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This study examined how school-aged children process different grammatical categories. Event-related brain potentials elicited by words in visually presented sentences were analyzed according to seven grammatical categories with naturally varying characteristics of linguistic functions, semantic features, and quantitative attributes of length and frequency. The categories included nouns, adjectives, verbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, and articles. The findings indicate that by the age of 9-10 years, children exhibit robust neural indicators differentiating grammatical categories; however, it is also evident that development of language processing is not yet adult-like at this age. The current findings are consistent with the hypothesis that for beginning readers a variety of cues and characteristics interact to affect processing of different grammatical categories and indicate the need to take into account linguistic functions, prosodic salience, and grammatical complexity as they relate to the development of language abilities. Copyright © 2006 by Elsevier Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the lifetime prevalence of workplace harassment, physical violence and sexual assault against transgender and non-binary workers targeted due to their gender identity and to identify correlates of this workplace violence., Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study used data from 4597 transgender or non-binary respondents from the 2008-2009 National Transgender Discrimination Survey. Respondents reported if they had ever experienced harassment, physical violence or sexual assault at work specifically because of their gender identity. We estimated the prevalence of each type of violence stratified by gender identity, race/ethnicity, age, educational attainment, history of working in the street economy (eg, sex industry, drug sales) and if people at work knew their gender identity., Results: Workplace violence was prevalent, with 50% of transgender and non-binary workers having ever experienced harassment, 7% physical violence and 6% sexual assault at work because of their gender identity. Harassment was common among all of these workers, but physical violence and sexual assault were more than twice as common among transfeminine and non-binary workers assigned male at birth, workers of colour, workers with low educational attainment and those who had ever worked in the street economy., Conclusions: Transgender and non-binary workers commonly face violence at work because of their gender identity. Workplace violence prevention programmes should incorporate ways to prevent gender identity-based violence and facilitate channels for workers to report the occurrence of discrimination and violence., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: This study describes changes in the mental health, financial security, and physical activity levels of women in North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic., Methods: Data were collected from women aged 20-40 years receiving primary care at 2 health centers in North Carolina during 2020-2022. Surveys (N=127) evaluated changes in mental health, financial security, and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. These outcomes were analyzed both descriptively and for association with sociodemographic factors using logistic regression. A subset of participants ( n =46) participated in semistructured interviews. Interview transcripts were reviewed and evaluated for recurring themes by primary and secondary coders using a rapid-coding technique. Analysis was conducted in 2022., Results: Women surveyed were 28.4% non-Hispanic White, 38.6% non-Hispanic Black, and 33.1% Hispanic/Latina. Compared with reports before the pandemic, participants reported increased frustration or boredom (69.1%), loneliness (51.6%), anxiety (64.3%), depression (52.4%), and changed sleep patterns (68.3%). Increased alcohol and other recreational substance use were associated with race and ethnicity ( p <0.05) after adjustment for other sociodemographic factors. Participants reported difficulty in paying for basic expenses (44.0%). Financial difficulties during COVID-19 were associated with non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity, less education, and lower prepandemic household income. Data showed pandemic-associated reductions in mild (32.8%), moderate (39.5%), and strenuous (43.3%) exercise, with a correlation between increased depression and reduced mild exercise. Interviews identified themes including reduced activity while working remotely, lack of gym access, and reduced motivation for exercise., Conclusions: This mixed-methods study is one of the first to evaluate the mental health, financial security, and physical activity challenges women aged between 20 and 40 years in the southern U.S. faced during the COVID-19 pandemic., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Compared to other age groups, South African adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) have the lowest rates of retention in HIV care and medication adherence. While previous research suggests that familial social support may improve treatment retention and adherence within this population, we know little about the influence of differential types of social support on HIV-related outcomes. Thus, the purpose of this study is to qualitatively characterize the influence of type of familial social support on treatment retention and adherence among ALWH. We interviewed adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV (n = 20), their caregivers (n = 19), and community stakeholders (n = 20) in Cape Town, South Africa. Data were coded using deductive and inductive approaches to content analysis. We identified four types of familial social support: instrumental, appraisal, emotional, and informational support. Families provided instrumental support through logistical assistance, including transportation to appointments and pill reminders. Families also provided both emotional support and appraisal support, encouraging ALWH to adhere to their medication regimens by reflecting upon its importance to their futures. For informational support, families often educated ALWH about their HIV status and strategies for disease self-management. In characterizing familial social support, our findings highlight potential targets of future interventions to improve HIV-related outcomes among ALWH.

