Mood and attention variability in women with alcohol dependence: a preliminary investigation

We compared women (n = 22) with alcohol dependence in an in-patient rehabilitation program at three weeks abstinence with student controls on mood scales and affect variability measured with a visual analogue scale. Patients also completed a measure of attention variability using a Continuous Performance Test. Fourteen of the patients met criteria for a bipolar spectrum disorder. Patients scored higher on mood scales and affect variability measures than controls. High and scared affect variability correlated with attention variability. This suggests that mood/cognitive dysregulation may be a component of alcohol dependence in women.     

Surgical and obstetric outcomes in adults with sickle cell disease

Background

Sickle cell disease patients are more likely than the general population to undergo surgery and usually do so at a younger age. Female sickle cell disease patients also have special gynecological and obstetric issues related to their disease.

Methods

We collected data through standardized clinical report forms, patient interviews, and medical records from 509 adult sickle cell disease patients. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between multiple variables and each of the surgery types. We also determined the prevalence and outcomes of pregnancy in 284 women with sickle cell disease in this population.

Results

Almost 50% of patients aged 18-27 years had had a cholecystectomy. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin, total bilirubin, and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly higher in the postcholecystectomy group; 9.5% of 504 individuals had undergone splenectomy. Hematocrit, body mass index, and red blood cell count were significantly higher in the postsplenectomy group. Hip replacement had been performed in 9.2% of individuals, with the prevalence increasing as early as the fourth decade and continuing to increase through the sixth decade of life. A history of pregnancy was present in 190 women (67%). Of 410 pregnancies, only 53.9% resulted in live births, 16.6% were voluntarily terminated, and 29.5% were complicated by miscarriage, still birth, or ectopic implantation.

Conclusions

Sickle cell disease continues to have a strong effect on the mean age for common surgeries and impacts pregnancy outcomes. We conclude that this population has a unique surgical and obstetric history that should be further studied to provide insight into potentially more effective preventive approaches to end-organ damage.     

Paradoxical postural cerebrospinal fluid leak-induced headache: report of two cases

We report two patients with a history of dural puncture who developed paradoxical postural cerebrospinal fluid leak-induced headache. The patients' headache worsened when they were in the recumbent position, and it improved when they were placed upright. Both patients had a history of migraine headache. The patients were successfully treated with autologous epidural blood patch. The mechanism for PPCLH is to be elucidated.     

Transplants of encapsulated rat choroid plexus cells exert neuroprotection in a rodent model of Huntington's disease

Choroid plexus (CP) epithelial cells secrete several neurotrophic factors and have been used in transplantation studies designed to impart neuroprotection against central nervous system (CNS) trauma. In the present study, CP was isolated from adult rats, encapsulated within alginate microcapsules, and transplanted unilaterally into the rat striatum. Three days later, unilateral injections of quinolinic acid (QA; 225 nmol) were made into the ipsilateral striatum to mimic the pathology observed in Huntington's disease (HD). After surgery, animals were tested for motor function using the placement test. Rats receiving CP transplants were significantly less impaired on this test. Nissl-stained sections demonstrated that CP transplants significantly reduced the volume of the striatal lesion produced by QA. Quantitative analysis of striatal neurons further demonstrated that choline acetyltransferase-immunoreactive, but not diaphorase-positive, neurons were protected by CP transplants. These data demonstrate that transplanted CP cells can be used to protect striatal neurons from excitotoxic damage and that the pattern of neuroprotection varies across specific neuronal populations.     

Cultural significance of primary teeth for caregivers in Northeast Brazil

This anthropological study critically evaluates Brazilian caregivers' symbolic production and significance of their malnourished offspring's primary teeth, as well as their own, and describes popular dental practices. From January to June 2004, ethnographic interviews of 27 poor, low-literacy mothers were conducted at a public Malnutrition Treatment Center in Fortaleza, Ceará State. Participant observation of clinical pathways and home environments supplemented the data. Content analysis was performed. Results confirm that primary teeth are imbued with cultural significance in Northeast Brazil. Mothers examine mouths, perceive signs of decay, associate primary with permanent tooth healthiness, identify ethnodental illnesses, seek assistance, and perform rituals with exfoliated teeth. The mother's motivation to care for primary teeth is sparked by her memories of past toothache and attempts to avoid stigma and discrimination. Social determinants, not mothers' beliefs or behaviors, are the most critical obstacles to effective dental care. Legitimizing lay knowledge and empowering caregivers and children can improve oral health in Northeast Brazil.     

Food frequency questionnaires and overnight urines are valid indicators of daidzein and genistein intake in U.S. women relative to multiple 24-h urine samples

Data regarding convenient, valid methods for measuring U.S. isoflavone intake are limited. We evaluated a soy food questionnaire (SFQ), the Willett food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and overnight urine samples relative to excretion in 24-h urine samples. We also described intake among women in a high-risk program for breast or ovarian cancer. Between April 2002 and June 2003, 451 women aged 30 to 50 yr with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer completed the SFQ and FFQ. Of them, 27 provided four 24-h and overnight urine specimens. In these women, 24-h sample measures were correlated with SFQ estimates of daidzein (Spearman r = .48) and genistein (r = .54) intake, moderately correlated with the Willett FFQ (daidzein r = .38, genistein r = .33), and strongly correlated with overnight urine excretion (daidzein r = .84, genistein r = 0.93). Among all 451 SFQ respondents, mean (median) daidzein and genistein intakes were 2.8 (0.24) and 3.9 (0.30) mg/day. Primary sources of both were soymilk, soy nuts, and tofu. We conclude that targeted soy food questionnaires, comprehensive FFQs, and multiple overnight urines are all reasonable options for assessing isoflavone intake in epidemiologic studies.     

Food consumption, a health risk? Norms and medical practice in the Middle Ages

The health regimen was a medical genre developed in Western Europe as of the 13th century and is one of the main sources attesting the interest that professionals working on health devoted to the dangers incurred in eating. This medical genre, part of an ancient tradition, was well known by the elites of the time. The surviving texts reveal themselves to be extremely attentive to contemporary food consumption and provided their readers with the necessary recommendations in order to enable them to take care of their health.