Altered olfactory processing and increased insula activity in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: An fMRI study

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients show increased insula activation to disgust-inducing images compared to healthy controls (HC). We explored whether this disgust reactivity was also present in the olfactory domain by conducting the first fMRI study of olfaction in OCD. Neural activation in response to pleasant and unpleasant odors (vs. unscented air) was investigated in 15 OCD and 15 HC participants using fMRI. OCD participants (vs. HC) had increased left anterior insula activation to unpleasant odors (vs. unscented air), which positively correlated with their disgust sensitivity and ratings of the unpleasantness and intensity of those odors. OCD participants (vs. HC) showed increased activation of caudate nucleus and left anterior and posterior insula to pleasant odors (vs. unscented air), which positively correlated with their OCD symptom severity, trait anxiety, frequency of feeling disgust, and odor intensity ratings. OCD participants had increased anterior insula activation to both pleasant and unpleasant odors, which correlated with their OCD symptoms, anxiety, disgust sensitivity, and frequency of feeling disgust. OCD patients might have a negative cognitive bias and experience all stimuli, regardless of valence, as being more unpleasant than healthy people. These findings further elucidate the neural underpinnings of OCD and may contribute to more effective treatments.

Oxidative stress in prostate cancer patients: A systematic review of case control studies

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer in men in Western countries. In-vitro and in-vivo studies suggest that oxidative stress (OS) and antioxidants play a key role in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases including PCa, which is promoted by the production of reactive oxygen species and impaired antioxidant defense mechanisms. This study evaluates the association between OS and men with PCa.

METHODS

A literature search was carried out on Medline, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases, as well as manual searches from inception up to August 2015 using the keywords "Oxidative stress" or "Reactive oxygen species" or "Lipid peroxidation" AND "Prostate cancer." All studies including data on the measurement of OS biomarkers in PCa were included.

RESULTS

Twenty-three case control studies were retrieved with sample sizes ranging from 15 to 3,613 (6,439 participants in total). Markers of OS were significantly higher in patients with PCa compared with control groups in 21 studies. Two self-controlled case studies comparing OS between PCa cells and non-PCa cells in tissue biopsies found OS to be statistically higher in PCa cancer cells. Results on markers of antioxidant capacity (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, uric acid, lutein, lycopene, beta carotein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and total antioxidants) were not completely consistent in their association with PCa.

CONCLUSIONS

Upregulated OS profiles and impairment of antioxidant defense systems may play a role in men with PCa. To confirm these findings, robust clinical trials utilizing a personalized approach which monitors both OS and antioxidant markers during therapy are warranted.

Can Destination Therapy be implemented in children with heart failure? A study of provider perceptions

DT is an established final therapeutic choice in adult patients with severe heart failure who do not meet criteria for cardiac transplantation. Patients are given VADs, without the prospect of care escalation to transplantation. VADs are now established therapy for children and are currently used as a bridge until transplantation can be performed or heart failure improves. For children who present in severe heart failure but do not meet transplantation criteria, the question has emerged whether DT can be offered. This qualitative study aimed to elicit the perspectives of early adopters of DT at one of the few institutions where DT has been provided for children. Responses were recorded and coded and themes extracted using grounded theory. Interviewees discussed: envisioning of the DT candidate; approach to evaluation for DT; contraindications to choosing DT; and concerns about choosing DT. Providers articulated two frameworks for conceptualizing DT: as a long bridge through resolution of problems that would initially contraindicate transplantation or, alternatively, as a true destination instead of transplantation. True destination, however, may not be the lasting concept for long-term VAD use in children given improvement in prognosis for current medical contraindications and improving VAD technology.

Comparison of Cefuroxime and Cefazolin: Prophylaxis Against Infection in Arterial Reconstructive Surgery

A prospective randomized study of 55 patients receiving prophylaxis with cefuroxime versus 55 patients receiving prophylaxis with cefazolin against post operative wound infection was conducted from August 1986, through January 1988. Two of the cefuroxime-treated patients and 8 of the cefazolin-treated patients developed postoperative wound infections (p<0.05). There were no graft infections. Cefuroxime represents an excellent alternative to the presently used cefazolin as prophylaxis against postoperative wound infections in arterial recon structive surgery.

Comparison of Aortography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

During a three-year period 51 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) computed tomography (CT) and aortography to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and role of each study.

