The multifunctional RNA-binding protein La is required for mouse development and for the establishment of embryonic stem cells.

The La protein is a target of autoantibodies in patients suffering from Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, and neonatal lupus. Ubiquitous in eukaryotes, La functions as a RNA-binding protein that promotes the maturation of tRNA precursors and other nascent transcripts synthesized by RNA polymerase III as well as other noncoding RNAs. La also associates with a class of mRNAs that encode ribosome subunits and precursors to snoRNAs involved in ribosome biogenesis.

Polymorphic micro-inversions contribute to the genomic variability of humans and chimpanzees.

A combination of inter- and intra-species genome comparisons is required to identify and classify the full spectrum of genetic changes, both subtle and gross, that have accompanied the evolutionary divergence of humans and other primates. In this study, gene order comparisons of 11,518 human and chimpanzee orthologous gene pairs were performed to detect regions of inverted gene order that are potentially indicative of small-scale rearrangements such as inversions. By these means, a total of 71 potential micro-rearrangements were detected, nine of which were considered to represent micro-inversions encompassing more than three genes.

The effects of executive and behavioral dysfunction on the course of ALS.

Objective: To determine whether patients with ALS-frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD) have a shorter survival and are less compliant with recommended treatments than those with ALS who have normal executive and behavioral function (classic ALS).

Methods: Survival analysis from ALS symptom onset to death included 81 of 100 consecutive patients who could be classified definitely as ALS with abnormal executive or behavioral function or as classic ALS. Criteria were defined for compliance with noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG).

A reminiscence.

The founding of the William Carlos Williams poetry competition for medical students is recounted. A few highlights from its nearly twenty-five years of operation are offered. Gleanings from the hearts and souls of some of the winning poets are shared.

Attention deficit disorder: not just for children.

Abstract Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has long been described in children who demonstrate developmentally inappropriate symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and motor restlessness. In adults, symptoms are known to persist and the validity of adult ADHD as an entity is now recognized. There is an associated high proportion of other serious psychiatric comorbidities, especially substance abuse, mood and anxiety disorders.

Changing opioid use for right lower quadrant abdominal pain in the emergency department.

Objectives: To compare the use of opioid analgesia in the treatment of emergency department patients with acute right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal pain between 1998 and 2003 and to explore the relationship between opioid use and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scanning.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients presenting in 1998 and 2003 to an urban emergency department with a triage complaint of RLQ pain. The authors abstracted use and timing of abdominal CT scanning and opioid analgesia.

Prevalence of acute myocardial infarction and other serious diagnoses in patients presenting to an urban emergency department with chest pain.

A retrospective cohort study and chart review were performed to estimate the absolute and relative prevalence of the serious diagnoses that might cause a patient to present to the Emergency Department (ED) with a chief complaint of chest pain. In this study, we queried a database of 347,229 complete visits to the San Francisco General Hospital Emergency Department between July 1, 1993 and June 30, 1998 for visits by patients > 35 years old with a chief complaint of chest pain and no history of trauma. Visits for chest pain that resulted in hospitalization were assigned to one of nine diagnostic groups according to final diagnoses as coded in the database.

Understanding affective and cognitive self-evaluations about the body for adolescent girls.

Objective: The aim of this study was to understand relations between cognitive and affective self-evaluations about the body for adolescent girls in the context of their diverse experiences of the body.

Method: The project involved adolescent girls (N = 141), including underweight to overweight schoolgirls, and hospitalized girls with anorexia nervosa (AN). Materials were brief, reliable inventories of self-concepts about body, movement and appearance, and feelings about the body.

The San Francisco Syncope Rule vs physician judgment and decision making.

Objective: To compare a clinical decision rule (San Francisco Syncope Rule [SFSR]) and physician decision making when predicting serious outcomes in patients with syncope.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study, physicians evaluated patients presenting with syncope and predicted the chance (0%-100%) of the patient developing a predefined serious outcome. They were then observed to determine their decision to admit the patient.

Predicting stimulant medication response in ADHD: evidence from an integrated profile of neuropsychological, psychophysiological and clinical factors.

There have been significant advances in understanding the neurobiology of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and it is timely to examine the ability of biological and psychological markers to predict medication response in this disorder. We evaluated prediction of medication response in adolescent ADHD using neuropsychological testing and psychophysiological measures of central and autonomic function. Fifty ADHD adolescents participated in pre- and post-stimulant medication testing.

Sex differences in adolescent ADHD: findings from concurrent EEG and EDA.

Objective: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) occurs more frequently in male children and adolescents than in females, with a ratio of approximately 3 to 1. We determined whether psychophysiological differences are associated with the expression of ADHD in males and females, using simultaneously recorded electroencephalography (EEG) and electrodermal activity (EDA).

