"The relation of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery to ratings of everyday functioning in a geriatric sample"

Reports an error in "The relation of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery to ratings of everyday functioning in a geriatric sample" by H. Russell Searight, Edwin J. Dunn, Thomas Grisso, Ronald B. Margolis and et al (Neuropsychology, 1989, Vol 3[3], 135-145). This article presented different data analyses obtained from the sample also described in "The Relation of the Halstead- Reitan Neuropsychological Battery to Functional Daily Living Skills in Geriatric Patients" by Edwin J. Dunn, H. Russell Searight, Thomas Grisso, Ronald B. Margolis, and Judith L. Gibbons (Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 1990, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 103-117). The two papers described distinct approaches to competence assessment, using the sample. The 1990 paper described the Community Competence Scale, a test administered directly to the patient to assess daily living abilities, while the 1989 paper described data from the Scale of Competence in Independent Living Skills, an interview rating scale administered to a third party knowledgeable about the patient's living abilities. The 1990 paper was both submitted and published prior to the 1989 paper. Cross-references between the papers and footnotes about being based on the same sample were previously omitted. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 1991-15914-001.) Examined the relation between neuropsychological functioning, measured by the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery, and daily living ability, assessed by the Scale of Competence in Independent Living Skills (SCILS) completed by a significant other. Ss were 40 geriatric patients (mean age 69.6 yrs) referred for suspected dementia. Results suggest that neuropsychological tests were moderately predictive of daily living skills. Four of the neuropsychological subtests (Speech Sounds Perception, Seashore Rhythm, Tactual Performance—Memory, and Finger Tapping—Dominant Hand) were found to be most strongly associated with daily living skills. Data suggest that although a global relation between the 2 domains exists, predictions about specific daily living skills may be unwarranted. The limitations of significant others' ratings of patients' functioning and of the SCILS are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Safety and immunogenicity of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine administered to infants at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. The Kaiser-UCLA Vaccine Study Group

A recombinant hepatitis B vaccine was administered to over 5000 infants in a prospective, randomized and blinded study. Infants were given either recombinant hepatitis B vaccine (Engerix-B, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, 10 micrograms dose-1) or a Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine at 2, 4 and 6 months of age simultaneously with diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and oral polio vaccines. Adverse reactions were ascertained by parental reports and interviews, and review of medical records. Blood specimens collected from 269 infants given hepatitis B vaccine were assayed for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) by enzyme immunoassay. Infants given hepatitis B vaccine experienced low rates of adverse reactions that were similar or lower than the rates in infants given Hib conjugate vaccine. The geometric mean anti-HBs concentrations were 9.6 mIU ml-1 after one dose, 333 mIU ml-1 after two doses and 1812 mIU ml-1 after three doses (99% had levels > or = 10 mIU ml-1). Antibody responses to diphtheria and tetanus toxoids were unaffected by simultaneous administration of hepatitis B or Hib conjugate vaccine. Engerix-B vaccine was safe and immunogenic when given with other routine childhood immunizations at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, and should provide long-term protection against hepatitis B virus infection.     

Directed expression of the growth-associated protein B-50/GAP-43 to olfactory neurons in transgenic mice results in changes in axon morphology and extraglomerular fiber growth

