The plaque-inhibiting effect of copper amalgam. In order to assess whether copper amalgam accumulates less bacterial plaque than silver amalgam, 14 copper amalgam cervical restorations were placed in 10 patients. Control silver amalgam fillings were placed in homologous teeth of the same jaw. To evaluate the amount of plaque, the stained areas on the amalgams were analyzed from photographs with a planimetric method. Further quantitative analyses of plaque growth on copper amalgam were carried out with microbiological methods, for which a new group of 10 patients was selected. Cervical cavities were prepared on both sides of the jaw. Specimens of copper amalgam and silver amalgam restorations were placed on opposite sides. The plaque was collected after 2 and 3 days and cultivated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions on blood agar plates and on Mitis Salivarius Agar. The results of both methods show a very significant inhibition of plaque growth on copper amalgam. These results were confirmed by scanning electron micrographs which showed that copper amalgam only had plaque on small areas. The plaque appeared in band formations arranged irregularly on the surface. Higher magnifications revealed a filamentous structure with predominating coccoid organisms. Scanning electron micrographs also showed that pellicle formation, which is considered to be necessary for bacterial adherence to the surface, took place on both amalgams.


Calculus removal and loss of tooth substance in response to different periodontal instruments. A scanning electron microscope study. The efficiency of calculus removal and the amount of lost tooth substance resulting from the use of hand curette, ultrasonic curette and rotating diamond and Roto-Pro points were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Root surfaces of mandibular incisors placed in a jaw model were cleaned of adhering deposits, photographed by SEM and evaluated at a standard magnification by three examiners. Scores were given for remaining calculus (RCI) and loss of tooth substance (LTSI) according to defined index criteria. The results revealed that calculus removal was most complete following diamond instrumentation, whereas the ultrasonic curette was least efficient in this respect. Hand curette, ultrasonic curette and Roto-Pro removed about the same amount of tooth substance whereas the diamond removed considerably more than the others. The diamond regularly removed all the cementum and left deep instrumental marks in the dentin; it seems advisable to avoid the use of such instruments in periodontal depuration.


Periodontal treatment needs of 35-year-old citizens in Oslo. The periodontal condition was evaluated according to the PI and the Periodontal Treatment Need System (PTNS) in a random sample of 35-year-old citizens of Oslo. The study demonstrated that periodontal disease was a major dental health problem despite the fact that 88.9% of the subjects visited a dentist regularly. No statistically significant differences were found in PI, PTNS and OHI-S values among the different sexes and educational groups. Although the majority of the subjects (77.8%) brushed their teeth more than once a day, the oral hygiene status was not satisfactory (mean OHI-S 1.56). The frequency of toothbrushing did not influence the mean PI scores. Dental hard and soft tissue lesions related to toothbrushing were found in 30.0 and 6.8% of the subjects respectively, and more often among persons brushing more than once a day than among persons brushing less frequently.


Juvenile periodontitis: skeletal bone mineral content. No analysis of the skeletal bone mineral content in patients with juvenile periodontitis seems to be available. The purpose of the present analysis, therefore, was to determine, on the basis of estimation of the skeletal bone mineral content (BMC), if an osteopenia is present in patients with juvenile periodontitis. The material consisted of 30 subjects without known systemic diseases: one group of 15 patients with juvenile periodontitis and a control group of 15 subjects with normal periodontal conditions. Test- and control subjects were paired according to sex, age, height, and weight. Each group comprised four men and 11 women aged 18-31 years. The bone mineral content (BMC) was estimated by gamma-ray photon absorptiometry of both forearms, expressed (in arbitrary units) as the mean value of 6 scans of each forearm. No significant differences were found between the total average of the 6 scans from right and left forearms or between the total and mean value for BMC in the test- and in the control group. Conclusively, the analysis shows that the BMC values lie within normal limits in patients with juvenile periodontitis. Therefore, a generalized osteopenia does not seem to be a contributory factor in this disease.


The effect of orthodontic tilting movements on the periodontal tissues of infected and non-infected dentitions in dogs.


Comments on "dress and grooming in dental schools".


It ain't necessarily so: a reevaluation of Massler and Evans' "correlation between preclinical and clinical grades".


Who cares about people?

Who cares about people?


Mental health and dental education.

Mental health and dental education. The relationship between mental health and the educational process in dental school has rarely been explored. In the author's experience as the mental health consultant at the USC School of Dentistry, several focal points of conflict do influence academic effectiveness. These problem areas are often marked by a variety of physical or psychological symptoms such as anxiety--sometimes of panic proportions--gastrointestinal disturbances, and the like. These are frequently related to fear of failure, being exposed as being intellectually inept and fraudulent, neurotic competitive needs, real and unreal paranoid attitudes toward instructors, the student's expectations as to what his or her "silent partners" require to him or her, and the effect dental education has on marriage.


Dental student and faculty perceptions of teacher characteristics.


Mastery learning strategy applied to a preclinical course in endodontics. Student learning is the primary aim of the educational process. Learning is facilitated by designing courses that remove many of the inhibitory factors inherent in conventional lecture/demonstration methods. The development of resource material, testing methods and the changed role of the teacher in Mastery Learning techniques are discussed.


The effectiveness of self-instructional module in teaching radiographic interpretation.


The state university's role in health sciences education.


More discussion on "dress and grooming in dental schools".


Sample size needed for student ratings of instruction. The number of evaluation forms students are asked to complete is multiplying. To reduce that number, the present study determines the minimum sample size needed for accurate student ratings of instruction. Typical questionnaire items using four- and seven-category ratings scales were studied. Data for four class sizes (40, 60, 100, 140) were sampled in graduated sizes, and a standard error of the mean was computed for each sample size. A permissible error index was computed to estimate the accuracy of ratings obtained from any sample size needed for the four different class sizes. Figures are presented from which minimum sample sizes necessary for accurate student evaluation of instruction can be computed. The figures show that sampling only one-third of classes of 100-140 students is sufficient to obtain accurate evaluations.


Dental research priorities and availability of research opportunities for dental students. The American Student Dental Association surveyed 69 dental deans representing schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico to assess the priority of research and the role of dental students in research activity. Student interest, curricular requirements, potential funding, and opportunities available, as related to dental research, were topics included on the questionnaire. The results indicate that although the percentage of dental students seeking research involvement is small, opportunities and financial support for research are available in most dental schools as part of the regular curriculum.


Preclinical laboratory course in dental behavioral science: changing human behavior. Dental health professionals are frequently frustrated when they present preventive or therapeutic regimens to patients. This paper describes an approach to the teaching of behavioral science designed to familiarize the dental student with applying behavioral change techniques to dental problems. Ninety-nine second-year dental students participated in the two-credit course. Students were taught in six groups, each led by a clinician-behavioral scientist team. The behavioral science materials were presented in five slide-tape programs developed by the authors. The key to the course was a behavior change project in which each student identified a problem, designed an intervention strategy, and attempted to manage the problem using the behavioral techniques presented.


The use of role-playing for teaching professionalism and ethics.


Facts vs the scientific method.

Facts vs the scientific method.


Thermal sensitivity.

Thermal sensitivity.


More on erosion.

More on erosion.


Teeth of old Japan.

Teeth of old Japan.


Tax reform legislation of 1976 and 1977.


Relative discernment of lesions by intraoral and panoramic radiography. Panoramic and intraoral periapical radiographs were compared for their demonstration of pathologic conditions in patients seeking general dental care. Panoramic views allowed additional detection of noteworthy lesions that were not detected by intraoral survey in 5.3% of the cases reviewed, with only 0.1% or one patient in 1,000 possibly requiring treatment. The paucity and lack of urgency of the pathologic conditions discovered solely by panoramic radiography suggest that the expectation of a high incidence of detection of such conditions cannot be used as the sole rationale for the routine use of this procedure as an adjunct to the intraoral survey.


Placebos in dentistry: their profound potential effects. The placebo effect may influence the treatment of patients with postextraction pain, localized osteitis, and myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome, to name a few. The patient, the doctor, and the situation all influence the placebo effect. This phenomenon is still not understood, and further research is needed. The practitioner should learn to utilize the placebo effect for its potential benefits.


Supracrestal fiberotomy.

Supracrestal fiberotomy. Details of a surgical technique to divide the free gingival and transseptal fibers around rotated teeth that have been corrected orthodontically are outlined. The rationale of the procedure, its applications, indications, and contraindications are discussed. Supracrestal fiberotomy is not a substitute but an adjunct to normal retention procedures.


Retention and effectiveness of a single application of an adhesive sealant in preventing occlusal caries: final report after five years of a study in Kalispell, Montana. The single application of a BIS-GMA adhesive sealant in Kalispell on a paired half-moouth basis and the annual monitoring of the sealed sites for five years is not a recommended preventive regimen. The study does proved information on the potential long-term in vivo retention of the sealant and its ability to prevent dental caries. The findings of this study clearly show that when this pit and fissure sealant is retained, its is effective in preventing caries in sealed tooth surfaces. Moreover, on occlusal surfaces, the usual susceptibility to decay is not altered by having been treated with a sealant that is not retained.


Oral manifestations of acute leukemia in children. Seventy-seven children with acute leukemia were examined. A wide spectrum of oral findings was observed as the consequence of direct leukemic infiltration of tissue, infection resulting from bone marrow and immunosuppression, impaired healing responses, and poor oral hygiene. Guidelines for dental treatment are provided.


Osteochondromatous exostosis of the condyle. Osteochondromatous exostosis of the condyle is rare. When these exotoses become large, they can cause temporomandibular pain and clicking with mandibular movements. Treatment consists of surgical removal of the mass. Adjunctive care may include use of intermaxillary fixation, training elastics, and jaw exercises.


Evaluation of techniques and materials used in pulpal therapy based on a review of the literature: part I.


