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A short inventory was developed to screen for avoidant, borderline, and dependent personality disorders in clinic settings. The Personality Concerns Inventory items, adapted from the DSM-IV criteria for these disorders, along with the Millon-III was administered to 86 undergraduate students. Reliability estimates for the three scales were .87, .81, and .80. Scores on the three scales also correlated .49 to .57 with scores on the Avoidant, Borderline, and Dependent scales of the Millon-III.

The effects of three forms of test feedback and text anxiety on test performance were examined within the context of a self-paced, criterion-based course in educational psychology. 73 undergraduate students completed seven units of work and were evaluated by computer-administered unit tests. Students were randomly assigned to one of three test feedback forms: (1) item-by-item knowledge of responses, (2) answer-until-correct, and (3) delayed feedback. Students received their assigned feedback during the first two units, after which they were allowed to choose. Test anxiety was measured prior to testing on Sarason's Test Anxiety Scale and during testing on an item administered by the computer program. Students who reported high test anxiety on the Test Anxiety Scale experienced more anxiety during testing than students reporting low test anxiety. Anxiety during testing was not related to type of feedback, and the two variables were not related to course performance on the second unit. Data collected at the conclusion of the semester indicated that students who reported higher test anxiety required more attempts to pass unit tests than those reporting lower test anxiety. Given a choice, students preferred answer-until-correct feedback. This preference was not related to Test Anxiety Scale scores. Anxiety during testing was not related to being allowed to choose forms of feedback.

The internal consistencies of three habit-specific locus of control scales measuring drinking, smoking, and eating behavior were evaluated using coefficient alpha. The three scales, along with Rotter's 1-E scale, were administered to 202 undergraduate students. Estimates indicated the scales showed reasonably high internal consistency. Scores on the smoking and drinking scales had the lowest correlations with scores on Rotter's generalized measure. Mean drinking scale scores were lower than those for smoking and eating, suggesting that people judge drinking to be under more personal control. The implications of habit-specific expectancies, particularly with regard to habit disorders, are discussed.

Prolonged use of calcitonin (CT) in vivo leads to a loss of biological response (escape). To understand the molecular basis of this phenomenon, we examined desensitization of calcitonin receptors and down-regulation of adenylate cyclase response to CT in T47CD cells after a preincubation with CT. Preincubation with salmon or human CT (sCT, hCT) for 3 h led to a concentration-dependent loss of [125I]-sCT binding and a similar loss of adenylate cyclase response to a maximal stimulatory dose of sCT. At the same time there was an increased basal activity of the adenylate cyclase. After 24 h preincubation with sCT, basal cAMP levels fell considerably but not to basal levels. Time course experiments showed a delayed decline of maximally sCT-stimulated cAMP levels, which started after 1 h, while binding values declined over the first 60 min to one-third of the original values. Upon removal of CT from the medium, recovery of hormone binding occurred in parallel with the recovery of the adenylate cyclase response to sCT. T47D cells incubated with 25 mumol/l monensin, a lysosomal inhibitor, showed a persistent [125I]-sCT binding after removal of hormone, consistent with diminished intracellular receptor degradation. However, despite persistent binding to the cells, basal and stimulated cAMP levels dropped in the same manner as seen in controls. Our experiments support the view that tight binding of CT to its receptor stimulates adenylate cyclase in T47D cells, until receptors are removed by internalization. The physiological role of internalization of the CT receptor might be to end continuous stimulation of the adenylate cyclase, which occurs after binding.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) produced by osteoblasts is present in high levels in bone and influences bone formation, replication of bone cells, and expression of osteoblast protein products. Interactions between bone active hormones and locally released and activated TGF beta were studied by examining the influence of TGF beta preincubation on PTH, calcitonin (CT), and vitamin D receptors in an osteoblastic cell line (UMR 106-06). Preincubation of UMR 106-06 cells with 1 ng/ml TGF beta for 3 days increased specific binding of [125I]PTH-related protein (PTHrP)(1-84) to 140% of that in control cells, but [125I]salmon CT binding decreased to 50% of controls. Binding isotherms indicated that the changes in binding were due to altered receptor numbers since affinities for 125I-labeled PTH and CT remained unchanged. The effect on receptor levels was time dependent, requiring 24 h preincubation with TGF beta for measurable changes, and dose dependent, with maximal effects seen with 1 ng/ml TGF beta. Binding of [3H]1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 was increased to 130% of control in cytosolic extracts of UMR 106-06 cells pretreated for 3 days with 1 ng/ml TGF beta. Scatchard plots suggested an increase in receptor number without change in affinity. The adenylate cyclase response to PTH increased to 150% of control cells after 3 days of treatment with 1 ng/ml TGF beta; however, the adenylate cyclase response to CT was little changed. Forskolin- and cholera toxin-stimulated adenylate cyclase responses were increased by TGF beta treatment to 130-160% of control, indicating an increase in the stimulatory subunit of the G protein. Increased abundance of both Gs and Gi proteins were indicated by increased cholera toxin- or pertussis toxin-dependent [32P] NAD ribosylation of 47-kilodalton (kDa) and 42-kDa or 40-kDa proteins, respectively, in TGF beta-treated cells. Our data support a complex regulatory effect of TGF beta on UMR 106-06 cells with increases in PTH receptors, vitamin D receptors, and G proteins, whereas there is an apparent down-regulation of CT receptors. TGF beta might induce a more differentiated osteoblast phenotype of these cells, which already express differentiated features such as high alkaline phosphatase activity, PTH and vitamin D receptors, and collagenase production. Since low doses of PTH stimulate bone formation in vivo, TGF beta released or activated at sites of new bone formation might locally modulate PTH activity be allowing increased PTH receptor and postreceptor effectiveness.

