Lesions of periventricular tissue surrounding the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V) attenuate salivation and thermal tolerance in response to a heat stress

We tested our hypothesis that noradrenaline is released in the hippocampus by colorectal distention of rats, and that it induces pain-related behavior. Noradrenaline levels with colorectal distention were significantly higher than those with restraint stress and free moving. Abdominal contractions were induced only by colorectal distention. Our results suggest that noradrenaline levels increase in the hippocampus under colorectal distention and this may relate to behavioral changes.     

Paracetamol recall: a natural experiment influencing analgesic poisoning

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the occurrence of paracetamol and non-paracetamol analgesic deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) and accidental paediatric poisoning was affected by two periods of recall of paracetamol products. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational audit of proportions of poisonings with tablet and capsule formulations of paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin products during two recall periods compared with the number of poisonings during the same periods of the previous three years. SETTING: A national poisons information centre and a regional toxicology service. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of DSP and accidental paediatric poisoning with paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin. RESULTS: During the two recall periods, there was a significant increase in ibuprofen DSP calls to the poisons information centre (RR, 1.86; 95% Cl, 1.41-2.44; P = 0.001). There was no significant change in paracetamol or aspirin DSP calls over the two recall periods. However, there was a non-significant reduction in DSP calls with paracetamol in the first recall period alone (P = 0.057). There was a significant increase in the proportion of aspirin DSP presentations for the toxicology service (RR, 3.33; 95% CI, 0.97-11.4; P = 0.043), but no significant changes in paracetamol and ibuprofen DSP presentations. For accidental paediatric ingestions there was a significant increase in the proportion of ibuprofen calls (RR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.85-2.98; P = 0.001), but no significant change in paracetamol or aspirin calls. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced paracetamol availability increased poisoning with alternative analgesics, but had little effect on the incidence of paracetamol poisoning. Restriction of paracetamol-containing products may inadvertently increase poisoning with potentially more toxic agents.     

Outcomes at 3 months after planned cesarean vs planned vaginal delivery for breech presentation at term: the international randomized Term Breech Trial

Context  The Term Breech Trial found a significant reduction in adverse perinatal outcomes without an increased risk of immediate maternal morbidity with planned cesarean delivery compared with planned vaginal birth. No randomized controlled trial of planned cesarean delivery has measured benefits and risks of postpartum outcomes months after the birth. Objective  To compare maternal outcomes of planned cesarean delivery and planned vaginal birth at 3 months post partum. Design  Follow-up study to the Term Breech Trial, a randomized controlled trial conducted between January 9, 1997, and April 21, 2000. Setting and Participants  A total of 1596 of 1940 women from 110 centers worldwide who had a singleton fetus in breech presentation at term responded to a follow-up questionnaire at 3 months post partum. Main Outcome Measures  Breastfeeding; infant health; ease of caring for infant and adjusting to being a new mother; sexual relations and relationship with husband/partner; pain; urinary, flatal, and fecal incontinence; depression; and views regarding childbirth experience and study participation. Results  Baseline information was similar for both the cesarean and vaginal delivery groups. Women in the planned cesarean delivery group were less likely to report urinary incontinence than those in the planned vaginal birth group (36/798 [4.5%] vs 58/797 [7.3%]; relative risk, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.41-0.93). Incontinence of flatus was not different between groups but was less of a problem in the planned cesarean delivery group when it occurred (P = .006). There were no differences between groups in other outcomes. Conclusions  Planned cesarean delivery for pregnancies with breech presentation at term may result in a lower risk of incontinence and is not associated with an increased risk of other problems for women at 3 months post partum, although the effect on longer-term outcomes is uncertain.      

Outcome of infants 23-26 weeks' gestation pre and post surfactant

To describe mortality and neurodevelopmental outcome before and after the introduction of rescue therapy with natural surfactant in two neonatal units in Toronto, Canada, a retrospective cohort study of 891 liveborn 23-26 wk gestational age infants, 421 presurfactant (1982-1987) and 470 postsurfactant (1990-1994) was performed. Overall mortality was stable over time (41% vs 35%, p = 0.077), but declined for inborn 24 (71% vs 43%, p = 0.03) and 26 wk (26% vs 13%, p = 0.01) gestational age infants and was higher in surfactant-treated infants (p < 0.0001). Chronic lung disease (61% vs 34%, p < 0.0001) and bilateral blindness (8% vs 4%, p = 0.004) declined over time, with stable rates of cerebral palsy (12% vs 15%), cognitive deficit (27% vs 26%) and aided sensorineural hearing loss (5% vs 4%). Sixty-five percent of surviving infants in both eras were free from neurodevelopmental impairment, and severe impairment declined over time (p = 0.035). This study shows no secular change in overall mortality in a large cohort of 23-26 wk gestational age infants since the introduction of rescue therapy with natural surfactant. However, it does suggest that maternal transfer to and delivery of all extremely preterm infants in high risk perinatal centres is justified.     

