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LOW-fat diet and BLOOD cholesterol

Examines the effect of dietary cholesterol on plasma cholesterol concentration in subjects following low fat diet in Great Britain. Ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids; Comparison of the cholesterol concentration among subjects; Importance of dietary cholesterol for the reduction of saturated fats.

Testing, Research, Age groups -- Testing, Intelligence (Psychology) -- Testing, Form perception (Psychology) -- Research, Age and intelligence -- Testing, and Form perception -- Research

MEDICINE, FETAL tissue research, POPULATION & the environment, FETAL death, and POLITICAL science

Presents global developments on the political aspects of medicine as of March 1992. Progress on fetal tissue research and transplants in Australia, Europe, and the United States; Increase in human population; Disposal of fetuses and fetus remains.

Geophysical survey and excavation have demonstrated that iron age settlement features and early Anglo-Saxon burials discovered during road construction in 1983 were part o[ an extensive multi-period site, now a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This paper presents the results of the archaeological investigations. The bulk of the report is concerned with the early Anglo-Saxon burials, which included a grave containing a balance, weights and runic inscription. The evidence for late mesolithic, neolithic -- early bronze age, iron age and post-medieval activity is also discussed, and the site is considered in its regional and wider context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physiological aspects, Evaluation, Gonads -- Physiological aspects, Ovaries -- Physiological aspects, Testis -- Physiological aspects, Sex hormones -- Physiological aspects, Peptide hormones -- Evaluation, and Hormones, Sex -- Physiological aspects

The various peptide factors produced in the testes and ovaries are reviewed. Chemical isolation, purification, and amino acid and nucleotide sequencing have led to the understanding of the mechanisms of actions of these nonsteroidal agents. Among the gonadal peptides identified are inhibin, relaxin, oocyte meiosis inhibitor and growth factors. The study of the functions of these peptides have led to the identification of other proteins such as luteinizing inhibitor and clusterin. Immunological or molecular probes were also able to detect factors originally identified in other glands such as propiomelanocortin and atrial natriuretic factor.

Self-presentation -- Research, Identification (Psychology) -- Research, and Social psychology -- Research

Eighty undergraduate students were asked to describe themselves using high-level or low-level terms of action identification theory and self-presentation. The subjects were told that they were trying to impress an easily-impressionable person or a difficult-to-impress person. Ratings made by the subjects and observers showed that low-level terms of action identificationtheory and self-presentation such as smiling when appropriate, were more effective in terms of getting positive first impressions.

International trade, Laws, regulations and rules, Alcoholic beverage industry -- International trade, International trade regulation, and International trade -- Laws, regulations and rules

Public health often conflicts with economic benefit in trade agreements covering alcoholic beverages. In North America, states and provinces tend to bear the brunt of costs. Several alcohol trade and marketing agreements are discussed.

Sea urchins -- Eggs and Spermatozoa -- Analysis

Western and Northern blot analyses and immunocytochemistry of the sea urchin egg receptor for sperm to study the receptor expression during oogenesis indicate that in the last two developmental phases of oogenesis the receptor mRNA level exhibits a very high increase despite the absence of receptor glycoprotein or receptor mRNA in the early oocytes. The development of receptor occurs in association with the spatial and temporal formation of cortical granules. Development of the receptor in the late stages and its localization to the cell surface and cortical granules indicates that the receptor mediates attachment of sperm to the surface of the mature egg cell.

ALCOHOL drinking

In a national sample of 11 634 Canadians aged 15 years and above, risk curves for harm to six life-areas from one's own drinking and for assault by another drinker rose steadily with the respondent's volume of alcohol consumption. While drinking five or more drinks on an occasion at least once a month substantially raised the risk at a given volume of drinking, the risk rose with volume even among those not regularly drinking five or more drinks. These relationships remained in logistic regressions which controlled for gender, age and educational level. Younger respondents, those without higher education and men reported more harm for a given level of their own drinking although differences by gender disappeared above one-third of one drink per day. Three sets of guidelines for low-risk drinking-two from Canada, and one generally used in Britain-were compared in terms of the proportions of respondents reporting harm from their own drinking among those who had kept within the guideline in the previous 7 days' drinking. More restrictiveness in the guidelines was associated with substantial reductions in reported drinking-related harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambiguity -- Economic aspects, Decision-making -- Research, Insurance industry -- Psychological aspects, and Risk assessment -- Psychological aspects

Research is presented demonstrating the impact of ambiguity and risk on the insurance pricing decisions of underwriters. Premiums are shown to be substantially higher where there is uncertainty about potential loss levels and where the probability of an event occurring is ambiguous.