Background: In a recent paper, a new species of the crocodyliform genus Isisfordia was erected based on, in part, a specimen previously designated as the holotype of 'Crocodylus (Bottosaurus)' selaslophensis . This new species was given the name Isisfordia molnari . However, because the holotype of 'Crocodylus (Bottosaurus)' selaslophensis displays a unique combination of characters and does not overlap with the holotype of I. molnari , both names remain valid according to ICZN regulations., Results: The present work instates Isisfordia selaslophensis comb. nov., recognising the seniority of the original specific epithet given to the specimen. The specimen is also reaffirmed as the holotype of the species. Isisfordia molnari is rediagnosed based on non-overlapping material but is potentially referable to Isisfordia selaslophensis . All other analyses, descriptions, diagnoses and conclusions stated by the original study remain valid., Competing Interests: The author declares that they have no competing interests., (©2020 Hart.)

The Australian Mesozoic crocodyliform record is sparse in comparison to other Gondwanan localities. A single formally-named taxon is known from this interval; Isisfordia duncani (Winton Formation, Albian-Turonian, Queensland). We present a previously undescribed crocodyliform braincase from the Griman Creek Formation (Cenomanian), New South Wales, which we assign to Isisfordia molnari sp. nov. Assignment to the genus is based on the possession of a newly-defined autapomorphy of Isisfordia : a broadly exposed prootic within the supratemporal foramen. A second autapomorphy of I. duncani (maximum diameter of the caudal aperture of the cranioquadrate siphonium approximately one-third the mediolateral width of the foramen magnum, with the lateral wall of the caudal aperture formed exclusively by the quadrate) may also be present in I. molnari ; however, definitive recognition of this feature is marred by incomplete preservation. The new taxon is differentiated from I. duncani based on the absence of a median ridge on the parietal, and the lack of characteristic ridges on the parietal that form the medial margin of the supratemporal foramina. Reanalysis of a second specimen (the former holotype of the nomen dubium, 'Crocodylus (Bottosaurus) selaslophensis' ) allows for its referral to the genus Isisfordia . Crucial to this reappraisal is the reinterpretation of the specimen as a partial maxilla, not the dentary as previously thought. This maxillary fragment possesses specific characteristics shared only with I. duncani ; namely an alveolar groove. However, several key features differentiate the maxillary fragment from I. duncani , specifically the presence of continuous alveolar septa, the thickening of the medial alveolar rim, and the alveolar and crown base morphology. These findings constitute the first evidence of Isisfordia outside of the type locality and indicate its widespread occurrence on the freshwater floodplains along the eastern margin of the epeiric Eromanga Sea during the Albian-Cenomanian., Competing Interests: The authors declare there are no competing interests. Although the new taxon has been named in honour of one of the reviewers, this change was made after his initial review of the manuscript. We feel this name is appropriate as it reflects the reviewer’s (Ralph Molnar) considerable contribution to palaeontology in Australia, and his prior work on crocodyliform fossils from Lightning Ridge.

