University of Göttingen

About: University of Göttingen is a education organization based out in Göttingen, Germany. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Gene. The organization has 43851 authors who have published 86318 publications receiving 3010295 citations. The organization is also known as: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen & Universität Göttingen.

The efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy in specific psychiatric disorders: a meta-analysis.

Abstract: Background The efficacy of psychodynamic therapy is controversial Previous meta-analyses have reported discrepant results Objective To test the efficacy of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) in specific psychiatric disorders by performing a meta-analysis of more recent studies We assessed outcomes in target problems, general psychiatric symptoms, and social functioning Design We identified studies of STPP published between January 1, 1970, and September 30, 2004, by means of a computerized search using MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Current Contents Rigorous inclusion criteria, included randomized controlled trials, use of treatment manuals and ensurance of treatment integrity, therapists experienced or specifically trained in STPP, treatment of patients with specific psychiatric disorders, reliable and valid diagnostic measures, and data necessary to calculate effect sizes Studies of interpersonal therapy were excluded Seventeen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria The information was extracted by 3 raters Effect sizes were calculated for target problems, general psychiatric symptoms, and social functioning using the data published in the original studies To examine the stability of outcome, we assessed effect sizes separately for end of therapy and follow-up assessment The effect sizes of STPP were compared with those of waiting-list control patients, treatments as usual, and other forms of psychotherapy Results Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy yielded significant and large pretreatment-posttreatment effect sizes for target problems (139), general psychiatric symptoms (090), and social functioning (080) These effect sizes were stable and tended to increase at follow-up (157, 095, and 119, respectively) The effect sizes of STPP significantly exceeded those of waiting-list controls and treatments as usual No differences were found between STPP and other forms of psychotherapy Conclusions Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy proved to be an effective treatment in psychiatric disorders However, further research of STPP in specific psychiatric disorders is needed, including a study of the active ingredients of STPP Effectiveness studies should be included

Rehabilitation of gait after stroke: a review towards a top-down approach.

Abstract: This document provides a review of the techniques and therapies used in gait rehabilitation after stroke. It also examines the possible benefits of including assistive robotic devices and brain-computer interfaces in this field, according to a top-down approach, in which rehabilitation is driven by neural plasticity. The methods reviewed comprise classical gait rehabilitation techniques (neurophysiological and motor learning approaches), functional electrical stimulation (FES), robotic devices, and brain-computer interfaces (BCI). From the analysis of these approaches, we can draw the following conclusions. Regarding classical rehabilitation techniques, there is insufficient evidence to state that a particular approach is more effective in promoting gait recovery than other. Combination of different rehabilitation strategies seems to be more effective than over-ground gait training alone. Robotic devices need further research to show their suitability for walking training and their effects on over-ground gait. The use of FES combined with different walking retraining strategies has shown to result in improvements in hemiplegic gait. Reports on non-invasive BCIs for stroke recovery are limited to the rehabilitation of upper limbs; however, some works suggest that there might be a common mechanism which influences upper and lower limb recovery simultaneously, independently of the limb chosen for the rehabilitation therapy. Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) enables researchers to detect signals from specific regions of the cortex during performance of motor activities for the development of future BCIs. Future research would make possible to analyze the impact of rehabilitation on brain plasticity, in order to adapt treatment resources to meet the needs of each patient and to optimize the recovery process.

Draft genome sequence of the oilseed species Ricinus communis

Abstract: Castor bean (Ricinus communis) is an oilseed crop that belongs to the spurge (Euphorbiaceae) family, which comprises approximately 6,300 species that include cassava (Manihot esculenta), rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) and physic nut (Jatropha curcas). It is primarily of economic interest as a source of castor oil, used for the production of high-quality lubricants because of its high proportion of the unusual fatty acid ricinoleic acid. However, castor bean genomics is also relevant to biosecurity as the seeds contain high levels of ricin, a highly toxic, ribosome-inactivating protein. Here we report the draft genome sequence of castor bean (4.6-fold coverage), the first for a member of the Euphorbiaceae. Whereas most of the key genes involved in oil synthesis and turnover are single copy, the number of members of the ricin gene family is larger than previously thought. Comparative genomics analysis suggests the presence of an ancient hexaploidization event that is conserved across the dicotyledonous lineage.

Monocyte/macrophage differentiation in early multiple sclerosis lesions.

Abstract: Monocyte/macrophage differentiation was studied in biopsy samples of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions obtained in the early course of the disease. Macrophages were identified by immunocytochemistry using a panel of antibodies recognizing different macrophage-activation antigens. The number of cells stained with each antibody was related to the demyelinating activity of the lesions as detected by the presence of myelin degradation products. The pan-macrophage marker Ki-M1P revealed the highest numbers of macrophages in early and late active lesions. Lower numbers were encountered in inactive, demyelinated, or remyelinated lesions. The acute stage inflammatory macrophage markers MRP14 and 27E10 were expressed in either only early active (MRP14) or early and late active (27E10) lesions, thus allowing the identification of actively demyelinating lesions. The chronic stage inflammatory macrophage marker 25F9, in contrast, showed increasing expression with decreasing lesional activity. These findings indicate a differentiated pattern of macrophage activation in MS lesions and allow the staging of demyelinating lesions in routinely fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue.