The effect of caffeine on countermovement jump performance in recreationally trained women habituated to caffeine

Introduction. The main goal of this study was to examine the effect of acute intake of 3 mg/kg/body mass (b.m.) of caffeine (CAF) on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance in recreationally trained women habituated to CAF. Material and Methods. 17 healthy recreationally trained women habitually using CAF participated in the study. The experiment followed randomized, cross-over, double-blind design under three different conditions: control test (CONT) or consumed placebo (PLAC) or consumed 3 mg/kg/b.m. of CAF (CAF-3). Each participant performed 2 sets of 2 CMJ. The following variables were recorded: concentric peak velocity (PV), peak power (PP) and jump height (JH). Results. The two-way repeated measure ANOVA (substance × set) revealed no statistically significant interaction and main effects for all measured variables between conditions. In comparison to the CONT and PLAC, the intake of CAF-3 was not effective at increasing PV (p = 0.533), JH (p = 0.417) and PP (p = 0.871) during 2 sets of the CMJ. Conclusions. This study suggests that 3 mg/kg/b.m. of CAF did not improve CMJ height in recreationally trained women habituated to CAF. Furthermore, the level of athletic performance might be considered a factor in regard to CAF ergogenicity.

Preliminary Research towards Acute Effects of Different Doses of Caffeine on Strength-Power Performance in Highly Trained Judo Athletes

Although several previous studies examined the effect of pre-exercise caffeine ingestion on judo-specific performance, the optimal dose of caffeine to maximise the ergogenic effects for judoka is not clear. The main purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of oral administration of 3 and 6 mg/kg of caffeine on a battery of physical tests associated with judo performance. Ten highly trained national-level judoka (6 men and 4 women, age: 24.1 ± 4.7 years, body mass: 73.4 ± 12.9 kg, 15.1 ± 5.2 years of judo training experience, 2.6 mg/kg/day of habitual caffeine intake) participated in a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled and double-blind experiment. Each judoka performed three identical experimental sessions after: (a) ingestion of 3 mg/kg of caffeine (CAF-3); (b) ingestion of 6 mg/kg of caffeine (CAF-6); (c) ingestion of a placebo (PLAC). After 60 min for substance absorption, participants performed the following tests: (a) bench press exercise with 50% of the load representing one-repetition maximum (1RM), including three sets of three repetitions; (b) bench pull exercise with 50% of 1RM including three sets of three repetitions; (c) countermovement jump; (d) maximal isometric handgrip strength test; (e) dynamic and isometric versions of the Judogi Grip Strength Test. In comparison with PLAC, the ingestion of CAF-3 and CAF-6 increased peak bar velocity in the bench press exercise (1.27 ± 0.11 vs. 1.34 ± 0.13 and 1.34 ± 0.15 m/s, respectively; p < 0.01) and mean bar velocity in the bench pull exercise (1.03 ± 0.15 vs. 1.13 ± 0.13 and 1.17 ± 0.15 m/s; p < 0.05). Only CAF-6 increased mean bar velocity in the bench press exercise when compared with PLAC (0.96 ± 0.09 vs. 1.02 ± 0.11 m/s; p < 0.05). Both CAF-3 and CAF-6 significantly increased the number of repetitions in the Judogi Grip Strength Test (17 ± 10 vs. 20 ± 10 and 20 ± 10 repetitions; p < 0.05). There were no differences between PLAC and caffeine doses in the remaining tests. The pre-exercise ingestion of 3 and 6 mg/kg of caffeine effectively obtained meaningful improvements in several aspects associated with judo performance. From a practical viewpoint, the selection between 3 or 6 mg/kg of caffeine may depend on previously tested individual responses during simulated competition.

Effects of acute ingestion of caffeinated chewing gum on performance in elite judo athletes

Purpose

Previous investigations have found positive effects of acute ingestion of capsules containing 4-to-9 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass on several aspects of judo performance. However, no previous investigation has tested the effectiveness of caffeinated chewing gum as the form of caffeine administration for judoists. The main goal of this study was to assess the effect of acute ingestion of a caffeinated chewing gum on the results of the special judo fitness test (SJFT).

Methods

Nine male elite judo athletes of the Polish national team (23.7 ± 4.4 years, body mass: 73.5 ± 7.4 kg) participated in a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled and double-blind experiment. Participants were moderate caffeine consumers (3.1 mg/kg/day). Each athlete performed three identical experimental sessions after: (a) ingestion of two non-caffeinated chewing gums (P + P); (b) a caffeinated chewing gum and a placebo chewing gum (C + P; ~2.7 mg/kg); (c) two caffeinated chewing gums (C + C; ~5.4 mg/kg). Each gum was ingested 15 min before performing two Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) which were separated by 4 min of combat activity.

Results

The total number of throws was not different between P + P, C + P, and C + C (59.66 ± 4.15, 62.22 ± 4.32, 60.22 ± 4.08 throws, respectively; p = 0.41). A two-way repeated measures ANOVA indicated no significant substance × time interaction effect as well as no main effect of caffeine for SJFT performance, SJFT index, blood lactate concentration, heart rate or rating of perceived exertion.

Conclusions

The results of the current study indicate that the use of caffeinated chewing gum in a dose up to 5.4 mg/kg of caffeine did not increase performance during repeated SJFTs.

Data Quality Monitoring Considerations for Implementation in High Performance Raw Signal Processing Real-time Systems with Use in Tokamak Facilities

Data quality of the tokamaks diagnostics is often a neglected topic. In literature it is rather rare to find considerations regarding the data quality received from the diagnostic systems’ sensors. The scope of the paper is to provide a discussion regarding systems’ construction and analysis in scope of implementation of data quality monitoring methods for a new generation of diagnostics. Mainly considerations are performed regarding the necessity of DQM (Data Quality Monitoring) implementation, functionality, performance and required system resources. The covered topics are related to basics of system construction including: system layout and construction blocks, data processing stages, signal processing modes, system construction with resource estimation in scope of DQM implementation. Based on the covered points, it is possible to plan the extra resources or specific construction, to provide reliable design with data quality monitoring features. The data quality monitoring aspect is especially important in the modern diagnostics working with a real-time feedback loop. Such approach could be especially interesting for the ITER-like projects, since the quality of the data may directly influence the behavior of the control systems during plasma phenomena. The work is based on experience in design work of various high performance diagnostic systems for plasma physics and high energy physics.

Current epidemiology and practice patterns in prevention and treatment of PD-related infections in Poland

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) related infections are associated with technique failure and mortality. The aim of this multicentre study was to examine epidemiology, treatment and outcomes of PD-related infections in Poland as well as practice patterns for prevention of these complications in the context of current ISPD recommendations.

METHODS

A survey on PD practices in relation to infectious complications was conducted in 11 large Polish PD centres. Epidemiology of peritonitis and exit-site infections (ESI) was examined in all patients treated in these units over a 2 year period.

RESULTS

The study included data on 559 PD patients with 62.4% on CAPD. Practice patterns for prevention of infectious complications are presented. The rate of peritonitis was 0.29 episodes per year at risk, with Gram positive microorganisms responsible for more than 50% of infections and 85.8% effectively treated. Diagnosis and treatment followed ISPD guidelines however most units did not provide an anti-fungal prophylaxis. Although neither of the centres reported routine topical mupirocin on catheter exit-site, the rate of ESI was low (0.1 episodes per year at risk), with Staphylococcus aureus as most common pathogen and full recovery in 78.3% of cases.

CONCLUSION

The study shows rewarding outcomes in prevention and treatment of PD-associated infections, mainly due to a thorough compliance with the current ISPD guidelines, although some deviations from the recommendations in terms of practice patterns have been observed. More studies are needed in large numbers of patients to differentiate the importance of specific recommendations and further support the guidelines.

Organisation of the dopamine neuronal subsets within midbrain of the feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus, Acrobatidae, Marsupialia)

The Marsupial feathertail glider has a unique set of morphological, anatomical and behavioural features that make it a promising model for study of primate evolution. Among them it has many locomotor adaptations to arboreal life, such as diagonal gait of movements, gliding, fast climbing and running along branches. These ecological and behavioural specialisations could result in differences in anatomy of the brain systems involved in their integration. It is well acknowledged that dopaminergic neurons are involved in motor control, motivation and cognition. Due to the fact that there are no data on morphological organisation of dopaminergic system in the midbrain of this species, we decided to investigate it using immunohistochemical and quantitative methods. Our study showed that the general distribution and characteristics of the dopaminergic cells within midbrain nuclei of the pygmy acrobat is similar to that in other species, but it lack the substantia nigra compact part - ventral tier and "tail" of the substantia nigra subnuclei. This study provides the first description of the dopaminergic cells and nuclei in the midbrain of the feathertail glider and we hope it will start interest in the neurobiology of this species.

