One-two Weeks Research Articles

Determining maximum germination temperatures of pea and barley seeds

The use of sprouted seeds of cereals and legumes in human nutrition requires establishing an appropriate process of their production in the food industry. It takes one-two weeks for seeds to germinate in natural conditions, which is not viable for their industrial production and processing. In this regard, various technological techniques are being undertaken to accelerate the process of seed germination, based on the intensification of biochemical processes occurring in the seed embryos. The aim of this paper is to identify the temperature regime of germination for pea seeds at each stage of a two-stage technological process to optimize their germination over time. The research is based on the data on the temperature regime and germination time of pea seeds of Temp, Sofia, Spartak, Amior and naked barley varieties, the chemical composition of which is crucial during germination. The quantitative estimates of the maximum germination temperature of seeds are determined based on the known computational dependencies. Within the framework of a two-stage approach to the process of seed germination, the following temperature regime of their germination in technological processes is proposed: at the first stage – 37 °C; at the second stage – 30 °C. That will intensify the germination process and increase the yield of seedlings when scaling.

Estimation of legal and illegal drugs consumption in Valencia City (Spain): 10 years of monitoring

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) approach provides objective, quantitative, near real-time profiles of illicit drug consumption by monitoring the concentration of unchanged parent drugs or their metabolites entering the municipal sewage system. Valencia is the third most populous city in Spain (an important country for the use and transit of several of these drugs). Estimations of consumption over long periods of time will help get better understanding of spatial and temporal trends in the use of licit and illicit drugs. Accordingly, applying the “best practice” protocol, 16 drugs of abuse and metabolites were monitored in this study, and 8 were daily measured during one-two weeks between 2011 and 2020 at the inlet of three wastewater treatment plants of Valencia City. Analysis of the selected compounds was performed by liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, and the concentrations obtained were used to back-calculate the consumption data. Cannabis, tobacco, and cocaine were the most consumed drugs whereas opioids were less used. Cannabis and cocaine consumption are on average 2.7–23.4 and 1.1–2.3 g/day/1000inh, respectively, and their use tended to increase since 2018. Weekly profiles were characterized by higher consumption of cocaine, ecstasy, and heroin during weekends compared to weekdays. Similarly, during “Las Fallas” (main local festivity), increased use of cocaine and amphetamine-type stimulants, mainly MDMA, was measured. WBE proved to be an objective and useful methodology to get more insight on temporal drugs of abuse consumption, and the changes derived from local festivities.

Turkish Translation/Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Analyses of the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development-Infant Scale (AHEMD-IS).

In this study we translated the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development-Infant Scale (AHEMD-IS) into Turkish, adapted the instrument culturally, examined its psychometric properties within a Turkish population, and identified its limitations. We administered the AHEMD-IS to families of 65 premature or full-term Turkish infants and repeated this testing for 17 families after one-two weeks to establish test-retest reliability. We calculated the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach alpha coefficient to assess reliability, and we evaluated test validity using the Spearman's correlation coefficient and correlations with the Bayley-III motor development score. The Cronbach Alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.846, and, for test-retest reliability, the ICC score was 0.830. The Turkish AHEMD-IS total score was moderately correlated with the Bayley-III fine motor development score (r = 0.469, p < 0.001), the Bayley-III gross motor development score (r = 0.533, p < 0.001), and the Bayley-III total motor development score (r = 0.526, p < 0.001). The Turkish version of the AHEMD-IS was found to be valid and reliable for children born prematurely or at full-term. The use of this questionnaire in Turkey will facilitate the creation of a home environment that will support motor development in children between 3-18 months of age.

