Controlled study of child health supervision: behavioral results. Extensive child health supervision, with emphasis on counseling and anticipatory guidance, was provided for the first three years of life to an experimental series of 47 normal first-born black infants from low-income families living in the environs of Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. The mothers were unmarried schoolgirls in normal physical and mental health. A control series consisted of 48 similar mother-child dyads from the same area. Data were collected, in part by an outside evaluator, at yearly intervals on both experimental and control series in a form suitable for coding on computer cards. Comparison of differences in behavioral results between the two series showed statistically significant findings in favor of the experimental children, as well as numerous favorable trends during the first six years of life. Positive effects became evident in diet and eating, habits, in some developmental problems of growing up (such as toilet training), and in certain abstract qualities including self-confidence. Significant differences were also noted between the experimental and control mothers for various child rearing practices and personality characteristics. No significant difference or trend favored the control series. We believe that a causal relationship existed between the intervention and at least some of the significant findings.


Hypocalcemic coma following two pediatric phosphate enemas. Coma, tetany, dehydration, hypotension, tachycardia, and hyperpyrexia developed in a 2 1/2-year-old girl following two hypertonic phosphate pediatric enemas. She had marked hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, hypernatremia, and acidosis. Hypocalcemia due to hyperphosphatemia can explain all of these findings. Calculations indicate that about one third of the phosphorus and sodium contents of the enema were absorbed. Physicians should be aware of the potentially lethal complication of this treatment, which is part of everyday practice.


Light filtration during transillumination of the neonate: a method to reduce heat buildup in the skin. Filtration of the light used for transillumination of neonates is employed to reduce heat buildup in the skin during transillumination. Clinical and experimental evaluation of the effects of filtration are presented.


The electroencephalogram in pediatric practice: its use and abuse. Utilized appropriately, the EEG is a helpful diagnostic tool; however, it is currently much abused and much overutilized. Understanding its limitations and its usefulness may lead to less frequent but more appropriate requests for EEGs. Realization that the EEG alone neither diagnoses nor rules out epilepsy and that it is not crucial in the diagnosis or management of "minimal brain damage" should decrease the utilization and abuse of the procedure.


Symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia in a 5-year-old child. Trigeminal neuralgia is a rare symptom in childhood. In the idiopathic variety, no objective neurological deficit is demonstrable, but in the symptomatic or secondary form, deficits of trigeminal function may be found. In the latter circumstance, underlying causative pathology must be looked for vigorously, as emphasized by the present case of symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia in a 5-year-old child, determined to be secondary to an infiltrating embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma.


Defects of neutrophil chemotaxis and random migration in thalassemia major. Chemotactic and random migrations in a group of 11 patients with thalassemia major were found to be defective. This may be partially the basis for the predilection to infection occasionally observed in these patients. These findings may reflect a primary defect of polymorphonuclear leukocytes or may be secondary to associated liver disease and/or diabetes mellitus. Further studies are required to define the mechanisms involved.


[Fascioliasis in sheep in South-western Jutland (author's transl)]. The frequency of fascioliasis in sheep of south-western Jutland has been determined on the basis of slaughterhouse registration of infected livers over a 5-year period (1969-1973). The average yearly percentage of adult sheep found to be infected ranged from 83.9 to 91.2%, whereas less than 1 % of the slaughtered lambs proved infected. The high infection percentage among adult animals and the strikingly low frequency among slaughter lambs could be explained by the characteristic management system of the marshland: In summer the sheep graze the dike and the foreland on its seaward side, and in winter the animals graze in the marshland. Lymnaea truncatula is not found on or at the seaward side of the dike, whereas it is abundant all over the marshland. Thus the lambs graze exclusively the snail-free area from which they are taken directly to the slaughterhouse. The summer grazing also protects the adult animals as they avoid the massive uptake of metacercariae which normally takes place in fluke infected areas in late summer.


[Parasite eggs identified in material from archaeological excavations in Ribe (the viking age) (author's transl)]. Eggs of Fasciola hepatica, Ascaris sp., Taenia sp., and Trichuris sp. have been demonstrated in archaeological excavations from the early viking period (750--800 A.D.) in Ribe, the oldest urban society of Denmark. The origin of the faecal material is discussed. The parasitological examinations are continued and extended.


Acid-base status of cattle blood. Sampling and storing. Changes in the acid-base parameters of arterial and venous cattle blood (Figs. 1-3) as well as potassium and lactate concentration in plasma from venous blood (Figs. 4-5) were examined during anaerobic storage of the blood. The blood was stored at two different temperatures (21-24 degrees C and 0-4 degrees C) and was stabilized with either heparin alone or heparin and sodium fluoride. By lowering the storage temperature for heparinized blood the glycolysis processes were inhibited to such an extent that the values of the acid-base parameters did not change during the first 5-6 hours of the storage time. On storage at room temperature pH decreased slowly, but steadily. The values for pCO2 and BE respectively also increased and decreased slowly. On storage at room temperature the changes in the pO2 values of arterial blood (Fig. 2) decreased significantly while the venous pO2 values were nearly steady (Fig. 1). The changes in the pO2 values during storage are thought to be related to the oxygen-dissociation curve. The addition of sodium fluoride (Figs. 3-5) affects a number of the chemical processes of the blood to such an extent that the uncertainty on a single determination becomes very great. On storage of heparinized cattle blood at room temperature the potassium concentration in plasma (Fig. 5) can be determined with good certainty during the first 7 hours of the storage time. Lowering of the storage temperature or addition of sodium fluoride has the effect that the potassium concentration in plasma is changed essentially during storage.


A rapid semiquantitative Mg-urine-test suitable for field estimations of the magnesium status in ruminants. A semiquantitative Mg-urine-test suitable for field examination of the Mg-status in ruminants has been tested under practical conditions. Good agreement between the semiquantitative test and quantitative atomic absorption Mg-estimations was found. It is recommended always to examine urine from at least two-three animals in a herd to get a reliable picture of the Mg-status of the herd.


The oral administration of megestrol acetate to postpone oestrus in cats. During 1974, megestrol acetate tablets were distributed to 397 cat owners in the Oslo district for use as an oestrus suppressing agent in cats. A weekly dose of 2.5 mg megestrol acetate was given for at least 30 weeks. Treatment was carried out according to plan in 244 cats. Results are shown in Table I. The course of birth was abnormal in two cats which were pregnant before the trial began. Pregnancy was not registered in any of the remainder. Heat was observed during the period of treatment in 21 of the 244 cats treated according to plan without pregnancy being registered. As regards side effects of the preparation, increased appetite, weight increase and changes of temperament were the most pronounced. One cat developed pyometra after three years of treatment with the preparation.


[Current biological aspects of typhoid fever (author's transl)]. The biological signs of typhoid fever are studied on the basis of 90 cases collected over a period of 5 years. Average neutrophil granulocyte count before treatment was 5000 with extremes ranging from 1400 to 12180. The development of granulocytopaenia during treatment may be seen not only in patients treated with phenicols but also in those treated with ampicillin or the combination trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole. It was possible to isolate the organism in 88 per cent of cases, either by blood culture (79%) or by stool culture (23%). Antibodies (O and H agglutinins) were found in only 86 per cent of cases, and for H agglutinins only there was a significant and transient increase in antibodies. This underlines the importance of the combined examination of three biological criteria - blood culture, stool culture and serology - in reaching the diagnosis of typhoid, the relatively asymptomatic forms of which are becoming increasingly frequent.


[Abdominal manifestations in hereditary acute angioneurotic oedema. Value of study of the complement system (author's transl)]. Four individuals of the same family suffered from a functional deficiency in C1 esterase inhibitor. In three of them, the manifestations of hereditary angioneurotic oedema were abdominal, paroxystic and pseudo-surgical. They were related to the development of visceral or mucosal oedema. The measurement of total complement (and of its fractions) during the acute episode, as well as dynamic complement studies between attacks, represent a simple method for indicating the probable diagnosis. Only estimation of the functional activity of C1 esterase inhibitor provides definite evidence. Familiarity with the clinical and biological characteristics of these acute abdominal episodes makes it possible to avoid repeated, unnecessary operations in these patients. They should be treated medically, under surgical surveillance, since a patient with angioneurotic oedema may have nevertheless a specific lesion, in addition. In addition, the episode may spread at any time, resulting in oedema of the glottis requiring tracheotomy or immediate intubation.


[Determination of the lean body mass in adult using the impedance method]. It deals with a new formula which gives the estimation of lean body mass (LBM) by the electric impedance measure at 1 MHz. According to the authors the weight of LBM is set up in two parts: the total water (TBW) conductive of electricity and an inert part (ILBM) which is a bad conductive one: the weight is an individual constant at the grown up. ILBM is calculated from simple morphological datums (H = height and C = wrist circonference). From which one concludes the formula: LBM = TBW + ILBM.


[Comparison between Doppler findings and arteriography in cervical arterial pathology]. The authors compare findings at arteriography and Doppler ultrasound examination in 127 cases of cerebrovascular accident. There was an excellent degree of agreement in cases of internal carotid occlusion. It was less good with carotid stenoses where the Doppler examination gave false positive results in one case out of four and false negatives in one out of three. Thus the correlation between Doppler and arteriography results are not sufficiently cloe to completely change the attitude of the neurologist in the selection of those patients in whom arteriographic studies are indicated in order to detect a surgically curable lesion.


[A new case of hemoglobin J Capetown alpha 92 (FG 4) Arg replaced by gln]. Hemoglobin J Capetown was found incidentally in a patient of french origin suffering from urticaria with delayed pressure oedema. Using a preparative finger-print technique, the structural determination was easy. A functional study of the purified component confirmed the high oxygen affinity of hemoglobin J Capetown and demonstrated a low reactivity for organic phosphates. These results may explain the perturbations observed in the whole blood.


[Effect of glutaryl-lecithins on human erythrocytes (author's transl)]. Effect of glutaryl-lecithins on red blood cells is studied and compared to effect to egg lysolecithins. 1. Glutaryl-lecithins exhibit a hemolytic activity which appears in the first minutes. The rate of hemolysis increases proportionally with glutaryllecithin concentration up to concentrations of 1 X 10(-7) mole. 2. Glutaryl-lecithins methylation causes a decrease of lytic activity; this might indicate that the carboxylic group plays a role in the process of hemolysis. 3. Glutaryl-lecithins can produce echinocytes, in a similar fashion to lysolecithins. These findings suggest that glutaryl-lecithin hemolytic activity plays an important role in the process of post irradiation hemolysis.


