The Characterization of Oxotremorine-Induced Hypothermic Response in the Rat

Abstract: Oxotremorine is a muscarinic receptor agonist that induces a variety of physiological and behavioural effects including hypothermia in mice. These effects are antagonized dose-dependently by classical anticholinergic compounds such as atropine. Although the oxotremorine-induced hypothermic response has been demonstrated in mice, few studies of the effects of this muscarinic agonist have been made in the rat. The following studies were made in male Sprague Dawley rats: 1. an investigation of the dose-response relationship between oxotremorine and hypothermia; 2. an examination of the effect of housing on the oxotremorine-induced hypothermic response, and 3. an investigation of the acute administration of various doses of atropine sulphate on the hypothermia caused by oxotremorine. The results indicate that the dose-response relationship between oxotremorine and the antagonism of hypothermia is similar in rat as it is in mice. The results also showed that this effect did not occur in group-housed animals.     

Degree of Somatoform and Psychological Dissociation in Dissociative Disorder Is Correlated with Reported Trauma

In this study, the prevalence and severity of traumatic experiences as reported by patients with dissociative disorders and with other DSM-IV psychiatric diagnoses were compared. Furthermore, the predictive value of emotional, physical, and sexual trauma with respect to somatoform and psychological dissociation was analyzed. In contrast with comparison patients, dissociative disorder patients reported severe and multifaceted traumatization. Physical and sexual trauma predicted somatoform dissociation, sexual trauma predicted psychological dissociation as well. According to the memories of the dissociative disorder patients, this abuse occurred in an emotionally neglectful and abusive social context. Pathological dissociation was best predicted by early onset of reported intense, chronic and multiple traumatization. Methodological limitations restricting causal inferences between reported trauma and dissociation are discussed.     

Experimental models of colorectal cancer

PURPOSE: A review ofin vivo andin vitro models of colorectal cancer is presented. METHODS: A retrospective literature review was performed with reference to CD-ROM Medline and Index Medicus. RESULTS: A comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the models is presented in addition to a summary of individual model methodology and applications. CONCLUSIONS: Such models are a useful adjunct for surgical research in colorectal oncology.Mr. Banerjee is in receipt of support from the Yorkshire Cancer Research Organization.     

Visual and psychomotor performance of elite,intermediate and novice table tennis competitors

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine whether measures on a selected groups of visual and psychomotor variables distinguished between groups of elite, intermediate and novice table tennis players. The variables included commonly of Melbourne measured clinical functions such as static visual acuity, extent of visual field and oculomotor balance and more experimental visual tasks such as recognition of, peripheral targets, saccadic latency and dynamic visual acuity. Psychomotor performance was assessed by measures of simple reaction time, choice response time and hand movement time. Although elite level competitors had significantly better dynamic visual acuity, a wider visual field and superior recognition of peripheral targets compared to less skilled competitors, the magnitude, or practical significance of these differences was not great and individually accounted for less than 5 per cent of population variance. Elite competitors had significantly faster psychomotor responses than novice players with die skill variables individually accounting for between 21 per cent and 62 per cent of population variance in psychomotor performance. These results indicate that the psychomotor parameters could be a useful part of a test battery for talent identification amongst table tennis players.     

A case-control study of multiple myeloma and occupation

Lifetime job histories from a population-based, case-control study were analyzed to investigate the relationship between multiple myeloma and employment in various occupations and industries. Interviews were obtained from 89% (692) of eligible incident cases and 83% (1683) of eligible controls. An elevated risk was observed among persons ever employed as painters [odds ratio (OR) + 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) + 1.2–3.6], particularly for those employed for 10 or more years (OR + 4.1, 95% CI + 1.8–10.4). A small excess risk was observed among agricultural workers employed for 10 or more years (OR + 1.3, 95% CI + 1.0–2.2), with a higher relative risk observed among farm laborers (OR + 1.8, 95% CI + 1.0–4.0). Among agricultural workers who reported having been highly exposed to pesticides, the OR was 5.2 (95% CI + 1.6–21.1). Some evidence, based on smaller numbers, was also found to support an association with firefighting and employment in the petroleum- and coal-products manufacturing industries. Little evidence was found to support the previously noted association with wood exposure, and no evidence for an association with employment in the rubber or petroleum refining industries was found. This study lends further support to previously reported associations between multiple myeloma and employment among painters and agricultural workers. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Petit Mal-Grand Mal ECT: A Method to Induce Seizures Without Barbiturate Anesthesia

Petit mal-grand mal (PM-GM) electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a technique developed by Impastato to elicit unconsciousness with a subconvulsive electrical stimulus, rather than with barbiturate anesthesia. Muscle relaxation is produced with succinylcholine chloride before stimulus is applied. The cases reported here illustrate applications of the technique to depressed patients with severe cardiac and pulmonary disease, and the use of PM-GM ECT in a patient in whom seizures could not be elicited by the usual ECT technique is described.