Evaluation of some biological tests as parameters for microbial activities in soils. I. Laboratory experiments. The experiments were confined to the effects of the addition of different sources of carbon (glucose, wheat straw, and sawdust) on the microbial activities in soils: loamy sand, loam and saline clay were used. The parameters used for this purpose were total bacterial counts, dehydrogenase test, CO2 evolution, and oxidation of organic carbon. Salinity of soils had deleterious effects on all the parameters used. Addition of organic matter resulted in marked increases in bacterial counts, formazan production, and CO2 evolution. Glucose showed the most rapid effect and highest levels. Wheat straw yielded the highest results and sawdust always showed the least effect.


Evaluation of some biological tests as parameters for microbial activities in soils. II. Field investigations. Investigations were designed to study the effect of certain factors on the microbial activities in soil. The parameters, used as an index of the microbial activities, were total bacterial counts, dehydrogenase activity, oxidation of organic carbon, and CO2 evolved/7 days. Bahteem Farm clay soil was examined for determining the effects of depth, type of fertilization, and crop rotation on the microbial activities. It appears that the microbial activities, as indicated by the tested parameters, were more pronounced in the surface 15 cm-layer than in the subsurface layer (15-30 cm). Results of all the parameters tested showed markedly higher increases with farmyard manure than with nitrogenous fertilizer and in the control, without significant differences between the latter two. Moreover, the time of sampling had no effect on the results obtained for all parameters. Different types of rotations did not exert significant variation in total bacterial counts, though more than one crop per year increased the organic carbon content of soil and mostly the dehydrogenase activity, whereas the evolution of CO2 tended to decrease. At Gabal el-Asfar Farm, the effect of irrigation with sewage effluent, for long periods, on the microbial activities of sandy soil was investigated. Sewage water stimulated the total bacteria, raised the dehydrogenase activity, the organic carbon, and the production of CO2. In North El Tahreer and Mariut Sectors, the effect of both the type and age of cultivation on the microbial activities in the calcareous soils were examined. Cultivation raised the figures of all the tested parameters progressively with time of cultivation. It was also noticed that crops exerted more beneficial effects on microbial activities than orchards, and the dehydrogenase test was the most reliable parameter to reveal this fact.


Assimilation of phenols by soybean bacteroids.


Effect of anionic detergents on Azotobacter.


Biological activities during ripening of composts. Three investigations were carried out. The first determined the relationships between dehydrogenase acitivty throughout the course of composting wheat straw and the changes in both organic carbon and total nitrogen. The second investigation tested the validity of the first investigation results. The third dealt with the effect of the degree of ripening of a compost, expressed by age and C/N ratio, on its dehydrogenase activity, and production of CO2. The results revealed continual decreases in the organic carbon, coincident with increases in total N and dehydrogenase activity. Noticeable chemical and biological changes occurred in the first and third month. Levels of dehydrogenase were highest in rice straw and lowest in cotton stalk compost, while the wheat straw compost occupied an intermediate position. Aging of the compost resulted in increases in the dehydrogenase figures and decreases in the amounts of CO2 produced.


New leaf diseases of barley in Egypt.

New leaf diseases of barley in Egypt. Leaf diseases of barley were observed also in Egypt. From leaves of barley were isolated: Helminthosporium teres, H. gramineum, Stemphylium vesicarium, Alternaria triticina, Vlocladium chartarum, Acnemonium kiliense, Stemphylium spec. accompanied with the Pleospora stage. Inoculations on both attached and detached leaves showed that all the tested fungi were pathogenic, except Acremonium kiliense and Ulocladium chartarum.


The formation of heteroagglutinins in rats "chemically" splenectomized by ethyl palmitate, in comparison to animals surgically splenectomized. In Wistar rats "chemically splenectomized" by an i.v. injection of ethyl palmitate the formation of heteroagglutinins against human O-erythrocytes has been followed. Ethyl palmitate applied 2 hrs before immunization induced on the 5th day a significant decrease of the antibody level. This temporary inhibition, however, was at a later stage replaced by a significant increase of antibody level with the peak of 8--14 days. Animals surgically splenectomized 24 hrs prior to immunization displayed a weak antibody response throughout the experiment. An injection of the ethyl palmitate on the 6th day after immunization induced a pronounced and persistent decrease of the antibody level. Surgical splenectomy performed within the same interval had a comparable effect. The experiments revealed that the inhibitory effect of ethyl palmitate on antibody production was temporary only, and at a later stage could be compensated by an enhanced antibody activity.


Study of energy expenditure and food intake of some working class people of Bangladesh: part -II.


Incidence of intestinal parasites in children of different socio-economic population of Dacca city. Stool samples of 1500 children of different socio-economic status of Dacca city was examined for the presence of intestinal parasites. Samples were collected on voluntary basis which may be treated as randomised. Out of these 1500 children, 816 were male and 684 were female. The overall incidence of parasites was 65.80%, the male children slightly prepondering over the female children. Children of age group 6-10 years showed high incidence of almost all the parasites. Children of Basti area showed the highest incidence (about 90%) and most of them harboured multiple parasites. About 27.13% of infants under the age of one year (mostly from Basti area) harboured parasites. Intestinal parasites were observed that both housing and economic status played vital roles in the occurrence of intestinal parasitosis but the housing and environmental conditions were found to be in a stronger position than economic status.


Effects of tranquillising, antidepressant and central nervous system stimulant drugs on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) level of rat brain. The level of y-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was determined in the brain of rats 1 hr. after i.p. injection of chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, diazepam, trimipramine, methamphetamine and nikethamide. Diazepam increased, and, trimipramine and amphetamine decreased the brain GABA level over wide dose ranges. Low doses of chlorpromazine and prochlorperazine increased but high doses of the drugs reduced the GABA level. Low doses of nikethamide reduced whereas high doses increased the level of GABA. The effects of the drugs have been discussed in relation to the brain GABA level.


Infective polyneuropathy (a report of 14 cases). Fourteen cases of infective polyneuropathy were admitted in the Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research, Dacca, during a period of one year. The clinical features and laboratory investigations of these patients have been recorded. The management was done as usual but particular stress was given to the use of a short course of corticosteriod to all patients. The results of treatment was satisfactory and uniform for majority of the cases.


Food intake of the Chittagong Hill tribes of Bangladesh.


Liver reserve of vitamin A from medico-legel cases in Bangladesh.


Changes in the process of aging.

Changes in the process of aging. Anthropometric data, caloric intake and blood glucose, cholesterol, urea and bilirubin level were compared in a group of elderly persons (mean age, 55.72 years in males and 52.04 years in females) with a group of young persons (mean age, 27.80 years in males and 27.30 years in females) from similar socio-economic background. It was observed the elderly persons were slightly heavier than the young persons and consumed less calories. In the absence of active disease, the blood glucose, cholesterol, urea and bilirubin of the elderly persons were within normal limits and comparable to young persons.


Cirrohosis of liver in Bangladesh, part--II.


Incidence and causes of blindness amongst the rural population. A survey of blindness was conducted in a few union councils of the districts of Chittagong, Comilla and Noakhali in a population of 1,14,624 and 1,085 cases of blindness (842 adults and 243 children) were detected. The most common cause of blindness in the adults was cataract whereas in the children it was corneal affection. Trauma constituted 26.7% of blindness in the children and 10.2% in the adults. Glaucoma was responsible for 16.3% of blindness in the adults.


Chronic diarrhoeal diseases in adults (a preliminary report). The relationship of chronic diarrhoeal diseases in adults on socio-economic condition, parasitic infestation and degree of anaemia have been investigated. The disease was more prevalent in poor socio-economic group of people. Most of the patients had mixed parasitic infestations. Anaemia was present in all the cases. Difference in the degree of anaemia was not significant amongst the patients having either Ascaris or hookworm infestation.


Gas chromatographic determination of dimethophrine in biological specimens of rabbit. A method to measure the alpha-sympathomimetic amine, 1-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-monomethyl-amino-ethanol (dimethophrine, DMP), was developed and applied for the determination of the drug in biological specimens. The gas chromatographic degradation of the drug was investigated, and in order to avoid this process, DMP is converted to the trifluoroacetyl derivative and assayed by gas liquid chromatography on an OV 1' column. The minimum detectable amount is 25 pg per injection. Linearity (using hexachlorobenzene as internal standard for quantitation) was found up to mug amounts of the substance, without any interference with endogenous substrates. Values from plasma, red blood cells and urine in rabbits treated with a single dose of DMP (10 mg/kg) are also reported.


Drug absorption from the irradiated rat small intestine in situ. The absorption of acidic drugs phenobarbitone and sulphafurazole, basic drugs mecamylamine and quinidine, and a neutral drug isoniazid was studied in situ. Rats were irradiated 750 rad whole-body with 60Co and the absorption experiment was done three and six days thereafter using the cannulated small intestine of urethane-anaesthetized rats. Drug disappearance from the intestinal lumen and drug levels in the whole blood and intestinal wall were measured. In control rats phenobarbitone showed the most rapid absorption and mecamylamine the slowest. Irradiation retarded the disappearance of all drugs from the intestinal lumen on the third postirradiation day. Fluid absorption was also diminished. On the sixth postirradiation day the absorption of phenobarbitone, sulphafurazole and mecamylamine had returned to the control level, but the absorption of quinidine and isoniazid was still retarded. After i.v. administration of drugs they were not significantly excreted into the intestinal contents and irradiation did not modify excretion. The distribution of drugs between the intestinal fluid and the intestinal wall was complete in the first 10 min of experiment. Mecamylamine and quinidine were lowered in the whole blood by irradiation. Blood levels of drugs did not correlate well to the rate of disappearance of drugs from the intestinal lumen. The reversible changes in absorption induced by irradiation are probably secondary effects of irradiation on intestinal morphology, permeability and transport capacity, composition, and possibly blood flow.


Studies on the determination and induction of cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase. To determine the activity of cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, different fractions from rat liver homogenates are incubated with glucose-6-phosphate, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NADP as well as with cholesterol-4-14C. The 7alpha-hydroxycholesterol-4-14C formed is separated from the extract of the incubation preparation by means of thin-layer chromatography and its radioactivity is calculated as a percentage (conversion figure) of the total radioactivity on the plate. The highest conversion is found in the 18 000 X g supernatant. It is of the order of 1--4%. This activity decreases to about one-half when the homogenate or the cell fraction is stored, while cooling, for two days. It can be shown that repeated pretreatment of rats with phenobarbital increases the activity of hepatic cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase by more than three times over the control values. 1-(2'-Hydroxyphenyl-acetyl)-4-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (Bay a 4798) a choleretically active drug also increases the activity of this enzyme in the rat more than twofold. This effect is confirmed by reduced biliary excretion of radioactive cholesterol and increased biliary excretion of radioactive bile acids following i.v. administration of DL-mevalolactone-2-14C and continuous intraduodenal infusion of Bay a 4798.