Возрастные и индивидуальные особенности тренировки зрительной кратковременной пространственной памяти

Cognitive training is known to increase the plasticity of the brain’s neural networks and reduce the expectation of cognitive dysfunction during aging. However, opinions differ regarding the age, individual and time range of the training efficiency. Thus, the aim of the work was to clearing the temporal dynamics of changes in the short-term visual spatial memory of older people in comparison with young people and the dependence on its baseline level. The study involved 65 people of retirement age (M = 65.8; SD = 7.5 years) (GR1) and 92 university students (M = 20.1; SD = 1.4 years) (GR2). To determine the spatial memory, we used a modified “Visual Patterns Test” technique posted on the website psytest.nstu.ru. After a lecture on the methods of formation and implementation of cognitive resources, the study participants were asked to carry out memory training in a free mode at home in order to achieve a consistently maximum result. It is shown that by significantly lower values of short-term visual spatial memory in GR1 than in GR2 in the first testing session, to increase its efficiency, GR1 requires more than 80 sessions of training during some months, while GR2 requires 20 sessions during one-two weeks. The achievement of maximum memory indices occurs faster at its initially high values; however, the effect of training in the first sessions is more pronounced in persons with low memory values, regardless of age. It can be concluded that the effectiveness of spatial memory training at the initial stages is determined by the learning potential, and the realization of the compensatory resources of the brain, whereas the achievement of a result comparable to the young in the elderly is determined by the high level of executive control of behavior, which ensures long-term memory training.

691. Infective Endocarditis with an Indication for Cardiac Surgery in a Tertiary Care Educational Hospital: Does Cardiac Surgery Improve Outcomes?

BackgroundIn this retrospective cohort study, it was aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of IE cases without and with an indication for cardiac surgery in terms of whether they have been operated or not, in a tertiary-care educational hospital. MethodsPatients that were followed up for definite IE (diagnosed according to modified Duke criteria between March 2007 and November 2020) with an indication for cardiac surgery according to European Society of Cardiology Guidelines, comprised the study group. Subjects were evaluated in terms of whether these cases have been operated or not, demographic features, underlying diseases, risk factors, clinical and laboratory findings, therapy responses, complications, and mortality. The timing of surgery is defined as emergency; surgery performed within 24 hours, urgent; within a few days, elective; after at least one-two weeks of antibiotic therapy. Statistical analysis was performed via Chi square and Student T tests and a p value < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsA total of 90 patients with an indication for surgery, 33.3% patients in underwent surgery, 66.6% patients in not underwent surgery group fulfilled the study criteria. The most frequently seen complaints in patients were fever (91.1%), cold-shiver (56.6%), weight-loss (27.7%), dyspnea (25.5%), and tachycardia (20%). Heart murmur was detected during cardiac auscultation of 44 patients. Mean blood leukocyte count, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were 12324 ± 6558/mm3 (1408-30330), 11.46 ± 8.38 mg/dl (0.18-34.6) and 61.43 ± 33.4 mm/h (2-130), respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of cardiac/non-cardiac risk factors, age, gender, etiologic agents, laboratory findings, septic embolisms and complaints (Table 1). In total IE with an indication for surgery mortality was 27.7%. Mortality rate was significantly less and heart murmur was significantly higher in cases who underwent surgery than those did not undergo surgery (p: 0.0447). Table 1. Comparison of basic characteristics of patients in the two operated / unoperated cohorts. ConclusionThese data support the importance of the guidelines’ criteria for cardiac surgery in the management of IE. Assuming that only 1/3 of the surgery needing cases received surgery, more interventions are needed to decrease the barriers against surgery. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Resource planning principles for the radiotherapy process using simulations applied to a longer vacation period use case.

