Using non-linear methods to investigate the criterion validity of traffic-psychological test batteries.

In several countries in Europe (among others Germany and Austria) persons who have lost their drivers licence have to undergo a psychological test in order to regain their licence. The article discusses the validity of two test batteries of the Expert System Traffic using standardized driving tests [Schuhfried, G., 2005. Manual Expert System Traffic (XPSV). Schuhfried GmbH, Mödling]. A global evaluation of the respondents' performance in a standardized driving test was used as criterion measure in order to divide the subjects into drivers, who were classified as relatively safe or unsafe according to their performance in a standardized driving test. Artificial neural networks were used to calculate the criterion validity. This yielded superior classification rates and validity coefficients compared to classical multivariate methods such as a logistic regression. The stability and generalizability of the results was empirically demonstrated using a jack-knife validation, an internal bootstrap validation and an independent validation sample which completed the test batteries and the standardized driving test as part of a so-called traffic-psychological assessment which is compulsory in Austria in all cases, where the driver's licence has been withdrawn, e.g., when caught driving under the influence of alcohol. Moreover, the procedure allows calculating incremental validities which enable the assessment of the relative importance of the individual predictor variables. This contributes to the transparency of the results obtained with artificial neural networks. In summary it can be said that the results provide empirical evidence of the validity of the traffic-psychological tests batteries used in this study. The practical implications of the results for traffic-psychological assessment are described.

Early functional apoptotic responses of thymocytes induced by Tri-n-butyltin.

BACKGROUND: Programmed cell death, also termed apoptosis, is the main focus of interest in a variety of scientific and clinical areas. For a better understanding of the mechanisms of apoptosis, from the onset of the cellular death program to the late stages of apoptosis or apoptotic necrosis, very early functional events have to be quantified because they might be involved in temporal and causal relationships between apoptosis-related key processes. METHODS: We have established a flow cytometric technique to quantify time-dependent signals simultaneously with high temporal resolution (Deltat = 1 s) in living cells. With this technique, the response of cells to apoptosis-stimulating agents can be analyzed over 15 min. For this purpose, a thermostatted sample tube holder for repeatable interruption-free injection of substances into the cell suspension was developed. Early detectable fluorescence and scatter parameters were related to intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i (Indo-1 fluorometry), membrane permeability (propidium iodide [PI] influx), and cell volume (forward scatter). RESULTS: A T-cell line (Jurkat) served as a model system. Apoptosis was induced by the biozid Tri-n-butyltin (TBT). Dependent on the TBT concentration (0.3-10 microM), the mean free [Ca2+]i increased by a factor of 1.2-6 during a short time interval of just 2 min. Especially after low TBT concentrations (< 0.5 microM), this [Ca2+]i increase was nearly transient during the observation time of 15 min. Higher TBT concentrations (0.5-10 microM), however, induced a transient increase of [Ca2+]i (Ca-TR) only in a fraction of the cells; in another subpopulation, a steady-state Ca2+ signal (Ca-SST) was observed. The analysis of the simultaneously registered PI signals of the Ca-SST cells showed a shift to increasing PI fluorescence (by a factor of about 4) with increasing Ca2+ concentrations. In Ca-TR cells, the PI fluorescence remained nearly unchanged. These apoptosis-related changes (increase in [Ca(2+)]i and membrane permeability) could be confirmed by the additional observation of a TBT concentration-dependent decrease in cell volume measured during the same early time period. CONCLUSIONS: The simultaneously analyzed parameters (i.e., [Ca2+]i, membrane permeability, and cell volume) suggested that, in our model system of Jurkat T-cells treated with TBT, an apoptotic cell fate was indicated very early (within 15 min) by the steady-state [Ca2+]i level.

Simultaneous recording of calcium transients and reactive oxygen intermediates of human polymorphonuclear granulocytes in response to formyl-Met-Leu-Phe and the environmental agent sulfite.

