Electroconvulsive therapy disrupts functional connectivity between hippocampus and posterior default mode network.

Background: The mechanisms underlying memory deficits after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) remain unclear but altered functional interactions between hippocampus and neocortex may play a role.

Objectives: To test whether ECT reduces functional connectivity between hippocampus and posterior regions of the default mode network (DMN) and to examine whether altered hippocampal-neocortical functional connectivity correlates with memory impairment. A secondary aim was to explore if these connectivity changes are present 6 months after ECT.

Blood-brain barrier permeability and electroconvulsive therapy: a systematic review.

Objective: The cause of cognitive side effects after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is largely unknown. Alterations in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) have been considered in several recent ECT studies. We therefore found it worthwhile to perform a systematic review of the literature to examine if electrically induced seizures affect the permeability of the BBB.

Nature-Based Mindfulness: A Qualitative Study of the Experience of Support for Self-Regulation.

Self-regulation is pivotal for human well-being and mental health. In this qualitative study, we followed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and explored how a five-day residential mindfulness program in a restorative natural setting supported self-regulation among university students experiencing moderate to severe stress. Six participants were interviewed post intervention and at three months' follow-up on how they experienced the retreat.

[Discontinuation of antidepressants].

Antidepressants are widely used. All antidepressants are associated with side effects, and in this review we therefore find it reasonable to reassess the indication for long-term use at least once a year. After remission of a depressive episode treatment should be continued for 6-9 months, and treatment should be continued longer for two years or more in the presence of risk factors for new depressive episodes.

Mechanisms in fluid retention - towards a mutual concept.

Fluid retention is a common and challenging condition in daily clinical practice. The normal fluid homoeostasis in the human body is based on accurately counter-balanced physiological mechanisms. When compromised fluid retention occurs and is seen in pathophysiologically different conditions such as liver cirrhosis, heart and kidney failure, and in preeclampsia.

Modelling the impact of room temperature on concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in indoor air.

Buildings contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a health concern for the building occupants. Inhalation exposure is linked to indoor air concentrations of PCBs, which are known to be affected by indoor temperatures. In this study, a highly PCB contaminated room was heated to six temperature levels between 20 and 30 C, i.

Fitness components of Drosophila melanogaster developed on a standard laboratory diet or a typical natural food source.

Drosophila melanogaster is often used as a model organism in evolutionary biology and ecophysiology to study evolutionary processes and their physiological mechanisms. Diets used to feed Drosophila cultures differ between laboratories and are often nutritious and distinct from food sources in the natural habitat. Here we rear D.

Treatment of chronic low back pain: a randomized, clinical trial comparing group-based multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation and intensive individual therapist-assisted back muscle strengthening exercises.

Study Design: A stratified randomized single-blinded clinical trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacies of 2 active therapies for chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Summary Of Background Data: Both a multidisciplinary biopsychosocial rehabilitation program and an intensive individual therapist-assisted back muscle strengthening exercise program used in Denmark have been reported to be effective for the treatment of CLBP.

Intra-articular sodium hyaluronate 2 mL versus physiological saline 20 mL versus physiological saline 2 mL for painful knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: Methodological constraints weaken previous evidence on intra-articular viscosupplementation and physiological saline distention for osteoarthritis. We conducted a randomized, patient- and observer-blind trial to evaluate these interventions in patients with painful knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: We centrally randomized 251 patients with knee osteoarthritis to four weekly intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate 2 mL (Hyalgan 10.

Subnormal energy expenditure: a putative causal factor in the weight gain induced by treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Aims: To examine the causes of weight gain occurring as an adverse effect of treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Methods: We measured 24-h energy expenditure (EE), body composition and spontaneous physical activity (SPA) in eight patients before and 1 year after treatment of hyperthyroidism was initiated, and eight controls.

Results: One year after initiation of treatment thyrotropin was normalized, thyroid hormones had fallen to the lower end of the reference range and fat mass had increased by 3.

MEAD: an interdisciplinary study of the marine effects of atmospheric deposition in the Kattegat.

This paper summarises the results of the EU funded MEAD project, an interdisciplinary study of the effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on the Kattegat Sea between Denmark and Sweden. The study considers emissions of reactive nitrogen gases, their transport, transformations, deposition and effects on algal growth together with management options to reduce these effects. We conclude that atmospheric deposition is an important source of fixed nitrogen to the region particularly in summer, when nitrogen is the limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth, and contributes to the overall eutrophication pressures in this region.

What do pharmacological approaches to obesity management offer? Linking pharmacological mechanisms of obesity management agents to clinical practice.

