The effect of an academic examination on salivary norepinephrine and immunoglobulin levels

Forty-six college students provided saliva samples just after taking an examination, one hour and 45 minutes later, and several days later, at a period of rest. As compared with baseline levels, the power stress of an examination was associated with an increase in salivary immunoglobulin A (S-IgA), a measure of B-cell immune function, and with an increase in norepinephrine (NE) concentrations in the saliva. The increase in NE was greater for those for whom n power was greater than n affiliation rather than for those for whom the reverse was true. Greater increases in, and levels of, NE at the examination and after were associated with greater subsequent drops in S-IgA, which reached below baseline levels for those for whom n power was stronger. The examination stimulated adrenergic activity, which in the long run depressed immune function for those with a strong power motive who had been most aroused adrenergically by the examination.     

Use of a Modified Spatial-Context Memory Test to Detect Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

In this study we sought to differentiate participants with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI) from those with mild dementia of Alzheimer’s type (m-DAT) and normal controls by modifying an existing test of spatial context memory (SCMT) designed so as to evaluate the function of brain regions affected in early m-DAT. We found that participants with a-MCI had better total scores on our modified SCMT than those with m-DAT. Furthermore, the locational memory subtest was able to discriminate between those with a-MCI and m-DAT. Additionally, compared with other screening tests, our spatial context memory test showed high sensitivity and specificity in discerning those with a-MCI from the normal population but, was relatively ineffective in discriminating a-MCI patients from those with m-DAT. We conclude that our modified test of SCMT is an effective tool for discriminating a-MCI from m-DAT and does so by detecting differences in locational memory.     

Long term effect on mortality of stopping smoking after unstable angina and myocardial infarction.

Subjects who stop smoking cigarettes after myocardial infarction have an improved rate of survival compared with those who continue, but to date it was not known whether the benefit persisted for more than six years. A total of 498 men aged under 60 years who had survived a first episode of unstable angina or myocardial infarction by two years were followed up by life table methods for a further 13 years. Mortality in those who continued to smoke was significantly higher (82.1%) than in those who stopped smoking (36.9%). These differences increased with time. Mortality in those who were non-smokers initially and who continued not to smoke was intermediate (62.1%). The adverse effect of continued smoking was most pronounced in those with unstable angina. Continuing to smoke increased the rate of sudden death to a greater degree in those with less severe initial attacks, while the effect of smoking on fatal reinfarctions was most apparent in those with a more complicated presentation. These findings suggest that stopping cigarette smoking is the most effective single action in the management of patients with coronary heart disease.     

Pruritus of poison oak dermatitis-other views

The use of the do-not-resuscitate order has become accepted medical practice. To date, however, no study has been done of how often it is used or factors associated with its use. Reports of all deaths of inpatients occurring during calendar year 1981 at San Bernardino County Medical Center were eligible for study. Retrospective review of the 237 cases indicated that a do-not-resuscitate order had been written for 165 (69.6%) of the patients. Comparison of reports of those for whom such an order had been written with those for whom no order had been written indicated that a do-not-resuscitate order was not associated with age, sex, ethnicity or pay status. Indices of mental clarity, however, were associated with orders not to resuscitate; those patients residing in nursing homes, and not alert and oriented on admission were overrepresented in the group given this order. Primary discharge diagnosis was also associated with such an order, as was an increased duration of hospital stay.     

Hand infections in dental personnel

In an attempt to study the incidence of hand infections in dental personnel, a standardized survey was submitted to 715 dental professionals and hygienists throughout the state of Nebraska. Of those surveyed, 508 responded (71 percent). Ninety-eight of the 508 respondents reported an infection (19.29 percent). The rate of infection was found to correlate positively with the number of patients seen per week. The rate of infection was increased in respondents with chronic disease (e.g., diabetes mellitus) versus those without chronic disease (33.33 vs. 18.59 percent). In the dental professionals surveyed, it was found that the rate of infection in those who did not routinely wear surgical gloves was significantly greater than in those who did (28.6 vs. 17.6 percent). The morbidity of infections acquired in dental practice can be substantial. A percentage of individuals must leave their practice for surgical treatment. A number have acquired hepatitis B (although none in this study), and exposure to the HTLV-III is possible. We conclude that some protection from infection can be achieved with the routine use of surgical gloves, and this practice should be considered by all, particularly those with chronic disease.     

