Did tool-use evolve with enhanced physical cognitive abilities?

The use and manufacture of tools have been considered to be cognitively demanding and thus a possible driving factor in the evolution of intelligence. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that enhanced physical cognitive abilities evolved in conjunction with the use of tools, by comparing the performance of naturally tool-using and non-tool-using species in a suite of physical and general learning tasks. We predicted that the habitually tool-using species, New Caledonian crows and Galápagos woodpecker finches, should outperform their non-tool-using relatives, the small tree finches and the carrion crows in a physical problem but not in general learning tasks. We only found a divergence in the predicted direction for corvids. That only one of our comparisons supports the predictions under this hypothesis might be attributable to different complexities of tool-use in the two tool-using species. A critical evaluation is offered of the conceptual and methodological problems inherent in comparative studies on tool-related cognitive abilities.

Immunoadsorption patients with multiple sclerosis: an open-label pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Immunoadsorption (IA) is occasionally applied in patients with acute relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS). This pilot study was undertaken to determine whether IA might help in secondary progressive and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. DESIGN: IA was performed at 1-week intervals in 12 patients with secondary progressive or relapsing-remitting MS. These patients had an extended disability status scale (EDSS) score of 4.5-7 and an EDSS increase of 0.5 within 6 months before inclusion in the study despite conventional drug therapy. The change in the EDSS and that in the MS functional composite (MSFC) score, which consisted of quantitative tests of arm function, ambulation, visual acuity and cognition, served as the primary outcome variables, which were measured at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Changes in quality of life and cerebral lesions by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were also assessed at baseline and after the last immunoadsorption (month 3). RESULTS: A significant reduction of the median EDSS change was observed after the treatment period, which reversed 3 months after the immunoadsorptions had been stopped. Ten of 12 patients remained stable during the first year of follow-up with no significant changes of the MSFC scores. No significant changes in magnetic resonance imaging T2-hyperintense brain lesions or in the number of gadolinium-positive lesions and in the patients' quality of life were observed. Western blot analyses demonstrated a reduction of serum myelin-specific antibodies, which were collected in the adsorber eluates. CONCLUSIONS: Removal of immunoglobulins, including myelin-specific antibodies by immunoadsorption, seems to delay disease progression as defined by EDSS, MSFC and MRI, while the patients' quality of life did not deteriorate.

Introductory experience with the continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS; Medtronic Minimed) in detecting hyperglycemia by comparing the self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in non-pregnant women and in pregnant women with impaired glucose tolerance and gestational diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the detection rate of hyperglycemia with a continuous glucose monitoring system compared to a self-monitoring blood glucose profile in non-pregnant, non-diabetic pregnant women, and patients with impaired glucose tolerance or gestational diabetes.. METHODS: Eight non-pregnant (NP) and 56 pregnant women (17 dietary-treated gestational diabetics (GDM), 15 women with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and 24 non-diabetic pregnant women (NDP)) underwent a 72-hour measurement with the CGMS (Medtronic Minimed, Northridge, CA, USA). Self-monitored blood glucose measurements, performed 30 minutes before and 120 minutes after each meal, were compared to the duration of hyperglycemia monitored by the continuous glucose monitoring system. RESULTS: No clinically observable infection was found at the subcutaneous tissue where the electrode was placed. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups in body mass index, HbA1c, and in gestational age, but not in age or parity. Using the self-monitored blood glucose (SMBG), 88 % (7/8) of the NP and 54 % (13/24) of the NDP had no measurement above 6.7 mmol/l. However, 17 % (4/24) of the NDP and 40 % (6/15) of the IGT showed more than two measurements above 6.7 mmol/l compared to 24 % (4/17) of the dietary-treated GDM. The differences between these groups were not significant (p = 0.21). The mean durations (+/- SD) of hyperglycemia above 6.7 mmol/l/24 h were: NP 111 +/- 120 min, NDP 138 +/- 120 min, IGT 381.8 +/- 295 min, and GDM 190 +/- 155 min, p = 0.017; above 7.8 mmol/l/24 h NP 24 +/- 49 min, NDP 38 +/- 47 min, IGT 170.7 +/- 190 min, and GDM 64 +/- 88 min, p = 0.016; and above 8.9 mmol/l/24 h NP 9.3 +/- 25 min, NDP 7.5 +/- 14 min, IGT 59 +/- 77 min, and GDM 14 +/- 21 min, p = 0.026. There was no significant difference in the fetal outcome or rate of birth percentiles using the sensor data. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the sensor in pregnant women is unproblematic. a) The CGMS detected more frequent and longer durations of hyperglycemia in GDM compared to non-diabetic pregnant women than the SMBG. b) Women with an IGT exhibited higher glucose levels than patients with gestational diabetes. c) The clinical importance of these hyperglycemic intervals, e.g. with respect to the risk for macrosomia, must be assessed in larger trials.

