Names are key to the big new biology.

Those who seek answers to big, broad questions about biology, especially questions emphasizing the organism (taxonomy, evolution and ecology), will soon benefit from an emerging names-based infrastructure. It will draw on the almost universal association of organism names with biological information to index and interconnect information distributed across the Internet. The result will be a virtual data commons, expanding as further data are shared, allowing biology to become more of a 'big science'. Informatics devices will exploit this 'big new biology', revitalizing comparative biology with a broad perspective to reveal previously inaccessible trends and discontinuities, so helping us to reveal unfamiliar biological truths. Here, we review the first components of this freely available, participatory and semantic Global Names Architecture.

Candidate gene expression analysis of toxin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy in the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo).

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a heart disease, affects many vertebrates including humans and poultry. The disease can be either idiopathic (IDCM) or toxin-induced (TIDCM). Although genetic and other studies of IDCM are extensive, the specific etiology of TIDCM is still unknown. In this study, we compared mRNA levels of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) and phospholamban (PLN) in turkeys affected and unaffected by TIDCM. Cardiac TnT and PLN were chosen because their altered expression has been observed in IDCM-affected birds. A total of 72 birds, 44 affected and 28 unaffected with TIDCM, were used. Differences in the mRNA levels of cTnT and PLN between affected and unaffected turkeys were significant only for cTnT. The sequence of the turkey PLN showed significant similarity at the nucleotide level to the reference chicken sequence and to those of other species. In addition to implicating cTnT in TIDCM, the present work describes a partial turkey PLN coding sequence that could be useful for future studies.

Transmission of male infertility and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (mini-review).

The fact that genetic aetiology is responsible for approximately one third of all kinds of male sterility has led to concerns regarding the application of artificial reproductive technologies in the cases of azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. Congenital sterility could be caused by gene mutation, quantitative or structural abnormality of sexual chromosomes or autosomes. The possibility of inherited transmission of male sterility within the context of applying artificial reproductive technologies is analysed in the article. Klinefelter's syndrome, mutation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which causes cystic fibrosis, and mutation of azoospermia factor zone (AZF) of Y-chromosome are among the most frequent genetic causes of severe oligozoospermia and azoospermia. The probability of a mutation of the CFTR gene being transmitted to the next generation is 50%. The probability of inherit transmission of Klinefelter's syndrome of mosaic karyotype could reach 70%. The probability of transmission of AZF mutation to children of male sex, generated with ICSI, is 100%. The percent of men with AZF mutation among users of ICSI centers, ranges from 3.2% to 14%. It means that at least 3.2 % of all boys conceived with ICSI will be sterile because of mutation in the AZF zone of Y-chromosome. It should be noted that genetic analysis and counselling do not always occur before the beginning of artificial fertilization cycles. Parents-to-be do not always have an opportunity to learn about the genetic risks of their unborn child and make any subsequent and responsible decisions. Among the decisions is a choice of not resorting to ART, but to live with the infertility and explore other opportunities for parenthood. Responsibility for high risk of conceiving a child with genetic anomalies rests not only with the parents, but also with all of society, including those responsible for research, technology, and legislation, in the health care profession.

Anatomic models and phantoms for diagnostic ultrasound instruction.

The preparation and application of anatomic models and phantoms to facilitate learning diagnostic ultrasound is described. Imaging with diagnostic ultrasound requires mastery of many skills, along with knowledge of sound-tissue interactions which contribute to the formation of diagnostic images and artifacts. Understanding the genesis of artifacts encountered during ultrasound scanning can avoid misinterpretation and aid diagnosis. In addition, development of machine related knowledge and skills, including manipulation of the transducer and the selection of correct settings for variables such as gain, power, time-gain compensation, and transducer type, is dependent on an understanding of how these factors affect the image. The normal appearance of an organ relates to both its echogenicity and morphologic characteristics, and confirmation of the nature of an abnormality often requires ultrasound guided biopsy. The use of anatomic models and phantoms in ultrasound instruction allows principles to be demonstrated, knowledge acquired, and biopsy procedures practiced and mastered in a controlled setting. This can minimize live animal use, and enhance the knowledge base and skills of the clinician prior to applying this diagnostic technique to the clinical patient.

Research on the psychotherapy of bulimia nervosa: half empty or half full.

OBJECTIVE: The current status of the research knowledge on the psychotherapy of bulimia nervosa is reviewed. METHODS: Published studies using randomization to treatment are discussed. RESULTS: The existing research data speak convincingly to the efficacy of cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT); however, certain important questions remain unanswered. DISCUSSION: The current deficiencies in the field are underscored.

