A clinical test of noradrenergic involvement in the therapeutic mode of action of an experimental antidepressant

The noradrenaline (NA) hypothesis of depression is founded primarily on preclinical and clinically indirect evidence. In two three-compartment randomized parallel clinical trials conducted serially, we examined the significance of NA uptake for antidepressant activity. The racemic compound oxaprotiline (hydroxymaprotiline) is a highly specific inhibitor of NA uptake, whereas its R-(-) enantiomer levoprotiline is totally devoid of this property. Oxaprotiline significantly resembled amitriptyline in its antidepressant potential. Conversely, levoprotiline significantly resembled placebo in antidepressant potential. Therefore, NA uptake was necessary for the observed therapeutic effect of this experimental antidepressant.     

Attentional and perceptual factors affecting the attentional blink for faces and objects.

When 2 different visual targets presented among different distracters in a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) are separated by 400 ms or less, detection and identification of the 2nd targets are reduced relative to longer time intervals. This phenomenon, termed the attentional blink (AB), is attributed to the temporary engagement of a limited-capacity attentional system by the 1st target, which reduces resources available for processing the 2nd target. Although AB has been reliably obtained with many stimulus types, it has not been found for faces (E. Awh et al., 2004). In the present study, the authors investigate the underpinnings of this immunity. Unveiling circumstances in which AB occurs within and across faces and other categories, the authors demonstrate that a multichannel model cannot account for the absence of AB effects on faces. The authors suggest instead that perceptual salience of the face within the distracters' series as well as the available resources determine whether or not faces are blinked in RSVP. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Genetic tagging of humpback whales

The ability to recognize individual animals has substantially increased our knowledge of the biology and behaviour of many taxa. However, not all species lend themselves to this approach, either because of insufficient phenotypic variation or because tag attachment is not feasible. The use of genetic markers ('tags') represents a viable alternative to traditional methods of individual recognition, as they are permanent and exist in all individuals. We tested the use of genetic markers as the primary means of identifying individuals in a study of humpback whales in the North Atlantic Ocean. Analysis of six microsatellite loci among 3,060 skin samples collected throughout this ocean allowed the unequivocal identification of individuals. Analysis of 692 'recaptures', identified by their genotype, revealed individual local and migratory movements of up to 10,000 km, limited exchange among summer feeding grounds, and mixing in winter breeding areas, and also allowed the first estimates of animal abundance based solely on genotypic data. Our study demonstrates that genetic tagging is not only feasible, but generates data (for example, on sex) that can be valuable when interpreting the results of tagging experiments.     

Delinquency, institutionalization, and time orientation

Investigated the temporal orientation of delinquents and nondelinquents while adequately controlling institutionalization. Four groups of 17-25 yr old males ( N = 183) were selected: institutionalized delinquents (prison inmates), institutionalized nondelinquents (soldiers), noninstitutionalized delinquents (delinquents on probation), and noninstitutionalized nondelinquents (vocational students). Findings support most of the hypotheses: Although all Ss were basically future oriented, institutionalized Ss were more present oriented than their noninstitutionalized counterparts. As the prisoner approached release, there was a decrease in the salience of the present and an increase in the salience of the future in his life space. Delinquents (both in and out of prison) perceived the past as more negative and the future as more positive than did nondelinquents. Institutionalized Ss perceived the present as more negative than their noninstitutionalized counterparts. The affective attitudes of the nondelinquents toward the past, present, and future were much more balanced and realistic than that of the delinquents. (57 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

10. Sources and production of micronutrient fertilizers

Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems -