University of Bergen

About: University of Bergen is a education organization based out in Bergen, Hordaland, Norway. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 17106 authors who have published 52492 publications receiving 2009844 citations. The organization is also known as: Universitetet i Bergen & Universitas Bergensis.

Rolandic alpha and beta EEG rhythms' strengths are inversely related to fMRI-BOLD signal in primary somatosensory and motor cortex

Abstract: Similar to the posterior alpha rhythm, pericentral (Rolandic) EEG rhythms in the alpha and beta frequency range are referred to as "idle rhythms" indicating a "resting state" of the respective system. The precise function of these rhythms is not clear. We used simultaneous EEG-fMRI during a bimanual motor task to localize brain areas involved in Rolandic alpha and beta EEG rhythms. The identification of these rhythms in the MR environment was achieved by a blind source separation algorithm. Rhythm "strength", i.e. spectral power determined by wavelet analysis, inversely correlated most strongly with the fMRI-BOLD signal in the postcentral cortex for the Rolandic alpha (mu) rhythm and in the precentral cortex for the Rolandic beta rhythm. FMRI correlates of Rolandic alpha and beta rhythms were distinct from those associated with the posterior "classical" alpha rhythm, which correlated inversely with the BOLD signal in the occipital cortex. An inverse correlation with the BOLD signal in the respective sensory area seems to be a general feature of "idle rhythms".

Micro‐site effects of trees and shrubs in dry savannas

Abstract: . The physiognomy of dry savannas is described as a combination of discontinuous woody perennials and a continuous grassland matrix. Interactions between these two components are of vital importance for the persistence of a savanna landscape. Earlier savanna models have emphasized competitive interactions for water between the two components. Recent studies have argued that small-scale facilitating interactions between woody perennials and the herbaceous understorey are also important. This phenomenon has been given little theoretical consideration in the savanna literature, but it has been an important topic in agroforestry and arid-grassland ecology. This paper reviews some of the evidence for micro-site effects of trees and shrubs, and attempts to integrate their interactions with the surrounding open grassland. Woody perennials modify the microclimate by interception of solar radiation and rainfall. Their root systems extract nutrients horizontally and vertically, which are concentrated in the sub-canopy soil from litter decomposition and root turnover. Legumes are abundant in dry savannas, and may have symbiotic relationships with Rhizobium bacteria. This symbosis increases the availability of nitrogen in the soil. Isolated trees and shrubs initiate feedback mechanisms in their interactions with other organisms, and contribute to an uneven distribution of water and nutrients in dry savanna. This influences the species composition, and community diversity. Small-scale facilitating interaction between the woody and herbaceous components and competitive interaction on larger scales, are complementary processes which together explain a dynamic coexistence.

Guidelines for treatment of autoimmune neuromuscular transmission disorders.

Abstract: Background: Important progress has been made in our understanding of the autoimmune neuromuscular transmission (NMT) disorders; myasthenia gravis (MG), Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) and neuromyotonia (Isaacs syndrome). Methods: To prepare consensus guidelines for the treatment of the autoimmune NMT disorders, references retrieved from MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were considered and statements prepared and agreed on by disease experts. Conclusions: Anticholinesterase drugs should be given first in the management of MG, but with some caution in patients with MuSK antibodies (good practice point). Plasma exchange is recommended in severe cases to induce remission and in preparation for surgery (recommendation level B). IvIg and plasma exchange are effective for the treatment of MG exacerbations (recommendation level A). For patients with non-thymomatous MG, thymectomy is recommended as an option to increase the probability of remission or improvement (recommendation level B). Once thymoma is diagnosed, thymectomy is indicated irrespective of MG severity (recommendation level A). Oral corticosteroids are first choice drugs when immunosuppressive drugs are necessary (good practice point). When long-term immunosuppression is necessary, azathioprine is recommended to allow tapering the steroids to the lowest possible dose whilst maintaining azathioprine (recommendation level A). 3,4-Diaminopyridine is recommended as symptomatic treatment and IvIG has a positive short-term effect in LEMS (good practice point). Neuromyotonia patients should be treated with an antiepileptic drug that reduces peripheral nerve hyperexcitability (good practice point). For paraneoplastic LEMS and neuromyotonia optimal treatment of the underlying tumour is essential (good practice point). Immunosuppressive treatment of LEMS and neuromyotonia should be similar to MG (good practice point).