Total cortisol,free cortisol,and growth hormone associated with brief social separation experiences in young macaques

Many behavioral, immunological, and physiological consequences of brief maternal separation in bonnet (Macaca radiata) and pigtail monkeys (Macaca nemistrina) have been documented. However, the impact of social separation on plasma cortisol and growth hormone is unknown for these particular species. In the present study, the behavioral and endocrinological consequences of a 2-week maternal separation in socially housed infant bonnet and pigtail monkeys were followed. In seven pairs (separated and matched control) of bonnet and six pairs of pigtail infants, plasma was obtained under baseline, separated, and reunion conditions twice weekly for the duration of the study. Blood samples were obtained from both infants of the pair in approximately 10 min. Plasma total cortisol, free cortisol, and growth hormone were measured in these samples. Focal animal behavioral observations were made on all subjects twice daily throughout the study period. In both species, total cortisol and free cortisol rose immediately following maternal separation in comparison to the matched nonseparated controls and returned to basal levels (e.g., that of matched non-separted controls) following reunion with the mother. In contrast, plasma growth hormone rose only in the pigtail infants over a time course that peaked around the time of reunion. Multiple regression techniques indicated for the first week of separation, in the separated but not control subjects, that mean plasma free and total cortisol was positively related to distress behaviors (vocalization and postural slouch) observed during this week and negatively related to social behaviors (play and proximity to others) noted during the same period. In contrast, plasma growth hormone was related to both species and sex of the subjects but unrelated to behavioral variables. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Evidence of an abnormal intramuscular component of fatigue in multiple sclerosis

The goals of this study were to investigate muscle fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to determine the relationships between muscle fatigue, clinical status, and perceived fatigue. The fatigability of the anterior tibial muscle was quantitated in patients and controls during 9 min of intermittent stimulation (used to eliminate central sources of muscle fatigue). During exercise, the decline in tetanic force, phosphocreatine, and intracellular pH was greater in patients than in controls. The compound muscle action potential amplitude did not decrease during exercise, indicating that there was no failure of neuromuscular transmission during fatigue. Thus, the excessive fatigue in MS developed from sources beyond the muscle membrane. Following exercise, the recovery of tetanic force was delayed in patients (a pattern that suggests abnormal excitation–contraction coupling), whereas the recovery of metabolites was complete in both groups. Muscular fatigue was correlated with clinical disability but not with perceived fatigue. These results suggests that fatigue in MS has both central (perception, upper motor neuron dysfunction) and peripheral (impaired metabolism and excitation–contraction coupling) components.© 1995 John Wiley &Sons, Inc.     

Analysis of the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene in familial and sporadic myoclonus-dystonia: evidence for genetic heterogeneity.

The epsilon-sarcoglycan gene (SGCE) on human chromosome 7q21 has been reported to be a major locus for inherited myoclonus-dystonia. Linkage to the SGCE locus has been detected in the majority of families tested, and mutations in the coding region have been found recently in families with autosomal dominant myoclonus-dystonia. To evaluate the relevance of SGCE in myoclonus-dystonia, we sequenced the entire coding region of the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene in 16 patients with either sporadic or familial myoclonus-dystonia. No mutations were found. This study suggests that epsilon-sarcoglycan does not play an important role in sporadic myoclonus-dystonia and supports genetic heterogeneity in familial cases.     

Medial talo-calcaneal coalition. Case report

Medial talo-calcaneal coalition is an uncommon developmental anomaly consisting of a bony projection arising from the postero-medial aspect of the sustentaculum tali, which may articulate with another bony projection from the medial aspect of the talus. Fibrous, cartilaginous or bony ankylosis may occur. It usually presents in adolescents, and causes pain following exercise. It may cause a lump, and can predispose to flat foot and early osteoarthrosis. This condition is easily overlooked on routine views of the ankle, and may require oblique views and tomography for its detection and clarification.     

Body pain and treatment response in late-life depression.

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated the influence of body pain on 1) time to treatment response and 2) suicidal ideation, in late-life depression. They hypothesized that higher levels of body pain would predict a longer time to and lower likelihood of response, and increased levels of suicidal ideation. METHODS: Subjects (N=187) were older adult outpatients (age > or =69 years), with current episodes of major depression, who were openly treated with paroxetine up to 40 mg daily and weekly interpersonal psychotherapy. Response was defined as 3 consecutive weeks of Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression at < or =10. Body pain was measured with the Bodily Pain Index of the SF-36 quality-of-life assessment. Authors used survival-analysis models on the responder sample to test the effect of body pain on response, after controlling for severity of depression. RESULTS: Overall response rate was 75.4%. Nonresponders reported more severe pain at baseline. After covarying for severity of baseline depression, no effect was found for physical pain on time-to-response or degree of suicidality. Bodily pain remained stable during acute treatment for responders, independent of depression response to combination psychotherapy and antidepressant treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Older adult patients with higher levels of physical pain can still respond to antidepressant treatment; however, reported bodily pain may be associated with a more difficult-to-treat depression.     

Current controversies in oral lichen planus: report of an international consensus meeting. Part 1. Viral infections and etiopathogenesis.

Despite recent advances in understanding the immunopathogenesis of oral lichen planus (LP), the initial triggers of lesion formation and the essential pathogenic pathways are unknown. It is therefore not surprising that the clinical management of oral LP poses considerable difficulties to the dermatologist and the oral physician. A consensus meeting was held in France in March 2003 to discuss the most controversial aspects of oral LP. Part 1 of the meeting report focuses on (1) the relationship between oral LP and viral infection with special emphasis on hepatitis C virus (HCV), and (2) oral LP pathogenesis, in particular the immune mechanisms resulting in lymphocyte infiltration and keratinocyte apoptosis. Part 2 focuses on patient management and therapeutic approaches and includes discussion on malignant transformation of oral LP.     

Framework for interactive million-neuron simulation.

SUMMARY: Large simulations have become increasingly complex in many fields, tending to incorporate scale-dependent modeling and algorithms and wide-ranging physical influences. This scale of simulation sophistication has not yet been matched in neuroscience. The authors describe a framework aimed at enabling natural interaction with complex simulations: their configuration, initial conditions, monitoring, and analysis. The architecture is built on three cornerstone components: active probes, adaptive data capture, and visual interface. The resulting synthesis will enable interactive exploration of live simulations running on supercomputing platforms.     

Carcinoid associated encephalitis successfully treated with tryptophan.

This case report describes the rare phenomenon of encephalopathy associated with massive carcinoid tumor. Extensive investigation failed to reveal an obvious cause but a presumptive diagnosis of tryptophan deficiency was made and she was commenced on tryptophan dietary supplements. A rapid and complete response resulted. This case report discusses this unusual case and reviews the literature regarding carcinoid associated encephalopathy.