Spectral versus visual EEG analysis in mild hepatic encephalopathy

OBJECTIVE

Spectral EEG analysis has been claimed to reduce subjective variability in EEG assessment of hepatic encephalopathy and to allow the detection of mild encephalopathy.

METHOD

To test such assumptions, 43 digital EEG were recorded in 32 cirrhotics without overt encephalopathy or with grade 1 overt encephalopathy; 7 patients were re-tested (2-5 times) in their follow up. All patients underwent psychometric assessment. Nineteen controls were considered. EEG were blindly evaluated by two electroencephalographers and by spectral EEG analysis performed according to 3 different techniques.

RESULTS

The reliability of the classification based on spectral analysis (biparietal technique) was higher than that based on a three-degree qualitative visual reading (concordance/discordance = 58/4 versus 46/16 P < 0.01) and comparable with that of semiquantitative visual assessment based on posterior basic rhythm (concordance/discordance = 55/7 P = 0.5). The accuracy of spectral EEG analysis was higher than that of qualitative visual EEG readings alone (90 versus 75%) and comparable to semi-quantitative visual assessment (87%), however, statistical significance was not reached. In the follow-up, the variations of theta and delta relative power were found to be significantly correlated with psychometric variations.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, spectral EEG analysis may improve the assessment of mild hepatic encephalopathy by decreasing inter-operator variability and providing reliable parameters correlated with mental status.

beta(3)-adrenoceptor deficiency blocks nitric oxide-dependent inhibition of myocardial contractility

The cardiac beta-adrenergic pathway potently stimulates myocardial performance, thereby providing a mechanism for myocardial contractile reserve. beta-Adrenergic activation also increases cardiac nitric oxide (NO) production, which attenuates positive inotropy, suggesting a possible negative feedback mechanism. Recently, in vitro studies suggest that stimulation of the beta(3)-adrenoceptor results in a negative inotropic effect through NO signaling. In this study, using mice with homozygous beta(3)-adrenoceptor deletion mutations, we tested the hypothesis that the beta(3)-adrenoceptor is responsible for beta-adrenergic activation of NO. Although resting indices of myocardial contraction were similar, beta-adrenergic-stimulated inotropy was increased in beta(3)(-/-) mice, and similar hyper-responsiveness was seen in mice lacking endothelial NO synthase (NOS3). NOS inhibition augmented isoproterenol-stimulated inotropy in wild-type (WT), but not in beta(3)(-/-) mice. Moreover, isoproterenol increased myocardial cGMP in WT, but not beta(3)(-/-), mice. NOS3 protein abundance was not changed in beta(3)(-/-) mice, and cardiac beta(3)-adrenoceptor mRNA was detected in both NOS3(-/-) and WT mice. These findings indicate that the beta(3)-adrenergic subtype participates in NO-mediated negative feedback over beta-adrenergic stimulation.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on orthopaedic wards: incidence, spread, mortality, cost and control

We examined the rates of infection and colonisation by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) between January 2003 and May 2004 in order to assess the impact of the introduction of an MRSA policy in October 2003, which required all admissions to be screened. Emergency admissions were treated prophylactically and elective beds ring-fenced. A total of 5,594 admissions were cross-referenced with 22,810 microbiology results. The morbidity, mortality and cost of managing MRSA-carrying patients, with a proximal fracture of the femur were compared, in relation to age, gender, American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade and residential status, with a group of matched controls who were MRSA-negative. In 2004, we screened 1795 of 1,796 elective admissions and MRSA was found in 23 (1.3%). We also screened 1,122 of 1,447 trauma admissions and 43 (3.8%) were carrying MRSA. All ten ward transfers were screened and four (40%) were carriers (all p < 0.001). The incidence of MRSA in trauma patients increased by 2.6% per week of inpatient stay (r = 0.97, p < 0.001). MRSA developed in 2.9% of trauma and 0.2% of elective patients during that admission (p < 0.001). The implementation of the MRSA policy reduced the incidence of MRSA infection by 56% in trauma patients (1.57% in 2003 (17 of 1,084) to 0.69% in 2004 (10 of 1,447), p = 0.035). Infection with MRSA in elective patients was reduced by 70% (0.56% in 2003 (7 of 1,257) to 0.17% in 2004 (3 of 1,806), p = 0.06). The cost of preventing one MRSA infection was 3,200 pounds. Although colonisation by MRSA did not affect the mortality rate, infection by MRSA more than doubled it. Patients with proximal fractures of the femur infected with MRSA remained in hospital for 50 extra days, had 19 more days of vancomycin treatment and 26 more days of vacuum-assisted closure therapy than the matched controls. These additional costs equated to 13,972 pounds per patient. From this experience we have been able to describe the epidemiology of MRSA, assess the impact of infection-control measures on MRSA infection rates and determine the morbidity, mortality and economic cost of MRSA carriage on trauma and elective orthopaedic wards.

