Termination Of Treatments Research Articles

Changing Roman Catholic attitudes toward termination of life-sustaining treatments.

Changing Roman Catholic attitudes toward termination of life-sustaining treatments.

ENHANCED GROWTH AND EXPERIMENTAL METASTASIS OF CHEMICALLY INDUCED TUMOR IN ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATED SYNGENEIC MICE

Abstract— Recent studies have shown that ultraviolet (UV) irradiation induces a systemic effect which enhances subsequent tumor induction by benzo[a]pyrene in a manner which is dependent on the dose of benzo[a]pyrene. The present study was designed to test whether UV-B irradiation renders mice susceptible to subcutaneous or intravenous injection of a regressor tumor induced by benzo[a]pyrene. The sources of UV-B irradiation were banks of 6 Westinghouse FS-40 sunlamps, situated 20 cm above the mouse cages. Female BALB/cAnNHsd received five 30-min dorsal UV-B radiation treatments per week for 12 weeks, resulting in a total dose of approx. 6.4 × 105 J m-2. Two to seven days after termination of UV treatments, syngeneic regressor tumor cells (BP2) induced by benzo[a]pyrene were injected subcutaneously or intravenously into irradiated mice and unirradiated controls. By 38 days post subcutaneous implantation, 24/30 and 3/30 BP2 implants were detectable in the irradiated and unirradiated mice, respectively. Ultraviolet irradiated mice were also unable to reject lung colonies resulting from intravenous administration of BP2 cells, although they were rejected by unirradiated mice. The mean number of lung colonies per mouse was 16- to 35-fold greater in UV irradiated mice than in unirradiated controls, at 14 to 17 days post injection. Thus, UV irradiation rendered mice, with no known exposure to benzo[a]pyrene, susceptible to a subcutaneous or intravenous injection of a regressor tumor induced by benzo[a]pyrene.

Electrophysiological evidence for terminal sprouting of locus coeruleus neurons following repeated mild stress

To see if repeated mild stress causes plastic changes in central noradrenergic terminal axons, the density of terminal axons arising in locus coeruleus (LC) neurons of rats was quantified by antidromic stimulation technique. After the termination of stress treatments (immersion in warm water for 10 min daily) for 1 or 2 weeks, electrophysiological experiments were performed under urethane anesthesia. The frequency of LC neurons activated antidromically from the cerebral cortex increased in rats stressed for 2 weeks but not for 1 week. Since the increased frequency of antidromic responses was not due to a change in terminal excitability, the change observed here is considered to be morphological (terminal sprouting) rather than a physiological consequence. The results suggest that LC neurons dynamically alter their terminal morphology in response to environmental stimuli.

Position of the Uppermost White Bloom Defined by Node Counts as an Indicator for Termination of Insecticide Treatments in Cotton

Late in the season, the cotton plant ceases initiation of new branches, severely reduces fruit initiation on existing branches, and sheds many flower buds and small bolls. Plants exhibiting these characters are said to be cutout. The potential for additional harvestable bolls is restricted shortly before and after cutout. Management decisions to apply insecticides in late season should consider that many fruits will shed during plant cutout and that fruit already on the plants may not have sufficient growing conditions for maturation of fiber. One indication that plants are approaching cutout is white blooms on branches near the top of the plant. Use of the number of nodes between the uppermost white bloom and the first unexpanded mainstem leaf to assess cotton status and onset of cutout is described. The number of blooms retained (set) and the number of set blooms becoming harvestable bolls were summarized for intervals between average node counts. The interval between an average node count of four (rounded to nearest whole number) and the last bloom in a field had the lowest number of blooms, set blooms, and harvestable bolls than any other interval. The lint contribution to overall yield of harvestable bolls in the interval was estimated to be <1%. That percentage of yield would not return the cost of insecticide application(s) intended to protect blooms set during the interval between a node count of four and the last bloom in a field. Rather, late season insecticide applications should be made only to protect bolls set before an average node count of four. Use of node counts will help establish the timing of late season applications. Experience shows that a boll 16–18 days old is safe from attack by small and medium-sized Heliothis spp. larvae and safe from severe attack by boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, adults. With our proposed procedure, insecticide would be applied as needed during a 10-day period for control of established Heliothis spp. larvae and during a 16-day period as needed for control of boll weevil adults after the field averaged four nodes between uppermost white bloom and first unexpanded mainstem leaf. Use of the node count procedure would be a valuable addition to cotton pest management programs through more cost-effective use of insecticides late in the season without a major loss of yield.

Hormonal induction of incubation behavior in ovariectomized female turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo).

