Brett Freedman

Maryse Fortin,Octavian Dobrescu,Peter Jarzem,Jean Ouellet,Michael H. Weber 대한척추외과학회 2018 Asian Spine Journal Vol.12 No.1

Study Design: Reliability study. Purpose: To examine the reliability of novice and experienced raters for measurements of the size and composition of the cervical extensor muscles using a thresholding technique. Overview of Literature: Although some authors have reported on the dependability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of the cervical muscles, there remains some variability regarding intrarater and interrater reliabilities, and few studies have examined the associated measurement error. Whether the rater’s experience noticeably influences the reliability and precision of such measurements has also not been examined. Methods: A sample of 10 patients with cervical pathologies was selected. Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), functional crosssectional area (FCSA), and signal intensity of the cervical extensor muscles were acquired from axial T2-weighted MRIs by a novice and an experienced rater. All measurements were obtained twice, at least 5 days apart, while the raters were blinded to all earlier measurements. Results: Interrater reliability estimates (intraclass correlation coefficients) varied between 0.84 and 0.99 for the novice rater and between 0.94 and 0.99 for the experienced rater, indicating excellent reliability. The standard error of measurement for the novice rater was, however, noticeably higher for all cervical muscle measurements. Most of the interrater estimates showed excellent agreement with the exception of CSA measurement of the semispinalis cervicis at C4–C7 and FCSA measurement of the multifidus and semispinalis cervicis at C4–C7, which showed poor interrater reliability. Conclusions: The proposed method of investigating cervical muscle measurements was highly reliable; however, novice raters should receive adequate training before using this method for diagnostic, research, and clinical purposes.

Is It Useful to Administer Probiotics Together With Proton Pump Inhibitors in Children With Gastroesophageal Reflux?

( Oana Belei ),( Laura Olariu ),( Andreea Dobrescu ),( Tamara Marcovici ),( Otilia Marginean ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2018 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.24 No.1

Background/Aims Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a frequent condition diagnosed in children and treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPI). Long-term PPI administration can alter intestinal bacterial population by suppressing the gastric acid barrier and may cause diarrhea. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth assessed by glucose hydrogen breath test among children that received 12 weeks of PPI with or without probiotics (Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938) associated, compared to controls. Methods Glucose hydrogen breath test was performed before PPI treatment and after 12 weeks of PPI treatment to 128 consecutive children with GERD (1-18 years old) and a control group (120 healthy children). The children with GERD were randomized into 2 groups: placebo group (64 who received PPI and placebo for 12 weeks) and probiotics group (64 who received PPI and probiotics for 12 weeks). Results After 12 weeks of treatment, dysbiosis was detected among 56.2% of children from placebo group (36/64), compared to 6.2% of children from the probiotics group (4/64, P < 0.001). Bacterial overgrowth was detected in 5% of controls (6/120). Probiotics group had a lower prevalence of dysbiosis, similar to controls (P = 0.740). Conclusion Probiotics administration decreased the rate of dysbiosis among children treated with PPI. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2018;24:51-57)

Doped Sol-gel TiO₂ Films for Biological Applications

Gartner, M.,Trapalis, C.,Todorova, N.,Giannakopoulou, T.,Dobrescu, G.,Anastasescu, M.,Osiceanu, P.,Ghita, A.,Enache, M.,Dumitru, L.,Stoica, T.,Zaharescu, M.,Bae, J.Y.,Suh, S.H. Korean Chemical Society 2008 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.29 No.5

Mono and multilayer TiO2(Fe, $PEG_{600}$) films were deposited by the dip-coating on $SiO_2$/glass substrate using sol-gel method. In an attempt to improve the antibacterial properties of doped $TiO_2$ films, the influence of the iron oxides and polyethilenglycol ($PEG_{600}$) on the morphological, optical, surface chemical composition and biological properties of nanostructured layers was studied. Complementary measurements were performed including Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with the fractal analysis, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and antibacterial tests. It was found that different concentrations of Fe and $PEG_{600}$ added to coating solution strongly influence the porosity and morphology at nanometric scale related to fractal behaviour and the elemental and chemical states of the surfaces as well. The thermal treatment under oxidative atmosphere leads to films densification and oxides phase stabilization. The antibacterial activity of coatings against Escherichia Coli bacteria was examined by specific antibacterial tests.

Doped Sol-gel TiO₂Films for Biological Applications

M. Gartner*,C. Trapalis,N. Todorova,T. Giannakopoulou,G. Dobrescu,M. Anastasescu,P. Osiceanu,A. Ghita,M. Enache,L. Dumitru,T. Stoica,§ M. Zaharescu,J. Y. Bae,S.-H. Su* 대한화학회 2008 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.29 No.5

Mono and multilayer TiO₂(Fe, PEG600) films were deposited by the dip-coating on SiO₂/glass substrate using sol-gel method. In an attempt to improve the antibacterial properties of doped TiO₂films, the influence of the iron oxides and polyethilenglycol (PEG600) on the morphological, optical, surface chemical composition and biological properties of nanostructured layers was studied. Complementary measurements were performed including Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with the fractal analysis, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and antibacterial tests. It was found that different concentrations of Fe and PEG600 added to coating solution strongly influence the porosity and morphology at nanometric scale related to fractal behaviour and the elemental and chemical states of the surfaces as well. The thermal treatment under oxidative atmosphere leads to films densification and oxides phase stabilization. The antibacterial activity of coatings against Escherichia Coli bacteria was examined by specific antibacterial tests.

Low Retinal Dehydrogenase 1 (RALDH1) Level in Prepubertal Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Possible Link to Dopamine Dysfunction?

Denis Paval,Florina Rad,Razvan Rusu,Alexandru-stefan Niculae,Horatiu Alexandru Colosi,Iuliana Dobrescu,Eleonora Dronca 대한정신약물학회 2017 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.15 No.3

Objective: Retinal dehydrogenase 1 (RALDH1) is a cytosolic enzyme which acts both as a source of retinoic acid (RA) and as a detoxification enzyme. RALDH1 has key functions in the midbrain dopaminergic system, which influences motivation, cogni-tion, and social behavior. Since dopamine has been increasingly linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we asked whether RALDH1 could contribute to the autistic phenotype. Therefore, we investigated for the first time the levels of RALDH1 in autistic patients. To further assess the detoxification function of RALDH1, we also explored 4-hydroxynonenal protein adducts (4-HNE PAs) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Moreover, considering the effect of testosterone on RALDH1 expression, we measured the second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D ratio) for both hands, which reflects exposure to prenatal testosterone. Methods: Male patients with ASD (n=18; age, 62.9±4.3 months) and healthy controls (n=13; age, 78.1±4.9 months) were examined. Erythrocyte RALDH1, serum 4-HNE PAs and erythrocyte GSH levels were measured using colorimetric assays, and digit lengths were measured using digital calipers. Results: We found significantly lower (−42.9%) RALDH1 levels in autistic patients as compared to controls (p=0.032). However, there was no difference in 4-HNE PAs levels ( p =0.368), GSH levels ( p =0.586), or 2D:4D ratios ( p =0.246 in the left hand, p =0.584 in the right hand) between healthy controls and autistic subjects. Conclusion: We concluded that a subset of autistic patients had a low RALDH1 level. These results suggest that low RALDH1 levels could contribute to the autistic phenotype by reflecting a dopaminergic dysfunction.