Virtual field trips in hydrological field laboratories: The potential of virtual reality for conveying hydrological engineering content.

With the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting contact restrictions, conducting field trips to hydrological research basins became close to impossible. Hydrological field knowledge is an essential part of hydrological education and research. In order to impart this knowledge to students of hydrological engineering subjects in times or situations where on-site exploration is not possible, the VR4Hydro tool was developed.

Genome Sequences of Subcluster M2 Mycobacteriophages Estes and Aziz.

Estes and Aziz are mycobacteriophages that were isolated on mc155 at room temperature from soil samples collected in Spokane, WA. Their genome sequences are 83,601 and 83,412 bp long, respectively, and they are members of subcluster M2. Each contains 21 tRNA genes and short conserved repeats characteristic of cluster M phages.

Sex-specific differences in long-term glycemic control and cardiometabolic parameters in patients with type 1 diabetes treated at a tertiary care centre: gender aspects in type 1 diabetes.

Background: Time-dependent changes in glycemic control might represent a strong predictor for coronary artery disease. Since a higher benefit from outpatient appointments has been discussed for female gender, the aim of the study was to assess gender differences in HbA1c levels and metabolic parameters at baseline as well as over 3 years of follow-up.

Methods: We analyzed the data of 54 female and 65 male type 1 diabetic patients, with comparable age and diabetes duration, who visited our diabetes outpatient clinic in the year 2006 as well as the follow-up visits until 2009.

5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced fluorescence in intracerebral metastases: a retrospective study.

Background: Microsurgical, circumferential stripping of intracerebral metastases often proves to be insufficient to prevent local tumor recurrence.

Objective: We were interested in the potential impact of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced-fluorescence (5-AIF) as a diagnostic tool for the resection of intracerebral metastases.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 52 patients who underwent 5-AIF-guided resection for intracerebral mass lesions that histologically corresponded to metastases from tumors outside the central nervous system.

Polymorphism in ARE-I region of prostate-specific antigen gene associated with low serum testosterone level and high-grade prostate cancer.

Objectives: To examine the impact of polymorphism in the androgen-responsive element I region of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) gene on the serum testosterone level and Gleason score in patients with newly diagnosed, untreated prostate cancer (PCa). High-grade PCa is associated with a low serum testosterone level, and the testosterone level has been negatively correlated with the expression of PSA.

Methods: Endocrine factors (including testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteotropic hormone), PSA level, prostate volume, and Gleason score were measured in 134 patients with untreated, biopsy-verified PCa.

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in subclinical hypothyroidism.

The significance of subclinical hypothyroidism in regard to ensuing hyperlipidemia remains unclear. Because an unfavorable lipid profile would provide a possible explanation for the reported association of coronary-heart disease with this syndrome, we have evaluated the relationship of thyrotropin (TSH) with total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides in patients with normal thyroid function (n = 4886) as well as subclinical (n = 1055) and manifest (n = 92) hypothyroidism. Serum concentrations of LDL cholesterol were similar in euthyroid persons (134+/-39 mg/dL) and in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (137+/-40 mg/dL) but were higher (178+/-70 mg/dL, p < 0.

Prevalence of paradoxically normal serum cholestrol in morbidly obese women.

The paradox that cholesterol may be lower in extremely obese subjects versus those who are less overweight, although originally observed more than 40 years ago, has never been documented in a systematic fashion. We have therefore prospectively determined the body mass index (BMI) and serum cholesterol concentration in 3,312 women. The percentage of women with serum cholesterol in the normal range (<200 mg/dL) decreased with an increasing BMI, from 55% in women with a BMI less than 20 kg/m2 to 28% in those with a BMI of 30 to 35 kg/m2.

Effects of naloxone on estrogen-induced changes in hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator activity in the rhesus monkey.

In the ovariectomized rhesus monkey, estradiol (E2) markedly reduces the frequency of the GnRH pulse generator as monitored by LH pulse frequency and the concurrent changes in hypothalamic electrical activity, an action mimicked by morphine. In addition, the duration of the increments in multiunit electrical activity (MUA volleys) that precede each LH pulse is decreased by estrogen administration, an action also shared by morphine. The role of endogenous opioids in these actions of E2 was investigated in 8 ovariectomized animals restrained in primate chairs.

