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At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Task-related coupling from high- to low-frequency signals among visual cortical areas in human subdural recordings.

Cortical cooperativity during cognitive demands includes high- and low-frequency activities, which raises the question whether there are interdependencies between fast and slow processes and how they are reflected in electrical brain signals. We had the opportunity to record signals intracranially from occipital visual areas in an epileptic patient and quantified inter-areal signal coupling while the patient performed a visual delayed-match-to-sample task. We computed coherence, phase consistency and amplitude envelope correlation and we also determined inter-frequency coupling through correlation between low-frequency signal components and amplitude envelopes of high-frequency components. There was a pronounced task-related increase of correlation between gamma-band (28-70 Hz) signal envelopes from a superior (occipital) and low-frequency (0-3.5 Hz) signals from an inferior (occipital) visual area, lasting for approximately 1 s and possibly reflecting a short-term memory encoding process. The correlational delay between envelopes and low-frequency components was 40 ms. In contrast, coherence, phase consistency and envelope correlation showed event-, but no task-related changes of intra-areal and no changes of inter-areal coupling. Our data suggest a specific effect of gamma-activity in the superior onto low-frequency activity in the inferior area. We argue that temporal dispersion of conduction delays might prevent coherent transmission of high-frequency signals and thus account for the absence of gamma-coherence. As such dispersion is a general property of long-range projections, envelope-to-signal correlation possibly reflects a general neuronal mechanism. Hence, our method provides a powerful tool for detecting such inter-areal interactions not visible with conventional linear coupling measures.

Brain Mapping↗

[Smoking in primary schools].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze policies related to tobacco use in primary schools. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SITE. Primary schools in the city of Barcelona, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Schools principals of a representative sample of the 493 primary schools in the city; 98 of the 100 selected schools participated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Schools are aware of the existing regulations in Catalonia. Although there is no smoking in classrooms--which represents an improvement compared with previous years--, visible use of tobacco by adults is frequent. Usually there is no formal policy on smoking. No smoking signs are rare, and usually there is no designated person with responsibilities for the enforcement of smoking policies. Schools rarely address smoking outside school hours, and adults are often allowed to smoke in the court, the dining room or the aisles. There are no significant differences between public and private schools. CONCLUSIONS: Although an improvement can be seen compared to the previous situation, smoking is still visibly present in schools. There must be specific prevention projects if schools are to have a positive influence in the social perception of smoking by schoolchildren.

Adolescent↗

[Improved identification of details in double-contrast studies of the stomach using a new mixture of contrast media].

In a contrast medium study, 100 patients were employed for a comparison between the contrast medium Mikropaque liquid and a mixture of Mikropaque HD and Mikropaque liquid in double-contrast examination of the stomach. The special feature of this method was that one and the same stomach was examined in each case with both contrast media. The new contrast media mixture with Mikropaque HD represents a step forward; the contrast could be enhanced in 80% of the cases, and the finely contoured relief became visible in two-thirds of the cases, compared with one-third of the examined patients before this method was introduced.

Contrast Media↗

Dentistry in the future--on the role and goal of basic research in oral biology.

Examination of the state of affairs of oral biology cannot be endeavoured without considering the mutual interactions and interdependencies of sciences, and without considering the impact human acts will exert on these developments. Oral biology deals with the biochemical, chemical, molecular biologic, general biologic and physical aspects of all processes that take place in the oral cavity, in the masticatory organ, and in tissues and body fluids that are associated with the above processes. Oral biology also reaps the harvest sown by (other) basic sciences. From the methodological point of view, oral biology is indistinguishable from basic sciences; it is the anatomical object that makes it specific. Oral biology cannot be regarded as "big science" (i.e. compared with the human genome project, space research, AIDS research etc.). This fact may preserve the attractiveness of oral biology. Important science--this concerns oral biology as well--still emerges in smaller settings, although there are omens that large research cartels will swallow larger and larger portions of research appropriations. A key to staying competitive is to use new science sources and--in some cases--to join bigger groups. Once upon a time oral biologists--or scientists in general--assumed that a record of solid accomplishments was sufficient to maintain research support. Today, in several countries, politics and public visibility unfortunately determine the funding privileges. Provided that human operations on earth will render future development of sciences possible, the future of oral biology will depend 1) on concomitant development in the above basic fields, and 2) on innovations in the individual psyches. This combination will unravel the structure of genes involved in the development and metabolism of oral processes, clone important salivary and connective tissue proteins, and control most important oral diseases. To achieve these goals, oral biology must attract young talent and funding must be made available. There is no shortcut, however. Individual efforts and persistent labouring at the laboratory bench will still remain prerequisites. Although successful prevention of certain oral diseases, such as dental caries, may be possible in certain regions of the Earth, the prospects are much gloomier globally.

