Relativistic kinetic theory for spin-1/2 particles: Conservation laws, thermodynamics, and linear waves.

We study a recently derived fully relativistic kinetic model for spin-1/2 particles. First, the full set of conservation laws for energy, momentum, and angular momentum are given together with an expression for the (nonsymmetric) stress-energy tensor. Next, the thermodynamic equilibrium distribution is given in different limiting cases. Furthermore, we address the analytical complexity that arises when the spin and momentum eigenfunctions are coupled in linear theory by calculating the linear dispersion relation for such a case. Finally, we discuss the model and give some context by comparing with potentially relevant phenomena that are not included, such as radiation reaction and vacuum polarization.

Equestrian-related injuries, predictors of fatalities, and the impact on the public health system in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: Horse riding is a popular activity but has also been found to lead to many injuries and even fatalities. No reduction in the numbers of those being admitted to hospital for equestrian-related injuries have been seen in Sweden in recent years. The aim of this work was to examine injuries, fatalities, and predictors of fatalities in equestrian-related activities and to investigate the cost of these injuries to the public health system. STUDY DESIGN: The study is a retrospective analysis of hospital data. METHODS: National Swedish hospital and mortality registers were retrospectively examined, inclusive of the years 1997-2014. Logistic regression was used to examine the predictors of fatal injuries, and cost of hospital treatment was considered. RESULTS: Over the study period, there were an observed 29,850 injured cases and 51 fatalities. Women comprized almost 90% of those injured and 70% of fatalities. The average age was 26.8 years (range 0-91, standard deviation [SD] = 16.1) for injured and 43 years (range 7-78 years, SD = 20.5) for fatal cases. Men dominated both injured and fatal samples in the older age ranges (Fatal: >50 years; Injured: >70 years), although overall numbers were small. Injuries to the head contributed more than any other body region for both injured and fatal cases, and fractures were the most frequently seen injury type. A chi-squared analysis confirmed that injury type and injured body region were not independent of age. Logistic regression examining the association between fatality and age, gender, home region, and year of injury, indicating trends over time, found that there was an increase of 5.1% in the odds of fatality for every year increase in age of the patient and men had 2.2 times higher odds to be in the fatal sample than women. The conservative estimated cost of injury was 1800 Euro per injury event, equating to over 3 million Euro per year. CONCLUSION: Equestrian-related injury events present a major public health concern. Observed decreases in fatalities suggest improved health care, yet head injury and fatality rates are still high, indicating a need for further intervention. The type of injury changes with the age group, and a better understanding of injury patterns with age is needed to identify protective measures for the different user groups.

Relativistic kinetic equation for spin-1/2 particles in the long-scale-length approximation.

In this paper, we derive a fully relativistic kinetic theory for spin-1/2 particles and its coupling to Maxwell's equations, valid in the long-scale-length limit, where the fields vary on a scale much longer than the localization of the particles; we work to first order in ℏ. Our starting point is a Foldy-Wouthuysen (FW) transformation, applicable to this regime, of the Dirac Hamiltonian. We derive the corresponding evolution equation for the Wigner quasidistribution in an external electromagnetic field. Using a Lagrangian method we find expressions for the charge and current densities, expressed as free and bound parts. It is furthermore found that the velocity is nontrivially related to the momentum variable, with the difference depending on the spin and the external electromagnetic fields. This fact that has previously been discussed as "hidden momentum" and is due to that the FW transformation maps pointlike particles to particle clouds for which the prescription of minimal coupling is incorrect, as they have multipole moments. We express energy and momentum conservation for the system of particles and the electromagnetic field, and discuss our results in the context of the Abraham-Minkowski dilemma.

Electromagnetic hypersensitive Finns: Symptoms, perceived sources and treatments, a questionnaire study.

The aim was to analyze the subjective experiences of Finns who describe themselves as suffering from electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), their symptoms, self-perceived sources of the health complaints and the effectiveness of medical and complementary alternative therapies. A total of 395 questionnaires were mailed to self-diagnosed EHS persons. Of the participants 345 belonged to a Finnish self-help group and 50 came from outside of the group. The return rate of the study was 52.1% (206) and 80.9% of the respondents were women. Before the onset of EHS the most common health complaints were different types of allergies (35.1%, 68). During the acute phase of EHS the most common symptoms were nervous system related: "stress" (60.3%, 117), "sleeping disorders" (59.3%, 115) and "fatigue" (57.2%, 111). The sources that were most often reported to have triggered EHS were: "personal computers" (50.8%, 94) and "mobile phones" (47.0%, 87). The same devices were also claimed to cause the most symptoms during the acute phase. After the acute phase of EHS had passed, the respondents still claimed to react to these same digital and wireless devices while their reactions to basic electrical appliances were reduced. According to 76% of 157 respondents the reduction or avoidance of electromagnetic fields (EMF) helped in their full or partial recovery. The best treatments for EHS were given as: "dietary change" (69.4%), "nutritional supplements" (67.8%) and "increased physical exercise" (61.6%). The official treatment recommendations of psychotherapy (2.6%) and medication (-4.2%) were not significantly helpful. According to the present results the official treatment protocols should take better account the EHS person's own experiences. The avoidance of electromagnetic radiation and fields effectively removed or lessened the symptoms in EHS persons.

Neuropeptide levels in Dercum's disease (adiposis dolorosa).

Dercum's disease (adiposis dolorosa) is characterised by adiposity and chronic pain in the adipose tissue. It has been proposed that conditions encompassing chronic pain have altered concentrations of neuropeptides involved in pain transmission. The aim of this investigation was to examine whether patients with Dercum's disease have abnormal concentrations of different neuropeptides. In cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in plasma (P) from 53 patients with Dercum's disease substance P-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI), neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI), ß-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (ß-END-LI), calcitonin gene-related peptidelike immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI), met-enkephalin-like immunoreactivity (m-ENK-LI), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-like immunoreactivity (VIP-LI), somatostatin (SOM-LI), γ2-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-like immunoreactivity (γ2-MSH-LI), and dynorphin-like immunoreactivity (DYN-LI) were measured. Three of the substances were also measured in a control group. The CSF concentration of SP was statistically significantly lower in the Dercum group than in the control group, whereas NPY-LI and b-END-LI were borderline statistically significantly lower and higher, respectively, in Dercum patients compared to controls. Compared with reference values, CSF-MSH-LI levels were slightly elevated and CSF-NPY-LI levels were slightly lowered in the Dercum group. The other substances in both CSF and plasma were within the reference values with a high degree of statistical significance. In conclusion, altered levels of neuropeptides that have previously been seen in different pain conditions cannot clearly be demonstrated in Dercum's disease.

Reducing electromagnetic irradiation and fields alleviates experienced health hazards of VDU work.

UNLABELLED: Word Heath Organisation (WHO) outlined in 2005 recommendations, how to treat people suffering from the functional impairment electrohypersensitivity in its document "Electromagnetic fields and public health". Unfortunately the reduction of electromagnetic fields was not considered as a treatment option. The aim of the current study was to shield the computer user from the emitted electromagnetic irradiation and fields and to correlate that to the subjective symptoms reported by electrohypersensitive volunteers. The irradiation of the shielding cabinets was recorded. They housed either separate computer screens or whole laptops. When the volunteers had used the shielding cabinet for 1-7 years, they were able work with their computers whole working day, Those who had used the shielding cabined for 2-3 months were partially symptom free. The person who had used the cabinet only for 1 week reported some alleviation of her nausea. IN CONCLUSION: it seems that reducing the electromagnetic irradiation of the computer can lessen the symptoms of electrohypersensitivity and permit working without problems. Further studies are needed to clarify how the symptoms of different organ systems recover and make computer users to work also professionally.

Central nervous system lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2-synthase is correlated with orexigenic neuropeptides, visceral adiposity and markers of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in obese humans.

