Normal motility of the cecum and right ventral colon in ponies

To study the normal motility of the cecum and right ventral colon (RVC) in 3 mature Shetland ponies, a 6-part, indwelling, intraluminal catheter system was used to measure intraluminal pressure changes. Three catheters were placed in the cecum at 10, 25, and 40 cm from the cecocolic orifice, and 3 catheters were placed in the RVC at 10, 20, and 30 cm from the cecocolic orifice. Recordings were made during the interdigestive period beginning 2 weeks after surgical operation was done. Frequent, low-amplitude peaks (0.35 +/- 0.13 coordinated peaks/min) were seen involving the cecal body and caudal cecal base, which represented a haustra-to-haustra mixing pattern. Coordinated pressure peaks originated in the cecal body and progressed to the cranial cecal base (0.07 +/- 0.01/min) or originated in the cranial cecal base and progressed to the cecal body (0.07 +/- 0.04/min). Associated with a loud rush of ingesta heard on transabdominal auscultation and progression of liquid ingesta confirmed with barium contrast radiography, there was a series of coordinated, progressive pressure peaks which originated in the cecal body, sequentially involved the cecal base, traversed the cecocolic orifice, and extended into the RVC (0.36 +/- 0.05/min). It seemed that a pacemaker region existed in the cecal body and initiated the important aborally propagated progressive pattern responsible for the transit of ingesta from the cecum to the RVC. A separate mechanism for the transit of gas was not identified. In the RVC, infrequent, nondirectional, low-amplitude segmental pressure peaks (0.12 +/- 0.06/min), and aborally progressive coordinated pressure peaks originating at the beginning of the RVC (0.09 +/- 0.02/min), occurred.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Social and behavioral aspects of male homosexuality

This article describes some of the social and behavioral aspects of homosexual life styles, with particular reference to their implications for diagnosis, treatment, and continuing medical management. The cultural, psychologic, and sexual variables that may necessitate varying the management of homosexual or bisexual men compared with heterosexual men are emphasized. Areas of psychosomatic involvement, and the influence of social support and stigmatization on presentation and response, are also discussed.

Nasal obstruction caused by cystic nasal conchae in cattle

Four Holstein heifers were found to have partial nasal obstruction caused by bilateral cystic conchae. Three of the heifers (age range, 4 to 6 months) had a history of progressive nasal obstruction since near birth, were affected severely, and required surgical management. Each of 2 surgical procedures, a bilateral dorsolateral nasal flap approach and a dorsal nasal flap approach, was used successfully. The fourth heifer, which was 15 months old, had signs of nasal obstruction since shortly after birth, but was affected only mildly and was not treated. Follow-up information obtained 10 to 37 months later revealed that all cattle were considered normal and had no signs of nasal obstruction. In each case, a developmental problem or malformation of the ventral nasal concha resulting in cystic enlargement was suspected. The onset of clinical signs early in life and the bilateral nature suggested that the defect was of congenital origin.

The evaluation of illness behaviour and exaggeration of disability

The evaluation of illness behaviour can be complicated by subjective influences in either the patient or the clinician; these often arise in the evaluation of persons seeking compensation for injuries in which the symptoms are apparently exaggerated. The present study attempts to assess the usefulness of the CE Scale in determining the degree of conscious exaggeration by compensation claimants. Comparisons were made between psychiatrists' clinical evaluations of claimants and the scores obtained on this scale. The relationship between these two measures was found to be significant at the 1% level and specificity and sensitivity for less than 25% exaggeration on psychiatrists rating with a CE Scale cut-off of 11.69% and 100% respectively: for less than 34% exaggeration, they were 88% and 83%.

