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Background: Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a frequent and severe disorder among older adults. For older adults with GAD the effect of the recommended treatment, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), is reduced. Physical exercise (PE) may enhance the effect of CBT by improving cognitive function and increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a predictor of the effect of CBT in patients with anxiety. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating treatment effect of the combination of CBT and PE for GAD in a sample of older adults, including procedures for assessment and treatment. Methods: Four participants aged 62–70 years (M = 65.5, SD = 3.2) with a primary diagnosis of GAD were included. Participants received 15 weeks of PE in combination with 10 weeks of CBT. Participants completed self-report measures, and clinical, biological, physiological and neuropsychological tests at pre-, interim- and post-treatment. Results: Procedures, protocols, and results are presented. One participant dropped out during treatment. For the three participants completing, the total adherence to PE and CBT was 80% and 100%, respectively. An independent assessor concluded that the completers no longer fulfilled the criteria for GAD after treatment. Changes in self-report measures suggest symptom reduction related to anxiety and worry. The sample is considered representative for the target population. Conclusions: The results indicate that combining CBT and PE for older adults with GAD is feasible, and that the procedures and tests are suitable and manageable for the current sample. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02690441. Registered on 24 February 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02690441. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is a frequent and severe disorder among older adults. For older adults with GAD the effect of the recommended treatment, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), is reduced. Physical exercise (PE) may enhance the effect of CBT by improving cognitive function and increasing levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a predictor of the effect of CBT in patients with anxiety. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating treatment effect of the combination of CBT and PE for GAD in a sample of older adults, including procedures for assessment and treatment. Methods: Four participants aged 62–70 years (M = 65.5, SD = 3.2) with a primary diagnosis of GAD were included. Participants received 15 weeks of PE in combination with 10 weeks of CBT. Participants completed self-report measures, and clinical, biological, physiological and neuropsychological tests at pre-, interim- and post-treatment. Results: Procedures, protocols, and results are presented. One participant dropped out during treatment. For the three participants completing, the total adherence to PE and CBT was 80% and 100%, respectively. An independent assessor concluded that the completers no longer fulfilled the criteria for GAD after treatment. Changes in self-report measures suggest symptom reduction related to anxiety and worry. The sample is considered representative for the target population. Conclusions: The results indicate that combining CBT and PE for older adults with GAD is feasible, and that the procedures and tests are suitable and manageable for the current sample. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02690441. Registered on 24 February 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02690441. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Pathologe is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

References 1 Sirevåg K, Stavestrand SH, Sjøbø T. Physical exercise augmented cognitive behaviour therapy for older adults with generalised anxiety disorder (PEXACOG): a feasibility study for a randomized controlled trial. B Correction: BioPsychoSocial Med 17, 25 (2023) b https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-023-00280-7 Following publication of the original article [[1]], the authors reported errors in the author names, which have been corrected from: I. H. K. Nordhus to I. H. Nordhus, Rekdal to Å. Rekdal, and Hammar to Å. Hammar. [Extracted from the article]

Gene expression profiles provide important information about the biology of breast tumors and can be used to develop prognostic tests. However, the implementation of quantitative RNA-based testing in routine molecular pathology has not been accomplished, so far. The EndoPredict assay has recently been described as a quantitative RT-PCR-based multigene expression test to identify a subgroup of hormone-receptor-positive tumors that have an excellent prognosis with endocrine therapy only. To transfer this test from bench to bedside, it is essential to evaluate the test-performance in a multicenter setting in different molecular pathology laboratories. In this study, we have evaluated the EndoPredict (EP) assay in seven different molecular pathology laboratories in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. A set of ten formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumors was tested in the different labs, and the variance and accuracy of the EndoPredict assays were determined using predefined reference values. Extraction of a sufficient amount of RNA and generation of a valid EP score was possible for all 70 study samples (100%). The EP scores measured by the individual participants showed an excellent correlation with the reference values, respectively, as reflected by Pearson correlation coefficients ranging from 0.987 to 0.999. The Pearson correlation coefficient of all values compared to the reference value was 0.994. All laboratories determined EP scores for all samples differing not more than 1.0 score units from the pre-defined references. All samples were assigned to the correct EP risk group, resulting in a sensitivity and specificity of 100%, a concordance of 100%, and a kappa of 1.0. Taken together, the EndoPredict test could be successfully implemented in all seven participating laboratories and is feasible for reliable decentralized assessment of gene expression in luminal breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Face