The human breast cancer cell line T 47 D expresses calcitonin (CT) receptors that are coupled to adenylate cyclase and which reveal a dose-dependent cyclic AMP response to CT. We used this model to establish an in vitro bioassay for synthetic human CT (hCT) preparations to overcome some of the obstacles of the standard rat hypocalcemia in vivo bioassay. The detection limit of the in vitro bioassay was 1 x 10(-10) M hCT (EC 50: 8.7 pM +/- 26%) compared to 7.3 x 10(-9) M (EC 50: 7.2 microM +/- 32%) for the in vivo bioassay. The relative potencies of test preparations revealed a good correlation (r = 0.89) and several hCT-related substances produced comparable results when tested by the two methods. The standard deviations of precision and accuracy, however, were significantly smaller (P less than 0.05) for the in vitro bioassay. According to these data the T 47 D in vitro bioassay is more sensitive, superior in precision and accuracy, and comparable in specificity to the rat hypocalcemia bioassay.

A smoking-specific locus of control scale was developed by modifying a drinking-related locus of control scale. The new scale, Rotter's I-E scale, and a smoking questionnaire were administered to 70 subjects. Estimates of reliability indicated that the new scale had reasonably high internal consistency. Scores differed as a function of subjects' reports of their addiction to cigarettes but not as a function of their current smoking status. 15 addicted individuals scored more externally on the new scale than did 24 nonaddicted individuals. There were no differences for scores on the Rotter I-E scale as a function of reported addiction or smoking status. The new scale appears to be a more sensitive measure of locus of control than Rotter's scale. The two locus of control scales were not significantly correlated, indicating their independence. Individuals apparently maintain a distinct locus of control for smoking rather than having a general expectation for control.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related protein (PTHrP) act via PTH receptors in bone to stimulate bone resorption. Bone resorption is also stimulated by certain cytokines, which are produced in bone and bone marrow. The effects of such cytokines on the PTH-receptor system were studied in the osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cell line UMR 106-06. 125I-labelled PTHrP-(1-84)-peptide bound specifically to the cells, and PTHrP-(1-34) and -(1-84) competed with equimolar affinity for binding to UMR 106-06 cells. The specific binding of 125I-PTHrP-(1-84) could be completely blocked by PTH. Therefore 125I-PTHrP-(1-84) bound to a classical receptor in UMR 106-06 cells. Preincubation for 3 days with either tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) or retinoic acid (RA) both decreased the specific binding of 125I-PTHrP-(1-84) to about 40% of control levels. These effects were specific for PTH binding, since there was little effect on 125I-salmon-calcitonin binding. Both TNF alpha and RA required 24 h exposure to cells to produce a measurable effect. The decrease in 125I-PTHrP-(1-84) binding was due to a reduced number of binding sites, with little apparent change in affinity. Half-maximal effects were seen with 1 ng of TNF alpha/ml, whereas 1 microM-RA was needed to observe the loss of PTH receptors. Combinations of RA and TNF alpha produced a greater effect than that of either agonist alone. The loss of PTH receptors was accompanied by a specific loss of PTH-stimulated cyclic AMP production. Preincubation with TNF alpha increased the basal plasminogen activator (PA) activity in the cells and decreased the amplitude of the response of PA activity to PTH compared with control cells. Furthermore TNF alpha decreased sensitivity to PTH (50% stimulation of PA activity with 0.1 nM-PTH in control cells versus 50% stimulation with 0.3 nM-PTH in TNF alpha-treated cells). In contrast, TNF alpha pretreatment increased the amplitude