Posthaemorrhagic iron deficiency. Clinical course, 59Fe whole-body iron losses, and oral iron supplementation. Clinical and laboratory data characterizing post-haemorrhagic anaemia with still normal iron stores and posthaemorrhagic iron deficiency in the manifest, latent or prelatent stage are presented. Initially, increased 59Fe whole-body iron losses (greater than 0.1-3.6%/day) returned to normal range (less than 0.1%/day) after haemostasis. Subsequently, slow increase of haemoglobin and repletion of iron stores occurred under normal diets. Manifest, latent, and prelatent iron deficiencies were corrected much more rapidly by total doses of 12.0, 10.5 and 8.0 g iron (Fe2+ sulfate), respectively, when 2 X 50 mg/day were given in quick-release capsules apart from meals.


The effect of colestipol on digitoxin plasma levels. The effect of colestipol (colestipol hydrochloride; U-26 597 A), a copolymer of tetraethylenepentamine and epichlorhydrine, on plasma digitoxin levels has been investigated. Recently, it has been stated that colestipol decreases the enterohepatic circulation and the plasma half-life of digitoxin. Colestipol was administered to 11 patients having a digitoxin plasma level which is generally accepted to be above the therapeutic range (greater than 40 ng/ml). The elimination rate of digitoxin measured by serial radioimmunoassay in these colestipol treated patients was compared with the elimination rate of digitoxin in 11 patients not treated with colestipol. The results of this study did not demonstrate a significant difference in the mean (+/- S.D.) digitoxin plasma half-life between the colestipol treated (6.3 +/- 1.3 days) and the non-colestipol treated patients (6.8 +/- 1.0 days).


The influence of cholic acid and dehydrocholic acid on the biliary excretion of unconjugated and conjugated sulfobromophthalein in rats. Urethane anesthetized Wistar rats with biliary fistulas were infused during 100 min with sulfobromophthalein (BSP), the glutathione conjugate of sulfobromophthalein (BSP-GSH), cholic acid (CA) and dehydrocholic acid (DCA). The dyes (594 nmol/100 g/min) and the bile acids (1200 nmol/100 g/min) were infused separately, and in combination as well. When BSP was infused, CA and DCA increased the maximal excretion of total BSP (conjugated plus unconjugated) from 1400 to 4100 and 3300 nmol/100 g/10 min. The bile flow observed with BSP plus CA was not significantly different from that with BSP plus DCA. The biliary excretion of total BSP was higher throughout with CA than with DCA because CA increased the biliary concentration of PSP while DCA did not. The bile flow attained with CA alone was significantly lower than that with BSP plus CA. The current data provide arguments for abandoning the view that choleresis per se is the crucial determinant for BSP excretion. When BSP-GSH was infused instead of BSP, the excretion rate of the dye was not altered by the additional infusion of CA whereas it was significantly reduced by DCA. The maximal biliary concentration of BSP-GSH fell from 25.9 nmol/mul to 15.3 and 9.4 nmol/mul with CA and DCA, respectively. Both CA and DCA impaired the hepatic uptake of BSP and BSP-GSH. During the infusion with CA, BSP plus CA and BSP-GSH plus CA the biliary excretion rates of bile acids did not differ significantly from each other. This favours the view that the transfer for CA from the liver to bile is different from that for BSP and BSP-GSH. A fraction of bile fluid "independent of choleretics" (viz. of bile salts, BSP and BSP-GSH) is estimated and discussed in view of the different types of infusion.


The synthesis of ethyl apovincaminate.

The synthesis of ethyl apovincaminate. Starting from (+) vincamine (I), simple derivatives of vincaminic acid (II), apovincaminic acid (V) and apovincaminol (VII) were synthetized. Out of these the synthesis of ethyl apovincaminate (Cavinton), as a representative, is described in detail. The water elimination and esterification of II can be carried out in one step.


General and cerebral haemodynamic activity of ethyl apovincaminate. Systemic and cerebral haemodynamic effects of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton), a new compound, have been investigated in anaesthetized dogs. The compound was administered i.v. and produced an increase in cerebral blood flow accompanied by a decrease in cerebral vascular resistance which persisted for 15 min. The effective dose was 0.2-0.5 mg/kg. Mean arterial blood pressure, total peripheral resistance and cardiac work were decreased, heart rate and cardiac output were increased. Cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen was enhanced. It is assumed that the compound has a direct effect on cerebral metabolism. RGH-4405 has a weak antiarrhythmic and coronary dilating activity. Its effect on smooth muscle is more marked than that of papaverine. RGH-4405 appears to be a potent cerebral vasodilator enhancing cerebral metabolism.


Effect of oral pretreatment with ethyl apovincaminate on the cardiac output and nutritive blood flow of various organs in rats. Effect of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton), administered repeatedly p.o. in doses of 0.5-1.5-4.5 mg/100 g body weight for 5 days, on cardiac output and organ fractions of cardiac output were studied in rats anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbital by Evans-blue dilution and isotope fractionation technique of Sapirstein. Cardiac output, cerebral, coronary, renal, intestinal and dermal blood flow was increased by 18-42% after 4.5 mg/100 g Cavinton, while blood pressure was unaltered. Total peripheral resistance, cerebral, coronary, dermal resistance and that of the carcass decreased significantly. Organ fractions of the cardiac output were not significantly altered after treatment.


Effect of ethyl apovincaminate on cerebral, cardiac and renal flow rate in dogs in the course of administration. Cerebral, myocardial and renal capillary flow rate was significantly increased by 10 to 20 mug/kg/min doses of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) injected in slow infusion to dogs. These effects were long-lasting. Since perfusion pressure and heart rate were not affected by the compound, it was concluded that increased flow rate was attributable to decrease of peripheral vascular resistance. Results indicate that Cavinton has a vasodilatory effect.


Protective activity of ethyl apovincaminate on ischaemic anoxia of the brain. Effects of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton), a new cerebral metabolic and vasodilatory agent, on cerebral regulatory functions under ischaemic anoxia were studied on immobilized cats by EEG. Cortical resistance time increased and recovery time decreased for a long period after i.v. administration of the compound. Results point to the possibility of further enhancement of cerebral regulatory processes by specific drug effects. It is assumed that tolerance or adaptation to hypoxia might be increased by RGH-4405 if spontaneous regulatory processes are impaired.


Effect of ethyl apovincaminate on cerebral circulation of dogs under normal conditions and in arterial hypoxia. Effects of 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg i.v. doses of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) on cerebral blood flow, determined in the internal carotid and vertebral artery, were studied in anaesthetized dogs under 21, 16 and 11% O2 inhalation. Total cerebral blood flow was increased by 4 mg/kg Cavinton under normal O2 and between 100 to 200 mmHg perfusion pressures, while 2 mg/kg doses were effective under hypoxia. Similar phenomena were observed in the carotid and vertebral flow, separately. Arterial hypoxia seems to potentiate the effect of Cavinton on cerebral blood flow.


Pharmacokinetic data on tritium labelled ethyl apovincaminate. Absorption, tissue distribution and excretion of tritium labelled ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) were studied. Both oral and i.p. administration resulted in a relatively rapid elimination of tritium activity, suggesting that neither the original drug nor its metabolites remained in the organism of rat. 50% of radioactivity was recovered in urine and 30% in faeces during 48 h. At this time only liver and kidneys contained measurable quantities of radioactivity among the organs tested. Biliary route of elimination seemed to be important, since 20% and 4% of radioactivity appeared in bile during 9 h following i.p. and p.o. administration, respectively. Enterohepatic circulation was of no consequence. Radioactivity was hardly adsorbed to or absorbed by blood cells and was almost completely bound by plasma protein(s).


Effects of ethyl apovincaminate on the central nervous system. Side effects of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton), a cerebral vasodilatory agent, on the central nervous system were studied on mice and rats. Anticonvulsive effect in electroshock was observed as major CNS effect, locomotor activity was reduced due to muscle relaxant effect. The compound had no sedative effect on rodents. Its analgesic effect was negligible. Cavinton had neither antidepressive, nor anticholinergic activity.


Metabolism of ethyl apovincaminate in the rat. Ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) is well metabolized in rat, and only a small fraction of the original compound is excreted in urine. The main urinary metabolite is apovincaminic acid, hydrolytical product of Cavinton produced partly by plasma esterases. In plasma only the original compound and free acid are detectable. Several other metabolites have been isolated from bile and characterized by mass spectrometry. Cavinton is hydroxylated at the indole moiety and forms conjugates (possibly glucuronide and sulfate). The glycine derivative of apovincaminic acid containing two hydroxygroups has been detected in significant amounts, analysed by mass spectrometry. Among minor metabolites vincaminic acid ethyl ester has been found. More than 80% of total urinary and 50% of total biliary metabolites have been identified by radiochromatography, mass and IR spectroscopy.


Summary of safety tests of ethyl apovincaminate. Subchronic toxicity test (4-week p.o. on rats with 25 and 100 mg/kg; 3-month i.p. with 5 and 25 mg/kg; 3-month i.v. with 2 and 5 mg/kg daily doses on dogs) and chronic toxicity tests (6-month p.o. on rats with 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg and on dogs with 5 and 25 mg/kg daily doses) were performed with ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton), a cerebral vasodilatory compound, to study adverse effects in adult age. Reproduction tests (male and female fertility test on rats p.o. with 10 and 50 mg/kg; teratogenicity test in midpregnancy on rats p.o. with 12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg, 15, 50, 150 mg/kg, and 15, 45, 135 mg/kg daily doses, i.v. with 3.13, 6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg daily doses; on rabbits p.o. with 6, 12 and 18 mg/kg daily doses; peri- and postnatal studies in late pregnancy on rats p.o. with 15, 45 and 135 mg/kg i.v. with 4.13, 6.25, and 12.5 mg/kg daily doses) were carried out to study harmful effects in various early phases of life. Local tolerance was studied after i.m. and i.v. application. It was concluded that the planned 3 X 5 or 3 X 10 mg daily oral dose, 1 X 10 mg i.v. dose of Cavinton were safe for human application in adult age. Although the compound proved not to be teratogenic, it is not recommended for administration to pregnant women because of liability of increased sensitivity in pregnancy. Therapy of women in fertile age should be interrupted in case of pregnancy.


