9. loss of lamina dura around the teeth, 10. variation in radiographic appearances of a pair of siblings with lethal form, and, 11. rapid changes in roentgen appearances. are discussed. In two of our patients (siblings) phosphoethanolamine was undetectable in the urine. The authors doubt if a normal skeletal survey may be present at any stage in any of the three major types of hypophosphatasia.


Mediastinal teratoma confused with loculated pleural fluid.

A 3-year-old child is presented with a benign anterior mediastinal teratoma that was primarily located inferior to the left lung and confused with pleural fluid. The lesion was not apparent at 4 months ofage. Computerized axial tomography of the specimen clearly established the diagnosis. This procedure may be of value in selected patients with apparent pleural disease.


Long survival in thanatophoric dwarfism.

A case of thanatophoric dwarfism living for 10 weeks with minimal supportive care is presented. Although early death is usual, survival for months is compatible with the diagnosis.


Angiographic assessment of anomalous origin of the left coronary from the pulmonary artery in infancy and childhood.

Angiographic findings in five paediatric patients with anomalous left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery are presented. An attempt is made to provide an angiographic rationale of some aspects of the pathophysiology and electrocardiography in this condition, and the vital importance of angiography in selecting the appropriate surgical approach is underlined.


Hodgkin's disease in children: involvement of lung and pleura.

In 160 children with Hodgkin's disease, lung involvement was studied. In 14.4%, lung lesions were diagnosed at the first admission and an additional 7.5% of the patients developed lung lesions in the course of the disease. As a rule lung involvement was observed in advanced disease. It has been stated that there is no particular difference in the response to treatment in any particular type of lesion, spread either by contiguity of dissemination. Of all methods of treatment, combination chemotherapy (MOPP programme) showed the best results. In our series of children it was not possible to show any advantage to favour irradiation as against combination chemotherapy in the treatment of lung lesions.


Choledochal cysts: a clinical and radiological evaluation of 21 cases.

Choledochal cysts are predominantly a disease of children, the majority of which are female. The classical symptoms usually form part of a triad of jaundice, abdominal pain and a mass. The radiological features may be non specific and specific. Our experience of 21 cases with particular emphasis on the specific features which outline the cyst are presented.


Segmental renal hypoplasia in childhood.

Radiological findings of segmental renal hypoplasia are reported, based on the observation of 6 children aged between 8 and 14. The leading clinical symptom is arterial hypertension. Urinary tract infection and proteinuria are additional common findings. Cases with bilateral disease often have renal failure. The intravenous urogram shows unilateral or bilateral small kidneys with segmental renal scarring and transverse lobulation. In the pathological areas the calyces are ectatic or clubbed and their infundibulum is elongated. Vesico-ureteral reflux is frequent. In angiography the lobulated segments appear hypovascular. Diagnosis was verified by histological examination.


Urinary tract diseases in adolescence: a radiological and clinical view.

A total of 2,003 adolescent in-patients aged 14-19 years were studied. Of these 801 (40 per cent) were found to have urinary tract disease. In 224 patients (28 per cent) a previously undetected urinary tract anomaly was diagnosed: this number including 59 per cent of girls and 41 per cent of boys. This is the first analysis showing such a high frequency of urinary tract anomalies in clinical and radiological investigations during the period of adolescence. Of particular importance are minor anomalies, in so far as these are responsible for disorders to the flow of urine. It is thought that urinary tract anomalies manifest themselves in adolescence because of increased stress and a different pattern of life, as compared with that in the preceding era of childhood. The present paper shows the cardinal importance of radiological examination and of the radiologist's role in evaluating the dynamics of the process and the prognosis of the disease and, in helping to assess the future potential for physical stress in either work or sport.


Hemihypertrophy in a boy with renal polycystic disease: varied patterns of presentation of renal polycystic disease in his family.

Hemihypertrophy is a condition that has been described in association with a variety of other malformations and diseases; quite often these have had a renal origin. -It is the purpose of this paper to record and discuss the occurrence of polycystic disease in a family, to note that the disease was manifest as either the "adult" or the "infantile" form, and detail the fact that one member of the family who had infantile type polycystic disease also had hemihypertrophy. -The pattern of inheritance of renal polycystic disease, its age at presentation and the variation in the boy of its manifestation with the passage of time are discussed. The need for caution in offering a prognosis and genetic counselling is stressed.


Performance of psychopathic and non-psychopathic delinquent girls on the Kahn Test of Symbol Arrangement.

MMPI classification of 9 delinquent girls as psychopathic or not did not distinguish their KTSA performance as hypothesized.


Analysis of superiority of the right visual field in bilateral tachistoscopic word-recognition.

McKeever and Huling questioned procedures in experiments on lateral differences in the recognition of horizontally oriented multi-letter stimuli, tachistoscopically exposed bilaterally. They effected three major changes in this method and found superior scores for material in the right than left visual field, a result in the opposite direction of prior findings. Ideas from directional scanning and cerebral dominance accounts of lateral asymmetries suggest that McKeever and Huling's methodological innovations produced their result. Directional scanning notions indicate that horizontal targets impede measures of differences in processing skills of the cerebral hemispheres. These obstacles can be overcome by exposing vertically oriented targets.


Arousal and cognition: word arousal and visual search.

The influence of target-word affective properties on information processing time in a high speed visual-search task was studied. The 24 words were embedded in random-letter matrices, with one word per matrix. Subjects (5 male, 5 female) were tested. Words extreme on emotionality (positive vs negative affect) yielded significantly longer latencies than neutral words. The results were discussed in the light of related list-learning and problem-solving research.


Judged attractiveness in recognition memory of women's faces.

A series of 35 3 1/2 X 2 1/2-in., full-face photographs of female undergraduates were used as stimuli. Each subject rated the randomly presented photographs into high, medium, and low attractiveness and 2 hr. later subjects recognized photographs they judged most and least attractive significantly better than the more "neutral" faces when all were mixed with 10 previously unused control stimuli. Arousal and "distinctive cues" were discussed as possible explanations for the improved memory associated with attractive and unattractive faces.


Behavioral analysis of clinical judgment.

Research on clinical judgment has produced conflicting information about effects of training on predictive accuracy, effects of the information available to the clinician, the correlates of accurate judgment, as well as the stability of such judgments. Such conflicting findings are largely related to lack of an adequate methodology. The present study examined the accuracy of judges making longitudinal clinical judgments with systematic increments in available information. Six judges, two non-experienced first-year graduate students in psychology, two medium-experienced practicum students, and two advanced interns, were asked to make discriminations between test protocols belonging to men convicted of first and second degree murder and men convicted of crimes against property. A discriminant function analysis classified 83% of these protocols accurately. Levels of information were increased in four phases. Most of the judges discriminated at a 50% accuracy level. No substantial increment in accuracy across phases was found. Judges of low accuracy discriminated best with the addition of the statistical findings. Daily judgments remained stable within the guessing range.


Cognitive style, hemispheric specialization, and tested abilities of transsexuals and nontranssexuals.

Tests on which the 12 males and the 8 male transsexuals differed significantly and might be useful to clinicians for differentiation were the Embedded-figures Test, the Porteus Mazes, and the O'Connor Finger Dexterity Test. Sex differences emerged on the Embedded-figures Test and the first half of the dexterity test. There were no significant differences between 12 males and 14 females or males and 8 transsexuals on conjugate lateral eye movement, eye dominance, Digit Span, and Digit Symbol. Embedded-figures Test appears to tap some aspect of gender identity (males with female identities respond like females) while the first half of the O'Connor taps a biologically determined sex difference (males respond alike whether they have male or female identities).


Control of fingertip temperature increases via biofeedback in learning-disabled and normal children.

Although considerable research has been done with biofeedback in adults, little is known of its effect in children of different ages or those with learning disabilities. This study assessed the effects of thermal biofeedback in 60 children (40 boys, 20 girls) aged 7 to 9 yr. (Mage 8-6) half of whom were learning-disabled and half, normal children matched for age, sex, grade, race, socioeconomic status, and IQ. Training consisted on one 15-min. period daily for five days with three trials per period. Children (16 learning-disabled, 16 normals) received consistent reinforcement for digital temperature increases while 28 children (14 learning-disabled, 14 normals) received mixed reinforcement after Day 1, on which all children were consistently reinforced to yield a performance baseline. Feedback was provided by a variable intensity light and toy electric train. Learning was demonstrated only for the consistently reinforced group, which performed almost twice as well as those receiving mixed reinforcement. Learning-disabled children learned thermal control even better than normals, explained in terms of biofeedback reinforcing an internal steady state conducive to learning. Younger children did better than older children, and girls did somewhat better than boys. Post-training improvement in figure-ground discrimination and intersensory-integration was linked with performance and learning, respectively.


Interrelationships of perceptual modality, short-term memory and reading achievement.

Visual and auditory components of short-term memory and perception were used as predictors of vocabulary and comprehension components of reading for 72 children from Grades 2 to 5 in a low socio-economic rural school. All six variables were significantly intercorrelated (with the exception of visual short-term memory and auditory perception). When canonical correlation analysis was applied using the four scores measuring short-term memory and perception as predictors of the two reading scores, one was significant, and each variable made a significant contribution. Not only are short-term memory and perception a part of learning to read but both visual and auditory channels are important.


Temporal patterns of drug use - a pilot study.

Examination of pilot data for classes of drugs showed significant coefficients of concordance for ranked times of most common to least common use. Marijuana, psychedelics, and amphetamines were used most commonly from 6 to 10 p.m., coincidental with temporal patterns for viewing television suggests recreational use. Use times for caffeine were completely different.


Multivariate comparison of Howes' and Weisenburg and McBride's models of aphasia on the neurosensory center comprehensive examination.

The verbal production of 57 aphasic patients was rated and used to assign these patients into two sets of groups reflecting Howes' and Weisenburg and McBride's models of aphasia. Test scores covering a broad range of communication skills and modalities were compared between these groups to examine the assumption that salient features of verbal production could be used to establish groups which would show significant differences on other important linguistic variables. Neither Howes' nor Weisenburg and McBride's model provided groups showing significant multivariate differences. It was suggested that these models be improved by expanding them to include other important psycholinguistic components of language skills. Since these models did not account for significant between group differences, caution was suggested in using these models for assessment or treatment purposes.


Interpersonal touch in high school relative to sex and race.

Previous studies have indicated that interpersonal touch decreases from kindergarten through junior high. In the present study 1154 pairs of high school students were observed in school cafeteria queues. Instances of touch were recorded along with body parts used to touch and touched. High school students were observed to segregate themselves by race and sex as did the primary and junior high students in the earlier studies. Touch was not less probable than that observed in younger students. Cross-sex touch was not more frequent as had been predicted. Touch was highest among black students. An increase in aggressive touch seen in female junior high students was not observed in the present study.


Validation of social self-esteem and an experimental index of delinquent behavior.

30 male adolescents were administered a checklist of their delinquent behavior and the measure of social self-esteem designed by Ziller, Hagey, Smith, and Long (1969). A Pearson correlation of --.26 was found between self-esteem and scores on the delinquent behavior checklist. At a later session 18 of the subjects were assigned a puzzle-solving task which served as a measure of cheating. A significant relation between cheating scores and self-reported delinquent behavior indicated that the puzzle-solving task may be useful for measuring level of delinquency in an experimental setting.


Relation of general activity in rats to environmental temperature.

The relation between ambient temperature and amount and pattern of wheel running was examined in four experiments, with a total of 88 adult male albino rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain, under conditions of 12-hr. light/12-hr. dark. While lowering of temperature from baseline of 21--25 degrees C to 4--7 degrees C most typically led to increased running, consistently reduced running characterized a substantial number of individuals, especially those with relatively high baseline scores. When comparison trials were run at 27 degrees C, reduced activity was recorded for virtually all subjects. As temperature was elevated above 27 degrees C, however, there was in most cases an upturn. At 34 degrees C, 24-hr. running scores tended to exceed baseline level for about half the animals, and running during the light 12 hr. of the day was above baseline for virtually all. Analysis of the temporal distribution suggests that the thermoregulatory reduction of activity, readily demonstrated at the moderately warm temperature, is complicated by efforts to escape as the environment becomes aversively hot. Failure of previous investigators to observe this is attributable in part to apparatus and recording differences. It is speculated that the pattern of response to extreme temperatures is closely related to the circadian fluctuation of internal temperature.


Social reinforcement in block design performance by brain-damaged, emotionally disturbed, and non-disturbed retardates.

48 retarded adults, equally divided by sex in three diagnostic categories (brain-damaged, nondamaged disturbed, and nondamaged-nondisturbed) were assigned to posttest reinforcement or control conditions on the basis of CA, IQ, and pretest performance on the Block Design. Reinforced subjects were praised for each individual correct block placement on the posttrest; control subjects repeated the test without reinforcement. Both brain-damaged and non-damaged-nondisturbed subjects showed accuracy gains under reinforcement, while nondamaged-disturbed subjects decreased in accuracy. Failure to replicate previous differential reinforcement effects with brain-damaged and nondamaged-nondisturbed subjects, and the discrepant reinforcement effect on nondamaged-disturbed subjects, did not support the use of reinforcement of performance on the Block Design test as an aid in detecting organic damage.


Effects of ethanol and tobacco on time judgment.

To determine the effects of the joint administration of tobacco and ethanol on short-interval time production and to search for differences between the ascending, the peak and the descending limb of the blood alcohol curve, two groups of 6 male subjects were tested on intervals of 1.5, 4.0 and 9.0 sec. Ethanol at 0.06% and 0.08% blood alcohol significantly lengthened the scores and one cigarette produced lower scores. The relationship between level of blood alcohol and time scores reversed in the latter part of the test session. The results are discussed in terms of effects of drugs on arousal systems.


Selected visual abilities of college football players.

Relationships between visual abilities and athletic performance have been examined but reported findings are inconclusive and inconsistent. Data were collected from 40 volunteer college football players on horizontal peripheral vision, vertical peripheral vision, depth perception, and visual disembedding. No differences were found between varsity and junior varsity football players, indicating that relatively more successful players are not characterized by greater visual perception attributes.


The construct validity of aniseikonic lens measures of anxiety.

The construct validity of aniseikonic lens measures of anxiety as a personality trait and of anxiety toward objects was examined in an experimental setting. No evidence of convergent construct validity was found for aniseikonic measures of anxiety as a personality trait. The validity of such measures as indices of anxiety toward objects was also questioned. The findings suggested that familiarity with the object viewed, rather than anxiety, may be the underlying dimension tapped by such measures of ability to perceive aniseikonic distortion.


Personality self-perceptions of male heart patients and their wives: issues of congruence and "coronary personality".

This study examines personality self-ratings of 283 married men who had recently experienced a first myocardial infarction and who previously had been free from major disease. Similar data were collected from their "non-cardiac" wives. Results indicated that several traits often identified as descriptive of "coronary-prone" personality had high mean ratings in both husband and wife populations. In addition, factor analysis revealed a similar pattern of factors in each group. However, inspection of correlations showed for individual items, men with so-called "coronary-prone" personality traits did not generally have wives with these traits. Husbands and wives tended to agree regarding each other's personality self-ratings. Implications of these husband-wife data are discussed in regard to questions on the role of "coronary-prone" personality in heart disease.


Effects of nursing apparel upon psychiatric inpatients' behavior.

