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Background: The physical benefits for patients who spend time with a therapy dog have been reported, including decreased anxiety. Pet therapy has decreased anxiety in various hospitalized patient populations. The human–animal bond is the foundation for the positive interaction therapy dogs create. Aims: This study’s purpose was to explore the use of pet therapy as an intervention to decrease patients’ anxiety levels on two diverse inpatient units: Behavioral Health (BHU) and Pediatrics (PEDS). Methods: This was a quantitative study using a convenience sample, with systematic assignment to the experimental and control group. The State Anxiety Scale (SAS), a 6-item, Likert-type Short Form version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, was used with adults and children; a Pediatric Emoji Method was constructed to assist children with the SAS. After consent, both groups completed the SAS pretest. Intervention patients then spent up to 15 minutes with a therapy dog and handler. The SAS posttest was completed 1 hour later by the experimental and control group. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used, including an independent samples t test, paired-sample t test, Wilcoxon signed rank tests, and Spearman correlation coefficients. Results: Findings revealed that the therapy dog visitations had a positive effect on lowering anxiety supporting the hypothesis. Both the PEDS and BHU participants experienced a significant decrease in their anxiety level following the dog visits. Conclusion: Patients on the BHU and PEDS units benefitted from their visit with a therapy dog by experiencing a decrease in their anxiety level.

Purpose The promotion of quality of life (QOL) and healthy development across the person's life span can result in long and meaningful lives. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between spiritual well-being (SWB), depression, and QOL for adults with paraplegia. Design A descriptive correlational design was used for this study. Methods A purposive sample of 75 participants completed the Ellison's SWB Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, and a QOL scale. Findings Quality of life was significantly associated with SWB (r = .47, p = .01), and depression (r = −.59, p = .01), 43% of the variance in QOL was explained by age, gender, length of stay, SWB, and depression (F[5,69] = 10.45, p

The purpose of this study was to design a comprehensive and effective model for a secondary reading syllabus to be used in the educational institutions as controlled by the culturally different community. The model was designed on the basis of recommendations of experts representing the varying points of view of philosophy, sociology, psychology, linguistics, and language arts, on the findings of educational researchers, and on the assumptions that: (1) learning is a cumulative and sequential process; (2) components of the proposed curriculum must be clearly articulated for a workable program; and (3) program materials and procedures should be relevant to the program's objectives as well as to the aspirations and practical demands society holds for young citizens. The major philosophical conclusion drawn from the findings was that an effective reading program must emphasize the individual as a citizen gaining power within a community decision-making body of his peers rather than continuing to emphasize the individual as an isolated, self-determining member of a powerless culturally different community. The reading program must serve as a vehicle for transmitting a central concept--literacy is best promoted in a representative community which controls the educational institution in which reading is related to this control. (Author/WR)

Unexplained and episodic die-offs of the dwarf surf clam, Mulinia lateralis , have been reported on the West Atlantic coast, with such an occurrence in South Carolina in June 2010. A sample of live clams from the 2010 South Carolina event was collected, and 200 clams were measured and necropsied. Two species of tapeworm larvae were observed. Plerocercoids (Duplicibothrium sp.) occupied the digestive gland ducts, and merocercoids (Rhodobothrium sp.) were found beneath the mantle. Specimens of both species were sequenced to obtain partial 28S rRNA gene sequences, and they were identified as the tetraphyllidean D. minutum and the rhinebothriidean R. paucitesticulare, based on an NCBI Standard Nucleotide BLAST search. Of the 200 clams, 2.1% were infected with merocercoids (mean intensity 1.3 ± 0.2) and 75% with plerocercoids (mean intensity 4.3 ± 3.7). Intensity of infection by plerocercoids increased significantly with individual shell length. The presence of plerocercoids was associated with enlargement of the digestive gland ducts, but no other pathology was observed. Because uninfected clams were abundant among the stranded molluscs, these parasites are not considered to be the causative agent of the die-off. This is a new host record for both elasmobranch tapeworms.

