Differential impact on parental quality of life: Comparing parents to children with autism spectrum disorder and those with other disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Limited research has examined parental quality of life (QoL) for caregivers of children with special needs, mostly comparing parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to those with typical development. This study examines QoL and related variables during the COVID-19 pandemic among two comparable groups: parents of children with ASD and parents of children with other diagnoses (non-ASD).

METHOD

The sample included 175 Israeli parents (ASD = 101; non-ASD = 74). The parents were surveyed about the pandemic's effects on family life, child's function, and their own psychological distress, resilience, and QoL.

RESULTS

Parents in both groups reported deterioration in their child's academic, emotional, social, and functioning performance. However, higher psychological distress and more deterioration in child behaviour were reported in the ASD group. In both groups, QoL was positively associated with the introduction of distance learning and parental resilience and negatively associated with psychological distress, deterioration in the child's behaviour and functioning, and increased time spent with the child at home. An interaction analysis indicated that deterioration in a child's behaviour was linked to QoL solely within the ASD group, while home atmosphere was associated with QoL in the non-ASD group.

CONCLUSION

While the COVID-19 pandemic imposed similar challenges on both parental groups, there is evidence that it may have been more challenging for the ASD group. This calls for further examination concerning parents with special needs children, and accordingly, tailoring targeted and specific help for them.

Post-migration stress, quality of life, and mental health among accompanied and unaccompanied young refugees in Germany: How do adolescents feel after fleeing?

This study examines the impact of post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs) and quality of life (QoL) on the mental health of 55 young refugees who arrived in Germany either accompanied or unaccompanied. The results reveal that nearly 62% of the participants exhibited clinically significant symptoms of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Regression analyses indicate that psychopathology was associated with being unaccompanied and experiencing lower QoL, while QoL was associated with higher economic status and lower PMLDs. Mediation analysis further demonstrates that higher economic status and reduced PMLDs were associated with higher QoL, which, in turn, correlated with lower levels of psychopathology. These findings emphasise the importance of considering PMLDs and QoL, as well as economic status and being accompanied/unaccompanied, in the assessment and treatment of young refugees in the host country.

Parents' Perceptions of Children's Behavioral Difficulties and the Parent-Child Interaction During the COVID-19 Lockdown

The study examined parents' perceptions of their children's behavioral difficulties (CBD) and positive parent-child interaction (PCI) during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Israel, as well as the associations among parents' psychological distress, parents' COVID-19-related worries, parents' coping, and parents' resilience. Participants were 437 parents of minor children. Parents reported more behavioral and emotional difficulties alongside with more quality time with their children. Parents' distress and COVID-19-related worries were positively related to CBD. Emotion-focused coping mediated the association between psychological distress and CBD, while resilience mediated the association between distress and PCI. The study results indicated that parents perceived their children as having greater difficulties, but they also perceived more positive parent-child interactions, during the lockdown. Parents' distress appears to have been a significant variable in perceived child's difficulties during the lockdown.

Family resilience, social support, and family coherence among Jewish, Muslim, and Druze widows who lost their spouses to sudden death

In this cross-sectional study, regressions and multivariate analyses of covariance were used to assess group differences regarding family resilience, family coherence, and social support among 184 widows from three cultural groups in Israel: Druze (n = 66), Jewish (n = 59), and Muslim (n = 59). Druze widows had the lowest social support, but no differences were found between groups regarding family resilience or family coherence. Social support was positively associated with education and living in a city, beyond group. Social support and family coherence were positively associated with family resilience, beyond group. The discussion addresses cultural changes among the three groups.

