Ablation of mediastinal parathyroid adenomas by superselective embolization of the internal mammary artery with alcohol

Two young patients (20 and 21 years) had recurrent hyperparathyroidism following neck exploration. Non-invasive investigations failed to localize a parathyroid adenoma. In both cases selective catheterization of the internal mammary arteries combined with digital angiography demonstrated hypervascular mediastinal adenomas. Using a coaxial catheterization technique (Tracker 18 and 10), both branch arteries of the internal mammary supplying the adenoma were selectively catheterized. In one case absolute alcohol and the other a mixture of Lipiodol and absolute alcohol were used to effect the ablation. The procedures were uneventful and serum calcium levels have subsequently returned to within normal limits. The follow-up in these two cases extends to 2 1/2 years in one and 10 months in the other case.     

A format for Individual Psychotherapy Session Notes.

Describes a format for individual case notes, termed the Individual Psychotherapy Session Note (IPSN) form, which is designed to focus the clinician's attention on certain relevant aspects of the psychotherapy process and to facilitate the formulation of inferences and hypotheses on the basis of clinical data. It also encourages the therapist to examine his/her own behavior in sessions as well as to observe the therapist–client interaction. The form is designed to be used flexibly, in accordance with the practitioner's needs at different points during therapy. The implications of the IPSN form for training and supervision are also discussed. (2 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of grade, syllable segmentation, and speed of presentation on children's word-blending ability.

Subsyllabic awareness was investigated with a word synthesis task. Children from kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade attempted to blend auditorily presented CCVC word segments (where C?=?consonant and V?=?vowel) to produce words. Subsyllabic segmentation and presentation rate of the word segments were varied, and the dependent measure was percentage correct in each condition. Several posttests were administered to measure the children's preexisting ability to recognize visually presented consonants, consonant clusters, rimes, and words. Second graders performed better than 1st graders, who in turn performed better than kindergarteners. Performance of all children was best on words that were segmented between onset and rime and poorest for words that were segmented into individual phonemes. Performance for word segrnents that were presented at the fast rate was better than for those presented at the slow rate. The authors suggest that preliterate children are able to manipulate suprasegmental units such as onset and rime, and that those units should be emphasized in early reading instruction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Speaking with One Voice: Risk Communication Lessons from the US Anthrax Attacks1

It is often said that in times of crises experts, officials, and organizations should speak with one voice. But this homily has not been subjected to either conceptual or empirical scrutiny. We begin those tasks in this paper. To pursue our analysis, we use statements from the popular and scholarly presses; we also use our interviews with local officials in New Jersey, USA, who had to respond to the anthrax attacks in the fall of 2001. We outline some of the meanings of the admonition to “speak with one voice” and discuss the rhetorical significance of the advice. Our argument is that it may be wise to speak with one voice, but this can not be taken for granted. Difference audiences may well need different messages or different kinds of messages. Speaking with multiple voices is often the most effective way to advance meaningful communication.     

Diminished expression of CD40 ligand may contribute to the defective humoral immunity in patients with MHC class II deficiency

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II deficiency (bare lymphocyte syndrome, BLS) is a rare primary immunodeficiency classified as a subgroup of severe combined immunodeficiency. We studied T and B lymphocyte function by examining the CD40 ligand/CD40 system in three BLS patients from two unrelated families. CD40 ligand expression by maximally activated BLS T cells was diminished. This abnormality may represent immunological na?veté rather than a general T cell defect, since expression of activation marker CD69 and proliferative responses to PHA or anti-CD3 were normal, and BLS T cells primed and restimulated in vitro expressed normal amounts of CD40 ligand. BLS B cells proliferated and produced IgE if stimulated with anti-CD40 or soluble CD40 ligand and IL-4. Activation of BLS B cells with soluble CD40 ligand and IL-4 induced normal expression of activation markers, although MHC class II expression remained absent. Depressed antibody titers, lack of amplification and failure to undergo isotype switching in response to immunization with bacteriophage phi x 174 demonstrated defective T cell help. We conclude that BLS B cells are functionally normal if appropriately stimulated, and that the defective humoral immunity observed may be related to diminished expression of CD40 ligand on BLS T cells.     

Psychologists as psychotherapists.

Comments on K. Humphreys's paper (see record 83-28417) on clinical psychologists as psychotherapists. L. R. Lieberman agrees with Humphreys that psychiatrists have abandoned doing psychotherapy but contends that it is not a good idea for psychologists to turn the practice of therapy over to those without the breadth of training implied by the Boulder model. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Why minority group members perceive or do not perceive the discrimination that confronts them: The role of self-esteem and perceived control.

Self-esteem and perceived control were examined to explain why minority group members sometimes perceive discrimination but, more often, minimize the discrimination. Women (Study 1), and Asians and Blacks (Study 2) reacted to negative feedback after information about the probability for discrimination. Minority group members tended to minimize discrimination and attributed their failure to themselves. By perceiving discrimination as a reason for failure, minority group members protected their performance state self-esteem. In contrast, by minimizing discrimination, they protected their social state self-esteem and maintained the perception of control in the performance and social domains. Results suggest that minority group members minimize discrimination because the consequences of doing so are psychologically beneficial. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

X-ray image acquisition using an IBM-PC

The present interest among microscopists in digital image acquisition and analysis is surveyed and a trend towards using smaller computers identified. X-ray images in particular are discussed. A simple arrangement for linking a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) based Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) unit to an IBM Personal Computer (IBM-PC) is described in detail. While readily available technical information is omitted, complete circuit diagrams and software flowcharts are given to facilitate reproduction of the system. Annotated listings of the programs used are available from the authors. Examples concerned with topographic effects in x-ray maps illustrate the use of the system.