Hepatic estrogen receptor in the turtle, Chrysemys picta: partial characterization, seasonal changes and pituitary dependence

A hepatic estrogen receptor is described from female turtles, Chrysemys picta. The receptor adheres to DNA after incubation with [3H]estradiol and can be eluted with a linear salt gradient as a single component with an elution maximum of 0.21 M. It is steroid-specific, binding estrogens, but not androgens or progestins. Specific binding saturates between 3 and 7 nM [3H]estradiol-17 beta and Scatchard analysis gave a Kd of 2 X 10(-9) M and a maximal binding capacity of 3.02 fmol/mg protein. Hypophysectomy reduces hepatic estradiol receptor from 70 fmol/g tissue in control animals to non-detectable levels. Growth hormone replacement partially restored the receptor to 36% of control. Significant changes in receptor occur during the ovarian cycle.

Social ties: subgroup differences in costs and benefits

Social ties can be stressful as well as supportive. Are these opposing effects linked, and can they help explain subgroup differences in the efficacy of social support? These questions were applied to data on social support in response to stressful life events. The subjects were 314 women randomly chosen from the registration list of a neighborhood health center in Boston. The data were from the initial interviews of a larger study. The findings include the following: The mobilization of social support was associated with better psychological well-being for women with greater personal resources, but not for those with lower levels of personal resources. Women with lower levels of personal resources were more distressed by life events in the lives of their significant others, especially as the number of these events increased. The subgroup effects of interpersonal support and stress on psychological well-being were independent, separate effects. In sum, women with greater material and psychological resources derived more beneficial support and suffered less stress from their social ties.

Social ties: Subgroup differences in costs and benefits

Social ties can be stressful as well as supportive. Are these opposing effects linked, and can they help explain subgroup differences in the efficacy of social support? These questions were applied to data on social support in response to stressful life events. The subjects were 314 women randomly chosen from the registration list of a neighborhood health center in Boston. The data were from the initial interviews of a larger study. The findings include the following: The mobilization of social support was associated with better psychological well-being for women with greater personal resources, but not for those with lower levels of personal resources. Women with lower levels of personal resources were more distressed by life events in the lives of their significant others, especially as the number of these events increased. The subgroup effects of interpersonal support and stress on psychological well-being were independent, separate effects. In sum, women with greater material and psychological resources derived more beneficial support and suffered less stress from their social ties.

Long-term results of Geomedic total knee replacement

Seventy-one Geomedic total knee replacements were reviewed retrospectively at a maximum of eight and a half years. The prosthesis was found to be successful in its primary aim of relieving pain. However, there was an overall failure rate of 18.3%. Analysis of the results by an actuarial method allowed comparison with other prostheses. The factors involved in failure are discussed.

Analysis of inactive X chromosome structure by in situ nick translation

Nick translation assays of fixed interphase female fibroblasts with tritiated nucleotides demonstrated a characteristic absence of label over sex chromatin. The chromatin bodies were nearly always peripheral in location and a ribbon of nick translatable DNA was detected between the sex chromatin and the nuclear envelope. High voltage electron microscopy indicated the possibility of a special nuclear envelope attachment region. The apparent resistance of sex chromatin to nick translation did not appear to be due to resistance to DNase I attack.

HLA restricted virus-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses to live and inactivated influenza vaccines

36 young adult volunteers were given either virus, or inactivated surface-antigen influenza vaccine, containing influenza A (H1N1) antigen. Their peripheral-blood lymphocytes were analysed to determine whether cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) were induced by these vaccines. All three vaccines induced HLA-restricted T-lymphocyte responses specific for influenza A virus. This CTL response was found in 28 of 30 volunteers who showed antibody responses and in 3 of 6 who did not develop antibodies. Virus infected target cells showing certain HLA antigens (A1, A9, and B8) were less susceptible to lysis by HLA-matched cytotoxic T effector cells than target cells which matched effectors at other HLA loci.