Some properties of HU are modified after the infection of Escherichia coli by bacteriophage T4

Escherichia coli HU, an abundant, nucleoid-associated, DNA-binding protein, plays a role in several biological processes including DNA replication. Many other bacteria have well-conserved HU homologs, and there are several more-distantly related members of the family, including TF1, encoded by Bacillus subtilis phage SPO1. We have asked whether coliphage T4, like SPO1, encodes an HU homolog or whether it alters the properties of host HU. We have been unable to detect a T4-specified HU homolog, but we have shown that E. coli HU extracted from phage-infected cells differs in some properties from that extracted from uninfected cells. First, HU from uninfected cells inhibits a reconstituted T4 DNA replication system, whereas HU from infected cells does not. Second, HU from infected cells appears to bind a T4-encoded polypeptide, as shown by coimmunoprecipitation. We propose that such binding alters HU function in T4-infected cells.     

Young adolescent and maternal depression: Assessment, interrelations, and family predictors.

The present study examined (a) the relation between self-report and behavioral ratings of depression for young adolescents and their mothers; (b) the relation between adolescent and maternal depression; and (c) family correlates and predictors of adolescent and maternal depression. Sixty-nine nonclinic adolescents and their mothers completed self-report measures and participated in two behavioral observations 1 year apart. Self-report and behavioral-rating measures of depression were related for mothers but not for adolescents, and maternal depression and adolescent depression were not related to one another. In addition, marital conflict predicted maternal depression as measured by both self-reports and behavioral ratings, whereas parent–adolescent conflict predicted only self-reported adolescent depression. The differences found between maternal and adolescent depression are discussed, and the findings are contrasted with those reported for clinically depressed mothers and children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the safety of breast implants

A great deal of recent safety research combined with over 30 years of clinical experience has proven the value and relative safety of these devices. Aside from the side effect of capsular contracture, the complication rate of this surgery approaches that of any clean elective procedure. There is no convincing evidence to date of any systemic disorder that can be attributed to the silicone. Because these are man-made devices they do have a failure rate and in some women can require a significant amount of maintenance. As with all natural body parts these artificial substitutes may be subject to injury or disease and when viewed from that perspective do have very favorable risk benefit characteristics.     

TNF-alpha receptor knockout mice are protected from the fibroproliferative effects of inhaled asbestos fibers

We performed a prospective observational cohort study of the epidemiology and etiology of nosocomial pneumonia in 358 medical ICU patients in two university-affiliated hospitals. Protected bronchoscopic techniques (protected specimen brush and bronchoalveolar lavage) were used for diagnosis to minimize misclassification. Risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia were identified using multiple logistic regression analysis. Twenty-eight cases of pneumonia occurred in 358 patients for a cumulative incidence of 7.8% and incidence rates of 12.5 cases per 1, 000 patient days and 20.5 cases per 1,000 ventilator days. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Hemophilus species made up 65% of isolates from the lower respiratory tract, whereas only 12.5% of isolates were enteric gram-negative bacilli. Daily surveillance cultures of the nares, oropharynx, trachea, and stomach demonstrated that tracheal colonization preceded ventilator-associated pneumonia in 93.5%, whereas gastric colonization preceded tracheal colonization for only four of 31 (13%) eventual pathogens. By multiple logistic regression, independent risk factors for ventilator- associated pneumonia were admission serum albumin <= 2.2 g/dl (odds ratio [OR] 5.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0-17.6; p = 0.0013), maximum positive end-expiratory pressure >= 7.5 cm H2O (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.4 to 15.1; p = 0.012), absence of antibiotic therapy (OR, 6.7; 95% CI, 1.8 to 25.3; p = 0.0054), colonization of the upper respiratory tract by respiratory gram-negative bacilli (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.1 to 10.1; p = 0.028), pack-years of smoking (OR, 2.3 for 50 pack-years; 95% CI, 1. 2 to 4.2; p = 0.012), and duration of mechanical ventilation (OR, 3. 4 for 14 d; 95% CI, 1.5 to 7.8; p = 0.0044). Several of these risk factors for ventilator-associated pneumonia appear amenable to intervention.     

Early adolescent adjustment to recent parental divorce: The role of interparental conflict and adolescent sex as mediating variables.

