Transglutaminase in cell proliferation and transformation

Transglutaminase (TGase) activity was reduced in intact mitogen-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) when compared to intact resting PBL. Moreover, a treatment of the same quiescent immunocompetent cells with purified liver TGase and Ca²⁺ completely suppressed the mitogen-induced blast transformation. A decrease in TGase activity in neoplastically transformed seminal vesicle epithelial cells with respect to their normal parent counterpart was also observed. Our data support the notion of a possible implication of TGase in cell proliferation and transformation.     

The mere exposure effect in patients with Alzheimer's disease

The mere exposure effect was examined in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Twenty patients and 20 elderly controls judged the physical characteristics of faces. Implicit memory was tested later by presenting pairs of faces (old and new) and asking participants which faces they liked better. Patients and controls exhibited above chance preference for previously exposed faces. Experiment 2 evaluated whether the preserved implicit memory of patients was mediated by explicit memory. Patients and controls again judged faces but then later chose which faces they had seen before. Patients exhibited impaired recognition memory compared to controls. These findings suggest that a mere exposure effect for unfamiliar faces is present in mild to moderate AD. The results are discussed in terms of perceptual and conceptual priming and relatively spared occipital lobe functioning in early AD.     

Assessment of Self-Reward Strategies for Maintenance of Breast Self-Examination

This study examined the relative impact of different self-reward strategies on maintenance of breast self-examination (BSE) practice among 1649 women trained to do BSE. Training groups were randomized into four conditions: (a) self-reward instructions and materials delivered at the end of the BSE training session; (b) self-reward suggestions delivered through the mail each month, contingent upon the BSE performance; (c) external monetary rewards and self-reward suggestions delivered through the mail each month on an intermittent schedule, contingent upon BSE practice; and (d) a no-reward control condition. Follow-up assessments 12 months following training revealed a pattern of evidence in support of the benefits of external monetary rewards and self-reward prompts on BSE frequency and quality; however, it is likely that the value of that condition lies in the external reward component.     

Visna DNA synthesis and the tempo of infection in vitro

We have examined the effect of reovirus infection on the CV-1 cytoskeleton. Reovirus infection produces a major disruption of vimentin filaments without producing a discernable disorganization of microtubules or microfilament bundles in CV-1 cells. In addition to disrupting the organization of vimentin filaments, reovirus infection appears to cause a reorganization of vimentin filaments. Viral inclusions contain vimentin filamentous structures. Viral infection also alters the cytoplasmic distribution of mitochondria, consistent with the proposed role of vimentin filaments in determining the distribution of mitochondria.     

A Trojan Horse mechanism for the spread of visna virus in monocytes

Visna virus is the prototype of the lentivirus subfamily of retroviruses that cause slow infections of sheep and goats. These viruses persist and can be isolated from blood and cerebrospinal fluid for years despite neutralizing antibody. In the studies reported here we have used quantitative in situ hybridization to analyze infected leukocytes. We show that (1) monocytes harbor the visna genome; and (2) virus gene expression is as constrained in this cell as it is in glial and epithelial cells. These results are in accord with a Trojan Horse mechanism of virus dissemination in an immunologically responsive host.     

Urinary incontinence in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics: urodynamic findings and therapeutic perspectives

Objective

The present study was a urodynamic evaluation of schizophrenic patients with urinary incontinence occurring during treatment with atypical antipsychotics

Methods

A total of 12 schizophrenic patients (mean age?=?30.7 years, SD?=?6.5) presenting urinary incontinence during treatment with atypical antipsychotics at stable doses underwent urodynamic evaluations. Clinical assessment included the administration of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

Results

Four patients out of 12 presented urodynamic patterns consistent with an overactive bladder, while five patients presented reduced bladder compliance; only three patients showed normal urodynamic patterns

Conclusion

Detrusor overactivity is a condition associated with urinary incontinence in schizophrenic patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. Urodynamic evaluations can improve our knowledge of the mechanisms that subtend atypical antipsychotic-induced incontinence, an invalidating side-effect with strong repercussion on compliance and rehabilitation in schizophrenic patients     

Our Timing to Remove Peritoneal Catheter Dialysis After Kidney Transplant

Background

Patients on peritoneal dialysis treatment represent 15% of the global dialysis population. The major complication of peritoneal dialysis is catheter and peritoneal infection. Peritoneal dialysis patients who receive kidney transplants are at increased risk of infection because of immunosuppressive therapy.