Laminar fMRI: applications for cognitive neuroscience

The cortex is a massively recurrent network, characterized by feedforward and feedback connections between brain areas as well as lateral connections within an area. Feedforward, horizontal and feedback responses largely activate separate layers of a cortical unit, meaning they can be dissociated by lamina-resolved neurophysiological techniques. Such techniques are invasive and are therefore rarely used in humans. However, recent developments in high spatial resolution fMRI allow for non-invasive, in vivo measurements of brain responses specific to separate cortical layers. This provides an important opportunity to dissociate between feedforward and feedback brain responses, and investigate communication between brain areas at a more fine- grained level than previously possible in the human species. In this review, we highlight recent studies that successfully used laminar fMRI to isolate layer-specific feedback responses in human sensory cortex. In addition, we review several areas of cognitive neuroscience that stand to benefit from this new technological development, highlighting contemporary hypotheses that yield testable predictions for laminar fMRI. We hope to encourage researchers with the opportunity to embrace this development in fMRI research, as we expect that many future advancements in our current understanding of human brain function will be gained from measuring lamina-specific brain responses

"Consumerist predators"? Emerging lifestyles between McDonaldization and sustainability perspectives ; the case of highly qualified employees (HQEs) in India

"In industrializing countries new groups of consumers with remarkable purchasing power are emerging. Representing a 'new middle class' they are seen as a carrier and promoter of a so-called 'western way of life' beyond the OECD countries. They are presented as having a consumerist predator lifestyle which stands in conflict with the requirements for a sustainable future. Furthermore, they are imputed a profound lack of a sense of responsibility towards society. However, such a 'civil society spirit' is a core prerequisite for coping with the challenge of changing existing lifestyles to insure a more sustainable future. Based upon data from a survey this paper demonstrates that these assumptions are flawed and constitute a misleading perception of the so-called new middle class and their potential role as contributor to and even promoter of a more sustainable future in industrializing countries. The situation is contradictory: on one hand they are clearly the most relevant agents of spreading non-sustainable lifestyles, predominantly confined to the OECD countries in the past. On the other hand relevant parts of them do acknowledge social responsibilities beyond the traditional ambit of their families, and they also acknowledge responsibilities to contribute to a more sustainable future. Thus, comparing the middle class of industrializing countries to those of the (post)industrializing countries, the most interesting question is not whether sustainability is explicitly an issue or not. It seems far more interesting to ask: what are the specific profiles of attitudes and everyday practices of particular groups of the 'new middle class' in particular countries, and are these conducive to a more sustainable future in terms of both social and ecological responsibility? In pursuit of this our case study focuses on HQEs in India." (author's abstract

Lordoplasty: report on early results with a new technique for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures to restore the lordosis

Cement augmentation using PMMA cement is known as an efficient treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with a rapid release of pain in most patients and prevention of an ongoing kyphotic deformity of the vertebrae treated. However, after a vertebroplasty there is no chance to restore vertebral height. Using the technique of kyphoplasty a certain restoration of vertebral body height can be achieved. But there is a limitation of recovery due to loss of correction when deflating the kyphoplastic ballon and before injecting the cement. In addition, the instruments used are quite expensive. Lordoplasty is another technique to restore kyphosis by indirect fracture reduction as it is used with an internal fixateur. The fractured and the adjacent vertebrae are instrumented with bone cannulas bipediculary and the adjacent vertebrae are augmentated with cement. After curing of the cement the fractured vertebra is reduced by applying a lordotic moment via the cannulas. While maintaining the pretension the fractured vertebra is reinforced. We performed a prospective trial of 26 patients with a lordoplastic procedure. There was a pain relief of about 87% and a significant decrease in VAS value from 7.3 to 1.9. Due to lordoplasty there was a significant and permanent correction in vertebral and segmental kyphotic angle about 15.2° and 10.0°, respectively and also a significant restoration in anterior and mid vertebral height. Lordoplasty is a minimal invasive technique to restore vertebral body height. An immediate relief of pain is achieved in most patients. The procedure is safe and cost effectiv

Diagnostic performance of the specific uptake size index for semi-quantitative analysis of I-123-FP-CIT SPECT: harmonized multi-center research setting versus typical clinical single-camera setting

