Diazepam-induced amnesia: a neuropharmacological model of an "organic amnestic syndrome"

Diazepam has well-known amnestic properties. These effects, however, are selective for certain psychobiologically distinct memory functions. In this study, incremental doses of diazepam administered to 10 normal volunteers selectively impaired anterograde episodic memory and attention while totally sparing access to information in long-term memory (semantic or knowledge memory). This pattern of disruption mimics that seen in patients with organic amnesias and is in sharp contrast to the pattern seen in patients with dementia. These findings provide a framework for defining specific psychobiological determinants of cognitive failure.     

99m TC-MIBI动态显像对非小细胞肺癌化疗疗效的预测价值初探

目的 探讨^99mTC-MIBI动态显像对非小细胞肺癌化疗疗效的预测价值。方法 对确诊为不能手术的非小细胞肺癌患者化疗前,静脉注射740mbq ^99mTC-MIBI后分别于30min,2h行SPECT动态扫描,计算早期/晚期肿瘤组织与对侧正常肺组织的放射活性比（T/Ne,T/Nd）,全身采用卡铂/顺铂＋VP16化疗3周期,随后复查胸部CT,评判化疗疗效及其与^99mTC-MIBI动态显像的关系。结果 78例NSCLC符合入选标准,并完成化疗方案,66例呈阳性显像,12例阴性显像,66例阳性显像中化疗有效率为90.7%,阴性显像12例中化疗全部进展,两者比较差异有显著性（P〈0.01）。结论 ^99mTC-MIBI动态显像的放射活性越高,化疗效果越好,对非小细胞肺癌化疗疗效有预测价值,可为合理制定治疗方案提供重要依据。     

The relationship between maternal needs and priorities in a neonatal intensive care environment

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the nature and organization of maternal needs and priorities in a neonatal unit. BACKGROUND: The relationship between maternal needs and priorities appears to be an under studied area in neonatal nursing. METHODS: A quantitative survey was carried out based on 209 mothers with premature infants. Two self-assessment schedules were used: critical care maternal needs inventory (J. Leske, Heart and Lung 15, 27-42) and a ranking scale. The data were analysed with multivariate analysis. FINDINGS: Data analysis revealed clear priorities in maternal needs. In particular the need for accurate infant related information was a priority for 93% of the mothers. Good communication practices with professionals were also valued. The mothers displayed altruistic behaviour, and self-related needs took second place. It is proposed that maternal needs demonstrate a hierarchical organization. CONCLUSION: It is important for nurses to consider the individual needs of the mothers, simply because the satisfaction of these needs is essential for maternal well-being.     

Deep-freezing versus 4 degrees preservation of avascular osteocartilaginous shell allografts in rats

Osteocartilaginous allografts (distal femurs of rats) were stored at 4 degrees for six, 12, 24, and 48 hours and at -80 degrees for five days and then evaluated for viability of the bone and cartilage. Storage at 4 degrees for 12 or 24 hours had little effect on cartilage viability but decreased bone viability to 40% and 10% of controls, respectively. Storage at -80 degrees for five days resulted in nonviable bone in all cases but showed an either/or response of cartilage, with high viability in two cases and nonviability in the other eight cases. In a second set of experiments, femurs from rats were stored in situ at 4 degrees for 12 or 24 hours or were harvested and stored at -80 degrees for five days, after which they were transplanted into rats of a different strain. The antibody response to each set of femurs was measured at two, six, and 12 weeks after operation. The 4 degrees storage resulted in a moderately decreased immunogenicity, whereas the storage at -80 degrees resulted in significantly reduced immunogenicity.     

Measurement of oxygen uptake in the non-steady-state

The purpose of these experiments was to develop and validate an open-circuit technique for measurement of gas exchange during the transition from rest to constant load steady-state exercise. The design of the open-circuit system employed to measure gas exchange in these experiments used a mixing chamber to collect the subject's expired ventilation where fractions of O2 and CO2 were determined via electronic gas analyzers. A gasometer was used to measure inspired ventilation and the analog signals from the two gas analyzers and the gasometer were sent to a microcomputer for computation of VO2. In calculating VO2, the mixed expired gas concentrations were matched with ventilatory volume using a previously determined time delay. To determine the validity of the open-circuit system, four subjects performed a series of 16 rest-to-work transitions on a cycle ergometer. In eight of the experiments, serial measurements of VO2 were obtained every 20 s for 3 min using the open-circuit mixing chamber system while the additional eight experiments used the Douglas bag technique. No significant difference (p greater than 0.05) existed between VO2 values calculated by the two techniques. Mean differences in VO2 between the two techniques during the first three 20-s measurement periods were 6, 53, and 63 ml, respectively. Using the Douglas bag technique as the standard, this represents a relative measurement error of 0.1%, 4.5%, and 3.6%, respectively, at the above time intervals. These data demonstrate that an open-circuit system employing a mixing chamber and the appropriate time delay to match expired gas fractions and ventilation is a sensitive means of measurement of VO2 in the non-steady-state.     

Administration to humans of ORG 21465, a water soluble steroid i.v. anaesthetic agent

Ten male volunteers received a 1-min i.v. infusion of a new water soluble steroid anaesthetic agent, ORG 21465. Individuals received doses ranging from 0.8 to 1.8 mg kg-1. All subjects experienced venous pain at the site of injection; those receiving 1.0 mg kg-1 or more became anaesthetized. There was no evidence of histamine release and apnoea did not occur. Excitatory phenomena were observed in all subjects and were dose related; no spikes were seen on the EEG. Pharmacokinetic analysis supported a three-compartment (non-weight- related) model with compartmental volumes V1, V2 and V3 of 4.31, 14.2 and 89.4 litre, respectively. Clearance from the central compartment V1 was 1.55 litre min-1. Inter-compartmental clearances Q1 and Q2 were 2.54 and 1.79 litre min-1. We found that ORG 21465 was an effective anaesthetic in humans. The relationship between sedation, anaesthesia and excitation requires further exploration.      

DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: CURRENT CONCEPTS

SUMMARY Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs are used in virtually all patients with established rheumatoid arthritis. An increasingly large number of new drugs is now available. Furthermore, old therapies are being used in novel ways. Treatment is now begun earlier and patients are rarely left untreated. This report summarises recent developments regarding the drugs currently in use and those that may be available in the near future.