The genetic and epigenetic basis of ependymoma

Introduction  

Although ependymoma is the third most common pediatric brain tumor, we know little about the genetic/epigenetic basis of its initiation, maintenance, or progression. This is due in part to the heterogeneity of the disease, as well as the small sample size of the cohorts analyzed in most studies.     

Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on work outcomes in vocational rehabilitation for participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

Designed to help persons with schizophrenia to persist and perform better at job placements, the Indianapolis Vocational Intervention Program (IVIP) is a program of cognitive-behavioral group and individual interventions. While its feasibility has been previously demonstrated, it is unknown whether IVIP assists persons to achieve greater levels of participation in vocational rehabilitation and higher levels of job performance. In this study, 100 participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were offered a six month job placement and randomized to receive IVIP (n = 50) or support services (n = 50) matched for treatment intensity. Number of hours worked was recorded weekly and job performance was assessed biweekly using the Work Behavior Inventory with raters blind to condition. t-tests revealed that participants in the IVIP group worked a significantly greater number of weeks than those in the support condition. Also, repeated measures ANOVA revealed the IVIP group worked more hours across that 26 week period as well. And with regards to work performance, repeated measures of the 56 participants who worked for at least two-thirds of the intervention revealed that participants in the IVIP group had generally better work performance than those in the support condition. Results suggest a connection between cognitive-behavioral interventions and higher levels of work performance in people with schizophrenia.     

Study of fingerprint classification and their gender distribution among South Indian population

Identification of an individual plays a vital part of any medicolegal investigation. Fingerprint is considered to be the most accurate and reliable indicator in identification.The present study was conducted on 500 South Indian subjects to determine the individuality and the predominant fingerprint pattern among South Indian population. Two-hundred and fifty males and 250 females of South Indian origin were included for this study and rolled prints were taken from all the 10 digits and the same were stored on a proforma.The most frequent fingerprint pattern was ulnar loop in the total population, as well as in the sex wise distribution.     

Comparison of effects and plasma concentrations of opioids between elderly and middle-aged patients after cardiac surgery

Background: In elderly patients, opioids may cause prominent postoperative sedation and respiratory depression. We evaluated the influence of age on the effects of opioids and plasma concentrations of fentanyl and oxycodone in cardiac surgery patients.
Methods: Thirty (≥75 years, gender M9/F21) and 20 (≤60 years, gender M20/F0) patients scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery. A standard anesthesia with fentanyl as an opioid was used. Fentanyl plasma concentrations were measured at the end of surgery and 2 h later. After tracheal extubation, when the pain intensity was at least moderate, blood samples for fentanyl and oxycodone plasma concentration measurements were taken. Thereafter, oxycodone hydrochloride 0.05 mg/kg i.v. was administered. After 15 and 45 min, pain intensity, sedation and oxycodone plasma concentration were determined. This test protocol was repeated twice.
Results: The elderly had a higher plasma concentration of fentanyl at the end of surgery than younger patients (5.7±2.2 vs. 3.8±1.2 ng/ml, P =0.001). The plasma concentrations of oxycodone were comparable between the groups. The interval between the second and the third oxycodone dose was longer in the elderly patients ( P =0.036). Pain intensity on the verbal rating scale was lower at the 45-min assessment point after all three oxycodone test doses ( P =0.008) and sedation scores were significantly higher after the third dose in the elderly patients ( P =0.035).
Conclusions: In elderly patients, the plasma concentration of fentanyl was higher but plasma levels of oxycodone were at a similar level compared with middle-aged patients. However, the elderly patients had less pain and were more sedated after doses of oxycodone.