To examine the effects of three modes of nursing attire on the behaviors, e.g., aggressive behavior, leaving the unit against medical advice, of psychiatric inpatients, nurses were clad in white uniforms for 6 wk., then in street clothes for 6 wk., optional dress for 6 wk., street clothes for 3 wk., white uniforms for 3 wk., and optional dress for 3 wk. Data from each mode were combined, yielding three experimental conditions. Results showed the greatest rates of maladaptive behaviors occurred during the white uniforms condition followed by the optional and street clothes conditions, respectively. An explanation of this outcome based upon patient's expectations was presented.


Assessment of conceptual deficits in brain-damaged and schizophrenic patients.

Five concept-formation scores for 20 brain-damaged and 20 schizophrenic inpatients were factor analyzed, along with WAIS Vocabulary and Block Design. One factor emerged from this analysis, suggesting that these concept-formation tests do not measure an ability which is greatly different from general intelligence when administered to patients of the type studied. None of the single concept-formation scores discriminated between the brain-damaged and schizophrenic groups independently of general intellectual level, although an exploratory analysis of the subtests of the Halstead Category Test indicated that differential performance on Subtest IV versus Subtest V produced valid criterion variance beyond that attributable to Vocabulary and Block Design alone. The findings were discussed in terms both of the factors underlying the performance of the present subjects versus those from different patient populations, and the need for refining ability-oriented diagnostic strategies when studying impaired patients who do not manifest highly specific psychological deficits on standard clinical tests yielding single scores.


Inhibitory effect of unilateral contraction on the contralateral arm.

Electromyograms of the triceps and biceps brachii of both arms of 6 subjects were recorded in reaction trials to flashing stimulus. Rapid voluntary elbow extension was immediately preceded by a silent period of the unexercised contralateral agonist (contralateral agonist silent period). Since this silent period was not accompanied by a contralateral antagonist contraction, the contralateral agonist silent period was not attributable to reciprocal inhibition in the spinal levels.


Visual acuity at hyperbaric air pressure.

The visual acuity of five divers in a dry pressure chamber was measured with a Landolt C test. Only one of them showed a significant reduction at 7.0 atm. These results contrast sharply with open sea experiments, which show a considerable reduction at much lower pressures (Baddeley, 1968). It is suggested that besides stresses, luminance differences, also turbidity, as a function of depth may account for the discrepancy.


Retention of learned temperature changes during problem solving.

In 2 studies (ns = 10, 9) college students were trained using biofeedback to lower or to raise finger temperature. Successful subjects were then asked to do distracting intellectual tasks, while simultaneously retaining the learned temperature changes. Results indicated that these changes could be maintained without detectable decreases in problem-solving efficiency in terms of either time or number of errors. These findings suggested that it might be possible for subjects to function efficiently outside the laboratory in their everyday activities while simultaneously exercising voluntary control over some autonomic processes.


Extraordinary experiences during cross-modal perception.

9 Ss were requested to perceive simultaneously the taste of beer and a rhythmic sound, the pitch of which could be varied. The frequencies at which Ss experienced harmony between the taste and the sound were determined. At the pitch of harmony Ss reported characteristic experiences, e.g., optimum taste of the beer, rhythmic sensations in the head, and tickling sensations in the jaws and the mouth. 3 Ss also reported experiences resembling those described by persons under the influence of such drugs as mescaline, psilocybin, LSD, and cannabis.


Ear and hand dominance and their relationship with reading retardation.

A dichotic listening task was used to compare the ear dominance of retarded readers and normal readers with clear right-limb preference. Younger (8.5 to 9.5 yr.) and older (10 to 11 yr.) groups were tested with two levels of task difficulty. Although right ear dominance was more apparent in the younger than in the older children, there was no difference associated with reading ability; nor was task difficulty differentially relevant. It was concluded that, at least for right-handers, reading retardation is unrelated to incomplete ear dominance.


Reliability of the depression adjective check lists.

Data from 172 college subjects (93 males and 79 females) with mean age = 24.3 yr. (SD, 7.0) were used to replicate and extend previous findings on the alternate form, split-half and test-retest reliability for Set 2 (Forms E, F, G) of the Depression Adjective Check Lists (Lubin, 1967). Findings are reported for complete lists and for the two columns, i.e., "half lists."


Differential correlates of Bender-Gestalt and Beery visual motor integration test for black and for white children.

The Bender-Gestalt and Beery Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration were administered to 58 black and 33 white children, aged 10-5, mean IQ of 81, of comparable socioeconomic class. WISC, Peabody, Raven Matrices, and Wide Range Achievement Test scores were correlated separately for each racial group. No test appeared to have unique value in helping alleviate possible racial differences in test performance, correlated with achievement test scores at levels exceeding correlation of the WISC with such scores.


Field dependency and perceptual cues in perception of two trapezoid illusions.

40 males and 40 females rated as field-independent or field-dependent on the Group Embedded-figures Test were tested on two dynamic trapezoid illusions and made position judgments of static trapezoidal targets. Field-independent subjects reported more illusory experiences on the perception of rotation of an oscillating target than the perception of oscillation of a rotating target. The opposite was true for field-dependent subjects. Position judgments were related to the latter illusion but not the former. There was strong evidence of a differential use of perceptual cues for the two dependent groups.


Nurses' perceptions of themselves, cancer nurses, typical, ideal and cancer patients.

The Activity Vector Analysis was administered to four independent samples of hospital staff nurses (40 working on surgical floors, 40 on medical floors, 10 cancer specialists, and 10 in an outpatient department) to investigate differences in how nurses perceived themselves versus the type of nurse who works best with cancer patients, as well as differences in the perceptions of typical hospital patients, ideal patients, and cancer patients. Highly congruent stereotype clusters for the perception of the typical patient and cancer patient were found along with two less congruent stereotype clusters of the ideal patient and a stereotype cluster of perceptions of the cancer nurse. Both typical patients and typical cancer patients were seen as significantly below average in terms of their potential for action and were perceived as exercising less foresight, planning ability, moral judgment, and ethical conduct than nurses.


Sex differences in self-perceptions as students of excellence and academic performance.

Differences between the sexes in self-ratings on 37 characteristics of a quality student, changes in their perceptions over a semester, and academic performances were analyzed for 172 male and 281 females. The characteristics were collapsed into five groups reflecting learning in class, study habits and attitudes, peer relationships, student-instructor relationships, and physical and emotional needs. Trend analyses showed significant differences (a) between the sexes on three grouped characteristics: learning in class, study habits and attitudes, and peer relationships (with females reporting higher ratings), (b) among the three self-rating sessions(reflecting upward trends) on all grouped characteristics, and (c) on one interaction, student-instructor relationships. Analysis of variance showed that the females obtained significantly higher grades than did the males.


Attentiveness in behaviorally deviant and nondeviant children: I. Auditory vigilance performance.

The present study examined the vigilance performance of 16 behaviorally deviant and 16 nodeviant children and suggested that the vigilance paradigm might serve as a basis for a standardized test of continuous attention in children. The deviant and nondeviant children performed an auditory vigilance task administered on two separate occasions, 4 days apart. Performance during the first administration of the task deteriorated significantly for the deviant children as a function of time but not for the nondeviant ones. This finding was consistent with several prior clinical studies with children and suggested that the behaviorally deviant children were relatively less able to maintain a continuous level of attention. In addition, the vigilance procedure yielded relatively high test-retest reliability coefficients for both groups of children as well as performance which tended to vary as a function of chronological age.


Successive visual reversal learning in rats as a function of amount of training per reversal and reduced spatial cues.

An experiment is reported which examined the effects of varying amounts of training per reversal over successive brightness discrimination reversals in rats, in a situation which reduced visual cues to spatial position. The results were similar to those of studies showing that amount of training affects successive reversal improvement on spatial problems but no differences were observed as a result of varying the cues for spatial position. The latter finding failed to confirm the result of a recent experiment in which a learning criterion was employed rather than a fixed-trials procedure.


Effects of stimulus incongruity, task demand, and induced involvement on amplitude of GSR.

Previous investigations into the arousing effects of incongruity have not only reported inconsistent findings but have displayed the limitation of using only two levels of incongruity. An experiment using four levels of incongruity confirmed the hypothesized positive linear function between incongruity and arousal (as measured by GSR amplitude). However, the results of two additional experiments confirmed the hypothesis that the marked arousing effects of incongruity were attributable at least in part to the demands of the task employed which included subjects having to choose and verbally commit themselves to one of the alternatives. The interaction between incongruity and degree of involvement engendered by the task demand suggests that involvement may facilitate the arousing effects of additional collative variables such as novelty, uncertainty, and complexity.


Modifications and influences of tactual preferences for shape and texture.

The effects of pretraining on tactual preferences for shape and texture and the effects of the preferences on discrimination learning were investigated in three experiments using kindergarten and third grade children. The pretraining experience significantly affected the dimensional preferences in both age groups, while an unexpected significant sex difference indicated a stronger texture preference in girls. Children tended to learn faster when the dimension they preferred was relevant to the task, but girls were affected more strongly than boys. In all experiments, the girls' behavior closely resembled that predicted for younger children.


Changes in peer verbalizations accompanying individual and group contingencies to modify on-task behavior.

Group and individual contingency arrangements were alternately applied to modify the on-task performance of 5 behavior-disordered children. Concurrent records were maintained regarding the children's task-relevant (facilitating) and non-task-relevant (inhibiting) verbalizations to peers. Both contingency arrangements were effective for controlling the children's on-task behavior while only the group contingency was associated with changes in their verbalizations. Specifically, the group contingency, as compared to the baseline and the individual contingency, was accompanied by a significant increase in facilitating verbalizations by peers. Moreover, the group contingency, in relation to the baseline but not the individual contingency, resulted in significantly fewer inhibiting verbalizations. The individual contingency did not affect either facilitating or inhibiting verbalizations of peers.


Lateral eye movements, hypnotic susceptibility and field independence-dependence.

Previous research indicates that lateral eye movements are associated with hemispheric activity in the brain. In the present study involving 48 female subjects, "left-gazing" (right-hemispheric activity) was positively related to field-dependence, as measured by the Embedded Figures Test and the Stroop test, and also to hypnotic susceptibility. It was concluded that field-dependence and hypnotic susceptibility are both mediated by processes associated with right-hemispheric activity.


Competitive trait anxiety, success-failure and sex as determinants of motor performance.

