Plaque-type blue nevus

Blue nevus may rarely appear in plaque form. It seems to be a benign and asymptomatic lesion, but because of its rarity, no definite prognosis can be given. Only through reporting of additional cases and their follow-up will the prognosis become clear.     

A diagnostic formula for alcoholism

Clinical pathologies with unusually high morbidities in alcoholic populations were analyzed to determine their capacity to diagnose alcoholism. On the basis of five systemic variables it was possible to diagnose correctly nearly 75% of alcoholic and matched control subjects.     

Autoxidation of tissue lipids. II. Monocarbonyl compounds formed by the autoxidation of methyl eicosapentaenoate,methyl docosahexaenoate,and cod-liver oil

Fatty acid analysis of autoxidized cod-liver oil with a peroxide value of 192 showed significant degradation of only eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids of the linolenate family. Purified, mildly autoxidized cod-liver oil with a peroxide value of 28, methyl eicosapentaenoate, and methyl docosahexaenoate produced carbonyl patterns in agreement with the accepted mechanism for olefinic autoxidation. In all cases the major products were propanal andn-pent-2-enal as predicted, andn-hex-2-enal andn-hept-2-enal as reported in the literature for linolenate. In addition, the same cod-liver oil, which had been heated to 188C in vacuum for 1 hr to decompose completely the hydroperoxides before carbonyl analysis, showed the presence ofn-hepta-2,4-dienal as predicted.     

Purothionin analogues from barley flour

Acid treatment of a light-petroleum extract of barley flour yielded two proteins (termed hordothionins) closely similar in electrophoretic behaviour to the purqthionin doublet obtained from wheat by the same procedure. The major (faster) component, hordothionin a has been obtained apparently pure. Comparison of its amino acid composition, peptide maps, immunological reactions and C-terminal end group with those of purothionin a has confirmed the relationship between the proteins from the two genera although some differences in amino acid composition and sequence have been found. Extraction of barley flour with buffered saline followed by acid treatment yielded proteins with similar properties to the hordothionins; this supports previous observations on the relationship between the purothionins and their corresponding globulins.     

The effectiveness of workplace smoking cessation programmes: a meta-analysis of recent studies

Data sources: ABI/Inform, BRS, CHID, Dissertation Abstracts International, ERIC, Medline, Occupational Health and Safety Database, PsycInfo, Smoking and Health Database, SSCI, and Sociological Abstracts.

Study selection: Controlled smoking cessation interventions at the workplace with at least six months follow up published from 1989 to 2001 and reporting quit rates (QRs).

Data extraction: Two reviewers independently scanned titles/abstracts of relevant reports, and we reached consensus regarding inclusion/exclusion of the full text reports by negotiation. A third reviewer resolved disagreements. Two reviewers extracted data according to a coding manual. Consensus was again reached through negotiation and the use of a third reviewer.

Data synthesis: 19 journal articles were found reporting studies conforming to the study's inclusion criteria. Interventions included self help manuals, physician advice, health education, cessation groups, incentives, and competitions. A total of 4960 control subjects were compared with 4618 intervention subjects. The adjusted random effects odds ratio was 2.03 (95% confidence interval 1.42 to 2.90) at six months follow up, 1.56 (95% CI 1.17 to 2.07) at 12 months, and 1.33 (95% CI 0.95 to 1.87) at more than 12 months follow up. Funnel plots were consistent with strong publication bias at the first two follow ups but not the third. In Fisher et al's 1990 study, the corresponding ORs were 1.18, 1.66, and 1.18.

Conclusions: Smoking cessation interventions at the worksite showed initial effectiveness, but the effect seemed to decrease over time and was not present beyond 12 months. Compared to the Fisher (1990) analysis, the effectiveness was higher for the six month follow up. Disappointingly, we found methodological inadequacies and insufficient reporting of key variables that were similar to those found in the earlier meta-analysis. This prevented us from determining much about the most effective components of interventions. It is advisable for researchers conducting studies in the future to report data on attrition and retention rates of participants who quit, because these variables can affect QRs.

     

A scannable detector of microwave-modulated light

The development of coherent light sources has made possible new optical radar systems in which target information should be determined with a far greater accuracy than would be possible with a conventional microwave radar system. However, the same factors which make the improved resolution possible impose difficult requirements on the optical receiver. Presently available image detectors have very limited frequency response and are not suitable for use in a Doppler or ranging system. This paper describes the design and experimental evaluation of an image detector with an instantaneous bandwidth of 4 Gc/s. This photodetector is capable of providing simultaneous target velocity and target position information when the Doppler shifted frequency is in the range of 0 to 4 Gc/s. The device consists of an image dissector electron gun and a traveling-wave output coupler. The scanning of an optical field of view for microwave-modulated light signals was demonstrated experimentally by a direct modulation-demodulation experiment with a modulation frequency of 10.7 Gc/s.     

A measure of teachers' observations of student behavior.

Describes the construction of the Rochester School Competency Schedule, a 26-item inventory derived by factor analysis to measure the ways in which teachers categorize students' behavior. 4 factors are involved, reflecting cognitive competence, social compliance, motivational orientation, and social competence. Test-retest reliability over 4 wks on a sample of 12 teachers was obtained using the final instrument; reliability coefficients for the 4 factors respectively were .80, .79, .71, and .75, with a coefficient for the total score of .85. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A new case of the unstable haemoglobin Genova (alpha 2 beta 2 28 (beta 10) leu leads to pro) in Canada: as a result of sporadic mutation and causing Heinz body haemolytic anaemia

The first case of the unstable Hb Genova as a result of sporadic mutation is described. It is found in a 3-year-old Canadian boy of East Indian extraction with chronic Heinz body haemolytic anaemia.