Proliferative response of human CD4+ T lymphocytes stimulated by the lectin jacalin

The Gal beta(1-3)GalNAc-binding lectin jacalin is known to specifically induce the proliferation of human CD4+ T lymphocytes in the presence of autologous monocytes and to interact with the CD4 molecule and block HIV-1 infection of CD4+ cells. We further show that jacalin-induced proliferation is characterized by an unusual pattern of T cell activation and cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). A cognate interaction between T cells and monocytes was critical for jacalin-induced proliferation, and human recombinant interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 did not replace the co-stimulatory activity of monocytes. Blocking studies using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) point out the possible importance of two molecular pathways of interaction, the CD2/LFA-3 and LFA-1/ICAM-1 pathways. One out of two anti-CD4 mAb abolished jacalin responsiveness. Jacalin induced interferon-gamma and high IL-6 secretion, mostly by monocytes, and no detectable IL-2 synthesis or secretion by PBMC. In contrast, jacalin-stimulated Jurkat T cells secreted IL-2. CD3- Jurkat cell variants failed to secrete IL-2, suggesting the involvement of the T cell receptor/CD3 complex pathway in jacalin signaling. IL-2 secretion by CD4- Jurkat variant cells was delayed and lowered. In addition to CD4, jacalin interacts with the CD5 molecule. Jacalin-CD4 interaction and the proliferation of PBMC, as well as IL-2 secretion by Jurkat cells were inhibited by specific jacalin-competitive sugars.     

Genes stimulated by tissue hypoxia

Hypoxia is a frequent pathogenetic stimulus to which the whole organism as well as affected tissues and cells respond by various adaptive mechanisms. The basis of these reactions is the ability of cells to monitor the concentration of oxygen molecules by oxygen sensors. Some of these reactions are the result of the association of the oxygen sensor of the cell with its genome. This association makes it possible to enhance the activity or activation of some genes. Products of these genes increase the resistance of cells to hypoxia, they induce an increased vascularization of the affected tissue, increased erythrocyte production and some other reactions. In tumour hypoxia can cause by this mechanism changes of its properties and its malignization.     

Artistic creation as stimulated by superimposed versus combined-composite visual images.

Assessed the creative role of homospatial thinking in visual art among 39 art students. To compare the creative effects of visual elements occupying the same space with identical elements arrayed in a combined foreground and background organization, Ss viewed either superimposed slide images or the same slide images constructed into a figure–ground composite. Both groups produced 3 drawings stimulated by the slide stimuli, and these drawings were independently judged by 3 art experts. Drawings produced by the group exposed to the superimposed images were rated higher in creative potential than those stimulated by the figure–ground controls. Results extend previous experimental findings of a tendency toward homospatial thinking in creative individuals in literature and visual art. (39 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Artistic creation as stimulated by superimposed versus separated visual images.

Each of 43 university-level art students produced 3 drawings stimulated by pairs of slides. Ss were randomly assigned to view the pairs either superimposed on one another or separated on the screen. Drawings were independently judged by 2 internationally noted artists. As predicted, drawings containing an element from each component image intermingled were higher in creative potential when stimulated by the superimposed presentation; however, when sketches from either condition did not clearly contain images from both slides, the separated image presentation yielded the more creative result. Although results favor the hypothesis in part, the overall ambiguity of the data illustrates some of the difficulties in studying creative thought processes under experimental conditions. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Biomagnetic neurosensors. 2. Magnetically stimulated sensors

We report the generation of action potentials in crayfish neurons by magnetic pulses for analytical purposes. A copper wire toroid, containing a ferrite core, was placed around the nerve bundle, and square wave current pulses were sent through the wire to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field generated an action potential in the neuron that was detected downfield by a pickup microelectrode. The biosensor was used to detect local anesthetics by monitoring the time necessary for complete blockage of the action potential. Techniques for improving the efficiency and lifetimes of neural biosensors are discussed.     

A response to my critics.

The author responds to criticisms and personal attacks in defense of his recent controversial article on a critique of relational psychoanalysis. Critics (see records 2006-03254-013; 2006-03254-014; 2006-03254-015) charge that Mills fails to live up to scholarly standards, uses rhetorical devices to unjustly discredit certain relational authors, takes clinical material out of context, and has committed unethical and libelous acts. Mills attempts to show that these criticisms largely lack solid rationale, distort or ignore crucial textual evidence, rely on ad hominem arguments and emotional polemics, and fail to convince the author of their genuine merit. He denies all accusations of professional misconduct and draws into question the political motives and intellectual honesty of some key figures identified with the relational turn. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A response to a comment.

