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Objective: To assess the use of a standing position during abdominal point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) examination when evaluating dogs for peritoneal effusion. Design: Randomized prospective study over 17 months. Setting: Single‐center, university veterinary teaching hospital. Animals: Thirty dogs presenting for acute abdominal disease. Eligibility included suspicion for free peritoneal effusion and the ability to stand. Interventions: Dogs underwent standing abdominal POCUS, right lateral abdominal POCUS, and a full abdominal ultrasound. We originally had nothing listed. It now includes all three ultrasound evaluations that were performed for each patient. Measurements and Main Results: Patients underwent both a right lateral and standing abdominal POCUS via a previously described abdominal focused assessment with sonography for trauma (A‐FASTrl and A‐FASTs, respectively) technique in a randomized and sequential order followed by a full abdominal ultrasound (AUS‐full). The A‐FASTs examination included a right flank location in addition to the following standard views: subxiphoid, left flank, urinary bladder, and umbilicus. Five‐second cine loops were obtained at each location for each examination and reviewed in the order they were obtained. Locations for both A‐FAST exams were interrogated in the same order every time. The cine loops were scored for the degree of peritoneal effusion based on a previously published abdominal fluid scoring system by a board‐certified radiologist, radiology resident, and radiology intern. The overall abdominal fluid score (AFS) was compared to a subjective full abdominal ultrasound score given by a board‐certified radiologist. Six dogs had no peritoneal effusion, 13 had a small volume (AFS 1 or 2), and 11 had a moderate to large volume (AFS 3 or 4). Excellent agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient) was found between the A‐FASTs and A‐FASTrl techniques (0.95, 0.93, 0.94), good agreement between A‐FASTs and AUS‐full (0.80, 0.77, 0.82), and good agreement between A‐FASTrl and AUS‐full (0.80, 0.82, 0.84). The interobserver agreement was good (0.87) for the A‐FASTs technique and excellent (0.91) for the A‐FASTrl technique. Mean observer agreement score was excellent (0.94) when evaluating A‐FASTrl to A‐FASTs, good (0.86) when evaluating A‐FASTs to AUS‐full, and good (0.87) when evaluating A‐FASTrl to AUS‐full. Conclusion: Performing a standing abdominal POCUS examination may be a valid option for identifying and quantifying peritoneal effusion in situations when a more traditional right lateral approach cannot be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the background here, Rizq has in mind the long and troubled relationship between psychoanalysis and literary criticism, where psychoanalysis has placed itself as "the master discourse", holding a superior knowing position and asserting its right to interpret. In a fascinating chapter on Colm Toibin's I Testament of Mary i , Rizq sets out to cross disciplinary divides in a slightly different and potentially controversial way, bringing fiction and post-modern philosophy to bear on psychoanalysis, here Winnicott's I Use of An Object i . [Extracted from the article]

Dorothy Hamilton, a founder member of the Association of Group and Individual Psychotherapy (AGIP), recently gave a paper to the College of Psychoanalysts about the foundation of the of the UKCP and AGIP's stake in that process (https://agip.org.uk/22-pages/46-history-of-agip). And there are heated debates concerned with the Scope of Practice and Education (SCoPEd) framework and the implications for the status of members of the profession of psychotherapy. We are aware of organizational upheaval in the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP); both organizations have recently seen the sudden resignation of their Chief Executives and other senior members of their leadership teams. [Extracted from the article]

Water has always been a driver of human mobility, migration, and displacement. But water is increasingly central to explaining environmental migration in the context of climate change. Most studies of the relationship between water and environmental migration are framed around punctuated, extreme weather events and disasters that either limit agricultural or livestock productivity or make a community physically unlivable. The chronic experiences of household water insecurity and poor water governance also shape migration decision‐making through a variety of social, political, and economic factors, but these relationships have received considerably less attention. This article provides an overview of punctuated and chronic water‐related triggers of environmental migration at the household level. We also offer a conceptual framework based on multiphasic response theory that highlights water's multiple roles in migration decision‐making. We close by reflecting on key gaps in the climate‐water‐migration literature, identifying research questions that might help us better understand these relationships, and considering the implications for sustainable development policies that could potentially ease pressures on water‐related displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dexmedetomidine often is used for sedation before or during abdominal ultrasonography. The effect of dexmedetomidine on gallbladder wall thickness is unknown. Hypothesis/Objectives: To investigate the relationship between dexmedetomidine administration and gallbladder wall thickening in dogs. The hypothesis was that sedation with dexmedetomidine will cause transient gallbladder wall thickening. Gallbladder wall thickness will be associated with duration of sedation and recumbency position. Animals Seventy‐nine client owned dogs and 10 healthy research dogs. Methods: A prospective observational study (n = 79) was used to establish the prevalence of gallbladder wall thickening (> 2.0 mm) after sedation with dexmedetomidine. A randomized, crossover study (n = 10) was used to evaluate the effect of time and recumbency position on the development of gallbladder wall thickening. Linear mixed models were used. Results: The proportion of client‐owned dogs that developed gallbladder wall thickening was 24.05% (19/79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 15.1%‐35.0%) with a median dose of dexmedetomidine of 5.0 μg/kg (range, 2.0‐12.5 μg/kg). After sedation, the proportion of research dogs that developed gallbladder wall thickening in left lateral (5/10, 50%; 95% CI, 18.7%‐81.3%) and dorsal (7/10, 70%; 95% CI, 34.8%‐93.3%) recumbency did not differ significantly (P =.45). Gallbladder wall thickening developed within 20 to 40 minutes. Duration of sedation was significantly associated with thickening of the gallbladder wall (P <.001). Five dogs developed 9 instances of peritoneal effusion in both lateral (5) and dorsal (4) recumbency. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Sedation with dexmedetomidine is associated with gallbladder wall thickening (> 2.0 mm) and peritoneal effusion that could be confused with pathologic etiologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A robust monoclonal antibody (mAb) bioprocess requires physiological parameters such as temperature, pH, or dissolved oxygen to be well‐controlled as even small variations in them could potentially impact the final product quality. For instance, pH substantially affects N‐glycosylation, protein aggregation, and charge variant profiles, as well as mAb productivity. However, relatively less is known about how pH jointly influences product quality and titer. In this study, we investigated the effect of pH on culture performance, product titer, and quality profiles by applying longitudinal multi‐omics profiling, including transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and glycomics, at three different culture pH set points. The subsequent systematic analysis of multi‐omics data showed that pH set points differentially regulated various intracellular pathways including intracellular vesicular trafficking, cell cycle, and apoptosis, thereby resulting in differences in specific productivity, product titer, and quality profiles. In addition, a time‐dependent variation in mAb N‐glycosylation profiles, independent of pH, was identified to be mainly due to the accumulation of mAb proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum disrupting cellular homeostasis over culture time. Overall, this multi‐omics‐based study provides an in‐depth understanding of the intracellular processes in mAb‐producing CHO cell line under varied pH conditions, and could serve as a baseline for enabling the quality optimization and control of mAb production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is difficult to motivate learners to seek out and persist at challenging learning tasks where failure is likely. However, in game environments, people seem highly motivated to engage with challenges and respond productively to failure. Many typical game features purportedly enhance intrinsic motivation and self‐efficacy, which should improve students' reactions to challenge and failure, which should in turn enhance learning. An experimental study with early middle school students tested these assumptions by comparing a "Full" version of a typical, commercial programming game to a "Minimal" version of the same game where common game features such as narrative, performance metrics, high‐quality graphics, and sound were removed. In contrast to our hypotheses, players of the Full Game were less likely to choose coding challenges, were less tolerant of coding failures and gained less coding knowledge. Intrinsic motivation and self‐efficacy did not differ between conditions. Correlational analyses showed that failure tolerance and challenge seeking may critically affect learning from educational games. The current study offers an existence proof that some common game features can hinder players' failure tolerance, challenge‐seeking and learning, in certain game contexts. Future research should isolate the effects of individual game features, test generalizability and explore which contextual variables influence the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical spinal disorders can lead to life‐threatening respiratory complications. Diaphragmatic dysfunction is attributed to spinal cord morbidity secondary to cervical myelopathy or