Dangerous behaviour preceding first admissions for schizophrenia.

Of 253 patients in their first schizophrenic episode, 52 behaved in a way threatening to the lives of others before their admission to hospital. These 52 patients were studied from data collected at the time of their initial presentation. Despite a history of illness in excess of 1 year in 24 cases, and evidence that violence was motivated by psychotic symptoms in 23 cases, fewer than half of the patients were admitted to hospital as a direct result of their dangerous behaviour.

Large-scale purification and preliminary structural studies of MAC 182, a gibberellin-binding monoclonal antibody.

The large-scale purification of the anti-gibberellin monoclonal antibody, MAC 182, is described. N-Terminal amino acid sequences of the heavy and light chains were determined and compared with those of known antibodies. Fab-fragments were prepared and purified to a state suitable for crystallization.

The esophageal detector device: a rapid and accurate method for assessing tracheal versus esophageal intubation in a porcine model.

Study Objectives: To assess time and accuracy of the esophageal detector device (EDD), disposable end-tidal CO2 monitor (ETCO2), and standard clinical methods for detection of endotracheal tube placement.

Design: Prospective, randomized, single-blinded, controlled laboratory investigation.

Methods: Thirty airway managers (physicians, nurse anesthetists, and paramedics) used one pig (Sus scrofa) as the intubated, respiratory depressed/arrest model.

The peritoneal equilibration test in children.

The peritoneal equilibration test (PET) has been recommended in adults as a standardized means of estimating solute transport. Based on results of the PET, adult peritoneal permeability has been classified as high, high average, low average, and low. We performed a PET on 32 children aged 0.

Inhibition of Aspergillus fumigatus elastase with monoclonal antibodies produced by using denatured elastase as an immunogen.

In preparing monoclonal antibodies to the elastase from Aspergillus fumigatus, we found that the enzyme was weakly immunogenic in BALB/c mice. Antiserum titers were only 1:1,000 to 1:5,000, and hybridomas secreted nonspecific immunoglobulin M (IgM). Denaturing the elastase in 0.

Purification and properties of the elastase from Aspergillus fumigatus.

Elastase, a potential virulence factor from the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, was purified 220-fold from culture broth by fast-performance liquid chromatography employing anion exchange (Q Sepharose fast flow), cation exchange (S Sepharose fast flow), and gel filtration (Superose 12). Purified to near homogeneity, the elastase had an apparent molecular mass of 32 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (silver stain) but a mass of about 19.1 kDa as determined by gel filtration on Superdex 75.

Prenatal diagnosis and presymptomatic detection of neurofibromatosis type 1.

A two year experience of DNA diagnosis for NF1 is presented. Twenty-three NF1 families have been analysed using 11 closely linked and intragenic markers. Prenatal testing was undertaken for six families; 11 affected subjects and their partners wished to know if they would be informative for future prenatal testing, seven of whom are so far fully informative.

Metabolism of ent-Kaurene to Gibberellin A(12)-Aldehyde in Young Shoots of Normal Maize.

Young shoots of normal maize (Zea mays L.) were used to determine both the stepwise metabolism of ent-kaurene to gibberellin A(12)-aldehyde and the endogenous presence of the members in this series. Each of the five steps in the sequence was established by feeds of 17-(13)C, (3)H-labeled kauranoids to cubes from the cortex of elongating internodes, to homogenates from the cortex of elongating internodes, and/or to homogenates from dark-grown seedlings.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1a (CMT1a): evidence for trisomy of the region p11.2 of chromosome 17 in south Wales families.

The gene for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1a (CMT1a) has been localised to chromosome 17p11.2. Locus D17S122 is recognised by the DNA probe pVAW409R3 which detects an MspI polymorphism with three alleles in the normal population.

Molecular analysis for the myotonic dystrophy mutation in neuromuscular disorders.

A variable expansion of an unstable CTG repeat has been identified as the causal mutation for myotonic dystrophy. Standard molecular genetic techniques can now supplement traditional assessment protocols in a variety of clinical neurological situations where diagnostic uncertainty prevailed. Southern analysis using DNA probes which identify the expanded sequence, supplemented by direct PCR analysis for repeat number, provides a specific sensitive diagnostic test for myotonic dystrophy.

Immunochromatographic purification of gibberellins from vegetative tissues of Cucumis sativus L: Separation and identification of 13-hydroxy and 13-deoxy gibberellins.

Immunological methods are described for the separation and purification of 13-hydroxy and 13-deoxy-gibberellins of Cucumis sativus. Qualitative and quantitative data show that 13-deoxygibberellins predominate over 13-hydroxygibberellins in stems and leaves of this species.

Single-gene neurological disorders in South Wales: an epidemiological study.

Single-gene neurological disorders account for a significant proportion of the work load of any regional genetics unit. In an attempt to assess the likely impact of recombinant DNA technology on these debilitating diseases, a population prevalence study of the major neurogenetic diseases was carried out in the South Wales region of Great Britain. The minimum overall prevalence of these disorders was estimated to be 58.

Characterization of the components of hemolysin BL from Bacillus cereus.

