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The Attitudes Toward Persons with Obesity (ATOP) scale is widely used to assess stigmatization toward persons with obesity. The measure has previously been suggested to assess three facets—self-esteem, personality, and social difficulties—however, psychometric support for this has been inconsistent and warrants further study if the measure intends to be scored this way. Explore and confirm the factor structure of the ATOP in people assessed prior to bariatric surgery and reassessed 1 year postoperatively Midwestern hospital in the USA. Three-hundred sixteen people who were seeking bariatric surgery were assessed preoperatively, and 161 of those people were reassessed 1 year after surgery with a battery of measures including the ATOP. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on ATOP data from a random split-half of people before surgery, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on the second randomly selected half. With the postoperative sample, a CFA was performed, testing the best-fitting model from the preoperative CFA findings. The EFA suggested a two-factor structure interpreted as self-esteem and personality/social difficulties. This structure was supported by CFA performed on the second randomly selected half of people at preoperative assessment and by CFA performed on people 1 year following surgery. Tests of measurement invariance suggested that the two-factor structure was similar at both time points. Only two factors for the ATOP were empirically supported in the current sample (self-esteem and personality/social difficulties), which is slightly different from the three factors that were originally proposed when the measure was developed. This factor structure is supported both prior to bariatric surgery and 1 year after bariatric surgery.

Chronic pain has become a significant medical issue. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) is a broadband psychological test that has been validated for use across various medical settings and can aid in the assessment and treatment planning of chronic pain. In the current investigation, it was hypothesized that the somatic complaints scales of the MMPI-2-RF would demonstrate good convergent validity from a structured psychodiagnostic interview and other measures of pain and somatization, and lack gender bias. Patients (n = 200) who produced valid MMPI-2-RFs in an outpatient chronic pain clinic were included in the study. Patients were also administered the Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire (MSPQ), Pain Disability Index (PDI), and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR (SCID). Zero-order and partial correlations (controlling for gender) were calculated between MMPI-2-RF scale scores and other criteria. Stepdown hierarchical regression analyses were used to detect bias. By and large, higher scale scores on the somatic/cognitive scales of the MMPI-2-RF were modestly or substantially correlated with MSPQ scores, PDI scores, and SCID Somatization symptom count, even after controlling for gender. Regression analyses suggested that the MMPI-2-RF scale scores were not biased as a function of gender. These findings support the validity of specific MMPI-2-RF scales to help identify somatization and psychosocial functioning among patients with chronic pain. Identification of somatization early within the course of treatment of chronic pain may help focus treatment targets, including referrals for psychological interventions such as cognitive behavior therapy for chronic pain.

A considerable number of post-bariatric surgery patients report problematic eating behaviors (PEBs) and/or eating disorders (EDs). Examining psychosocial variables associated with ED symptoms may identify targets for postoperative interventions to reduce these behaviors and improve surgical outcomes. A total of 161 participants completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) and the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Participants were classified into ED risk or no ED risk groups and subjective binge eating (SBE) or no SBE groups. Independent-sample t tests were computed to examine mean differences in total weight loss (%TWL) and MMPI-2-RF scale scores between the ED groups. Relative Risk Ratios (RRRs) were computed to determine which MMPI-2-RF scales were associated with increased risk of ED group membership. The ED risk group lost significantly less weight (19.36% TWL) than the no ED risk group (25.18% TWL). The SBE group lost significantly less weight (17.98% TWL) than the no SBE group (25.57% TWL). Participants in the ED groups scored significantly higher on internalizing and externalizing MMPI-2-RF scales than the no ED groups. These scales were associated with increased risk (1.55–2.55 times the risk) of being classified into the ED groups. Patients who experienced postoperative ED symptoms lost significantly less weight than patients without ED symptoms. Postoperative ED symptoms are related to, and may be impacted by, higher levels of internalizing and externalizing dysfunction after surgery. Postoperative assessment of and interventions targeting psychosocial dysfunction could decrease ED symptoms. III: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies.

