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Individual differences in attentional control may explain null findings and inconsistent patterns of threat-related attentional bias (ABT) that are common in the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) literature. At Time 1 (T1), trauma-exposed community participants (N = 89) completed a clinical interview, self-report measures, and an eye-tracking task developed to assess ABT. Participants completed follow-up assessments online 6 (T2) and 12 (T3) months later. Those with higher PTSD symptoms and deficits in attentional control exhibited a pattern of undercontrol, characterized by attention maintenance on threat and increased arousal. In contrast, those with higher PTSD symptoms and relatively better attentional control exhibited a pattern of overcontrol, characterized by threat avoidance and reduced arousal. These effects were specific to threat stimuli. Among PTSD symptom clusters, symptoms of hyperarousal were of central importance to the observed effects. Results from the longitudinal analysis indicate that both of these patterns of ABT are maladaptive, resulting in symptom maintenance at T2 and T3. These results have implications for (a) reconciling tensions between disparate models of ABT (i.e., vigilance-avoidance vs. attention maintenance), (b) precision medicine based approaches to targeting PTSD-related ABT, and (c) understanding the transdiagnostic role that attentional control may play in influencing ABT expression.

OBJECTIVE: Research on biases in attention related to children’s aggression has yielded mixed results. Some research suggests that inattention to social cues and reliance on maladaptive social schemas underlie aggression. Other research suggests that maladaptive social schemas lead aggressive individuals to attend to non-hostile cues. The primary objective of this study was to test the proposition that aggression is related todelayed attention to cuesfollowed by selective attention to non-hostile cues after the provocation has occurred. A second objective was to test whether these biases are associated with aggression only when children hold negative social schemas. METHOD: The eye fixations of seventy children (34 boys; 36 girls; M(age) =11.71 years) were monitored with an eye tracker as they watched video clips of child actors portraying scenes of ambiguous provocation. Aggression was measured using peer-, teacher-, and parent-reports, and children completed a measure of antisocial and prosocial peer beliefs. RESULTS: Aggressive behavior was associated withgreater time until fixation on the provocateur among youth who held antisocial peer beliefs. Aggression was also associated with greater time until fixation onan actor displaying empathy for the victim among children reporting low levels of prosocial peer beliefs. After the provocation, aggression was associated with suppressed attention to an amused peer among children who held negative peer beliefs. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing attention to cues in a scene of ambiguous provocation, in conjunction with fostering more positive beliefs about peers, may be effective in reducing hostile responding among aggressive youth.

As approximately one-third of peer-victimized children evidence heightened aggression (Schwartz, Proctor, & Chien, 2001), it is imperative to identify the circumstances under which victimization and aggression co-develop. The current study explored two potential moderators of victimization–aggression linkages: (a) attentional bias toward cues signaling threat and (b) attentional bais toward cues communicating interpersonal support. Seventy-two fifth- and sixth-grade children (34 boys; Mage = 11.67) were eye tracked while watching video clips of bullying. Each scene included a bully, a victim, a reinforcer, and a defender. Children's victimization was measured using peer, parent, and teacher reports. Aggression was measured using peer reports of overt and relational aggression and teacher reports of aggression. Victimization was associated with greater aggression at high levels of attention to the bully. Victimization was also associated with greater aggression at low attention to the defender for boys, but at high attention to the defender for girls. Attention to the victim was negatively correlated with aggression regardless of victimization history. Thus, attentional biases to social cues integral to the bullying context differentiate whether victimization is linked to aggression, necessitating future research on the development of these biases and concurrent trajectories of sociobehavioral development.

The current study aimed to investigate the effects of scene context on rapid object recognition using both behavioral and electrophysiological measures. Participants performed an animal/non-animal go/no-go categorization task in which they had to decide whether or not a flashed scene contained an animal. Moreover, the influence of scene context was manipulated either by retaining, deleting, or phase-randomizing the original scene background. The results of Experiments 1 and 2 showed that participants responded more accurately and quickly to objects appearing with their original scene backgrounds. Moreover, the event-related potential (ERP) data obtained from Experiment 2 showed that the onset latency of the frontal go/no-go ERP difference was delayed for objects appearing with phase-randomized scene backgrounds compared to objects appearing with their original scene backgrounds, providing direct evidence that scene context facilitates object recognition. Additionally, an increased frontal negativity along with a decreased late positive potential for processing objects presented in meaningless scene backgrounds suggest that the categorization task becomes more demanding when scene context is eliminated. Together, the results of the current study are consistent with previous research showing that scene context modulates object processing.

Currently used immunosuppressants exacerbate cardiovascular risk. However, attempts to limit the use of these agents increase the risk of allograft rejection. Immunosuppressants targeting signal 2 and signal 3 lymphocyte activation pathways are under clinical development. Clinical data from trials of the Janus family protein tyrosine kinase-3 inhibitor tasocitinib and the costimulation blocker belatacept are presented. Additional pipeline agents are described. Results from two phase III clinical trials of belatacept revealed efficacy that is not inferior to that provided by cyclosporine (CsA). In the Belatacept Evaluation of Nephroprotection and Efficacy as First-line Immunosuppression Trial enrolling recipients of standard criteria living or deceased donor organs, the risk of rejection was higher among patients treated with a more intensive treatment regimen. Increased risk of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder, particularly among Epstein-Barr virus-patients, was a notable adverse event. Data from a phase II trial of tasocitinib suggested good prophylaxis of rejection. Safety signals included increased risk of infection and potential myelosuppression, leading to anemia, neutropenia, and leukopenia. Both belatacept and tasocitinib were associated with a low cardiovascular risk profile and improved renal function compared with CsA. New immunosuppressive regimens should maintain the effectiveness provided by current agents while preserving renal function and cardiovascular health. Surveillance for new adverse events must be an integral part of the long-term management strategy.