Factors predicting early recurrence after transanal endoscopic microsurgery excision for rectal adenoma

INTRODUCTION

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is an accepted way of excising rectal adenomas with low morbidity and mortality, avoiding major resectional surgery. However, there are no agreed criteria for surveillance following TEM. The purpose of this study was to identify criteria to guide surveillance programmes, thus reducing the surveillance burden for those patients at low risk of recurrence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who had undergone TEM for rectal adenomas were identified, and a retrospective review of patient, pathological and histological parameters was performed.

RESULTS

Seventy-five (40 male) patients were identified; median age 70 years (39-85). There were seven tubular, 33 tubulo-villous and 35 villous adenomas. All were considered completely excised by the operating surgeon. Forty-seven (62.7%) were reported as being completely excised histologically. There was no significant association between recurrence at 6 months and sex, age, type or position of adenoma, height above the anal verge, or degree of dysplasia. Recurrence rates at six months were 0% for the completely excised adenomas and 21.4% for the incompletely excised ones; this was statistically significant (Pearson chi(2), P < 0.001). In all there were 12 recurrences, 10 in the incompletely excised group at a median follow up of 31 (6-80) months (P < 0.001). In addition, a significant association for large adenomas to recur was noted at median follow up (Armitage Trend test, P = 0.019).

CONCLUSIONS

Histological assessment of completeness of excision of rectal adenoma and size of adenoma are important predictors of early recurrence and have potential to guide follow-up strategies after TEM.

Methylene blue dye versus combined dye-radioactive tracer technique for sentinel lymph node localisation in early breast cancer

AIM

The study compared the accuracy and success rate of two techniques, methylene blue alone versus combined methylene blue and radioactive colloid in sentinel lymph node localisation in the management early breast cancer.

METHODS

Three hundred and twenty-nine patients with tumours less than 2 cm on ultrasound assessment were prospectively evaluated. One hundred and seventy-three patients (Group A) underwent sentinel lymph node localisation using 1 ml of 1% methylene blue. A combined technique of both methylene blue and radioactive colloid was used in 156 patients (Group B). Application of both was subdermal and subareolar. Sentinel lymph nodes were examined by standard microscopy. Patients underwent breast conservation surgery or mastectomy and sentinel node guided four node axillary sampling+/-clearance.

RESULTS

In Group A, the sentinel lymph node identification rate was 96.5%. The negative predictive value was 96.3%, with false negative of 3.7% and accuracy of 87.4%. In group B the identification rate for sentinel lymph node was 98.7%, with false negative of 4.1%, negative predictive value of 96%, and accuracy of 83.8%.

CONCLUSION

Sentinel lymph node localisation using methylene blue or combined dye and radioactive tracer technique predicts the axillary lymph node status in early breast cancer with comparable success rates, accuracy and false negative rates. The combined technique facilitates quicker identification of sentinel lymph node; however the dye technique alone can be used successfully in centres without nuclear medicine facilities.

Clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of Merkel cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive cutaneous malignancy with a high mortality rate. Diagnosis is often delayed.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the dermoscopic features of MCC.

METHODS

Clinical and dermoscopic images of 12 biopsy-proven MCCs were analysed in a retrospective manner, with existing dermoscopic criteria being scored independently by three dermatologists.

RESULTS

The four most frequent clinical features were cherry red colour, shiny surface, sharp circumscription and nodular morphology. Significant dermoscopic features included linear irregular and polymorphous vessels, poorly focused vessels, milky pink areas, white areas, structureless areas and architectural disorder. Pigmented structures were absent from all lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

The dermoscopic features described herein help the clinician to distinguish MCC from other benign and malignant red nodules. Increasing recognition of the presenting features will facilitate earlier diagnosis of MCC and reduced mortality.

Fatal familial insomnia: a seventh family

A 60-year-old woman with a typical history of fatal familial insomnia (FFI) had FFI proven by histologic examination and molecular testing. Her son, who died at the age of 20 in 1978, had a rapidly progressive dementing illness without reported insomnia. He carried the characteristic mutation for FFI and is the youngest patient reported with this condition.

The role of radiotherapy in treating small early invasive breast cancer

AIM

The aim of the study was to identify if radiotherapy can be safely avoided in a selected subgroup of largely screening detected small invasive breast cancer.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-eight patients with node negative invasive early breast cancer < or =1cm (< or =T1b) treated in our centre between 1990 and 2004 were retrospectively followed for local, regional and distant recurrences. Treatment involved adequate local excision by breast conserving surgery (BCS). Axillary staging was performed by a four node axillary sampling until 2000, following which sentinel lymph node sampling was employed. All sections were assessed histologically by haematoxylin and eosin stained sections. The inked margins were reported as being involved, close and clear. Radiotherapy (RT) was employed only if the resected margins were inadequate, and in those with involved axillary nodes who refused further completion axillary clearance.

