Tympanic temperature reflects intracranial temperature changes in humans

The purpose of the study was to identify extracranial locations in which temperature changes in humans reflect those of intracranial temperature in a reliable and repeatable way. This was achieved by subjecting 14 non-anaesthetized patients after neurosurgery to face fanning while intracranial and extracranial temperatures were continuously measured. In all patients the cranium was closed and the group included both febrile and non-febrile as well as hyperthermic and normothermic patients. The patients' faces were fanned for 20-30 min, with a small fan at an air speed of 3.25 m s(-1). This gave intracranial temperature changes measured in the subdural space ( T(sd)) that were highly and significantly correlated ( r=0.91, P<0.05, n=14) with changes in tympanic temperatures ( T(ty)). A low, statistically insignificant correlation ( r=0.40, P>0.05, n=12) was found between T(sd) and oesophageal temperatures. In conclusion, intracranial temperature changes, induced by face fanning, were reliably reflected by the changes in T(ty).     

Infusing gerontology into grades 7-12 social studies curricula

PURPOSE: This paper describes a model process to increase the exposure of middle and high school students to information on aging so they better understand the implications of an aging population and the stereotypes of older adults. DESIGN AND METHODS: A college Gerontology Institute, a social studies teacher education faculty member, and middle/high school social studies teachers collaborated on a program to develop and implement lesson plans that incorporate information on aging into existing courses. Institute staff provided expertise on gerontology and student teachers assisted in writing lesson plan objectives. RESULTS: Teachers developed about a dozen lessons covering from one class to two weeks in subjects such as global history, participation in government, Western civilizations, economics, and government. This experience suggests a number of issues that should be addressed when developing a gerontology infusion initiative with school teachers. IMPLICATIONS: Information on aging can be successfully incorporated into existing school curricula within the constraints of mandated learning objectives.     

Unusual presentation of purulent pericarditis: diagnostic contribution of MRI

Purulent bacterial pericarditis is an uncommon form of infectious pericarditis, occurring usually in immunocompromised patients. It may rarely present as a nodular or tumefactive lesion, and in such cases is liable to be confused with primary and metastatic tumors. We describe the imaging features and diagnostic contribution of CT and MRI in a 68-year-old woman with mass-like purulent pericarditis.     

Characterization of honeybee venom by MALDI-TOF and nanoESI-QqTOF mass spectrometry

The aim of the study was to comprehensively characterize different honeybee venom samples applying two complementary mass spectrometry methods. 41 honeybee venom samples of different bee strains, country of origin (Poland, Georgia, and Estonia), year and season of the venom collection were analyzed using MALDI-TOF and nanoESI-QqTOF-MS.     

Elektrospektrographie des Gehirns

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Endothelin system and atrial fibrillation post-cardiac surgery

Objective We investigated the relation between the endothelin system and atrial fibrillation. Background Endothelin has been implicated in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation, but the exact role of A- and B-receptors is unknown. Methods We obtained right atrial biopsies from patients in sinus rhythm and preserved left ventricular function, undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. The expression of endothelin, A- and B-receptors was measured using real time reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction. Results We studied 52 patients (45 male, mean age 66 ± 1 years, mean ejection fraction 52 ± 1%). During a 5-day post-operative period, persistent atrial fibrillation occurred in 15 patients (28.8%). Endothelin mRNA expression was comparable in patients who subsequently developed atrial fibrillation and in those maintaining sinus rhythm. However, the former group displayed down-regulation of endothelin A- (by approximately 60%, p = 0.0059) and of B-receptors (by approximately 40%, p = 0.0084). The decreased endothelin A-receptor expression could predict atrial fibrillation occurrence (Wilks λ = 0.86, F = 6.16, p = 0.017). Conclusion Decreased endothelin A- and B-receptor expression is associated with atrial fibrillation after bypass surgery. Theofilos M. Kolettis and Zenon S. Kyriakides contributed equally to the study.     

Evaluation of some clinical parameters in patients with retinitis pigmentosa in relationship to the type of inheritance]

PURPOSE: Analysis of selected clinical parameters in patients with various types of retinitis pigmentosa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined 51 patients aged 8-67 suffering from different genetic forms of RP identified on the ground of pedigree analysis. We analyzed onset of nyctalopia, degree of retinal degeneration, degree of visual field loss, dark adapted electroretinographic testing flicker (ERG) and presence of posterior subcapsular cataract. CONCLUSIONS: XLRP is one of the most severe RP forms. In the groups with ADRP and sRP, the patients have varied expression of disease.