Startle potentiation: shock sensitization, aversive learning, and affective picture modulation

This study investigated the size of, and relationship between, different modulatory effects of aversive stimulation on the acoustic startle reflex. This reflex is potentiated by shock exposure and associative shock conditioning (in animals and human volunteers) and unpleasant pictures (in human volunteers). In this study, dramatic sensitization of the probe-startle response was observed after shock exposure but not after a control task. Magnitude of sensitization was significantly larger than associative shock conditioning and picture modulation effects (also significant). Sensitization and conditioning scores showed modest, significant correlations with one another but not with picture modulation scores, consistent with animal data showing that partially overlapping brain mechanisms (i.e., amygdaloid-reticular projections) mediate these effects. The present results also indicate that sensitization of startle in human volunteers is a relatively more robust defensive response to aversive stimulation.     

Long-term administration of controlled-release oxycodone tablets for the treatment of cancer pain

We conducted a study of the safety of controlled-release (CR) oxycodone tablets (OxyContin Tablets) administered chronically to patients with cancer-related pain in a usual clinical setting. These patients had participated in 1 of 2 double-blind, active-control studies. Our study was an open, 3-month treatment study that included 87 patients. Patients received CR oxycodone tablets every 12 hr in a manner that reflected typical clinical practice. Supplemental immediate-release (IR) oxycodone was available PRN for breakthrough pain. Patients recorded medication use, adverse events, and evaluations of pain intensity and acceptability of therapy in a daily diary. Forty-four patients (51%) completed all 12 weeks of study; 43 patients (49%) discontinued participation. At baseline and throughout the study period, the overall mean pain-intensity score was slight to moderate. A comparison of initial and final doses showed a significant but modest increase in total daily CR oxycodone dose. An increase or decrease in titration of the oxycodone dose occurred for 66 patients (84%) at least once during the 12-week study period, primarily for increased pain. Forty-four patients (56%) did not undergo dose titration when the latter was indicated. Half of the patients used IR oxycodone rescue almost daily; the mean number of rescue doses per day was 1.5. Despite stable pain control and an increasing total daily CR oxycodone dose, the percentage of patients reporting common opioid-related adverse events decreased over the course of the study. CR oxycodone tablets administered every 12 hr were successfully used to manage cancer pain over a 12-week period. Importantly, side effects diminished over time without a concomitant change in efficacy.     

Influence of temperature on the emitted dose of an oral metered dose inhaler

The performance of metered dose inhalers is critical for the efficient delivery of drugs to the intended site of deposition in the respiratory tract. The temperature at which metered dose inhaler products are used by patients may influence the physicochemical characteristics of the emitted dose. Product performance characteristics of a metered dose inhaler containing beclomethasone dipropionate and oleic acid in a blend of chlorofluorocarbon propellants, Freon-11 and Freon-12, were determined by cascade impaction analysis and dose delivery through the valve after the metering chamber was loaded and actuated at 4 degrees C, 23 degrees C, and 40 degrees C. The dose delivered from the valve was not affected by the temperature at which the metering chamber was loaded and actuated. The mass median aerodynamic particle size of the emitted aerosol decreased and the percentage respirable fraction increased as the temperature was increased. The geometric standard deviation of the particle size distribution was not significantly affected by the temperature at which the metering chamber was loaded and actuated. The temperature at which a metered dose inhaler is used by a patient may influence the amount of drug that is potentially respirable; therefore, the dose expected to be delivered and the corresponding therapeutic effect may also be affected.     

Purification, characterization and differentiation-dependent expression of a perchloric acid soluble protein from rat kidney

We have recently reported the presence of a novel perchloric acid soluble protein in rat liver (PSP1) that inhibits cell-free protein synthesis in a rabbit reticulocyte system. While studying the perchloric acid soluble proteins from different tissues of rats, we found that the kidney protein cross-reacted with antibody against the PSP1. In this investigation, we have purified a perchloric acid soluble protein from the rat kidney and studied its characterization and expression. The protein extracted from the postmitochondrial supernatant fraction with 5% perchloric acid was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and CM-Sephadex chromatography. By immunoscreening with the rabbit antisera against the PSP1, we detected a cDNA that contained an open reading frame of 411 bp, encoding a 137 amino-acid protein with a molecular mass of 14,149 daltons. The deduced amino acid sequence was completely identical with that of PSP1 from rat liver. The perchloric acid soluble protein from rat kidney (K-PSP1) also inhibited cell-free protein synthesis in the rabbit reticulocyte lysate system in a different manner than RNase A. Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of K-PSP1 increased from fetal 17th day to postnatal 4th week, and it remained almost the same until the 7th week of postnatal age. Furthermore, the expression of K-PSP1 in the kidney of the nephrotic rat model was shown to be differentiation dependent. On the other hand, the expression of K-PSP1 in renal tumor cells was downregulated as compared with intact tissue. These results suggest that the expression of K-PSP1 is regulated in a differentiation-dependent manner in the kidney.     

