Comparison of the efficacy and pharmacokinetics of conventional propranolol and a long acting preparation of propranolol.

Plasma levels of propranolol were measured at intervals after the oral administration of 160 mg propranolol and 160 mg L.A. propranolol in ten subjects who received both drugs on separate occasions.

Psychiatry and psychotherapy: past and future.

The place of psychotherapeutics in psychiatry is again in question. In many ways the situation recapitulates that of the late 19th century when psychotherapeutics first came upon the medical scene. The psychiatric hegemony over psychotherapeutics was the outcome of three fierce internecine "battles", (1) the "medicalization" of psychotherapeutics (1870-1910); (2) securing the psychiatric monopoly of psychotherapeutics (1890-1930); and (3) the "medicalization" of psychoanalysis (1920-1940).

Observations on some properties of a long-acting preparation of propranolol.

1. The effects of 160 mg of propranolol and 160 mg of a long-acting (LA) formulation of propranolol were studied in healthy subjects. 2.

The paradox image: a noninvasive index of regional left-ventricular dyskinesis.

The paradox image, a functional image of regional dyskinesis derived from the equilibrium (gated) radionuclide ventriculogram, was constructed by subtracting the background-corrected end-diastolic frame from the background-corrected end-systolic frame. In 11 patients showing dyskinesis by contract ventriculography, the percentage of left-ventricular picture elements containing paradox ranged from 3.6 to 55.

Dopamine levels in hypophysial stalk plasma of the rat during surges of prolactin secretion induced by cervical stimulation.

Tonic hypothalamic inhibition of PRL release is partially explainable by dopamine secretion into hypophysial portal blood. However, the probable existence of other PRL-inhibiting factors as well as PRL-releasing factors opens to question the role of dopamine in the dynamic regulation of PRL secretion. We investigated this question in the present study by measuring dopamine concentrations in hypophysial stalk blood of the rat during the surgess of PRL secretion induced by cervical stimulation.

The difficult patient: identification and response.

A group of "difficult" psychiatric outpatients in a university hospital system was identified and its distinguishing characteristics compared to a sample of other psychiatric outpatients not so labeled. "Difficult" patients were perceived to be significantly more demanding (p less than or equal to 0.005), dangerous, difficult to empathize with, manipulative and likely to polarize the staff.

Regional ejection fraction: a quantative radionuclide index of regional left ventricular performance.

Radionuclide measurements of regional left ventricular ejection fraction were evaluated as a quantitative index of regional left ventricular function. Left ventricular regional ejection fractions were derived from background-corrected, time-activity curves in 43 patients assessed by both gated equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography and left ventricular contrast angiography. From a single, modified left anterior oblique projection, the regional change in background corrected counts was determined in each of three anatomic regions.

Consultation evaluation: I. Psychotropic drug recommendations.

A follow-up chart review was undertaken of 100 consecutive patients seen in psychiatric consultation for whom psychotropic medication was recommended. Significant differences in implementation (P less than 0.01) by class of drugs (neuroleptics, tricyclics, benzodiazepines) were found.

Marital changes after intestinal bypass surgery.

A retrospective interview study was undertaken of 14 spousal pairs in which one member had undergone the intestinal bypass procedure for massive obesity. Much unanticipated marital discord occurred. Sexual problems were particularly troublesome and affected both members in the spousal pairs.

Pain relief in metastatic cancer other than breast and prostate gland following transsphenoidal hypophysectomy. A preliminary report.

Hypophysectomy was performed in six patients with advanced carcinoma other than from breast and prostate gland to alleviate pain. Two patients received significant and lasting relief of pain; one achieved relief but died from progression of disease 5 weeks after surgery; one patient, initially relieved, had recurrence of pain 3 months later; one had about 50% relief; and one received no benefit. Possible mechanisms for pain relief include changes in pituitary hormones, prostaglandins, and the newly isolated brain peptides, alpha and beta endorphin.

Transoral, transsphenoidal microsurgical exposure of the pituitary gland and infundibulum in the rhesus monkey. Description of operative technique.

A transoral, transsphenoidal microsurgical technique for exposing the pituitary stalk and gland of the rhesus monkey is described and illustrated. The technique has proved to be a safe and practical method for performing a variety of pituitary operations in a total of 37 animals. The procedures have included complete hypophysectomy, posterior lobe resection, pituitary stalk section, collection of portal venous blood, collection of pituitary venous blood, and placement of lessions in the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis.

The removal of a psychosomatic symptom: effects on the marriage.

This study examined the effects on the marriages of twelve patients who underwent intestinal bypass surgery for extreme obesity. Marked conflict and disruption were observed. Most striking were changes in the areas of sexuality and dependence/independence parameters.

Radionuclide left ventriculography with the slant hole collimator.

A 30 degrees slant-hole collimator was used during radionuclide ventriculography of the cardiac blood pool to improve imaging of the heart in both the modified left anterior oblique (MLAO) and right anterior oblique (RAO) views. In the MLAO view, with the holes slanted caudally, good separation between the left atrium and left ventricle was achieved, and the septum was displayed without foreshortening. In the RAO view with the collimator flat against the chest there was better resolution of the cardiac apex.