Female Sprague Dawley Rats Show Impaired Spatial Memory in the 8-Arm Radial Maze under Dim Blue and Red Light

Light intensity and wavelength strongly influence mood and cognition in humans and rodent animal models. The aim of the present study was to explore if dim white (7.6–17.7 lux) , blue (1.3–2.3 lux), and red light (0.8–1.4 lux) affect spatial memory of male and female Sprague Dawley rats in the 8-arm radial maze. Our data show that spatial memory significantly improved within 5 daily learning sessions (each 5 trials) under dim white light, which was not different between male and female rats. However, dim blue and red light significantly reduced spatial learning of female rats in the 8-arm radial maze in the last training session (session 5). In conclusion, we suggest that female Sprague Dawley rats show reduced learning under blue and red light

Performance Score (T2D)-A New Perspective in the Assessment of Six-Minute Walking Tests in Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Because absolute changes in outcomes are difficult to interpret and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is not suitable to address this challenge, a novel method of classifying outcomes by relating changes to baseline values is warranted. We used the "performance score" (T2D), which reflects individual performance, enabling us to consider the functional status at the beginning of rehabilitation without dealing with the problems of mathematical coupling or regression effects, as encountered in ANCOVA. To illustrate the T2D, we retrospectively analyzed changes in the six-minute walking test (6MWT) in COPD patients undergoing outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation and compared the results with absolute differences related to a predetermined MCID. We evaluated a total of 575 COPD patients with a mean age of 61.4 ± 9.2 years. 6MWT improved significantly, with a mean change of 32.3 ± 71.2. A total of 105/311 participants who had reached the MCID were still classified as "below average" by the T2D. Conversely, 76/264 patients who had not reached the MCID were classified as "above average". This new performance measure accounts for the patient's current status and for changes over time, potentially representing a simple and user-friendly tool that can be used to quantify a patient's performance and response to rehabilitation

Homocysteine, hyperhomocysteinemia and vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID).

Homocysteine is produced physiologically in all cells, and is present in plasma of healthy individuals (plasma [HCy]: 3-10μM). While rare genetic mutations (CBS, MTHFR) cause severe hyperhomocysteinemia ([HCy]: 100-200μM), mild-moderate hyperhomocysteinemia ([HCy]: 10-100μM) is common in older people, and is an independent risk factor for stroke and cognitive impairment. As B-vitamin supplementation (B6, B12 and folate) has well-validated homocysteine-lowering efficacy, this may be a readily-modifiable risk factor in vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). Here we review the biochemical and cellular actions of HCy related to VCID. Neuronal actions of HCy were at concentrations above the clinically-relevant range. Effects of HCy <100μM were primarily vascular, including myocyte proliferation, vessel wall fibrosis, impaired nitric oxide signalling, superoxide generation and pro-coagulant actions. HCy-lowering clinical trials relevant to VCID are discussed. Extensive clinical and preclinical data support HCy as a mediator for VCID. In our view further trials of combined B-vitamin supplementation are called for, incorporating lessons from previous trials and from recent experimental work. To maximise likelihood of treatment effect, a future trial should: supply a high-dose, combination supplement (B6, B12 and folate); target the at-risk age range; and target cohorts with low baseline B-vitamin status. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia edited by M. Paul Murphy, Roderick A. Corriveau and Donna M. Wilcock

Storage Virtualisierung mit FalconStor NSS im SAN des Landeskrankenhaus – Universitätskliniken Innsbruck

Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit dem Thema Storage Virtualisierung im Storage Area Network. Im theoretischen Teil werden Grundlagen zu Storage, Protokollen und Storage Area Networks gezeigt und eine Übersicht über Storage Virtualisierungsprodukte betrachtet. Im praktischen Teil der Arbeit wird die Einführung von FalconStor NSS im SAN des Landeskrankenhaus – Universitätskliniken Innsbruck diskutiert. Es wird die Installation der FalconStor NSS Umgebung und die Migration (Virtualisierung) von SAN Disken aufgezeigt. Außerdem wird versucht einen Ausblick in die Zukunft der Storage Virtualisierung zu tätigen

Utopia and Reality of do-it-yourself projects. Potencials of proactive projects in Vienna

Abweichender Titel laut Übersetzung der Verfasserin/des VerfassersZsfassung in engl. SpracheDiese Arbeit behandelt das eigeninitiierte Gestalten und Formen des Stadtraumes durch die Bewoh- nerInnen selbst, das Selbermachen im urbanen Raum. Untersucht werden diese Phänomene in der Stadt Wien, wo selbstbestimmtes Stadtgestalten zunehmend Aufwind erfährt. Es werden sowohl die Utopien, die Zielvorstellungen und Anliegen der AkteurInnen, als auch die Realitäten des Selber- machens aufgezeigt, die oft von Hindernissen geprägt sind. Ein besonderes Augenmerk liegt auf der räumlichen Ausformung der neu geschaffenen Stadträume. Eine theoretische und analytische Auseinandersetzung soll zeigen, ob Eigeninitiativ-Projekte Räume schaffen, die sich von herkömmlich geplanten unterscheiden. Die Qualitäten und Eigenschaften von selbstgeschaffenen Räumen werden untersucht. Der Umgang der Stadtverwaltung in Wien mit dem eigeninitiierten Handeln der BewohnerInnen stellt den zweiten Schwerpunkt dar. Es wird aufgezeigt welche Rolle die Stadtverwaltung und -Planung in Wien gegenüber dem Selbermachen einnimmt und wie sich diese Rolle in Zukunft entwickeln könnte. Den Fragen wird sowohl auf theoretischer Basis, als auch durch die Analyse von zwei historischen und drei aktuellen Projekten in Wien nachgegangen.This thesis observes self-initiated design of urban space by the citizens themselves, so called do-it -yourself projects. The location for the observation is the city of Vienna, where do-it-yourself projects currently witness an increase in popularity. The thesis treats the goals and wishes of initiatives acting in urban space, their utopias, as well as the complex realities of do-it-yourself. The first focus of the paper is on the spatial patterns that derive from this form of informal development. A combination of theoretical research and analytical examination will reveal if do-it-yourself spaces differ from conventionally planned spaces. Qualities and Characteristics of self-created spaces are being analyzed. The second focus rests on the relationship between city government and planning and do-it-yourself initiatives. The current role of city government in the do-it-yourself process and possible perspectives for the future are examined. The questions of the paper will be resolved on the basis of theoretical research and the analysis of two historical and three current projects in Vienna.28

Galactose Counteracts Hypoglycemia-Induced Decline of Cholinergic Neurons at Low pH in Organotypic Rat Brain Slices of the Basal Nucleus of Meynert

A growing body of evidence indicates that hypoglycemia and acidosis may contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The cell death of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons constitutes a hallmark of AD and directly correlates with cognitive impairment. The aim of the present study was to investigate, in an organotypic rat brain slice model of the basal nucleus of Meynert, the effects of glucose deprivation on cholinergic neurons under normal and acidic conditions. Furthermore, we were interested to explore whether different saccharides (galactose, fructose, saccharose, lactose) can replace glucose under low pH conditions. Our data show a pH-dependent survival of cholinergic neurons at a high (37.1 mmol/l) glucose level, which was markedly decreased at a low (5.6 mmol/l) glucose level. Galactose (+31.5 mmol/l) significantly counteracted the loss of choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons in low-glucose-treated slices, while fructose, lactose and saccharose only partly protected cholinergic neurons. In conclusion, our results indicate that replacement of glucose with different saccharides, but most potently with galactose, protects cholinergic neurons against hypoglycemia at a low pH.</jats:p