Perineal ecthyma gangrenosum in infancy and early childhood: septicemic and nonsepticemic forms.

Ecthyma gangrenosum is characterized by necrotic ulcerations surrounded by an erythematous halo. It is secondary to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Most lesions are located in the anogenital and axillary areas, but the route of infection is generally difficult to establish. We report six children with perineal ecthyma gangrenosum and discuss predisposing factors, origin, and route of infection. This was a retrospective clinical study. Three children had blood cultures positive for P. aeruginosa, and one died. Predisposing factors were present in all cases; two had received chemotherapy (neuroblastoma, acute lymphoblastic leukemia), and two had idiopathic granulocytopenia. The last two patients previously had received treatment with systemic antibiotics and had abnormal granulocyte killing several months later. Septicemic ecthyma gangrenosum can be rapidly fatal in young children and requires aggressive antibiotic therapy. Benign ecthyma gangrenosum in healthy infants may result from a modification of bowel microflora after antibiotic therapy in conjunction with maceration in the diaper area. However, careful evaluation and long-term follow-up must be done to detect neutropenia, functional abnormalities of granulocytes, or a possible immune deficiency.


Treatment of erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma with extracorporeal photochemotherapy.

This original cohort of patients with erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) was reported to have clinical improvement with photopheresis during the 12 months of the original study. No long-term follow-up data have been available to examine the impact of this therapy on the disease. Our purpose was to provide long-term follow-up on the original 29 erythrodermic CTCL patients treated with photopheresis and to compare these results with historical controls. Files of patients from the original photopheresis study centers were reviewed and their current status was documented. The median survival of the treated patients was 60.33 months from the date of diagnosis and 47.9 months from the date of the start of photopheresis therapy. A complete remission has been maintained in four of the six patients who achieved complete responses in the original study. The best responses were seen in patients with a lower CD4/CD8 ratio in the peripheral blood at the start of therapy. Photopheresis can influence the natural history of erythrodermic CTCL by inducing remissions and prolonging survival with minimal toxicity.


Elevation of fasting serum lipids in patients treated with low-dose cyclosporine for severe plaque-type psoriasis. An assessment of clinical significance when viewed as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Hyperlipidemia has received little attention as a side effect of cyclosporine therapy for severe psoriasis. We report changes in fasting serum lipids in patients treated with low-dose oral cyclosporine for psoriasis and discuss their significance. Twenty-two patients with severe, recalcitrant, plaque-type psoriasis were treated with cyclosporine, 5 mg/kg/day, for 12 to 16 weeks. Fasting serum lipid levels (triglycerides, cholesterol, and high-density lipoproteins) were measured at 2-week intervals. The mean serum triglyceride level increased from 117.8 +/- 11.7 mg/dl before initiation of therapy to 183.9 +/- 31.4 mg/dl after 2 weeks of treatment, without further significant change during the remainder of the study (p less than 0.007). A significant elevation of serum cholesterol from 207.1 +/- 8.1 mg/dl initially to 247.4 +/- 10.2 mg/dl after 2 weeks of treatment occurred (p less than 0.001) and persisted with continued cyclosporine therapy. No consistent alteration in high-density lipoprotein was noted (p less than 0.42). Serum lipids should be closely monitored in psoriasis patients receiving intermediate or long-term therapy with cyclosporine, especially in the presence of elevated baseline values.


Dermabrasion: therapy and prophylaxis of the photoaged face.

For many years dermabrasion has been used for the treatment of photoaged facial skin. However, there is a paucity of correlative studies that document the beneficial histopathologic effects of dermabrasion with clinical changes. Moreover, long-term follow-up and comparative studies that document these therapeutic results are lacking. Our purpose was to study patients with photoaged facial skin by comparing the preoperative and postoperative clinical and histopathologic changes that occur as a result of surgical dermabrasion of aged and photodamaged facial skin. Twelve patients 40 years of age and older with significant photoaging and dermatoheliosis were treated with full-face dermabrasion. Predermabrasion biopsy specimens were compared with matched postdermabrasion biopsy specimens taken at various time intervals from 6 months to 8 years after dermabrasion. Microscopic normalization of the actinically damaged epidermis and papillary dermis was manifested clinically by the replacement of dermatoheliosis with supple, smooth-textured facial skin that remained clinically evident well beyond 8 years after dermabrasion. In addition, the necessity for the continued treatment of premalignant and malignant lesions was virtually eliminated during the 8-year postdermabrasion period. Not only is dermabrasion a beneficial therapeutic option for aged and photo-damaged skin, but it also is a valid means of prophylaxis against neoplastic changes.


Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome: new molecular and biochemical insights.

The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is an uncommon X-linked recessive disease characterized by eczema, thrombocytopenia, and immunodeficiency. The clinical features begin early in life and include recurrent infections, bleeding, and severe eczema. Unless the condition is treated by bone marrow transplantation, the prognosis of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is grave, and premature death caused by sepsis, hemorrhage, or lymphoreticular malignancy is common. Although the biochemical defect responsible for the syndrome is not known, recent investigations with restriction fragment length polymorphisms have mapped the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome locus to the proximal portion of the short arm of the human X chromosome (Xp11). The isolation of these DNA markers makes feasible both carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome and provides an important adjunct to the management of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome for patients and their families. These genetic data, in conjunction with the recent identification of a specific O-glycosylation defect in lymphocytes from patients with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, present an opportunity for the eventual isolation of the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome gene and identification of the underlying cellular defect. We review the clinical and laboratory features of this syndrome and summarize the new molecular and biochemical approaches that can be used in diagnosis, genetic counseling, and treatment.


Reactive lentiginous hyperpigmentation after cryosurgery for lentigo maligna.

Twenty patients treated for lentigo maligna of the face with cryosurgery developed benign lentiginous hyperpigmentation mimicking a recurrence. When cryosurgery is used in the treatment of lentigo maligna, it is important to know whether repigmentation of the scar represents true recurrence or a benign process. Twenty patients were treated with cryosurgery for lentigo maligna of the face. Within a follow-up period of 7 to 80 months, frequent clinical observations were made. Lentiginous hyperpigmentation developed within the treatment area in eight patients. Histologic investigation revealed recurrence of lentigo maligna in three and benign hyperpigmentation in five. Genetic factors and UV exposure after cryosurgery may favor the development of benign lentiginous hyperpigmentation. Because recurrence of lentigo maligna must be considered, histologic evaluation of repigmentation is mandatory.


Pulsed-dye laser therapy for cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Cutaneous lesions of Kaposi's sarcoma associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS-KS) are disfiguring. This study assesses the response of AIDS-KS to pulsed-dye laser (PDL) therapy. The PDL was used to treat 15 AIDS-KS patients. Treatment was repeated at 4-week intervals. On average, patients received three treatments per treated lesion. At 6 weeks' follow-up, the patients' treated lesions were reduced in size when compared with their matched control lesions (p less than 0.002). A complete or partial clinical response occurred in 44% of treated lesions (17 of 39) compared with 18% of matched control lesions (7 of 39) [corrected]. Patients experienced limited pain, infrequent blistering, and no scarring. However, histopathologic findings of treated lesions throughout therapy correlated poorly with clinical response. At 12 weeks, all treated lesions had recurred. PDL therapy for AIDS-KS is not recommended. Although safe, the rapid recurrence of disease at initially responsive sites would require costly, long-term therapy to maintain cosmetic improvement.


Combination of patch test and IgE for dust mite antigens differentiates 130 patients with atopic dermatitis into four groups.

Patients with atopic dermatitis sometimes have positive responses to patch testing (PT) with dust mite antigens, which is believed to correlate with the elevated levels of specific IgE for those antigens. The purpose of this study is to identify the correlation between the PT and serum IgE concerning the mite antigens. We studied 130 patients with atopic dermatitis by the PT reaction and the serum level of specific IgE for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigens. Fifty-one of the 130 patients assessed as PT-positive had either high (32 of 130 patients; 24.6%) or low or no (19 of 130 patients; 14.6%) levels of mite-specific IgE; there was a significant difference between the groups with elevated and low IgE. Similarly, a total of 79 PT-negative patients also showed an elevated or low mite-specific IgE (42 of 130 patients [32.3%] or 37 of 130 patients [28.5%], respectively). It was noted that clinical morphologic findings were peculiar to three of the four groups; however, the patients who were PT-negative with a low IgE (37 of 130 patients) showed no particular clinical lesions. Comparing the results from our 130 patients, there was no correlation between the serum IgE level and the PT reaction for dust mite antigens. Conversely, the results of PT and mite-specific IgE could be used to divide these patients into four distinct groups, each with its own particular clinical morphology, suggesting the heterogeneity of this disease.


Paraneoplastic pemphigus: a report of three cases including one long-term survivor.

Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a newly described autoimmune disease characterized by painful mucosal ulcerations and polymorphous skin lesions in association with an underlying neoplasm. All reported patients with an associated malignant neoplasm have had a poor prognosis. We present three new cases of paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with a malignant neoplasm and further characterize this disease. We used clinical criteria, histologic and immunopathologic examinations, and immunophenotyping to characterize this disease. In addition, we performed immunoprecipitation studies with extracts of radiolabeled human keratinocytes to characterize the antigens to which patient serum binds. All three patients had clinical, histologic, and immunopathologic findings that were strongly suggestive of paraneoplastic pemphigus. Their sera immunoprecipitated a complex of four polypeptides from human keratinocyte extracts with molecular weights of 250, 230, 210, and 190 kd, confirming the diagnosis of paraneoplastic pemphigus. The 250, 230, and 210 kd antigens comigrated with desmoplakin I, the 230 kd bullous pemphigoid antigen, and desmoplakin II, respectively. Lymphocyte immunophenotyping revealed large populations of monoclonal CD19+, CD5+ B cells in two cases. Although two of the patients died, one patient is alive and well 2 years after the diagnosis of paraneoplastic pemphigus. We report three cases of paraneoplastic pemphigus. One patient is alive and well 2 years after diagnosis, which suggests that a subgroup of patients may have a more benign course.


Malignant lymphoma and leukemia with prominent ulceration: clinicopathologic correlation of 33 cases.