Effect of ethyl apovincaminate on the cerebral circulation. Studies in patients with obliterative cerebral arterial disease. The effect of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) on the cerebral and systemic circulations has been studied in detail in ten cases of cerebrovascular disease. 10 mg doses of Cavinton were given as infusion within 4-6 min; circulatory tests were carried out prior to administration of the drug and 3-6 min after. The principal results showed the following: On Cavinton cerebral vascular resistance was strongly reduced, while cerebral fraction of cardiac output significantly increased. On acute effect of the drug arterial mean pressure slightly decreased but cerebral blood flow nevertheless increased in general. Total vascular resistance also decreased but this decrease was less marked than that registered in cerebral vascular resistance.


Rheoencephalographic and psychological studies with ethyl apovincaminate in cerebral vascular insufficiency. The effect of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) on the rheoencephalogram and memory functions was studied in 50 patients with ischaemic disturbances of cerebral circulation. The drug was administered in a single i.v. dose of 10 mg and orally three times daily 5 mg for a month. Improvement of cerebral circulation was observed after i.v. and oral medication. Blood flow was most markedly increased in the gray matter. The effect on arterial pressure was negligible. Improvement of memorizing capacity evaluated by psychological tests was recorded after one month of Cavinton treatment, associated with alleviation or complete disappearance of symptoms. No side-effects attributable to the drug were observed. It is pointed out that Cavinton is indicated in the treatment of ischaemic disorders of the cerebral circulation, particularly in chronic insufficiency.


Study on the vasodilator effects of ethyl apovincaminate in neurosurgical patients. Studies have been performed in a series of 44 neurosurgical cases. The patients were subjected to detailed neurological examination and EEG after admission and before being discharged. The effect of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) on cortical electric activity was investigated after the administration of 10 mg i.v. Cavinton. In cases on long-term courses of three times daily 5 mg Cavinton in tablets, control EEG was performed one and two months, respectively, after the start of medication. The state of vessels of the eye-ground was also checked. In cerebral angiography attention was concentrated on width of the vascular lumen and visualization of Cavinton effect on vessels which on account of narrowing or spasm had not filled up with contrast medium prior to Cavinton. During angiography the patients were given i.v. 10 mg. Cavinton diluted to 10 ml with physiological saline. In the cases where investigations failed to reveal any change requiring neurosurgical intervention and insufficient cerebral circulation had to be held responsible for the patient's condition, three times 10 mg Cavinton i.v. was administered daily as long as the patient was at our Department. After having been discharged these patients took three times daily 5 mg Cavinton in tablets. Duration of the course of oral Cavinton depended on the degree of improvement in the patient's condition. Cavinton was used with success in cases where cerebral circulation was damaged for functional or organic reasons. Allergic hypersensitivity did not occur in any of the cases, either on single doses or long-term use of parenteral or oral Cavinton.


The effect of ethyl apovincaminate on the circulation of the eyeground. Ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton), contrary to the active vasodilators used up to the present, increases blood pressure of the eyeground. Dynamics of the eyeground circulation has been investigated with fluorescein angiography performed at certain points of time. Blood supply of the macula lutea was increased in the first place by Cavinton.


Use of ethyl apovincaminate in ophthalmological therapy. Ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) has been administered to 100 predominantly arteriosclerotic patients to increase circulation in the eyeground. Visual acuities improved in 88 cases, by 73% in average; in twelve cases there was no change, but deterioration did not occur. Improvement was still more significant (267%) in occlusions and retinopathies associated with atherosclerosis of the central retinal artery. The dose of Cavinton was 20 mg in drop infusion or three times daily 10 mg i.v. Side-effects, if any, disappeared spontaneously upon reduction of the dose. The improvement paralleled the increases of the blood pressures in the central retinal arteries. This increase of pressure head is suggested to dilate passively the vessels.


Preliminary report on the use of ethyl apovincaminate in affections of the eyeground. 26 ophthalmological patients have been given daily doses of three times 1 tablet (15 mg) ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) for periods of from two weeks to three months. Improvement of visual acuity lasted as long as the course of treatment, in agreement with the results of other authors. On Cavinton effect blood flow increased in the retinal precapillary and capillary system, supply of hypoxic areas improved. Improvement noted in choroid sclerosis bears witness to the effect of Cavinton on choroid capillaries.


Vasodilating effect of ethyl apovincaminate on conjunctival vessels and simultaneous observation of parameters indicating adverse effect. The vasodilator effect of ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) on conjunctival vessels and its possible adverse effects have been studied in 17 patients of varying age (16-78 years) and diagnosis, as well as in healthy individuals. Intravenous 10 mg doses of the drug increased the arteriolar lumen in each case, the most markedly at 30 sec after administration of the drug, but at 90 sec effect was still significant. Before starting Cavinton, on the next day following injection and on other mornings after administration, haemoglobin, the leukocyte count, SGOT, SGPT, thymol turbidity, and blood sugar were determined. In the eight cases of juvenile hypertension urinary serum proteins were also registered after quantitative testing. The parameters investigated did not reveal any sign pointing to toxicity.


Ethyl apovincaminate in the treatment of sensorineural impairment of hearing. Ethyl apovincaminate (EGH-4405, Cavinton) treatment has been used in various sensorineural impairments of hearing as well as in ear diseases associated with vertigo. As shown by experinces, presbyacusis, vascular impairment of hearing and in certain cases toxic hypacusia are improved by Cavinton. Besides audiometric improvement of pure tone, significant improvement was noted in the speech-audiogram in all three groups of disease. Certain affections of the ear accompanied by vertigo responded to Cavinton. In Menière's disease it has proved to be superior to the vasodilators used up to now.


Ethyl apovincaminate therapy in neurovascular diseases. Of a series of 100 patients 46 were given combined (i.m. and oral) treatment with ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) in daily doses of 10-30 mg; 54 were put on oral Cavinton (30-45 mg daily). Significant and relatively quick improvement was obtained in reversible vascular diseases, such as hypertensive encephalopathy, intermittent vascular cerebral insufficiency, in the early stage or light cases of cerebral endarteriitis and cerebral arteriosclerosis. On Cavinton effect hypoxic character of the EEG improved, and so did performance in psychodiagnostic tests, alertness and memory in the first place, furthermore changes of the eyeground. The doses administered did not damage parenchymal organs, they did not cumulate and when used in combination incompatibility could not be observed.


Comparative study of the effect of ethyl apovincaminate and xantinol nicotinate in cerebrovascular diseases. Immediate drug effects on the concentrations of carbohydrate metabolites and electrolytes in blood and CSF. Randomly selected 34 cerebrovascular patients were treated with ethyl apovincaminate (RGH-4405, Cavinton) and 109 with xanitinol nicotinate. The effects of drugs given in slow i.v. infusions on the concentration of carbohydrate metabolites and electrolytes in serum and CSF were observed. Cavinton improved the paresis in 60.6% of patients while xantinol nicotinate did so only in 47.1%. On the basis of the biochemical changes it can be concluded that Cavinton enhances both the glycolytic and the oxidative glucose breakdown in CNS.


Quantitative structure-activity relationships. IV. Non-linear dependence of biological activity on hydrophobic character: a new model. A new model is derived for the dependence of biological activity on hydrophobic character from a simple hypothetical system. Unlike the parabolic Hansch model this model can explain the peculiar effect that for homologous series of compounds the logarithms of biological activities of the lower homologs are linearly dependent on hydrophobic character, while for the higher homologs the relationship between biological activities and hydrophobic character changes to a parabola. Although these relationships are known and several appropriate models were proposed, the bilinear model presented in this paper is the first which can be described by a simple and generally valid equation: log 1/C = a log P--b log (beta - P + 1) + c While the parameters a, b and c can be calculated by linear multiple regression analysis, the non-linear term beta must be derived by a stepwise iteration process or ty Taylor series iteration. Examples are given for comparison of the bilinear model and the parabolic Hansch model.


Metabolic degradation of propanidid by various tissues. Short communication. The very short anaesthetic action of 3-methoxy-4-(N,N-diethylcarbamoyl-methoxy)-phenylacetic acid propylester (propanidid, Epantol) is due to its rapid hydrolysis in vivo. In this study, the rates of degradation of this drug under the influence of various isolated tissues have been established. The drug was hydrolysed much more rapidly by liver homogenate than by whole blood or serum. It is concluded that inactivation of propanidid in vivo occurs mainly by the liver, whereas blood esterases play an insignificant part in hydrolyzing the ester. Moreover, it was demonstrated that cardiac tissue is able to hydrolyze the drug as well. It is postulated that the inactivation of propanidid by heart muscle might partly compensate for the severe cardiodepressive action of the anaesthetic agent. A gaschromatographic determination of propanidid has been developed.


Effects of chloroquine on the adrenocortical function. II. Histological, histochemical and biochemical changes in the suprarenal gland of rats on long-term administration of chloroquine. White female Wistar rats were used in order to study the influence of long-term oral application of 7-chloro-4-(4-diethylamino-1-methylbutylamino) quinoline (chloroquine) in doses of 30, 40 and 80 mg of base/kg upon the suprarenal gland. Histological, histochemical and biochemical findings give evidence of adrenocortical activation induced by chloroquine at all dose levels tested. The differences between the signs of adrenocortical activation as observed after the various doses were only those of quantity and time onset. The results indicate that the stimulation of the suprarenal cortex produced by repeated administration of chloroquine is not solely a manifestation of toxic action of chloroquine.


Serum kinetics and urinary metabolism of dimethophrine in rat. The serum kinetics and urinary metabolism of an a-sympathomimetic amine 1-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-monomethyl-amino-ethanol (dimethophrine) were studied. For serum kinetics, seven groups of 6 rats were sacrificed at 0.083, 1, 2, 2, 4, 6 and 12 H, respectively, after tail administration of dimethophrine-7-3H. Only 1 group of 6 rats was placed into metabolism cages to collect urine at 12-h intervals during the 72 h after dimethophrine-7-3H administration as above. The metabolic identification was made by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and the radiochromatograms were obtained by the "scraping" method. This work shows dimethophrine to be unchanged in the urine of rat.


The mechanism of the vasodilator effects of histamine and 4-methylhistamine in the hindquarters of the cat. Intraarterial administration of histamine and 4-methylhistamine induced a fall in perfusion pressure of perfused hindquarters of the chloralose-anesthetized cat. Mepyramine which is a histamine H1-receptor blocker competitively inhibited the depressor effect of histamine without altering that of 4-methylhistamine. Continuous intravenous infusion of metiamide, which is a histamine H2-receptor blocker, to the mepyramine treated cats caused a further inhibition in response to histamine as well as 4-methylhistamine. These results indicate that both histamine H1- and H2-receptors are present in the vasculature of the cat hindquarters and both of them are responsible for the vasodilator effect of histamine.


