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Biomedical subjects

R R Peterson

Publications and source records attributed to R R Peterson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Dissociation between syntactic and semantic processing during idiom comprehension.

Syntactic and semantic processing of literal and idiomatic phrases were investigated with a priming procedure. In 3 experiments, participants named targets that were syntactically appropriate or inappropriate completions for semantically unrelated sentence contexts. Sentences ended with incomplete idioms (kick the...) and were biased for either a literal (ball) or an idiomatic (bucket) completion. Syntactically appropriate targets were named more quickly than inappropriate ones for both contextual biases, suggesting that syntactic analysis occurs for idioms. In a final experiment, targets were either concrete (expected) or abstract (unexpected) nouns. For literal sentences, the abstract targets were named more slowly than the concrete targets. In contrast, there was no concreteness effect for idiomatic sentences, suggesting that the literal meaning of the idiom is not processed. Overall, the results provide evidence for dissociation between syntactic and semantic processing.

Adult↗

Detection of Antibodies to Pasteurella multocida by capture enzyme immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody against P37 antigen.

As infection with Pasteurella multocida is common in rabbits, an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed for its detection. A murine immunoglobulin G monoclonal antibody was used to capture a 37-kDa polypeptide of P. multocida serotype A:12 in an EIA to detect antibodies to P. multocida. The 37-kDa antigen was selected since it was previously shown to be a major immunogen during P. multocida infection in rabbits. The sensitivity of the P37 EIA, determined with sera from 56 rabbits infected with P. multocida, was 98%. Specificity, evaluated with sera from 62 rabbits from colonies free of P. multocida, was 92%. Titration curves of sera from rabbits immunized with P. multocida serotype A:3 or A:12 coincided, indicating that the P37 EIA was equally efficient in detecting antibodies to the two major serotypes of the organism. Comparison of the P37 EIA with the current serodiagnostic test, a bacterial lysate EIA, revealed relatively good correlation (r = 0.68). However, specificity was greatly improved, as 34% of uninfected rabbits were falsely positive by the lysate EIA whereas only 3% of uninfected rabbits were falsely positive by the P37 EIA. The coefficient of variation for same-day tests was 10%, and that for interday tests was 15%, indicating good reproducibility. The greater sensitivity and specificity of the P37 EIA should significantly enhance diagnostic capability to identify rabbits infected with P. multocida.

Animals↗

[Adrenoganglioplegia as a method of correction of hemodynamic disorders in surgical patients with initial hypotension].

The possibility to use adreno- and ganglionic blockaders in the operative period in surgical patients with initial hypotension is considered. The examinations performed in 37 patients have shown that addition of adreno- and ganglionic blockaders to routine correcting therapy results in earlier (after premedication) and more economical (at the expense of elevation of the initial low peripheral vascular resistance) arrest of the initial hypotonia.

Adolescent↗

Effect of backward priming on word recognition in single-word and sentence contexts.

Backward priming was investigated under conditions similar to those used in lexical ambiguity research. Subjects received prime-target word pairs that were associated either unidirectionally (BABY-STORK) or bidirectionally (BABY-CRY). In the first experiment, targets were presented 500 ms following the onset of visual primes, and subjects made naming or lexical decision responses to the targets. Forward priming was obtained in all conditions, while backward priming (i.e., priming for pairs in which there was a unidirectional target-to-prime association, as in BABY-STORK) occurred only with lexical decision. In the second experiment, primes were presented auditorily, either in isolation or in a sentence. Targets followed the offset of the primes either immediately or after 200 ms. Backward priming occurred with both response tasks, but only when the prime was an isolated word. In addition, backward priming decreased over time with the naming task, but not with lexical decision. These results suggest that the locus of the backward priming effect is different for the two response tasks. Further, the lack of a backward priming effect with sentence contexts suggests that backward priming cannot account for the demonstrations of multiple access in the lexical ambiguity literature. These results, therefore, support a context-independent view of lexical access.

Adult↗

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma in a bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata).

Spontaneous sarcomas, not associated with an underlying disease, appear to be relatively rare in nonhuman primates. Since 1970, there have been few reported cases of naturally-occurring sarcomas of any kind in these species. A malignant histiocytoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma have been described in a rhesus macaque and baboon, respectively. A malignant fibrous histiocytoma is defined as a sarcoma of varied pattern consisting of a mixture of histiocytic and fibroblastic elements. It is thought that the two cells types arise from a common precursor or that the fibroblastic elements are derived from the histiocytes. These tumors are relatively common in humans. Here we report a case of spontaneously-occurring malignant fibrous histiocytoma in an adult bonnet macaque.

