Adult attachment and adult child-older parent relationships

Adult attachment status, concurrent and early relationships with parents, and depressive symptoms were assessed in 53 adults. Individuals with consistent reports of relationships--positive or negative--were most coherent in their narratives. Depressive symptoms were associated with negativity in both recalled and current relationships with parents, but were not correlated with coherence of narratives. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed.     

Selective inhibition of primary acute myeloid leukaemia cell growth by lovastatin

The insulin receptors from erythrocytes of 50 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were tested for their ability to autophosphorylate. The assay was performed by a new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system that used monoclonal anti-insulin receptor antibodies absorbed to microtiter plates as a first antibody and polyclonal antiphosphotyrosine antibody as a labeled second antibody. By this assay, 3 patients were identified with defects in their insulin receptor kinase, although their defects appeared heterogeneous. Patient 1 had 85% less maximal autophosphorylation with a normal ED50 (1.6 x 10(-9) M insulin). Patient 2, who had polycystic ovary disease, had a 49.2% decrease in maximal autophosphorylation of insulin receptors, and the ED50 was shifted to the right (5.6 x 10(-8) M). Patient 3 with acanthosis nigricans had a normal maximal autophosphorylation, but the ED50 shifted to the right (2.9 x 10(-8) M). The mechanisms for the diversity detected in this assay is not known, but this technique has sufficient specificity and sensitivity to be used to screen for insulin-resistant patients who have a lack of kinase activity.     

Association of focal adhesion kinase with its potential substrate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

The focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has been implicated in signal transduction pathways initiated by cell adhesion receptor integrins and by neuropeptide growth factors. To gain insight into FAK function, we examined the potential interaction of FAK with intracellular signaling molecules containing the Src homology 2 domains. We report here the stable association of FAK with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase; EC 2.7.1.137) in NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. This interaction was stimulated by cell adhesion concomitant with FAK activation. We also found that recombinant FAK bound to the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase directly in vitro and that autophosphorylation of recombinant FAK in vitro increased its binding to PI 3-kinase. We detected increased tyrosine phosphorylation of the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase during cell adhesion and observed direct phosphorylation of p85 by FAK in vitro. Together, these results suggest that PI 3-kinase may be a FAK substrate in vivo and serve as an effector of FAK.     

The effect of egg yolk sampling on performance parameters and reproductive indices of northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) eggs

The sampling of 50 microliters of the yolk (average 1.7% of the total volume) from northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) eggs on day 0, 6, 12, and 18 of incubation resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) increased embryo mortality in the day 12 and day 18 egg groups. Performance parameters and reproductive indices of the non-sampled eggs and the eggs sampled on day 0, and 6 of incubation did not differ from other reports on C. virginianus. No differences was found in postnatal responsiveness among hatchlings originating from controls and from all the groups of sampled eggs. As demonstrated in this representative galliform species, the technique can be applied for the screening of unembryonated eggs or early-embryogenesis-eggs of wild birds. If female birds are not accessible but their eggs are, information on the reproductive flock can be accessed without stressing adult birds.     

Potential for an external vaginal antiitch cream containing benzocaine to cause methemoglobinemia in healthy women

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to assess the potential for an external vaginal antiitch cream (20% benzocaine, 3% resorcinol) to significantly increase levels of methemoglobin above normal in healthy women. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-five women reporting external vaginal itch were recruited for the study. Each patient was used as her own control with methemoglobin levels being measured before and after use of the cream. Women were instructed to apply a 1-inch strip of cream by fingertip to the external genital area three or four times a day for 7 consecutive days. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in methemoglobin levels before and after use or in levels from a subgroup of women aged > 50 years compared with levels in a younger population. CONCLUSIONS: This preparation appears to be safe when used as directed; however, the results cannot be extrapolated to the very young. Nevertheless, lavish or frequent application over wide areas of excoriation might lead to toxic concentrations and methemoglobinemia. Therefore patients with serious vaginal disease should be advised against self-treatment beyond the 7-day limit imposed by the Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter external analgesic medications.     

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus are predisposed to many infectious and noninfectious complications and often receive a variety of drugs. Furthermore, they seem to have a particular susceptibility to idiosyncratic adverse drug reactions. It is therefore surprising that only a few cases of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome have been described in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose the neuroleptic malignant syndrome in these patients, as its usual manifestations, including fever and altered consciousness, are frequently attributed to an underlying infection.     

Natural killer activating receptors trigger interferon gamma secretion from T cells and natural killer cells

Proliferation of human CD4+ alphabeta T cells expressing a natural killer cell activating receptor (NKAR) has been shown to be enhanced, particularly in response to low doses of antigen, if the target cells present appropriate human class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Here, we show that NKAR also enhance proliferation and killing of target cells by subsets of CD8+ alphabeta and CD8+ gammadelta T cells, as well as by NK cells. Strikingly, interferon gamma secretion from all of these types of lymphocytes was markedly increased by interaction of the NKAR with their MHC class I ligands, independently of enhancement of proliferation. Thus, the recognition of class I MHC molecules by NKAR on both T cells and NK cells may provide a regulatory mechanism that affects immune responses through the secretion of interferon gamma and possibly other cytokines. It represents a signal for cytokine secretion alternative and/or augmentative to that through the T cell receptor.