A brief history of dislocation theory

Early developments leading to the concept of a dislocation are discussed. The discoveries of 1934 are described. The subsequent evolution of various aspects of dislocation theory is outlined. This paper is based on a presentation made at the symposium “50th Anniversary of the Introduction of Dislocations” held at the fall meeting of the TMS-AIME in Detroit, Michigan in October 1984 under the TMS-AIME Mechanical Metallurgy and Physical Metallurgy Committees.     

A brief economic history of radiology

Between July 1986 and July 1994, we studied 125 total finger amputations due to crush and avulsion type injuries at the Izmir Hand and Microsurgery Hospital. Of the 125 fingers replanted, 88 were successful, for a general survival rate of 70.4%. In the period between 1986 and 1991, we performed end-to-end anastomoses and achieved a survival rate of 48.3% (Group I). Between 1991 and 1994, with the application of a primary interpositional vein graft for the required indications in this type of injury, the general survival rate increased to 77.1% (Group II; P < 0.05). We conclude that the significant increase in the survival rate in Group II is related to both the increased experience of the surgical team and the application of the primary interpositional vein graft.     

A brief history of twin study methods

In order to clarify the role of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) in the regulation of apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells (VEC), we investigated the effects of D609, a specific inhibitor of PC-PLC, on apoptosis that was induced by deprivation of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and serum and also by rattlesnake venom. The early morphological changes (detachment of cells from dishes) and the fragmentation of DNA, which is a specific feature of apoptotic cell death, were clearly inhibited by D609 in these two apoptosis-inducing systems. Moreover, the production of diacylglycerol (DAG), which was stimulated in apoptotic VEC, was suppressed by D609. The effects of D609 on the activity of PC-PLC and on apoptosis of VEC were dose-dependent. Our results indicate that PC-PLC is involved in the apoptosis-inducing signal pathway in VEC and, that DAG, produced from phosphatidylcholine (PC), might be an important mediator in this signal-transduction pathway. Our results also suggest that rattlesnake venom, a strong promoter of apoptosis in VEC, might induce apoptosis by stimulating PC-PLC and, furthermore, that PC-PLC might play a significant role in anchorage-dependent signal transduction in VEC.     

A brief history of practice— expanded.

Psychology can trace its origins from philosophy, through experiential introspection and behaviorism, to a major branch in the evolution of the discipline called practice. This article presents a history of practice, with emphasis on major events that altered the direction and focus of practice. The history begins with the "first" patient of Lightner Witmer and traces the movement into assessment, psychotherapy, and primary health care. It examines the impact of the federal government, the Veterans Administration system, and World Wars I and II on the evolution of practice. The expansion of the availability of services along with the movement to credential-qualified professionals are delineated within the context of licensure laws, freedom of choice acts, and third-party reimbursement Finally, the impact of health reform on psychological practice is described. These events are viewed as an integral part of the history of psychology as well as the evolution of practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A brief history of quality assurance and peer review.

Presents a historical overview of quality assurance. The following innovations are noted: (a) the establishment of professional schools directly linking training with practice, (b) credentialing, (c) the setting of minimum standards for facilities and faculty in training institutions, (d) assessment of outcome, (e) personal supervision, (f) peer review, and (g) continuing education as a requirement for maintaining licensure. Peer review at present seems most favored and looks most promising. Credentialing and continuing education recently have been subject to considerable criticism. Several national peer review programs presently in effect and functioning are cited. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A brief history of the Hebbian learning rule.

Notes that D. O. Hebb included a version of his neural postulate of learning in his MA thesis (1932). It seems to be a translation of Pavlovian conditioning into neural terms. The version that appears in his book, The Organization of Behavior (1949), speaks of synapses rather than routes, but the idea of simultaneous firing of afferent and efferent elements is common to both versions. The postulate was adopted by groups interested in programming computers to learn and think. It was also one of the hypotheses tested by neurophysiologists in their search for the synaptic mechanism of learning. So far the neurophysiologists have had more success than the logicians; the NMDA synapse appears to explain the main features of Hebb's postulate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Frontiers of digestive surgery using laparoscopy

