Multimodal cues improve prey localization under complex environmental conditions

Predators often eavesdrop on sexual displays of their prey. These displays can provide multimodal cues that aid predators, but the benefits in attending to them should depend on the environmental sensory conditions under which they forage. We assessed whether bats hunting for frogs use multimodal cues to locate their prey and whether their use varies with ambient conditions. We used a robotic set-up mimicking the sexual display of a male túngara frog (Physalaemus pustulosus) to test prey assessment by fringe-lipped bats (Trachops cirrhosus). These predatory bats primarily use sound of the frog's call to find their prey, but the bats also use echolocation cues returning from the frog's dynamically moving vocal sac. In the first experiment, we show that multimodal cues affect attack behaviour: bats made narrower flank attack angles on multimodal trials compared with unimodal trials during which they could only rely on the sound of the frog. In the second experiment, we explored the bat's use of prey cues in an acoustically more complex environment. Túngara frogs often form mixed-species choruses with other frogs, including the hourglass frog (Dendropsophus ebraccatus). Using a multi-speaker set-up, we tested bat approaches and attacks on the robofrog under three different levels of acoustic complexity: no calling D. ebraccatus males, two calling D. ebraccatus males and five D. ebraccatus males. We found that bats are more directional in their approach to the robofrog when more D. ebraccatus males were calling. Thus, bats seemed to benefit more from multimodal cues when confronted with increased levels of acoustic complexity in their foraging environments. Our data have important consequences for our understanding of the evolution of multimodal sexual displays as they reveal how environmental conditions can alter the natural selection pressures acting on them.

Abstract 3: HDL-MicroRNA-92a and Interleukin-33 Axis Underlies Endothelial Dysfunction Associated With Atherosclerosis and Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) serve as a general cargo carrier for a wide-variety of proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules which likely confer many of HDL’s alternative functions. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) treated with native HDL were found to have increased intracellular levels of miR-92a, a miRNA recently found to protect against endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Moreover, HDL delivery of miR-92a was inhibited using SR-BI blocking antibodies in endothelial cells. Likewise, aortic endothelial miR-92a levels were found to be significantly decreased (50%) in Apoe-/- mice compared to wild-type controls, which may be a function of the absence of HDL in these mice. Using photoactivatable-ribonucleoside-crosslinked-immunoprecipitation-high-throughput-sequencing, we found that HDL transfer multiple miR-92a isomiR variants from macrophages to HCAECs, which were found in association with Argonaute2 RNA-induced silencing complexes. Using whole-genome arrays, we found that HDL alters the expression of many genes in HCAECs, including the significant down-regulation of 18 putative miR-92a targets. Strikingly, miR-92a was found to be significantly increased 8.5-fold on HDL from CKD subjects. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a cytokine and nuclear transcription factor largely expressed in endothelial cells. HDL from both normal and CKD subjects significantly decreased IL-33 expression in HCAECs, as determined by real-time PCR and microarrays. In a mouse model of CKD (Apoe-/-; 5/6 nephrectomy), IL-33 expression was increased in aortic endothelial cells; however, a single HDL injection (4mg) reduced IL-33 mRNA back to sham levels at 7d post-injection. Most interestingly, HDL loaded with locked-nucleic acid miR-92a inhibitors blocked HDL’s ability to suppress CKD induced IL-33 expression in the aortic endothelium. IL-33 may represent a novel marker of endothelial dysfunction, as IL-33 mRNA levels were also found to be increased in HCAECs under disturbed flow conditions. Results from this study suggest that HDL suppression of IL-33 in CKD requires miR-92a, which is also transferred to endothelial cells by HDL.

