"Task control and cognitive abilities of self and spouse in collaboration in middle-aged and older couples": Erratum.

Reports an error in "Task control and cognitive abilities of self and spouse in collaboration in middle-aged and older couples" by Cynthia A. Berg, Timothy W. Smith, Kelly J. Ko, Nancy J. M. Henry, Paul Florsheim, Gale Pearce, Bert N. Uchino, Michelle A. Skinner, Ryan M. Beveridge, Nathan Story and Kelly Glazer (Psychology and Aging, 2007[Sep], Vol 22[3], 420-427). Due to an editing mistake, the order of authorship was incorrect. The correct order is as follows: Berg, Smith, Ko, Beveridge, Story, Henry, Florsheim, Pearce, Uchino, Skinner, & Glazer. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2007-13103-002.) Collaborative problem solving may be used by older couples to optimize cognitive functioning, with some suggestion that older couples exhibit greater collaborative expertise. The study explored age differences in 2 aspects of collaborative expertise: spouses' knowledge of their own and their spouse's cognitive abilities and the ability to fit task control to these cognitive abilities. The participants were 300 middle-aged and older couples who completed a hypothetical errand task. The interactions were coded for control asserted by husbands and wives. Fluid intelligence was assessed, and spouses rated their own and their spouse's cognitive abilities. The results revealed no age differences in couple expertise, either in the ability to predict their own and their spouse's cognitive abilities or in the ability to fit task control to abilities. However, gender differences were found. Women fit task control to their own and their spouse's cognitive abilities; men only fit task control to their spouse's cognitive abilities. For women only, the fit between control and abilities was associated with better performance. The results indicate no age differences in couple expertise but point to gender as a factor in optimal collaboration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predicting birth weight by fetal upper-arm volume with use of three-dimensional ultrasonography

Previously, we demonstrated elevated cortisol production/release in response to the administration of the serotonin precursor, L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP) in untreated patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We hypothesized that if this elevated cortisol response to L-5-HTP was related to OSA, this finding would not be present in OSA patients treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP). Eleven OSA patients treated for at least 1 month with nCPAP were studied. On two different days, we measured blood cortisol level every 15 min for 4 h following the ingestion of L-5-HTP, 0.4 mg/kg, or placebo, both given with carbidopa, a peripheral tryptophan decarboxylase inhibitor, used to prevent peripheral L-5-HTP metabolism before brain absorption. For a given subject, the cortisol response was calculated as the difference between the area under the curve of the L-5-HTP and placebo responses. In the nCPAP-treated OSA patients, this net cortisol response, 577 +/- 240 min.micrograms/dL, was less than the value found in the previously studied untreated OSA group, 1,198 +/- 227 min.micrograms/dL (p < 0.05) and not different from the previously studied nonapneic control group, 469 +/- 154 min.micrograms/dL. From these results, we speculate that nCPAP treatment reverses the elevated cortisol response to serotonergic stimulation seen in untreated OSA patients.     

Interaction of L-glutamic acid with human T-lymphocytes

A specific interaction of [3H]Glu with T lymphocytes from the blood of healthy donors (Kd = 0.236 microM) was revealed and described. It was found that unlabeled quisqualate, a structural analogue of L-glutamic acid, and unlabeled dipeptides Ala-Glu, Glu-Ala, and Glu-Glu competitively inhibit the specific binding of [3H]Glu to T lymphocytes (with Ki 0.19, 2.4, 3.4, and 1.2 microM, respectively). Binding experiments with conjugates of labeled and unlabeled glutamic acid with dextran showed that the receptors of [3H]Glu are localized on the outer surface of the plasma membrane of T lymphocytes.     

