Prevalence of selected enteropathogenic bacteria in Hungarian finishing pigs.

The aim of this study was to obtain prevalence estimates about the most important enteropathogenic bacteria: Lawsonia intracellularis, Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, Brachyspira pilosicoli, Salmonella enterica and Clostridium perfringens A and C in Hungarian farrow-to-finish pig herds. A total of 31 herds were selected, from where six pooled faecal samples, each containing three individual rectal faecal samples were collected from fattening pigs of 5-6 months of age. All 186 samples were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the presence of the pathogens mentioned above. Lawsonia intracellularis was found in 29 herds (93.55%) and in 108 samples (58.06%); B. hyodysenteriae in 14 herds (45.16%) and in 23 samples (12.37%); B. pilosicoli in 19 herds (61.29%) and in 53 samples (28.49%); S. enterica in 17 herds (54.83%) and in 40 samples (21.50%). We detected the presence of C. perfringens A in 19 herds (61.29%) and in 46 samples (24.73%), while C. perfringens C was found in 8 herds (25.81%) and in 11 samples (5.91%). All examined herds were infected with one or more of these agents. Herds with diarrhoea in the mid- to late finishing phase had almost 10 times higher prevalence of B. hyodysenteriae than herds without such a history.

Integrating behavioral and pharmacological interventions in treating clients with psychiatric disorders and mental retardation.

While the literature on treatment of dually diagnosed individuals continues to grow, few studies have examined the potential interactions between behavioral interventions and pharmacological interventions in treating persons with a developmental disability and a concurrent psychiatric disorder. The current theoretical paper discusses different manners in which psychotropic medications and behavioral interventions can interact, including the potential for facilitative or inhibitory effects of one treatment modality on the other. Possible permutations of these interactions are discussed. Case examples, including objective measures of psychiatric and behavioral symptoms over time, representing possible illustrations of these permutations, are presented. The authors argue that in many cases the potential effect of one treatment procedure on the efficacy of another may be an important consideration in treating dually diagnosed individuals.

Empirically derived subtypes of pervasive developmental disorders: a cluster analytic study.

A cluster analytic study was conducted to empirically derive behaviorally homogeneous subtypes of pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). Subjects were clustered based on a broad range of behavioral symptoms which characterize autism. Behavioral variables were measured using several of the standardized psychometric instruments most commonly employed in assessing autistic individuals. The cluster solution indicated the presence of four distinct groups. Validity checks generally confirmed significant between-group differences on independent measures of social, language, and stereotyped behaviors. In addition, the four-group cluster solution was compared to previously developed typological systems of PDD (i.e., subcategories based on IQ early onset, styles of social interaction, and DSM-III-R diagnosis). Results generally supported both the behavioral homogeneity of the four subgroups and also several important between-group differences. The potential utility of using cluster analyses to explore subtypes of PDD is discussed.

The Behavior Problem Inventory: a further replication of its factor structure.

The Behavior Problem Inventory was administered to a random sample of people living in a state school. The scores from all items and from self-injury items only were factor analysed. The three scales of the Behavior Problem Inventory were highly internally consistent. Factor analysis of all the items showed some similarities to previous studies, and factor analysis of the self-injury items showed a very close correspondence to two previous studies. The results are discussed in terms of the design of this instrument, the possible multi-factorial nature of self-injury and future research on the design of measures of assessments of maladaptive behaviours in people with developmental disabilities.

The human myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) gene: complete nucleotide sequence and structural characterization.

Human myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), a myelin component of the central nervous system, is a candidate target antigen for autoimmune-mediated demyelination. We have isolated and sequenced part of a cosmid clone that contains the entire human MOG gene. The primary nuclear transcript, extending from the putative start of transcription to the site of poly(A) addition, is 15,561 nucleotides in length. The human MOG gene contains 8 exons, separated by 7 introns; canonical intron/exon boundary sites are observed at each junction. The introns vary in size from 242 to 6484 bp and contain numerous repetitive DNA elements, including 14 Alu sequences within 3 introns. Another Alu element is located in the 3'-untranslated region of the gene. Alu sequences were classified with respect to subfamily assignment. Seven hundred sixty-three nucleotides 5' of the transcription start and 1214 nucleotides 3' of the poly(A) addition sites were also sequenced. The 5'-flanking region revealed the presence of several consensus sequences that could be relevant in the transcription of the MOG gene, in particular binding sites in common with other myelin gene promoters. Two polymorphic intragenic dinucleotide (CA)n and tetranucleotide (TAAA)n repeats were identified and may provide genetic marker tools for association and linkage studies.

