Effect of yoga training on the tinnitus induced distress.

The study addressed the efficacy of 12 weeks of yoga training in treating 25 patients with chronic tinnitus. Ten of the patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after training. A control group comprised 13 people reporting chronic tinnitus. All participants were assessed with the Tinnitus Functional Index. After the 12-week yoga course, the areas considered to have benefited most were the sense of control of tinnitus, sleep, quality of life, and intrusiveness. The MRI studies indicated that connections in the white matter of the motor cortex appeared to be stronger as a result of training. Yoga training has good potential to improve the daily functioning of patients with chronic tinnitus and can be considered a promising supporting method for tinnitus treatment.

Abnormalities in thalamo-cortical connections in patients with first-episode schizophrenia: a two-tensor tractography study.

The "cognitive dysmetria" hypothesis suggests that impairments in cognition and behavior in patients with schizophrenia can be explained by disruptions in the cortico-cerebellar-thalamic-cortical circuit. In this study we examine thalamo-cortical connections in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FESZ). White matter pathways are investigated that connect the thalamus with three frontal cortex regions including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), and lateral oribitofrontal cortex (LOFC). We use a novel method of two-tensor tractography in 26 patients with FESZ compared to 31 healthy controls (HC), who did not differ on age, sex, or education. Dependent measures were fractional anisotropy (FA), Axial Diffusivity (AD), and Radial Diffusivity (RD). Subjects were also assessed using clinical functioning measures including the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale, the Global Social Functioning Scale (GF: Social), and the Global Role Functioning Scale (GF: Role). FESZ patients showed decreased FA in the right thalamus-right ACC and right-thalamus-right LOFC pathways compared to healthy controls (HCs). In the right thalamus-right VLPFC tract, we found decreased FA and increased RD in the FESZ group compared to HCs. After correcting for multiple comparisons, reductions in FA in the right thalamus- right ACC and the right thalamus- right VLPC tracts remained significant. Moreover, reductions in FA were significantly associated with lower global functioning scores as well as lower social and role functioning scores. We report the first diffusion tensor imaging study of white matter pathways connecting the thalamus to three frontal regions. Findings of white matter alterations and clinical associations in the thalamic-cortical component of the cortico-cerebellar-thalamic-cortical circuit in patients with FESZ support the cognitive dysmetria hypothesis and further suggest the possible involvement of myelin sheath pathology and axonal membrane disruption in the pathogenesis of the disorder.

Age-related changes in the carcass composition and meat quality of fallow deer (DAMA DAMA L.).

The present study investigated the possible differences in carcass composition as well as texture, structure and percentage of different muscle types of the most valuable muscles (BF - biceps femoris, SM - semimembranosus, and L - longissimus) from fallow deer (Dama dama L.) bucks shot in the forest farm in north-western Poland at four different ages: 18, 30, 42 and 54 months. It was found that carcasses of young fallow deer (18-30 months), compared to older animals, were characterised by a higher dressing proportion, a higher percentage of the most valuable commercial cuts (the saddle, haunch and shoulder), high meat yield with the lowest percentage of bones and a lower percentage of skin and head. Their muscles, compared with older animals, were characterised by a lower percentage of red fibres, lower muscle fibre area, thinner perimysium and endomysium, lower amount of intramuscular fat and as a consequence lower hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, as well as a higher pH and lower thermal drip.

Diffusion tensor imaging study of the fornix in first episode schizophrenia and in healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: The fornix is a compact bundle of white matter fibers that project from the hippocampus to the mamillary bodies and septal nuclei. Its association with memory, as well as with symptoms in schizophrenia, has been reported in chronic schizophrenia. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not fornix abnormalities are evident at the onset of schizophrenia. METHODS: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and DT tractography were used to evaluate the fornix in 21 patients with first episode schizophrenia (16 males/5 females) and 22 healthy controls (13 males/9 females). Groups were matched on age, gender, parental socioeconomic status, education and handedness. Fractional anisotropy (FA), a measure of white matter integrity, radial diffusivity (RD), thought to reflect myelin integrity, trace, a possible marker of atrophy or cell loss, and axial diffusivity (AD), thought to reflect axonal integrity, were averaged over the entire tract extracted by means of DT tractography, and used to investigate fornix abnormalities in first episode schizophrenia compared with healthy controls. RESULTS: Significant group differences were found between first episode patients and controls for FA (p=0.0001), RD (p=0.001) and trace (p=0.006). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest abnormalities in the fornix in the early stages of schizophrenia, and further suggest that white matter abnormalities, which are apparent in the early course of the disease, may reflect myelin disturbances.

