On the generality of the perceptual closure effect

Perceptual closure is a process whereby an incomplete stimulus is perceived to be complete. J. G. Snodgrass and K. Feenan (1990) argued that perceptual closure during a study episode is an important factor in producing large priming effects in picture fragment identification. They found that a moderately fragmented study picture produced more priming than either a very fragmented or an intact study picture and argued that this inverted U-shaped function is a signature of the perceptual closure effect. The experiments in this study, extend these results to word fragment identification by showing that (a) the most effective prime, for both unspeeded and speeded word fragment identification is a moderately fragmented study word; (b) the sharpness of the U-shaped gradient is the same whether the perceptual feedback during study is a word (in a font different from that of the fragmented study word) or a picture; and (c) although a fragmented study picture primes subsequent word fragment identification, it does not produce the inverted U-shaped function, thereby showing that perceptual closure reflects perceptual rather than conceptual priming.     

Meta-analytic investigation of the effectiveness of self-regulatory components in the treatment of adult problem behaviors

The main purpose of this study was to understand the part played by clinical diagnosis in relation to persons with suspected dementia. Interviews were held with eight persons who had been evaluated clinically because of suspected dementia. A phenomenological-hermeneutic analysis inspired by Ricoeur's philosophy was performed. The findings revealed the overall meaning of "making sense" of early experiences of memory loss in terms of a clinical diagnosis by which participants are provided with a means of interpreting and ascribing some meanings to the changes in themselves. When a meaning cannot be established and the future is unknown, these experiences are found to pose an existential threat that projects into future existence. The study suggests that understanding how an informed diagnosis is comprehended by the client becomes essential when evaluating persons due to suspected dementia.     

Self-consciousness and the overperception of self as a target.

Three studies, with 233 undergraduates, examined an egocentric bias toward overperceiving the self as the target of an action or event and the relation of this bias to dispositional self-consciousness. The 1st study found that, immediately prior to the return of their test results, Ss were more likely to believe that an especially good or an especially bad exam singled out by the teacher was theirs rather than a classmate's. In the 2nd study, Ss in a group experiment overestimated the likelihood that they, rather than another person in the group, had been chosen to participate in an experimental demonstration, regardless of whether the demonstration was described as enjoyable or unenjoyable. This study also found that the self-as-target bias was enhanced by public self-consciousness, as assessed by the Self-Consciousness Scale. The 3rd study showed that Ss high in public self-consciousness were more likely than those low in public self-consciousness to perceive hypothetical social situations as being relevant to or targeted toward themselves. Discussion focuses on the cognitive and motivational bases of the tendency to perceive the self as a target and the relation between self-consciousness and egocentric attributions. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reevaluation of the virulence phenotype of the inv yadA double mutants of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Yersinia enterocolitica are closely related human pathogens causing gastroenteritis. Invasin and YadA are two of the most extensively studied virulence factors of the Yersinia genus. Invasin is the primary invasion factor encoded by the inv gene on the chromosome and is required for the penetration of the epithelial cells. YadA is encoded by the yadA gene on the 70-kb virulence plasmid and has multiple functions. Previous studies indicate that an inv yadA double mutant of Y. enterocolitica is avirulent while an inv yadA mutant of Y. pseudotuberculosis is hypervirulent. In this study, we investigated this unexpected difference. New constructs of the inv yadA mutants of Y. pseudotuberculosis were made and tested in mice. These new constructs were not hypervirulent; rather, they maintained the same virulence as the wild-type strain. Further examination of the inv mutant used for the previous study revealed that it carries an aberrant inv phenotype and has an altered outer membrane profile and an altered colony morphology. Therefore, the mutants used previously were not isogenic to the parental wild-type strain, which may in part account for the difference in the results obtained.     

Stochastic epidemics: the probability of extinction of an infectious disease at the end of a major outbreak

The aim of this study is to derive an asymptotic expression for the probability that an infectious disease will disappear from a population at the end of a major outbreak ('fade-out'). The study deals with a stochastic SIR-model. Local asymptotic expansions are constructed for the deterministic trajectories of the corresponding deterministic system, in particular for the deterministic trajectory starting in the saddle point. The analytical expression for the probability of extinction is derived by asymptotically solving a boundary value problem based on the Fokker-Planck equation for the stochastic system. The asymptotic results are compared with results obtained by random walk simulations.     

