A hypothesis on the declining dizygotic twinning rates in developed countries. 1) There has been an unexplained drop in dizygotic twinning rates during the past 15--20 years in all the developed countries for which data are available. In this note an explanation is offered for this decline. 2) There has been a decline in birth rates in almost all developed countries over much of the same period. 3) There is good evidence that in recent years there has been a decline in sperm counts--at any rate in the United States. 4) It is suggested here that this decline in sperm counts has been responsible for a decline in the probability that coitus in the fertile period will result in fertilization of the ovum. It is hypothesized that this decline is responsible for the decline in dizygotic twinning rates and--partially--for the decline in birth rates.


Maternal age, parity, and twin pregnancies. Significant effects of maternal age and parity on twinning were observed in a sample of 10,916 third trimester deliveries. Younger mothers exhibited low rates of twinning in low parities and higher rates in high parities. Older mothers exhibited high rates of twinning right from the low parities, with a declining rate after "parity 4."


New indolic hypotensive agents.

New indolic hypotensive agents. Seven substituted piperazino indoles were synthesized by the condensation of substituted piperazines with substituted indole-3-aldehyde, and evaluated for hypotensive activity. Only compound 2 exhibited promising hypotensive activity.


Synthesis of some 2.5-disubstituted anilino-3.6-dichloro-1.4-benzoquinones as antimicrobial agents. The potent antimicrobial properties of several chloroquinones prompted the synthesis of nineteen new 2.5-disubstituted anilino-3.6-dichloro-1.4-benzoquinone derivatives by reacting 2.5-dichloro-p-benzoquinone with many of the official antimicrobial sulphonamides and other related amines. Testing of six representative samples for their antimicrobial activity revealed good inhibitory results on the growth of five microorganisms.


Synthesis of some substituted pyrazole-3-carboxylic acids with possible hypoglycemic and antimicrobial activity. Condensation of delta-unsaturated 1.3-diketoesters (1) with 4-substituted arylhydrazines (2) or benzenesulphonyl-hydrazine (8) led to 1-aryl-3-ethoxycarbonyl-5-[alpha-substituted styryl]-pyrazoles (3), and 1-benzenesulphonyl-3-ethoxycarbonyl-5-styryl pyrazole (9). Potassium permanganate oxidation of 3 gave 5-acetyl (or benzoyl)-1-aryl-3-ethoxycarbonyl pyrazoles (6) which on hydrolysis gave the corresponding carboxylic acids (7). Hydrolysis of 3 gave the corresponding acids 4 which on treatment with thionyl chloride followed by ammonia afforded the corresponding carboxamides 5.


Synthesis of benzo-benzothiopyranoquinolines (pyridobenzothioxanthones) as possible schistosomicidal and antitumor agents. The synthesis of a new class of compounds structurally related to cyclohexenothiaxanthones and benzothiaxanthones including a pyridine ring is described in an attempt to find compounds that may have schistosomicidal and carcinostatic activity. Synthesis was achieved through the condensation of amino-cyclohexenothiaxanthones and amino-benzothiaxanthones with ethyl acetoacetate by the Knorr and Conrad-Limpach methods.


Aminoalkane sulfonic acids. Synthesis of some mitodepressive heterocyclic aminoalkane sulfonic acids. The reaction of 2-aminopyrimidine with benzaldehyde in all applied methods yielded instead of benzal-2-aminopyrimidine (1) regardless of the procedure used, N.N'-benzilidene-bis-2-aminopyrimidine (2). The expected product benzal-2-aminopyrimidine has not been formed in any case. For this reason the synthesis of aminoalkanesulfonic acids has not been carried out by the use of Schiff bases as starting material. Reaction of aldehyde bisulfite adducts and corresponding amine, was used instead. In the syntheses where 2-aminopyridine was used as the amine part, the corresponding aminoalkanesulfonic acids were formed (3--5), while 2-aminopyrimidine under the same condition gave several reaction products (6--10). All compounds obtained were tested for their growth inhibitory activity on the seeds of cress (Lepidium sativum L.).


Some triazole analogs as anti-inflammatory agents. 4-[4-(3-Substituted-1-acetyloxycarbamido)-benzylidene] amino-1.2.4-triazoles were synthesized and evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenin-induced foot paw edema in albino rats. All compounds, with the exception of one, afforded anti-inflammatory activity. Approximate LD50 of all the substituted triazoles was found to be higher than 750 mg/kg. Substitution at the phenyl group attached to N at the position 3 of the carbamide, in general, resulted in increase of anti-edema effect.


The determination of mixtures of some artificial sweeteners. A scheme is suggested for the analysis of mixtures of saccharin sodium, sodium cyclamate and sorbitol. It depends upon: --Determination of saccharin sodium by precipitation of silver saccharinate. --Determination of sodium cyclamate by spectrophotometric titration with sodium nitrite. --Complexometric determination of sorbitol via its copper complex.


Physico-chemical analysis of systems with a main component acetylsalicylic acid in ethanol-water mixtures, part 2: on the existence of potassium and lithium hydrogen acetylsalicylates. The systems acetylsalicylic acid -- potassium acetylsalicylate -- 50 wt. % ethanol -- water mixture and acetylsalicylic acid -- lithium acetylsalicylate -- 95 wt. % ethanol -- water mixture have been investigated at 15,0 degrees C. The solubility diagrams of the systems and the distribution of the components between the liquid and the crystal phases have been determined. It was established that the solutions of both systems yield hydrogen acetylsalicylates. Their crystallization fields were determined in the solubility diagrams. The hydrogen acetylsalicylates obtained were isolated as preparations under the conditions of the systems and were analyzed by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis and IR spectroscopy. These analyses are evidence of their definite composition--C9H8O4 . C9H7O4K and C9H8O4 . C9H7O4Li.


Effect of liquid additives on release of chloramphenicol from ointment bases. 1, 3 and 5% water, ethyl alcohol, glycerol and propylene glycol were incorporated into oleaginous, absorption, emulsion (O/W and W/O) and water-soluble ointment bases (resp.) containing 5% of chloramphenicol and diffusion rate via the dialysis method was measured for 2 h. The rate of release was found to be greater from water-soluble bases than from the other bases, since rates from oleaginous, absorption and W/O emulsion bases were found to be the least in this respect. The effect of liquids added to these bases on drug release was found to be less pronounced than that obtained with water-soluble and O/W emulsion bases. For O/W emulsion bases the addition of ethyl alcohol increased the release of chloramphenicol as its concentration was increased. Propylene glycol increased the release at a concentration of 3%, but higher concentration produced opposite results. Glycerol was found to have a little effect in 5% concentration, but it increased the release as the concentration dropped to 3% concentration.


Synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives with potential antispasmodic activity. Some new esters and amides of benzimidazole-1-acetic acid which contain different cationic heads were prepared as atropine substitutes. Preliminary pharmacological testing showed that the prepared compounds possess atropine-like activity.


Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of lynestrenol in contraceptive tablets. A simple procedure for the estimation of lynestrenol in contraceptive tablets is described. The method consists of extraction of the hormone into dichloromethane followed by g.l.c. of the resulting solution. 3 alpha-Etiocholanol-17-one is demonstrated as a suitable internal reference standard.


Evaluation of correlation between selected rheological parameters of ointments and their in vitro release data. A comparative study was done by the authors between the active substance release characteristic of lipophilic and hydrophilic oitment bases and their rheological parameters. There was stated a significant difference due to the matrix concentration the last being an essential factor in determining the effective surface area. The water solubility of matrix constituents is plaxing an important role in formation of the effective surface area.


Solubilization of indometacin.

Solubilization of indometacin. Three methods were employed for the solubilization of indometacin as an example of antirheumatic drugs, employing:--Non-ionic surface-active agents such as Tween 80 and 40, Myrj 53 and Brij 99,--urea and sodium citrate--urea-indometacin coprecipitate. The solubility of indometacin by nonionic surface active agents was in the following order: Tween 80 and Brij 99 greater than Tween 40 greater than Myrj 53. The efficiency of solubilization by these surfactants decreased as the polyoxyethylene chain increased. Urea increases the solubility of indometacin due to enhancing the solvation of the drug by water. Up to a concentration of 0.2 M sodium citrate increases the solubility of indometacin, followed by a sharp decline in the solubility by increasing its concentration of sodium citrate. Urea-indometacin coprecipitate show slight increase in the solubility of the drug.


Medical research and human freedom.

Medical research and human freedom. This discussion of the nature of human freedom supports the common-sense view of conscious self-determination. The capacity for self-determination is expanded by knowledge and should be optimal among medical scientists, but many such have been passive when faced by increased restrictions on inquiry. Restrictions should be guided by medical ethics defined in major part by physicians and medical scientists. They are urged to protect their freedoms more actively.


Interaction of urea and substituted ureas with polyglycine and certain proteins. Isopiestic equilibration measurements were made on ten protein-denaturant systems involving polyglycine, egg albumin, collagen, horse heart myoglobin, and the denaturants urea, 1,3-dimethylurea, 1,1-dimethylurea, and thiourea. The hydration of the proteins in the absence of denaturants is a function of the water activity and it is believed that this accounts, at least in part, for the varying hydration values found in the literature. The relative binding of water and denaturant to unfolded proteins was found to be a reversible process for which an equilibrium constant can be calculated. It was further found that in most cases the protein binds denaturant preferentially to water even in aqueous systems.


Aggregation of binding protein from rat nerve. Leucine-binding protein described in an earlier paper was examined to characterize the dynamic properties of the system. Leucine-binding protein assembles into a large protein polymer or complex (greater than 302,000 daltons). Colchicine reduces and Mg2+ increases the amount of polymer formed. Trypsin destroys the isolated polymer but RNAase and collagenase do not. Mg2+-ATPase activity is present in the polymer fraction. The formation of the large complex suggests a quickly adaptable structure capable of responding to ionic and environmental conditions.