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2-synthase (L-PGDS) is the main producer of prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) in the central nervous system (CNS). Animal data suggest effects of central nervous L-PGDS in the regulation of food intake and obesity. No human data are available. We hypothesised that a role for CNS L-PGDS in metabolic function in humans would be reflected by correlations with known orexigenic neuropeptides. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples were retrieved from 26 subjects in a weight loss study, comprising a 3-week dietary lead-in followed by 12-weeks of leptin or placebo treatment. At baseline, CSF L-PGDS was positively correlated with neuropeptide Y (NPY) (ρ = 0.695, P < 0.001, n = 26) and galanin (ρ = 0.651, P < 0.001) as well as visceral adipose tissue (ρ = 0.415, P = 0.035). Furthermore, CSF L-PGDS was inversely correlated with CSF leptin (ρ = -0.529, P = 0.005) and tended to correlate inversely with s.c. adipose tissue (ρ = -0.346, P = 0.084). As reported earlier, leptin treatment had no effect on weight loss and did not affect CSF L-PGDS or NPY levels compared to placebo. After weight loss, the change of CSF L-PGDS was significantly correlated with the change of CSF NPY levels (ρ = 0.604, P = 0.004, n = 21). Because of the correlation between baseline CSF L-PGDS levels and visceral adipose tissue, we examined associations with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis components. Baseline CSF L-PGDS was correlated with corticotrophin-releasing hormone (ρ = 0.764, P < 0.001) and ß-endorphin (ρ = 0.491, P < 0.001). By contrast, serum L-PGDS was not correlated with any of the measured variables either at baseline or after treatment. In summary, CSF L-PGDS was correlated with orexigenic neuropeptides, visceral fat distribution and central HPA axis mediators. The importance of these findings is unclear but could suggest a role for CSF L-PGDS in the regulation of visceral obesity by interaction with the neuroendocrine circuits regulating appetite and fat distribution. Further interventional studies will be needed to characterise these interactions in more detail.

Prevention-oriented epidemiology of burns in Ardabil provincial burn centre, Iran.

In preventing burns, it is essential to know how they occur and which population groups, environments and heating appliances can be targeted for prevention work. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of burns leading to hospitalisation in the northwest of Iran with a focus on the pre-event phase of injury. Between 2007 and 2008, 237 burn victims hospitalised in Ardabil provincial burn centre were enrolled into a descriptive study. A questionnaire was filled in during hospital stay for all patients, with a focus on obtaining information necessary for prevention purposes. Males constituted 56% of victims. Mean age was 22 years. The most severe burns occurred between the ages of 18 and 32 years, and were mainly flame related. Both in case of flame and non-flame burns, women suffered more severe burns and mortality than men. However, with respect to non-flame burns of which most were scalds, the majority of the severe cases involved children under the age of 5 years. More than 80% of burns occurred at home. The kitchen was the main place of injury in 47% of cases, followed by living rooms in 28%. Nearly 45% of burns were scalds and 47% were flame burns. The main container was the samovar in 37%, followed by kettles in 32% and pots in 22%. The overturning of a container was the major mechanism of contact with hot liquids in 86%. Bumping into a container was the main scenario of a scald injury, constituting nearly 70% of the cases. The difference between flame and non-flame burns in the distribution of burns in extremities was not statistically significant, but head and neck burns were 3.7 times more likely to be caused by flame. The two most important injury patterns, more common among women, were getting burned while using a camping gas stove or while refilling the chamber of kerosene-burning appliances without first extinguishing them. Domestic burns among children and young women are a priority in injury-prevention programmes. Camping gas stoves, valors (traditional dual-purpose heating and cooking appliances) and samovars can be considered as target appliances for burn-specific home-safety-promotion efforts in this area or in similar settings.

The peptidergic innervation of the rat parotid gland: effects of section of the auriculo-temporal nerve and/or of otic ganglionectomy.

The origin/pathways of peptidergic nerves contributing to the parotid gland contents of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were investigated by performing surgery on one side of the rat. Comparisons (based on total amount of peptide) were made between the gland on the operated side and the contralateral gland 7 days postoperatively. Otic ganglionectomy showed that almost all of the parotid gland contents of VIP (98%) and substance P (98%) were due to the otic connection, while this was true for only a minor portion (32%) of the CGRP-gland content. Section of the auriculo-temporal nerve showed that almost all of the VIP- and substance P-containing nerve fibres reached the parotid gland via this nerve, as judged by a reduction in the VIP-content by 88% and in the substance P-content by 93%, while the CGRP-content was only reduced by 37%. Section of the auriculo-temporal nerve combined with otic ganglionectomy did not reduce the gland contents of CGRP and substance P further than just otic ganglionectomy. Thus, the auriculo-temporal nerve is not likely to innervate the parotid gland with CGRP- and/or substance P-containing nerve fibres from the trigeminal ganglion.

Prevention oriented epidemiologic study of accidental burns in rural areas of Ardabil, Iran.

PURPOSE OF STUDY: Burns are one of the leading causes of injury-related deaths in Iran. We conducted a study to investigate features of burns in rural areas of Ardabil Province from October 2004 through March 2005, with an aim to providing content for effective prevention programs. BASIC PROCEDURES: This study employed longitudinal prospective methodology. The study population included all patients presenting with burns to local health care facilities during the study period. MAIN FINDINGS: A total of 1179 cases were studied. Most of the cases (59.4%) were females. Mean of age of victims was 22.3+/-19 years in females and 13.6+/-17 years in males. The vast majority (91.2%) of burns occurred at home. More than two-thirds of burns were because of hot liquids or steam. The majority of scald burns resulted during use of heating devices such as samovars, gas stoves, valors and picnic gas stoves. Overturning and spilling of hot liquids were the most common injury mechanisms. PRINCIPLE CONCLUSIONS: Prevention programs should focus on children and adult women. Prevention efforts should target home environments and focus on prevention of scalding burns.

Rationales for home safety promotion in the Iranian primary healthcare system: results from a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the prerequisites for a nationwide primary healthcare (PHC) home safety promotion programme in Iran. BACKGROUND: Injury is a major public health problem throughout the world, currently accounting for one-seventh of all premature deaths and disabilities. Within 20 years, it is estimated that the proportion will increase to one-fifth. The present healthcare system in Iran was started in 1979, with a major focus on easy access to services and prevention. The system is based on the 'health house', which is run by community health workers. A survey shows that 36% of injuries occur in the home environment. A pilot phase of the Home Safety Promotion Programme was initiated in 1994, and included safety checking at home for fences, kitchens, drugs and poisons, heaters, electricity, and stairs and ladders. The pilot study covered 478,551 households out of the 12 million (approximately) in Iran. Sixty-nine supervisors were involved individually, assembled into eight focus groups. RESULTS: Household safety increased by 10-20% over the 4 years of the study. The frequency of home visits changed from annual to seasonal, since all participants agreed that there were seasonal differences in safety problems. The supervisors showed a high level of knowledge of injury as a public health problem, and also positive attitudes towards doing something about safety on the basis of a PHC scheme. The role of a surveillance system was highlighted, and it was suggested that such a system should be added to the programme. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Based on our preliminary findings, there were reasons to obtain a policy decision concerning a national programme for safety promotion before extending the pilot scheme to the whole country. A national safety programme was decided upon following completion of the pilot study. It includes a home-related-injury surveillance system that is mandatory in rural areas and voluntary in some cities.

Sympathectomy-induced increases in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-, substance P- and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-levels in parotid and submandibular glands of the rat.

The neuropeptide contents of rat salivary glands were increased four weeks after sympathetic postganglionic denervation (but not after preganglionic denervation): calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) by 400 and 65% in the parotid and submandibular glands, respectively; substance P by 30% in the submandibular gland; and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) by 30% in the parotid gland. The sensory neurotoxin capsaicin prevented the expected increases of CGRP and substance P in the submandibular glands and of VIP in the parotid glands. The CGRP-increase in the parotid gland was, however, only reduced (by 65%). Parasympathetic otic ganglionectomy reduced the peptide levels in the parotid glands (CGRP--50%, VIP--98% and substance P--99%). From these residual levels, CGRP increased almost 8-fold and substance P 3-fold in response to the sympathetic denervation, while VIP was unaffected. In the parasympathetically denervated glands, the capsaicin-sensitive contribution to the CGRP-response to sympathetic denervation was roughly estimated to be more than 25% but less than 40%, while the corresponding contribution to the substance P-response was roughly estimated to be more than 6% but less than 58%. Most likely not only CGRP/substance P-containing sensory C-fibres (submandibular and parotid glands) but also parasympathetic VIP-containing secretomotor and vasomotor fibres (parotid glands) contributed to the capsaicin-sensitive response to sympathetic denervation.

