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Very late in life, Ansel Adams presented the two basic principles fundamental to his concept of photographic ‘visualization’, the envisioning of the final print prior to the exposure of the film. The first, ‘image management’, the initial step of the visualization process, related to ‘point of view and the optical and camera-adjustment control of the image up to the moment of exposure’. The second, ‘value management’, related to exposure and development of the negative, ‘the score’, as he called it. This precisely controlled negative provided ‘information for the expressive print’, again in musical terms, ‘the performance’. This second principle is better known as the Zone System. These two principles make a concise, symmetrical and quite beautiful exposition of his concept of visualization. But it took a lifetime for Ansel to achieve this simplicity.1

From among the phenomena accompanying electric arc discharges in SF6 attention is paid to the formation of powder products. It is stated that the latter are formed outside the gap area between electrodes and that they are, in the first place, produced by reactions between the most active SF6 decomposition products and the vapours of electrode metals. The process of powder formation is, moreover, affected by the presence of other materials in the reaction area as well as by the gas contamination.

The authors describe changes of surface resistivity rho /sub s/ of epoxy compositions under different conditions, such as the presence of SF/sub 6/ by-products or of air at high and low humidity. Four kinds of alumina fillers were used in the compositions investigated. The main parameters of the fillers and the electric strength and electric surface strength of the compositions are given. For all compositions the change of rho /sub s/ as a function of time was measured. The results confirmed that surface resistivity measurement is a good indicator of changes on the surface of epoxy compositions. >

Clostridium perfringens is commonly present in the female genital tract. Uterine infection with this organism is a potentially fatal disease infrequently seen in obstetric practice. The manifestations of C. perfringens uterine infection are variable, ranging from endometritis to gas gangrene with fulminant septicemia. The usual precipitating event has been septic abortion, but such infections can also occur spontaneously in uterine tumors and after complicated deliveries requiring mechanical intervention. Diagnosis may be aided by radiologic techniques, and treatment involves high-dose penicillin and possibly surgery. We report two cases and review the clinical presentation and the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this disease. Uterine infection with Clostridium perfringens has become a rare occurrence in modern obstetric practice. Most previously reported cases were related to septic abortions [1]. Since therapeutic abortions have become available, however, these infections have become infrequent, with only four postpartum cases reported in the past 30 years [2-4]. We report two

Various physico-chemical properties of films prepared from PP/PE blends are investigated and compared with those of homopolymers. Crystallographic structure and morphology of films are correlated with the properties studied. Special emphasis is made toward investigation of dependences between the structure and the properties: electrical, mechanical as well as water sorption.

A University of Florida Research Team conducted weather radar studies during the summer of 1948 at Wilmington, Ohio. Some results of these studies are presented here. Data were obtained to show the feasibility of using radar for quantitatively measuring the rate of rainfall. Comparisons are made between isohyets obtained by calculations from radar data and those obtained from rain gages. Comparisons are also made between results obtained from 10-cm and 3.2-cm radars.

A histological study of serial sections of 71 right branches of the bundle of His has enabled us to confirm the classical findings, but also lay emphasis on certain facts which are not so well known: --the presence or early collateral branches; --the concept of a septal nerve ending; --variations in its course associated with abnormalities in the relationship of the conus with the inferior part of the septum. Certain embryological and functional implications of these facts are noted.

The endoventricular biopsies of nine patients with alcoholic congestive cardiomyopathy were studied under the light microscope and under the electron microscope. These were compared with the results of nine cases of primary congestive cardiomyopathy, at a similar clinical stage. In the absence of specific signs, the overall appearance on both light and electron microscopy is sufficiently suggestive to allow differentiation of the two forms of cardiomyopathy. Repeated biopsies revealed disappearance of the nuclear abnormalities after withdrawal of alcohol, which introduces a prognostic element.

