On the descriptive validity of ICD-10 schizophrenia: Empirical analyses in the spectrum of non-affective functional psychoses

In order to examine the descriptive validity of ICD-10 schizophrenia, 1,476 consecutively admitted in-patients were included in the present study. ICD-10 schizophrenia (n = 951) was compared with other non-affective psychotic disorders {[}persistent delusional disorders (n = 51), acute and transient psychotic disorders (n = 116) and schizoaffective disorders (n = 354)] with respect to socio-demographic, symptomatological and other clinical parameters. Analyses revealed that it is possible to distinguish schizophrenia from other non-affective psychotic disorders according to ICD-10 criteria: schizophrenic patients were characterised by more pronounced negative symptoms and a lower global functioning. They were younger than patients with persistent delusional disorders and schizoaffective disorders but older than patients with acute and transient psychotic disorders. The results are in line with a high descriptive validity of ICD-10 schizophrenia and highlight the importance of negative symptoms for this diagnosis. Copyright (C) 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

Combining the categorical and the dimensional perspective in a diagnostic map of psychotic disorders

We introduce a diagnostic map that was calculated by robust non-metric multidimensional scaling based on AMDP symptom profiles of patients with schizophrenic and affective disorders to demonstrate a possibility to combine the categorical and the dimensional perspective at the same time. In the diagnostic map, a manic, a depressive, and a non-affective cluster clearly emerged. At the same time, the mania dimension (r=0.82), the depression dimension (r=0.68), and the apathy dimension (r=0.74) showed high multiple regression values in the map. We found substantial overlaps of the diagnostic groups with regard to the affective spectrum but irrespective of the ICD-10 classification. Within this sample, we found the association and quality of mood symptoms to be a structuring principle in a diagnostic map. We demonstrate that this approach represents a promising way of combining the categorical and the dimensional perspective. As a practical implementation of these findings, a multidimensional diagnostic map could serve as an automated diagnostic tool based on psychopathological symptom profile

Creating a map of psychiatric patients based on psychopathological symptom profiles

Background: In the current debate about the categorical or dimensional classification of mental disorders many fruitful methods to illustrate one or the other aspect are employed, and suggestions are made to combine the two perspectives. Methods: We present such an approach to combine both perspectives at the same time. Based on psychopathological AMDP-symptom profiles, a map of psychiatric patients was calculated by robust nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Results: The sample from the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich included the records of patients, who were admitted and discharged in 2002 and 2003 with a diagnosis of either paranoid schizophrenia, (F20.00, N=24), bipolar affective disorder, current episode manic without psychotic symptoms (F31.1, N=32) or severe depressive episode without psychotic symptoms (F32.2, N=78). In the resulting map of patients we found a clear categorical distinction according to the diagnostic groups, but also high regression values of AMDP-syndromes (manic syndrome: r=0.83, depressive syndrome: r=0.68, and paranoid-hallucinatory syndrome, r=0.62). Discussion: The map of psychiatric patients presents an approach to consider the categorical and dimensional aspects at the same time. We were able to identify meaningful delineations between diagnostic clusters as well as continuous transitions. This method allows the whole psychopathological profile of each individual patient to be considered and also to identify misdiagnosed cases at a glanc

Sodelovanje med medicinskimi sestrami in zdravniki

Uvod: Dobro sodelovanje med zdravniki in medicinskimi sestrami omogoča višjo kakovost zdravstvene obravnave pacientov. Namen raziskave je bil ugotoviti, kako odnose med medicinskimi sestrami in zdravniki ocenjujejo študenti zdravstvene nege in medicine. Metode: V neeksperimentalni kvantitativni raziskavi je bila uporabljena Jeffersonova lestvica za oceno sodelovanja med zdravniki in medicinskimi sestrami. V priložnostni vzorec je bilo zajetih 428 študentov. Od tega 235 (54,9 %) študentov zdravstvene nege in 193 (45,1 %) študentov medicine. Podatki so bili analizirani z bivariatno statistiko in t-testom. Rezultati: Ugotovitve kažejo statistično pomembne razlike glede na spol anketirancev, pri nekaterih trditvah pa tudi glede na vrsto študija.  Anketiranke so se v večji meri strinjale s trditvami. Največja razlika glede na spol anketiranih je bila pri trditvi, da bi morali biti študentje medicine in zdravstvene nege vključeni v timsko delo, da bi razumeli svoje vloge (t = 2,59, p = 0,010). Študentje zdravstvene nege so se večinoma bolj strinjali s trditvami kot študentje medicine. V primerjavi med vrstama študija je bila največja razlika glede strinjanja pri trditvi »Na medicinsko sestro je treba gledati kot na zdravnikovo sodelavko in kolegico in ne kot na pomočnico« (t = 15,24, p < 0,001). Diskusija in zaključek: Ugotovitve kažejo statistično pomembne razlike v oceni odnosov med medicinskimi sestrami in zdravniki glede na spol anketiranih ter vrsto študija. Razlike glede različnih pogledov študentov obeh fakultet ponujajo priložnost za načrtovanje obeh izobraževanih programov

PL-009 Not just a one HIIT wonder: two popular HIIT protocols elicit similar health benefits in a controlled but real world environment

Objective Currently 40% of the UK do not meet the physical activity guidelines with a ‘lack of time’ the most commonly cited barrier to sufficient physical activity. In laboratory based training interventions, high intensity interval training (HIT) offers a time-efficient alternative to moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) but its success requires expensive specialised cycle ergometers and vigorous encouragement from the researchers. To investigate whether two popular HIT protocols, performed using readily available cycle ergometers and without encouragement, can improve aerobic exercise capacity, arterial stiffness and body composition. Methods Eighty-two sedentary males (n=26) and females (n=56) aged 18-65 participated in the study (28±1 y, BMI 25±0.4 kg.m-2). In a randomised cross-over design, participants completed either 6 weeks of 30HIT (4-8x30s sprint with 120s active recovery) or 60HIT (6-10x60s sprint with 60s active recovery). Training sessions were completed on a Wattbike, 3 times per week. VO2peak, body composition (DXA scan), blood glucose (oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)) and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity (PWV)) were assessed pre and post each 6-week training phase, with 4-6 weeks washout period between interventions. Results VO2peakincreased post intervention in 30HIT (36±1 to 39±1 ml.min-1.kg-1) and 60HIT (36±1 to 39±1 ml.min-1.kg-1) (P&lt;0.001), with no difference between intervention group (P=0.208). Body fat percentage decreased pre to post training in both conditions (P=0.001). PWV decreased in 30HIT (2%) and 60HIT (4%) (P&lt;0.005). During the OGTT, there was a trend towards decreasing area under the curve pre to post (P=0.083). When normalized to Watt maxthe participants producing a higher mean power output improved their VO2peakmore than those producing a low MPO (P&lt;0.05). Following further analysis this was only true in 60HIT (P&lt;0.05). Conclusions Both 30HIT and 60HIT could be effective real world strategies to improve aerobic capacity, body composition, arterial stiffness and insulin sensitivity. Improvements were seen even though the time spent sprinting was less in 30HIT (4mins compared to 10mins in 60HIT). In addition, how the 30HIT protocol is executed does not seem to have an effect on physiological outcomes. This suggests 30HIT may be a more applicable training intervention in the real world

Development of a test method to identify erosion characteristics

Paper presented at the 31st Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9-12 July 2012 "Getting Southern Africa to Work", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.Erosion of the sub-base material in concrete pavements leads to a loss in slab support and thus cracking of the concrete slab itself. This occurrence is indicated when pumping occurs at the joints in the concrete slab and needs to be predicted in the design stage. Current test methods used to evaluate erosion and durability properties, such as the wet and dry durability test takes weeks to conclude and are highly influenced by human factors. This paper describes the design and construction of a Rotational Shear Device (RSD) that can be used to identify erosion characteristics of sub base materials. Results from a series of tests are presented that indicate a potential benefit in the characterisation of erosion properties of sub base materials.This paper was transferred from the original CD ROM created for this conference. The material was published using Adobe Acrobat 10.1.0 Technology. The original CD ROM was produced by Document Transformation Technologies Postal Address: PO Box 560 Irene 0062 South Africa. Tel.: +27 12 667 2074 Fax: +27 12 667 2766 E-mail: nigel@doctech URL: http://www.doctech.co.zadm201

An Inducible Mouse Model for Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex: Implications for Gene Therapy

The Dowling-Meara variant of epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS-DM) is a severe blistering disease inherited in an autosomal-dominant fashion. Here we report the generation of a mouse model that allows focal activation of a mutant keratin 14 allele in epidermal stem cells upon topical administration of an inducer, resulting in EBS phenotypes in treated areas. Using laser capture microdissection, we show that induced blisters healed by migration of surrounding nonphenotypic stem cells into the wound bed. This observation provides an explanation for the lack of mosaic forms of EBS-DM. In addition, we show that decreased mutant keratin 14 expression resulted in normal morphology and functions of the skin. Our results have important implications for gene therapy of EBS and other dominantly inherited diseases

Passive Heat Therapy in Sedentary Humans Increases Skeletal Muscle Capillarisation and eNOS Content but Not Mitochondrial Density or GLUT4 Content.