[In vitro granulocyte colony formation in children with neuroblastoma (author's transl)]. In vitro granulocyte colony formation has been studied using the methylcellulose system in 22 children with neuroblastoma, 13 of them having bone marrow invasion. Only one third exhibited normal results. There were various disturbances of granulopoiesis in vitro: colony forming cells were decreased or increased and in the amplification compartment either an ineffective leucopoiesis or an increase in the number of mitosis was present. The abnormalities are not correlated to bone marrow invasion.


[Erythrocyte form and deformability for normal blood and some hereditary hemolytic anemias (author's transl)]. 1. A brief review of recent results on the structure of erythrocyte membranes and the experimental deformation of red blood cells. 2. A discussion of factors playing a role in the deformability: a) Influence of shape, consisting of the cell surface to volume ration. b) Internal factors, depending mainly on the viscosity of the hemoglobin).c) Degree of flexibility of the membrane. 3. A brief summary of techniques to measure the deformability with emphasis on the method of viscodiffractometry (ektacytometer). 4. Results given by examination in the ektacytometer of hereditary spherocytosis and sickle cell anemia.


Ultraviolet light irradiation of PM2 superhelical DNA. Superhelical PM2 DNA can be photochemically modified by u.v. irradiation. The variation of S20,w with dose shows the following characteristics. There is a linear increase from 28 to 31s produced by a low dose of u.v. irradiation (4,000 ergs/mm2). A plateau in S20,w occurs between 4,000 and 10,000 ergs/mm2. The S20,w then increases when irradiation is increased to 56,000 ergs/mm2. Thymine dimers are introduced proportional to dose throughtout the range of exposure to u.v. light. Sedimentation velocity-dye titrations reveal anomolous behavior, i.e. apparent increases in superhelix density (sigma). However, the dye-buoyant density procedure showed no change in sigma under the same conditions. The most satisfactory model for the data is preferential photochemical modification of premelted (possibly hairpin) sites as a greater rate than the introduction of photoproducts into duplex sites. The origin of the anomoly in the sedimentation velocity dye titrations is still unclear.


Estimation of DNA sequence divergence from comparison of restriction endonuclease digests. An estimation of the DNA sequence divergence between defined DNA secquences of individuals or species may be made from comparison by gel electrophoresis of restriction endonuclease digests. This analysis is applicable to purified DNA sequence of moderate complexity (1-100 X 10(6) daltons) which have diverged by base substitution of 0.5 to 25% of nucleotides.


Complex forms and replicative intermediates of mitochondrial DNA in tissues from adult and senescent mice. The occurrence and types of complex forms and replicative intermediates of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were investigated in tissues from C57BL/6J mice aged 10-11 months or 29-30 months. Total mtDNA from brain, heart, kidney and liver was isolated in ethidium bromide-CsCl gradients and examined by electron microscopy after aqueous or formamide spreading. Contour length measurements indicated no difference in the monomer size of mtDNA according to either tissue or donor age. The frequencies of catenated mtDNA, ranging from 4 to 8%, varied significantly according to tissue but changed relatively little as a result of donor age. The main age-related effect observed in this study was a significant increase in the frequency of circular dimers, from about 0.05% in adult tissues to 0.3% in kidney, 0.5% in liver, 0.6% in heart and 1.9% in brain of senescent mice. The frequency of D-loop DNA varied from 30 to 60% and that of larger replicative intermediates from 1 to 10%, suggesting differences in the rate of mtDNA replication according to tissue. The frequencies and types of the various replicative intermediates were unaffected by donor age.


Ethidium analogues with improved resolution in the dye-buoyant density procedure. Analogues of ethidium chloride with large quaternary side chains have been synthesized and evaluated for improved resolution in the dye-buoyant density system for the separation of open and closed circular DNA. These compounds are similar to propidium which differs from ethidium by the replacement of an ethyl group by a methyldiethylaminopropyl group. The new analogues contain a triethylamino group attached to a methylene chain with 3, 5 or 7 carbons. With PM2 DNA the observed separation for propidium is 1.97 times that of ethidium and the new dyes show separations relative to ethidium of 2.27, 2.66 and 2.77. A correlation is established between the mass of the dye component and the observed separation which is retionalized on the basis of the four component thermodynamics describing this system.


A reexamination of the problem of resonance energy transfer between DNA intercalated chromophores using bisintercalating compounds. The rate of energy transfer between DNA intercalated ethidium cations calculated by Paoletti and Le Pecq1 using the Forster theory differs from the measured one by a factor of twenty two, if the proper geometrical factors are taken into account. By changing some of the parameters used in the calculation, the discrepancy can be reduced but not eliminated. This led us to the study of other systems where experimental and calculated results can be more directly compared. The apparent rate of energy transfer between ethidium and one of its non fluorescent analogues and between various pairs of intercalated chromophores has been studied. The fluorescence anisotropy decay of acridine dimers in glycerol or bisintercalated in DNA has been measured. These studies show that the Forster theory of energy transfer does not apply to the case of identical chromophores when they are relatively close to each other.


An ethidium-induced double helix of poly(dA)-poly(rU). Equilibrium dialysis, relaxation kinetic, melting, and continuous variation mixing experiments on complexes of poly(dA) and poly(rU) demonstrate that ethidium induces conversion of a 1:1 mixture of these homopolymers (at one molar salt and 19 degrees C) from a three stranded to a two stranded helix. This is the first demonstration of a double helix of poly(dA)-poly(rU) in solution.


Strand breakage in solutions of DNA and ethidium bromide exposed to visible light. Breaks are introduced into DNA strands when DNA solutions containing ethidium bromide (EB) are exposed to incandescent light. The nicking rate is sensitive to the concentration of EB and the light intensity. At short exposure times, this rate is limited by photon capture and formation of an intermediate capable of nicking DNA and zero-order nicking kinetics are observed. If the EB is pre-irradiated, the nicking rate is limited by DNA concentration and first-order nicking kinetics are observed. The nicking rate is not greatly affected by the presence of a low frequency of ribonucleotides in the duplex structure. The nicking reaction produces neither double-strand breaks nor interstrand crosslinks. The nicks produced cannot be closed by DNA ligase. The fluorescent light intensities under normal laboratory conditions are insufficient to induce significant nicking.


Absence of ethidium bromide induced nicking and degradation of mitochondrial DNA in mouse L-cells. The in vivo effects of ethidium bromide on the integrity of mitochondrial DNA have been studied in a mouse L-cell system in which this DNA may be nearly exclusively radiolabelled. This allows the detection of mitochondrial DNA in the presence of contaminating nuclear DNA and eliminates the need for extensive purification of mitochondria or the use of deoxyribonuclease. The mitochondrial DNA in treated cells rapidly attains a high negative superhelix density and is not substantially nickel or degraded over the course of several days.


Isolation of folded chromosomes from Mycoplasma hyorhinis. Folded chromosomes were isolated from Mycoplasma hyorhinis. When examined by electron microscopy, these molecules show variability of loop size, number of loops, total contour length and degree of twisting of the DNA. Sedimentation velocity was unaltered after treatment with RNase, proteinase K, SDS, temperatures up to 65 degrees C and NaCl concentrations from 0.1 M to 4 M.


Exploration of long and short repetitive sequence relationships in the sea urchin genome. Long and short repetitive sequences of sea urchin DNA were prepared by reassociation of 2000 nucleotide long fragments to Cot 4 and digestion with the single strand specific nuclease S1. The S1 resistant duplexes were separated into long repetitive and short repetitive fractions on Agarose A50. The extent of shared sequences was studied by reassociating a labeled preparation of short repetitive DNA with an excess of unlabeled long repetitive DNA. Less than 10% of the long repetitive DNA preparation was able to reassociate with the short repetitive DNA. Thus the long and short repetitive elements appear to be principally independent sequence classes in sea urchin DNA. Precisely reassociating repetitive DNA was prepared by four successive steps of reassociation and thermal chromatography on hydroxyapatite. This fraction (3% of the genome) was reassociated by itself or with a great excess of total sea urchin DNA. The thermal stability of the products was identical in both cases (Tm=81 degrees C), indicating that precisely repeated sequences do not have many imprecise copies in sea urchin DNA.


Sites of contact between lambda operators and lambda repressor. DNA bearing lambda operator sequences was methylated by dimethyl sulfate (DMS) in the presence or absence of lambda repressor. Under the experimental conditions, DMS methylates only the purine residues. The presence of lambda repressor affects only the methylation of certain G residues in the operators. Repressor blocks the methylation of certain G's and enhances the methylation of other G's. Since the reactive ring-nitrogen of G lies in the major groove of double-stranded DNA, and the reactive ring-nitrogen of A lies in the minor groove, the above results imply that the repressor makes contacts in the major groove of the helix. The repressor effect on G-methylation is sharply confined to the three 17 base pair units within each lambda operator previously proposed as the repressor-binding sites.


1H NMR studies of transfer RNA III: the observed and the computed spectra of the hydrogen-bonded NH resonances of baker's yeast transfer-RNA Phe. The hydrogen-bonded NH resonances of Baker's yeast tRNAphe in H2O solution with Mg++ have been measured by a 360 MHz spectrometer at 23 degrees C. Totally, fifteen peaks and one shoulder can be resolved which represent 25 +/- 1 protons. Based on the refined atomic coordinates of the tRNAphe in the orthorhombic crystal, on the recent advances in the distance dependence of the ring-current magnetic field effects and on the adopted values for the isolated hydrogen-bonded NH resonances, a computed spectrum consisting of 23 protons was constructed. A quantitative comparison by computer was made between the computed spectrum and the spectrum simulated from the observed spectrum. These two spectra are closely similar but not identical. We suggest that the conformation of yeast tRNAphe in aqueous solution is closely similar but not identical to that found in the crystal, especially in the T psi C region and D region. Also the NH resonances in 3-4 proposed hydrogen bonds (most likely for tertiary structure) may exchange very rapidly in aqueous solution.


