Staff attitudes towar a family planning service in the mental hospital.

Staff attitudes toward an innovative family planning and gynecological service offered to patients in three psychiatric hospitals were assayed. Despite structural differences between hospitals, generally similar and favorable reports were obtained at all sites. However, comparison of verbal responses and actual utilization of the family planning service suggests that a theoretical position held by a minority as well as scattered personal biases militate against fullest cooperation with the program.


Community mental health and the community college.

This paper represents one solution to the present mental health dilemma facing today's colleges and universities--static or declining services in the face of increased student needs. What is unique to this solution is that it developed out of a collaborative interaction between a community college and a prototype of a community mental health center in the same geographical area. Multiple interfaces between systems and various members within these systems were established in an effort to provide improved mental health services and the training of all personnel so involved to a higher level of professional functioning.


The crisis scale: a factor analysis and revision.

The present paper consists of a factor analytic study of the Crisis Test and a revision of the test based on this analysis. Two factor analyses are presented: the first, the 10 initial subtests; and the second, the 60 individual items. In both analyses the first factor accounts for a large proportion of the variance. This is interpreted as a demonstration of the unitary nature of the crisis syndrome. The revised test, based on the factor analysis of the individual items, consists of 36 items in two subtests: the first, crisis feelings; and the second, social behaviors. Implications for future research and potential clinical application are discussed.


Police training in domestic crises: a suburban approach.

This paper discusses an intervention method that was presented to develop joint police-mental health programs with seven suburban police departments. A seminar on family crisis intervention was instituted. The program method and goals are described and the result of numerous new requests by police for mental health consultation are discussed. Results suggest that a training approach different from urban programs is needed and wanted by suburban police. The initiative for developing such programs clearly falls on the shoulders of community mental health practitioners.


Role of behavior modification in community mental health.

This paper briefly reviews the original concept of the community mental health movement; points to ways in which current service delivery systems deviate from this; offers and alternative framework for service delivery, that is, a behavioral model; and argues that its implementation would move community services closer to this conception. The implications of this model for intervention in the natural environment as well as for transitional and prosthetic facilities are described and examples given of its use. Emphasis is placed on working in the natural environment whenever possible via the use and cultivation of significant others as well as via provision of training in self-directed behavior change in addition to the blending of case management with careful evaluation of service.


Legal dimensions of the psychiatric halfway house.

This paper addresses itself to the solutions developed in Massachusetts to three key legal problem areas with regard to the psychiatric halfway house. The areas are (1) the assurance of the overall quality of the programs through rigorous implementation of regulatory statutes; (2) the determination of beneficial location and equitable geographical distribution of these facilities as enabled through local zoning ordinances--preventing at the same time arbitrary community exclusion; and (3) the establishment of standards for safe, suitable, and feasible structures to house the community residence as determined by building codes.


Self-termination from a child guidance center.

Fifty-two household interviews were held with families who had self-terminated from a child guidance center. The purpose of these interviews was to determine reasons for self-termination and to measure the effectiveness of the center's program. Findings indicate that the most common reason for self-termination was (1) parents' expectations of therapy were not fulfilled, (2) general dissatisfaction with services, and (3) lack of progress. However, many of the self-terminators rated the center program highly and therefore it was concluded that many self-terminators do not actually reject psychotherapy. Inferences about the causes of self-termination and its alleviation are made.


Patients referred to extended inpatient treatment or outpatient therapy from a private short-term therapeutic community.

An exploratory, longitudinal, multimethod examination of characteristics of short-term therapeutic community patients suggests that male and femal patients receiving recommendations for further extended hospitalization were the relatively younger, more docile, conforming, and good patients who appreciated their hospital experience and the unit. Diagnostic, biographical, and staff ratings were not improtant predictors of referral patterns.


Assessing the psychosocial environment of halfway houses for the retarded.

The Community-Oriented Programs Environment Scale (COPES) was used to assess the psychosocial environment of two halfway houses for the mentally retarded. Residents of the houses were individually asked each question and the staff completed the same scale. Results showed general agreement between staff and residents, suggesting that the retarded were adequately able to describe their treatment program. The results were meaningfully graphed on the existing norms for the mentally disturbed.


Abnormalities in mineral metabolism suggestive of parathyroid over-activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

A three-part study on mineral metabolism in patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis is described. In the first two parts, biochemical abnormalities were revealed suggestive of parathyroid over-activity, and in the third part, observation on calcium absorption provides a hyperparathyroid pattern. The importance of these findings in relation to demineralisation of bone in rheumatoid arthritis is discussed.


Metoclopramide in hiccup.

Metaclopramide has been observed to induce dramatic relief of intractable hiccup in 14 patients with diverse serious illnesses. When given orally or parenterally the effect was observed within 30 minutes, the relief lasting up to 8 hours, indicating a direct relation to the duration of action of the drug. This drug is recommended for symptomatic relief of hiccup associated even with serious organic illnesses, without any fear of undesirable effects.


Comparison of the response of psoriasis, over a 6-month period, to clobetasol propionate and fluocinolone acetonide ointments.

Twenty-nine patients with bilateral psoriasis were treated with clobetasol propionate ointment on one side of the body and fluocinolone acetonide ointment on the other in a double-blind clinical trial lasting 6 months. With one exception, after the first month of treatment, all patients responded better on the clobetasol propionate treated side. There was a tendency for any relapses to be less rapid and less severe in clobetasol propionate treated lesions. No adverse effects from either steroid were observed.


A double-blind controlled trial of 'Gaviscon' in patients with symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux.

In a double-blind trial in 26 patients with symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux, the alginate/effervescent/antacid compound 'Gaviscon' was compared with antacid containing placebo similarly formulated. Retrosternal pain after meals and at night was significantly reduced whilst patients were taking 'Gaviscon' and the beneficial effects lasted for many weeks after discontinuation of the active preparation.


Gastro-intestinal absorption and transplacental transfer of amoxycillin during labour and the influence of metoclopramide.

The absorption of amoxycillin from the gastro-intestinal tract, with or without oral metoclopramide, has been evaluated. Levels of amoxycillin in the maternal blood and liquor prior to the induction of labour were of a therapeutic level against many organisms. However, absorption during labour, as reflected by maternal blood levels at delivery and cord blood levels, suggests that amoxycillin is poorly absorbed and may not reach adequate therapeutic levels in the fetus. Oral metoclopramide did not improve the absorption of amoxycillin. Should a parenteral form of amoxycillin become available, a similar study of blood and liquor levels may indicate that, like ampicillin, intramuscular administration is required for adequate therapeutic use at this stage of pregnancy. Until an oral formulation of an appropriate antibiotic is available which gives rapid absorption may and a sustained level of the chemotherapeutic agent in this situation, parenteral administration of an appropriate antibiotic remains mandatory.


The role of amniotomy in induction of labour with oral administration of prostaglandin E2.

Prostaglandin E2 was administered orally in doses of 0.5 mg. to 2.0 mg. every 2 hours to 169 women for induction of labour. Induction was successful in 153 women (90%). In 99 of these women, low amniotomy was performed at the beginning. Performance of amniotomy at the beginning of induction did not alter the incidence of successful induction but did lead to a mean induction-delivery interval shorter than that in women who had amniotomy performed in the active phase of labour. Vomiting and/or diarrhoea occurred in 34 women (20%). Uterine hypertonus of only transient nature occurred in 3 women. One woman suffered from atonic post-partum haemorrhage. No adverse effects on the fetus were apparent. The presence of fetopelvic disproportion was associated with a slow rate of cervical dilatation and unsuccessful induction.


Mutagenic activity of hydrazine and its combinations with maleic mydrazide and X-rays in barley.

The study was undertaken to investigate the mutagenic activity of hydrazine hydrate a structural isomer of the nucleic acid base thymidine in barley. The treatments were administered alone or in the presence of maleic hydrazide and X-rays. Hydrazine was able to produce chlorophyll mutations in the M1-generation itself if applied alone, in a mixture or as a last treatment in a sequence. In the M2-generation, however, segregation for chlorophyll mutations was observed in all the treatments. The possible mode of action of the mutagen is discussed.


Studies on leucocyte migration inhibiton: in vitro enucleation of human eosinophils in reactive cultures.

Peripheral blood eosinophils present in leucocyte migration cultures underwent enucleation when cell migration was inhibited in the presence of specific antigen. Enucleation was not induced by antigen alone or at 22 degrees C or 4 degrees C, and only occurred in the presence of an in vitro cellular immune response.


Meiotic disjunction in t(14;15)6ca heterozygotes and fate of chromosomally unbalanced gametes in embryonic development.

In heterozygous carriers of the mouse reciprocal translocation T(14;15)6Ca, the frequency of nondisjunction involving the minute marker chromosome was 4.4% in the male and 22.2% in the female. The fate of gametes with unbalanced genomes derived from normal as well as abnormal meiotic disjunction in T6 heterozygotes was investigated on the basis of chromosome counts at metaphase II and karyotype analyses in early postimplantation embryos produced by backcrossing with chromosomally normal animals. Results obtained indicate that meiotic, gametic, and zygotic selection attributable to specific types of chromosomal imbalances is minimal, if any, by the late blastocyst stage. All zygotes with unbalanced genomes, except those with 20 normal pairs plus the minute marker, however, die off in the latter half of pregnancy. Therefore, the increased incidence of translocation trisomics among progeny of female as compared with male heterozygotes reflects the higher incidence of nondisjunction in primary oocytes than in spermatocytes.


Somatic cell genetics resource for research in aging. The National Institutes of Health plan for an expanded program in cellular aging.

A mutant cell bank in support of research in aging has been established at the Institute for Medical Research, Camden, N.J. The bank is under contract support of the Adult Development and Aging Program of the National Institute of child Health and Human Development. We anticipate that the bank, with associated services such as an annual workshop, will facilitate the growth of the NIH grant-supported cellular aging research program and thus contribute to the elucidation of mechanisms in human aging at the cellular and molecular level.


The site of 5S RNA genes in human chromosome 1.

The major site of genes for human 5S RNA is in the long arm of chromosome 1. We find no evidence of sites in other chromosomes; if such exist, they are much smaller than the site in 1q.


