Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) modulate several G-protein-related signal transduction pathways including intracellular calcium (iCa(2+)) that control both neuronal development and demise. As an initial investigation, we characterized the ability of specific mGluR subtypes to modulate iCa(2+) by using Fura-2 microfluorometry in primary hippocampal neurons. Activation rather than inhibition of the metabotropic system with the group I and group II mGluR agonist 1S, 3R-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD), the specific group I agonist (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG), and the specific group II agonist (2S,1'S,2'S)-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (LCCG-I) increased iCa(2+) with increasing concentrations. In contrast, the group III mGluR agonist, L(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP4) produced no significant increase in iCa(2+). Through the pharmacological modulation of individual mGluR subtypes, we further examined the role of iCa(2+) release by the mGluR system. Release of iCa(2+) by both 1S,3R-ACPD and LCCG-I was prevented only through the administration of the antagonists (2S)-alpha-ethylglutamic acid (EGlu; mGluR2 and mGluR3) and (2S,1'S,2'S,3'R)-2-(2'-carboxy-3'-phenylcyclopropyl)glycine (PCCG-IV; mGluR2), suggesting that the mGluR2 subtype was responsible for the release of iCa(2+). As a control, the group I antagonists, L(+)-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid (L-AP3) and (RS)-1-aminoindan-1,5-dicarboxylic acid (AIDA), prevented DHPG release of iCa(2+) but were ineffective against iCa(2+) release by 1S,3R-ACPD. Although extracellular calcium influx did not significantly contribute to the release of iCa(2+) by the mGluR system, pharmacological inhibition of calcium-induced calcium-release-sensitive calcium pools played a critical role in the release of iCa(2+). Further characterization of the cellular calcium pools modulated by the mGluR subtypes may provide greater insight into the mechanisms that mediate neuronal function.

The successful propagation of Cryptosporidium parvum in cell-free culture medium was recently reported. To investigate whether this phenomenon could be broadened to include other C. parvum isolates, as well as Cryptosporidium hominis, we attempted to propagate 3 isolates in cell-free medium under reported culture conditions. Cryptosporidium oocysts from C. parvum strains Moredun (MD) or IOWA or C. hominis strain TU502 were added to media containing coagulated newborn calf serum. The cultures were sampled at various times throughout a 45 (IOWA) or 78 (MD, TU502)-day period and were microscopically examined for various life stages of Cryptosporidium. Cell-free cultures harvested on days 45 and 68 postinoculation were tested for in vitro infectivity on Madrin-Darby bovine kidney cells. In vivo infectivity testing was performed using either infant or 2-wk-old immunosuppressed C57BL mice with cell-free cultures harvested on days 52 and 78. Fecal and gut samples collected from mice were examined by modified acid-fast staining. Data from wet mounts, electron microscopy, and in vitro and in vivo infectivity testing showed that the original oocysts did not complete their life cycle and produce new, viable, infectious oocysts in cell-free culture. Thus, we conclude that this is not a universal phenomenon or readily accomplished.

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Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons have specific healthcare needs, and experience unique barriers in accessing health services. Research has suggested that medical practitioners are inadequately prepared to address the needs of the LGBT population. While some strategies for training such practitioners within medical schools have been proposed, few have been evaluated, and the best approach to training physicians in LGBTfocused care has yet to be determined. The purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of the LGBT-focused curriculum currently delivered at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, specifically in terms of its perceived contribution to students' understanding of LGBT health issues. Results showed that the curriculum introduced at NOSM was effective in increasing knowledge medical students had on LGBT health issues regardless of their preexisting level of awareness of LGBT health issues. Further, the study found that the level of experience and expertise of the facilitator helping deliver the curriculum was key in achieving this educational goal. We also evaluated three assessment modalities (Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ), Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and Clinical Decision-Making Cases (CDM)) for validity and reliability in testing the course objectives. Results indicate that outcomes can be reliably assessed by these three types of assessments.

Three single-system studies are described that evaluated the efficacy of "bug-in-the-ear" (BITE) feedback in promoting selected therapist behaviors during the course of actual treatment sessions conducted at a marriage and family therapy clinic. Using multiple-baseline designs, it was shown that BITE feedback can produce specific and immediate improvements in therapists' clinical skills. A social validation of the skills conducted by independent clinical supervisors pre-and postintervention found substantial improvements in therapist performance.One of the most rapidly expanding fields of practice within the human services is the area of marriage and family therapy (MFT). Social workers have made a number of significant contributions to the field of MFT in a variety of areas. The works of Stuart (1969,1980) and Thomas (1977), largely derived from an operant perspective, are widely cited as important advances in understanding the interpersonal processes that may give rise to dysfunctional marital and family behaviors. Social workers have also been at the forefront of the field of parent training, which in part consists of providing parents and other caregivers with didactic and practical instruction in the use of behavior-management skills in dealing with problematic child and adolesAuthors' Note: