Spasm in cardiac and vascular pathology. Conclusion

The values of blood rheological and coagulation properties were studied in stages of operative treatment in 30 patients operated on for grade III-IV mitral stenosis. Complex statistical models of the inter-relationship of the blood coagulation and rheological properties were complied which allow for the substantiation of the optimum transfusion tactics in preventing complications in the operative and postoperative periods.     

A reversal paradox.

The reversal paradox refers to the possibility of having 2 variables that are positively (negatively) related while at the same time having the variables negatively (positively) related within each level of some 3rd variable. The relationship between the paradox and the notion of exchangeability is described. This paradox plays an important role in the theory of the evolution of altruism, and it underlies a challenge to the "sure-thing-principle" in decision theory. It was involved in a study by P. J. Bicket et al (1975) who concluded erroneously, it is argued, that sexual discrimination was practiced in graduate admissions by a prominent university. Finally, principles for creating "reversing" decompositions of statistical relationships are described. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Circulating interleukin-16 in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between interleukin (IL)-16 and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Serum levels of IL-16 were examined in SLE patients using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The serum level of IL-16 in the patients was much higher than that in healthy volunteers (P < 0.001). An increase in IL-16 was observed in proportion to the activity of SLE assessed by the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest an interaction between disease activity and the production of IL-16 in SLE, and reveal that IL-16 is a useful indicator of disease activity. This is the first report describing the relationship between IL-16 and SLE.     

Circulating anticoagulant in the procainamide-induced lupus syndrome

An elderly man with procainamide hydrochloride-induced lupus syndrome had a circulating anticoagulant against factor XI and a biologic false-positive (BFP) test result for syphilis. This was not associated with hemorrhagic problems. The activity of the circulating anticoagulant and the BFP disappeared within days following discontinuation of procainamide and the administration of corticosteroids.     

Temporal integration in self-stimulation: A paradox.

Investigated temporal summation of the rewarding effects of medial forebrain stimulation in 4 male Sprague-Dawley rats by varying the interval separating the 2 short bursts of stimulation given as a reward in a runway. One finding of Exp I—that the reinforcing effect of the 2 bursts was independent of interburst interval—supports a model in which there is perfect summation of the portion of the reward signal that exceeds some threshold. However, Exp II (with the Ss from Exp I) showed that charge–duration functions obtained with different levels of performance differed by a multiplicative (scalar) factor—that is, the ratio between the values of the 2 functions was everywhere the same. The models of postsynaptic integration are not capable of explaining simultaneously the fact (a) that the strength–duration function is a perfect hyperbola that has nearly reached its rheobase at a train duration no greater than 2 sec; (b) that there is no detectable effect of interburst interval on summation between bursts separated by intervals up to 2 sec and longer; and (c) that the strength–duration functions (or, equivalently, the charge–duration functions) derived by using different performance criteria differ by a multiplicative factor. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lord's paradox: A generic problem.

As F. M. Lord (see 42:2) demonstrated, the use of analysis of covariance on nonexperimental data cannot be counted on to make proper allowances for uncontrolled preexisting differences between groups. It is suggested that this interpretational problem is not limited to nonexperimental research but is generic to the research process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Placental pathology in systemic lupus erythematosus: a prospective study

An intravenous (iv) radiofrequency (RF) coil is proposed as a means of obtaining high resolution images of artery wall. The anatomic positioning of peripheral artery/vein pairs was investigated and a phantom mimicking the iliac artery/vein pair was constructed. Imaging results, comparing iv coils with external coils, demonstrated a potential 15- to 20-fold increase in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with iv coils. The SNR benefit was measured over a cylindrical volume, adjacent to the coil, and typical of artery position. Prototype expandable iv coils were constructed of Cu-Be loops and introduced via an 8-Fr catheter. The effects of local and remote iv coil tuning were investigated and local tuning was found to provide significant SNR benefits. The in vivo performance of iv RF coils was demonstrated in a porcine animal model. The iv coils were found to be an excellent alternative to intraarterial coils.     

Hemostatic factors of endothelial origin in major vascular pathology

There is an altered hemostatic balance in vascular-based diseases. The aim of this study was to compare a group (no. = 38) of vascular patients (aortic aneurysm, carotid obstructions arteriopathies of lower limbs) and a control group (no. = 40) and assess variations in the following endothelial factors: tPA, PAI1, vWf, fibronectin and dimer D, in differentiated degrees according to the type of pathology. These were the indicative signs of endothelial mobilization resulting in the renewed continuity of the stratum with the formation of a hemostatic plug. vWf was found to be particularly significant as a marker of an ongoing atheromasic process and its extension to various vascular districts.     