Ct and MRI were 100% accurate in establishing the diagnosis of AAA, whereas aortography did not visualize the AAA in 3 patients nor the associated iliac aneurysms in 3 other patients. MRI and aortography were superior to CT in evaluating the celiac, superior mesenteric, and renal arteries.

CT should be the screening method of choice to identify AAA, and when operation is contemplated, aortography will best demonstrate the mesenteric and renal anatomy. If aortography is deemed too hazardous, MRI will yield the most information and should then be the noninvasive test of choice.

Prophylactic Interruption of the Inferior Vena Cava: Immediate and Long-Term Results

To determine the effects of prophylactic interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC) the hospital course of 340 patients who underwent aortic operations with placement of a Moretz IVC clip between 1980 and 1988 was removed: 175 patients had had abdominal aortic aneurysm resection; 143, aortobifemoral by pass; and 22, aortobiiliac endarterectomy or bypass. There were no complica tions related to placement of the IVC clip. After operation, any clinical suspicion of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolus (PE) was docu mented by phlebography or pulmonary arteriography, respectively. In the im mediate postoperative period ( < thirty days), only 2 (0.5%) patients had a PE and 10 (2.9%) a DVT. For long-term follow-up extending to eight years (mean ± 42.8 months), 308 patients were available. During long-term follow-up, 2 (0.6%) patients had a PE and 7 (2.2%) a DVT. Limb edema without evidence of DVT occurred in another 7 (2.2%) patients. B-mode ultrasonography of the IVC was performed in 163 patients. The IVC was clearly patent in all but 5 (3%): 1 had had a documented PE in the immediate postoperative period, and the other 4, an asymptomatic occlusion of the IVC during late follow-up.

Prophylactic IVC interruption in aortic surgical patients appears not to cause IVC thrombosis, to initiate DVT, or to cause chronic venous insufficiency. The results indicate that it is a safe method of decreasing the incidence of PE, without increasing operative morbidity.

Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Factors Affecting Survival and Long-Term Results

Although elective resection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is now a safe operation, the mortality related to a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) remains significant. To evaluate factors affecting survival and the long- term results after rAAA, a ten-year review of 47 patients was performed.

The operative mortality rate was 43% (20/47) compared with 2.6% for 147 elective AAA patients during this period. Factors adversely affecting survival were blood pressure <90 mmHg on arrival to the hospital, perioperative cardiac arrest, delay in time from diagnosis to treatment > six hours, age > seventy-five years, massive transfusion, and free intraperitoneal rupture.

In follow-up extending to five years the survivors of rAAA at one (92%) and five (53%) years had no discernible differences in quality of life or long- term survival compared with age- and sex-matched patients who had elective AAA resection during the same time interval.

When an rAAA occurs and any three of the adverse variables noted above are present, the mortality rate exceeds 90%. These patients remained ventilator dependent and in the ICU from one to sixty-seven days, accumulating hospital charges from $7,000 to $214,000. It appears that the most effective means of reducing mortality statistics in this inordinately low-salvage, yet high-cost sub group of patients, is to prevent rupture of an AAA by elective resection.

Ischemic Colitis Following Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

During a six-year period, 47 patients underwent operation for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) with a mortality rate of 38% (18/47): of the 39 patients surviving the initial surgery, 9 (23%) developed ischemic colitis. All 9 patients demonstrated hyperdynamic cardiovascular changes consistent with sepsis: decreased systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (mean 852 dynes/sec/cm2) and increased cardiac index (mean 3.8 L/min/m2). This "septic picture" in the postoperative period, before the onset of any gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (diarrhea with/without blood), led the authors to question bowel viability. Flexible sigmoid colonoscopy identified ischemic colitis in all patients and sigmoid colectomy was performed in 4; 3 of these patients survived. Of the 5 remaining patients managed nonoperatively, 3 survived. When hyperdynamic cardiovascular changes were recognized "early" (< forty-eight hours) and ischemic colitis was diagnosed (5 patients), all patients survived. However, when ischemic colitis was diagnosed "late" (> forty-eight hours) after operation in 4 patients, only 1 (25%) survived.

