Revision of Trogulidae Sundevall, 1833 (Arachnida: Opiliones)

The relationship and phylogeny of the western Palearctic harvestmen family Trogulidae is investigated. The traditional system of seven genera and approximately 40 species appeared to be artificially composed but a phylogenetic approach and a comprehensive revision has long been sought after. Species are poorly characterised due to their uniform morphology and species evaluation is furthermore complicated by the variability of the few characters used for species delineation. To meet these demands a molecular genetic analysis is accomplished using the nuclear 28S rRNA gene and the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. This analysis incorporates most genera and species of Trogulidae as well as a comprehensive set of Nemastomatidae and Dicranolasmatidae as outgroup taxa. Phylogenetic results of Bayesian analysis, Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Neighbor Joining are compared with distributional data, morphological characters and results of canonical discriminant analysis of morphometric characters and general congruence of these data sets is shown. To demonstrate the applicability of this method the revision of two species-groups within Trogulus is set out in detail. The Trogulus hirtus species-group and the Trogulus coriziformis species-group are revised. The former is in the central and north-western Balkan Peninsula. T. tricarinatus ssp. hirtus is raised to species level and four new species are described (T. karamanorum [man.n.], T. melitensis [man.n.], T. pharensis [man.n]; T. thaleri [man.n.]). The Trogulus coriziformis species-group is confined to the western Mediterranean area. T. coriziformis, T. aquaticus are re-described, T. cristatus and T. lusitanicus are re-established and four species are described as new (T. balearicus, T. huberi, T. prietoi, T. pyrenaicus). In both species-groups two further cryptic species probably exist but were not described. The species groups are shown to represent different phylogenetic levels and this information is used for the revisional work on the genus Trogulus as well as for the generic system of Trogulidae. Family status of Dicranolasmatidae is rejected and Dicranolasma is shown to be best incorporated within Trogulidae. Calathocratus, Platybessobius and Trogulocratus appear to be polyphyletic and are best to be united within Calathocratus, the oldest name of this set. The cryptic diversity within Trogulidae, especially in Trogulus and the composed genus Calathocratus rates to 150-235% and is thereby remarkably high for a group of the generally well researched European fauna. Genetic features of the group such as heteroplasmy, the possibility of major gene rearrangements and usability of the cytochrome b gene for phylogenetic studies in Opiliones are outlined.

Prematurità: Interazioni Precoci e Sintomatologia Materna

La prematurità rappresenta un fattore di rischio per la qualità delle interazioni precoci e la sintomatologia materna, soprattutto in caso di nascita VLBW (peso ≤ 1500 grammi) ed ELBW (≤1000 grammi). Scopo dello studio è valutare a 3 e 9 mesi di età corretta le modalità interattive delle diadi madre-bambino e lo stato affettivo materno in due campioni di prematuri, ELBW e VLBW, confrontandoli con un gruppo di bambini nati a termine (GC). Un campione di 119 diadi madre-bambino, di cui 71 nati prematuri (30 VLBW e 21 ELBW) e 68 a termine, sono stati valutati all'età di 3 e 9 mesi. Durante gli assessment, è avvenuta la videoregistrazione dell’interazione madre-bambino, codificata mediante le Global Rating Scales (a 3 mesi) ed il CARE Index Infant (a 9 mesi), e la valutazione della sintomatologia materna, attraverso Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Social Interaction and Anxiety Scale, Social Phobia Scale, Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, Questionari italiani del Temperamento. A 3 mesi, le madri di ELBW appaiono più demanding e meno sensibili rispetto a quelle di VLBW; più intrusive rispetto a quelle di GC. Tali madri, inoltre, sono significativamente meno sensibili di quelle del GC anche a 9 mesi. In entrambi gli assessment, tali madri presentano livelli significativamente maggiori di depressione, ansia generalizzata e stress, rispetto a quelle di entrambi gli altri gruppi. Non emergono differenze rispetto all'ansia sociale nè alla percezione del temperamento. Le analisi della correlazione hanno evidenziato specifiche relazioni tra la sintomatologia materna e i pattern interattivi nei tre gruppi. La nascita pretermine rappresenta un fattore di rischio solo per le madri di ELBW, che presentano difficoltà interattive ed elevata sintomatologia; quelle dei VLBW, infatti, tendono a presentare pattern interattivi affini a quelle del GC, mostrando adeguata sensibilità e bassi livelli di depressione, ansia e stress.

