Multisensory integration mechanisms in haptic space perception

It has been argued that representations of peripersonal space based on haptic input are systematically distorted by egocentric reference frames. Interestingly, a recent study has shown that noninformative vision (i.e., freely viewing the region above the haptic workspace) improves performance on the so-called haptic parallel-setting task, in which participants are instructed to rotate a test bar until it is parallel to a reference bar. In the present study, we made a start at identifying the different sensory integration mechanisms involved in haptic space perception by distinguishing the possible effects of orienting mechanisms from those of noninformative vision. We found that both the orienting direction of head and eyes and the availability of noninformative vision affect parallel-setting performance and that they do so independently: orienting towards a reference bar facilitated the parallel-setting of a test bar in both no-vision and noninformative vision conditions, and noninformative vision improved performance irrespective of orienting direction. These results suggest the effects of orienting and noninformative vision on haptic space perception to depend on distinct neurocognitive mechanisms, likely to be expressed in different modulations of neural activation in the multimodal parietofrontal network, thought to be concerned with multimodal representations of peripersonal space.     

Detection of Bartonella henselae DNA by two different PCR assays and determination of the genotypes of strains involved in histologically defined cat scratch disease

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a common cause of subacute regional lymphadenopathy, not only in children but also in adults. Serological and molecular studies demonstrated that Bartonella henselae is the etiologic agent in most cases of CSD. Amplification of B. henselae DNA in affected tissue and detection of antibodies to B. henselae are the two mainstays in the laboratory diagnosis of CSD. We designed a retrospective study and investigated formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lymph nodes from 60 patients (25 female, 35 male) with histologically suspected CSD by PCR amplification. The sensitivities of two different PCR assays were compared. The first primer pair amplified a 296-bp fragment of the 16S rRNA gene in 36 of the 60 samples, corresponding to a sensitivity of 60%. The second primer pair amplified a 414-bp fragment of the htrA gene in 26 of the 60 lymph nodes, corresponding to a sensitivity of 43.3%. Bartonella DNA could be detected in a total of 39 (65%) of the 60 lymph nodes investigated. However, histopathologic findings are typical but not specific for CSD and cannot be considered as a "gold standard" for diagnosis of CSD. The sensitivity of the PCR assays increased from 65 to 87% if two criteria (histology and serology) were used in combination for diagnosis of CSD. Two genotypes (I and II) of B. henselae are described as being involved in CSD. Genotype I was found in 23 (59%) and genotype II was found in 9 (23%) of the 39 PCR-positive lymph nodes. Seven (18%) lymph nodes were negative in both type-specific PCR assays. Thirty (50%) of our 60 patients were younger than 20 years old (15 were younger than 10 years), 20 (33%) were between 21 and 40 years old, and 10 (17%) patients were between 41 and 84 years old. Our data suggest that detection of Bartonella DNA in patients' samples might confirm the histologically suspected diagnosis of CSD.     

Virilism as a late manifestation in the Bardet-Biedl syndrome

The second case of virilism as a late manifestation of Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is described, with endocrine and histological evaluation. Both cases manifested ovulatory cycles and developed virilism in adulthood. Elevated plasma testosterone and 17-OH-progesterone were not suppressed by dexamethasone but were suppressed by medroxyprogesterone acetate. Peripheral and ovarian venous blood obtained at the time of surgery demonstrated a marked gradient for testosterone in both ovaries and for progesterone in the ovary bearing the corpus luteum. Histological evaluation of the ovaries demonstrated bilateral ovarian stromal hyperplasia with focal hyperthecosis. Bilateral ovariectomy resulted in complete correction of the endocrine abnormality, although the established hirsutism remains a mark of previous androgen excess.     