Preference for Dried Bonito Broth in Olfactory-Blocked or Taste Nerve-Sectioned Mice in the Two-Bottle Choice Test

We investigated how gustatory and olfactory information contributes to the preference for dried bonito broth in mice. In the two-bottle preference test, intact mice consumed dried bonito broth in preference to water or an amino acid-nucleotide (AN) solution containing the same concentration of amino acids and nucleotides as that in dried bonito broth. It was observed that mice with transected bilateral chorda tympani (CT) nerves, those with transected bilateral glossopharyngeal (GL) nerves, and those that were intranasally administered with zinc sulfate preferred dried bonito broth to water. Zinc sulfate was used to produce a temporary loss of olfaction. In the two-bottle preference test with dried bonito broth and an AN solution, the preference for the former was reduced in mice with transected bilateral GL nerves and in those with an olfactory blockade, but not in mice with transected bilateral CT nerves. These results suggest that dried bonito broth was preferred over the AN solution, and that simultaneous inputs from olfaction and the GL nerve contributed to this preference.     

Preference for dried bonito broth in olfactory-blocked or taste nerve-sectioned mice in the two-bottle choice test

We investigated how gustatory and olfactory information contributes to the preference for dried bonito broth in mice. In the two-bottle preference test, intact mice consumed dried bonito broth in preference to water or an amino acid-nucleotide (AN) solution containing the same concentration of amino acids and nucleotides as that in dried bonito broth. It was observed that mice with transected bilateral chorda tympani (CT) nerves, those with transected bilateral glossopharyngeal (GL) nerves, and those that were intranasally administered with zinc sulfate preferred dried bonito broth to water. Zinc sulfate was used to produce a temporary loss of olfaction. In the two-bottle preference test with dried bonito broth and an AN solution, the preference for the former was reduced in mice with transected bilateral GL nerves and in those with an olfactory blockade, but not in mice with transected bilateral CT nerves. These results suggest that dried bonito broth was preferred over the AN solution, and that simultaneous inputs from olfaction and the GL nerve contributed to this preference.     

Tradeoffs among delay, rate, and amount of reinforcement

In Experiment 1, an adjusting-delay procedure was used to measure pigeons' choices between a single delayed reinforcer and a range of different variable-time schedules. Indifference points showed an inverse relation between rate of reinforcement and delay that was well described by a hyperbolic equation. An adjusting-amount procedure was used in Experiment 2, in which pigeons chose between an adjusting amount of food delivered after a 0.5-s delay and 3 s of food delivered after a range of different delays, and the effects of delay were similar to those found in Experiment 1. The results from both experiments indicated that, for pigeons, the strength of a reinforcer decreased rapidly with increasing delay. Estimates of a decay rate parameter in the hyperbolic equation were similar to those found in other studies with pigeons, but the rates of temporal discounting were three or four times faster than those found in studies with rats, suggesting a possible species difference.     

Phylogenetic relationships among species groups of the ant genus Myrmecia

Phylogenetic relationships among the nine species groups of the predominately Australian ant genus Myrmecia were inferred using 38 Myrmecia species and an outgroup using DNA sequences from two nuclear genes (622nt from 28S rRNA and 1907nt from the long-wave opsin gene). Nothomyrmecia macrops was selected as the most appropriate outgroup based on recent reliable studies showing monophyly of Myrmecia with Nothomyrmecia. The four species groups with an occipital carina (those of gulosa, nigrocincta, urens, and picta) were found to form a paraphyletic and basal assemblage out of which the five species groups lacking an occipital carina (those of aberrans, mandibularis, tepperi, cephalotes, and pilosula) arise as a strongly supported monophyletic assemblage. Monophyly was supported for four groups (those of gulosa, nigrocincta, picta, and mandibularis) but the situation is unclear for four others (those of urens, aberrans, tepperi, and pilosula). The aberrans group appears to be basal within the group lacking an occipital carina; a previous suggestion that it is the sister group to the rest of the genus is thus not supported.     

Causes of Hypertension in the Young

Of 127 hypertensive patients aged 12 to 40 investigated by intravenous pyelography, abdominal aortography, and renal biopsy an underlying cause was found in 57%. The proportion with secondary hypertension was higher in young patients and in those with severe hypertension. Primary arteritis of the aorta was an important cause of renovascular hypertension in an Asian population.     

