Associations between inattention and impulsivity ADHD symptoms and disordered eating risk in a community sample of young adults.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and trait impulsivity have been associated with disordered eating but are seldom assessed in community studies, or longitudinally and little is known about the mediating mechanisms. METHODS: We tested associations between ADHD symptoms and disordered eating cross-sectionally and between trait impulsivity and disordered eating longitudinally. We utilised data from a normative cohort of young adults (642 participants: 65% female, Mage = 23 years). Participants were classified as high risk or low risk for disordered eating using the SCOFF instrument. In the first two steps of both cross-sectional and longitudinal hierarchical logistic regression models, demographics and covariates were entered. For the cross-sectional regression, Adult ADHD self-report scale (ASRS) scores, separated into inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, were entered in the third step. In a separate longitudinal model, Barratt impulsivity scale subscales (attentional, motor and non-planning impulsivity) were entered in the third step. Depression, as assessed by the moods and feelings questionnaire (MFQ), was examined as a mediator. RESULTS: Cross-sectionally, sex, MFQ score and inattentive symptoms predicted disordered eating risk (model R2 = 20%). Longitudinally, sex, MFQ score and attentional impulsivity predicted disordered eating risk (model R2 = 16%). The relationship between inattentive symptoms and the disordered eating risk was partially mediated by MFQ score, whereas the relationship between attentional impulsivity and the disordered eating risk was fully mediated by MFQ scores. CONCLUSIONS: These data highlight (1) a specific role for inattentive symptoms of ADHD and (2) the importance of both depression and impulsivity in predicting eating disorder risk.

The impact of an epilepsy nurse competency framework on the costs of supporting adults with epilepsy and intellectual disability: findings from the EpAID study.

BACKGROUND: The development of a nurse-led approach to managing epilepsy in adults with an intellectual disability (ID) offers the potential of improved outcomes and lower costs of care. We undertook a cluster randomised trial to assess the impact on costs and outcomes of the provision of ID nurses working to a designated epilepsy nurse competency framework. Here, we report the impact of the intervention on costs. METHOD: Across the United Kingdom, eight sites randomly allocated to the intervention recruited 184 participants and nine sites allocated to treatment as usual recruited 128 participants. Cost and outcome data were collected mainly by telephone interview at baseline and after 6 months. Total costs at 6 months were compared from the perspective of health and social services and society, with adjustments for pre-specified participant and cluster characteristics at baseline including costs. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation. Uncertainty was quantified by bootstrapping. RESULTS: The intervention was associated with lower per participant costs from a health and social services perspective of -£357 (2014/2015 GBP) (95% confidence interval -£986, £294) and from a societal perspective of -£631 (95% confidence interval -£1473, £181). Results were not sensitive to the exclusion of accommodation costs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the competency framework is unlikely to increase the cost of caring for people with epilepsy and ID and may reduce costs.

HST and VLT investigations of the fragments of comet C/1999 S4 (LINEAR).

At least 16 fragments were detected in images of comet C/1999 S4 (LINEAR) taken on 5 August 2000 with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and on 6 August with the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Photometric analysis of the fragments indicates that the largest ones have effective spherical diameters of about 100 meters, which implies that the total mass in the observed fragments was about 2 x 10(9) kilograms. The comet's dust tail, which was the most prominent optical feature in August, was produced during a major fragmentation event, whose activity peaked on UT 22.8 +/- 0.2 July 2000. The mass of small particles (diameters less than about 230 micrometers) in the tail was about 4 x 10(8) kilograms, which is comparable to the mass contained in a large fragment and to the total mass lost from water sublimation after 21 July 2000 (about 3 x 10(8) kilograms). HST spectroscopic observations during 5 and 6 July 2000 demonstrate that the nucleus contained little carbon monoxide ice (ratio of carbon monoxide to water is less than or equal to 0.4%), which suggests that this volatile species did not play a role in the fragmentation of C/1999 S4 (LINEAR).

Growth and spontaneous regression of swine melanoma: relationship of in vitro leukocyte reactivity.

