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Mutations in the human amelogenin gene (AMELX, Xp22.3) cause a phenotypically diverse set of inherited enamel malformations. We hypothesize that the effects of specific mutations on amelogenin protein structure and expression will correlate with the enamel phenotype, clarify amelogenin structure/function relationships, and improve the clinical diagnosis of X-linked amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). We have identified two kindreds with X-linked AI and characterized the AMELX mutations underlying their AI phenotypes. The two missense mutations are both in exon 2 and affect the translation initiation codon and/or the secretion of amelogenin (p.M1T and p.W4S), resulting in hypoplastic enamel. Primary anterior teeth from affected females with the p.M1T mutation were characterized by light and scanning electron microscopy. The thin enamel had defective prism organization, and the surface was rough and pitted. Dentin was normal. The severity of the enamel phenotype correlated with the predicted effects of the mutations on amelogenin expression and secretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into vocational rehabilitation (VR) consumer service preferences has been limited. The current study describes the self-reported goals of 228 applicants to a VR program sponsored by the Veterans Administration (VA) and documents the relationship of those goals to participant background variables and outcomes. Participants endorsed a wide variety of goals for participation, including clinical and practical goals. Competitive employment was a goal of only 53% and was the primary goal of only 5%. The apparent contrast between the diversity of VA participant goals and the growing focus by VA rehabilitation professionals on competitive employment suggests that greater dialogue is needed between providers and consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulation of pH is necessary to the production of an environment conducive to enamel growth and mineralization. We hypothesize that abnormal extracellular pH in the enamel matrix of mice with the cystic fibrosis gene knocked out (CF mice) results in altered enamel mineralization. The enamel matrix pH during amelogenesis was studied in 10 normal and 10 CF mice. Freshly dissected incisors were immersed in pH indicator or glyoxal bis (2-hydro-xyanil) (GBHA). The normal mouse enamel matrix pH was generally higher and modulated differently than did the CF mouse enamel. GBHA staining showed that normal mice had 2 well-demarcated bands in the maturation zone that correlated to the neutral pH zones, while CF mice showed no staining. These results indicate that CFTR plays a role in pH regulation during enamel development and that a reduced pH results in a lack of calcium influx during enamel maturation and hypomineralization of the CF incisor enamel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reflects on the ways in which the challenge to physiologists regarding their experiences in molecular biology and genetics has and has not been met. Information on the book 'The Logic of Life'; Definition of physiological analysis; Implications for education and innovation.

Cystic fibrosis (CF), a chloride ion transport disorder, is caused by mutations of the cftr gene and is the most common autosomal-recessive heritable disease in Caucasians. CFTR knockout mice have enamel with crystallite defects, retained protein, and hypomineralization, suggesting a role for CFTR in enamel formation and mineralization. This investigation examined CFTR expression and elemental composition in developing murine incisor teeth. RT-PCR showed cftr mRNA expression in the normal mouse apical incisor tissue but not in the CFTR knockout tissue. Elemental analysis by energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy showed relatively decreased chloride in secretory-stage CF enamel. Iron and potassium were significantly increased, and calcium was significantly decreased (p value = 0.05) in the CF mature enamel. Abnormal enamel mineralization, ion concentrations, and molecular evidence of cftr mRNA expression by odontogenic cells strongly suggest that CFTR plays an important role in enamel formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective observational cohort study describes the demographics, risk of re-infection, and geographical distribution of chlamydia infections in a rural North Carolina county. Data were collected between 1 November 1992 and 21 January 1994 from private physician reports and from screening patients at the county health department STD clinic. The overall chlamydia rate in the county was 563 cases per 100,000 person-years. Rates were highest among women, 15-19-year-olds and non-whites (662, 3982 and 1272 cases per 100,000 person-years, respectively). The 6-month cumulative incidence of re-infection was 10%. Geographic mapping of case rates showed contiguity among high-risk block groups. The rate in men, 449 cases per 100,000 person-years, was higher than expected. Issues concerning the development of screening programmes for men are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which examined how dimensions of parental power and parental behavior predicted adolescent compliance and internalization. Dimensions of the parental behaviors and resources that predict adolescent conformity; Parental influence and adolescent conformity; types of parental behavior examined in the study; Measures of internalized conformity.

