Movement of the X chromosome in epilepsy.

The position of selected chromosomes was assessed in samples of normal and epileptic human cortex with biotinylated probes specific for individual chromosome domains. Optical sectioning provided a rapid method for three-dimensional resolution of in situ hybridization signals in interphase cells, and solid models were reconstructed from digitized images for detailed rotational studies. There was a dramatic repositioning of the X chromosome in neurons of both males and females in electrophysiologically defined seizure foci. Other chromosomes (1, 9, and Y) showed more subtle positional changes. Specifically altered nuclear patterns involving the X chromosome may become established and create the genetic memory for intractable seizure activity.

Gnathotrichus sulcatus: synergistic response to enantiomers of the aggregation pheromone sulcatol.

In laboratory and field bioassays, Gnathotrichus sulcatus responded to sulcatol (6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol) only when both enantiomers were present. Response was greater to racemic sulcatol than to a mixture (65 : 35) of S-(+) and R-(-) enantiomers, the naturally occurring isomeric ratio. Enantiomer-specific active sites on receptor proteins in the same or different cells are implicated.

Tobacco-induced alterations to the Fourier-transform infrared spectrum of serum.

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy can distinguish differences in the characteristics of diverse molecules by using infrared radiation to probe chemical bonds. Consequently, alterations to the molecular characteristics of tissues and body fluids that help define specific pathological processes and conditions can be identified by IR spectroscopy. This study analyzed the molecular spectrum of cotinine by IR spectroscopy and determined tobacco-induced alterations to the IR profile of serum to establish whether these alterations can differentiate smokers and nonsmokers. The IR spectra of serum samples obtained from 20 smokers and 25 nonsmokers were captured using a FTS-40 IR spectrometer. Linear discriminant analysis method was used to partition the samples into smoker and nonsmoker groups according to the discriminatory patterns in the data and into a validation set to test the accuracy of the trained algorithm in distinguishing smokers and nonsmokers. Cotinine molecules were shown to exhibit a characteristic IR absorption spectrum. Several differences in the sera spectra of the two groups were observed, including an overall shift in the secondary structure of serum proteins favoring increased beta-sheet content in smokers. The overall accuracy of the training and validation sets was 96.7%, and 82.8%, respectively. The identification of specific absorption peaks for tobacco-induced alterations to the IR molecular profile of serum permits the development of an IR spectroscopy technique that can be used to differentiate smokers from nonsmokers. This further extends the utility of IR spectroscopy as a rapidly emerging tool in the field of molecular biodiagnostics.

Cloning of the rat edg-1 immediate-early gene: expression pattern suggests diverse functions.

The edg-1 immediate-early gene encodes a G-protein-coupled receptor homolog implicated in endothelial cell differentiation. We report the cloning of the rat edg-1 gene. Our Northern analyses indicate that edg-1 is much more widely expressed than previously thought. edg-1 mRNA was found in many organs at several stages of development with relatively high levels present in adult brain. edg-1 transcripts were also detected in several cell lines. Expression of edg-1 mRNA in the PC12 cell model of neuronal differentiation was unaffected by agents that cause PC12 cells to differentiate or proliferate. Therefore, edg-1 may play a cell-type-specific role in differentiation and also participate in neurotransmission.

Specific biochemical marker-based techniques for the identification of damage to Douglas-fir seed resulting from feeding by the western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann (Hemiptera: Coreidae).

Specific biochemical marker-based techniques were tested for their ability to distinguish between seeds of Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco, that were filled or unfilled (aborted) at maturity and those that were damaged or emptied by the western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann. A polyclonal antibody raised against salivary gland extracts from L. occidentalis successfully identified residual salivary proteins on Western blots containing proteins from Douglas-fir seeds that had sustained various degrees of seed bug feeding damage. In a single blind experiment, the polyclonal antibody correctly identified 100% of undamaged control, 97% of unfilled control (aborted), and 98% of seed bug damaged seeds. Polyclonal antibodies raised against insoluble alfalfa crystalloid storage protein (11S globulin) detected the depletion of 11S globulin and the subsequent appearance of its hydrolyzed fragments in the soluble protein fraction of Douglas-fir seeds that were fed-upon by the seed bug. Feeding by L. occidentalis nymphs caused ca. 98% depletion of insoluble protein, but only ca. 53% reduction in the amount of soluble protein in seeds that appeared empty on radiographs. By comparison, unfilled (aborted) seeds contained significantly less insoluble and soluble protein than empty seeds that were fed-upon by L. occidentalis; moreover, no crystalloid (11S globulin) breakdown products were generated. The biochemical markers described in this study are reliable tools that can be used to identify conifer seeds that have sustained light to severe damage from L. occidentalis feeding.

