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The present research examined the effects of spatially directed attention on the temporal characteristics of information transmission in the visual system. A two-stimulus, two-flash, long-range motion display was used. The results showed that attending to 1 of the 2 stimuli altered the perceived direction of motion, the pattern of motion and no-motion responses, and ratings of motion quality. The results were compared with predictions derived from 2 conceptual frameworks of attention: a temporal-profile model and an additive account. The results supported the temporal-profile model.

J.A. Pena [1,2,3] K. McNeil [2] J.G. Fox [3] J. Versalovic [2,3] [9/12] Molecular Evidence of Helicobacter cinaedi-like Organisms in Human Gastric Biopsies Helicobacter pylori infection is commonly diagnosed by [...]

Abstract: One of the most dramatic indicators of climate change is the reduction in the extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice that has resulted in an increase in wind‐driven sea ice mobility. During April and May 2017, satellite observations indicated that the ice arch that forms between Nares Strait and the Lincoln Sea collapsed. Typically, this collapse occurs in July or August allowing multiyear ice to exit the Arctic through Nares Strait. Here we show that the period of the collapse was associated with the presence of a polynya in northern Nares Strait, thin ice in the Lincoln Sea, and an unusual wind regime characterized by strong northerly flow. We propose that these anomalous conditions resulted in the arch's early collapse. If the ice in the region continues to thin, early collapses may occur more frequently with implications for the regional as well as the downstream climate and ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atrial septostomy (AS) may improve symptoms and haemodynamics in patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).Methods: Twenty AS performed in 17 patients with severe progressive PAH (13 primary pulmonary hypertension, two collagen vascular disease, one thromboembolic disease, one vaso-occlusive disease) were analysed. Seven patients were in NYHA class III and 10 in NYHA IV. Fifteen patients were on long term prostanoid treatment. AS was performed under fluoroscopy using graded balloon technique.Results: AS improved clinical symptoms and increased the cardiac index from 1.8 to 2.2 l/min/m(2) and systemic oxygen transport from 263.2 to 329.6 ml/min/m(2) (p<0.001). Procedure related complications included one non-fatal atrial puncture and one unsuccessful septal puncture. Four patients died within 1 week of surgery from uncontrolled tachyarrhythmia (n=1), severe hypoxaemia (n=1), and multiorgan failure (n=2). One further patient died after voluntarily discontinuing renal dialysis. Twelve patients are alive 5-17 months after the operation with five patients undergoing heart-lung transplantation. There were no differences in haemodynamic and functional parameters between the non-survivors and the mid term survivors. However, the non-survivors were significantly older (52 v 36 years, p<0.01) and had a significantly lower creatinine clearance rate (70 ml/min v 48 ml/min, p<0.05).Conclusion: Atrial septostomy improves clinical symptoms, cardiac index, and systemic oxygen transport and has the potential to influence the prognosis in selected cases of severe PAH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of techniques such as integrated pre-drill pore-pressure (PP) and borehole-stability predictions for Prelude development. Topics discussed include preparation of pore-pressure (PP) and fracture-gradient (FG) predictions for Prelude development wells in the Browse basin in Australia, considering effects of tensile strength and near-wellbore hoop stress in terms of FG, and calculation of minimum compressive horizontal stress from lithology-dependent stress ratios.

Background:Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) signal via the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-1R) and IGF-II also activates the insulin receptor isoform A (IR-A). Signalling via both receptors promotes tumour growth, survival and metastasis. In some instances IGF-II action via the IR-A also promotes resistance to anti-IGF-1R inhibitors. This study assessed the efficacy of two novel modified IGF-binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) proteins that were designed to sequester both IGFs. The two modified IGFBP-2 proteins were either protease resistant alone or also lacked the ability to bind extracellular matrix (ECM).Methods:The modified IGFBP-2 proteins were tested in vitro for their abilities to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and in vivo to inhibit MCF-7 breast tumour xenograft growth.Results:Both mutants retained low nanomolar affinity for IGF-I and IGF-II (0.8-2.1-fold lower than IGFBP-2) and inhibited cancer cell proliferation in vitro. However, the combined protease resistant, non-matrix-binding mutant was more effective in inhibiting MCF-7 tumour xenograft growth and led to inhibition of angiogenesis.Conclusions:By removing protease cleavage and matrix-binding sites, modified IGFBP-2 was effective in inhibiting tumour growth and reducing tumour angiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Some epidemiologic studies have reported compromised cognitive and sensory performance among individuals exposed to low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized a dose-response increase in symptom severity and reduction in sensory and cognitive performance in response to controlled H2S exposures. METHODS: In separate exposure sessions administered in random order over three consecutive weeks, 74 healthy subjects [35 females, 39 males; mean age (+/- SD) = 24.7 +/- 4.2; mean years of education = 16.5 +/- 2.4], were exposed to 0.05, 0.5, and 5 ppm H2S. During each exposure session, subjects completed ratings and tests before H2S exposure (baseline) and during the final hour of the 2-hr exposure period. RESULTS: Dose-response reduction in air quality and increases in ratings of odor intensity, irritation, and unpleasantness were observed. Total symptom severity was not significantly elevated across any exposure condition, but anxiety symptoms were significantly greater in the 5-ppm than in the 0.05-ppm condition. No dose-response effect was observed for sensory or cognitive measures. Verbal learning was compromised during each exposure condition. CONCLUSIONS: Although some symptoms increased with exposure, the magnitude of these changes was relatively minor. Increased anxiety was significantly related to ratings of irritation due to odor. Whether the effect on verbal learning represents a threshold effect of H2S or an effect due to fatigue across exposure requires further investigation. These acute effects in a healthy sample cannot be directly generalized to communities where individuals have other health conditions and concomitant exposures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a novel diagnostic technology to monitor the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-specific CD8+ T-cell responses that is based on the detection of secreted interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in the whole blood (referred to as QuantiFERON®-CMV). Evaluation of QuantiFERON®-CMV in healthy individuals revealed that this technology was at least as sensitive and with some HCMV epitopes more sensitive than the ELISPOT for detecting ex vivo IFN-γ. Results from QuantiFERON®-CMV assays showed 97% (36/37 individuals) agreement with the anti-HCMV serology test in healthy individuals. Furthermore, we also show that this technology can be used to assess HCMV-specific T-cell responses in transplant patients. This study shows that QuantiFERON®-CMV is a simple, reproducible, and reliable test for the detection of IFN-γ in response to HCMV CD8+ T-cell epitopes, and may be a valuable diagnostic test for the detection of HCMV infection and a useful clinical tool for monitoring the immune response in immunosuppressed patients during therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an update on a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control focusing on an outbreak of mumps, initiated in Iowa in 2005. This outbreak had spread to ten additional states by May, 2006. A summary of the preliminary data from the original article is presented concerning the progression of the outbreak across state lines, and updated recommendations for the control of the virus during the outbreak are also provided. The author suggests employing multiple doses of vaccines during an outbreak, especially for individuals born before 1957, with no previous history of vaccination.

