Comparison of the effects of fluoxetine,imipramine and placebo on personality in atypical depression

BACKGROUND: Atypical depression is associated with elevated rates of personality disorders. Studies have confirmed the efficacy of a several antidepressants in the treatment of atypical depression. Whether their pathological dimensions of personality diminish after benefitting from effective medication treatment is unclear. AIMS: To determine the extent that pathological dimensions of character improved among patients who benefitted from treatment. METHOD: One-hundred and fifty-four outpatients with DSM-IV Major Depression who met Columbia criteria for atypical depression were randomized to receive fluoxetine, imipramine or placebo for a 10-week double-blind clinical trial. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was administered at the initiation of treatment and 8 weeks later. Low scores on either of two Character dimensions (Self-Directiveness or Cooperativeness) indicate psychopathology. RESULTS: Responders had a substantial reduction in Harm Avoidance, but post-treatment scores remained significantly higher than the normal control group (NCG). Fluoxetine and Imipramine did not produce different changes on personality, except for Self-Transcendence. LIMITATIONS: High proportion of missing data, inadequate sample size, post-hoc analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Among responders, Self-Directiveness improved and normalized; Harm Avoidance also improved but did not normalize. These data suggests that effective treatments reduce some pathological personality traits as well as improving mood.     

Prevalence of canine coronavirus antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in dogs in the south of Italy

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa), using as antigen canine coronavirus-infected CrFK cell supernatant, was developed to detect antibodies against canine coronavirus (CCoV). Out of a total of 109 dog serum samples, 80 which were positive by routine virus neutralisation test were also Elisa positive. Seventeen samples which were negative by the virus neutralisation test, were positive by Elisa and by the confirmatory Western blotting test. The Elisa was substantially more sensitive than the virus neutralisation test in detecting antibodies to CCoV and may be used as an alternative technique to virus neutralisation.     

Depletion and bioavailability of imidocarb residues in sheep and goat tissues

The residual depletion of a commercial product containing imidocarb dipropionate in sheep and goat tissues was investigated. Additionally, the oral bioavailability of residues was determined in rats to evaluate the extent to which tissue imidocarb residues could be reabsorbed by consumers. Ten ewes and 5 goats were administered im with a commercial formulation containing imidocarb dipropionate (Carbesia cavalli, Shering-Ploug 121.15 mg/ml) at the single dose of 3 mg/kg bw corresponding to 2.1 mg/kg bw imidocarb base. Two sheep and 1 goat were slaughtered 15, 30, 60, 90 or 120 d after dosing and samples of muscle, injection site muscle, liver, omental and subcutaneous fat, and kidneys were collected. Samples of cerebral hemisphere, cerebellum, olfactory bulb, pineal and pituitaryglands were dissected. For the residue bioavailability study 7 groups of3 Wistar rats each, were dosed by gavage with imidocarb dipropionate standard in water (group 2, 3 and 4) or with imidocarb as a liver residue collected from prior dosed animals (group 5, 6 and 7) at 8.4. 16.8 or 33.6 microg/kg of imidocarb base respectively, for 5 d. Group I was control. All animals were sacrificed the day after the last drug administration and livers were collected. The highest drug levels in sheep and goats occurred in liver and kidney, suggesting that these tissues are targets for residues; muscle had negligible importance as storage tissue. Goats had a lower storage capability than sheep. The residue profile in sheep liver and omental fat showed a 30-d storage period to reach maximum concentrations, and suggested that imidocarb is redistributed. The high and long-lasting concentrations in brain showed its capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier and caused concern for potential neurotoxic effects. Detectable concentrations of imidocarb were not found in rat liver.     

Surgical pathology examination of radical prostatectomy specimens. Updated protocol based on the Italian TAP study

Between January 1996 and June 2000, 192 men with prostate cancer underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RP) and bilateral pelvic node dissection in 26 centers participating in the Italian randomized prospective TAP study. The reviewing pathologist evaluated 145 RP specimens. Seventy-five cases had not been treated with total androgen ablation before RP was performed, whereas 70 had been treated for three months. Whole-mount sectioning of the complete radical prostatectomy specimens was adopted in each center for accurately evaluating the pathological stage of prostate cancer and resection limit status. The results of this study suggest that total androgen ablation before RP is beneficial in men with clinical stage T2 because of the significant pathological down-staging and decrease in the number of positive margins in the RP specimens. On the basis of the experience acquired through the Italian TAP study and recent publications on prognostic factors in prostate cancer, the original practice protocol for examination of RP specimens removed from patients with carcinoma of the prostate glands was updated.     

The role of letrozole (Femara(R)) in breast cancer therapy: A clinical review

Letrozole is a third-generation aromatase inhibitor for use in postmenopausal women with hormonal-sensitive breast cancer. This drug was found to reduce or effectively shrink tumors in a significant number of such patients. It exhibits antitumor activity at a relatively low daily dose, and is highly potent and selective and well tolerated. Results from recent phase III clinical studies have confirmed the efficacy and the key role of this drug in the therapy of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Moreover, letrozole demonstrated higher activity and lower toxicity compared to tamoxifen in the first-line therapy of postmenopausal women affected with advanced breast cancer. However, it also represents a valid option in second-line therapy after tamoxifen failure. New data on this agent in adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment also suggest efficacy in the treatment of early breast cancer. This article reviews the clinical data on letrozole in all settings and its future potential in chemoprevention. (c) 2001 Prous Science. All rights reserved.     

