Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system changes in acute L-arginine pancreatitis in rats

The World Wide Web-based form is a promising method for the construction of an on-line data collection system for clinical and epidemiological research. It is, however, laborious to prepare a common gateway interface (CGI) program for each project, which the World Wide Web server needs to handle the submitted data. In medicine, it is even more laborious because the CGI program must check deficits, type, ranges, and logical errors (bad combination of data) of entered data for quality assurance as well as data length and meta-characters of the entered data to enhance the security of the server. We have extended the specification of the hypertext markup language (HTML) form to accommodate information necessary for such data checking and we have developed software named AUTOFORM for this purpose. The software automatically analyzes the extended HTML form and generates the corresponding ordinary HTML form, 'Makefile', and C source of CGI programs. The resultant CGI program checks the entered data through the HTML form, records them in a computer, and returns them to the end-user. AUTOFORM drastically reduces the burden of development of the World Wide Web-based data entry system and allows the CGI programs to be more securely and reliably prepared than had they been written from scratch.     

Computing linear approximations to nonlinear neuronal response

We present an approach to obtain nonlinear information about neuronal response by computing multiple linear approximations. By calculating local linear approximations centered around particular stimuli, one can obtain insight into stimulus features that drive the response of highly nonlinear neurons, such as neurons highly selective to a small set of stimuli. We implement this approach based on stimulus-spike correlation (i.e., reverse correlation or spike-triggered average) methods. We illustrate the benefits of these linear approximations with a simplified two-dimensional model and a model of an auditory neuron that is highly selective to particular features of a song.     

Two linear acetogenins from Goniothalamus gardneri

Two new acetogenins, gardnerilins A and B, have been isolated from the roots of Goniothalamus gardneri. Both are C35 acetogenins containing non-tetrahydrofuran rings. Their structures have been established on the basis of spectral evidence.     

The association of HincII/low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with diabetes mellitus and its lipid phenotype with PCR gene amplification

The association of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene HincII RFLP with diabetes mellitus and its lipid metabolism was studied in 196 Chinese with PCR gene amplification. 16 IDDM and 75 NIDDM were included. The most common genotype and allele frequencies of NIDDM were H2H2 (0.78) and H2 (0.89) respectively, and no significant differences were found in comparison with the normal control. The NIDDM with low LDL level (< 1.3 mmol/L) had less H2H2 type and H2 frequencies. Allele 1 (H1) was possibly related to the higher level of serum cholesterol, but allele 2 (H2) was quite the reverse. The phenotype of lipid metabolism was partially determined by the genotype. LDL, tc and tg level of NIDDM were significantly higher than the normal control (P < 0.001, 0.001, 0.05 respectively), indicating that NIDDM was accompanied by disturbance of lipid metabolism.     

Longitudinal surveillance of chloroquine resistance of Plasmodium falciparum after cessation of medication in south Yunnan

Despite several large studies, the scoop and run versus field stabilization debate in prehospital trauma care continues. It is unlikely that all trauma patients are best treated by either field stabilization or scoop and run and the most effective form of prehospital care may be dependent upon the type of injuries sustained. Studies suggest that penetrating trauma involving major vascular injury may be best treated by scoop and run since advanced life support (ALS) measures serve only to delay time to definitive surgical treatment. Conversely, patients with head injuries may benefit from rapid ALS performed on scene in order to control airway and breathing problems, and reduce intracranial pressure prior to transport. Between these two groups of patients lie those with blunt trauma in whom scoop and run may be most appropriate if there is major vascular damage or those in whom field stabilization may offer the patient a greater chance of survival if blood loss is not a life-threatening problem.     

Poliomyelitis-like illness due to Japanese encephalitis virus

BACKGROUND: Acute flaccid paralysis remains common among Vietnamese children despite a pronounced fall in the incidence of poliomyelitis. METHODS: During 1995, all 22 children presenting with acute flaccid paralysis to a referral centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, had virological cultures and antibody measurements done on serum, cerebrospinal fluid, and faeces. A year later the children were reassessed and electrophysiological studies were done. FINDINGS: Wild poliovirus type 1 was isolated from the faeces of only one patient, and non-polio enteroviruses from three patients. 12 (55%) of the 22 children with acute flaccid paralysis had evidence of acute Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection, compared with only one (1%) of 88 age-matched hospital controls (children with diphtheria; p<0.0001). Compared with JEV-negative patients, weakness in JEV-infected children was more rapid in onset, tended to be asymmetrical, but was less likely to involve the arms. All 12 children with JEV infection were febrile at the onset of weakness, seven had acute retention of urine, and ten had CSF pleiocytosis. Seven of eight JEV-negative patients met the case-definition of Guillain-Barré syndrome, compared with only one of 12 JEV-positive children. At follow-up, patients with JEV infection had greater disability and were more likely to have muscle wasting than were JEV-negative children. Nerve conduction and electromyographic studies indicated damage to the anterior horn cells. INTERPRETATION: JEV causes an acute flaccid paralysis in children that has similar clinical and pathological features to poliomyelitis. In endemic areas, children with acute flaccid paralysis should be investigated for evidence of JEV infection.     