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore wives’ perceptions of their husbands’ end-of-life care. Participants were 25 elderly widows (62-103 years of age) with 19 husbands’ deaths in a hospice setting and six in the hospital. Wives recalled significant aspects of the experience and t

Benthic microalgae (BMA) are important primary producers constituting an essential component of nearshore food webs. BMA also release extracellular polymeric secretions that sta- bilize sediments. Primary objectives of our research were to assess the separate and interactive effects of biotic and abiotic disturbances on structure and spatial patterns of microalgal communi- ties in shallow-water sediments. Using field comparative studies, we characterized the effects of 2 prominent types of disturbance: macroinvertebrate ingestion and tidal resuspension. BMA bio- mass and composition in fecal materials from the enteropneust Balanoglossus aurantiacus and sediments were followed through time using fluorometry and molecular techniques (PCR-DGGE analysis of 18S rDNA and sequencing). We also examined the effects of disturbance on spatial pat- terns of BMA biomass, diversity, and composition over the larger sedimentary landscape using correlative studies. Deposit-feeder ingestion was found to significantly reduce BMA biomass and alter BMA composition, although qualitative changes were comparatively less remarkable. A sig- nificant difference was also found between average biomass before and after tidal immersion. Spatial autocorrelation revealed heterogeneity in BMA distribution during low tide, and that this spatial patterning correlated with B. aurantiacus fecal coils. Samples taken after tidal immersion showed no patchiness, nor was there a correlation between BMA biomass and pre-immersion fecal cover. In intertidal sediments, the qualitative and quantitative impacts of deposit feeding, and the resulting landscape-scale patchiness, appear to be short-lived due to erasure by frequent tidal resuspension.

In addition to ship collisions and fishing gear entanglements, recovery of the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis has been challenged by reproductive abnormalities and compromised health. Of the factors hypothesized as contributing to the observed reproductive dysfunction in right whales, exposure to marine biotoxins such as domoic acid (DA) has received comparatively little consideration. The present study assessed the occurrence of DA in right whale feces, copepods, and krill collected from April through September of 2005 and 2006 on the whales' feeding grounds along the northeastern USA and eastern Canada. DA was detected by sur- face plasmon resonance (SPR) in 69 right whale fecal samples, 6 krill samples, and 32 copepod sam- ples. Many of the latter were dominated largely by Stage V Calanus finmarchicus copepodites. DA detection by SPR in fecal and zooplankton collections was verified by receptor binding assay and confirmed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Moreover, LC- MS/MS determined the presence of a putative methylated DA metabolite in all fecal and zooplank- ton samples analyzed. Frustules of several potentially toxic Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were identified in whale feces and phytoplankton samples by light and electron microscopy. Electron microscopy also revealed an abundance of C. finmarchicus mandibles in right whale feces. These findings con- firm that E. glacialis was exposed to DA for several months, likely through ingestion of a DA- contaminated copepod vector. The extent to which this algal biotoxin may contribute to the failed recovery of the E. glacialis population warrants further investigation.

The marine algal biotoxin, domoic acid (DA), is produced by certain members of the diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia. This neurotoxin has been responsible for several mass mortality events involving marine birds and mammals. In all cases, the toxin was transferred from its algal producers through marine food webs by one or more intermediate vectors. The ability of some copepod taxa to serve as vectors for DA has been demonstrated; however, the role played in DA trophic transfer by Calanus finmarchicus, which often dominates N. Atlantic zooplankton assemblages and is a primary dietary component of the highly endangered N. Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), has been uncertain. In the present study, we examined the ability of C. finmarchicus to consume DA-producing algae and retain the toxin. Results of grazing and toxin accumulation/depuration experiments showed that C. finmarchicus consumed DA-producing Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries regardless of the presence or absence of morphologically similar, but non-toxic, P. pungens, across initial cell concentrations ranging from 1000–4000 cells mL− 1. Furthermore, C. finmarchicus did not appear to preferentially consume or avoid either Pseudo-nitzschia species tested. After ingestion of P. multiseries, copepods accumulated DA and retained it for up to 48 h post-removal of the toxin source. These findings provide evidence for the potential of C. finmarchicus to facilitate DA trophic transfer in marine food webs where toxic Pseudo-nitzschia is present.

