Seizures and myoclonus in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

We reviewed 81 patients with dementia and autopsy findings of Alzheimer's disease (AD) to identify patients with seizures or myoclonus after onset of dementia. Eight (10%) had seizures, and eight others (10%) had myoclonus. The incidence of seizures was 10 times more than expected in a reference population. Seizures occurred in any stage of AD, but myoclonus was often a late manifestation. Both seizures and myoclonus, individually or together, are manifestations of AD and may be seen at any time in the course of the illness.

The relational-interdependent self-construal and relationships.

Three studies describe the development and validation of a measure of the relational-interdependent self-construal, which is defined as the tendency to think of oneself in terms of relationships with close others. Study 1 reports the development, psychometric properties, and tests of validity of this new measure. Individuals who scored high on the Relational-Interdependent Self-Construal (RISC) Scale characterized their important relationships as closer and more committed than did individuals who scored low on this measure (Study 1) and were more likely to take into account the needs and wishes of others when making decisions (Study 2). In Study 3, using a dyadic interaction paradigm with previously unacquainted participants, the partners of persons who scored high on the RISC scale viewed them as open and responsive to their needs and concerns; these perceptions were related to positive evaluations of the relationship.

Family studies of Alzheimer's dementia: results and prospects.

Studies of families located through a proband with dementia of the Alzheimer type have demonstrated transmission of the disorder within families, probably through shared genes. Increasing closeness of genetic relationship and increasing severity of illness are both associated with increasing risk to relatives. Families at high risk are especially valuable for studies of the biology of dementing illness including, in particular, their molecular genetics. Associations at several levels between Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's dementia provide important clues for molecular hypotheses.

The inductive properties of human dentin and cementum.

Studies of the inductive properties of human dentin and cementum have yielded differing results. Comparisons are difficult to draw because of variations in time, donor tissue, host immunologic status, implant site, decalcifying agents and degree of decalcification. Analysis of the many experiments intimates that the answers may lie in the use of citric acid and/or the degree of decalcification. The direction of future investigations is suggested.

An inhibitory principle in the matrix of periodontally diseased roots.

The inhibitory influence shown by the periodontally diseased root resides in its organic component. Its nature is uncertain and it may be an etiologic factor in periodontal destruction. The apatite structures of healthy and diseased roots are alike in being more receptive to the growth of bone and marrow than are their respective matrices.

The experimental induction of "functionally" oriented fibers attached to cementum.

Decalcified autogenous bone induced the least amount of new bone yet observed. It also apparently helped to induce the formation of functionally oriented connective tissue fibers attached to cementum. Clinical trials are indicated.

The submucosal implantation of human allogeneic decalcified dentin.

Decalcified human dentin was implanted into the buccal oral mucosa of 10 human volunteers and was later recovered for histologic examination. Extensive resorption took place. Bone did not form. Human dentinal matrix is not a bone inducer. Differences between the two methods of decalcification were not relevant.

The effects of root shape and biology on bone growth.

A statistical study was carried out on the influence of root surfaces on adjacent cellular activity. This activity is indeed affected by both the shape and the biology of those surfaces. Flat surfaces tend to inhibit, nicked surfaces tend to stimulate bone formation in a bone-growing environment. A biologic effect is exerted by the matrix of diseases roots. They contain an inhibitory principle which is not present in healthy roots. This factor is masked by the apatite structure and is destroyed by heat.

The effect of marrow on the formation of "functionally" oriented collagen fibers.

It has been shown that "functionally" oriented collagen fibers will attach to cementum when a healthy root fragment is implanted subcutaneously along with decalcified autogenous bone. The purpose of the present study was to test the effect of a strong bone grower (marrow) on this inductive system. Twenty-six composite grafts of healthy root, decalcified autogenous bone and marrow were implanted in thirteen 200 gm, female, white, Sherman-strain rats. Sixteen composite grafts without roots were similarly implanted, as controls, into eight animals. Postoperative periods ranged from 1 week to 8 months. With the exception of one section, the results showed that the addition of marrow prevented the formation of "functionally" oriented fibers. It is further evidence that strong bone formers do not produce a periodontium.

A new hypothesis of periodontal homeostasis.

