Overdependence on degraded gist memory in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) reduces associative effects on false recognition in the Deese-Roediger-McDermott task, either due to impaired memory for gist or impaired use of gist in memory decisions. Gist processes were manipulated by blocking or mixing studied words according to their associations and by varying the associative strength between studied and nonstudied words at test. Both associative blocking and associative strength had smaller effects on false recognition in AD patients than in control participants, consistent with gist memory impairments. However, unlike the case with control participants, blocking influenced true and false recognition equally in AD patients, demonstrating an overdependence on gist when making memory decisions. AD also impaired item-specific recollections, relative to control participants, as true recognition of studied words was reduced even when the two groups were equated on gist-based false recognition. We propose that the overdependence on degraded gist memory in AD is caused by even larger impairments in item-specific recollections. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An ELISA for brown trout (Salmo trutta) vitellogenin and its use in bioassays for environmental estrogens

An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of the egg yolk precursor vitellogenin (Vg) in plasma of brown trout (Salmo trutta). Purified Vg from a 17 beta-estradiol-induced trout was used as the competing antigen in the ELISA which is based on polyclonal antibodies. The ELISA's performance was optimized and characterized. The assay's working range was (25-500 ng ml-1), its sensitivity was (10.5 ng ml-1), and it had an intra-assay coefficient of variation of less than 10% between 30 and 1000 ng ml-1. The ELISA was used in bioassays for the detection of environmental estrogens, including estrogen mimics, in whole and fractionated industrial waste waters. Those bioassays were based on intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection-, static renewal-, and flow through exposure systems. The response threshold of both bioassays is limited to 1-2 micrograms ml-1 Vg by a low level plasma interference that was regularly detected in plasma from non-induced male fish. The responsiveness of the bioassays was characterized using progressive doses of 17 beta-estradiol. The i.p.-based assay, which was responsive to at least 100 micrograms kg-1 of 17 beta-estradiol, was used to screen extracts of pulp mill effluent and black liquor for estrogenic effects. Neither extract induced Vg in our assay. The i.p. assay was also used to test 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) and the PAH derivative, retene, for estrogenic activity. OP induced Vg in the i.p.-exposed fish; no Vg induction was detected in the retene-exposed fish. The static renewal bioassay, which was responsive to at least 0.1 microgram ml-1 of 17 beta-estradiol over a 15-day exposure period, was used to screen whole pulp mill effluents for estrogenic effects. No Vg induction was detected in the effluent-treated fish.     

Coronary artery fistula after cardiac transplantation

A cardiac transplant recipient with multiple coronary artery fistulae draining into the right ventricle is described. These fistulae presumably resulted from repeated endomyocardial biopsies. The diagnosis of coronary artery fistulae was made at the annual coronary arteriography. The magnitude of the shunt remained small over eight years of follow-up.     

Record-keeping practices of clinical and counseling psychologists: A survey of practitioners.

Record keeping by psychologists was examined with survey data. Results indicate substantial variability in policies and practices. Implications of the results are discussed, and it is recommended that more specific guidelines for practitioners be developed in order to reduce the variability in record keeping. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tarasoff: 10 years later.

This article reviews the Tarasoff case and other cases decided since the California Supreme Court issued its decision. The changing interpretation of the decision, the broadening of its applicability, and legislative reactions are also discussed. Recommendations for psychotherapists who may have to make decisions about potentially violent clients are noted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) contamination in private wells near gasoline stations in upstate New York

BACKGROUND: Auxiliary liver transplantation has several advantages over standard orthotopic liver transplantation. However, functional competition has been reported even in auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT). We evaluated herein the interaction in APOLT between the native liver and the graft in terms of portal blood flow and regeneration. The need for diversion of the portal blood flow to the graft was also assessed. METHODS: A total of 15 patients received APOLT from living donors. Portal blood flow to the native liver was preserved in 6 patients, and the portal vein to the native liver was preemptively transected at the time of transplantation in 9 patients. RESULTS: Of the patients with preservation of the portal blood flow to the native liver, two showed inadequate graft portal blood flow just after operation, and in the other three patients the graft portal blood flow decreased or the graft atrophied after deterioration of the graft function. In the patients with preemptive transection of the portal vein to the native liver, optimal graft portal blood flow was obtained, and the native liver, supplied only by arterial inflow, supported a small-for-size graft until the graft regenerated. The damage to the native liver was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: Functional competition may occur in APOLT with preservation of the portal blood flow to the native liver, whereas preemptive transection of the native liver portal vein is a safe procedure and effectively prevents the portal steal phenomenon.     

Intake of very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids related to social status and lifestyle

OBJECTIVES: Little information is available about the intake of very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids in random samples of populations. We examined if the intake of these fatty acids was associated with gender, social status and lifestyle in a similar way as other indicators for a healthy diet in a nationwide survey. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Data were obtained from self-administered quantitative food frequency questionnaires filled in by a representative sample of Norwegian men and women, aged 16-79 y. 3144 (63%) of the invited subjects responded with acceptable questionnaires. RESULTS: Daily intake of very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids was on average 0.9 g/d and 0.4% of total energy was derived from these fatty acids. Energy derived from very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids was slightly higher among men than women, and two-fold higher among subjects aged 60-79 vs 16-29 y. White collar workers had higher intake of very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids than blue collar workers. Men and women in the highest quartile of intake of very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids had 2-3 E% higher fat intake (mostly mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids), as compared to individuals in the lowest quartile. They also had 3-4 fold higher daily intake of retinol and vitamin D, as well as 20-50% higher intake of fruits and vegetables, dietary fibre and vitamin C. CONCLUSIONS: Intake of very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids was correlated to indicators for healthy dietary habits. However, contrary to many other indicators of a healthy diet, energy derived from very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids was not significantly associated with female gender or non-smoking.