The clinical and pathologic findings in patients with malignant lymphomas who presented with prominent cutaneous ulcers are described. Our purpose was to determine the histologic findings, type, and prognosis of lymphomas with cutaneous ulcers. Thirty-three patients (20 with cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, 10 with other non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, and 3 with leukemia) were retrospectively studied. All patients had a poor prognosis; 23 died within 9 months after the onset of the ulcers. Patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma had a worse prognosis, had a higher incidence of systemic involvement, and more often had ulcers as an initial manifestation of lymphoma than did the patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The histopathologic findings ranged from a nonspecific inflammatory infiltrate to ulcers with marked adjacent epidermal epidermotropism to ulcers with an angiocentric infiltrate. A variety of lymphomas may cause cutaneous ulceration. Adequate sampling of these ulcers is necessary for diagnosis. The average life expectancy after ulcer formation is 21 months.


Stratum corneum changes in patients with senile pruritus.

Generalized pruritus in the elderly is a common and distressing problem; often there is no evidence of skin disease other than xerosis. The aim of the study was to determine whether any abnormality could be detected in the structure and function of the skin of patients with generalized pruritus. The skin of 13 elderly patients with generalized pruritus, without skin disease or any underlying cause, was contrasted with that of age- and sex-matched normal control subjects. The patients had clinically drier skin (mean visual analogue scale score 2.9 [standard deviation +/- 2.2], controls 0.52 [+/- 0.59], p = 0.002). The severity of the pruritus was related to the degree of xerosis (r = 0.66). The patients had decreased skin surface conductance (10.7 mumho [+/- 3.4], controls 16 mumho [+/- 5.3], p = 0.017), and increased intracorneal cohesion (240.5 g [+/- 88], controls 162.7 g [+/- 39.8], p = 0.001). The patients also had statistically significantly diminished parameters of skin surface contour. The findings of increased intracorneal cohesion and altered skin surface contour parameters suggest that elderly patients with generalized pruritus may have an acquired abnormality of keratinization.


Photographic utilization in dermatology clinics in the United States: a survey of university-based dermatology residency programs.

Photography has recently been introduced as an adjunct to the clinical management of patients with the dysplastic nevus syndrome (DNS). Our purpose was to evaluate the methods used and the extent of clinical photography in dermatology residency programs in the United States. Nonmilitary accredited dermatology residency programs in the United States were surveyed (73% response rate) regarding utilization and technical aspects of clinical photography. Forty-one percent of respondents used photography for the clinical management of 90% or more of patients with DNS. Twenty-four percent of respondents used photography for the clinical management of all patients with DNS. Eighty-one percent of respondents used slides, and 62% utilized total body photographs. The median number of photographs taken for a patient with DNS was 20. Dermatologic photography has been widely adopted for the clinical management of patients with DNS. Failure of the health insurance industry to recognize the value of this procedure may result in its underutilization.


Differential effects of cyclosporine and etretinate on serum cytokine levels in patients with psoriasis.

The in vivo effects of cyclosporine and etretinate on the immune system are still unclear. Our purpose was to determine the effects of these drugs on in vivo production of various cytokines. Serum cytokine levels were measured sequentially by radioimmunoassay in psoriasis patients treated with either cyclosporine or etretinate. Interferon-gamma levels were initially elevated and rapidly returned to baseline levels before clinical improvement in both treatment groups. A transient increase before the relapse was also observed in some patients. Etretinate treatment resulted in a substantial decrease in tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, whereas an unpredictable increase was found during the late phase of cyclosporine treatment. The in vivo effects of antipsoriatic drugs on cytokine production are different from those demonstrated in vitro. Measurement of serum cytokine levels is useful for monitoring patients with psoriasis.


The focal facial dermal dysplasias: report of a kindred and a proposed new classification.

The focal facial dermal dysplasias (FFDD) are a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by congenital bilateral scarlike facial lesions, with or without associated facial anomalies. The cases have been reported under various names; thus the nosology is confusing and unclear. Our purposes were to report our kindred, clearly delineate the various types of FFDD reported, and propose a new simplified classification. The clinical and histologic changes were examined and genealogy determined for our kindred. The medical literature was reviewed and the reported cases reexamined and categorized according to their clinical features and inheritance patterns. We determined that there are three distinct varieties of FFDD: type I, autosomal dominant FFDD; type II, autosomal recessive FFDD; and type III, FFDD with other facial features. We propose a new classification and provide evidence for three distinct varieties of FFDD: type I, autosomal dominant FFDD; type II, autosomal recessive FFDD; and type III, FFDD with other facial features (Setleis syndrome). Our kindred represents type II.


Cyclosporine therapy for psoriasis: a cell cycle-derived dosing schedule.

Cyclosporine is effective in the treatment of psoriasis; however, potentially serious side effects limit its long-term use. On the basis of the 36-hour psoriatic keratinocyte cell cycle, a new dosing regimen was investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a 36-hour weekly dosing schedule with cyclosporine for the treatment of psoriasis, in an attempt to decrease side effects while maintaining efficacy. Fifteen patients were studied by means of oral doses of cyclosporine taken at 12-hour intervals for three doses per week during a 10-week period. The initial dose, 2.5 mg/kg/dose (7.5 mg/kg/wk), was increased every 2 weeks by 2.5 mg/kg/dose to a maximum of 10 mg/kg/dose. The average improvement as assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index for all 15 patients was 61%. Six patients had a more than 75% improvement, three patients improved 50% to 74%, and six patients improved less than 50%. Three patients dropped out because of adverse side effects, and three others completed the study at a reduced dose. It is concluded that, although effective, this dosing regimen may not have an advantage over daily dosing, given its side effect profile and the need to go to relatively high doses every 24 hours.


Current dermatologic therapy.

This article reviews therapeutic advances reported in the English-language literature during 1991. Readers should review the original article in full before attempting any experimental or controversial therapy.


Alkaptonuria and ochronosis: case report and review.

Alkaptonuria is a rare genetic disorder in which the enzyme homogentisic acid oxidase is deficient, resulting in the accumulation of homogentisic acid in various bodily tissues. This is a multisystem disorder with a characteristic blue-black discoloration of the skin and cartilage, which is termed ochronosis. Herein we report a profound case of ochronosis secondary to alkaptonuria. Furthermore, we review the clinical manifestations of alkaptonuria and discuss the spectrum of ochronosis, both endogenous and exogenous.


Androgen insensitivity syndrome (testicular feminization): a model for understanding steroid hormone receptors.

Testicular feminization, a syndrome of end-organ androgen resistance, has been characterized at the molecular level. Well-defined mutations in the androgen receptor have been identified in this disorder. This receptor belongs to a family of intracellular hormone receptors, which includes receptors for corticosteroids, mineralocorticoids, sex hormones, vitamin D3, thyroid hormone, and retinoids. An understanding of the structure and molecular defects identified for the androgen receptor serves as a model to understand this entire class of receptors, a group directly involved in the biochemical pathways of a wide variety of dermatologic therapeutic interventions.


History of the treatment of psoriasis.

This article reviews the history of selected therapeutic agents for psoriasis: arsenic (including Fowler's solution), ammoniated mercury, chrysarobin and anthralin, tars, aminopterin and methotrexate, and corticosteroids. The developers of these drugs paved the way for the new and improved treatments available today for the treatment of psoriasis.


The energetic cost of protein synthesis in isolated hepatocytes of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

To establish the energetic cost of protein synthesis, isolated trout hepatocytes were used to measure protein synthesis and respiration simultaneously at a variety of temperatures. The presence of bovine serum albumin was essential for the viability of isolated hepatocytes during isolation, but, in order to measure protein synthesis rates, oxygen consumption rates and RNA-to-protein ratios, BSA had to be washed from the cells. Isolated hepatocytes were found to be capable of protein synthesis and oxygen consumption at constant rates over a wide range of oxygen tension. Cycloheximide was used to inhibit protein synthesis. Isolated hepatocytes used on average 79.7 +/- 9.5% of their total oxygen consumption on cycloheximide-sensitive protein synthesis and 2.8 +/- 2.8% on maintaining ouabain-sensitive Na+/K(+)-ATPase activity. The energetic cost of protein synthesis in terms of moles of adenosine triphosphate per gram of protein synthesis decreased with increasing rates of protein synthesis at higher temperatures. It is suggested that the energetic cost consists of a fixed (independent of synthesis rate) and a variable component (dependent on synthesis rate).


Cellular mechanisms of paired electrical stimulation in ferret ventricular myocardium: relationship between myocardial force and stimulus interval change.

The subcellular mechanisms of twitch-force potentiation with paired electrical stimulation was studied in ferret ventricular myocardium using the bioluminescent calcium indicator aequorin. It is demonstrated for the first time that interpolation of an extrasystole in a train of conditioned twitches results in a beat-to-beat change in [Ca2+]i and force. Steady-state twitch force and Ca2+i were increased with paired stimulation. Increased [Ca2+]o in the setting of paired stimulation resulted in an increase in the amplitude of the postextrasystole and associated Ca2+ transient. Verapamil, a Ca2+ channel antagonist, had the opposite effect of increased [Ca2+]o. Postextrasystole potentiation was still present, but diminished in amplitude. These results indicate that postextrasystole potentiation is in part due to a verapamil-depletable store (Ca2+). Postextrasystole potentiation is therefore predominantly dependent on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ loading. Ryanodine, an alkaloid which induces Ca2+ leakage from the SR, abolished postextrasystole potentiation; however, in the presence of ryanodine the extrasystole was potentiated. Caffeine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor which induces SR Ca2+ release and impairs uptake, also abolished postextrasystole potentiation. As with ryanodine there was resultant potentiation of the extrasystole. In the case of caffeine the calcium transient consisted of a second slow component associated with extrasystole twitch potentiation. The results are consistent with sarcolemmal Ca2+ influx playing a role in potentiation of the extrasystole in the presence of an impaired SR. These data indicate that transsarcolemmal Ca2+ influx in the presence of impaired intracellular Ca2+ buffering can directly activate the myofilaments in agreement with reports on human myocardium.


Effects of starvation on valine and alanine transport across the intestinal mucosal border in sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax.

