Lund University

About: Lund University is a education organization based out in Lund, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 42345 authors who have published 124676 publications receiving 5016438 citations. The organization is also known as: Lunds Universitet & University of Lund.

Abnormalities of cerebral blood flow distribution in patients with chronic schizophrenia

Abstract: Twenty patients with chronic schizophrenia were studied, m e younger group (four women and seven men, mean age 25 years) and one older group (nine women, mean age 61 years) with a mean duration of the disease of 5 years and 40 years respectively. All patients showed classical symptoms of schizophrenia with cognitive and emotional disturbances. The younger patients were well preserved intellectually. A11 the older o n e showed advanced deterioration with autism, bizarre behavior, symptoms of catatonia, ongoing hallucinations, etc. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured with the lS8Xenon method in the dominant hemisphere at rest and during attempts at mental activation, using a computer operated 32-detector type of equipment. Both groups showed normal mean rCBF variables. In the older group, and to some extent in the younger one, significant correlations were established between the mean hemisphere flow level and the degree of psychosis (rated with the Rockland and Pollin scale (RP-scale)). The regional rCBF distribution was by and large normal in the younger group with a predominance of high flows in frontal regions. In the older patients, another pattern was found with relatively low flows frontally, and, in many cases, relatively high flows occipito-temporally. This “hypofrontal” rCBF pattern in the deteriorated schizophrenics differed not only from the pattern found in the non-psychotic, neurologically normal reference group but afso from a group of older patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The flow level in occipito-temporal parts of the hemisphere in the schizophrenics correlated positively to the degree of cognitive disturbance rated with the RP-scale. Psychological testing with Raven’s matrices in the younger group gave by and large normal flow augmentations within expected hemisphere regions. In the most autistic older patients, only very slight flow changes, if any at all, were recorded postcentrally in connection with a simple picture test. Some of the older patients with whom contact was established, did, however, show fairly normal rCBF changes during this test. The “hypofrontal” rCBF distribution pattern at a normal flow level found in older deteriorated schizophrenics indicates that an abnormally low level of activity may prevail within the frontal lobe in such patients. Some similarities between the emotional defects, the speech and motor abnormalities seen in chronic schizophrenia, and symptoms found in patients with frontal lobe lesions are pointed out.

Common Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Measurements in Cardiovascular Risk Prediction A Meta-analysis

Abstract: Context: The evidence that measurement of the common carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) improves the risk scores in prediction of the absolute risk of cardiovascular events is inconsistent. Objective: To determine whether common CIMT has added value in 10-year risk prediction of first-time myocardial infarctions or strokes, above that of the Framingham Risk Score. Data Sources: Relevant studies were identified through literature searches of databases (PubMed from 1950 to June 2012 and EMBASE from 1980 to June 2012) and expert opinion. Study Selection: Studies were included if participants were drawn from the general population, common CIMT was measured at baseline, and individuals were followed up for first-time myocardial infarction or stroke. Data Extraction: Individual data were combined into 1 data set and an individual participant data meta-analysis was performed on individuals without existing cardiovascular disease. Results: We included 14 population-based cohorts contributing data for 45 828 individuals. During a median follow-up of 11 years, 4007 first-time myocardial infarctions or strokes occurred. We first refitted the risk factors of the Framingham Risk Score and then extended the model with common CIMT measurements to estimate the absolute 10-year risks to develop a first-time myocardial infarction or stroke in both models. The C statistic of both models was similar (0.757; 95% CI, 0.749-0.764; and 0.759; 95% CI, 0.752-0.766). The net reclassification improvement with the addition of common CIMT was small (0.8%; 95% CI, 0.1%-1.6%). In those at intermediate risk, the net reclassification improvement was 3.6% in all individuals (95% CI, 2.7%-4.6%) and no differences between men and women. Conclusion: The addition of common CIMT measurements to the Framingham Risk Score was associated with small improvement in 10-year risk prediction of first-time myocardial infarction or stroke, but this improvement is unlikely to be of clinical importance.

Towards an Evolutionary Perspective on Regional Resilience

Abstract: Boschma R. Towards an evolutionary perspective on regional resilience, Regional Studies. This paper proposes an evolutionary perspective on regional resilience. It conceptualizes resilience not just as the ability of a region to accommodate shocks, but extends it to the long-term ability of regions to develop new growth paths. A comprehensive view on regional resilience is proposed in which history is key to understand how regions develop new growth paths, and in which industrial, network and institutional dimensions of resilience come together. Resilient regions are capable of overcoming a trade-off between adaptation and adaptability, as embodied in related and unrelated variety, loosely coupled networks and loosely coherent institutional structures.