recognition is a primary social skill which depends on a distributed neural network. A pronounced face recognition deficit in the absence of any lesion is seen in congenital prosopagnosia. This study investigating 24 congenital prosopagnosic subjects and 25 control subjects aims at elucidating its neural basis with fMRI and voxel-based morphometry. We found a comprehensive behavioral pattern, an impairment in visual recognition for faces and buildings that spared long-term memory for faces with negative valence. Anatomical analysis revealed diminished gray matter density in the bilateral lingual gyrus, the right middle temporal gyrus, and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. In most of these areas, gray matter density correlated with memory success. Decreased functional activation was found in the left fusiform gyrus, a crucial area for face processing, and in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, whereas activation of the medial prefrontal cortex was enhanced. Hence, our data lend strength to the hypothesis that congenital prosopagnosia is explained by network dysfunction and suggest that anatomic curtailing of visual processing in the lingual gyrus plays a substantial role. The dysfunctional circuitry further encompasses the fusiform gyrus and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which may contribute to their difficulties in long-term memory for complex visual information. Despite their deficits in face identity recognition, processing of emotion related information is preserved and possibly mediated by the medial prefrontal cortex. Congenital prosopagnosia may, therefore, be a blueprint of differential curtailing in networks of visual cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disease not only affecting the basal ganglia, brainstem, cerebellum, and intermediolateral cell columns of the spinal cord but also the cerebral cortex. Clinically, cerebellar (MSA-C) and parkinsonian variants of MSA (MSA-P) are distinguished. We investigated 14 MSA patients (10 MSA-C, 4 MSA-P, men: 7, women: 7; age: 61.1 ± 3.3 years) and 14 matched controls (men: 7, women: 7; age: 58.6 ± 5.1 years) with voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to analyze gray and white matter differences both at baseline and at follow-up, 1 year later. Baseline comparisons between patients and controls confirmed significantly less gray matter in MSA in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex, and significantly less white matter in the cerebellar peduncles and brainstem. Comparisons of tissue-loss profiles (i.e., baseline versus follow-up) between patients and controls, revealed white matter reduction in MSA along the middle cerebellar peduncles, reflecting degeneration of the ponto-cerebellar tract as a particularly prominent and progressive morphological alteration in MSA. Comparisons between baseline and follow-up, separately performed in patients and controls, revealed additional white matter reduction in MSA along the corpus callosum at follow-up. This was replicated through additional shape-based analyses indicating a reduced callosal thickness in the anterior and posterior midbody, extending posteriorly into the isthmus. Callosal atrophy may possibly reflect a disease-specific pattern of neurodegeneration and cortical atrophy, fitting well with the predominant impairment of motor functions in the MSA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Lectins, and especially galectins, appear to be important in malignancy-associated processes. The aim was to analyse comprehensively the presence of galectins in urothelial tumours. Methods and results: Non-cross-reactive antibodies against seven family members from the three subgroups (prototype: galectin-1, -2 and -7; chimera type: galectin-3; tandem-repeat type: galectin-4, -8 and -9) were used. Gene expression was monitored in specimens of normal urothelium, fresh tumour tissue and cell lines by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The presence and evidence of tumour-associated up-regulation were shown for galectin-1 and -3. This was less clear-cut for galectin-4 and -8. Galectin-7 was expressed in all cell lines; galectin-2 and -9 were detected at comparatively low levels. Galectin-2, -3 and -8 up-regulation was observed in superficial tumours, but not in muscle-invasive tumours ( P < 0.05). Immunoreactivity correlated with tumour grading for galectin-1, -2 and -8, and disease-dependent mortality correlated with galectin-2 and -8 expression. Binding sites were visualized using labelled galectins. Conclusions: The results demonstrate a complex expression pattern of the galectin network in urothelial carcinomas. Galectin-1, -2, -3 and -8 are both potential disease markers and also possible targets for bladder cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Orthopäde is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: The options available after meniscus loss offer only limited chances for a long-term success. In the following experimental study, we investigated the effect of meniscus tissue engineering on properties of the collagen meniscus implant (CMI). Methods: Autologous fibrochondrocytes, obtained per biopsy from adult Merino sheep ( n=25), were released from the matrix, cultured in-vitro and seeded into CMI scaffolds ( n=10, group 1). Following a 3-week in-vitro culture, the tissue engineered menisci were used for autologous transplantation. Macroscopical and histological evaluation were performed in comparison with non-seeded CMI controls ( n=10, group 2) and with meniscus-resected controls ( n=5, group 3) after 3 weeks (each 1 animal group 1 and 2) and 3 months. Results: The lameness score did not show any difference between the groups. Meniscus tissue was found in seven knee joints (group 1), in five knee joints (group 2) and in two knee joints (group 3). The size of the transplants reduced from 25.9±4.5 to 20.1±10.8 mm (group 1) and from 25.9±1.5 to 14.4±12.5 mm (group 2). Histologically, enhanced vascularisation, accelerated scaffold re-modelling, higher content of extra-cellular matrix and lower cell number were noted in the pre-seeded menisci in comparison with non-seeded controls. Dense high-cellular fibrous scar tissue was found in two of five cases in the resection control group. Conclusion: Tissue