Two Lamps or One? An Illusionary Mirror.

We asked 100 college students to view a picture ( Figure 1 ) and decide if there were two lamps or one lamp reflected in a mirror. Although the correct answer is two lamps, the vast majority (72%) answered seeing only one lamp. We discuss this illusion.

More severe clinical course of cardiovascular dysfunction in intensive care unit patients with the 894TT eNOS genotype.

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays an important homeostatic role in the cardiovascular system (CVS) by maintaining appropriate blood pressure through production of nitric oxide. The 894TT genotype of 894G>T (Glu298Asp, rs1799983), a polymorphic variant of eNOS, has been associated with several vascular diseases. On the basis of this strong relationship, we monitored daily 585 critically ill adult patients according to their degree of CVS dysfunction and investigated their disease progression by the 894G>T genotype. To obtain information of the general population, we obtained the 894G>T genotypic and allelic frequencies in a random group of 149 healthy subjects. The patients were genotyped for the eNOS 894G>T polymorphism and daily evaluated according to their degree of CVS dysfunction through the Cardiovascular Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score. The mean value of the global CVS dysfunction score was significantly higher in 894TT patients (1.35 ± 0.57) than in non-894TT patients (1.23 ± 0.37; P = 0.035). This score remained significantly higher in 894TT patients, even in different patient clusters (all patients, septic, and non-septic patients) during the 1st week at the intensive care unit (1.86 ± 0.8 versus 1.63 ± 0.62, P = 0.005; 2.32 ± 0.10 versus 2.06 ± 0.08, P = 0.009; 0.84 ± 0.09 versus 0.64 ± 0.08, P = 0.027; respectively). This result shows that the mean values of the cardiovascular SOFA score were higher in 894TT patients in all subgroups. The present study provides evidence that the 894TT eNOS genotype is associated with a higher degree of CVS dysfunction in critically ill patients.

Chikungunya infection: self-reported rheumatic morbidity and impaired quality of life persist 6 years later.

This study presents the 6-year follow-up of French gendarmes exposed to the chikungunya (CHIK) infection in 2006 on Reunion Island. The aim was to see to what extent the subjective health differences observed in 2008 (30 months after infection) between CHIK infected (CHIK+) and noninfected (CHIK-) gendarmes still persisted in 2012, and to investigate a possible return to a pre-CHIK health status for CHIK+ subjects. Gendarmes were contacted by mail in 2012 and asked to complete a self-questionnaire asking for morbidity, health care and medicines consumption since the last follow-up in 2008. Quality of life (QoL) after 6 years was evaluated using the SF-36 scale. In comparison with CHIK- subjects (n = 171), CHIK+ (n = 81) presented with higher rheumatic but also nonspecific morbidity such as headaches and fatigue associated with a large psychological impact, frequent depressive moods and social disabilities, leading to a significant impairment of the QoL and higher health care consumption. When restricted to CHIK+ subjects, comparing the data with that of 2008 showed persistent but decreasing self-reported rheumatic morbidity, and an increase over time of chronic discomfort (headache, fatigue) and depressive moods, resulting in no overall improvement in QoL. Despite possible cohort attrition bias, the comparability of CHIK+/CHIK- subjects allows the assumption of a long-term impact of CHIK infection with less chance of returning to a previous health status. Although these results may be specific to the 2006 virus strain, we recommend that public health strategies in the epidemic-prone countries include a response to the consequences of chronic post-CHIK disorders.

Enalaprilat, an intravenous angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, in hypertensive crises.

The effect of enalaprilat (MK-422), a newly synthesized, intravenous, nonsulfhydryl, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, was studied in seven patients with either severe or malignant hypertension. All subjects initially received a 1 mg bolus injection of enalaprilat followed in 30 minutes by 10 mg. Five subjects received an additional 40 mg. Mean (+/- SE) pretreatment blood pressure for the group was 226 +/- 9/141 +/- 7 mm Hg. Five minutes after the 1 mg enalaprilat dose, blood pressure decreased to 211 +/- 10/131 +/- 9 mm Hg and further fell to 201 +/- 14/123 +/- 11 mm Hg at 30 minutes. The maximal reduction in blood pressure to 169 +/- 14/112 +/- 10 mm Hg occurred 30 minutes after the 10 mg dose. No further blood pressure reduction was observed in those subjects who received the additional 40 mg dose. Within the entire group, five subjects exhibited sustained blood pressure reduction. No adverse side effects or symptomatic hypotension occurred in any subject.

