Parsing the link between reinforcement sensitivity theory and eating behavior: A systematic review.

The Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) is a widely studied psychobiological model of personality. RST factors seem to influence eating behavior, but how these personality traits are associated with distinct features of eating behavior is still unclear. In the present systematic review, we analyzed the relationship between RST personality factors and eating behavior using a parsing approach in which BMI-related results, self-reported results, and behavioral results were distinguished.

Integrated optical sensor platform for multiparameter bio-chemical analysis.

There is growing demand for robust, reliable, low cost, and easy to use sensor systems that feature multiparameter analysis in many application areas ranging from safety and security to point of care and medical diagnostics. Here, we highlight the theory and show first experimental results on a novel approach targeting the realization of massively multiplexed sensor arrays. The presented sensor platform is based on arrays of frequency-modulated integrated optical microring resonators (MRR) fed by a single bus waveguide combined with lock-in detection to filter out in a reliable and simple manner their individual response to external stimuli.

Functional vascular diseases: Raynaud's syndrome, acrocyanosis and erythromelalgia.

Raynauds syndrome, acrocyanosis and erythromelalgia are functional vascular diseases that differ with respect to prevalence, clinical picture, therapy, prognosis, and impairment of quality of life. Raynauds syndrome occurs in 5 to 20 % of the population in Europe, is observed four times more often in women than in men and appears first at the age of 40 (3 to 80), on the average. Raynauds attacks are characterized by a paroxysmal white-blue-red or just white and blue discoloration of the fingers and toes; the attacks are induced by cold or stress, usually, cease after no more than some minutes (average 23 min.

A microring resonator sensor for sensitive detection of 1,3,5-trinitrotoluene (TNT).

A microring resonator sensor device for sensitive detection of the explosive 1,3,5-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is presented. It is based on the combination of a silicon microring resonator and tailored receptor molecules.

Asymptomatic venous thrombosis in cancer patients--a problem often overlooked. Results of a retrospective and prospective study.

Background: Venous thrombosis with and without pulmonary embolism is a frequent complication of malignancies and second among the causes of death in tumour patients. Its incidence is reported to be 10 to 15%. Since for methodological reasons, this rate can be assumed to be too low and to disregard asymptomatic venous thrombosis, a combined retrospective and prospective study was performed to examine the actual frequency of venous thrombosis in tumour patients.

[15 years Amputierten-Initiative e.V].

The Amputierten-Initiative e.V. [Amputees' initiative] was founded in Berlin as a self-help group of amputee patients in 1991.

Circulating nerve growth factor in primary and secondary Raynaud's syndrome - results of a pilot study.

Background: In this pilot study we examined circulating concentrations of nerve growth factor (NGF) in controls and patients suffering from primary or secondary Raynaud's syndrome and determined their relation to digital vasospasm.

Patients And Methods: Eighteen controls, 16 patients with primary RP and 19 patients with systemic sclerosis (SScl) were included. Degree of vasospasm was graduated according to the degree of plethysmographically measured vasospastic reaction after cold test.

[Definition and terminology of Raynaud's syndrome].

Physicians have for a long time used different definitions, terminology and differential diagnoses for Raynaud's syndromes, which has resulted in diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic problems. In order for difficulties of understanding to be prevented, the terminology should be restricted to the most common terms in international use, i. e.

[Psychometric investigation of Tyrolean patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon].

Primary Raynaud's phenomenon (PRP) is provoked by digital vasospasm induced by cold and emotional strain. By use of established psychometric test instruments (Freiburger Aggressionsfragebogen (FAF), Fragebogen zur Abschätzung psychosomatischen Krankheitserlebens (FAPK), Stressverarbeitungsfragebogen (SVF 120)) we examined the patients' ways of dealing with aggression and distress as well as their experience of psychosomatic illness. In all psychometric tests performed there were no statistically significant differences between the patients and the controls, indicating that patients with PRP depict no specific ways of dealing with aggression and distress, and do not experience psychosomatic illness.

Complete ulcer healing as primary endpoint in studies on critical limb ischemia? A critical reappraisal.

Objectives: Although complete ulcer healing is the mandatory primary efficacy criterion in current European guidelines for drug trials in critical limb ischemia (CLI), the appropriateness of this endpoint has been questioned for some time. We carried out a systematic review to assess the value of this endpoint in studies on reconstructive measures, considered to be the standard of care for CLI.

Methods: A computerized literature search (1985-2005) was performed to track down clinical studies on endovascular and surgical interventions by using the search terms CLI and ulcer healing and their synonyms.

[Vasoactive agents and prostanoids in the therapy of PAD: facts, questions, disproven assumptions].

In the view of the AkdA (Drug Committee of the German Medical Profession), the efficacy in intermittent claudication is currently proven only for Naftidrofuryl, whereas in the opinion of the DGA (German Society of Angiology) also that of prostaglandin E(1) is proven. Both drugs are indicated if neither walking exercise nor vascular or endovascular reconstruction are feasible. In critical limb ischaemia (Fontaine stage III/IV), the efficacy of prostaglandin E(1) and iloprost is proven according to both the treatment recommendations of the DGA and the ACC/AHA Guidelines.

Concomitant neurological and orthopaedic diseases in the presence of peripheral arterial disease: a prospective study.