In three cases collected among subjects with atrial anatomical lesions (two cases of "sinus disease" with partial atrial paralysis and one traumatic lesion of the right atrium in a WPW syndrome), atrial pacing demonstrated a considerable increase of the interval between stimulus and atrial response or intra-atrial Luciani-Wenckebach periods, for slightly increased pacing rates. Conduction changes into the right atrium explain apparently paradoxical variations of the degree of pre-excitation under pacing, in the case of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Reinforcement of a dystrophic aortic ring with a purse string suture makes it possible to obtain perfect coaptation between prosthesis and ring whilst inducing sclerosis. The technique described here was used by the authors in 30 patients operated upon since June, 1980, and none of these needed reoperation for leakage. These results contrast most favourably with those previously obtained in similar anatomical conditions with conventional prosthesis insertion.

Results of arterial surveys on the basis of renal arteriograms in 100 consecutive unselected and hospitalized cases of lone arterial hypertension of the adult. Abnormal polar arteries with direct branching from the aorta were observed in 52 cases, combined with a stenosing or parnechymatous arterial anomaly in 7, quite isolated in 45 cases (61.8 percent of 73 cases). The very great incidence of abnormal polar arteries is a fundamental epidemiological datum of lone arterial hypertension of the adult.

The authors report a recent series of 5 cases with Takayashu's disease and discuss the common pathological presentation of malformations of the arterial trunk, caused by disorderd development of the arterial system or by later segmental arrested development of the large trunks. The disease, which presents in the young adult as a diffuse inflammatory process, is probably auto-immune, but has its foundations in embryonic and foetal development.

The indications for endomyocardial biopsy were evaluated from 116 consecutive cases. The diagnostic value of this invasive but well tolerated procedure was in agreement with data from the literature. An accurate diagnosis, unforseeable in 8% of the patients, was established in 12%. The diagnosis of apparently primary myocardiopathy with ventricular dilatation was confirmed in 45 out of 59 cases; there were 3 cases of myocarditis, 3 cases of restrictive cardiopathy (haemochromatosis, fibroplastic endocarditis) and 1 case of hypertrophic cardiopathy. No tissue abnormality was noted in 6 cases. An accurate diagnosis was obtained by biopsy in 1 case of "eosinophilic lung" without overt cardiac involvement. In malignant diseases treated with anthracyclines in doses reaching maximal theoretical total dosage (30 patients), severe tissue lesions were present in 10% of the cases, incipient haemochromatosis in 16.6% and subendocardial fibrosis in 3.3%. However, total doses of up to 600 mg/m2 could be administered to 90% of the patients. Myocardial lesions could be demonstrated in 1 of 2 patients with collagen disease. Endomyocardial biopsy therefore seems to be justified in myocardiopathies with ventricular dilatation, in some collagen diseases with a tendency to cardiac involvement and to monitor treatment with anthracyclines in total doses higher than the theoretical maximum dosage.

A new case of lymphangio-endothelioma of the nodal tissue is reported. Complete atrioventricular block had been followed up for 20 years. The histological features are described in detail and the embryological origins of the tumour are discussed. This report underlines the exceptional character of this "smallest benign tumour which can be mortal".

In a patient with an AV block and a resulting variable rhythm, the coupled ventricular complexes with dissociated P waves on the standard tracing suggested a reentry into the atrioventricular area. Intracavitary investigation revealed: 1) a complete bidirectional AV block in the upper portion of the bundle of His (there being a proximal His potential with a fixed relationship with the dissociated atrial activity shown on the ventriculogram); 2) escape of the bundle of His low down, or of the beginnings of the branches, preceded by a distal Hispotential; 3) re-entry echos preceded by a third variety of potential in the bundle of His.

Mycobacterium szulgai is an unusual pathogen that accounts for less than 1% of all cases of non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infection. Infections with this organism usually involve the lung but may involve soft tissues. Although similar to tuberculosis in its clinical presentation, infection due to M. szulgai requires different management, and it is therefore important to distinguish disease caused by M. szulgai from that caused by M. tuberculosis. Isolation of M. szulgai implies the presence of clinical disease, and when the organism is identified, treatment based on sensitivity testing should be initiated. Although no standard recommendations for treatment exist, most infections due to M. szulgai have been treated with combined high doses of isoniazid, ethambutol, and rifampin for 18-24 months. M. szulgai has been isolated worldwide; the first case of infection reported from Canada is described, and the clinical presentation, microbiologic diagnosis, and therapeutic management of M. szulgai infections are reviewed.

A round swelling was on the substraction films of the right side of the heart taken during angiocardiographic examination of a patient with mitral valve disease; this suggested a mass attached to the inter-atrial septum, and prolapsing into the auricle of the right atrium. Initial diagnsosi was of atrial thrombosis, but this was disproved at operation. An aneurysm of the membrane of the fossa ovalis was found, being caused by overstretching of the auricle of the left atrium under the increased pressure of the valve defect. The aneurysm was resected and the septum simply repositioned as part of the mitral valve replacement. A search of the literature shows how rare this disorder is, and that it should be reclassified with the abnormalities of the inter-atrial septum which are found only rarely in cases of mitral valve disease.

A case of cardiac failure in a 54 year old man with a diffuse total arteriovenous aneurysm of the liver is reported. The aneurysm was arteriolarvenous, without a wide bore localised fistula. It occupied the whole hepatic mass, including the territories of the right subphrenic and anterior collateral of the gastroduodenal artery. The cause of cardiac failure was the elevated cardiac output, 15 1/min, which fell to 6 1/min at each peroperative occlusion of the hepatic artery. After ligature of this vessel, the cardiac output stabilised at 9 1/min and remained at this value 4 months after surgical cure. This case is comparable to the neonatal cardiac failure due to multinodular hepatic angioma with respect to the clinical, angiographic and CAT scan characteristics, and the surgical cure of the high cardiac output syndrome. Some of the histological features were suggestive, in places, of the structure of hepatic cavernoma, which makes the exact pathological classification of this diffuse aneurysm difficult; the closest possibility being an involuted from of diffuse capillary hemangioma of childhood allowing such long survival and, occasionally taking on the appearances of a cavernoma. Permanent surgical cure by ligature of the hepatic artery was an additional rare feature of this case.

The authors give a basic embriological classification of congenital arterial defects. Congenital abnormalities of the arterial system (arising in an embryo of 12 to 30 mm) affect the primary segments, and comprise excessive involution of the antibrachial trunk, of the popliteal artery, of the tibio-peroneal trunk and peroneal artery, abnormal or persistence of the interosseus artery, of the artery of sciatic nerve, and of the peroneal artery, a high axillary origin of the radial or antecubital artery, renal polar arteries arising directly from the aorta, and agenesis of the palmar or plantar arches. In the second generation arteries, they comprise agenesis or hypogenesis of the radial, antecubital or tibial arteries, and gross hypogenesis of the trunk of the renal artery with an immature kidney. Arrested or mal-development in the foetus can give rise to coarctation and stenosis of the thoracic aorta and large vessels, to segmental agenesis with huge collaterals, to imperforate osita, especially in the mesenteric arteries, to sudden variations in diameter of the renal arteries, and to parietal dyplasia and aneurysms in vessels in the residual undifferentiated mesenchymatous tissue, and diffuse dilatation or stenosis. The authors give their experience for a cardiological clinic, adding arterial hypertension and arterioparenchymatous dysplasia of the kidneys, Raynaud's, Takayasbu's and Burger's disease, and intermittent claudication of the lower limbs; they indicate the areas which they are currently studying.

A female patient of 22 with major hypertension was operated upon for a dyspalastic diaphragm stenosis of the right renal artery; she had otherwise a left lower polar aortic artery. The histological study was under-taken on four comparative biopsy specimens. In the aortic polar artery territory, the signs of atrophic dysgenesis were demonstrated: rarefaction and sclerosis of the glomeruli, sclerosing intretitial infiltration. They reproduce exactly the lesions of immature kidneys described by Marshall.

A syndrome of obstacle to the outflow of the left ventricle was found in a woman with atrio-ventricular block with narrow ventricular complexes. A tuberculoma of the intar-atrial septum was responsible both for the obstacle to left ventricular ejection and for the block which was found to be proximal on microscopic examination.