Oxidative deamination of carboxyethyl-cysteine and carboxymethyl-homocysteine. Snake venom L-aminoacid oxidase, while inactive on 4C and 5C dicarboxylic alpha-amino acids, may oxidize their 6C and 7C homologues alpha-aminoadipic and alpha-aminopimelic acid. It has been demonstrated that the enzyme also oxidizes S-carboxyethyl-L-cysteine and S-carboxymethyl-L-homocysteine, two analogues of alpha-aminopimelic acid with the gamma or delta methylene groups substituted by a sulfur atom. As oxidation products the corresponding ketoacids were obtained. Thus substrate specificity of L-aminoacid oxidase for dicarboxylic alpha-aminoacids seems highly dependent on the carbon chain length, whereas substitution of a methylene group by a sulfur atom seems to have almost no effect. On the other hand, D-aspartate oxidase from beef kidney (active on 4C to 6C dicarboxylic alpha-aminoacids) cannot oxidize the 7C alpha-aminopimelic acid but is active on the S-carboxyethyl-D-cysteine analogue. The other aminopimelic analogue, S-carboxymethyl-D-homocysteine, is a very poor substrate. Thus the substrate specificity of D-aspartate oxidase, highly dependent on chain length, is also influenced by chain conformation. Furthermore, oxidation of either compound under study, L-aminoacid oxidase and D-aspartate oxidase, leaves unaffected the thioether bond.


Behavior of different nuclear probes for detection of cancer by nuclear magnetic resonance. A physical explanation is given for the finding that the spin-lattice relaxation time T1, obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance from equivalent malignant and non-malignant samples, is greater for the phosphorus isotype 31P than for the proton 1H. The nuclear relaxation of the phosphorus proceeds by way of its interaction with associated cell water. Within limits determined by other variables, T1 is expected to vary inversely as the square of the gyromagnetic ratio.


Cellular mechanisms of fever and pasteurization: ATP depletion and RNA degradation in mouse L-cells at supra-optimal temperatures. Supra-optimal temperatures have been found to reduce ATP concentrations within cells. This reduction depresses energy-dependent processes such as RNA synthesis, the rate of which may fall below that of its simultaneous breakdown resulting in excessive auto-digestion or cell death.


Temperature dependence in the effect of ouabain on rabbit atria. Quiescent rabbit left atria were exposed to ouabain for 200 min at various temperatures ranging from 27 degrees to 35 degrees C. Effects produced by the drug were noted when stimulation of the atria was resumed. At or below 31 degrees C, little effect on stimulation was seen and approximately 80 min were required to reach maximum effect of the drug. At and above 32 degrees C, effects could be seen immediately upon stimulation and only 45 min were required to reach maximum effect. In the range from 31 degrees to 32 degrees C, an increment of as little as 0.25 degrees altered both the time to reach maximum effect and the maximum force obtained. Experiments with tritiated ouabain showed no difference in uptake of the drug by atria, whether beating or quiescent, at 30 degrees C or 35 degrees C. Possible mechanisms are discussed.


A fluid mechanical hypothesis for macromolecular transport in living cells: I. A fluid mechanical process generating controllable steady streaming is introduced as a model for explanation of specific molecular transport processes in living cells. Intracellular organelles, attached to contractile cytoplasmic fibrils and executing simultaneous oscillations and volume pulsations, are envisioned as the driving mechanisms for this transport system.


Hepatocarcinogen-induced tRNA methylase activity in rat liver. Dimethylaminoazobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, and ethionine, which can induce cancer cells in rat liver, were found to increase rat liver tRNA methylase activity. Other chemicals (aminoazobenzene, acetylaminofluorene, alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate, beta-naphthylisothiocyanate, dimethyl and diethylnitrosamine, and methylcholanthrene), which may be hepatotoxic or carcinogenic, produced either no increase or only slight increases in liver tRNA methylase activity of rat liver tissue. Although no increase was observed with the powerful hepatocarcinogen aflatoxin, others have recently reported an increase in tRNA methylase activity using larger doses than those reported here. Ethionine was able to increase liver tRNA methylase activity in guinea pigs as well as rats, as previously described, but not in chicks.


Effect of weak magnetic fields on growth of cells in tissue culture. Normal Chinese hamster V79 cells were grown in vitro for more than one year in a magnetic field of 10(-7) tesla to test recently hypothesized effects of weak magnetic fields on biological systems. No significant difference was observed between growth rate in such fields and that in the ambient geomagnetic field.


Binding of Triton X-114 to mammalian serum albumins at critical micelle concentration. When the nonionic detergent Triton X-114 binds to different mammalian serum albumins, remarkably little variation occurs in the number bound at the critical micelle concentration of the detergent. Average molar ratios range from 4.0 to 6.3; mean body weights range from 0.25 to 600 kg. Measured values of the extinction coefficients reported here also show remarkably little variation. These results support the view that the folding of these serum albumins is similar.


Effect of tocopherol on photooxidation rate of human erythrocyte membrane in vitro. Study indicates that tocopherol's ability to prevent erythrocyte photohemolysis is a result of selective chemical trapping of the photooxidation-generated oxidant, singlet oxygen, before it can cause peroxidation of the essential unsaturated lipids in the erythrocyte membrane. The data provide fundamental information that support the purported clinical efficacy of tocopherol in the treatment of congenital erythrocyte membrane oxyhemolysis.


Water content and spin lattice relaxation times of cultured mammalian cells subjected to various salt, sucrose, or DMSO solutions. The proton spin lattice relaxation time (T1) of mammalian cells subjected to a wide range of salt, sucrose, or DMSO solutions has been measured and minima in the T1 curves for cells treated with all solutes except DMSO were observed. At hypotonic solute concentrations, the increases observed in T1 of the cell sample could be correlated to an increase in the amount of intracellular water. At high solute concentrations, cells shrink losing intracellular water; yet increases in T1 were observed. The increases were attributed to changes in macromolecular conformation resulting in changes in the coordination shells associated with the macromolecules. Since these effects are also observed with sucrose, the basic phenomenon is concluded to be due to osmotic factors. However, ion specific effects were also observed. When protein was dissolved in a wide range of NaCl or KCl solutions, the minimum in the T1 curve was not observed, demonstrating that the effect must be characteristic of the response of intact cells to the various solutions.


Synergism of substrate binding with enzymes, as observed by equilibrium isotope exchange kinetics: model patterns. The effects of synergistic binding among co-substrates on the kinetic saturation patterns for equilibrium isotope exchange rates have been derived. Models considered for a two reactant-two product system were those in which one substrate may either decrease the dissociation rate or increase the association rate for its co-substrate. These studies help define limits of this versatile kinetic probe technique. The most sensitive indicator for synergistic substrate binding appears to be the different apparent Km values for different exchange rate curves; e.g,, A in equilibrium P and B in equilibrium Q. Model patterns for mutual synergism effects are also presented; the slowest exchange reactions were found the most sensitive to preferred orders of substrate binding. Conditions that can prevent detection of preferred or even compulsory order binding are discussed.


Inhibition of caerulein and physalaemin-induced contractions of guinea-pig isolated ileum by non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and various steroids and their reversal by prostaglandin E1. Two non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, two antiinflammatory steroids and two sex steroids were found to potently and reversibly inhibit caerulein-induced and physalaemin-induced contractions of guinea-pig isolated ileum. The effects of these drugs were reversed by small amounts of PGE1.


Bradykinin and prostaglandin E1, E2 and F2alpha-induced macromolecular leakage in the hamster cheek pouch. The hamster cheek pouch prepared for intravital observations on macromolecular permeability with fluorescein labelled dextran was used in four series of 5 hamsters each, all pretreated with indomethacin. Bradykinin, PGE1, PGE2 and PGF2alpha increased macromolecular leakage at postcapillary venules, and this leakage was reversible on removal of agent. A linear relation was found between the logarithmic value of dose of bradykinin and the mean number of leakage sites. No tachyphylaxis to bradykinin was seen. The effect of either PGE1, PGE2 or PGF2alpha applied simultaneously with bradykinin was to significantly (p less than 0.05) potentiate the bradykinin response. Bradykinin and these prostaglandins appeared to have the same site of action for their effect of increasing permeability, e.g. the postcapillary venule.


Stimulation of gastric-glucagon release by prostaglandin E1. The canine gastric fundus has recently been demonstrated to contain and release a material identical by all criteria to pancreatic glucagon (1, 2). Since exogenous prostaglandins have been reported to stimulate pancreatic glucagon release (3) and endogenous prostaglandins are suspected to play a role in the control of glucagon secretion (4), we were interested in seeing if prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) would affect gastric-glucagon release.


[Personality structure and the psychopathologic picture of drug dependent youth]. Following the examination of 50 young persons addicted to narcotics, an analysis was made of high- and low-anxiety-level groups. It was found that the anxiety data in Cattell's personality questionnaire allows the psychopathological pictures of both groups to be differentiated quite clearly. The high-anxiety-level group is characterized by a larger number of psychic disorders and also showed a higher rate of psychic and physical drug addiction. The low-anxiety-level group was characterized above all by psychopathia and often showed "social" drug addiction only.


[Behavior therapy of uncontrolled imbecilic children]. This paper reports the use over a period of five months of operant conditioning methods, which consisted above all in the withdrawal of privileges, in the case of ten preschool-age problem children. In all of the patients, the program of behavioral therapy resulted in a considerable reduction of the rate of occupational malbehavior. "Good conduct" showed a slight decrease as the challenging character of recompense grew smaller, but was still above the initial level. Intelligence, extraversion, and emotional lability are related to the results of behavioral therapy and discussed in detail. Operant conditioning appears effective when a clear reaction is required under simple conditions of stimulation. In the case of more complex situations with a variety of behavioral alternatives, imitiative learning should be far more promising.


[Art of patients with endogenous psychosis as an approach to differential diagnosis]. If it is desired to evaluate the products of artistic activity of subjects of endogenous psychosis, then new aspects arise from an attempt to find special forms of drawing and painting for special forms of endogenous psychosis instead of generally speaking of schizophrenia and manic-depressive disease. Some information has been obtained in this connection. Catatonic iterations can be seen to be reflected in pictures. Thought disorders in subjects of paraphrenia are often seen to be mirrored in products of artistic activity. The "disorder of speech" of subjects of cataphasia is sometimes reflected in a "disorder of the drawing or painting" produced. Expansive paraphrenia patients are fond of painting in order to give themselves airs. Happiness psychosis, because of the ecstatic emotions associated therewith, often involves a direct drive to do artistic work.


