Success and failure among male and female Navy paramedical specialists

A comparison of the sexes in Navy Hospital Corpsman (HM) and Dental Technician (DT) rating groups showed that men and women entering these Navy paramedical specialities differed on a number of background, aptitude, and personality dimensions. The same proportion of men and women completed training in the HM group, but significantly more DT women completed training thand did DT men. The proportion of men and women who were still in the Navy one year after completion of training was the same in both rating groups. Among those who failed to complete training, the women were more likely than the men to be in the Navy one year later. These findings show that women were just as successful as men in both of these rating groups when success is defined as completion of training and remaining on active duty for a period of one year after completion of training. The results are contrary to those of earlier Navy studies which showed higher discharge rates and lower reenlistment rates for women than for men. It is suggested that the results may represent changes in values, role, and expectations for the sexes, and changes in Navy policies for women.     

Furazolidone in the treatment of giardiasis

Summary Furazolidone (Furoxone) was used in the treatment of 10 children and adults withGiardia lamblia enteric infection. An analysis of the symptomatology and roentgenologic and laboratory findings characterizing the infection is presented.Clinical and microbiologic cures were obtained in 7 patients after 7 days' treatment, while 2 patients required a second course and 1, a third course of therapy for eradication of the infection.Furazolidone was found a valuable agent for the treatment of giardiasis.     

Antibodies to human influenzavirus neuraminidase (the A-Asian-57 H2N2 strain) in sera from Australian pelagic birds

Sera collected from Australian pelagic birds specifically inhibited the neuraminidase of the Asian/57 (H2N2) strain of human influenzavirus. Neuraminidase inhibition titres of some sera were high and the avidity of the inhibitor was comparable to that of specific antibody. The neuraminidase of A/Hong Kong/1/68 (H3N2), which has undergone considerable antigenic drift in man since 1957, was inhibited to a lesser extent by the bird sera, while the neuraminidases of the A/BEL/42 (H0N1) and A/FM/1/47 (H1N1) strains were not inhibited at all. The inhibitor could be removed from the sera by adsorption with A/57 virus particles, but not by particles of A/BEL or A/FM1 viruses. These results suggested that the inhibitor in the bird sera was specific antibody. The antibodies to A/57 neuraminidase were found in sera from wedge-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) and noddy terns (Anous minutus) nesting on islands off the north-east coast of Australia. They were not found in sera from bridled terns (Sterna anaetheta) or brown gannets (Sula leucogaster) nesting on the same islands. Antibodies to A/57 neuraminidase were also detected in sera from short-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus tenuirostris), which migrate around the Pacific Ocean, suggesting that these birds may be responsible for bringing avian influenzaviruses from areas in the Northern Hemisphere into Australian coastal waters.     

Coeliac disease with severe hypogammaglobulinaemia.

A patient with severe late onset primary hypogammaglobulinaemia developed coeliac disease. The case illustrates that coeliac disease can occur in the virtual absence of local antibody production by plasma cells in the mucosa of the small bowel. Furthermore, our inability to demonstrate specific cellular immunity to a subfraction of gluten raises doubts about the relevance of immunological reactions in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease.     

A study of synthesis of DNA,RNA, protein,and oxygen uptake in segments of the rat pancreas

The determination of whether metabolic homogeneity exists in an organ is of importance to both the clinician and investigator. These studies examine synthesis of DNA, RNA, protein, and oxygen uptake in the three anatomical segments of the rat pancreas. There was rather close agreement among the three segments insofar as these metabolic measurements were concerned. We concluded that there is metabolic uniformity in the rat pancreas and that measurements obtained in one segment reflect activities in the other two segments.This work was supported by the Veterans Administration (MRIS 0082 and 9274) and Research Grant AM 13131 from the National Institutes of Health.