Mapping G-bands on human prophase chromosomes.

OHNUKI's method for demonstrating coils in human metaphase chromosomes also reveals a fine G-band pattern on prophase chromosomes of sufficient clarity to justify an attempt at mapping. Maps are provided for each chromosome to show the maximum number of prophase bands observed, and an intermediate stage in chromosome contraction, tracing the pathways of apparent band fusion as the cell progresses to metaphase, is presented. The prophase bands on many chromosomes tend to occur in distinct groups, the members of which ultimately merge to give the dark G-bands of metaphase chromosomes. Every G-band of the standard metaphase chromosomes. Every G-band of the standard metaphase pattern is compounded from two or more prophase bands. In at least contracted prophase chromosomes examined, some bands are seen which have no obvious metaphase counterpart. There are marked similarities between banded prophases and the chromoomere pattern seen at meiotic prophase. However, since chromosome contraction is a dynamic process, agreement between maps will be expected only for corresponding degrees of chromosome contraction.


Attraction between centric heterochromatin of human chromosomes.

An analysis of the pattern of association of acrocentric chromosomes with nonacrocentric chromosomes in human lymphocyte metaphases was performed. This pattern in nonrandom with respect to chromosome length and intrachromosomal distribution. There is a general preference for the centric regions, most pronounced at the proximal segments of the long arms of chromosomes 1, 9, and 16, which is interpreted to reflect heterochromatin attraction during interphase. Comparison of the association patterns of homologous chromosome 1's differing with regard to the size of their heterochromatic regions corroborates this interpretation. The possible significance of heterochromatin attraction for the formation of spontaneous and induced chromosome anomalies is discused.


[Karyotype analysis of 2 species of gibbons (Hylobates lar and H. concolor) with different banding species].

The mitotic chromosomes of two species of gibbons (Hylobates lar and H. concolor) are examined and compared, using various banding techniques. These two species have very different karyotypes. At the most, seven pairs of chromosomes have a similar banding pattern. The other elements generally differ by complex structrual rearrangements. Thus, it is difficult to propose a scheme for chromosomal evolution at this stage. Comparison with the karyotypes of man and anthropoid apes also shows very important differences; very few chromosomes are common or only slightly modified. Some considerations about the hypothetical origin of particular chromosomal structures are given.


Karyotype of the gibbons hylobates lar and h. moloch inversion in chromosome 7.

A karyotype of the gibbon, Hylobates, has been prepared based on the chromosome banding patterns produced by quinacrine, trypsin-Giemsa, and centromeric heterochromatin stains. The banding patterns of H. lar and H. moloch are virtually identical. No brilliant quinacrine-fluorescent areas are present. The banding pattern of most of the gibbon chromosomes show less resemblance to those of the human, chimpanzee, gorilla, or orangutan than the chromosomes of the higher primates do to each other, suggesting a relatively large evolutionary separation of the gibbon from the higher primates. A pericentric inversion of chromosome 7 is present in one gibbon.


Uptake of 5-iododeoxyuridine as a measure of tumor growth and tumor inhibition.

The DNA synthesis of tumor cells in spleen, lung and liver of mice bearing spontaneous or transplanted lymphomas or Lewis lung carcinoma was determined by measuring the uptake of 5-iododeoxyuridine labeled with iodine-125 (125IUdR). An in vitro uptake method was also developed to assess 125IUdR uptake of peripheral blood of leukemic animals. A direct relationship was found between isotope uptake values and the extent of neoplastic growth. The 125IUdR uptake method was found to be applicable to determination of inhibition of tumor growth in drug-treated animals and in pre-sensitized allogeneic hosts and to measurement of regression in non-sensitized allogeneic mice.


Experimental and clinical studies of 5-fluorocytosine activity in Candida ocular infections. I. In vitro activity of 5-fluorocytosine on Candida species isolated from ocular infections.

In vitro sensitivity to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) of 35 Candida strains (14 C. albicans, 10 C. tropicalis, 5 C. parapsilosis, 2 C. guilliermondii, 2 C. krusei, 2 C. pseudotropicalis), isolated from the eyes of patients suffering from various external ocular inflammations who had not been treated with 5-FC, was tested and compared to that of standard Candida species. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 5-FC for the strains isolated from ocular infections ranged from 0.06 to 1.95 mug/ml and from 0.24 to 7.81 mug/ml, respectively, indicating that no primary resistant strains to 5-FC were found in this series.


Isotope cisternography and ventriculography in congenital CNS anomalies.

Isotope studies are well-tolerated examinations in various congenital CNS anomalies and are valuable in demonstrating the presence of associated hydrocephalus, abnormal accumulation of isotope associated with abnormal CSF flow or a failure of absorption. In some cases these studies may be of differential diagnostic value and a helpful indicator in the choice of surgical treatment. These tests do not disturb the CSF equilibrium which is often observed following air or other contrast studies.


Brain tumors of early infants.

The authors describe their experience with ten cases of brain tumors in children in whom the onset of symptoms occurred within the first year of life, but who were operated on when they were 2 months to 4 years of age. The series includes 5 gliomas (4 supratentorial, 1 cerebellar; 3 astrocytomas, 1 spongioblastoma, 1 ependymoblastoma), 2 teratomas of the lateral ventricle, and 3 single cases of third ventricle choroid plexus papilloma, temporal lobe sarcoma, and a parasellar craniopharyngioma. Six cases were partially removed, one of them was shunted. Only biopsy was carried out in two, one of which was shunted. The only case of radical removal was a lateral ventricle teratoma; this patient died at operation. Nine patients survived at surgery, three of whom are alive on the 3rd, 4th, and 7th postoperative year. There were two late deaths: one at 2 years (lateral ventricle astrocytoma, which was only biopsied) and one at 7 years and 3 months (spongioblastoma) following surgery. This series from a 40-year period (1933-1973) represents 0.4% of 2,832 brain tumors and 1.9% of 528 brain tumors in the pediatric age. The authors emphasize the need to treat brain tumors in early infancy and insist on the use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy when the lesions are not radically removed at surgery.


Follow-up study of brain stem tumors in children.

In a series of 180 patients affected by brain stem tumors, 70 cases of children up to 16 years are analyzed. Diagnosis was made with clinical examinations, neuroradiological tests and, in 20 cases, with surgical explorations. A description is made concerning the clinical status with regard to site, extension and features of the tumor. Then the authors analyze statistically the survival of such patients in connection with clinical symptomatology, the radiological picture, medical treatment, radiation and/or surgical therapy either in the few cases of subtotal removal of the tumors, or in the more numerous cases of palliative procedures such as intra- and extra-thecal CSF shunting.


Intracranial tumours in childhood.

420 paediatric intracranial tumour cases were admitted from an area with a 2 million population in 20 years. The incidence of various groups in Melbourne is compared to similar series in Boston, Vienna, and Tokyo. The author believes that there is a remarkable uniformity in their distribution. The greater number of ependymomas in Melbourne can be due to different pathological interpretations. The higher rate of optic gliomas can be related to a higher frequency of neurofibromatosis. Myodil ventriculography followed by immediate surgery without disturbance of the child's position on the author's neurosurgical wheel reduces post-operative morbidity and mortality. The author uses the anterior approach to choroidal papillomas, contralateral approach to trigone tumours and occasionally posterior fossa osteoplastic flaps. Over the years, operative mortality has decreased to less than 5% but the overall survival rate has not greatly changed, which is possibly due to the excessive 'growth potential' of children.


Growing skull fractures of childhood. Possible mechanism of its focal ventricular dilatation.

Four cases of growing skull fracture are presented. Pneumoencephalography done on these cases showed a moderate to extensive degree of focal ventricular dilatation beneath the skull defect. An important factor, heretofore overlooked in explaining this focal ventricular enlargement, is our hypothesis that the force exerted on the particular area of the ventricular wall represents a pulsatile CSF movement damped in the region which is liable to yield to this compression wave in the absence of covering resistant dura mater. Because of the importance of early diagnosis in order to avoid possible delayed neurologic complications such as convulsive disorders, it is advisable to carry on repeated radiological examinations of the skull following fracture in this particular age group until the fracture heals by the progressive apposition of the bone on either side of the fractured line.


Cerebral fluid dynamics and brain regional blood flow in experimental hydrocephalus.

Cerebral blood flow was measured by the indicator fractionation technique in normal, acute hydrocephalic, chronic compensated hydrocephalic and craniectomized hydrocephalic cats. In the five normal cats the mean total brain blood flow was 136.1 ml/min/100 g dry weight. The six acute hydrocephalic animals demonstrated a relatively uniform 22% reduction in total blood flow. In eight chronic hydrocephalic cats CBF increased to the point where there was only an overall 7% decrease. In three hydrocephalic and craniectomized cats the CBF was reduced by 30.6%. In the acute phases there was a decrease in the number of blood vessels. Chronic compensated hydrocephalic brains had somewhat more vessels than the normal, whereas the craniectomized, massively hydrocephalic brain had a dramatic increase in both the number and caliber of blood vessels. These results clearly demonstrate that in acute obstructive hydrocephalus in cats, there is a significant decrease in CBF. The blood vessels revert to normal in shunted cats.


Dynamic changes of cerebrospinal fluid in upright and recumbent shunted experimental animals.

The effect of positional change on intracranial CSF pressure, valve flow rates and atrial pressures were studied in 40 experimental dogs. The flow rate with a 30 to 60 mm H2O Holter valve changed from the recumbent to the head-up position: during the first minute it increased 2 1/2 times and then progressively decreased to become stabilized 20-30 min later at a value slightly lower than the head-up value. At the same time pressure dropped rapidly to -23 mm H2O and then slowly, during 30 min to -120 mm H2O. In dogs without a shunt the pressure drop was initially similar to that of shunted dogs but recovered to almost the initial positive pressure in 30 min. The flow rate from a reservoir to the atrium through a shunt system when changing to the head-up position showed a siphon effect. Atrial pressure does not change with positioning. The findings were similar with cisternal-peritoneal shunts. Flow rate, therefore, increase in the head-up position. Negative intracranial CSF pressure was due to a siphon effect through the shunt system.


An attempt to treat cerebrovascular 'Moyamoya' disease in children.