The present study examined the 1st-year postdivorce functioning of young adolescents and the role of interparental conflict and adolescent sex as mediating variables for divorce effects. Ninety-six adolescents were assigned to one of eight groups based on parent's marital status, interparental conflict (high vs. low), and adolescent sex. Teacher-completed measures and behavioral observations were used to assess social and social withdrawal behavior, cognitive functioning, and externalizing problems. Marital status did not exert a significant main effect on any of the dependent measures, and sex of adolescent did not serve as a mediating variable. Interparental conflict exerted a significant main effect on social and social withdrawal behavior and, for cognitive functioning, interacted with marital status such that adolescents from divorced, high-conflict homes performed less well than other adolescents. The relative roles of divorce and interparental conflict in adolescent functioning are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Serial marriage: A heuristic analysis of an emerging family form.

We discuss serial marriage, defined as three or more marriages as a result of repeated divorce, from a heuristic perspective. We estimate the prevalence of the phenomenon and advance hypotheses based on existing empirical, clinical, and theoretical work concerning the development of this life-style and its consequences for family members. We discuss possible outcomes of children in serial marriage families. We present conceptual and theoretical considerations for the study of serial marriage, as well as suggestions for future research directions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of fluid flow and hafnium content on macrosegregation in the directional solidification of nickel base superalloys

Nickel base superalloys of the MAR-M200 type with additions of hafnium from 0 to 2.6 pct were directionally solidified in investment molds with an abrupt change in cross-section. Segregation patterns of several alloying elements (Hf, W, Ti, and Co) were determined and related to partition ratios, hafnium content, and casting geometry. The segregation is more pronounced near the section change, and hafnium substantially increases the segregation tendency of these alloying elements. Variation in eutectic volume percent was related to the observed macrosegregation. A model based on the flow of interdendritic liquid to feed solidification shrinkage was Actapted to describe the macrosegregation behavior of these complex superalloys. The model accurately predicts the effect of casting geometry on macrosegregation.     

Unconscious learning of rules: Comment on Reber's analysis of implicit learning.

A. S. Reber's (see record 1989-38920-001) research is contrasted with studies of unconscious process in which discrimination procedures were used to establish the influence of subliminal stimuli. In particular, it is noted that Reber's procedures do not permit him to distinguish between awareness and the state of being aware. In principle, discrimination procedures can be used to establish the nature of the subject's awareness in experiments designed to study the acquisition of allegedly unconscious rules. Until this is done, the unconscious status of the knowledge acquired in these experiments remains indeterminate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parents' book-reading habits with their children.

Investigated the extent to which parents' teaching of children becomes less directive as a function of children's age and communicative status and relations between parents' interaction styles and children's verbal IQ. 120 families participated in the study. Each family included a target child between the ages of 3 yrs 6 mo and 5 yrs 8 mo, a mother, and a father. 60 families included a communicatively handicapped target child (CH), and 60 matched families had a noncommunicatively handicapped target child (NCH). Target children were divided into 2 age groups: 4-yr-olds and 5-yr-olds. Each parent engaged in a book-reading task with the target child. Parents' interactions with children were classified according to levels of cognitive demand and directiveness. The WPPSI was administered to all children. The Verbal IQ scale subscore was used as the criterion variable in the regression analyses. Results indicate that parents were generally more directive and less demanding with younger CH children than they were with older NCH children. Further, different types of parental interaction styles predicted CH and NCH children's IQ. Results are discussed in terms of L. Vygotsky's (1978) theory of the zone of proximal development. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Strong African American Families Program: A cluster-randomized prevention trial of long-term effects and a mediational model.

The Strong African American Families Program, a universal preventive intervention to deter alcohol use among rural African American adolescents, was evaluated in a cluster-randomized prevention trial. This 7-week family skills training program is based on a contextual model in which intervention effects on youth protective factors lead to changes in alcohol use. African American 11-year-olds and their primary caregivers from 9 rural communities (N = 332 families) were randomly selected for study participation. Communities were randomized to prevention and control conditions. Intent-to-treat analyses indicated that fewer prevention than control adolescents initiated alcohol use; those who did evinced slower increases in use over time. Intervention-induced changes in youth protective factors mediated the effect of group assignment on long-term changes in use. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)