Successful thrombolysis in the vertebrobasilar artery after endovascular occlusion of a recently ruptured large basilar tip aneurysm.

The treatment of a patient who had iatrogenic basilar artery thrombosis after endovascular occlusion of a recently ruptured wide-necked basilar apex aneurysm with a nondetachable silicone balloon is described. The rationale for the choice of a nondetachable balloon, the need for anticoagulation in the postoperative period, the timing of thrombolysis, and the choice of thrombolytic agents are discussed.

Social phobia: Axis I and II correlates.

The presence of Axis I and Axis II disorders in 71 social phobic patients was examined. Generalized anxiety disorder was the most common secondary Axis I disorder, followed by simple phobia. Avoidant personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder were the most common Axis II diagnoses, and 88% of the sample exhibited features of these 2 personality styles. Subjects with additional Axis I diagnoses were more anxious and depressed than those with no additional Axis I disorder. Social phobics with additional Axis II disorders were more depressed but not more anxious than those with no Axis II diagnosis. Furthermore, those with an additional Axis I disorder had higher scores on measures of neuroticism, interpersonal sensitivity, and agoraphobia. The prevalence and impact of additional Axis I and II disorders on the etiology, maintenance, and treatment outcome for persons with social phobia are discussed.

A formalism for independent checking of Gamma Knife dose calculations.

For stereotactic radiosurgery using the Leksell Gamma Knife system, it is important to perform a pre-treatment verification of the maximum dose calculated with the Leksell GammaPlan (DLGP) stereotactic radiosurgery system. This verification can be incorporated as part of a routine quality assurance (QA) procedure to minimize the chance of a hazardous overdose. To implement this procedure, a formalism has been developed to calculate the dose DCAL(X,Y,Z,dav,t) using the following parameters: average target depth (dav), coordinates (X,Y,Z) of the maximum dose location or any other dose point(s) to be verified, 3-dimensional (3-dim) beam profiles or off-centerratios (OCR) of the four helmets, helmet size i, output factor Oi, plug factor Pi, each shot j coordinates (x,y,z)i,j, and shot treatment time (ti,j). The average depth of the target dav was obtained either from MRI/CT images or ruler measurements of the Gamma Knife Bubble Head Frame. DCAL and DLGP were then compared to evaluate the accuracy of this independent calculation. The proposed calculation for an independent check of DLGP has been demonstrated to be accurate and reliable, and thus serves as a QA tool for Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery.

A quality factor to compare the dosimetry of gamma knife radiosurgery and intensity-modulated radiation therapy quantitatively as a function of target volume and shape. Technical note.

The authors have developed a quality factor (QF) to compare gamma knife radiosurgery, linear accelerator radiosurgery, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dosimetry. This QF relates the percentage of target covered (PTC) by the prescription radiation isodose, target volume (V(T)), and enclosed tissue volume, which receives greater than a particular dose (V(X)): QF(X) = PTCxV(T)/V(X). The authors investigated target shape independent of volume in predicting radiosurgical complication rates. Plastic targets of a defined volume (0.2, 0.5, 1.5, and 10 cm3) and four increasingly complex shapes (spherical, ellipsoid, simulated arteriovenous malformation [AVM], and horseshoe) were created. Dosimetry was studied on the Leksell GammaPlan, Adac/Pinnacle, and Nomos Corvus workstations. The dosimetry of a new 4 mm x 10-mm IMRT collimator array (the Nomos Beak) not yet validated for use in our clinical practice was studied. Particularly for larger targets, the gamma knife and IMRT Beak plans show similar conformality (QF assuming 15-Gy volume [QF15]). Particularly for small and round targets the gamma knife plan quality is significantly higher (QF assuming 12-Gy volume [QF12]). As V(T) and complexity increase, the IMRT Beak QF12 approaches that of the gamma knife. The QF12 of gamma knife dosimetry has an inverse correlation with target shape complexity independent of V(T). At a prescription dose of 15 Gy to the target margin, the QF15 is a conformality index. The 12-Gy volume (volume enclosed by 12-Gy surface/volume receiving at least 12 Gy) estimates the radiosurgical normal tissue complication rate for AVMs. When the target is well covered, the QF12 is inversely proportional to the complication risk and is a measure of the plan quality.

