Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 316
Filter
1.
Sci Total Environ ; 912: 169087, 2024 Feb 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38056641

ABSTRACT

Climate change is driving compositional shifts in ecological communities directly by affecting species and indirectly through changes in species interactions. For example, competitive hierarchies can be inversed when competitive dominants are more susceptible to climate change. The brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus is a foundation species in the Baltic Sea, experiencing novel interactions with the invasive red seaweed Gracilaria vermiculophylla, which is known for its high tolerance to environmental stress. We investigated the direct and interactive effects of warming and co-occurrence of the two algal species on their performance, by applying four climate change-relevant temperature scenarios: 1) cooling ) 2 °C below ambient - representing past conditions), 2) ambient summer temperature (18 °C), 3) IPCC RCP2.6 warming scenario (1 °C above ambient), and 4) RCP8.5 warming (3 °C above ambient) for 30 days and two compositional levels (mono and co-cultured algae) in a fully-crossed design. The RCP8.5 warming scenario increased photosynthesis, respiration, and nutrients' uptake rates of mono- and co-cultured G. vermiculophylla while growth was reduced. An increase in photosynthesis and essential nutrients' uptake and, at the same time, a growth reduction might result from increasing stress and energy demand of G. vermiculophylla under warming. In contrast, the growth of mono-cultured F. vesiculosus significantly increased in the highest warming treatment (+3 °C). The cooling treatment (-2 °C) exerted a slight negative effect only on co-cultured F. vesiculosus photosynthesis, compared to the ambient treatment. Interestingly, at ambient and warming (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 scenarios) treatments, both F. vesiculosus and G. vermiculophylla appear to benefit from the presence of each other. Our results suggest that short exposure of F. vesiculosus to moderate or severe global warming scenarios may not directly affect or even slightly enhance its performance, while G. vermiculophylla net performance (growth) could be directly hampered by warming.


Subject(s)
Fucus , Gracilaria , Seaweed , Global Warming , Climate Change , Temperature
2.
Parasitology ; 149(1): 15-23, 2022 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34380583

ABSTRACT

Although it is generally known that a combination of abiotic and biotic drivers shapes the distribution and abundance of parasites, our understanding of the interplay of these factors remains to be assessed for most marine host species. The present field survey investigated spatial patterns of richness, prevalence and abundance of parasites in Mytilus galloprovincialis along the coast of the northern Adriatic Sea. Herein, the relationships between biotic (host size, density and local parasite richness of mussel population) and abiotic (eutrophication and salinity) drivers and parasite richness of mussel individuals, prevalence and abundance were analysed. Local parasite richness was the most relevant factor driving parasite species richness in mussel individuals. Prevalence was mainly driven by eutrophication levels in three out of four parasite species analysed. Similarly, abundance was driven mainly by eutrophication in two parasite species. Mussel size, density and salinity had only minor contributions to the best fitting models. This study highlights that the influence of abiotic and biotic drivers on parasite infections in mussels can be differentially conveyed, depending on the infection measure applied, i.e. parasite richness, prevalence or abundance. Furthermore, it stresses the importance of eutrophication as a major factor influencing parasite prevalence and abundance in mussels in the Adriatic Sea.


Subject(s)
Mytilus , Parasites , Parasitic Diseases , Animals , Humans , Prevalence , Salinity
3.
Ophthalmic Epidemiol ; 27(3): 226-236, 2020 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32079450

