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Accurate prediction of specific absorption rate (SAR) for high field MRI is necessary to best exploit its potential and guarantee safe operation. To reduce the effort (time, complexity) of SAR simulations while maintaining robust results, the minimum requirements for the creation (segmentation, labeling) of human models and methods to reduce the time for SAR calculations for 7 Tesla MR-imaging are evaluated. The geometric extent of the model required for realistic head-simulations and the number of tissue types sufficient to form a reliable but simplified model of the human body are studied. Two models (male and female) of the virtual family are analyzed. Additionally, their position within the head-coil is taken into account. Furthermore, the effects of retuning the coils to different load conditions and the influence of a large bore radiofrequency-shield have been examined. The calculation time for SAR simulations in the head can be reduced by 50% without significant error for smaller model extent and simplified tissue structure outside the coil. Likewise, the model generation can be accelerated by reducing the number of tissue types. Local SAR can vary up to 14% due to position alone. This must be considered and sets a limit for SAR prediction accuracy. All these results are comparable between the two body models tested. Magn Reson Med 69:1157-1168, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In recent years, there has been increased research interest in the functioning of working memory in people with intellectual disabilities. Although studies have repeatedly found these individuals to have weak working memory skills, few investigations have distinguished between different degrees of intellectual disability. This study aims to help close this research gap and, in so doing, to examine whether the deficits observed reflect a developmental lag or a qualitative deviation from normal development. Method In a 5-group design, the working memory performance of a group of 15-year-olds with mild intellectual disability (IQ 50–69) was compared with that of two groups of children (aged 10 and 15 years) with borderline intellectual disability (IQ 70–84) and with that of two groups of children with average intellectual abilities (IQ 90–115) matched for mental and chronological age (aged 7 and 15 years). All children were administered a comprehensive battery of tests assessing the central executive, the visual-spatial sketchpad, and the phonological loop. Results The results showed deficits in all three components of working memory, and revealed that these deficits increased with the degree of intellectual disability. The findings indicate that, relative to their mental age peers, children with learning difficulties show structural abnormalities in the phonological store of the phonological loop, but developmental lags in the other two subsystems. Conclusions Similar patterns of results emerged for both subgroups of children with intellectual disability, indicating that problems with phonological information processing seem to be one of the causes of cognitive impairment in individuals with intellectual disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the occurrence of hair disorder, monilethrix. Analysis on two siblings with triple combination of monilethrix, keratosis pilaris and koilonychia; Effect of hormonal influence on the hair growth; Clinical description of patients with monilethrix.

Baker and confectioner apprentices have been included in a prospective follow-up study in the region of East Thuringia, to evaluate risk factors for the development of hand dermatitis. Starting in August 1996, the apprentices have been interviewed and examined in a standardized way right at the beginning (n=91) of their vocational training, 6 (n=79) and 12 months (n=63) later. To gain objective data, TEWL score was also assessed at 3 standardized sites on the hands. In their case histories, 3.3% (n=3) of the apprentices reported hand dermatitis. The 1st assessment after 2 to 4 weeks vocational training revealed hand eczema in 17.5% (n=16) of the individuals. At the follow-up after 6 months of training 29.1% (n=23), and after 12 month of training 27.0% (n=17), of the apprentices had hand dermatitis of mild to moderate severity. Within 6 months, the TEWL score rose significantly (p<0.001) from 11.9 g m[sup -2] h[sup -] (±5.4) to 16.8 g m[sup -2] h[sup -1] (±9.5). After 12 months, the TEWL score was 14.9 g m[sup -2] h[sup -1] (±4.6). For the atopic skin diathesis (>10 points of Diepgen's atopy score), there was a significant tendency to be a predictive factor for the development of occupational hand dermatitis. TEWL score failed to correlate with the development of skin damage in our study. The same was true for respiratory atopy and metal sensitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on 3 cases of adverse cutaneous drug reactions of erythema multiforme type. Despite the serious previous clinical conditions, patch tests with the possible causative drugs have been reformed in all our patients, because or multiple candidate drugs and the need of the patients for further treatment with at least some of the agents. We demonstrate that patch tests are a good and safe approach to initial evaluation of the nature of a cutaneous drug reaction. In the case of a positive patch test reaction to one of the substances, re-exposure to the non-reactants in a clinical setting is recommended. If a one-side-blinded placebo-controlled challenge test is well tolerated, then the clinician should he able to reintroduce drugs previously suspected as causing the allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

