53 research outputs found
High-normal blood glucose levels may be associated with decreased spatial perception in young healthy adults.
The negative effects of high normal glucose on cognitive function were previously reported in euglycemic individuals of middle age and the elderly population. This study aimed at examining the effect of baseline blood glucose levels on spatial ability, specifically verticality perception on the computerized rod and frame test (CRFT) in young healthy adults. 63 healthy male medical students (age range from 18-23 years), of whom 30 were non-fasting outside the month of Ramadan and 33 fasting during Ramadan of the year 2016, were recruited in order to create varying degrees of glycemia during which verticality perception was carried out. Baseline blood glucose reading was obtained prior to commencing the CRFT test. Blood glucose levels at the time of testing decreased as the duration between the last meal and testing increased. A blood glucose range of 62-117 mg/dl was achieved among participants for this study. Linear regression analysis showed that blood glucose level at testing correlated positively with all alignment spatial error parameters, indicating a probable reduction of spatial perception ability with higher blood glucose levels. These results are consistent with other cognitive studies in older healthy humans and emphasize the critical impact of early glucose dys-homeostasis on cognitive function. They also indicate that elevated blood glucose may affect cognitive functioning outside of the usual complications of diabetes
Prostaglandin D2-supplemented âfunctional eicosanoid testing and typingâ assay with peripheral blood leukocytes as a new tool in the diagnosis of systemic mast cell activation disease: an explorative diagnostic study
Background: Systemic mast cell activation disease (MCAD) is characterized by an enhanced release of mast cell-derived mediators, including eicosanoids, which induce a broad spectrum of clinical symptoms. Accordingly, the diagnostic algorithm of MCAD presupposes the proof of increased mast cell mediator release, but only a few mediators are currently established as routine laboratory parameters. We thus initiated an explorative study to evaluate in vitro typing of individual eicosanoid pattern of peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) as a new diagnostic tool in MCAD. Methods: Using the âfunctional eicosanoid testing and typingâ (FET) assay, we investigated the balance (i.e. the complex pattern of formation, release and mutual interaction) of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and peptido-leukotrienes (pLT) release from PBLs of 22 MCAD patients and 20 healthy individuals. FET algorithms thereby consider both basal and arachidonic acid (AA)-, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-, and substance P (SP)-triggered release of PGE2 and pLT. The FET assay was further supplemented by analyzing prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), as mast cell-specific eicosanoid. Results: We observed marked PGE2-pLT imbalances for PBLs of MCAD patients, as indicated by a markedly enhanced mean FET value of 1.75â±â0.356 (range: 1.14â2.36), compared to 0.53â±â0.119 (range: 0.36-0.75) for healthy individuals. In addition, mean PGD2 release from PBLs of MCAD patients was significantly, 6.6-fold higher than from PBLs of healthy individuals (946â±â302.2 pg/ml versus 142â±â47.8 pg/ml; P <â0.001). In contrast to healthy individuals, PGD2 release from PBLs of MCAD patients was markedly triggered by SP (mean: 1896â±â389.7 pg/ml; Pâ<â0.001), whereas AA and ASA caused individually varying effects on both PGD2 and pLT release. Conclusions: The new in-vitro FET assay, supplemented with analysis of PGD2, demonstrated that the individual patterns of eicosanoid release from PBLs can unambiguously distinguish MCAD patients from healthy individuals. Notably, in our analyses, the FET value and both basal and triggered PGD2 levels were not significantly affected by MCAD-specific medication. Thus, this approach may serve as an in-vitro diagnostic tool to estimate mast cell activity and to support individualized therapeutic decision processes for patients suffering from MCAD
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in rectal cancer: a comprehensive review
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has established itself as the primary method for local staging in patients with rectal cancer. This is due to several factors, most importantly because of the ability to assess the status of circumferential resection margin. There are several newer developments being introduced continuously, such as diffusion-weighted imaging and imaging with 3Â T. Assessment of loco-regional lymph nodes has also been investigated extensively using different approaches, but more work needs to be done. Finally, evaluation of tumours during or after preoperative treatment is becoming an everyday reality. All these new aspects prompt a review of the most recent advances and opinions. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the current status of MRI in the loco-regional assessment and management of rectal cancer is presented. The findings on MRI and their accuracy are reviewed based on the most up-to-date evidence. Optimisation of MRI acquisition and relevant regional anatomy are also presented, based on published literature and our own experience
Vestibular evoked myogenic potential: recording methods in humans and guinea pigs
O potencial miogĂȘnico evocado vestibular (VEMP) Ă© um teste clĂnico que avalia a função vestibular atravĂ©s de um reflexo vestĂbulo-cervical inibitĂłrio captado nos mĂșsculos do corpo em resposta Ă estimulação acĂșstica de alta intensidade.
OBJETIVO: Verificar e analisar os diversos mĂ©todos de registro dos potenciais miogĂȘnicos evocados vestibulares no homem e em cobaias.
MATERIAL E MĂTODO: Realizou-se busca eletrĂŽnica nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS, SCIELO e COCHRANE.
RESULTADOS: Foram verificadas divergĂȘncias quanto Ă s formas de registro dos potenciais miogĂȘnicos evocados vestibulares, relacionadas com os seguintes fatores: posição do paciente no momento do registro, tipo de estĂmulo sonoro utilizado (clicks ou tone bursts), parĂąmetros para a promediação dos estĂmulos (intensidade, freqĂŒĂȘncia, tempo de apresentação, filtros, ganho de amplificação das respostas e janelas para captação dos estĂmulos), tipo de fone utilizado e forma de apresentação dos estĂmulos (monoaural ou binaural, ipsi ou contralateral).
CONCLUSĂO: NĂŁo existe consenso na literatura quanto ao melhor mĂ©todo de registro dos potenciais evocados miogĂȘnicos vestibulares, havendo necessidade de pesquisas mais especĂficas para comparação entre estes registros e a definição de um modelo padrĂŁo para a utilização na prĂĄtica clĂnica
Search for Dijet Resonances in 7 TeV pp Collisions at CMS (vol 105, 211801, 2010)
Publisherâs Note: Search for Dijet Resonances in 7 TeV pp Collisions at CMS [Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 211801 (2010)
The Role of Rotational Stimulation in Vestibular Compensation
Excerpt: Recently, clinical vestibular tests have been developed for assessing otolith function. Little is known about treatment for otolith dysfunction, and this case report offers a perspective on using otolith stimulation to treat vestibular loss
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