Use of somatic gene transfer to study lipoprotein metabolism in experimental animals in vivo

Genetic manipulations of experimental animals have provided valuable information on lipoprotein metabolism in vivo. Somatic gene transfer is a novel method for introducing foreign genes into animals in vivo. Adenovirus-mediated transfer of genes for the LDL receptor, the receptor-associated protein, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein E, cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, and apolipoprotein B messenger RNA editing protein has resulted in high-level expression of these transgenes in mice and hamsters, and the production of interesting animal models of lipoprotein metabolism. Somatic gene transfer is a valuable tool for analyzing the role of transgenes in lipoprotein metabolism in vivo and for exploring the potential use of specific transgenes for human gene therapy.     

Role of child and maternal processes in the psychological adjustment of children with sickle cell disease.

In this study, 64% of children aged 7–12 yrs with sickle cell disease were found to have a parent-reported behavior problem, and 50% met the criteria for a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-III-Revised (DSM-III-R) diagnosis based on a structured clinical interview of the child. Internalizing types of behavior problems and diagnoses were the most frequent. Support was provided for a transactional stress and coping model in delineating the processes associated with child adjustment. In particular, maternal anxiety accounted for 16–33% of the variance in mother-reported internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, respectively, and child pain-coping strategies accounted for 21% of the variance in child-reported adjustment problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The oxidative inducation test applied to medical PVC and other polymers

We have examined the applicability of this simple and effective test to polymer systems widely used in the medical industry. First, it was found that not every polymer examined exhibited a distinct onset of autocatalytic oxidation detectable by DSC. However, for cases where distinct onsets are found, powerful insights can be obtained. These included activation energy of the degradation, thermal oxidative shelf life prediction, and correlation, with product performances. Actual examples are presented to illustrate the utility of the test.     

Quartz microbalance study of4He and H2 on sodium

A quartz microbalance technique has been used to study the growth of⁴He and H₂ adsorbed on sodium. In contrast to cesium, adsorption of⁴He and H₂ do occur on a sodium surface.     

The introduction of alkyl,ester, carboxylate,amino, hydroxyl,and phosphate functional groups to the surface of polyethylene

The surface of polyethylene was derivatized with ester, carboxylate, amino, hydroxyl, and phosphate functional groups. α, ω bifunctional alkanes, containing on one end a primary amine, were coupled to oxidized polyethylene through an amide linkage. Polyethylene was first oxidized with chromic acid, the carboxylate groups were converted to the acyl chloride with phosphorus pentachloride, and then reacted with a primary amine to give the covalently bound amide. The copposing ends of the bifunctional alkanes were the methyl, tertiary amine, ester, and hydroxyl groups. The ester was converted to the carboxylate by acid cleavage and the hydroxyl group converted to the phosphate by treatment first with phosphorus oxychloride and then aqueous base. Attenuated total reflection FTIR, XPS, and pH-dependent contact angle wetting were used to characterize the surfaces. The FTIR data were used to confirm the formation of the amide and to detect an undesired carboxylate/ammonium ion complex formed in the presence of trace amounts of water. XPS data were used to confirm expected changes in elemental composition and to provide quantitative estimates of the yields. Oxidation of the polyethylene introduced 5 × 10¹⁴ carboxylate groups/cm² in the 25 Å XPS sampling depth. Of these, up to 98% could be converted to the amide. The advancing contact angle data confirmed the acid/base behavior of the functional groups.     

Mechanism for the Peritectic Reaction and Growth of Aligned Grains in YBa2Cu3O6+x

It is experimentally observed that the peritectic reaction, 211 + liquid → 123, can be driven essentially to completion in 1 h at an undercooling of only ∽30°C. The kinetic data, together with the observed microstructures, are inconsistent with the normal mechanism of the peritectic reaction. It is proposed that the mechanism of the reaction involves dissolution of 211 particles into the liquid and precipitation of solid 123. The aligned grain structure is explained through sympathetic nucleation of new 123 grains on existing grains.     

The costs and benefits of tonal centers for chord processing.

Harmonic priming studies have shown that a musical context, with its established tonal center, influences target chord processing. This study investigated costs and benefits of priming tonal centers for target processing by adding a baseline condition (sequences without a specific tonal center). Results confirmed harmonic priming, with faster processing for related than for unrelated and less related targets (tonic chord, out-of-key chord, subdominant chord). Comparing targets in baseline contexts with targets in sequences with well-established tonal centers revealed a benefit of processing for related targets but a cost of processing for unrelated and less related targets. Findings are discussed in terms of tonal knowledge activation and suggest that an activated tonal center gives rise to strong expectations for the tonic. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Subchronic toxicity of a medium-chain chlorinated paraffin in the rat

Groups of ten male and female weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diet containing 0, 5, 50, 500 or 5000 ppm of a medium-chain chlorinated paraffin (C14-17, 52% chlorination) for a period of 13 weeks. Increased relative liver weight was observed at 500 and 5000 ppm in females and at 5000 ppm in males. Relative kidney weight was increased at 5000 ppm in both sexes. Serum cholesterol was increased in the females in a dose-related manner starting at 50 ppm. At 5000 ppm, animals of both sexes had elevated hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity while only females showed increased aminopyrine N-demethylase activity. Increased urinary N-acetylglucosaminidase activity occurred at 5000 ppm in females. Increased urinary ascorbic acid excretion monitored at week 12 and a decreased hepatic vitamin A level were detected in females receiving the 500 ppm diet and male and female rats at 5000 ppm. Mild, adaptive histopathological changes were detected in the liver of rats of both sexes at 500 and 5000 ppm, and in the thyroid of males and females starting at 500 and 50 ppm respectively. Minimal changes were observed in the kidney proximal tubules of male rats fed the 5000 ppm diet and in the inner medulla tubules of female rats fed the 500 and 5000 ppm diets. These data indicate that the medium-chain chlorinated paraffin produces biochemical and histological changes at dietary levels of greater than or = 50 ppm in females and greater than or = 500 ppm in males.     

Ethics of practice: The beliefs and behaviors of psychologists as therapists.

There is an absence of comprehensive, systematically gathered data concerning psychologists' beliefs about and compliance with ethical principles. Furthermore, we know little about which resources are valued as effective in guiding appropriate behavior. Survey data were collected from 456 APA Division 29 members regarding the degree to which they engaged in each of 83 behaviors and the degree to which they considered each behavior to be ethical. These data were categorized and examined in terms of five principles derived from the Hippocratic oath (avoiding harm, competence, avoiding exploitation, respect, and confidentiality) as well as two additional principles (informed consent; social equity and justice). Twelve of the behaviors were very difficult for participants to evaluate on the basis of ethics. Seven of the 83 behaviors were practiced by over 90% of the participants; 16 by fewer than 10%. Colleagues, the APA Ethical Principles, and internship training were rated as the most helpful resources in guiding behavior; state and federal laws, published research, and local ethics committees were rated least helpful. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

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