Betreuungsbedürfnisse von Patientinnen im Rahmen der gynäkologischen Krebsfrüherkennungsuntersuchung : Entwicklung eines Erfassungsinstrumentes

Da es bis dato kein spezifisches Instrument gibt, um die Betreuungsbedürfnisse von Patientinnen im Rahmen der gynäkologischen Krebsfrüherkennungsuntersuchung zu erfassen, war es das Ziel der vorliegenden explorativen Studie, eben jene subjektiven Betreuungsbedürfnisse aufzudecken und sie in ein praxistaugliches und messbares Format zu überführen - den Fragebogen „Betreuungsbedürfnisse – Gynäkologische Krebsfrüherkennungsuntersuchung (BB-G KFU)“. Wir stellten hierzu folgende Hypothesen auf: Es ist möglich (a) Betreuungsbedürfnisse zu explorieren und in reliablen Skalen abzubilden, (b) die Wichtigkeit der Betreuungsbedürfnisse in Form einer Wertigkeitsrangfolge abzubilden, (c) Determinanten der Betreuungsbedürfnisse (Alter, Sozialstatus, Familienstand, Gesundheitsbezogene Kontrollüberzeugungen) zu detektieren. Wir entwickelten einen Fragebogen auf der Basis einer ausführlichen systematischen Literaturrecherche, Leitfadeninterviews mit gynäkologischen Patientinnen sowie einer Befragung von 18 Experten. Dieser Fragebogen beinhaltete 58 Arzt bezogene Betreuungsbedürfnisse-Items, 12 Arzthelferinnen bezogene Betreuungsbedürfnisse-Items und 21 Praxisorganisation und Praxisstruktur bezogene Betreuungsbedürfnisse-Items. Die Probandinnen bewerteten die Wichtigkeit der Erfüllung jedes Items anhand einer fünfstufigen Antwortskala im Likert-Format (1 = nicht wichtig, 5 = sehr wichtig). Zudem wurden soziodemografische Daten sowie gesundheitsbezogene Kontrollüberzeugungen der Probandinnen erhoben. Im Sinne einer multizentrisch angelegten Querschnittstudie wurde der Fragebogen an 1.000 Patientinnen in zehn gynäkologischen Praxen in drei deutschen Bundesländern ausgegeben. Insgesamt erhielten wir 965 ausgefüllte Fragebögen zurück. Mittels deskriptiver Statistiken konnten die soziodemografischen Daten sowie die einzelnen Betreuungsbedürfnisse-Items ausgewertet werden. Zur Entwicklung reliabler Betreuungsbedürfnis-Skalen wurde der Datensatz einer Hauptkomponentenanalyse (PCA mit Varimax-Rotation) unterzogen. Auf diesem Wege konnte ein Erfassungsinstrument (Fragebogen „Betreuungsbedürfnisse – Gynäkologische Krebsfrüherkennungsuntersuchung (BB-G KFU)“) bestehend aus sieben reliablen Betreuungsbedürfnis-Skalen (BB-S) entwickelt werden, welche die psychosozialen Betreuungsbedürfnisse und -wünsche von Patientinnen mit Bezug auf den Gynäkologen (BB-S-A), die Arzthelferin (BB-S-AH) sowie die Praxisstruktur (BB-S-P) abzubilden vermögen: „Bedürfnis nach Information“ (BB-S-A-I), „Bedürfnis nach Respekt und Einfühlungsvermögen im Rahmen der körperlichen Untersuchung“ (BB-S-A-RE), „Bedürfnis nach Zuwendung und Verfügbarkeit“ (BB-S-A-ZV), „Bedürfnis nach Zuwendung und Service“ (BB-S-AH-ZS), „Bedürfnis nach logistischer Unterstützung“ (BB-S-AH-L), „Bedürfnis nach Basisausstattung und Erreichbarkeit“ (BB-S-P-BE) und „Bedürfnis nach Zusatzausstattung“ (BB-S-P-Z). Die durch die drei arztbezogenen Komponenten (bestehend aus 33 Items) aufgeklärte Gesamtvarianz beträgt 40,29%, die der arzthelferinnenbezogenen 2-Komponentenlösung (11 Items) 48,92%, und die Totalvarianz der zwei Dimensionen mit Bezug auf die Praxisstruktur (19 Items) liegt bei 41,68%. Die Reliabilitäten der sieben Skalen sind als akzeptabel bis sehr gut zu bewerten (Cronbachs α = .71 - .89). Anhand der Korrelationen zum KKG (Fragen zu Kontrollüberzeugungen über Krankheit und Gesundheit von Lohaus und Schmitt) konnten erste positive Hinweise auf die Validität des BB-G KFU gefunden werden. Durch den Vergleich der einzelnen Mittelwerte konnte die hierarchische Organisation der Betreuungsbedürfnisse gemäß ihrer Wichtigkeit sichtbar gemacht werden: Die Arbeit zeigt, dass Patientinnen im Rahmen der gynäkologischen KFU der Informationsvermittlung durch den Arzt (BB-S-A-I; M = 1,51; SD = 0,47) wie auch der ärztlichen Zuwendung und Verfügbarkeit (BB-S-A-ZV; M = 1,39; SD = 0,38) in der Wertigkeitsrangfolge einen besonders hohen Platz einräumen. Die Datenanalysen zeigen zudem eine Abhängigkeit der Betreuungsbedürfnisse vom Alter und vom Sozialstatus der Patientinnen, jedoch nicht vom Familienstand und den gesundheitsbezogenen Kontrollüberzeugungen.