Previously we described the partial purification of a novel hemolysin from Bacillus cereus and showed that hemolytic activity required the combined action of at least two components, called B and L to signify their cell-binding and cell-lytic roles in this activity. On further purification, as described in the present article, a combination of anion-exchange chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis separated three proteins, B, L1, and L2 (35, 36, and 45 kDa, respectively). Individually, these proteins were inactive in hemolytic and vascular permeability assays, and combinations of B and L1 or B and L2 were either inactive or slightly active.

The endogenous gibberellins of dwarf mutants of lettuce.

The gibberellin (GA) content of E-1, a tall genotype of early flowering lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), and of three selected GA-responsive dwarfs, dwf1, dwf2, and dwf2(1), has been determined using (13)C-labeled internal standards and gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). In the shoots of the E-1 parent, GA(1), 3-epi-GA(1), GA(3), GA(5), GA(8), GA(19), GA(20), GA(29), and GA(53) were identified by full scan GC-MS and Kovats retention indices.

Arthroscopic decompression of meniscal cysts: report of 14 cases.

Meniscal cysts are a painful disorder of the knee affecting young to middle-aged adults. The recommended treatment has been total meniscectomy. With the widespread use of arthroscopic surgery there has been a trend to a more conservative management of meniscal pathology in general.

Self-concept measures and childhood obesity: a descriptive analysis.

Little is known about the possible effects of age, race, gender, or degree of obesity on measurements of self-concept in children. Our study of 130 obese children enrolled in an outpatient obesity clinic showed that their mean overall score on the Piers-Harris (P-H) Children's Self-Concept Scale was within the norms. However, certain subgroups scored low, with nonwhite children displaying the lowest self-esteem, particularly younger girls and adolescent males.

Routes and incidence of communication of lumbar discs with surrounding neural structures.

Several authors have previously reported the complications resulting from contact between a diagnostic or therapeutic agent injected into an intervertebral disc and neural tissue. This study was undertaken to demonstrate the common routes by which, and frequency with which this contact occurs. Of 105 cadaveric intervertebral discs studies, 15 (14%) leaked.

Partial Purification and Characterization of the Gibberellin A(20) 3beta-Hydroxylase from Seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris.

The GA(20) 3beta-hydroxylase present in immature seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris has been partially purified and characterized. The physical characteristics of the enzyme are similar to those of the GA 2beta-hydroxylases present in mature and immature seeds of Pisum sativum. It is acid-labile, hydrophobic, and of M(r) 45,000.

Double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for cellobiohydrolase I.

A double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for quantifying cellobiohydrolase I (CBH I) in crude preparations of the cellulase complex from Trichoderma reesei. The other enzymes (endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase) in this complex and other ingredients in culture broth did not interfere with this assay. The antibody configuration that resulted in the highest specificity for the assay of CBH I employed a monoclonal antibody to coat wells in polystyrene plates and peroxidase-labeled polyclonal antibody to detect cellobiohydrolase bound to the immobilized monoclonal antibody.

Are stressful life events risk factors for herpes zoster?

To determine if psychologically stressful life events are risk factors for herpes zoster, we conducted a case-control study of zoster and self-reported recent negative life events and major changes in spousal relationships. The subjects were 101 healthy community-dwelling cases of zoster and 101 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and race and generated by random digit dialing. The Geriatric Scale of Recent Life Events was administered to case and control subjects, and additional questions were asked regarding the perception of the life event.

Syncope and presyncope associated with probable adverse drug reactions.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether syncope and presyncope were associated with drug therapy in 70 patients referred to a tertiary care ambulatory clinic. Drug use information was obtained, validated, and classified by its potential to cause syncope and presyncope. Utilizing a standardized adverse drug reaction algorithm, nine (13%) of the 70 patients were rated as having probable drug-induced syncope and presyncope events.

Biosynthetic Origin of Gibberellins A(3) and A(7) in Cell-Free Preparations from Seeds of Marah macrocarpus and Malus domestica.

Cell-free preparations from seeds of Marah macrocarpus L. and Malus domestica L. catalyzed the conversion of gibberellin A(9) (GA(9)) and 2,3-dehydroGA(9) to GA(7); GA(9) was also metabolized to GA(4) in a branch pathway.

Gibberellin A(3) Is Biosynthesized from Gibberellin A(20) via Gibberellin A(5) in Shoots of Zea mays L.

[17-(13)C,(3)H]-Labeled gibberellin A(20) (GA(20)), GA(5), and GA(1) were fed to homozygous normal (+/+), heterozygous dominant dwarf (D8/+), and homozygous dominant dwarf (D8/D8) seedlings of Zea mays L. (maize). (13)C-Labeled GA(29), GA(8), GA(5), GA(1), and 3-epi-GA(1), as well as unmetabolized [(13)C]GA(20), were identified by gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring (GC-SIM) from feeds of [17-(13)C, (3)H]GA(20) to all three genotypes.

Further investigation of the predictors of outcome following first schizophrenic episodes.

The outcome at two years of patients who were eligible for a study of first schizophrenic episodes was assessed in terms of occupation (n = 237) and in terms of number of days spent as an in-patient from the time of first admission (n = 252), and was related to social, behavioural, mental state and neurological measures during the initial admission. Poor outcome was in general associated with more social withdrawal, inactivity and abnormal social presentation and with more 'neurological soft signs'. Good occupational outcome in patients with a relatively short pre-treatment duration of illness was associated with the prescription of placebo medication during the follow-up period.