Gender differences in the reaction to COVID-19

Since December 2019, COVID-19, has affected many aspects of people's lives - women and men alike. The current study examined gender differences due to the pandemic-resultant-lockdown in psychiatric symptomatology (depression, anxiety, and somatization), coping strategies, levels of resilience, and belief in a just world (BJW). One-thousand-and-sixty-five Israeli adults (309 men and 756 women) were interviewed online during the time Israel was under its first mandatory lockdown (March 2020). Results indicated higher levels of anxiety, depression, and somatization among women (t (635.238) = -8.86, p < .001; t (606.414) = -5.31, p < .001; t (743.856) = -6.80; p < .001; respectively). More women stopped working due to the lockdown (Z = 2.08, p = .037), and fewer women reported their jobs being considered "essential" (Z = 2.76, p = .006).  Women were more concerned than men regarding the health of others (t (1063) = -2.71, p = .007) and regarding finances (t (1062) = -2.99, p = .003), but no gender differences were found regarding concerns for one's own health.  Women used more coping tactics, both emotion-focused (t (1062) = -8.20, p < .001) and problem-focused (t (1062) = -5.21, p < .001), than did men. Higher levels of resilience (t (1057) = 3.11, p = .002) and BJW (t (1047) = 5.19, p < .001) were found among men than among women. Being a woman, younger age, use of emotion-focused coping, lower levels of resilience, worries about the economic situation, and worries about family members' health explained 43% of the variance in psychological distress. No significant interactions between gender, study variables, and psychological distress were found. These findings indicate that gender differences in psychological reactions may be due to the heavier toll taken by the pandemic and lockdown on the lives of women rather than to gender differences in coping tactics or resilience.

[Growth modulation through hemiepiphysiodesis : Novel surgical techniques: risks and progress]

The correction of angular deformities of the lower limb is a key task in paediatric orthopaedic surgery. The growth potential of the physis can be employed for the correction of these malalignments in childhood and adolescence. Hemiepiphysiodesis (HED) is a surgical technique used for growth modulation by permanent or temporary asymmetrical arrest of the growth plate. In permanent HED, exact timing of the procedure is mandatory to achieve optimal correction. Temporary HED through tension band devices such as two-hole-plates or flexible staples has been established as the treatment of choice for growth guidance with excellent results. Implant-associated complications have been significantly reduced through implant modifications. Several experimental procedures have the potential to achieve growth modulation even without the requirement of surgical intervention.

Fear of the Unknown: Does Fear of Terrorism Differ From Fear of Contracting COVID-19?

The aim of the study was to explore whether living under constant security threat would result in better coping and higher resilience when exposed to an unknown threat such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, fear of COVID-19 and fear of terrorism as well as the associations with coping strategies and resilience were examined among Israelis living in conflict zones as well as Israelis living in the center, where exposure to security incidents is rare. Six hundred and fifteen Israeli adults (260 men and 356 women) were interviewed via the internet while Israel was under mandatory first lockdown. Fear of COVID-19 was found to be higher than fear of terrorism among both groups. those living in the conflict zones and those living in the central Israel. In contradiction to our assumption, we found that those who were living in a conflict zone did not exhibit higher levels of resilience and did not cope better when exposed to a new threat-even though they may be more skilled at handling prolonged exposure to a threat such as terrorism. A regression analysis indicated that the best predictor of both fear of COVID-19 and of terrorism is financial concerns-more than geographical area.

Mental Health and Coping in the Shadow of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Israeli Case