Abnormal T cell receptor V beta gene expression in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess T cell receptor V beta-gene expression in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients. METHODS: Cytometric analysis was performed on peripheral blood and synovial fluid lymphocytes from 12 patients using a restricted set of V beta-specific monoclonal antibodies (to V beta 5.1-3, V beta 6.7 and V beta 8). In 5 patients the expression of the V beta 1 through V beta 20 gene families was also analysed, using a recently described method based on a one-side-specificity polymerase chain reaction coupled to reverse dot hybridization. RESULTS: Cytometric analysis failed to show any consistent difference in the expression of V beta 5, 6 and 8 between the two compartments on the one hand, or between the peripheral blood of normal individuals and patients on the other hand. The PCR/dot hybridization method did not demonstrate a significant difference in the V beta repertoires between peripheral blood and synovial fluid samples from arthritis patients. However, in all patients the V beta 6, 13 and/or 14 families were expressed to a high level, so that these families frequently represented over 40% of the V beta 1-20 repertoire in both compartments, instead of the approximately 20% seen in normal peripheral blood samples. CONCLUSION: We conclude that V beta 6, 13 and 14 are overexpressed in both the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to normal samples.

Theories of dual diagnosis in mental retardation.

Dual diagnosis, defined in this instance as the co-occurrence of mental health disorders with mental retardation, has become a major area of clinical practice and research in the past 10 years. Whereas areas such as differential diagnosis, assessment, and prevalence have been major focuses of research, etiologies of dual diagnosis have received less attention. Current etiological theories have practical implications for the treatment and prevention of dual diagnoses and suggest important directions for future research. This article provides a historical review of theory development in the field of dual diagnosis. Current status of etiological theories and future directions are discussed with an aim toward encouraging further study.

Comparison of psychotic and autistic children using behavioral observation.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between autism and childhood psychosis. Fifteen children with psychotic symptoms were compared to 15 children with autism, using two observational measures, the Ritvo-Freeman Real Life Rating Scale (RLRS) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), which rate subjects on behaviors pathognomic to autism. In comparison to autistic persons, psychotic individuals were judged to have better language and social skills. In addition, autistic persons were also rated as having more difficulty adapting to new situations and appeared more "autistic-like." Overall scores on the CARS and RLRS were significantly different between the two groups, indicating that these two assessment instruments may be useful in differential diagnosis. However, 20% of the psychotic subjects received pervasive developmental disorder diagnoses, indicating that there may be a relationship between those two disorders.

Efficacy and specificity of pharmacological therapies for behavioral disorders in persons with mental retardation.

This review assesses the efficacy and specificity of psychotropic medications used to control aberrant behavior in persons with mental retardation. It is concluded that neuroleptics, the most widely used psychotropic agents in this population, suppress aberrant behavior, but do so by suppressing behavior generally. An exception to this conclusion is that it may be possible to selectively suppress stereotyped behavior with neuroleptics. In addition, the empirical evidence indicates that, in some persons with mental retardation, opioid antagonists and methylphenidate are useful therapies for self-injurious behavior and hyperactivity, respectively. Lithium and beta-blockers are potentially useful for treating aggression.

An alternative method for T-cell receptor repertoire analysis: clustering of human V-beta subfamilies selected in responses to staphylococcal enterotoxins B and E.

We have designed a convenient procedure for the analysis of V beta repertoire expression in polyclonal T-cell populations. In this procedure T-cell RNA is converted to cDNA, polydC-tailed with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase and submitted to one-side specificity PCR amplification with a constant region oligonucleotide primer. The amplified material is then analysed by reverse spot-test hybridization: after 32P-labelling, the amplification product is put to hybridize on a membrane where specially designed V beta subfamily-specific probes are immobilized. The radioactivity fixed on each probe can then be easily quantified and the signal obtained is directly proportional to the initial amount of homologous RNA. We applied this technique to the study of V beta gene selection following T-cell stimulation by staphylococcal enterotoxins B and E. We show that with these toxins two almost non-overlapping sets of T-cells are recruited and that this selection is likely to be dependent on specific amino acid residues shaping the fourth complementarity determining region of the TCR-beta chain. These residues constitute two tandemly-conserved tripeptide sequences (Asp39Pro40Gly41)-(Val69Ser70Arg71) and (Arg66Phe67Ser68)-(Asp88Ser89Ala90) in the SEB- and the SEE-responsive V beta gene clusters respectively.

An evaluation of two methods for increasing self-initiated verbalizations in autistic children.

Three children with autism and mental retardation were treated for deficits in self-initiated speech. A novel treatment package employing visual cue fading was compared with a graduated time-delay procedure previously shown to be effective for increasing self-initiated language. Both treatments included training multiple self-initiated verbalizations using multiple therapists and settings. Both treatments were effective, with no differences in measures of acquisition of target phrases, maintenance of behavioral gains, acquisition with additional therapists and settings, and social validity.

