Research in psychobiology

Research in brain-behavior relationships, perception and learning, and comparative and developmental psycholog

GMFilter and SXTestPlate: software tools for improving the SNPlex™ genotyping system

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is a fundamental technology in modern genetics. The SNPlex™ mid-throughput genotyping system (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) enables the multiplexed genotyping of up to 48 SNPs simultaneously in a single DNA sample. The high level of automation and the large amount of data produced in a high-throughput laboratory require advanced software tools for quality control and workflow management.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We have developed two programs, which address two main aspects of quality control in a SNPlex™ genotyping environment: GMFilter improves the analysis of SNPlex™ plates by removing wells with a low overall signal intensity. It enables scientists to automatically process the raw data in a standardized way before analyzing a plate with the proprietary GeneMapper software from Applied Biosystems. SXTestPlate examines the genotype concordance of a SNPlex™ test plate, which was typed with a control SNP set. This program allows for regular quality control checks of a SNPlex™ genotyping platform. It is compatible to other genotyping methods as well.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>GMFilter and SXTestPlate provide a valuable tool set for laboratories engaged in genotyping based on the SNPlex™ system. The programs enhance the analysis of SNPlex™ plates with the GeneMapper software and enable scientists to evaluate the performance of their genotyping platform.</p

Reversal of hepatorenal syndrome type 1 with terlipressin plus albumin vs. placebo plus albumin in a pooled analysis of the OT-0401 and REVERSE randomised clinical studies

Background The goal of hepatorenal syndrome type 1 (HRS-1) treatment is to improve renal function. Terlipressin, a synthetic vasopressin analogue, is a systemic vasoconstrictor used for the treatment of HRS-1, where it is available. Aim To compare the efficacy of terlipressin plus albumin vs. placebo plus albumin in patients with HRS-1. Methods Pooled patient-level data from two large phase 3, randomised, placebo-controlled studies were analysed for HRS reversal [serum creatinine (SCr) value ≤133 μmol/L], 90-day survival, need for renal replacement therapy and predictors of HRS reversal. Patients received intravenous terlipressin 1–2 mg every 6 hours plus albumin or placebo plus albumin up to 14 days. Results The pooled analysis comprised 308 patients (terlipressin: n = 153; placebo: n = 155). HRS reversal was significantly more frequent with terlipressin vs. placebo (27% vs. 14%; P = 0.004). Terlipressin was associated with a more significant improvement in renal function from baseline until end of treatment, with a mean between-group difference in SCr concentration of −53.0 μmol/L (P \u3c 0.0001). Lower SCr, lower mean arterial pressure and lower total bilirubin and absence of known precipitating factors for HRS were independent predictors of HRS reversal and longer survival in terlipressin-treated patients. Conclusions Terlipressin plus albumin resulted in a significantly higher rate of HRS reversal vs. albumin alone in patients with HRS-1. Terlipressin treatment is associated with improved renal function

On the Tort of Light Pollution

光污染是现代社会的新公害。光污染，在英美被称为“干扰光”，在日本则称其为“光害”，在德国则被视为“不可量物”的一种，而在我国，有学者援用“噪音”的说法，将其称“噪光”。光污染是指因不当使用人为照明或其它设备造成光的入侵而引起的不良影响。对于光污染，根据不同的标准可以作不同的分类。例如根据光污染发生时间的不同，可以将光污染分为昼光光污染和夜光光污染。国际上一般将光污染分成三类，即白亮污染、人工白昼和彩光污染。光污染对环境、生物和人都危害甚巨。 我国现行涉及光污染侵权的立法主要体现在宪法、民法通则、物权法、侵权责任法、环境保护法和地方立法之中。我国现行涉及光污染侵权的立法，无论是中央立法还是地方...Light pollution is a new form of environment pollution in modern society. It was called "interference of light" in Britain and America. It was called "light nuisance" in Japan. In Germany, light pollution is considered to be a kind of "non-amount of matter". Light pollution is due to the improper use of artificial lighting and the adverse effects caused by the invasion of light. According to the d...学位：法律硕士院系专业：法学院法律系_法律硕士(JM)学号：1302009115036