Carbodiimide modification of superhelical PM2 DNA: considerations regarding reaction at unpaired bases and the unwinding of superhelical DNA with chemical probes. Superhelical PM2 DNA I can be modified with N-cyclohexyl-N'-beta-(4-methylmorpholinium)ethyl carbodiimide (CMC). The transition of the sedimentation coefficient uncorrected for buoyant density change (S20,*) vs. % reactivity in terms of base pairs shows the following characteristics. The S20,* increases by 4.5 S units upon 1% modification. There is a plateau in S20,* between 1 and 4% reactivity. The extent of reactivity was determined by buoyant density and 14C radioactive CMC binding measurements. Further reactivity was not explored since Pulleyblank and Morgan's (22) data of S20,* vs. % reactivity from 6 to 34% was previously published. The initial results obtained in this study are complementary to the cited results of the above authors. Consequently, both sets of data taken together represent a complete description of S20,* vs. % reactivity with CMC. It is shown that the model in which superhelical DNA is proposed to contain small intrastrand hairpin regions can be extended to account for the observed transitions in S20,* vs. reactivity.


A program for least squares analysis of reassociation and hybridization data. A computer program is described for the rapid calculation of least squares solutions for data fitted to different functions normally used in reassociation and hybridization kinetic measurements. The equations for the fraction not reacted as a function of Cot follow: First order, exp(-kCot); second order, (1+kCot)-1; variable order, (1+kCot)-n; approximate fraction of DNA sequence remaining single stranded, (1+kCot)-.44; and a function describing the pairing of tracer when the rate constant for the tracer (k) is distinct from the driver rate constant (kd): (formula: see text). Several components may be used for most of these functional forms. The standard deviations of the individual parameters at the solutions are calculated.


A circular dichroism study of DNA-basic peptides associations in the absence or in the presence of Ca++. The interaction of DNA with basic peptides (Lys methyl ester*, Lys2, (Lys)2methyl ester) has been studied by circular dichroism. The changes of the DNA CD spectra in the presence of peptides are interpreted as a transconformation from the B form to the C form of DNA. The presence of Ca++ in the mixture induces a supplementary transconformation. These observations suggest Ca++-basic peptides-DNA complexes as a structural model for chromatin.


In vivo repair of the 3'terminus of transfer RNA injected into amphibian oocytes. Yeast transfer RNA specific for phenylalanine has been treated chemically to remove either one or two nucleotides of its 3' terminus and has been injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes to test whether this RNA can be repaired in vivo. The results obtained showed that oocytes could aminoacylate and thus repair tRNAPhe that has lost both its terminal adenosine and 3' phosphate. A similar result was obtained with tRNAPhe that had undergone two full cycles of 3' terminal nucleotide removal. The oocytes cannot aminoacylate tRNAPhe whose 3' terminal ribose has been oxidized with periodate or the derivative that retains a 3' phosphate after adenosine removal. In vitro assays show that the Xenopus ovary contains a tRNA nucleotidyl transferase with the properties similar to enzymes obtained from other sources which may be responsible for the 3' terminal repair observed in vitro.


Features of the structure of replicating and non-replicating chromatin in chicken erythroblasts. The digestion by DNAase I of DNA synthesised by isolated chicken erythroblasts was examined in isolated nuclei. It was found that newly synthesised DNA was susceptible to DNAase I but matured to a relatively resistant form with increasing time after replication as observed in mammalian systems. The presence of trypsin in the digestion exposed all of the DNA to DNAase I action. Examination of the digestion products showed that the newly replicated DNA differed little from the more mature form in the structure of the DNA-protein complex but that the difference in susceptibility was probably a result of a differential rate of access of the DNAase to the new and old DNA.


Conformational states of chromatin nu bodies induced by urea. Monomer chromatin nu bodies (nu1) from chicken erythrocyte nuclei were exposed to 0-10 M urea plus 0.2 mM EDTA (PH 7). Alterations in nu1 conformation were examined using hydrodynamic methods (i.e., S, eta, and (formula: see text)), thermal denaturation, circular dichroism, reactivity of histone thiol groups to N-ethyl maleimide, and electron microscopy. The two domains of a nu body (i.e., the DNA-rich shell and the protein-rich core) aeared to respond differently to the destabilizing effects of increasing urea; DNA conformation and stability exhibited noncooperative changes; the core protein structure revealed cooperative destabilization between 4 and 7 M urea. Companion studies on the conformation of the inner histone "heterotypic tetramer" also revealed cooperative destabilization with increasing urea concentration.


Poly-2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-cytidylic acid: enzymatic synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and interaction with poly-inosinic acid. The polymerization of 2'deoxy-2'-fluoro-cytidine-diphosphate (dCflDP) by polynucleotide phosphorylase is barely detectable in the presence of Mg++ under usual experimental conditions for polymerization of nucleoside diphosphates. High concentrations of enzyme have to be used to accomplish the synthesis. Mn++ is a better activator than Mg++ for the reaction. cCflDP inhibits the polymerization of CDP and has a Km=8.8X10-3M, six times higher than CDP.- The polymer, poly (dCfl), ressembles in many respects poly(C), but not poly(dC): the acid selfstructure forms at similar pK's; interaction with poly(I) yields a 1:1 complex the CD spectrum of which is similar to that of poly(I).poly(C). Finally, the Tm's of poly(I).poly(dCfl) are comparable to those of poly(I).poly(C).


RNA aggregation during sulfhydryl-agarose chromatography of mercurated RNA. Isolation of newly synthesized mercurated RNA transcripts by chromatography on sulfhydryl-agarose has recently been used to reduce contamination by endogenous RNA derived from the chromatin template. We show that substantial RNA aggregation occurs during standard isolation procedures, causing significant retention of endogenous (unmercurated) RNA on sulfhydryl-agarose. We describe methods to reduce substantially this problem and discuss the implications of our findings for interpretation of previous hybridization and transcription experiments.


A site-specific endodeoxyribonuclease from Streptomyces albus CMI 52766 sharing site-specificity with Providencia stuartii endonuclease PstI. A class II site-specific endodeoxyribonuclease (SalPI) was identified in cell-free extracts of Streptomyces albus CMI 52766 after high speed centrifugation and fractionation through Bio Gel AO.5M. SalPI cleaves lambda DNA into at least 18 fragments. Five cleavage sites were located in the linear lambda map by the use of double and triple restriction enzyme digests involving EcoRI, HindIII, SalGI and another new Streptomyces enzyme, SacI. The results were indistinguishable from those previously obtained for a Providencia stuartii enzyme, PstI, by Smith, Blattner & Davies (Nucleic Acids Res. 1976 3, 343). SalPI and PstI were shown by a double digest test to have the same site specificity. None of 34 phages tested was obviously restricted by S. albus CMI 52766, and correspondingly DNA from two of them was not cleaved in vitro by SalPI. DNA from Streptomyces phage that does not form plaques on S. albus CMI 52766, and plasmid SCP2 DNA from S. coelicolor A3 (2), were both cleaved.


Rabbit liver tRNA1Val:I. Primary structure and unusual codon recognition. The major valine acceptor tRNA1Val from rabbit liver was purified and its nucleotide sequence determined by in vitro [32P] - labeling with T4 phage induced polynucleotide kinase and finger-printing techniques. Its primary structure was found to be identical with the major valine tRNA from mouse myeloma cells. According to the wobble hypothesis this tRNA, which exclusively has an IAC anticodon, should decode the valine codons GUU, GUC and GUA only. However, this tRNA recognizes all four valine codons with a surprising preference for GUG. It is unknown whether this is due to the lack of A37 modification next to the 3' end of the anticodon IAC. The nature of the inosine-guanosine interaction remains to be clarified.


Comparative oligonucleotide fingerprints of three plant viroids. 5' Phosphorylation in vitro with gamma-32P-ATP and T4 phage induced polynucleotide kinase was used to obtain RNAase A and RNAase T1 fingerprints of three plant viroids: Potato spindle tuber viroid from tomato (PSTV-tom), chrysanthemum stunt viroid from cineraria (ChSV-cin) and citrus exocortis viroid from Gynura aurantiaca (CEV-gyn). These three viroids differ significantly from each other as judged from their oligonucleotide patterns. This supports the concept of individual viroid species.


Levels of DNA polymerases alpha, beta, and gamma in control and repair-deficient human diploid fibroblasts 1. The activities of DNA polymerases alpha, beta, and gamma were determined in control and repair-deficient human fibroblasts (xeroderma pigmentosum complementation groups A, C, and D; Fanconi's Anemia; and Bloom's syndrome). Assays were done on 103,000XG supernatants which had been chromatographed on DEAE cellulose to remove nucleic acids and on fractions containing polymerase activities which had been separated from one another on a second DEAE cellulose column. All repair-deficient cell types contained all three DNA polymerase activities. Caffeine, which has been observed to inhibit some DNA-repair processes in intact cells, had no effect on DNA polymerase activities from XP-A, XP-C, XP-D or XP-variant cells. These data indicate that all three polymerases are present in cells which have reduced or absent repair functions and that the caffeine effects observed in living cells are probably not due to the direct action of caffeine on DNA polymerases.


Chromatin core particle unfolding induced by tryptic cleavage of histones. Chromatin 'core particles' have been digested with trypsin to varying extents. The resulting particles are homogeneous by the criterion of ultracentrifuge boundary analysis. Sedimentation coefficients are lowered as cleavages are introduced into the histones, showing that an unfolding of the core particle occurs. This unfolding is further characterised by a lower melting temperature together with a premelting phase, higher molar ellipticity in the circular dichroism spectra at 280 nm and increased kinetics of digestion by both micrococcal nuclease and DNase I. Differences are also observed in the products of nuclease digestion. The most consistent interpretation of the data involves an unfolding process whereby free rods of DNA are released to extend from a nucleoprotein core.


Partial purification of rat alpha-lactalbumin mRNA. Alpha-lactalbumin messenger RNA was partially purified from RNA extracted from 3-5 day lactating rat mammary glands on a poly(U)-sepharose column followed by sucrose gradient centrifugation. Apha-Lactalbumin mRNA activity was assayed in wheat germ cell-free translational system by immunoprecipitation of the in vitro synthesized protein using specific antiserum prepared against purified rat alpha-lactalbumin. In the purified mRNA preparation alpha-lactalbumin mRNA activity comprised approximately 85% of the total mRNA activity.


