Modulating effects of posttraining epinephrine on memory: Involvement of the amygdala noradrenergic system

These experiments examined the effects, on retention, of posttraining intra-amygdala administration of norepinephrine (NE), and propranolol. Rats were trained on a one-trial step-through inhibitory avoidance task and tested for retention 24 h later. Injections were administered bilaterally (1.0 microliter/injection) through chronically-implanted cannulae. Low doses of NE (0.1 or 0.3 microgram) administered shortly after training enhanced retention while higher doses (1.0 or 5.0 micrograms) were ineffective. Retention was not affected by NE administered 3 h after training. The effect of intra-amygdala NE on retention is blocked by simultaneous administration of propranolol (0.2 microgram). This finding suggests that the memory-enhancing effect of NE may be mediated by beta-receptors. Posttraining intra-amygdala NE also attenuated the retention deficit produced by adrenal demedullation. Further, intra-amygdala injections of propranolol (0.2 microgram) blocked the enhancing effect, on retention, of posttraining s.c. injections of epinephrine. These findings suggest that activation of noradrenergic receptors in the amygdala may be involved in memory processing and may play a role in the memory-modulating effect of peripheral epinephrine.     

Clerkship directors' perceptions of the impact of HCFA documentation guidelines.

PURPOSE: Chart notes are used to support billing codes under the evaluation and management guidelines of the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), in addition to serving as a record of the visit. To better understand the effect of the HCFA documentation guidelines, the authors collected data on how the guidelines affect participation by university- and community-based faculty in clinical education programs. METHOD: In 2000, the authors sent six copies of their questionnaire to the associate deans of the 125 U.S. medical schools and requested they distribute them to all core clerkship directors. The questionnaire consisted of multiple-choice and short-answer questions regarding documentation of medical visits, participation of community-based faculty, understanding of HCFA documentation guidelines, and effects on education programs. RESULTS: The response rate was about 50%. Most of the 379 clerkship directors who responded (77%) stated they were aware the HCFA documentation guidelines include specifications regarding the role medical students can play and documentation of medical visits, and 64% indicated they were concerned the guidelines would affect their educational programs. Concerns included the loss of student independence and active participation in the patient care environment (37), time constraints and the changing balance between education and service (16), loss of faculty and decreased morale (11), and decreased quality of care for patients (7). CONCLUSION: Leaders of medical education must work to modify these guidelines to protect the quality of patients' care, while maximizing students' educational opportunity and participation.     

跨步或不跨步下的前弓步和侧弓步动作中的髌股关节压力与应力(二)

结果 髌股关节的压力与应力随膝关节屈曲角度的增加而升高,随膝关节屈曲角度的减小而降低(图3～8).不同膝关节屈曲角度下弓步变化和跨步变化的髌股关节压力见表1.     

Mesogonadal shunts for extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis and variceal hemorrhage.

Extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis (EHPVT) may occur in children or adults and usually comes to clinical attention due to complications of portal hypertension such as variceal hemorrhage. A variety of standard surgical techniques exist to manage these patients, but when these fail surgical options are limited. We describe two novel portosystemic shunts that utilize the gonadal vein as an autologous conduit. Four patients were evaluated for EHPVT with variceal bleeding. None of the patients were candidates for a standard splenorenal shunt due to prior surgical procedures. The first patient underwent a left mesogonadal shunt and the remaining 3 patients underwent a right mesogonadal shunt. Postoperative ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed early patency of the shunt in each patient. There have been no further episodes of variceal hemorrhage with follow-up of 3.5 years in the child who underwent the left mesogonadal shunt, and 17, 19, and 20 months in the patients who underwent the right mesogonadal shunt. Three of the 4 shunts remain patent. One shunt thrombosis occurred in a patient homozygous for the Factor V Leiden mutation despite anticoagulation with coumadin. This is the first report of the successful use of the gonadal vein as an in situ conduit for constructing a portosystemic shunt. In conclusion, the right and left mesogonadal shunts may be useful as salvage operations for patients with EHPVT who have failed standard surgical shunt procedures.     

Trends in physical activity behaviours and attitudes among South Australian youth between 1985 and 2004

Rising youth obesity is a serious public health concern. There is a widespread view that declining physical activity is contributing to this trend. A total of 929 young South Australians (age = 9–15 years) were surveyed in 1985 and 2004 on usual physical activity in several contexts, including attitudes to physical activity. Eight of 10 South Australian schools participating in the 1985 Schools Health and Fitness Survey were revisited in 2004. Comparisons were made on: organised sport, active transport, physical education (PE), playground activity, vigorous physical activity (VPA), total leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and attitudes to PE and school sport. The questionnaire and method of administration were identical in both surveys. There were no differences between surveys in club and school sport participation, walking to school, and reported enjoyment of PE and school sport. In 2004 fewer children rode to school, but PE classes were more frequent. The percentage of children who ‘sit and talk’ during school breaks had increased, with a decreased percentage of older girls who ‘run around’ during school breaks. There was a significantly higher LTPA in MET.min in 2004 for boys, which was particularly evident at higher percentiles. There were no changes in mean or distribution of LTPA for the whole sample or girls. The percentage of respondents reporting ≥3 bouts of VPA in the previous week rose from 51% (1985) to 76% (2004). There is no consistent evidence of declining physical activity among South Australian youth. It is apparent that physical activity in some contexts has declined, while in other contexts levels are the same or higher than in 1985. This underscores the complex nature of physical activity and the influences on this behaviour.