Acute Ischemic Stroke Therapy in Infective Endocarditis: Case Series and Systematic Review

Objectives: To evaluate the safety of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) therapy in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) or endovascular therapy (EVT) such as mechanical thrombectomy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients who underwent AIS therapy with IVT or EVT at a tertiary referral center from 2013 to 2017, that were later diagnosed with acute IE as the causative mechanism. We then performed a systematic review of reports of acute ischemic reperfusion therapy in IE since 1995 for their success rates in terms of neurological outcome, and mortality, and their risk of hemorrhagic complication. Results: In the retrospective portion, 8 participants met criteria, of whom 4 received IVT and 4 received EVT. Through systematic review, 24 publications of 32 participants met criteria. Combined, a total of 40 participants were analyzed: 18 received IVT alone, 1 received combined IVT plus EVT, and 21 received EVT alone. IVT compared to EVT were similar in rates of good neurologic outcomes (58% versus 76%, P= .22) and mortality (21% versus 19%, P= .87), but had higher post-therapy intracranial hemorrhage (63% versus 18% [P= .006]). Conclusion: IV thrombolysis has a higher rate of post-therapy intracranial hemorrhage compared to EVT. EVT should be considered as first-line AIS therapy for patients with known, or suspected, IE who present with a large vessel occlusion.     

Congenital self-healing reticulohistiocytosis. Report of the seventh case with histochemical and ultrastructural studies

A new case of congenital self-healing reticulohistiocytosis was studied with S-100 antibody and electron microscopy. Many tumor cells were S-100-positive and contained Langerhans cell (LC) granules and concentrically laminated dense bodies. Octopus-like bodies and wormlike bodies were also found. The formation of LC granules at the cytomembrane was frequently found, not only between the cytomembrane and its own villi, but also between the cytomembranes of adjoining cells. These findings strongly support the cytomembrane origin of LC granules in general.     

Survival from acute renal failure after severe burns

We describe a patient with 50 per cent, third degree flame burns who had a history of paint thinner inhalation for over 10 years. Moreover, chlorpromazine had been administered for the treatment of insomnia caused by chronic thinner intoxication. He developed oliguric acute renal failure soon after the burn injury, although adequate resuscitation therapy was given, and survived following frequent haemodialysis. Although survival from acute renal failure after severe burns is rare, once the diagnosis of acute renal failure has been made, haemodialysis should be instituted as early as possible. Furthermore, in a severely burnt patient with episodes of chronic and acute intoxication from organic chemicals or drugs which may have caused renal damage, acute renal failure may occur, so that careful observation is advised.     

Nocturnal diuresis in panhypopituitarism

Although impaired water diuresis in adrenocortical insufficiency is well-known, little attention has been paid to the diuretic pattern at night. In two cases of panhypopituitarism, the nocturnal diuretic pattern was found to be quite different from that in the morning, and marked diuresis did occur after water loading at night, without any significant change of serum cortisol which remained at a low level throughout the day.At the antidiuretic stage in the morning, urine osmolality continued to rise gradually, in spite of the water loading, to the level of 666 mOsm/liter. At the water restriction test, the urine was concentrated only to the same level of 600–700mOsm/liter. At the ascending stage of urine osmolality, exogenously injected pitressin showed little antidiuretic effect, although the kidney was able concentrate urine to the higher level later. In the morning, 3 liters of 5% glucose infusion failed to produce a marked diuresis in spite of extreme plasma dilution and expansion. Furosemide immediately induced diuresis even in the morning and the kidney recovered its ability to respond to pitressin. Glucocorticoid also improved the diuretic pattern in the morning, but a latent period of about 2 hr was always observed before the appearance of the effect. What happened during this latent period was unclear, but it was interesting to note that a mechanism similar to that which induces diuretic response seemed to occur without glucocorticoid at night.     

Reclaiming 'Big Nurse': a feminist critique of Ken Kesey's portrayal of Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Reclaiming 'Big Nurse': a feminist critique of Ken Kesey's portrayal of Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Nurse Ratched or 'Big Nurse' in Ken Kesey's counter-culture novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is one of popular culture's most arresting and memorable images of the nurse. She is, however, deemed to be remarkable primarily for her malice and authoritarianism. This paper argues that such a purely realist reading fails to fully appreciate the significance of the character of Nurse Ratched. A feminist critique of the novel contends that die importance of 'Big Nurse' is less related to how realistic/unrealistic or good/bad she is as a nurse. Nurse Ratched is important because she exemplifies all diat traditional masculinity abhors in women, and particularly in strong women in positions of power and influence. This paper explores the stereotype of 'Big Nurse' and argues that Kesey's vision of her ultimate 'conquest' is not a progressive allegory of 'individual freedom', but a reactionary misogyny which would deny women any function other than that of sexual trophy.     

Delusions and delusional thinking in psychotics: A review of the literature

Delusional thinking in psychotics is discussed in terms of definition, classification, and relevance to diagnosis. Theoretical explanations of delusions are then reviewed. While many explanations and theories on delusional thinking exist, some merely restate in different terms the same relationships, and most do not enjoy empirical support. It is concluded that existing theories, can be usefully organized into two main themes: motivational and defect. The motivational theme assumes that the individual develops the delusion either to explain unusual perceptual experiences or to reduce uncomfortable psychic states (e.g., unfullfilled need). The defect theme argues that delusional thinking results from some fundamental cognitive-attentional deficit. Future empirical work ought to pursue specific models which address some important distinctions among delusion types.     

Chlorpromazine-induced lupuslike disease. Case report and review of the literature

A lupuslike disease with cutaneous manifestations secondary to the use of chlorpromazine (Thorazine) is presented. Skin biopsy specimens demonstrated classic findings consistent with lupus erythematosus and abundant mucin deposition in the cutaneous lesions--a finding not previously reported to occur in drug-induced lupuslike disease. Laboratory and serologic examinations included a positive antinuclear antibody titer, presence of single-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), absence of double-stranded DNA, presence of antihistone antibodies, normal complement level, increased IgM level, and prolongation of partial thromboplastin time. These data confirmed our clinical and histologic diagnosis. Cessation of the medication (chlorpromazine) led to resolution of the skin abnormalities. Electron microscopy revealed electron-dense drug metabolites in vascular endothelial cells, as well as tubuloreticular inclusion bodies. This is only the second reported case of chlorpromazine-induced lupuslike disease with cutaneous manifestations.