The unnecessary controversy

Preservation-reperfusion injury of hepatic allografts is thought to be associated with Kupffer cell activation and TNF release from the transplanted organ. Confirmation that the allograft is the source of this TNF in an in vivo model is difficult because of rapid equilibration of this cytokine into all compartments. A novel experimental design was devised to aid in accurate localization of the site of TNF release following a orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). In the first group (anhepatic), livers were removed from rats and splanchnic and systemic venous returns were then reestablished using a conduit of donor IVC and portal vein with a portasystemic shunt. In the second group (asplanchnic), the liver, stomach, pancreas, and intestine of the recipient were removed and a donor liver was reimplanted using the recipient IVC as the source of portal blood. The third (OLT-16) and fourth (OLT 8) groups underwent standard OLT with preservation times of 16 and 8 hr in 4 degrees C Euro-Collins solution, respectively. TNF levels were significantly increased in the OLT-16 group compared with the OLT-8 group. There were modest elevations of TNF in the anhepatic model, but the TNF in the asplanchnic model approached baseline. Absence of TNF in the asplanchnic group and a rise in TNF levels in the anhepatic group to that not significantly different from OLT-16 or OLT-8 suggest that a major source of TNF following preservation reperfusion may be the intestine.     

Evading the controversy.

Offers a critique of the U. Neisser et al task force study (see record 83-26553) on intelligence. Instead of ameliorating the controversy surrounding R. J. Herrnstein and C. Murray's (1994) The Bell Curve, the author claims that this study may have accomplished the reverse. The task force's work has an unclear American Psychological Association mandate, bypasses the real issues stirred up by Herrnstein and Murray (namely, IQ as determined by SES and race, and the resulting policy distinctions), and omits data from important sources, including knowledgeable opponents of behavior genetics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The alcoholism controversy.

Argues that the views presented in the Public Forum section devoted to alcoholism in the October 1983 issue of the present journal constituted a narrow and partial glimpse of the specialty of alcoholism treatment. These viewpoints included those offered by C. D. Emrick and J. Hansen, M. S. Goldman, J. W. Langenbucher and P. E. Nathan, G. A. Marlatt, S. Matsunaga, W. Mayer, R. H. Moos and J. W. Finney, K. W. Wanberg and J. L. Horn, and A. N. Wiens and C. E. Menustik (see PA, Vol 71:13198, 12482, 12497, 13214, 13215, 13216, 13219, 12539, and 13234, respectively). (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Exploring a controversy.

Discusses the themes of this special issue, namely, the challenges and opportunities that exist when scientists and policymakers (and the media) interact. The integrity of psychological science is based on the academic freedom to explore fundamental questions about the nature of human behavior, thoughts, feelings, and social processes. The role of the American Psychological Association (APA) in media-science controversies is discussed. The present author editorializes on past controversies, with particular reference to the article published by B. Rind et al (see record 1998-04232-002) in 1998 in Psychological Bulletin. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analytical characteristics of seminal fluid PSA differ from those of serum PSA

We have investigated the methylation status of the M27beta (DXS255) locus in 21 female patients with chronic B-cell leukaemia and in 20 normal controls. DNA was digested with Pst1 and then with the methylation sensitive enzyme HpaII and probed with the M27beta probe. Eight patients (38%) showed hypermethylation of the M27beta locus which was not seen in any of the normal controls. Hypermethylation of the M27beta locus has also been found in acute myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphocytic leukaemia and lymphoma, suggesting that hypermethylation of the M27beta locus is associated with the leukaemic process.     

In defense of controversy.

Discovering truth is not the sole agenda for every scientist. The rewards of achieving paradigm hegemony are huge and serve to justify all manner of strategies and tactics. In this issue and some that have preceded it, scientific paradigm clashes have been brought into the bright light of public scrutiny. I believe a science that is critical progresses faster than one driven solely by induction. Debate is undeniably a part of science, one from which spectators (practitioners and researchers) benefit. A greater understanding of each position is made easier by a direct and clear statement of that position and of what its proponents view as problems with the opposing paradigm. It is not expected that those who read an extreme position will adopt it; however, they may come to understand it better and draw their own conclusions accordingly. Controversy, properly understood and used, can serve the scientific community by sharpening the focus on the true issues where research is most vital to further our understanding of human behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The animal experiments controversy.