Effect of 4-methylumbelliferone on the oxidative metabolism of liver mitochondria in jaundiced rats and its relationship of choleretic action. The effect of 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) on the oxidative metabolism of liver mitochondria and its relationship to choleretic action were investigated on 40 bile duct-ligated rats and 40 rats after biliary decompression. The oxidative metabolism of liver mitochondria fell rapidly to 50% of controls within 7 days after bile duct-ligation, whereas that in rats with 4-MU fell only slightly. Such effect of 4-MU on the liver mitochondrial metabolism was most prominent when it was administered to rats after biliary decompression. In rats with 4-MU the depressed oxidative metabolism of cholestatic liver mitochondria recovered rapidly toward normal with accelerated amelioration of serum total bilirubin as compared to that in rats without 4-MU after biliary decompression by loosening of the ligation of the common bile duct. Thus, 4-MU appeared to exert some stimulation or amelioration of the impaired liver mitochondrial metabolism due to jaundice, which may have a close relationship to its choleretic action or effective bile excretory action.


Inhibition of gluconeogenesis by sodium nitroprusside in the perfused guinea pig liver. Sodium nitroprusside was found to be a very strong inhibitor of the glucose formation from lactate in the perfused guinea pig liver. Hepatic cell respiration and oxidative phosphorylation appeared to be simultaneously suppressed by this compound. The pattern of some hepatic metabolite concentrations was similarly affected by nitroprusside as described for biguanides and pyridinium chloride derivatives. Cyanide had to be added to the perfusion medium in a tenfold higher concentration to achieve a comparable inhibition of gluconeogenesis from lactate.


Effect of 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid on ethanol-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Short communication. Male Wistar rats were administered acutely and chronically ethyl alcohol. The effect of 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (cynarine) on ethanol induced hypertriglyceridemia and on hepatic concentration of triglyceride was investigated. In rats treated acutely with ethanol the serum and hepatic triglycerides showed significant rise by 216 and 111%, resp. The prolonged administration of ethanol caused insignificant increase of the serum triglyceride concentration by 40%, while its hepatic content was significantly increased by 100%. In rats receiving ethanol and cynarine simultaneously, distinct reduction of the serum and hepatic triglyceride concentration was observed.


Pharmacological aspects of pyrazoline derivatives from 2-hydroxy-butenolides. A series of pyrazoline derivatives was synthetised and evaluated for toxicological and pharmacological effects; analgesic, hypnotic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and cardiovascular properties were screened. Tested compounds were found to have a low toxicity; one of them showed a good analgesic activity without side effects.


Self-administration of caffeine by the rat. Rats with permanently implanted right jugular vein cannulae were either pre-treated with increasing doses of caffeine for up to 98 h, or underwent no pre-treatment. Both groups were then presented with a lever, the pressing of which caused a self-injection of a caffeine solution. For both groups, some of the rats self-administered caffeine for up to 4 days and then their activity stopped; the other rats did not self-administered caffeine.


A comparative study of the hemodynamic effects of single intravenous doses of 3-hydrazino-6-[N,N-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)-amino]-pyridazine-dihydrochloride and hydralazine. The new pyridazine derivative 3-hydrazino-6-[N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-amino]-pyridazine-dihydrochloride (DL 150 IT) was administered to five hypertensive patients at the dose of 50 mug/kg by i.v. bolus injection. A parallel group of five patiens received 250 mug/kg of hydralazine. Hemodynamic measurements were obtained before treatment, and then after 30--60 and 80-120 min. Cardiac output was evaluated by radiocardiography and myocardial perfusion by clearance of 86Rb. The antihypertensive effect of DL 150 IT was most pronounced 2 h after the injection, whereas by this time the increased heart rate and cardiac output tended to revert to the baseline values. On the contrary, the magnitude of these effects did not change during the observation period after hydralazine treatment. Both drugs increased myocardial perfusion. The new compound appears at least five times more potent than hydralazine and, possibly, has a longer duration of action.


A sub-chronic study of the subjective quality of sleep and psychological measures of performance on the morning following night time medication with temazepam. A sub-chronic study of 7-chloro-2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one (temazepam, Euhypnos) at three dose levels was carried out in 30 healthy volunteers. A matching placebo was given before and after the 4 nights of active compound. The subjective response was measured by means of a sleep evaluation questionnaire, and the objective measurements used were the critical flicker fusion threshold and choice reaction time. A clear dose-response relationship was seen in the subjective and objective measurements with the three doses used. A rebound phenomenon was seen only at the high dose levels in two subjective measures, viz. getting to sleep and behaviour following waking.


Pharmacology of dihydroxy-dibutylether, a specific choleretic drug. The choleretic and the general pharmacological properties of dihydroxy-dibutyl ether (Discinil) were investigated in several animal species. Discinil (DHBE) increased the bile flow in conscious rats and dogs, after both oral and i.v. administration. A choleretic effect was also observed after i.v. injection into anaesthetized rats and guinea pigs. A dose-response relationship was always obtained, the threshold dose being 25--100 mg/kg. No evidence of tachyphylaxis was observed in rats after repeated treatments. The bile hyperflow was generally accompanied by an increased excretion of the total dry residue in guinea pigs and dogs. The choleretic effect in rats was still present after pretreatment with either DL-ethionine (causing parenchymal liver damage) or atropine (blocking the cholinergic control of bile production). At low doses (25--100 mg/kg i.v.) eliciting a definite choleretic response, DHBE did not show spasmogenic and spasmolytic effects in vivo on the smooth muscles of the gallbladder of guinea pigs and dogs, neither on the stomach and intestine of mice and dogs; while it constricted the pylorus sphincter of rats. At larger doses (200--400 mg/kg i.v.) the compound showed a mild relaxing activity on Oddi's sphincter of guinea pigs and a weak spasmogenic activity either on gall bladder or on small intestine. In vitro, it caused an unspecific antagonism against the spasm induced by acetylcholine, barium chloride, histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine. In anaesthetized rats, rabbits and dogs, DHBE caused a moderate and short-lasting hypotension, and tachycardia. The threshold doses for these effects were 2--4 times superior to those being choleretic. In conscious dogs, the compound was slightly hypertensive. DHBE did not provoke important respiratory and ECG changes, neither showed diuretic nor antiphlogistic effects.


Effect of an ergot derivative on human lymphocyte chromosomes in vivo. Chromosome examination was made from 12 healthy adult male volunteers by using human lymphocyte cultures twice before, and 8 and 12 weeks after continuous intake of 3 X 1.5 mg Hydergine, an ergot derivative, per day orally. The mean frequency of cells with aberrations and the number of aberrations per 100 cells after 12 weeks' medication corresponded well with those of control cultures. However, for unknown reasons, significantly different values were found after 8 weeks of medication at a level of 5%, i.e., the values of capillary blood culture C8W were lower than those of CI, CII and C12W.


Oscillations and cysteine metabolism in aortic strips of hypertensive rats. Aortic strips of normal and hypertensive rats were used for the study. In comparison with normal rats hypertensive rats show a low cysteine and high homocysteine level and vascular auto-oscillations. The auto-oscillations are damped by cysteine, cAMP, theophylline and heparin but not by ADP.


The effect of etafenone on the subcellular distribution of calcium and some oligoelements in heart muscle. Ultracytochemical and x-ray microanalytical study. In order to detect the subcellular localization of calcium in the myocardium of laboratory animals (rats and guinea-pigs) under the influence of 2'-(2-diethylaminoethoxy)-3-phenyl-propiophenone (etafenone, Baxacor) (4 mg, 20 mg and 100 mg/kg body weight) two ultracytochemical methods, with lead acetate and with potassium pyroantimonate, were used. In addition, X-ray microanalysis of myocardial fragments was performed. The correlation of ultrastructural, ultracytochemical and X-ray microanalytical findings provides direct evidence of the hypothesis that etafenone acts on myocardium as a so-called "calcium antagonist". The subcellular targets of etafenone action are mainly the sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Etafenone modifies also the concentration of copper, zinc and selenium in myocardium. The effect of etaferone on myocardial calcium and oligoelements appears to be dose-dependent.


Synthesis and pharmacological study of diphenylalkylamines with cycloaliphatic residues. New coronary vasodilators. The paper describes the synthesis and the pharmacological evaluation of some derivatives of prenylamine, all with a cycloaliphatic ring within or instead of the isopropylamine moiety. Their general formulas are: (C6H5)2CH-CH2-CH2-NH-CH-CH2-R CH2 (I) (C6H5)2CH-CH2-CH2-NH-R' (II) where R contains and R' is a cycloaliphatic ring. Several compounds and particularly those of formula (I), and of formula (II), where the alicyclic ring had a bulky substituent in para were more active than prenylamine as coronary vasodilators on isolated guinea-pig heart (Langendorff). The most interesting derivative was M.G. 8926 [N-(3,3-diphenylpropyl)-alpha-methyl-beta-cyclohexylethylamine], which was more active than prenylamine on Langendorff's heart and in enhancing the pressor response to catecholamines and inhibiting the isoprenaline induced hypotension. Moreover, it had almost the same effects as prenylamine as spasmolytic, local and general anesthetic, on heart rate and arterial pressure and against coronary spasm from pitressin.


Effect of hexachlorophene on the coagulation process in beagle dogs. In a dermal toxicological study the effect of hexachlorophene on the blood coagulation process in dogs over a period of 12 weeks was investigated. The thrombelastographic results revealed a reduction in reaction time, coagulation time and an increase in maximal amplitude supplemented with subsequent increase in the number of platelets and the enhancement of ESR.


Vasodilator profile of a new 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, 2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid 3-[2-(N-benzyl-N-methylamino)]-ethyl ester 5-methyl ester hydrochloride (YC-93). A new 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative, 2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-4,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid 3-[2-(N-benzyl-N-methylamino)]-ethyl ester 5-methyl ester hydrochloride (YC-93), when i.v. injected into anesthetized dogs, exhibited not only a greated vasodilation in both cerebral and coronary than in femoral vessels, but also about 100 to 300 times higher potency as well as longer durability than any of reference drugs such as isoxsupurine, papaverine and cinnarizine. YC-93 was also effective in vasodilation by i.m. and i.d. administration. When administered into vertebral and coronary arteries, YC-93 caused vasodilation at the doses that did not affect systemic blood pressure. YC-93 did not potentiate the vasodilator effect of adenosine, and vasodilation by YC-93 was influenced by neither propranolol, atropine, diphenhydramine nor aminophylline. Acute toxicity (LD50) of YC-93 was almost the same as that of papaverine in mice and rats. Thus, YC-93 is a potent bu low-toxic vasodilator agent acting preferentially and perhaps directly on cerebral and coronary vascular beds and is well absorbed from gastrointestinal tract into blood stream.


