Coronary vasospasm as the primary cause of death due to the venom of the burrowing asp, Atractaspis engaddensis

The venom from the snake Atractaspis engaddensis has been shown to be cardiotoxic in anesthetized mice. The effects of the venom were further tested on both atrial and Langendorff heart preparations of rats, in addition to its cardiovascular effects in anesthetized mice. The venom (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) produced a transient hypertension followed by fluctuation of arterial blood pressure, leading to cardiac failure within 20 min. Various kinds of ECG changes, including S-T depression and A-V block were observed within 10 sec after injection. A dose as low as 1 microgram of venom injected into the perfusion system produced a marked coronary vasospasm in the Langendorff heart preparation, whereas no deleterious effect was found in the atrial preparation at a concentration as high as 10 micrograms/ml. It is concluded that the cardiotoxic effects of the venom are primarily due to coronary vasospasm.

Symptom differences between urban and rural schizophrenics in Turkey

The symptomatology of Turkish urban and rural schizophrenic patients was compared in 94 consecutive hospital admissions. These were rated on two rating scales by psychiatrists, using a structured interview. Urban patients were more frequently anxious, tense, stiff, rigid, perseverating and depersonalized than rural patients; urban patients also exhibited more frequent symptoms of outbursts, blocking, thought pressure, depressed mood and somatic concern than their rural counterparts. Rural patients were more often withdrawn, disoriented, confused/delirious and lacking contact in communication than urban patients; rural patients also showed more frequent symptoms of flight of ideas and consciousness lapses than their urban counterparts.

Change in fibrinogen turnover in tumors by hyperthermia

The effect of hyperthermia on the turnover of fibrinogen and albumin in the SCK tumor of A/J mice was studied. Immediately after heating at 43.5 degrees C for 30 min, the content of 131I-labeled fibrinogen in the tumors was about 2.7-fold that in the control tumor and remained elevated for 24 hr. On the other hand, the content of 125I-labeled serum albumin in the tumor immediately after heating was only 1.7-fold that in the control tumor and started to decrease soon after heating. The greater increase in the accumulation and the longer retention of the labeled fibrinogen as compared with the labeled albumin in the heated tumors appeared to be related to the heat-induced vascular damage accompanied by vascular occlusion, fibrination and subsequent thrombus formation.

Cognitive performance and academic achievement of Japanese, Chinese, and American children

Chinese, Japanese, and American children at grades 1 and 5 were given a battery of 10 cognitive tasks and tests of achievement in reading and mathematics. Samples consisted of 240 children in each grade in each culture. 2 major purposes of the study were to determine possible differences in cognitive abilities of Japanese, Chinese, and American children and to investigate the possible differential relation of scores on cognitive tasks to reading by children of the 3 cultures. Similarity was found among children of the 3 cultures in level, variability, and structure of cognitive abilities. Chinese children surpassed Japanese and American children in reading scores; both Chinese and Japanese children obtained higher scores in mathematics than the American children. Prediction of achievement scores from the cognitive tasks showed few differential effects among children of the 3 cultures. The results suggest that the high achievement of Chinese and Japanese children cannot be attributed to higher intellectual abilities, but must be related to their experiences at home and at school.

Laparoscopic sterilization in a free-standing clinic: a report of 1,092 cases

The five-year experience of 1,092 laparoscopic tubal sterilizations performed in a free-standing clinic in the U.S. with no anesthesiologist under local anesthesia is reviewed. The current technique of the Hasson "open" method and bipolar cauterization is felt to minimize major mishaps and is acceptably comfortable to the patient.

Continued pregnancy after failed first-trimester abortion

By means of simple changes in the observation and recording process after induced first-trimester abortion, it has been possible to reduce the frequency of failed abortion to one third its former incidence. The operator is merely required to note whether the amniotic sac and fetal parts are actually seen on gross examination and flotation in fluid. This formal requirement appears to serve as an alert mechanism to ensure that women at risk will be effectively evaluated and managed.

