Digital embryos: a novel technical approach to investigate perceptual categorization in pigeons (Columba livia) using machine learning.

Pigeons are classic model animals to study perceptual category learning. To achieve a deeper understanding of the cognitive mechanisms of categorization, a careful consideration of the employed stimulus material and a thorough analysis of the choice behavior is mandatory. In the present study, we combined the use of "virtual phylogenesis", an evolutionary algorithm to generate artificial yet naturalistic stimuli termed digital embryos and a machine learning approach on the pigeons' pecking responses to gain insight into the underlying categorization strategies of the animals.

Emerging category representation in the visual forebrain hierarchy of pigeons (Columba livia).

Recognizing and categorizing visual stimuli are cognitive functions vital for survival, and an important feature of visual systems in primates as well as in birds. Visual stimuli are processed along the ventral visual pathway. At every stage in the hierarchy, neurons respond selectively to more complex features, transforming the population representation of the stimuli.

The neuroscience of perceptual categorization in pigeons: A mechanistic hypothesis.

We are surrounded by an endless variation of objects. The ability to categorize these objects represents a core cognitive competence of humans and possibly all vertebrates. Research on category learning in nonhuman animals started with the seminal studies of Richard Herrnstein on the category "human" in pigeons.

Specific barriers to the conduct of randomised clinical trials on medical devices.

Background: Medical devices play an important role in the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and care of diseases. However, compared to pharmaceuticals, there is no rigorous formal regulation for demonstration of benefits and exclusion of harms to patients. The medical device industry argues that the classical evidence hierarchy cannot be applied for medical devices, as randomised clinical trials are impossible to perform.

Categories in the pigeon brain: A reverse engineering approach.

Pigeons are well known for their visual capabilities as well as their ability to categorize visual stimuli at both the basic and superordinate level. We adopt a reverse engineering approach to study categorization learning: Instead of training pigeons on predefined categories, we simply present stimuli and analyze neural output in search of categorical clustering on a solely neural level. We presented artificial stimuli, pictorial and grating stimuli, to pigeons without the need of any differential behavioral responding while recording from the nidopallium frontolaterale (NFL), a higher visual area in the avian brain.

How bad do you want it? Reward modulation in the avian nidopallium caudolaterale.

The prefrontal cortex plays an important role in reward processing in humans and nonhuman primates. In the current study we examined reward modulation in the single cell activity of the avian analog of the prefrontal cortex, the nidopallium caudolaterale (NCL). Pigeons had to peck at stimuli that represented either no reward, a small reward, or a large reward in a no-choice condition (only one stimulus presented) or a choice condition (two stimuli presented simultaneously).

[Geriatric consulting by a qualified elderly care physician in general practice].

An innovative project is presented, in which general practitioners, an elderly care physician and specialized nurses work together. The primary aim of the project was early detecting of frail community dwelling elderly and to give them adequate treatment and support, to enable them to stay in their own home situation as long as possible. The detection of frail elderly was performed by mean of the Easycare instrument.

Comparison of insulin detemir and insulin glargine in a basal-bolus regimen, with insulin aspart as the mealtime insulin, in patients with type 1 diabetes: a 52-week, multinational, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, treat-to-target noninferiority trial.

Objective: The primary study objective was to determine whether insulin detemir (detemir) was noninferior to insulin glargine (glargine) as the basal insulin in a basal-bolus regimen, with insulin aspart as the mealtime insulin, in terms of glycemic control at the end of 52 weeks in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods: This multinational, open-label, parallel-group, treat-to-target, noninferiority trial enrolled patients aged > or = 18 years who had had T1DM for at least 12 months, had been taking a basal-bolus insulin regimen for at least 3 months, and had a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value < or = 11.0% at screening.

A randomised, 52-week, treat-to-target trial comparing insulin detemir with insulin glargine when administered as add-on to glucose-lowering drugs in insulin-naive people with type 2 diabetes.

Aims/hypothesis: This 52-week multinational, randomised, open-label, parallel-group, non-inferiority trial compared clinical outcomes following supplementation of oral glucose-lowering drugs with basal insulin analogues detemir and glargine in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: Insulin-naive adults (n=582, HbA(1c) 7.5-10.

Transferring to insulin detemir from NPH insulin or insulin glargine in type 2 diabetes patients on basal-only therapy with oral antidiabetic drugs improves glycaemic control and reduces weight gain and risk of hypoglycaemia: 14-week follow-up data from PREDICTIVE.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of insulin detemir in type 2 diabetes patients previously receiving NPH insulin (NPH group, n = 175) or insulin glargine (glargine group, n = 118) in combination with oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs).

