The interaction of visual and proprioceptive inputs in pointing to actual and remembered targets

Errors in pointing to actual and remembered targets presented in three-dimensional (3D) space in a dark room were studied under various conditions of visual feedback. During their movements, subjects either had no vision of their arms or of the target, vision of the target but not of their arms, vision of a light-emitting diode (LED) on their moving index fingertip but not of the target, or vision of an LED on their moving index fingertip and of the target. Errors depended critically upon feedback condition. 3D errors were largest for movements to remembered targets without visual feedback, diminished with vision of the moving fingertip, and diminished further with vision of the target and vision of the finger and the target. Moreover, the different conditions differentially influenced the radial distance, azimuth, and elevation errors, indicating that subjects control motion along all three axes relatively independently. The pattern of errors suggest that the neural systems that mediate processing of actual versus remembered targets may have different capacities for integrating visual and proprioceptive information in order to program spatially directed arm movements.     

Character of structural disturbances caused by chloroalkylamines in the model and erythrocyte membranes

beta, beta-Dichlorodiethylamine is proved not to induce structural disturbances in phosphatidylcholine liposomes and erythrocyte membranes which is registered by fluorescence methods. Methyl-beta, beta-dichlorodiethylamine and metaxylyl-beta, beta-dichlorodiethylamine cause the increase in microviscosity of lipid bilayer hydrophobic areas in both erythrocyte membranes and liposomes. Besides, polarity of the latter also decreases, and the metaxylyl derivative alkylates nucleophilic centers of phospholipid phosphate groups in liposomes. Erythrocyte membranes, being treated by beta, beta-dichlorodiethylamine derivatives, the increase in the membrane protein hydrophobicity is registered as well as the decrease in their immersion in the lipid bilayer.     

Correlation between int-2 oncogene amplification and increased tumor size in breast cancer]

Gloves should provide two-way protection from the transmission of microorganisms between worker and patient. Until recently, glove manufacturers paid little attention to barrier properties. Because the operating room is a high-risk area, surgical nurses must be especially careful about gloving practices.     

The treatment of atypical manias with finlepsin-retard

The article presents results of clinical trial of finlepsine-retard. Objectivized parameters characterizing the time course of psychopathologic symptoms were studied in certain concentrations of finlepsine and beta-endrofin in blood serum. Atypical maniac states do not easily respond to therapies but finlepsine-retard gives the modern psychopharmacotherapy a new horizon.     

Potentiometric methods for determining boron, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen chloride compounds and their use in controlling the quality of manufacturing and natural environments

The authors present basic science for, elaborate and set as methodic recommendations some potentiometric methods using ion-selective electrodes. Efficiency of those methods was proved in experiments with such substances as boron compounds, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride. High sensitivity, selectivity, accuracy and rapidity of the methods with handy technique make the facilities available for analysis of air at workplace, ambient atmosphere, water and biologic materials, detecting wide range of concentrations. Practical application of the methods enabled to specify measures to preserve health of workers and general population, helped in hygienic evaluation of work conditions in composition materials production, high-temperature soldering, optic glass industry.     

Prognostic value of ploidy of primary tumour and nodal secondaries in colorectal cancers

Tumour ploidy is of prognostic value in colorectal cancer, DNA aneuploid tumours having a worse outlook. Nearly all studies have concentrated on the DNA content of the primary tumour. We have examined the ploidy of the primary tumour and its lymph node metastases in 71 cases of Dukes' stage C disease, to see whether this provides greater prognostic information than the primary alone. Analysis was performed using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumour sections. Ploidy of primary and metastases was different in 20 cases (28%), aneuploid nodes being seen with diploid primaries and vice versa. Ploidy of both the primary (chi 2 = 4.86, P = 0.03) and secondary (chi 2 = 4.86, P = 0.03) tumours predicted survival in univariate analysis. Combining the ploidy of primary and nodes, three prognostic groups could be defined--diploid primaries with diploid metastases (hazard relative to both aneuploid, 0.36) had significantly better survival than cases where the ploidy of the primary and nodes were mixed (relative hazard 0.47-0.56), which did better than cases with aneuploid primary and nodes. This study demonstrates that ploidy variation between primary and secondary tumours is common, and better prognostic information may be gained by studying both.     

Status of the system of hemostasis in patients with non-insulin-dependent and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus without clinical manifestation of vessel pathology

BACKGROUND: Murine progressive ankylosis (MPA) is a spontaneous arthropathy that produces ankylosis of peripheral and spinal joints in mice homozygous for the gene ank. This animal model bears a striking resemblance clinically, radiographically, and histologically to ankylosing spondylitis. Phosphocitrate (PC) is the only treatment known to significantly delay disease progression in MPA. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is important for both developmental bone formation and fracture healing, and has been detected in biopsy specimens from sacroiliac joints of patient with ankylosing spondylitis. We hypothesized that TGF-beta might be involved in the pathogenesis of MPA. METHODS: We compared the proliferative response of resting fibroblasts from normal and MPA mice to TGF-beta 1 as measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation and the effect of PC on that response. Cells were cultured with 10% serum as a positive control. The mouse fibroblast cell line, BALB/3T3, controlled for culture conditions. RESULTS: MPA and normal fibroblasts responded similarly to serum. MPA fibroblasts proliferated significantly better in TGF-beta 1 than the poorly responsive normal mouse fibroblasts. PC, at 10(-3) mol/L, inhibited the TGF-beta 1-induced proliferation of MPA and 3T3 cells, but had no effect on normal fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: MPA fibroblasts proliferate excessively to TGF beta 1 in vitro. This effect could be caused by altered TGF receptors, changes in signal transduction, or impaired inhibition of the TGF-beta signal. This excessive response is blocked by PC. These results give further clues as to how PC inhibits the progression of ankylosis in MPA.     

Autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system in patients with chronic cholecystitis and hepatitis

Three hepatic porphyrias--acute intermittent porphyria, hereditary coproporphyria and variegate porphyria--are characterized by episodic acute attacks that consist of various neuro-psychiatric symptoms and signs, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, hypertension and tachycardia associated with increased excretion of porphyrins and porphyrin precursors. Peripheral neuropathy is manifested as pain in the extremities, and it may progress to a severe motor neuropathy. Measurement of porphobilinogen in the urine gives a prompt diagnosis during acute attacks. Attacks are often induced by precipitating factors such as drugs, alcohol, infection, fasting or changes in sex-hormone balance, and they should be eliminated when a patient is treated during an attack. Heme, the end biosynthetic product, is the most effective therapy for restoration of porphyrin biosynthesis to normal, and it is usually infused at 3 mg/kg daily for 4 days. Adequate calories are necessary and parenteral nutrition with carbohydrates may be necessary. Attacks may also require therapy for hypertension, pain and epileptic seizures. Strict avoidance of all precipitating factors may not be necessary in the asymptomatic phase.     

Acalculous acute cholecystitis in leukemia

Alcaligenes xylosoxidans is an uncommon but serious cause of nosocomial epidemics. This report describes a cluster of two patients who underwent revision of hip arthroplasties and one patient who had a lumbar puncture. Cultures obtained during all three procedures showed A. xylosoxidans with similar antibiotic sensitivity patterns. An investigation found that saline used to process these specimens was contaminated with this organism.