Kinetics of intestinal transport of L-alanine and L-valine (substrates of the A-system and the L-system, respectively, in mammals) across the brush-border membrane in sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, were studied on intact mucosa using a short-term uptake technique. When fish were starved for 4-8 weeks, total influx (mucosa-to-cell) of valine fell owing to disappearance or modification of the diffusion component. The maximum influx rate of saturable component increased but its affinity (reflected by the Michaelis constant) decreased. Alanine transport by Na(+)-dependent and diffusion pathways was unchanged after starvation. Fasting also induced an almost 20% decrease in the length of intestinal microvilli.


Effects of eel atrial natriuretic peptide on NaCl and water transport across the intestine of the seawater eel.

Eel atrial natriuretic peptide inhibited the serosa-negative transepithelial potential difference and short-circuit current, accompanied by a decrease in NaCl and water absorption across the seawater eel intestine. Similar effects were obtained after treatment with N-terminally truncated eel atrial natriuretic peptide (5-27), indicating that N-terminal amino acids are not essential for the action of eel atrial natriuretic peptide. Although mammalian atrial natriuretic peptides also inhibited the short-circuit current, a 100-fold higher concentration was required to obtain the same effect as with eel atrial natriuretic peptide, indicating that eel atrial natriuretic peptide is 100 times as potent in eel intestine as the mammalian atrial natriuretic peptides. Similarly, in mammalian atrial natriuretic peptide, the four N-terminal amino acids had no significant effects. However, when the C-terminal tyrosine was removed, the potency of rat atrial natriuretic peptide was lowered. Compared with the effects of acetylcholine, serotonin and histamine, eel atrial natriuretic peptide was the most potent inhibitor, with 100% inhibition at 10(-7) M; 50% inhibition was obtained at 10(-2) M in acetylcholine, and 30% inhibition in serotonin (10(-5) M) and histamine (10(-3) M). These inhibitory effects of eel atrial natriuretic peptide were not diminished even in the presence of tetrodotoxin, and were mimicked by 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. Based on these results, structure-activity relationships of eel atrial natriuretic peptide and a possible mechanism of action of eel atrial natriuretic peptide are discussed.


Metabolic rate during foraging in the honeybee.

The metabolic rate of free-flying honeybees, Apis mellifera ligustica, was determined by means of a novel respirometric device that allowed measurement of CO2 produced by bees foraging under controlled reward at an artificial food source. Metabolic rate increased with reward (sugar flow rate) at the food source. In addition, there was no clear-cut dependence of metabolic rate on load carried during the visit, neither as crop load nor as supplementary weights attached to the thorax. The hypothesis that metabolic rate, as well as foraging and recruiting activities, depend on the motivational state of the foraging bee determined by the reward at the food source is discussed.


Glucose metabolism by trout (Salmo trutta) red blood cells.

Glucose metabolism has been studied in Salmo trutta red blood cells. From non-metabolizable analogue (3-O-methyl glucose and L-glucose) uptake experiments it is concluded that there is no counterpart to the membrane transport system for glucose found in mammalian red blood cells. Once within the cells, glucose is directed to CO2 and lactate formation through both the Embden-Meyerhoff and hexose monophosphate shunts; lactate appears as the most important end-product of glucose metabolism in these cells. From experiments under anaerobic conditions, and in the presence of an inhibitor of pyruvate transfer to mitochondria, most of the CO2 formed appears to derive from the hexose monophosphate pathway. Appreciable O2 consumption has been detected, but there is no clear relationship between this and substrate metabolism. Key enzymes of glucose metabolism, hexokinase, fructose-6-phosphate kinase and, probably, pyruvate kinase are out of equilibrium, confirming their regulatory activity in Salmo trutta red blood cells. The presence of isoproterenol, a catecholamine analogue, induces important changes in glucose metabolism under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and increases the production of both CO2 and lactate. From the data presented, glucose appears to be the major fuel for Salmo trutta red blood cells, showing a slightly different pattern of glucose metabolism from rainbow trout red blood cells.


Adrenergic receptors and the regulation of vascular resistance in bullfrog tadpoles (Rana catesbeiana).

Vascular adrenergic sensitivity to exogenous catecholamines was examined in tadpoles of the American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), ranging from stage III to XIV. Central arterial blood pressure was measured in decerebrate bullfrog tadpoles to determine a reasonable initial infusion pressure. Solutions of epinephrine and phenylephrine were infused into the vasculature of pithed tadpoles, and the resulting changes in vascular resistance (Rv) were used to construct log dose-response relationships. Epinephrine infusion produced a dose-dependent increase in Rv (EC50 = 5.3 x 10(-7) M), which could be reversed by sodium nitroprusside (a smooth muscle relaxant) and blocked by phenoxybenzamine (an alpha-adrenergic antagonist). Larval Rv also increased with infusion of the alpha-agonist phenylephrine (EC50 = 7.4 x 10(-8) M). Infusion of 10(-6) M isoproterenol (a beta-agonist) largely reversed the phenylephrine-induced increase in Rv. These results indicate that the capacity exists for both alpha-mediated vasoconstriction and beta-mediated vasodilation early in bullfrog ontogeny. Neither initial Rv nor the responses to infused epinephrine or phenylephrine were significantly correlated to development over the range of larval stages used in this study.


Energy metabolism in potoroine marsupials.

Fasting and fed metabolic rates were measured in three species of potoroine marsupials, the rufous rat-kangaroo (Aepyprymnus rufescens), the long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) and the brush-tailed bettong (Bettongia penicillata). There were no significant differences among potoroine species in fasting metabolic rate. The lowest fasting heat production for each species was 11-20% less than the interspecific value of 295 kJ.kg-0.75.day-1 for basal metabolism of mature, non-reproductive eutherian homeotherms. The respiratory quotient of all species was reduced significantly as starvation proceeded, but only for B. penicillata was there a significant effect of starvation duration on fasting heat production. The night-time activity of P. tridactylus and B. penicillata doubled their daytime fasting heat production; the corresponding increase for A. rufescens was only 25%. The calorimetric measurement of fed animals showed no differences in digestible energy or metabolisable energy between species. Nevertheless, P. tridactylus and B. penicillata produced more heat per unit metabolic body mass. The maintenance energy requirements (kJ.kg-0.75.day-1) were 479, 494 and 345 for P. tridactylus, B. penicillata and A. rufescens, respectively. The net availability of metabolisable energy was about 0.70 in the three species. The combined heat production of fed female A. rufescens and their pouch young stayed relatively constant for the first two-thirds of pouch life, after which it rose sharply (20%) in response to the rapid growth of the young. Only during the last week of pouch life did the female enter negative energy balance. There was no indication that the metabolism of the female increased in response to the presence of a pouch young. The presence of pouch young did not alter the efficiency of utilisation of metabolisable energy. The daily energy requirement for maintenance was 0.83 MJ.day-1 or 0.36 MJ.kg-0.75.day-1.


Role of adhesion molecules in cutaneous inflammation and neoplasia.

There is accumulating evidence that the expression of certain adhesion molecules has important consequences for understanding patterns of cell movement in normal and pathologically altered skin. This paper reviews recent work regarding the role of integrins and other adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, PECAM-1, LECAM-1, and ELAM-1) in cutaneous inflammation and neoplasia, and presents a unifying hypothesis which outlines how sequential expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules in evolving inflammation may alter the nature of the cellular response.


Deep penetrating (plexiform spindle cell) nevus. A frequent participant in combined nevus.

This report describes 41 patients with lesions similar to those previously termed "deep penetrating" or "plexiform spindle cell" nevus (DPN). DPN occurs primarily during the first four decades, is somewhat more common in females, and has a predilection for the face, trunk, and proximal extremities. It is usually less than 1 cm in diameter and often shows variegation in color, including shades of brown, blue, and black, that create clinical concern regarding malignant melanoma. None of the present tumors nor those from the literature recurred following excision. Microscopically, DPN usually has a wedge shape, invariably involves reticular dermis, and may penetrate subcutis. Involvement of neurovascular structures and adnexae and spread between fibers of the reticular dermis create a fascicular-plexiform architecture. The melanocytes are fusiform or epithelioid, lightly to moderately pigmented, and exhibit mild to focally prominent nuclear atypia. Sparse to abundant melanophages are characteristic. Mitotic figures are few and present in only a small minority of lesions. The present study of a consecutive series also indicates that DPN is a frequent participant in combined nevus, as it was associated with ordinary nevus in two-thirds of the lesions.


In vitro acantholysis induced by D-penicillamine, captopril, and piroxicam on dead de-epidermized dermis.

Drug-induced pemphigus has been recognized for 20 years, but the mechanisms leading to acantholysis are still unclear. It has recently been demonstrated that penicillamine, captopril, and thiopronin may produce acantholytic lesions, either by direct toxic or biochemical effect, in human skin explants. Our work confirms that penicillamine and captopril may induce acantholysis on the model of keratinocyte culture on dead, de-epidermized dermis. Moreover, it demonstrates that piroxicam, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, of which one side effect is a pemphigus vulgaris-like eruption, is also able to produce in vitro acantholysis.


Histologic features of cutaneous sinus histiocytosis (Rosai-Dorfman disease): study of cases both with and without systemic involvement.

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (Rosai-Dorfman disease) is a systemic proliferation of cells that resemble the sinus histiocytes of lymph nodes. Whereas initial reports highlighted the often striking cervical adenopathy, more than 40% of patients have extranodal involvement. Cutaneous lesions are the most common form of extranodal disease, but cases that present as cutaneous disease without lymph node involvement are rare. We examined biopsies from three patients with cutaneous lesions of sinus histiocytosis, none of whom had detectable systemic involvement, and compared them to those of two patients whose lymph nodes were involved by the disease. The histology of skin lesions in all five cases showed dense nodular or diffuse infiltrates of "histiocytes," emperipolesis of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and plasma cells. "Histiocytes" were present in lumens of dilated lymphatics. At the peripheries of the lesions were lymphoid aggregates and thick-walled vessels surrounded by plasma cells. Staining with anti-S-100 protein antibody showed marked cytoplasmic positivity in the "histiocytes" in each case. The only features that differed among the two groups were the presence of pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia and infiltrates of eosinophils in one case in which the disease was limited to the skin. We believe that cutaneous sinus histiocytosis can be specifically diagnosed by skin biopsy. Because cutaneous sinus histiocytosis may be unfamiliar to general pathologists, dermatopathologists, and dermatologists, cases limited to the skin may be under-recognized.