Rationale Previous research suggests that sleep polysomnography and EEG endpoints can be used to assess GABAergic activity; however, the impact of GABAB receptor positive allosteric modulators on sleep endpoints remains unclear. Objectives This phase 1 study compared a single dose of ASP8062 (35 mg or 70 mg), a GABAB receptor positive allosteric modulator, with placebo and paroxetine (40 mg). Methods Healthy adult volunteers were randomized to four treatments (35 mg ASP8062, 70 mg ASP8062, paroxetine 40 mg, or matching placebo), each separated by a 14-day washout. Primary endpoints obtained by polysomnography were time in stage N3 or SWS and time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Secondary endpoints included impact on sleep stages and electroencephalography parameters, pharmacokinetics, nighttime growth hormone (GH), and safety/tolerability. Results In 20 randomized volunteers, ASP8062 led to a significant and seemingly dose-dependent increase in SWS over the entire night; this increase was mainly observed during the first third of the night. ASP8062 did not impact time in REM sleep. Paroxetine had no effect on SWS but produced a significant reduction in time spent in REM sleep. A dose-dependent trend in increased GH release was also observed with ASP8062. Headache and nausea were the most commonly reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) for ASP8062; most TEAEs were mild in severity. Conclusions Single-dose ASP8062 (35 and 70 mg) appeared to result in CNS penetration and enhanced GABAergic activity as measured by increases in slow-wave sleep and growth hormone release.

ASP4345, a novel dopamine D1 receptor positive allosteric modulator, is being evaluated for the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS). This phase 1 multiple ascending-dose study (NCT02720263) assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamics of ASP4345 in patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder. Pharmacodynamic assessments were Cogstate cognitive tests and electrophysiological biomarkers, including gamma-band power and phase synchronization in response to 40-Hz auditory steady-state stimulation, as well as mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3a event-related potentials. The sample size determination was based on standard practice in assessing safety and tolerability of a new chemical entity. Data were summarized by conversion of this data into effect sizes using descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 36 randomized patients received ASP4345 (3, 15, 50, and 150 mg; n = 9 each dose) and 12 patients received placebo. Patients in the ASP4345 group experienced 73 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and 34 TEAEs were reported for the placebo group. The most common TEAEs were headache and somnolence and nearly all TEAEs were mild in severity. No changes in mood or self-reports of suicidal ideation/behavior were observed. Improvements in performance on cognitive tests were noted, which suggests a potential improvement in psychomotor function and visual attention. Furthermore, positive changes in neurophysiological biomarkers (auditory steady-state response [ASSR] and MMN) suggest improvement in information processing. The findings need to be confirmed in studies with a larger patient population. Nonetheless, the trends in safety and pharmacodynamic data support further clinical development of ASP4345 for the treatment of CIAS.

Eating pathology is common pre-operatively and continues to be prevalent following bariatric surgery. A new version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the MMPI-3, contains a new scale called Eating Concerns (EAT) that aims to assess problematic eating behaviors. The current investigation seeks to establish preliminary convergent validity of the MMPI-3 EAT scale in a postoperative bariatric surgery sample. Thirty-eight consecutive participants took the MMPI-3 and the Eating Disorder Examination–Questionnaire (EDE-Q). Higher MMPI-3 EAT scale scores were meaningfully associated with %Weight Regain (r = .37) and scale scores on the EDE-Q [Eating Concerns (r = .67), Weight Concerns (r = .39), Shape Concerns (r = .54), and the EDE total score (r = .59)]. Initial examination of the EAT Specific Problem Scale of the MMPI-3 yields good clinical utility in assessing eating pathology in a postoperative bariatric surgery sample.

Mental health professionals routinely assess psychosocial risk factors prior to bariatric surgery to help identify factors that may impede surgical outcomes. Data regarding longer-term psychosocial functioning postoperatively are needed. Assess the psychosocial functioning of patients who obtained bariatric surgery approximately 6 years ago. A total of 161 patients consented to participate in the outcome study. Participants were compensated for their time and participation. Participants were weighed by the research/clinical staff and asked to complete a battery of self-report measures, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF). Other measures targeted adherence, eating behaviors/body image, alcohol use, and quality of life. Postoperative MMPI-2-RF scores indicate psychosocial functioning is largely similar to previously published pre-surgical functioning data. Six-year weight loss outcomes were lower than previous studies reported for a similar postoperative time period (mean %total weight loss = 22.98%; standard deviation = 11.71), though quality of life scores were relatively high. Postoperative MMPI-2-RF scale scores were associated with poorer psychosocial functioning, reduced adherence, greater eating behaviors/body image concerns, greater alcohol use severity, lower quality of life, and less overall weight loss. Psychological dysfunction 6 years after surgery is associated with various adverse outcomes. Ongoing, postoperative treatment may result in better long-term functioning for patients.

