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Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	44%
Life Sciences	22%
Earth and Environmental Science	22%

Selected Abstracts

Psychopathological changes and quality of life in hepatitis C virus-infected, opioid-dependent patients during maintenance therapy

ADDICTION, Issue 4 2009
Arne Schäfer
ABSTRACT Aims To examine among maintenance patients (methadone or buprenorphine) with and without hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (i) the frequency of psychopathological symptoms at baseline and 1-year follow-up; (ii) the association between antiviral interferon (IFN) treatment and psychopathological symptoms; and (iii) to explore whether IFN therapy has an effect on 1-year outcome of maintenance treatment. Design Naturalistic prospective longitudinal cohort design. Setting A total of 223 substitution centres in Germany. Participants A nationally representative sample of 2414 maintenance patients, namely 800 without and 1614 with HCV infection, of whom 122 received IFN therapy. Measures HCV infection (HCV+/HCV - ), IFN (IFN+/IFN - ) treatment status and clinical measures. Diagnostic status and severity (rated by clinician), psychopathology (BSI,Brief Symptom Inventory) and quality of life (EQ-5D,EuroQol Group questionnaire). Findings HCV+ patients revealed indications for a moderately increased psychopathological burden and poorer quality of life at baseline and follow-up compared to HCV - patients. HCV+ patients showed a marked deterioration over time only in the BSI subscale somatization (P = 0.002), and the frequency of sleep disorders almost doubled over time (12.8% at baseline; 24.1% at follow-up; P < 0.01). IFN treatment, received by 10% of HCV+ patients, did not impair efficacy or tolerability of maintenance therapy and was associated overall with neither increased psychopathological burden nor reduced quality of life. Conclusions Findings suggest no increased risk among HCV+ patients on maintenance therapy for depressive or other psychopathological syndromes. In our patient sample, IFN treatment was not associated with increased psychopathological burden, reduced quality of life or poorer tolerability and efficacy of maintenance treatment. [source]

Intrafusal effects of botulinum toxin in post-stroke upper limb spasticity

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2008
C. Trompetto
A previous study in subjects with focal dystonia suggested that the greater and longer-lasting effect induced by botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) on the tonic vibration reflex (TVR) than on the maximal M-wave (M-max) might be the physiological marker of the toxin's action at the level of intrafusal muscle fibres. With this approach, we investigated the possible effect of BoNT-A on fusimotor synapses in eight patients with post-stroke spasticity (four with no residual motor capacity before treatment and four with partially spared muscle strength and residual motor capacity). TVR and M-max were recorded from the wrist and finger flexor muscles before treatment and at 1, 4 and 7 months afterwards. The TVR reduction was greater than the M-max reduction and remained fairly constant over time only in the subjects with a residual motor capacity before the treatment. This pilot study suggests that some degree of strength and active movement is necessary for the action of BoNT-A on intrafusal fibres. [source]

Statistical downscaling model based on canonical correlation analysis for winter extreme precipitation events in the Emilia-Romagna region

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
A. Busuioc
Abstract Optimum statistical downscaling models for three winter precipitation indices in the Emilia-Romagna region, especially related to extreme events, were investigated. For this purpose, the indices referring to the number of events exceeding the long-term 90 percentile of rainy days, simple daily intensity and maximum number of consecutive dry days were calculated as spatial averages over homogeneous sub-regions identified by the cluster analysis. The statistical downscaling model (SDM) based on the canonical correlation analysis (CCA) was used as downscaling procedure. The CCA was also used to understand the large-/regional-scale mechanisms controlling precipitation variability across the analysed area, especially with respect to extreme events. The dynamic (mean sea-level pressure-SLP) and thermodynamic (potential instability-,Q and specific humidity-SH) variables were considered as predictors (either individually or together). The large-scale SLP can be considered a good predictor for all sub-regions in the dry index case and for two sub-regions in the case of the other two indices, showing the importance of dynamical forcing in these cases. Potential instability is the best predictor for the highest mountain region in the case of heavy rainfall frequency, when it can be considered as a single predictor. The combination of dynamic and thermodynamic predictors improves the SDM's skill for all sub-regions in the dry index case and for some sub-regions in the simple daily intensity index case. The selected SDMs are stable in time only in terms of correlation coefficient for all sub-regions for which they are skilful and only for some sub-regions in terms of explained variance. The reasons are linked to the changes in the atmospheric circulation patterns influencing the local rainfall variability in Emilia-Romagna as well as the differences in temporal variability over some sub-regions and sub-intervals. It was concluded that the average skill over an ensemble of the most skilful and stable SDMs for each region/sub-interval gives more consistent results. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society [source]