The COVID-19 pandemic caught the entire world off guard. Israel, similar to all other nations, was forced to cope with the unknown. “Flattening the curve” of infections has become a common term among specialists and decision makers, while explaining restricting measurements taken toward the population. Israelis, who had previously learned to deal with life under constant security threat, are now facing a new reality. The purpose of the study was to check how Israelis are psychologically affected by and coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 925 Israelis divided into three groups: ages 18–29, 30–59, and 60–88. The data were collected between March 31 and April 8, 2020, when it was already clear that this is a global plague, the country's borders were closed, and the government's directive for citizens was to remain at home while imposing limitations on the public and private sectors. The current study examined psychological distress among the three age groups as well as the associations between levels of distress, resilience, and coping strategies. Levels of distress were measured via the BSI-18 that measures anxiety, depression, and somatization. Resilience was measured using the Connor-Davidson CD-RISC scale. Coping was measured by the short version of the COPE. Psychological distress was associated with being in a younger age group, being a woman, having economic concerns, use of emotion and problem focused coping, and lower resilience. The study also found that concern for the health of family members was the strongest concern among all age groups but was highest among the younger age group. It was also found that those in the younger age group suffered from higher levels of depression, anxiety, and somatization compared to the older age group. The middle age group suffered from elevated levels of anxiety and somatization compared to the older age group. Although the older age group was the most vulnerable to the coronavirus, in this study age was found to be a protective factor from psychological distress. The results of the study suggest the need to consider the younger age group as a risk group, which hence needs to be addressed as the focus of intervention programs. It appears that the concern for their loved ones takes a heavy toll on the younger generation, and this should be considered a major source of stress.

Sexual Satisfaction in Spouses of Ex-POWs: The Role of PTSD Symptoms and Self-Differentiation

Spouses of former prisoners-of-war (ex-POWs) are at risk for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and marital distress. This study assessed the implications of PTSS and self-differentiation for sexual satisfaction among 90 ex-POWs' spouses and 75 matched combatants' spouses from the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Standardized questionnaires were used. Ex-POWs' spouses had elevated PTSS and imbalanced self-differentiation. PTSS were associated with poorer self-differentiation and lower sexual satisfaction. Imbalanced self-differentiation mediated the association between PTSS and sexual satisfaction. The findings imply that PTSS and imbalanced self-differentiation contribute to low sexual satisfaction among spouses of primary trauma survivors.

PTSD and PTG among Israeli mothers: Opposite facets of exposure to terrorism

The aim of the this study was to test the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), posttraumatic growth (PTG), and coping strategies among Israeli mothers with prolonged exposure to rocket missiles. One hundred fifty-two mothers, from the Western Negev region of Israel, took part in the study. Respondents were affected by prolonged exposure to missile attacks even when they themselves had not been hit or injured. A positive correlation was found between PTSD and PTG. Problem-focused coping was found to mediate the relationship between PTSD and PTG; the higher the PTSD, the greater the use of problem-focused coping and the greater the posttraumatic growth. The results help understand the association between PTSD and PTG. The finding whereby problem-focused coping mediates the PTSD-PTG relationship is important for comprehending the association between the variables and the significance of growth in human life and for constructing intervention programs that promote growth following trauma. In addition, the study contributes to raising awareness both of how mothers cope and that they are a separate risk group with distinct growth possibilities.

Quantifying inter-individual anatomical variability in the subcortex using 7 T structural MRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data are usually registered into standard anatomical space. However, standard atlases, such as LPBA40, the Harvard-Oxford atlas, FreeSurfer, and the Jülich cytoarchitectonic maps all lack important detailed information about small subcortical structures like the substantia nigra and subthalamic nucleus. Here we introduce a new subcortical probabilistic atlas based on ultra-high resolution in-vivo anatomical imaging from 7 T MRI. The atlas includes six important but elusive subcortical nuclei: the striatum, the globus pallidus internal and external segment (GPi/e), the subthalamic nucleus, the substantia nigra, and the red nucleus. With a sample of 30 young subjects and carefully cross-validated delineation protocols, our atlas is able to capture the anatomical variability within healthy populations for each of the included structures at an unprecedented level of detail. All the generated probabilistic atlases are registered to MNI standard space and are publicly available.

Coping strategies of Ethiopian immigrants in Israel: association with PTSD and dissociation

The aim of this study was to examine the relations between coping strategies, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and dissociation among Jewish Ethiopian refugees in Israel (following exposure to pre-, peri- and post-migration stressful events).

METHOD

A random sample (N = 478) of three waves of refugees took part in the research (N = 165; N = 169; N = 144). Religiosity, coping strategies, stressful and traumatic events, pre- and peri- migration, post-migration difficulties, posttraumatic symptoms, and dissociation were assessed.