Radiotherapy (RT) resources need to be used wisely to balance workload and patient throughput. There are no known strategies on how to plan resource use around longer vacation periods to avoid patient waiting times. We created a simulation model over the RT workflow to evaluate different scenarios for this purpose. The simulation model mimics a large modern RT department in Sweden. It was based on real data on patient referral patterns and resource use extracted from clinical systems (3666 treatment courses). Workshops with managers and staff were held to investigate nine different scenarios for the summer vacation period including one scenario to validate the model. Different capacity reductions, vacation period lengths and timing of the vacation periods between the preparatory part of the RT workflow and the treatment part were evaluated. For an eight-week period, resource utilization was predicted to be high both before and after the vacation period regardless of timing. However, more patients would be waiting with completed preparations with simultaneous vacation periods than when the preparatory part started one-two weeks prior to the treatment part. With shorter vacation periods, treatment would require overtime during the vacation period with higher levels of patients waiting compared to an eight-week scenario. Our proposed strategy aided managers to identify a preferred scenario for the summer vacation period with the preparatory part starting one-two weeks prior to the treatment part for an eight-week vacation period. This can help other RT departments to plan for similar situations.

Increased and sex-selective avian predation of desert locusts Schistocerca gregaria treated with Metarhizium acridum.

The entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium acridum in oil-based formulations (Green Muscle® (GM)) is a biopesticide for locust control lacking side-effects on biodiversity, unlike chemical insecticides. Under controlled conditions, GM-treated locusts and grasshoppers attract predators, a complementary advantage in locust control. We assessed avian predation on a population of desert locusts in northern Niger aerially sprayed operationally with GM with 107 g viable conidia ha-1. Populations of adult locusts and birds and vegetation greenness were assessed simultaneously along two transects from 12 days before until 23 days after treatment. Common kestrels Falco tinnunculus and lanners F. biarmicus were the predominant avian predators. Regurgitated pellets and prey remains were collected daily beneath "plucking posts" of kestrels. Locusts started dying five days post-spray and GM had its maximum effect one-two weeks after the spray, with 80% efficacy at day 21. After spraying, bird numbers increased significantly (P<0.05) concurrent with decreasing desert locust densities. Locust numbers decreased significantly (P<0.001) with both time since spraying and decreasing greenness. Before spraying, kestrel food remains under plucking posts accounted for 34.3 ±13.4 prey items day-1, of which 31.0 ±11.9 were adult desert locusts (90.3%), reducing post-spray to 21.1 ±7.3 prey items day-1, of which19.5 ±6.7 were adult desert locusts (92.5%), attributable to decreased use of the plucking-posts by the kestrels rather than an effect of the spray. After spraying, kestrels took significantly (P<0.05) more larger female (75-80%) than smaller male (20-25%) locusts. Avian predation probably enhanced the impact of the GM on the desert locust population, especially by removing large adult females. No direct or indirect adverse side-effects were observed on non-target organisms including locust predators such as ants and birds. These substantial ecological advantages should also be considered when choosing between conventional chemical and biopesticide-based locust control.

Communication With Patients Before an Operation: Their Preferences on Method of Communication.

BackgroundWith the constantly evolving communication technologies, it is essential for all healthcare professionals to try utilising various methods in communicating with patients. This will lead to better healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to compare a patient’s preference to various communication methods regarding their appointments and to evaluate if we’re giving our patients an appropriate notice period prior to their operation.MethodsA questionnaire was given to 111 patients who underwent elective orthopaedic procedures.ResultsFactors like age and gender affect the choice of communication method. Traditional letters still have a role for an older population aged 65 and over. However, younger patients showed higher preference for other communication methods such as phone calls, texts, and e-mails. Gender also had a role in choosing a preference where male patients chose a range of options whilst female patients preferred phone calls. Most patients stated they received an appropriate notice period, with 88% of patients stating they would like to be notified one-two weeks prior to their operation.ConclusionMore research needs to be conducted into using text messages and e-mails in communicating with elective surgical patients, in addition to implementing newer technologies like mobile phone applications and secure online messaging portals, as this has the potential to reshape the communication process with our patients and lead to better health outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Реакция личинок Mnemiopsis leidyi на изменение освещённости

Экспериментально изучены возможные реакции на свет личинок черноморского гребневика Mnemiopsis leidyi двух возрастных групп (первые-четвёртые сутки и одна-две недели после вылупления). Личинок помещали в ёмкость с морской водой, в которой с помощью источника света и непрозрачного фона создавали две световые зоны (свет и тень); количество личинок регистрировали в каждой зоне в течение часа после начала эксперимента. Показано, что в среднем 77 % личинок, находящихся на ранних стадиях развития (первые-четвёртые сутки), через час мигрируют в тёмную область. Высказано предположение о наличии отрицательного фототаксиса у ранних личинок Mnemiopsis leidyi. Подобные реакции у более взрослых личинок (одна-две недели) не обнаружены.

