Differences in withdrawal symptoms, microglia activity, and cognitive functioning in rats exposed to continuous low-dose heroin in-utero.

Introduction: Opioid use during pregnancy and subsequent neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) have been associated with poor developmental outcomes including cognitive functioning. Less is known about the underlying molecular effects of prenatal opioid exposure and subsequent withdrawal; however, given the recent increase in NOWS cases, there is a pressing need to better understand these effects, which may partially explain cognitive deficits that have been observed in both preclinical NOWS models and patients with NOWS. This study evaluated the effects of prenatal heroin exposure and subsequent precipitated withdrawal symptoms on microglial reactivity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), dorsal hippocampus (HC), and ventral tegmental area (VTA) in rat neonates, as well as cognitive functioning at three developmental time points using the Morris Water Maze (MWM) task.

Gene expression during S. epidermidis biofilm formation on biomaterials.

Biomaterial-centered infections are initiated by adhesion of bacteria to an implant, followed by colonization and mature biofilm formation. Staphylococcus epidermidis is commonly identified as the cause of these device-centered infections. This study used an in vitro model to evaluate temporal changes in the expression of genes-icaADBC, agrBDCA, aap, and atle-that have been identified to play a role in the pathogenesis of S.

Maintenance of certification in psychiatry.

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) developed 6 core competencies for physicians of all specialties and a maintenance of certification (MOC) program for board-certified physicians. The MOC program incorporates the 6 competencies into 4 component areas: professional standing, self-assessment and lifelong learning, cognitive expertise, and performance in practice. These 4 components are designed to promote a cycle of lifelong learning, self-assessment and peer review, and incorporation of best practices in order to improve the quality of health care in clinical practice.

Relationship between Resident-In-Training Examination in psychiatry and subsequent certification examination performances.

Objective: This study analyzed the relationship between performance on The American College of Psychiatrists' Psychiatry Resident-In-Training Examination (PRITE) and the ABPN Part 1 examination.

Methods: Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationship between performance on the 2002 PRITE and the 2003 Part 1 examination for 297 examinees.

Results: The correlation between the PRITE global psychiatry and the Part 1 psychiatry scores was 0.

Model curriculum for academic child and adolescent psychiatry training.

Objective: The United States is facing a severe shortage of academic child and adolescent psychiatrists. This article reviews a model integrated pathway to improve recruitment.

Methods: The authors review training portals for research in child and adolescent psychiatry.

S. epidermidis biofilm formation: effects of biomaterial surface chemistry and serum proteins.

Most infections due to implanted cardiovascular biomaterials are initiated by bacterial adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis, followed by colonization and biofilm formation on the surface of the implant. This study examined the role of serum proteins and material surface chemistry in the formation of S. epidermidis biofilm on polyurethanes (Elasthane 80A, hydrophobic) modified with polyethylene oxide (Elasthane 80A-6PEO, hydrophilic) and fluorocarbon (Elasthane 80A-6F, hydrophobic).

Macrophage behavior on surface-modified polyurethanes.

Adherent macrophages and foreign body giant cells (FBGCs) are known to release degradative molecules that can be detrimental to the long-term biostability of polyurethanes. The modification of polyurethanes using surface modifying endgroups (SMEs) and/or the incorporation of silicone into the polyurethane soft segments may alter macrophage adhesion, fusion and apoptosis resulting in improved long-term biostability. An in vitro study of macrophage adhesion, fusion and apoptosis was performed on polyurethanes modified with fluorocarbon SMEs, polyethylene oxide (PEO) SMEs, or poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) co-soft segment and SMEs.

Association of a critical CSF tryptophan threshold level with depressive relapse.

This work studies association between relapse during acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) and CSF level of tryptophan (TRP) in remitted depressives treated with sertraline or bupropion. Eight medication-responding depressives ingested an ATD amino acid mixture during 48-h continuous CSF sampling before and after treatment. Mood rating scores were compared with nadir levels of TRP in CSF.

Inhibition of bacterial and leukocyte adhesion under shear stress conditions by material surface chemistry.

Biomaterial-centered infections, initiated by bacterial adhesion, persist due to a compromised host immune response. Altering implant materials with surface modifying endgroups (SMEs) may enhance their biocompatibility by reducing bacterial and inflammatory cell adhesion. A rotating disc model, which generates shear stress within physiological ranges, was used to characterize adhesion of leukocytes and Staphylococcus epidermidis on polycarbonate-urethanes and polyetherurethanes modified with SMEs (polyethylene oxide, fluorocarbon and dimethylsiloxane) under dynamic flow conditions.

Serial cerebrospinal fluid tryptophan and 5-hydroxy indoleacetic acid concentrations in healthy human subjects.

The role of the serotonergic system in the pathogenesis of behavioral disorders such as depression, alcoholism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and violence is not completely understood. Measurement of the concentration of neurotransmitters and their metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is considered among the most valid, albeit indirect, methods of assessing central nervous system function in man. However, most studies in humans have measured lumbar CSF concentrations only at single time points, thus not taking into account rhythmic or episodic variations in levels of neurotransmitters, precursors, or metabolites.