The term "hemiblock of the left branch of the bundle of His" seems to a histologist to be too precise to be accepted without reservation. Ten cases with septal infarction, with or without left intraventricular conduction problems, were studied by serial sectioning of the heart; these are used as a basis for a discussion of the concepts of electrocardiography, and its implications in the prognosis of patients with myocardial necrosis.

Hypertensives in pregnancy are not so grossly distinct and different from adult hypertensives if reference is made to the underlying arterial anomalies and malformations of the parenchyma and their incidence. It is, however, in this group that the limited way in which the active remnant of parenchyma, once constrained by these anomalies, can compensate for the changes in pressure and volume sensitivity imposed by pregnancy is most evident; these changes may be caused by pyelonephritis of pregnancy (genuine but rare), eclampsia of the primigravida, progressive hypertension in the multigravida, or certain cases of late hypertension, menopausal hypertension, or hypertension as a late result of a simple juvenile eclampsia. This series contains a particularly high percentage (21%) of cases of hypertension due to unilateral renal arterial ischaemia which are curable.

During the course of an aorto-femoral bypass in a normotensive young man, an inferior polar artery arising low on the aorta, and supplying the right kidney, was ligated. The limited ischaemia (demonstrated by later arteriography) of the parenchyma at the pole of the kidney was responsible, during the following weeks, for severe hypertension with a raised level of circulating plasma renin, but one that was rapidly treatable. This finding, which was fortuitous but could be ranked as "experimental", demonstrates the important role of abnormal polar arteries and of the renal parenchyma in human arterial hypertension. Such may, for example, be the underlying disorder in cases of hypertension after the transplantation of a kidney with an "uncontrolled" polar artery arising from the aorta, for the so-called "pyelonephritic" hypertension in pregnant patients caused by defective blood supply in an inter-pyramidal artery and corresponding subcortical infarction of the kidney, and for curing hypertension in the adult when isolated polar arteries arising from the aorta and stenosed at their point of origin are reimplanted into the main renal artery.

The case of a patient with Von Recklinghausen's disease with multiple localisations, cardiac, aortic, pulmonary and renal artery is reported. Neurofibromatosis was confirmed by the presence of a "royal" tumour on the left elbow and of many "café au lait" spots of over 15 mm diameter. There was no craniofacial dysmorphism or intellectual impairment. The karyotype was normal. The cardiovascular lesions comprised: - stenosis of the left renal artery resulting in renovascular hypertension. This was due to pure intimal hyperplasia; - supravalvular aortic stenosis with hypoplasia of the ascending aorta. There was no craniofacial dysmorphism or intellectual impairment. The karyotype was normal. The cardiovascular lesions comprised: - stenosis of the left renal artery resulting in renovascular hypertension. This was due to pure intimal hyperplasia; - supravalvular aortic stenosis with hypoplasia of the ascending aorta. There was no craniofacial dysmorphism or intellectual impairment. The karyotype was normal. The cardiovascular lesions comprised: - stenosis of the left renal artery resulting in renovascular hypertension. This was due to pure intimal hyperplasia; - supravalvular aortic stenosis with hypoplasia of the ascending aorta, severe aortic regurgitation with dilatation of the aortic ring without rheumatic valvular thickening; - supra valvular pulmonary stenosis which was atypical in site, extension and in the absence of post stenotic dilatation. The pressure gradient was mild (22 mm Hg). There was a striking similarity between the pulmonary and aortic lesions. This new syndrome may be classified amongst the genetic cardiocutaneous syndromes such as the Gorlin or "leopard" syndrome, Watson's syndrome and Noonan's syndrome. Unusual features are the absence of craniofacial abnormalities, normal intelligence, and the left-sided dominance aggravated by hypertension due to curable intimal stenosis of the renal artery.

The distribution of lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes in myocardial tissue obtained by biopsies from within the right ventricle can be studied by electrophoresis in a similar manner to that for making serum determinations. Results are comparable to radioimmunologic dosing (Peters) and microelectrophoresis (Schultheiss) and complete the findings obtained from the histological study of biopsied fragments.

