Age-related changes of frontal-midline theta is predictive of efficient memory maintenance.

Frontal areas are thought to be the coordinators of working memory processes by controlling other brain areas reflected by oscillatory activities like frontal-midline theta (4-7 Hz). With aging substantial changes can be observed in the frontal brain areas, presumably leading to age-associated changes in cortical correlates of cognitive functioning. The present study aimed to test whether altered frontal-midline theta dynamics during working memory maintenance may underlie the capacity deficits observed in older adults. 33-channel EEG was recorded in young (18-26 years, N=20) and old (60-71 years, N=16) adults during the retention period of a visual delayed match-to-sample task, in which they had to maintain arrays of 3 or 5 colored squares. An additional visual odd-ball task was used to be able to measure the electrophysiological indices of sustained attentional processes. Old participants showed reduced frontal theta activity during both tasks compared to the young group. In the young memory maintenance-related frontal-midline theta activity was shown to be sensitive both to the increased memory demands and to efficient subsequent memory performance, whereas the old adults showed no such task-related difference in the frontal theta activity. The decrease of frontal-midline theta activity in the old group indicates that cerebral aging may alter the cortical circuitries of theta dynamics, thereby leading to age-associated decline of working memory maintenance function.

[Spontaneous birth of a giant infant weighting 7050 g]. / Spontan geborenes Riesenkind mit 7050 g.

A case of spontaneous delivery of a macrosomic baby weighting 7050 grams of a gestational diabetic mother is presented. According to the available literature data this was the largest healthy baby born in this country. It is also interesting to note that out of her six deliveries there were four "giant" babies.

[Studies into aetiology of hyaline membrane disease (author's transl)]. / Untersuchungen zur Atiologie des Hyalinmembran-Syndroms.

The courses of gestation were re-examined of 171 newborns who had died of hyaline membrane disease. Premature births accounted for 91.81 per cent of the cases reviewed, while 73.24 per cent had undergone gestation between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. Premature placental detachment, hydramnion, and twin pregnancy were among the major factors contributive to gestational complications. Perinatal asphyxia played a substantive role in 53.21 per cent of all cases under review. In newborns delivered on term the development of RDS was in almost all cases attributable to acidosis. Early complications were analysed for newborns involved in steroid prophylaxis. The frequency of cerebral haemorrhage was nearly identical with findings recorded from a control group. A significant difference was not even recorded from cases of inflammatory complications.

[Lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio "its prognostic importance to pregnancy" of diabetics (author's transl)]. / Prognostische Bedeutung des Verhältnisses Lezithin/Sphingomyelin in diabetischen Schwangerschaften.

The lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio was determined by the authors, applying Gluck's technique to 98 amniotic fluid samples of 55 pregnant patients with diabetes, depending on gestational age. Amniocentesis was preceded by ultrasonic placentography. Carbohydrate metabolism of this group was kept under optimum management and regulation. Its L/S ratio (3.1) was twice as much as that recorded from another group of patients (1.5) without adequate management of the carbohydrate metabolism. The rate of complications in the first group was below that in the second. -- It has been emphasised by the authors that variation in the L/S ratio along with gestational age depended not only on the severity of the given course of diabetes but, as well, on the management of the carbohydrate metabolism during pregnancy. They found that in any pregnancy under the conditions of diabetes the L/S ratio was an important criterion for diagnostic assessment of foetal lung maturity.

[Detection of the RDS risk from postnatally sampled stomach contents]. / Erkennung der RDS-Gefährdung aufgrund des postnatal entnommenen Mageninhalts.

The results of foam tests carried out on postnatal stomach contents from 267 neonates were analyzed to see whether a correlation can be found between the incidence of RDS and the foam-test values. The test proved to be a good indicator in the recognition of RDS. If ++, + positive, on negative foam-tests are obtained development of RDS can be expected in about 60% of the cases. By this quick and simple test neonates with the risk of RDS can be screened off and transported in time to centres of intensive care.