Absorption and disposition of econazole nitrate after application to the skins and vaginas of rabbits. 1. The absorption and tissue distribution of radioactivity has been studied in rabbits after application of a cream containing 10 mg of the 3H-labelled 1-(2,4-dichloro-beta-[(p-chlorobenzyl)oxy]phenethyl) imidazole nitrate (econazole nitrate, Pevaryl) to the normal or abraded skins of rabbits. 2. Approximately one-third of the dose was absorbed through the occluded normal skins of rabbits during 8 days, mainly during 7 to 24 h. In the same time interval, slightly more of the dose was absorbed through the occluded abraded skins of rabbits at slightly greater rates. Co-formulation of triamcinolone acetonide in the cream reduced and delayed the peak rates of absorption through normal and abraded skin, but the extent of absorption during 8 days was similar in the presence or absence of triamcinolone acetonide. 3. After application to normal skin or abraded skin, the peak of mean concentrations in the plasma of 220 ng/ml (range 132-276 ng/ml) or 307 ng/ml (range 270-321 ng/ml), respectively, occurred at 24 h. Tissue distribution of radioactivity was similar after application to normal or abraded skin, and concentrations were highest in the liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract (which are the organs of biotransformation and excretion) and also in the adrenals and to a lesser extent in the uterus, ovaries and untreated skin. 4. After application of a cream containing 5 mg of 3H-econazole nitrate to the vaginas of rabbits, approximately one-third of the dose was absorbed during 8-24 h, and rates of excretion were higher through the more permeable vaginal membrane. 5. After vaginal doses of 5 mg, a peak concentration of 209 ng/ml occurred at 6 h in the plasma. Tissue concentrations of radioactivity after vaginal doses were highest in liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, adrenals and ovaries, and the tissue distribution was similar to that observed after cutaneous doses.


Xanthine oxidase activation in animal liver during infectious processes. Short communication. A relevant increase in xanthine oxidase in the liver was constantly found in the couse of the study of enzyme variations in infected mice. This effect seems to be due to bacterial toxins and not related with microbial pathogenicity. Xanthine oxidase is suspected to play a role in host defence mechanisms.


New hepato-protective agents. I. Maleopimaric acid-4alpha-carboxamides. A number of amide derivatives of maleopimaric acid were synthesised and preliminary results on their protective activity against galactosamine-induced liver damage in the rat are described. The compounds (2, 6, 9 and 15) were found to display the highest level of protective activity producing significant lowering of serum GOT and GPT levels at a daily dose of 250-300 mg/kg. The LD50 of these compounds was typically in excess of 2000 mg/kg.


New hepato-protective agents. II. Maleopimaridyl morpholides. A further series of derivatives of maleopimaric acid, the maleopimaridyl morpholides, has been prepared and results on their protection against galactosamine-inducted liver damage in the rat are described. The compounds (3, 4, 8 and 10) were found to display the highest levels of hepato-protective activity in the series. Compound 8 (LD50 greater than 10 g/kg) which exhibited significant, dose-related protection at a daily dose in the range of 50-400 mg/kg, was selected for detailed investigation.


The protective effect of a novel compound RU 18492, on galactosamine-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat. A novel compound N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-maleopimarimidyl morpholide (RU 18 492), was investigated for its effect against galactosamine induced hepatitis in rats. It was found to be active in reducing both serum transaminase levels and morphological changes due to the hepatotoxin. The protection was shown to be dose related and a significant reduction in liver damage was seen at doses of 50-400 mg/kg p.o. RU 18 492 was ineffective against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatitis in rats. It was suggested that the protective effect of RU 18 492 was due to its ability to stimulate the smooth endoplasmic reticulum thus inducing a more rapid detoxification of galactosamine.


Preliminary studies on the absorption, distribution and excretion of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-maleopimarimidyl morpholide (3H-RU 18492) in the female rat and dog. Following the oral administration of 3H-labelled N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-maleopimarimidyl morpholide (3H-RU 18 492) to rats and dogs, radioactivity was detected in plasma and the various tissues examined. However, the major fraction of the dose remained unabsorbed and the highest concentrations of radioactivity were found in the liver. In both species the major route of excretion of radioactivity was via the bile.


Phase II trial of cytembena in patients with advanced ovarian and breast cancer. Thirty women with histologically proven advanced ovarian or breast cancer were treated with cytembena. Of nine patients with ovarian cancer and 21 with breast cancer none had worthwhile objective remissions. Cytembena was given at a dose of 250 mg/m2/day for a course of 5 days repeated at weekly intervals. Improvement, particularly relief of pain from skeletal metastases, was observed in 16 of the patients; an additional seven patients had stable disease while treated with cytembena. Cytembena has no hemopoietic toxicity, but nausea and vomiting and an "autonomic storm" phenomenon are dose-limiting factors. Further studies incorporating this drug in combination regimens seem warranted.


Quantitative cell culture biocompatibility testing of medical devices and correlation to animal tests. The biocompatibility of a wide variety of biomaterials was quantitatively assessed, in a physiologically normal environment" as to cytotoxicity induced in WI-38 cells by cell culture medium extracts. Materials tested included PVC plastic, rubber, silicone rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene, acetal, polyurethane, Teflon, nylon, epoxy, and polystyrene. Cell culture test results were correlated to U.S.P. animal tests. Potential test artifacts, lead, barium, cadmium, and endotoxin were tested for cytotoxicity in WI-38 cells. Cell culture methods yielded more positive tests, particularly rubber, PVC plastic and silicone rubber compounds, than observed in U.S.P. animal tests. Positivity in animal tests did not correlate quantitatively to cytotoxic titers in cell culture. Discrepancies between cell cultures tests and animal tests, specifically rubber compounds, were attributable, in some instances, to differentials in elution efficiency between saline, cottonseed oil, and complete MEM cell culture medium. In other instances, particularly PVC plastics, differences between cell culture and animal test results were due to an inherent difference in the two indicator systems to respond to specific toxic moieties.


Immunological aspects of inflammatory bowel disease.


Evaluating a disaster plan the hard way.


'Good education is good management'.

'Good education is good management'.


Computer matches towns with health workers.


Reaching out to the community: a cooperative health study program.


A nursing management workshop for new supervisors.


EMS in the '70s: an approach to their development through training.


Making health education work.

Making health education work.


Acute effects of tolamolol on renal function in hypertensive patients. The renal heamodynamic effects of a single i.v. administration of tolamolol were studied in 9 hypertensive subjects. No change of GFR and ERPF was observed after tolamolol, while urine output decreased and urine creatinine concentration increased. A reduction of the heart rate was confirmed. Blood pressure was unchanged.


The use of drugs for behavior modification as it relates to the practice of optometry--Part I. Medications used in behavior modification can result in untoward side effects, including ocular and visual changes. As in many other aspects of health care, optometrists can serve as the first line of defense to guard their patients against permanent damage from side effects they may not associate with use of their medication. Optometry's responsibility and role in management of side effects is delineated. Areas of behavior modification of concern to optometrists are discussed. These include: (1) learning problems and mental retardation; (2) mental disorders, menopause, and alcoholism; and (3) drug abuse.


Management development for hospitals: the CHC experience.


Increasing the visibility of the nurse in teaching of patients.


Management training: a homespun program.


New employees negotiate contract for orientation.


Sharing educational services: an organizational model.


Shared services organization communicates via cable TV.


Make employee benefits come alive!

Make employee benefits come alive!


Videotape or videocassette--which should you use?


Applying andragogy to patient education.


The impossible becomes possible--through cooperation.


Sensitivity of various gamma-ray detectors to 252Cf neutrons in free air.


Determination of trace amounts of mercury in water by neutron activation analysis with lubricating base oil as extractant. This paper deals with a convenient method in the determination of trace amounts of mercury in water. After being irradiated with neutrons, water sample was treated with 7.0M HCIO4 solution and mercury was extracted with lubricating base oil. In such a simple operation, the sensitivity can reach 10(-8)g Hg/4ml H2O.


Clinical hematological progression of hereditary lymphosarcoma in rabbits. Considerable diversity exists in the clinical progression data for lymphosarcoma both between and within species. Thirty-four rabbits with hereditary lymphosarcoma were used to define the clinical progression of this condition under controlled genetic conditions. Changes in the erythropoietic cells of the rabbit hemogram in cases of hereditary lymphosarcoma (ha/ha) follow a fairly well defined clinical course of about one-and-one-half months duration. Data are presented showing that these changes are subsequent to schanges in the granulocytic cells of the leukocyte series both peripherally and in the bone marrow.


Interaction of radionuclides with organic matter dissolved in seawater. Interaction of radiocobalt with some amino acids. The interaction of radiocobalt with glycine, alanine or aspartic acid dissolved in seawater was investigated by means of adsorption on Chelex 100, solvent extraction with dithizone or gel filtration chromatography. Although the distribution coefficients of Co on Chelex 100 decreased gradually with ageing even in the absence of organic matter, much more decreases were observed in the presence of the amino acids. The distribution coefficients on the resin reached equilibrium states in about 20 days. The extraction of cobalt with dithizone in carbon tetrachloride was also inhibited in the presence of the amino acids. Alanine and aspartic acid showed a similar interfering tendency in both adsorption on Chelex 100 and dithizone extraction, while glycine inhibited dithizone extraction more than adsorption on Chelex 100. From the fractionation of Co by Sephadex G-10 gel filtration chromatography, the higher molecular species of Co associated with the amino acids occurred after several days ageing and then increased together with decreasing in the lower molecular species.


An automatic 14CO2-collecting apparatus.


Drug treatment of venereal disease: analysis of 273 cases in Ghana. The presence of non-gonococcal urethritis, resistant to penicillin therapy was noted by Ikejiani in Nigeria as early as 1955. This syndrome is now known as non-specific urethritis, or non-specific genital infection in the female. Sarrat (1973) has shown the effectiveness of penicillin plus probenecid, specti nomycin, and cotrimoxazole in male cases of gonorrhoea in Dakar. Sogbetun and Osoba (1974) have shown the effectiveness of metronidazole in trichomoniasis in males in Nigeria. Our study was made on a mixed University population of 2,700 students seen in one clinic during the year 1975. There were 273 cases of sexually transmitted diseases including gonorrhoea, non-specific urethritis or genital disease, trichomoniasis and chronic urethritis or vaginitis. Treatment of gonorrhoea with penicillin alone or with spectinomycin was only 50% effective. But good results were obtained with penicillin plus probenecid or penicillin plus cotrimoxazole. Good results were obtained in non-specific urethritis, or non-specific genital disease, when tetracycline or its derivatives were used. Good results were obtained in the treatment of trichomoniasis with metronidazole in males and females. It was concluded that in gonorrhoea penicillin should be given (in adequate dosage) with probenecid or cotrimoxazole. Spectinomycin should be used at a dose level of 4 g instead of 2 g. The management of chronic urethritis and vaginitis was very difficult. The drug treatment of venereal disease in Ghana has not revealed any unique characteristics except, perhaps, an increased resistance of the gonococcus to spectinomycin.


Several problems concerning red cell membranes.


Pathophysiology of red cell lipids.

Pathophysiology of red cell lipids.


Effect of posture on the presence of fat in tracheal aspirate in neonates.


Immunosuppressive drug therapy as a potentiator of skin tumours in five patients with lymphoma.


Poldine iontophoresis in the treatment of palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis.


Congenital and acquired heart diseases: (A survey of 7062 persons). A survey was carried out amongst 7062 people of different age groups in Dacca city and in a village. It was found that 207 (2.92%) persons had some sort of heart disease. Hypertension was present in 83 (1.10%) persons. Rheumatic heart disease, ischaemic heart disease and cardiac arrhythmia were detected in 53 (0.75%), 24 (0.33%) and 16 (0.22%) persons respectively. Congenital heart disease was found in 13 (0.18%) individuals, and 18 (0.25%) persons were suffering from cardiomypathy or corpulmonale. Rheumatic heart disease was common in poor people of younger age. More ischaemic heart disease was found in well-to-do people but poor people were not immune from this.


Experience with norethisterone enanthate as injectable contraceptive. Norethisterone Enanthate (NE) was used in 151 women as injectable contraceptive. Pregnancy due to method failure was 2% whereas the overall pregnancy was 4%. The results have been discussed.


Echinococcosis in cattle and goats.

Echinococcosis in cattle and goats. In the 500 cattles examined, 90 (18%) had hydatid cysts in one or more organs whereas only 12(2.4%) goats, out of 500 had the disease. This is considered to be due to shorter period of longevity and age of slaughter of goats compared to catte. Since dog is an important definitive host responsible for the spread of echinococcosis, a survey on the incidence of hydatid cyst in dogs is necessary from public health point of view.


Studies on the nutritional status of expectant mothers and newborn babies. Heights, weights, haemoglobin, total proteins and albumin-globulin (A/G) ratio of 157 pregnant women in their last trimester of pregnancy are reported along with heights, weights, haemoglobin and albumin-globulin ratio of newborn babies. The results have been discussed. To explore the relationshop between maternal health status and infant vitality, selected physical, nutritional, and biochemical parameters were measured in 157 pregnant women and 71 newborn infants at the Azimpur Maternity Center in India.  The pregnant women had a mean height of 150 cm anda mean weight of 47.5 kg.  The 3rd-trimester hemoglobin level averaged 10.53% for women in their 1st pregnancy, 9.84% for 2nd pregnancies, 10.04% for 3rd pregnancies, and 10.36% for 4th pregnancies.  Both average total protein and packed cell volume remained relatively constant with increases in parity.  The prevalence of combined moderate and severe anemia was 42.8% for women in their 1st pregnancy, 48% for 2nd pregnancies, 42.9% for 3rd pregnancies, 41.2% for 4th pregnancies, 47% for 5th pregnancies, and 43.3% for women with 6 or more pregnancies.  Overall, 66% of the women had hemoglobin levels below 11 gm% and could be considered anemic.  The concentration of the severe cases of anemia in the 1st 3 pregnancies may reflect the early age of childbearing in this series (average age at 1st pregnancy, 18.2 years), forcing the fetus and mother to compete for nutrients.  The increased incidence of anemia with increasing parity is attributed to the gradual drain on maternal nutritional reseves.  Unusually high globulin fractions were recorded in these women, perhaps due to the superimposed evironmental infective factors common in India.  The mean birth length among infants in the study was 47.6 cm for males and (3.02 kg for males and 3.08 kg for females) was significantly lower than Western standards, reflectinbg the low weight of Indian women.  Mean hemoglobin and total protein levels among the infants were within normal limits.


Non-association of ABO blood groups with diabetes mellitus in Bangladesh. Confirmed diabetics (2312) were tested for ABO blood groupings and the results of frequency compared with normal (8936) subjects. The data were analysed statistically to detect any possibility of an association between ABO blood groups and diabetes mellitus. No such association is apparent in the subjects studied.


Malignant diseases. (A review of 115 cases). A review of 115 malignant lesions (proven histologically) is presented. Good number of malignant lesions were found confined to female sex organs.


Effects of norethisterone enanthate on certain body functions. Effects of Norethisterone Enanthate (an injectable contraceptive) on body weight, blood pressure, blood cell count, level of haemoglobin, fasting blood sugar and serum cholesterol were studied in 31 women. It was observed that in the successful acceptors the pregnancy rate was nil. No appreciable change could be found in the body functions studied.


Cancer of male breast. (A report on incidence). During a retrospective study of 1843 patients with malignant lesions, 83 were identified as breast cancer. Of these, 4 turned out to be male breast cancer showing a male to female ratio of this neoplasms to be 1:19.7.


Peptic ulcer: (Analysis of predisposing and associated causes). Age incidence, food habits and socio-economic condition were studied in a series of 478 predominantly male peptic ulcer patients. Age incidence of peptic ulcer increased in the second decade of life, reached a peak at the third decade and tapered off towards the end of fourth decade. As many as 57% of the patients belonged to the low socio-economic group and 78% were having only two meals a day. A ratio of 21 : 1 for duodenal ulcer to gastric ulcer was revealed from laparotomy findings.


Hypertension in a mixed community.

Hypertension in a mixed community. Casual blood pressure was studied in a mixed community above 20 years of age and records of hospitalised patients for hypertension and/or its complications were analysed. It was found that about 2 percent of people examined were unaware that they had elevated blood pressure. High incidence of hypertension was found in the age group of 40-50 years in the hospitalised patients.


Current concepts in drug therapy. (21) Bromocriptine "Parlodel" (Sandoz).


Bromocriptine in the treatment of advanced breast cancer.


Karyometric study of benign and malignant diseases of the thyroid gland. The results of the karyometric measurements in different thyroid diseases (both benign proliferative processes and cancer) have shown that this method may be useful in differential diagnosis of these diseases. It was also found that there are evident differences between the shapes of histograms in various forms of cancer. The shape of the histogram depends not only on the histological structure of the tumour (follicular, papillary, undifferentiated cancer), but also on the type of the cells of which it consists (A,B or C cells).


A new blackfly (S. (W.) golani n. sp. (Diptera, Simuliidae)) from the Eastern Mediterranean basin. S. (W.) golani n. sp. Beaucournu-Saguez and Braverman is described from material collected in the Golan region, Israël (35degrees42' E, 32DEGREES57' N). It is related to S. (W.) paraequinum Puri 1933 but is distinguished by the morphology of the pupal respiratory filaments and by details of the structure of the male genitalia.


Determination of platinum in optical glasses by substoichiometric neutron activation analysis.


Solubility of 210Po contained in airborne dusts.


A study on separation of 99Mo from neutron-irradiated UO2 by precipitation as ammonium molybdophosphate.


Evaluation of 99mTc-phytate as radiopharmaceutical.


Lactose malabsorption in Thai infants and children: effect of prolonged milk feeding. More than one-third of Thai infants were lactose malabsorbers soon after birth and the percentage of lactose malabsorption increased with age. Beyond 4 years of age, all Thai children studied were lactose malabsorbers. Continued milk supplementation over the study period did not affect the ability to digest lactose in the amount given in the load test. Since the milk-supplemented group of children tended to have better weight gain and few undesirable gastrointestinal symptoms, it seems milk feedings can be used to advantage even among populations with a record of high lactose intolerance.


Experimental analysis of the specific and aspecific activity of tolamolol (dl-UK 6558)


An overview of venereal disease programs in Britain, West Germany, Denmark, and Sweden, with implications for Canada. Venereal disease (VD) programs in England, West Germany, Denmark, and Sweden were studied in 1975 and compared with the program in Canada.  Pronounced variation was found in case reporting procedures, contact tracing, treatment services, and health education.  Only Canadian physicians are required to identify VD patients by name in their statistical reports, which contributes to underreporting.  There are over 200 special VD clinics in England administered by the hospital system and providing free treatment.  In the other countries studied, those suspecting they have VD consult a general practitioner, a specialist in venereology and dermatology, or attend a public clinic.  Physicians in England, West Germany, and Canada cannot treat a minor without parental consent.  The incidence of reported cases of both syphilis and gonorrhea rose more markedly in Canada during 1969-73 than in the other 4 countries.  Overall, the results of the comparison suggest that Canada could benefit from careful attention to the British system, considered to be the most effective.  It is recognized that much of the effectiveness of the British system is due to the unique method of reimbursing general practitioners in that country.  Nonetheless, specific features of the VD programs in England and other European countries that could be applied to Canada include:  1) statistical rather than individual reporting of cases; 2) physical location of clinics in hospitals; 3) establishment of clinics in smaller as well as large cities; 4) extension of clinic activities to encompass management of all sexually transmitted diseases; 5) more serious attention to investigation and epidemiologic control of nonspecific genital infections, which in England are about 1.4 times as common as gonorrhea in both sexes combined; 6) special training in venereology for physicians in charge of clinics; 7) training and increased use of public health nurses and social workers in contact tracing; 8) increased use of public health nurses for health education of high risk groups; 9) compulsory sex education in schools; 10) increased use of vending machines for condom sales; and 11) legislation to facilitate treatment and examination of minors without parental consent.


Effects of gamma irradiation on onion sprouting. I.--Influence of dose rate and post-harvest period of treatment. Onions of "Dorata di Parma" variety were exposed to 10 Krads of Co60 gamma irradiation in 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 minutes in December, 1975 and then stored in the cold storage (10 +/- 1 degree C; R.H. 65-70%) and at the room temperature (15-20 degrees C; R.H. 40-70%) for 3 months, to study the influence of dose-rate and post-harvest period of treatment. Average number of buds sprouted in each onion bulb under cold storage condition ranged from 2-3, while this number was found to increase to 3-4 under ambient storage conditions. Although no effect of either irradiation or dose rate was observed when onions were irradiated after the break of their dormancy, however, a significant slowing down effect of irradiation could be observed as far as the rate of growth  of sprouts was concerned. Weight loss was also reduced significantly in the irradiated onions as compared with controls.


