Blind und sehend in einer Person

Es wird der Fall einer Patientin mit Dissoziativer Identitätsstörung vorgestellt, die nach 15-jähriger, als kortikal diagnostizierter Blindheit im Laufe einer psychotherapeutischen Behandlung schrittweise wieder zu sehen begann. Zunächst konnten nur einige wenige Persönlichkeitsanteile wieder sehen, während andere weiterhin blind waren. Dies konn-te durch elektrophysiologische Untersuchungen bestätigt werden, in denen die noch blinden Persönlichkeitsanteile ausbleibende, die sehenden Persönlichkeitsanteile hin-gegen völlig unauffällige, reguläre evozierte Potentiale aufwiesen. Das Umschalten zwi-schen sehenden und blinden Anteilen konnte übergangslos geschehen. Als neuronale Grundlage der psychogenen Blindheit kommt eine „top-down“ Modulation der Aktivität der primären Sehbahn, auf Ebene des Thalamus oder primären visuellen Kortex, in Be-tracht. Mittels VEP-Untersuchungen kann daher eine psychogene Blindheit nicht von organischen Ursachen einer Unterbrechung der Sehbahn abgegrenzt werden. Zusam-menfassend scheint psychogene Blindheit den Zufluß visueller Information auf früher Stufe zu blockieren

The role of B- and T-cell immunity in toltrazuril-treated C57BL/6 WT, µMT and nude mice experimentally infected with Neospora caninum

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite predominantly known for causing abortion in cattle and neuromuscular disease in dogs. So far, no efficient metaphylactic chemotherapy has been developed. In preliminary studies, toltrazuril had been successfully used against experimental neosporosis in mice and calves. In the present study, we used immunocompetent and immunodeficient mouse strains to address the role of immunity in supporting the chemotherapy of experimental N. caninum infection. WT, µMT and athymic nude mice were intraperitoneally inoculated with 1×106 Nc-1 tachyzoites. The drug was administered in the drinking water for 6 consecutive days so as to obtain a daily dose of approximately 20mg toltrazuril/kg body weight. The course of infection was monitored by clinical, histological and immunohistochemical means, as well as by the search for parasite DNA using PCR-analyses of various organs. In immunocompetent WT mice, treatment proved to be of high efficacy by abrogation of any lesion formation or PCR-positivity in medicated C57BL/6 mice and a significant reduction of lesion formation or PCR-positivity in BALB/c animals. Similarly, treated µMT mice exhibited a significant reduction in cerebral lesion formation as well as in parasite DNA detectability by PCR when compared to untreated animals. Athymic nude mice, however, did not respond to treatment in that only a delay of the parasite dissemination was achieved, and nude mice still showed the neosporosis disease symptoms, although later than untreated animals. We conclude that treatment with toltrazuril appears to act parasitostatically rather than parasitocidically. This is supported by the fact that: (1) although the lack of B-cells did not impair the effect of toltrazuril, (2) the lack of T-cells did not allow for a full efficacy of treatment. Therefore, chemotherapy with toltrazuril against experimental infections with N. caninum requires the support of T-cell immunity in order to be successfu

Executive functions and borderline personality features in adolescents with major depressive disorder

BackgroundExecutive functions (EF) consolidate during adolescence and are impaired in various emerging psychiatric disorders, such as pediatric Major Depressive Disorder (pMDD) and Borderline Personality Disorder. Previous studies point to a marked heterogeneity of deficits in EF in pMDD. We examined the hypothesis that deficits in EF in adolescents with pMDD might be related to comorbid Borderline Personality features (BPF).MethodsWe examined a sample of 144 adolescents (15.86 ± 1.32) diagnosed with pMDD. Parents rated their child’s EF in everyday life with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and BPF with the Impulsivity and Emotion Dysregulation Scale (IED-27). The adolescents completed equivalent self-rating measures. Self- and parent-ratings of the BRIEF scores were compared with paired t-Tests. Correlation and parallel mediation analyses, ICC, and multiple regression analyses were used to assess symptom overlap, parent-child agreement, and the influence of depression severity.ResultsOver the whole sample, none of the self- or parent-rated BRIEF scales reached a mean score above T > 65, which would indicate clinically impaired functioning. Adolescents tended to report higher impairment in EF than their parents. Depression severity was the strongest predictor for BPF scores, with Emotional Control predicting parent-rated BPF and Inhibit predicting self-rated BPF. Furthermore, the Behavioral Regulation Index, which includes EF closely related to behavioral control, significantly mediated the relationship between depression severity and IED-27 factors emotional dysregulation and relationship difficulties but not non-suicidal self-injuries.ConclusionOn average, adolescents with depression show only subtle deficits in executive functioning. However, increased EF deficits are associated with the occurrence of comorbid borderline personality features, contributing to a more severe overall psychopathology. Therefore, training of executive functioning might have a positive effect on psychosocial functioning in severely depressed adolescents, as it might also improve comorbid BPF.Clinical trial registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03167307

Lack of Accredited Clinical Training in Movement Disorders in Europe, Egypt, and Tunisia