Lung cancer in situs inversus totalis (SIT)--literature review.

We present 21 studies of cases of lung cancer in patients with situs inversus totalis (SIT) published worldwide. The first case was described in 1952. Thirteen patients were from Japan, 4 from Eastern Europe, including 2 Polish cases from the authors` center (Department of Thoracic Surgery, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland), 2 from Western Asia, 1 from the U.S. and 1 from Australia. Male patients (20/21) as well as left-sided lung cancer cases (14/21) and squamous cell carcinoma cases (8/21) dominated in the entire group. Thirteen patients underwent surgical treatment. There were 10 left-sided and 3 right-sided surgical interventions with uneventful intra- and postoperative course. Explorative thoracotomy was performed in one case only on the right side. Upper lobectomy was performed in 5 cases, pneumonectomy in 3 cases, lower bilobectomy and middle lobectomy in one case and lower lobectomy in two cases. Surgery was performed through thoracotomy in 10 cases, VATS-assisted approach in two cases and sternotomy in one case. Descriptions of the surgical anatomy confirmed mirror image of the anatomy in all cases and were consistent with the preoperative CT images. Preoperative diagnosis was discussed including the role of 3-D reconstruction of CT for improving perioperative safety in this group of patients. In conclusion, lung cancer/SIT cases despite inversed but regular anatomy can be operated on radically as cases with normal anatomy with preservation of intraoperative security level.

Association of two SNPs in the coding region of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) gene with growth-related traits in Angus cattle.

The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is considered to be a factor that mainly regulates growth, differentiation, and the maintenance of various function in numerous tissues through binding to a family of transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors, signaling primarily through the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) encoded by the IGF1R gene. The objectives of the present study were to estimate the allele and genotype frequencies of the IGF1R/MspI (silent mutation within exon 12) and the IGF1R/TaqI (within the 3' untranslated region, 3'UTR) gene polymorphisms in beef cattle and to determine associations between these polymorphisms and growth traits. In a preliminary study on 310 Angus calves, association analyses with three production traits (birth weight, BWT; weaning weight adjusted to 210 days, WWT210; and average daily gain, ADG) were conducted. The GG genotype of the IGF1R/e12/MspI polymorphism was significantly associated (P ≤ 0.05) with a higher WWT210 (+5.06 kg) compared to the AG genotype. Polymorphism within the 3'UTR had no significant effect on growth traits. The effect of combined genotypes was also examined. At WWT(210), calves with the GG/AA and GG/AG combinations were heavier than calves with the AG/AA and AG/AG combined genotypes (P ≤ 0.05). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a polymorphism within the coding region of the Bos taurus IGF1R gene.

The impact of the sequence of pulmonary vessel ligation during anatomic resection for lung cancer on long-term survival--a prospective randomized trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective randomized trial was to assess the influence of the sequence of pulmonary vessel ligation, during anatomic resection, on long term survival in patients with NSCLC. MATERIAL/METHODS: This prospective randomized study included 385 patients treated surgically with lobectomy or pneumonectomy and standard lymphadenectomy between 1999 and 2003. Patients were randomly assigned to either primary ligation of the pulmonary artery or arteries (group A - 215 patients) or of the pulmonary vein or veins (group V - 170 patients). Patients were excluded if the sequence of vessel ligation was affected by technical difficulties or anatomic limitations. Univariate and multivariate analyses included: the sequence of vessel ligation, age, gender, tumor histology, stage (TNM), and cause of death (cancer related or non-cancer related). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 63 months. The groups were comparable regarding gender, histology, type of resection, and T, N, and overall stage. Overall, 5-year survival reached 50% in group A and 54% in group V (p = 0.82) and did not differ significantly in cancer related and non-cancer related deaths (p = 0.67 and p = 0.26, respectively). Univariate analysis identified higher T and N factors, advanced stage, pneumonectomy, male sex, and older age as negative prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age, T3-4 disease, and nodal involvement were associated with inferior survival. CONCLUSIONS: The sequence of pulmonary vessel ligation during anatomic resection for non-small cell lung cancer does not significantly affect long-term survival.

Accelerated treatment of postpneumonectomy empyema - report of 12-year experience.