Unintentional home-related injuries in the Islamic Republic of Iran: findings from the first year of a national programme.

BACKGROUND: As elsewhere, unintentional injuries are a leading cause of death in Iran, but non-fatal injuries occurring in the home environment have not been analysed. OBJECTIVES: The primary purposes of this study were to describe the pattern of home-related injuries and to obtain incidence rates for their determinants in order to monitor intervention programmes for preventive purposes. METHODS: A surveillance system for home-related injuries in selected rural and urban areas was established for the systematic collection of data. The information obtained covers emergency department visits and health services provided between March 1998 and March 1999. RESULTS: In total, 79,723 unintentional home-related injuries were reported, primarily burns (49%, incidence of 19/10,000 rural and 13/10,000 urban inhabitants) and lacerations/cuts caused by contact with sharp instruments (30%, incidence of 8.4/10,000 rural and 11/10,000 urban inhabitants). Injury rates were highest among children aged 0--4 years and lowest among the elderly (60 years or over). Rates varied between the sexes; among children under 15 years of age, most patients were male, but the opposite applied to all groups >15 years of age. Leading causes of death were burns, falls and poisoning among 628 people who died because of home-related injuries. CONCLUSIONS: The injury pattern found in this study is generally similar to that of many other countries, with the striking exception of burns. Other reports focus on the same problem, particularly with regard to Iran. The prevention of burns should be an important feature of any national injury prevention programme. Due to the varied causes of home-related injuries in Iran, interventions should be targeted at people at the greatest risk, namely children. Home visitation as a tool for face-to-face training with a sharper focus on burns, falls and poisoning prevention can be recommended as a part of primary health care policy. Greater investment in surveillance also provides a way of reducing the threat of injury in the community.

Temporal trends, gender, and geographic distributions in child and youth injury rates in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: Sweden has the lowest child injury mortality rate in the world, 5.2/100 000 for children under 15. This paper describes temporal trends in Sweden, as well as gender related and geographic differences. DESIGN: The Swedish Cause-of-Death Register (1987-2001) and the Hospital Patient Register (1987-2002) were used to compare rates for the country as a whole and for discharges aged 0-20 by municipality, using the SEATS time series analysis program. RESULTS: There was a decrease in the rate of fatal unintentional injuries from 7 to 4 per 100 000 for girls and from 16 to 10 per 100 000 for boys since 1987. The gap between girls and boys was reduced and boys now have almost the same mortality rate as girls for violence related deaths. Road and other unintentional injuries show a general decrease whereas the pattern for falls varies by age and sex. Self inflicted injuries increased for both sexes, but more for girls. Substantial differences in injury rates between municipalities were also found-up to six times for girls and eight times for boys. CONCLUSION: Substantial declines in injury fatalities over time were found, but these were different for boys and girls. There remain substantial differences between municipalities. These data, published in a child injury atlas, have prompted substantial interest among media and the authorities.

Screening for pulmonary hypertension in systemic sclerosis: the longitudinal development of tricuspid gradient in 227 consecutive patients, 1992-2001.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the longitudinal development of the tricuspid gradient (TG) for screening for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Doppler echocardiography was performed 506 times in order to estimate TG in 227 consecutive patients with SSc. The value of biochemical markers for predicting TG levels and development was assessed through analyses of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (proBNP), calcitonin-gene related peptide, thrombomodulin and von Willebrand factor in 76 patients with a borderline increase in TG, defined as TG 24-38 mmHg, and for the purpose of comparison also in 10 patients with a normal TG (< 23 mmHg) and in 10 patients with increased TG (TG > 38 mmHg). RESULTS: TG > 23 mmHg was found in 102 patients (44.9%) at the first assessment point and in 139 patients (61.2%) respectively, cumulatively at follow-up. TG values > 33 mmHg were measured in 24 patients (10.6%) initially and in 38 patients (16.7%) cumulatively in a subsequent assessment. Age and the presence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) were associated with more frequent occurrence of TG > 23 and > 33 mmHg initially and at follow-up, but were not associated with progression rate. The change in TG (mean +/- S.D.) was 1.34 +/- 4.55 mmHg/yr. ProBNP correlated to TG. CONCLUSION: An increased TG, indicating possible PAH, is common and progressive in SSc. Age and ILD increase the risk of increased TG. Patients with or without ILD have similar progression of TG. ProBNP has potential as an adjunct to TG in selecting patients eligible for invasive treatment.