Passive heat therapy (PHT) has been proposed as an alternative intervention to traditional moderate intensity continous training (MICT) in individuals who are unable or unwilling to exercise. This study aimed to make the first comparison of the effect of PHT and MICT on 1) skeletal muscle capillarisation and endothelial specific eNOS content and 2) mitochondrial density, GLUT4 and IMTG content. Twenty young sedentary males (21±1years, BMI 25±1kg.m-2) were allocated to either 6 weeks of PHT (n=10; 40-50min at 40°C in a heat chamber, 3x/wk) or MICT (n=10; time matched cycling at ~65% VO2peak). Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle pre- and post-training. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to assess changes in skeletal muscle mitochondrial density, GLUT4 and IMTG content, capillarisation and endothelial specific eNOS content. VO2peak and whole body insulin sensitivity were also assessed. PHT and MICT both increased capillary density and capillary-fibre perimeter exchange index (P<0.05), and endothelial specific eNOS content (P<0.05). However, unlike MICT (P<0.05) PHT did not increase mitochondrial density (P=0.443), GLUT4 (P=0.217) or IMTG content (P=0.957). Both intervention improved aerobic capacity and whole body insulin sensitivity (P<0.05). 6 weeks PHT in young sedentary males increases skeletal muscle capillarisation and eNOS content to a similar extent as MICT, however, unlike MICT PHT does not affect skeletal muscle mitochondrial density, GLUT4 or IMTG content

Baryon acoustic oscillations from Integrated Neutral Gas Observations: Radio frequency interference measurements and telescope site selection

The Baryon acoustic oscillations from Integrated Neutral Gas Observations (BINGO) telescope is a new 40-m class radio telescope to measure the large-angular-scale intensity of Hi emission at 980-1260 MHz to constrain dark energy parameters. As it needs to measure faint cosmological signals at the milliKelvin level, it requires a site that has very low radio frequency interference (RFI) at frequencies around 1 GHz. We report on measurement campaigns across Uruguay and Brazil to find a suitable site, which looked at the strength of the mobile phone signals and other radio transmissions, the location of wind turbines, and also included mapping airplane flight paths. The site chosen for the BINGO telescope is a valley at Serra do Urubu, a remote part of Paraiba in North-East Brazil, which has sheltering terrain. During our measurements with a portable receiver we did not detect any RFI in or near the BINGO band, given the sensitivity of the equipment. A radio quiet zone around the selected site has been requested to the Brazilian authorities ahead of the telescope construction.Comment: Preprint of an article accepted in the Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation, copyright 2018 World Scientific Publishing Company https://www.worldscientific.com/worldscinet/ja

PL-017 High-fat overfeeding increases intramuscular triglyceride content and perilipin protein expression in human skeletal muscle

Objective High-fat high-calorie diets can induce whole body insulin resistance (IR) whilst increasing stores of intramuscular triglyceride (IMTG) contained within lipid droplets (LD). Perilipin (PLIN) proteins assist in IMTG storage. Synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP23) may support LD growth and also direct IMTG-derived fatty acids (FA) to mitochondria for β-oxidation. The objectives of this study were: 1) to test the hypothesis that 7 days of high-fat overfeeding increases IMTG content to prevent lipid induced muscle IR and 2) identify changes in PLINs, SNAP23 and mitochondria content and colocalisation of PLINs with LD, and SNAP23 with LD and mitochondria. Methods Muscle biopsies were obtained from thevastus lateralisof thirteen healthy individuals (age: 23±1years, BMI: 24.4±0.7kg.m-2) before (0min) and during (30min) an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), pre and post 7-days consuming a high-fat (65% energy) high-calorie (+50% kcal) diet. IMTG, PLIN2, PLIN3, PLIN5, SNAP23 and mitochondria content were measured using (semi)-quantitative confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. PLIN2, PLIN3 and PLIN5 colocalisation to LD was measured using object-based colocalisation analyses. Pearson’s correlation coefficient quantified colocalisation between SNAP23 and plasma membrane (PM), mitochondria and LD. Phosphorylation of intermediates of the muscle insulin-signalling cascade (Akt and AS160) were measured at 0 and 30 min of the OGTT before and after the dietary intervention. Results Following overfeeding phosphorylation of Akt and AS160 in muscle was not impaired during the OGTT, however Matsuda index of whole-body insulin sensitivity decreased (-23%; P &lt; 0.01). IMTG content increased in type I fibres (+100%; P &lt; 0.001) due to both an increase in LD number (+43%; P &lt; 0.001) and size (+44%; P&lt; 0.001). Of the PLINs investigated, only PLIN3 content increased (+50%;P &lt; 0.01) exclusively in type I fibres. PLIN2-associated LD increased (+80%; P &lt; 0.01) in type I fibres only, whereas PLIN3 and PLIN5-associated LD were unaltered. SNAP23 and mitochondria content did not change, nor did the colocalisation of SNAP23 with the PM, mitochondria or LD. Conclusions Our data confirm the hypothesis that following high-fat overfeeding IMTG stores increased whilst activation of key muscle insulin signalling components were maintained. The increase in IMTG stores is likely supported by the concurrent increase in total PLIN3 content and a redistribution of existing stores of PLIN2 to the expanded LD pool in type I fibres. To confirm if increased IMTG storage protects muscle from IR future research should determine whether meal-derived FAs are directed to IMTG rather than ceramides and diacylglycerol