decompressive surgical intervention. The purpose of this observational case‐control study was to determine the frequency of diaphragmatic dysfunction in dogs with cervical spinal disorders and a control group, the strength of association between cervical myelopathies and decompressive surgery with diaphragm paresis, and the agreement between and clinical usefulness of fluoroscopy, motion‐mode ultrasonography, and radiography for diagnosing diaphragmatic dysfunction. Thirty‐five client‐owned dogs were recruited with 14 control dogs and 21 test dogs. Dogs were evaluated for the presence of diaphragmatic dysfunction using radiography, M‐mode ultrasonography, and fluoroscopy before and after an anesthetic or surgical event. Diaphragmatic dysfunction was observed more frequently in dogs with cervical spinal disease prior to surgery (8/21; 38.1%) compared to control dogs (3/14; 21.4%) but was not statistically significant (P =.30). The occurrence of diaphragmatic dysfunction did not significantly increase following surgical decompression in either group. There was no to slight agreement between all imaging modalities. Most dogs with diaphragmatic dysfunction were asymptomatic. Diaphragmatic dysfunction was not statistically associated with cervical myelopathy or decompressive surgery. Ultrasonography and radiography were not useful diagnostic tests for determining diaphragmatic dysfunction in asymptomatic dogs when compared to fluoroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A clinical diagnosis (CDx) of pancreatitis includes evaluation of clinical signs, abdominal ultrasound (AUS), and pancreatic lipase. However, practitioners are using AUS to diagnose pancreatitis and are using AUS severity to guide decisions. The validity of this is unknown. Objectives: To determine whether (1) there is a correlation between AUS, specific canine pancreatic lipase (Spec cPL) assay, and CDx; (2) individual AUS abnormalities correlate more closely with CDx than others; (3) AUS severity mirrors clinical severity indices; (4) changes in AUS can be used as a marker for changes in Spec cPL or CDx; and (5) the sensitivity and specificity of AUS for pancreatitis. Animals One hundred fifty‐seven dogs. Methods: In this retrospective case study, inclusion criteria were signs of gastrointestinal, pancreatic disease, or both, in addition to having a Spec cPL and AUS performed within 30 hours. Information extracted from the records included bloodwork, Spec cPL, AUS images/clips, and severity of ultrasonographic findings. Results: AUS was weakly correlated with Spec cPL (rs =.0178, P =.03) and moderately correlated with CDx (rs =.379, P = <.001). Pancreatic size (rs =.285, P = <.001), echogenicity (rs =.365, P = <.001), and mesenteric echogenicity (rs =.343, P = <.001) were correlated with CDx. Change in AUS was not correlated with Spec cPL or CDx changes. When pancreatic enlargement, echogenicity, or altered mesenteric echogenicity were required for a diagnosis, the sensitivity and specificity were 89% (95% confidence interval [CI] 71.8, 97.7) and 43% (95% CI 34.0, 51.6). When all 3 criteria were required, the sensitivity and specificity were 43% (95% CI 24.5, 62.8) and 92% (95% CI 85.3, 95.7). Conclusions: AUS should not be used in isolation to diagnose pancreatitis and is a poor indicator of severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up to 70% of dogs with cranial cruciate ligament tears have concurrent meniscal injury, and these injuries can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis and persistent lameness. Studies assessing joint space width on knee radiographs in people have indicated associations between joint space width and meniscal injuries. The aim of this prospective analytical study was to determine if there was an association between stifle joint space width on three different radiographic projections (the standard tibial plateau leveling osteotomy projections and a standing lateral projection) and meniscal injuries identified at surgery in dogs. There was a significant association between dogs with a meniscal tear and the corresponding joint space width on standard tibial plateau leveling osteotomy lateral radiographic projections (P‐value =.0028). Based on receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, joint space widths measuring less than 3.43 mm may indicate a meniscal tear, with a corresponding 89.5% specificity and 40.5% sensitivity in dogs weighing 31 kg. Joint space narrowing is seen with meniscal tears in dogs, and radiography may be a noninvasive way to identify meniscal tears prior to surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the most prevalent mammalian cell factories for producing recombinant therapeutic proteins due to their ability to synthesize human‐like post‐translational modifications and ease of maintenance in suspension cultures. Currently, a wide variety of CHO host cell lines has been developed; substantial differences exist in their phenotypes even when transfected with the same target vector. However, relatively less is known about the influence of their inherited genetic heterogeneity on phenotypic traits and production potential from the bioprocessing point of view. Herein, we present a global transcriptome and