Strategies and automaticity: I. Basic findings and conceptual framework.

Evaluated the contributions of strategic and data-driven factors to skilled performance by manipulating the predictability of the class of stimuli used in a memory search task. In Exp 1, when consistent mapping (CM) and varied mapping (VM) conditions were blocked, large performance differences were observed; however, when CM and VM trials were mixed, performance differences were reduced. In Exp 2, mixed training led to a less skilled performance than blocked training. Moreover, transfer conditions revealed a critical interval for learning to adopt and deploy differential response strategies. Exp 3 demonstrated that the differential response strategies were not stimulus specific. Analysis suggests that skilled performance can be conceptualized as an interaction between enhanced evidence accumulation and strategic setting of response criteria. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Purification of selenoprotein Ph from human plasma

There are three selenium-containing proteins in human plasma: glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px-P), albumin and selenoprotein Ph, the human analogue to selenoprotein P from rat plasma. Selenoprotein Ph was separated from the two other selenium-containing proteins by Heparin Sepharose chromatography and was shown to have about 60-70% of the total plasma selenium, while both GSH-Px-P and albumin contain about 15%. A 2588-fold purification from human plasma was achieved by using a four-step procedure. SDS-PAGE of the purified selenoprotein revealed, besides one contaminant selenium-free protein band at about 70 kDa, one selenium-containing band ranging from 54 to 67 kDa with a maximum at 63 kDa. This microheterogeneity, also recognized by IEF, may be due to the glycprotein nature of the selenoprotein Ph. The determination of the molecular mass of the native protein varied from 65 kDa using gel filtration on Fraktogel HW 55 to 89 kDa on Sephacryl S-200 HR, suggesting an interaction between the gel-matrices and selenoprotein Ph.     

Effects of ketotifen on human lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo

The effects of the antiasthmatic drug ketotifen (CAS 34580-13-7) on human mononuclear leukocytes were studied in vitro and in vivo. In vitro ketotifen concentration-dependently inhibited mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation. High ketotifen concentrations also inhibited T-lymphocyte mitogen- and adenosine triphosphate stimulated increases in intracellular Ca2+ in lymphocytes and the U937 human monocyte precursor cell line, respectively; this involved inhibition of both Ca2+ influx and intracellular mobilization. In in vivo experiments, treatment of healthy volunteers with 1 mg ketotifen b.i.d. for 7 d did not alter the number or subset composition of circulating lymphocytes. Moreover, the mitogen-stimulated in vitro proliferation of lymphocytes obtained before and after ketotifen treatment in vivo was similar. It is concluded that high ketotifen concentrations can inhibit the activation of resting lymphocytes in vitro but standard ketotifen treatment does not notably affect the number of function of circulating lymphocytes in vivo.     

Preventing weight gain in adults: A pound of prevention.

Evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of a program for weight gain prevention (WGP) in normal adults. 219 Ss were randomized to either WGP treatment or no treatment for 12 mo. The treatment group received monthly newsletters relating to weight management, participated in a financial incentive system, and were offered an optional 4-session education course in the 6th mo of the program. Results demonstrate high interest in WGP among Ss who were not objectively overweight. Participation, as measured by return of postcards sent with each newsletter, was approximately 75%. Results after 1 yr show a net weight loss of 1.8 lb in the group receiving the program compared with controls. 82% of participants maintained or lost weight, compared with 56% of controls. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The neurotrophic analogue of ACTH(4-9) reduces the perineuronal microglial reaction after rat facial nerve crush

Rats bled to a severe condition of volume-controlled hemorrhagic shock were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: (1) saline, 1 ml/kg i.v.; (2) saline, 0.2 ml/kg per min i.v. for 10 min; (3) ACTH-(1-24), 160 micrograms/kg i.v.; 4) methylprednisolone, 40 mg/kg i.v.; (5) methylprednisolone, 80 mg/kg i.v.; (6) aprotinin, 10,000 KIU/kg i.v.; (7) norepinephrine, 5 micrograms/kg per min i.v. for 10 min; (8) norepinephrine, 10 micrograms/kg per min i.v. for 10 min. All rats treated with saline or with either of the two doses of methylprednisolone, and half of the rats treated with aprotinin, died within the subsequent 2 h. On the other hand, rats treated with norepinephrine, at either dose, or with ACTH-(1-24) were all still alive 2 h later, a similar improvement in cardiovascular and respiratory parameters being obtained with the two treatments. The effect of ACTH on mean arterial pressure was however more sustained throughout the observation period. These results further support the potential usefulness of ACTH-(1-24) as first-aid treatment in cases of severe blood losses.     

