Cognitive functions in neurofibromatosis type 1 patients and unaffected siblings

Attention, learning, and perceptual problems have been reported at various degrees and rates in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We aimed to define the cognitive profiles frequently associated with NF1. Children and adolescents with NF1 (n=58) were tested using Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children-Revised (WISC-R), Judgment of Line Orientation, and Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt tests. Comparison groups were unaffected siblings of NF1 patients (n=20), children with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD, n=40), and normal children (n=40). No difference was found between familial or sporadic NF1 cases. Seventeen/58 (29%) of NF1 cases had a full scale IQ 80 (n=27) scored lower in WISC-R subtests measuring visual perception when compared to a healthy control group of similar intelligence, and lower in arithmetic but better in Bender-Gestalt and Judgment of Line Orientation tests when compared to an ADHD group of similar intelligence. These results indicate a high prevalence of mental retardation in a clinical NF1 series. NF1 patients who have normal intelligence may have impaired visual perception, but their visual perceptual problems are less than in ADHD. The tendency of unaffected siblings of NF1 patients to have mildly but consistently low test scores compared to healthy controls needs to be studied further for underlying genetic or environmental factors

Emplacement age and direction of the Lycian nappes in the Söke-Selu̧k region, Western Turkey

In the Söke-Selçuk region, western Turkey, the northernmost exposures of the Lycian nappes are found as tectonic slices on the Menderes Massif. The Menderes Massif is represented by a continuous platform sequence and a blocky unit. The lower parts of the Menderes platform sequence is composed of Triassic-Jurassic marbles and an alternation of calcschists and micaschists; however, the upper parts are composed of emery- and rudist-bearing massive marbles. Along a gradational boundary, a blocky unit is found on top of the platform sequence, and it comprises blocks of metaophiolite and emery-bearing marble set in garnet-micaschists matrix. Along a low-angle fault marked by thin slices of red-green phyllites, tectonic slices of the Lycian nappes overlay garnet-micaschists of the massif. The Lycian nappes are represented mainly by a carbonate sequence which consists of dolomites, oncoidal limestones, intraformational limestone conglomerates, and cherty limestones. In the carbonate sequence of the Lycian nappes, undeformed primary structures are clearly observed just several meters above the sole fault, indicating a metamorphic break between the Lycian nappes and the Menderes Massif. The linear fabric in red-green phyllites at the sole of the Lycian nappes trends NNE-SSW, gently plunges to SSW and NNE, and is parallel to the linear fabric of the neotectonic period in the western Turkey. S/C relation suggests top-to-the SSW sense of shear in red-green phyllites. The deformation localized along the sole of the tectonic slices indicates that the red-green phyllites acted as a decollement surface. The deformational features, stratigraphic relations, orientation of linear fabric and metamorphic break reveal that Lycian nappes were emplaced on the Menderes Massif along a low-angle normal fault, after the Early to Middle Eocene Main Menderes metamorphism and prior to the deposition of the Middle Miocene sedimentary cover

MRI measures of hippocampus in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer patients

Objective: In this study, we aimed to compare the hippocampal volumes of patients diagnosed as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and of healthy objects. We also tried to demonstrate whether there was a possible correlation between the cognitive tests and the hippocampal volumes. Materials and Methods: The mini mental state examination (MMSE), ADAS-Cog and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) were administrated to the patients having AD (n= 20). MMSE and ADAS-Cog to MCI patients (n= 20) and the healthy control group (n= 18). Both right and left hippocampal volumes were measured by a three dimensioned Surf Driver programme with the support of cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Both right and left hippocampal volumes of the AD group were significantly smaller than the MCI and the control groups. Bilateral hippocampal volumes of MCI group were also smaller than the control group (hippocampal volumes; AD < MCI < control groups). The differences between the right and the left hippocampal volumes were not significant in both AD or MCI groups. Conclusion: Surf Driver method successfully demonstrated the relative hippocampal atrophy in the AD and the MCI groups when compared with the healthy controls

A role of leptin in psoriasis?

Aim: Although there is evidence of a positive association between psoriasis and body mass index (BMI) and leptin is known to play a part in the regulation of the immune system, the relationship between psoriasis and leptin is still not well known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible relation between leptin and psoriasis. Materials and Methods: Serum leptin concentrations and BMI in 20 patients with psoriasis were compared to 20 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Results: There was no difference between serum leptin levels of psoriatic patients (32.3 ± 24.9 ng/ml) and controls (36.8 ± 28.2 ng/ml). Leptin levels of both psoriatic and healthy volunteers showed positive correlations with BMI. Serum leptin levels in the patient group did not correlate with psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score or duration of psoriasis. Conclusions: In the setting of this study, our results did not support any possible relation between serum leptin levels and psoriasis. © TÜBİTAK

Oxytocin as a protective agent in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity

Cisplatin is a potent chemotherapeutic drug with serious side effects such as ototoxicity which is characterized by irreversible, bilateral, progressive sensorineural hearing loss. Oxytocin, which is a well-known hormone secreting during pregnancy, has antioxidant and antiinflammatory effect. Our study aims to test and compare the effect of intratympanic (IT) and intraperitoneal (IP) oxytocin on cisplatin ototoxicity with DPOAE

Elements Levels And Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Activity In Blood Of Patients With Schizophrenia

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Surface texturing of dental implant surfaces with an ultrafast fiber laser

Controlled modification of implant surfaces using femtosecond, picosecond and nanosecond pulses from home-built all-fiber-integrated lasers is demonstrated. Picosecond and femtosecond pulses offer superior control over the surface texture. Increasing cell attachment to surface is discussed. ©2010 Optical Society of America