Release from output interference in recognition memory: A test of the attention hypothesis.

Retrieval results in both costs and benefits to episodic memory. Output interference (OI) refers to the finding that episodic memory accuracy decreases with increasing test trials. Release from OI is the restoration of original accuracy at some point during the test. For example, a release from OI in recognition memory testing occurs when the semantic similarity between stimuli decreases midway through testing, suggesting that item representations stored on early trials cause interference on tests occurring on later trials to the extent that the earlier items share features with the latter items. In two recognition memory experiments, we demonstrate release from OI for words and faces. We also test whether release from OI is the result of interference or is due to a boost in attention caused by reorienting to a novel stimulus type. A test for the foils presented during the initial test list supports the interference account of OI. Implications for models of memory are discussed.

Dilatação Fluxo-Mediada da artéria braquial como método de avaliação da função endotelial na pré-eclâmpsia e em gestantes normotensas / Flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery as a method of evaluating endothelial function in preeclampsia and in normotensive pregnant women

Introdução: durante as últimas duas décadas, a ativação de células endoteliais tornou-se o evento mais estudado na compreensão da fisiopatologia da pré-eclâmpsia (PE).Acredita-se que fatores desconhecidos, provavelmente de origem placentária, são secretados na circulação materna, provocando ativação e lesão endotelial. A dilatação fluxo mediada (DILA) da artéria braquial é técnica não invasiva, capaz de avaliar a integridade endotelial. Objetivos: este estudo avalia o índice de dilatação da artéria braquial medido pelo DILA em portadoras de PE, comparativamente a gestantes normotensas.Materiais e métodos: foram estudadas 78 gestantes atendidas na Maternidade do Hospital das Clínicas da UFMG, sendo 51 delas com diagnóstico de PE e 27 normotensas. Adilatação fluxo-mediada da artéria braquial foi obtida de acordo com a técnica descrita por Anderson e Mark, em 1989, modificada. Resultados: a dilatação fluxo-mediada da artéria braquial mostrou-se significativamente reduzida nas gestantes portadoras de pré-eclâmpsia em relação às normotensas (6,098±5,633; 15,48±8,56; p menor que 0,01). Conclusões: pacientes em pré-eclâmpsia possuem DILA significativamente alterado quando comparadas às gestantes normais, sugerindo que tenham lesão endotelial.

Introduction: activation of endothelial cells became the most studied event in understanding the pathophysiology of preeclampsia (PE) during the past two decades. Unknown factors, probably of placental origin, are secreted into the maternal blood flow, causing activation and endothelial damage. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery is a noninvasive technique able to evaluate endothelial integrity. Objectives: this study evaluates the rate of the brachial artery dilatation measured by FMD in women with PE compared to normotensive pregnant women. Materials and methods: a total of 78pregnant women seen at the University Hospital from Minas Gerais were studied. From the total, 51 were diagnosed with PE diagnostic and 27 were normotensive. The flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery was obtained according to the technique described by Anderson and Mark in 1989, adapted. Results: Flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery was significantly reduced in pregnant women with preeclampsia when compared to the normotensive patients (6.098 ± 5.633, 15.48 ± 8.56, p less than 0.01). Conclusion: patients in preeclampsia have significantly altered FMD when compared to the normal pregnancies, suggesting endothelial lesion.

Age and loss of bone density in pre-menopausal women

Some studies have suggested that premenopausal women show a decline in bone mass in function of age while other studies have not. Bone density in the spinal column and proximal femur (neck, Ward's triangle and trochanter) in 75 healthy white women between the ages of 30 and 49 without a history of irregular menstrual periods was correlated with age, weight, height and body mass. No statistically significant decline in bone density with age was seen during the premenopausal period. There was a positive correlation between bone density in the spine and proximal femur and weight and body mass indices. Our results suggest that healthy women do not show loss before menopause and it also seems that obesity has a favorable effect on these women's bone mass.