Premolar Axial Wall Height Effect on CAD/CAM Crown Retention

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the significance of reduced axial wall height on retention of adhesively luted, all-ceramic, lithium disilicate premolar computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) crowns based on preparations with a near ideal total occlusal convergence of 10°.

METHODS

Forty-eight recently extracted premolars were randomly divided into four groups (n=12). Each group received all-ceramic CAD/CAM crown preparations featuring axial wall heights of 0, 1, 2, and 3 mm, respectively, all with a 10° total occlusal convergence. Scanned preparations were fitted with lithium disilicate all-ceramic crowns that were luted with a self-etching resin cement. Specimens were tested to failure at a 45° angle to the tooth long axis with failure load converted to megapascals (MPa) based on the measured bonding surface area. Mean data were analyzed using analysis of variance/Tukey's post hoc test (α=0.05).

RESULTS

Lithium disilicate crowns adhesively luted on preparations with 0 axial wall height demonstrated significantly less failure resistance compared with the crowns luted on preparations with axial wall heights of 1 to 3 mm. There was no failure stress difference between preparations with 1 to 3 mm axial wall height.

CONCLUSIONS

Under conditions of this study, adhesively luted lithium disilicate bicuspid crowns with a total occlusal convergence of 10° demonstrated similar failure resistance independent of axial wall height of 1 to 3 mm. This study provides some evidence that adhesion combined with an ideal total occlusal convergence may compensate for reduced axial wall height.

Attenuation of food allergy symptoms following treatment with human milk oligosaccharides in a mouse model

BACKGROUND

The prebiotic nature of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) and increasing evidence of direct immunomodulatory effects of these sugars suggest that they may have some therapeutic potential in allergy. Here, we assess the effect of two HMOs, 2'-fucosyllactose and 6'-sialyllactose, on symptomatology and immune responses in an ovalbumin-sensitized mouse model of food allergy.

METHODS

The effects of oral treatment with 2'-fucosyllactose and 6'-sialyllactose on anaphylactic symptoms induced by oral ovalbumin (OVA) challenge in sensitized mice were investigated. Mast cell functions in response to oral HMO treatment were also measured in the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis model, and direct effects on IgE-mediated degranulation of mast cells were assessed.

RESULTS

Daily oral treatment with 2'-fucosyllactose or 6'-sialyllactose attenuated food allergy symptoms including diarrhea and hypothermia. Treatment with HMOs also suppressed antigen-induced increases in mouse mast cell protease-1 in serum and mast cell numbers in the intestine. These effects were associated with increases in the CD4(+) CD25(+) IL-10(+) cell populations in the Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes, while 6'-sialyllactose also induced increased IL-10 and decreased TNF production in antigen-stimulated splenocytes. Both 2'-fucosyllactose and 6'-sialyllactose reduced the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis response, but only 6'-sialyllactose directly inhibited mast cell degranulation in vitro, at high concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that 2'-fucosyllactose and 6'-sialyllactose reduce the symptoms of food allergy through induction of IL-10(+) T regulatory cells and indirect stabilization of mast cells. Thus, human milk oligosaccharides may have therapeutic potential in allergic disease.

Basic features of the polyamide membranes

Progress in membrane and membrane process development have contributed to the continuous improvement of the extracorporeal treatment of renal failure during the last 40 years. Today membranes can be adapted to the specific needs required by their clinical application. Synthetic structures like the polyamide membranes offer a wide range of possibilities in performance and hemocompatibility, due to: (1) the use of block polymers or polymer blends and mixtures, and (2) modification of membrane structure, pore size and porosity, due to changes of the preparation process. However, further improvements are still required to achieve the ultimate goal of matching the performance of biological membranes.

Clinical, radiographic, molecular and MRI-based predictors of cartilage loss in knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship of baseline clinical, radiographic, molecular and MRI measures with structural progression (subregional MRI-based femorotibial cartilage loss) in knee osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Single knees of 75 female participants with radiographic knee OA (and 77 healthy control participants) were examined over 24 months using MRI. Subregional femorotibial cartilage thickness was determined at baseline and follow-up. Baseline clinical, radiographic, molecular (n=16) and quantitative MRI-based measures of the meniscus and cartilage, including delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI (dGEMRIC) and T2, were obtained. Differences in these baseline measures between radiographic osteoarthritic knees with longitudinal cartilage thinning (or thickening) and those with no significant change were evaluated by receiver operator characteristic analyses and Wilcoxon rank sum tests.

