Comorbidity of PTSD and depression: associations with trauma exposure, symptom severity and functional impairment in Bosnian refugees resettled in Australia

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in refugees but its association with longer-term psychosocial dysfunction remains unclear. We examined whether a subgroup of refugees with comorbid PTSD and depression were at particularly high risk of disability. We also investigated whether specific trauma experiences were linked to this comorbid pattern. Methods: Consecutive Bosnians (and one or two compatriots nominated by them) were recruited from a community centre, yielding a total sample of 126 participants (response rate 86%). Measures included a trauma inventory, the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) (Blake et al., 1995) and the depression module of the Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) (First et al., 1997). Results: Three diagnostic groupings emerged: normals (n=39), pure PTSD (n=29), and comorbid PTSD and depression (n=58). Of four trauma dimensions derived from principle components analysis (human rights violations, dispossession and eviction, life threat and traumatic loss), life threat alone was associated with pure PTSD, with life threat and traumatic loss both being associated with comorbidity. Compared to normals and those with pure PTSD, the comorbid group manifested more severe PTSD symptoms as well as higher levels of disability on all indices (global dysfunction: odds RATIO=5.0, P<0.001, distress: odds RATIO=6.0, P<0.001, social impairment: odds ratio 5.9, P<0.001, and occupational disability: odds ratio 5.0, P<0.001). Limitations: Recruitment was not random, the sample size was modest, and trauma event endorsement was based on retrospective accounts. Conclusions: The combination of life threat and traumatic loss may be particularly undermining to the psychological well-being of refugees and consequent comorbidity of PTSD and depression may be associated with longer-term psychosocial dysfunction. The findings raise the question whether the comorbid pattern identified should be given more recognition as a core posttraumatic affective disorder.     

A whole‐genome linkage scan suggests several genomic regions potentially containing QTLs underlying the variation of stature

The word “serious” appears in laws and policies regarding genetics services but is not defined. Genetics professionals would most likely be consulted if definitions are made. We surveyed all U.S. board‐certified genetics services providers and all members of the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG), Canadian College of Medical Geneticists (CCMG), and Ibero‐American Society of Human Genetics (IASHG), using anonymous, mailed questionnaires. Respondents were asked to list three conditions they considered lethal, three that were serious but not lethal, and three that were not serious. Of 3,317 asked to respond, 1,481 (45%) returned questionnaires. Analysis was limited to responses of the 1,264 (85%) who saw patients. Respondents listed 537 conditions, with extensive overlap between categories; 46% of conditions listed as serious were also listed as not serious and 41% were listed as lethal. Respondents did not want professional societies, laws, or national ethics committees to define serious. They favored individual patients as decision makers, with the help of individual doctors. Their reasons were that genetic disorders vary in expression, individuals perceive disorders differently, professional or legal definitions could be unfair to minority groups, definitions tend to be inflexible when new treatments appear. In the United States, most would not use a definition of serious to limit reproductive services, carrier screening, or neonatal intensive care; outside the United States, more supported limitations. There is not sufficient consensus among experienced genetics professionals to define serious genetic conditions for purposes of law or policy. Responses point to social and economic influences on perceptions of what constitutes a serious genetic disorder. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

A new test for the assessment of sperm- zona pellucida penetration: relationship with results of other sperm tests and fertilization in vitro

The spermatozoa of some patients attending for in-vitro fertilization(IVF) fail to penetrate the zona pellucida in vitro. A testhas been devised to identify these cases. It is based on thenumber of spermatozoa penetrating into the zona pellucida, whichwere counted after removing spermatozoa bound to the zona surfaceby vigorous aspiration of each oocyte through a narrow gauge(120 µm) glass pipette. The oocytes were collected from197 patients undergoing IVF treatment with their own gametes;79 with no oocytes fertilized and 118 with some oocytes fertilized.Sperm motility, morphology and DNA normality (acridine orangestain) were also measured. The relationships between sperm testresults and IVF rate were examined by logistic regression. Theproportions of penetrated zonae, normal sperm morphology andnormal DNA were the most significant factors related to IVFrate in the whole group. Also, in patients with 30 spermatozoabound per zona pellucida or with normal sperm morphology 30%,the proportion of penetrated zonae and normal DNA were mostsignificant. Oocytes from 42 patients who had zero fertilizationand low sperm-zona binding (average, 2.2 spermatozoa/zona pellucida)were re-incubated with normal donor spermatozoa: large numbersof spermatozoa bound (average, 88 spermatozoa/zona pellucida)and each zona was penetrated by at least one spermatozoon. Inconclusion, the percentage of zonae penetrated was the variablemost significantly correlated with IVF rate. Penetration ofthe zona was also strongly related to fertilization rates inpatients without defects of sperm morphology and sperm-zonabinding. In patients where all zonae were penetrated, poor fertilizationmay be due to sperm morphology and DNA abnormalities. Failureof sperm-zona binding and penetration in vitro in patients withfailure of fertilization was mainly due to sperm defects andnot oocyte defects     

Middle cerebral artery blood velocity depends on cardiac output during exercise with a large muscle mass

We tested the hypothesis that pharmacological reduction of the increase in cardiac output during dynamic exercise with a large muscle mass would influence the cerebral blood velocity/perfusion. We studied the relationship between changes in cerebral blood velocity (transcranial Doppler), rectus femoris blood oxygenation (near-infrared spectroscopy) and systemic blood flow (cardiac output from model flow analysis of the arterial pressure wave) as induced by dynamic exercise of large (cycling) vs. small muscle groups (rhythmic handgrip) before and after cardioselective β₁ adrenergic blockade (0.15 mg kg^?1 metoprolol i.v.). During rhythmic handgrip, the increments in systemic haemodynamic variables as in middle cerebral artery mean blood velocity were not influenced significantly by metoprolol. In contrast, during cycling (e.g. 113 W), metoprolol reduced the increase in cardiac output (222 ± 13 vs. 260 ± 16%), heart rate (114 ± 3 vs. 135 ± 7 beats min^?1) and mean arterial pressure (103 ± 3 vs.112 ± 4 mmHg), and the increase in cerebral artery mean blood velocity also became lower (from 59 ± 3 to 66 ± 3 vs. 60 ± 2 to 72 ± 3 cm s^?1; P < 0.05). Likewise, during cycling with metoprolol, oxyhaemoglobin in the rectus femoris muscle became reduced (compared to rest; ?4.8 ± 1.8 vs. 1.2 ± 1.7 μmol L^?1, P < 0.05). Neither during rhythmic handgrip nor during cycling was the arterial carbon dioxide tension affected significantly by metoprolol. The results suggest that as for the muscle blood flow, the cerebral circulation is also affected by a reduced cardiac output during exercise with a large muscle mass.     

Posture, Place, and Mood Effects on Ambulatory Blood Pressure

Ambulatory blood pressure was studied as a function of posture, place, and mood in 131 subjects classified according to race, gender, and hypertensive status. The effect of posture was significant and explained a substantial proportion of within-subject variability. After controlling for posture, significant place and mood effects were observed when subjects were sitting but not when they were standing. Home vs. work differences in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly greater in Whites than in Blacks. Similar differences in systolic blood pressure were greater in mild hypertensive than in normotensive subjects. The results of this study underscore the need to control for effects of posture when interpreting ambulatory blood pressure readings.     

