Digestibility and nutritional parameters of maize ethanol coproducts and xylanase for broiler diets.

1. The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional and energy values of four maize distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and one maize high protein distiller's dried grains (HP-DDG) from ethanol production plants in Brazil; to evaluate the digestibility, performance, nitrogen balance and energy values for broiler chickens fed diets containing these coproducts (Experiment I); and to evaluate the effects of xylanase inclusion in diets containing maize DDGS for broilers on energy availability, digestibility, nitrogen balance and gastrointestinal morphometry (Experiment II).2. For each experiment, 180 broiler chickens aged 17 and 30 days with initial weights of 450 ± 18 g and 1228 ± 33 g, respectively, were used; the chickens were distributed into 36 metabolism cages. The experimental design consisted of complete randomised blocks, with six replications per treatment and five birds per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of a basal diet (BD) and five test diets containing maize ethanol coproducts (Experiment I) one BD and five test diets containing DDGS with inclusions of 0, 8,000, 16,000, 24,000 and 32,000 BXU/kg xylanase (Experiment II). In Experiment I, HP-DDG and DDGS2 presented higher AME and AMEn values (14.1 and 13.9 MJ/kg and 13.4 and 13.3 MJ/kg, respectively), than did the other coproducts (p < 0.05). Compared with DDGS1 and DDGS3, DDGS4 and HP-DDG had higher digestible CP values (p < 0.05). In Experiment II, the inclusion of the enzyme quadratically affected the values of digestible CP and digestible EE (p < 0.05), with the maximum values occurring with the inclusion of 18 750 and 22,170 BXU/kg of xylanase, respectively.3. The digestible NDF and digestible MM values linearly increased with the inclusion of xylanase (p < 0.05). The addition of xylanase had no effect on gastrointestinal morphometry (p > 0.05). It was concluded that the inclusion of between 18,000 and 22,000 BXU/kg of xylanase resulted in better digestible CP and digestible EE values.

[Feline sarcoid in a 1-year-old domestic short-haired cat caused by bovine papillomavirus type 14 in Switzerland]. / Felines Sarcoid bei einer 1-jährigen europäischen Hauskatze ausgelöst durch bovines Papillomavirus Typ 14 in der Schweiz.

INTRODUCTION: A 1-year- old domestic short haired cat, living on a farm in Switzerland, was presented to the veterinarian with a 5 cm in diameter mass, bulging from her left nostril. The mass was only incompletely removed because of its unfavourable location. Histologically, the lesion consisted of an infiltrative growing spindeloid proliferation in close approximation to the epidermis and was diagnosed as a feline sarcoid tumour. The presence of Bovine Papillomavirus type 14 (BPV-14) specific DNA could be identified in the tissue by using two PCR assays. The amplified sequences of 194 and 549 base pairs (bp) were 99% and 100% identical with a virus isolated after autopsy, from a cat with feline sarcoid in the USA. The cat recovered completely after an even incomplete surgical excision and no recurrence could be observed 10 months later.

Divergence of annual and perennial species in the Brassicaceae and the contribution of cis-acting variation at FLC orthologues.

Variation in life history contributes to reproductive success in different environments. Divergence of annual and perennial angiosperm species is an extreme example that has occurred frequently. Perennials survive for several years and restrict the duration of reproduction by cycling between vegetative growth and flowering, whereas annuals live for 1 year and flower once. We used the tribe Arabideae (Brassicaceae) to study the divergence of seasonal flowering behaviour among annual and perennial species. In perennial Brassicaceae, orthologues of FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), a floral inhibitor in Arabidopsis thaliana, are repressed by winter cold and reactivated in spring conferring seasonal flowering patterns, whereas in annuals, they are stably repressed by cold. We isolated FLC orthologues from three annual and two perennial Arabis species and found that the duplicated structure of the A. alpina locus is not required for perenniality. The expression patterns of the genes differed between annuals and perennials, as observed among Arabidopsis species, suggesting a broad relevance of these patterns within the Brassicaceae. Also analysis of plants derived from an interspecies cross of A. alpina and annual A. montbretiana demonstrated that cis-regulatory changes in FLC orthologues contribute to their different transcriptional patterns. Sequence comparisons of FLC orthologues from annuals and perennials in the tribes Arabideae and Camelineae identified two regulatory regions in the first intron whose sequence variation correlates with divergence of the annual and perennial expression patterns. Thus, we propose that related cis-acting changes in FLC orthologues occur independently in different tribes of the Brassicaceae during life history evolution.