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To examine factors decreasing participation in school-based vision programs from parent and teacher perspectives.Methods: We conducted 41 semi-structured focus groups (20 parent groups, 21 teacher/staff groups), at 10 Baltimore and 11 Chicago public elementary and middle schools offering school-based vision programs. School-based vision programs provided vision screening, eye exams, and eyeglasses if needed. Focus groups ranged in size from 2-9 participants (median = 5). Sessions were recorded, transcribed, and coded through an iterative process to develop themes using inductive analysis.Results: Ninety parents and 117 teachers/staff participated. Participants identified five major factors decreasing participation in school-based vision programs: (1) challenges with the consent form, including distribution, collection, and literacy and language barriers; (2) having existing eye care; (3) misunderstandings about the program, especially related to cost and insurance; (4) difficulty raising parental awareness of the program; and (5) certain attitudes towards vision, eye care, and school-based programs, including low prioritization of eye care, mistrust of the program, fear of sharing private information, not believing their child needs glasses, and reluctance accepting 'subsidized' services.Conclusion: Parents and teachers identified important structural barriers to participation (i.e., consent form challenges and low parental awareness) and specific reasons for non-participation (i.e., attitudes, misunderstanding of the program, existing eye care) in school-based vision programs. Effective strategies are needed to facilitate return of consent forms and promote awareness of school-based vision programs among parents. Programs should also target services towards those currently without access to eye care and increase awareness about paediatric vision needs.


Subject(s)
Parents/psychology , Refractive Errors/diagnosis , School Health Services/standards , School Teachers/psychology , Vision Screening/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Attitude to Health , Awareness , Child , Child, Preschool , Eyeglasses , Focus Groups/methods , Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Middle Aged , Qualitative Research , Refractive Errors/epidemiology , School Health Services/statistics & numerical data , School Teachers/statistics & numerical data , Schools/statistics & numerical data , Young Adult
4.
Regul Toxicol Pharmacol ; 108: 104442, 2019 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31421187

ABSTRACT

Read-across and grouping is one of the most commonly used alternative approaches for data gap filling in registrations submitted under the REACH Regulation as defined by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in their 'Read-Across Assessment Framework' (RAAF, 2017). At the same time, the application of read-across is rejected by ECHA frequently due to various reasons. As a major reason hereof, applicants fail to reduce the level of 'remaining uncertainty' intrinsical to every read-across approach compared to testing a substance experimentally. Recently, the use of metabolomics to support read-across cases with biological information has been reported in a case study with phenoxy herbicides (Ravenzwaay et al., 2016). In the present case-study a 'weight-of-evidence' read-across approach from 2-aminoethanol (MEA = 'source') to 3-aminopropanol (3AP = 'target') with metabolomics as 'supporting evidence' reducing the remaining uncertainties is reported. We demonstrate the high structural similarity of the two analogous substances based on the available data and we report how metabolome data add confidence concerning mechanistic similarity in this read-across approach. Finally, the herein described read-across case supported by metabolomics is used to cover the data gaps in repeated dose and reproductive toxicity endpoint of 3AP via weight of evidence for the REACH-registration.


Subject(s)
Ethanolamine/toxicity , Metabolome/drug effects , Propanolamines/toxicity , Animals , Female , Male , Metabolomics , Rats, Wistar , Risk Assessment , Toxicity Tests
5.
Gesundheitswesen ; 77 Suppl 1: S66-7, 2015 Sep.
Article in German | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23757099

ABSTRACT

The universal prevention programme "Lifeskills with LARS&LISA" includes 10 sessions held in a regular school setting. We expected the programme to empower young people to improve their life skills, to foster their realistic thinking, to influence school behaviour and thus to prevent the development of depressive symptoms. The "Lifeskills with LARS&LISA" programme can be successfully delivered to a school-based population (grades 7-8) and integrated into the classroom curriculum. Our results demonstrate a prevention (less depressive symptoms) but also an intervention effect on social skills, school behaviour (more social, less aggressive).