Recognition of lactose intolerance.

Recognition of lactose intolerance. Evidence has been accumulating that except where dairying has been carried on for centuries, postweaning inability to digest milk is the norm for humans as well as other land mammals. Given the ethnic diversity of the U.S., there may well be 30 million Americans who cannot drink milk without developing symptoms and many instinctively learn to avoid it. A simple lactose tolerance test is described that establishes the diagnosis.


Treatment of meningeal leukemia.

Treatment of meningeal leukemia. Chemotherapy via the intrathecal and intraventricular routes with the use of up to three drugs plus radiotherapy have produced remissions so prolonged that it is now practical to think of a "cure" rather than simple palliation of this disease. A promising treatment protocol is described in which radiotherapy is combined with and followed by intraventricular methotrexate and cytosine arabinoside.


In Papua New Guinea, health aides carry medical burden.


Behaviour of two acid hydrolases in Fasciola hepatica during in vitro survival.


The pharmacist: gatekeeper of the community's health.


FDA problems with medications in the marketplace: I.


Growth rate, feeding practices, and dietary intake of Thai infants under two years old in central Bangkok. There is a growth retardation among Thai infants under the age of two years in the Bangkok area. A serious matter is the possible delay in brain development which may start at this early stage. In comparing growth curves of infants on three patterns of feeding it appears that those having sweetened condensed milk suffer from malnutrition and possible delay in brain development. Breast feeding provides satisfactory growth rate and brain development up to the age of 12 months and there is great hope that a nutrition programme to encourage breast feeding could combat existing problems of protein energy malnutrition. There is evidence of greater deficiency of energy than of protein, and there is need to investigate whether growth retardation is due to inadequate energy intake or to high infection rates or to both. Rice is the most suitable basic food for supplementing infants diets, and uncooked grain giving 1 g protein and 83.68 kJ (20 kcal) may well be the simplest formula for supplementing feeding up to the age of two years.


Low molecular weight organic acids as inhibitors of kinin-forming activity of a rodent tumor acid protease and human plasma kallikrein.


Control of food intake in the lactating rat: role of suckling and hormones.


The effect of minocycline, doxycycline and oxytetracycline on experimental mouse toxoplasmosis. This is a comparative study of the effect of oral and parenteral administration of oxytetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline on experimental acute toxoplasmosis in mice. Two different inocula were used. All the antibiotics were ineffective orally. Doxycycline and minocycline were effective intraperitoneally, curing 90% of the mice who received the smaller inoculum. However, cerebral cysts of T. gondii were more common in the survivors treated with doxycycline.


The effects of treatment with enzymatic preparations and tannin phenolic absorbent agents in extracting the olive oil by single pressure process on the oil yield, on the analytical characteristics of the oils of the vegetation waters and of the waste waters. The vegetation waters of the must, the oils and the waste waters extracted from olive pastes, treated by enzymatic preparations (Cellulase, Hemicellulase, Polygalacturonase and Protease) and tannin phenolic adsorbent agents (Polyclar AT, Methylcellulose, Albumine) employed during crushing of olive were analysed:--the vegetation waters in order to justify some technological results (oil yields and extraction speed) obtained by the treatments;--the oils in order to examine the effects of the treatments on the same chemical characteristics and the stability to rancidity. --The waste waters to verify the possible influence of the treatments on the BOD. From the results relative to the vegetation waters, it has been suggested that the increase of the "detached oil" does occur by two different biochemical mechanisms which involve the constitutive lipoprotein of the oil drop membrane and colloidal constituents of the liquid and solid phase of the pastes. For what concerns the oils, the treatments induce the slight modification of the fatty acid composition and chromatic characteristics, a higher stability to rancidity, a qualitative and quantitative increase of the "headspace" violates constituents above oils. The waste waters obtained from the olive pastes show lower BOD5 values.


Simultaneous purification of mitochondrial and cytoplasmic isozymes of aspartate aminotransferase from beef kidney. Mitochondrial and cytoplasmic isozymes of aspartate transaminase are separated from beef kidney homogenates by ammonium sulfate fractionation. The mitochondrial isozyme is purified essentially as described earlier (Eur. J. Biochem., 1972, 26, 196-206) with slight modification in order to increase the yield. The cytoplasmic isozyme is purified by heat treatment followed by ion exchange cellulose chromatography and gel chromatography. The enzyme is pure in the ultracentrifuge and in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; it shows only one anionic band and no subforms. It has a molecular weight of 93,000 +/- 2000 and is composed of two subunits of 46,000 M.W. The enzyme has a specific activity of 49 micronmoles of oxalacetate x min-1 x mg-1. It contains 5 SH groups per subunit; three are directly titratable with p-mercuribenzoate and the other two only after addition of 0.2% SDS; there is no evidence of S-S groups. Km values for aspartate, glutamate, alpha-ketoglutarate and oxalacetate are in the order 1.25, 3.2, 0.06 and 0.41 mM in the cytoplasmic isozyme and 0.7, 5.0, 1.25 and 0.12 mM in the mitochondrial one.


L-Asparaginase: effect on 7S gamma globulin extents and germinal centers in spleen and lymph-nodes. Administration of L-asparaginase may cause remission in a high percentage of acute lymphocytic leukemias and lymphomas, either in experimental animals or in human beings. This enzyme is able to depress immune reactions like lymphocyte blastogenesis and delayed hypersensitivity, and to impair gamma-globulin synthesis. L-asparaginase also has antigenic properties, and may cause the formation of anti-L-asparaginase antibodies. This study reports observations on the effect of L-asparginase on the 7S gamma-globulin levels and on the behaviour of the germinal centers in spleen and lymph nodes. It has been found that after administration of low or intermediate doses of L-asparginase, a decrease in the size of the follicular marginal zones occurred. This was accompanied by an enlargement of the germinal centers. Furthermore the spleen weight decreased and the concentration of 7S gamma-globulin diminished slightly. In animals given high doses of L-asparaginase, germinal centers were enlarged even more but marginal zones appeared repopulated although not to the degree of the controls. The spleen weight of these enzyme-injected animals reached almost the normal values, while a statistically significant decrease of 7S gamma-globulin concentrations was found.


A comparison of the dissolution and bioavailability characteristics of three spironolactone tablet formulations, including preliminary data on two spironolactone metabolites. The bioavailabilities of three spironolactone tablet formulations specially selected for major differences in in vitro dissolution tests were compared in normal male volunteers by measuring plasma and urinary levels of the pharmacologically active spironolactone metabolite canrenone. It was possible to demonstrate small but statistically significant differences in plasma canrenone concentration-time curves derived from the three formulations together with significant differences in the time course of urinary canrenone excretion. The bioavailabilities of the three formulations did not differ significantly although the tablet with the poorest in vitro dissolution produced a significant delayed peak canrenone concentration. The dissolution rate methodology and results are described and an approach to the development of improved in vitro dissolution tests for spironolactone is suggested. The use of a new method for canrenone estimation resulted in the incidental detection of two other quantitatively significant spironolactone metabolites and preliminary information is given on these.


Experiences in a paediatric gastroenterology clinic.


Vagrant women and venereal disease.

Vagrant women and venereal disease.


Bromocriptine in refractory post partum lactation.


Intrathecal administration of CDP-choline into the lower lumbar subarachnoid space in two patients with post-traumatic akinetic mutism.


Allergy and infant feeding.

Allergy and infant feeding.


Absolute configuration and biological activity of viminol stereoisomers.


The  contribution of computerized axial tomography to ophthalmology.


Clinical studies with bromocriptine in idiopathic parkinsonism.


Bringing comprehensive health care to a rural setting: islands near Charleston provide setting for first Urban Health feature on rural health activity.


Training is not enough!

Training is not enough!


OD and the role of the external consultant.


ASHET: organization development.

ASHET: organization development.


Contracting for OD: toward a consultant-client team.


OD problem diagnosis: a model.

OD problem diagnosis: a model.


Hospital alcoholism programs reach the community and business.


ASHET: educators within institutions.

ASHET: educators within institutions.


Proposed HIP rate increase meets with opposition.


Sex discrimination, HMOs and ERISA reviewed at AMA personnel conference.


Re-survey "Fortune 500"; interest in HMOs triples.


U.S. District Court orders payment of maternity benefits to unwed mothers under Title VII.


States grudgingly grant Blues rate increases.


Group accident & health in 1975 by lines.


Prescription drug plans popular with everyone--including providers.


Bill would limit Sec. 105(d) sick pay exclusion.


Propose commission to oversee health system.


Federal employees' suit seeks to cut premium boost in half.


Industry's alcoholism programs reducing absenteeism, costs.


Findings disputed on reports of medical incompetencies.


Elective surgery increased after implementation of Canadian medical insurance.


Maryland hospitals support government efforts to reduce Blue Cross 'discounting' practices.


Radiologists disclose withdrawal of College's relative value scale.


Wisconsin nursing home ombudsman program shows scoreboard on complaints.


Urges writing cost-sharing into NHI to offset control employer is sure to lose.


N. Y. Blues experiment with control of elective surgery.


Blue Shield unnecessary surgery program to examine cost savings from data.


More employees covered for disability in '74, but claims experience off: N. Y. study.


FTC launches effort to knock down anti-ad rules for doctors, others.


N.J.'s Sheeran makes specific cost control suggestions, including merger, to BC-BS plans.


Anti-selection can play an important role in HMO coverage, Rochester experience demonstrates.


Kansas lops $2,600,000 from Blues' rate hikes.


Reluctance evident in slow growth of same-day surgery.


Umpire rules phone treatments are covered by health fund.


Use of fee-for-service, indemnity plans exceeds use of HMO, studies show.


TDA offers alternative cooperation to carriers.


General Mills cuts inpatient days with HMO; 49% of Minneapolis-area employees choose option.


Dual choice option: opinions of labor presented by Seidman at GHAA meeting.


HEW integrates health figures with other trends.


Assert yourself for effectiveness.

Assert yourself for effectiveness.


Get professional recognition for inhouse CE courses.


Hospital admissions down; but emergency visits, costs increase.


Speakers urge acceptance of HMOs by employers.


Caesarean deliveries on the rise.

Caesarean deliveries on the rise.


