In vivo X-ray fluorescence of lead in bone using K X-ray excitation with 109Cd sources: radiation dosimetry studies.

Independent experiments have been performed at two centers, to evaluate the dosimetric properties of their respective 109Cd K X-ray fluorescence (XRF) bone lead measurement systems. Measurements were made of the dose to several points on the skin on the lower leg, at the surface of the tibia, in the red marrow tibia cavity, at the midcalf, and in the abdominal region occupied by the conceptus. Overall agreement between the two data sets was found. Similarities and differences are discussed. The effective dose values for an in vivo measurement of tibia lead concentration in 1-, 5-, and 10-year-old and adult subjects were calculated from one data set to be 1100, 420, 190, and 34/38 (male/female) nSv, respectively, for an in vivo median precision (one standard deviation) of 4.9 micrograms Pb (g bone mineral)-1 for a 30-min adult measurement.     

The applicability and utility of the MMPI-based offender classification system in a correctional mental health unit

This study investigated the applicability and utility of Megargee and Bohn's MMPI-based offender classification system in correctional mental health units (MHUs). Previous studies found that 11 MHU samples (n = 1723) had substantially more offenders classified in the more pathological MMPI types than did 21 samples (n = 5881) drawn from general male populations in US prisons. In this study of 63 severely disturbed felons, 43% belonged to the most pathological type (‘group How’). Comparing MHU patients with general offenders from the same IvfIvIPI types on staff ratings and case history variables, we found that the MHU patients were significantly poorer in adjustment. Within the MHU sample, there was no difference in case history variables or adjustment ratings between those in the most and least severe MMPI types. These findings differed from those of studies using less severely disturbed, more heterogeneous, MHU populations. It was concluded that, in settings in which the entire population is flagrantly disturbed, the MMPI-based system is more useful in screening potential admissions than it is in making meaningful distinctions among those already admitted.     

The clinical use of nuclear exercise tests.

In the mid-1970s, after decades of clinical use, the utility of electrocardiographic exercise testing for the evaluation of patients with suspected ischemic heart disease was critically examined and questioned. Concurrent with this critique, two sophisticated, more expensive and powerful "nuclear" exercise tests were introduced sequentially for clinical use: myocardial perfusion imaging with thallium-201 and radionuclide ventriculography with technetium 99m. The published indications for the two tests are similar, and both have been shown to offer advantages over ECG stress testing in selected populations. However, few data are available regarding the comparative utility of thallium versus ventriculographic imaging. As part of a prospective study to assess the efficacy of cardiovascular nuclear medicine studies, we undertook the present analysis to assess the clinical evolution of these tests and to elucidate factors responsible for clinicians' choice for the often competing examinations. The study examined 213 consecutive patient referrals for thallium scintigraphy and 183 referrals for ventriculography, ranging from patients with no symptoms or highly non-specific chest pain syndromes (21% of referrals) to patients with proven coronary disease (28% of the referrals). Twenty-one percent of patients were referred to confirm the clinical impression that the patient did not have coronary disease, 40% to confirm its presence, and 37% to determine its severity. Analyses were undertaken to determine the factors that dictated a preference for thallium scintigraphy rather than ventriculography; only the physician's intent in testing and level of training were significant predictors for a particular nuclear test.     

Progress in Rhesus Histocompatibility Typing Resulting from the Second International Nonhuman Primate Histocompatibility Workshop (1973)

The Second International Nonhuman Primate Histocompatibility Workshop permitted comparison of rhesus monkey alloantisera developd in various laboratories on a single common panel of related and unrelated monkeys. Analysis of the data permits the conclusion that at least nine specificities are recognized by more than one laboratory, including six at the first locus and three at the second locus.     

Ramification of the portal vein at the porta hepatis in humans

The ramification of the portal vein at the porta hepatis was studied by anatomic dissection performed in 32 formalin fixed human livers. In all the specimens there were branches which ran towards the caudate lobe, arising from the portal vein and either from the left or the right portal branches. Tri-and quadrifurcation of the portal vein was observed. In 5 cases (16%) there were branches arising from left portal branch or portal vein and directed anteriorly to the quadrate lobe or to the region of the gall-bladder sulcus. These branches ranged from 1.0 to 6.0 mm in diameter. The portal caudate branches were divided into 3 groups.Group 1: Branches to the papillary process; 1 or 2 branches in 26 cases (82%), 3 or 5 branches in 3 cases (9%) and no branches in 3 cases (9%);     

Inhibition of the Mixed Lymphocyte Culture Response by Antibody Following Successful Human Renal Transplantation

Immunoglobulin G, appearing after several months in the serum of a recipient of a successful kidney transplant from a closely matched sibling donor, was demonstrated to progressively inhibit unidirectional mixed lymphocyte cultures when donor lymphocytes were used either in responding or stimulating cell populations. The active recipient IgG had no effect in cultures in which donor cells were not used, nor did IgG obtained from other individuals show nonspecific inhibitory effects on cultures containing donor cells. It is suggested that the MLC inhibitory immunoglobulin may serve an immunoregulatory function after renal transplantation.