Functional dyspepsia: New insights into the pathophysiology

Abstract The pathogenesis of functional dyspepsia remains poorly understood. There is increasing evidence pointing to a predominant role of gastroduodenal visceral hypersensitivity in the pathogenesis, where patients have abnormally reduced gastric and small intestinal sensory thresholds. Motor abnormalities observed in subgroups of patients include delayed gastric emptying, antral hypomotility, gastric dysrhythmias, abnormal gastrointestinal reflexes and small intestinal dysmotility, but these may be secondary pheno nena. The central nervous system modifies peripheral visceral afferent pathways and, hente, psychological factors may possibly alter symptom status. Other putative mechanisms include Helicobacter pylori gastritis and gastric acid hypersecretion or sensitivity, but the role of these remain controversial.     

Responses of human primary sensorimotor and supplementary motor areas to internally triggered unilateral and simultaneous bilateral one‐digit movements. A high‐resolution EEG study

We modelled the responses of human primary sensorimotor areas and supplementary motor area to simple, self-initiated unilateral and simultaneous bilateral middle finger movements using a novel high-resolution electroencephalography technology. The results support the view that these cortical motor areas are involved in parallel and present similar activity in the preparation, initiation, and execution of the contralateral and bilateral movements. Furthermore, the left primary sensorimotor area (dominant hemisphere) appears to be activated more than the right primary sensorimotor area during the preparation and performance of the ipsilateral movements.     

In vivo 31P NMR studies of paraplegics' muscles activated by functional electrical stimulation

The bioenergetics of paralyzed muscles of spastic paraplegic patients under functional electrical stimulation (FES) was studied in vivo using ³¹P NMR. The protocol included rest, 3 min of induced tetanic isometric contraction through surface electrodes and 40 min of recovery. The continuous stimulation, the force recording and the ³¹P NMR measurements were sampled simultaneously inside the whole body imager. Normal values were found for the phosphorous metabolite ratios at rest. During contraction, prominent changes were detected including: a) accumulation of inorganic phosphate (P) accompanied by an unusually strong signal in the phosphomonoester (PME) region, b) phosphocreatine (PCr) decline, and c) a decrease in the intracellular pH. In the following recovery period the physiological state of the muscle was monitored and quantitated by ³¹P NMR. No metabolic and mechanical irreversible damage was detected in the paraplegics' muscles activated by FES under our experimental conditions.     

Functional restoration in chronic low back pain

Conventional treatments have not slowed down the ever expanding low back pain (LBP) problem. Traditional treatment has most probably contributed to the growth of the problem. Therefore, in a search for new solutions, 'functional restoration' has been devised. In connection with chronic LBP the term has been associated with a full-day program lasting from 3 to 5 weeks. it includes multidisciplinary treatment of patients in groups with intensive physical and ergonomic training, psychological pain management, back school, as well as teaching in social/work related issues. The key concepts are 'acceptance of the pain', 'activity', 'self-responsibility', 'multidisciplinary' and 'quantitative functional evaluation (QFE)'. The latter is aimed so that the participants can feel the physical improvement, encouraging them to be able to go back to work, or at least to lead a more active life style. Several controlled studies suggest a lasting effect in terms of regaining their ability to work and improving pain behavior for a good part of disabled chronic LBP patients. However, it is noteworthy that randomized studies seemingly show poorer results than studies not employing randomized controls.     

