Study of community acquired pneumonia aetiology (SCAPA) in adults admitted to hospital: implications for management guidelines

BACKGROUND

Since the last British study of the microbial aetiology of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) about 20 years ago, new organisms have been identified (for example, Chlamydia pneumoniae), new antibiotics introduced, and fresh advances made in microbiological techniques. Pathogens implicated in CAP in adults admitted to hospital in the UK using modern and traditional microbiological investigations are described.

METHODS

Adults aged 16 years and over admitted to a teaching hospital with CAP over a 12 month period from 4 October 1998 were prospectively studied. Samples of blood, sputum, and urine were collected for microbiological testing by standard culture techniques and new serological and urine antigen detection methods.

RESULTS

Of 309 patients admitted with CAP, 267 fulfilled the study criteria; 135 (50.6%) were men and the mean (SD) age was 65.4 (19.6) years. Aetiological agents were identified from 199 (75%) patients (one pathogen in 124 (46%), two in 53 (20%), and three or more in 22 (8%)): Streptococcus pneumoniae 129 (48%), influenza A virus 50 (19%), Chlamydia pneumoniae 35 (13%), Haemophilus influenzae 20 (7%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae 9 (3%), Legionella pneumophilia 9 (3%), other Chlamydia spp 7 (2%), Moraxella catarrhalis 5 (2%), Coxiella burnetii 2 (0.7%), others 8 (3%). Atypical pathogens were less common in patients aged 75 years and over than in younger patients (16% v 27%; OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.9). The 30 day mortality was 14.9%. Mortality risk could be stratified by the presence of four "core" adverse features. Three of 60 patients (5%) infected with an atypical pathogen died.

CONCLUSION

S pneumoniae remains the most important pathogen to cover by initial antibiotic therapy in adults of all ages admitted to hospital with CAP. Atypical pathogens are more common in younger patients. They should also be covered in all patients with severe pneumonia and younger patients with non-severe infection.

Synovial chondromatosis of the elbow

Synovial chondromatosis is an uncommon disorder with rare occurrence in the elbow. Case reports in the literature for elbow synovial chondromatosis have described presenting symptoms secondary to peripheral nerve compressions or localized bursitis. We discuss a case of synovial chondromatosis of the elbow that presented as an isolated soft-tissue mass over the radial head-more suggestive of a soft-tissue tumor than of synovial chondromatosis.

Prospective study of the incidence, aetiology and outcome of adult lower respiratory tract illness in the community

BACKGROUND

Acute lower respiratory tract illness in previously well adults is usually labelled as acute bronchitis and treated with antibiotics without establishing the aetiology. Viral infection is thought to be the cause in most cases. We have investigated the incidence, aetiology, and outcome of this condition.

METHODS

Previously well adults from a stable suburban population consulting over one year with a lower respiratory tract illness were studied. For the first six months detailed investigations identified predetermined direct and indirect markers of infection. Evidence of infection was assessed in relation to presenting clinical features, indirect markers of infection, antibiotic use, and outcome.

RESULTS

Consultations were very common, particularly in younger women (70/1000 per year in previously well women aged 16-39 years), mainly in the winter months; 638 patients consulted, of whom 316 were investigated. Pathogens were identified in 173 (55%) cases: bacteria in 82 (Streptococcus pneumoniae 54, Haemophilus influenzae 31, Moraxella catarrhalis 7), atypical organisms in 75 (Chlamydia pneumoniae 55, Mycoplasma pneumoniae 23), and viruses in 61 (influenza 23). Seventy nine (24%) had indirect evidence of infection. Bacterial and atypical infection correlated with changes in the chest radiograph and high levels of C reactive protein but not with (a) the GP's clinical assessment of whether infection was present, (b) clinical features other than focal chest signs, and (c) outcome, whether or not appropriate antibiotics were prescribed.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 50% of patients have direct and/or indirect evidence of infection, most commonly bacterial and atypical pathogens, but the outcome is unrelated to the identified pathogens. Many patients improve without antibiotics and investigations do not help in the management of these patients. GPs can reassure patients of the causes and usual outcome of this self-limiting condition.

Health effects related to environmental tobacco smoke exposure in children in the United States: data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of prenatal and postnatal smoke exposure on the respiratory health of children in the United States.

DESIGN

Nationally representative cross-sectional survey, including questionnaire information, measurements of serum cotinine (a metabolite of nicotine), and pulmonary function measurement, of 5400 US children.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Children aged 4 to 16 years in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, October 25, 1988, to October 15, 1994.

