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This study aimed to assess the relationships between the scores of subjective assessment (metamemory) and those of performance testing for memory, on the one hand, and the level of depression, on the other. A hundred and eighty elderly subjects (102 women and 78 men; mean age 65.7 years) were selected for the study. They showed neither intellectual impairment (as assessed through Mini Mental State test: MMS) nor neuropsychiatric symptoms. Each subject was administered the Randt Memory Test (RMT) for performance testing, the Sehulster Memory Scale (SMS) for the subjective assessment, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). A MULTCOVA analysis showed that both age and the depression level are negatively correlated with both the measures (Acquisition-Recall: AR; Delayed Memory: DM) of the RMT. The scores of the second (memory complaints) of the three sets of SMS were positively correlated with those of AR and DM indices. A Multivariate Regression Analysis showed that in males age and the depression level were significant regressors for both AR and MD scores while in females only the depression level was a significant regressor for AR and only age was a significant regressor for DM. Our results suggest that a) the relationships between the depression level and memory functioning are close, although not fully homogeneous in men and women; and b) that the scores in some areas of metamemory parallel, independently of the level of depression, the performance outcomes of memory functioning. (Aging 2: 39–48, 1990)

Optimally fixed paraffin embedded tissue sections and cytocentrifuged cell smears were used to test the sensitivity and nonspecific staining with the enzyme-bridge, PAP, indirect and direct immunoperoxidase methods using human immunoglobulins and lysozyme as antigens. With the enzyme-bridge method positive staining was seen with primary antiserum dilutions up to 1:20,000. The least background staining was observed with this method. The PAP method was equally sensitive, although false-negative results with low primary antiserum dilutions were seen. Some nonspecific background staining always persisted using the PAP method even with high primary antiserum dilutions. The indirect method was not as sensitive as the enzyme-bridge method and some nonspecific staining always persisted. The direct method was too insensitive with paraffin embedded tissue sections.

A nephelometric lysozyme (LZM) assay method was compared to two commonly used enzymatic LZM assay methods. LZM concentrations obtained with the nephelometric method correlated well with those obtained with the spectro-photometric (r=+0.98) and the lysoplate (r=+0.93) methods. The precision of the nephelometric method was 5.1% (CV). The nephelometric LZM assay offers a simple, reproducible and rapid assay method for serum LZM determinations.

Summary The amount of blood used in transfusions during certain neurosurgical operations was less in 1978–79 than in 1971–72 and in 1965–66. The operations investigated were for gliomas and meningiomas of the brain, pituitary adenomas, acoustic neurinomas, arteriovenous malformations, and arterial aneurysms. The major change in anaesthetic techniques between 1965–66 and 1971–72 was the introduction of hypocapnia by controlled artificial hyperventilation. We suggest that this was the main factor responsible for the reduction in the need for blood transfusions. The avoidance of halothane, the use of induced hypotension, and microsurgical technique may have been responsible for the smaller drop between 1971–72 and 1978–79.

A recommendation concerning basic urine examinations and bacteriological cultures was published in 1983 in Finland including three clinical indication groups with different screening strategies. Close cooperation between laboratory experts and clinicians as well as much training in urine sediment cytology were essential before the new principle became widely accepted. Decreased workload in laboratories in clinically less significant cases was shown with the use of the full capacity and qualities of complete urinalysis when needed. Standardized test procedures combined with sediment staining improved the clinical efficiency of urine microscopy.

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of hypooncotic 4% hydroxyethyl starch 120/0.7, 3% dextran 70, 5% albumin and hyperoncotic 6% hydroxyethyl starch 120/0.7 on the perioperative colloid osmotic pressure (COP), albumin and protein concentrations and fluid balance.

The phospholipase A assay of Hoffmann et al based on the enzymatic photometric determination of the fatty acids liberated from soy-bean phospholipids was compared with the fluorometric assay of Thurén et al. where a synthetic pyrene-labelled substrate is used. Sera from patients with suspected pancreatitis or sepsis were studied. High values compared well while the Hoffmann method was not sensitive enough to detect slightly elevated values in sera from patients with suspected pancreatitis. The phospholipase A2 activities from enzymes purified from human duodenal juice, human sera from patients with sepsis and rat liver mitochondria were characterized in regard to activity towards several synthetic pyrene-labelled substrates, activation by Ca2+ and inhibition by Sr2+and Mg2+. The enzyme from serum was distinctly different from both the pancreatic secretory and the mitochondrial ones, both in its substrate specificity pattern and in being most strongly inhibited by Mg2+.

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is metabolized principally by the hepatic cytochrome P 450‐dependent microsomal enzyme system and eliminated virtually entirely as metabolites, mainly in the bile [1, 4, 6]. Only less than 1% of the oral dose is excreted unmetabolized in the urine or bile [5, 7]. Metabolites account for 50–70% of the total CsA in whole blood [3, 5, 8]. Some of the metabolites have been shown to possess an immunosuppressive and even toxic effect but the role of this effect remains uncertain [2, 9]. In order to evaluate the effect of liver and kidney failure on the metabolism of CsA, we studied twelve patients who had undergone liver transplantation. The samples were collected during the first 4 postoperative weeks. The aim of the study was threefold: to evaluate (1) whether an impairment of liver function, as measured by standard biochemical liver function tests, decreased the metabolism or excretion of CsA; (2) whether an induction of either the CsA metabolites or the parent compound took place in the first postoperative period; and (3) whether kidney failure, as measured by serum creatinine, correlated with blood levels of CsA or its metabolites.