B-50/GAP-43, a neural growth-associated phosphoprotein, is thought to play a role in neuronal plasticity and nerve fiber formation since it is expressed at high levels in developing and regenerating neurons and in growth cones. Using a construct containing the coding sequence of B-50/GAP-43 under the control of regulatory elements of the olfactory marker protein (OMP) gene, transgenic mice were generated to study the effect of directed expression of B-50/GAP-43 in a class of neurons that does not normally express B-50/GAP-43, namely, mature OMP-positive olfactory neurons. Olfactory neurons have a limited lifespan and are replaced throughout adulthood by new neurons that migrate into the upper compartment of the epithelium following their formation from stem cells in the basal portion of this neuroepithelium. Thus, the primary olfactory pathway is exquisitely suited to examine a role of B-50/GAP-43 in neuronal migration, lifespan, and nerve fiber growth. We find that B-50/GAP-43 expression in adult olfactory neurons results in numerous primary olfactory axons with enlarged endings preferentially located at the rim of individual glomeruli. Furthermore, ectopic olfactory nerve fibers in between the juxtaglomerular neurons or in close approximation to blood vessels were frequently observed. This suggests that expression of B-50/GAP-43 in mature olfactory neurons alters their response to signals in the bulb. Other parameters examined, that is, migration and lifespan of olfactory neurons are normal in B-50/GAP-43 transgenic mice. These observations provide direct in vivo evidence for a role of B-50/GAP-43 in nerve fiber formation and in the determination of the morphology of axons.     

The mother-child relationship in bronchial asthma.

The responses to the Blacky Test and an objective test of attitudes re child rearing—Parental Attitude Research Instrument (PARI), Schaefer & Bell (1955)—of mothers of children with asthma (A), were compared to those of children with rheumatic fever (RF), and a group being seen in out-patient clinic dealing with minor cuts and bruises (healthy controls, H). No differences were found on the PARI, and significance was found on only 2 cards of the Blacky. From these 2 cards, it was concluded that A mothers, as compared to the others, had a greater intensity of edipal conflict and were more inclined to be characterized as oral erotic. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Enhanced In Vivo Delivery of Stem Cells using Microporous Annealed Particle Scaffolds

Delivery to the proper tissue compartment is a major obstacle hampering the potential of cellular therapeutics for medical conditions. Delivery of cells within biomaterials may improve localization, but traditional and newer void‐forming hydrogels must be made in advance with cells being added into the scaffold during the manufacturing process. Injectable, in situ cross‐linking microporous scaffolds are recently developed that demonstrate a remarkable ability to provide a matrix for cellular proliferation and growth in vitro in three dimensions. The ability of these scaffolds to deliver cells in vivo is currently unknown. Herein, it is shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be co‐injected locally with microparticle scaffolds assembled in situ immediately following injection. MSC delivery within a microporous scaffold enhances MSC retention subcutaneously when compared to cell delivery alone or delivery within traditional in situ cross‐linked nanoporous hydrogels. After two weeks, endothelial cells forming blood vessels are recruited to the scaffold and cells retaining the MSC marker CD29 remain viable within the scaffold. These findings highlight the utility of this approach in achieving localized delivery of stem cells through an injectable porous matrix while limiting obstacles of introducing cells within the scaffold manufacturing process.     

Trabecular scaffolds created using micro CT guided fused deposition modeling

Free form fabrication and high resolution imaging techniques enable the creation of biomimetic tissue engineering scaffolds. A 3D CAD model of canine trabecular bone was produced via micro CT and exported to a fused deposition modeler, to produce polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) trabeculated scaffolds and four other scaffold groups of varying pore structures. The five scaffold groups were divided into subgroups (n = 6) and compression tested at two load rates (49 N/s and 294 N/s). Two groups were soaked in a 25 °C saline solution for 7 days before compression testing. Micro CT was used to compare porosity, connectivity density, and trabecular separation of each scaffold type to a canine trabecular bone sample. At 49 N/s the dry trabecular scaffolds had a compressive stiffness of 4.94 ± 1.19 MPa, similar to the simple linear small pore scaffolds and significantly more stiff (p < 0.05) than either of the complex interconnected pore scaffolds. At 294 N/s, the compressive stiffness values for all five groups roughly doubled. Soaking in saline had an insignificant effect on stiffness. The trabecular scaffolds matched bone samples in porosity; however, achieving physiologic connectivity density and trabecular separation will require further refining of scaffold processing.     