METHODS

We stratified the study participants into tertiles, on the basis of serum cotinine levels, and used logistic and linear regression modeling, adjusting for known covariates, to determine the effect of high environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure (on the basis of a high cotinine level) on outcomes such as the prevalence of current asthma, the prevalence of frequent wheezing, school absence, and lung function. For children aged 4 to 11 years, we also determined the effect of prenatal maternal smoking on these outcomes.

RESULTS

We observed effects of ETS exposure in all age groups, although the effects varied between age groups. Among all children significant effects associated with high cotinine levels were for wheezing apart from cold in the past year (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.8); 6 or more days of school absence in the past year (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.4-2.8); and lung function decrements in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (mean change, -1.8%; 95% CI, -3.2% to -0.4%) and the maximal midexpiratory flow (mean change, -5.9%; 95% CI, -8.1% to -3.4%). Although current and ever asthma were not significantly associated with high cotinine levels in the overall group (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.8-2.7, and OR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.8-2.2, respectively), they were increased significantly among 4- to 6-year-old children (OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 2.2-12.7, and OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-5.1, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

We investigated recent ETS exposures as important predictors of respiratory health outcomes in children 4 years and older. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure affects children of all ages, although the exact effects may vary between age groups.

Distribution of ABO and Rh-D blood groups among blood donors in a tertiary care centre in South India

The distribution of ABO and Rh-D blood groups was studied among 150,536 blood donors screened at the Dr John Scudder Memorial Blood Bank, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, over a period of 11 years (April 1988 to March 1999). The most common blood group was found to be group O [58,330 (38.75%)], followed by group B [49,202 (32.69%)], and group A [28,372 (18.85%)]. The least common blood group was AB group [7,930 (5.27%)]. A2 or A2B groups were found in 3.01% and 1.43% of donors, respectively. The prevalence of Rh-D negative group was found in 8,225 (5.47%) donors. Bombay group (H negative non-secretor, genotype hh phenotype Oh) was found in six donors (0.004%). Although the incidence of Rh-D negative group was identical to previously published data from North India, the most common blood group was O group in our study as opposed to B group.

Colorectal carcinomas with high microsatellite instability: defining a distinct immunologic and molecular entity with respect to prognostic markers

Molecular analysis of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinomas (HNPCC) has identified DNA mismatch repair deficiencies with resulting microsatellite instability (MSI) as a pathway of carcinogenesis that appears to be relevant for prognosis, treatment, and possibly prevention. In this study, expression of cell cycle proteins and other known prognostic markers is correlated with the microsatellite status of colorectal cancers (CRC). One hundred consecutive cases from the CRC Registry at Thomas Jefferson University were analyzed for MSI. Immunohistochemistry was performed for the mismatch repair proteins hMLH1 and hMSH2, tumor suppressor p53, apoptosis inhibitor bcl-2, cell cycle proteins p21(WAF1/CIP1), and p27 and the proliferation markers Ki-67 and topoisomerase II. High MSI (MSI-H) is significantly correlated with loss of either hMLH1 or hMSH2, presence of bcl-2, and absence of p53. p21(WAF1/CIP1) is positive in all tumors with MSI-H. Previous findings of a lower proliferation rate were confirmed with a topoisomerase II stain. Microsatellite stable (MSS) tumors generally express both MSH2 and MLH1. Other highly significant differences are positive p53 in 56% of MSS cases and negative bcl-2 in 98% of MSS cases. p27 expression is found in approximately 50% of all CRCs irrespective of the microsatellite status. MSI-H tumors follow the mutator pathway, with loss of expression of one mismatch repair protein, wild-type p53, lower proliferation, and positivity for p21(WAF1/CIP1). MSS tumors follow the suppressor pathway, characterized by p53 overexpression, higher proliferation, and absence of bcl-2 expression; p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression can be variable. These data provide a molecular basis for the clinical observation that patients with HNPCC appear to have a more favorable prognosis. HUM PATHOL 31:1506-1514.

