37 research outputs found

    Abstracts

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    The following publications are abstracts by the mentionned authors;A Preliminary Study of an attempt to Introduce PGCE D&T Students to Designing and the Teaching of Designing in the Secondary School - Abstract by David Barlex and Marion RutlandRemembering the C in D&T: Gendered Perceptions of Creativity and Design & Technology - Abstract by David SpendloveInnovation in Design and Technology: the Polymer Acoustic Guitar and the Case for Relegation of 'The Design Process' - Abstract by Dr Eddie NormanThe Introduction of Practical Craft Skills into the Scottish Technology Curriculum: A New Beginning or the Beginning of the End - Abstract by John DakersMaking Progress? A Discussion of the Concept of Progress in Relation to Design and Technology Education - Abstract by Steve KeirlGlobalisation of the Go: Implications for Design and Technology Education @ 2003 - Abstract by Steve KeirlThe Wow Factor - Textiles gets a Boost with CAD in the UK and Australia - Abstract by Rose Sinclair and Louise DuvernetInteraction, Dialogue and a Creative Spirit of Inquiry - Abstract by J. W. HamiltonTechnology Students' Views of Intelligence and the Implications for Classroom Practice - Abstract by Wendy J. DowIs there a Core of D&T Knowledge? - Abstract by Tim LewisDeyond Pro/DESKTOP Computer Aided Design (CAD): the Transfer of CAD-based Design Modelling Skills from Schools to Higher Education - Abstract by Tony Hodgson and Clare Allsop'It aint what you do it's the way that you do it' - Abstract by Tony Lawler and Martin HowlettThe Presentation of Systems Thinking in Support Materials for Secondary Design & Technology Pupils: A Review - Abstract by Torben SteegValuing Progression in Design and Technology Education - Abstract by Mike MartinElectronic Portfolios for Design and Technology. What if...? - Abstract by Andy MitchellGifted and Talented Pupils in Design and Technology at Key Stage Three - Abstract by Christine Arthingto

    Leveraging high-resolution 7-tesla MRI to derive quantitative metrics for the trigeminal nerve and subnuclei of limbic structures in trigeminal neuralgia

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    Background: Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is a chronic neurological disease that is strongly associated with neurovascular compression (NVC) of the trigeminal nerve near its root entry zone. The trigeminal nerve at the site of NVC has been extensively studied but limbic structures that are potentially involved in TN have not been adequately characterized. Specifically, the hippocampus is a stress-sensitive region which may be structurally impacted by chronic TN pain. As the center of the emotion-related network, the amygdala is closely related to stress regulation and may be associated with TN pain as well. The thalamus, which is involved in the trigeminal sensory pathway and nociception, may play a role in pain processing of TN. The objective of this study was to assess structural alterations in the trigeminal nerve and subregions of the hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus in TN patients using ultra-high field MRI and examine quantitative differences in these structures compared with healthy controls. Methods: Thirteen TN patients and 13 matched controls were scanned at 7-Tesla MRI with high resolution, T1- weighted imaging. Nerve cross sectional area (CSA) was measured and an automated algorithm was used to segment hippocampal, amygdaloid, and thalamic subregions. Nerve CSA and limbic structure subnuclei volumes were compared between TN patients and controls. Results: CSA of the posterior cisternal nerve on the symptomatic side was smaller in patients (3.75mm2) compared with side-matched controls (5.77mm2, p = 0.006). In TN patients, basal subnucleus amygdala volume (0.347mm3) was reduced on the symptomatic side compared with controls (0.401mm3, p = 0.025) and the paralaminar subnucleus volume (0.04mm3) was also reduced on the symptomatic side compared with controls (0.05mm3, p = 0.009). The central lateral thalamic subnucleus was larger in TN patients on both the symptomatic side (0.033mm3) and asymptomatic side (0.035mm3), compared with the corresponding sides in controls (0.025mm3 on both sides, p = 0.048 and p = 0.003 respectively). The inferior and lateral pulvinar thalamic subnuclei were both reduced in TN patients on the symptomatic side (0.2mm3 and 0.17mm3 respectively) compared to controls (0.23mm3, p = 0.04 and 0.18 mm3, p = 0.04 respectively). No significant findings were found in the hippocampal subfields analyzed. Conclusions: These findings, generated through a highly sensitive 7 T MRI protocol, provide compelling support for the theory that TN neurobiology is a complex amalgamation of local structural changes within the trigeminal nerve and structural alterations in subnuclei of limbic structures directly and indirectly involved in nociception and pain processing

    Characterization of monomeric L1 metallo-beta -lactamase and the role of the N-terminal extension in negative cooperativity and antibiotic hydrolysis

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    The L1 metallo-?-lactamase fromStenotrophomonas maltophilia is unique among this class of enzymes because it is tetrameric. Previous work predicted that the two regions of important intersubunit interaction were the residue Met-140 and the N-terminal extensions of each subunit. The N-terminal extension was also implicated in ?-lactam binding. Mutation of methionine 140 to aspartic acid results in a monomeric L1 ?-lactamase with a greatly altered substrate specificity profile. A 20-amino acid N-terminal deletion mutant enzyme (N-Del) could be isolated in a tetrameric form but demonstrated greatly reduced rates of ?-lactam hydrolysis and different substrate profiles compared with that of the parent enzyme. Specific site-directed mutations of individual N terminus residues were made (Y11S, W17S, and a double mutant L5A/L8A). All N-terminal mutant enzymes were tetramers and all showed higherK m values for ampicillin and nitrocefin, hydrolyzed ceftazidime poorly, and hydrolyzed imipenem more efficiently than ampicillin in contrast to wild-type L1. Nitrocefin turnover was significantly increased, probably because of an increased rate of breakdown of the intermediate species due to a lack of stabilizing forces. K m values for monomeric L1 were greatly increased for all antibiotics tested. A model of a highly mobile N-terminal extension in the monomeric enzyme is proposed to explain these findings. Tetrameric L1 shows negative cooperativity, which is not present in either the monomer or N-terminal deletion enzymes, suggesting that the cooperative effect is mediated via N-terminal intersubunit interactions. These data indicate that while the N terminus of L1 is not essential for ?-lactam hydrolysis, it is clearly important to its activity and substrate specificity

    Perivascular spaces as a marker of psychological trauma in depression: A 7‐Tesla MRI study

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    Abstract Introduction Emerging evidence in depression suggests that blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown and elevated inflammatory cytokines in states of persistent stress or trauma may contribute to the development of symptoms. Signal‐to‐noise ratio afforded by ultra‐high field MRI may aid in the detection of maladaptations of the glymphatic system related to BBB integrity that may not be visualized at lower field strengths. Methods We investigated the link between glymphatic neuroanatomy via perivascular spaces (PVS) and trauma experience in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and in healthy controls using 7‐Tesla MRI and a semi‐automated segmentation algorithm. Results After controlling for age and gender, the number of traumatic events was correlated with total PVS volume in MDD patients (r = 0.50, p = .028) and the overall population (r = 0.34, p = .024). The number of traumatic events eliciting horror was positively correlated with total PVS volume in MDD patients (r = 0.50, p = .030) and the overall population (r = 0.32, p = .023). Age correlated positively with PVS count, PVS total volume, and PVS density in all participants (r > 0.35, p < .01). Conclusions These results suggest a relationship between glymphatic dysfunction related to BBB integrity and psychological trauma, and that glymphatic impairment may play a role in trauma‐related symptomatology
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