[Relationship of time interval between steroid therapy and labor to the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome]. / Zusammenhang der zwischen Steroidtherapie und Geburt vergangenen Zeit mit der Häufigkeit des Respirations-Distress-Syndroms.

The authors used Dexamethasone before delivery in 577 cases of pregnancy. There were 460 prematurities. Occurrence of RDS was significantly lower in cases, where delivery took place more than 48 hours after the steroid treatment. Where the steroid effect was not optimum (48 hours), the RDS was similar to that of the control group, although mild in form. In their studies they found no connection between the tocolysis (Partusisten) and the occurence of RDS. They emphasize that in the cases where respiratory insufficiencies are predisponated (elective caesarean section, diabetes mellitus etc.) the steroids significantly reduce the frequency of the disease. Neither the number of apoplexy nor that of death due to infections increase in dexamethasone treatment.

[Changes in the lecithin-sphingomyelin relationship in the amniotic fluid following the effect of dexamethasone]. / Veränderungen des Lezithin-Sphingomyelin-Verhältnisses im Fruchtwasser auf Dexamethason-Wirkung.

Amniotic fluid samples were taken by transabdominal amniocentesis from 22 pregnant women in the 32-37th gestation weeks. Determination of lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio showed that in 20 cases the L/S ratio was 2 or less than 2. The patients were treated with i.m. Dexamethason in a total dose of 0,3 mg/kg body weight. Subsequently the L/S determination was repeated. Dexamethason treatment resulted in a significant increase of L/S ratio. In 3 cases out of 22 the L/S ratio was below 2. No neonate developed RDS from this patient material. The authors are convinced that the risk of RDS is an indication for amniocentesis. If the L/S ratio equals 2 or is lower than this value, steroid prophylaxis is recommended.

[Prevention of respiratory distress syndrome prior to delivery using steroids]. / Steroidprophylaxe des Atemnotsyndroms vor der Geburt.

Dexamethason in a total dose of 15 mg was given in 125 cases of premature labour 48 hours before delivery to prevent the development of respiration distress syndrome. Clinically, the incidence of RDS was 14,5% (18 cases) in the treated group, while in the control group it was 27,7% (32 cases out of 119). Owing to RDS two prematures died in the treated group, and 14 in the control one. Steroid prophylaxis was applied prenatally with 69 pregnant women at term who were predisposed to give birth to infants developing RDS (retardation, diabetes mellitus, elective section caesareas, etc.). Five neonates developed RDS and one died of hyaline membrane disease. The authors studied the effect of steroids on carbohydrate metabolism and total oestrogen excretion in the urine. From profile examinations of blood sugar it was concluded that no pathological alterations take place in maternal carbohydrate metabolism due to intravenous or intermittent prolonged administration of Dexamethason. After one single large dose (15 mg) of Dexamethason a reduction of 30-40% was noted in total oestrogen excretion. Return to the initial value was noted on the 11th-12th day. No appreciable changes were observed with prolonged intermittently given Dexamethason. On the basis of their observations the authors consider that steroid therapy applied during labour is efficient in preventing neonatal RDS.

[Prevention of respiratory distress syndrome in pregnant diabetic women during labor]. / Die Steroidprophylaxe des Respirations-Distress-Syndroms bei schwangeren Diabetikerinnen während der Geburt.

In the period between 1973 and 1976, in order to prevent neonatal RDS, 24 insulin-dependent diabetic mothers were given Dexamethason before delivery. The treated group was compared with a control group comprising 26 women of the same gesational age, severity of diabetes and mode of delivery. Neonatal care was similar in both groups. In the group where steroid prophylaxis was applied, decrease of RDS morbidity and mortality was observed. The authors accentuate that Dexamethason given to the mother may have an unfavourable effect on carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, it is recommended to perform 4-hour determinations of blood sugar, urinary sugar and acetone and accordingly, modification of therapy.