ABSTRACT
Color perception was tested using the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue Test in a sample of persons with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS), and compared to norms from three age cohorts in the early second, fourth and sixth decades. Red-green color errors on the Farnsworth-Munsell did not appear to change appreciably as a function of age or GTS. Blue-yellow error scores did, however, increase with age and were exaggerated in the GTS group. It is concluded that sensory and perceptual disturbances are present in GTS as in other basal cell ganglia disorders. The results are discussed in terms of converging retinal dopaminergic mechanisms also associated with Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases and even with normal aging. Suggestions are offered that daily activities and behavior may be affected by spatial and chromatic deficiencies.
Subject(s)
Color Vision Defects/complications , Color Vision Defects/diagnosis , Tourette Syndrome/complications , Adult , Aging/physiology , Basal Ganglia/physiology , Cohort Studies , Color Perception Tests , Color Vision Defects/physiopathology , Dopamine/physiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Retina/physiology , Tourette Syndrome/physiopathologyABSTRACT
On consultation, percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS) was offered to women with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) to determine the mode and site of delivery prior to labour. Between January 1989 and December 1993, 41 pregnant women underwent PUBS. All women had a history of ITP, a platelet count less than 90 K, (+) antiplatelet antibody, and/or thrombocytopenia diagnosed early in pregnancy. PUBS was performed at term except in one patient with preterm labour, who underwent PUBS at 31 weeks' gestation. Patients with fetal platelet counts greater than 50 K returned to their referring physician for delivery. Records were complete in 39 pregnancies. Fetal blood was successfully obtained in 37 of 39 cases (95 per cent). Fetal platelet counts correlated with neonatal platelet counts in 36 of 37 cases (97 per cent). The interval between PUBS and delivery ranged from 0 to 31 days. Six of 37 fetuses (16 per cent) had significant fetal thrombocytopenia (< 50 K). These six patients underwent Caesarean section. Vaginal delivery was recommended in all others. There were two procedure-related complications. There were no cases of intraventricular haemorrhage in any of the neonates. In conclusion, there is a high incidence of fetal thrombocytopenia in women with ITP. PUBS reliably detects fetal thrombocytopenia and is therefore useful in the perinatal planning of the mode and site of delivery.
Subject(s)
Blood Specimen Collection/methods , Fetal Blood , Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic/blood , Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/blood , Female , Fetal Diseases/blood , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Platelet Count , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic/therapy , Prenatal Diagnosis , Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/therapy , Thrombocytopenia/bloodABSTRACT
A spectrum of clinical symptoms consisting of grey-out, black-out, and G-induced loss of consciousness has been identified in pilots of high performance aircraft. The M-1 maneuver used in conjunction with reclined seats and inflated G-suit provides significant protection against these symptoms. Centrifuge-trained United States Navy tactical aircraft pilots have recently reported a decreased ability to perform the M-1 maneuver while using the MBU-12P oxygen mask and CRU-79/P oxygen regulator. This report reviewed the performance specifications of these devices and compared them with published pulmonary flow rates. We found this oxygen system to interfere with the performance of the M-1 and other anti-G maneuvers. Further research is needed to characterize pulmonary flow rates during the performance of the M-1 maneuver in order to make recommendations for breathing system standards aboard high performance aircraft.
Subject(s)
Aerospace Medicine , Aircraft , Gravitation , Hypoxia/etiology , Military Personnel , Oxygen/administration & dosage , Equipment Failure , Humans , Maximal Expiratory Flow RateABSTRACT
A cell preparation that is permeable to proteins and oligonucleotides yet produces infectious phage particles after induction treatments was obtained by plasmolysis of Escherichia coli cells lysogenic for phi 80. When the permeabilized cells were exposed to specific oligo(deoxynucleotides), prophage (phi 80) was induced during further incubation. Of the dinucleotides tested, only d(A-G), d(G-G), and d(I-G) induced prophage. The essential base sequence of the deoxydinucleotides for the induction was determined to be deoxy(purine-G). Among oligo(deoxynucleotides) with unique base composition examined, only oligo(deoxyguanylates) exhibited the inducing activity. Although this specific oligo(deoxynucleotide)-triggered induction occurred in recB- cells, the induction was not detected in recA- cells or in the cells lysogenic for induction-negative phi 80(ind-). Possible biological significance of the oligo(deoxynucleotide)-triggered prophage induction is discussed.