We report 12-year experience in the accelerated treatment (AT) of postpneumonectomy empyema (PPE). There were 38 patients (7 females, 31 males) in age 19-80 years. 34 patients underwent pneumonectomy due to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 2 for other malignancies, and 2 for lung abscess. 19 right and 19 left pneumonectomies were performed. PPE was caused by bronchopleural fistula in 16 cases (42.1%) and by pleural infection in 22 patients (57.9%). The interval between first symptoms of PPE and AT ranged 1-47 months. The technique described by Schneiter et al. is based on repeated debridement/lavage of the postpneumonectomy cavity every second day performed a total of three times. 35 patients (92.1%) were free from empyema definitively. 4 of them required additional thoracomyoplasty and another 2 of them thoracostomy due to PPE recurrence. 1 patient (2.6%) during hospitalisation and 2 (5.2%) didn't complete treatment and remained drain carriers. AT alone without additional procedures healed 29 patients (76.3%). Follow up time for the NSCLC group was 8-148 months (median 67). Cancer recurrence or second malignancy rate was 8/36 (22%). Accelerated treatment of PPE is safe and effective. It provides cure for the vast majority of patients without thoracoplasty. Patients with cancer and PPE tend to live longer than similar patients without PPE.

Green light emission from terbium doped silicon rich silicon oxide films obtained by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition.

The effect of silicon concentration and annealing temperature on terbium luminescence was investigated for thin silicon rich silicon oxide films. The structures were deposited by means of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The structural properties of these films were investigated by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy and Raman scattering. The optical properties were investigated by means of photoluminescence and photoluminescence decay spectroscopy. It was found that both the silicon concentration in the film and the annealing temperature have a strong impact on the terbium emission intensity. In this paper, we present a detailed discussion of these issues and determine the optimal silicon concentration and annealing temperature.

Electrophysiological correlates of attentional processes in patients with liver cirrhosis without minimal or clinically-overt hepatic encephalopathy.

Liver cirrhosis is often accompanied by a spectrum of cognitive deficits, labelled hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The precise specification of cognitive impairment associated with HE has not been yet elucidated. The aim of this study was an attempt to examine cortical function in cirrhotic patients using EEG event-related potentials during a demanding task involving selective attention. We compared group of 30 patients with liver cirrhosis without minimal or overt HE with education-, age- and sex-matched 29 non-cirrhotic controls. Both groups performed an attentional blink (AB) task, which requires detecting and identifying two target characters in a longer series of rapidly and sequentially presented characters. EEG signals from 32 electrodes were measured and then analyzed in the paradigm of event-related potentials (ERP). Though the groups did not differ in the detection rate of the target stimuli, ERP waveforms revealed two group differences of component amplitudes. The first difference was related to the waveform amplitude within the 200-400 ms after first target in the right frontal region (frontocentral N2 component). Moreover, in patient group this amplitude positively correlated with the blood plasma level of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. The second amplitude difference was observed in the midline parieto-occipital regions within the 400-600 ms after the first target (P3b component). The AB task and ERP analysis allowed to find differences in cortical functioning in cirrhotic patients even without overt cognitive deficits. Our finding demonstrates that liver dysfunction can influence cortical processing associated with detecting and categorizing stimulus change.

Cognitive evoked response potentials in patients with liver cirrhosis without diagnosis of minimal or overt hepatic encephalopathy. A pilot study.

Liver cirrhosis is often accompanied by cognitive deficits called minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) when it is observed to a moderate extent. In the present study, brain activity and cognitive functioning were examined in patients with liver cirrhosis without MHE or overt clinical hepatic encephalopathy. A battery of neuropsychological tests and event related potentials (ERPs) were used. Moreover, an additional n-back task was administered with two difficulty levels (1- and 2-back). This task was designed to engage cognitive processes of storage and manipulation of information in working memory. The participants have to decide whether the letter shown was the same as a target (congruence condition). No significant differences were found in the performance of either the neuropsychological tests or the n-back task. However, the expected effects of decreased performance as well as a decrease in P3 amplitude with difficulty level were identified. The interaction of group x congruence condition was also observed in the P2 component time window. These results may indicate group differences manifesting in early stages of information processing in working memory. It confirms that the patients whose neuropsychological performance is within the normal range can still reveal subtle changes in CNS functioning visible in ERP research. The study confirms the usability of the ERP method in diagnosis of neurocognitive functions in patients with liver cirrhosis, which seems to be more sensitive than neuropsychological tests.

From amorphous to crystalline silicon nanoclusters: structural effects on exciton properties.