Two experiments determined the effects of competitive trait anxiety, success-failure, and sex on the performance of 10- to 12 yr.-old children competing on a complex motor maze. Competitive trait anxiety was assessed by the Sport Competition Anxiety Test and success-failure was induced by giving bogus win-loss feedback. High and low competitive trait-anxiety children were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: winning 80%, 50% or 20% of 20 contests. The average completion time and the variability of times within each of two blocks of 10 contests were the two performance measures. State-anxiety was assessed with Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory for Children as an indicant of arousal prior to and during competition. The findings of Exp. 1 yielded no significant performance differences. In Exp. 2 a significant interaction of competitive trait anxiety X success-failure X sex for performance time and variability was obtained. This interaction was largely attributed to sex differences.


Relationship of need achievement to self-esteem: evidence for validity of Form B of Coopersmith's Self-Esteem Inventory.

Self-esteem scores, as measured by the recently developed short form of Coopersmith's Self-esteem Inventory (Self-esteem Institute 1974), were correlated with need achievement scores, as measured by Gough and Heilbrun's (1965) Adjective Check List. Self-esteem and need achievement were significantly related for male (N = 172) and female (N = 85) university students (p less than .001 and p less than .03, respectively). This finding was interpreted as providing a measure of concurrent validity for the short form of Coopersmith's Inventory.


Problems encountered in development of instrumentation to measure figure-ground perception among young children.

The purpose of this study was to report problems encountered in the measurement of visual figure-ground perception. Conclusions from five related studies suggested that the skill may be a combination of related factors.


Experience and latency to achieve stereopsis.

This study assessed perceptual learning effects with complex random-dot stereograms. Observers were shown the same complex anaglyph five times daily, for four consecutive days, and latencies to achieve stereopsis were recorded. Two-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance yielded significant effects of days, trials, and days-by-trials interaction. Latency to achieve stereopsis decreases over trials each day, but this decrease is not completely transferred across days. It is concluded that obervers must, in some sense, "re-learn" how to perceive complex stereograms if subsequent presentations occur over more than one day.


On scaling of future time.

Five future points of time (range: 1977 to 2034), described in terms of either (A) year number, or (B) "after N years," were scaled using two different types of scaling method. Subjective temporal distance was in each case a power function of chronological time, the exponent being consistently lower in Condition A than in B. A corresponding difference was found when subjects rated how threatening they experienced each of three events to be when the events were assumed to take place at the five alternative points of time. Experienced threat decreased exponentially with increasing temporal distance.


Social relatedness and perceptual performance among the aged.

The author investigated whether the ability to shift mental sets as defined by Goldstein and Scheerer (1941) and measured by the ability to detect sequence changes in a film, is associated with the degree of social relatedness that older people have with society. 76 subjects, 16 men and 60 women, aged 60 to 88 yr., were administered a questionnaire whose items were designed to measure social, personality and demographic variables. The subjects were also participants in a perceptual task. The trend of the findings suggests a relationship between efficiency of psychological functioning on a perceptual task and degree of interpersonal relatedness.


Neural efficiency analyzer scores of reading disabled, normally reading and academically superior children.

Usefulness, under field-testing conditions, of one version of a Neural Efficiency Analygated. The equipment was said to measure efficiency of information processing as reflected in time between alternate EEG falling zero-crossing points. Special emphasis was placed on the difference score, a measure of right-left hemisphere "efficiency" differences. Contrary to earlier reports, no significant differences were found between such scores of groups of reading disabled, normally reading, and academically superior children. Possible reasons for the negative findings are explored.


Similarity between complexity on Role Construct Repertory Technique and articulation on Draw-A-Person test for patients and non-patients.

In an investigation of the underlying unity of the articulation of human figure drawings and personal construct complexity, moderate correlations were found, but in opposite directions, for inpatient and non-patient groups. For inpatients, greater construct complexity was associated with less sophisticated drawings. For non-patients, greater construct complexity was correlated with more sophisticated human figures. Mean and range differences in complexity and articulation scores between the two groups suggested that the higher complexity scores of the patient group indicated a loss of construct coordination, rather than greater articulation and organization of self and interpersonal experience.


Performance of retardates on the Stroop Color-Word Test.

Institutionalized retardates were examined on a special format of a task requiring them to name the colors of 36 color patches and to name the color of the ink in which 36 incongruent color words were printed on separate cards. Mean reaction time for the incongruent condition was significantly longer than that for the color patches and the difference was independent of fatigue and stimulus size. The color-word interference effect previously reported with normal populations when given the Stroop test was demonstrated for this retarded sample using a special format.


Effects of verbal and pictorial materials on retarded youngsters' memory for information.

The effects of full and partial verbalization of information contained in pictures and of full verbalization without pictures on retarded youngsters' memory for information were examined. The subjects were 30 educable retardates and 30 normal controls. The results indicated that facilitation of recall for 13- to 15-yr.-old mentally retarded youngsters will occur with the use of pictures only if the aspects of the picture which are to be remembered are verbalized. The relevance of the findings for high-interest low-vocabulary textbooks for the retarded were discussed.


Matching forms as a function of complexity, type of match, and retention interval.

The present experiment tested the hypothesis that nominal processing increases as stimulus complexity increases. Subjects indicated whether two 4- or 12-sided forms, separated by an interval of .5 or 4.0 sec., were the same or different. "Same" responses corresponded to matches for physical or nominal identity. Longer RTs for high complexity than low complexity forms suggest that complexity affects the efficiency of visual processing rather than the occurrence of nominal processing. An interaction between type of match and interval, due to the longer RTs for matches of nominally identical forms at only the .5-sec. interval, indicates that at this interval, matches for physical and nominal identity are made with visual and nominal representations respectively.


