The formyl peptide receptor like-1 and scavenger receptor MARCO are involved in glial cell activation in bacterial meningitis.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that the scavenger receptor MARCO (macrophage receptor with collagenous structure) mediates activation of the immune response in bacterial infection of the central nervous system (CNS). The chemotactic G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) formyl-peptide-receptor like-1 (FPRL1) plays an essential role in the inflammatory responses of host defence mechanisms and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Expression of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin CRAMP/LL-37 is up-regulated in bacterial meningitis, but the mechanisms underlying CRAMP expression are far from clear.

In vivo MRI of early stage mammary cancers and the normal mouse mammary gland.

Since the advent of screening mammography, approximately one-quarter of newly diagnosed breast cancers are at the earliest preinvasive stage of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Concomitant with this improvement in early detection has been a growing clinical concern that distinguishing aggressive from indolent DCIS is necessary to optimize patient management. Genetically engineered mouse models offer an appealing experimental framework in which to investigate factors that influence and predict progression of preinvasive neoplasias.

Prevalence of intimate partner violence among migrant and native women attending general practice and the association between intimate partner violence and depression.

Objective: To explore the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) of women (aged >18 years) attending general practice and to assess the association between IPV and depression.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted within 15 general practices across Rotterdam. The study population was all women older than 18 years of age attending general practice.

Obstacle crossing with lower visual field restriction: shifts in strategy.

In this study, the authors investigated how restriction of the vertical viewing angle influences obstacle-crossing behavior. Twelve participants stepped over obstacles of different dimensions while wearing visual-field-restricting goggles. Using full-body motion capture, several kinematic measures were extracted and analyzed.

COMT Val158Met Polymorphism Modulates Cognitive Effects of Dietary Intervention.

A common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the gene encoding catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), Val158Met, is thought to influence cognitive performance due to differences in prefrontal dopaminergic neurotransmission. Previous studies lend support for the hypothesis that the "at risk" genotype comprising two Val-alleles (low dopamine) might benefit more from plasticity-enhancing interventions than carriers of one or two Met-alleles. This study aimed to determine whether the response to dietary interventions, known to modulate cognition, is dependent on COMT genotype.

Chromatography with higher pressure, smaller particles and higher temperature: a bioanalytical perspective.

Recent years have seen widespread use of ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) in biological fluids. Most commonly the emphasis is on developing high throughput assay methods to reduce the analysis time and cost. Particle size and temperature are chromatographic parameters that can be changed to improve efficiency and obtain rapid separations.

A torsional eye movement calculation algorithm for low contrast images in video-oculography.

Video-oculography (VOG) is a frequently used clinical technique to detect eye movements. In this research, head mounted small video-cameras and IR-illumination are employed to image the eye. Many algorithms have been developed to extract horizontal and vertical eye movements from the video images.

A wavelet approach for unsupervised nystagmus analysis on ENG and VOG recordings.

Several algorithms are available to quantify nystagmus beats in electro nystagmography (ENG) and videooculography (VOG) recordings. These algorithms use parameterized approaches to detect the fast components of nystagmus beats. This paper proposes a wavelet approach to detect fast components of nystagmus beats.

Testing hypotheses that link wood anatomy to cavitation resistance and hydraulic conductivity in the genus Acer.

• Vulnerability to cavitation and conductive efficiency depend on xylem anatomy. We tested a large range of structure-function hypotheses, some for the first time, within a single genus to minimize phylogenetic 'noise' and maximize detection of functionally relevant variation. • This integrative study combined in-depth anatomical observations using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy of seven Acer taxa, and compared these observations with empirical measures of xylem hydraulics.

Proton pump inhibitor use is associated with an increased risk for microscopic colitis: a case-control study.

Background: Microscopic colitis causes chronic watery diarrhoea. Recent studies have suggested an aetiological role for various medications, including proton pump inhibitors, in the pathogenesis of microscopic colitis.

Aim: To determine whether an association exists between microscopic colitis and proton pump inhibitor use in patients with documented microscopic colitis vs.

Flow analysis of ventricular assist device inflow and outflow cannula positioning using a naturally shaped ventricle and aortic branch.

Tip geometry and placement of rotary blood pump inflow and outflow cannulae influence the dynamics of flow within the ventricle and aortic branch. Cannulation, therefore, directly influences the potential for thrombus formation and end-organ perfusion during ventricular assist device (VAD) support or cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of various inflow/outflow cannula tip geometries and positions on ventricular and greater vessel flow patterns to evaluate ventricular washout and impact on cerebral perfusion.

Quality of systematic reviews of observational nontherapeutic studies.

Introduction: High-quality epidemiologic research is essential in reducing chronic diseases. We analyzed the quality of systematic reviews of observational nontherapeutic studies.

Methods: We searched several databases for systematic reviews of observational nontherapeutic studies that examined the prevalence of or risk factors for chronic diseases and were published in core clinical journals from 1966 through June 2008.

Characterizing early contrast uptake of ductal carcinoma in situ with high temporal resolution dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast: a pilot study.

