Allergy to barium sulfate suspension with angioedema of the stomach and small bowel

Hypersensitivity reactions occurring during barium studies of the gastrointestinal tract are rare. A case is presented with radiographically demonstrated angioedema in the stomach and small bowel accompanied by allergic rhinitis, which was apparently an allergic response to the barium sulfate suspension. The reaction was documented twice during separate challenges to the barium suspension performed several months apart.     

Illness-induced hyperalgesia is mediated by spinal neuropeptides and excitatory amino acids

The spinal cord dorsal horn contains neural mechanisms which can greatly facilitate pain. We have recently shown that ‘illness’-inducing agents, such as intraperitoneally administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS; bacterial endotoxin), can produce prolonged hyperalgesia. This hyperalgesic state is mediated at the level of the spinal cord via activation of the NMDA-nitric oxide cascade. However, prolonged neuronal depolarization is required before such a cascade can occur. The present series of experiments were aimed at identifying spinal neurotransmitters which might be responsible for creating such a depolarized state. These studies show that LPS hyperalgesia is mediated at the level of the spinal cord by substance P, cholecystokinin and excitatory amino acids acting at non-NMDA sites. No apparent role for serotonin or kappa opiate receptors was found.     

Variation in evoked potential measures over the menstrual cycle: A pilot study

Nancy Kluck, Scan J. O'Connor, Victor M. Hesselbrock, Allan Tasman and Donald Maier, Lance Bauer: Variation in Evoked Potential Measures Over the Menstrual Cycle: A Pilot Study. Prog. Neuro. Psychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiat. 1992. 16(6): 901–911.

1. 1. The P3 component of a visual event related potential (ERP) was studied for five consecutive weeks in six women with normal menstrual cycles. Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone were studied during the same period.

2. 2. Increases in P3 amplitude, although nonsignificant, were noted in the week preceding onset of menses.

3. 3. No significant changes in reaction times to target/nontarget stimuli were noted over the same time period.

Ein Beitrag zur aktuellen Antidementivadiskussion in Deutschland

In Germany, the role of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become a topic of recent discussion. The present article addresses issues which, in the opinion of the authors, have not received sufficient attention. These include the distinction between statistical and clinical significance, outcome parameters, the duration of clinical trials, variability in treatment response and the definition of treatment responders. The authors argue that these issues need to be considered in an in-depth evaluation of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of AD.     

Bilaterale rezidivierende retinale Thrombose bei einem jungen Mann

A 41-year-old male patient presented with veiled vision which had appeared only a few hours previously. Funduscopy revealed a retinal edema due to venous stasis retinopathy. A previous history was unknown except for an uncorrected arterial hypertension. A retinal vein thrombosis and macula edema developed in the affected eye. An antiphospholipid antibody syndrome was diagnosed which was treated with anticoagulants.     

Transforming Prenatal Care: Reflections on the Past and Present With Implications for the Future

The current model for delivery of prenatal care was developed more than 100 years ago. Evidence suggests that this model is no longer appropriate for meeting national health objectives or for meeting the needs of a diverse population of pregnant women. This article provides a historical overview of prenatal care; describes the current system for care delivery and problems associated with it; and suggests strategies for transforming care into an effective, comprehensive model. JOGNN, 25, 17–23; 1996.     

Computed tomography in depression: association between ventricular size and psychopathology

The relationship between psychopathology and brain alterations, measured by computed tomography (CT), was investigated in 44 depressed patients. Comparisons of ventricle-brain ratio (VBR) between "endogenous" vs. "nonendogenous" subgroups, classified by six distinct diagnostic systems, revealed no significant differences. The VBR and the width of the third ventricle correlated significantly with scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, the Global Assessment Scale, the Bech-Rafaelsen Melancholia Scale, the Rating for Emotional Blunting, and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, but not with scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety. Item analyses of the Bech-Rafaelsen Melancholia Scale revealed that retardation-related items were most significantly correlated with ventricular size. The wider diameter of the third ventricle in psychotic patients was associated with higher scores on retardation in the psychotic subgroup, whereas the greater distances of both Sylvian fissures showed no relationship to psychomotor retardation. No significant correlations were found between CT values and anxiety, suicidal impulses, somatic complaints, and sleep disturbances.     

Applications of a rat multiple tissue gene expression data set

With the sequencing and assembly of the rat genome comes the difficult task of assigning functions to genes. Tissue localization of gene expression gives some information about the potential role of a gene in physiology. Various examples of the utility of multiple tissue gene expression data sets are illustrated here. First, we highlight their use in finding genes that might play an important role in a particular tissue on the basis of exclusive expression in that tissue or coexpression with a gene or genes with known function. Second, we show how this data might be used to explain known phenotypic differences between strains. Third, we show how expression patterns of genes in a genomic interval might identify candidate genes in quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping studies. Lastly, we show how multiple tissue and species data can help researchers prioritize follow up studies to microarray experiments. All of these applications of multiple tissue gene expression data sets will play a role in functionally annotating the rat genome.