Small molecule inhibitor of TLR4 inhibits ovarian cancer cell proliferation: new insight into the anticancer effect of TAK-242 (Resatorvid)

Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology - Despite all advances in the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC), it remains the most lethal gynecological malignancy worldwide. There are growing amounts of...     

Herpes zoster: a consideration in the differential diagnosis of radiculopathy

Herpes zoster probably occurs more often than generally thought. Since it produces a radicular distribution of pain, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of radiculopathy. A case is presented in which evaluating the radicular low back pain before the characteristic rash appears was misleading. Careful history-taking concerning the exact nature of the pain and sensory changes is needed to differentiate between zoster and radiculopathy, if no rash is evident.     

Current perspectives on childhood depression: an overview

The rapidly increasing research interest in childhood depression indicates that it has become a recognized disorder. The authors review the literature on depression in children, focusing on epidemiology, various diagnostic criteria, classification schemes, assessment instruments, and intervention studies that have been applied to childhood depression. Given that there are many etiological factors, it will be important to study the disorder from various conceptual frameworks, including biochemical, genetic learned helplessness, life stresses, cognitive distortion, behavioral reinforcement, and sociological models.     

Modified sleeve anastomosis in large muscular arteries of sheep.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to test a modified telescopic anastomosis in large muscular arteries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The right carotid arteries in 30 sheep (average weight 57+/-5.7 kg) were transected and anastomosed end to end using two guided sutures and compared with a control group (10 sheeps) using two external sutures (Lauritzen method). RESULTS: The mean time to complete the anastomosis (4.5 min) and hemostasis (4.3 min) in the experimental group was less than the control group (17.3 min for anastomosis and 6.4 min for hemostasis) (P<0.05). In addition, the total amount of blood loss during the modified anastomosis was significantly lower than Lauritzen method (3.8 versus 8 ml). In both experimental and control groups the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 90th day post-operation revealed a continuous smooth layer of endothelial cells covering the anastomotic junction. CONCLUSIONS: Anastomosis with two guided sutures is easy and faster to perform and could be applicable to an acutely transected vessel.     

Analysis of the symptoms of depression--a neural network approach

The purpose of this study is to determine the individual contribution, or importance number, of the symptoms to an analysis of depression, utilizing a neural network model. In addition, the presence of hopelessness and somatic complaints was examined, to determine their relevance to depression. Using Wave 1 data from Duke University's contribution in the Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA) study, we created a mathematical model, a neural network, to map the relationship of nine symptoms of major depression, hopelessness and somatic complaints to the presence or absence of the formal diagnosis of depression, and performed a contribution analysis. The contribution analysis using the neural network revealed that the symptoms with the greatest impact on the occurrence of depression, or with the largest importance number for depression, were sadness, loss of interest, tiredness and sleeping trouble, in that order. The most frequently reported symptoms, though, were sadness, sleeping trouble, suicidal ideation, tiredness and poor concentration, in that order. Hopelessness and somatic symptoms were the lowest in their contribution to the diagnosis of depression. The study thus provides the hierarchy of the symptoms of depression and supports the DSM classification of major depression.     

Correlates of hopelessness in psychiatrically hospitalized children

The importance of hopelessness within the study of childhood psychiatric disorders is becoming increasingly apparent. The present study divides a child inpatient sample (age 7 to 12 years) into two groups based on scores from the Kazdin Hopelessness Scale for Children. Comparisons made between the two groups on various measures showed that children with high hopelessness had lower cognitive ability, "difficult child" temperament characteristics, more anxiety, lower self-esteem, and a higher degree of psychopathology than the low-hopelessness group. The role of hopelessness in academic success and future psychopathology are discussed.     

Partial and transient relief of conduit obstruction by low-pressure balloon dilation in patients with congenital heart disease

Seven patients underwent attempted low pressure balloon dilation of stenotic conduits or homografts from right ventricle to pulmonary artery (n=5), in the aortic valve position (n=1), or from right atrium to left pulmonary artery (n=1). In the right ventricle to pulmonary artery group, mean gradient reduction was only 17%. At follow-up, two patients underwent surgical conduit replacement, one had a stent implanted at cardiac catheterization, the other two are awaiting surgical intervention. The patient with a homograft in the aortic valve position had a good initial result but restenosed within 1 year and underwent a pulmonary autograft operation. The patient with the Fontan homograft stenosis had transient obstruction relief but subsequently required stent implantation. Low-pressure balloon dilation of conduits or homografts is only partially and transiently successful. Whether stent implantation will offer better long-term results remains to be determined.