Abstract 434: LDL Apheresis Significantly Alters HDL Cargo and Function in Familial Hypercholesterolemia Subjects

In addition to cholesterol, HDL transports a wide-variety of cargo including vitamins, nucleic acids, and a diverse set of proteins. Outside of the reverse cholesterol transport pathway, HDL has alternative functions that contribute to its anti-atherogenicity, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and signaling capacities. Recently, we found that HDL transports and delivers functional microRNAs to recipient cells, which likely confers HDL’s ability to suppress adhesion molecule expression in endothelial cells. As such, changes to HDL’s cargo impact many of these alternative functions, and thus its protective capacity. HDL dysfunction has been identified among patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), an inherited disease due to mutations in the LDL receptor and associated with severe elevations in LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, which may necessitate LDL apheresis (LA) in management. Here we demonstrate that LA significantly alters HDL’s miRNA and protein signatures. We believe that these changes may have profound consequences on HDL’s protective capacity. Using density-gradient ultracentrifugation, we found 31 proteins to be significantly altered on HDL after LA, as determined by shotgun proteomics and multidimensional protein identification technology analysis. For example, vitamin D-binding protein (1.74-fold) was increased, while lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (-1.92-fold), platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (-2.06), and apolipoprotein A-V (-2.4-fold) were found to be decreased. Gene ontology and KEGG enrichment analysis demonstrated roles of these proteins in response to stress, coagulation, hemostasis, and vesicle-mediated transport. Fast-protein liquid chromatography was used to further purify HDL for miRNA profiling using TaqMan OpenArrays, and we found 8 HDL-miRNAs to be significantly altered -- 3 down (miR-302b -13.9-fold, miR-224 -1.8, miR-572 -2.4-fold) and 5 up (miR-7 9.8-fold, miR-208b 16.2-fold, miR-34a-3p 3-fold, miR-627 2.4-fold, miR-1183 4.8-fold). Both miR-302b and miR-224 decreased; these are miRNAs previously reported to suppress proliferation through targeting AKT2 and apoptosis, respectively. As such, these changes likely alter HDL’s function in FH subjects.

The greenhouse emissions footprint of free-range eggs

Eggs are an increasingly significant source of protein for human consumption, and the global poultry industry is the single fastest-growing livestock sector. In the context of international concern for food security and feeding an increasingly affluent human population, the contribution to global greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions from animal protein production is of critical interest. We calculated the GHG emissions footprint for the fastest-growing sector of the UK egg market: free-range production in small commercial units on mixed farms. Emissions are calculated to current Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and UK standards (PAS2050): including direct, indirect, and embodied emissions from cradle to farm gate compatible with a full product life-cycle assessment. We present a methodology for the allocation of emissions between ruminant and poultry enterprises on mixed farms. Greenhouse gas emissions averaged a global warming potential of 2.2 kg of CO2e/dozen eggs, or 1.6 kg of CO2equivalent (e)/kg (assuming average egg weight of 60 g). One kilogram of protein from free-range eggs produces 0.2 kg of CO2e, lower than the emissions from white or red meat (based on both kg of meat and kg of protein). Of these emissions, 63% represent embodied carbon in poultry feed. A detailed GHG emissions footprint represents a baseline for comparison with other egg production systems and sources of protein for human consumption. Eggs represent a relatively low-carbon supply of animal protein, but their production is heavily dependent on cereals and soy, with associated high emissions from industrial nitrogen production, land-use change, and transport. Alternative sources of digestible protein for poultry diets are available, may be produced from waste processing, and would be an effective tool for reducing the industry's GHG emissions and dependence on imported raw materials.

Risky ripples allow bats and frogs to eavesdrop on a multisensory sexual display

Animal displays are often perceived by intended and unintended receivers in more than one sensory system. In addition, cues that are an incidental consequence of signal production can also be perceived by different receivers, even when the receivers use different sensory systems to perceive them. Here we show that the vocal responses of male túngara frogs (Physalaemus pustulosus) increase twofold when call-induced water ripples are added to the acoustic component of a rival's call. Hunting bats (Trachops cirrhosus) can echolocate this signal by-product and prefer to attack model frogs when ripples are added to the acoustic component of the call. This study illustrates how the perception of a signal by-product by intended and unintended receivers through different sensory systems generates both costs and benefits for the signaler.

Interactions of multisensory components perceptually rescue túngara frog mating signals

Sexual signals are often complex and perceived by multiple senses. How animals integrate signal components across sensory modalities can influence signal evolution. Here we show that two relatively unattractive signals that are perceived acoustically and visually can be combined in a pattern to form a signal that is attractive to female túngara frogs. Such unanticipated perceptual effects suggest that the evolution of complex signals can occur by alteration of the relationships among already-existing traits.

Prevalence of thyroid antibodies in Nigerian patients

BACKGROUND

Thyroid antibody testing is not routinely available in developing countries, and few studies have measured thyroid antibodies in Africans. The significance of thyroid autoimmunity in an African setting is thus unclear.

AIM

To determine the prevalence of thyroid antibodies in patients attending a Nigerian teaching hospital.

DESIGN

Prospective survey.

METHODS

We measured antibodies to thyroglobulin (TgAb) and thyroid peroxidase (TPOAb) using an ELISA technique in 104 patients with various thyroid pathologies attending an endocrine referral centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Patients were clinically grouped into Graves' disease (GD) (n = 69), simple non-toxic goitre (SNTG) (n = 21), toxic nodular goitre (TNG) (n = 8) and suspected Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) (n = 6). Blood donors without thyroid disease (n = 100) acted as controls.

RESULTS

TgAb and TPOAb were found in 4% and 7%, respectively, of healthy adult controls, 11.6 and 76.8% of patients with GD, 25% and 12.5% of patients with TNG and 9.52% and 14.29% of patients with SNTG. TPOAb testing confirmed HT in six patients, and identified two further cases that would have been misdiagnosed without antibody testing.

DISCUSSION

Thyroid autoimmunity appears more common in these Nigerian patients than in previous reports from Africa, and TPOAb was significantly associated with auto-immune thyroid disease. The clinical utility of these antibody measurements requires further evaluation in a wider African population.

GEST: a gene expression search tool based on a novel Bayesian similarity metric

Gene expression array technology has made possible the assay of expression levels of tens of thousands of genes at a time; large databases of such measurements are currently under construction. One important use of such databases is the ability to search for experiments that have similar gene expression levels as a query, potentially identifying previously unsuspected relationships among cellular states. Such searches depend crucially on the metric used to assess the similarity between pairs of experiments. The complex joint distribution of gene expression levels, particularly their correlational structure and non-normality, make simple similarity metrics such as Euclidean distance or correlational similarity scores suboptimal for use in this application. We present a similarity metric for gene expression array experiments that takes into account the complex joint distribution of expression values. We provide a computationally tractable approximation to this measure, and have implemented a database search tool based on it. We discuss implementation issues and efficiency, and we compare our new metric to other standard metrics.

Role of laparoscopic salpingostomy in the treatment of hydrosalpinx

OBJECTIVE

To determine pregnancy rates after laparoscopic salpingostomy in occlusive distal tubal disease. To evaluate the relative impact of various historical, physical, and operative factors on pregnancy outcome using a multivariate statistical analysis.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort.

SETTING

University-affiliated tertiary care infertility clinic.

PATIENT(S)

One hundred thirty-nine infertile women with occlusive distal tube disease.

INTERVENTION(S)

Laparoscopic salpingostomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The occurrence of intrauterine (IUP) and ectopic pregnancy (EP).

RESULT(S)

The overall IUP and EP rates were 24.5% and 16.5%, respectively. Analysis of historical variables, assessed independently, demonstrated a significantly higher IUP rate with a positive history of gonorrhea and a significantly higher EP rate with a positive history of pelvic inflammatory disease, lack of history of intrauterine device (IUD) usage, or the performance of a bilateral procedure. The logistic regression model to predict intrauterine pregnancy had an overall predictive value of 77.5% and included the following significant variables: secondary infertility, positive history of gonorrhea, and the operative finding of moderate periadnexal adhesions. The logistic regression model to predict ectopic pregnancy had an overall predictive value of 89.0% and included the following significant variables: previous ectopic pregnancy, negative history of IUD use, positive history of PID, a bilateral procedure, and perihepatic adhesions.

CONCLUSION(S)

Operative laparoscopy may be effective for the correction of hydrosalpinges in selected patients. The probability of achieving an intrauterine or an ectopic pregnancy can be predicted based on combinations of significant variables.

