Risk and protective factors for suicidal behavior in abused African American women

This study examined risk and protective factors that differentiate low-income, abused African American women (N = 200) who attempted suicide from those who had never made a suicide attempt. Results from multivariate analyses revealed that numerous and/or severe negative life events, a history of child maltreatment, high levels of psychological distress and depression, hopelessness about the future, and alcohol and drug problems were factors associated with attempter status. Protective factors associated with nonattempter status included hopefulness, self-efficacy, coping skills, social support, and effectiveness in obtaining material resources. Culturally competent intervention approaches for abused women should target increasing their protective factors and reducing their risk factors to decrease the likelihood that these women engage in suicidal behavior.     

Antigen provocation to the skin, nose and lung, in children with asthma; immediate and dual hypersensitivity reactions.

Most (18/21) children with perennial asthma gave dual (immediate and late) responses to bronchial provocation with two of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and either timothy grass pollen or cat fur. Most (19/21) also showed dual responses to skin prick tests, only half (11/21) gave dual responses in the nose, mainly with timothy grass pollen, and these were associated with allergic rhinitis. Only two children gave dual responses in lung, skin and nose to both antigens, and only two gave immediate reactions without late reactions in all positive tests; most showed different patterns of response according to the organ tested or the antigen used for provocation. Our results suggest that local factors may be important in determining the pattern of allergic response in a 'target' organ, and that dual responses are strongly associated with the patient's symptoms.     

Isolation of a variant of Candida albicans.

During the course of Candida albicans antigen production, a variant of this organism was encountered which did not produce hyphae at 37 degrees C. Presented here are some of the characteristics of this variant. It produces hyphae at 25 degrees C on cornmeal agar and synthetic medium plus N-acetylglucosamine and Tween 80. At 37 degrees C, it does not produce hyphae on these media, although C. albicans normally does produce hyphae under these circumstances. In liquid synthetic medium, this variant does not produce hyphae at 37 degrees C. The variant strain was analyzed for DNA, RNA, protein content, and particle size. After 50 to 70 h in balanced exponential-phase growth, particle size distribution was narrow, and there were no differences in the DNA, RNA, or protein content per particle in the two strains. When balanced exponential-phase cultures were brought into stationary phase, both strains contained the same amount of DNA per cell.     

Molecular identification of pathogenetic IdLNF+1 autoantibody idiotypes derived from the NZBxSWR F1 model for systemic lupus erythematosus

The acceleration of nephritis in SNF(1) mice by CD4(+) T-cell clones reactive with a nephritogenic idiotype, Id(LN)F(1) [1], as well as the ability of anti-Id(LN)F(1) antisera to down-regulate the production of Id(LN)F(+)(1) immunoglobulin (Ig) in vivo and delay nephritis [2], suggests that dysregulation of this idiotype may contribute to the development of SNF(1) nephritis. Herein, we show that a monoclonal Id(LN)F(1)-expressing antibody, 540, significantly (P< or = 0.01) stimulated Id(LN)F(1)-reactive T-cell clones B6 and D2 to proliferate, while other Id(LN)F+1 antibodies did not. Further, injection of 540-producing hybridoma cells into nonautoimmune (SWRxBalb/c)F(1) mice resulted in the deposition of Id(LN)F(+)(1) Ig in the kidneys, in a pattern indicative of early nephritis. To identify the pathogenetic Id(LN)F(1) epitope(s) at the molecular level, we compared the deduced amino acid sequences of the heavy and light chain variable regions of pathogenetic and non-pathogenetic Id(LN)F(1)-expressing Igs 540, 317, and 533. Two overlapping peptides derived from the V(H) sequence of 540 (aa 54-66 and 62-73), which both contain the triple basic amino acid motif K(X)K(X)K, stimulated SNF(1) T cells and T-cell clones B6 and D2. These results further support the involvement of a subset of Id(LN)F(1)-expressing Ig in SNF(1) nephritis.     

Who should give lifestyle advice in general practice and what factors influence attendance at health promotion clinics? Survey of patients' views.

BACKGROUND: Health promotion activity in general practice has increased greatly since 1990. A large proportion of this work is undertaken by practice nurses. Little is known about patients' views about the providers of health promotion or their views about general practice health promotion clinics. AIM: A study was carried out in 1992 to determine patients' views about the provision of health promotion advice by general practitioners and practice nurses and their views about attending health promotion clinics. METHOD: A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 1750 patients aged 16 years and over from five general practices in south Tyneside. The questionnaire explored patients' preferences regarding health promotion advice from the general practitioner or practice nurse in relation to four areas of lifestyle advice and factors that might encourage patients to attend a health promotion clinic. RESULTS: A response rate of 75% was obtained from 1639 eligible patients. Receiving health promotion advice from either the general practitioner or the practice nurse was the most commonly preferred option expressed by patients overall. The ability of health promotion clinic staff to deal with patients' concerns about their illness and short waiting times were more likely to influence patients' attendance at health promotion clinics than the presence of a general practitioner or practice nurse. CONCLUSION: In the present study, many patients found health advice received from practice nurses and general practitioners equally acceptable. However, it was the ability of health professionals to respond to patients' health concerns in the health promotion clinic rather than the type of health professional running the clinic that was important for patients.     

Life expectancy in British Marfan syndrome populations

A total of 206 patients with Marfan syndrome were ascertained throughout genetic clinics in Wales and Scotland during the period 1970–1990. There were 45 deaths representing 22% of the cohort. Mean age at death was 45.3 ± 16.5 years. 50% median cumulative survival in the total cohort (n = 206) was 53 years for males and 72 years for females. Multivariate analysis confirmed severity as the best independent indicator of survival. These findings and survival curves will assist in the counselling of British families and individuals with Marfan syndrome.     

Catecholaminergic neurites in senile plaques in prefrontal cortex of aged nonhuman primates

Immunocytochemical studies, using a polyclonal antibody directed against tyrosine hydroxylase, identified catecholaminergic axons in prefrontal cortex of young and aged nonhuman primates. Aged monkeys, who showed cortical senile plaques in silver stains, had swollen tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive axons in neocortex. Some of these abnormal processes were associated with deposits of amyloid (visualized by thioflavin-T fluorescence) and were similar in appearance to neurites demonstrated by silver impregnation methods. This study provides evidence for structural abnormalities in catecholaminergic axons/nerve terminals in the neocortices of aged primates.