The role of somatic complaints in the diagnosis of depression in children and adolescents

The question of whether somatic complaints are a significant feature of depression independent of anxiety was explored. Structured interview (Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children) and Child Behavior Checklist data from depressed and nondepressed psychiatric controls were analyzed to explore the interaction of somatic complaints, anxiety, and depression. Seventy percent of the children who met criteria for depression also had significant somatic complaints in contrast to 34% of the controls. Findings revealed that frequency of somatic complaints increased with severity of depression regardless of coexisting anxiety.     

Surface behavior of axolemma monolayers: Physico-chemical characterization and use as supported planar membranes for cultured Schwann cells

The axolemma membrane forms a stable and reproducible monomolecular layer at the air-aqueous interface. The major lipids and proteins are present in this monolayer in molar ratios similar to the original membrane. Acetylcholinesterase and Na-K-ATPase activities are preserved in the monolayer to levels of 64% and 25%, respectively. The total lipid fraction forms a homogeneously mixed phase. The presence of proteins in the monolayer introduces surface inhomogeneties. Among other features, this is revealed by the presence of two values of lateral pressure at which the monolayer shows partial or total collapse: a broad partial collapse at surface pressures between 13 to 30 mN/m and a sharp collapse point at 46 mN/m. The average molecular areas, the broad collapse point, and the variation of the surface potential per molecule suggest the relocation of protein components at surface pressures between 13 to 30 mN/m. The behavior is consistent with the extrusion and exposure of proteins toward the aqueous medium that depends on the lateral pressure. Schwann cells grown on coverslips coated with axolemma monolayers at 13 mN/m (beginning of the broad collapse) and 34 mN/m (above the broad collapse) recognize the difference in the surface organization of axolemma caused by the lateral pressure which affects their proliferation, morphology, and spatial pattern of organization. Our results show for the first time that response of Schwann cells depends on the intermolecular organization of the axolemma surface with which they interact. These results suggest that the local expression of putative surface molecules of axolemma that may mediate membrane recognition and the signalling of morphological and proliferative changes can be modulated by long range supramolecular properties. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Experimental dermatophytosis in mice: correlation between light and electron microscopic changes in primary, secondary and chronic infections

The histopathological and electron microscopic features of experimental dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton quinckeanum in Balb/c mice have been studied in animals with primary, secondary and chronic infections. Infected animals all showed pathological changes with adherence of microconidia to keratinocytes within 4 h of infection. Other features were the early infiltration of neutrophils, the formation of a mycelial mass (scutulum) in the epidermis, and epidermal oedema. Increased thickness of the epidermis was measured within 3 days of infection, although this was mainly due to oedema. The main differences seen in secondary infections were the paucity of fungal elements, even after 24 h, a sustained increase in epidermal thickness, and the dense dermal infiltrate of mononuclear cells. Chronically infected animals showed similar changes to those at the peak of a primary infection, but in addition there were large numbers of mast cells in the dermis. Cells carrying Ia markers were identified in the epidermis (Langerhans cells) and the dermis (macrophages) in all infections and their distribution did not appear to change. Although recovery from infection has been correlated previously with T lymphocyte mediated responses an increase in the number of cell layers of the epidermis and a dense infiltrate of neutrophils at the zone of infection were both seen within 2 days of infection. It is suggested that neutrophil killing of fungi and increased epidermal proliferation, not dependent on T cell activation, may also be implicated in host defence against dermatophytes.     

Phosphatidylinositol turnover and calcium movement in the rat pancreas

Carbamylcholine, bombesin, pancreozymin, and pentagastrin elicited a similar increase in amylase secretion and phosphatidylinositol turnover in rat pancreatic fragments. The concentration of each secretagogue that provoked half-maximal stimulation of amylase secretion was three to six times lower than that which induced half-maximal stimulation of phosphatidylinositol turnover. The increased turnover of phosphatidylinositols due to carbamylcholine or pancreozymin, but not the secretory response, persisted in a calcium-free medium or in 90% heavy water. The replacement of the media Na+ with Li+ increased an atropine-resistant turnover of phosphatidylinositols, but did not stimulate secretion. The ionophore A-23187 (in a medium containing 2.5 mM Ca2+) and 10 mM NaF induced a high secretory response, but exerted no effect on phosphatidylinositol turnover. K+ at a 70 mM concentration provoked a phosphatidylinositol effect and hypersecretion. Secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, dibutyryl cAMP, dibutyryl cGMP, 8-bromo cGMP, and N2-monobutyryl cGMP stimulated amylase secretion without an increased turnover of phosphatidylinositols. It is concluded that, in the rat pancreas, the increased turnover of phosphatidylinositols was directly associated with secretagogues inducing calcium movements.     

DEMONSTRATION OF AGGLUTININS FOR BARTONELLA BACILLIFORMIS

1. Methods of preparing a satisfactory antigen having been developed, a technique for performing an agglutination test with B. bacilliformis is made available. 2. As a result of repeated intravenous injection of living cultures of B. bacilliformis at short intervals, rabbits have been found to produce a high titre of specific agglutinins which, under the conditions obtaining in the present series of experiments, begins to decline after about one month following the last inoculation. 3. Sera from six cases of bartonellosis in different stages of its several manifestations have been shown by the agglutination test to contain a low but definite titre of circulating antibody. 4. Several of these same sera have been shown to contain as well a significantly high titre of agglutinins for three strains of Proteus. No definite conclusions can be drawn from this phenomenon since the case histories had not been probed for the possibility of typhus fever; and since the relatively high titres obtained with a few of the present sera may very well fall within the extremes of normal serum titres.