ERN varies with degree of psychopathy in an emotion discrimination task

It is hypothesized that anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) function may be disrupted in psychopathy. Since ACC is considered the generator of the error-related negativity (ERN), we expected the ERN to be sensitive to the degree of psychopathy among violent offenders. EEG was collected while offenders and controls responded to a standard letter flanker task and to a face flanker task that required discrimination between angry and fearful expressions. Offenders were as accurate as controls on the letter flanker task but made more errors in emotion discrimination on the face flanker task. ERNs elicited by letter flanker errors did not differ across groups but were markedly reduced in the offenders in the face flanker condition. These effects were related to the degree of psychopathy within the offender group. Source modelling of the ERN also indicated an atypical response for psychopaths when error monitoring required the discrimination of affectively based information.     

Potential role of interleukin 6 in reactive thrombocytosis and acute phase response in pulmonary tuberculosis

Objective: Reactive thrombocytosis is found in a number of clinical situations including infectious diseases such as pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). To examine the possible role of interleukin (IL6) in reactive thrombocytosis and acute phase response in PTB this study measured serum IL6, C reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), albumin concentrations in 62 PTB patients and 20 healthy volunteers. Method: PTB patients were divided into two groups based on thrombocyte counts. Twenty seven PTB patients with normal thrombocyte counts constituted group 1, 35 PTB patients with thrombocytosis constituted group 2, and 20 healthy volunteers constituted group 3. Results: The median IL6 concentration of group 1 was 12.8 pg/ml (95% CI: 12.1 to 56.9 pg/ml) and group 2 was 40.6 pg/ml (95% CI: 67.1 to 168.7 pg/ml). The comparison of IL6 concentrations in the three groups was significant (p = 0.0001). Patients in group 1 had a higher concentration of CRP (p = 0.0001) and lower concentration of albumin (p = 0.002) than group 3 whereas group 2 had higher concentration of CRP (p = 0.003) and lower concentration of albumin (p = 0.002) than group 1. Serum IL6 concentrations were significantly correlated with thrombocyte counts (p = 0.004, r = 0.36), CRP (p = 0.007, r = 0.34), and albumin concentrations (p = 0.005, r = –0.34). IL6 concentrations were significantly correlated with the number of involved zones (p = 0.005, r = 0.35) and acid fast bacilli positivity (p = 0.03, r = 0.27). Patients in group 2 had weight loss (p = 0.004), fever (p = 0.038), and night sweats (p = 0.007) more frequently than group 1. Also, group 2 had more extensive radiological findings (involved zones p = 0.001, bilateral disease p = 0.0001, presence of cavity p = 0.02) than group 1. Conclusions: IL6 might play a contributory part in reactive thrombocytosis and acute phase response in PTB.     

Voiding position does not affect uroflowmetric parameters and post-void residual urine volume in healthy volunteers

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of voiding position using uroflowmetry and post-void residual (PVR) urine volume assessment in healthy men and women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population comprised 72 healthy volunteers. The mean (range) ages of the male (n = 36) and female (n = 36) subjects were 30 (18-40) years and 32 (21-44) years, respectively. The uroflowmetric studies were repeated in the standing, sitting and crouching positions for men and in the sitting and crouching positions for women. At least three measurements were obtained for all voiding positions for each volunteer. PVR volumes were measured using trans-abdominal ultrasound after each voiding. Maximum flow rate (Qmax), average flow rate (Qave), voided volume (VV) and PVR values obtained in each voiding position were compared with those obtained in the other positions. Comparisons were done using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The mean Qmax and Qave values obtained in the sitting, crouching and standing positions in men were 24.29 +/- 0.73 and 15.67 +/- 0.37, 23.28 +/- 0.64 and 15.56 +/- 0.33, and 23.58 +/- 0.63 and 15.81 +/- 0.34 ml/s, respectively. The mean VV and PVR values obtained in the sitting, crouching and standing positions in men were 297.5 +/- 12.71 and 13.52 +/- 1.02, 306.3 +/- 13.46 and 14.02 +/- 1.08, and 309.9 +/- 13.14 and 12.92 +/- 0.95 ml, respectively. In women, the mean Qmax and Qave values obtained in the sitting and crouching positions were 28.09 +/- 0.66 and 18.26 +/- 0.36, and 27.98 +/- 0.59 and 17.31 +/- 0.35 ml/s, respectively. The mean VV and PVR values obtained in the sitting and crouching positions in women were 331.8 +/- 13.28 and 11.82 +/- 0.99, and 326.9 +/- 12.87 and 12.79 +/- 1.07 ml, respectively. There were no significant differences in any of the parameters between voiding positions in either group. CONCLUSION: Urinary flow rates and PVR urine volume do not seem to be affected by voiding position in healthy men and women.     

Effect of voiding position on uroflowmetric parameters and post-void residual urine volume in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of position on voiding using uroflowmetry and post-void residual (PVR) urine volume assessment in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 44 patients (mean age 61.7 years; range 47-72 years) with symptomatic BPH and 44 healthy men (mean age 60.3 years; range 40-67 years) who were used as controls were enrolled in the study. The uroflowmetric studies were performed in both standing and sitting positions. At least two measurements were obtained for both voiding positions for each participant. The PVR volumes were measured by means of a transabdominal ultrasound probe after each voiding. The maximum flow rate (Qmax), average flow rate (Qave), voided volume (VV) and PVR values were compared between the two different voiding positions. RESULTS: The mean Qmax values for the standing and sitting positions in the patient group were 10.2+/-0.49 and 9.5+/-0.55 ml/s, respectively and the mean Qave values were 4.7+/-0.25 and 4.7+/-0.31 ml/s, respectively. The mean VV values for the standing and sitting positions in the patient group were 292.6+/-17.19 and 271.1+/-15.51 ml, respectively and the mean PVR values were 82.2+/-10.97 and 85.5+/-12.46 ml, respectively. The mean Qmax values for the standing and sitting positions in the control group were 24.8+/-0.78 and 25.3+/-0.78 ml/s, respectively and the mean Qave values were 13.2+/-0.36 and 13.5+/-0.33 ml/s, respectively. The mean VV values for the standing and sitting positions in the control group were 275.9+/-10.79 and 278.0+/-10.23 ml, respectively and the mean PVR values were 11.9+/-1.16 and 10.7+/-1.06 ml, respectively. There were no significant differences between voiding positions regarding the Qmax (p = 0.360), Qave (p = 0.978), VV (p = 0.355) or PVR (p = 0.842) values in the patient group. Similarly, there were no significant differences between voiding positions regarding the Qmax (p = 0.638), Qave (p = 0.537), VV (p = 0.890) or PVR (p = 0.412) values in the control group. CONCLUSION: The urinary flow rates and PVR urine volume do not seem to be affected by the voiding position (standing or sitting) either in patients with BPH or in healthy men.     

Evaluation of periodontal healing in class II furcation defects following guided tissue regeneration with two different types of polylactic acid membranes

Background Guided tissue regeneration procedures provide predictable reconstruction of periodontal tissues in the treatment of furcation involvements in animals and huamns. This study was to compare long-term effectiveness of two different types of polylactic acid (PLA) membranes on periodontal regeneration in surgically created class II furcation defects in dogs. Methods Full thickness mucoperiosteal flap was raised on the buccal aspects of the experimental teeth and class Ⅱ furcation defects having 5 mm vertical dimensions were created on mandibular premolar Ⅲ and Ⅳ on each quadrant. The exposed root surfaces were thoroughly planed and PLA membranes were placed over the experimental defects on both sites. One site received liquid polymer membrane (LPM), and resorbable periodontal mesh (RPM) membranes were applied to the other site. The animals were sacrificed at 7 months after surgery and the specimens were processed for histological evaluation. Results The average length of new attachment formed on the treated roots in both groups ranged from 3.02 mm to 4.5 mm. Complete bone filling was observed at the furcation sites. No statistically significant differences were found between two membranes in any of the parameters (P>0.05). Conclusion This study demonstrates favorable regenerative outcomes by the use of two different types of PLA membranes that could be used as alternatives for guided tissue regeneration (GTR).     

Bullous oral lichen planus: report of two cases

Lichen planus is a common chronic mucocutaneous disease of unknown cause. Several types of lichen planus (reticular, atrophic, erosive and bullous) within the oral cavity have been described, among which the reticular and erosive types are the most common types,1,2 while the bullous type is rarely observed.1,3 Bullous lichen planus (BLP) lesions are commonly seen on the buccal mucosa, most frequently at the posterior areas adjacent to the second and third molar teeth. Less common localizations are gingiva and inner aspect of the lips.4 Bullae are generally short lived and leave ulcerated lesions on rupturing.1 The clinical diagnosis of bullous lichen planus is extremely difficult, and pathological examinations may be necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis.5     

Assessment of protein-energy malnutrition in children with chronic arthritis

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) has been estimated to occur in 10 to 50% of children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). Thirty-eight children with JCA were evaluated and their nutritional status determined, and they were compared with 23 healthy sex and age-matched children as controls. A standardized, 9-parameter comprehensive nutritional assessment profile was used. The simple anthropometric measurements, height and weight for age, were abnormal in 30% and 27% of the patients, respectively. A detailed evaluation revealed that 71% had abnormal somatic protein stores, and that they also had significantly low levels of visceral protein stores, when compared to their healthy peers. The results were consistent with the fact that inflammation put the JCA patients at significant risk for developing complicated malnutrition and it might result in PEM without any obvious signs of malnutrition. A nutritional screening test would be very useful in detecting early PEM in children with chronic arthritis.     

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of some new hexahydropyrimidine-2,4-dione derivatives

In this study, twelve new hexahydropyrimidine-2,4-dione derivatives were synthesized and screened for their anticonvulsant activities. All the compounds (7a-1) which have 6-arylhexahydropyrimidine-2,4-dione and N,N-disubstituted dithiocarbamate structures were prepared by the reaction with appropriate 3-(2-chloroethyl)-6-arylhexahydropyrimidine-2,4diones and the corresponding N,N-disubstituted dithiocarbamate potassium salts. The structure of the synthesized compounds was confirmed by UV, IR, 1H-NMR and elemental analysis. Their anticonvulsant activities were determined by maximal electroshock (MES), subcutaneous pentetrazol (metrazol, scMet) and rotorod toxicity tests for neurological deficits. According to the activity studies, 6-(4-chlorophenyl)hexahydropyrimidine-2,4-dione derivatives (7e-h) were found to be highly protective against MES and scMet. Neurotoxicity was not observed in any of the tested compounds.