Endophenotypes: A conceptual link between anorexia nervosa and autism spectrum disorder.

The paper, by translating the concept and the two models of endophenotype (EP), strengthens the hypothesis that there exists a linkage between anorexia nervosa (AN) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Specifically, the paper synthesizes empirical research that supported the idea that individuals with AN and individuals with ASD share similarities with respect to their neurocognitive EPs and temperament EPs. The paper then introduces an innovative structure to emphasize the subtle difference between neurocognitive EPs and temperament EPs in relation to AN and ASD. This structure constitutes the categorization of the shared neurocognitive EPs to the liability-index model of EP and the shared temperament EPs to the mediational model of EP. The paper argues that the shared neurocognitive EPs under the liability index model of EP are trait markers signaling the effects of genes on the phenotypes of AN and ASD; whereas, the shared temperament EPs under the mediational model of EP are state markers describing the symptomatic status of AN and ASD. The proposition of the paper suggests clinicians and researchers should target the atypical state markers (i.e., temperament EPs) shared between AN and ASD when tailoring environment-based treatments for individuals with AN who exhibit autistic behaviors and individuals with ASD who display disordered eating behaviors or anorexic symptoms.

Efficacy of an anti-fertility vaccine based on mammalian gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH-I)--a histological comparison in male animals.

A N-terminal modified gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH-I, tetanus toxoid-CHWSYGLRPG-NH2) conjugate was evaluated histologically in a number of male animal species (mice, dogs and sheep). The immunogen has previously been shown to be highly effective in rats, by suppressing both steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. However, cross-species efficacy of peptide vaccines is known to be highly variable. Therefore, a comparative evaluation of reproductive tissues from animals immunized against this immunogen adsorbed onto an alum-based adjuvant was made. The sheep and dogs were chosen, as use of anti-fertility vaccines in these species is important in farming and veterinary practice. Changes in testicular size were measured during the immunization period and the greatest alteration (attributed to gonadal atrophy) was observed in the rat. Following euthanasia, the testicular tissue was evaluated for spermatogenesis. The most susceptible species to GnRH-I ablation was the rat, which showed significant (P < 0.0001) arrest in spermatogenesis compared with untreated controls. Testicular sections taken from treated animals were completely devoid of spermatozoa or spermatids, in comparison with 94% of the untreated controls showing evidence of spermatogenesis. The immunized mice and rams also showed significant arrest (P < 0.0001). There was a 30-45% decrease in spermatogenesis and total azoospermia was not apparent. However, the least responsive were the dogs, which showed little significant variation compared to untreated animals and only a 5% decrease in activity. A comparison of the specific IgG response to GnRH-I indicated that in sheep and dogs the response was not maintained, unlike in rodents, suggesting that suppression of fertility may be due to differences in immune responses in different animal species.

Textual prompts as an antecedent cue self-management strategy for persons with mild disabilities.

Providing learners written task analyses to be used as textual prompts was examined as a self-management strategy for persons with mild disabilities. Initially, modeling, corrective verbal feedback, and contingent descriptive praise were employed to train participants to use the written task analysis to perform one home maintenance task. Subsequently, participants were tested on their use of different task analyses combined with general feedback to perform two novel home maintenance tasks. No training was provided on how to use these new task analyses. Either a multiple baseline or a multiple probe across settings experimental design was used to control extraneous variables. Results indicated that the written task analyses served as self-administered textual prompts and, along with general feedback, provided stimulus control for the second and third tasks. When the self-management task analyses and general feedback were withdrawn, transfer of stimulus control occurred to the natural discriminative stimuli for the majority of tasks. The research suggests that written task analyses, as presented in the present study, may have utility for the self-management of instruction by persons with mild disabilities.

A new fluorescent probe for the equilibrative inhibitor-sensitive nucleoside transporter. 5'-S-(2-aminoethyl)-N6-(4-nitrobenzyl)-5'-thioadenosine (SAENTA)-chi 2-fluorescein.

The N6-(4-nitrobenzyl) derivative of adenosine is a tight-binding inhibitor of the equilibrative inhibitor-sensitive nucleoside transporter of mammalian cells. A fluorescent ligand for this transporter has been synthesized by allowing an adenosine analogue. 5'-S-(2-aminoethyl)-N6-(4-nitrobenzyl)-5'-thioadenosine (SAENTA), to react with fluorescein isothiocyanate. The purified adduct had a SAENTA/fluorescein molar ratio of 0.92:1 calculated from its absorption spectrum. The intensity of fluorescent emission from the SAENTA-chi 2-fluorescein adduct was 30% that of fluorescein isothiocyanate (chi 2 is the number of atoms in the linkage between fluorescein and SAENTA). SAENTA-chi 2-fluorescein inhibited the influx of nucleosides into cultured leukaemic cells with an IC50 (total concentration of inhibitor producing 50% inhibition) of 40 nM. The adduct inhibited the binding of [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine ([3H]NBMPR) with half-maximal inhibition at 50-100 nM. Mass Law analysis of the competitive-binding data suggested the presence of two classes of sites for [3H]NBMPR binding, only one of which was accessible to SAENTA-chi 2-fluorescein. Flow cytometry was used to analyse equilibrium binding of SAENTA-chi 2-fluorescein to leukaemic cells and a Kd of 6 nM was obtained. SAENTA-chi 2-fluorescein is a high-affinity ligand for the equilibrative inhibitor-sensitive nucleoside transporter which allows rapid assessment of transport capacity by flow cytometry.