A visual microcytotoxicity technique was used to evaluate the leukocyte reactivity of melanoma swine against allogeneic swine melanoma target cells. Peripheral blood leukocytes, which had been collected and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen at various times during in vivo tumor growth and regression, were thawed and tested on the same day. Comparison of longitudinal leukocyte reactivity with in vivo tumor volume indicated that swine with regressing melanomas exhibited increased leukocyte reactivity during tumor regression. Swine with maximum tumor volumes less than 30,000 mm3 exhibited patterns of leukocyte reactivity that paralleled the patterns of in vivo tumor growth and regression. However, swine with maximum tumor growth and regression. However, swine with maximum tumor volumes greater than 30,000 mm3 demonstrated increased in vitro leukocyte reactivity at the time of maximum in vivo tumor volume. Histopathologic analyses revealed that increases in tumor volume were frequently a result of host inflammatory cells, particularly pigment-laden macrophages, infiltrating the tumors. Thus at the time of maximum tumor volume, malignant melanocytes were proportionately decreasing in number while pigment-laden macrophages were proportionately increasing. These studies provide additional evidence that the spontaneous tumor cell regression of swine melanoma is associated with immunologic events and that assays of leukocyte reactivity are useful in vitro correlates of host antitumor immunity.

Phenotypic instability of mouse melanomas after propagation in vivo and in vitro.

This study was designed to evaluate the phenotypic stability of the carcinogen-induced JB/MS and JB/RH melanomas. The JB/MS melanoma maintained its original slow-growing melanotic phenotype during in vivo passage over a 2-yr period. However, both melanin production and tumorigenicity decreased rapidly after propagation of JB/MS cells in vitro. The JB/RH melanoma became essentially amelanotic after the second transplantation in vivo. Cultured JB/RH cells produced tumors identical to those obtained by transplantation of JB/RH tumor fragments. However, after propagation in vitro for 2 yr, the JB/RH cell line decreased in tumorigenicity, requiring 10 times as many cells to produce tumors in C57BL/6 mice as did the original cell line. The JB/RH melanoma was highly immunogenic in syngeneic C57BL/6 mice, and passage of JB/RH cells through immunized mice resulted in tumors that were significantly more tumorigenic in normal mice than were JB/RH cells that had been passed through either nude or sublethally irradiated mice. These results indicate that, in studies of primary mouse melanomas, it is essential to: (a) limit the number of tumor passages; (b) choose methods of propagation that will preserve the original phenotype; and (c) distinguish those properties produced by technical manipulation from those produced by true tumor progression.

Development of a new melanoma model in C57BL/6 mice.

In the present study, we induced melanomas in C57BL/6 mice by a single application of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene to the scapular region of 4-day-old mice, followed by twice-weekly applications of croton oil. Of 20 mice treated, melanomas arose in two female littermates. The first melanoma (JB/MS) arose 16 weeks after initiation of treatment, and the second melanoma (JB/RH) arose 23 weeks later. The melanomas maintained their melanotic appearance after s.c. transplantation to normal C57BL/6 mice and metastasized spontaneously in the transplant recipients. To our knowledge, these are the first melanomas to have been induced in C57BL/6 mice since the B16 melanoma arose spontaneously in 1954. We feel that the JB/MS and JB/RH melanomas provide an excellent comparative system for studies done with the B16 melanoma. These melanomas of recent origin will also facilitate the investigation of biological, immunological, and biochemical parameters that influence the growth and metastasis of malignant melanomas.

Adaptation of Sinclair swine melanoma cells to long-term growth in vitro.

Sinclair swine melanoma usually regresses in vivo. In the present study, swine melanoma cells were adapted to long-term growth in culture. The morphology of cultured melanoma cells ranged from dendritic to cuboidal, similar to that described for human melanoma cells. Doubling times of the swine melanoma cells were also similar to those of human melanoma cells in vitro. 3,4-Dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine oxidase-positive cells were detected by light microscopy, and melanin and premelanosomes were detected by electron microscopy. Cell cultures could be propagated from progressing, partially regressed, and primary cutaneous lesions, as well as from visceral metastases. Thus, it appears that, under these cell culture conditions, Sinclair swine melanoma cells can be adapted to prolonged growth in vitro.