Breakdowns on the path of chronic illness: opportunities for learning

Steady-state concentrations of S12024, a novel compound for treatment of Alzheimer's disease, were studied to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of S12024 in Phase IIa patients and to assess the effect of patient characteristics on those pharmacokinetics. A prospective sparse sampling strategy was used to obtain oral repeated data (n = 285) from 89 patients, which were analyzed using a one-compartment model and the NONMEM computer program. The model suggested that apparent clearance of S12024 was influenced by the study and by patient age. In the Spanish study, apparent clearance was increased by 68% and 26% for doses of 100 mg and 300 mg, respectively, and patient age decreased oral clearance by approximately 10% per decade in the patient age range (50 to 90 years). Data from only a few patients in the Spanish study were probably responsible for the observed study influence on apparent clearance of S12024, and no measured covariates could explain this effect. The model provided an excellent characterization of the observed data and it predicted correctly the plasma concentrations from an earlier Phase I trial and a subsequent Phase IIb study. The present model, built from Phase IIa data, provides a basis for examining the influence of patient covariates and the magnitude of their effects on the pharmacokinetics of S12024. The study effect is probably an artefact that will disappear by further expanding of the population model in the future.     

Characterization of the genes for the biosynthesis of the compatible solute ectoine in the moderately halophilic bacterium Halomonas elongata DSM 3043

Spontaneous germ cell death during spermatogenesis is an important event, and the usefulness of the seminiferous epithelium as an in vivo model to study apoptosis has been evidenced. Nevertheless, the response of the testis to apoptogenic agents has not been analyzed. This study was designed to determine germ cell sensitivity to induction of apoptosis and to provide baseline data on the testis response to several apoptogenic agents. Induced apoptosis was assessed by in situ DNA 3'-end labeling and quantified at every stage of the spermatogenic cycle. The shortest response time for every agent was established based on morphological and quantitative criteria. Our results show significantly increased incidence of germ cell deaths after all treatments, mainly at stages I, XII, and XIV. These specific stages coincide with those at which the greatest numbers of spontaneous germ cell deaths occur in control animals. Moreover, the rapid and highly specific response of germ cells to all the apoptogenic agents used in the present study indicate that apoptosis must be tightly regulated at these stages of the seminiferous epithelium. As a consequence, we propose that the disruption of apoptosis control might be an important determinant for idiopathic male infertility.     

Drug distribution in the vitreous humor of the human eye: the effects of intravitreal injection position and volume

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine how the position and volume of an intravitreal injection affect the distribution and elimination of drug from the vitreous humor. METHODS: A mathematical model that had been developed and used previously to study drug distribution in the vitreous humor of the rabbit eye was modified to match the physiology of the human eye. Fluorescein and fluorescein glucuronide were used as the model compounds for these studies. Four extreme injection locations were considered: a central injection, an injection displaced towards the retina, an injection displaced towards the lens, and an injection displaced toward the hyaloid membrane. Injections containing an equal mass of drug dissolved in volumes of either 15 microL or 100 microL were compared. RESULTS: The location of an intravitreal injection was found to have a substantial effect on elimination and distribution in the vitreous. Peak concentrations at different vitreous locations varied by over three orders of magnitude, depending on the injection location. The mean concentration of drug remaining in the vitreous 24 hours after the intravitreal injection varied by up to a factor of 3.8, depending on the injection location. Changing the volume of the injection from 15 microL to 100 microL dampened the effects of the initial injection location; however, meant concentrations at 24 hours still varied by up to a factor of 2.5. CONCLUSIONS: Careful control of the conditions of an intravitreal injection could reduce treatment variability, improve bioavailability, and reduce the possibility of retinal toxicity.     