Small supportive treatment units and the problem of recidivism in indigent chronic schizophrenic patients. This is a report of a three and a half-year follow up of uprooted chronic schizophrenics, who had become disposition problems at the time of discharge from a state psychiatric hospital. One group of 14 was discharged to themselves, another in small supporting units to share living quarters with fellow patients. The results are encouraging and may throw some light into the problem of recidivism. All patients were diagnosed chronic schizophrenic. They had multiple hospitalizations, came from the same catchment area, and were followed by the same therapist in the same hospital setting. Patients who shared living quarters with other patients did better in terms of post hospitalization adjustment, reduced readmission and subsequent time spent in hospital, employment and self-responsibility compared to patients living alone.


Diagnosis and chronic mental illness.

Diagnosis and chronic mental illness. This paper describes the occurrence of chronicity in varying psychiatric illnesses. There is not an unequivocal definition of chronicity, but with the exception of the illnesses that will be described below and that lead directly or indirectly to death from CNS complications of the illness, chronicity will require a duration of a minimum of five years without a significant remission. Chronicity is further differentiated into four different kinds of chronicity: chronic--death, chronic--self-limited, chronic--remission, and chronic--recurrent. The illnesses that may be considered as possibly fulfilling the criteria for chronic will be noted and a method for deciding whether an illness qualifies will be outlined.


Reactions of schizophrenics to life-threatening disease. This contribution reports a study of chronic schizophrenics hospitalized in state hospitals who suffer from serious and life-threatening medical and surgical illnesses. Four primary findings are described and discussed: lack of verbalization of pain and discomfort; bodily self-mutilation; toleration and exhibition of loathsome lesions; and inability or unwillingness to tolerate medical care. Some examples of exceptions to these four findings are also presented. Possible explanations for the findings are discussed in terms of their biological, social, and psychological components, recognizing that no single factor can explain the findings in this complex and varied population. It is concluded that treatment staffs in the hospital or community must be alert to changes in patient state, must utilize compromise methods of care and must anticipate or deduce a patient's needs while the patient is physically ill.


A reinforcement exchange analysis of the power aspects of program evaluation. Power, examined within a reinforcement exchange model, is proposed as an essential dynamism through which program evaluation is mounted, executed, and utilized. The ability of the program evaluator to influence or control the policies or operations of the evaluatee depends chiefly on an exchange of behaviors which nets all participants of the evaluation interaction a fair and sufficient "payoff" in terms of contingent reinforcements. Other contextual features of program evaluation, particularly those that constrain on utilization of the recommendations, are briefly discussed.


The social causation of depression: a critique of the work of Brown and his colleagues. Brown and his colleagues have presented evidence for the social origins of depression from results of 2 community surveys in Camberwell. This paper examines critically their methodology, conceptualization of variables, mode of argument and statistical techniques. Log-linear analysis of their published data fails to substantiate their differentiation of risk variables into vulnerability factors and provoking agents.


Social origins of depression: a reply.

Social origins of depression: a reply. Many of the criticisms of our work made by Tennant & Bebbington in the current edition of this journal touch on issues which have already been discussed in our recent book Social Origins of Depression. We do not think that any of their points pose significant threats to our aetiological model of depression. We welcome this opportunity to clarify their questions about our data, and to use their re-analysis of our material as a basis for a wider discussion of certain general aspects of the statistical analysis and interpretation of data and the pitfalls which await the unwary.


Design, development and use of a standardized interview to assess social maladjustment and dysfunction in community studies. A standardized social interview, designed to assess social maladjustment and dysfunction is described. The interview is composed of items grouped under the 3 headings of Material conditions, Social management and Satisfaction. Ratings are made on a 4-point scale by interviewers standardized in its use. The interview, which takes approximately 45 minutes to administer, covers housing, finance, occupation, social and leisure activities, and relationships with significant individuals in the subject's life. The inter-rater reliability is assessed and principal component analyses performed, and the results of these are provided  and dicussed. Various methods of scoring are examined and the use of the schedule in a number of studies in the setting of general practice is described.


A new scale for assessing patients' psychosocial adjustment to medical illness. The Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS) was administered to 37 Hodgkin's disease patients and 38 parents of children with Hodgkin's disease or solid tumour, and the scores were analysed for inter-rater reliability as well as construct and criterion validity. A significant inter-rater reliability coefficient was obtained for the total scale score, and also for 6 of the 7 subscale scores. The 7 subscale scores were shown to be relatively independent of each other, with 5 contributing strongly to the total score. Subscales analysed for criterion validity were shown to correlate significantly with independent assessments of their domains of adjustment. Results indicate that the PAIS can be administered by a diverse group of interviewers with an acceptable degree of reliability and with initial confidence in its validity.


Sturdy childhood predictors of adult antisocial behaviour: replications from longitudinal studies. Results are compared in studies of 4 male cohorts - 1 all white, 1 all black, and 2 racially representative of the population - growing up in different eras, followed past varying portions of their adult lives, living in different parts of the US. Despite sample differences and differences in sources of information and in the variables used to measure both childhood predictors and adult outcomes, some striking replications appear with respect to childhood predictors of adult antisocial behaviour. All types of antisocial behaviour in childhood predict a high level of antisocial behaviour in adulthood and each kind of adult antisocial behaviour is predicted by the number of childhood antisocial behaviours, indicating that adult and childhood antisocial behaviour both form syndromes and that these syndromes are closely interconnected. Also confirmed across studies are: (1) adult antisocial behaviour virtually requires childhood antisocial behaviour; (2) most antisocial children do not become antisocial adults; (3) the variety of antisocial behaviour in childhood is a better predictor of adult antisocial behaviour than is any particular behaviour; (4) adult antisocial behaviour is better predicted by childhood behaviour than by family background or social class of rearing; (5) social class makes little contribution to the prediction of serious adult antisocial behaviour.


Conjoint marital therapy: a controlled outcome study. Forty-two couples with marital problems were randomly allocated to conjoint therapy of (i) a directive, (ii) an interpretative or (iii) a supportive (control) type. Self and independent assessment at the end of treatment showed the directive significantly superior to the control procedure on several measures. This superiority was maintained to 18 months' follow-up, when the interpretative procedure also showed some superiority over the control.


Cycloid psychosis: an investigation of the diagnostic concept. Seventy-three patients with the features of 'cycloid psychosis', adopted from Perris and Leonhard, were identified from case records. Information concerning background, presenting illness and follow-up was compared with that from the case-records of patients with schizophrenic, affective and schizoaffective psychoses. The characteristic features of 'cycloid psychosis' were a female predominance and a remittent course. The 'cycloid' group resembled the conventional groups in some respects, but differences from schizophrenic, affective and, to a lesser extent, schizoaffective groups were also striking. The factors which might account for the apparent independence of the 'cycloid' group from other diagnostic categories are discussed.


Crohn's disease: a review of the psychological and social outcome. A review of the psychosocial literature relating to Crohn's disease reveals that most available studies have been aetiologically oriented and that there are important gaps in our knowledge about the psychological and social concomitants of the disease. Some future research possibilities are discussed.


The value of feedback in teaching interviewing skills to medical students. Forty-eight medical students took part in a study to assess the value of giving students some feedback about their interviewing skills. During the study they all received training from their clinical firms. In addition, 36 of the students received 1 of 3 types of feedback training. This was given by tutors who used television replays, audiotape replays or ratings of practice interviews conducted by the students. As in previous studies there was little improvement in the interviewing skills of those students who only received training from their clinical firms. In contrast, all 3 feedback groups improved their ability to elicit accurate and relevant information. However, only the television and audiotape groups also showed gains in techniques. While the differences between these 2 groups were not significant, they all favoured the television group.


Individual patient--doctor contact in a mental hospital. Patients admitted to Friern Hospital in 1972 stayed on average for about 5 weeks and spent a total of less than 2 hours individually with senior and junior doctors. Long-stay patients (1 year or more) saw their doctors for an average of less than 1 hour a year. These findings, which in the case of junior doctors were corroborated in 1974, refer only to the time doctors spent with patients alone. The admission, and long-stay discharge rates were greater in the Islington than in the Camden division, and probably reflect differences in clinical practice. It is argued that more psychiatrists are needed--precisely how many will depend on studies of the relative efficiency of different services and training programmes, and on agreement among psychiatrists about minimum professional standards.


Previous induced abortion and ante-natal depression in primiparae: preliminary report of a survey of mental health in pregnancy. One hundred and nineteen primiparae, who were routinely attending ante-natal clinics, were interviewed repeatedly between the 12th and 36th weeks of their pregnancies. The incidence of depression was highest in the first trimester and, overall, about a fifth of the sample was found to be suffering from clinically significant neurotic disturbances. In a proportion of these expectant mothers there was an association between depression and anxiety early in pregnancy and a previous history of induced abortion; this phenomenon may reflect a reactivation of mourning which was previously suppressed.


Ecosystem, open thermodynamic system. The oak forest of Virelles-Blaimont. An attempt is made to apply thermodynamics of irreversible processes to a forest ecosystem. It is assumed to consist of two open sub-systems with chemical reactions (living organisms and abiotic environment) included in one closed system. Entropy flow and entropy production are considered taking into account entropy calculation of incoming and outgoing radiant energy. Some figures are given for the oak mixed forest of Virelles-Blaimont for one vegetation period. Estimated values are calculated for the whole biospheric-atmospheric system.


Significance of leaf orientation for leaf temperature in an Amazonian sclerophyll vegetation. The influence of leaf orientation on leaf temperature has been studied in an sclerophyll vegetation of the Amazon basin, which grows on white sandy soils of very low water retention capacity and variable depth of the water table. Leaf size of the species studied is mainly mesophyllous (sensu Raunkiaer). The high degree of leaf inclination in all species is very characteristic; 55% of the leaves present inclination angles (relative to the vertical) smaller than 45 degrees. Water potential is generally high, not being lower than -14 bars. Leaf resistance increases toward noon during the course of sunny days, indicating either water stress at leaf level or the influence of low relative humidity on stomata opening. Leaf temperature under sunny conditions reflects the influence of leaf orientation on the amount of radiation absorbed by the leaf. Temperature differences recorded range from 1.8--5.4 degrees C. The difference depends on leaf angle, leaf color and leaf diffusion resistance during the period of measurement. Analysis of the relationship between leaf angle and leaf temperature, using Gates leaf energy balance, shows that under the conditions prevailing at noon in sunny days, leaf angles smaller than 50 degrees are effective in reducing leaf temperature within a wide range of leaf resistances to water vapor transfer.


The theory of tree bole and branch form. Working from the general postulate that natural selection of plant form operates so as to maximize the survival potential of a species, this paper examines the hypothesis that the mechanical support of tree foliage must approach optimality in the use of wood, i.e., that tree stems and branches will have "optimal form" with respect to the amount of support tissue. Mathematical models of bole and branch form are presented, based on the proposition that either wind or gravity are the primary limiting factors for tree size and shape. Predictions of trunk and branch diameter as a function of tree size were tested with dimensional measurements of Populus tremuloides. The individual stems were selected from close-grown stands of differing ages. For small and intermediate trees, trunk diameter is such that stems have only 1.6 times as much wood as the minimum required to keep the tree from buckling under its own weight due to elastic instability. Branch diameters are shown to be close to the minimum required to maintain the spatial position of growing branches, as well as withstand wind forces. This minimal branch cost not only reduces the load which the stem must support against elastic instability, but allows the crown to flex in high winds. The flexing, in turn, reduces the drag force exerted by the wind on the trunk. Thus, the hypothesis that the observed tree form is an optimal design cannot be rejected on the basis of these results. Additional studies are planned with respect to optimal foliage distribution.


The effects of water-stress on leaf H2(18O) enrichment. Water-stress experiments with Phaseolus vulgaris L. were undertaken to determine the transpiration rate dependency of the naturally occuring leaf H2(18O) fractionation process. Water-stress leaf H2(18O) levels were observed to be unexpectedly higher than controls. Speculations on the cause of this phenomenon are discussed. Since transpiration rate variations should theoretically affect only the rate and not the extent of leaf H2(18O) fractionation, the respective time courses for water-stressed and control leaf H2(18O) accumulations were compared. Water-stressed leaves displayed a slower rate of isotopic enrichment relative to controls, as was predicted from their reduced transpiration rate. In an absolute sense, however, both control and water-stress leaf H2(18O) fractionation rates were markedly greater than projected values from the existing model. Consequently, transpiration rates cannot be derived accurately at present from the observed rates of leaf H2(18O) discrimination. Several modifications of the theory are also considered.


The H2(18O) enrichment of the leaf water of tropic trees: comparison of species from the tropical rain forest and the semi-arid region in Brazil. The H2(18O) enrichment, delta, in the water of leaves from four Brazilian trees, was studied. In all trees the leaf water showed a periodic variation in delta, with a maximum in the early afternoon and a minimum around 6 a.m. In general delta was found to be either higher or lower than the stationary enrichment which is supposed to depend only on the relative atmospheric humidity. This effect is due to the slow response of the system to variations of the humidity. For a special case, where steady-state conditions could be anticipated, the kinetic enrichment was obtained to 20 +/- 3%, which agrees with theoretical predictions.


[Roentgen diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and infarct (author's transl)]. Systematic classification of roentgen signs according to anatomical and functional alterations is described as follows: Direct roentgen signs of embolism without hemorrhage and without infarction, indirect roentgen signs of embolism without hemorrhage and without infarction, indirect roentgen signs of embolism with hemorrhage, indirect roentgen signs of embolism with infarction, and roentgen signs of microembolism. Diagnostic security of conventional chest films, technique and "timing" of pulmonary angiography, direct and indirect roentgen signs of embolism in pulmonary angiography, and traumatic fat embolism are described.


[Nuclear medicine diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (author's transl)]. Pulmonary embolism is an emergency situation. The earlier therapy begins, the more effective it will be. This, however, asks for immediate diagnosis. At present the most effective method of diagnosing and localizing pulmonary embolism is perfusion scintiscan of the lung. It should be completed by chest radiography to exclude peripheral infiltration and/or central lung cancer. Generally, these two procedures ensure optimal diagnosis. In case of additional disease of the pleura, mediastinum and lung parenchyma, further measures may be necessary: especially in chronic obstructive lung disease ventilation perfusion ratio and outwash of xenon might be helpful. Scintiscan of the lung is suited for early diagnosis as well as for follow-up examinations. Only if thrombectomy is planned, pulmonary angiography should be preferred. Scintiscan of the lung with marked particle suspensions ensures a minimum of complications. There is only one incident in 10,000 examinations. According to Quinn (1964) and Felix (1971) pulmonary scintiscan might be harmful in patients with right heart failure. We made no such observation in 4000 cases.


[Wegener's granulomatosis. Roentgenographic signs and radiotherapeutic possibilities (author's transl)]. Pulmonary alterations and the clinical course of 8 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis are described. Knowledge of the variety of the clinical presentation and lung involvement is mandatory for the radiologist to achieve early diagnosis of this disease. Prognosis is better in Wegener's granulomatosis when adequate therapy is started in the first stage. Films of the nasal sinus are also important for the diagnosis. Besides immunsuppressiva radiation therapy can be helpful in local involvement of the ENT, skin, and orbital area as is demonstrated in 2 of our patients.


[Pulmonary metastatic calcifications in malignant lymphoma demonstrated by imaging agents. Case report (author's transl)]. This report describes a patient with malignant lymphoma and hypercalcemic crises. A bone scan showed pronounced uptake of 99mTc-Methylene diphosphonate (MDP). This finding is thought to be due to metastatic lung calcification, which absorbs skeletal radiopharmaceuticals. The developement of metastatic calcifications in this case is most likely caused by phosphate applications to treat hypercalcemia. The mechanisms of formation and the detection of metastatic lung calcification with 99mTc-MDP are discussed.


A useful sign in differentiation of p-a from a-p chest roentgenogram. Differentiation of antero-posterior (a-p) from postero-anterior (p-a) projections of chest roentgenograms is practical with ease and reliability by connecting the two outermost points of the junction of the first and second ribs on the plain film and observing its relation to the superior margin of the lung apex and inferior border of the posterior part of the second rib. Greater than 92 percent accuracy was obtained when this criterion was used to evaluate 500 p-a and 500 a-p chest roentgenogram, regarding the standard technical datas.


[Situs ambiguus of the bronchial tree (author's transl)]. The heterotaxy syndrome is a rare condition and very often combined with congenital abnormalities or malformations. Studying the bronchial tree on the chest x-ray it is possible to indicate the visceral situs with asplenia or with polysplenia.


[Coarctation of abdominal aorta. Congenital or inflammatory origin? (author's transl)]. Angiography in a 28-year-old woman with hypertension revealed coarctation of the abdominal aorta in combination with stenoses of the proximal portions of visceral arteries. One year after the diagnosis was confirmed she had a cerebro-vascular accident. The patient was operated and the hypertension and neurological symptoms returned to normal. The various causes of abdominal coarctation are discussed.


Retrieval of intravascular foreign bodies using a modified bronchoscopic forceps. The author describes a specially designed, versatile forceps which allows rapid percutaneous retrieval of intravascular foreign bodies when used with a steerable catheter. The technique has been successful in 6 cases, and there have been no complications.


Posterior lymphadenopathy in sarcoidosis. Chest radiographs were reviewed in 30 cases of biopsy proven sarcoidosis; posterior mediastinal or para-aortic lymph node enlargement was found in 6 patients (20%) who also had symmetrical hilar and/or paratracheal lymph node enlargement. The radiographic behavior of the hilar, mid- and posterior mediastinal lymph nodes was the same. Posterior mediastinal lymph node enlargement in otherwise typical sarcoidosis is not unusual.


Benign clear-cell tumor ("sugar" tumor) of the lung: a case report and review of the literature. Benign clear-cell tumor of the lung is a rare, distinctive, primary neoplasm with unique histologic and electron microscopic features which may resemble metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. This tumor typically presents as an asymptomatic, peripheral, sharply rounded mass in the lung. Clinical recognition can prevent an unnecessary search for a primary malignant source.


Radiographic diagnosis of shallow gastric ulcers: a comparative study of technique. The double-contrast method, mucosal-relief study and compression technique associated with pharmacological hypotonia were retrospectively compared for accuracy in diagnosing 13 proved cases of shallow gastric ulcers. The double-contrast method was significantly more accurate than the other two.


Double-contrast examination of the postoperative stomach. Radiological accuracy in evaluating the postoperative stomach conventionally ranges from 20 to 70% (as reported in the literature). Alternatively, a double-contrast examination can be performed using a high-density barium-suspension effervescent agent and glucagon. No intubation is required. In 40 patients who underwent gastric surgery, comparison of radiologic and endoscopic findings indicates that a high quality double-contrast study was very accurate. There were 7 radiologic errors (18%) in the 40 examinations. However, in the examinations assigned the highest confidence level there were no errors, while in those assigned the next highest level there was 1.


The role of caerulein in the differential diagnosis of common-bile-duct stenosis. The role of caerulein in differentiating functional narrowing of the distal common bile duct from organic stenosis was studied in 146 patients. Caerulein caused a generalized contraction of the extrahepatic biliary tract and a contraction of the sphincter of Oddi. It therefore improved opacification of the tract, particularly of the terminal portion, which is often not demonstrated by traditional techniques. The appearance of the duodenographic effect allowed for the evaluation of functional factors, which often play a role in stenosis of the sphincter of Oddi. Also, the reduction of bile-duct caliber revealed previously undetected filling defects.


Angiographic patterns in renal oncocytomas. Renal oncocytomas are benign tumors arising from proximal tubular epithelial cells. They appear radiographically as solid masses which are vascular on angiography. Angiograms of 13 cases of renal oncocytomas were reviewed, as well as those of 155 renal-cell carcinomas. The classic angiographic findings for the oncocytoma include a spoke-wheel pattern, a homogeneous nephrogram, and a sharp, smooth rim. The finding of a homogenous blush and/or a spoke-wheel pattern greatly increases the possibility of an oncocytoma, though a renal-cell carcinoma may have any or all of the classical findings described for an oncocytoma.