A review of the experimental evidence evidence on marrow inhibition by implanted roots has shown that an inhibitory factor is present in all root surfaces. It is most marked in periodontally diseased roots and least in periodontally healthy roots. It is hypothesized that a "marked" amount would inhibit periodontal cells to the point where they could not resist the destructive effects of plaque, calculus and bacteria. A lesser or "moderate" amount would result in a more resistant periodontium. Finally, little or no inhibitor would also create a periodontium resistant to periodontal destruction but at the same time would remove restraints on the alveolar bone; the result would be invasion of the periodontal space and ankylosis to the root.

The effect of root decalcification on the formation of "functionally" oriented collagen fibers.

It has been shown that "functionally" oriented collagen fibers will attach to cementum when a healthy root fragment is implanted subcutaneously in the rat along with decalcified autogenous bone. The purpose of the present study was to show how prior root decalcification affected this inductive action. Twenty-six pairs of bone and root were implanted in 13 200-gm, female, white, Sherman strain rats. The postoperative periods ranged from 1 week to 12 months. The results showed that root decalcification prevented formation of the "functionally" oriented fibers and inhibited bone induction by the decalcified autogenous bone. It was suggested that all roots have an inhibitor, the least amount in periodontally healthy roots and the most in periodontally diseased roots. It was suggested that the clinical successes in reattachment reported with acid treatment of roots were due to the denaturant effects rather than surface decalcification.

The presence of an inhibitor of human skin collagenase in the roots of healthy and periodontally diseased teeth: changes that occur with age.

The amount of anti-collagenase in the root has been reported in a group 18 to 35 years of age. Healthy roots had more than the diseased; and apical more than the cervical. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of age on these values. In a group 50 to 92 years of age, all values were markedly higher than in the younger group. In addition, all relationships between values were preserved. These include location and presence of disease. The higher levels might be due to an aging process or a protective defense against collagenase in the gingival crevice.

Development and implementation of an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay for the determination of an angiogenic polypeptide in dog and rat plasma.

A quantitative method based on electrochemiluminescence immunoassay for the determination of the angiogenic agent aFGF-S117 has been developed and validated. Two polyclonal antibodies specific to aFGF-S117 and a wild-type aFGF antibody were selected for the analysis. The assay was based on the non-competitive sandwich immunoassay principle in which the drug is trapped with a biotinylated antibody that is immobilized on a streptavidin magnetic particle. The drug is then sandwiched with a ruthenium chelated second antibody. The assay demonstrates good accuracy and reproducibility at plasma concentration of 0.5 ng/ml.

Treatment and prevention of feline struvite urolithiasis.

A diet providing less than 20 mg of magnesium per 100 kcal that maintains urine pH near 6.0 3 to 5 hours after eating, or a diet providing this amount fo magnesium (see Table 2) with 1 gm of ammonium chloride or 1.5 gm of dl-methionine added daily, should be fed for 1 to 3 months to dissolve struvite uroliths (see Fig. 1). The low-magnesium diet should be fed indefinitely to prevent recurrence, because struvite urolithiasis and all of its effects (hematuria, pollakiuria, and/or complete to partial obstruction to urinary excretion) recurs repeatedly in cats that have previously experienced the condition if they are returned to regular cat food. In contrast, if a diet low in magnesium is fed, recurrence is uncommon. For cats that have never been affected, feeding a low-magnesium ration is unnecessary. For all cats, the following measures are recommended: encourage exercise, allow frequent urination, prevent obesity, decrease confinement, keep the litter box clean, and always have palatable water readily available.

Praxis on verbal command and imitation.

Nondysfunctional 4-year-old and 6-year-old children were administered the Praxis on Verbal Command subtest of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) (Ayres, 1989) under two conditions. One condition was administered in the standardized manner on verbal command; the other involved administration of the same items on imitation. An analysis of variance indicated that the variables of age and condition were significant, whereas sex was not significant. The Age x Condition interaction was also significant. Scheffé multiple comparisons revealed a significant difference between 4-year-olds and 6-year-olds on verbal command but not on imitation. Verbal-command scores were significantly lower than imitation scores for the 4-year-olds but not for the 6-year-olds.