T helper cell epitopes of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) nef protein in rats and chimpanzees.

T helper cell antigenic and immunogenic determinants of the nef protein were investigated in the rat and chimpanzee models using recombinant nef protein and five synthetic peptides selected according to their amphipathic and alpha-helicity properties. The nef protein was shown to be immunogenic with both Freund's or aluminium hydroxide adjuvants. After immunization with the nef protein the 45-69 peptide was the most antigenic in rat and monkey models. In contrast, the 98-112 peptide, that required a carrier protein to induce in vitro rat T cell recall proliferation, was able to restimulate monkey T cells in the absence of a carrier. The amino acid sequence carrying the antigenic activity of the 45-69 peptide was further investigated by synthesizing short peptides overlapping this region. The antigenic sequence was precisely located in the middle of the peptide (region 50-59). This sequence was antigenic only when N alpha-acetylated. Circular dichroism analysis of the 45-69 peptide and the in vitro activity of the N-terminus group indicate in this case the involvement of the alpha-helical propensity for antigen presentation. However, the shorter sequence 50-64, able to induce a T cell reactivity, was determined as a beta-pleated sheet structure in aqueous solution. The 45-69 peptide was not only antigenic but also immunogenic and behaved in vivo as a functional T helper cell epitope. Indeed, the priming with the peptide or the transfer of peptide specific T cells to a naive recipient, followed by immunization with the nef protein, enhanced the subsequent antibody response to the nef protein. Together, these data indicate that the 45-69 peptide appears as a candidate for the in vivo elicitation of T cell immunity to the HIV-1 nef regulatory protein.     

The effect of the ovarian cycle on the sexual behaviour of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

The sexual behaviour of 7 pairs of marmosets was observed during 30 minute tests for 44-68 days and blood samples were collected from females for measurement of plasma progesterone, testosterone and oestrone. Copulations occurred throughout the ovarian cycle of 24-30 days. Females used a "tongue-flicking" display both as an invitational behaviour (proceptive tongue-flicks) and during copulation (receptive tongue-flicks) most frequently during the peri-ovulatory period. Frequencies of proceptivity were correlated positively with high mean levels of testosterone and oestrone during the cycle and with a short follicular phase. Males showed significant increases in tongue-flicks, mounts and ejaculations during the peri-ovulatory phase, together with a shortened post-ejaculatory interval and increased duration of penile erection after ejaculation. A retrospective analysis showed that these changes in the males' behaviour occurred only during tests where females were proceptive and not during other tests in the peri-ovulatory period. Females refused significantly more of the males' mounting attempts during the luteal phase and a corresponding reduction in mount frequency occurred at this time. Grooming, scent-marking, olfactory inspections and some other behaviours did not alter significantly in either sex during the ovarian cycle.     

Maternal Health Literacy Progression Among Rural Perinatal Women

This research examined changes in maternal health literacy progression among 106 low income, high risk, rural perinatal African American and White women who received home visits by Registered Nurse Case Managers through the Enterprise Community Healthy Start Program. Maternal health literacy progression would enable women to better address intermediate factors in their lives that impacted birth outcomes, and ultimately infant mortality (Lu and Halfon in Mater Child Health J 7(1):13–30, 2003; Sharma et al. in J Natl Med Assoc 86(11):857–860, 1994). The Life Skills Progression Instrument (LSP) (Wollesen and Peifer, in Life skills progression. An outcome and intervention planning instrument for use with families at risk. Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Baltimore, 2006) measured changes in behaviors that represented intermediate factors in birth outcomes. Maternal Health Care Literacy (LSP/M-HCL) was a woman’s use of information, critical thinking and health care services; Maternal Self Care Literacy (LSP/M-SCL) was a woman’s management of personal and child health at home (Smith and Moore in Health literacy and depression in the context of home visitation. Mater Child Health J, 2011). Adequacy was set at a score of (≥4). Among 106 women in the study initial scores were inadequate (<4) on LSP/M-HCL (83 %), and on LSP/M-SCL (30 %). Significant positive changes were noted in maternal health literacy progression from the initial prenatal assessment to the first (p < .01) postpartum assessment and to the final (p < .01) postpartum assessment using McNemar’s test of gain scores. Numeric comparison of first and last gain scores indicated women’s scores progressed (LSP/M-HCL; p < .0001) and (LSP/M-SCL; p < .0001). Elevated depression scores were most frequent among women with <4 LSP/M-HCL and/or <4 LSP/M-SCL. Visit notes indicated lack or loss of relationship with the father of the baby and intimate partner discord contributed to higher depression scores.     

