Healthy Con Research Articles

Administering an Appeasing Substance to Gir × Holstein Female Dairy Calves on Pre-Weaning Performance and Disease Incidence.

Simple SummaryStress is a common issue faced by ruminants throughout their productive lives, with significant effects on health and performance of the herd. Hence, strategies that alleviate stress-induced responses with a concomitant increase in performance and health are warranted. Administration of the bovine appeasing substance improved performance and reduced the costs related to pharmacological intervention of pre-weaning dairy calves. Therefore, the utilization of the bovine appeasing substance is a feasible alternative to improve health and performance of the dairy cattle herd.(1) Background: Ruminants often face stressful situations throughout their productive lives. More specifically, pre-weaning dairy calves are exposed to novel environments, feedstuffs, and pathogens that affect their health and performance. Hence, alternatives that reduce stress and promote growth of pre-weaning dairy calves are warranted. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of biweekly bovine appeasing substance (BAS) administration on performance and disease incidence in dairy Gir × Holstein female calves prior to weaning. (2) Methods: At birth, 140 female Gir × Holstein calves were randomly assigned to receive BAS (SecureCattle; (IRSEA Group, Quartier Salignan, France; n = 70) or placebo (BAS carrier, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether; CON; n = 70) biweekly until weaning (70 days of age). Calves were allocated into individual housing at random, with no physical contact between treatments to avoid cross-contamination. Experimental treatments (5 mL) were applied topically to the nuchal skin area of each calf. Throughout the experimental period, all animals were observed daily for medical conditions (diarrhea, pneumonia, and others), medical/pharmacological interventions were recorded, and the costs related to these procedures were analyzed. Concurrently with treatment application, calves were individually weighed, and data were analyzed using animal as the experimental unit. (3) Results: Treatment × day and treatment × period (14-day interval) interactions were observed for body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG; p ≤ 0.05), respectively. Calves receiving BAS had greater BW at weaning (p = 0.02) and tended to have a greater BW on day 56 (p = 0.06). Similarly, ADG was greater for BAS from days 42 to 56 (p = 0.04) and tended to be greater from days 56 to weaning (p = 0.10). No differences were observed on the overall occurrence of diseases (p = 0.92), whereas the most common observed diseases were diarrhea and pneumonia. The incidence and mean age at which animals were detected with these diseases did not differ (p ≥ 0.46). Nonetheless, CON calves detected with disease had a reduced ADG vs. BAS-administered counterparts (p < 0.01). No differences were observed between disease-diagnosed BAS vs. healthy CON, but healthy BAS had a greater ADG vs. healthy CON (p = 0.03). A treatment effect was observed for the cost per head of each pharmacological intervention (p = 0.05). (4) Conclusions: In summary, BAS administration at a 14-day interval improved performance and reduced the costs of pharmacological interventions of pre-weaning Gir × Holstein dairy calves.

Isolation and Cytotoxic Activity of Phyllocladanes from the Roots of Acacia schaffneri (Leguminosae).

In research on natural molecules with cytotoxic activity that can be used for the development of new anticancer agents, the cytotoxic activity of hexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts from the roots of Acacia schaffneri against colon, lung, and skin cancer cell lines was explored. The hexane extract showed the best activity with an average IC50 of 10.6 µg mL−1. From this extract, three diterpenoids, phyllocladan-16α,19-diol (1), phyllocladan-16α-ol (2), and phylloclad-16-en-3-ol (3), were isolated and characterized by their physical and spectroscopic properties. Diterpenoids 1 and 2 were tested against the same cancer cell lines, as well as their healthy counterparts, CCD841 CoN, MRC5, and VH10, respectively. Compound 1 showed moderate activity (IC50 values between 24 and 70 μg mL−1), although it showed a selective effect against cancer cell lines. Compound 2 was practically inactive. The cytotoxicity mechanism of 1 was analyzed by cell cycle, indicating that the compound induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. This effect might be generated by DNA alkylation damage. In addition, compound 1 decreased migration of HT29 cells.

Differential expression of circulating micro-RNAs in patients with active and latent tuberculosis.