of the response of PA activity to calcitonin, whereas sensitivity to calcitonin was not altered. These data are consistent with a specific down-regulation of PTH receptors in osteoblast-like UMR 106-06 cells after exposure to TNF alpha or RA. The loss of PTH receptors is accompanied by a decreased responsiveness to PTH, as measured with the PA system in these cells. A loss of PTH receptors could modulate PTH responses in osteoblasts, either in the local control of bone formation and resorption, or in pathological conditions such as humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy.

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) plays a major role in the syndrome of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) by its actions on bone and kidney. In this study an isolated osteoclast bone resorption assay was used to investigate the actions of this peptide and the structure-activity relationships for its resorption effect. As with PTH, neither synthetic nor recombinant PTHrP preparations stimulated resorption within highly purified osteoclast populations. Resorption was stimulated only in the presence of contaminating osteoblasts or in cocultures with the osteoblast-like cell line UMR-106. In the presence of osteoblasts PTHrP-(1-34) and PTHrP-(1-84) stimulated bone resorption in a dose-dependent manner with a potency comparable to that of PTH-(1-34) on a molar basis. The biologic activity of the PTHrP was shown to reside in the first 34 amino acids, and within that region the structural requirements for promotion of osteoclastic resorption resembled closely those for promotion of cyclic AMP formation in osteoblast-like cells. Using emulsion autoradiography with iodinated PTHrP-(1-34) and PTHrP-(1-84) on mixed bone cell preparations from neonatal rats, specific binding was demonstrated only to osteoblasts, not to osteoclasts. These results clearly demonstrate that PTHrP is a potent stimulator of bone resorption and that these effects are, like those of PTH, mediated by initial actions upon cells of the osteoblast lineage.

In this study we have solubilized and characterized binding sites for calcitonin (CT) from sheep brainstem. Autoradiography of 125I-labelled salmon CT (125I-sCT) binding to sheep diencephalon revealed a similar pattern of binding to that seen in other species, although the extent of distribution was greater in the sheep. CT binding activity could be extracted from membranes with either CHAPS or digitonin, but not with beta-octyl glucoside, 125I-sCT binding was saturable, with a dissociation constant for CHAPS-solubilized membranes of 2.8 +/- 0.5 nM and a maximum binding site concentration of 6.2 +/- 1.6 pmol/mg of protein. In competition binding studies, various CTs and their analogues demonstrated a similar rank order of potency to that seen in other CT receptor systems, Optimal binding occurred in the pH range 6.5-7.5, and was decreased in the presence of NaCl concentrations greater than 200 mM. In contrast with most other CT receptor binding systems, in which binding is poorly reversible, the binding of 125I-sCT to sheep brain binding sites underwent substantial dissociation upon addition of excess unlabelled sCT, with 40% and 46% dissociation after 2 h at 4 degree C in particulate and solubilized membranes respectively. Photoaffinity labelling of the binding site with the biologically active analogue 125I-[Arg11,18,4-azidobenzoyl-Lys14]sCT and analysis on SDS/PAGE under reducing conditions revealed a specific protein band of Mr approximately solubilized and particulate brain membranes. This is in accordance with the molecular size of CT receptors in other tissues where two species of receptor have been identified. one of Mr approximately 71,000 and another of Mr approximately 88,000. These results demonstrate the presence of high concentrations of CT binding sites in sheep brain which display different kinetic properties to those of CT receptors found in other tissues.

