Functional MRI detection of deception after committing a mock sabotage crime.

Using Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) to detect deception is feasible in simple laboratory paradigms. A mock sabotage scenario was used to test whether this technology would also be effective in a scenario closer to a real-world situation. Healthy, nonmedicated adults were recruited from the community, screened, and randomized to either a Mock-crime group or a No-crime group.

Regional brain activation during meditation shows time and practice effects: an exploratory FMRI study.

Meditation involves attentional regulation and may lead to increased activity in brain regions associated with attention such as dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we examined whether DLPFC and ACC were activated during meditation. Subjects who meditate were recruited and scanned on a 3.

Brachiobasilic versus brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula: a prospective randomized study.

Background: The most recent Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines recommend that the order of preference for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) placement is the radial-cephalic primary AVF, followed by the secondary brachiocephalic (BC) and, if either of these is not viable, then brachiobasilic (BB) AVF should be fashioned. However, there is limited prospective data comparing technical and clinical outcomes of these two approaches. The purpose of our study was to compare outcome, patency, and complication rates in these two autogenous upper arm AV accesses.

Alexithymia and temperament and character model of personality in alcohol-dependent Turkish men.

Aims: Alexithymia, a personality trait characterized as having problems identifying, describing, and working with one's own feelings, often marked by a lack of understanding of the feelings of others, is only partly described within the context of personality. The aim of the present study was therefore to study the prevalence of alexithymia among male alcohol-dependent inpatients and investigate the relationship between alexithymia and the dimensions of Cloninger's psychobiological model of personality.

Methods: The Turkish version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Turkish version of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) were administered to 111 male alcohol-dependent inpatients.

Coronary myocardial bridge constitutes a risk: But how to manage it?

Myocardial bridges may cause angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, life threatening arrhythmias and even sudden cardiac death but most of them are harmless. Although the exact management is not well known, beta blockers seem to be the first choice. Stenting is controversial and one must think "twice" before stenting the bridged coronary artery.

Functional and structural basis of the nuclear localization signal in the ZIC3 zinc finger domain.

Disruptions in ZIC3 cause heterotaxy, a congenital anomaly of the left-right axis. ZIC3 encodes a nuclear protein with a zinc finger (ZF) domain that contains five tandem C2H2 ZF motifs. Missense mutations in the first ZF motif (ZF1) result in defective nuclear localization, which may underlie the pathogenesis of heterotaxy.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in acute coronary syndromes: complex vicious interaction.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays a crucial role both in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. MCP-1 is a unique cytokine produced by macrophages, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells within atherosclerotic plaques and seems to be a reliable indicator of atherosclerotic plaque burden. Higher levels of MCP-1 have been associated with a poor prognosis and increased risk for death independent of other risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a patient with Addison disease: is apical ballooning always reversible?

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by acute ventricular dysfunction in the absence of coronary obstruction. Complete improvement of ventricular function is seen in the vast majority of the patients. We describe a 40-year-old woman with Addison disease who experienced Takotsubo cardiomyopathy but with persistent apical dysfunction during 5-month-follow up.

Anomalous high insertion of the inferior vena cava into the right atrium: a case report with review of literature.

Objective: Anomalous high insertion of the inferior vena cava into the right atrium is probably the most infrequent anomaly among the anomalies of the inferior vena cava.

Patients: We present a case of anomalous high insertion of the inferior vena cava into the posterior wall of the right atrium in a 20-year-old asymptomatic man.

Conclusions: This anomaly has unique characteristic because of presenting with an isolated anomaly different from earlier reported cases.

A pilot study of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for treatment-resistant anxiety disorders.

Background: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective anticonvulsant device and has shown antidepressant effects in chronic treatment resistant depression. Because the vagus nerve sends information to brain regions important in anxiety regulation (locus coeruleus, orbitofrontal cortex, insula, hippocampus and amygdala), this pathway might be involved in perceiving or manifesting various somatic and cognitive symptoms that characterize anxiety disorders. On the basis of this reasoning and reports of anxiolytic effects of VNS in patients treated for epilepsy and depression, we organized an open-label pilot acute trial of adjunctive VNS on top of stable medications, followed by long-term follow-up, to assess the safety and potential efficacy of VNS for patients with treatment resistant anxiety disorders.

Meibomian gland alterations in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinopathy characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism where hyperinsulinemia can be seen. Hormonal changes can affect meibomian gland function. In this study, we evaluated tear function in PCOS.

Importin-beta and the small guanosine triphosphatase Ran mediate chromosome loading of the human chromokinesin Kid.

Nucleocytoplasmic transport factors mediate various cellular processes, including nuclear transport, spindle assembly, and nuclear envelope/pore formation. In this paper, we identify the chromokinesin human kinesin-like DNA binding protein (hKid) as an import cargo of the importin-alpha/beta transport pathway and determine its nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Upon the loss of its functional NLSs, hKid exhibited reduced interactions with the mitotic chromosomes of living cells.

The experience with the Epiclose-T vascular access closure device: a human study.

Objective: The Epiclose-T, a novel closure device for arterial access sites, is designed as a double-balloon device that applies direct pressure on the arteriotomy site, allowing natural coagulation and leaving no artificial material behind. We assessed prospectively the initial safety and efficacy of the Epiclose-T after diagnostic cardiac catheterization, and evaluated patient comfort.

Methods: In our randomized, controlled, prospective study, the study group consisted of 32 patients (17 male, mean age 52.

Prognostic value of plasma soluble CD40 ligand in patients with chronic non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Aims: We aimed to clarify whether determination of levels of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) could predict subsequent thrombo-embolic events in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

Methods And Results: Forty-four consecutive outpatients (mean age: 58 +/- 6 years, 20 male) with chronic NVAF who were not receiving aspirin and had no thrombus or spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) on left atrium (LA) or left atrial appendage (LAA) were included in the study. The patients had no history of an embolic event and were followed up 24 +/- 2 months for thrombo-embolic events.

Protective effects of diets supplemented with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and calcium against colorectal tumor formation.

This study is to evaluate the effect of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (omega-3 PUFA) and/or calcium supplementation on colon tissue of the carcinogenic N-methyl-N-nitrosurea (NMU)-injected rats and to investigate this effect by the assessment of the oxidative stress. The rats were divided into four groups: those fed with a standard diet, with a diet supplemented by omega-3 PUFA, those fed with a diet with calcium, and those fed with a standard diet with the combination of omega-3 PUFA and calcium. Rats were injected with an intrarectal NMU.

Accommodative esotropia following surgical treatment of infantile esotropia: frequency and risk factors.

Purpose: We aimed to examine the frequency of and risk factors for the development of accommodative esotropia following surgical treatment for infantile esotropia.

Methods: A total of 29 children were recruited. Potential risk factors for the development of accommodative esotropia included: sex; angle of deviation at initial and final visits; cycloplegic refractive error at initial and final visits; increase in hyperopia; amblyopia; amblyopia treatment; age at surgical treatment; pre- and postoperative latent nystagmus; dissociated vertical deviation or inferior oblique muscle overaction; additional surgical procedures; unstable alignment, and binocular sensory status.

Paraoxonase levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To determine paraoxonase (PON1) levels and whether paraoxonase activity is associated with an increased propensity for the development of cardiovascular disease in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Study Design: Thirty-one subjects with PCOS and 33 healthy controls were evaluated in this controlled clinical study. Lipid subfractions, fasting glucose, insulin and other hormone (gonadotropin, androgen) and PON1 levels were measured.

Structural basis for substrate recognition and dissociation by human transportin 1.

Transportin 1 (Trn1) is a transport receptor that transports substrates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus through nuclear pore complexes by recognizing nuclear localization signals (NLSs). Here we describe four crystal structures of human Trn1 in a substrate-free form as well as in the complex with three NLSs (hnRNP D, JKTBP, and TAP, respectively). Our data have revealed that (1) Trn1 has two sites for binding NLSs, one with high affinity (site A) and one with low affinity (site B), and NLS interaction at site B controls overall binding affinity for Trn1; (2) Trn1 recognizes the NLSs at site A followed by conformational change at site B to interact with the NLSs; and (3) a long flexible loop, characteristic of Trn1, interacts with site B, thereby displacing transport substrate in the nucleus.

Structural validity of the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist among college students with a trauma history.

The authors conducted confirmatory factor analyses to test three-factor and four-factor models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using the PTSD Checklist with college students reporting a traumatic event history. The authors found support for the three-factor DSM-IV-based PTSD diagnostic model including reexperiencing, avoidance/numbing, and hyperarousal symptom factors, with slightly better support for a four-factor model separating the avoidance and numbing factors. Results further attest to the PTSD Checklist's construct validity, and to research finding that PTSD avoidance and numbing constructs are distinct.

Atrial myocardial deformation properties are temporarily reduced after cardioversion for atrial fibrillation and correlate well with left atrial appendage function.

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate whether left atrial strain and strain rate correlate well with transesophageal parameters of stunning after atrial fibrillation.

Methods And Results: Twenty-two consecutive patients with chronic atrial fibrillation >/=3 months and <1 year were enrolled in the study. Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography with color Doppler myocardial imaging were performed before, 1 day after and 10 days after successful cardioversion.

Vagus nerve stimulation and emotional responses to food among depressed patients.

Background: Approved for treatment of treatment-resistant depression and for epilepsy, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy involves stimulation of the vagus nerve, affecting both mood and appetite regulating systems. VNS is associated with changes in food intake and weight loss in animals. Studies of its impact on food intake and weight with humans are limited.

Comparison of the effects of travoprost, latanoprost and bimatoprost on ocular circulation: a 6-month clinical trial.

Purpose: To study the effect of three prostaglandin F(2)-alpha (PG) analogues on retrobulbar blood flow velocity in previously untreated patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT), using colour Doppler ultrasound.

Methods: Sixty newly diagnosed patients with POAG or OHT were randomly assigned to travoprost 0.004% (n = 12 with POAG, n = 8 with OHT), latanoprost 0.

The relationship between aluminum and spontaneous pneumothorax; treatment, prognosis, follow-up?

Aluminum is known as a toxic metal today. Aluminum has already been determined to cause asthma bronchial and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It was also reported that Shaver disease undergoing fibrosis with large bubbles and the symptoms of potroom asthma had developed in the workers working in the manufacture of aluminum.