Minerais orgânicos e licopeno na alimentação de poedeiras: desempenho zootécnico e qualidade dos ovos / Organic minerals and lycopene in the diet of laying hens: production performance and egg quality

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da utilização de minerais orgânicos e do licopeno em rações para poedeiras sobre o desempenho zootécnico e a qualidade dos ovos. Utilizaram-se 288 poedeiras, distribuídas em DIC em esquema fatorial 2 x 3 (fontes de minerais x níveis de licopeno), com seis tratamentos, seis repetições e oito aves por unidade experimental. As rações experimentais foram: minerais inorgânicos (MI) sem a adição de licopeno; MI com a adição de licopeno (400mg/kg); MI com a adição de licopeno (800mg/kg); minerais orgânicos (MOR) sem a adição de licopeno; MOR com a adição de licopeno (400mg/kg); MOR com a adição de licopeno (800mg/kg). Foram avaliados: consumo de ração, porcentagem de postura, massa dos ovos, conversão alimentar (kg/kg e kg/dz), peso do ovo, porcentagens de casca, albúmen e gema, espessura da casca, gravidade específica, unidade Haugh, índice e coloração de gema, pH do albúmen e da gema. Os minerais orgânicos aumentam o consumo de ração quando associados a níveis de 0 e 800mg de licopeno. A associação de 400mg de licopeno com minerais inorgânicos aumenta o consumo de ração. A adição de minerais orgânicos ou de 400mg de licopeno às rações melhora a porcentagem de postura e massa dos ovos de poedeiras com 58 semanas de idade. A coloração de gema é mais acentuada para as fontes inorgânicas em relação às orgânicas e mais acentuada em rações com 800mg de licopeno. A unidade Haugh é maior em rações sem licopeno e com minerais inorgânicos e em rações com 400mg de licopeno e com minerais orgânicos. Rações com fonte orgânica associada a 800mg de licopeno proporcionam maior unidade Haugh em relação a fonte orgânica sem licopeno.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the use of organic minerals and lycopene in the diet of laying hens on performance and egg quality. 288 hens were used, distributed in DIC in a factorial 2 x 3 (mineral sources x lycopene levels) with six treatments and six replicates of eight birds per experimental unit. The experimental diets were: inorganic minerals (MI) without the addition of lycopene; MI with the addition of lycopene (400mg/kg); MI with the addition of lycopene (800mg/kg); minerals organic (MOR) without addition lycopene; MOR with the addition of lycopene (400mg/kg); MOR with the addition of lycopene (800mg/kg). The following parameters were evaluated: feed intake, egg production, egg mass, feed conversion (kg/kg and kg/dz), egg weight, percentage shell, albumen and yolk, shell thickness specific gravity, unit Haugh, index and yolk color, pH of albumen and yolk. The organic minerals increase the feed intake when combined at levels of 0 and 800mg of lycopene. The combination of 400mg of lycopene with inorganic minerals increases feed intake. The addition of organic or mineral 400mg lycopene in diets improves egg production and egg weight of hens at 58 weeks of age. The yolk color is more pronounced for inorganic sources in relation to organic and more pronounced in diets with 800mg of lycopene. The Haugh unit is higher in lycopene free diets and diets with inorganic mineral and 400mg of lycopene and organic minerals. Diets with organic source associated with 800mg of lycopene provide higher Haugh units for organic source without lycopene.

Mananoligossacarídeo e ß-glucano em dietas de leitões desmamados / Mannan Oligosaccharides and ß-glucan in diets for weaned piglets

Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação de mananoligossacarídeo, ß-glucano e antibiótico em dietas de leitões machos castrados, durante a fase de creche (21 aos 54 dias de idade), sobre o desempenho, características morfo-histológicas da mucosa intestinal e ocorrência de diarreia. Foram utilizados 368 leitões de mesma linhagem, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos (1: 330g de mananoligossacarídeo t/ração (oriundos do núcleo), 2: 1.830g de mananoligossacarídeo t/ração (330g oriundos do núcleo + 1.550g da suplementação), 3: 330g de mananoligossacarídeo (oriundos do núcleo) + 500g de ß-glucano t/ração e 4: 330g de mananoligossacarídeo (oriundos do núcleo) + 250g de Colistina t/ração) e quatro repetições com 23 animais por unidade experimental. O desempenho foi avaliado pelo ganho de peso, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar. As características morfo-histológicas da mucosa intestinal estudadas foram altura de vilosidade, profundidade das criptas intestinais, perímetro de vilosidade e a relação altura de vilosidade:profundidade de cripta do duodeno, jejuno e íleo. A ocorrência de diarreia foi observada diariamente pela avaliação de escore fecal. A suplementação de mananoligossacarídeo, ß-glucano e antibiótico na dieta de leitões machos castrados, na fase de creche, não influenciaram o desempenho e a ocorrência de diarreia. Maior altura de vilosidade e maior profundidade de criptas no duodeno e íleo foram verificadas nos animais suplementados com ß-glucano. No jejuno foi observado maior perímetro de vilosidade nos animais suplementados com ß-glucano e nos animais que não receberam suplemento adicional na dieta.(AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with mannan oligosaccharides, ß-glucan and antibiotic in diets for castrated male piglets during the nursery phase (21 to 54 days of age) on performance, morpho-histological characteristics of the intestinal mucosa and occurrence of diarrhea. A total of 368 piglets of the same strain, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (1- 330 g mannan oligosaccharides/t of diet (derived of nucleus); 2 - 1,830 g mannan oligosaccharides/t of diet (330g derived of nucleus + 1550g of supplementation); 3 - 330g mannan oligosaccharides (derived of nucleus) + 500g ß-glucan/t of diet; and 4 - 330g mannan oligosaccharides (derived of nucleus) + 250g colistin/t of diet) and four replications with 23 animals per experimental unit. Performance was assessed through weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion. The morpho-histological characteristics of the intestinal mucosa studied were villus height, intestinal crypt depth, villus circumference and villus height:crypt depth of duodenum, jejunum and ileum ratio. The occurrence of diarrhea was observed daily by the evaluation of fecal score. Supplementation of mannan oligosaccharides, ß-glucan and antibiotic in the diet of castrated male piglets in the nursery phase did not affect performance and occurrence of diarrhea. Greater villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum and ileum were verified in the animals supplemented with ß-glucan. In the jejunum, greater villus circumference was observed in the animals supplemented with ß-glucan and in the animals that did not receive additional supplemented diet.(AU)

Lisina digestível em dietas de baixa proteína para frangos de corte tipo caipira de um aos 28 dias / Digestible lysine in diets containing low protein concentrations for broiler type redneck from 1 to 28 days

Avaliou-se a inclusão de diferentes porcentagens de lisina digestível em dietas de baixa proteína para frangos de corte tipo caipira, machos e fêmeas, com idade entre um e 28 dias. Utilizaram-se 792 machos e 792 fêmeas de linhagem comercial, de um dia de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 2x6 (sexo x porcentagem de lisina digestível: 0,85; 0,90; 0,95; 1,00; 1,05 e 1,10%) com seis repetições de 22 aves. Não foi constatada interação (P>0,05) de sexo versus inclusão de lisina. Observou-se superioridade (P<0,05) dos machos em relação às fêmeas para todas as variáveis avaliadas. O ganho de peso dos frangos diminuiu linearmente (P<0,05) em função do aumento da porcentagem de lisina digestível na dieta e observou-se redução linear (P<0,01) nos consumos de ração e de proteína. O consumo de lisina digestível aumentou linearmente (P<0,01) em função do aumento de sua concentração na dieta. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) para conversão alimentar. Da composição centesimal da carcaça, apenas o percentual de matéria mineral foi influenciada (P<0,05) pela porcentagem de lisina digestível. Conclui-se que 0,85% de lisina para frangos tipo caipira de pescoço pelado atende à exigência nutricional de lisina digestível em dietas com baixa concentração proteica.

