Effect of practice and training in spatial skills on embedded figures scores of males and females

The effect of practice and training in spatial skills on scores obtained by male and female students on the Embedded Figures Test was examined. Forms A and B were administered 6 wk. apart to three groups of subjects (ns = 28, 27, 27) enrolled in drafting, mathematics, and liberal arts courses. During the pretest-posttest period the drafting students received training while the other two groups served as controls. Analysis indicated (1) no initial sex difference in test scores; (2) liberal arts students differed significantly from drafting and mathematics students, but there was no significant difference between the last two groups; (3) all groups improved with practice; (4) women receiving training improved more than women who did not; (5) there was a trend toward women receiving spatial training scoring more poorly than males receiving training on the pretest, but there was no significant difference on the posttest. These results suggest that sex differences in embedded-figures scores found by many previous experimenters may have been associated with differences in prior experience in spatial skills and by a confounding of sex with area of academic study.

Management of the urethra in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder carcinoma

Computerized data on 174 male patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder carcinoma were studied in relationship to the incidence of urethral involvement. Simultaneous or delayed urethrectomies were done on 32 patients, 7 of whom had overt urethral carcinoma (4 per cent of the total number of male patients) and 10 of whom had carcinoma in situ (5.7 per cent of the total number of male patients). The low incidence of these 2 phenomena leads us to the conclusion that routine urethrectomy need not be done on patients undergoing radical cystectomy unless overt urethral carcinoma or positive margins are found at cystectomy. We believe that the use of urethral cytologies is crucial to the routine followup of patients who have undergone radical cystectomy for bladder cancer and should be combined with clinical followup to establish the indication for urethrectomy.

Leiomyosarcoma of the scrotum: a case report with electron microscopy

A case of leiomyosarcoma of the scrotum is presented. The tumor measured 3 X 2.5 X 2 cm and had been present as a slowly enlarging mass in the right scrotum for three months prior to excision. Light microscopy demonstrated the typical interlacing fasicles of neoplastic cells with eccentric cigar-shaped nuclei and electron microscopy confirmed the neoplastic cells to be of smooth muscle origin. A review of the world's literature revealed this to be the fifth reported case of leimyosarcoma confined to the scrotal wall.

Lower limb angiography in leprosy

Bilateral lower limb angiography was performed on 58 patients with leprosy and compared with bilateral lower limb angiography performed on 63 non-leprosy patients. The vessels in leprosy were narrow and constricted. Decreased blood flow through arteries in the distal third of the lower limb was present. Abnormal AV fistula formation in the thigh and calf muscles and in trophic ulcers of the feet was also seen. Deep inflammatory granulomatous reaction surrounding the arteries as a result of leprosy is a possible explanation for these angiographic findings and is felt to be related to trophic ulceration. These findings were specific for leprosy, precede clinical manifestations, and are helpful in management.

Alcoholism and women

Alcoholism, the most prevalent form of drug dependence, has become a problem for large numbers of women. The research literature on alcoholism in women is reviewed, with suggestions for treatment and future research. The greater stigma placed upon female intoxication has made it difficult to obtain reliable data and has contributed to the tendency to ignore the problem altogether. Furthermore, the greater stigma has resulted in guilt because the woman alcoholic is likely to share society's opinion of herself, and this stigma/guilt/shame factor is viewed by the authors as one of the main difficulties in recovery. Certain recurring characteristics among alcoholic women are listed, and the impact on children is briefly discussed. Treatment suggestions include offering women alternatives during rehabilitation.

Detection of canine Batten disease with the EEG

Although it has been suggested that EEG changes appear early in the course of human Batten disease, these observations have been made only after the onset of clinical abnormalities and without immediate pathological correlation. In this brief report we have been able to document for the first time, abnormal EEGs in a strain of dogs proposed as a model for Batten disease. The degree of abnormality in the canine EEG correlated with the degree of clinical involvement and with the presence of pathological inclusions, resembling those seen in human Batten disease. In younger dogs, abnormal EEGs were obtained even before clinical manifestations of the disease. The large amplitude discharges reported with photic stimulation in children with the late infantile form of Batten disease were not elicited in the dog model. However, this dog strain is a model for the juvenile rather than the late infantile form although similarities between dogs and both forms of human Batten disease were seen. It is proposed that the EEG is both a method for early detection of this disease as well as a tool ot measure the degree of involvement. This information may be of use in relation to future therapeutic trials.

Differential labeling of the cell surface of single ciliary ganglion neurons in vitro

Cationic ferritin binds in a time and concentration dependent manner to all surfaces of ciliary ganglion neurons in culture except "mounds" and "veils". In chase experiments, bound ferritin clears from the cells surfaces and forms larger and larger patches, even at low temperatures. Binding of cationic ferritin is inhibited by poly-L-lysine, potentiated by poly-L-glutamate, and not affected by neruaminidase (acylneuraminyl hydrolase, EC 3.2.1.18), hyaluronidase (hyaluronoglucosidase, hyaluronate 4-glycanhydrolase, EC 3.2.1.35), or chondroitin ABC lyase (EC 4.2.2.4).