Ketamine effects on brain function--simultaneous fMRI/EEG during a visual oddball task.

Background: Behavioral and electrophysiological human ketamine models of schizophrenia are used for testing compounds that target the glutamatergic system. However, corresponding functional neuroimaging models are difficult to reconcile with functional imaging and electrophysiological findings in schizophrenia. Resolving the discrepancies between different observational levels is critical to understand the complex pharmacological ketamine action and its usefulness for modeling schizophrenia pathophysiology.

Microparticles in plasmas as diagnostic tools and substrates.

An interesting aspect in the research of complex (dusty) plasmas is the experimental study of the interaction of nano- and micro-particles with the surrounding plasma for diagnostic purpose. From the behaviour of the particles, local electric fields can be determined ("particles as electrostatic probes"), the energy fluxes towards the particles ("particles as thermal probes"), or reactive processes on surfaces ("particles as micro-substrates") can be studied. The behaviour of particles in front of an adaptive electrode, which allows for an efficient confinement and manipulation of the grains, has been experimentally studied in dependence on the discharge parameters and on different bias conditions of the electrode.

Skeletal anomalies.

It is possible to identify many types of skeletal dysplasias and conditions involving limb deformities prenatally using ultrasound. It is likely that in the future, with the advancing technology and discoveries in molecular genetics, specific mutation analysis will become available for many of these conditions. This will make first trimester diagnosis an option in many cases.

First trimester prenatal diagnosis of chondroectodermal dysplasia (Ellis-van Creveld syndrome) with ultrasound.

Chondroectodermal dysplasia (Ellis-van Creveld syndrome) is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by short-limb dwarfism, postaxial polydactyly, ectodermal defects, and congenital heart disease. This condition is most prevalent in the Amish population of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, occurring in 1/5000 births and in 1/60,000 births in the general population. This report presents a case of ultrasonographic detection of chondroectodermal dysplasia at 12 weeks of gestation.