Efficacy of granular deltamethrin against Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidade) nymphs

A single barrier application of granular deltamethrin to the woodland edges of a forested residential community in late spring significantly reduced the abundance of Ixodes scapularis Say nymphs. The application also suppressed the population of Amblyomma americanum (L.) nymphs, which recently became established in the study area. The efficacy of deltamethrin is compared with other commonly used acaricides.

High-resolution solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine hydrochloride and related compounds and their mixtures with lactose

Differences between solution and solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of some amphetamines namely, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine HCI, (R.S)-MDA HCI, the methyl derivative 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine x HCI, (R,S)-MDMA x HCI, the ethyl derivative, (R,S)-MDEA x HCI, and the analogues (R,S)-methamphetamine HCI, (-)-ephedrine x HCI (the 3R,2S enantiomer as numbered here), and (+)-pseudo-ephedrine x HCI (the 3S,2S enantiomer as numbered here) have been studied and related to their crystal structure. For (R,S)-MDMA x HCI, an interesting new finding is that the observed solid state chemical shifts changed when lactose monohydrate was added as a dry powder and thoroughly mixed at room temperature. This experiment mimicked the illicit production of "Ecstasy" tablets. The mixing phenomena with lactose observed for (R.S)-MDMA x HCI was not seen for the other compounds studied. The results are discussed in terms of hydrogen bonding and possible polymorphs. It appears that lactose affects crystal packing by reducing conformational rigidity so that the molecule more closely resembles that in solution.

Identification of putative programmed -1 ribosomal frameshift signals in large DNA databases

The cis-acting elements that promote efficient ribosomal frameshifting in the -1 (5') direction have been well characterized in several viral systems. Results from many studies have convincingly demonstrated that the basic molecular mechanisms governing programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting are almost identical from yeast to humans. We are interested in testing the hypothesis that programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting can be used to control cellular gene expression. Toward this end, a computer program was designed to search large DNA databases for consensus -1 ribosomal frameshift signals. The results demonstrated that consensus programmed -1 ribosomal frameshift signals can be identified in a substantial number of chromosomally encoded mRNAs and that they occur with frequencies from two- to sixfold greater than random in all of the databases searched. A preliminary survey of the databases resulting from the computer searches found that consensus frameshift signals are present in at least 21 homologous genes from different species, 2 of which are nearly identical, suggesting evolutionary conservation of function. We show that four previously described missense alleles of genes that are linked to human diseases would disrupt putative programmed -1 ribosomal frameshift signals, suggesting that the frameshift signal may be involved in the normal expression of these genes. We also demonstrate that signals found in the yeast RAS1 and the human CCR5 genes were able to promote significant levels of programmed -1 ribosomal frameshifting. The significance of these frameshifting signals in controlling gene expression is not known, however.

Smoking after nicotine deprivation enhances cognitive performance and decreases tobacco craving in drug abusers

This study investigated the effects of nicotine deprivation and smoking on cognitive abilities and tobacco craving. Twenty smokers with histories of drug abuse completed the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges (QSU) and two cognitive tests before and after smoking two cigarettes during two 90-min sessions. After two cigarettes were smoked at Session 1, subjects were tobacco abstinent for 18 h until Session 2 the next morning. Response time on a logical reasoning test was unchanged by tobacco deprivation and was faster after smoking on Session 2. Deprivation slowed responding on a letter search test, which was reversed by smoking to pre-deprivation baseline. Tobacco deprivation increased scores on the QSU; smoking after deprivation reduced craving scores to smoking baseline levels. These results confirmed the utility of the QSU to measure changes in craving induced by tobacco deprivation and smoking. Further, the data suggest that deprivation-induced deficits and smoking-induced enhancements in performance may be specific to certain cognitive domains.

Nucleic acid sequences coding for internal antisense peptides: are there implications for protein folding and evolution?