ACUTE, TRANSIENT INCREASE IN SECRETION OF NEURODEGENERATION BIOMARKERS AFTER IRRADIATION OF HUMAN CORTICAL NEURONS

Radiotherapy is a commonly used therapy for brain tumor control or prevention, but many patients display persistent and deteriorating cognitive function following treatment. Children receiving cranial radiation therapy are especially affected and currently little is known about the underlying mechanisms. The chronic symptoms often become apparent after approximately one year, but could nonetheless be a result of acute cell damage upon irradiation. More understanding of the mechanisms behind radiation-induced acute neuronal damage is needed in order to predict and prevent severe side effects after radiotherapy. We have previously reported a prolonged but transient increase in cerebrospinal fluid levels of the neuronal proteins tau and neurofilament light (NFL) from patients undergoing prophylactic cranial radiotherapy, suggesting a potential for these proteins as biomarkers also for the brain damage observed after irradiation. Here, we use a human cortical cell model to investigate the neuronal release of these proteins in response to ionizing radiation in more detail. Human iPSC-derived cortical neurons were irradiated with a single dose of 0.5-, 1.5- or 4.5-Gy ionizing radiation, respectively, at two time points during differentiation and followed during a four-week period post-irradiation. Cells and media were collected at different time points after irradiation and compared to non-irradiated control. Secreted tau and NFL were measured in the media using electrochemiluminescence assays. Gene expression was monitored with qPCR. Both tau and NFL secretion to the cell media increased dose-dependently during the first four days following irradiation. The secretion peaked after four days and returned to basal or slightly elevated levels within one-two weeks. Despite this, signs of astrocyte activation and altered cell division patterns were still observed one month after irradiation. Effects were more accentuated in cells irradiated at an earlier differentiation stage. Ionizing irradiation of cortical neuronal cultures induced a transient increase in tau and NFL secretion. The observed effects were more accentuated in less differentiated neurons, suggesting that developing neurons are especially sensitive to radiation-induced injury. These results correlate well with the clinical situation, showing the potential for the cell model in further investigation of neuronal responses to radiation-induced cell damage.

Determining the amount of training needed for competency of anesthesia trainees in ultrasonographic identification of the cricothyroid membrane

BackgroundAirway guidelines recommend the use of ultrasound to localize the cricothyroid membrane prior to airway manipulation in difficult airways. In this study, we aimed to determine the amount of training anesthesia trainees would need to achieve competence in bedside ultrasound to identify the cricothyroid membrane.MethodsThis is a prospective non-randomized cohort study in the Department of Anesthesia at Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto, Ontario, Canada). Following institutional ethics approval, six anesthesia trainees consisting of four residents and two fellows underwent a 2-h training session on neck ultrasound to identify neck landmarks and the cricothyroid membrane. The trainees had no previous airway ultrasound experience. One-two weeks later, each trainee performed consecutive neck ultrasound scans on 20 healthy volunteers to identify the cricothyroid membrane. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) learning curves were constructed for each trainee. Primary outcome was the number of ultrasound examinations required to achieve competence, defined as 90% success rate in a series of 20 ultrasound scans. Secondary outcomes were the overall success rate, the time (sec.) required to perform the task, and 3-month skills assessment.ResultsCUSUM analysis showed four trainees achieved competence with a mean [range] success rate of 94.0% [90–100%] and a median [range] number of attempts of 14 [9–18]. Two trainees did not achieve competence, but obtained a success rate of 75.0 and 80.0% each. Overall (number of attempts) success rate was 88.3% (106/120) with a mean (SD) time of 36.9 (9.0) sec. Three months after training, ultrasound of five consecutive neck scans showed a mean success rate of 86.7% (26/30) and mean (SD) time of 47.7 (16.0) sec.ConclusionsAfter a short 2-h training session, most anesthesia trainees (n = 4/6) achieved competence in ultrasound-identification of the cricothyroid membrane with less than 20 scans in a mean time less than 60 s., and that they remain reasonably competent 3 months later. The learning curve for ultrasound identification of the cricothyroid membrane seems to be short even without prior airway ultrasound experience.

