Olanzapine reduces craving for alcohol: a DRD4 VNTR polymorphism by pharmacotherapy interaction.

Separate investigations have suggested that olanzapine, a D4 antagonist, decreases craving after a priming dose of alcohol and that the DRD4 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism influences the expression of craving after a priming dose of alcohol. The present study tested the hypothesis that olanzapine may be differentially effective at reducing cue-elicited craving based on individual differences in DRD4 VNTR in a sample of heavy social drinkers. Participants were randomly assigned to receive olanzapine (5 mg) or a control medication (cyproheptadine, 4 mg) prior to consuming three alcoholic drinks. Participants completed subjective measures of craving and euphoria after each drink. Participants who were homozygous or heterozygous for the 7 (or longer) repeat allele of the DRD4 VNTR were classified as DRD4 L, while the other participants were classified as DRD4 S. The findings indicated that olanzapine reduces craving for alcohol at baseline for both DRD4 S and DRD4 L individuals, but only reduces craving after exposure to alcohol cues and after a priming dose of alcohol for DRD4 L individuals.     

A transient granulocyte killing defect secondary to a varicella infection

A varicella infection in a previously healthy young girl was complicated by bacterial sepsis, arthritis, and osteomyelitis in multiple locations. This secondary complication caused by Staphylococcus aureus was associated with a transient defect in granulocyte function and an alteration in the representation of CD4 and CD8 positive lymphocyte subpopulation. The mechanism responsible for secondary bacterial infections following varicella may be due to transient defects in granulocyte function.     

Hyperglobulinemia may spuriously elevate measured serum inorganic phosphate levels

Pseudohyperphosphatemia was noted in four patients with hyperglobulinemia when inorganic phosphate levels were measured on the Vickers M-300 discrete automated analyzer (Vickers, Raritan, NJ) used by our clinical laboratory. When the same samples were reanalyzed after protein removal by sulfosalicylic acid precipitation, ultrafiltration, or more extensive dilution, the measured serum inorganic phosphate levels were invariably normal. The addition of human globulin (but not albumin), to pooled normal sera, caused an increase in serum inorganic phosphate levels as measured by the discrete analyzer. The increase correlated with the amount of globulin added (r = 0.72, P less than 0.05), but measured levels did not reach those observed in the hyperphosphatemic, hyperglobulinemic patients. Identification of 13 additional hyperglobulinemia patients revealed that hyperglobulinemia was not invariably associated with hyperphosphatemia. These data suggest that (1) with discrete automated analyzer use, hyperglobulinemia but not hyperalbuminemia may falsely elevate serum inorganic phosphate levels; (2) increased measured serum inorganic phosphate levels appear to be determined by both the concentration and the physicochemical characteristics of the globulin; (3) physicians should avoid prescribing phosphate binders to hyperglobulinemia patients with "hyperphosphatemia" unless they have ascertained that the serum inorganic phosphate level has been measured in a specimen that is free of protein; and (4) the occurrence of "pseudohyperphosphatemia" should suggest the need for an evaluation to rule out the presence of a monoclonal gammopathy.     

Development of neonatal mouse retinal neurons and photoreceptors in low density cell culture

We describe here a culture method which allows the growth of dissociated mouse retinal neurons and photoreceptors in chemically defined medium. Neural retinas from 2-day-old C57/BL mice were dissected from other ocular tissues, including the pigment epithelium, and dissociated into a cell suspension after brief trypsination. Most cells attached as single, unaggregated units to substrata pretreated with polyornithine and the neurite-promoting factor (PNPF). The cells were cultured in serum-free, high pyruvate Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium containing chemically defined supplements. Under these conditions, onset of cell process development was rapid, giving rise to extensive neurite networks. Three morphologically distinct cell types were apparent during the first week in vitro. Some cells retained a circular outline and failed to produce processes, while 50-60% of the cells developed as multipolar neurons showing a large cell body and several neurites. Approximately 90% of these cells reacted with an amacrine cell-specific monoclonal antibody. Some 30% of the cultured cells expressed phenotypic properties characteristic of rod photoreceptors, including a small cell body, an apical cilium, a short neurite with a spherule-like terminal body, and immunoreactivity with antibodies against opsin as well as a rod cell-specific monoclonal antibody. No further signs of outer segment differentiation were observed in these cells. Non-neuronal "flat" cells, which represented less than 0.5% of the total cell number, reacted with an antibody against the glial fibrillary acidic protein. The number of neurons and photoreceptors remained relatively stable during the first 4-7 days in vitro. During the second week in culture, however, there was specific degeneration of greater than 90% of the photoreceptor cells, while less than 20% of the multipolar neurons were similarly affected. Consequently, in addition to providing a system for studying the differentiation of retinal neurons and photoreceptors, the specific degeneration of photoreceptors in these mouse retinal cell cultures makes this system ideal for investigating factors influencing photoreceptor survival.     