Experimentelle Untersuchung von Phasenübergängen im kolloidalen Modellsystem harter Kugeln

Die vorliegende Arbeit behandelt den fluid-kristallinen Phasenübergang sowie den Glasübergang anhand von kolloidalen Hart-Kugel(HK)-Modellsystemen. Die Untersuchungen erfolgen dabei im Wesentlichen mit unterschiedlichen Lichtstreumethoden und daher im reziproken Raum. rnDie Analyse der Kristallisationskinetik zeigt, dass es bei der Kristallisation zu signifikanten Abweichungen vom Bild der klassischen Nukleationstheorie (CNT) kommt. Diese geht von einem einstufigen Nukleationsprozess aus, wohingegen bei den hier durchgeführten Experimenten ein mehrstufiger Prozess beobachtet wird. Vor der eigentlichen Kristallisation kommt es zunächst zur Nukleation einer metastabilen Zwischenphase, sogenannter Precursor. In einer zweiten Stufe erfolgt innerhalb der Precursor die eigentliche Nukleation der Kristallite. rnDurch weitere Analyse und den Vergleich des Kristallisations- und Verglasungsszenarios konnte das Konzept der Precursornukleation auf den Vorgang der Verglasung erweitert werden. Während die Kristallnukleation oberhalb des Glasübergangspunktes zum Erliegen kommt, bleibt der Prozess der Precursornukleation auch bei verglasenden Proben erhalten. Ein Glas erstarrt somit in einem amorphen Zustand mit lokalen Precursorstrukturen. Die Korrelation der gemessenen zeitlichen Entwicklung der strukturellen sowie der dynamischen Eigenschaften zeigt darüber hinaus, dass das bisher unverstandene Ageing-Phänomen von HK-Gläsern mit der Nukleation von Precursorn zusammenhängt.rnEin solches mehrstufiges Szenario wurde bereits in früheren Veröffentlichungen beobachtet. Die im Rahmen dieser Arbeit durchgeführten Messungen ermöglichten erstmals die Bestimmung von Kristallnukleationsratendichten (Kristall-NRD) und Ratendichten für die Precursornukleation bis über den Glasübergangspunkt hinaus. Die Kristall-NRD bestätigen die Resultate aus anderen experimentellen Arbeiten. Die weiteren Analysen der Kristall-NRD belegen, dass die fluid-kristalline Grenzflächenspannung bei der Nukleation entgegen den Annahmen der CNT nicht konstant ist, sondern mit ansteigendem Volumenbruch linear zunimmt. Die Erweiterung der CNT um eine linear zunehmende Grenzflächenspannung ermöglichte eine quantitative Beschreibung der gemessenen Kristall- sowie der Precursor-NRD, was den Schluss zulässt, dass es sich in beiden Fällen um einen Boltzmann-aktivierten Prozess handelt. rnUm die beobachteten Abweichungen des Nukleationsprozesses vom Bild der CNT näher zu untersuchen, wurden die kollektiven Partikeldynamiken in stabilen Fluiden und metastabilen Schmelzen analysiert. Im klassischen Bild wird angenommen, dass die kollektive Partikeldynamik beim Vorgang der Nukleation keine Rolle spielt. Anhand der Resultate zeigen sich Abweichungen in der Dynamik stabiler Fluide und metastabiler Schmelzen. Während die kollektive Partikeldynamik in der stabilen Schmelze von der Struktur entkoppelt ist, tritt oberhalb des Phasenübergangspunktes eine Kopplung von Struktur und Dynamik auf. Dabei treten die Abweichungen zunächst in der Umgebung des ersten Strukturfaktormaximums und somit bei den am stärksten besetzten Moden auf. Mit steigender Unterkühlung nehmen die Anzahl der abweichenden Moden sowie die Stärke der Abweichungen zu. Dieses Phänomen könnte einen signifikanten Einfluss auf den Nukleationsprozess und somit auf die Kristallisationskinetik haben. Die Analyse der Dynamik