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Interesting Information (interesting + information)
Selected AbstractsDermoscopy provides useful information for the management of melanonychia striataDERMATOLOGIC THERAPY, Issue 1 2007Luc Thomas ABSTRACT:, The diagnosis of melanonychia striata is often difficult, and a biopsy of the nail matrix is required in doubtful cases. However, dermoscopic examination of the nail plate offers interesting information in order to better select the cases in which pathologic examination is indicated. In the case of brown longitudinal pigmentation with parallel regular lines, the diagnosis of nail apparatus melanocytic nevus could be made. On the other hand, the presence of a brown pigmentation overlaid by longitudinal lines irregular in their thickness, spacing, color, or parallelism is highly in favor of a melanoma. Gray homogeneous lines are observed in case of lentigo, lentiginoses, ethnic or drug-induced pigmentations, and in post-traumatic pigmentations. Blood spots are characterized by their round-shaped proximal edge and their filamentous distal edge and are highly suggestive of subungual hemorrhages. Dermoscopic examination of the free edge of the nail plate gives information on the lesion location; pigmentation of the dorsum of the nail plate is in favor of a proximal nail matrix lesion, whereas pigmentation the lower part of the nail edge is in favor of a lesion of the distal matrix. [source] Comparative histology of the vaginal,cloacal region in Squamata and its phylogenetic implicationsACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 4 2007Paola María Sánchez-Martínez Abstract We described the histology and morphology of the vaginal,cloacal region in 18 species from 12 Squamata families. This comparative study revealed a wide variation in the cloacal morphology. Fifteen morphological characters were considered to be primary homology hypotheses and were optimized over the topology derived from the parsimony analysis of the available soft morphological evidence, including the characters described in this study. The synapomorphies optimized for Squamata are bifid urodaeum, common urodaeal cavity with similar histological features of the urodaeal horns, and presence of glands in the anterior urodaeum; for Scleroglossa the synapomorphy is the lateral position of the vaginal intrusion into the anterior urodaeal chamber, for Nyctisaura + Scincomorpha the synapomorphy is the presence of a bifid posterior urodaeum; and for Xantusidae + Annulata it is the presence of simple glands in the anterior urodaeum. The central position of the vaginal intrusion into the urodaeal chamber and the intraepithelial position of the glandular unit in the anterior urodaeum behave as autapomorphies for Iguanidae. This study contributes evidence that defines the relationships within Scleroglossa. Cloacal features provide interesting information that is useful as a source of morphological characters for phylogenetic studies in Squamata. [source] Drug effect on EEG connectivity assessed by linear and nonlinear couplingsHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 3 2010Joan F. Alonso Abstract Quantitative analysis of human electroencephalogram (EEG) is a valuable method for evaluating psychopharmacological agents. Although the effects of different drug classes on EEG spectra are already known, interactions between brain locations remain unclear. In this work, cross mutual information function and appropriate surrogate data were applied to assess linear and nonlinear couplings between EEG signals. The main goal was to evaluate the pharmacological effects of alprazolam on brain connectivity during wakefulness in healthy volunteers using a cross-over, placebo-controlled design. Eighty-five pairs of EEG leads were selected for the analysis, and connectivity was evaluated inside anterior, central, and posterior zones of the scalp. Connectivity between these zones and interhemispheric connectivity were also measured. Results showed that alprazolam induced significant changes in EEG connectivity in terms of information transfer in comparison with placebo. Trends were opposite depending on the statistical characteristics: decreases in linear connectivity and increases in nonlinear couplings. These effects were generally spread over the entire scalp. Linear changes were negatively correlated, and nonlinear changes were positively correlated with drug plasma concentrations; the latter showed higher correlation coefficients. The use of both linear and nonlinear approaches revealed the importance of assessing changes in EEG connectivity as this can provide interesting information about psychopharmacological effects. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Ips typographus (L.) pheromone trapping in south Alps: spring catches determine damage thresholdsJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2004M. Faccoli Abstract:,Ips typographus is one of the major forest pests in the Italian Alps. From 1996, populations of I. typographus in Friuli-Venezia Giulia region (NE Italy) have been permanently monitored in areas of outbreak by using pheromone traps. At the same time, damage caused by the insect was estimated annually. Preliminary analysis of the data (1996,2002) reveals some interesting information: (i) the flight activity of I. typographus is very extended and occurs over a period of about 4 months (May to August); (ii) there is a high correlation between mean captures per trap and annual damage; (iii) there is a high correlation between spring captures (May to mid-June) and total captures (May to August), and between spring captures (May to mid-June) and annual damage. The correlation between spring captures and damage allows the determination of a reliable risk-damage threshold (about 5000 beetles/trap, in spring), reducing at the same time, the monitoring period and the general costs. [source] DRYING EFFECTS OF TWO AIR-DRYING SHELTERS IN A PILOT TEST ON SULTANA GRAPESJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2010LINGLING LI ABSTRACT The drying effects of sultana grapes in two different air-drying shelters were tested and analyzed. Ten different thin-layer drying mathematical models were compared according to their coefficients of determination and,2test. The Wang and Singh model was found to be the most suitable for describing the air-drying curves of sultana grapes. As compared with the local traditional shelter, the reformed shelter with a greenhouse can reduce about 12,18% of air-drying time, increase about 23% in green-grade rate of raisins and increase 33% in the effective moisture diffusivity of sultana grapes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Grapes are one of the most popular and palatable fruits in the world. The preservation of grapes by drying is a major industry in many parts of the world where grapes are grown. Drying grapes, either by open sun drying, shade drying or mechanical drying, produces raisins. Air-drying of solar energy has been demonstrated to be cost-effective and could be an effective alternative to traditional and mechanical drying systems, especially in locations with good sunshine during the harvest season. The traditional air-drying shelter of grapes has been used for thousands of years in Asia and other places around the world. However, less investigation was done about the drying characteristics and the optimization of the shelter. The work of this manuscript provides interesting information that is useful for design of the drying shelter of raisins and for the improvement of raisin quality, especially using air-drying of solar energy. [source] The Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors of Left Atrial Pressure in Dogs with Mitral Valve RegurgitationJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2010T. Ishikawa Background: Despite many epidemiological reports concerning the efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in dogs with mitral regurgitation (MR), the hemodynamic effects of ACE inhibitor administration have not been fully evaluated. Objectives: To document left atrial pressure (LAP) in dogs with MR administered ACE inhibitors, in order to obtain interesting information about daily LAP changes with administration of ACE inhibitors. Animals: Five healthy Beagle dogs weighing 9.8 to 14.2 kg (2 males and 3 females; aged 2 years). Methods: Experimental, crossover, and interventional study. Chordae tendineae rupture was induced, and a radiotelemetry transmitter catheter was inserted into the left atrium. LAP was recorded for 72 consecutive hours during which each of 3 ACE inhibitors,enalapril (0.5 mg/kg/d), temocapril (0.1 mg/kg/d), and alacepril (3.0 mg/kg/d),were administered in a crossover study. Results: Averaged diurnal LAP was significantly, but slightly reduced by alacepril (P= .03, 19.03 ± 3.01,18.24 ± 3.07 mmHg). The nightly drops in LAP caused by alacepril and enalapril were significantly higher than the daily drops (P= .03, ,0.98 ± 0.19 to ,0.07 ± 0.25 mmHg, and P= .03, ,0.54 ± 0.21,0.02 ± 0.17 mmHg, respectively), despite the fact that the oral administrations were given in the morning. Systolic blood pressure (122.7 ± 14.4,117.4 ± 13.1 mmHg, P= .04) and systemic vascular resistance (5800 ± 2685,5144 ± 2077 dyne × s/cm5, P= .03) were decreased by ACE inhibitors. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: ACE inhibitors decrease LAP minimally, despite reductions in left ventricular afterload. ACE inhibitors should not be used to decrease LAP. [source] Origin and history of end-to-side neurorrhaphyMICROSURGERY, Issue 1 2007I. Papalia M.D. This historical note offers a perspective concerning the origin of the employment of end-to-side (termino-lateral) anastomosis for nerve repair and summarizes the works that have been published on this surgical technique through the first part of the 20th Century. While the origin of end-to-side neurorrhaphy is usually dated to the beginning of the 20th Century, some works referring to this technique were published earlier, the first of which dates as far back as 1873. A number of interesting clinical and experimental studies have been carried out on end-to-side nerve anastomosis during the first years of the twentieth century. However, this literature is not easily detectable through current online scientific databases. In this paper we will give an overview of these early works. This history contributes interesting information to the debate surrounding this surgical concept and adds perspective to the use of a technique that has attracted a great deal of attention over the last 15 years. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2007. [source] The technique of apical dissection of the prostate and urethrovesical anastomosis in robotic radical prostatectomyBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2004M. Menon Much of the current interest in robotic surgery in urology has been caused by the results of the work from the Vattikuti Urology Institute in Detroit, and these authors describe their extensive experience in the technique of radical prostatectomy; specifically their modified single running suture urethrovesical anastomosis. They ascribe their ability to remove the urethral catheter at 4 days, and to have an excellent continence rate, to this technique, and to their apical dissection. The European Randomised Study for Screening of Prostate Cancer will generate much interesting information over the nest few years and will in itself become one of the landmark urological studies. The authors from Amsterdam evaluated (-7-5)proPSA and hK2 in a subset of patients from this study for detecting and grading prostate cancer, and found that their impact in these areas remains limited. Screening for prostate cancer is a controversial but very interesting topic for those involved in urological oncology. Although many countries have not advocated a national screening programme, and indeed some have advised against screening of any kind for this condition, "backdoor" screening does in fact take place. The authors from Belfast have reviewed PSA testing in Northern Ireland from 1990 to 1999, finding that many men have an elevated PSA level, with a resulting requirement for further evaluation. OBJECTIVE To describe the technique of dissecting the apex of the prostate and a modified single running-suture urethrovesical anastomosis in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for organ-confined prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Over 550 robot-assisted radical prostatectomies have been undertaken using Vattikuti Institute Prostatectomy (VIP) technique in patients with localized carcinoma of the prostate. We present a critical analysis of the first 120 procedures by one surgeon (M.M.) at our institution using this newly developed technique of urethrovesical anastomosis preceded by dissecting the apex of the prostate. RESULTS The mean time for the urethrovesical anastomosis was 13 min. All but 24 patients had their catheter removed 4 days after surgery, as indicated by a cystogram. The catheter was removed successfully at 7 days in the remaining 24 patients who had a mild leak on cystography. Two patients had urinary retention within a week of removing the catheter and had to be re-catheterized. Continence was evaluated using standardized criteria before and after the procedure. The patients also replied to a mailed validated questionnaire survey; 96% were continent at 3 months and the remaining 4% used a thin pad for security. CONCLUSIONS We report a technique of dissecting the apex of the prostate and prostatovesical junction for dividing the bladder neck, and a modified single running-suture urethrovesical anastomosis, in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy for organ-confined cancer of the prostate. The same principles can also be applied for the anastomosis during pure laparoscopic procedures and for urethro-neovesical anastomosis in patients undergoing robotic radical cystoprostatectomy for carcinoma of the bladder. [source] Variability in non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitor concentrations among HIV-infected adults in routine clinical practiceBRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 5 2006José Moltó What is already known about this subject ,,The concentration of protease and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibtors in plasma has been related to both efficacy and toxicity. ,,Most antiretroviral concentration data come from selected populations of patients undergoing therapeutic drug monitoring programmes, which may overestimate interindividual variability. What this study adds ,,Our study has demonstrated the large interindividual variability in antiretroviral drug concentrations in an unselected population of patients during routine clinical practice. ,,These results may provide interesting information to clinicians for the management of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients. Aims The objective of this study was to assess interindividual variability in trough concentrations of plasma of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) and protease inhibitors (PI) among HIV-infected adults in a routine outpatient setting. Methods One hundred and seventeen patients who attended our clinic for routine blood tests, and who were receiving antiretroviral therapy which included NNRTI or PI were studied. Patients were not informed that drug concentrations were going to be measured until blood sampling. The times of the last antiretroviral dose and of blood sampling were recorded. Drug concentrations were considered optimal if they were above the proposed minimum effective value. In addition, efavirenz, nevirapine and atazanavir concentrations were considered potentially toxic if they were >,4.0 mg l,1, >,6.0 mg l,1 and >,0.85 mg l,1, respectively. Results Overall, interindividual variability of NNRTI and PI concentrations in plasma was approximately 50%, and only 68.4% of the patients had drug concentrations within the proposed therapeutic range. Poor adherence explained only 35% of subtherapeutic drug concentrations. Conclusion Interindividual variability in trough concentrations of NNRTI and PI among HIV-infected adults is large in routine clinical practice, with drug concentrations being outside the therapeutic window in a significant proportion of patients. These findings provide further evidence that therapeutic drug monitoring may be useful to guide antiretroviral therapy in clinical practice. [source] | |||||||||||||