Discussed is the discovery which may help to explain epidermal growth factor effects on the cell skeleton. The role of a protein called profilin in the regulation of the microfilament system is described. (CW)

Reviews studies on suicidal behavior in depressed patients, including study showing that depressed patients who had attempted suicide had significantly reduced CSF concentrations of dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA) and significantly lower urinary outputs of HVA than patients who had not attempted suicide. Considers role of diminished…

Describes the life and accomplishments of Georg von Bekesy. Discusses his educational background and research career, and describes his extensive work on the ear, particularly the inner ear or cochlea. (SAH)

Determined the influence of a heavy-load bench press on indicators of upper-body power during an explosive pushup, examining the influence of a set of 5 repetitions of 5 repetition maximum (RM) bench press preceding explosive pushups. There were no significant differences for any of the force platform data when explosive pushups were preceded by…

To determine the contributions of the motions of the body segments to the vertical ground reaction force ([F.sub.z]), the joint torques produced by the leg muscles, and the time course of vertical velocity generation during a vertical jump, 15 men were videotaped performing countermovement vertical jumps from a force plate with and without an arm…

Maximal oxygen uptake (V[O.sub.2]max) is an important indicator of health-risk status, specifically for coronary heart disease (Blair et al., 1989). Direct measurement of V[O.sub.2]max is considered to be the most accurate means of determining cardiovascular fitness level. Typically, this measurement is taken using a progressive exercise test on a…

Spirituality may have a genetic base, but the resulting predisposition does not direct specific beliefs.

The terms "autonomous" or "vegetative" are currently used to identify one part of the nervous system composed of sympathetic, parasympathetic, and gastrointestinal divisions. However, the concepts that are under the literal meaning of these words can lead to misconceptions about the actual nervous organization. Some clear-cut examples indicate…

In many regions of the brain, including the mammalian cortex, the strength of synaptic transmission can be bidirectionally regulated by cortical activity (synaptic plasticity). One line of evidence indicates that long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP) and long-term synaptic depression (LTD), correlate with the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of…

Researchers have hypothesized that the respiratory and laryngeal speech subsystems would respond to an air pressure bleed, but these responses have not been empirically studied. The present study examined the nature of the responses of the respiratory and laryngeal subsystems to an air pressure bleed in order to provide information relevant to the…

Purpose: The late James C. Hardy completed an extensive investigation of respiratory muscle activity during speech production. The data set that resulted was probably the most comprehensive and instructive that has ever existed. One aspect of the data puzzled Hardy and caused him to question the validity of his findings and withhold his…

We tested the hypothesis that peer instruction enhances student performance on qualitative problem-solving questions. To test this hypothesis, qualitative problems were included in a peer instruction format during our Physiology course. Each class of 90 min was divided into four to six short segments of 15 to 20 min each. Each short segment was…

This study was designed to explore the placebo-controlled effects of risperidone on cognitive-motor processes, dyskinetic movements, and behavior in children receiving maintenance risperidone therapy. Sixteen children aged 4-14 years with disruptive behavior were randomly assigned to drug order in a crossover study of risperidone and placebo for 2…

The primary purpose of this study was to determine if a specific daily indoor exercise program of a short duration improved the aerobic fitness level of junior high school students between the ages of 12 and 14. A secondary purpose was to compare the performance of participating students with Canadian norms for working capacity and fitness. Also…

Describes the origins, development, and impact of the physiotherapy program at the University of Toronto (Canada) in the period between World War I and World War II. Maintains that control by physicians eventually led to a "women's profession," which meant deference to male authority and less independence for female practitioners. (CFR)