Organizing human services in Florida. A study of the public policy process.


Prevalence of cytoplasmic antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus. Prevalence of cytoplasmic antibodies--smooth muscle antibodies (SMA), gastric parietal cell antibodies (GPA), and mitochondrial antibodies (MTA)--was evaluated in 148 normal persons and 168 patients by indirect immunofluorescent method. Their prevalence in normal persons was 0%, 2% and 0% for SMA, GPA and MTA respectively, while SMA and MTA were positive in 5.7% and 8.6% of the 35 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients respectively. The difference in the prevalence of SMA and MTA between these two groups was statistically significant. The higher prevalence of these antibodies and the occurrence of various kinds of antibodies in SLE patients support the thesis that SLE is an autoimmune phenomenon.


Studies on the new cell line TT-I: viral susceptibility and chromosomal changes related to mycoplasma contamination. For understanding some biological properties of TT-1 cell line established in our laboratory in 1962, its viral susceptibility and the changes in chromosomes related to mycoplasma contamination were studied. TT-1 cells were susceptible to the infection of picorna (Polio type 1, Coxsackie B1 and Echo type 2), measles, Newcastle disease, herpes simplex (type 1), adeno (type 12) and vaccinia viruses. Contamination of TT-1 cells with Mycoplasma hominis was treated successfully with bottromycin A2 (50 microgram/ml). The chromosomes of the cells ranged from 52 to 55 in number and two additional minute chromosomes were found in the cells contaminated with the mycoplasma. However, after treatment with bottromycin, these two minute chromosomes disappeared.


Standardization of antimicrobial disc susceptibility test for anaerobic bacteria. Both agar diluiton and agar diffusion tests with 8 clinically useful or potentially useful antimicrobial agents were performed with 74 strains of Bacteroides fragilis. Correlation of results obtained by the two methods and applicability of the single disc test to the measurement of antimicrobial susceptibility of anaerobes were analyzed. Prediction of susceptibility, intermediate susceptibility, and resistance of anaerobic bacteria to antimicrobial agents, based on the measurement of inhibition zone diameter, appeared to be satisfactory generally.


In vitro phagocytosis of Trypanosoma musculi by mouse macrophage.


Malic dehydrogenase patterns in different strains of Schistosoma japonicum and subspecies of Oncomelania hupensis. Malic dehydrogenase (MDH) of the Formosan Philippine and Indonesian Strains of Schistosoma japonicum and 3 subspecies of snails, Oncomelania hupensis formosana, O. h. quadrasi, and O. h. lindoensis were identified by disc electrophoresis with 10.5% acrylamide gel columns using tris-malic buffer. Male worm extracts of S. japonicum demonstrated 3, 2, and 2 clear MDH patterns and female worm extracts showed patterns of 2, 1 and 1 for the Formosan, Philippine and Indonesian strains of the parasite, respectively. MDH patterns were the same for all 3 subspecies of snails; one major and one minor band being found in all.


Angiostrongylus cantonensis in rats on Makung, Pescadores Islands (Peng Hu).


Federal Trade Commission continues antitrust campaign in move against Blue Shield.


Auto industry health care cost issue boils over; cos. want to "share" costs, UAW threatens BC-BS.


Supreme Court dismisses Wetzel discrimination-in-maternity-benefits case.


GM executive outlines health care cost controls.


Rocky Mountain HMO one of two IPA's qualified under Act.


Administration backs HMO amendments, but differs with pending bills on some points.


Prospective reimbursement; a step to cut hospital costs.


Physician maldistribution means poor care for 1 in 5.


Blues in several states use second opinions.


Drug firms agree to pay carriers $12.5 million.


Sweden's broad statutory health, sick leave benefits.


"Maximum allowable cost" effective date delayed.


500,000 railroad employees get dental coverage.


Private health plans cater to "snob appeal".


Minnesota sets minimum standards for health insurance plans; mandates HMO dual-choice clause.


Blue Cross influences health care delivery.


New qualified HMO in Delaware Valley.

New qualified HMO in Delaware Valley.


"Dental is different" says Penn. Blue Shield VP.


Book says health system not likely to change.


Alcoa manager testifies about company program to control health care costs.


Natl. Health Planning Act called last attempt at local input.


Lack of privacy hit at hearing; "open" medical data cited.


Has U.S. health care system reached an impasse? Improvement to be minimal, cost great, prof. says.


High court postpones sex-discrimination-in-maternity-benefits case.


Supreme Court okays prescription drug advertising; FTC to investigate possible AMA restraint of trade.


IPA plan in Rochester, N.Y. terminates; subscribers offered three coverage options.


Amendments will help HMOs compete in marketplace; 25 employees in service area needed for activation.


South African government sets minimum standards for private health coverage.


Employer should evaluate dental carrier; chart outlines five major plans.


Evaluating premiums for voluntary AD&D coverage.


Multiphasic screening does not always mean better health care, changed behavior.


New York HSA cites excess open-heart surgery units.


Views: enrollment in a health maintenance organization option.


NHI not likely to pass Congress during 1976.


Subchapter S prof. corp. loses pension deduction.


GAO drug-price audit fought; firms say costs unknowable.


Hospital administrators discuss cost control.


HMO conference finds activated employers cautiously moving to implement choice.


HEW doesn't expect strict compliance with HMO law.


Insurers becoming more involved in HMOs, HIAA tells Kennedy.


Western Clinic of Tacoma quits prepaid group practice.


New national health plan takes effect in Australia.


Blue Cross-Blue Shield plans attacked thrice.


New York research says second opinion programs permanently defer surgery.


Many factors must be considered when examining the rising cost of hospital care.


Views: activation by HMOs.

Views: activation by HMOs.


How Michigan Blues contain health care costs.


Tax Reform Act of 1976 changes sick pay, allows "joint" IRAs boosts ESOPs and prepaid legal.


Physicians have role to play in hospital cost control.


FTC prohibits Spokane HMO boycott.

FTC prohibits Spokane HMO boycott.


Although employer is administrator for plan, insurer is liable.


GAO outlines HMO roadblocks in report to Congress.


How Sears, Roebuck is complying with HMO Act.


New Chicago HMO will experience-rate inpatient costs.


HEW acts on home care, SNFs.

HEW acts on home care, SNFs.


Surgicenters planned in Washington, D.C., area.


How R.J. Reynolds started successful HMO.


Pre-admission testing saves money, BC-BS says.


Two states start prospective role review.


NAEHMO develops HMO checklist.

NAEHMO develops HMO checklist.


Four essential ingredients of a well-designed dental program outlined by actuary.


Computer eases administration of dental claims.


Normal pregnancies to be covered under Cal. UCD.


CEB speakers urge employers to become involved in hospital cost control programs.


Surface activity of pulmonary alveolar lipids from dogs subjected to hemorrhagic shock.


Model ecosystem evaluation of the environmental impacts of the veterinary drugs phenothiazine, sulfamethazine, clopidol, and diethylstilbestrol. Four veterinary drugs of dissimilar chemical structures were evaluated for environmental stability and penchant for bioaccumulation. The techniques used were (1) a model aquatic ecosystem (3 days) and (2) a model feedlot ecosystem (33 days) in which the drugs were introduced via the excreta of chicks or mice. The model feedlot ecosystem was supported by metabolism cage studies to determine the amount and the form of the drug excreted by the chicks or mice. Considerable quantities of all the drugs were excreted intact or as environmentally short-lived conjugates. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) and Clopidol were the most persistent molecules, but only DES bioaccumulated to any appreciable degree. Phenothiazine was very biodegradable; sulfamethazine was relatively biodegradable and only accumulated in the organisms to very low levels. Data from the aquatic model ecosystem demonstrated a good correlation between the partition coefficients of the drugs and their accumulation in the fish.


Regeneration-promoting properties of tribenoside in Amblystoma mexicanum. Tribenoside in a dose of 100 mg/kg i.p. significantly accelerates the regeneration of puncture wounds in the caudal membrane of Amblystoma mexicanum. A dose of 200 mg/kg exerts a less-pronounced vulnerary effect and is occasionally toxic. Tribenoside also stimulates regeneration in this species when added to bath fluid in a concentration of 1:400,000 (exposure for 6 h daily). A concentration of 1:200,000 is less effective and has a slightly irritant effect on the tissue. 14 days after operation, the rate of mitosis in the regenerative blastema is distinctly greater than that demonstrable in the normal integument of the axolotl. The number of cell divisions in the regenerating tissue is not significantly altered by tribenoside in a concentration of 1:400,000. The possible involvement of other mechanisms in the stimulated regeneration observed after treatment with tribenoside is discussed.


A case of cutaneous bovine leucosis in Hungary.


"The orbit" (a review).

"The orbit" (a review).


Problems and proposals on the study of tryptophan metabolism.


Leukocyte migration inhibition in vitro in untreated and methimazole-treated patients with Graves disease. The leukocyte migration tests has been applied to investigate immune-reactivity of 43 untreated and methimazole-treated patients against thyroid crude antigen. A significant migration inhibition was observed in 21 untreated patients, while in 22 methimazole-treated patients the migration test was negative independently of T3 suppressibility. Migration inhibition against thyroid antigen and purified protein derivative (PPD) was reduced or abolished after preincubation with methimazole of leukocytes of untreated patients. It seems that methimazole-treatment influences not only thyroid iodine metabolism, but by means of a direct effect on lymphocytes it also decreases the pathological stimulation.


The effect of the antibilharzial compound (Bilharcid) on Schistosoma mansoni in vitro and in vivo. The effect of Piperazine diantimonyl tartrate (Bilharcid) as compared with that of tartar emetic on Schistosoma mansoni has been studied. In vitro experiments on living worms in tyrode/serum cultures have proved that Bilharcid 5-10 gamma/ml has the same antibilharzial activity as tartar emetic in 5-10 gamma/ml. In vivo experiments on Schistosoma mansoni infected mice have proved also that Bilharcid has more or less the same effect as that of tartar emetic. In this study, the worm burden load and the oogram techniques were used as the criteria for antibilharzial assessment.


The effect of D-penicillamine on the albumin-bilirubin complex.


In vitro microagglutination of human spermatozoa by ethinyl estradiol: a brief communication.


Rejoinder: toward optimal arousal and away from original din.


Surgical management of nasal obstruction.


The aetiological evaluation of acute microbial conjunctivitis in Greece. Epidemiological study.


The allograft incus: an otologic necessity.


Stromal herpes simplex keratitis.

Stromal herpes simplex keratitis.


The health care consumer: compliant captive?


Of half gods and mortals: Aesculapian authority.