Perception of simulated local shapes using active and passive touch.

This study reexamined the perceptual equivalence of active and passive touch using a computer-controlled force-feedback device. Nine subjects explored a 6 x 10-cm workspace, with the index finger resting on a mobile flat plate, and experienced simulated Gaussian ridges and troughs (width, 15 mm; amplitude, 0.5 to 4.

Low-dose fentanyl-midazolam combination improves sevoflurane induction in adults.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of a combination of low-dose fentanyl-midazolam premedication on the speed of inhaled induction with sevoflurane and ProSeal laryngeal mask airway (PLMA) insertion conditions.

Methods: Eighty adult patients undergoing elective surgery were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive either a normal saline placebo (Group PLAC) or a fentanyl 0.6 microg x kg(-1) and midazolam 9 microg x kg(-1) premedication (Group FM) 5 min before tidal volume sevoflurane 8%/O(2) induction.

Temperature and chemical environment effects on the aggregation extent of water soluble perylene dye into vinyl alcohol-containing polymers.

In this work, a water soluble perylene derivative containing piperazine peripheral units, i.e. N,N'-bis(2-(1-piperazino)ethyl)-3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic acid diimide dichloride (PZPER) was synthesized and dispersed at low loadings (from 0.

Urinary and serum hormones profiles after testosterone enanthate administration in male hypogonadism: concerns on the detection of doping with testosterone in treated hypogonadal athletes.

Objective: To describe serum and urinary hormones, androgens metabolites and testosterone/epitestosterone ratio profiles after testosterone administration in male hypogonadal volunteers, and to evaluate their possible usefulness in detecting doping with testosterone in treated hypogonadal athletes.

Design: Controlled open label design vs placebo; pharmacokinetic study.

Participants: Ten male volunteers affected by severe hypogonadism (serum testosterone <2.

A multi-perspective view of genetic variation in Cameroon.

In this study, we report the genetic variation of autosomal and Y-chromosomal microsatellites in a large Cameroon population dataset (a total of 11 populations) and jointly analyze novel and previous genetic data (mitochondrial DNA and protein coding loci) taking geographic and cultural factors into consideration. The complex pattern of genetic variation of Cameroon can in part be described by contrasting two geographic areas (corresponding to the northern and southern part of the country), which differ substantially in environmental, biological, and cultural aspects. Northern Cameroon populations show a greater within- and among-group diversity, a finding that reflects the complex migratory patterns and the linguistic heterogeneity of this area.

Optimizing preoxygenation in adults.

Purpose: Preoxygenation increases oxygen reserves and duration of apnea without desaturation (DAWD), thus it provides valuable additional time to secure the airway. The purpose of this Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module is to examine the various preoxygenation techniques that have been proposed and to assess their effectiveness in healthy adults and in obese, pregnant, and elderly patients.

Principal Findings: The effectiveness of preoxygenation techniques can be evaluated by measuring DAWD, i.

Complications after liver transplantation: evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance cholangiography, and 3-dimensional contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in a single session.

Objective: To evaluate a comprehensive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol as noninvasive diagnostic modality for simultaneous detection of parenchymal, biliary, and vascular complications after liver transplantation.

Methods: Fifty-two liver transplant recipients suspected to have parenchymal, biliary, and (or) vascular complications underwent our MRI protocol at 1.5T unit using a phased array coil.

Secretin-stimulated multi-detector CT versus mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced MR imaging plus MRCP in characterization of non-metastatic solid pancreatic lesions.

Background And Aim: Our study was aimed to compare multiphasic multi-detector computed tomography after secretin stimulation and mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging plus MR cholangiopancreatography in the characterization of solid pancreatic lesions.

Patients And Methods: Forty patients with ultrasound diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesion prospectively underwent both multi-detector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Three minutes after intravenous administration of secretin, post-contrast computed tomography scans were performed 40, 80, and 180 s after contrast medium injection.

[Incidence of structural vocal fold abnormalities associated with vocal fold polyps.

Unlabelled: Phonotrauma is considered the main cause of vocal fold polyps (VFP). However, the authors believe that an underlying anatomical deviation could render the vocal folds more susceptible to such trauma.

Aim: To prove this hypothesis a retrospective chart review was carried out to correlate the surgical findings of patients with VFP.

Acute abdomen due to twisted ovarian immature teratoma in a 7-year-old girl: magnetic resonance findings with histopathologic correlation.

Immature teratomas represent only the 1% of ovarian teratomas, and they are the third most common primitive germ cell tumor; generally, they are congenital lesions and affect mainly the first 2 decades. We present the case of a 7-year-old child who came at our attention because of an acute low abdominal pain due to the torsion of an ovarian immature grade 1 teratoma on its pedicle. After ultrasound in the emergency department, preoperative evaluation was done by performing a magnetic resonance study, whose findings helped in suggesting the curative approach.

