Shape-based classification of 3D head data

Abstract. Craniofacial disorders are one of the most common category of birth defects worldwide, and are an important topic of biomedical research. In order to better understand these disorders and correlate them with genetic patterns and life outcomes, researchers need to quantify the craniofacial anatomy. In this paper we introduce several different craniofacial descriptors that are being used in research studies for two craniofacial disorders: the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (a genetic disorder) and plagiocephaly/brachycephaly, disorders caused by pressure on the head. Experimental results show that our descriptors show promise for quantifying craniofacial shape. Key words: 3D shape, shape-based classification, craniofacial data

Dynamiczne sekwencje MR w ocenie anatomii i czynności dna miednicy u kobiet w okresie około menopauzalnym

Summary Pelvic organ prolapse is one of the most common disorders and it concerns over 50% of women over the age of fifty who gave birth. Background: The purpose of this study was to establish a clinically useful protocol of MR investigation in the assessment of pelvic organs position changes during rest and in time of Velsalva test. Objective: The material includes 17 postmenopausal women (48-59 years old) who were examined due of lumbosacralis discopathy in MR division of USK 1 in Lodz since 2007. The examination was extended to pelvic organs imaging with the help of Velsalva test. Results: Having compared static and dynamic images of investigated group and results of reference lines measurements, we have found normal pelvic organ position comparing to the H line in case of 10 women, in case of 5 women there was just a small displacement – up to 2cm under the H line – and in case of 2 other women 2cm above the H line. We have also found substantial increase of P line length (over 25% during tenesmus) in women with pelvic floor disorders. Conclusion: Dynamic MR imaging proves extremely useful in evaluation of pelvic organs position changes during rest and in time of Velsalva test.Streszczenie . Wstęp: Zaburzenia statyki narządu rodnego dotyczą około 50% kobiet po 50 roku życia, które rodziły. Problem zaburzeń statyki narządu rodnego znajduje się dziś na pograniczu wielu specjalności klinicznych, stanowiąc narastający problem społeczny. Cel pracy: Celem pracy było wypracowanie użytecznego klinicznie protokołu badania MR – w ocenie zmian położenia i wzajemnych relacji struktur dna i narządów miednicy w spoczynku i w trakcie próby Valsalvy oraz próbą optymalizacji pomiarów. Materiał i metody: Materiał obejmuje 17 kobiet w wieku około menopauzalnym (48-59 lat, średnio 54 lata), badanych w pracowni MR USK 1 UM w Łodzi w latach 2007-2008 z przyczyn dolegliwości dyskopatycznych odcinka lędźwiowo-krzyżowego kręgosłupa, którym po uzyskaniu ich świadomej zgody, rozszerzono nieznacznie zakres badania o obrazowanie miednicy wraz z próbą Valsalvy. Wyniki: Porównując obrazy statyczne i dynamiczne badanej grupy oraz wyniki pomiarów linii referencyjnych ze znanymi wzorcami, u 10 kobiet stwierdzono prawidłowe położenie narządów względem linii H, u 5 kobiet stwierdzono niewielkie przemieszczenie narządów – do 2cm poniżej linii H, a u 2 kobiet powyżej 2cm. Co istotne, znaczny wzrost długości linii P (powyżej 25% w trakcie parcia) stwierdzano u kobiet wykazujących dysfunkcję dna miednicy. Wnioski: Obrazowanie dynamiczne MR wykazuje dużą przydatność w ocenie zmian położenia i wzajemnych relacji struktur dna i narządów miednicy w spoczynku i w trakcie próby Valsalvy. Wskazana jest standaryzacja obserwacji w oparciu o pomiar przemieszczenia powłok brzusznych co związane jest z intensywnością aktu parcia

The effect of chronic alcohol intoxication and smoking on the output of salivary immunoglobulin A

It was investigated the effect of chronic alcohol intoxication and smoking, on the output of salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA). In the study participated 37 volunteers: 17 male smoking patients after chronic alcohol intoxication (AS) and 20 control nonsmoking male social drinkers (CNS). The DMFT index (decayed, missing, or filled teeth), gingival index (GI) and papilla bleeding index (PBI) were assessed. Levels of IgA were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent method. There were significantly decreased salivary flow (SF) and IgA output in AS, when compared to the CNS. There were no significant correlations between amount of alcohol/cigarettes as well as  duration of alcohol intoxication/smoking, and SF or IgA output, and between IgA and SF. Gingival index was significantly higher in AS than in CNS, and inversely correlated with IgA. It is more probable that SF and IgA decrease, are the result of ethanol action than smoking. Worse periodontal state in smoking alcohol dependent persons than in controls, may be the result of lower IgA protection of the oral cavity due to its decreased output

