Molecular genetic characterization of new bovine kappa-casein alleles CSN3F and CSN3G and genotyping by PCR-RFLP

In order to characterize the two new kappa-casein variants F and G (CSN3F and CSN3G) recently detected in Ayrshire and Pinzgauer cattle, exon IV of CSN3 from heterozygous animals was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloned and sequenced. The sequencing data revealed single point mutations at nucleotide positions 10530 (G-->A) for CSN3F and 10790 (C-->T) for CSN3G, corresponding to amino acid exchanges in positions 10 (Arg-->His) and 97 (Arg-->Cys) respectively. These mutations alter recognition sites for the restriction enzymes HhaI and MaeII, which were subsequently used to confirm these polymorphisms in cattle carrying CSN3F or CSN3G. A PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping procedure for all currently known CSN3 alleles (CSN3A, CSN3B, CSN3C, CSN3E, CSN3F, CSN3G) was developed.     

Effect of inferior vena cava occlusion on left ventricular end-systolic pressure-volume relations in intact canine hearts--modulation by the autonomic nervous system

The effect of inferior vena cava occlusion (IVCO) on end-systolic pressure-volume relations (ESPVR) of the left ventricle was studied in intact canine hearts. In 12 anesthetized open-chest dogs, left ventricular (LV) pressure and volume were measured simultaneously using a microtip catheter and a conductance catheter, respectively. ESPVR was constructed from LV pressure-volume loops during IVCO (10 sec) and subsequent IVCO release under 5 conditions: control, after righ or left cardiac sympathetic nerve (CSN) stimulation, bilateral vagotomy (VAT), and both VAT and bilateral CSN resection. Emax in IVCO release was significantly greater than that in IVCO in the control state. Following right or left CSN stimulation, Emax was increased increased in both IVCO and IVCO release, with the same hysteretic change in Emax. With VAT, however, no hysteretic change was observed because Emax was the same in IVCO and IVCO release. After VAT and CSN resection, Emax was decreased in both IVCO and IVCO release, and again no hysteretic change was observed. These data imply that a sudden decrease in venous return into the heart induces a decrease in afferent vagal nerve activity, and thus increases efferent CSN activity, resulting in enhanced myocardial contractility.     

Infusion of GDNF into the cerebral spinal fluid through two different routes: effects on body weight and corticospinal neuron survival

Survival of axotomized adult rat corticospinal neurons (CSN) is supported by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). We have evaluated the trophic effects of intrathecally applied GDNF on CSN survival and rat body weight. Body weight reduction is the major side effect of intracerebral neurotrophic factor treatment. GDNF was tested at total doses of 30, 100 and 300 microg over 7 days after axotomy via different application routes: intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) and cisternally (cis). Animals injected i.c.v. displayed severe body weight reduction at all doses tested but CSN rescue only at the highest dose. In contrast, cis-infusion of GDNF promoted CSN survival at all doses and only the highest dose reduced the body weight. These results show that intracisternal, but not i.c.v., GDNF infusion at low doses can promote CSN survival without negatively affecting rat body weight. This finding may have implications for the clinic use of GDNF.     

Effect of sinus denervation and vagotomy on c-fos expression in the nucleus tractus solitarius after exposure to CO2

Exposure to hypercapnia and electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) has been shown to induce c-fos expression in several brain stem regions including the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). To test whether the labeled neurons were activated directly by hypercapnia or secondarily via the carotid bodies (sinus nerve), adult rats were exposed to either air or 14-16% CO2 for 1 h. Experiments were done on eight groups: (1) exposure to air, (2) exposure to CO2, (3) chronic CSN denervation/CO2, (4) chronic unilateral CSN denervation/CO2, (5) chronic sham CSN denervation/CO2, (6) anesthetized/CO2, (7) anesthetized and acute vagotomy/CO2, and (8) premedicated with morphine, 10 mg s.c., 20 min before exposure to CO2. After exposure to CO2 or air the rats were anesthetized, perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde and the brains processed for immunohistochemical staining for c-fos protein using the PAP (i.e. peroxidase anti-peroxidase) technique. Labeled neurons in the area of the NTS in every second 50- "mu"m section were counted and their position plotted using a microscope and camera lucida attachment. Rats exposed to CO2 had a significantly greater number of labeled neurons in the NTS than those exposed to air. Other interventions, such as CSN denervation, surgery, anesthesia, vagotomy or injection of morphine did not significantly affect the level of c-fos expression in rats exposed to hypercapnia, indicative of central stimulation rather than secondary peripheral input. These responsive neurons may be part of a widespread central chemoreceptive complex.     