Presurgical psychological evaluations (PPEs) are becoming an established component of the surgical process, though methods of conducting PPEs are variable. There is a lack of clarity about the goals of PPEs, the types of information that should be included, and the process for integrating information and making recommendations to the referring physicians/surgeons. This review proposes an empirically supported model for PPEs that is systematic, but flexible enough to be utilized across the broad range of surgical evaluations. This five-step method is termed the Risk Identification and Mitigation (RIM) model and is discussed in detail. The RIM model presented in this review can both serve as a structure to be utilized in under-researched PPE areas and as a stimulus for future empirical investigations.

Previous studies suggest the importance of understanding what factors increase risk of lack of physical activity (PA) prior to bariatric surgery, which may increase risk of suboptimal postoperative outcomes. Therefore, the current study sought to explore which Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) scales were associated with lack of pre-surgical PA. The mean age of the sample (N = 1170) was 45.97 years [standard deviation (SD) = 11.59]. Bivariate correlations and relative risk ratios were utilized to examine associations between MMPI-2-RF scale scores and regular preoperative PA. Of the ten hypothesized associations, seven MMPI-2-RF scales in the internalizing and somatic domains were associated with increased risk of preoperative lack of PA. Interventions designed to increase levels of preoperative PA are especially important because individuals with higher levels of preoperative cardiorespiratory fitness experience less complications in surgery and greater weight loss postoperatively.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a mobile application (app) in patients already using total body photography (TBP) to increase skin self-examination (SSE) rates and pilot the effectiveness of examination reminders and accountability partners. Randomized controlled trial with computer generated randomization table to allocate interventions. University of Pennsylvania pigmented lesion clinic. 69 patients aged 18 years or older with an iPhone/iPad, who were already in possession of TBP photographs. A mobile app loaded with digital TBP photos for all participants, and either (1) the mobile app only, (2) skin examination reminders, (3) an accountability partner, or (4) reminders and an accountability partner. Change in SSE rates as assessed by enrollment and end-of-study surveys 6 months later. Eighty one patients completed informed consent, however 12 patients did not complete trial enrollment procedures due to device incompatibility, leaving 69 patients who were randomized and analyzed [mean age 54.3 years, standard deviation 13.9). SSE rates increased significantly from 58% at baseline to 83% at 6 months (odds ratio 2.64, 95% confidence interval 1.20–4.09), with no difference among the intervention groups. The group with examination reminders alone had the highest (94%) overall satisfaction, and the group with accountability partners alone accounted for the lowest (71%). A mobile app alone, or with reminders and/or accountability partners, was found to be an effective tool that can help to increase SSE rates. Skin examination reminders may help provide a better overall experience for a subset of patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02520622.

Presurgical psychological screening of bariatric surgery candidates includes some form of standardized psychological assessment. However, associations between presurgical psychological screening and postoperative outcome have not been extensively studied. Here, we explore associations between presurgical Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) scores and early postoperative Somatic Concerns, Psychological Distress, and Maladaptive Eating Behaviors.The sample consisted of male (n = 238) and female (n = 621) patients who were administered the MMPI-2-RF at their presurgical psychological evaluation and received bariatric surgery. Patients were evaluated at their 1- and 3-month postoperative appointments.Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that three latent constructs-somatic concerns, psychological distress, and maladaptive eating behaviors-were represented by responses to a postoperative assessment and that these constructs could be measured consistently over time. Presurgical scores on MMPI-2-RF scales measuring internalizing dysfunction were associated with more psychological distress at postoperative follow-ups, scores on scales measuring somatization were associated with more postoperative somatic concerns, and scores on scales assessing emotional/internalizing, behavioral/externalizing, cognitive complaints, and thought dysfunction prior to surgery were associated with maladaptive eating behaviors after surgery.In conjunction with a presurgical psychological interview, the MMPI-2-RF provides information that can assist in anticipating postoperative outcomes and inform efforts to prevent them.

