Pupil diameter covaries with BOLD activity in human locus coeruleus.

The locus coeruleus-noradrenergic (LC-NA) neuromodulatory system has been implicated in a broad array of cognitive processes, yet scope for investigating this system's function in humans is currently limited by an absence of reliable non-invasive measures of LC activity. Although pupil diameter has been employed as a proxy measure of LC activity in numerous studies, empirical evidence for a relationship between the two is lacking. In the present study, we sought to rigorously probe the relationship between pupil diameter and BOLD activity localized to the human LC.

CSF contamination contributes to apparent microstructural alterations in mild cognitive impairment.

Diffusion MRI is used widely to probe microstructural alterations in neurological and psychiatric disease. However, ageing and neurodegeneration are also associated with atrophy, which leads to artefacts through partial volume effects due to cerebrospinal-fluid contamination (CSFC). The aim of this study was to explore the influence of CSFC on apparent microstructural changes in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at several spatial levels: individually reconstructed tracts; at the level of a whole white matter skeleton (tract-based spatial statistics); and histograms derived from all white matter.

Effect of an active packaging with citrus extract on lipid oxidation and sensory quality of cooked turkey meat.

An antioxidant active packaging was prepared by coating a citrus extract, consisting of a mixture of carboxylic acids and flavanones, on polyethylene terephthalate trays. The effect of the packaging in reducing lipid oxidation in cooked turkey meat and on meat pH, colour characteristics and sensorial parameters was investigated. An untrained sensory panel evaluated the odour, taste, tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability of the meat, using triangle, paired preference and quantitative response scale tests.

Overall migration and kinetics of release of antioxidant compounds from citrus extract-based active packaging.

Overall migration (OM) tests were conducted on an antioxidant active packaging prepared by coating plasma pretreated and untreated polyethylene terepthalate (PET) trays with a citrus extract. The release of antioxidant compounds into food simulants was measured to permit their subtraction from OM values in line with active packaging legislation. The results demonstrated the compliance of the packaging with the limit for OM for plastic material in contact with food.

5-alkyl-1,3-oxazole derivatives of 6-amino-nicotinic acids as alkyl ester bioisosteres are antagonists of the P2Y12 receptor.

Background: Recently, we reported ethyl nicotinates as antagonists of the P2Y12 receptor, which is an important target in antiplatelet therapies. A potential liability of these compounds was their generally high in vivo clearance due to ethyl ester hydrolysis.

Results: Shape and electrostatic similarity matching was used to select five-membered heterocycles to replace the ethyl ester functionality.

Antinuclear antibody test.

The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is widely used as a serological marker of autoimmune disease. Antinuclear antibodies are immunoglobulins or antibodies that bind to one or more antigens expressed within the nucleus of human cells. Used selectively, the ANA test can be a useful laboratory tool to help confirm or exclude the diagnosis of systemic rheumatic disease.

Impact of moderate and severe hypodontia and amelogenesis imperfecta on quality of life and self-esteem of adult patients.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of moderate and severe hypodontia and amelogenesis imperfecta on the quality of life and self-esteem of affected adult patients.

Methods: Forty one adult patients (aged 18-45 years) with clinical and radiological diagnoses of moderate to severe hypodontia and twenty seven patients diagnosed with amelogenesis imperfecta were age and gender matched with a control group of patients attending for routine dental care. Subjects completed the Oral Health Impact Profile [OHIP-49] and Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale.

Inhaled birch pollen extract induces airway hyperresponsiveness via oxidative stress but independently of pollen-intrinsic NADPH oxidase activity, or the TLR4-TRIF pathway.

Oxidative stress in allergic asthma may result from oxidase activity or proinflammatory molecules in pollens. Signaling via TLR4 and its adaptor Toll-IL-1R domain-containing adapter inducing IFN-β (TRIF) has been implicated in reactive oxygen species-mediated acute lung injury and in Th2 immune responses. We investigated the contributions of oxidative stress and TLR4/TRIF signaling to experimental asthma induced by birch pollen exposure exclusively via the airways.

Extradural haematoma--to evacuate or not? Revisiting treatment guidelines.

Background: We describe three cases of extradural haematomas (EDHs) and their management, focusing on operative and non-operative treatment. We also review the available literature from the past three decades as well as the guidelines for the management of EDH. An algorithm is formulated based on different factors, including the clinical course of the patients and their CT findings.

Synthesis, structure-property relationships and pharmacokinetic evaluation of ethyl 6-aminonicotinate sulfonylureas as antagonists of the P2Y₁₂ receptor.

The present paper describes the development of a new series of P2Y12 receptor antagonists based on our previously reported piperazinyl urea series 1 (IC50 binding affinity = 0.33 μM, aq solubility <0.1 μM, microsomal CLint (HLM) ≥300 μM/min/mg).

Surgical checklists: the human factor.

Background: Surgical checklists has been shown to improve patient safety and teamwork in the operating theatre. However, despite the known benefits of the use of checklists in surgery, in some cases the practical implementation has been found to be less than universal. A questionnaire methodology was used to quantitatively evaluate the attitudes of theatre staff towards a modified version of the World Health Organisation (WHO) surgical checklist with relation to: beliefs about levels of compliance and support, impact on patient safety and teamwork, and barriers to the use of the checklist.