RESULTS

The relatively strongest predictors of longitudinal cartilage thinning were reduced baseline cartilage thickness in the medial femur (area under the curve (AUC)=0.81), varus malalignment (AUC=0.77), reduced minimum joint space width and a greater radiographic joint space narrowing (JSN) score (both AUC=0.74). These remained significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons using false discovery rates. Reduced bone resorption (C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen; AUC=0.65) and a low dGEMRIC index (reflecting low proteoglycan content) in the medial tibia (AUC=0.68) were associated with longitudinal cartilage thinning, but failed to reach statistical significance after correction for multiple testing in this (small) sample.

CONCLUSIONS

This exploratory study indicates that baseline molecular or MRI cartilage compositional markers may not provide better discrimination between knees with cartilage thinning and those without longitudinal change than simple radiographic measures, such as greater JSN score.

MRI-based extended ordered values more efficiently differentiate cartilage loss in knees with and without joint space narrowing than region-specific approaches using MRI or radiography--data from the OA initiative

OBJECTIVE

The sensitivity to change of quantitative analysis of cartilage in knee osteoarthritis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is compromised by the spatial heterogeneity of cartilage loss. We explore whether extended (medial-lateral) "ordered values" (OVs) are superior to conventional approaches of analyzing subregional cartilage thickness loss and to radiography, in differentiating rates of progression in knees with and without joint space narrowing (JSN).

METHODS

607 Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) participants (308 without and 299 with baseline JSN at baseline) were studied over 12 months. Subregional femorotibial cartilage loss was determined in all knees, and changes in minimum joint space width (mJSW) in a subset of 290 knees. Subregional thickness changes in medial and lateral tibial and femoral cartilages were sorted in ascending order (OV1-16). A Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare rates of change in knees with and without JSN.

RESULTS

JSN-knees displayed greater cartilage loss than those without JSN, with minimal P-values of 0.008 for femorotibial subregions, 3.3×10(-4) for medial OV1, and 5.4×10(-7) for extended (medial and lateral) OV1. mJSW measurements (n=290) did not discriminate between longitudinal rates of change in JSN vs no-JSN knees (P=0.386), whereas medial OV1 (P=5.1×10(-4)) and extended OV1 did (P=2.1×10(-5)).

CONCLUSION

Extended OVs showed higher sensitivity to detecting differences in longitudinal rates of cartilage loss in knees with and without baseline JSN than anatomical (sub)regions and radiography. The OV technique also circumvents challenges of selecting particular regions "a priori" in clinical trials and may thus provide a powerful tool in studying risk factors or treatment efficacy in osteoarthritis.

Relation of regional articular cartilage morphometry and meniscal position by MRI to joint space width in knee radiographs

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the contribution of articular cartilage morphometry and meniscal position on MRI to joint space width (JSW) measured in the Lyon schuss radiograph of the knee.

DESIGN

62 obese women with knee OA and 99 non-obese female controls (mean age 56.6 years) were imaged using 3T MRI and coronal water excitation spoiled gradient echo sequences. Segmentation of femorotibial cartilage morphology and regional morphometric analysis was performed using custom software. Meniscal position was measured quantitatively in sagittal and coronal planes. Minimum space width (mJSW) was measured in the Lyon Schuss knee radiograph; Kellgren and Lawrence grades (KLG) were assigned on standing anteroposterior knee films. The relative contribution of regional cartilage thickness and meniscal position to mJSW was assessed initially in univariate models and subsequently with multivariable modelling.

RESULTS

65% of the variation in mJSW was explained by regional cartilage thickness measures, different KLG and meniscal coverage. Of these measures the medial tibia cartilage thickness measures and central region of the central medial femur (ccMF) play a consistent role in variations in mJSW observed across all KLG. Further ccMF and the addition of percent meniscal coverage to this model explains the remaining differences in mean mJSW found between those subjects with definite joint space narrowing (KLG3) and those without OA.

CONCLUSION

The variation in radiographic mJSW is best described by five regional cartilage thickness measures and percent meniscal coverage. The magnitude of each measures contribution differs according to radiographic severity with more variability explained by cartilage thickness of ccMF cartilage thickness and percent meniscal coverage with more severe disease.

Head-to-head comparison of the Lyon Schuss and fixed flexion radiographic techniques. Long-term reproducibility in normal knees and sensitivity to change in osteoarthritic knees

OBJECTIVE

The Lyon Schuss (LS) and fixed flexion (FF) views of the knee are superior to a conventional standing anteroposterior view in evaluating joint space narrowing (JSN) in osteoarthritis (OA). Both position the knee identically but only the LS aligns the medial tibial plateau (MTP) with the x-ray beam fluoroscopically. The present study provides the first head-to-head comparison of the LS and FF views.