To analyze the differential expression of miR-21, miR-29a, miR-99b and miR-155 in serum samples from patients with latent tuberculosis (TB) and active TB compared to healthy controls. We used 28 serum samples (9 with active TB, 10 with latent TB and 9 healthy con trols) for the analysis of gene expression by RT-qPCR with Primers and TaqMan probes. The differential expression was calculated by the Livak method using a normalizing gene (RNU-48). Overex pression of miR-155 was found in people with latent tuberculosis, compared to healthy controls (0.63 vs. 0.01; p value = 0.032). The miR-155 could be considered a biomarker to differentiate latent TB from active disease. Studies with larger sample sizes are required to corroborate the findings.

Nonhuman primate breath volatile organic compounds associate with developmental programming and cardio-metabolic status

Rodent and nonhuman primate studies indicate that developmental programming by reduced perinatal nutrition negatively impacts life course cardio-metabolic health. We have developed a baboon model in which we feed control mothers (CON) ad libitum while nutrient restricted mothers are fed 70% of ad libitum global feed in pregnancy and lactation. Offspring of nutrient restricted mothers are intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) at term. By 3.5 years IUGR baboons showed signs of insulin resistance, indicating a pre-diabetic phenotype, in contrast to healthy CON offspring. We hypothesized that a novel breath analysis approach would provide markers of the altered cardio-metabolic state in a non-invasive manner. Here we assess whether exhaled breath volatile organic compounds (VOCs) collected from this unique cohort of juvenile baboons with documented cardio-metabolic dysfunction resulting from in utero programming can be detected from their breath signatures. Breath was collected from male and female CON and IUGR baboons at 4.8 ± 0.2 years (human equivalent ∼13 years). Breath VOCs were quantified using a two-dimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometer. Two-way ANOVA, on 76 biologically relevant VOCs identified 27 VOCs (p < 0.05) with altered abundances between groups (sex, birthweight, and sex x birthweight). The 27 VOCs included 2-pentanone, 2-octanone, 2,2,7,7-tetramethyloctane and 3-methyl-1-heptene, which have not previously been associated with cardio-metabolic disease. Unsupervised principal component analysis of these VOCs could discriminate the four clusters defining males, females, CON and IUGR. This study, which is the first to assess quantifiable breath signatures associated with cardio-metabolic programing for any model of IUGR, demonstrates the translational value of this unique model to identify metabolites of programmed cardio-metabolic dysfunction in breath signatures. Future studies are required to validate the translatability of these findings to humans.

Signs of ongoing inflammation in female patients with chronic widespread pain: A multivariate, explorative, cross-sectional study of blood samples.

This cross-sectional study investigates the plasma inflammatory profile of chronic widespread pain (CWP) patients compared to healthy controls (CON). Rather than analyzing a relatively few substances at a time, we used a new multiplex proximity extension assay (PEA) panel that enabled the simultaneous analysis of 92 inflammation-related proteins, mainly cytokines and chemokines.Seventeen women with CWP and 21 female CON participated and a venous blood sample was drawn from all subjects. Pain intensity and pain thresholds for pressure, heat, and cold were registered. A PEA panel (92 proteins) was used to analyze the blood samples. Multivariate data analysis by projection was used in the statistical analyses.Eleven proteins significantly differentiated the CON and CWP subjects (R = 0.58, Q = 0.37, analysis of variance of cross-validated predictive residuals P = 0.006). It was not possible to significantly regress pain thresholds within each group (CON or CWP). Positive significant correlations existed between several proteins and pain intensities in CWP, but the model reliability of the regression was poor.CWP was associated with systemic low-grade inflammation. Larger studies are needed to confirm the results and to investigate which alterations are condition-specific and which are common across chronic pain conditions. The presence of inflammation could promote the spreading of pain, a hallmark sign of CWP. As it has been suggested that prevalent comorbidities to pain (e.g., depression and anxiety, poor sleep, and tiredness) also are associated with inflammation, it will be important to determine whether inflammation may be a common mediator.

Adult long-term health-related quality of life of congenital hydrocephalus patients.