im stabilen Fluid zeigt darüber hinaus Hinweise auf eine Singularität bei Annäherung an den fluid-kristallinen Phasenübergangspunkt.rnDes Weiteren wurden im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit erstmals Ratendichten für die heterogene Nukleation eines HK-Systems an einer flachen Wand mittels statischer Lichtstreuung (SLS) bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse der Messung zeigen, dass die Nukleationsbarriere der heterogenen Nukleation annähernd Null ist und folglich eine vollständige Benetzung der Wand mit einer kristallinen Monolage vorliegt. Die Erweiterung der Untersuchungen auf gekrümmte Oberflächen in Form von sphärischen Partikeln (Seeds) stellt die erste experimentelle Arbeit dar, die den Einfluss eines Ensembles von Seeds auf die Kristallisationskinetik in HK-Systemen untersucht. Die Kristallisationskinetik und die Mikrostruktur werden abhängig von Größe und Anzahldichte der Seed-Partikel signifikant beeinflusst. In Übereinstimmung mit konfokalmikroskopischen Experimenten und Simulationen spielt dabei das Radienverhältnis der Majoritäts- zur Minoritätskomponente eine entscheidende Rolle.

Characterization of a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry system for soft tissues assessment and their correlations with metabolic state

Il crescente utilizzo di sistemi di analisi high-throughput per lo studio dello stato fisiologico e metabolico del corpo, ha evidenziato che una corretta alimentazione e una buona forma fisica siano fattori chiave per la salute. L'aumento dell'età media della popolazione evidenzia l'importanza delle strategie di contrasto delle patologie legate all'invecchiamento. Una dieta sana è il primo mezzo di prevenzione per molte patologie, pertanto capire come il cibo influisce sul corpo umano è di fondamentale importanza. In questo lavoro di tesi abbiamo affrontato la caratterizzazione dei sistemi di imaging radiografico Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). Dopo aver stabilito una metodologia adatta per l'elaborazione di dati DXA su un gruppo di soggetti sani non obesi, la PCA ha evidenziato alcune proprietà emergenti dall'interpretazione delle componenti principali in termini delle variabili di composizione corporea restituite dalla DXA. Le prime componenti sono associabili ad indici macroscopici di descrizione corporea (come BMI e WHR). Queste componenti sono sorprendentemente stabili al variare dello status dei soggetti in età, sesso e nazionalità. Dati di analisi metabolica, ottenuti tramite Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) su campioni di urina, sono disponibili per circa mille anziani (provenienti da cinque paesi europei) di età compresa tra i 65 ed i 79 anni, non affetti da patologie gravi. I dati di composizione corporea sono altresì presenti per questi soggetti. L'algoritmo di Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) è stato utilizzato per esprimere gli spettri MRS come combinazione di fattori di base interpretabili come singoli metaboliti. I fattori trovati sono stabili, quindi spettri metabolici di soggetti sono composti dallo stesso pattern di metaboliti indipendentemente dalla nazionalità. Attraverso un'analisi a singolo cieco sono stati trovati alti valori di correlazione tra le variabili di composizione corporea e lo stato metabolico dei soggetti. Ciò suggerisce la possibilità di derivare la composizione corporea dei soggetti a partire dal loro stato metabolico.