Introduction: The health systems in developing countries face challenges because of deficient monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacity with respect to their knowledge, skills, and practices. Strengthening M&E training in public health education can help overcome the gaps in M&E capacity. There is a need to advance the teaching of M&E as a core element of public health education., Objectives: To review M&E teaching across Masters of Public Health programs and to identify core competencies for M&E teaching in South Asian context., Materials and Methods: We undertook two activities to understand the M&E teaching across masters level programs: (1) desk review of M&E curriculum and teaching in masters programs globally and (2) review of M&E teaching across 10 institutions representing 4 South Asian countries. Subsequently, we used the findings of these two activities as inputs to identify core competencies for an M&E module through a consultative meeting with the 10 South Asian universities., Results: Masters programs are being offered globally in 321 universities of which 88 offered a Masters in Public Health, and M&E was taught in 95 universities. M&E was taught as a part of another module in 49 institutions. The most common duration of M&E teaching was 4-5 weeks. From the 70 institutes where information on electives was available, M&E was a core module/part of a core module at 42 universities and an elective at 28 universities. The consultative meeting identified 10 core competencies and draft learning objectives for M&E teaching in masters programs in South Asia., Conclusion: The desk review showed similarities in M&E course content but variations in course structure and delivery. The core competencies identified during the consultation included basic M&E concepts. The results of the review and the core competencies identified at the consultation are useful resources for institutions interested in refining/updating M&E curricula in their postgraduate degree programs. Our approach for curriculum development as well as the consensus building experience could also be adapted for use in other situations.

Task analysis is a descriptive study methodology that has wide application in the health professions. Task analysis is particularly useful in assessment and definition of the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that define the scope of practice of a health profession or occupation. Jhpiego, a US-based nongovernmental organization, has adapted traditional task analysis methods in several countries in assessment of workforce education and practice issues. Four case studies are presented to describe the utility and adaptability of the task analysis approach. Traditional task analysis field survey methods were used in assessment of the general and maternal-child health nursing workforce in Mozambique that led to curriculum redesign, reducing the number of education pathways from 4 to 2. The process of health system strengthening in Liberia, following a long history of civil war conflict, included a traditional task analysis study conducted among 119 registered nurses and 46 certified midwives who had graduated in the last 6 months to 2 years to determine gaps in education and preparation. An innovative approach for data collection that involves "playing cards" to document participant opinions (Task Master, Mining for Data) was developed by Jhpiego for application in other countries. Results of a task analysis involving 54 nurses and 100 nurse-midwives conducted in Lesotho were used to verify the newly drafted scope and standards of practice for nurses and to inform planning for a competency-based preservice curriculum for nursing. The Nursing and Midwifery Council developed a 100-question licensing examination for new graduates following a task analysis in Botswana. The task analysis process in each country resulted in recommendations that were action oriented and were implemented by the country governments. For maximal utility and ongoing impact, a task analysis study should be repeated on a periodic basis and more frequently in countries undergoing rapid change in development of workforce policy., (© 2016 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.)

School is a rich environment for cultivating academic skills, but also for developing metacognitive skills such as executive functioning and emotional regulation. However, the hours students spend in school are often guided by familiar practices rather than contemporary findings about how the brain best learns and grows. This article describes biological conditions favorable to brain development, psychological skills associated with effective school functioning, and school practices associated with academic and interpersonal success. The aim is that schooling might be shaped with regard to children’s and adolescents’ brain development needs rather than social custom.

The OPTN defines high risk donors (HRDs), colloquially known as 'CDC high risk donors', as those thought to carry an increased risk of HIV window period (WP) infection prior to serologic detectability. However, the true risk of such infection remains unknown. To quantify the risk of WP infection in each HRD behavior category, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies of HIV prevalence and incidence. Of 3476 abstracts reviewed, 27 eligible studies of HIV infection in HRD populations were identified. Pooled HIV incidence estimates were calculated for each category of HRD behavior and used to calculate the risk of WP HIV infection. Risks ranged from 0.09-12.1 per 10 000 donors based on WP for ELISA and 0.04-4.9 based on nucleic acid testing (NAT), with NAT reducing WP risk by over 50% in each category. Injection drug users had the greatest risk of WP infection (4.9 per 10 000 donors by NAT WP), followed by men who have sex with men (4.2:10 000), commercial sex workers (2.7:10 000), incarcerated donors (0.9:10 000), donors exposed to HIV through blood (0.6:10 000), donors engaging in high-risk sex (0.3:10 000) and hemophiliacs (0.035:10 000). These estimates can help inform patient and provider decision making regarding HRDs., (©2010 The Authors Journal compilation©2010 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.)