RESULTS

Ninety-four patients (Group A) had BCS alone and 79 patients (Group B) had both BCS and RT. There was no ipsilateral breast tumour recurrence (IBTR) in 88 patients in Group A, corresponding to an actuarial freedom from IBTR of 96%, 91% and 88.1% at 5 years, 8 years and 9 years. In Group B, there was no IBTR in 75 patients corresponding to an actuarial freedom from IBTR of 97%, 94.9% and 90.6% at 5 years, 8 years and 10 years.

CONCLUSION

Our experience over 14 years has shown that it is possible to safely avoid radiotherapy in a selected subgroup of small invasive breast cancer.

Analysis of Geometric Proportions on Maxillary Anterior Teeth for Esthetic Smile Design: An In vivo Study

Background and Objectives:

The maxillary central incisor is the dominant element of anterior dental composition and hence should be restored or replaced with proper proportion of width and length for better aesthetic results. However, the literature is not clear regarding verifiable guidelines for the determination of proportions of the teeth. The aim of this study was to investigate the existence and suitability of Golden Rectangle, Recurring Aesthetic Dental Proportion, and Golden percentage between the widths of maxillary anterior teeth in individuals with natural dentition, with the aid of digital photographs and computer analysis.

Material and Methods:

Frontal full-face digital photographs of the subjects (in smile) were made under standardized conditions using a digital camera and a tripod stand was used to place and orient the camera in the standardized position (camera was positioned 1 meter away from the patient; and the lens of the camera was adjusted at the patients' lip level). Imaging software (Adobe Photoshop CS5; Adobe Systems, Inc, San Jose, Calif.) was used to mark the anatomic landmarks and to digitally analyze the photograph. The entire process of proportion analysis was done by a single observer.

Results:

The RED proportion was not found to exist between the six maxillary anterior teeth. The values suggested in the golden percentage were not applicable on the subjects of this study. However, a slight modification of these percentages can be adopted taking into consideration the ethnicity differences of the subjects in this study. The values obtained were 24%, 15%, 11% in males and 23%, 15%, and 11% in females. Golden rectangle concept can be used for choosing dimensions of maxillary central incisors which are esthetically pleasing.

Conclusion:

RED proportion is an unsuitable methods to relate the successive widths of the maxillary anterior teeth. The golden percentage theory seems to be applicable to relate the successive widths of the maxillary anterior teeth if percentages are adjusted taking into consideration the ethnicity of the population. Golden rectangle concept is suitable for choosing dimensions of maxillary central incisors which are esthetically pleasing.

Intracoronary measurement of pulsus alternans

Pulsus alternans is typically found in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. We describe a woman with biventricular systolic dysfunction and pulsus alternans in the right ventricle, pulmonary artery, and aorta. Coronary angiography revealed an intermediate stenosis in the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Pulsus alternans was demonstrated in the mid LAD using a 0.014" guidewire-mounted pressure sensor. An abnormal fractional flow reserve was measured in the LAD. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 51:335-338, 2000.

Yunis-varon syndrome: further delineation of cardiovascular and endocrine outcome

Yunis-Varon syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive condition initially characterized by specific skeletal and ectodermal abnormalities, and a poor prognosis, due to neurological and cardiovascular involvement. We describe the cardiovascular and endocrine complications in a 26-year-old man who had been reported previously, adding dilated cardiomyopathy to the clinical features consistent with Yunis-Varon syndrome. Short stature, successfully treated with growth hormone, and hypertension secondary to bilateral renal artery stenosis expand the phenotype.

S, Thimmaiah C, Varghese P, Sabu N, Prince P. P, Sasi AK. Comparative Evaluation of Deciduous and Permanent Coronal Caries Using Polarizing Light Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Background: Dental caries causes mineral loss and organic damage to teeth. Understanding caries and dentin pulp reactions is crucial for effective caries management strategies. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the microscopic and ultramicroscopic changes that occur during caries destruction and reactive changes. This study used polarizing and scanning electron microscopy to compare deciduous and permanent coronal caries. Materials and Methods: The study included 30 teeth, comprising 15 primary and permanent teeth, all with coronal caries. They were also compared with 10 (5 each) noncarious primary and permanent teeth. The teeth were examined using polarizing and scanning electron microscopy to study enamel and dentin destruction, reactive dentin formation, peritubular dentin destruction, and bacterial colonization. Results: Deciduous teeth had more enamel and dentin destruction for coronal caries than permanent teeth in our study. The permanent teeth had more reactive dentin formation than primary teeth. Peritubular dentine alteration was increased in deciduous teeth, and bacterial presence on dentin was higher in permanent teeth under scanning electron microscope. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that caries destruction is more prevalent in deciduous teeth, and reactive response is more effective in permanent teeth affected by caries. These findings reflect the structural durability of the mineralized tissues and prompt reactive response of the dentin pulp complex of permanent teeth compared to deciduous teeth. Our research highlights the importance of identifying and treating decay in primary teeth at an early stage.