Patient susceptibility limits to the effectiveness of preventive oral health education. A preventive oral health care regimen will not succeed for every dental patient. Instruction probably will not be effective unless the patient has a good general attitude toward all his health habits. Dentists who have developed a preventive program should individualize the treatment to obtain maximum patient susceptibility.


Rhinocerebral mucormycosis.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is a fungal diseases that has a 50% mortality. Its occurrence has increased, possibly because of greater use of chemotherapeutic agents that mya compromise the immunologic defenses of the host or alter the normal flora. The earliest signs, ulceration and pain, may appear in the mouth. In the patient described in this report, the autopsy showed that mucormycosis had entered the brain cells.


New American Dental Association Specification No. 32 for orthodontic wires not containing precious metals. Council on Dental Materials and Devices.


Report of the Executive Secretary, State Board for Nursing.


Post-tetanic mechanical tension and evoked action potentials in McArdle's disease. The tension produced by the cramp evoked in the adductor pollicis muscle by repetitive stimuli to the nerve (20/s for 50 s) and by full voluntary effort in the brachial biceps was measured in a patient with McArdle's disease. The contracture was 17% of the peaktetanic tension, and was not associated with action potentials. Twitches superimposed on the contracture were at most diminished to half, as were their action potentials. Both slow and fast muscle fibres participated in the contracture. The contraction time of the twitches elicited after the tetanus was prolonged more in the patient than in a normal subject of the same age. There was evidence of delayed firing, first observed 90 seconds after the peak of the contracture. The patient had electromyographic and histological signs of myopathy.


Community mental health nursing in an urban setting.


Comprehensive maternity care as an ambulatory service - Maternity Center Association's birth alternative.


Human values in nursing.

Human values in nursing.


Unified action - nursing's ticket to viability in the 1980's.


The school nurse practitioner in New York State--role of the future.


Head injury.

Head injury.


Counseling is.

Counseling is.


The betrayal of youth.

The betrayal of youth.


The school nurse teacher in the classroom: one teacher's perspective.


An experimental pre-K screening clinic.

An experimental pre-K screening clinic.


The art of negotiation.

The art of negotiation.


The "other" dual degree in an advanced oral surgery program.


Correction of severe dentofacial deformity associated with myotonia congenita.


The art of history taking.

The art of history taking. The art of history taking involves the ability to recognize the interrelationship between the details of the medical history and the patient's personal history. For the oral surgeon, this provides important insights into how the patient has reacted to illness in the past as well as how he is most likely to react to current treatment. Specific problems have been reviewed as well as suggested interview techniques to guide the oral surgeon in his management of his patient's reactions. No one expects the doctor to be an iconoclast. He cannot be all things to all patients. He should recognize a problem, acknowledge it as a problem, and be flexible enough to deal with it or refer the patient to someone who can. This kind of understanding will enable the oral surgeon to fulfill his role with appreciation from his patients and an inner sense of professional and personal achievement.


Exodontics in a patient with Felty syndrome: report of case.


Hyperbaric oxygen in the adjunctive treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible: report of case. A case of chronic osteomyelitis has been presented to show the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen in treatment of this disease. Surgical intervention is needed, as are adequate cultures, even though the cultures may be difficult to obtain and identify. Because the antibiotic therapy may need to be changed during the course of the disease, the selection of antibiotics should be dictated by positive cultures as well as the clinical course. Antibiotic therapy is needed for four to six weeks after abatement of symptoms.


Mandibular-piriform aperture wiring for fractures in infants: report of case. A case was presented of bilateral subcondylar and parasymphyseal fractures of the mandible in a 16-month-old boy. The case was treated by mandibular-piriform fixation. The advantages of this procedure are described.


Tuberculous osteomyelitis of the mandible with pathologic fracture. A case of disseminated miliary tuberculosis with a lesion of the left side of the mandible leading to pathologic fracture has been presented. The primary medications and the basic principles of treatment have been reviewed.


Inverted-L osteotomy for correction of mandibular prognathism after relapse. As more orthognathic surgery is performed, more case of relapse can be expected. A case of re-operation of a recurrent prognathism has been reported. An alternative surgical approach was used because the planned operation could not be accomplished. However, the implications of the use of the technique are broader than the single example given in this report. The inverted-L technique, because of its similarity to the combined oblique osteotomy and coronoidectomy for correction of extreme prognathism, provides an alternative procedure that leaves a greater proportion of the masticatory musculature in its natural position. In addition, with the development of techniques and instrumentation for intraoral approaches to oblique osteotomy of the ramus, the feasibility of an intraoral inverted-L osteotomy becomes apparent and the approach merits further consideration.


Silastic tubing for interpositional arthroplasty.


Mitral valve prolapse syndrome.

Mitral valve prolapse syndrome.


Brown tumors associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism of chronic renal failure. Two cases of brown tumors associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism and chronic renal failure are reported. Both patients underwent excision of the tumor because of mechanical interference. Subsequent parathyroidectomy has substantially improved the general status of the patients.


Treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.


Hypereosinophilia with acute lymphocytic and acute myelocytic leukemia in childhood.


Prevalence, location, and patency of accessory canals in the furcation region of permanent molars. One hundred and two extracted permanent molars were debrided in 3% H2O2, sealed at the apex, and placed in a vacuum chamber. Safranin dye was introduced into the teeth that were placed in a vacuum of 525 mm of Hg. Observations were made of the external root surface to determine any staining due to patent accessory canals. Accessory canals were demonstrated in the "furcation region" in 28.4% of the total sample; 29.4% in mandibular molars, and 27.4% in maxillary molars. Of the total sample 25.5% exhibited canals in the "furcation" only, while 10.2% exhibited canals on the lateral root surface. Communication between the pulp chamber and the external surface was noted via dentinal tubules, especially when the cementum was denuded. The salient biologic and pathologic ramification of these aberrant canals were discussed along with the need to establish a differential diagnosis in order to determine the proper sequence of treatment should pulpal-periodontal disease exist.


The effects of root shape and biology on bone growth. A statistical study was carried out on the influence of root surfaces on adjacent cellular activity. This activity is indeed affected by both the shape and the biology of those surfaces. Flat surfaces tend to inhibit, nicked surfaces tend to stimulate bone formation in a bone-growing environment. A biologic effect is exerted by the matrix of diseases roots. They contain an inhibitory principle which is not present in healthy roots. This factor is masked by the apatite structure and is destroyed by heat.


Quantitation of retention of endosseous dental blade implants in dogs. This research was initiated in order to study the extraction forces associated with solid, single-vented and multi-vented blade dental implants placed in mandibles of dog for 2 months. An extraction device was used to measure the extraction forces on five of the implants and a histological study was carried out around the sixth multi-vented implant. The main finding was that the extraction forces for the multi-vented blade implants were 6 to 12 times those of the single-vented and solid blades. Other findings in this study were: none of the implants exhibited mobility; sulci ranged from 2 to 3 mm at the implant neck; bone covered the implant shoulder. There was gross and histologic evidence of bone growth in the vents of the multi-vented blade; close adaptation of the bone, connective tissue capsule and implant; and no gross, histologic, clinical or radiographic evidence of bone pathology.


A simple shield for radiographic film.

A simple shield for radiographic film. The fabrication and use of a simple shield to protect radiographic film during exposure of a full series has been described.


A simplified technique for fabricating a lightweight obturator. Polyurethane foam was used as a core material in the fabrication of a lightweight obturator. This is a time-saving method of achieving a meaningful reduction in the total weight of a prosthesis while increasing strength and facilitating repair.


Rational use of endosteal implants.

Rational use of endosteal implants.


Observations on the use of the Denar pantograph and articulator. An investigation was undertaken to determine the reproducibility of articular settings from graphic records of simulated mandibular movement using the Denar pantograph and the Denar D4-A articulator. The results of the study showed that most of the articulator adjustments were reproducible with a reasonable degree of accuracy, although not quite to the extent one would hope for. The rear-wall and top-wall adjustments are of questionable value in reproducing mandibular movements with this technique, since the results for these adjustments in the present study were unreliable. However, familiarity with the technique gave better results, as shown in the third experiment. It would, therefore, seem that much of the basis for adverse reports depended upon results obtained by operators with insufficient experience in the technique.


Hyperbaric oxygenation: prosthodontic responsibilities. This article discussed the use of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis, osteoradionecrosis, and nonhealing wounds. The fabrication of custom-fitted oxygen applicators is presented, and specific recommendations are made for their use. The prosthodontist serves as a valuable member of the hyperbaric treatment team. His professional knowledge and technical expertise allow him to construct treatment applicators which are professionally sound and provide comfort for the patient.


Recent legal decisions and their effects on dentists.


Influence of immediate dentures on oral motor skill and speech. An investigation was designed to test whether the precision of finely coordinated orofacial movements is influenced by the transition from natural to artificial dentition. The oral motor skill of 16 patients was tested before extraction and within 2 weeks of wearing immediate dentures. Speech recordings were employed to detect changes in voice quality and speech sound production. Results showed that the loss of natural teeth and the wearing of immediate dentures did not alter sensorimotor pathways significant to the precision of oral motor skills. It was also determined that physical characteristics of dentures are significant factors in the production of acceptable speech.


Histochemical and histopathologic studies of alveolar mucosa under complete dentures. An investigation was made of the enzymatic, histochemical, and histopathologic characteristics of clinically healthy edentulous mucosae of non-denture wearers. The effects of dentures on the oral mucosa were examined and related to the length of time that dentures were worn. Succinodehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes were used along with periodic acid Schiff's stain. Hematoxylin and eosin stain was used for the histopathologic study. The results indicated that a denture stimulates the underlying mucosa for the first 3 years. A healthy mucosa results, showing slight hyperkeratinization and increased enzymatic activity. After 3 years there are atrophic changes which can lead to inflammatory changes. There is also a reduction in enzyme activity associated with wearing dentures for more than 3 years. Remaking the dentures after 3 years increases the enzymatic activity of the alveolar mucosa.