Cecal perforation in the horse

The case records of 23 horses with cecal perforation (CP) were reviewed. The horses averaged 4.5 years of age (6 weeks to 13 years) and included 9 intact males, 12 mares, and 2 geldings. Twelve of the horses were Standardbreds, 9 were Thoroughbreds, and 1 each, a Belgian and Morgan. The horses were allotted to 2 groups: group I-13 hospitalized horses in which CP occurred unexpectedly, and group II-10 horses with CP at the time of admission. The horses characteristically had been sick or affected with disease unrelated to the cecum. Sixteen horses had been given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs before the onset of CP. Twelve of the 13 hospitalized patients (group I) had vague, scarcely recognizable clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease before CP. The clinical signs and clinical laboratory changes that appeared in affected horses were identifiable with severe endotoxin shock, secondary to peritoneal contamination with ingesta and bacteria. All horses died. At necropsy of the horses, the cecum was large and firm and was filled with ingesta, and the colon was empty; however, in 1 postpartum mare, the cecum and colon contained the usual amount of ingesta and were normal in size. In all horses, a single perforation was present, which appeared at various sites. The most common was a transverse perforation along the ventral aspect of the cecal body. Gross and microscopic examinations uncovered no existing disease near the perforation site or in other areas of the cecal wall or cecocolic orifice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Psychosocial factors in admitting to homosexuality in sexually transmitted disease clinics

This study investigated the factors that predict nonadmission of homosexual orientation in public and private clinics for sexually transmitted diseases in Sweden, Finland, Ireland, and Australia. Results from 604 respondents indicate that nonadmitters in all four countries are likely to conceal their orientation from most people, to expect the most negative reaction to their homosexuality, to believe in more conservative sex roles for males and females, to report themselves as more bisexual, to have had no previous sexually transmitted infections, and to have had worse relationships with their mother during adolescence than admitters. Men who attend private clinics are usually older, more conservative, of higher social class, and have had more negative reactions to their homosexuality from others. These data suggest that nonadmitters are most likely to be reassured by empathy and, particularly, explicit discussion of and expressed acceptance of homosexuality and bisexuality, reiteration of confidentiality. and avoidance of questions that assume the sex of partner. Thus, manipulation of the clinic environment may help to decrease the number of individuals who do not admit to sexual contacts with members of the same sex.

Characteristics of homosexual men who donate blood

A number of demographic, psychological, medical, immunological and haematological indices, as well as sexual practices and partner numbers, were investigated in 97 homosexual men in Adelaide. A comparison of blood donors with non-donors among these men showed that the donors were younger, spent more time in the homosexual subculture, maintained a stable blood-donation pattern, and were significantly less likely to have had a sexually transmitted disease. Donors contacted their sexual partners in non-anonymous settings more frequently than did non-donors.

Predictors of Partner Numbers in Homosexual Men

Six hundred four homosexual men in four countries (Sweden, Finland, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland) were investigated with regard to their number of sexual partners over the past year and a number of psychological variables including masculinity and femininity, number of infections with sexually transmitted agents, relationships with parents, attitudes toward homosexuality, degree of homosexuality, sex-role conservatism, and a number of demographic variables. By use of multiple linear regression on partner numbers for each sample, it was found that between 15% and 28% of the variance of number of partners was accounted for by psychosocial factors, and that the great majority of these were significant in more than one country. Predictors included masculine and feminine personality traits, relationships with mother, degree of homosexuality, perceived societal attitudes toward homosexuality, age, and education. The data strongly suggest that psychosocial factors are significant predictors of numbers of partners of homosexual men, and that psychological approaches to treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases may be warranted.

Sociological and psychological predictors of STD infection in homosexual men: a study of four countries

I investigated over 600 homosexual men in four countries (Sweden, Finland, Ireland, and Australia) regarding the number of times they had contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and several psychological variables including masculinity and feminity, sex role conservatism, relationships with parents, number of sexual partners, attitudes towards homosexuality, and involvement in the homosexual subculture. Using multiple linear regression in each country, it was found that 19-42% of the variance of number of times infected could be accounted for by psychosocial factors, seven of which were common to all countries. The number of sexual partners was not a significant variable in any country. These data strongly suggest that numbers of infections in homosexual men are best predicted by psychological factors, and this has considerable implications for preventative and treatment programmes for homosexuals.