Alexithymia, obesity, and binge eating disorder.

Eighty-three obese subjects with binge eating disorder (BED) were compared with 99 obese subjects not meeting criteria for BED on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). Overall, the subjects in our sample were not significantly alexithymic, the mean global TAS score being 62.8 (SD = 10.2) which is comparable with the values found in non-patient control samples. Furthermore, the mean TAS scores did not differ between obese subjects with and without BED. However, we found a slightly higher prevalence of alexithymia (TAS total score 74 and above) in BED subjects compared with non-BED subjects (24.1% and 11.1%, respectively). A series of stepwise multiple regression analyses were run, exhibiting a significant relationship between the TAS and educational level and the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) subscales Interpersonal Distrust and Ineffectiveness. Age, body mass index, measures of depression, and eating pathology did not predict TAS scores.

Eating related and general psychopathology in obese females with binge eating disorder.

One hundred obese women with a mean age of 39.2 years, and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 35.9 kg/m2 were evaluated before entering a treatment study for weight reduction. According to the results of a structured interview, subjects were divided into four groups: (1) no overeating episodes, (2) episodic overeating episodes without the feeling of loss of control, (3) overeating plus the sense of loss of control (binge eating), and (4) full diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder (BED). One-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) revealed significant positive associations between binge eating and eating/weight-related characteristics such as a history of frequent weight fluctuations, the amount of time spent dieting, drive for thinness, and a tendency for disinhibition of eating. Furthermore, subjects exhibited more feelings of ineffectiveness, stronger perfectionistic attitudes, more impulsivity, less self-esteem, and less interoceptive awareness the more problems with binge eating they reported. The results support the idea that binge eaters might be a distinct subgroup among the obese population, and corroborate the utility of a diagnosis of BED in identifying the most disturbed obese subjects with regard to the variables tested.

Cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy of bulimia nervosa: importance of logistical variables.

Although much of the psychotherapy for psychiatric disorders is conducted on a weekly basis, several researchers in the field of bulimia nervosa have utilized a more intensive approach as a means to strengthen treatment effects. A second issue concerns the amount of emphasis that should be placed on encouraging the interruption of bulimic symptoms early in treatment. In the current study we systematically studied these two issues. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four forms of cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy, the four cells differing on the variables of intensity and emphasis on abstinence. The results indicate that a high intensity approach, an early abstinence approach, or a combination of these two approaches are all significantly more effective in inducing remission in patients with bulimia nervosa compared with a weekly psychotherapy that uses the same manual-based cognitive-behavioral therapy approach.

Diagnosing binge eating disorder: level of agreement between self-report and expert-rating.

We assessed the correlation between a self-report questionnaire and an expert-rating including an initial interview and a longitudinal evaluation on the diagnosis of binge eating disorder (BED) in a sample of 100 obese women participating in a treatment program for weight reduction. The level of diagnostic agreement between patient-rating and expert-rating with regard to the presence or absence of BED was modest, with a kappa value of .57. According to Shrout, Spitzer, and Fleiss (Archives of General Psychiatry, 44, 172-177, 1987) this represents fair to good agreement beyond chance. The self-report instrument did not produce higher estimates of the frequency of BED in this selected sample of treatment seekers than the expert-rating, as observed in studies on the epidemiology of bulimia nervosa in community samples. The questionnaire identified 40 cases of BED, the expert-rating 43 cases. The results indicate that the disagreement between self-report and interview was mainly due to discordances in three of the diagnostic criteria of BED--namely loss of control, marked distress regarding binge eating, and the frequency requirement of two binge eating episodes per week for a 6-month period. Inconsistencies between subjects and clinicians with regard to the definition of an overeating episode and with regard to the behavioral indicators of loss of control did not lead to differences between self-report and observer-rating in the final diagnosis of BED.

Survival analysis of response to group psychotherapy in bulimia nervosa.

A reanalysis of treatment response and relapse was performed using survival analysis in a 12-week clinical trial of cognitive behavioral group psychotherapy for the treatment of bulimia nervosa. One hundred forty-three (143) bulimic women with high incidence of binge eating, self-induced vomiting, and/or laxative abuse were randomly assigned to one of four possible treatment conditions that consisted of a combination of two factors: (1) emphasis on abstinence (high and low), and (2) treatment intensity (high and low). "Initial" and "maintained" response to treatment based on "total" and "near" abstinence criteria were determined using self-reported binge eating, vomiting, and laxative use data. Results suggest that an emphasis on abstinence appears important in achieving initial abstinence, whereas intensity of treatment may be important in maintaining abstinence.