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of estradiol benzoate (EB), progesterone (P), ovine prolactin (oPrl), or their combinations on temporal patterns of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and Prl and on nesting behavior in adult ovariectomized female turkeys. Levels of serum LH were initially reduced (p greater than 0.05) by the steroid treatments, while continuation of treatments induced surges of LH to levels comparable to pretreatment levels. Administration of steroid increased (p less than 0.05) levels of serum Prl, which persisted until termination of treatments. Administration of oPrl had no effect on levels of serum LH but blunted the steroid-induced release of Prl. Neither EB, P, nor oPrl treatments alone nor a combination of EB + P elicited nest occupation. Nest occupation was observed after administration of P only in turkeys pretreated with EB. Administration of oPrl maintained and advanced the P-induced nesting to persistent nesting behavior (incubation behavior). Once persistent nesting behavior was established, hormonal treatments were terminated, yet nesting behavior was maintained and serum samples showed increasing levels of Prl and decreasing levels of LH. It is suggested that incubation behavior in the female turkey is facilitated by the combined action of estradiol, P, and Prl.

Medical hypophysectomy: I. Dose-response using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist

The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis can be "dissected" in a nonsurgical and reversible fashion by the administration of a potent gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist. We created a transient, functional lesion at the level of the pituitary gonadotrope by using a potent GnRH antagonist ([ Ac- pClPhe1 , pClDPhe2 , DTrp3 , DArg6 , DAla10 ]-GnRH). In long-term castrate cynomolgus monkeys, doses of 0.05 to 2.0 mg/kg/day intramuscularly were administered for a total of 32 days. At doses up to 0.2 mg/kg/day, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in circulation were only moderately suppressed; these subjects responded to an estradiol challenge by manifesting an LH elevation or surge within 48 hours. At doses of 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg/day, FSH and LH secretion was suppressed to or below the limits of assay detection within 7 days, remaining in a severely hypogonadotropic state for the remainder of the treatment interval. Using 2 mg/kg/day, estradiol-positive feedback for midcycle-like LH/FSH surges was fully inhibited. This suppression of gonadotropin secretion was rapidly reversible, in that circulating gonadotropin levels had returned to pretreatment castrate levels within 60 days after termination of GnRH antagonist treatments. These findings suggest that potent GnRH antagonists can effectively create a hypogonadotropic milieu without the initial enhancement of gonadotropin secretion that occurs during initiation of GnRH agonist therapy. "Medical hypophysectomy" through GnRH antagonist administration may permit a more direct and controlled approach to gonadal therapies such as ovulation induction.

Response of Corn and Soybeans to Soil vs. Foliar‐Applied Salts of Cooling Tower Origin

AbstractField studies were conducted on corn (Zea mays L.) and soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] during 1976 and 1977 to acquire information on the response of crops to saline aerosol deposition near brackish water cooling towers in combination with salt accumulation in the soil.Salt treatments imposed included preplant soil applications equal to 0, 14, 28, 56, and 112 kg NaCl ha−1 and foliar applications of brackish cooling tower water as saline aerosol drift equal to 0, 34, and 68 L ha−1 d−1. Total soluble salt in the foliar treatments averaged 23 ± 3 g L−1, with average weekly salt deposition rates of 0, 3.8 ± 0.6, and 7.6 ± 1.2 kg ha−1. Information on elemental contents in leaves at flowering, leaf injury ratings, and grain yields were obtained. Information on extractable P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na plus electrical conductivity (EC) and pH of 0‐ to 15‐cm soil samples was obtained in October 1977 following two summers of treatments on the same plots and again in April 1978.For both crops, leaf Na and Cl, metabolic index, leaf injury ratings, and grain yields were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by foliar salts in both years. However, soil salt treatments influence only leaf Cl contents and metabolic index values. Grain yields were reduced an average of 10 and 9% of controls at the highest foliar salt rate in corn and soybeans, respectively.Significant (P ≤ 0.05) increases in extractable Na in soils were found with foliar salt treatments. Increases in extractable Ca and pH (P ≤ 0.05) and K, Mg, and Na (P ≤ 0.1) were observed with increased soil salt rates. However, no differences were found among soil chemical parameters 8 months following the termination of the foliar treatments. The soils data suggest that salt deposition within 10 km of the Chalk Point cooling towers would cause minimal impact due to the sandy textures of the soils and annual rainfall in excess of 100 cm yr−1.