Flavobacteriaceae (strain S03) and Cytophaga sp. (strain 41-DBG2) are algicidal bacteria active against the brevetoxin (PbTx)-producing, red tide dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis. Little is known about the fate of PbTx associated with K. brevis cells following attack by such bacteria. The fate and distribution of PbTx in K. brevis cultures exposed to these algicidal strains were thus examined by receptor binding assay and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) in three size fractions (45, 0.22–5, o0.22mm) over a 2-week time course. In control cultures, brevetoxin concentrations in the 45mm particulate size fraction correlated with changes in cell density, whereas significant increases in dissolved (i.e., o0.22mm) toxin were observed in the later stages of culture growth. Exposure of K. brevis to either of the two algicidal bacteria tested caused cell lysis, coinciding with a rapid decline in the 45mm PbTX size fraction and a simultaneous release of dissolved toxin into the growth medium. Upon cell lysis, dissolved brevetoxin accounted for ca. 60% of total toxin and consisted of 51–82% open A-ring derivatives. Open A-ring PbTx-2 and PbTx-3 derivatives bound with lower affinity (approximately 22- and 57-fold, respectively) to voltage-gated sodium channels and were considerably less cytotoxic (86- and 142-fold, respectively) to N2A cells than their individual parent toxins (i.e., PbTx-2 and PbTx-3). These novel findings of changes in PbTx size-fractioned distribution and overall reduction in K. brevis toxicity following attack by algicidal bacteria improve our understanding of potential trophic transfer routes and the fate of PbTx during red tide events. Moreover, this information will be important to consider when evaluating the potential role of algicidal bacteria in harmful algal bloom (HAB) management strategies involving control of bloom populations. r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aim. This article presents the results of a qualitative study designed to explore the perceptions of Taiwanese elders about the quality of their care while in residence at a long-term care facility. Background. As the population of elders in Taiwan is increasing rapidly, quality long-term care has become both a necessity and social responsibility. Research related to quality of care has focused on structure, process and outcomes as well as perceptions of quality of care and life satisfaction. Few authors have considered residents’ perspectives within a cultural context. Method. A convenience sample of 22 residents, aged between 61 and 86 years and living in four Taiwanese care facilities, participated in semi-structured interviews. The data were generated during 2001/2002 and were analysed using content analysis. Results. Six key dimensions of quality care were elicited. The dimensions were: a caring attitude, respect for individual differences, emotional support, social interaction, a supportive environment, and accessible care. These dimensions are discussed within a cultural context supportive of family connectedness and filial piety, values underpinning care expectations of elders. Conclusions. The findings provide a foundation for increased understanding of the perceived gaps between residents’ aspirations about quality care and priorities identified in other studies. Additional studies based on these data are planned in order to generate a culturally relevant, psychometrically sound resident assessment tool to evaluate the quality of care from a resident perspective in long-term care facilities in Taiwan.

