Understanding extraverts' enjoyment of social situations: the importance of pleasantness.

Extraversion is a broad, multifaceted trait, yet researchers are still unsure of its defining characteristics. One possibility is that the essential feature of extraversion is the tendency to enjoy social situations. An alternative possibility is that extraversion represents sensitivity to rewards and the tendency to experience pleasant affect. In three studies, participants rated situations that varied on two dimensions: (a) whether they were social or nonsocial and (b) whether they were very pleasant, moderately pleasant, moderately unpleasant, or very unpleasant. Extraverts only rated social situations more positively than introverts did when the situations were pleasant, and extraverts also rated nonsocial situations more positively than introverts did if the situations were pleasant. Thus, the pleasantness of situations was more important than whether they were social or nonsocial in determining extraverts' and introverts' enjoyment.

Genomic organisation of the approximately 1.5 Mb Smith-Magenis syndrome critical interval: transcription map, genomic contig, and candidate gene analysis.

Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) is a multiple congenital anomalies/mental retardation syndrome associated with an interstitial deletion of chromosome 17 involving band p11.2. SMS is hypothesised to be a contiguous gene syndrome in which the phenotype arises from the haploinsufficiency of multiple, functionally-unrelated genes in close physical proximity, although the true molecular basis of SMS is not yet known. In this study, we have generated the first overlapping and contiguous transcription map of the SMS critical interval, linking the proximal 17p11.2 region near the SMS-REPM and the distal region near D17S740 in a minimum tiling path of 16 BACs and two PACs. Additional clones provide greater coverage throughout the critical region. Not including the repetitive sequences that flank the critical interval, the map is comprised of 13 known genes, 14 ESTs, and six genomic markers, and is a synthesis of Southern hybridisation and polymerase chain reaction data from gene and marker localisation to BACs and PACs and database sequence analysis from the human genome project high-throughput draft sequence. In order to identify possible candidate genes, we performed sequence analysis and determined the tissue expression pattern analysis of 10 novel ESTs that are deleted in all SMS patients. We also present a detailed review of six promising candidate genes that map to the SMS critical region.

Cross-cultural evidence for the fundamental features of extraversion.

Psychologists have not determined the defining characteristics of extraversion. In four studies, the authors tested the hypothesis that extraversion facets are linked by reward sensitivity. According to this hypothesis, only facets that reflect reward sensitivity should load on a higher order extraversion factor. This model was tested against a model in which sociability links the facets. The authors also tested the generalizability of the model in a diverse sample of participants from 39 nations, and they tested the model using widely used extraversion scales. Results of all studies indicate that only facets that reflect reward sensitivity load on a higher order extraversion factor and that this factor correlates strongly with pleasant affect. Although sociability is undoubtedly an important part of extraversion, these results suggest that extraverts' sociability may be a by-product of reward sensitivity, rather than the core feature of the trait.

A survey to gather sexually transmitted disease epidemiological and management data in the Solomon Islands.

A survey of 15 clinics and hospitals in the Solomon Islands (a South Pacific nation with a 45% rate of penicillin-resistant gonorrhoea) was undertaken to audit the quality of sexually transmitted diseases data collection, adherence to public health fundamentals and knowledge of the national gonorrhoea management guidelines. With the exception of one town clinic, data collection was limited, syphilis serological testing was low (28%) and correct knowledge of the national gonorrhoea treatment guidelines was also limited to 4/8 clinics (50%). Contact tracing was definitely undertaken in 2/8 (25%) of clinics. A high male/female notification ratio (3.6:1) for gonorrhoea was detected. Solomon Island clinics may be typical of other South Pacific Island communities in their inadequate attention to public health fundamentals. Every effort should be made to identify these shortcomings and provide feedback to clinic health workers to improve this service, particularly in the context of the more recent arrival of the HIV epidemic in the region.

Two cases of mycetoma due to Nocardia brasiliensis in central Australia.

