Effect of Disease Severity and Optic Disc Size on Diagnostic Accuracy of RTVue Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomograph in Glaucoma

PURPOSE. To evaluate the effect of disease severity and optic disc size on the diagnostic accuracies of optic nerve head (ONH), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and macular parameters with RTVue (Optovue, Fremont, CA) spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) in glaucoma. METHODS. 110 eyes of 62 normal subjects and 193 eyes of 136 glaucoma patients from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study underwent ONH, RNFL, and macular imaging with RTVue. Severity of glaucoma was based on visual field index (VFI) values from standard automated perimetry. Optic disc size was based on disc area measurement using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (Heidelberg Engineering, Dossenheim, Germany). Influence of disease severity and disc size on the diagnostic accuracy of RTVue was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and logistic regression models. RESULTS. Areas under ROC curve (AUC) of all scanning areas increased (P < 0.05) as disease severity increased. For a VFI value of 99%, indicating early damage, AUCs for rim area, average RNLI thickness, and ganglion cell complex-root mean square were 0.693, 0.799, and 0.779, respectively. For a VFI of 70%, indicating severe damage, corresponding AUCs were 0.828, 0.985, and 0.992, respectively. Optic disc size did not influence the AUCs of any of the SDOCT scanning protocols of RTVue (P > 0.05). Sensitivity of the rim area increased and specificity decreased in large optic discs. CONCLUSIONS. Diagnostic accuracies of RTVue scanning protocols for glaucoma were significantly influenced by disease severity. Sensitivity of the rim area increased in large optic discs at the expense of specificity. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011;92:1290-1296) DOI:10.1167/iovs.10-5516

Implications of prevalent and incident diabetes mellitus on left ventricular geometry and function in the ageing heart: The MONICA/KORA Augsburg cohort study

Background and Aim: It is unclear to what extent diabetes modulates the ageing-related adaptations of cardiac geometry and function. Methods and Results: We examined 1005 adults, aged 25-74 years, from a population-based survey at baseline in 1994/5 and at follow-up in 2004/5. We compared persistently non-diabetic individuals (ND; no diabetes at baseline and at follow-up, n = 833) with incident (ID; non-diabetic at baseline and diabetic at follow-up, n = 36) and with prevalent diabetics (PD; diabetes at baseline and follow-up examination, n = 21). Left ventricular (LV) geometry and function were evaluated by echocardiography. Statistical analyses were performed with multivariate linear regression models. Over ten years the PD group displayed a significantly stronger relative increase of LV mass (+9.34% vs. +23.7%) that was mediated by a more pronounced increase of LV end-diastolic diameter (+0% vs. +6.95%) compared to the ND group. In parallel, LA diameter increased (+4.50% vs. +12.7%), whereas ejection fraction decreased (+3.02% vs. -4.92%) more significantly in the PD group. Moreover, at the follow-up examination the PD and ID groups showed a significantly worse diastolic function, indicated by a higher E/EM ratio compared with the ND group (11.6 and 11.8 vs. 9.79, respectively). Conclusions: Long-standing diabetes was associated with an acceleration of age-related changes of left ventricular geometry accumulating in an eccentric remodelling of the left ventricle. Likewise, echocardiographic measures of systolic and diastolic ventricular function deteriorated more rapidly in individuals with diabetes. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Guiding intellectual and personal growth across educational contexts

This book recognizes the importance of cooperative learning, in contrast to the traditional classroom, as an effective approach to learning. Its coverage of the subject ranges across the educational spectrum, from pre-school years to university, and offers a fresh perspective on a topic that has gained increasing interest worldwide. With contributions from an international panel of leading experts in the field, this engaging text succeeds in providing key insights, linking the theories that underpin the study of group dynamics to their practical application in the classroom. It presents a comprehensive overview of this alternative educative approach, illustrating how cooperative learning experiences can promote socialisation and friendships, and facilitate learning. The editors assemble a range of well-researched essays, covering such aspects as: * The importance of teacher and student interaction * Small group, virtual and non-virtual teaching environments * Assessment practices for measuring the outcomes of individual and group progress * The effect of cooperative learning on relationships amongst students with diverse cultural, social and learning needs. Illustrated with practical examples throughout, this book will be a crucial read for teacher educators, educational psychologists, student teachers, academics and researchers who want to realize the significant potential of cooperative learning in all educational settings.

