The primate amygdala mediates acute fear but not the behavioral and physiological components of anxious temperament.

Temperamentally anxious individuals can be identified in childhood and are at risk to develop anxiety and depressive disorders. In addition, these individuals tend to have extreme asymmetric right prefrontal brain activity. Although common and clinically important, little is known about the pathophysiology of anxious temperament.

Repeated fetal betamethasone treatment and birth weight and head circumference.

Objective: To assess the effect of repeated courses of betamethasone on birth weight and head circumference.

Methods: We conducted a historical cohort study of inpatients receiving betamethasone therapy over 5 years. We compared birth weights and head circumferences of infants whose mothers received one course of betamethasone with those of infants whose mothers received multiple courses.

THE ROLE OF CONTEXTUAL, CHILD, AND PARENT FACTORS IN PREDICTING CRIMINAL OUTCOMES IN ADOLESCENCE.

This study examined predictor variables that would contribute toward an explanatory model linking child maltreatment and the outcome of crime seriousness. A secondary data analysis was completed on a random sample of youth committed and detained by a juvenile justice system in the northeast United States. Although existing data indicate a predisposition to crime and violence among youth that are maltreated, more research is needed to determine the exact nature of the link, as well as the need to determine the relationship of associated factors.

AN OVERVIEW OF FORENSIC PSYCHIATRIC CARE OF THE ADOLESCENT.

The field of forensic psychiatric nursing is a relatively recent addition to the specialty of psychiatric nursing. This paper provides an overview of forensic psychiatric care of adolescent patients. It describes the juvenile justice system, identifies various theoretical models useful for understanding youthful offenders, and explores risk and protective factors.

Noninvasive assessment of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase activity in aging rhesus monkey brain in vivo.

The effect of aging on aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD) activity in rhesus monkey striatum was assessed in vivo using PET imaging. Two analogs of L-DOPA, 6-fluoro-m-tyrosine (FMT) and 6-fluoro-L-DOPA (FDOPA), were used to image rhesus monkeys of various ages. Results show that when the animals were grouped between young (3-11 years) and aged (25-37 years), FDOPA uptake in the older animals showed a 21% decline (P < 0.

Mutant frequency and molecular analysis of in vivo lacI mutations in the bone marrow of Big Blue rats treated with 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

Recently, we evaluated lacI mutations in lymphocytes and mammary tissue of Big Blue (BB) rats exposed to 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). The results on the time course of mutant induction suggested that the lacI gene may manifest a tissue-specific increase in mutant frequency (MF). To test whether a tissue-specific increase in lacI MF is dependent on the cell proliferation rate of a tissue, we examined rapidly proliferating bone marrow cells for DMBA-induced lacI mutations.

Effects of amygdala lesions on sleep in rhesus monkeys.

The amygdala is important in processing emotion and in the acquisition and expression of fear and anxiety. It also appears to be involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of, fiber-sparing lesions of the amygdala on sleep in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Cerebrospinal fluid corticotropin-releasing hormone levels are elevated in monkeys with patterns of brain activity associated with fearful temperament.

Background: Asymmetric patterns of frontal brain activity and brain corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) systems have both been separately implicated in the processing of normal and abnormal emotional responses. Previous studies in rhesus monkeys demonstrated that individuals with extreme right frontal asymmetric brain electrical activity have high levels of trait-like fearful behavior and increased plasma cortisol concentrations.

Methods: In this study we assessed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) CRH concentrations in monkeys with extreme left and extreme right frontal brain electrical activity.

Gender differences in brain volume and size of corpus callosum and amygdala of rhesus monkey measured from MRI images.

While it has been established that the weight of the female rhesus monkey brain is less than that of the male, the sexual dimorphism of specific brain structures has not been well-documented. To further understand potential sex differences, we measured the whole brain volume and the size of the corpus callosum (mid-sagittal) and amygdala (largest coronal section) in MRI images from juvenile to adult male and female rhesus monkeys between 8 months and 7.2 years of age.

4-(1,3-Dimethoxyprop-2-ylamino)-2,7-dimethyl-8-(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine: a potent, orally bioavailable CRF(1) receptor antagonist.

Structure-activity studies in the pyrazolo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine series led to the discovery that compound 11i (DMP696) is a potent hCRF(1) receptor antagonist (K(i) = 1.7 nM vs 7.5 nM for alpha-hel-CRF(9-41), hCRF(1) adenylate cyclase IC(50) = 82 nM vs 286 nM for alpha-hel-CRF(9-41)).

DNA adduct formation and molecular analysis of in vivo lacI mutations in the mammary tissue of Big Blue rats treated with 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

Recently we compared the lacI and Hprt mutant frequencies (MFs) and types of mutations in lymphocytes of Big Blue((R)) (BB) rats exposed to 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) under conditions that result in mammary gland tumors. In this study, we have examined the target mammary tissue for DMBA-induced DNA adducts, lacI MF and types of lacI mutations. Seven-week-old female BB rats were given single doses of 0, 20 or 130 mg/kg DMBA by gavage and the DNA adducts and lacI MFs in the mammary tissue were measured over a period of 14 days and 18 weeks, respectively, following treatment.

Cardiac troponin T levels in umbilical cord blood.