Cat sera neutralize rotaviruses of serotype G3

Group A rotaviruses play an important role for the induction of gastroenteritis. Seroepidemiological studies evaluating the situation in humans have been performed previously. In this study data concerning the importance of group A rotavirus infections and the contribution of the most important serotypes are given for the domestic cat. 91% of the observed sera showed antibodies neutralizing serotype G 3. Antibodies with neutralizing properties directed against other important human serotypes could not be detected. The results obtained are discussed with respect to the formation of reassortant rotaviruses.     

Monoclonal antibody-based competitive ELISA for simultaneous detection of rinderpest virus and peste des petits ruminants virus antibodies

An experimental competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (morbillivirus cELISA) using a recombinant N antigen (rRPV N) expressed in a baculovirus and a ruminant morbillivirus (RPV and PPRV)-specific monoclonal antibody (P-13A9) was developed for simultaneous detection of rinderpest virus (RPV) and peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) antibodies and its diagnostic performance was evaluated. A set of known reference antisera against RPV and PPRV belonging to different lineages, experimental sera from cattle vaccinated for a RPV of Asian lineage, and field sera from cattle and sheep/goat populations known to be positive (West Africa) and negative (Korea) for RPV and PPRV were used for the evaluation. Morbillivirus cELISA results on the panel of experimental RPV and PPRV antisera showed high correlation (r=0.97) between the whole virus and the rRPV N antigens, suggesting that the rRPV N contains a ruminant morbillivirus-specific antigenic determinant recognized by the P-13A9 and it may be suitable as an ELISA antigen in place of the whole virus. Morbillivirus cELISA detected anti-RPV and anti-PPRV antibodies in all reference RPV and PPRV antisera containing VN titers >/=1:8, suggesting that the assay can simultaneously detect antibodies against RPV and PPRV. Anti-RPV antibody was detected by morbillivirus cELISA in vaccinated cattle as early as the VNT and continued to be detectable by both the cELISA and the VNT until termination of the study. When applied to field samples from Africa, morbillivirus cELISA showed good agreement with a RP cELISA kit (kappa value of 0.86) in bovine sera and with a peste des petits ruminant cELISA kit (kappa value of 0.81) in caprine/ovine sera. Usefulness of morbillivirus cELISA using the rRPV N protein was discussed.     

Evidence for glaucoma-induced horizontal cell alterations in the human retina

In this study we investigated changes to horizontal cells in human retinae affected by glaucoma. Glaucoma is characterized by raised intraocular pressure and is responsible for retinal ganglion cell and, possibly, photoreceptor degeneration. It was therefore assumed that horizontal cells might also be affected. The carbocyanine dye DiI was placed at discrete points on fixed, whole-mounted retinae obtained from normal and glaucomatous patients. After allowing 6-24 weeks for intramembranous diffusion within the lipid layers of the nerve cells and, therefore, fluorescent labeling, we measured horizontal cell soma and dendritic field sizes. Selected cells were then embedded in Araldite and cut at 4 microns. Horizontal cells in glaucomatous eyes appeared larger and had a granulated outline as compared with cells from normal retinae. Analysis of the mean cell soma size indicated that cells were 26% larger in the glaucomatous retinae and that this increase was significantly different from that seen in normal retinae (P < 0.05). The dendritic field size was unaffected (P > 0.05). As seen in cross section there was a clear loss of photoreceptor outer segments, and shrunken silhouettes of photoreceptor inner segments with pyknotic nuclei were observed. It is proposed that the increase in some size is indicative of horizontal cell responses that are likely to culminate in degeneration as a result of heightened intraocular pressure. In addition, this paper provides further evidence that photoreceptors are affected by advanced glaucoma.     

Neutron Reflectometry Characterization of Interface Width between Sol-Gel Titanium Dioxide and Silicon Dioxide Thin Films

Neutron reflectometry (NR) was used to directly measure the interface width between a titanium dioxide and a silicon dioxide film deposited by sol-gel processing. In a bilayer heated to 450°C, NR measurements showed that the interface width is 0.8 nm. This width is the same as the roughness of a sol-gel silicon dioxide surface after the same heat treatment, suggesting no interdiffusion or mixing at the bilayer interface.