Radiotelemetric monitoring of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator activity throughout the menstrual cycle of the rhesus monkey.

Continuous monitoring of the electrophysiological manifestations of GnRH pulse generator activity was achieved by radiotelemetry throughout the menstrual cycles of unrestrained rhesus monkeys. The characteristic increases in hypothalamic multiunit activity (MUA volleys) associated with each LH pulse measured in the peripheral circulation were of lower frequency during the luteal phase than in the follicular phase of the cycle. Multiunit activity volley frequency increased as functional luteolysis progressed and achieved maxima of approximately one volley per hour within the first few days of the follicular phase.

Duration of phasic electrical activity of the hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator and dynamics of luteinizing hormone pulses in the rhesus monkey.

The secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) by the pituitary gland is a pulsatile phenomenon. In the rhesus monkey, each pulse of LH in the peripheral circulation is associated with a characteristic increase in multiunit electrical activity (MUA) recorded from the medial basal hypothalamus. These "volleys" of electrical activity initiate the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) into the pituitary portal circulation from the terminals of neurosecretory cells.

Duration and frequency of multiunit electrical activity associated with the hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone pulse generator in the rhesus monkey: differential effects of morphine.

The effects of morphine on the frequency and duration of the characteristic bursts or 'volleys' of multiunit electrical activity (MUA) associated with pulsatile pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion were studied in unanesthetized ovariectomized rhesus monkeys bearing bilateral arrays of electrodes implanted in the mediobasal hypothalamus. Morphine administration resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in MUA volley duration and frequency. When morphine was infused at 10 micrograms/kg/h, the inhibiting effect on volley duration was observed without a change in volley frequency.

Corticotropin-releasing factor and gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulse generator activity in the rhesus monkey. Electrophysiological studies.

The effect of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on the hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generator, the central neuronal system governing pulsatile pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, was studied electro-physiologically in 6 ovariectomized rhesus monkeys bearing bilateral arrays of recording electrodes implanted in the mediobasal hypothalamus. 'Volleys' of increased multiunit activity (MUA) were recorded for 6-10 h in animals placed in primate chairs. The circulating concentrations of LH and cortisol were determined by radioimmunoassay in blood samples taken every 10 min for 3-4 h prior to the administration of CRF (200 micrograms, i.

Episodic prolactin secretion in the adult male rat is affected by orchidectomy and testosterone replacement.

To characterize the plasma PRL pattern in adult male rats and elucidate the modulatory effects of testosterone on this circulating PRL pattern, serial blood samples were obtained from both intact rats and rats orchidectomized and given various doses of testosterone via sustained release polydimethylsiloxane implants. Adult male rats were equipped with chronic indwelling jugular catheters. One week later the animals were orchidectomized and given either empty (12-mm) or testosterone-filled polydimethylsiloxane implants measuring 3, 5, or 12 mm that maintain plasma testosterone at 0%, 20%, 30%, or 60%, respectively, of those concentrations found in normal animals.

Plasma patterns of LH, FSH and prolactin in rats with a polycystic ovarian condition induced by oestradiol valerate.

The patterns of plasma LH, FSH and prolactin concentrations were investigated in rats with a polycystic ovary condition (PCO). The condition was induced by treatment with oestradiol valerate 9 weeks before blood sampling. Serial blood samples were taken at 10-min intervals for 4 h from ten rats with PCO.

[Use of the computer in clinical medicine].

This article describes the application of computers in clinical medicine and the experience gained by the Institute of Medical Computer Science when introducing computer systems into the clinics of the University of Vienna Medical School in the last 20 years. It is shown what dramatic development has taken place in these years. The medical information system WAMIS with its central patient database is described as well as the medical record keeping documentation and retrieval system WAREL, which is destined to analyze medical natural language data.

[Certain results of infectious disease prevention in the German Democratic Republic].

The history of the formation of the sanitary and hygienic service in the GDR is outlined with special reference to the friendly assistance of the USSR. The data on the morbidity dynamics in the GDR for the most important infectious diseases are presented for the 30-year period of the existance of the GDR. The role played by the system of immunoprophylaxis developed in the GDR in controlling infectious diseases, is shown and the immediate tasks presented, at increasing the effectiveness of this system on the basis of close and extensive cooperation between the scientists and physicians of the USSR and the GDR.