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rehabilitation setting. Part 1: professionals’ views on the changes in routine care provided by a rehabilitation centre for patients with muscle diseases

The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced the health care system to undergo profound rearrangements in services and facilities, especially during the periods of lockdown. In this context, inpatient and outpatient services had to rethink and reorganize their activities to meet the needs of severely disabled patients, as those affected by Muscular Dystrophies (MDs).We present the preliminary results of a survey aiming to explore the staff views on the changes in the care provided by the Gaetano Torre Rehabilitation Centre, and, the impact of these changes on professionals, patients and their families.The survey was carried out using an open-ended questionnaire including six-items, on the practical and psychological aspects emerged during the pandemic in relation to the healthcare services provided by the Centre and to the patients/caregivers conditions. The participants, most of them physiotherapists, highlighted 169 aspects emerging in the pandemic, 48.5% referring to the resources used to cope with critical issues and 51.5% concerning the difficulties encountered. Emotional aspects prevailed on practical aspects both in resources (52.4 vs 47.6%) and in difficulties (57.5 vs 42.5%) categories. In particular, with regard to patients’ resources, psychological benefits, despite the burden, were greater than practical ones (87 vs 13%), in the form of improved intra-family relationships, feeling more cared for, and satisfaction for the received care. As for the patients’ relatives, the staff indicated more resources than difficulties (72.8 vs 17.2%). Among the former, 75% concerned the emotional sphere, such as the perception of having a point of reference even in such a difficult time.Key words: pandemic, benefits, difficulties, muscle diseases, rehabilitation setting     

Evaluation of neovessels in atherosclerotic plaques of rabbits using an albumin-binding intravascular contrast agent and MRI

Purpose

To test whether B‐22956/1, a novel intravascular contrast agent with a high affinity to serum albumin (Bracco Imaging SpA.), allowed quantifying neovessel and macrophage density in atherosclerotic plaques of rabbits using MRI.

Materials and Methods

A T1‐weighted MRI of the aorta was acquired in 10 rabbits (7 atherosclerotic and 3 control rabbits) before and up to 2 h after intravenous injection of 100 μmol/kg of Gd‐DTPA or 75 μmol/kg of B‐22956/1. Plaque enhancement was measured at different time points. Immunohistochemistry was performed using anti‐CD 31 antibodies and anti‐RAM 11 antibodies to correlate to neovessel and macrophage density, respectively.

Results

MRI showed a significant plaque enhancement 2 h after B‐22956/1 versus Gd‐DTPA in the atherosclerotic group (39.75% versus 9.5%; P < 0.0001. Early atherosclerotic plaques (n = 146) enhancement positively correlates with neovessel density on corresponding histological sections (r = 0.42; P < 0.01). Enhancement of atherosclerotic plaques 2 h after injection of B‐22956/1 correlated with macrophage density (r = 0.71; P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Enhancement of atherosclerotic plaques with MRI correlated with neovessel density at early time points after the injection of B‐22956/1 and with macrophage density, at later time points. Hence, B‐22956/1‐enhanced MRI represents a promising imaging technique for the identification of “high‐risk” plaques. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:1406–1411. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Canine Parvovirus (CPV) Vaccination: Comparison of Neutralizing Antibody Responses in Pups after Inoculation with CPV2 or CPV2b Modified Live Virus Vaccine

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV2) emerged in 1978 as causative agent of a new disease of dogs. New antigenic variants (biotypes), designated CPV2a and CPV2b, became widespread during 1979 to 1980 and 1984, respectively. At the present time the original CPV2 has disappeared in the dog population and has been replaced by the two new viruses. In the present study the comparison of neutralizing antibody titers in two groups of pups (18 pups in each group) inoculated with CPV2 and CPV2b modified live virus vaccines is reported. Using the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, relevant differences between antibody titers, against either the homologous or the heterologous virus, were not constantly observed. Using the neutralization (Nt) test, however, the pups inoculated with CPV2 had antibody titers which were approximately 30 times higher to the homologous virus (mean, 4,732) than to the heterologous virus (CPV2b) (mean, 162). The results of these experiments support two conclusions: (i) the HI test may not always accurately evaluate the true immune status of dogs with respect to CPV, and (ii) dogs inoculated with CPV2 vaccine develop relatively low Nt antibody titers against the heterologous virus (CPV2b). These data may suggest an advantage for new vaccines, considering that most presently licensed vaccines are produced with CPV2, which no longer exists in the dog population.     

Folliculitis spinulosa decalvans: an uncommon entity within the keratosis pilaris atrophicans spectrum

Folliculitis spinulosa decalvans is an uncommon condition characterized by follicular hyperkeratosis, followed by scarring alopecia. We report a 12-year-old boy affected by keratotic papules of the scalp and keratosis pilaris of the limbs who developed erythema, pustules, and scale crusts on the scalp associated with scarring alopecia. Histologic examination showed follicular and interfollicular hyperkeratosis, follicular plugging, mild inflammation, and focal scarring. A transient remission of the inflammatory changes on the scalp was obtained after treatment with isotretinoin. The follicular spinulous hyperkeratosis persisted. A severe relapse of the scalp inflammation was observed during a 2-year follow-up.