Symptom correlates of attentional improvement following hospitalization for a first episode of affective psychosis

BACKGROUND: This study examined patients with a first-episode of affective psychosis during acute and compensated states in order to determine whether changes in attentional functioning over time were accompanied by changes in the severity of psychotic or affective symptoms. METHODS: Attentional performance was measured in patients (n = 27) using the degraded-stimulus continuous Performance Test (CPT) and symptoms were assessed at the time of index hospitalization, and 2 months after discharge. A comparison group of normal volunteers (n = 31) also performed the CPT two months apart. RESULTS: Patients performed significantly worse than controls at the initial testing but not at follow-up. The improvement in attentional performance significantly correlated with decreased severity of manic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest attentional dysfunction is a state-dependent characteristic of mania, and may provide an additional measure of clinical improvement following treatment.     

Cerebellar deficient folia (cdf): a new mutation on mouse chromosome 6

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the case of an 8-yr-old boy with an aneurysmal bone cyst of the right proximal humerus, including the features imaged on plain film radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including spin echo and fast field echo imaging. CLINICAL FEATURES: The patient suffered for 1 yr from intermittent but progressive pain in his right upper arm and shoulder area. There was no history of trauma or known systemic disease. There was decreased range of motion in abduction of the glenohumeral joint and pain on focal pressure along the deltoid muscle. A complete imaging evaluation consisting of plain film radiography, CT and MRI was performed, which revealed the classical imaging features of an aneurysmal bone cyst. An additional cystic lesion was detected by the MRI that was not appreciated on the plain films or CT. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient was referred for biopsy to confirm the preliminary diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst. No treatment was instituted. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of aneurysmal bone cyst may be completed with CT scanning and more specifically with MRI MRI coronal T2, weighted images are advantageous for visualization of the main cystic lesion and any additional cysts. Fast field echo images show a better contrast between the cyst and bone marrow with extension of the cyst into the epiphysis as evident in this case. Follow-up studies revealed complete healing of the cyst with only residual densities in the humeral metaphyseal area.     

Congenital hematometrocolpos in a circumcised girl. An anomaly superimposed by cultural mutilating practices

A rare case associated with congenital hematometrocolpos in a circumcised 13 years old Somalian girl is presented. Emphasis on proper history is highlighted. Mutilation caused by bad cultural practice of female circumcision which is although not a problem in Pakistan, is brought into notice for those who may be unaware of perineal appearance of a circumcised female and stitched over vagina.     

Vertical ridge augmentation around dental implants using a membrane technique and autogenous bone or allografts in humans

This study investigated the effect on vertical bone regeneration of the addition of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft or autogenous bone chips to a membrane technique. Twenty partially edentulous patients with vertical jawbone deficiencies were selected for this study. The patients were divided into two groups of 10 individuals. The 10 patients of Group A received 26 Br?nemark implants in 10 surgical sites. The 10 patients of Group B received 32 implants in 12 surgical sites. Fifty-two out of 58 implants (22 in Group A and 30 in Group B) extended 1.5 to 7.5 mm superior to the bone crest. Titanium-reinforced expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membranes were used to cover the implants and, before complete membrane fixation, demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft particles were condensed under the membrane in Group A, and autogenous bone chips were used in Group B. At the reentry after 7 to 11 months the membranes were removed and a small biopsy was collected from 11 sites comprehending the miniscrews. The clinical measurements from Group A demonstrated a mean vertical bone gain of 3.1 mm (SD = 0.9 mm, range 1 to 5 mm) with a mean percentage of bone gain of 124% (SD = 46.6%). The measurements from Group B showed a mean vertical bone gain of 5.02 mm (SD = 2.3 mm, range 1 to 8.5 mm) with a mean percentage of bone gain of 95% (SD = 26.8%). Histomorphometric analysis of the present study clearly demonstrated a direct correlation between the density of the pre-existing bone and the density of the regenerated bone. The mean percentage of new bone-titanium contact was from 39.1% to 63.2%, depending on the quality of the pre-existing bone. Both the clinical and histologic results indicate a beneficial effect of the addition of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft or autogenous bone particles to vertical ridge augmentation procedures in humans.     

Family practice physicians' firearm safety counseling beliefs and behaviors

The purpose of this study was to identify family physicians' firearm safety counseling beliefs and behaviors. A survey was mailed to a random sample of 600 members of the American Academy of Family Physicians. A three wave mailing technique was used to maximize the response rate and yielded 271 usable surveys (55% response rate). Outcome measures included training experience in firearm safety counseling, the prevalence of firearm safety counseling by family physicians, and their perceptions regarding such counseling. The majority (78%) of family physicians lacked formal training on how to counsel patients about firearm safety and 49% believed more time should be spent in residency programs on firearm safety counseling. The majority (84%) of respondents never or rarely counseled patients on firearm safety and 50% believed firearm safety counseling should be a low priority in their delivery of primary care. The majority of respondents did not regularly counsel patients about firearm safety, did not believe firearm safety counseling should be a priority, and did not believe firearm safety counseling would be effective in reducing firearm-related trauma.     

c-KIT expression enhances the leukemogenic potential of 32D cells

The growth of human leukemic cells in culture and in vivo is dependent upon the presence of hematopoietic growth factors. Most populations of human leukemic acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) cells express c-Kit on their surface and respond to Kit ligand (KL) in culture. To determine if this interaction was of potential significance in vivo we used a mouse model system. 32D cells, a murine IL-3-dependent myeloid cell line, were rendered KL responsive by transfection of the murine c-Kit. After injection of 32D or 32D-Kit cells into syngeneic hosts, animals bearing 32D-Kit cells, but not 32D cells, became moribund and were killed. These animals had circulating leukemic blast cells, infiltration of bone marrow, spleen, brain, liver, lung, and kidney. Cells recovered from some of the animals continued to be dependent upon IL-3 or KL for growth while in other cases the cells were factor independent. This model illustrates that the constitutive expression of c-Kit enhances the leukemic potential of 32D cells. The model will be useful for studying the progression of leukemia in vivo and testing whether interruption of the interaction of Kit and KL can affect the growth of leukemic cells.     

Carboxylation of epoxides to beta-keto acids in cell extracts of Xanthobacter strain Py2

A novel enzymatic reaction involved in the metabolism of aliphatic epoxides by Xanthobacter strain Py2 is described. Cell extracts catalyzed the CO2-dependent carboxylation of propylene oxide (epoxypropane) to form acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate. The time courses of acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate formaton indicate that acetoacetate is the primary product of propylene oxide carboxylation and that beta-hydroxybutyrate is a secondary product formed by the reduction of acetoacetate. Analogous C5 carboxylation products were identified with 1,2-epoxybutane as the substrate. In the absence of CO2, propylene oxide and 1,2-epoxybutane were isomerized to form acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, respectively, as dead-end products. The carboxylation of short-chain epoxides to beta-keto acids is proposed to serve as the physiological reaction for the metabolism of aliphatic epoxides in Xanthobacter strain Py2.     

Case report: possible Lyme endocarditis

A 56-year-old male presented with clinical and serological data suggestive of Lyme disease. The patient was found to have an aortic valvular vegetation by transesophageal echocardiography. This report represents the first case of Lyme disease with possible valvular involvement.