The inclusion of different percentages of digestible lysine in low-protein diets was evaluated for male and female free-range broiler chickens, from 1 to 28 days. We used 792 female and 792 male naked neck chickens a day in a completely randomized 2x6 factorial scheme (sex x percentages of digestible lysine: 0.85, 0.90, 0.95, 1.00, 1.05 and1.10%) with six replicates of 22 broilers. No interaction of sex versus lysine was found. Superiority was observed (P<0.05) in males compared to females for all variables.Weight gainof chickens decreased linearly(P<0.05) with increasing levels of digestible lysine in the diet. There was a linear reduction (P<0.01) in feed intake, protein and metabolizable energy. On the other hand, the consumption of digestible lysine increased linearly (P<0.01) with the increase of its concentration in the diet. There was nodifference (P>0.05) in food conversion.In the chemical composition of the carcass, only thepercentage of mineral matter was influenced (P<0.05) bydigestible lysine levels.It was concluded that the level of 0.85% for type redneck broiler meets the nutritional requirement of digestible lysine in diets containing lower protein concentrations.

Classification of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease using model-based MR and magnetization transfer imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Early stratification of degenerative processes is a prerequisite to warrant therapeutic options in prodromal Alzheimer disease. Our aim was to investigate differences in cerebral macromolecular tissue composition between patients with AD, mild cognitive impairment, and age- and sex-matched healthy controls by using model-based magnetization transfer with a binary spin-bath magnetization transfer model and magnetization transfer ratio at 1.5 T. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated patients with de novo AD (n=18), MCI (n=18), and CTRLs (n=18). A region-of-interest analysis of the entorhinal cortex, hippocampal head and body, insula, and temporal neocortex was performed with fuzzy clustering to associate every subregion to a cluster representative for each group. RESULTS: Cluster analysis achieved a concordance of 0.92 (50 of 54 subjects) between a combination of the calculated mMT parameters (kf,kr,T2r,F,T2f) in the entorhinal cortex and the neuropsychological diagnosis. The sensitivity and specificity for the discrimination of AD from MCI reached 1 and 0.94, with a positive predictive value of 0.95 and a negative predictive value of 1. Compared with mMT, the concordance for MTR was 0.83 (45 of 54 subjects) with a lower specificity of 0.5 and positive predictive value of 0.67 to discriminate patients with AD and MCI. CONCLUSIONS: mMT imaging detects macromolecule-related alterations and allows an improved classification of patients with early AD and MCI compared with MTR.

Susceptibility-weighted MR imaging for diagnosis of capillary telangiectasia of the brain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: BCT is a benign entity, whose appearance on conventional MR imaging makes its differentiation from neoplastic, inflammatory, or subacute ischemic disease challenging. SWI is sensitive to susceptibility effects from deoxyhemoglobin with excellent spatial resolution. Only scarce case reports have described the utility of SWI in cases of BCT. Our aim was to show the diagnostic value of SWI applied to a larger series of cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observational retrospective study of 33 BCTs in 27 consecutive patients examined from August 2009 to January 2011 with MR imaging, including SWI. Morphology, signal intensity characteristics, and additional vascular malformations were analyzed. Preceding or follow-up examinations were available in 18 patients with a median time interval of 14.5 months (range, 2-115 months). RESULTS: Twenty-five pontine and 8 supratentorial BCTs demonstrated distinct signal-intensity loss on SWI in combination with postcontrast enhancement. Mean lesion diameter was 4.9 mm (range, 1.5-17 mm). Thirty-nine percent showed slight signal-intensity changes on T1 and/or T2; the remainder were isointense to normal brain. In 30%, a prominent draining vessel was observed. Additional cerebral vascular malformations were found in 5 patients. CONCLUSIONS: SWI represents a valuable tool for confirmation of presumed BCT. Demonstration of signal-intensity loss on SWI in an enhancing focal brain lesion, otherwise unremarkable on conventional MR images, is highly specific for BCT, thus excluding serious pathology and reassuring the patient and referring physician. This is particularly helpful for BCT in less typical locations.