engineering of meniscus with autologous fibrochondrocytes demonstrates a macroscopic and histological improvement of the transplants. However, further development of the methods, especially of the scaffold and of the cell-seeding procedure must prove the feasibility of this procedure for human applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been proposed that the right hemisphere alerting network co-activates, either directly or via the brainstem, the attention system in the parietal cortex involved in spatial attention. The observation that impaired alertness and sustained attention can predict the outcome of neglect might suggest such a relationship, too. In the present fMRI study, we intended to analyse and compare the functional anatomy of two attentional conditions both involving intrinsic (endogenous) alerting and fixation but differing with respect to the degree of spatially distributed attention by using the same paradigm under two different attentional conditions. In a group of ten participants, both a focused and a distributed visuospatial attention condition evoked similar patterns of activation in dorsolateral prefrontal regions, in the anterior cingulate gyrus, in the superior and inferior parietal cortex as well as in the superior temporal gyrus and in the thalamus. These activation foci were stronger in the right hemisphere under both conditions. After subtraction of the alertness condition with focused spatial attention, distributed spatial attention with stimuli appearing at unpredictable locations within both visual fields induced additional bilateral activations only in the left and right superior parietal cortex and in the right precuneus suggesting that these regions are specific for a more widespread dispersion of spatial attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: TGDc-01 in a new, portable, transpalpebral tonometry device. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of this method, including intraobserver and interobserver deviations, and to compare the results with those of Goldmann applanation tonometry and palpation of intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods: A total of 40 eyes of 20 healthy volunteers were included. Two independent parallel observer (1 and 2) performed three replicate measurements per eye, respectively, both using TGDc01 tonometry, one observer (3) performed three replicate measurements using Goldmann applanation tonometry, and one observer (4) measured the IOP via palpation. Intraindividual deviations within ad between both observers using TGDc-01 tonometry and between all three methods were investigated about clinically relevance by comparison of medians and quartiles, statistically significance by pairwise sign tests. Comparisons between observers and methods were based on averaged IOP values of the three individual measurements for each observer and each patient. Intraobserver deviations were analysed by means of Friedman tests. Results: Observers 1 and 2 showed a statistically significant intraobserver deviation when using TGCc-01 (Friedman p = 0.007 for observer 1 and p = 0.002 for observer 2). There was no statistically significant interobserver deviation between observers 1 and 2 (sign test p = 0.200); however, in 45% of the eyes interobserver deviations were larger than plus or minus 3 mm Hg. The median intraindividual deviation between TGDc-01 and Goldmann (TGDc-01 minus Goldmann) was 0 mm Hg (interquartile range -1; 2 mm Hg; sign test p = 0.522); but deviations were larger than plus or minus 3 mm Hg for 38% of the 40 eyes. Median intraindividual deviation between TGDc-01 and palpation (TGDc-01 minus palpation) was -2 mm Hg (interquartile range -4; 1 mm Hg; sign test p = 0.018), but deviations were larger than plus or minus 3 mmHg for 43% of eyes. Median intraindividual deviation between Goldmann and palpation (Palpation minus Goldmann) was 2 mm Hg (interquartile range -2; 4 mm Hg; p = 0.429), but deviations were larger than plus or minus 3 mm Hg in 48% of the eyes. Conclusion: Interobserver deviations using TGDc-01 tonometry and intraindividual deviations between TGDc-01 tonometry, Goldmann applanation tonometry, and palpation of IOP were found to be clinically relevant. Thus, according to our results TGDc-01 could not be established as a substitute or diagnostic alternative method for Goldmann applanation tonometry. But as deviations between TGDc-01 and Goldmann turned out smaller than between palpation of IOP and Goldmann, TGDc-01 seems to provide a better choice for tonometry in patients, in whom Goldmann applanation tonometry is not possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deployment of measurement equipment in passenger aircraft for the observation of atmospheric trace constituents is described. The package of automated instruments that is installed in a one-ton-capacity aircraft freight container positioned in the forward cargo bay of a Boeing 767 ER can register a vast amount of atmospheric data during regular long-distance flights. The air inlet system that is mounted on the fuselage directly below the container comprises an aerosol inlet, a separate inlet for trace-gas sampling, and an air exhaust. All instru-ments, the central computer, and power supply are mounted in aviation-approved racks that slide into the reinforced container. The current instrument package comprises a fast-response chemiluminescence sensor and a conventional UV absorption detector for O3 ; a gas chromatograph for CO; two condensation nuclei counters for particles larger than 5 and 12 nm; and a 12-canister large-capacity whole air sampler for laboratory trace-gas analysis and isotopic analysis of CO2 , CO, CH4 , and N2 0. First measurement results of the operational Civil Aircraft for Remote Sensing and In Situ Measurements in Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere Based on the Instrumentation Container Concept (CARIBIC) container are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a 1954 opinion research study carried out at Mannesmann A. G. among 539 workers by the Frankfurt Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt, Germany. The results show workers prioritized their work goals as good pay, secure jobs, and work recognition. Workers also favored a 40 hour week, participation in management, and profit sharing.