RESULTS

A significant relationship was found between PTSD symptoms and avoidance coping over and above immigration wave and traumatic events. Dissociation was positively associated with passivity and antisocial coping and negatively associated with social joining and level of religiosity, over and above immigration wave and traumatic events. The findings are discussed in the light of the coping strategies employed by Ethiopian refugees.

The role of religious orientations in youth's posttraumatic symptoms after exposure to terror

This study examined the effect of religiosity on youth's posttraumatic symptoms resulting from exposure to terror. Participants consisted of 1,973 Israeli high school students. Objective and subjective exposure (fear) to terror were positively associated with posttraumatic symptoms. Intrinsic religiosity was negatively associated with posttraumatic symptoms and found to decrease the effects of objective exposure. Personal extrinsic orientation and social extrinsic orientation were positively associated with posttraumatic symptoms, having no mediating effect. Theoretical implications regarding religiosity as a coping mechanism in light of exposure to terror are discussed.

Ideological delinquency: gender differences among Israeli youth during the withdrawal from the Gaza strip

This study aims to examine the factors that channel boys and girls toward committing illegal activity. The measures examined include social control factors (belief, commitment, attachment, and involvement) and ideological religious worldviews. The study examines 262 Israeli adolescents who have taken part in illegal and legal activities during the resistance to the Gaza evacuation. Findings suggest that illegal activity levels are greater among boys than girls, whereas ideological obligation and commitment are greater among girls than boys. Involvement with friends positively predicts ideological obligation among boys, which in turn is related to increased likelihood of illegal activity. Among girls, lower commitment and lower belief as well as greater ideological obligation are predictive of illegal activity.

Psychosocial outcomes related to subjective threat from armed conflict events (STACE): Findings from the Israeli-Palestinian cross-cultural HBSC study

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the relationship between exposure to armed conflict and terror events, and an array of mental and behavioral outcomes within a large cross-cultural scientifically representative sample of 24,935 Palestinian (7,430 West Bank and 7,217 Gaza) and Israeli (5,255 Jewish and 6,033 Arab) 11-, 13-, and 15-year-old school children. The children of the Middle East have been subjected to exposure from armed conflict and terrorism repeatedly with no adequate research or interventions aimed at shielding them from the hazards of such exposure to their mental and social well-being.

METHOD

This paper studies the relationship between a newly developed scale (STACE) measuring levels of subjective perceptions of threat/fear due to exposure to armed conflict events and its predicting association with six psychosocial and behavioral outcomes covering (1) poor mental health, (2) positive well-being, and (3) risk behaviors. It also examines the role of parental support in "buffering" the effects of exposure to armed conflict events within the four target populations.

RESULTS

Results showed that STACE has significant and strong effects on all six dependent variables representing (1) mental post trauma, (2) diminished well-being, and (3) elevated risk behaviors. STACE strongly affects all four populations with the greatest impact among the Jewish Israeli population and the least impact shown for the Arab Israeli youth. Parental support ("significant adult") has both a direct main effect on the outcomes of all six variables as well as a significant "buffering" effect on the impact of STACE on certain outcome variables (posttraumatic symptoms, life satisfaction, positive life perceptions, and tobacco use).

CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Regardless of the type of armed conflict events, the perception of threat and fear that a child experiences has a universal significant negative impact on mental, social, and behavioral well-being. The importance of the existence of a supporting significant adult in exposed children's lives is also emphasized. The findings show major implications for the development of community-based interventions focusing on enhancing parental, and other adult support in the lives of children living in armed conflict regions of the world.

Elaboration on posttraumatic growth in youth exposed to terror: the role of religiosity and political ideology

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to examine competing explanations of the relationship between religious and political ideology commitment with posttraumatic growth.

