1,516 research outputs found

    Memory Functioning in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

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    A number of studies have reported neuropsychological deficits in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These have mainly implicated frontal or temporal dysfunction. In this study, we compared the performances of OCD patients and normal subjects using a factorial interpretation of the Wechsler Memory Scale. Our results do not demonstrate significant memory impairment in OCD patients but point to the possibility of frontal lobe dysfunction as a factor in the pathophysiology of OCD

    Visualization of a Small Jet Synthetic Using a Particle Image Velocimetry and Background-Oriented Schlieren Techniques

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    This work reports the results of experimental investigations carried out on a submerged synthetic jet obtained through the use of a headset speaker piloted with an appropriate sinusoidal signal at a frequency of 380 Hz. The study begins with the construction of a device that, exploiting the well-known transport properties of impacting jets, was able to improve local ventilation and the removal of excess moisture, due to the natural transpiration of human skin in people forced to assume the same position for prolonged periods such as professional drivers; bedridden patients; etc… Subjects are substantially forced to have parts of their own body in contact with fabrics and coverings that hinder the normal conditions of skin transpiration. The experimental activity was first based on the study of the structure of the synthetic jets, then moving on to the creation of a sponge mat equipped with 80 individual jets. On this sponge mat, semi-empirical tests were carried out in order to remove moisture from a fabric soaked in distilled water. The experimental investigations were first carried out using the PIV technique, and, subsequently, the synthetic jet was visualized using the Background-Oriented Schlieren (BOS) technique which allowed to test the presence of the jets, installed directly on the mattress, in a relatively simple and fast way, requiring a very simplified set-up

    Effects of prism adaptation on reference systems for extrapersonal space in neglect patients

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    Up to now, rehabilitation of unilateral spatial neglect has focused on egocentric forms of neglect, whereas less is known about the possibility to improve allocentric deficits. The present study aimed to examine the efficacy of prism adaptation (PA) training on patients with different forms of neglect: egocentric, allocentric, or mixed. Twenty-eight patients were assessed with specific neglect tests before (T0) and after (T1) 10 sessions of PA training. Performance in the Apples Cancellation test was used to identify patients with egocentric (n = 6), allocentric (n = 5), or mixed (n = 17) forms of neglect. In the overall group of patients, PA training produced significant improvements in performance across different neglect tests. In terms of the egocentric–allocentric distinction, the training was effective in reducing omissions in the left part of space in the Apples Cancellation test both for patients with egocentric neglect and mixed neglect. By contrast, errors of commissions (marking the inability to detect the left part of the target stimulus, i.e., allocentric neglect) remained unchanged after PA in patients with allocentric neglect and actually increased marginally in patients with mixed neglect. The PA training is effective in improving egocentric neglect, while it is ineffective on the allocentric form of the disturbance. Notably, the allocentric component of neglect is frequently impaired, although this is most often in conjunction with the egocentric impairment, yielding the mixed form of neglect. This stresses the importance of developing exercises tuned to improving allocentric neglect

    Effects of combined training or moderate intensity continuous training during a 3-week multidisciplinary body weight reduction program on cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and substrate oxidation rate in adolescents with obesity

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    This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined training (COMB, a combination of moderate-intensity continuous training-MICT and high-intensity interval training-HIIT) vs. continuous MICT administered during a 3-week in-hospital body weight reduction program (BWRP) on body composition, physical capacities, and substrate oxidation in adolescents with obesity. The 3-week in-hospital BWRP entailed moderate energy restriction, nutritional education, psychological counseling, and two different protocols of physical exercise. Twenty-one male adolescents with obesity (mean age: 16.1 ± 1.5 years; mean body mass index [BMI] 37.8 ± 4.5 kg m−2) participated in this randomized control trial study (n:10 for COMB, n:11 MICT), attending ~ 30 training sessions. The COMB group performed 3 repetitions of 2 min at 95% of peak oxygen uptake (V′O2 peak) (e.g., HIIT ≤ 20%), followed by 30 min at 60% of V′O2 peak (e.g., MICT ≥ 80%). Body composition, V′O2 peak, basal metabolic rate (BMR), energy expenditure, and substrate oxidation rate were measured during the first week (W0) and at the end of three weeks of training (W3). The two training programs were equivalent in caloric expenditure. At W3, body mass (BM) and fat mass (FM) decreased significantly in both groups, although the decrease in BM was significantly greater in the MICT group than in the COMB group (BM: − 5.0 ± 1.2 vs. − 8.4 ± 1.5, P < 0.05; FM: − 4.3 ± 3.0 vs. − 4.2 ± 1.9 kg, P < 0.05). V′O2 peak increased only in the COMB by a mean of 0.28 ± 0.22 L min−1 (P < 0.05). The maximal fat oxidation rate (MFO) increased only in the COMB group by 0.04 ± 0.03 g min−1 (P < 0.05). COMB training represents a viable alternative to MICT for improving anthropometric characteristics, physical capacities, and MFO in adolescents with obesity during a 3-week in-hospital BWRP