In three experiments, we investigated transsaccadic object file representations. In each experiment, participants moved their eyes from a central fixation cross to a saccade target located between two peripheral objects. During the saccade, this preview display was replaced with a target display containing a single object to be named. On trials in which the target identity matched one of the preview objects, its color either matched or did not match the previewed object color. The results indicated that color changes disrupt perceptual continuity, but only for the class of objects for which color is diagnostic of object identity. When the color is not integral to identifying an object (for example, when the object is a letter or an object without a characteristic color), object continuity is preserved regardless of changes to the object's color. These results suggest that object features that are important for defining the object are incorporated into its episodic representation. Furthermore, the results are consistent with previous work showing that the quality of a feature's representation determines its importance in preserving continuity.

The present study examined influences of semantic characteristics of objects in real-world scenes on allocation of attention as reflected in eye movement measures. Stimuli consisted of full-color photographic scenes, and within each scene, the semantic salience of two target objects was manipulated while the objects’ perceptual salience was kept constant. One of the target objects was either inconsistent or consistent with the scene category. In addition, the second target object was either smoking-related or neutral. Two groups of college students, namely current cigarette smokers (N = 18) and non-smokers (N = 19), viewed each scene for ten seconds while their eye movements were recorded. While both groups showed preferential allocation of attention to inconsistent objects, smokers also selectively attended to smoking-related objects. Theoretical implications of the results are discussed.

El género Cephalocyclus Dellacasa M., Gordon & Dellacasa G. es revisado por primera vez. Se describen diez nuevas especies: Cephalocyclus bordati, C. carmenae, C. cartagoensis, C. costaricensis, C. halffteri, C. howdenorum, C. lagoi, C. ordonezi, C. potosinus, and C. rockefelleri. Aphodius luteolus Horn, 1887 es transferido al género Cephalocyclus; Aphodius pugil Balthasar, 1946 resulta ser una sinonimia menor de Cephalocyclus durangoensis (Bates, 1887) y Aphodius transversus Robinson, 1940 resultó una sinonimia menor de Cephalocyclus hogei (Bates,1887). Se presenta una clave para las 21 especies conocidas de Cephalocyclus así como las descripciones e ilustraciones de todos los taxones.

Previous research has shown that trait anger is associated with biases in attention and interpretation, but the temporal relation between these two types of biases remains unresolved. Indeed, two very different models can be derived from the literature. One model proposes that interpretation biases emerge from earlier biases in attention, whereas the other model proposes that hostile interpretations occur quickly, even prior to the allocation of attention to specific cues. Within the context of integrated visual scenes of ambiguously intended harm, the two models make opposite predictions that can be examined using an eye-tracking methodology. The present study (N = 45) therefore tracked participants’ allocation of attention to hostile and non-hostile cues in ambiguous visual scenes, and found support for the idea that high anger individuals make early hostile interpretations prior to encoding hostile and non-hostiles cues. The data are important in understanding associations between trait anger and cognitive biases.

Aims: Pharmacokinetic studies of the immunosuppressive compound mycophenolic acid (MPA) have shown a structural decrease in clearance (CL) over time after renal transplantation. The aim of this study was to characterize the time-dependent CL of MPA by means of a population pharmacokinetic meta-analysis, and to test whether it can be described by covariate effects. Methods: One thousand eight hundred and ninety-four MPA concentration-time profiles from 468 renal transplant patients (range 1-9 profiles per patient) were analyzed retrospectively by nonlinear mixed effect modelling. Sampling occasions ranged from day 1-10 years after transplantation. Results: The pharmacokinetics of MPA were described by a two-compartment model with time-lagged first order absorption, and a first-order term for time-dependent CL. The model predicted the mean CL to decrease from 35 l h-1(CV = 44%) in the first week after transplantation to 17 l h-1(CV = 38%) after 6 months. In a covariate model without a term for time-dependent CL, changes during the first 6 months after transplantation in creatinine clearance from 19 to 71 ml min-1, in albumin concentration from 35 to 40 g l-1, in haemoglobin from 9.7 to 12 g dl-1and in cyclosporin predose concentration from 225 to 100 ng ml-1corresponded with a decrease of CL from 32 to 19 l h-1. Creatinine clearance, albumin concentration, haemoglobin and cyclosporin predose concentration explained, respectively, 19%, 12%, 4% and 3% of the within-patient variability in MPA CL. Conclusions: By monitoring creatinine clearance, albumin concentration, haemoglobin and cyclosporin predose concentration, changes in MPA exposure over time can be predicted. Such information can be used to optimize therapy with mycophenolate mofetil.

