Evaluation of the in-vitro antibacterial activity of Sch 34343.

The in-vitro activity (as measured by geometric mean MICs, mg/l) of Sch 34343 against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was compared with that of 14 other selected beta-lactam antibiotics including aztreonam, latamoxef (moxalactam), ceftazidime and imipenem. Sch 34343 had good activity (less than 2 mg/l) against most Gram-negative aerobic bacteria whether or not they contained high levels of plasmid-mediated or chromosomally-mediated beta-lactamases. It was slightly less potent against strains of Morganella and Serratia (less than 4 mg/l) and inactive against Pseudomonas (greater than 64 mg/l).

Gram-negative bacilli resistant to third-generation cephalosporins: beta-lactamase characterization and susceptibility to Sch 34343.

We studied 192 recent clinical isolates, comprising six species of Gram-negative bacilli resistant either to cefotaxime or latamoxef (Moxalactam), from several hospitals. All isolates were resistant to several other third-generation cephalosporins or a monobactam. Two to five types of chromosomal beta-lactamases, as defined by isoelectric focusing, were readily identified in each species.

The electrical hazards of fixed abdominal retractors.

Abdominal retractors that are fixed to the operating table provide an electrical pathway to earth and are unsafe. Modifications to ensure the electrical safety of two table mounted abdominal retractors by the incorporation of insulators are described. Results of electrical testing show that the insulators provide high levels of insulation to direct current, 50 Hz alternating current and 400 kHz radio frequency current.

Modification of interpretive breakpoints for netilmicin disk susceptibility tests with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Regression analysis of data correlating 30-micrograms netilmicin disk zone diameters with microdilution MICs, obtained by testing close-interval dilution steps, was performed with 77 selected strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, each tested in three independent laboratories. A zone of greater than or equal to 15 mm correlated with an MIC of less than or equal to 12 micrograms/ml (susceptible), and a zone of less than or equal to 12 mm correlated with an MIC of greater than 16 micrograms/ml (resistant). Additional disk tests were performed with 256 strains having known resistance mechanisms and 280 susceptible strains: the majority were appropriately categorized by these interpretive zone standards.

Diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder in two prison populations.

The author presents data on the incidence and reliability of the DSM-III diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder in 246 male inmates of two prisons, comparing this diagnosis with assessment procedures that have proven useful in the study of psychopathy. He found good agreement between the diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder and assessments of psychopathy, although DSM-III did not readily identify individuals who fit the classic picture of psychopathy but avoided early contact with the judicial system. Nevertheless, DSM-III may be useful for differential diagnosis in criminal populations.

Evaluation of netilmicin susceptibility discs using bacteria with known aminoglycoside resistance patterns: correlation of in vitro and in vivo test results.

Data obtained with 30 micrograms netilmicin discs on Mueller-Hinton agar have been compared to MIC values obtained in Mueller-Hinton broth. Regression analysis was used to determine susceptibility cutoff points for Pseudomonas and non-Pseudomonas gram-negatives. The utility of these cutoff points for the determination of netilmicin sensitivity was evaluated in tests with 1405 clinical isolates.

Psychopathy and electrodermal responses to nonsignal stimulation.

Electrodermal activity was monitored while 64 prison inmates were presented with a random series of fast and slow rise-time tones ranging in intensity from 80 to 120dB. The inmates were divided into groups on the basis of global ratings of psychopathy and scores on the Socialization (Os) scale. The group considered to be most psychopathic (high ratings of psychopathy and low So scores) gave smaller skin conductance responses than did the other groups, but only to the 120dB tones.