Event-related correlates of response suppression as indicators of novelty seeking in alcoholics

We examined amplification of the c-met, c-erbB-2, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in the patients with primary gastric cancer, and compared the data with clinical features in order to clarify the relationship between oncogenic abnormality and clinical features. Oncogene amplifications were examined by slot blot hybridization using DNAs extracted from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues of primary gastric cancers. Seven of the seventy cancers (10.0%) had c-met gene amplification, nine (12.9%) had c-erbB-2 gene amplification, and six (8.6%) had EGFR gene amplification, respectively. Eighteen cases (25.7%) exhibited one or multiple oncogene amplification, and two cases (2.9%) exhibited simultaneous amplification of the three genes. The cases with c-met gene amplification tend to show invasive character and were related to peritoneal dissemination. The cases with c-erbB-2 gene amplification were related to lymph node metastasis. The cases with EGFR gene amplification had large tumors and were in highly advanced stage. The survival rate in patients with oncogene amplification was significantly lower than that in patients without amplification. Our data indicated that these genes were related to growth and metastasis of gastric cancer. Furthermore, this study about the three genes suggested that the type of activated gene might decide on the type of metastasis and clinical features.     

Increase of power output by change of ion transport direction in a plant microbial fuel cell

The plant microbial fuel cell (PMFC) is a technology for the production of renewable and clean bioenergy based on photosynthesis. To increase the power output of the PMFC, the internal resistance (IR) must be reduced. The objective of the present study was to reduce the membrane resistance by changing the transport direction of cations in the direction of the established concentration gradient. Two setups, a MFC and PMFC, were designed with one anode and two cathode compartments to demonstrate the effect of changing the transport direction. This design allowed changing the direction of transport of cations by switching the cathode compartment that functions as cathode. The change between cathode 1 and cathode 2 enhanced the power output of the PMFC by 398%. More specifically, after changing transport direction, the increase in power output was due to the reduction of IR (normalized to membrane area) from 4.3 Ω m²_mem to 1.2 Ω m²_mem in the PMFC. Consecutive changes of cathodes resulted in an increase of generated power with cathode 1 while this power decreased for cathode 2. During the consecutive changes, the average power output remained constant 0.0362 ± 0.0005 W m^?2_mem; this was 246% higher than the initial power output with cathode 1. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular computational elements encode large populations of small objects

Since the introduction of molecular computation, experimental molecular computational elements have grown to encompass small-scale integration, arithmetic and games, among others. However, the need for a practical application has been pressing. Here we present molecular computational identification (MCID), a demonstration that molecular logic and computation can be applied to a widely relevant issue. Examples of populations that need encoding in the microscopic world are cells in diagnostics or beads in combinatorial chemistry (tags). Taking advantage of the small size (about 1 nm) and large 'on/off' output ratios of molecular logic gates and using the great variety of logic types, input chemical combinations, switching thresholds and even gate arrays in addition to colours, we produce unique identifiers for members of populations of small polymer beads (about 100 microm) used for synthesis of combinatorial libraries. Many millions of distinguishable tags become available. This method should be extensible to far smaller objects, with the only requirement being a 'wash and watch' protocol. Our focus on converting molecular science into technology concerning analog sensors, turns to digital logic devices in the present work.     

No evidence of differential effects of SFA,MUFA or PUFA on post-ingestive satiety and energy intake: a randomised trial of fatty acid saturation

Background  

High fat diets have long been associated with weight gain and obesity, and the weak satiety response elicited in response to dietary lipids is likely to play a role. Suppression of appetite and food intake has consistently been shown to be diminished with high fat relative to either high protein or carbohydrate meals. There is however some evidence that the satiating capacity of lipids may be modulated when physicochemical properties are altered, but studies investigating the effect of lipid saturation on appetite have generated inconsistent findings. This study investigated the effects of changes in fatty acid saturation on post-ingestive satiety and energy intake.     

Strategic eclecticism: A technical alternative for eclectic psychotherapy.

Proposes a technical eclecticism that extends the strategic model of the Mental Research Institute (R. Fisch et al, 1982) to include contributions of diverse psychotherapy approaches. Strategic eclecticism is conceptually based in systems theory and constructivism and attempts to (1) maximize common factor effects and (2) enable the selective application of diverse psychotherapy technique, language, and content. Three assumptions and 3 levels of intervention of strategic eclecticism are discussed. Case examples of 4 patients (aged 32–43 yrs) illustrate differing levels of intervention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

P300 in schizophrenia: interactions between amplitudes and topography

Low P300 amplitudes and topographical asymmetries have been reported in schizophrenic patients, but reference-independent amplitude assessment failed to replicate reduced amplitudes. P300 amplitude is conventially assessed at midline electrodes (Pz), and asymmetric topography as reported in schizophrenics, may confound this measurement. We investigated the possible interaction between P300 topography and assessments of amplitudes. In 41 clinically stable schizophrenics and 31 normal controls, the general finding of reduced amplitudes at the Pz-electrode and topographical asymmetries in the patient group were replicated. In both groups, asymmetries of the P300 field (lateralized peaks) reduced the standard amplitude assessment at the midline parietal electrode, but did not affect the reference-independent, global amplitude assessment. This shows that asymmetry per se does not imply reduced field strength. In addition, in schizophrenics, but not in controls, there was a significant effect of the direction of asymmetry on both amplitude measures, amplitudes being lower with increasing shift of the P300 peak to the right side. Considering also the slightly left-lateralized peaks in the normal controls, this suggests that only right-lateralized P300 peaks express functional deficits in schizophrenics, whereas left-lateralized peaks fall within the physiological variability of the P300 field. The reference-independent amplitude assessment is proposed for unambiguous amplitude assessment in order to better define the clinical, psychological and physiopathological meaning of the P300 alterations in schizophrenics.