The impact of restricted diet on brain function using BOLD-fMRI

We investigated the effect of a restricted diet model on activity in the human motor cortex using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Two series of blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD)-fMRI measurements were made in healthy subjects performing simple motor tasks using their right hands. The first series was done 5-10days prior to the restricted diet schedule (controls), and the second series was performed after 25-28days of restricted diet, in the form of a religious fast (Ramadan). The size and intensity of the activated area in the motor cortex increased during the time of restricted diet versus the controls. We conclude that restricted diet has a significant effect on cerebral activity, as shown by BOLD-fMRI, although the exact relationship between the images and neuronal activity due to the restricted diet is still to be determine

Quantitative permeability imaging of plant tissues

A method for mapping tissue permeability based on time-dependent diffusion measurements is presented. A pulsed field gradient sequence to measure the diffusion encoding time dependence of the diffusion coefficients based on the detection of stimulated spin echoes to enable long diffusion times is combined with a turbo spin echo sequence for fast NMR imaging (MRI). A fitting function is suggested to describe the time dependence of the apparent diffusion constant in porous (bio-)materials, even if the time range of the apparent diffusion coefficient is limited due to relaxation of the magnetization. The method is demonstrated by characterizing anisotropic cell dimensions and permeability on a subpixel level of different tissues of a carrot (Daucus carota) taproot in the radial and axial directions

Gastric Diverticulum in the Child: Disease or Radiological Curiosity?

Gastric diverticula are rare in childhood. Usually, they are incidentally diagnosed on radiographic examination or seen in upper endoscopy. Eleven year old girl reported chronic abdominal pain with a gastric diverticulum. On the light of this case, we discuss epidemiologic, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and surgical treatment aspects. This last aspect consists of simple excision of the Diverticulum either in symptomatic or complicated forms of this pathology. Keywords: diverticulum, stomach, child, endoscopy, surgery > African Journal of Paediatric Surgery Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 77-7

The elbow tuberculosis: rare and exceptional localization

The tuberculosis of the elbow is an exceptional localization of the mycobacterium tuberculosis. This raises a diagnostic problem which is often tardy. This could therefore, have important consequences. We report 2 cases of chronic arthritis of the elbow, where the diagnosis was built on the anatomic-pathology investigation. In addition to the surgical synovectomy, the antibacillar treatment had stopped the infection. This led to stiffness of the elbow in one of these two patients. Through these observations, we discuss the rarity of this tuberculosis localization which must be treated promptly to avoid heavy consequences. Highland Medical Research Journal Vol. 4(1) 2006: 113-11

Clinical Fact of Rectal Duplication with gastric heterotopy

Enteric duplication could occur through the entire alimentary tract. A case of rectal duplication cyst with heterotopic gastric mucosa in a chid is described. MRI scan is shown useful in the diagnosis of the duplication. The treatment is the complete local resection of the rectal duplication. Keywords: duplication, rectal, MRI, surgery > African Journal of Paediatric Surgery Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 83-8

Maturation of luminance- and motion-defined form perception beyond adolescence: a combined ERP and fMRI study

Abilities to discriminate forms defined by motion continue to develop throughout childhood. To investigate late development of the visual motion system, we measured brain activity with event-related EEG potentials (ERPs) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in groups of adolescents (15-17 years) and adults (20-30 years) during a visual form discrimination task--with forms being either defined by motion or luminance contrast. We further explored whether possible developmental changes varied with the degree of motion coherence reflecting maturation specific to global motion processing. Both the fMRI activation patterns and ERP topographies were very similar between adolescents and adults, suggesting that the basic visual networks for processing motion and form are established by the age of 15-17. The ERP response to luminance- and motion-defined forms was dominated by a posterior negativity (N1: 120-270 ms). The N1 of the motion contrast was delayed in adolescents, whereas the N1 of the static condition did not differ between groups. Since the motion-evoked N1 is thought to arise in the middle temporal area MT/V5, our results indicate that visual motion processing in MT continues to get faster, becoming still more efficient during late development. Neither the ERP nor the fMRI results revealed maturation effects specific to motion coherence. This indicates that the specific mechanisms to process global dot motion are already mature in adolescence. The present findings support the view that static perception matures earlier than dynamic perception, and that these visual systems have different developmental courses

Trichobezoar with small bowel obstruction in children: Two cases report

A trichobezoar is a mass of cumulated hair within the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach is the common site of occurrence. Intestinal obstruction due to trichobezoar is extremely rare. The authors report two cases of a trichobezoar obstructing the terminal ileum in one and the jejunum in another. African Journal of Paediatric Surgery Vol. 5 (1) 2008: pp. 48-5

Responding to COVID-19: Emerging practices in addiction medicine in 17 countries

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