Studies of familial alcoholism: a review.

Recent studies demonstrate the existence of familial and nonfamilial types of alcoholism. The familial type is characterized by an early age of onset and a severe course. Nonfamilial alcoholism is more often associated with other adult psychiatric disorders.

Detection of coronary artery disease in aortic stenosis by exercise gated nuclear angiography.

Because the clinical diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in the presence of aortic stenosis (AS) is difficult, the value of exercise gated nuclear angiography in detecting CAD in 33 patients with AS was assessed. Exercise left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and wall motion analysis were evaluated after symptom-limited supine cycle ergometer exercise. Sixteen patients had severe AS (valve area 0.

Conjugation of antibodies with bifunctional chelating agents: isothiocyanate and bromoacetamide reagents, methods of analysis, and subsequent addition of metal ions.

Preparation of the chelating agent (S)-4-[2,3-bis[bis(carboxymethyl)am ino]propyl]phenyl isothiocyanate is reported. Procedures for conjugation of this and (S)-N-4-[2,3-bis[bis-(carboxymethyl)amino] propyl]phenyl bromoacetamide to monoclonal antibodies and other proteins are described. The conjugates may be purified quickly by centrifugation through Sephadex G-50.

Pharmacokinetics of indium-111 BLEDTA in man.

111In-BLEDTA is a bleomycin-containing radiopharmaceutical that has proven useful as a tumor imaging agent. Whole blood distribution and pharmacokinetic parameters were studied in nine cancer patients, and the results compared with previously reported studies using 57Co-bleomycin. In eight patients studied by bolus intravenous injection, 111In-BLEDTA had a beta half-life (t1/2 beta) of 1.

Use of specific antibody for rapid clearance of circulating blood background from radiolabeled tumor imaging proteins.

A major problem that arises when radiolabeled serum proteins are used for tumor imaging is the presence of a large amount of circulating background activity that persists for several days. This delays imaging for at least 2 days following injection and necessitates computer subtraction of simulated background (second radiopharmaceutical injection) which introduces artifacts that are difficult to control. We propose here the injection of specific antibody immediately before imaging as an alternate way of reducing blood background through clearance of the immune complex by the liver.

The genetics of alcoholism.

One method of investigating the genetic etiology of alcoholism is to study individuals who were separated soon after birth from their alcoholic biological parents. The author and his colleagues conducted a series of such studies in Denmark; they concluded that, despite little exposure to the alcoholic biological parent, the sons of alcoholics were about four times more likely to be alcoholic than were the sons of nonalcoholics. They also found that having an alcoholic biological parent did not increase the sons' risk of developing psychiatric disorders other than alcoholism.

The EEG after alcohol administration in men at risk for alcoholism.

The biologic sons of alcoholics constitute a group at high risk (HR) for alcoholism. A 0.5-g/kg dose of alcohol was administered to HR and control subjects aged 19 to 21 years.

Conformational transitions in oriented fibres of the synthetic polynucleotide poly[d(AT)].poly[d(AT)] double helix.

The synthetic polynucleotide poly[d(AT)].poly[d(AT)] is of interest in studies of the relationship between nucleic acid structure and function. In particular, A + T-rich regions in DNA double helices have been invoked as centres for controlling the transcription of genetic information.

Location and activity of ulcerative and Crohn's colitis by indium 111 leukocyte scan. A prospective comparison study.

A prospective blinded study comparing the indium 111 leukocyte scan to barium enema, colonoscopy, or surgery or a combination of these, was carried out in 15 patients (10 with active ulcerative colitis and 5 with active Crohn's colitis). Correlation of disease location to colonic regions between indium scan and other diagnostic studies was excellent in 11 instances, good in 2, and poor in 3. In 2 of the 3 studies where major disagreement occurred, the comparative barium enema was performed greater than 2 mo after the indium scan.

Familial alcoholism: a separate entity?

Numerous studies indicate that alcoholism runs strongly in families. Recent evidence from twin and adoption studies suggest the illness may have a genetic component. These studies have stimulated two lines of research which are actively being conducted in several centers.

In vivo and in vitro effects of dexamethasone on leukocyte migration in the rat adjuvant arthritis model.

When polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and mononuclear cells were isolated from the blood of dexamethasone-treated normal rats, in vitro mononuclear cell migration was inhibited and PMN migration was stimulated in comparison to controls. Inflammogen-induced PMNs showed inhibited cell migration due to dexamethasone treatment. Gamma camera imaging was then used to detect cells in vivo after labeling with indium-111.

Slipover urethral instrument system.

An inovative system has been devised using an elongated hollow guide and slipover urethral instruments. Inherent in this concept are many safety features. A slipover follower and sound will replace current instruments with the threaded locking mechanism.

Sleep and growth hormone secretion in alcoholics.

The effect of alcoholism on slow wave sleep (SWS) and SWS-related human growth hormone (HGH) secretion was investigated in 8 sober male alcoholics and 13 non-alcoholic controls. Sleep onset was temporally correlated with both elevated HGH levels and a high percentage of SWS in control subjects, with several specific qualifications related to age. By contrast, alcoholism was associated with a dissociation of sleep onset, SWS, and HGH elevation.

A comparison of two benzodiazepine hypnotics administered with alcohol.

Two benzodiazepine hypnotics were administered alone or in combination with alcohol to normal male volunteers. In the doses given, alcohol potentiated the effects of the benzodiazepines on some but not all performance measures.

The white blood cell scan in orthopedics.

A new nuclear scanning technique was found more specific for bone, joint, and soft tissue infections than any previously described scanning technique. The leukocyte scan, whereby a patient's own cells are labeled with a radioactive tagging agent (111In oxine), can distinguish an active infectious process from other pain-inducing conditions. Ninety-seven 111In labeled autologous leukocyte scans were performed in 88 patients.