The relationship of panic-fear to anxiety and tension in jaw wiring for obesity

Sixty patients being jaw-wired for massive obesity were administered the MMPI Panic-Fear scale as well as self- and clinician's ratings of pre- and post-wiring tension and anxiety. Results confirmed the hypotheses that the scale would correlate significantly with patients' subjective feelings of tension and anxiety regarding the procedure, and that defaulters who were unwired or who unwired themselves had higher scale scores. The findings suggest that panic-fear is involved in defaulting from jaw wiring, and that panic-fear may have some utility in determining risk factors in jaw wiring as a treatment for massive obesity.

Sexually transmitted diseases in homosexual men: A study of four societies

The prevalence of venereal disease among homosexual men was investigated by looking at non-clinic patients from Sweden, Australia, Finland, and the Republic of Ireland. Results showed significant differences between nationalities in the incidence of syphilis, gonorrhoea, other sexually transmitted diseases (STD), number of variables of presentation to STD clinics, and number of infections. Data were interpreted as indicating that social and cultural factors may influence incidence of STD in male homosexuals.

Beyond the biological model: new directions in bisexual and homosexual research

Past research on homosexuality has been based on two assumptions: one, that gender is the critical determinant of a sexual relationship, and two, that sexual orientation is an essential condition. This paper argues that investigation of sexual relationships on these bases tests only within, rather than between, paradigms of possible relationships. It assumes that choice of partners is based on a number of physical and psychological characteristics apart from their biological sex and that different meanings of sexuality and of the contexts of sexual encounters will determine which characteristics are chosen. It is also suggested that comparisons between groups of exclusive homosexuals and exclusive heterosexuals will not cast light on preferred partner characteristics. It is therefore necessary to look at the preferred partner characteristics of bisexuals in order to understand the bases and significance of homosexual or heterosexual partner choice. Finally, it is concluded that the meanings of homosexuality in different contexts may be so varied that the possibility of establishing a unified theory of the homosexual identity is precluded.

Parental rearing and transient thought disorder in young adults

85 students and 72 medical and surgical patients, aged between 16 and 24, and 48 mature-aged clerical and executive workers, aged between 29 and 60, were administered a written version of a scale measuring transient thought disorder, the Eysenck personality questionnaire and the EMBU questionnaire on parental rearing methods. It was found that there were differences between samples on frequency of depersonalisation, and that a majority of the young adult sample had had two or more depersonalisation experiences. Those who had experienced the greater degree of transient thought disorder had had fathers who were more intolerant, unaffectionate and unstimulating, and mothers who were more intolerant, unstimulating and rejecting. Transient thought disorder was related significantly to both psychoticism and particularly to neuroticism on the EPQ in the young, but not the mature adult, sample. It is suggested that it arises as a function of remote and uninvolved parents and is related to uncertainty about identity.

Designing sexual medicine courses: a model

While sexual medicine is increasingly being seen as an integral part of medical courses, it is difficult to introduce to and integrate into existing curricula. This paper presents an hierarchical model for design of sexual medicine courses which takes into account factors such as environmental constraints (time, money, staff), objectives, content, teaching methods, sequencing, implementation and evaluation. The format of the model is an attempt to address the problems which lead to the necessity to provide courses in sexual medicine to undergraduate medical students.

Neurosis and conscious symptom exaggeration: its differentiation by the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire

In an attempt to develop an instrument to differentiate conscious exaggerators of symptoms from normals and neurotics, the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ) was administered to 164 members of a public utility, half of whom were instructed to fill it out as conscious exaggerators, and 82 individuals who presented at a hospital pain clinic with pain considered to be neurotically determined. Four IBQ subscales differentiated the three groups, and a new 21-item scale (CE-scale) was developed which achieved wide separation between the conscious exaggerators, neurotics and normals. It is suggested that the CE-scale may have considerable utility in assessing conscious exaggerators and compensation neurotics, and that further studies should assess its predictive value.

Dimensions of child-rearing practices. Factor structure of the EMBU

Measurement of the dimensions of parental-rearing practices was undertaken using an English form of the EMBU inventory, which was administered to 282 non-clinical subjects. Results indicated that eight of the 14 subscales of the EMBU could be identified on oblique factor analysis, and that six other dimensions were specific to Mother or Father. Results suggest that method of factor extraction plays an important part in number of dimensions of child-rearing practices identified, and that it may be appropriate to assume that dimensions of parental rearing are correlated rather than independent.