We have asked whether coding segments of nucleic acids generate amino acid sequences which have an antisense relationship to other amino acid sequences in the same chain (i.e. 'Internal Antisense'), and if so, could the internal antisense content be related to the structure of the encoded protein? Computer searches were conducted with the coding sequences for 132 proteins. The result for each search of a specific sequence was compared to the mean result obtained from 1000 randomly assembled nucleic acid chains whose length and base composition were identical to that of the native sequences. The study was conducted in all three reading frames. The normal reading frame (frame one) was found to be contain lower amounts of internal antisense than the randomly assembled chains, whereas the frame two results were much higher. The internal antisense content in frame three was not significantly different from that in the random chains. The amount of internal antisense in frames two and three was correlated with the GC content at the center position of the codons in that frame, but this correlation was absent in frame one. No correlation with chain length was found. Qualitatively similar results were obtained when the random model was limited to retain the same purine/pyrimidine ratio as the native chains at each position in the codons, but in this case the internal antisense in frame three was also significantly greater than the computer-generated sequences. The results suggest that the internal antisense content in the correct reading frame has a qualitatively different origin from that in the other two frames. The high amount in frames two and three is apparently an artifact resulting from the asymmetric distribution of G and C in the codons, while the low amount in frame one may suggest evolutionary selection against internal antisense. Thus, the results do not support a relationship between internal antisense and protein structure.

Taxol and cisplatin inhibit proliferation of T47D human breast cancer cells

We have examined the influence of taxol and cisplatin on the rate and extent of proliferation of T47D cells grown in the presence of 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS). An 8-day exposure of the cells to taxol inhibited the growth completely maintaining the number of cells to the level seen at initial plating. The taxol effect was evident at 10 nM-1 microM concentration and the half maximum inhibition was calculated to be 20 nM taxol. While the cells in the control group taxol-treated group remained at the initial number. Similar observations were made regarding the influence of cisplatin, which caused 80-90% inhibition in the number of the cells. When combined, taxol and cisplatin caused a further inhibition in the proliferation of T47D cells. The results of our studies demonstrate that both taxol and cisplatin, the known antineoplastic agents, block the proliferation of T47D human breast cancer cells effectively and are potentially useful chemotherapeutic agents for the management of breast cancer.

Suppression of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs in a large residential community

To determine the feasibility of suppressing Ixodes scapularis Say populations in a large, hyperendemic residential community, several rates of granular carbaryl were applied by ground and air to the shrub layer and wooded buffers of a forested residential community during the peak activity period of nymphs. Granular carbaryl significantly reduced the abundance of I. scapularis nymphs on Peromyscus leucopus Raphinesque. Control nymphal ticks ranged between 70.0 and 90.3%. The use of properly timed acaricide applications to I. scapularis habitat within residential communities can provide an effective means of reducing exposure to I. scapularis nymphs, which are chiefly responsible for transmitting Borrelia burgdorferi to humans.

Sweet's syndrome in children

Acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome) is a rare inflammatory disease of unknown cause characterized by painful, erythematous plaques and a dermal infiltrate of mature neutrophils. Associated systemic disease is a common finding in patients with Sweet's syndrome, and in fact determines the prognosis; therefore, the diagnosis of Sweet's syndrome warrants a thorough medical evaluation. We found only 17 reported cases of Sweet's syndrome in children. Two cases of Sweet's syndrome in children are presented; these cases are typical, except for the tibial pain in the first patient and the marked leukocytosis in the second patient. Both patients responded promptly to systemic corticosteroid therapy, although both had relapse.

Lyme disease: a proposed ecological index to assess areas of risk in the northeastern United States

BACKGROUND

Recent public awareness has resulted in a demand for information about ways to reduce the risk of acquiring Lyme disease.

METHODS

Twenty-two school properties and recreational areas within a Lyme disease endemic area of central Monmouth County, New Jersey were evaluated for risk of transmission using an ecological index on the suitability, amount, and access to Ixodes dammini habitat by target human populations and the abundance of infected adult ticks.

RESULTS

The characterization of tick habitat accurately predicted the elimination of 11 sites from concern. Of the remaining 11 sites, six were classified high risk and five as moderate risk. On-site tick surveys identified infected I. dammini adults at only four sites (three risk; one moderate risk).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that the use of selected ecological parameters provides a cost-effective method to rapidly identify areas at risk for Lyme disease transmission.