Regional mapping of gross light-use efficiency using MODIS spectral indices

Direct estimation of photosynthetic light-use efficiency (LUE) from space would be of significant benefit to LUE-based models which use inputs from remote sensing to estimate terrestrial productivity. The Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) has shown promise in tracking LUE at the leaf- to small canopy levels, but its use at regional to global scales still remains a challenge. In this study, we used different formulations of PRI calculated from the MODIS ocean band centered at 531 nm and a set of alternative reference bands at 488, 551, and 678 nm to explore the relationship between PRI and LUE where LUE was measured at eight eddy covariance flux towers located in the boreal forest of Saskatchewan, Canada. The magnitude and variability of LUE was significantly lower at the times when useful MODIS ocean band images were available (i.e. around midday under clear-sky conditions) relative to the rest of the growing season. PRI₆₇₈ (reference band at 678 nm) showed the strongest relationship (r² = 0.70) with LUE_90a (i.e. 90-minute mean LUE calculated using Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation, APAR), but only when all sites were combined. Overall, the relationships between the MODIS PRIs and LUE_90a were always stronger for observations closer to the backscatter direction and there were no significant differences in the strength of the correlations whether LUE was calculated based on incident PAR or on APAR. Predictions of ecosystem photosynthesis at the time of the MODIS overpasses were significantly improved by multiplying either PAR or APAR by MODIS PRI (r² improved from 0.09 to 0.44 and 0.54 depending on the PRI formulation).We used our PRI-LUE model to create a regional LUE_90a map for the three cover types covering 47,500 km² around the flux sites. The MODIS PRI-derived LUE_90a map appeared to capture more realistic spatial heterogeneity of LUE across the landscape compared to a daily LUE map derived using the look-up table in the MODIS GPP (MOD17) algorithm. While our LUE map is only a snapshot of minimum regional LUE_90a values, with appropriate gap-filling methods it could be used to improve regional-scale monitoring of GPP. Moreover, the strong relationship between midday and daily LUE on clear days (r² = 0.93) indicates that instantaneous MODIS observations of LUE_90a could be used to estimate daily LUE. Finally, pixel shadow fraction from the 5-Scale geometric-optical model was closely related to both MODIS PRI and tower-derived LUE suggesting that differences in stand leaf area and in diffuse illumination among flux sites play a role in the relationship we observed between LUE and MODIS PRI.     

Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) Films through a Precursor Plasma Spraying Technique

Coatings of yttrium aluminum garnet (Y₃Al₅O₁₂, YAG), which is a promising high-temperature ceramic, were developed for the first time using a novel precursor plasma spraying (PPS) technique. The precursor sol was sprayed using a radio-frequency induction plasma technique. X-ray diffraction analysis of the as-sprayed coatings confirmed that a metastable hexagonal yttrium aluminate (H-YAlO₃) was the major phase. The above-described specimen, on further treatment with plasma, was converted to cubic garnet (YAG) as the major phase, with a minor amount of orthorhombic YAlO₃ (O-YAP) phase. ²⁷Al magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance of the YAG coating corroborated the X-ray results and confirmed the presence of YAG and O-YAP phases. Formation of the garnet phase through the PPS technique is proof that the chemistry can be controlled in the plasma. This finding opens up new avenues for developing complex functional oxide deposits.     

Ocular and sinus microsporidial infection cured with systemic albendazole

PURPOSE: To report treatment of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and ocular and paranasal sinus microsporidial infection. METHOD: Case report. RESULTS: A patient with AIDS and ocular microsporidial infection experienced resolution of ocular symptoms with topical fumagillin, but symptoms recurred upon cessation of therapy. Paranasal sinus microsporidial infection was diagnosed. The patient received sequential systemic treatment with itraconazole followed by albendazole. Sinus symptoms resolved with albendazole. He remained symptom-free with a normal examination 17 months after concluding therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Although fumagillin and itraconazole may have played a role, systemic albendazole appears to be responsible for clinical resolution of microsporidial infection.