Objective: We sought to determine cardiac troponin T concentrations in umbilical cord plasma from normal and complicated pregnancies.

Study Design: At the time of delivery, umbilical cord arterial and venous samples were collected from 209 neonates, and cardiac troponin T levels were measured by immunoassay. Comparisons of clinical factors were made between neonates with normal and elevated cardiac troponin T levels.

Localization of trapping of 6-[(18)F]fluoro-L-m-tyrosine, an aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase tracer for PET.

The purpose of this study was to address four major questions regarding 6-FMT, a noncatecholic PET tracer for AAAD: 1) Where is the specific uptake of 6-FMT? 2) Why does it accumulate where and to the degree that it does? 3) How does its uptake differ from that of fluoroDOPA globally? and 4) Does its regional uptake differ significantly from that of fluoroDOPA? High-resolution PET scans were obtained in three rhesus monkeys using 6-FMT and in two of them using fluoroDOPA. Anatomic distribution was analyzed visually and quantitative uptake of 6-FMT was compared with published regional decarboxylase activity and monoamine neurotransmitter concentrations. In addition to high uptake in the dopamine-rich striatal nuclei, there was specific uptake of 6-FMT in brain regions which have little dopaminergic innervation but which have other amines in significant concentration.

Paraneoplastic polyneuropathy and subsequent recovery following tumor removal in a dog.

A 10-year-old, intact female Brittany spaniel was presented for evaluation of progressive tetraparesis. Physical examination and diagnostic testing revealed masses within the right mammary chain and left caudal lung lobe. Neuromuscular electrodiagnostic and histopathological findings were compatible with a peripheral polyneuropathy.

Pharmacodynamics of trovafloxacin in experimental pneumococcal meningitis: basis for dosage selection in children with meningitis.

Trovafloxacin is a recently approved fluoroquinolone with excellent activity against gram-positive and gram-negative organisms that offers a potential alternative for treatment of beta-lactam-resistant pneumococcal meningitis. Using the rabbit meningitis model, we sought to characterize the pharmacodynamic properties of trovafloxacin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Animals were given single doses of trovafloxacin of 10, 15, 20 or 30 mg/kg; 1 h after Infusion mean CSF concentrations were 0.

A preliminary description of responses of free-ranging rhesus monkeys to brief capture experiences: behavior, endocrine, immune, and health relationships.

A cohort of free-ranging rhesus monkeys has been followed since birth in 1994 on the island of Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico. At 3 years of age, subjects were trapped and blood samples were collected after capture and prior to release the following day. Blood samples were processed for natural cytotoxicity toward xenogeneic tumors, phenotyping, and plasma hormones.

Pharmacodynamics of vancomycin for the treatment of experimental penicillin- and cephalosporin-resistant pneumococcal meningitis.

With the emergence of beta-lactam antibiotic resistance among strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, vancomycin has assumed an important role in the treatment of bacterial meningitis. Using the rabbit meningitis model, we evaluated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vancomycin in this setting. Animals were given 80 mg/kg of body weight daily in two or four divided doses to determine the penetration and activity of vancomycin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); each regimen was administered with and without dexamethasone.

Prenatal diagnosis of thrombocytopenia absent radius (TAR) syndrome and vaginal delivery.

A fetus with bilateral radial aplasia was identified on routine ultrasound. The diagnosis of thrombocytopenia absent radius (TAR) syndrome was confirmed with cordocentesis. The differential diagnosis of radial aplasia and prenatal tests available to assist with management are discussed.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in a mouse model.

To investigate the pathogenesis of acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, BALB/c mice were anesthetized with metofane, and M. pneumoniae was introduced intranasally on days 0, 1, and 2. Mice were sacrificed on days 0-15.

Comparison of mutant frequencies and types of mutations induced by thiotepa in the endogenous Hprt gene and transgenic lacI gene of Big Blue rats.

The utility of the lacI transgene of Big Blue rats as a reporter of in vivo mutation was evaluated by comparing the frequency and types of mutations induced by thiotepa in the transgene and the endogenous Hprt gene. Transgenic rats were given i.p.

Comparison of in vivo mutagenesis in the endogenous Hprt gene and the lacI transgene of Big Blue(R) rats treated with 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.

The lacI transgene of Big Blue(R) (BB) rats was evaluated as a reporter of in vivo mutation by comparing mutant frequencies (MFs) in it and in the endogenous Hprt gene. Seven-week old female BB rats were given single doses of 0, 20, 75 and 130 mg/kg of 7, 12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) by gavage, and Hprt and lacI MFs in splenic lymphocytes were measured over a period of 18 weeks. The Hprt MFs in treated rats increased for 10 weeks and then declined; 130 mg/kg of DMBA produced a maximum Hprt MF of 168+/-11.

Asymmetric frontal brain activity, cortisol, and behavior associated with fearful temperament in rhesus monkeys.

The authors examined the hypothesis that rhesus monkeys with extreme right frontal electroencephalographic activity would have higher cortisol levels and would be more fearful compared with monkeys with extreme left frontal activity. The authors first showed that individual differences in asymmetric frontal electrical activity are a stable characteristic. Next, the authors demonstrated that relative right asymmetric frontal activity and cortisol levels are correlated in animals 1 year of age.