In vivo high-resolution magic angle spinning proton NMR spectroscopy of Drosophila melanogaster flies as a model system to investigate mitochondrial dysfunction in Drosophila GST2 mutants.

In vivo nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), a non-destructive biochemical tool used for investigating live organisms, has recently been performed in studies of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, a useful model organism for investigating genetics and physiology. We used a novel high-resolution magic angle-spinning (HRMAS) NMR method to investigate live Drosophila GST2 mutants using a conventional 14.1-T NMR spectrometer equipped with an HRMAS probe.

Diffusion tensor and volumetric magnetic resonance imaging using an MR-compatible hand-induced robotic device suggests training-induced neuroplasticity in patients with chronic stroke.

Stroke is the third leading cause of mortality and a frequent cause of long-term adult impairment. Improved strategies to enhance motor function in individuals with chronic disability from stroke are thus required. Post‑stroke therapy may improve rehabilitation and reduce long-term disability; however, objective methods for evaluating the specific impact of rehabilitation are rare.

fMRI as a molecular imaging procedure for the functional reorganization of motor systems in chronic stroke.

Previous brain imaging studies suggest that stroke alters functional connectivity in motor execution networks. Moreover, current understanding of brain plasticity has led to new approaches in stroke rehabilitation. Recent studies showed a significant role of effective coupling of neuronal activity in the SMA (supplementary motor area) and M1 (primary motor cortex) network for motor outcome in patients after stroke.

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial uncoupling in a murine cancer cachexia model.

Approximately half of all cancer patients present with cachexia, a condition in which disease-associated metabolic changes lead to a severe loss of skeletal muscle mass. Working toward an integrated and mechanistic view of cancer cachexia, we investigated the hypothesis that cancer promotes mitochondrial uncoupling in skeletal muscle. We subjected mice to in vivo phosphorous-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (31P NMR) spectroscopy and subjected murine skeletal muscle samples to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Yoga and mindfulness as therapeutic interventions for stroke rehabilitation: a systematic review.

Aim. This paper reports a systematic review and critical appraisal of the evidence on the effectiveness of behavioral therapies such as yoga and mindfulness practices for stroke rehabilitation. Background.

Functional MRI using robotic MRI compatible devices for monitoring rehabilitation from chronic stroke in the molecular medicine era (Review).

The number of individuals suffering from stroke is increasing daily, and its consequences are a major contributor to invalidity in today's society. Stroke rehabilitation is relatively new, having been hampered from the longstanding view that lost functions were not recoverable. Nowadays, robotic devices, which aid by stimulating brain plasticity, can assist in restoring movement compromised by stroke-induced pathological changes in the brain which can be monitored by MRI.

Combining magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular genomics offers better accuracy in brain tumor typing and prediction of survival than either methodology alone.

Recent advents in magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) techniques permit subsequent microarray analysis over the entire human transcriptome in the same tissue biopsies. However, extracting information from such immense quantities of data is limited by difficulties in recognizing and evaluating the relevant patterns of apparent gene expression in the context of the existing knowledge of phenotypes by histopathology. Using a quantitative approach derived from a knowledge base of pathology findings, we present a novel methodology used to process genome-wide transcription and MRS data.

In vivo high-resolution magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy of Drosophila melanogaster at 14.1 T shows trauma in aging and in innate immune-deficiency is linked to reduced insulin signaling.

In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), a non-destructive biochemical tool for investigating live organisms, has yet to be used in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, a useful model organism for investigating genetics and physiology. We developed and implemented a high-resolution magic-angle-spinning (HRMAS) MRS method to investigate live Drosophila at 14.1 T.

Molecular characterization and quantification using state of the art solid-state adiabatic TOBSY NMR in burn trauma.

We describe a novel solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method that maximizes the advantages of high-resolution magic-angle-spinning (HRMAS), relative conventional liquid-state NMR approaches, when applied to intact biopsies of skeletal muscle specimens collected from burn trauma patients. This novel method, termed optimized adiabatic TOtal through Bond correlation SpectroscopY (TOBSY) solid-state NMR pulse sequence for two-dimensional (2D) 1H-1H homonuclear scalar-coupling longitudinal isotropic mixing, was demonstrated to provide a 40-60% improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) relative to its liquid-state analogue TOCSY (TOtal Correlation SpectroscopY). Using 1- and 2-dimensional HRMAS NMR experiments, we identified several metabolites in burned tissues.

Connectivity alterations assessed by combining fMRI and MR-compatible hand robots in chronic stroke.

The aim of this study was to investigate functional reorganization of motor systems by probing connectivity between motor related areas in chronic stroke patients using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in conjunction with a novel MR-compatible hand-induced, robotic device (MR_CHIROD). We evaluated data sets obtained from healthy volunteers and right-hand-dominant patients with first-ever left-sided stroke > or =6 months prior and mild to moderate hemiparesis affecting the right hand. We acquired T1-weighted echo planar and fluid attenuation inversion recovery MR images and multi-level fMRI data using parallel imaging by means of the GeneRalized Autocalibrating Partially Parallel Acquisitions (GRAPPA) algorithm on a 3 T MR system.

Prevention and management of outpatient pediatric burns.

Burns are common injuries in the pediatric population, with an estimated 250,000 pediatric burn patients seeking medical care annually. A relative few require inpatient management. This article discusses suggestions for burn prevention, as well as acute burn care and long-term management of small burns.

