Quantitative distribution of AChE-positive neurons in the hippocampus of young and aged rats.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive neurons were counted in the different layers of the rostral (septal) third, the middle third and the caudal (temporal) third of the hippocampus from 3 month (young) and 27 month old rats (aged) using AChE stained cryostat sections. The rats were treated with 3 and 2.5 mg of diisopropylphosphofluoridate/kg body weight, respectively 3 h before sacrifice. The study showed -1) a high numerical density of AChE-positive neurons (10.9 to 18.9 perikarya/mm2) in the hilus (fascia dentata), the str. oriens/pyramidale of CA1 and the subiculum, a particularly low density (less than 0.1 perikarya/mm2) in the str. granulosum and moleculare of the dentate area; -2) a significant (p less than 0.05) linear increase of the numerical density in most of the hippocampal layers from the rostral to the caudal pole; -3) no significant differences between young and aged animals; - and 4) a higher sensitivity to DFP-treatment in aged than in young animals. The distribution of AChE-positive neurons corresponds with the distribution of somatostatin-immunoreactive neurons described in the literature. A modulatory effect on neurotransmission is discussed as a possible function of the AChE in peptidergic neurons.

Prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy in middle-aged men according to various ECG-VCG techniques.

The prevalence rates of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) were studied in a middle-aged male working population using the Minnesota code, an automated processing of the orthogonal leads, and the Pipberger program. These various methods resulted in significant differences in prevalence rates. The odds ratios and relative differences were calculated for each method in subgroups according to the presence or absence of personal antecedents of arterial hypertension. For detecting LVH, the orthogonal criteria are superior to the other methods. The concordances between methods are low overall, leaving the question open as to the independent prognostic value of each method.

The orthogonal Frank electrocardiogram in 70 well-trained athletes.

Interpretation of the vectorcardiogram in athletes requires normal values based on quantitatively analyzed data obtained in large groups of athletes. Frank electrocardiograms of extensively trained white athletes aged 23 +/- 5 years were analyzed by computer. Different sport disciplines were included. Tables are provided describing the results for the complete group of 70 athletes (A), respectively indicating the difference between 27 footballers (F) and 16 endurance athletes (E). A critical comparison with two control groups is also discussed, as for other purposes, vectorcardiograms had been collected in healthy non-trained young men, respectively 68 medical students (MS) and 63 nurse students (NS). The following figures may serve as an example to illustrate the difficulty of constituting and using similar normal limits in athletes: mean QRS spatial maximal amplitude (mV.) was respectively 1.82 (MS), 2.03 (NS), 2.17 (A), 1.97 (E), 2.29 (F). It can often be hazardous to attribute certain deviations of electrocardiological measurements to training effects in the athlete.

The orthogonal Frank electrocardiogram in 257 nurse students.

It has clinically well been recognized that the vectorcardiogram in younger patients often shows characteristics that are largely different from the figures obtained in general adult populations. Well documented information on VCG parameters in younger subjects is scarce; the present paper deals with a report on 194 white females and 63 white males, aged 18-25 years. Data were analyzed using the Pipberger program 3.6, and also statistically compared to the classical Pipberger standards. Some parameters (e.g. QRS duration) show different values typically in females, as well in our group of young females as in the reference Pipberger group; other measurements (e.g. Q/Rz amplitude ratio) are specifically deviated in the young population and a pronounced anterior displacement of QRS is regularly observed here. It appears remarkable that QRS amplitude in the young age groups is significantly higher than in the general Pipberger groups only when examined in the inferior direction. The 96% range limits found in this study resp. in young males, and in young females, for the QRS spatial maximal vector (3.08 resp. 2.61 mV) and for RX + RZ (3.22 resp. 2.45 mV) can be taken into account for considering LVH in youngsters.

Blood-pressure response to swimming in ice-cold water.

The cardiovascular responses to cold were studied in a group of 28 subjects who enjoyed swimming in ice-cold water in winter ("ice-bears"). History and clinical examination had revealed no abnormalities except hypertension (180/105 mm Hg) in 1, while 3 other subjects had a diastolic value of 95 mm Hg. Systolic blood-pressure increased significantly while the subjects were waiting undressed in cold air in the cabin by the pond. Neither immersion nor swimming in the ice-cold water caused further increase in systolic blood-pressure, and diastolic blood-pressure showed only a modest rise. 4 min later, blood-pressure had returned to control values. Electro and vector cardiographic signs remained unchanged. Although very high pressures were recorded in several subjects, no signs of left ventricular hypertrophy or of cardiovascular of cerebrovascular damage could be detected.

Serial electrocardiograms in hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

A graphic method for depicting serial changes in electrocardiograms is described and demonstrated for patients being treated in an antihypertension clinic. For these patients, the diagnostic categories, normal, left ventricular hypertrophy, and biventricular hypertrophy, are of primary interest. For each electrocardiogram, 14 measurements are used to compute posterior probabilities for each of the three categories. A triangular grid is used to plot each set of probabilities for an electrocardiogram as one point, which by its position in the triangle can be related to the three categories simultaneously. Points representing successive electrocardiograms can be plotted in the same triangle, giving a pattern of change with time. This pattern of change has been corroborated with associated clinical information on a number of patients. This display, which can be produced quickly and efficiently on a computer graphics terminal, should be considered as a possible tool in evaluating the status of individual hypertensive patients in terms of increase or decrease of ventricular hypertrophy and the efficacy of therapeutic measures.

Diagnosis of myocardial infarction by the orthogonal vectorcardiogram.

From the literature concerning the electrocardiological diagnosis of myocardial infarction, data are reviewed illustrating the role of the scalar orthogonal approach by the Frank system. Special attention is drawn to the Q/R ratio as a parameter. Criteria for the most frequent differential diagnoses are summarized in a practical way. The importance of the concepts sensitivity and specificity is stressed, while statistical methods for establishing the value of parameters are discussed. Results of multivariate analysis are indicated.