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An orientation system incorporating a low power He‐Ne laser system is described. In one application grub screws were fed at rates in excess of 100 per minute

Seven children with precocious puberty were treated with cyproterone acetate and their adrenal function studied. In each child the drug caused significant adrenal hypofunction which was secondary to adrenocorticotrophic hormone suppression. None of these children had clinical evidence of adrenal hypofunction and it is assumed that the drug has glucocorticoid-like properties. Children receiving cyproterone acetate should carry information to warn doctors of this effect since they may require steroid cover during illness.

Fifty post-operative urology patients were monitored to determine the effects of in-line final filtration on the occurrence of phlebitis and on changes in body temperature, pulse rate and diastolic blood pressure. In this study, modeled after a study done by Ryan, et al., at the University of Kentucky, no statistically significant difference was found between the patients utilizing final filters and those not utilizing final filters. Our findings were quite different from those of Ryan's, who found a very significant reduction in the incidence of phlebitis by utilizing in-line final filtration of intravenous fluids but similar to a study done by Collin, et al. Our results led to the conclusion that providing a “clean” intravenous solution to the patient by using final filtration is only a portion of the hospital's responsibility; the other part of our responsibility lies in assuring a proper, aseptic external environment for the administration of the solution. Both of these areas are essential in providing intravenous fluid therapy.

An Italian ryegrass (cv. RvP), a tetraploid hybrid ryegrass (Sabrina), and an early heading timothy (Scots), were compared under 3-cut silage plus aftermath, 5-cut early bite-hay-aftermath and 6-cut simulated grazing managements over 2 harvest years 1974–75. Annual nitrogen applications totalled 375 kg ha−1 N for the silage and grazing systems and 325 kg ha−1 for the early bite-hay-aftermath treatment. In 1974, the first harvest year, RvP and Sabrina outyielded Scots timothy. In the dry summer of 1975 the drought tolerance and persistency of Sabrina was superior to RvP, but both grasses gave low yields (approx. 10·0 ha−1 DM under the conservation managements) and showed a marked fall in production compared with the first year, by RvP of 35% and by Sabrina of 25%. Scots timothy in the second year equalled the ryegrass in total DM yield under the hay management system. Over the 2 years RvP and Sabrina gave similar yields, which were 10% better than Scots timothy, under all managements. RvP and Sabrina are equally suitable for silage production, but second and third silage cuts of RvP require shorter regrowth periods than Sabrina for good quality herbage. Sabrina will also provide leafier grazing than RvP.

A young girl presenting with diarrhoea and stridor was found to have a thoracic ganglioneuroma. The tumour, which was partially resected, contained an abnormally high amount of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) as measured by radioimmunoassay. This decreased after the operation. In addition, analysis of urine showed the presence of abnormal amounts of catecholamines and catechol metabolites. The findings suggest that the diarrhoea in the syndrome of ganglioneuroma and bowel dysfunction is due to an excess of VIP secreted by the tumour.

Inclusions have been found within lipid droplets in cells of a number of air-dry seeds when investigated by freeze-etching. The inclusions invariably appear as depressions in the replicas. It is deduced that the inclusions are gaseous, and evidence from artificial preparations supports this.

Freeze-etching and thin-sectioning techniques have been used to study the structure of storage parenchyma cells of pea cotyledons in mature, air-dry seeds and in seeds after various periods of imbibition. Protein bodies in air-dry tissue were coated with a complex of convoluted structure, apparently rich in lipid. After brief periods of hydration this complex appeared to have expanded and to consist of a system of tubules, and after 24 h imbibition it was no longer associated with the protein bodies. Sheets of lipid bodies were associated with amyloplast surfaces and the plasmalemma. In non-imbibed tissue, the cell walls were wavy, but in imbibed tissue they were smooth. The amyloplast-envelope membranes characteristically had areas with parallel folds, and membrane particles of protein-body envelopes were occasionally aligned in orderly rows.