proteome profiling of three commonly used parental cell lines (CHO‐K1, CHO‐DXB11, and CHO‐DG44) in suspension cultures and further report their growth‐related characteristics, and N‐ and O‐glycosylation patterns of host cell proteins (HCPs). The comparative multi‐omics and subsequent genome‐scale metabolic network model‐based enrichment analyses indicated that some physiological variations of CHO cells grown in the same media are possibly originated from the genetic deficits, particularly in the cell‐cycle progression. Moreover, the dihydrofolate reductase deficient DG44 and DXB11 possess relatively less active metabolism when compared to K1 cells. The protein processing abilities and the N‐ and O‐glycosylation profiles also differ significantly across the host cell lines, suggesting the need to select host cells in a rational manner for the cell line development on the basis of recombinant protein being produced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of canine brain diseases are often nonspecific. Single‐ and multi‐voxel spectroscopy techniques allow quantification of chemical biomarkers for tissues of interest and may help to improve diagnostic specificity. However, published information is currently lacking for the in vivo performance of these two techniques in dogs. The aim of this prospective, methods comparison study was to compare the performance of single‐ and multi‐voxel spectroscopy in the brains of eight healthy, juvenile dogs using 3 Tesla MRI. Ipsilateral regions of single‐ and multi‐voxel spectroscopy were performed in symmetric regions of interest of each brain in the parietal (n = 3), thalamic (n = 2), and piriform lobes (n = 3). In vivo single‐voxel spectroscopy and multi‐voxel spectroscopy metabolite ratios from the same size and multi‐voxel spectroscopy ratios from different sized regions of interest were compared. No significant difference was seen between single‐voxel spectroscopy and multi‐voxel spectroscopy metabolite ratios for any lobe when regions of interest were similar in size and shape. Significant lobar single‐voxel spectroscopy and multi‐voxel spectroscopy differences were seen between the parietal lobe and thalamus (P = 0.047) for the choline to N‐acetyl aspartase ratios when large multi‐voxel spectroscopy regions of interest were compared to very small multi‐voxel spectroscopy regions of interest within the same lobe; and for the N‐acetyl aspartase to creatine ratios in all lobes when single‐voxel spectroscopy was compared to combined (pooled) multi‐voxel spectroscopy datasets. Findings from this preliminary study indicated that single‐ and multi‐voxel spectroscopy techniques using 3T MRI yield comparable results for similar sized regions of interest in the normal canine brain. Findings also supported using the contralateral side as an internal control for dogs with brain lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the authors have reported an exceptional normal incidence sound transmission loss characteristic for a class of low density, highly porous, and mechanically strong polyurea aerogels. Herein, a laminated composite comprising the organic low‐density aerogels bonded with an inorganic compound (e.g., gypsum materials) is considered to investigate the constrained damping effects of the aerogels on the airborne sound insulation behavior of the composite using the standard chamber‐based diffuse sound field measurements. Huge improvement in the sound transmission loss is obtained due to the use of aerogel without a significant increase in the overall weight and thickness of the composite panel (e.g., more than 10 dB increase by reaching 40 dB sound transmission loss at 2 kHz after the implementation of only two 5 mm‐thick aerogel layers at bulk densities 0.15 and 0.25 g cm−3). This uncommon behavior breaks the empirical “Mass Law” nature of the most conventional acoustic materials. In addition, an exact analytical time‐harmonic plane‐strain solution for the diffused wave propagation through the multilayered structure is provided using theories of linear elasticity and Biot's dynamic poroelasticity. The theoretical results are well supported by the experiments which can be utilized for the design of the future light‐weight multifunctional composite structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper female-to-female friendship as depicted in the Neapolitan novels of Elena Ferrante is used to think about aspects of unconscious relating, and of feminine identity. The two girls in the stories 'blur' into one another, in a way that is at times a source of creative strength, and at times a quasi-psychotic state. The idea of 'merger' as characterizing female relationships is considered through the narrative. Friendship stands outside conventional psychoanalytic models of family relating, but Ferrante explores their internal workings, particularly in the developing child and adolescent, and unfolds the importance of their place in growing up, asserting a unique psychic place for the female-to-female bond in identity formation. Psychoanalytic ideas of separation and individuation are brought to bear, alongside Juliet Mitchell's work on sibling relationships, and Rozsika Parker's work on the internal 'other' necessary for creativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute tryptophan depletion is used to induce low levels of serotonin in the brain. This method has been widely used in psychiatric studies to evaluate the effect of low levels of serotonin, and is generally considered a safe and reversible procedure. Here we use the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to study the effects of tryptophan depletion on growth rate upon exposure to DNA-damaging agents. Surprisingly, we found that budding yeast undergoing tryptophan depletion were more sensitive to DNA-damaging agents such as methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) and hydroxyurea (HU). We found that this defect was independent of several DNA repair pathways, such as homologous recombination, base excision repair and translesion synthesis, and that this damage sensitivity was not due to impaired S-phase signalling. Upon further analysis, we found that the DNA-damage sensitivity of tryptophan depletion was likely due to impaired protein synthesis. These studies describe an important source of variance in budding yeast when using tryptophan as an auxotrophic marker, particularly on studies focusing on DNA repair, and suggest that further testing of the effect of tryptophan depletion on DNA repair in mammalian cells is warranted. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant international development agenda in the practice of nurses supporting families with young children focuses on establishing partnerships between professionals and service users. Qualitative data were generated through interviews and focus groups with 22 nurses from three child and family health service organisations, two in Australia and one in New Zealand. The aim was to explore what is needed in order to sustain partnership in practice, and to investigate how the concept of practice architectures can help understand attempts to enhance partnerships between nurses and families. Implementation of the Family Partnership Model (FPM) is taken as a specific point of reference. Analysis highlights a number of tensions between the goals of FPM and practice architectures relating to opportunities for ongoing learning; the role of individual nurses in shaping the practice; relationships with peers and managers; organisational features; and extra-organisational factors. The concept of practice architectures shows how changing practice requires more than developing individual knowledge and skills, and avoids treating individuals and context separately. The value of this framework for understanding change with reference to context rather than just individual's knowledge and skills is demonstrated, particularly with respect to approaches to practice development focused on providing additional training to nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims There is a paucity of data on the pattern of intravenous immunoglobulin ( IVIG) usage in the paediatric population. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, trends, indications and burden of cost of IVIG usage in the Singaporean paediatric population. Methods Pharmacy data of all IVIG prescriptions between 2000 and 2009 in the two major paediatric public hospitals in Singapore were retrospectively reviewed. Each prescription was cross-referenced with the patient's hospital records to confirm the administration of IVIG and indication of use. Results Over the 10-year period, a total 78 155 g of IVIG valued at an estimated $5.2 million was prescribed. There was an increasing trend of 445.6 g/year ( P = 0.02) over this period. Analysis of patients showed that the most common indication for IVIG use was Kawasaki disease, both in terms of the proportion of patients (60%) and amount of IVIG used (34%). Kawasaki disease was also the only indication where there were significant increasing trends in both patient numbers (7.4 patients/year) and amount of IVIG used (247.5 g/year). The indications with the highest amount of IVIG used per patient were for conditions related to primary immunodeficiency diseases and stem cell transplantation, where repeat transfusions were required. More than 75% of indications were Food and Drug Administration approved. Conclusion Albeit substantial and increasing, the use of IVIG in Singaporean children is mostly evidence based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing interest in the application of citizen participation within all areas of public sector service development, where it is increasingly promoted as a significant strand of post-neoliberal policy concerned with re-imagining citizenship and more participatory forms of citizen/consumer engagement. The application of such a perspective within health services, via co-production, has both beneficial, but also problematic implications for the organisation of such services, for professional practice and education. Given the disappointing results in increasing consumer involvement in health services via ‘choice’ and ‘voice’ participation strategies, the question of how the more challenging approach of co-production will fare needs to be addressed. The article discusses the possibilities and challenges of system-wide co-production for health. It identifies the discourse