The OPTN classifies high infectious risk donors (HRDs) based on criteria originally intended to identify people at risk for HIV infection. These donors are sometimes referred to as 'CDC high risk donors' in reference to the CDC-published guidelines adopted by the OPTN. However, these guidelines are also being used to identify deceased donors at increased risk of window period (WP) hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, although not designed for this purpose. The actual risk of WP HCV infection in HRDs is unknown. We performed a systematic review of 3476 abstracts and identified 37 eligible estimates of HCV incidence in HRD populations in the United States/Canada. Pooled HCV incidence was derived and used to estimate the risk of WP infection for each HRD category. Risks ranged from 0.26 to 300.6 per 10,000 donors based on WP for ELISA and 0.027 to 32.4 based on nucleic acid testing (NAT). Injection drug users were at highest risk (32.4 per 10,000 donors by NAT WP), followed by commercial sex workers and donors exhibiting high risk sexual behavior (12.3 per 10,000), men who have sex with men (3.5 per 10,000), incarcerated donors (0.8 per 10,000), donors exposed to HIV infected blood (0.4 per 10,000) and hemophiliacs (0.027 per 10,000). NAT reduced WP risk by approximately 10-fold in each category., (©2011 The Authors Journal compilation©2011 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.)

Purpose: Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy (PNL) is commonly used to treat patients with complex renal calculi. A goal at our medical center is to discharge patients home less than 24 hours after PNL. We performed a study to determine factors that caused patients to be hospitalized longer than this period., Material and Methods: The available hospital records and office charts of 133 consecutive patients undergoing initial PNL at our institution between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2000 were reviewed. All PNL procedures were performed by one of us using a (DGA) 1-stage technique. Mean patient age was 52 years (range 25 to 84). Of the subjects 85 were male and 48 were female., Results: A total of 91 patients (68%) were discharged home less than 24 hours after surgery. The overall stone-free rate was 91%. Mean length of stay in the entire group was 1.97 days. Mean length of stay in those hospitalized longer than 24 hours was 4.12 days. Mean operative time, including time to obtain access, was 188.6 minutes. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that neurogenic bladder, endocrine comorbidity and perioperative complications were factors associated with a length of stay of greater than 24 hours. Univariate analysis demonstrated that preoperative urinary tract infection and infection related calculi were also associated with a length of stay of greater than 24 hours., Conclusions: The majority of patients undergoing PNL can be discharged home less than 24 hours after surgery. Patients with neurogenic bladder, those with endocrine comorbidity, those who sustain significant perioperative complications and those harboring stones associated with urinary tract infection or preoperative urinary tract infection are more likely to require longer hospitalization.

Objectives: To review our contemporary experience with ileal ureter reconstruction. Despite advancements in surgical technology and technical expertise, ureteral injuries continue to occur. These injuries can be extensive, and ileal ureter reconstruction may be necessary., Methods: A total of 18 ileal ureter substitutions were performed in 16 adults (10 men and 6 women) by a single surgeon during a 6-year period. The mean patient age was 49.4 years (range 25 to 72). The mean follow-up was 18.6 months (range 7 to 59). All ileal ureter substitutions were performed in an isoperistaltic, refluxing fashion. Follow-up included clinical evaluation, nuclear renography, intravenous urography, and serum chemistry testing., Results: Postoperative nuclear renography demonstrated no relative loss of function of the affected renal unit and no evidence of functional obstruction. An unobstructed state was also confirmed with intravenous urography. No statistically significant metabolic changes were found in any patient, as assessed by serum chemistry testing. None of the patients had evidence of new stone formation. Two patients developed an isolated, symptomatic urinary tract infection during follow-up, and one has had recurrent urinary tract infections, a problem that was present preoperatively., Conclusions: Ileal ureter substitution remains an effective treatment for patients with complex ureteral strictures or injuries. Stone activity does not appear to increase, and metabolic sequelae are uncommon in properly selected patients.

