Genes of the ecdysone biosynthesis pathway are regulated by the dATAC histone acetyltransferase complex in Drosophila.

Uncovering mechanisms that regulate ecdysone production is an important step toward understanding the regulation of insect metamorphosis and processes in steroid-related pathologies. We report here the transcriptome analysis of Drosophila melanogaster dAda2a and dAda3 mutants, in which subunits of the ATAC acetyltransferase complex are affected. In agreement with the fact that these mutations lead to lethality at the start of metamorphosis, both the ecdysone levels and the ecdysone receptor binding to polytene chromosomes are reduced in these flies. The cytochrome genes (spookier, phantom, disembodied, and shadow) involved in steroid conversion in the ring gland are downregulated, while the gene shade, which is involved in converting ecdysone into its active form in the periphery, is upregulated in these dATAC subunit mutants. Moreover, driven expression of dAda3 at the site of ecdysone synthesis partially rescues dAda3 mutants. Mutants of dAda2b, a subunit of the dSAGA histone acetyltransferase complex, do not share phenotype characteristics and RNA profile alterations with dAda2a mutants, indicating that the ecdysone biosynthesis genes are regulated by dATAC, but not by dSAGA. Thus, we provide one of the first examples of the coordinated regulation of a functionally linked set of genes by the metazoan-specific ATAC complex.

Combined paclitaxel and gemcitabine as first-line treatment in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a multicentre phase II study.

The efficacy and toxicity of combined paclitaxel and gemcitabine was evaluated in 54 chemotherapy-naive patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Gemcitabine i.v. 1000 mg/m(2)was administered on days 1 and 8 and paclitaxel 200 mg/m(2)as a continuous 3-hour infusion on day 1. Treatment was repeated every 21 days. Patients had a median age of 53 years. ECOG performance status was 0 or 1 in 48 patients. 41 patients (75.9%) had initial stage IV disease; histology was mainly adenocarcinoma (46.3%). 2 patients (4.3%) achieved a complete response and 15 (31.9%) achieved a partial response giving an overall response rate of 36.2% (95% CI: 22.4-49.9%); 19 patients (40.4%) had stable disease and 10 (21.3%) had progressive disease. The median survival time was 51 weeks (95% CI: 46.5-59.3), with a 1-year survival probability of 0.48 (95% CI: 0.34-0.63). Grade 3/4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia occurred in 15.2% and 2.2% of courses, respectively. Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia was rare (1.8% of courses). Peripheral neurotoxicity developed in 25 patients (47.2%), mostly grade 1/2. Arthalgia/myalgia was observed in 30 patients (56.6%), generally grade 1 or 2. Grade 3 abnormal levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) occurred in 5 patients (9.4%) and 1 patient (1.9%), respectively. Combined paclitaxel and gemcitabine is an active and well-tolerated regimen for the treatment of advanced NSCLC, and warrants further investigation in comparative, randomized trials.

Hemicolectomía derecha: resultados de la cirugía no programada y electiva / Right hemicolectomy: results of non programmed and elective surgery

Se revisa los resultados obtenidos en 116 pacientes sometidos a hemicolectomía derecha y anastomosis primaria. Un 30% de ellos fueron intervenidos en forma no programada (grupo A), sin mediar preparación de colon preoperatoria y un 70% en forma electiva (grupo B). En el grupo A la indicación más frecuente fue la obstrucción intestinal. En un 90% de los pacientes del grupo B la indicación fue el cáncer de colon. Complicaciones postoperatorias se observó en un 33% y 11% de los grupos A y B respectivamente. El mayor número de complicaciones en el grupo A está dado por infecciones de herida operatoria. Dos pacientes fallecieron, ambos del grupo A, sin mediar complicaciones derivadas de la técnica quirúrgica. Se concluye que la hemicolectomía derecha y anastomosis primaria constituye una alternativa quirúrgica segura para ambos grupos de pacientes

Enteritis actínica: resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico / Radiation enteropathy: results of surgical therapy