METHODS

At baseline and 12 months, 62 OA and 99 control knees were imaged twice on the same day with LS and FF views. Minimum joint space width (mJSW) was measured by computer and MTP alignment was assessed from the distance between anterior and posterior margins of the MTP (intermargin distance, IMD). Reproducibility of measurements of mJSW and sensitivity to change were evaluated.

RESULTS

In normal knees, JSW did not vary over 12 months with either view. In OA knees, 12-month mJSN was 0.22 (0.43) mm with the LS view and -0.01 (0.46) mm with the FF view (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.92, respectively). Mean IMD was only half as large in LS as in FF views (0.9 (0.5) mm vs 1.9 (1.2) mm, p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

LS and FF radiographs offer similar reproducibility in JSW measurement. However, presumably due to its superiority in aligning the MTP, the LS view is much more sensitive to JSN in OA knees.

Bioaccessible arsenic in the home environment in southwest England

Samples of household dust and garden soil were collected from twenty households in the vicinity of an ex-mining site in southwest England and from nine households in a control village. All samples were analysed by ICP-MS for pseudo-total arsenic (As) concentrations and the results show clearly elevated levels, with maximum As concentrations of 486 microg g(-1) in housedusts and 471 microg g(-1) in garden soils (and mean concentrations of 149 microg g(-1) and 262 microg g(-1), respectively). Arsenic concentrations in all samples from the mining area exceeded the UK Soil Guideline Value (SGV) of 20 microg g(-1). No significant correlation was observed between garden soil and housedust As concentrations. Bioaccessible As concentrations were determined in a small subset of samples using the Physiologically Based Extraction Test (PBET). For the stomach phase of the PBET, bioaccessibility percentages of 10-20% were generally recorded. Higher percentages (generally 30-45%) were recorded in the intestine phases with a maximum value (for one of the housedusts) of 59%. Data from the mining area were used, together with default values for soil ingestion rates and infant body weights from the Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment (CLEA) model, to derive estimates of As intake for infants and small children (0-6 years old). Dose estimates of up to 3.53 microg kg(-1) bw day(-1) for housedusts and 2.43 microg kg(-1) bw day(-1) for garden soils were calculated, compared to the index dose used for the derivation of the SGV of 0.3 microg kg(-1) bw day(-1) (based on health risk assessments). The index dose was exceeded by 75% (18 out of 24) of the estimated As doses that were calculated for children aged 0-6 years, a group which is particularly at risk from exposure via soil and dust ingestion. The results of the present study support the concerns expressed by previous authors about the significant As contamination in southwest England and the potential implications for human health.

Association between concentrations of urinary type II collagen neoepitope (uTIINE) and joint space narrowing in patients with knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether urine concentrations of type II collagen neoepitope (uTIINE) distinguish subjects with progressive radiographic and/or symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) from those with stable disease.

METHODS

Subjects were 120 obese middle-aged women with unilateral knee OA who participated in a 30-month randomized-controlled trial of structure modification with doxycycline, in which a standardized semiflexed anteroposterior view of the knee was obtained at baseline, 16 months and 30 months. Subjects were selected from a larger sample to permit a priori comparisons between 60 OA progressors and 60 nonprogressors, as defined by joint space narrowing (JSN) in the medial tibiofemoral compartment. Each group contained 30 subjects who exhibited clinically significant increases in knee pain over 30 months and 30 who did not. Urine samples were obtained every 6 months for determination of the creatinine (Cr)-adjusted uTIINE concentration.

RESULTS

Baseline uTIINE levels were unrelated to JSN in the placebo group. However, among subjects in the active treatment group, a 1-standard deviation increment in baseline uTIINE (68 ng/mM Cr) was associated with a marginally significant, two-fold increase in the odds of progression of JSN (odds ratio 2.04, 95% confidence interval 0.98-4.28). The within-subject mean of uTIINE values at baseline, 6 months and 12 months was associated with concurrent JSN measured at 16 months (0.10mm of JSN per 69 ng/mM Cr, P=0.008). Similar results were seen in the interval between months 16 and 30 and in analyses using the maximum of intercurrent uTIINE levels.

CONCLUSION

Baseline uTIINE was not a consistent predictor of JSN in subjects with knee OA. However, serial measurements of uTIINE reflect concurrent JSN.