13. Which is the best evoked potential technique for assessing the nociceptive system? Preliminary results of a neurophysiological study in healthy humans

Laser evoked potentials (LEPs) and contact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs) are widely agreed method for investigating the nociceptive system. Concentric electrodes (CE) have also recently been introduced to measure pain-related evoked potentials (PREPs) and, thereby, to assess the nociceptive system in patients. Although some authors have reported that low intensity CE stimulation, evoking pinprick sensation, selectively activates nociceptive fibres, the CE reliability in the assessment of nociceptive system is still unclear. In this study we aimed to verify whether low and high intensity CE stimulations selectively activates nociceptive fibres. To do so we recorded LEPs, CHEPs and PREPs before and after capsaicin-induced skin denervation. To date, we have enrolled 6 healthy subjects. All subjects underwent a baseline recording of LEPs, CHEPs and PREPs after stimulation of the right forearm. For PREP recording we used both low intensity stimulation, evoking a distinct pinprick sensation and high intensity stimulation, evoking an electrical painless sensation. After the baseline evoked potential recordings, we applied an 8% capsaicin plaster on the right forearm. After one-two weeks, we recorded LEPs, CHEPs and PREPs after stimulation of the capsaicin-induced denervated forearm skin. In a small skin area spared by evoked potential stimulations we have also collected a skin biopsy for assessing the skin denervation. While LEPs and CHEPs were suppressed after topical application of capsaicin, low and high intensity PREPs did not differ before and after capsaicin-induced skin denervation. The skin biopsy documented the skin denervation induced by the capsaicin plaster. Our data indicate that both low and high intensity CE stimulation elicit PREPs after skin denervation, thus suggesting that the CE stimulation probably coactivates non-nociceptive fibres.

Effects of Different Composts on Soil Nitrogen Balance and Dynamics in a Biennial Crop Succession

Italy is faced with increasing pressures to reduce the amount of refuse disposed of in landfills. Compost represents a contribution to solve this problem. To give information for the correct management of composts as nitrogen fertiliser, it is necessary to assess their nitrogen release rhythm compared with the crop needs. This semi-field trial investigated the performance of three different composts coming from food processing industry residues and municipal waste (C1), green cuttings residues and the organic fraction of municipal waste solid residues (C2), municipal sludge and green cuttings residues (C3) as nitrogen source on a two-year crop succession. The influence of compost used as N-fertilizer was studied in lysimeters over a period of 2 years (2003-2005). The experiment was carried out at the Experimental Farm of Padova University Faculty of Agricultural Sciences on potato (cv. Agata) and two catch crops (ryegrass - Lolium multiflorum Lam., cereal rye - Secale cereale L.), using three types of compost as unique nitrogen source, compared with an unfertilized control. The compost N-level was 200 kg ha−1 per year, applied prior to the potato crop. The experiment had a completely randomized design, with 12 replications. Nitric nitrogen concentration was measured every one-two weeks in the soil throughout the trial period. Crop yields were measured and samples of produce were taken to be analysed for N concentration and calculate N uptake. With the only exception of compost derived from food processing industry residues and municipal waste (C1), immediately after the first application, compost fertilization did not increase the nitrogen concentration in the soil compared to the unfertilized treatment. Potato yield, in both seasons, was increased by C1 application, while C2 and C3 did not induce significant differences with respect to the control. No significant differences in yield and N uptake were found in catch crops. Taking the whole crop succession, the application of compost maintained the apparent N balance (input-uptake) at around −100 kg ha−1, while it exceeded 400 kg of deficit without fertilization. The compost nitrogen mineralization rate was estimated at around 36-44%, without differences among compost types.