Congenital hydrocephalus has a major impact on the lives of patients and their relatives, as well as their long-term neurological development and social integration. The aim of this study was to assess the self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients after reaching adulthood. A total of 31 patients who required CSF shunt treatment for congenital hydrocephalus within the 1st year of life (between 1963 and 1987) agreed to undergo a structured SF-36 self-assessment. An age-matched German standard cohort was used as control. Additional parameters of surgical, social, and global neurological outcome were analyzed. The mean patient age was 35 years (range 26-51 years, 13 females and 18 males). Hydrocephalus etiologies were posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus (n = 9), postinfectious hydrocephalus (n = 5), aqueductal stenosis (n = 10), myelomeningocele (n = 2), and unknown cause (n = 5). The mean modified Rankin Scale score was 1.6 (range 0-4). Hydrocephalic patients achieved lower scores for the SF-36 items physical functioning (70.5 vs. 93.5, p < 0.05), physical role functioning (74.2 vs. 88.3, p < 0.05), and general health perceptions (64.5 vs. 72.3, p < 0.05). Emotional, social role functioning, and mental health items did not differ between the groups. Assessment of vitality and pain resulted in a trend to worse values. Whereas the Physical Component Summary score was lower (46.1 vs. 54.3, p < 0.05), the Mental Component Summary score was not significantly different (50.2 vs. 48.7, p = 0.3). There was neither a statistically significant difference between subgroups of different etiologies nor an association with the number of subsequent hydrocephalus-related surgeries. Adult HRQOL for patients with congenital hydrocephalus appears to be similar to that for healthy con with regard to mental health and social functioning aspects. Physical impairment is a predominant factor of compro quality of life.

Variations in Serum TARC and I-TAC Levels Reflect Minor Changes in Disease Activity and Pruritus in Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic or relapsing inflam-matory skin disease. Scratching in AD patients results in proinflammatory cytokine and chemokine production. Thus, serum levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES ), macrophage inflammatory pro-tein (MIP)-1β, eotaxin, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) were increased in AD patients, compared with normal controls (1–4). With regards to Th1 chemokines such as interferon (IFN)-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), IFN-γ-inducible T-cell α-chemoattractant (I-TAC), and monokine induced by IFN-γ (MIG), their expression in le-sional AD skin was confirmed by immunohistochemistry ±(5). They may negatively contribute to the development of AD because macrophages from AD patients produced lower levels of IP-10 compared to cells from healthy con -trols in response to α-toxin (6) and the expression of MIG and IP-10 was lower in Langerhans cells from patients with AD than from patients with psoriasis, whereas the opposite was observed for TARC and MDC (7).Visual analogue scale (VAS) is a valuable method to assess pruritus intensity in patients with pruritic der-matoses (8). In this study , we focus on temporal variation of pruritus in each patient and compare serum samples taken at different time points when there were only slight, if any, changes in disease activity. The aim of this study was to highlight the most sensitive chemokine associated with changes in pruritus in AD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS

ApoA5-1131T→C polymorphism and its effect on triglyceride level in type 2 diabetes patients with nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major cause of end-stage renal disease. Epidemiological studies suggest genetic predisposition to DN. Apolipoprotein A5 (ApoA5) plays an important role in the triglyceride (TG) metabolism, accelerating the catabolism of the TG-rich lipoproteins. Studies revealed that the ApoA5-1131 polymorphism is strongly associated with TG levels affecting DN risk. Patients with DN have increased fasting plasma TG levels, and studies report that elevated TG precedes DN. To test the effect of polymorphism ApoA5-1131T→C on the elevated TG levels contributing to the development of DN on type 2 diabetes patients, the study was conducted on 40 diabetic patients divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of diabetic nephropathy (DN+ and DN−), com- pared to 20 age- and sex-matched apparently healthy con- trols. DNA analysis was performed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. ApoA5-1131 CC carriers had a higher mean TG in the DN +, DN−, and control groups (TG 224, 201, and 204 mg/dl, respectively) (p00.001) compared to TT and TC carriers. Genotype distribution between controls and patients revealed CC carriers in the DN− and DN+ to be 55 and 45 %, respectively, compared to only 15 % in the control group (p00.001). Association between DN and the poly- morphism (CC) that affects fasting TG is seen in this study (OR04.6, 95 % CI01.02-21, p00.001). ApoA5-1131 CC carriers are more susceptible to a higher fasting TG level and the development of DN.