Synchrotron x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments were performed to determine, in combination with Raman spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction (XRD) data from previous reports, the structure and paramagnetic defect status of Si-nanoclusters (ncls) at various intermediate formation stages in Si-rich Si oxide films having different Si concentrations (y = 0.36-0.42 in Si(y)O(1-y)), fabricated by electron cyclotron resonance plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and isochronally (2 h) annealed at various temperatures (T(a) = 900-1100 °C) under either Ar or (Ar + 5%H(2)) atmospheres. The corresponding emission properties were studied by stationary and time dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy in correlation with the structural and defect properties. To explain the experimental data, we propose crystallization by nucleation within already existing amorphous Si-ncls as the mechanism for the formation of the Si nanocrystals in the oxide matrix. The cluster-size dependent partial crystallization of Si-ncls at intermediate T(a) can be qualitatively understood in terms of a 'crystalline core-amorphous shell' Si-ncl model. The amorphous shell, which is invisible in most diffraction and electron microscopy experiments, is found to have an important impact on light emission. As the crystalline core grows at the expense of a thinning amorphous shell with increasing T(a), the PL undergoes a transition from a regime dominated by disorder-induced effects to a situation where quantum confinement of excitons prevails.

Modeling and analysis of multiple scattering of acoustic waves in complex media: application to the trabecular bone.

The integral equations that describe scattering in the media with step-rise changing parameters have been numerically solved for the trabecular bone model. The model consists of several hundred discrete randomly distributed elements. The spectral distribution of scattering coefficients in subsequent orders of scattering has been presented. Calculations were carried on for the ultrasonic frequency ranging from 0.5 to 3 MHz. Evaluation of the contribution of the first, second, and higher scattering orders to total scattering of the ultrasounds in trabecular bone was done. Contrary to the approaches that use the µCT images of trabecular structure to modeling of the ultrasonic wave propagation condition, the 3D numerical model consisting of cylindrical elements mimicking the spatial matrix of trabeculae, was applied. The scattering, due to interconnections between thick trabeculae, usually neglected in trabecular bone models, has been included in calculations when the structure backscatter was evaluated. Influence of the absorption in subsequent orders of scattering is also addressed. Results show that up to 1.5 MHz, the influence of higher scattering orders on the total scattered field characteristic can be neglected while for the higher frequencies, the relatively high amplitude interference peaks in higher scattering orders clearly occur.

MGAT5 alters the severity of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a genetically complex immune mediated, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. To date no genetic variants have been unambiguously linked to disease severity. We have conducted a genome wide screen, using Affymetrix Genechip 500K technology, for severity in 1040 MS patients. Two markers within MGAT5, a gene coding for a glycosylation enzyme, were found to be significantly associated with outcome in the screening as well as in an independent population (combined p-values: 2.8 x 10(-6) and 1.5 x 10(-7)).

Effectiveness of microsatellite and SNP markers for parentage and identity analysis in species with low genetic diversity: the case of European bison.

The European bison (Bison bonasus) has recovered successfully after a severe bottleneck about 90 years ago but has been left with low genetic variability that may substantially hinder parentage and identity analysis. According to pedigree analysis, over 80% of the genes in the contemporary population descend from just two founder animals and inbreeding coefficients averaged almost 0.5, whereas microsatellite heterozygosity does not exceed 0.3. We present a comparison of the effectiveness of 17 microsatellite and 960 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for paternity and identity analysis in the European bison. Microsatellite-based paternity and identity analysis was unsuccessful because of low marker heterozygosity and is not a practical approach in this species. Simulations using SNP markers suggest that 80-90 randomly selected loci, or just 50-60 of the most heterozygous loci, would be sufficient to ensure successful paternity and identity analysis in this species. For the purpose of standardizing future analysis, a panel of 50-60 bovine SNPs characterized by high heterozygosity and an even distribution in the genome could be selected. This panel of markers could be typed using VeraCode (Illumina) or similar SNP genotyping systems. The low cost of these SNP genotyping methods compared with a 16 locus microsatellite survey means that off-the-shelf SNP genotyping systems developed for domestic species represent powerful tools for genetic analysis in related species, and can be effective even in bottlenecked species in which heterozygosity of other markers such as microsatellites may be very low.

Optical refractometer based on a birefringent Bragg grating written in an H-shaped fiber.

An optical refractometer based on a birefringent (Hi-Bi) fiber Bragg grating (FBG) written in a new H-shaped fiber structure is proposed. This structure is formed by opening the two holes of a side-hole fiber using chemical etching. When the Hi-Bi FBG is immersed in different liquids, different responses of the slow and fast wavelengths are obtained. The refractometer is also capable of simultaneous measurement of refractive index and temperature.

STAT4 associates with systemic lupus erythematosus through two independent effects that correlate with gene expression and act additively with IRF5 to increase risk.

