Cone pigment polymorphism in New World monkeys: are all pigments created equal?

Most platyrrhine monkeys have a triallelic M/L opsin gene polymorphism that underlies significant individual variations in color vision. A survey of the frequencies of these polymorphic genes suggests that the three alleles occur with equal frequency among squirrel monkeys (subfamily Cebinae), but are not equally frequent in a number of species from the subfamily Callitrichinae. This departure from equal frequency in the Callitrichids should slightly increase the ratio of dichromats to trichromats in the population and significantly alter the relative representation of the three possible dichromatic and trichromatic phenotypes. A particular feature of the inequality is that it leads to a relative increase in the number of trichromats whose M/L pigments have the largest possible spectral separation. To assess whether these trichromatic phenotypes are equally well equipped to make relevant visual discriminations, psychophysical experiments were run on human observers. A technique involving the functional substitution of photopigments was used to simulate the discrimination between fruits among a background of leaves. The goal of the simulation was to reproduce in the cones of human observers excitations equivalent to those produced in monkey cones as the animals view fruit. Three different viewing conditions were examined involving variations in the relative luminances of fruit and leaves and the spectrum of the illuminant. In all cases, performance was best for simulated trichromacies including M/L pigments with the largest spectral separation. Thus, the inequality of opsin gene frequency in Callitrichid monkeys may reflect adaptive pressures.     

The Munich vulnerability study on affective disorders: premorbid psychometric profile of affected individuals

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a longitudinal high-risk study to identify psychometric vulnerability markers for affective disorders. METHOD: We examined 82 healthy subjects [high-risk probands (HRPs)] with at least one first-degree relative suffering from an affective disorder. The premorbid psychometric profile of 20 HRPs who developed a psychiatric disorder during follow-up was compared with the profile of control subjects without personal and family history of psychiatric disorders matched for age and gender. RESULTS: Somatization, complaints (vegetative lability), and perception of strain are increased in HRPs who developed a psychiatric disorder. These alterations were not influenced by the time interval until the onset of the disorder. CONCLUSION: The premorbid psychometric profile in subjects at high risk for affective disorders is characterized by somatization, complaints, and elevated perception of strain. Together with previous findings our results suggest that these alterations can be regarded as potential vulnerability markers for affective disorders.     

Work-attributed symptom clusters (darkroom disease) among radiographers versus physiotherapists: associations between self-reported exposures and psychosocial stressors

BACKGROUND: "Darkroom disease" (DRD) has been used to describe unexplained multiple symptoms attributed by radiographers to their work environment. This study determines the prevalence of symptom clusters similar to other unexplained syndromes among (medical radiation technologists (MRTs) as compared with physiotherapists (PTs), and identifies associated work-related (WR) factors. METHODS: A mail survey was undertaken of members of the professional associations of MRTs and PTs in Ontario, Canada. Questions were included to determine the prevalence and frequency of symptom clusters including abnormal tiredness as well as WR headaches, and symptoms suggestive of eye, nasal, and throat irritation. For the purpose of this study, these are considered to be DRD symptom clusters. Individuals with doctor-diagnosed asthma were excluded from our analyses. RESULTS: Overall, 63.9% of MRTs and 63.1% of PTs participated. Criteria for DRD were met by 7.8% of 1,483 MRTs and 1.8% of 1,545 PTs [odds ratio, OR 4.8 (confidence interval, CI 3.1-7.5); (P < 0.0001)]. Both occupations showed significant associations between responses reflecting psychosocial stressors and DRD. Those with this symptom cluster were more likely to report additional symptoms than those without, and MRTs with DRD symptoms reported significantly more workplace chemical exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest excess symptoms consistent with DRD among MRTs versus PTs, and there were associations among those meeting our definition of DRD with self-reported irritant exposures and psychosocial stressors.     

