Effects of chronic olanzapine and haloperidol differ on the mouse N1 auditory evoked potential.

Auditory evoked potentials have been used in a variety of animal models to assess information-processing impairments in schizophrenia. Previous mouse models have primarily employed a paired click paradigm to assess the transient measures of auditory gating. The current study uses stimulus trains at varied interstimulus intervals (ISI) between 0.25 and 8 s in mice to assess the effects of chronic olanzapine and haloperidol on auditory processing. Data indicate that olanzapine increases the amplitude of the N40, P80, and P20/N40 components of the auditory evoked potential, whereas haloperidol had no such effect. The ISI paradigm also allowed for an evaluation of several components of the mouse evoked potential to assess those that display response properties similar to the human P50 and N100. Data suggest that the mouse N40 displays an ISI response relationship that shares characteristics with the human N100, whereas the P20 appears more consistent with the human P50 across the ISI range evaluated in this task. This study suggests that olanzapine may help improve N100 impairments seen in schizophrenia, while haloperidol does not.     

Guns and blood alcohol levels among homicide victims

A retrospective study of homicide victims in Erie County, NY was conducted for 1973-1984 to determine the association of blood alcohol levels among homicide victims slain by guns and other weapons. Most victims of gunshot or beating had negative blood alcohol levels (BALs) at time of death whereas most stabbing victims had positive BALs, especially black victims. Gunshot victims were more likely to be killed in a private home compared to a street or building. Location of homicide did not relate significantly to BAL. Younger victims were less likely to be shot to death compared to middle-aged victims. These results do not support previous contentions that alcohol is a major contributor to gun-related homicides.     

Vasopressin receptor mediated contraction and [3H]inositol metabolism in rat tail artery

Inositol phosphates (IP) production and contraction in isolated but otherwise intact rat tail artery were measured in response to stimulation by vasopressin agonists. We have previously studied similar alpha-adrenoceptor responses. Identical rank orders of vasopressin agonists' potency were found for IP accumulation and contraction. The vasopressin analogue [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylene propionic acid)-2-(O-methyl)tyrosine,D-arginine8] vasopressin, was shown to be a specific, reversible antagonist for both IP accumulation and contraction by all vasopressin agonists tested. No antagonism of vasopressin induced increases in IP accumulation or contraction were found using phenoxybenzamine. Therefore, in this tissue vasopressin receptors mediate both contraction and IP accumulation; and vasopressin mediated responses appear to be direct effects not mediated via the activation of alpha-adrenoceptors. Demonstration of two entirely different receptors, mediating the same functional response, and which both promote IP production, is consistent with a general obligatory role for phosphoinositide catabolism in receptor mediated vascular smooth muscle contraction.     

Rhombohedral Phase Formation in Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Induced by Dental Technical Tools and Its Impact on Dental Applications

In the study the influence of different dental technical tools on the surface temperature and phase composition of fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) made of yttria-partially stabilized zirconia polycrystals (3Y-/4Y-/5Y-PSZ) was investigated. FDPs were fabricated by using computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). The FDPs were treated with a contra-angle handpiece equipped with different burs and polishers. The resulting surface temperatures were measured with a thermographic camera, and the resulting phase transformations were investigated by X-ray diffraction and quantified by Rietveld refinement. Processing with burs resulted in no phase transformation, but a preferred orientation shift. Using coarse polisher induced a phase transformation to the rhombohedral phase, while fine polishers produced no relevant phase transformations and no preferred orientation shift. Compared to the monoclinic phase (ca. 9% theoretical volume increase), which is associated with low-temperature degradation (LTD), the rhombohedral phase is much more voluminous (ca. 15% theoretical volume increase) and distorted and, therefore, has a greater degradation potential.     

The work of negotiating HIV as a chronic condition: a qualitative analysis

Living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the industrialised world has for over a decade been conceptualised as living with a chronic illness. People living with HIV now are amongst the first to live and age with the virus. Drawing on a qualitative longitudinal study in a low-incidence area in a low-incidence country, this paper investigates the nuanced ways that people negotiate this condition. While it has been argued that HIV is a condition like any other chronic disease, our thematic analysis reveals some similarities and particularities around living with the condition. In comparing themselves to others with the condition, high levels of diversity of experience were identified that extended well beyond length of time from diagnosis. In comparing their illness with other illnesses, the location, for example, of their specialist service within a clinic for those with acute sexually transmitted diseases was identified as problematic. The work involved in maintaining a coherent sense of self in the face of existing and shifting challenges as a result of their infection was a second strong theme. The final theme involved flux and flex work in the ways people sought to gain and maintain control over various aspects of their lives. All of these experiences are mediated by place; that is the experience is not the same as that of those who live where there is a much higher incidence of infection. The work involved in negotiating this condition in low-incidence environments deserves more attention, but aspects of these findings are significant in higher incidence contexts as well; in particular, passivity in face of infection as one ages and the potential for medication refusal as a means of maintaining control over life and death.