Retention of soluble 99mTc-DTPA in the human lung: 24-h postdeposition

Clearance of low-molecular-weight solutes, e.g., radiolabeled chelate diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA), across epithelial surfaces of distal airways and the lung parenchyma is a broadly used technique to assess epithelial integrity. It has been generally assumed that clearance of solute follows a simple first-order process and that DTPA clearance through the respiratory epithelium and into blood and lymphatic channels is complete within a few hours. Using gamma-camera imaging and a radiolabeled aerosol of 99mTc-labeled DTPA, we observed in eight healthy subjects lung retention of radioisotope approximately 24 h postdeposition of the 99mTc-DTPA. Residual lung retention at the 24-h end point averaged 6.0 +/- 1.8 (SD)% of the amount of radioisotope initially deposited in the lung. This suggests that for normal healthy subjects a small amount of the 99mTc radioisotope, either in a dissociated or chelated form, is nonpermeable or slowly cleared from respiratory tisssues.     

Ultrasonic measurement of differential displacement and strain in a vascular model

The potential in intravascular ultrasound imaging for characterizing regional arterial elasticity was examined in an experimental tissue-equivalent vessel model. Differential intrawall displacement measurement, the first step in regional elasticity determination, was investigated using a crosscorrelation tracking algorithm. Calibration studies showed that tracking accuracy varied significantly with tracking direction (axial versus lateral) and position in the field of the transducer. Midfield geometric error in the axial direction for a nominal displacement of 100 microns was 5.5 microns whereas the corresponding error in the lateral direction was 31.7 microns. Displacement was tracked in serial intravascular images of vessel phantoms acquired during stepwise pressurization experiments from 0-250 mmHg. Two-dimensional grey scale maps of axial, lateral and net intrawall displacement components over the full pressurization range were generated. Displacement profiles demonstrated successful detection of differential radial displacement and good correlation with theoretical profiles (root mean square difference 3%). The corresponding experimental strain profiles were significantly noisier (root mean square difference 76%) due to small fluctuations in the displacement data. This work demonstrates that, with further refinement, regional strain mapping in vessel walls with intravascular ultrasound imaging is feasible. Mechanical characterization of arteries may provide a new tool to aid and treating atherosclerotic lesions.     

Perceptions of children and community members concerning the circumstances of orphans in rural Zimbabwe

This study examined two groups of people who were pursuing treatment for obesity: either medical intervention (a hospital group; N = 20) or support for dietary restriction (a community group; N = 18). This study addressed four questions: (1) Were there differences between the two groups in terms of their psychological distress (as measured by the Symptom Checklist)? (2) Does binge eating moderate psychological distress? (3) Do feelings of ineffectiveness moderate psychological distress? and (4) Which variables best accounted for group membership (i.e., type of treatment sought)? Results suggested that the hospital group was significantly more distressed than the community group. However, there were no differences between the two groups with respect to binge eating or feelings of ineffectiveness. These findings suggest that it is the effects of morbid obesity that are most likely to moderate psychological distress.     

Reading aloud: Evidence for the use of a whole word nonsemantic pathway.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 48(1) of Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology (see record 2007-10228-001). In Table 1, an author's error caused the digits in the Related-Unfamiliar condition to be transposed. The correct table is presented in this erratum.] Tested the assumptions that (1) only whole word orthographic knowledge can produce priming and (2) it is automatic. Two experiments with 20 adult Japanese readers were conducted in the context of reading Japanese Kana. Results show that, taken alone, neither the presence nor the absence of priming effects in oral reading permits an inference as to whether the addressed or assembled routine is used. Converging operations that do permit such an inference are reported. The data support the view that (1) components of the word recognition system operate interactively such that use of the assembled routine yields priming under certain conditions and (2) normal readers of a shallow orthography use a nonsemantic, whole-word pathway to name words. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A novel T cell-regulated mechanism modulating allergen-induced airways hyperreactivity in BALB/c mice independently of IL-4 and IL-5