Perception of emotion in sounded and imagined music

WE STUDIED THE EMOTIONAL RESPONSES BY MUSICIANS to familiar classical music excerpts both when the music was sounded, and when it was imagined.We used continuous response methodology to record response profiles for the dimensions of valence and arousal simultaneously and then on the single dimension of emotionality. The response profiles were compared using cross-correlation analysis, and an analysis of responses to musical feature turning points, which isolate instances of change in musical features thought to influence valence and arousal responses. We found strong similarity between the use of an emotionality arousal scale across the stimuli, regardless of condition (imagined or sounded). A majority of participants were able to create emotional response profiles while imagining the music, which were similar in timing to the response profiles created while listening to the sounded music.We conclude that similar mechanisms may be involved in the processing of emotion in music when the music is sounded and when imagined.

A multi-proxy approach for revealing recent climatic changes in the Russian Altai

For the first time we present a multi-proxy data set for the Russian Altai, consisting of Siberian larch tree-ring width (TRW), latewood density (MXD), δ13C and δ18O in cellulose chronologies obtained for the period 1779–2007 and cell wall thickness (CWT) for 1900–2008. All of these parameters agree well between each other in the high-frequency variability, while the low-frequency climate information shows systematic differences. The correlation analysis with temperature and precipitation data from the closest weather station and gridded data revealed that annual TRW, MXD, CWT, and δ13C data contain a strong summer temperature signal, while δ18O in cellulose represents a mixed summer and winter temperature and precipitation signal. The temperature and precipitation reconstructions from the Belukha ice core and Teletskoe lake sediments were used to investigate the correspondence of different independent proxies. Low frequency patterns in TRW and δ13C chronologies are consistent with temperature reconstructions from nearby Belukha ice core and Teletskoe lake sediments showing a pronounced warming trend in the last century. Their combination could be used for the regional temperature reconstruction. The long-term δ18O trend agrees with the precipitation reconstruction from the Teletskoe lake sediment indicating more humid conditions during the twentieth century. Therefore, these two proxies could be combined for the precipitation reconstruction.

Cardiac transplantation with hearts from donors after circulatory declaration of death: haemodynamic and biochemical parameters at procurement predict recovery following cardioplegic storage in a rat model

OBJECTIVES: Donation after circulatory declaration of death (DCDD) could significantly improve the number of cardiac grafts for transplantation. Graft evaluation is particularly important in the setting of DCDD given that conditions of cardio-circulatory arrest and warm ischaemia differ, leading to variable tissue injury. The aim of this study was to identify, at the time of heart procurement, means to predict contractile recovery following cardioplegic storage and reperfusion using an isolated rat heart model. Identification of reliable approaches to evaluate cardiac grafts is key in the development of protocols for heart transplantation with DCDD. METHODS: Hearts isolated from anaesthetized male Wistar rats (n = 34) were exposed to various perfusion protocols. To simulate DCDD conditions, rats were exsanguinated and maintained at 37°C for 15-25 min (warm ischaemia). Isolated hearts were perfused with modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer for 10 min (unloaded), arrested with cardioplegia, stored for 3 h at 4°C and then reperfused for 120 min (unloaded for 60 min, then loaded for 60 min). Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed using an intraventricular micro-tip pressure catheter. Statistical significance was determined using the non-parametric Spearman rho correlation analysis. RESULTS: After 120 min of reperfusion, recovery of LV work measured as developed pressure (DP)-heart rate (HR) product ranged from 0 to 15 ± 6.1 mmHg beats min(-1) 10(-3) following warm ischaemia of 15-25 min. Several haemodynamic parameters measured during early, unloaded perfusion at the time of heart procurement, including HR and the peak systolic pressure-HR product, correlated significantly with contractile recovery after cardioplegic storage and 120 min of reperfusion (P < 0.001). Coronary flow, oxygen consumption and lactate dehydrogenase release also correlated significantly with contractile recovery following cardioplegic storage and 120 min of reperfusion (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Haemodynamic and biochemical parameters measured at the time of organ procurement could serve as predictive indicators of contractile recovery. We believe that evaluation of graft suitability is feasible prior to transplantation with DCDD, and may, consequently, increase donor heart availability.