The possibility of preexcitation pathways exhibiting automatic activity was demonstrated in 3 cases: in two cases electrophysiological studies supported this diagnosis which was confirmed in the third case by histological examination of the preexcitation pathway. During sinus node dysfunction, spontaneous or induced (by rapid right atrial pacing or by a reciprocating tachycardia), the substitute rhythm arose from the Kent Bundle either transiently or for a longer period: rhythms arising from the Kent Bundle can only be diagnosed after eliminating the possibility of an atrioventricular junctional rhythm conducted to the ventricles by Mahaïm fibres.

Determination of intramyocardial lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and its isoenzymes (LDH 1 to 5) has been conducted on biopsy material obtained from the right ventricle in 18 patients who had received the theoretical maximal dose of anthracyclines. Total LDH activity, expressed in mU/mg of myocardial protein is higher (852.61 +/- 87.98) than in subjects with good left ventricular function (334 +/- 208), p less than 0.02. The activity of LDH 1 is decreased in the treated group, whereas that of LDH 3,4 and 5 is raised: LDH 1 = 41.95 +/- 7.25 per cent instead of 47.76 +/- 7.93 per cent (p less than 0.03); LDH 3 = 15.34 +/- 5.09 per cent instead of 9.18 +/- 4.56 per cent (p less than 0.05). The H/M ratio (H = fractions of heart isoenzymes; M = fractions of muscle isoenzymes of LDH) is decreased in the treated group: H/M = 4.06 +/- 1.13 instead of 5.30 +/- 1.80 (p less than 0.01). When the histological lesions are minimal (stage 1 or 1.5 of Billingham), the H/M ratio is not altered: 4.92 +/- 1.02. When the lesions attain or exceed stage 2, the H/M ratio is significantly decreased: 3.74 +/- 0.82. These results, which indicate an increase in anaerobic metabolism, add quantitative information to the histological study.

Analysis of a further series of 125 consecutive unselected adults who were admitted to hospital with hypertension has advanced the study of arterial abnormalities and parenchymal hypoplasia, as demonstrated by selective renal arteriography, further in the direction of the parenchyma. An index of arterioparenchymal thinning is described. The authors list the features and incidence of polar arteries arising from the aorta (46%), polar arteries of non-aortic origin (31%), stenosing dysplasia (26%) and other arterial malformations, as well as biapical hypoplasia (67%), monofocal hypoplasia (37%), and the main types of renal dysgenesis (30%) which they found. The incidence of these abnormalities confirms the previous study of polar arteries arising from the aorta, and gives much more extensive information on the topic of parenchymal hypoplasia in so-called essential hypertension in the adult.

Changes of the superficial properties of epoxy resin compositions with Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 fillers were investigated in dry SF 6 decomposed under the effect of the electric arc. The influence of electrode material, of small moisture and air content as well as of the presence in the test space of materials containing silicon upon the change of superficial resistivity and the structure of superficial strata and powders deposited on the surface of materials, is examined. It has been stated that the appearance of the minimum resistivity is bound with the formation of a superficial film containing mainly compounds of tungsten disengaged from the electrode material. The presence of silicon has a considerable effect on resistivity.

A homogenous series of 7 consecutive cases of Buerger's disease were investigated and the congenital malformations of the upper and lower limb arterial trunks were classified. These malformations constitute the anatomical basis of Buerger's disease and define an autonomous disease entity. Total supra-malleolar interruption of the main lower limb arteries either by triple vessel agenesis or, more rarely, by femoro-popliteal or popliteal and tibio-peronal agenesis was observed. The appearances of the collateral circulation, already established in utero, are characteristic with long axial spiral-shaped arteries and dependant arterioles maintaining a precarious supply to the distal tissues which may be adequate for many years. The nautral history of the disease is directly related to the malformation of the congenital arterial system of the limbs. Proximal arterial malformative occlusion is the cause of early, inevitable trophic lesions; the spiral-shaped arteries and distal arterioles, which represent the maximal embryonic collateral circulation, limit the area of necrosis and favour healing.