Moyamoya formations at the base of the brain are not congenital vascular malformations but represent collateral pathways associated with chronic progressive stenosis of the carotid fork. The authors have studied 44 personal cases, 18 children under 15 years of age, and 26 adults. In children the Moyamoya vessels change through six stages: (1) carotid fork stenosis; (2) progressive carotid stenosis with initial Moyamoya collaterals and dilatations of cerebral arteries; (3) dilatation of Moyamoya collaterals and disappearance of anterior and middle cerebral arteries; (4) thinning of Moyamoya; (5) contraction of Moyamoya and disappearance of posterior cerebral arteries; (6) intracerebral vessels perfused from the external carotid and/or vertebrae. These six stages are not observed in adults. Bilateral cervical perivascular sympathectomy (PVS) was performed in 9 children and superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCG) was added unilaterally in 4 and bilaterally in 3 cases. Angiographic follow-up studies were carried out 1-7 years following surgery. Improvement was observed in most of the cases examined within the first 2 months after surgery. This was not the case in arteriograms performed more than 6 months postoperatively. It would seem that PVS and SCG can improve the progress of Moyamoya vessels but only for a short period of time. Clinical symptoms, however, seem to continue improving over a long period of time. Cerebral blood flow improved 5 weeks following surgery in a 13-year-old boy.


Diagnostic and therapeutic problems concerning tumors of the vault.

We observed 36 tumors of the cranial vault in children (11 epidermoid and dermoid cysts, 3 meningiomas, 3 malignant tumors, 11 vascular tumors, 6 eosinophilic granulomas, 2 osteomas). The common clinical finding enabling us to include all 36 tumors in this study is a large tumefaction of the cranial vault, without our being able to determine its anatomical starting point or histological nature. These observations are described according to whether they have a bony, dural or cutaneous origin, differentiating tumors of embryological origin. In the majority of cases, internal and external carotid angiography was performed to help surgery, which remains the only cure.


Correction of ocular hypertelorism.

36 patients with congenital hypertelorism, eight with Crouzon's disease, and three with a posttraumatic deformity, were operated with Tessier's technique with some modifications, i.e. the dura is not separated from the cribriform plate avoiding olfactory damage. The entire procedure for hypertelorism could be carried out in less than 5 h but correction of Crouzon's disease required 6-8 h, and longer in older patients. There was only one intraoperative anesthesic death in a 3-year-old child. One cardiac arrest recovered. Nine staphylococcus infections were superficial and readily treated. There was postoperative cerebral edema in one case and convulsions following surgery in another. Anticonvulsants and steroids were subsequently routinely employed. There were no SF fistulas. Excellent cosmetic results are due primarily to the skill of the plastic surgeons.


Comparative study of various models of experimental hydrocephalus.

The authors present morphological findings in the brains of rabbits, dogs, cats, rats, and mice that have been used as experimental hydrocephalic models. The methods used were as follows: (1) silicone oil injection into the cisterna magna and the neighboring basal cisterns in rabbits by the method of Wisniewski; (2) kaolin administration into the cisterna magna in rabbits and dogs (Dixon); (3) ballooning method with Foley's catheter into the 4th ventricle in rabbits (Milho-rat); (4) plug formation with small pieces of laminalia into the cisterna magna in rabbits by our method; (5) Hy-3 hereditary hydrocephalic mouse bred by Gruenberg; (6) ligation of the placental vessels of the pregnant rat at 13 days of gestation by our method, and (7) transplacental intraperitoneal administration of ethylnitrosourea in a pregnant rat at 9.5 days of gestation. The models with silicone oil, kaolin, laminalia, and ballooning methods produced obstructive hydrocephalus with various grades of ventricular dilatation. The models with the ethylnitrosourea-induced method, ligation of placental vessels, and Hy-3 mouse produced prenatal hydrocephalus. Dilatation of the ventricular system and histological abnormalities do not occur as a uniform process.


An analysis of external ventricular drainage as a treatment for infected shunts.

An analysis of EVD as a treatment for infected shunts is reported. The study consists of 6 patients with ventriculo-jugular shunts and 17 patients with ventriculo-peritoneal shunts. When infection of the shunting system is suspected on a clinical basis, the shunt should be removed immediately. EVD is adequate to control intraventricular pressure. After the infection clears, reimplantation of shunt should be considered.


Attachment behavior: a validation study in two age groups.

To assess the validity of attachment scores derived from the Ainsworth "strange situation," 56 1-year-olds and 79 2-year-olds accompanied by either the mother, the father, or a brief acquaintance were studied. Proximity to the adult, duration of play, crying, activity, and the incidence of looks and distance bids were measured. 1-year-olds were more secure with their parents: they were more active, played more, cried less, and stood closer to their parents than to an acquaintance. 2-year-olds accompanied by their parents were less settled in the presence of a stranger than children accompanied by the acquaintance. The adequacy of current conceptions and measures of attachment was discussed in light of these results.


Mother-infant attachment: the importance of the mother's visual field.

The purpose of this study was to answer 2 questions: (1) how important to 2-year-old children is fact-to-face contact with the mother, and (2) do attachment behaviors, such as looking at, talking to, and being close to mothers, interact in a compensatory fashion? 24 male and female children, 18 to 30 months, were observed with their mothers for 15 minutes in 3 conditions: (1) mother facing tethered toys, (2) mother facing away from toys, and (3) mother behind a partition and not visible from toys. Observations were made by time-lapse photography techniques. Results indicated that the potential for face-to-face contact was important: children spent 94% of their time in mother's visual field when she faced the toys and 50% of their time in her visual field when she either faced away or was behind the partition. Overall, they established face-to-face contact about 12% of the time. Some compensation was observed: talking and physical proximity increased as visual contact decreased.


Gender labels and early sex role development.

A series of tests was designed for 24-, 30-, and 36-month-old children to measure their ability to apply various gender labels to the appropriate sexes, their capacity to place themselves in their own gender category, and their usage of labels to guide preference behavior. Also, the child's awareness of sex role stereotyping and the relationship of the above measures to parental SES and sex role attitudes were examined. In general, unlike the younger children, the oldest children consistently applied gender labels properly, were certain of their own gender, used same-sex gender labels to guide behavior, and were aware of sex role stereotyping. There was no relation between these measures and demographic variables.


Infants' reactions to an approaching stranger: description, validation, and functional significance of wariness.

Reliable descriptions of infants' behavioral responses to an approaching stranger were made from video records. Subtle negative responses (wariness) were validated against heart rate acceleration and responses to mother approach and showed significant age changes. Behavioral aspects of wariness appear to serve a "cutoff" (coping) function for the infant, preventing all-or-none responses (crying) and facilitating subsequent reengagement of the stranger. Attention to both positive and negative responses, especially in the milder forms, helps clarify inconsistencies in reported age of onset and frequency of "stranger fear." The role of data on infants' responses to strangers in formulating an integrated picture of development in the second half-year of life is discussed.


Visual complexity in infancy: contour or numerosity?

To examine the relationship between visual attention in infancy and the stimulus variables of contour and numerosity, 2- and 4-month-old infants were placed in 3 experimental conditions. In the first condition, the patterns shown to the infants varied in amount of contour but had an equal number of elements; in the second, they varied in numerosity but had an equal amount of contour; and in the third, the patterns varied in both numerosity and contour. The results showed that contour and numerosity acting in tandem are responsible for the age-complexity shift observed in previous investigations of infant attention.


Continuous stimulation and arousal level in infancy: effects of stimulus intensity and stress.

The effectiveness of continuous stimulation in lowering arousal level, as indexed by state and heart rate, was studied in 30 uncircumcised males, 30 circumcised males, and 30 female subjects. The continuous-stimulation effect was shown to be directly related to auditory stimulus intensity. It is more complexly related to preexisting stress, operationally defined as subjects' circumcision status.


Development of detection and recognition of orientation of geometric and real figures.

Black and white kindergarten and second-grade children were tested for accuracy of detection and recognition of orientation and location changes in pictures of real-world and geometric figures. No differences were found in accuracy of recognition between the 2 kinds of pictures, but patterns of verbalization differed on specific transformations. Although differences in accuracy were found between kindergarten and second grade on an initial recognition task, practice on a matching-to-sample task eliminated differences on a second recognition task. Few ethnic differences were found on accuracy of recognition, but significant differences were found in amount of verbal output on specific transformations. For both groups, mention of orientation changes was markedly reduced when location changes were present.


Verbal effects in children's visual recognition memory.

Preschool children were shown line drawings of 12 pairs of items and were asked to describe them. Each child saw elaborated and unelaborated pictures (items interacting vs. not interacting). The children's descriptions were rated as elaborated or unelaborated (interactions mentioned vs. not mentioned). 1 week later, a recognition test was given, with choices between an elaborated and an unelaborated picture for each pair. In general, recognition accuracy was best for elaborated pictures given elaborated descriptions and worst for unelaborated pictures given elaborated descriptions. However, for the younger subjects, 32-55 months old, accuracy was influenced more by type of picture than by type of description; and for older subjects, 56-70 months old, the opposite was true. Apparently, younger preschoolers rely more on visual memory for recognition of this type of picture, and older preschoolers rely more on reconstruction from verbal memory.


Reading disability: age differences and the perceptual-deficit hypothesis.

The present study assessed the suggestion that specific reading disability is caused by visual-spatial disorder. A previous investigation questioned this hypothesis in demonstrating that poor readers' orientation errors (e.g., b/d; was/saw) result from malfunction in verbal identification rather than optical distortion. However, the generality of its findings was limited by the fact that its subject included only children at the upper age levels (9-15 years). In order to extend our results to younger children, poor and normal readers in the second and sixth grades were presented with tachistoscopic exposures of both verbal and nonverbal stimuli and were asked to identify and/or reproduce them both orally and graphically. With some exceptions, the results obtained in the previous study were replicated: the performance of poor readers at both age levels closely approximated that of normals in visual as compared with verbal encoding.


The effects of provocation, intentions, and consequences on children's moral judgments.

