Explicit and objective scoring criteria for the taylor complex figure test

The Rey and Taylor figures are two constructional and visual memory tests used interchangeably. The purpose of this study was to develop a scoring system for the Taylor figure based on the explicit guidelines established by Meyers and Meyers (1995) for the Rey figure. Younger (n = 97; mean age = 21 years) and older (n = 61; mean age = 72 years) participants' performance on the Taylor figure was scored according to the proposed scoring system and the original scoring system devised by Taylor (1989). Both scoring systems yielded comparable scores on the Taylor figure as well as comparable patterns of validity and good interrater reliabilities (0.85-0.98). Although the present system does not further improve scoring reliability, it renders both tests similar in methodology and simplifies training to evaluate the two figures. The present study also reveals the limitations of the use of the Taylor and the Rey in test-retest situations but suggests that administering the Taylor first would improve the comparability of the two figures in a test-retest situation.     

The probability of middle cerebral artery MRA flow signal abnormality with quantified CT ischaemic change: targets for future therapeutic studies

OBJECTIVES: In this study we define the probability of vascular abnormality in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory according to the extent of ischaemic change seen using computed tomography (CT). We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the hyperdense middle cerebral artery (HMCA) and the "dot" sign using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). METHODS: Patients presenting with ischaemic stroke had a CT scan (<6 h) prior to MRI (<7 h). A quantitative CT scoring system (ASPECTS) was applied to CT and diffusion weighted images (DWI) at baseline and follow up (24 h) by five independent observers. The presence of HMCA and the MCA "dot" sign was also evaluated. An expert reader assessed the 3D time of flight (TOF) MRA in the anterior circulation for areas of decreased vascular signal in the MCA territory, with an absent signal taken to represent severely reduced or absent flow. RESULTS: A total of 100 consecutive patients had baseline CT and MR scans. The median NIHSS was 9. The median CT ASPECTS was 8 and equalled the median DWI ASPECTS. There were a total of 10 HMCA and 19 MCA "dot" signs, with four patients having both HMCA and "dot" signs. A total of 47 MRA flow signal abnormalities were observed in the anterior circulation. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of accessible neurovascular imaging, the extent of CT ischaemia (ASPECTS) is a strong predictor of vascular occlusion. The CT hyperdense artery signs have a high positive predictive value but low negative predictive value.     

Perineurial cell basement membrane thickening and myelinated nerve fibre loss in diabetic and nondiabetic peripheral nerve

Diabetic neuropathy is associated with changes in the extracellular matrix of the perineurium, including thickening of the basement membrane of the perineurial cells. Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a common vascular condition that can occur in the absence or presence of diabetes. Thickening of the vascular basement membrane of the vasa nervorum is associated with both diabetes and nondiabetic peripheral vascular disease. However, perineurial cell basement membrane (PCBM) thickening in the nondiabetic PVD state has not, until now, been investigated. In this study, 36 nerve fascicles were examined from three patient groups: a diabetic group, a nondiabetic PVD group, and a group free of both PVD and diabetes (control group). PCBM thickness, fascicle size, and myelinated nerve fibre (MNF) density were measured in all three groups. Endoneurial blood vessels were also observed for evidence of morphological changes. The results showed that the thickness of the PCBM is significantly greater in the diabetic group in comparison with both the control and the nondiabetic PVD group, and this increase in thickness is linearly related to fascicle size. The thickness of the PCBM was not significantly different between the nondiabetic PVD and control groups. Although both the nondiabetic PVD and diabetic groups showed a loss of myelinated nerve fibres in comparison with the control group, this loss was statistically greater in the diabetic group. The endoneurial blood vessels of both the diabetic and nondiabetic PVD groups showed evidence of endothelial cell hyperplasia, hypertrophy, and basement membrane reduplication.     

Factors influencing the decision to perform carotid endarterectomy

Various interpretations of the indications for carotid endarterectomy exist. Physician knowledge as it relates to the decision to proceed or recommend carotid endarterectomy was investigated, using disaggregate discrete choice analysis. Canadian neurologists, neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, and internists were surveyed. The degree of stenosis was most important, followed by symptoms, comorbid illness, and arterial imaging modality. No differences existed by specialty. Canadian physicians in four specialties are knowledgeable about results of randomized clinical trials for carotid endarterectomy.     

Neuroprotective strategies for Parkinson's disease: conceptual limits of animal models and clinical trials

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Although therapies that treat the symptoms of the disease have proven efficacy, strategies that slow or stop the neurodegenerative process are currently not available. Recently, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducted a systematic assessment of candidate pharmacological agents with putative neuroprotective properties. Twelve agents have been selected as potential candidates for upcoming clinical trials. However, the data resulting from the use of these agents in animal models of PD using a clinically driven design have not been published. Furthermore, the selection of interesting candidates should be based on the soundest clinically driven preclinical validation. This lack of published data, associated with the conceptual limits of the current way of testing drugs in clinical trials, prompts us to argue for further preclinical validation of the 12 candidates.     

Tyrosinase-inhibitory furanocoumarin from Angelica dahurica

An extract of the roots of Angelica dahurica BENTH. et HOOK. (Umbelliferae) showed potential tyrosinase inhibition against mushroom tyrosinase. Employing a bioassay-linked HPLC method, followed by semipreparative HPLC, the active principle was isolated and characterized as 9-hydroxy-4-methoxypsoralen.     

Encouraging the consumption of fruit and vegetables by older Australians: an experiential study

OBJECTIVE: To explore perceptions of dietary recommendations for fruit and vegetables, and barriers and opportunities for increasing consumption. DESIGN: Qualitative study with an experiential component. SETTING: Older adults' households. PARTICIPANTS: Six focus groups with 38 Australian adults aged 50 to 64 years who reported low vegetable consumption. INTERVENTION: Week 1: focus group including demonstration of recommended fruit and vegetable servings; week 2: delivery of a week's supply of fruit and vegetables and recipes; week 3: follow-up focus group. VARIABLES MEASURED: Perceptions of a healthful diet, fruit and vegetable recommendations, barriers to consumption, and reactions to the food delivery and recipes. ANALYSIS: Qualitative, thematic analysis. RESULTS: Participants were unfamiliar with serving recommendations. Barriers to consumption were as follows: perceptions that vegetables are eaten only with evening meals, preference for eating meat, believing that recommended quantities were too big, and a lack of preparation time. The delivery had a positive impact on some (especially low fruit consumers), for whom the availability of appealing fruit served as a prompt for consumption. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Possible strategies for enabling consumers to achieve adequate fruit and vegetable consumption are education about the recommended number and size of servings and distribution of fruit and vegetables relative to meat and carbohydrates, encouragement to spread fruit and vegetable consumption over the day, and promoting the appealing sensory attributes of fruit and vegetables.     

Isolation of a putative ribosome inactivating protein from dried roots of Trichosanthes kirilowii used in Traditional Chinese Medicine

A putative ribosome inactivating protein (RIP), named T 33, was isolated from dried roots of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maximovicz which are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. After chromatographic enrichment a protein band with molecular mass of 33 kDa was found by SDS-PAGE. Partial amino acid sequences of this protein consisting of 8 - 33 amino acids reveal homology to highly conserved regions of different RIPs, but also indicate T 33 to be a novel type 2 RIP. Future heterologous expression of this protein will allow investigation of its biological activities in detail.