In patients who suffer an rAAA and demonstrate cardiodynamic signs of sepsis (especially falling SVR) in the immediate postoperative period (< forty-eight hours), immediate bedside sigmoid colonoscopy to rule out ischemic colitis is warranted. Similarly, when patients develop "late" cardiodynamic signs of sepsis during recuperation from rAAA, even before the onset of GI symptoms, sigmoid colonoscopy should be performed. If severe ischemic colitis is documented, aggressive management with frequent colonoscopy and possibly sigmoid resection is indicated, for this may offer the only chance of survival in these catastrophically ill patients.

Quality of Life and Performance Status From a Substudy Conducted Within a Prospective Phase 3 Randomized Trial of Concurrent Standard Radiation Versus Accelerated Radiation Plus Cisplatin for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Carcinoma: NRG Oncology RTOG 0129

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To analyze quality of life (QOL) and performance status (PS) for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated on NRG Oncology RTOG 0129 by treatment (secondary outcome) and p16 status, and to examine the association between QOL/PS and survival.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Eligible patients were randomized into either an accelerated-fractionation arm or a standard-fractionation arm, and completed the Performance Status Scale for the Head and Neck (PSS-HN), the Head and Neck Radiotherapy Questionnaire (HNRQ), and the Spitzer Quality of Life Index (SQLI) at 8 time points from before treatment to 5 years after treatment.

RESULTS

The results from the analysis of area under the curve showed that QOL/PS was not significantly different between the 2 arms from baseline to year after treatment (P ranged from .39 to .98). The results from general linear mixed models further supported the nonsignificant treatment effects until 5 years after treatment (P=.95, .90, and .84 for PSS-HN Diet, Eating, and Speech, respectively). Before treatment and after 1 year after treatment, p16-positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients had better QOL than did p16-negative patients (P ranged from .0283 to <.0001 for all questionnaires). However, QOL/PS decreased more significantly from pretreatment to the last 2 weeks of treatment in the p16-positive group than in the p16-negative group (P ranged from .0002 to <.0001). Pretreatment QOL/PS was a significant independent predictor of overall survival, progression-free survival, and local-regional failure but not of distant metastasis (P ranged from .0063 to <.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that patients in both arms may have experienced similar QOL/PS. p16-positive patients had better QOL/PS at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up. Patients presenting with better baseline QOL/PS scores had better survival.

Traumatic Carotid Artery Dissection and Pseudoaneurysm Treated with Endovascular Coils and Stent

Purpose:

To report a case of post-traumatic internal carotid artery dissection and pseudoaneurysm formation at the C-1 level successfully treated by a percutaneous endovascular technique.

Methods and Results:

A 20-year-old female presented 72 hours after a motor vehicle accident with incomplete occulosympathetic paresis (Horner's syndrome), carotidynia, and left-sided weakness. Arteriography confirmed the diagnosis of carotid dissection and an associated 1.5-cm × 2.5-cm pseudoaneurysm at the C-1 level. Neuroradiologists embolized the pseudoaneurysm with Guglielmi detachable coils and controlled the dissection with placement of a Wallstent.

Conclusions:

This report illustrates successful percutaneous endovascular treatment of a carotid dissection and pseudoaneurysm near the base of the skull.

Iliofemoral Venous Thrombosis Caused by Compression of an Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm: A Minimally Invasive Treatment

Purpose:

To report the success of a minimally invasive treatment for phlegmasia cerulea dolens without gangrene caused by compression from an internal iliac artery aneurysm.

Methods and Results:

An 81-year-old male with a 1-month history of paralysis owing to a hemorrhagic stroke presented with massive edema and skin mottling of the right lower extremity. Imaging confirmed right iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis caused by compression from a 4-cm internal iliac artery aneurysm. With thrombolysis ruled out, a minimally invasive treatment plan was undertaken, featuring percutaneous coil embolization of the aneurysm and surgical venous thrombectomy with proximal arteriovenous fistula creation and iliac vein stent placement. Failure of the coils to embolize the iliac aneurysm prompted the use of an endovascular graft to exclude the aneurysm. The patient's symptoms subsided, and he has a patent right iliofemoral venous system and internal iliac artery at his latest (16-month) follow-up.

Conclusions:

This case demonstrates that minimally invasive endovascular and open techniques can be combined to achieve an optimum outcome in patients at high risk for standard surgical approaches.

