Is endoscopic ultrasonography indispensable in patients with early gastric cancer prior to endoscopic resection?

Background  

Endoscopic resection as curative treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC) requires accurate staging for depth of invasion (T) before therapy. This study aimed to compare T staging of EGC using a miniprobe with that of conventional endoscopy (CE).     

The relationship between the biogenetic temperament and character and psychopathology in adolescents

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between patterns of temperament and character and self-reported psychopathology in adolescents from the community. SAMPLING AND METHODS: The Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI) and Youth Self-Report (YSR) instruments were administered to 623 Korean middle school students (boys/girls = 331/292; age = 13.3 +/- 0.9 years old). Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between temperament and character based on Cloninger's biogenetic theory of personality and youth psychopathology of internalizing and externalizing problems. RESULTS: Internalizing problems of the YSR (withdrawn, somatic complaint and anxious/depressed scales) were significantly related to high Harm Avoidance and low Reward Dependence (JTCI temperament) and low Self-Directedness and high Self-Transcendence (JTCI character). Externalizing problems of the YSR (delinquency and aggression) were significantly associated with high Novelty Seeking and high Harm Avoidance (JTCI temperament) and low Self-Directedness, low Cooperativeness and high Self-Transcendence (JTCI character). CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the current study suggest that specific patterns of temperament and character potentially influence adolescents' psychopathology in the community.     

Ischemia-related changes of glial-derived neurotrophic factor and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in the hippocampus: their possible correlation in astrocytes

In the present study, we observed the changes of endogenous expression of glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3 kinase) in the gerbil hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia and investigated the correlation between GDNF and PI-3 kinase in the ischemic hippocampus. In the sham-operated group, GDNF and PI-3 kinase immunoreactivity was not found in any cells in the hippocampal CA1 region. GDNF, not PI-3 kinase, immunoreactivity was expressed in non-pyramidal cells in the CA1 region at 6 h after ischemic insult. At 12-24 h after ischemia, GDNF and PI-3 kinase immunoreactivity in the CA1 region was similar to that of the sham-operated group. From 2 days after ischemic insult, GDNF- and PI-3-kinase-immunoreactive astrocytes were detected in the CA1 region, and GDNF and PI-3 kinase immunoreactivity in astrocytes was highest in the CA1 region 4 days after ischemic insult. Moreover, at this time point, GDNF and PI-3 kinase were co-localized in some astrocytes. Western blotting showed that ischemia-related changes of GDNF and PI-3 kinase protein levels were similar to the immunohistochemical changes after ischemia. These results suggest that GDNF and PI-3 kinase may be related to delayed neuronal death and that GDNF and PI-3 kinase may be involved in activation of astrocytes.     

Biogenetic temperament and character and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Korean children

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and biogenetic temperament, as assessed by the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI) in Korean elementary school children. SAMPLING AND METHODS: Five hundred and sixteen elementary school students (254 boys and 262 girls; age range 9-14 years, mean age 11.0 +/- 1.0 years) were studied. The Junior Temperament and Character Inventory, both the self-rating and parent rating scales, the DuPaul ADHD rating scale (ARS-IV) for parents and teachers and the Child Behavior Checklist have been completed by study subjects. Children with high ARS-IV scores (the upper 10th percentile, n = 52) were defined to have ADHD. Fifty-two age- and sex-matched non-ADHD control subjects were selected randomly from a pool of 464 subjects. RESULTS: Inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms correlated positively with Novelty Seeking in both children and parent ratings. These symptoms correlated negatively with Persistence, Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness. Novelty Seeking also had significant correlations with attention problems, delinquent behavior, aggressive behavior, externalizing problems and social problems in the Child Behavior Checklist. The ADHD group (n = 52) had higher scores of Novelty Seeking and lower scores of Self-Directedness and Cooperativeness, compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant correlations between ADHD symptoms and Novelty Seeking. Current findings suggest that Novelty Seeking and ADHD share biogenetic backgrounds.     

Taurine potentiates presynaptic NMDA receptors in hippocampal Schaffer collateral axons

