L-threo-phenylserine and esters of threo-phenylserine were the most active of a series of compounds tested against influenza A virus in tissue culture. Substitution of the beta-OH or alpha-NH(2) group abolished activity. The activity of phenylserine was reversed competitively by phenylalanine. Phenylserine did not act on free virus or on the adsorption of virus to host cells. It prevented virus growth if added during the first half of the latent period.Phenylalanine appears to be necessary for virus synthesis and can be supplied by phenylalanylglycine or glycylphenylalanine.Phenylserine had no significant activity against ectromelia infections in mice, even when the amino acid content of the livers had been depleted by starvation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of second line antiepileptic drugs in the treatment of patients with medically refractive complex partial seizures.

The efficacy of second-line antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) was evaluated in the treatment of 66 patients with complex partial seizures who had previously failed first-line AEDs. Methsuximide, valproate, or clorazepate had eliminated seizures in 11% of the patients at the end of the study. However, these good results deteriorated on longer follow-up and were not expected to be permanent. It is recommended that suitable patients with partial epilepsy be referred for surgical evaluation after failing the first-line AEDs, and that second-line AEDs be reserved for nonsurgical candidates.

Anticonvulsants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The families of patients with somatization disorder.

This pilot study was undertaken to better understand the families of patients with somatization disorder. Two complementary methods were used to study six patients with somatization disorder and six control patients. The first method was a semistructured clinical family interview which was videotaped and independently reviewed by five raters. The second method was by the PAFS-Q, a standardized family questionnaire. The clinical interview distinguished cases from controls both in terms of individual relationships and behavior of the family as a whole. The PAFS-Q also distinguished cases from controls, showing significantly more dysfunction for the cases on five of its eight subscales. These two methods overlap in the content areas of intimacy and individuation, with correlation coefficients between the two methodologies ranging from 0.45 to 0.79. The authors conclude that the families of patients with somatization disorder are different than their unaffected counterparts.

Conflict, Psychological↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Some adverse health effects due to air pollution from fireworks.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Obstetric care in family practice residencies: a national survey.

BACKGROUND: Supervision of obstetric care by family practice faculty increases the likelihood that family practice residents will choose to practice obstetrics. METHODS: A survey instrument was developed to obtain information about practice faculty and the educational setting in which residents learn family physician obstetric care. Questionnaires were sent to all family medicine residency directors and all full-time family physician faculty. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-four program directors and 1396 faculty members responded. The mean percentage of recent graduates estimated to be practicing obstetrics was 30 percent. Factors independently associated with an increased likelihood of resident graduates practicing obstetrics included supervision of resident deliveries by family physicians, increasing number of family practice center deliveries, regional differences, and availability of training to perform Cesarean sections. Sixty-four percent of the responding family physician faculty were currently supervising deliveries, but only 5 percent had Cesarean section privileges. Seven percent of the faculty reported denial of obstetric privileges. Eighty-nine percent of all respondents supported the mandatory inclusion of obstetrics in family medicine residencies. CONCLUSIONS: Residency programs in family practice can increase the number of their graduates practicing obstetric care by focusing on the family physician supervision model, faculty development that supports this model, and clinical privileges of faculty.

Career Choice↗