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.     

The oxytocin challenge test

In a group of 152 high-risk pregnancies, 266 oxytocin challenge tests were reviewed. There were 137 patients with persistently negative oxytocin challenge tests with only one false-negative test being recorded. Fifteen patients who displayed a positive test at some time in their antepartum course are discussed along with other aspects of the oxytocin challenge test.     

Device to limit inflation of a pulmonary artery catheter balloon

OBJECTIVE: The most serious complication seen with pulmonary artery catheters is rupture of the pulmonary artery. The effectiveness of an external safety balloon added to the pulmonary artery balloon inflation port was tested. DESIGN: The external balloon is designed to inflate and absorb excess volume from the inflation syringe after the internal balloon contacts the vessel wall. When the catheter tip is in a small pulmonary artery, expansion of the external balloon indicates that the catheter tip is in a noncompliant or small vessel. SETTING: The external balloon was tested in a bench simulation. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The pulmonary artery balloon was slowly inflated inside 2.6-, 3.0-, 4.7-, 8.6-, and 11.6-mm internal diameter polyvinyl chloride tubes, with and without the external safety device in place. Without the external balloon, the average balloon pressure was 1647 +/- 145 (SD) mm Hg in the 2.6-mm vessel. With the external balloon in use, the maximum pulmonary artery balloon pressure was 473 +/- 7.2 mm Hg in the 2.6-mm vessel. CONCLUSIONS: The external balloon can limit balloon pressures within the pulmonary artery and identify when excessive volumes are being forced into the pulmonary artery balloon.     

Headache characteristics in subarachnoid haemorrhage and benign thunderclap headache

One third of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (ASAH) present with headache only. A prompt diagnosis is crucial, but these patients must be distinguished from patients with non-haemorrhagic benign thunderclap headache (BTH). The headache characteristics and associated features at onset in subarachnoid haemorrhage and benign thunderclap headache were studied to delineate the range of early features in these conditions. In this prospective study, one of two observers interviewed 102 patients with acute severe headache by means of a standard questionnaire. The patients were alert on admission and had no focal deficits. ASAH was subsequently diagnosed in 42 patients, non-aneurysmal perimesencephalic haemorrhage (PMH) in 23 patients, and BTH in 37 patients. Headache developed almost instantaneously in 50% of patients with ASAH, 35% of patients with PMH, and 68% of patients with BTH and within 1 to 5 minutes in 19%, 35%, and 19%, respectively. Loss of consciousness was reported in 26% of patients with ASAH, 4% of patients with PMH and 16% of patients with BTH, and transient focal symptoms in 33%, 9%, and 22% respectively. Seizures and double vision had occurred only in ASAH. Vomiting and physical exertion preceding the onset of headache were more frequent in patients with ASAH (69% and 50%) and those with PMH (83% and 39%) than in those with BTH (43% and 22%). Headache developed almost instantaneously in only half the patients with aneurysmal rupture and in two thirds of patients with benign thunderclap headache. In patients with acute severe headache, female sex, the presence of seizures, a history of loss of consciousness or focal symptoms, vomiting, or exertion increases the probability of ASAH, but these characteristics are of limited value in distinguishing ASAH from BTH. Aneurysmal rupture should be considered even if focal signs are absent and the headache starts within minutes.     

Improved coverage in dynamic contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI using interleaved gradient-echo EPI

An interleaved gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (IGEPI) sequence was modified for and applied to dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging of the heart. Using IGEPI, images with 3.0 x 3.9 mm nominal in-plane resolution are acquired in 100 ms, enabling eight slices per heartbeat for a heart rate of 60 beats/min. The acquisition speed and use of saturation prepulses allows acquisition of short- and long-axis images during the same contrast bolus. IGEPI maintains the acquisition characteristics required for performing a quantitative first-pass perfusion analysis as well as providing improved coverage compared with conventional fast gradient echo.     

Acute extracellular fluid volume changes increase ileocolonic resistance to saline flow in anesthetized dogs

We determined the effect of acute extracellular fluid volume changes on saline flow through 4 gut segments (ileocolonic, ileal, ileocolonic sphincter and proximal colon), perfused at constant pressure in anesthetized dogs. Two different experimental protocols were used: hypervolemia (iv saline infusion, 0.9% NaCl, 20 ml/min, volume up to 5% body weight) and controlled hemorrhage (up to a 50% drop in mean arterial pressure). Mean ileocolonic flow (N = 6) was gradually and significantly decreased during the expansion (17.1%, P < 0.05) and expanded (44.9%, P < 0.05) periods while mean ileal flow (N = 7) was significantly decreased only during the expanded period (38%, P < 0.05). Mean colonic flow (N = 7) was decreased during expansion (12%, P < 0.05) but returned to control levels during the expanded period. Mean ileocolonic sphincter flow (N = 6) was not significantly modified. Mean ileocolonic flow (N = 10) was also decreased after hemorrhage (retracted period) by 17% (P < 0.05), but saline flow was not modified in the other separate circuits (N = 6, 5 and 4 for ileal, ileocolonic sphincter and colonic groups, respectively). The expansion effect was blocked by atropine (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) both on the ileocolonic (N = 6) and ileal (N = 5) circuits. Acute extracellular fluid volume retraction and expansion increased the lower gastrointestinal resistances to saline flow. These effects, which could physiologically decrease the liquid volume being supplied to the colon, are possible mechanisms activated to acutely balance liquid volume deficit and excess.     

Selection for high levamisole resistance in Haemonchus contortus monitored with an egg-hatch assay

To investigate the characteristics of selection for levamisole resistance in Haemonchus contortus, the consecutive nematode generations of an in vivo selection were monitored with a newly developed egg-hatch assay. The in vivo selection was started with a population not previously exposed to any anthelmintics (SHS). At first, the levamisole resistance progressed gradually in successive nematode generations by treating sheep with increasing doses of levamisole, the initial dose being 1 mg kg-1. Treatment with 5 mg kg-1 levamisole resulted, however, in a steep increase of resistance. The selection was ended after six generations, since a level of 30 mg kg-1 levamisole, which is not far from the toxic level for sheep, was reached. The final population, RHS6, was studied in a controlled test. Treatment of RHS6-infected sheep with 30 mg kg-1 levamisole caused an 80% decrease of faecal egg output, and a reduction of 34% in worm numbers. It was remarkable that only the number of female adults was reduced. RHS6 showed a reduced viability, but a fertility similar to the starting population SHS.