Articulator adjustments using the transfer vise. The transfer vise, a new instrument that is used for the adjustment of articulators, is described. Its application to one articulator, the Simulator, is presented in detail. The technique using the transfer vise is compared to other existing techniques, and its advantages and limitations are discussed. The transfer vise and its technique are recommended for the routine treatment of fixed and removable prosthodontic patients.


A histologic evaluation of tissue response to three currently used temporary acrylic resin crowns. The subgingival placement of any one of the three types of temporary crowns placed on 28 posterior teeth of seven subjects caused no detectable change in the gingiva over a 3 week period. There is a need for further study of the influence of temporary crowns on the different types of gingival tissue.


Evaluation of the use of a face-bow in complete denture occlusion. A study was conducted that compared three arbitrarily located axes to the true hinge axis location on ten subjects. Of the 60 different arbitrary axis locations registered, 55% were within 6 mm of the true hinge axis. The results of this study revealed very small differences between a hinge axis face-bow. Hanau 132-SM face-bow, and the Whip-Mix ear face-bow. A linear deviation range of 0.116 to 0.268 mm is of doubtful clinical significance to complete denture construction. If an articulator like the New Simplex is used without a face-bow and with a 3 mm interocclusal wax record, it can be anticipated that there will be a 1 mm deviation in the anterior direction in centric occlusion. This discrepancy, incorporated with errors due to processing, can be eliminated by remounting the finished complete dentures with a new centric relation record for occlusal correction.


A safe crown-removal technique.

A safe crown-removal technique. A method has been described that may help the dentist in removing ceramic-metal restorations that resist easy removal from the teeth during the fitting procedure and after temporary or final cementation.


Tear strength of elastomeric impression materials. 1. Under simulated clinical conditions the maximum tear strength of those materials tested was reached in 10 to 15 minutes. 2. The polysulfide materials showed three to six times the tear strength of the silicones. 3. The polyether material displayed a tear resistance slightly higher than that of the silicones but one third to one fifth as high as that of the polysulfides. 4. The clinical significance of the differences in tear strength was undetermined since other factors (such as adhesion) were not considered.


The reproduction of skin color and texture in facial prostheses for Negro patients.


Using pantographic tracings to detect TMJ and muscle dysfunctions. Forty-six subjects were examined using the HDI and a PRI. Two sets of pantographic tracings were used to determine if subjects experiencing dysfunction could differentiate between degrees of dysfunction. Subjects were divided into groups according to their clinical symptoms: none (D0), sligh (D1), and moderate dysfunction (D5). Each subject was further classified into one of two groups according to his state of occlusion/articulation. The PRI detected differences between the group with moderate dysfunction and those groups with no dysfunction and slight dysfunction on the basis of differences between the first and second sets of tracings; no difference was found between the groups with slight and moderate dysfunction. Subjects with poor occlusions had higher PRI scores. The diagnosis of TMJ dysfunction may require the use of several modalities such as subjective responses, clinical examination, radiographs, and pantographic tracings.


The anatomy of a smile.

The anatomy of a smile. The anatomy of the smile is an integral part of dentistry. Its understanding involves close scrutiny of all elements of the oral region. It is not enough to establish the size of teeth based on the high and low lip lines, size of the mouth, and a shade to blend with the age and complexion. To create a harmonious smile the dentist must maintain or create the normal curvature of the lips, proper exposure of the red zone of the lips, an undistorted philtrum, and undisturbed nasolabial grooves. These entities, maintained in harmony with the exposed teeth, constitute the anatomy of a smile. In order that patients may be served properly, the smile must be understood, recorded, and analyzed so that desirable aspects may be preserved and graceless components returned to attractiveness.


A radiographic technique for the detection of internal defects in dental castings.


Pin-retained composites for splinting lower anterior teeth.


Procedural problems in using the Denar pantograph as a transfer-bow. A method has been described for using zinc-oxide/eugenol paste as an interclutch support when the Denar pantograph is used as a transfer-bow. Using this technique a stable centric relation position can be maintained during the maxillary cast mounting procedure and the subsequent setting of the articulator to the pantographic recordings.


Practical considerations in iontophoresis of fluoride for desensitizing dentin. A review of the literature on treatment of dentin hypersensitivity by use of fluorides and fluoride iontophoresis was presented. It was concluded that topical applications of fluoride are modestly effective for treatment of dentin hypersensitivity, but the most rapid and effective relief follows fluoride iontophoresis. This technique has a broad application in dental practice since fluoride iontophoresis was shown to be an effective desenitizer in cavity preparation, before cementation of restorations, and in cases of occlusal wear and enamel hypoplasia. The report also presents a new and effective method for the iontophoresis of fluoride for dentin desensitization.


Polyurethane elastomers for facial prostheses. A review of the polyurethane elastomers used for facial prostheses has been presented. A description of the casting technique was given. The materials require accuracy and care in handling to insure the successful casting of a prosthesis. They seem to simulate the characteristics of the facial tissues and are more durable and comfortable than previously used materials. Over 300 patients have been exposed to or treated with these materials without evidencing significant adverse tissue reaction. In spite of the improvements that these materials present over previous ones (PVC and silicones), much work is still required to understand their behavior and their physical and mechanical characteristics and to compensate for the metameric phenomenon.


Color and its application in maxillofacial prosthetics.


Air flow and intelligibility of speech of normal speakers and speakers with a prosthodontically repaired cleft palate.


Vinyl chloride concentrations in maxillofacial prosthetics laboratories. Air sampling was conducted in three maxillofacial laboratories to determine whether vinyl chloride, a carcinogen, was released during the formulation of polyvinylchloride facial prostheses. Results show that time-weighted average exposures of technicians were less than 0.1 ppm, a concentration meeting current U.S. Department of Labor standards.


Rapid technique for constructing a hollow-bulb provisional obturator.


Comparison of Myo-Monitor centric position to centric relation and centric occlusion.


Methotrexate analogues. 10. Direct coupling of methotrexate and diethyl L-glutamate in the presence of peptide bond-forming reagents.


Deciding: the problems it brings and the problems brought to it.


The physician's marriage.

The physician's marriage.


Masquerading colitis. Infectious dysentery superimposed on chronic inflammatory bowel disease.


Acute lithium-induced parkinsonism precipitated by liquid protein diet.


Myoglobinuria and acute renal failure.

Myoglobinuria and acute renal failure.


Burn care in New Jersey.

Burn care in New Jersey.


Charcoal hemoperfusion for insecticide overdose.


Cytodifferentiation in the acute myeloblastic leukemias of man. Correlation analysis of numbers of colony-forming progenitor cells was used as an approach to the quantitation of human pluripotent stem cells. Marrow specimens were obtained from 24 patients with untreated acute myeloblastic leukemia, 22 patients under treatment, and 29 patients with no hematologic malignant disease. Three classes of progenitor cells were assayed: burst-forming units dependent on erythropoietin (BFU-E), colony-forming units dependent on erythropoietin (CFU-E), and granulopoietic progenitors (CFU-C). Significant positive correlations between numbers of BFU-E, CFU-E, and CFU-C were found in all 3 groups of patients. In contrast, no such positive correlations were seen between marrow blasts and any of the classes of colony-forming progenitors. These results were compatible with a shared relationship of the colony-forming progenitors to a pluripotent cell of origin and raised the possibility that the immediate progenitors of the blasts may not be any of the myelopoietic progenitor cells monitored in these studies.


Frequency of osteosarcoma among first-degree relatives of St. Bernard dogs.


Increased synthesis of striatal dopamine by N,N-dimethyltryptamine.


Pathogenetic and therapeutic problems in blastic exacerbation of chronic myeloid leukaemia.


Teenage pregnancy in North Carolina: a 10-year study.


Cleft lip and cleft palate in North Carolina.


Anencephalus in North Carolina: a 25-year experience.


Management of hepatic injury: results in 100 consecutive cases.


An evaluation of ultrasonic pancreatography.


Grief: normal or abnormal?

Grief: normal or abnormal?


The treatment of gallstones with chenodeoxycholic acid.


Neurologic complications of acute myelomonoblastic leukemia of four years' duration. An adult with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia involving the central nervous system is presented. Unusual features included: (1) Focal signs and radiographic evidence of sagittal sinus occlusion early in the course of disease; (2) progressive meningeal, cranial nerve, and spinal nerve involvement despite a 4-year bone marrow remission; (3) intracerebral tumor formation, and (4) retrobulbar optic neuritis associated with microscopic findings of herpeslike viral particles. The incidence of clinically overt neurologic disease in adults with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia seems to have increased in tandem with improved chemotherapy. The prophylactic treatment of the central nervous system during prolonged remission of adult acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia may prove of benefit to these patients.


Hemorrhagic shock: concept of toxic elements.


Angiofollicular lymph-node hyperplasia.

Angiofollicular lymph-node hyperplasia.


Thymic irradiation and chronic myelogenous leukemia.


Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus: modern management and improved prognosis.


Chest pain and calcified mass.

Chest pain and calcified mass.


Teaching geriatric medicine.

Teaching geriatric medicine.


Stillbirth due to extensive feto-maternal transfusion.


Myasthenia gravis: association with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.


Peripheral vascular spasm due to ergotamine tartrate.


Polyuric renal failure and hepatitis: associated with methoxyflurane anesthesia.


Primary pulmonary paraganglioma.

Primary pulmonary paraganglioma.


Hemorrhage of choroidal melanoma: complication of radioactive phosphorus uptake test.


Nephrobronchial fistula: resulting from perinephric abscess.


Leiomyoma of external iliac vein.

Leiomyoma of external iliac vein.


Functional asplenia in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.


Medical malpractice and contributory negligence.


Cosmetic surgery of face: philosophic considerations.


Terrorism and mass media.

