[Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: a Case Report]. / Der Einsatz von Neurofeedback bei Anorexia nervosa: ein Fallbeispiel.

Anorexia nervosa has been related to alterations in brain activity in terms of hyperactive EEG patterns. This case report illustrates the principles and results of a five-week neurofeedback treatment in a 29-year-old woman suffering from anorexia nervosa. A neurofeedback protocol to enhance alpha activity (8 - 12 Hz) was developed and conducted additionally to the standardized treatment for eating disorders in training sessions twice a week. Pre- and post-test measurements included resting state EEG measurements and a psychological test battery. The results show improvements from pre- to post-test in eating disorder psychopathology including psychological wellbeing, emotional competence, and eating behavior traits. In addition, a decrease in theta power (4 - 7 Hz), a well-known trait marker of anorexia nervosa, was measured. However, our data should be interpreted with caution because this is a single case study. Nevertheless, this report documents the practicability and method of neurofeedback as treatment adjunct in eating disorders from the clinical perspective. Although the use of neurofeedback in the treatment of anorexia nervosa is recommended in literature, empirical studies are still lacking. Randomized controlled trials to evaluate short- and long-term effects of neurofeedback are needed.

The electrocardiographic Holter monitoring in experimental veterinary practice.

The long-term electrocardiographic recording with retrospective evaluation (Holter system) has been widely used not only in cardiology, but also in other disciplines of internal medicine and in pharmaceutical research. The Holter system can be used in mini-pig, sheep, dog, cat, rabbit, ferret, and rat. In this paper hardware, software, and anesthesia requirements are summarized with respect to the experimental work with various species. As the Holter systems work in bipolar mode, the use of bipolar leads in sagittal and transversal planes has been proved to be the most appropriate because of large amplitude of QRS complex and uncomplicated consequent automatic analysis of the record. In conclusion, Holter electrocardiography represents a simple and applicable method for monitoring the electrical activity of the heart in small animals' experimental studies.

[A new gene locus for an autosomal-dominant non-syndromic hearing impairment (DFNA 33) is situated on chromosome 13q34-qter]. / Ein neuer Genort für eine autosomal-dominante, nichtsyndromale Schwerhörigkeit (DFNA33) liegt auf Chromosom 13q34-qter.

By investigation of a German family pedigree with non-syndromic hearing impairment of early onset and autosomal-dominant mode of inheritance, linkage to known DFNA loci was excluded, and the existence of a new locus (DFNA33) was revealed. In a subsequent genomic scan the phenotype was mapped to a 6 cM interval on chromosome 13q34-qter. A maximum two-point lod score of 2.96 was obtained for the marker D13S285 with a maximum lod score in the multipoint analysis of 3.28 at 124.56 cM.

[A new locus for an autosomal dominant, non-syndromic hearing impairment (DFNA57) located on chromosome 19p13.2 and overlapping with DFNB15]. / Ein neuer Genort für eine autosomal dominante, nichtsyndromale Hörstörung (DFNA57) kartiert auf Chromosom 19p13.2 und überlappt mit DFNB15.

BACKGROUND: Non-syndromic hearing loss is the most genetically heterogeneous trait known in humans. To date, 54 loci for autosomal dominant non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSSHL) have been identified by linkage analysis. METHODS: In this study a German pedigree has been identified segregating a progressive bilateral loss of lower and middle frequencies. RESULTS: A genome-wide screening and linkage analysis revealed the existence of a new NSSHL locus (DFNA57). The phenotype was mapped to a 10 degrees Mbp interval on chromosome 19p13.2 from 7.8 to 18.2 degrees Mbp, a maximum 2-point LOD score of 3.08 was obtained for the marker D19S586. The region overlaps with the recessive locus DFNB15. CONCLUSION: The results underline the heterogeneity of hereditary hearing disorders. Identification of genes can help to reach a better understanding of the molecular mechanism of hearing.

Occurrence of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in multiplier pig herds in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: This research was aimed to determine the occurrence of Brachyspira (B.) hyodysenteriae in Swiss multiplier pig herds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a pilot study a direct real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for B. hyodysenteriae was compared to culture followed by PCR on 106 samples from three herds. Subsequently 40 multiplier herds were epidemiologically characterized and analysed for the presence of B. hyodysenteriae using direct PCR on 1412 rectal swabs. For external validation 20 swabs obtained from two positive conventional herds were analysed. RESULTS: The comparison of direct PCR with culture followed by PCR resulted in a moderate agreement (kappa index: 0.58). In the two conventional herds, 35% of the samples (7/20) tested positive. Samples from 39 multipliers tested negative. In one multiplier herd, 25% (9/36) of the samples tested PCR positive. Risk factors in the multiplier herd may have been rodents or birds, but not pig purchase. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: B. hyodysenteriae have been detected in a Swiss multiplier herd, which underlines the threat of potential spread by replacement pigs. Consequently, a Brachyspira monitoring programme was established for Swiss multiplier herds.

A novel locus for autosomal dominant, non-syndromic hearing impairment (DFNA18) maps to chromosome 3q22 immediately adjacent to the DM2 locus.

Investigating a large German pedigree with non-syndromic hearing impairment of early onset and autosomal dominant mode of inheritance, linkage to known DFNA loci was excluded and in a subsequent genomic scan the phenotype was mapped to a 10-cM interval on chromosome 3q22; a maximum two-point lod score of 3.77 was obtained for the marker D3S1292. The new locus, DFNA18, is excluded from neighbouring deafness loci, DFNB15 and USH3, and it overlaps with the recently described DM2/PROMM locus. As hearing loss has been described as one feature of the PROMM phenotype, the DFNA18 gene might also be responsible for hearing loss in DM2/PROMM.

