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Selected AbstractsThe lower esophageal sphincter strength in patients with gastroesophageal reflux before and after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplicationDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 1 2007J. H. Schneider SUMMARY., Lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and sphincter strength (LESS) were measured before and after short and floppy laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) in 38 patients with severe gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). These patients were compared with a control group of 23 healthy volunteers. GERD was assessed by stationary manometry, 24-h pH recordings and endoscopy. LESS was verified by motorized pull-back of an air-filled balloon catheter from the stomach into the esophagus. The catheter assembly was well tolerated by all study participants. LESP increased significantly after operation from 8 mmHg to 14 mmHg (75% of normal values; P < 0.0001), but compared to the control group, LESP (22 mmHg) decreased significantly (P < 0.002). In the control group and in patients with GERD, LESP and LESS showed excellent correlation (r = 0.97, r = 0.94, respectively). After LNF, LESS increased significantly from 0.6 to 1.6 N (P < 0.0001), about 166%. We conclude that the measurement of LESS is able to explain the discrepancy between satisfactory NF operation and the distinct increase of postoperative LESP. The evaluation of LESS is a helpful tool in assessing functional understanding of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with a short and floppy wrap. [source] Pharmacological characterization of the rat brain P2Y1 receptor expressed in HEK293 cells: Ca2+ signaling and receptor regulationDRUG DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, Issue 2-3 2001Christian Vöhringer Abstract The increasing number of ATP- and UTP-sensitive membrane receptors identified by cloning represent either ligand-activated ion channels (P2X) or G-protein-coupled receptors (P2Y). Adenosine, ATP, and UTP have potential application in the management of pain, cancer, and some cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and are also involved in inflammatory processes in the brain. Therefore, P2Y receptors seem to be promising therapeutic targets. Multiple P2Y receptor subtypes, classified pharmacologically, are mainly linked to activation of phospholipase C (PLC). The present study further characterizes the rat brain P2Y1 wild-type receptor (rP2Y1 -wt) and the eGFP-tagged receptor (rP2Y1 -eGFP) stably expressed in HEK293 cells, thus shedding light on receptor regulation. Both receptors were analyzed by measuring Ca2+ responses in single cells. The rP2Y1 -eGFP receptor was coupled to Ca2+ release like the rP2Y1 -wt receptor. Experiments using the PLC inhibitor U73122 confirm the functional activation of PLC, through rP2Y1 -eGFP activation. The P2Y1 -selective agonists 2-MeSADP and 2-MeSATP were most potent at the heterologously expressed receptors. We found a ligand selectivity typical for P2Y1 receptors (2-MeSADP = 2-MeSATP > ADP > ATP,S, ATP >> UTP). Fluorescence microscopy and Ca2+ measurements confirm that the rP2Y1-eGFP receptor during homologous desensitization is subjected to processes leading to agonist-induced internalization. The kinetics of receptor resensitization were also examined. Therefore, rP2Y1 -eGFP expressing cells are suitable to determine the physiological P2Y1 receptor signaling pathway and can be a helpful tool to identify drugs acting at P2Y1 receptors as possible therapeutic targets. Drug Dev. Res. 53:172,179, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Aortic Upper Wall Tissue Doppler Image Velocity: Relation to Aortic Elasticity and Left Ventricular Diastolic FunctionECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 9 2009Soon Yong Suh M.D. Background: Aortic stiffening contributes to the left ventricular (LV) afterload, hypertrophy, and substrate for diastolic dysfunction. It is also known that aortic elastic properties could be investigated with color tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in aortic upper wall. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relation of aortic upper wall TDI and aortic stiffness and other parameters of LV diastolic function. Methods: We examined aortic upper wall by TDI at the 3 cm above the aortic valves because of patient's chest discomfort or dyspnea. We excluded the patient with arterial hypertension or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or significant valvular heart disease. So a total of 126 (mean age 53.8 ± 13.9 years, male 49.2%) patients were enrolled in this study and divided normal LV filling group (N = 31) and abnormal LV filling group (N = 95). Results: Aortic upper wall early systolic velocity and late diastolic velocity were not different between the two groups. Only aortic upper wall early diastolic velocity (AWEDV) was related to aortic stiffness index (r =,0.25, P = 0.008), distensibility (r = 0.28, P = 0.003), early diastolic (Em) (r = 0.45, P = 0.001), E/Em (r =,0.26, P = 0.003), and significantly reduced in abnormal LV filling group (6.19 ± 2.50 vs 8.18 ± 2.87, P = 0.001). Conclusions: AWEDV is decreased significantly in abnormal LV filling patients. It is statistically related to aortic stiffness, distensibility and parameters of abnormal LV filling, Em, E/Em. TDI velocity of the aortic upper wall can be a helpful tool for evaluating aortic stiffness, distensibility, and diastolic function. [source] 13C-breath tests for clinical investigation of liver mitochondrial functionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 9 2010Ignazio Grattagliano Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (9): 843,850 Abstract Background, Mitochondria play a major role in cell energetic metabolism; therefore, mitochondrial dysfunction inevitably participates in or even determines the onset and progression of chronic liver diseases. The assessment of mitochondrial function in vivo, by providing more insight into the pathogenesis of liver diseases, would be a helpful tool to study specific hepatic functions and to develop rational diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic strategies. Design, This review focuses on the utility of breath tests to assess mitochondrial function in humans and experimental animals. Results, The introduction in the clinical setting of specific breath tests may allow elegantly and noninvasively overcoming the difficulties caused by previous complex techniques and might provide clinically relevant information, i.e the effects of drugs on mitochondria. Substrates meeting this requirement are alpha-keto-isocaproic acid and methionine that are both decarboxylated by mitochondria. Long-and medium-chain fatty acids that are metabolized through the Krebs cycle, and benzoic acid which undergoes glycine conjugation, may also reflect the function of mitochondria. Conclusions, Breath tests to assess in vivo mitochondrial function in humans represent a potentially useful diagnostic and prognostic tool in clinical investigation. [source] ,I'm Home for the Kids': Contradictory Implications for Work,Life Balance of Teleworking MothersGENDER, WORK & ORGANISATION, Issue 5 2008Margo Hilbrecht This study explores the experience of time flexibility and its relationship to work,life balance among married female teleworkers with school-aged children. Drawing from a larger study of teleworkers from a Canadian financial corporation, 18 mothers employed in professional positions discussed work, leisure and their perceptions of work,life balance in in-depth interviews. Telework was viewed positively because flexible scheduling facilitated optimal time management. A key factor was the pervasiveness of caregiving, which could result in ongoing tensions and contradictions between the ethic of care and their employment responsibilities. The ideology of ,intensive mothering' meant that work schedules were closely tied to the rhythms of children's school and leisure activities. The different temporal demands of motherhood and employment resulted in little opportunity for personal leisure. Time ,saved' from not having to commute to an office was reallocated to caregiving, housework or paid employment rather than to time for their self. The women also experienced a traditional gendered division of household labour and viewed telework as a helpful tool for combining their dual roles. Time flexibility enhanced their sense of balancing work and life and their perceived quality of life. At the same time, they did not question whether having the primary responsibility for caregiving while engaged in paid employment at home was fair or whether it was a form of exploitation. [source] Peripheral T-cell lymphoma gene expression profilesHEMATOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 3 2006B. Martinez-Delgado Abstract Expression profiling using DNA microarrays has been very helpful to improve our knowledge of the pathobiology of many tumour types, including lymphomas. Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) constitute an heterogeneous group of tumours with different morphologic, immunophenotypic, and clinical characteristics. Their complexity and their low frequency in the western countries have made difficult the identification of molecular events responsible of the development of these tumours. The first studies on expression profiling of PTCL have also revealed heterogeneity at this level, mainly regarding the PTCL NOS subgroup. Different molecular subgroups within PTCL unspecified have been identified associated to different expression profiles. However, the clinical significance of this molecular sub-classification remains to be probed in studies involving larger number of samples. In addition, the expression level of NF-kB pathway genes allowed to differentiate two PTCL subgroups, and this difference could have clinical interest. In general, PTCL expression profiles are difficult to interpret due to the significant proportion of other infiltrating cells accompanying the tumour. However, microarrays are being a helpful tool in the initial task of dissecting the PTCL expression profile. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Assessment of "grading" with Ki-67 and c-kit immunohistochemical expressions may be a helpful tool in management of patients with flat epithelial atypia (FEA) and columnar cell lesions (CCLs) on core breast biopsyJOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Rosa M. Tomasino It is essential to reach a better understanding of "flat epithelial atypia/columnar cell lesions" (FEA/CCLs) in breast core biopsies. Our aim was to explore their biological nature, in order to predict the likelihood of an upgrade to carcinoma. "Cytological grading" has been specially focused, in view of its possible utility in the choice of management. One hundred thirty of a total of 900 cases core needle (CN)/vacuum-assisted biopsies (VABs), with diagnoses of "hyperplasia" and "atypia" were retrospectively re-evaluated. Pathological findings of further excision biopsies (FEBs) performed in 40/75 patients with follow-up were compared with the previous diagnoses. In all cases, both Ki-67 and c-kit immunoreactivities were explored and compared with both normal breast tissues and subsequently documented cancers, with special reference to the hyperplastic FEA/CCLs, with "mild" atypia (FEA/CCHAm). Sixteen cases were re-diagnosed as "usual ductal hyperplasia" (UDH), 60 as "columnar cell hyperplasia" (CCH), and 54 as FEA/CCHA, 30 of which FEA/CCHAm and 24 FEA/CCHAh (with high atypia). Significantly, the Ki-67 index proved to be on the increase and c-kit expression on the decrease in FEA/CCHA lesions, mainly in the FEA/CCHAh group and in the subsequently observed cancers, compared with either benign tissues or the FEA/CCH cases. It was also significant that most of the carcinomas were found in FEBs within the FEA/CCHAh group. In this study cytological grading, together with Ki-67 and c-kit indices, proved to be helpful in FEA/CCLs evaluation. With regard to FEA/CCHAm lesions, an adequate surveillance appears to be a more appropriate management tool than FEB, as a result of their biological nature and behavior. J. Cell. Physiol. 221: 343,349, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Cancer/testis antigen MAGE-A4 expression pattern differs in epithelial skin tumors of organ-transplant recipients and immunocompetent patientsJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Beda Muehleisen Background:, Lifetime risk for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin is 1:30. Risk in organ-transplant recipients (OTR) is increased over 60-fold through long-term drug-induced immunosuppression. MAGE family-derived peptides are cancer/testis antigens recognized by specific CD8+ T cells and employed for immunotherapy. We were interested in the frequency and distribution of MAGE-A4 in epithelial skin tumors of OTR and immunocompetent patients. Methods:, mAb 57B predominantly recognizing MAGE-A4 was used to stain 119 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded epithelial skin tumors (actinic keratosis, bowenoid actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease, and SCC; n = 17, 25, 61, 16, respectively) in immunocompetent patients (n = 84) and OTR (n = 35). Results:, All four epithelial skin tumors showed comparable immunoreactivity ranging from (25,71%, p = 0.361). Scattered immunoexpression pattern was more frequent in OTR (p = 0.025). SCC showed polarized immunoreactivity basally (p = 0.002). Conclusion:, MAGE-A4 was expressed in a large part of epithelial skin tumors with predominantly scattered immunoexpression pattern in OTR. The difference in immunoexpression pattern for immune status was limited, suggesting important non-immunosuppressor-mediated mechanisms for increased skin carcinogenesis in OTR. mAb 57B may be a helpful tool for immunohistochemistry and micrographic surgery using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. [source] Detection of clonal rearrangement of T-cell receptor genes in the diagnosis of primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disordersJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 11 2006Johannes Greisser Background:, Detection of clonality has been reported to be a helpful tool in the diagnosis of cutaneous lymphomas. Monoclonal rearrangement of T-cell receptor genes (TCR) was reported in fresh frozen tissue of lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) and primary cutaneous anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL), but the diagnostic value of T-cell clonality in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded biopsies has so far not been assessed. Methods:, Detection of clonal rearrangement of TCR, genes by highly sensitive polymerase chain reaction-based automated high-resolution fragment analysis (AHRFA) in archival LyP (n = 18) and ALCL (n = 17) tissue. Results:, Detection of clonality differed significantly among the histologic forms of LyP as well as between LyP and ALCL with clonality found in none of the 10 biopsies of LyP type A and B, in 4/8 (50%) of the LyP type C specimens, and in 11/17 (65%) of ALCL cases. Conclusions:, T-cell clonality can only be found