AIM: To investigate the effects of tyrphostins, (AG213, AG1394, AG114, AG1109, AG555) on the activity of casein kinase (CK) II. METHODS: CK II was partially purified from rat livers by sequential DE52 and heparin-Sepharose chromatography. CK II activity was assayed by incubating CK II with dephosphorylated casein and [gamma-32 P]ATP. RESULTS: AG213 inhibited the activity of CK II with IC50 44.7 mumol.L-1 (41.5-47.9 mumol.L-1), and AG1394 (144 mumol.L-1) strongly inhibited the activity of CK II with an inhibitory ratio of 89%. AG114 (174 mumol.L-1) and AG1109 (126 mumol.L-1) had inhibitory effects on the activity of CK II (p < 0.01). AG555 (136 mumol.L-1) had little effect on CK II activity. CONCLUSION: Some tyrphostins are potent inhibitors of CK II.     

A new T-tube applier in laparoscopic surgery

The level of blood lipids and apolipoproteins in subjects being screened for abdominal aortic aneurysms have been investigated. As part of an ultrasound screening programme in a population of 65- to 75-year-olds, blood samples were collected from 1460 of 1504 subjects with a normal aorta (97.1%) and 69 of 70 patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm > 29 mm (99%). Samples were also taken from 22 of 27 patients (81%) with an ectatic aorta (26-29 mm). Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, Apo-AI and Apo-B levels were significantly higher in women than in men (P < 0.01). Levels of HDL-cholesterol and Apo-AI were significantly lower in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm than in normal subjects (P < 0.001). The mean(s.d.) body mass index was 25.1(3.9) in women and 25.5(3.2) in men with aneurysms and not significantly greater than that of normal subjects (25.2(3.61) and 25.2(3.38) respectively).     

Details of teaching, learning and training in laparoscopic surgery

The authors discuss the specific details of teaching, learning and training in laparoscopy in 6 main sections, on the basis of their experience gained through basic and advanced courses held for approximately 480 participants at the courses organised at the Department of Experimental Surgery of the University Medical School of Debrecen, between 1989 and 1996. The 6 section cover the following: 1. Why these courses are needed? 2. Who should participate in them? 3. When courses should be held (continuously for beginners, at an appointed time for advanced participants, and chances for training should be provided at any time, according to demand) 4. What should be taught? 5. Where teaching and training should take place (surgical learning/training centres) and 6. What methods of teaching should be used.     

A brief history of vascular access for hemodialysis: an unfinished story

In the recent literature an inverse relationship between iron status and serum aluminum levels has repeatedly been reported in dialysis patients. To check whether this observation is, at least in part, due to an interference of iron with the protein binding of aluminum, we studied the effect of the latter element on both the number of free binding sites on transferrin (Tf) and on the affinity of the protein for aluminum. For the purpose of this, a recently developed HPLC-ETAAS hybrid method was used, allowing protein-binding studies at clinical relevant metal concentrations and under contamination-free conditions. After we incubated apo-Tf with iron and aluminum which were added in amounts equivalent to the calculated number of metal-binding sites on the protein (i.e., 2 mol metal/mol Tf), we found that Tf can be saturated for 100% with iron. However, for aluminum only a 23% aluminum-Tf saturation was observed. In Tf solutions with iron saturations ranging between 0 and 60% as well as in the serum of 15 subjects with iron-Tf saturations varying between 12 and 48%, a significant (p < 0.001) negative correlation between the degree of iron-Tf saturation and the percentage of aluminum (added in amounts equivalent to the number of the remaining binding sites on Tf) bound to Tf was noted (y = -0.26x + 24.5, r = -0.87 in serum). It is concluded that the iron-Tf saturation influences the Tf binding of aluminum not only by occupying binding sites otherwise available for aluminum, but also by lowering the affinity of Tf for aluminum. The effects of iron on serum aluminum levels and bone aluminum deposition are discussed.     

Complications of laparoscopic surgery

The potential complications of a laparoscopic procedure include those related to laparoscopy and those related to the specific operative procedure. The majority of these complications occur during the early learning phase for laparoscopy. They also may occur, however, during procedures performed by surgeons who have considerable laparoscopic experience. As new applications for laparoscopy continue to emerge, it is important for the surgeon to be familiar with the possible complications associated with the various laparoscopic procedures. Only through an appreciation of the potential complications of a procedure can their overall incidence be reduced to a minimum.