Sexual orientation differences in cerebral asymmetry and in the performance of sexually dimorphic cognitive and motor tasks.

With each of the tasks in the present studies we expected to find the reported sex difference between heterosexual women and heterosexual men and we predicted a sexual orientation effect with the performance of homosexual men being similar to that of heterosexual women and different from that of heterosexual men. Study 1 aimed to replicate earlier findings by recording the performance of a group of homosexual men on a visuospatial task, the Vincent Mechanical Diagrams Test (VMDT), a dot detection divided visual field measure of functional cerebral asymmetry, and on five subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). For each task the profile of scores obtained for the homosexual men was similar to that of heterosexual women in that they scored lower than heterosexual men on the VMDT, they showed less asymmetry, and they recorded a higher Verbal than Performance IQ on the WAIS.

The clinical value of lactate dehydrogenase in serum: a quantitative review.

The aim of this article is to describe guidelines for rational use of lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes, in the diagnostic processes and during follow-up, based on a systematic review of relevant literature. Sources of data for this study were English-language scientific publications, obtained from the database of the National Library of Medicine (Medline), concerning the clinical application (diagnosis, monitoring or treatment of disease) of lactate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme measurements in serum in the following main clinical fields: cardiology, hepatology, haematology and oncology. For acceptance in the present review, studies had to include: a proper definition of the tested patient population, diagnostic criteria, sampling time, sampling frequency, and test characteristics.

Dual targets of a transcriptional activator that tracks on DNA.

The sliding clamp of the bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase, gp45, is also the proximal effector for activation of transcription of T4 late genes. We have identified the phage T4-encoded sigma factor gp55 and the co-activator gp33 as targets of gp45 in promoter complexes, and have shown that a conserved carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence of gp55 and gp33 is required for interaction with gp45. The respective contribution of each target-gp45 interaction to activation of transcription has been assessed by measuring promoter opening rates.

Secondary structure of T4 gene 33 protein. Fourier transform infrared and circular dichroic spectroscopic studies.

The secondary structure of bacteriophage T4 gene 33 protein (gp33) has been quantitatively examined by using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Resolution enhancement techniques, including Fourier deconvolution and derivative spectroscopy were used to quantitate the spectral information from the amide I bands. The relative areas of these component bands indicate 21% alpha-helix, 25% beta-sheet, 34% turn, 12% random coil and 8% other undefined structures in gp33.

Precision of the magnesium determination in mononuclear blood cells and erythrocytes.

Objective: Establishing the analytical variation and reproducibility of the intracellular magnesium (Mg) assay in mononuclear blood cells (MBC) and erythrocytes (RBC).

Design And Methods: We assessed the analytical variation of the several determination steps, and the reproducibility for the complete intracellular Mg-assay (combination of preanalytical, analytical, and biological variation). The influence of platelets was determined by comparing Mg concentrations obtained from heparinized blood and defibrinated blood.

Auditory brainwave stimulation in treating alcoholic depression.

An auditory technology is briefly examined describing brainwave patterns and use associated with lower mean MMPI-2 Depression reported by 9 alcoholics at posttest than 15 controls. An exploratory trial with Native Alaskans/Americans gave positive indications for some consideration as a further alternative treatment.

[Laboratory testing virtually centralized to benefit both patients and drug research].

Laboratory analyses in multicentre safety studies of new drugs usually are performed in central laboratories outside the Netherlands. Patient care requires local (hospital) laboratory tests. In the so-called Virtually Centralized Laboratory the Dutch local laboratories report their results after data communication and data transformation in such a way that they seem to form one laboratory.

Critical difference between serial measurements of CK-MB mass to detect myocardial damage.

To assess the critical difference in serial measurements of CK-MBmass and the ability of this critical difference to detect myocardial damage, we studied 110 patients in whom an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) had been ruled out. Blood samples were drawn at 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h after onset of symptoms. With a critical difference of 72.

Cost-effectiveness of implantable cardioverter defibrillators relative to amiodarone for prevention of sudden cardiac death.

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are remarkably effective in terminating ventricular arrhythmias, but they are expensive and the extent to which they extend life is unknown. The marginal cost-effectiveness of ICDs relative to amiodarone has not been clearly established.

Objective: To compare the cost-effectiveness of a third-generation implantable ICD with that of empirical amiodarone treatment for preventing sudden cardiac death in patients at high or intermediate risk.

Characteristics of individuals with Huntington disease in long-term care.