Custom implants for reconstruction of craniofacial defects.

This method deals with the fabrication of a custom silicone implant using Dow Corning Medical Grade Elastomer 382 (room-temperature vulcanizing silicone). The technique has been utilized in 34 cases during the past five years with a satisfactory end result in 33 of the 34 cases. This method, which appears to be quite accurate in obliterating the obvious defect, is simple in its execution and reduces the overall amount of operative time, since no carving or manipulation is necessary. It avoids unsightly "donor scars," and in some instances, the surgery can be done on an outpatient basis.

Diurnal variations in brain serotonin are driven by the photic cycle and are not circadian in nature.

In an effort to determine the driving force of the diurnal variation of serotonin (5-HT) in the brain, over 500 Syrian hamsters were exposed to long photoperiods (LD17:7; LD), short photoperiods (LD8:16; SD), constant dark (DD) or constant light (LL) for 12 weeks. Hamsters exposed to LD or SD were sacrificed at 3 h intervals; those in constant conditions were sacrificed around the clock. The circadian time (CT) of tissue collection, in the animals in constant conditions, was determined from the onset of locomotor activity (defined as CT12; the beginning of the subjective night). Serotonin content was determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH); anterior hypothalamus (AH) and olfactory bulbs (OB). In LD and SD, 5-HT levels displayed significant diurnal variation in the MBH, AH and OB (ANOVA; P less than 0.001). The sine waves of the 5-HT rhythm in these conditions were similar in amplitude and phase with relation to lights on (i.e. high 5-HT content during the day and low content at night, with a sharp rise occurring just after lights on). This variation, however, was not apparent in animals exposed to DD or LL; 5-HT content did not display a significant diurnal oscillation. Since 5-HT failed to oscillate in the absence of environmental time cues, the rhythm is likely driven by the environment and not an internal circadian clock.

Minimum duration of light signals capable of producing the Aschoff effect.

To further explore the validity of the non-parametric model of entrainment for predicting the phase-shifting effects of light pulses, we exposed rats to several intensities of continuous light (LL) and feedback lighting (LDFB). LDFB is a lighting condition that exposes the animal to light only during the interval of active locomotion; this interval is coincident with the photosensitive portion of the circadian cycle as defined by the phase-response-curve. This is achieved by linking lights on with locomotor activity. In addition to the comparison of LL with LDFB, the duration of the LDFB pulse was also varied in four rats. Whether rats were exposed to LL or LDFB, as light intensity increased, the free-running period (tau) of the locomotor activity rhythm also increased. This intensity-related increase in tau, which is known as the Aschoff effect, was similar for LL and LDFB 2 min at each light intensity (0.1, 1, and 100 lux). However, when the LDFB pulses were shortened from a duration of 2 min to a duration of approximately 1 sec, tau shortened significantly. These results demonstrate that the non-parametric model of entrainment adequately explains the major period-lengthening effects of LL. However, there are temporal limits to the light pulses that can be used to simulate the effects of LL (i.e., one second light pulses fail to produce the effects brought about by longer pulses).

Control of cage lighting by locomotor activity through feedback circuits.

This paper describes an electronic device through which environmental lighting conditions are linked to locomotor activity thus allowing only the photosensitive portions of a nocturnal rodents phase-response-curve to be exposed to light. In the past, this type of lighting schedule has been difficult, if not impossible, to present with an exogenously controlled lighting system due to the phase shifting ability of the rodent's circadian system. The feedback lighting system is made from components which can be purchased at most electronics outlets for less than $100.

Effect of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) on male copulatory behavior in the rat.