Alterations in lymphocyte homing patterns within mice exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

This report presents the results of an investigation designed to establish whether exposure of mice to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is capable of influencing the factors that control the distribution of lymphoid cells in vivo. We found that such exposure resulted in a dramatic and long-lasting increase in the tropism of peripheral lymph nodes for circulating lymphoid cells. Termination of UVR exposure did not result in a reversal of this phenomenon. Since an increase in lymphocyte migration into the lymph nodes of UVR-exposed mice was apparent within 2 hr of infusion of the radiolabeled cells, we conclude that the homing assay data reflect a relatively increased binding of circulating lymphocytes to high endothelial venules (HEV) within the lymph nodes of irradiated animals. A histologic analysis of skin from UVR-exposed mice established that the dermal microvasculature had expanded in terms of size and number of vessels, a condition that also does not completely reverse after the termination of treatments. In spite of the increase in dermal microvasculature, very few inflammatory cells were detected in the irradiated skin site. These observations support our conclusion that the enhanced traffic of lymphocytes into peripheral lymph nodes of UVR-exposed mice occurs primarily via lymphocyte-HEV interactions rather than afferent drainage of the irradiated skin.

THE FEEDING OF FERMENTED COLOSTRUM TO NEONATAL CALVES. I. THE EFFECT OF INOCULATION OF COLOSTRUM ON ITS STORAGE CHARACTERISTICS AND ON CALF PERFORMANCE

Colostrum inoculated with Streptococcus lactis (treatment A), mixture of Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus (treatment B), Lactobacillus acidophilus (treatment C), naturally fermented (treatment D) and kept fresh (treatment E) was used in laboratory storage trial and without treatment E in calf feeding trial. Both trials were aimed at better control of the fermentation process of colostrum and improving its acceptability and nutritive value as the main feed for calves up to weaning. The fermentation, as indicated by pH and titratable acidity changes, was most effectively controlled by an early inoculation with S. lactis, although it had no effect on mold and yeast contamination. The use of this culture produced better (P &lt; 0.05) overall daily gains (582.0 and 434.0 g for treatments A and D, respectively), higher (P &lt; 0.05) daily consumption of starter feed (1131 and 893 g for treatments A and D, respectively) and lowest incidence of watery diarrhea in the calf feeding trial. In the laboratory storage trial, it resulted in highest (P &lt; 0.05) levels of residual lactose in the fermented product (3.41, 1.61, 1.63 and 3.15% for treatments A, B, C and D, respectively). Early development of high acidity (below pH 4) in colostrum treated by a mixed culture of L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus or by L. acidophilus led to premature termination of both trial treatments due to total refusal of colostrum by calves. However, both products were free of mold and yeast contamination for the duration of 25-day storage. To assure high palatability of colostrum and minimize acid sensitive contamination, it appears that fermentation should quickly lower and then maintain the pH within 4–4.5.

Court intervention and the diminution of patients' rights: the case of Brother Joseph Fox.

Quinlan, Saikewicz, Spring, Fox — names announced in headlines and flashed on TV screens — were patients whose terminal illnesses were removed from the privacy of the family and made the subject matter of protracted legal battles. Their cases raise anew the question of the court's role in termination of life-supporting treatments. The most recent of these cases, that of Brother Joseph Fox, is one of the most unsettling. Fox was an 83-year-old religious brother from Chaminade High School in Mineola, N.Y., who entered Nassau Hospital for a routine hernia operation. During the course of that operation, he had severe . . .

Microwave irradiation and lipid metabolism in mice

A total of 154 male mice of the DBA strain was exposed during a three‐day period for nearly 60 hours to 2.45‐GHz microwaves in multimode cavities or in an electrically anechoic chamber. The estimated effective CW power density in the cavities was 3.3 (±2) mW cm−2; that in the chamber, 4 (±2) mW cm−2. Sham‐irradiated controls numbered 126. Two hours after termination of treatments, mean serum levels of triglycérides were elevated by 30% and 55%, respectively, in cavity‐ and chamber‐irradiated mice. Commensurate elevations of β‐lipoproteins were also observed. While rectal temperatures were not reliably elevated during the exposures, the absence of dosimetric data coupled with the likelihood that resonant absorption took place requires circumspection in interpreting the generality of the data for exposure of man.

Effects of parachlorophenylalanine on ethanol self-selection in the rat

The efficacy of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) in producing conditioned taste aversions and unconditioned avoidance of ethanol was investigated in two experiments. It was found that administering PCPA to rats having free access to a saccharine solution and water produced robust aversions to saccharin that extinguished within 6 days after termination of the PCPA treatments, thereby indicating that PCPA can produce conditioned aversions to substances consumed during its administration. In a second experiment, intraperitoneal injections of PCPA and/or ethanol given to rats not having access to ethanol were found to produce no change in their subsequent ethanol preferences. The results support the contention of earlier investigators that the reported effects of PCPA on the rat's preference for ethanol may have been due largely to the animals acquiring conditioned aversions to ethanol during PCPA treatments.