This is a retrospective review of 97 Huntington disease (HD) patients living in long-term care facilities in the Twin Cities. The purpose of the study was to describe the demographic features, patterns of behavior, weight change, nursing issues, medication use, and hospitalization in this population. On admission to the nursing home, the "average" HD patient was of either sex, 45 years old, previously employed, a high school graduate, and not married.

Dynamics of DNA-tracking by two sliding-clamp proteins.

Bacteriophage T4 gene 45 protein (gp45) and Escherichia coli beta are DNA-tracking sliding-clamp proteins that increase processivity by tethering their conjugate DNA polymerases to DNA. gp45 also activates T4 late transcription. DNA loading of gp45 and beta requires ATP or dATP hydrolysis; efficient loading at primer-template junctions is assisted by single-stranded DNA-binding proteins.

Magnesium fractions in serum of healthy individuals and CAPD patients, measured by an ion-selective electrode and ultrafiltration.

Objectives: Validation and comparison of a magnesium ion-selective electrode (ISE) with a cation-exchange resin technique, followed by determination of all magnesium fractions in serum of healthy volunteers and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients.

Design And Methods: The analytical aspect has been studied by measuring the influence of complexing agents on the fraction ionized magnesium (friMg2+). A theoretical approximation of friMg2+, based on mass equilibria and complexation constants, was calculated and compared with the measurements.

Prognostic value of troponin T, myoglobin, and CK-MB mass in patients presenting with chest pain without acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: To assess the prognostic value of minor myocardial damage in patients presenting with chest pain without myocardial infarction.

Design: The relative risk of suffering a cardiac event in the next six months was assessed in patients with minor myocardial damage assessed by the cardiac markers CK-MB, myoglobin, and troponin T.

Setting: Emergency department of a large university hospital.

Presentation and explanation of medical decision models using the World Wide Web.

We demonstrated the use of the World Wide Web for the presentation and explanation of a medical decision model. We put on the web a treatment model developed as part of the Cardiac Arrhythmia and Risk of Death Patient Outcomes Research Team (CARD PORT). To demonstrate the advantages of our web-based presentation, we critiqued both the conventional paper-based and the web-based formats of this decision-model presentation with reference to an accepted published guide to understanding clinical decision models.

Value of myoglobin, troponin T, and CK-MBmass in ruling out an acute myocardial infarction in the emergency room.

Background: Ruling out acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on the basis of rapid assays for cardiac markers will allow early triage of patients and cost-effective use of available coronary care facilities.

Methods And Results: We studied the value of myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK)-MBmass, and troponin T in ruling out an AMI in the emergency room in 309 consecutive patients presenting with chest pain. The gold standard for AMI was the combination of history, ECG, and a typical curve of the CK-MB activity (CK-MBact).

Rules governing the efficiency and polarity of loading a tracking clamp protein onto DNA: determinants of enhancement in bacteriophage T4 late transcription.

The bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase accessory proteins confer processivity and high speed on replicative DNA chain elongation: the gene 45 protein, gp45, tracks along DNA and serves as the sliding clamp of the viral DNA polymerase; the gene 44/62 protein complex, gp44/62, is an ATP-dependent loading enzyme that mounts gp45 on DNA. Gp45 also activates T4 late transcription. Transcriptional enhancement by gp45 requires a particular orientation that is imposed by gp44/62 at the DNA loading site.

The COOH-terminal domain of the RNA polymerase alpha subunit in transcriptional enhancement and deactivation at the bacteriophage T4 late promoter.

Many activator proteins generate their positive control of transcription through interactions with the COOH-terminal domain of the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase alpha subunit. We have examined the participation of this alpha-domain in transcriptional enhancement and suppression at bacteriophage T4 late promoters. Enhancement is generated by the T4 gene 45 protein, which is the DNA-tracking processivity factor of viral DNA replication; suppression of unenhanced transcription is generated by the RNA polymerase-binding co-activator T4 gene 33 protein.

Evaluation of the Hitachi 911 for routine urine analysis and for measurement of various special serum analytes.

The Boehringer Mannheim Hitachi 911 is a selective analyzer for 35 different methods including 3 ion-selective electrode (ISE) methods. We have evaluated this analyzer primarily to obtain objective information on its applicability for routine urine analyses in our laboratory. We also implemented appropriate assays for various special serum- and whole blood-tests, some for the first time on the Hitachi 911 and some with modified settings.