Is adult attachment associated with engagement with services? A systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: People with psychosis often experience difficulties engaging in mental health treatments. AIMS: This review sought to identify, summarise and critically evaluate studies that investigated associations between adult attachment and relationships with mental health services in the context of psychosis. METHOD: A search was conducted on the following databases from 1980 to February 2019: Web of Science; PubMed; CINAHL; and PsycINFO. Of the 10,683 articles identified, 11 met inclusion criteria for the review. These articles were then quality appraised using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool (EPHPP). RESULTS: There was some evidence of associations between insecure attachment (namely avoidant attachment) and therapeutic alliance, and insecure attachment and engagement with services. Secure attachment was also associated with self-reported attachment to services as a whole. There were a number of limitations across the studies; the majority of studies were cross-sectional and it was difficult to make comparisons between studies due to the range of different measures used to assess attachment and alliance. CONCLUSION: Adult attachment security may be an important factor to consider in determining the way in which service users with psychosis engage with mental health services.

Social media and its relationship with mood, self-esteem and paranoia in psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: An evidence-base is emerging indicating detrimental and beneficial effects of social media. Little is known about the impact of social media use on people who experience psychosis. METHOD: Forty-four participants with and without psychosis completed 1084 assessments of social media use, perceived social rank, mood, self-esteem and paranoia over a 6-day period using an experience sampling method (ESM). RESULTS: Social media use predicted low mood, but did not predict self-esteem and paranoia. Posting about feelings and venting on social media predicted low mood and self-esteem and high paranoia, whilst posting about daily activities predicted increases in positive affect and self-esteem and viewing social media newsfeeds predicted reductions in negative affect and paranoia. Perceptions of low social rank when using social media predicted low mood and self-esteem and high paranoia. The impact of social media use did not differ between participants with and without psychosis; although, experiencing psychosis moderated the relationship between venting and negative affect. Social media use frequency was lower in people with psychosis. CONCLUSION: Findings show the potential detrimental impact of social media use for people with and without psychosis. Despite few between-group differences, overall negative psychological consequences highlight the need to consider use in clinical practice.

Self-efficacy beliefs, faecal incontinence and health-related quality of life in patients born with anorectal malformations.

AIM: Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are rare congenital colorectal anomalies with long lasting consequences, among which faecal incontinence is one of the most relevant since it may strongly affect patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Although a growing body of literature supports the importance of self-efficacy in chronic disease health outcomes, only few studies have focused on self-efficacy in ARMs and in faecal incontinence. The purpose of the present study is to examine the mediational role of self-efficacy in the path between faecal incontinence and HRQoL in patients born with ARMs. METHOD: Ninety-eight adult patients from the Italian Association for Anorectal Malformations (AIMAR) responded to measures of faecal incontinence, self-efficacy for managing ARM consequences, and physical and mental HRQoL (SF-36). Data were analysed by means of structural equation models. RESULTS: The tested model provides support for the guiding hypothesis. Fit indices indicate that the model fits the data well (χ2  = 33.48, df = 23, P = 0.07; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.97; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.07; standardized root mean square residual [SRMR] = 0.05). Faecal incontinence has negative effects on both physical and mental HRQoL, as well on self-efficacy. In turn, self-efficacy has a positive and direct effect on mental HRQoL. CONCLUSION: Faecal incontinence is the most relevant and negative factor influencing HRQoL; in addition, self-efficacy contributes in reducing emotional distress and in improving mental health outcomes. Longitudinal and controlled studies may be helpful to evaluate the effectiveness of self-efficacy interventions in improving mental HRQoL in patients with faecal incontinence.

Relationship between childhood adversity and bipolar affective disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between childhood adversity and bipolar affective disorder remains unclear. AIMS: To understand the size and significance of this effect through a statistical synthesis of reported research. METHOD: Search terms relating to childhood adversity and bipolar disorder were entered into Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science. Eligible studies included a sample diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a comparison sample and a quantitative measure of childhood adversity. RESULTS: In 19 eligible studies childhood adversity was 2.63 times (95% CI 2.00-3.47) more likely to have occurred in bipolar disorder compared with non-clinical controls. The effect of emotional abuse was particularly robust (OR = 4.04, 95% CI 3.12-5.22), but rates of adversity were similar to those in psychiatric controls. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood adversity is associated with bipolar disorder, which has implications for the treatment of this clinical group. Further prospective research could clarify temporal causality and explanatory mechanisms.

