Regulation of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors in cultured astrocytes by monoamine and amino acid neurotransmitters

Exposure of primary cultured astrocytes for 3 days to 1 μM of either dopamine, serotonin or norepinephrine resulted in upregulation (25–34% increase in B_max) of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) labeled with [³H]Ro5-4864. A similar treatment with γ-aminobutyric acid [GABA] caused a 2-fold increase in the affinity (K_d) of [³H]Ro5-4864. The monoamines tested and GABA had no effect on the binding parameters of [³H]PK 11195, another selective PBR ligand. The present study indicates that Ro5-4864 binding sites are susceptible to regulation by specific neurotransmitters and provides further evidence for the distinction between Ro5-4864 and PK 11195 binding sites of the PBRs in cultured astrocytes.     

Differential sensitivity of the Response Bias Scale (RBS) and MMPI-2 validity scales to memory complaints

The MMPI-2 Response Bias Scale (RBS) is designed to detect response bias in forensic neuropsychological and disability assessment settings. Validation studies have demonstrated that the scale is sensitive to cognitive response bias as determined by failure on the Word Memory Test (WMT) and other symptom validity tests. Exaggerated memory complaints are a common feature of cognitive response bias. The present study was undertaken to determine the extent to which the RBS is sensitive to memory complaints and how it compares in this regard to other MMPI-2 validity scales and indices. This archival study used MMPI-2 and Memory Complaints Inventory (MCI) data from 1550 consecutive non-head-injury disability-related referrals to the first author's private practice. ANOVA results indicated significant increases in memory complaints across increasing RBS score ranges with large effect sizes. Regression analyses indicated that the RBS was a better predictor of the mean memory complaints score than the F, F_B, and F_P validity scales and the FBS. There was no correlation between the RBS and the CVLT, an objective measure of verbal memory. These findings suggest that elevated scores on the RBS are associated with over-reporting of memory problems, which provides further external validation of the RBS as a sensitive measure of cognitive response bias. Interpretive guidelines for the RBS are provided.     

Scores on the MMPI-2-RF Scales as a Function of Increasing Levels of Failure on Cognitive Symptom Validity Tests in a Military Sample

This research examined associations between the full range of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) validity and substantive scales and increasing levels of cognitive symptom validity test (SVT) failure in a sample of 501 military members who completed a neuropsychological evaluation primarily for mild traumatic brain injury resulting from a closed head injury and blast exposure or heat injury. SVT failure was associated with significant linear increases in all of the over-reporting MMPI-2-RF validity scales and most of the substantive scales. For the validity scales, all over-reporting scales had large effect sizes (ESs) when comparing a group that failed no SVTs with a group that failed three SVTs. A comparison between these two groups for the substantive scales revealed the largest ESs for scales related to somatic/cognitive complaints and emotional dysfunction. RBS (Response Bias Scale) had the largest ES of all scales (d?=?1.69), followed by FBS-r (Symptom Validity Scale; d?=?1.34), AXY (Anxiety, d?=?1.21), and COG (Cognitive Complaints, d?=?1.19). The scales related to behavioral dysfunction had the smallest ESs of all of the substantive scales, and there were no significant associations between the vast majority of these scales and SVT failure. With respect to clinically significant elevations, those who did not fail SVTs had clinically significant elevations only on COG and NUC (Neurological Complaints), and MLS (Malaise) approached clinical significance. For those who failed SVTs, RBS was the only over-reporting scale that was elevated across all failure groups. Those who failed any SVT had clinically significant elevations on COG, MLS, NUC, and AXY. Those who failed three SVTs had additional elevations on scales related to emotional dysfunction.     

Predicting One and Three Month Postoperative Somatic Concerns,Psychological Distress,and Maladaptive Eating Behaviors in Bariatric Surgery Candidates with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF)

Background

Presurgical psychological screening of bariatric surgery candidates includes some form of standardized psychological assessment. However, associations between presurgical psychological screening and postoperative outcome have not been extensively studied. Here, we explore associations between presurgical Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) scores and early postoperative Somatic Concerns, Psychological Distress, and Maladaptive Eating Behaviors.

Methods

The sample consisted of male (n?=?238) and female (n?=?621) patients who were administered the MMPI-2-RF at their presurgical psychological evaluation and received bariatric surgery. Patients were evaluated at their 1- and 3-month postoperative appointments.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that three latent constructs—somatic concerns, psychological distress, and maladaptive eating behaviors—were represented by responses to a postoperative assessment and that these constructs could be measured consistently over time. Presurgical scores on MMPI-2-RF scales measuring internalizing dysfunction were associated with more psychological distress at postoperative follow-ups, scores on scales measuring somatization were associated with more postoperative somatic concerns, and scores on scales assessing emotional/internalizing, behavioral/externalizing, cognitive complaints, and thought dysfunction prior to surgery were associated with maladaptive eating behaviors after surgery.

