Neurological disorders and violence: a systematic review and meta-analysis with a focus on epilepsy and traumatic brain injury

The objectives of this study were to systematically review and meta-analyze the research literature on the association of common neurological disorders and violence. Keywords relating to neurological disorders and violence were searched between 1966 and August 2008. Case–control and cohort studies were selected. Odds ratios of violence risk in particular disorders compared with controls were combined using fixed-effects meta-analysis with the data presented in forest plots. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to identify possible differences in risk estimates across surveys. Information on risk factors for violence was extracted if replicated in more than one study. Nine studies were identified that compared the risk of violence in epilepsy or traumatic brain injury compared with unaffected controls. For the epilepsy studies, the overall pooled odds ratio for violent outcomes was 0.67 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.46–0.96]. For traumatic brain injury, the odds ratio was 1.66 (95% CI 1.12–2.31). An additional 11 case–control studies investigated factors associated with violence in epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. It was not possible to meta-analyze these data. Comorbid psychopathology was associated with violence. Data on other neurological conditions was limited and unreplicated. In conclusion, although the evidence was limited and methodological quality varied, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury appeared to differ in their risk of violence compared with control populations. Longitudinal studies are required to replicate this review’s provisional findings that epilepsy is inversely associated with violence and that brain injury modestly increases the risk, and further research is needed to provide information on a broader range of risk factors.     

Rapid screening for bacteriuria in pregnancy

Summary We evaluated a bioluminescence assay as a screening test for the detection of bacteriuria in pregnancy. A total of 1,000 urine specimens from a randomly selected group of pregnant women undergoing prenatal surveillance was investigated. Sequential dilution of urine specimens on CLED agar plates served as a reference method. Set against the reference group, bioluminescence screening scored a 93% sensitivity, a 78% specificity and a 99% predictive accuracy for negative results. All urine specimens were also analysed chemically for the presence of nitrite and leucocyte esterase by dip sticks. Dip sticks proved to be insufficient because of poor sensitivities of 54% and 59%, respectively. The bioluminescence assay is an effective, time- as well as labor-saving but questionably cost-effective method for the detection of bacteriuria in pregnancy.

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Rascher Nachweis der Bakteriurie bei Schwangeren

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Studie prüften wir die klinische Wertigkeit eines Biolumineszenz-Verfahrens zum Nachweis der Bakteriurie bei Schwangeren. Insgesamt wurden 1000 Routine-Harnproben von Schwangeren untersucht. Als Referenzmethode diente die sequentielle Verdünnung der Harnproben und Ausstreichen auf CLED-Agarplatten. Eine signifikante Bakteriurie konnte mit der Biolumineszenz-Methode mit einer Sensitivität von 93% und einer Spezifität von 78% erkannt werden. Die Voraussagewahrscheinlichkeit für negative Resultate war 99%. Gleichzeitig untersuchten wir alle Harnproben auf Vorhandensein von Nitrit und Leukozyten-Esterase mittels Teststreifen. Die Sensitivitäten lagen nur bei 54% bzw. 59%. Mit Hilfe der Biolumineszenz-Methode kann eine signifikante Bakteriurie bei Schwangeren rasch, verläßlich, aber nur bei relevanter Probenanzahl auch kostengünstig nachgewiesen werden.

     

Haplotype-Based Association and In Silico Studies of OPRM1 Gene Variants with Susceptibility to Opioid Dependence Among Addicted Iranians Undergoing Methadone Treatment

The associations of OPRM1 gene variants with opioid dependence have been demonstrated. This study investigated the association of rs495491, rs1799971 (A118G), rs589046, and rs10457090 variants of OPRM1 gene with opium dependence and their haplotypes among addicted individuals undergoing methadone treatment. Moreover, we investigated whether any of these variants were associated with libido dysfunction or insomnia among addicted people. A total of 404 individuals were genotyped by amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) PCR. In silico studies were designed through homology modeling of A118G structures (N40 and D40) and docked with 41 FDA-approved drugs of OPRM1 protein by SWISS-MODEL, COACH, MolProbity, ProSA, Errat, Glide XP, and Autodock 4. Results revealed that rs495491, A118G, rs589046, and rs10457090 were significantly associated with opium dependence under recessive (P = 6.66E-10), dominant (P = 0.017), co-dominant (P = 0.001), and recessive (P = 9.28E-6) models of inheritance, respectively. Further analyses indicated three significant haplotypes including A-A-A-C (P-permutation < 1E-9), G-G-A-C (P-permutation = 0.04), and G-A-G-C (P-permutation = 8.69E-4). Genotype-phenotype associations of OPRM1 variants with insomnia and libido dysfunction showed no significant association. Docking showed the higher binding affinity of N40 rather than D40 model; however, methadone and morphine were bonded with D40 structure more powerful. Consequently, rs495491, A118G, rs589046, and rs10457090 were associated with opioid dependence among Iranians; also, A118G might be the most remarkable marker of OPRM1 owing to its vital structural roles.     

Contribution of Fc fragment of monoclonal antibodies to tetanus toxin neutralization

Neurotoxicity Research - Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against neurotoxin of Clostridium tetani are considered as a novel source of immunoglobulins for passive immunotherapy of tetanus. Toxin...     

BCA2 is differentially expressed in renal oncocytoma: an analysis of 158 renal neoplasms

The distinction between renal oncocytoma and renal cell carcinoma, especially chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and clear cell carcinoma with oncocytic features, is important due to the different biologic potentials of these tumors. RING E3 ligases have the subject of intense studies for their roles in many diseases including cancer and as potential therapeutic targets. All RING E3 ligases, including BCA2, contain a consensus protein sequence that would complex two or more zinc ions in the expressed protein. Identification of which ubiquitin ligases specifically affect distinct cellular processes is essential to the development of targeted therapeutics in these tumors. The ubiquitin–proteasome system regulates the turnover of proteins that have essential roles in the cell cycle, apoptosis, DNA damage repair, and in protein trafficking, which makes this pathway a target for oncogenic events. In this study, we investigated expression of BCA2 in renal oncocytoma and renal cell carcinoma. A total of 158 patients were included in the study. Our study has shown that 114/114 (100 %) cases of renal cell carcinoma were negative for BCA2. All 38 (100 %) cases of renal oncocytoma were positive for BCA2, and 6/6 (100 %) cases designated as oncocytic neoplasm which favor oncocytoma were also positive for BCA2. This is the first study to date evaluating the expression of BCA2 in renal oncocytoma. BCA2 could serve as a marker that may be utilized in the distinction between renal oncocytoma and its mimickers.     

Interventional endoscopic ultrasound in pancreatic disease

The use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in pancreatic disease is rapidly evolving as the field moves from a primarily diagnostic role to one of therapeutic intervention. Therapeutic EUS includes techniques such as the celiac block and transmural pseudocyst drainage. Newer techniques include EUS-guided fine-needle injection therapy in which a variety of agents are being investigated for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Novel EUS-guided techniques are being devised to drain and alleviate pancreaticobiliary and gastroduodenal obstruction.