The role of coping strategies on health-related quality of life in adults with anorectal malformations.

PURPOSE: Coping strategies have been acknowledged as crucial for the well-being and for health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The main aim of the present study is to determine whether different types of coping strategies predict HRQoL in patients born with ARM, above and beyond the variance explained by fecal and urinary continence. METHODS: 71 adult patients from the Italian Parents' and Patients' Organization for Anorectal Malformations (AIMAR) participated in the study. Participants completed measures of fecal and urinary continence of the Hirschsprung Disease/Anorectal Malformation Quality of Life (HAQL) (Hanneman et al. in Dis Col Rect 44:1650-1660, 2001), the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) (Apolone and Mosconi in J Clin Epidemiol 51:1025-1036, 1998), and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Inventory (Carver in Int J Behav Med 4:92-100, 1997), which measures different coping strategies: maladaptive, problem-focused and emotion-focused. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression analyses showed that fecal continence (ß = 0.53, p < 0.01) and urinary continence significantly predict (ß = 0.23, p < 0.05) Physical HRQoL. Fecal continence (ß = 0.36, p < 0.01) and maladaptive coping strategies significantly predict (ß = -0.27, p < 0.05) Mental HRQoL. CONCLUSION: Besides considering the importance of fecal and urinary continence for Physical HRQoL, these findings indicate that maladaptive coping strategies are associated with worse Mental HRQoL. Interventions aimed at enhancing the patients' HRQoL should target coping strategies by reducing denial, behavioral disengagement, substance abuse, and self-blame.

Transition from childhood to adolescence: Quality of life changes 6 years later in patients born with anorectal malformations.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Disease-specific quality of life (QoL) may be more or less relevant when children enter preadolescence/adolescence. Few attentions have been given to development and transition periods. Aim of the present longitudinal study is to evaluate ARM specific changes in QoL and the stability of QoL over 6 years. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to families of the AIMAR Association (in 2007 and in 2013/2014). They included the Hirschsprung's Disease/ARM QoL Questionnaire (HAQL, [1]). Rank correlations and within group comparisons for the HAQL subscales were conducted analyzing the scores of time 1 vs time 2. Gender effects were tested. RESULTS: 134 parents answered the questionnaires at time 1 and 73 at time 2. Results of the repeated Analyses of Variance indicated improvements in the continence subscales ("Presence of Diarrhea," "Fecal Continence"). QoL significantly worsened in "Social and Emotional Functioning" and in "Body Image" areas. The analysis of stability of change indicates that QoL scores remain stable, with the exception of the Body Image area. CONCLUSIONS: Despite improvements in the continence areas, parents reported worse levels of QoL in the psychosocial areas, as their child grow. As patients grow, they might have more difficulties in daily and social activities, and feel more frequently ashamed and more dissatisfied with their body.

Feelings of depression in people with ARM: the role of critical incidents and perceived difficulties in close and sexual relationships.

PURPOSE: Managing a chronic disease may be a difficult task which may lead patients to experience psychological distress and depression. Some studies showed that, in ARM patients, fecal incontinence (FI) is related to symptoms of depression while others studies did not. No studies investigated this relationship in adults. Since fear of having FI episodes, negative feelings associated with these episodes, and difficulties in close and sexual relationships are often reported by patients as important consequences of ARM, we were interested in investigating whether these aspects contribute in explaining feelings of depression. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to 160 adult members of the Italian Association for Anorectal Malformation. A new scale measuring the fear of having FI episodes, negative feelings associated with these episodes and difficulties in close/sexual relationship was developed. Depressive feelings and FI were also measured. RESULTS: Seventy-two adults answered the questionnaires. Regression analyses showed that, in males, depressive feelings were predicted by difficulties in close and sexual relationships (B = 0.46; P < 0.01), while, in females, they were predicted by the fear of having FI episodes (B = 0.53; P < 0.05) and by negative feelings (B = 0.58; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Interventions aimed to prevent depression in ARM patients should consider gender and should be targeted on different aspects.

A novel, web-based, psychological intervention for people with psoriasis: the electronic Targeted Intervention for Psoriasis (eTIPs) study.