Terrorism and mass media.


Contraceptive use and pregnancy planning in the Hutt Valley. This survey, carried out in an area where there are good family planning services, demonstrates that such surveys can be successfully carried out in New Zealand where so far there is little data on contraceptive practice and pregnancy planning. This article compares failure rates of several contraceptive methods and shows that most women in the survey sample had had some experience in contraception during the previous three years. Pregnancy planning overall is seen as poor, with 29.9 percent of all pregnancies being unwanted at the time of conception.


Organ recovery: role of nurse coordinator.


Social characteristics of patients attending a private early pregnancy termination service in Auckland. During a two-year period, 5143 of 6303 patients referred, had a therapeutic abortion at a private service in Auckland. The basic social characteristics of these patients and the workings of this service are presented. Reasons for denial of abortion requests in 18.4 percent of patients are discussed.


Daycare Pomeroy sterilisation by the vaginal route. One hundred consecutive Pomeroy sterilisations were performed via the posterior vaginal fornix. In 50 cases the patient went home on the day of operation and was visited by a district nurse at home. The other 50 cases remained in hospital as inpatients for a minimum of 36 hours. The morbidity in the two groups was the same. The advantages of the daycare approach are discussed.


Health centres.

Health centres.


Deaths in 1975.

Deaths in 1975.


Health and mortality status of the West Coast population 1969-72. Findings presented confirm and extend earlier evidence that people living on the West Coast of the South Island are disadvantaged in terms of mortality status. This is so of total mortality, of most ages, of neonatal but not post-neonatal or total infant mortality, and of the several major causes of death. In addition the frequency of dying is found to be higher among the unmarried compared with the married, and greater among blue rather than white collar workers.


Secretory otitis media or glue ear.

Secretory otitis media or glue ear.


Non-medical drug use in students.

Non-medical drug use in students. A questionnaire was used with tertiary education students. This obtained information regarding the use of, and attitudes towards, various illicit drugs, tobacco and alcohol. The results demonstrate the almost universal acceptance among the samples of regular alcohol use. Tobacco and cannabis are the next most popular social drugs, used by about one-third of those surveyed. Respondents' reasons for regular use suggest wide acceptance of these drugs to alleviate psychological discomfort. Use of other illicit drugs remains minimal.


Accidental poisoning in children: a psychosocial study. Fifty pre-school children thought to have ingested potentially poisonous substances were studied, together with 50 controls. An interview of each child and mother was undertaken in the home situation. Seven at-risk factors make a child more likely to ingest a toxic substance. These are: greater accommodation changes by the family, father having had a large number of jobs, paternal past history of accidents, child's exploring ability, child's past history of poisonings, an abnormal appetite in children older than two years old and lower stimulation indices in 2-5 year-olds. Attention is drawn to the similarity between many of these factors and childhood abuse and neglect.


Accident and emergency services at Auckland hospital. This is an investigation of the role that the accident and emergency department of the Auckland Hospital plays in the provision of medical care in the Auckland area. It is demonstrated that a significant part of the work that is done in that department could equally well be performed by general practitioners and that there is a need for further education of the public concerning the delivery of health care.


The content of some trace elements in infant milk foods and supplements available in New Zealand. The concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, manganese, nickel, cadmium and lead are reported for milk foods and supplements offered to infants before the introduction of mixed feeding. Levels of most of the trace elements in samples of breast milk and homogenised cows' milk were within the ranges reported overseas. Most of the milk products should supply adequate amounts of iron, copper, manganese and nickel to the young infant although zinc intakes may be marginal. Concentrations of cadmium and lead were well below the maximum values permitted by law.


Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody among Samoans living in Christchurch. Ninety-six Western Samoan volunteers were examined for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs). Seventy-two volunteers were full blooded Samoans and four were found to be asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg. No mixed blood volunteers had detectable HBsAg by either haemagglutination or radioimmunoassay techniques. Fifty of the 72 full blooded Samoans had anti-HBs detectable by radioimmunoassay. Eight of these reactions were only weakly positive. Seventeen of the 24 mixed blood volunteers had detectable anti-Hbs. All were Samoan born. This study suggests that Samoan born Somoans should provide a valuable source of anti-HBs if New Zealand preparation of this antibody is contemplated.


Migration and doctors.

Migration and doctors.


Immunisation for children.

Immunisation for children.


Alcohol, alcoholism and society.

Alcohol, alcoholism and society.


Deaths in infancy.

Deaths in infancy.


The fiftieth anniversary of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.


1080 poisoning.

1080 poisoning.


Recreational drug use among Auckland high school students. The first large scale questionnaire survey of Auckland high school students demonstrated widespread use of alcohol, a slight drop in tobacco use relative to an earlier survey and almost one-third of the students prepared to take marihuana if the opportunity arose. The reasons given by the students for their regular use or abstention from various drugs are discussed in the context of pervasive drug use throughout New Zealand society and the drug information currently available to high school students.


After hours availability of general practitioners in Canterbury/Westland: a survey. The results of a postal questionnaire to 185 general practitioners in the Canterbury-Westland agea are discussed. The intention was to describe the after hours provision for patients made by general practitioners. The study indicates that about one half of doctors are on call on weekdays evenings and about a third on weekends. Only a handful of doctors provide no cover. The kind of cover provided is discussed and the patient load during such hours is analysed. Figures are presented which suggest that Canterbury practitioners are marginally younger than the national average; that most doctors (100 out of 106 responding) have formal cover arrangements; that 82% are on duty no more than one weekend a month (less often for group practitioners); that about two-thirds have a regular half-day free during the week; that about two-thirds of after hours call are judged to be justified.


Correlates of impulsive suicidal behaviour. Up to two-thirds of reported suicidal acts are impulsive in nature. In a series of patients presenting at a general hospital as a result of suicidal behaviour, it was concluded that over half the acts were impulsive in nature. A number of variables were found to be related to the occurrence of impulsive suicidal behaviour and they included the following: a past history of suicidal behaviour, the tablets being in the same room when the decision to engage in the act was reached, the ingestion of more than half the available tablets, and finally, the tablets tending to be bottled rather than foil packaged. Findings were discussed in terms of the aetiology and prevention of impulsive suicidal behaviour.


Current health problems in the South and Central Pacific. Tabulation of monthly reports of infectious diseases from 19 countries and territories in the South and Central Pacific for the years 1973 through 1975 indicated that influenza-like illness, dengue, dysentery, measles, and gonorrhoea were the greatest problems. Reports of the leading causes of hospitalisation from 11 areas indicated that infectious respiratory disease, gastroenteritis and accidents were the most common problems requiring hospitalisation in most Pacific countries. The leading causes of death showed a different pattern with striking differences between traditional and modernised areas. It appeared that the major causes of death were changing from infectious diseases in the traditional areas to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer in the modernised areas.


Hryntschak prostatectomy: a review of 900 patients. A personal series of 900 consecutive Hyrntschak prostatectomy operations is reported. Haemostasis with this method is excellent and post-operative haemorrhage has been much less of a problem than in the past. In this series there were 24 hospital deaths (2.6%) 19 of these being in bad-risk patients, the other five being due to pulmonary embolism in good-risk cases. The average post-operative hospital stay in the survivors was 10.6 days. In the last 300 cases there were six deaths (2%)--five bad-risk cases, one pulmonary embolus--and an average hospital stay of 9.2 days.


Tropical fish tank granuloma.

Tropical fish tank granuloma. A case of tropical fish tank granuloma due to mycobacterium marinum is presented. The source, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment are discussed.


Another risk of phenacetin containing analgesic.


Medical manpower in New Zealand (1977): report of a workshop to be held in a back garden.


The lump in the breast.

The lump in the breast.


Investigation of hepatitis.

Investigation of hepatitis.


Congenital dislocation of the hips.

Congenital dislocation of the hips.


Cardiac surgical services in New Zealand.


Psychotherapeutic prescribing patterns in general practice. An analysis of more than 25 000 prescription items dispensed between January and May 1976 in a rural town (Ashburton) and a city (Dunedin) has indicated that one item out of every eight written in general practice is for a psychiatric symptom, and that of these psychotherapeutic agents, almost three out of every four are written for adult women. In addition it has been shown that the consumption of psychotherapeutic agents in the urban environment of Dunedin city is significantly higher than that in the rural town of Ashburton.


A clinical trial of cyproterone acetate for sexual deviancy. Cyproterone acetate was used in the treatment of ten patients presenting with problems of sexual deviancy. Of these six completed the course of treatment over a period of one year and psychological, medical and endocrinological measures were recorded.


Generalised amyloidosis with involvement of the parathyroids: case report. A case of generalised amyloidosis is described. Attention is drawn to the involvement of the parathyroids, an uncommon site of amyloid deposition. The histology and ultrastructure are illustrated and the relevant literature reviewed.


The value of seat belts.

The value of seat belts.


Distribution and density of Aedes aegypti in the South Pacific.


Cancer in New Zealand.

Cancer in New Zealand.


Hazards of dextropropoxyphene.

Hazards of dextropropoxyphene.


New Zealand Institute of Medical Representatives.


Governments and medical schools.

Governments and medical schools.


Juvenile osteochondrosis.

Juvenile osteochondrosis.


Viral hepatitis among practising dentists. A survey among Auckland dentists has shown a high experience of viral hepatitis occuring during practising years. The prevalence of dentists affected is higher than for similar groups of American dentists, and the incidence of viral hepatitis among dentists practising in Auckland appears to be rising. This study supports the view that infection with viral hepatitis should be regarded as a occupational health risk for practising dentists.


Towards an accurate measurement of dietary fibre. A method of acid and neutral detergent extraction of food has been used to measure the cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin content of a number of New Zealand foods. Foods can be classified as those high or relatively high in hemicellulose and those high or relatively high in cellulose and lignin. The accurate determination of this fibre content is of importance in understanding the physical, chemical and bacteriological effects of various fibre components in preventing or causing disease.


Patients denied abortion at a private early pregnancy termination service in Auckland. Follow-up of patients who were denied abortion at a private early pregnancy termination service shows at least half of the sample eventually had an abortion elsewhere. 186 of 414 patients denied abortion at a private early pregnancy termination service during the 1st year of operation were interviewed to determine the outcome of pregnancy for these women.  A nonstructured interview schedule was used to obtain information.  Additional information was obtained on another 32 patients from their physicians.  There were 74 married, 142 never-married, and 37 previously married.  72.3% were European origin, 7.6% Maori, 13.8% as Pacific Island, and 6.3% other.  The majority of these patients were denied their abortion because their pregnancy was too advanced (57%).  52.9% were Protestant, 20.5% were Catholic, and 26.4% other.  18 patients had been denied abortion because of absence of pregnancy and this was confirmed at follow-up.  13 patients had miscarriages, 3 self-induced.  Only 69 patients completed their pregnancy the rest having obtained an abortion elsewhere.  8 women adopted out their infants.  54.5% of women with insufficient legal grounds for abortion and 66% of those whose pregnancies were too far advanced had therapeutic abortions elsewhere.  It is suggested that counseling is more effective than legal restrictions in detecting patients who are likely to continue with their pregnancy.


Scombroid poisoning--recapitulation on the role of histamine. The histamine content and the total vagal stimulating activities in various fish samples involved in an outbreak of food poisoning were compared. There was a close correlation between the two levels and there was lack of potentiation between histamine and other non-active fractions. The role of histamine in scombroid poisoning is discussed in the light of these results.


Contraception, sterilisation and abortion.


The horizontal perspective: a study of patients' attitudes towards hospital chaplains.


The herbicide 2.4.5.-t and its possible dysmorphogenic effects.


Contraception, sterilisation and abortion in New Zealand.


An audit of weight reduction in a diabetic clinic. A group of long-term attenders at a diabetic outpatient clinic were compared with new patients who were referred for the first time by their own general practitioners. There was some evidence that first attenders, especially women, appear to lose weight significantly over the subsequent three years, such weight loss being more marked when the diet therapy is also combined with a re-organisation of their attendances over a month, to provide education both to the patients and to the relatives. This preliminary information suggests that the development of patient self-sufficiency programmes in diabetes in the New Zealand setting appears to have economic justification.


Neuroblastoma: a twenty year review.

Neuroblastoma: a twenty year review. A retrospective study was made of children with neuroblastoma presenting to Princess Mary Hospital over the past twenty years and to Green Lane Hospital over the past fifteen years. There was an increase in the numbers of children presenting over the years. The majority of patients were under five years of age and half of them were under two years. The majority of cases had an abdominal tumour, and abdominal mass was the commonest mode of presentation. In general, those children under one year of age and early stage and/or a primary tumour outside the abdomen, had a far better prognosis. A particularly good prognosis was noted in those children under one year of age with metastases confined to the liver skin and bone marrow (stage IVS).


Systemic lupus erythematosus and avascular bone necrosis. Two cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developing avascular bone necrosis are described. One case had eight separate areas involved (shouldres, hips, knees and both distal tibiae), which is the largest number in a single case of SLE yet reported. In both cases, at the onset of symptoms of necrosis in a new area, the antinuclear factor increased markedly compared to the preceding level. This indicates that the onset of the pathological process leading to necrosis is due to increased activity of the SLE rather than the steroid treatment.


Cervical spondylotic myelopathy in wide canals. The anteroposterior diameters of the cervical spinal canal in 21 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were measured. In more than one-third (eight) of these it was found that this diameter of the canal was more than 14 mm, despite a widely held belief that this myelopathy is unlikely if the cervical spinal canal is wider than 14 mm in the AP diameter.


Intensified adverse drug reaction reporting scheme.


The diagnosis and treatment of meningitis in children.


Pityriasis versicolor.

Pityriasis versicolor.


A medical travelling bag.

A medical travelling bag.


Chlormethiazole (Hemineurin)

Chlormethiazole (Hemineurin)


Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibodies among Samoans.


Classification of glomerulonephritis.

Classification of glomerulonephritis. A classification of glomerulonephritis which is being used as a basis for the New Zealand National Study of Glomerulonephritis is presented, together with comments about the salient pathological features of each type of glomerular disease.


Auckland hospital ethical committee: the first three years. A committee responsible for the ethical surveillance of research involving human subjects has been in existence at the Auckland Hospital for over three years. Guidelines for clinical investigators have been published and a form of application for approval of research projects designed. Major problems grappled with in 121 research projects are outlined. The need for such ethical surveillance appears to have been established beyond reasonable doubt.


Models for hospital care.

Models for hospital care. Analyses of hospital functioning are frequently reported with patient outcomes as the independent variable. However, the main focus in this paper is the length of stay in hospital not just in terms of "short stay" or "long stay", but ranked in tenths so that ten-point distributions of patient use of hospital resources are available for study. From the analysis of these distributions three patterns emerge: (a) a "standard procedure" model with best fitting "curves" given by a linear function, eg routine surgery; (b) a "finite disease" model (exponential series) eg internal medicine and, (c) a "person in hospital care" model (power series) eg psychiatry.


Endometrioma of the rectum: case report. A case of endometrioma of the rectum is reported. This was clinically indistinguishable from a carcinoma. The difficulties of diagnosis and management are emphasised.


Phospholipid monolayers and systemic lupus erythematosus. A hypothesis is presented of the fundamental cause of the systemic lupus erythematosus. From a study of the molecular interaction of procainamide with phospholipid monolayers, it is proposed that the drug causes phospholipid loss from the cell membrane. Chronic phospholipid loss would lead to cell lysis and antinuclear antibody production.


Intracranial pressure monitoring.

Intracranial pressure monitoring.


Polyneuropathy and influenza vaccine.

Polyneuropathy and influenza vaccine.


Follow-up of past tuberculosis, its value and limitations. Recently the policy of life-long follow-up of tuberculous patients has been questioned, particularly for those who have taken adequate chemotherapy. To assess the value of follow-up at a chest clinic, the relapse rate of approximately 3000 male patients was examined and found to be 0.51 percent annually during the last eight years. It was 0.46 percent amongst those treated prior to the introduction of prolonged chemotherapy, 0.55 percent anually amongst those prescribed at least 18 months chemotherapy. No relapses would have been missed if all the patients had been followed for five years after ceasing chemotherapy and only selected groups subsequently. The selected groups included, those not prescribed adequate chemotherapy in the past, those suspected of irregularity of drug intake, alcoholics and those with atypical or resistant organisms. It was concluded that patients adequately treated with chemotherapy need not be followed up after five years.


Registration and licensure for medical practitioners in New Zealand: a proposal under discussion.


High risk groups in tuberculosis.

High risk groups in tuberculosis.


Dr McBean Stewart's stamp.

Dr McBean Stewart's stamp.


The safety of the herbicide 2,4,5,-T.

The safety of the herbicide 2,4,5,-T.


Treatment of terminal cancer.

Treatment of terminal cancer.


Cyproterone and hypersexuality.

Cyproterone and hypersexuality.


Quinidine and SLE-like illnesses.

Quinidine and SLE-like illnesses.


Antabuse implantation.

Antabuse implantation.


Drinking driver recidivism.

Drinking driver recidivism.


Ombudsman's report into a complaint against the Departments of Health and Social Welfare.


Renal biopsy pathology in Auckland, 1969-1976. The pathology of 1058 samples of kidney tissue studied during the past seven years as part of the renal biopsy service in Auckland is reviewed. About half of the samples were examples of glomerulonephritis, with diffuse proliferative and exudative glomerulonephritis being the most common finding. In the group of focal glomerular disease, lupus nephropathy and Goodpasture's Syndrome were frequently diagnosed.


Serum digoxin levels in neonates, infants and children with heart disease. Serum digoxin levels were measured in 53 neonates and infants receiving 18-22 microgram/kg/day (high dose) oral maintenance digoxin, and 44 neonates, infants and children receiving less than 18 microgram/kg/day (low dose) oral maintenance digoxin. In both groups, patients under four months of age had significantly higher serum digoxin levels than older patients, in the high dose group 2.6 ng/ml compared with 1.4 ng/ml and in the low dose group 2.2 ng/ml compared with 1.0 ng/ml. Correlation between digoxin dosage and serum level was weak and unaffected by blood urea level. Only two patients in the entire series showed toxic manifestations. Sixteen patients had serum digoxin levels measured before and after corrective cardiac surgery while receiving comparable dosages of digoxin. Despite lower serum digoxin levels postoperatively pulse rates fell significantly, illustrating the influence of changing haemodynamic status on the inter-relationships of digoxin dosage, serum levels and clinical response. Recommended dosage regimens are outlined.


A touch of the hand.

A touch of the hand.


A critical comment on the use of cotton buds.


Poor visual acuity in the elderly.

Poor visual acuity in the elderly.


Drug costs.

Drug costs.


The loaded questionnaire.

The loaded questionnaire.


Death certification in Dunedin hospitals. An analysis is presented of death certification in Dunedin Hospitals. The study involved a comparison of death certificates with post-mortem findings in 643 deaths which occurred in Dunedin hospitals between 1 October 1971 and 30 September 1973. The cases were categorised according to diseases in the various body systems. The study also involved consideration of the format of the current death certificate and of attitudes towards death certification. Serious defects have been revealed in all areas of the study which are considered to be representative of the national scene. Errors of epidemiological significance were found in 64.7 percent of the certificates, and in 57.5 percent of individual diagnoses. Responsibility for the defects lies with the certification itself and not with the statisticians who diligently compile mortality data from the information supplied to them.