Relationship Between IGF-1 and Cortisol/ DHEA-S Ratio in Adult Men With Diabetic Metabolic Syndrome Versus Non-Diabetic Metabolic Syndrome

Background : Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Previous studies have suggested that low i nsulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) , low dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and high cortisol are significant correlates of MS. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between serum IGF-1, cortisol, DHEA-S and cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio in adult men with MS either diabetic or non-diabetic. Methods : One hundred adult men were enrolled in this study, divided into three groups: group 1 included 30 patients with diabetic MS, group 2 included 30 patients with non-diabetic MS and group 3 included 40 age and sex-matched controls. Anthropometric measurements, Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA), lipid profile, IGF-1, cortisol, DHEA-S and cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio were assessed. Results : IGF-1 and DHEA-S levels were significantly lower while serum cortisol and cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio were higher in both diabetic MS and non-diabetic MS adult men than healthy con trols; they were also significantly different in the diabetic than in non-diabetic adult men with MS. IGF-1 was significantly and independently correlated with waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, HOMA, cortisol, DHEA-S and cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio. Cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio was significantly and independently correlated with blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, cortisol and DHEA-S. Conclusion : IGF-1 concentration is reduced and cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio is increased along with insulin resistance in adult men with diabetic MS. IR may be responsible for multiple multihormonal dysregulation in MS. doi:10.4021/jem43w

Serial measurements of exercise performance in pediatric heart transplant patients using stress echocardiography

Heart transplantation is an increasingly acceptable therapeutic option for children with end-stage and complex congenital heart disease. With advances in surgery, immunosuppression, and follow-up care, functional outcomes need to be evaluated. We report the results of serial exercise testing performed using stress echocardiography in a cohort of pediatric HTP. HTP (n = 7) exercised on a semi-recumbent ergometer to volitional fatigue. Echocardiography-Doppler measurements, HR, and blood pressure were taken at rest and during staged exercise. Results were compared with healthy CON (n = 12). HTP did significantly less work during exercise (940 vs. 1218 J/kg, p < 0.03). Their SVI (33 vs. 49 mL/m(2), p < 0.003), CI (5.16 vs. 9.25 L/min/m(2), p < 0.0005), and HR (162 vs. 185 bpm, p < 0.02) were lower at peak exercise. HTP had a lower SF at peak exercise (48% vs. 52%, p < 0.03) and an abnormal relationship between the MVCFc and σPS. During follow-up, hemodynamics and left ventricular function remained relatively constant in HTP. HTP are able to exercise safely; however, their exercise tolerance is reduced, and hemodynamics and contractility are diminished. Over time, their hemodynamics and left ventricular function have remained relatively constant.

Relationship Between IGF-1 and Cortisol/ DHEA-S Ratio in Adult Men With Diabetic Metabolic Syndrome Versus Non-Diabetic Metabolic Syndrome

Background : Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Previous studies have suggested that low i nsulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) , low dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and high cortisol are significant correlates of MS. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between serum IGF-1, cortisol, DHEA-S and cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio in adult men with MS either diabetic or non-diabetic. Methods : One hundred adult men were enrolled in this study, divided into three groups: group 1 included 30 patients with diabetic MS, group 2 included 30 patients with non-diabetic MS and group 3 included 40 age and sex-matched controls. Anthropometric measurements, Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA), lipid profile, IGF-1, cortisol, DHEA-S and cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio were assessed. Results : IGF-1 and DHEA-S levels were significantly lower while serum cortisol and cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio were higher in both diabetic MS and non-diabetic MS adult men than healthy con trols; they were also significantly different in the diabetic than in non-diabetic adult men with MS. IGF-1 was significantly and independently correlated with waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, HOMA, cortisol, DHEA-S and cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio. Cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio was significantly and independently correlated with blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, HOMA, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, cortisol and DHEA-S. Conclusion : IGF-1 concentration is reduced and cortisol/ DHEA-S ratio is increased along with insulin resistance in adult men with diabetic MS. IR may be responsible for multiple multihormonal dysregulation in MS. J Endocrinol Metab. 2011;1(4):188-195 doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jem43w