in a minority (four of 18; 22%) of archival LyP specimens, even when employing a highly sensitive detection method and is thus of limited diagnostic value. Final diagnosis of LyP has to be based mainly on clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical findings rather than on results of clonality studies. [source] Hyper osmolality does not modulate natriuretic peptide concentration in patients after coronary artery surgeryACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2009E. L. HONKONEN Background: The heart secretes natriuretic peptides (NPs) in response to myocardial stretch. Measuring NP concentrations is a helpful tool in guiding treatment. It has been suggested that sodium ion and hyperosmolality could affect NP excretion. If this is true, peri-operative NP measurements could be inconsistent when hypertonic solutions are used. With different osmolalities but equal volumes of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) , and hypertonic saline (HS) , infusions, this double-blinded study tested the hypothesis that osmolality modulates the excretion of NPs. Methods: Fifty coronary surgery patients were randomized to receive within 30 min 4 ml/kg either HS or HES post-operatively. Samples for analysis of atrial NP (ANP), brain NP (BNP), plasma and urine sodium and osmolality and urine oxygen tension were obtained before and 60 min after starting the infusions and on the first post-operative morning. The haemodynamic parameters were measured at the same time points. Results: Plasma osmolality and sodium increased only in the HS group. Changes in plasma BNP and ANP levels did not differ between the groups (P=0.212 and 0.356). There were no correlations between NP levels and osmolality or sodium at any time point. In the HS group, urine volume was higher (3295 vs. 2644 ml; P<0.05) and the need for furosemide treatment was less (0.4 vs. 3.8 mg; P<0.01) than in the HES group. Conclusions: The absence of effects of plasma sodium content or hyperosmolality on NP release validates the value of NPs as a biomarker in peri-operative patients. [source] Thermogravimetric investigation of the hydration behaviour of hydrophilic matricesJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 4 2010Lorena Segale Abstract This article proposes thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) as a useful method to investigate the hydration behaviour of hydrophilic matrix tablets containing hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) or a mixture of these two polymers and four drugs with different solubility. The hydration behaviour of matrix systems was studied as a function of the formulation composition and of the dissolution medium pH. TGA results suggest that the hydration of matrices containing HPMC is pH-independent and not affected by the characteristics of the loaded drug; this confirms HPMC as a good polymer to formulate controlled drug delivery systems. On the other hand, the performances of NaCMC matrix tablets are significantly affected by the medium pH and the hydration and swelling of this ionic polymer is influenced by the loaded drug. For systems containing the two polymers, HPMC plays a dominant role in the hydration/dissolution process at acidic pH, while at near neutral pH both the cellulose derivatives exert a significant influence on the hydration performance of systems. The results of this work show that TGA is able to give quantitative highlights on the hydration behaviour of polymeric materials; thus this technique could be a helpful tool to support conventional hydration/swelling/dissolution studies. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99: 2070,2079, 2010 [source] Towards metabolic mapping of the human retinaMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 5 2007D. Schweitzer Abstract Functional alterations are first signs of a starting pathological process. A device that measures parameter for the characterization of the metabolism at the human eye-ground would be a helpful tool for early diagnostics in stages when alterations are yet reversible. Measurements of blood flow and of oxygen saturation are necessary but not sufficient. The new technique of auto-fluorescence lifetime measurement (FLIM) opens in combination with selected excitation and emission ranges the possibility for metabolic mapping. FLIM not only adds an additional discrimination parameter to distinguish different fluorophores but also resolves different quenching states of the same fluorophore. Because of its high sensitivity and high temporal resolution, its capability to resolve multi-exponential decay functions, and its easy combination with laser scanner ophthalmoscopy, multi-dimensional time-correlated single photon counting was used for fundus imaging. An optimized set up for in vivo lifetime measurements at the human eye-ground will be explained. In this, the fundus fluorescence is excited at 446 or 468 nm and the time-resolved autofluorescence is detected in two spectral ranges between 510 and 560 nm as well as between 560 and 700 nm simultaneously. Exciting the fundus at 446 nm, several