Engagement of gaze in capturing targets for future sequential manual actions

We investigated the role of saccadic gaze fixations in encoding target locations for planning a future manual task consisting of a sequence of discrete target-oriented actions. We hypothesized that fixations of the individual targets are necessary for accurate encoding of target locations and that there is a transfer of sequence information from visual encoding to manual recall. Subjects viewed four targets presented at random positions on a screen. After various delays following target extinction, the subjects marked the remembered target locations on the screen with the tip of a hand-held stick. When the targets were presented simultaneously among distracting elements, the overall accuracy of marking increased with presentation time and total number of targets fixated because the subjects had to serially fixate the individual targets to locate them. Without distractors, the marking accuracy was similarly high regardless of duration of target presentation (0.25-8 s) and number of targets fixated; it was comparable to that with distractors when all four targets had been fixated. This indicates parallel encoding of target locations largely based on peripheral vision. Location memory was stable in these tasks over the delay periods investigated (0.5-8 s). With parallel encoding there was a "shrinkage" in the visuomotor transformation, i.e., the distances between the markings were systematically smaller than the corresponding inter-target distances. When the targets were presented sequentially without distractors, marking accuracy improved with the total number of targets fixated and shrinkage in the visuomotor transformation occurred only with parallel encoding, i.e., when subjects did not fixate the targets. In all experimental conditions for trials in which targets were fixated during encoding, there was little correspondence between the marking sequence and the sequence in which the targets were fixated. We conclude that subjects benefit from fixating targets for subsequent target-oriented manual actions when the targets are presented among distractors and when presented sequentially; when distinct targets are presented simultaneously against a blank background, they are efficiently encoded in parallel largely by peripheral vision.     

Examining Trichophyton tonsurans genotype and biochemical phenotype as determinants of disease severity in tinea capitis.

Trichophyton tonsurans infections occur in various host populations, on various body sites and with varying degrees of inflammation. This investigation was undertaken to determine whether fungal factors could explain the degree of severity in clinical symptomatology among infected children. Otherwise healthy children (n=54) presenting with tinea capitis were enrolled in this study. A thorough history was performed, the extent and severity of infection graded and a fungal specimen collected from each child. Strain type was determined by genotyping for 11 sequence variations in the rDNA and ALP1 loci. Secreted protease activity was quantitated after 5 days of growth in aqueous medium. Forty participants were evaluable. Infection duration ranged from 1 day to 3 years and clinical severity score (CSS) from 4-19. Seventeen unique fungal genotypes were present. Keratinase, collagenase and elastase activity varied 32.7-fold, 64.9-fold and 303.3-fold, respectively. A significant association was observed between genotype and disease severity with the rDNA sequence variations accounting for over 50% of the variation observed in CSS (r2=0.539; P<0.001). Phylogenetic analyses appear to suggest that the ancestral strain types of T. tonsurans cause more severe disease. These observations are consistent with reports that recently diverge anthropophilies are associated with diminished inflammatory involvement.     

Blue spotted bladder--a manifestation of bladder amyloidosis. A case report

Bladder amyloidosis may represent a life-threatening condition, but may also be associated with milder clinical symptoms. Herein, we report two older males with a different type of apparently mild bladder amyloidosis, presenting as the "blue spotted bladder".     

The effect of acute zimeldine and alaproclate administration on the acquisition of two-way active avoidance: Comparison with other antidepressant agents,test of selectivity and sub-chronic studies

The dose-dependent effect of acute zimeldine and alaproclate treatment upon the acquisition of two-way and one-way active avoidance in the rat was studied in a single-session and in a repeated-sessions design. Zimeldine (5–20 mg/kg, IP), but not alaproclate, caused disruptions of two-way avoidance acquisition. Acquisition deficits were also caused by citalopram and fluoxetine but not the other antidepressant drugs tested. Zimeldine, but not alaproclate or desipramine, caused a slight but non-significant impairment of one-way active avoidance; neither zimeldine nor alaproclate produced any effects upon fear conditioning and retention testing. The long-term action of p-chloroamphetamine (2×10 mg/kg) antagonised the acute zimeldine effect totally, and chronic treatment with zimeldine (15 days, 1×50 mol/kg) and chlorimipramine (15 days, 2×10 mol/kg) also caused some partial blockade of the two-way avoidance deficit. These data seem to suggest some involvement of serotonin (5-HT) in the observed disruptions of two-way active avoidance caused by acute zimeldine treatment.     

Changes in functional competency in the oldest old. A longitudinal study

Changes in everyday functioning and cognitive abilities are studied longitudinally in a representative sample of the oldest old. Respondents were selected by using census records from all people aged 84, 86, 88, and 90 years old living in an area of South Central Sweden, and then were assessed at 2-year intervals. The findings show high base rates for disabilities and high incidence of cognitive and functional deficits among survivors. Mortality is associated with higher rates of disability at the previous time of assessment. Because of this increased mortality rate among disabled individuals, prevalence does not rise as much as would be expected from the high incidence. Instead, new cases of disabled are partly replacing disabled individuals who died since the previous evaluation.     

Pharmacokinetics of eltanolone in male and female patients following intravenous bolus injection

BACKGROUND: The pharmacokinetics of the steroid anesthetic eltanolone have been studied in male volunteers. However, steroids may exhibit gender-related differences in pharmacokinetics and surgery may alter drug disposition. METHODS: Male (n = 12) and female (n = 9) ASA 1-2 patients (age 26-45 yrs) undergoing discectomy with microsurgical technique were included. Anesthesia was induced with eltanolone 0.75 mg/kg and maintained with nitrous oxide, fentanyl and atracurium. Venous blood was sampled for up to 12 h and analyzed for eltanolone and its major metabolites. RESULTS: Induction was smooth and anesthesia uneventful, except that five cases developed a mild transient erythema. Loss of verbal contact occurred within 20-60 s. Pharmacokinetics in one person deviated significantly from the rest of the subjects. No difference between groups with respect to the primary outcome variable noncompartmental clearance (Cl, 1/min) 1.7 vs 1.6, was found. However, the volume of distribution at steady state (Vss, 1/kg) was larger in women (3.1) compared to men (1.3). The pharmacokinetics followed a three-compartment model. The half-lives (min) of the alpha, beta and gamma phases (men vs women, medians) were 1.5 vs 2.2, 42 vs 40 and 222 vs 360, respectively. Area under the curve (AUC, min microgram/l) was 39,810 vs 34,905. Context-sensitive modelling indicated that it may take 10 min more for women than men to recover from an eltanolone infusion of 2 h duration. CONCLUSION: The gender-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of eltanolone were small, and of little clinical significance for induction of anesthesia with eltanolone.     

Prospective randomized multicentre study of laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy

BACKGROUND: A prospective randomized multicentre study was performed to compare the outcome of laparoscopic and open appendicectomy in patients with suspected acute appendicitis. METHODS: A total of 523 patients was randomized, but because of 23 withdrawals the outcome in 500 patients is reported, 244 in the laparoscopic group and 256 in the open group. RESULTS: Patients having laparoscopic appendicectomy recovered more quickly than those having open surgery (13 versus 21 days, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in duration of sick leave after operation (laparoscopic group 11 days versus open group 14 days). Postoperative pain (at 24 h, 7 days and 14 days) was less after laparoscopic operations and a functional index 1 week after operation was more favourable in these patients (P < 0.001). Operating time was significantly longer in the laparoscopic group (60 versus 35 min, P < 0.01). Hospital stay and complications did not differ between the groups. Thirty laparoscopic procedures (12 per cent) were converted to open appendicectomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendicectomy is as safe as open appendicectomy and has the advantage of allowing a quicker recovery.