The allocation of organs and the optimal form of postoperative management are two of the most important issues in renal transplantation. On 1 January 1986, a system for equitable deployment of cadaveric organs was put into place at the University of Pittsburgh Transplantation Center [1]. The system provided merit points for time waiting, quality of antigen match, degree of presensitization as reflected by a preformed antibody analysis (PRA), medical urgency, and logistical factors which would add to the risk by increasing preservation time. The point system was a step toward avoiding ad hoc decisions about who would receive a given kidney and a movement toward computerization in selection. Ultimately, the foregoing point system was adopted essentially without change for national use by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), a private and previously voluntary organization which had been given by law the responsibility for developing a distribution scheme. However, the influence of such a system which systemically assures equitable access for all patients, including those at high medical and immunologic risk, has never been assessed. It is our intention to analyze here our experience with the point system, with particular reference to the effect of immunosuppressive regimens.

Large between- and within-patient variability has been observed in the pharmacokinetics of mycophenolic acid (MPA). However, conflicting results exist about the influence of patient characteristics that explain the variability in MPA exposure. This population pharmacokinetic meta-analysis of MPA in renal transplant recipients was performed to explore whether race, renal function, albumin level, delayed graft function, diabetes, and co-medication are determinants of total MPA exposure. A total of 13,346 MPA concentration-time data points from 468 renal transplant patients who participated in six clinical studies were combined and analyzed retrospectively. Sampling occasions ranged from day 1 after transplantation to 10 yr after transplantation. Concentration-time data were analyzed with nonlinear mixed-effect modeling. Exposure to total MPA, as determined by MPA clearance, significantly increased with increasing renal function, albumin level, and hemoglobin as well as decreasing cyclosporine predose level (P

The variable impact of specific risk factors on survival outcomes based on pre-transplantation diagnosis was analyzed in adult liver transplant recipients reported to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients: 778 with hepatitis B (HBV), 3463 with hepatitis C (HCV) and 7429 without viral hepatitis. Graft and patient survival for the HBV and no viral hepatitis groups did not differ significantly. The HCV group had significantly lower graft (p = 0.0019) and patient survival (p0.0001) than the no viral hepatitis group. Patient survival was significantly lower (p = 0.0011) for HCV compared to HBV patients; differences in graft survival approached significance (p = 0.0561). Donor age, which was not a risk factor in patients with HBV, was the strongest predictor of graft loss and death in patients with HCV, starting with donors40 years. Donor age60 years was the strongest predictor of graft loss and death in patients without viral hepatitis. The risks of graft loss and death were reduced for patients on tacrolimus-based immunosuppression with mycophenolate mofetil, regardless of disease etiology. There are clear differences in risk factors for poor outcomes based on underlying liver disease, particularly with regard to the impact of donor age.

To evaluate the association between a regimen of cyclosporine microemulsion (CsA) + sirolimus (Rapa) treatment versus CsA and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and renal allograft survival, we analyzed 23 016 primary recipients reported to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients between January 1, 1998 and July 26, 2003. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models correcting for demographic and clinical covariates were used to estimate the relative risks for CsA+Rapa versus CsA+MMF-treated patients reaching study endpoints. Subgroup analyses were conducted for recipient ethnicity and donor type. CsA+Rapa was associated with significantly lower graft survival (74.6% vs. 79.3% at 4 years, p = 0.002) and death-censored graft survival (83.7% vs. 87.2%, p = 0.003) compared to CsA+MMF. In multivariate analyses, CsA+Rapa was associated with a significantly increased risk for graft loss, death-censored graft loss and decline in renal function (HR = 1.22, p = 0.002; HR = 1.22, p = 0.018 and HR = 1.25, p < 0.001, respectively). Similar results were obtained in recipient ethnicity and donor type subgroups. In summary, CsA+Rapa was associated with significantly worse graft survival and death-censored graft survival compared to CsA+MMF, and likely reflects full-dose CsA +Rapa. Outcomes regarding alternative strategies of Rapa utilization with reduced CsA, with alternative agents or with no calcineurin inhibitor cannot be extrapolated from these data.

The genus Thalassa Mulsant, 1850 is revised. Its five species are redescribed: T. pentaspilota (Chevrolat, 1853), T. flaviceps Mulsant, 1850, T. similaris Mulsant, 1850, T. montezumae Mulsant, 1850, and T. glauca (Mulsant, 1850). A new species is proposed, Thalassa korschefskyi sp.nov., from Colombia. The species are illustrated and a key to species is also provided. Lectotype of Thalassa reyi Mulsant, 1850 is here designated.Coccinellidae (Coleoptera) da América do Sul. Parte X: Revisão sistemática de Thalassa Mulsant (Hyperaspidinae). O gênero Thalassa Mulsant, 1850 é revisado. Suas cinco espécies são redescritas: T. pentaspilota (Chevrolat, 1853), T. flaviceps Mulsant, 1850, T. similaris Mulsant, 1850, T. montezumae Mulsant, 1850 e T. glauca (Mulsant, 1850). Uma nova espécie é proposta, Thalassa korschefskyi sp. nov., da Colômbia. São fornecidas ilustrações e chave para as espécies. O lectótipo de Thalassa reyi Mulsant, 1850 é aqui designado.