Additives in intravenous anesthesia modulates pulmonary inflammation in a model of LPS-induced respiratory distress

ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2009
J. J. HAITSMA
Background: It has been suggested that propofol with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) can modulate the systemic inflammatory response. Prolonged higher levels of pulmonary inflammation are associated with poor outcome of patients with acute lung injury. In the present study, we hypothesized that pulmonary inflammation could be modulated by propofol with EDTA compared with propofol with sulfite. Methods: Respiratory distress was induced in rats (n=25) by intratracheal nebulization of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After 24 h, animals were randomized to either propofol with EDTA (PropofolEDTA), propofol with sulfite (Propofolsulfite) or ketamine/midazolam (Ket/Mid); control animals received saline (n=30). Animals were ventilated for 4 h and blood gases were measured hourly. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed for cytokine analysis of: tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2. Results: LPS led to increased pulmonary inflammation in all groups compared with the control groups. Gas exchange deteriorated over time only in the LPS Propofolsulfite group and was significantly lower than the Ket/Mid group. Only IL-6 was significantly higher in the LPS Propofolsulfite group compared with both the Ket/Mid group and the PropofolEDTA group. Conclusion: Pulmonary IL-6 can be modulated by additives in systemic anesthesia. Implication Statement: This study demonstrates that pulmonary inflammation caused by direct lung injury can be modulated by intravenous anesthesia used in critically ill patients. [source]

Using bald eagles to indicate the health of the Great Lakes' environment

LAKES & RESERVOIRS: RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2002
William W. Bowerman
Abstract The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is one of the most studied birds of North America, and a great amount of natural life-history information, including the response of various stressors on the eagles' ability to reproduce, are well known. In Michigan, the eagle has been chosen to track the trends of bioaccumulative compounds of concern across watersheds in the state. The state has been divided into major watersheds, and 20% of these are surveyed each year. A control area in northern Minnesota, Voyageurs National Park, is also sampled annually. We report here on the methods used, the preliminary results of the 1999 field season, and how differences in mercury concentrations varied over a 10-year period. Mercury in feathers of nestling eagles declined over time only in Lakes Michigan and Huron, but have not decreased among other subpopulations in Michigan. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 4,4,-DDE in blood plasma from nestling eagles have declined over time for most subpopulations; however, they remain greater for breeding areas associated with the Great Lakes' food web. Sea eagles of the genus Haliaeetus are a good sentinel species to track trends in bioaccumulative compounds in aquatic systems. [source]

Gene networks and liar paradoxes

BIOESSAYS, Issue 10 2009
Mark Isalan
Abstract Network motifs are small patterns of connections, found over-represented in gene regulatory networks. An example is the negative feedback loop (e.g. factor A represses itself). This opposes its own state so that when ,on' it tends towards ,off' , and vice versa. Here, we argue that such self-opposition, if considered dimensionlessly, is analogous to the liar paradox: ,This statement is false'. When ,true' it implies ,false' , and vice versa. Such logical constructs have provided philosophical consternation for over 2000,years. Extending the analogy, other network topologies give strikingly varying outputs over different dimensions. For example, the motif ,A activates B and A. B inhibits A' can give switches or oscillators with time only, or can lead to Turing-type patterns with both space and time (spots, stripes or waves). It is argued here that the dimensionless form reduces to a variant of ,The following statement is true. The preceding statement is false'. Thus, merely having a static topological description of a gene network can lead to a liar paradox. Network diagrams are only snapshots of dynamic biological processes and apparent paradoxes can reveal important biological mechanisms that are far from paradoxical when considered explicitly in time and space. [source]

Segmental colonic transit studies: comparison of a radiological and a scintigraphic method

