Mental Representations of Illness in Patients with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: How Do Patients Perceive Their Condition?

BackgroundGestational Trophoblastic Disease comprises a group of benign and malignant disorders that derive from the placenta. Using Leventhal’s Common-Sense Model as a theoretical framework, this paper examines illness perception in women who have been diagnosed with this disease.MethodsThirty-one women diagnosed with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease in a hospital in Italy were asked to complete the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised to measure the following: illness Identity, illness opinions and causes of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.ResultsHigh mean scores were observed in the Emotional representations and Treatment control subscales. A significant difference emerged between hydatidiform mole patients and those with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia on the Identity subscale. A significant correlation emerged between “time since diagnosis” and the Treatment control subscale.DiscussionThis study is the first to investigate illness perception in Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. From a clinical perspective the results highlight the need for multidisciplinary support programs to promote a more realistic illness perception.     

Spatial diversity patterns of Pristimantis frogs in the Tropical Andes

Although biodiversity gradients have been widely documented, the factors governing broad‐scale patterns in species richness are still a source of intense debate and interest in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. Here, we tested whether spatial hypotheses (species–area effect, topographic heterogeneity, mid‐domain null model, and latitudinal effect) explain the pattern of diversity observed along the altitudinal gradient of Andean rain frogs of the genus Pristimantis. We compiled a gamma‐diversity database of 378 species of Pristimantis from the tropical Andes, specifically from Colombia to Bolivia, using records collected above 500 m.a.s.l. Analyses were performed at three spatial levels: Tropical Andes as a whole, split in its two main domains (Northern and Central Andes), and split in its 11 main mountain ranges. Species richness, area, and topographic heterogeneity were calculated for each 500‐m‐width elevational band. Spatial hypotheses were tested using linear regression models. We examined the fit of the observed diversity to the mid‐domain hypothesis using randomizations. The species richness of Pristimantis showed a hump‐shaped pattern across most of the altitudinal gradients of the Tropical Andes. There was high variability in the relationship between area and species richness along the Tropical Andes. Correcting for area effects had little impact in the shape of the empirical pattern of biodiversity curves. Mid‐domain models produced similar gradients in species richness relative to empirical gradients, but the fit varied among mountain ranges. The effect of topographic heterogeneity on species richness varied among mountain ranges. There was a significant negative relationship between latitude and species richness. Our findings suggest that spatial processes partially explain the richness patterns of Pristimantis frogs along the Tropical Andes. Explaining the current patterns of biodiversity in this hot spot may require further studies on other possible underlying mechanisms (e.g., historical, biotic, or climatic hypotheses) to elucidate the factors that limit the ranges of species along this elevational gradient.     

Structure of the lipopolysaccharide antigenic O-chain produced by Salmonella livingstone (O:6,7)

The lipopolysaccharide produced by Salmonella livingstone (O:6,7) was composed of an antigenic O-polysaccharide which was shown by composition, methylation analysis, and high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance studies to be a high molecular weight polymer containing D-glucose, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, and D-mannose residues (1:1:4) composed in a repeating hexasaccharide unit having the structure: (formula; see text)     

Aspects of neural plasticity in the central nervous system—IV. Chemical anatomical studies on the aging brain

Some effects of aging processes on the neurochemical features of central transmitter-identified neuronal populations have been investigated by means of immunocytochemistry and receptor autoradiographic techniques coupled with image analysis. A selective decrease of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the ventrolateral region of the arcuate nucleus in aged rats was observed. The level and turnover (recovery after irreversible blockade of monoamine receptors with the peptide coupling agent N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline) of 2-adrenergic ([³H]paraaminoclonidine binding) and D2 dopamine ([³H]spiperone binding) receptors were reduced in most regions of the rat brain. Peptide receptors showed a more complex pattern of change, since while μ opiate receptors (preferentially labeled with [³H]etorphine binding) were reduced in the old animals, δ opiate ([³H]DSTLenkephalin binding) receptors were affected only in certain areas. The effect of irreversible blockade of monoamine receptors on μ and δ opiate receptors was also studied in young adult and aged rats. A δ but not μ opiate receptor up-regulation was observed after monoamine receptor blockade in the young adult animals. This effect was greatly reduced in the n. caudatus-putamen, n. accumbens and tuberculum olfactorium of the old animals.     

Aspects of neural plasticity in the central nervous system—VII. Theoretical aspects of brain communication and computation

Some aspects of the communicational and computational features of the central nervous system are discussed. The existence in the central nervous system of two main types of interneuronal communication, the wiring (i.e. the classical type of synaptic transmission) and the volume (i.e. a humoral type of non-synaptic transmission) transmission, has been proposed. Some features of these types of transmission are discussed, with special reference to the informational properties of peptide transmitters. With respect to the computational aspects of neural function, the identification of putative computational structures at the macroscopic (network) and microscopic (local circuit, synapse) levels suggests the existence of a computational hierarchical organization. In this context, the existence of a compartmental organization of various cerebral regions is discussed. It is hypothesized that membrane domains, made by patches of membrane in which preselected molecular movements are possible resulting in molecular interactions, can have an important role in the integrative capabilities of neural tissue. The coexistence of multiple neuroactive substances in central synapses is analyzed in the framework of information transfer processes at this level. The presence of putative homeostatic, heterostatic and mnestic mechanisms in the synapse is also discussed.     

Excision sequences in the mitochondrial genome of yeast

We report an analysis of the sequences used in the excision of the mitochondrial genomes of 22 spontaneous and ten ethidium bromide (EtBr)-induced Saccharomyces cerevisiae petite mutants. In all cases, excision sequences were found to be perfect direct repeats, often flanked on one or both sides by regions of patchy homology. Sequences used in the excision of the genomes of spontaneous petites were always located in the AT spacers and GC clusters of intergenic regions of the genome; the GC clusters corresponded to ori and ori^s sequences, namely to canonical and surrogate origins of DNA replication, respectively. In the case of the ethidium bromide-induced petites, excision sequences were found not only in intergenic sequences, but also in the introns and exons of mitochondrial genes.     

Inhibition of heme biosynthesis in erythroid precursors (BFU-e) isolated from human peripheral blood: effects on globin synthesis

We studied the relationship between heme accumulation and globin synthesis in human erythroid precursors which were stimulated by 2 I.U. of erythropoietin in semi-solid cultures (1% methyl-cellulose, 20% fetal calf serum) and treated with 6-9 micrograms/ml of desferrioxamina (DF), a potent inhibitor of heme synthesis (6). Heme accumulation was detected by specific reaction with benzidine (4), globin synthesis by CM-cellulose column chromatography. Our results demonstrate that globin gene expression occurs in DF-treated erythroid cells which do not accumulate heme molecules. As heme does affect translation and stability of globin mRNA (10) our system might be suitable for studies focused on pathological alterations of erythropoiesis associated with the presence of unstable globin mRNAs and/or unstable globins.     

Cloning and characterization of the immunity region of phage ?80

Summary The immunity region of phage 80 has been localized. It codes for at least three proteins: a protein of 34 kDa which has the biological properties of the phage repressor, and two other proteins of 9 kDa and 18 kDa which are the first proteins on the rightward operon. These two proteins are negatively regulated by the 34 kDa protein at a divergent promoter site. By position analogy with phage , but not by its biological activity, the 9 kDa protein could be the cro roduct. The 18 kDa protein is able to block totally UV induction of phage 80.