The Results of Surgical Management of Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion and Stenosis

Vascular reconstruction was attempted in 109 patients with carotid artery occlusion or stenosis. The follow-up on those with restored or improved flow was as long as nine years (average: two and one-half years).Arteriographic demonstration of lesions is mandatory. Complications were reduced by pre-arteriographic administration of anticoagulants and retrograde brachial arteriographic techniques.Although patients with stenosis are the best candidates, an attempt to restore flow in occluded vessels is warranted in all patients, except those with advanced disease or those who are drowsy and hemiplegic. Flow was restored in two-thirds of those who underwent early operation (under three days) and in one-quarter of those undergoing late operation. Even late operation restored flow in five of nine patients who presented with transient ischemic attacks.In completed strokes, operation should be limited to patients with: (1) minor strokes, (2) extensive strokes of short duration, and (3) extensive strokes of longer duration but with a worth-while outlook.When flow was restored or improved, symptoms were arrested in 93% of patients with transient ischemia, and at follow-up this result was maintained in 86%. Symptoms were arrested in 83% of those with strokes in evolution, and this was maintained at follow-up.Reconstruction combined with anticoagulant therapy of limited duration appears to be the optimal method of treatment.     

Nucleotide sequence of the maltohexaose-producing amylase gene from an alkalophilic Bacillus sp. #707 and structural similarity to liquefying type alpha-amylases

The nucleotide sequence of the gene for maltohexaose-producing amylase from an alkalophilic Bacillus sp. #707 was determined. Starting at an ATG initiation codon, an open reading frame was composed of 1554 bp (518 amino acids). The NH2-terminal portion encoded a 33 amino acid-long signal peptide. The deduced amino acid sequence of the extracellular mature enzyme was more than 60% homologous to those of the liquefying type alpha-amylases but not to those of the saccharifying type alpha-amylases. The sequence of its signal peptide was completely different from those of other alpha-amylases.     

Gonadectomy,sex hormones and the growth of tetrathyridial populations of Mesocestoides corti (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea) in mice

Gonadectomy in mice considerably depressed the volumes of intraperitoneal tetrathyridial populations, orchiectomy being more efficient than ovariectomy. Testosterone propionate accelerated the growth of tetrathyridial populations in gonadectomized mice of both sexes. Oestradiol benzoate was less efficient, but considerably increased the invasion of livers both in intact and in gonadectomized mice. The average size of tetrathyridia was inversely proportional to the size of the populations: tetrathyridia from an orchiectomized mouse were the largest, those from an orchiectomized and testosterone treated mouse, the smallest, and those from an orchiectomized mouse treated with oestradiol, intermediate in size.     

Platelet count and mean platelet volume in an Algerian population indicating a low prevalence of Mediterranean macrothrombocytopenia

Platelet count was 225 X 10(9)/l in 225 healthy male Algerians and 263 X 10(9)/l in 208 females. The mean platelet volume was 9.15 fl in the males and 9.30 in the females. The figures agree with those obtained in a British and an American population, but differed from those of an Australian population of immigrants from Mediterranean countries, essentially Italy and Greece. The prevalence of Mediterranean thrombocytopenia must therefore be low in Algeria.     

Quantitative assessment of risk reduction from hand washing with antibacterial soaps

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have estimated that there are 3,713,000 cases of infectious disease associated with day care facilities each year. The objective of this study was to examine the risk reduction achieved from using different soap formulations after diaper changing using a microbial quantitative risk assessment approach. To achieve this, a probability of infection model and an exposure assessment based on micro-organism transfer were used to evaluate the efficacy of different soap formulations in reducing the probability of disease following hand contact with an enteric pathogen. Based on this model, it was determined that the probability of infection ranged from 24/100 to 91/100 for those changing diapers of babies with symptomatic shigellosis who used a control product (soap without an antibacterial ingredient), 22/100 to 91/100 for those who used an antibacterial soap (chlorohexadine 4%), and 15/100 to 90/100 for those who used a triclosan (1.5%) antibacterial soap. Those with asymptomatic shigellosis who used a non-antibacterial control soap had a risk between 49/100,000 and 53/100, those who used the 4% chlorohexadine-containing soap had a risk between 43/100,000 and 51/100, and for those who used a 1.5% triclosan soap had a risk between 21/100,000 and 43/100. The adequate washing of hands after diapering reduces risk and can be further reduced by a factor of 20% by the use of an antibacterial soap. Quantitative risk assessment is a valuable tool in the evaluation of household sanitizing agents and low risk outcomes.     

