Pedophilia is linked to reduced activation in hypothalamus and lateral prefrontal cortex during visual erotic stimulation.

BACKGROUND: Although pedophilia is of high public concern, little is known about underlying neural mechanisms. Although pedophilic patients are sexually attracted to prepubescent children, they show no sexual interest toward adults. This study aimed to investigate the neural correlates of deficits of sexual and emotional arousal in pedophiles. METHODS: Thirteen pedophilic patients and 14 healthy control subjects were tested for differential neural activity during visual stimulation with emotional and erotic pictures with functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Regions showing differential activations during the erotic condition comprised the hypothalamus, the periaqueductal gray, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the latter correlating with a clinical measure. Alterations of emotional processing concerned the amygdala-hippocampus and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS: Hypothesized regions relevant for processing of erotic stimuli in healthy individuals showed reduced activations during visual erotic stimulation in pedophilic patients. This suggests an impaired recruitment of key structures that might contribute to an altered sexual interest of these patients toward adults.     

Effects of IFN-gamma and interleukin-1beta on major histocompatibility complex antigen and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression by 9L gliosarcoma: relevance to its cytolysis by alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

To enhance the efficacy of cellular immunotherapy for gliomas, we tested the concept of using proinflammatory cytokine treatment with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) or both to render glioma cells more susceptible to cytolysis by alloreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (aCTL). The cytokines, separately or in combination, were able to upregulate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen or intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on Fischer rat 9L gliosarcoma cells. 9L cells were incubated in vitro for 24, 48, or 72 h with varying concentrations of rat IFN-gamma (0-2000 U/ml) or recombinant human IL-1 (rHUIL-1) (0-1000 U/ml) or both. By 48 h, IFN-gamma (500 U/ml) maximally induced the percentage of positive expressing cells and the relative antigen density of MHC class I and ICAM-1 on 9L cells, whereas IL-1 induced only ICAM-1 expression. Simultaneous incubation of IL-1 with IFN-gamma did not further affect the induction of class I on 9L cells more than that achieved with IFN-gamma alone. 9L cells with upregulated MHC class I and ICAM-1 expression were more sensitive to lysis by aCTL in in vitro cytotoxicity assays, regardless of whether the precursor aCTL came from naive or from 9L-immunized rats. Furthermore, inhibition of 9L cytotoxicity in assays that included blocking antibodies to MHC class I or to ICAM-1 revealed that T cell receptor (TCR) interactions with MHC class I and that ICAM-1 interactions with lymphocyte function-associated-1 (LFA-1) antigen account for a portion of the glioma lysis by aCTL.     

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and serotonin syndrome in the critical care setting: case analysis.

BACKGROUND: Serotonin syndrome (SS) and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) are medical emergencies associated with psychotropic administration. Differentiation and treatment can be complex, especially when features of both syndromes are present and the patient has taken both serotonergic and neuroleptic agents. METHOD: Case analysis of a poly-drug overdose (venlafaxine, topiramate, divalproex sodium, risperidone, and carbamazepine) presenting with mixed SS/NMS features and whose clinical management suggests a practical algorithm for treatment of undifferentiated SS/NMS in critical care settings. RESULTS: The suggested algorithm includes: 1) Supportive care and withdrawal of all potentially offending agents; 2) Laboratory evaluation with prompt initiation of treatment for both disorders--cyproheptadine for SS and dantrolene for NMS; 3) Do not use bromocriptine (contraindicated in SS) or chlorpromazine (contraindicated in NMS) initially; 4) Add bromocriptine when clinical presentation becomes consistent with NMS (SS can be prolonged if serotonergic agent has long half-life). CONCLUSIONS: Prompt and appropriate identification and intervention are essential for successful management of SS and NMS. The suggested treatment algorithm allows for specific treatment of both disorders and avoids potentially exacerbating either one. The algorithm derived from this case could serve as both a practical guideline and impetus for further investigation in light of increasing psychotropic co-administration.     