Biceps rupture in a patient on long-term anticoagulation leading to compartment syndrome and nerve palsies

A 72-year-old man developed chronic sensory neuropathy (CSN) during chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Neurological symptoms began one year after acute HCV hepatitis and slowly worsened over three years. No conventional cause for CSN was found. Circulating antinervous tissue antibodies (including anti-Hu) and inflammatory infiltrates in sural nerve biopsy specimens were absent. However, the presence of anti-HCV antibody and HCV-RNA in cerebrospinal fluid indicated that HCV had reached the intrathecal compartment, suggesting the direct viral involvement in the pathogenesis of CSN.     

Excitatory amino-acid receptors contribute to carotid sinus and vagus nerve evoked excitation of neurons in the nucleus of the tractus solitarius

To determine the role of excitatory amino-acid (EAA) receptors in afferent evoked excitation of neurons in the nucleus of the solitarius (NTS), responses of NTS neurons to activation of visceral afferent inputs were examined before and during iontophoretic application of the broad spectrum EAA receptor antagonist kynurenate (KYN). Iontophoretic application of KYN, at doses which attenuated glutamate but not substance P or acetylcholine evoked discharge, inhibited carotid sinus nerve (CSN) and vagus nerve evoked discharge. KYN attenuation of evoked responses was similar whether the evoked input was monosynaptic (CSN evoked discharge reduced by 50 +/- 6% (mean +/- SE; n = 5); vagus nerve evoked discharge reduced by 45 +/- 4%, n = 6) or polysynaptic (CSN evoked discharge reduced by 48 +/- 6%, n = 6; vagus nerve evoked discharge reduced by 43 +/- 3%, n = 8). Spontaneous action potential discharge rate was reduced during KYN iontophoresis in 6 cells (1.8 +/- 0.4 spikes/s vs. 0.7 +/- 0.2 spikes/s). Iontophoretic application of a structural analogue of KYN which has no EAA receptor antagonist properties, xanthurenic acid, had no effect on glutamate, CSN or vagus nerve evoked discharge. Iontophoretic application of KYN reduced the action potential discharge evoked by activation of the carotid body chemoreceptors by 52 +/- 2% in 5 cells tested. The results demonstrate that excitatory amino-acid receptors are involved in visceral afferent evoked activation of NTS neurons. Furthermore, since both mono- and poly-synaptic inputs were attenuated, these receptors appear to be utilized at multiple levels of afferent integration within NTS.     

Immunohistochemical localization of ganciclovir in the human retina

Facial asymmetry (facedness) of selected academic faculty members was studied in relation to brain asymmetry and cognitive specialization. Comparisons of facedness were made among humanities faculty (H), faculty members of mathematics and physics (M-P), psychologists (P), and a group of randomly selected individuals (R). Facedness was defined in terms of the relative sizes (in square centimeters) of the two hemifaces. It was predicted that the four groups would show differences in facedness, namely, H, right face bias; M-P, left face bias; P, no bias; and R, no bias. The predictions were confirmed, and the results interpreted in terms of known differences in hemispheric specialization of cognitive functions as they relate to the dominant cognitive activity of each of the different groups. In view of the contralateral control of the two hemifaces (below the eyes) by the two hemispheres of the brain, the two sides of the face undergo differential muscular development, thus creating facial asymmetry. Other factors, such as gender, also may affect facial asymmetry. Suggestions for further research on facedness are discussed.     

Synaptic interactions of substance P immunoreactive nerve terminals in the baro- and chemoreceptor reflexes of the cat

The neurochemical anatomy and synaptic interactions of morphologically identified chemoreceptor or baroreceptor afferents in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) are poorly understood. A substantial body of physiological and light microscopic evidence suggests that substance P (SP) may be a neurotransmitter contained in first order sensory chemo- or baroreceptor afferents, however ultrastructural support of this hypothesis is lacking. In the present report we have traced the central projections of the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) in the cat by utilizing the transganglionic transport of horseradish peroxidase. Medullary tissues including the commissural NTS (cNTS) were processed for the histochemical visualization of transganglionically labeled CSN afferents and for the immunocytochemical detection of SP by dual labeling light and electron microscopic methods. At the light microscopic level, dense bilateral labeling with TMB was found in the tractus solitarius (TS) and cNTS, caudal to the obex. Rostral to the obex, significant ipsilateral TMB labeling was detected in the dorsal, dorso-lateral, and medial subnuclei of the NTS, as well as in the TS. Significant staining of SP immunoreactive processes was detected in most subnuclei of the NTS. The cNTS was examined by electron microscopy. Either HRP or SP were readily identified in single labeled unmyelinated axons, myelinated axons, and nerve terminals in the cNTS. SP immunoreactivity was also identified in unmyelinated axons, myelinated axons, and nerve terminals in the cNTS which were simultaneously identified as CSN primary afferents. These ultrastructural data support the hypothesis that SP immunoreactive first order neurons are involved in the origination of the chemo- and baroreceptor reflexes. Axo-axonic synapses were observed between CSN primary afferent terminals and: (a) unlabeled nerve terminals; (b) other CSN primary afferent terminals; and (c) terminals containing SP. Axo-axonic synapses were also observed between CSN primary afferents which contained SP, and other SP terminals. These observations may mediate the morphological bases for multiple forms of presynaptic inhibition in the cNTS, including those involved in cardiorespiratory integration. In conclusion, our results indicate that SP immunoreactive nerve terminals may be important in both the origination and the modulation of the chemo- and/or baroreceptor reflexes.     

