G(RADA1): a new cell surface antigen of mouse leukemia defined by naturally occurring antibody and its relationship to murine leukemia virus

A new cell surface antigenic system of the mouse, designated G(RADA1), is described. The antigen is defined by cytotoxic tests with the A strain X-ray-induced leukemia RADA1 and naturally occurring antibody from random-bred Swiss mice and can be distinguished from all other serologically detected cell surface antigens of the mouse. Absorption tests indicate that G(RADA1) is present in the normal lymphatic tissue and leukemias of mouse strains with high spontaneous leukemia-incidence, e.g., AKR, C58, and C3H/Figge. Low leukemia-incidence strains, e.g., C57BL/6, BALB/c, and A lack G(RADA1) in their normal tissues, but a proportion of leukemias and solid tumors arising in these strains are G(RADA1)+. The relation of G(RADA1) to MuLV is shown by G(RADA1) appearance after MuLV infection of permissive cells in vitro; four of five N-tropic MuLV isolates, one of four B-tropic MuLV, and none of four xenotropic MuLV induce G(RADA1). Two MCF MuLV, thought to represent recombinants between N-ecotropic and xenotropic MuLV, also induce G(RADA1). Serological and biochemical characterization indicates that G(RADA1) is a type-specific determinant of the gp70 component of certain MuLV. The presence of natural antibody to RADA1 in various mouse strains and the emergence of G(RADA1)+ leukemias and solid tumors in mice of G(RADA1)- phenotype suggest widespread occurrence of genetic information coding for this antigen.     

Perceptions of Barriers and Benefits to Physical Activity Among Outpatients in Psychiatric Rehabilitation

PURPOSE: To explore perceived barriers and benefits to physical activity in people with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) who were enrolled in community-based psychiatric rehabilitation. DESIGN AND METHODS: Four focus groups, two for men and two for women, were held with a total of 34 outpatients from two program sites. The investigators used a semistructured interview guide to facilitate the discussions. Audiotapes of the discussions were transcribed and analyzed for concepts and themes. FINDINGS: Significant barriers to physical activity were: mental illness symptoms, medications, weight gain from medications, fear of discrimination, and safety concerns. Being in a psychiatric rehabilitation program offered comfort and belonging, but it also had the effect of leaving activity initiation up to the program staff, which some participants perceived was part of required program compliance. However, participants viewed physical activity positively, and they linked being active to improved mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatients in psychiatric rehabilitation valued physical activity, but mental illness symptoms, medication sedation, weight gain, fear of unsafe conditions, fear of discrimination, and interpretations of program compliance were barriers. Confronting how attitudes and barriers specific to this population can affect activity and reframing program compliance to include the independent initiation of activity as part of improving health might help clients of mental health services to become more active.     

Traumatic coronary artery fistula

We report certain diagnostic and therapeutic problems presented by patients with traumatic coronary arteriovenous or arteriocameral fistulas, based on our experience with one case and our review of cases which have previously been reported in detail.     

Digitalization of routine health information systems: Bangladesh,Indonesia, Pakistan

ObjectiveTo describe a systematic process of transforming paper registers into a digital system optimized to enhance service provision and fulfil reporting requirements.MethodsWe designed a formative study around primary health workers providing reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services in three countries in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan. The study ran from November 2014 to June 2018. We developed a prototype digital application after conducting a needs assessment of health workers’ responsibilities, workflows, routine data requirements and service delivery needs. Methods included desk reviews, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews; data mapping of paper registers; observations of health workers; co-design workshops with health workers; and usability testing. Finally, we conducted an observational feasibility assessment to monitor uptake of the application.FindingsResearchers reviewed a total of 17 paper registers across the sites, which we transformed into seven modules within a digital application running on mobile devices. Modules corresponded to the services provided, including household enumeration, antenatal care, family planning, immunization, nutrition and child health. A total of 65 health workers used the modules during the feasibility assessment, and average weekly form submissions ranged from 8 to 234, depending on the health worker and their responsibilities. We also observed variability in the use of modules, requiring consistent monitoring support for health workers.ConclusionLessons learnt from this study shaped key global initiatives and resulted in a software global good. The deployment of digital systems requires well-designed applications, change management and strengthening human resources to realize and sustain health system gains.     

Randomized prospective trial of fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for bevacizumab-resistant high-grade glioma

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - Outcomes for patients with recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG) progressing on bevacizumab (BEV) are dismal. Fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (FSRS) has been shown to...     

Bridge method of skin-flap delay.

Necrosis, a catastrophic complication of skin-falp use, is due to inadequate capillary blood flow. Delay procedures, which are based on newer information regarding skin vasculature and delay dynamics, can augment surviving-flap length. A delay procedure that used multiple skin bridges was studied in 121 flaps in 21 pigs. The result was a considerably greater amount of length augmentation than has previously been reported. This enhanced effect is related to a combination of nearly maximal sympathectomy in a highly ischemic, surgically defined experimental flap.     

Empathic accuracy and cognition in schizotypal personality disorder

Interpersonal dysfunction contributes to significant disability in the schizophrenia spectrum. Schizotypal Personality Disorder (SPD) is a schizophrenia-related personality demonstrating social cognitive impairment in the absence of frank psychosis. Past research indicates that cognitive dysfunction or schizotypy may account for social cognitive dysfunction in this population. We tested SPD subjects and healthy controls on the Empathic Accuracy (EA) paradigm and the Reading of the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), assessing the impact of EA on social support. We also explored whether EA differences could be explained by intelligence, working memory, trait empathy, or attachment avoidance. SPD subjects did not differ from controls in RMET, but demonstrated lower EA during negative valence videos, associated with lower social support. Dynamic, multimodal EA paradigms may be more effective at capturing interpersonal dysfunction than static image tasks such as RMET. Schizotypal severity, trait empathy, and cognitive dysfunction did not account for empathic dysfunction in SPD, although attachment avoidance is related to empathic differences. Empathic dysfunction for negative affect contributes to decreased social support in the schizophrenia spectrum. Future research may shed further light on potential links between attachment avoidance, empathic dysfunction, and social support.