The immunoregulatory functions of IL-4 and IL-5 have identified these cytokines as primary targets for the resolution of airways inflammation and bronchial hyperreactivity in asthma. However, the individual contribution of each of these cytokines and of IL-5-regulated eosinophilia to the induction of airways hyperreactivity in mouse models of asthma remains highly controversial. In this investigation, we have used IL-4- and IL-5-deficient mice of the same genetic background in combination with inhibitory mAbs to these cytokines to identify unequivocally the contribution of these factors to the induction of airways hyperreactivity. Sensitization and aeroallergen challenge of wild-type mice with OVA induced pathological changes to the respiratory epithelium, airways eosinophilia, and hyperreactivity to beta-methacholine. Inhibition of the actions of IL-4 and/or IL-5 did not abolish airways hyperreactivity, and in the case of IL-4-deficient mice pretreated with anti-IL-5 mAb, airways hyperreactivity persisted in the absence of pronounced airways inflammation. Airways hyperreactivity was abolished only by anti-CD4+ mAb treatment. However, aeroallergen challenge of IL-5-/- mice showed that morphologic changes to the airways were critically linked to IL-5 and eosinophilia. This investigation demonstrates the existence in BALB/c mice of a novel CD4+ T cell pathway for modulating airways hyperreactivity. These findings may provide an explanation for the dissociation of airways eosinophilia from the development of airways hyperreactivity observed in some cases of asthma and in animal models of this disease.     

MMPI-2 profiles of motivated fakers given specific symptom information: A comparison to matched patients.

Two groups of normal adults were given specific symptom information on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and paranoid schizophrenia, respectively, and instructed to simulate these disorders on the MMPI-2. Monetary prizes were offered for successful faking. To determine whether symptom information helped Ss produce responses that closely resembled patients' profiles, scores from fakers were compared with scores from patients with these disorders, using a 2?×?2 (Disorder?×?Response Style) ANOVA. Results showed significant differences for response style, with fakers in both groups producing lower scores on K and higher scores on F, Fb, F–K, Ds, as well as on all 10 clinical scales, than patients. The findings suggest that having specific information about the symptoms of psychological disorder does not enable fakers to avoid detection and/or produce profiles equivalent to those produced by patients with the disorder. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dienogest

The progestogen dienogest exhibits highly selective binding to the progesterone receptor. It has high progestational and significant antiandrogenic activity, but only moderate antigonadotrophic activity. Dienogest inhibits ovulation, produces secretory transformation of the endometrium and has antiproliferative effects. Oral dienogest 2 mg/day plus ethinylestradiol 30 micrograms/day provides effective contraception (Pearl Index approximately 0.2). Cycle stability is good during long term use of this combination; irregular vaginal bleeding was evident in 6% of women after 12 months' use. Androgenic symptoms (including hirsutism, seborrhoea, alopecia, acne vulgaris and hair and skin greasiness) improved in women treated with dienogest plus ethinylestradiol. The adverse events associated with dienogest are typical of those expected of a progestogen. The drug does not produce androgenic adverse effects and has little clinically significant effect on metabolic, lipid and haemostatic parameters.     

Beyond 30 MHz [applications of high-frequency ultrasound imaging]

Most medical ultrasound imaging systems operate in the frequency range from 3 to 10 MHz and can resolve objects approximately 1 mm in size. In the mid 1980s, new transducer materials led to the development of the first transducers suitable for high-frequency (30-100 MHz) clinical imaging. These high-frequency transducers can provide images of subsurface structures with microscopic resolution. In this article, the authors introduce the basic principles of high-frequency ultrasound imaging and discuss six applications of this new technology: eye imaging, skin imaging, catheter-based intravascular imaging, intra-articular imaging, high-frequency flow imaging, and in-vivo imaging of mouse embryonic development. These examples illustrate a few of the potential applications of high-frequency ultrasound in medicine and biology     

Empathy and attitudes: Can feeling for a member of a stigmatized group improve feelings toward the group?

Results of 3 experiments with 202 undergraduates suggest that feeling empathy for a member of a stigmatized group can improve attitudes toward the group as a whole. In Exps 1 and 2, inducing empathy for a young woman with AIDS (Exp 1) or a homeless man (Exp 2) led to more positive attitudes toward people with AIDS or toward the homeless, respectively. Exp 3 tested possible limits of the empathy–attitude effect by inducing empathy toward a member of a highly stigmatized group, convicted murderers, and measuring attitudes toward this group immediately and then 1–2 wks later. Results provided only weak evidence of improved attitudes toward murderers immediately but strong evidence of improved attitudes 1–2 wks later. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)