Variability of the planarity of the human aortic bifurcation

A programme to review the drug treatment of 215 adults with epilepsy and learning disabilities occurred in Leicestershire between 1982 and 1985. In 1997, a Leicestershire-wide study of epilepsy suffered by adults with learning disabilities was undertaken. The study sought information about many aspects of the epilepsy including the prescribing of medicines. One hundred and thirty-eight adults were common to both studies. A greater proportion was suffering active epilepsy in 1997 than in 1985. The deterioration in seizure control occurred despite an increase in polypharmacy, the introduction of new antiepileptic drugs and in some cases increases in dosage.     

The role of the nurse practitioner in the gastroenterology setting

The purpose if this qualitative study was to explore the role of a nurse practitioner who is currently functioning in the specialized setting of gastroenterology. Naturalistic inquiry was the research methodology used. This study was guided by the American Nurses Association Social Policy Statement (American Nurses Association, 1995) and posed the question: What is the role of the nurse practitioner in the gastroenterology setting? Data collection involved researcher-designed open-ended interview methods and content analysis. The results of this study contribute information regarding the role of a nurse practitioner in the specialized setting of a gastroenterology practice.     

Cellular inflammatory response to fungal antigen studied with the skin window technique--correlation of the exudate with the evolution of the mycotic infection

The skin window technique, using a coverslip, was applied to study the inflammatory exudate induced by killed pathogenic yeasts in patients with mycotic infections. The presence of eosinophils in the specific exudate after 3 hours seems to indicate specific IgE fixed in the tissues. This was demonstrated by the correlation of this specific eosinophilia with the eosinophilia induced by an anti-IgE serum and with the positive immediate intradermal reactions and by the correlation with serum-specific IgE detected with an immunoenzymatic technique. Increased eosinophilia is related to the active phase of the disease. The eosinophilia in the specific exudate seems to be more reliable than an in vitro technique for the detection of the specific IgE against fungal antigen. In this material, the eosinophilia demonstrated that yeast-specific IgE may be responsible for both immediate and delayed intradermal reactions.     

Toxicology of the lung

This qualitative study explores how risk is determined by black women during pregnancy. A total of 17 women were assessed for risk; 7 were at risk for preterm birth, and 10 were not at risk. These women were interviewed by using an open-ended interview guide. The transcribed interviews were analyzed by using grounded theory. Risk was defined by the provider's assessment of a mathematical probability of the occurrence of preterm labor according to the risk screening tool developed by Creasy. Risk was also defined by black women on the basis of their experience of problematic change, on the counsel of other black women, and on the assessment of the provider. All of the women perceived their pregnancy as a normal process. For some, that perception never changed; for others, it did change. The change was precipitated by the occurrence of an unexpected event, indicated in this study as a critical moment. The critical moment is a dynamic interplay among biophysical changes, patterns of social interaction, and intersubjective reflection. These findings emphasize the black woman's reliance on herself in problematic situations and the significant role of sharing between black women in perpetuating their culture's normative expectations concerning pregnancy.     

Influence of food intake on the absorption of diftalone in man

An average 2.2-fold increase in the peak plasma concentrations of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent diftalone in the presence of food was observed in three studies carried out with healthy volunteers who received an oral dose of 0.75 g (6 subjects, study 1), 0.25 g (10 subjects, study II) and 0.5 g (6 subjects, study V) of the compound at 9:00 a.m. both in fasting conditions and after a meal. The effect does not depend on the unusual time (8:00 a.m., selected for experimental needs) at which the subjects were given the meal. In fact, a 2.5-fold increase in plasma concentrations was observed when an oral dose of 0.75 g of diftalone was administered to 2 subjects (study II) both at 8:00 a.m. in fasting conditions and at 1:00 p.m. after a meal. A similar enhancement in the absorption of diftalone was observed when 5 healthy volunteers (study VI) received an oral dose of 0.5 g of the compound both as plain capsules and as capsules containing dry ox bile. However, the absorption of diftalone was not modified when the compound was administered orally as an aqueous suspension or in tensioactive vehicles, or after 20 mg of metoclopramide (study II). Also, the results of a study (IV) on 2 subjects partly deprived of bile after surgery, showed that diftalone does not undergo enterohepatic circulation. The hypothesis that the increase in diftalone absorption is mainly due to bile flow following food intake is supported by all the above experimental results.     