We have previously shown that activation of presynaptic N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDAR) enhances the amplitude of the presynaptic fibre volley (FV) evoked in Schaffer collateral axons of rat hippocampal slices, by a mechanism independent of extracellular Ca(2+). Here we compared the pharmacological characteristics of presynaptic NMDARs affecting axon excitability (activated by 10-300 microM NMDA for 10 min), with those mediating field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (NMDA-fEPSP). We found that NMDA-induced potentiation was completely inhibited by NVP-AAM077, an antagonist of NR2A-containing NMDAR, but not by ifenprodil, an NR2B-selective antagonist. The inhibitor of the glycine-binding site in NMDARs, 7-clorokynurenic acid (7-CK), was more potent against NMDA-fEPSP (IC(50) = 6.3 +/- 1.3 microM) than against the NMDA-induced FV potentiation (IC(50) = 26.5 +/- 1.3 microM). Moreover, both post- and presynaptic NMDAR-mediated phenomena were enhanced by glycine and d-serine, but taurine, an endogenous analogue of glycine, only enhanced the latter (EC(50) = 19 microM). Taurine was able to block the inhibitory effect of low doses of 7-CK on NMDA-induced FV potentiation, while glycine and d-serine only reduced the effects of higher concentrations of this drug. Surprisingly, the enhancing effect of taurine on NMDA-induced FV potentiation was blocked when it was co-applied with glycine. Furthermore, the glutamate released synaptically with a train of stimuli also increased FV amplitude by a mechanism dependent on NMDARs; this was potentiated by taurine but not by co-application of taurine and glycine. These results reveal that presynaptic NMDARs have unique properties that mediate the facilitation of axon excitability.     

Ruptured distal anterior choroidal artery aneurysm.

Ruptured aneurysms of the distal anterior choroidal artery (AchA) are extremely rare and management is dictated by clinical presentation. This report describes a rare patient with a distal AchA aneurysm and subarachnoid and intraventricular haemorrhage. A 60-year-old woman presented with a sudden onset of severe headache and vomiting. No aneurysms could be found on initial angiograms. A repeat angiogram performed 10 days after admission demonstrated an aneurysm in a branch of the cisternal segment of the left AchA without a definite neck. Surrounding vessels showed multifocal stricture and dilatation. Microsurgical clipping was not performed because the patient died suddenly due to pulmonary failure. The aetiology of the aneurysm in this case and surgical strategy are discussed.     

Neuropsychological correlates of error negativity and positivity in schizophrenia patients

The purpose of the present paper was to determine error-monitoring ability and its relationship with executive function in patients with schizophrenia. In order to evaluate error-monitoring ability, the error negativity (Ne) and error positivity (Pe) were measured using the Stroop task. The correct-related negativity (CRN) and positivity (Pc) were also measured. In addition, neuropsychological tests were administered in order to evaluate executive function. The patients with schizophrenia had significantly reduced Ne and augmented CRN amplitudes, but the Pe and Pc amplitudes of the patients were comparable to those of the controls. In addition, the Ne amplitude, measured at Fcz was positively correlated with the Trail Making Test (TMT), part B response time, and the categories achieved on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in patients with schizophrenia. No significant correlations were found between Ne amplitude and performance on the neuropsychological tests in the controls. And no associations were detected between CRN, Pe, Pc amplitudes and neuropsychological performance, in either the patients with schizophrenia or the controls. Reduced Ne amplitudes and augmented CRN amplitudes in patients with schizophrenia suggest the dysfunctional behavior-monitoring system in these patients. The functional significances of Ne and Pe are discussed.     

A proton MRSI study of brain N-acetylaspartate level after 12 weeks of citalopram treatment in drug-naive patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder

OBJECTIVE: Reductions in the level of N-acetylaspartate within subcortical structures of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have been reported in several studies. However, there have been, as yet, no reports regarding N-acetylaspartate levels in the prefrontal cortex of adult drug-naive OCD patients. The authors used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging ((1)H-MRSI) to investigate regional N-acetylaspartate level abnormalities and changes after 12 weeks of pharmacotherapy with citalopram in drug-naive OCD patients. METHOD: Thirteen drug-naive OCD patients and 13 age- and sex-matched healthy comparison subjects were included in this study. N-acetylaspartate levels (obtained from ratios of N-acetylaspartate with creatine, choline, and creatine plus choline) in the prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, anterior cingulate, posterior cingulate, frontal white matter, and parietal white matter were measured by (1)H-MRSI. In OCD patients, measurements were taken before and after 12 weeks of citalopram treatment. Correlations between N-acetylaspartate concentrations in regions of interest and clinical measures were also assessed. RESULTS: Drug-naive OCD patients exhibited significantly lower N-acetylaspartate levels in the prefrontal cortex, frontal white matter, and anterior cingulate at baseline than did comparison subjects. Significant increases in N-acetylaspartate level were detected in the prefrontal cortex and frontal white matter in OCD patients after 12 weeks of citalopram treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that reductions in neuronal viability occur in the frontal region of OCD patients and that these reductions may be partly reversible.     

Application of the Ilizarov Technique to the Correction of Neurologic Equinocavovarus Foot Deformity

Background  

The treatment of rigid equinocavovarus foot deformities caused by neurologic disorders is often difficult and relapse is common.