A study of interrater reliability when using videofluoroscopy as an assessment of swallowing

PURPOSE: To evaluate the possible role of intraoperative cerebral emboli in the origin of perioperative stroke during major head and neck surgical procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients undergoing major head and neck surgery that involved direct manipulation of the carotid sheath were the participants in this study. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound was used intraoperatively to detect possible cerebral emboli. The presence or absence of intraoperative cerebral emboli in each patient was assessed by the presence or absence of typical embolic signal patterns within the TCD waveform. RESULTS: No intraoperative cerebral emboli were noted in the series, nor did any patient have a postoperative stroke. CONCLUSIONS: No intraoperative cerebral emboli were noted by using TCD ultrasound for embolus monitoring in patients undergoing major head and neck surgery involving carotid sheath manipulation. This detection system is easily used in appropriate head and neck cases and allows real-time, noninvasive intraoperative monitoring.     

Normal aging and human physiology

This article discusses the physiological changes that accompany normal aging and current understandings of how environmental factors interact with a person's genetic mechanisms to slow or speed up the aging process. Chronological age is contrasted with biological age to illustrate the different rates and extent of anatomical changes and functional declines observed in older people of the same age, behaviors that appear to delay or reduce the inevitable progression of sensescence, the extraordinary heterogeneity of the aging population, and the complexity of the processes responsible for the consequences of human aging.     

Normal pelvic floor physiology

This article outlines the normal physiology of the female pelvic floor, including normal urinary storage and voiding, normal colorectal storage, and defecation. Physiologic changes during a woman's lifetime that may affect bladder and bowel function are also considered. An important framework for understanding the normal physiology of the female pelvic floor is provided, so the reader may gain a more thoughtful approach to the recognition and treatment of pelvic floor pathophysiology.     

Membrane structure and dynamics as viewed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy

The purpose of the present study is the investigation of the structure and dynamics of biological membranes using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Two approaches are used in our laboratory. The first involves the measurement of high-resolution 13C and 1H spectra obtained by the magic angle spinning (MAS) technique while the second approach involves the measurement of 31P and 2H powder spectra in static samples. This paper will present some recent results obtained by high-resolution solid-state 1H NMR on the conformation of gramicidin A incorporated in a phosphatidylcholine bilayers. More specifically, we were able to observe changes in the gramicidin spectra as a function of the cosolubilization solvent initially used to prepare the samples. The interaction between lipid bilayers and an anticancer drug derived from chloroethylurea was also investigated using proton NMR spectroscopy. Finally, we have studied the interaction between cardiotoxin, a toxic protein extracted from snake venom, and negatively charged lipid bilayers using 31P solid-state NMR spectroscopy.     

Counseling session impact as viewed by novice counselors and their clients.

The Session Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ) was used to measure the perspectives of 17 graduate-student counselors and their 72 17–39 yr old clients on 942 individual counseling sessions along 2 evaluative dimensions—depth and smoothness—and 2 dimensions of postsession mood—positivity and arousal. A components-of-variance analysis showed that, from both perspectives, SEQ ratings varied greatly from session to session; ratings were only modestly predictable from differences among counselors or among counselor–client dyads. However, averages across 6–20 sessions permitted adequately reliable differentiation among dyads, for example, for comparisons with outcome measures. Correlations between corresponding counselor and client dimensions ranged from moderate to negligible, whether calulated across sessions, across clients, or across counselors, Novice counselors' judgments of session depth and value may have had little relation to their clients' evaluations. On the other hand, counselors' comfort in sessions and postsession positive mood were moderately predictive of client reactions. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

从战略高度看能源管理

能源的科学合理利用和开发,对国民经济持续快速稳定的发展和人民生活水平的健康提高具有深远的重要意义。本文从战略高度提出抓好“转变观念,加强管理,建立能源管理体系”三个环节,是企业竞争取胜,能源方针目标得以实现的法宝。     

Short-term memory scanning viewed as exemplar-based categorization.

Exemplar-similarity models such as the exemplar-based random walk (EBRW) model (Nosofsky & Palmeri, 1997b) were designed to provide a formal account of multidimensional classification choice probabilities and response times (RTs). At the same time, a recurring theme has been to use exemplar models to account for old–new item recognition and to explain relations between classification and recognition. However, a major gap in research is that the models have not been tested on their ability to provide a theoretical account of RTs and other aspects of performance in the classic Sternberg (1966) short-term memory-scanning paradigm, perhaps the most venerable of all recognition-RT tasks. The present research fills that gap by demonstrating that the EBRW model accounts in natural fashion for a wide variety of phenomena involving diverse forms of short-term memory scanning. The upshot is that similar cognitive operating principles may underlie the domains of multidimensional classification and short-term old–new recognition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The moderator variable viewed as heterogeneous regression.

Considers that while there has been a great variety of recent work dealing with the moderator variable, the meaning of this concept remains unclear. A useful framework for dealing with moderator variables is heterogeneous regression. The heterogeneous model and 2 useful tests of significance are described. A real data example is used as an illustration. It is also shown that this framework is not inconsistent with past work, and some guidelines for employing heterogeneous regression are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

EEG alpha dynamics as viewed from EEG dimension dynamics

EEG alpha power covaries with changes in visual input and with changes in other aspects of cortical processing. We present an synopsis of three experiments that demonstrate these effects. A concurrent analysis of the EEG dimension indicates that the dynamics of EEG alpha may result from at least two different mechanisms.     

