Prevalence of Galen's anastomosis: an anatomical and comparative study

An anatomical study of 50 fresh adult human cadavers was performed in order to verify prevalence of Galen's anastomosis (GA) and to evaluate whether factors such as gender, ethnicity, side of the neck, and individual stature may interfere with GA prevalence. The results were analysed using the Chi-square test, Student t-test, and F-Snedecor test. GA was observed in 87 of 100 dissections. There was no statistically significant difference regarding GA prevalence between groups separated by ethnicity (p = 0.853), gender (p = 0.198), side of the neck (p = 0.766), or individual height (p = 0.199). Therefore, the GA was a frequent anatomical finding, and this result was not influenced by any studied factor. Comparing our data with previous studies, we also concluded that the GA seems to play an important role in the innervation of the larynx, even though its function remains unclear. Also, it is reasonable to consider GA a constant anatomical constituent.     

Effectiveness of fetal fibronectin testing compared with digital cervical assessment of women with preterm contractions

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of fetal fibronectin (FFN) compared to assessment of cervical dilation (CD) in clinical management of women with symptomatic preterm labor (PTL). Pregnant women presenting to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital between May 1, 2001 and November 30, 2002 with symptomatic PTL underwent FFN sampling and had a complete clinical evaluation including a pelvic bimanual examination. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancy, gestational age (GA) between 24 (0) and 33 (6) weeks, CD < 3 cm, and intact amniotic membranes. FFN samples were sent out and results were available within 4-12 hours. Clinical management including tocolysis, antenatal steroids, and hospitalization was determined based on digital CD assessment and FFN status. A dilated cervix was defined as CD > 1 cm. Ninety-three patients were included. Spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD) at < 37 weeks occurred in 20 of 93 (21.5%) patients. Medical therapy use was significantly higher in patients with dilated cervix than in those with a closed cervix (all P values < 0.05). Tocolysis and steroid use in FFN-negative patients and FFN-positive patients were not significantly different. Furthermore, tocolytic use was higher in FFN-negative patients than in women with positive FFN (50% versus 42.1%; P = 0.53). Use of antenatal steroids was similar in patients with CD >/= 1 cm and a positive FFN (54.5% versus 47.4%; P = 0.92). Compared with FFN-negative patients, women with closed cervix were less likely to undergo interventions. In symptomatic PTL patients, CD determined clinical management more than FFN status. Overall, the use of FFN was not effective in decreasing "unnecessary" clinical interventions.     

Teercarcinom bei vital-gespeicherten Mäusen

Ohne ZusammenfassungZ. Krebsforschg28, 374 (1929).     

Searching for bridges between psychopathology and real-world functioning in first-episode psychosis: A network analysis from the OPTiMiSE trial

BackgroundNetwork analysis has been used to explore the interplay between psychopathology and functioning in psychosis, but no study has used dedicated statistical techniques to focus on the bridge symptoms connecting these domains. The current study aims to estimate the network of depressive, negative, and positive symptoms, general psychopathology, and real-world functioning in people with first-episode schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder, focusing on bridge nodes.MethodsBaseline data from the OPTiMiSE trial were analyzed. The sample included 446 participants (age 40.0 ± 10.9 years, 70% males). The network was estimated with a Gaussian graphical model, using scores on individual items of the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS), the Calgary depression scale for schizophrenia, and the personal and social performance scale. Stability, strength centrality, expected influence (EI), predictability, and bridge centrality statistics were computed. The top 20% scoring nodes on bridge strength were selected as bridge nodes.ResultsNodes from different rating scales assessing similar psychopathological and functioning constructs tended to cluster together in the estimated network. The most central nodes (EI) were Delusions, Emotional Withdrawal, Depression, and Depressed Mood. Bridge nodes included Depression, Conceptual Disorganization, Active Social Avoidance, Delusions, Stereotyped Thinking, Poor Impulse Control, Guilty Feelings, Unusual Thought Content, and Hostility. Most of the bridge nodes belonged to the general psychopathology subscale of the PANSS. Depression (G6) was the bridge node with the highest value.ConclusionsThe current study provides novel insights for understanding the complex phenotype of psychotic disorders and the mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of comorbidity and functional impairment after psychosis onset.