The cluster charge identification in the GEM detector for fusion plasma imaging by soft X-ray diagnostics

The measurement system based on gas electron multiplier detector is developed for soft X-ray diagnostics of tokamak plasmas. The multi-channel setup is designed for estimation of the energy and the position distribution of an X-ray source. The focal measuring issue is the charge cluster identification by its value and position estimation. The fast and accurate mode of the serial data acquisition is applied for the dynamic plasma diagnostics. The charge clusters are counted in the space determined by 2D position, charge value, and time intervals. Radiation source characteristics are presented by histograms for a selected range of position, time intervals, and cluster charge values corresponding to the energy spectra.

Gaseous electron multiplier-based soft x-ray plasma diagnostics development: Preliminary tests at ASDEX Upgrade

A Gaseous Electron Multiplier (GEM)-based detector is being developed for soft X-ray diagnostics on tokamaks. Its main goal is to facilitate transport studies of impurities like tungsten. Such studies are very relevant to ITER, where the excessive accumulation of impurities in the plasma core should be avoided. This contribution provides details of the preliminary tests at ASDEX Upgrade (AUG) with a focus on the most important aspects for detector operation in harsh radiation environment. It was shown that both spatially and spectrally resolved data could be collected, in a reasonable agreement with other AUG diagnostics. Contributions to the GEM signal include also hard X-rays, gammas, and neutrons. First simulations of the effect of high-energy photons have helped understanding these contributions.

Age-Related (Aged vs. Adult) Comparison of the Effect of Two Mild Stressors on the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the Rat Hypothalamic Supraoptic Nucleus (SON) - Immunohistochemical Study

The ontogenetic period of life and stress can have different effects on the nerve growth factor (NGF) in the hypothalamus. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of two mild stressors, acute and chronic exposure to forced swim (FS) or high-light open field (HL-OF), on neurons containing NGF. Immunofluorescence staining was used to reveal the density of NGF-immunoreactive (ir) cells in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON) in adult (postnatal day 90; P90) and aged (P720) rats. The P90 and P720 rats that were subjected to acute and chronic FS showed no differences in the density of NGF-ir neurons in the SON compared with nonstressed rats. However, a significant increase in NGF-ir cells was noted after acute but not after chronic HL-OF only in P90 rats. What is more, there were no age-related (P90 vs. P720) changes in the density of NGF-ir neurons in non-stressed and FS- or HL-OF-stressed rats. Our results indicate that acute HL-OF was the only factor inducing changes in the density of NGF-ir neurons in the SON of adult rats. This could be related to the neuroprotective role of NGF-ir cells in response to acute HL-OF. The absence of age-dependent changes in the density of NGF-ir neurons may indicate that the ageing processes in SON do not generate changes in the NGF immunoreactivity of its neurons.

[Evaluation of sick neonates' medical interventions in maternity units before transport to reference centres]

BACKGROUND

Interhospital transfer of the sick neonate should be an integral part of neonatal intensive care. However, it is essential that the referring hospital is able to provide the appropriate standard of care from birth up to the point of transfer.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the quality of medical interventions before interhospital transport of sick neonates.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective study based on review of all transport records of530 neonates who were transported at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in 2006. The examined variables included medical interventions in the maternity unit and transport team interventions before and during the transport.