The effect of essential oils on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using a dressing model

Patchouli, tea tree, geranium, lavender essential oils and Citricidal (grapefruit seed extract) were used singly and in combination to assess their anti-bacterial activity against three strains of Staphylococcus aureus: Oxford S. aureus NCTC 6571 (Oxford strain), Epidemic methicillin-resistant S. aureus (EMRSA 15) and MRSA (untypable). The individual essential oils, extracts and combinations were impregnated into filter paper discs and placed on the surface of agar plates, pre-seeded with the appropriate strain of Staphylococcus. The effects of the vapours of the oils and oil combinations were also assessed using impregnated filter paper discs that were placed on the underside of the Petri dish lid at a distance of 8mm from the bacteria. The most inhibitory combinations of oils for each strain were used in a dressing model constructed using a four layers of dressings: the primary layer consisted of either Jelonet or TelfaClear with or without Flamazine; the second was a layer of gauze, the third a layer of Gamgee and the final layer was Crepe bandage. The oil combinations were placed in either the gauze or the Gamgee layer. This four-layered dressing was placed over the seeded agar plate, incubated for 24h at 37 degrees C and the zones of inhibition measured. All experiments were repeated on three separate occasions. No anti-bacterial effects were observed when Flamazine was smeared on the gauze in the dressing model. When Telfaclear was used as the primary layer in the dressing model compared to Jelonet, greater zones of inhibition were observed. A combination of Citricidal and geranium oil showed the greatest-anti-bacterial effects against MRSA, whilst a combination of geranium and tea tree oil was most active against the methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (Oxford strain). This study demonstrates the potential of essential oils and essential oil vapours as antibacterial agents and for use in the treatment of MRSA infection.

Affective-prosodic deficits in schizophrenia: comparison to patients with brain damage and relation to schizophrenic symptoms [corrected]

OBJECTIVE

Although affective prosody seems to be a dominant and lateralised communication function of the right hemisphere, focal lesions of either hemisphere may cause problems with its modulation. When impairment occurs after brain damage, the profiles of affective-prosodic disturbances differ depending on the hemisphere injured. Patients with left brain damage (LBD) improve their performance whereas patients with right brain damage (RBD) do not when the verbal-articulatory demands of the test stimuli are reduced systematically. One of the major arguments for a right hemispheric contribution to schizophrenia has been the documentation of affective prosodic deficits under the assumption that these abnormalities reflect right hemispheric dysfunction. Thus, an essential question to resolve is whether the profile of affective prosodic disturbances in schizophrenia is similar to LBD or RBD, or represents a unique variation.

METHODS

Data were collected from four subject groups: 45 chronic, medication-stabilised, schizophrenic patients, 10 patients with focal LBD, nine patients with focal RBD, and 19 controls. All groups were tested on the aprosodia battery, which uses stimuli having incrementally reduced verbal-articulatory demands. Schizophrenic and aphasic symptoms were evaluated using standard assessment tools.

RESULTS

For patients with impaired performance on the aprosodia battery, schizophrenic patients were statistically identical to patients with RBD and robustly different from those with LBD. Thirty eight schizophrenic patients (84.4%) were found to have some type of affective prosodic deficit with the predominant pattern indicating, at minimum, right posterior sylvian dysfunction (57.8%). When schizophrenic symptoms and aprosodic deficits were examined using a principal component analysis, affective comprehension and repetition loaded uniquely as separate factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The profile of affective-prosodic deficits found in impaired schizophrenic patients is characteristic of RBD, supporting the concept that schizophrenia is a bihemispheric disease process. These deficits may also represent cardinal symptoms of schizophrenia as they are highly prevalent and, except for spontaneous affective prosody, are not associated statistically with traditional clusters of schizophrenic symptoms.

In vitro disinfection of dentinal tubules by various endodontics irrigants

Effectiveness of endodontic irrigants within dentinal tubules of human teeth was evaluated. Mid-sections of single-rooted teeth were prepared into dentin wedges. The pulpal sides of the sections were exposed to Micrococcus luteus or Bacillus megaterium that grew into the tubules. Irrigants used in the study included: 0.525% NaOCl, 0.12% chlorhexidine, RC Prep, 0.5% betadine iodine, and sterile H2O (as a control). Pulpal surfaces were exposed to an irrigant and then rinsed in sterile water. The samples were then cracked, exposing a fresh surface. Culture of the exposed dentin surfaces showed that selected irrigants reached to the far ends of the dentinal tubules in a concentration sufficient to kill 100% of the M. luteus. However B. megaterium was neither killed nor apparently inhibited by any irrigant. We conclude that endodontic irrigants permeate throughout dentinal tubules, but their effectiveness is dependent on the type of bacteria found within the tubules.

