Nanoneuroscience is the study of computationally relevant biomolecules found inside neurons. Because of recent technological advances at the nanometer scale, scientists have at their disposal ...increasingly better ways to study the brain and the biophysics of its molecules. This book describes how biomolecules contribute to the operations of synapses and perform other computationally relevant functions inside dendrites. These biomolecular operations considerably expand the brain-computer analogy - endowing each neuron with the processing power of a silicon-based multiprocessor. Amazingly, the brain contains hundreds of billions of neurons.
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FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
We studied morphologic characteristics of dysmorphic neurons in the hippocampus of seven patients with medically intractable TLE and compare histological, clinical, and imaging features with ten TLE ...patients with classical hippocampal sclerosis without abnormal cells. Such dysmorphic neurons were observed in the hilus of the dentate gyrus and were characterized by giant or misshapen cells with abnormal cytoskeletal structure and atypical dendritic processes that resembled the dysmorphic neurons from cortical dysplasias. Specimens with dysmorphic cells also contained other cytoarchitectural abnormalities including bilamination of the dentate granular cell layer (four out seven cases), and the presence of Cajal–Retzius cells in the dentate gyrus or Ammon's horn (five out seven cases). There were no statistically significant differences regarding the age at onset, duration of epilepsy, and hippocampal asymmetry ratio between patients with or without dysmorphic cells. Nevertheless, it is interesting to note that a higher proportion of patients with dysmorphic neurons continued to present auras after surgery, when compared with patients without those cells.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
We model the dynamical states of the C-termini of tubulin dimers that comprise neuronal microtubules. We use molecular dynamics and other computational tools to explore the time-dependent behavior of ...conformational states of a C-terminus of tubulin within a microtubule and assume that each C-terminus interacts via screened Coulomb forces with the surface of a tubulin dimer, with neighboring C-termini and also with any adjacent microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2). Each C-terminus can either bind to the tubulin surface via one of the several positively charged regions or can be allowed to explore the space available in the solution surrounding the dimer. We find that the preferential orientation of each C-terminus is away from the tubulin surface but binding to the surface may also take place, albeit at a lower probability. The results of our model suggest that perturbations generated by the C-termini interactions with counterions surrounding a MAP2 may propagate over distances greater than those between adjacent microtubules. Thus, the MAP2 structure is able to act as a kind of biological wire (or a cable) transmitting local electrostatic perturbations resulting in ionic concentration gradients from one microtubule to another. We briefly discuss the implications the current dynamic modeling may have on synaptic activation and potentiation.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
To characterize the incidence of patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) in Israel and their outcomes.
We have evaluated retrospectively all the patients in Israel in whom PPH was ...diagnosed between the years 1988 and 1997. We looked at medical history, hemodynamic data, pulmonary function and gas exchange, and demographic variables. Patients were followed up for survival until November 1997. Life table analysis and Kaplan-Meier statistics were used to estimate the overall survival distribution. Regression analysis was used to examine the relations between survival and selected variables.
Overall, we found 44 patients with PPH. The estimated incidence of PPH in Israel is 1.4 new cases per year per million population. The mean (+/- SD) age at diagnosis was 43 +/- 13 years. In the Jewish population, PPH was more frequent among immigrants from Europe and the United States. The mean interval from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 3 years (median, 2 years). The median survival time was 4 years. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 82%, 57%, and 43%, respectively. The major variables influencing the survival rate were the following: interval from symptom onset to diagnosis; and hemodynamic measurements (ie, mean pulmonary artery pressure, mean right atrial pressure, and cardiac index). In comparison to rates discerned from the National Institutes of Health registry data, the survival rate in Israel is somewhat better and prognosis is influenced by similar hemodynamic variables.
PPH is a rare and fatal disease in Israel. New therapeutic modalities such as prostacyclin therapy and lung transplantation may improve survival among patients with this malignant disease.
A simple easily controlled technique for adding Mg super(2+) ions to desalinated water is described. The Israeli Health Authority recommendation of adding of 20-30 mg/L of Mg super(2+) can be readily ...met by dissolution of magnesia pellets in a packed bed column. Experimental data are presented showing the effects of the specific flow velocity and CO sub(2) acidification of the inlet desalinated water on the Mg super(2+) concentration in the product stream leaving the column. Acidification of the inlet feed water is shown to enhance considerably the dissolution process. A kinetic expression is presented enabling full design of a dissolution packed column with nonacidified water.
Flat sheet samples of SWRO membranes of the SWC2 type (Hydranautics) were surface modified with hydrophilic polymers formed by redox initiated grafting with vinyl monomers. These were mounted on ...specially designed stubs along with unmodified membranes and tested at the Mekorot seawater RO pilot plant located in Eilat. A spiral 2.5″ element of SWC2 was also modified and run at the pilot plant for 5 months. All samples were run at conditions designed to exacerbate fouling. In three different experiments of 1–3 months, the stubs with modification were shown to have less fouling as measured by relative flux decline. FTIR—ATR characterization showed that the modified membranes also had fewer organic deposits as compared to modified membranes. SEM and EDAX showed that on fouled deposits, iron and chromium were mixed with organic deposits. These are likely corrosion products from upstream in the test unit. The spiral wound element showed stable water flux for 3 months. When fouling did occur, it appeared to be bio-fouling and appeared to have developed in the dead space between the element and the stainless steel pressure housing and from there was carried into the element.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
39.
Congenital orbital teratoma ROSNER, M; FABIAN, ID; PRIEL, A ...
Acta ophthalmologica (Oxford, England),
September 2012, 2012-09-00, 20120901, Volume:
90, Issue:
s249
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Purpose Congenital orbital teratoma is a rare tumor, composed of all three germ cell layers. The purpose is to present a case with congenital orbital teratoma, and discuss the clinical and ...histological characteristics of the tumor.
Methods Case report of a newborn girl that had a protrusion of the right globe. Imaging disclosed a big intraorbital lesion and capillary hemangioma was suspected, but treatment with propranolol had no effect during 4 months. At the age of 5 months acute progression of the proptosis developed with enlargement of the orbital mass as seen on MRI, pressing on the optic nerve. She underwent surgery and the lesion was removed completely using a cryo‐probe.
Results The pathologic diagnosis was orbital teratoma including cysts filled with keratin, hair follicles, glands, bone, cartilage, epithelium and neuronal‐brain tissue. On follow‐up examination there was no proptosis but some limitation of ocular movements was seen one month after surgery.
Conclusion In order to diagnose clinically orbital teratoma, a high index of suspicion is needed. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. Early detection and treatment is important in order to prevent mechanical destruction of adjacent tissues.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To determine the efficacy of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a large spacer device as compared to nebulized wet aerosols in the treatment of an unselected population with severe airflow limitation.
...Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial.
University Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM).
Fifty patients, referred to the DEM between October 1, 1994 and March 31, 1995 with a severe, acute obstructive pulmonary event. Thirteen patients were diagnosed as having COPD; 37 patients were diagnosed as having asthma.
Patients received either placebo MDI through a 750-mL cone-shaped spacer (Glaxo) 2 puffs and nebulized salbutamol aerosol 0.5 mL in 1.5 mL saline solution (group 1, n=25) or salbutamol MDI and 0.5 mL saline solution in 1.5 mL saline solution administered in the same manner as above (group 2, n=25). The above treatment was repeated three times every 15 min, unless side effects appeared. Upon enrollment into the study, the FEV1 in group 1 was 0.78+/-0.7 L (mean+/-SD), 32% of predicted, and in group 2, 0.74+/-0.51 L, 29% of predicted (p=0.83). The FEV1 values after the first, second, and third interventions were as follows: in group 1, 1.18+/-0.99 L, 1.40+/-0.8, and 1.47+/-0.79, respectively, and in group 2, 1.17+/-0.99 L, 1.46+/-1.01, and 1.54+/-0.79 (p=0.83, 0.36, and 0.48, respectively). We observed no difference in spirometric measurements between the two groups at any time.
Even in the setting of the unselected group of patient referrals to the DEM for episodes of severe airflow limitation, the clinical and the objective bronchodilator responses to the administration of salbutamol are independent of the method of delivery: MDI with a large spacer vs aerosol nebulization.
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