Background: Little information is available on the official postgraduate and subspecialty training programs in movement disorders (MD) in Europe and North Africa. Objective: To survey the accessible MD clinical training in these regions. Methods: We designed a survey on clinical training in MD in different medical fields, at postgraduate and specialized levels. We assessed the characteristics of the participants and the facilities for MD care in their respective countries. We examined whether there are structured, or even accredited postgraduate, or subspecialty MD training programs in neurology, neurosurgery, internal medicine, geriatrics, neuroradiology, neuropediatrics, and general practice. Participants also shared their suggestions and needs. Results: The survey was completed in 31/49 countries. Structured postgraduate MD programs in neurology exist in 20 countries; structured neurology subspecialty training exists in 14 countries and is being developed in two additional countries. Certified neurology subspecialty training was reported to exist in 7 countries. Recommended reading lists, printed books, and other materials are the most popular educational tools, while courses, lectures, webinars, and case presentations are the most popular learning formats. Mandatory activities and skills to be certified were not defined in 15/31 countries. Most participants expressed their need for a mandatory postgraduate MD program and for certified MD sub-specialization programs in neurology. Conclusion: Certified postgraduate and subspecialty training exists only in a minority of European countries and was not found in the surveyed Egypt and Tunisia. MD training should be improved in many countries.Peer reviewe

The era of reference genomes in conservation genomics

Progress in genome sequencing now enables the large-scale generation of reference genomes. Various international initiatives aim to generate reference genomes representing global biodiversity. These genomes provide unique insights into genomic diversity and architecture, thereby enabling comprehensive analyses of population and functional genomics, and are expected to revolutionize conservation genomics

The era of reference genomes in conservation genomics

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The era of reference genomes in conservation genomics

Progress in genome sequencing now enables the large-scale generation of reference genomes. Various international initiatives aim to generate reference genomes representing global biodiversity. These genomes provide unique insights into genomic diversity and architecture, thereby enabling comprehensive analyses of population and functional genomics, and are expected to revolutionize conservation genomics

Executive functions and borderline personality features in adolescents with major depressive disorder

BackgroundExecutive functions (EF) consolidate during adolescence and are impaired in various emerging psychiatric disorders, such as pediatric Major Depressive Disorder (pMDD) and Borderline Personality Disorder. Previous studies point to a marked heterogeneity of deficits in EF in pMDD. We examined the hypothesis that deficits in EF in adolescents with pMDD might be related to comorbid Borderline Personality features (BPF).MethodsWe examined a sample of 144 adolescents (15.86 ± 1.32) diagnosed with pMDD. Parents rated their child’s EF in everyday life with the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and BPF with the Impulsivity and Emotion Dysregulation Scale (IED-27). The adolescents completed equivalent self-rating measures. Self- and parent-ratings of the BRIEF scores were compared with paired t-Tests. Correlation and parallel mediation analyses, ICC, and multiple regression analyses were used to assess symptom overlap, parent-child agreement, and the influence of depression severity.ResultsOver the whole sample, none of the self- or parent-rated BRIEF scales reached a mean score above T > 65, which would indicate clinically impaired functioning. Adolescents tended to report higher impairment in EF than their parents. Depression severity was the strongest predictor for BPF scores, with Emotional Control predicting parent-rated BPF and Inhibit predicting self-rated BPF. Furthermore, the Behavioral Regulation Index, which includes EF closely related to behavioral control, significantly mediated the relationship between depression severity and IED-27 factors emotional dysregulation and relationship difficulties but not non-suicidal self-injuries.ConclusionOn average, adolescents with depression show only subtle deficits in executive functioning. However, increased EF deficits are associated with the occurrence of comorbid borderline personality features, contributing to a more severe overall psychopathology. Therefore, training of executive functioning might have a positive effect on psychosocial functioning in severely depressed adolescents, as it might also improve comorbid BPF.Clinical trial registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT03167307

How genomics can help biodiversity conservation

The availability of public genomic resources can greatly assist biodiversity assessment, conservation, and restoration efforts by providing evidence for scientifically informed management decisions. Here we survey the main approaches and applications in biodiversity and conservation genomics, considering practical factors, such as cost, time, prerequisite skills, and current shortcomings of applications. Most approaches perform best in combination with reference genomes from the target species or closely related species. We review case studies to illustrate how reference genomes can facilitate biodiversity research and conservation across the tree of life. We conclude that the time is ripe to view reference genomes as fundamental resources and to integrate their use as a best practice in conservation genomics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

How genomics can help biodiversity conservation

The availability of public genomic resources can greatly assist biodiversity assessment, conservation, and restoration efforts by providing evidence for scientifically informed management decisions. Here we survey the main approaches and applications in biodiversity and conservation genomics, considering practical factors, such as cost, time, prerequisite skills, and current shortcomings of applications. Most approaches perform best in combination with reference genomes from the target species or closely related species. We review case studies to illustrate how reference genomes can facilitate biodiversity research and conservation across the tree of life. We conclude that the time is ripe to view reference genomes as fundamental resources and to integrate their use as a best practice in conservation genomics