Prevalence of depressive symptoms and depressive disorder in primary care patients over 65 years of age

Several reports suggest that pretreatment of intracoronary thrombus with fibrinolytic agents may reduce the risk for complications during subsequent balloon angioplasty. We report a case, for the first time, of successful lysis of an extensive thrombus in a native coronary artery by administering a prolonged intracoronary infusion of streptokinase to facilitate subsequent angioplasty and discuss the management strategy when intracoronary thrombus is encountered.     

Applications of Two-Dimensional 1H NMR Methods to Photo-Chemically Induced Dynamic Nuclear Polarisation Spectroscopy

Photo-CIDNP is a useful technique to identify surface residues in proteins and to assign resonances in their ¹H NMR spectra by the spectral simplification that is obtained. In spite of this simplification, conventional photo-CIDNP spectra can be quite complex due to spectral overlap. For this reason two-dimensional (2D) methods are welcome. We present combinations of photo-CIDNP with 2D J-correlated spectroscopy (CIDNP-COSY) and with 2D NOE spectroscopy (CIDNP-NOESY). In these experiments we insert a saturation pulse sequence and a short laser-irradiation period at the beginning of the preparation period to generate CIDNP, leaving the remaining of the pulse scheme essentially unaltered. The CIDNP-COSY and CIDNP-NOESY spectra of a hen egg-white (HEW) lysozyme are presented. The CIDNP-NOESY spectrum of lysozyme is compared with the results from 1D cross-polarisation experiments on the same protein. CIDNP-NOESY spectra of lysozyme with and without inhibitor NAG are compared.     

The beat goes on: Rhythmic modulation of cortical potentials by imagined tapping.

A frequency analysis was used to tag cortical activity from imagined rhythmic movements. Participants synchronized overt and imagined taps with brief visual stimuli presented at a constant rate, alternating between left and right index fingers. Brain potentials were recorded from across the scalp and topographic maps made of their power at the alternation frequency between left and right taps. Two prominent power foci occurred in each hemisphere for both overt and imagined taps, one over sensorimotor cortex and the other over posterior parietal cortex, with homologous foci in opposite hemispheres arising from oscillations 180° out of phase. These findings demonstrate temporal isomorphism at a neural level between overt and imagined movements and illustrate a new approach to studying covert actions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Extending the Similarity‐Attraction Effect: The Effects of When‐Similarity in Computer‐Mediated Communication

The feeling of connectedness experienced in computer‐mediated relationships can be explained by the similarity‐attraction effect (SAE). Though SAE is well established in psychology, the effects of some types of similarity have not yet been explored. In 2 studies, we demonstrate similarity‐attraction based on the timing of activities—“when‐similarity.” We describe a novel experimental paradigm for manifesting when‐similarity while controlling for the activities being performed (what‐similarity). Study 1 (N = 24) shows when‐similarity attraction in the evaluation of connectedness with others. Study 2 (N = 42) identifies an interaction between who‐similarity—similarity in personal backgrounds—and when‐similarity. Both studies show that real‐time computer‐mediated interaction can lead to greater feelings of connectedness between people when there is an opportunity to discover when‐similarity.     

Improved creaminess of low-fat yoghurt: The impact of amylomaltase-treated starch domains

Amylomaltase-treated starch (ATS) is an excellent creaminess enhancer in yoghurt. Small amounts of ATS raised the creaminess perception of low-fat yoghurt (1.5%) to that of full-fat yoghurt (5%). In this way, a reduction in fat-related energy value could be achieved from 45 to 21.5 kcal/100 g product. The functionality of ATS in set yoghurt resulted from discrete domains of ATS that resemble the microstructural behaviour of fat particles. The microstructure of the yoghurt is dominated by the protein and the ATS domains are enclosed in or bound to this protein network. The perceived creaminess resulted from in-mouth melting of these ATS domains due to a combined effect of their physical melting and hydrolysis by amylase present in the saliva.     