BACKGROUND: Psychological morbidity and reduced quality of life are common and linked with nonadherence to medication in psoriasis. Access to psychological therapy is often poor with long waiting times. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a well-accepted therapy for psychological disorders and is particularly effective when tailored to address condition-specific concerns. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether an electronic CBT intervention for Psoriasis (eTIPs) would reduce distress, improve quality of life and clinical severity in patients with psoriasis. METHODS: This was a wait-list, randomized trial of immediate intervention vs. usual care. Self-assessed psoriasis severity (Self-Administered Psoriasis Area and Severity Index), distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index) were measured before and after intervention. Analysis was based on complete cases and all cases using multiple imputation to substitute missing values. RESULTS: Anxiety scores between groups were significantly reduced (P < 0·05) for complete cases only; the mean (SD) scores were: intervention 7·6 (3·6) at baseline and 6·1 (3·5) at follow-up vs. control 8·3 (3·5) at baseline and after intervention 8·1 (4·4) (P = 0·004). Depression scores did not change; the experimental group scores at baseline were 5·0 (4·2) and after intervention 4·0 (3·7) vs. control group at baseline 5·2 (3·4) and after intervention 4·9 (3·8). Psoriasis severity scores did not change: baseline scores for the experimental group were 7·5 (6·0) and after intervention 6·5 (8·5) vs. the control group before 8·3 (6·3) and after 7·6 (6·1) (not significant). Quality-of-life scores improved in both analyses (P < 0·05); the intervention group scores before were 6·6 (4·2) and after intervention 5·0 (5·1) vs. control before 7·4 (4·4) and after intervention 7·7 (4·5) (P = 0·042). CONCLUSIONS: This first online CBT intervention for people with skin disease showed improvement in anxiety and quality of life in patients with psoriasis. The results are limited by the large amount of missing data and, at this stage, online delivery cannot substitute for established methods of delivery for CBT.

Quality of life in children and adolescents with anorectal malformation.

PURPOSE: Quality of life (QOL) is an important endpoint in health outcomes research, especially in pediatric chronic conditions. While some studies suggest that patients with ARM report a lower level of physical and psychosocial QOL, as compared to healthy peers, not all research shows this consistently. The aim of this study was to compare the QOL of Italian children and adolescents with ARM to the QOL of a large control sample of healthy peers. METHODS: Parents of 109 children with ARM and 336 schoolchildren, completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Analysis of variances were used to compare the groups. RESULTS: Compared to healthy peers, children with ARM showed lower emotional functioning (F = 8,41; p = .004), social functioning (F = 4,9; p = .027) and school functioning (F = 14,7; p = .000). In the adolescent group, females had a worse QOL in the physical functioning domain (F = 5,01; p = .03) than males, independent of group membership. CONCLUSIONS: While children with ARM show a more impaired QOL compared to their peers, this difference does not emerge in the adolescent group. Our results are consistent with previous findings which hypothesize that while patients with ARM face more difficulties during childhood, by adolescence they may have learned to overcome these difficulties.

Does mothers' perception of social support mediate the relationship between fecal incontinence and quality of life of the child?

PURPOSE: Fecal incontinence is a common problem in children and adolescents with anorectal malformation (ARM) and may negatively impact psycho-social well-being. Mothers' perception of social support has been proved to contribute to children's quality of life (QOL). Considering ARM studies, the role of family and social resources have received little attention. The aim of the present study was to analyze whether mothers' perception of social support mediates the impact of child fecal incontinence on his/her QOL. METHODS: One hundred and nine mothers with a child born with ARM (aged 6-15 years old; mean age = 11 years) completed questionnaires including the fecal incontinence subscale of the Hirschsprung's Disease/Anorectal Malformation QOL Questionnaire, the Pediatric QOL Inventory, and a social relationship questionnaire. Structural equation models were used to explore the relations hypothesized. RESULTS: No differences were found in the QOL scores across gender. The hypothesized model fits the data well; mothers' perception of social support partially mediated the relationship between fecal incontinence and QOL. CONCLUSIONS: An important direction for pediatric surgeons and their interdisciplinary teams may be to develop strategies to strengthen mothers' social relationships.

