A review of the current treatment methods for posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus of infants

Posthaemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) is a major problem for premature infants, generally requiring lifelong care. It results from small blood clots inducing scarring within CSF channels impeding CSF circulation. Transforming growth factor – beta is released into CSF and cytokines stimulate deposition of extracellular matrix proteins which potentially obstruct CSF pathways. Prolonged raised pressures and free radical damage incur poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. The most common treatment involves permanent ventricular shunting with all its risks and consequences

The rationale and design of the antihypertensives and vascular, endothelial, and cognitive function (AVEC) trial in elderly hypertensives with early cognitive impairment: Role of the renin angiotensin system inhibition

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prior evidence suggests that the renin angiotensin system and antihypertensives that inhibit this system play a role in cognitive, central vascular, and endothelial function. Our objective is to conduct a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, the antihypertensives and vascular, endothelial, and cognitive function (AVEC), to compare 1 year treatment of 3 antihypertensives (lisinopril, candesartan, or hydrochlorothiazide) in their effect on memory and executive function, cerebral blood flow, and central endothelial function of seniors with hypertension and early objective evidence of executive or memory impairments.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The overall experimental design of the AVEC trial is a 3-arm double blind randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 100 community eligible individuals (60 years or older) with hypertension and early cognitive impairment are being recruited from the greater Boston area and randomized to lisinopril, candesartan, or hydrochlorothiazide ("active control") for 12 months. The goal of the intervention is to achieve blood pressure control defined as SBP < 140 mm Hg and DBP < 90 mm Hg. Additional antihypertensives are added to achieve this goal if needed. Eligible participants are those with hypertension, defined as a blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg or greater, early cognitive impairment without dementia defined (10 or less out of 15 on the executive clock draw test or 1 standard deviation below the mean on the immediate memory subtest of the repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status and Mini-Mental-Status-exam >20 and without clinical diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's disease). Individuals who are currently receiving antihypertensives are eligible to participate if the participants and the primary care providers are willing to taper their antihypertensives. Participants undergo cognitive assessment, measurements of cerebral blood flow using Transcranial Doppler, and central endothelial function by measuring changes in cerebral blood flow in response to changes in end tidal carbon dioxide at baseline (off antihypertensives), 6, and 12 months. Our outcomes are change in cognitive function score (executive and memory), cerebral blood flow, and carbon dioxide cerebral vasoreactivity.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The AVEC trial is the first study to explore impact of antihypertensives in those who are showing early evidence of cognitive difficulties that did not reach the threshold of dementia. Success of this trial will offer new therapeutic application of antihypertensives that inhibit the renin angiotensin system and new insights in the role of this system in aging.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00605072</p

Biomaterials for Building Skins

Bio-based materials are considered a promising resource for buildings in the twenty-first century due to their sustainability and versatility. They can be produced locally, with minimum transportation costs and in an ecological manner. This chapter describes the potential of biomaterials for use in façades. It presents several examples of natural resources, including innovative alternative materials that are suitable for implementation as a building skin. Novel products resulting from material modifications and functionalization are presented, including a brief discussion on their environmental impacts. Alternative strategies for optimal biomaterials' recycling, reuse, and other end-of-life strategies are presented and supported with case study examples

eine Evaluation mittels Fragebogen

Lehrer sind als eine große Gruppe von Berufssprechern häufig von Stimmstörungen betroffen. Aus diesem Grund wurde ein präventives Konzept entwickelt, das sowohl ein praktisches Stimmtraining als auch die Vermittlung theoretischer Inhalte umfasste und bei 16 Lehramtsanwärtern über 10 Wochen eingesetzt wurde. Nach Durchführung eines logopädischen Screenings zur Bestimmung der Stimmfunktion wurde die berufliche Situation der Probanden im Hinblick auf ihre Stimme erfasst und die Effizienz des durchgeführten Stimmpräventionstrainings mittels Fragebogen evaluiert. Hierbei fanden folgende Bereiche Berücksichtigung: - Stimmrelevante Gewohnheiten - Stimmbelastung - Subjektive Stimmbeschwerden - Selbstwahrnehmung - Stimmphysiologisches und -hyienisches Wissen. Bereits bei der Erfassung des Ausgangszustandes wurde deutlich, dass die Lehramtsanwärter ungeachtet ihrer noch unterdurchschnittlichen Unterrichtszeit und wenig erfassten stimmrelevanten Negativeinflüsse dennoch zahlreiche Stimmsymptome und eine eingeschränkte stimmliche Leistungsfähigkeit aufwiesen. Die wesentlichsten positiven Veränderungen durch das Stimmtraining ergaben sich im Bereich Wissen und Selbstwahrnehmung. Im Bereich der Stimmsymptome und verschiedener Sprechparameter kam es paradoxerweise zu einer marginalen Verschlechterung. Eine weitergehende Datenanalyse unter Berücksichtigung der Eingangsdiagnose wird in diesem Beitrag vorgestellt