Respiration of arsenate and selenate by hyperthermophilic archaea

A novel, strictly anaerobic, hyperthermophilic, facultative organotrophic archaeon was isolated from a hot spring at Pisciarelli Solfatara, Naples, Italy. The rod-shaped cells grew chemolithoautotrophically with carbon dioxide as carbon source, hydrogen as electron donor and arsenate, thiosulfate or elemental sulfur as electron acceptor. H2S was formed from sulfur or thiosulfate, arsenite from arsenate. Organotrophically, the new isolate grew optimally in the presence of an inorganic electron acceptor like sulfur, selenate or arsenate. Cultures, grown on arsenate and thiosulfate or arsenate and L-cysteine, precipitated realgar (As2S2). During growth on selenate, elemental selenium was produced. The G+C content of the DNA was 58.3 mol%. Due to 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis combined with physiological and morphological criteria, the new isolate belongs to the Thermoproteales order. It represents a new species within the genus Pyrobaculum, the type species of which we name Pyrobaculum arsenaticum (type strain PZ6*, DSM 13514, ATCC 700994). Comparative studies with different Pyrobaculum-species showed, that Pyrobaculum aerophilum was also able to grow organotrophically under anaerobic culture conditions in the presence of arsenate, selenate and selenite. During growth on selenite, elemental selenium was formed as final product. In contrast to P. arsenaticum, P. aerophilum could use selenate or arsenate for lithoautotrophic growth with carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Social class differences in mortality using the National Statistics Socio-economic Classification--too little, too soon: a reply to Chandola

Chandola's (2000; Social Science and Medicine, 50(5), 641-649) claims that the UK National Statistics Socio-economic Classification (NS-SEC) is not significantly related to mortality are examined. It is shown that this result is likely to be an artefact of the data and methods he uses. Other findings and interpretations in his paper are also critically discussed. In the process, various theoretical, measurement and analysis issues relating to the use of classifications such as the NS-SEC in health research are reviewed.

Intensified physiotherapy improves fitness to fly in cystic fibrosis patients

OBJECTIVES

The life expectancy for patients with cystic fibrosis has risen constantly within the last 10 years to an average age over 20 years in western countries. However, most of these patients are partially respiratory insufficient. Frequently their physicians must decide whether it is acceptable to expose them to reduced air pressure on board of an aeroplane during long distance flights or how their fitness to fly can be improved prior to their annual vacation. We investigated the effect of intensified daily physiotherapy -carried out during a four weeks stay on Gran Canaria, Spain- on lung-function parameters, oxygen saturation and saliva neopterin as marker for ongoing inflammation in the respiratory tract.

METHODS

10 out of 12 patients (age 19 34 years, mean 28.6 years) were investigated two weeks prior and two weeks after their trip to the Canaries, Spain. Lung function on ground level and during flights to and from the island, oxygen saturation and saliva-flow adjusted neopterin in saliva were measured.

RESULTS

Over the entire group vital capacity (VC) improved significantly from 2.89 l (range 1.37 3.95) to 3.36 l (range 1.23 5.24). Intrathoracic gas volume as a sign for pulmonary hyperinflation- declined slightly from 3.79 l (range 2.06 6.17) to 3.48 l (range 2. 18 5.85). The oxygen saturation increased from 89.5% (range 79 - 92%) during the flight to the Canaries to 94% (range 82 - 96%) during the return flight. Saliva neopterin dropped from 0.8 pmol/min. (range 0.2 6.8 pmol/min) to 0.6 ( range 0.1 2.6 pmol/min) pointing to diminished inflammation in the respiratory tract.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that fitness to fly can be improved by intense physiotherapy as shown by improvement of vital capacity and oxygen saturation during flight. The influence of an additional climate change on the improvement of lung function in CF-patients needs further evaluation.

Acute exposure to the abused inhalant, isobutyl nitrite, reduced T cell responsiveness and spleen cellularity

Isobutyl nitrite is an inhalant abused principally by male homosexuals. We have reported that subchronic inhalation exposure (45 min/day for 14 days) to 900 ppm isobutyl nitrite was immunosuppressive. In the present study, the effects of acute exposure to the inhalant were examined. Mice were exposed in an inhalation chamber to 900 ppm isobutyl nitrite for 45 min. One day later, spleen cellularity was reduced by 39% without selectively depleting CD4(+) or CD8(+) cells. The numbers of peripheral blood leukocytes and peritoneal cells were also reduced. Following acute inhalation exposure, T cell proliferative responses stimulated with allogeneic cells or anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies were inhibited, while mitogen-induced responses were not affected. Purified T cells exposed to the inhalant also had compromised responses, suggesting a direct effect on T cells. However, the cumulative effects of multiple exposures were necessary to inhibit T-dependent antibody responses or T cell or macrophage cytotoxicity.