fluorescence maxima of lifetime t1 were detected between 100 and 220 ps in lifetime histograms of 40° fundus images. In contrast, excitation at 468 nm results in a single maximum of lifetime t1 = 190 ± 16 ps. Several fundus layers contribute to the fluorescence intensity in the short-wave emission range 510,560 nm. In contrast, the fluorescence intensity in the long-wave emission range between 560 and 700 nm is dominated by the fluorescence of lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium. Comparing the lateral distribution of parameters of a tri-exponential model function in lifetime images of the fundus with the layered anatomical fundus structure, the shortest component (t1 = 190 ps) originates from the retinal pigment epithelium and the second lifetime (t2 = 1,000 ps) from the neural retina. The lifetime t3 , 5.5 ns might be influenced by the long decay of the fluorescence in the crystalline lens. In vitro analysis of the spectral properties of expected fluorophores under the condition of the living eye lightens the interpretation of in vivo measurements. Taking into account the transmission of the ocular media, the excitation of NADH is unlikely at the fundus. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Prediction for developmental delay on Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale in preterm infants without brain lesionPEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2010Sen-Wei Tsai Abstract Background:, Preterm infants often have difficulty in achieving a coordinated sucking pattern. To analyze the correlation between preterm infants with disorganized sucking and future development, weekly studies were performed of 27 preterm infants from initiation of bottle feeding until a normal sucking pattern was recognized. Methods:, A total of 27 preterm infants without brain lesion participated in the present study. Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale (NOMAS) was utilized to evaluate the sucking pattern. Infants who were initially assessed as having disorganized sucking on NOMAS and regained a normal sucking pattern by 37 weeks old were assigned to group I; infants with a persistent disorganized sucking pattern after 37 weeks were assigned to group II. The mental (MDI) and psychomotor (PDI) developmental indices of Bayley Scales of Infant Development, second edition were used for follow-up tests to demonstrate neurodevelopment at 6 months and 12 months of corrected age. Results:, At 6 months follow up, subjects in group I had a significantly higher PDI score than group II infants (P= 0.04). At 12 months follow up, group I subjects had a significantly higher score on MDI (P= 0.03) and PDI (P= 0.04). There was also a higher rate for development delay in group II at 6 months (P= 0.05). Conclusion:, NOMAS-based assessment for neonatal feeding performance could be a helpful tool to predict neurodevelopmental outcome at 6 and 12 months. Close follow up and early intervention may be necessary for infants who present with a disorganized sucking pattern after 37 weeks post-conceptional age. [source] Multivariate analysis of toxicological and environmental properties of soil nematicidesPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 1 2009Sara Sánchez-Moreno Abstract BACKGROUND: In intensive agriculture, the use of pesticides and soil fumigants is necessary to produce economically viable crops worldwide. However, this practice may involve undesirable effects on human health and the environment. In 1995, methyl bromide was restricted by the Montreal Protocol because of possible ozone depletion. The objective of this study was to compare intrinsic environmental and toxicological properties of 11 active substances with nematicidal properties, some of them recognized as methyl bromide alternatives. RESULTS: Four groups of active substances were discriminated by a series of principal component analyses (PCAs): (a) high toxicity to non-target fauna, humans and animals and medium persistence in the environment (cadusafos, ethoprophos and fenamiphos); (b) high toxicity to humans, animals and non-target fauna and high persistence (carbofuran and fosthiazate); (c) low toxicity to non-target fauna, humans and animals and low persistence (carbosulfan, benfuracarb and oxamyl); (d) low toxicity to humans, animals and non-target fauna and medium persistence in the environment (1,3-dichloropropene, chloropicrin and methyl bromide). CONCLUSION: Evaluating the multiple aspects of toxicological and environmental properties of active substances through PCA is proposed as a helpful tool for initially comparing the complex toxicological behaviour of active substances as plant protection products. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Drug information for patients,an update of long-term results: type of enquiries and patient characteristics,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 2 2009Martin Huber MPharm Abstract Purpose To analyse the type of enquiries to a drug information service in Germany, available exclusively for patients. Methods Sociodemographic characteristics of the patients who used the service, number and kind of drugs taken, existing diseases, reasons for enquiry as well as type of answers provided were recorded. For the present evaluation we analysed all enquiries to the service from August 2001 to January 2007. Results A total of 5587 enquiries were received. 