A monoclonal antibody-based urine Histoplasma antigen enzyme immunoassay (IMMY®) for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis in cats.

Background: An in-house Histoplasma urine antigen test for cats might be desirable in certain situations.

Objective: To validate and compare the diagnostic performance of a monoclonal antibody-based IMMY urine Histoplasma antigen enzyme immunoassay (IMMY EIA) to the commercially available urine Histoplasma antigen enzyme immunoassay (MiraVista Diagnostics, MV EIA).

Animals: One hundred ninety-three urine samples from 105 client-owned and purpose-bred research cats.

Disseminated phaeohyphomycosis in a dog.

Phaeohyphomycosis is a rare but emerging disease caused by dematiaceous fungi. Here we describe the case of an immunosuppressed dog with disseminated phaeohyphomycosis secondary to infection. Regionally extensive infiltration of the paw pads, skin, myocardium, liver, renal interstitium and diaphragm was identified on histopathology.

Disseminated Conidiobolus incongruus in a dog: A case report and literature review.

Conidiobolomycosis is a rare fungal disease of both humans and animals, occurring mainly in tropical and subtropical climates. We describe a disseminated fungal infection in a young, apparently immunocompetent dog who initially presented for antibiotic resistant pneumonia. Histopathology and mycology identified a Conidiobolus sp.

A meta-analysis of cytokines in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Studies suggest that inflammation is involved in the neurodegenerative cascade leading to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and symptoms. This study sought to quantitatively summarize the clinical cytokine data.

Methods: Original English language peer-reviewed studies measuring cytokine concentrations in AD and healthy control subjects were included.

The relationship between inflammatory markers and post stroke cognitive impairment.

Objective: To determine whether there is a relationship between inflammatory markers (serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines) and post stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study. Patients were recruited from 4 sources: (1) the acute stroke unit of a general hospital, (2) an outpatient stroke prevention clinic, (3) a stroke rehabilitation unit in a specialized geriatric hospital, or (4) a stroke rehabilitation unit of a rehabilitation hospital.

The perceptions and habits of alcohol consumption and smoking among Canadian medical students.

Objective: The authors aim to quantify the extent, and to assess student perception, of alcohol and tobacco use among medical students at the University of Calgary, and the relationship of these attitudes to problem drinking (according to the CAGE questionnaire).

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to first-, second-, and third-year medical students attending the University of Calgary medical school.

Results: Of the 327 students enrolled, 175 of students responded to the questionnaire.

Apathy associated with Alzheimer disease: use of dextroamphetamine challenge.

Objective: To assess the role of the dopaminergic brain reward system (BRS) in apathy associated with Alzheimer disease (AD).

Design: BRS function was probed in 20 AD patients using dextroamphetamine (d-amph) challenge. After baseline behavioral testing, patients were given a single 10 mg dose of d-amph.

A functional neuroimaging study of appetite loss in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is frequently associated with changes in appetite. This study investigated the relationship between regional cerebral perfusion and appetite loss in AD.

Methods: 64 patients with possible or probable AD were characterized as being with (n=22) or without (n=44) appetite loss based on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Appetite subscale.

Methylphenidate for the treatment of apathy in Alzheimer disease: prediction of response using dextroamphetamine challenge.

Apathy is a common behavioral symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD), being present in up to 70% of patients. Apathy in AD and non-AD populations has been associated with dysfunction in the dopaminergic brain reward system, suggesting that pharmacotherapeutic targeting of this system may be an effective treatment for apathy in AD. We therefore performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of methylphenidate in a sample of 13 apathetic AD patients (6 men, 7 women; age mean 77.

A SPECT study of apathy in Alzheimer's disease.

Background/aims: To assess the association between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and apathy in Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

Methods: SPECT and MRI scans were obtained from 51 nondepressed outpatients meeting criteria for probable AD (age 77.6 +/- 6.

A placebo-controlled trial of valproate for agitation and aggression in Alzheimer's disease.

Background/aims: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of valproate for the treatment of agitation and aggression in moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of valproate in institutionalized AD patients. Patients were assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment with valproate and placebo, with 2 weeks between phases to allow for placebo washout and tapering.

Behavioral correlates of GABAergic disruption in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Losses of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) have been variably demonstrated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may be related to the presence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in AD. Our objective was to assess the relationship between plasma GABA (pGABA) levels and specific BPSD in patients with severe AD.

Methods: pGABA levels and BPSD were measured in 14 institutionalized AD patients (8M/6F, mean age +/- S.

Perceptions of natural health products among patients attending a memory clinic.

This study compared patient and caregiver perceptions of natural health products (NHPs) and conventional medications in a memory clinic population. A total of 620 mildly cognitively impaired patients and their caregivers participated in interviews enquiring about their perceptions of NHPs in 4 areas: (1) disclosure of NHP usage information to health care professionals, (2) safety and benefits of NHPs, (3) safety and benefits of conventional medications, and (4) physician knowledge about NHPs. Differences in responses between NHP users and nonusers and between patients and caregivers were examined.