1. 1. Several drugs have been chemically combined with a nuclear sulfonic acid ion exchange resin and found to have, in mice and rats, a higher oral LD 50 than when administered in their free or common salt form. The time required to cause death in rats following a certainly lethal oral dose of drug as an ion exchange resin complex was longer than when the drug was administered as a soluble salt. These two factors combine to make these resin complexes less toxic, and hence safer to administer orally, than the soluble-salt form of the drug. 2. 2. Both fine and coarse forms of the resin were used in formation of drug resinates. The coarse form results in drug resinates which have higher median lethal doses (LD 50 ) and a longer time to cause death than the fine-form drug resinates. The LD 50 values of a number of fine and coarse resinates are presented. The median time to death (LT 50 ) has been quantitatively determined for various amphetamine resinates. 3. 3. The ion exchange resin itself is not lethal to rats when given in a single oral dose of 17.5 g/kg of body weight of the coarse or bead forms. Twenty grams per kilogram of the fine form was not lethal to rats or mice. Oral doses of 1 g/kg of the coarse form or the fine form had no discernible effects over 7- and 30-day periods, respectively, in dogs, 4. 4. The oral LD 50 of methylhomatropine bromide was not reduced when coadministered (but not combined chemically) with a polyamine-methylene anion exchange resin in a dose of 12.5 g/kg of body weight. 5. 5. Besides chemical combination, the resins may, under certain conditions, adsorb drugs. As would be expected, the LD 50 , calculated as ephedrine base, of ephedrine resinates made so as to have initially adsorbed drug, as well as reacted drug, when washed free of the adsorbed drug are higher than preparations which consist of adsorbed, as well as reacted, ephedrine.

Orientation distribution data are presented for low carbon steel and silicon iron after different rolling and annealing schedules. Magnetic properties which depend solely on orientation can be well described using such distributions. A general analysis is demonstrated by which other properties may be divided into two components which are respectively dependent and independent of orientation. An example of this, a.c. power loss, is considered in detail. It is shown that the orientation-dependence of power loss derives entirely from the hysteresis component. The classical eddy current loss together with an ‘anomalous’ loss of similar magnitude constitute the orientationin-dependent part. The analysis may be used to predict properties under a range of conditions in textured materials.

A 3 year old girl presented with a three week history of lethargy, constipation, and joint swelling. Investigation showed primary hypothyroidism associated with immunological changes including thyroglobulin antibodies. Reassessment several months after beginning thyroxine treatment confirmed persisting hypothyroidism. Primary hypothyroidism may present as a rapid onset disorder.

The effects of intravenous boluses of adenosine on respiration and heart rate were compared in young and elderly individuals. Respiratory stimulation and biphasic changes in heart rate were confirmed. The dose-response relationship for the effects of adenosine on respiration and heart-rate did not differ significantly between 10 young (mean age 25.2 + 4.9 years) and 10 elderly (mean age 66 ± 3.1 years) drug-free individuals, indicating that age is unlikely to be a major determinant of adenosine responsiveness.

The effects of bid purchasing of drug products by hospitals and the factors to consider in bid purchasing of pharmaceuticals are reviewed; further, the prices available with bid purchasing to a specific hospital in 1974 and 1977 are presented. Factors important for a successful bid purchasing system of pharmaceuticals are: (1) use of a formulary policy, (2) an effective procedure for handling bid purchasing and (3) criteria for evaluation of drug products. Significant differences were found between prices available with and without bid purchasing for 50 nonproprietary drug products in 1974 and for 19 products in 1977. Although monetary savings to hospitals do exist with bid purchasing of pharmaceuticals, the degree of savings is dependent upon the drug usage for that hospital.

After a brief discussion of Nommenson University and the circumstances under which these papers came into being (rightly stressing the difficulties which the authors confronted), Professor Paauw proceeds to provide the general context within which to place the industry reports. He mentions the complexity of ethno-cultural grouping in Sumatra Timur and the relation between this, the recent abortive Sumatran revolt, and relations with Djakarta. Following the revolt, central control has been greatly increased. In the economic field this proceeds under the slogan Ekonomi Terpimpin (guided economy), which corresponds to the familiar Demokrasi Terpimpin in politics. The state is to have a leading and commanding position in the economy, and there are corresponding pressures against private enterprise.

The freeze-fracture technique has been used to study the organization of intercellular junctions in two cases of hepatocellular carcinoma. A tumor free cirrhotic liver has been included for comparison. Tight junctions were disorganized in the tumor cells of hepatocellular carcinoma. The tight junction networks often were not orientated parallel to the canalicular lumen. In some areas tight junctions comprised 2 to 4 strands, while in other areas they were reduced to a single strand. Discontinuities and local proliferation of tight junctions were also seen. Some tight junctions were composed of intramembrane particles aligned to form a discontinuous network. Gap junctions between the tumor cells were small and infrequent. Gap junctions were found only on the lateral plasma membranes and were not seen within the tight junction networks. These findings have been interpreted to indicate changes in intercellular communication, and an alteration in the ability of hepatocytes to differentiate tight junctions in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Whilst natural organic fibres have advantages in many developing countries, of low cost and ready availability, their use for reinforcing cement based materials is complicated by their relatively low elastic modulus, their water absorbing properties, susceptibility to fungal and insect attack, and variability of properties amongst fibres of the same type. These points are examined theoretically and in the light of experiments carried out on sisal- cement composites. Their relevance to the design of structures using organic fibre-cement composites is discussed. It is shown that such composites are appropriate for many low cost structures in developing countries despite, or in some cases because of, their peculiar properties.

Between 1973 and 1982 there was a significantly higher incidence of minimal change nephrotic syndrome among Asian compared with non-Asian children in Leicestershire. Most Asians in Leicestershire are Gujarati-speaking Hindus, but Sikhs and Muslims are also represented; no group of Asians (defined by religion, language, or birthplace) was at special risk of developing nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome was more preponderant in Asian children living within the city of Leicester, and there was an unusually low incidence in non-Asian children within the city. Both racial and environmental factors may be important in the increased susceptibility to minimal change nephrotic syndrome in Asian children.

The near-field noise characteristics of the SR-7L, an eight-blade, single-rotor, wing-mounted, tractor propfan have been determined. It is found that the noise is dominated by discrete tones, usually at the first order (and occasionally at the second or third order) of the blade-passage frequency. The highest noise levels were noted at conditions of high tip helical speeds and high dynamic pressures.

Efflux of42K+ was measured in frog sartorius muscles equilibrated in hyperosmotic depolarizing solutions. At the internal potentials obtained, K+ passes mainly through the inward rectifier potassium channels. Inhibition of K+ efflux by external Zn2+ (0.25 to 15mm) differs in three significant ways from inhibition by Ba2+. (1) The dose-response relation does not correspond to action at a single site. (2) The Zn2+-sensitivity of K+ efflux does not depend on [K+] o at constant internal potential. (3) Zn2+ inhibition is reduced by hydrogen ions, while Ba2+ inhibition is unaffected. Further, the Ba2+-sensitivity of K+ efflux is not altered by a half-inhibiting Zn2+ concentration, suggesting that the two ions do not interact at a common site. The histidine-modifying reagent diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) reduces Zn2+ inhibition. After DEPC treatment Zn2+ inhibition is further reduced by low pH. DEPC has little effect on Ba2+ inhibition. Zn2+ inhibition is not altered by treatment with the sulfhydryl reagents 5,5′-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) or dithiothreitol. The results can be described by either of two models in which two sites can bind Zn2+ and one or both of the sites may also bind H+. When both sites bind Zn2+, K+ efflux is inhibited, and a third site may then bind H+. The effects of DEPC can be accounted for by a decrease in H+ affinity of the first two sites by a factor of 50, and a decrease in Zn2+ affinity of these sites and of the H+ affinity of the third site by about one order of magnitude.

The potential economic effects of a brand standardization policy on 50 multiple source, nonproprietary drugs in a 1000-bed hospital which uses a unit dose drug distribution system were studied. Inpatient drug usage cost and inpatient drug inventory cost for the year 1974 were compared under the existing nonformulary system and a simulated formulary system of brand standardization. Drug usage cost was defined as expenditures made by the study hospital for drugs which were administered. Drug inventory cost was defined as the dollar value of drug inventory being stored for use in the hospital. Potential saving in excess of $35,000 for drug usage cost and $9,000 for drug inventory cost could have been realized with a brand standardization policy on 50 nonprietary drugs. The differences in costs were significant at the 0.005 level. It is concluded that a brand standardization policy can be effective means of reducing drug usage cost and drug inventory cost in a large hospital.