Properties of an alkaline phosphatase from Sinclair swine melanoma.

In Sinclair swine, there is an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity in spontaneously arising melanoma tumors when compared to normal skin. While alkaline phosphatase activity could be detected in melanomas from animals 1 day old, the maximum levels of alkaline phosphatase activity occurred in tumors from animals greater than 30 days old. The alkaline phosphatase was purified from cutaneous melanomas using chloroform precipitation, Phenyl-Sepharose chromatography, and concanavalin A Sepharose chromatography approximately 146-fold, with an overall recovery of 15%. The purified enzyme exhibited optimal activity over the pH range of 8.9-10.6. The apparent Km of the enzyme for p-nitrophenyl phosphate was 0.15 mM. The enzyme exhibited a relative mobility of 0.04 in nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated by gel filtration chromatography to be 122,000 and it was composed of two identical subunits each having a molecular weight of 67,000. The enzyme was thermolabile at 56 degrees C (T50, 18 min) and its activity was inhibited by L-homoarginine, levamisole, and vanadate, but not by L-phenylalanine or L-phenylalanylglycylglycine. These characteristics distinguished the enzyme from the intestinal isoenzyme that is found in normal swine skin but were similar to those exhibited by the porcine placental isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase. These results suggest that the development of malignant melanoma in Sinclair swine is accompanied by the expression of a placental-like alkaline phosphatase activity.

Structure-activity relationships of some pyridine, piperidine, and pyrrolidine analogues for enhancing and inhibiting the binding of (+/-)-[3H]nicotine to the rat brain P2 preparation.

Previous studies have shown that (+/-)-[3H]nicotine binds to multiple sites in the rat brain P2 preparation. Using a series of pyridine, piperidine and pyrrolidine analogues, the present studies identified drugs with specificity for a separate up-regulatory site that increases the density of nicotine binding at another site. Of these compounds, (+/-)-2-methylpiperidine was the most specific. Some compounds inhibited without enhancing (+/-)-[3H]nicotine binding, but none bound with the very high affinity exhibited by nicotine and none could be classified as specific in inhibiting binding at a specific site. Structural changes in the 1- and 2-positions of pyridine and piperidine appear to be important for conferring specificity for the up-regulatory site whereas 3-position changes may be important for binding specificity.

Growth of Sinclair swine melanoma in the hamster cheek pouch.

Specimens from seven Sinclair swine melanomas were transplanted to the cheek pouches of Syrian Golden hamsters. The specimens were taken from young swine and were derived from raised tumors that either were present at birth or developed after birth from flat melanocytic lesions as well as from apparently normal skin. All seven specimens grew in the hamster cheek pouch. One lesion, derived from a 3-day-old piglet, exhibited the most aggressive growth in the hamster and was successfully transferred to other hamster cheek pouches. These results confirm the malignancy of Sinclair swine melanoma and indicate that tumors of neonatal swine contain more malignant cells than those of older animals.

Uveitis caused by cytotoxic immune response to cutaneous malignant melanoma in swine: destruction of uveal melanocytes during tumor regression.

In a substrain of Sinclair miniature black swine, bred for increasing incidence of cutaneous malignant melanomas, tumor regression occurs spontaneously and is accompanied by depigmentation of the skin, hair, and eyes. We conducted a 12-month longitudinal study of the ocular phenomena in 30 swine beginning at 3 weeks of age. The clinically observed sequence of depigmentation of the fundus and iris was correlated with histopathologic changes in selected enucleated eyes. Normal melanocytes of the uveal tract are destroyed between the 4th and 16th week of life. Melanocyte destruction is preceded by an invasion of the uveal tract by mononuclear cells having the ultrastructural features of lymphocytes and monocytes. Melanin and other cellular debris of ruptured melanocytes are ingested by macrophages which then migrate to the walls of blood vessels. Cataracts and band keratopathy develop secondary to the uveitis in some animals. Pilot electroretinograms show diminished electrical activity in photoreceptors of totally depigmented eyes possibly indicating ischemic or toxic damage to the retina. The retinal pigment epithelium remains essentially normal during the acute stages of uveal inflammation; later some damage and reparative hyperplasia may occur. The death of normal uveal melanocytes that occurs during the systemic attack on the cutaneous malignant melanomas appears to be an "innocent bystander" error in the immune recognition mechanism. The antigenic basis of this immunologic cross reaction is under investigation.