Sex differences in functional outcome after hospitalisation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aims of this review were to determine: i) how many studies have examined global functioning outcomes from a psychiatric inpatient stay disaggregated by sex; and ii) if women have worse global functioning outcomes than men following an admission. A systematic review following PRISMA guidance and meta-analysis were conducted. Thirty-six studies met eligibility criteria for inclusion in the review. Of these, eleven papers provided sufficient data to conduct a meta-analysis of global functioning outcomes comparing men and women. Overall, differences between men and women were small. The meta-analysis revealed either no difference or a small significant difference in global functioning outcomes in favour of women, contrary to expectations. As many as 93% of otherwise eligible studies had to be excluded for not disaggregating data by sex. Women may have slightly superior functioning outcomes than men suggesting that inpatient services should be more heavily focused on applying principles of gender-informed care for men as well as women. The finding that so many potential studies had to be excluded for not reporting sex differences is consistent with other mental health literature and highlights a need for better reporting practices in relation to sex differences.

Role of US in acute scrotal pain.

BACKGROUND: The acute scrotum is a common emergency department (ED) presentation and can be defined as any condition of the scrotum or intrascrotal contents requiring emergent medical or surgical intervention. Although rarely fatal, acute scrotal pathology can result in testicle infarction and necrosis, testicular atrophy, infertility, and significant morbidity. METHODS: Scrotal US is best performed with a linear 7.5- to 12-MHz transducer. In addition to imaging in the longitudinal and transverse planes, it is helpful to obtain simultaneous images of both testes for comparison. Color Doppler is used to evaluate for abnormalities of flow and to differentiate vascular from nonvascular lesions. Attention to appropriate color Doppler settings to optimize detection of slow flow is critical. RESULTS: The evaluation of acute scrotal pain can be challenging for the clinician initially examining and triaging the patient. Acute scrotal conditions due to traumatic, infectious, vascular, or neoplastic etiologies can all present with pain as the initial complaint. Additionally, the laboratory and physical examination findings in such conditions may overlap; this, coupled with potential patient guarding and lack of collaboration, may result in a limited, non-specific physical examination. Therefore, scrotal ultrasound has emerged to play a central role in the evaluation of the patient presenting with acute scrotal pain. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we are firmly convinced that a scrotal ultrasound should always be performed in the presence of acute scrotal pain. Moreover, urologist should be able to perform a scrotal ultrasound but, if imaging does not supply a clear diagnosis, surgical exploration is still mandatory.

Tracking of airborne radionuclides from the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear reactors by European networks.

Radioactive emissions into the atmosphere from the damaged reactors of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant (NPP) started on March 12th, 2011. Among the various radionuclides released, iodine-131 ((131)I) and cesium isotopes ((137)Cs and (134)Cs) were transported across the Pacific toward the North American continent and reached Europe despite dispersion and washout along the route of the contaminated air masses. In Europe, the first signs of the releases were detected 7 days later while the first peak of activity level was observed between March 28th and March 30th. Time variations over a 20-day period and spatial variations across more than 150 sampling locations in Europe made it possible to characterize the contaminated air masses. After the Chernobyl accident, only a few measurements of the gaseous (131)I fraction were conducted compared to the number of measurements for the particulate fraction. Several studies had already pointed out the importance of the gaseous (131)I and the large underestimation of the total (131)I airborne activity level, and subsequent calculations of inhalation dose, if neglected. The measurements made across Europe following the releases from the Fukushima NPP reactors have provided a significant amount of new data on the ratio of the gaseous (131)I fraction to total (131)I, both on a spatial scale and its temporal variation. It can be pointed out that during the Fukushima event, the (134)Cs to (137)Cs ratio proved to be different from that observed after the Chernobyl accident. The data set provided in this paper is the most comprehensive survey of the main relevant airborne radionuclides from the Fukushima reactors, measured across Europe. A rough estimate of the total (131)I inventory that has passed over Europe during this period was <1% of the released amount. According to the measurements, airborne activity levels remain of no concern for public health in Europe.

Management of high-quality dehydrated grape in vinification to produce dry red wines.

Grape controlled dehydration of "Cesanese" and "Sangiovese" wine grapes, followed by an innovative vinification protocol, was studied. Fresh grapes of both varieties were processed into basic wines (IW = initial wine). 'Cesanese' must from pressed dehydrated grapes (solid and liquid) was directly added (15 and 30% v/v) into the IW activating a refermentation. 'Sangiovese' must (solid and liquid) from pressed dehydrated grapes was fermented and, when the wine reached 5% alcohol concentration, every day, the IW was added until a final concentration of 40 or 60% (v/v). The produced "blended wines" (BW) had significantly higher alcohol, glycerol, extract, and polyphenol concentration. Malolactic fermentation was completely ended in all BW with no malic acid and formation of lactic acid (0.5-1 g/L). All wines showed a significant higher concentration in 4-vinylguaiacol, acetovanillone, and 3-oxo-α-ionol, providing spicy and fruity notes at the sensory analyses, and being appreciated for their body balance, less acidity, and flavor intensity.

Impact of temporal variability of radon concentration in workplaces on the actual radon exposure during working hours.

For workplaces where significant diurnal variations in radon concentrations are likely, measurements to evaluate average radon concentration during working hours could be useful for planning an optimized protection of workers according to the 2013/59/Euratom Directive. However, very few studies on this subject, generally limited to periods of few weeks, have been published. Therefore, a study has been conducted to evaluate the actual long-term radon exposure during working hours for a sample of 33 workplaces of four different types (postal offices, shops, restaurants, municipal offices), mainly located at the ground floor, and with expected considerable air exchange rate occurring during working hours due to frequent entrance/exit of persons or mechanical ventilation. The results show that the difference between the average radon level during working hours and that one during the whole day is about 20% on average and ranges from 0 to 50%. These observed differences, generally smaller compared with those found in other similar studies, are nearly the same if the analysis is restricted to workplaces with annual radon level higher than 300 Bq m-3, and therefore natural or mechanical ventilation normally present during working hours of the monitored workplaces cannot be considered an effective mitigation measure. However, the costs and time-response characteristics of the active monitors, as those used for the present study, will probably allow using more frequently a similar measurement strategy in workplaces.

Comparison of conventional ultrasound and real-time spatial compound imaging in evaluation of patients with severe Peyronie's disease.

BACKGROUND: Real-time spatial compound imaging (C-US) is an ultrasound (US) method which effectively reduces image artifacts and noise. In contrast to conventional techniques, multiple frames are acquired from different viewing angles and combined to form a single compound image. PURPOSE: To evaluate whether C-US improves ultrasound evaluation of patients with severe Peyronie's disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 consecutive patients with severe Peyronie's disease underwent conventional US and C-US after intracavernous prostaglandin E1 injection. Corresponding images of the same scan plane were obtained with both methods, and subjective image quality was scored retrospectively using a four-point scale by two blinded readers with different experience in penile imaging. Readers focused on evaluation of the tunica albuginea, plaques, involvement of the penile septum, and overall image quality. Also, presence of large albugineal calcifications or microcalcifications was considered. To assess intrareader agreement, both readers repeated evaluation after a 1-month interval. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and McNemar test. Weighted kappa values were calculated to assess intra- and inter-reader agreement. RESULTS: Average scores were significantly higher for reader 1 (P<0.001). Both readers rated C-US better (P<0.001) than conventional US. Despite higher image quality scores, C-US was as effective as conventional grayscale US in assessing involvement of the penile septum. No differences were found between the two methods for visualization of large calcifications, while microcalcifications were better visible with compound imaging. Intrareader agreement was higher for the more experienced reader 1. CONCLUSION: C-US is subjectively superior to conventional US in evaluating patients with severe Peyronie's disease.

Emergency Department crowding and hospital bed shortage: is Lean a smart answer? A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Emergency Departments (EDs) worldwide face the challenges of crowding, waiting times, and cost containment. This review aims to provide a synthesis of the current literature focused on how Lean Thinking Principles and tools can be applied in an ED to address overcrowding and hospital admissions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary studies showing Lean interventions and implementation in ED visits, not requiring additional resources measuring specific outcomes (i.e. length of stay, patient volume, patient satisfaction, waiting times for the first visit, waiting times for diagnostic results, left without being seen) were selected. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, EconLit, NHS Economic Evaluation Database, Business Sources Complete, and Health Technology Assessment were used to conduct searches. Full-text articles of all potentially relevant publications were reviewed for eligibility. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion by all reviewers. Quality assessment and critical appraisal of selected studies were also evaluated by applying the Quality Improvement Minimum Quality Criteria Set. RESULTS: Nine before-and-after studies met these eligibility criteria. Management of patient flow was the main intervention. Almost all studies showed EDs performance improvement: increased patient volume, decreased length of stay and number of patients left without being seen, reduced costs, and increased patient satisfaction. Only one case reported worse results after Lean intervention implementation. CONCLUSIONS: Though Lean Principals have been used in healthcare for many years conclusion of their effects could still not be drawn. Surely, human-centered approach, top management support, work standardization, resources allocation and adaptation to the local context seem to be crucial for success. Furthermore, higher quality studies are needed: specific research design, appropriate statistical tests and outcome measures are needed. Before large-scale implementation, further studies are needed to evaluate the true ability of Lean interventions to improve healthcare delivery.