Bioethics and humanities: what makes us one field?

Bioethics and humanities (inclusive of medical ethics, health care ethics, environmental ethics, research ethics, philosophy and medicine, literature and medicine, and so on) seems like one field; yet colleagues come from different academic disciplines with distinct languages, methods, traditions, core curriculum and competency examinations. The author marks six related "framework" features that unite and make it one distinct field. It is a commitment to (1) work systematically on some of the momentous and well-defined sets of problems about the human condition that drive our field (such as death and dying, disability, confidentiality, professionalism, informed consent, abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide, personhood, health-care resource allocation and environmental ethics, as well as the impact of new technologies, including genetic and reproductive); (2) use interdisciplinary approaches to unravel them; (3) employ cases and practical reasoning to understand problems and solve answers; (4) apply teaching methods and goals associated with John Dewey to make students better problem-solvers; (5) find morally justifiable solutions to the problems driving our field; and (6) seek interdisciplinary and collaborative scholarship, service or teaching.     

L. S. Vygotsky and contemporary developmental psychology.

Central themes from L. S. Vygotsky's writings that have particular relevance for contemporary developmental psychology are outlined, and these ideas are extended in light of recent theoretical advances in the social sciences and humanities. The discussion focuses primarily on Vygotsky's claims about the social origins and social nature of higher (i.e., uniquely human) mental functioning and on his understanding of culture. His claims about the social origins of individual mental functioning have implications for the definition of terms such as "cognition" and "memory" as well as for how empirical research on these processes can be pursued. His understanding of culture is shown to be derivative of his account of the "psychological tools" that mediate human mental functioning. It is argued that efforts need to be made to elaborate a notion of culture within a Vygotskian framework that takes into account contemporary ideas and findings in the social sciences and humanities. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Resources in medical research

The biennial national statistical surveys of research and development expenditure, based on OECD guidelines, contribute to the knowledge base for Norwegian research policy. This article outlines the resources for research and development in the medical sciences, with emphasis on the higher education sector. This sector, which includes university hospitals, performs about 75% of medical research in Norway (medical research in industry not included) while the remaining 25% is performed in research institutes in the institute sector. In 1995, current expenditure for medical research amounted to 1,240 million Norwegian kroner, 930 million in the higher education sector and 310 million in the institute sector. From 1993 to 1995, there was a small increase in real terms in resources for medical research in universities and colleges paid for over institutional budgets, while there was no growth in externally funded research. Over the 25-year period 1970-1995, the growth in expenditures for medical research was higher than for the natural sciences, but lower than for the humanities and the social sciences. Comparisons between the Nordic countries show that investments in medical research in Norway is much lower than in Denmark or Sweden.     

University professors' views of knowledge and validation processes.

Professors in 6 matched pure and applied fields of study were interviewed to determine the validation processes and truth criteria used in their disciplines. Differences across disciplines were found in the validation processes and in the importance placed on conceptual frameworks or models. Use of empirical evidence was more important in the natural and social sciences; peer review was more important in the humanities. Professors in pure fields of study were more likely to use conflicting evidence or counterexamples in validating their work than were professors in applied fields. The results suggest that different fields of study operate according to different sets of rules. An important part of university instruction is to provide students with a sense of what these rules are and how they affect learning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Management of work and personal life: Problems & opportunities.

