Spatial-Semantic Display Processing: The Role of Spatial Structure on Recall

The purpose of the present study was to test a model of spatial-semantic display processing by comparing the aided and unaided recall of information presented in a node-link format (knowledge map) to the aided and unaided recall of information presented in a text format. Structural icons of the knowledge map and text with the verbiage removed were used to aid retrieval in some conditions. Participants were randomly assigned to one of eight groups formed by the complete crossing of three factors: knowledge map versus text, structural icon at recall versus no structural icon at recall, and immediate versus delayed recall. Knowledge map groups outperformed text groups on essay tests and they more accurately remembered where information was located within the materials. Both knowledge map and text icon-aided recall groups had significantly better performance than the no icon, unaided recall groups (particularly on main ideas).     

The new partnership of genomics and chemistry for accelerated drug development

The Grashey shoulder position is used to demonstrate damage to the glenohumeral joint caused by osteoarthritis, sclerosis, tumors, fractures, osteophytes and cystic changes. However, it can be difficult to assess loss of articular cartilage using the Grashey shoulder position because little axial load is applied to the glenohumeral joint. This article describes a method of creating a loading force across the glenohumeral joint by adding weighted arm abduction during the Grashey position to demonstrate loss of the articular cartilage. Case studies and radiographs are presented to discuss the advantages of using the Grashey position with weighted abduction.     

Immunoglobulin A levels in southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) milk during the suckling period

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in milk samples from southern elephant seals at King George Island, Antarctica are reported. IgA levels were determined throughout the suckling period (approximately 23 days). The IgA concentration in southern elephant seal milk was lower than in other mammals and, unlike most mammalian milk, was not high during early lactation. There was not a definite pattern in IgA levels, which fluctuated within narrow limits throughout the suckling period (mean +/- SD, 30.81 +/- 6.38 mg IgA/100 g milk). If IgG was present, its level was too low to be detected by the method used. This is the first evidence in Southern elephant seal of the possibility of transmission of passive immunity after birth involving secretion of IgA in the milk.     

Plasma membrane phospholipid fatty acid composition of cultured skin fibroblasts from schizophrenic patients: comparison with bipolar patients and normal subjects

Recent studies have found lower red cell plasma membrane contents and composition of the long chain polyunsaturated essential fatty acid derivatives, particularly arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in a subgroup of chronic schizophrenic patients. These fatty acids are particularly enriched in the brain. Red blood cell levels of fatty acids are influenced by diet, medications, and other factors. Cell plasma membrane compositions of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids were therefore examined in cultured skin fibroblasts from 12 schizophrenic patients, 8 of whom were drug-naive and in a first episode of psychosis, 6 bipolar patients, and 8 normal control subjects. Docosahexaenoic acid as well as total n-3 essential fatty acid contents were significantly lower in cell lines from schizophrenic patients than in cell lines from bipolar patients and normal subjects, with no difference between the latter two groups. Arachidonic acid levels did not differ across the groups. The essential fatty acid profile observed is consistent with deficient delta-4 desaturase activity in schizophrenic patients.     

Post-traumatic stress disorder and functioning and quality of life outcomes in female Vietnam veterans

OBJECTIVE: This investigation assessed whether current post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was associated with impaired functioning in a nationally representative sample of female Vietnam veterans. METHODS: Logistic models were used to determine the association between PTSD and outcome while adjusting for demographic characteristics and medical and psychiatric co-morbidities. RESULTS: PTSD was associated with significantly elevated odds of poorer functioning in five of the six outcome domains; only the association between perpetration of violence in the past year and PTSD did not achieve statistical significance. After adjusting for demographics and medical and psychiatric co-morbidities, PTSD remained associated with significantly elevated odds of bed days, poorer physical health, and currently not working. CONCLUSIONS: Among female Vietnam veterans PTSD is associated with a broad profile of functional impairment. The significantly increased odds of impaired functioning and diminished quality of life suggest that PTSD may be the core problem of the set of problems afflicting female Vietnam veterans.     

Double coupling Edman chemistry for high-sensitivity automated protein sequencing

Capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) is a promising new method for the analysis of protein sequencing products. It gives 10 zmol (1 zmol = 10(-21) mol) limits of detection (3 sigma) for fluorescein thiohydantoin (FTH) amino acids. We have developed a separation for the (FTH)-amino acid products generated from 18 of the 20 coded amino acids. The extremely low volume requirement associated with CE-LIF makes it incompatible with commercial sequencers. For this reason, we have also been developing a miniaturized sequencer that can be more easily coupled to our detection system. Both the CE-LIF system and the miniaturized sequencer are described.     