A new method to bind allergens for the measurement of specific IgE antibodies

BACKGROUND: Detection of allergen-specific IgE antibodies in patients' sera plays a key role for the diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy. If no validated test system is available, diagnostic tools must be developed, usually by coupling or binding the allergens to a solid phase. Streptavidin ImmunoCAP is a new solid phase for binding of allergens which can be used in the Pharmacia CAP system. OBJECTIVE: It was the aim of this study to assess the diagnostic validity of Streptavidin ImmunoCAP. METHODS: Biotinylation and allergen concentration for binding to Streptavidin ImmunoCAP were optimized and IgE obtained with natural rubber latex, obeche wood, wheat and rye flour Streptavidin ImmunoCAP were compared with the results of ImmunoCAP and Enzyme Allergo-Sorbent Test (EAST) using sera from patients complaining of workplace-related respiratory symptoms. RESULTS: While the relation of biotin-label and protein was critical (best results were obtained with a 5- fold molar excess), labelled protein for coupling to streptavidin ImmunoCAP was applicable in a wide concentration range. On average, IgE values with streptavidin ImmunoCAP were as high as with ImmunoCAP but considerably higher than values obtained by EAST. CONCLUSION: Streptavidin ImmunoCAP is a valuable tool for sensitive and specific measurement of IgE binding to new allergens superior to cellulose disk-based methods.     

Association analysis between a Cys23Ser substitution polymorphism of the human 5-HT2c receptor gene and neuronal hyperexcitability

Transgenic mice lacking a functional 5-HT2c receptor gene are extremely susceptible to audiogenic seizures, suggesting that 5-HT2c receptors mediate inhibition of neuronal network excitability. The present association study tested the hypothesis that a Cys23Ser substitution polymorphism within the human 5-HT2c receptor gene modulates neuronal excitability. Genotypes of the Cys23Ser polymorphism were assessed in 454 subjects of German descent, comprising: 1) 93 severely affected alcohol-dependent males with a history of alcohol withdrawal seizure or delirium, 2) 119 patients affected by an idiopathic generalized epilepsy, and 3) 242 controls. Both sexes were analyzed separately because of the X-chromosomal location of the 5-HT2c receptor gene. The allele frequencies of the Cys23Ser variants did not differ significantly between the controls and either the severely affected alcohol-dependent males (P = 0.34), or patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (P > 0.57). Our results suggest that the common Cys23Ser substitution polymorphism of the human 5-HT2c receptor gene does not confer susceptibility to neuronal hyperexcitability in either idiopathic generalized epilepsy or alcohol withdrawal seizure or delirium.     

Inflammation and the Association of Vitamin D and Depressive Symptomatology

Depression and vitamin D deficiency are major public health problems. The existing literature indicates the complex relationship between depression and vitamin D. The purpose of this study was to examine whether this relationship is moderated or mediated by inflammation. A community sample (n = 7162) from the LIFE-Adult-Study was investigated, for whom depressive symptoms were assessed via the German version of CES-D scale and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and inflammatory markers (IL-6 and CRP levels, WBC count) were quantified. Mediation analyses were performed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro and regression analyses were conducted to test moderation effects. There was a significant negative correlation between CES-D and 25(OH)D, and positive associations between inflammatory markers and CES-D scores. Only WBC partially mediated the association between 25(OH)D levels and depressive symptoms both in a simple mediation model (ab: −0.0042) and a model including covariates (ab: −0.0011). None of the inflammatory markers showed a moderation effect on the association between 25(OH)D levels and depressive symptoms. This present work highlighted the complex relationship between vitamin D, depressive symptoms and inflammation. Future studies are needed to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on inflammation and depressive symptomatology for causality assessment.     

Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen (DiGA) in der ärztlichen und psychotherapeutischen Versorgung. Chancen und Herausforderungen aus Sicht der Leistungserbringer

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz - Versicherte haben seit 2019 einen gesetzlichen Anspruch auf Verordnung von digitalen Gesundheitsanwendungen (DiGA). Die...     

Photobiomodulation therapy on expression of HSP70 protein and tissue repair in experimental acute Achilles tendinitis

Lasers in Medical Science - The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy on the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and tissue repair in...