XLMR genes: update 1992.

Up to now, we have identified 77 X-linked conditions in which mental retardation is the primary or a major component manifestation. These conditions were subdivided into 2 categories, designated respectively "X-linked mental retardation syndromes" and "Non-specific X-linked mental retardation". Forty genes have been regionally mapped onto the X chromosome. However, in several instances the data were derived from a single family and most lod scores were less than 3.0.     

Pulmonary diffusing capacity of the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lungs (DLCO) was measured in bullfrogs, Rana catesbeiana (mean body weight 260 g) along with oxygen uptake, pulmonary perfusion and lung volume. The measurements were all performed by methods depending on mass-spectrometry. Pulmonary oxygen uptake, DLCO and perfusion all increased with body temperature. At 20 degrees C O2-uptake was 0.49 ml STPD . kg-1 . min-1 at rest and DLCO was 0.022 ml STPD . kg-1 . min-1 . Torr-1. At 30 degrees C the values for O2-uptake and DLCO approximately doubled. Lung volume was large (90 ml . kg-1) and independent of body temperature. Oxygen uptake and DLCO of the bullfrog were small compared to values for a similar-sized mammal but the ratios of DLCO to O2-uptake quite similar. Analysis of available data on DLCO and O2-uptake in ectotherms also suggests a close correlation between O2-uptake and DLCO.     

Significance of preoperative prognosis

The granulocyte phagocytosis test, Karnofsky index, and ASA standard were used in the context of 287 patients for general surgery, for the purpose of retrospective elucidation of the relationship between presurgical prognostication and postsurgical complications. Sensitivity, specificity, and "predictive values" were calculated. The highest information potential in terms of prognostication was recorded from objectively measurable granulocyte phagocytosis. Presurgical prognostication was found to be of clinical relevance only to surgical problem patients.     

The dysarthria-clumsy hand syndrome: a distinct clinical entity related to pontine infarction

Using magnetic resonance imaging, we studied 6 patients with the dysarthria-clumsy hand syndrome. All were found to have pontine infarctions contralateral to the symptomatic side. Clinically, these patients exhibited dysarthria; "clumsiness," characterized by dysmetria, dysrhythmia, dysdiadochokinesia and sometimes truncal and gait ataxia; and mild ipsilateral weakness. Previous clinical-anatomical correlations for this syndrome are limited by inconsistencies in clinical diagnostic criteria and low-resolution imaging methods. In our patients, and in a review of the literature, the overwhelming majority of patients with the dysarthria-clumsy hand syndrome had pontine infarcts. We conclude that if rigid clinical criteria are used, the label of the dysarthria-clumsy hand syndrome predicts a lesion in the contralateral basis pontis.     

Continuing education needs of nurses employed in nursing facilities

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the self-perceived learning needs of nurses, both RNs and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), employed in nursing facilities. Questionnaires were used to gather data from 319 nurses employed in 14 nursing facilities, representing 10% of all nursing facilities in North Carolina. A total of 164 nurses returned usable questionnaires. The nurses indicated a large number of continuing education needs, with Management Skills, Drug Therapy/Interactions, and Behavioral Problems being particularly important. Night shift nurses and nurse educators had different leaning needs when compared to other subsets of nurses.