AN ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SKIN RESISTANCE SWITCH

A touch operated switch is described that uses a simple skin resistance detection circuit. This ‘isometric push-button” type switch has no moving parts, is noiseless, and absorbs the minimum of energy from the subject. It was primarily designed for psychophysiological experiments where an operant response is required.     

Locus ceruleus somata contain both acetylcholin esterase and norepinephrine: direct histochemical demonstration on the same tissue section

In the same brain section stained first for catecholamines and then for acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7), it was found that neuronal somata in locus ceruleus containing norepinephrine also contained the cholinergic degradative enzyme. Cell body shapes were fusiform, pyramidal, round, or oval. Maximum soma extent ranged from 10--40 micrometers, with the proportion of large diameter neurons increasing, and the smaller diameter cells decreasing, from rostral to caudal cerulear levels. Medium-sized neurons were roughly constant throughout the nucleus. Acetylcholinesterase may be associated with cerulear somata and proximal processes containing norepinephrine to inactivate a cholinergic input to that structure.     

Experimenter and Subject Sex Effects In the Skin Conductance Response

The present study was designed to determine the significance of the experimenter's sex on the subject's skin conductance responsiveness and to ascertain the nature and extent of sex differences in basal skin conductance, skin conductance response (SCR) magnitude, and spontaneous skin resistance (SRR) activity. The responses of 30 male and 30 female Ss were recorded by 3 male and 3 female experimental assistants. Following a brief adaptation period, all Ss received 20 5-sec bursts of 75 dB white noise. Variable stimulus intervals were employed. Male Ss serving in the female E condition evidenced significantly higher basal conductance levels and a more rapid decrease in basal conductance levels over trials. Skin resistance response magnitude data showed a significant Experimenter Sex X Trials interaction such that all Ss serving in the female E condition failed to habituate. An analysis of spontaneous SRR activity showed that Ss serving in the other-sex E condition emitted more spontaneous responses. All Ss showed a significant decrease in spontaneous activity across trials.     

中药青蒿中青蒿素的脉冲极谱测定法

本文研究用脉冲极谱法测定中药青蒿中青蒿素的含量。青蒿素是从青蒿常见品种黄花蒿中分离得到的抗疟有效成分,结构中有过氧桥,根据过氧桥可还原的性质,能用极谱法测定。本试验选用0.05M硫酸铵为底液,青蒿素于0 V(vs SCE)处出现一良好峰形。浓度在0～6μg/ml范围波高与浓度呈线性关系。测定下限为2μg/ml。生药用石油醚(bp 60～90°)提取后,直接取提取液置极谱池中,挥去石油醚,加2 ml冰醋酸溶解样品,再加入底液进行测定。方法快速、简便、特异,误差在2%以内。     

Metabolic, endocrine, and drug-induced interference with pituitary function tests: a review.

Data are summarized concerning some common disease-induced and drug-induced alterations of pituitary function tests. These factors must be kept in mind in order to avoid errors in the diagnosis and treatment of pituitary disease.     

Verapamil therapy for Prinzmetal's variant angina: Comparison with placebo and nifedipine

This study was performed (1) to assess the efficacy and safety of verapamil in patients with variant angina, and (2) to compare verapamil and nifedipine in patients with this clinical syndrome. In 27 patients, placebo and verapamil were administered in a long-term, randomized, and double-blind study of 9 months' duration. In comparison to placebo, verapamil reduced the frequency of angina, nitroglycerin usage, transient episodes of electrocardiographic S-T segment deviation (as assessed by 2-channel Holter monitoring), and hospitalisations required for clinical instability. Subsequently, 23 patients were treated with nifedipine in a nonblind fashion for 2 months, and this agent exerted a beneficial effect similar to that of verapamil. Finally, gated equilibrium blood pool scintigraphy, performed in 10 patients at rest and during exercise during treatment with placebo, verapamil, and nifedipine, demonstrated that neither calcium antagonist caused a deterioration of left ventricular performance. Thus, (1) long-term oral verapamil and nifedipine are each superior to placebo and are of similar efficacy in patients with variant angina, and (2) neither agent adversely influences left ventricular performance in patients with relatively normal left ventricular function.     

A minicomputer approach to consultation-liaison data basing: Pedagog-Admin-CLINFO

Minicomputer systems have been designed for researchers who have no prior computer experience and, therefore, require no computer training, that is, programming knowledge. Such systems allow immediate access to the data, their retrieval, reduction, and analysis, and the retention of direct control over the data base by the researcher. In addition, CLINFO offers a wide range of calculations and statistical procedures. The three-dimensional, time-oriented data-base format of CLINFO allows for a longitudinal study of a particular variable, and its repeated measure over time in the same patient. This system has been adapted for use in the consultation-liaison setting to provide pedagogic, research, and administrative functions from a field-tested data base.     

Use of oral VP16-213 as primary chemotherapeutic agent in treatment of gestational trophoblastic disease

Thirty-seven patients with persistent or metastatic gestational trophoblastic disease were treated with oral etoposide (VP16-213). All responded well and achieved permanent remission. The hematologic toxicity was mild. Alopecia was present in all patients. Etoposide is an effective drug against trophoblastic disease. In patients who have received chemotherapy for long periods oral etoposide would eliminate the problem of venous access.     

The treatment of benign thyroid disease

The treatment of benign forms of thyroid disease is reviewed. Endemic goiter is a public health problem preventable by the addition of iodine to the food or water supply. Endemic and familial goiters are treated with replacement doses of I-thyroxine, as are sporadic colloid goiters and goiters resulting from chronic thyroiditis. Hyperfunctioning autionomous nodules without thyrotoxicosis and cystic nodules require no specific therapy. Prophylaxis against diffuse or nodular goiter after radiation to the head or neck for therapeutic purposes with thyroxine replacement therapy is debatable. All forms of hypothyroidism, including incipient types, require replacement thyroxine therapy, but this should be undertaken cautiously in older patients and in those with evidence of ischemic myocardial disease. Myxedema coma requires vigorous treatment and detailed supervision because of dismal mortality rates. Iodine 131 is the treatment of choice in diffuse toxic goiter, but alternative forms.