Incorporation of oxygen-18 into nucleosides and bases. Extensive incorporation of oxygen-18 at position O4 of the pyrimidine nucleus results from exchange between H218O and nucleosides or bases in 1N HC1 at 100 degrees. The reaction is hindered by substitution at C-5 with the greatest effect shown in pseudouridine (R = ribosy1) and the least in uridine (R = H). Maximum incorporation in the latter compound was 94%, and in uricil was 98%. The method is experimentally simple and the incorporation is readily monitored by mass spectrometry.


Stepwise synthesis of oligonucleotides. XXII. The synthesis of Tpsi-loop fragments of yeast tRNAIVal and their analogs. The method of the combined use of nucleolytic enzymes was used for the synthesis of Tpsi-loop fragments of yeast valine tRNA and their analogs. Dinucleoside monophosphates, trinucleoside diphosphates and tetranucleoside triphosphates having the sequences of fragments 54-57 and 59-62 or their analogs were synthesized.


[Selective double-isotope coronary scintigraphy with 99mTc- and 111In-HSA-microspheres]. A small fraction of a commercially available kit for the preparation of human serum albumin (HSA)-microspheres is labeled with 111In or 99mTc. The regional coronary blood flow is determined after selective injection of these labeled microspheres at rest and during rapid atrial pacing using a double-isotope coronary scintigraphy with a gamma camera.


Asymptomatic hematuria. Diagnostic approach. Before classifying hematuria as asymptomatic, the physician should be sure that there are no symptoms pointing to underlying disease. The laboratory workup includes urinalysis, clinical chemistry and renal function tests, and hematologic studies. Intravenous pyelography is done to demonstrate any structural abnormalities, and cystoscopy and retrograde pyelography may be necessary to diagnose hemorrhagic cystitis, tumors of the bladder or other portions of the urinary tract, or calculi not found on intravenous pyelography. If these steps have not determined the cause of bleeding, renal parenchymal disease is probably present and a renal biopsy is indicated. The most common lesions found on renal biopsy are focal proliferative glomerulonephritis and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis.


Asymptomatic proteinuria. Clinical significance. Patients with asymptomatic proteinuria have varied reasons for the proteinuria and travel diverse courses. In the individual with normal renal function and no systemic cause, ie, idiopathic asymptomatic proteinuria, the outlook is generally favorable. Microscopic hematuria probably raises some degree of question about prognosis. The kidney shows normal glomeruli, subtle changes, or an identifiable lesion. The initial approach includes a clinical and laboratory search for systemic disease, repeated urinalyses, quantitative measurements of proteinuria, determination of creatinine clearance, protein electrophoresis where indicated, and intravenous pyelography. The need for regularly scheduled follow-up evaluation is emphasized. Although the initial approach need not include renal biopsy, a decline in creatinine clearance, an increase in proteinuria, or both are indications for biopsy and consideration of drug therapy.


Peritoneal dialysis. Current status.

Peritoneal dialysis. Current status. Peritoneal dialysis has a definite role in the treatment of acute or chronic renal failure and certain fluid and electrolyte disturbances. Its major advantages are simplicity and availability. On the other hand, it is less effective and causes more patient discomfort than hemodialysis. Many factors enter into the decision to use one method of dialysis or the other, and the two should be considered complementary. The numerous complications that may occur during peritoneal dialysis can be avoided by careful attention to technical details. With the recent development of indwelling catheters and automatic cycling devices, long-term peritoneal dialysis is being used increasingly and successfully in the home, particularly in patients for whom home hemodialysis is difficult or inappropriate.


Vaginitis. Reducing the number of refractory cases. Therapeutic failure in vaginitis can be minimized if all cases are properly diagnosed and specific therapy is given. Use of wet mounts combined with liberal use of cultures, especially for Corynebacterium vaginale, should result in an accurate diagnosis in over 90% of cases. Treatment of choice for candidiasis is nystatin or miconazole nitrate applied topically. For trichomoniasis, metronidazole should be given orally to both sexual partners. Ampicillin, cephalexin, or cephradine are recommended for C vaginale infection.


Psychiatry. The physician as family therapist. Patients or families with emotional problems often ask for help or come to the physician's attention in other ways. For those with long-standing or severe problems, referral to an appropriate mental health resource is indicated. Many, however, are simply involved in situational upsets which have temporarily overwhelmed the family's ability to resolve problems. For these families, the physician can be an effective family therapist. Problems can often be dealt with quickly and successfully without disruption of normal office routine. Basic to the physician's providing effective help are knowledge of the effects of childhood experiences on later interactions within a family and honest self-evaluation as to ability and interest in undertaking family therapy.


Unusual presentation of aseptic meningitis. The CSF cell count in aseptic meningitis is characteristically in the range of 10 to 500/cu mm, and in most cases, below 1,500/cu mm. This 25-year-old woman had a CSF cell count of up to 7,780/cu mm. However, the diagnosis of aseptic meningitis seemed to be well established by the complete disappearance of signs and symptoms after only symptomatic treatment.


Caffeine and pregnancy. A retrospective survey. A population group consisting of 800 households of women who recently had been pregnant was surveyed to determine the level of consumption of a variety of beverages. Three fourths of the subjects were Mormon. Of a subgroup of 16 women identified as having an estimated daily intake of caffeine of 600 mg or greater, 13 had experienced a reproductive loss in the form of spontaneous abortion (eight) or stillbirth (five), two had given birth to premature infants, and only one had had an uncomplicated delivery. An inordinately high rate or reproductive loss also was noted in 13 households where the man's estimated daily intake of caffeine was greater than 600 mg. A cause-and-effect relationship cannot be determined by this type of retrospective study, but physicians should keep in mind the possibility that an excessive intake of caffeine may be a factor in otherwise unexplainable spontaneous abortion or perinatal mortality.


Pressure sores. Prevention and step-up management. The tissue changes that produce pressure sores may be described as occurring in five stages: blanching hyperemia, nonblanching hyperemia, blister and eschar formation, clean ulcer, and infected ulcer. Tissue breakdown is a direct response to external pressure, friction, or shearing force. Prevention of pressure sores comes down to identifying intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors and taking all possible steps to circumvent them. A "step-up" approach to management takes its name from the components surface agents, thermal agents, exposure, ultraviolet light, and pressure redistribution.


[Study of P50 and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in 23 bronchoemphysema patients as a function of hypoxia and hemoglobin concentration]. 2,3-DPG and P50 were measured in 23 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. All patients had a chronic hypercapnia (PaCO2 greater than or equal to 45 Torr). They are shared in 3 groups, according to hemoglobin content [Hb] and hypoxia : group I(PaO2 = 48.0 +/- 2.4 Torr ; [Hb] = 15.9 +/- 0.3 g. 100 ml-1; n = 9), (M +/- 1 SE); group II (PaO2 = 46.4 +/- 5.0 Torr; [Hb] = 11.6 +/- 0.7 g. 100 m[-1; n = 7); group III(PaO2 = 61.4 +/- 2.4 Torr; [Hb] = 13.3 +/- 0.4 g. 100 ml-1; n = 7). 2,3-DPG (group I : 1.05 +/- 0.06 mole.moleHb-1; group II : 1.02 +/- 0.08; group III : 1.11 +/- 0.08) was not significantly different of 2,3-DPG value of 12 control subjects (0.96 +/- 0.04). P50 of group I (26.9 +/- 0.9 Torr) and group III patients (28.1 +/- 1.6 Torr) was not significantly different of control value of P50 (27.4 +/- 0.5 Torr). P50 of group II patients (29.6 +/- 0.8 Torr) was significantly higher than P50 control and group I values (p less than 0.05). All the patients of group II died. These results suggest that in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease : 1) P50 value is different with various clinical conditions; 2) P50 increase is a compensatory mechanism in severe hypoxemia with anemia, but is not sufficient; 3) [Hb] is the best data for clinical prognosis.


[Spiramycin during infectious flare ups in chronic bronchitides patients evolution of blood and secretory immunoglobulins]. Thirty patients with chronic bronchitis were treated by spiramycin during bouts of surinfection. Seventy per cent of positive results were obtained. Checking the level of seral immunoglobulins and those of secretory IgA was not enough to judge the evolution.


[Hernias of the diaphragmatic hiatus: Personal observation]. The authors report a new personal observation of hernia of the diaphragm hiatus. It is a rare, benign abnormality, generally asymptomatic, raising the diagnostic problem of posterior mediastinal opacities : pneumoperitoneum, retropneumoperitoneum and even pleuroscopy should enable a diagnostic and hence prevent a thoracotomy.


Use and misuse of intra-articular corticosteroids in treatment of temporomandibular joint pain. In certain cases of intractable pain in the temporomandibular joint after conservative treatments have been unsuccessful, a single intra-articular injection of up to 40 mg of prednisolone trimethylacetate has been shown to be useful for permanent relief. This treatment has most success in patients over the age of 30 years; the older the patient the greater likelihood of clinical improvement. It is not to be recommended in the younger age groups. There is no evidence that a single intra-articular injection of any such corticosteroid causes damage that can be detected radiographically to an apparently sound articular surface. But it is still possible that multiple injections can cause damage, and they should not be used for any age group. In some cases where there is radiographic evidence of articular erosion before treatment, an advance of the lesion with reduction of the size of the mandibular condyle can be expected but is consistent with a reduction of the symptoms. The final result may be said to resemble a pharmacologically-achieved arthroplasty. Judgment of the success of the treatment by symptomatic assessment has proved to be entirely satisfactory, since the majority of patients have been grateful for the initial and continued relief of their pain and dysfunction. They have, in fact, avoided surgery to their joints and have no untoward side-effects.


Diagnosis and outcome of anorexia nervosa: the St George's view. Anorexia nervosa has been viewed here as a defensive biologically regressed posture pivoting around the events of puberty and reflecting primary gain. There is rarely any secondary gain - on the contrary life is miserable though still usually possible. The disorder is rooted in psychobiological mechanisms within the individual and in individual and family psychopathology concerning the meaning of body weight and fatness, evoked by the proband's adolescence and its maturational challenges. There are many identifiable 'risk factors' that can influence the evolution of the condition. Treatment requires a combined behavioural and psychotherapeutic approach involving special medical and nursing and psychotherapeutic skills.


Benign parotid swellings: a review.