The experiences of Taiwanese women caring for parents-in-law Using grounded theory, semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the experiences of Taiwanese women who were caregivers for their parents-in-law. Thirty-one Taiwanese women aged 23-58 participated in this study. 'Just doing' emerged as the core category and reflected the Taiwanese women caregivers' process of striving to continue to fulfil the demands of their role during the period of commitment to their parents-in-law's care. The related categories surrounding the core category in the paradigm for this study include: being called, caring for, holding up, keeping harmony, and maintaining filial piety. 'Being called' reflected the reasons that these women became caregivers to their parents-in-law under circumstances heavily influenced by cultural expectations. 'Caring for' provided the context for activities involved in providing daily comfort, keeping watch and seeking assistance when necessary. The category of 'holding up' reflected the caregiver's interpretation of her duty, the extent of the difficulties she experienced and her responses to those difficulties. A philosophy of life, which strongly emphasizes 'keeping harmony' influenced how the caregiver interpreted her caregiving role and her ability to ask for assistance or more resources to overcome difficulties posed by the situation. Maintaining filial piety was identified as a primary duty, a lifelong commitment and a desired outcome. However, striving to achieve this outcome resulted in differing caregiver perceptions, ranging from serenity to personal self-sacrifice. The findings clearly suggested that caregiving behaviours were influenced by cultural expectations when the parent-in-law was ill. This study of Taiwanese women caregivers' experiences may be beneficial in facilitating the development of a comprehensive policy for long-term care as well as suggesting possible intervention strategies for individual and family care. Recommendations for future research focus on cultural determinants of caregiving roles and coping strategies.

The nucleosides S-adenosylmethionine (SAM, AdoMet) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH, AdoHcy) are involved in a number of important enzyme systems. The direct or indirect inhibition of these enzymes is currently of high interest, particularly in the areas of antiviral and cell proliferation research. We report here the first chirospecific syntheses of 6(S)-methyl-6-deaminosinefungin (4) and 6-deaminosinefungin (5) which are analogues of SAM (1), SAH (2), and sinefungin (3). From ketone 6 (tert-butyl [methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-5,7,8,9-tetradeoxy-9(S)-[(p-toluenesulfonyl)amino]-β-D-ribo-deculofuranosid]uronate), an intermediate in the sinefungin synthesis, the methylene derivative was prepared by using the tosylhydrazone-hydroboration method. Nucleoside formation with adenine and deprotection then led to 6-deaminosinefungin. For the synthesis of (S)-6-methyl-6-deaminosinefungin (4), ketone 6 was converted in four steps into the 6(S)-methyl derivative using a cuprate reagent. After the adenine was attached, an appropriate deprotection sequence yielded 4. Thus, 4 was synthesized in 11 steps from ketone 6 in an overall yield of 13%

The relationships among interpersonal competence, loneliness, depression. and immune status were examined in HIV-infected men and healthy controls. A sample of 108 men [88 HIV-1 antibody seropositive (HIV +) and 20 HIV-I antibody seronegative (HIV -)] completed the Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire at baseline and the UCLA Loneliness scale at two consecutive six-month timepoints as part of the psychosocial component of the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center longitudinal study. Absolute number of CD4 + helper cells and depression were determined at baseline. Among seropositive men, loneliness was negatively correlated with self-perceived competence in all five relationship domains assessed: initiation of social interactions. turning down unreasonable demands (negative assertion). self-disclosure, providing emotional support to others, and conflict management. Competence or level of comfort in initiation of social interaction and management of interpersonal conflict accounted for 39% of the v...

The western North Atlantic population of right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) is one of the most critically endangered of any whale population in the world. Among the factors considered to have potentially adverse effects on the health and reproduction of E. glacialis are biotoxins produced by certain microalgae responsible for causing harmful algal blooms. The worldwide incidence of these events has continued to increase dramatically over the past several decades and is expected to remain problematic under predicted climate change scenarios. Previous investigations have demonstrated that N. Atlantic right whales are being exposed to at least two classes of algal-produced environmental neurotoxins-paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) and domoic acid (DA). Our primary aims during this six-year study (2001-2006) were to assess whether the whales' exposure to these algal biotoxins occurred annually over multiple years, and to what extent individual whales were exposed repeatedly and/or concurrently to one or both toxin classes. Approximately 140 right whale fecal samples obtained across multiple habitats in the western N. Atlantic were analyzed for PSTs and DA. About 40% of these samples were attributed to individual whales in the North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog, permitting analysis of biotoxin exposure according to sex, age class, and reproductive status/history. Our findings demonstrate clearly that right whales are being exposed to both of these algal biotoxins on virtually an annual basis in multiple habitats for periods of up to six months (April through September), with similar exposure rates for females and males (PSTs: ∼70-80%; DA: ∼25-30%). Notably, only one of 14 lactating females sampled did not contain either PSTs or DA, suggesting the potential for maternal toxin transfer and possible effects on neonatal animals. Moreover, 22% of the fecal samples tested for PSTs and DA showed concurrent exposure to both neurotoxins, leading to questions of interactive effects. Targeted studies employing both in vivo and in vitro model systems represent the next logical step in assessing how and to what extent these algal biotoxins might compromise the health and reproduction of this endangered population.