Purpose: Patients with cystinuria frequently have recurrent renal calculi and may subsequently require multiple stone removing procedures during their lifetime which could have an impact on overall renal function. We determined the potential impact of cystinuria and cystine stone formation on the level of renal function compared to calcium oxalate stone formers., Materials and Methods: Clinical data on 40 cystinuric patients followed at 2 medical centers and 45 such individuals in a large stone population data base were analyzed. These results were compared to data on 3,964 calcium oxalate stone formers enrolled in this data base., Results: Mean serum creatinine plus or minus standard deviation for stone forming cystinuric patients was significantly higher than that of the calcium oxalate cohort (1.13 +/- 0.28 versus 1.01 +/- 0.28 mg./100 ml., p = 0.0001). A significantly greater percentage of cystinuric patients (5.8%) had an abnormally increased serum creatinine compared to the calcium oxalate stone formers (2.2%, p = 0.046). Male gender, increasing number of open surgical stone removing procedures and nephrectomy were significant variables associated with an increased serum creatinine (p = 0.0010, p = 0.0038, p = 0.0133, respectively). An increasing number of open surgical stone removing procedures had a significant positive correlation with performance of nephrectomy in the cystinuric population (p = 0.0166). A significantly greater percentage of cystinuric patients compared to the calcium oxalate cohort were subjected to nephrectomy (14.1% versus 2.9%, p = 0.007)., Conclusions: Cystinuric patients have higher serum creatinine levels than calcium oxalate stone formers and they are at more risk for renal loss. When stone removal is required, a minimally invasive approach is preferred.

It has been claimed that the sole H(2)O(2)-scavenging system in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 is a cytosolic catalase-peroxidase. We have measured in vivo activity of a light-dependent peroxidase in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 and UTEX 625. The addition of small amounts of H(2)O(2) (2.5 microM) to illuminated cells caused photochemical quenching (qP) of chlorophyll fluorescence that was relieved as the H(2)O(2) was consumed. The qP was maximal at about 50 microM H(2)O(2) with a Michaelis constant of about 7 microM. The H(2)O(2)-dependent qP strongly indicates that photoreduction can be involved in H(2)O(2) decomposition. Catalase-peroxidase activity was found to be almost completely inhibited by 10 microM NH(2)OH with no inhibition of the H(2)O(2)-dependent qP, which actually increased, presumably due to the light-dependent reaction now being the only route for H(2)O(2)-decomposition. When (18)O-labeled H(2)O(2) was presented to cells in the light there was an evolution of (16)O(2), indicative of H(2)(16)O oxidation by PS 2 and formation of photoreductant. In the dark (18)O(2) was evolved from added H(2)(18)O(2) as expected for decomposition by the catalase-peroxidase. This evolution was completely blocked by NH(2)OH, whereas the light-dependent evolution of (16)O(2) during H(2)(18)O(2) decomposition was unaffected.

Purpose: To establish an animal model of extrascleral extension of choroidal melanoma., Methods: Pigmented choroidal tumors were established in nine New Zealand albino rabbit eyes using B16F10 melanoma cell line. The sclerotomy site was not closed in the subgroup of six rabbits where extrascleral extension was desired. For the control group, the sclerotomy site was sutured with 8-0 nylon. Animals were treated with daily injections of cyclosporine and followed by serial fundus examinations, color Doppler imaging, and fundus photography. All tumor-bearing eyes were enucleated at the end of the follow-up period and examined for extrascleral extension., Results: Extrascleral extension of choroidal melanoma occurred in all six animals with open sclerotomy sites. No extrascleral extension was observed in the control group. Color Doppler imaging identified extrascleral extension which was confirmed on gross histology., Conclusions: Our animal model of extrascleral extension of choroidal melanoma requires minimal surgery to establish, and is reproducible and easy to follow with standard diagnostic equipment.

