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Biomedical subjects

A Wall

Publications and source records attributed to A Wall.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cross-tolerance in drug response and differential changes in central nicotinic and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor binding following chronic treatment with either (+)- or (-)-nicotine.

The present study compared the effects of chronic treatment (21 days) with (+)-nicotine and (-)-nicotine on exploratory behaviours and body temperature in rats. Chronic treatment with either (+)- or (-)-nicotine induced tolerance in exploratory behaviours. A cross-tolerance between the two stereoisomers was also observed. Body temperature was differentially affected by chronic (+)- and (-)-nicotine, but cross-tolerance was still observed. In addition, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor binding in rats treated with (+)- and (-)-nicotine were measured by receptor autoradiography. Chronic treatment with (+)- and (-)-nicotine significantly increased nAChR binding in different brain regions. Furthermore, significant differences in the induction of nAChR binding by chronic (+)- and (-)-nicotine were detected in several brain regions. Chronic treatment with (+)-nicotine significantly increased NMDA receptor binding in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. However, (-)-nicotine had no effect on NMDA receptor binding in any of the regions analysed. These results demonstrate differences between chronic treatment with (+)- and (-)-nicotine in physiological responses such as body temperature and biochemical changes such as changes in nAChRs and NMDA receptor binding, although a cross-tolerance between the two enantiomers in behaviour and body temperature is also observed.

Animals

Middle management. Courtin' the middle.

Middle managers are essential to organisations but are often unsupported by those above them and reviled by those they supervise. Effective middle managers keep top managers in touch with reality and reinterpret policy and strategy so operational staff understand the point. Organisations should reassure middle managers about the validity of their work and provide continuing education.

Administrative Personnel

[Selected anatomical features of the foot with hallux valgus].

Hallux valgus is still an open problem consists of many unexplained questions related to, not only its etiopathogenesis and biomechanics but also to treatment of this deformity. The purpose of investigation: 1) To find out hallux valgus predisposing factors; 2) To recognise anatomic features of the foot in hallux valgus patients, basing on orthopaedic physical examination as well as to find out the frequency of the occurrence of foot skeleton disorders in rentgenometric and plantoconturographic (foot prints) measurements. 335 feet in 173 patients (females) treated operatively due to hallux valgus in Orthopaedic Department of Wrocław Medical Academy in years 1980-1994 were examined. Those patients were operated on according to Keller, Dega and McBride method. All the patients underwent preoperative orthopaedic physical examination as well as rentgenographic and plantoconturographic one. Such factors as heredity and Egyptian shape of the foot as well as metatarsal index "plus" were recognised as hallux valgus predisposing factors. Most of the parameters evaluated in orthopaedic, rentgenographic and plantocontourographic examination presented pathologic values that indicated pathology within foot in hallux valgus patients.

Adolescent

Organisations. Knowing who's boss.

A hierarchical structure in organisations reflects the natural order. A hierarchy does not have to denote an authoritarian management style. People need to know who their boss is. Lines of accountability on many hospital wards are unclear.

Decision Making, Organizational

NHS boards. It takes two to tango.

Successful chair-chief executive relationships depend on a 'no surprises' rule. The fact that a chair can terminate a chief executive's contract with little reference to anyone else is a weakness in the system. When a relationship breaks down it is usually for personal rather than formal reasons.

Administrative Personnel

Primary care. From paper to practice.

The proposed size of primary care groups may prove problematic. Their creation will have bureaucratic consequences. Primary care groups' proposed accountability to three different organisations may lead to conflict. Their establishment will compound existing problems: increasing organisational complexity and conflicts between local discretion and central control.

Budgets

Baby listening devices and apnoea monitors.

Two categories of monitor are available: baby listening devices, and specialist apnoea monitors. Baby listening devices are on the market in department stores, pharmacies and supermarkets. They cost in the range of approximately 20 Pounds-45 Pounds, and can be plugged in or portable. Though not a necessity on health or safety grounds, listening devices are popular with parents, who find them reassuring. Apnoea monitors are designed to sound an alarm if the baby stops breathing. They are generally only used in special circumstances, for example where there has been a previous cot death. Though parents can purchase an apnoea monitor direct from manufacturers, the monitors are more usually supplied when a baby is discharged from hospital and used under guidance from health professionals, e.g. through the Care of Next Infant (CONI) scheme.

Apnea

Neonatal castration and adult responsiveness to testosterone in male rats: an interstrain comparison.

We have previously demonstrated that the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) has a lower central nervous responsiveness to testosterone than its normotensive counterpart the Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY). The adult psychoendocrine response capacity depends on a neonatal testosterone surge. On that basis, we compared the effects of neonatal endocrine manipulation on the adult responsiveness to testosterone in the SHR, WKY, and yet another breed of Wistar (Wi) male rats. Interstrain differences in testosterone-induced copulatory behavior at three different doses of testosterone propionate (TP) were investigated. Neonatal treatments were as follows: TP (0.25 mg/animal) given on postnatal days (PND) 0, 2, and 4 (SHR and Wi only) or castration PND 0, 10, or 50. Neonatal TP treatment impaired copulatory performance in the adult SHR but not in the Wi. Neonatal castration improved the responsiveness to TP in the SHR but less so in WKY, whereas no evident effects were seen in the Wi. No significant interstrain differences in plasma testosterone were observed 2, 6-12, or 24 h postpartum. The demonstrated interstrain differences suggest not only that the adult responsiveness to testosterone is established on the basis of the neonatal gonadal secretion as such but that this secretion is kept to an optimal level with respect to subsequent hormone-sensitive mechanisms.

Animals