Potential health and environmental effects of trace elements and radionuclides from increased coal utilization.

This report addresses the effects of coal-derived trace and radioactive elements. A summary of our current understanding of health and environmental effects of trace and radioactive elements released during coal mining, cleaning, combustion, and ash disposal is presented. Physical and biological transport phenomena which are important in determining organism exposure are also discussed. Biological concentration and transformation as well as synergistic and antagonistic actions among trace contaminants are discussed in terms of their importance in mobility, persistence, availability, and ultimate toxicity. The consequences of implementing the President's National Energy Plan are considered in terms of the impact of the NEP in 1985 and 2000 on the potential effects of trace and radioactive elements from the coal fuel cycle. Areas of needed research are identified in specific recommendations.

Transport and transportation pathways of hazardous chemicals from solid waste disposal.

To evaluate the impact of hazardous chemicals in solid wastes on man and other organisms, it is necessary to have information about amounts of chemical present, extent of exposure, and chemical toxicity. This paper addresses the question of organism exposure by considering the major physical and biological transport pathways and the physicochemical and biochemical transformations that may occur in sediments, soils, and water. Disposal of solid wastes in both terrestrial and oceanic environments is considered. Atmospheric transport is considered for emissions from incineration of solid wastes and for wind resuspension of particulates from surface waste deposits. Solid wastes deposited in terrestrial environments are subject to leaching by surface and ground waters. Leachates may then be transported to other surface waters and drinking water aquifers through hydrologic transport. Leachates also interact with natural organic matter, clays, and microorganisms in soils and sediments. These interactions may render chemical constituents in leachates more or less mobile, possibly change chemical and physical forms, and alter their biological activity. Oceanic waste disposal practices result in migration through diffusion and ocean currents. Surface area-to-volume ratios play a major role in the initial distributions of chemicals in the aquatic environment. Sediments serve as major sources and sinks of chemical contaminants. Food chain transport in both aquatic and terrestrial environments results in the movement of hazardous chemicals from lower to higher positions in the food web. Bioconcentration is observed in both terrestrial and aquatic food chains with certain elements and synthetic organics. Bioconcentration factors tend to be higher for synthetic organics, and higher in aquatic than in terrestrial systems. Biodilution is not atypical in terrestrial environments. Synergistic and antagonistic actions are common occurrences among chemical contaminants and can be particularly important toxicity considerations in aquatic environments receiving runoff from several terrestrial sources.

Delayed carbon monoxide encephalopathy: clinical and research implications.

Delayed onset of carbon monoxide encephalopathy may present to a psychiatrist as a functional illness in patients with a psychiatric history. Early detection is important as increased activity is antitherapeutic. A case report is described in which there was initial difficulty in confirming the diagnosis. New treatment approaches that might well prove beneficial to this particular syndrome are discussed.

Management of coarctation of the aorta during pregnancy.

In this report, we shall describe the instantaneous electronic monitoring of the fetal heart rate at 24 weeks' gestation. The mother was undergoing resection of coarctation of the aorta. Because the fetal heart rate reflects by physiological and pharmacologic events, monitoring this rate enabled the anesthesiologists and surgeons to make therapeutic intervention sooner and on a more rational basis.

Antigenic diversity in flagellar epitopes among Bacillus piliformis isolates.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were developed to Bacillus piliformis isolate-specific flagellar epitopes and used to group B. piliformis isolates on the basis of epitope expression. BALB/c mice immunised with flagella purified from various B. piliformis isolates served as the source of immune spleen cells for fusion with SP2/0Ag14 myeloma cells. Evaluation of hybridoma culture medium by ELISA against various bacterial species and B. piliformis isolates indicated that 482 of 2127 hybridomas secreted antibodies specific for B. piliformis. Specificity of MAbs for flagellar epitopes was demonstrated by indirect fluorescent antibody assays and Western blot analyses. Probing of 10 B. piliformis isolates with MAbs indicated that four B. piliformis isolates each possessed a distinct and isolate-specific flagellar epitope; five other isolates shared a common flagellar epitope. One isolate did not react with any of the MAbs specific for flagellar epitopes. Thus, B. piliformis isolates could be grouped into six antigenically distinct groups based upon flagellar epitope expression. Additionally, a MAb reactive with a cell-associated component recognised all but one isolate. This serological grouping of B. piliformis isolates agrees with the grouping of isolates based upon genetic and physiological characteristics, and supports the assertion that there are different strains among B. piliformis isolates.