The effects of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) on male rat copulatory behavior were investigated. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were administered either 10, 50 or 100 mg/kg of Panax quinquefolium or a sesame oil vehicle per os (p.o.) for 28 days and copulatory behavior parameters were measured. Ginseng-treated male rats demonstrated a significant decrease in mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies compared to vehicle controls. Hormone analyses revealed no difference in plasma luteinizing hormone or testosterone levels between ginseng- and vehicle-treated animals; however, plasma prolactin levels were significantly reduced by all doses of ginseng tested. When male rats were treated with the 100 mg/kg dose of ginseng for 1, 14 or 28 days, mount and intromission latencies were significantly reduced at 14 and 28 days of daily ginseng treatment, whereas ejaculation latency was significantly reduced after 1 day of ginseng treatment when compared to vehicle controls. Plasma prolactin levels were also significantly decreased after 14 and 28 days of daily ginseng administration. There were no differences in body weight or in testes, seminal vesicle, anterior pituitary or spleen weights between ginseng- and vehicle-treated rats. These results demonstrate that P. quinquefolium significantly facilitates male copulatory behavior. The reduction in plasma prolactin levels suggests that ginseng-induced alterations in dopaminergic neurotransmission may play a role in the ability of P. quinquefolium to stimulate copulatory behavior in the male rat.

An improved method for precise control of light exposure at a known circadian time during an animal's subjective night.

The paper describes an electronic device that improves the feedback lighting (LDFB) developed previously. LDFB links environmental lighting conditions to locomotor or other monitored behavior. Subjective Night Light (SNL) has the following advantages over LDFB: it eliminates the multiple transitions between light and dark; it allows for precise control over lighting so that a light signal of variable duration can be phase locked to any phase of the subjective night; it dissociates to a much greater extent any potential cognitive perception of the link between locomotor activity and lighting; and it can be programmed easily. Finally, SNL retains the significant advantage of LDFB in its ability to maintain phase relationship with the endogenous biologic rhythms even in circumstances of phase-shifting or free-running conditions. The SNL system is made from components that can be purchased at most electronics outlets for less than US$100.

Circadian rhythms in the short-tailed shrew, Blarina brevicauda.

Circadian rhythms of wheel running and feeding were measured in the short-tailed shrew. Shrews were strongly nocturnal, and their activity rhythms entrained to both long-day (LD 16:8) and short-day (LD 6:18) photocycles. Under conditions of continuous light (LL) or darkness (DD), the activity rhythms free-ran with average periodicities of 25.1 hours and 24.1 hours, respectively. In LL the level of activity was depressed, and in some cases wheel running was completely inhibited. No significant sex differences were observed in the period or amplitude of the monitored circadian rhythms. All shrews fed throughout the day and night; however, unlike in previous reports, ultradian periods of feeding behavior were not found. The results are related to Aschoff's four observations for the effect of light on activity rhythms in nocturnal rodents.

Thermoregulatory responses of rhesus monkeys during spaceflight.

This study examines the activity, axillary temperature (T(ax)), and ankle skin temperature (Tsk) of two male Rhesus monkeys exposed to microgravity in space. The animals were flown on a Soviet biosatellite mission (COSMOS 1514). Measurements on the flight animals, as well as synchronous flight controls, were performed in the Soviet Union. Additional control studies were performed in the United States to examine the possible role of metabolic heat production in the T(ax) response observed during the spaceflight. All monkeys were exposed to a 24-h light-dark cycle (LD 16:8) throughout these studies. During weightlessness, T(ax) in both flight animals was lower than on earth. The largest difference (0.75 degree C) occurred during the night. There was a reduction in mean heart rate and Tsk during flight. This suggests a reduction in both heat loss and metabolic rate during spaceflight. Although the circadian rhythms in all variables were present during flight, some differences were noted. For example, the amplitude of the rhythms in Tsk and activity were attenuated. Furthermore, the T(ax) and activity rhythms did not have precise 24.0 hour periods and may have been externally desynchronized from the 24-h LD cycle. These data suggest a weakening of the coupling between the internal circadian pacemaker and the external LD synchronizer.