791 patients, among them 59 dental technicians and 732 other patients were tested with the denture material series (DMS) recommended by the German Contact Dermatitis Research Group (DKG) in the hospitals of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) between January 1990 and July 1993. Most frequently, positive reactions occurred to cadmium chloride in both groups. However, there was no evidence at all for relevance a these reactions. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) ranked 2nd in patch test positivity. Although not statistically significant, reactions were more frequent in dental technicians, who might be exposed to BPO the in working environment. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) were common sensitizers in dental technicians but not in other patients. This finding, too, has its, explanation in the working process of manufacturing dental prostheses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the correlation of clinical scoring and serologic markers of inflammation in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), total serum IgE, IgG and IgM anti-IgE antibodies, and IgE immune complexes were evaluated in monitoring inflammatory sin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Well-established clinical activity scores were used as standards in recording skin improvement under treatment in a clinical setting. Serum ECP was found to be increased in both atopic dermatitis and psoriasis patients compared to normal controls; sIL-2R and IgE immune complexes were increased only in atopics with increased only in atopics with increased serum IgE. Anti-IgE antibodies did not show any deviation in both groups of patients. There was a significant elevation of sIL-2R and IgE immune complexes and a nonsignificant elevation of ECP in high-IgE atopics in comparison to those with normal serum IgE. In both groups of patients there was a significant reduction of ECP and sIL-2R accompanying the improving skin condition. Serum IgE and the other immune parameters failed to respond. In contrast to other studies, serum ECP failed to correspond significantly with disease activity in our study. Our results showed measurable changes of ECP and sIL-2R for atopic dermatitis and/or psoriasis under treatment, but comparison to clinical scores remains difficult due to the different basis of the two systems. The only significant correlation was established for relative changes in sIL-2R and psoriasis area and intensity (PASI), a correlation which might be a useful approach in psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated whether patients with contact allergy differed from non-contact-allergic, non-atopic controls with regard to genotype and phenotype of the polymorphic enzyme N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2). 55 contact-allergic patients recruited from the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) were compared to 85 controls from among local health care personnel. NAT2 activity was calculated from HPLC analysis of the ratio of the caffeine metabolites 5-acetylamino-6-formylamino-3-methyluracil (AFMU) and 1-methylxanthine (1MX) in the urine. NAT2 genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A statistically significantly increased proportion of rapid acetylators was found in contact-allergic patients. This may have 2 possible implications: acetylation may enhance contact sensitization; or NAT2 status may be a genetic marker for contact sensitizability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a case report of a 56-year-old man presented with a generalized painful follicular pustular eruption. His skin was pre-erythrodermic and he had pruritus, painful swelling, severe dizziness, low-grade pyrexia and nausea. He had been treated for a dental abscess with oral propicillin and analgesics. Systemic corticosteroids and antihistamnes were prescribed and propicillin substituted with ciprofloxacin. He had never had any disease or allergy before, his only chronic disease being hypertension. An 8 mm punch biopsy taken from the left forearm four days after discontinuation of propicillin, showed necrobiosis of the upper epidermis, with small vesicles. Large numbers of granulocytes were invading the epidermis.

The article focuses on allergic contact dermatitis from topical diclofenac. In 1984 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were responsible for 21% of all drug-induced side-effects observed by the FDA. Cutaneous side-effects of NSAIDs are quite common, but are usually pseudoallergic reactions occurring during systemic treatment. Diclofenac belongs to the arylacanoic acid group, along with bufexamac and mefenamic, meclofenantic, tiufenarnic, tolfenamic and etofenamic acids. Diclofenac has seemed to have a low rate of cutaneous side-effects.

This article presents a case report of 31-year-old woman presented with generalized urticaria. The 1st mild to moderate episode occurred when she was working in a freshly painted office, the 2nd when she was painting her apartment with a water-based wall paint. The 2nd time, she experienced a severe urticarial flare which required hospitalization. 4 weeks after complete healing of the lesions, she was patch tested with the DKG standard series. A prick test with the undiluted wall paint and CMI 0.01% aq. was negative. Other prick tests with aeroallergens and latex remained negative.

Is MEG source analysis able to precisely locate the primary focal epileptic activity? 22 patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy were recorded during presurgical evaluation simultaneously with multichannel MEG/EEG and invasive (subdural) electrodes to evaluate the increase of information gained by MEG concerning the localization of focal epileptic activity and lesions. With this systematic study it should become clearer how often MEG can establish a diagnostic bridge between function and morphology. In addition, MEG localization accuracy of focal epileptic activity was to be validated empirically by invasive EEG recordings and postsurgical outcome. Spikes in the MEG were used for magnetic source localization, and the result was combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All patients definitely suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy and revealed a structural abnormality in MRI. 17 patients with lesions in the temporal lobe were operated meanwhile and became markedly improved or seizure free. In 7 of 8 patients with a tumor and validated operation outcome, a very close correlation of the 3D-magnetic source localization and the border of the tumor in the brain was found (distance less than 10 mm). In 8 of 9 patients with a temporal/hippocampal atrophy and validated operation outcome, dipoles of epileptiform activity were located within the atrophic lobe.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)