Simulação técnico-econômica da inclusão de ractopamina em dietas de suínos em terminação / Technical-economic simulation of ractopamine inclusion in diets for finishing pigs

Foi realizada simulação técnico-econômica a partir de resultados de publicações para avaliar a inclusão de ractopamina em dietas de suínos em terminação. Foram utilizados 18 artigos, que avaliaram níveis de 0, 5, 10 e/ou 20ppm de ractopamina na dieta, totalizando 2.991 animais. A partir dos resultados técnicos das publicações avaliadas, foram geradas equações que foram utilizadas na simulação do desempenho técnico-econômico. Verificou-se que os custos independem do sistema de receitas do produtor e oscilam de 3 a 6ppm de ractopamina adicionada à dieta. O lucro máximo foi obtido com os níveis de 10 e 12ppm de ractopamina, respectivamente, para os sistemas de receita por peso vivo e por bonificação. Os resultados evidenciam melhor desempenho econômico da utilização de ractopamina, na dieta dos suínos em terminação, pelo sistema de receita por bonificação. As análises de sensibilidade para a variação na receita dos produtores apresentam valores ótimos de 9 a 12ppm de ractopamina, com oscilação de até R$ 49,00/cabeça entre os cenários testados.

A technical-economic simulation was performed based on results from publications for assessing the inclusion of ractopamine in the diet of finishing pigs. Eighteen articles were used, which assessed levels of 0, 5, 10, and/or 20ppm of ractopamine in the diet, totalizing 2,991 animals. Based on the results obtained in these technical publications, equations were used for the simulation of the technical-economic performance. From this study, it was established that the costs are independent of the system of revenue of the producer and range from 3 to 6ppm of ractopamine added in the diet. The maximum profit was obtained with the levels of 10 and 12ppm of ractopamine, respectively, for the systems of revenue per body weight and per bonus. The results show a better economic performance with the use of ractopamine in the diet of finishing pigs, by the system of revenue per bonus. Analyses of sensitivity of changes in the revenue of producers presented optimal values of 9 to 12ppm of ractopamine, with a range of up to R$ 49.00 per capita between the tested scenarios.

Plastidic trnFUUC pseudogenes in North American genus Boechera (Brassicaceae): mechanistic aspects of evolution.

The origin and maintenance of a plastidic tandem repeat next to the TRNF (UUC) gene were analyzed in the genus BOECHERA in a phylogenetic context and were compared to published analogous examples that emerged in parallel in the Asteraceae and Juncaceae, respectively. Although we identified some features common to these taxonomic groups with respect to structure and origin of the region, obvious differences were encountered, which argue against a specific mechanism or evolutionary principle underlying the parallel origin and maintenance of the TRNF-tandem repeats in those families. In contrast to the situation in the Asteraceae, no reciprocal recombinant repeat types have been observed in the Brassicaceae. Forty copy types, classified into three groups, were isolated from 103 chloroplast haplotypes of BOECHERA and it was demonstrated that they are composed of four subregions of various origins. We discuss various mutation mechanisms such as DNA replication slippage, and inter- and intrachromosomal recombination which were reported to mediate variation in copy numbers and other types of observed sequence length polymorphism. It is shown that the observed molecular structure of the tandem repeat region did not fully fit the particular patterns expected under a scenario of evolution including any of the known mechanisms. Nevertheless, it appeared that intermolecular unequal crossing-over is most likely the driving force in the evolution of this tandem repeat. However, it remains to be explained, why no reciprocal recombinant copy types have been observed. The reconstructed phylogenetic relationships among copies reflected different evolutionary scenarios as follows: (1) A single and ancient origin of copies pre-dates the radiation of BOECHERA. (2) Parallel expansion and shortening of the tandem repeat within different BOECHERA lineages. (3) Conservation of the first copy, as it was the only one present in all chloroplast haplotypes.