Allelic polymorphism of the DNA-loci met and D7S23, linked to the mucoviscidosis gene in human populations of the Volga-Ural region

Data on allelic polymorphism of MET and D7S23 DNA loci linked to the human cystic fibrosis gene studied in three Bashkir ethnic groups and some Volga-Ural populations (Tartars, Maris, Mordovians, Udmurts, Chuvashs, and Komis) are presented. Udmurts were found to be substantially different from Bashkirs, Tartars, Mordovians, and Chuvashs by the allele frequency distribution observed for MET, while Komis and Bashkirs differed by this parameter from Mordovians and Maris. Comparative analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) at the D7S23 locus revealed statistically significant differences in genotype frequencies between Bashkirs of the Arkhangel' skii region and populations of Mordva and Udmurtia. In this respect, the Mordovian population appeared to be notably different from the populations of Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Marii-El, Udmurtiya, Chuvashiya, and Komis. Genetic distances were calculated and corresponding dendrograms were constructed on the basis of data on Met-H, CS.7, and the ApoB locus hypervariable region allelic frequencies. Three ethnogeographic Bashkir groups belonging to one tree branch were found to be closely related to the populations of Tartars, Maris, Udmurts, and Chuvashs and substantially different from Komis and Mordovians. Thus, the position of Volga-Ural populations on the dendrogram corresponds to the degree of relationship between the Finno-Ugric and Turkic populations, confirming the usefulness of DNA polymorphism analysis for the study of the genetic structure of populations.     

Effects of acetylcholine and glutamate on isolated neurons of locomotory network of Clione

In Clione limacina, locomotory rhythm is produced in the central pattern generator by reciprocal activity of two groups of interneurons. Dorsal (D) and ventral (V) phase interneurons activate neurons of the same phase and inhibit neurons of the opposite phase. Which neurotransmitters are used by these interneurons is not clear. In this study, identified follower neurons to V and D interneurons were isolated, and their responses to the local application of potential neurotransmitters were examined. Acetylcholine exerted inhibitory action on the isolated D-phase neurons and excitatory action on V-phase neurons. Glutamate produced excitation in D-phase neurons, and inhibition in V-phase neurons. These results suggest that acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter of D-phase interneurons, while glutamate might be the neurotransmitter of V-phase interneurons.     

The characteristics of disorders of intracardiac hemodynamics and hemorheology in pulmonary heart failure

Overall ninety patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis presenting with signs of varying degree cardiopulmonary insufficiency (CPI) were evaluated by radionuclide ventriculography with technetium pertechnetate as well as by rotational viscosimetry of blood. The degree of hemorheological derangements tended to get higher with CPI severity (light, moderately severe, severe) being accompanied by progressing impairement of systolic and diastolic functions of both ventricles of the heart. Mechanisms of compensation of endocardiac hemodynamics were realized as a result of increase in end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes of both ventricles together with changes in amplitude and time characteristics of processes of ventricular ejection and filling. Forecast of the probable course of the condition may rely upon the functional state of right as well as left ventricle of the heart.     

The characteristics of the technical instrumental support for the osteosynthesis of femoral neck fractures using the Seppo fixator

Operative treatment of fractures of the femur neck is the method of choice. The authors prefer the A. Seppo construction out of great number of fixtures but it is difficult to introduce and remove this fixture due to its complexity. To make the procedure of such interventions easier the authors propose a marking device, a screwdriver and a device allowing the fixture's curvature to be regulated. The modification of the technique and using a specially developed extractor is explained by difficulties in removing the fixture by common methods. The variant of the improved instrumental tooling proposed by the authors makes the operation more handy and practicable.     

Reproduction and fetal development in mice chronically exposed to nitrous oxide

The effects of exposure to nitrous oxide on reproductive indices, fetal development, and male fertility were examined in Swiss/ICR mice. In experiment I, female mice were exposed for 4 hours per day on days 6-15 of pregnancy, to 0.5% (5,000 ppm), 5.0% (50,000 ppm), or 50% (500,000 ppm) nitrous oxide. Control mice were untreated, exposed to compressed air, or treated with retinoic acid on day 8 of gestation. In experiment II, male mice were treated, as above, for 9 weeks and then mated nightly for 7 nights to untreated, virgin females. In experiment I, 1,761 fetuses from 154 dams were examined and found to be without evidence of adverse nitrous oxide treatment effects. In experiment II there were no differences among the groups in the ability of males to impregnate females or in litter size, fetal wastage, or fetal size. When we compare nitrous oxide with other inhalation anesthetics we have studied employing a similar protocol, we find the order of reproductive toxicity to be: halothane greater than enflurane greater than methoxyflurane greater than nitrous oxide. None of the agents were toxic, however, at the trace concentrations usually found in operating rooms.