Animals↗

Oblique magnetic resonance imaging of the cardiovascular system.

This exhibit demonstrates that cardiac anatomy can be imaged by MRI in oblique planes that are equivalent to views obtained radiographically or at angiocardiography. These MR images may be obtained either by simple patient positioning or by electronic rotation of the imaging axis. The advantages of this technique include its simplicity and its ability to show detailed anatomy noninvasively. Major cardiac structures including chambers, walls, vessels and bronchi are optimally demonstrated in long axis or cross section. This permits estimation of chamber volume, wall thickness, vessel position and variations from normal. Smaller structures are also well visualized. These include the pericardium, papillary muscles, azygos vein and some cross sectional anatomy of the coronary arteries and veins. The valvular structures can be shown during diastole or systole. The ability of MRI to show these cardiac structures due to the intrinsic contrast differences in signal intensity between muscle, fat, flowing blood and lung suggest an important future for MR cardiac imaging in a broad group of congenital and acquired diseases of the heart, pericardium and great vessels.

Heart↗

Anatomy of the perirenal area.

The authors comment on the use of the renal bridging septa as a sign in distinguishing compartmentalization of the perinephric space. They also address new concepts regarding the spread of pancreatic effusions and provide information on other anatomic features of the perirenal area.

Drainage↗

Gastrohepatic ligament: normal and pathologic CT anatomy.

In a review of 200 consecutive CT scans of the upper abdomen, the structures within the gastrohepatic ligament (GHL) were well seen in 182 (91%). In 85% of these 182 patients, the largest structure visible within the GHL was 6 mm or smaller. A total of 27 patients had a structure larger than 6 mm within the GHL; this finding could be explained in 13 by the presence of a normal anatomic variant. Of the 14 others, 12 had known tumor arising in or known to have spread to the upper abdomen. Two patients had no obvious explanation. Fourteen patients with cancers of the stomach (9 patients), pancreas (3 patients), and esophagus (2 patients) had 57 intact nodes that were evaluated pathologically. Of these 40/40 benign nodes and 10/17 malignant nodes were less than or equal to 8 mm in size. When anatomic variants are excluded, the finding of rounded structures greater than 8 mm in the GHL is a reliable indicator of left gastric node involvement by carcinoma or lymphoma or of coronary venous dilatation.

Humans↗

The superior sinus of the pericardium: CT appearance.

On computed tomography, a mass-like density is often observed, just posterior to the ascending aorta, that occasionally has been mistaken for mediastinal lymph node enlargement. Cadaver studies confirmed this retroaortic structure to be an extension of the pericardial cavity, the superior sinus. Current anatomic texts sometimes depict this space without description. Anatomic studies revealed the presence of a superior sinus in all of the 28 cadavers studied. The mean cross-sectional diameter of the sinus in a coronal plane was 2.5 cm with a range from 1.2 to 3.8 cm. Retrospective review of 116 consecutive adult chest computed tomographic examinations disclosed its presence in 49%. In 15% of the total, the size of the sinus was sufficiently large potentially to simulate mediastinal lymphadenopathy. This normal variant has a characteristic location, shape, and attenuation value by CT that should allow recognition and prevent misinterpretation.

Humans↗

Computed tomography of the normal thymus.

Recognition of variations in size, shape, and density of the normal thymus on computed tomographic (CT) scans is of paramount importance, lest it be misinterpreted as an abnormal mediastinal mass. Studying patients subsequently proved free of active chest disease, we analyzed 154 CT scans of the mediastinum, performed on a fourth-generation scanner, to determine the incidence of visualization and appearance of the normal thymus. The thymus was seen in 100% of patients under age 30, 73% of patients between 30 and 49 years, and in 17% of patients over 49 years of age. The thickness of the thymus showed a definite decrease in size with increasing age; although the width showed a similar general tendency, a wide variation was noted within each age group. In younger patients, the density of the thymus was similar to that of muscle; the attenuation values progressively decreased in older patients, finally approaching that of fat.

Adolescent↗

Cost improvement program generates major savings.

The rationale and components of a model for containing and reducing costs are described in this article. The project-oriented program, which uses cross-functional teams as well as individual participants, encourages employees to be aware of the need for cost effective performance.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