The effect of serotonin and transcapillary pressure on the capillary permeability in the rete mirabile of the eel (Anguilla vulgaris l.)

A frame of reference for studying human disease is presented. An individual's social behavior serves as the orienting theme. Special forms of social behavior are in effect what tie an individual to his physical and social space, and alterations here can lead to disease. Causes of disease can thus be linked to behaviors of the individual. Although associated with basic changes in the psysiologies and chemistries of the individual, disease invariably comes to affect the individual's behavior and adaptation. Different ways in which such behavioral changes can be conceptualized are discussed. The individual relies on these behavioral changes as the data for evaluating his disease and deciding about medical treatment. A model of how an individual processes information about illness and makes decisions designed to alleviate his condition is presented. Finally, the rationale and value of keeping behavior and adaptation in mind when studying disease are discussed.     

Acute renal failure: a study of the course and prognosis of 104 patients and of the role of furosemide

Cortisone, aldosterone or nialamide was administered to adrenalectomized or sham-operated rats for 7 days, and methamphetamine was injected 24 hrs after the last injection of these compounds. Stereotyped head movement and licking activity were scored 5 min, 30 min and 60 min after methamphetamine injection and, in parallel brain methamphetamine levels in similarly treated rats were measured 5 min, 30 min and 60 min after the methamphetamine injection. Adrenalectomy depressed stereotyped head movements but enhanced the brain amphetamine accumulation. Nialamide but not the hormones further increased the amphetamine accumulation in adrenalectomized rats. No drugs had any effect on the amphetamine-induced head movement suppressed by adrenalectomy.     

Articular cartilage transplantation

This report describes the biopsy findings in four of 30 patients treated with cadaver osteochondral shell allografts for osteoarthritis in the knee. This study demonstrates that graft cartilage cells can survive in excess of 25 months, and that host bone can completely replace graft bone by creeping substitution. An inflammatory reaction in synovium and bone marrow was found in only one of four cases. Graft failure was related to prolonged down time of donor cartilage in one case and mechanical factors related to osteoarthritis in the apposing femoral surface in other cases. The clinical success of these grafts is attributed to the prolonged viability of cartilage cells, the capacity of host bone to join graft cartilage without histologic reaction, and the host's immunologic tolerance, which obviates the need for immunosuppressive therapy.     

Immunoglobulin levels in psychiatric patients

In a study of 19 schizophrenic patients, 7 nonschizophrenic patients, and 31 controls, the authors found significantly higher mean serum levels of 1) immunoglobulin A in schizophrenic women then in control women and in schizophrenic blacks than in either schizophrenic whites or black controls. 2) immunoglobulin D in schizophrenic blacks than in schizophrenic whites, 3) immunoglobulin M in controls than in nonschizophrenic patients, and 4) immunoglobulin G (IgG) in schizophrenics whose urine was positive for phenothiazines than in schizophrenics whose urine was negative for phenothiazines. High serum levels of IgG were associated with no or mild hallucinations and low levels with moderate or severe hallucinations. Black female patients had significantly more severe hallucinaions than white female patients. The authors discuss the possible implications of these findings.     

Gamma-aminobutyric acid: selective inhibition of electrically induced head-turning following intracaudate administration

GABA selectively antagonized head-turning elicited by electrical stimulation of the caudate nucleus in the rat when applied directly to the site of stimulation utilizing an electrode-cannula. Pretreatment with picrotoxin, a GABA antagonist, prevented the action of GABA on the head-turn response. This report provides in vivo evidence that GABA may play an inhibitory role in basal ganglia function. The findings are relevant to basal ganglia disorders in man.     

Topotecan for the treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: an open-label phase II study in patients treated after prior chemotherapy that contained cisplatin or carboplatin and paclitaxel

PURPOSE: Topotecan, a topoisomerase I inhibitor, was evaluated in a multicenter, phase II study of women with epithelial ovarian carcinoma who relapsed after one or two prior regimens that included platinum and paclitaxel. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Topotecan 1.5 mg/m2 daily was administered as a 30-minute infusion for 5 consecutive days on a 21-day cycle. Eligibility criteria included bidimensionally measurable disease, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 or less, and adequate bone marrow, liver, and renal function. Efficacy was assessed by independent radiologic review. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine patients were treated; 81% were platinum resistant. Sixty-two patients had received one prior regimen and 77 patients had received two prior regimens. Nine patients were not assessable for response; however, all patients were included in the response analysis. The overall response rate was 13.7%; 12.4% in platinum-resistant and 19.2% in platinum-sensitive patients. Stable disease lasted at least 8 weeks in 27.3% of the patients. The median duration of response and time to progression were 18.1 and 12.1 weeks, respectively. The median survival was 47.0 weeks. Grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 82% of the patients (34% of the courses) and thrombocytopenia in 30% of the patients (9% of the courses). Infectious complications occurred in 6% of the courses. Nonhematologic toxicities were mild. There were no drug-related toxic deaths. CONCLUSION: As a single agent, topotecan has modest activity in women with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma who have progressed or not responded after one or two prior regimens with platinum and paclitaxel. Further investigation of combination regimens is indicated in the primary therapy for ovarian cancer based on the mechanism of action and tolerability.