Psychological comorbidity is common in bariatric surgery candidates. Many multidisciplinary teams incorporate psychometric testing to screen for psychological factors that, if left unattended, may negatively impact surgical results. Here, we report descriptive findings and empirical correlates of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) scales among of bariatric surgery candidates undergoing a pre-surgical psychological evaluation.The sample consisted of male (n = 324) and female (n = 658) patients seeking bariatric surgery who were administered the MMPI-2-RF at their psychological evaluation. Psychosocial and medical variables were retrospectively coded from the patients' medical records. These criteria included history/current mental health diagnoses and treatments, maladaptive eating behaviors/diagnoses, past/current substance use, abuse history, sleep apnea, and denial of surgery.Descriptive analyses demonstrated similar findings for male and female candidates and replicated previous reports. MMPI-2-RF scales measuring emotional dysfunction were associated with maladaptive eating patterns, a history of Major Depressive Disorder, and previous suicide attempts. Scale scores measuring behavioral dysfunction were associated with current/past substance use and previous physical abuse. MMPI-2-RF scale scores measuring somatic problems were associated with a higher BMI at the time of surgery, sleep apnea diagnosis/adherence, physical/sexual abuse history, active mood disorder, previous mental health diagnoses, and maladaptive eating patterns.The MMPI-2-RF can aid in identifying a broad range of psychological comorbidity among bariatric surgery candidates. When used in conjunction with a pre-surgical psychological interview, it can aid in the assessment of psychological factors relevant to pre-surgical psychological assessment of bariatric surgery candidates.

Summary: Although the second-generation or atypical antipsychotic drugs have been breakthrough medicines for the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic conditions, cognitive dysfunction and to some extent negative symptoms of the disease continue to be the main cause of poor vocational status of the patients. Thus, the majority of investigational drug development efforts today target these unmet medical needs. This review postulates that the field of schizophrenia research has advanced sufficiently to develop biochemical hypotheses of the etiopathology of the disease and target the same for revolutionary disease modifying therapy. This postulate is based on recent studies that have begun to provide a testable etiopathology model that integrates interactions between genetic vulnerability factors, neurodevelopmental anomalies, and neurotransmitter systems. This review begins with a brief overview of the nosology and etiopathology of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders to establish a context for subsequent detailed discussions on drug discovery and development for psychotic disorders. Particular emphasis is placed on recent advances in genetic association studies of schizophrenia and how this can be integrated with evidence supporting neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with the disease to generate a testable model of the disease etiopathology. An in-depth review of the plethora of new targets and approaches targeting the unmet medical need in the treatment of schizophrenia exemplify the challenges and opportunities in this area. We end the review by offering an approach based on emerging genetic, clinical, and neurobiological studies to discover and validate novel drug targets that could be classified as disease modifying approaches.

Chemical solution deposition method (CSD) method was used to prepare PbTiO 3 (PT), Pb 1-x Ca x TiO 3 (PCT), PbTiO 3 -Al 2 O 3 (PT-AL) and Pb 1-x Ca x TiO 3 -Al 2 O 3 (PCT-AL) thin films on amorphous (soda-lime glass, SiO 2 glass) substrates. The films were examined by XRD methods to describe the phase composition, cell parameters, type and degree of texture. In dependence on the molar ratio of Ti:Al, the different extent of crystallographic ordering was observed ranging from randomly oriented to strongly textured crystallites of PT. (100) preferred orientation growth of PT grains was identified.

Recent electrophysiological studies in our laboratory have demonstrated a physiological interaction between 5-HT(2A) and metabotropic glutamate2/3 (mGlu2/3) receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex. Several behavioral studies have found that phenethylamine hallucinogens with partial agonist activity at 5-HT(2A) receptors induce head shakes when directly administered into the medial prefrontal cortex. The purpose of the present experiments was to examine whether an interaction occurs between mGlu2/3 and 5-HT(2A) receptors on a behavioral level using head shakes induced by phenethylamine hallucinogens as a model of 5-HT(2A) receptor activation. Administration of the mGlu2/3 agonist LY354740 (0.3-10 mg/kg, ip) suppressed head shakes induced by the phenethylamine hallucinogen 1-(2, 5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI). Conversely, administration of the mGlu2/3 antagonist LY341495 (1 mg/kg, ip) enhanced the frequency of DOI-induced head shakes. Taken together, these results raise the possibility that the psychomimetic properties of hallucinogenic drugs may be mediated in part, via increased glutamate release following activation of 5-HT(2A) receptors.

Interest in the role of serotonin (5-HT) in the therapeutic effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs originated from the observations that: (1) clozapine and other atypical drugs have a high affinity for 5-HT2A relative to D2 receptors; and (2) 5-HT2A receptors mediate the central effects of psychedelic hallucinogens. Recently, we found that 5-HT evokes a focal release of glutamate in the apical dendritic field of layer V pyramidal cells in prefrontal cortex, measured electrophysiologically by an increased frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic potentials/currents (EPSPs/EPSCs). An atypical mode of transmitter release (termed asynchronous release) seems to be involved because EPSC induction is tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive but is not dependent on impulse flow and is supported by Sr2+ in the absence of external Ca2+. The 5-HT-induced increase in spontaneous EPSCs is blocked completely by the selective 5-HT2A antagonist M100907 (MDL 100,907). M100907 also blocks the enhancement by hallucinogens of a late, asynchronous component of electrically evoked EPSPs/EPSCs. Group II/III metabotropic glutamate agonists, which act downstream from 5-HT2A receptors at presynaptic inhibitory autoreceptors, markedly suppress the 5-HT-induced release of glutamate. Subtype-selective group II/III agonists, such as the group II metabotropic agonist LY354740, are particularly interesting in terms of therapeutic potential, because they are able to suppress the 5-HT2A-induced EPSCs while sparing overall glutamatergic transmission. An analysis of the mechanisms by which 5-HT2A receptors induce glutamate release suggests new targets for the design of novel treatments for schizophrenia.

This brief review traces the serotonin (5-HT) hypothesis of the action of hallucinogenic drugs from the early 1950s to the present day. There is now converging evidence from biochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral studies that the two major classes of psychedelic hallucinogens, the indoleamines (e.g., LSD) and the phenethylamines (e.g., mescaline), have a common site of action as partial agonists at 5-HT2A and other 5-HT2 receptors in the central nervous system. The noradrenergic locus coeruleus and the cerebral cortex are among the regions where hallucinogens have prominent effects through their actions upon a 5-HT2A receptors. Recently, we have observed a novel effect of hallucinogens--a 5-HT2A receptor-mediated enhancement of nonsynchronous, late components of glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic potentials at apical dendrites of layer V cortical pyramidal cells. We propose that an effect of hallucinogens upon glutamatergic transmission in the cerebral cortex may be responsible for the higher-level cognitive, perceptual, and affective distortions produced by these drugs.

The effects of four serotonin (5-HT)-1A compounds (buspirone, gepirone, ipsapirone and zalospirone) were compared with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) [a 5-HT precursor with antidepressant (AD) efficacy], and diazepam (a benzodiazepine anxiolytic), on a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 72-s (DRL 72-s) schedule. Past research has shown that AD and anxiolytic compounds each have distinct effects on the DRL 72-s interresponse time (IRT) distribution profile. In the present paper, the profile of the IRT distribution was quantitatively characterized by three metrics: burst ratio, peak location and peak area. 5-HTP shifted the IRT distribution peak toward longer IRT durations, increased reinforcement rate and decreased response rate. The profile of the IRT distribution was not disrupted by 5-HTP. Diazepam disrupted the IRT distribution and increased bursting. In general, the arylpiperazine, 5-HT1A compounds increased reinforcement rate, decreased response rate and disrupted the profile of the IRT distribution. The effects of the four arylpiperazine 5-HT1A compounds on the IRT distribution profile were different from the AD profile of 5-HTP and the benzodiazepine anxiolytic profile of diazepam. Disruption of the IRT distribution by buspirone, gepirone, ipsapirone and zalospirone may result from decreased 5-HT transmission mediated by the presynaptic, somatodendritic 5-HT1A receptor.

Sintered negative electrodes for nickel-cadmium secondary cells were studied. Model electrodes prepared by means of three different impregnation methods were evaluated. It was demonstrated that the impregnation procedure may affect properties of active mass and the service life of electrodes in a significant way.

An anisotropic material source for the vacuum Kerr metric has been constructed by Marek and Sloane. This source is physically reasonable in that the matter density is positive everywhere, the three eigenvalues of the energy tensor corresponding to the spacelike eigenvectors and representing the stresses in the material are much smaller than the eigenvalue associated with the timelike eigenvector, which corresponds to the matter density and also the metric tensor and its first derivatives are continuous everywhere. In this paper a more general interior metric is used and the material source constructed has no tensions, but only pressures present. It is seen that, subject to certain conditions, the materials is almost a perfect fluid.

