University of Iowa

About: University of Iowa is a education organization based out in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 49229 authors who have published 109171 publications receiving 5021465 citations. The organization is also known as: UI & The University of Iowa.

Severe disturbance of higher cognition after bilateral frontal lobe ablation Patient EVR

Abstract: After bilateral ablation of orbital and lower mesial frontal cortices, a patient had profound changes of behavior that have remained stable for 8 years. Although he could not meet personal and professional responsibilities, his “measurable” intelligence was superior, and he was therefore considered a “malingerer.” Neurologic and neuropsychological examinations were otherwise intact. CT, MRI, and SPET revealed a localized lesion of the orbital and lower mesial frontal cortices. All other cerebral areas had normal structure and radioactivity patterns. Such impairments of motivation and complex social behavior were not seen in control cases with superior mesial or dorsolateral frontal lesions.

Plasma crystal: Coulomb crystallization in a dusty plasma.

Abstract: A macroscopic Coulomb crystal of solid particles in a plasma has been observed Images of a cloud of $7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\mu}m$ "dust" particles, which are charged and levitated in a weakly ionized argon plasma, reveal a hexagonal crystal structure The crystal is visible to the unaided eye The particles are cooled by neutral gas to 310 K, and their charge is $g9800e$, corresponding to a Coulomb coupling parameter $\ensuremath{\Gamma}g20 700$ For such a large $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ value, strongly coupled plasma theory predicts that the particles should organize in a Coulomb solid, in agreement with our observations

Effects of Continuing or Stopping Alendronate After 5 Years of Treatment The Fracture Intervention Trial Long-term Extension (FLEX): A Randomized Trial

Abstract: ContextThe optimal duration of treatment of women with postmenopausal osteoporosis is uncertain.ObjectiveTo compare the effects of discontinuing alendronate treatment after 5 years vs continuing for 10 years.Design and SettingRandomized, double-blind trial conducted at 10 US clinical centers that participated in the Fracture Intervention Trial (FIT).ParticipantsOne thousand ninety-nine postmenopausal women who had been randomized to alendronate in FIT, with a mean of 5 years of prior alendronate treatment.InterventionRandomization to alendronate, 5 mg/d (n = 329) or 10 mg/d (n = 333), or placebo (n = 437) for 5 years (1998-2003).Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome measure was total hip bone mineral density (BMD); secondary measures were BMD at other sites and biochemical markers of bone remodeling. An exploratory outcome measure was fracture incidence.ResultsCompared with continuing alendronate, switching to placebo for 5 years resulted in declines in BMD at the total hip (−2.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], −2.9% to −1.8%; P<.001) and spine (−3.7%; 95% CI, −4.5% to −3.0%; P<.001), but mean levels remained at or above pretreatment levels 10 years earlier. Similarly, those discontinuing alendronate had increased serum markers of bone turnover compared with continuing alendronate: 55.6% (P<.001) for C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen, 59.5% (P < .001) for serum N = propeptide of type 1 collagen, and 28.1% (P<.001) for bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, but after 5 years without therapy, bone marker levels remained somewhat below pretreatment levels 10 years earlier. After 5 years, the cumulative risk of nonvertebral fractures (RR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.76-1.32) was not significantly different between those continuing (19%) and discontinuing (18.9%) alendronate. Among those who continued, there was a significantly lower risk of clinically recognized vertebral fractures (5.3% for placebo and 2.4% for alendronate; RR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.24-0.85) but no significant reduction in morphometric vertebral fractures (11.3% for placebo and 9.8% for alendronate; RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.60-1.22). A small sample of 18 transilial bone biopsies did not show any qualitative abnormalities, with bone turnover (double labeling) seen in all specimens.ConclusionsWomen who discontinued alendronate after 5 years showed a moderate decline in BMD and a gradual rise in biochemical markers but no higher fracture risk other than for clinical vertebral fractures compared with those who continued alendronate. These results suggest that for many women, discontinuation of alendronate for up to 5 years does not appear to significantly increase fracture risk. However, women at very high risk of clinical vertebral fractures may benefit by continuing beyond 5 years.Trial Registrationclinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT 00398931