Race-related differences in peripheral blood and in bone marrow cell populations of American black and American white infants

The present study confirms that in healthy infants, a racial difference exists in peripheral blood hemoglobin levels, total leukocyte, and total neutrophil counts. Racial differences in the composition of the bone marrow are negligible. The only demonstrable difference is confined to the erythroid cell population. No significant difference exists in the incidence of myeloid cells or small lymphocytes.

Comparison of the effects of bromocriptine and levodopa in Parkinson's disease

The effects of bromocriptine and levodopa were compared in a blind trial in 18 patients with Parkinson's disease. Optimal doses of the two drugs were given in identical capsules: there was no significant difference between the therapeutic effects. There were wide individual differences in response to the two drugs. Side effects were more common with bromocriptine because of side effects.

[Cellular immunity in protein-caloric malnutrition]

In order to have a clearer idea on the relationship between infectious diseases and malnutrition, cellular immunity is studied in 3 to 18 months old malnourished and healthy infants. Nutritional status is evaluated by the food intake the anthropologic measurements and some biological parameters like transferrin. Cellular immunity is investigated by skin tests to tuberculin, monilia, P.H.A. and DNCB. Absolute number of peripheral lymphocytes and percentage of T cells are studied too. The results show that there is a cellular immunity deficiency: frequent non-response to antigens, weak sensitization to DNCB. Some patients have a low percentage of spontaneous rosettes. The transferrin titering is useful to appreciate the nutritional status and the iron therapy opportunity, the prognostic and the immunitary possibilities.

Evaluation of the iron status of a population

The iron status of a population of 1564 subjects living in the northwestern United States was evaluated by measurements of transferrin saturation, red cell protoporphyrin, and serum ferritin. The frequency distribution of these parameters showed no distinct separation between normal and iron-deficient subjects. When only one of these three parameters was abnormal (transferrin saturation below 15%, red cell protoporphyrin above 100 mug/ml packed red blood cells, serum ferritin below 12 ng/ml), the prevalence of anemia was only slightly greater (10.9%) than in the entire sample (8.3%). The prevalence of anemia was increased to 28% in individuals with two or more abnormal parameters, and to 63% when all three parameters were abnormal. As defined by the presence of at least two abnormal parameters, the prevalence of iron deficiency in various populations separated on the basis of age and sex ranged from 3% in adolescent and adult males to 20% in menstruating women. It is concluded that the accuracy of detecting iron deficiency in population surveys can be substantially improved by employing a battery of laboratory measurements of the iron status.

Gaining and losing weight in athletics

Participants in many sports, such as wrestling, gymnastics, and light-weight crew, attempt to reduce body weight to achieve a maximum ratio of muscle strength to body weight. Such weight reduction should result only from reduction in excess body fat. In most instances, weight reduction should be achieved at a rate of no more than 1 kg a week, through a modest reduction in diet and a moderate increase in exercise. More rapid weight reduction by starvation and dehydration compromises strength and endurance. Athletes attempting to gain weight should increase weight as muscle mass, not fat. Muscle mass is increased only through muscle work supported by an appropriate increase in food intake. No food, vitamin, drug, or hormone will increase muscle mass. It is recommended that the high caloric diet required to support muscle growth from increased work should be low in animal fats and cholesterol.

Results of irradiation of tumors in the region of the pineal body

The clinical findings and results of radiation treatment in 14 patients with tumors in the region of the pineal body are presented. The neurologic signs and symptoms improved significantly in 11 patients (79 per cent). The survival rate for five years or more was 50 per cent. Radiation therapy as the primary method of treatment is discussed.

Relationship of maternal and infant iron stores as assessed by determination of plasma ferritin

Using plasma ferritin derminations, iron stores have been evaluated at the end of pregnancy in 26 women and followed sequentially in their healthy, full-term infants. It has been shown that the iron storage status of the mother does not affect the iron status of the infant. Determinations of plasma ferritin in the infants have demonstrated that by 6 months of age the iron status of the infant reflects the adequacy of the dietary intake of iron. In the absence of effective iron supplementation during the first six months, plasma ferritin levels fall to low levels, indicating the depletion of iron stores in the infant.

The value of Gallium67 scanning in the evaluation of head and neck malignancy

Gallium (67Ga) citrate is a scanning agent that has been shown to have a differential uptake in a variety of malignancies. Investigation of the usefulness of 67Ga scanning patients with proven squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region is now in progress. These patients have a 67Ga total body scan as part of the pre-treatment evaluation. The accuracy of the procedure is then judged by correlation with clinical and surgical findings. The results in 25 patients show that a clearly positive uptake occurs in 60 percent in the region of the primary. Uptake in metastatic disease in lymph nodes is much less, occurring in 6 of 18 sides of the neck. In one case, where clinical examination was considered to be negative, the gallium scan was positive and subsequently proven to be correct by histological examination of the surgical specimen. The various difficulties encountered in interpreting gallium scans in the head and neck region are described. It is felt that by improved patient selection and special techniques the yield of positive cases can be improved and unsuspected extension of malignancy demonstrated.

The absorption of iron as supplements in infant cereal and infant formulas

The absorption of iron was measured from isotopically tagged salts used in supplementing infant cereals and as the iron supplement in cow's milk and soy-based formulas. Iron as sodium iron pryophosphate and ferric orthophosphate were poorly absorbed from infant cereal (mean, smaller than 1.0%) and thus are not dependable sources of iron to meet the nutritional needs of infants. Reduced iron of very small particle size and ferrous sulfate when added to cereal was absorbed to a greater extent (mean, 4.0% and 2.7% respectively). For technical reasons, these two forms of iron had not been added to commercial cereal products because of discoloration, distribution problems of the iron in the product, and shortened shelf life. Therefore, at the present time, iron supplementation of infant cereals with sodium iron pyrophosphate, ferric orthophosphate, and reduced iron of large particle size does not provide a predictable and available source of iron to meet the needs of infants. Supplemental iron as ferrous sulfate in milk- and soy-based formulas gave a mean absorption of 3.4% and 5.4%. The iron supplements in these formulas can essentially meet the needs for dietary iron of healthy infants.

Measurement of endogenous release of cholecystokinin by radioimmunoassay

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