COLORECTAL DISEASE, Issue 4 2007
E. Lundin
Abstract Objective, Colonic transit studies are used to diagnose slow transit constipation (STC) and to evaluate segmental colonic transit before segmental or subtotal colectomy. The aim of the study was to compare a single X-ray radio-opaque marker method with a scintigraphic technique to assess total and segmental colonic transit in patients with STC. Method, Thirty-one female patients (median age 46 years) with severe constipation and a prolonged or borderline prolonged colonic transit time on radio-opaque marker study were included in the study. They were subsequently investigated with 111Indium-DTPA colonic transit scintigraphy, with a median time between the investigations of 4(range 1,27) months. Normal values of healthy female controls were used for comparison. Results, There was no difference between the two methods in terms of prolonged or normal total colonic transit time. Twenty-nine of 31 female patients had a prolonged transit time only in one or two segments on the marker study. On scintigraphy, the transit time was prolonged for patients in the left (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001), but not in the right colon. With respect to prolonged or normal segmental transit time, there was a significant difference between the two methods only in the descending colon (P = 0.02). However, the results varied considerably for individual patients. Conclusion, Segmental colonic delay was a common finding. The two methods gave similar results for groups of patients, except in the descending colon. The variation of the results for individuals suggests that a repeated transit test may improve the assessment of total and segmental transit. [source]

Die Detektionseffizienz von Vorausbohrungen im Tunnelbau

GEOMECHANICS AND TUNNELLING, Issue 5 2008
Hans-Jakob Ziegler Dr. phil.nat.
Vor allem im Zusammenhang mit den großen Tunnelprojekten werden Vorausbohrungen zur Erkundung des Gebirges systematisch durchgeführt. Wie die Erfahrungen vom Lötschberg- und Gotthard-Basistunnel zeigen, handelt es sich dabei um ein effizientes Hilfsmittel, um "unerwünschte Ereignisse" wie Schlamm- und Wassereinbrüche oder das Anfahren von unerwarteten Störungszonen zu vermeiden. Nur in drei Fällen traten solche "unerwünschten Ereignisse" bisher auf der betrachteten, ausgebrochenen Tunnelstrecke von insgesamt etwa 100 km auf. Dies zeigt klar den großen Nutzen von Vorausbohrungen für die Arbeits- und Planungssicherheit im modernen Tunnelbau. Die vorgestellten Beispiele belegen aber auch, dass auch mit den effizientesten Vorausbohrungen die Eintretenswahrscheinlichkeit von "unerwünschten Ereignissen" nie Null sein wird. The detection efficacy of reconnaissance drilling in tunnelling Mainly in connection with major tunnel projects, reconnaissance drilling is systematically used to survey the host rock. As shows the experience from the Lötschberg- and the Gotthard basetunnels, reconnaissance drilling is an efficient tool in avoiding "unwanted hazards" like mud or water intrusions, or the penetration of unexpected fracture or failure zones. On the observed excavated tunnel distance of about 100 km, up to now, such "unwanted hazards" occurred tree times only. This clearly demonstrates the important benefit of reconnaissance drilling for work and planning security in modern tunnelling. However, the examples presented also make obvious, that even with the most efficient reconnaissance drilling the probability of an "unwanted hazard" will never become zero. [source]

Oestrous occurrence in captive female Cricetomys gambianus (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, Issue 3 2002
M. Malekani
Abstract Cricetomys gambianus is an important source of protein for human consumption in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Wild populations are under considerable hunting pressure, suggesting that captive rearing may be desirable. Successful captive-breeding programmes require a better understanding of reproductive physiology and behaviour. Eight groups containing a total of 68 C. gambianus females were used to characterize the reproductive pattern, including the occurrence and duration of oestrus, the cycle length, the oestrous cyclicity and the mode of ovulation. These female groups were kept in different social and physical environments and examination of vaginal smears were carried out at different periods. Results of the vaginal cytology examination showed two characteristic stages of the cycle: ,oestrus' and ,anoestrus'. Oestrus appeared on average 1.3 times only in one female during 1 month, but its occurrence varied between 0.4 and two times in a month. The mean oestrous length was 3.3 days and ranged from 1.4 to 7.8 days. The average cycle length was 7.9 days but varied between 3 and 15 days. These results showed an irregular cycle pattern and revealed that C. gambianus may be an induced ovulator. Housing events, such as the presence or the absence of a male and the type of cages or rearing room, and the dry and the rainy seasons did not seem to influence the cycle pattern in this species. Further investigations on the basic reproductive biology of Cricetomys are necessary to provide the basis for developing farming methods that will yield high productivity. [source]