Altered visceral perceptual and neuroendocrine response in patients with irritable bowel syndrome during mental stress.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Stress often worsens the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We hypothesised that this might be explained by altered neuroendocrine and visceral sensory responses to stress in IBS patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighteen IBS patients and 22 control subjects were assessed using rectal balloon distensions before, during, and after mental stress. Ten controls and nine patients were studied in supplementary sessions. Rectal sensitivity (thresholds and intensity-visual analogue scale (VAS)) and perceived stress and arousal (VAS) were determined. Plasma levels of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, noradrenaline, and adrenaline were analysed at baseline, immediately after stress, and after the last distension. Heart rate was recorded continuously. RESULTS: Thresholds were increased during stress in control subjects (p<0.01) but not in IBS patients. Both groups showed lower thresholds after stress (p<0.05). Repeated distensions without stress did not affect thresholds. Both groups showed increased heart rate (p<0.001) and VAS ratings for stress and arousal (p<0.05) during stress. Patients demonstrated higher ratings for stress but lower for arousal than controls. Basal CRF levels were lower in patients (p<0.05) and increased significantly during stress in patients (p<0.01) but not in controls. Patients also responded with higher levels of ACTH during stress (p<0.05) and had higher basal levels of noradrenaline than controls (p<0.01). Controls, but not patients, showed increased levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline in response to stress (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Stress induced exaggeration of the neuroendocrine response and visceral perceptual alterations during and after stress may explain some of the stress related gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS.

Demonstration of multiple novel glycoforms of the stem cell survival factor CCg.

We have investigated the presence of different glycoforms of cystatin C secreted by adult hippocampal rat-derived stem/progenitor cells (AHPs) into conditioned medium. A glycosylated form of cystatin C (CCg) has been identified previously in conditioned medium from AHPs as an autocrine/paracrine cofactor. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) requires cooperation with CCg to support AHP survival at low density in vitro. The purpose of the present study was to investigate further if cystatin C consists of one glycoform or if several different glycoforms are secreted by AHPs in vitro. The presence of the glycoforms was studied using enzymatic deglycosylation in conjunction with gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. The glycoforms of cystatin C were isolated with a combination of gel electrophoresis and electroelution, yielding the intact glycoforms in liquid phase before enzymatic deglycosylation. Our results revealed several novel glycoforms, in contrast to previous publication. The results suggest that N- and O-linked glycans with sialic acid are attached to cystatin C. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that all glycoforms are present in conditioned medium after only 48 hr of culturing and that all nestin-positive AHPs are immunopositive against cystatin C. These findings suggest secretion of the glycoforms by cultured AHPs.

Clinical mass spectrometry in neuroscience. Proteomics and peptidomics.

In this review we discuss the merits and drawbacks with the use of proteomic and peptidomic strategies for identification of proteins and peptides in their multidimensional interactions in complex biological processes. The progress in proteomics and peptidomics during the last years offer us new challenges to study changes in the protein and peptide synthesis. These strategies also offer new tools to follow post-translational modifications and other disturbed chemical processes that may be indicative of pathophysiological alteration(s). Furthermore these techniques can contribute to improvements in the diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, and psychiatric diseases, as depression and post traumatic stress disorders. We also consider different practical aspects of the applications of mass spectrometry in clinical neuroscience, illustrated by example from our laboratories. The new proteomic and peptidomic strategies will further enable the progress for clinical neuroscience research.

Plasma motilin in untreated celiac disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is characterized by mucosal villous atrophy mostly confined to the proximal small intestine. Upper-gut motor abnormalities have been reported. Motilin, localized in cells in the proximal small intestine, is a trigger factor for the migrating motor complex. Plasma levels of motilin were studied in 16 untreated CD patients and in an age-matched control group of 18 healthy subjects by radioimmunoassay and by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The fasting levels of motilin and postprandial levels were significantly higher in CD patients compared to controls (P<0.01) and HPLC revealed a divergent individual pattern of the motilin fragments.