Obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and the dexamethasone suppression test

Five of 29 obsessive-compulsive disorder patients were dexamethasone suppression test (DST) nonsuppressors, all of whom met standard Hamilton Depression Rating scale criteria for at least mild depression. None of 24 nondepressed obsessive-compulsive disorder patients had an abnormal DST. The relationship of the DST to specificity of psychiatric diagnoses is discussed.     

Epidermal growth factor-induced epithelio-mesenchymal transition in human breast carcinoma cells

PMC42-LA cells display an epithelial phenotype: the cells congregate into pavement epithelial sheets in which E-cadherin and beta-catenin are localized at cell-cell borders. They abundantly express cytokeratins, although 5% to 10% of the cells also express the mesenchymal marker vimentin. Stimulation of PMC42-LA cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) leads to epithelio-mesenchymal transition-like changes including up-regulation of vimentin and down-regulation of E-cadherin. Vimentin expression is seen in virtually all cells, and this increase is abrogated by treatment of cells with an EGF receptor antagonist. The expression of the mesenchyme-associated extracellular matrix molecules fibronectin and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan also increase in the presence of EGF. PMC42-LA cells adhere rapidly to collagen I, collagen IV, and laminin-1 substrates and markedly more slowly to fibronectin and vitronectin. EGF increases the speed of cell adhesion to most of these extracellular matrix molecules without altering the order of adhesive preference. EGF also caused a time-dependent increase in the motility of PMC42-LA cells, commensurate with the degree of vimentin staining. The increase in motility was at least partly chemokinetic, because it was evident both with and without chemoattractive stimuli. Although E-cadherin staining at cell-cell junctions disappeared in response to EGF, beta-catenin persisted at the cell periphery. Further analysis revealed that N-cadherin was present at the cell-cell junctions of untreated cells and that expression was increased after EGF treatment. N- and E-cadherin are not usually coexpressed in human carcinoma cell lines but can be coexpressed in embryonic tissues, and this may signify an epithelial cell population prone to epithelio-mesenchymal-like responses.     

Detection and characterization of OXA-48-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae originated in Bulgaria

We report the identification of OXA-48-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, causing peritonitis in a cancer patient admitted to the Oncology Hospital in Sofia. The isolate had reduced susceptibility to carbapenems but remained susceptible to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. PCR and sequencing confirmed the presence of bla_OXA-48 gene flanked by two intact copies of IS1999 on truncated ΔTn1999.1. This transposon was located on unusual non-typeable 29-kb plasmid that could be transferred only by transformation. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) indicated the presence of the sequence type ST530.This is the first documented infection due to OXA-48-producing Enterobacteriaceae strain in Bulgaria.     

Effects of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine on fetal hemoglobin levels,red cell adhesion,and hematopoietic differentiation in patients with sickle cell disease

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) decreases polymerization of sickle hemoglobin (HbS) and improves outcomes in sickle cell disease (SSD). Therefore, a therapeutic goal in SSD is pharmacologic reactivation of HbF. Silencing of the gamma-globin (HbF) gene is associated with DNA methylation. The cytosine analog 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (decitabine) hypomethylates DNA by inhibiting DNA methyltransferase. We examined if subcutaneous decitabine could increase HbF levels and improve SSD pathophysiology without cytotoxicity. Eight symptomatic SSD patients resistant or intolerant of standard treatment with hydroxyurea received decitabine 0.2 mg/kg subcutaneously 1 to 3 times per week in 2 cycles of 6-week duration. Treatment decreased neutrophils and increased mean HbF (6.5% to 20.4%, P <.0001) and mean total hemoglobin (76 to 96 g/L [7.6 to 9.6 g/dL], P <.001). Features of vaso-occlusive crisis pathophysiology such as red cell adhesion, endothelial damage, and coagulation pathway activity significantly improved. gamma-Globin gene promoter methylation decreased, and platelets and the proportion of megakaryocytes and erythroid cells in the marrow increased without a decrease in marrow cellularity, consistent with a DNA hypomethylating, noncytotoxic mechanism of action. Weekly subcutaneous decitabine produces cumulative increases in HbF and total hemoglobin through a noncytotoxic mechanism of action. Chronic dosing and sustained increases in hemoglobin F and total hemoglobin levels may be possible. Further studies in SSD and thalassemia are indicated.     

