Identification of Neural Mechanisms in First Single-Sweep Analysis in oVEMPs and Novel Normative Data

Background: Bone-conducted (BC) VEMPs provide important tools for measuring otolith function. However, two major drawbacks of this method are encountered in clinical practice—small n10 amplitude and averaging technique. In this study, we present the results of a new VEMP setup measuring technique combined with a novel single-sweep analysis. Methods: The study included BC oVEMP data from 92 participants for the evaluation of normative data using a novel analysis technique. For evaluating test-retest reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used. Results: We found significant n10 amplitude differences in single-sweep analyses after the first and second measurements. Thereby, mathematical analyses of the head movement did not show any differences in the first or second measurements. The normative n10 amplitude was 20.66 µV with an asymmetric ratio (AR) of 7%. The new value of late shift difference (LSD) was 0.01 ms. The test retest-reliability showed good to excellent ICC results in 9 out of 10 measurements. Conclusions: Our results support a phenomenon in single-sweep analysis of the first stimuli independent of head movement and signal morphology. Furthermore, the values obtained with the new measurement method appear to be more sensitive and may allow an extended diagnostic range due to the new parameter LSD

Dissociation of VE-PTP from VE-cadherin is required for leukocyte extravasation and for VEGF-induced vascular permeability in vivo

Artificially stabilizing contacts between VE-cadherin and VE-PTP reduce vascular permeability and leukocyte extravasation in vivo

Adjuvant therapy for children treated by enucleation at diagnosis of retinoblastoma

Introduction Advanced localized retinoblastoma can be cured by enucleation, but extraocular spread of retinoblastoma cells is associated with a high mortality. Risk-stratified adjuvant treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been shown to reduce the risk for extraocular relapse in children with histopathological risk factors. Methods Data of 184 patients with retinoblastoma and primary enucleation were collected in a prospective, multicenter, observational study between 2013 and 2020. The clinical characteristics were evaluated as risk factors and progression-free and overall survival rates were compared. Results Seventy-one percent of 184 children with retinoblastoma treated with primary enucleation were diagnosed with low risk histopathological factors (pT1/pT2a) and received no adjuvant therapy. Children with intermediate risk (pT2b,pT3; 48 children, 26.0%) and high risk for metastasis (pT4; 5 children, 2.7%) received risk-stratified adjuvant treatment. None of the children with low risk or intermediate risk (pT1-pT3) relapsed, but two of five children with high-risk retinoblastoma (pT4) developed extraocular relapses and one deceased. The 2-year progression-free survival rate and 2-year overall survival rate was 100% for children with pT1-3 retinoblastoma. However, the 2-year progression-free survival rate and 2-year overall survival rate for children with pT4 was statistically notably reduced with 2 of 5 children developing progression and 1 death among the 5 children within 2 years after diagnosis. Conclusion Primary enucleation alone and with additional risk-stratified adjuvant chemotherapy treatment provides high cure rates in patients with pT1-3 retinoblastoma, but children with pT4 retinoblastoma remain at high risk to develop extraocular retinoblastoma. International prospective clinical trials are required to evaluate reduction of intensity of adjuvant chemotherapy in some risk groups (pT2, pT3) and intensification for pT4 retinoblastoma

Reliability of Therapist Effects in Practice-Based Psychotherapy Research : A Guide for the Planning of Future Studies

This paper aims to provide researchers with practical information on sample sizes for accurate estimations of therapist effects (TEs). The investigations are based on an integrated sample of 48,648 patients treated by 1800 therapists. Multilevel modeling and resampling were used to realize varying sample size conditions to generate empirical estimates of TEs. Sample size tables, including varying sample size conditions, were constructed and study examples given. This study gives an insight into the potential size of the TE and provides researchers with a practical guide to aid the planning of future studies in this field

Cortactin deficiency is associated with reduced neutrophil recruitment but increased vascular permeability in vivo

Cortactin is required for endothelial barrier function and leukocyte recruitment in vivo

New Law for Psychological Psychotherapists in Germany – its Rules and Consequences

On January 1999, a new law came into effect in Germany which created two new health professions: the Psychological Psychotherapist and the Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist. They are allowed to conduct psychotherapy independently and on their own behalf. Health insurance agencies will pay for such treatment the same way as they reimburse other types of medical treatment. Only those psychotherapy methods are approved that are “scientifically recognized” by a scientific advisory board. Psychologists with a psychology diploma (Masters Degree) have to enter a psychotherapy training programme in one of the scientifically recognized schools for an additional three years (full-time) or five years (part-time) of study at a university or a federal government-accredited private school