A proposed classification for spinal and cranial dural arteriovenous fistulous malformations and implications for treatment.

A classification is proposed that unifies and organizes spinal and cranial dural arteriovenous fistulous malformations (AVFMs) into three types based upon their anatomical similarities. Type I dural AVFMs drain directly into dural venous sinuses or meningeal veins. Type II malformations drain into dural sinuses or meningeal veins but also have retrograde drainage into subarachnoid veins. Type III malformations drain into subarachnoid veins and do not have dural sinus or meningeal venous drainage. The arterial supply in each of these three types is derived from meningeal arteries. The anatomical basis of the proposed classification is presented with several cases that illustrate the three types of dural AVFMs. A rationale for the treatment of spinal and cranial dural AVFMs according to their anatomical characteristics is discussed.

Is panic a unique emotional experience?

The establishment of Panic Disorder (PD) as a distinct diagnostic category stems largely from the conceptualization of panic as a phenomenon qualitatively different from severe levels of anxiety. The current study utilized patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) as comparison groups to examine the validity of this conceptualization. Seventeen PD, 29 OCD, and 12 GAD patients completed self-report inventories from which a panic factor was derived. Controlling for level of overall anxiety, the total panic factor was rated significantly higher by the PD group. A cluster of symptoms emerged which differentiated the PD group from the other two groups. The panic items and total score were correlated with total levels of state and trait anxiety but correlations were generally low, accounting for a limited amount of the total variance. Results were interpreted as providing only equivocal support for viewing panic as a separate dimension apart from high levels of general anxiety. A discussion of conceptual issues is presented.

Nonclinical hair-pulling: affective correlates and comparison with clinical samples.

The purposes of the current study were to examine the affective states associated with hair-pulling in a nonclinical sample and to compare levels of general psychopathology in nonclinical hair-pullers and clinic patients with trichotillomania (TM) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Subjects included 66 college undergraduates who engaged in hair-pulling unrelated to grooming, 18 patients with TM and 29 patients with OCD. Dimensional (but not categorical) ratings of affective experiences in the nonclinical sample indicated that hair-pulling was associated with decreases in tension, boredom, anger and sadness. Further, the relationship between emotional experiences before and after hair-pulling was more salient than the pre-during relationship conceptualized as central in current diagnostic criteria for TM. Comparisons of psychopathology in nonclinical and clinical samples failed to support a continuum notion of increasing symptomatology in nonclinical pullers, TM patients and individuals with OCD. Some evidence of increased pathology in nonclinical pullers relative to TM patients was obtained, as was further support for a distinction between TM and OCD. Implications of this investigation for conceptualization of TM are discussed.

The Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory: concurrent validity with a clinic sample.

The Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory (SPAI) is an empirically derived self-report inventory developed as a specific measure of social phobia. The current investigation included two studies. The first examined the correlation of the SPAI with daily social behavior of a clinic sample of social phobics. The results indicated that the SPAI provides a reasonable indication of the distress experienced during daily social encounters in three dimensions: behavior, cognitions, and overall distress. The second study examined the validity of the SPAI with reference to the somatic response and avoidance behavior of social phobics. The results indicated that the somatic items of the SPAI are related to the somatic response of social phobics and that performance on the SPAI is associated with avoidance behavior in an anxiety-producing task.

Nonclinical panic and suicidality: prevalence and psychopathology.

Recent epidemiological studies have reported an increased risk of suicide in patients with panic disorder, raising the possibility that there may be a unique relationship between panic and suicide. However, other studies, such as large chart reviews, have not found a meaningful increase in suicidal behavior among panic patients, except in these patients with comorbid borderline personality diagnoses. The present study examined nonclinical panickers to explore the specificity of the relationship between panic and suicide. Six hundred and twenty-seven undergraduates were surveyed to assess experiences of panic, suicidal behavior in relation to panic and general levels of pathology. Forty-two percent of the sample had experienced at least one panic attack in the past year, and of those 18% had considered suicide and 2.65% had made a suicide attempt in relation to their panic attacks. In comparison to nonclinical panickers who did not consider suicide, ideating nonclinical panickers had more frequent attacks, considered their attacks to be more severe, and viewed themselves as more fearful and in less control of their attacks. They also endorsed significantly higher levels of pathology across every dimension assessed. Results are discussed in terms of the prevalence of suicidal ideation among nonclinical samples, associated psychopathology, and extrapolation of the findings to clinical samples allowing development of models to understand the relationship between panic and suicide.

Changes in volatile terpene and diterpene resin acid composition of resistant and susceptible white spruce leaders exposed to simulated white pine weevil damage.

Induced (traumatic) resin in white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) leaders resistant or susceptible to the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi Peck) was analyzed for volatile terpenes and diterpene resin acids after simulated white pine weevil damage. Leaders from 331 trees were wounded just below the apical bud with a 1-mm diameter drill, coinciding with the natural time of weevil oviposition in the spring. Leaders were removed in the fall, and the bark and xylem from the upper and lower regions of the leader extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography. Unwounded trees had low amounts of resin in xylem compared with bark. In response to wounding, volatile terpenes and diterpene resin acids increased in the upper xylem (area of wounding), with resistant trees showing a greater increase than susceptible trees. Wounding caused monoterpenes in particular to decrease in the lower region of the leader (away from the drilled area) in greater amounts in susceptible trees than in resistant trees. In response to wounding, the proportion of monoterpene to resin acid increased in the upper and lower xylem of resistant trees, and slightly increased in the upper xylem of susceptible trees. Monoterpene-enriched resin is more fluid than constitutive resin, and probably flows more readily into oviposition cavities and larval mines, where it may kill immature weevils. Loss of resin components in the lower xylem suggested catabolism and transport of these materials to the site of wounding; however, energetic and regulatory data are necessary to confirm this hypothesis. This study provides a basis for measuring the ability of a tree to undergo traumatic resinosis that could be used to screen for resistance to white pine weevil.

Effect of feeding by the western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis, on the major storage reserves of developing seeds and on seedling vigor of Douglas-fir.

The impact of feeding by the western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann) on storage reserves of developing seeds of Douglas-fir (Pseudostuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) was studied by caging nymphal and adult seed bugs on cones during late-season development, and nymphs on cones during early, mid- and late-season development. Analysis of the major storage reserves of partially damaged seeds revealed that late-season feeding by each life stage and feeding by nymphs at all three stages of cone development significantly reduced the amounts of lipid and buffer-insoluble (crystalloid) protein in seeds at harvest by up to 78 and 97%, respectively. Seeds showing light to moderate damage on radiographs did not exhibit a reduction in the amount of buffer-soluble (matrix) protein. Seeds damaged by feeding during early development compensated in part by continuing to synthesize lipid and crystalloid protein. Light or moderate damage to mature Douglas-fir seeds exposed to L. occidentalis in the laboratory reduced seedling emergence by > 80%, but the seedlings that emerged successfully appeared to suffer no adverse effects when grown under standard nursery conditions.

Hydromyelia associated with a posterior fossa cyst.

There are rare reports of children with hydromyelia in association with arachnoid cysts at the foramen of Magendie, and these cases have uniformly been associated with hydrocephalus. We report a case of a 45-year-old woman with a posterior fossa cyst associated with hydromyelia and normal ventricles. This was successfully treated with a cystoperitoneal shunt. We believe this unusual condition is of interest in elucidating potential mechanisms of hydromyelia.