Circulating vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: Venom immunotherapy (VIT) has proven to be safe and effective in wasp venom anaphylaxis. However, there are no good parameters to indicate when to stop venom immunotherapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) to history and specific IgE determination, and to address the time course of lymphocyte transformation responses to wasp (Vespula) venom during VIT and the possible utility of LTT to determine the duration of therapy. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 18 individuals with a history of wasp sting anaphylaxis and a positive serum-venom-specific IgE, were stimulated with wasp venom before immunotherapy, at the end of a 5-day semi-rush immunotherapy and at 24 months during venom immunotherapy. Results, expressed as stimulation index (SI), were compared with the SI in seven asymptomatic stung controls. RESULTS: In controls the median (minimum-maximum) of the SI were 2.39 (0.52-3.39) before therapy and 2.39 (1.12-6.02) when repeated after 24 months. For patients the median (minimum-maximum) of the SI were 10.13 (1.19-44.88) before immunotherapy (d0), 2.73 (0.67-12.03) at the end of the build-up immunotherapy (d5) and 4.21 (0.88-14.66) at the end of 24 months of maintenance therapy (m24). The proliferation responses in vespid-allergic patients were significantly higher than in stung controls (P = 0.006) but only 13/18 patients showed a positive LTT result before the start of immunotherapy (sensitivity of the LTT 72%). When the LTT was repeated after a 5 day build-up hyposensitization course the SI significantly dropped as compared to the pre-treatment levels (P = 0.002). The SI of the LTT was negative in eight out of 18 patients at 24 months and the median values were significantly lower than before therapy (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Although, in the absence of sting challenge data it is not possible to draw conclusions about the predictive value of the LTT, our data may suggest that abolition of the LTT during VIT might indicate clinical insensitivity. Further studies, comparing the results of sting challenges, with the results of lymphocyte transformation will be necessary in order to evaluate the role of LTT in stopping immunotherapy.     

Simpson's paradox resolved: A reply to Hintzman.

Submits that D. L. Hintzman's (see record 1980-26924-001) attack on certain analyses in memory research is based on doubtful presumptions, namely, that contingency tables are inherently suspect as evidence for or against scientific conclusions and that pressing this logical argument is in some way an acceptable substitute for empirically examining the conclusions in question. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of therapy by self-report: A paradox.

A lack of awareness of dissonant feelings may not be a sign of psychological health but rather of the usual means of dealing with them, viz., repression and denial. "… all forms of psychotherapy operate by means of increasing one's capacity for realistic self-conception." Therefore, the awareness of dissonant feelings, as a function of therapy, may not be a sign of psychological illness or the failure of the therapy (although the awareness may lead to discomfort). The problem of the evaluation of psychotherapy is discussed along with the evaluation of psychologic normality. 15 refs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The RET gene in thyroid pathology]

The RET proto-oncogene encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase which plays a crucial role during the embryonic development of the enteric nervous system and of the kidney. Cytogenetic analyses of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), a neoplasm which originates from thyrocytes, have revealed that somatic rearrangements of the RET gene are involved in the etiology of a significant proportion of this tumour. Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) which arises from neural-crest derived C-cells is the cardinal disease feature of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2), a dominantly inherited cancer syndrome. Recent studies have provided evidence that germline mutations of the RET gene are the underlying genetic events responsible for MEN 2. This review focuses on the role of RET mutations in the pathogenesis of PTC and MTC and summarizes our present knowledge on the consequences of these alterations on the RET tyrosine kinase function. We further describe a transgenic mouse model for hereditary MTC. Mice carrying a MEN 2A allele of RET under the control of the CGRP/calcitonin promoter develop bilateral and multifocal MTC, morphologically and biologically similar to human MTC.     

A case of systemic lupus erythematosus in a 13-year-old girl]

The test with running on a treadbane showed a 56% increase of working capacity in the control group of male albino mice on the 20th day of training. Oral administration of elton, leveton, phytoton, and adapton, as well as Leuzea and Rhodiola extracts and Schisandra chinensis tincture caused a statistically significant increase in the time of running on the treadbane of animals by the 10th day of medication. The increase in the working capacity of the animals was more marked by the 20th day. In the test of swimming "to the limit" adapton, phytoton, leveton, and elton increased to a greater extent the working capacity of male albino rats in diminishing succession (from 213 to 168%). Schisandra tincture and Rhodiola and Leuzea extracts also increased the swimming time of the animals by 135-159%.     

Reactance theory and therapeutic paradox: A compliance-defiance model.

Instances of noncompliance or resistance to influence in psychotherapy have been interpreted as "reactance phenomena" that derive from a motive to restore threatened behavioral freedoms. While reactance is commonly seen as a negative, complicating factor in therapy, reactance phenomena can be used, even mobilized in the service of therapeutic change. In fact, the utilization of reactance provides a rationale for a class of potent paradoxical interventions. It is suggested that there are 2 fundamentally different rationales for using therapeutic paradox. Compliance-based paradoxical strategies effect change by virtue of the client's attempting to comply with a therapeutic directive. Defiance-based interventions, by contrast, work because the client rebels against the therapist's directive. Applications to specific clinical problems are discussed. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)