Expedition, experiment and expertise reflected in Robert Koch''s assets]

This article reviews the biology of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and its effect on the process of hematopoiesis. The relevance of the BCR-ABL fusion protein as well as murine models are also discussed. CML has been studied more extensively than any other malignancy, yet the correlation between the clinical symptoms of chronic phase CML and the BCR-ABL oncoprotein is poorly understood. Insights from recent efforts both to develop a good in vivo animal model and to characterize the effect of the BCR-ABL oncoprotein on relevant signal molecules may lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic phase CML and, thereby, to the development of targeted therapeutic approaches.     

The "agnosia" syndrome]

Studies have been made on the activity of glycosidases from eye tissues of developing chick embryos and adult hens. The enzymes of carbohydrates metabolism (hyaluronidase, beta-glycosidase and beta-galactosidase) from the sclera, cornea and ciliary body were examined. It was demonstrated that the distribution of glycosidases in different tissues of the eye is not identical. The activity of beta-glycosidase and beta-galactosidase in all the tissues of 14-day embryos is higher than in adult hens; sharp reduction of the activity was observed at the stage of eye opening. The activity of hyaluronidase in the sclera and cornea of chick embryos is maintained at a low level up to the stage of eye opening, being subjected to minor changes.     

Reply to Robert Perloff's (1999) comments on "Becoming a consultant: The real stories" (Leonard, 1999).

In response to R. Perloff's comments (see record 1999-11964-005) regarding Becoming a Consultant: The Real Stories, the author highlights the Catch-22 dilemma facing younger or new consulting psychologists. Both the need for and the progress with training and experience in consultation are addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The piano: A modern film melodrama about passion and punishment.

Melodrama has been the dominant form of moviemaking for women, and the recent Jane Campion film, The Piano (J. Chapman & J. Campion, 1993), is a lush modern representation. Central to this film is the struggle of Ada to choose between passion and security, between life and death, in a primitive New Zealand environment. Campion adds many modern elements to this genre, creating a complex fictional character who evokes powerful psychological responses in the other characters and in the audience. A psychoanalytic perspective sheds some light on the nuances and power of this film as it uses silence, emerging sexuality, primal scene anxiety, and romantic salvation to stimulate the audience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Back pain" in teenagers and young adults]

The studies aimed to estimate an incidence of the low back pain (LBP) in the youngsters and teenagers and correlating it with risk factors. A groups of 2,346 secondary school pupils (1,704 girls and 642 boys) of a mean age 17 +/- 1 yrs, and 970 high-school students (532 women and 438 men) of a mean age 24 +/- 2 yrs have been examined. Low back pain has been seen in 1,416 out of 2,346 secondary school pupils (60%), and in 32% of the examined students. Statistical analysis with chi 2 test has confirmed a correlation between LBP and such risk factors as the incorrect sedentary position (p < .001 for pupils, and p < .02 for students), and smoking (p < .001 for students and p < .02 for pupils).     

Robert Yerkes, sex research, and the problem of data simplification.

The research on male-female dominance relations in chimpanzees conducted by Robert Yerkes and his associates during the 1930s and 1940s provides fertile ground for an examination of some aspects of Yerkes' research strategies in particular and of the conduct of science more generally. I describe the processes of primary, secondary, and tertiary simplification, wherein there is a progressive simplification of the mass of data collected in experiments. The emphasis is on secondary simplification, the gradual trimming of the qualifications and limitations of a study with successive presentations of its results. The manner in which Yerkes handled his results and simplified his presentations is instructive. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Very slow" cholangiography in hyperbilirubinemias and in chronic liver diseases]

The "ultra-slow" method for cholangiography in serious icterus due to chronic heptopathy is described. The results are related to different icterus stages. A comparison is drawn between this and conventional methods for examination of the bile ducts, assuming equal degrees of blood bilirubin.     

Traditional and "lesser" hemosorption in the treatment of bronchial asthma patients]

Based on a comprehensive comparative characterization relying on clinical, functional and allergological indices in 110 patients with bronchial asthma, a conclusion was drawn to the effect that traditional hemosorption (HS) involving the use of a sorbent 400 ml in capacity is more efficient procedure than commonly named "lesser" hemosorption with a 100 ml capacity sorbent. It is advisable that in patients with bronchial asthma, HS should be done only with 400 ml volume sorbents.     

Aging, research on aging, and national policy: A conversation with Robert Butler.

Reports on an interview with R. N. Butler (August 10, 1982), who was the first director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), from 1976 to 1982. Butler speaks about the federal role on aging research in the "post-Butler" era (following his resignation from NIA), stressing the importance of behavioral science. He suggests that the National Institute of Health may support more behavioral research than the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration. Butler also expresses views on the 1981 White House Conference on Aging and the 1982 United Nations World Assembly on Aging; the national social, economic, and health policies related to a 4-generational society; nursing home training sites where health care providers can get first-hand experience with the aged; and the role of Medicaid and Medicare in meeting health care cost of the elderly. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)