Correlation between regional myasthenic weakness and mental aspects of quality of life

Here we report how the different types of regional muscle involvement, i.e. bulbar, ocular or generalized, in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) influence the mental aspects of quality of life. Clinical examination according to Osserman was performed in 48 MG patients (45 women, three men; mean age 54, SD 12 years). Each patient was at the time for clinical evaluation asked to fill out the disease-specific Myasthenia Gravis Questionnaire (MGQ) and the Short-Form 36-item questionnaire for health survey (SF-36) as patient-oriented tools. We related the regional domains (generalized domain, bulbar domain and ocular domain) of the MGQ and the clinical findings, respectively, with mental quality of life as assessed by SF-36. Bulbar and generalized involvement results in impairment of mental aspects of quality of life, whereas ocular involvement does not.     

Comparison of parent and teacher reports of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms from two placebo-controlled studies of atomoxetine in children.

BACKGROUND: The validity of parent reports regarding children's attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms has been questioned. This study assessed whether parent reports were as sensitive as teacher reports to document change in ADHD symptoms during clinical trials with atomoxetine. METHODS: Data were compared from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of atomoxetine using different versions (parent or teacher) of the same rating scale (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-IV [parent or teacher] Version: Investigator Administered and Scored - ADHD RS). Exclusion criteria included history of bipolar disorder, psychosis, seizures, alcohol abuse, or positive drug screen. Patients (6-16 years old) were treated with atomoxetine (titrated to a maximum dose of 1.8 mg/kg/day) administered once daily for up to 7 weeks. Parent and teacher ratings were compared using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model. RESULTS: The analysis (n = 318) showed that treatment effects (mean change, baseline to endpoint) were similar between parent and teacher ratings (total, p = .762; inattention, p = .519; hyperactive/impulsive, p = .955). Effect sizes also were similar based on total scores (parent ratings = .69; teacher ratings = .63). CONCLUSIONS: Parent reports are as sensitive as teacher reports in assessing the efficacy of long-acting pharmacologic treatment for ADHD in children during clinical trials using the nonstimulant atomoxetine.     

Syncuaria squamata (Linstow, 1883) (Nematoda: Acuariidae) in the Great Cormorant [Phalacrocorax carbo sinensins (Blumenbach, 1798)] in northern Poland

Summary Of the 105 great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensins) from northern Poland (the Vistula Lagoon and Masurian Lake District), examined in 2000–2001, 67 proved hosts of the nematode Syncuaria squamata (Linstow, 1883). The prevalence, mean intensity, and intensity range amounted to 63.8 %, 36.2 specimens, and 1–120 specimens, respectively. The infection was heavier in the immature birds (84.6 %, 40.9 inds, and 1–120 inds) than in the adults (3.7 %, 1 ind.). The nematodes were dominated by gravid females (n=1846), followed by males (n=157), immature females (n=79), and L4 larvae (n=2). Measurements of the parasite are provided. S. squamata is a new species for the parasite fauna of Poland.     

Hippocampal damage and cytoskeletal disruption resulting from impaired energy metabolism

To determine if impaired energy metabolism might contribute to some aspects of Alzheimer disease (AD), including the vulnerability of the CA1 region of the hippocampal formation and the altered cytoskeleton evident in neurofibrillary tangles, we examined the effects of metabolic poisons on neuronal damage and cytoskeletal disruption in the hippocampal formation. Intrahippocampal injection of 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) and malonic acid resulted in neuronal death, particularly in CA1. Cytoskeletal disruption included loss of dendritic MAP2, but sparing of axonal τ. MK-801 (a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist) did not atenuate the lesions produced by intrahippocampal injection of malonate. MK-801, however, was effective against intrastriatal malonate. Acute systemic 3-NP resulted in neuronal damage and cytoskeletal disruption in the CA1 region of the hippocampal formation, including an extensive loss of MAP2 immuno-reactivity, but sparing of τ. The neuronal loss in CA1 was delayed as compared to striatum. Chronic intraventricular infusion of 3-NP produced a different pattern of neuronal damage. Loss of τ-1 immuno-reactivity was observed in CA3 and CA1 s. oriens, whereas MAP2 immunostaining was preserved. These results demonstrate that chronic and acute administration of metabolic inhibitors produce distinct patterns of neuronal damage and cytoskeletal disruption. The results further suggest a differential involvement of the NMDA receptor in malonate-induced neuronal damage in striatum as compared to the hippocampus. The pattern of neuronal damage and cytoskeletal disruption observed following acute metabolic impairment resembled some aspects of neurofibrillary pathology in AD, but did not result in τ hyperphosphorylation.     

外周动脉闭塞患者的交感神经皮肤反应

目的：描述胚胎种植前遗传诊断在1例携带Ⅰ型白细胞黏附缺陷病（LAD-1）携带者并完成健康妊娠夫妇中的应用。设计：病例报道。机构：大学医院生殖中心。患者：1例男女双方都是LAD-1携带者的夫妇，女方CD18基因的外显子4携带有G400A置换，男方的外显子5携带有C562T置换。干预：标准体外受精（IVF）后第3天行卵裂期活检和分裂球遗传分析以检测2处突变以及21号染色体标记物。主要观察指标：1个未罹患LAD-1婴儿的出生。结果：得到15个卵母细胞，其中10个受精。8个胚胎适宜胚胎活组织检查。     

浴光疗同步治疗对不同类型银屑病均有效

背景:浴光疗同步治疗银屑病的有效性与UVB和死海盐的多靶点作用有关,同步治疗能够起到协同功效。目的:本回顾性研究的目的:①评价浴光疗同步治疗各种临床类型银屑病的有效性;②观察治疗反应有无不同;③获得更多数据以预测对不同类型银屑病的治疗效果,以便针对患者的类型选择治疗效果良好的方法。方法:根据Regensburg计划,患者接受了一个包括35次治疗的基础同步浴光疗疗程,随后又接受了一个包括25次治疗的维持治疗疗程。治疗中每周进行PASI评分以评价患者的皮肤状态。对373例按计划完成基础疗程的患者和其中78例完成维持疗程的患者的治疗…