Methods: Patients were transferred to insulin detemir, while the OAD regimen and number of injections remained the same. The incidence of serious adverse drug reactions, including major hypoglycaemia, and haemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)), fasting glucose, within-patient fasting glucose variability and body weight change were measured at 14 weeks.

Improving glycemic control with insulin detemir using the 303 Algorithm in insulin naïve patients with type 2 diabetes: a subgroup analysis of the US PREDICTIVE 303 study.

Objective: PREDICTIVE 303 was a 26-week, prospective, randomized, open-label, multi-center study in patients with type 2 diabetes that investigated whether patient-driven adjustments of insulin detemir doses using the 303 Algorithm achieved similar glycemic control compared to standard-of-care, physician-driven adjustments in doses. This post hoc sub-analysis evaluates insulin naïve patients on oral anti-diabetic drugs (OADs) who were directed to start on once-daily insulin detemir as add-on therapy to any other glucose-lowering regimens.

Methods: Patients in the 303 Algorithm group were instructed to adjust their detemir dose every 3 days based on mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG) values using a simple algorithm: mean FPG < 80 mg/dL, reduce dose by 3 units; between 80-110mg/dL, no change; > 110mg/dL, increase by 3 units.

The usage of a simplified self-titration dosing guideline (303 Algorithm) for insulin detemir in patients with type 2 diabetes--results of the randomized, controlled PREDICTIVE 303 study.

The Predictable Results and Experience in Diabetes through Intensification and Control to Target: An International Variability Evaluation 303 (PREDICTIVE 303) Study (n = 5604) evaluated the effectiveness of insulin detemir, a long-acting basal insulin analogue, using a simplified patient self-adjusted dosing algorithm (303 Algorithm group) compared with standard-of-care physician-driven adjustments (Standard-of-care group) in a predominantly primary care setting, over a period of 6 months. Insulin detemir was to be started once-daily as add-on therapy to any other glucose-lowering regimens or as a replacement of prestudy basal insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Investigator sites rather than individual patients were randomized to either the 303 Algorithm group or the Standard-of-care group.

Insulin detemir improves glycaemic control with less hypoglycaemia and no weight gain in patients with type 2 diabetes who were insulin naive or treated with NPH or insulin glargine: clinical practice experience from a German subgroup of the PREDICTIVE study.

Aim: The Predictable Results and Experience in Diabetes through Intensification and Control to Target: An International Variability Evaluation (PREDICTIVE) Study is a large, multi-centre, observational study assessing the safety and efficacy of insulin detemir in everyday clinical practice.

Methods: This subgroup analysis of the German cohort of PREDICTIVE evaluates over 3 months, patients with type 2 diabetes who were transferred to insulin detemir +/- oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) from an OAD-only regimen (n = 1321), NPH insulin +/- OADs (n = 251) or insulin glargine +/- OADs (n = 260).

Results: Among all groups, 3 months after starting treatment with insulin detemir, total, daytime and nocturnal hypoglycaemic events/patient were reduced by 84, 80 and 90%, respectively, from baseline.

Safety and efficacy of insulin detemir in clinical practice: 14-week follow-up data from type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients in the PREDICTIVE European cohort.

PREDICTIVE (Predictable Results and Experience in Diabetes through Intensification and Control to Target: An International Variability Evaluation) is a large, multi-national, open-label, prospective, observational study assessing the safety and efficacy of insulin detemir in clinical practice. A total of 20,531 patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes from 11 countries were prescribed insulin detemir and followed up after a mean of 14.4 weeks.

The influence of the ACE inhibitor lisinopril on the glomerular metabolism of proteolytic enzymes in diabetic rats.

Clinical studies indicate a nephro-protective effect in conjunction with the use of ACE inhibitors. This study's aim was to determine whether ACE inhibitors influence the metabolism of glomerular cells in addition to their known hemodynamic effects. Streptozotocin diabetic rats were treated with lisinopril (DLis 1.

Metastatic renal carcinoma to the prostate gland: presentation as prostatic hypertrophy.

A rare instance of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the prostate gland is described. The prostatic metastases caused acute urinary retention and were clinically thought to represent benign prostatic hypertrophy. Histologic examination of the transurethral resection specimen demonstrated the true nature of the tumor.