Expression of TAFII70 RNA and protein during oogenesis and development of the amphibian Pleurodeles waltl.

TAFs are thought to play an essential role in eukaryotic RNA polymerase II transcription by mediating the expression of distinct subsets of genes. TAFII60/70 was studied in yeast, Drosophila and humans: in the present work, we analyzed the homologue PwTAFII70 in Pleurodeles. The gene is expressed in ovarian oocytes and throughout development, and the level of expression decreases in late embryos. The transcripts are localized in the animal hemisphere of the fertilized eggs and in the animal blastomeres of embryos at cleavage; later PwTAFII70 mRNA is expressed in the neural plate and folds. TAFII70 protein, which is present in fertilized eggs and throughout development, progressively shows a lower level of expression starting from the neurula stage.

Aequorin chimeras as valuable tool in the measurement of Ca2+ concentration during cadmium injury.

The ability of cadmium to disrupt calcium homeostasis has been known since a long time, but the precise cellular targets of its toxic action are still debated. A great problem in the interpretation of data has been associated with the ability of cadmium to strongly bind traditional calcium probes. Aequorin, the well-characterized calcium-sensitive photoprotein, was used as intracellular calcium indicator during cadmium injury in NIH 3T3 murine fibroblasts. NIH 3T3 cells were transfected with a cDNA construct containing aequorin fused to a truncated glutamate receptor, which directs the probe to the outer surface of intracellular membranes. At first, we tested if different cadmium concentrations were able to modify the rate of light emission by aequorin showing that cadmium concentrations <15 microM were ineffective on aequorin luminescence. Hence, aequorin chimeras revealed as a useful tool in the analyses of Cd2+/Ca2+ interference. To directly investigate the role of Cd2+ in Ca2+ homeostasis, we have started to selectively measure the free Ca2+ concentration in different cell compartments. Here, we report that cadmium reduces the transient free calcium signal after stimulation of cells with bradykinin. Further studies are in progress to clarify the role of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum in cadmium-induced alterations of Ca2+ homeostasis in order to link signal transduction modifications with the onset of apoptosis induced by cadmium exposure.

Identification of an amphibian oocyte nuclear protein as a candidate for a role in embryonic DNA replication.

Monoclonal antibody B24/3 recognizes a nuclear protein of 104 kD in germinal vesicles of newt oocytes. Immunohistostaining of oocytes at different stages of growth shows an accumulation of B24 protein throughout oogenesis. During development B24 protein is located inside embryonic cell nuclei from the onset of cleavage onwards. It gradually decreases from gastrulation and disappears at the tailbud stage. The NvB24 17.1 clone was isolated from an ovary expression library of the newt Notophthalmus viridescens and then sequenced: the open reading frame is capable of encoding a polypeptide of 744 amino acids. Northern blot experiments have shown that the 17.1 clone recognizes a single transcript of about 3 Kb in the ovary. In situ hybridization experiments showed that B24 mRNA transcription starts from previtellogenic oocytes, and is followed by the appearance and gradual accumulation of B24 protein in germinal vesicles of medium and large size oocytes. Keeping in mind the sequence similarity shown by the B24 protein to the mouse P1 protein as well as to the budding yeast Mcm3 and fission yeast cdc21 proteins, B24 protein can be speculated to play a role in the events of DNA replication during early amphibian embryogenesis. As B24 antigen is located in the sphere organelles both inserted on the lampbrush chromosomes and free in the oocyte nucleoplasm, an additional possible role of B24 protein could be related to assembling and/or storing snRNPs during oogenesis.