The biological affects: a typology

This typology of biological affects is based on developmental-interactionist theory of motivation, emotion, and cognition. Affects--subjectively experienced feelings and desires--involve interoceptive perceptual systems based on primordial molecules that characterize neurochemicals. Biological affects involve primary motivational-emotional systems (primes) associated with hierarchically organized neurochemical systems in the brain, including subcortical (reptilian) and paleocortical (limbic) brain structures. Affects fulfill individualistic (selfish) functions (arousal, approach-avoidance, agonistic) and prosocial (cooperative) functions. Selfish and cooperative functions are associated respectively with the right and left hemispheres. Biological affects constitute the physiological bases for higher level affects: social affects (e.g., pride, guilt, shame, pity, jealousy), cognitive affects (e.g., curiosity, surprise), and moral affects.

Is the human chorionic gonadotropin secreted by ectopic trophoblast different from that in normal intrauterine pregnancies?

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether different isoforms of hCG are secreted by trophoblast tissue from ectopic pregnancy (EP).

DESIGN

Retrospective study of surgically confirmed EPs compared with normal pregnancies.

SETTING

Teaching hospital in South Africa.

PATIENTS

One hundred patients with EPs and 120 patients with normal pregnancies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Isoforms of hCG were measured by specific immunoassays, lectin binding, and examination of disappearance rates of hCG after surgical clearance of EP.

RESULTS

There were no obvious differences between the two types of pregnancy apart from a lower binding of beta-subunit immunoactivity to ricin 120. No clinically useful diagnostic measures to distinguish hCG from normal and EPs were found.

CONCLUSIONS

No obvious differences were found in the isoforms of hCG between the two types of pregnancy using these methods.

Free alpha-subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin in preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To investigate free alpha-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as a marker of preeclampsia.

METHODS

Four groups of patients were studied: normal pregnancies, preeclampsia, eclampsia and normal pregnant women <20 weeks' gestation. Patients were further divided according to parity and gestational age (< or =20, 21-30, 31-40 weeks). An immunoradiometric assay employing monoclonal antibodies specific for free alpha-hCG was used.

RESULTS

A total of 313 patients were analyzed. Thirty-four patients < or =20 weeks' gestation were followed until delivery: five (14.7%) developed preeclampsia; none had abnormal alpha-hCG levels before onset of preeclampsia. Patients with preeclampsia (21-30 weeks' gestation) demonstrated a mean alpha-hCG level greater than that of normotensive controls but this was not statistically significant. Between 31 and 40 weeks' gestation, mean alpha-hCG levels in the hypertensive and control groups were 210.8 ng/ml and 115.8 ng/ml, respectively (P < 0.001). A stronger association was observed between alpha-hCG and preeclampsia with increasing gestational age (relative risk [RR] 2.07, 21-30 weeks; RR 3.02, 31-40 weeks) and severity (RR 4.51, mild; RR 12.15, severe; RR 16.88, eclampsia).

CONCLUSION

There is a strong association between alpha-hCG and preeclampsia, nevertheless this test is unsuitable for predicting preeclampsia.

Effect of maternal glucocorticoid exposure on risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage in surfactant-treated preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the reduced risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (SIVH) that follows antenatal maternal glucocorticoid (AMG) receipt is mediated by an AMG effect on blood pressure or improved respiratory function in infants who receive artificial surfactant as rescue therapy.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Two level III neonatal intensive care units, Boston, Mass.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred twenty-five infants < or = 32 weeks of gestational age and < or = 1.7 kg birth weight, treated with surfactant.

MAIN FINDINGS

SIVH occurred in 10% (10/102) of infants who were exposed to AMG, compared with 23% (25/111) of infants not exposed (odds ratio, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.2 to 0.8). Hypotension and need for colloid or dopamine were associated with both SIVH and the absence of AMG exposure (p < or = 0.03). Logistic regression models of SIVH risk and AMG exposure, with adjustment for antenatal potential confounders, were altered by the addition of measures of hypotension. Most clinical measures of pulmonary function, both before and after surfactant receipt, were not associated with reduced risk of SIVH and did not appear to account for the increased risk of SIVH in babies not exposed to AMG.

CONCLUSION

The reduced risk of SIVH in preterm newborn infants whose mothers received AMG was associated with normal blood pressures. The association between AMG and SIVH was not consistently enhanced by respiratory function improvement after surfactant therapy.