Obesity is characterised by pathophysiological defects affecting both sides of the energy balance equation. Individuals with a predisposition to obesity have impaired appetite control when diets are fat-rich and energy dense. They also exhibit a lower than expected resting metabolic rate (RMR).

Sibutramine and energy balance.

Obesity develops from a combination of low energy expenditure and increased energy intake. The current treatment strategy aims at reducing energy intake by a low-fat, high-complex-carbohydrate diet and increasing energy expenditure by increased physical activity. In a major proportion of obese patients, however, this treatment is ineffective and does not produce a satisfactory long-term result.

[Increased urea synthesis in patients with active inflammatory bowel disease].

Patients with active inflammatory bowel disease are often reported to be in negative nitrogen balance. Therefore, we examined basal and amino acid stimulated urea synthesis in 11 patients with active inflammatory bowel disease and in 10 patients with non-active disease. A primed continuous infusion of an amino acid mixture was given from t = 1 h to t = 5 h; during the first and the last two hours no amino acid infusion was given.

Increased in vivo antibody activity against interferon alpha, interleukin-1alpha, and interleukin-6 after high-dose Ig therapy.

High-avidity antibodies against interferon alpha (IFN alpha), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), and IL-6 have been demonstrated in preparations of normal human IgG, and in vivo modulation of these cytokines may therefore account for immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of high-dose intravenous IgG therapy. We have investigated the in vivo recovery and the effect on serum cytokine levels of antibodies to IFN alpha, IL-1alpha, and IL-6 infused with IgG preparations. Fifteen treatment series of 0.

Increased hepatic urea synthesis in patients with active inflammatory bowel disease.

Background/methods: Patients with active inflammatory bowel disease are often reported to be in negative nitrogen balance. Therefore, we examined basal and amino acid stimulated urea synthesis in 11 patients with active inflammatory bowel disease (six with Crohn's disease and five with ulcerative colitis) and in 10 patients with non-active disease (six with Crohn's disease and four with ulcerative colitis). A primed continuous infusion of an amino acid mixture was given from t = 1 h to t = 5 h; during the first and the last 2 h no amino acid infusion was given.

[Evaluation of patients with below knee amputation with respect to postoperative prosthesis fitting].

A follow-up of 78 patients who underwent amputations just below the knee at Herlev University Hospital in the county of Copenhagen during the period 1985-88 is reported. The examination was carried out at an average of 39 months later. There was a high early mortality postoperatively as well as in the subsequent years.

[Daytime sedation measured after intake of nitrazepam and lorazepam, respectively, as hypnotics for 10 days].

A prospective double-blind cross-over investigation was undertaken among 46 geriatric patients (62-92 years) in which either 5 mg nitrazepam or 1 mg lorazepam were administered as hypnotics for two periods of ten days. No significant differences were observed in the quality of sleep but the objective psychomotor tests and the patients' subjective experience of hang-overs showed that there were significant differences in the frequencies of side effects in favour of lorazepam. It is concluded that daytime sedation after repetitive administration of a benzodiazepine preparation depends upon the half-life and that side effects are revealed better by psychomotor tests than by intellectual, cognitive tests and that lorazepam should be given preference to nitrazepam as a hypnotic for elderly patients.

Iliofemoral bypass surgery for lower limb ischaemia. A follow-up of 62 patients.

This study evaluates iliofemoral bypass reconstruction in limb-salvage, graft patency, and appearance of contralateral symptoms. The study included 62 consecutive iliofemoral bypass reconstructions during 1980-82. The indication for surgery was disabling intermittent claudication in 19% of the patients and severe ischaemia in 81%.

Enhanced thermogenic responsiveness during chronic ephedrine treatment in man.

The thermogenic effect of a single oral dose of ephedrine (1 mg/kg body weight) was studied by indirect calorimetry in five women with 14% overweight before, during and 2 mo after 3 mo of chronic ephedrine treatment (20 mg, perorally, three times daily). Before treatment and 2 mo after its cessation a similar thermogenic response to ephedrine was observed. The total extra consumption of oxygen was 1.

FAT METABOLISM IN NEPHRITIS.

Determinations of the plasma lipoids and of the respiratory quotient and total metabolism (Tissot method) have been performed with nephritics and normal subjects before and after they ingested fat in the proportion of 1 gm. per kilo body weight. After fat ingestion a greater increase of fatty acids and lecithin was noted in the plasma of nephritics with initially high blood lipoids than in the plasma of normal subjects or of nephritics without constant lipemia.