Modification of cognitive performance in schizophrenia by complexin 2 gene polymorphisms.

Context: Schizophrenia is the collective term for a heterogeneous group of mental disorders with a still obscure biological basis. In particular, the specific contribution of risk or candidate gene variants to the complex schizophrenic phenotype is largely unknown.

Objective: To prepare the ground for a novel "phenomics" approach, a unique schizophrenia patient database was established by GRAS (Göttingen Research Association for Schizophrenia), designed to allow association of genetic information with quantifiable phenotypes.

Lowering of glucose in critical care: a randomized pilot trial.

Background: Similar to cardiac surgery patients, medical-surgical critically ill patients may benefit from intensive insulin therapy. The objectives of this pilot trial were to evaluate the feasibility of a randomized trial of intensive insulin therapy with respect to (a) achieving target glucose values in the 2 ranges of 5 to 7 and 8 to 10 mmol/L and (b) uncovering problems with the protocol in anticipation of a larger trial.

Setting: The trial was conducted in a 15-bed medical-surgical university-affiliated intensive care unit (ICU).

Macroscopic assessment of the appendix at diagnostic laparoscopy is reliable.

Background: Healthy-looking appendixes are often removed at laparoscopy for suspected appendicitis. This practice may have adverse secondary effects.

Methods: We reviewed the literature for the years 1978 to 1998 to analyze the negative appendectomy rates, complication rates, the accuracy of laparoscopic appendix assessment, and the incidence of false negative diagnosis of appendicitis at surgical and gynecological laparoscopy.

[Endosonographic imaging of anal fistulas in infants].

Anorectal endosonography is established as a diagnostic tool in anorectal fistulas, today. Yet, there is still little experience with the use of this method in small children. We could visualize three intershincteric fistulas in children at an age of 6, 7 and 14 months.

Perforating appendicitis: is it a separate disease? Acute Abdominal Pain Study Group.

Objective: To find out whether perforated and unperforated appendicitis are separate diseases and can be distinguished clinically.

Design: Prospective multicentre study.

Setting: 11 departments of surgery in Germany and Austria.