Physiological aspects, Kaposi's sarcoma -- Physiological aspects, HIV, Virus inactivation, HIV infections -- Physiological aspects, HIV (Viruses) -- Inactivation, and HIV infection -- Physiological aspects

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a highly angiogenic multicentric tumor most commonly seen in immunodeficient individuals. Since the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, KS has become one of the most common [...]
Unique among known human herpesviruses, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV-8) encodes chemokine-like proteins (vMIP-I and vMIP-II). vMIP-II was shown to block infection of human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) on a CD4-positive cell line expressing CCR3 and to a lesser extent on one expressing CCR5, whereas both vMIP-I and vMIP-II partially inhibited HIV infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Like eotaxin, vMIP-II activated and chemoattracted human eosinophils by way of CCR3. vMIP-I and vMIP-II, but not cellular MIP-1 [Alpha] or RANTES, were highly angiogenic in the chorioallantoic assay, suggesting a possible pathogenic role in Kaposi's sarcoma.

TUBERCULOSIS prevention, MEDICAL care of HIV-positive persons, ISONIAZID, PTERIDINES, and DRUG efficacy

Studies the effectiveness of isoniazid versus rifampicin with pyrazinamide for prevention of tuberculosis in HIV-1 positive individuals. Methods for comparing efficacy of the chemoprophylaxis regimens; Findings; Interpretation. INSET: Disease categories.

PERSONALITY, ANGER, CITY traffic, AFRICAN Americans, AUTOMOBILE drivers, ATTITUDE (Psychology), and PSYCHOLOGICAL burnout

This study evaluates the psychosocial correlates of anger-related traits. Participants include New York City traffic enforcement agents (TEAs), who issue summonses for vehicular and parking violations and are frequently confronted by angry motorists. This sample of TEAs is 53% African American and 57% female. Participants completed surveys at 2 points, 4 months apart, which measured attitudinal, affective, and expressive components of hostility and anger, as well as dimensions of workplace psychosocial response. Results indicate that trait anger-in was positively associated with frequency of conflict, anger intensity, and burnout in cross-sectional analyses; and positively associated with frequency of conflict in prospective analyses. Trait anger was positively associated with an increase in burnout over a 4-month period. These findings provide support for the transactional model of hostility and health and have implications for worksite interventions promoting cardiovascular health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COMMUNITY health services, NATIONAL health insurance, and MEDICAL care

A series of 12 studies (five historic cohort and seven randomized trials) examined clients in community settings in Southern Ontario suffering from a variety of chronic physical and mental health conditions. These studies are appraised using a framework for evaluating possible outcomes of economic evaluation. In the 12 studies, sample composition and size varied. Each study was designed to quantify the well-being outcomes and expenditures associated with different community-based approaches to care provided in the context of a system of national health insurance. As a collective, these studies represent increasing methodological rigour. Multiple-perspective client well-being outcome measures were used. In two studies, caregiver burden also was analysed. A common approach to quantification and evaluation of expenditures for service consumption was used in all 12 studies. The nature of community-based health services (health vs. disease care orientation) was found to have direct and measurable impact on total expenditures for health service utilization and client well-being outcomes. In most cases, a recurring pattern of equal or better client outcomes, yet lower expenditures for use of community based health services, was associated with well-integrated health oriented services. Integrated services aimed at factors which determine health are superior when compared to individual, fragmented, disease oriented, and focused approaches to care. The main lessons from the 12 studies are that it is as or more effective and as or less expensive to offer complete, proactive, community health services to persons living with chronic circumstance than to provide focused, on-demand, piecemeal services. Complete services would have a psychosocial and mental health focus included with the physical care approach. Furthermore, people with coexisting risk factors (age, living arrangements, mental distress and problem-solving ability) are the ones who most benefit at lower expense... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PERIODONTAL disease and KERATOSIS

Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome, or keratosis palmoplantaris with periodontopathia (PLS, MIM 245000), is an autosomal recessive disorder that is mainly ascertained by dentists because of the severe periodontitis that afflicts patients. Both the deciduous and permanent dentitions are affected, resulting in premature tooth loss. Palmoplantar keratosis, varying from mild psoriasiform scaly skin to overt hyperkeratosis, typically develops within the first three years of life. Keratosis also affects other sites such as elbows and knees. Most PLS patients display both periodontitis and hyperkeratosis. Some patients have only palmoplantar keratosis or periodontitis, and in rare individuals the periodontitis is mild and of late onset. The PLS locus has been mapped to chromosome 11q14-q21 (refs 7-9). Using homozygosity mapping in eight small consanguineous families, we have narrowed the candidate region to a 1.2-cM interval between DllS4082 and D11S931. The gene (CTSC) encoding the lysosomal protease cathepsin C (or dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I) lies within this interval. We defined the genomic structure of CTSC and found mutations in all eight families. In two of these families we used a functional assay to demonstrate an almost total loss of cathepsin C activity in PLS patients and reduced activity in obligate carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUBSTANCE abuse prevention, ETHNICITY, MEDICAL communication, ETHNIC groups, PATHOLOGICAL psychology, and SOCIAL psychology

The rationale for targeted and tailored substance use prevention programs derives from essentially three observations: 1) differences in substance use prevalence rates across racial/ethnic groups; 2) differences in the prevalence of the risk factors for substance use across racial/ethnic groups; and 3) differences in the predictors of substance use across groups. This article provides a model for understanding cultural sensitivity as it pertains to substance use prevention. Cultural sensitivity is defined by two dimensions, surface and deep structure. Surface structure involves matching intervention materials and messages to observable, “superficial” characteristics of a target population. This may involve using people, places, language, product brands, music, food, locations, and clothing familiar to, and preferred by, the target audience. Surface structure refers to how well interventions fit within a specific culture. Deep structure involves incorporating the cultural, social, historical, environmental, and psychologic forces that influence the target health behavior in the proposed target population. For example, peer influences may exert a greater influence on substance use initiation among White and Hispanic than among African American youth, while parental influences may be stronger among African Americans. Whereas surface structure generally increases the "receptivity" or "acceptance" of messages, deep structure conveys salience. Techniques for developing culturally sensitive interventions, borrowed from social marketing and health communication theory, are described. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GENETICS of multiple sclerosis, APOLIPOPROTEIN E, GENETIC polymorphisms, and GENETICS of disease susceptibility

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system, with a complex etiology that includes a strong genetic component. The contribution of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has been established in numerous genetic linkage and association studies. In addition to the MHC, the chromosome 19q13 region surrounding the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene has shown consistent evidence of involvement in MS when family-based analyses were conducted. Furthermore, several clinical reports have suggested that the APOE-4 allele may be associated with more-severe disease and faster progression of disability. To thoroughly examine the role of APOE in MS, we genotyped its functional alleles, as well as seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located primarily within 13 kb of APOE, in a data set of 398 families. Using family-based association analysis, we found statistically significant evidence that an SNP haplotype near APOE is associated with MS susceptibility (P = .005 ). An analysis of disease progression in 614 patients with MS from 379 families indicated that APOE-4 carriers are more likely to be affected with severe disease (P = .03 ), whereas a higher proportion of APOE-2 carriers exhibit a mild disease course (P = .02 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RELAXIN, RAT physiology, RENAL artery, MYOGENESIS, and MESENTERIC artery

Presents information on a study which investigated whether myogenic reactivity of small renal and mesenteric arteries is reduced in relaxin-treated rats. Methodology; Impact of relaxin on myogenic reactivity; Link between denudation of endothelium and myogenic reactivity; Role of nitric oxide in the reduction of myogenic activity.

CONDENSATION, PYRYLIUM compounds, and CARBANIONS

The condensation reaction between γ-unsubstituted pyrylium salts and carbanions of Fischer-type carbene complexes allowed the synthesis of new γ-methylenepyran carbene complexes. NMR data, single crystal X-ray analysis, and DFT calculations suggest that these complexes have a partial pyrylium character due to the π electron-accepting ability of the carbenic fragment and to the electron-releasing properties of the methylenepyran part. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

XYLANASES and ASPERGILLUS

The heterologous production of Arthromyces ramosus peroxidase (ARP) was analysed in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus awamori under control of the inducible endoxylanase promoter. Secretion of active ARP was achieved up to 800 mg l−1 in shake flask cultures. Western blot analysis showed that an rARP product of the correct molecular weight was produced. In contrast to several other studies about heterologous production of heme containing peroxidases, our results suggest that in A. awamori no heme limitation exists during overproduction of ARP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]