Emergency abdominal surgery in the aged.

The results of 375 emergency abdominal operations in elderly patients over the age of 75 years are presented and discussed in detail. There has been a fourfold increase in the population over the age of 75 years in England and Wales during the 60-year period from 1911 to 1971. The overall mortality of these patients of 31-7 per cent is unrelated to the age of the patient, but appears to be directly related to the severity of the surgical condition and to cardiorespiratory complications.

Preparation of Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase utilizing a thiamine pyrophosphate affinity column.

An improved procedure is reported for the purification of Escherichia coli pyruvate oxidase (pyruvate:ferricytochome b1 oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.2.

A method of integrating family nursing in an undergraduate curriculum.

The authors describe integrating theoretical content of families into an undergraduate curriculum based on the biopsychosocial spheres. Using audiovisual materials, and printed media, the student is introduced to independent learning and applies content to clinical settings in the community.

Mitochondrial proline dehydrogenase deficiency in hyperprolinemic PRO/Re mice: genetic and enzymatic analyses.

Genetic analyses, involving backcross and F2 matings, demonstrate that the type I hyperprolinemia of PRO/Re mice is caused by an abnormal allelet at a single locus designated pro-1. Mice homozygous for this allele (pro-1b/pro-1b) posses a deficiency in the activity of component 1 of mitochondrial proline dehydrogenase. In liver mitochondria of normal C57BL/6J mice, two proline dehydrogenase activity components are demonstrable by electrophoretic resolution of Triton X-100 solubilized extracts.

Abnormal visual resolution in the Siamese cat.

When tested behaviorally, Siamese cats display marked differences in contrast sensitivity compared to ordinary cats. Overall sensitivity is depressed, the high-frequency cutoff point is lower, and there is less falloff in sensitivity at low spatial frequencies. Optical factors may contribute to these differences, or they may be attributable to the well-established anatomical abnormalities within the visual system of the Siamese cat.

Altered polyamine metabolism in the PRO/Re strain of inbred mice.

The PRO/Re strain of inbred mice are characterized by abnormally high concentrations of proline in both blood (hyperprolinaemia) and urine (prolinuria). They excrete increased amounts of polyamines in their urine. Male PRO/Re mice excreted putrescine at 175% and spermidine at 300% the amount of male C57BL/6J controls.

On the site of strabismic suppression.

A grating pattern presented to one eye of an individual capable of alternating suppression induces a visual aftereffect (contrast threshold elevation), even when the pattern is phenomenally suppressed from vision. This finding indicates that strabismic suppression occurs within the visual system after the site of the aftereffect, and points out a similarity between strabismic suppression and binocular rivalry suppression.

Thermal unfolding of yeast glycine transfer RNA.

In the present investigations the molecular unfolding of yeast tRNA(Gly) has been studied by a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, melting techniques, and relaxation kinetics. From these studies the following pathway of unfolding was found. In a coupled melting transition the tertiary, the DHU, and the anticodon structure are disrupted.

Effects of a series of infections of Ostertagia circumcincta on gastric secretion of sheep.

Sheep which had been either previously infected with 3. circumcincta or maintained worm-free, were surgically prepared with separated fundic pouches and abomasal cannulae and subsequently infected with 20,000 O. circumcincta larvae three times weekly.

Deficits in binocular depth perception in cats after alternating monocular deprivation.

Allowing very young kittens to see with only one eye at a time greatly reduces the proportion of binocular cortical cells. Compared to normal cats these specially reared animals suffer deficits in binocular depth perception while retaining normal activity in the two eyes. Evidently, binocular cells play a crucial role in stereopsis.

The floating knee: Ipsilateral fractures of the tibia and femur.

Fifty-one extremities with ipsilateral tibial and femoral fractures are reviewed. Some children are included in the study. Most of the 47 patients are young men who have multiple injuries with high velocity trauma.