DNA damage produced by povidone-iodine in cultured human diploid cells

Povidone-iodine is capable of selective altering the DNA of human diploid cells growing in culture. This finding extends to eukaryotic cells, the previously reported DNA-modifying activity of this agent for bacteria. In view of the known relationship between DNA-modifying activity and potential carcinogenicity, the results suggest that the potential hazards posed by the widespread use of this agent be evaluated.     

Semantic priming and repetition priming from masked words: Evidence for a center-surround attentional mechanism in perceptual recognition.

Two lexical decision experiments compared semantic and repetition priming by masked words. Experiment 1 established prime–mask stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs) with presence–absence detection judgments. Primes presented at detection-threshold SOAs produced equal facilitation for repeated and semantically related targets: 26 ms and 24 ms. Experiment 2 established SOAs with semantic judgments. Primes presented at 70% of the semantic-threshold SOA to mimic the exposure conditions of Experiment 1 produced slightly greater facilitation for repeated targets but a tendency toward inhibition for semantically related targets: 38 ms and –6 ms. These results confirm the D. Dagenbach et al (see record 1990-00392-001) report that strategies induced by threshold-setting tasks can influence masked priming. In addition, Experiment 2 suggests a mechanism for retrieving weakly activated semantic codes into consciousness that relies on the center-surround principle to enhance activation of sought-for codes and to inhibit related codes stored nearby in the semantic network. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Empathic ability in normals and schizophrenics.

"Normals and schizophrenics were asked to predict on a rating scale the responses of three Ss: an associate, a normal, and a psychotic, the latter two persons known only through an observed interview situation. Individuals in each group had previously made self-ratings in terms of the same scale. Deviation scores for members of each group provided a measure of accuracy of prediction (empathy) and the tendency to assume a similarity between oneself and another person (assumed similarity). The control group revealed generally greater empathic ability and greater assumed similarity than did the schizophrenic group." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The surface structure of mouse peritoneal cells--a study with the scanning electron microscope

Normal and stimulated peritoneal cells have been examined with the Stereo-scan scanning electron microscope. Normal lymphocytes were identified by their small size; some had numerous small stubby or pointed processes on their surfaces. Macrophages were larger and had ridge-like processes. Many of the stimulated cells showed no significant deviation from normal. Others, all macrophages, showed a marked deviation from the normal spherical shape. Ridge-like processes were more prominent on their surfaces, and large flange-like processes and a few finger-like processes were seen. This suggests that on stimulation peritoneal cells become more deformable and therefore irregular in shape, and that their surfaces become rougher.     

Septic arthritis and Reiter's syndrome in sickle cell disorders: case reports and implications for management

Two patients with sickle cell disorders developed gram-negative septic arthritis and responded poorly to conventional managment. Unfavorable factors included (1) confusion with the nonseptic arthropathy of a sickle crisis; (2) impaired articular perfusion, perhaps related to local sickling; (3) conversion of an infecting organism to an L-form in the presence of cell-wall inhibitors; and (4) interference with cultures and antibacterial titrations of synovial fluid caused by intro-articular administration of antibiotics. Prolonged treatment with very high doses of antibiotics was required to eradicate infection in both patients. Because sickling and local hypoxia apparently interfere with defenses against infection, anemia should be corrected by transfusion. One patient had had Reiter's syndrome; the dysenteric form of this disease may be a cause of arthritis in some sicklemic patients.