L-tryptophan syndrome: histologic features of scleroderma-like skin changes.

The eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) associated with the ingestion of L-tryptophan (LT) containing products has recently been recognized in the United States. We report the histologic features of the cutaneous scleroderma-like changes in four patients. All of the patients met the Center for Disease Control criteria for EMS and had a history of LT ingestion. Skin biopsies showed increased dermal mucin and dermal sclerosis, with trapping of adnexal structures. There are clinical and histologic similarities between EMS, scleroderma, the toxic oil syndrome, and fasciitis with eosinophils.


Unusual variants of pemphigoid: from pruritus to pemphigoid nodularis.

We report three patients with pemphigoid nodularis. Patients were females aged 76, 71 and 50 years, and all had features of bullous pemphigoid together with prurigo-like lesions at some stage of their illness. In two cases, nodular lesions preceded the onset of blistering by some months. Blisters arose on normal skin and in one patients also at sites of prurigo lesions. Routine histology of bullous lesions revealed the presence of subepidermal blisters. Electron microscopy performed in two cases confirmed the level of split to be through the lamina lucida. Direct immunofluorescence in all cases was positive, with linear basement membrane zone deposition of IgG and C3. Circulating IgG anti-basement membrane antibody was also detected in all patients, and in two, immunoblotting revealed a single antigen of 220 kD.


Intravascular lymphomatosis: report of an unusual case with T cell phenotype occurring in an adolescent male.

Intravascular lymphomatosis is a rare disorder which most often occurs in the elderly. The overwhelming majority of the cases studied immunophenotypically have expressed a B cell phenotype. We report an unusual case of T cell intravascular lymphomatosis occurring in an adolescent male.


Pigmented malignant pilomatrixoma: report of a case and review of the literature.

An unusual variant of malignant pilomatrixoma displaying melanization of epithelial elements is described. Melanization is a rare event even in the benign form of this adnexal neoplasm. Previously reported cases of malignant pilomatrixoma are reviewed; none containing pigment have been previously reported to our knowledge. Possible etiologies for lack of pigment in most benign and malignant pilomatrixoma are discussed.


Plate-like sebaceous hyperplasia overlying dermatofibroma.

Epidermal hyperplasia, sometimes with primitive hair follicle-like differentiation, is a characteristic finding overlying dermatofibroma. We here report plate-like sebaceous hyperplasia overlying a dermatofibroma. Such changes are interpreted as a result of inductive epithelial effect by the dermatofibroma on the overlying epidermis.


Milking of cows in late pregnancy: milk production during this period and during the succeeding lactation.

Fifteen lactating cows were milked throughout pregnancy, and the effects on milk performance were studied during this period and during the succeeding lactation, relative to 11 conventionally managed cows (2 months dry before calving) as controls. During the last 2 months of pregnancy, only nine cows did not dry off spontaneously. Protein and fat concentrations in milk increased rapidly, but the concentration of lactose, corrected for milk yield, did not change. The ratios of individual caseins to total protein decreased with the quantity of milk produced, but only for yields below approximately 6 kg/d. The relative proportion of kappa-casein tended to decrease in the last milkings. During the succeeding lactation (first 15 weeks after calving and first 6 weeks of grazing) continuously milked cows yielded 4 kg milk/d less than the cows of the other group. The protein content of their milk was higher (2-3 g/kg depending on the period) than that of the control group, and the lactose content tended (P less than 0.10) to be lower. Changes in the relative proportions of nitrogenous fractions with time were not different in the two groups. Differences between the two groups in the concentration of protein in milk, and in the concentration of glucose and non-esterified fatty acids in the plasma, suggest a better energy balance for the continuously milked cows during the succeeding lactation.


Machine-induced teat tissue reactions and infection risk in a dairy herd free from contagious mastitis pathogens.

Machine-induced changes in teat thickness were measured in a randomly selected group of 22 cows from a commercial dairy herd consisting of 110 cows during an experiment lasting 1 year. Half the cows used were free from mastitis whereas the remainder had at least one quarter infected by environmental pathogens. Teats were classified according to a threshold change in teat end thickness of 5%. The relationships between quarter infection or teat duct colonization and teat end thickness changes induced by machine milking were investigated. Teats with greater than 5% change in thickness had significantly increased teat duct colonization and a slight, non-significant, increase in quarter infection. We conclude that machine-induced changes in teat end thickness are predisposing factors for teat duct colonization by environmental pathogens. This may provide an increased new infection risk, especially when hygiene is poor.


Collection of fore and hind milk from the sow and the changes in milk composition during suckling.

A new sampling method for the collection of fore and hind milk from the sow has been developed which resembles normal milk removal by the piglet, yet overcomes the difficulties of collecting milk that is available for only a short time (10-20 s) at each let-down. Samples of hind milk were collected immediately after the completion of a successful sucking, while the fore milk was collected at the beginning of the next natural let-down. Modification of existing assays for fat, protein and lactose was required to provide rapid analysis of the small volumes (less than 0.5 ml) of milk collected using this procedure, and these methods were validated by comparison with reference methods. Total solids and the concentration of fat in whole milk, and protein and lactose in skim milk, were measured in fore and hind milk collected from 4, 20, 12 and 12 sows respectively, 6-11 d post partum. For fore milk, the results (mean +/- SD (n)) were: total solids, 199.9 +/- 9.9 g/l (8); fat, 96.7 +/- 13.9 g/l (41), protein, 47.7 +/- 4.5 g/l (27) and lactose, 58.3 +/- 4.0 g/l (27). In hind milk, there was a significant increase in the concentration of fat (15.3 g/l, P less than 0.001, n = 41) which was reflected by a significant increase in total solids (14.7 g/l, P less than 0.001, n = 8) and calculated energy (511 kJ/l, P less than 0.001, n = 27), but there was no significant difference in the concentration of either protein or lactose. This increase in milk fat during milk let-down is in contrast to the results of most previous studies in the sow and is discussed in terms of the possible mechanisms that may cause the concentration of fat to increase as milk is removed from the mammary gland.


New alpha s2-casein variant from caprine milk.

A new alpha s2-casein variant was isolated from goat milk by means of covalent chromatography. With gel electrophoresis at alkaline pH, the alpha s2-casein variant showed a double band with the highest anodic mobility amongst the casein components. The mobility of the isolated alpha s2-casein variant was similar to that occurring in three individual samples of whole casein. Two dimensional electrophoresis revealed a more pronounced heterogeneity of this protein. Developing the two dimensional plate with polyclonal antibodies obtained against the four main bovine casein fractions, we demonstrated that the variant in question belongs to the alpha s2-casein family. Since the alpha s2-casein fractions, immunospecifically developed, spread along two different zones on the gel, it was concluded that a heterozygous alpha s2-casein form was present in the sample.


Changes in structure of the bovine milk fat globule membrane on heating whole milk.

The effects of heat-induced interactions between milk fat globule membrane components and skim milk proteins in whole milk on the structure of the membrane were examined by isopycnic sucrose density gradient centrifugation and by using Triton X-100 as a membrane probe. Skim milk components were incorporated into all the lipoprotein fractions separated by density gradient centrifugation. High density complexes, higher in density than those found in the natural milk fat globule membrane, were formed during the heat treatment. Losses of natural membrane polypeptides from the medium and low density lipoproteins were observed on heating. Heating whole milk also altered the rate of release of membrane components by detergent, with decreases in protein released and an increase in phospholipid constituents released. Studies on washed cream indicated that some of the changes in the membrane on heating whole milk occurred due to the heat treatment alone, independent of the interactions with skim milk proteins.


Effect of calcium on the stability of mares' milk lysozyme.

The three aspartic acid residues that form part of the Ca-binding site of mares' milk lysozyme have apparent pK values of 4.9, 4.3 and 4.1. The fluorescence of tryptophan has been used to compare the denaturation of mares' milk lysozyme by guanidinium chloride at various concentrations of Ca with that of hens' egg-white lysozyme (EC 3.2.1.17) and alpha-lactalbumin. Fluorescence revealed an intermediate stage in the denaturation of mares' milk lysozyme. The Ca-free form of mares' milk lysozyme is slightly more stable than that of alpha-lactalbumin, but its interaction with Ca is similar to that of alpha-lactalbumin, since only the native state binds Ca. Three-state models of denaturation can usefully be displayed on a ternary diagram.


K+ and Cl- transport by mammary secretory cell apical membrane vesicles isolated from milk.

The transport of K+ (Rb+) and Cl- by membrane vesicles isolated from bovine milk has been studied using ion-exchange column chromatography. K+ (Rb+) and Cl- accumulation by the vesicles was time-dependent and was almost abolished by 0.1% Triton X-100, suggesting that uptake represents 'real' transport rather than binding. K+ (Rb+) uptake was influenced by the anion in solution in a manner suggesting that influx is sensitive to changes in vesicle membrane potential. Similarly, Cl- uptake was found to be sensitive to vesicle electrical potential: Cl- influx was enhanced by inside positive potentials. Cl- uptake was not saturable with respect to external Cl-. The results suggest that K+ (Rb+) and Cl- cross the apical membrane by way of conductance pathways. The similarity between ion transport by skim milk membrane vesicles and that of the apical aspect of the intact mammary epithelium suggests that the former may be a good model to study solute transport by the apical membrane of mammary secretory cells.


Intracellular pH and the role of D-lactate dehydrogenase in the production of metabolic end products by Leuconostoc lactis.

The kinetics of lactate dehydrogenase from Leuconostoc lactis NCW1 were studied. The pH optimum for the enzyme depended on the concentration of pyruvate used in the assay and the enzyme displayed an ordered mechanism with respect to substrate binding. The Km for pyruvate and NADH and the Vmax of the enzyme decreased 20-, 30- and 6-fold respectively as the pH decreased from 8.0 to 5.0. No activators were found and none of the intermediates of the phosphoketolase pathway tested inhibited the enzyme. ATP, ADP, GTP and NAD+ were inhibitory. The intracellular volume (Vol(in)) and intracellular pH (pH(in)) decreased as the extracellular pH (pH(ex)) decreased. Co-metabolism of citrate and glucose affected the Vol(in) but did not affect the pH(in), which decreased by 0.6 units per unit change in pH(ex); at pH 7.0, the pH(in) and pH(ex) were equal. The results suggest that pH(in) may play a role in determining the production of diacetyl and acetoin at low pH by Leuconostoc.