Clinical pathology consultation improves coagulation factor utilization in hospitalized adults

Coagulation factor replacement can effectively treat or prevent most hemophilia complications, but it is expensive. Although published data describe how to achieve therapeutic goals through cost-effective selection and dosing of replacement products, criteria are not universally known or followed. A review of our institution's experience revealed overdosing of coagulation factors in the majority of patients treated during a 12-month period, at a cost that approached $700,000. Consequently, we established mandatory clinical pathology consultation before releasing such factors. In the subsequent 30 months, 32 adults received 64 courses of treatment. For patients with hemophilia A, the mean cost per admission was reduced by approximately 27% (total savings, $61,536). For patients with factor VIII inhibitor, there was an approximate 6% cost reduction (total savings, $47,292). The combined savings was $108,828. The mean plasma factor level achieved during the intervention period was 84% +/- 55% compared with 117% +/- 58% for the preintervention period (P = .008). Neither the number of treatment (factor transfusion) days nor the number of RBC transfusions changed significantly. Our data support that pathology consultation yields consistent and appropriate therapy and improves resource utilization.     

Psychosocial factors in medical and psychological treatment avoidance: the role of the doctor-patient relationship

A community sample of 1106 adults was examined to assess the impact of the doctor-patient relationship on participants' avoidance of treatment for a recognized medical or psychological problem. Of five aspects of participants' previous experience with their physicians, all but waiting time predicted participants' self-reported treatment avoidance. In two logistic regression models participants who felt their physicians listened more to their concerns were less likely to avoid treatment for both medical and psychological problems during the previous 12 months. These findings suggest that patients' perceptions of how they are treated by physicians may help explain why many people delay or avoid healthcare treatment, even when faced with a significant health problem.     

Gastrointestinal zygomycosis caused by Mucor indicus in a patient with acute traumatic brain injury.

We report a gastrointestinal infection caused by Mucor indicus in a patient with severe head injuries. Monotherapy with high-dose liposomal amphotericin B successfully eradicated the mucormycosis. Nevertheless, subsequently a hemicolectomy was necessary due to recurrent bleeding from a deep ulcer. Mucor indicus is an uncommon fungal pathogen, typically found in starters used for food fermentation. Reviewing other reports on Mucor indicus infections, primary gastrointestinal manifestations seem to be typical and indicate an oral route of infection.     

Relative carriage rates of nuclear dehydrogenating clostridia in two populations of different colorectal cancer risk

Carriage of nuclear dehydrogenating clostridia has been associated with colon cancer and implicated in its aetiology. This study has compared the carriage of these organisms in a British population at high risk for the development of colon cancer with a low risk Nigerian population. Clostridia were found in all of the stools from both populations. Nuclear dehydrogenating clostridia were only found in the stools of the British subjects (32%). These results support the suggestion that the carriage rate of nuclear dehydrogenating clostridia in a population is related to the risk of colon cancer.     

Sigma-movement and optokinetic nystagmus elicited by stroboscopically illuminated stereopatterns

Summary Sigma-movement is an apparent movement seen when a stationary periodic visual pattern of the period P_s is illuminated Stroboscopically at the flash frequency f_s and smooth gaze pursuit eye movements are performed across the pattern at an angular velocity V_e = P_s · f_s deg · s^–1. Sigma-movement leads to an optokinetic nystagmus (Sigma OKN) which in turn sustains Sigma-movement perception. (1) Sigma-movement was also seen in an apparent three-dimensional periodic stripe pattern generated by two periodic monocular stimulus patterns with a certain degree of horizontal binocular disparity. (2) Sigma-movement perception and Sigma-OKN were also elicited by a Stroboscopically illuminated, stationary, random dot stereostripe pattern. The periodicity P_s of this pattern is generated on the cyclopean retina (Julesz 1971). The equation described above was also valid. When the time delay t between left eye and right eye flashes was varied, the apparent depth of the random dot stereostripe pattern decreased with increasing t, but the Sigmaeffects were not affected. (3) Sigma-movement illusion and Sigma-pursuit movements can also be induced when real three-dimensional objects composed of periodic components are Stroboscopically illuminated and adequate gaze or eye pursuit movements are induced. Sigma-movement is related to gaze movement and is therefore elicitable by eye, head or body movements. (4) Sigma-movement is presumably caused by the interaction of efference copy signals (generated in a cortical gaze pursuit system) and afferent visual signals. The present data indicate that neuronal mechanisms for this interaction are located — at least in part — at or beyond the level of binocular fusion and stereopsis.Supported by grants of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Gr161)