When describing issues pertinent to research and women's health, McBride (1987) noted that it is important to study healthy, normative behaviors in women to better understand what facilitates their health. Because the mother-daughter relationship is pivotal for the development of a woman's identity (Chodorow, 1978; Gilligan, 1982) and, therefore, for a healthy self-concept, nurses interested in caring for women need to learn about the mother-daughter relationship and, in particular, the identification process that occurs within it (Boyd, 1985). The purpose of this investigation was to provide empirical support for a theoretical model of mother-daughter identification, a model that includes the concepts of attachment, conflict, and mother and daughter identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spiritual abuse is the act of making people believe—whether by stating or merely implying—that they are going to be punished in this life and/or tormented in hell-fire forever for failure to live life good enough to please God and thus earn admission to heaven. Spiritual terrorism is the most extreme form of spiritual abuse and may cause serious mental health problems. Those people who have not been spiritually terrorized have not necessarily been spared from spiritual abuse and therefore may still be in need of competent, spiritual counseling. Spiritual abuse, which may be active or passive, can best be conceptualized on a continuum from terroristic to zero abuse. Severity is determined by intensity, age of onset, duration, and individual reaction. The underlying issue in all forms of abuse is control. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Spiritual abuse is the act of making people believe—whether by stating or merely implying—that they are going to be punished in this life and/or tormented in hell-fire forever for failure to live a good enough life to earn admission to heaven. Spiritual terrorism is the most extreme form of spiritual abuse, which in itself is a serious mental health problem. The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous can be a useful therapeutic modality for countering this problem, provided steps two and three are reworded to facilitate cognitive restructuring, therefore enabling victims to develop a positive conception of God. Biblical symbolism can be cognitively helpful if interpreted metaphorically rather than literally. Thus, victims will be able to trust God to restore them to sanity and empower them to be survivors who experience peace of mind, joy of living and freedom from fear. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two contemporary theoretical explanations of adolescent self-esteem, symbolic interaction and social learning, were investigated and compared. Special attention focused on the relative effect of selected variables, representing each explanation, on four dimensions of self-esteem. A stratified random sample of 184 families with adolescents provided self-report data. Multiple regression and bivariate analysis resulted in evidence for the general conclusions that: (1) adolescent self-esteem was more a function of the reflected appraisal of the parents than it was of adolescents modeling their parents' self-esteem; and (2) female adolescents were more likely to be influenced by their parents than were male adolescents. In addition, the study suggests that when researchers investigate adolescent self-esteem, it is essential that they take into account its various dimensions, as well as the sex of the parent and the-adolescent. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The study empirically combines two commonly used measures of adolescent self-esteem, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and a modified version of the Osgood Semantic Differential, with special attention focusing on the degree of association between the two measures. A crucial aspect of the study focused upon ascertaining the degree of association between four suggested independent dimensions of self-esteem derived from the two instruments. In addition, the study utilized sex and generation variables in assessing structural equivalence. A stratified random sample of 184 families with adolescents was taken. Self-report data were gathered from this sample. Factor analysis with varimax rotation and the Cronbach Reliability Coefficient were the statistical procedures employed. The findings of the study suggest two important considerations for self-esteem research and application: first, the results indicate that four valid and reliable dimensions of self-esteem can be derived from the two instruments; and second, the dimensions derived demonstrate structural equivalence. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article highlights the symposium "The Learned Societies and the Crisis in Teacher Supply and Preparation," by Francis Keppell, John S. Coleman, John R. Mayor, Signey Painter, William R. Parker, Boyd C. Shafer and J. F. Wellemeyer Jr.