RESULTS

During the study period there was as a total of 530 transfers to Neonatology Departments, 325 of them (61.32%) were transferred to the NICU and 205 (38.68%) to the Special Care Unit. Within the group of neonates transported to the NICU, 51 (15.7%) infants had hypothermia, 65 (20%) had no venous access before the transport. The most common form of respiratory therapy was oxygen therapy (89 (27.4%) neonates), followed by mechanical ventilation (65 (20%) and NCPAP ventilation (50 (15.4%) infants). As a result of transport team interventions the number of children with hypothermia decreased to 27 (8.3%). Peripheral intravenous devices were inserted in 52 (16%) neonates. The number of infants transported on mechanical ventilation increased to 115 (35.4%), 56 (17.2%) babies received NCPAP and 53 (16.3%) were on supplemental oxygen. The highest number of transport team interventions was found in the group of extremely low birth weight infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Inadequate medical preparation of sick neonates in maternity hospital for interhospital transport was the reason for the high incidence of transport team interventions before moving the neonate to the NICU.

[Thermal comfort in preterm babies. Infra-red colour thermography findings. Preliminary report]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the thermal comfort of clinically stable neonates with normal body temperature by using infra-red colour thermography (THY).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

32 babies were enrolled in the study. The axillary temperature was maintained in the range 36.6-37.0 degrees C and the air temperature in the incubator remained within the neutral range according to Hey and Katz. Temperature distribution was measured by THY The abdomen and foot skin temperature, as well as the difference between both parameters were recorded. Thermal comfort for THY was defined as a difference between core and peripheral temperatures (Deltat) in the range of 1 to 2 degrees C.

RESULTS

Thermal comfort defined according to THY criterion was fulfilled only in 12 patients (37.5%). We found Deltat< 1 degree C in 14 patients (43.8%), and Deltat>2 degrees C in 6 patients (6.3%). Thermal comfort defined by standard care varied from founded by THY p<0.0001. High foot temperature >or=35.0 degrees C in THY was found as a determinant for Deltat< 10 degrees C. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found gestational age <30 weeks to be connected with the risk of hyperthermia [odds ratio 8.4 (95% Cl 1.2-61.2).

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that there is a risk for hyperthermia in prenaturely, immature babies when nursed in standard neutral temperature. Infra-red colour thermography gives additional information which can be used for further studies on determination of optimal thermal comfort in newborn.

[Infections with hepatitis B virus in hemodialysis units of Wielkopolska]

OBJECTIVE

Epidemiological analysis of HBV infections in dialysis units of Wielkopolska.

METHODS

Studies were carried out in 19 dialysis units, in which patients were treated with intermittent hemodialysis (IHD). Data were collected from 18.04.2007 to 18.06.2007.

MAIN OBSERVATIONS

There were 39 persons with HBsAg(+) among 1140 patients (3.42%). Positive results of HBcAb were shown in 114 from 349 examined patients with HBsAg(-) (32.7%). The group with HBsAg(+) consisted of 7 women (17.9%) and 32 men (82.1%). Documented duration of HBV infection was 9.7 +/- 6.0 years. Eight patients before detection of HBsAg(+) were vaccinated against hepatitis B; 21 patients (53.8%) underwent surgical interventions or invasive diagnostic procedures. Transfusions of blood or blood-related products were documented in 17 cases (43.6%). HBV infection in at least 32 patients (82.1%) was not connected with IHD treatment (p = 0.000). Four patients (10.3%) showed symptoms of acute hepatitis. Eleven patients (28.2%) with HBsAg(+) had renal transplantation. Patients with HBsAg(-) were vaccinated against hepatitis B. Vaccination was not effective (level of HBsAb < 10 IU/l) in 244 patients (22.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

HBV infection in patients with chronic kidney disease is most frequently detected before or due to initiation of IHD treatment. Over 20% IHD patients remains susceptible for HBV infection despite vaccination against hepatitis B.

Agenesis of corpus callosum: clinical description and etiology

In 135 children (aged 3 months to 15 years) with structural defects of the central nervous system found on magnetic resonance imaging, agenesis of the corpus callosum was evident in 7. The etiology of agenesis of the corpus callosum has been established in four children: partial trisomy of chromosome 13, partial duplication of the long arm of chromosome 10, Aicardi's syndrome, and intracranial bleeding during the fetal period as a result of injury. Agenesis of the corpus callosum coexisted with a Dandy-Walker malformation in one other patient, which suggests a genetic etiology. In spite of these variable etiologies, dysmorphic features were identified in all seven patients, as was psychomotor retardation. Epileptic seizures had occurred in six patients, and all manifested abnormalities on neurologic examination.