Brush biopsy of pyelocalyceal lesions via a percutaneous translumbar approach. Percutaneous translumbar selective brush biopsy of pyelocalyceal and ureteric lesions is simple, permits ready access to all calyces as well as the ureter and renal pelvis, and facilitates multiple biopsies from different sites. The ability to retrieve tissue fragments from between the bristles allows histological diagnosis in addition to a Papanicolaou smear. Selective washings can be obtained for bacteriologic diagnosis; in many instances, cultures taken directly from the lesion proved to be different from samples taken from the bladder urine or renal pelvis. This method can be expanded to serve a means of establishing a temporary percutaneous nephropyelostomy.


Peritoneal mesothelioma.

Peritoneal mesothelioma. Five cases of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma are reported. Its radiographic manifestations consisted of a desmoplastic mesenteric process with or without a localized mass displacing gastrointestinal structures. Appreciation of the nature of this tumor permits pathologic-radiologic correlation and an understanding of the radiographic changes. Though numerous conditions may produce similar findings, combining a history of asbestos exposure or chest radiograph findings of asbestosis with gastrointestinal findings of desomplasia should narrow the diagnostic possibilities.


Post-traumatic ligamentous instabilities of the wrist. Dorsiflexion, palmar flexion, ulnar translocation, and dorsal carpal subluxation are four, not uncommon, post-traumatic carpal ligamentous instabilities. Palmar carpal subluxation is a theoretical possibility. Dorsiflexion and palmar flexion instabilities are named for the way the distal lunate articular surface dorsally and palmarly, respectively. Ulnar translocation, and dorsal and ventral carpal subluxations are named according to movement of the entire carpus at the radiocarpal joint. Early detection of traumatic carpal instabilities is necessary to encourage optimal treatment of these significant carpal malalignments. These and other patients with disabling wrist problems may be evaluated by a "ligamentous instability series."


Ghost infantile vertebrae and hemipelves within adult skeleton from thorotrast administration in childhood. In 2 adults who had received thorotrast intravenously at ages 2 and 3 years, respectively, radiopaque outlines of their infantile vertebrae were seen in the adult vertebrae. Similar "ghosts" of the hemipelves were present in the pelvis of 1 patient. Autopsy findings and autoradiographs in 1 patient strongly suggest that persisting thorotrast deposits in the infantile vertebrae and pelvis have produced a chronic radiation osteitis and dense thickened bone trabeculae, which are more radiopaque than the surrounding adult bone.


Carpal length in children--a useful measurement in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and some concenital malformation syndromes. The distance between the midpoint of the distal radial epiphyseal growth plate and the proximal end of the third metacarpal offers a useful measure for determining wrist size. Standards of this distance as compared to intermetacarpal width and second metacarpal length are presented. These measures (or ratios) should be useful in evaluating patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and a number of congenital malformation syndromes, particularly when the carpals are still not fully ossified. Shortening of the carpus occurs in multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, the otopalatodigital syndromes, Turner syndrome, arthrogryposis, and in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. A relatively large carpus is present in achondroplasia.


Chronic familial hyperphosphatasemia.

Chronic familial hyperphosphatasemia. Two siblings displaying macrocrania and multiple skeletal deformities, as well as cardiomegaly, had high levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and markedly increased urinary hydroxyproline excretion. The radiological findings of chronic familial hyperphosphatasemia, which are typical of a rare bone-remodeling disease, are presented. Scintigraphy disclosed intense uptake of the radionuclide by the skeletons of both patients. This finding, considered to be related to abnormal collagen metabolism, can be used in the diagnosis and assessment of skeletal involvement in such patients.


Renal malposition associated with omphalocele. Nine patients with omphalocele had abnormally positioned kidneys; in 8, the kidneys were more cephalad than normal, immediately subdiaphragmatic in position. In one patient the kidneys were more caudal than normal. This renal malposition should be recognized in order to avoid unnecessary imaging procedures in patients with omphalocele.


Quantitative aspects of contrast enhancement in cranial computed tomography. The temporal relationship of blood iodine levels to tumor enhancement in cranial computed tomography was studied in a series of patients. Both the bolus and biphasic techniques were evaluated. Peak tumor intensity may not develop immediately, but may be more pronounced on a 20-minute scan. The low-density centers seen in malignant gliomas show delayed enhancement. These low-density centers represent a second compartment which equilibrates with the intravascular and interstitial contrast material at a much slower rate. Patients with malignant gliomas can be scanned up to one hour following contrast injection without significant loss of information.


Interval computed tomography in multiple sclerosis. Computed tomography demonstrated areas of abnormal attenuation in the white matter in 14 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Nine were studied two or more times. Acute MS lesions exhibit decreased or normal attenuation without contrast enhancement and increased attenuation with it. On later scans these lesions show decreased attenuation with or without contrast material. Some lesions remain decreased in attenuation and some become normal both with and without contrast material.


Metrizamide myelography for cervical spinal cord injuries. The authors describe a simple myelographic technique for cervical spinal cord injuries, involving lateral puncture at C1--C2 and injection of metrizamide with the patient supine. This technique is reliable and offers advantages over Pantopaque and/or gas myelography.


A myelographic technique for cysts in the spinal canal and spinal cord. A collapsing cord in six patients with hydromyelia and a collapsing intraspinal arachnoid cyst in one patient are demonstrated. The authors describe the technique for two-position gas myelography and demonstrate that both intra- and extra-medullary intraspinal processes may collapse during myelography.


Spontaneous disappearance of carotid stenosis. Angiographic diagnosis of atheromatous plaques is usually well correlated with surgical and pathologic findings. Hemorrhage into such plaques is believed to be frequent, but is seldom diagnosed angiographically. The authors report a case of intramural hemorrhage into an atheromatous plaque with subsequent resolution. A brain scan of a woman, age 52, with right hemiparesis and dysphasia showed increased isotope uptake in the left frontotemporal region. Arteriography 10 days after onset of symptoms showed a plaque in the left carotid bifurcation. Clinical improvement followed. Repeat arteriography 12 weeks later revealed almost normal left carotid bifurcation.


Computed tomography of the adrenal gland. Computed tomography (CT) easily and accurately demonstrates both the normal and abnormal adrenal gland. The normal adrenal gland can be seen in almost 95% of patients. With this technique, 29 of 29 proved adrenal masses were demonstrated; one case of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia could not be recognized, another showed equivocal enlargement. CT is an excellent screening and often definitive radiologic test of evaluating the adrenal gland.


Capability of CT body scanning and ultrasonography to demonstrate the status of the biliary ductal system in patients with jaundice. The capability of ultrasonography and computed tomographic body scanning to demonstrate the status of the biliary tract was studied prospectively in 23 jaundiced patients. Ultrasonography correctly indicated the presence or absence of obstruction in 21 of the 23 patients and CT scanning in 20. Both procedures correctly demonstrated no evidence of ductal dilatation in the five patients who had nonobstructive jaundice. Retrospective study of the same material increased the accuracy of CT scanning (22 of 23 patients) because of recognition of common bile duct dilatation in the absence of intrahepatic duct dilatation. The accuracy of ultrasonography was unchanged.


CT biopsy of abdominal tumors: aids for lesion localization. Computed tomographic guided fine needle aspiration biopsy of 25 consecutive patients with a variety of confirmed malignant abdominal and plevic neoplasms resulted in a 100% yield of positive tissue diagnosed, without significant complications. The principal advantage of CT guidance is the continuous direct observation of the needle tip position in relation to the target volume. Simultaneous insertion of 2 fine caliber biopsy needles (tandem needle maneuver) is a new technique developed for rapid, accurate needle repositioning for repeated aspiration attempts. CT guidance, multiple aspirates with the fine needle, and the tandem needle maneuver for precise localization all contribute to a high rate of tissue diagnoses. Because CT guidance permits more precise sampling of smaller, deeper tumors than other procedures, including ultrasonic biopsy transducer systems, it is preferred for percutaneous tissue sampling of abdominal neoplasms. Preliminary experience suggests that a large proportion of symptomatic abdominal malignancies which can be diagnosed by CT are amenable to successful percutaneous biopsy by this technique.


Clinical evaluation of pulse-Doppler device linked to gray scale B-scan equipment. A pulse Doppler device linked to a commercially available B-mode ultrasound scanner permits the origin of the Doppler signals to be located accurately on the B-scan by a bright-up cursor. Case histories illustrate the clinical application of this device in differentiating between vascular and nonvascular structures, or patent and thrombosed vessels. This is especially valuable when there is pathological distortion of the anatomy.


Metastatic calcification: the role of bone scanning. Metastatic calcification involving the lungs and stomach was demonstrated in 3 patients by bone scans. In one patient, postmortem studied five days later confirmed the findings. Follow-up scans in 2 patients, demonstrating improvement in one and worsening in another, paralleled the clinical course.


Thyroid scintigraphy: pinhole images versus rectilinear scans. 99mTc-pertechnetate thyroid scintigraphy was performed on 67 patients with a pinhole camera and a rectilinear scanner. The dual set of images was interpreted blindly by four nuclear medicine physicians. Observer performance with each of the two imaging techniques was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) method and by multivariate information analysis (MIA). Performance was superior for the four observers when interpreting the pinhole images, identification accuracy ranging from 70 to 94% with the pinhole images and only 49 to 63% with the rectilinear scanner.


Radionuclide scan findings in delayed splenic rupture. An initial liver/spleen scan performed on a patient with blunt abdominal trauma was negative 3 days following the accident. A follow-up scan 7 days later showed definite evidence of splenic rupture, proved surgically. The authors conclude that, in such cases, spleen scans may be negative initially because of delayed splenic ruptures.


Potentials of computed tomography in radiation therapy treatment planning. CT can provide detailed 3-dimensional representation of diseased and dose-limiting structures; it detects lung metastases and may be of use in follow-up studies. The potential use of the electron density cross section may be limited by (a) the small number of planning situations where inhomogeneity corrections are truly useful, (b) the lack of sensitivity of certain correction schemes (e.g., megavoltage photons), (c) the inherent inaccuracy of certain correction schemes, (d) the inaccuracy of in vivo determinations of electron density and (e) the narrow range of electron densities observed in most soft tissues of the body.


Computer-controlled radiation therapy.

Computer-controlled radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is often hampered in important body regions by the need to transit sensitive normal tissues which act as dose-limiting barriers. Computer-controlled radiation therapy permits the simultaneous variation of multiple treatment parameters during irradiation of the patient, producing improved dose distributions with the potential for improved local control. Equipment used for this purpose includes a Mevatron XII linear accelerator, redesigned for automatic control, and a PDP 11/45 minicomputer. Dose distributions are shown and potential clinical gains discussed.


Data management and radiotherapy.

Data management and radiotherapy. The realization by radiation therapists that computerized patient information is a valuable resource is slowly evolving. The uses of this data include business, quality control, and research applications. Computer applications in these areas have been limited due to the small numbers of patients and the complexity of radiation therapy problems. Reductions in costs and improved programming techniques over the last decade have made information processing computer systems feasible. Measureable progress has been made in the areas of billing and scheduling systems, improved department data handling systems, and increased participation in cooperative groups with increased data handling capability. A review of costs in terms of dollars, time, and effort supports the use of information processing systems in therapy.


The role of computers in radiation therapy: analysis of clinical radiotherapy data. Modern computers are powerful tools for the study of tumor and normal tissue response to various radiation treatment regimens. Computers aid in the development of mathematical models which combine well known radiobiological principles in complex ways to predict treatment results. These predictions may be useful guides to the development of hypotheses for clinical testing. Computers make possible the application of sophisticated statistical techniques to the retrospective analysis of clinical data. For both the predictive models and the analytical methods the importance of the underlying assumptions rather than the computational techniques must be emphasized.


The equivalent tissue-air ratio method for making absorbed dose calculations in a heterogeneous medium. The CT scanner makes three-dimensional anatomical information available for treatment planning, the calculational algorithm being the limiting factor in dose calculations. A method has been developed, called the "effective tissue-air ratio method," that uses all the information but reduces it to manageable proportions. The accuracy is satisfactory for a wide range of photon beam energies and clinical applications. It has been implemented in such a way that the CT scan can be used directly without the intermediate step of manually obtaining structures from either a viewing screen or a hard copy of the CT image.


Radiation protection of the lens for patients and users. The problem of radiation-induced cataract development in the lenses of patients and users exposed to diagnostic-quality radiation is reviewed. A cataractogenic dose appears to be about 200 rads from a single exposure and up to 750 rads in protracted doses. Routine use of new protective glasses developed by the authors is recommended for patients. For users, any of the commercially available high lead-content glasses will reduce doses to safe levels. About 70% reduction of dose is afforded by the new photochromic sunglasses.


A variable aperture fluoroscopic unit for reduced patient exposure. A real time fluoroscopic imaging system which provides capability for reduced patient exposure by as much as a factor of five has been developed. Modifications to the system include the incorporation of a variable aperture iris between the image intensifier output phosphor and television camera and the use of the video signal as the feedback element in the fluoroscopic automatic exposure rate control system. Quantitative and qualitative performance of the system is described.


Glucagon and diuresis in the treatment of ureteral calculi. Intravenous glucagon and diuresis caused by diagnostic doses of sodium diatrizoate were used to treat 5 patients with ureteral colic and urographic findings consistent with partial obstruction by a ureteral calculus. Pain was relieved and the calculus passed within two hours in 4 patients and within eight hours in the fifth. No complications were noted.


The effectiveness of glass lenses in reducing exposure to the eyes. A study was done to determine the degree of radiation protection afforded by various types of prescription lenses, including commercially available lead glasses. A wide variation in measured attenuation was found. Two commonly available types of prescription lenses were found to provide greater than 92% attenuation of the x-ray beam generated at 108 kVp.


X-ray attenuation by prescription lenses. The degree of attenuation of diagnostic x-rays by prescription lenses is reported. Photo-gray lenses provide considerable eye protection.


Postero-anterior radiography: a method for reduction of eye dose. The radiation dose to the eyes during cerebral angiography can be reduced by a factor of 50--100 by radiographing the patient in the postero-anterior projection. Test pattern and phantom tests demonstrated no loss of image quality.


A study of the dose to the thyroid and the eye in computed tomography of the brain. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were used to estimate the dose to the thyroid and the eye for routine clinical computed tomography of the brain using an EMI CT5005 scanner (20-sec data acquisition mode, bolus covering the head). The data can be summarized by the linear relations Dt = (7.5 +/- 0.8)N millirads (8 less than or equal to N less than or equal to 18) and De = (39 +/- 5)N + (1400 +/- 200)n millirads (8 less than or equal to N less than or equal to 20, 0 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 6) where Dt is the dose to the tissue anterior to the thyroid, De is the dose to the anterior tissue of the eyelid, N is the total number of CT cuts, and n is the number of cuts in which the globe of the eye is imaged.


Adjustable lead glass shielding device for use with an over-the-table x-ray tube. Sources of scattered radiation exposure to personnel from a ceiling-mounted x-ray tube were examined at the side of cardiac catheterization patients. A fully adjustable mounting for a lead glass shield was designed to afford maximum radiation protection to the attending physician's head and neck area, while minimizing interference with the procedure.


Deflation of a Sengstaken tube balloon facilitating catheterization of the celiac artery. Selective catheterization of the celiac axis may be difficult when the lumen of the artery is compromised. The presence of an inflated compression balloon in the stomach may narrow the artery, presumably by placing tension on the median arcuate ligament of the diaphragm. Deflation of the gastric balloon can facilitate catheterization by relieving the extrinsic pressure on the artery.


A new device for myelography.

A new device for myelography. A new device based on the principle of the concentric system has been constructed for myelography and certain other procedures. It consists of biplane tube-image amplifier systems with 105-mm cameras in both planes. The system gives superior visualization of water-soluble media, particularly when tomography is used. The radiation dose to the patient is low.


Effects of arginine vasotocin and prostaglandin E1 on the hen uterus. In the domestic hen, the uterine portion of the oviduct responded in vitro to arginine vasotocin (AVT) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) at all investigated stages of the egg-laying cycle. However, the uterus was less responsive to both hormones during oviposition. The injections of these hormones provoked premature oviposition and a significant pressure increase in the uterus. In vitro and in vivo AVT was a more potent uterine stimulant than PGE1. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis, antagonized in vitro the contractor activity of AVT but not that of PGE1. Prostaglandin-like activity was demonstrated in the hen uterine tissue at the time of oviposition. It is concluded that AVT may cause uterine contractions via a prostaglandin activated mechanism.


Oxidative ozonolysis of 6-oxo-PGF1alpha, 11,15-diacetate, methyl acetal, methyl ester. Ozonolysis of 6-oxo-PGF1alpha, 11,15-diacetate, methyl acetal, methyl ester followed by oxidative workup and treatment with diazomethane gave 3-acetoxy-5-hydroxy-2-(methoxycarbonyl) cyclopentane acetic acid, gamma-lactone and dimethyl 3-acetoxy-5[[-(methoxycarbonyl)valeryl]oxy]-1,2-cyclopentane dicarboxylate as two of the major products. The mass spectral properties of the latter compound were identical with those previously published by other investigators.


The effects of prostaglandins E2 and F2alpha on synaptosomal accumulation and release of 3H-norepinephrine. Prostaglandins (PG) of both the E and F series may serve as modulators of norepinephrine (NE) release from peripheral sympathetic neurons. We have studied the effects of PGE2 and PGF2alpha on the accumulation and release of 3H-NE in the CNS using synaptosomes isolated from rat hypothalami. The release of 3H-NE from synaptosomes superfused with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer was multiphasic with an initial fast release phase followed by a slower release. Raising KCl concentration of the superfusion medium to 56mM during the slow release phase is known to stimulate 3H-NE release. PGE2 (1 X 10(-6)M) attenuated 3H-NE release during the fast phase and reduced the amount of 3H-NE released due to KCl stimulation. At lower concentrations of PGE2 there was no change in the release profile. PGF2alpha was without effect on 3H-NE release at all concentrations tested. The accumulation of 3H-NE was significantly diminished by PGE2 at a concentration of 1 X 10(-6)M, while a lower concentration (1 X 10(-7)M) was ineffective. PGF2alpha had no effect on 3H-NE accumulation at all concentrations investigated.


Prostaglandins and pacemaker activity in isolated guinea pig SA node. Prostaglandins PGE2, PGE1, PGF2alpha, and PGE1 substantially increase automaticity in SA-nodal, right atrial preparations excised from guinea pigs. This natural pacemaker tissue is sensitive to nanomolar doses of PG with, for example, 10(-8) M PGE2, increasing SA rate by about 20%. If these preparations are pretreated with 2 micrometer indomethacin, a blocker of endogenous prostaglandin synthesis, then spontaneous rate drops and subsequent rate increases due to PGE2 administration can be more easily demonstrated. Guinea pig pacemaker tissue differs from similar rabbit tissue not only in that it is directly responsive to PGE2, but also in that PGE2 does not depress the absolute response to transmural stimulation (adrenergically mediated rate increase). The positive chronotropic responses to PGE2 also occur when the guinea pig tissue is pretreated in 0.6 micrometer propranolol, which causes blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors. The pacemaker myocardium in the guinea pigs thus appears to be directly stimulated by exogenous PGE2 at very low doses. The observation that 2 micrometer indomethacin reduces SA-nodal rate suggests the presence of a very sensitive, functionally important, PGE-like system which modulates heart rate in this mammalian species.


Synthesis of (+)-11-deoxy-15-ethynyl prostaglandins. This article describes the preparation of (+)-11-deoxy-15-ethynyl prostaglandins (1 & 16). The key step involves a conjugate addition of the substituted 1-lithio-1-oct-1-ene (2) to the cyclopentenone (3 & 12) to furnish 11-deoxy-prostaglandin skeleton in a simple fashion. Of particular interest in this synthesis is the preparation of alkyl side chain (7) which was achieved in an efficient three-step synthesis starting from the readily available beta-iodo vinyl ketone (4).


Effect of sparteine sulfate on uterine prostaglandin F in the rat. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthetase, added to an in vitro bath in a concentration of 1, 5, and 10 X 10(-6) g/ml reduced sparteine-induced contractions of isolated uterine segments from pregnant rats. Contractions induced by prostaglandin F2alpha and acetylcholine were not reduced. Sparteine increased the prostaglandin F content of the blood and uterine tissue in the pregnant but not in the nonpregnant rat. This increase was significantly reduced by the administration of indomethacin (10 mg/kg). The present study suggests that the mechanism of sparteine action is mediated through a prostaglandin F system.


