Ibotenic acid-induced lesions of the medial zona incerta decrease lordosis behavior in the female rat

To examine the role of the medial zona incerta (mZI) in female sexual behavior, ovariectomized estrogen- and progesterone-treated female rats were tested for sexual receptivity after bilateral injections of the selective neurotoxin ibotenic acid (3 micrograms/0.3 microliter) directly into the mZI. These injections produced a significant attenuation of lordosis behavior in highly receptive females when compared with saline-injected controls. This decrease in sexual receptivity was also reflected in a significant increase of rejections of male mount attempts. However, these lesions did not abolish the display of lordosis behavior. In addition, the frequency of hopping and darting was decreased in ibotenic acid-injected females when compared with controls. Consistent with previous studies, these lesions also produced a transient impairment of drinking behavior (hypodipsia) typical of rats with large electrolytic lesions of the mZI. This study demonstrates that mZI neurons play a role in mediating sexual receptivity in the female rat. Collectively, these results suggest that in addition to the projection from the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus to the midbrain central gray, the functional integrity of the mZI is of crucial importance for the expression of sexual receptivity in the female rat.     

Defining undernutrition for public health purposes in the United States

Lack of consistency among definitions of undernutrition used for different public health purposes in the United States hinders an effective diagnosis of the problem and the design of interventions to prevent and treat undernutrition. No single-case definition of undernutrition is appropriate for all purposes. These purposes include surveillance of the prevalence of undernutrition in the population, epidemiological research on risk factors and consequences of undernutrition within population subgroups and communities, and screening, monitoring and evaluation of nutritional programs. We recommend that a cut-off of -2.0 SD (2.3 percentile) for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height on National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference growth charts be used to estimate and monitor the prevalence of undernutrition in the United States, in accordance with guidelines of the World Health Organization. Epidemiological research on population-based risk factors for undernutrition and its functional consequences is required to identify the appropriate nutritional indicator and cut-off for screening and monitoring and evaluation of interventions.     

The relationship between compulsive behaviour and academic achievement across the three genetic subtypes of Prader–Willi syndrome

Background Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic syndrome associated with several physical, cognitive and behavioural characteristics. For many individuals with this syndrome, compulsive behaviour is often noted in both food and non‐food situations. The focus of this paper is on the non‐food‐related compulsions in individuals with PWS and comparing differences across the three genetic subtypes of the syndrome. Methods Compulsive behaviours in 73 people with PWS were assessed using the Yale‐Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and the Compulsive Behavior Checklist. Compulsive behaviour and its relation to IQ and academic achievement also were evaluated. Phenotypic differences were characterized for the three most common genetic subtypes of the disorder: 16 individuals with the long Type I (TI) 15q deletion, 26 individuals with the short Type II (TII) 15q deletion and 31 individuals with maternal disomy 15. Results There appeared to be important differences between the two deletion subtypes. Specifically, individuals with the TI deletion had more compulsions regarding personal cleanliness (i.e. excessive bathing/grooming), and their compulsions were more difficult to interrupt and interfered with social activities more than the other subtypes. Individuals with the TII deletion were more likely to have compulsions related to specific academic areas (i.e. rereading, erasing answers and counting objects or numbers). Conclusions These findings may help clinicians and researchers identify possible intervention strategies and supports based on the behavioural phenotype associated with genetic subtype in individuals with PWS.     

Postoperative radiotherapy for locally advanced colon cancer

Background: The role of adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy for locally advanced colon cancer is not well documented. Methods: Seventy-eight patients who underwent a complete resection of B2-C colon cancer received postoperative radiotherapy. Twenty-eight patients received ⩽45 Gy; 50 patients received 50–55 Gy. Twenty-seven patients received adjuvant fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. All patients were followed for a minimum of 3 years; no patients were lost to follow-up. Results: The overall local control rate was 88%. The 5-year actuarial rate of local control was 96% after 50–55 Gy postoperative radiotherapy compared with 76% after <50 Gy (p=0.0095). Multivariate analysis of local control showed that only radiotherapy dose significantly influenced this end point. Cause-specific survival rates at 5 years were B2, 67%; B3, 90%; C1, 100%; C2, 61%; C3, 36%; and overall, 63%. Multivariate analysis of cause-specific survival showed that only stage significantly influenced this end point. Bowel obstruction caused by adhesions developed in three patients and required a laparotomy; radiation-induced sarcoma developed in one additional patient. Conclusions: Postoperative radiotherapy appears to reduce the risk of local recurrence in patients with locally advanced colon cancer. The optimal dose is probably 50–55 Gy at 1.8 Gy per fraction. Postoperative radiotherapy may improve cause-specific survival for patients with stages B3 and C2 cancers.     

Maternal satisfaction following post-shelter family reunification

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlates of post-shelter maternal family satisfaction in a group of youth who were reunified with their families following a shelter stay. Findings indicated that higher ratings of family satisfaction were related to greater maternal problem solving skill and less family conflict.     

Newer electrodiagnostic techniques in peripheral nerve injuries

Careful attention to technique is essential for the accurate evaluation of peripheral nerve function using conventional EMG and nerve conduction studies. Numerous technical, anatomic, and physiologic pitfalls must be avoided. The amplitudes of the M wave and SNAP contain useful diagnostic information and should be evaluated carefully in addition to conduction velocity and distal latency. Newer techniques using the F wave, H reflex, SEP, dermatomal SEP, and quantitative EMG may be helpful in evaluation of selected peripheral nerve problems. Comparative nerve conduction studies using "inching" technique permit evaluation of short nerve segments. Comparisons with parallel nerves improve diagnostic sensitivity.     

Clinical use of a standard kit-preparation of radiolabeled monoclonal antibody 96.5 in the diagnostic imaging of metastatic melanoma

We studied the efficiency of a standard-kit preparation using 1 mg 111In-labeled 96.5 monoclonal antibody in combination with 19 mg of unlabeled antibody in the diagnostic imaging of 27 patients with documented metastatic melanoma. Twenty-three of 26 patients (88%) demonstrated immunoscintigraphic localization of tumor. Of 104 metastatic sites previously documented by conventional studies, 62 (60%) were identified by immunoscintigraphy. A total of 77 sites demonstrated localization of radiolabeled antibody. Fifty-four (70%) corresponded to known sites of disease; eight sites (10%) were "discovered" by immunoscintigraphy and subsequently confirmed by conventional studies; 15 imaged sites (20%) could not be confirmed by conventional studies. Size and location of metastasis appear to be important features that influence imaging efficiency. Tumor size (greater than or equal to 2 cm v less than 2 cm) appears to be the statistical dominant determinant. The feasibility and potential clinical use of radioimmune imaging of tumors is discussed.     

Evaluation of a burn prevention program in a public school system.

The "Learn Not to Burn" prevention program is a burn prevention curriculum sponsored by the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center, the State Department of Public Instruction, and the North Carolina Department of Insurance Fire and Rescue Division. The goal of the program is to reduce burn-related deaths and injuries in North Carolina through burn prevention education by making the "Learn Not to Burn" curriculum available to primary school children across the state at no cost to the schools. The curriculum instrument is a reusable notebook that provides a means for teachers to integrate burn prevention into regular class subject areas. At the time of initiation of this study approximately 70% of the school systems in North Carolina had been provided with the "Learn Not to Burn" curriculum.