To evaluate the association of long-term continuous (minimum 1 year) mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) vs. azathioprine (AZA) therapy with the incidence of late acute rejection, we analyzed 47 693 primary renal allograft recipients reported to the United States Renal Data System between 1988 and 1998. The primary study endpoint was acute rejection beyond 1 year after transplantation. Univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the risk of reaching the study endpoints. All multivariate analyses were corrected for potential confounding covariates. Mycophenolate mofetil was associated with a 65% decreased risk of developing late acute rejection as compared to AZA (RR = 0.35, CI 0.27-0.45, p < 0.001). The incidence of acute rejection episodes at 2 and 3 years post-transplantation was significantly lower in the MMF group (0.9% at 2 years, 1.1% at 3 years) than the AZA group (6.1% at 2 years, 9.3% at 3 years). In the primary vs. repeat late rejection analysis, MMF patients exhibited a decreased late acute rejection risk of 72% (RR = 0.28, p < 0.001) and 60%, respectively (RR = 0.40, p < 0.001). In African Americans, the late acute rejection risk was 70% lower in MMF patients than AZA patients (RR = 0.30, p < 0.001). Further study is indicated to determine the optimal duration of MMF therapy after renal allograft transplantation.

Species of Aphodius described or recorded by Bates (1887, 1889) in the Biologia Centrali-Americana are discussed, resulting in some new combinations or new status as follows: Aphodius dugesi Bates, 1887 = Diapterna dugesi (Bates, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius sallei Harold, 1863 = Agrilinus sallei (Harold, 1863) n. comb.; Aphodius lansbergei Harold, 1874 = Agrilinus lansbergei (Harold, 1874) n. comb.; Aphodius indutilis Harold, 1874 = Agrilinus indutilis (Harold, 1874) n. comb.; Aphodius azteca Harold, 1863 = Agrilinus (s. l.) azteca (Harold, 1863) n. comb.; Aphodius oleosus Harold, 1871 = Pharaphodius (s. l.) oleosus (Harold, 1871) n. comb.; Aphodius innexus Say, 1835 = Liothorax innexus (Say, 1835) n. comb.; Aphodius cruentatus LeConte, 1878 = Agoliinus (s. l.) cruentatus (LeConte, 1878) n. comb.; Aphodius glyptus Bates, 1887 = Trichonotuloides glyptus (Bates, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius latecrenatus Bates, 1887 = Trichonotuloides latecrenatus (Bates, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius euprosopus Bates, 1887 = Agrilinus (s. l.) azteca ab. euprosopus (Bates, 1887) n. stat. and n. comb.; Aphodius constricticollis Bates, 1889 = Imelda constricticollis (Bates, 1889) n. comb.; Aphodius opisthius Bates, 1887 (new name for Aphodius duplex Bates, 1887) = Gonaphodiellus opisthius (Bates, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius panamensis Harold, 1859 = Aidophus panamensis (Harold, 1859) n. comb. [Didactyliini]; Aphodius guatemalensis Bates, 1887 = Blackburneus (s. l.) guatemalensis (Bates, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius guatemalensis var. scotinus Bates, 1887 = Blackburneus (s. l.) guatemalensis ab. scotinus (Bates, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius guatemalensis var. chiriquinus Bates, 1887 = Blackburneus (s. l.) guatemalensis ab. chiriquinus (Bates, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius charmionus Bates, 1887 = Blackburneus (s. l.) charmionus (Bates, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius diminutus Bates, 1887 = Blackburneus (s. l.) diminutus (Bates, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius erythrinus Bates, 1887 = Blackburneus (s. l.) erythrinus (Bates, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius xanthus Bates, 1887 = Blackburneus (s. l.) xanthus (Bates, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius larreae Horn, 1887 (senior synonym of Aphodius bifrons Bates, 1887) = Drepanocanthoides larreae (Horn, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius hogei Bates, 1887 = Cephalocyclus hogei (Bates, 1887) n. comb.; Aphodius hogei var. durangoensis Bates, 1887 = Cephalocyclus durangoensis (Bates, 1887) n. stat. and n. comb. Moreover, the new combination for Aphodius pseudolividus Balthasar, 1941 is Labarrus pseudolividus (Balthasar, 1941). The new genus Imelda is described with Aphodius constricticollis as the type species. Aphodius (Trichonotuloides) fossulatipennis Balthasar, 1945 is considered a junior synonym of Trichonotuloides latecrenatus (Bates, 1887); and Aphodius omiltemius Bates, 1889 is placed as a junior synonym of Cephalocyclus mexicanus (Harold, 1862). Lectotypes and paralectotypes are designated where necessary.

Recent research has found visual object memory can be stored as part of a larger scene representation rather than independently of scene context. The present study examined how spatial and nonspatial contextual information modulate visual object memory. Two experiments tested participants’ visual memory by using a change detection task in which a target object’s orientation was either the same as it appeared during initial viewing or changed. In addition, we examined the effect of spatial and nonspatial contextual manipulations on change detection performance. The results revealed that visual object representations can be maintained reliably after viewing arrays of objects. Moreover, change detection performance was significantly higher when either spatial or nonspatial contextual information remained the same in the test image. We concluded that while processing complex visual stimuli such as object arrays, visual object memory can be stored as part of a comprehensive scene representation, and both spatial and nonspatial contextual changes modulate visual memory retrieval and comparison.