Videogames and Aggression in Teenagers

Victor Sazonov (Russia). Video Games and Aggression in Teenagers. Mr. Sazonov works as a psychologist at the Obninsk Linguistic College and worked on this research from July 1996 to June 1997. Mr. Sazonov conducted a survey of 200 tenth and eleventh graders in Moscow (94 boys and 106 girls), in which they were asked to estimate the total amount of time they spent playing video games each week and which games were the most popular. Aggression was also assessed using two measures, the first dealing with manifest physical aggression and the second with aggressive behavioural delinquency. The data collected showed that 62% of teenagers spend at least one hour a week playing video games, with 10% spending over seven hours on them. Girls tended to play less than boys (1.6 and 2.8 hours on average respectively). Eight of the ten most popular games require the player to perform acts of a violent nature. Boys also scored higher on the index of aggressive behavioural delinquency, with a mean of 7.0 compared to 4.6 for girls. The results of the correlation analysis between time spent playing video games and measures of aggression were mixed. No relation was found between manifest physical aggression and time spent on the games, although in the case of aggressive behavioural delinquency the link was significant, which seems to indicate that aggressive teenagers spend more time playing video games. While the lack of significant correlations between violent games and aggression suggest that video games may not in fact be as great a menace as their critics suggest, Mr. Sazonov admits that these findings may be influenced by the high number of teenagers who do not play games at all or play relatively little. He also suggests that the abstract nature of the violence in games (often directed against aliens or spaceships) may make it less of a risk than the more realistic violence seen on television. In summary, however, he concludes that his results provide more support for the theories saying that violent video games provide a stimulus to violent action, than for those which suggest that they may help defuse violent tendencies.

Effect of acute hypoxia on maximal oxygen uptake and maximal performance during leg and upper-body exercise in Nordic combined skiers

We examined the effect of normobaric hypoxia (3200 m) on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and maximal power output (Pmax) during leg and upper-body exercise to identify functional and structural correlates of the variability in the decrement of VO2max (DeltaVO2max) and of maximal power output (DeltaPmax). Seven well trained male Nordic combined skiers performed incremental exercise tests to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer (leg exercise) and on a custom built doublepoling ergometer for cross-country skiing (upper-body exercise). Tests were carried out in normoxia (560 m) and normobaric hypoxia (3200 m); biopsies were taken from m. deltoideus. DeltaVO2max was not significantly different between leg (-9.1+/-4.9%) and upper-body exercise (-7.9+/-5.8%). By contrast, Pmax was significantly more reduced during leg exercise (-17.3+/-3.3%) than during upper-body exercise (-9.6+/-6.4%, p<0.05). Correlation analysis did not reveal any significant relationship between leg and upper-body exercise neither for DeltaVO2max nor for DeltaPmax. Furthermore, no relationship was observed between individual DeltaVO2max and DeltaPmax. Analysis of structural data of m. deltoideus revealed a significant correlation between capillary density and DeltaPmax (R=-0.80, p=0.03), as well as between volume density of mitochondria and DeltaPmax (R=-0.75, p=0.05). In conclusion, it seems that VO2max and Pmax are differently affected by hypoxia. The ability to tolerate hypoxia is a characteristic of the individual depending in part on the exercise mode. We present evidence that athletes with a high capillarity and a high muscular oxidative capacity are more sensitive to hypoxia.