Personality differences between 39 adult children of alcoholics and 28 control subjects were evaluated using measures of self-disclosure, trust, and control. The former group had higher need for interpersonal control, but no differences between groups were found on trust or self-disclosure. Sex of the alcoholic parent was related to personality functioning. Subjects with alcoholic fathers had higher scores on the control measure, while subjects with alcoholic mothers had lower trust scores. For adult children of alcoholics small but significant correlations were found between distress associated with parental alcoholism and trust (lower) and reported involvement with alcohol (higher). These results provide some support for the hypothesis that the effects of parental alcoholism persist into early adulthood. The differences documented were modest and did not suggest dysfunction in the sample of adult children of alcoholics.

Three independent examiners evaluated the oral and vestibular plaque-index-rate on all teeth at 100 probands. A 7-grade-index computer-transformed into the plaque-values by Quigley and Hein, Silness and Löe and the debris component of Oral-Hygiene-Index was used. From these tested index-methods the index by Quigley and Hein proved to be the better as to sensibility and reliability in comparison to the other two methods.

To elucidate the biologic relevance of circulating sCT antibodies, an in vitro bioassay system for the detection of neutralizing antibodies was developed utilizing the human breast carcinoma cell line T47D. We reasoned that the inhibition of the dose-dependent cAMP response to sCT in the T47D assay system by anti-sCT antibodies could be used to determine the in vivo relevance of these antibodies. In this report the clinical course of nine patients with Paget's disease of bone treated with intranasal sCT was correlated with the presence of 125I-sCT binding and neutralizing antibodies. Of these seven patients, four were found to have neutralizing antibodies; the appearance of the antibodies coincided with the development of resistance. One of these patients was subsequently treated with human calcitonin and revealed a good response to the treatment. There was no clinical resistance observed in the three patients with 125I-sCT binding antibodies but no neutralizing antibodies; no resistance was observed in two patients without 125I-sCT binding or neutralizing antibodies. We conclude that this new technique to determine the biologic relevance of circulating anti-sCT antibodies may be an useful adjunct for determining the cause of resistance in patients treated with sCT.

The oral conditions of pupils on three schools with different levels of teachers public relation to the problems of dental service and oral health education were observed before and after a program of dental care and education for 6 months. The best results were reached in the school with highest standard of cooperation and communication between dentists and teachers.

Cultured rat kidney cells possess specific calcitonin receptors and a calcitonin-responsive adenylate cyclase. At 37 degrees C bound 125I-salmon calcitonin becomes increasingly resistant to acid washing. If 125I-salmon calcitonin is removed from the medium after binding, bound hormone decreases over the next 5 h. Monensin, which blocks lysosomal processing, inhibits the decrease of bound hormone. These data indicate that calcitonin receptors are internalized after binding of hormone in kidney cells. Cycloheximide prevents internalization, when it is administered 4 h before 125I-salmon calcitonin binding is studied. Pre-incubation of the cells with 10(-7) mol/l unlabelled salmon calcitonin decreases specific binding; recovery of binding needs 48 h to occur. The long time interval for recovery makes it unlikely that calcitonin receptors recycle. This is the first demonstration that normal rat kidney cells internalize calcitonin after binding. It might contribute to the loss of calcitonin bioactivity which is seen after continuous administration.

A check was made on 594 X-ray examinations of ambulant oral surgery patients (= 1378 single pictures in several radiographic techniques). A good quality had 72% of the pictures. A decreased quality had 23% of them. A diagnosis was still possible. 5% of pictures were useless. Radiographic techniques were used in 8% of the 594 X-ray examinations with not optimal methods for the intended aim. In these cases it were better to change to other methods (other focussing or other apparatus).