Factors influencing somatic embryogenesis and regeneration ability in somatic tissue culture of spring and winter rye

Rye is an important crop in Northern and Eastern Europe. However, the application of various biotechnologies in rye breeding has been limited duo to its recalcitrant in tissue culture. In order to improve somatic tissue effi ciency, key factors affecting somatic embryogenesis and reproducible green plant regeneration of rye (Secale cereale L.) were evaluated and optimised. In this study, a total 27 rye genotypes including 10 spring and 17 winter genotypes were involved in the investigation. Genotype, culture medium, sugar, gel agent and auxin infl uenced somatic embryogenesis of immature embryo signifi cantly. One-two weeks cold pretreatment of young embryo enhanced somatic embryogenesis and green plant regeneration. In culture of immature embryos, infl orescences and leaf segments of the seedlings, explants signifi cantly infl uenced the culture effi ciency. Highest embryogenic callus yield resulted from rye immature embryo as explant compared to young infl orescence and leaf segment of seedling. Developmental stage of embryo played an important role in somatic embryogenesis. Late spherical coleoptile stage (embryo size 0.5–1mm in length) was optimal developmental stage of immature embryo for culture. Morphogenetic potential of embryogenic callus decreased with an increasing number of subcultures, and this ability could be maintained in vitro for a maximum of 8 months of culturing.;

Studying the spread F effect before earthquakes

The observations of spread F during the nighttime hours (0000–0500 LT) have been statistically analyzed based on data of Tokyo, Akita, Wakkanai, and Yamagawa Japan vertical ionospheric sounding stations for the time intervals a month before and a month after an earthquake. The disturbances in the probability of spread F appearance before an earthquake are revealed against a background of the variations depending on season, solar activity cycle, geomagnetic and solar disturbances. The days with increased solar (Wolf number W > 100) and geomagnetic (ΣK > 30) activity are excluded from the analysis. The spread F effects are considered for more than a hundred earthquakes with magnitude M > 5 and epicenter depth h < 80 km at distances of R < 1000 km from epicenters to the vertical sounding station. An average decrease in the spread F occurrence probability one-two weeks before an earthquake has been revealed using the superposed epoch method (the probability was minimal approximately ten days before the event and then increased until the earthquake onset). Similar results are obtained for all four stations. The reliability of the effect has been estimated. The dependence of the detected effect on the magnitude and distance has been studied.

Developing mental health services in a primary care setting: Liverpool Primary Care Mental Health Project.

The Liverpool Primary Care Mental Health Project (PCMHP) was set up in 1996 to provide mental health services in a primary care setting. This study describes and evaluates an impact of a working model of a multi-disciplinary team in close association with five Liverpool practices. The data were collected on all patients who came in contact with the PCMHP team during a three-year period and compared with the data available for the five neighboring teams on waiting time between referral and assessment, clinical outcome, in-patient bed usage, GPs' and patients' satisfaction with services. The number of new referrals remained the same over three years. The usage of inpatient beds dropped by 38% in the same period. Waiting time between referral and assessment for new patients reduced from six weeks to one-two weeks. GP's were highly satisfied with access to CMH Nurses, overall communication with the team and overall delivery of the services. Over 80% of patients were satisfied with the services. Integrated mental health services with primary care proved to be effective and satisfactory to GPs as well as to patients. This approach did not increase the workload of the mental health team.

