THE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN AROUSAL LEVEL ON CRITICAL FLICKER FUSION FREQUENCY AND FIGURAL REVERSAL TASKS

The present study was designed to investigate the relationship between intra-and inter-individual differences in arousal level and performance on both critical flicker fusion frequency and figural reversal tasks. Forty male undergraduate Ss were used. Electrical skin conductance was used as the indicant of arousal level. For the intra-individual comparisons white noise was used to increase the Ss’arousal levels. Significant inverted U-shaped relationships were found between both flicker fusion thresholds and rates of figural reversal and skin conductance between individuals. A significant curvilinear relationship was found between rates of figural reversal and level of conductance within individuals. No significant curvilinear relationship was found between flicker fusion thresholds and level of conductance within individuals.     

Genome of the European elk papillomavirus (EEPV)

The genome of the European elk papillomavirus (EEPV) was found to be 8,095 base pairs (bp) long and its genetic organization was similar to that of other papillomaviruses. Ten open reading frames (ORFs), designated E1-E7 and L1-L3, were identified in the genome, all located on one strand. The presence of the L3 ORF is rare among the papillomaviruses and to date has only been identified in the genomes of EEPV, the deer papillomavirus (DPV) and the Cottontail papillomavirus (CRPV). The ORF is well conserved beteeen DPV and EEPV with regard to both length and sequence. Potential promoter regions were identified at the 5-end of the E6 ORF, at the 3-end of the E1 ORF and downstream of the L1 ORF. Furthermore, two potential polyadenylation signals were found, one located in the long control region (LCR), downstream of the L1 ORF, and another preceding the L2 ORF. The EEVP genome is closely related to the genome of the DPV, the most highly conserved regions being ORFs E1 (70%), E5 (69%), and L1 (74%).     

Is MED13L-related intellectual disability a recognizable syndrome?

Introduction

MED13L-related intellectual disability is characterized by moderate intellectual disability (ID), speech impairment, and dysmorphic facial features. We present 8 patients with MED13L-related intellectual disability and review the literature for phenotypical and genetic aspects of previously described patients.

The failed repressor: EEG asymmetry as a moderator of the relation between defensiveness and depressive symptoms

This study assessed the joint effects of defensiveness and frontal asymmetry in predicting symptoms of depression and anxiety. Depression symptoms were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and anxiety symptoms with the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (TMAS). Defensiveness was assessed with both the Marlowe Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSD) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire L scale (EPQL). Participants completed two EEG recording sessions 3 weeks apart. Six baselines, three eyes open and three eyes closed, were recorded in each session. Alpha power (8–13 Hz) was computed and log transformed. R–L asymmetry was computed at eight pairs of homologous sites for aggregated data. Defensiveness (EPQL and MCSD scores) and depression symptoms (BDI) were assessed at the beginning of the first session. L and MCSD correlated positively with anterior R–L asymmetries. For both scales, the highest correlations were observed at F8–F7. L interacted with F8–F7 asymmetry to predict depressive symptoms. Among left frontally active individuals, there was trend toward a negative correlation between L and BDI. Among the right frontally active individuals, the correlation between L and the BDI was positive. MCSD did not moderate the relation between F8–F7 asymmetry and BDI. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that defensiveness protects against symptoms of depression in the context of left frontal activity, and serves as a diathesis for depression in the context of right frontal activity. High-defensive individuals who are right frontally active may represent “failed repressors,” i.e. individuals for whom defensiveness does not protect against depression, and may even exacerbate it.     

Identification, isolation, and characterization of a species-specific 30-kDa antigen of Oesophagostomum dentatum

In the search for a serology tool for the diagnosis of nonpatent as well as patent infections with Oesophagostomum dentatum in pigs a water-soluble, unglycosilated antigen of about 30 kDa specific for the third-stage larvae of the parasite was purified by ion-exchange chromatography. In Western blots, the antigen was first detected by antibodies at day 7 postinfection. Cross-reactivity with O. quadrispinulatum, Ascaris suum, or Trichuris suis was not detected. It is suggested that this protein is a suitable tool for the species-specific serodiagnosis of O. dentatum infection in pigs. Received: 15 June 1998 / Accepted: 28 September 1998     

Multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of fluocortin butyl in perennial rhinitis

Fluocortin butyl (FCB) is a newly synthesized corticosteroid with a high ratio of topical to systemic activity. FCB was studied in a multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of therapy of perennial rhinitis. The study was conducted between January and May 1981. Patients evaluated suffered from either chronic allergic or chronic nonallergic rhinitis or both. A total of 306 patients from 16 investigative centers were evaluated by comparing FCB to placebo. Three separate dosage regimens were employed. Patients received a total daily dose of 2, 4, or 8 mg. FCB was found to be an effective therapeutic agent. It reduced symptoms of nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, postnasal drainage, and sneezing. It also markedly reduced the use of concomitant medications (chlorpheniramine maleate and/or pseudoephedrine). Relief of symptoms was noted as early as the first week of therapy, and the degree of improvement increased progressively during the study. There was little difference between the relief produced by the 4 mg and 8 mg regimens. Both of these were superior to the 2 mg regimen. The drug was well tolerated; no significant side effects were noted.     

