Integration of multiple sensory modalities in cat cortex

Summary The results of this study show that the different receptive fields of multisensory neurons in the cortex of the cat anterior ectosylvian sulcus (AES) were in spatial register, and it is this register that determined the manner in which these neurons integrated multiple sensory stimuli. The functional properties of multisensory neurons in AES cortex bore fundamental similarities to those in other cortical and subcortical structures. These constancies in the principles of multisensory integration are likely to provide a basis for spatial coherence in information processing throughout the nervous system.     

Interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 6 [del(6)(q16q22)]: case report and review of the literature

Partial monosomy of 6q resulting from an interstitial deletion of bands q16----q22 was found in a 12-year-old boy manifesting mental retardation, seizure disorder, and dysmorphic features. The correlation of phenotypic expression and specific long arm deletions of chromosome No. 6 is discussed.     

Phenotypic characterization, cellular fatty acid composition, and DNA relatedness of aerococci and comparison to related genera.

Aerococci can be misidentified as streptococci, enterococci, pediococci, lactococci, or leuconostocs. To distinguish the genus and determine if another species is needed in the present taxon, we analyzed 37 aerococci for cellular fatty acids and compared them with 377 strains of gram-positive cocci, including the species type strains from each of the related genera. The cellular fatty acid profile of aerococci was distinguishable from other genera. Two relatively novel fatty acids found in the aerococci were identified as C16:1 omega 9c and C16:1 omega 9t. Eleven strains of aerococci (including a strain originally identified as "Gaffkya" species) were chosen for DNA-DNA reassociation studies with the type strain Aerococcus viridans ATCC 11563; DNAs from eight of these strains were more than 75% related to the type strain and had 1 to 4% divergence in related sequences. The remaining three strains were 60 to 70% related to the type strain, had 7 to 11.5% divergence, and may represent a second species, Aerococcus genospecies 2. beta-Glucuronidase, alpha-galactosidase, and beta-galactosidase were useful in characterizing the aerococci.     

Continuous regional anaesthesia in infants

Physiological immaturity of the respiratory musculature and central respiratory control centres leads to an increased risk of apnoea and respiratory complications following general anaesthesia in neonates. Regional anaesthetic techniques may obviate the need for general anaesthesia and lessen the risks of perioperative morbidity. Although these techniques have been described in infants, previous reports have dealt with singleshot techniques for brief surgical procedures (< 60 min). Experience with prolonged operative cases using regional anaesthesia via indwelling catheters in infants is limited. We present our experience with four infants in whom either caudal epidural or spinal anaesthesia was administered via indwelling catheters for operative procedures that lasted 90 to 180 min. We believe this technique is an alternative to general anaesthesia in these patients. A cause de l’immaturité physiologique de sa musculature et de son centre respiratoires, le nouveau-né est plus sujet à l’apnée et aux complications après une anesthésie générale. L’anesthésie régionale peut remplacer en partie l’anesthésie générale et diminuer ainsi la morbidité périopératoire. Les techniques régionales sont bien décrites pour l’enfant mais elles sont utilisées en doses uniques pour des interventions brèves (< 60 min). L’expérience d’interventions sous régionale avec des cathéters en place est limitée. Nous présentons ici notre expérience avec quatre enfants auxquels on a administré une caudale ou une rachianesthésie continue pour des interventions de 90 à 180 min. Nous croyons que ces techniques sont des alternatives valables à l’anesthésie générale chez ces patients.     

Controlled drinking, treatment effectiveness, and the disease model of addiction: a commentary on the ideological wishes of Stanton Peele

Despite a long history of extravagant claims followed by sobering discomfirmations, advocates of controlled drinking continue to promote nonabstinent treatment goals and procedures for alcoholics. Recent claims by Stanton Peele in favor of controlled drinking are examined critically in the context of a continuing debate concerning empirical studies of nonabstinent treatment goals, treatment effectiveness, and inpatient versus out-patient treatment of alcoholism. Peele's views concerning "conventional disease-based alcoholism treatment," controlled drinking, and "the disease model" are shown to be based largely on inadequate scholarship, misrepresentations of the literature, inappropriate comparisons, unwarranted generalizations, and straw-man arguments.     

Multiple sclerosis

Poster Session 3

Multiple sclerosis     

The tetracycline analogs minocycline and doxycycline inhibit angiogenesis in vitro by a non-metalloproteinase-dependent mechanism

The tetracycline analogs minocycline and doxycycline are inhibitors of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis in vivo. To further study the mechanism of action of these compounds we tested them in an in vitro model of angiogenesis: aortic sprouting in fibrin gels. Angiogenesis was quantitated in this system by a unique application of planar morphometry. Both compounds were found to potently inhibit angiogenesis in this model. To further characterize the activity of these compounds against MMPs, we determined the IC₅₀s of both compounds against representatives of three classes of metalloproteinases: fibroblast collagenase, stromelysin, and gelatinase A. Doxycycline was found to inhibit collagenase, gelatinase A and stromelysin with IC₅₀s of 452 M, 56 M and 32 M, respectively. Minocycline was found to inhibit only stromelysin in the micromolar range with an IC₅₀ of 290 M. Since these results suggest that these compounds may not have been inhibiting in vitro angiogenesis by an MMP-dependent mechanism, we decided to test the effects of the potent MMP inhibitor BB-94. This compound failed to inhibit aortic sprouting in fibrin gels, thus strongly suggesting that both doxycycline and minocycline act by an MMP-independent mechanism. These results have implications for the mechanism of action of tetracycline analogs, particularly where they are being considered for the treatment of disorders of extracellular matrix degradation including periodontal disease, arthritis, and tumor angiogenesis.     

Access to healthcare and the long-stay patient. A case study

The delivery and financing of healthcare services continue to be two of this nation's most debated issues. This case study found that long-stay patients could spend up to 37 percent of their hospital stay waiting for discharge to postacute care services. Because acute care costs more than postacute care, increasing access to postacute care facilities for long-stay patients could substantially decrease overall medical costs for the United States.     

Effect of probenecid on the formation and elimination kinetics of the sulphate and glucuronide conjugates of diflunisal

The effect of probenecid on the pharmacokinetics of diflunisal and its glucuronide and sulphate conjugates was studied in 8 healthy volunteers. Diflunisal 250 mg b. d. was administered p. o. for 15 days and its steady state pharmacokinetics was evaluated on Day 16 after the last dose (control phase). Probenecid 500 mg b. d. was co-administered throughout the entire study period in the treatment phase of the study.The steady state plasma concentration of diflunisal was significantly higher during the probenecid treatment phase as compared to the control phase (104.0 vs. 63.1 g·ml^–1). This was the result of a significant decrease in the plasma clearance of diflunisal from 5.8 (control) to 3.4 ml·min^–1 (probenecid co-administration). The metabolite formation clearances of both glucuronides were significantly decreased by probenecid, -45 % and -54 % for the phenolic and acyl glucuronide, respectively. The metabolite formation clearance of the sulphate conjugate was not affected by probenecid co-administration.Steady state plasma concentrations of the sulphate and glucuronide conjugates of diflunisal were 2.5- to 3.1-fold higher during probenecid co-administration, due to a significant reduction in the renal clearance of the three diflunisal conjugates. Probenecid also reduced the plasma protein binding of diflunisal, but only to a minor extent; the unbound plasma fraction of diflunisal at steady state averaged between 5 and 30 % higher during probenecid co-administration.