[Supply of iodine during pregnancy--an inventory in Berlin, Germany]. / Jodversorgung in der Schwangerschaft--eine aktuelle Bestandsaufnahme in Berlin.

BACKGROUND: Iodised salt was introduced in Germany in the early 1980s. A nation-wide study in 1996 showed that iodine levels among the population had improved since the introduction of the supplementation. The study did not separately investigate the iodine status of pregnant women. In our prospective study, we used three parameters to assess the iodine levels among pregnant women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 1999 and February 2000, we asked 109 German-speaking patients seeking prenatal care in our clinic to participate. Following informed consent, we measured goiter volume by ultrasound and collected venous blood (serum) and urine samples. We asked patients about any history of thyroid gland illnesses and about iodine supplementation which is generally given to pregnant patients in Germany. The blood and urine samples were stored at -18 degrees C until measurement. We used the iodine-creatinine-ratio to measure ioduria. Iodine was measured using the Cer-Arsenite-method (Dade-Behring). The thyroglobulin concentration in serum was measured using RIA. RESULTS: The mean iodine-creatinine ratio was 181 +/- 109 microg/g, 20.4 % of the patients had a ratio between 50 and 100 microg/g which is defined as iodine deficiency I degrees (WHO). 8.7 % of the patients had thyreoglobulin levels above the cut-off value of 50 ng/ml. 12.6 % of the patients had a goiter (volume > 18 ml). 58 % of the patients were taking iodine supplements. These patients had significantly higher iodine-creatinine ratio levels (204 microg/g vs. 148 microg/g, P = 0.007) and lower serum thyroglobulin levels (38.4 vs. 34.1 pmol/l, P = 0.06) than non-supplemented patients. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of goiter reflects an extended period of iodine deficiency. Using laboratory methods, up to 20.4 % of pregnant women were identified as having an iodine deficiency which indicates the need for a general iodine supplementation during pregnancy.

[Computer-assisted documentation and recording of findings of obstetrical ultrasound findings]. / Computerunterstützte Dokumentation und Befundausdruk von geburtshilflichen Ultraschalluntersuchungen.

Since 1976 on our department obstetrical reports are generated and stored by computer. This kind of documentation has been also introduced for obstetrical ultrasound investigations. One year ago the part of our database for storing and recording the results of obstetrical ultrasound examinations was changed according to new purposes. This system was designed to support diagnosis of pathological findings and to arrange the results more clearly. Immediately after the investigation the results are entered in a terminal (3278 IBM). Our database is a CICS (Customer Information Computer System) application of the WAMIS (Wiener Allgemeines Medizinisches Informationssystem) from the IMC (Institut für Medizinische Computerdokumentation). The results of the investigation are printed after storage in the data base. The screen and the obtained print-out are divided into several sections according to medical purposes. Since the results of fetal measurement are displayed graphically, fetal growth and the change of normal or abnormal findings can be judged immediately. The new layout of the hardcopy of the results of our ultrasound investigations improves diagnosis of pathological findings. Each examinator is forced to visualize fetal organs, signs of fetal vitality and to perform standardized measurement. Therefore, the possibility to find pathological alteration is improved especially if the investigator is less experienced.