Whole blood and plasma histamine in common migraine

Whole blood and plasma histamine levels were measured in 27 non-medicated patients with common migraine. In nine cases blood was drawn 1-2 h after the onset of a migraine attack. The whole blood histamine levels of migraineurs and controls did not differ significantly. In contrast, histamine levels were significantly increased in plasma from patients both during and between migraine attacks, as compared with controls (p less than 0.001). Finally, plasma taken from migraine patients induced a significantly greater release of histamine from control whole blood than did plasma taken from control subjects (p less than 0.01).     

Anatomic variations and abnormalities in the diaphragm seen with US

The authors report their experience with diaphragmatic structures that simulate intrahepatic masses at abdominal ultrasonography (US). In a series of 74 patients, diaphragmatic slips were the most common finding (34 patients). The slips could be differentiated from masses by scanning along their long axis to demonstrate elongated structures with multiple linear echoes. Scalloping of the diaphragm, associated with multiple slips, was seen in 10 patients. Partial eventration was found in 23. Inversion of a hemidiaphragm, caused by a large pleural effusion or intrathoracic mass, was seen in 13 patients. Pleural masses affecting the diaphragm were seen in 13 patients; focal hypertrophy of a diaphragmatic crus simulated a mass in three. Real-time US allowed the differentiation of diaphragmatic abnormalities from lesions.     

A troubled youth: Relations with somatization, depression and anxiety in adulthood

BACKGROUND: Childhood experiences profoundly affect later functioning asan adult. Family practitioners are well-placed to discover thelinks between childhood troubles and later somatization, depressionor anxiety. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the interrelation of somatization, depressiveand anxiety disorders in frequently attending patients in generalpractice; to investigate whether these problems are relatedto a childhood history of illness experiences, deprivation,life events and abuse; and to determine the independent contributionsof these childhood factors to the prediction of adult somatization,depressive and anxiety disorders. METHODS: One hundred and six adult general practice patients with highconsultation frequency were studied. Somatization was operationalizedas a more comprehensive version of DSM-III-R somatization disorder(5 complaints; SSI 5/5). For depression (ever depressive and/ordysthymic) and anxiety (panic, phobias and/or generalized anxiety)DSM-III-R criteria were used. Using a structured questionnairewe assessed illness experiences, deprivation of parental care,abuse (sexual/physical) and other life events before age 19. RESULTS: The overlap between somatization, depression and anxiety waslargely accounted for by 16 patients with a triple problem:somatization and depression and anxiety. Somatization was specificallyrelated to deprivation, depression to other life events. Abuse(prevalence 16%) independently predicted psychiatric problemsin general. Youth experiences before age 12 were most important. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of triple problems suggests a need to reconsiderconcepts like somatic anxiety and anxious depression. The specificityof the relation between deprivation and somatization and ofthe relation between other life events and depression indicatesthat distinct causal mechanisms (in youth) contribute to theseproblems. Keywords. Parental deprivation, child abuse, somatoform disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders.     

Rolipram inhibits PAF-induced airway microvascular leakage in guinea-pig: a comparison with milrinone and theophylline

The effects of 3 phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, rolipram (PDE IV), milrinone (PDE III) and theophylline (non-selective) on PAF (50 ng kg-1; iv)-induced airway vascular leakage have been evaluated in guinea-pigs. Rolipram (3-300 micrograms kg-1; iv) reduced the increase in permeability induced by PAF at all airway levels whereas milrinone (10-1000 micrograms kg-1; iv) and theophylline (30 mg kg-1; iv) were without effects. The anti-leakage activity of rolipram may be of therapeutic value in asthma.