Factors in ruminant colostrum that influence cell growth and murine IgE antibody responses.

Bovine colostrum was investigated as a source of biologically active molecules capable of stimulating the growth of mammalian cells in culture and modifying the immune response in a murine model. An extract prepared from bovine colostral whey by cation exchange and reversed-phase chromatography stimulated the growth of L6 rat myoblasts, Balb/c-3T3 mouse fibroblasts and BHK-21 baby hamster kidney cells with equal or greater potency than fetal bovine serum. Fractionation of the bovine colostral extract by gel-permeation chromatography in M-acetic acid identified a number of cell-growth factors for each cell type. Bovine colostral extract was compared with an ovine colostral whey preparation for its ability to modulate IgE antibody responses in mice. Doses of 8 and 4 mg/d of ovine colostral whey or bovine colostral extract specifically suppressed IgE antibody responses, whereas at lower doses suppression did not occur. We conclude that bovine colostrum contains cell-growth factors as well as immunomodulatory factors that are able to regulate the IgE response in a heterologous species.


Adherence of psychrotrophic bacteria to dairy equipment surfaces.

Psychrotrophic bacteria isolated from raw milk were tested for their ability to adhere to steel, two types of rubber, and glass, materials employed in the construction of milking equipment. The adherence assays were carried out by exposure of the materials to radioactively labelled bacteria in both a buffering solution (Ringer's) and milk. The degree of adherence of Gram-positive bacteria was lower (P less than 0.001) than that of Gram-negative bacteria. Glass was the material least prone to bacterial adherence (P less than 0.001); there were no significant differences between the other three materials. Milk was found to inhibit adhesion significantly (P less than 0.05), this inhibition being more evident with the most adherent bacteria. There was no statistically significant correlation between bacterial surface hydrophobicity and adherence. Our results suggest that intrinsic bacterial adherence cannot be considered a relevant factor in the contamination of milking equipment.


Gas chromatographic analysis of volatile sulfur compounds from heated milk using static headspace sampling.

An investigation was conducted to test the feasibility of using gas chromatography with static headspace sampling as an objective tool to measure milk flavor quality. Heated milk off-flavor was chosen for study. Different strategies were tried for increasing the sensitivity of a commercially available headspace method, including salting out with sodium sulfate, cryofocusing during injection, and applying backpressure to the sampling loop. With the aid of a sulfur-specific detector, the resulting system was sufficiently sensitive to detect the sulfur volatiles, H2S and dimethyl sulfide, at the concentrations found in pasteurized skim milk. Milk that was heated to varying degrees was analyzed, and the analytical results were compared with the intensity of heated flavor as determined by a sensory panel. For skim milk, correlations were moderately strong: Spearman's correlation coefficients for H2S and dimethyl sulfide were .75 and .60, respectively. Correlations were weak for whole milk.


The effect of day of the estrous cycle, location of ovulatory structure, and progesterone on in vitro bovine endometrial secretions.

Endometrial tissue was collected by biopsy from mature Holstein cows either on d 0 (estrus) or on d 9, 14, or 18 of the estrous cycle to determine the effects of day of the cycle, uterine horn, and in vitro progesterone on endometrial protein secretion. Tissue was incubated for 24 h in supplemented media containing 14C amino acids and either 0, 4.7, or 47 ng of progesterone/ml. Media were analyzed for total protein, radiolabeled protein, and profile of protein released during incubation. Endometrial tissue at d 0 released more protein than did tissue collected on all other days. Radiolabeled proteins were greater on d 0 and 18 than on d 9 and 14. Endometrium from the uterine horn contralateral to the corpus luteum released more radiolabeled protein than endometrium from the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum. Seventeen protein bands were identified by electrophoresis. Proximity of the uterine horn to the site of ovulation affected the distribution of specific bands 21,400, 55,000, 74,600, and 88,100 molecular weight. The proportion of released proteins represented by proteins of molecular weights 12,700, 19,100, 21,400, 32,000, and 66,500 was affected either by day of the estrous cycle, proximity of uterine horn to the site of ovulation, or progesterone concentration. The results show that day of the estrous cycle and uterine horn not only alter overall endometrial protein secretion and synthetic activity but also have specific effects on distribution of individual proteins.


Effect of interferon-gamma on the production of tumor necrosis factor during acute Escherichia coli mastitis.

The effects of recombinant interferon-gamma on the production of tumor necrosis factor in 10 dairy cows with Escherichia coli mastitis were determined. Prophylactic administration of recombinant interferon-gamma prior to the experimental E. coli challenge was effective in modifying the production of endogenous tumor necrosis factor during acute stages of disease. Elevated tumor necrosis factor concentrations were especially evident in cows that developed severe clinical symptoms and eventually died from endotoxemia. These results indicate that both milk and sera tumor necrosis factor concentrations are associated closely with the manifestation of peracute signs of coliform mastitis and are important factors contributing to morbidity and mortality of endotoxic shock. Pretreatment of cows with recombinant interferon-gamma possibly may down-regulate the generation of this potent endogenous inflammatory mediator within infected quarters. Controlling severe inflammation with recombinant interferon-gamma may prevent the tremendous loss in milk production and death that often accompany acute coliform mastitis during the periparturient period.


Interactions between gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in isolated sheep hepatocytes.

The interaction of gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in isolated sheep hepatocytes was studied. Addition of tetradecylglycidic acid, an inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (EC 2.3.1.21), to isolated hepatocytes inhibited gluconeogenesis from a mixture of pyruvate plus lactate and from propionate alone. Inhibition constants for tetradecylglycidic acid on gluconeogenesis were 4.77 +/- 1.00 microM and 7.25 +/- 1.52 microM, respectively, for pyruvate plus lactate and for propionate as gluconeogenic substrates. The inhibition constants were not different. At the highest substrate concentrations examined, gluconeogenesis from pyruvate plus lactate and from propionate in the presence of 10 microM tetradecylglycidic acid was 47.3 and 41.4% of their respective controls. Similar to previous observations with butyrate, caproate addition inhibited gluconeogenesis from propionate by isolated hepatocytes and was unable to prevent inhibition of gluconeogenesis induced by tetradecylglycidic acid. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase I activity was lower in mitochondria isolated from hepatocytes preincubated with insulin than in control hepatocytes. The data suggest 1) that maximum rates of gluconeogenesis in isolated sheep hepatocytes from either pyruvate plus lactate or from propionate as gluconeogenic substrates require beta-oxidation, 2) that intermediates common to the metabolism of butyrate and caproate may be involved in the inhibition of propionate conversion to glucose by isolated sheep hepatocytes, and 3) that carnitine palmitoyltransferase I activity in isolated sheep hepatocytes can be modulated by insulin treatment.


Milk yield, health, and reproduction of dairy cows given somatotropin (Somavubove) beginning early postpartum.

Cows (n = 210) were assigned to the following treatments: uninjected controls through 130 d postpartum; zero to high, uninjected through 60 d then injected with 14 mg of bST/d from 61 through 130 d postpartum; low, 5 mg of bST/d from 14 through 130 d postpartum; low to high, 5 mg of bST/d from 14 through 60 d then 14 mg of BST/d from 61 through 130 d postpartum; and high, 14 mg of bST/d from 14 through 130 d postpartum. Cows given 5 mg of bST/d (low and low to high treatments) yielded 1.2 kg of FCM/d more and high group cows yielded 1.3 kg of FCM/d more than control cows between 14 and 60 d postpartum. Cows given bST yielded 2.7 to 4.1 kg of FCM/d more than control cows during 61 to 130 d postpartum. Overall, control cows yielded 35.1 kg of FCM/d, and bST-dosed cows yielded 2.2 to 3.2 kg/d more FCM. Low group cows had improved pregnancy rate (80.0%) and conception rate (82.2%) compared with high group cows (57.2 and 60.3%). Neither pregnancy (70.0%) nor conception rates (71.5%) of controls differed from other groups. However, low group cows had first service conception rate of 57.8% compared with 34.3% for high and 38.2% for low to high group cows. First postpartum estrus was observed in high group cows about 13 to 16 d later than in low and low to high group cows, whereas low group cows came into first estrus 9 d sooner than controls. Cows of high group had lower body condition than controls (2.5 vs. 2.9), but other groups did not differ (2.7 to 2.9) from controls. Health was not adversely affected. Early postpartum bST administration at 5 mg/d increases FCM and, perhaps, reproductive performance of dairy cattle compared with herdmates.


Methane prediction in dry and lactating Holstein cows.

Data from six experiments (two with dry cows) were used to predict partitioning of gross energy to CH4 in Holstein cows using selected independent variables, some of which were intercorrelated, and a stepwise backward elimination regression procedure. Methane outputs ranged from 3.1 to 8.3% (mean 5.5) of gross energy intake for 134 dry cow balance trials and from 1.7 to 14.9% (mean 5.2) of gross energy intake for 358 lactating cow energy balance trials. This is equivalent to 176 and 300 g/d or 245 and 419 L/d of CH4 for dry and lactating Holstein cows, respectively. Digestibilites of hemicellulose and neutral detergent solubles were positive predictors, and cellulose digestibility was a negative predictor of CH4 output in dry cows fed all forage diets, but hemicellulose digestibility was not a significant variable for predicting CH4 production by lactating cows fed diets with concentrate and forages. Fiber digestibility generally remained in models to predict CH4 output. Except for one data set, regression equations accounted for 50 to 72% of the variation in percentage of gross energy partitioned to CH4 by Holstein cows. Results confirm that increased concentrate feeding reduces CH4 production. Supplementation of lactation diets with fat generally increases fat digestibility, and this trait was associated with reduced CH4 output. Results enable 1) estimation of CH4 output for calculation of metabolizable energy and 2) computation of the contribution from dairy cows to global warming.


Determination of markers in digesta and feces by direct current plasma emission spectroscopy.