[The evaluation of selected factors in the prognosis of drug-resistant epilepsy in children with brain malformations]

Brain malformations are important and frequent epilepsy reason in children and adolescents. During the last six years in neurological department of Pediatrics Clinic in Katowice were treated 106 children with brain malformations demonstrated in magnetic resonanse imaging. The main clinical symptoms in these patients were following: mental retardation, epilepsy, abnormalities in neurological examinations, dysmorphic features. Epilepsy were observed in above 3/4 of patients (84 children). In most of them there was intractable epilepsy (55 children). The aim of study was evaluation of selected factors in prognosis of epilepsy intractibility. The children with brain malformations and epilepsy were divided into two groups: with intractable epilepsy and with good response for pharmacotherapy. The type of malformation, the pre- i perinatal history, an age at which the first seizures appeared, abnormalities in neurological examination and IQ were compared in both groups. The differences weren't significant statistically apart two data. Normal pre- and perinatal history and early manifestation of seizures (during the first half of life) were confirmed significant statistically more often in group of patients with intractable epilepsy. There was limited value of most of the analysed parameters in prognosis of epilepsy intractibility. Further accumulating of data and increasing of number of the patients group with different types of malformations as well as progress in diagnostics, particularly molecular genetics, may be helpful in correct prognosis.

[The usefulness of MRI of the central nervous system in certain diseases of blood and hemopoietic system with neurological symptoms]

The results are presented of MRI studies of the brain and spinal cord in patients with neurological symptoms in the course of certain diseases of the haemopoietic system (leukaemias, lymphomas). The analysis showed that MR images, although not specific, can be very useful for the evaluation of the intensity and topography of haematological lesions in the central nervous system. However, the diagnosis of these processes is not easy. In the differential diagnosis focal lesions of vasogenic origin, infections and radiation-induced lesions should be considered, and in cases of lymphoma--metastases are a possibility.

[Cortical atrophy in MRI, mental status and neuroleptic treatment effect in schizophrenia]

MR imaging of the head was performed in forty schizophrenics (DSM-IV). Mental status was evaluated before and during 8-weeks of neuroleptic treatment. Cortical atrophy in frontal and temporal regions was found in 40% of subjects. They were older, had longer history of schizophrenia, were less active professionally and were more frequently hospitalized. Patients with and without cortical atrophy in MRI did not differ in the severity of schizophrenic psychopathology at baseline. During neuroleptic treatment negative schizophrenia symptoms were significantly better diminished in patients without cortical atrophy than in subjects with cortical atrophy in MRI; this regarded specially the severity of emotional blunting. Clinical improvement after 8-weeks of neuroleptic administration was less favorable in patients with cortical atrophy.

[Selected parameters of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, clinical picture and recovery after treatment in schizophrenia. Preliminary report]

In forty schizophrenic (or schizophreniform disorder) patients diagnosed according to DSM-IV, the magnetic resonance imaging was performed. The T2 relaxation time was measured in selected brain regions from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as well as in amygdala. These results were compared with clinical parameters regarding severity of psychopathology and improvement after neuroleptic treatment. The mean T2 values of grey matter of right inferior frontal gyrus were significantly higher in patients with schizophreniform disorders (those patients were clinically diagnosed as suffering from cycloid psychoses) than in other types of schizophrenia. The T2 values of this region correlated inversely with the severity of negative symptoms before treatment. The T2 values of gray matter of left inferior frontal gyrus correlated positively with the severity of schizophrenic symptoms before treatment. Mean T2 values of left amygdala were significantly higher in patients showing less favorable improvement after neuroleptic treatment in comparison to those who improved better. No correlation was found between the presence of brain atrophy and T2 values in brain regions studied. The results allow to suggest that the measurement of T2 relaxation time might reveal interesting relations between clinical picture and neuroradiologic findings in schizophrenia, however clinical significance of such parameters still requires further elaboration.

