Clinical relevance of retrograde inferior vena cava or hepatic vein opacification during contrast-enhanced CT.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to explore the clinical relevance of retrograde inferior vena cava or hepatic vein opacification during contrast-enhanced CT.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively identified 127 patients who underwent contemporaneous contrast-enhanced CT of the chest or abdomen and echocardiography. On CT, the presence of retrograde inferior vena cava or hepatic vein opacification and the rate of IV contrast injection (> 3 mL/sec, high; < or = 3 mL/sec, low) were recorded.

Role of AMPA and GluR5 kainate receptors in the development and expression of amygdala kindling in the mouse.

The role of AMPA and GluR5-containing kainate receptors in the development and expression of amygdala kindling was examined using the selective 2,3-benzodiazepine AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI 52466 [(1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2, 3-benzodiazepine] and the decahydroisoquinoline mixed AMPA receptor and GluR5 kainate receptor antagonist LY293558 {(3S,4aR,6R, 8aR)-6-[2-(1(2)H-tetrazole-5-yl)ethyl]decahydroisoquinoline- 3-carboxy lic acid)}. Administration of GYKI 52466 (5-40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and LY293558 (10-40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) prior to daily kindling stimulation in mice produced a dose-dependent suppression of the rate of development of behavioral kindled seizure activity and reduced the duration of the stimulation-induced electrographic afterdischarge. In drug-free stimulation sessions after the initial drug-treatment sessions, there was an acceleration in the rate of kindling development compared with the rate during the preceding drug-administration period; the "rebound" rate was also greater than the kindling rate in saline-treated control animals.

Improving the lives of home care workers: a partnership of social work and labor.

A school of social work with an occupational program specialization entered into an agreement with one of the largest trade unions in New York City to do a social and health services needs assessment for the union's newest members: home care workers. The vast majority of these home attendants are low-income African American and Latina women who care for frail aged and disabled Medicaid recipients to prevent nursing home placement. Structured interviews with a sample of 400 union members indicated a need for better health care coverage, especially for stress-related illnesses, along with personal social services to assist with housing, debt, child care, and family issues.