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Many different interpretive frames can be brought to bear on the same experience. Heidegger described this space of possible meanings as the “horizon of interpretation.” This horizon can be understood as a probability distribution of possible meanings, instantiated as the relative activation of the brain’s interpretive networks in response to sensory input. From an evolutionary perspective, correctly identifying the significance of incoming sensory information is a critical adaptive challenge. Consistent with its adaptive importance, the horizon of interpretation is constrained by a set of core motivational systems that function as broad “categories of meaning.” These constraints fluctuate from moment to moment as different goal states are activated or deactivated, with concomitant shifts in the horizon of interpretation. The distribution of meanings that an individual can derive from an experience will thus be heavily influenced by his or her active goals.

Amyloid and amyloidosis 1990 , Amyloid and amyloidosis 1990 , کتابخانه دیجیتالی دانشگاه علوم پزشکی و خدمات درمانی شهید بهشتی

A group of experts in amyloidosis met during the Second International Symposium on Amyloidosis held in Helsinki in 1974 to discuss nomenclature for amyloid and amyloidosis. The results of this discussion provided the basis for the first nomenclature in this field of medicine which was published in the Proceedings of that symposium (1). Most of it showed to be useful for both research and clinical practice. The scientific developments regarding amyloid and amyloidosis have been very rapid, and already at the 3rd International Symposium on Amyloidosis in Povoa de Varzim, Portugal, in 1979, the nomenclature was again the subject of discussion among a group of researchers including those who had agreed upon the first nomenclature 5 years earlier. A chapter called “Guidelines for nomenclature” was published in the Proceedings of the symposium (2). This nomenclature was very similar to that agreed upon in 1974, but with some revisions.

BARLOGIE: High RNA content is associated with immunoglobulin production and perhaps one might speculate the high RNA reflects more differentiated plasma cells. On the other hand, CALLA is considered to be a very early B-cell marker. One could speculate on why a primitive marker is preserved in a more differentiated plasma cell and what that means. There is however a wide dispersion in plasma cell RNA content differing in the individual patient by factor as high as 20-fold. We suspected that a considerable RNA bioeterogeneity would also be expressed otherwise, i.e. we are looking for means to relate to each other the RNA and phenotype expression. We speculate that RNA as an indicator merely of potential protein synthesis would be fairly low in myeloma progenitor cells. Thus, CALLA-positive cells, not co-expressing cytoplasmic immunoglobulin, probably have low RNA content. But I’ve no good idea why the CALLA antigen is maintained and is not shut off as cells progress down the differentiation pathway.

It has long been acknowledged that religion draws its perennial vigor from two sources, existential anxiety and the moral-rational conscience.1 While the proportion of these two components will vary in diverse faiths and at various times, we can always discern their presence in any living religion. We may take it for granted that the element of fear predominated in primitive religions; yet, as far back as historic research goes human societies were organized and structured, and in every such structure there was an effort, however feeble and naive, to coopt occult powers for the purpose of preserving the values as well as the life of society.2 Whether this effort was carried out by means of rites which were believed to coerce the numinous powers or ceremonies which petitioned and persuaded them, it remained true that the component of social values was an inseparable part of even the most primitive faith. On the other hand, a living faith is always more than a society for the promotion of ideals or the celebration of sancta, be they ever so lofty. There is always the note of responding to an external Power. The numinous is an active force, dark and mysterious. Man is embraced and seized by it, commanded and coerced as well as loved and favored. So, religion is an act of personal surrender of self as well as of affirmation of value.

Although the existence of amyloid has been known for about 150 years, the specific amyloid proteins have only been characterised during the last 20 years [see 1–5]. The precursor proteins and some aspects of their synthesis and catabolism have also been described [1–5], but despite this new knowledge, the treatment of amyloidosis is very difficult and usually inefficient [6]. In this review we shall point out some of the main principles for the present and future treatment of amyloidosis.

SOLOMON: I have reported several years ago in the Journal of Clinical Investigation the effect of prednisone on Bence Jones protein excretion in patients with multiple myeloma. There were essentially three types of response as determined by measuring the amount of the Bence Jones proteins excreted daily. Patients received prednisone 75 mg/day for 7 days. The daily urine protein was measured during this period and for the succeeding 3 weeks. In one group of patients, no change in Bence Jones protein excretion occurred during this period. In a second group, there was a dramatic decrease in proteinuria within the first days. In some patients subsequently the Bence Jones proteinuria recurred and by day 28 the proteinuria reached pretreatment levels. A third group of patients had a gradual decrease in Bence Jones proteinuria. In those patients who had marked decrease in Bence Jones proteinuria by day 1, we found that in three a fragment of the Bence Jones protein could be detected in the urine. These were constant region half fragments. Although half fragments could not be found in the urine, it is possible that subfragments were deposited (as crystals?) in the kidney. Thus prednisone can induce alterations in Bence Jones protein synthesis and catabolism.

The synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is usually infiltrated by mononuclear cells including plasma cells and lymphocytes1,2. Immunological characterization of these cells may reveal pathogenic mechanisms in the local rheumatoid inflammation. Previous investigations have mainly focused on the plasma cells and their relation to the humoral immune response1. Until very recently the lymphocytes have received less attention.