A comparison of self-devaluation and somatic suggestion content in depressive mood manipulation

The Velten Mood Induction Procedure (VMIP), often used to manipulate depressive mood, has its effectiveness attributed to the self-devaluative content of its statements; this finding supports cognitive theories of depression. Recent research has suggested that somatic content is more important than self-devaluation content in producing depressive mood variations. To study this using the VMIP, a neutral condition and two modified depression conditions were used: Somatic and self-devaluation (N = 302). The results indicate that self-devaluative statements resulted in significantly more depressed affect than neutral Ss, but no more than somatic statements; this latter group, however, did not differ from neutral Ss. The results of the previous research indicating the importance of the somatic suggestion manipulations as having more influence than negative self-evaluative statements is questioned.

Intellect, perceptual characteristics, and weight gain in anorexia nervosa

Studied weight gain in a group of primary anorexics by examining two popular psychodiagnostic measures, the Wechsler and Rorschach, for indices that may predict improvement. Twenty-seven successively admitted anorexics to a behavior modification weight gain program at NIMH were studied. Using weight gain as a continuous criterion, multiple regression analyses indicated that perceptual-personality variables did not have any predictive power. Cognitive focusing skills, as measured by the Arithmetic and Digit Span subtests of the Wechsler, were found to account for roughly half of the variance and to be good predictors of weight gain.

In vitro renal transport of organic ions during exposure to hyperbaric helium

The possibility that hyperbaric helium can modify membrane function in nonneural cells was investigated by measuring the effect of pressure (29.6 atm He + 1.0 atm O2) on transport of the organic anion p-aminohippurate (PAH) and the organic cation tetraethylammonium (TEA) by renal cortex slices. Control slices were exposed to 100% O2 at 1 ATA. A unique incubating and shaking apparatus was built to allow remote control of the incubation conditions in a sealed chamber containing hyperbaric O2. In rat or rabbit renal tissue incubated for 90 min, pressure did not affect the uptake of either substance and was without effect on the total water content and inulin space of rat renal cortex. The kinetic characteristics of the transport systems were investigated by incubating tissue for 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, or 90 min. These experiments were analyzed by fitting a mathematical model to the data and calculating values for parameters representing the active and passive components of the transport processes. Pressure did not affect either of the parameters for PAH or for TEA transport. Thus, if helium elicits its known neural effects through an action on cell membranes, that action is not large enough to be detected by this assay system.

Alkalinization of the incubation medium by rat and rabbit renal cortical slices

The pH of bathing media containing acetate increased substantially during a 90-min incubation of renal cortex slices from rats and rabbits and did not achieve a steady state after 5 h. Alkalinization of the medium was markedly depressed by cold (0 degree C) and nearly abolished by incubation under 100% N2. Ammonia synthesis did not appear to be an important additional source of base. Incubation of tissue from either species in acetate-free medium reduced but did not abolish base production. Acetazolamide further reduced base production by rat kidney. It was concluded that a portion of the base added to the medium by rat renal tissue reflects the operation of a transport process that separates hydrogen and hydroxyl ions and may be the same one that normally secretes hydrogen ion into tubular fluid.

Sex roles and type A behavior

Examined relationships between sex-role identification and Type A behavior. Based on Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) scores, Ss (N = 64) were categorized as Androgynous, Masculine, Feminine, or Undifferentiated; the extent of Type A behavior was assessed via the Behavior Activity Profile. After biological sex had been covaried out, it was found that the Masculine group had significantly higher Type A scores than any of the other three groups. Also, Type A behavior correlated significantly with both the Masculinity and Femininity scales of the BSRI even though the scales themselves were statistically independent. It is suggested that identification with masculine but not feminine traits, while perhaps conducive to psychological health, may be dysfunctional in terms of long-term medical consequences.

The relationship of sex role to self-concept

Investigated the relationship of sex role in 136 Ss as measured by the Bem Sex Role Inventory to measures of self-concept and overt anxiety. Persons who rated themselves low in both masculine and feminine attributes were found to have significantly poorer self-concept than both androgynous and masculine Ss, which suggests that this group should be distinguished from high-high scorers labeled as androgynous. There was no significant difference in self-concept between masculine and androgynous Ss, and the masculine group reported significantly lower levels of anxiety. These findings support a previous contention that it is the presence of masculine attributes rather than a balance of masculinity and femininity that is crucial to personal adjustment.

Cognitive correlates of sex-role identification

This study examined sex role and its relationship to several cognitive variables. No relationship between these variables and sex role but a significant difference between males and females was found for only a perceptual-motor speed task. These findings may indicate that sex role is unrelated to cognitive style as measured here.

An explanation of impaired solute mixing in extracellular fluid after hemorrhagic hypotension

A theory is presented suggesting that the slowed rate of solute dispersion in the extracellular fluid (ECF) space during or after hemorrhagic shock is largely due to a depressed cardiac output, and that mixing may be improved by any fluid therapy that decreases the mean recirculation time for the solute. This theory was tested by comparing solute mixing rates after treatment of shocked anesthetized dogs with either protein-free Ringer solution with Ringer solution containing 5% albumin. The rate of mixing was determined by computer analysis of the disappearance of an ECF tracer from plasma. Compared with Ringer-treated dogs, the albumin-treated group had a faster rate of tracer equilibration, larger cardiac plasma output, and smaller, approximately normal ECF volume. It was concluded that the abnormal dispersion of solute within the ECF space seen during or after hypotension can be corrected simply by restoring the cardiac output, and that albumin-containing fluid may be more effective in this regard than crystalloid solution alone.

