Activation of the alternative pathway by gluten. A possible aetiological factor in dermatitis herpetiformis.

Gluten fractions are shown to activate the alternative pathway of complement when added to normal human serum. Breakdown of C3 and Factor B occur in a manner analogous to that when activated by zymosan, in the presence of MgEGTA and in serum devoid of classical pathway activity. The suggestion is made that bypass activation may be the primary event when gluten enters the serum across a damaged gut mucosa. Immune complexes containing non-complement fixing IgA antigluten antibody are carried to the skin where it is proposed that complexed gluten activates C3 and initiates an inflammatory reaction.     

Surface immunoglobulin of a mouse T-cell lymphoma

A surface immunoglobulin (Ig) has been extracted from E14, a tissue culture established mouse T-cell lymphoma. The purified protein can be separated into heavy and light chains by reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol. The intact Ig has a molecular weight of 170,000 and the heavy chain has a molecular weight of 64,000.     

Client typology based on functioning level assessments: utility for service planning and monitoring

Cluster analysis was used to develop a six-group typology based on level of functioning data from 2,447 clients with serious mental illness served by the Michigan public mental health system. The groups are described in terms of level of functioning in 16 domains, global functioning, diagnosis, demographic characteristics and services used. A group of older, poor functioning clients with high health needs was identified. A second group of highly dysfunctional clients with few health needs was also found. Two groups of young adult "chronic" clients were found: one with extensive substance abuse problems and one with moderate substance abuse problems and extreme levels of suicidal and aggressive behavior. Two groups of relatively good functioning clients were also identified: one with some problems in many areas and a second with functional problems in a number of life areas and pronounced symptoms of depression and demoralization. The results point to the utility of cluster analysis as a mechanism to organize and identify patterns within the rich array of information provided by multidimensional level of functioning assessments. The uses of empirically derived client types in planning and monitoring mental health services are discussed.     

"Bread: it's a great way to go". Increasing bread consumption decreases laxative sales in an elderly community.

OBJECTIVE: To test the effects on laxative sales of two methods of promoting increased consumption of wholemeal/wholegrain bread by the elderly. DESIGN: Community intervention trials were carried out in two test communities and one control community on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. PARTICIPANTS: Small retirement communities with a high proportion of the population aged over 55 years. INTERVENTIONS: A community organisation strategy (COS) involving the media, community activities and social marketing principles using the theme "Bread: It's a Great Way to Go" was compared with a patient education strategy (PES) through local doctors and a control community (CON). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Wholemeal/wholegrain bread sales and laxative sales. RESULTS: There was a 49% decrease in laxative sales corresponding to a 58% increase in sales of wholemeal/wholegrain bread in the COS community but no significant changes in either the PES or CON communities. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests a positive, cost effective approach for increasing fibre intake and improving gastrointestinal problems in the elderly.     

Parenting among mothers with a serious mental illness

In the past few decades, deinstitutionalization and community-based rehabilitation and support programs have increased the likelihood that women with serious mental disorders will be parents and will raise their children. This review describes what is known about the parenting of these women, focusing on diagnosis, child characteristics, and other contextual effects.     

Mothers with serious mental illness

Mental health services have generally ignored the parenting needs of women with serious mental illness. This chapter identifies the parenting risks and strengths that these women display, as well as the opportunities available to psychologists to play a key role in improving mother and child outcomes.