The Psychology of Kink: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study Investigating the Roles of Sensation Seeking and Coping Style in BDSM-Related Interests

Archives of Sexual Behavior - Despite the gaining popularity in mainstream media of the phenomenon that is BDSM, empirical research on the motives and underlying psychological mechanisms driving...     

Mast cell desensitization to IgE fails to induce a parallel adenosine receptor desensitization

Desensitization induced by challenge of mast cells with antigen is specific for IgE-dependent signals. During the secretory process mast cells release adenosine, which can induce a desensitization of adenosine receptors. To determine whether adenosine receptors may de desensitized from a previous antigen challenge, mast cells were sensitized with anti-DNP IgE antibody, challenged with DNP-BSA antigen, returned to culture overnight, resensitized, and rechallenged. Previously challenged cells exhibited increased spontaneous -hexosaminidase release, but adenosine retained its ability to augment -hexosaminidase release. Adenosine enhanced A23187-stimulated release of -hexosaminidase in control and previously challenged cells. Leukotriene C₄ generation followed a similar pattern. Mastoparan, a direct G protein activator and mast cells secretogogue, produced a doubling of -hexosaminidase release in previously challenged cells. Results using other G protein activators were equivocal. Degranulation alone is insufficient to induce adenosine receptor hyposensitization. Whether the hyperresponsiveness to mastoparan is a consequence of uncoupling of IgE receptors from G proteins remains uncertain.     

Primary infiltrating signet ring carcinoma of the eyelids

A 61-year old man presented with a five-year history of a swelling initially developing in his right lower lid that progressed to involve the lateral canthal skin and eventually the upper lid and anterior orbit. He was discovered to have an infiltrating, poorly differentiated, mucin-producing carcinoma. Systemic work-up failed to disclose a visceral malignancy, and it was concluded that his tumor was primary in the lids, arising from an adnexal sweat gland. Three other reports in the literature also share almost identical clinical and pathologic features, in that all of the earlier reports dealt with middle-aged or elderly men who had diffusely indurated lids. Histopathologically, the tumor cells grow diffusely in a sclerotic stroma, and resemble the "histiocytoid" variant of metastatic breast carcinoma to the lids in women. Ultrastructural studies in our case point toward an apocrine origin, although earlier authors have favored an eccrine origin. Despite its indolent clinical course, the tumor is capable of producing regional and distant metastases on long-term follow-up. Complete local excision, possibly necessitating radical surgery, is probably the preferred method of treatment, but local radiotherapy may have a beneficial effect in retarding spread of the disease.     

The capsid protein-encoding sequence of foot-and-mouth disease virus O2Brescia

Summary Nucleotide sequences encoding the four capsid proteins of foot-and-mouth disease virus subtype O₂Brescia/1947 have been determined. These and the deduced amino acid sequences were compared with those of a subtype O₁ virus strain. The nucleotide sequences differed at 259 positions, causing only 35 amino acid changes. VP 4 and VP 2 differed by 2.4 and 1.8%, whereas VP 1, known as major viral antigen, and VP 3 differed by 8% and 5.5%, respectively. The differences occur mainly in protein domains not involved in the formation of -helices and -sheets, suggesting that the surfaces of both viruses are more variable than their scaffolds. The O₂Brescia sequence has been submitted to the GenBank data base and has the accession number M 55287.     

Hydrolysis of ochratoxin A by the microbial activity of digesta in the gastrointestinal tract of rats

This study established the influence of dietary neomycin sulphate on the rate of hydrolysis of ochratoxin A (OA) by digesta from the intestine, and its effect on the excretion of OA and its hydrolyzed metabolite, alpha ochratoxin (O), in the urine and feces of the rat. The first in vitro study demonstrated that digesta from the cecum and the large intestine were able to hydrolyze OA whereas digesta from the small intestine and stomach had very low hydrolytic activity against this substrate. Homogenates of the liver had no hydrolytic activity. The second in vivo study demonstrated that digesta from the large intestine and cecum of the neomycin treated rats was much less effective (P<0.001) in promoting the hydrolysis of OA than digesta from the control rats. Neomycin when added directly to the in vitro system, however, did not affect the rate at which OA was hydrolyzed. In a third study, OA was administered in vivo to control and neomycin-treated rats. Rats fed the neomycin containing diet compared to those fed the control diet had a higher concentration (P<0.005) of blood OA, and a greater cumulative excretion of OA plus O over the entire 5 day collection period in the feces (P<0.0001) and a corresponding decrease in the cumulative excretion of OA plus O in the urine (P<0.0001). Individually, there was a marked increase in cumulative fecal excretion of OA (P<0.05) and a corresponding decrease in excretion of O (P<0.05). Individual OA and O values in the urine tended to follow an opposite pattern to that seen in the feces but the differences were not significant (P<0.05). Overall, the results demonstrate that an antibiotic such as neomycin when added to the diet greatly reduces the rate of hydrolysis of OA by digesta from the lower sections of the gastrointestinal tract. Neomycin also alters the pattern of excretion of OA and O in the feces and possibly the urine in rats fed OA. These results suggest that intestinal microorganisms affect disposition of OA.     

CT-Based Needle Marking of Superficial Intracranial Lesions for Minimal Invasive Neurosurgery

A CT-based method of marking superficial intracranial lesions with a needle is presented. This form of neuronavigation can be applied in every neurosurgical centre. Owing to its rapid application it is also suitable for cases of emergency. The neurosurgical approach can be centred precisely over the lesion providing for a minimally invasive operation. The method has proved its efficacy in numerous cases of haematomas and cystic lesions.     

Association between parity and autoimmune thyroiditis in a general female population

Background: Autoimmune thyroid disease (AIT) is more common in females than in males. Furthermore, it is well documented that the risk of thyroid autoimmunity increases during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. The objective of the present study was to analyse the association between parity and AIT by using ultrasound and serological data.

Methods: The study population included 2156 women, aged 20–79 years. Serum thyroperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) and thyrotropin levels were measured and thyroid ultrasonography was performed. AIT was defined according to the combined presence of a hypoechogenic thyroid pattern and positive anti-TPO levels (>200 IU/ml). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

Results: The analyses revealed an association between parity and AIT. Women with at least one pregnancy had increased odds for AIT (OR 4.6 [95%-CI 1.4–15.1], p < 0.05) compared to women who have never been pregnant. Similar results were observed using hypoechogenic thyroid pattern (OR 1.7 [95%-CI 1.0–2.9], p < 0.05) and positive anti-TPO levels (OR 1.8 [95%-CI 1.0–3.3], p = 0.05) as separate dependent variables or using number of births as alternate independent variable.

Conclusion: In this female population we found an association between parity and AIT and conclude that parity appears to be a potential risk factor for AIT.