Conclusions

In conjunction with a presurgical psychological interview, the MMPI-2-RF provides information that can assist in anticipating postoperative outcomes and inform efforts to prevent them.     

Neonatal subgaleal hemorrhage unrelated to assisted vaginal delivery: clinical course and outcomes

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of subgaleal hemorrhage (SGH) following non-assisted vaginal delivery (normal vaginal delivery or cesarean delivery), and to characterize associated factors, clinical course, and outcomes, compared to attempted assisted vaginal delivery (AVD)-associated SGH A retrospective cohort study was conducted. All cases of SGH encountered following delivery of a singleton neonate at Hadassah, Hebrew University Medical Center during 2011–2018 were included. Maternal, fetal, intrapartum, and neonatal characteristics and outcomes were compared between AVD-related and non-AVD-related SGH groups. The overall incidence of SGH was 4.5/1000 (369/82,256) singleton deliveries. The incidences of AVD- and non-AVD-related SGH were 44.6/1000 (350/7852) and 0.3/1000 (19/74,404) singleton deliveries, respectively. Ten (53%) of the 19 non-AVD-related SGH were diagnosed after vaginal delivery and 9 (47%) after an urgent cesarean section. SGH severity was mild, moderate, and severe in 68%, 16%, and 16% of the cases, respectively. SGH severity did not differ between the attempted AVD group and the non-AVD-related SGH group. A higher proportion of neonates with non-AVD SGH required phototherapy treatment than did those diagnosed with AVD-related SGH (56% vs. 24%, P = 0.003). Other neonatal outcomes, including Apgar scores, maximal bilirubin level, length of stay, and the rate of composite adverse outcomes, did not differ between the groups. SGH, although rare, may be diagnosed after unassisted vaginal or cesarean delivery in the absence of an AVD attempt. We advocate continuing education for all medical staff who participate in peripartum and neonatal care, regarding the possible occurrence of non-AVD-related SGH.     

Endobronchial foreign bodies in Vietnamese adults are related to eating habits

Background and objective: A high percentage of bronchoscopically extracted foreign bodies in Ho Chi Minh City were pits of the sapote fruit, a finding previously unreported. This paper presents a review of foreign body extractions, which identifies the substances found, documents the diagnostic pathway and draws attention to the specific aspiration risk of the sapote pit. Methods: The records of 100 consecutive adults who were found to have a bronchial foreign body during flexible bronchoscopy were reviewed. Results: In 83% of patients, the foreign body extraction was performed more than 2 weeks after the aspiration had occurred. In only 34% of patients was the diagnosis of an aspirated foreign body considered early in the patient's clinical course. The most frequent foreign bodies found were sapote pits (41%), followed by small bones (38%). Foreign bodies were lodged more frequently in the right bronchial tree (64%). In 98% of patients, the foreign bodies were successfully removed with the flexible scope. There was one postoperative death, which was not ascribed to the procedure. Conclusions: Physicians need to consider foreign body aspirations when evaluating patients with recurrent pneumonia, unexplained cough or atelectasis. Awareness of this problem might lead to public health measures that could reduce the incidence of these aspirations.     

From genome to antivirals: SARS as a test tube

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic brought into the spotlight the need for rapid development of effective anti-viral drugs against newly emerging viruses. Researchers have leveraged the 20-year battle against AIDS into a variety of possible treatments for SARS. Most prominently, based solely on viral genome information, silencers of viral genes, viral-enzyme blockers and viral-entry inhibitors were suggested as potential therapeutic agents for SARS. In particular, inhibitors of viral entry, comprising therapeutic peptides, were based on the recently launched anti-HIV drug enfuvirtide. This could represent one of the most direct routes from genome sequencing to the discovery of antiviral drugs.     

Behçet's disease and pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Beh?et's disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory chronic disorder, which is characterized by relapsing oral and genital ulceration and iridocyclitis. While being of unknown etiology, vasculitic changes of possible autoimmune origin are common to all involved organs, and thrombotic complications, which may adversely affect gestation, are frequently seen. Very little is known to date about the reciprocal influence of BD and pregnancy. We have undertaken to explore the mutual effect of BD and pregnancy with emphasis on maternal and fetal complications. METHODS: In this case-control study, we have evaluated pregnancies that occurred in women suffering from BD, who were treated in our institution during the last 25 years. All records were reviewed, and data were confirmed by a telephone interview and compared with a matched control group. To review the current knowledge, a Medline search together with a manual search of selected articles was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-one Beh?et's patients who had 135 pregnancies were studied. Remissions were significantly more frequent during both pregnancy and postpartum periods, while exacerbations were observed only in one-sixth of the patients (P < 0.001). Pregnancy complications (P < 0.001), cesarean section (P < 0.001), and miscarriage (P < 0.02) rates, however, were significantly higher in the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that pregnancy does not have a deleterious effect on the course of BD and may possibly ameliorate its course. However, it seems that BD may adversely affect pregnancy. The miscarriage rate was higher, and the pregnancy complications and cesarean section rates were significantly elevated.