1,030 sets of teeth classified by Eichner as type A (single gap between the teeth) were examined in view to tooth shifting, tipping and periodontal condition on the gap's antagonists and the gap's neighbours. If it is necessary to close the gap with prosthetic means is dependent on the mode of individual reaction which is estimated on a long-term-observation of gap areal (clinical and radiographic). The stability of position of gap antagonist or gap neighbour point to a positive bone factor (by Glickman). Only those cases ought not to treat.

The inflammatory condition of the gingivae may be judged by the anamnestic indication to "gingival bleeding" and by assessing the inflammatory changes by means of the P.M.A. index and the Sulcus Bleeding Index. The patients' indications to gingival bleeding are subjective by nature, but they have proved to be highly reliable when they are obtained by three independent examinators. The testing of the P.M.A. index showed that this method is sufficiently reliable. The Sulcus Bleeding Index was not tested.

Two cases of uncommon tumor-like alterations on the lower legs are discussed to be related to peizongenic pedal papules and diagnosed as myoceles.

The oral situation of 507 children and their parents were during the first consultation in a orthodontic department observed and an interview was made with all. The strongest correlation (cc = 0.61) was found between the tooth brushing routine of parents and children. The profession of parents had influence on the oral hygiene, the periodontal condition and the DMF-index of children. The level of oral hygiene of parents had also a favourable effect on the oral hygiene of children.

The effect of alcohol on aggression and assertiveness was examined in 54 men college students. A 2 (high vs low dosage expectancy) x 3 (0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 ml of 95% alcohol per kg of body weight) design was used. There was an increase in self-reported aggression at the moderate dosage but an increase only in profanity at the high dosage. The expectancy manipulation also produced an increase in self-reported aggression. Actual dosage and dosage expectancy did not influence assertiveness.

The regularity of dental care, preferably provided by one and the same dentist, exerts a positive effect on the incidence of caries and dental health knowledge. The DMF index and the results from interviews aiming at evaluating dental health knowledge were used in comparing groups of subjects without dental care and with regular or irregular dental care delivered by one and the same dentist or by different dentists.

Stomatological morbidity study - Berlin 1972. Part III. The frequency of dysgnathias and their symptoms in subjects of an epidemiologic-stomatological study. In the course of a stomatological morbidity study which was performed in Berlin in 1972, the authors investigated the dental conditions of 657 subjects, having an age range from 18 to 30 years. Only 15.2% of the persons under investigation had an eugnathic dentition. Almost 85% of the individuals showed dysgnathias. Apart from the frequency of certain tooth malalignments and malocclusions, associated symptoms were recorded. 15.5 of the subjects under investigation said that they had had orthodontic treatment. Significant differences were found in comparing the results obtained from treated individuals with those from untreated subjects.

Using the DMF index, the authors studied the caries morbidity in a representative sample of the Berlin population (3853 subjects, aged 18 to 100 years). The mean DMF index was 17.74, the value for female individuals being higher than that for male ones.

The effectiveness of EMG biofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, and self-relaxation were compared using a within-subjects design. Thirteen clinical subjects and 48 normal volunteers participated in 4 counterbalanced relaxation sessions using one of the techniques. Frontalis EMG and surface skin temperature were monitored throughout the sessions. For reducing EMG, biofeedback was more effective than the other three techniques. A significant interaction of treatment X subjects was found for changes in skin temperature. Clinical subjects had the greatest increase in skin temperature with EMG biofeedback and analog subjects responded best to self-relaxation. There were no significant differences in initial measures of EMG or skin temperature for the two samples.

A now 20-year-old man was first diagnosed as having dermatomyositis when aged 12 years. At that time he had muscular weakness and heart failure followed a year later by heterotopic calcifications. For over seven years he was treated with corticoids, at times also with azathioprine or methotrexate. Nonetheless the calcifications progressed. Because of the extensive calcifications, predominantly of the extremities, he is severely disabled and has been confined to a wheel-chair. For one year he was treated with EHDP (1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonate), up to 16 mg/dl per day. In addition he received prednisolone (10 mg/d) and azathioprine (100 mg/d). But radiologically there has been further slight progression of the calcifications, indicating that EHDP has been ineffective in this patient.