Benign parotid swellings: a review. The one common factor associated with the innumerable causes of benign parotid enlargement is xerostomia which influences the quantity and quality of parotid secretion and thus paves the way for duct obstruction and pyogenic infection.


Early diagnosis and pitfalls in diagnosis of aseptic bone necrosis in divers. The purpose of this presentation is to define the criteria by which it is possible to make an early definitive radiological diagnosis of the bone lesions of dysbaric osteonecrosis in divers, and to define the common pitfalls in making such a diagnosis.


Inhalation injury.

Inhalation injury. It is suggested that in patients exposed to the danger of smoke inhalation injury, whether or not they are also burned, the first requirement is extreme vigilance since the manifestations of inhalation injury are usually considerably delayed. Secondly, if evidence of this respiratory syndrome appears, steroids should be administered forthwith in substantial doses. Thirdly, where exposure to inhalation injury is known to have been severe, steroids should be used immediately, without awaiting development of respiratory distress.


Effects of schedules of reinforcement on brain catecholamine metabolism in the rat. Rats were trained on a fixed ratio 5 (FR 5) for 0.01 ml water reinforcer, a fixed ratio 20 (FR' 20) for 0.01 ml water reinforcer, a fixed ratio 20 (FR 20) for 0.04 ml water reinforcer, a variable time 15 sec (VT 15 sec) for 0.01 ml water reinforcer, a variable time 30 sec (VT 30 sec) for 0.01 ml water, variable time 60 sec (VT 60 sec) for 0.01 ml water, or a variable time 60 sec (VT 60 sec) for 0.10 ml water. In all these schedules, the rate of NE metabolism varied with the number of water presentations but not with the number of responses or the volume of water. The rate of metabolism of DA was increased over control values in rats on the VT schedules but no significant differences could be found in DA metabolism among the rats performing on the various VT schedules or receiving various volumes.


Vasopressin administration in the first month of life: effects of growth and water metabolism in hypothalamic diabetes insipidus rats. Rats homozygous for the mutant gene for diabetes insipidus (Brattleboro strain) are stunted in growth compared to rats heterozygous for the mutant gene and normal rats without the mutant gene. The hypothesis was tested that normal growth depends upon the presence of vasopressin. It was expected that replacement therapy of vasopressin rats homozygous for diabetes insipidus would make possible a normal growth rate similar to that of rats heterozygous for diabetes insipidus. Rats heterozygous and homozygous for diabetes insipidus were treated with 0.25 U (Days 0-9) and 0.5 U (Days 10-29) of vasopressin during the first month of life. During the treatment period, vasopressin significantly increased the urine osmolatities of the homozygous rats demonstrating the renal effectiveness of the vasopressin. The results showed that remedial vasopressin administration could not produce normal growth rates in homozygous rats and may be detrimental. Six weeks following vasopressin treatment, homozygous, diabetes insipidus rats which had received vasopressin had increased 24 hr water intakes and decreased urine osmolalities compared to control, homozygous rats, Heterozygous rats also had decreased urine osmolalities resulting from vasopressin six weeks after the cessation of vasopressin treatment.


Central and peripheral norepinephrine metabolism in rat strains selectively bred for differences in response to stress. Rats of the Maudsley nonreactive (MNRA) strain were found to contain higher levels of norepinephrine in heart, spleen, and hypothalamus than animals of the Maudsley reactive (MR) strain. Total adrenal catecholamines were also greater in nonreactive animals. There was a trend toward higher endogenous norepinephrine concentration in MR rats in brainstem and telencephalon, but this was not statistically significant. Turnover measurements calculated from the fall of norepinephrine at 1 and 4 hours after a single dose of levo-alpha-methylparatyrosine showed no significant strain differences in telencephalon or brainstem, but MNRA animals had a faster rate of norepinephrine decline in heart than had MR rats. Possibly indicative of a higher rate of norepinephrine metabolism, the percentage of 3H-non-catechol metabolites relative to total counts was higher in brainstem of MNRA rats 90 min after intraventricular injection of 3H-norepinephrine. However, the disagreement between this estimate of norepinephrine metabolism and that provided by the alpha-methyl-paratyrosine technique prevents a conclusive statement about norepinephrine metabolism in the two strains. The results are discussed in the light of the established differences in behavior between the strains as well as other work exploring relationships between catecholamine metabolism and emotionality.


Estrogen-induced sexual receptivity and localization of 3H-estradiol in brains of female mice: effects of 5 alpha-reduced androgens, progestins and cyproterone acetate. Sexual receptivity induced in ovariectomized CD-1 mice with chronic daily administration of estradiol benzoate (E2 B) was blocked by concurrent administration of the 5 alpha-reduced androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Receptivity was restored in these females with progesterone-, but not with dihydroprogesterone-priming 6 hr prior to testing. Delaying the DHT injections until 12 hr after the E2 B injections greatly reduced its inhibitory properties. Receptivity in E2 B-primed females was also blocked by concurrent treatment with cyproterone acetate and 3 alpha-, but not 3 beta-adrostanediol. Pretreatment with DHT, or 3 alpha- or 3 beta-androstanediol failed to consistently affects 3H-estradiol accumulation in crude nuclear and supernatant fractions from brain and pituitary.


A new anorexigen assay: stress-induced hyperphagia in rats. Humans often respond to stress by overeating. A rat model of hyperphagia induced by a stressful tail-pinch has been described. Consumption of sweetened condensed milk by vaive rats was measured durin the stress. This milk drinking was prevented by pretreatment with d-amphetamine, chlorphentermine, diethylpropion, fenfluramine, methamphetamine, morphine, chlorpromazine and haloperidol. The benzodiazepines chlordiazepoxide and diazepam increased the hyperphagia. The relevance of dopaminergic agonistic and antagonist activities to anorexigenic activity are questioned.


Quinine-induced hypothermia in cold-exposed rats. Quinine HCl in doses from 10-50 mg/kg lowered the body temperatures of nonfebrile rats in the cold, primarily by suppressing shivering. However, if given an opportunity to turn on a heat lamp the rats worked much more than normal after a quinine injection and were theraby able to counteract the hypothermia to some extent. The effect of quinine is interpreted as an action on effector mechanisms rather than as an alteration of the thermal setpoint.


NaCl and LiCl efficacy in the induction of aversion for quinine and saccharin solutions immediately following injection. Rats 24-hr water deprived were injected IP with a fixed amount (10 ml/kg) of solution of various concentrations of LiCl and NaCl in dosage ranges which in previous experiments either increased or had no effect on water intake. Intake of 0.01% QHCl decreased with increasing concentrations of both NaCl and LiCl. On a molar basis, LiCl was more effeictive. LiCl also produced an aversion to a palatable solution, 0.1% sodium saccharin; however, NaCl produced no aversion over the dosage range which can be tolerated by the animals.


Effects of clozapine, chlorpromazine and diazepam upon adjunctive and schedule controlled behaviors. Two twelve-animal groups of rats were trained to press a lever for food reinforcement under either a fixed ratio 20 (FR 20) or a fixed interval 2 min (FI 2 min) schedule. During the FI 2 min schedule a measure of adjunctive behavior (i.e., drinking) was taken. Each group was then administered various doses of chlorpromazine (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/kg, P.O.), clozapine (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/kg, P.O.) or diazepam (5.0, 10.0, 15.0 mg/kg, P.O.) in a random order. All three drugs reliably reduced FR 20 response rates in a dose dependent manner, but chlorpromazine and clozapine were more potent in this regard. Chlorpromazine reduced FI 2 min responses rates especially in the terminal portions of the fixed intervals while diazepam generally elevated rates primarily in the min-portion of the interval. Clozapine produced a less defined effect on overall responding. All three drugs affected index of curvature. Only chlorpromazine was able to reliably reduce occurrence of adjunctive behavior and reinforcements.


Barbital-induced changes in sensitivity to the behavioral effects of narcotics. Twelve male (Spraque-Dawley) rats were trained to respond under a variable-interval 15 sec schedule of sweetened-milk reinforcement. Rats were tested with doses of morphine and methadone, both before and after the development of tolerance to barbital (100 mg/kg, IP). Barbital-tolerant rats were tolerant to the effects of methadone on VI responding but were not tolerant to the effects of morphine. These data demonstrate that tolerance to some narcotics can develop after chronic exposure to drugs other than those of the same pharmacologic class. Furthermore, this investigation demonstrates the necessity of considering changes in the pharmacokinetics of a narcotic as a possible explanation for the development of tolerance to the behavioral effects of the drug.


Controlled demonstration of metrazol kindling. Convulsive responses elicited in rats by intraperitoneal injections of metrazol were intensified following a seriew of metrazol injections administered once every three days. However, neither handling alone nor placebo injections increased the susceptibility of control rats to metrazol-induced convulsive symptoms. Thus, although increases in the susceptibility to metrazol seizures following periodic placebo injections have been reported by others, such increases do not appear to be a critical factor in metrazol kindling.


Audiogenic seizures and brain extracts: enhancement by extracts from C57BL/6J mice subjected to audiogenic priming. Donor C57BL/6J mice were given audiogenic priming (AP) by exposure to noise at 16 days of age (To) and sacrificed at intervals from 1 hr to 18 days therafter. Brains from AP and littermate non-AP mice were extracted in 1 M acetic acid, and passed through a filter with a nominal mol. wt. cutoff of 10,000 daltons. The filtrates were lyophilized and resuspended in H2O (0.1 ml/brain). Recipient C57BL/6J mice were also exposed to 30 sec of 127 +/- 2 dBA at 16 days of age, and injected IP with one brain-equivalent of extracts from either AP or non-AP donors immediately therafter. All recipients were tested for convulsability at 18 days of age. There were no differences in audiogenic convulsion rates between groups given AP or non-AP extracts from donors sacrificed 1 to 4 hr after To. Recipient convulsion rates were higher in AP relative to non-AP extract-injected mice whenAP donors were sacrificed 1 to 18 days after To. The extract taken from donors 1 day after To appears more potent than extract taken either before or later.