Introduction: The specific uptake size index (SUSI) of striatal FP-CIT uptake is independent of spatial resolution in the SPECT image, in contrast to the specific binding ratio (SBR). This suggests that the SUSI is particularly appropriate for multi-site/multi-camera settings in which camera-specific effects increase inter-subject variability of spatial resolution. However, the SUSI is sensitive to inter-subject variability of striatum size. Furthermore, it might be more sensitive to errors of the estimate of non-displaceable FP-CIT binding. This study compared SUSI and SBR in the multi-site/multi-camera (MULTI) setting of a prospective multi-center study and in a mono-site/mono-camera (MONO) setting representative of clinical routine. Methods: The MULTI setting included patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD, n = 438) and healthy controls (n = 207) from the Parkinson Progression Marker Initiative. The MONO setting included 122 patients from routine clinical patient care in whom FP-CIT SPECT had been performed with the same double-head SPECT system according to the same acquisition and reconstruction protocol. Patients were categorized as “neurodegenerative” (n = 84) or “non-neurodegenerative” (n = 38) based on follow-up data. FP-CIT SPECTs were stereotactically normalized to MNI space. SUSI and SBR were computed for caudate, putamen, and whole striatum using unilateral ROIs predefined in MNI space. SUSI analysis was repeated in native patient space in the MONO setting. The area (AUC) under the ROC curve for identification of PD/“neurodegenerative” cases was used as performance measure. Results: In both settings, the highest AUC was achieved by the putamen (minimum over both hemispheres), independent of the semi-quantitative method (SUSI or SBR). The putaminal SUSI provided slightly better performance with ROI analysis in MNI space compared to patient space (AUC = 0.969 vs. 0.961, p = 0.129). The SUSI (computed in MNI space) performed slightly better than the SBR in the MULTI setting (AUC = 0.993 vs. 0.991, p = 0. 207) and slightly worse in the MONO setting (AUC = 0.969 vs. AUC = 0.976, p = 0.259). There was a trend toward larger AUC difference between SUSI and SBR in the MULTI setting compared to the MONO setting (p = 0.073). Variability of voxel intensity in the reference region was larger in misclassified cases compared to correctly classified cases for both SUSI and SBR (MULTI setting: p = 0.007 and p = 0.012, respectively). Conclusions: The SUSI is particularly useful in MULTI settings. SPECT images should be stereotactically normalized prior to SUSI analysis. The putaminal SUSI provides better diagnostic performance than the SUSI of the whole striatum. Errors of the estimate of non-displaceable count density in the reference region can cause misclassification by both SUSI and SBR, particularly in borderline cases. These cases might be identified by visual checking FP-CIT uptake in the reference region for particularly high variability

Adder bite: an uncommon cause of compartment syndrome in northern hemisphere

Snakebite envenomation is an uncommon condition in the northern hemisphere, but requires high vigilance with regard to both the systemic effects of the venom and the locoregional impact on the soft tissues. Bites from the adder, Vipera Berus, may have serious clinical consequences due to systemic effects. A case of a 44-year-old man is reported. The patient was bitten in the right hand. He developed fasciotomy-requiring compartment syndrome of the upper limb. Recognition of this most seldom complication of an adder bite is vital to save the limb. We recommend that the classical signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome serve as indication for surgical decompression

Current developments in the treatment of peanut allergy

Peanut allergy is a potentially life-threatening disease because it leads to severe allergic reactions, especially in children but also in adults. So far, allergen avoidance is the most effective therapy for treating peanut allergy. In this article, current developments of peanut allergy specific immunotherapy are critically discussed based on the existing literature. These include sublingual, epicutaneous and oral peanut immunotherapy. Nonspecific treatment approaches with new-targeted antibodies such as anti-IgE (omalizumab) or anti-IL-4/IL-13 receptor antibodies (dupilumab) can also be used to treat peanut allergy with regard to the mode of action of these antibodies. Multiple studies are already available for omalizumab and are currently performed with dupilumab. Whether and which therapies for the treatment of peanut allergy will be available on the market in the future is not only relevant in terms of clinical effectiveness in the sense of a long-term stable increase in the threshold level, but also in terms of the tolerability in everyday life of affected patients

Entwicklung und Einflussgrößen der gesunden Lebenserwartung

Die demographische Alterung stellt eine bedeutende Herausforderung der deutschen Gesundheitspolitik dar. Die zentrale Frage lautet heute nicht mehr, ob die Bevölkerung immer älter wird, sondern ob hinzugewonnene Lebensjahre bei guter Gesundheit verbracht werden können. In diesem Beitrag wird ein Überblick über den Forschungsstand zur Entwicklung und zu Einflussgrößen der gesunden Lebenserwartung gegeben. Die für Deutschland vorliegenden Ergebnisse sprechen insgesamt dafür, dass die Bevölkerung immer länger lebt und auch länger gesund bleibt. Diese positive Entwicklung könnte auch den prognostizierten Ausgabenanstieg im Gesundheitssystem dämpfen. Allerdings profitieren nicht alle Bevölkerungsgruppen gleichermaßen vom Anstieg der gesunden Lebenszeit, da große soziale Ungleichheiten in den Chancen auf ein langes und gesundes Leben bestehen. -- Demographic ageing is a major challenge of health policy in Germany. The main question is no longer if the population of Germany is getting older, but whether gained life years will be in a healthy condition or not. This paper gives an overview on current research and evidence regarding trends and determinants of the healthy life expectancy. Recent Evidence for Germany seems to suggest that the population of Germany is going to live even longer and in a better health state. These positive trends may attenuate the expected increase of health costs during the process of demographic ageing. On the other hand there is evidence that not all parts of the population benefit from rising life expectancy. There are lasting social inequalities regarding the chances of a long and healthy life.Gesunde Lebenserwartung,Bevölkerungsentwicklung,Soziale Ungleichheit,healthy life expectancy,demographic change,social inequality

Termer i text - Ett datorstött övningsmaterial för termhantering

Terminologica/ Playground isa computer aided material for creation ofterms withln fictive worlds. It is a complement to theoretical studies in university programs for translators and technical writers. We regard terms as an important part of texts, rather than conceptional units. Shortness and morfological flexibility is of great value. Our material is based on the function Linked text in Word for Windows 6.0. The Terminological Playground displays the principles for word creation. To evaluate the survival potential ofthe new words we compare their qualities with the opposite, lexical death