Examining Differences between Homebound Older Adult Pet Owners and Non-pet Owners in Depression,Systemic Inflammation,and Executive Function

Homebound older adults are prone to depression, which is linked to systemic inflammation that promotes executive function decline. A companion animal may reduce the negative biobehavioral processes asso- ciated with depression, inflammation, and reduced executive function in homebound older adults. The primary aim of this study was to examine dif- ferences between homebound older adult pet owners and non-pet owners in depression, salivary C-reactive protein (CRP), and executive function. The secondary aim was to determine if the level of attachment to pets was as- sociated with depression, salivary CRP, and executive function. The study was cross-sectional and investigated homebound older adult pet owners and non-pet owners (n = 88) using psychometrically reliable and valid instru- ments (Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form and CLOX 1). Salivary CRP was assessed with immunoassay. Level of attachment to pets was measured using a Likert scale (0–10). Mean age for the total sample was 75 years (SD = 9). Forty-eight (55%) participants owned pets (56% dogs, 25% cats, 4% other pets, 15% both cats and dogs). Pet owners reported a high level of attachment to pets (Median = 10). Pet owners had significantly higher ex- ecutive function than non-pet owners (t = –2.07; p = 0.04) but there were no significant differences in executive function between cat owners and dog owners (t = 1.53; p = 0.14). Pet owners and non-pet owners were similar in depression (t = –1.80, p = 0.08) and salivary CRP levels (t = 0.27, p = 0.79). Level of attachment to pets was significantly and positively correlated with executive function (r = 0.30; p = 0.04) but was not significantly correlated with depression (r = 0.04, p = 0.77) or salivary CRP (r = –0.04, p = 0.80). Compared with non-pet owners, pet owners had better executive function but similar depression and salivary CRP levels. Reasons for these findings are unclear. Significant positive correlation be- tween pet attachment and executive function suggests further investigation in this area. Future studies with larger samples and a longitudinal design are needed to investigate the biobehavioral changes over time in relation to pet ownership, level of attachment to pets, and executive func- tion in homebound older adults.     

An electrophoretic investigation of six species of darters in the subgenus Catonotus

The electrophoretic patterns of lactate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase and total muscle proteins distinguished the species Etheostoma flabellare, E. kennicotti and E. squamiceps from each other and from three species of the E. virgatum group (E. virgatum, E. obeyense and E. barbouri), which all possessed identical patterns. Etheostoma flabellare, the species with the widest geographic range, possessed the greatest amount of genetic variation in all three protein systems studied. Patristic distances were calculated via an unrooted Wagner network. Using this method it was shown that E. flabellare was the most divergent species, E. kennicotti and E. squamiceps were less divergent, and the members of the E. virgatum group clustered closely.     

Application of stains in clinical microbiology

Stains have been used for diagnosing infectious diseases since the late 1800s. The Gram stain remains the most commonly used stain because it detects and differentiates a wide range of pathogens. The next most commonly used diagnostic technique is acid-fast staining that is used primarily to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other severe infections. Many infectious agents grow slowly on culture media or may not grow at all; stains may be the only method to detect these organisms in clinical specimens. In the hands of experienced clinical microscopists, stains provide rapid and cost-effective information for preliminary diagnosis of infectious diseases. A review of the most common staining methods used in the clinical microbiology laboratory is presented here.     

Analytical solutions for the specific activities of a traced substance within the component parts of a simulated kidney-ureter system

Two models for a kidney-ureter system are considered: one model of one vessel in which a traced substance, undergoing exchange between the vessel and an external compartment, is emptying into the ureter; the second model of two approximately parallel, identical vessels in which a traced substance, undergoing exchange between each vessel and an external compartment, is emptying into the ureter. A single impulsive input of label into a vessel is assumed. For mathematical simplicity, the major conditions imposed on each system are: (1) rapid mixing transverse to a vessel axis and no mixing longitudinal to a vessel axis within the plasma; (2) small variation of the specific activity within the plasma in the longitudinal direction to a vessel axis; (3) constant flow rate of urine into the ureter and (4) constant exchange coefficients, tubule flow velocity and traced substance concentrations within individual compartments.     

REFRACTORY HYPOTENSION—Diagnosis and Management in Surgical Patients

Refractory hypotension is circulatory collapse of obscure cause which occurs in surgical patients who are thought to have a normal blood volume but in whom adequate circulation cannot be maintained. Such patients are usually treated empirically by the administration of intravenous vasopressor agents, and the mortality rate is relatively high.A specific diagnosis of the underlying cause for the refractory hypotension can be made by thorough clinical evaluation. Specific treatment aimed at correcting the underlying cause of the vascular collapse will lower the mortality rate in this serious type of circulatory failure.