Biology↗

Bi-directional transmission of molecular information by photon or electron beams passing in the close vicinity of specific molecules, and its clinical and basic research applications: 1) Diagnosis of humans or animal patients without any direct contact; 2) Light microscopic and electron microscopic localization of neuro-transmitters, heavy metals, Oncogen C-fos (AB2), etc. of intracellular fine structures of normal and abnormal single cells using light or electro-microscopic indirect Bi-Digital O-Ring Test.

In 1985, Omura, Y. discovered that, when specific molecules were placed anywhere in the close vicinity of the path of a light beam (laser), their molecular information, as well as information on electrical & magnetic fields, is transmitted bi-directionally along the path of this light beam. Namely, this information is transmitted in the direction the light beam is projected and towards the direction from which the light beam is coming. This finding was applied to the following clinical and basic research: 1) In the past, using indirect Bi-Digital O-Ring Test, human or animal patients were diagnosed through an intermediate third person holding a good electrical conducting probe, the tip of which was touching the part of the patient to be examined. However, in order to diagnose the patient in isolation from a distance, or a dangerous or unmanagable unanesthesized animal, such as a lion or tiger, the author succeeded in making a diagnosis by replacing the metal conducting probe with a soft laser beam which is held by the one hand of the third person whose index finger is placed in close vicinity of the laser beam generated by a battery-powered penlight-type solid state laser generator. Thus, diagnosis within visible distance, without direct patient contact, became a reality. 2) Using a projection light microscope, by giving indirect Bi-Digital O-Ring Test while contacting with a fine electro-conductive probe on the magnified fine structure of normal and abnormal cells, various normal and abnormal intracellular substances were localized through a third person holding a pure reference control substance with the same hand that is holding the probe as an intermediary for the indirect Bi-Digital O-Ring Test. Instead of the photon beam in a light microscope, the author found that, using an electron beam passing through the close vicinity of specific molecules of specimens in an electron microscope, the molecular information is transmitted to the magnified fluorescent screen, and an indirect Bi-Digital O-Ring Test could be performed through a projected penlight-type solid state soft laser beam on the magnified intracellular structure through an observation glass window. Using the magnified fine structure of the cells, by either a light projection microscopic field or electron microscope, in various cancer cells of both humans and animals, Oncogen C-fos (AB2) and mercury were found inside of the nucleus. Integrin alpha 5 beta 1 was found on cell membranes and nuclear cell membranes of cancer cells. Acetylcholine was not found anywhere within cancer cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Real-time subcellular imaging in live animals: new visible targets for cancer drug discovery.

This feature describes new in vivo imaging technology to visualize and identify novel targets for cancer drug discovery. AntiCancer Inc has developed dual-color fluorescent cells, with one color in the nucleus and another color in the cytoplasm, that enable visualization of real-time nuclear-cytoplasmic dynamics in living cells in vivo and in vitro, as well as nuclear dynamics and simultaneous cell and nuclear shape change. To obtain the dual-color cells, red fluorescent protein (RFP) was expressed in the cytoplasm of human and rodent cancer cells, and green fluorescent protein (GFP) that was linked to histone H2B was expressed in the nucleus. The migration velocities of the dual-color cancer cells in the capillaries were measured by capturing images of the fluorescent cells over time. The cells and nuclei in the capillaries were shown to elongate to fit the width of these vessels. Cancer cells in capillaries that were more than 8 mm in diameter were found to migrate. During extravasation, real-time imaging demonstrated that cytoplasmic processes of certain cancer cells exited the vessels first, with the nuclei then following along the cytoplasmic projections. Both the cytoplasm and nuclei underwent deformation during extravasation. Different cancer cell lines appear to vary strongly in their ability to extravasate. With the dual-color cancer cells and a highly sensitive whole-mouse imaging system (Olympus OV100), the subcellular dynamics of cancer metastasis can now be visualized in live mice. Further developments in subcellular imaging in live animals is expected to result in a new 'in vivo cell biology' that will provide visible targets for cancer and other diseases.

Animals↗

Assessment of ocular exposure to visible light for population studies.

We have developed an empirical model with which to estimate the ocular exposure in the visible wavelength band. It incorporates aspects of personal behavior, geographic location, and season, which have been developed from population-based data. As presented herein, the model is strictly valid only for the northern hemisphere, although we discuss how it may be generalized. In conjunction with job history interviews, this model allows the estimate of cumulative exposures from age 30 in our population-based study. We present data on average annual exposure by age, gender, race, education, and reported photophobia. There is a statistically significant difference between males and females, with females having lower exposures. We also found statistically different exposures among the races with African-Americans having slightly higher median exposures than whites. Exposures decrease with level of education and with reported photophobia. These data provide the basis for characterizing lifetime exposure for the general population and should permit exploration of the relationship between eye disease and cumulative ocular exposure to visible light.