Identification of transforming growth factor beta family members present in bone-inductive protein purified from bovine bone

Characterization of the polypeptides present in bone-inductive protein extracts from bovine bone has led to the cloning of seven regulatory molecules, six of which are distantly related to transforming growth factor beta. The three human bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) we describe herein, BMP-5, BMP-6, and BMP-7, show extensive sequence similarity to BMP-2, a molecule that by itself is sufficient to induce de novo bone formation in vivo. The additive or synergistic contribution of these BMP-2-related molecules to the osteogenic activity associated with demineralized bone is strongly implicated by the presence of these growth factors in the most active fractions of highly purified bone extract.

A computer-assisted, interactive radiology learning program

A computer-assisted adjunct to traditional radiology teaching files is described. The student is presented with an image and questions with multiple choice answers. The student's choice leads to additional presentations that reinforce correct responses and provide a critique of incorrect answers. The process is under the control of a teaching script. Requirements for the system included the ability to present high-resolution radiology images along with text; high capacity for storing teaching scripts and images; ease of use by students and authors of teaching scripts; and reasonable cost. A prototype program was written in C-language and run on an IBM PS/2 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) with DOS. The hardware also included a 30 megabyte disk drive, an IBM Image Adapter/A and a 14 inch IBM 8514 monitor operating at a 1024 X 768 X 8 bit resolution. Image acquisition was accomplished with a high resolution Pulnix video camera (Pulnix Corp., Tokyo, Japan), with an Imaging Technology (Imaging Technology Corp., Weston, MA) frame grabber, attached to an IBM PC/AT. All hardware is available commercially. A sample teaching file was constructed using a case of ischemic colon after a cecal volvulus. Students used the system and provided a critique. Results indicate that computer-assisted teaching programs can be a valuable addition to traditional teaching methods in radiology.

Refractive index of some mammalian tissues using a fiber optic cladding method

The index of refraction n of the many mammalian tissues is an important but somewhat neglected optical constant. Archival and oral papers have quoted the use of values of n for tissue generally ranging from 1.35 to 1.55. However, these values are frequently without experimental basis. They have arbitrarily used values near that of water, which is a major component of mammalian tissue, or have calculated a theoretical n from the weighted elemental composition of tissue. Since these values have not been precise and little information is available on specific indices for each tissue, a study was undertaken to develop a simple, rapid, and reliable method for the experimental determination of n. This was done using the ubiquitous quartz optical fiber. By substituting the usual cladding found on commercial quartz optics by the tissue in question and utilizing the principle of internal reflection, the value of n for the specific tissue can be calculated. This is done by utilizing the known indices for air and quartz and measuring the angle of the emergent cone of light from the output of the optical fiber. A number of indices for mammalian tissue (bovine, porcine, canine, and human) have been determined at 632.8 nm. With few exceptions, for tissues at this wavelength, n was in the 1.38-1.41 range. The species type did not appear to be a factor. Bovine muscle showed normal dispersion characteristics through the visible wavelengths. The denaturation of tissue was shown to alter significantly the refractive index.

Studies in tooth crown temperature gradients with the use of infrared thermography

With the use of an infrared thermographic camera; temperature patterns over the crowns of teeth were recorded. The temperature of upper incisor teeth decreased from gingival margin to incisal edge by approximately 2.5 degrees C. Vital and nonvital teeth were the same temperature at rest, but after cooling with cold air, nonvital teeth were slower to rewarm than vital teeth. The infrared thermographic camera could provide a method of testing tooth vitality based on blood supply rather than nerve supply.

Infrared thermography in oral and maxillofacial surgery

A highly sensitive infrared thermographic camera was evaluated in a variety of physiologic and pathologic conditions associated with the head and neck. Although it may have clinical applications, particularly in the field of facial pain and the temporomandibular joint, such wide variations in normal values were noted that any standardization was extremely difficult.

Emission imaging of patients with craniomandibular dysfunction

Signs and symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction in 37 patients were compared with the results of corrected cephalometric tomography and an emission imaging protocol consisting of both planar and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) (7500 ZLC Orbiter) images. The planar images and the single photon emission computed tomography projection views were processed with a bayesian deblurring algorithm to improve image quality. The correlation of emission imaging with craniomandibular dysfunction, as indicated by temporomandibular joint pain and joint noise, showed a high sensitivity (93%) and a high specificity (86%), whereas the correlation of corrected cephalometric tomography with temporomandibular joint pain and joint noise showed a relatively high sensitivity (89%) but a low specificity (27%). These results indicate that emission imaging is a sensitive and accurate indicator of craniomandibular dysfunction.

