Development of a new sensor based on micro-electro-mechanical systems for objective in vivo measurement of the cutaneous temperature: application to foundations

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this work was to develop a new sensor for objective in vivo measurement of the cutaneous temperature based on micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), and to compare these performances with those of a classical thermocouple. Research on this new sensor was carried out to allow the quantification of the thermal properties of the made-up skin. METHODS: Sixteen female subjects divided into two different age groups (18-35 and >50 years old) were recruited for this study. Several zones of the face and forearms were made up at random with foundations containing or not a thermoregulator raw material. The quantity of foundation applied on the skin was standardized and measurements were carried out first before make-up, and then 10 s and 5 min after make-up. The new sensor and the thermocouple were used successively on each zone. The cutaneous temperature was expressed in degrees celsius. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: The two systems are similar in terms of repeatability and reproducibility, with some differences in sensibility. The data measured by the MEMS sensor appear lower than those measured by the thermocouple. After make-up, the MEMS sensor detects a progressive increase of the temperature in time whereas the thermocouple detects a decrease. We found the same evolution on the face but in a more attenuated way. These results tend to show that the devices do not measure the same phenomenon. The thermocouple appears more sensitive to the thermal response of the made-up surface whereas the MEMS sensor appears more sensitive to the heat transfers in the interface between the skin and make-up.     

Nestin expression persists in astrocytes of organotypic slice cultures from rat cortex

Nestin is an intermediate filament protein typical for neural precursor cells that is down-regulated in the post-natal rodent brain. Re-expression of nestin has been observed in reactive astrocytes after injury. In this study, organotypic slice cultures from rat cortex were examined for expression of nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein between 2 and 8 weeks in culture. Immunoreactivity for nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein was seen in astrocytes which persisted throughout the observation period. Immunofluorescence double labeling showed widespread co-localization of nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Image analysis revealed that levels of nestin-immunoreactivity plateaued after 5 weeks in culture. By comparison nestin immunoreactivity was absent from glial cells of the cortex in mature rats. These immunohistochemical findings of a persistent expression of nestin in glial cells of organotypic slice culture of the rat cortex indicate a different time course of glial maturation in vitro. This difference could be related to the altered trophic stimulation in vitro; differences in neuronal maturation, activity or survival; slow degeneration of the vasculature; or intrinsic properties of astrocytes.     

Clonazepam in the long-term treatment of patients with unipolar depression, bipolar and schizoaffective disorder.

The value of a long-term treatment with clonazepam in the prophylaxis of affective disorder is discussed controversially in the scientific literature. Altogether there are only a few reports on the use of this compound as a mood stabilizer, most of them describing patients suffering from bipolar affective disorder. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate clonazepam as a phase prophylactic medication in affective disorder. We conducted a retrospective chart review in 34 out-patients of our lithium clinic (15 suffering from unipolar depression, 15 from bipolar disorder, four from schizoaffective disorder), who had been treated with clonazepam as a long-term medication. Clonazepam was either given as monotherapy, or as in the case of lithium non-responders, as adjunctive therapy. Patients with unipolar depression had significantly (P=0.026) less depressive episodes after initiation of treatment with clonazepam. Patients with bipolar disorder did not benefit from this therapy. Neither manic/hypomanic phases nor depressive episodes were reduced in this group of patients. Interestingly, clonazepam also reduced affective phases in our four schizoaffective patients on a trend level. Our results indicate that patients with unipolar depression may benefit from a maintenance treatment with clonazepam. Due to methodological limitations our results need to be replicated in controlled double-blind randomized clinical trials.     

PET network abnormalities and cognitive decline in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Temporoparietal and posterior cingulate metabolism deficits characterize patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). A H(2)(15)O resting PET scan covariance pattern, derived by using multivariate techniques, was previously shown to discriminate 17 mild AD patients from 16 healthy controls. This AD covariance pattern revealed hypoperfusion in bilateral inferior parietal lobule and cingulate; and left middle frontal, inferior frontal, precentral, and supramarginal gyri. The AD pattern also revealed hyperperfusion in bilateral insula, lingual gyri, and cuneus; left fusiform and superior occipital gyri; and right parahippocampal gyrus and pulvinar. In an independent sample of 23 outpatients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) followed at 6-month intervals, the AD pattern score was evaluated as a predictor of cognitive decline. In this MCI sample, an H2(15)O resting PET scan was carried out at baseline. Mean duration of follow-up was 48.8 (SD 15.5) months, during which time six of 23 MCI patients converted to AD. In generalized estimating equations (GEE) analyses, controlling for age, sex, education, and baseline neuropsychological scores, increased AD pattern score was associated with greater decline in each neuropsychological test score over time (Mini Mental State Exam, Selective Reminding Test delayed recall, Animal Naming, WAIS-R digit symbol; Ps<0.01-0.001). In summary, a resting PET covariance pattern previously reported to discriminate AD patients from control subjects was applied prospectively to an independent sample of MCI patients and found to predict cognitive decline. Independent replication in larger samples is needed before clinical application can be considered.     

Arthrodese des unteren Sprunggelenks

Pain in or symptomatic destruction of any number of the joints of the hindfoot can have several causes. As well as primary osteoarthritis, these include secondary arthrotic changes following fractures (especially of the talus and/or calcaneus), muscular and/or tenoligamentous instability (e.g., rupture of the posterior tibialis tendon, poliomyelitis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease), spastic and flaccid paresis of the lower leg and foot, late stages of various inflammatory arthritides (rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative spondarthritis, collagenoses), and neuropathic diseases with impaired depth perception (Charcot disease of the foot in diabetes mellitis, for example). As a general policy, only joints that are causing symptoms, are clearly arthritic, or are involved in a fixed foot deformity should be fused, so that as much of the residual hindfoot motion as possible is preserved. This helps to restrict future osteoarthritis in adjacent joints. The use of screws rather than staples seems to increase the fusion rates because this technique allows compression on the fusion.     

Rare diseases mimicking acute vertebrobasilar artery thrombosis

Acute ischaemia of the vertebrobasilar circulation leads to a variety of clinical manifestation and is mostly due to cardiogenic or artery-to-artery embolism. We describe four neurological emergency situations involving vertebrobasilar artery aclusion of other origins: basilar migraine, extrinsic compression by rheumatoid inflammatory tissue, generalized vasculitis in subacute rheumatic fever and basilar artery dissection. The differential diagnosis of acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion may have an important impact on patient management.