Dutch boys 8 and 12 years old read brief stories about a harm doer whose intentions were either good or bad and whose actions resulted in either minor or serious injury to a victim. The harm doer had previously been either strongly provoked or not provoked by the victim. The older boys differentiated their evaluations of the harm doer's naughtiness on the basis of provocation and intentions, while the younger boys failed to differentiate their evaluations of the provoked harm doer on the basis of intentions. Both age groups strongly differentiated their judgments of the victim's naughtiness on the basis of his role as provoker, except when the victim was seriously injured by a bad-intentioned aggressor.


Task characteristics and a stage 6 sensorimotor problem.

A previously demonstrated high rate of failure on a Stage 6 sensorimotor means-end problem, of children otherwise inferred to be in Stage 6 development, prompted a study of task characteristics of the problem. A component part of the task was modified by introducing an additional visual cue; the purpose of the problem was unchanged. Results indicated that problem solving was facilitated in the transformed condition, with older subjects performing somewhat better than younger subjects. The authors suggest that cognitive requirements of the problem, as representative of Stage 6 sensorimotor development, remained the same in the original or transformed condition. The modification appeared to permit children to focus their attention on the requirements of the problem, so that a greater number of children demonstrated mental representation. Task characteristics of sensorimotor problems need to be investigated further.


Differential effects of prenatal rhythmic stimulation on neonatal arousal states.

This study tested Salk's hypothesis that the human fetus is prenatally imprinted to the repetitive intermittent sound of the maternal heartbeat. 2 groups of neonates were selected prior to birth based on low (70-80 bpm) and high (100-110 bpm) maternal resting heart rates. At 24-48 hours old, the neonates were exposed to a 75-bpm, 105-bpm, or a no-sound tape, each prior to 1 of 3 different mealtimes. The prediction, based on Salk's hypothesis, that neonates would quiet most to their own mother's heart rate compared with the unfamiliar heart rate was not supported. Greater arousal reduction was found for any rhythmic sound compared with no sound. M-st important, clear prenatal influences on postnatal quieting behavior were demonstrated. Babies born to low-heart-rate mothers fell asleep faster, slept longer, and cried less under all conditions than did high-maternal-heart-rate children.


Posture as a determinant of visual behavior in newborns.

The effects of posture on the visual behavior of 15 3-day-old healthy black newborn males and females were assessed. The amount of time each infant kept his eyes open and the quality of fixation and following a visual stimulus were measured in each of 3 positions: lying down, sitting up, and on shoulder. Although position had little effect on the amount of time the eyes were open, the on-shoulder position significantly increased the quality of the visual behavior. These findings suggest that the vestibular, proprioceptive, and contact stimulation provided by the on-shoulder position affects the newborn's ability to follow and process visual stimuli.


Perceptual information in conservation: effects of screening.

Variations of the screening method developed by Piaget and Frank made it possible to systematically vary the number and type of perceptual cues in the conservation of liquid quantity task. In general, nonconservation increased in kindergartners as the number of cues increased. In contrast, first graders were affected very little by the perceptual conditions. The results suggest that the development of conservation involves several levels, beginning with a concept which can be demonstrated only under facilitating conditions.


[Thrombotic occlusion and late lysis in the arteria subclavia lusoria dextra].

Case history of a 45 years aged male patient with an aortic arch anomaly. Thrombotic occlusion of the A. lusoria dextra with symptoms of a subclavian-steal syndrome and anoxia in the right hand. Spontaneous lysis after 8 weeks is documentated by arteriography.


Location of genes coding for 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA within the genome of Mus musculus.

Cytological detection of cistrons coding for 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) within the genome of Mus musculus inbred strain SEC/1ReJ was accomplished using the technique of in situ hybridization. Metaphase chromosome spreads prepared from cultured fetal mouse cells were stained with quinacrine-HCl and photographed. After destaining, they were hybridized to Xenopus laevis tritiated 18S and 28S rRNA, specific activity 7.5 X 10(6) dpm/mug. Silver grains clustered over specific chromosomes were readily apparent after 4 months of autoradiographic exposure. The identity of the labelled chromosomes was established by comparing the autoradiographs to quinacrine photographs showing characteristic fluorescent banding of the chromosomes in each metaphase spread. The 18S and 28S rRNA was found to hybridize to chromosomes 12, 18, and 16. Statistical analysis of the grain distribution over 26 spreads revealed that the three chromosomes were significantly labelled. Grains over these chromosomes were concentrated in an area immediately distal to the centromere, a region which in chromosomes 12 and 18 in this particular strain is the site of a secondary constriction. The relative size of the secondary constrictions, long and thus prominent on chromosome 12, obvious but shorter on 18, and indistinguishable on chromosome 16, correlated with the average number of grains observed over the centromeric region of these chromosomes, 2.5, 1.0, and 0.78, respectively.


Mechanisms of chromosome banding. VIII. Hoechst 33258-DNA interaction.

The interaction of Hoechst 33258 with DNA has been examined to help clarify the mechanisms of banding. 1. In agreement with previous studies Hoechst fluorescence is enhanced to a greater degree in AT-rich compared to GC-rich DNA. 2. Hoechst causes an increase in the DNA Tm which is greater at the higher AT content of the DNA. 3. There is a decrease in extinction coefficient and shift in the adsorption spectra to a higher wavelength when Hoechst binds to DNA. 4. DNA is completely precipitated at a ratio of one dye molecular per base pair, and this precipitation is not affected by salt. 5. There is no increase in viscosity or change in the circular dichroism of DNA when bound to Hoechst. These findings suggest Hoechst does not bind to DNA by intercalation or by ionic interaction with the phosphate groups, but rather binds by an attachment to the outside of the double DNA helix by interacting with the base pairs. This type of binding allows greater sensitivity to the base composition than occurs with intercalating agents. In this respect its binding is similar to that of dibutyl proflavine (Muller et al., 1973).


Identification of pachytene bivalents in human male meiosis using G-banding technique.

G-banding of human pachytene bivalents is obtained using trypsin digestion. Each of the 22 autosomal bivalents is clearly identified. Such an identification leads to construction of the human pachytene map. Our results show the equivalence between the G-band patterns of mitotic chromosomes and meiotic bivalents. The G-band patterns of mitotic-meiotic chromosomes also correlate closely with the chromomere sequence of pachytene bivalents. Thus, study of chromomeres should constitute an excellent approach to comprehension of G-banding mechanism.


Personality characteristics of exhibitionists.

Forty-one exhibitionists were examined clinically and thirty-four psychometrically. The data does not support any definitive character type or evidence of severe pathology. If specific reference to their symptom of exhibiting is omitted they do not appear to be strikingly abnormal. Exhibiting was viewed as a unique way of expressing unconscious aggressive strivings, without provoking the retaliatory response that more direct aggression might stimulate.


Serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes in neuromuscular diseases.

Serum LDH isozymes render qualitative information which may be more specific than the quantitative changes of total serum LDH and total serum CPK in neuromuscular diseases. Muscle LDH isozymes vary with age, muscle, and species. Temporal study of serum LDH isozymes in experimental neurogenic atrophy demonstrated a temporary rise of serum LDH 5. In acute and progressive neurogenic diseases, a high serum LDH 5 was noted. Isozyme patterns were normal in chronic and non-progressive diseases. In Duchenne dystrophy, serum LDH 5 was low and stayed low until the final stages of the disease. This abnormality persisted long after serum total LDH and CPK returned to normal. This may reflect the leakage of genetically abnormal isozymes from the muscles to serum. It is concluded that the serum LDH isozyme pattern is a reliable qualitative test in the diagnosis of a genetic myopathy, and in differentiating progressive from static neurogenic atrophies.


The forgotten treatment modality in bipolar illness: psychotherapy.

The author presents 31 bipolar patients treated with combined lithium prophylaxis and psychotherapy for up to 41 months. The grave prognosis of untreated bipolar illness is reviewed. The improved prognosis with lithium prophylaxis alone is reviewed. The author demonstrates an improved prognosis when lithium prophylaxis is combined with psychotherapy and discusses his findings as to why lithium prophylaxis alone still predicts a grave outcome.


[Early operation in acute haemorrhagic-necotizing pancreatitis. (author transl)].

Between 1973 and 1975, "early" operation with removal of necrotic tissue was performed on 15 patients with acute haemorrhagic-necrotizing pancreatitis. Partial necrotizing pancreatitis was found in ten patients, of whom seven survived. But all patients with total pancreatic necrosis died. Two early operations in patients with a necrotizing bout in the course of chronic recurrent pancreatitis were successful. The surgical procedure consisted of digital removal of necrotic tissue (greater than digitoclasia less than) and left-sided resection, combined with adequate drainage. Patients with acute, partial necrotizing pancreatitis can be saved by early operation, while those with total necrosis would require almost immediate surgical intervention, before the onset of lethal complications.


[Prognosis and treatment of Hodgkin's disease in children (author's transl)].

Observations on 29 children with Hodgkin's disease confirm that the initial spread, presence or absence of general symptoms, and histological type all have prognostic significance. The results of lymphangiography in 27, and laparotomy with multiple biopsies and splenectomy in 14 children demonstrated that - except in stage IV - both procedures are necessary for adequate classification as to stage of the disease. On the basis of these personal cases (5-year-survival rate of 53%) and published reports a therapeutic schema is suggested which is particularly appropriate for children.


[The value of suprapubic bladder aspiration in the diagnosis of bacteriuria (author's transl)].

Urine obtained simultaneously by midstream voiding and supra-public bladder aspiration from 500 patients were compared by bacteriological and, in some, microscopic examination. In a second series a similar examination was undertaken on 1000 samples each, obtained by midstream voiding, catheterisation or suprapublic bladder aspiration from different patients. There was no significant difference in sediments or Stansfeld count between midstream and aspirated samples. Qualitative false-positive results for protein were obtained in 20% of midstream samples from women. The Kass count for significant bacteriuria was false-positive in 3.4% of midstream compared with bladder-aspiration samples, in 7.6% for "questionable bacteriuria". Positive counts of under 10(5)/ml were obtained in 41.3%, of under 10(4)/ml in 26.7% of aspirated samples. Counts under 10(4)/ml in midstream-voided samples are usually considered the result of contamination, at times falsely so. "Mixed infections" were 7.8 times more common in catheter and 11.4 to 11.8 times more common in midstream than in aspirated samples. The presence of microorganisms in suprapublic bladder aspiration is always abnormal. Chemotherapy is indicated only on results from bladder aspiration.


