Why two “Distractors” are better than one: modeling the effect of non-target auditory and tactile stimuli on visual saccadic reaction time

Saccadic reaction time (SRT) was measured in a focused attention task with a visual target stimulus (LED) and auditory (white noise burst) and tactile (vibration applied to palm) stimuli presented as non-targets at five different onset times (SOAs) with respect to the target. Mean SRT was reduced (i) when the number of non-targets was increased and (ii) when target and non-targets were all presented in the same hemifield; (iii) this facilitation first increases and then decreases as the time point of presenting the non-targets is shifted from early to late relative to the target presentation. These results are consistent with the time-window-of-integration (TWIN) model (Colonius and Diederich in J Cogn Neurosci 16:1000-1009, 2004) which distinguishes a peripheral stage of independent sensory channels racing against each other from a second stage of neural integration of the input and preparation of an oculomotor response. Cross-modal interaction manifests itself in an increase or decrease of second stage processing time. For the first time, without making specific distributional assumptions on the processing times, TWIN is shown to yield numerical estimates for the facilitative effects of the number of non-targets and of the spatial configuration of target and non-targets. More generally, the TWIN model framework suggests that multisensory integration is a function of unimodal stimulus properties, like intensity, in the first stage and of cross-modal stimulus properties, like spatial disparity, in the second stage.     

Staff and patient perceptions of research in an integrated mental health service

The purpose of this research was to survey staff and patients about their experience, knowledge, and attitudes regarding research. One hundred and sixty patients were interviewed using a questionnaire. In addition, a modified version of the same questionnaire was sent to multidisciplinary staff (n = 476), and about two-fifths (n = 181, 38%) were returned. Participants were interested in research and keen to know more about methods and processes. There were significant differences between staff and patients in terms of attitudes towards evidence-based practice and knowledge about research. The findings support the notion that staff and patients hold similar views about research methods and influences.     

Changes in matrix phosphorylation during bovine dentin development

Phosphorylation of the organic matrix proteins of dentin is important for the initiation of mineralization, but its relevance in later mineralization stages is controversial. The objective of this study was to analyze changes in the total matrix phosphate content during dentin development and to identify their origin. Amino acid and total matrix phosphate analyses of microdissected developing mantle and circumpulpal fetal bovine dentin specimens were performed. The amino acid composition showed few changes during mantle and circumpulpal dentin maturation. However, the total matrix phosphate content showed a significant, positive correlation with tissue maturation in both mantle and circumpulpal dentin, with a two- and a three-fold increase, respectively, being observed. The data indicate that changes occur in the pattern of phosphorylation of matrix proteins during dentin maturation, which we suggest may play a functional role in later stages of tooth mineralization.     

Quality indicators in colonoscopy: an evolving paradigm

The year 1969 marked a revolution in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). It is when Dr Wolff developed the colonoscope and quickly realized its potential in both diagnosis and treatment of colonic neoplasms. Over the past 50 years there has been exponential increase in utilization of colonoscopy with over 1 million colonoscopies performed annually throughout Australasia. Endoscopic removal of pre‐malignant lesions has been proven to reduce the incidence and mortality of colorectal. Although timing and frequency of surveillance colonoscopy plays a crucial role in risk reduction of CRC, this is dependent upon the findings of the index colonoscopy. The goal of screening colonoscopy is to detect CRC and identify and remove pre‐malignant neoplasms that risk progression to CRC. With increasing uptake of bowel screening throughout Australasia, there is increasing pressure to ensure all endoscopists and endoscopy units perform at a universal high‐quality. All too often high demand and constant delays compromise colonoscopy quality. Without clear and concise quality indicators with transparent measurement and audit, these flaws can quickly jeopardize screening goals and patient outcomes. This review aims to explore six key quality indicators and explore the evidence behind the current recommended standards. These key indicators include; rate of adequate bowel preparation, caecal intubation rate, adenoma detection rate, withdrawal time, complication rates and surveillance intervals.     