The Kerr metric, which is the simplest example of the Tomimatsu-Sato family of solutions of Einstein's vacuum field equations, is written in Lewis' extension of the canonical co-ordinates of Weyl for stationary axially symmetric fields. An anisotropic interior solution for the Kerr metric is constructed and examined and is found to be free of all singularities. The principal value of the energy tensor corresponding to positive matter density is positive everywhere and is much greater than the other three principal values.

An 45 Fallen von primarem Hyperparathyreoidismus wird auf die Schwierigkeiten der Differentialdiagnose zwischen primaren Adenomen und primaren Hyperplasien der Epithelkorperchen hingewiesen. Groste Bedeutung kommt dem Nachweis kappenformiger Anlagerungen von nicht neoplastischem Drusengewebe zu. In 26 Fallen wurde auf Grund des histologischen Befundes eine primare Hyperplasie diagnostiziert; 13 dieser Falle musten spater, auf Grund der klinischen Untersuchungsbefunde, den primaren Adenomen zugeteilt werden.

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Oral administration of 30–40 mg of aminoglutethimide daily for 4 and 5 weeks, respectively, causes extensive hyperplasia of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum in rat liver cells, which can be also observed in the light microscope. The change is accompanied by reduction of demonstrable glycogen particles, but other cell components remain intact. This finding has been regarded as the morphological substrate of the increase in activity of microsomal drug-metabolising enzymes, and it has been regarded as partially responsible for the clinically demonstrable extraadrenal influence of aminoglutethimide upon corticosteroid metabolism.

A method for observing a specific region of an electrode during its lifetime is described, enabling morphological changes on the electrode surface to be monitored. The use of the present method is briefly illustrated using as an example a sintered cadmium electrode in an alkaline medium. Many changes occur within secondary cell electrodes during cycling, for example, growth and dissolving of crystals, etc. These changes have been observed by a number of authors using various techniques, inter alia by means of both light and scanning electron microscopy [1-3]. Also in the course of our studies [4, 5] of phenomena determining the service life and reliability of sintered cadmium e/ectrodes a consideration of morphological changes of the electrode active mass proved to be necessary. Besides some commonly used techniques (for example measurements of electrochemical properties of electrodes, changes in the value of specific surface area, chemical composition, free pore volume, observations of active mass migration, microscopic observations of electrode cross-sections, etc.) an exploitation of scanning electron microscopy was found to be very useful. In order to be able to evaluate more precisely the course of the above-mentioned processes on the dectrode surface, i.e. to observe a specific region of the surface during the whole electrode lifetime (for example an individual crystallite of the active mass) and thus to eliminate in part, the necessity of a statistical approach to observed phenomena (as is the case when interpreting common micrographs of a randomly chosen area of the electrode), we have developed a new experimental technique, which is described in the following paragraphs.* Model cells of the electrodes under investigation were assembled, enabling the removal of the cadmium electrode at a pre-determined stage of its lifetime, the performance of necessary microscopic observations on it, and afterwards re-assembly of the cell. The electrodes used were circular plates 23 mm in diameter and 0.75 mm thick; they were washed and dried before measurement by a standard procedure. Observations were performed on totally discharged electrodes. The above-mentioned method may be modified in various ways, however, for example if certain experimental conditions are fulfilled (preventing oxidation during washing and drying) it is also possible to observe charged electrodes with good results. A system of two rectangular coordinate axes was used for finding the identical region for examination. The axes were marked mechanically on the surface of the sintered plate. The coordinate system must be as accurate as possible (sharp lines) and stable during the impregnation and cycling processes. However, other methods of finding the identical region may be used as well. This system was used in order to always obtain an identical orientation of the specimen image on the scanning electron microscope monitor. It was then possible to f'md the identical region of the electrode with fairly good precision, using micrometric displacement of the specimen pedestal, even

The method of single-photon-counting, using the multichannel analyser and the time-amplitude-converter, was applied to lifetime measurements of some atomic levels of neutral Dysprosium. The different energy levels were populated by nitrogen-lasers pumped dye-lasers employing excitation by either one or two photons. Because of the lack of experimental data concerning lifetime measurements, the present results were compared with theA-values theoretically calculated by Cowan, particularly for the levels arising from the excited state configuration 4f106s 6p. The spectroscopic properties of this configuration allow such a comparison of data to be made.

