Effects of task difficulty and invested mental effort on peripheral vasoconstriction

We ran two experiments to investigate whether peripheral arterial tone reflects changes in mental effort. Finger pulse wave amplitude, interpulse interval, and pulse variability in the mid- and high-frequency bands were recorded by means of a newly developed finger plethysmograph during both rest and cognitive performance. Using a modified version of the Sternberg memory task, we selectively manipulated either the difficulty of the task (Experiment 1) or the subjects' level of engagement in the task (Experiment 2). We found a significant difference in finger pulse wave amplitude between rest and task periods, suggesting that the measure reflects changes in sympathetic activity due to task engagement. In addition, our results suggest that reduced pulse wave amplitude, signaling vasoconstriction, occurs when subjects are investing effort.     

Essential tremor, nystagmus and duodenal ulceration. A "new" dominantly inherited condition.

The familial occurrence of essential tremor combined with (congenital) nystagmus, duodenal ulceration and a narcolepsy-like sleep disturbance caused by an autosomal dominant gene with high penetrance and fairly uniform expressivity is reported in a family of Swedish-Finnish ancestry. Twelve of 17 affected family members had essential tremor which began between 30-40 years of age and which could be controlled temporarily by alcohol; this resulted in alcoholism in several affected individuals. The most severly affected persons showed cerebellar signs which may reflect a possible pathogenetic relationship of the syndrome to the genetic cerebellar atrophies. Nystagmus, observed in 12 of 17 affected family members (eight of whom were also affected with tremor) usually was congenital and accompanied by refractive errors. Duodenal ulcers occurred almost exclusively in individuals with the neurological syndrome, and preceded its onset in some cases. The ulcer disease therefore seems to be a component manifestation of the syndrome and is interpreted as a pleiotropic effect of the gene which also causes the nystagmus, tremor and sleep disturbance.     

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the thymus: Aspiration biopsy,immunocytochemistry, and clinicopathologic correlates

We report three cases of well-differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma originating primarily in the anterior mediastinum which had been initially investigated by fine-needle aspiration cytology in conjunction with immunocytochemistry and subsequently recognized as thymic in origin. Aspirates consisted of loosely cohesive or aggregated medium sized elements with round to oval nuclei and scanty cytoplasm. in all cases the Romanowsky stain provided an excellent delineation of definite paranuclear inclusion-like structures having a semicircular or discoid appearance which appeared to contain cytokeratin by immunocytochemical studies and were very similar to the intermediate filament paranuclear “buttons” found in neuroendocrine Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin. This appears to be a novel cytologic observation for thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma. We discuss the significance of the above cytologic and immunocytochemical findings and their possible role in the diagnosis of thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. © 1995 Wiley- Liss, Inc.     

Epidemiology,characterization, and diagnosis of neuropsychiatric events in systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction: Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is characterized by a heterogeneity of clinical manifestations. The absence of diagnostic criteria and the lack of clinical trials is a challenge in clinical practice.

Areas covered: A literature review was performed to describe epidemiology, characterization (clinical, immunological, and imaging), diagnosis and treatment of NPSLE. Classification criteria have been the first step towards a uniform definition. More recently, different attribution models have been developed to help to determine if the NP event is due to SLE. Disease activity is a major risk factor for NP events. Cytokines and autoantibodies are associated with NP events, however, only a few studies have identified risk factors for individual NP events.

Expert opinion: Further research needs to search for and validate biomarkers for NPSLE and individual NP events, including neuroimaging findings, attribution models, and serologic markers. This will be a fundamental step in planning randomized control trials in the treatment of NPSLE to improve outcome.     

Dietary Patterns During Pregnancy and Their Association with Gestational Weight Gain and Anthropometric Measurements at Birth

Maternal and Child Health Journal - Dietary patterns can influence maternal and child health outcomes. The study aims to characterize dietary patterns during pregnancy as well as to identify their...     

25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Prepubertal Overweight and Obese Children

Childhood obesity has become a major global health problem. Vitamin D deficiency and poor cardiorespiratory fitness are highly prevalent in children with overweight or obesity, but little is known about their relationships. In this study, we aimed to analyze the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and cardiorespiratory fitness parameters in prepubertal obese and overweight children. A cross-sectional design with a sample of 57 prepubertal children, aged 9–11 years, with overweight or obesity was used. The fasting concentration of 25(OH)D was analyzed with a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Fat and lean body masses were determined by using DXA. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) was measured with the maximal treadmill test. A total of 68.4% of the sample had sufficient levels of 25(OH)D. As expected, their cardiorespiratory fitness was poor compared with that of normal-weight children, but 60% of the group exceeded the median obesity-specific reference values. No differences were found between the sexes for relative VO_2max or 25(OH)D levels. Moreover, no correlations were found between 25(OH)D and body composition or cardiorespiratory parameters for sex or vitamin D groups. Vitamin D status seems not to be directly related to body composition or cardiorespiratory fitness in prepubertal overweight or obese children.     

Microsurgical versus endoscopic trans-sphenoidal approaches for clivus chordoma: a pooled and meta-analysis

Neurosurgical Review - Chordoma is a rare slow-growing neoplastic bone lesion. However, they show an invasive local growth and high recurrence rate, leading to an overall survival rate of 65% at 5...     

Assessment of the Long-Term Impact of Pancreatoduodenectomy on Health-Related Quality of Life Using the EORTC QLQ-PAN26 Module

Annals of Surgical Oncology - Long-term pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) survivors have previously reported favorable quality of life (QoL). However, there has been a paucity of studies utilizing...