The ERP correlates of target checking are dependent upon the defining features of the prospective memory cues

In some contexts, prospective memory (PM) is thought to be dependent upon strategic monitoring of the environment for relevant cues. Behavioral data reveal that strategic monitoring is associated with slowing of response time for ongoing activity trials when a prospective component is added to the task, and functional imaging data reveal that monitoring is associated with recruitment of the anterior prefrontal cortex and other cortical structures. In the current study, event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were used to examine the neural correlates of target checking, one process underlying strategic monitoring. Consistent with previous research the behavioral data revealed a Stimulus Specific Interference Effect, wherein slowing of response time varied depending upon whether PM cues were words or nonwords. The ERP data also revealed that the neural correlates of target checking were sensitive to the defining features of the PM cues (i.e., were a word or nonword). When PM cues were words, the effect of target checking was associated with variation in ERP amplitude beginning around 100 ms after stimulus onset. In contrast, when PM cues were nonwords, the effect of target checking on the ERPs did not emerge until around 200 ms after stimulus onset. These data provide support for the multi-process view of PM by demonstrating that the pattern of neural recruitment related to target checking is sensitive to the defining characteristics of the PM cues.     

Self-reported memory compensation: similar patterns in Alzheimer's disease and very old adult samples

Evidence pertaining to self-reported use of memory compensation techniques was collected using the Memory Compensation Questionnaire (MCQ). Five forms of everyday memory compensation were evaluated: (a) external memory aids, (b) internal mnemonic strategies, (c) investing and managing processing time, (d) applying more effort, and (e) reliance on human memory aids. The sample was derived from the Kungsholmen Project in Stockholm, Sweden, and consisted of (n = 85) healthy older adults (M age = 81.80 years; M MMSE = 28.34) and (n = 21) diagnosed Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients (Mage = 81.80 years; M MMSE = 23.55). Participants were tested on two occasions, 6 months apart. Results showed that the MCQ was a largely reliable instrument in these two groups. Moreover, we observed substantial sample similarity in frequency of using the five forms of everyday memory compensation techniques. The healthy sample reported using the external techniques more than the AD sample. Over the 6-month interval, however, AD patients differentially increased their use of others to assist them in everyday memory performance. Results are interpreted in terms of insight into changes in memory skills and inthe implementation of effective memory support systems.     

Coming to terms with the shift in one's capabilities: a study of the adaptive process in persons with poliomyelitis sequelae

Purpose: The main purpose of this paper was to investigate the process of adaptation in persons with poliomyelitis sequelae with reference to daily occupations. In addition, changes in ability in activities in daily living (ADL) and in the use of assistive devices over a 4-5 year period will be described. Method: Qualitative interviews with 22 persons with poliomyelitis sequelae were content analysed according to grounded theory. Ability in personal and instrumental ADL was assessed. Results: The core category 'coming to a changed approach' towards the shift in one's capabilities describes two integrated processes: one deals with the process of realization and reorganization; the other consists of six patterns of behaviour in daily occupations. The persons had a high degree of independence in personal ADL, whereas the dependence in cleaning, shopping and transportation was extensive. Conclusions: Flexibility in choosing strategies facilitated participation in daily occupations. Requirements for this adaptive pattern were time, energy and ability to solve problems, accessible environments, access to information and support, and readiness to compensate with assistive devices.     

Acute poisoning with household chemicals in childhood and their ambulatory medical treatment

Starting from the results of intoxications in childhood available at the Central Toxicological Information Service representative examples of the assortment of domestic chemicals are presented. After a brief characterization of toxicologically relevant components the main symptoms of intoxications and recommendations for therapeutic procedures in out-patient medical care are described. The drug assortment necessary for the first aid of children intoxicated by domestic chemicals is discussed.     

Ergonomic education for nursing students

An educational package of common ergonomic training as well as behavioural training was implemented in nursing education. The teaching methods also had the aim of increasing students' awareness of the importance of total work environment for the prevention of back injuries. The experimental group was, on the whole, more pleased with their education than the control group. The experimental group judged their ability to analyse the work environment higher than the control group did. Observations in some practical worktasks showed that students from the experimental group worked in physically more favourable positions with less strain on the body.     

