Posttraumatic stress, depression, and health among older adults in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: The authors examined 1) rates of trauma and posttraumatic stress (PTS) in older adults in primary care; 2) factors related to more posttraumatic stress symptoms; and 3) the influence of posttraumatic stress and depression on health perceptions and negative health behaviors (i.e., suicidal ideation, smoking, and at-risk drinking). METHODS: As part of participation in a study at the Philadelphia VAMC and the University of Pennsylvania, a random subset (N = 2,718) of older adults (age > or = 65 years) with scheduled primary care visits were screened concerning demographics, the General Health Questionnaire-12, suicidal thoughts, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, perceived health status, PTS, and cognitive impairment. RESULTS: The rate of trauma in older adult primary care patients was high in both the VA (37%) and university-based clinics (24%). Many older adults reported interference from at least one of the three posttraumatic stress items assessed (VA, 18%; university-based primary care, 8%). In a model including demographic factors, higher PTS and depression were uniquely related to more negative health perceptions. In a model including demographic factors, both higher PTS and depression were uniquely related to higher likelihood of suicidal ideation. In contrast, PTS no longer contributed to a model of smoking once depression was included. Neither PTS nor depression significantly contributed to a model of at-risk drinking. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma and posttraumatic stress are frequent and significant problems for older adults in primary care. Both posttraumatic stress and depression are related to more negative health perceptions and higher likelihood of suicidal ideation.     

Hippocampal damage and cytoskeletal disruption resulting from impaired energy metabolism

To determine if impaired energy metabolism might contribute to some aspects of Alzheimer disease (AD), including the vulnerability of the CA1 region of the hippocampal formation and the altered cytoskeleton evident in neurofibrillary tangles, we examined the effects of metabolic poisons on neuronal damage and cytoskeletal disruption in the hippocampal formation. Intrahippocampal injection of 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) and malonic acid resulted in neuronal death, particularly in CA1. Cytoskeletal disruption included loss of dendritic MAP2, but sparing of axonal τ. MK-801 (a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist) did not atenuate the lesions produced by intrahippocampal injection of malonate. MK-801, however, was effective against intrastriatal malonate. Acute systemic 3-NP resulted in neuronal damage and cytoskeletal disruption in the CA1 region of the hippocampal formation, including an extensive loss of MAP2 immuno-reactivity, but sparing of τ. The neuronal loss in CA1 was delayed as compared to striatum. Chronic intraventricular infusion of 3-NP produced a different pattern of neuronal damage. Loss of τ-1 immuno-reactivity was observed in CA3 and CA1 s. oriens, whereas MAP2 immunostaining was preserved. These results demonstrate that chronic and acute administration of metabolic inhibitors produce distinct patterns of neuronal damage and cytoskeletal disruption. The results further suggest a differential involvement of the NMDA receptor in malonate-induced neuronal damage in striatum as compared to the hippocampus. The pattern of neuronal damage and cytoskeletal disruption observed following acute metabolic impairment resembled some aspects of neurofibrillary pathology in AD, but did not result in τ hyperphosphorylation.     

Effects of poor glucose handling on arterial stiffness and left ventricular mass in normal children.

AIM: Cardiovascular risk factors can be present in children and young adults. We previously found abnormal microvascular function in children who had glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether they also have abnormalities in left ventricular mass (LVM) and arterial stiffness. METHODS: We measured heart dimensions and LVM using echocardiography, and arterial stiffness using pulse wave analysis in 23 children with good glucose handling (postfeeding glucose: 3.9 to 5 mmol/L) and 21 with poor glucose handling (7.7 to 11.4 mmol/L). RESULTS: The time to pulse reflection was slightly shorter in the poorer glucose handlers (mean+/-SD: 143+/-10 vs 153+/-20 ms, P=0.04), suggestive of increased arterial stiffness. Also in this group, there were significant relationships between intraventricular septal thickness, blood pressure and body mass index, but not in the normal glucose handlers. CONCLUSIONS: We have found that normal children who are in the lowest quintile of glucose tolerance in comparison with their peers are exhibiting the first signs of arterial stiffening. In addition, we have seen the beginnings of a relationship between blood pressure, body mass index and left ventricular enlargement in this group. While these changes may not yet be clinically significant, their emergence might be further evidence of early predisposition to cardiovascular disease.     

慢性胰腺炎患者行包括临时支架的内镜下介入：一种有效的治疗

目的：过去15年在慢性胰腺炎（CP）的内镜治疗中取得了巨大进展。然而，经内镜行胰腺内放置支架的价值还有争议。材料与方法：对98例（84例男性，14例女性，年龄49±12岁，极差23～83）有症状的CP患进行包括胰管内临时支架的内镜下介入治疗。将最后支架取出时作为内镜治疗的主要研究终点，96例患共随访了35±28个月（极差8d～111个月），对所有数据进行回顾性分析。结果：与其他的内镜下操作一样，共有358个支架放置在胰管内且留置了3±1个月（极差1d～11个月）。总的支架治疗时间是10±10个月（极差6d～49个月）。在有限的内镜治疗后的46±27个月（极差4～111个月）中，57例患不需要再次介入治疗，甚至2／3患没有更多的疼痛感。在22例需要外科治疗和17例需要再次内镜治疗的患中明显与继续摄入乙醇有关。结论：临时支架植入作为CP患内镜介入治疗的一部分有较高的技术含量和长期临床成功率，而且在相当多患中不需要二次治疗。禁止乙醇摄入明显有助于治疗效果的维持。     

Loa loa macrofilariasis in the eyelid: case report of the first periocular subcutaneous manifestation in Germany

Purpose We report a case of periocular subcutaneous macrofilariasis as an initial sign of a systemic Loa loa infection.Methods Thorough history, eye examination and surgical intervention. Parasitological and serological analysis.Results A periocular adult Loa loa worm was extracted from the left upper eyelid in an African student living in Germany after presenting to our department with intermittent attacks of painful lid swelling. Four weeks later he presented with Calabar swellings in his arms without serological evidence of microfilaria and was treated with diethylcarbamazine.Conclusion Due to increasing migration of populations to Europe rare manifestations of ocular loiasis are becoming more common. Intermittent painful eyelid swelling in patients who visited or have lived in Africa should always raise the suspicion of systemic loiasis.