Smoking,Chronic Bronchitis,and Lung Cancer

A follow-up was carried out on 21,579 male mass radiography volunteers aged at least 40 who had been the subject of an earlier investigation in which their smoking habits and sputum production were recorded and the prevalence of lung cancer was determined after chest x-ray examination. During the follow-up period, which was a minimum of 36 months and a maximum of 56 months, 64 new cases of lung cancer were identified by cross checking records with the registers of the regional cancer registration bureau. A significantly higher incidence of lung cancer was found in those with chronic bronchitis than in those without this disease. In the smoking categories, cigarette smokers with chronic bronchitis had a higher incidence than those without it, and this relationship was maintained irrespective of age and amount smoked. It is concluded that persons who smoke run a higher risk of chronic bronchitis than non-smokers and those who develop bronchitis run a higher risk of developing lung cancer.     

Are elderly people living alone an at risk group?

OBJECTIVE--To test the hypothesis that elderly people living alone are an at risk group with a high level of morbidity that makes high demands on health and social services. DESIGN--Secondary analysis of data from a community survey of 239 people aged 75 and over, identified from general practitioners'' age-sex registers. SETTING--Nine practices in the London boroughs of Brent and Islington. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Scores on the mini-mental state examination; stated satisfaction with life; assessment of mobility; numbers of diagnoses of major physical problems; numbers of prescribed drugs taken; urinary incontinence; alcohol consumption; contacts with general practitioners and hospital outpatient and inpatient services; contact with community health and social services. RESULTS--There were significantly more women among those living alone (93/120 (78%) v 63/119 (53%); p < 0.0005) and the median age of elderly people living alone was higher (81 v 80; p < 0.04). Those living alone and those living with others showed no significant differences in measures of cognitive impairment, numbers of major physical diagnoses, impaired mobility, or use of general practitioner or hospital services. Stated satisfaction with life was somewhat higher in those living alone. Elderly people living alone were significantly more likely to have contact with chiropody, home help, and meals on wheels services and less likely to have someone they could contact in an emergency or at night. Living alone increased the likelihood of contact with one or more community health professionals (district nurses, health visitors, or chiropodists) considered as a group and also increased the likelihood of contact with social services as a whole. There was a tendency for more of those living alone than those living with others to have home visits from their general practitioners, but there were no significant differences in contact with hospital services between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS--Elderly people living alone do not have an excess of morbidity compared with those living with others and do not seem to be an at risk group requiring specifically targeted assessments. More help is needed to provide elderly people living alone with a point of contact in case of emergency.     

Comparison of casein of cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) with human casein

Casein of cynomolgus monkey was compared with those from human and bovine milk. Cynomolgus monkey casein showed similar electrophoretical patterns to those of human casein on Disc- and SDS-electrophoresis. It consisted of beta- and kappa-casein-like components. The component corresponding to bovine alpha s1-casein was not detected. The beta-casein-like fraction of cynomolgus monkey showed 9 bands on Disc-PAGE. These were suggested to be the same protein binding different levels of phosphorus by dephosphorylation experiment using an acid phosphatase. The kappa-casein-like component of cynomolgus monkey was highly glycosylated (about 50% carbohydrate) similarly as human kappa-casein and the constituent carbohydrates were same as those detected in human kappa-casein (galactose, fucose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and sialic acid). Amino acid composition of cynomolgus monkey kappa-casein bore a resemblance to those of both human and bovine kappa-caseins. Amino acid composition of cynomolgus monkey beta-casein was also similar to those of human and bovine beta-caseins.     

Complexes between synthetic polymer ligands and ferri-delta and ferro-protoporphyrin IX.

The complexes of synthetic polymer ligands, i.e. poly-L-lysine, poly-4-vinyl-pyridine, poly-N-vinyl-2-methylimidazole and the higher branched polyethyleneimine, with ferri- or ferro-protoporphyrin IX were studied from the standpoint of polymer ligand effects by comparison with those of their monomeric model ligand complexes and poly-gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate containing an imidazole nucleus at the chain end. The coordination numbers and formation constants were determined optically and their structures were also estimated. The coordination number of a poly-L-lysine complex was two, but those of other polymer ligand complexes were one. One of the polymer effects, which was indicated by the large formation constants of the polymer complexes, was caused by the increment of the local ligand concentration around the polymer chain. Another was caused by the conformational effect of an alpha-helical structure in the poly-L-lysine complexes. The interaction of a poly-L-lysine-heme complex with molecular oxygen was also studied. An observed pseudo-allosteric phenomenon may be due to the specific structure of a poly-L-lysine complex which is different from those of other polymer ligand complexes.