Colorimetric assay of noramidopyrine methanesulfonate sodium in formulations and in blood and urine samples. A simple, rapid, specific and sensitive colorimetric method is proposed for the quantitative estimation of noramido-pyrine methanesulfonate sodium in different dosage forms as well as in blood and urine samples. The method is based on the reaction of 3-sulfonic-5-amino-alpha-naphthol with formaldehyde liberated from noramidopyrine methanesulfonate sodium after treatment with conc. sulfuric acid where a yellow colour appeared immediately which turned to blue on dilution with water. The blue colour obeyed Beer's law (10--400 microgram) and remained stable for more than 1 h. The effect of other drugs, tablet excipients, parentral vehicles and suppository bases was studied.


The effect of dihydroxypropyl theophylline on the solubility and stability of menadione (vitamin K3). The effect of dihydroxypropyl theophylline on the solubility and stability of menadione was investigated. An increase of about 4-fold in the solubility of menadione with 0.1 m dihydroxypropyl theophylline was observed at 30 degrees C. Thermodynamic paremeters were calculated by conducting the experiments at different temperatures. The rate of base-catalyzed degradation of menadione in the presence and absence of dihydroxypropyl theophylline was found to be first order with respect to the vitamin at all conditions of pH, temperature and concentration. Dihydroxypropyl theophylline leads to an accelerated rate of decomposition of the drug at relatively high pH values. This adverse effect decreases considerably as the pH of the solution approaches neutrality. At pH = 7.5, dihydroxypropyl theophylline exerts a rather stabilizing effect on menadione solution. The enhancement of the rate of base-catalyzed degradation is directly proportional to the concentration of dehydroxypropyl theophylline at pH = 9.2. The base-catalyzed degradation of menadione in the absence and presence of dihydroxypropyl theophylline follows Arrhenius' equation for the thermal activation of molecules. No noticeable variation in the energy of activation of both systems was detected. The addition of 4% dihydroxypropyl theophylline to menadione solution nearly completely suppressed the aerobic photodegradation of menadione.


Synthesis of substituted benzoquinones and naphthoquinones with potential antituberculous activity. Compounds were prepared through the reaction of benzoquinone, naphthoquinone and 2-methyl-1.4-naphthoquinone with several sulphonamides in common use. It is hoped that incorporation of these bacteriostatic agents with the high lipid solubility of the quinone used may afford a better bacteriostatic activity. Determination of the partition coefficient of some representative samples proved these compounds to have high lipid solubility.


Synthesis of 1-cyano-2-hydroxy-4-quinolizinones and corresponding 5-cyano-4-hydroxy-2-pyridones. Part 187: Synthesis of heterocycles. Part 9: Quinolizines and Indolizines. Active malonic esters condense with 2-pyridylacetonitrile giving 1-cyano-3-substituted 2-hydroxyquinolizin-4-ones. Catalytic hydrogenation of the resulting products led to the corresponding 1-cyano-3-substituted-2-hydroxy-6.7.8.9-tetrahydroquinolizin-4-ones. On the other hand, condensation of the active malonic esters with beta-aminocrotononitrile afforded 5-cyano-3-substituted-4-hydroxy-6-methylpyridine-2-ones. The IR and NMR data are reported.


In vitro effect of duclauxin and derivatives of coumarin on nucleic acid and protein synthesis in Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma cells (EAC). The effect was studied of 32 natural and synthetic derivatives of coumarin, dicoumarin, and 4.4'epoxydicoumarin on the uptake of 14C-labelled precursors in nucleic acid (NA) and protein synthesis by EAC cells in vitro. Of the three tested groups of compounds, the most cytotoxic effect was found in the derivatives of coumarin that inhibited, on the same level, incorporation of the added 14C-adenine, 14C-L-valine and 14C-uridine but not 14C-thymidine. The utilization of the present precursors by EAC cells was not affected by epoxydicoumarins. Derivatives of coumarin and dicoumarin inhibited only NA synthesis in in vitro proliferating EAC cells. Of the evaluated compounds, chiefly duclauxin specifically decreased proliferation of EAC cells in vitro.


Synthesis of some N-substituted salicylamides structurally related to certain antimicrobials. The condensation of 5-nitrosalicoylchloride and 5-sulphamoylsalicylic acid with certain amines is described. Reacting the acid chloride with 3-amino-2-oxazolidone, 4-aminophenazone, thiosemicarbazide, 1-aminohydantoin and 2-aminopyridine yielded the correspondong N-substituted 5-nitrosalicylamides (1a-c), while with semicarbazide a disubstituted product type 2 was obtained. On the other hand, when 5-sulphamoylsalicylic acid was condensed with o-chloroaniline, m-chloroaniline and 4-aminophenazone in the presence of phosphorus trichloride, instead of affording the expected condensation products type 3, it yielded N1N5-disubstituted 5-sulphamoylsalicylamides (4a-c). The synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity.


Synthesis of some dibenzazepines of possible therapeutic interest. Among the hypotensive drugs are the N-alkyldibenz[c,e]-azepines. A representative of this class is 6-allyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenz[c,e]azepine (azapetine). The present investigation involved the preparation of a new series of N-[6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenz[c,e]azepin-6-yl] acid amides namely; acetamide, benzamide, phehyl acetamide, salicylamide and p-hydroxybenzamide derivatives. Another new series of N-[6,7-dihydro-5H-dibenz[c,e]azepin-6-yl]-N-alkyl (or aryl) thioureas was prepared namely ethyl, isopropyl, butyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl, phenyl and o-tolyl thiourea derivatives. IR spectra of the two series of compounds were investigated.


Effects of chronic morphine administration on pregnant rats and their offspring. The effect of chronic maternal morphine exposure on conception, pregnancy, and perinatal development was studied in rat. Beginning 5 days prior to mating and continuing through gestation and lactation, female Sprague-Dawley albino rats received twice daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of morphine sulfate; drug dosages were gradually increased from 10 mg/kg/injection to a maintenance level of 40 mg/kg/injection. Throughout gestation, drug-treated mothers weighed less than saline-injected controls. Control females displayed progressive weight loss during lactation; morphine-injected females showed marked weight gain in the 2nd and 3rd weeks of this period. Morphine administered during pregnancy produced decreased litter size, increased number of stillborns, increased infant mortality, and retardation of body growth in drug-exposed offspring. Weight deficits persisted in young rats observed 5 1/2 weeks after cessation of drug exposure as well as in animals continuing to receive twice daily i.p. injections of 20 mg/kg.


Serum binding of quinidine in experimental acute renal failure. Quinidine serum binding is increased in some patients with acute renal failure, but in animals with renal failure conflicting results were published. Therefore, serum binding of quinidine, papaverine and phenylbutazone was studied by equilibrium dialysis in rabbits and rats with acute renal failure induced either by injection of uranyl nitrate or ligation of the ureters. From the results it appears that, in animals, quinidine binding changes are different according to the model used for induction of the renal failure, regardless of the species studied. After ligation of the ureters, lipoprotein concentration increases, but the meaning of this increase for increased serum quinidine binding is not clear.


Concentration of clonazepam in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of the sheep. Following intravenous administration of clonazepam to sheep there was rapid equilibration of cerebrospinal fluid and unbound serum concentrations of the drug. The pharmacokinetics of clonazepam in sheep describe a 2-compartment model and the large volume of distribution suggests tissue binding of clonazepam. There was wide variation in serum concentration and at least 2 mg of clonazepam was necessary to attain the recommended therapeutic concentration.


Effect of intra-arterial infusion of glucose on secretory activity of isolated canine stomach. Totally isolated stomachs, perfused extracorporeally with homologous blood of living oxygenator dogs, were used for the study of gastric secretion. Pentagastrin or histamine were infused into the gastric artery alone or combined with a 30% solution of glucose. Hyperglycemia was associated with significant inhibition of gastric secretion. Volume, output of HCl and concentration of H+ in gastric secretion were decreased. Hyperglycemia induced also a significant increase in osmotic pressure of gastric secretion and gastric blood. Paired values of H+ and osmotic pressure of gastric secretion were analyzed by the method of least squares, using a computer. The regression line was given by the equation: osmotic pressure (mosm/kg)=311.2-0.167 X [H+] mEq/liter.


Inhibition of the central hypotensive effect of clonidine by trazodone, a novel antidepressant. Trazodone, a non-tricyclic drug with antidepressant properties, diminished the central hypotensive response to clonidine in a dose-dependent manner. Both drugs were infused into the left vertebral artery of chloralose-anaesthetized cats. Intravenously injected trazodone did not reduce the central hypotensive effect of clonidine. The antagonism probably occurs at the level of central alpha-adrenoreceptors in the brain stem, where clonidine is the alpha-agonist and trazodone the alpha-antagonist. Such an antagonism, already known for clonidine and the tricyclic drugs also holds for non-tricyclic antidepressants, provided that they possess alpha-adrenoreceptor-blocking activity.


Lithium absorption, distribution and clearance and body temperature in rats given lithium plus haloperidol. Renal lithium clearance, tissue lithium levels, serum lithium concentration, and body temperature were determined in rats given lithium alone or combined with haloperidol (0.5-1 mg/kg). A slight increase in serum lithium concentration occurred in one of the three groups given lithium plus haloperidol. Haloperidol failed to affect renal lithium clearance, tissue lithium levels and body temperature. The data do not support the hypothesis that haloperidol exerts an action on lithium pharmacokinetics.


Cardiovascular effects of synthetic substance P. The cardiovascular action of substance P (SP) has been studied in anaesthetized dogs. An analeptic respiratory and hypotensive action has been noted. The chronology of both effects would suggest that SP could be rapidly metabolized. The action of SP on respiration and general metabolism could be attributed either to one of its metabolites or to a secondary effect. It has not yet been stated to which mechanism--enzymatic or hormonal--it might be due.


Gastric mucinous secretion under various conditions of stimulation in hypothyroid dogs. Principal glycoproteins and amino acids of the secretions from Heidenhain pouches, were studied in normothyroid and hypothyroid Labrador dogs in the resting state, following injection of pentagastrin, histamine and after feeding. Hypothyroidism was produced by total thyroidectomy and chronic treatment with thiouracil. All samples showed the presence of galactose, glucosamine, galactosamine, fucose, mannose, uronic acid and sulfate. Galactose and glucosamine were found in equimolar amounts and the galactose to galactosamine ratio was 2:1. Concentrations of most carbohydrate components studied were higher in normothyroid than in hypothyroid dogs. Concentrations of most amino acids analyzed were also higher in normothyroid than in hypothyroid dogs, following stimulation with secretagogues.