Pulmonary hemorrhage risk in infants with a clinically diagnosed patent ductus arteriosus: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To determine if an early, clinically detectable patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was associated with pulmonary hemorrhage (PH) in infants who received rescue artificial surfactant therapy.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study of 233 low birth weight infants (< or = 1700 g) who received artificial surfactant therapy for respiratory distress syndrome compared antenatal and postnatal characteristics of infants with PH and without PH. Pulmonary hemorrhage was defined by an onset of bright red blood from the endotracheal tube in quantities that resulted in increased ventilatory support and a new infiltrate on a chest radiograph.

RESULTS

Pulmonary hemorrhage occurred in 6% (15/233) of the infants. Thirty-three percent (5/15) of the infants with PH died within 14 days of the hemorrhage. Of the 15 PH, 73% occurred within 48 hours of the first surfactant dose. Pulmonary hemorrhage was more common in male infants and infants of mothers who received antibiotic therapy during labor (P < or = .04). Infants with PH received surfactant earlier than those without PH (P = .04). Nursery events or therapies occurring following surfactant therapy that were associated with PH included: little improvement in ventilatory efficiency index (P = .01), dopamine infusion (P = .04), and the presence of a clinically detectable PDA before, or at the time of, the PH [60% (9/15) vs 33% (71/217), P = .03]. After adjusting for severity of illness before surfactant therapy, risk of PH remained greater in infants who developed symptoms of a PDA. Dopamine support appeared to modify the association between PDA and PH.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective cohort study, pulmonary hemorrhage, was associated with the presence of a clinically detectable patent ductus arteriosus before, or at the time of, pulmonary hemorrhage.

Social and emotional functions in facial expression and communication: the readout hypothesis

Fridlund (Fridlund, A.J. (1991). Biological Psychology, 32, 3-100) has argued that facial displays are specific to intent and context, rather than being readouts of underlying motivational-emotional states. This paper responds that these views are not incompatible, and that subjective emotional experience functions in part to enhance the learned control of emotional expression and communication. It summarizes the readout position, answers Fridlund's criticisms identifying it with the different notion of "spillover," and contends that the expressive readout functions in spontaneous communication. Fridlund's assertions that the readout is a reflex-like process, and that the readout view has ignored the receiver's coevolutionary role in communication, are addressed. Evidence supporting the readout view is presented, including studies suggesting that there are hierarchically organized neurochemical systems underlying subjective, expressive, and peripheral physiological responses. Such primary motivational-emotional systems (primes) are basic to the readout theory.

Hyponatremic natriuretic syndrome in tuberculous meningitis: the probable role of atrial natriuretic peptide

Hyponatremia has been reported in up to one third of patients with intracranial disease and has frequently been associated with tuberculous meningitis, often complicated by hydrocephalus. The lowered plasma sodium levels were previously attributed to the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. A controlled prospective study of 24 patients with tuberculous meningitis and hydrocephalus was carried out. Analyses of serum electrolytes and cerebrospinal fluid were performed. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Fifteen patients were found to be hyponatremic (plasma sodium < 130 mmol/L) and ANP levels of 12 to 1,488 pg/ml were present (median, 26 pg/ml). The remaining 9 patients had normal plasma sodium values between 130 and 145 mmol/L, and in these, plasma ANP values varied between 12 and 21.7 pg/ml (median, 12 pg/ml). The difference between these two groups was not statistically significant. (Control values from patients undergoing myelography were established to range between 12 and 40 pg/ml; median, 14.4 pg/ml.) ANP levels were undetectable in the cerebrospinal fluid in all. Plasma ADH levels in the hyponatremic group were between 7 and 159 pg/ml (median, 40 pg/ml). In the normonatremic group, plasma ADH levels of 25 to 250 pg/ml (median, 29 pg/ml) were obtained. (The controls ranged between 3.6 and 35 pg/ml; median, 10.4 pg/ml). In the hyponatremic group, there was a moderate negative correlation (r = -0.683) between plasma ANP and plasma sodium (P = 0.02). No correlation between plasma ADH and plasma sodium was found (r = -0.168; P = 0.62).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Separation of nicked human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), intact hCG, and hCG beta fragment from standard reference preparations and raw urine samples