终末期肝病模型评分在原发性肝癌合并肝硬化脾功能亢进外科治疗中的作用

目的 探讨终末期肝病模型(MELD)评分评估肝储备功能在原发性肝癌合并肝硬化脾功能亢进中确定手术适应证的应用价值.方法 对2001年1月至2007年1月间行肝癌切除联合脾切除(联合术)治疗的40例原发性肝癌合并肝硬化脾功能亢进患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.通过MELD评分与Child-Pugh分级比较,结合临床资料及术后并发症分析,确定这一方法在评估肝储备功能中的作用.结果 同一Child-Pugh分级的患者MELD评分结果并不一致,在各级别间有交错现象.术后发生肝功能衰竭组(6例)的MELD评分均值为(24.6±6.6).未发生肝功能衰竭组(34例)的MELD评分均值为(16.3±8.5),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).根据MELD评分分为A组16例(MELD评分<10),B组17例(MELD评分10-20),C组7例(MELD评分>20).A组术后肝功能衰竭发生率为0,B组为11.8%(2/17),C组为57.1%(4/7),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).根据Child-Pugh分级分为Ⅰ级26例,Ⅱ级14例.Ⅰ级术后肝功能衰竭发生率为15.4%(4/26),Ⅱ级为14.3%(2/14),差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 MELD评分能够较为客观地反映肝储备功能,对外科术式的选择、手术时机的确定有一定的参考作用.     

Problem‐maintaining circles: Case illustrations of formulations that truly guide therapy

The cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) emphasis on treatment relevance in assessment, and on evidence‐based intervention, has led to an increasing focus on problem maintenance factors (vs. precipitants) in both its models of psychopathology and in its individual case formulations. This article describes the reasons for this growing focus, and presents a generic CBT model based on the functional analysis of “problem‐maintaining circles” (PMCs) of causes. Some samples of the profuse literature implicating PMCs in many psychological disorders are presented, and the utility of PMC‐based functional analysis, case formulation, or modelling of psychopathology is advanced, not only as a guide to selection of therapeutic interventions, but as an alternative to standard psychiatric diagnosis. A sampling of a taxonomy of such PMCs is presented. And finally, the clinical application of PMC‐based functional analysis, case formulation, and treatment selection is illustrated in five case illustrations drawn from a recent clinical caseload.     

Rapid microassays of phagocytosis, bacterial killing, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production by human neutrophils in vitro

Simple, rapid microassays for simultaneous measurement of phagocytosis, bacterial killing, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production by human neutrophils in vitro are described. All assays employ 96-well flat bottom tissue culture plates which were incubated on a microtitre plate shaker at 37 degrees C. The separate evaluation of ingestion and intracellular killing of E. coli and S. aureus was based on the incorporation of [3H]uridine into viable extracellular bacteria. There was good correlation between plate counts of viable bacteria and amount of radiolabel incorporation. Phagocytosis and killing can be measured in a maximum of 100 microliter reaction mixture, requiring only 2.5 X 10(5) neutrophils per test and the assay is complete within 60 min. Assay of superoxide production by stimulated neutrophils was based on superoxide-dependent reduction of ferricytochrome c as measured spectrophotometrically at 550 nm in wells of tissue culture plates containing 150 microliter of reaction mixture. The assay requires only 1.25 X 10(5) neutrophils per test and is complete within 50 min. Quantitation of hydrogen peroxide was based on horseradish peroxidase-dependent oxidation of phenol red. The technique is as for superoxide detection except that the reaction must be terminated by the addition of 1 M NaOH at the desired time intervals. None of the assays require sampling during the incubation period. The principal advantages of the described techniques are increased simplicity and speed, requirement of low numbers of neutrophils and applicability to analysis of large number of samples in parallel.     

Hormonally Functional Ovarian Neoplasms

Hormonally functional ovarian neoplasms are those tumors that secrete one or more hormones that are clinically manifested in the patient. The hormone production may have implications for the diagnosis, management, or treatment of the patient. Hormonally functional ovarian neoplasms include tumors that belong to various histologic categories and produce a variety of hormonal effects. Functional ovarian tumors most commonly produce steroid hormones, and such tumors frequently belong in the sec cordstromal and steroid cell categories. In addition, a wide variety of peptide hormones may be produced by ovarian tumors. Although in most instances the neoplastic cells themselves produce the hormones, a wide variety of tumors may induce their stroma to produce steroid hormones. The stroma of ovarian tumors is derived from the ovarian stroma and may, on occasion, resemble specialized ovarian stroma and its derivatives. Cells resembling luteinized stromal cells or luteinized theca cells may be present and appear to be responsible for the resultant hormone secretion.     