Argues that C. R. Gallistel (see record 1982-00065-001) misrepresents the Research Modernization Act and presents the issue as "to experiment or not to experiment." He overlooks the crucial and controversial issues concerning the establishment of humane conditions of experimentation. Gallistel also fails to argue for the moral desirability of animal experiments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The alcoholism controversy revisited.

Responds to G. A. Marlatt's (see record 1986-02189-001) reply to the present author's (see record 1986-02199-001) criticism of Marlatt's (see record 1984-13214-001) earlier article regarding the effectiveness of controlled drinking treatment for alcoholics by refuting Marlatt's defense of the methodology used in M. B. Sobell and L. C. Sobell's (see record 1973-23611-001) research on controlled drinking for hospitalized patients; it is suggested that arguments over the outcome for the Sobell and Sobell experiment are moot since the treatment procedures employed did not result in either sustained controlled drinking or stable abstinence in the abstinence-trained Ss. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The repressed memory controversy.

Replies to comments by K. R. Byrd, D. H. Gleaves, S. N. Gold et al, K. A. Olio, and R. G. Peterson (see PA, Vol 81:37643; 37658; 37659; 37686; and 37687, respectively) on E. F. Loftus's (see record 1993-37888-001) questions in relation to patients' recovery of repressed memories of sexual abuse in psychotherapy. Loftus maintains that she is not denying the existence of child sexual abuse. She raises concerns about 1 class of "memories": those that emerge in adulthood after extensive "memory work." Memory work is defined as age regression, body memory interpretation, suggestive questioning, guided visualization, sexualized dream interpretation, aggressive sodium amytal interviews, misleading bibliotherapy, and other suspect techniques. Loftus addresses how common repression is, the symptoms of child sexual abuse, and the possibility of implanting memories of abuse. Suggestions are offered as to what therapists should do as an alternative to memory work. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) value adjusted for transition zone volume and free PSA (gamma-seminoprotein)/PSA ratio in the diagnosis of prostate cancer in patients with intermediate PSA levels

OBJECTIVE: To identify binding proteins of leptin in human plasma. METHODS: Binding was evaluated by electrophoresis, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), Western blotting, and radioisotope labeling. Quantification of leptin and the different forms of alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2-M) was performed by ELISA. RESULTS: Leptin interacts with the proteinase inhibitor, alpha2-M. 125I-labeled leptin specifically binds to the transformed inhibitor, which arises by reaction with proteinases or with reactive primary amines. No leptin binding was observed to the native alpha2-M, which abundantly occurs in plasma. The complex formation between leptin and alpha2-M was found to proceed within minutes and was stable, as it resisted separation by SEC and electrophoresis. The Kd of the complex was 2.14 +/- 0.78 micromol/l. Complex formation with transformed alpha2-M did not interfere with the immunological determination of leptin in plasma. The leptin-alpha2-M complex was found to be recognized by the alpha2-M receptor/low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein. By computer analysis, a simple model is presented showing that the degree of transformation of alpha2-M may significantly influence the leptin concentration in blood. CONCLUSIONS: The proteinase inhibitor, alpha2-M, may act as a leptin-binding protein in human plasma. Binding of leptin to transformed alpha2-M and its rapid clearance by the alpha2-M receptor may significantly influence the bioavailability of leptin in human plasma.     

Erythropoietin treatment: concept and controversy

We assessed two new rapid urease tests, the Helicobacter Urease Test (HUT, Astra, Sweden) and the Polish test, for accuracy, reaction time, and the effect of biopsy site and bacterial density on test characteristics and time to positivity. A prospective study was conducted in two groups of patients: 64 consecutive patients undergoing upper endoscopy for dyspepsia and 61 consecutive patients with duodenal ulcer on upper endoscopy. In the first group, test accuracy, time to positivity, and possible associations with biopsy site and bacterial density were assessed between the tests. In the second group, the two new tests were compared with the CLOtest for time to positivity and effect of bacterial density on test outcome. The Polish and HUT test had similar specificities (97%), but the Polish test was more sensitive (90.3% vs. 80.7%). The Polish test was positive within 10 minutes in 55% of the positive patients compared with 10% for the HUT test. There was no association between bacterial density (by histologic count) and reaction time in either test or in the CLOtest in the second group. The Polish test was more accurate and had a quicker time interval to positivity than the HUT. There was no significant association between bacterial density and reaction time in any of the urease tests assessed, and the biopsy site did not affect test accuracy in the HUT test.