Myopathic changes in diaphragm of rats fed pyridostigmine bromide subchronically

To determine if alterations in muscle morphology occur after subchronic oral administration of pyridostigmine bromide, rats were fed 90 mg/kg continuously in meal and examined at 1, 2, 4, 7, and 15 days. Within the first day, cholinesterase activity was reduced by 87% and remained inhibited by 74-91% for the entire course of the feeding. Light microscopy demonstrated that by the first day approximately 1 in 100 myofibers was shrunken and contained centralized nuclei. Electron microscopic examination showed that while presynaptic areas of neuromuscular junctions were relatively unaffected by this dose, postsynaptic areas invariably showed maximal changes. Ultrastructural alterations included disruption of myofilaments, mitochondrial changes consistent with accumulation of calcium, and nuclear alterations. These effects appeared not to be cumulative and were greatly diminished by 15 days even under constant drug administration and inhibition of cholinesterase activity. We conclude that subchronic feeding of pyridostigmine bromide induces primarily myopathic rather than neurogenic changes in the diaphragm and that some mechanism of accommodation may be activated that minimizes continued muscle injury.

Psychological disturbance and illness behaviour in a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases

Patients attending a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic were asked to complete the General Health Questionnaire and the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire. Data were collected from 852 patients. One-third of the sample were found to score positively on the GHQ, indicating possible psychological disturbance. Women were more likely than men to score positively on the GHQ. On the General Hypochondriasis scale of the IBQ the sample's scores were higher than any other normative data except those obtained from psychiatric in-patients. On this scale homosexual and bisexual males scored significantly higher than heterosexual males. It is argued that the IBQ draws attention to important dimensions of psychological distress in STD clinics.

The assessment of patients' distress in genito-urinary medicine clinics

A sample of patients attending the clinic of a Department of Genito-Urinary Medicine in London completed The General Health Questionnaire, The Illness Behaviour Questionnaire and The Illness Concern Questionnaire. The doctor whom they consulted was also asked to complete rating scales regarding each patient's level of psychological disturbance. Thirty-eight percent of patients scored highly on the GHQ, indicating possible psychological disturbance. However, only one in five of such 'cases' were also rated by the doctor as possibly psychologically disturbed. A number of social variables are examined that may facilitate or limit the communication of psychological distress. No evidence of labelling of deviant groups is found. However, both the sample in general and specific sub-groups in particular scored highly on scales of hypochondriasis and distress in relation to health and such characteristics appeared relevant to doctors' judgements of patients' psychological states.

Survey of psychological disturbance in patients attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic

A survey of psychological disturbance was conducted in a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic, using the general health questionnaire, the Crown-Crisp experiential index, and the illness concern questionnaire. Of 381 patients who completed the questionnaire, 158 (43%) had general health questionnaire scores indicating that they were psychiatric cases. Psychological disturbance was more common in women. The association between general health questionnaire caseness and patients' reports of concerns and worries about illness in relation to their presenting complaint was significant. The Crown-Crisp experiential index scores of cases were lower than those characteristic of patients attending psychiatric clinics, and much of the psychological disturbance found by this and other surveys of STD clinics may therefore represent distress in relation to the presenting problem. Of the 381 patients, 14 (4%) appeared to have an abnormal or unwarranted level of distress in relation to their presenting complaint.

The recognition of psychological disturbance in a sexually transmitted diseases clinic

This study examined the rate of psychological disturbance in a series of new patients attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. Forty three per cent of patients were identified as probable psychiatric cases by the General Health Questionnaire. Medical staff in the clinic were asked to assess patients' level of psychological disturbance. Disagreement between GHQ and doctors' ratings occurred in 41% of patients. Some patient and doctor characteristics were examined that might be associated with disagreement, and the results are discussed in terms of possible social--psychological influences upon doctors' recognition of psychological disturbance.

Photoperiod and melatonin influence seasonal gonadal cycles in the grasshopper mouse (Onychomys leucogaster)

Development of the reproductive apparatus was delayed in grasshopper mice maintained from birth in short photoperiods (10 h light/day). The inhibitory effects of short photoperiods on sexual maturation eventually waned and mice in 10L:14D became reproductively active. Adult mice transferred from long (14 h light/day) to short photoperiods underwent testicular regression after 10 weeks and complete gonadal redevelopment after 30 weeks. A similar phenomenon was observed in adult female mice; oestrous cycles ceased within 3 weeks and resumed after 13 weeks in the short photoperiod. The regressive effects of short photoperiods on the male reproductive system were mimicked by daily injections of melatonin administered to mice housed in 14L:10D. Responsiveness of the female reproductive system to melatonin was reduced among photorefractory as compared to photosensitive mice. We suggest that the initial rate of sexual maturation and the timing of seasonal breeding in adult mice are regulated by photoperiod; effects of short daylengths on the neuroendocrine-reproductive axis appear to be mediated by the pineal gland.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of new platinum complexes