While previous studies suggest that identity, but not color, plays a role in episodic object representation, such studies have typically used tasks in which only identity is relevant, raising the possibility that the results reflect task demands, rather than the general principles that underlie object representation. In the present study, participants viewed a preview display containing one (Experiments 1 and 2) or two (Experiment 3) letters, then viewed a target display containing a single letter, in either the same or a different location. Participants executed an immediate saccade to fixate the target; saccade latency served as the dependent variable. In all experiments, saccade latencies were longer to fixate a target appearing in its previewed location, consistent with a bias to attend to new objects rather than to objects for which episodic representations are being maintained in visual working memory. The results of Experiment 3 further demonstrate, however, that changing target color eliminates these latency differences. The results suggest that color and identity are part of episodic representation even when not task relevant and that examining biases in saccade execution may be a useful approach to studying episodic representation.

The genus Leiopsammodius Rakovic is reviewed for America north of Mexico. Three new species are described and a key is provided to the four currently known species; Leiopsammodius acei, new species from coastal North and South Carolina, L. ocmulgeei, new species from Georgia, and L. deyrupi, new species and L. malkini (Cartwright) both from Florida. Publication funded in part by the Patricia Vaurie bequest.

The lectotype of Aphodius (Platyderides) pullatus A. Schmidt, 1913 is designated, the new combination is established and the redescription, supported by iconographical coverage, is supplied. A peculiar character of male Cephalocyclus mexicanus (Haroid, 1863), is recorded. The new synonymy of Aphodius (Agrilinus) freyi Balthasar, 1941 versus Aphodius sallei Haroid, 1863 is ascertained on the basis of study of the types.

In the present work, the tweive Mexican species of Aphodiini described by Haroid (azteca, flavocinctus, fuliginosus, gravidus, indutilis, lansbergei, luridiventris, mexicanas, oleosus, puncticeps, sallei and villosipes) are redescribed and illustrated with modern criteria based on the study of type material, leclotypes are aiso designated, The new genus Cephalocyclus is proposed for fuliginosus (type species), gravidus, luridiventris, mexicanus, puncticeps and villosipes. The taxonomia position of the remaining species-group taxa is aiso discussed in remarks.

Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a newly described RNA virus that is parenterally transmitted and has been found frequently in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. To determine the impact of hepatitis G virus co-infection on morbidity and mortality following liver transplantation, we measured HGV RNA by polymerase chain reaction in pre and posttransplantation sera from a cohort of patients transplanted for chronic hepatitis C and a control group of patients transplanted for nonviral causes who were negative for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in serum. The overall prevalence rate of HGV RNA in transplanted patients with chronic hepatitis C was 20.7%. HGV infection was present before transplantation in 13% while it appeared to have been acquired at the time of transplantation in 7.4%. Mean serum alanine aminotransferase activity, hepatic histological activity, and patient and graft survival were similar between HGV-positive and HGV-negative patients. The prevalence rate of HGV RNA in transplanted controls was 64% (P < .01) with a significantly higher rate of acquisition of HGV infection following transplantation (53%, P < .001) when compared with patients with chronic hepatitis C. Mean serum alanine aminotransferase activity was significantly lower in the control patients with HGV infection alone following transplantation than in patients co-infected with hepatitis C (37 ± 9 vs. 70 ± 33 U/L, P < .01). Thus, HGV is frequently found in transplantation patients co-infected with hepatitis C although it appears to have minimal clinical impact. In patients transplanted for nonviral causes of end-stage liver disease, a high rate of hepatitis G acquisition at the time of transplantation may occur but does not appear to predispose to chronic hepatitis.

Six experiments were conducted to investigate the nature of the contents of object files, temporary representations that store information about objects. Experiment 1 used a lexical priming paradigm with a lexical decision task, in which the prime and target could appear in either the same or different locations. The results indicated a greater priming effect when the prime and target appeared in the same location than when they appeared in different locations (object- or location-specific priming). Experiment 2 replicated these findings for objects that changed position during the display. Experiment 3 demonstrated that these findings reflected the inclusion of abstract identity information, rather than physical form, in object files. Three additional experiments tested for the presence of three types of semantic information (related concepts, semantic features, and category membership) in object files. No object-specific priming effects were found. Taken together, these experiments suggest that an object file includes identity information, but not semantic information. Implications of the results for object file theory are discussed.

A class of metaphors links the experience of anger to perceptions of redness. Whether such metaphors have significant implications for understanding perception is not known. In Experiment 1, anger (versus sadness) concepts were primed and it was found that priming anger concepts led individuals to be more likely to perceive the color red. In Experiment 2, anger states were directly manipulated, and it was found that evoking anger led individuals to be more likely to perceive red. Both experiments showed that the observed effects were independent of the actual color presented. These findings extend the New Look, perceptual, metaphoric, and social cognitive literatures. Most important, the results suggest that emotion representation processes of a metaphoric type can be extended to the perceptual realm.