Sexually transmitted infections and use of sexual health services among young Australian women: women's health Australia study

Our objective was to examine associations between self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sociodemographic, lifestyle, health status, health service use and quality of life factors among young Australian women; and their use of family planning and sexual health clinics and associations with health, demographic and psychosocial factors. The study sample comprised 14,762 women aged 18-23 years who participated in the mailed baseline survey for the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, conducted in 1996. The main outcome measures are self report of ever being diagnosed by a doctor with an STI, including chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts or other STIs, and use of family planning and sexual health clinics. The self-reported incidence of STI was 1.7% for chlamydia, 1.1% genital herpes, 3.1% genital warts, and 2.1% other STIs. There was a large number of demographic, health behaviour, psychosocial and health service use factors significantly and independently associated with reports of having had each STI. Factors independently associated with use of family planning clinic included unemployment, current smoking, having had a Pap smear less than 2 years ago, not having ancillary health insurance, having consulted a hospital doctor and having higher stress and life events score. Factors independently associated with use of a sexual health clinic included younger age, lower occupation status, being a current or ex-smoker, being a binge drinker, having had a Pap smear, having consulted a hospital doctor, having poorer mental health and having higher life events score. This study reports interesting correlates of having an STI among young Australian women aged 18-23. The longitudinal nature of this study provides the opportunity to explore the long-term health and gynaecological outcomes of having STIs during young adulthood.     

Psychosocial Development in South Korean Couples and Its Effects on Marital Relationships

This study explored psychosocial development in South Korean couples and its impact on their marital satisfaction and marital crisis. A sample of 100 cohabiting married Korean couples (n?=?200) and 100 premarital couples (n?=?200) participated in this study. Findings showed that partners in same-couple relationships were more likely to reach the same stages of psychosocial development. Married couples displayed different levels of marital satisfaction and marital crisis depending on which stage of psychosocial development they found themselves in. The results of this study also revealed that partners who successfully resolved psychosocial developmental tasks and conflicts had higher marital satisfaction and lower marital crisis. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.     

Detection of an appropriate kinase activity in branchial arches I and II that coincides with peak expression of the Treacher Collins syndrome gene product, treacle.

Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS) is an autosomal dominant craniofacial disorder involving the mid and lower face and, in particular, the tissues affected arise solely from embryonic branchial arches I and II. TCOF1, the gene involved in TCS, has been cloned and although the function of the encoded protein, treacle, has not yet been established, it exhibits peak expression in the branchial arches. Treacle contains a series of repeating units of acidic and basic residues, which are predicted to contain putative casein kinase II (CKII) and protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation site motifs. In addition, treacle has weak homology to two phosphorylation-dependent nucleolar proteins, which shuttle between the cytoplasm and nucleolus. Based on these observations, phosphorylation of treacle may be important for its function. In this study, GST-treacle fusion peptides were constructed using particular TCOF1 exons that contained potential CKII and PKC phosphorylation sites. These were used as substrates in in vitro kinase assays and showed that treacle fusion peptides can be phosphorylated by the appropriate kinases. Furthermore, using tissue extracts we have demonstrated that in avian embryonic branchial arches I and II there is a kinase activity that can phosphorylate treacle peptides that is consistent with CKII site recognition. This activity coincides with the reported high expression of treacle in these tissues at early developmental stages and declines later in development.     

Motor activity in depressed patients treated with carbamazepine

Motor activity in 19 depressed patients treated with carbamazepine was assessed using self-contained monitors worn on the wrist. Those whose depression improved demonstrated significant increases in motor activity. Nonresponders as a group did not show decreased motor activity, suggesting that carbamazepine was not producing sedation or hypoactivity at clinically relevant doses. Activity counts were negatively correlated with ratings of global severity of depression on the Bunney-Hamburg Scale and with degree of motor retardation rated on the BPRS during treatment. The selective increases in motor activity in those who improved are consistent with psychomotor changes related to amelioration of depression.     

Nursing morale: predictive variables among a sample of registered nurses in Australia

Aim  This study investigates the determinants of morale among Registered Nurses in Queensland, Australia.
Background  In light of the public discussions on the issues facing the future of nursing, it is critical to understand the factors that influence morale.
Methods  A 160-question instrument sought information from Registered Nurses on their perceptions of 'self', work and morale. A response rate of 41% was achieved ( n  = 343) from a convenience sample of three acute hospitals.
Results  Following binary logistic regression modelling for organizational morale, significant relationships were found with patient care provision and team interaction. Binary logistic regression modelling for personal morale revealed positive relationships with team interaction, consultation, professional recognition and lower levels of patient abuse.
Conclusion  The results point to a number of organizational and professional issues that can be considered by health care administrators and policy makers to develop workplaces that have a positive impact on the morale of nurses.