A new type of antitumor platinum complex has been prepared and examined for antitumor activity against L1210 leukemia both in vitro and in vivo. The coordination environment of platinum in these complexes consists of three anionic chloride ions and a positively charged amine. The positive charge is introduced by monoprotonation or monoalkylation of a diamine. Platinum(IV) derivatives have been prepared for several of the complexes, and a water-soluble sulfate derivative has been prepared for one of them. Several of these complexes exhibit significant in vitro activity, and trichloro(3-aminoquinuclidinium)platinum(II) (QTP) exhibits significant in vivo activity as well. An increase in life span of approximately 40% has been observed using QTP. QTP is toxic at doses slightly in excess of effective doses.

Aorto-coronary vein fistula. A complication of coronary artery bypass graft surgery

We report two cases of the inadvertent insertion of a saphenous vein bypass graft into the anterior cardiac vein creating an aortocoronary vein fistula. The clinical recognition, evaluation, and management are discussed. Suggestions on surgical technique to help minimize or eliminate this potential complication during saphenous vein bypass surgery are proposed.

[Dose requirement and definition of the image with new types of mammographic systems (author's transl)]

Several film-screen-systems have been tested under clinical conditions in order to check their utility for mammography (Dupont, Kodak, 3M, Agfa, Auer). The aim was to find the balance between the resolution of the details and the minimal radiation dose.

Pseudo Meigs' syndrome. A case report

The association of ascites, hydrothorax and struma ovarii has been previously reported in the literature. This case is added to the literature describing a variant of Meigs' syndrome, or pseudo Meigs' syndrome. A discussion of the origin of ascitic fluid illustrates how little is known about these conditions as well as the importance of their careful differential diagnosis.

[An information system for a department of nuclear medicine (author's transl)]

A computer system is connected on-line to each working place of a department for nuclear medicine. It is assisting the daily work such as the measuring and processing of the measured data, the medical interpretation of the results and the finding of the diagnosis, and finally the composing and writing of medical reports. Additionally this system supports the organization of the department in many ways. The organisation and functions of the system are described.

Ein Abteilungs-Informationssystem für die Nuklearmedizin

Mit Hilfe eines on-line mit den Arbeitsplätzen verbundenen Computersystems wird die Routinearbeit einer nuklearmedizinischen Abteilung bei der Meßwerterfassung und -Verarbeitung, bei der medizinischen Ergebnisinterpretation und Arztbrieferstellung sowie bei zahlreichen organisatorischen Maßnahmen unterstützt. Aufbau und Arbeitsweise des Systems werden beschrieben.

[Protection from X-ray radiation in the surgical room (author's transl)]

Constructional radiation protection of X-ray examination rooms is perfectly settled by DIN 6812. The present study was intended to ascertain safe handling of X-rays in the surgical room. The measuring technique with LiF-dosimeters is described, and its results concerning the load to surgical personnel are communicated. Though, with frequent operations, the monthly turn-on time does not exceed thirty hours according to DIN 6811, the maximum permissible individual dose, nevertheless, will be exceeded. A practical representation of radiation load as a function of the turn-on time will facilitate to surgical personnel the estimation of dose. Then, spatial isodoses are shown by means of which the necessary protection equivalent of the building can be calculated. Even the minimum demand for a limitation of the controlled area to the surgical room does require lead-equivalent protection if the surgical room is small.

[A microcalorimeter for assessment of the G-value of a ferrous sulfate solution for high-energy electrons (author's transl)]

A microcalorimeter with constant ambient temperature has been designed (circa -195 degrees C = temperature of the absorber), which could be utilized with doses from 10 rd upward. The G-value for ferrous sulfate was assessed by means of comparison measurements with the calorimeter and a Fricke-dosimeter, using two different electron energies. The G-value at 24.8 MeV amounted to 15.64 +/- 0.14 ions/100 eV and at 38.8 MeV, to 15.60 +/- 0.13 ions/100 eV.

[Qualitative evaluation of x-ray intensifying screens (author's transl)]

The author is establishing a relationship between film density duo to the light of intensifying screens and lack of focus. From this ensues a quality factor for x-ray intensifying screens.