脂质、血红蛋白、胆红素标本对乙肝病毒DNA荧光定量测定的影响

目的:探讨脂血、高胆红素和溶血标本对乙肝病毒DNA(HBVDNA)荧光定量测定结果的影响。方法:将乙肝大三阳高脂血和非脂血、溶血血清和未溶血血清同时作HBVDNA荧光定量检测;将HBVDNA阴性黄疸血清和HBVDNA阴性正常血清与来自同一份乙肝大三阳血清混合,在相同条件下进行HBVDNA荧光定量。结果:乙肝大三阳溶血与未溶血样本HBVDNA含量都在同一数量级。乙肝大三阳高脂血的HBVDNA含量明显低于对照标本。高黄疸血清、正常对照血清与相同的HBVDNA阳性模板组合后所测得的HBVDNA结果无差异。结论:脂血对HBVD-NA定量测定有严重干扰;溶血样本、高胆红素样本对HBVDNA测定结果无影响。     

老年腹股沟疝患者疝环充填式无张力修补术86例

目的总结弛环充填式无张力修补术治疗老年腹股沟疝患者的经验。方法回顾分析2002年3月-2005年7月采用德国Braun公司生产的Braun mesh和plug治疗的86例老年腹股沟疝患者的临床资料。结果平均手术时间35min，术后8-10h下床活动，2周恢复日常生活，伤口均一期愈合，术后尿潴留15例，异物感3例，随访3—40个月无一例复发。结论疝环充填式无张力修补术操作方便，创伤小，恢复快，复发率低，是老年患者理想有效的疝修补术。     

Relationship between parameters of lipid peroxidation during obstructive jaundice and after bile flow restoration

Restoration of bile flow after 9-day cholestasis in rat liver normalized the content of lipid peroxidation products. The removal of the cholestatic factor after 12-day cholestasis was not followed by recovery of these parameters. We showed that measurement of serum concentration of lipid peroxidation products in patients with cholelithiasis during the preoperative period holds promise for selection of the optimum time for surgical treatment and prediction of the risk of postoperative complications. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 145, No. 1, pp. 39–42, January, 2008     

伴和不伴类风湿性关节炎患者腰椎管狭窄后路减压融合过程中隐性失血的对比

背景:腰椎管狭窄症后路手术除术中出血和术后引流外,还存在大量的"隐性失血"。合并类风湿性关节炎患者可能会影响围术期出血尤其是隐性失血,此前并无报道。目的:针对合并类风湿性关节炎的腰椎管狭窄患者与非类风湿性关节炎行腰椎后路手术时术中出血量、术后引流量以及隐性失血情况进行对比,并探讨类风湿性关节炎患者隐性失血的危险因素。方法:回顾性纳入了65例合并类风湿性关节炎的腰椎管狭窄患者(类风湿性关节炎组),筛选87例未合并类风湿性关节炎的腰椎管狭窄患者(非类风湿性关节炎组),所有患者均采取椎弓根螺钉+钛棒+椎间融合器内固定系统进行腰椎后路减压融合和后外侧融合治疗,术中行自体骨后外侧植骨。提取信息包括人口统计学信息、类风湿性关节炎信息(如类风湿性关节炎病史、Steinbrocker分级、抗类风湿性关节炎药物)、手术信息以及出血量相关指标。以术中出血量、术后引流量和隐性失血作为主要指标;以手术时间、术前术后红细胞压积和血红蛋白及其变化值、手术前后贫血数量、术后新发贫血数量、自体血和异体血输注量等作为次要指标。结果与结论:①类风湿性关节炎组腰椎管狭窄患者平均年龄为(65.97±8.02)岁,平均体质量指数为(25.76±3.68)kg/m^2,非类风湿性关节炎组中患者在性别比例、年龄和手术节段数上均与之匹配;②类风湿性关节炎组中患者平均病程为(16.78±12.73)年,其中单药或联合口服改变病情抗风湿药者最常见,2组在椎弓根螺钉数和椎间融合器置入数量上差异均无显著性意义,围术期并发症发生率2组差异亦无显著性意义;③主要结果对比显示2组在总失血量、术中出血量和术后引流量方面差异无显著性意义,而隐性失血以及隐性失血所占总失血量比例在非类风湿性关节炎组中更低(P<0.001,0.012);根据手术节段数进行分层分析,长节段(≥3节段)手术中非类风湿性关节炎组中隐性失血和隐性失血所占总失血量比例均优于类风湿性关节炎组;④次要指标对比红细胞压积改变值(P=0.021)在非类风湿性关节炎组小于类风湿性关节炎组但血红蛋白减小值2组差异无显著性意义;术后2组新发贫血以及贫血加重情况相比差异无显著性意义,异体血输注和手术时间相比差异也无显著性意义;⑤对类风湿性关节炎组患者隐性失血进行多元线性回归分析显示,类风湿性关节炎的Steinbrocker级别高、未服用改变病情抗风湿药、血红蛋白变化和输注异体血为隐性失血的独立危险因素;⑥提示类风湿性关节炎组和非类风湿性关节炎组在总失血量、术中出血、术后引流和手术时间上无差异,而隐性失血以及隐性失血所占总失血量比例类风湿性关节炎组高于非类风湿性关节炎组,尤其是长节段手术;类风湿性关节炎组的Steinbrocker分级高、未服用改变病情抗风湿药、血红蛋白改变较多以及输注异体血为隐性失血的独立危险因素。     

Substrate specificity of the luminal Na+-dependent sulphate transport system in the proximal renal tubule as compared to the contraluminal sulphate exchange system

The efflux of [³⁵S]sulphate from the lumen of the proximal renal tubule into tubular cells of rats was measured by the stop-flow tubular-lumen microperfusion technique. The transport parameters obtained and the apparent K _i values of competing substrates were compared with those of the contraluminal influx of [³⁵-S]sulphate from the interstitium into tubular cells. For the luminal sulphate efflux a K _m(l, SO ₄ ^2– ) of 0.8 mmol/l and a J _max(l, SO ₄ ^2– ) of 0.2 pmol s^–1 cm^–1 were found. The corresponding contraluminal values were K _m(cl,SO ₄ ^2– ) 1.4 mmol/l and J _max(cl, SO ₄ ^2– ) 1.2 pmol s^–1 cm^–1. Omission of Na⁺ from the perfusates reduced the luminal efflux of sulphate by 83%, while the contraluminal influx of sulphate was not changed. Increase in HCO ₃ ^– concentration inhibited both luminal efflux and contraluminal influx of sulphate, while a change of pH from 6.0 to 8.0 was without effect. Comparing the apparent K _i(SO ₄ ^2– ) values for luminal and contraluminal sulphate transport, a relationship close to 11 was seen for some inorganic substrates with tetrahedral molecular structure (thio-sulphate, sulphate, molybdate and selenate). The same holds for phosphate, while for oxalate the contraluminal K _i(SO ₄ ^2– ) value was lower than the luminal one (1.2 and 4.5 mmol/l). Some of the dicarboxylates and disulphonates tested show the same affinity to the luminal Na⁺-dependent sulphate transporter and the contraluminal sulphate exchange system, whereas most of the benzene carboxylate and benzenesulphonate derivatives tested exhibit higher luminal than contraluminal k _i values. The inhibitory potency increased with rising numbers of substituents on the benzene ring. This effect was more pronounced for the contraluminal sulphate transporter. In general, only disulphonates and analogues as well as similarly structured compounds (5-sulphosalicylate, 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzenesulphonate, eosine-5-isothiocyanate) have a good inhibitory potency toward the luminal sulphate transporter [apparent K _i 0.9–3.1 mmol/l]. All the tested sulphamoyl and phenoxy diuretics, and fluorescein and phenolphthalein dyes showed no or a smaller inhibitory potency to the luminal sulphate transport system than to the contraluminal. The most effective inhibitors of both sulphate transport systems are 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulphonate, orange G, and H₂-DIDS. The data indicate that the Na⁺-dependent luminal and the Na⁺-independent contraluminal sulphate transport systems accommodate a similar spectrum of anionic substrates, whereby the inhibitory potency against the luminal Na⁺-dependent sulphate transport system is identical or smaller than against the contraluminal transporter.