Parental rearing patterns and suicidal thoughts

In an attempt to investigate the parental rearing patterns associated with presence of suicidal thoughts, a measure of child rearing patterns (EMBU) and the EPQ measure of personality dimensions were administered to 85 university students, 72 medical and surgical patients, and 125 employees of a state department, along with two questions tapping suicidal thoughts. Results indicated that those with suicidal ideation had parents who had separated more often than controls, and that parental rearing of those with suicidal thoughts included parents who favoured siblings rather than subject, were unstimulating, guilt-engendering, rejecting and unaffectionate. Fathers were more abusive and punitive. These findings suggest that suicidal thoughts may be related to rejection and lack of self-esteem, and that therapy which focuses on resolving parental rejection may be of some use in patients with suicidal ideation.

Torsion of the descending colon in a cow

An acute intestinal obstruction caused by a torsion of the descending colon with incarceration and strangulation of the apex of the cecum was diagnosed in a mature Holstein cow. The clinical signs manifested were acute anorexia, depression, signs of abdominal pain, and absence of feces. Rectal examination revealed a sharp decrease in luminal size of the descending colon and taut bands at that level. The final diagnosis was obtained by exploratory celiotomy. Although surgical correction was attempted, the cow died of acute fecal peritonitis 18 hours postoperatively.Acute intestinal obstruction caused by torsion of the descending colon in the cow has not been reported in the literature.

Clinical profiles of Hare Krishna devotees

The author tested the entire population (N = 42) of the Hare Krishna Temple in Melbourne on the MMPI, the General Health Questionnaire, and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire psychometric indices and then randomly selected 6 subjects to take the Present State Examination. All scores and findings were within the normal range, although members showed a slight decline in mental health (as measured on the MMPI) after 1 1/2 years in the movement and a slight increase in mental health after 3 years in the movement. These findings do not support the popular view that many members of the Hare Krishna movement are mentally disordered.

Hypoglycemic seizures in a Shetland pony

A 12-year-old, 195 kg Shetland pony broodmare had eight seizures between May 29 and August 7, 1979. Plasma glucose levels during three of these seizures were markedly depressed (16, 18 and 19 mg/100 ml). Serum insulin levels were elevated during two of the seizures (86.0 and 97.7 microU/ml). Although a fasting hypoglycemia was not demonstrated, plasma glucose values during a normal day were abnormal; a plasma glucose level of 42 mg/100 ml was noted eight hours post-feeding. Serum insulin values obtained during an oral glucose tolerance test and intravenous glucagon tolerance test were consistent with organic hyperinsulinism of a pancreatic origin. An intravenous glucose tolerance test and a twenty-four hour fast failed to differentiate between the subject and control ponies with respect to plasma glucose and serum insulin levels. Gross and microscopic pathological evaluation of the pancreas revealed a single 2.0 mm adenoma of pancreatic islet cell origin and hyperplasia of islet cells, predominantly beta cells. This is the first report of hypoglycemic seizures in a horse as a result of a pancreatic neoplasm and associated hyperinsulinism.

Locus of control in obesity: predictors of success in a jaw-wiring programme

One hundred and thirty-three obese women were administered a modified version of the Reid-Ware Locus of Control questionnaire prior to jaw wiring. The factorial structure of the questionnaire was examined, and found to be primarily a unidimensional measure of internal and external locus of control, with two subscales. Total score had greatest predictive validity in terms of the four criteria of success of weight loss while wired, percentage weight loss of wiring weight, weight gain over six months, and compliance with the treatment régime. Twenty items of the scale predicted success on one or more of these criteria of success, and are presented as an abbreviated locus of control scale with a higher degree of validity than the original scale.

Femininity, masculinity, and sexual orientation: some cross-cultural comparisons

Predominantly homosexual males from Australia (n = 163), Sweden (n = 176) and Finland (n = 149) were compared on the Bem Sex-Role Inventory and on various measures of partner preference in order to establish the relationship between degree of homosexuality in terms of Kinsey Scale position and gender identity. Results suggest that while there is no relationship between femininity and degree of homosexuality, masculinity is inversely related depending on the degree of sex role stereotyping and anti-homosexual attitudes of the society the subjects live in. Such findings suggest that deviant gender identity is a function not of homosexuality as such but of societal attitudes which may reinforce a homosexual role.

