Background: Generally, older adults perform worse than younger adults in complex working memory span tasks. So far, it is unclear which processes mainly contribute to age-related differences in working memory span. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate age effects and the roles of proactive and coactive interference in a recognition-based version of the operation span task. Methods: Younger and older adults performed standard versions and distracter versions of the operation span task. At retrieval, participants had to recognize target words in word lists containing targets as well as proactive and/or coactive interference-related lures. Results: Results show that, overall, younger adults outperformed older adults in the recognition of target words. Furthermore, analyses of error types indicate that, while younger adults were only affected by simultaneously presented distracter words, older adults had difficulties with both proactive and coactive interference. Conclusion: Results suggest that age effects in complex span tasks may not be mainly due to retrieval deficits in old age. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Aim: The prevalence of dental erosion is still increasing. A possible preventive approach might be rinsing with edible oils to improve the protective properties of the pellicle layer. This was tested in the present in situ study using safflower oil. Methods: Pellicle formation was carried out in situ on bovine enamel slabs fixed buccally to individual upper jaw splints (6 subjects). After 1 min of pellicle formation subjects rinsed with safflower oil for 10 min, subsequently the samples were exposed in the oral cavity for another 19 min. Enamel slabs without oral exposure and slabs exposed to the oral cavity for 30 min without any rinse served as controls. After pellicle formation in situ, slabs were incubated in HCl (pH 2; 2.3; 3) for 120 s, and kinetics of calcium and phosphate release were measured photometrically (arsenazo III, malachite green). Furthermore, the ultrastructure of the pellicles was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: Pellicle alone reduced erosive calcium and phosphate release significantly at all pH values. Pellicle modification by safflower oil resulted in an enhanced calcium loss at all pH values and caused an enhanced phosphate loss at pH 2.3. TEM indicated scattered accumulation of lipid micelles and irregular vesicle-like structures attached to the oil-treated pellicle layer. Acid etching affected the ultrastructure of the pellicle irrespective of oil rinsing. Conclusion: The protective properties of the pellicle layer against extensive erosive attacks are limited and mainly determined by pH. The protective effects are modified and reduced by rinses with safflower oil. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Pulmonary embolism as a part of venous thromboembolic disease has a broad spectrum of clinical presentations from minimal disease to life-threatening right heart failure. Therapy has to be guided by the risk associated with the individual clinical state of the patient. As long as hemodynamics are entirely stable, anticoagulation is given in order to prevent early or late recurrence, thereby allowing for endogeneous thrombolysis and recovery. In hemodynamically instable patients, i.e. patients under cardiopulmonary resuscitation or in shock, there is the need for a rapid reduction of thrombus mass in order to restore right ventricular function. Systemic thrombolysis is the most feasible modality to reduce the thrombus burden of the pulmonary circulation in the short term. For hemodynamically stable patients with right ventricular dysfunction as assessed by echocardiography, there is still some controversy as to whether thrombolysis improves the long-term outcome. At the least, thrombolysis may positively modify the short-term course of acute disease in patients with an extremely low risk of bleeding. When the acute phase has been overcome, secondary prophylaxis with vitamin K antagonists has to be given. The duration of secondary prophylaxis requires an individual assessment of both the risk of recurrence and the risk of bleeding. In the near future, new anticoagulant drugs such as direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors will offer new treatment modalities for the acute phase as well as for secondary prophylaxis. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Introduction: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the standard stone treatment. Increased excretion of tubular enzymes and hypercalciuria has been reported after ESWL. We investigated the importance of renally induced hypercalciuria after ESWL. Material and Methods: 30 calcium oxalate stoneformers (23 men, 7 women), mean age 53.3 (range 30–71) years, were evaluated prospectively. Plasma calcium and creatinine concentrations and 8-hour overnight urine were measured before ESWL and on the 1st and 2nd days after ESWL. To estimate the changes of tubular reabsorption, the calcium/creatinine clearance ratios were calculated. Results: Hypercalciuria (>5 mmol/24 h) was seen in 5/30 (16.7%) before, in 12/30 (40.0%) on day 1 and in 13/30 (43.3%) on day 2 after ESWL. The mean plasma levels of calcium were significantly decreased from 2.36 mmol/l before to 2.28 mmol/l on day 2 after ESWL (p< 0.01). The mean calcium/creatinine clearance ratio was significantly increased from 0.012 before to 0.019 after ESWL (p< 0.01). Before and on day 2 after ESWL, the calcium/creatinine clearance ratio was significantly correlated with the age of the patients (r = 0.33, p< 0.04). Conclusion: Our data show an age-related significantly increased urine calcium excretion after ESWL possibly due to decreased tubular calcium reabsorption. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Introduction: Testicular microlithiasis is an uncommon condition characterized by calcifications within the seminiferous tubules. The true prevalence in a normal population has not been defined. Methods: A review of the literature with emphasis on the connection between testicular microlithiasis and testicular malignancy was carried out. Results: Testicular microlithiasis is associated with different testicular pathologies, including testicular cancer. However, a direct causative connection between testicular microlithiasis and testicular pathologies is not supported by the literature. Conclusions: Patients with testicular microlithiasis should be followed up regularly. Further investigations concerning the etiology of testicular microlithiasis remain to be done. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Background: Adiponectin circulates in the blood in three different multimer isoforms, of which the high molecular weight form (HMW) is presumed to mediate insulin sensitivity. We examined whether adiponectin oligomer distribution is associated with aging and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in octogenarians without characteristic features of metabolic syndrome. Methods: The study included 154 octogenarians (58 men, 96 women), 24 normoglycemic middle-aged controls (11 men, 13 women; mean age 44 years), and 33 middle-aged individuals (14 men, 19 women; mean age 55 years) with T2D. Based on oral glucose tolerance test 62 octogenarians had normal, 63 impaired glucose tolerance, and 29 octogenarians had newly detected T2D. Serum adiponectin multimer isoforms were measured after overnight fast by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results:Compared to the normoglycemic middle-aged control group, male normoglycemic octogenarians revealed significantly higher total adiponectin and all adiponectin isoforms. The same was true for females with the exception of low molecular weight (LMW) adiponectin, which was not statistically higher in octogenarians. Male and female octogenarians with T2D had significantly higher levels of total, HMW, and middle molecular weight (MMW) adiponectin, but not LMW adiponectin, than middle-aged individuals with T2D. Female, but not male, octogenarians revealed significantly lower total adiponectin than normoglycemic octogenarians. Compared with normoglycemic octogenarians, male and female octogenarians with T2D were characterized by significantly lower LMW adiponectin. In male and female octogenarians, total adiponectin and all multimer isoforms were directly correlated with HDL cholesterol. LMW adiponectin in octogenarians of both sexes was inversely correlated with glucose level at 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test. Conclusions: Serum levels of total adiponectin as well as its HMW and MMW isoforms were significantly higher in octogenarians with normoglycemia or T2D than in corresponding middle-aged control groups. In male and female octogenarians without metabolic syndrome, T2D was associated with lower LMW adiponectin, while the HMW and MMW isoforms were not statistically different. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Background/Aims: Temperament and mood swings are promising indicators for the characterization of mood spectrum vulnerability. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between affective temperament and mood swings in bipolar disorder. We explored these clinical features retrospectively. Methods: Patients who met the criteria for bipolar I disorder were enrolled in the study. Exclusion criteria were partial remittance and a full affective or psychotic episode. Data concerning illness and family history, mood swings (semistructured interview for mood swings) and depression (Beck, Depression Inventory) were obtained. We examined premorbid temperament with the validated German version Temps-M of the original version Temps-A. Patients with and without mood swings were compared with respect to the dominant temperament. Results: Out of 20 bipolar patients, 6 subjects reported mood swings prior to the onset of affective disorder. Subjects with mood swings prior to the onset of bipolar disorder significantly correlated with a positive family history of affective disorders. Concerning cyclothymic and irritable temperament, bipolar affective patients with mood swings had higher scores. No differences were found between males and females. Conclusion: Our findings go in line with previous results that mood swings, as represented by the cyclothymic temperament, are present prior to the first onset of bipolar disorder in a subset of patients. These traits may represent vulnerability markers and could presumably be used to identify individuals at high risk for developing bipolar disorder in order to prevent this illness. Further studies are indicated to clarify the correlation with genetic risk factors.

Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive treatment modality which can increase arterial blood flow in peripheral and coronary arterial disease. Several studies have demonstrated an increase in the flow of the internal iliacal artery and in carotid and renal perfusion during EECP treatment. We investigated the effect of EECP in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Thirteen patients were treated with EECP for 20 days, 1 h per day. Patients reported a significant improvement of penile rigidity after completion of the EECP treatment and a significant improvement of penile peak systolic flow was measured by Doppler sonography. No adverse effects were observed. In conclusion, EECP seems to be an effective treatment modality in patients with ED. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.