Comparison of spatial and temporal pattern for fMRI obtained with BOLD and arterial spin labeling.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is presently either performed using blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) contrast or using cerebral blood flow (CBF), measured with arterial spin labeling (ASL) technique. The present fMRI study aimed to provide practical hints to favour one method over the other. It involved three different acquisition methods during visual checkerboard stimulation on nine healthy subjects: 1) CBF contrast obtained from ASL, 2) BOLD contrast extracted from ASL and 3) BOLD contrast from Echo planar imaging. Previous findings were replicated; i) no differences between the three measurements were found in the location of the activated region; ii) differences were found in the temporal characteristics of the signals and iii) BOLD has significantly higher sensitivity than ASL perfusion. ASL fMRI was favoured when the investigation demands for perfusion and task related signal changes. BOLD fMRI is more suitable in conjunction with fast event related design.

[Excision of heterotopic new bone around the elbow in patients with head injury: 51 cases]. / Résultats de la chirurgie des ostéomes du coude chez le cérébro-lésé: a propos de 51 cas.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Neurogenic paraosteoarthropathy of the elbow is a frequent complication in head injury patients. The functional impairment may be severe. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of our medico-surgical approach and to determine indications for surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively a continuous series of 44 patients (51 elbows) with neurogenic heterotopic new bone of the elbow joint managed from 1993 to 2000. The heterotopic bone had developed on a central deficit limb in 70% of the patients. Flexion-extension was limited in all patients, and pronation-supination in nine. The ulnar nerve was compressed by the heterotopic bone in half of the patients. A 3D reconstruction CT-scan with contrast injection was obtained in all patients. We consider did not the classical criteria for bone maturation to assess operability. Using an adapted approach, we removed the heterotopic new bone to enable complete elbow motion. Associated procedures were performed in fifteen patients due to persistent intraoperative joint stiffness related to muscle-tendon retraction. We did not prescribe diphosphonates or radiotherapy postoperatively. RESULTS: At 45 months follow-up, one patient had been lost. Relative gain was considered very good in 34 elbows, good in 13 and fair in 3. There were no cases of lost motion. There were no recurrences causing joint limitation, but two of nine cases of radioulnar synostosis recurred. DISCUSSION: Neurogenic paraosteopathy of the elbow impairs joint function and may lead to ulnar nerve compression. The goal of surgery is to improve function. The analysis of our results show that early surgery yields good results without complementary treatment, irrespective of the patient's overall functional deficit or cognitive status and irrespective of the localization of the hetertopic bone. The essential prognostic factor for the quality results is the neurological status of the limb, particularly the degree of spasticity and muscle-tendon retraction.

Exigência de aminoácidos sulfurados digestíveis para suínos machos castrados mantidos em ambiente termoneutro dos 15 aos 30kg / Digestible sulphurous aminoacid requirement for swine barrows maintained in a thermoneutral environment from 15 to 30kg

