Detection of sarcastic speech: The role of the right hemisphere in ambiguity resolution.

Two experiments were conducted to determine if the right hemisphere (RH) plays a central role in understanding sarcasm. In Experiment 1, 48 participants completed a target detection task using dichotically presented phrases that were sincere (message compatible), sarcastic (conflicting semantic and prosodic message), or neutral (no emotional prosody). Sarcastic phrases presented to the left ear (LE)/RH produced faster response times than sarcastic phrases presented to the right ear/left hemisphere.

[Two-stage traumatic rupture of the arteria ovarica after high energy trauma].

Introduction: Rupture of the Arteria ovarica is a rare but life-threatening injury and occurs primarily in pregnancy. Most previously described ruptures of the Arteria ovarica were in the early postpartum period and in women who were older than 45 years. We report on a two-stage rupture of the Arteria ovarica after a high energy trauma, which has not previously been described in the literature.

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy relieves dysphagia in patients with achalasia and low LES pressure following pneumatic dilatation.

Background: Although pneumatic dilatation is said to relieve dysphagia in achalasia if it decreases lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure to 10 mmHg (n = 23); group C, no previous balloon dilatation and LES pressure >10 mmHg (n = 25). All patients underwent a laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication. The severity of dysphagia was gauged on a scale of 0-4.

Esophageal achalasia: preoperative assessment and postoperative follow-up.

Esophageal achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder of unknown etiology, characterized by absence of esophageal peristalsis and increased resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which fails to relax appropriately in response to swallowing. Treatment is palliative and is directed toward elimination of the outflow resistance caused by the abnormal LES function.

Esophageal dysmotility and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) produces a spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. While the role of the lower esophageal sphincter in the pathogenesis of GERD has been studied extensively, less attention has been paid to esophageal peristalsis, even though peristalsis governs esophageal acid clearance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the following in patients with GERD: (1) the nature of esophageal peristalsis and (2) the relationship between esophageal peristalsis and gastroesophageal reflux, mucosal injury, and symptoms.