METHOD

Subjects were Israeli youth who were exposed to terror (n = 2,999) aged 13-15. Measures included: posttraumatic growth inventory, religious orientation, ideological commitment, objective and subjective exposure to terror.

RESULTS

Both religiosity and political ideology mediated the effects of exposure and fear on growth. Political ideology but not religiosity, had a moderating effect, such that subjective fear was positively associated with growth only among those with stronger ideologies.

CONCLUSION

Results support the contention of Terror Management Theory that cultural beliefs have beneficial effects on well being in the face of adversity and emphasize the role of cultural world as effecting growth, beyond trauma.

Examining the relationship between resilience and posttraumatic growth

To extend the literature the present study aims to examine the interrelationships between resilience (defined by a lack of posttraumatic stress disorder following trauma) and posttraumatic growth. Two studies were conducted of Israeli: (a) adolescents exposed to terror (N = 2908), and (b) citizens and army personnel following the second Lebanon War (N = 588). Across studies the results showed that high levels of resilience were associated with the lowest posttraumatic growth scores. The results imply that although growth and resilience are both salutogenic constructs they are inversely related. The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Gender Differences in PTSD in Israeli Youth Exposed to Terror Attacks

Differences between boys' and girls' exposure to terror and posttraumatic symptoms were examined in a sample of 2,999 Israeli adolescents. Gender differences were also assessed regarding perceived social support, religious beliefs, and ideological commitment. Results indicate that girls reported more posttraumatic symptoms than boys, although boys reported twice the rate of very severe symptoms. Differences were also found between boys and girls in levels of fear, religiosity, ideological commitment, and social support, but not regarding exposure. Path analysis revealed that gender is not a direct predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, it does have an indirect effect, especially through fear, which was the best predictor of PTSD. Social extrinsic religiosity and ideological intolerance were positive predictors of PTSD. The study concludes that gender differences in PTSD are largely the result of differences in levels of fear and are not due to differences in political ideology, religiosity, or social support.

PTSD symptoms, forgiveness, and revenge among Israeli Palestinian and Jewish adolescents

Exposure to political terror and its psychological toll were assessed in 276 Israeli Palestinian and 1,469 Jewish adolescents using self-report questionnaires. Israeli Palestinians displayed more posttraumatic symptoms, higher levels of objective exposure to terror, more negative life events, lower ability to forgive, and a higher need for vengeance than their Jewish counterparts. Although the two groups did not differ in fear levels, Israeli Palestinians expressed more favorable attitudes toward peace. Ethnicity played a major role in explaining the variance of posttraumatic symptomatology. Israeli Palestinians displayed increased vulnerability to mental distress when compared to their Jewish counterparts. The unique roles of subjective fear, attitudes towards peace, forgiveness, and revenge among Israeli Palestinians are discussed.

Posttraumatic growth in adolescence: examining its components and relationship with PTSD

To address gaps in the literature, this study examined the components of posttraumatic growth, and the relationship between growth and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants were from a pooled sample of 4,054 Israeli adolescents exposed to terror of whom 210 (5.5%) met criteria for PTSD. Measures included the Child Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction Index and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Principal components analysis showed two correlated components of outward and intrapersonal growth. Regression modeling showed that the relationship between the growth and PTSD measures was linear and curvilinear (inverted-U). These results replicated accounting for heterogeneity in PTSD, exposure and subsamples. Collectively, the results imply that posttraumatic growth in adolescence is characterized by two robust components, and is greatest at moderate posttraumatic stress levels.

Social control theory and the connection with ideological offenders among Israeli youth during the Gaza disengagement period

The present study examined whether social control theory is capable of explaining youth's law violations in instances of conflict between the ideological religious worldview and the laws of the country in which they reside. Differences in the control factors (commitment, belief, attachment, and involvement) were examined among Israeli adolescents who took part in legal activity (n=163) and illegal activity (n=99) during the resistance to the Gaza evacuation. The findings indicate that the model provides a partial explanation for ideological delinquency. It was found that involvement with friends and the absence of belief in the formal legal system were associated with illegal ideology activity. Attachment to friends and parents and involvement with parents had no effect on youth's participation in illegal ideological activities.

