Differentiation between the stimulus effects of (+)-lysergic acid diethylamide and lisuride using a three-choice,drug discrimination procedure

The discriminative stimulus properties of (+)-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and lisuride hydrogen maleate (LHM), were compared in a three-choice, water reinforced (FR 20) situation in which rats were required to press one lever following LSD (0.08 mg/kg), a second lever following LHM (0.04 mg/kg), and a third lever following saline. Reliable drug-appropriate responding was established in 72 sessions. Dose-response tests with LSD and LHM indicated that, as dose increased, the per cent of responding on the lever associated with the particular training drug also increased; little or no cross-transfer occurred between LSD and LHM. In generalization tests, the serotonin (5-HT) agonist quipazine substituted for LSD but not LHM while the dopamine (DA) agonist apomorphine mimicked LHM but not LSD; an unrelated compound, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), produced responding on the saline-appropriate lever. In combination tests, 5-HT antagonists (e.g., BC-105 and low doses of pirenperone) blocked responding on the LSD lever while DA antagonists (e.g., haloperidol and much higher doses of pirenperone) blocked LHM-appropriate responding. These data suggest that the three-lever (D-D-N) procedure is similar to, but can be more sensitive than the two-lever (D-N) procedure (because it can differentiate between LSD and LHM); they therefore at least partially support the hypothesis that three-choice discriminations can be conceptualized as two separate, two-choice (D-N) discriminations (Jarbe and Swedberg 1982). The results also confirm suggestion that the stimulus effects of LSD and LHM are mediated by different mechanisms; the primary action of LSD is serotonergic (5-HT₂), while that of LHM is dopaminergic (White 1986).Some of these data were presented at the meeting of the Society of Neuroscience, Toronto, 1988 (Satellite Session of the Society for the Stimulus Properties of Drugs). They were also submitted (in somewhat different form) to the Graduate School of the University of South Carolina in partial fulfillment of the requirements for an MA degree (in Experimental Psychology)     

Burnout in nursing.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research has suggested that organisational change can contribute to stress-related outcomes for workers. Burnout, one such stress-related outcome, has been conceptualised as a multidimensional construct consisting of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and reduced personal accomplishment. Many health care organisations have undergone substantial organisational change over the last decade. The purpose of this study was to assess levels of burnout in nurses and to ascertain if there were individual or work characteristics that were associated with this syndrome. DESIGN: Randomised survey methodology. SETTING: Registered nurses (Division 1) in Victoria who were ANF members. SUBJECTS: A random sample of 574 Victorian ANF nurse members. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The assessment of levels of burnout in Victorian ANF nurse members and the identification of individual or work characteristics that may be associated with it. RESULTS: Victorian ANF nurse members exhibited lower depersonalisation and higher personal accomplishment compared to medical and overall normative data. Increasing age and fewer working hours were associated with lower levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. Working overtime was positively associated with emotional exhaustion however further analyses demonstrated that those who worked overtime voluntarily did not differ from workers not working overtime. However feeling pressured/expected to work overtime was positively associated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation. CONCLUSION: Victorian ANF nurse members were not experiencing high levels of burnout. However the study highlighted the need for health care management to recognise the importance of working reasonable hours and in particular, to understand the potential detrimental effect that having to work pressured or unexpected overtime has on staff.     

The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus workforce distribution project.

PURPOSE: To describe data sources and functional utility of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) workforce database and associated map files. METHODS: Population data from the 2000 U.S. Census and current listings from the AAPOS and American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) databases were organized to demonstrate and analyze practitioner-to-population relationships for metropolitan statistical areas nationwide. An interactive map was developed to provide an intuitive graphical display of the data. RESULTS: A total of 749 active AAPOS members were distributed in 154 of 280 defined metropolitan statistical areas. Within these areas, a 0- to 20-year age subgroup varied from 17.8% to 42.6%, with an average of 30.4%. The AAPOS member-to-million-person ratio varied from 1.3 to 27, with higher numbers generally representing regions with population bases inadequately defined by Census Bureau statistical area definitions. Ratios for a majority of larger, better-defined areas ranged from 3 to 4 AAPOS members per million persons. Sizable areas with no AAPOS member presence were identified and tabulated. AAO members with a specified pediatric practice focus who were not AAPOS members were identified in 103 areas, possibly influencing patient choices and practitioner referrals for these regions. CONCLUSIONS: The AAPOS workforce database and related interactive map display practitioner and population data that may assist physicians and planners in targeting practice development and identifying potentially underserved areas.     

Effects of a monoclonal antibody raised against nerve growth factor on skeletal pain and bone healing after fracture of the C57BL/6J mouse femur.

A closed femur fracture pain model was developed in the C57BL/6J mouse. One day after fracture, a monoclonal antibody raised against nerve growth factor (anti-NGF) was delivered intraperitoneally and resulted in a reduction in fracture pain-related behaviors of approximately 50%. Anti-NGF therapy did not interfere with bone healing as assessed by mechanical testing and histomorphometric analysis. INTRODUCTION: Current therapies to treat skeletal fracture pain are limited. This is because of the side effect profile of available analgesics and the scarcity of animal models that can be used to understand the mechanisms that drive this pain. Whereas previous studies have shown that mineralized bone, marrow, and periosteum are innervated by sensory and sympathetic fibers, it is not understood how skeletal pain is generated and maintained even in common conditions such as osteoarthritis, low back pain, or fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we characterized the pain-related behaviors after a closed femur fracture in the C57BL/6J mouse. Additionally, we assessed the effect of a monoclonal antibody that binds to and sequesters nerve growth factor (anti-NGF) on pain-related behaviors and bone healing (mechanical properties and histomorphometric analysis) after fracture. RESULTS: Administration of anti-NGF therapy (10 mg/kg, days 1, 6, and 11 after fracture) resulted in a reduction of fracture pain-related behaviors of approximately 50%. Attenuation of fracture pain was evident as early as 24 h after the initial dosing and remained efficacious throughout the course of fracture pain. Anti-NGF therapy did not modify biomechanical properties of the femur or histomorphometric indices of bone healing. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that therapies that target NGF or its cognate receptor(s) may be effective in attenuating nonmalignant fracture pain without interfering with bone healing.