Allergenicity of α-caseins from cow, sheep, and goat

The allergic potential of α-caseins from bovine, ovine, and goat's milk sharing more than 85% identical amino acids was compared. Caseins were purified by anion-exchange chromatography and used for a specific IgE and IgG ELISA with diluted human sera. Sera were from 17 children with immediate-type allergy to cow's milk, from 59 children with atopy but without food allergy, and from 27 healthy children without atopic disease. The sera of cow's milk-allergic children showed a significantly higher IgE and IgG binding to α-caseins from all three species than the sera of the other groups. All groups showed an increased antibody binding to bovine a-casein compared to the sheep and goat proteins, but the differences were significant only in the groups of atopic children and of healthy controls. Furthermore, inhibition of the IgE binding to bovine α-casein with α-casein from cow, goat, and sheep revealed that the a-caseins from these species are highly cross-reactive, on the basis of the small differences in their primary structure. In conclusion, the milk of goat and sheep harbor an allergic potential and is not suitable for the nutrition of milk-allergic patients.     

Knowledge on types of treatment pressure. A cross-sectional study among mental health professionals

Treatment pressure restricts patients' voluntary and autonomous decisions. Yet interventions involving treatment pressure are widely used in mental health and psychosocial services. This cross-sectional study explored whether mental health professionals' knowledge on five types of treatment pressure (no coercion, persuasion or conviction, leverage, threat, and formal coercion) was associated with sociodemographic, professional and contextual factors. A more positive attitude towards interventions involving treatment pressure was associated with underrating the level of those interventions compared with a predefined default value. The treatment setting and professional group played a minor role in ‘leverage’ and ‘formal coercion’ types of treatment pressure, respectively.     

Oxygen levels during negative pressure wound therapy

Aim of the studyNegative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has become an established treatment modality when dealing with chronic and infected wounds. The underlying mechanism of action is still under discussion and remains controversial. Evidence exists showing rather hypoxic conditions as the main reason for the positive results and bacterial clearance. In an attempt to further explain the mechanism of action, we investigated oxygen levels within the foam interface of a NPWT device.Materials and methodsWe used an optical sensor based on the principle of dynamic fluorescence quenching and tested five different commonly available NPWT systems used during our daily clinical routine. All measurements were done in an in vitro experimental design for at least 24 h and multiple vacuum intensities were investigated.ResultsOxygen levels decreased as much as 22.8% and the amount of vacuum applied inversely correlated with the oxygen reduction. A stepwise increase in vacuum of 25 mmHg showed a linear mean drop of 2.75% per setting. All devices were able to maintain a constant level of negative pressure, and no significant difference between the various dressings was found (p > 0.05).ConclusionTherefore, oxygen levels are decreased within the foam of NPWT dressings, likely leading to oxygen deprivation effects in the underlying wound tissue.     

Selectivity in the potentiation of antibacterial activity of α-peptide/β-peptoid peptidomimetics and antimicrobial peptides by human blood plasma

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising leads for novel antibiotics; however, their activity is often compromised under physiological conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the activity of α-peptide/β-peptoid peptidomimetics and AMPs against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of human blood-derived matrices and immune effectors. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of two peptidomimetics against E. coli decreased by up to one order of magnitude when determined in 50% blood plasma as compared to MHB media. The MIC of a membrane-active AMP, LL-I/3, also decreased, whereas two intracellularly acting AMPs were not potentiated by plasma. Blood serum had no effect on activity against E. coli and neither matrix had an effect on activity against S. aureus. Unexpectedly, physiological concentrations of human serum albumin did not influence activity. Plasma potentiation was not mediated by an LL-37 analogue, lysozyme or hydrogen peroxide; however, plasma potentiation of activity was abolished when the complement system was heat-inactivated. Time-course experiments indicated that potentiation was due to plasma-mediated effects on bacterial cells prior to activities of peptidomimetics. The unexpected enhancement of antibacterial activity of peptidomimetics and AMPs under physiological conditions significantly increases the therapeutic potential of these compounds.     

Grande précarité, psycho-traumatisme,souffrance narcissique : résultats d’une recherche-action à méthodologie quantitative et qualitative intégrée

In the context of a multi-annual research project, aiming at exploring the relations between traumatic biographic events since childhood and the structural functioning of personality at adult age, the results of a cross-sectional study with people living in great precariousness (n = 105) are discussed.