The role of family, peers and school perceptions in predicting involvement in youth violence

This study explored the relative importance of family, peers and school in predicting youth violence. The analysis was done on a nationally representative sample included 8,394 students from grade 6th-10th in Israel. Measures of youth violence included bullying, physical fights and weapon carrying. The findings suggested that all three social systems had significant relations with youth violence, respectively. Variables found to predict violence were: Family-lack of parental support regarding school; Peers-Lack of social integration or too many evenings out with friends; School-feeling of school alienation, low academic achievement and perceptions of frequent acts of violence in school. School perceptions had the strongest predicting power. Findings emphasized the importance of focusing on improving the daily school experience in reducing youth violence.

Influence of diabetes on cardiac nitric oxide synthase expression and activity

There is some evidence that the endothelium dependent vasodilatation of coronary arteries is impaired in both types of diabetes. The underlying mechanisms are not yet clear, in particular whether this defect is caused by a direct effect of diabetes on the activity and the expression of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) or indirectly by an enhanced inactivation of nitric oxide.

METHODS

To study this question we determined the activity (conversion of L-arginine to citrulline) and the mRNAs encoding the isoforms of NOS (using polymerase chain reaction after reverse transcription of the mRNAs into cDNAs by reverse transcriptase) in hearts of streptozotocin diabetic rats and in rat heart endothelial cells (RHEC). The formation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) was measured by the dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein method.

RESULTS

The activity of total NOS and the amounts of mRNAs encoding ecNOS and iNOS were dependent on the duration of diabetes. After a diabetes duration of 4 to 6 weeks both the total activity as well as the mRNAs encoding ecNOS and iNOS were elevated. A reduction of NOS activity and the amounts of mRNAs of ecNOS and iNOS was only seen after a diabetes duration longer than 20 weeks, a time at which a loss of endothelium has been described. In RHEC, high glucose (22 mM) and H(2)O(2) (100 microM) were able to increase the mRNA encoding ecNOS, but not iNOS. This increase in ecNOS mRNA was inhibited by lipoic acid (1 microM). In addition, high glucose (22 and 30 mM) led to an enhanced formation of ROI and to activation of the transcription NF kappa B.

CONCLUSION

These observations suggest that diabetes causes a temporary increase in NOS activity and ecNOS mRNA in the rat heart which is presumably the consequence of an enhanced oxidative stress exerted by hyperglycaemia. Together with previously published observations, our data suggest that the impairment of endothelium dependent vasodilatation in rat heart is not the consequence of a reduced activity and expression of NOS, but is caused by an enhanced inactivation of nitric oxide by ROI.

Aggressive osteoblastoma. A case report and review of the literature

A recurrent osteoblastoma involving the acetabulum in a 27-year-old woman was found to be locally aggressive and histologically appeared to become more anaplastic with each recurrence. However, there was no evidence of distant metastases. Similar cases have been reported under such names as pseudomalignant or malignant osteoblastoma. In view of the prolonged clinical course without evidence of distal metastases, the term "aggressive osteoblastoma" seems to be more appropriate. The treatment of choice for such tumors should be further en bloc resection, avoiding the morbidity and possible mortality of the chemotherapy demanded by true malignant tumor of bone, as well as unnecessary ablative surgery.

Antibodies to cultured rat heart cells in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Since heart lesions occur in many patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), sera from these patients were tested with an indirect fluorescent technique for antibodies reactive with rat heart cell cultures. Of 27 sera 22 had reactivity with non-muscle (nM) cells and 3 reacted with cultured beating muscle cells (M). Positive sera reactive with nM cells exerted complement-dependent cell cytotoxicity towards M cells. The nM antibodies were found to belong predominantly to the IgG class. They displayed no cross-reactivity with bovine collagen, human and bovine serum proteins, or human and sheep red blood cells. The relationship of these antibodies to the pathogenesis of RA heart lesions remains to be determined.