Sugammadex: a cyclodextrin to reverse neuromuscular blockade in anaesthesia.

Background: Neuromuscular blocking agents are used to provide relaxation and immobility during surgery. To avoid residual paralysis after anaesthesia, reversal of blockade is commonly accomplished with anticholinesterase agents but these drugs have cardiovascular side effects and incomplete effectiveness. Sugammadex is a cyclodextrin that binds rocuronium and chemically similar neuromuscular blocking drugs.

Modulation of the optical response of polyethylene films containing luminescent perylene chromophores.

In this work, two perylene derivatives containing different peripheral alkyl chains (i.e., N,N'-bis-(hexyl)perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxyldiimide (ES-PTCDI) and N,N'-bis-(2'-ethylhexyl)perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxyldiimide (EE-PTCDI)) were synthesized and efficiently dispersed at low loadings (from 0.

A study of the histological behavior of a rabbit vocal fold after a hyaluronic acid injection.

Unlabelled: The vocal fold structure is composed of tissues with many cells surrounded by the extra-cellular matrix. One of the most important components of the extra-cellular matrix is Hyaluronic Acid (HA). The aim of the study was to evaluate the inflammatory response of rabbit vocal folds after a local injection of Restylane HA.

The cognitive effects of oxcarbazepine versus carbamazepine or valproate in newly diagnosed children with partial seizures.

Objective: To investigate the effect of oxcarbazepine against standard antiepileptic drug therapy (carbamazepine and valproate) on cognitive function in children and adolescents (aged 6 to <17 years) with newly diagnosed partial seizures.

Methods: A multicentre, open-label, randomised, active-control, three-arm, parallel-group, 6-month study. The primary cognitive variable, the Computerized Visual Searching Task (CVST), assessed mental information processing speed and attention.

The importance of a taste. A comparative study on wild food plant consumption in twenty-one local communities in Italy.

A comparative food ethnobotanical study was carried out in twenty-one local communities in Italy, fourteen of which were located in Northern Italy, one in Central Italy, one in Sardinia, and four in Southern Italy. 549 informants were asked to name and describe food uses of wild botanicals they currently gather and consume. Data showed that gathering, processing and consuming wild food plants are still important activities in all the selected areas.

Pancreatic transplants: secretin-stimulated MR pancreatography.

Background: Our study was aimed to evaluate the functional status of pancreatic transplants using dynamic MR pancreatography after secretin stimulation.

Methods: Thirteen asymptomatic patients previously submitted to isolated pancreas (n = 6) or combined kidney-pancreas (n = 7) transplantation, with enteric-portal pancreatic drainage, underwent MR examination at 1.5 T using a phased-array coil.

[69-year-old patient with seizure of unknown origin].

Diseases associated with cobalamin deficiency often present a variety of neurological disorders apart from the well known megaloblastic anaemia as haematological manifestation. The peripheral and the central nervous system can be affected in different levels by the metabolic changes due to an impaired Vitamin B12 metabolism. Based upon an observed case we discuss the manifestation of cerebral convulsion possibly due to a secondarily acquired cobalamin deficiency.

Solitary hilar biliary adenoma: MR imaging and MR cholangiography features with pathologic correlation.

Biliary adenoma is a rare tumour characterized by the proliferation of bile duct epithelium into the lumen. Diagnosis is usually based on the imaging findings of bile duct dilatation and intraductal mass. We describe previously un-reported magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance cholangiography features with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and pathologic correlation of a solitary hilar biliary adenoma.

Peer review policies and theCanadian Journal of Anesthesia: an update for authors and readers.

L'évaluation éditoriale par des pairs est un processus très important qui détermine quels manuscrits sont publiés dans les revues dotées de comité d'évaluation par des pairs, tout en ayant une influence majeure sur la qualité des articles publiés. Alors que la science de l'évaluation par les pairs continue d'évoluer, le processus devrait être transparent et devrait intéresser tous ceux qui contribuent à la littérature médicale et qui la lisent. Les publications scientifiques font progresser la pratique de la médecine.

Effects of oxcarbazepine on cognitive function in children and adolescents with partial seizures.

The authors investigated the effect of oxcarbazepine on cognitive function in children and adolescents (6 to younger than 17 years of age) with newly diagnosed partial seizures in an open-label comparison with standard antiepileptic drug therapy (carbamazepine and valproate). No differences in cognitive tests were observed between oxcarbazepine and carbamazepine/valproate over a 6-month treatment period.