Serial serum C-reactive protein (CRP) measurements were made, for three weeks, in 42 consecutive patients with solitary tibial fractures. The CRP response was related to the treatment: lower values were observed in 27 patients treated conservatively than in 15 operated patients. Open reduction and plating resulted in a greater response than closed intramedullary nailing. The timing of the CRP response was related to the timing of the treatment: the highest values were usually recorded two days after admission or operation. The timing of the operation did not affect the degree of CRP response. Neither the site, nor the type of fracture, nor the age of the patient played any role. Awareness of these natural CRP responses after fractures may help in the diagnosis of early post-traumatic and postoperative complications, especially infections.

Thirty-three duodenal ulcer patients (group A) were examined for gastric acid secretion capacity and serum group I pepsinogens (PG I) under basal conditions. Another group of 36 duodenal ulcer patients (group B), who had undergone proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) 1 year previously, were similarly examined. Mean basal acid output, mean insulin-stimulated peak acid output, and mean pentagastrin-stimulated peak acid output in the conservatively treated group were 4.5 meq/h, 25.1 meq/h, and 34.4 meq/h, respectively. The corresponding values in the PGV group were 2.5 meq/h, 6.7 meq/h, and 18.5 meq/h. The mean serum PG I concentration in group A was 103.6 ng/ml and in group B 69.9 ng/ml, whereas the mean serum PG I concentration in 34 healthy control subjects was 47.9 ng/ml. The differences in serum PG I concentrations between all three groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). An elevated concentration of serum PG I is associated with clinical ulcer disease in unoperated patients, but the wide overlap in the PG I concentration area between duodenal ulcer patients and healthy persons limits the use of PG I determinations in disturbances of gastric acid secretion.

In a prospective comparative clinical efficacy and safety study, 58 patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty were randomly allocated to two groups; one received 29 cefamandole intravenously before operation and then 1 g every 6 h parenterally for 3 days and the other received 29 cloxacillin i. v. every 8 h for 1 day and 29 dicloxacillin perorally every 8 h for 2 days. Concentrations of cefamandole and cloxacillin were measured in the serum of all patients and in the synovial fluid of 28 patients. The serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level was measured in 16 randomly allocated patients preoperatively and daily for 8 days. In serum the concentrations of cefamandole and cloxacillin were high. The great variation in cloxacillin concentration can be due in part to its strong affinity for blood proteins. Cefamandole entered the synovial fluid of the knee joint at high concentrations in 5–15 min; similar concentrations of cloxacillin were measured after 16–30 min. Thus, cefamandole seems to be more recommendable as antibiotic prophylaxis in total hip and knee replacements. The CRP level decreased to below 60 mg/l in all 16 patients on the 6th postoperative day.

Cryptosporidium parvum coproantigens (CCAg) of 18 and 20 kDa were identified in the stool eluates of calves and humans infected with Cryptosporidium species. Monospecific antibodies raised against the 20-kDa antigen recognized both 18- and 20-kDa CCAg in all positive but no negative control samples. These antibodies reacted with C. parvum sporozoites in an immunofluorescence assay. Human immune sera recognized the 20-kDa antigen in infected calf stool eluates. Both 18- and 20-kDa CCAg remained intact in commonly used preservatives and at various temperatures. These CCAg may be useful in designing sensitive, reliable methods for diagnosing cryptosporidiosis

Male sterility and sexual competitiveness were evaluated after irradiation (Cesium-137 source) of 20- to 26-h-old pupae and 0- to 20-h-old adults of Culex quinquefasciatus Say in air and nitrogen (N2. The presence of nitrogen protected both stages against the induction of posttreatment sterility. In nitrogen, the exposure required for 98% sterility had to be increased from 8 kR in air to 20 kR. At lower irradiation dosages, nitrogen offered more protection of genetic tissues for pupae than adults. However, no improvement was observed in the mating competitiveness when air was replaced with nitrogen during pupal irradiation, and only marginal improvement was observed after adult exposure. Because of its deleterious effect on male competitiveness, irradiation may have limited usefulness as a method of sterilization for this species.

Pupae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say from a laboratory colony were sterilized when 20 to 26 h old by immersion in bisazir [P, P-bis (l-aziridinyl)-N-methyl phosphinothioic amide] solution, by gamma irradiation, or by combinations of substerilizing treatments of both. Greater than 99% male sterility was achieved when pupae were irradiated at ca. 8 kR or immersed in 1% bisazir solution for 30 min. Combinations of radiation and chemical sterilization, each at substerilizing levels, produced levels of sterility expected for an additive relationship between the two sterilizing agents. The empirical relationship between sterility (S) and the two sterilizing agents was characterized by the formula: S = −7.73 + 9.76 B + 14.36 K −1.44 BK − 0.06 B2 + 0.44 K2, where B = minutes of exposure to bisazir and K = radiation dose in kR. Males sterilized by bisazir were fully (96%) competitive under laboratory conditions, whereas males sterilized by treatments involving irradiation (26%) or a combination of bisazir and irradiation (15%) were less competitive.