(S)-N'-Nitrosonornicotine, a constituent of smokeless tobacco, is a powerful oral cavity carcinogen in rats.

Currently, smokeless tobacco products are being proposed as an alternative mode of tobacco use associated with less harm. All of these products contain the tobacco-specific carcinogen N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN). The major form of NNN in tobacco products is (S)-NNN, shown in this study to induce a total of 89 benign and malignant oral cavity tumors in a group of 20 male F-344 rats treated chronically with 14 p.

Outcome of nucleoplasty in patients with radicular pain due to lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

Background: Nucleoplasty (percutaneous lumbar disc decompression) is a minimally invasive procedure that utilizes radiofrequency energy as a treatment for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation, against open microdiscectomy, which would be the mainstay treatment modality. The literature reports a favorable outcome in up to 77% of patients at 6 months.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of nucleoplasty in the management of discogenic radicular pain.

Individual differences in fornix microstructure and body mass index.

The prevalence of obesity and associated health conditions is increasing in the developed world. Obesity is related to atrophy and dysfunction of the hippocampus and hippocampal lesions may lead to increased appetite and weight gain. The hippocampus is connected via the fornix tract to the hypothalamus, orbitofrontal cortex, and the nucleus accumbens, all key structures for homeostatic and reward related control of food intake.

Physical exertion at high altitude--another risk factor for coronary stent thrombosis?

We report 2 cases of very late stent thrombosis (VLST) in patients previously treated with drug-eluting stent (DES). In both cases, VLST occurred during intense physical activities at high altitudes. Exposure to high altitudes alters the coagulation cascade, platelet morphology, and function, resulting in a hypercoagulable state.

Cingulum microstructure predicts cognitive control in older age and mild cognitive impairment.

Cognitive control, an important facet of human cognition, provides flexibility in response to varying behavioral demands. Previous work has focused on the role of prefrontal cortex, notably the anterior cingulate cortex. However, it is now clear that this is one node of a distributed cognitive network.

Temporal association tracts and the breakdown of episodic memory in mild cognitive impairment.

Objective: To examine the pattern of association between microstructure of temporal lobe connections and the breakdown of episodic memory that is a core feature of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods: Twenty-five individuals with MCI and 20 matched controls underwent diffusion MRI and cognitive assessment. Three temporal pathways were reconstructed by tractography: fornix, parahippocampal cingulum (PHC), and uncinate fasciculus.

Evaluation of the Vicorder, a novel cuff-based device for the noninvasive estimation of central blood pressure.

Objectives: The Vicorder is a new brachial cuff-based device that estimates central blood pressure (cBP) using a brachial-to-aortic transfer function. The aim of this study was to evaluate cBP estimated by the Vicorder.

Methods: During cardiac angiography, cBP estimated by the Vicorder and the SphygmoCor was evaluated against simultaneous invasive cBP in 50 patients.

Recurrence of a paediatric arteriovenous malformation 9 years postcomplete excision: case report and review of literature.

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a common congenital vascular anomaly, which often present in both children and adults. Surgery is considered curative once postoperative angiography confirms the absence of vessels. We describe a 6-year-old girl, who had a Spetzler-Martin Grade II AVM resected successfully, in which a recurrent AVM was detected on routine follow-up over 9 years post excision.

Spontaneous haemorrhage and rupture of third ventricular colloid cyst.

Acute bleeding within a colloid cyst of the third ventricle represents a rare event causing sudden increase in the cyst volume that may lead to acute hydrocephalus and rapid neurological deterioration. We report a case of spontaneous rupture of haemorrhagic third ventricular colloid cyst and its management. A 77-year-old ex-smoker presented with unsteady gait, incontinence and gradually worsening confusion over a 3-week period.

A prospective randomised study to compare the utility and outcomes of subdural and subperiosteal drains for the treatment of chronic subdural haematoma.

Background: The usage of a drain following evacuation of a chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is known to reduce recurrence. In this study we aim to compare the clinical outcomes and recurrence rate of utilising two different types of drains (subperiosteal and subdural drain) following drainage of a CSDH.

Methods: Prospective randomised single-centre study analysing 50 patients who underwent CSDH treatment.

Pregnancy-related Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: Two Case Reports and a Comprehensive Review of Literature.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome, particularly seen in women during pregnancy or in the puerperium. It has a high acute phase mortality. The etiology is uncertain.

'Serpent in the spine': a case of giant spinal ependymoma of cervicothoracic spine.

We describe a case of giant spinal ependymoma of cervicothoracic spine in a 30-year-old lady who presented with progressive spastic paraparesis and significant combined upper and lower motor neuron signs in her lower limbs over a 1-year period. She also had upper limb small muscle wasting with absent reflexes and diminished sensation. She was wheel chair bound with involvement of sphincters.

'Teeth in the brain' - a case of giant intracranial mature cystic teratoma.

The authors describe a case of a giant intracranial mature cystic teratoma in a 16-year-old girl presenting acutely with a severe headache, vomiting and a complex generalised seizure with a background history of intermittent headaches for 3 years. CT and MRI brain demonstrated a ruptured large cystic teratoma encapsulating two large teeth within the diffusely dense fatty heterogeneous lesion. Surgical debulking of the cyst was performed and the calcific remnants were left behind owing to dense adhesion to the brain.