Initial studies on the penetration of spirohydantoin mustard into the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs. A gas-chromatographic-mass-spectrometric method using selected ion monitoring has been developed to detect and quantitate levels of spirohydantoin mustard (SHM) as low as 1 ng per injected sample. The ions chosen for analysis of the drug were at m/e 154, 156, and 299. Using this procedure, the distribution of SHM in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of dogs following intravenous administration has been studied. The initial blood decay of SHM is rapid with a half-life of 1.78 and 1.85 min for 2 different dogs. SHM enters the CSF and, after reaching a peak value at approximately 10 min, exhibits a decay curve similar to that found in blood.


Back stabilization during knee strengthening exercise. Twenty normal women were tested for maximal isometric contraction of the right knee extensor muscles. The knee was positioned in 60 degrees of extension and the hip at 120 degrees of extension, with and without a backrest. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the use of a backrest resulted in greater force than when not using a backrest when the angle of back inclination was held constant and the support was varied. The results indicated that the addition of a backrest, when the body assumes an optimal position, enables the knee extensors to generate greater force then when no backrest is used. A backrest adds to the comfort and support of the subject performing resistive knee exercise and should be incorporated into the design of knee exercise units.


Development of psychomotor objectives for classroom of clinical education in physical therapy. A systematic method for developing and evaluating psychomotor objectives for students in clinical and laboratory education was presented. In preparing objectives for motor learning, the instructor must perform a task analysis of each skill to be taught. The analysis involves 1) identifying components of the movement, 2) salient features of facilitating stimuli, such as placement of grips, intensity and speed of stimulation, and 3) timing of commands or resistance. The senses, such as vision or kinesthesia, through which the student is to perceive the selected features must be chosen. After determining the level of skill to be attained, teaching methods are easily fit to the objectives. A simple checklist aids evaluation of student competency and provides immediate feedback on performance level.


Subpectoral augmentation mammaplasty.

Subpectoral augmentation mammaplasty. We have done subpectoral augmentations on 100 women to enlarge the small or hypomastic breast to a pleasing degree. These operations were performed in a major hospital operating room, under local anesthesia, on an ambulatory basis. No complications were encountered. Our goal, and that of our patients, was to enlarge the small breast to a pleasing degree which would harmonize with the body contour and form, and to maintain the natural consistency of the breast and the normal sensation of the nipple and the breast as a whole. This goal was reached and our patients have been appreciative and pleaded. There was no postoperative weakness of the pectoralis muscle, and we have seen no evidence of capsule contracture. The group represents about one percent of our overall experience with augmentation mammaplasty.


Complications of closed capsulotomies after augmentation mammaplasty. In a series of patients who underwent closed rupture of fibrous capsules surrounding mammary prostheses, 3 patients developed hematomas or rupture of the implant, with or without infection. These complications and their management are discussed. Closed capsulotomy is a valuable procedure, simple to apply and easy to learn, but it is not devoid of complications.


Personality characteristics of women seeking breast augmentation. Comparison to small-busted and average-busted controls. The results of a study, contrasting 28 women seeking cosmetic breast augmentation with 28 small-busted control women and 28 average-busted controls, suggest the average woman desiring surgical breast augmentation is as psychologically stable as other women. She differs from other women only in limited areas--primarily in her negative evaluation of her breasts and her greater emphasis on dress and physical attractiveness.


The use of two V-flaps for secondary correction of the cleft lip nose. Our new method for correction of the cleft lip nose with moderate deformity consists of shifting a V-shaped flap of alar cartilage and nostril lining medially at the tip of the nose, and shifting the alar base, as another V-flap, medially to the base of the columella. The latter creates a nostril sill.


A rapid method for immediate nasal reconstruction after ablation for cancer. We describe a rapid method for reconstruction of the nose after ablation for cancer. It consists of a forehead flap for cover, and split-skin graft lining. An acrylic postnasal conformer is used as a substitute for bony framework.


Injectable collagen for soft tissue augmentation. Collagen from allogenic and xenogeneic sources has been made soluble by controlled proteolytic digestion. The monomeric, telopeptide-poor collagen so prepared forms a cohesive mass when warmed to body temperature (upon injection), creating a structural basis for new soft connective tissue. We have treated 28 patients with human and/or bovine collagen injections for the correction of soft tissue contour defects, and we have followed them for 3 to 18 months. In most instances, there has been lasting and substantial correction of the defects treated. The complications have been few and transient.


Treatment of pilonidal sinus and cyst by conservative excision and W-plasty closure. We present the use of a W-plasty for closure after conservative excision of pilonidal cysts and sinuses. In the past 3 years we have done 12 cases this way, and to date there has been only one recurrence.


Investigation of the control of cartilage shape in situ in the rabbit ear. A study using 36 rabbits was done to measure the changes in the shape of the rabbit ear after morseling an area of the cartilage, with or without excision of a 15 mm strip of skin from the same or opposite surface. The results are shown and discussed.


Replantation of a torn-off little finger. Case report. We report a rare case in which the vessels, nerves, and almost all the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of a finger were avulsed. The result of the repair was satisfactory.


Moebius syndrome. Case report was a 30-year follow-up. Moebius syndrome is uncommon, as reported in the literature. A patient with Moebius syndrome is reported, showing a 30-year follow-up after initial surgical treatment by bilateral partial transfers of the Masseter muscles.


Iatrogenic false aneurysm of the superficial temporal artery. Case report. A rare complication of temporomandibular arthroplasty, false aneurysm of the superfacial temporal artery, is presented.


Inflammatory pseudotumor of the orbit. Case report. A case report and a review of the literature of inflammatory pseudotumors of the orbit is presented. The lateral approach, using microsurgical technique, is described. The incidence of this primary granuloma is comparable to other orbital tumors, and the diagnosis is confirmed by histological study of a biopsy specimen. Surgical excision offers the best mode of treatment. Although steroids may help postoperatively, the prognosis is poorer if the tumors are large. Radiotherapy offers no benefit.


Use of the articular branch of the ulnar nerve to the wrist for a local nerve graft. Case report. The use of articular branch of the dorsal sensory ulnar nerve as a nerve graft is discussed. A case of traumatic neuroma of the dorsal ulnar nerve which was treated by this method is presented.


Atraumatic retrieval of the proximal end of a severed digital flexor tendon. A suction catheter technique is suggested as the next procedure of choice when proximal digital "milking" with wrist flexion fails to deliver the proximal end of the flexor tendon severed within the digital sheath.


Xeroradiography for non-metallic foreign bodies. Xeroradiography can demonstrate many non-metallic foreign bodies that do not show by conventional radiography techniques. Two examples are shown.


Community residents and mental health center staff: assessment of program and priorities. Mental health professionals have emphasized the importance of establishing priorities and goals and gearing the delivery of mental health services to the needs of area residents. Sound View-Throgs Neck Community Mental Health Center of New York has made such an effort to involve the community residents and the mental health center staff in establishing priorities for development of the new program for services in the community. We have outlined the methods of gathering such information, and implementation of the conclusions derived from the survey which has resulted in developing comprehensive children's services and a geriatric program in our catchment area.


A diagnostic system for organic brain disorders: critique and suggestion. Organic brain disorders (OBD) are among the most complex psychiatric diagnostic problems. A critique of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM II) and the proposed DSM III suggests that the diagnostic outline for organic brain disorders contained in these publications (Organic Brain Syndromes in the DSM II; Organic Mental Syndromes in the proposed DSM III) is inadequate to describe the potential range of organic-based behavioral disorders and their possible organic etiologies. A new diagnostic system is proposed, with examples, of its use, which should fit in with the DSM II and the proposed DSM III and be flexible enough to overcome the problems of the present diagnostic system.


Neighborhood type, social disequilibrium, and happiness. This study attempts to relate (a) types of urban neighborhoods with extreme scores on the economic status dimension and rates of social and psychological disequilibrium to happiness of its residents, and (b) both aggregate and individual measures of economic status to happiness. Nonverbal behaviors such as suicide, attempted suicide, homicide, marital separation, and psychiatric disruptions served as indicators of the location of "more or less" happiness in the urban environment. Interviews in two types of neighborhoods revealed that people in the high economic-low misery neighborhood experienced greater happiness than those living in the low economic-high misery neighborhood.


Transfers to a psychiatric emergency room: a fresh look at the dumping symdrome. There can be considerable interinstitutional distrust regarding transfer of psychiatric patients. In 1970 the directors of all psychiatric hospitals in New York City began to meet regularly in order to define problems and work out amicable resolutions, largely by defining criteria for hospitalization, establishing correct catchment area address, etc. In order to test the success of the program, three medical centers which routinely transfer patients to a receiving hospital were studied in order to see if they misrepresented patients' psychopathology or medical problems prior to transfer. It was found that 90% of the transfers were warranted, but that preselection at the hospital or origin led to the transfer of more males than females and more assaultive, rather than quieter patients, who might have been more amenable to inpatient treatment.


School days--creditable treatment.

School days--creditable treatment. A program for the integration of chronic psychiatric patients into independent living in the community is described and data indicating its success are presented. The program is based on an educational, behavioral, social systems model, where "educational" refers directly to teaching skills which a person lacks, "behavioral" deals with providing the motivation to perform these skills and to precisely operationalize and measure the effectiveness of the steps in learning them, and "social systems" describes influencing clients' social environments in their interests. The model has wider implications for reintegrating a variety of socially marginal individuals into the mainstream of society.


Mixed motives in the kitchen--current recipes for improving quality of care. Program evaluation is a new field vested with high and often unrealistic and conflicting expectations from many quarters. Instead of being clear and realistic, evaluators have tended to react blindly to the various demands, compounding the confusion by engaging in unproved, even potentially counterproductive, efforts. A more constructive type of evaluation is needed--a cooperative enterprise in which information is obtained as a service for a client, with his full and meaningful participation in designing the evaluation and in the interpretation and implementation of the results.


Punishing the not guilty: hospitalization of persons acquitted by reason of insanity. Some of the mystique surrounding persons acquitted of crimes on insanity grounds (NGIs) is being dispelled by arguing that they should be treated as are other mental patients in all phases of their contact institutions. The courts have moved along the road to equalization but still have a way to go. It is concluded that there is no basis for any differentiation between persons who are acquitted of crime by reason fo insanity and other civil patients with respect to commitment, treatment, and discharge. Any other approach sacrifices not only constitutional rights but also impairs the likelihood of rehabilitation and productive return to society for these patients who have been adjudge not guilty of their antisocial acts and from whom no punishment may be exacted.