[Effect of digitalis on contractility of the failing right and left ventricles during exercise (authors transl)].

Intra-venticular pressures were measured at rest and during simulated exercise before and after intravenous administration of 0.6 mg beta-methyldigoxin in 16 patients (right ventricular measurements in 11, left ones in five), measurements in the right ventricle being taken before and 30-45 min after, in the left ventricle before and 20 min after injection of the drug. There was an increase in stroke volume and maximal cardiac work, while end-diastolic pressure fell. Cardiac glycosides can, therefore, favourably influence congestive cardiac failure on physical exertion. Digitalization indicated in those patients who, on exercise, have an increased end-diastolic pressure and reduced contractility. The positive digitalis effect consists of improved contractility and sustained reduction in end-diastolic pressure. On maintenance digitalization it is to be expected that the heart will profit from both mechanisms, both at rest and during exercise. The increased contractility caused by the glycosides is, however, so small that it does not cause any significant change in oxygen consumption.


[Cardiac myxoma (author's transl)].

Between 1965 and 1974 ten patients were operared on for cardiac myxoma. There was a striking variety of signs and symptoms caused by tumour embolization, haemodynamic obstruction, and auto-immunological reactions. The diagnosis should be made early before the occurrence of irreversible complications, especially cerebral embolism. Echocardiography is a simple technique for the detection of atrial myxoma but a negative result does not exclude it, and diagnosis has to be confirmed by angiocardiography. The tumour should be removed as soon as possible after diagnosis. There is danger of tumour embolization in the course of operation. Operative mortality is low in patients with only haemodynamic complications, but in patients with previous cerebral embolism the risk is higher because of possible bleeding in the infarcted areas of the brain resulting from anticoagulation during cardio-pulmonary bypass. Nonetheless, the operation is indicated in all cases. If removal of the myxoma is complete, recurrence is rate and long-term results are good.


[Arterielle occlusion in two leg amputees ("phantom claudication" due to pelvic-artery stenosis) (author's transl)].

Signs of intermittent claudication in the phantom leg developed in two patients 18 and 27 years, respectively, after mid-thigh amputation. Symptomatic treatment of the phantom pain was without success. Clinical, oscillographic and angiographic studies demonstrated atherosclerotic arterial stenoses of the iliac arteries. After successful vascular reconstruction (iliac-femoral and aortic-femoral bypass, respectively) on the side of amputation both patients are without pain or other symptoms and can again walk with restriction.


[The pathology and clinical features of generalized lymphangiomyomatosis (author's transl)].

Generalized lymphangiomyomatosis with diffuse pulmonary involvement was diagnosed at post-mortem of a 26-year-old woman. The disease occurs only in women, during or after their reproductive phase, with chylous effusion, especially chylothorax, dyspnoea and chronic progression. It is a multitopic condition starting with a focal lesion, which has its origin in the smooth musculature of the lymphatics and probably develops in dependence on hormonal factors.


[Sinus-node recovery time in the sick-sinus syndrome (author's transl)].

Sinus-node recovery times were measured, before and after atropine administration, in 21 patients with the clinical diagnosis of sick-sinus syndrome. The results were compared with those reported by other workers. It is concluded that sinus-node recovery times of more than 1 400 ms are most likely due to sinus-node damage (sick-sinus syndrome); normal recovery times are rare in such patients. The diagnosis of the syndrome is strengthened if the recovery time remains abnormally long even after atropine. Further useful diagnostic information can be obtained from the total stimulation phase (duration until restoration of the basic rhythm), this being overall longer in patients with the syndrome than in normal subjects. The increased incidence of A-V nodal rhythms before restoration of the basic rhythm is another indication of organic damage to the sinus node, especially if it also occurs after atropine. The significance of a recovery time which is prolonged before but normal after atropine is less clear: a raised sensitivity to vagotonic influences may be the determining factor here.


[Early CNS manifestations in lupus erythematosus (author's transl)].

CNS involvement is a rare manifestation of collagen disease. But in three patients with lupus erythematosus (L.E.) the disease was from its onset characterized by CNS signs: epileptic seizures, cerebellar ataxia, and organic psychosis. The combination of epilepsy or organic psychosis with inflammatory joint disease should make one consider L.E. in the differential diagnosis, even if there is no close time relationship between the occurrence of these signs. Muscle biopsy, EEG recordings and CSF examinations may be of diagnostic value in addition to serological and immunological studies.


[Clotting abnormalities in the Lyell's syndrome (acute toxic epidermal necrolysis) (author's transl)].

Acute toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's syndrome) ended fatally in a 48-year-old patient with chronic recurrent bronchial pneumonia. A marked haemorrhagic diathesis had developed, with signs of severe clotting and platelet abnormalities, indicating that the clotting disorder was, in the first instance, the result of "toxic" liver and bone-marrow damage (in connection with the recurrent pneumonia and its previous drug treatment), and not disseminated intravascular coagulation. The clotting abnormalities in this patient were probably less the result of "necrolysis" of the epidermis than an accompanying effect of the generatized intoxication of multiple aetiologies of the entire organism, which probably also precipitated the fulminating course of the Lyell's syndrome. An important part, of course, was the preceding protracted administration of chloramphenicol for the recurrent bronchial pneumonia.


[de Quervain's thyroiditis].

Among 31 patients with de Quervain's thyroiditis (confirmed by biopsy in 15) there were seven who had an acute course. It is, therefore, suggested that the misleading term "subacute" thyroiditis for this form of inflammatory thyroid disease be avoided. It is nowadays the most frequent form of painful thyroiditis seen in clinical practice. Extremely rapid ESR with normal peripheral leucocyte count is a typical finding. Generally the disease is completely cured within a few weeks to months, transition to an immunothyroiditis or hypothyroidism being rare. Conventional antiinflammatory drugs, combined with thyroid hormone, give a good therapeutic response. Corticoids should be used only in exceptional instances.


[Non-invasive myocardial scanning with thallium-201: basic principles and methods (author's transl)].

201Tl scanning demonstrated viable myocardium in the area supplied by the anterior interventricular branch (on frontal scanning) and viable myocardium in the interventricular septum and left ventricular lateral wall (scanning in the second oblique position) in 9 of 11 patients. Akinetic myocardial segments in the left ventricular anterior wall and left ventricular apex could be recognized by absent activity when scanning from in front. But hypokinetic segments, which contrary to the appearance with akinesia cannot be equated with myocardial scar, could not according to present experience be recognized by 201TL scanning. The special advantage of 201Tl scanning is is that, except for its intravenous injection, no further invasive procedure has to be undertaken, and it can be repeated. No side effects of complications have been observed.


[Duodenal reflux and gastritis after Billroth I gastric resection (author's transl)].

Endoscopic and biopsy studies were undertaken in 92 patients who had undergone partial gastric resection (end-to-end gastroduodenostomy, Billroth I) one to seven years previously. In addition, the amound of duodeno-gastric reflux was evaluated by measuring bromsulphalein excretion in gastric juice. Atrophic gastritis occurred in 36%, while superficial gastritis was noted in 49% of patients. The degree and severity of the inflammatory changes was most marked near the anastomosis. The severity of the duodenal gastric reflux was decisive in the development of the atrophic mucosal changes. There was no demonstrable relationship between the degree of mucosal changes and the interval since the operation.


[Paroxysmal tachycardic atrial fibrillation: termination by surgically induced A-V block (author's transl)].

In a 58-year-old patient frequent attacks of tachycardic atrial fibrillation had given rise to signs of abnormal cardiac function. All drug treatment had failed, as had several attempts at electric countershock and rapid atrial and ventricular stimulation. For this reason a surgical A-V block at the level of the His bundle was induced under cardio-pulmonary bypass and a ventricular pacemaker inserted. One year postoperatively the pacemaker functions without complication, and the patient is without symptoms. The ECG shows no sign of spontaneous A-V conduction. This is thought to be the first report of surgically induced A-V block for the control of atrial fibrillation.


[Mild course of botulinus intoxication (author's transl)].

Botulinus poisoning generally ends fatally after an only short course, mild forms being rare. In four members of a family who had eaten deep-frozen grilled sausages symptoms of botulinus poisoning developed, predominantly marked by disturbances of the autonomic nervous system. The course was so mild that hospitalization was not necessary nor was specific antitoxin administration. All clinical symptoms had disappeared after nine weeks. But special clinical and neurophysiological studies (electromyography, pupillography, electroencephalography) demonstrated abnormalities for very much longer. Botulinus poisoning was proven in animal tests and neutralization tests with botulinus antitoxin. The epidemiology, source of infection, and clinical symptoms suggest botulinus type B poisoning.


[Digitalization for acute myocardial infarction: haemodynamic changes in patients with heart failure at rest (author's transl)].

Haemodynamic changes after intravenous administration of 0.4 mg beta-methyldigoxin or 0.4 mg digoxin daily were measured on the first to fourth day in 42 patients in heart failure after onset of transmural myocardial infarction. Regular reduction in filling pressure and increased stroke volume while arterial blood pressure remained unaltered pointed to improved contractility. Digitalization in the first few days after infarction achieved sustained tendency towards improved haemodynamics. It is concluded that early digitalization is indicated in patients with acute myocardial infarction if there are signs of heart failure.


[Metastasizing carcinoma of the breast and diabetes mellitus, a prognostically favourable combination (author's transl)].

In 1972 and 1973 altogether 130 women were treated with hormones and cytostatic drugs for progressive, metastasizing breast carcinoma. 30 of them also had subclinical or manifest diabetes mellitus. Clinical analysis indicated that metastasizing cancer of the breast in women who also have diabetes took a protracted course. Survival timed from the moment of operations, as well as from the occurrence of the first metastases, were significantly longer in women with than without diabetes. Those with a familial predisposition towards cancer of the breast were, however, not within the tested groups. It is possible that women with cancer of the breast and diabetes are also a favourable group for trying hormone therapy: in 18 of 24, hormones induced remissions, but in only less than one third of all the other patients.


[Occlusion of the renal artery by intra-arterial injection of thrombin in a case of inoperable renal tumour (author's transl)].

