Volume 94  ·   Issue 05  ·  1981

Average spectral curves can be used to examine, compare and record certain characteristics of the singing voice. The objective measurements are consistent with subjective hearing. The B and K type 2113 sound spectrometer (Denmark, filter band width 1/3 octave) was used to carry out a series of filter analyses of the human voice throughout its singing range. Its sound spectra vary when enunciating different vowels and with the pitch and vocal method. In a well trained singer using European singing methods the sound spectral curves vary regularly with the rise in pitch. The total frequency bands and the first and second formants are widened9 the valleys become shallow, high frequency overtones increase and the curves of different vowels are approximate. Therefore the sound quality becomes richer, brighter, stronger and more resonant, but the phonetics gradually blur.

With successful production of a safe, economical hepatitis B (HB) vaccine, the authors recommend large scale immunization programs to control the disease.

Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare and low grade malignant neurogenic tumor of the olfactory region. There is no sign of nasal disturbance, only exophthalmia, loss of vision and eye pain. The patient was sensitive to radiation, so with early tumor recurrence he soon died of cranial metastasis.

A case of double cervix adenocarcinoma is reported. It occurred in a 21 year old woman with vaginal bleeding of 25 days' duration.

This article reports the results of electron-microscopic studies of the etiology of platelet aggregation in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). The author observed 62 patients, 45 were given traditional Chinese medicine to stimulate circulation and resolve stasis (SCRS) and the effects are compared with those in 73 normal subjects as controls. Both platelet aggregation and count were higher in the sick than in the controls and the difference was significant. Taking 25% as normal aggregation, 28 patients exceeded it and were more liable to thrombosis. Traditional'Chinese medicine resolution of platelet aggregation was demonstrated by contrasting observations before and after medication. This experiment proves that platelet aggregation plays a definite role in causing CRVO and that antiaggregation drugs are beneficial.

The transsphenoidal approach for removing intrasellar tumors is reappraised through long-term follow up of 17 cases operated on by this technic. The length of postoperative survival of these cases ranged from<0.5-14 years. 8 patients died. The causes of early death (3 cases) included 'meningitis and intracranial hemorrhage and of late death lobar pneumonia, pulmonary TB, etc. Intracranial hemorrhage and suppurative meningitis (2 operative complications) are discussed.

55 cases of acute miliary tuberculosis (AMTB) in adolescents and adults are analysed and the results of chemotherapy and its combination with corticosteroid therapy are compared. While the incidence of primary tuberculosis in young children has greatly decreased, AMTB incidence is rising in adolescents and adults.

Recent progress in the surgical treatment of carcinoma of the esophagus may change somewhat the pessimistic philosophy for this malignancy. The results of l,647 cases are encouraging though not satisfactory. With reasonably early diagnosis, proper selection of patients, good pre- and postoperative care, and judicious use of radiation and other adjuvant therapy, further improvements in both palliation and curability of this disease are possible.

66 chloroquine resistant cases in a series of 158 falciparum malaria patients are 100% clinically cured with hydroxypiperaquine phosphate.

Hydroxypiperaquine phosphate is more effective than chloroquine with few and mild side effects.