Dengue virus protein recognition by virus-specific murine CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes

The identification of the protein targets for dengue virus-specific T lymphocytes may be useful for planning the development of subunit vaccines against dengue. We studied the recognition by murine dengue virus-specific major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) of dengue virus proteins using recombinant vaccinia viruses containing segments of the dengue virus genome. CTL from H-2k mice recognized a single serotype-cross-reactive epitope on the nonstructural (NS) protein NS3. CTL from H-2b mice recognized a serotype-cross-reactive epitope that was localized to NS4a or NS4b. CTL from H-2d mice recognized at least three epitopes: a serotype-specific epitope on one of the structural proteins, a serotype-cross-reactive epitope on NS3, and a serotype-cross-reactive epitope on NS1 or NS2a. Our findings demonstrate the limited recognition of dengue virus proteins by CTL from three inbred mouse strains and the predominance of CTL epitopes on dengue virus nonstructural proteins, particularly NS3. Since human dengue virus-specific CTL show similar patterns of recognition, these findings suggest that nonstructural proteins should be considered in designing vaccines against dengue.     

Interpreting functional imaging studies in terms of neurotransmitter cycling

Functional imaging experiments, in particular positron-emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging, can be analyzed either in psychological terms or on the basis of neuroscience. In the usual psychological interpretation, stimulations are designed to activate specific mental processes identified by cognitive psychology, which are then localized by the signals in functional imaging experiments. An alternate approach would be to analyze experiments in terms of the neurobiological processes responsible for the signals. Recent in vivo 13C NMR measurements of the glutamate-to-glutamine neurotransmitter cycling in rat and human brains facilitate a neuroscientific interpretation of functional imaging data in terms of neurobiological processes since incremental neurotransmitter flux showed a 1:1 stoichiometry with the incremental rate of glucose oxidation. Because functional imaging signals depend on brain energy consumption, a quantitative relationship can be established between the signal (S) and the specific neurochemical cerebral neurotransmitter activity (N) of glutamate-to-glutamine neurotransmitter cycling. The quantitation of neuronal activity proposed has implications for the psychological design and interpretation of functional imaging experiments. Measurements of the neurotransmitter cycling flux at rest in functional imaging experiments suggest that performing cognitive tasks and sensory stimulations increases neurotransmitter cycling by only 10-20%. Therefore it cannot be assumed that reference state activities are negligible, nor that they are constant during stimulation.     

Judging words rather than authors

Coumarin is a drug which is extensively used to treat lymphedema. We report two cases of acute hepatitis probably due to coumarin. Two women, 40 year and 45 year-old, were treated with 90 mg/d of coumarin for 5 months. Clinical features included jaundice, pruritus, and diarrhea. A marked increase in serum aminotransferases was observed (ALT: 30 and 100 times the upper limit of normal, respectively). Coumarin withdrawal was rapidly followed by a favorable outcome in both cases. Rechallenge in one case induced a relapse of symptoms and liver test abnormalities. Coumarin can induce acute cytolytic hepatitis.     

Respiratory health hazards and lung function in wildland firefighters

The authors discuss the multitude of contaminants to which wildland firefighters are exposed, including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate and silica, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and benzene. They examine the respiratory effects of these contaminants and then present their recommendations for an occupational health program for wildland firefighters.     

Survey of expert opinion on intelligence and aptitude testing.

Psychologists and educational specialists with expertise in areas related to intelligence testing responded to a questionnaire dealing with a wide variety of issues constituting the IQ controversy. Overall, experts hold positive attitudes about the validity and usefulness of intelligence and aptitude tests. Tests are seen as adequately measuring most important elements of intelligence, although the tests are believed to be somewhat racially and socioeconomically biased. There is overwhelming support for a significant within-group heritability for IQ, and a majority of respondents feel that black-white and socioeconomic status IQ differences are also partially hereditary. Problems with intelligence tests are perceived in the influence of nonintellectual characteristics on test performance and in the frequent misinterpretation and overreliance on test scores in elementary and secondary schools. Despite these difficulties, experts favor the continued use of intelligence and aptitude tests at their present level. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Enol esters XIII: Synthesis of isopropenyl esters by addition of carboxylic acids to propyne

The addition of long chain carboxylic acids to propyne under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure takes place in the presence of the zinc salt of the corresponding acid as indicated by the following equation. The reactor apparatus is described and the properties of a series of enol esters are listed. this series shows examples with chain length variations of the carboxylic acid moiety of the ester from 8 to 22 carbon atoms.     

Training psychologists to become competent suicide assessment interviewers: Commentary on Rosenberg's (1999) suicide prevention training model.

Comments on the article by J. I. Rosenberg (see record 1999-00560-013) in which she describes a suicide assessment and intervention training model, sequenced with respect to expertise and cognitive psychology principles. The present authors clarify and expand on Rosenberg's coverage of this critical topic, addressing training, ethical, and legal issues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perceived susceptibility to breast cancer moderates the effect of gain- and loss-framed messages on use of screening mammography.

Objective: This study examined the role of three distinct beliefs about risk (risks associated with screening, construal of the function of screening as health-affirming or illness-detecting, and perceived susceptibility to breast cancer) in moderating women's responses to framed messages that promote mammography. Design: Three hundred fifty-five women recruited from an inner city hospital, nonadherent to guidelines for receiving annual screening mammograms,were randomly assigned to view a gain- or loss-framed video message about the importance of mammography. Main Outcome Measure: Mammography screening was self-reported at a 3-month follow-up. Results: Only perceived susceptibility to breast cancer significantly moderated the effect of message framing on screening. Women with average and higher levels of perceived susceptibility for breast cancer were significantly more likely to report screening after viewing a loss-framed message compared to a gain-framed message. No effects of framing on reported screening were observed for women with lower levels of perceived susceptibility. Conclusion: The study identifies a key role for perceived susceptibility in shaping responses to framed messages that promote cancer screenings. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)