Type A Behavior and Job Performance: Some Suggestive Findings

Abstract

This study examined Type A and Type B differences in job performance, psychosomatic complaints, and career progression among white-collar employees (N = 218) in a field setting. Significant differences were found between Type A's and Type B's in quality of performance, effort exerted at the job, and psychosomatic complaints. Employees' cultural background and sex moderated some of the relationships observed in the study. Implications of the findings for future research on the topic are discussed.     

The Community-Based Academic Radiologist

As academic radiology practices expand into the community, the lines that have historically distinguished the academic from private practice radiologist are becoming increasingly blurred. In this article, we introduce the new concept of the community-based academic radiologist and address some of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by these radiologists navigating this new hybrid role of academician and radiologist in community-based private practice.     

HANDEDNESS AND COGNITION ACROSS THE HEALTHY LIFESPAN

The relationship between handedness and cognitive function varies across studies, perhaps partly due to the many medical and psychiatric conditions with known cognitive impact. This study examined cognitive performance in 643 healthy individuals (age 5–82) who were categorized as strongly right-handed, moderately right-handed, or left/mixed-handed. Cognitive differences emerged, as left/mixed-handed individuals demonstrating superior psychomotor speed and cognitive flexibility, and strongly and moderately right-handed individuals exhibiting better time estimation skills. No interaction-among handedness, sex, and age were found. These findings indicate cognitive differences associated with handedness exist independent of medical and psychiatric confounds. Further work is needed to clarify these findings.     

Hyperthermia equipment evaluation

This article looks briefly at the advances over the past 2 decades in the development of equipment for administering clinical hyperthermia, and observes that while there has been much progress, the equipment available today still does not meet the design criteria articulated 20 years ago. The assertation is made that the testing of hyperthermia equipment in animals has not addressed the questions most of interest in the clinic, and a suggestion is made for a more rigorous way to evaluate clinical equipment. Finally some areas where significant progress in equipment development seems possible are mentioned.     

Italian Chapter of the International Society of Cardiovascular Ultrasound expert consensus document on coronary computed tomography angiography: overview and new insights

Coronary computed tomography angiography is a noninvasive heart imaging test currently undergoing rapid development and advancement. The high resolution of the three‐dimensional pictures of the moving heart and great vessels is performed during a coronary computed tomography to identify coronary artery disease and classify patient risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The technique provides useful information about the coronary tree and atherosclerotic plaques beyond simple luminal narrowing and plaque type defined by calcium content. This application will improve image‐guided prevention, medical therapy, and coronary interventions. The ability to interpret coronary computed tomography images is of utmost importance as we develop personalized medical care to enable therapeutic interventions stratified on the bases of plaque characteristics. This overview provides available data and expert's recommendations in the utilization of coronary computed tomography findings. We focus on the use of coronary computed tomography to detect coronary artery disease and stratify patients at risk, illustrating the implications of this test on patient management. We describe its diagnostic power in identifying patients at higher risk to develop acute coronary syndrome and its prognostic significance. Finally, we highlight the features of the vulnerable plaques imaged by coronary computed tomography angiography.     

Development and characterisation of levosulpiride-loaded suppositories with improved bioavailability in vivo

The purpose of this study was to develop and characterize levosulpiride loaded liquid suppository with improved bioavailability. The content of levosulpiride-loaded liquid suppositories were optimized in a series of experiments using various weight ratios of P188, P407, Tween 80, and drug. The suppositories were liquid at room temperature, however, when rectally administered, they became gel at body temperature. Their rheological properties and release characteristics were determined in vitro while pharmacokinetic study was performed after its rectal administration in rats and compared with drug suspension. Poloxamer 188 and Twee 80 decreased the gelation temperature and gelation time, but increased the gel strength and mucoadhesive force of liquid suppositories. Liquid suppository composed of [Levosulpiride/P 188/P 407/Tween 80 (1/15/17/3%)] with a gelation temperature of about 30.7?°C remained liquid at 25?°C, but converted to gel at 30–36.5?°C, resulting in easy administration and rapid gelation inside the body. This liquid suppository gave a considerably increased dissolution rate reflected in a meaningfully higher plasma concentration and 7.1-fold AUC values of levosulpiride in rats as compared to the drug suspension. Hence, liquid suppository system could be used for enhanced bioavailability of levosulpiride-loaded pharmaceutical products.     

Some Preformulation Studies of Pyruvic Acid and Other α-Keto Carboxylic Acids in Aqueous Solution: Pharmaceutical Formulation Implications for These Peroxide Scavengers

The purpose of this study is to assess some of the variables determining the aldol-like condensation of pyruvic acid (1), a peroxide scavenger, in aqueous solution to parapyruvic acid and higher oligomers. Its stability is compared to 3 other α-keto carboxylic acids, 2 with sterically hindered methylene groups alpha to the keto functionality (2-3) and phenylglyoxylic acid (4) with no methylene group. High-performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy techniques are used in the kinetics and product analyses. 1 condensation is concentration dependent and base catalyzed above pH 7, consistent with the reaction mechanism proceeding through the attack of the fraction of the methylene group, alpha to the keto group, in its anionic form, at the keto group of a second molecule of 1. The major product is confirmed to be parapyruvic acid, but higher-order oligomers are also observed. All 3 of the other α-keto carboxylic acids 2-4 are considerably less reactive, with 4 being completely stable. Stable solutions of 1 can be prepared by the use of relatively dilute solutions maintained at slightly acidic pH values. 1 prevents the oxidation of methionine on addition of hydrogen peroxide.     

吸入伊洛前列素对初入高海拔地区青年血流动力学的影响

目的探讨雾化吸入伊洛前列素溶液对初入高海拔地区青年血流动力学的影响。方法将32名受试者随机分为伊洛前列素组(n=16)和对照组(n=16),自海拔1 400 m历时5 d进入5 200 m,从进入海拔5 200 m当天开始,伊洛前列素组4次/d雾化吸入伊洛前列素溶液,连续5 d。对照组用同样的方法吸入生理盐水。于吸入伊洛前列素溶液第5天,用XG-Ⅲ型血液循环功能自动测试仪检测两组受试者的血流动力学。结果伊洛前列素组较对照组P、TPR、ALT、η、BK、PAWP、CCP降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);SV、MAP、BV增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论在高原雾化吸入伊洛前列素溶液对初入高海拔地区青年血流动力学有明显的改善作用。     

正交试验法综合优选附子高压炮制工艺

目的：优选附子高压蒸制的最佳工艺。方法：以其含生物碱的含量和传统外观质量为综合指标，采用L9(34)正交试验法，对高压蒸制时间、压力及软化方式三个因素进行考察。结果：附子最佳高压蒸制工艺为：A1B3C3，即附子经换水浸透法处理后，0.15Mpa压力下蒸制90min，即得。结论：该方法简便易行可控，可作为代替附子传统炮制工艺的新方法。