Hand Test characteristics of marijuana-experienced and multiple-drug-using college students.

Three matched groups of 30 college student (17 males, 13 females) categorized as marijuana users, multiple-drug users, and complete abstainers were compared across 24 Hand Test scores. Both drug-using groups were characterized by significantly lower scores on Acquisition, Active, and Environmental responses. Results were interpreted as supporting the amotivational hypothesis that drug-users display a lessened interest in environmental accomplishment. The marijuana group also proved to be slightly higher on the Exhibition score.


Influence of auditory, visual, and audio-visual stimulus presentation methods on estimates of transition probability in speech.

Estimates of transition probability derived from auditory, visual, and audio-visual presentations of stimulus material (40 simple conversational sentences) were compared for 3 groups of 100 college students and found to be highly correlated.


Effects of intermittency of feedback on a compensatory tracking task.

Target intermittence in tracking has been studied as frequency of target presentation at various time intervals. Task efficiency increased as a function of increased frequency of target display in open-loop tracking tasks, where the steady state of presentation resulted in the best performance. The present study examined effects of feedback intermittency in compensatory tracking as a major source of disruption of the motor-sensory feedback process in the closed-loop tracking system. Feedback intermittency is defined as the feedback of momentary sampling of the difference between target movements and the operator's control motion for specified time lengths before being displayed to him in a continuous tracking task. With a random wave pattern of 9.76 cpm, 7 magnitudes of 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.5 sec. were used to represent various levels of feedback intermittency. Task efficiency decreased as a function of increased magnitudes of intermittency. Results are discussed relative to the difference between target intermittence and feedback intermittency and their effects on different tracking tasks. The findings also establish the concept of feedback intermittency as a disturbing factor in compensatory tracking in degrading the operator's performance.


The occurrence of feline infectious peritonitis in Denmark.

The clinical and pathologic findings in a case of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in a 1-year-old male cat are described. The cat had been sick for about 3 weeks and presented itself clinically with depression, anorexia, dehydration, mild icterus and acites and a temperature of 39.5 degrees C. The sedimentation rate was elevated to 80 mm/30 min. An exploratory laparotomy was performed and ascitic fluid, found to be bacteriologically sterile, was collected. Pathologically, lesions involved both abdominal and thoracic serious membranes and viscera, especially the liver. They ranged from acute, focal necrosis or fibrino-necrotic changes to proliferative inflammation mainly characterized by infiltration with mononuclear cells. An identical disease was produced experimentally by intraperitoneal inoculation of ascitic fluid from the clinical case into 2 healthy cats. This is the first published report of the occurrence of FIP in Scandinavia.


Milk somatic cells in dairy cows kept on pasture or confined indoors during the summer.

During the summer of 1975 (from June 30th to July 28th) weekly milk samples were obtained from 49 cows kept on pasture during the daytime, and from 48 cows which were confined indoors in stanchion barns and fed grass twice a day. The cows on pasture were exposed to relatively moderate temperatures, which were somewhat lower than for the indoor group (Table I). In the cows kept on pasture, an increase in the milk somatic cell content (MSCC) was observed throughout the experimental period, whereas no corresponding increase was recorded in the indoor group (Table III). This increase in MSCC appeared to occur primarily in non-infected quarters (Table IV). The data from the present investigation seem to indicate that the seasonal increase in MSCC during the summer, which has been reported by several other investigators, cannot be directly related to environmental temperature per se.


Oxytetracycline residues in meat and kidney tissue after intramuscular or intramammary treatment as determined by a chemical-physical method and compared to a microbiological method.

Two adult cows and three calves were treated intramuscularly with an oxytetracycline (OTC) preparation. The dose was about 5 mg/kg. The animals were slaughtered eight days after the treatment and their kidneys and muscle samples were taken for analysis. Twelve cows were treated intramammarily with an OTC preparation 12 hours before slaughter. Six of the cows were treated in two udder quarters with a preparation containing 200 mg OTC chloride per dose; the other six were similarly treated in four quarters with four doses. When the kidneys of all the animals were studied for the presence of inhibitory substances using the official Finnish microbiological meat inspection method, all were found negative. The OTC concentration of the different tissue samples was determined by a chemical-physical method, based on thin-layer chromatography and on the UV-fluorescence of OTC. The muscle samples of the cows given OTC i.m. were negative except near the site of injection, where the concentrations were 4 mg and less than 0.5 mg (traces) per kg. The corresponding kidney concentrations of OTC were less than 0.5 and about 0.5 mg per kg respectively. All except one kidney sample of the calves given OTC i.m. were found to be negative. Traces of OTC (less than 0.5 mg/kg) were found in all but one kidney sample of the cows treated intramammarily with OTC. Traces of OTC were found in two muscle samples of the cows treated intramammarily with 2 X 200 mg OTC and in two muscle samples of the cows similarly treated with 4 X 200 mg OTC. All the other samples were negative. The authors stress the need for a change in the present Finnish directives on the use of antibiotics in food animals.


The occurrence of cyanide in certain smoked meat products.