    Mediastinal Images Resembling Thymus Following 131-I Treatment for Thyroid Cancer

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    The follow-up of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer conventionally includes serum thyroglobulin and periodic Whole Body Scans. The uptake of 131-I in normal and pathological tissues different from metastatic thyroid cancer sites is a cause of false-positive scans. Among them, mediastinal uptake caused by thymic hyperplasia can be observed. The aim of the present study was to review a series of 573 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer treated with 131-I after surgery between 1992 and 2003 looking above all for those with mediastinal images resembling thymus. This evaluation is presented together with some hypotheses on the relationships between thymus and thyroid. Moreover, some considerations are made on the differential diagnosis between thymus and mediastinal tumour thyroid residues

    Anticancer drugs and hyperthermia enhance cytotoxicity induced by polyamine enzymatic oxidation products

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    A correlation between regulation of cell proliferation and polyamine metabolism is described. The latter can enter protein synthesis through the modification of eukaryotic initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) and the formation of the peculiar amino acid hypusine. Specific inhibitors of hypusine formation induce apoptosis that can be potentiated by the combination with cytokines such as interferon alpha (IFN alpha) that itself decreases hypusine synthesis. We have also demonstrated that the concomitant treatment of cancer cells with IFNa and the protein synthesis inhibitor fusion protein TGF alpha/Pseudomonas Aeruginosa toxin synergize in inducing cancer cell growth inhibition. Another way used by polyamines to induce apoptosis is the generation of intracellular oxidative stress through the interaction with bovine serum amine oxidase (BSAO). This enzyme used simultaneously to spermine induces apoptosis, necrosis, inhibition of cell proliferation and inhibition of DNA and protein synthesis in several cell types. The enzymatic oxidation products of polyamine, H2O2 and aldehyde(s) cause these effects. We have recently found that the cytotoxicity of anti-cancer agents, either etoposide or docetaxel, in cancer cells is potentiated in the presence of BSAO/Spermine. In conclusion, polyamine metabolites could be useful in the design of new therapeutic strategies

    Pamidronate improves the quality of life and induces clinical remission of bone metastases in patients with thyroid cancer

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    Skeletal metastases from thyroid cancer are poorly responsive to medical or radioiodine treatment. Bone destruction in skeletal metastases results from osteoclast-induced bone resorption. Therefore, a new approach in the therapy of bone metastases consists in using aminobisphosphonates, such as pamidronate, which are potent inhibitors of osteoclastic activity. In the present study, 10 thyroid cancer patients with painful osteolytic bone metastases were administered pamidronate (90 mg, as a 2 hour intravenous infusion) monthly for 12 consecutive cycles. Bone pain, quality of life, performance status, analgesic consumption and disease staging were evaluated before and during the trial. The patients who had been administered pamidronate showed a significant decrease in bone pain (P = 0.0052). Performance status improved nearly significantly (P = 0.051), while the quality of life showed a remarkable amelioration. However, no significant decrease in analgesic consumption was recorded. Partial radiographic response of bone lesions was observed in 2/10 patients. The side effects of pamidronate were mild and transient. In conclusion, monthly infusion of pamidronate is a well-tolerated treatment that induces significant relief from bone pain and improves the quality of life of thyroid cancer patients with symptomatic and osteolytic bone metastases. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co
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