Endocrinology of normal pregnancy and premature labour. Peripheral plasma levels of the biologically important hormones of pregnancy--plasma oestradiol 17 beta, plasma oestriol, plasma progesterone, human placental lactogen (hPL) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) have been measured serially in a control group of 10 normal women who delivered at term +/- three days. A second group of patients were similarly studied when admitted in premature labour and the levels compared with the control group. The levels of all hormones except human chorionic gonadotrophin increased till 37 weeks. After the 30th week, the increase of oestriol was steeper than oestradiol and hPL. The hormone profile of the maternal plasma is a good index of feto-placental function. The hPL levels which heralded the increase in endocrine function of the feto-placental unit were also elevated in premature labour, suggesting a casual relationship of significance. Levels of plasma oestradiol in premature labour were considerably higher than in the control study and suggests an endocrine basis for premature labour of hitherto unknown aetiology.


Seat belt injury of the colon.

Seat belt injury of the colon. Two cases of seat belt injury of the colon are presented. In each case a gangrenous tube of mucosa remained while the muscle layers and adjacent mesentery were divided. The delay before the severity of the injury is appreciated is emphasised.


The susceptibility of New Zealand isolates of leptospira to three antibiotics. The susceptibilities of 14 recent isolates of Leptospira to benzyl penicillin, tetracycline and minocycline, were tested. All strains were highly susceptible to penicillin. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the two tetracyclines were generally low, and no significant difference was found between them.


Haemostasis in traumatic injury to the portal vein. A case of penetrating thoraco-abdominal injury involving portal vein in the free margin of lesser omentum is reported; light traction on a tape sling or a tape tourniquet around the hepato-duodenal ligament applied just above the level of duodenum is an effective method of achieving haemostasis and space necessary for repair of portal venous injury at this site.


A simple method for the prevention of postoperative thrombo-embolism. A simple appliance for the prevention of postoperative thrombo-embolic disease is described and a plea is made for its use in a multicentre trial. A modified device should be placed in the beds of all high risk medical, surgical and obstetric patients.


A report from the Ombudsman.

A report from the Ombudsman.


Professional mortality.

Professional mortality.


2,4,5-T, spina bifida, and after.

2,4,5-T, spina bifida, and after.


A random blood sugar diabetes detection survey. In a co-operative study undertaken between various groups in the community, 3212 persons were screened at the Agricultural and Pastoral Summer Show in Christchurch. The mean glucose value was 88.4 mg/dl (4.9mmol/l) which roughly equates to 91 mg/dl (5.1mmol/l) plasma value. There was a standard deviation of 19.5mg/dl (1.08mmol/l) the 22.5 percentile was 63mg (3.5mmol/l), the 97.5 percentile was 125 (6.5mmol/l). One hundred and twenty persons of the total of 3212 were advised to contact their family doctors as a result of higher than normal blood sugar levels on the day. Twenty-five probable diabetics were diagnosed.


Serum levels of immunoglobulins A, G and M in New Zealand and Tokelauan children. Serum levels of immunoglobulins A, G and M are described in a group of New Zealand (NZ) children of European descent. These findings are used as reference standards for three groups of Tokelauan children, atoll residents, migrants in NZ, and NZ-born Tokelauan children. All three Tokelauan groups had high levels of IgA, IgG, and IgM. Breast feeding was diminished and morbidity was higher in the NZ-born group. The IgG level was negatively correlated with duration of breast feeding in this group. In the atoll group IgG was related to present illness but no other consistent relationships were found between present illness status and the immunoglobulin levels. It remains unclear whether the high Tokelauan immunoglobulin levels are genetically or environmentally determined.


Drug prescribing in rheumatoid arthritis in Otago. The drug therapy prescribed for a group of 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Otago prior to specialist referral was examined. Thirty-two patients were receiving some first-line anti-inflammatory drugs and six were receiving no therapy at the time of their first hospital clinic visit. Salicylates had been prescribed first in only 16 of the 50 patients while this drug had been withdrawn because of side effects in about one-third of the patients who had been treated with it prior to specialist referral. Seven patients had received phenylbutazone and six corticosteroids as the first treatment for their rheumatoid arthritis. About one-third of the patients were receiving more than one anti-inflammatory drug at the time of their initial clinic visit.


Drugs which interfere with alcohol metabolism. A review is made of compounds which produce antagonism to alcohol. Some of these drugs are used purposefully in alcoholism therapy to curtail drinking; others, which are administered for quite unrelated reasons in the treatment of different medical conditions, may also cause unpleasant symptoms if alcohol is subsequently ingested.


Hand reconstruction using a damaged index finger. Improvement in the function and appearance of hand brought about by using tissue from a damaged index finger is presented. The damaged index finger could have been retained as a stiff digit or thrown away in the bucket.


The phenol/alcohol method of nail matrix sterilisation.


Perinatal death in New Zealand.

Perinatal death in New Zealand.


Better cats.

Better cats.


Laetrile: a quack remedy.

Laetrile: a quack remedy.


Rape.

Rape.


Initial experience with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: the role in clinical practice. A series of 62 patients referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is reported. The pancreatic or biliary ductular systems were demonstrated in 42, the success rate of cannulation improving with experience. The technique was diagnostic in 25 of 31 patients referred with hepatobiliary problems and in 3 of 11 with suspected pancreatic pathology. In a further seven patients in this latter group the examination was helpful in management. Duodenoscopy, without duct cannulation, demonstrated carcinoma of the periampullary region in two patients. Pancreatitis occurred in two patients and cholangitis in one. There are few contra-indications to the examination which should be undertaken early in the investigation of patients with cholestasis.


Benign postoperative jaundice complicating severe trauma. Five patients are described in whom deep jaundice developed following severe trauma. Only two of the patients showed acute renal failure. All showed the adult respiratory distress syndrome. The livers at autopsy were enlarged and showed centrilobular congestion and cholestases. This syndrome, which is closely analogous, to that described as "benign postoperative jaundice", is more closely associated with the hypoxic hypoxia of acute respiratory failure than with the stagnant hypoxia of acute circulatory failure. It is accentuated by transfusion, and often by disseminated intra-vascular coagulation.


Distribution of various coronary risk factors in an urban general practice. Seven hundred and fifty asymptomatic European subjects aged 16 to 69 years from an urban general practice were screened for various coronary risk factors. Required information was completed for 98.9 percent of the total sample. The incidence of individual risk factors in males and females respectively were: smoking, 52.8 percent and 45.6 percent; obesity, 26.9 percent and 30.9 percent; definite hypertension, 5.6 percent and 4.0 percent; borderline hypertension, 5.3 percent and 5.1 percent; hyperlipidaemia, 12.8 percent and 8.0 percent; impaired glucose tolerance, 1.1 percent and 1.3 percent. Respective figures for males and females with regard to numbers of risk factors present were: one or more risks present, 68.5 percent and 66.9 percent; two or more, 26.5 percent and 23.5 percent; three or more, 8.0 percent and 4.5 percent; four risk factors present, 1.6 percent and 0.3 percent.


The influence of glucagon on sodium retention after fasting. Two groups of five obese female subjects, having undergone a ten day therapeutic fast, were fed with either glucose 50 g/day or with L-alanine 50 g/day for three days. Plasma glucagon concentrations and urinary electrolyte excretion were compared in the two groups. Although 4.00pm plasma glucagon concentrations during refeeding were significantly greater in the alanine refeed group (P less than 0.05) the reduction in urinary sodium excretion in each of the two groups was identical. These observations do not support the hypothesis that glucose induced suppression of plasma glucagon concentrations is a mechanism whereby carbohydrate refeeding produces post-fast urinary sodium retention.


The rise of endoscopy.

The rise of endoscopy.


Planning and evaluating community health and related projects: a systems approach.


Prostatitis.

Prostatitis.


Epidemic of H. influenzae meningitis.

Epidemic of H. influenzae meningitis.


Abortion.

Abortion. A survey of 886 adults over 16 was conducted regarding abortion in Papanui, New Zealand.  Only 7.79% thought a person should never have an abortion under any circumstances, 16.70% thought the decision to have an abortion should be decided by a panel of two doctors, a social worker, and a statutory committee set up by the government.  44.4% thought the decision should be between a woman and the doctor of her choice.  20.54% thought the decision should be made solely by the woman concerned.  The respondants had thought about the question.  Other surveys in different electorates reflected similar views.  It is hoped that people's opinions will influence legislators to enact more liberal abortion laws.


Drug costs.

Drug costs.


Thoughts on community care.

Thoughts on community care.


Volunteer service abroad: nurse in Sarawak.


Delivery of health care.

Delivery of health care.


Women in distress.

Women in distress.


Primary health care.

Primary health care.


Multidisciplinary health care centres.

Multidisciplinary health care centres.


Community health nursing at Wellington Polytechnic: points and progress.


Letterer-Siwe disease: a caring case study.


Educating the nurse for the future.

Educating the nurse for the future.


The first graduates of technical institute nursing courses: a follow-up.


Children's dental health.

Children's dental health.


On being a dental mirror.

On being a dental mirror.


The mouth and the quality of life.

The mouth and the quality of life.


Subluxation of the temporomandibular joint. The temporomandibular joint in actual function does not resemble other joints in the body in that the condyles leave their fossae with maximal opening and in some subjects with only a 35 mm. opening. The term subluxation, with its implication of abnormality, does not seem applicable to a normal movement. While significant problems, such as dislocation, locking, and loud clicking, can occur with such anterior-to-the-fossae movements, they are relatively rare. Most temporomandibular problems are associated with confinment of the condyles to their fossae with limited or no translatory condylar movement. A recognition of the normal range of condylar movement would lessen iatrogenic abuse of this area.


Mandibular prognathism and apertognathia associated with cleidocranial dysostosis in a father and son. No reports to date have described apertognathia as an associated finding of cleidocranial dysostosis. The case of a patient with prognathism and apertognathia associated with cleidocranial dysostosis is reported. Periodontal, restorative, prosthetic, and oral surgical services were necessary to rehabilitate this patient orofacially. A review of the syndrome and of the patient's familial history is presented.


