Reovirus-specific polypeptides: analysis using discontinuous gel electrophoresis

An analysis of reovirus-specific polypeptides in cells infected with temperature-sensitive mutants under permissive and nonpermissive conditions revealed the presence of (i) all the known viral polypeptides and (ii) aberrant migration of the mu 1 and mu 2 polypeptides in four groups of mutants.     

Response to Ellis and McGuire: "Cost sharing and the demand for ambulatory mental health services".

Refutes R. P. Ellis and T. G. McGuire's (see record 1985-28860-001) argument that the results previously reported by the present authors (see record 1985-28870-001) support the proposition that mental health services exhibit greater response to insurance than do medical services from both logical and empirical perspectives. It is argued that Ellis and McGuire focused only on certain results when drawing their conclusions and that this deletion of facts presents a false picture of support for their argument. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Acute nicotinic blockade produces cognitive impairment in normal humans

Single oral doses of the central and peripheral nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine were administered to healthy young normal males in doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. The 20 mg dose caused a significant increase in errors in the learning condition of the Repeated Acquisition task, producing a slower acquisition curve. The lower doses produced less errors, but more than in the placebo condition. There was no effect of drug on the performance component (retrieval of previously learned information). On the recognition memory task, dose-related increases in false-alarms during the delay period were seen, with little effect on misses or hits. Reaction time measures suggested a dose-related slowing of RT on several tasks. Behavioral effects were minimal and physiologic measures were consistent with dose-related ganglionic blockade. We interpret these results to indicate that acute blockade of nicotinic receptor function can produce measurable and significant cognitive impairment, even in non-smoking normals.     

Male-female differences in the relationship between obesity and lipids/lipoproteins

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of gender on the relationship between obesity measures and lipids/lipoproteins. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, matched observational study of adult men and women. SUBJECTS: 225 spousal pairs from Cincinnati, Ohio (age range, 28-66 years; mean +/- SD (yr), 44.0 +/- 6.7 (men), 42.1 +/- 5.9 (women). MEASUREMENTS: Body mass measures, lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, physical activity levels, cigarette use and dietary variables. RESULTS: Correlations between the lipids/lipoproteins and body mass index (BMI) were stronger in women than in men for cholesterol (r = 0.24 vs 0.10), LDL-c (r = 0.27 vs 0.12), triglycerides (TG) (r = 0.48 vs 0.23) and the ratio cholesterol/HDL-c (r = 0.47 vs 0.28). Utilizing statistical regression models which included potentially confounding environmental factors, BMI and WHR both contributed significant information to describe cholesterol, HDL-c, TG and cholesterol/HDL-c values in women, whereas WHR alone provided information for these lipids/lipoproteins in men. CONCLUSION: The association between BMI and lipids/lipoproteins appears to be stronger in women than in men. In women, in contrast to men, BMI and WHR, measures which are easily attainable in the clinical setting, provide separate, independent information in the explanation of these lipid/lipoprotein levels.     

Psychiatrists' and internists' knowledge and attitudes about delivery of clinical preventive medical services

OBJECTIVE: Changes in the health care environment have placed a greater responsibility on psychiatrists to deliver basic primary care services. The study assessed baseline knowledge and attitudes about clinical preventive medical services among psychiatric faculty and psychiatric residents at a tertiary care medical center. METHODS: Residents and faculty in psychiatry and general internal medicine completed a structured questionnaire, including 20 case scenarios, that assessed their baseline knowledge of clinical preventive medical services, their attitudes concerning delivery of those services, and their beliefs about the effectiveness of those services in changing patients' behavior. The case scenarios and knowledge questions were based on the clinical preventive medical services recommendations outlined by the U. S. Preventive Services Task Force. RESULTS: Psychiatrists reported more frequent assessment of and counseling about the use of illicit drugs and weapons, and internists were more likely to query about measures related to physical health such as cancer screening and immunizations. The two groups reported similar attitudes toward the need for and the efficacy of preventive medical services. Commonly cited barriers to the delivery of preventive care included lack of time and education. Psychiatrists scored reasonably well on baseline knowledge about guidelines for preventive medical services, particularly given their recent lack of specific education in these matters. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatrists believe clinical preventive services are important and express interest in their delivery. Additional educational interventions are needed to train psychiatrists in clinical preventive services to avoid missed clinical opportunities for intervention in psychiatric populations that may have poor access to other medical care.     

Stereotaxic surgery of temporal lobe epilepsy

Forty patients with temporal epilepsy were operated on with a stereotaxic technique. Eleven patients had a unilateral localization of the epileptic focus, and in 29 bitemporal foci were diagnosed. In evaluating the results of the treatment the dynamics of the epileptic fits, the peculiarities of changes in the mental status, and the degree of social adaptation were taken into consideration. A postoperative improvement was achieved in 73% of the patients with monotemporal lesions, while in those with bitemporal epilepsy and distinct persistent mental disorders the state was improved in 44% of the cases. Indications for the choice of the zone of destruction depending on the clinical peculiarities of the lesion are presented.     

Primary isolation of Mycobacterium avium complex-serotype 6 on blood agar

Mycobacterium avium complex-serotype 6 was isolated in pure culture on blood agar plates from inocula taken from the heart blood, lungs, liver, kidneys, and spleen of a naturally infected captive female opossum (Didelphis marsupialis virginiana). Repeat cultures from stored tissues and transfer of colonies from original blood agar plates revealed that the mycobacterium grew on tryptose, brilliant green, eosin-methylene blue. Sabouraud glucose, and mycobiotic agar plates and in Fletcher leptospira medium. The cultural, biochemical, and serological characteristics of the test isolate were compared with other mycobacteria. This is the first report to describe the primary isolation of a serotype from the M. avium complex from an animal species on blood agar or in Fletcher broth. In addition, this is the second documented report describing the isolation and identification of a mycobacterial species from the American opossum.