Variants of the MMPI 2-7-8 code type: schizotypal correlates of high point 2, 7, or 8

Our study sought to evaluate whether examination of the high-point scale among subjects with a 2-7-8 parent configuration on the MMPI could assist in the identification of individuals with schizotypal features. Additionally, this study compared male 2-7-8 subjects to female 2-7-8 subjects to determine whether gender mediates endorsement of items associated with these features. Subjects (N = 106) who produced a 2-7-8 parent profile were subdivided according to high point (2, 7, or 8), and the three subgroups were subsequently compared on other self-report measures associated with schizotypal attributes. Subgroup comparisons revealed that the High 8 and High 2 groups produced a pattern of responding consistent with schizotypal characteristics. In contrast, the at-risk status of the High 7 group appears doubtful. Comparisons based on gender generally revealed no differences among female and male 2-7-8 subjects.

Preparation and comparison of biological properties of recombinant carp (Cyprinus carpio) growth hormone and its Cys-123 to Ala mutant

Carp growth hormone (cGH) cDNA, in which Cys-123 was mutated to Ala, was prepared, transferred to the expression vector, expressed in Escherichia coli and the mutant was purified to homogeneity. The mutation only slightly improved yield of the monomeric fraction, indicating that Cys-123 is not involved in improper refolding. As compared to cGH, the mutant (cGH-C123A) exhibited lower binding affinity toward homologous liver receptors and lower bioactivity in a 3T3-F442A preadipocyte bioassay despite the fact that both hormones exhibited almost identical cross-reactivity with anti-cGH antibodies. These results, along with those of a structural comparison to hGH, suggest that Cys-123 is located in the hydrophobic core of the hormone, and is most likely affecting the conformation of the binding site. Dimeric forms of the hormone and its mutant were less active than their respective monomers. Homologous binding experiments using a carp liver microsomal fraction revealed a single receptor population with Kd = 0.77 nM and Bmax = 241 fmol/mg microsomal protein.

Recombinant carp (Cyprinus carpio) growth hormone: expression, purification, and determination of biological activity in vitro and in vivo

Carp growth hormone (cGH) cDNA (Koren et al., 1989) was cloned under the control of lambda-phage PLOL promoter and lambda cll ribosomal binding site into pBR322 plasmid to enable its expression in Escherichia coli A1645 that produces constitutively the thermolabile lambda repressor c1857. Temperature shift to 42 degrees abolished the repression, resulting in a high level of cGH expression. The bacterially expressed cGH protein, contained within the refractile body pellet, was solubilized in 4.5 M urea, refolded, and purified on Q-Sepharose column by stepwise elution with NaCl. The bioactive fraction was eluted at 0.2 M NaCl at a yield of 10-15%. This fraction contained predominantly (95%) 21.5-kDa monomeric cGH. The activity of cGH in vitro was bioassayed using Nb2-11C lymphoma cells (containing lactogenic receptors) and 3T3-F442A preadipocyte cells (containing somatogenic receptors). Bioactivity was found to be 0.01 and 6-10% that of human GH, respectively. In vivo cGH activity was measured by weekly ip injection in juvenile carp fed a low (23%) protein diet. Over a 6-week period, cGH increased the growth rate by 38% compared to fish injected with vehicle only. Identical injections with bovine GH yielded only a 21% increase.

Complex partial seizure-induced transient MR enhancement

A 58-year-old man with complex partial seizures had transient symmetrical MR enhancement in the anterior mesiotemporal cortex bilaterally, correlated with the sites of seizure focus on electroencephalography. Preinfused T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences showed no abnormality. After adequate control of seizures with medication, repeat MR was normal and the prior enhancement was no longer seen. This transient seizure-induced MR enhancement was consistent with ictal or postictal hyperemia and breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and should not be erroneously attributed to mesial temporal sclerosis, encephalitis, tumor, or infarction.

Nosocomial infection and antibiotic utilization in geriatric patients: a pilot prospective surveillance program in skilled nursing facilities

Prospective surveillance of nosocomial infection was conducted at seven skilled proprietary nursing facilities in Orange County, Calif., USA. The average incidence of facility-acquired infection was 5.2 infections/1,000 patient days. The most common source of infection was urinary tract (47%), followed by respiratory tract (26%) and skin (14%). The four most common pathogens isolated were Proteus spp. (20%), Escherichia coli (17%), Staphylococcus aureus (13%) and Pseudomonas spp. (11%). Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (20%) was the most frequently used antibiotic among all prescriptions, followed by ampicillin (16%) and ciprofloxacin (14%). Among all residents surveyed, 33% received at least one course of antibiotics during the study. Of special significance was the fact that 4 (22%) of the 18 strains of Pseudomonas were gentamicin resistant as were 12 of 80 (15%) of the strains of Enterobacteriaceae. Furthermore, 9 of 29 (31%) strains of Pseudomonas tested were found resistant to norfloxacin as were 15 of 129 (12%) strains of enterobacteriaceae. Susceptibility patterns of the isolated pathogens were similar to those of the acute care hospital. This study indicates that infection continues to be a major problem in the skilled nursing facility and that antibiotic-resistant pathogens will be a challenge for the future.

Family relationship patterns: perceptions of teenage mothers and their non-mother peers

Perceptions of self and family members were determined at two time periods for a sample of 30 teenage mothers and 30 non-mothers using the Family Relations Inventory and a family map exercise. Both at present and from childhood reminiscences, teen mothers perceived their mothers and sisters more positively than did non-mothers; fathers and brothers of the adolescent mothers were viewed more negatively than were those of the non-mothers. Results are discussed in light of prior explanations of adolescent motherhood with respect to family dynamics. An approach to intervention is suggested.

Deep vein obstruction and leg swelling caused by femoral ganglion

We present a case of a rare ganglion cyst originating from the hip joint and compressing the common femoral vein producing signs and symptoms that mimicked a deep vein thrombosis. Excision of the mass promptly restored normal venous return. This condition has not been previously reported in the English-language medical literature.

New and emerging etiologies for community-acquired pneumonia with implications for therapy. A prospective multicenter study of 359 cases

Three hundred fifty-nine consecutive patients with community-acquired pneumonia admitted to university, community, and VA hospitals underwent a standardized evaluation, including specialized tests for Legionella spp. and Chlamydia pneumoniae (TWAR). The most common underlying illnesses were immunosuppression (36.3%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (32.4%), and malignancy (28.4%). The most frequent etiologic agents were Streptococcus pneumoniae (15.3%) and Hemophilus influenzae (10.9%). Surprisingly, Legionella spp. and C. pneumoniae were the third and fourth most frequent etiologies at 6.7% and 6.1%, respectively. Aerobic gram-negative pneumonias were relatively uncommon causes of pneumonia despite the fact that empiric broad-spectrum combination antibiotic therapy is so often directed at this subgroup. In 32.9%, the etiology was undetermined. Antibiotic administration before admission was significantly associated with undetermined etiology (p = 0.0003). There were no distinctive clinical features found to be diagnostic for any etiologic agent, although high fever occurred more frequently in Legionnaires' disease. Clinical manifestations for C. pneumoniae were generally mild, although 38% of patients had mental status changes. Mortality was highest for Staphylococcus aureus (50%) and lowest for C. pneumoniae (4.5%) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (0%). We document that specialized laboratory testing for C. pneumoniae and Legionella spp. should be more widely used rather than reserved for cases not responding to standard therapy. Furthermore, realization that C. pneumoniae and Legionella spp. are common etiologies for community-acquired pneumonia should affect empiric antibiotic prescription.

A mutant neomycin phosphotransferase II gene reduces the resistance of transformants to antibiotic selection pressure

The neo (neomycin-resistance) gene of transposon Tn5 encodes the enzyme neomycin phosphotransferase II (EC 2.7.1.95), which confers resistance to various aminoglycoside antibiotics, including kanamycin and G418. The gene is widely used as a selectable marker in the transformation of organisms as diverse as bacteria, yeast, plants, and animals. We found a mutation that involves a glutamic to aspartic acid conversion at residue 182 in the protein encoded by the chimeric neomycin phosphotransferase II genes of several commonly used transformation vectors. The mutation substantially reduces phosphotransferase activity but does not appear to affect the stability of the neomycin phosphotransferase II mRNA or protein. Plants and bacteria transformed with the mutant gene are less resistant to antibiotics than those transformed with the normal gene. A simple restriction endonuclease digestion distinguishes between the mutant and the normal gene.

Long-term changes in corneal endothelium after keratoplasty. A follow-up study

In 1983, Abbott et al. assessed endothelial cell population and function in 100 clear corneal grafts (72 patients) that were an average of 17.4 years postkeratoplasty. The present study reports on 61 of these grafts (42 patients) followed for an additional 4-6 years. Forty-nine grafts without intercurrent complications or surgery were reexamined by specular microscopy to determine the change in endothelial population in each graft. In 10 others, the reasons for regrafting were recorded. In two cases of hereditary stromal dystrophy, stromal opacity precluded a cell count. Of the grafts studied, 49 (80%) remained clear despite a depleted and slowly decreasing endothelial population. The rate of change was independent of donor age, preoperative diagnosis, or graft longevity. Two grafts failed spontaneously, and all three grafts that had cataract surgery failed in the early postoperative period. The remaining five were regrafted to correct high astigmatism or other complications. We conclude that despite a small degree of continuous cell loss, corneal grafts have a favorable prognosis for long-term clinical stability. The remaining endothelium has a minimal functional reserve, however, resulting in a high risk of graft decompensation after additional endothelial trauma.

The effect of nortriptyline in elderly patients with cardiac conduction disease

Ten depressed, elderly patients with cardiac conduction abnormalities were given therapeutic doses of nortriptyline. Serial ECGs revealed no clinically significant adverse cardiac changes. These data, added to the findings of previous research, suggest that tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) present little risk in patients with first degree atrioventricular block or hemiblock. Patients with bundle-branch block and bifascicular block are at greater risk of adverse cardiac sequelae but can be treated with TCAs. To maximize safety, the authors recommend monitoring serial ECGs and plasma TCA levels.

A comparison of childhood backgrounds of teenage mothers and their non-mother peers: a new formulation

Thirty-nine teenage mothers and 35 non-mothers, acquired by snowball sampling, provided data regarding their demographic and childhood backgrounds for an exploratory, hypothesis-generating study. Teenage mothers tended to have experienced foster care, family violence, parental substance abuse, lower educational achievements, as well as violence, alcohol abuse, and lower education among their boyfriends to a greater extent than did non-mothers. These results were discussed in terms of a new formulation of antecedents to teenage pregnancy.

Neonatal posterior fossa subdural hematoma

Hemorrhage into the posterior fossa is a rare neurosurgical emergency in neonates. CT scanning is diagnostic. Blood layering under the apex of the tentorium cerebelli, however, may resemble a dilated vascular structure, and the rigidity of the pressured tentorium may prevent upward transmission of increased intracranial pressure, resulting in a soft fontanelle.

Optic nerve tumors: role of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography

Localization and pathologic diagnosis of optic nerve tumors have been greatly improved by high resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Radiologic differentiation of the most common tumors of the optic nerve (meningioma and glioma) can be made by using these new imaging modalities. Early diagnosis of optic nerve lesions has resulted in better prognosis and surgical outcome.