Outflow resistance of the Baerveldt glaucoma drainage implant and modifications for early postoperative intraocular pressure control

PURPOSE: To determine outflow resistance of the Baerveldt glaucoma implant using different tube configurations. METHODS: Outflow resistance of 6 tube configurations (C1- C6) of Baerveldt implants was measured under conditions of constant pressure perfusion. Pressures ranged from 2 to 55 mm Hg. Venting slits were created using a 7-0 Vicryl, spatulated suture-needle. Seton tubes were occluded by threading a retrograde suture approximately 1.5 cm into the lumen. RESULTS: At pressures between 2 and 55 mm Hg, mean outflow resistance of the normally configured seton (ie, open tube; C1) was 0.41 (+/- 0.6) mm Hg/microL/min. Resistance was unchanged (mean 0.41 (+/- 0.4) mm Hg/microL/min) by the addition of 4 venting slits (C2) to the seton tube. Occlusion of the open seton tube with a 3-0 Supramid suture (C3) significantly increased (P < 0.001) mean outflow resistance to 14.99 (+/- 0.6) mm Hg/microL/min. Occlusion of the tube with a 4-0 Supramid suture (C4) significantly increased (P < 0.001) mean outflow resistance to 1.09 (+/- 0.5) mm Hg/microL/min. In implants where tubes were occluded with a 3-0 Supramid suture, the addition of venting slits (C5) significantly decreased (P = 0.038) mean outflow resistance to 8.98 (+/- 0.4) mm Hg/microL/min. In tubes occluded with a 4-0 Supramid suture, the addition of venting slits (C6) decreased mean outflow resistance to 0.98 (+/- 0.6) mm Hg/microL/min. CONCLUSIONS: Although these results cannot be directly correlated to the clinical setting, they do show that outflow resistance can be modified at the time of surgery by changing tube configuration of the Baerveldt glaucoma implant. Configuration C5 (3-0 Supramid with venting slits) closely approximates the outflow rate in the normal intraocular pressure range.     

Treatment of ureterocele on duplex ureter: upper pole nephrectomy by retroperitoneoscopy in children based on a series of 24 cases

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to present the results of a preliminary series of 24 upper pole nephrectomies performed by retroperitoneoscopy in children between 1995 and 2000. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patient was placed in the lateral supine position and 3-4 trocars were inserted. Parenchymal section was performed by ultrasound or unipolar scalpel. This series of 24 children consisted of 15 girls and 9 boys with a mean age of 22 months. RESULT: Three cases (12.5%) required open conversion. Nine intraoperative complications (37%) were observed and repaired intraoperatively. Five postoperative complications (20%) consisted of residual perirenal collections, requiring drainage under anaesthesia in only one case. The mean operating time was 2 hours 40 minutes. The mean hospital stay was 3.4 days. The mean follow-up was 32 months. No cases of secondary atrophy of the lower pole were observed. CONCLUSION: Overall, these preliminary results are comparable to those of conventional open surgery. The advantage of this method is a reduction of skin and musculo-aponeurotic scars.     

The effects of teacher intrusion on social play interactions between children with autism and their nonhandicapped peers

This study investigated the effects of two levels of teacher intrusion upon the behavior of elementary age children with autism and nonhandicapped peers during dyadic play interactions occurring in two special education classrooms. High versus low levels of teacher intrusion were contrasted in a mixed between- and within-subjects design counterbalanced for order across the two conditions. There were few differences in behavior across the two conditions, though the low-intrusion condition was associated with higher levels of toy contact, appropriate and inappropriate play, and lower levels of spontaneous verbalizations by the students with autism. There was no difference in the occurrence of excess behavior by condition. Results are discussed with respect to future investigations of effective teacher mediation to prepare children for positive peer interactions.This work was supported in part by Contract #300-82-0363 from Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education, awarded to the University of Minnesota. The material does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and no official endorsement should be inferred. The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance and support of Bonnie Biel, Marie Blackburn, Dennis McGuire, Ralph McQuarter, May Ross, Jeanne LaMere, Etta Overland, Barbara Pollster, and Mary Porter in the conduct of this study.     

Hyperprolactinaemia abolishes sensitivity of stria terminalis neurones to testosterone

Hyperprolactinaemia was induced in castrated, testosterone-treated male rats using ectopic pituitary grafts under the kidney capsules. After 6 weeks the absolute refractory period of stria terminalis neurones in these animals did not differ significantly from long-term castrated rats (mean = 1.72 vs 1.69 ms) in spite of the presence of normal testosterone concentrations. Gonadally intact animals, and sham-operated castrated animals treated with testosterone, showed by comparison the characteristic significantly shorter absolute refractory period normally associated with testosterone stimulation (mean = 1.15 and 1.08 ms respectively). These results provide the first demonstration that hyperprolactinaemia can abolish central sensitivity to testosterone.