Composite measures of productivity and performance combine different indicators of work activities into a single index. The term nonlinearities refers to the phenomenon that the relationship between the scores on an indicator of productivity and the value of that level of the indicator to the organization is not always linear. For example, more is not always better. This research evaluated whether accounting for such nonlinear relationships in productivity measures adds new information to the composite measures. Data from five organizations showed that the correlations between a composite measure which includes nonlinear relationships and one which does not were very high, but treatment effect sizes and decisions resulting from the two measurement systems were substantially different. It was concluded that inclusion of nonlinearities added important information to composite measures of productivity and that accounting for nonlinearities should result in more valid composites. Applications of this issue for other topics such as performance appraisal and promotions were discussed.

A bacterial strain (D38BY) belonging to the family Flavobacteriaceae and antagonistic towards an algicidal bacterium (strain S03; Flavobacteriaceae) was isolated from a culture of the red tide dinoflagellate Karenia brevis that had previously been characterized as resistant to attack by strain S03. This antagonistic bacterium increased the survival time of otherwise susceptible, bacteria- free K. brevis cultures in a concentration-dependent manner during exposure to the algicidal bac- terium. Experimental evidence indicated that direct contact was required in order for strain D38BY to inhibit the killing activity of algicidal strain S03. While further work is needed to determine its pre- cise mode of action, the antagonistic properties of strain D38BY provide further evidence that the resistance or susceptibility of certain algal taxa to algicidal attack can be more a function of inter- actions within the ambient microbial community than an intrinsic property of the alga.

Two reports, one previously published in Science (Gong and Nussenzweig, 19 April, p. 411) and one in this week9s issue (Torres et al ., p. 1804), report the surprising phenotypes of genetically engineered (knockout) mice missing the Ig-alpha and Ig-beta accessory proteins of the B cell antigen receptor. DeFranco and Roth discuss in their Perspective how the characteristics of these mice reveal two new checkpoints in the developmental pathway of the B cell.

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 radically redefined the relationship between nursing facilities and their residents. To explore the impact of this autonomy-enhancing but controversial legislation on nursing operations in skilled nursing facilities, two focus groups were convened. Nurse administrators identified ways in which the recently implemented legislation facilitates or inhibits resolution of the ethical conflicts they face. Participants concluded that legislation alone was insufficient to create needed reform in long-term care and recommended a multifaceted approach. A model is presented for creating a community of caring that identifies regulatory reform, professional empowerment, and organizational redesign as catalysts for a change.

The ethical challenges of caring for the chronically ill are of increasing concern to nurses as they attempt to create humanitarian environments for long-term care. This article suggests two ethical perspectives to guide the agenda of the nursing profession to achieve social change in the care of the chronically ill and aging. First, a reemphasis on the public duties of the professions is recommended which extends beyond serving the interests of the nursing profession to recognizing the need to serve the common good. Second, the limitations of the autonomy paradigm are explored and the foundation for the development of a new moral paradigm is analyzed in terms of its' potential usefulness in addressing ethical problems of chronic illness. Several initiatives that nursing must undertake to facilitate the emergence of this paradigm are proposed.