Role of prostaglandin F2alpha in modulation of LH-stimulated steroidogenesis in vitro in different types of rat and ewe corpora lutea. An inhibitory effect of PGF2alpha at a dose of 7 X 10(-7) M on LH stimulated synthesis of progesterone was observed in vitro after incubation of pseudopregnant rat ovaries for a period of 2 hours. A similar effect was seen with cyclic and gestant ewe corpora lutea at the same dose of PGF2alpha. This effect was observed both in the secretion of progesterone and on the amount of progesterone present in the tissue. This inhibitory effect of PGF2alpha on LH stimulated progesterone synthesis may explain the modification in the time course for gonadotropin action in luteal tissue at high and low doses.


Influence of polyphloretin phosphate (PPP) on rat-paw oedema induced by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). As a result of pretreatment with the known prostaglandin antagonist polyphloretin phosphate (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg i.v.), there is a statistically significant decrease in the magnitude of the oedema induced in Sprague-Dawley CFY rats by the subplantar administration of 1 microgram prostaglandin E1.


Selective inhibition of prostaglandin endoperoxide thromboxane isomerase by 1-carboxyalkylimidazoles. 1-Carboxyalkylimidazoles inhibited the conversion of prostaglandin H2 to thromboxane B2 and 12L-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid by a partially purified enzyme (prostaglandin endoperoxide thromboxane isomerase) from bovine platelet microsomes. The degree of the inhibition was dependent on the length of carboxyalkyl chain. 1-Carboxyheptylimidazole was the most potent inhibitor, and an almost complete inhibition was obtained at a concentration on the order of 1 micron. The inhibition, as examined with 1-carboxyheptylimidazole, was of noncompetitive type. These 1-carboxyalkylimidazoles did not affect the formation of prostaglandin H2 from arachidonic acid. Such a selective inhibition was also demonstrated by the reaction of bovine platelet microsomes with arachidonic acid in the presence of 1-carboxyheptylimidazole, resulting in the accumulation of prostaglandin H2 as an intermediate. Furthermore, a series of 1-alkylimidazoles with no carboxyl group also inhibited the isomerase at higher concentrations. However, the inhibition was not specific for the isomerase; namely, the prostaglandin H2 formation from arachidonic acid was also affected.


Synthesis and gastrointestinal pharmacology of some 15- and 16- modified (+/-)-11-deoxyprostaglandins. The synthesis and gastrointestinal pharmacology of some 11-deoxyprostaglandin E1 analogues are described with results analysed for selectivity from side effects. 11-Deoxygenation reduced potency relative to PGE2 but, as has been reported for natural PGs, 15- or 16-methyl analogues were more potent than the unsubstituted parent compound in the order 16-methyl greater than 15-methyl greater than 16,16-dimethyl. The results suggest that a complex interaction between C-15 and C-16 in methyl analogues affects their profile of activity, but that none of the modifications studied conferred a substantial potency or selectivity advantage over PGE2.


Kinetic studies on the conversion of prostaglandin endoperoxide PGH2 by thromboxane synthase. We have investigated the time course of formation of thromboxane A2, thromboxane B2, and the C-17 hydroxy fatty acid, HHT, from arachidonic acid in a washed human platelet suspension. Our results indicate that HHT is not a breakdown product of thromboxane A2, but rather thromboxane A2 decomposes exclusively into thromboxane B2. The kinetics of formation of thromboxane B2 from the endoperoxide prostaglandin H2 in human platelet microsomes was examined. Our data suggest that a bimolecular reaction is involved in the formation of thromboxane A2 from prostaglandin H2 and that thromboxane synthase is not an isomerase, but may be acting via a dismutase-type reaction. One possibility is that thromboxane and HHT are produced simultaneously from two molecules of prostaglandin H2.


Analysis of A, B, E, and F prostaglandins as pentafluorobenzyl esters by electron-capture gas-liquid chromatography. A new and sensitive method is described for the simultaneous analysis of a mixture containing PGE1, PGE2, PGF1alpha, and PGF2alpha by electron-capture gas-liquid chromatography. During derivatization of the mixture, PGE1 and PGE2 were converted to PGB1 and PGB2, respectively, yielding a mixture of PGB1, PGB2, PGF1alpha, and PGF2alpha trimethylsilyl ether pentafluorobenzyl esters. Gas chromatographic resolution of all four derivatives is sufficient for quantitation of each prostaglandin. The A prostaglandins were analyzed by similar conversion to the respective B prostaglandin derivatives. Minimum detection limits for the B and F prostaglandin derivatives were 10 pg and 1 pg, respectively. Samples of rabbit kidney medulla were incubated and analyzed for A, B, E, and F prostaglandins. The results indicate that the method is capable of high recovery and reproducibility.


The identification of trihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids as products from the incubation of arachidonic acid with washed blood platelets. Arachidonic acid is converted by washed platelets from man, horse and dog into a mixture of 8,9,12-trihydroxyeicosa-5,10,14-trienoic acid and 8,11,12-trihydroxyeicosa-5,9,14-trienoic acid (termed 8,9,12-THETA and 8,11,12-THETA respectively and THETA collectively). Gas chromatographic--mass spectrometric evidence of structure is discussed.


Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha)-induced contraction and calcium movement in longitudinal muscle of guinea-pig isolated stomach. Calcium movement and contractile responses to high K+ concentration and PGF2alpha were investigated in guinea-pig stimach longitudinal muscle. High K+ concentration (30 mM) and PGF2alpha (10(-7) M) produced similar contractions of guinea-pig stomach longitudinal muscle. The 'Ca-antagonist', verapamil (10(-5)-10(-4) M), prevented high K-induced contraction, but did not greatly reduce contractions to PGF2alpha. 45Ca uptake was increased by high K(30 mM) or PGF2alpha(10(-7) M). These increases in 45Ca uptake were greatly reduced with 10(-4) M verapamil. The results suggest that high K-induced contraction may depend on an increase in Ca influx. PGF2alpha-induced contraction may depend on both an increase in Ca influx and on an intracellular release of Ca.


The concentration of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha is markedly elevated at the site of blastocyst implantation in the rat. The initiation of blastocyst implantation in the rat is indicated by localized increases in endometrial vascular permeability at the sites where blastocysts are present. The concentrations of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-keto-PGF1alpha), a stable metabolite of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the areas of increased endometrial vascular permeability (uterine dye sites), and compared with those in the remainder of the uterus (uterine non-dye sites). For rats killed either on the evening of Day 5 of pregnancy or on the morning of Day 6, measurable amounts of 6-keto-PGF1alpha were found in the dye sites of all animals, whereas 1 of 6 and 4 of 6 rats killed on Days 5 and 6, respectively, had undetectable amounts (less than 1 ng) in non-dye site tissue. It was estimated that, on average, the concentration of 6-keto-PGF1alpha in dye sites on the evening of Day 5 is at least 40-fold that in non-dye sites. The possible role of PGI2 in the initiation of blastocyst implantation is discussed.


Urinary prostaglandin E excretion: effect of chronic alterations in sodium intake and inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in the rabbit. On the basis of acute experiments in animals, a role for prostaglandin E (PGE) in the regulation of urinary sodium excretion has been suggested. Limited information is available, however, concerning the possible role of PGE in chronic adjustments to sodium intake. These studies were designed to determine whether chronic changes in sodium balance would modify renal PGE excretion and whether partial inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis would alter the ability of the kidney to adjust to an alteration in sodium intake. Thus, we measured sodium and PGE excretion in rabbits on chronic high and low salt diets before and after inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis with indomethacin or meclofenamate. Although the alterations in salt intake resulted in large changes in sodium excretion there was no significant change in urinary PGE excretion. After administration of either indomethacin or meclofenamate for several days there was a significant fall in PGE excretion, but no significant change in sodium excretion. These results suggest that in the rabbit 1) chronic changes in sodium excretion can occur without modifying PGE excretion (and presumably renal PGE synthesis) and 2) inhibition of PGE synthesis does not impair the kidney's ability to adjust to a chronic high or low sodium intake.


Uterine luminal prostaglandin F in cycling mares. Prostaglandin F was measured by radioimmunoassay in uterine flushings of cycling mares on days 4, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 post-ovulation. Prostaglandin F was significantly (P less than .05) affected by day of the estrous cycle and reached maximal levels on day 14. Least squares means for days 4, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 were: .66, .81, 4.77, 14.31, 5.48, 3.68 and 2.97 ng/ml, respectively.


Determination of thorium series nuclides in thorotrast patients. Application of gamma-ray spectrometry with a Ge(Li) detector and then instrumental neutron activation analysis to tissue samples from a Thorotrast patient using the same standard reference sample makes it possible to determine both 232Th concentrations and activity ratios of the descendant nuclides to 232Th in living tissues. This analytical method is nondestructive, being simpler and more reliable than the methods previously used. In the present study, the activity ratio of 228Ra/232Th in living tissue was estimated at 0.37 to 0.44, being somewhat lower than the value reported by Kato. As for the activity ratio of 228Th/228Ra, our value agreed fairly well with Kato's value. A stomach sample from a Thorotrast patient was found to contain the same level of 232Th as liver and spleen samples; trace amount of 232Th was also found in kidney and brain samples.


Determination of 222Rn by liquid scintillation counter combined with p-xylene extraction technique. 222Rn Determination method by liquid scintillation counter after extracting 222Rn with p-xylene was studied. It was confirmed that extraction of 222Rn with p-xylene proceeds quantitatively. Several experimental conditions for the counting such as scintillator content in p-xylene, the quencher effect, the zero level extrapolation method and 3-channel counting method were examined. The recommended procedures were successfully applied to measure 222Rn content in one of the natural water. It was noticed that we should pay attention to 220Rn (Tn) which is simultaneously extracted with 222Rn in case of p-xylene extraction.


