Spatial channels of visual processing in cortical blindness.

Blindsight is the ability of some cortically blind patients to discriminate visual events presented within their field defect. We have examined a fundamental aspect of visual processing, namely the detection of spatial structures presented within the field defect of 10 cortically blind patients. The method outlined is based on the detection of high-contrast stimuli and is effective in flagging a 'window of detection' in the spatial frequency spectrum, should it exist.

Early prediction of nonresponders to treatment with interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin is costly in terms of side effects, medical resources and drug costs. Furthermore, less than 50% of patients overall have a sustained virological response (SVR).

Objective: To determine if the log fall in HCV RNA between baseline and week 1 (b-wk1) and between baseline and week 4 (b-wk4) after starting treatment could identify the nonresponders.

Effectiveness of treatment for Class II malocclusion with the Herbst or twin-block appliances: a randomized, controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Herbst and Twin-block appliances for established Class II Division I malocclusion. The study was a multicenter, randomized clinical trial carried out in orthodontic departments in the United Kingdom. A total of 215 patients (aged 11-14 years) were randomized to receive treatment with either the Herbst or the Twin-block appliance.

Cerebral white matter abnormalities and lifetime cognitive change: a 67-year follow-up of the Scottish Mental Survey of 1932.

Cerebral white matter abnormalities relate to cognitive functioning in elders. We examine whether this association is (a) independent of mental ability in youth and (b) related to general and/or specific mental abilities. We retested 83 participants of the Scottish Mental Survey of 1932 on a battery of mental tests.

Research in supported housing.

Background: De-institutionalization has led to the provision of various forms of housing with or without support for people with mental illness in the community. In this paper, we review the conceptual issues related to the provision of supported housing schemes, the characteristics of residents, research methods and outcomes, and the factors influencing the quality of care provided.

Methods: A Medline and hand search of published literature was complemented by information derived from contacting expert researchers in the field.

Articulatory complexity at item boundaries in serial recall: the case of Welsh and English digit span.

The proposition that the difference in memory span between Welsh digits and English digits is accounted for by the longer articulatory duration of Welsh digits is critically reexamined. Two methods of measuring digit duration are contrasted. One is derived from digits spoken in isolation; the other is based on digits spoken in list format.

Cerebral blood flow and cognitive responses to rivastigmine treatment in Alzheimer's disease.

Twenty seven patients with mild AD were enrolled in a prospective open label controlled study of rivastigmine. Assessments included a range of neuropsychiatric and behavioural measures and rCBF using HMPAO SPECTat baseline, three and six months. Significant enhancement of frontal, parietal and temporal brain blood flow with related psychometric improvement was observed in twelve of the treated patients.

Gene and protein expression profiles of Shewanella oneidensis during anaerobic growth with different electron acceptors.

Changes in mRNA and protein expression profiles of Shewanella oneidenesis MR-1 during switch from aerobic to fumarate-, Fe(III)-, or nitrate-reducing conditions were examined using DNA microarrays and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE). In response to changes in growth conditions, 121 of the 691 arrayed genes displayed at least a two-fold difference in transcript abundance as determined by microarray analysis. Genes involved in aerobic respiration encoding cytochrome c and d oxidases and TCA cycle enzymes were repressed under anaerobic conditions.