The coeliac iceberg in Italy. A multicentre antigliadin antibodies screening for coeliac disease in school-age subjects

Background : Recent studies suggest that coeliac disease (CD) is one of the commonest, life-long disorders in Italy. The aims of this multicentre work were: (a) to establish the prevalence of CD on a nationwide basis; and (b) to characterize the CD clinical spectrum in Italy. Patients and methods : Fifteen centres screened 17201 students aged 6–15 years (68.6% of the eligible population) by the combined determination of serum IgG- and IgA-antigliadin antibody (AGA) test; 1289 (7.5%) were IgG and/or IgA-AGA positive and were recalled for the second-level investigation; 111 of them met the criteria for the intestinal biopsy: IgA-AGA positivity and/or AEA positivity or IgG-AGA positivity plus serum IgA deficiency. Results : Intestinal biopsy was performed on 98 of the 111 subjects. CD was diagnosed in 82 subjects (75 biopsy proven, 7 not biopsied but with associated AGA and AEA positivity). Most of the screening-detected coeliac patients showed low-grade intensity illness often associated with decreased psychophysical well-being. There were two AEA negative cases with associated CD and IgA deficiency. The prevalence of undiagnosed CD was 4.77 × 1000 (95% CI 3.79–5.91), 1 in 210 subjects. The overall prevalence of CD, including known CD cases, was 5.44 × 1000 (95% CI 4.57–6.44), 1 in 184 subjects. The ratio of known to undiagnosed CD cases was 1 in 7. Conclusions : These findings confirm that, in Italy, CD is one of the most common chronic disorders showing a wide and heterogeneous clinical spectrum. Most CD cases remain undiagnosed unless actively searched.     

Reduced upper airway nitric oxide in cystic fibrosis

PURPOSE: Incidence data for severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) in children are scanty and vary. Few population based studies have been reported. A retrospective and prospective study was conducted to determine the incidence and course of SAA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All children with a diagnosis of SAA in the Nordic countries from 1982 through 1993 were registered and have been followed up since 1987. RESULTS: A total of 101 children were diagnosed with SAA. The mean annual child population was 4.31 million. A constant incidence of 1.95/million children/year was found: 2.4 for boys and 1.5 for girls. A non-significant increase of cases occurred from November to March. Possible aetiological agents were noted in 29%. The actuarial survival was 79% after one year and 68% after five years without significant difference between boys and girls. CONCLUSION: The incidence of SAA in the Nordic countries remains stable with a preponderance among boys. SAA has still a high initial mortality and a risk of late deaths.     

Lithium: thyroid effects and altered renal handling

BACKGROUND: Lithium is frequently used in the treatment of bipolar affective disorder, and is widely known to affect thyroid function, most commonly resulting in hypothyroidism and goiter. Less well-known is the association between lithium therapy and hyperthyroidism and the potential for lithium to moderate the effects of thyroxine at a cellular level. Lithium excretion relates principally to glomerular filtration rate and proximal tubule function. Thyroxine, through its effects on tubular function, alters lithium clearance such that thyroid disease may cause retention of lithium and subsequent toxicity. CASE REPORTS: We report 2 cases with lithium toxicity, both of whom were later found to be hyperthyroid. One patient developed thyroid storm following dialysis to remove lithium. The other received antithyroid medication early. Both suffered a protracted multifactorial delirium requiring intensive inpatient care. CONCLUSION: In addition to altering thyroid function, lithium therapy may mask the signs of hyperthyroidism by inducing cellular unresponsiveness. In some lithium-treated patients with biochemical hyperthyroidism, early antithyroid treatment may be appropriate. Altered renal tubular function induced by hyperthyroidism may result in retention of lithium and systemic toxicity. We propose induction of the proximal tubule sodium hydrogen antiporter as the relevant mechanism.     

The completeness of AIDS case reporting, 1988: a multisite collaborative surveillance project.

OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the completeness of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) case reporting. METHODS. Statewide or hospital-specific 1988 medical records were linked with AIDS surveillance in six sites. Medical records were reviewed for persons who had diagnoses suggesting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or AIDS but were not reported to AIDS surveillance by September 1989. RESULTS. Among 4500 hospitalized persons diagnosed with AIDS through 1988 in the six sites, completeness of reporting was 92% (95% CI = 89%, 96%; range across sites = 89% to 97%). Completeness of reporting was high in males (92%), females (95%), Whites (95%), Blacks (90%), Hispanics (92%), men reporting sexual contact with men (92%), persons reporting injecting-drug use (91%), and persons exposed to HIV through heterosexual contact (99%). In Medicaid enrollees (two states), completeness of reporting was 99% (95% CI = 95%, 99%) in inpatients and 90% (95% CI = 79%, 90%) in outpatients. Of previously reported persons with AIDS, 82% were reported within 5 months of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS. Completeness of AIDS reporting was high, overall and in each major demographic and HIV exposure group. These results demonstrate that current surveillance data in these six sites provide timely and accurate information regarding persons with AIDS.