Characterization and screening for mutations of the growth arrest-specific 11 (GAS11) and C16orf3 genes at 16q24.3 in breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Both fibroblast-mediated cytokine gene therapy and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) have proven to be efficient protocols for the recovery of bone marrow depression. In this report, the effects of fibroblast-mediated interleukin (IL)-6 gene therapy, in combination with BMT, on the recovery of irradiation-induced bone marrow depression were investigated. METHODS: NIH3T3 fibroblast cells engineered to secrete IL-6 (NIH3T3-IL-6) or NIH3T3 cells transduced with the neomycin gene (NIH3T3-Neo), in combination with 10(7), 10(6), or 10(5) syngeneic bone marrow cells, were implanted into irradiated mice. RESULTS: The platelets and white blood cells in the peripheral blood of the irradiated mice increased greatly 12 days after implantation of NIH3T3-IL-6 cells and BMT, the white blood cell counts were restored to a normal level 32 days after the combined therapy, and the platelet number was obviously higher than that in mice implanted with NIH3T3-Neo and BMT. Twenty and 25 days after the combined therapy, the mice showed accelerated recovery of colony-forming unit (CFU)-granulocyte/macrophages and CFU-megakaryocytes when compared with the mice implanted with NIH3T3-Neo cells and BMT. Ten days after lethal irradiation with gamma rays, the spleens formed more CFU-spleen in mice implanted with NIH3T3-IL-6 cells and BMT than in mice injected with phosphate-buffered saline or NIH3T3-Neo cells. Combined therapy with NIH3T3-IL-6 cell implantation and BMT delayed the survival period of the hematopoietic-depressed mice significantly when compared with therapy with NIH3T3-Neo cell implantation and BMT. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrated that the combined therapy of fibroblast-mediated IL-6 gene therapy and BMT could significantly promote the recovery of irradiation-induced hematopoietic depression.     

High-resolution analysis of T-cell receptor beta-chain repertoires using DNA heteroduplex tracking: generally stable, clonal CD8+ expansions in all healthy young adults

Harringtonine (HT), an anticancer drug with high chemotherapeutic efficiency to human chronic granulocytic/myelomonocytic leukemia, has been reported to rapidly induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells in a wide scope/range of dosage by investigators from our lab and others. In the present studies, by using video enhancement contrast (VEC) microscopy, we dynamically analyzed changes in intracellular calcium distribution in a single HL-60 cell over the period from the initiation of apoptosis to the obvious appearance of chromatin condensation. The results from this paper demonstrated the striking distinction of intracellular calcium distribution at different time points after treatment with HT. Before treatment in normal HL-60 cells the highest [Ca2+]i accumulation was observed in the peri-nuclear area and the lowest was observed in the nucleus; after treatment with 1 microg/ml HT for 30 min intracellular calcium diffused all over the cell compartments, while intranuclear calcium increased comparatively and significantly. The phenomenon of intranuclear calcium accumulation was further confirmed by using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). In addition, co-localization of the highest calcium region with condensed chromatin in apoptotic HL-60 cells was also observed by LSCM. Our results suggest that two sequential alterations of intracellular calcium distribution occurred in apoptotic HL-60 cells induced by HT, i.e. (a) accumulation of calcium in the nucleus and (b) regionalization in a specific nuclear region.     

Synthesis and biological activities of phenyl piperazine-based peptidomimetic growth hormone secretagogues

A new class of potent, orally active phenyl piperazine-based GH secretagogues have been discovered from attempts to mimic the arrangement of the phenyl substituent in the spiroindanyl piperidine and spiroindoline sulfonamide privileged structures of 4 and 1, respectively. The best of these compounds, 18 (EC50 = 2.8 nM) is nearly as potent as MK-0677 for releasing GH from rat pituitary cells.     

Family psychosocial screening: should we focus on high-risk settings?

The objective of this study was to address the question of whether or not psychosocial screening should be focused on "high-risk" populations. A cross-sectional survey of mothers of young children was conducted in various clinics: 758 in teaching clinics, 444 in private practices, and 202 at a military clinic. The self-administered questionnaire covered demographic factors, problems in mothers family of origin, maternal depression, and substance abuse. Mothers in the teaching clinics were younger and had less education and lower incomes than mothers in private practices, with intermediate levels in the military clinic. However, a substantial proportion of mothers seen in all sites reported psychosocial problems. Approximately 20% of mothers in all sites reported a family history of alcoholism. Positive screens for maternal depression ranged from about 15% to 35%. Binge drinking was reported by 10% to 20% at different sites. Psychosocial problems were common even among families seen in "low-risk" settings. Focusing screening only on high-risk clinics would miss many families with psychosocial problems.