Subject(s)
Depression/prevention & control , Depression/psychology , Primary Prevention/organization & administration , School Health Services/organization & administration , Adolescent , Adolescent Behavior , Adolescent Health , Depression/diagnosis , Female , Germany , Humans , Male , Power, Psychological , Primary Prevention/methods , Program Evaluation , Psychology, Adolescent , Risk Reduction Behavior , Social Skills , Treatment Outcome
6.
Nanotechnology ; 25(27): 275701, 2014 Jul 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24960447

ABSTRACT

Atom probe tomography studies on highly Mg-doped homoepitaxial GaN (0001) layers with concentrations of 5 × 10(19) cm(-3) and 1 × 10(20) cm(-3) were performed. Mg cluster formation was observed only in the higher doped sample whereas in the lower doped sample the Mg distribution was homogeneous. CL measurements have shown that the emission normally attributed to stacking faults was only present in the lower doped layers (with Mg concentration of ∼5 × 10(19) cm(-3) or less), but absent in the higher doped layer, where Mg clusters were detected. Mg clusters are proposed to produce a screening effect, thereby destroying the exciton binding on the SFs and thus rendering them optically inactive.

7.
Clin Toxicol (Phila) ; 52(3): 198-206, 2014 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24580060

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Poison centers (PCs) play an important role in poison prevention and treatment. Studies show that PCs reduce system-wide cost by reducing the number of unnecessary visits to emergency departments and by providing improved patient management. However, there remains a debate regarding the impact of PCs on patient outcomes at the hospital level. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of PC involvement on length of hospitalization and total hospital charges. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of inpatient cases treated in Illinois hospitals in 2010. We linked the Illinois Poison Center database with an Illinois hospital billing dataset and controlled for important patient-level and facility-level covariates. RESULTS: In the multivariable model, length of hospitalization among PC-assisted patients was 0.58 days shorter than that of patients without PC assistance (p < 0.001). Hospital charges for PC-assisted patients in the lower quintiles were significantly higher than patients without PC assistance (+$953; p < 0.001), but were substantially lower in the most costly quintile of patients (-$4852; p < 0.001). Balancing the higher charges for treating patients with PC assistance in the lower quintiles with the savings in the highest quintile, among inpatients there is a potential cumulative decrease of $2,078 in hospital charges per 10 patients. DISCUSSION: Among the inpatient cases, PC assistance was associated with lower total charges only among the most expensive to treat. However, this outlier group is very important when discussing medical costs. It has been repeatedly shown that the majority of treatment costs are attributable to a small fraction of patients as seen in this study.


Subject(s)
Hospital Charges , Length of Stay , Poison Control Centers , Poisoning/economics , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Cost Savings , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , United States
8.
Neuroimage ; 94: 385-395, 2014 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24361662

ABSTRACT

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating and neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by multifocal white matter brain lesions leading to alterations in connectivity at the subcortical and cortical level. Graph theory, in combination with neuroimaging techniques, has been recently developed into a powerful tool to assess the large-scale structure of brain functional connectivity. Considering the structural damage present in the brain of MS patients, we hypothesized that the topological properties of resting-state functional networks of early MS patients would be re-arranged in order to limit the impact of disease expression. A standardized dual task (Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task simultaneously performed with a paper and pencil task) was administered to study the interactions between behavioral performance and functional network re-organization. We studied a group of 16 early MS patients (35.3±8.3 years, 11 females) and 20 healthy controls (29.9±7.0 years, 10 females) and found that brain resting-state networks of the MS patients displayed increased network modularity, i.e. diminished functional integration between separate functional modules. Modularity correlated negatively with dual task performance in the MS patients. Our results shed light on how localized anatomical connectivity damage can globally impact brain functional connectivity and how these alterations can impair behavioral performance. Finally, given the early stage of the MS patients included in this study, network modularity could be considered a promising biomarker for detection of earliest-stage brain network reorganization, and possibly of disease progression.