Diagnosis and classification of amyloidosis by an immuno-histological method

Following the recent classification of amyloidosis by the amyloid proteins involved, we decided to approach its tissue diagnosis and chemical classification by an immunohistological method. Post-mortem tissue specimens from various organs of patients with primary and secondary amyloidosis were examined by the immunoperoxidase technique with specific antibodies against proteins AL and AA which respectively characterize primary and secondary amyloidosis. The major advantage of this technique is that it can be applied to formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues. The immunoperoxidase technique proved to be extremely sensitive for the detection of amyloid deposits. Moreover, the deposited proteins could be clearly characterized as AL or AA by the specific anti-sera. We therefore believe that the immunooperoxidase technique is extremely useful for the early tissue diagnosis and chemical classification of amyloidosis.

The function of the epiglottis in speech

We have investigated the movements of the epiglottis in speech by speakers of Hebrew. The epiglottis functions as an articulator in the production of pharyngeal consonants and in the vowel /a/. It is also involved in whisper. In pharyngeals, the epiglottis articulates against the posterior pharyngeal wall; the constriction varies from a full closure (pharyngeal stop) in some examples of /?/ in slow careful speech, through a narrow opening for the fricatives /h/ and other examples of /?/ in connected speech, to a fairly open glide in yet other examples of /?/ in rapid or casual style. In the vowel /a/, the opening between the pharynx and the epiglottis is of the same general shape as for the pharyngeal consonants, but larger. In the case of both consonants and /a/, however, the size of the opening is never large enough to pull the lateral edges of the epiglottis away from the posterior pharyngeal wall. That is, air passes only through a passage bounded by the epiglottis and the pharynx, and never escapes along the tongue root lateral to the epiglottis. The epiglottis folds toward the pharyngeal wall independently of the tongue root in consonants; this independence is seen in some cases of /a/ and not others; in whisper, the epiglottis is generally more retracted than in normal speech but otherwise moves as usual. Our conclusions are based on 100 minutes of videotape made using a fiberscope positioned in the upper pharynx, spectrograms, and dissections. We conclude that the epiglottis is an active, independent, and acoustically significant articulator.

Demonstration of amyloid in murine and human secondary amyloidosis by the immunoperoxidase technique

A specific rabbit anti-murine amyloid A protein (anti-AA) has been used in the immunoperoxidase (IP) technique for the detection of amyloid in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, tissue obtained from amyloidotic mice and a post-mortem kidney specimen from a patient with amyloidosis secondary to osteomyelitis. Amyloidosis was induced in five out of 20 white mice by weekly intraperitoneal injections of complete Freund's adjuvant. Amyloid deposits were clearly demonstrated both by the Congo Red and by the IP techniques. The antibody against murine AA was found to be cross-reactive with human AA. These preliminary results suggest that the IP technique with the use of specific antibodies against the different amyloid proteins might be extremely useful for the histological dianosis and classification of amyloidosis.

Significance of Psychrotrophic Strains of Serratia liquefaciens in Milk 1

Enterobacter cloacae , Citrobacter freundii , Serratia liquefaciens and Escherichia coli were the predominant Enterobacteriaceae species isolated from raw milk samples collected from refrigerated bulk tank trucks at the entry of a milk processing plant. About half of the 181 Enterobacteriaceae isolated were psychrotrophs and these included 80% of E. cloacae , 80% of Klebsiella ozaenae and 62% of S. liquefaciens . S. liquefaciens grew in raw and in pasteurized milk at refrigeration temperatures, causing significant pH reduction but only slight lipolytic changes. The significant proteolytic activity of S. liquefaciens in refrigerated milk samples is assumed to have been the cause of the unclean flavor detected.