Management of iatrogenic vaginal constriction

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively assess the outcomes of four approaches to the surgical management of iatrogenic vaginal constriction. METHODS: A prospective study was initiated to evaluate all women who presented to our practice with the complaint of apareunia or dyspareunia secondary to postoperative vaginal constriction. All participants were initially offered and failed a trial of manual dilation. Between 1997 and 2002, 20 women underwent one of four surgical procedures: Z-plasty, vaginal incision of constriction ring, vaginal advancement, or placement of free skin graft. All 20 participants have been followed postoperatively, including assessment of dyspareunia and postoperative vaginal length and caliber. RESULTS: Three patients underwent Z-plasty, eight had incision of vaginal ring or ridge, eight had vaginal advancement, and one underwent placement of a free skin graft. Mean follow-up was 17 months (range, 3-32 months). Subjective cure was defined as resumption of pain-free vaginal intercourse. Objective cure was defined by findings on physical examination. The overall subjective and objective cure rates were 75% and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The appropriate surgical procedure depends on the site and extent of the vaginal constriction, the state of the surrounding tissue, and the overall length and caliber of the vagina.     

Formerly incarcerated women create healthy lives through participatory action research

The specific purpose of the participatory action research study was to facilitate formerly incarcerated women who participate in Welcome Home Ministries (WHM) to develop their own plans and specific strategies, and to take action to build their own healthy futures. The research had a duel purpose of joint generation of knowledge and intervention relative to women's capacity building. The research intervention was the creation, implementation, and follow-up of a future search conference. The outcomes, conclusions, and implications for practice are discussed.     

Assessment of epidermal growth factor receptor with 99mTc-ethylenedicysteine-C225 monoclonal antibody

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an important role in cell division and cancer progression, as well as angiogenesis and metastasis. Since many tumor cells exhibit the EGFR on their surface, functional imaging of EGFR provides not only a non-invasive, reproducible, quantifiable alternative to biopsies, but it also greatly complements pharmacokinetic studies by correlating clinical responses with biological effects. Moreover, molecular endpoints of anti-EGFR therapy could be assessed effectively. C225 is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that targets the human extracellular EGFR and inhibits the growth of EGFR-expressing tumor cells. Also, it has been demonstrated that C225, in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs or radiotherapy, is effective in eradicating well-established tumors in nude mice. We have developed 99mTc-labeled C225 using ethylenedicysteine (EC) as a chelator. This study aimed at measuring uptake of 99mTc-EC-C225 in EGFR+ tumor-bearing animal models and preliminary feasibility of imaging patients with head and neck carcinomas. In vitro Western blot analysis and cytotoxicity assays were used to examine the integrity of EC-C225. Tissue distribution studies of 99mTc-EC-C225 were evaluated in tumor-bearing rodents at 0.5-4 h. In vivo biodistribution of 99mTc-EC-C225 in tumor-bearing rodents showed increased tumor-to-tissue ratios as a function of time. In vitro and biodistribution studies demonstrated the possibility of using 99mTc-EC-C225 to assess EGFR expression. SPECT images confirmed that the tumors could be visualized with 99mTc-EC-C225 from 0.5 to 4 h in tumor bearing rodents. We conclude that 99mTc-EC-C225 may be useful to assess tumor EGFR expression. This may be useful in the future for selecting patients for treatment with C225.     

Methodological issues in evaluating workplace interventions to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders through mechanical exposure reduction

Researchers of work-related musculoskeletal disorders are increasingly asked about the evidentiary base for mechanical exposure reductions. Mixed messages can arise from the different disciplinary cultures of evidence, and these mixed messages make different sets of findings incommensurate. Interventions also operate at different levels within workplaces and result in different intensities of mechanical exposure reduction. Heterogeneity in reporting intervention processes and in measuring relevant outcomes makes the synthesis of research reports difficult. As a means of synthesizing the current understanding of measures, this paper describes a set of intervention and observation nodes for which relevant workplace indicators prior to, during, and after mechanical exposure reduction can provide useful information. On the basis of this path of impacts from exposure reduction, an approach to the evaluation of multilevel ergonomic interventions is described that can assist fellow researchers in producing evidence relevant to the challenges faced by workplace parties and policy makers.