The influence of ultraviolet radiation on allergic contact dermatitis in the guinea-pig. II. Psoralen/UVA radiation

Guinea-pigs were sensitized by percutaneous application of dinitrochlorobenzene and exposed to UVA (320–400 nm) radiation following systemic administration of methoxsalen. This treatment diminished the response to an elicitation dose of the hapten administered 14 days later within the site of irradiation. The site of elicitation of the allergic response had to be included in the field of exposure, and reduction of the allergic response was observed only when the exposure to radiation was commenced at the time of induction of contact allergy. Established contact skin sensitivity was not affected by radiation.     

Digoxin and the Geriatric In-Patient

ABSTRACT. The effects of oral digoxin and placebo in 41 geriatric in-patients were compared using a randomized, double-blind, cross-over method. The patients were in sinus rhythm or had atrial fibrillation. The observation period was two months on digoxin or placebo. Patients with symptoms of cardiac failure at rest or during light physical activity, X-ray signs of pulmonary congestion, proven need of digoxin therapy following earlier withdrawal, atrial fibrillation with a ventricular rate >95 beats/min and patients in whom digitalis intoxication was suspected were excluded from the study. Five (14%) of 37 patients deteriorated during the placebo phase. Four of these developed rapid atrial fibrillation and one patient developed sinus tachycardia and symptoms of heart failure.     

Triglyceride metabolism in human liver: studies on hepatic phosphatidic-acid phosphatase in obese and non-obese subjects

Abstract. According to current concepts, soluble phosphatidic-acid phosphatase, converting phosphatidic acid into a diglyceride, is a rate-limiting enzyme in the hepatic biosynthesis of triglycerides. The present paper is the first report on this enzyme in human liver. The enzyme activity was assayed in ammonium sulphate precipitates of cytosol obtained from human liver biopsies. The activity was stimulated by preincubation with alkaline phosphatase and inhibited by Mg-ATP, suggesting that phosphorylation-dephosphorylation may be of some importance for the expression of the activity of the enzyme. When assayed under optimal conditions, the activity obtained in liver biopsies from normal-weight gallstone patients averaged 12·8 ± 2·0 nmol min^-1 (mg protein)^-1 (mean ± SEM) ( n = 17). The enzyme activity was slightly higher in liver biopsies from morbidly obese subjects 16·4 ± 2·8 nmol min^-1 (mg protein)^-1 ( n = 14). The difference between the two groups of subjects was probably in part sex-dependent and was not statistically significant. A similar small and insignificant difference between the two groups of subjects was found when the enzyme activity was assayed in the maximally stimulated state—i.e. after incubation with alkaline phosphate.
These findings suggest that an increased capacity of the soluble phosphatidic-acid phosphatase is not of major importance for the increased triglyceride synthesis known to occur in obesity. Other factors (i.e. availability of substrate and cofactors) may be of greater importance.     

Conformational studies on host-guest peptides containing chiral α-methyl-α-amino acids

The conformational behaviour of host-guest peptides of the type Ac-Ala-Xxx-Ala-Ala-Xxx-Ala-Ala-Xxx-Ala-Ala-NH-PEGM (Xxx =α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), (S)-2-ethylalanine ((S)-Iva). (S)-2-methyiserine ((S)-α-MeSer)) has been studied by CD spectroscopy in CF₃CH₂OH. CH₃OH. and water and by i.r. spectroscopy in CHCl₃ and in the solid state. In this way the relative helix-inducing potential of the two chiral α-methyl-α-amino acids (S)-Iva and (S)-α-MeSer could be established in comparison to the strong helix-former Aib. The results show that (S)-Iva exerts a comparable helix-inducing effect as Aib, making this amino acid a valuable complementary tool for the stabilization or induction of helices. No significant helix-promoting effect was observed for (S)-α-MeSer in polar solvents; however, the i.r.-spectroscopic data in CHCl₃ and in the solid state point to a helical conformation under these conditions. Possible reasons for the different behaviour of (S)-Iva and (S)-α-MeSer are briefly discussed.     

Analyzing development of working models for disrupted attachments: the case of hidden family violence

This article offers a developmental model of attachment theory rooted in dynamic skill theory. Dynamic skill theory is based on the assumption that people do not have integrated, fundamentally logical minds, but instead develop along naturally fractionated strands of a web. Contrary to traditional interpretations of attachment theory, dynamic skill theory proposes that individuals continue to modify their working models of attachments throughout the lifespan. In particular, working models of close relationships develop systematically through a series of skill levels such that the skills vary across strands in the web and will not automatically form a unified whole. The continual modification of working models is particularly pertinent for the consequences of hidden family violence for individuals' development. Dynamic skill theory shows how trauma can produce not developmental delay or fixation, as has been proposed previously, but instead the construction of advanced, complex working models.