Measuring linear and quadratic contributions to neuronal response

We present a method to dissociate the sign-dependent (linear or odd-order) response from the sign-independent (quadratic or even-order) response of a neuron to sequences of random orthonormal stimulus elements. The method is based on a modification of the classical linear-nonlinear model of neural response. The analysis produces estimates of the stimulus features to which the neuron responds in a sign-dependent manner, the stimulus features to which the neuron responds in a sign-independent manner and the relative weight of the sign-independent response. We propose that this method could be used to characterize simple and complex cells in the primary visual cortex.     

Relationships between perceptual responses and accident patterns in children: a pilot study

Many studies have been done to define factors related to accident tendencies in children, but few related these tendencies to developmental lags in visual perception. This pilot study explored the possibility that such a relationship exists. Twelve Caucasian females from similar socioeconomic backgrounds and age ranges were administered the Frostig Developmental Test of Visual Perception. Performance on the perceptual test was compared to accident frequency levels for each child to determine whether or not a correlation between visual perceptual performance and accident frequency existed. Although statistically significant results were not obtained, the need for more definite research related to spatial relations, position in space, and figure ground perception was demonstrated.     

Population density methods for large-scale modelling of neuronal networks with realistic synaptic kinetics: cutting the dimension down to size

Population density methods provide promising time-saving alternatives to direct Monte Carlo simulations of neuronal network activity, in which one tracks the state of thousands of individual neurons and synapses. A population density method has been found to be roughly a hundred times faster than direct simulation for various test networks of integrate-and-fire model neurons with instantaneous excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic conductances. In this method, neurons are grouped into large populations of similar neurons. For each population, one calculates the evolution of a probability density function (PDF) which describes the distribution of neurons over state space. The population firing rate is then given by the total flux of probability across the threshold voltage for firing an action potential. Extending the method beyond instantaneous synapses is necessary for obtaining accurate results, because synaptic kinetics play an important role in network dynamics. Embellishments incorporating more realistic synaptic kinetics for the underlying neuron model increase the dimension of the PDF, which was one-dimensional in the instantaneous synapse case. This increase in dimension causes a substantial increase in computation time to find the exact PDF, decreasing the computational speed advantage of the population density method over direct Monte Carlo simulation. We report here on a one-dimensional model of the PDF for neurons with arbitrary synaptic kinetics. The method is more accurate than the mean-field method in the steady state, where the mean-field approximation works best, and also under dynamic-stimulus conditions. The method is much faster than direct simulations. Limitations of the method are demonstrated, and possible improvements are discussed.     

Break‐even analysis for the storage of PV in power distribution grids

The integration of renewable energy systems poses major challenges on distribution grid operators. Because of the strong growth rates of the installation of photovoltaic (PV) and wind generators, huge needs for reinforcements in grids are expected. Next to conventional reinforcements (with additional and/or bigger dimensioned cables and transformers) also the introduction of decentralized storage systems seems to be promising. In this paper, an economical approach is presented enabling the calculation of break‐even points for storage systems as a substitute to conventional grid reinforcements. The dynamic profitability calculation considers main influencing cost drivers for both alternatives, including operational and capital expenditures. Furthermore, the calculation of benefits of decentralized storage systems for upstream grid levels is also integrated. To enable these calculations, a storage model is derived oriented on battery characteristics to determine main requirements of a storage system to be able to integrate renewable energy systems. These elaborations are reflected on a real‐world distribution grid faced with reinforcement needs due to the integration of PV. For this, measured data for the PV generator are integrated as well. The analysis reveal break‐even points for the storage asset ranging between 100 and 500 € per kWh of installed capacity, depending on the lifetime of the storage asset and the costs for the substitute. Furthermore, main influencing parameters are evaluated using a sensitivity analysis. It is shown that the profitability can be increased significantly if not all peaks of PV generation need to be stored. Furthermore, the analysis of the operation for 1 year indicates that a combined operation of the storage asset (not only oriented on grid objectives such as peak shaving, but considering also the objectives of further stakeholders such as energy traders) seems to be reasonable for increasing the profitability and incentivizing a larger market penetration of storage assets. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.