The effects of visual surround eccentricity and size on manual and postural control

The aim of this study was to compare two different modes of behaviorally-oriented therapies for dental fear. The subjects were chosen consecutively from the waiting-list of a Dental Fears Research and Treatment Clinic. In addition, a control group was selected from patients treated under general anesthesia to compare levels of dental and general fear with the experimental groups. Twenty-two women, with a mean age of 31.8 yr, were included and randomly assigned to two groups. The median time of avoidance of dental care was 9.5 yr. One group received hypnotherapy (HT) and one group a behavioral treatment based on psychophysiological principles (PP). Both therapies included eight sessions followed by standardized conventional dental test treatments. Pre- and posttreatment measures were dental fear, general fear, mood, and patient behavior. Nine patients were not able to conclude the treatment sessions (6 HT and 3 PP); these patients did not differ significantly from the remaining patients before treatment. The PP group reported a statistically significant decrease in dental fear as well as a rise in mood during dental situations, as opposed to the HT group. General fear levels decreased but not significantly. Eleven patients completed conventional dental treatment according to a dentist's behavioral rating scale, indicating that they were relaxed, and no problems occurred during the treatments. These patients were referred to general practitioners within the community dental service. In conclusion, this small size study showed that a majority of the patients, who accomplished the behavioral therapy and the dental test treatments, became less fearful of dental care and were able to manage conventional dental care, including changing dentist.     

Resection of a vertebral hemangioma after preoperative embolization. Case report

Preoperative arterial embolization of a vertebral hemangioma allowed surgical excision of the vertebral body, restoration of normal anatomic continuity of the spinal canal, and improvement in myelopathy.     

Stimulation of peptide elongation by thyroxine

This study suggests that thyroxine stimulates peptide elongation in a cell-free rat liver polyribosome system. The thyroxine effect persists in the presence of sufficient aurintricarboxylic acid to prevent polyuridylic acid-stimulated peptide initiation. In addition, thyroxine stimulates elongation of pre-existing polyphenylalanine chains providing conclusive evidence that the effect does not depend on peptide initiation. Thyroxine does not stimulate release of nascent peptides from ribosomes into the supernatant phase of the reaction mixture. Therefore in this protein-synthesis system the thyroxine effect is expected to occur at one or more of the reactions of peptide chain elongation, which include aminoacyl-tRNA binding, peptide bond synthesis and translocation.     

Reovirus antibodies among animals in Taiwan

Serum specimens for reovirus antibody survey were collected from 60 pigs, 50 buffalos, 30 rabbits, 30 guinea pigs, 20 albino rats, 60 Swiss mice, 15 Taiwan monkeys, 14 goats and 12 dogs. Serum antibodies were measured by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. HI antibodies to reovirus were found in a high percentage of pigs, albino rats, Swiss mice, dogs and goats, and less frequently in rabbits, guinea pigs, Taiwan monkeys and buffalos.     

Hypnotizability and phobic behavior

Hypnotizability ratings of 24 phobic patients interested in the therapeutic use of hypnosis were compared with those of an equal number of smokers keen to quit smoking through hypnosis. The mean Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale score of phobics was 8.08 on a 12-point scale. The mean of smokers was 6.08. The difference was significant beyond the .01 level (two-tailed). Thirty percent of smokers were essentially nonresponsive. No phobics were nonresponsive. Those with multiple phobias scored more highly than those with a single phobia. These findings are in accord with the view that among psychiatric patients whose hypnotizability is assessed in a treatment context, hysterics are most responsive. The implications both for theory and for a specific treatment strategy are discussed.     

Endogenous reproductive hormones and nocturnal rhythms in partner preference and sexual behavior of ATD-treated male rats

Male rats received subcutaneously silastic capsules, containing the aromatase inhibitor 1,4,6-androstatriene-3,17-dione (ATD), shortly after birth. Control males were given silastic capsules containing cholesterol. The capsules were removed at the age of 21 days. In adulthood, blood serum was collected early and late in the dark phase of the light/dark cycle (experiment I). Testosterone and luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) fluctuated nocturnally, both in ATD and control males, with highest levels late in the dark phase. FSH levels were significantly higher in ATD males. Nocturnal levels of inhibin, a selective suppressor of pituitary FSH secretion, also fluctuated in both ATD and control males, with lowest levels late in the dark phase. In experiment II, ATD and control males were tested for partner preference behavior in a three-compartment box (choice: sexually active male vs. estrous female) early and late in the dark phase. When gonadally intact, ATD males, but not controls, showed a clear nocturnal rhythmicity in partner preference behavior and sexual behavior. Early in the dark phase, such ATD males preferred the vicinity of and interaction with a sexually active male. Late in the dark phase, this preference for the active male shifted to a preference for the estrous female. Control males preferred the estrous female. After castration and subsequent treatment with testosterone via silastic capsules, which ensured constant blood serum levels, ATD males continued to show their nocturnal rhythms in partner preference behavior and in sexual behavior. Thus, the underlying mechanism of the nocturnal rhythmicity phenomenon is an organizational effect of neonatal ATD treatment rather than an activational effect of fluctuating serum hormone levels.