Tilapia were dosed by intraperitoneal injection for 5 consecutive days with either 20 or 40 mg/kg of the environmental contaminant hexachlorocyclohexane (lindane). The effects of this organochlorine pesticide on morphology and total cellularity of the spleen and pronephros were examined on the second day following termination of dosing. The functional capacity of phagocytic cells isolated from both spleen and pronephros was also evaluated as possible additional indicators of chemical-induced immunotoxicity. A dose-related reduction was found in spleen and pronephros total white blood cell counts in the fish exposed to lindane. In addition, hypocellularity of lymphoid regions in the spleen and pronephros was evident in chemical-exposed animals upon histopathological examination. However, phagocytosis of fluorescent microspheres by phagocytic cells isolated from the spleen and pronephros was not inhibited by the exposure to lindane. Similarly, no decrease in phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated hydrogen peroxide production was observed in phagocytic cells collected from lindane-exposed fish. These results suggest that cellular depletion in tilapia spleen and pronephros may represent a more sensitive indicator of lindane exposure than does the functional capacity of phagocytic cells isolated from these hematopoietic organs. Ultrastructural observations support this hypothesis and, further, suggest that lymphocytic cells may be targeted at the present exposure levels.

Purpose: We determined whether routine postoperative chest radiography is warranted after flank surgery to assess for pneumothorax., Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 253 adult flank operations performed during a 6-year period was conducted., Results: Incidental pleurotomy occurred in 63 cases (24.9%). The performance of rib resection and the level of rib removed as well as female gender had a significant impact on this occurrence. Pleurotomy was treated by a simple evacuation technique and tube thoracostomy was not necessary. Only 2 patients (0.8%) had a postoperative pneumothorax without intraoperative recognition of pleurotomy, which resolved without intervention., Conclusions: Routine postoperative chest radiography to assess for pneumothorax following open flank surgery is not necessary.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between endogenous total serum testosterone levels and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations. If a correlation exists between these two parameters, then use of testosterone-specific reference ranges may enhance the utility of PSA as a marker for prostate cancer., Methods: Data were obtained from 150 men without previous history of prostate cancer. PSA was measured by the Abbott IMX microparticle enzyme immunoassay and total testosterone determined by the Coat-A-Count radioimmunoassay., Results: No correlation was found between testosterone and PSA, even when corrected for age and weight., Conclusions: The data suggest that determination of the total serum testosterone level does not improve the sensitivity or specificity of PSA as a tumor marker.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of topical administration of the calcium channel blocker verapamil on intraocular pressure and retrobulbar hemodynamics., Methods: In this randomized, prospective, double-masked study, we examined the effects of single-dose topical administration of verapamil in ten normal human volunteers by using color Doppler ultrasound imaging to measure hemodynamic parameters. Limitations of this study include single-dose application of verapamil and relatively small sample size., Results: No systemic effect on heart rate or blood pressure was detected after administration of topical verapamil. The intraocular pressure significantly decreased compared with baseline two hours after topical 0.125% and 0.25% verapamil (P = .015 and .040, respectively). Pourcelot's ratio, an index of vascular resistance, measured in the central retinal artery was significantly reduced after topical application of 0.125% verapamil (P = .008). The change in Pourcelot's ratio primarily resulted from an increased end diastolic velocity in the central retinal artery. No significant differences compared with baseline values were detected in the color Doppler ultrasound measurements of the posterior ciliary arteries and the central retinal vein two hours after topically administered verapamil., Conclusions: Topical administration of verapamil decreases intraocular pressure and alters ocular hemodynamics, reducing the vascular resistance index in the central retinal artery.

Background: The maturation of normal B lymphocytes proceeds through a growth phase and a differentiation phase. These two phases appear to be under the influence of mediators released by immune cells, B-cell growth factor(s), which induce proliferation of B cells; and B-cell differentiation factor(s), which induce B-cell differentiation., Methods: We analyzed the ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with hypogammaglobulinemia to produce B-cell growth factor and B-cell differentiation factor activity in comparison with normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells., Results: Of 27 patients tested, 26 had normal production of B-cell growth factor activity. A quantitative but not absolute defect in B-cell growth factor production was demonstrable in one boy with hypogammaglobulinemia. Interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 levels, as determined antigenically in these supernatants, had a similar distribution pattern from patients' or from control peripheral blood mononuclear cells; that is, undetectable levels of interleukin-2 were produced by cells from 4 of 16 patients tested and from 4 of 13 control subjects, and undetectable levels of interleukin-4 produced by cells from 6 of 16 patients and 4 of 13 control subjects. B-cell differentiation factor activity was absent in only one child tested but present in all other patients. Two patients had quantitatively low secretion of B-cell differentiation factor, but all others were within normal range. The two patients with quantitatively depressed B-cell differentiation factor activity had normal levels of B-cell growth factor activity, interleukin-2, and interleukin-4 produced from their cells., Conclusion: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the majority of patients with hypogammaglobulinemia appear to have the capacity to produce B-cell growth factors and B-cell differentiation factor activity in vitro.