Observation of the impulsive phase of a simple flare

We present a broad range of complementary observations of the onset and impulsive phase of a fairly large (1B, M1.2) but simple two-ribbon flare. The observations consist of hard X-ray flux measured by the SMM HXRBS, high-sensitivity measurements of microwave flux at 22 GHz from Itapetinga Radio Observatory, sequences of spectroheliograms in UV emission lines from Ov (T ≈ 2 × 10⁵ K) and FeXXI (T ≈ 1 × 10⁷ K) from the SMM UVSP, Hα and HeI D₃ cine-filtergrams from Big Bear Solar Observatory, and a magnetogram of the flare region from the MSFC Solar Observatory. From these data we conclude: (1) The overall magnetic field configuration in which the flare occurred was a fairly simple, closed arch containing nonpotential substructure. (2) The flare occurred spontaneously within the arch; it was not triggered by emerging magnetic flux. (3) The impulsive energy release occurred in two major spikes. The second spike took place within the flare arch heated in the first spike, but was concentrated on a different subset of field lines. The ratio of Ov emission to hard X-ray emission decreased by at least a factor of 2 from the first spike to the second, probably because the plasma density in the flare arch had increased by chromospheric evaporation. (4) The impulsive energy release most likely occurred in the upper part of the arch; it had three immediate products: (a) An increase in the plasma pressure throughout the flare arch of at least a factor of 10. This is required because the FeXXI emission was confined to the feet of the flare arch for at least the first minute of the impulsive phase. (b) Nonthermal energetic (∼ 25 keV) electrons which impacted the feet of the arch to produce the hard X-ray burst and impulsive brightening in Ov and D₃. The evidence for this is the simultaneity, within ± 2 s, of the peak Ov and hard X-ray emissions. (c) Another population of high-energy (∼100keV) electrons (decoupled from the population that produced the hard X-rays) that produced the impulsive microwave emission at 22 GHz. This conclusion is drawn because the microwave peak was 6 ± 3 s later than the hard X-ray peak

Review of rehabilitation and habilitation strategies for children and young people with homonymous visual field loss caused by cerebral vision impairment

Partial and homonymous visual field loss (HVFL) is a common consequence of post-chiasmatic injury to the primary visual pathway or injury to the primary visual cortex. Different approaches to rehabilitation have been reported for older adults with HVFL and there is evidence to support the use of compensatory training over other proposed therapies. We reviewed the literature to investigate the current state of the art of rehabilitation and habilitation strategies for children and young people with HVFL, and whether there is enough evidence to support the use of these strategies in the paediatric population. We have provided an overview of the existing literature on children and young people with HVFL, a brief overview of rehabilitation strategies for adults with HVFL, and evidence on whether these different interventions have been applied with children and young people effectively. We found that there have been very few studies to investigate these strategies with children and young people, and the quality of evidence is currently low. New research is required to evaluate which strategies are effective for children and young people with HVFL and whether new strategies need to be developed

Rabl's model of the interphase chromosome arrangement tested in Chinise hamster cells by premature chromosome condensation and laser-UV-microbeam experiments

In 1885 Carl Rabl published his theory on the internal structure of the interphase nucleus. We have tested two predictions of this theory in fibroblasts grown in vitro from a female Chinese hamster, namely (1) the Rabl-orientation of interphase chromosomes and (2) the stability of the chromosome arrangement established in telophase throughout the subsequent interphase. Tests were carried out by premature chromosome condensation (PCC) and laser-UV-microirradiation of the interphase nucleus. Rabl-orientation of chromosomes was observed in G1 PCCs and G2 PCCs. The cell nucleus was microirradiated in G1 at one or two sites and pulse-labelled with 3H-thymidine for 2h. Cells were processed for autoradiography either immediately thereafter or after an additional growth period of 10 to 60h. Autoradiographs show unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in the microirradiated nuclear part(s). The distribution of labelled chromatin was evaluated in autoradiographs from 1035 cells after microirradiation of a single nuclear site and from 253 cells after microirradiation of two sites. After 30 to 60h postincubation the labelled regions still appeared coherent although the average size of the labelled nuclear area fr increased from 14.2% (0h) to 26.5% (60h). The relative distance dr, i.e. the distance between two microirradiated sites divided by the diameter of the whole nucleus, showed a slight decrease with increasing incubation time. Nine metaphase figures were evaluated for UDS-label after microirradiation of the nuclear edge in G1. An average of 4.3 chromosomes per cell were labelled. Several chromosomes showed joint labelling of both distal chromosome arms including the telomeres, while the centromeric region was free from label. This label pattern is interpreted as the result of a V-shaped orientation of these particular chromosomes in the interphase nucleus with their telomeric regions close to each other at the nuclear edge. Our data support the tested predictions of the Rabl-model. Small time-dependent changes of the nuclear space occupied by single chromosomes and of their relative positions in the interphase nucleus seem possible, while the territorial organization of interphase chromosomes and their arrangement in general is maintained during interphase. The present limitations of the methods used for this study are discussed