Age Distribution↗

Outreach to health professionals in a rural area.

An outreach project which juxtaposed technology (Grateful Med) and a human intermediary (a circuit librarian) to serve health professionals in a rural area of Illinois is described. The five goals of the project were: promote Grateful Med as a clinical tool; introduce circuit librarianship to Illinois; heighten the awareness of health professionals to the value of timely information services; increase the visibility of the resource library; and evaluate the impact of the two components, Grateful Med and circuit librarianship. While the project was well-received and enjoyed short-term success, sustaining the same level of information activity post-project has not been achieved. Insuring utilization of health information by remote health professionals may be characterized as a Sisyphean task.

Computer User Training↗

A model for improving the quality and timeliness of compensation and pension examinations in VA facilities.

In response to external and internal customer dissatisfaction and in anticipation of markedly higher volumes of examination requests, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) produced an eight-month facilitated quality-improvement project designed to improve the quality and timeliness of compensation examination processing. To determine whether participation in the project was associated with better outcomes and to identify team characteristics that were associated with high performance, we obtained centrally collected facility-level performance measures on quality and timeliness of the examinations. To determine factors associated with team success, we compared measures of leadership support reported by teams with high and low performance outcomes. Thirty teams representing 34 VA medical centers and 22 Veterans Benefits Administration's regional offices participated in the project. Monthly volumes were significantly higher for participating teams, and volumes increased significantly over time for both groups. At the beginning of the project, examination timeliness was substantially worse for participating teams (34.1 versus 29.9 days, p = .03); by the end, participants had better performance (28.5 versus 30.3 days, p = .00). Quality measures were maintained. By the end of the project, high performers reported improved leadership, frontline support, resource availability, alignment with strategic goals, and leadership mandate when compared to performance at the beginning of the project; low performers reported the opposite. These results suggest that the principles of clinical improvement can be applied successfully to teach teams how to achieve process improvements within a large healthcare organization. Visible, ongoing support by leadership and alignment of project objectives with strategic goals are associated with improved project outcomes.

Adult↗

[Integration of dynamic aspects in the course of psychotherapeutic imagination].

Apart from behaviour-therapeutic and suggestive elements, almost any therapeutically usable psychodynamic phenomena can be included in the imagination process in the course of imagination procedures. After working through the various subjective experience constellations, a focussing of the therapeutic procedure on one or several conflicts is brought about. The working of transfer phenomena, projections, displacements, etc., which become visible in the form of specific dependencies, fears, aggressions (destructions) of the patients, is essential in the solution of neurotically blocked, that is to say, pathogenic experience domains.

Adolescent↗

Ultrastructure of the mouse blood basophil.

This work establishes the presence of basophils in mouse peripheral blood and describes their ultrastructure. In this species, the cytoplasmic granules, which are membrane-bound and relatively scarce, differ both in size and electron-density. The intragranular particle size is often markedly heterogeneous. All cytoplasmic organelles are visible including a well-defined Golgi and centriole. The bi-lobed or multi-lobed nucleus has peripherally condensed heterochromatin, nuclear pores and often nucleoli. The surface membrane is characteristically abundant in projections and associated cavities. The electron microscope image of the mouse basophil shows similarities to that of the human basophil, but appears different from that of the guinea pig, chicken and rat.

Animals↗

Number of projections in mammography: influence on detection of breast disease.

A total of 491 cases of breast cancer were reviewed to evaluate the diagnostic importance of the three standard projections; craniocaudal, mediolateral, and oblique. With only one projection, 90% of the malignancies would have been detected; with two and three projections the percentages rose to 94% and 95%, respectively. Nonvisualization was due to either juxtathoracic position of the tumor or superimposition of dense tissues. A relation was found between the position of a juxtathoracic tumor and the projection in which it was visualized. The mean diameter of tumors not visible due to superimposition of dense tissues was smaller than that of the whole material. In breast screening programs, use of two projections, the oblique and craniocaudal, is recommended.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Dynamic shape integration in extrastriate cortex.

BACKGROUND: In anorthoscopic viewing conditions, observers can perceive a moving object through a narrow slit even when only portions of its contour are visible at any time. We used fMRI to examine the contribution of early and later visual cortical areas to dynamic shape integration. Observers' success at integrating the shape of the slit-viewed object was manipulated by varying the degree to which the stimulus was dynamically distorted. Line drawings of common objects were either moderately distorted, strongly distorted, or shown undistorted. Phenomenologically, increasing the stimulus distortion made both object shape and motion more difficult to perceive. RESULTS: We found that bilateral cortical activity in portions of the ventral occipital cortex, corresponding to known object areas within the lateral occipital complex (LOC), was inversely correlated with the degree of stimulus distortion. We found that activity in left MT+, the human cortical area specialized for motion, showed a similar pattern as the ventral occipital region. The LOC also showed greater activity to a fully visible moving object than to the undistorted slit-viewed object. Area MT+, however, showed more equivalent activity to both the slit-viewed and fully visible moving objects. CONCLUSIONS: In early retinotopic cortex, the distorted and undistorted stimuli elicited the same amount of activity. Higher visual areas, however, were correlated with the percept of the coherent object, and this correlation suggests that the shape integration is mediated by later visual cortical areas. Motion information from the dorsal stream may project to the LOC to produce the shape percept.

