Thermoluminescence glow-curve deconvolution using analytical expressions: A unified presentation.

This study provides a unified presentation of thermoluminescence (TL) glow-curve deconvolution within the framework of the open source R package "tgcd", according to various analytical expressions that describe first-, second-, general-, and mixed-order kinetics as well as the recently developed semi-analytical expressions that derive from the one trap-one recombination center (OTOR) model that utilizes the Lambert W function or the Wright Omega function. We provide a comprehensive, flexible, convenient, and openly accessible program to analyze TL glow curves according to different models and expressions. The consistency of kinetic parameters determined using different model expressions was assessed using measured TL glow curve of CaF2:Dy. The performance of the computerized glow curve deconvolution (CGCD) method was also tested using simulated glow curves. Results revealed the benefits of comparing kinetic parameters determined from different model expressions and those obtained using experimental TL evaluation methods to assess the reliability of deconvolution results. The accuracy of the CGCD method is dependent upon both the model expressions used and the intrinsic trapping parameters of the TL material.

Interactions between sleep disruption, motor learning, and p70 S6 kinase 1 signaling.

Offline gains in motor performance after initial motor learning likely depend on sleep, but the molecular mechanisms by which this occurs are understudied. Regulation of mRNA translation via p70 S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) signaling represents one potential mechanism, as protein synthesis is thought to be increased during sleep compared to wake and is necessary for several forms of long-term memory. Using phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 (RpS6) as a readout of S6K1 activity, we demonstrate that a period of 10 h of acute sleep disruption impairs both S6K1 signaling and offline gains in motor performance on the rotarod in adult wild type C57/Bl6 mice. Rotarod motor learning results in increased abundance of RpS6 in the striatum, and inhibition of S6K1 either indirectly with rapamycin or directly with PF-4708671 diminished the offline improvement in motor performance without affecting the initial acquisition of rotarod motor learning when sleep is normal. In sum, S6K1 activity is required for sleep-dependent offline gains in motor performance and is inhibited following acute sleep disruption, while motor learning increases the abundance of striatal RpS6. Thus, S6K1 signaling represents a plausible mechanism mediating the beneficial effects of sleep on motor performance.

Audiological evaluation in patients with Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the characteristics of hearing loss in patients with Behçet's disease. METHODS: Twenty-six consecutive patients with Behçet's disease and a control group consisting of 25 age-matched healthy subjects were prospectively included in this study. Pure tone and speech audiometry, tympanometry, distortion product otoacoustic emission testing, and auditory brainstem-evoked response assessment were performed in the patients and controls. RESULTS: The pure tone audiograms and the results of distortion product otoacoustic emission testing showed statistically significant hearing loss in the Behçet's disease patients (p < 0.05). Auditory brainstem-evoked response results were not significantly different between the patients and controls (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study demonstrated that audiological involvement is more frequent in patients with Behçet's disease than in healthy controls. Therefore, all patients with Behçet's disease should be regularly monitored by an otolaryngologist and be given information about the possibility of inner-ear involvement.

Surgical outcome of bronchiectasis in children: long term results of 60 cases.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is described as destruction and the irreversible dilatation of bronchial structure. We wanted to demonstrate our surgical practice and outcome of surgical treatment in bronchiectasis. METHODS: We studied records of 60 pediatric patients who underwent surgical resection in our clinic between January 2000 and January 2013. The results were analyzed regarding factors influencing the outcome. RESULTS: There were 32 boys and 28 girls with a mean age of 9.45 years (range 2-15). The most common cause was childhood infection in 25 (41.66%). The mean duration of the symptoms was 42.93 months. Patients underwent 64 operations including 2 staged thoracotomies and 2 re-thoracotomies. Atelectasis was the most frequent complication. Longer duration of symptoms related to postoperative complication. The morbidity and mortality rates were 20% and 3.33%, respectively. The outcome was optimal in 92%. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s less than 60% of the predicted value, hemoptysis and duration of symptoms were found prognostic variables for postoperative morbidity with high ratios of odds coefficients by using Binary Logistic Regression Method. CONCLUSIONS: Complete and early resection of bronchiectasis provides a successful outcome. Duration of symptoms and timely intervention have a major impact on the management and prognosis.

Brucellar spondylodiscitis: magnetic resonance imaging features with conventional sequences and diffusion-weighted imaging.

PURPOSE: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the contribution and role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in differentiating acute and chronic forms of brucellar spondylodiscitis. We also describe the characteristics and some indistinguishable features of brucellar spondylodiscitis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to emphasise the importance and limitations of MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI examinations of 25 patients with brucellar spondylodiscitis were retrospectively reviewed and analysed by two experienced radiologists. Signal and morphological changes were assessed. The imaging characteristics of acute and chronic forms of spondylodiscitis were compared. Both discriminative imaging findings of brucellar spondylodiscitis and some uncommon findings were interpreted. RESULTS: Of 25 patients with spinal brucellosis, eight had thoracic, ten had lumbar, five had both thoracic and lumbar and two had both lumbar and sacral vertebral involvement. We detected posterior longitudinal ligament elevation in 11 patients, epidural abscess formation in 11 and paravertebral abscess formation in nine. Ten patients had cord compression and eight had root compression. Three patients had facet-joint involvement, and one had erector spinae muscle involvement. Eight patients (32%) were in the acute stage, six (24%) in the subacute stage and 11 (44%) in the chronic stage. Vertebral bodies, vertebral end plates and intervertebral disc spaces were hypointense and hyperintense in the acute stage, whereas they were hypointense and heterogeneous in the subacute and chronic stages on T1- and T2-weighted images, respectively. In the acute stage on the DWI series, vertebral bodies, end plates and discs were all hyperintense but hypointense in the chronic stage. CONCLUSIONS: Although conventional MRI has several advantages over other imaging modalities and is very useful in the differential diagnosis between brucellar spondylodiscitis and other spinal pathologies, it has some difficulties in discriminating acute and chronic forms of spondylodiscitis. DWI is a sensitive, fast sequence that has the potential for differentiating acute and chronic forms of spondylodiscitis, which makes it crucial in spinal imaging.