Assessment of behavioral risk for coronary disease by voice characteristics. Behavior characterization is increasingly used and studied in the pathogenesis and management of coronary disease. A specific behavior pattern called Type A has been found to be independently associated with fatal and nonfatal coronary disease. The assessment of Type A is made without quantitative guidelines based on verbal and nonverbal behaviors in a standardized interview. This study has attempted to make this classification solely on the basis of quantifiable verbal behaviors. Two naive persons were trained to code speech behaviors from tape recorded behavior pattern interviews on which Type A had previously been assessed. Intercoder and intracoder reliability was acceptable. Using regression analysis 87% of the interviews were classified in agreement with the previous, standard assessment. Volume of voice and speed of speech were found to make the greatest predictive contribution. Other verbal characteristics including plosiveness were also important. It is concluded that Type A can be validly and repeatably measured by verbal behaviors in the standardized interview.


Type A assessment and interaction in the behavior pattern interview. Speech characteristics of both an interviewer and respondents were scored from recorded interviews that were conducted to assess Type A behavior. A stepwise regression analysis indicated that the expressive speech characteristics were the best discriminators of behavior typing by the interview. A similar analysis employing the Jenkins Activity Survey as the criterion for typing showed that only the content of the respondents' answers predicted typing. The Activity Survey and the interview assessment appeared to classify individuals on independent aspects of Type A behavior. Correlations of the interviewer's speech characteristics with the respondents' feeling reports and speech characteristics show stronger associations among these variables for Type A than for Type B subjects. The analysis of speech characteristics id discussed as a method of refining the assessment of behavior type and of identifying the psychological predictors of coronary heart disease.


Comparative studies of psychological function in patients with advanced cancer--I. Self-reported depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory were compared in 97 cancer patients, 66 next-of-kin of cancer patients, and 99 physically healthy persons who attempted suicide. Less than a fourth of the cancer patients and a fifth of their next-of-kin but over half of the psychiatric patients were moderately or severely depressed. The two patient groups were indistinguishable in somatic depressive symptoms, both scoring higher then the next-of-kin. The cancer patients and the next-of-kin were indistinguishable in nonsomatic (psychological) depressive symptoms, both scoring lower than the suicide attempters. Younger patients reported more nonsomatic symptoms than older ones. Beck scores and nearness to death were not associated in 57 cancer patients who expired. Vegetative depressive symptoms in cancer patients may reflect advanced disease, but nonsomatic symptoms should be reason for psychiatric consultation.


The RBE of 30 kV X-rays for the induction of dicentric chromosomes in human lymphocytes. The frequency of dicentric chromosomes induced by the irradiation of human lymphocytes in Go phase was determined with hard (150 kV) and soft (30 kV) X-rays. When a linear-quadratic dose-effect relation was used to fit the experimental data, a significant linear contribution was found for 30 kV X-rays. The RBE of 30 kV compared with 150 kV X-rays approaches the value 3 at a 30 kV X-rays dose of 20 rad and decreases with increasing dose. From the results it may be concluded that chromatids with primary breaks, undergoing second order reactions and thus forming dicentric chromosomes, are produced by traversals of low-energy electrons through chromatin material.


Computation of microdosimetric distributions for small sites. Object of this study is the computation of microdosimetric functions for sites which are too small to permit experimental determination of the distributions by Rossi-counters. The calculations are performed on simulated tracks generated by Monte-Carlo techniques. The first part of the article deals with the computational procedure. The second part presents numerical results for protons of energies 0.5, 5, 20 MeV and for site diameters of 5, 10, 100 nm.


The evidence for one-hit chromosome exchanges. Luchnik [5] has recently questioned the need for a one-hit chromosome exchange mechanism to explain the dicentric yield in human lymphocytes following irradiation by low LET radiations. An analysis of more recent experimental data is given and this shows that models which approximate to the sum of a term proportional to dose and a term proportional to dose squared fit the available data better than a simple two-hit model. The fits however, are generally poor which is probably due to underestimating the errors involved.


[Release on trust in social service as an alternative to imprisonment: criminological problems]. The Authors, after synthetic outline of the new regulations concerning "the release on trust in social service", an alternative measure to that of imprisonment according to law no. 354 of 26 July 1975, take into consideration some of the problems and difficulties which have emerged in the first months of application of this law. This examination is followed by a review of the results of criminological research on the period of probation and of the present aims emerging with regard to this measure, in the countries where it has been tested for some time. The Authors conclude with a critical evaluation of the present regulations and a series of proposals aimed at improving the application of the probation system in social service.


[Attitude and social reaction of a sample of young people with regard to some types of criminal behavior]. The object of the present study is the analysis of how certain types of delinquent behaviour are noted by a group of young people, aged between 14 and 18 years, resident in the Milan area. Under the methodological profile a questionaire was made up including various hypotheses of behaviour of a criminal nature which those interviewed were asked to comment on not only on the level of mere approval/disapproval but also on the level of the attitude they considered it would be best to assume towards the hypothetical author of the crime. A clear homogeneity in the answers was found only on the level of the reaction of approval/disapproval, since all the sample of young people, with slight variations, was found to give a strongly disapproving judgement. With regard to the request for interventions on the operative level on the other hand a sort of dispersion was noted at the level of all the various possible answers contemplated. In such a perspective it is important to note how the request for penal interventions and, above all, specifically punitive interventions was particularly rarely encountered, and how the young people tended to favour an attempt to solve the problem in a more strictly private and psychological manner, involving the primary groups of ownership, through the indication of types of intervention to clarify and support the culprits, generally of a psychological nature, but in any case certainly not punitive.


[Sulpiride treatment of schizophrenics. Endocrine effects and aggressivity]. This work describes the results obtained with the use of a pharmaceutical product, sulpiride, whose effect is not yet completely known in the psychiatric field and which has precise indications in general medicine in the treatment of dizzy syndromes and for its strong antiemetic action. The drug was used by us in the treatment of schizophrenic criminals, in about 100 cases between 1973 and today. From the clinical point of view it was noted that the antipsychotic efficiency is a little difficult to forecast, while the resocializing action is more incisive. About the fifth day of treatment there is a "veering" characteristic of the clinical symptomatology which we related to a high and constant level of prolactinemy, which reaches its highest point on the fifth day. The implications concerning a probable hormonal substrate of the aggressiveness are very clearly revealed and can be considered together with those already known of the importance for control of the hypophysis-surrenal axis. At the same time it is necessary to point out the delicacy of the problem represented by the possibility of a modifying action from outside in relation to the general manifestations of behaviour; in the psychiatric field, in particular, without a contemporary influence of appreciable dimensions on the fundamental nucleus of the disease.


Roentgenologic changes in pulmonary echinococcosis. Radiologic changes seen in 420 cases of pulmonary echinococcosis are discussed. Criteria for early diagnosis of complicated, infected or ruptured cysts are described. The role and limitations of radiology in approaching the diagnosis of advanced stages of infected hydatid cysts of the lung are emphasized.


A simple approach to lightening an overexposed film with a blue ray copier. It is sometimes necessary to have lighter versions of radiographs. Rather than re-expose a patient, a lighter radiograph frequently can be obtained by copying. This article describes a simple way to circumvent major internal alteration to the Blue Ray copier to permit an easy and effective lightening process.


Introduction to diagnostic ultrasound--new horizons for radiologic technologists. Ultrasound technology has steadily advanced in the past decade, and has established itself as a useful diagnostic tool. Many radiologic technologists may like to know more about the fundamentals of this field. This article explains briefly the basic instrumentation, modes of display and some of the common examinations performed in ultrasound technology.


[Clinical findings and roentgenological diagnosis of the anomalies in the craniocervial region (author's transl)]. Osseous anomalies of the craniocervical junction may induce grave neurological disturbances and even lead to sudden death in exceptional cases. Therefore a correct diagnosis with painstaking demonstration of the extent of all anomalies must be established. This can be achieved exclusively by roentgenological studies. Clinical symptoms can only provide a lead to the underlying disease. In the present paper, the special problems of the radiology of craniocervical malformations are discussed and illustrated with own observations, which include specimen radiography.


[Application of intensigying screens on the basis of rare earths (author's transl)]. Investigations on intensifying screens with rare earths are presented with special regard to clinical application. Speed, gradation (gamma), resolution as well as contrast transfer factor (ctf) are examined and compared with corresponding results of CaWO4 Special Screens. The examined screens on Lanthan and Gadolinium base show a marked kV dependence especially at lower voltage (for instance 40 kV) which is unfavourable. The speed of these screens is lower than that of CaWO4 Special screens. Lanthan screens (MR 400/SE 4 LG 17) intensify twice to three times (MR 600/SE 6) compared with CaWO4 Special Screens. Intensification of the Gadolinium screens is lower except the screen/film combination alpha 8/XM which is only due to the higher speed of the XM film. Resolution and contrast transfer factor are in the range of CaWO4 Special Screens with the exception of the highest intensifying systems MR 600/SE 6 respectively alpha 8/XM with lower resolution and contrast transfer  factor. Gradation is nearly the same with CaWO4 Secial Screens. The mottle caused by rare earth screens is due to a.) its own structure and b.) to quantum noise disturbing the image quality. Clinical application is demonstrated with a phantom and further discussed.


[Current clinical problems in pediatric urology (author's transl)]. Recent epidemiologic studies document congenital urinary tract obstructions as most frequent cases of chronic renal insufficiency in children. Individual case analyses show avoidable delay and/or mistakes in diagnosis and/or treatment in surprising frequency. Current knowledge about vesicoureteral and intrarenal reflux, segmental hypoplasia and glomerular lesions in atrophic pyelonephritis are reviewed.


[Radiological diagnosis of the urinary tract in children (author's transl)]. Urinary infection in children is the most frequent disease of the urinary tract in that age group. The radiologic investigation of the urinary tract is important because infection is caused in almost 50% of cases by obstructive malformations and functional disturbances. Intermittent obstruction of the renal pelvis, functional obstructive megaureter, vesico-ureteric reflux, combined impairments of urinary flow as well as inflammatory renal mass lesions are being discussed.