Thymic B lymphocyte clones from patients with myasthenia gravis secrete monoclonal striational autoantibodies reacting with myosin, alpha actinin, or actin

Striational autoantibodies (StrAb), which react with elements of skeletal muscle cross-striations, occur frequently in patients with thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis (MG). Dissociated thymic lymphocytes from 22 of 72 MG patients secreted StrAb when cultured with PWM. A high yield of EBV-transformed B cell lines was established from thymus, thymoma, and peripheral blood of seven patients with MG, but clones secreting StrAb arose only from the three patients who had StrAb in their sera. The monoclonal StrAb bound to A bands or I bands in skeletal muscle of human, rat, and frog. One bound to mitochondria in addition to myofibrillar I bands. None bound to nuclei, smooth muscle, or gastric mucosal cells. In immunoblot analyses and ELISAs the monoclonal StrAb bound to muscle and nonmuscle isotypes of myosin, alpha actinin, and/or actin. All bound to contractile proteins common to thymus and muscle, and one selectively immunostained epithelial cells of the thymic medulla. From these antigenic specificities we suggest that StrAb might arise as an immune response directed against the cytoskeletal anchoring proteins associated with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in thymic epithelial cells undergoing neoplastic transformation to thymoma.

Trypanosoma lewisi: stage-specific surface antigens and exoantigens recognized by monoclonal antibodies

The stage-specific expression of surface antigens by Trypanosoma lewisi was investigated using monoclonal antibodies directed against this parasite. Hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies were produced by the fusion of SP2/0-Ag 14 mouse plasmacytomas with spleen cells from rats infected previously with the Taliaferro strain of T. lewisi. Additivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and indirect immunofluorescent antibody tests indicated the determinant recognized by monoclonal antibody TL40.3 (IgM) was different from those recognized by monoclonal antibodies TL40.1 (IgA), TL40.2 (IgM), and TL40.6 (IgG2 alpha). Monoclonal antibody TL40.3 agglutinated trypanosomes collected 3 days after parasite inoculation while monoclonal antibodies TL40.1, TL40.2, and TL40.6 agglutinated trypanosomes collected 6 days after inoculation. Since agglutinin titers against trypanosomes from irradiated (700 rad from a 60Co source) and nonirradiated rats were similar, expression of the antigens recognized by the monoclonal antibodies appeared to be independent of the immunological state of the host and the morphology of the parasite. The reproduction of T. lewisi in in vitro trypanostatic assays was inhibited only when the monoclonal antibodies were present in concentrations greater than or equal to those needed to agglutinate the trypanosomes. Monoclonal antibodies TL40.1 and TL40.3, but not TL40.2 and TL40.6, agglutinated erythrocytes collected later in the infection from irradiated, infected rats. None of the monoclonal antibodies agglutinated erythrocytes from nonirradiated, infected rats, from irradiated, noninfected rats or from nonirradiated, noninfected rats. This suggests that immunocompetent rats may make blocking antibodies against the exoantigens recognized by monoclonal antibodies TL40.1 and TL40.3.

Albumin and transferrin synthesis in whole rat embryo cultures

The uptake of [3H]leucine by the rat yolk sac and embryo and the subsequent synthesis of albumin and transferrin have been studied in whole embryo culture. Rat embryos of 12 days gestation were used in all experiments. Isotopically labelled transferrin was detectable in yolk-sac and embryo tissue extracts. In contrast, [3H]albumin could not be found in either tissue extract. Levels of radioactive transferrin in the yolk sac of cultured whole conceptuses decreased during 12 h in cold media. Embryonic transferrin showed an opposite trend in that it increased over 12 h by nearly 30-fold. In view of these results experiments were conducted in embryos and yolk sacs cultured in separate bottles. Radioimmunoprecipitation for transferrin revealed that there was synthesized protein in the yolk sac which then decreased by approximately 30% after 2 h in normal cultured medium. There was no evidence of transferrin synthesis in embryo extracts over a 12 h period. These results present evidence that the visceral yolk sac is the primary site of transferrin synthesis in the rat and that the protein is thereafter transported, intact, to the embryo.

Lyme disease: epidemiologic characteristics of an outbreak in Westchester County, NY

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 210 cases of Lyme disease in Westchester County, New York, reported during 1982 and 1983 are described. Most cases occurred during summer months in individuals under age 40 (male: female ratio 1:2 to 1). Symptoms included skin rash (75 per cent), joint pain or swelling (50 per cent), Bell's palsy (11 per cent), and aseptic meningitis (3 per cent). With greater public and medical awareness of this tick-borne disease, Lyme disease is being recognized with increasing frequency characteristic of an emerging epidemic in Westchester County.