The mandibular foramen: its anteroposterior position. This study has been conducted on forty-five Asiatic skulls and sixty-two mixed skulls of black and white Americans to determine the anteroposterior relationship of the mandibular foramen. The mean size of the anterior dimension was greater than the mean size of the posterior dimension of the ramus in all instances. The mandibular foramen was found to be located in the third quadrant anteroposteriorly. The lingula was located just anterior to the mandibular foramen. There was no right- or left-side dominance in the ramus size and position of the mandibular foramen. No appreciable difference was noted in the location of mandibular foramen in the two groups studied.


Abnormalities of tooth development in pituitary dwarfism. Roentgenographic studies of the jaws and teeth in a group of forty-eight pituitary dwarfs showed the following abnormalities in the development of the teeth: 1. Delayed shedding of the deciduous teeth. 2. Absence of resorption of the roots of the deciduous teeth at the usual time. 3. Marked delay in eruption of the permanent teeth. 4. Retention of permanent teeth in the maxillary and mandibular shafts. 5. Development of the apical parts of roots of the retained permanent teeth and their growth toward the lower mandibular edge. 6. Displacement of the first molars from the mandibular shaft to rami. 7. Tilting of some of the retained teeth. 8. Small size of the maxilla and mandible with overcrowding of the teeth in these bones. 9. Complete absence of buds of the wisdom teeth, even in patients in the fourth decade of life. 10. Stimulation of development and eruption of the teeth after administration of anabolic drugs. These abnormalities when present in combination depend on growth hormone deficiency since they do not occur in other types of dwarfism.


Dental manifestations in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Report of a case.


Liposarcoma of the oropharyngeal region. Review of the literature and report of two cases. Liposarcomas of the oropharyngeal regions are exceedingly rare. Their silent, slow growth, submucosal or deep location, circumscription, and firm but resilient texture often suggest a diagnosis of a cyst or benign soft-tissue neoplasm. Two cases of well-differentiated myxoid liposarcoma are presented. The literature of over half a century was reviewed, and all documented cases were critically analyzed. The clinical data correlated with the histopathology and biologic behavior of the tumors indicated that two thirds of all liposarcomas of the head and neck are of the myxoid type. The well-differentiated myxoid liposarcoma was the most common one and has an over-all favorable prognosis. Lipomas of the oropharyngeal regions are relatively common and small, generally not exceeding 2.5 cm. in greatest diamter. A lobulated firm tumor of fast tissue significantly exceeding this size should be strongly suspected of being a liposarcoma.


Description of a computerized tumor recall program for premalignant and aggressive oral lesions. The rationale for establishing a computerized tumor recall program as an adjunct to a diagnostic biopsy service to assist practitioners in instituting periodic reexamination of patients with oral lesions that have been diagnosed histologically as either premalignant or locally aggressive is given. The necessary forms, with a description of pertinent information, are described in conjunction with the proper sequential procedure for completing the forms before and after information has been submitted to a computer center.


Focal odontoblastic dysplasia: dentin dysplasia type III? A new, nonsyndromic dentin defect, focal odontoblastic dysplasia, is described on the basis of clinical, radiographic, histologic, and scanning electron microscopic criteria. A provisional classification is proposed for this disease entity according to the nosology of Shields and associates. Four additional cases in the literature which possibly represent this new entity are presented, and a possible genetic etiology is discussed.


Endodontic morphology. IV. A comparative study. One hundred sixty-four extracted human teeth of all denominations were subjected to radiographic study after their canal systems were prepared with endodontic instruments and perfused with a water-soluble, radiopaque contrast medium. The same specimens had been studied prior to endodontic instrumentation by means of the same technique, and a comparison of the two sets of radiographs was made. Results of this comparative study were combined with information gained during the instrumentation procedures, and an analysis of the success rate for each group of specimens has been given. The over-all rate of success was high (92 per cent), being highest in the case of maxillary incisors and canines (100 per cent) and lowest in mandibular incisors and canines (81.8 per cent). The belief that the canals of molars present more difficulties than those of other teeth was not substantiated in this experiment, with the success rate for maxillary and mandibular molars being 92.1 per cent. Discussed were the potential for the packing of debris into the apical ends of root canals during instrumentation, the presence of residual traces of alloy within canals after canal preparation, and the known and unknown fracturing of endodontic instruments.


Extraradicular communicating dens invaginatus. The morphologic occurrence of dens invaginatus often results in pathologic involvement of the pulp and associated periodontal tissues. Treatment must include endodontic therapy to reduce the organic and infectious content of the pulp and invaginated tract. Concervative therapy, however, is frequently insufficient to eliminate the irritant force to a level that is biologically acceptable to the host. Therefore, surgical intervention has been considered by most authors to be the most acceptable approach for correction of the deformity and associated alveolar defects. Both cases reviewed here represent the dens invaginatus type of malformations that have primary zones of irritation within the anomalous tract. A report similar to our Case 2 appeared in the literature 2 weeks after initial therapy of the nonpupally involved lateral incisor. These cases are published to document the occurrence of these forms of dens invaginatus and their associated periradicular pathosis, to recommend treatment, and to note the apparent favorable response to the involved tissues.


The lack of pulpal pathosis in rice rats with the periodontal syndrome. The purpose of this study was to determine in the rice rat model whether a relationship exists between the severity of periodontal disease and the presence of severity of pulpal lesions. The results indicated that, even in the presence of severe loss of alveolar bone, extending close to the root apices, there were no detectable changes in the pulpal tissues as compared to the pulps of teeth in which there was no loss of alveolar bone. The scarcity of accessory pulp canals in the rice rat may be related to our findings.


The radiologic features of fibrous dysplasia of the craniofacial bones. The radiographs of twenty-five patients (eight males, seventeen females) with histologically proven craniofacial fibrous dysplasia were analyzed. The lesions could be classified into six radiologic types: (1) peau d'orange, (2) whorled plaquelike, (3) diffuse sclerotic, (4) cystlike (multilocular or unilocular), (5) pagetoid, and (6) chalky types. The peau d'orange type was by far the most common (40 per cent) followed by the plaquelike (20 per cent, cystlike (16 per cent), and sclerotic (12 per cent). Most of the patients were young, with 60 per cent being underthe age of 20 years and 96 per cent under the age of 40 years.


Triple dens in dente.

Triple dens in dente.


Unusual bone canals.

Unusual bone canals.


Fused mandibular molars.

Fused mandibular molars.


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Keep even better records!


Treatment of acute non-lymphoid leukemias: comparison of two protocols. The results of treatment of 57 patients suffering from acute non-lymphoid leukemia by two protocols are compared. The more aggressive Coap protocol rendered a higher remission rate (57.1%), than the mild Guyer protocol where the remission rate has been 25%. The best results have been achieved in the former group in the younger population; in the latter group there has been no age-effect relationship. Although the remission rate differed in both protocols there has been no statistically significant difference in survival.


Recent results in cancer research related to non-solid tumors in children. The frequency of acute leukaemia, and the recent results of therapy are described. The requirements to achieve these relatively good results (early and exact diagnosis, intensive therapy, prophylaxis and treatment of side effects, mental and physical rehabilitation) are also discussed.


On subthreshold solutions of the Hodgkin-Huxley equations. Subthreshold solutions of the Hodgkin-Huxley equations are considered here by means of the linearized forms of these equations. An asymptotic theory is obtained, based on dimensional analysis and scaling arguments. Explicit expressions for the crest speed are obtained and are shown to be in good agreement with experiment, with computation, and with an exact asymptotic value which is also obtained here.


Netropsin-poly(dA-dT) complex in solution: structure and dynamics of antibiotic-free base pair regions and those centered on bound netropsin. The biphasic duplex-to-strand transition for the netropsin.poly(dA-dT) complex, phosphate/drug mole ratio (P/D) = 50, has been investigated by high-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy at the nonexchangeable base and sugar protons in 0.1 M cacodylate solution. The NMR spectral parameters monitor the structure and dynamics of the opening of antibiotic-free base pair regions (55 degrees-65 degrees) and the opening of base regions centered on bound netropsin (90 degrees-100 degrees). The gradual addition of netropsin to poly(dA-dT) results in structural perturbations extending into the antibiotic-free base pair regions that begin to level off above 0.02 antibiotic molecules per polynucleotide phosphate (P/D = 50). The NMR chemical shift parameters at the antibiotic-free base pair regions in the P/D = 50 complex suggest changes in the glycosidic torsion angles of the deoxyadenosine and thymidine residues and less pronounced changes in the base pair overlap geometries. The dissociation rates of the antibiotic-free base pair regions are at least an order of magnitude slower in the P/D = 50 netropsin.poly(dA-dT) complex compared to related parameters for poly(dA-dT) and the P/D = 50 ethidium bromide-poly(dA-dT) complex. There is decreased segmental mobility at the antibiotic-free strand regions in the temperature range (65 degrees-90 degrees) between the two transitions in the biphasic melting curve of the P/D = 50 netropsin-poly(dA-dT) complex. Netropsin stabilizes at least five base pairs, with their center at its binding site.


Cytochemical study of the cell colonies from agar culture of normal bone marrow and of peripheral blood from patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.


Time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy of bacteriorhodopsin on the millisecond timescale. A simple technique is described that uses a continuous wave laser with electromechanical modulation to obtain time-resolved Raman spectra of transient species on the millisecond timescale. The time behavior of the vibrational bands of the intermediates involved in the proton pumping of bacteriorhodopsin is determined. From these results, along with resonance enhancement and power dependence studies, the bands that appear in the continuous wave Raman spectrum of bacteriorhodopsin can be assigned to three intermediates in the photochemical cycle of bacteriorhodopsin, bR570, bL550, and bM412. The Raman spectra of bR570 and bM412 are compared with published spectra of model Schiff bases of all-trans and 13-cis retinal.