Background: Positive cytomegaloviral status of the donor or of the recipient adversely affects survival and enhances the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) in lung transplant recipients. The role of ganciclovir prophylaxis in cytomegalovirus infection in respect to obliterative bronchiolitis or to BOS development is not known. Methods: From the Papworth transplant database, we identified 146 patients who received organs from cytomegalovirus-positive donors. We classified patients into 3 groups as follows: Group 1 consisted of 42 patients who underwent transplantation between 1990 and 1992 when no prophylaxis was given; Group 2 consisted of 49 patients who underwent transplantation between 1992 and 1995 when 4 weeks of IV ganciclovir was given as prophylaxis; and Group 3 consisted of 55 patients who underwent transplantation between 1995 and 1998 when cytomegalovirus prophylaxis consisted of IV (1 week) followed by oral ganciclovir for a total of 3 months. Donor management, recipient management during and after surgery, and pharmacotherapy were uniform during the study period. We used survival and regression methods to compare these groups, adjusting for the transplantation type (single lung, double lung, or heart-lung) and for HLA typing. Results: We found a significant difference among all 3 groups in numbers of cytomegaloviral disease episodes in the 1st year after transplantation. The number of rejection episodes in the 3 groups during the 1st post-transplant year gradually decreased from Group 1 to Group 3. We identified no statistically significant benefit in the time to BOS occurrence or in actuarial survival. Conclusion: Extended prophylaxis with IV and oral ganciclovir practically abolishes cytomegaloviral disease and is related to a decreased incidence of rejection episodes. However, ganciclovir prophylaxis is not related to a decreased incidence or progression of BOS or survival. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Women who flee violence in their intimate relationships often seek sanctuary at domestic violence shelters. Some return to their abusers, whereas others transition to separate living. This study used descriptive and cluster analyses to examine the differential needs of women who indicated they intended to return to their abusive partners versus those who did not. On the basis of the differences between these two groups, a preliminary model of prediction variables was developed to better understand the needs of those who did not specify their future plans after leaving the shelter. Findings revealed differences in the domains of mental health and help-seeking behaviors. Discussion focuses on the meaning and purpose of shelter stay (i.e., for respite or transition) and the role of shelters and their ideology in the decisions made by shelter staff and clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of severe pulmonary hypertension associated with right ventricular failure is reviewed and its relevance to adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with sensitivities to multiple chemicals report symptoms of cognitive dysfunction, respiratory distress, and mood disturbance. Lifetime and current psychiatric disorders, personality traits associated with symptom reporting, and tests of cognitive function were compared between 30 subjects with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), 19 asthmatics, and 31 healthy controls. Relative to asthmatics and controls, more MCS subjects met criteria for current depression and somatization disorder. MCS subjects and asthmatics scored significantly higher than controls on scales of chemical odor intolerance and anxiety sensitivity, both of which were significant predictors of physical symptoms. Few differences on objective neuropsychological tests were noted. However, MCS subjects with comorbid depression performed significantly worse on a verbal memory test relative to asthmatics but not to controls. Anxiety and depression are significant contributors to the physical and cognitive symptoms of MCS subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 21 year old man presented with a right sided pleural effusion. Destruction of the 11th and 12th right ribs and adjacent vertebral bodies was noted on computed tomographic scanning. An open rib biopsy revealed the histopathological changes of Gorham's syndrome. In view of the progressive vertebral destruction and inevitable spinal cord compromise, he was treated with high dose radiotherapy. The process was arrested and he remains well with no signs of recurrence after four years. Pleural effusion and vertebral destruction complicating Gorham's syndrome carry a poor prognosis but, in this case, high dose radiotherapy has been effective in controlling both the effusion and the progressive bony destruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 40 year old man presented with recurrent episodes of dyspnoea whilst swallowing solid food. He had undergone right pneumonectomy and thoracoplasty for recurrent pneumonias and empyema 23 years previously. Solid food boluses appeared to cause bronchial obstruction by compressing the surgically distorted left main bronchus. This is a new variant of the post pneumonectomy syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rare presentation of nocardial infection as an endobronchial "tumour" is reported. Haematogenous dissemination occurred after fibreoptic bronchoscopy and biopsy, a phenomenon not previously described in nocardial infections. This case highlights the difficulties in diagnosing pulmonary nocardial infection and the potential for invasive procedures to disseminate the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]