An Evaluation of Finger Pulse Volume as a Psychophysiological Measure of Anxiety

The present experiment explored the utility of finger pulse volume (FPV) as a measure of anxiety. Subjects were exposed to either a threatening or nonthreatening situation, and indices of physiological arousal (pulse rate (PR) and FPV) and self-report of anxiety (Affect Adjective Checklist (AACL)) were collected. Results indicated that FPV was responsive to changes in experimentally induced anxiety and significantly correlated with PR and AACL, although the strength of these relationships was not substantial. Relevance for psychophysiological theory and the clinical observation of anxiety is discussed.     

Activating effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tanacetum vulgare</Emphasis> L. pectin polysaccharide on ionic channels of neuronal membrane

The membranotropic effects of TVF tanacetan pectin polysaccharide derived from Tanacetum vulgare L. was studied by the voltage-clamp method on isolated neurons of Lymnaea stagnalis mollusk. TVF in concentrations of 0.1-10.0 µg/ml nonselectively activated the outward potassium and total inward (sodium and calcium) ionic currents (slightly dose-dependently and reversibly increased their amplitude by 5–10%) and decreased nonspecific leakage current.Translated from Byulleten Eksperimentalnoi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 10, pp. 439–441, October, 2004     

Characterization of idiotopes on MOPC 315 IgA using monoclonal antiidiotypic antibodies

The isologous antiidiotypic response in BALB/c mice to immunization with the DNP-binding IgA myeloma protein, MOPC 315, alters the expression of the anti-DNP antibody repertoire and confers immunity against MOPC 315 myeloma tumors. In order to characterize the idiotopes on MOPC 315 IgA which elicit this response we have isolated four monoclonal antiidiotypic antibodies (AIA), D10 (IgG_2a), A2(IgG₁), G3 (IgG_2b) and F1 (IgG_2a), produced by splenocytes of BALB/c mice immunized with MOPC 315 IgA in three independent fusion experiments. These AIA react with MOPC 315 IgA. reassociated H³¹⁵ L³¹⁵ and F³¹⁵_V but not with free H³¹⁵, L³¹⁵, V³¹⁵_H or V³¹⁵₂. In addition the AIA do not react with the closely related DNP-binding IgA myeloma protein, MOPC 460, suggesting that they are directed against private idiotopes on MOPC 315 IgA. These idiotopes can be divided into two groups. Group I, defined by D10, A2 and G3 consists of two overlapping idiotopes, one of which is related to the hapten-binding site. The two idiotopes are formed by an interaction of amino acids in H³¹⁵ and L³¹⁵. Group II defined by F1 consists of one idiotope which is related to the hapten-binding site. This idiotope is comprised of an aminoacid sequence on H³¹⁵ which requires an interaction with either L³¹⁵ or L⁴⁶⁰ for expression. A2 and G3 react identically with the same idiotope but were derived from two independent fusion experiments. This indicates an identity of AIA clonotypes among individual mice and suggests that the isologous AIA response to MOPC 315 IgA is restricted.     

Genetic and light intensity effects on the activity and emigratory behavior of the house fly,Musca domestica (L.)

The emigratory behavior and locomotor activity of yellow-eyed (y/y), wildtype (+/+), and heterozygous (+/y) house flies was examined at 8 fc (86 lx) and 1600 fc (17,223 lx) light intenstities. At 8 fc, emigration rate and activity of the y/y flies was similar to that of the +/+ and +/y flies. However, at 1600 fc, the y/y flies emigrated at twice the rate and showed an activity of about one-third that of the other genotypes. The behavior of the +/+ and +/y flies remained similar regardless of the experimental design or light intensity. The excessive neural stimulation by high-intensity light resulting from reduced shielding pigments led to behavioral modifications in the visual and tactile responses of the y/y flies.This research was supported in part by grants from the CUNY Faculty Research Award Program (No. 1103) and NIH Biomedical Research Support Grant 5-S05-R-07064.