Shoplifting in bulimia nervosa.

This study compared the shoplifting patterns of 27 bulimic and 25 nonbulimic shoplifters. Bulimic shoplifters often stole food, but usually also stole other items. Nonbulimic shoplifters reported starting to steal at an earlier age, weighed more than bulimic shoplifters, and were more likely to endorse antisocial reasons for shoplifting.

Estimated lifetime prevalence of trichotillomania in college students.

BACKGROUND: Trichotillomania, a disorder of hair pulling, has been considered a rare condition. Estimations of the prevalence of this disorder have been based largely on clinical experience, and there have been no estimates of its prevalence based on data collected from a large, nonclinical population. METHOD: 2579 freshman college students at two state universities and one liberal arts college were asked to provide written responses to questions designed to practically apply DSM-III-R criteria for trichotillomania and estimate the prevalence of trichotillomania in this population. RESULTS: 2534 students (97.9% of the study population) responded. We found a 0.6% lifetime prevalence of DSM-III-R trichotillomania for both male and female respondents. Hair pulling resulting in visible hair loss, but failing to meet full DSM-III-R criteria, was identified in 1.5% of males and 3.4% of females. CONCLUSION: Trichotillomania may not be as rare as previously suspected and may affect males as often as females.

Sauna abuse as a clinical feature of bulimia nervosa.

The authors describe a series of 14 patients with bulimia nervosa who regularly spent long periods of time in saunas as a weight-control technique. This practice is probably more common in parts of the world where Finnish saunas are in widespread use. Many of these patients also engaged in other behaviors that resulted in dehydration, such as diuretic abuse and laxative abuse.

Maintenance treatment and 6-month outcome for bulimic patients who respond to initial treatment.

Bulimic subjects who responded to intensive group psychotherapy plus imipramine or placebo or to imipramine alone (N = 68) were assigned to 4-month maintenance with weekly support groups and/or medication (placebo or imipramine) and were evaluated 6 months after initial treatment (N = 61). Thirty percent of the subjects relapsed during the 6 months. Initial treatment with group psychotherapy plus placebo or imipramine was associated with a lower relapse rate than initial treatment with imipramine alone. Neither attendance at the maintenance group sessions nor imipramine maintenance was associated with better outcome.

Bulimia nervosa in overweight individuals.

Patients who have bulimia nervosa and are overweight have received little attention in the medical literature. The authors identified 25 patients who weighed greater than or equal to 130% of their ideal body weight out of a series of 591 patients with bulimia nervosa. This subgroup was contrasted with a sample of 25 patients with bulimia nervosa who were 90% to 110% of their ideal body weight. Members of the overweight bulimia nervosa group were binge-eating and vomiting less frequently than the comparison group but were more likely to be abusing laxatives, and to report a history of self-injurious behavior and suicide attempt(s). Both groups reported frequent binge-eating.

Bulimia nervosa with and without a history of anorexia nervosa.

This study compared two subgroups of women of normal weight with bulimia nervosa: those with a history of anorexia nervosa and those without such a history. Those with a history of anorexia nervosa indicated a desired body weight significantly lower than those without the history. Those with a history of anorexia nervosa were more likely to abuse laxatives and less likely to self-induce vomiting. Both groups reported feeling fat and worrying a great deal about weight and shape issues.

A comparison study of antidepressants and structured intensive group psychotherapy in the treatment of bulimia nervosa.

Previous research on the treatment of outpatients with bulimia nervosa has focused on two treatment strategies: (1) drug therapy, primarily using tricyclic antidepressants, and (2) psychotherapy, often employing behavioral and cognitive behavioral techniques. We report here the short-term treatment outcome of a 12-week comparison trial of bulimic outpatients who were randomly assigned to one of four treatment cells: (1) imipramine hydrochloride treatment, (2) placebo treatment, (3) imipramine treatment combined with intensive group psychotherapy, and (4) placebo treatment combined with intensive group psychotherapy. All three active treatment cells resulted in significant reductions in target-eating behaviors and in a significant improvement in mood relative to placebo treatment. However, the results also suggested that the amount of improvement obtained with the intensive group psychotherapy component was superior to that obtained with antidepressant treatment alone. The addition of antidepressant treatment to the intensive group psychotherapy component did not significantly improve outcome over intensive group psychotherapy combined with placebo treatment in terms of eating behavior, but did result in more improvement in the symptoms of depression and anxiety.