The relationship of protein intake to urinary oxalate and glycolate excretion was examined in a large cohort (N = 101) of normal individuals on self-selected diets and in 11 individuals on controlled protein diets. On self-selected diets no correlation was detected between protein intake and urinary oxalate or glycolate excretion. A moderate but significant correlation (r = 0.45; P < 0.001) of oxalate with urea excretion was observed in males but not females, suggesting that there may be a link between urea and oxalate synthesis in males. On controlled protein diets mean oxalate excretion in females on days 7 to 10 of a high protein diet (1.8 g/kg body wt) was 20% higher than on a low protein diet (0.6 g/kg body wt; P = 0.02), but there was no difference in males. Glycolate excretion was significantly higher (P < 0.001) on the high protein diet than on the low protein diet in both sexes. Only a weak precursor-product relationship was observed between glycolate and oxalate. A gender effect was apparent on both self-selected and control diets with females excreting more oxalate and glycolate relative to creatinine than males. A pronounced inter- and intra-individual variability in the excretion of oxalate was observed, even on controlled diets. This suggests that genetic factors and physiological changes such as hormonal fluctuations may contribute more to the variability in oxalate excretion than the dietary intake of protein.

Patients with hypogammaglobulinemia have recurrent infections and fail to produce protective antibodies. In order for B cells to mature into antibody producing cells, several other cell types such as macrophages and helper T lymphocytes must be involved. They secrete several mediators such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). These factors, as recombinant mediators, were tested to assess their ability to correct the immunoglobulin production defect in vitro from pokeweed mitogen (PWM) stimulated cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 11 patients with hypogammaglobulinemia, and from 10 normals as controls. In general, PBMC from hypogammaglobulinemic patients secreted very little Ig in cultures, and no mediator induced a statistically significant increase in the secretion of any IgG subclass. When assessed on an individual basis, one patient demonstrated a variable pattern of increase in total IgG, IgG1, and IgG3, secretion induced by various mediators, to within one standard deviation of the average secretion of normal PBMC cultured in PWM. In the case of the normal cells, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-1 plus IL-4 were able to increase IgG2 secretion in culture with PWM. No increase in secretion of IgG1, IgG3 and IgG4 or total IgG was demonstrable however. Hence, although there is variability in responsiveness amongst the patients, there does not appear to be any one of these recombinant mediators which will correct the defect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of the number of receptors per cell and the affinity of the ligand/receptor interaction has provided considerable insight into the functioning of numerous cytokines. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine which may have considerable clinical relevance in inflammatory or immunodeficiency diseases. Using particle concentration fluorescence immunoassay (PCFIA) technology, an assay is described which calculates the receptor number and affinity on small numbers of human cells. Resting B cells are shown to lack IL-6 receptors but activation of B cells induces up to 1,300 receptors per cell, with Kd of 1 x 10(-11) to 2 x 10(-11) M. Other recombinant mediators do not alter the binding of labeled IL-6 to the cells. PCFIA avoids the use of radioactivity and requires very small numbers of cells (2 x 10(4) per well). Potential application to the study of regulatory mechanisms and to clinical situations where small samples of blood are available is feasible.

