Self-disclosure and marital satisfaction.

Examined the effect of self-disclosure on marital satisfaction in couples and also introduced attitude similarity as a possible predictor of marital satisfaction. 51 couples (mean age 30.6 yrs) completed 5 test instruments, including a self-disclosure scale, 2 marriage satisfaction scales, an attitude survey, and a demographic questionnaire. Results (1) revealed high reciprocity between spouses on most measures, (2) found a consistent positive relationship between self-disclosure and marital satisfaction, (3) substantiated self-disclosure as a significant predictor of marital satisfaction, and (4) demonstrated that attitude similarity had a strong positive relationship to marital satisfaction. Findings provide a firm basis for self-disclosure and attitude similarity as important predictors of marital satisfaction. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Exerting the Appropriate Application of Methylprednisolone in Acute Spinal Cord Injury Based on Time Course Transcriptomics Analysis

Methylprednisolone (MP) is an anti-inflammatory drug approved for the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries (SCIs). However, MP administration for SCIs has become a controversial issue while the molecular effects of MP remain unexplored to date. Therefore, delineating the benefits and side effects of MP and determining what MP cannot cure in SCIs at the molecular level are urgent issues. Here, genomic profiles of the spinal cord in rats with and without injury insults, and those with and without MP treatment, were generated at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h post-injury. A comprehensive analysis was applied to obtain three distinct classes: side effect of MP (SEMP), competence of MP (CPMP), and incapability of MP (ICMP). Functional analysis using these genes suggested that MP exerts its greatest effect at 8~12 h, and the CPMP was reflected in the immune response, while SEMP suggested aspects of metabolism, such as glycolysis, and ICMP was on neurological system processes in acute SCIs. For the first time, we are able to precisely reveal responsive functions of MP in SCIs at the molecular level and provide useful solutions to avoid complications of MP in SCIs before better therapeutic drugs are available.     

Changes in management practices and apparent prevalence on Canadian dairy farms participating in a voluntary risk assessment-based Johne's disease control program

The objectives of this study were (1) to describe the change in Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) antibody milk ELISA-positive prevalence in Canadian dairy herds that participated in a risk assessment (RA)-based Johne's disease (JD) control program; (2) to describe the distribution of so-called high-risk management practices on Canadian dairy farms; and (3) to assess if compliance with selected recommendations translated into changes in the scores of associated RA questions. In Ontario and western Canada, 226 herds voluntarily participated in a RA-based JD control program for several years. In 2005–2007, a previsit survey, RA, and MAP-antibody milk ELISA of the entire milking herd were conducted. Therefore, the interpretation of the results of this study is strictly for the MAP-antibody milk ELISA status of cows or herds, because no culture of MAP (of fecal or environmental samples) was conducted due to economic restrictions. In early 2008, a telephone interview was used to determine compliance with recommended management changes after the first RA. In 2008–2009, a second RA and another whole-herd MAP antibody milk ELISA were performed. At both herd tests, about 35% of the farms had at least one MAP-antibody milk ELISA-positive cow, classifying them as a MAP-antibody milk ELISA-positive herd. However, 28.8% of herds had changed their MAP-antibody milk ELISA status between the 2 tests, demonstrating that a single herd test was insufficient to determine the long-term MAP-antibody ELISA status of a herd. The average within-herd MAP-antibody milk ELISA-positive prevalence changed from 5.4 to 4.2% over the study period, but management practices did not change much throughout the 2- to 3-yr period and were similar to those reported in other parts of North America. The overall RA scores decreased at the second RA, in particular for management practices in the calving and preweaned calf area, and when herds were test-positive at the first test. This was not surprising, because many of the recommendations at the first RA focused on these management areas and compliance with some recommended farm-specific management practices in this area might be linked to reduced scores for associated RA questions. In conclusion, the participating farms did, on average, decrease their within-herd MAP-antibody milk ELISA positive-prevalence and RA total scores. Changes in RA scores could be linked to improved management practices, indicating that the RA questions appropriately reflected management practices. Some herds changed their MAP-antibody milk ELISA status between tests, which underlines that a current test of the entire milking herd is necessary to determine the present MAP-antibody milk ELISA status of a dairy herd.     