Determinou-se a exigência de aminoácidos sulfurados para suínos machos castrados, mantidos em ambiente termoneutro, dos 15 aos 30kg. Utilizaram-se 70 leitões mestiços, distribuídos em delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos (0,465; 0,511; 0,558; 0,605 e 0,652 por cento de metionina + cistina digestível), sete repetições e dois animais por repetição. As rações experimentais e a água foram fornecidas à vontade. A temperatura no interior da sala foi mantida em 21,8±0,4ºC e a umidade relativa, em 73,8±4,9 por cento. Os níveis de metionina + cistina digestível da dieta influenciaram de forma quadrática o ganho de peso diário, que aumentou até o nível de 0,596 por cento, e a conversão alimentar, que reduziu até o nível de 0,627 por cento. O consumo de ração dos animais não variou com os tratamentos. Os tratamentos influenciaram a deposição de proteína na carcaça, que aumentou de forma quadrática até o nível de 0,630 por cento, enquanto a de gordura não variou. A exigência de aminoácidos sulfurados digestíveis para suínos machos castrados, mantidos em ambiente termoneutro, dos 15 aos 30 kg, é de 0,63 por cento, correspondente à relação metionina + cistina digestível:lisina digestível de 67 por cento, para máximo desempenho e composição de ganho.

Locally induced hypothermia for treatment of acute ischaemic stroke: a physical feasibility study.

During the treatment of stroke by local intra-arterial thrombolysis (LIT) it is frequently possible to pass the blood clot with a micro-catheter, allowing perfusion of brain tissue distally to the occlusion. This possibility allows for new early treatments of ischaemic brain tissue, even before the blood clot has been removed. One potential new approach to preserve brain tissue at risk may be locally induced endovascular hypothermia. Physical parameters such as the required micro-catheter input pressure, output velocity and flow rates, and a heat exchange model, applicable in the case of a micro-catheter placed within a guiding catheter, are presented. Also, a simple cerebral temperature model is derived that models the temperature response of the brain to the perfusion with coolant fluids. Based on this model, an expression has been derived for the time needed to reach a certain cerebral target temperature. Experimental in vitro measurements are presented that confirm the usability of standard commercially available micro-catheters to induce local hypothermia of the brain. If applied in vivo, the model predicts a local cooling rate of ischaemic brain tissue of 300 g of approximately 1 degrees C in 1 min, which is up to a factor 30-times faster than the time-consuming systemic hypothermia via the skin. Systemic body temperature is only minimally affected by application of local hypothermia, thus avoiding many limitations and complications known in systemic hypothermia.

Multiresolution fuzzy clustering of functional MRI data.

Recent developments in the analysis of functional MRI data reveal a shift from hypothesis-driven statistical tests to unsupervised strategies. One of the most promising approaches is the fuzzy clustering algorithm (FCA), whose potential to detect activation patterns has already been demonstrated. But the FCA suffers from three drawbacks: first the computational complexity, second the higher sensitivity to noise and third the dependence on the random initialization. With the multiresolution approach presented here, these weak points are significantly improved, as is demonstrated in our tests with simulated and real functional MRI data.

[Indications, effectiveness and tolerance of the rehabilitation techniques aimed at improving recovery of awareness following a traumatic brain injury]. / Indications, efficacité et tolérance des procédures à utiliser en rééducation pour améliorer la reprise de la conscience après un coma traumatique.

OBJECTIVE: In the context of a consensus conference, this review aims at identifying through a comprehensive review and critical analysis of the literature the different rehabilitation programs used to promote the level of consciousness of brain injured patients. METHOD: By using the following data banks: Medline, Embase, Francis, Pascal, 97 articles published between 1980 and 2001 were found and 19 of them were finally selected. These 19 articles were synthesized through critical assessment charts. Six others articles, among those, expert opinion, literature reviews and consensus conferences were not assessed through critical assessment charts. RESULTS-DISCUSSION: Two non invasive interventions have been identified: these are sensory stimulation and sensory regulation. Neurostimulation, a surgical technique has not been discussed here. Most of the authors claim (16/19) for positive results. However, the major part of these studies contains serious methodological flaws which do not resist to critical analysis. CONCLUSION: Because of these methodological flaws and despite the good results claimed by the authors, there is up to date no evidence that clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of sensory stimulation or sensory regulation programs. Further clinical research in this area is necessary.

Diffusion-weighted MRI in acute spinal cord ischaemia.