Family/media approach to HIV prevention: results with a home-based, parent-teen video program.

We describe the first study with a home-based HIV prevention video program for parents and young teenagers. The objectives of the program are to inform parents and teenagers about the causes and prevention of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases, to increase family problem-solving skills, and to increase teen problem-solving and assertiveness skills. The objectives pertain to the goals of increasing skills needed to help teenagers avoid or manage high-risk behaviors and situations. Forty-five families with at least one 12- to 14-year-old were randomly assigned to either experimental (receive video program) or control (no video) conditions in a pretest-posttest design. After 6 months (Follow-Up 1), the experimental and control families were reassessed. The control families next received the video program, and the control families were assessed again (Follow-Up 2). The results indicate increases in parent and teen knowledge and skills only with video viewing. Approaches to improving the video program, particularly with teenagers, are discussed.

Stereospecificity of 2-methylpiperidine binding to a nicotinic up-regulatory site in the rat brain P2 preparation.

(+/-)-2-Methylpiperidine has a high degree of specificity in enhancing the binding of (-)-[3H]nicotine in the rat brain P2 preparation. (-)- and (+)-2-Methylpiperidine have been resolved. The (+) but not the (-) isomer increased the binding of (-)-[3H]nicotine. The two isomers were equally effective in inhibiting the binding of (-)-[3H]nicotine in high concentrations. These data provide additional support for a stereospecific nicotinic up-regulatory site.

Human serum and plasma protein binding of enoximone and its sulfoxide metabolite.

Experimental factors and determinants of the protein binding of enoximone (a new cardiotonic agent) were investigated in human serum from healthy, drug-free subjects using a rapid ultrafiltration method; these factors and determinants included nonspecific binding to the apparatus, ultrafiltrate volume, temperature, serum pH, enoximone serum concentration, and enoximone sulfoxide (metabolite) concentration. It was demonstrated from mass balance experiments that nonspecific binding to the apparatus did not occur. Within the range investigated, ultrafiltrate volume did not affect the binding result. However, serum pH and temperature were critical variables. At pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C, enoximone serum binding occurred to the extent of approximately 70%; over the therapeutic serum concentration range, this binding was concentration independent. Experiments with purified albumin solutions indicated that much of the serum binding could be accounted for by albumin. At concentrations exceeding those observed clinically, enoximone sulfoxide did not affect enoximone serum binding. In another experiment, enoximone binding to serum was compared with that from plasma containing either heparin or disodium EDTA. There were essentially no differences. Enoximone sulfoxide serum protein binding was also investigated in serum from healthy, drug-free human subjects; binding occurred to the extent of approximately 5%.

Binding characteristics of (-)- and (+)-nicotine to the rat brain P2 fraction.

Saturation studies employing (-)- and (+)-[3H]nicotine indicate that the isomers bind to different very high and high affinity sites since the binding density for (-)-[3H]nicotine is 10 times that for (+)-[3H]nicotine. Both isomers also bind to a low affinity site (KDS = approximately 10(-5) to 10(-4) M). Competition studies employing unlabelled (-)- and (+)-nicotine reveal greater complexities. The isomers also appear to bind to a separate site which enhances binding at the (-)- and (+)-nicotine high affinity sites. (+)-Nicotine is more effective in increasing the binding of (-)-[3H]nicotine at its high affinity site than (-)-nicotine. Further, (+)-nicotine has a greater specificity for enhancing binding than (-)-nicotine in that it enhances (-)-[3H]nicotine binding at lower concentrations and inhibits binding at higher concentrations than (-)-nicotine.