Reviews the book, Management of work and personal life: Problems & opportunities edited by Mary Dean Lee and Rabindra N. Kanungo (1984). Management of work and personal life is a timely book that breaks new ground in a much neglected but increasingly important area for research and problem solving. This book represents a distillation of selected symposium contributions from several participants from various disciplines. The purpose of this symposium, held at McGill University in April 1983, was "to stimulate, develop, and diffuse new ideas that might help individuals and organizations adapt to a changing society in which the traditional idealized models for coordinating work and personal life are passé." This book will also be of considerable interest to professionals involved in such activities as life-style counselling and career planning. In general, the editors have selected symposium contributions that attempt to summarize what is known in six different areas related to management of work and personal life, and then suggest directions for future research. The six areas are work and family roles, work and leisure, quality of life, occupational stress, career and adult development, and behavioural patterns of structuring daily life. Overall, the reviewer feels that this book is important reading for scholars who wish to study or do research in the general area of improving quality of life through integrated management of different life facets. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parapsychology and the neurosciences: a computer-based content analysis of abstracts in the database "MEDLINE" from 1975 to 1995

A computer-based content of 109 abstracts retrieved by the subject heading "parapsychology" from the database MEDLINE for the years 1975-1995 is presented. Data were analyzed by four categories to terms denoting (1) research methods, (2) neurosciences, (3) humanities/psychodynamics, and (4) parapsychology. Results indicated a growing interest in neuroscientific and neuropsychological explanations and theories.     

Review of The Writing Cure: How Expressive Writing Promotes Health and Emotional Well-Being.

The reviewer notes that this book (S. J. Lepore and J. M. Smyth [Eds.], 2002; see record 2002-01516-000) consists of 14 chapters exploring the therapeutic implications of expressive writing. The book succeeds in its efforts to present and evaluate current research on the health benefits of writing. The contributors chart new directions for future research and suggest the clinical and therapeutic applications of writing. One common theme running throughout the book is that writing facilitates cognitive integration. Another theme is that writing leads to self-mastery. The Writing Cure is a groundbreaking book, but the reviewer wishes that the editors had widened their focus to include research in the humanities, particularly literary studies and rhetoric and composition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Making a clearing: Qualitative research in anglophone Canadian psychology.

Qualitative research (QR) occupies a middle ground between the sciences and the humanities, which goes against established research practice in psychology and most related social and health science disciplines. At present, QR in Canadian psychology is beginning to take root in some universities and research organizations. Most of the contributors to this special issue reflect this development in Anglophone Canadian psychology. This article briefly introduces the contributions to this special issue. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of professor ethnicity and gender on student evaluations: Judged before met.

Ethnic minority academicians face a number of challenges in the “ivory tower.” One set of challenges arises from the racial stereotypes that others hold, and the current research investigates the stereotypes held by students before they even meet such professors. After providing college preparatory students with a CV of a professor (differing in their race—White, Black, or Asian; their gender—male or female; and their academic discipline—Science or Humanities), students evaluated the professor on measures of competence, legitimacy, and interpersonal skills. We found that students evaluated Black professors to be significantly less competent and legitimate than their White and Asian counterparts. Both Black and Asian professors were judged to have significantly less interpersonal skills than White professors. No gender main effects emerged. Professors in science were judged to be more competent and legitimate than professors in humanities. Very few interactions surfaced. We discuss our results in terms of previous stereotype research and the implications our results have for further compounding the challenges that Black professors face in academia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

AIDS/HIV and university students in Delhi, India: knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors

Eight hundred eighty-seven students in social work, nursing, and humanities from two major universities in Delhi were compared regarding their knowledge about AIDS/HIV and attitudes toward PWAs and homosexuals. Their scores on the 20-item knowledge test indicate fair degree of knowledge; however, they lacked information in crucial areas of AIDS prevention and human sexual anatomy. Unmarried, female and older students and those in social work and nursing disciplines scored significantly higher on correct answers. Social work students were likely to be more positive in their attitudes toward AIDS victims than those in nursing or humanities. Knowledge was positively related to attitudes and perception of risk. Despite their awareness of personal risks only four in ten used condoms sometimes during intercourse. Educational strategies to increase cognitive and affective understanding of AIDS and its victims are discussed.     

Recycling of steelworks refractories: processing and properties

The maintenance of several steel-making equipment of the Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN/Brazil) builds up about 11?000 tons of refractory waste per year. Most of that refractory waste is disposed off in landfill sites without any application. That action permanently excludes an important alternative source of raw material from the productive cycle. In this context, in the particular case in CSN, all critical points of the generation cycle and recycling of refractory waste were investigated, aiming to use these residues as reprocessed raw material in the Refractory Industry – reverse logistics. The project implementation, through an integrated solution, was technically and financially feasible with an economic return of about US$ 1 million per year in terms of net present value. The reuse of this refractory waste also minimises the environmental impact generated by the production, consumption and disposal of refractory materials from steel production.