Ovarian and Pituitary Hormones in Blood of Progestogen-Treated Ewes

Estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), progesterone, LH and prolactin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay in blood plasma samples from parous ewes treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) or melengestrol acetate (MGA) orally, with MAP by intravaginal sponge, or progesterone by intramuscular injection. Treatment was begun on Day 10 of the estrous cycle and continued for 14 days. Blood samples were collected daily from Day 10 through 13 of the estrous cycle for untreated ewes and from Day 10 through 23 for progestogen-treated ewes, after which the frequency of blood collection was increased to 6-hr intervals until 48 hr after the beginning of estrus. Corpora lutea (CL) regressed, as indicated by a reduction of plasma progesterone concentration, between Day 13 and 15 of the estrous cycle. As soon as the CL regressed, LH (P<.01) and E2 concentrations increased linearly with time in untreated ewes and in ewes still under treatment with MGA or MAP orally or with progesterone intramuscularly. The increases were not found in ewes treated with MAP intravaginally. After termination of progestogen treatments on Day 23, plasma E2 increased (P<.01) further, followed by a LH surge 73.8 ± 3.3 hr after the last progestogen administration. For the untreated ewes, E2 concentrations rose sharply (from 5.8 pg/ml to 22.0 pg/ml) during the 48-hr period before the preovulatory LH surge; this E2 secretion for untreated ewes (response slope of 5.4) differed (P<.01) from those of the progestogen-treated ewes (response slopes of 1.8 to −.4). Estrone secretion paralleled E2, but the E1 concentrations were about one-third of the magnitude.

EFFECTS OF CHILLING DURING DORMANCY ON DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERMINAL BUD OF THE CRANBERRY

Exposure of the cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. cult McFarlin to an accumulation of chilling temperatures below 7 C was required to break dormancy of the terminal bud. Dormant mixed-terminal buds that were not exposed to chilling temperatures did not initiate new growth even under long photoperiods. The number of days to bud break after termination of the chilling treatments was reduced as the length of the chilling treatments was increased. Rate of growth and final shoot length were also affected, but were more dependent on postchilling conditions than on the length of chilling. Chilling periods of 100 days or more were required for the induction of floral development. Chilling for less than 100 days usually resulted in vegetative growth only. Bud break after 125 days of chilling was more rapid when cyclic chilling conditions included a period of approximately 10 C during the day. The floral primordia of terminal buds in the field recommenced development in late February or early March and were well differentiated by the end of April.

The Response to Epsom Salt Sprays of Mature Apple Trees of Three Varieties on Two Contrasting Rootstocks

SummaryMature trees of Beauty of Bath, Tydeman’s Late Orange and Laxton’s Superb on M.VII rootstock, growing under commercial-type conditions, were severely deficient in magnesium as shown by leaf analysis and typical symptoms. Five sprays yearly of 2% Epsom salt (MgSO4.7H2 O) raised the concentration of magnesium in the leaves and largely eliminated symptoms: the concentrations of calcium and, to a lesser extent, of potassium in leaves were reduced. Over six years, there was little effect of Epsom salt on growth as measured, but crop weight was increased by 19–39% according to variety: this was largely, but not entirely, due to increase in fruit set. The proportion of fruit that dropped was decreased for Beauty of Bath and for Tydeman’s Late Orange sprayed with Epsom salt and the weight per 100 fruits of the late varieties Tydeman’s Late Orange and Laxton’s Superb was increased. Untreated trees on M.II rootstock, in contrast to those on M.VII, showed almost no foliar symptoms of magnesium deficiency, made more growth and produced larger crops; the concentrations of magnesium and calcium in the leaves were higher whereas potassium was usually lower. Epsom salt sprays did not increase growth or cropping; indeed, there was a tendency for sprays to reduce the crop weight of Beauty of Bath on M.II, indicating that they should not be used indiscriminately.Epsom salt foliar sprays increased the “available” magnesium in the soil to a level considered to be medium—high; this effect was mainly shown in the top 6 in. of soil and gradually diminished to the 18–24 in. zone. Nevertheless, in the year following the termination of treatments, the proportion of foliage affected in Laxton’s Superb on M.VII, previously sprayed with Epsom salt, was almost as great as that of untreated trees and the concentration of magnesium in the leaves was as low. It appeared that magnesium in the soil did not reach the leaves.The increase in “available” magnesium due to sprays was greater in soil carrying trees on M.II than M.VII, a result probably due to the extra quantity of spray required for these larger trees.