hCG is found in pregnancy urine and in urine from some cancer patients in a variety of forms whose concentrations have clinical importance. Recently, concerns about accurate measurement of these forms have been raised because of the finding that hCG with peptide bond cleavages within the beta-subunit is not recognized by commonly used antibodies. Such nicked forms of hCG are biologically inactive or of very low activity. They are present in normal pregnancy urine and to varying extents in the urine of patients with trophoblastic disease. International reference preparations of hCG contain nicked forms of hCG. Previously, it was not possible to separate nicked hormone from the intact form of hCG. This was a serious impediment to producing improved reference standards from natural pregnancy hormone. We now report that a simple hydrophobic purification scheme separates intact hCG from nicked hCG as well as from hCG beta core fragment. This scheme is a modification of the method of Hiyama et al. The order of elution from low to high hydrophobicity is hCG beta core fragment, nicked hCG, and lastly, intact hCG. Nicking of the putative amphipathic helix loop, hCG beta 38-57, apparently renders the hormone significantly less hydrophobic despite the equal molar content of sialic acid. The hCG CR 127 nicked preparation was only 10% as potent as the reference preparation in a heterodimer-directed assay. The nicked-depleted hCG CR 127 was 30% more potent in this assay. Improved hCG reference standards should display similar increases in immunopotency (20-30%) with most antiheterodimeric antibodies and similar increases in bio-potency assays. It should now be possible to make reference preparations of these forms of hCG directly from the raw urine of normal pregnant patients and those with trophoblastic disease.

Social facilitation and inhibition of emotional expression and communication

Does the presence of others facilitate or inhibit emotional expression? Female "senders" (n = 45) viewed 12 emotionally loaded slides either alone or with another sender while responses were secretly videotaped. In Study 1, 14 "receivers" guessed the type of slide viewed by dyads more accurately (eta = .366). In Study 2, 42 receivers viewed 10 senders with friends, 10 with strangers, and 10 alone. One dyad member was covered so that only 1 sender was visible. Analysis revealed significant effects of condition (alone, friend, or stranger; eta = .456), slide type (sexual, scenic, unpleasant, or unusual; eta = .325), and the Condition x Slide Type interaction (eta = .350). Strangers had overall inhibitory effects on communication accuracy, whereas friends had facilitative effects on some slides and inhibitory effects on others. Thus, both social facilitation and inhibition of expression occurred on the basis of the emotional stimulus and personal relationship involved.

Social facilitation and inhibition of emotional expression and communication

Does the presence of others facilitate or inhibit emotional expression? Female "senders" (n = 45) viewed 12 emotionally loaded slides either alone or with another sender while responses were secretly videotaped. In Study 1, 14 "receivers" guessed the type of slide viewed by dyads more accurately (eta = .366). In Study 2, 42 receivers viewed 10 senders with friends, 10 with strangers, and 10 alone. One dyad member was covered so that only 1 sender was visible. Analysis revealed significant effects of condition (alone, friend, or stranger; eta = .456), slide type (sexual, scenic, unpleasant, or unusual; eta = .325), and the Condition x Slide Type interaction (eta = .350). Strangers had overall inhibitory effects on communication accuracy, whereas friends had facilitative effects on some slides and inhibitory effects on others. Thus, both social facilitation and inhibition of expression occurred on the basis of the emotional stimulus and personal relationship involved.

Cultured endothelial cells from lymphatics of nude mice parasitized by Brugia malayi

Endothelial cells from dilated inguinal lymphatics of congenitally athymic nude mice, parasitized by adult Brugia malayi, were placed in culture. Cells formed a loose monolayer and exhibited a typical cobblestone appearance. When microfilariae were present in cultures, they frequently appeared to be attached to the monolayer by one end. Approximately 75% of the primary explant cells were positive for Factor VIII-associated antigen, comparable to bovine artery endothelial cells used as a control. With few exceptions, cultures were uncontaminated with fibroblasts or other non-endothelial cell types. Large granular cells with characteristics of mononuclear/macrophage cells appeared in long term and unpassaged cultures. Cells remained viable in culture for an average of 60 days, 5 to 6 passages, before becoming highly vacuolated and assuming a rounded configuration. Viability of the cells was dependent upon heparin, serum and endothelial cell growth factor. The propensity of the lymphatics of nude mice to become greatly dilated in the presence of viable adult worms of B. malayi will prove to be important not only for the study of the effects of the parasite and its products upon endothelial cells, but also because a source of murine lymphatic endothelial cells can be readily available for functional studies.

Evaluation of renal function and fluid homeostasis during recovery from exercise-induced hyponatremia

Renal function including fluid and electrolyte balance was studied during recovery in eight subjects who developed symptomatic hyponatremia (HN; plasma sodium concentration less than 130 mM) during an 88-km ultramarathon footrace and compared with results for normonatremic runners [NN; n = 18, mean postrace plasma sodium concentration, 138.2 +/- 1.2 (SE) mM]. Estimated fluid intake during the race for HN was 12.5 +/- 1.6 (SE) liters over 9 h 41 min (+/- 28 min). HN excreted a net fluid excess of 2.95 +/- 0.56 (range 1.2-5.9) liters compared with a fluid deficit of 2.7 +/- 0.3% body weight in NN. The sodium deficit was 153 +/- 35 mmol in HN and 187 +/- 37 mmol in NN. Despite the fluid overload, plasma volume was decreased by 24.1 +/- 5.0% in HN compared with 8.2 +/- 2.6% in NN. Serum renin activity (5.1 +/- 2.0 ng.ml-1.h-1), aldosterone concentrations (410 +/- 34 ng/l), creatinine clearances (174.8 +/- 28.2 ml/min), and urine output (6.4 +/- 1.0 ml/min) were markedly elevated in HN during recovery. Thus the hyponatremia of exercise results from fluid retention in subjects who ingest abnormally large fluid volumes during prolonged exercise.

