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Background: Clinicians working with clients who have mild intellectual disabilities (IDs) have shown growing enthusiasm for using a cognitive behavioural approach, amid increasing evidence of good treatment outcomes for this client group. However, very little is known about the views and experiences of clients with IDs who have undergone cognitive behavioural therapy. This study aims to explore the perspective of these clients. Methods: Fifteen participants with borderline to mild IDs and problems of anxiety, depression and anger were interviewed regarding their experience of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Two semi-structured interviews were carried out in the first phase of therapy between session four and session nine. An interpretive phenomenological approach was taken to seek out themes from participants' own personal accounts. Results: Participants valued the opportunity to talk about problems with their therapist and benefitted from therapeutic relationships characterised by warmth, empathy and validation. Participants identified areas of positive change; however, many thought that this may be short lived or not maintained beyond discharge. Conclusions: The supportive aspects of therapeutic relationships were particularly important to participants undergoing CBT. The clinical implications are considered. (Contains 2 tables.)

The 35 nucleotide spliced leader (SL) sequence is found on the 5' end of numerous trypanosome mRNAs, yet the tandemly organized reiteration units encoding this leader are not detectably linked to any of these structural genes. Here we report the presence of a class of discrete small SL RNA molecules that are derived from the genomic SL reiteration units of Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leptomonas collosoma. These small SL RNAs are 135, 105, and 95 nucleotides, respectively, and contain a 5'-terminal SL or SL-like sequence. S1 nuclease analyses demonstrate that these small SL RNAs are transcribed from continuous sequence within the respective SL reiteration units. With the exception of the SL sequence and a concensus donor splice site immediately following it, these small RNAs are not well conserved. We suggest that the small SL RNAs may function as a donor of the SL sequence in an intermolecular process that places the SL at the 5' terminus of many trypanosomatid mRNAs.

Diverse cellular functions are regulated by the calcium-sensing receptor, encoded by the CASR gene, which plays an important role in calcium homeostasis. Here we provide the sequence for exon VII of the rabbit CASR gene and show that it is 91% identical to the human gene at the nucleotide level, and 95% identical at the amino acid level. The gene was mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization, using a cosmid isolated from a genomic library, to chromosome 14q11 and this was confirmed independently by PCR amplification of flow sorted chromosomes. In addition, the cosmid detected sites with lower frequencies on four other chromosomes: 3q, 5p, 8p, and 13p. Two of these sites (5p and 13p) were also detected by a related but unidentical cosmid, and map to regions that are homologous to the mouse calcium-sensing receptor related sequences (Casr-rs) ; suggesting that they may represent CASR-related sequences in the rabbit. The data support the presence of a family of genes related to the calcium-sensing receptor in the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, as well as extend the existing knowledge of homology for several human and rabbit chromosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proliferation of peripheral blood T lymphocytes from unsensitized donors in response to fractions of Trypanosoma brucei was observed to be monocyte-dependent. The activated T cells displayed enhanced 'helper' activity, but no 'suppressor' activity during pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced immunoglobulin (IgM and IgG) synthesis, and were resistant to the inhibitory effects of theophylline on E rosette formation. Whilst in vivo studies have failed to reveal excessive T cell proliferation in patients with sleeping sickness, these results suggest a possible role for T cells in the induction of hypergammaglobulinaemia characteristic of this disease. Trypanosome fractions were not inhibitory to PWM-induced proliferation. and actually enhanced immunoglobulin synthesis. Thus it is unlikely that direct inhibition by the parasite per se is a major factor in the generation of immunosuppression by the T. brucei subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes From unsensitized donors by fractions of T.b. rhodesiense has been demonstrated in vitro. Both T and B cells were stimulated to differentiate into blast cells. Purified T cells failed to proliferate, but did so when mitomycin C-treated non-T cells were added. Non-T cell proliferation (weak in comparison to the T cell response) was shown to be T-dependent. In unseparated cell cultures. IgM synthesis was enhanced. whilst IgG synthesis was unaltered. However, reconstitution of non-T cells with equal numbers of irradiated T cells resulted in enhanced IgG synthesis. Thus neither T nor B cells were activated directly. but required the co-operation of accessory cells to proliferate. The role of monocytes in the regulation of this response requires further assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adult stage of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, a strongylid parasite of the gastrointestinal tract of rats, released a product during in vitro culture which functionally inhibited platelet-activating factor (PAF), measured by its ability to mediate platelet aggregation. The extent of inhibition was proportional to the concentration of excretory/secretory (ES) products and the duration of preincubation with PAF prior to the assay of biological activity. The inhibitory activity was heat labile and was specific for PAF, as incubation of ES products with thrombin showed no diminution of platelet aggregation. Experiments using radiolabelled preparations of PAF demonstrated that the acetyl group esterified at the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone was liberated on incubation with ES products, indicative of an acetylhydrolase activity. This activity was susceptible to inhibition by DFP, partial inhibition by eserine, but was resistant to PMSF and TPCK at concentrations which inhibit serine proteases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]