Language disturbances associated to insular and entorhinal damage: study of a patient affected by herpetic encephalitis

The herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) patient reported in this study presented a left hemisphere lesion limited to the left insula and to the left anterior parahippocampal region. The patient was followed longitudinally, focusing on the aphasia type, the language recovery, and the integrity of semantic representations. The language deficit was of fluent type, without phonological impairment, and showed a good but incomplete recovery after four months. A semantic impairment was possible at the onset, but recovered quickly and did not present a disproportionate impairment of living categories.     

Effect of Probiotic Supplement on Cytokine Levels in HIV-Infected Individuals: A Preliminary Study

Inflammation persists in patients infected with HIV. Reduction of inflammatory cytokines and microbial translocation might be one way that this could be managed. Purpose: The anti-inflammatory properties of certain probiotic strains prompted us to investigate whether a probiotic could reduce the inflammatory index of HIV-infected patients. Methods: The study involved 30 HIV+ males on antiretroviral therapy, who were given one bottle of fermented milk Yakult Light^® containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) twice a day for four weeks. Results: The probiotic LcS was associated with an increase of T lymphocytes and a significant increase of CD56+ cells (p = 0.04). There was also a significant decrease of mRNA levels of TGFβ, IL-10 and IL-12 (p < 0.001) and IL-1β expression (p < 0.001) and an increase of serum IL-23 (p = 0.03). In addition, decreased inflammation and cardiovascular risk were observed, as shown by a reduction of cystatin C (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These data provide preliminary evidence that probiotic supplementation may modulate certain immunological parameters and some of the cytokines that were analyzed. Thus, we propose that LcS may be an inexpensive and practical strategy to support the immune function of HIV+ patients.     

Moderately Hypofractionated Helical IMRT,FDG–PET/CT-guided,for Progressive Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma in Patients With Intact Lungs

Introduction

The objective of this study was to present the outcomes of moderately hypofractionated helical intensity-modulated radiation therapy (HT) with/without simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) on fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) positive areas (gross tumor volume [GTV]-PET) for patients with progressive malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) after previous treatments.

Dangerous passion: Othello syndrome and dementia

Jealousy is a complex emotion that most people have experienced at some time in life; pathological jealousy refers primarily to an irrational state. Othello syndrome is a psychotic disorder characterized by delusion of infidelity or jealousy; it often occurs in the context of medical, psychiatric or neurological disorders. At least 30% of cases in the literature show a neurological basis for their delusion of infidelity, although its biological basis is not fully understood. The purpose of this paper is to examine the phenomenon of pathological jealousy in people with dementia. We searched the electronic databases for original research and review articles on Othello syndrome in demented patients using the search terms ‘Othello syndrome, morbid jealousy, pathological jealousy, delusional disorders, dementia’. Convictions about the partner's infidelities may form the content of psychopathological phenomena, such as delusions. Delusional jealousy is a frequent problem in dementia. Coexistent delusions and hallucinations are frequent. The violence in demented patients suffering from this syndrome is well documented and forensic aspects are highlighted. There are no systematic researches about the clinical characteristics of Othello syndrome in persons suffering from dementia, but only case reports and it is not possible to differentiate or compare differences of delusional jealousy across the various type of dementia or distinguish the syndrome in demented patients from the syndrome in other psychiatric disorders. Frontal lobe dysfunction may be called into question in delineating the cause of the delusional jealousy seen in Othello syndrome.     

“There but not there”: Imagined bonds with siblings never known

Continuing a bond after a loved one’s death is considered typical and healthy. However, such a bond can continue symbolically only if it existed in the first place. What of indirect grievers, those who never knew the decedent? The authors describe bonds between individuals who did not have a living relationship to begin with, a concept referred to as imagined bonds. Forty-nine adults, who had a sibling die that they never knew, were interviewed. This article describes the bonds constructed between participants and the sibling they never knew. The authors compare and contrast the concepts of continuing bonds versus imagined bonds.