In a 53-year-old man with an inoperable metastasizing renal carcinoma embolic occlusion of the renal circulation was achieved by injection of thrombin (600 NIH units) through a balloon catheter into the renal artery. With short-term administration of analgesics and under anti-biotic cover the post-embolic course ran without complications. The general condition of the patient is good and macrohaematuria had, at the time of the report, not recurred for two months.


[Ventricular fibrillation during testing of a demand pacemaker (author's transl)].

Ventricular fibrillation was precipitated in a patient with an implanted unipolar demand pacemaker while its function was being tested by switching over to a fixed-rate output by means of a magnet. There was no evidence of either myocardial infarction, abnormal electrolyte state, or digitalis intoxication. This, probably unique, case indicates that non-synchronized stimulation, even during brief switching over of a demand pacemaker to a fixed-rate one, may endanger the patient.


[Distribution pattern of coronary arteries and their intramyocardial architecture: on the functional anatomy of the coronary arteries (author's transl)].

A study of 100 human hearts demonstrated a diverse normal pattern of coronary arteries. Variations were classifiable into three general groups: 1. balanced coronary circulation (68 specimens), 2. right coronary artery preponderance (22), and 3. left coronary artery preponderance (9). A large intercoronary anastomosis between the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries, measuring about 2 mm in diameter, was seen in one heart. In about 57% of hearts the left anterior descending artery was partially covered by cardiac muscle bridges, up to 6 cm long. In some instances the artery passed through the wall of the right ventricle, running through the inner layer of the myocardium. Such coronary arterial course would not be demonstrable by coronary angiography. Yet it increases the risk of coronary artery surgery at the site of a thin-walled right ventricle. A phylogenetic explanation for the variations in normal arterial pattern and the muscle bridges is given.


Influence of day of pregnancy on rat placental, uterine, and ovarian prostaglandin synthesis and metabolism.

Synthesis and metabolism of prostaglandins in reproductive tissues of the gravid rat were studied from the time of post-implantation to just prior to parturition. Rat placental prostaglandin synthesis is low on day 8 of pregnancy, sharply increases on day 11, falls on day 14, and remains at a low level for the remainder of gestation. In the tissue PGE2 synthesis is 6 times greater than that of PGF2alpha on day 11. Prostaglandin metabolism in the placenta was high on day 11, low on days 8 and 14, and elevated on days 16, 18, and 21 of pregnancy. PGE1 metabolism was 8 times greater than that of PGF2alpha. Uterine prostaglandin synthesis was low until day 16, and then increased until the end of pregnancy. PGE2 synthesis was very low in this tissue in comparison to PGF2alpha synthesis. Prostaglandin metabolism in the uterus was relatively low until day 16 and then sharply increased for the remainder of gestation. This increase in metabolism was not directly proportional to uterine growth. PGE1 metabolism was 5 times higher than PGF2alpha metabolism in this organ. Ovarian prostaglandin synthesis was very low in comparison to that of the other reproductive organs. Prostaglandin metabolism in this tissue decreased from day 8 through day 18 of pregnancy. PGE1 metabolism in the ovary was twice that of PGF2alpha. These studies demonstrate patterns for synthesis and metabolism of prostaglandin in each tissue studied which may indicate inter-relationships with the physiological requirements of pregnancy.


Electron microscopic identification of adrenergic nerve endings on thyroid epithelial cells.

Electron microscopic observations were made of the microinnervation of the thyroids of normal mice and of mice given false adrenergic neurotransmitters, and the effects of the drugs on thyroidal norepinephrine uptake were measured. In addition to adrenergic nerve terminals on thyroid blood vessels, structures resembling nerve endings were seen in close apposition to the bases of thyroid epithelial cells. Because they take up false adrenergic neurotransmitters, and undergo degenerative change after administration of cytotoxic false neurotransmitters (6-hydroxydopamine and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine), which also reduce thyroid norepinephrine uptake, they probably represent adrenergic nerve terminals on thyroid follicles. If so, they afford a morphological basis for the direct effects of catecholamines on thyroid function, which have been reported.


Influence of histamine- and 5-hydroxytryptamine-containing thyroid mast cells on thyroid blood flow and permeability in the rat.

The possible significance of thyroid mast cells in the regulation of thyroid blood flow and capillary permeability was investigated in rats whose TSH secretion had been eliminated by exogenous T4. Mast cells were identified by their abundance of metachromatic granules, and their content of histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was examined by fluorescence histochemistry. Thyroid histamine levels were determined by fluorometry. The tissue uptake of 86Rb was used as an indicator of blood flow and permeability. Numerous histamine- and 5-HT-containing mast cells were found within the thyroid and in connective tissue adjacent to the thyroid, whereas juxtathyroidal muscle tissue was virtually devoid of mast cells. Administration of compound 48/80 evoked a prompt depletion of 5-HT, histamine and metachromatic granules from thyroid mast cells, and a concomitant increase in the thyroidal uptake of 86Rb. The 86Rb uptake by juxtathyroidal muscle tissue was unaffected. Exogenous 5-HT and histamine both induced prompt increments in thyroidal 86Rb uptake, and 5-HT also stimulated 86Rb uptake in juxtathyroidal muscle tissue. TSH, previously shown to induce a gradual amine release from mast cells within, but not outside, the thyroid, evoked a gradual increase in thyroidal, but not in muscular, uptake of 86Rb. The findings support the concept that, in the rat, histamine and/or 5-HT, released from intrathyroidal mast cells by TSH, stimulate thyroid blood flow and/or permeability.


Effect of acute exposure to cold on the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid system.

The effects of a sudden but sustained exposure to cold (1 to 6C) on serum TSH, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) (all measured by radioimmunoassay), pituitary TSH concentration, pituitary TSH secretory responsiveness to hypothalamic extract or synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in vitro as well as in vivo, and the changes of the thyrotropin-releasing activity in three TRF-rich hypothalamic areas were determined. In normal animals, serum TSH underwent a series of oscillations, first rising then returning to the basal levels, then rising again, whereas serum T4 and T3 increased within 2 h of cold exposure and remained elevated. Pituitary TSH concentration and the in vitro pituitary responsiveness declined after an initial elevation, whereas the in vivo responsiveness to TRH was diminished throughout the whole exposure to cold. Thyroid-blocked animals with steady, low levels of serum T4 and T3 showed a step by step increase of serum TSH levels and no changes in the other parameters. It is therefore assumed that the decrease of TSH secretion following the initial rise is due to a feedback inhibition by the increased levels of thyroid hormones as is the decreased pituitary responsiveness of TRH in vivo. The pituitary responsiveness in vitro seems to be determined by TSH pituitary concentrations, the changes of which are probably also secondary to the changes of the thyroid hormone levels. The mechanism of the second rise of serum TSH levels is not clear. Thyrotropin-releasing factor (TRF) activity was higher after 2 and 24 h of cold exposure in the median eminence and after 8 h in the anterior hypothalamus-preoptic area, but lower after 8 and 24 h in the dorsomedial hypothalamus. Since the changes of TRF activity in the median eminence coincided with the elevated serum TSH, they are assumed to reflect increased TRF production and secretion. The significance of the TRF changes in the other two areas is not clear.


Changes in plasma thyrotrophin, thyroxine, and triiodothyronine after acute or chronic administration of iodide to iodine-deficient rats.

The effect of chronic oral or acute iv administration of small graded doses of iodide was studied in severely iodine-deficient rats. Drinking water supplemented with 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 mug 127I-/ml was given for up to 42 days. Plasma T3, which was initially in the normal range, increased 2--3-fold on days 1 and 2 after initiation of iodide supplementation, then dropped to approximately the intial concentration at day 3. Plasma T4, initially undetectable, was calculated to increase approximately 20-fold within one day after beginning iodide supplementation, but was still climbing into the normal range at day 3. In all groups, the initially high plasma TSH fell significantly by day 1 and was in approximately the normal range for iodine-sufficient rats by day 3. At 42 days, thyroid weight and 131I uptake were significantly elevated in all groups and inversely correlated with the dose of iodide, even though the thyroidal labeled T3/T4 ratio and plasma TSH, T4, and T3 were within the normal range. Intravenous injection of 0.1 or 0.5 mug 125I-/100 g caused an approximately 2-fold increase in plasma T3 within 24 h, which was not statistically different between the 2 groups. Plasma T4 rose to the normal range 24 h after 0.5 mug and was slightly, but significantly, elevated after 0.1 mug; it then declined in both groups. Twenty-four hours after injection of 2.5 mug 125I-/100 g, there was a significant fall in plasma T3, no change in plasma TSH, and no detectable plasma T4. Thereafter, there was a dramatic increase in plasma T4 and a fall in plasma TSH. The duration and degree of suppression of plasma TSH was related to the dose of iodide injected. We conclude that, under the conditions of our experiments, plasma T3 derives primarily from thyroidal secretion rather than from extra-thyroidal conversion of T4 to T3. Severely iodine-deficient rats secrete maximum quantities of TSH which are not increased by a further transient drop in plasma thyroid hormone concentration.


Development of the mechanism regulating the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone in sheep.

Development of the mechanism controlling cyclic LH secretion in the sheep was studied by examining the ability of estradiol to elicit LH surges in lambs at various ages. Silastic capsules containing estradiol were implanted sc for a 96-hour period at 3, 7, 12, 20, and 27 weeks of age. (First spontaneous ovulation occursss between 30 and 50 weeks). Although administration of estradiol failed to elicit a discharge of LH at 3 weeks of age, LH surges of progressively increasing magnitude (36 +/- 15, 73 +/- 28, 107 +/- 19 ng/ml) were elicited by estradiol as the lambs became older (7, 12, 20 weeks). By 27 weeks, the maximal serum LH level attained during the induced surge (123 +/- 29 ng/ml) was similar to that of the estrogen-induced LH surge in anestrous adults (179 +/- 23 ng/ml). Ovulation, however, did not occur in response to the induced LH surges. An additional experiment was performed to determine whether, as in the adult, progesterone can block the estradiol-induced LH discharge in the immature (12-week old) female. A sustained elevation of circulating progesterone to levels characteristic of the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle of the adult (3--4 ng/ml), beginning 24 h prior to insertion of the estradiol capsules, blocked the induced LH surge. These results demonstrate that, in immature female sheep, the LH surge mechanism is capable of functioning long before first ovulation occur and, further, suggest that timing of the initial preovulatory LH surge is limited by the ability of the ovary to produce the estradiol stimulus rather than by the ability of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal system to respond to the positive feedback action of estradiol. Additionally, the hypothalamo-hypophyseal mechanism whereby progesterone blocks the LH surge develops long before first ovulation.