Synaptic target recognition at Drosophila neuromuscular junctions

Every synaptogenesis begins with "synaptic target recognition," a cell-cell recognition event in which a neuron and its target stably adhere. Despite its importance in developing nervous systems, synaptic target recognition has been difficult to study in complex systems. The relatively simple and genetically accessible Drosophila NMJ model system provides a repertoire of target recognition cues. We describe how these molecules control the targeting of specific growth cones in either a positive (synaptogenic) or negative (anti-synaptogenic) manner. We also propose two alternate signaling paradigms to explain how these initial cell recognition events are coupled to the intracellular signaling pathways that begin the process of synapse maturation.

Cognitive-behaviour therapy as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and often disabling functional bowel disorder. Psychological treatments, in particular cognitive and behavioural interventions, have been shown to be effective for this disorder. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a cognitive-behaviour program.

METHOD

Eight participants (seven female, one male) aged between 24 and 71 years, with a diagnosis of IBS according to the Rome criteria, were recruited from among the gastroenterology outpatients at Nepean Hospital, in Sydney, Australia. Participants were administered pretreatment on measures of psychological function and bowel symptom severity. Following a 2-week baseline period, participants began a structured psychological treatment comprising eight sessions of cognitive-behaviour therapy. Throughout treatment, participants maintained daily records of symptom severity and completed homework assignments to ensure treatment compliance. The pretreatment assessment measures were repeated 1 week post-treatment.

RESULTS

After treatment, five of the eight patients no longer met the Rome diagnostic criteria for IBS. There was no significant reduction in bowel symptom frequency. There were, however, significant improvements in the distress and disability associated with bowel symptoms. Anxiety and depression were also significantly reduced.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive-behaviour therapy reduced the distress and disability associated with IBS, but not the frequency of bowel symptoms. This supports the proposed cognitive model for IBS, and cognitive-behaviour therapy appears to have its effect by altering the cognitive response to visceral hypersensitivity.

The historical roots of the theories of local signs and labelled lines

The theories of labelled lines and local signs are commonly invoked to explain numerous perceptual phenomena. These theories postulate that perceptual systems use information about which nerve cells or which information channels are activated by the stimulus. The origins of this idea in nineteenth century German psychophysics are traced. From Descartes's idea of a dualistic mind, Kant's idea of a mental ability to conceive space, Da Vinci's ideas of pictorial 'signs', and Müller's idea of 'specific nerve energies' to explain perceptual qualities, Steinbuch, Lotze, and others derived the conclusion that neural-level signs exist that signal stimulus location to the mind. Helmholtz, Hering, and others soon suggested variations on this basic idea. By the time of James the theory had changed yet again. It was revived elsewhere in the 1920s and again in the 1970s, although used implicitly by many workers in between and since. Against a modern metaphysical background, however, a distinction between labels (hardware) and signs (symbols) is the minimum step needed towards an appropriate and comprehensive explanation of perceptual behaviour and experience.

The ultrastructural interactions of identified pre- and postsynaptic cells during synaptic target recognition in Drosophila embryos

During the development of neural networks, what sets synaptogenic interactions apart from nonsynaptogenic interactions is not well understood at the subcellular level. Using a combination of intracellular dye injection and electron microscopy, we show that a specific motoneuron (RP3) and its synaptic partners (muscles 6 and 7), both often bearing microprocesses, develop intimate membrane contact sites characterized by junctional structures, prior to their initiating synaptogenesis in Drosophila embryos. Other motoneuron growth cones that extend alongside the RP3 growth cone to innervate surrounding muscles do not form such contacts with muscles 6 and 7. We also examined how specific target recognition molecules affect the development of these ultrastructural associations between synaptic partner cells. When Fasciclin III (Fas3), a "positive" target recognition molecule for RP3, is ectopically expressed in neighboring muscles, the RP3 growth cone ectopically develops membrane contact sites with Fas3-misexpressing muscles with which it would not normally associate. In contrast, when Toll, a "negative" target recognition molecule normally expressed by a subset of muscles that surrounds muscles 6 and 7, is misexpressed on muscles 6 and 7, the RP3 growth cone fails to exhibit its normal close contact with these muscles. We propose that the formation of close membrane associations and junctional structures can be regulated under the influence of synaptic target recognition molecules and signifies the beginning of subcellular events during synaptic target recognition.

An integrated program for evidence-based medicine in medical school

To provide optimal care for their patients, clinicians must be able to locate and interpret the most current literature. Teaching the necessary skills to medical students is essential, if we wish to train clinicians to be able to keep up with the expansion of biomedical knowledge for their entire working lives. In this paper, we describe our school's four-year curriculum in evidence-based medicine and the performance of three senior classes on the summative evaluation exercise devised to measure the program's success.