Acetyl-L-carnitine feeding to unloaded rats triggers in soleus muscle the coordinated expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis

The expressional profile of mitochondrial transcripts and of genes involved in the mitochondrial biogenesis pathway induced by ALCAR daily supplementation in soleus muscle of control and unloaded 3-month-old rats has been analyzed. It has been found that ALCAR treatment is able to upregulate the expression level of mitochondrial transcripts (COX I, ATP6, ND6, 16 S rRNA) in both control and unloaded animals. Interestingly, ALCAR feeding to unloaded rats resulted in the increase of transcript level for master factors involved in mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1alpha, NRF-1, TFAM). It also prevented the unloading-induced downregulation of mRNA levels for kinases able to transduce metabolic (AMPK) and neuronal stimuli (CaMKIIbeta) into mitochondrial biogenesis. No significant effect on the expressional level of such genes was found in control ALCAR-treated rats. In addition, ALCAR feeding was able to prevent the loss of mitochondrial protein content due to unloading condition. Correlation analysis revealed a strong coordination in the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis only in ALCAR-treated suspended animals, supporting a differentiated effect of ALCAR treatment in relation to the loading state of the soleus muscle. In conclusions, we demonstrated the ability of ALCAR supplementation to promote only in soleus muscle of hindlimb suspended rats an orchestrated expression of genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, which might counteract the unloading-induced metabolic changes, preventing the loss of mitochondrial proteins.

A pain assessment scale for population-based studies: Development and validation of the Pain Module of the Standard Evaluation Questionnaire

The objectives of this study were to develop and validate a tool for assessing pain in population-based observational studies and to develop three subscales for back/neck, upper extremity and lower extremity pain. Based on a literature review, items were extracted from validated questionnaires and reviewed by an expert panel. The initial questionnaire consisted of a pain manikin and 34 items relating to (i) intensity of pain in different body regions (7 items), (ii) pain during activities of daily living (18 items) and (iii) various pain modalities (9 items). Psychometric validation of the initial questionnaire was performed in a random sample of the German-speaking Swiss population. Analyses included tests for reliability, correlation analysis, principal components factor analysis, tests for internal consistency and validity. Overall, 16,634 of 23,763 eligible individuals participated (70%). Test-retest reliability coefficients ranged from 0.32 to 0.97, but only three coefficients were below 0.60. Subscales were constructed combining four items for each of the subscales. Item-total coefficients ranged from 0.76 to 0.86 and Cronbach's alpha were 0.75 or higher for all subscales. Correlation coefficients between subscales and three validated instruments (WOMAC, SPADI and Oswestry) ranged from 0.62 to 0.79. The final Pain Standard Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ Pain) included 28 items and the pain manikin and accounted for the multidimensionality of pain by assessing pain location and intensity, pain during activity, triggers and time of onset of pain and frequency of pain medication. It was found to be reliable and valid for the assessment of pain in population-based observational studies.

Relation of white matter anisotropy to visual memory in 17 healthy subjects

We performed a Rey visual design learning test (RVDLT) in 17 subjects and measured intervoxel coherence (IC) by DTI as an indication of connectivity to investigate if visual memory performance would depend on white matter structure in healthy persons. IC considers the orientation of the adjacent voxels and has a better signal-to-noise ratio than the commonly used fractional anisotropy index. Voxel-based t-test analysis of the IC values was used to identify neighboring voxel clusters with significant differences between 7 low and 10 high test performers. We detected 9 circumscribed significant clusters (p< .01) with lower IC values in low performers than in high performers, with centers of gravity located in left and right superior temporal region, corpus callosum, left superior longitudinal fascicle, and left optic radiation. Using non-parametric correlation analysis, IC and memory performance were significantly correlated in each of the 9 clusters (r< .61 to r< .81; df=15, p< .01 to p< .0001). The findings provide in vivo evidence for the contribution of white matter structure to visual memory in healthy people.