Nocturnal illumination does not necessarily stimulate the photoperiodic response, despite mimicking the effects of constant light on the circadian system in the male Syrian hamster.

In an effort to determine the inductive component(s) of photic input in long day seasonal breeders, adult male Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were exposed to one of nine lighting conditions for a duration of 10 weeks: a light-dark cycle of 14 hours of light followed by 10 hours of dark (LD 14:10, a long photoperiod); LD 10:14 (a short photoperiod); a high frequency light-dark cycle of 1 hour of light and 1 hour of dark (LD 1:1); a higher frequency light-dark cycle of 1 minute of light and 1 minute of dark (LD 1m:1m); constant light (LL); constant dark (DD); feedback lighting (LDFB; a condition that illuminates the cage in response to locomotor activity); a feedback lighting neighbor control (LDFB NC; the animal receives the same light pattern as a paired animal in LDFB, but has no control over it); or reverse feedback lighting (rLDFB; a condition that darkens an illuminated cage in response to locomotor activity). Exposure to LL, LD 1:1, LD 1m:1m, LDFB and rLDFB significantly and similarly lengthened the free-running period of the locomotor rhythm when compared to the period of animals in DD. The paired tests and accessory reproductive glands weights, spermiogenesis, seminiferous tubule diameter and serum concentrations of testosterone, prolactin, LH and FSH, suggest that LD 14:10, LL, LD 1:1, rLDFB and LDFB NC maintain reproductive function in the Syrian hamster, while LD 10:14, DD, LD 1m:1m and LDFB do not. It is known that as little as two 1-second pulses of light are stimulatory if coincident with the subjective night (17.22). Thus, it is not surprising that LD 1:1 is stimulatory. LD 1m:1m is not stimulatory, however, despite an identical quanta of light per 24 hours and similar phase relationship. It appears that mere light exposure during the subjective night is not necessarily reproductively inductive. It would also appear that behaviorally generated light-dark cycles can be (i.e., LDFB), but are not necessarily (i.e., rLDFB) inhibitory to the maintenance of the reproductive system in long day breeders. Furthermore, the lighting pattern derived from LDFB is stimulatory if given exogenously (i.e., LDFB NC). Although it is not understood why light exposure that is coincident with the subjective night (i.e., LD 1m:1m and LDFB) is not stimulatory in long day breeders, a possible hypothesis is that an internal coincidence model is involved in the photoperiodic response and that multiple transitions during the subjective night may cause a dissociation of internal oscillations which must be in phase for light to be stimulatory.

A randomized phase II study of m-AMSA (NSC 249992) and neocarzinostatin (NSC 157365) in non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. An Eastern Cooperative Group Study.

Eighty-nine patients with advanced non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma were treated with either m-AMSA 120 mg/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks or neocarzinostatin 2.0 mg/m2 intravenously daily X 5 every 4 weeks. There were no responses in 40 evaluable patients who received m-AMSA and three partial responses (7.5%) in 40 patients who received neocarzinostatin. Two patients receiving m-AMSA had drug-related deaths. For m-AMSA the major toxicities were hematologic, while for neocarzinostatin the major toxicities were hematologic, gastrointestinal, and fever. We conclude that m-AMSA is inactive while neocarzinostatin has minimal activity in non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma.

ECoG results in perilymphatic fistula: clinical and experimental studies.