5013 enquiries from 4091 patients were available for further analysis in detail. The patient group using the service most frequently were women between 61 and 70 years (23.3%). 1457 enquiries (29.1%) were made by patients who had contacted the information service once or several times before. The group of drugs most often asked about were cardiovascular drugs (33.4%), followed by drugs for the nervous system (16.2%) and for the alimentary tract and metabolism (12.4%). On average, each patient had questions about 2.6 (median 1; 1,22) drugs simultaneously. Common reasons for contacting the service were adverse drug reactions (22.1%), the need for general information about the drug (19.9%), information about therapy (12.4%) and drug interactions (10.2%). Conclusions A lot of patients need additional information about their medication, especially concerning drug groups that are frequently prescribed. The presented drug information service can be one helpful tool to counteract these information deficits and to increase patients' knowledge about their drugs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] TOWARDS A QUANTITATIVE PETROGRAPHIC DATABASE OF KHMER STONE MATERIALS,KOH KER STYLE SCULPTUREARCHAEOMETRY, Issue 2 2010F. CARÒ A comprehensive quantitative petrographic database of sandstones used by the Khmers for sculptural purposes would be a helpful tool for archaeologists, museum curators and others interested in pursuing research on early stone usage, geological source and provenance. Towards that end, this paper presents quantitative petrographic analysis of stone materials used in the production of some free-standing sculptures and architectural elements in the Koh Ker style of the 10th century from the collections of the National Museum of Cambodia and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. These materials are compared to samples from the quarry of Thmâ Anlong near the foothills of the Phnom Kulen, Sieam Reap province. Primary and secondary detrital modes and key grain-size parameters are used to identify three sandstone types. The free-standing sculptures are carved from feldspathic arenite and feldspato-lithic to litho-feldspathic arenite. Finely carved lintels are worked from a quartz arenite, which is significantly richer in quartz grains and of a finer grain size. The geological source of the two other lithotypes will have to await detailed geological survey of the Koh Ker area accompanied by petrographic study of selected samples from documented quarries. The significance and potentiality of quantitative petrographic study of Khmer stone materials are shown in supporting and integrating archaeological investigations in South-East Asia. [source] A double-blind study on a patient with tardive dyskinesia treated with pallidal deep brain stimulationACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 4 2009Z. Kefalopoulou Background,,, Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a neurological disorder typically induced by long-term exposure to neuroleptics. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) may represent a therapeutic alternative for TD, which is often resistant to conservative treatment. Aims of the study,,, This report's objective is to present a case of TD successfully treated with DBS, as well as to indicate a putative role of brain perfusion scintigraphy as a helpful tool correlating functional imaging findings with clinical responsiveness to DBS. Methods/Results,,, A 42-year-old male patient suffering from refractory TD underwent bilateral GPi DBS surgery. Post-operative Burke-Fahn-Mardsen Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) and Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) total scores have been reduced by 90.7% and 76.7% respectively on the 6-month follow-up assessment. Brain perfusion scintigraphy, performed post-operatively in the two stimulation states, revealed a decrease in cerebral blood flow, during the ,on-DBS', compared with the ,off-DBS' state. Conclusions,,, Clinical improvement of this patient, correspondent to previous studies, suggests that continuous bilateral GPi DBS may provide a promising treatment option for TD. Furthermore, this report could imply, as no previous such comparison study exists, a possible correlation between brain functional imaging findings and the movement disorder's response to DBS. [source] 4123: The use of the mfERG in the clinicACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2010A PALMOWSKI Purpose This presentation is to give a brief overview on the application of the multifocal electroretinogram (mf-ERG) in the clinic. Methods The use of m-sequences as a stimulus sequence allows a high resolution topographic mapping of sensory function. The mf-ERG can be readily applied to detect outer retinal dysfunction in the area