Talc pleurodesis: Evidence of systemic Inflammatory response to small size talc particles

The mechanisms of the systemic response associated with talc-induced pleurodesis are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the acute inflammatory response and migration of talc of small. size particles injected in the pleural space. Rabbits were injected intrapleurally with talc solution containing small. or mixed particles and blood and pleural fluid samples were collected after 6, 24 or 48 h and assayed for leukocytes, neutrophils, lactate dehydrogenase, IL-8, VEGF, and TGF-beta. The lungs, spleen, liver and kidneys were assessed to study deposit of talc particles. Both types of talc produced an acute serum inflammatory response, more pronounced in the small particles group. Pleural fluid IL-8 and VEGF levels were higher in the small particle talc group. Correlation between pleural VEFG and TGF-beta levels was observed for both groups. Although talc particles were demonstrated in the organs of both groups, they were more pronounced in the small talc group. In conclusion, intrapleural injection of talc of small size particles produced a more pronounced acute systemic response and a greater deposition in organs than talc of mixed particles. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of rhBMP-2 and Natural Latex as Potential Osteogenic Proteins in Critical Size Defects by Histomorphometric Methods

This in vivo study evaluated the osteogenic potential of two proteins, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and a protein extracted from natural latex (Hevea brasiliensis, P-1), and compared their effects on bone defects when combined with a carrier or a collagen gelatin. Eighty-four (84) Wistar rats were divided into two groups, with and without the use of collagen gelatin, and each of these were divided into six treatment groups of seven animals each. The treatment groups were: (1) 5 mu g of pure rhBMP-2; (2) 5 mu g of rhBMP-2/monoolein gel; (3) pure monoolein gel; (4) 5 mu g of pure P-1; (5) 5 mu g of P-1/monoolein gel; (6) critical bone defect control. The animals were anesthetized and a 6 mm diameter critical bone defect was made in the left posterior region of the parietal bone. Animals were submitted to intracardiac perfusion after 4 weeks and the calvaria tissue was removed for histomorphometric analysis. In this experimental study, it was concluded that rhBMP-2 allowed greater new bone formation than P-1 protein and this process was more effective when the bone defect was covered with collagen gelatin (P < 0.05). Anat Rec, 293:794-801, 2010. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Experimental tuberculosis: Designing a better model to test vaccines against tuberculosis

Experimental models of infection are good tools for establishing immunological parameters that have an effect on the host-pathogen relationship and also for designing new vaccines and immune therapies. In this work, we evaluated the evolution of experimental tuberculosis in mice infected with increasing bacterial doses or via distinct routes. We showed that mice infected with low bacterial doses by the intratracheal route were able to develop a progressive infection that was proportional to the inoculum size. In the initial phase of disease, mice developed a specific Th1-driven immune response independent of inoculum concentration. However, in the late phase, mice infected with higher concentrations exhibited a mixed Th1/Th2 response, while mice infected with lower concentrations sustained the Th1 pattern. Significant IL-10 concentrations and a more preeminent T regulatory cell recruitment were also detected at 70 days post-infection with high bacterial doses. These results suggest that mice infected with higher concentrations of bacilli developed an immune response similar to the pattern described for human tuberculosis wherein patients with progressive tuberculosis exhibit a down modulation of IFN-gamma production accompanied by increased levels of IL-4. Thus, these data indicate that the experimental model is important in evaluating the protective efficacy of new vaccines and therapies against tuberculosis. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evidence for a network transcriptional control of promiscuous gene expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells

The expression of peripheral tissue antigens (PTAs) in the thymus by medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) is essential for the central self-tolerance in the generation of the T cell repertoire. Due to heterogeneity of autoantigen representation, this phenomenon has been termed promiscuous gene expression (PGE), in which the autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene plays a key role as a transcription factor in part of these genes. Here we used a microarray strategy to access PGE in cultured murine CD80(+) 3.10 mTEC line. Hierarchical clustering of the data allowed observation that PTA genes were differentially expressed being possible to found their respective induced or repressed mRNAs. To further investigate the control of PGE, we tested the hypothesis that genes involved in this phenomenon might also be modulated by transcriptional network. We then reconstructed such network based on the microarray expression data, featuring the guanylate cyclase 2d (Gucy2d) gene as a main node. In such condition, we established 167 positive and negative interactions with downstream PTA genes. Silencing Aire by RNA interference, Gucy2d while down regulated established a larger number (355) of interactions with PTA genes. T- and G-boxes corresponding to AIRE protein binding sites located upstream to ATG codon of Gucy2d supports this effect. These findings provide evidence that Aire plays a role in association with Gucy2d, which is connected to Several PTA genes and establishes a cascade-like transcriptional control of promiscuous gene expression in mTEC cells. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Food energy content influences food portion size estimation by nutrition students

Background: Food portion size estimation involves a complex mental process that may influence food consumption evaluation. Knowing the variables that influence this process can improve the accuracy of dietary assessment. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of nutrition students to estimate food portions in usual meals and relate food energy content with errors in food portion size estimation. Methods: Seventy-eight nutrition students, who had already studied food energy content, participated in this cross-sectional study on the estimation of food portions, organised into four meals. The participants estimated the quantity of each food, in grams or millilitres, with the food in view. Estimation errors were quantified, and their magnitude were evaluated. Estimated quantities (EQ) lower than 90% and higher than 110% of the weighed quantity (WQ) were considered to represent underestimation and overestimation, respectively. Correlation between food energy content and error on estimation was analysed by the Spearman correlation, and comparison between the mean EQ and WQ was accomplished by means of the Wilcoxon signed rank test (P < 0.05). Results: A low percentage of estimates (18.5%) were considered accurate (+/- 10% of the actual weight). The most frequently underestimated food items were cauliflower, lettuce, apple and papaya; the most often overestimated items were milk, margarine and sugar. A significant positive correlation between food energy density and estimation was found (r = 0.8166; P = 0.0002). Conclusions: The results obtained in the present study revealed a low percentage of acceptable estimations of food portion size by nutrition students, with trends toward overestimation of high-energy food items and underestimation of low-energy items.

Inhibitory network interactions shape the auditory processing of natural communication signals in the songbird auditory forebrain

The role of GABA in the central processing of complex auditory signals is not fully understood. We have studied the involvement of GABA(A)-mediated inhibition in the processing of birdsong, a learned vocal communication signal requiring intact hearing for its development and maintenance. We focused on caudomedial nidopallium (NCM), an area analogous to parts of the mammalian auditory cortex with selective responses to birdsong. We present evidence that GABA(A)-mediated inhibition plays a pronounced role in NCM`s auditory processing of birdsong. Using immunocytochemistry, we show that approximately half of NCM`s neurons are GABAergic. Whole cell patch-clamp recordings in a slice preparation demonstrate that, at rest, spontaneously active GABAergic synapses inhibit excitatory inputs onto NCM neurons via GABA(A) receptors. Multi-electrode electrophysiological recordings in awake birds show that local blockade of GABA(A)-mediated inhibition in NCM markedly affects the temporal pattern of song-evoked responses in NCM without modifications in frequency tuning. Surprisingly, this blockade increases the phasic and largely suppresses the tonic response component, reflecting dynamic relationships of inhibitory networks that could include disinhibition. Thus processing of learned natural communication sounds in songbirds, and possibly other vocal learners, may depend on complex interactions of inhibitory networks.

Brood cell size of Apis mellifera modifies the reproductive behavior of Varroa destructor

We undertook a field study to determine whether comb cell size affects the reproductive behavior of Varroa destructor under natural conditions. We examined the effect of brood cell width on the reproductive behavior of V. destructor in honey bee colonies, under natural conditions. Drone and worker brood combs were sampled from 11 colonies of Apis mellifera. A Pearson correlation test and a Tukey test were used to determine whether mite reproduction rate varied with brood cell width. Generalized additive model analysis showed that infestation rate increased positively and linearly with the width of worker and drone cells. The reproduction rate for viable mother mites was 0.96 viable female descendants per original invading female. No significant correlation was observed between brood cell width and number of offspring of V. destructor. Infertile mother mites were more frequent in narrower brood cells.