We have reviewed the long term results of the first 500 liver transplant recipients performed by our group during the cyclosporine era. Three hundred and forty-nine recipients lived (69.8%) more than 1 year and the projected 5 year actuarial survival for this sub-group of patients is 88%. The two most common causes of graft dysfunction after the first year were recurrence of the original disease, usually malignancy, and chronic rejection. Most episodes of rejection can be controlled with medical treatment; however, 16 patients of 34 patients who experienced rejection episodes after the first year required retransplantation. Eleven of these 16 are currently alive and free of jaundice. Another common cause of late graft dysfunction is biliary strictures. The recognized side effects of cyclosporine such as nephrotoxicity and lymphoproliferative disease have been lesser problems as a result of the judicious use of the drug. The quality of life of long term survivors is excellent.

The 353 nm vapour absorption of 4H-pyran-4-one, and its 3,5-d2 derivative, has been measured and assigned to a forbidden, 1A2 (nπ*)–1A1 electronic transition, with electronic origin near 28 360 cm−1, made allowed by vibrations involving out-of-plane ring and C—H motions. Although the molecule remains planar upon excitation, other effects of conjugation on the nature of the excited state are less marked than in 2-cyclopenten-1-one.

In five experiments, we examined the influence of contextual objects’ location and visual features on visual memory. Participants’ visual memory was tested with a change detection task in which they had to judge whether the orientation (Experiments 1A, 1B, and 2) or color (Experiments 3A and 3B) of a target object was the same. Furthermore, contextual objects’ locations and visual features were manipulated in the test image. The results showed that change detection performance was better when contextual objects’ locations remained the same from study to test, demonstrating that the original spatial configuration is important for subsequent visual memory retrieval. The results further showed that changes to contextual objects’ orientation, but not color, reduced orientation change detection performance; and changes to contextual objects’ color, but not orientation, impaired color change detection performance. Therefore, contextual objects’ visual features are capable of affecting visual memory. However, selective attention plays an influential role in modulating such effects.

Modern immunosuppression has expanded access to kidney transplantation by limiting the risk of rejection. However, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the principal cause of death with a functioning graft, threatening the long-term survival of transplant recipients. The article reviews the leading risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity both before and after kidney transplantation. Evidence linking poor renal function to CVD is discussed. The function of immunosuppression in exacerbating the risk of both nephrotoxicity and CVD is explored through means of a clinical case study. Underlying kidney disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes are recognized risk factors for CVD both before and after kidney transplantation. Worsening kidney function and posttransplant immunosuppression exacerbate the risk. Although underlying medical conditions and demographic factors are not easily modifiable, immunosuppression has been recognized as a suitable target. Multiple risk factors converge to increase the risk of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality after kidney transplantation. Clinicians are charged with isolating and treating modifiable risk factors to reduce the risk to long-term survival.

The rotational contour of the 281-nm origin band of the S 1 ← S 0 transition of 1,4-benzodioxan has been photographed and analyzed. It is shown to be type A , which establishes the transition as A ← A (in C 2 ), as expected for an o -disubstituted benzene with identical substituents. The changes in rotational constants from S 0 to S 1 have been found to be Δ A = −0.0033 cm −1 , Δ B = −0.0001 cm −1 , and Δ C = −0.00036 cm −1 . The change in the inertial defect is small, ruling out a major change upon excitation of the conformation of the partly saturated ring, assumed to be twisted in S 0 .

Raman and infrared spectra of 2-aminobenzotrifluoride, in the liquid phase, and single vibronic level fluorescence (SVLF) spectra, in a supersonic jet, have been recorded and assigned to give an almost complete set of fundamental vibration wavenumbers in S 0 . In the SVLF spectrum, the assignment of the I 0 2 band, where ν I is the NH 2 -inversion vibration, is not so straightforward as for 3- and 4-aminobenzotrifluoride, and the most likely assignment is discussed. The fluorescence excitation spectrum gives some lower vibrational wavenumbers in the S 1 electronic state and shows a long progression in the CF 3 torsional mode.

Single vibronic level fluorescence (SVLF) spectra, in a supersonic jet, and infrared and Raman spectra of 4-aminobenzotrifluoride have been recorded and assigned to give, apart from some a 2 vibrations, a complete set of fundamental vibration wavenumbers in the S 0 electronic state. A supersonic jet fluorescence excitation spectrum has given some of the lower vibration wavenumbers in the S 1 electronic state. Observation of the I 2 0 , NH 2 -inversion band in the SVLF spectrum agrees with the interpretation of the far infrared spectrum. Several CF 3 torsional levels in S 0 are populated, even in the supersonic jet, and one result of this is to allow the observation of vibrations which are of b 1 symmetry in the C 2 v point group and which would be forbidden in the rigid molecule.