Cytology of thymomas: emphasis on morphology and correlation with histologic subtypes

BACKGROUND

Aspirates of thymomas are distinguishable from other lesions and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a proven method for investigating mediastinal masses.

METHODS

Thirty-four cytology specimens of thymomas from 31 patients were examined. Corresponding surgical materials were available in 32 cases. Ten cases were benign and 22 were malignant. Cytologic features of these thymomas were correlated with various histologic classification systems and with biologic behavior. Dual epithelial and lymphoid populations and irregular cohesive tissue fragments of varying proportions of lymphoid and epithelial cells were characteristic of all aspirates.

RESULTS

Using the Lattes-Bernatz classification, 10 cases predominately were lymphocytic, 3 cases predominately were epithelial, 3 cases predominately were spindle, 15 cases predominately were mixed, and 1 case was a thymic carcinoma. In the Muller-Hermelink classification, 3 cases were medullary, 12 were mixed, 8 predominately were cortical, 2 were cortical, 6 were well differentiated thymic carcinoma, and 1 was a poorly differentiated thymic carcinoma. In the majority of the cases the epithelial cells were round to oval. Spindle cells and a mixture of round to oval and spindle cells also were observed. No cytologic feature was found to correlate significantly with any classification scheme. Necrosis was present in 5 of the 32 aspirates, most frequently in malignant tumors. Thymomas showing predominately spindle cells frequently were encapsulated. Tumors with predominantly round to oval cells or a mixed population behaved more aggressively than those with spindle cells. Tumors that were well encapsulated and benign clinically tended to possess benign-appearing nuclei. Among the 22 invasive or malignant lesions, 8 exhibited moderate to marked cytologic atypia and 14 showed little or no atypia. No atypia was observed in benign tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of cytologic atypia of epithelial cells may be helpful in predicting aggressiveness. However, the absence of atypia and necrosis may not imply a benign course. Correlation with clinical and radiographic findings should be sought.

HyCoSy--as good as claimed?

Hysterosalpingo contrast sonography (HyCoSy) has been compared favourably in the literature with hysterosalpingography (HSG). It does not require ionizing radiation and demonstrates the uterus and ovaries. HyCoSy is reported as being a safe, well tolerated, quick and easy investigation of Fallopian tube patency. Over a 1-year period HyCoSy was performed by two operators on 118 consecutive women who were thought likely to have patent Fallopian tubes. The examinations were graded using a local scale to assess discomfort and were correlated with tubal patency. HSG was performed on 116 patients by the same operators and discomfort recorded. 15 patients underwent both examinations. The degree of pain or reaction was graded 0 (no pain) to 4 (maximum) according to a locally devised scale. Costs of the two examinations were estimated. 89 patients examined by HyCoSy were graded 0-2. However, 23 had severe protracted pain and/or vasovagal reactions with bradycardia and hypotension. Of these, seven required resuscitation owing to prolonged symptoms, requiring treatment with atropine. 19 of the 23 had bilaterally patent Fallopian tubes. Where subsequent HSG was performed, tubal occlusion was confirmed in 8 of 15 women. Other pathologies were noted in 29 of the HyCoSy patients and there were six technical failures. During the same period no severe adverse reactions occurred in 116 patients having HSG performed by the same operators. Three of the HSG examinations were technically unsuccessful. Discomfort following HyCoSy was much greater than that reported previously. Possible mechanisms are discussed but it does not appear to be related to tubal occlusion. Diagnostic accuracy, costs and discomfort compare unfavourably with HSG.

Superior labrum anterior-posterior lesions: diagnosis with MR arthrography of the shoulder

PURPOSE

To determine the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography in the diagnosis of superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesions of the shoulder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1995 to June 1998, MR arthrography of the shoulder was performed in 159 patients with a history of chronic shoulder pain or instability. Fifty-two patients underwent arthroscopy or open surgery 12 days to 5 months after MR arthrography. Diagnostic criteria for SLAP lesion included marked fraying of the articular aspect of the labrum, biceps anchor avulsion, inferiorly displaced bucket handle fragment, and extension of the tear into the biceps tendon fibers. Surgical findings were correlated with those from MR arthrography.