We reviewed the results of surgical therapy for radiation enteropathy in 18 consecutive patients. Fifteen (83%) were females and the age ranged from 31 to 81 years old. The indication for radiotherapy was cancer of the cervix in 10 patients (56). The mjean radiation dose was 5190 rads (range 4000 to 7000). Of 23 radiation lesions, 12 (52%) were located in the ileon, 10 in the rectum and 1 in the sigmoid. Fibrosis and stenosis was the most frequent lesion (70%) followed by fistulae (22%) and proctitis in 2 patients. Ressection or derivation was the surgical treatment employed in 22 of the 23 lesions. For lesions of the ileon, we performed ressection and anastomosis in 7 patients and derivation in 5. For rectal lesions we performed ressection, endoanal descent and colo-anal anastomosis in 7 patients anterior ressection in 2 and colostomy in 1. complications were observed in 5 patients (28%) and 1 patient died (5%). After a mean follow up of 56 months, 5 patients have died from recurrence of the original neoplastic lesions. We feel that surgical treatment allows improvement in quality of life of patients with radiation entreropathy

The reliability of the student version of the Jenkins Activity Survey.

Two studies assessed two types of reliability of the student Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS; a questionnaire measure of Type A behavior). In Study 1, 810 undergraduates completed the JAS. Analyses revealed that estimates of the internal consistency (Chronbach's alpha) of the JAS and its subscales (hard-driving/competitive and speed impatience) ranged from moderately low to moderately high. In Study 2, independent samples of undergraduates completed the JAS at two testings, separated by 2 weeks (N = 137) or 3 months (N = 124). Analyses revealed that estimates of the temporal stability (test-retest reliability) of the JAS total score ranged from moderately to extremely high. The results of these studies suggest that the student JAS has satisfactory internal consistency and excellent test-retest reliability and support its continued use in research on these psychometric grounds. Additional potential difficulties with the JAS are discussed in the context of recommendations for future research.

Measurement of negative symptoms.

The issue of the dimensionality of negative symptoms is addressed. In reference to data reported by Lewine, Fogg, and Meltzer (1983), it is suggested that the nonsignificant correlation between a SADS-C negative symptom scale and a NOSIE negative symptom scale, both independently developed using the Rasch model, is evidence for the multidimensionality of negative symptoms. Additional data supporting the multidimensionality of negative symptoms using confirmatory factor analysis is also discussed (Gibbons et al. 1985). A new theory for the structure of negative symptoms is needed, which specifies the number of dimensions, their classification, and their pattern of intercorrelation.

Compartmentalization of 14C-DDT in an experimental old-field plot.

Of the 2.81 X 10(6) micrograms DDT applied to the plot in June 1976, 2.58 X 10(6) micrograms (91.8%) were accounted for as of June 1977. Silk screens, ethylene glycol air samples, and run-off contained 40.57 X 40(-3)%, 0.09 X 10(-3)%, and 1.18 X 10(-3)%, respectively of the DDT aplied. Soil was the major sink for DDT in this study, with 91.8% of the applied DDT located there. Most of the remaining 8.2% was probably lost during the formulation and application of the 14C-DDT granules, some was probably lost in organisms (mainly flying insects) leaving the plot, and some was accounted for by experimental error and error in the counting technique.

Perceived self and ideal self ratings in relation to high and low levels of anxiety in college women.

The Cattell and Scheier IPAT Anxiety (Self Analysis) Questionnaire and the Corsini SAQS Chicago Q Sort were administered to 146 college women. Ss were divided into "high" and "low" anxiety groups on the basis of the IPAT anxiety scores. Those women with a high degree of anxiety were found to have a significantly greater discrepancy between their perceived self and ideal self concepts than did those women who had low levels of anxiety.

[Color game--trial of a preventive method]. / Jeu des couleurs - Essai d'une méthode prophylactique

The 'Colour Game' is a methodically elaborated game using finger-paints. It is a form of adult education. An aid to mental hygiene and to the prevention of mental illness, it is intended to help people of today who are unable to cope with the demands of life and consequently feel frustrated. It is important for them to take preventive measures to avoid becoming mentally ill. Over a period of years this game as a means of communication between generations has produced some very suprising experiences. It promotes understanding between parents, even grandparents, and children, and thus affords some interesting aspects from the gerontological point of view. Clinical trials with groups of adults and mentally ill children have so far yielded positive results.