Cognitive Performances Are Selectively Enhanced during Chronic Caloric Restriction or Resveratrol Supplementation in a Primate

Effects of an 18-month treatment with a moderate, chronic caloric restriction (CR) or an oral supplementation with resveratrol (RSV), a potential CR mimetic, on cognitive and motor performances were studied in non-human primates, grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus)

Shaped pulses in EPR

In this article, we describe the implementation and advantages of shaped pulses in EPR spectroscopy. Phase/amplitude-modulated pulses on a nanosecond timescale allow improved excitation bandwidth and profile, and compensation of spatial field variations. The application of shaped pulses in magnetic resonance is briefly reviewed in the introduction, the frequency responses of some of the most frequently used shaped pulses are outlined in the theoretical part, the implementation of such pulses with EPR spectrometers is described, and finally some recent applications highlighting the potential to improve the performance of pulsed EPR experiments are illustrated

Cost-utility analysis of dynamic intraligamentary stabilization versus early reconstruction after rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the dynamic intraligamentary stabilization (DIS) technique in comparison with reconstructive surgery (ACLR) in the treatment of isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures from the perspective of the community of insured citizens in Germany. Methods Because of the specific decision problem at hand, namely that with DIS the procedure has to take place within 21 days after the initial trauma, a decision tree was developed. The time horizon of the model was set to 3 years. Input data was taken from official tariffs, payer data, the literature and assumptions based on expert opinion when necessary. Results The decision tree analysis identified the DIS strategy as the superior one with 2.34 QALY versus 2.26 QALY for the ACLR branch. The higher QALY also came with higher costs of 5,398.05 € for the DIS branch versus 4,632.68 € for the ACLR branch respectively, leading to an ICER of 9,092.66 € per QALY. Results were robust after sensitivity analysis. Uncertainty was examined via probabilistic sensitivity analysis resulting in a slightly higher ICER of 9,567.13 € per QALY gained. Conclusion The DIS technology delivers an effective treatment for the ACL rupture at a favorable incremental cost-effectiveness ratio