A method is described for the preparation of bovine ruminal contents, duodenal digesta, and feces for analysis of Co, Cr, La, Sm, Eu, and Yb by direct current plasma emission spectroscopy. Ground, dried sample was refluxed in concentrated nitric acid until 2 to 3 ml of acid remained. The ash was redissolved in 6N HCl. Lithium hydroxide was added to suppress ionization, and the samples were diluted with distilled water for analysis. Element recovery, expressed as the ratio of element recovered from digesta samples augmented prior to ashing compared with those augmented after sample digestion, ranged from 71.5 to 100.5% and was affected by digesta type. Addition of 1000 ppm of Li to the sample matrix improved recovery of Co and La from 93.4 and 83.3% to 97.8 and 98.3%, respectively. Lithium did not affect recovery of the other elements. Type of digesta matrix affected emission intensity. Addition of 1000 ppm of Li to the sample matrices enhanced signal output in the digesta matrices by 25 to 30% for each element. Lithium tended to minimize differences in signal output caused by the organic matrix but did not eliminate them. Increasing Li concentration from 1000 to 4000 ppm did not increase signal output or completely buffer out the higher emission intensity associated with the organic matrix. Sensitivity of analysis of Co, Cr, and rare earth elements was comparable with or better than sensitivities reported with neutron activation analysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Vitamin E effects on in vitro immunoglobulin M and interleukin-1 beta production and transcription in dairy cattle.

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E on in vitro IgM and interleukin-1 production and its transcription by bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Cells were isolated from Jersey cows and cultured with pokeweed mitogen, a T-cell-dependent, B-lymphocyte mitogen, to stimulate polyclonal IgM production. Addition of 55 and 110 ng/ml of alpha-tocopherol at time 0 to cell cultures containing pokeweed mitogen significantly enhanced IgM production compared with control cultures containing pokeweed mitogen alone. Cultures supplemented with 55 ng/ml of alpha-tocopherol at 0, 24, or 48 h after incubation with mitogen had enhanced IgM production compared with control cultures incubated for the same duration. However, addition of alpha-tocopherol to cultures at 72 and 96 h did not affect IgM production. Production of interleukin-1 in culture supernatants obtained 24 h after stimulation with pokeweed mitogen was similar between control cultures and cultures supplemented with alpha-tocopherol. At 48 h, secretion of interleukin-1 was maintained in the supplemented cultures but declined in control cultures. Mononuclear cells obtained from steers receiving vitamin E supplement or control steers were used to examine the effects of in vivo vitamin E status on interleukin-1 mRNA expression. Concanavalin A-stimulated cells from Jersey steers fed diets supplemented with vitamin E expressed 55% higher interleukin-1 mRNA than cells from control steers.


Stimulation of luteal cell progesterone production by lipoproteins from cows fed control or fat-supplemented diets.

Plasma lipoproteins from lactating dairy cows fed 0 or 7% supplemental fat were examined for their composition and ability to stimulate luteal cell progesterone production in vitro. Ultracentrifugation was utilized to isolate blood lipoproteins, and heparin affinity chromatography allowed separation of lipoprotein fractions based on the presence (low density lipoproteins) or absence of apolipoprotein B (high density lipoproteins). A portion of high density lipoproteins was fractionated by size, utilizing gel filtration chromatography. Slaughterhouse corpora lutea were dissociated, and plasma lipoproteins were added to the luteal cells on d 3 of culture and incubated for 48 h. In Experiment 1, blood was collected from heifers fed a diet that was not supplemented with fat. The addition of cholesterol from large, high density lipoproteins with a high cholesterol to protein ratio to luteal cultures increased progesterone production by an average of 17% compared with the addition of cholesterol from small, high density lipoproteins with a low cholesterol to protein ratio. In Experiment 2, electrophoretic mobility, apolipoprotein composition, and size of lipoproteins from control and fat-supplemented cows were similar. Lipoproteins from cows assigned to either a control or fat-supplemented diet showed no difference in their ability to stimulate progesterone production. Increased plasma progesterone concentration in lactating dairy cows fed supplemental fat does not appear to be mediated by alterations in lipoprotein composition.


Protein digestion and intestinal amino acids in dairy cows fed fresh Lolium perenne with different nitrogen contents.

An experiment was carried out to study digestion and intestinal AA in three ruminally and duodenally cannulated, lactating cows fed freshly cut grass (Lolium perenne) fertilized with 500 and 275 kg of N/ha per yr, respectively. High N grass was fed in June and October, and low N grass was offered in July and September. Composite samples of the grass fed in each period also were tested for in situ degradation of OM, CP, and NDF. When low N grass was fed, the digestibilities of OM and CP were lower than when high N grass was fed. On low N grass, the duodenal N flow expressed per unit of N intake was higher, although the flow of AA N on low N grass was reduced in September, mainly because of reduced microbial protein synthesis from slower OM degradation of low N grass. Duodenal N flow per unit of N intake was related negatively to the N:OM ratio of the diet. The rate of N fertilization had no effect on ruminal OM and NDF turnover rates. Turnover and passage rates in this experiment were not different from reported data on cows on winter rations with similar DMI.


Influence of bovine somatotropin on the composition and manufacturing properties of milk.

Three studies (84, 140, and 200 d) were performed to examine the effect of injecting dairy cows with various doses (0, 320, 640, or 960 mg/28 d; 0 or 640 mg/28 d; 0, 320 mg/14 d, or 320 or 640 mg/28 d) of bST on milk production, composition, and manufacturing properties. Mean bST response among studies on milk production varied from 0 (trial 1) to 7.3% (trial 2) and from 8.5 to 14.2% (trial 3) in relation to feeding conditions. Neither milk fat nor protein percentages in milk at time of maximum response were affected by the use of bST. Distribution of casein and protein in the whey was not affected by the treatments at any time. The nature of fatty acids varied more with time after injection than with bST doses. Neither coagulation time, standard curd firmness, nor soft or pressed cheese yields were affected by the treatments.


Effects of lasalocid on selected ruminal and blood metabolites in young calves.

Twelve Holstein bull calves were ruminally cannulated at 5 d of age and assigned to 0 or 1 mg of lasalocid/kg of BW daily, administered postruminally via milk replacer or into the ruminal cannula. Calves were fed milk replacer for 8 wk and calf starter for 12 wk. Lasalocid administration was terminated at weaning in calves fed lasalocid in milk replacer. Ruminal pH tended to be higher in calves fed lasalocid ruminally than in calves on control treatment and averaged 5.9 and 5.6 and 5.4 and 5.1 during wk 1 to 8 and 9 to 12, respectively. Molar proportion of ruminal butyrate tended to be lower when lasalocid was added to the rumen, particularly after weaning. Blood beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate were lower when lasalocid was administered into the rumen after weaning and averaged .897 and .646 and .026 and .015 mM in calves on control and ruminal treatments, respectively. No effects of lasalocid administered via the milk replacer were observed, except for plasma NEFA, which were reduced postweaning. These data suggest that lasalocid reduces blood beta-hydroxybutyrate by changes in ruminal fermentation and subsequent metabolism of butyrate by ruminal epithelium.


Estimates of genetic trend in an artificial insemination progeny test program and their association with herd characteristics.

Individual lactation records from Holstein cows in 3449 herds participating in an AI stud's young sire sampling program from 1971 to 1987 were used to characterize the sampling program and to estimate genetic merit and trend. Average genetic merit of cows in sampling program herds was consistently superior to the average genetic merit of cows in the US population. Genetic trend of sires of first-crop cows was 58 kg of milk and 1.5 kg of fat/yr from 1971 to 1978 and 176 kg of milk and 5.5 kg of fat/yr from 1979 to 1987. The average genetic merit of sires of first-crop cows born after 1983 was equivalent to or exceeded the genetic level of sires of other cows in the herd. Within-herd-year means and standard deviations of yield, genetic evaluation, and management traits (herd-year characteristics) were computed for a subset of 341 herds contributing first-crop daughters for at least 10 yr. The average of each herd-year characteristic during 10 or more years was used to predict within-herd genetic trend. Herd characteristics explained up to 51% of differences in within-herd genetic trends. Average sire genetic merit of daughters other than first-crop daughters accounted for up to 80% of the explained differences. Other herd characteristics suggested that herds with larger within-herd standard deviation milk yields, a larger number of young sires represented, younger cows, and greater percentage of cows sired by AI sires made greater genetic improvement. Results indicated that the average genetic merit of cows and the rate of within-herd genetic improvement are higher in herds that participate in a young sire sampling program.


Estimation of genetic parameters for somatic cell score in Holsteins.

Genetic parameters of somatic cell scores for Holstein cows were estimated using an animal model and REML for two data sets. Set 1, with 13,017 records from 5278 cows, was used to obtain variance components, heritability, and repeatability for two lactation measures: the simple average and the weighted average of test day data. Set 2, with 14,418 records from 4806 cows, was used to obtain genetic correlations for the simple average between lactations 1 and 2, between lactations 1 and 3, and between lactations 2 and 3. Simple and weighted average of test day somatic cell scores had the same heritabilities (.12) and repeatabilities (.35). Phenotypic variances were about 1.2, and herd-sire interaction variances were small (.002). Genetic correlation for somatic cell score was about .55 between lactations 1 and 2 and between lactations 1 and 3 and .65 between lactations 2 and 3. Phenotypic correlation was .20 between lactations 1 and 2, .16 between lactations 1 and 3, and .31 between lactations 2 and 3.


Genetic correlations between lifetime production and linearized type in Canadian Holsteins.

Genetic and phenotypic correlations were estimated between 6 lifetime production and 28 linearized type traits using REML. The data set contained 34,322 cows, each with a record for all 34 traits. The analyses accounted for the fixed effects of herd, year-month, classifier, age at first calving, and stage of lactation. Heritabilities were low for lifetime traits and moderate for most type traits except stature, size, capacity, thurl width, and pin setting, which had high heritabilities. Most phenotypic correlations between lifetime production and type were in the range of .15 to .20 except for capacity, rump, and feet and legs, which were around .07. Genetic correlations were strong between lifetime production and angularity (.44 to .55) and dairy character (.53 to .56). Genetic correlations were low to moderate between life-time production and stature (.14 to .25), size (.07 to .18), texture (.19 to .26), style (.11 to .27), head (.15 to .23), pin setting (.10 to .16), rear udder (.19 to .25), and rear attachment (.10 to .22). The only notable negative genetic correlations were lifetime production with rear heel (-.16 to -.27), thurl width (-.18 to -.24), and fore udder (-.05 to -.11).