Dopamine Terminal Loss and Onset of Motor Symptoms in MPTP-Treated Monkeys: A Positron Emission Tomography Study with 11C-CFT

We studied the time course of dopamine (DA) terminal loss in three macaca fascicularis injected with MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) intravenously every 10-14 days for up to 389 days. Striatal DA terminal loss was monitored in vivo by positron emission tomography using ¹¹ C-CFT (WIN 35,428), a cocaine derivative that labels the DA transporter. The ¹¹C-CFT uptake rate constant in the striatum of MPTP-treated monkeys decreased exponentially over time, with the putamen significantly more affected than the caudate. Spontaneous locomotor activity decreased in parallel with the decline of the ¹¹C-CFT uptake rate; however, overt parkinsonian signs appeared only after the ¹¹C-CFT uptake rate had declined to about 30% of the pretreatment values. We conclude that a long-term intermittent mode of administration of MPTP can lead to a pattern of terminal loss that closely resembles idiopathic Parkinson disease.     

Influence of horinonal contraceptives on the gingiva of women

Gestagen hormones commonly used as contraceptive in women, induce a hormonal situation which to some extent simulates pregnancy. The aim of the present investigation was to study the gingival conditions of women before and during 12 months of regular ose of contraceptive preparations. Two kinds of contraceptives were used: Delpregnin® and Gestadydral®. The mesial aspects of the gingiva of 5 maxillary incisors and canines were studied before beginning the experiment and after 2, 6, and 12 montks of hormone therapy. Jntracrevicolar sampling of gingival exudate was performed a.m. Brill (1959).
Both the Delpregnin-group and the Gestadydral-groiip showed an increase in amount of exudate during the 12 months. At the use of Delpregnin there was a gradual increase in exudation during tke first six months of hormone therapy. In the group using Gestadydral, no increase in amount of exudate could be noted during the first six months, whereas a significant increase of the gingival exudate occurred between the last two examinations.
The findings are discussed in view of current knowledge of gestagene hormone action on vascular permeability.     

Subjective and objective effects of alcohol as functions of dosage and time

Summary Eight male subjects were studied during a five-hour period following three different doses of a) 0.33, b) 0.44, and c) 0.66 g alcohol per kg body weight.The main dependent variables of the investigation were 1. blood alcohol concentration, 2. self-estimated degree of intoxication, and 3. observed degree of intoxication. The subjective scales were obtained by the method of magnitude estimation. Corresponding curves of self-estimated and observed degree of intoxication were in very close agreement. In most respects the subjective estimation curves also showed a far-reaching agreement with the corresponding blood alcohol curves: a fast intitial growth followed by an essentially linear decline. The rate of decline of the subjective curves was, however, much faster.In addition to these principal data, 4. self-estimates of certain mood variables were obtained, and 5. two objective performance tests were administered. Nearly all curves obtained in the experiments showed a maximal effect about 30–50 min after alcohol intake. The subjective variables, and particularly those related to general intoxication, were on the whole more affected by alcohol than were the performance variables.The results of the present investigation with three doses of alcohol substantiate and widen the conclusions based on a previous study with a single moderate dose.This investigation was supported by research grants from the Swedish Council for Social Science Research (G. E., M. F.) and from the Alcohol Committee of the Swedish Council for Medical Research (L. G.).     

Versatility of gene therapy vectors through viruses

Several viruses have been engineered for gene therapy applications, and the specific properties of each viral vector have been exploited to target a variety of inherited and acquired diseases. Preclinical and clinical studies demonstrated that viral vectors are highly versatile tools capable of efficient transfer of foreign genetic information into almost all cell types and tissues. Gene therapy applications depend on vector characteristics, such as host range, cell- or tissue-specific targeting, genome integration, efficiency and duration of transgene expression, packaging capacity, and suitability for scale-up production. This review discusses the advances in the development of viral vectors, with particular emphasis on how knowledge of virus biology has been exploited to design a variety of vectors with improved safety characteristics and efficiency, potentially suitable for a large number of gene therapy applications.