Proton spectroscopy study of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in pediatric depressed patients

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) plays an essential role in mood regulation and integration of cognitive functions that are abnormal in major depressive disorder (MDD). Few neuroimaging studies have evaluated the still maturing DLPFC in depressed children and adolescents. We conducted single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H MRS) of the left DLPFC in 14 depressed children and adolescents (13.3 +/- 2.3 years old, 10 males) and 22 matched healthy controls (13.6 +/- 2.8 years old, 13 males). Depressed subjects had significantly lower levels of glycerophosphocholine plus phosphocholine (GPC + PC; or choline-containing compounds) and higher myo-inositol levels in the left DLPFC compared to healthy controls. In the depressed subjects, we found significant inverse correlations between glutamate levels and both duration of illness and number of episodes. In healthy controls there was a significant direct correlation between age and glutamine levels, which was not present in the patient group. Lower GPC + PC levels in pediatric MDD may reflect lower cell membrane content per volume in the DLPFC. Increased myo-inositol levels in MDD may represent a disturbed secondary messenger system. GPC + PC and myo-inositol abnormalities further demonstrate the involvement of DLPFC in pediatric MDD.     

Interspecific transfer of mammalian artificial chromosomes between farm animals

It is often desirable to transfer a mammalian artificial chromosome (MAC) from the cells of one species to those of another. Attempts to carry out such transfer have been successful in some cases and have failed in others. In this study we have tested the hypothesis that centromeric DNA sequence similarity could be a useful criterion for determining MAC host range. Homology studies indicated that the sheep should give positive transfer results. The prediction was tested by introducing into sheep cells a yeast artificial chromosome that contained swine centromeric sequences and that had previously been used to produce a de novo MAC in swine cells. The experiments resulted in the formation of a functional de novo MAC in sheep cells, as attested by FISH analysis. The newly formed MAC remained structurally and functionally stable in ovine up to 52 generations. The centromeric sequences present on the newly formed MAC are probably swine sequences, although it cannot be ruled out that some sheep sequences may also have migrated to the MAC. The size of the sheep MAC was determined by atomic force microscopy. Thus, centromeric sequence similarity appears to be a useful criterion for predicting the animal species between which MACs can shuttle. Both Filomena Monica Cavaliere and Gian Luca Scoarughi contributed equally to this research.     

Postoperative outcome of caesarean sections and other major emergency obstetric surgery by clinical officers and medical officers in Malawi

Background  

Clinical officers perform much of major emergency surgery in Malawi, in the absence of medical officers. The aim of this study was to validate the advantages and disadvantages of delegation of major obstetric surgery to non-doctors.     

Response to repetitive cycles of ovulation induction in the same women

It has been theorized that the administration of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in consecutive menstrual cycles will result in a poor follicular response in the second cycle. To examine this, 50 women undergoing ovulation induction in two consecutive cycles were assessed, using in each the same induction regimen during the initial 5 days. The remainder of each cycle was individualized according to their response. Nine women were anovulatory, 19 were oligoovulatory, and 22 ovulated regularly in unstimulated cycles. In repeat cycles only 3 of 50 had poor follicular development and did not receive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); all were anovulatory. Forty-two of 50 of the first cycles had continually rising estradiol (E₂), while 43 of 47 of the second cycles had rising E₂ patterns. Grouping the peak E₂ prior to hCG in the ranges <300, 300–699, 700–1099, and 1100 pg/ml, peaks in the second cycle were similar in 25 of 50, lower in 16, and higher in 9. Only 3 of 9 anovulatory women had similar peaks, as compared to 22 of 41 of the oligoovulatory and regularly ovulating women. Comparing the second to the first cycle, the day of hCG was within 1 day in 28 of 50 women, 2 or more days less than the first cycle in 6, and 2 or more days greater than the first cycle in 11. We conclude that in a successive cycle of ovulation induction (i) the follicular response is impaired in anovulatory women, but (ii) in oligoovulatory or regularly ovulating women, clinically significant differences in the estradiol response do not occur.     

Transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasound for monitoring of follicular development in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program: Patient response

Summary Patients' response to daily ultrasound scanning by either a transvaginal or a transabdominal method for the purpose of monitoring the ovarian response to gonadotropin therapy in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program has been evaluated. A questionnaire was used to determine various aspects of these two procedures, sources of discontent, and the patients' preference. The vast majority of patients reported less discomfort and generally preferred the transvaginal over the transabdominal scanning method. The transvaginal method is easy to perform, affords excellent visualization of the pelvic organs, and in addition, is clearly preferred by patients over the transabdominal technique. We recommend its use in patients monitored for IVF-ET and for a variety of other clinical conditions requiring detailed evaluation of the pelvic organs.     

Axonal degeneration in association with carpal tunnel syndrome

Median nerve entrapment in the palm to wrist segment is known as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Electromyography is the best evaluation test to confirm the disease, as it shows a median reduced conduction velocity and/or conduction block; however, the usual CTS electrodiagnostic tests do not separate segmental demyelination alone from segmental demyelination plus secondary axonal degeneration. We studied 100 hands from CTS patients (classified as mild, moderate, and severe), and 50 hands from normal subjects. The median palmar sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude was measured and compared between the two groups. It would be expected that SNAP was normal if no axonal degeneration had occurred. The results showed that in mild CTS group and part of moderate CTS group SNAP amplitude was normal, whereas in severe CTS group, and part of moderate group SNAP amplitude was reduced, proving that axonal degeneration was involved. As it is well stated that axonal lesions have worse prognosis than segmental demyelinating ones, this simple test may help to preditic the CTS outcome and treatment.     

Alcohol-related health disparities and treatment-related epidemiological findings among whites,blacks, and Hispanics in the United States

This article briefly reviews the alcohol epidemiological evidence on health disparities across whites, blacks, and Hispanics. Compared with whites, Hispanic men have higher rates of alcohol-related problems, intimate partner violence, and cirrhosis mortality; black men have higher rates of intimate partner violence and cirrhosis mortality. All groups see treatment as an appropriate intervention to address alcohol problems, and there also is support for prevention.     

Intimate partner violence and drinking: new research on methodological issues,stability and change,and treatment

This article represents the proceedings of a symposium at the 2002 RSA meeting in San Francisco, California. The presentations were (1) Assessing couples' agreement about alcohol involvement in intimate partner violence, by John Schafer; (2) The occurrence of partner physical aggression on days of alcohol consumption: a longitudinal diary study, by Williams Fals-Stewart; (3) The 5-year stability of intimate partner violence and drinking among White, Black, and Hispanic couples, by Raul Caetano; (4) Partner violence before and after individually-based alcoholism treatment for male alcoholic patients, by Timothy O'Farrell. The discussant was Brenda Miller.