Fifteen samples of smoked reindeer meat, two samples of smoked mutton from Iceland and five samples of smoked salamitype fermented sausage were analysed for their cyanide (CN) content by a steam distillation method. The mean cyanide content of the smoked reindeer meat was found to be 1.38 +/- 1.01 mg CH/kg, range 0.27--4.27 mg/kg. The two smoked mutton samples, contained 1.93 and 1.78 mg CN/kg and the mean cyanide content of the five Salami samples was found to be 0.19 +/- 0.13 mg CH/kg, range 0.06--0.40 mg/kg. The toxicological aspects of the findings are discussed, with special reference to the possible effects of nitrate and nitrite in the products.


[Frequency of thalassemia in the South-East of France].

The ethnic and demographic characteristics of the Nice region are predisposing factors in the locally increased frequency of Thalassemia. The use of electronic blood-cell counters has enabled us to pick out easily all those patients presenting with microcytosis. In these patients, foetal hemoglobin, electrophoresis on cellulose acetate and level of hemaglobin A2 by the technique of miniature chromatography on DEAE-cellulose have been analyzed. 270 heterozygotes thalassemics were found in 900 examinations. The statistical study shows an incidence 2% of beta-thalassemia in the Nice region.


Hereditary thrombocytopathies with abnormal release reaction (author's transl).

The authors have examined 8 cases with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome in whom besides the usual abnormalities of abnormal aggregation with collagen, absence of second wave of aggregation, reduction of the 5-HT uptake, presence of 5-HIAA in the platelets, two new abnormalities are described: the presence of a large amount of an unidentified metabolite after 5-HT incorporation which differs from 5-HT and 5 hydroxytryptophol and an abnormal incorporation of labelled glycerol in the triglycerides. Correlation between abnormal lipid metabolism and defective 5-HT incorporation is discussed.


[The platelet defect in myeloproliferative disorder (author's transl)].

Platelets functions are very often impaired in myeloproliferative disorders and acute leukemias. The abnormalities may either results from plasmatic factor affecting the platelet function or from an intrinsic platelet defect. The mechanism of the platelet defect is still a subject to discussion: it may be an abnormal response of the platelet to the aggregating agent or an impaired release of nucleotides.


Dose distribution of 123I in the thyroid gland and its maximum permissible concentrations.

The calculation of the dose distribution in the thyroid tissues and of the maximum permissible concentrations in the air and in drinking water was carried out for 123I. In fact because of the recent use of this radionuclide in radioisotopic diagnostics the dose to both the patients' and operators' thyroids due to 123I must to be known. In order to obtain a correct estimate it is necessary, however, to consider the distribution of the radionuclide in the thyroid tissue and the changes in this distribution depending on the dimensions of the follicles. Taking into account the dose at the follicular cell-colloid interface, the maximum permissible concentrations in the air and in drinking water were calculated as being 6 x 10-8 muCi/cm3 and 4 x 10-4 muCi/cm3 respectively.


Some comparative studies using 99mTc and 131I in thyroid scanning.

By comparing thyroid scans made with 99mTc and 131I in 40 euthyroid goiter patients large discrepancies were found in 20% of all cases. For example, "warm" nodules on 99mTc scans were found to be "cold" on 131I scans, or a "cold" nodule on a 99mTc scan was observed as a "warm" one on a 131I scan. The above discrepancies seem to result from the differences in the metabolism of the two radioisotopes in the thyroid and those in the time which elapsed between the administration of the radioisotope and the execution of the scan. Generally speaking 99mTc thyroid scintigraphy should not be recommended as a routine technique in adults, its usefulness being limited to the cases in which 131I scans were found to be illegible. "Cold" nodules on 99mTc scans should also be reexamined after T3 stimulation.


[Bone-seeking radioactive substances in nuclear medicine].

The concept of bone affinity of a radioactive tracer is developed on theoretical grounds and is discussed on the basis of the various substances used in nuclear medical diagnosis of bone disease. On the basis of results on the uptake of very short lived nuclides and extremely large molecules, evidence is provided that the incorporation of the tracer in the apatite crystal is not a primary criterion of bone affinity since incorporation cannot take place on timelimiting grounds in the former case and on spatial grounds in the latter. The fixation on bone is therefore more likely the result of non-specific adsorption processes. The utility of a radioactive substance in practical application in nuclear medicine depends on the radioactive characteristics of the nuclide and on its behavior in the organism. In this context the quality of the scintigram is particularly dependent on the mode and rate of elimination of that fraction of the tracer that is not bound by the skeleton. The various mechanism which cause differences in the uptake of tracer by healthy and pathological bone tissue are discussed with special regard to the role of blood flow.


99mTechnetium-unithiol complex, a new pharmaceutical for kidney scintigraphy.

The investigations were carried out with a newly synthesised, original 99mTc-Unithiol complex (Unithiol-2,3-dimercaptopropansulphonate). It accumulates in the kidneys and enables their scintigraphic examination at 90--180 minutes after the administration. The study was performed on rats, rabbits and dogs. 99mTc-Unithiol complex accumulation in rat kidneys was 34,9%, 44,5% and 67,8% of dose after 1, 2 and 3 h respectively. Good reability of the scintigraphic picture of the kidneys in rabbits and dogs confirms the accumulative capability of the complex in these organs. It was found by means of ascending paper chromatography that the purity of the 99mTc-Unithiol complex exceeded 90%.