Combined surface display and reformatting for the three-dimensional analysis of tomographic data

Radiologic examinations increasingly are based on sequences of cross-sectional images. In current clinical applications, the three-dimensional (3D) relationships contained in these examinations must be inferred by the observer through analysis of multiple two-dimensional (2D) images. In this article, methods for the direct display of 3D gray-level data are investigated. In the chosen approach, the 3D presentation of bone and skin surface serves to orient the viewer, while planar reformation and/or transparent projections can be applied for the assessment of soft-tissue structures in regions of interest. The resulting images represent the original image data in a way that is more suitable for observation of 3D relationships than the conventional cross-sectional viewing mode. This may facilitate the diagnostic process and enhance the interpretability of the images. Routine clinical application of this technique requires special computer hardware. Research applications, however, can be performed within tolerable times (10-30 sec/view) with computers found in radiologic research environments.

The in-vitro and in-vivo efficacy of cisplatin and analogues in the treatment of herpes simplex virus-II infections

The antitumour effect of cisplatin results from cross-linking and disruption of DNA when it binds to DNA bases, especially cytosine and guanine. Since herpes simplex virus (HSV) has a high cytosine and guanine content, cisplatin might be expected to have an antiviral effect against HSV. The 50% inhibitory concentration of cisplatin for HSV-II was 0.06 mg/l. Six of ten platinum analogues had 50% inhibition of plaques at less than or equal to 10 mg/l. We evaluated the in-vivo activity of cisplatin against the MS strain of HSV-II in the mouse genital HSV model. Mice were treated either intraperitoneally or intravaginally beginning at 3 or 51 h after inoculation. In the intraperitoneally treated groups infection rates were lower, but not significantly; 4 of 15 in the 3-h and 7 of 15-h group, compared to 9 of 15 in the untreated control group (P greater than 0.18, chi-square test). Intravaginal cisplatin demonstrated a significant reduction of the infection rate from 10 of 15 untreated controls, compared to 5 of 18 in the 3-h and 5 of 17 in the 51-h group (P less than 0.05, chi-square test). No toxic effects of intravaginal cisplatin were seen in uninfected mice. These studies suggest that platinum containing drugs warrant further evaluation as a new class of antiviral agents with activity against HSV.

Methodological problems in evaluating hyperbaric treatment of multiple sclerosis. A case study

The paper describes a number of methodological problems experienced in a long-term evaluation of hyperbaric treatment for MS. Among the problems discussed are those relating to the locus and logistics of assessment, the reliability of 'subjective' assessments, the feasibility of 'objective' measurements, the identification of outcome categories and patient drop-out and selectivity.

Oil wives and intermittent husbands

An investigation was conducted in the Aberdeen area on wives of oil men working either off-shore or on-shore. No differences were found in measures of general health; but 'off-shore wives' were shown to experience mood and behavioural changes, linked to the pattern of swiftly recurring partings and reunions. While a majority of such wives appeared to tolerate or even thrive on their style of life, 10% had reactions sufficiently pronounced to deserve the label of Intermittent Husband Syndrome or 'caseness'. Many others would have benefited from more effective preventive and support services.

The elderly at risk: a critical examination of commonly identified risk groups

This study assessed the nature and extent of the risk or disadvantage for 11 subcategories of the elderly population usually referred to as risk groups. Interviews with 619 over-60-year-olds living in Aberdeen were used to score the ;personal resources' for coping with difficulties-health, psychological, activity, confidence, support, material resources. Risk profiles have been drawn up and these show substantial variation in both the nature and extent of risk or disadvantage between the groups.Of the 11 groups, we concluded that the isolated, the childless and the never married are probably the least disadvantaged. The recently widowed, those living alone, the poor and those from social class V form an intermediate group with both strengths and weaknesses in terms of risk. The groups at greatest risk are the recently moved, recently discharged, divorced/separated and the very old, who all score worse than the whole sample in terms of health and psychological functioning.