and practice contours of co-production, differentiating co-production from other health consumer-led approaches. Finally, it identifies issues critically related to the successful implementation of co-production where additional theorisation and research are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RESUMEN Este artículo examina el inicio y la aceleración de la migración internacional en áreas recientemente incorporadas por las redes migratorias a través del análisis de cómo Zapotitlán Salinas, Puebla, un pueblo rural en el centro-sur de México, fue rápidamente transformado a una comunidad de migrantes durante los últimos veinte años. A mediados de los ochenta, algunos individuos de Zapotitlán migraron a la ciudad de Nueva York para salir adelante y mejorar su calidad de vida en México. Para mediados de los noventa, el impacto local de la prolongada crisis económica en México, las políticas económicas neoliberales implementadas para contrarrestar la crisis, y otros factores locales y regionales prácticamente destruyeron la industria local del ónix, eliminando la mayoría del empleo local. Los niveles crecientes de consumo y las expectativas del consumo entre Zapotitecos junto con la ausencia de los empleos adecuados local y regionalmente afirmaron la toma de decisión de individuos para migrar, sobre todo en el contexto del empeoramiento de las condiciones económicas y sociales en México. La aceleración de la migración internacional en Zapotitlán Salinas fue acompañada por cambios en el significado y experiencia de la migración a través del tiempo. This paper examines the emergence and acceleration of international migration in new sending areas of Mexico by analyzing how Zapotitlán Salinas, Puebla, a rural town in south-central Mexico, was rapidly transformed into a migrant sending community over the last 20 years. In the mid-1980s, some individuals from Zapotitlán set out for New York City in order to salir adelante (do well for themselves) in the hopes of improving their standard of living in Mexico. By the mid-1990s the local impact of Mexico's deepening economic crisis, the neoliberal economic policies implemented to counteract the crisis, and other local and regional factors virtually destroyed the town's onyx industry, eliminating most local sources of employment. Increasing levels of consumption and consumption expectations among Zapotitecos along with the lack of suitable local and regional employment options reinforced individuals' decisions to migrate, particularly in the context of worsening economic and social conditions in Mexico. The acceleration of international migration in Zapotitlán Salinas was accompanied by changes in the meaning and experience of migration over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The onset of chronic illness is one of the most pervasive health problems facing North Americans today. Only recently have researchers and clinicians seriously examined chronic physical conditions in the context of close relationships. This article briefly reviews the literature on chronic illness in adult couples. Initially, the focus is on the reciprocal link between close relationships and chronic physical conditions. A number of clinical approaches for working with chronic illness in couples are outlined, a particular case is made for the utility of emotionally focused therapy, and a case study is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Oestrogens in women have been shown to cause vasodilation which may reflect alterations in the activity of vascular angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and/or sensitivity to angiotensin II. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of ovarian hormones on vascular tone, vascular ACE activity and vasoconstriction to angiotensin II in males. Methods Eight volunteers were randomised in a crossover design to oestradiol, medroxy-progesterone, and placebo. Vasoconstriction to angiotensin I and angiotensin II was assessed by forearm plethysmography. Results Although baseline forearm flow was increased with oestradiol, suggesting generalized vasodilation, there were no changes in the vasoconstrictor responses to angiotensin I or angiotensin II. Medroxy-progesterone affected neither baseline flow nor vasoconstrictor responses. The results expressed as percentage reduction in flow (mean ± s.d.) were: angiotensin I 48 pmol ml-1: placebo -48 ± 14%; oestradiol -42 ± 16%; medroxyprogesterone -43 ± 8% and for angiotensin II 16 pmol ml-1: placebo -42 ± 10%; oestradiol -39 ± 11%; medroxyprogesterone -46 ± 13%. Conclusions Acute administration of oestradiol caused vasodilation in males, the effect was not due to alterations in vascular ACE activity or to altered sensitivity to angiotensin II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes development and implementation of the Nine Box System, a two-year modular training scheme to enable qualified speech and language therapists to become specialists in the field of acquired neurological disorders in adults. Problems encountered; Advantages and disadvantages of the scheme as a whole; Future developments; Potential of the scheme to meet the needs of managers in creating a pool of experienced specialists to recruit to senior posts.