Comparatively few cases of mycetoma ("Madura foot") have been reported in Australia, and only one caused by Nocardia brasiliensis. We report two Aboriginal women from remote communities in central Australia who presented with longstanding mycetomas caused by this organism. Difficulties in diagnosis substantially delayed commencement of effective treatment, illustrating the need to consider this condition in chronic suppurative skin infection.

Factors influencing the relation between extraversion and pleasant affect.

Factors that influence the relation between extraversion and pleasant affect were examined in 6 studies. In Studies 1 through 5, the authors used structural equation modeling techniques to test whether different extraversion and pleasant affect scales and the use of multiple methods of assessment influenced the strength of the relation. In Study 6, the authors conducted a meta-analysis of previous literature to calculate an average effect size and to assess the influence of moderator variables. Results from both the structural equation models and the meta-analysis showed that with only a few exceptions, the use of different extraversion and affect scales resulted in moderate to strong correlations. The use of "on-line" methods of mood assessment (moment reports or daily-diary reports) resulted in lower and more homogeneous correlations than did the use of global, retrospective measures of mood.

Caprine mucopolysaccharidosis IIID: a preliminary trial of enzyme replacement therapy.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIID (MPS IIID) is a lysosomal storage disorder resulting from lack of activity of the lysosomal hydrolase N-acetylglucosamine 6-sulfatase (6S) (EC 3.1.6.14). The syndrome is associated with systemic and central nervous system (CNS) heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan (HS-GAG) accumulation, secondary storage of lipids, and severe, progressive dementia. In this investigation, caprine MPS IIID, established as a large animal model for the human disease, was used to evaluate the efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Recombinant caprine 6S (rc6S) (1 mg/kg/dose) was administered intravenously to one MPS IIID goat kid at 2, 3, and 4 wks of age. Five days after the last dose, the uronic acid (UA) content and the composition of uncatabolized HS-GAG fractions in the brain of the ERT-treated MPS IIID kid were similar to those from a control, untreated MPS IIID animal. However, hepatic uronic acid levels in the treated MPS IIID kid were approximately 90% lower than those in the untreated MPS IIID control; whereas the composition of the residual hepatic HS-GAG was identical to that in the untreated animal. Marked reduction of lysosomal storage vacuoles in hepatic cells of the treated MPS IIID kid was observed, but ERT had no effect on CNS lesions. No residual 6S activity was detected in brain or liver. This preliminary investigation indicates that other treatment regimens will be necessary to ameliorate MPS III-related CNS lesions.

The serological status of Solomon Island blood donors.

The serological status of Solomon Island blood donors in 1995 and in particular the seroprevalence of antibodies to Hepatitis B and C and prevalence of risk factors for these chronic infections was studied. A questionnaire of risk factors for Hepatitis B and C was undertaken. All blood donors had been previously screened for HIV antibody without any positive cases recorded. 598 donors had serum collected of which 36 samples (6.0%) were third generation HCV EIA antibody positive and 3 samples were RIBA positive but none were PCR positive. 25.1% of samples were positive for HBsAg and anti-HBc antibody was found in 84.4%. Elevated ALT levels (>35 U/l) were found in 6.5% of samples but there was no statistically significant association with HCV or HBsAg status. 15.4% were TPHA positive and 5.4% had RPR titers more than or equal to 1. Anti-HTLV-1 antibody was positive in 12.3% randomly selected samples. All 10 positive samples were then found to be antibody indeterminate with Western blot assay. Of the 585 samples with completed questionnaires, analysis of the relationship between anti-HCV status with tattoo status and ear piercing also failed to reach statistical significance. Consistent with other studies from tropical malaria-prone countries, a positive anti-HCV antibody test even by the third generation EIA is probably a false positive test in most cases. In addition, high prevalence rates of HBV, yaws or syphilis infection were demonstrated.

An audit to assess the impact of a strategy to reduce inappropriate red cell transfusions at Honiara Hospital.

