The Relationship Between Restrictive and Repetitive Behaviors in Individuals with Autism and Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms in Parents

This study investigated the relationship between repetitive behaviors in individuals with autism and obsessive-compulsive behaviors in parents. We hypothesized that repetitive behaviors in probands with autism would be associated with increased obsessive-compulsive behaviors in parents in sporadic families (1 known case of autism per family and no known history of autism). Parents with clinically significant Y-BOCS scores were more likely to have a family history of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The empirically derived Autism Diagnostic Interview-R (ADI-R) factor, Insistence on Sameness, was positively correlated with obsessive-compulsive behaviors in parents. Further, when probands were grouped on the basis of parental Y-BOCS scores (clinically significant versus non-clinically significant), probands whose parents had clinically significant Y-BOCS scores had higher ADI-R Insistence on Sameness factor scores. The findings of the current study of sporadic families extend previous work that has shown an association between restrictive/repetitive behaviors in probands with autism and obsessive-compulsive features in parents.     

Red clover-derived isoflavones and mammographic breast density: a double-blind,randomized, placebo-controlled trial [ISRCTN42940165]

Introduction  

Isoflavones are hypothesized to protect against breast cancer, but it is not clear whether they act as oestrogens or anti-oestrogens in breast tissue. Our aim was to determine the effects of taking a red clover-derived isoflavone supplement daily for 1 year on mammographic breast density. Effects on oestradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), lymphocyte tyrosine kinase activity and menopausal symptoms were also assessed.     

Cutaneous adverse reaction to 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine with histological flame figures in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

INTRODUCTION: 2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine (cladribine or 2-CdA) is a purine analogue that has been used successfully in hairy cell leukaemia (HCL). Moreover, it has been increasingly used to treat chronic lymphoproliferative syndromes and paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia. Cutaneous side-effects associated with this drug have seldom been described in cases of HCL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe three patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia that presented generalized skin eruptions after treatment with 2-CdA. RESULTS: All patients had advanced disease, receiving 2-CdA as a second or third line chemotherapy. Skin lesions were severe and chemotherapy had to be discontinued. Histological examination of skin biopsies showed an eosinophil-rich infiltrate with flame figures, similar to what is observed in Wells' syndrome (eosinophilic cellulitis). Corticosteroids were effective to control the eruptions. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous adverse reactions associated with 2-CdA have seldom been observed in the treatment of HCL. However, as this purine analogue has been used in more advanced cases these may be more frequent and severe. The pathophysiology of these lesions is unclear, but it is probably related to drug-induced change in T-cell imbalance in severely immunosuppressed patients.     

Filters for radiation reduction: a comparison

Aluminum, yttrium, copper, and R-filters were evaluated with respect to effective beam energy, entrance radiation exposure to the skin, x-ray tube loading, and the quality of resultant radiographs. Since all filters yielded acceptable radiographs, a figure of merit was developed to determine which filter delivered the lowest entrance radiation exposure for the lowest increase in x-ray tube loading. The figure of merit indicated that the best results were obtained with the 0.1-mm Cu filter with 2 mm Al at 60-105 kVp and with the 0.2-mm Cu filter with 2 mm Al at 105-120 kVp. Cu filters produced radiographs with quality comparable to that of R- or Y filters. Cu filters are inexpensive alternatives to rare-earth filters and yielded a reduction in radiation exposure with less x-ray tube loading.     

Prostatic carcinoma: staging with MR imaging at 1.5 T

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to stage prostatic carcinoma in 81 patients with a proved diagnosis. MR imaging findings were correlated with histologic findings regarding the local extent of disease (37 patieNts) and the presence of nodal metastases (51 patients). Tumor nodules were detected in the peripheral zone (PZ) in 34 of 37 patients and were of low signal intensity compared with the signal of the PZ. Hemorrhage in the PZ represented a problem in tumor detection and in tumor volume measurement. When multiple criteria for local tumor spread were combined, MR imaging had a sensitivity of 72%, a specificity of 84%, and an accuracy of 78% in the differentiation of stage A or B from Stage C or D disease. Assessment of seminal vesicle invasion was more accurate than assessment of direct extracapsular spread. In five patients, microscopic invasion of the capsule (stage C) was classified as stage B with MR imaging; from a clinical standpoint, this should not affect patient treatment and prognosis. The MR imaging sensitivity in the detection of lymph node metastases was 69%, with a specificity of 95% and an accuracy of 88%. In this study MR imaging proved reliable in the comprehensive evaluation and staging of prostatic carcinoma.     

阳、阴离子型药物电位滴定通用电极的比较研究

磷钨酸十六烷基三辛基铵电极可用于多种阳离子型及阴离子型药物的电位滴定,分别用四苯硼钠及硫酸作滴定剂,电位突跃可达150～400 mV,最低测定浓度可达10^-5mol/L左右,经过短时转化,即可改用于不同药物的滴定。季磷、季钟盐型电极或其它阴离子型电极性能较差。电活性物显示烃基加重效应。电极结构无显著影响。表面活性剂苯扎溴铵可加速活化。     

Specific effects of weight loss, protein deficiency and energy deprivation on the water and electrolyte composition of young rats

Specific effects of weight loss, protein deficiency and energy deprivation on the water and electrolyte content of the body were studied. Longitudinal changes in total body Na and Cl were measured by neutron activation analysis in young rats fed either a low protein diet (LP) ad libitum or a control diet in restricted amounts (ER). Total body Ca was determined to monitor growth of skeletal mass. Four balance periods were defined to represent various stages of protein or energy deprivation. The chemical composition of the rats was determined at the end of the study and compared with that of rats killed at the start of the study. Changes in body composition of LP rats were attributable chiefly to wasting of body cell mass. There was no retention of Na and Cl until severe hypoalbuminemia and edema developed after chronic protein deprivation; at this time, Na and Cl were retained in the same proportion as their molar ratio in extracellular fluid (ECF). The resulting increase in ECF volume accounted for the high total body water values in LP rats. Energy restriction to approximately 80% of maintenance requirements for 20 d resulted in Na retention in a compartment distinct from either the Cl or Ca space. With prolonged ER, there was preferential wasting of cell mass and adipose tissue but relative preservation of the ECF compartment; there was no net retention of Na and Cl, and hydration of fat-free mass was normal. The differences in the body compositions of ER and LP rats suggested that protein and energy deprivation can have separate effects on Na and Cl homeostasis that are distinct from changes induced by a loss of cell mass.     

CT of sacral injury

Eighty-eight patients with 188 sacral fractures were examined with computed tomography (CT) and conventional radiography. Four main patterns of sacral injury were defined: sacroiliac diastasis (39%), sacral and/or iliac lip fractures (25%), vertical shear fractures (25%), and comminuted fractures (5%). Initial interpretation of plain radiographs failed to define 29% of the sacroiliac joint diastases, 57% of the lip fractures, 34% of the vertical shear fractures, and 25% of the comminuted fractures. The extent of injury was better delineated with CT, and a more certain diagnosis of sacral injury was possible with CT than with radiography. Because of the higher detection rate and improved imaging of fracture configuration, CT should be performed in all patients with sacral injury.