Differentiating benign from malignant cardiac tumors with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Background

The purpose of this analysis is to describe the differences in cardiac magnetic resonance characteristics between benign and malignant tumors, which would be helpful for surgical planning.

Inhibitory effects of heterotopic noxious counter‐stimulation on perception and brain activity related to Aβ‐fibre activation

Heterotopic noxious counter‐stimulation (HNCS) inhibits pain and pain processes through cerebral and cerebrospinal mechanisms. However, it is unclear whether HNCS inhibits non‐nociceptive processes, which needs to be clarified for a better understanding of HNCS analgesia. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of HNCS on perception and scalp somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs). Seventeen healthy volunteers participated in two counter‐balanced sessions, including non‐nociceptive (selective Aβ‐fibre activation) or nociceptive electrical stimulation, combined with HNCS. HNCS was produced by a 20‐min cold pressor test (left hand) adjusted individually to produce moderate pain (mean ± SEM: 42.5 ± 5.3 on a 0–100 scale, where 0 is no pain and 100 the worst pain imaginable). Non‐nociceptive electrical stimulation was adjusted individually at 80% of pain threshold and produced a tactile sensation in every subject. Nociceptive electrical stimulation was adjusted individually at 120% of RIII‐reflex threshold and produced moderate pain (45.3 ± 4.5). Shock sensation was significantly decreased by HNCS compared with baseline for non‐nociceptive (P < 0.001) and nociceptive (P < 0.001) stimulation. SEP peak‐to‐peak amplitude at Cz was significantly decreased by HNCS for non‐nociceptive (P < 0.01) and nociceptive (P < 0.05) stimulation. These results indicate that perception and brain activity related to Aβ‐fibre activation are inhibited by HNCS. The mechanisms of this effect remain to be investigated to clarify whether it involves inhibition of spinal wide‐dynamic‐range neurons by diffuse noxious inhibitory controls, supraspinal processes or both.     

Coexisting Diogenes and Capgras syndromes

The co-occurrence of Diogenes and Capgras syndromes, both unusual in themselves, would be expected to be rare. A MEDLINE search using the terms Diogenes, Capgras, self-neglect and domestic squalor revealed no previous reports of this combination of disorders. Both conditions are somewhat dubiously named as &#164 syndromes' when in fact they are probably no more than symptoms with different causes. Of particular interest in this case is the exacerbation of the self-neglect, characteristic of the Diogenes syndrome, by the delusional misidentification which marks the Capgras syndrome; as well as the reinforcement of the previously recognised association with frontal lobe pathology. The role of medication, though limited, is described. ( Int J Psych Clin Pract 2001; 5:75-76)     

Effect of nano copper on visceral organs and the contents of trace elements in weanling pigs

We determine the effect of nano copper on visceral organs and contents of trace elements in organs and serum in weanling pigs. Our results showed that following supplementary concentration with 25, 50 and 200?mg/kg/day of nano copper, contents of copper shows trend of increasing in liver, kidney and intestinal; and ferrum shows gradually decreasing. The histopathological examination showed hemolysis, degeneration, nucleus pycnosis in liver, while renal tubular epithelial cell exfoliation and lymphocyte infiltration were found in kidney on supplementation of high concentration of nano-copper. Therefore, dietary supplementation of nano-copper 25?mg/kg b.wt could be a potential substitute for weaning piglets.     

Sleep duration and sleep disturbances partly explain the association between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular mortality: the Whitehall II cohort study

Depressive symptoms are associated with an increased risk of death, but most of this association remains unexplained. Our aim was to explore the contribution of sleep duration and disturbances to the association between depressive symptoms, all‐cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. A total of 5813 (4220 men and 1593 women) aged 50–74 years at baseline, participants of the British Whitehall II prospective cohort study, were included. Depressive symptoms, sleep duration and disturbances were assessed in 2003–04. Mortality was ascertained through linkage to the national mortality register until August 2012, with a mean follow‐up of 8.8 years. Depressive symptoms were associated with an increased risk of mortality from all causes [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16–1.97)] and cardiovascular diseases (HR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.01–2.64) after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics. Further adjustment for sleep duration and disturbances reduced the association between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular mortality by 21% (HR = 1.53; 95% CI: 0.91–2.57). Sleep seems to have a role, as a mediator or confounder, in explaining the association between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular mortality. These findings need replication in larger studies with longer follow‐up.