Subject(s)
Brain/physiopathology , Connectome/methods , Memory Disorders/physiopathology , Memory, Short-Term , Multiple Sclerosis/physiopathology , Nerve Net/physiopathology , Neuronal Plasticity , Humans , Memory Disorders/etiology , Mental Recall , Multiple Sclerosis/complications , Rest , Statistics as Topic , Task Performance and Analysis
9.
Life Sci ; 93(24): 917-23, 2013 Dec 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24177602

ABSTRACT

AIM: Resveratrol (RES) is a well-known antioxidant, yet in combination with other antioxidant vitamins, it was found to be more effective than any of these antioxidants alone. Present work aims to compare the antioxidant actions of resveratrol with and without vitamin C following delivery as liposomes tested using chemical and cellular antioxidative test systems. MAIN METHODS: Liposomes were prepared by the thin film hydration method and characterised for percent drug entrapment (PDE), Z-average mean size (nm), polydispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential. Antioxidative capacity was determined by studying the inhibition of AAPH induced luminol enhanced chemiluminescence and inhibition of ROS production in isolated blood leukocytes. Intracellular oxygen-derived radicals were measured using flow cytometry with buffy coats (BC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells using H2DCF-DA dye. KEY FINDINGS: Particle size varied from 134.2 ± 0.265 nm to 103.3 ± 1.687 nm; PDI ≤ 0.3; zeta potential values were greater than -30 mV and PDE ≥ 80%. Radical scavenging effect was enhanced with liposomal systems; oxidative burst reaction in BC was inhibited by liposomal formulations, with the effect slightly enhanced in presence of vitamin C. Reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during spontaneous oxidative burst of BC and incubation of HUVECs with H2O2 further intensified the antioxidative effects of pure RES and liposomal formulations. SIGNIFICANCE: The present work clearly shows that the antioxidative effects of resveratrol loaded into liposomes are more pronounced when compared to pure resveratrol. Liposomal resveratrol is even active within the intracellular compartments as RES could effectively quench the intracellular accumulation of ROS.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants/administration & dosage , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Ascorbic Acid/pharmacology , Drug Carriers , Liposomes , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Stilbenes/administration & dosage , Stilbenes/pharmacology , Vitamins/pharmacology , Amidines/antagonists & inhibitors , Area Under Curve , Cell Survival/drug effects , Coloring Agents , Free Radical Scavengers/pharmacology , Humans , Indicators and Reagents , Leukocytes/drug effects , Leukocytes/metabolism , Luminescence , Luminol , Particle Size , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Resveratrol , Tetrazolium Salts , Thiazoles
10.
Int J Pharm ; 454(1): 90-8, 2013 Sep 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23845856

ABSTRACT

Extrudates with laminar shape for delivery of drugs were manufactured at room temperature and without solvents. Different lipidic materials, formulations and extrusion conditions were studied, as well as the influence of the size of particles of coumarin on the release from the extrudates. Materials were mixed prior to feeding an in-house built ram extruder with a rectangular shaped die. The process of extrusion was characterized for the force at steady state whereas extrudates were characterized immediately after production and over storage for density, porosity, bending strength, elasticity, stiffness, deformation, thermal behavior and release performance of coumarin, the model drug. The variety of lipid excipients and their proportions in the formulations directly influenced the properties of the extrudates, namely the bending strength, stiffness, deformation and elasticity and, the density and porosity, which changed over storage time: in general, the bending strength, stiffness and porosity increased over time, whereas deformation, elasticy and density decreased. The thermal analysis supported these observations as there was an increase in the enthalpies of fusion of the extrudates over time. The release of coumarin from the extrudates occured both by diffusion within the extrudates and by structural alterations of the extrudates and an increase of the coumarin particle size corresponded to a decrease of the release rate. The study has proved the ability to manufacture extrudates in a continuous fashion, with laminar shape using a green technology.


Subject(s)
Coumarins/chemistry , Drug Carriers , Excipients/chemistry , Lipids/chemistry , Technology, Pharmaceutical/methods , Temperature , Diffusion , Elasticity , Kinetics , Particle Size , Porosity , Solubility , Solvents/chemistry
11.
J Thromb Haemost ; 9(6): 1174-82, 2011 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21645225

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Currently there is no approved anticoagulant for treating acute stroke. This is largely because of concern for hemorrhagic complications, and suggests a critical need for safer anticoagulants. Solulin is a soluble analog of the endothelial cell receptor thrombomodulin, able to bind free thrombin and convert it to an activator of the anticoagulant, protein C. OBJECTIVE: Solulin was tested for its ability to inhibit middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) induced by photothrombosis, and to restore MCA patency after establishment of stable occlusion. METHODS: Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was monitored by laser Doppler for 1.5 h after occlusion and again 72 h later. RESULTS: Solulin treatment 30 min before thrombosis resulted in an approximately 50% increase in time to form a stable occlusion. When administered 30 or 60 min after MCAO, Solulin significantly improved CBF within 90 min of treatment. In contrast, none of the vehicle-treated mice showed restoration of CBF in the first 90 min and only 17% did so by 72 h. Solulin treatment was associated with a significant reduction in infarct volume, and was well tolerated with no overt hemorrhage observed in any treatment group. Mechanistic studies in mice homozygous for the factor (F)V Leiden mutation, suggest that Solulin's efficacy derives primarily from the anticoagulant activity of the thrombin-Solulin complex and not from direct anti-inflammatory or neuroprotective effects of Solulin or activated protein C. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that Solulin is a safe and effective anticoagulant that is able to antagonize active thrombosis in acute ischemic stroke, and to reduce infarct volume.


Subject(s)
Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology , Stroke/drug therapy , Thrombosis/drug therapy , Animals , Cerebrovascular Circulation/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions , Male , Mice , Receptors, Thrombin/therapeutic use , Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use , Stroke/prevention & control , Thrombomodulin , Thrombosis/prevention & control , Treatment Outcome
12.
Toxicol Lett ; 198(2): 119-26, 2010 Oct 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20566336

ABSTRACT

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) accumulate in the environment and in humans. PBDEs are developmental neurotoxicants, disturb the endocrine system and induce tumors in rodents. However, underlying mechanisms of PBDE toxicity are still insufficiently understood. Some reports demonstrated activation but also inhibition of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) by PBDEs based on expression of its target gene cyp1A1. In the present study, we used different PBDE congeners (BDE47, 99, 153 and 209) and analyzed their effects on AhR signaling in various cell lines and zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, we performed microarray experiments in rat hepatoma cells to compare changes in gene expression induced by either BDE47 or the AhR agonist 2,3,7,8-tetrabromo-dibenzofuran (TBDF). PBDEs did not activate but rather inhibited AhR signaling and specifically induced malformations in zebrafish embryos, which differ from those provoked by AhR agonists. Furthermore, BDE47 and TBDF differentially regulated global gene expression in hepatoma cells. Hence, PBDEs and AhR agonists trigger different toxicity and target gene expression. Several novel target genes of BDE47 and TBDF were identified and verified by RT-PCR. TBDF induced expression of the transcriptional regulators Sim2 and RevErbbeta whereas BDE47 specifically deregulated expression of two subunits of the cytochrome c oxidase complex, cox6a2 and cox4i2, which might be linked to its toxicity.


Subject(s)
Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/genetics , Environmental Pollutants/toxicity , Gene Expression/drug effects , Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers/toxicity , Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/agonists , Animals , Blotting, Western , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cell Survival/drug effects , Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/biosynthesis , Embryo, Nonmammalian/drug effects , Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism , Flow Cytometry , Gene Expression Profiling , Hepatocytes/drug effects , Hepatocytes/enzymology , Hepatocytes/metabolism , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Rats , Zebrafish/embryology
13.
Biofouling ; 26(3): 367-77, 2010 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20169477

ABSTRACT

Prevention of epibiosis is of vital importance for most aquatic organisms, which can have consequences for their ability to invade new areas. Surface microtopography of the shell periostracum has been shown to have antifouling properties for mytilid mussels, and the topography shows regional differences. This article examines whether an optimal shell design exists and evaluates the degree to which shell microstructure is matched with the properties of the local fouling community. Biomimics of four mytilid species from different regional provenances were exposed at eight different sites in both northern and southern hemispheres. Tendencies of the microtopography to both inhibit and facilitate fouling were detected after 3 and 6 weeks of immersion. However, on a global scale, all microtopographies failed to prevent fouling in a consistent manner when exposed to various fouling communities and when decoupled from other shell properties. It is therefore suggested that the recently discovered chemical anti-microfouling properties of the periostracum complement the anti-macrofouling defence offered by shell microtopography.


Subject(s)
Animal Shells/anatomy & histology , Biofilms , Mytilus edulis/anatomy & histology , Animal Shells/microbiology , Animals , Mytilus edulis/microbiology
14.
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol ; 30(6): 1142-8, 2009 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19246528

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with agenesis of the corpus callosum (AgCC) exhibit cognitive and behavioral impairments that are not replicated by surgical transection of the callosum, suggesting that other anatomic changes may contribute to the observed clinical findings. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the ventral cingulum bundle (VCB) is affected in patients with AgCC by using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and volumetry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve participants with AgCC (8 males and 4 females; mean age, 30 +/- 20) and 12 control subjects matched for age and sex (mean age, 37 +/- 19) underwent MR imaging and DTI at 3T. 3D fiber tracking of the VCB was generated from DTI and the average fractional anisotropy (FA) was computed for the tracked fibers. Additionally, the volume, cross-sectional area, and length of the VCB were measured by manually drawn regions of interest on thin-section coronal T1-weighted images. The Student t test was used to compare these results. RESULTS: Compared with controls, subjects with AgCC demonstrated significantly reduced FA in the right VCB (P = .0098) and reduced volume and cross-sectional areas of both the left and right VCB (P < .001 for all metrics). The length of the VCB was also significantly reduced in the complete AgCC subgroup compared with controls (P = .030 in the right and P = .046 in the left, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AgCC have abnormal microstructure and reduced volume of the VCB, suggesting that abnormalities in intrahemispheric white matter tracts may be an important contributor to the clinical syndrome in patients with AgCC.


Subject(s)
Agenesis of Corpus Callosum , Corpus Callosum/pathology , Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Organ Size , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity
15.
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol ; 30(2): 282-9, 2009 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19001538

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about the anatomic connectivity of callosal axons in individuals with partial agenesis of the corpus callosum (pAgCC). We used tractography based on both diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) to investigate interhemispheric white matter connectivity in pAgCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DTI and HARDI were performed at 3T on 6 individuals with pAgCC and 8 control subjects. For HARDI analysis, a Q-ball reconstruction method capable of visualizing multiple intravoxel fiber orientations was used. In both DTI and HARDI, whole-brain 3D fiber tractography was performed by using deterministic streamline algorithms. Callosal fibers were then segmented to identify separately connections between homologous cortical regions (homotopic fibers) and nonhomologous regions (heterotopic fibers) by using manually drawn regions of interest. RESULTS: In control individuals, we observed densely connected homotopic fibers. However, in individuals with pAgCC, we identified not only homotopic connections but also heterotopic connections in 4 of 6 subjects. Furthermore, the observed homotopic connections in pAgCC did not necessarily correlate with the position or size of the residual callosum. The nature of homotopic and heterotopic connectivity varied considerably among subjects with pAgCC, and HARDI recovered more callosal fibers than DTI. CONCLUSION: Individuals with pAgCC demonstrate a remarkable diversity of callosal connectivity, including a number of heterotopic tracts that are absent in healthy subjects. The patterns of their callosal connections cannot be predicted from the appearance of their callosal fragments on conventional MR imaging. More tracts and more extensive fibers within tracts are recovered with HARDI than with DTI.


Subject(s)
Acrocallosal Syndrome/pathology , Brain Diseases/pathology , Choristoma/pathology , Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Neural Pathways/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Cerebral Cortex/pathology , Female , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Male , Middle Aged , Models, Neurological , Nerve Fibers, Myelinated/pathology , Young Adult
17.
Neuroscience ; 155(4): 1275-83, 2008 Sep 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18674599

ABSTRACT

Responding to environmental stimuli in a fast manner is a fundamental behavioral capacity. The pace at which one responds is known to be predetermined by cortical areas, but it remains to be shown if subcortical structures also take part in defining motor swiftness. As the thalamus has previously been implicated in behavioral control, we tested if neuronal activity at this level could also predict the reaction time of upcoming movements. To this end we simultaneously recorded electrical brain activity from the scalp and the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus in patients undergoing thalamic deep brain stimulation. Based on trial-to-trial analysis of a Go/NoGo task, we demonstrate that both cortical and thalamic neuronal activity prior to the delivery of upcoming Go stimulus correlates with the reaction time. This result goes beyond the demonstration of thalamic activity being associated with but potentially staying invariant to motor performance. In contrast, it indicates that the latencies at which we respond to environmental stimuli are not exclusively related to cortical pre-movement states but are also correlated with anticipatory thalamic activity.


Subject(s)
Attention/physiology , Essential Tremor/pathology , Motor Activity/physiology , Reaction Time/physiology , Thalamus/physiopathology , Adult , Aged , Attention/radiation effects , Brain Mapping , Deep Brain Stimulation/methods , Electroencephalography/methods , Essential Tremor/therapy , Evoked Potentials/physiology , Evoked Potentials/radiation effects , Female , Functional Laterality , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Motor Activity/radiation effects , Movement , Neuropsychological Tests , Predictive Value of Tests , Psychomotor Performance , Reaction Time/radiation effects
18.
Chemosphere ; 73(2): 209-15, 2008 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18619640

ABSTRACT

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are found as ubiquitous contaminants in the environment, e.g., in sediments and biota as well as in human blood samples and mother's milk. PBDEs are neuro- and developmental toxins, disturb the endocrine system and some are even carcinogenic. Structural similarities of PBDEs with dioxin-like compounds, e.g., 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzodioxin (TCDD), have raised concern about a possible "dioxin-like" action of PBDEs. TCDD exerts its toxicity via binding to and activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). AhR ligands are in contrast to PBDEs usually coplanar compounds. Thus, PBDEs are not likely to be strong AhR agonists. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of the most abundant PBDE congener, 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromo diphenyl ether (BDE47), on AhR activity and signaling. Initially, we measured cytochrome P450 1A1 (Cyp1A1) induction as a readout for AhR activation by BDE47. Low grade purified BDE47 increased CYP1A1 levels in transformed and primary rat hepatocytes and human hepatoma cells. Chemical analysis of the BDE47 sample identified trace contaminations with brominated furans such as 2,3,7,8-tetrabromo dibenzodioxin (TBDF), which most likely were responsible for the observed activation of AhR. Subsequently, the BDE47 mixture was studied for its effect on AhR mediated toxicity and global gene expression. Indeed, in rat hepatoma cells and in zebrafish embryos the BDE47 mixture provoked changes in gene expression and toxicity similar to known AhR agonists. In addition to the dioxin-like actions, the BDE47 sample enhanced Cyp2B and Cyp3A expression suggesting that commercial PBDE mixtures, which also often contain brominated furans, may disturb cellular homeostasis at multiple levels.