Sex-role stereotypes and their relationship to respondents' age and sex

The relationship of an individual's age and sex to his sex-role stereotypes was investigated using the Personal Attributes Questionnaire. The 140 males and 276 females differed significantly in their view of the masculine but not the feminine role; males held a more traditional view of the masculine sex role than females. In contrast age differences occurred only on the feminine sex role with subjects over 25 yr. of age consistently expressing a less stereotyped view of the feminine role.

The influence of pH on the sex-related differences in renal organic ion transport

The stimulating effects of elevated medium pH and androgen on in vitro transport of p-aminohippurate and N-methylnicotinamide (NMN) were additive, although the androgenic effect was pH-dependent only in the case of NMN. The similarity of response of the 2 systems supports the idea of a common passive efflux pathway for organic anions and cations.

Function of autotransplanted kidneys after 24-hour preservation by hypothermic pulsatile perfusion or simple cord storage

Canine kidneys, flushed with either Collins solution or autologous cryoprecipitated plasma, were then stored for 24 hr by either simple cold storage (submersion) in the flushing solution, or by continuous hypothermic pulsatile perfusion with cryoprecipitated plasma. After autotransplantation without contralateral nephrectomy, detailed split renal function studies were carried out immediately as well as 2 and 7 days later. Measurements were made of inulin clearance, maximal transport of p-aminohippurate, reabsorption of sodium, chloride, and glucose, and the reabsorption of free water. Contralateral nephrectomy was performed 7 days after transplantation, following measurement of renal functions on that day, and plasma urea nitrogen and creatinine were measured periodically over the ensuing 3 weeks. Renal function after transplantation was affected very little by the choice of flushing solution, and the course of azotemia that developed following contralateral nephrectomy was the same in all groups. However, the detailed functional measurements showed that during the 7-day period after transplantation, renal function was depressed to a much greater extent in kidneys treated by simple cold storage than in those that had been perfused.

Physiological parameters of indicator dilution curves

A model incorporating the effects of recirculation time lag, cardiac output, clearance, volume of distribution, and the variance of the distribution of recirculation times is applied to the analysis of indicator dilution curves. Experiments on dogs with use of radioactively labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid were done to evaluate the model. This five-parameter model can be fitted to data obtained during the period from less than 1 min to 3 h after a single injection of indicator. Estimates of cardiac output and clearance are in satisfactory agreement with estimates obtained by alternative techniques. Estimates of the time lag and volume of distribution are of physiologically plausible magnitude. The variance of the distribution of recirculation times is a new parameter, of which the possible usefulness to physiologists is discussed.

Thorium dioxide granuloma of the neck: a report of four cases

Four patients with Thorotrast granuloma are reported. The first patient had a radical neck dissection performed; however, postoperative hemorrhage and fistula occurred with a six-month delay in healing. The granuloma in this patient had totally occluded his carotid system with a greatly enlarged vertebral artery. A second patient presented with spontaneous bleeding in the neck from a granuloma followed by encephalomalacia, hemiparesis and aphasia. The third and fourth patients presented as hoarseness with a hard mass in the neck. All four patients had Thorotrast in the liver and spleen. The latter three had laryngoscopies and incisional neck biopsies as their only surgical treatment. Neck malignancy from Thorotrast is very rare. Despite legal decisions suggesting removal and similar suggestions in the literature, the authors feel only small extravasations have had uncomplicated operations. Neck dissection is rarely indicated. Hoarseness can be improved by vocal cord injection. These patients, of course, must be followed periodically as any other tumor, checking the neck mass, liver, and carotid circulation.

Prevention of meatal stenosis in conchal setback otoplasty

The conchal setback is a useful technique for correcting many prominent ear deformities. A disadvantage of the technique in some cases is meatal stenosis of the external auditory canal. By excising a portion of meatal cartilage, this problem is prevented. The technique is illustrated and post-operative result is shown.

Abnormal tubular permeability in hypothermic perfused kidneys

Isolated canine kidneys perfused with cryoprecipitated plasma at 15 degrees C exhibit unexpectedly low inulin clearance (CIn) and creatinine clearance (CCr) rates. CIn and CCr, as well as p-aminohoppurate (PAH) clearance, varied linearly with urine flow rate, whether the variations in urine flow were spontaneous or induced, either by elevating perfusion pressure or by adding mannitol to the perfusate. Retrograde intraureteral injection (RII) of an isotonic fluid containing dextran, inulin, and PAH, followed by a period of ureteral occlusion and subsequent serial recollection of the injected fluid, revealed that inulin and PAH, relative to dextran, were lost from distal tubular fluid. Similar experiments in anesthetized dogs indicated no loss of inulin or PAH from tubules of in situ kidneys. Renal venous perfusate, collected from isolated kidneys during the low pressure phase of the RII, contained the following percentages of the quantities injected intraluminally: dextran, 9.22%; inulin, 11.0%; and PAH, 22.0%. These data indicate that a low measured glomerular filtration rate in hypothermic perfused kidneys is partly due to diffusion of inulin or creatinine out of the tubular lumen.