A RCT of a Transdiagnostic Internet-Delivered Treatment for Three Anxiety Disorders: Examination of Support Roles and Disorder-Specific Outcomes

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders share common vulnerabilities and symptoms. Disorder-specific treatment is efficacious, but few access evidence-based care. Administering transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy via the internet (iCBT) may increase access to evidence-based treatment, with a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) providing preliminary support for this approach. This study extends those findings and aims to answer three questions: Is a transdiagnostic iCBT program for anxiety disorders efficacious and acceptable? Does it result in change for specific disorders? Can good clinical outcomes be obtained when guidance is provided via a Coach rather than a Clinician? METHOD: RCT (N = 131) comparing three groups: Clinician-supported (CL) vs. Coach-supported (CO) vs. waitlist control (Control). Individuals met DSM-IV criteria for a principal diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia (SP) or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (Pan/Ag). Treatment consisted of an 8-lesson/10 week iCBT program with weekly contact from a Clinician or Coach, and follow-up at 3-months post-treatment. RESULTS: Outcomes for the pooled treatment groups (CL+CO) were superior to the Control group on measures of anxiety, depression and disability, were associated with medium to large effect sizes (Cohen's d = .76-1.44) (response rate = 89-100%), and were maintained at follow-up. Significant reductions were found on disorder-specific outcomes for each of the target diagnoses, and were associated with large effect sizes. CO participants achieved similar outcomes to CL participants at post-treatment, yet had significantly lower symptom severity scores on general anxiety, panic-disorder, depression and disability at follow-up (d = .45-.46). Seventy-four percent of CO and 76% of CL participants completed the program. Less than 70 minutes of Clinician or Coach time was required per participant during the program. DISCUSSION: This transdiagnostic iCBT course for anxiety appears to be efficacious, associated with significant change for three target disorders, and is efficacious when guided by either a Clinician or Coach. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12610000242022

The Take Control Course : conceptual rationale for the development of a transdiagnostic group for common mental health problems

Background: Increasingly, research supports the utility of a transdiagnostic understanding of psychopathology. However, there is no consensus regarding the theoretical approach that best explains this. Transdiagnostic interventions can offer service delivery advantages; this is explored in the current review, focusing on group modalities and primary care settings. Objective: This review seeks to explore whether a Perceptual Control Theory (PCT) explanation of psychopathology across disorders is a valid one. Further, this review illustrates the process of developing a novel transdiagnostic intervention (Take Control Course; TCC) from a PCT theory of functioning. Method: Narrative review. Results and Conclusions: Considerable evidence supports key tenets of PCT. Further, PCT offers a novel perspective regarding the mechanisms by which a number of familiar techniques, such as exposure and awareness, are effective. However, additional research is required to directly test the relative contribution of some PCT mechanisms predicted to underlie psychopathology. Directions for future research are considered

Macronuclear Genome Sequence of the Ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, a Model Eukaryote

The ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila is a model organism for molecular and cellular biology. Like other ciliates, this species has separate germline and soma functions that are embodied by distinct nuclei within a single cell. The germline-like micronucleus (MIC) has its genome held in reserve for sexual reproduction. The soma-like macronucleus (MAC), which possesses a genome processed from that of the MIC, is the center of gene expression and does not directly contribute DNA to sexual progeny. We report here the shotgun sequencing, assembly, and analysis of the MAC genome of T. thermophila, which is approximately 104 Mb in length and composed of approximately 225 chromosomes. Overall, the gene set is robust, with more than 27,000 predicted protein-coding genes, 15,000 of which have strong matches to genes in other organisms. The functional diversity encoded by these genes is substantial and reflects the complexity of processes required for a free-living, predatory, single-celled organism. This is highlighted by the abundance of lineage-specific duplications of genes with predicted roles in sensing and responding to environmental conditions (e.g., kinases), using diverse resources (e.g., proteases and transporters), and generating structural complexity (e.g., kinesins and dyneins). In contrast to the other lineages of alveolates (apicomplexans and dinoflagellates), no compelling evidence could be found for plastid-derived genes in the genome. UGA, the only T. thermophila stop codon, is used in some genes to encode selenocysteine, thus making this organism the first known with the potential to translate all 64 codons in nuclear genes into amino acids. We present genomic evidence supporting the hypothesis that the excision of DNA from the MIC to generate the MAC specifically targets foreign DNA as a form of genome self-defense. The combination of the genome sequence, the functional diversity encoded therein, and the presence of some pathways missing from other model organisms makes T. thermophila an ideal model for functional genomic studies to address biological, biomedical, and biotechnological questions of fundamental importance