Conditional stimulus probability and activity of hippocampal, cingulate cortical, and limbic thalamic neurons during avoidance conditioning in rabbits.

Multi-unit and field potential responses in the anterior (AC) and posterior cingulate cortices (PC), dentate gyrus (DG), and anterior ventral (AV) and medial dorsal (MD) thalamic nuclei of rabbits were recorded during acquisition and performance of a locomotor conditioned response (CR). The CR, stepping in an activity wheel in response to a tone (conditioned stimulus [CS+]), prevented the occurrence of a shock unconditioned stimulus (UCS) scheduled 5 sec after CS+ onset. Ss also learned to ignore a different tone (CS–), not predictive of the UCS. Training was given daily until behavioral discrimination reached criterion. After criterion, asymmetric probability (AP) sessions were given that were the same as the conditioning session except for probability manipulation. A significant discriminative response developed in all regions during behavioral acquisition. The unit response in the AP session was enhanced in all areas by rare presentation of the CS–, compared with the equal and frequent CS– conditions. Rare presentation of the CS+ enhanced the unit response in the AC, PC, and DG, but it suppressed the firing of AV and MD neurons. Rare CS+ presentations did not alter AV and PC neuronal activity in Ss with subicular lesions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Extirpation of warts by a loop electrode and cutting current

Warts are a common dermatologic problem. Electrodesiccation has been the recommended surgical approach for therapy. An alternate method utilizing a wire loop electrode and cutting current is presented. The authors feel it is the surgical treatment of choice for most warts.     

What do survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia look like when they grow up?

Health professionals in rural and remote areas of Australia are disadvantaged when accessing continuing education. Their geographical isolation influences attendance at seminars, workshops and even informal discussions with colleagues. This paper describes the strategies adopted to meet the continuing education needs of a group of health professionals working in diabetes education and discusses how other specialist areas can provide similar educational opportunities. The education programs for isolated health professionals involved in diabetes care in South Australia were created by a team, and the resources of their associated institutions. Formal working agreements were established to achieve the aim of relevant continuing education for rural health professionals and to ensure ongoing ventures. All programs have been positively received, and evaluations identify the need to develop other, related subjects. Future developments will further utilise advances in technology to extend access and add to the current modes of education delivery. It is the intention of this group to continue to develop practice-based subjects capable of meeting rural health practitioners' needs and thus enhance the quality of care in rural and remote communities.     

Tungsten carbide modified high surface area carbon as fuel cell catalyst support

Phase pure WC nanoparticles were synthesized on high surface area carbon black (800 m² g⁻¹) by a temperature programmed reaction (TPR) method. The particle size of WC can be controlled under 30 nm with a relatively high coverage on the carbon surface. The electrochemical testing results demonstrated that the corrosion resistance of carbon black was improved by 2-fold with a surface modification by phase pure WC particles. However, the WC itself showed some dissolution under potential cycling. Based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, most of the WC on the surface was lost or transformed to oxides after 5000 potential cycles in the potential range of 0.65-1.2 V. The Pt catalyst supported on WC/C showed a slightly better ORR activity than that of Pt/C, with the Pt activity loss rate for Pt/WC/C being slightly slower compared to that of Pt/C. The performance and decay rate of Pt/WC/C were also evaluated in a fuel cell.     

Newborn surgical emergencies. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Bochdalek hernia is a posterolateral defect in the embryogenesis of the diaphragm. Abdominal contents enter the thorax during fetal development and result in pulmonary hypoplasia. A cause of respiratory distress in the newborn, the management of this disease has undergone dramatic changes. The defect requires surgical repair, but success depends more on preoperative and postoperative management of the associated physiologic derangements.     

Co-morbidity and familial aggregation of alcoholism and anxiety disorders

BACKGROUND: This study examined the patterns of familial aggregation and co-morbidity of alcoholism and anxiety disorders in the relatives of 165 probands selected for alcoholism and/or anxiety disorders compared to those of 61 unaffected controls. METHODS: Probands were either selected from treatment settings or at random from the community. DSM-III-R diagnoses were obtained for all probands and their 1053 first-degree relatives, based on direct interview or family history information. RESULTS: The findings indicate that: (1) alcoholism was associated with anxiety disorders in the relatives, particularly among females; (2) both alcoholism and anxiety disorders were highly familial; (3) the familial aggregation of alcoholism was attributable to alcohol dependence rather than to alcohol abuse, particularly among male relatives; and (4) the the pattern of co-aggregation of alcohol dependence and anxiety disorders in families differed according to the subtype of anxiety disorder; there was evidence of a partly shared diathesis underlying panic and alcoholism, whereas social phobia and alcoholism tended to aggregate independently. CONCLUSIONS: The finding that the onset of social phobia tended to precede that of alcoholism, when taken together with the independence of familial aggregation of social phobia and alcoholism support a self-medication hypothesis as the explanation for the co-occurrence of social phobia and alcoholism. In contrast, the lack of a systematic pattern in the order of onset of panic and alcoholism among subjects with both disorders as well as evidence for shared underlying familial risk factors suggests that co-morbidity between panic disorder and alcoholism is not a consequence of self-medication of panic symptoms. The results of this study emphasize the importance of examining co-morbid disorders and subtypes thereof in identifying sources of heterogeneity in the pathogenesis of alcoholism.     

Psychiatric perspective of pediatric human immunodeficiency virus infection

BACKGROUND: Infection due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become a chronic disease of childhood, with increasing rates among adolescents and longer survival of those infected. This illness and its victims present a continuing challenge to the medical community. METHODS: We used computerized literature searches (MEDLINE and AIDSline) to identify research and review papers from medical, psychiatric, and psychology journals; we obtained statistics directly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National AIDS Clearinghouse. RESULTS: This overview of the topic includes epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis, psychiatric and neuropsychiatric manifestations, intervention, and the impact on families, caretakers, and health care workers. CONCLUSIONS: To psychiatrists, this disease presents the epitome of the biopsychosocial model, encompassing the biology of a viral disease with psychiatric manifestations, complicated by the societal place in which it has become entrenched.     

Risk factors for dropping out of treatment among White and Black families.

In this study, the authors examined factors that predicted dropping out of treatment among White and Black children (N?=?279, ages 3–13) and among families attending outpatient treatment for externalizing problems. Multiple factors that increase the burden of participating in treatment are disproportionately distributed among minority families. Consequently, the authors predicted the rate of premature termination would be greater for Black than for White families and that the profile of factors that predicted leaving treatment early would differ. The results indicated that Black families were at greater risk and that several group-specific as well as common factors can be identified that increase risk. Predictors of dropping out can be used for early identification of families at risk and for developing strategies to better engage families in treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)