Light-regulated permeability of rhodopsin:egg phosphatidylcholine recombinant membranes. Purified rhodopsin was incorporated into phospholipid bilayers of egg phosphatidylcholine to give recombinant membrane vesicles, which were examined by proton and phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Increased rhodopsin content in the membranes appears to progressively inhibit the molecular motions of the methyl, methylene, and phosphate groups of the phospholipid molecules. This indicates that regions of the rhodopsin molecule interact in a manner that affects the phospholipids from the aqueous interface to the bilayer midline. In the dark, the recombinant vesicles were sealed to europium, manganese, or cobalt ions. Light exposure allowed rapid equilibration of Mn2+ and Co2+, and somewhat slower equilibration of Eu3+ across the membrane. Light changed the membrane permeability, and the gradient in chemical potential resulted in a net ion movement across the rhodopsin:phospholipid recombinant membrane. The results suggest rhodopsin is a transmembrane protein.


"Viral" expansion of enzyme flux and use of quasi-chemical approximation for two-state enzymes with enzyme-enzyme interactions. Two examples of enzyme systems with interactions, at steady state, are treated here. In both cases, the enzyme cycle has two states and quasi-equilibrium in spatial distributions obtains at steady state (because f alpha + f beta = 1). The first example is a dilute solution of enzyme molecules in a solvent. The flux (turnover) per molecule is expanded in powers of the enzyme concentration (a "viral" expansion). Aggregation of the enzyme molecules in solution is considered as a special case. In the second example, we treat an arbitrary lattice of enzyme molecules, with nearest-neighbor interactions, using the well-known quasi-chemical approximation. The flux per molecule is obtained. Critical behavior and hysteresis are illustrated.


Transition state structures of a dipeptide related to the mode of action of beta-lactam antibiotics. The tetrahedral adducts formed during nucleophilic attack by a hydroxyl ion on the carbonyl carbon of a model dipeptide, glycylglycine, were studied by modified-intermediate-neglect-of-differential-overlap molecular orbital calculations. This dipeptide is taken to represent the D-alanyl-D-alanine terminus of the polypeptides involved in the cross-linking transpeptidation reaction of peptidoglycan in bacterial cell walls. It was found that nucleophilic attack on one face of the carbonyl carbon leads to a transition intermediate species structurally similar to that afforded by the bicyclic nucleus of penicillins and cephalosporin antibiotics. The results support the concept that the beta-lactam antibiotics, which are known to inhibit various bacterial cell wall enzymes, may act as transition state analogs. Also, the structure formed from nucleophilic attack on the so-called alpha face of the dipeptide is more similar to the antibiotic structures than is that from attack on the opposite face. In agreement with other types of experiments, the results suggest that the alpha face may be the one approached by a nucleophile in the receptor site(s) of the appropriate cell wall enzymes.


Hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, and the radial and orientational distributions of residues in native proteins. The radial distributions of the Calpha and side-chain atoms in a sample of 13 native proteins have been examined. It is found that there are substantial differences in behavior between different atoms of the same amino acid. In particular, the Calpha atoms of polar residues show no particular preference for being far from the center of mass. In light of these results, a new criterion for hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity is proposed--namely, the orientational preference of the side chain. The distribution of this property is shown, and it is suggested that this provides a basis for incorporating hydrophobic interactions into a protein folding algorithm.


Activation of factor IX by the reaction product of tissue factor and factor VII: additional pathway for initiating blood coagulation. A study was carried out on mechanisms, independent of activated Factor XI, capable of activating Factor IX. The reaction product of tissue factor and Factor VII functioned as a potent Factor IX activator in the assay system used. Activated Factor IX itself activated Factor X; thrombin failed to activate Factor IX. Sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed that the reaction product of tissue factor and Factor VII activated Factor IX, with replacement of the band corresponding to native factor IX [molecular weight (Mr) 55,000] by bands corresponding to the heavy chain (Mr 27,000) and light chain (Mr 17,000) of activated Factor IX. When either Factor VII or calcium ions were left out of incubation mixtures, the band of native Factor IX persisted unchanged. Contact of blood with tissue factor represents a second mechanism, bypassing activated Factor XI, for the activation of Factor IX during hemostasis. It may help to explain the discrepancy between the mild bleeding of hereditary Factor XI deficiency and the severe bleeding of hereditary Factor IX deficiency.


Origin of replication of pBR345 plasmid DNA. A small (approximately 1100 base pairs) ColE1-type plasmid, pBR345, was constructed from plasmid pMB1 by a series of in vitro recombinant manipulations. Approximately 9% of the supercoiled pBR345 DNA obtained from cultures amplified with chloramphenicol appears to be replicative intermediates with replicating "eye" structures of uniform size. Results obtained from electron microscopy and biochemical analyses have enabled us to localize the origin of replication at the same position as that reported for ColE1. A sequence of 420 nucleotides surrounding this origin has been determined. A comparison between this sequence and the one determined for the origin of replication of ColE1 is presented.


Identification of the major adducts formed by reaction of benzo(a)pyrene diol epoxide with DNA in vitro. Covalent binding of the benzo[a]pyrene metabolite (+/-)7beta,8alpha-dihydroxy-9alpha,10alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene to calf thymus DNA was investigated. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the carcinogen-modified DNA and subsequent separation via reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography resulted in the detection and isolation of seven distinct products. High-resolution mass spectrometry indicates that these products are covalent adducts of deoxyguanosine, deoxyadenosine, and deoxycytidine. The deoxyguanosine and deoxyadenosine adducts involve binding between the activated hydrocarbon (benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide) and exocyclic amino groups of the respective purines.


Phage T4-modified RNA polymerase transcribes T4 late genes in vitro. Initiation of T4 late RNA synthesis has been achieved in an in vitro system prepared from Escherichia coli cells infected with wild-type or maturation-defective mutant T4 phage. The system uses a cellophane membrane as a mechanical support for concentrated cell lysates and for added streptolydigin-resistant RNA polymerases. Transcriptional activity and selectivity of added RNA polymerases are tested while endogenous RNA polymerase activity is inhibited by streptolydigin. T4-modified RNA polymerase is required for substantial stimulation of T4 late RNA synthesis.


Spatial requirement for coupling of iodotyrosine residues to form thyroid hormones. A linear random copolymer of tyrosine and lysine and two synthetic oligopeptides containing two tyrosine residues in addition to lysine residues give thyroid hormone (thyroxine and triodothyronine) residues in good yield upon enzymatic iodination with thyroid peroxidase. These synthetic peptides may serve as simple models for thyroglobulin, the protein in which biosynthesis of the thyroid hormone takes place. For the formation of significant amounts of hormone, such model compounds must contain at least two properly spaced tyrosine residues.


An internal deletion mutant of a myosin heavy chain in Caenorhabditis elegans. Unc-54 I is the structural gene for a myosin heavy chain present in a major fraction of the total myosin of Caenorhabditis elegans. The allele e675, which possesses a normal amount of myosin but fails to assemble thick filaments, has been shown previously to contain a novel heavy chain of molecular weight 2 X 10(5), shorter by 10(4) than the wild-type (N2) unc-54 gene product. The structural alteration of the E675 heavy chain is an internal deletion of 10(4) molecular weight near the COOH terminus of the molecule. This has been determined by mapping the partial digestion products of heavy chain fragments labeled specifically at their NH2 termini.


Lipoprotein lipase cofactor activity of a carboxyl-terminal peptide of apolipoprotein C-II. Apolipoprotein C-II (apoC-II) is a small protein found associated with the plasma lipoproteins. It serves a unique function in the activation of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase (triacylglycerol acyl-hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.3). ApoC-II contains a single arginine residue, permitting tryptic cleavage into two peptides after succinylation of the native protein. The succinylated amino-terminal peptide, approximately 50 residues, did not activate lipoprotein lipase. The succinylated carboxyl-terminal peptide, about 29 residues, had significant cofactor activity. Relative to native apoC-II, the maximal activation observed with the succinylated carboxyl-terminal peptide was 50% lower and the concentration required for half-maximal activity was approximately 10 times higher. Mixtures of the carboxyl- and amino-terminal peptides had no more activity than the carboxyl-terminal peptide alone. Localization of functional properties to the carboxyl region is a feature also common to apolipoproteins C-III, A-II, and A-I.


Regulation of proline oxidase activity by lactate. We found that proline oxidase, the first enzyme of the proline degradative pathway, is inhibited by lactate. The Km of the enzyme for proline increases with increasing concentrations of lactate. Since proline can be a source for gluconeogenesis, regulation of proline degradation by lactate may serve as a mechanism for allocation of metabolic fuel sources. The marked inhibition of proline oxidase at levels of lactate that commonly occur in both genetic and acquired lactic acidosis may cause the previously unexplained hyperprolinemia seen in these metabolic disorders.


Retinoic acid (vitamin A acid) induced transcriptional control of interferon production. The production of interferon was used to study the site and mechanism of action of retinoic acid (vitamin A). The data are consistent with a site of action at the gene level, because it appears that interferon production is blocked at the transcriptional step by a retinoic acid-induced protein. (i) The effect of retinoic acid is probably on an early cellular function associated with interferon production rather than an effect on the inducer [virus or poly(I).poly(C)]. (ii) The suppression of interferon production by retinoic acid is blocked by cycloheximide, indicating that a newly synthesized protein (repressor) mediates the suppression. (iii) When allowances are made for the time required for the synthesis of the retinoic acid-induced protein, the time course of retinoic acid suppression of interferon production is superimposable on the time course of actinomycin D suppression because the slopes are parallel. These data provide evidence for transcriptional control of a specific protein (interferon) by retinoic acid. Additionally, they support the existence of transcriptional control of interferon production after addition of inducer.