Subject(s)
Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/metabolism , Polybrominated Biphenyls/pharmacology , Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism , Animals , Blotting, Western , Cell Line , Cell Line, Tumor , Cells, Cultured , Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1/genetics , Cytochrome P-450 CYP2B1/genetics , Cytochrome P-450 CYP2B1/metabolism , Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A/genetics , Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A/metabolism , Embryo, Nonmammalian/drug effects , Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/drug effects , Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers , Humans , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Rats , Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/genetics , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Zebrafish
19.
Clin Microbiol Infect ; 13(9): 879-86, 2007 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17608746

ABSTRACT

Appropriate, rapid and reliable laboratory tests are essential for the diagnosis and optimal antibiotic therapy of acute bacterial meningitis. Broad-range bacterial PCR, combined with DNA sequencing, was compared with culture-based methods for examining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with suspected meningitis. In total, 345 CSF specimens from 345 patients were analysed, with acute community-acquired bacterial meningitis being diagnosed in 74 patients. The CSF of 25 patients was positive by both PCR and culture; 26 patients had CSF specimens positive by PCR only, and 14 patients had specimens positive by culture only. The sensitivity of PCR and culture for clinically relevant meningitis was 59% (44/74) and 43% (32/74), respectively, while the specificity was 97% (264/271) and 97% (264/271), respectively. The commonest bacterial rRNA gene sequences detected by PCR only were those of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis (n = 12). PCR failed to detect the bacterial rRNA gene in seven specimens from patients with symptoms compatible with acute bacterial meningitis. Overall, the results demonstrated that PCR in conjunction with sequencing may be a useful tool in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. PCR is particularly useful for analysing CSF from patients who have been treated with antibiotics before lumbar puncture.


Subject(s)
Cerebrospinal Fluid/microbiology , Meningitis, Meningococcal/diagnosis , Neisseria meningitidis/isolation & purification , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/analysis , Streptococcus pneumoniae/isolation & purification , DNA, Bacterial/analysis , DNA, Bacterial/cerebrospinal fluid , DNA, Bacterial/isolation & purification , Humans , Meningitis, Meningococcal/cerebrospinal fluid , Microbiological Techniques , Neisseria meningitidis/genetics , Polymerase Chain Reaction , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Retrospective Studies , Sensitivity and Specificity , Streptococcus pneumoniae/genetics
20.
Curr Pharm Biotechnol ; 5(3): 299-308, 2004 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15180551

ABSTRACT

We present novel technical features and results from a two channel confocal fluorescence lifetime microscope, which allows to efficiently investigate fluorescence dynamics down to the single molecule level. The MicroTime 200 time-resolved fluorescence microscope offers a multicolor excitation where different picosecond diode lasers are used. For imaging and positioning purposes we utilize a compact Piezo scanner which allows, due to a novel scanning algorithm and synchronisation technique, a superior movement and positioning accuracy. The data acquisition is completely based on time-correlated single photon counting, where every photon is detected and stored individually with its specific timing information (Time-Tagged Time-Resolved mode). This multiparameter data acquisition scheme offers the opportunity to analyse the parameter dependencies in a multitude of different ways. Standard intensity analysis can be used to reconstruct 2D-images or the temporal evolution (time trace) of the fluorescence of a single spot. The information from the two distinct detector channels additionally allows to investigate the polarisation of the emitted light or its spectral composition, for example for analysis of Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). The timing information down to a picosecond scale offers the possibility not only to reconstruct fluorescence decay constants of each pixel for the purpose of Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FLIM) but also to analyze the fluorescence fluctuation correlation function of any single spot of interest. The flexible multichannel detector scheme enables in this case also a cross-correlation between spectrally separated parts of the emission light, or even identical parts of the fluorescence to eliminate detector artifacts. The photon arrival coincidence analysis can also be expanded in the sub-ns range to study fluorescence antibunching in the fluorescence emission of single molecules. The ability of combining these different pieces of temporal information allows the construction of extremely powerful analysis methods and assays. We demonstrate a variety of these capabilities with results obtained from fluorescently labeled latex beads, biological samples, and single molecules excited in the blue or red wavelength region.


Subject(s)
Equipment Failure Analysis/methods , Microscopy, Confocal/instrumentation , Nanotechnology/instrumentation , Spectrometry, Fluorescence/instrumentation , Equipment Design , Microscopy, Confocal/methods , Molecular Biology , Nanotechnology/methods , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Spectrometry, Fluorescence/methods
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...