At this transplant center 1340 patients were entered on the liver transplant waiting list during the first 25 months (October 1987 to November 1989) after the initiation of the UNOS allocation system for liver grafts. Of these 972 (72.5%) of the patients received a graft, 120 (9.0%) died waiting for a graft, 109 (8.1%) remained on the active list as of the study endpoint of December 15, 1989, 123 (9.2%) were withdrawn from candidacy, and 16 (1.2%) received a transplant at another center. A total of 1201 patients were candidates for a first graft. Of the 812 primary candidates who received a graft, 64.8% received their graft within one month of entry on the waiting list. Of the 109 primary candidates who died before a graft could be found, 79.0% died within a month of entry onto the waiting list. At time of transplantation, 135 (16.6%) primary recipients of a graft were UNOS class 1, 326 (40.1%) were UNOS class 2, 190 (23.4%) were UNOS class 3, and 161 (19.8%) were UNOS class 4. Actuarial survival rates (percentage) at 6 months for recipients in UNOS class 1, class 2, class 3, and class 4 were 88.7±2.9, 82.6+2.1, 78.4±3.2, and 68.4±3.9, respectively (P

Transsaccadic object file representations were investigated in three experiments. Subjects moved their eyes from a central fixation cross to a location between two peripheral objects. During the saccade, this preview display was replaced with a target display containing a single object to be named. On trials on which the target identity matched one of the preview objects, its orientation either matched or did not match the previewed orientation. The results of Experiments 1 and 2 revealed that orientation changes disrupt perceptual continuity for objects located near fixation, but not for objects located further from fixation. The results of Experiment 3 confirmed that orientation changes do not disrupt continuity for distant objects, while showing that subjects nevertheless maintain an object-specific representation of the orientation of such objects. Together, the results suggest that object files represent orientation but that whether or not orientation plays a role in the processes that determine continuity depends on the quality of the perceptual representation.

The dung beetle fauna of the subfamily Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) occurring in the Laikipia District of Kenya was surveyed. A total of 79 species were found which are diagnosed, keyed, and known dung preferences discussed. Seven species are new records for Kenya, namely Allogymnopleurus indigaceous, Copris denticulatus, Euoniticellus parvus, Gymnopleurus reichei, Oniticellus egregius, Oniticellus pseudoplanatus and Sisyphus tibialis.

The sodium/calcium exchanger was purified from bovine retinal rod outer segment membranes and used for the immunization of New Zealand White rabbits. A polyclonal antibody was produced which was found to bind specifically to the 230 kDa Na+/Ca2(+)-exchanger protein as assessed by Western blotting. The antibody did not bind to the high-molecular- weight “rim protein,” thereby demonstrating that this protein is distinct from the rod outer segment of Na+/Ca2(+)-exchanger. We used the polyclonal antibody for immunohistochemically localizing the exchange protein in bovine retina. Fluorescent light microscopy revealed intensive immunolabeling of the photoreceptor outer segments, whereas other retinal cell layers exhibited minimal binding. Using the electron microscopic immunogold method, we found specific antibody binding to the extracellular side of rod outer segment plasma membrane. Rod disk membranes, rod inner segments, and cone photoreceptors displayed no significant labeling. We therefore conclude that the Na+/Ca2(+)-exchanger is localized primarily in the rod outer segment plasma membrane, the most appropriate localization considering its proposed role in the process of vertebrate phototransduction.

The mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) trial involved 650 heart transplant patients from 28 centers who received MMF or azathioprine (AZA), both in combination with cyclosporine and corticosteroids. Baseline and 1-year intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) were performed in 196 patients (102 MMF and 94 AZA) with no differences between groups in IVUS results analyzed by morphometric analysis (average of 10 evenly spaced sites, without matching sites between studies). Baseline to first-year IVUS data can also be analyzed by site-to-site analysis (matching sites between studies), which has been reported to be more clinically relevant. Therefore, we used site-to-site analysis to reanalyze the multicenter MMF IVUS data. Results: IVUS images were reviewed and interpretable in 190 patients (99 MMF and 91 AZA) from the multicenter randomized trial. The AZA group compared to the MMF group had a larger number of patients with first-year maximal intimal thickness (MIT) ≥0.3 mm (43% vs. 23%, p = 0.005), a greater decrease in the mean lumen area (p = 0.02) and a decrease in the mean vessel area (the area actually increased in the MMF group, p = 0.03). Conclusion: MMF-treated heart transplant patients compared to AZA-treated patients, both concurrently on cyclosporine and corticosteroids, in this study have significantly less progression of first-year intimal thickening.

Immunosuppression is often incriminated for the increased risk of post-transplant malignancies. To examine whether triple- (MMF+Tacro+CS) versus dual-drug therapy (Tacro+CS) is associated with an increased incidence of malignancy, or death due to malignancy, data from a large registry of liver transplant recipients were analyzed. Data from adult primary liver recipients reported to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients between June 1, 1995, and April 30, 2004, and recorded at transplant on triple-drug (n = 9180) or dual-drug (n = 10 099) therapy were included. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed no significant differences in death due to malignancy 4 years post-transplantation between the treatment groups. Multivariable analysis using Cox proportional hazard models confirmed no differences in risk of death due to malignancy between the groups (HR: 0.83, p = 0.107). Incidence of any post-transplant malignancy was also not significantly different. Older recipient age and cause of liver disease were significantly associated with an increased risk of malignancy-related death. These data utilizing relatively short follow-up suggest the addition of MMF to Tacro+CS at transplant is not associated with death due to malignancy, at least in the short term. Individual recipient factors appear to be important risk factors for malignancy-related death; elucidating these risk factors can assist in identifying who should be monitored most aggressively for post-transplant malignancies.