New inventory for measurement of parental rearing patterns. An English form of the EMBU

Despite the importance of measurement of parental rearing patterns in psychiatric research, there are almost no acceptable standardised inventories available. An English-language version of the Swedish EMBU Inventory is presented, which has subscales measuring the degree to which each parent was abusive, depriving, punitive, shaming, rejecting, overprotective, overinvolved, tolerant, affectionate, performance-oriented, guilt-engendering, stimulating, favoured siblings, and favoured the subject. Results indicate high and comparable reliability and item-factor structure. It would appear that the EMBU has both cross-cultural reliability and stable structure in the English translation.

Social factors in homosexually acquired venereal disease. Comparison between Sweden and Australia

The prevalence of venereal disease was studied in homosexuals in two countries, Sweden and Australia, which are similar apart from their different legal and social attitudes to homosexuality. Social attitudes were not generally associated with differences in the numbers of infections and reinfections in homosexual men with sexually transmitted diseases. Using a non-clinical sample there was some evidence that sexually transmitted diseases in homosexuals are grossly overestimated if cases rather than individuals are used as an index. Furthermore, the incidence of syphilis was related to the numbers of partners and the latency of symptoms in both societies.

Validation of a rapid solid-phase radioimmunoassay for canine, bovine, and equine insulin

A rapid and convenient commercial radioimmunoassay kit, developed for quantifying hormones in specimens from human beings, was validated for use in measuring insulin in serum of dogs, cattle, and horses. The procedure uses polypropylene assay tubes treated with rabbit anti-porcine insulin serum and porcine [125I]iodoinsulin. Specificity was proven by demonstrating that standard solutions of porcine insulin and serial dilutions of canine, bovine, and equine sera and pancreatic extracts inhibited binding of [125I]iodoinsulin to the antibody in a parallel manner. Gel-filtration chromatography of pancreatic extracts yielded a major peak of immunoreactive material that eluted identically with [125I]iodoinsulin. Immunoreactivity was not associated with fractions that contain larger and smaller molecular weight peptides (eg, proinsulin and C-peptide, respectively). Biological specificity of the assay was shown by demonstrating increased insulin in serum after injection of glucose into heifers and glucagon into dogs and horses. Purified insulin and insulin in pancreatic extracts could be quantitatively recovered from serum, thereby demonstrating accuracy of the assay. Interassay precision of 5 control specimens run in 20 consecutive assays ranged from 6.7% to 20.1% (coefficient of variation) and intra-assay precision of 6 control specimens each assayed 10 times ranged from 4.4% to 10.7% (coefficient of variation). Sensitivity of the assay was 3.2 microIU/ml. This radioimmunoassay for insulin is ideal for veterinary research and diagnosis, because a single set of reagents and procedures can be used for at least 3 species.

Cross-cultural approaches to transsexualism. A comparison between Sweden and Australia

Several hypotheses with regard to the influence of societal factors including the rigidity of the society with regard to sex roles, sexual equality and homosexual behaviour were tested comparing prevalence, incidence and sex ratio of transsexualism between Sweden and Australia, two societies which differ with respect to these factors while otherwise remaining comparable as Western democratic societies of about the same size and level of technological development. Significant differences were found between the two countries in both frequency and sex ratio of transsexualism. These findings are discussed and it is concluded that societal influences seem to have an influence on the number of transsexuals presenting as patients. Further research is needed to assess whether these factors also influence aetiology and development of transsexualism.

Retrospective distortion in homosexual research

Two possible levels of bias have been reported with regard to recall of human sexual behavior. A third level is postulated, that of bias in line with societal expectations. Looking at Australian and Swedish homosexual men, significant differences were found in recall of opposite-sex childhood play expectations independent of relationships with parents. It is concluded that sex-role rigidity and attitudes toward homosexuality may play an important part in these differences.