Comparison of TCR-alpha beta sequences of cross-reactive anti-DR alloreactive T-cell clones: identification of possible contact residues based on charge complementarity between TCR chains and DR determinants.

We analysed alloreactive T-cell clones selected for their differential recognition of DR variants differing in the third hypervariable region (hvr) of the DRB1 gene (amino acid positions 67-70-71). This polymorphism leads to two main hvr3 types: a basic form (Leu67-Gln70-Arg/Lys71) and an acidic form (Ile67-Asp70-Glu71) where residue 70 is probably directly accessible to the TCR on DR beta chains. The TCRs have been sequenced. Three DRw13-reactive clones use similar V alpha 2 and V beta 13 gene family members but differ mainly by their cross-reactivity towards acidic or basic DR4 variants and by the sequence of CDR3 on their TCR alpha and/or beta chains. One anti-DRw13 clone cross-reacts with most specificities sharing the DRw13 type of hvr3 and reciprocally one anti-DRBon (DRB1*0103) clone cross-reacts with DRw13. These two clones use similar V beta genes and share negative charges in CDR2 alpha at position 56. They also share these negative charges in CDR2 alpha with two other clones reacting specifically with DRBon, the acidic variant of DR1. We hypothesized that the selective recognition of positively or negatively charged residues on the DR beta chain would necessitate reciprocal charges on the TCR complementarity determining regions (CDRs) responsible for this interaction. This facilitated identification of those residues of the TCR that possibly interact with the hvr3 determinant of HLA-DR. From these observations the mechanisms allowing the recognition of alloantigens by these T-cell clones are discussed.

A comparison and evaluation of three commonly used autism scales.

Reliability and validity of three commonly used autism scales, the Autism Behavior Checklist (Krug, Arick, & Almond, 1980), the Real Life Rating Scale (Freeman, Ritvo, Yokota, & Ritvo, 1986), and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (Schopler, Reichler, & Renner, 1988), were investigated. Data analyses were based on completed protocols for 24 children or adolescents who met DSM-III-R criteria for pervasive developmental disorders. First, to replicate previous findings, interrater reliability of each of the two direct observational scales was assessed. Second, correlations between pairs of the three scales were calculated. Third, diagnostic classifications based on autism scale cutoff scores were compared to classifications based on DSM-III-R criteria. Fourth, relationships between autism scale scores and adaptive behavior scores were investigated. Results and implications for the use of these scales in the assessment of autistic behaviors are discussed.

Phosphoglucomutase-1 subtypes in two populations in Adriatic islands: presence of PGM1*W3 (PGM1*7+) allele.

Allele frequencies at the phosphoglucomutase-1 (PGM1) locus have been investigated in two Croatian (Yugoslavian) populations from neighboring islands, Silba and Olib. The genotype distributions are significantly different though the two islands are only 2 km apart. In the light of demographic and historical data, a few hypotheses explaining these results are discussed. A rare variant, PGM1*W3, usually found in Asia, is present in 4 inhabitants from the Olib island.

Comparison and item analysis of the MESSY for autistic and normal children.

Seventeen autistic children were matched for age, race, and sex with 17 nonautistic children, and group differences in social skills were assessed. Appropriate social skills and levels of inappropriate assertiveness/impulsiveness were assessed and evaluated using the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (MESSY). Significant differences in both the appropriate and inappropriate social behaviors displayed by the two groups were found. The implications of these results are discussed.

Pharmacologic control of aberrant behavior in the mentally retarded: toward a more rational approach.

Drugs are frequently used to control aberrant behavior in the mentally retarded. However, despite decades of research, this approach to behavioral management has had very limited success. Slow progress in this area can be attributed, in part, to the lack of a theoretical framework to guide research. The main purpose of this review is to integrate clinical research in this area with evidence concerning the neurochemical mechanisms that mediate aberrant behaviors. It is concluded that a theoretical framework that takes into account the biological mechanisms that underlie disordered behavior and the actions of drugs provides the basis for a more rational approach to the development of pharmacological therapies in the mentally retarded.

Teaching self-help skills to autistic and mentally retarded children.

Three autistic, mentally retarded children, ranging in age from 4 to 11 years, and a six-year-old mentally retarded girl, were taught various adaptive behaviors using a multiple baseline design. Skills taught were shoe typing, toothbrushing, hair combing, putting on pants, shirt, and socks, and eating and drinking. Training included modeling, verbal instructions, prompting, and edible and social reinforcement. Treatment procedures involved the whole-task method of teaching self-help skills and consisted of three phases: (a) the trainer modeled and verbally described the target behavior; (b) the trainer physically and verbally guided the child through the entire sequence of task-analyzed steps; and, (c) the child was instructed to perform the behavior independently. The results of this study and their implications for future research are discussed.