To determine the effect of back closure on the detrusor-external sphincter coordination, we reviewed the medical records of 40 neonates with myelodysplasia studied prospectively with urodynamic assessment and renal ultrasonography before closure of the spinal defect, within 7 days of closure and at 3-month intervals thereafter. Only 31 of the 40 neonates met all criteria for inclusion. All renal sonograms were normal before and after closure. Urodynamic evaluation demonstrated coordinated detrusor-sphincter activity in 18 neonates before and after closure. During prolonged followup 1 patient had detrusor areflexia and 4 had detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Of 11 neonates who demonstrated detrusor areflexia and no external sphincter activity before closure 10 were unchanged on initial post-closure evaluation (4 had detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia during followup), while 1 demonstrated detrusor areflexia with external sphincter overactivity and vesicoureteral reflux after closure. The latter patient subsequently had detrusor hyperreflexia, more severe reflux and upper tract deterioration. She was temporized with a cutaneous vesicostomy. One patient demonstrated detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia before closure and detrusor areflexia with no external sphincter activity after closure, the consequence of surgical division of the neural placode during back closure. The remaining patient demonstrated detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia before and after closure. This patient had coordinated detrusor-sphincter activity during followup. Those neonates who presented with or later had detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia were managed initially with neuropharmacological agents and clean intermittent catheterization. An unsuccessful outcome was managed by cutaneous vesicostomy. Our study demonstrates that neonatal closure of the spinal cord defect does not appear to affect detrusor-sphincter coordination adversely, and re-emphasizes the need for careful and regular followup in children with myelodysplasia to detect deterioration of the urinary tract.

The effects of focused high energy shock waves (SW) generated by the Dornier experimental XL-1 lithotripter alone or in combination with cisplatin (CDDP) on the AT-2 prostate tumor were examined. They were assessed by measuring 1) clonogenic cell survival 24 hours after treatment, 2) tumor growth delay, and 3) the number of lung metastases. The survival of clonogenic cells was reduced 38% by exposure to 2000 SW and tumor growth was delayed by 1.5 days. The limb bearing the tumor was excised in all animals when the tumor reached seven cm.3 The subsequent occurrence of lung metastases in three out of 13 unshocked animals and two out of 14 shocked animals indicated that SW did not promote the dissemination of tumor cells. At doses of one to four mg. CDDP/kg. body weight, SW exposure increased the effectiveness of the chemotherapy measured by a clonogenic assay. The fractional survival was 0.62 after 2000 SW alone, 0.23 with four mg. cisplatin/kg. alone and 0.10 after the combination treatment. At higher doses of CDDP, there was no added effect of SW over that of CDDP therapy alone. Tumor growth to one cm.3 was delayed by seven days after treatment with four mg. CDDP/kg., in comparison to untreated controls. SW exposure combined with CDDP treatment delayed the time taken for the tumor to reach one cm.3 by 13 days in comparison with untreated controls. However, the combination treatment increased animal mortality from 9% with CDDP alone to 29%. These results indicate that SW could be used focally to enhance the cell killing effects of CDDP.

The authors examined the relationship of change in tumor height after proton beam irradiation with the risk of metastasis in 700 patients treated for uveal melanoma before July 1, 1986. Rates of change in tumor height were computed for each patient using follow-up ultrasonographic measures during the first 2 years after treatment. Risk of metastasis was evaluated separately in the first 2 years after treatment when tumor decline was assessed (concurrent metastasis), and 2 years or later after treatment (subsequent metastasis). Using Cox proportional hazards models to adjust for other known risk factors, tumors regressing rapidly were significantly more likely to metastasize concurrently with their regression (P less than 0.05). The opposite was found for subsequent metastasis: tumors with a slow annual decline were more likely to metastasize after 2 years after treatment (P less than 0.05). Substantial changes also were noted in the ability of previously described prognostic factors (largest tumor diameter, tumor height, ciliary body involvement, and patient's age) to predict early and late metastasis. Characteristics placing individuals at high risk of metastasis may change markedly with time after treatment.

A quantitative bacteriological survey of high-purity water systems used in biomedical research laboratories at the National Institutes of Health revealed great variations among the systems. In general, distilled water had significantly lower contamination levels than deionized water. Interviews with investigators revealed their conceptions about the importance of bacterial contamination in high-purity water and some expectations about bacterial quality. Guidelines are suggested for the use of water from systems of varying quality.