Psychomotor performance and prognosis of chronic mental patients: an extension of the work of Brooks and Weaver

Previous work dealing with the prediction of successful candidates for psychiatric rehabilitation was extended. 67 chronically ill patients who were hospitalized either at the time of the study or previously were tested on a series of psychomotor tests utilizing an apparatus introduced by Brooks and Weaver, plus an additional Pinboard. Prediction of discharge of patients hospitalized at the time of the study replicated previous results, including the finding that Pinboard scores were the most powerful single predictor. Job-finding was also predicted by the battery but with less efficiency. Psychomotor performance did not predict inpatient vs outpatient status at the time of testing. A composite score analysis suggests that the battery is a useful device for selection of candidates for psychiatric rehabilitation programs.

Antigens in immunity. XIV. Electron microscopic radioautographic studies of antigen capture in the lymph node medulla

Details of antigen trapping and processing in the rat lymph node have been investigated by the technique of high resolution radioautography. A series of 24 adult rats was injected with 20 microg of (125)I-labeled Salmonella adelaide flagella, given as either a primary or a secondary stimulus into one hind foot-pad. At intervals ranging from 3 min to 3 wk, rats were killed and the popliteal nodes were processed for electron microscopic radioautography using Kodak NTE emulsion. The present paper deals with events in the lymph node medulla, and an accompanying report describes the radically different behavior of antigen in the cortical follicles. In the medulla, lightly labeled granulocytes were transiently encountered, but by far the greatest bulk of antigen was in macrophages. Antigen entered these cells in two ways: by direct penetration of the plasma membrane; and by pinocytosis. In either case, the antigen rapidly became surrounded by tiny vesicles which may have represented Golgi-derived "protolysosomes." Vacuolar fusion ensued and a series of progressively larger and more complex antigen-containing "phagolysosomes" was formed. Substantial amounts of antigen could be detected in such bodies for at least 3 wk. The antigen injection, as expected, caused extensive plasma-cytopoiesis. No evidence of label in plasma cells was obtained. No special anatomic relationship between plasma cells and antigen depot sites was discovered. These results are briefly discussed in relation to current theories of immune induction.

Antigens in immunity. XV. Ultrastructural features of antigen capture in primary and secondary lymphoid follicles

This paper describes the trapping of antigen in lymphoid follicles of rat popliteal lymph nodes as revealed by electron microscopic radioautographs following injection of (125)I-labeled Salmonella adelaide flagella and other materials. The antigen was taken up vigorously, and to an approximately equal extent, by both primary and secondary follicles. The rate of uptake was faster in preimmunized than in virgin adult rats. The bulk of the antigen in follicles was extracellular, and persisted in this location for at least 3 wk. Label was most frequently found at or near the surface of fine cell processes. Many of these were branches of dendritic follicular reticular cells. Such processes interdigitated with equally fine processes of lymphocytes, creating an elaborate meshwork. In some cases, antigen was found between lymphocytes which appeared to be in close apposition. Occasionally, a few grains appeared over lymphocyte nuclei and study of serial sections suggested that this probably represented true entry of small amounts of antigen into lymphocytes. The characteristic "tingible body" macrophages (TBM) of germinal centers appeared to play only a secondary role in follicular antigen retention. They showed degrees of labeling over their phagocytic inclusions varying from negligible to moderately heavy. Moreover, follicles lacking or poor in TBM retained antigen just as effectively as those containing numerous TBM. The hypothesis is advanced that TBM may be derived from monocytes that migrate down from the circular sinus. Follicular localization of three other materials was also studied, though not in such detail. These were (125)I-HSA complexed to anti-HSA: (125)I-labeled autologous IgG; and (125)I-monomeric flagellin. All of these showed the basic features of intercellular, membrane-associated deposition noted with (125)I-flagella. The role of follicular antigen depots in immune induction is discussed. The tentative conclusion is reached that follicular antigen in a primary follicle encounters natural antibody on the surface of certain antigen-reactive lymphocytes. The resultant reaction causes blast cell transformation and eventually the genesis of a germinal center.

Use of droperidol and fentanyl for analgesia and sedation in primates

A combination of droperidol and fentanyl produces qualitatively similar pharmacologic effects in dogs and primates. Unlike the dog, however, primates did not appear to respond to auditory stimuli. As a result of the analgesic and sedative or tranquil state produced in primates, the animals were easily handled and tolerant of painful stimuli. The principal desirable features of the combination were high analgesic and sedative potency and a rapid onset of action following intramuscular administration. High doses produced respiratory depression. However, this effect was easily reversed by administering nalorphine hydrochloride.

The presence of ergothioneine in the central nervous system and its probable identity with the cerebellar factor

1. Ergothioneine has been detected and quantitatively estimated in the brains of mice, rats, guinea-pigs, rabbits, cats and sheep. It is present in the cerebellum in amounts ranging from about 3.0 mug/g in the cat to 10 mug/g in the guinea-pig. Amounts in the cerebral hemispheres are much smaller, ranging from < 0.1 mug/g in the cat to 1.6 mug/g in the guinea-pig.2. Large amounts of ergothioneine (about 30 mug/g) were found in the optic nerves of the rabbit. None was detected in the dorsal columns of the spinal cord of the same species.3. Ergothioneine has an excitatory action on the electrical activity of the cerebellum of the decerebrate rabbit and the excitatory actions of cerebellar extracts on this preparation are completely accounted for by their contained ergothioneine.4. It is concluded that the cerebellar factor of Crossland & Mitchell (1956) is identical with ergothioneine.

Instrumental Methods for the Analysis of Polymeric Materials

Advances in our knowledge of the chemical and physical structure of polymeric substances have been due in large measure to new and improved instrumental methods of analysis. From the standpoint of chemical structure all polymers have at least one functional group, often in low concentration, e.g., an end group. Principal progress has been made, first, in identification of these groups, and, more recently, in their quantitative determination and location within the molecule. In some cases conventional chemical methods have been greatly improved to provide the high sensitivity required for these analyses, particularly for groups such as acid, amine, ester and carbonyl. However, most chemical methods depend on reaction in solution. Often the choice of solvent is limiting, since it must be inert toward both the sample and the reagents as well as be capable of dissolving a significant amount of the material to be analyzed. In many cases a suitable solvent is not available. Many of these restrictions do not apply to instrumental techniques. Infrared spectrophotometric methods, for example, may be (a) nondestructive and the sample can be recovered for other studies, (b) rapid, often being completed within several minutes, (c) direct in which films or dispersions can be handled and, therefore, limited solubility is not a problem, (d) capable of providing information on physical as well as chemical structure, and (e) capable of supplying other useful information during the course of an analysis. Examples of techniques used in analyses for chemical and physical structure are: (see PDF for table) This paper reviews primarily recent advances in instrumental techniques which have been shown to be capable of quantitative analysis for chemical structure. Also, reference is made to the use of infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and differential thermal analysis in studies of physical structure. Applications to characterizations of elastomers are emphasized, although for illustrative purposes investigations of other polymers often are discussed.

Oxidations with Iodosobenzene Diacetate. VII. The oxidation of p-Nitro-N-methylaniline

The reaction of p-nitro-N-methylaniline with iodosobenzene diacetate has been investigated in both benzene and acetic acid solution. The relative amount of the oxidant has been varied. The nature of the products indicates that extensive demethylation occurs. Tetramethylbenzidine is formed when dimethylaniline is oxidized in benzene. The mechanisms of these reactions are discussed.