Acute spinal cord ischaemia is often undetectable with conventional MRI. Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) has been difficult to use in the spine because of susceptibility artefacts. We assessed the diagnostic value of echoplanar DWI for early confirmation of spinal cord ischaemia. We performed conventional MRI and DWI in two men and three women, aged 54-75 years with clinically suspected acute spinal cord ischaemia. Imaging was performed 9-46 h after the onset of symptoms, and 2-9 days later to assess the extent of ischaemic signal change. Spatial resolution of DWI within the spine using standard equipment was poor, but in all patients, early DWI revealed areas of high signal indicating decreased diffusion, confirmed by measurement of apparent diffusion coefficients. Follow-up MRI showed high signal on T2-weighted images and contrast enhancement at the expected levels. Neurological deficits corresponded with radiological findings in four patients: various syndromes, including isolated bilateral weakness or sensory change and combined deficits, were found. Echoplanar DWI may be helpful for confirmation of spinal cord ischaemia in the acute stage, but follow-up T2-weighted images have superior spatial resolution and correlation with clinical findings and lesion extent.

[Clinical evaluation of spasticity]. / Evaluation clinique de la spasticité.

Spasticity is one component of the upper motor neurone syndrome. Unlike motor deficit and co-contraction, spasticity is responsive to treatment. Thus it receives more attention than the other features of the upper motor neuron syndrome. In order to treat correctly the patients, we need to know expectations of the patient and family. Detailed clinical evaluation including functional analysis is necessary to determine whether the objectives are reasonable. This evaluation is not always very easy because of complex clinical features. Simply aiming to reduce spasticity is not a final treatment goal. There must be a purpose behind it. It is actually very difficult to evaluate functional effect of spasticity treatments. Few studies show a real functional improvement. Yet patients are satisfied with the results and the goals are often achieved. One explanation is that functional scales usually used do not fit to the spasticity problem.

[Surgical treatment of orthopedic deformities due to spasticity in the lower limb]. / Les traitements orthopédiques des conséquences dela spasticité membre inférieur.

Orthopedic deformities in the lower limb concern all joints (hip, knee, ankle, foot) with a wide range of clinical forms. Spasticity, contracture, stiffness, laxity, neurological deficit are assessed to establish the surgical procedure. Surgical techniques are adapted to the goals that are detailed with the patient and his family: standing, transferring, walking, hygiene, devices (shoes, orthosis, canes, wheelchair). Surgical procedures can associate: lengthening of contractured muscles (tenotomy with or without sutures, fractional lengthening at the musculo-tendinous junction or desinsertion), strengthening of antagonists (passive or active tendon transfer) and correction of joint deformity (arthrolysis, arthrodesis, arthroplasty). In adults, the most common deformities are the equinus or equinovarus foot, toe curling, hip adductum, knee flessum. Talus or knee recurvatum are less frequently observed. The association of various deformities raises questions concerning the hierarchy of surgical procedure, from an anatomical point of view (do we start with proximal or distal joint first?) as from chronological concerns (shall we do one or more procedures?). Pluridisciplinary assessment using neurological anesthetic blocs and dynamic EMG or gait analysis is necessary to detail the aims of surgery and choose the surgical procedures.

Apparent diffusion coefficient mapping of infarcted tissue and the ischaemic penumbra in acute stroke.

MRI assessment of diffusion changes in acute cerebral ischaemia necessitates analysis of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). We used the concept of relative weighted mean ADC (rwmADC) to obtain an accurate estimate of the extent of infarcted tissue. We studied ten patient with of acute ischaemic stroke, using diffusion- and perfusion- weighted MRI. The rwmADC was used to calculate a corrected ADC-lesion volume (DLVR), which was compared with the diffusion-lesion volume (DLV), initial perfusion lesion volumes and the follow-up infarct volume on T2-weighted images. We looked at correlations between the MRI and clinical findings. DLVR was closest to the final infarct size and had the best clinicoradiological correlation (r=0.77). Weighting the mean ADC within the ischaemic and normal parenchyma can give a more correct estimate of the volume of infarcted brain parenchyma, thus improving the definition of the penumbra.