Myocardial bridging: depiction rate and morphology at CT coronary angiography--comparison with conventional coronary angiography

PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the depiction rate and morphologic features of myocardial bridging (MB) of coronary arteries with 64-section computed tomographic (CT) coronary angiography in comparison to conventional coronary angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were simultaneously enrolled in a prospective study comparing CT and conventional coronary angiography, for which ethics committee approval and informed consent were obtained. One hundred patients (38 women, 62 men; mean age, 63.8 years +/- 11.6 [standard deviation]) underwent 64-section CT and conventional coronary angiography. Fifty additional patients (19 women, 31 men; mean age, 59.2 years +/- 13.2) who underwent CT only were also included. CT images were analyzed for the direct signs length, depth, and degree of systolic compression, while conventional angiograms were analyzed for the indirect signs step down-step up phenomenon, milking effect, and systolic compression of the tunneled segment. Statistical analysis was performed with Pearson correlation analysis, the Wilcoxon two-sample test, and Fisher exact tests. RESULTS: MB was detected with CT in 26 (26%) of 100 patients and with conventional angiography in 12 patients (12%). Mean tunneled segment length and depth at CT (n = 150) were 24.3 mm +/- 10.0 and 2.6 mm +/- 0.8, respectively. Systolic compression in the 12 patients was 31.3% +/- 11.0 at CT and 28.2% +/- 10.5 at conventional angiography (r = 0.72, P < .001). With CT, a significant correlation was not found between systolic compression and length (r = 0.16, P = .25, n = 150) but was found with depth (r = 0.65, P < .01, n = 150) of the tunneled segment. In 14 patients in whom MB was found at CT but not at conventional angiography, length, depth, and systolic compression were significantly lower than in patients in whom both modalities depicted the anomaly (P < .001, P < .01, and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The depiction rate of MB is greater with 64-section CT coronary angiography than with conventional coronary angiography. The degree of systolic compression of MB significantly correlates with tunneled segment depth but not length.

Effects of cerebral perfusion pressure and increased fraction of inspired oxygen on brain tissue oxygen, lactate and glucose in patients with severe head injury

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to measure the effects of increased inspired oxygen on patients suffering severe head injury and consequent influences on the correlations between CPP and brain tissue oxygen (PtiO2) and the effects on brain microdialysate glucose and lactate. METHODS: In a prospective, observational study 20 patients suffering severe head injury (GCS< or =8) were studied between January 2000 and December 2001. Each patient received an intraparenchymal ICP device and an oxygen sensor and, in 17 patients brain microdialysis was performed at the cortical-subcortical junction. A 6 h 100% oxygen challenge (F IO2 1.0) ( Period A) was performed as early as possible in the first 24 hours after injury and compared with a similar 6 hour period following the challenge ( Period B). Statistics were performed using the linear correlation analysis, one sample t-test, as well as the Lorentzian peak correlation analysis. RESULTS: F IO2 was positively correlated with PtiO2 (p < 0.0001) over the whole study period. PtiO2 was significantly higher (p < 0.001) during Period A compared to Period B. CPP was positively correlated with PtiO2 (p < 0.001) during the whole study. PtiO2 peaked at a CPP value of 78 mmHg performing a Lorentzian peak correlation analysis of all patients over the whole study. During Period A the brain microdialysate lactate was significantly lower (p = 0.015) compared with Period B. However the brain microdialysate glucose remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: PtiO2 is significantly positively correlated with F IO2, meaning that PtiO2 can be improved by the simple manipulation of increasing F IO2 and ABGAO2. PtiO2 is positively correlated with CPP, peaking at a CPP value of 78 mmHg. Brain microdialysate lactate can be lowered by increasing PtiO2 values, as observed during the oxygen challenge, whereas microdialysate glucose is unchanged during this procedure. Extension of the oxygen challenge time and measurement of the intermediate energy metabolite pyruvate may clarify the metabolic effects of the intervention. Prospective comparative studies, including analysis of outcome on a larger multicenter basis, are necessary to assess the long term clinical benefits of this procedure.