Solid-state NMR adiabatic TOBSY sequences provide enhanced sensitivity for multidimensional high-resolution magic-angle-spinning 1H MR spectroscopy.

We propose a solid-state NMR method that maximizes the advantages of high-resolution magic-angle-spinning (HRMAS) applied to intact biopsies when compared to more conventional liquid-state NMR approaches. Theoretical treatment, numerical simulations and experimental results on intact human brain biopsies are presented. Experimentally, it is proven that an optimized adiabatic TOBSY (TOtal through Bond correlation SpectroscopY) solid-state NMR pulse sequence for two-dimensional 1H-1H homonuclear scalar-coupling longitudinal isotropic mixing provides a 20%-50% improvement in signal-to-noise ratio relative to its liquid-state analogue TOCSY (TOtal Correlation SpectroscopY).

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging as a cancer biomarker for pediatric brain tumors (Review).

Magnetic resonance (MR) techniques offer a non-invasive, non-irradiating yet sensitive approach to diagnose and monitor cancer, which encompasses diverse processes affecting various aspects of pathophysiology. Techniques such as MR spectroscopy (MRS) have been developed and applied to monitor the metabolic aspects of cancer. Given that cancer is such a variable disease, biomarkers identified using MRS represent a promising advance and may suggest appropriate therapy, especially when diagnostic biopsies are not feasible.

Functional MRI of Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke Patients Using Novel MR-Compatible Hand Robots.

We monitored brain activation after chronic stroke by combining functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with a novel MR-compatible, hand-induced, robotic device (MR_CHIROD). We evaluated 60 fMRI datasets on a 3 T MR system from five right-handed patients with left-sided stroke >/=6 months prior and mild to moderate hemiparesis. Patients trained the paretic right hand at approximately 75% of maximum strength with an exercise ball for 1 hour/day, 3 days/week for 4 weeks.

Uncoupling protein 3 expression and intramyocellular lipid accumulation by NMR following local burn trauma.

Burn trauma is a clinical condition accompanied by muscle wasting that severely impedes rehabilitation in burn survivors. Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is uniformly expressed in myoskeletal mitochondria and its expression has been found to increase in other clinical syndromes that, like burn trauma, are associated with muscle wasting (e.g.

Management of pediatric burns.

It is estimated that in the United States there are 2.0 million burn injuries every year. There are 30,000 inpatient admissions and between 1,000 and 5,000 deaths per year related to burns in children.

Alterations in regional ventilation, perfusion, and shunt after smoke inhalation measured by PET.

Regional changes in ventilation and perfusion occurring in the early hours after smoke inhalation injury were evaluated through the use of positron emission tomography. Five lambs were imaged before and 1, 2, and 4 h after receiving 100 breaths of cotton smoke. Utilizing a recently developed model of (13)N tracer kinetics (3), we evaluated changes in ventilation, perfusion, shunt, and regional gas content in nondependent, middle, and dependent lung zones.

Hepatic secretion of VLDL fatty acids during stimulated lipogenesis in men.

Fatty acids (FA) that are utilized for triglyceride (TG) synthesis in the liver and principally from two sources: FA synthesized de novo in the liver and preformed FA. We have measured the contribution from the two sources to very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) TG synthesis individually for palmitate, oleate, stearate, and linoleate (approximately 98% of the total FA of VLDL TG (VLDL TGFA)) by isotopomer analysis. Five healthy men were studied in the basal state, and 1 (day 1) and 4 days (day 4) after the start of a hypercaloric carbohydrate-enriched diet (approximately 2.

Emergency management of pediatric burn victims.

Pediatric burn injuries present a major challenge to the health care team, but an orderly, systematic approach can simplify the initial stabilization and management. A clear understanding of the pathology of burn injuries is essential in providing quality burn care in the prehospital setting and at the referring hospital. After the patient has been rescued from the offending agent, assessment of the burn victim begins with the primary survey and life-threatening injuries initially addressed first.

Enteral feeding intolerance: an indicator of sepsis-associated mortality in burned children.

Objective: To determine if enteral feeding intolerance (EFI) is associated with sepsis and increased mortality in children with severe burns.

Design: A survey.

Setting: A pediatric burn unit.

Arginine, glutamine, and dehydroepiandrosterone reverse the immunosuppressive effect of prednisone during gut-derived sepsis.

Objective: Corticosteroids are used broadly in clinical practice but may profoundly impair resistance to infections. In contrast, arginine and glutamine are safe and effective immunonutrients that can improve resistance to infection in both animals and humans. This study assessed whether arginine and/or glutamine, with or without dehydroepiandrosterone, a natural endogenous steroid, could reverse the susceptibility to infection caused by prednisone in a burned animal model.

Prolonged use of propranolol safely decreases cardiac work in burned children.

Propranolol has been shown to be effective for as long as 5 days in massively burned children to reduce heart rate and cardiac work. This article describes the use of propranolol given for 10 days to burned children to test whether the drug remains effective and safe in reducing heart rate and cardiac work for longer periods. We prospectively studied 22 children, 1 to 10 years of age with burns covering > or = 40% of their total body surface area.

Management of the acute burn wound: an overview.

Goals for managing an acute burn wound are similar to those of other wounds such that infection and scar formation are minimized, a moist wound environment is provided, and the surrounding tissue is protected from trauma. A variety of cleansing techniques are used with burn wounds, including local wound care and nonsubmersion and immersion hydrotherapy. Topical agents have significantly decreased the development of burn wound sepsis since the 1960s, and now various experimental agents are being investigated to improve wound healing.