Effect of hypothalamic deafferentation on the secretion of thyrotropin during thyroid blockade and exposure to cold in the rat.

Complete hypothalamic deafferentation, either limited to the median eminence, arcuate nucleus, and basal parts of ventromedial nuclei, or comprising ventromedial nuclei and dorsomedial hypothalamus as well reduced considerably the rise of immunoassayable serum TSH in adult male rats rendered hypothyroid by administration of methimazole. Complete hypothalamic deafferentation extended rostrally to include also the caudal half of the anterior hypothalamus did not affect the TSH response to thyroid blockade. Administration of triiodothyronine (T3) to the goitrogen-treated rats reduced serum TSH rapidly and with equal speed in controls and in deafferented animals, which indicates a direct effect of T3 on the pituitary. Animals which, in addition to the hypothalamic deafferentation, had electrolytic lesions in the median eminence, responded both to thyroid blockade and to T3, but the responses were greatly reduced. The cold-stimulated increase of serum TSH was reduced, but not abolished, in animals deafferented several weeks beforehand, but it was absent in rats deafferented 4 days prior to cold exposure. These results suggest that most, if not all of the thyrotropin-releasing factor (TRF) necessary for normal TSH secretion in resting conditions or during the hypothyroid state, is produced and released in the median eminence-arcuate nucleus area, the adequate activity of which, in turn, depends on intact connections with the anterior hypothalamus. Other hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic areas containing large amounts of TRF do not seem to be required under these conditions.


Metabolism and biological activity of proparathyroid hormone and synthetic analogues in renal cortical membranes.

The metabolism of natural and synthetic analogues of bovine proparathyroid hormone (Pro-bPTH) and the biological activity of the synthetic fragments were evaluated in an in vitro assay employing renal cortical membranes (adenylyl cyclase bioassay). Apparent biological activity of the prohormone analogue was correlated with the cleavage of prohormone to hormone by the membranes. Analysis by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels and by ion-exchange chromatography on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) of the synthetic analogue Pro-bPTH-(-6 leads to +34) labelled with 125I, after incubation with renal cortical membranes, revealed conversion of the analogue to a fragment co-migrating or co-eluting with bPTH (1-34). Similar electrophoretic analyses using biosynthetic Pro-bPTH-(-6 leads to +84) internally labelled with [3H] leucine revealed degradation of Pro-bPTH-(-6 leads to +84) to smaller fragments. Proteolysis of both native prohormone and prohormone analogue was markedly reduced in incubations performed in the presence of benzamidine, a competitive inhibitor of trypsin and trypsin-like enzymes. Inclusion of benzamidine in incubations with purified renal cortical membranes from rat or dog in the in vitro renal adenylyl cyclase bioassay resulted in a ten-fold lowering of the potency of the fragment Pro-bPTH-(-6 leads to +34) relative to that of bPTH-(1-34); the potency of Pro-bPTH-(-6 leads to +34) was reduced from 5.4-3.6% to 0.5-0.3%, on a molar basis, of the potency of bPTH-(1-34). There was no effect of benzamidine on the intrinsic activity of bPTH-(1-34). These studies indicate that most if not all of the apparent biological activity of Pro-bPTH-(-6 leads to +34), at least in vitro, is dependent upon prior enzymic conversion to bPTH-(1-34).


Estradiol-17beta biosynthesis in cultured granulosa cells from hypophysectomized immature rats; stimulation by follicle-stimulating hormone.

Granulosa cells isolated from the ovaries of hypophysectomized immature rats synthesize and secrete estradiol-17beta and estrone when grown for 2 days in monolayer culture in a synthetic medium containing testosterone (0.5 muM) and a highly purified follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) preparation (0.25 mug/ml). Secretion is negligible in the absence of either testosterone or FSH, and a highly purified luteinizing hormone (LH) preparation (0.25 mug/ml) was without significant stimulatory effect. It is concluded that FSH regulates estrogen biosynthesis in granulosa cells of hypophysectomized rats by a specific stimulation of the aromatizing enzyme system.


P-32 uptake the letic algae.

A study of the Flat Creek Embayment of Lake Sidney Lanier near Gainesville, Georgia revealed three genera of algae, Chlorococcum, Fragillaria and Nostoc, to be prominent in this eutrophic region of the lake. The algae was grown in phosphate-rich media and subsequently labelled with P-32. All species incorporated luxury amounts of phosphorus as determined by the uptake of P-32. The results indicate that the P-32 uptake is proportional to the surface-per-volume ratio. The higher surface-per-volume ratio resulted in greater uptake of P-32.


A simplified phosphorus analysis technique.

A simplified method for the analysis of total P(TP), total dissolved P(TDP) and dissolved reactive P (DRP) in multiple water samples has been developed. The reported modification utilizes a single digestion reagent and a single "mixed reagent" to eliminate neutralization, transfer and dilution steps normally required in total P analyses. The method results in a 70 percent decrease in analysis time for multiple samples, a reduction in the glassware required, and about a 30 percent increase in sensitivity. The method can be directly applied to water samples with P levels of 2 to 1100 ug P/l. Reproducibility and precision measurements compare to or exceed commonly used P techniques.


A modified procedure for the determination of nitrate in sediments and some natural waters.

This paper describes a modified procedure for the determination of nitrate in sediments and some natural water samples. In the Water Quality Branch Laboratories where large numbers of samples are regularly analysed, it was found that existing methods1,4 do not give precise and accurate results particularly when applied to sediment samples and some natural waters. The reasons for such inaccuracies have sebsequently been found and a method for removal of such interfering substances have been devised. The proposed method essentially consist of two steps. In the first step the interfering substances such as sulfide and humic acid substances are removed by precipitation with copper. The resultant solution is then analysed by a colorimetric approach utilizing cadmium fillings as the reducing agent to reduce nitrate to nitrite, and analyse the resultant nitrite with sulfanilamide, and naphtylene diamine. The smallest amount of nitrate that can be detected with certainty is approximately 10 mug-at N/Kg and 50 mug/ at N/Kg in water and sediments respectively. The figures for sediments are based on dissolving 20 gms. of sediment, dry weight, in 100 ml volume. The proposed method has been tested on a wide variety of natural water samples, sediments, clays and sands.


Metal concentrations in the sewage, effluents, and sludges of some southern Ontario wastewater treatment plants.

Aluminum, barium, berylliu, bismuth, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, silver, strontium, vanadium and zinc concentrations in the sewage, effluents and sludges of ten southern Ontario wastewater treatment plants are reported. The efficiency for metal removal by a conventional activated sludge plant was determined. The effect of metal concentrations in receiving waters from residual metals in sewage effluents is discussed. The environmental hazards of disposing of sewage sludges with high metal content on agricultural land is considered.


Nitrates in Wisconsin ground water.

Nitrate analyses were performed on ground water well samples originating from sources throughout Wisconsin. The data ranged from below the analytical detection limit up to 140 mg NO3-N/1. Over nine percent of all wells sampled has nitrate concentrations in excess of 10 mg NO3-N/1. Six individual counties had more than 10 mg NO3-N/1 in at least twenty percent of the wells covered in this survey. However, data reported for over eight thousand new wells driven in 1971-1972 showed only slightly more than two percent with nitrate levels above 10 mg NO3-N/1. This reflected the trend toward drilling deeper wells which are influenced less by nitrate seepage as well as adherence to new and stricter well construction codes.


The generalized convulsive seizure state induced by daily electrical stimulation of the amygdala in split brain cats.

Daily unilateral electrical stimulation of amygdala in forebrain bisected cats provoked the development of the final stage of the kindled convulsion with remarkable rapidity regardless of presence or absence of anterior commissure. The chronological and spatial pattern of propagation of afterdischarge, interictal spike discharge, and clinical manifestations strongly suggest the significant role played by the midbrain reticular formation and possibly other brainstem structures in the progressive electroclinical seizure development. This assumption was supported by the results of a lesion study in which placement of a destructive lesion in the ipsilateral midbrain reticular formation markedly increased the generalized seizure triggering threshold, lateralized the afterdischarge to the stimulated hemisphere when induced with increased intensity stimulation, fragmented clinical seizure manifestations, and failed to produce progression of clinical and electrographic events with prolonged daily stimulation. This is in contrast to the insignificant effect produced by a peduncular lesion. Our findings suggest that vertical (limbic-brainstem), but not horizontal (transhemispheric interlimbic) connection is critically involved in the amygdaloid seizure development while the forebrain commissures may play a role in the development of bisynchronous and bisymmetrical ictal and interictal electrographic and clinical manifestations. Finally, possible differential effect of forebrain bisection depending on developing in contrast with a established (cerebral) hemispheric epileptogenic process is postulated to explain the "facilitatory" effect observed in our series in contrast to the beneficial effects reported on some intractable seizure patients.


Kinetic properties of hexokinase in resected temporal lobes of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Properties of the cerebral glycolytic enzyme, hexokinase, were studied in biopsy samples of human temporal lobe, obtained during lobectomy for drug-resistant epilepsy and compared "blind" with contol biopsy samples of human cerebral cortex. No significant changes in the total activity or subcellular distribution of the enzyme were observed but the Km value for glucose was altered. The 17 control samples gave a normal mean value for Km (glucose) of 0.05 mM and the 14 epileptic samples gave a significantly higher mean value of 0.09 mM. The drugs used in previous treatment of the epilepsies were "scored" with respect to type and dose; analysis of these in relation to the kinetic results eliminated the possibility that the increase in Km value was an artifact due to the drugs. The observed change in enzyme kinetic properties is discussed in terms of potential interactions of small molecules with the isoenzymes of cerebral hexokinase.