Effekte einer Captopriltherapie auf die Natrium- und Wasserausscheidung bei Patienten mit Leberzirrhose und Aszites

Summary Ascites in patients with cirrhosis of the liver frequently is refractory to diuretic treatment. It was postulated that vasoconstriction of the renal cortex, mediated by activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS), may be one course of the disturbed sodium- and water-excretion in these patients. We therefore investigated in 14 cirrhotic patients with ascites under constant diuretic treatment the effects of low-dose captopril therapy on urinary sodium- and potassium-excretion, body weight, abdominal girth, serum-sodium,-potassium, creatinine-clearance, plasma-renin-activity (PRA), plasma-aldosterone (PA) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). After a control period of 4 days the patients received 2 × 6.25 mg/d captopril for 5 days and 4 × 6.25 mg/d for further 5 days. Treatment was followed by a second control period without captopril.PRA increased significantly after 2 days of captopril treatment. 2 × 6.25 mg/d captopril induced a significant increase in sodium excretion and a significant decrease of body weight. MAP decreased slightly but significantly without clinical signs of hypotension. 4 × 6.25 mg/d captopril resulted in a further reduction of body weight and a further enhancement of sodium excretion. Three days after withdrawal of captopril sodium output was significantly reduced again. Conclusion: In cirrhotic patients low-dose captopril seems to be efficient in the treatment of ascites resistant to diuretics without causing major side effects.

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Abkürzungen ACE Angiotensin-Converting-Enzym - A-II Angiotensin II - C_{H 2 O} Frei-Wasser-Clearance - C_Krea Kreatinin-Clearance - C_Osmo Osmolale Clearance - g Gramm - h Stunde - kg Kilogramm - l/d Liter pro Tag - MAP Mittlerer arterieller Blutdruck - mg Milligramm - mg/d Milligramm pro Tag - ml/min Milliliter pro Minute - mmHg Millimeter Quecksilbersäule (Torr) - mmol/d Millimol pro Tag - NaCl Natriumchlorid - ng/ml/h Nanogramm pro Milliliter und Stunde - PA Plasma-Aldosteron - pg/ml Picogramm pro Milliliter - PRA Plasma-Renin-Aktivität - RAAS Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosteron-System - SEM Standardfehler des Mittelwertes - S_Krea Kreatininkonzentration im Serum - S_Osm Serum-Osmolalität - U_Krea Kreatininkonzentration im Urin - U_Osm Urin-Osmolalität - V Urinminutenvolumen - vgl. vergleiche - µmol/l Micromol pro Liter     

新兵训练后功能性闭经女兵的心身症状与激素水平

目的:探讨新人伍女兵功能性下丘脑性闭经(FHA)者与月经正常者激素水平及心理健康状况的差异。方法:在某部队新人伍女兵98人接受了为期近4个月的体能训练之后,有54人出现闭经.其中闭经3个月以上者有35人(研究组)。训练后月经正常、在采血时月经周期处于第5～11天者有26人(对照组)。分别测定她们血清中的促卵泡生成素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)、雌二醇(E_2)、孕酮(P)、泌乳素(PRL)、睾酮(T)、ACTH、T_3、T_4的水平,并用SCL-90分别评定她们的心理健康状况。结果:FHA 者血清FSH 值为4.96±1.73 mIU/ml,LH 值为2.63±1.78 mIU/ml,E_2的值为7.23±5.37 pg/ml,对照组血清相应值为10.73±2.30mIU/ml、12.31±2.15mIU/ml、41.67±6.13pg/ml,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),闭经组低于对照组。FHA 组SCL-90的躯体化、人际敏感、抑郁、焦虑及其他因子分大于2的比率分别为:51.4%、42.9%、48.6%、51.4%及37.1%;而对照组这5项分值大于2的比率分别为15.4%、15.4%、19.2%、21.3%及11.5%,两组间这5个因子大于2的人数差异有统计学显著意义(P<0.05),闭经组高于对照组。结论:诊断为FHA 的女兵与月经正常女兵的激素水平有差异,闭经组心身症状的发生率也高于对照组。