Gender and sexual identity-based predictors of lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative counseling self-efficacy.

This exploratory study applies the tenets of social cognitive theory to investigate the influence of gender self-confidence and of sexual identity exploration and commitment on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) affirmative counselor self-efficacy. Data were gathered from a convenience sample of 178 mental health clinicians. Controlling for participants' age, professional experience, level of income, race and ethnicity, and sexual orientation, findings revealed that higher levels of LGB-affirmative counseling self-efficacy were positively associated with gender self-definition and with sexual identity commitment. Post hoc analyses conducted with the 5 subscales of the LGB-affirmative counseling self-efficacy measure indicated that findings varied across specific self-efficacy domains. Implications of these results for continuing education, training, and research promoting LGB-affirmative psychotherapy are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of thrombolytic therapy on platelet expression and plasma concentration of PECAM-1 (CD31) in patients with acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: Cholelithiasis is a common problem in hospitals of the Peruvian Andes; however, its prevalence in Andean communities is unknown. To estimate the prevalence of gallstone disease in this locale, we conducted a cross-sectional community study in three high-altitude Peruvian rural villages (i.e., > 3000 m above sea level). METHODS: We examined 911 volunteers > 15 yr of age from three villages for gallstone disease by history and ultrasonography. Risk factors for gallstone disease were examined in 382 volunteers from one village. RESULTS: The age-adjusted prevalence of gallstone disease ranged from 4-10% in men and from 18-20% in women. Women had significantly higher age-adjusted prevalence rates than did men. The prevalence of gallstone disease increased significantly with age and decreased significantly with alcohol consumption. Although not statistically significant, we found a positive association between gallstone disease and body mass index. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that gallstone disease, commonly perceived as a disease of the developed world, is also a common problem in high-altitude Peruvian communities.     

Recruitment of ZipA to the septal ring of Escherichia coli is dependent on FtsZ and independent of FtsA

Cell division in prokaryotes is mediated by the septal ring. In Escherichia coli, this organelle consists of several essential division proteins, including FtsZ, FtsA, and ZipA. To gain more insight into how the structure is assembled, we studied the interdependence of FtsZ, FtsA, and ZipA localization using both immunofluorescence and Gfp tagging techniques. To this end, we constructed a set of strains allowing us to determine the cellular location of each of these three proteins in cells from which one of the other two had been specifically depleted. Our results show that ZipA fails to accumulate in a ring shape in the absence of FtsZ. Conversely, depletion of ZipA does not abolish formation of FtsZ rings but leads to a significant reduction in the number of rings per unit of cell mass. In addition, ZipA does not appear to require FtsA for assembly into the septal ring and vice versa. It is suggested that septal ring formation starts by assembly of the FtsZ ring, after which ZipA and FtsA join this structure in a mutually independent fashion through direct interactions with the FtsZ protein.     

Preoperative sonographic diagnosis of acute appendicitis caused by Ascaris lumbricoides

Acute appendicitis caused by Ascaris lumbricoides is an uncommon variant of a common disease. We describe a case in which sonography was used for preoperative diagnosis of ascaris appendicitis.     

Femoral hernia

BACKGROUND: Atopy is reported to play an insignificant role in wheezing during infancy in contrast to later childhood. For this reason skin testing may not be included in a workup of wheezing infants. OBJECTIVE/METHOD: In order to evaluate the degree and evolution of skin sensitization to allergens in infants with asthma, we have retrospectively analyzed the skin test results from 40 referred asthmatic children less than 36 months of age, who had had more than three wheezing episodes and whose symptoms improved on treatment with beta-agonist and anti-inflammatory agents. RESULTS: Skin sensitization (epicutaneous) to common indoor and outdoor aeroallergens and foods were demonstrated in 23 (58%) of these patients. Asthmatic children with the onset before 12 months of age and duration of less than 12 months were sensitive predominantly to foods. Those with later onset asthmas and longer duration developed sensitivity first to indoor and then to outdoor allergens. The most common food, indoor, and outdoor allergens were egg, dust mite, and pollens, respectively. Six of these patients had repeat skin tests later. Two demonstrated a decrease in skin sensitivities to foods, one gained a new sensitivity to grass, while three remained unsensitized. CONCLUSION: Skin sensitization to allergens was common in selected asthmatic infants and evolves in the order of exposures: foods, indoor allergens, and outdoor allergens. Repeat skin tests showed changing skin test patterns in some patients.     

Fast fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery imaging: first experience with a 3D version in epilepsy

Breast reconstruction has been the subject of many controversies. It now seems generally agreed however that the operation has no deleterious influence on the follow up of breast cancer patients and that it has favorable psychologic effects. Breast reconstruction can be performed either by using prostheses or analogous tissues. These two different modalities have each their own advantages and limitations. Deep knowledge of the techniques and their indications allows to select the most appropriate approach in the individual patient and, thus, to improve long term results.     

Stimulation of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) accumulation by modulation of passive permeability with genistein: an altered response in accumulation-defective resistant cells

The effect of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein on the accumulation of cisplatin (DDP) was investigated in DDP-sensitive and -resistant human 2008 ovarian carcinoma cell lines. DDP accumulation after a 1-h exposure was maximally increased by concurrent 40 micrometer genistein. The maximal stimulation of accumulation was observed after 2 h of total genistein exposure and was 83 +/- 13% (n = 5) higher than controls. With resistant C13(*) cells, however, the stimulation of accumulation was delayed until 4 h and was increased only 46 +/- 18% compared to controls. Revertant RH4 cells that retained the accumulation defect behaved like the C13(*) cells. Genistein stimulated [3H]mannitol accumulation (a marker of passive permeability) by 43 +/- 9% (n = 3) in 2008 cells, and the effect was maximal after 2 h of total genistein exposure. Changes in [3H]mannitol accumulation in 2008 parent cells were highly correlated with DDP accumulation (r = 0.9010). These experiments also revealed that [3H]mannitol accumulation after 2 h in C13(*) cells was reduced 38% compared to 2008 cells, a decrease that reflected the DDP accumulation defect. Fluid-phase pinocytosis determined with lucifer yellow CH as a marker showed no difference between 2008 and C13(*) cells and no effect of genistein. Genistein was demonstrated to clearly inhibit protein-tyrosine phosphorylation initiated by the epidermal growth factor receptor kinase. Differences were noted in the phosphotyrosine pattern between the 2008 and C13(*) cells. Under the conditions that had the maximal effect on DDP accumulation in 2008 cells, genistein decreased the IC50 of DDP 8.2-fold in 2008 cells and 4.7-fold in C13(*) cells. We conclude that: (a) genistein stimulates DDP accumulation by modulating the passive permeability of the plasma membrane; (b) C13(*) cells are less permeable to passively diffusing small molecules, which offers a mechanism for the DDP accumulation defect without invoking carrier proteins; (c) the effect of tyrosine kinase inhibition on passive permeability is altered in C13(*) cells; and (d) pinocytosis contributes insignificantly to DDP accumulation. Genistein, a dietary isoflavone, thus seems to be a promising clinical candidate for combination with DDP.