Public health aspects of mental health: the last 75 years of the American Journal of Public Health

The American Journal of Public Health has reflected the relationship of public health to the field of mental health over its 75-year history. The earliest volumes of the Journal addressed movements and concerns within public mental health. Quantitative analysis of mental health articles shows wide fluctuations over the last 75 years, probably due to variations in federal funding for mental health research. Topical emphases in the Journal have included social issues and improved mental health, the contributions of epidemiological studies, and technological advances in prevention and treatment.

Vascular adrenergic neuroeffector function does not decline in aged rats

To investigate adrenergic control of blood vessels during aging, rats aged 6, 12, 20, and 27 months were studied using in vitro techniques. Accumulation of [3H]norepinephrine, one index of adrenergic nerve density, did not alter with age in the femoral or renal arteries or renal vein. In the femoral vein [3H]norepinephrine accumulation was greater at 6 and 27 months of age. Norepinephrine sensitivity was determined in both an innervated vessel, the femoral artery, and a non-innervated vessel, the carotid artery. In both cases, sensitivity to norepinephrine did not alter with age. In the renal and femoral arteries and veins, no significant changes in maximum responses to norepinephrine (10(-5) M), potassium chloride, or transmural nerve stimulation were seen with advancing age. Furthermore, frequency response curves (2-16 Hz, 200 pulses) did not differ with age for any of the four vessels studied, with one exception. The response to stimulation at 4 Hz of the femoral vein from 6-month-old rats was significantly larger than responses at other ages. During nerve stimulation, the renal vein exhibited rapid contractions superimposed upon the maintained contractile response. This type of rapid contraction occurred only rarely (1 out of 5) in the renal vein from 27-month-old rats. In summary, neither adrenergic nerve density as reflected by [3H]norepinephrine accumulation nor norepinephrine sensitivity decline with age. As the net effect of various components, the ability of vascular smooth muscle to respond to adrenergic nerve stimulation is also maintained during advancing age.

Further investigation of the SI scale of the MMPI: reliabilities, correlates, and subscale utility

First investigation of the reliabilities and correlates of the subscales of the SI scale of the MMPI. Normal college students (N = 218) were administered the SI scale and several measures typically used in social skills and assertiveness training research (i.e., an assertiveness scale, anxiety measures, social activities measure, organization questionnaire, self- and peer ratings of physical attractiveness, and peer ratings of social skills, social anxiety, and social participation). Results demonstrated acceptable reliability for the subscales of the SI scale of the MMPI and revealed that the subscales were related differentially to the measures used in this study and thus provided evidence for the utility of the subscales.

Effects of alterations in the heartbeat rate and locomotor activity of Schistosoma mansoni-infected Biomphalaria glabrata on cercarial emergence

During a 27-hr period of food deprivation, Biomphalaria glabrata infected with Schistosoma mansoni had lower heartbeat rates and locomotor activities than did controls that were feeding ad lib. However, there was no difference between the cercarial emergence from control and experimental snails either before, during, or after the period of food deprivation. No correlation was found between the locomotor activity of the snail and the number of cercariae emerging from the snail in continuous light. Our results indicated that the emergence of S. mansoni cercariae from B. glabrata was not affected by the heartbeat rate or locomotor activity of the snail. The factors controlling the rhythm of S. mansoni cercarial emergence from B. glabrata may be independent of the snail.

Altered feeding response as a cause for the altered heartbeat rate and locomotor activity of Schistosoma mansoni-infected biomphalaria glabrata

Biomphalaria glabrata infected with Schistosoma mansoni for 33 days fed more often than uninfected snails. Whereas uninfected snails had nocturnal increases in feeding, snails with a 33-day-old infection of S. mansoni fed as often during the day as in the night. Using direct observation and film analysis, we found that feeding increased the heartbeat rate and locomotor activity of B. glabrata. When snails were allowed to feed ad lib., infected snails had higher heartbeat rates than uninfected snails both during the day (P less than 0.01) and the night (P less than 0.001). However, when the snails were deprived of food for 24 hr, infected snails had slightly higher heartbeat rates than uninfected snails only during the day (P less than 0.05). There was no difference between the heartbeat rates of feeding, infected snails and the heartbeat rates of uninfected snails that were starved for 8 hr, and then allowed to feed. Uninfected snails had nocturnal increases in heartbeat rate regardless of feeding schedule, but infected snails had greater nighttime heartbeat rate than daytime heartbeat rate only when they were not allowed to feed. Infected snails had less nocturnal locomotor activity than uninfected snails when feeding, but there was no difference between the locomotor activity of infected and uninfected snails when the snails were deprived of food for 24 hr. Absence of food also resulted in an increased nighttime to daytime ratio of locomotor activity of infected snails. These results suggest that the increased heartbeat rate and altered rhythms of heartbeat rate and locomotor activity in B. glabrata infected with S. mansoni for 33 days were caused by the altered feeding response of these snails.