Patients with perilymphatic fistula have been described as having symptoms similar to Meniere's disease and endolymphatic hydrops. Direct clinical or experimental evidence linking the two inner ear disorders has been lacking. An enhancement of the summating potential observed with electrocochleography suggests a diagnosis of ELH in both of these inner ear disorders. In this study, ECoG results of 27 patients with surgically confirmed PLF are reported. Fourteen patients with surgically confirmed spontaneous PLF had abnormal ECoG. Six of these 14 patients had normal hearing. The ECoG changes in patients with Meniere's disease and those with surgically confirmed PLF are identical, indicating the underlying pathologic change in both is hydrops. But there is no specific diagnostic abnormality on ECoG that differentiates these two inner ear disorders. Also, an experimental model of PLF was developed and studied in guinea pigs. "Inactive" PLF is defined as "an opening was made into the cochlea, but if no perilymph moved out through the fistula, it was defined as inactive" An "active" PLF occurs when perilymph actually moves from the inner ear out to the middle ear. ECoGs were recorded before and after creation of an "active" PLF. ECoG abnormalities were seen in "active" PLF and correlated with histologic data demonstrating ELH. An abnormally enhanced summating potential was demonstrated after active removal of perilymph through the experimentally created fistula. Cochlear duct histology showed hydropic distention of Reissner's membrane in the experimental ears and no changes in the membranous labyrinths of the unoperated, control ears.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Experimental evaluation of ceramic calcium phosphate as a substitute for bone grafts.

Tricalcium phosphate (Synthos) is a bioceramic material which can be carved with a scalpel and wired into place as a bone graft would be. The process of bone replacement of the prosthesis begins with an ingrowth of cellular loose connective tissue, which is replaced later by dense connective tissue. Around the periphery of this dense fibrous connective tissue, osteoid tissue becomes evident and on later specimens this mixture seems to be converted to bone--which at first is in the form of spicules but later takes on the characteristics of lamellar bone (with tricalcium phosphate particles seen within its lacunae). The progressive replacement occurs in a circumferential pattern, but most heavily at the bone-prosthesis interface. Although the periosteum is beneficial, we do not feel that the major source of bone formation is as the soft tissue or subperiosteal area. The replacement of the tricalcium phosphate prosthesis is slower than we originally thought, or than reported by others. We have noted pockets of tricalcium phosphate, incompletely replaced, in dogs up to 18 months after implantation. We believe this may be related to the larger sized prostheses we used (2 x 2 cm blocks) with, therefore, longer distances that the ingrowth and calcification had to traverse.

Excision of massive hemangioneurofibroma of the face.

Nevus flammeus (cutaneous hemangioma, port-wine stain) may develop proliferative hamartomatous changes and go on to form monstrous deforming tumors. Excision is feasible, and it may be best to do it early. The mentally retarded, institutionalized patient can also benefit from the reconstruction. In 3 cases it was possible to preserve function of the muscles of facial expression, because of the superficial location of the tumor. Techniques to decrease blood loss are of variable value during the operative procedure.

New method for measuring electrical conductivities of solids in a diamond anvil cell.

A new method of measuring electrical conductivities of solids in a diamond anvil cell (DAC) has been developed. The dc method involves a four-point probe measurement. The method is suitable for measuring the electrical conductance of bulk (polycrystalline) solids or single crystals, as a function of temperature and/or pressure.

Pediatric ABR screening: pass-fail rates in awake versus asleep neonates.

The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is commonly used as a neonatal hearing screening tool. The degree to which myogenic and/or movement artifact can confound the ABR in neonates, and the effect this has on screening pass-fail rates, although widely recognized, have not been reported. This study addressed these aspects in a clinical setting. Fifty-two high-risk neonates were screened in various states of activity (asleep, awake-calm, awake-active). Pass-fail rates between asleep and awake babies were significantly different (p less than 0.5), with the awake group displaying a much higher failure rate. There was no significant difference between the awake-calm and awake-active groups. Results indicate that activity state should be noted and considered along with the other factors that are generally blamed for false-positive results in neonatal ABR screenings.

Effects of in-situ calibration of click stimuli on the auditory brainstem response.

We studied the effects on the auditory brainstem response (ABR) of applying a computerized calibration procedure for click stimuli that corrects for individual transducer characteristics and ear canal acoustics. The "calibrated" signal at the eardrum possesses a nearly flat spectrum from 500 to 10,000 Hz. ABRs were recorded from normal-hearing subjects using both calibrated and uncalibrated clicks. The preponderance of energy for the latter stimulus was between 1000 and 4000 Hz. When compared to the responses evoked by the uncalibrated signal, ABRs to calibrated clicks displayed shorter component latencies, increased component amplitudes, and a more sensitive wave V relative to behavioral threshold.