of the macula. Different retinal layers contribute to the waveform of the mf-ERG. This results in typical changes of the waveform, when these different layers are dysfunct. Results MF-ERG examples are shown, that demonstrate how this knowledge can be useful in the clinical evaluation of patients. Conclusion The mf-ERG is a helpful tool in the clinical evalutation of patients. [source] Morphological Traits above the Flag Leaf Node as Indicators of Drought Susceptibility Index in Durum WheatJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 2 2007D. Villegas Abstract Selection criteria for drought tolerance would be helpful tools for wheat breeding programmes. To assess the usefulness of some morphological traits above the flag leaf node as indicators of yield and the susceptibility index (SI) of Fischer and Maurer, 10 durum wheat genotypes were used in experiments conducted under two water regimes at two latitudes in Spain during 3 years. Morphological traits were measured at anthesis, and yield, yield components and quality traits were evaluated at ripening. Principal components analysis showed associations between morphological traits and yield, yield components and quality, most of them caused by differences between environments. Peduncle weight, spike weight and length and awn length were significantly related to SI within environments. Spike and peduncle weight were the traits more related to yield and SI in all the experiments together and in the rainfed sites, while in the irrigated sites spike length was better. The spike weight and length were negatively associated with SI, while peduncle weight was positively associated to SI. Genotype means across all experiments were associated with SI values. These morphological traits could be selection criteria in breeding programmes to obtain varieties with good yield stability. The genetic variability found suggests opportunity for selection. [source] Use of the ecological information system SynBioSys for the analysis of large datasetsJOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 4 2007Joop H.J. Schaminée Abstract The rapid developments in computer techniques and the availability of large datasets open new perspectives for vegetation analysis aiming at better understanding of the ecology and functioning of ecosystems and underlying mechanisms. Information systems prove to be helpful tools in this new field. Such information systems may integrate different biological levels, viz. species, community and landscape. They incorporate a GIS platform for the visualization of the various layers of information, enabling the analysis of patterns and processes which relate the individual levels. An example of a newly developed information system is SynBioSys Europe, an initiative of the European Vegetation Survey (EVS). For the individual levels of the system, specific sources are available, notably national and regional Turboveg databases for the community level and data from the recently published European Map of Natural Vegetation for the landscape level. The structure of the system and its underlying databases allow user-defined queries. With regard to its application, such information systems may play a vital role in European nature planning, such as the implementation the EU-program Natura 2000. To illustrate the scope and perspectives of the program, some examples from The Netherlands are presented. They are dealing with long-term changes in grassland ecosystems, including shifts in distribution, floristic composition, and ecological indicator values. [source] Vibrational spectroscopic studies to acquire a quality control method of Eucalyptus essential oils,BIOPOLYMERS, Issue 5 2005M. Baranska Abstract This article presents a novel and original approach to analyze in situ the main components of Eucalyptus oil by means of Raman spectroscopy. The obtained two-dimensional Raman maps demonstrate a unique possibility to study the essential oil distribution in the intact plant tissue. Additionally, Fourier Transform (FT)-Raman and attenuated total reflection (ATR)-IR spectra of essential oils isolated from several Eucalyptus species by hydrodistillation are presented. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed in order to interpret the spectra of the essential oils of the Eucalyptus species. It is shown that the main components of the essential oils can be recognized by both vibrational spectroscopic techniques using the spectral information of the pure terpenoids. Spectroscopic analysis is based on the key bands of the individual volatile substances and therefore allows one to discriminate different essential oil profiles of several Eucalyptus species. It has been found that the presented spectroscopic data correlate very well with those obtained by gas chromatography (GC) analysis. All these investigations are helpful tools to generate a fast and easy method to control the quality of the essential oils with vibrational spectroscopic techniques in combination with DFT calculations. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 78: 237,248, 2005 [source] | |||||||||||||||||||