Sensitization of trigeminal nociception specific for migraine but not pain of sinusitis.

Neurology. 2002;59:1450-1453.
Trigeminal pain processing was studied in 14 patients with unilateral migraine attacks and 14 age- and sex-matched patients with comparable unilateral headache from frontal sinusitis. Using a nociception-specific blink reflex method (nBR), a facilitation of nBR responses predominantly on the headache side was observed in migraine, but not in sinusitis. The facilitation of trigeminal nociception may be specific for migraine rather than a consequence of peripheral pain such as frontal sinusitis.
Comment: Here we have evidence for the central hyperexcitability of migraine, not found in the previously cited article by Boska et al. SJT     

ELISA versus PCR for diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background  

Most current guidelines recommend two serological tests to diagnose chronic Chagas disease. When serological tests are persistently inconclusive, some guidelines recommend molecular tests. The aim of this investigation was to review chronic Chagas disease diagnosis literature and to summarize results of ELISA and PCR performance.     

Cell cloning-based transcriptome analysis in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 mutation patients with severe epileptic encephalopathy

Mutations in the human CDKL5 gene have been shown to cause infantile spasms, as well as Rett syndrome-like phenotype. Because CDKL5 is subjected to X chromosome inactivation (XCI), individual cells from CDKL5 mutation girls either express the wild-type or mutant allele, likely resulting in different consequences at both the cellular and molecular levels. To identify these consequences, we carried out gene expression profiling on clonal populations derived from primary cultures of three patients' fibroblasts either expressing the wild-type or mutant allele. A total of 16 up-regulated and 20 down-regulated genes were identified. The differentially expressed gene products, mostly involved in differentiation and oxidative stress may be related to a mechanism underlying mental retardation and epilepsy. Among these, the apoptosis signal-regulated kinase MAP3K5 expression was found to be altered in non-neuronal, but also in neuronal CDKL5-deficient cells. Due to the fact that MAP3K5 activates MAP kinase pathway, which mediates signals leading to both differentiation and survival in neuronal cells, we suggest that a CDKL5 deficit may induce changes in synaptic plasticity in the patient's brain.     

Potential therapeutic utility of hybridized IgG4 antibodies

Targeted cancer immunotherapy requires identifying and targeting an antigen preferentially present in the individual patient’s tumor as compared to that patient’s normal tissues. Manufacturing a fully targeted antibody can be time consuming and expensive, limiting the use of targeted immunotherapy as personalized cancer medicine.     

In-111-labeled white blood cell uptake in noninfected closed fracture in humans: prospective study

Since indium-111 white blood cell (In-111 WBC) scintigraphy is often used to evaluate for osteomyelitis in bone fractures, it is important to know if noninfected fractures have In-111 WBC uptake. Twenty-seven noninfected closed fracture sites in 19 patients were prospectively evaluated with technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate bone scintigraphy and In-111 WBC scintigraphy. In-111 WBC uptake was present in 41% of the 27 sites. In the 11 positive sites, the In-111 WBC uptake was 1+ (definite but minimal) in 55%, 2+ (moderate) in 36%, and 3+ (marked) in 9%. The visual intensity of the radioactive uptake on In-111 WBC scintigrams relative to that on bone scintigrams was less in 82%, equal in 9%, and greater in 9%. The visual size of the area of uptake on In-111 WBC scintigrams and bone scintigrams was smaller in 36%, equal in 55%, and greater in 9%. Factors that may help distinction of In-111 WBC uptake due to fracture alone from infection associated with fracture are discussed.     

无牙颌颞下颌关节紊乱病患者总义齿修复前后咬合垂直距离改变与髁状突在关节凹内位置的关系

目的:观察咬合垂直距离改变对无牙颌颞下颌关节紊乱病患者两侧颞颌关节髁状突位置的影响。方法:于1994-01/1997-12选择本院口腔修复门诊收治的无牙颌患者中符合颞下颌关节紊乱病诊断标准,同时垂直距离减低的患者48例。实验方案经医院伦理委员会审批,患者均知情同意。将48例无牙颌颞下颌关节紊乱病患者根据垂直距离减低程度的不同分为3组:减低1.8～6.0mm组18例,减低6.1～10.0mm组20例,减低10.1￣14.0mm组10例。通过重新制作一副全口义齿的方法治疗,咬合垂直距离恢复在合适的范围内,3组全口义齿的咬合垂直距离恢复前分别平均为63.4,60.6,54.2mm,恢复后咬合垂直距离分别平均为67.8,68.4,66.4mm,平均抬高4.4,7.8,12.2mm。通过拍摄正中颌位时颞下颌关节薛氏位X射线片测量各组前、后、上关节间隙。结果:垂直距离恢复前,减低1.8～6.0mm组关节后间隙,减低6.1～10.0mm组关节前、后间隙、减低10.1￣14.0mm组关节上、后间隙左右侧相比较,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。垂直距离恢复后,3组关节间隙左右侧差异无显著性意义。结论:无牙颌咬合垂直距离减低后可以导致两侧髁状突位置发生不对称改变。     

Malabsorption and nutritional balance in the ICU: fecal weight as a biomarker: a prospective observational pilot study

Introduction  

Malabsorption, which is frequently underdiagnosed in critically ill patients, is clinically relevant with regard to nutritional balance and nutritional management. We aimed to validate the diagnostic accuracy of fecal weight as a biomarker for fecal loss and additionally to assess fecal macronutrient contents and intestinal absorption capacity in ICU patients.     

Sexual healthcare needs of women aged 65 and older

OBJECTIVES: To compare prevalence and type of sexual concerns and interest in and experience with discussing these concerns with physicians for women younger than 65 and 65 and older. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Departments of Family Practice and Obstetrics and Gynecology at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington. PARTICIPANTS: Of 1,480 women seeking routine gynecological care, 964 (65%) responded; 163 (17%) were aged 65 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported sexual concerns and interest in and experience with discussing these concerns with their physicians. RESULTS: Older women had a similar number of sexual concerns as younger women and were more likely to be concerned about their partner's sexual difficulties. Older women were less likely to have ever had the topic of sexual health raised during healthcare visits. Even though these women were more likely to report youthful-appearing physicians as hindering the topic of sexual health, the majority indicated that they would have discussed their concerns had the physician raised the topic and were interested in a follow-up appointment to do so. CONCLUSION: Although the types of sexual concerns vary in frequency, women aged 65 and older have a similar number of sexual concerns as younger women. Older women want physicians to inquire about their sexual health. This discussion should include inquiries about their partner's sexual functioning. To overcome age as a barrier to this discussion, younger physicians should be particularly attentive to initiating the topic of sexual health.