AT1 angiotensin II receptor inhibition in pacing-induced heart failure: effects on left ventricular performance and regional blood flow patterns

5'-O-Myristoyl analogue derivatives of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT), designed as potential double-barrelled prodrugs to AZT and the myristic acid analogues, were synthesized. Their ability to protect CEM cells against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-induced cytopathogenicity was determined and structure-activity paradigms were developed. 3'-Azido-2',3'-dideoxy-5'-O-(4-oxatetradecanoyl)thymidine (EC50 = 1.4 nM) and 3'-azido-2',3'-deoxy-5'-O-(12-bromododecanoyl)thymidine (EC50 = 3.2 nM) were the most effective anti-HIV-1 agents, relative to AZT (EC50 = 10 nM). These myristoyl analogue derivatives were more lipophilic (calculated log P = 4.5-8.1 range) than the parent compound AZT (log P = 0.06), and a linear correlation between their log P and HPLC log retention times was observed. The ester cleavage half-lives (t1/2) for esters upon in vitro incubation with porcine liver esterase, rat plasma or rat brain homogenate was dependent on the steric bulk, and electronegative inductive effect of the alpha-substituent (H, Br, F), of the 5'-O-myristoyl analogue moiety. 3'-Azido-2',3'-dideoxy-5'-O-(11-(4-iodophenoxy) undecanoyl)-thymidine exhibited t1/2 values of 80.4, 3.7 and 150.0 min upon incubation with porcine liver esterase, rat plasma and rat brain homogenate, respectively.     

Surfing-related ocular injuries

Tropomyosins (Tm) are a large family of isoforms obtained from multiple genes and by extensive alternative splicing. They bind in the alpha-helical groove of the actin filament and are therefore core components of this extensive cytoskeletal system. In non-muscle cells the Tm isoforms have been implicated in a diversity of processes including cytokinesis, vesicle transport, motility, morphogenesis and cell transformation. Using immunohistochemical localization in cultured primary cortical neurons with an antibody that potentially identifies all non-muscle TM5 gene isoforms compared with one that specifically identifies a subset of isoforms, the possibility was raised that there were considerably more isoforms derived from this gene than the four previously described. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis we have now shown that the rat brain generates at least 10 mRNA isoforms using multiple combinations of terminal exons and two internal exons. There is extensive developmental regulation of these isoforms in the brain and there appears to be a switch in the preferential use of the two internal exons 6a to 6b from the embryonic to the adult isoforms. Specific isoforms using alternate carboxyl-terminal exons are differentially localized within the adult rat cerebellum. It is suggested that the tightly regulated spatial and temporal expression of Tm isoforms plays an important role in the development and maintenance of specific neuronal compartments. This may be achieved by isoforms providing unique structural properties to actin-based filaments within functionally distinct neuronal domains.     

Improvement in mammography quality control: 1987-1995

PURPOSE: To assess possible changes in quality control (QC) practices at mammography sites in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mammography site surveys were conducted in 1990, 1992, and 1995 through the Colorado Mammography Advocacy Project (CMAP). Data from mammography sites applying for American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation were collected between August 1987 and August 1993 through the ACR Mammography Accreditation Program. Data from both of these surveys were analyzed to assess temporal changes in mammography QC practices in the United States between 1987 and 1995. RESULTS: CMAP results indicated statistically significant improvement in medical physicist QC practices between 1990 and 1992 and in technologist QC practices between 1990 and 1995. Improvements in radiologic technologist QC practices coincided with increases in radiologic technologist continuing education in mammography. ACR results indicated statistically significant improvement in technologist QC practices between 1988 and 1992. CONCLUSION: There have been substantial improvements in QC practices at mammography sites in the United States during the past decade.     

Androgyny and helping behavior.

Suggests that sex differences found in previous studies of how bystanders' help in emergency situations may have been due to Ss' following sex-role expectations for this type of situation. To study this possibility, 78 male and 82 female undergraduates, classified by the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) as either androgynous or sex-typed, participated in an experiment in which a "victim" choked on food. Ss were either alone with the victim, with 4 other same-sex confederates, or with 4 other mixed-sex confederates. Data on speed of helping and/or proportion of Ss helping show (a) more help by males than by females, (b) more help in S-alone conditions than in larger group conditions, and (c) more help by androgynous than by sex-typed Ss. The pattern of direct, indirect, or no help differed between sex-typed males and females but not between androgynous males and females. Questionnaire data support the notion of diffusion of responsibility for the group-size effect for helping. Several of the sex effects suggested that instrumental competence is the crucial variable in dealing with emergencies. Results also suggest that such competence is due to masculinity rather than sex per se. Findings provide substantial construct validation for androgyny theory and for the BSRI as a measure of androgyny. (30 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)