Estimation of residual energy intake for lactating cows using an animal model.

Residual energy intake is defined as the remaining energy from total net energy intake after accounting for all energy uses. Residual energy intake is proposed as a measure of feed efficiency because animal efficiency increases as the proportion of accountable energy intake increases or the residual energy intake decreases. Residual energy intake was estimated for each of 247 Holstein cows, daughters of 127 sires and 226 dams distributed in five herds across the US. Data consisted of daily milk production and net energy intake, biweekly measures of milk components, and BW measures taken at varied intervals throughout a lactation. Average daily net energy intake in a lactation was the dependent variable in a model that contained fixed effects of parity and herd-season subclass; covariates of lactation average daily SCM, metabolic BW, and weight change in a lactation; and random animal effect. From this model, residual energy intake was a sum of animal and residual effects. Partial energy requirements for SCM, maintenance, and weight change estimated for all cows were .54, .15, and 1.52 Mcal/kg, respectively. Heritability estimate for residual energy intake was .016; phenotypic standard deviation was 2.455. The proportion of the phenotypic standard deviation in net energy intake that was due to residual energy was 68%.


Designing animals: ethical issues for genetic engineers.

Two general philosophical approaches to ethical issues in property rights are described. Instrumental approaches take property rights to be means for achieving goals such as social efficiency or economic growth. Labor approaches take property rights to be fundamental human rights that protect liberty or that assign ownership of goods based on criteria of desert. A thought experiment is used to illustrate the relevance of these theories to intellectual property. Alternative strategies for application of ethical theory to animal biotechnology are surveyed. The choice of an approach determines a burden of proof that must be met before property claims can be ethically sanctioned, but the question of which approach should be applied to animal biotechnology remains open. Ethical issues raised by unwanted consequences of biotechnology and religious objections to gene transfer are briefly summarized with emphasis on how these issues have influenced public debate on animal patents.


Microbial protein synthesis and flows of nitrogen fractions to the duodenum of dairy cows.

Attempts have been made to increase nutrient availability for milk production by increasing feed intake, optimizing ruminal fermentation, and supplementing nutrients to the diet that will escape ruminal degradation. Energy and N are the nutritional factors that most often limit microbial growth and milk production. Ruminal fermentation and flow of microbial and dietary protein to the small intestine are affected by feed intake and by the amount and source of energy and protein in the diet. Feeding protein and carbohydrate that are not degraded in the rumen increases the quantity of dietary protein that passes to the small intestine but may decrease the quantity of microbial protein that is synthesized in the rumen. This often results in only small differences in the total NAN that passes to the small intestine. Because microbial protein supplies a large quantity of total AA that passes to the small intestine, differences in passage of individual AA often are only slight. Additional research with cows consuming large amounts of feed are needed to identify combinations of feed ingredients that synchronize availabilities of energy and N for optimizing ruminal digestion, microbial protein synthesis, nutrient flow to the small intestine, and milk production and composition.


A meta-analysis of antidepressant outcome under "blinder" conditions.

A meta-analysis of 22 studies of antidepressant outcome assessed the level of medication effects under conditions thought to be less subject to clinician bias than those in the typical double-blind drug trial. Studies were included only if, in addition to a newer antidepressant group, they also contained both standard antidepressant and placebo control groups. Effect sizes were quite modest and approximately one half to one quarter the size of those previously reported under more transparent conditions. Effect sizes that were based on clinician outcome ratings were significantly larger than those that were based on patient ratings. Patient ratings revealed no advantage for antidepressants beyond the placebo effect. Effect sizes were unrelated to sample sex ratios, patient age, inpatient or outpatient status, dosage level, and treatment duration. Findings highlight the fragility of the antidepressant effect.


Taking context seriously in psychotherapy research: relating therapist interventions to patient progress in brief psychodynamic therapy.

This study examined the process of brief psychodynamic therapy in a way that preserved the context of the dialogue between therapist and patient. Data were drawn from transcripts of the complete therapies of 2 anxious and depressed women, which lasted 16 to 17 sessions. Patient utterances were rated on a psychodynamically oriented progress-stagnation scale, and all therapist interventions were rated on scales measuring (a) their compatibility with the content of a psychodynamic formulation (Plan) and (b) their quality. Within-session sequential analyses and by session and by phase-of-therapy correlational analyses were performed. Plan compatibility of therapist interventions correlated significantly with patient progress in the early and middle phases, and the quality of therapist interventions correlated significantly with patient progress in the middle phase.


Tobacco withdrawal in self-quitters.

Self-reported and observer-rated signs and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal were assessed precessation and 2, 7, 14, 30, 90, and 180 days postcessation in smokers who quit on their own for 30 days. Anxiety, difficulty concentrating, hunger, irritability, restlessness, and weight gain increased, and heart rate decreased, postcessation (p less than .001). Except for hunger and weight gain, these symptoms returned to precessation levels by 30 days postcessation. Craving, depression, and alcohol or caffeine intake did not reliably increase. Postcessation depression, but not withdrawal symptoms, craving, or weight gain, predicted relapse. These results are consistent with prior studies.


Gender differences in the learning status of diabetic children.

The learning status of 95 diabetic boys and girls and 97 matched controls was evaluated using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children--Revised IQ factors and school histories. Of interest was whether diabetic boys would evidence more learning difficulties. Results indicated that diabetic boys had significantly lower Freedom From Distractibility scores compared with scores of diabetic girls and control Ss and lower Perceptual Organization scores compared with scores of control boys. Although group scores were still within the average range of functioning, a significantly high percentage of diabetic boys (40%) compared with diabetic girls (16%) had learning problems that warranted either special instructional services or grade retention. Diabetic children experienced more learning difficulties (24%) than controls (13%), supporting research findings that diabetes is associated with increased risk of learning problems.


Relationship between drug use and other problem behaviors in urban adolescents.

This study tested the generality of Jessor and Jessor's (1977) problem behavior theory, which states that a variety of problem behaviors constitute a behavioral syndrome in normal adolescents. Relationships among 5 adolescent problem behaviors (cigarette use, alcohol use, marijuana use, delinquency, and sexual intercourse) were examined in 7th-grade boys (n = 556) and girls (n = 715), and 9th-grade boys (n = 481) and girls (n = 485) in an urban school system in which the majority of students were African American and from low-income families. Measures of problem behavior frequency were positively correlated with each other and negatively correlated with several measures of conventional behavior. Confirmatory factor analyses replicated findings of previous studies that a single common factor underlies adolescent problem behaviors.


Life stress and treatment course of recurrent depression: 1. Response during index episode.

Research on treatment course and outcome in depression is mixed with respect to the implications of life stress. Several concerns are addressed in a prospective study of 91 individuals treated for recurrent depression. Specific forms of stress occurring before treatment entry predicted a poor clinical response both after 16 weeks and after a more extended intervention period. Specific forms of stress occurring during the 1st 6 weeks of treatment also predicted poor response after 16 weeks and after the extended intervention period. Severe stress occurring early in treatment predicted a longer time to attain relief for treatment responders. Concepts underlying the idea that stress-related disorders have a better clinical outcome are discussed, and it is proposed that life stress has different implications for individuals with and without recurrent depression.


Perceptions of AIDS susceptibility among minority and nonminority women at risk for HIV infection.

Two hundred seventy-two women sampled from mass transit waiting areas in an urban center completed anonymous surveys of AIDS-related risk behavior, perceptions of susceptibility, and knowledge. Variable patterns of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors were identified, with 22% of women reporting high-risk behavior. Perceptions of susceptibility were associated with an interaction between ethnicity and level of risk; nonminority women at high risk reported greater concern about AIDS than did minority women at high risk, who did not differ from women at low risk. With an array of life problems and inaccurate information about HIV transmission, minority women were found to be at continued risk for AIDS-related behavior. Implications for culturally sensitive and relevant AIDS prevention efforts are discussed.


Cognitive problem-solving skills training and parent management training in the treatment of antisocial behavior in children.

This study evaluated the effects of problem-solving skills training (PSST) and parent management training (PMT) on children (N = 97, ages 7-13 years) referred for severe antisocial behavior. Children and families were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 conditions: PSST, PMT, or PSST and PMT combined. It was predicted that (a) each treatment would improve child functioning (reduce overall deviance and aggressive, antisocial, and delinquent behavior, and increase prosocial competence); and (b) PSST and PMT combined would lead to more marked, pervasive, and durable changes in child functioning and greater changes in parent functioning (parental stress, depression, and overall symptoms). Expectations were supported by results at posttreatment and 1-year follow-up. PSST and PMT combined led to more marked changes in child and parent functioning and placed a greater proportion of youth within the range of nonclinic (normative) levels of functioning.


Cognitive processing therapy for sexual assault victims.

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) was developed to treat the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in rape victims. CPT is based on an information processing theory of PTSD and includes education, exposure, and cognitive components. Nineteen sexual assault survivors received CPT, which consists of 12 weekly sessions in a group format. They were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3- and 6-month follow-up. CPT subjects were compared with a 20-subject comparison sample, drawn from the same pool who waited for group therapy for at least 12 weeks. CPT subjects improved significantly from pre- to posttreatment on both PTSD and depression measures and maintained their improvement for 6 months. The comparison sample did not change from the pre- to the posttreatment assessment sessions.


Preliminary typology designed for treatment matching of driving-while-intoxicated offenders.

A typology of 156 convicted driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) offenders was developed using cluster analysis and external validation procedures. The typology was derived from 4 variables (alcohol dependence severity, psychiatric severity, bad-driving index, and social instability) selected to maximize the feasibility of performing treatment matching with DWI offenders. Five clusters that suggested specific treatment matching opportunities were identified. The largest, Cluster 4 (31% of cases), showed a low problem profile. However, a moderate-severity group (Cluster 1), a high-risk driver group (Cluster 2), and two high problem-severity groups (Clusters 3 and 5) were also found. Clusters 3 and 5 had high levels of alcohol dependence and psychiatric symptoms but differed significantly on social instability.


