In 12 epileptic patients suffering from "absences" 8-channel EEG was recorded by telemetry. The autoregressive model was applied to the signal and the prediction coefficients being the basis for calculation of the poles of the predictor. The location of the poles in the z- and s-planes was described as a function of time for 0.1 s steps along the pre-seizure EEG. In 10 of the 12 patients, and in 25 of the 28 recorded seizures this presentation of the poles of the predictor showed specific pattern linked with the occurrence of the seizure. The trajectory of the "most mobile pole" during the pre-seizure period could aid in the prediction of the seizure by several seconds.

In a study of chronic lead intoxication in mature chickens, blood lead levels were significantly lower in hens than in roosters receiving the same oral dose of lead. It was then shown that eggshells from lead-treated hens contained 6-12 times the lead concentration of eggshells from control hens. Similarly, the lead content of egg yolks from treated hens was significantly higher than yolks from controls. Lead-treated hens laid significantly more eggs during the period of observation of nearly 3 years because of the increased frequency of laying cycles, which was almost three times that of control hens. A further observation was histologic damage to the mature testes of the rooster.

Populations of single neurons in visual cortex, middle suprasylvian association cortex, and brain stem of cat show greater variance of spontaneous discharge rates during waking than during sleep; this change in variance occurs in the absence of significant changes in mean discharge rates. Neurons which discharge rapidly during sleep tend to discharge even more rapidly during waking, whereas neurons with relatively low rates of discharge during sleep tend to have reduced spontaneous activity during waking.

The results of evaluation of the autonomic nervous system of a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are presented. As previously reported, parasympathetic function and sympathetic adrenergic function were normal as assessed by cardiovascular reflexes. However, a disturbance in sympathetic cholinergic function as measured by the sympathetic skin response was demonstrated. We suggest that the latter test be included in all electrophysiological evaluations of autonomic function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

An 11-year-old boy was hospitalized with sudden blindness and sagittal sinus vein thrombosis, which were the presenting signs of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). The association of disseminated intravascular clotting (DIC) with APL is well-known, and DIC usually affects the smaller blood vessels. The obliteration of a large blood vessel, as in our case, is an uncommon manifestation of DIC. This presentation of acute childhood leukemia is unusual and, to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously reported.

No abstract

Computerized analysis of polygraphic sleep recordings was carried out for the evaluation of midazolam, a benzodiazepine hypnotic. The analysis was carried out in real time on a small laboratory computer, and the output included the hypnogram and relative power profiles for the main electroencephalogram activities. Analysis showed a slight "intranight rapid eye movement rebound" during medication and reduction of sleep stage IV after withdrawal. The relative power of the delta frequency band did not change during medication or withdrawal.

We studied the incidence and mortality of stroke in northern Israel to determine possible reasons for the differences previously found in mortality from this condition between the sex and ethnic groups in Israel as a whole. We identified 1,149 cases of stroke during 1984. While the age-standardized incidence was higher in men, the case-fatality rate was twice as high in women. After controlling for ethnic origin, we found that incidence was higher only in men of Western origin, while the female rates were higher in women of Asian and North African extraction. The case-fatality rate was substantially higher in women in all ethnic groups. These differences, especially in relation to the case-fatality rate, have important implications for health services in relation to both possible preventive action and to management of the acute disease phase. (Stroke 1989;20:725-729) P revious studies have shown that the agestandardized mortality from stroke in Israel among Jews is higher among women than among men. This finding holds true for each of the three major ethnic groups (those born in Western countries, in Asia, or in North Africa 12 ) ( Figure 1) and is in contrast to published data from most other countries, in which mortality is higher among men. In addition, there are clear differences in mortality among ethnic groups in that both men and women of North African origin have the highest and immigrants from Europe and other Western countries the lowest rates, while the rates of those of Asian extraction fall between the two extremes.When considering the reasons for these differences in mortality, two possibilities need to be taken into account. One is the difference in incidence rate among the three ethnic groups; another is the difference in case-fatality rates among the ethnic groups, which results in a mortality differential even when the incidence is similar. Further-