Atypical organisation of the auditory cortex in dyslexia as revealed by MEG.

Neuroanatomical and -radiological studies have converged to suggest an atypical organisation in the temporal bank of the left-hemispheric Sylvian fissure for dyslexia. Against the background of this finding, we applied high temporal resolution magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate functional aspects of the left-hemispheric auditory cortex in 11 right-handed dyslexic children (aged 8-13 years) and nine matched normal subjects (aged 8-14 years). Event-related field components during a passive oddball paradigm with pure tones and consonant-vowel syllables were evaluated. The first major peak of the auditory evoked response, the M80, showed identical topographical distributions in both groups. In contrast, the generating brain structures of the later M210 component were located more anterior to the earlier response in children with dyslexia only. Control children exhibited the expected activation of more posterior source locations of the component that appeared later in the processing stream. Since the group difference in the relative location of the M210 source seemed to be independent of stimulus category, it is concluded that dyslexics and normally literate children differ as to the organisation of their left-hemispheric auditory cortex.

[Sexual disorders in adolescents]. / Sexualstörungen bei Jugendlichen.

Numerous sexual disorders, which were previously in the foreground, have in fact disappeared due to our changing society. This broad field today includes repressed sexual disorders of adolescents who cannot or do not want to go along with the changes either for familial or personal reasons. Immigrant background, religious beliefs, and peer pressure may play a role here. As a dialog partner for adolescents, the competent physician must take into consideration the interplay of sexual desire, ethical beliefs, morals, and parental expectations, which requires interest, intuition, and tact.

Clinical evaluation of the marginal fit of cast crowns--validation of the silicone replica method.

Replication of the space between a tooth and its cast crown, using a light-body silicone supported by a heavy-body silicone, is a recognized technique to evaluate the quality of a restoration. This study validates a similar method that is of great clinical and experimental interest. Whatever the type of silicone used, comparison is possible between different technical procedures of crown elaboration (type of impression, type of material, method of spacing, etc.). If an appropriate silicone is used, the cement space may be reproduced and its thickness measured, whatever the localization (cervical, axial, occlusal).

Tube weaning according to the Graz model in two children with Alagille syndrome.

Two children were weaned from long-term tube feeding after liver transplant because of Alagille syndrome. The children were successfully weaned, one in seven days and the other in 13 days, using our standard and highly specialized intensive treatment protocol. Normal feeding behavior and stabilization of body weight were established. Children fed by long-term enteral tubes can be weaned from enteral feeding even after a long period of treatment. The return to age-appropriate self-feeding should be introduced as early as possible. Our weaning program time is brief and effective and can be recommended generally to improve quality of life and withhold unintended side-effects of enteral nutrition.

[Diagnosis and therapy of early mother-child disorder, the so-called failure to thrive in the infant]. / Diagnostik und Therapie der frühen Mutter-Kind-Störung, die sogenannte Gedeihstörung des Säuglings.

Feeding baby's is mostly a gratifying activity for mothers. But when difficulties arise, they can develop into a serious pediatric issue: The so-called non organic failure to thrive (NOFT). In these cases the feeding difficulties are one aspect of the disturbed relation between the mother and her child. Conventional pediatric therapy often fails to achieve weight gain, the babies seem emotionally disturbed and upset during all feeding procedures. Phenomenologically oriented documentation of the quality and type of the diadic interactions allow a diagnosis of the relationship itself and cleans up with terms like "unreliable" mother or "difficult" babies. We present the first review of theoretical background, diagnostic nomenclature and therapeutic concepts in german and wish to address colleagues with a interest in psychotherapeutic methods.

[Psychosomatic aspects of encopresis]. / Psychosomatische Aspekte der Enkopresis.

37 children (aged 4 1/2-15 1/2 years) with encopresis were seen at the psychosomatic outpatient unit of the university children's hospital of Graz in the course of two years, comprising 1.8% of all our outpatients of that time (n = 2037). They had been referred to us by pediatricians general practitioners, welfare institutions and the local children's surgical hospital. Based an our observations and data-analysis of this heterogenic group we would like to suggest a subdivision of the new classification group of "elimination disorders" (307.70/307.60 DSM III-R) into three main subgroups; according to the use of the fifth digit in the DSM III-R (e.g. mood disorders 296.xx) we define: 307.71: primary infantile encopresis (group I); 307.72: primary reactive encopresis (group II a); 307.73: secondary reactive encopresis (group II b); 307.74: late "neurotic" encopresis (group III); 307.70: not otherwise specified NOS. Moreover, we hope to draw attention to the specific psychodynamics of this functional disorder, since we believe this to be a fundamental prerequisite for any successful therapeutic intervention.

[Integration and evaluation of a standardized, multi-axis diagnostic system in pediatric psychosomatic medicine]. / Integration und Evaluierung einer standardisierten, mehrachsigen Diagnostik in die pädiatrische Psychosomatik.

We present outcome data of 171 children with psychosomatic and child-psychiatric disorders and discuss the pros and cons of two standardized multiaxial diagnostic systems (DSM III and the Multiaxial System of Rutter 1975). Results and arguments were considered until a clearcut choice fell for the DSM-III. As a major conclusion we introduce the BAT-Index, a factor derived by comparing the psychosocial stressors (Axis 4 DSM III) to the highest level to adaptive functioning past year (Axis 5 DSM III) which can be helpful in estimating the to be expected changes and complications in therapeutic settings and gives us a good prognostic assessment of the patient.