Nondigestive Cell Types in the Midgut Epithelium of Rhodnius Prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

The ultrastructure of regenerative cells and endocrine cells in the midgut epithelium of mated female Rhodnius prolixus is described. Regenerative cells are numerous, found in all midgut regions, and do not contain any of the normal secretory apparatus of a cell. Endocrine cells are less numerous, restricted to the intestine, and contain prominent Golgi complexes, electron-opaque vacuoles, and intermediate-staining secretory granules. Both cell types rest on the basal lamina of the midgut and are considerably smaller than the normal digestive epithelial cells. The structure of the endocrine cells is compared to those from other insects, and a role for the endocrine cell in the hormonal control of blood meal digestion is postulate

Natural Hosts of Mosquitoes in Northern Ellesmere Island

Aedes impiger and A. nigripes, near Lake Hazen, were observed to take blood from musk-oxen, birds(mainly the eider ducks), and man. Precipitin tests showed several specimens contained blood of two kinds. The reaction of the host to harassment by mosquitos appears to determine which hosts are fed on successfully.Les Hôtes naturels des moustiques dans le nord de l'île d'Ellesmere. Près du lac Hazen, T. du N.-O. (81°49'N., 71°18'O.), les auteurs ont effectué des observations sur l'alimentation en sang et des tests à la précipitine sur des femelles gorgées d'Aedes impiger et A. nigripes. On donne une liste des vertébrés terrestres mentionnés pour la région. Dans la nature, les deux espèces de moustiques soutirent du sang des bœufs musqués et des oiseaux (également des humains); plusieurs spécimens contiennent du sang des deux espèces (déterminations par les tests à la précipitine). La réaction de l'hôte au harassement par les moustiques est évidemment le facteur majeur qui détermine lequel des hôtes possibles sera attaqué avec succès. D'après leur comportement et leur situation, on estime que les bœufs musqués et les oiseaux nichés dans des sites aquatiques sont les plus susceptibles de fournir du sang. Les auteurs discutent brièvement des méthodes servant à déterminer les préférences envers les hôtes dans l'Arctique

Public Reactions to People with HIV/AIDS in the Netherlands

A national telephone survey was conducted (1) to assess present-day public reactions to people with HIV/AIDS in the Netherlands, (2) to measure how knowledge about highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is related to public reactions to people with HIV/AIDS, and (3) to investigate determinants of willingness to have personal contact with people with HIV/AIDS. Dutch adults (N = 751) participated in a telephone interview conducted to measure cognitive, emotional and behavioral reactions to people with HIV/AIDS. This study has shown that public reactions to people with HIV/AIDS seem to be moderately positive in the Netherlands. Knowledge about HAART is related to lower risk perceptions, a positive attitude towards homosexuals, less fear and more willingness to have personal contact with people with HIV/AIDS. In particular cognitive, but also emotional factors are meaningfully related to willingness to have personal contact with people with HIV/AIDS. Implications for Dutch AIDS educational campaigns aimed at stigma reduction are discussed

Cutting a diamond out of stone: Psychological perspectives on changing self and identity

This is a postprint of the article published in Netherlands Journal of Psycholog

Sex Differences in Emotional and Behavioral Responses to HIV+ individuals’ Expression of Distress

Two studies examined the influence of HIV+ individual’s expression of distress on perceivers’ emotional and behavioral reactions. In Study 1 (N = 224), HIV+ individuals’ expression of distress was experimentally manipulated by means of vignettes. Men and women reacted differently when persons with HIV conveyed distress: women reported stronger feelings of pity, whereas men reported stronger feelings of anger. Study 2 (N = 136) replicated this study in a realistic experimental setting with additional behavioral measures. Similarly, women reported stronger pro-social behavior than men when confronted with a person with HIV who conveyed distress. Results of the present study shed additional light to the self-presentational dilemma of ill persons. Conveying moderate levels of distress may evoke prosocial responses in women, but not in men

Threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy of trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene

The threshold photoelectron, the threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence and ion breakdown spectra of trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene have been recorded from 9 – 22 eV. Comparisons with the equivalent data for the three dichloroethene molecules and theoretical calculations highlight the nature of the orbitals involved during photoionisation in this energy range. The ground electronic state of C$_2$HCl$_3^+$ (C$_2$Cl$_4^+$) is bound, with excited valence states dissociating to C$_2$HCl$_2^+$ (C$_2$Cl$_3^+$) and C$_2$HCl$^+$ (C$_2$Cl$_2^+$). Appearance energies suggest that C$_2$HCl$^+$ forms from C$_2$HCl$_3^+$ by loss of two chlorine atoms, whereas C$_2$Cl$_2^+$ forms from C$_2$Cl$_4^+$ by loss of a Cl$_2$ molecule. The translational kinetic energy release into C$_2$HCl$_2^+$ (C$_2$Cl$_3^+$) + Cl is determined as a function of energy. In both cases, the fraction of the available energy released into translational energy of the two products decreases as the photon energy increases

De weerspiegeling van het uiterlijk in het zelf: lichaamswaardering, zelfwaardering en sociale vergelijking

Over the past decades many studies have examined the relationship between body esteem and self-esteem. However, researchers have paid limited attention to factors that moderate this relationship. The present field study investigates the moderating effect of age and gender on the relationship between body esteem and self-esteem. Furthermore, this study examines the influence of social comparison on body esteem. Adult men and women (N = 765) filled out a questionnaire. The positive relationship between body esteem and self-esteem was replicated. Age and gender moderated the relationship between body esteem and self-esteem. Social comparison orientation, social comparison direction and gender influenced body esteem

Benefits and risks of thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction

Thrombolytic therapy is a major step forward in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction and may result in up to 50% mortality reduction, provided that it is administered early (chapter 1). In 80 to 85% of patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction, a coronary artery is blocked by a clot. With thrombolytic therapy the closed coronary artery is desobstructed in may cases, is infarct size limited and left ventricular function preserved. Several thrombolytic agents are available for clinical use: streptokinase, APSAC, urokinase and more recently recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA or alteplase). The latter is the genetically engineered natural occurring plasminogen activator. Which agent is superior is still a matter of debate. Unlike streptokinase, APSAC and urokinase, rt-PA dissolves blood clots without degradation of circulating fibrinogen during in vitro and in animal experiments, provided that the dose does not exceed a certain threshold. This property of rt-PA is called fibrin