Relative frequency of different types of epilepsy: a study employing the classification of the International League Against Epilepsy.

Approximately three-quarters of epileptic patients seen in consultation by specialists can easily be assigned to one of the diagnostic categories of the International League against Epilepsy. When patient age is taken into account, such a distribution shows that partial epilepsy is more common than generalized epilepsy (62% versus 38%) in patients of all ages, especially in those over 15 years of age (78% versus 22%). In contrast, generalized epilepsy is more frequent in subjects under 15 than partial epilepsy (55% versus 45%). In this younger age group the rarity of partial epilepsy is primarily due to the infrequency of temporal lobe epilepsy (21% of cases, as opposed to 56% in subjects over 15), whereas both primary and secondary generalized epilepsy contribute to the frequency of generalized epilepsy in this group.


Serum pyridoxal, folate, and vitamin B12 levels in institutionalized epileptics.

Serum pyridoxal, folate, and vitamin B12 concentrations were measured in 68 institutionalized patients with severe epilepsy. Twenty-five patients had a reduced level of pyridoxal and thirty-three a reduced level of folate. There was no instance of a low serum vitamin B12 although in three patients the levels were found to be abnormally high. Fifteen patients had both a low serum pyridoxal and a low serum folate but there was no significant correlation. All patients had a normal hemoglobin concentration and a normal mean corpuscular volume. There was no close relationship between reduced serum vitamin levels and single or groups of anticonvulsant agents, although the size of the groups was too small to permit a detailed study.


Neuroexcitatory and depressant effects of penicillin at the cat soleus neuromuscular junction.

Penicillin administered intraarterially in a dose of 200 units per kg produced high frequency (ca 300 Hz) repetitive discharges originating in motor nerve endings in response to single stimuli applies to the cat soleus nerve. The high frequency repetitive discharges were antidromically conducted and recorded on ventral root filaments. Simultaneously each repetitive burst was transmitted to the muscle, producing an increase in contractile strength by converting a twitch into a brief tetanic contraction. Posttetanic potentiation in this system, which is mediated by repetitive discharges originating in nerve terminals after high frequency stimulation, is augmented by penicillin; larger doses depressed posttetanic potentiation, and still larger doses produced varying degrees of neuromuscular block. Events similar to those observed after intraarterial injections were recorded when penicillin was administered intravenously in larger doses. These data suggest that in the presence of penicillin the motor nerve terminals remain depolarized for a prolonged period after excitation by the stimulus, thus providing a current sink for the parent axon. Under the influence of this constant cathodal focus the axon fires repetitively at the high frequency.


Biofeedback in epileptics: equivocal relationship of reinforced EEG frequency to seizure reduction.

It has been reported that biofeedback training of 12- to 14-Hz activity recorded over Rolandic cortex was accompanied by a reduction in seizure incidence in four human epileptics (Sterman et al., 1974). Biofeedback training of 12- to 14-Hz activity was provided for two epileptics and had no effect on clinical EEGs, seizure incidence, or proportion of EEG spectral power in the frequency range being trained. Subsequently, biofeedback training of 6- to 12-Hz Rolandic activity was provided for three epileptics. Two patients experienced reductions in seizure not accompanied by medication changes. Since no learning of 6- to 12-Hz activity was detected, the changes in seizure incidence are not attributed to EEG biofeedback. It is suggested that the experience in the feedback setting provided these two patients with new techniques of relaxation. In view of the lack of statistical evidence of EEG changes following EEG biofeedback and the small number of patients trained to date, it appears wise to maintain a cautious attitude until the issue of causality is clear.


EEG of a nocturnal seizure in a patient with "benign epilepsy of childhood with Rolandic spikes".

The first EEG recording is reported of a child with "benign epilepsy of childhood with Rolandic spikes" during a partial motor (facial) seizure, which occurred during Phase II of natural sleep.


Antiepileptic and prophylactic effects of tetrahydrocannabinols in amygdaloid kindled cats.

Acute administration of delta8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta8-THC) or delta9-THC failed to affect partially developed or fully developed kindled amygdaloid seizures in cats. However, delta9-THC was quite effective in suppressing focal AD in the stimulated amygdala when administered very early in kindling, before the development of any clinical manifestations. This finding suggested that chronic administration of delta9-THC during kindling might block the process of seizure development, which was supported by the observation that three of four cats failed to kindle when treated with the drug. The cat that failed to be protected by delta9-THC was also insensitive to the general electroclinical effects of moderately high doses of delta9-THC. The prophylactic activity of delta9-THC is in contrast to the ineffectiveness of diphenylhydantoin, a drug whose anticonvulsant activity is often compared with that of THC.


Epileptogenic properties of folic acid and N5 methyltetrahydrofolate in cat.

The epileptogenic properties of folic acid and N5-methyltetrahydrofolate applied locally on the cortex were compared in cats. Neither substance was epileptogenic except in very high concentration, on the order of 10(-3) M. N5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, the folate derivative most widely distributed in the central nervous system and CSF of mammals, was not more epileptogenic than folic acid. Because the level of N5-methyltetrahydrofolate is only slightly diminished in patients treated with anticonvulsants, the change cannot account for the therapeutic effect of the drugs.


Amino-acid sequence of toxin III of Naja haje.

The complete amino acid sequence of toxin III of Naja haje (72 residues) has been established mainly by use of a protein sequenator (identification of 70 residues). The two C-terminal residues have been determined by digestion with carboxypeptidases A and B. Addition of succinylated protein or peptide greatly improved the performance of the sequenator for the Edman degradation of peptides: on one peptide (39 residues) degradation went to step 34 with a protein program and on two peptides (10 and 13 residues) degradation reached the last amino acid with a peptide program (use of dimethylbenzylamine). Amino acid analysis of tryptic peptides obtained by digestion of the C-terminal cyanogen bromide peptide are in full agreement with the sequence established by automatic degradation. The sequence of toxin III of Naja haje is unique and is very similar to that of Naja nivea alpha (although there are 9 differences), of Naja melanoleuca b (11 differences) and also to that of Naja naja A (18 differences).


Identity and activities of lysosomal enzymes in parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells from rat liver.

1. Intact parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells were isolated from rat liver. The parenchymal cells were purified by differential centrifugation, while non-parenchymal cells were obtained free of parenchymal cell contamination by preferentially destroying the parenchymal cells with the aid of pronase (0.25%). 2. The ability to isolate pure intact parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells permitted the characterization and measurement of specific activities of various lysosomal enzymes, representing the main functional hydrolytic activities of the lysosomes in these distinct cell types. 3. Lysosomal enzymes catalysing the hydrolysis of the terminal carbohydrate moiety of glycoproteins and glycolipids were not particularly enriched in the non-parenchymal cells as compared to parenchymal cells. The ratio of the specific activities of non-parenchymal cells over parenchymal cells varied between 0.7 for N-acetyl-beta-D-hexoseaminidase to 2.1 for alpha-glucosidase. This suggests no specific role of the non-parenchymal cells in the hydrolysis of terminal carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins and glycolipids. 4. The enzymes acid phosphatase and aryl sulphatase, representing the phosphate and sulphate hydrolyzing activities, were enriched in the non-paranchymal cells as compared to the parenchymal cells by a factor of 2.5. 5. The most important peptidase cathepsin D, representing protein breakdown capacity, is enriched in the non-parenchymal cells as compared to parenchymal cells by a factor 6.0, suggesting a possible specific function of non-parenchymal cells in protein breakdown. 6. The most enriched lysosomal enzyme, representing lipid hydrolysis, is acid lipase, which is enriched in the non-parenchymal cells with a factor of 10. 7. The distribution of lysosomal enzymes between parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells suggests different functional roles of the lysosomes in these cell types. It can be concluded that the non-parenchymal cells possess a set of lysosomal enzymes which makes them extremely suitable for a phagocytic and antimicrobial function in the liver.


Studies on plasma free-fatty-acid metabolism and triglyceride synthesis of brown adipose tissue in vivo during cold-induced thermogenesis of the newborn rabbit.

Parameters of plasma free fatty acid metabolism (pool size, half time, disappearance rate, turnover time and absolute turnover rate), the influx of plasma free fatty acids into the glycerides of brown adipose tissue and the pathway of triglyceride synthesis in brown adipose tissue (glycerol-1-phosphate versus monoglyceride pathway) were examined after intravenous injection of [1-14C]palmitate in newborn rabbits. In the thermoneutral environment of 35 degrees C the turnover rate of plasma free fatty acids was 10.20 mumol/min per 100 g body weight and its flux into the glycerides of brown adipose tissue 0.367 mumol/min per 100 g body weight. Cold exposure at an ambient temperature of 20 degrees C caused a decrease to 5.84 mumol/min and 0.207 mumol/min per 100 g body weight, respectively. Both under basal conditions at an ambient temperature of 35 degrees C and under cold-induced thermogenesis at an ambient temperature of 20 degrees C triglyceride synthesis in brown adipose tissue ran through the glycerol 1-phosphate pathway.


The initial binding of Cu(II) to some amino acids and dipeptides: a 13C nuclear-magnetic-resonance study.

The initial binding of Cu2+ ot L-lysine, L-histidine, glycyl-histidine and histidyl-glycine in aqueous solutions was examined by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The measurements were carried out in a substantially improved way employing the pulse Fourier transform technique. Spectra of both high quality and resolution were obtained. Cu2+ complex formation with L-lysine occurred with the alpha-amino and carboxyl group attributable to the well expressed broadening effect of the 13C signals of the alpha-carbon atom and the carboxyl atom. The epsilon-amino group was not involved. Measurements of the Cu chelates using L-histidine and glycyl-histidine and histidyl-glycine confirmed the ambidentate nature of the histidine residue. It was concluded that an equilibrium exists between two Cu-complex species designated as histamine-like and histamine-like/glycine-like species. In the homogeneous histamine-like Cu complex, the Cu2+ is exclusively bound with 4 nitrogens, while in the other species one oxygen of the glycyl carboxyl group is involved in the Cu2+ binding. Blocking of this carboxyl groups by peptide bonding as found in histidyl-glycine favoured the formation of a Cu complex where the imidazole carbons of the histidyl residue were the most influenced species.