The gas composition analysis of SF5 by-products as a diagnostic method for the surveillance of GCB and GIS operation is considered. The contents of CF4, SOF4, SOF2, SO2 and SiF4 are taken into account as a source of information on the anomalous service conditions. Measurement of the air and moisture content by the chromatographic method is also applied. The correlation between gaseous by-products, surface resistivity of spacers and solid by-products is considered, as well as the possibility to use some information furnished on the nature of reaction between SFg decomposition compounds and solid materials.

The problem of haemolysis was studied in 244 patients with one or two prosthetic heart valves: 232 of these patients had normal valve function as assessed by clinical examination, radioscopy and echocardiography; 112 patients had a Bjork-Shiley (BS) prosthesis, 25 in the aortic position (BSA), 71 in the mitral position (BSM) and 16 in both aortic and mitral positions (BSA + M). These patients were operated between July 1979 and January 1981. One hundred and twenty other patients had Saint Jude medical (SJM) prostheses; 48 in the aortic position (SJMA), 44 in the mitral position (SJMM) and 28 in both aortic and mitral positions (SJMM + A). These patients were operated between January 1982 and July 1983. Twelve patients (operated between 1977 and 1984) had prosthetic valve dysfunction confirmed by angiography or anatomically (SJM = 7); BS = 5). The plasma haemoglobin concentration (pHb) was used as the reference: it was measured by spectrophotometry with a sensitivity of 0.5 mg/100 ml. There was no significant difference the SJM and BS groups at surgery (BS: 4.62 mg/100 ml; SJM: 4.31 mg/100 ml). In the absence of prosthetic valve dysfunction, haemolysis was significantly greater (p less than 0.001) in the SJM (8.28 mg/100 ml) than in the BS (3.08 mg/100 ml). No statistical correlation was observed with the severity of cardiac disease, the aortic or mitral position of the prostheses or with the number of prostheses. Haemolysis was subclinical in all cases. When haemodynamically significant prosthetic valve dysfunction was present, haemolysis was inconstant in BS prostheses (2 out of 5 cases) despite major haemodynamic disturbances in all cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The technique of right endoventricular biopsy by femoral percutaneous path is described based on 300 incident-free samples. Ability to multiply and then repeat sampling supports a method which can be performed at the same time as examination of the conduction channels. This is of diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic and research interest.

A histological study by the method of seriated sections in one case of "double-outlet left ventricle" made it possible to confirm and to describe the embryology of the nodal-His junction: not only the atrio-ventricular node (AV N) but also the His bundle (H) have a double origin, atrial and ventricular. Fusion of these two buds, inexistant in the "lone ventricle" is certainly imperfect. Two macroscopically normal hearts provided examples of nodal buds in one case, of a persisting cleft between the two His buds in the other.

The Cardiac Clinic reports its experience of 16 cases having unilateral curative renal surgery for hypertension in the adult, and has found a particularly high incidence (8 per cent of all cases). A study has been made of the lesions in the malformed and dysplastic renal arteries on the one hand, and of the correspondingly ischaemic and atrophic renal parenchyma on the other. Attention is drawn to the cases of unilateral renal atrophy (50 per cent of cases), the commonest involving gross lymphoplasia of congenital arterial origin. The other cases are of stenotic dysplasias, and special points to notice are the spread of the dysplasia towards the parenchyma, the presence of multiple aneurysms which militate towards nephrectomy, and the relative frequency of dysplasia of the intima (2 cases out of 8).

The suction electrode makes it possible to record the monophasic action potentials (MAP) of the heart in situ. The technical characteristics of the tripolar electrode which we use are described. The O phase of the MAP is more prolonged than that of the intracellular action potential, but makes it possible to demonstrate the time of arrival of the activation wave in front of the exploring electrode. The phase 1-2 and the phase 3 have their characteristic contour in the right atrium and ventricle. The duration of repolarization makes it possible to assess the refractory period of different parts of the atrial and ventricular myocardium. The relatively simple and harmless method of recording of the monophasic action potentials by the endocardial route, both in the animal and in man, widens our investigation field of electrophysiology applied to the study of arrhythmias, of the repolarization disturbances and of the drug influences on the cell activity.