Background: The symptoms of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can be masked by neurological or orthopaedic diseases with identical symptoms, which may result in faulty therapy decisions, if the diagnosis is solely based on the reported complaints and angiographic or duplex ultrasonographic findings. A prospective study was therefore performed to find out how often established PAD is accompanied by neurological or orthopaedic pictures that can blend into the PAD symptoms.

Patients And Methods: The examination was performed in 235 patients with PAD of Fontaine's stages II to IV, 125 were women and 110 men; the mean age was 71 years (41 to 95 years).

Mobilization versus immobilization in the treatment of acute proximal deep venous thrombosis: a prospective, randomized, open, multicentre trial.

Objective: The aim of prescribing strict bed rest for acute deep venous thrombosis is to reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism and pain in the legs, as well as swelling. This study was performed in order to compare outcome of mobilization against 5 days of strict bed rest in patients with acute proximal deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

Methods: 103 in-patients with proximal DVT or patients admitted to the hospital because of proximal DVT were recruited to a randomized study.

[Psychiatric investigation of Tyrolean patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon].

Raynaud's phenomenon is provoked by digital vasospasm, mostly induced by cold and emotional strain. While studies dealing with other vasospastic disorders, e. g.

Are there predictors for the outcome of a PGE1 treatment in peripheral arterial disease with critical limb ischaemia?

Background: In a multivariate retrospective analysis was conducted to examine whether and to what extent PGE1 is therapeutically effective and whether there are predictors of response.

Patients And Methods: The examination included 767 patients (448 women, 319 men) of a mean age of 71.2 years and with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) having existed for 44.

Prostaglandin E1 infusion therapy in dry age-related macular degeneration.

Objective: The pilot study is intended to show whether prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) infusions are able to stop the gradual vision loss in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and, further, to stabilize or improve visual acuity.

Methods: With PGE1 infusions 11 patients with different forms of dry AMD were treated and compared with a control group of 10 untreated patients with dry AMD. The target parameter was the visual acuity, as determined with the ETDRS logMAR charts.

Frequency of non-vascular accompanying diseases in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Background: Since there are so far no relevant figures on the frequency of non-vascular associated diseases in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), an analysis was carried out to determine how frequently co-morbidity is found in such patients.

Patients And Methods: In the course of a retrospective analysis, 1693 patients (55.4% men, 44.

[Stomatitis, glossitis, and esophagitis in a patient treated with minocycline].

After 10 days of minocycline therapy, stomatitis, glossitis and esophagitis were seen in a 62-year-old male patient, who had previously tolerated minocycline for > 20 years without complications. This typical side effect of minocycline was initially misinterpreted in the differential diagnosis and was only diagnosed, when the patient was reexposed to a new 7-day minocycline therapy. Healing was achieved by termination of the minocycline therapy and the initiation of antimycotic treatment.

Frequency of asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease in patients entering the department of general and internal medicine of a general-care hospital.

Background: The fact that a high prevalence of asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the population has repeatedly been noted in recent years, without there being data as to how often asymptomatic PAD has to be anticipated in inpatients treated for divergent internal diseases led us now to performing a screening study in a general-care hospital.

Patients And Methods: The study population consisted of 990 patients (51.8% women, 48.

[DRG-based cost analysis of inpatient conservative treatment of stage III/IV peripheral arterial occlusive disease].

Unlabelled: DRG-based cost analysis of inpatient conservative treatment of PAD stage III/IV BACKGROUND: In a prospective study carried out by the German Society of Angiology and the DRG Competence Center, Munich, the question was investigated whether the costs of conservative treatment of patients with PAOD stage III/IV (DRG F65) are adequately represented within the current G-DRG system. METHODS UND PATIENTS: Between September 1 and December 16, 2002, a total of 704 patients with DRG F65 (peripheral vascular diseases) were evaluated at 8 angiologic centers in Germany. Apart from the length of hospital stay, the total costs (cost equivalents) were calculated using a method developed by the DRG Research Group at the University of Münster.

Hemostatic and fibrinolytic effects of systemic prostaglandin E1 therapy in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Background: The study was designed to evaluate if there is any evidence of a hyperfibrinolytic bleeding-risk under systemic treatment with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Patients And Methods: The in vivo effect of PGE1 on the fibrinolytic and hemostatic process was tested on 15 patients before and after treatment with Alprostadil for 21 days using D-dimers (DD), fibrinogen, prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), antithrombin (AT), ProC-Global, plasminogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor activity (PAI), alpha 2-antiplasmin, coagulation factor XII, basal and activated fibrinolytic capacity (fib. cap.

Vital capillary microscopic findings in the nailfold of patients with diabetes mellitus.

Background: Preliminary investigation done in 100 healthy adults and 20 healthy children had shown that the interpretation of significance of changes in capillary morphology need to be corrected, since capillary changes previously considered to be pathological are also to be found in large numbers in healthy subjects. Against this background, the question has now been investigated whether the capillary microscopic findings in diabetics deviates from those found in normals, and whether the duration of the diabetes, its treatment, its sequelae, or concomitant diseases have any influence on the capillary microscopic appearance.

Patients And Methods: In 100 patients aged between 44 and 88 years with type 2 diabetes vital capillary microscopy was carried out on all ten fingers in the usual manner.