Allocation of patients to treatment groups in a controlled clinical study

In a controlled clinical study ("clinical trial") to compare 2 or more treatments for a disease, an objective method of allocating patients to treatment groups is needed. Various existing methods of allocation are described, including those which take account of patients' pre-treatment characteristics.

Genetic factors in leprosy: a study of children in Uganda

A group of 20 990 children in Uganda was examined for leprosy over a period of 8 years. There was no evidence that the incidence of leprosy varied according to a child's genetic relationship to a leprosy patients, once allowance had been made for the grade of physical contact.

Evaluation of written reinforcements used in counseling cardiovascular patients

The acceptance and effectiveness of medication cards and booklets for cardiovascular patients were evaluated. Approximately one month after discharge counseling which included the written reinforcements, 22 out of 50 patients discharged from cardiothoracic surgery and cardiovascular medicine units were questioned to assess patient usage of the medication cards/booklets and patient knowledge of their particular drugs. All patients except one indicated that they had read the material after leaving the hospital, and many had read it more than once. The effectiveness of the material was found to be only partially acceptable when general and specific medical questions were asked. The names and uses of most of the drugs taken by the patients were identified correctly.

Isolation of sodium-complexing polypeptides from mammalian blood and cardiac muscle

Two distinct polypeptides have been isolated from rat heart and ox blood. They are both found to be effective in forming complexes with sodium ions, and it is suggested that they may have a function in stabilizing sodium ion activity.

Effects of stimuli emanating from the nest on the reproductive cycle in the ring dove. III: building in the postlaying period and effects on the success of the cycle

Nest-building as a functional activity is shown to continue well into the incubation period of the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria), its intensity depending on the state of the nest. The presence of a nest has profound consequences on breeding success: pairs with no nests did not incubate well and did not hatch their eggs. Pre-laying disruption of the nest or of the usual roles of the male and female had no effect on incubation as long as a nest was present when the eggs were laid. It is concluded that the presence of a nest is necessary for the proper establishment of incubation. The possible role of the nest in incubation is discussed.

Effects of stimuli emanating from the nest on the reproductive cycle in the ring dove. I: pre-laying behaviour

The course of several behavioural patterns could be influenced by controlling the state of the nest available to a pair of ring doves (Streptopelia risoria). These patterns were: wing-flipping, handling of nesting material, nest bowl occupancy, and nervous activities. In groups having to build nests, the onset of wing-flipping by the female occurred at a predictable time before egg-laying. It is argued that during nest-building a female influences the male to carry material to her by sitting in the nest bowl and wing-flipping. In pairs provided with a completed nest, the course of the pre-laying cycle was changed and the 'typical' sex roles did not emerge. The relationships between the male and female are discussed.

Effects of stimuli emanating from the nest on the reproductive cycle in the ring dove. II: building during the pre-laying period

The nest is a major focal point of the reproductive cycle in the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria). This study shows that the state of the nest is an important determinant of the type of nest-building exhibited. For example, birds faced with an empty nest bowl every day removed more material from dispensers and built more actively than did those allowed to construct nests normally. Conversely, those given completed nests were not very active, but were more efficient in using the little they removed from the dispensers and showed a reversal of sex roles in building. The relations between nest-building and egg-laying, and between male and the female are discussed.

Unit dose innovations

Four innovations in a unit dose drug distribution system are described. The innovations involve prefilling oral syringes, distribution of refrigerated doses, pharmacist verification of nurses' transcriptions of medication orders, and pharmacy preparation of dose administration schedules.