Regime shifts, resilience and recovery of a cod stock

In the North and Baltic seas Atlantic cod Gadus morhua stocks collapsed as part or one of the major factors inducing large-scale ecosystem regime shifts. Determining the relative contribu- tion of overfishing and climate variability in causing these shifts has proven difficult. While facing similar climatic conditions, the Sound (i.e. a narrow strait located between the North and Baltic seas) differs from its neighbouring areas in the magnitude of fishing pressure as it is subjected to a local trawl fishing ban since 1932. By means of 3 independent multivariate analyses, we investigated the state and development of the Sound ecosystem, specifically testing for the occurrence of regime shifts and their potential drivers. By comparing the ecosystem development of the Sound with the neigh- bouring North and Baltic seas, we were able to demonstrate the positive effect of the trawl fishing ban on the resilience of the local cod stock to environmental change. The recovery and healthy con- dition of the Sound cod stock illustrate the need for adaptive marine management strategies that maximize ecosystem resilience.

Effects of Short-Term Adaptation to Dietary Carbohydrates on Glucose and Insulin Dynamics in Healthy and Overweight/Obese, Insulin Resistant Mares

Effects of Short-Term Adaptation to Dietary Carbohydrates on Glucose and Insulin Dynamics in Healthy and Overweight/Obese, Insulin Resistant Mares

Endothelial Function and Inflammatory Activity in Patients with Recent Onset of Severe Plaque Psoriasis

Background: Psoriasis is associated with premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular co-morbidity and mor- tality. Objective: To determine endothelial function in severe psoriasis at onset compared to that of matched healthy controls Methods: Using high-resolution ultrasound, we measured the diameter of brachial artery at rest, during reactive hypere- mia, and after sublingual nitroglycerin. We compared twenty adult individuals at psoriasis onset to matched healthy con- trols. Demographic characteristics, lipid profile and high-sensitive C-reactive protein were assessed. Results: There were no significant differences in endothelium-dependent and -independent dilatation between psoriasis patients and control individuals. Patients with psoriasis had significantly higher concentration of high-sensitive C- reactive-protein, reflecting the systemic inflammatory response. Conclusion: This is the first pilot study evaluating endothelial function in individuals with early plaque psoriasis. The study shows that patients with severe psoriasis at onset do not exhibit endothelial dysfunction compared to control indi- viduals.

Dopamine Transporter Density and Novelty Seeking Among Alcoholics

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate a putative association between the personality trait of novelty seeking (NS) and dopaminergic neuronal activity in the human brain. Method: We studied the striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) den -sity of 30 (18 early and 12 late-onset) alcoholics and 26 healthy con -trols with β-CIT ([123I]-2-β-carbomethoxy-3-β-(4-iodophenyl)-tropane) and SPET (Single Photon Emission Tomography); personality traits were assessed with the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). Results: DAT density correlated significantly with both NS (r = 0.46, p = 0.011) and age (r = 20.50, p = 0.005) in the alcoholics, generally. NS scores were higher in alcoholics with antisocial personality disorder (p = 0.004) than among other alcoholics. Conclusion: Among alcoholics, NS correlated positively with DAT density, which is in line with Cloninger's theory concerning personality and character.

Serum lipid concentrations in patients with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder.

To examine the lipid levels in a sample of patients with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Serum lipid concentrations were examined in 40 patients with both GAD and MDD, in 27 patients with MDD only, in 26 patients with GAD only, and in 24 healthy control subjects. All mean serum cholesterol concentrations are presented in Table 1. The mean serum total cholesterol concentration in patients with both GAD and MDD was significantly higher than in MDD-only patients, GAD-only patients, and control subjects. The triglyceride concentration was also significantly higher in patients with both GAD and MDD than in MDD-only patients, GAD-only patients, and control subjects. Patients with both GAD and MDD had a lower mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration than did patients with GAD only and control subjects. The serum concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was higher in patients with both GAD and MDD than in patients with MDD only and GAD only and healthy control subjects. Our findings indicate that the patients with both GAD and MDD have increased serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-C and reduced HDL-C levels. These patients may have a greater risk of mortality from coronary artery disease (CAD) than do patients with either depression or anxiety disorder.

