Functional connectivity of the sensorimotor area in naturally sleeping infants.

Patterns of cortical functional connectivity in normal infants were examined during natural sleep by observing the time course of very low frequency oscillations. Such oscillations represent fluctuations in blood oxygenation level and cortical blood flow thus allowing computation of neurophysiologic connectivity. Structural and resting-state information were acquired for 11 infants, with a mean age of 12.

Treatment of ruptured lenticulostriate artery aneurysms.

Object: Lenticulostriate artery (LSA) aneurysms are rarely reported in the literature, making management decisions challenging. Conservative, endovascular, and surgical treatments have been described primarily through case reports and reports of individual authors' experiences. The purpose of this study is to report neurological outcomes in a single-institution experience of ruptured lenticulostriate aneurysms treated surgically.

Characterization of a novel cardiac isoform of the cell cycle-related kinase that is regulated during heart failure.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is often followed by heart failure (HF), but the mechanisms precipitating the transition to HF remain largely unknown. A genomic profile was performed in a monkey model of MI, from the myocardium adjacent to chronic (2-month) MI followed by 3 weeks of pacing to develop HF. The transcript of the gene encoding the cell cycle-related kinase (CCRK) was down-regulated by 50% in HF heart compared with control (p<0.

Sleep structure and sleepiness in chronic fatigue syndrome with or without coexisting fibromyalgia.

Introduction: We evaluated polysomnograms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients with and without fibromyalgia to determine whether patients in either group had elevated rates of sleep-disturbed breathing (obstructive sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome) or periodic leg movement disorder. We also determined whether feelings of unrefreshing sleep were associated with differences in sleep architecture from normal.

Methods: We compared sleep structures and subjective scores on visual analog scales for sleepiness and fatigue in CFS patients with or without coexisting fibromyalgia (n = 12 and 14, respectively) with 26 healthy subjects.

Placental invasion by actinomyces resulting in preterm delivery: a case report.

Background: Actinomyces is a gram-positive rod, some of which organisms are anaerobic and others which are facultative anaerobes. Most species of Actinomvces cluster together, forming a structure resembling a fungal colony. The organism is an opportunistic pathogen most commonly seen in the oral cavity but may also infect the gastrointestinal tract, lungs and uterus.

Do stillborns with no identifiable pathology have leaner cords than liveborns?

Objective: To evaluate whether stillbirths with no explanation found at autopsy have thinner cords than live, gestational-age-matched controls.

Study Design: Stillbirth autopsies performed at University Hospital, Newark, New Jersey, from January 1995 to October 2002 were reviewed. Cases with no explanation for the death at autopsy had their umbilical cord diameters compared to those in 3 groups of age-matched controls: stillbirths with an identifiable cause of death, liveborns with placentas submitted for pathology evaluation and liveborns from which the placentas were not submitted to pathology.

Cervical cancer in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load (VL) and CD4 counts in patients infected with HIV with and without cervical cancer. The authors hypothesized that HIV-positive women with cervical cancer would have a greater risk of immune suppression.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted that included all HIV-positive patients who were seen at the authors' institution from January 1, 1995 to April 20, 2006 with invasive cervical cancer (cases) and without invasive cervical cancer (controls).

Downregulation of MMP-2 and -9 by proteasome inhibition: a possible mechanism to decrease LEC migration and prevent posterior capsular opacification.

Purpose: The proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and migration of residual lens epithelial cells (LECs) after cataract surgery leads to the development of posterior capsular opacification (PCO). The authors have shown that proteasome inhibition suppresses LEC proliferation and EMT. The present study investigates the prevention of LEC migration by proteasome inhibition through the suppression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and activity.

Ocular symptom reduction in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis treated with the intranasal corticosteroid mometasone furoate.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is more appropriately termed allergic rhinoconjunctivitis owing to the equally bothersome nasal and ocular symptoms. Extensive evidence supports the ability of intranasal corticosteroids to reduce nasal symptoms of AR, although less evidence is available to define clearly their impact on allergic conjunctivitis.

Objective: To determine the effect of the intranasal corticosteroid mometasone furoate nasal spray (NS) on the ocular symptoms of seasonal AR.

Critique of the transitional year internship and its relationship to radiology residency.

Rationale And Objectives: The purpose of the study is to determine if transitional year program (TYP) requirements foster realization of standards of excellence and clinical relevance for future radiologists and to explore demographic and economic factors pertinent to TYPs.

Materials And Methods: A list of accredited TYPs were obtained from the American Medical Association's Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Directory 2006-2007. Specialty distribution of TYP graduates was examined from statistics provided by the ACGME, and data from the 2007 Main Residency Match was analyzed.

Hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate mediates calcium-induced inactivation of TRPV6 channels.

TRPV6 is a member of the transient receptor potential superfamily of ion channels that facilitates Ca(2+) absorption in the intestines. These channels display high selectivity for Ca(2+), but in the absence of divalent cations they also conduct monovalent ions. TRPV6 channels have been shown to be inactivated by increased cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentrations.

Sudden death in an Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy patient with an implantable defibrillator.

We report the first case of witnessed sudden death of an Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) patient with a properly functioning implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). This 38-yr-old woman with normal left ventricular function had a history of recurrent syncope and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, for which a single-chamber ventricular ICD was implanted. She later collapsed suddenly and unexpectedly while at home, with witnesses present, and was found cyanotic with pulseless electrical activity by the emergency squad.

Endotoxemia down-regulates bone marrow lymphopoiesis but stimulates myelopoiesis: the effect of G6PD deficiency.

Bone marrow (BM) dysfunction is an important component of immunomodulation. This study investigated alterations in cell content, apoptotic responses, and cell proliferation in BM, blood, and spleen in endotoxemic mice (LPS from Escherichia coli). As the decreased antioxidant status associated with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency has been shown to modulate the innate immune response, we also tested whether a G6PD mutation (80% decrease in cellular enzyme activity) alters BM responses during endotoxemia.

Readability of online patient education materials from the AAOS web site.

One of the goals of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is to disseminate patient education materials that suit the readability skills of the patient population. According to standard guidelines from healthcare organizations, the readability of patient education materials should be no higher than the sixth-grade level. We hypothesized the readability level of patient education materials available on the AAOS Web site would be higher than the recommended grade level, regardless when the material was available online.

Does histologic chorioamnionitis correspond to clinical chorioamnionitis?

Objective: To evaluate the degree to which histologic chorioamnionitis, a frequent finding in placentas submitted for histopathologic evaluation, correlates with clinical indicators of infection in the mother.

Study Design: A retrospective review was performed on 52 cases with a histologic diagnosis of acute chorioamnionitis from 2,051 deliveries at University Hospital, Newark, from January 2003 to July 2003. Third-trimester placentas without histologic chorioamnionitis (n = 52) served as controls.

Meta-analysis of clinical trials of probiotics for prevention and treatment of pediatric atopic dermatitis.

Background: Prenatal and postnatal probiotic supplementation for prevention and treatment of pediatric atopic dermatitis (PAD) has been studied in clinical trials, but results have been mixed and hindered by heterogeneity of study design.

Objectives: To summarize and interpret quantitatively clinical trial findings on the efficacy of probiotics for PAD and to define key trial features correlating with high methodologic quality.

Methods: PubMed and Cochrane database searches yielded 21 trials (n = 1898; age 0-13 y) published between February 1997 and May 2007 for review and quality assessment.

Assessment of lower limb alignment: supine fluoroscopy compared with a standing full-length radiograph.

Background: While a full-length standing anteroposterior radiograph of the lower extremity provides the best radiographic method for assessing limb alignment, other methods must be used intraoperatively. We have employed intraoperative fluoroscopy with use of an electrocautery cord to assess limb alignment in the supine patient.

Methods: We retrospectively compared the measurements of lower limb alignment that were obtained with use of supine intraoperative fluoroscopy with those that were obtained with use of a full-length standing anteroposterior radiograph of the lower extremity.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis: unique complication of central venous catheterization.

Background: Central venous catheter placement is a common procedure in the intensive care unit. However, these devices are not without complications. We describe the first reported case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis secondary to central venous catheterization without evidence of associated vascular perforation.

The successful use of electroconvulsive therapy in a patient with interferon-induced psychotic depression.

We report the successful use of electroconvulsive therapy in a patient who developed major depression with psychotic features while being treated with interferon alfa-2b for hepatitis C. We reviewed the literature of similar cases and discuss treatment options for interferon-induced depression and psychosis.

Current and future techniques of neuromodulation for bladder dysfunction.

Recent increase in the use of neuromodulation for the treatment of urinary urgency and frequency, urge incontinence, and nonobstructive urinary retention has coincided with improved knowledge of micturition physiology and concurrent technologic advances in nerve stimulation. Currently, the most common technology for bladder neuromodulation involves stimulation through the S3 foramen, or sacral neuromodulation, although other techniques of neuromodulation continue to be explored. Despite many advances in neuromodulation, the exact mechanism of action remains uncertain.

Search of the human proteome for endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 precursor proteins.

Based on the promising opioid pharmacological profile of the peptide, Tyr-Pro-Trp-Gly-NH(2) (Tyr-W-MIF), Zadina et al. [Zadina, J.E.

Promoter- and cell-specific transcriptional transactivation by the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus ORF57/Mta protein.

The Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) Mta protein, encoded by open reading frame 57, is a transactivator of gene expression that is essential for productive viral replication. Previous studies have suggested both transcriptional and posttranscriptional roles for Mta, but little is known regarding Mta's transcriptional function. In this study, we demonstrate that Mta cooperates with the KSHV lytic switch protein, Rta, to reactivate KSHV from latency, but Mta has little effect on reactivation when expressed alone.

Cellular angiofibroma is genetically similar to spindle cell lipoma: a case report.

Cellular angiofibroma is a benign mesenchymal neoplasm of female and male genital tract composed of prominent vasculature and stromal spindle cells, often with admixture of adipose tissue. The tumor has histomorphologic similarities to angiomyofibroblastoma and spindle cell lipoma. Herein we describe a tumor arising in the perineal region of a 60-year-old man with morphological and immunohistochemical features of cellular angiofibroma and showing cytogenetic characteristics similar to spindle cell lipoma.

Infarcted ectopic spleen presenting as retroperitoneal mass.

Wandering or ectopic spleen is an exceptionally rare condition. Because of the abnormally long pedicle, an ectopic spleen is prone to torsion and infarction. Patients can present with abdominal pain or an acute abdomen.