Family variables and reading: a study of mothers of poor and average readers in Japan, Taiwan, and the United States

others of poor and average readers in Japan, Taiwan and the United States were iterviewed about their child-rearing practices, attitudes, and beliefs, and their children's current and earlier experiences. Poor readers represented the lowest fifth percentile in reading scores; they were matched by classroom, sex, and age with average readers; i.e., children who obtained reading scores within one standard deviation from the mean. The groups seldom differed significantly according to environmental variables and parent-child interactions. Maternal ratings of cognitive and achievement variables differentiated both the children in the two groups and the mothers themselves. Maternal beliefs and descriptions of how children use time also differed between the two groups. Notable was the absence of significant interactions between country and reading level.

Cardiotoxic effects of the venom of the burrowing asp, Atractaspis engaddensis (Atractaspididae, Ophidia)

The venom from the snake Atractaspis engaddensis has a very high lethal potency, with an i.v. LD50 of 0.06-0.075 micrograms per g body weight in mice. The action of the venom is rapid and death results from seemingly neurotoxic effects. However, even at high concentrations, the venom does not block contractions of skeletal muscles that are directly or indirectly stimulated. The most prominent action of the venom is seen in the function of the heart in anesthetized mice, with or without artificial respiration. The changes observed in the ECG are similar to those recorded in human victims and are the result of an A-V block that is caused by an apparent direct action of the venom on the heart.

Variations in problem conceptualizations and intended solutions among Hong Kong students

Cognitive schema were used to explain health and illness behaviors among Chinese students. University students in Hong Kong were asked to attribute causes and suggest solutions to five health/mental health problems: Weakness/Fatigue, Tension/Anxiety, Sleep Difficulty, Hollow/Emptiness, and Headache. The patterns of endorsement on the causal and solution categories used for the five problems were compared using a new asymptotic chi-squared test. The response patterns were found to be significantly different across the five problems. Each problem was attributed to multiple causes including psychological, social, situational, somatic, and existential factors. The intended solutions were often related to the nature of the causal attributions especially when the problems were mild. In lay help-seeking, the Hong Kong students would attempt a variety of self-help measures. However, for professional consultation, the medical doctor would be the primary care professional the students would turn to for most of the problems except in the case of Hollow/Emptiness.

Immunological study of a cellular 35K phosphorylated polypeptide detected in Rous sarcoma virus transformed cells

We have immunoprecipitated a phosphoprotein of 35K daltons (35K) common to RSV-transformed chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and rodent cells. The phosphorylation of this antigen depends on the expression of the v-src gene and contains phosphotyrosine. The pre-existing 35K protein, of CEF infected de novo, was further shown to become phosphorylated shortly after the appearance of active pp60v-src, and about 1 day before morphological transformation. The experiments with RSV-transformed rodent cells have shown that the 35K phosphoprotein is associated with the cellular framework. Another phosphoprotein of 37K was found in the RSV-transformed rodent cells, but not in the transformed CEF. However, this protein was not phosphorylated at tyrosine residues and its phosphorylation persisted, at the restrictive temperature, in cells transformed by a ts mutant of RSV.

Ultrastructure of the placenta and fetal membranes of the dog: II. The yolk sac

Yolk sacs from dogs at 40, 50, and 60 days of gestation were examined by electron microscopy. Free ribosomes, mitochondria, and rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) are more prominent in both endoderm and mesothelium at 40 and 50 days than at 60 days, suggesting a greater synthetic capacity at the earlier stages. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER) and glycogen are also present in greater amounts in the endoderm in the earlier stages. In the mesothelium, however, low amounts of sER and glycogen are consistently present. Certain possibilities relative to the nature of the synthetic activities in these two tissues are discussed. Large amounts of smooth-surfaced vesicles were observed along the basal edges of the 60-day mesothelium; they are indicative of transport processes occurring at this time. As gestation proceeds, in both endoderm and mesothelium, the Golgi complex remains well developed, there are more numerous lysosomelike bodies, and bundles of intermediate filaments either increase or become more diffused. In some endoderm cells at 60 days, large vacuoles and dense glycogen deposits were noted. These observations indicate that degenerative processes are gradually occurring in the endoderm and mesothelium as parturition draws near. Erythropoiesis occurs in the mesenchyme at 40 and 50 days. At 40 days also, segments of endothelium were seen within blood islands, indicating that the endothelial lining of some yolk sac vessels differentiates from cells located in the interior of such islands.