BACKGROUND: Human polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) are an essential component in the immunological defense network against a variety of harmful pathogens. We have studied the effects of the airborne pollutant sulfite on the calcium metabolism and respiratory burst of these cells simultaneously. METHODS: A flow cytometric method was developed using the fluochromes Indo-1 and DHR-123. This method allowed us to investigate the real-time kinetics of intracellular free calcium and reactive oxygen intermediates in viable cells with a temporal resolution of 1 s over a time course of 17 min. An additional feature was the possibility to discriminate between reacting and nonreacting cells after treatment with defined stimuli, thus gaining additional insight into the behavior of cell subpopulations. RESULTS: We analyzed the effects of sulfite on PMN before and after stimulation with formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP). Treatment with sulfite alone (0.001-1 mM) caused a small, nontransient increase in intracellular calcium. Preincubation with sulfite reduced the maximal calcium response elicited by FMLP. A significant increase in steady-state calcium levels after stimulation with FMLP was observed after treatment with sulfite in concentrations of 10 and 100 mM. Regarding the respiratory burst, treatment with sulfite alone in concentrations of 0.001-1 mM induced a significant increase in DHR-123-derived fluorescence, whereas concentrations of 5 and 10 mM caused a significant depression of this fluorescence below baseline values. Sulfite caused a maximal twofold increase of DHR-123-derived fluorescence compared with the FMLP response. Similar results were obtained after preincubation with sulfite before treatment with FMLP, showing that the effect of sulfite on the respiratory burst was additive to the FMLP response. Regarding the fractions of responding cells, treatment with sulfite up to 1 mM induced a concentration-dependent increase of burst-reactive PMN, whereas preincubation before stimulation with FMLP showed no correlation between sulfite concentration and fraction of burst-reacting cells. CONCLUSIONS: By simultaneous registration of [Ca(2+)](i) and [H(2)O(2)](i) of PMN after treatment with FMLP and sulfite, the essential responses were already observed within a short time interval (15 min). Striking differences were found in the response of calcium as second messenger and respiratory burst in PMN treated with sulfite. Until a critical concentration (0. 5-1 mM), sulfite caused a concentration-dependent increase of [H(2)O(2)](i), in addition to the FMLP-induced response. The [Ca(2+)](i) changes induced by sulfite alone, however, were found to be small and showed no correlation with the respiratory burst response.

Total bonding vs selective bonding: marginal adaptation of Class 2 composite restorations.

For improving the marginal integrity of composite restorations, a total bonding method has been advocated besides the conventional selective bonding method. Total bonding avoids the placement of a base. The entire internal cavity surface is available for the adhesive bond. Selective bonding involves the placement of a base covering the pulpal floor as well as the pulpoaxial wall. In this study, five dentin/enamel bonding system/composite combinations were used to restore 60 class 2 cavities with their cervical margins below the cementoenamel junction (CEJ); six teeth per material were restored according to the total bonding and the selective bonding methods. Before and after simultaneous thermo-cycling and mechanical loading (TCML) marginal adaptation was evaluated on replicas in the SEM. Microleakage was determined by dye penetration on the original samples after TCML. The data were statistically evaluated with the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Wilcoxon test. The error rates method was applied. In SEM analysis the error rates method indicated a significant difference between the two restoration methods in general. In the pairwise comparisons, no significant differences between the selective bonding and total bonding methods were found for Syntac/Tetric, Gluma 2000/Pekafill, and Gluma/Pekafill. With Scotchbond Multi-Purpose (SBMP) and All-Bond 2 (AB2), total bonding revealed significantly (P < or = 0.01) less gap formation before and after TCML than selective bonding. Accordingly, total bonding showed significantly less (P < or = 0.01) dye penetration with Scotch-bond Multi-Purpose and All-Bond 2 compared to selective bonding. In conclusion, the reduction of microleakage by application of the total bonding method depended upon the bonding system used. Total bonding could be an alternative procedure for the adhesive restoration of class 2 cavities when their gingival margins are apical to the cementoenamel junction, provided the proper system is used and pulp damage is prevented.

Mechanisms of electromagnetic interaction with cellular systems.

The question of how electromagnetic fields--static or low to high frequency--interact with biological systems is of great interest. The current discussion among biologists, chemists, and physicists emphasizes aspects of experimental verification and of defining microscopic and macroscopic mechanisms. Both aspects are reviewed here. We emphasize that in certain situations nonthermal interactions of electromagnetic fields occur with cellular systems.

Resonant microwave effect on locally fixed yeast microcolonies.

The microwave influence on the growth of yeast cells is studied in a novel experimental set-up designed to observe individual cells growing for several division cycles. The results are in accordance with resonant microwave-induced growth stimulation as observed in our earlier set-up where the turbidity of a stirred suspension of cells was used as the measure of growth. The new experimental set-up is suited to decide on the proposed triplet mechanism of resonant microwave biological effects.

Arteriovenous carbon dioxide and pH gradients during cardiac arrest.

In a porcine preparation of cardiac arrest, we demonstrated that there is a marked paradox of venous acidemia and arterial alkalemia. This paradox is related to decreased clearance of CO2 from the lungs when pulmonary blood flow is critically reduced. Accordingly, increased venous PCO2 rather than metabolic acidosis due to lactic acidosis predominates during the initial 8 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Arterial blood gases fail as indicators of systemic acid-base status and therefore as indicators of tissue acidosis.

Difference in acid-base state between venous and arterial blood during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

We investigated the acid-base condition of arterial and mixed venous blood during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 16 critically ill patients who had arterial and pulmonary arterial catheters in place at the time of cardiac arrest. During cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the arterial blood pH averaged 7.41, whereas the average mixed venous blood pH was 7.15 (P less than 0.001). The mean arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) was 32 mm Hg, whereas the mixed venous PCO2 was 74 mm Hg (P less than 0.001). In a subgroup of 13 patients in whom blood gases were measured before, as well as during, cardiac arrest, arterial pH, PCO2, and bicarbonate were not significantly changed during arrest. However, mixed venous blood demonstrated striking decreases in pH (P less than 0.001) and increases in PCO2 (P less than 0.004). We conclude that mixed venous blood most accurately reflects the acid-base state during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, especially the rapid increase in PCO2. Arterial blood does not reflect the marked reduction in mixed venous (and therefore tissue) pH, and thus arterial blood gases may fail as appropriate guides for acid-base management in this emergency.

Selective acidosis in venous blood during human cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a preliminary report.

During experimental CPR, a marked venoarterial gradient in PCO2 has been reported. This is accompanied by a disproportionate decrease in venous pH and a simultaneous increase in arterial pH. This study includes a case report of human CPR in which simultaneous arterial and mixed venous blood gases were obtained before and after cardiac arrest. Similar venoarterial PCO2 gradients were observed subsequently in six additional patients during arrest. These clinical data indicate that arterial blood gases fail to reflect striking increases in venous PCO2 and decreases in pH due to respiratory acidosis on the venous side of the circulation.

Observations on colloid osmotic pressure, hematocrit, and plasma osmolality during cardiac arrest.

A porcine model of cardiac arrest with irreversible electromechanical dissociation was associated with highly significant decreases in colloid osmotic pressure in the absence of increases in hematocrit during the initial half hour of CPR. Pulmonary edema was typically observed. These observations are best explained by increases in capillary permeability to plasma proteins. The progression of acidemia was remarkably slow; arterial blood pH remained normal for more than 16 min. Even though there was significant lactic acidosis, concurrent respiratory alkalosis during CPR accounted for the greatly delayed onset of acidemia. There was also an as-yet unexplained increase in plasma osmolality.

End-tidal CO2 as a guide to successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a preliminary report.

Utilizing a well-established porcine model of cardiac arrest, we found that end-tidal CO2 concentration (ETCO2) strikingly decreased to approximately 24% of control levels, immediately after cardiac arrest and before precordial compression. During precordial compression, ETCO2 progressively increased to 46% of control values in successfully resuscitated animals but only to 26% in animals which failed to respond to resuscitation efforts. After successful resuscitation, ETCO2 rapidly returned to baseline values. These data indicate that ETCO2 may be a useful monitor for assessing the adequacy of CPR.

Arterial blood gases fail to reflect acid-base status during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a preliminary report.

The American Heart Association's current standards for CPR indicate that acid-base therapy should be guided by measurements of arterial blood gases. However, we have discovered a striking discrepancy between arterial and venous blood gases during CPR: severe venous hypercarbia and acidosis may coexist with simultaneous arterial alkalosis. Arterial blood gases during CPR, therefore, may not accurately reflect the acid-base status of mixed venous blood and thus may fail to indicate systemic acid-base status.

Circulatory arrest pressure as a prognostic indicator of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

In a porcine model of cardiac arrest, the intravascular pressure measured during circulatory standstill was positively correlated with the success of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. When volume was expanded before cardiac arrest, circulatory arrest pressure increased and the success of resuscitation increased. After volume expansion, the hematocrit was reduced and colloid osmotic pressure was decreased. However, neither hematocrit nor colloid osmotic pressure changes were directly related to survival.

Differential inactivation analysis of diploid yeast exposed to radiation of various LET. I. Computerized single-cell observation and preliminary application to X-ray-treated Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

This series of investigations was designed to observe growth and division of single, diploid yeast cells within the first four generations after irradiation with ionizing radiation. Evidence exists that cell reactions important for the final cell fate occur during this period, and therefore the analysis of cell kinetics and of stationary forms of inactivated cells can be performed. A large number of experiments is necessary to obtain statistically confirmed results of single-cell observation. An automatically steered microphotographic registration device has been developed to facilitate the collection of large numbers of observations. Optical data scanned by a TV camera and digitally stored in a computer are processed by pattern recognizing programs to achieve the correct correlation of newly built cells to existing ones and to deliver a pedigree over four generations of at least eight cells for every irradiated single cell. The pooled data of many pedigrees of this kind allow the analysis of the differential behavior of a total population. From the analysis of X-irradiated cells one can conclude that a single cell that produces at least a microcolony of five cells is eventually able to form a microcolony and thus can be considered a survivor. That means the division probability of cells to go from generation zero to three corresponds to the survival curve of the colony-forming ability test. Therefore this method is suitable for the differential description of the important phenomenological cell reactions after irradiation.

Nonthermal effects of millimeter microwaves on yeast growth.

Weak microwave irradiation of aqueous yeast cultures was found to affect their growth rate in a frequency-selective manner. Depending on frequency (near 42 GHz), both increases and decreases of the growth rate were observed. The resonance bandwidths are of the order of 0.01 GHz. Simple thermal effects can be excluded. These findings support theoretical predictions of coherent molecular oscillations activating metabolic processes.