Certain norditerpenoid alkaloids and their cardiovascular action

Several investigators have reported experimental evidence of epitope spreading in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The role of epitope spreading in the pathogenesis of relapsing or chronic autoimmune disease is not established and the in vivo function of the T cells specific for new epitopes which appear during an autoimmune response is unclear. We recently demonstrated that mice which have recovered from an episode of EAE suffer a relapse shortly after reinjection with the original encephalitogen. The reinduced disease occurs in a reproducible fashion with an accelerated onset. This may be due to persistence of an expanded population of previously activated encephalitogenic cells which are rapidly reactivated when re-exposed to antigen. We reasoned that if epitope spread produces a significant number of encephalitogenic cells specific for a new epitope, then reinjection with that epitope should also cause the rapid onset of an episode of EAE. We tested this hypothesis using the known encephalitogenic epitopes in SJL mice. After recovery from EAE induced with the proteolipid protein peptide PLP139-151, five of 16 mice had an accelerated relapse of EAE when reinjected with a second encephalitogenic peptide, PLP178-191. All of the 10 mice reinjected with the original PLP139-151 peptide relapsed. We conclude that epitope spread may produce encephalitogenic cells specific for new epitopes, but that the response to new epitopes is minor compared to the response to the initial epitope.     

The prognostic significance of beta human chorionic gonadotrophin and its metabolites in women with cervical carcinoma

AIMS: To examine long term survival of women with primary and recurrent cervical carcinoma in relation to (1) excretion of beta-core (a urinary metabolite of beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta hCG)) and (2) beta hCG immunostaining of the tumours, to determine the suitability of these markers for assessing prognosis. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study undertaken in a gynaecological oncology centre: 57 women with primary cervical cancer and 42 with recurrent disease were recruited between January 1990 and September 1992. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with the log rank test was used to assess survival differences with survival rate given per year of follow up. RESULTS: In primary disease, the four year survival for the beta-core negative group was 79%, compared with 14% for the beta-core positive group (p = 0.001). This was still significant for early stage disease or squamous lesions alone. In recurrent disease, beta-core positivity was not prognostically significant. Immunohistochemistry was of no prognostic significance in either group. CONCLUSIONS: beta-core excretion appears to be useful in assessing prognosis of primary cervical cancer but not of recurrent disease. A large prospective study of urinary beta-core in early stage cervical cancer is needed to determine whether it can be used as an index for modifying treatment.     

Conceptually driven encoding episodes create perceptual misattributions

Processing fluency caused by prior encoding of a word is shown to increased duration judgments about that word and to decrease brightness contrast judgments about its mask when the word is presented in a masked word identification task. These effects occurred following an encoding task that involved visual perception of the words (reading aloud) and a task that provided no direct visual experience (generation from a semantic cue). Analysis of judgments conditionalized on correct or failed identification of target words indicated that judgments were powerfully affected by successful identification. Subjective estimates of the proportion of targets that were previously studied suggested that awareness of prior occurrence followed as an attribution based on fluent word identification, rather than acting as a causal agent for identification or altered perceptual judgments. We conclude that prior perceptual and conceptual encoding episodes can contribute to fluent processing of target words on a subsequent masked word identification task and that, regardless of its source, this fluency is experienced in a generic form that is susceptible to attribution to various causes, including prior experience (creating a sense of recollection) and current stimulus conditions.     

Use of foam bolsters for securing facial skin grafts

Many methods of securing skin grafts to their recipient beds have been described. A review of the senior author's experience with facial skin cancers over a two-year period revealed that reconstruction with full-thickness skin grafts was employed in 60 of more than 500 cases. This series of 60 cases was reviewed. Uses of foam as a bolster has proven to be a simple, time-conserving and reliable technique that produces consistently excellent results with a low complication rate. The technique is reviewed, along with its advantages and disadvantages.     

Characterization of surface-modified nanoparticles for in vivo biointeraction. A sedimentation field flow fractionation study

Sedimentation field flow fractionation (SdFFF) is an emerging high-performance analytical tool for separation and determination of size and adsorption characteristics of colloidal particles. This study demonstrates how SdFFF can be used to characterize nanoparticles prepared for in vivo applications including (1) the quantification of polymer uptake on nanoparticles where surface coverage is crucial and (2) the coupling of cell adhesive peptides containing the Arg-Gly-Asp motif (RGD). Quantitative information about polymer adhesion in order to prepare a bioinert surface and an accurate determination of ligand uptake are both of obvious importance for the understanding of, for example, relations between the number of attached molecules for biointeraction and an observed therapeutic effect. In addition, the present work highlights the necessity to perform careful characterization of commercially available particulate starting materials, in terms of size and polydispersity, prior to biological experimentation.     

Controlled placement of individual carbon nanotubes

A central challenge for both the science and the technology of carbon nanotubes is the controlled assembly of devices. Here, we report a technique that allows us to place a nanotube with the desired properties in a predetermined location by direct mechanical transfer. We demonstrate single-tube and multiple-tube transfer and electrical characterization of an optically characterized nanotube. The ability to rationally design nanotube devices and circuits will enable more detailed study of the physics and chemistry of nanotubes and provide a stepping stone toward implementation of a wide spectrum of applications.     

Ratings of helper roles by multicultural psychologists and Asian American students: Initial support for the three-dimensional model of multicultural counseling.

The results of 2 surveys investigating support for psychologists' roles advocated by the three-dimensional (3-D) model of multicultural counseling are reported. Eight vignettes were developed depicting an ethnic minority person with high or low acculturation experiencing or about to experience a problem with an internal or external etiology. Psychologists interested and experienced in multicultural issues (Study 1) rated 6 of the 8 helper roles recommended by the 3-D model for conditions depicted in the 8 vignettes higher on average than they did nonrecommended helper roles. Asian American university students (Study 2) also gave higher mean ratings to 3 of the recommended roles than they did the nonrecommended roles. Examination of the Asian American students' helpfulness ratings revealed a consistent preference for 2 roles: facilitator of indigenous support systems and consultation. Implications for the 3-D model, direct service, future research, and training of counseling psychologists are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of transformational and change leadership on employees' commitment to a change: A multilevel study.

The effects of transformational leadership on the outcomes of specific change initiatives are not well understood. Conversely, organizational change studies have examined leader behaviors during specific change implementations yet have failed to link these to broader leadership theories. In this study, the authors investigate the relationship between transformational and change leadership and followers' commitment to a particular change initiative as a function of the personal impact of the changes. Transformational leadership was found to be more strongly related to followers' change commitment than change-specific leadership practices, especially when the change had significant personal impact. For leaders who were not viewed as transformational, good change-management practices were found to be associated with higher levels of change commitment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)