Early life precursors of psychiatric outcomes in adulthood in subjects at risk for schizophrenia or affective disorders.

In the New York High-Risk Project (NYHRP), 186 offspring of schizophrenic, affectively ill, and psychiatrically normal parents have been followed prospectively from 1971-72 to the average age of 27 years in 1990 with the goal of identifying early precursors of later psychopathology. In this report, we use path analyses to examine the relationship of several life-history variables to three pathological outcomes in the offspring: namely, psychosis, psychiatric hospitalization, and psychological dysfunction. The chief direct relationship with these outcomes is the effect of having a schizophrenic parent. The latter effect is also mediated indirectly by IQ.     

Oxygen Reverses Deficits of Cognitive Function and Memory and Increased Heart Rate Induced by Acute Severe Isovolemic Anemia

Background: Erythrocytes are transfused to improve oxygen delivery and prevent or treat inadequate oxygenation of tissues. Acute isovolemic anemia subtly slows human data processing and degrades memory, increases heart rate, and decreases self-assessed energy level. Erythrocyte transfusion is efficacious in reversing these effects of acute anemia. We tested the hypothesis that increasing arterial oxygen pressure (Pao2) to 350 mmHg or greater would supply sufficient oxygen to be equivalent to augmenting hemoglobin concentration by 2-3 g/dl and thus reverse the effects of acute anemia.

Methods: Thirty-one healthy volunteers, aged 28 +/- 4 yr (mean +/- SD), were tested with verbal memory and standard, computerized neuropsychologic tests before and twice after acute isovolemic reduction of their hemoglobin concentration to 5.7 +/- 0.3 g/dl. Two sets of tests were performed in randomized order at the lower hemoglobin concentration: with the volunteer breathing room air or oxygen. The subject and those administering the tests and recording the results were unaware which gas was administered. As an additional control for duration of the experiment, 10 of these volunteers also completed the same tests on a separate day, without alteration of hemoglobin concentration, at times of the day similar to those on the experimental day. Heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, and self-assessed sense of energy were recorded at the time of each test.

Results: Reaction time for digit-symbol substitution test increased, delayed memory was degraded, mean arterial pressure and energy level decreased, and heart rate increased at a hemoglobin concentration of 5.7 g/dl (all P < 0.05). Increasing Pao2 to 406 +/- 47 mmHg reversed the digit-symbol substitution test result and the delayed memory changes to values not different from those at the baseline hemoglobin concentration of 12.7 +/- 1.0 g/dl, and decreased heart rate (P < 0.05). However, mean arterial pressure and energy level changes were not altered with increased Pao2 during acute anemia.     

P-fimbriae vaccines

To test for cross-protective capacity of two different P-fimbriae vaccines we vaccinated baboons with fimbriae purified from either Escherichia coli strain ER2 or strain JR1. The vaccinated animals showed elevated antibody titers to P-fimbriae from each of the E. coli strains used, suggesting cross-reactivity as was expected from the results of immunoprecipitation of the fimbriae. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition by heterologous P-fimbriae proved this to be true immunologic cross-reactivity.     

Delineating the sites and progression of in vivo atrophy in multiple system atrophy using fluid-registered MRI.

We describe the pattern and progression of atrophy delineated using fluid registration of serial magnetic resonance imaging scans in a case of multiple system atrophy (MSA). The in vivo findings were consistent with those found at postmortem, including significant supratentorial atrophy concurrent with an unusual degree of cognitive impairment for MSA.     

Survival following intentional massive overdose of 'Ecstasy'.

A case of intentional overdose with 18 'Ecstasy' tablets is described. 'Ecstasy' is a semi-synthetic hallucinogenic amphetamine and acute adverse reactions follow from the effects of sympathetic stimulation. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of massive intentional overdose reported in the literature.     

Mucopolysaccharidosis VII as cause of fetal hydrops in early pregnancy

We report on fetal hydrops presenting at 18 weeks of gestation and diagnosed as β-glucuronidase deficiency. The parents were first cousins and there were 2 previous similar fetal deaths. β-Glucuronidase was absent in cultured fetal fibroblasts and lymphoblasts but was normal in the tested relatives. The activities of other lysosomal enzymes were normal. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.