Navy Personnel Research and Development Center, in cooperation with the Navy Office of Civilian Personnel Management, developed the Navy Civilian Personnel Survey (NCPS). In December 1989, NCPS was administered to a random sample of 3,629 Navy civilian employees. The number of usable responses was 1, 958, about 54 percent of the original sample. The survey data were representative of the entire civilian work force at the 95 percent level of confidence, +/-5 percent error. NCPS examined attitudes in the following areas: recruiting, pay and benefits, job satisfaction, and training.

A cognitive remediation intervention was tested for its effect on functional outcomes of older care recipients with the diagnosis of dementia of the Alzheimer's type. The 78 community-dwelling care recipients were assessed on cognitive and behavioral functioning and randomly assigned to one of three conditions. Care recipients were expected to benefit most from active cognitive stimulation training as compared to placebo (passive) activity or wait-list control conditions. Following each weekly instruction session, the intervention was executed in the home by the family caregiver. Care recipients in the experimental group improved in cognitive and behavioral performance with treatment, but returned to former level of functioning by the 9th month. In contrast, the control group declined, while the placebo group remained static on these variables. These findings support the viability of remediation interventions in dementia despite the trajectory of cognitive decline.

The process of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) has gained worldwide attention since the birth of the first "test-tube baby" in 1978. Many couples with a history of infertility have elected to undergo this procedure. This article examines the process of IVF/ET and the role of ultrasound in monitoring follicular growth and in the retrieval of the oocytes by laparoscopy or sonographically guided transvesical or transvaginal needle aspiration.

Economic concerns dominate hospital planning and policy decisions as hospitals seek to become more productive, competitive, and profitable. Professional concerns of quality care and public service may conflict with the profit-motivated business model. Nurse executives will have to be creative and politically astute to promote the integration of a professional model of service in this cost-conscious environment.

In an attempt to explore new or alternative therapy for refractory cutaneous T cell lymphoma, a patient with advanced disease refractory to conventional chemotherapy was treated with anti-thymocyte globulin. The therapy was associated with tolerable and manageable toxicities. Phenotypic analysis of neoplastic cells in blood and tissue was used to follow the disease response during the trial. The therapy resulted in resolution of skin lesions and disappearance of circulating cells with neoplastic phenotype. Marked improvement in skin infiltrate and restoration of normal skin architecture seen in skin biopsy specimens after anti-thymocyte globulin were prominent correlative findings. Lymphocytes with normal T cell phenotype appeared after anti-thymocyte globulin therapy, although their mitogenic response was subnormal. The infused anti-thymocyte globulin was found to localize in the skin and bind the neoplastic cells in circulation. The anti-thymocyte globulin-bound cells, with a half-life of 4.9 days, could still be detected up to 14 days after completion of anti-thymocyte globulin therapy.

The oral absorption of digoxin in tablet form has been reported to be reduced after cancer chemotherapy and radiation therapy because of cancer treatment-induced damage to the intestinal epithelium. We investigated possible differences in the effects of high-dose cancer chemotherapy on the relative bioavailability of digoxin administered in tablet form (Lanoxin; Burroughs Wellcome Co.) and in solution-in-capsule form (Lanoxicaps; Burroughs Wellcome Co.). Each subject received a single oral dose of either 0.5 mg Lanoxin (six subjects) or 0.4 mg Lanoxicaps (seven subjects) both before and after chemotherapy. For Lanoxin, there was a significant reduction in the AUC after chemotherapy to 54.4% +/- 35.5% (mean +/- SD) of the value before chemotherapy (P = 0.02), whereas for Lanoxicaps there was an insignificant reduction in AUC to 85.1% +/- 42.7% of the value before chemotherapy. These findings show that changes in the oral dosage formulation of digoxin from a tablet to a solution-in-capsule form can overcome the adverse effects of high-dose cancer chemotherapy on drug absorption, and suggest a similar approach may be successful for other drugs.