Skeletal metastases and bone marrow infiltration from squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa

Distant metastasis from head and neck cancer is an extremely rare phenomenon. Squamous carcinomas of the buccal mucosa is not known to spread to distant organs. We report a case of buccal mucosal carcinoma with biopsy proven metastasis to bone and bone marrow.     

Staffing the operating room. Time and space factors

Staffing the operating room requires a different approach than staffing inpatient units. Of course, there are similarities, namely: assuring safe, cost-effective care; dealing with fluctuating workloads; using various types of caregivers; and maximizing and maintaining resources in a responsible manner. However, many differences also exist. This article details the fundamental requirements for determining operating room staffing.     

Leukotrienes in acetylcholine-induced contraction of esophageal circular smooth muscle in experimental esophagitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) participates in acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contraction of esophageal circular smooth muscle. Because PLA2, arachidonic acid, and its metabolites are involved in inflammatory responses, their role after induction of experimental esophagitis was examined. METHODS: Experiments were performed in esophageal smooth muscle cells (ESO) isolated by enzymatic digestion from the circular layer of normal and esophagitis animals. Content of peptidoleukotrienes (leukotriene [LT] C4, LTD4, and LTE4) was measured in esophageal circular muscle tissue. RESULTS: The cytosolic PLA2 antagonist trifluoromethyl ketone analogue of arachidonic acid inhibited ACh-induced contraction of normal and esophagitis ESO. Inhibition by secreted PLA2 antagonists AM5 and MJ33 was significantly greater in esophagitis ESO. The lipoxygenase inhibitor nordihydro-guaiaretic acid and the LTD4 antagonist ICI 198,615 inhibited ACh-induced contraction of esophagitis but not of normal ESO. Secreted PLA2 and LTD4 contracted normal ESO more than esophagitis ESO. However, in esophagitis, ESO contraction was increased by threshold diacylglycerol concentration. Resting levels of LTs were greater in esophagitis than in normal circular esophageal muscle and increased in response to ACh in esophagitis but not in normal esophageal muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Esophagitis shifts the signal transduction pathway activated by ACh. Esophagitis increased the contribution of secreted PLA2 and of LTs to ACh-induced contraction.     

Attachment and emotion in autobiographical memory development

The relation of attachment status to autobiographical memory was assessed in 3.5- to 4.5-year-olds. Of specific interest was the relation between attachment status and the emotional content of parent-child memory conversations. Forty-six mother-child dyads discussed four events designed to elicit positive and negative emotional themes. Both attachment status and gender moderated the emotional content of this memory talk. Mother-daughter dyads with insecurely attached girls engaged in relatively more negative memory talk than mother-daughter dyads with securely attached girls. However, the dyads of secure girls elaborated more often on both positive and negative emotional themes than did the dyads of insecure girls who primarily elaborated on positive themes. The relations between attachment status and emotion talk for mother-son dyads were inconsistent. Findings were discussed in terms of the role of attachment in the social construction of autobiographical memories.     

Effect of ionizing radiation on transforming growth factor-beta expression

We report on papers concerning in topic "Diseases of the breast", which were published in the Zentralblatt für Gyn?kologie during the first half of the 20th century. Only 26 publications about senologic problems were found in 44 years. Papers about the mammary theory of eclampsia, mastitis, plastic operations and breast cancer are reported.     

Assessment of efficacy of pyridoxine in control of radiation induced sickness

A case of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) of the liver and an adrenal pseudocyst coexisting in the same patient is presented. The presentation was due to the large adrenal pseudocyst, which caused abdominal pain and swelling. At operation, the FNH was noted as an incidental finding. The aetiopathogenesis of both these lesions is thought to be the result of vascular malformation. FNH is associated with several other vascular malformations and lesions, and the association with an adrenal pseudocyst extends this concept. It also lends support to the theory that vascular abnormalities are important in the causation of these lesions.