"Silent" metaplasticity of the late phase of long-term potentiation requires protein phosphatases

The late phase of long-term potentiation (L-LTP) is correlated with some types of long-term memory, but the mechanisms by which L-LTP is modulated by prior synaptic activity are undefined. Activation of protein phosphatases by low-frequency stimulation (LFS) given before induction of L-LTP may significantly modify L-LTP. Using cellular electrophysiological recording methods in mouse hippocampal slices, we show that LFS given before induction of L-LTP inhibited L-LTP in an activity-dependent manner without affecting either basal synaptic strength or the early phase of LTP (E-LTP). This anterograde inhibitory effect of LFS was persistent, required N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation, and was blocked by inhibitors of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). These data indicate that certain patterns of LFS can activate PP1 and/or PP2A, and that long-lasting activation of these phosphatases by prior LFS can suppress the subsequent expression of L-LTP without affecting E-LTP. Because this inhibition of L-LTP is caused by prior synaptic activity that, alone, produced no net effect on synaptic efficacy, we suggest that this is a “silent” form of metaplasticity that may influence long-term information storage by modulating the capacity of synapses to express L-LTP after repeated bouts of activity.     

Semi-Post algebras

In this paper, semi-Post algebras are introduced and investigated. The generalized Post algebras are subcases of semi-Post algebras. The so called primitive Post constants constitute an arbitrary partially ordered set, not necessarily connected as in the case of the generalized Post algebras examined in [3]. By this generalization, semi-Post products can be defined. It is also shown that the class of all semi-Post algebras is closed under these products and that every semi-Post algebra is a semi-Post product of some generalized Post algebras.     

Social Support from Family and Friends and Subjective Well-Being of Older African Americans

This study examines the impact of informal social support from family and friends on the well-being of older African Americans. Analyses are based on a nationally representative sample of older African Americans from the National Survey of American Life (n = 837). Three measures of well-being are examined: life satisfaction, happiness and self-esteem. The social support variables include frequency of contact with family and friends, subjective closeness with family and friends, and negative interactions with family. Results indicate that family contact is positively correlated with life satisfaction. Subjective closeness with family is associated with life satisfaction and happiness and both subjective closeness with friends and negative interaction with family are associated with happiness and self-esteem. There are also significant interactions between family closeness and family contact for life satisfaction, as well as friendship closeness and negative interaction with family for happiness. Overall, our study finds that family and friend relationships make unique contributions to the well-being of older African Americans. Qualitative aspects of family and friend support networks (i.e., subjective closeness, negative interactions) are more important than are structural aspects (i.e., frequency of contact). Our analysis verify that relationships with family members can both enhance and be detrimental to well-being. The findings are discussed in relation to prior research on social support and negative interaction and their unique associations with well-being among older African Americans.     

MFT Program Policies on Referral of LGBT Clients

The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine program policies that govern whether or not student therapists can refer lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer clients, based on the therapist’s religious beliefs. We conducted a qualitative survey with program directors of Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education—accredited marriage and family therapy programs to ask what policies monitor client referrals that are solely based on the therapist’s beliefs toward sexual orientation and gender identity. Implications revolve around finding congruency between the program’s philosophy, policy, expectations for students, and ethics. We provide recommendations for addressing these issues early on in the recruitment process.     

One-trial appetitive conditioning in the sexual behavior system

One-trial Pavlovian conditioning has been demonstrated with aversive reinforcers such as electric shock and lithium chloride. The present experiments using male Japanese quail were conducted to determine if an appetitive unconditioned stimulus (US), the opportunity to copulate with a female quail, can also generate one-trial learning. In Experiment 1, subjects were exposed to a contextual conditioned stimulus (CS) for 35 sec and then given copulatory opportunity. In Experiment 2, male birds were given 0, 2, or 4 min of exposure to the contextual CS before presentation of a female. In both cases, control groups received comparable exposure to both the contextual CS and the sexual US, but in an unpaired fashion. Subjects were tested for sexual learning by reintroducing them to the experimental context in the presence of a test object that incorporated the taxidermically prepared head of a female quail. In both Experiments 1 and 2, subjects for whom the contextual CS and sexual US had been paired displayed significantly more approach to the test object than did unpaired subjects.     

Apparent displacement with a monocular prism differs from optical displacement

This experiment showed that phoria-induced displacement adds to or subtracts from prism-induced displacement. A near stimulus (25 cm) was apparently displaced more than the optical displacement when the base of a prism was out and less when the base was in. In contrast, a far stimulus (200 cm) was displaced less when the base was out and more when the base was in. Moreover, the between-subjects variability of the apparent displacement was greater with monocular than with binocular viewing. Some implications for studies on monocular prism adaptation are discussed.     

Medical Students’ Creation of Original Poetry,Comics, and Masks to Explore Professional Identity Formation

Introduction. This study examines differences in students’ perceived value of three artmaking modalities (poetry, comics, masks) and whether the resulting creative projects offer similar or different insights into medical students’ professional identity formation. Methods. Mixed-methods design using a student survey, student narrative comments and qualitative analysis of students’ original work. Results. Poetry and comics stimulated insight, but masks were more enjoyable and stress-reducing. All three art modalities expressed tension between personal and professional identities. Discussion. Regardless of type of artmaking, students express concern about encroachments of training on personal identity but hoped that personal and professional selves could be integrated.

     

L’enfant visiteur en réanimation adulte : vécu psychologique de la visite et dispositifs d’accompagnement

IntroductionWhile ICUs encourage visits from patients’ loved ones, visits from children and adolescents have remained a rather sensitive issue. In an attempt to protect children from a potentially traumatic environment, certain services refuse or restrict their visits.ObjectiveIn this context, the question arises as to whether the visit in intensive care constitutes a psychological risk for the child and adolescents. Based on the literature, this article discusses the experience of the visit on the child, the research methodology implemented with child visitors, and finally the existing support systems.ResultsThe analyzed studies do not consider the psychological disorders associated with ICU visits. Moreover, there are many studies on this field and the methodologies have yet to be developed. Support measures exist but are at the initiative of the intensive care teams.ConclusionThere is now an urgent need to build on the studies focused on this field in order to propose a genuine policy with regard to the reception and support of children visiting ICU patients.