Global analysis of aging-related protein structural changes uncovers enzyme-polymerization-based control of longevity.

Aging is associated with progressive phenotypic changes. Virtually all cellular phenotypes are produced by proteins, and their structural alterations can lead to age-related diseases. However, we still lack comprehensive knowledge of proteins undergoing structural-functional changes during cellular aging and their contributions to age-related phenotypes.

Preoperative MRCP Can Rule Out Choledocholithiasis in Acute Cholecystitis with a High Negative Predictive Value: Prospective Cohort Study with Intraoperative Cholangiography.

Background: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) provides a noninvasive and fast modality for imaging the biliary tree when choledocholithiasis is suspected. Guidelines suggest that MRCP is recommended when strong or moderate signs of common bile duct (CBD) stones are present. Well-performed prospective studies are scarce regarding the sensitivity and specificity of preoperative MRCP in patients with acute cholecystitis in comparison with intraoperative cholangiography, ERCP, or choledochoscopy.

Routine preoperative MRCP in screening choledocholithiasis in acute cholecystitis compared to selective approach: a population-based study.

Choledocholithiasis is more common in acute cholecystitis than in elective situations. Preoperative diagnosis of choledocholithiasis is essential to facilitate adequate planning of CBD (common bile duct) stone removal, preferably performed as a single-stage procedure. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of routine preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in acute cholecystitis followed by consequent cholecystectomy.

Emfit movement sensor in evaluating nocturnal breathing.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnostics by the movement sensors static charge-sensitive bed (SCSB) and electromechanical film transducer (Emfit) is based on dividing the signal into different breathing patterns. The usage of non-invasive mattress sensors in diagnosing OSA is particularly tempting if patient has many other non sleep-related monitoring sensors. However, a systematic comparison of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) with Emfit-parameters is lacking.

Remission of membranous glomerulonephritis after pancreatectomy for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm - a rare coincidence.

The concomitant existence of a non-malignant neuroendocrine tumor (NET) and membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) is rare. We report a subject with kidney biopsy proven MGN and nephrotic syndrome in which a computerized scan tomography (CT) examination was performed revealing a pancreatic tumor. A pancreatectomy was performed and the tumor was shown to be a non-malignant NET with a malignant potential.

[Dysfunctions associated with pelvic floor function, and their diagnostics].

Pelvic floor dysfunctions are common, mainly female ailments that are usually benign but decreasing the quality of life. Their main risk factors include pregnancy, childbirth and ageing. Investigation and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions should be carried out in a pervasive manner, including observation of all compartments, structures and functions of the pelvic floor.

De novo seropositive rheumatoid arthritis during immunosuppressive treatment after kidney transplantation.

We detected de novo seropositive erosive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a patient seven years after successful cadaveric kidney transplantation (RTx). RA developed in spite of treatment with cyclosporine A (CyA), methylprednisolon (MP) and azathioprine (Aza), compounds often also used for treatment of active RA. Renal failure was due to diabetes mellitus (DM) nephropathy.

Midline brain anomalies and schizophrenia in people with CATCH 22 syndrome.

Background: Since people with chromosome 22q11 deletion (CATCH 22 syndrome) have unexpectedly high incidence of major psychosis it has been suggested that 22q area might be involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.

Method: A single case report.

Results: A 32-year-old male patient with CATCH 22 syndrome and schizophrenia had extensive midline anomalies of the brain in the regions relevant to psychotic disorders.

Sediment accumulation of organic halogens in pristine forest lakes: Tracking of a single defined discharge of pulp bleaching wastewater.

Sediment accumulation of organic halogen was studied in two forest lakes, one pristine and one which received 30 m(3) of biologically purified bleaching wastewater from a kraft pulp mill in 1979 equivalent to ca. 2 kg of adsorbable organic halogen (AOX). Lake sediments were dated with(210)Pb,(134)Cs and(137)Cs and the annual deposition rates of organic halogens and organic matter were calculated.

Schizophrenia: a scientific delusion with long-lasting computer virus-like action on human thought?

The recent report on dopamine D4 receptors in schizophrenia by Seeman et al is briefly reviewed. It is suggested that these data, especially when published in a high-impact scientific journal, provide experimental support for my views of schizophrenia as a scientific delusion and corroborate the following principle of Ludvig Wittgenstein: 'It belongs to the logic of our scientific investigations that certain things are indeed not doubted.'

The secret of clozapine: to sleep while awake?

A dramatic increase in REM sleep time at the expense of slow wave sleep has been reported in patients on clozapine monotherapy (5). It is now suggested that this effect of clozapine on the sleep pattern could be due to a dissociation of the NREM/REM sleep cycle, and that the epileptogenic EEG abnormalities induced by clozapine in daytime recordings (2) would represent a dose-dependent activation on NREM sleep mechanism during wakefulness. The implications of this theory in relation to the concept of schizophrenia are discussed.

Long-term 'treatment' of schizophrenics with typical neuroleptics: a crime against humanity?

It is well documented that neuroleptics acting on dopamine receptors induce suppression of reward-directed behaviors in animals (1). Since the need for reward and pleasure is evidently also a powerful determinant of human behavior, it is suggested that compulsory treatment of schizophrenics in remission with anhedonic neuroleptics should be regarded as a crime against humanity, comparable with the scientifically approved use of frontal lobotomy in the management of poor psychotics before the advent of neuroleptics.

Prevention of AIDS in HIV-infected people by means of T cells stimulated with microbial superantigens?

It has been shown that neuroleukin, a secretary product of T cells, is partly homologous to HIV gp 120 envelope protein. Since HIV naive T cells sometimes induce the production of antibodies against HIV coat proteins in a new host, it is suggested that the development of AIDS in HIV-infected people could be prevented by means of T cells stimulated with superantigens of either bacterial or viral origin.

Are syntax errors due to the amino acid sequence of neuroleukin involved in the pathogenesis of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)?

The main principles of this hypothesis are very general: (i) signal-detection from background noise is one central issue in electronics; (ii) an important source of misunderstanding at different levels of communication is the fact that a given signal may have different meanings in different contexts; (iii) the unique role of chance in developmental biology is generally appreciated (37). In AIDS the basic defect would be the human specific inability to distinguish between the amino acid sequence of neuroleukin and peptides derived from the gp120 envelope protein of HIV, resulting in a slowly progressing failure of the CD4+ T cell-mediated immunity. In IDDM the postulated HLA class II-dependent hypersensitivity to immunological noise could predispose to random contacts between cells with a different signalling language.

Effects of partial food restriction on nocturnal meal size and feeding speed are counteracted by concurrent REM sleep deprivation in the rat.

Effects of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation on meal size and feeding speed were investigated by means of the cuff pedestal technique in 9 male rats exposed to partial food restriction. Reduction of available food by 50% alone, when accomplished by providing the pellets at the beginning of each dark period, during 7 consecutive days, induced a quite linear increase both in the meal size and feeding speed. When the same feeding schedule was repeated in combination with REM sleep deprivation, the meal size remained smaller and the feeding time was prolonged (during the first 3-4 days) when compared to those during food restriction alone, although losses of body weight were almost doubled.

Increased aggression after rapid eye movement sleep deprivation in Wistar rats is not influenced by reduction of dimensions of enclosure.

Twelve female and twelve male Wistar rats were assigned to home groups, platform-control groups, and rapid eye movement sleep deprivation groups. The deprivation was performed with the cuff-pedestal method. Rats were tested in pairs in a shrinking chamber to increase proximity of the rats and to provoke interaction between them.

Decision-making to initiate voluntary movements in the rat is altered during deprivation of rapid eye movement sleep.

Eight male rats were deprived of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep for 6 days by means of a cuff pedestal which makes it possible to use the animal as its own control. In order to obtain access to food, the rat had to jump from its pedestal to a strip of wire mesh suspended from the ceiling of the deprivation chamber. The number as well as duration of hangings on the wire mesh was continuously recorded.

Is the mental deterioration in Down's syndrome linked to impaired terminal degradation of neurofilaments?

Early detection of foetuses carrying the chromosomal anomaly typical of Down's syndrome provides an efficient means to solve both the social and medical problems inherent in this common form of mental deficiency likely to occur in offsprings to aged mothers. The routine use of this screening procedure, however, is limited to the Western culture. We hope that the present hypothesis suggesting an important role of neurofilament dysfunction in Down's syndrome will stimulate therapeutic approaches aimed at preventing the expression of mental stigmata in children unhappily born with this chromosomal anomaly.