Characteristics of a cytotoxic human lymphocyte-dependent antibody

Lymphocyte-dependent antobody (LDA) from the blood of a patient with choriocarcinoma was characterized in an allogeneic in vitro system. The antibody reacted with specific traget cells, including cells from the patient's husband. Antibody-coated traget cells were damaged by normal lymphocytes from man and other species. Neither cytotoxic, complement-dependent antibody nor sensitized cytotoxic lymphocytes were found in the patient. LDA activity was associated with IgG gamma-globulin by G-200 Sephadex filtration, electrophoretic mobility, and reactivity with anti-IgG, but there was no activity associated with IgM immunoglobulin. Sera from 14 of 16 normal donors lacked detectable LDA activity, and only low levels were found in sera from the other two donors.

Psychiatric nurse as therapist

Under supervision five nurse-therapists have treated phobic patients as successfully as have psychiatrists and psychologists using similar psychological treatments in comparable psychiatric populations. Nurses have also had good results in other neurotic disorders. Intensive training is required. Nurse-therapists find their work rewarding, but the present Salmon gradings make no provision for their advancement should they retain their clinical function. Results suggest that the use of selected psychiatric nurses as skilled therapists can ease the current critical shortage of treatment personnel in psychiatry.

Unilateral ichthyosiform erythroderma. Report of a case

Although rarely seen, unilateral congeni tal ichthyosiform erythroderma should be recognized by pediatricians. A little knowl edge of basic embryology may help to ex plain this startling condition to distraught parents.