To evaluate the impact of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on long-term outcomes of tacrolimus and corticosteroids, we analyzed data reported to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients for 11,670 adult patients (3463 with hepatitis C [HCV]) who underwent primary, single-organ, liver transplantation between 1995 and 2001. Patients who were discharged from the hospital on tacrolimus-based immunosuppression with (n = 4466; n = 1323 HCV) or without MMF (n = 7204; n = 2140 HCV) were included in the analysis. Recipients treated at discharge with MMF, tacrolimus, and corticosteroids had significantly increased patient survival (81.0% vs. 77.0% at 4 years, P < 0.0001) and graft survival (76.4% vs. 72.9%, P < 0.0001), and lower rates of acute rejection (29.0% vs. 33.4%, P < 0.001) as compared to recipients treated at discharge with tacrolimus and corticosteroids alone. A trend toward lower rates of death from infection was observed (6.1% at 4 years for MMF vs. 7.1% at 4 years for tacrolimus and corticosteroids, P = 0.0508), but this result did not reach statistical significance. In multiple regression analyses, MMF triple therapy at discharge was associated with a reduced risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.77, P < 0.001), graft loss (HR = 0.81, P < 0.001), acute rejection (HR = 0.89, P = 0.002), and death from infectious complications (HR = 0.80, P = 0.007). Outcomes were similar for the cohort with HCV.In conclusion, the addition of MMF at discharge to tacrolimus-based immunosuppression is associated with improved long-term outcomes after liver transplantation in patients with and without HCV.

Background. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has been shown to decrease acute rejection episodes after kidney transplantation, and has been associated with better graft and patient survival vs azathioprine (AZA). Previous studies reported a higher risk of death due to infection in elderly recipients treated with MMFbased immunosuppression. Methods. We analysed 5069 elderly (>65 years of age) primary renal allograft recipients treated with either MMF or AZA reported to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients between 1988 and 2000, and compared rates of acute rejection, late acute rejection, graft survival, death-censored graft survival, patient survival and death with a functioning graft. Results. In Cox proportional hazard models, MMF was associated with lower rates of late acute rejection with 12 (RR ¼ 0.72, P ¼ 0.11) and 24 months (RR ¼ 0.50, P ¼ 0.028) of continuous therapy. In univariate analysis (Kaplan–Meier), MMF was associated with improved patient (P ¼ 0.0003) and graft (P

An N-terminal, iodinatable photoaffinity derivative of μ-Conotoxin GIIIA, 4-Azido-salicylyl-μ-Conotoxin GIIIA (CTXASA), was synthesized by solid phase peptide synthesis. The binding of 125I-CTXASA to the voltage dependent sodium channel from electroplax of Electrophorus electricus was specific, as demonstrated by saturation binding experiments. Using autoradiography, 125I-CTXASA labeled a protein with a molecular mass of 260 kDa, consistent with the apparent molecular mass of the sodium channel. This labeling could be suppressed by excess of tetrodotoxin and μ-Conotoxin GIIIA.

This paper reports two cases of neotropical echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus oligarthrus and E. vogeli, neither of which has been reported from Suriname. Case 1, a six-year-old boy, presented a 15 x 25 mm retro-ocular cystic tumor (observed by ultrasound, computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging) causing exophthalmia, chemosis, palpebral ptosis, and blindness of the left eye. Of two tentative diagnoses, Echinococcus cyst or dermoid tumor, the former was shown to be correct at surgery when a clear liquid and detached protoscoleces were aspirated. Rostellar hooks of the protoscolex were characteristic of E. oligarthrus. Case 2, a 41-year-old man, had polycystic masses excised from the liver and abdomen. A presurgery diagnosis of E. vogeli infection was made due to calcifications seen in the lesions, positive serology, residence of the patient in the tropical forest, and later by the size and shape of rostellar hooks. The presence of these two parasites in one of the former Guianas is not surprising; both species are endemic in tropical forest in Central and South America wherever people have not exterminated wild canids, especially the bush dog, (Speothos venaticus), and felids (wild cats of several species), along with pacas, agoutis, and other rodents that serve as intermediate host of these two cestodes. Eighty-six cases of polycystic echinococcosis are known in people from 11 countries from Nicaragua to Argentina: 32 due to E. vogeli, three to E. oligarthrus, and 51 for which determination of the species was not possible because the hooks of the protoscolex were not found or described. Research to elucidate aspects of transmission of E. vogeli and E. oligarthrus is of practical importance for defining measures for preventing the severe and frequently fatal illnesses caused by these two cestodes.

We have purified HLA-DR from the spleen of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The patient had Felty's syndrome and was heterozygous for the DR4Dw4 antigen. We have isolated endogenous peptides from purified HLA-DR molecules. The peptides were purified by reverse phase HPLC and the major peaks were subjected to N-terminal sequencing. The peptides were derived from a variety of proteins: human serum albumin, human erythroid protein 4.1, 60S ribosomal proteins L31 and L35, VCAM-1, human immunoglobulin lambda chain and cathepsin-S. A peptide corresponding to the sequence of human serum albumin (HSA) residues 106-120 was synthesized and shown to bind to HLA-DR4Dw4 (IC50 = 1.41 microM). We have confirmed and refined current ideas about the structural motif for the binding of peptides to HLA-DR and HLA-DR4Dw4.

The effects of liver transplantation and the obligate use of cyclosporine on the subsequent clinical course of nine patients with sarcoidosis were examined. Two comparison groups, each consisting o...