Is focal task‐specific dystonia limited to the hand and face?

Focal task-specific dystonia (FTSD) of the hand and face have been well described; however, FTSD of the leg is exceedingly rare. We describe and demonstrate by videotape 2 patients with FTSD affecting the leg, in both cases triggered specifically by walking down steps. Walking on a level surface, up steps, and down steps backward, and sideways were normal. An interoceptive sensory trick (imagining walking in a different modality) led to temporary improvement. Our patients appear to demonstrated that task-specificity in focal dystonia may not be limited to skilled, rehearsed actions and that FTSD may occur in an activity that is relatively autonomic.     

HTLV-I, HIV-I, and Hepatitis B and C Viruses in Western Province, Papua New Guinea: A Serological Survey

Seven hundred and twenty-three serum samples from individuals in 13 Gidra-speaking villages in Western Province, Papua New Guinea were tested for evidence of infection with human T- lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-I), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). No samples were positive for antibodies to HIV-I. Antibodies to HTLV-I were found in 13 samples (1.8%), HBV surface antigens (HBsAg) were found in 86 samples (11.9%), and antibodies to HCV were found in 30 samples (4.1%). Six (46.2%) of 13 HTLV-I positive samples were positive for HCV or HBsAg. The seropositive rate varied in different villages and the incidence of HTLV-I and HCV was higher in coastal and riverine areas than inland.     

Efficacy I: a new method for estimating relative efficacy of full agonists via a newly defined efficacy related parameter

A new method for estimating relative efficacies and relative intrinsic efficacies of agonists is described. Relative efficacy is estimated by employing a newly defined efficacy related parameter (e^ES) and it may be estimated without prior knowledge of efficacy values or the value of the equilibrium dissociation constants, K_A, of agonist-receptor complexes. The parameter e^ES is directly related to efficacy (e) and is defined as the ratio of maximal stimulus to maximal effect of an agonist. The value of e^ES indicates whether or not spare receptors are present for a particular agonist–effector system. The e^ES values of agonists are estimated by utilizing submaximal concentration–effect curves determined with fixed agonist-competitive antagonist concentration combinations and choosing a suitable reference (height of an agonistic concentration–effect curve) to which the height of the stimulus concentration–effect curves of the agonist may be compared. In addition to e^ES, other new agonist–effector parameters, namely S_Em/S_m and φ_min, were also defined.     

Can communication skills be assessed independently of their context?

In many examinations, communication skills tend to be treated as if they are a single attribute independent of the context of the communication. However, it is clear that such assessments are confounded by candidates' knowledge or lack of knowledge of the medical issues about which they are communicating. In the 1990 Part One examination for Membership of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners candidates were provided with all the essential knowledge relevant to the problem they were to communicate about. Despite this, performance was still seen to be context specific, demonstrating that such specificity is not purely knowledge related. Candidates completing the examination were observed to share information about the cases with candidates about to commerce. There was no evidence that performance was enhanced by such breaches in examination security.     

赖型钩端螺旋体重组DNApCX7的特异性鉴定和限制性内切酶谱分析

本实验将赖型钩端螺旋体（简称钩体）ＤＮＡ基因库的克隆ｐＣＸ７制备成￣（３２）Ｐ－重组ＤＮＡ探针，对８个不同血清群的１７株问号状钩体、双曲钩体ＰａｔｏｃⅠ株以及细螺旋体３０５５株ＤＮＡ进行打点杂交；同时用１５种ＤＮＡ片断进行限制性内切酶谱分析。结果表明，该重组ＤＮＡ具有问号状钩体种（Ｓｐｅｃｉｅｓ）特异性，但与不同问号状钩体之间的同源性程度有差别；限制性内切酶谱分析发现ｐＣＸ７重组ＤＮＡ片段长约１．７ｋｂ，具有１个Ｂｇ１Ⅱ识别位点和３个ＢｓｔＢ１识别位点。     

大鼠子宫内膜抗菌成分的初步分析

作者以１％乙酸冲洗ＳＤ大鼠子宫内膜，获得子宫内膜酸溶性提取物。利用琼脂糖弥散法和电泳凝胶琼脂糖弥散法抗菌试验发现，子宫内膜提取物有三条主蛋白带对致病性大肠杆菌ＭＬ－３５Ｐ耐药株有强抗菌活性，这三条抗菌蛋白带命名为ＲａｔＵＰ－１，ＲａｔＵＰ－２和ＲａｔＵＰ－３，分别占子宫内膜提取物总蛋白量的４．５％，５．７％和６．６％。虽然提取物存在溶菌的活性，但其含量甚微，在ＡＵ一ＰＡＧＥ图谱上亦未能显现溶菌酶条带。本实验的结果提示子宫内膜合成一类抗菌多肽，可能在子宫抗菌机制中发挥重要作用。     

创新药物药动学高通量筛选

高通量筛选体系在创新药物药动学筛选中的应用是新药开发研究的一个重要领域。本文回顾了国外创新药物药动学筛选及高通量筛选体系在药动学筛选中的应用，指出药动学的体外高通量筛选在新药开发研究的早期是一种行之有效的方法，不仅可以降低候选化合物的淘汰率，缩短研究开发的周期，降低开发费用，还可以根据筛选的结果对先导化合物结构改造或修饰提出建议，以获得具有良好药动学特性的新候选化合物。     

Studies of neurotrophin biology in the developing trigeminal system

The accessibility of the primary sensory neurons of the trigeminal system at stages throughout their development in avian and mammalian embryos and the ease with which these neurons can be studied in vivo has facilitated investigation of several fundamental aspects of neurotrophin biology. Studies of the timing and sequence of action of neurotrophins and the expression of neurotrophins and their receptors in this well characterised neuronal system have led to a detailed understanding of the functions of neurotrophins in neuronal development. The concepts of neurotrophin independent survival, neurotrophin switching and neurotrophin cooperativity have largely arisen from work on the trigeminal system. Moreover, in vitro studies of trigeminal neurons provided some of the first evidence that the neurotrophin requirements of sensory neurons are related to sensory modality. The developing trigeminal system has been studied most extensively in mice and chickens, each of which has particular advantages for understanding different aspects of neurotrophin biology. In this review, I will outline these advantages and describe some of the main findings that have arisen from this work.     

People with intellectual disability, sensory impairments and behaviour disorder: a case series

Background Sensory impairments (SIs) are more prevalent in people with intellectual disability (ID). Both conditions lead to higher rates of emotional and behavioural problems than in the general population. The identification of psychiatric disorders in this group can be difficult, particularly in those with severe ID and limited communication skills. Method The present paper presents a series of 18 case reports of individuals with ID, SI and behavioural problems. Results The majority of cases were young male caucasians with congenital rubella syndrome and autistic spectrum disorder, referred because of self‐injurious behaviour (SIB) or aggression. Nine cases were treated with autidepressants, five underwent environmental changes and two had medication reduced. All showed some improvement. Conclusions The benefits of comprehensive assessments, the use of standardized assessment tools and trials of treatments are discussed in the context of making psychiatric diagnoses.