Examines the nitric oxide role in maintenance of basal vascular tone in normal man through the examination inhibition effects. Use of echocardiography in measuring cardiac output; Increase of arterial blood pressure in infusion of L-NMMA; Consistency of the role of basal systemic and pulmonary vascular tone.

The relationship between apparent faking of cognitive impairment (as detected by such ‘malingering’ tests as 15-item. Memorization and Dot Counting) and faking of psychiatric symptoms has not been investigated formally. In addition, no empirical literature is available on the relationship between personality traits and faking of cognitive symptoms. Of 154 subjects who claimed ‘stress’ psychiatric injury, 12% appeared to be faking cognitive impairment; 4.5% failed the 15-item Memorization Test, and 10% failed the Dot Counting task. Faking of cognitive symptoms occurred in only 23% of subjects who were faking/exaggerating psychological symptoms on the MCMI. Malingering test failure was associated with significant elevations of attempts to fake/exaggerate on the MCMI, rather than a reflection of ‘true’ personality traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reflective transducer which combines a gallium arsenide infrared emitting diode and silicon phototransistor has been adapted for use as a photoelectric plethysmograph. This device is inexpensive, compact, and easily applied to the skin surface. The phototransistor responds in a linear fashion to the range of light intensities generally obtained from normal subjects, and the phototransistor output is relatively independent of both temperature and prior light exposure. The light source possesses a narrow spectral distribution in the infrared region. These characteristics suggest that the LED-transistor photoplethysmograph is superior to the miniature tungsten lamp-photoconductive cell combination generally employed in photoplethysmography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the preposition on the possibility that secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) genes are present in the gnathostome stem group and secondarily absent in chondrichthyans. It mentions that the preposition is founded on the observation that the structure and histological appearance of dermal bone in fossil placoderms and extant osteichthyans are the same. The dentine tissues possessed by chondrichthyans and reduced dermal bone is also cited.

Aims We wished to see if renin release in man was inhibited by nitric oxide blockade, suggesting a role for nitric oxide in renin release. Evidence from animal studies has shown variable effects on renin release depending on the model and stimulus used. Methods Ten normal male volunteers, received either l-NMMA as a front loaded infusion (4 mg kg[sup -1] bolus, with 4 mg kg[sup -1] infusion), or placebo, followed by an intravenous bolus of 5 mg frusemide to stimulate renin. To investigate whether any alteration in renin release was due to the pressor effect of the l-NMMA, the experiment was repeated using an equipressor dose of phenylephrine (0.5 μg kg[sup -1] min[sup -1] ). Results l-NMMA caused the expected increase in mean arterial pressure (96±2.6 vs 89±3.3 mmHg P<0.05 [mean±s.e.mean]), and a reduction in heart rate (59±3.6 vs 67±2.5 beats min[sup -1]P<0.05). l-NMMA completely blocked the renin rise following the bolus of frusemide (1.18±0.196 vs 1.96±0.333 ng ml[sup -1] h[sup -1]P<0.01). Phenylephrine 0.5 μg kg[sup -1] min[sup -1] produced very similar haemodynamic effects to l-NMMA, and also suppressed the renin response to frusemide (1.43±0.290 vs 2.67±0.342 ng ml[sup -1] h[sup -1]P<0.01). Conclusions In man, the renin inhibition seen with NO synthesis inhibition is similar to that seen with a standard pressor stimulus, hence inhibition of renin in man by l-NMMA, may be due to both direct effects on macula densa cells and indirect haemodynamic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]