RESULTS

SLAP injuries were diagnosed at surgery in 19 of the 52 patients (37%). Six of the 19 lesions (32%) were classified as type I, nine (47%) as type II, one (5%) as type III, and three (16%) as type IV. MR arthrography had a sensitivity of 89% (17 of 19 patients), a specificity of 91% (30 of 33 patients), and an accuracy of 90% (47 of 52 patients). The MR arthrographic classification showed correlation with the arthroscopic or surgical classification in 13 of 17 patients (76%) in whom SLAP lesions were diagnosed at MR arthrography.

CONCLUSION

MR arthrography is a useful and accurate technique in the diagnosis of SLAP lesions of the shoulder. MR arthrography provides pertinent preoperative information with regard to the exact location of tears and grade of involvement of the biceps tendon.

Binocular and monocular detection of Gabor patches in binocular two-dimensional noise

Contrast thresholds for detecting sine-wave Gabor patches in two-dimensional externally added random-pixel noise were measured. Thresholds were obtained for monocular and binocular signals in the presence of spatial correlated (identical) and uncorrelated (independent) noise in the two eyes. Measurements were obtained at four different spectral densities of noise (including zero). Thresholds were higher for monocular stimuli than for binocular, and higher in the presence of correlated noise compared to uncorrelated noise. The magnitude of binocular summation, similar in correlated and uncorrelated noise, decreased with increasing noise strength. The independent contributions of internal noise and sampling efficiency to detection were analysed. Sampling efficiencies were higher for binocular than for monocular viewing for both types of noise, with values being higher with uncorrelated noise. Binocular stimuli showed a lower equivalent noise level compared to the mean monocular case for both types of noise.

Emotions and psychopathology

Few psychological assessment instruments exist for Jamaicans. Studies that address the appropriateness of foreign instruments for Jamaicans are sparse and empirical focus on psychopathology and its aetiology in Jamaican adults is virtually nonexistent. The present study addressed these deficits via Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) which revealed that factors on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) were not replicated for a Jamaican sample (N = 352). Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA) on the TAS-20 revealed one factor labelled Unawareness and Confusion Regarding Emotions (UCRE). Also, EFA yielded six BSI dimensions labelled Somatic Complaints, Paranoia, Hostility, Mild Depression/Dysthymia, Major Depression with Psychotic Features, and Agoraphobia with Panic. Regression analyses on the Jamaican-based TAS-20 and BSI factors revealed a positive relationship between UCRE and each BSI factor and total BSI score. Mild Depression, Agoraphobia with Panic, Paranoia, Hostility, Mild Depression and Major Depression were higher for women and younger Jamaicans, respectively, but younger Jamaicans with higher UCRE scores had higher scores on Paranoia, Major Depression, and total score. The findings suggest that Jamaican mental health policy and programmes should focus on the difficulties some Jamaicans experience in recognising and expressing their emotions.

Central effects of 5-HT on respiratory rhythm in newborn rats in vivo

The role of 5-HT in inducing apnoeas (a major element in sudden infant death syndrome) is controversial because while 5-HT is a respiratory depressant in vivo, it evokes respiratory analeptic effects when applied to the isolated brainstem of the newborn rat. In decerebrate newborn rats, the electrical activity of the diaphragm and that of a hypoglossally innervated tongue muscle, as well as the cardiac frequency (Fc), were recorded before and after the application of 5-HT and related agents to the floor of the IVth ventricle. To assess the spontaneous variability in inspiratory frequency (Fi) and Fc, a sham group was studied. A decrease in Fi was observed in response to 5-HT. This respiratory depressant effect was associated with an activation of the tongue muscle, but there was no change in Fc. Application of agonists elicited a small increase in Fi linked to activation of 5-HT1A receptors, and decreases in both Fi and the activity of the tongue muscle resulting predominantly from activation of 5-HT2 receptors. The decrease in Fi was much smaller in newborn rats than that reported in newborn kittens. Indeed, in newborn rats, we did not observe long-lasting apnoeas. Our results differ from those obtained from the newborn rat in vitro, inasmuch as in vivo 5-HT essentially depressed the respiratory rhythm generator. The role of the afferent system appears to be crucial in modulating the action of 5-HT.

Microdispensing technologies in drug discovery

Because of the advent of managed care,the pharmaceutical industry is entering a new era, characterized by increased competition and pricing pressures. As a result, drug discovery within pharmaceutical companies is rapidly embracing new paradigms to help bring more novel drugs to the market as rapidly as possible. One paradigm currently being pursued is the miniaturization of the processes involved in the exploratory phase of drug discovery. This reduction in scale has led to the development of new dispensing technologies. This review examines several microdispensing technologies for drug discovery.