Cooling and Multiple Sclerosis: Cognitive and Sensory Effects

The effects of cooling on sensory and cognitive processes were investigated in heat- sensitive multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and healthy control (HC) subjects. The Life- Support cooling jacket was used to lower core body temperature by one degree or more. Auditory event-related potentials and neuropsychological test performance were exam ined in both the cooled and the normal states. Eight MS patients and eight HC sub jects underwent two hours of cooling on one day and two hours of sham cooling on another day (order counterbalanced across subjects). Cooling significantly slowed con duction speed in the auditory brainstem pathway of both groups. Cooling also delayed a longer latency sensory ERP (N100) in the MS patients, but not in the healthy con trols. A cognitive evoked related potential measure (P300) was delayed in the MS patients but was not affected by cooling in either group. The MS patients had signifi cantly poorer neuropsychological performance than HC subjects but performance on most of these tests was not affected by cooling. Since the electrophysiological and neu ropsychological measures tapped a broad range of CNS functions and brain areas, the data suggest that the marked clinical improvement seen with cooling in heat-sensitive MS patients is not accounted for by facilitation of the sensory and cognitive process es of the CNS.

The Sympathetic Skin Response in Quadriplegia

Cervical spinal cord injury is known to produce severe autonomic dysfunction presum ably due to disrupted communication between the intermediolateral column of thoracic cord and supraspinal influences. To assess one objective measure of sympathetic outflow in this population, sympathetic skin responses (SSR) in sixteen complete and incom plete quadriplegics (mean age 43, range 17-70) were compared to sixteen healthy con trols (mean age 39, range 21-70). Palmar SSRs were elicited by electrical stimulation of 20.0mA for 0.2ms applied in random sequence to cervical and thoracic dermatomes, cor responding to regions above and below the levels of injury. Unexpectedly, responses were obtained from both stimulation sites in fifteen of sixteen quadriplegics, and stimulation site did not significantly affect SSR amplitude. Following cervical stimulation, mean patient amplitudes were 77% less than controls (599 vs. 2549 μV, p = .0002) and laten cies 62% greater (2.33 vs. 1.44 sec, p = .04). Thoracic stimulation eli...

Psychiatric family history and urinary MHPG in healthy control subjects

In psychiatric research, measurement of biological substances is often made in control groups. Controls are given the same biological tests as are the psychiatric patients to determine whether the patiems have an gonormality of the tested substance. Oftentimes, differences in biological measurements between ill subjects and healthy con~'ols ~'e not ~eat, ~ d ~.,er!ap of v~ues usually exists. In trying to ascertain whether a certain biological variable is associated with a particular disease condition, it is important that the control grouF be carefully screened. In one study, an advertisement was used to golicit pgychiatrically healthy subjects (Coryell and Zim~erman 1987). Telephone screening of the 128 people who responded to the ad eliminated 59 individuals with a history of psychiatric problems.In spite of tiffs, 25 (36%) of the remaining 69 subjects gave a history of psychiatric problems when interviewed with a detailed diagnostic questionnaire. Even for carefully screened control subjects there is still the issue of w~ether a positive fan~., ~!y histo~ of psychiatric illness m i ~ influence yalues for certain biological substances. Sedvall et al. (1980) r epor~ ~at control sub]ect~ wi~, deviant cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurotrans-

The ambivalence of the Marxist concept of ideology

Marxism-Leninism defines 'ideology' as "the system of social (political, philosophic, religious, artistic, etc.) ideas which are determined by and in turn reflect the current material base of society".1 A certain ambivalence is given already at this point. If, as is the case in class society, social being is ill, social consciousness will reflect reality in a distorted way. On the other hand, a healthy social being will produce a healthy social con sciousness. 'Ideology', therefore, can designate true and false conscious ness. On the contemporary scene it is bourgeois consciousness which is false and socialist consciousness which is true.