A double-blind comparison of two lormetazepam doses in elderly insomniacs.

The relative efficacy and tolerability of two lormetazepam doses, 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg, were compared in 145 elderly insomniacs in a double-blind, multi-centre study.

Temporary blood flow stasis with degradable starch microspheres (DSM) for liver metastases in a rat model.

A reliable liver metastasis model using intraportal injections of sarcoma cells was established in syngeneic hooded Lister rats to study the blood supply of the tumours and to evaluate the role of degradable starch microspheres (DSM) in conjunction with selective hepatic arterial and portal venous chemotherapy. The tumour/normal liver (T/L) ratio after intra-arterial and intraportal injection of 113Sn microspheres was 1.04 (range: 0.

Hearing loss due to mumps.

The possibility of mumps was considered in 33 children with profound unilateral sensorineural hearing loss of unknown origin. Fifteen gave a history of mumps, of whom 12 contracted the infection between the last normal and first abnormal hearing tests. Hearing should be tested after mumps infection.

A modification of the method for the measurement of cerebral blood flow using [14C]iodoantipyrine in small animals.

We have modified the method for the measurement of cerebral blood flow using [14C]iodoantipyrine in small animals to overcome problems caused by rapid sequential arterial sampling. A second isotope, gamma-emitting [99mTc]pertechnetate, is infused together with [14C]iodoantipyrine. The 99mTc is counted externally by a detector placed over the chest.

Epilepsy, neuropsychological deficits, and EEG lateralization.

One hundred eight epileptic patients (59 men, 49 women; 55% partial seizures, 45% generalized) were examined on 45 indices comprising a modified Halstead Neuropsychological Test Battery. Factor analyses identified five dimensions: Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Organization, Selective Attention, Motor Skills, Abstract Reasoning. These factors are similar to those previously reported for neurocognitive abilities in several different populations.

Adaptive Behavior Scale Cognitive Triad: discrimination and classification of institutionalized mentally retarded adults.

The Leiter International Performance Scale, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised, and the Cognitive Triad of the Adaptive Behavior Scale were used to assess the intellectual functioning of 77 institutionalized mentally retarded adults. On the basis of their IQs, 30 were categorized as profoundly, 21 as severely, and 16 as moderately retarded (10 were unclassifiable because the Leiter and Peabody yielded disparate scores). Discriminant analysis in which category membership was predicted on the basis of the Cognitive Triad measures (Economic Activity, Language Development, and Number and Time Concepts) correctly classified 78% of the cases.

Large peripheral osteoma arising from the genial tubercle area.

In a review of the literature, it can be determined that large osteomas of the mandible are relatively rare. Of those that have been described, the location is normally posterior to the premolars on the lingual surface of the mandible or in the condylar area. This article presents a case of an atypical presentation of an osteoma arising from the genial tubercle area.

Parent consultants in pediatric oncology.

A Parent Consultant position has been included in the pediatric oncology unit at Rhode Island Hospital since 1975. The history and functioning of the position is discussed. Data from questionnaires of parents and hospital staff and a time study of the parent consultants are reviewed.

Bifonazole 1% gel in the treatment of superficial dermatophytoses and erythrasma of the feet and groin.

An open, non-comparative study was carried out by four general practitioners into the efficacy and tolerability of a new antifungal preparation, bifonazole 1% gel. The preparation was used once daily to treat clinically diagnosed, superficial dermatophytoses and erythrasma of the feet or groin in 91 patients of which 51 were confirmed by mycological examination. A complete mycological evaluation was available for 28 patients and a cure was recorded in 23 (89%) of these cases.

Local cerebral glucose utilisation in experimental chronic hydrocephalus in the rat.

Many of the clinical features of normal pressure hydrocephalus have been ascribed to stretching of the periventricular nerve fibres. However, many patients may be asymptomatic despite considerable ventriculomegaly. To define the periventricular changes in cerebral energy metabolism we have measured local cerebral glucose utilisation in hydrocephalic and control Sprague-Dawley rats.

Low-cost microcomputer-based densitometer.

We have constructed low-cost equipment for the measurement of the optical density of x-ray films. This equipment is based on a video system connected via an analog to digital converter to an Apple microcomputer. The optical density of an x-ray film can thus be accessed by commands in BASIC or machine-code programs.

Comparative efficacy of 3-day and 7-day chemotherapy with twice-daily pivmecillinam in urinary tract infections seen in general practice.

In a multi-centre general practice study, 183 females suffering from symptoms of acute urinary tract infection were randomly assigned to receive 400 mg pivmecillinam twice-daily for either 3 or 7 days. The clinical response was equally good in both treatment groups with a mean reduction in symptom scores of 88%. Positive pre-treatment bacteriological cultures were obtained from 48 (36%) of the 134 patients for whom data were complete.

Frusemide/amiloride combination ('Frumil') in heart failure: an open, multi-centre study in general practice.

A total of 95 patients seen in general practice with oedema associated with heart failure took part in an open study of the efficacy and tolerability of a combination tablet containing 40 mg frusemide and 5 mg amiloride. The study was of 3-months' duration and patients received a dosage of 1 to 2 tablets once daily. Efficacy was assessed by physicians' scores for ankle, leg and lumbosacral oedema and pulmonary crepitations, body weight and physicians' global clinical impression.

Cloning and expression of a porcine prorelaxin gene in E. coli.

A porcine prorelaxin gene has been constructed partly by synthetic means and partly from its natural messenger RNA. A gene coding for the 32 N-terminal amino acids including a chain initiator methionine codon (B gene) was synthesised and inserted in a plasmid at a site downstream from a tryptophan promoter in such a way that its expression is under the control of the trp promoter. DNA corresponding to the rest of the prorelaxin was prepared using reverse transcriptase extension of a primer complementary to relaxin mRNA and joined at a suitable restriction site to the B gene.

Active and inactive renin release from rabbit kidney cortex slices: effect of sodium concentration and of furosemide.

1. Active and inactive renin release by rabbit kidney cortex slices was investigated. Inactive renin was estimated as the increase in renin activity after acidification (pH 2 .

Secretion control for active and inactive renin: interactions with calcium and sodium ions.

Excitation-secretion coupling for active and inactive renin was investigated by manipulating the ionic composition of media in which rabbit kidney cortex slices were incubated. Alterations in [Ca++] and [K+] produced qualitatively similar, but quantitatively distinct, changes in the release of the two forms of renin. Under control conditions, the slices secreted 15-20% of total renin in the inactive form and exposure to Ca++-free or low [K+] media increased this to 30-40%, a similar proportion to that stored within the kidney.