Adult↗

Scanning electron microscopy of the basal surface of the epidermis of human digits.

The epidermal-dermal junction of the volar skin of human digits was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fixed specimens obtained from cadavers were treated with 6 N NaOH to exfoliate the epithelium. The three-dimensional features of the basal surfaces were clearly visualized by SEM. Epithelial prolongations (intermediate and limiting ridges) protruded towards the dermis, and transverse ridges were visible between them. Nerve fibers and Schwann cells were aggregated around the sweat ducts on the intermediate ridges. Discoid structures were visible among the nerve fibers and Schwann cells. Examination by transmission electron microscopy of ultrathin sections of re-embedded specimens confirmed that the discoid structures were nerve endings that covered the Merkel cells. Minute projections were studded on the basal surfaces of basal keratinocytes. The projections in the intermediate ridges appeared to be villous, whereas the profiles of those in the limiting ridges resembled cobblestones. This morphological difference might be a reflection of function.

Aged↗

Outcomes of a pilot faculty mentoring program.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a junior faculty mentoring program is beneficial to participants and to identify particular positive and negative aspects of such a program to enable others to institute similar programs. STUDY DESIGN: In 2001 a pilot program was instituted in our obstetrics and gynecology department for interested faculty members. There were 3 focus groups and a written survey that assessed the project. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods were used for data analysis; Fisher's exact test was used. RESULTS: Two recurring themes emerged from the focus group sessions: participants felt better supported by the department and appreciated a greater sense of camaraderie. Most mentees noted the program's success in the following areas of having a role model (83.3%), having increased visibility (82.3%), and having to whom someone to turn (93.8%). CONCLUSION: The faculty mentoring program had significant benefits for everyone who participated.

Academic Medical Centers↗

Fractures of the hook of hamate: radiographic signs.

Isolated fractures of the hamulus, formerly considered rare, are being seen more frequently. Many of these injuries are sports related, particularly in golf, tennis, racquetball and baseball players. Failure to make an early diagnosis can result in severe pain and sometimes incapacitating disability. We studied the clinical and radiological findings in 12 patients who had fracture of the hook of the hamate. We propose three radiographic signs of fracture that are readily seen on routine PA projections: "absence" of the hook of the hamate; "sclerosis" of the hook; and lack of cortical density, i.e., a barely visible outline, of the hamulus.

Adolescent↗

[Facial and head pain from the neurologist's point of view (author's transl)].

Recognizing that pain is not a sensory sensation, but a subjective feeling, the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological aspects are shortly discussed which are the prerequisites of pain as an original phenomenon in higher life. The subcortical feeling of pain is compared with the pain sensation which extends to large parts of the cortex. The experience of pain may be suppressed or increased by the cortex. Since pain as a subjective phenomenon cannot be objectivated directly, the pain analysis has to consider the history of the patient and particularly the anatomical and physiological basis. The clinical diagnosis of facial and head pain differentiates the various pain syndrome which as localized pain are usually caused by externally visible changes from those projected pain phenomena in genuine or symptomatic neuralgias as well as referred pain sensations (e.g. in intracranial or occipitocervical lesions).

Ear Diseases↗

High-resolution venography of the brain using magnetic resonance imaging.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a non-flow related magnetic resonance imaging method to visualize small veins independent of arteries in the human brain. A long TE, high-resolution 3D gradient echo MR acquisition was used to highlight venous information. The method is based on the paramagnetic property of deoxyhemoglobin and the resulting phase difference between veins and brain parenchyma at long echo times. The MR magnitude images were masked with a phase mask filter to enhance small structure visibility. Venous information down to sub-pixel vessel diameters of several hundred microns is visible. Venous data are displayed in an angiographic manner using a minimum intensity projection algorithm. Both superficial veins and deep white matter veins are visible. The method has been successfully applied in volunteers. Preliminary results in patients with cerebral arteriovenous malformations indicate its potential in clinical applications. The proposed method is easy to implement and does not require administration of a contrast agent or application of specially designed rf pulses to highlight the veins. Rather it exploits the intrinsic magnetic properties (BOLD-effect) and the prolonged T2* of venous blood. The method may be of diagnostic potential in the assessment of arteriovenous malformations or other vascular venous lesions.

Adolescent↗