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The long-term modality effect is the advantage in recall of the last of a list of auditory to-be-remembered (TBR) items compared with the last of a list of visual TBR items when the list is followed by a filled retention interval. If the auditory advantage is due to echoic sensory memory mechanisms, then recall of the last auditory TBR item should be substantially reduced when it is followed by a redundant, not-to-be-recalled auditory suffix. Contrary to this prediction, Experiment 1 demonstrated that a redundant auditory suffix does not significantly reduce recall of the last auditory TBR item. In Experiment 2 a nonredundant auditory suffix produced a large reduction in the last auditory item. Redundancy is not the only factor controlling the effectiveness of a suffix, however. Experiment 3 demonstrated that a nonredundant visual suffix does not reduce recall of the last auditory TBR item. These results are discussed in reference to a retrieval account of the long-term modality effect.

Allergic reactions are often unpredictable, sudden in onset and may be potentially lethal. Clinical manifestations are confined to skin (rash, urticaria, angioedema), respiratory tract (laryngeal edema, bronchospasm) and cardiovascular system (hypotension, bradycardia, dysrhythymia). Because cardiovascular collapse is the most common life-threatening clinical feature, immediate and proper treatment is necessary. We have experienced two cases of intraoperative anaphylatic shock between September 1988 and April 1989. The precipitating factors were of nonanesthetic origin (case 1 was probably due to cephalothin and case 2 was due to dextran 40). Both cases manifestated with hypotension, bradycardia, cutaneous rash and urticaria. Recovery was smooth and without sequela after volume expansion and sympathomimetic drug. We discuss these two cases with a brief review.

Ultrastructural changes of 20 cases of atrial myxoma were studied. Under the electron microscope, in a large amount of amorphous matrix, the myxomal cells were either scattered or aggregated. There were numerous microvilli-like cytoplasmic processes on the surface of the tumor cells. In many aspects, the ultrastructural features of the tumor cells were similar to those of the smooth muscle cells. The abundant cytoplasmic filaments were one of the most prominent ultrastructural features. Sometimes, some of them could form dense bodies. There were cytoplasmic filaments in the cytoplasmic processes of a certain tumor cells and lots of micropinocytic vesicles beneath the inner surface of the plasmic membrane. Nuclear membrane of the tumor cells often had marked indentation which was probably related to contraction of the cytoplasmic filaments. 2 of 20 lesions showed malignant characteristics. One lesion infiltrated into the atrial myocardium, and the other involved the left and right atria. It is suggested that the atrial myxoma be a true neoplasm of the atrium with potential malignant tendency. It originates from the multipotential mesenchymal tissue and differentiates mainly towards smooth muscle cells.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases catalyses catalyze the transfer of amino acid to its cognate tRNA.