Determination of the instantaneous center of rotation of the shoulder using the ELITE system. Application to the study of normal and pathological abduction

The authors determined the in vivo displacement of the instantaneous center of rotation (ICR) of the shoulder from data supplied by an optoelectronic system (ELITE System) which uses a specifically designed software program to achieve 3-dimensional analysis of abduction. The study involved 10 control subjects and 20 patients suffering from a periarticular disorder of the shoulder capsule retraction in 10 cases and rotator cuff tears before and after rehabilitation in 10 cases. This method provides an objective assessment of humeral head misalignment in relation to the glenoid cavity induced by the periarticular shoulder disorder and of the realignment achieved through rehabilitation. The proposed ICR calculation technique is entirely harmless for the patient in (particular because it requires no radiation analysis).     

Prodromal period of the first episode of schizophrenia

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of an AIDS education intervention for methadone-dependent, African American women. The women were randomly assigned to experimental (n=107) or control (n=97) group. The experimental group participated in a peer counseling and leadership training program conducted by two experienced nurse counselors over an 8-week period, followed by 8 weeks of reinforcement. The program was designed to reduce AIDS high-risk sexual behavior, increase self-esteem, decrease depressive affect, and increase the women's community-based AIDS prevention communication activities. A total of 130 women completed all phases of the study, including longitudinal Posttests at 2, 4, and 7 months after enrollment. Compared to the control group, there were statistically significant differences in three of the outcomes for the experimental group: The experimental group reported an increased number of safer sexual behaviors (p=.029), showed decreases in depression (p=.001), and reported engaging in more AIDS-related, community-based communication activities regarding prevention (p=.005).     

Measuring the impact of patient counseling in the outpatient pharmacy setting: the research design of the Kaiser Permanente/USC patient consultation study

This article describes the research method used to measure the impact of three alternative models of patient counseling in the outpatient pharmacy setting. The study was conducted in pharmacies operated by the Southern California region Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program. Both random assignment and large-scale geographic area research designs were used. The presentation of the research design includes discussions of data collection and patient sampling methods; the measurement of patient outcomes, including measures of health care costs and utilization, patient functional status, and quality of life. Demographic data are presented for the study population, including an analysis of potential biased selection of patients electing to participate in random assignment. Data are also presented documenting potential selection bias across geographically determined treatment groups in the geographic area design arm. Finally, the article presents the analysis plan for the study and discusses study limitations.     

Application of Duhamel''s operation for the surgical treatment of rectal cancer

This study was carried out to examine recruitment of loudness measured by the classical and the modified, self-recording alternate binaural loudness balance tests in 20 normal subjects and in 14 patients with various kinds of ear pathology. In spite of individual variability, the modified method, when used as described in this study, does provide an indication of the presence or absence of loudness recruitment.     

Influence of ethionine on the ultrastructural morphology of the porcine hepatocyte

In the present study the morphological alterations induced by ethionine poisoning in the porcine liver were examined by electron microscopy. It was found that the most prominent ultrastructural changes were: accumulation of fat drops in the cytoplasm, disappearance of polysomes, fragmentation and vesiculisation of the endoplasmic reticulum, altered glycogen distribution and mitochondrial swelling. These closely resembled the pathological changes found in rat parenchymal cells under the same circumstances. In addition, moreover fat deposits were found in the nucleoplasm. The microbodies showed an altered morphology.     

Methodology of the survey]

To evaluate the effects of various barbiturates on lidocaine metabolism by cytochrome P-450 (P-450), enzyme kinetics were analyzed in an in vitro study using rat hepatic microsomes. Phenobarbital, amobarbital, hexobarbital, pentobarbital, and thiamylal showed the mixed type inhibition of lidocaine metabolism with inhibition constants being 4.89, 1.08, 2.76, 0.77 and 0.65 mM, respectively. Same as lidocaine, all barbiturates used in the present study, corresponding to binding with P-450, induced the I type of spectral change of P-450. Since these did not affect cytochrome C reductase activity, it was suggested that this inhibition of lidocaine metabolism in hepatic microsomes may have been caused by the reduction of activity on P-450 by the barbiturates.