Visuospatial bootstrapping:Binding useful visuospatial information during verbal working memory encoding does not require set-shifting executive resources

Immediate serial recall of digits is better when the digits are shown by highlighting them in a\ud familiar array, such as a phone keypad, compared to presenting them serially in a single\ud location; a pattern referred to as ‘visuospatial bootstrapping’. This pattern implies the\ud establishment of temporary links between verbal and spatial working memory, alongside\ud access to information in long term memory. However, the role of working memory control\ud processes like those implied by the ‘Central Executive’ in bootstrapping has not been directly\ud investigated. Here we report a study addressing this issue, focusing on executive processes of\ud attentional shifting. Tasks in which information has to be sequenced are thought to be heavily\ud dependent on shifting. Memory for digits presented in keypads versus single locations was\ud assessed under two secondary task load conditions, one with and one without a sequencing\ud requirement, and hence differing in the degree to which they invoke shifting. Results\ud provided clear evidence that multimodal binding (visuospatial bootstrapping) can operate\ud independently of this form of executive control process

Effects of Age of Onset of Tonic-Clonic Seizures on Neuropsychological Performance in Children

Forty-eight children (aged 9 to 15 years) with tonic-clonic seizures were administered a neuropsychological test battery. The children with seizures of early onset (before age 5) were significantly impaired relative to the children with later onset on 8 of the 14 measures in the battery. The deficits were seen on tasks whose requirements included the repetition of a simple motor act, attention and concentration, memory, and complex problem solving. These findings emphasize the need for further research to determine the causal factors of the greater dysfunction seen in the early onset group. RÉSUMÉ Quarante huit enfants ÁgÉs de 9 À 15 ans souffrant de crises Épileptiques tonico-cloniques ont ÉtÉÉtudiÉs avec une batterie de tests neuropsychologiques. Pour huit des quatorze mesures de cette batterie de tests les enfants dont les cirses avaient dÉbutÉ prÉcocÉment (avant cinq ans) se sont avÉrÉs Étre signiflcativement dÉtÉriorÉs par rapport À ceux dont les crises avaient dÉbutÉ plus tardivement. Les dÉficits se sont manifestÉs pour des tÁches nÉcessitant la rÉpÉtition d'un acte moteur simple, attention et concentration, mÉmoire et capacitÉÀ rÉsoudre des problÈmes complexes. Ces rÉsultats mettent l'accent sur la nÉcessitÉ de poursuivre les recherches afin de dÉterminer les facteurs responsables de la plus grande dysfonction observÉe chez les enfants dont l'Épilepsie a dÉbutÉ tÔt dans la vie. RESUMEN Se ha aplicado una bateria de tests neuro-psicolÓgicos a 48 niÑos de 9 a 15 aÑos de edad que padecÍan ataques tonico-clÓnicos. Los niÑos con ataques de comienzo precoz (antes de los 5 aÑos) mostraron incapacidades significativas compareÁndolos con niÑos con comienzos mÁs tardios en 8 de los 14 tests de la bateria. Los defectos fueron detectados en las pruebas cuyos requisitos incluÍan la repeticiÓn de un acto motor simple, atenciÓn y concentraciÓn, memoria y resoluciÓn de problemas complejos. Estos hallazgos indican la necesidad de continuar la inves-tigaciÓn para determinar los factores causales de la mayor disfunciÓn observada en el grupo de comienzo precoz. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG 48 Kinder (9 bis 15 Jahre alt) mit tonisch-klonischen KrÄmpfen wurden mit einer neuropsychologischen Testbatterie untersucht. Die Kinder mit einem FrÜhbeginn der AnfÄlle (vor dem Alter von 5 Jahren) zeigten sich bei 8 von 14 Tests der Serie deutlich beeintrÄchtigt im VerhÄltnis zu Kindern mit spÄterem Anfallsbeginn. Die Defekte traten bei Aufgaben auf, die folgende AnsprÜche stellten: Wiederholung einer einfachen motorischen Handlung, Aufmerksamkeit und Konzentration, GedÄchtnis und komplexes ProblemlÖsen. Diese Befunde deuten auf die Notwendigkeit weiterer Untersuchungen, um die ursÄchlichen Faktoren der grÖßeren Funktionseinbuße zu bestimmen, die bei Patienten mit frÜhem Anfallsbeginn beobachtet wird.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/65238/1/j.1528-1157.1981.tb04102.x.pd