In vivo cerebral metabolism and central benzodiazepine-receptor binding in temporal lobe epilepsy

Positron emission tomography measured interictal cerebral glucose metabolism with [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose and central benzodiazepine-receptor binding with [11C]flumazenil in 10 mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients and in normal subjects. Eight TLE patients had mesial temporal, lateral temporal, and thalamic hypometabolism ipsilateral to EEG ictal onsets, with additional extratemporal hypometabolism in four. One had unilateral anterior mesial temporal hypometabolism only, and one had normal metabolism. Each patient had decreased benzodiazepine-receptor binding in the ipsilateral anterior mesial temporal region, without neocortical changes. Thus, interictal metabolic dysfunction is variable and usually extensive in TLE, whereas decreased central benzodiazepine-receptor density is more restricted to mesial temporal areas. Metabolic patterns in TLE may reflect diaschisis, while benzodiazepine-receptor changes may reflect localized neuronal and synaptic loss that is specific to the epileptogenic zone. [11C]Flumazenil imaging may be useful in presurgical evaluation of refractory complex partial seizures.     

Modulation of neonatal rat hypoglossal motoneuron excitability by serotonin

The effects of 5-HT on neonatal rat hypoglossal motoneurons (HMs) were studied in two in vitro slice preparations. Serotonin caused either reversible depolarization or the generation of an inward current (I5-HT) in every cell tested. I5-HT persisted after synaptic blockade. In most of the cells tested, the magnitude of I5-HT was independent of membrane potential (-50 to -120 mV), and 5-HT had little effect on input resistance or slope conductance. In addition, 5-HT significantly reduced the amplitude of the post-spike medium-duration afterhyperpolarization. This reduction probably contributed to the resulting increase in the slope of the relationship describing the steady-state firing frequency response to injected current (f-I) observed in the presence of 5-HT. Thus, 5-HT increases the excitability of neonatal HMs via at least two different postsynaptic mechanisms.     

镍钼共生矿加压酸浸动力学研究

采用氧压酸浸工艺处理镍钼共生矿。结果表明,钼、镍、铁的浸出率均随着温度的升高、时间的延长基本呈线性上升的趋势,钼、镍的浸出率最高分别达到67.50%、99.62%,而铁的浸出率被抑制在50%以下。经氧压酸浸处理得到的钼渣基本以H_2MO_4形态存在,常规碱浸工艺能将其高效浸出且碱耗量大大降低。动力学研究表明,镍钼共生矿氧压酸浸过程中钼、镍、铁浸出反应的表观活化能分别为11.37、34.95、18.44kJ/mol,钼、镍、铁的浸出反应速率受内扩散控制。     

Definition of inseparably fused ventricular myocardium in thoracopagus: fetal echocardiographic utility and pathologic refinement

Correlative echocardiographic and pathological findings in a thoracopagus with conjoined hearts are reported. One twin had tricuspid atresia with discordant atrioventricular connections and concordant ventriculoarterial connections. The morphologic right ventricle was hypoplastic and there was a large muscular ventricular septal defect. The other twin had hypoplasia of the mitral valve anulus and left ventricle with double-outlet right ventricle and pulmonary valve atresia. The tricuspid valve was severely insufficient in part because of a large orifice and redundant, elongated leaflets with abnormal chordal attachments. The left ventricles of these two twins shared a perforated common "free wall" with at least two large defects allowing mixing of the circulations at that level. Not all anatomic details were established conclusively by fetal echocardiography; however, sufficient diagnostic information was obtained to support a decision not to aggressively resuscitate these twins after elective cesarean delivery at 31 weeks' gestation.     

Sodium metabisulfite and SO2 release: an under-recognized hazard among shrimp fishermen

Since the introduction of sodium metabisulfite as a food preservative, it has been associated with several idiosyncratic reactions (eg, bronchospasm, oculonasal symptoms, and urticaria/angioedema) in sulfite-sensitive individuals. The pathogenic mechanism of these reactions is not yet understood. We report the case of two crewmen on a shrimp trawler who were found dead in the ship's hold. Their deaths had occurred while they were applying dry sodium metabisulfite, referred to as "shrimp dip" in the shrimping industry. Postmortem examinations showed diffuse pulmonary edema consistent with death secondary to asphyxia. Associated findings were visceral congestion. Although it is possible to measure death from sodium metabisulfite with available records, its potential morbidity cannot be estimated. It is known that sodium metabisulfite can react with acids and water, releasing toxic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas. In addition, SO2 gas reacts with respiratory tissue forming sulfureous acid, and inducing a pulmonary reaction causing hypoxemia. Furthermore, sodium metabisulfite, compared with sodium bisulfite, has a much greater propensity to release SO2 gas. We conclude that there is a need for improved education regarding the potential side effects of sodium metabisulfite, thus eliminating needless occupational morbidity and mortality.     

Adult attachment and adult child-older parent relationships

Adult attachment status, concurrent and early relationships with parents, and depressive symptoms were assessed in 53 adults. Individuals with consistent reports of relationships--positive or negative--were most coherent in their narratives. Depressive symptoms were associated with negativity in both recalled and current relationships with parents, but were not correlated with coherence of narratives. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed.