Methods for analysis of brain connectivity: An IFCN-sponsored review.

The goal of this paper is to examine existing methods to study the "Human Brain Connectome" with a specific focus on the neurophysiological ones. In recent years, a new approach has been developed to evaluate the anatomical and functional organization of the human brain: the aim of this promising multimodality effort is to identify and classify neuronal networks with a number of neurobiologically meaningful and easily computable measures to create its connectome. By defining anatomical and functional connections of brain regions on the same map through an integrated approach, comprising both modern neurophysiological and neuroimaging (i.e. flow/metabolic) brain-mapping techniques, network analysis becomes a powerful tool for exploring structural-functional connectivity mechanisms and for revealing etiological relationships that link connectivity abnormalities to neuropsychiatric disorders. Following a recent IFCN-endorsed meeting, a panel of international experts was selected to produce this current state-of-art document, which covers the available knowledge on anatomical and functional connectivity, including the most commonly used structural and functional MRI, EEG, MEG and non-invasive brain stimulation techniques and measures of local and global brain connectivity.

Effects of molybdate on classification of estrogen and progesterone receptor status in human breast cancer.

Incorporation of disodium molybdate in the homogenization buffer for breast cancer specimens was shown to inhibit a time and temperature dependent loss of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor binding capacity in the cytosols. Since positive receptor values are correlated with response to endocrine therapy, the effect of molybdate incorporation on ER/PR classification was further investigated in two separate series of specimens. In one series of 75 consecutive specimens, ER and PR were analyzed before incorporation of molybdate in the assays, and the results compared with the next 75 consecutive specimens after incorporation of molybdate. The mean ages of the 2 groups of patients were not significantly different (59.1 +/- 13.4 versus 59.4 +/- 13.3 years). It was found that the PR binding capacity was significantly higher, the proportion of ER+/PR- specimens was significantly reduced, and that a bimodal distribution of ER+ specimens only became apparent when molybdate was incorporated in the ER and PR assays. The possibility exists that ER+ specimens with binding capacities above 175 fmol/mg protein, constituting 24% of all the specimens and representing the second bimodal peak, may represent hormone dependent tumours.