Argues that R. Rianoshek's (see record 1981-05481-001) commentary fails to address itself to the basic thesis in the author's (see record 1979-28675-001) article on "Psychology and the American Ideal." This thesis is briefly reexamined. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A courteous response to Sohn.

Responds to D. Sohn's (see record 1986-11847-001) criticism of flaws in the present author's (see record 1983-32694-001) study to test an achievement motivation nomological network. The present author agrees with Sohn's criticisms, but asserts that his study still has something to offer other researchers. (2 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A response to Crittenden's comment.

Refutes R. L. Crittenden's (see PA, Vol. 51:Issue 2) critique of R. Graff, MacLean, and Loving's use of multiple linear regression analysis in their comparative study of reciprocal and reactive inhibition therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A novel wound dressing with an antibiotic delivery system stimulated by microbial infection

The aim of this study was to develop a new wound dressing with controlled release of antibiotics only in the presence of infection. In the first experiment using an infected dorsal pouch of rats, exudate containing proteinases from pouches contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed significantly higher hydrolytic activity toward Boc-Val-Pro-Arg-MCA than that from noninfected wounds. The authors then developed a new type of wound dressing (AGX), a drug delivery system in which gentamicin is bound to polyvinylalcohol hydrogel through an enzymatically degradable peptide linker containing a -(D)-Phe-Pro-Arg-sequence. To investigate in vitro effectiveness, AGX was incubated with exudate from S. aureus infected or P. aeruginosa infected wounds. Gentamicin was selectively released from AGX in the presence of the exudate from S. aureus infected or P. aeruginosa infected wounds, but was not released in the presence of exudate from noninfected wounds. Next, AGX or the polyvinylalcohol hydrogel that served as control was incubated with S. aureus in the presence of human plasma. After 24 hours, S. aureus concentration was markedly lower in the case with AGX than in that with polyvinylalcohol hydrogel. These results indicate that proteinases from wounds infected with S. aureus or P. aeruginosa cleaved the linker and gentamicin was released.     

Immunity to Trichinella spiralis. VII. Resistance stimulated by the parenteral stages of the infection

In three experiments mice were given three intravenous injections of Trichinella spiralis newborn larvae produced in vitro. Following a challenge infection of newborn larvae the mice were shown to be on the average 85% resistant i.e., only 15% of the challenge larvae developed to encysted muscle stage larvae in these mice; when the challenge consisted of normal muscle larvae administered per os, the mice were 51% resistant. Neither the number nor longevity of adult worms in the intestines was affected by this immunization procedure.     

A "pure" measure of perceptual defense uncontaminated by response suppression.

"Using a tachistoscopic recognition technique, an experiment was designed that provided measures both of 'perceptual defense' and of response suppression. The 'perceptual defense' measure could be corrected by the response suppression measure to yield a 'pure' perceptual defense measure. With this method, it was found that Ss scoring high on the Hy scale of the MMPI demonstrate a significant perceptual defense effect over and above a response suppression effect, when confronted by words preselected so as to be emotional for each S individually. It is therefore concluded that perceptual defense effects cannot be accounted for entirely on the basis of response suppression." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A verbal response model of assertiveness.

Investigated the effect of a verbal response model of assertiveness with 25 nonassertive female nursing students (mean age, 26 yrs). The model is composed of 3 verbal components presented in a systematic training program. Ss were randomly assigned to 3 groups: the assertive training group, the attention control group, and the no-treatment control group. The assertive training group learned and practiced the model. All groups were posttested on the College Self-Expression Scale, on responses to written situations, and on 2 scores of a videotape role-playing situation. Significant differences were found between the assertive training group and the attention control group and between the assertive training group and the no-treatment control group, but not between the attention control and the no-treatment control groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A response to Clark and Elliott.

Comments that problems with the experimental design and procedures may threaten the internal and external validity of the study by L. Clark and S. N. Elliott (see record 1989-24134-001) examining knowledgeable teachers' evaluations of pretreatment acceptability and perceived effectiveness of 2 social skills treatment procedures. Suggestions are given for increasing the study's validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)