Improvements in the reliable diagnosis of preinvasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) are needed. In this study, we present a new characterization of early contrast kinetics of DCIS using high temporal resolution (HiT) DCE-MRI and compare it with other breast lesions and normal parenchyma. Forty patients with mammographic calcifications suspicious for DCIS were selected for HiT imaging using T(1)-weighted DCE-MRI with ∼7 s temporal resolution for 90 s post-contrast injection.

[Thrombocytopenia in two newborn babies. Unexpected serious complications in full-term babies].

Thrombocytopenia usually has a moderate course in full-term babies. Here, however, we describe two newborns with serious complications due to neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia. One patient was transferred to the paediatrician because of pallor, a swelling on the head and petechiae.

Do quantitative vessel and pit characters account for ion-mediated changes in the hydraulic conductance of angiosperm xylem?

• The hydraulic conductance of angiosperm xylem has been suggested to vary with changes in sap solute concentrations because of intervessel pit properties. • The magnitude of the 'ionic effect' was linked with vessel and pit dimensions in 20 angiosperm species covering 13 families including six Lauraceae species. • A positive correlation was found between ionic effect and vessel grouping parameters, especially the portion of vessel walls in contact with neighbouring vessels.

Predictability of strabismus surgery in children with developmental disorders and/or psychomotor retardation.

Background: Children with developmental disorders and/or psychomotor delay may respond differently to strabismus surgery than children who develop normally, but the literature is conflicting.

Methods: We studied 37 patients with spasm, trisomy 21, prematurity, epilepsy, psychomotor retardation, and/or hydrocephalus (study group) and 67 control patients, all between 14 months and 14 years of age. All received a recession of one or both medial rectus muscles (Rc-surgery) or a monocular recession-resection of medial-lateral rectus muscles (RcRs-surgery) for esotropia.

The relationships between xylem safety and hydraulic efficiency in the Cupressaceae: the evolution of pit membrane form and function.

Water transport in conifers occurs through single-celled tracheids that are connected to one another via intertracheid pit membranes. These membranes have two components: the porous margo, which allows water to pass through the membrane, and the impermeable torus, which functions to isolate gas-filled tracheids. During drought, tracheids can become air filled and thus hydraulically dysfunctional, a result of air entering through the pit membrane and nucleating cavitation in the water column.

Hypertriglyceridemic waist: an alternative to the metabolic syndrome? Results of the IMAP Study (multidisciplinary intervention in primary care).

Aim: To study the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) in an urban adult Spanish population and its association with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: We undertook a cross-sectional analysis in a random sample of 2270 individuals (18-80 years of age). All participants provided a clinical history and underwent a physical examination.

Computerized assessment of breast lesion malignancy using DCE-MRI robustness study on two independent clinical datasets from two manufacturers.

Rationale And Objectives: To conduct a preclinical evaluation of the robustness of our computerized system for breast lesion characterization on two breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) databases that were acquired using scanners from two different manufacturers.

Materials And Methods: Two clinical breast MRI databases were acquired from a Siemens scanner and a GE scanner, which shared similar imaging protocols and retrospectively collected under an institutional review board-approved protocol. In our computerized analysis system, after a breast lesion is identified by the radiologist, the computer performs automatic lesion segmentation and feature extraction and outputs an estimated probability of malignancy.

Breast cancers not detected at MRI: review of false-negative lesions.

Objective: The objective of our study was to determine the sensitivity of cancer detection at breast MRI using current imaging techniques and to evaluate the characteristics of lesions with false-negative examinations.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred seventeen patients with 222 newly diagnosed breast cancers or highly suspicious breast lesions that were subsequently shown to be malignant underwent breast MRI examinations for staging. Two breast imaging radiologists performed a consensus review of the breast MRI examinations.

{beta}-Catenin regulates airway smooth muscle contraction.

beta-Catenin is an 88-kDa member of the armadillo family of proteins that is associated with the cadherin-catenin complex in the plasma membrane. This complex interacts dynamically with the actin cytoskeleton to stabilize adherens junctions, which play a central role in force transmission by smooth muscle cells. Therefore, in the present study, we hypothesized a role for beta-catenin in the regulation of smooth muscle force production.

Antimicrobial peptide rCRAMP induced glial cell activation through P2Y receptor signalling pathways.

Antimicrobial peptides are part of the innate immune system of many organ systems, yet little is known about their expression and function in the brain. The antibacterial cathelicidin rCRAMP in rats (homologue of the human LL-37) not only exhibits potent bactericidal activities but also functions as a chemoattractant for immune cells. In this study, to further evaluate the role of rCRAMP in innate immunity of brain cells, we investigated the impact of rCRAMP on glial cell activation.

A hybrid IQ imbalance compensation method for optical OFDM transmission.

Transmitter and receiver IQ imbalance causes image interference that degrades performance in high capacity and high spectral efficiency optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) schemes. Digital compensation is an attractive method to relax component specifications. In this paper we report the details of a hybrid compensation method for IQ imbalance compensation, comprising of orthogonal training symbol-based method for transmitter-side compensation and an iterative image reduction-based method for receiver-side imbalance compensation.