Although assessment of families as guided by nursing conceptual models is gaining impetus in the field of nursing, the incorporation of psychometrically sound clinical research measures into assessment protocols is a relatively recent phenomenon in family health nursing. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to describe an educational approach for students enrolled in a graduate nursing course focusing on mature and aging families. In this course, valid and reliable clinical research measures were incorporated into assessment protocols for practice based on nursing models. Criteria for selection of clinical research measures emphasized appropriateness for nursing assessment of families, age and ethnic relevancy of the measures, strength of psychometric properties, ease of administration and understandability, and potential for delineating nursing diagnoses and nursing intervention foci. The methods used to incorporate this approach into a graduate-level family nurse clinician course are presented. Theoretical issues include (1) the fit between the selected measures and the nursing conceptual model of choice and (2) the use of individual-focused versus family-focused paradigms. Clinical issues include student involvement in instrument selection, ethical implications of use of the measures, interpretation of data, and sharing of results with families.

Lymphocyte phenotype, bone marrow cellularity, in vitro marrow growth potential, and treatment responses were examined in 22 patients with acquired aplastic anemia who were given anti-thymocyte globulin. Eleven of 22 patients (50 percent) had a significant hematologic response within three months of therapy, confirming the effectiveness of this therapy. Pretreatment fetal hemoglobin concentration, age, sex, severity of pancytopenia, degree of maximal lymphopenia, and total hemolytic complement consumption did not affect response. Patients with severe disease who were treated within 16 weeks after diagnosis had a higher response rate (55 percent) than those treated after 16 weeks (20 percent). In patients with severe disease, a higher pretherapy bone marrow cellularity (p less than 0.001) and presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony growth correlated with response. The actuarial survival of patients with response in the group with severe disease was 100 percent at 12 months as compared with 33 percent in patients without response. Following anti-thymocyte globulin therapy, a reduced number of blood lymphocyte T subpopulations was seen in all patients. At three months after therapy, the patients with response who had severe disease had increased T8-positive cells (+56 percent versus -4 percent for patients without response) and la-positive cells (+32 percent versus -62 percent).

This pilot study investigated the relationship of spiritual well-being (defined here as a well-integrated internal religious orientation) to marital adjustment. The subscale dimensions of satisfaction, cohesion, consensus, and affectual expression were used as indicators of adjustment as measured by Spanier's (1976) Dyadic Adjustment Scale. These scale scores were correlated with the religious, existential, and spiritual well-being scores from Paloutzian & Ellison's (1982) Spiritual Well-Being Scale. Subjects were 147 married individuals from churches in Southern California. Responses indicated that spiritual well-being correlated significantly to marital adjustment, with significant differences for years married: Those married 10–40 years showed a higher correlation than those married over 40 years. Existential well-being scores correlated highly with marital adjustment scores at most marital stages. This provides some support for the hypothesis that lived-out spirituality is an important factor in perception of marital happiness.

Rearrangements of the IgH locus with JH joined to reading frame 2 of DH are greatly underrepresented in B cells. These rearrangements encode the truncated heavy chain D mu. In pre-B cells, we found D mu protein expressed on the cell surface and assembled into a complex with surrogate light chains, Ig alpha, and Ig beta. Cross-linking of either mu m- or D mu m- containing pre-B cell receptors triggered signal transduction reactions. In contrast, when expressed in mature B cell lines, D mu was not detected on the cell surface and did not efficiently bind kappa immunoglobulin light chains, but did associate with Ig alpha and Ig beta. These results characterize the interactions of D mu chain with other components of the B cell antigen receptor complex and suggest possible mechanisms by which D mu expression may interfere with B cell development.

The biokinetics of radioisotopes administered in vivo may vary considerably with changes in organ functions. This study was aimed to evaluate the variation in radiation dose in 189 patients with different diseases in whom ferrokinetic investigations were performed for diagnostic purposes.