Skill as a function of time scale in ensembles of seasonal hindcasts

Forecast skill as a function of time lead and time averaging is examined in two 6-member ensembles of seasonal hindcasts. One ensemble is produced with the second generation general circulation model of the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (GCM2) and the other with a reduced resolution version of the numerical weather prediction model of the Canadian Meteorological Centre (SEF). The integrations are initiated from the NCEP/NCAR reanalyzed data. Monthly sea surface temperature anomalies observed prior to the forecast period are maintained throughout the forecast season. A statistical forecast improvement technique, based on the singular value decomposition of forecast and reanalyzed fields, is discussed and evaluated. A simple analogue of the hindcast integrations is used to examine the behavior of two common skill scores, the correlation skill score and the explained variance skill score. The maximal skill score and the corresponding optimal forecast in this analogue are identified. The total skill of the optimal forecast is a sum of two terms, one associated with the initial conditions and the other with the lower boundary forcing. The two sources of skill operate on different time scales, with initial conditions being more important in the first one-two weeks and the atmospheric response to the boundary forcing becoming more dominant for longer time leads and time averages. This suggests that these sources of skill should be considered separately in forecast optimization. The statistical technique is moderately successful in improving the skill of monthly to seasonal forecasts of 500 hPa height (Z500) and 700 hPa temperature (T700) in the Northern Hemisphere and in the North Pacific/North America sector. The improvement is better when the forecasts for the first week and for the rest of the season are optimized separately. The SEF model produces better Z500 and T700 forecasts than GCM2 in the first one-two weeks whereas GCM2 performs slightly better at longer time leads. The skill of zero time lead forecast decays rapidly with averaging interval for time averages up to about 30–45 days and stabilizes, or even rises, for longer time averages. Excluding the first week from seasonal forecasts results in substantial degradation of predictive skill.

Anesthetic assessment in an outpatient consultation clinic reduces preoperative anxiety.

Preoperative anxiety in relation to anesthesia remains for many patients a major subject of concern. The aim of the present study was to compare the level of preoperative anxiety in patients assessed in an outpatient consultation clinic with the anxiety level of those having been assessed by the anesthesiologist after entering the hospital. We studied two groups of 20 patients who underwent elective transurethral prostate or bladder resection: group A having the anesthetic assessment between one-two weeks before hospitalisation, group B having this assessment the evening before surgery, after entering the hospital. Two different methods to assess anxiety were used: the Multiple-Affect-Adjective-Check-List (MAACL) and the visual analogue scale of anxiety (VAS). Both anxiety provided scores, assessed by two different methods, were lower in group A, than in group B(P<0.01). The results of this study confirm that an anesthetic assessment in an outpatient consultation clinic reduces preoperative anxiety, when compared with an assessment on the evening before surgery.

Computer-assisted analysis of regenerating rabbit retinal pigment epithelium

While examining thin sections of regenerating rabbit retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) we observed profound changes in ultrastructure as the cells matured. To assist in studying this problem serial thick sections (0.25 μm) through regenerating RPE cells were studied by highvoltage electron microscopy (HVEM) and a computer program (STERECON) used to generate stereo reconstructions.Tissue was obtained from rabbits that received sodium iodate iv -- which destroys large expanses of RPE and permits examination of regeneration from surviving cells. One-two weeks after iodate administration the rabbits were euthanized, the eyes removed and tissue processed for transmission electron microscopy by routine procedures. Serial sections 0.25 μm thick were mounted on Formvar coated slot grids, stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and examined with an AEI EM7 1.2 MV HVEM at 1000 kV. Figure 1 illustrates observations made on six sections through the cell seen in Fig. 2. The cell was photographed at 5000x and printed as a montage at 15,000x.

Isolation of a cultivable mycobacterium from an armadillo subcutaneous tissue infected with M. leprae and characterization of this isolated strain (author's transl)

A strain of acid fast bacillus was isolated from a leproma of armadillo infected with M. leprae during the cultivation trial. Colonies were easily formed on Ogawa egg medium one-two weeks after inoculation, and were yellow.This isolated mycobacterium was identified as a type of Scotochromogen, which is belonged to Group II atypical mycobacterium, by biological and biochemical characterizations.