Studies on the delaying of chrysanthemum flower by the spray of the growth substances. (III)

In the previous papers the auther reported that growth substances may be successfully used for delaying flowering of chrysanthemum. The present study deals with the effects of combined applica-tion of electric light and auxin on delaying flowering and on flower characters. In the light culture of chrysanthemum, the light effect for delaying flowering decreases with an increase in distance from the light source due to the reduction in light intensity. If the auxin supply complements the deficiency of light intensity, then its application would be an advantageous method to save the cost of electric equipment. The variety “December King”, which is popularly cultivated by delaying its flowering for winter sale in Japan was used in this study. “Yellow Boyce”, which is a mid-season autumn variety and is not suitable for delaying was added for compari-son with “December King”. The materials were propagated by cuttings on July 11, planted in 6 inch pots on Aug. 4, and pinched on Aug. 14. Three shoots were selected for every plant. Total materials were divided into three lots each containing 13 pots. In each lot, pots were arranged in a row which extended from under the lamp to 3.2 meters away, and were labelled with no. 1, 2, 3, ……13. These pots were placed in the green-house which was heated with an electric cable after early January. The intensity of illumination from the 80 W Mazda lamp decreased from 60 lux nearest for the lamp to 2 lux at a distance 3.2 meters away. The first lot was applied with 50ppm of NAA, the second lot with 100ppm of NAA, and third lot was control. The auxin was supplied at every three day intervals. The long day (17 hrs.) and auxin treatments were started on Aug. 25 and ended on Oct. 10. At the termination of both treatments slight inhibition of growth of plants of “December King” was seen in the lot with 50ppm of NAA and heavy inhibition in the lot with 100ppm of NAA. However, with “Yellow Boyce” heavy inhibition seen in both of the treated lots. In this variety was the treated plants did not differentiate flower buds and showed the rosette habit after the termina-tion of treatments. Budding date, flowering date, . height of plant, number of leaves and flower size, , etc. were recorded. The experimental results on “December King” are summarized as follows: (1) The budding dates of control plants were delayed according to the position in relation to the light source. In the control, the budding date in the 10th pot was Oct. 12, while in the first pot which was placed nearest for the lamp, it was Nov. 16. With 50ppm of NAA the date of budding was delayed 17 days in the 13th pot, and 5 days in the first pot in comparison with the 13 th and the first pot of control respectively. However, they were delayed at the same rate in all plants applied with 100ppm of NAA. (2) The date of flowering in the treated plants were delayed according to the delay in bud-ding compared with control, however, those of the first pot treated with 50ppm of NAA and control were the same. (3) In the control and 50ppm of NAA lots, it was observed that the earlier the flowering date the shorter is the stem length. After the termina-tion of auxin spray all inhibited plants recovered their growing power and elongated. (4) There is no difference in number of florets among the flowers which opened before the last of December, but the flowers opened after late January had slightly fewer florets. (5) The differences in stem length, flower size, number of florets and number of leaves be-tween the treated lots and control were not' re-markable. From these results, it may be conclud-ed that, the application of auxin for delaying chry-santhemum flowering is practical. However, it is important to select a variaty which grows vigorously.

Development of sarcomas in Marshalbino mice following injection of desoxycorticosterone acetate in sesame oil.

SummaryTwenty-four mice of the Marsh-Albino strain were injected daily for a period of 3 months with desoxycorticosterone acetate (0.2 mg/0.1 cc) in sesame oil. Of these, 1 was killed 3 months after termination of treatment but showed no evidence of tumor, while 9 others, killed 6 months after termination of treatments had subcutaneous tumors of two histological types, fibrosarcoma and myosarcoma. The remaining 10 mice are still alive; all show gross evidence of tumor formation, which became evident 6 months after completion of treatment.

Roentgen Therapy in Fibromyomata and Other Benign Gynecologic Cases

THE clinical conclusions herewith presented are based on results observed not only immediately after the termination of treatments, but, also, after several years have elapsed. We have treated a total of 596 cases which properly come under this title, including eighteen miscellaneous ones not described. Of this total, only eleven persons seem to be hopelessly lost. The majority of cases we have been able to follow for from one to five years, and in a surprisingly large group, from five to twelve. A woman who is well after so many years furnishes almost conclusive evidence of the permanent value of the treatment. From our records, from the physician referring the case, from the patient or her family we have made these estimates, which, while far from absolute, conform more or less exactly with those of many roentgen therapists in Europe and America. Technic Through the years our technic has proven itself to be safe and efficacious. We still hold to the low voltage (100–120 kilovolts), to the cross-fire met...