Popliteal Artery Aneurysm Treated with a Minimally Invasive Endovascular Approach: An Initial Report

Purpose:

To report a minimally invasive approach to popliteal artery aneurysm (PAA) treatment.

Methods and Results:

A 48-year-old male with a 3-cm PAA was treated electively with an endovascular in situ saphenous vein bypass and transluminal antegrade coil embolization of the PAA prior to completion of the proximal anastomosis. Two short incisions at the anastomosis sites resulted in no wound complications, and the patient was discharged after 2 days. After 14 months of follow-up, the patient is asymptomatic with continued patency of the in situ bypass and occlusion of the PAA.

Conclusions:

This endovascular approach for minimally invasive femoropopliteal in situ saphenous vein bypass grafting appears feasible for treatment of PAAs. This method may reduce the rate of wound complications attending classic open in situ bypass grafts.

Prevention of Gynaecological Adhesions using Haemostatic Fleece in a Rabbit Model

This pre-clinical study was performed to investigate the ability of the haemostatic fleece TachoComb® to prevent adhesion formation following uterine surgery. Thirty rabbits were randomized to receive TachoComb® or no intervention following incision to the right uterine horn. After 14 days, the animals were killed and examined for the presence of adhesion. The lengths of any adhesions were measured and the severity was recorded as a score (0, no adhesion; 1, adhesion easy to lyse; 2, adhesion lysed with traction; 3, adhesion separated by sharp dissection). The incidence of adhesions was 100% in the control group compared with 33% in the TachoComb®-treated animals. The mean adhesion score was significantly lower (0.7 versus 2.2) and the mean adhesion length category was significantly shorter (0.4 versus 2.0) with TachoComb® than in the control group. This study indicates that TachoComb® is a well-tolerated and effective means of preventing adhesion following gynaecological surgery.

The 2005 'Last Chance Bravo' bioterrorism exercise

The 2005 'Last Chance Bravo' bioterrorism exercise provided a forum for testing advanced technologies in a simulated disaster. The four-day exercise included a 2-day simulated pneumonic plague outbreak, with 50 participants from the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, 20 participants from various hospital organizations and approximately 150 participants from over 40 telemedicine sites. Telephone communications and Web tools supported much of the critical information exchange. Videoconferencing added an element of image sharing for pathology, radiology and geospatial mapping. During the exercise three telehealth networks facilitated a telemedicine session to over 40 sites across Montana. Because of the large number of telehealth sites participating, the videoconference session became more like an informational news broadcast. The ability of telemedicine to support image and data sharing may be a significant advantage over simple telephone communications in disaster response.

OptEase Retrievable Inferior Vena Cava Filter: Initial Multicenter Experience

The purpose of this article is to describe our experience with the retrievable OptEase inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) (Cordis Corporation, Miami Lakes, FL) in the prevention of pulmonary embolus (PE). Forty patients (24 men, age range 15–85 years, mean age 38 years) who were at temporary risk of PE underwent insertion and retrieval of the OptEase IVCF at two institutions. Eleven patients were treated with filter implantation and subsequent repositioning in the inferior vena cava (IVC) to extend implantation time. All patients were followed up for 24 hours after retrieval, with additional follow-up at the physician's discretion. Forty patients had successful filter insertion. Two patients who underwent intravascular ultrasound guidance for filter deployment required filter repositioning within 24 hours owing to inadvertent placement in the right common iliac vein. All 40 patients underwent successful filter retrieval with no adverse events. In those patients who did not undergo IVCF repositioning, the time to retrieval ranged from 3 to 48 days (mean ± SD 16.38 ± 7.20 days). One patient had a successful retrieval at 48 days, but all other retrieval experiences were performed within 23 days. The second strategy involved implantation, with repositioning at least once before final retrieval. This latter strategy occurred in 11 patients, and the time to first capture ranged from 4 to 30 days (mean ± SD 13.82 ± 6.13 days). No symptomatic PE, IVC injury or stenosis, significant bleeding, filter fracture, or filter migration was observed. In this feasibility study, the OptEase IVCF prevented symptomatic PE, was safely retrieved or repositioned up to 48 days after implantation, and served as an effective bridge to anticoagulation. In patients who require extended IVCF placement, the OptEase IVCF can be successfully repositioned within the IVC, thereby extending the overall implantation time of this retrievable IVCF.