Elevation of the salvage synthesis of ribonucleic acid in the rat liver during the induction of hepatoma with 3'-methyl-4-(dimethylamino)azobenzene. Incorporation of uracil and orotic acid into the ribonucleic acid (RNA) fraction of rat liver during carcinogenesis induced with 3'-methyl-4-(dimethylamino)azobenzene was investigated. Uracil incorporation was found to be gradually elevated during the early stage (about 2 weeks) of the carcinogenesis, although not in the normal rat liver homogenates contacted with the carcinogen for a short hours, and the elevated uptake was maintained until tumor induction. On the other hand, orotic acid incorporation reverted to the original level after a temporary increase during the early stage. In a good agreement with the increased uracil incorporation, activities of both uridine phosphorylase and uridine kinase involved in the salvage pathway of RNA synthesis also increased during the early stage, and their activities in the liver were maintained at elevated levels after discontinuance of the carcinogen feeding. The activity of uridine monophosphate (UMP) pyrophosphorylase, converting uracil to UMP, was not detected during the early stage. Significance of the activation of the salvage pathway of RNA synthesis during the early stage of an axo dye-induced carcinogenesis were discussed.


Semiquantitative 67Ga scanning of lung cancer by scintiscoring: its usefulness in diagnosis of localization, therapeutic effectiveness, radiation pneumo-mediastinitis and recurrence. Attempts were made to attain a semiquantitative evaluation of therapeutic effectiveness of lung cancer by scintiscoring of the liver as well as the tumor lesion. A relative counting ratio of tumor to liver was computed, and this was found useful: in areas of active tumorous growth, higher ratios were obtained. The ratios returned to the control levels following irradiation with or without an anti-inflammatory regimen including prednine. The technic is simple, and yet invaluable especially when the tumor locates in the mediastinum escaping from radiological detection. Satisfactorily frequent repetition would be competent enough in early diagnosis of developing radiation pneumo-mediastinitis and regrowths in the mediastinum and fibrotic abnormal shadows as well. The principle would be best rewarded by use of a whole-body scanner equipped with a digital computer.


[Pathological alterations in pulmonary fat embolism caused by oleic acid. Experimental study in dogs (author's transl)]. The authors studied the pathological aspects of the lungs in an experimental study made in dogs submitted to fat embolism. The histological aspects were of hemorrhagic edema when the lungs were fixed in the classical way as well when they were fixed inflated. The alveolar microatelectasias were only seen in lungs fixed in the classical way but not were seen in lungs fixed when inflated.


[Effect of hematocrit variation on the urinary sodium excretion in normal and uremic dogs (author's transl)]. The effect of progressive increase in hematocrit on urinary sodium excretion was studied in normal and uremic dogs submitted to expansion of the extracellular fluid volume. In normal dogs concomitant with hematocrit increases it was observed a decrease in urinary sodium excretion. On the other hand in uremic dogs submitted to the same experimental conditions it was verified an increase in urinary sodium excretion.


Inhibition of tectal neurons from telencephalic visual areas in pigeons. The author investigated the influence of efferent projections of visual telencephalic areas upon the optic tectum, in locally anesthetized, paralyzed and artificially ventilated pigeons, using extracellular unit recording and electrical stimulation by means of stereotaxically implanted bipolar electrodes. Despite the fact that some neurons located at superficial tectal layers could be driven by telencephalic shocks, the most consistent data are the inhibitory effects observed throughout the tectum, but mainly at deep layers. This effect was observed either on spontaneous activity or on electrically elicited spikes, by stimulating the optic tract. In the latter case, a critical interval (25--60 msec) was necessary to obtain maximal inhibition, when testing Wulst shocks previous to optic tract stimuli. These results show that the higher telencephalic visual area (the so-called Wulst) can modulate tectal activity, and so control the output of this region, by an example, to thalamic nucleus rotundus, second station of the tectofugal visual pathway. The Wulst-tectal relationship is discussed in its possible role in visual information processing and visually guided behaviours in pigeons, and also in comparison to mammalian corticotectal systems.


[Growth control of experimental tumour. I. Host protection against tumour by previous inoculation of plasmatic membrane of tumour cell (author's transl)]. Proteins from plasmatic membrane of ascites and solid 20-methylcholantrene induced tumours cells in inbred mice and rats were obtained by isolation of vesicles of tumor cell membranes produced in glycerol solution. The tumour cells were not broken. In a syngeneic system the inoculation of the prepared protein with adjuvant resulted in protection of 50 to 100% of animals against challenge with a syngeneic tumour cells. The same results were obtained with Ehrlich ascites tumour. The lymphocyte cytotoxicity and blastic transformation of lymphocytes in immunized animals suggested a cellular cytotoxic immunity mediated by tumour specific antigen or perhaps by fetal antigen.


Effects of methyltestosterone and oophorectomy in acute experimental mediocalcinosis in the rat. Virgin female rats treated with vitamin D (VD) overdoses developed acute aortic mediocalcinosis. Methyltestosterone (MT) treatment inhibited calcinosis and/or accelerated the resorption of aortic calcium deposits. Oophorectomy performed four weeks after the beginning of VD treatment had no effect on mediocalcinosis. Furthermore, the rats that had been spayed seven months before VD were not protected by MT treatment as those that had been spayed four weeks after VD. Cartilaginous metaplasia, in a more or less advanced stage, was a frequent histological finding in the aorta.


The denaturation of human oxyhaemoglobin A, A2 and S by isopropanol/buffer method. Human oxyhaemoglobin A and A2 from normal individuals and oxyhaemoglobin S from patients with sickle cell anaemia and sickle cell trait were studied using Isopropanol/buffer method at 37 degrees C and 40 degrees C. Hb S was less stable than Hb A, whereas Hb A2 was considerably more stable than either. Denaturation of Hb S was dependent on temperature and its concentration. Between the patients with sickle cell trait it was not possible to verify the influence of the concentration probably due to the small range used (from 38% to 44%).


[A logical model for virus-cell interaction (author's transl)]. The model for the virus-cell interaction, based on von Neumann's theory of Self-Reproducing Automata, can be improved to consider the evolutionary adaptation which result from the interaction between structures subject to evolution. Theoretical considerations derived from the model are discussed.


[Biochemical study of nucleic acids of placenta and fetal liver and caryometric of trophoblastic giant cells and fetal hepatocytes of Rattus norvegicus albinus, during action of sodium 1-phenyl-2, 3-dimethyl-5-pyrazolon-methane sulfonate (Dipyrone) (author's transl)]. Female pregnant rats of 2BAW strain were divided in 2 groups: the 1st, received 50 mg/kg corporal weight of sodium 1-phenyl-2,3-dimethyl-5-pyrazolon-4-methylamino-methane sulfonate (Dipyrone), single dose daily, by i.p. injections, from 16th to 20th day of pregnancy; the 2nd, received 0,5 ml of distilled water, single dose daily, by i.p. injections, during the same period. All the animals were sacrificed 2 hours after the last injection. The biochemical results of nucleic acids in the placentas and fetal livers, and the caryometric data of trophoblastic giant cells and fetal hepatocytes, demonstrated that: 1. When compared the 2 groups, as much the nucleic acids levels (RNA and DNA) of placentas as the nuclear size of trophoblastic giant cells, do not presented statistical differences; 2. The biochemical levels of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA) of fetal livers decreased, while the nuclear size of hepatocytes increased in the experimental group, with reference to control group.


[Role of the atrial stretch receptors in the regulation of the fluids of the anesthetized dog (author's transl)]. The role of the atrial stretch receptors in the regulation of the body fluids was investigated in the anesthetized dog. Two groups of 15 animals each were used. In the first group the distention was performed by the inflation with saline solution of a balloon previously introduced in the left atrium. In the second group the right atrium was distended. In the experiments with the left atrium diuresis was induced in all animals. In the right atrium only in 5 dogs the distention resulted in diuresis, in the remaining 10 animals there was, on the contrary, antidiuresis. In the experiments with diuresis, this was accompanied by a urine with a lower osmolarity than in the control period and a greater sodium excretion. Being more pronounced the hemodynamic changes in the animals in which the right atrium was distended, one could not in this experimental set-up conclude that the right atrium plays a role similar to the one of the left atrium in regulating the body fluids in the anesthetized animal.


Articular cartilage changes mechanically induced "in vivo". An experimental method approach in animals. A machine designed upon the principles of a crank lever mechanism was built to produce excessive use of the joints of small animals by means of continuous flexion-extension movements. Articular cartilage changes could be consistently produced after 5 to 10 days of exercise. Histochemical studies of the articular cartilage demonstrated a decrease in proteoglycan and an increase in acid phosphatase. These findings suggest that this animal model may be of value for the analysis of the earliest degenerative stages of the articular cartilage.


[Gas-liquid chromatography determination of neutral monosaccharides from a human urine glycopeptide (author's transl)]. Optimum conditions were determined for the satisfactory separation of the carbohydrate residues found in glycoproteins or glycopeptides by using silica gel column chromatography of monosaccharides as their trimethylsilyl ethers. The method is suitable for fractionation of sugar mixtures into neutral sugars and aminosugars. Chromatography on silica and gas-liquid chromatography were used in succession for the rapid determination of the neutral monosaccharides from a human urine glycopeptide.


[Influence of temperature and salinity on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in mussel (Mytilus edulis, L.) (author's transl)]. The activity of Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase in mussel hepatopancreas and gill tissues decreases with the salinity of sea water. A decrease in both activities is observed during the first few days in the hepatopancreas of mussel starved at temperatures upper and below the natural thermal habitat; later, the levels of enzymes experience a transitory rise. The influence of temperature on the Km of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase for the hepatopancreas was studied. Minimum value correspond to the nearest temperature to that of the mussel natural habitat.


Carotenoids from marigold (Tagetes erecta) petals and their esterified fatty acids. The main carotenoid in Tagetes erecta petals is lutein, which is found either free or esterified to one or two fatty acids. Column and thin-layer chromatographic methods are described for the separation of the different lutein species, and compared to other, previously published, techniques. In addition, fatty acid distributions are given for whole marigold plants, crude carotenoid extracts and purified mono and diesterified luteins obtained from fresh petals as well as from commercial powdered petal preparations.


Carotenoid absorption in chicken intestine. The powdered flowers of marigold (Tagetes erecta) are used as a cheap source of carotenoids in avicultura. Lutein (3,3'-dyhydroxi-alpha-carotene) constitutes up to 85 to 90% of marigold carotenoids. In the plant, lutein is found esterified to palmitic or estearic acid. In chicken, carotenoid is hydrolized in the first portion of the small intestine, and absorbed as free lutein. After the absorption, lutein is not re-esterified in the different chicken tissues.