Normal and pathological anatomy and physiology of the veins of the lower limbs

Veins of the lower limbs are divided into two regions: 1) the superficial region, composed of two saphenous veins, internal and external, and of their tributaries; 2) the deep region, composed of veins that are satellites (and homonyms) of the arteries (anterior and posterior tibial; peroneal; popliteal; superficial, deep and common femoral; external, epigastric and common iliac). The two networks are linked by perforating (or communicating) veins and by the arches of the two saphenous veins. Valvules are found in the venous network below the inguinal ligament; their number decreases with increasing proximity to the inferior vena cava. The function of the valves is the main factor in the physiology of venous circulation, in association with the force essentially provided by the "muscle pump" of the calf. The various forms of venous insufficiency are due to obstruction or incontinence of the veins.     

Invasion depth diagnosis of depressed type early colorectal cancers by combined use of videoendoscopy and chromoendoscopy

The activation of rat mesocortical dopaminergic (DA) neurons evoked by the electrical stimulation of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) induces a marked inhibition of the spontaneous activity of prefrontocortical cells. In the present study, it was first shown that systemic administration of either clozapine (a mixed antagonist of D1, D2, and alpha1-adrenergic receptors) (3-5 mg/kg, i.v.), prazosin (an alpha1-adrenergic antagonist) (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.), or sulpiride (a D2 antagonist) (30 mg/kg, i.v.), but not SCH 23390 (a D1 antagonist) (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.), reversed this cortical inhibition. Second, it was found that following the systemic administration of prazosin, the VTA-induced cortical inhibition reappeared when either SCH 23390 or sulpiride was applied by iontophoresis into the prefrontal cortex. Third, it was seen that, whereas haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.), a D2 antagonist which also blocks alpha1-adrenergic receptors, failed to reverse the VTA-induced inhibition, the systemic administration of haloperidol plus SCH 23390 (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.) blocked this inhibition. Finally, it was verified that the cortical inhibitions obtained following treatments with either "prazosin plus sulpiride" or "prazosin plus SCH 23390" were blocked by a superimposed administration of either SCH 23390 or sulpiride, respectively. These data indicate that complex interactions between cortical D2, D1, and alpha1-adrenergic receptors are involved in the regulation of the activity of prefrontocortical cells innervated by the VTA neurons. They confirm that the physiological stimulation of cortical alpha1-adrenergic receptors hampers the functional activity of cortical D1 receptors and suggest that the stimulations of cortical D1 and D2 receptors exert mutual inhibition on each other's transmission.     

Masculinity, femininity, and androgyny viewed and assessed as distinct concepts.

Evaluated (a) the equivalence of the scales of the short Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) and the Extended Personal Attributes Questionnaire (EPAQ), (b) the construct validity of the short BSRI and EPAQ as measures of well-being, (c) the validity of the concept of androgyny as an intrinsically interactive (rather than simply additive) concept, and (d) the utility and meaning of 2 special EPAQ measures—unmitigated agency and unmitigated communion. 172 college students participated. The short BSRI and EPAQ were empirically interchangeable when placed in a multitrait–multimethod matrix and 2 extrinsic convergent validation rectangles. A hierarchical multiple-regression analysis with interaction terms obtained with the Differential Personality Questionnaire provided only partial support for masculinity and femininity as measures of psychological well-being and no support for the significance of androgyny treated as an interaction of masculinity and femininity. Unmitigated agency and communion did not show the expected negative correlations with the mutual mitigation (interaction) of masculinity and femininity. (45 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pain as a puzzle for psychology and physiology.

Discusses questions concerning (1) pain as a sensory modality, (2) physiological indicators of pain, (3) where pain is felt, and (4) individual differences in pain. Cold pressor response and ischemic pain in the normal waking state was investigated. 3 base-line conditions in the cold pressor response were found: a vigilance condition, relaxation, and the immersion period condition. Blood pressure was found to be an accurate physiological indicator of both kinds of pain. Studies of pain reduction under hypnosis in regard to cold pressor response and ischemic pain revealed that (1) hypnotic susceptibility scales are helpful in determining whether a patient can profit from the use of hypnosis in pain reduction, and (2) further study of the physiological consequences of pain and their alteration by hypnotic analgesia are necessary. (41 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Morphology and growth cycle of Mycoplasma meleagridis viewed by scanning-electron microscopy

The three-dimensional structure of Mycoplasma meleagridis strain RY-39A was studied by scanning-electron microscopy. The morphologic forms observed between 12 hours and 7 days suggest that the organism undergoes a sequential metamorphosis in its development. Single rounded forms in lag phase give rise to larger cells and filaments in the log phase, which fragment into coccus forms in the late stationary phase.     

A comparison of retinal morphology viewed by optical coherence tomography and by light microscopy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cross-sectional images of primate retinal morphology obtained by optical coherence tomography (OCT) with light microscopy to determine the retinal components represented in OCT images. METHODS: Laser pulses were delivered to the retina to create small marker lesions in a Macaca mulatta. These lesions were used to align in vivo OCT scans and ex vivum histologic cross sections for image comparison. RESULTS: The OCT images demonstrated reproducible patterns of retinal morphology that corresponded to the location of retinal layers seen on light microscopic overlays. Layers of relative high reflectivity corresponded to horizontally aligned retinal components such as the nerve fiber layer and plexiform layers, as well as to the retinal pigment epithelium and choroid. In contrast, the nuclear layers and the photoreceptor inner and outer segments demonstrated relative low reflectivity by OCT. CONCLUSIONS: Retinal morphology and macular OCT imaging correlate well, with alignment of areas of high and low reflectivity to specific retinal and choroidal elements. Resolution of retinal structures by OCT depends on the contrast in relative reflectivity of adjacent structures. Use of this tool will enable expanded study of retinal morphology, both normal and pathologic, as it evolves in vivo.