Methods: Quantitative EEG and EDA measures were acquired simultaneously and continuously (2min) during an eyes closed resting condition for 70 ADHD adolescents (48 males, 22 females) and their age- and sex-matched controls.

Responses to methylphenidate in adolescent AD/HD: evidence from concurrently recorded autonomic (EDA) and central (EEG and ERP) measures.

This paper aims to examine the effects of methylphenidate (MPH) on integrated baseline and event-related psychophysiological measures in AD/HD. Thirty-four unmedicated AD/HD adolescents (11-17 years; 6 females) were first compared to 34 age- and sex-matched controls, and then re-tested at least 4 weeks after methylphenidate (MPH) medication. In each testing session, EDA was recorded simultaneously with EEG during a resting eyes open condition, and with ERPs during an auditory oddball task.

DkkL1 (Soggy), a Dickkopf family member, localizes to the acrosome during mammalian spermatogenesis.

Dickkopf-like 1 (DkkL1) is related to the Dickkopf gene family, a group of proteins that are characterized as secreted antagonists of Wingless (Wnt) signal transduction proteins. DkkL1 mRNA is found in preimplantation mouse embryos and in developing neural tissue, but in adults it is found primarily in the testes. In an effort to elucidate its function, the distribution of DkkL1 protein in mouse testis and mature sperm was analyzed by immuno-histochemistry and immuno-blotting techniques.

Resting EEG theta activity predicts cognitive performance in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Quantitative electroencephalography has contributed significantly to elucidating the neurobiologic mechanisms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The most consistent and robust electroencephalographic disturbance in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder has been abnormally increased theta band during resting conditions. Separate research using attention-demanding tests has elucidated cognitive disturbances that differentiate attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Localization of human X chromosomal mental retardation (MRX) genes in chicken and comparison with the chicken genome sequence data.

In an ongoing study human X chromosomal mental retardation genes (MRX) were mapped in the chicken genome. Up to now the homologs of 13 genes were localized by FISH techniques. Four genes from HSAXp (TM4SF2, RSK2/RPS6KA3, NLGN4, ARX) map to GGA1q13-->q31, and seven genes from HSAXq (OPHN1, AGTR2, ARHGEF6, PAK3, FACL4/ACS4, FMR2, ATRX) to GGA4p.

Factors affecting emergency department opioid administration to severely injured patients.

Objectives: Studies of emergency department (ED) pain management in patients with trauma have been mostly restricted to patients with fractures, yet the potential for undertreatment of more severely injured patients is great. The authors sought to identify factors associated with failure to receive ED opioid administration in patients with acute trauma who subsequently required hospitalization.

Methods: At an urban Level 1 trauma center and teaching hospital, a retrospective cohort study of trauma team activation patients requiring hospitalization between January 1 and December 31, 1999, was conducted.

Wide genome comparisons reveal the origins of the human X chromosome.

The eutherian X chromosome has one of the most conserved gene arrangements in mammals. Although earlier comparisons with distantly related mammalian groups pointed towards separate origins for the short and long arms, much deeper comparisons are now possible using draft sequences of the chicken genome, in combination with genome sequences from pufferfish and zebrafish. This enables surprising new insights into the origins of the mammalian X chromosome.

Lead poisoning from a toy necklace.

A 4-year-old, previously healthy boy experienced intermittent abdominal pain for several weeks. He was diagnosed with probable gastroenteritis, but his symptoms worsened. Laboratory tests revealed normocytic anemia, and an abdominal radiograph showed a metallic foreign body in the stomach, without evidence of obstruction.

Australian and New Zealand clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of anorexia nervosa.

Background: The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is co-ordinating the development of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in psychiatry, funded under the National Mental Health Strategy (Australia) and the New Zealand Ministry of Health. This CPG covers anorexia nervosa (AN).

Method: The CGP team consulted with scientists, clinicians, carers and consumer groups in meetings of over 200 participants and conducted a systematic review of meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials and other studies.

Dp1 is largely dispensable for embryonic development.

E2F/DP complexes activate or repress the transcription of E2F target genes, depending on the association of a pRB family member, thereby regulating cell cycle progression. Whereas the E2F family consists of seven members, the DP family contains only two (Dp1 and Dp2), Dp1 being the more highly expressed member. In contrast to the inactivation of individual E2F family members, we have recently demonstrated that loss of Dp1 results in embryonic lethality by embryonic day 12.

Cholesterol (and cardiovascular risk) in adolescence.

Purpose Of Review: Atherosclerosis is a significant cause of adult morbidity and mortality. New evidence confirms that it begins in childhood and accelerates at adolescence. Many new studies have solidified the understanding of its risk factors and changed the approach to their clinical management.