[Improvement criteria after neuroleptic treatment and clinical and neuroradiological factors in schizophrenic psychoses. Preliminary studies]

In 40 schizophrenic patients, various criteria of clinical improvement after neuroleptic treatment were compared in order to establish correlations between improvement after treatment and some clinical and MRI parameters. Three ways of evaluation of clinical improvement (CGI scale, PANSS index, percentage of improvement) correlated strongly with one another. Only the distribution of numbers of patients with different clinical improvement evaluated by the use of PANSS index was not statistically significant. Clinical improvement, evaluated with all three methods, significantly correlated with basal PANSS score as well as with the severity of positive symptoms and affective blunting, but not with the severity of schizophrenia negative symptoms. Only clinical improvement with the use of CGI demonstrated significantly better improvement in patients who had good previous response to neuroleptics. This particular method of clinical improvement evaluation, in contrast to other two methods, failed to reveal better response to neuroleptics among patients with no cortical atrophy found in MRI. Among patients with different improvement after treatment, evaluated with the use of all three methods, selected MRI parameters did not show significant differences with the exception of CGI improvement which correlated positively with the intensity of signal in T2-weighted image of gray matter in left medial frontal gyrus.

Returning to School: Ten Considerations in Choosing a BSN Program

Ten factors, accreditation, cost, flexibility, location, method of earning credit, student profile, quality, progression to master's degree, resources and time, should be investigated before selecting a baccalaureate nursing program. A sample of 361 RNs enrolled in ten baccalaureate nursing programs identified and prioritized the ten factors. The most important factor was cost, followed by accreditation and flexibility. Asking questions in each of these areas enables the RN to make an informed decision before investing time, energy and money in a specific program. These ten factors can be guidelines used for assessing various program objectives. The subjective data are how each RN prioritizes the ten factors.

Cholinergic modulation of synaptic transmission in horizontal connections of rat motor cortex

The influence of compounds interacting with cholinergic systems on field potentials evoked in layer II/III horizontal connections was investigated in rat motor cortex in vitro. The cholinesterase inhibitor eserine (10 microM) decreased field responses by 20 +/- 2%. This effect could be prevented by preincubation with atropine (10 microM). Application of 5 microM carbachol resulted in reduction of the responses by 30 +/- 1%. These reductions were reversible, repeatable and independent of stimulus intensity; they could be blocked by the M1 muscarinic receptor antagonist pirenzepine (3 microM) but not by the M2 muscarinic receptor antagonist gallamine (10 microM). During carbachol application, paired-pulse facilitation (40 ms interpulse interval) was increased. The results indicate that endogenous acetylcholine may modulate excitatory synaptic transmission in horizontal connections of rat motor cortex, most likely by acting upon M1 receptors located presynaptically on glutamatergic terminals, and may contribute both to information processing and synaptic plasticity within the motor cortex.

Temporal pulse spreading of a return lidar signal

Most spaceborne lidar applications use cross-track or conical scanning to ensure a global coverage of the investigated areas: the return signal of laser pulses shot at an angle with the nadir is biased by a slanting effect that induces a temporal spreading of the received signal as compared with the return signal of a nadir shot. This paper gives the basic formulas of the return signal for both a topographic target (laser range finders) and a diffuse target (atmospheric lidars).

Professionalism in nursing master's graduates

The past 10 years have seen a shift in the master's level preparation of nurses. The majority of nurses currently seeking advanced preparation choose clinical specialization as the functional area rather than teaching. Such a shift in focus reflects the ever increasing specialization of services associated with an ever-growing complex society. Although the shift in focus of preparation and the concomitant change in curriculum design have been documented, few scientific investigations have been conducted on the graduates from master's programmes. Of those studies that have been conducted, the majority have focused on the differential personal characteristics of graduate nursing students in different types of programmes. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between a nurse's area of functional preparation in a master's degree programme and the individual's level of professionalism. The independent variable of the study was functional area of preparation in a master's programme. The dependent variables became enrolment in a formal programme of study, subscription to professional journals, attendance at non-formal educational programmes, number of authored publications, membership in professional organizations and employment in prepared area, as these seemed to reflect the criteria of professionalism explicated by Flexner (1915). The data for the study were gleaned from questionnaires sent to the 637 individuals who had graduated from the programme. Of the 395 questionnaires that were returned, only 272 were usable. This number represented 43% of the graduate population. The chi-square test was used to analyse the data. Each of the chi-square values for association between professionalism and graduate specialty was found to be significant. Postgraduates prepared as teachers met Flexner's criteria more often than did postgraduates prepared as clinical specialists.