5'-S-(2-aminoethyl)-N6-(4-nitrobenzyl)-5'-thioadenosine (SAENTA), a novel ligand with high affinity for polypeptides associated with nucleoside transport. Partial purification of the nitrobenzylthioinosine-binding protein of pig erythrocytes by affinity chromatography.

Derivatives of N6-(4-aminobenzyl)adenosine (substituted at the aminobenzyl group) and 5'-linked derivatives of N6-(4-nitrobenzyl)adenosine (NBAdo) were evaluated as inhibitors of site-specific binding of [3H]nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR) to pig erythrocyte membranes. Potent inhibitors were SAENTA [5'-S-(2-aminoethyl)-N6-(4-nitrobenzyl)-5'-thioadenosine] and acetyl-SAENTA (the 2-acetamidoethyl derivative of SAENTA). SAENTA was coupled to derivatized agarose-gel beads (Affi-Gel 10) to form an affinity matrix for chromatographic purification of NBMPR-binding polypeptides, which in pig erythrocytes are part of, or are associated with, the equilibrative nucleoside transporter. When pig erythrocyte membranes were solubilized with octyl glucoside (n-octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside) and applied to SAENTA-Affi-Gel 10 (SAENTA-AG10), polypeptides that migrated as a broad band on SDS/PAGE with an apparent molecular mass of 58-60 kDa were selectively retained by the affinity gel. These polypeptides were identified as components of the nucleoside transporter of pig erythrocytes by reactivity with a monoclonal antibody (mAb 11C4) that recognizes the NBMPR-binding protein of pig erythrocytes. Retention of the immunoreactive polypeptides by SAENTA-AG10 was blocked by NBAdo. The immunoreactive polypeptides were released from SAENTA-AG10 by elution under denaturing conditions with 1% SDS or by elution with detergent solutions containing competitive ligands (NBAdo or NBMPR). A 72-fold enrichment of the immunoreactive polypeptides was achieved by a single passage of solubilized, protein-depleted membranes through a column of SAENTA-AG10, followed by elution with detergent solutions containing NBAdo. These results demonstrate that polypeptide components of NBMPR-sensitive nucleoside-transport systems may be partly purified by affinity chromatography using gel media bearing SAENTA groups.

Psychiatric nursing management of medication-free psychotic patients.

This article discusses how a team of psychiatric nurses manages acutely psychotic patients on a clinical research unit without the use of psychotropic medications. The article describes a schizophrenia research unit, identifies the behaviors of acutely psychotic patients, and provides examples of effective nursing interventions used on the unit. These interventions are grounded in principles of interpersonal psychiatric nursing practice and milieu therapy. The discussion is directed to psychiatric nurses and other health care professionals who are employed on research units.

Clonidine treatment of schizophrenia: can we predict treatment response?

Four out of 13 drug-free relapsed schizophrenic patients improved with double-blind clonidine treatment. All responders were paranoid schizophrenic patients. Pretreatment growth hormone (GH) response to the clonidine challenge test (CCT) correlated significantly with clonidine treatment improvement in psychosis, anxiety, and negative symptom ratings. Spontaneous GH peaks following placebo correlated significantly with the behavioral change with clonidine treatment. Our data suggest that patients with normal or high alpha 2-receptor activity and "normal" cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) norepinephrine (NE) are likely to respond to clonidine treatment. Patients with either high or low CSF NE levels did not respond to clonidine treatment. CSF NE and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) decreased significantly with clonidine treatment. Changes in CSF NE and MHPG did not correlate significantly with improvement in psychosis, but they correlated with changes in other behaviors.

Preparation of a 135-degree shoulder for a ceramometal margin using an end-cutting bur.

The Jet No. 7345 is an end-cutting bur that accurately dresses the shoulder of a ceramometal preparation to a smooth, well defined surface that is 135 degrees to the path of insertion.

Tooth loading and cuspal guidance in canine and group-function occlusions.

(1) Tooth loading with cuspal guidance in canine and group-function occlusions has been discussed. (2) Canine guidance and group-function guidance occlusions are considered normal; the latter occurs naturally due to occlusal wear. (3) When an entire occlusion is to be restored, either occlusal scheme will serve adequately. (4) Where only a portion of the occlusion is to be restored, the restoration must be consistent with the existing occlusal scheme. (5) Regardless of which occlusal scheme is used, the dentist must maintain it during regular postoperative appointments.