Small bundles of frog skeletal muscle fibers were loaded with 305 mM K+ and 120 mM Cl-, and 42K+ tracer efflux and influx were measured as a function of external K+ concentration ([K+]o) at a resting potential of -2 mV. As [K+]o was lowered from 305 mM, efflux decreased along a markedly sigmoidal curve, reaching a constant nonzero value at low [K+]o. Influx varied linearly with [K+]o at low [K+]o and more steeply at higher [K+]o. The ratio of influx to efflux was described by the equation: influx/efflux = exp[-n(V - VK)F/RT] with n = 2 at high [K+]o, but the ratio approached this equation with n = 1 at low [K+]o. Efflux did not depend on [K+]o when the membrane potential was raised to +36 mV, whereas at low [K+]o decreasing the membrane potential to -19 mV further activated the efflux. The results are discussed in terms of an inwardly rectifying potassium channel with two or more activating sites within the membrane that bind K+ and are accessible from the external solution.

The problems experinced by elderly patints taking hypnotic durgs are reviewed. They include those associated with accumulation, tolerance, drug dependence and the intensity and duration of response. Biological mechanisms associated with ageing enhance some of these effects in the elderly. Care should be taken to define the precise indications for hypnotic use and to choose the correct drug and dose for the patient's condition and age.

This study involves an analysis by thin section and freeze-fracture techniques of the intercellular junctions of exfoliated benign and malignant mesothelial cells obtained from 4 cases, two benign and two malignant effusions. Pleural biopsies (solid tumours) of two further cases of confirmed epithelial malignant mesotheliomas were also studied to compare the organization, distribution and characteristics of the tight junctions, gap junctions and desmosomes observed between the three groups of cases. The results showed that both tight and gap junctions varied greatly in their organization in the exfoliated benign and malignant mesothelial cells. However they were often large and very well developed. In contrast, the tight and gap junctions in the solid tumours were considerably reduced both in their size and frequency, a feature which is well recognized in the literature as consistent with the neoplastic process. Our observation of florid tight and gap junctions in the exfoliated benign and malignant mesothelial cells, raises some important aspects of behaviour of neoplastic cells in effusion fluid. It is our opinion that cells in the fluid are exposed to microenvironmental influences which are quite distinct from those in a 'solid' tumour. We suggest that alteration in the binding sites of the extracellular matrix molecules, their influence on the cytoskeleton and the consequent effect on the development of tight and gap junctions are important factors which need further elucidation. The most significant feature of this study is however the demonstration of essential differences in the cell junctional characteristics between neoplastic mesothelial cells in body cavity fluids and those in tissues thus emphasizing the importance of environmental influences in the development of a neoplasm and its spread.

The tumor cells in the pleural effusions of a case of small cell undifferentiated carcinoma have been studied by light microscopy and by thin section and freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Evidence of exocytosis of neurosecretory granules from the tumor cells is presented. The tumor cells form clumps, with the cells joined by focal tight junctions and small desmosomes. These findings are discussed with reference to the neuroendocrine origin of these tumors and the role of the junctional complexes in the formation of tumor cell aggregates.

After the death of a 12-year old girl with newly discovered insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, we used monoclonal antibodies in an effort to identify the cells invading the pancreas. The majority of infiltrating lymphocytes were of the T cytotoxic/suppressor phenotype, but other T-cell subpopulations were present. Some of the T cells were "activated" (positive for HLA-DR antigen, and the interleukin-2 receptor). Immunocytes bearing IgG were scattered in the gland, and complement-fixing IgG antibodies were deposited in some islets. Increased expression of Class I (HLA-A, B, and C) molecules was observed in the affected islet cells, and in damaged islets showing scant lymphocytic infiltration, some beta cells (still producing insulin), but not glucagon or somatostatin cells, were HLA-DR positive. The capillary endothelium was markedly dilated and strongly HLA-DR positive. These findings may contribute to an understanding of the sequence of events leading to the destruction of beta cells in classic Type I diabetes mellitus.