Relative contributions of expressive behavior and contextual information to the judgment of the emotional state of another

This study used a technique for assessing the relative impact of facial-gestural expressions, as opposed to contextual information regarding the elicitor and situation, on the judgment of emotion. In Study 1, 28 undergraduates rated videotapes of spontaneous facial-gestural expressions and separately rated the emotionally loaded color slides that elicited those expressions. The source clarities of the expressions and slides were matched using correlation and distance measures, and 18 expressions and 9 slides were selected. In Study 2, 72 undergraduate receivers were shown systematic pairings of these expressions and slides and rated the emotional state of the expresser, who was supposedly watching that slide under public or private situational conditions. Expressions were found to be more important sources for all emotion judgments. For female receivers slides were relatively more important in the public than in the private situation.

Using FACS vs. communication scores to measure spontaneous facial expression of emotion in brain-damaged patients: a reply to Mammucari et al. (1988)

Buck and Duffy (1980) and Borod et al. (1985) found evidence of deficits in spontaneous expressiveness in right brain-damaged (RBD) patients relative to LBD patients and controls. Using FACS, Mammucari et al. (1988) failed to replicate this result and questioned our methods and findings. This paper replies (a) that Mammucari et al. (1988)'s review of our work is selective and misleading; (b) that there are aspects of their study that can account for their null results, including the insufficient sensitivity of FACS for the measurement of spontaneous expressiveness; and (c) that the results of Mammucari et al. (1988) regarding "aversive eye movements" to a negative film in LBD and control, but not RBD, patients are in fact compatible with our findings. This paper also suggests a general strategy for the objective and comprehensive analysis of spontaneous emotional expressiveness.

Relative contributions of expressive behavior and contextual information to the judgment of the emotional state of another

This study used a technique for assessing the relative impact of facial-gestural expressions, as opposed to contextual information regarding the elicitor and situation, on the judgment of emotion. In Study 1, 28 undergraduates rated videotapes of spontaneous facial-gestural expressions and separately rated the emotionally loaded color slides that elicited those expressions. The source clarities of the expressions and slides were matched using correlation and distance measures, and 18 expressions and 9 slides were selected. In Study 2, 72 undergraduate receivers were shown systematic pairings of these expressions and slides and rated the emotional state of the expresser, who was supposedly watching that slide under public or private situational conditions. Expressions were found to be more important sources for all emotion judgments. For female receivers slides were relatively more important in the public than in the private situation.

Emotion, reason, and communication in coping with cancer

Researchers have sought to identify which coping styles are most conducive to recovery from cancer and other serious illnesses. The results have been equivocal. It appears that what helps one patient does not necessarily help another. This article proposes a model explaining how emotional, cognitive, and environmental conditions influence the styles of coping used by cancer patients and the likelihood that particular styles will prove helpful to these patients. The model is based on the premise that coping does not occur in isolation from the emotional makeup, cognitive predispositions, and social environment of the patient. It describes how these processes interact to influence the protective effect of various coping styles.

Nonverbal communication accuracy in married couples: relationship with marital complaints

Nonverbal communication abilities were examined as mediators of martial complaints for a sample of 48 recently married couples. Based on social penetration theory, we predicted that couples cohabiting longer would be better at decoding their partners' nonverbal expressions than couples cohabiting a shorter time, that individuals married to accurate nonverbal communicators would evidence fewer martial complaints, and that individuals with fewer marital complaints would be better nonverbal communicators. The data suggest that nonverbal decoding abilities do not covary with relationship length, although spouses were better at decoding their partners' expressions than were a panel of judges. In addition, nonverbal sensitivity to one's spouse did not covary with martial complaints, although an internal analysis suggests that wives' ability to decode husbands poorly encoded messages covaries negatively with both his and her complaints. Finally, husbands married to wives who are good encoders had fewer complaints, whereas the reverse was found to hold true for the relationship between husbands' encoding abilities on wives' complaints.