A blood transfusion committee was established at Honiara Central Hospital (HCH), a national referral hospital for the Solomon Islands to promote a rational, safe and cost-effective blood transfusion service and to audit the use of blood particularly in the perioperative context. Following the education strategy, a 29.7% reduction in the number of units of blood crossmatched as a proportion of total admissions was achieved as well as a 30.1% reduction in the number of units transfused per 100 operations. The failure of the education strategy to increase the proportion of 'group and hold' requests confirms the need for an integrated approach between the different hospital departments involved to ensure a fully satisfactory result.

Pacific ciguatoxin-1 associated with a large common-source outbreak of ciguatera in east Arnhem Land, Australia.

We report a retrospective study of the clinical signs and symptoms associated with a point-source outbreak of fish poisoning that occurred with a fish captured from the Arafura Sea, northern Australia. Twenty cases (16 Aboriginal and 4 non-Aboriginal) characteristic of ciguatera, including 4 inpatients and 16 outpatients from the Gove Hospital, were identified based on the pattern of clinical symptoms and signs after ingestion of a large coral cod from a known ciguatera-prone coral reef. In the absence of a serologic test for the victim, laboratory analysis of a 230-g sample of the coral cod (Cephalopolis miniatus), using both mouse bioassay and HPLC/mass spectometry, showed that Pacific ciguatoxin-1 was the principal toxin involved. Intravenous mannitol was administered to one patient without clear benefit. Risk factors for ciguatera poisoning are ingestion of larger portions of reef fish from ciguatera-prone areas. Despite apparent local awareness of the distribution and etiology of the disease, large common-source outbreaks of ciguatera still occur.

Discriminant validity of well-being measures.

The convergent and discriminant validities of well-being concepts were examined using multitrait-multimethod matrix analyses (D. T. Campbell & D. W. Fiske, 1959) on 3 sets of data. In Study 1, participants completed measures of life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, self-esteem, and optimism on 2 occasions 4 weeks apart and also obtained 3 informant ratings. In Study 2, participants completed each of the 5 measures on 2 occasions 2 years apart and collected informant reports at Time 2. In Study 3, participants completed 2 different scales for each of the 5 constructs. Analyses showed that (a) life satisfaction is discriminable from positive and negative affect, (b) positive affect is discriminable from negative affect, (c) life satisfaction is discriminable from optimism and self-esteem, and (d) optimism is separable from trait measures of negative affect.

Clinical features and management of two cases of Streptococcus milleri chest infection.

We report 2 cases of Streptococcus milleri infection of the lung. One patient, a 58-year-old woman, presented with a large abscess in a previously normal lung, the other, a 53-year-old man, had a secondary infection of lung previously scarred by tuberculosis and surgery. Both patients had severe dental caries. Four weeks of therapy with high dose antibiotics and physiotherapy were required. Invasive techniques were needed to isolate the organism.

Micro-scale blood lead determinations in screening: evaluation of factors affecting results.

The Delves micro-scale technique for blood lead analysis is an accurate method for screening capillary blood specimens, obtained by fingerstick, for lead intoxication. Results are affected by the age of cup, loop, and hollow-cathode tube and by the spatial relationship between optical tube and cup. Because the glass in many commercially available capillary tubes (used in specimen collection) contains lead and cannot be decontaminated, a lead-free glass tube must be used. A solution of citric acid in ethanol (20 g/liter) effectively cleanses the puncture site. A double-blind study of 207 specimens gave a mean value of 276.6 plus or minus 105.8 mug/liter (1SD) for the micro-scale method vs. 273.2 plus or minus 99.0 for a macro-scale method. The mean coefficent of variation for the micro-scale method was 5.75 percent plus or minus 1.9 (SD). We conclude that values of 480 mug/liter or below are not "toxic" (i.e., are significantly less than 600 mug/liter, the value at which therapy is begun). The method is shown to be satisfactory as a screening procedure and for confirming lead analyses done by other methods.