The use of oral contraceptives by adolescents for contraception, menstrual cycle problems or acne

BACKGROUND: Oral contraceptives are prescribed as contraception but also as therapy for menstrual cycle disturbances and acne. We studied the prevalence of oral contraceptive (OC) use and the indications to start OC use among adolescents. METHODS: A cohort consisting of ninth grade secondary school girls (mean age 15.3+/-0.6 (s.d.) years) answered a questionnaire on their menstrual cycle. OC users were asked about duration and reasons for OC-use and the name of the preparation they used. The influence of calendar age, gynecological age and level of education on the prevalence of OC was studied by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The response on the questionnaire was 92%. Of 2248 responders 248 (11%) used oral contraceptives: 74% used low dose 'sub 50' preparations, 3% pills with 50 microg estrogen, 3% tri-phase preparations and 17% pills with antiandrogens. Of girls aged 14, 15 and 16 years 4%, 12% and 28% respectively, used OC. Of the 15-year-olds 31% mentioned contraception as most important reason for OC use, 18% menstrual cycle irregularity, 26% dysmenorrhea, 10% acne and 5% other reasons. Calendar age, gynecological age and level of education were independent variables for OC use in general and for OC use for contraception or dysmenorrhea, but less so for OC use for menstrual cycle irregularity or acne. CONCLUSIONS: During adolescence low dose OC's were frequently used. In The Netherlands OC use among girls aged 15 and 16 years doubled in comparison with 1982. One third of the adolescent OC-users mentioned contraception as most important reason to start OC. Gynecological age (a determinant of biological maturation), calendar age (a determinant of biological maturation and lifestyle in peer groups), and level of education (a determinant of lifestyle in peer groups) were associated with OC use.     

Potential of spectroscopic data sets for sugarcane thrips (Fulmekiola serrata Kobus) damage detection

Sugarcane thrips was detected in South African sugarcane in 2004. Since then it has become widespread in South Africa. The South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) conducts field surveys to monitor this pest, but this is time intensive and costly. As a first step towards evaluation of remote sensing for thrips monitoring, a preliminary experiment and analysis at leaf level were conducted using a handheld field spectroradiometer covering the 350 to 2500 nm range of the electromagnetic spectrum to detect sugarcane thrips damage. Reflectance spectra of sugarcane leaves with different levels of thrips damage, from two popular varieties (N19 and N12), were measured and statistically analysed using one-way analysis of variance, sensitivity analysis and canonical discriminant analysis. The results of the analyses showed that there were significant differences in spectral reflectance and derived variables used in the study at the different levels of damage. The red edge region of the visible portion gave the highest significant differences and levels of separability among the damage classes. It is hypothesized that this might be associated with chlorophyll and nitrogen deficiencies induced by thrips.     

Expression pattern of CD2 locus control region containing retroviral vectors in hemopoietic cells in vitro and in vivo

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether individual surgeon experience is associated with improved short-term clinical and economic outcomes for patients with benign and malignant thyroid disease who underwent thyroid procedures in Maryland between 1991 and 1996. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: There is a prevailing belief that surgeon experience affects patient outcomes in endocrine surgery, but there is a paucity of objective evidence outside of clinical series published by experienced surgeons that supports this view. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of all patients who underwent thyroidectomy in Maryland between 1991 and 1996 was conducted using a computerized statewide hospital discharge data base. Surgeons were categorized by volume of thyroidectomies over the 6-year study period: A (1 to 9 cases), B (10 to 29 cases), C (30 to 100 cases), and D (>100 cases). Multivariate regression was used to assess the relation between surgeon caseload and in-hospital complications, length of stay, and total hospital charges, adjusting for case mix and hospital volume. RESULTS: The highest-volume surgeons (group D) performed the greatest proportion of total thyroidectomies among the 5860 discharges, and they were more likely to operate on patients with cancer. After adjusting for case mix and hospital volume, highest-volume surgeons had the shortest length of stay (1.4 days vs. 1.7 days for groups B and C and 1.9 days for group A) and the lowest complication rate (5.1 % vs. 6.1% for groups B and C and 8.6% for group A). Length of stay and complications were more determined by surgeon experience than hospital volume, which had no consistent association with outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Individual surgeon experience is significantly associated with complication rates and length of stay for thyroidectomy.     

Survival of cylindrical implants in composite grafted maxillary sinuses

PURPOSE: This retrospective study investigated the survival of dental implants placed in the maxilla after composite grafting of the sinus and an average of 55 months of loading. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Maxillary sinuses of 88 patients were grafted with autogenous cancellous bone combined with dense hydroxyapatite particles. After an average healing period of 3.4 months, hydroxyapatite-coated titanium endosseous implants were placed. A total of 388 implants were placed in grafted sinus floors, and 82 were placed in onlay grafted nonsinus position in the canine region. The implants were loaded with overdentures and fixed bridges 4 months (mean) after implantation, with a follow-up for a mean of 55 months. RESULTS: The cumulative implant survival was calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Implant survival from the time of loading was 89% in full reconstructed cases and 90% in partially edentulous cases. The overall cumulative implant survival rate, including the loss in the surgical stage, was 82%. CONCLUSION: Implant loss in composite grafted maxillae after 70 months of follow-up was similar to loss in nongrafted maxillae.