General deviance syndrome: expanded hierarchical evaluations at four ages from early adolescence to adulthood.

Problem behavior theory predicts that norm-violating attitudes and activities reflect a syndrome. Hierarchical latent-factor models examined the integrity of this syndrome at 4 developmental stages from early adolescence to adulthood. Latent constructs of Drug Use, Academic Orientation, Social Conformity, Criminal Behavior, and Sexual Involvement were assessed up to 4 times at 4-year intervals in a community sample. Second-order constructs of General Deviance confirmed integrity of the syndrome at these life stages, although subtle changes in certain components of the construct emerged. Criminal Behavior was more determined by General Deviance in adulthood than in young adulthood, whereas Sexual Involvement became less determined by the common factor between these times. Drug Use and low Social Conformity were consistently strong indicators of General Deviance.


Sequential analysis of chronic pain behaviors and spouse responses.

Social reinforcers such as spouse behaviors have been hypothesized to be important in maintaining chronic pain behavior. This study used direct observation to test whether solicitous and aggressive spouse behaviors systematically precede and follow patient pain behaviors. Fifty chronic pain patients and spouses and 33 control couples were videotaped performing specified tasks. Spouse solicitous behaviors were significantly more likely to precede and follow nonverbal pain behaviors, and nonverbal pain behaviors were significantly less likely to follow spouse aggressive behaviors in pain than in control couples. Within couples, spouse solicitous behaviors preceded and followed verbal and nonverbal pain behaviors beyond chance levels more often in pain than in control couples. Results support an operant conceptualization of factors maintaining chronic pain behaviors.


Predicting early adolescent disorder from childhood aggression and peer rejection.

Two large cohorts of Black 3rd-grade children from low-income families were followed into early adolescence. Adjustment at the end of the 1st year of middle school was assessed by teacher and parent ratings and by adolescent self-reports. Childhood peer social status predicted parent-reported externalized and internalized disorder and self-reported internalized disorder. Childhood aggression predicted self-reported externalized and internalized disorder and parent-reported externalized disorder. Teacher ratings of school adjustment were predicted by aggression, rejection, and sex of the child. Consensus judgments of poor adjustment were predicted by both aggression and peer rejection, with sex moderating the effect of peer rejection. Both childhood aggression and peer rejection appear to be significant predictors of adolescent disorder, with each making a predictive contribution uniquely its own.


Relationship between psychosocial functioning and body fat in preschool children: a longitudinal investigation.

This study examined whether preschool children differed on measures of psychosocial functioning both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. One hundred and thirty-two children who varied in levels of body fat participated in the study along with their natural parents. Results indicated that the children did not differ in levels of self-esteem and family functioning as a function of their body fat. Prospectively, physical self-esteem weakly (but significantly) correlated with body fat at 1 and 2 years, and father's perception of family functioning predicted body fat at 1 year only. Results suggested that childhood obesity may not develop as a result of psychosocial factors.


Who will relapse? Symptoms of nicotine dependence predict long-term relapse after smoking cessation.

Results of a prospective examination (N = 618) of factors associated with smoking relapse are reported. At 1-year follow-up, a modified version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (Dependence Index; DI) and a measure of craving entered the logistic model (odds ratio of 2.7 [p less than .001]). At Year 2, only the DI entered the model (odds ratio of 2.2 [p less than .001]). The ability of signal detection analysis (SDA) to produce clinically useful decision rules was also examined. At Year 1, SDA produced 1 subgroup with a 25% nonrelapse rate and another with a 9% nonrelapse rate (odds ratio of 3.4 [p less than .001]). At Year 2, SDA produced 1 subgroup with a nonrelapse rate of 19% and another with a nonrelapse rate of 7% (odds ratio of 3.0 [p less than .001]). The use of signal detection methods may help clinicians to identify those at greater or lesser risk of relapse.


Relative importance of informational units and their role in long-term recall by closed-head-injured patients and control groups.

The purpose of this study was to apply qualitative analysis to the information recalled by control Ss and closed-head-injured (CHI) patients. The Logical Memory subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale (Wechsler, 1945) was administered to 40 CHI and 40 control Ss. Recall was tested immediately after administration, 40 min later, and 24 hr later. The analysis took into account the importance of recalled information as determined by a prior rating according to 3 levels of importance. Results suggest that CHI patients have difficulty selectively retrieving the most important information after a long delay.


Panel attrition and external validity in adolescent substance use research.

Panel attrition threatens external validity in adolescent substance use research. A 7-year adolescent panel was examined to determine whether attrition effects varied by (a) type of substance assessed and (b) method of measurement and type of statistical analysis. Chi-squares and multivariate analyses of variance revealed that study dropouts were more likely to use substances and reported higher mean use of substances at baseline than stayers; attrition effects varied by substance; and mean use comparisons were more likely to detect attrition effects than use-nonuse comparisons. Implications of these findings for adolescent substance use research are discussed.


Response of obese binge eaters to treatment by behavior therapy combined with very low calorie diet.

This study examined attrition and weight loss in 235 female obese binge eaters, episodic overeaters, and nonbingers treated by a 26-week program of behavior modification and very low calorie diet. No significant differences were observed among conditions in the number of Ss who completed treatment. Episodic overeaters, however, were more likely than Ss in the other 2 conditions to drop out during the last 7 weeks of treatment, when Ss resumed consumption of a conventional diet. End-of-treatment weight losses for the 3 conditions, which did not differ significantly, averaged 21.5, 19.4, and 21.7 kg, respectively. No significant differences were observed among conditions in weight regain (which averaged 8.8 kg) in the year following treatment, although small sample sizes prevented an adequate evaluation.


Validity of phallometric measures with sex offenders: comments on the Quinsey, Laws, and Hall debate.

In a recent debate, Quinsey and Laws (1990) and Hall (1990) discussed several major methodological issues in research on the validity of phallometric tests. This article examines specific points of the debate more closely and uncovers questionable assumptions underlying some of the Quinsey and Laws criticisms. The implications of unresolved problems for the clinical use of phallometric measures are stressed.


Bonding to dentin: evaluation of three adhesive materials.

Dye penetration was observed in all specimens. SEM demonstrated isolated areas with no gap formation, suggesting a partial bond with dentin. A correlation is evident from the results of both techniques. Since dye-penetration was found to be similar in all the specimens, it was difficult to assess the effect of thermocycling on the amount of dye penetration. The use of posterior composites should be considered as a short-term tested procedure. It should be utilized carefully, following the manufacturer's instructions, and monitored routinely. Undoubtedly, the utilization of posterior composite materials is a very technique-sensitive procedure. Comparing the results of this in vitro study with those previously reported suggests that little improvement has been made in the bonding of the materials tested. Development of new materials and improved techniques are necessary.


Evaluation of treatment times for Class II resin composite inlays.

Time registrations for indirect class II resin composite inlays are given. They are compared with treatment times for direct resin composite restorations.


Craniomandibular dysfunction in children: Part V. Correspondence between signs and symptoms.

Three hundred and fifty children, ages six to ten years, were examined and interviewed for clinical signs and symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction. The subjects were classified by parents according to their emotional states.


The prediction of eruption-sequence from panoramic radiographs.

The author tests the validity of predicting the eruption-sequence of permanent teeth from orthopantomograms taken during the early mixed dentition, based on criteria of root formation.


The cementomas--a clinicopathological re-appraisal.

The aim of this study was to assess whether sub-classification of cemental tumors was warranted and to define the clinicopathological features of the definitive entities. Our sample consisted of 127 cases which were divided into the following categories; gigantiform cementoma (84 per cent), cementifying fibroma (12 per cent), benign cementoblastoma (4 per cent). Gigantiform cementoma lesions were either single, multiple or florid and ranged in size from 1 to 10 cm. Most occurred in patients in their 6th and 7th decades who were black (78 per cent) and female (96 per cent). All lesions showed typical solid sheets of acellular cementum and some (22 per cent) were characterised by peripheral proliferative areas which were often indistinguishable from lesions of cementifying fibroma and periapical cemental dysplasia. Infection and sequestration was very common (54 per cent). No cases of periapical cemental dysplasia were found and we suggest that this lesion is a variant of gigantiform cementoma. We believe cementifying fibroma to be part of the histomorphological spectrum of cemento-ossifying fibroma. Cemento-osseous dysplasia is a more accurate and appropriate term than gigantiform cementoma and we recommend the following classification for cemental 'tumors': cemento-ossifying fibroma; cementoblastoma; cemento-osseous dysplasia, single, multiple and florid sub-types.


The paradental cyst of the mandibular permanent first molar: report of a bilateral case.

A case of bilateral paradental cysts affecting the first permanent molars is described. Radiographic characteristics and differential interpretations of the lesion are discussed.


Oral mucosal findings associated with chewing tobacco in Sweden--a clinical and histological study.

Twenty men of mean age 51,9 years who used Swedish chewing tobacco as their only tobacco habit were examined for clinical and histological changes. On average they had been chewing tobacco for 10,7 hours daily for 11,3 years. The most common clinical finding was a leukoedema-like change of the buccal mucosa at the site where the quid was held after chewing. Ten subjects showed changes similar to mild snuff-induced ones. Histological findings corresponded well with the clinical ones. It appears that oral mucosal changes associated with chewing tobacco in Sweden are discrete.


Readiness for toothbrushing of young children.

The authors attempt to establish the types of guidance in toothbrushing suitable for young children. They examined the ability of preschool children to learn toothbrushing, and attempted to clarify the readiness of each age-group.


Studies on the incorporation of lanthanides in dental hard tissues.

Rare earth elements (lanthanides)--known from chrystal-chemistry for the rehardening effect on apatites--have been tested previously for the possibility of their incorporation in dental enamel. From the non-toxic lanthanides cerium was incorporated under in vitro conditions in human dental enamel. In the present study, the incorporation of lanthanum (La), europium (Eu), samarium (Sa), ytterbium (Yb) and neodymium (Nd) in human permanent enamel, dentine and deciduous enamel has been investigated by neutron activation analysis. The lanthanides were incorporated--following the above sequence--in an increasing ratio into enamel and dentine, by forming new, more resistant rare earth elements containing apatite structures.