Dissolution characteristics of Pu-contaminated soils and sediments in lung serum simulant solution

Dissolution characteristics of Pu from contaminated Nevada Test Site (NTS) and Rocky Flats (RF) soils, and Mound Laboratory (ML) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) sediments in lung serum simulant solution at 37 degrees C were investigated. The dissolved Pu concentration had reached a maximum within a day of equilibration and the percent dissolved Pu at the maximum was 0.70 (RF), 0.43 (ML), 0.02 (ORNL), and 0.02 (NTS). The Pu concentrations of the RF, ML and ORNL samples in the successively extracted solutions decreased drastically but the concentration in the NTS soil extracts did not change significantly. The differences in Pu dissolution among the samples were caused by the differences in the total Pu concentration, particle size distribution, and chemical nature of Pu in contaminated soils and sediments. The higher solubility of the particulate Pu form in the RF soil relative to the ORNL sediment contaminated by dissolved Pu suggests that contamination source alone can not explain the observed differences. Variation of Pu solubility among the samples indicates that a single solubility class for dose assessment use may not be appropriate, particularly if one attempts to make comparative assessments among different sites.

Complications in treatment of trochanteric fractures using Ender's nails--a review of 120 patients

A prospective study of 120 Chinese patients with trochanteric fractures treated with the surgical method of Ender's Nailing was undertaken. The average age of the patients was 79 years (ranged from 57 to 105 years). The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 18 months, with an average of 8 1/2 months. The mortality rate was 6%. There was no incidence of non-union, delayed union or deep wound infection. Local complications included extrusion of the nails, perforation of the femoral head, supracondylar fracture of the femur, mild limb shortening and external rotational deformity. Hip and knee pain occurred in a small percentage of patients but these tended to improve with time. Weight bearing walking could be started in the first week after operation in most of the patients. The functional result at 6 months was good in 73% of the patients. This method had the advantage of a limited surgical approach, minimal blood loss and good functional result. Analysis of the causes of the local complications indicated that if operative precautions were taken, morbidity could be reduced.

Selective-Differential Medium for Isolation and Differentiation of Pectinatus from Other Brewery Microorganisms

An agar medium, LL-agar (lactate-lead acetate) was designed to selectively differentiate members of the genus Pectinatus (S. Y. Lee, M. S. Mabee, and N. O. Jangaard, Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 28 :582-594, 1978; S. Y. Lee, M. S. Mabee, N. O. Jangaard, and E. K. Horiuchi, J. Inst. Brew. 86 :28-30, 1980) from other brewery microorganisms. Selectivity was achieved by the use of sodium lactate as the sole source of carbon and phenylethyl alcohol as an inhibitor for aerobic gram-negative bacteria and yeast. Differentiation was established by the introduction of lead acetate into the medium, which reacted with the H 2 S liberated by Pectinatus and resulted in a blackening of the Pectinatus colonies while the other brewery organisms, when present, remained white. In combination with the Lee tube (J. E. Ogg, S. Y. Lee, and B. J. Ogg, Can. J. Microbiol. 25 :987-990, 1979) and this medium, isolation of Pectinatus organisms from beer samples was accomplished with convenience and simplicity.

A correlation between mutagenic and carcinogenic potencies in a diverse group of N-nitrosamines: determination of mutagenic activities of weakly mutagenic N-nitrosamines

The mutagenic activities of a diverse group of N-nitrosamines were measured in Salmonella typhimurium TA 100 under conditions designed to maximize metabolism of N-nitrosamines and enhance their mutagenic effects. These conditions were also chosen since some of the carcinogens were previously reported to be non-mutagenic or of questionable mutagenic activity and some only became mutagenic after the bacteria were exposed to a "threshold does" of metabolites. The mutagenic potencies spanned a range of 10(5)-fold and correlated well with semiquantitative carcinogenic potencies taken from the literature. This correlation appears to be the strongest yet reported for any particular class of compounds. In addition, the mutagenic activities of a number of carcinogens, previously reported to be non-mutagenic, were determined. Among the structural features necessary for high mutagenic activity in this group of compounds was a potential, unsubstituted methylating or ethylating group. Substitution of alkyl, hydroxyl, methoxyl, and cyano moieties at the alpha or beta carbon of these groups reduced mutagenic activity.

