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.     

Maximal oxygen uptake,anthropometry and physical activity in a randomly selected sample of 8 and 13 year old children in Sweden

Summary Maximal oxygen uptake was assessed in 101 randomly selected 8 and 13 year old children. In both age groups a significantly higher aerobic capacity was found in boys than in girls, both in absolute terms and when maximal oxygen uptake was related to body weight, lean body mass and lean leg volume. Among girls, maximal oxygen uptake per kg body weight was lower in the older than in the younger (p<0.05). Estimation of spontaneous physical activity, by means of a questionnaire and the actometry method, indicated that physical activity was greater in children with a high than in those with a low aerobic capacity.     

Isolation of Stomatococcus mucilaginosus from drug user with endocarditis.

Stomatococcus mucilaginosus was isolated from the blood of a patient with endocarditis and a past history of drug abuse and aortic valve replacement. At autopsy, Gram stain of the aortic valve revealed gram-positive cocci. Our isolate was atypical for S. mucilaginosus in that colonies were nonmucoid and nonadherent to agar surfaces. Cellular capsules were demonstrated by light and electron microscopy. Phenotypic characteristics identified by conventional methods as well as profile numbers obtained by using two commercial identification systems for staphylococci, the API Staph-Ident and the dms Staph Trac, are presented. Practical tests that differentiate S. mucilaginosus from the genera Micrococcus and Staphylococcus include growth on nutrient agar containing salt and lysostaphin susceptibility. Additional tests that helped differentiate our isolate from group D streptococci included hydrolysis of L-pyrrolidonyl-beta-naphthylamide and streptococcal serogrouping.     

Hallux rigidus deformity: radiologic assessment

Hallux rigidus (osteoarthritis leading to reduced motion) is one of the most common afflictions of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The diagnosis is based on the presence of pain, specific physical findings, and certain radiologic features. In this essay, we illustrate the grades of radiologic changes, which are an integral part of the surgeon's preoperative evaluation, and show examples of the postoperative radiologic appearance.     

Depressed levels of circulating menaquinones in patients with osteoporotic fractures of the spine and femoral neck

Vitamin K₁ functions in the conversion of glutamate residues, present in certain bone peptides, into the putatively active γ-carboxyglutamate form. We have shown previously that the circulating levels of vitamin K₁ are depressed in osteoporotic patients. However, it is known that menaquinones (vitamin K₂:MK) may be more effective than vitamin K₁ in this conversion of the inactive to active form of glutamate residues. A procedure for measuring such menaquinones has now demonstrated a marked deficiency of MK-7 and MK-8 in patients with osteoporotic fractures. It is suggested that estimates of circulating levels of K₁, MK-7, and MK-8 might provide a biochemical risk marker of osteoporotic fractures.     

The tubulointerstitial component of chronic glomerulonephritis: its clinico-functional diagnosis

Tubulointerstitial alterations associated with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) are definitely dependent on the clinical type of CGN and are accompanied by a decrease of homeostatic functions (the rate of glomerular filtration, osmotic concentration and dilution of urine, hydruresis, the magnitude of CH2O, excretion of ammonium and hydrogen ions, the ratio of ammonium excretion to hydrogen ion excretion). Maximal osmotic concentration and ammonium excretion show an especially considerable decrease. The clinical type permitting one to diagnose rather than to reject the presence of alterations and the status of certain tubular functions, osmotic concentration in particular and, to a less degree, ammonium excretion, permitting to reject the presence of the tubulointerstitial component (TIC) are of known but restricted importance for TIC recognition. The TIC can be diagnosed more adequately in exploring definite pairs of renal functions, particularly osmotic concentration of urine and ammonium excretion and maximal hydruresis and excretion of hydrogen ions. This approach is both helpful in confirming and rejecting the presence of the TIC. Of special value is the combined assessment of the clinical type and maximal osmotic urine concentration data.