Effect of papain on experimental amyloidosis

Experimental amyloidosis was induced in mice by repeated injections of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) reinforced with a bacterial vaccine. Papain was administered i.p. at various time intervals during the treatment with CFA. Amyloidosis was found only in the spleen and the liver. No statistically significant differences were found between the papain-treated and the control groups. It is assumed that, although papain releaseed the polysaccharide moiety from the polysaccharide protein complex, the released polysaccharides were most probably bound by electrostatic forces to the amyloid fibres, and did not interfere with amyloidogenesis.

Isolation of mycoplasmas from the genital tract of women with reproductive failure, sterility or vaginitis

The presence of mycoplasma was investigated in 77 women with infertility, 34 women complaining of sterility, 92 women with vaginitis and 66 healthy control subjects. The group of infertile women was subdivided into those with one or two spontaneous abortions, those with three or more abortions and those with missed abortions. The isolation rate of mycoplasma from the vagina and cervix of the infertile women ranged from 18 to 36%. The endometrial isolation rate was 21% in women with missed abortions but lower in women of the other two subdivisions. Mycoplasmas were infrequently found in patients investigated for sterility. They were isolated at a higher rate in patients with vaginitis, especially in those with trichomonas-associated vaginitis. They were not found in healthy control subjects. In the endometria positive for mycoplasma no specific histological features for this infection were found.

Fine structure of Sertoli and Leydig cells in azoospermic human testis

Testicular biopsy specimens taken from seven patients with azoospermia were studied by electron microscopy. We considered the possibility of a relationship between the annulate lamellae in the Sertoli cells and azoospermia. In the Leydig cells, we observed intranuclear and intracytoplasmic paracrystalline inclusions and considered their relationship with the Reinke crystalloid.

The effect of beta aminoproprionitrile (BAPN) on experimental amyloidosis

Experimental amyloidosis was induced in mice with repeated injections of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) reinforced with bacterial vaccine. BAPN administered in a mixture with CFA or on its own before the injection of CFA reduced the incidence of amyloidosis. The reduction in the incidence of amyloidosis following the administration of BAPN may be due to its inhibitory effect on the oxidative deamination of amino acids, which presumably inhibit cross-linking of amyloid fibrils or interfere with metabolic pathways which involve the formations of mucopolysaccharide formation. It is suggested that the defective formation of the mucopolysaccharide-amyloid protein complex inhibits amyloid deposition and induces the activity of beta glucuronidase observed in the present study. The reduced incidence of amyloidosis following BAPN adminsitration cannot be due to lysosomal enzyme degradation of the amyloid as the activity of cathepsin D and acid phosphatase is decreased during this process.

Histochemical studies of human breast tumors: Activity of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Histochemical studies of human breast tumors were performed with particular emphasis on the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AIP), acid phosphatase (AcP) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). Enzyme activities in benign and malignant lesions were compared. AIP was prominent in normal mammary epithelium, limited to the myoepithelial layer in benign tumors and was absent in cords of malignant cells. AcP activity was faintly detected in normal mammary epithelium, increased in canalicular epithelium of fibroadenomas and was marked in malignant cells. G6PDH exhibited marked activity in neoplastic epithelium and the stroma of nearly all carcinomas studied, whereas in benign tumors, G6PDH activity was strictly limited to the connective tissue. The study suggests a strong correlation between G6PDH activity and malignancy. The different results obtained by various workers in this field are critically reviewed, and discussed in the light of the results of the present study.

An unusual response of hamster lymphocytes to PHA

Lymphocytes from lymph nodes, spleen or thymus of hamsters differ from those of guinea-pig, rat or mouse in their response to PHA by reacting maximally at concentrations 10–50 times higher than those optimal for other rodents. The cells from the other animals were inhibited by the levels optimal for hamster cells. Hamster lymphocytes, however, resembled cells of the other rodents in their dose response to Con A or PWM. The possibility that the particularity in response of hamster cells is related to number and/or distribution of PHA-receptors is discussed.