OBJECTIVES: To confirm and define the genetic association of STAT4 and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), investigate the possibility of correlations with differential splicing and/or expression levels, and genetic interaction with IRF5. METHODS: 30 tag SNPs were genotyped in an independent set of Spanish cases and controls. SNPs surviving correction for multiple tests were genotyped in five new sets of cases and controls for replication. STAT4 cDNA was analysed by 5'-RACE PCR and sequencing. Expression levels were measured by quantitative PCR. RESULTS: In the fine mapping, four SNPs were significant after correction for multiple testing, with rs3821236 and rs3024866 as the strongest signals, followed by the previously associated rs7574865, and by rs1467199. Association was replicated in all cohorts. After conditional regression analyses, two major independent signals, represented by SNPs rs3821236 and rs7574865, remained significant across the sets. These SNPs belong to separate haplotype blocks. High levels of STAT4 expression correlated with SNPs rs3821236, rs3024866 (both in the same haplotype block) and rs7574865 but not with other SNPs. Transcription of alternative tissue-specific exons 1, indicating the presence of tissue-specific promoters of potential importance in the expression of STAT4, was also detected. No interaction with associated SNPs of IRF5 was observed using regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm STAT4 as a susceptibility gene for SLE and suggest the presence of at least two functional variants affecting levels of STAT4. The results also indicate that the genes STAT4 and IRF5 act additively to increase the risk for SLE.

Simultaneous measurement of multiparameters using a Sagnac interferometer with polarization maintaining side-hole fiber.

A Sagnac interferometer with a section of a polarization maintaining side-hole fiber for multiparameter measurement is proposed. The sensor was experimentally demonstrated to be sensitive to torsion, temperature, and longitudinal strain, simultaneously. The birefringence in the investigated side-hole fiber is induced simultaneously by the elliptical shape of a germanium-doped core and by field overlap with the air holes surrounding the core. The latter effect is purely geometrical and causes high chromatic dispersion of the group birefringence in the long wavelength range, which results in a different period of spectral interference fringes. A different wavelength response is obtained for each interference fringe peak when the fiber is subjected to torsion, temperature, or longitudinal strain. A matrix equation for simultaneous measurement of the three parameters--torsion, temperature, and longitudinal strain--is also proposed.

Fast prediction of pulsed nonlinear acoustic fields from clinically relevant sources using time-averaged wave envelope approach: comparison of numerical simulations and experimental results.

The primary goal of this work was to verify experimentally the applicability of the recently introduced time-averaged wave envelope (TAWE) method [J. Wójcik, A. Nowicki, P.A. Lewin, P.E. Bloomfield, T. Kujawska, L. Filipczynski, Wave envelopes method for description of nonlinear acoustic wave propagation, Ultrasonics 44 (2006) 310-329.] as a tool for fast prediction of four dimensional (4D) pulsed nonlinear pressure fields from arbitrarily shaped acoustic sources in attenuating media. The experiments were performed in water at the fundamental frequency of 2.8 MHz for spherically focused (focal length F=80 mm) square (20 x 20 mm) and rectangular (10 x 25mm) sources similar to those used in the design of 1D linear arrays operating with ultrasonic imaging systems. The experimental results obtained with 10-cycle tone bursts at three different excitation levels corresponding to linear, moderately nonlinear and highly nonlinear propagation conditions (0.045, 0.225 and 0.45 MPa on-source pressure amplitude, respectively) were compared with those yielded using the TAWE approach [J. Wójcik, A. Nowicki, P.A. Lewin, P.E. Bloomfield, T. Kujawska, L. Filipczynski, Wave envelopes method for description of nonlinear acoustic wave propagation, Ultrasonics 44 (2006) 310-329.]. The comparison of the experimental results and numerical simulations has shown that the TAWE approach is well suited to predict (to within+/-1 dB) both the spatial-temporal and spatial-spectral pressure variations in the pulsed nonlinear acoustic beams. The obtained results indicated that implementation of the TAWE approach enabled shortening of computation time in comparison with the time needed for prediction of the full 4D pulsed nonlinear acoustic fields using a conventional (Fourier-series) approach [P.T. Christopher, K.J. Parker, New approaches to nonlinear diffractive field propagation, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 90 (1) (1991) 488-499.]. The reduction in computation time depends on several parameters, including the source geometry, dimensions, fundamental resonance frequency, excitation level as well as the strength of the medium nonlinearity. For the non-axisymmetric focused transducers mentioned above and excited by a tone burst corresponding to moderately nonlinear and highly nonlinear conditions the execution time of computations was 3 and 12h, respectively, when using a 1.5 GHz clock frequency, 32-bit processor PC laptop with 2 GB RAM memory, only. Such prediction of the full 4D pulsed field is not possible when using conventional, Fourier-series scheme as it would require increasing the RAM memory by at least 2 orders of magnitude.