A modified tube method for the cultivation and enumeration of anaerobic bacteria

A new type of tube (the Lee tube) has been developed for use in the cultivation and enumeration of obligate anaerobes. The Lee tube is a double-walled, screw-capped tube which allows the formation of a thin cylinder of agar medium between the two walls. Anaerobiosis is achieved through deoxygenation of the deep cylinder of agar during sterilization, a minimum of head space, and use of a reducing agent to absorb oxygen introduced during the inoculation procedure. For several species of Clostridium, Bacteroides fragilis, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Veillonella alcalescens, and Pectinatus cerevisiiphilus, colony counts of cultures in the Lee tubes were comparable with those obtained in pour plates incubated in a BBL GasPak system and in anaerobic roll tubes.

Isolation of human alpha-fetoprotein in two fractionation steps and demonstration of homogeneity

Human alpha-fetoprotein (hAFP) has been isolated from cord serum in 40% yield using an isolation procedure consisting of only two major steps: affinity chromatography followed by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The final product appeared homogeneous on the basis of five independent criteria for purity. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) demonstrated a single polypeptide chain with molecular weight of 71,000. The protein exhibited an apparent isoelectric point (pI') of 4.85, molecular radius of 3.0 nm and a valence (net H+/molecule) of 21.9 derived from computation of analytical PAGE data. The two-step isolation procedure made it possible for a single operator to isolate milligram amounts of hAFP in a matter of weeks.

Continued pregnancy after failed first trimester abortion

Forty-six patients with unintentional continued pregnancy were detected among a series of 65,045 first trimester abortions. Patients at greatest risk are those with very early pregnancy and those with marked uterine anteversion or retroversion or with uterine anomaly. Attention to gestational duration and uterine size as related to the amount and character of the evacuated tissue, particularly stressing identification of villi and fetal tissues, may help avoid this problem.

Small stable RNAs from Escherichia coli: evidence for the existence of new molecules and for a new ribonucleoprotein particle containing 6S RNA

Small stable RNA molecules of Escherichia coli other than 5S (rRNA) and 4S (tRNA) were studied. Two of the molecules corresponded to 4.5S and 6S RNA, which have been reported previously. The third stable RNA molecule, 10S RNA, has not been described before. RNA labeled with (32)P(i) or [(14)C]uracil for a relatively long time, when separated in 5%/12% tandem polyacrylamide gels, displayed three bands corresponding to 10S, 6S, and 4.5S RNA in addition to rRNA and tRNA bands. These RNAs were stable in pulse-chase-labeling experiments. The amount of these RNAs was small, comprising only 0.2 to 0.5% of the total (32)P incorporation. However, this amount represented a large number of molecules; for 6S and 4.5S, it was about 1,000/DNA molecule. These three RNAs were found in the postribosomal supernatant fraction. None of them was found in purified nucleoid fractions in which the tightly coiled DNA molecules were contained. Of these three RNAs, 6S RNA was unique in that it seemed to exist in a ribonucleoprotein particle. All these RNAs, as well as tRNA, were very stable in the cell under various physiological conditions. 5S RNA was less stable. On the other hand, purified 6S RNA was more susceptible than tRNA to cell nucleases when incubated with cell extracts, suggesting that, being in a particle, it is protected from cell nucleases.

A comparative study of the effect of oxantel-pyrantel suspension and mebendazole in mixed infections with Ascaris and Trichuris

A comparative trial was carried out in 4 orphanges in Seoul, to compare the anthelminthic efficacy of oxantel-pyrantel suspension and mebendazole tablets against mixed infections of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura. 40 patients were divided into 4 groups and received oxantel-pyrantel suspension at 15 or 20mg/kg once only or on 2 consecutive days. Another group of 20 patients was treated with 100mg of mebendazole twice a day for 3 days. Both drugs achieved a 100% cure rate for Ascaris infections. Against Trichuris infections, the average cure rate and egg reduction rate of oxantel-pyrantel treated groups was 87.5% and 92.3% respectively, and that for mebendazole was 65% and 89.1%. There were no side-effects. The results of the present study suggest that oxantel-pyrantel is more effective in the treatment of mixed infections of Ascaris and Trichuris, and was more acceptable to the patients, than mebendazole.