A review of the literature on the application of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to cytodiagnosis of neoplastic cells in effusion fluid reveals a lack of consensus as to which of the techniques is most beneficial to a cytologist for a satisfactory diagnosis. The purpose of this study is therefore to critically evaluate the relative merits of SEM, TEM and freeze-fracture (FF) techniques in enhancing the diagnostic "sensitivity" of ultrastructural cytology. Two cases of adenocarcinoma, one case of mesothelioma and one case of small cell undifferentiated carcinoma of the lung were studied in detail by SEM, TEM and FF techniques. A comparative analysis of the results demonstrates that SEM is a rapid and useful technique where the microvilli on the tumour cell surface is the most prominent feature especially in adenocarcinomas. The major handicap of SEM becomes evident in cases where the extreme variability of the surface morphology amongst tumour cells makes it difficult to establish a diagnosis with confidence. TEM along with light microscopy (LM) of toluidine blue sections gives us the most comprehensive method for cyto-diagnosis and is particularly useful in cases where LM cytology alone is inconclusive. It has the added advantage of revealing diagnostically significant nuclear and cytoplasmic features which are helpful in differentiating a benign from a malignant cell and in some instances the probable site of the primary neoplasm. FF technique, though not conducive to a routine diagnostic situation, is of benefit in demonstrating the organization of junctional complexes. From preliminary studies it appears that the tight junctions in adenocarcinoma are different from those seen in small cell carcinoma. In mesothelioma, gap junctions are invariably present, but they are not seen prominently in adenocarcinoma or small cell carcinoma. Thus in poorly differentiated tumours where LM and TEM are inconclusive, FF may prove useful. It is concluded that such coordinated studies in the future have the potential to better our understanding of the nature and behaviour of tumour cells in effusion fluid.

Single doses of amitriptyline (50 mg) and zimelidine (100 mg) were administered orally to 4 young and 4 elderly healthy volunteers (aged 21--26 and 68--75 respectively) in a comparative study of the two drugs. Systolic time intervals, supine and standing blood pressure, salivary flow and indices of sedation were measured at regular intervals up to 6 hours post dose. No conclusive changes in the QS2 interval, left ventricular ejection time (LVETc) LVET index, pre-ejection period (PEPc), resting heart rate, or blood pressures were observed with either drug. Salivary flow was reduced by about 40% at 3.5 hours and 50% at 5.5 hours after ingestion of amitriptyline. No change in salivary flow was observed after zimelidine (significant difference between treatments; P less than 0.01 at 3.5 and 5.5 hours). Subjective drowsiness as measured by visual analogue ratings was significantly greater for amitriptyline at 3.5 hours (P less than 0.01). Postural sway was also increased by amitriptyline but not zimelidine (difference between treatments significant at 3.5 and 5.5 hours; P less than 0.01 and 0.05 respectively). Auditory reaction time increased with amitriptyline, the difference between treatments achieving significance at 5.5 hours. No differences in response to either drug between young and elderly volunteers were demonstrable in these small groups, although variability was greater in the older group. Possible implications of these findings for the treatment of depression in the elderly are discussed.

For many years, design for assembly, whether manual or mechanised, has been to a large extent ignored because of what were considered to be the more important design requirements of function, manufacturability and, to some extent, aesthetics. It is becoming increasingly apparent that for many products particularly in the area of mass production, by far the largest manufacturing cost is attributable to assembly and that, as such, this area of manufacturing activity deserves a more critical appraisal. The current paper outlines the established fundamental rules of assembly and describes work which is currently being carried out at the University of Massachusetts and the University of Salford to help the product designer to at least consider design for assembly alongside the more conventional design activities.

Measurements of the fluctuating pressure levels (FPLs) induced on a Propfan Test Assessment wing by the SR-7L propfan slipstream within the airplane flight envelope were obtained as a function of propfan operating conditions. It is shown that FPLS were high over most of the flight envelope, and that the spectra were dominated by the propfan first-order blade passage frequency tone. The highest FPLs were found at the lowest aircraft test altitudes and Mach numbers and for propfan conditions of lowest rotational tip speed and highest power.

Clinical, pharmacological and biochemical correlates of hyperuricaemia were studied in 399 consecutive patients aged over 70 years admitted to hospital with acute medical illness. Hyperuricaemia was significantly related to renal impairment and to the use of diuretics, but to no other recognized associations of gout, including typical or atypical joint symptoms. 'Routine' measurement of serum uric acid alone or as a component of biochemical profiles in acute illness in the elderly appears unjustified, particularly since raised levels may encourage inappropriate use of urate-lowering therapy.