Psychiatric problems among adolescent Southeast Asian refugees. A descriptive study

When first faced with evaluating and/or treating a Southeast Asian adolescent psychiatric patient, the American therapist may be overwhelmed by the vast cultural differences. We have reviewed 28 cases of adolescents encountered in a psychiatric setting in order to provide a description of their presenting complaints and problems. Diagnostic categories and demographic characteristics are described, as well as current areas of needs for adolescent psychiatric patients from Southeast Asia.

Activation and odor conditioning of suckling behavior in 3-day-old albino rats

The circumstances under which a novel odor could elicit nipple attachment behavior in 3-day-old albino rats were investigated. In Experiment 1, rats suckled washed nipples scented with citral (a lemon odor) only if they either had received tactile stimulation (by stroking with a soft artist's brush) or had been administered amphetamine in the presence of citral prior to the suckling test. Pups stimulated in citral's absence or simply exposed to citral without stimulation failed to suckle such nipples. In Experiment 2, rats stimulated in a benzaldehyde (an almond odor) ambience suckled washed nipples scented with benzaldehyde but not those with citral scent. The opposite held for rats stimulated in a citral-rich environment. The stimulus conditions that support this conditioning were investigated in Experiment 3. Simultaneously increasing citral concentration and raising ambient temperature markedly attenuated the phenomenon. Experiment 4 demonstrated that not all classes of stimulation produced conditioning. Caffeine, in a wide range of doses, did not allow citral to elicit suckling on washed nipples. These findings are discussed within a framework of higher order conditioning. They may provide a mechanism by which naturally occurring stimuli come to elicit the species- and age-typical behavior of suckling.

Safety and immunogenicity of a new Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine in infants under one year of age

64 healthy infants 2-3 months old, were randomly assigned to one of three vaccination groups which received either diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) vaccine, Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide polyribosyl-ribitol phosphate (PRP) vaccine, or PRP + P (with pertussis adjuvant) vaccine in three doses at intervals of 2 months. Local and systemic reactions occurred most frequently after DPT vaccination and least frequently for PRP alone. Data for 60 infants from whom complete sera sets were available indicated that 70% of the infants who received three doses of PRP + P showed 2-fold or greater increases in titres of antibody to PRP with final values above the level assumed to give protection against invasive H. influenzae type b disease (greater than or equal to 0.15 microgram/ml). In contrast, less than 10% of the infants who received PRP vaccine alone showed 2-fold or greater increases.

Impulsive suicidal behavior

Previous studies have noted that a considerable proportion of suicidal behavior is impulsive. The present study aimed to ascertain the degree to which this was so and to consider whether impulsive attempters differed from non-impulsive attempters on variables such as demographic and motivational factors and circumstances that surrounded the occurrence of the act. Based on a criterion of less than 5 minutes' premeditation, 40% of two large, consecutive series were judged to have acted impulsively. While few variables differentiated between the two groups, impulsive attempters were less depressed, motivated by the desire to reduce tension, more likely to consider that they would survive, and to report that someone saw them perform the act.

Teaching children self-care for chronic disease prevention: obesity reduction and smoking prevention

A general health education program was developed for 1,252 students in six New York city area school districts. The purpose of the three-year project was to reduce the prevalence of risk factors associated with increased cardiovascular and cancer risk in adults. The curriculum included nutrition, antitobacco, and hypertension-control materials. A smaller, experimental intensive health behavior program was also developed for obese children (weight greater than or equal to 120% ideal for height, age, and sex). A smoking prevention program was offered to children with the aim of discouraging new smokers. Findings show that: 1) such a school-based primary disease prevention program is feasible and highly acceptable; and 2) reduction of obesity and new cigarette smoking occurred with intensive intervention involving small groups of students. On the other hand, a general health education itself had little effect in the total population in reducing the incidence of extreme clinical values (such as physical inactivity, high blood pressure, as well as smoking and obesity) for their age and sex. It is recommended that future programs for higher risk children concentrate on behavioral change rather than on general education.

Validation of students' self-reported cigarette smoking status with plasma cotinine levels

Plasma cotinine levels were measured in 137 students (ages 14 to 17 years), as an independent validation of self-reported cigarette smoking status. Ninety-five per cent of the students who reported daily cigarette smoking had detectable cotinine levels. In contract, only 2 per cent of students who reported that they never smoke cigarettes had detectable levels of plasma cotinine. Results suggest that adolescents can report accurately on their smoking status if sufficient assurance of confidentiality is stressed.