The lifetimes of atomic CoI states have been determined using the delayed coincidence technique. A tunable dye laser pumped by a nitrogen laser was employed for the excitation of cobalt atoms in an atomic beam. The lifetimes were derived from the time dependent fluorescence intensity of the observed lines after the excitation. For the measurement of the lifetimes of thee 4 F 9/2,f 4 F 9/2 andf 4 F 7/2 levels a two step excitation was applied. In case of overlapping measurement we find our results to be in good agreement with those reported by Becker [1].

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The effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) that selectively inhibit the MAO-A or MAO-B forms of MAO were studied in rats performing under a differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 72-s (DRL 72-s) schedule of reinforcement. Clorgyline and CGP11'305A, irreversible and reversible MAO-A inhibitors, respectively, increased the reinforcement rate, decreased the response rate, and enhanced temporal discrimination. The irreversible MAO-B inhibitor (-)-deprenyl did not produce similar effects. Pargyline did not increase the reinforcement rate at low doses that selectively inhibit MAO-B, but did increase the reinforcement rate at doses that inhibit MAO-A by more than 90%. The present results are in accord with clinical data demonstrating that MAO-A inhibitors are effective therapeutic agents in treating depression while MAO-B inhibitors are of questionable antidepressant efficacy. The present findings provide further evidence that the DRL 72-s schedule may be useful both as a screen for identifying new antidepressants and for investigating the neurochemical effects of antidepressant drugs that are responsible for their therapeutic effects.

Intravenous administration of 5 mg of hexadimethrine bromide (Polybren®) produces severe ischaemic alterations accompanied by permeability changes in the rat adrenal cortex as a partial manifestation of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. In the vicinity of ischemic necroses many adrenocortical cells contain so-called protein-containing vacuoles (PCV) and hyaline droplets (HD). Ultrastructurally, these formations are bounded by a single limiting membrane and their contents gradually change from light, electron translucent ones in the PCV to electron dense ones in the HD. Both formations frequently contain blood cells, some of which show structural damage of various degree. Rarely, cytoplasmic fragments of adrenocortical cells were also found in the PCV and HD contents. Initially, the PCV are acid phosphatase negative, but with the progressing transformation into HD an increasing activity of acid phosphatase, probably mediated by preexisting lysosomes, can be demonstrated by electron microscopic cytochemistry. Most of the PCV and HD occurring in the present experiment can be regarded, with respect to the origin of their contents, as heterophagosomes. They appear to develop by a mechanism morphologically corresponding to endocytosis, and they gradually change into heterolysosomes. The participation of cellular autophagy remains uncertain.

Aminoglutethimide (Elipten Ciba), an adrenostatic blocking the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, was fed to rats in daily doses of approximately 40 mg for periods of 14 and 49 days respectively. In addition to the mitochondrial alteration as described earlier aminoglutethimide administration produces changes in the character and distribution of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) of adrenocortical cells. In contrast to the control animals, where the SER of adrenocortical cells is either vesicular of vesiculotubular, in animals receiving aminoglutethimide for 14 days the SER is almost exclusively tubular. After 49 days this tubular SER shows a marked focal hyperplasia. The irregulary curved tubules of such a hyperplastic SER are optically empty for the most part, occasionally, however, they contain some osmiophilic material which renders their limiting membrane indistinct. In addition, peculiar structure composed of straight parallel tubules measuring 560 A in diameter and of different length not exceeding 5 μ were found within areas of hyperplastic SER. These tubules contain osmiophilic material, but an optically empty space 100 A in width exists between the osmiophilic content and the membrane of the tubules.

Lifetimes of 47 atomic levels (energy range between 16,000 and 27,000 cm−1) of ErI, GdI and NdI have been determined using the selective pulsed laser excitation of the atoms in an atomic beam and applying the delay coincidence method for registration.

DURING 1599–1660 there lived, in Bohemia, Balthasar Conrad, a professor in the Universities of Prague and Olomouc. Under his leadership several candidates defended their theses on diverse physical subjects.