A prospective,iterative, adaptive trial of carfilzomib‐based desensitization

Proteasome inhibitor–based strategies hold promise in transplant but have yielded varying results. Carfilzomib, a second‐generation proteasome inhibitor, may possess advantages over bortezomib, the first‐generation proteasome inhibitors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, toxicity, and preliminary efficacy of carfilzomib in highly HLA‐sensitized kidney transplant candidates. Renal transplant candidates received escalating doses of carfilzomib followed by plasmapheresis (group A) or an identical regimen with additional plasmapheresis once weekly before carfilzomib dosing. Thirteen participants received carfilzomib, which was well tolerated with most adverse events classified as low grade. The safety profile was similar to bortezomib desensitization; however, neurotoxicity was not observed with carfilzomib. Toxicity resulted in permanent dose reduction in 1 participant but caused no withdrawals or deaths. HLA antibodies were substantially reduced with carfilzomib alone, and median maximal immunodominant antibody reduction was 72.8% (69.8% for group A, P = .031, 80.1% for group B, P = .938). After depletion, rebound occurred rapidly and antibody levels returned to baseline between days 81 and 141. Bone marrow studies revealed that approximately 69.2% of plasma cells were depleted after carfilzomib monotherapy. Carfilzomib monotherapy–based desensitization provides an acceptable safety and toxicity profile while leading to significant bone marrow plasma cell depletion and anti‐HLA antibody reduction.     

Studying Variations in Bone Composition at Nano-Scale Resolution: A Preliminary Report

Bone has a hierarchical structure extending from the micrometer to the nanometer scale. We report here the first analysis of non-human primate osteonal bone obtained using a spectrometer coupled to an AFM microscope (AFM-IR), with a resolution of 50–100 nm. Average spectra correspond to those observed with conventional FTIR spectroscopy. The following validated FTIR parameters were calculated based on intensities observed in scans covering ~60 µm from the osteon center: mineral content (1030/1660 cm^?1), crystallinity (1030/1020 cm^?1), collagen maturity (1660/1690 cm^?1), and acid phosphate content (1128/1096 cm^?1). A repeating pattern was found in most of these calculated IR parameters corresponding to the reported inter- and intra-lamellar spacing in human bone, indicating that AFM-IR measurements will be able to provide novel compositional information on the variation in bone at the nanometer level.     

Somatodendritic ion channel expression in substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurons across postnatal development

Dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) are involved in the control of movement, sleep, reward, learning, and nervous system disorders and disease. To date, a thorough characterization of the ion channel phenotype of this important neuronal population is lacking. Using immunohistochemistry, we analyzed the somatodendritic expression of voltage‐gated ion channel subunits that are involved in pacemaking activity in SNc dopaminergic neurons in 6‐, 21‐, and 40‐day‐old rats. Our results demonstrate that the same complement of somatodendritic ion channels is present in SNc dopaminergic neurons from P6 to P40. The major developmental changes were an increase in the dendritic range of the immunolabeling for the HCN, T‐type calcium, Kv4.3, delayed rectifier, and SK channels. Our study sheds light on the ion channel subunits that contribute to the somatodendritic delayed rectifier (Kv1.3, Kv2.1, Kv3.2, Kv3.3), A‐type (Kv4.3) and calcium‐activated SK (SK1, SK2, SK3) potassium currents, I_H (mainly HCN2, HCN4), and the L‐ (Cav1.2, Cav1.3) and T‐type (mainly Cav3.1, Cav3.3) calcium currents in SNc dopaminergic neurons. Finally, no robust differences in voltage‐gated ion channel immunolabeling were observed across the population of SNc dopaminergic neurons for each age examined, suggesting that differing levels of individual ion channels are unlikely to distinguish between specific subpopulations of SNc dopaminergic neurons. This is significant in light of previous studies suggesting that age‐ or region‐associated variations in the expression profile of voltage‐gated ion channels in SNc dopaminergic neurons may underlie their vulnerability to dysfunction and disease. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.