Problematic Internet Use,Psychopathology, Defense Mechanisms,and Coping Strategies: a Cross-Sectional Study from the United Arab Emirates

Psychiatric Quarterly - A number of studies point to a demonstrated relationship between problematic Internet use (PIU) and psychopathological variables. However, explorations of PIU in relation to...     

Cognitive dysfunction and brain atrophy in Susac syndrome

Journal of Neurology - Susac syndrome is a very rare cerebral small vessel disease, which can leave patients with cognitive impairment. We aimed at evaluating processing speed slowing, executive...     

Autonomic dysfunction and phenoconversion in idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder

Clinical Autonomic Research - REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a common finding among patients with synucleinopathies. We aimed to determine the degree of autonomic dysfunction in patients...     

Immunohistochemistry for c-myc and bcl-2 overexpression improves risk stratification in primary central nervous system lymphoma

Overexpression of bcl-2 and c-myc are defining features of double-expressor-lymphoma (DEL) but may also occur separately in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Despite all progress in optimizing treatment regimen, there is lack of sufficient risk stratification models. Here, we first describe the relationship between DEL biology, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network International Prognostic Index (NCCN-IPI), treatment response, disease progression, and mortality in PCNSL. In this study, we determined c-myc and bcl-2 status immunohistochemically in samples of 48 patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL and followed these patients for a median interval of 6.2 years. Twelve, 18, and 17 patients harbored none, one, or both DEL features. Corresponding overall response rates after first-line therapy were strongly associated with DEL biology (100%, 42%, and 44% in patients with 0, 1, or 2 DEL features). Patients with one or both DEL features had a 5-fold and 13-fold higher 5-year risk of progression and/or death than patients without DEL features. These associations prevailed after adjusting for the NCCN-IPI. DEL improved the discriminatory capability of the NCCN-IPI (P = .0001). Furthermore, we could show that addition of DEL biology to the NCCN-IPI significantly improved the score's discriminatory potential both toward progression-free survival (increase in Harell's c = 0.15, P = .005) and overall survival (increase in Harell's c = 0.11, P = .029). In conclusion, DEL biology is a strong and simple-to-use predictor of adverse outcome in PCNSL. Addition of DEL to the NCCN-IPI improves its prognostic potential. Disease progression from PCNSL harboring both DEL features is invariably fatal. This defines a novel PCNSL patient subset with a great unmet need for improved therapy.     

The biochemistry of anorexia nervosa

We have reviewed studies reporting biochemical abnormalities consequent upon anorexia nervosa (AN). Hitherto, these reports have lacked any coherent synthesis in the account of how such abnormalities arise. The paper firstly addresses electrolyte imbalances, changes in underlying physiology, and the clinical consequences if such abnormalities are not recognized. Mechanisms contributing to changes in renal function are discussed. The use of alternative energy sources for the Krebs' cycle is considered in the context of catabolic processes occurring in the AN subject. Liver function, and protein and fat metabolism are considered in this context. Comparisons with the catabolism of starvation and the processes found in dietary-deficient forms of malnutrition are made. The AN subject has many features in common with the state of marasmus. The implications of chronic dietary abnormalities in activating rarely exploited metabolic pathways are considered and well recognized findings, for example hypercarotinemia, are explained through such processes. Evidence for specific trace element and vitamin deficiencies are also reviewed. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Contralateral suppression of otoacoustic emissions in a clinical sample of children with auditory processing disorder

Objective: The suppression of evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAE) may serve as a clinical tool to evaluate the medial olivocochlear (MOC) reflex, which is thought to aid speech discrimination (particularly in noise) by selectively inhibiting cochlear amplification. The present study aimed to determine if contralateral transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) suppression was present in a clinical sample of children with listening difficulties with and without auditory processing disorder (APD).

Design: A three-group, repeated measure design was used.

Study sample: Forty three children aged 8–14?years underwent an auditory processing assessment and were divided into three groups: children with reported listening difficulties with APD, children with reported listening difficulties without APD, and children with normal hearing. APD was defined as per British Society of Audiology.

Results: TEOAE suppression was present in all three participant groups. No significant group, age or ear effects were observed for TEOAE suppression in dB or as a normalised index.

Conclusion: Contralateral TEOAE suppression method could not be used as a clinical tool to identify APD in this study’s participating children and did not support the hypothesised link between reduced MOC function and general listening difficulties in background noise in children with or without APD.