The SolCos model: facilitating reminiscence therapy

1. Reminiscing is an effective strategy for processing information, feelings, and thoughts into a broader life perspective. 2. The SolCos Reminiscence Model has been developed to facilitate reminiscence therapy. It may be used singularly or in a group, and with elders and persons who are terminally ill. 3. The model, which consists of processes, items, and outcome categories, is a fluid construction and may be approached nonlinearly. The model is both beneficial and longitudinally cost-effective for the individual and yields a lasting benefit to the practitioner, both personally and professionally.     

New evidence relating to the nature and origin of the hairy cell of leukaemic reticuloendotheliosis

A procedure is presented for the purification of specific mRNAs, which exploits the ability of antibodies prepared against a native protein to bind to the nascent polypeptide on the polysome. Rather than precipitating these soluble antibody-polysome complexes with anti-antibody, which can lead to nonspecific trapping of polysomes, we have linked the anti-antibody to an insoluble matrix. Thus, the antibody-polysome complex binds to the anti-antibody support and nonspecific polysomes can easily be removed by several washes. We have found para-aminobenzyl cellulose (PAB cellulose), to be a suitable matrix for this purpose. This support can bind large quantities of anti-antibody and it displayed no detectable nonspecific affinity for polysomes or RNA. Using this procedure, we have obtained an apparently homogeneous preparation of ovalbumin mRNA.     

The antibody response in sheep vaccinated with experimental Nairobi sheep disease vaccines

The antibody responses to experimental Nairobi sheep disease vaccines have been assayed. The responses to an inactivated methanol precipitated vaccine were comperable with those following infection with virulent virus. The responses to attenuated vaccines were inadequate to protect against challenge with virulent virus.     

"Non-communicating'' syringomyelia: a non-existent entity

The basis of the treatment of acute lithium intoxication is clearance of the poison from the blood. Lithium and sodium ions being excreted under the influence of furosemide, the authors feel, in the light of one case, that forced diuresis, non-agressive, using furosemide appears to be the method of choice.     

Methodology of kinetic interaction studies in clinical pharmacology: an experimental contribution on diftalone and acetylsalicylic acid

The possible interaction of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and diftalone (DIF), a new anti-inflammatory drug, was studied in 6 volunteers. All subjects received each of the following three treatments: ASA 1 g, DIF 0.5 g, ASA 1 g plus DIF 0.5 g at 4-day intervals (stage 1 of the study). In stage II of the same study, each subject received ASA 1 g plus DIF 0.5 g in three different occasions 1 week apart; after a 7-day pre-treatment with either DIF 0.25 g b.i.d., or ASA 0.5 g b.i.d., or DIF 0.25 g b.i.d. plus ASA 0.5 g b.i.d. A total of four different comparisons were made. After pre-treatment with DIF, but not after pre-treatment with DIF plus ASA, the peak level of salicylate was significantly reduced by about 15%. No other evidence of interaction was found.     

Detection of hepatitis C virus with RNA polymerase chain reaction in fulminant hepatic failure

The role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in fulminant hepatic failure is controversial. The frequency of serum HCV RNA positivity in previously reported patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) of indeterminate cause ranged from 0 to 12% in the United States and Europe and from 43% to 59% in Asia. We assessed serum HCV RNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and oligoprimers from the 5'UTR of the HCV genome in 26 consecutive patients with FHF. Another laboratory independently performed PCR on 21 of the serum samples using different oligoprimers from the 5'UTR and NS3 region of the HCV genome. Serum HCV RNA was detected in two of seven (28%) patients with hepatitis B, 9 of 15 (60%) with an indeterminate cause, and in none with hepatitis A (n = 2) or drug-induced hepatotoxicity (n = 2). HCV RNA PCR results were concordant between both laboratories in 17 of 21 (81%) of samples. In patients with an indeterminate cause, HCV RNA positivity was significantly associated with the transmission risk factor of low socioeconomic status and Hispanic ethnicity. Eighteen patients underwent liver transplantation (LT) and 15 (83%) survived. Among patients with FHF of indeterminate cause, recurrent or acquired HCV infection after transplantation occurred in three of five (60%) and one of four (25%) patients, respectively. Three of four (75%) patients with hepatitis C virus infection post-LT also developed histologic hepatitis. HCV appears to be the causative agent of a substantial number of cases of FHF classified as indeterminate in the Los Angeles area. Differences in patient populations or risk factors may explain the discordant incidences of HCV infection in FHF observed among different programs.     

Physiopathology of spontaneous extravasation of urine in the upper urinary tract. Apropos of 24 cases

Extravasation of urine was seen in 24 intravenous pyelograms taken for renal colic during the year 1973-74. A number of the patients presented with an acute abdomen. Extravasation took place of retained urine under pressure in the renal pelvis with leakage either around the clayces, from a fissure in the pelvis or even around the ureter. Extravasations of this type are in general rabsorbed without trace. In 5 cases, operation was necessary to drain a purulent collection which had developed in association with the extravasated urine.     

New approaches to influenza chemotherapy. Neuraminidase inhibitors

Epidemic influenza continues to be associated with significant morbidity in the general population, and mortality in the elderly and other high risk patients. Although the case fatality rate averages less than 0.01%, tens of thousands of deaths occur each year. Control through immunisation programmes has not been possible due to incomplete protective efficacy and antigenic variations that occur frequently. Currently available anti-influenza medications (amantadine and rimantadine) have had limited success due to underutilisation, lack of activity against influenza B, the rapid development of viral resistance to the drugs, and adverse effects. A new class of antiviral agents designed to inhibit influenza neuraminidase, an important surface glycoprotein, is currently under active development for use in the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza A and B infections. Two of these compounds, zanamivir (GG167) and GS4104 (the ethyl ester prodrug of GS4071) have reached clinical trials. Most studies of zanamivir have involved topical administration by inhalation of dry powder aerosols and/or intranasal doses of aqueous solutions. These routes rapidly provide high local concentrations at the sites of delivery. GS4104 is administered orally, which allows for greater ease of administration, and probably more uniform distribution of the parent compound GS4071 in the respiratory tract. Both have shown potent inhibitory activity against influenza in animal models and experimental human influenza with excellent tolerability profiles. Zanamivir treatment has been shown to reduce the severity and duration of naturally occurring, uncomplicated influenza illness in adults. Clinical resistance to these drugs has not been recognised as a significant problem to date, although strains resistant to each agent have been produced in the laboratory. This class of agents shows considerable promise as a novel approach to prophylaxis and treatment of influenza infections. Ongoing studies should provide the data needed to allow the addition of 1 or more of the neuraminidase inhibitors to the clinician's anti-influenza armamentarium.