Levodopa does not affect expression of reinforcement learning in older adults.

Dopamine has been implicated in learning from rewards and punishment, and in the expression of this learning. However, many studies do not fully separate retrieval and decision mechanisms from learning and consolidation. Here, we investigated the effects of levodopa (dopamine precursor) on choice performance (isolated from learning or consolidation). We gave 31 healthy older adults 150 mg of levodopa or placebo (double-blinded, randomised) 1 hour before testing them on stimuli they had learned the value of the previous day. We found that levodopa did not affect the overall accuracy of choices, nor the relative expression of positively or negatively reinforced values. This contradicts several studies and suggests that overall dopamine levels may not play a role in the choice performance for values learned through reinforcement learning in older adults.

Morphoea with prominent plasma cell endoneuritis.

Morphoea (localized scleroderma) is a cutaneous inflammatory condition characterized by the development of indurated and discoloured plaques. The histological features of morphoea typically include a superficial and deep perivascular and periadnexal chronic inflammatory infiltrate associated with variable degrees of dermal and/or subcutaneous sclerosis. The infiltrate is typically composed of lymphocytes, macrophages and conspicuous plasma cells. The early stages of morphoea may have a very prominent inflammatory infiltrate associated with subtle sclerosis. In addition, the inflammatory infiltrate may show a perineural and rarely intraneural distribution. We report two cases of morphoea that histologically showed plasma cell endoneuritis associated with subtle dermal sclerosis. These two cases highlight the potential for diagnostic confusion with infectious and inflammatory diseases, particularly leprosy and lupus.

An EMA negative, desmin positive malignant mesothelioma: limitations of immunohistochemistry?

Histopathologists in the current environment of medical negligence and litigation are more likely to use immunohistochemical investigations in their day-to-day practice to support their diagnosis and avoid future litigation. The caveat is that relying on immunohistochemistry is a double-edged sword and pathologists should be familiar with its limitations. We present a case of primary malignant peritoneal mesothelioma with an unusual immunohistochemical profile-desmin positive, EMA negative-and wish to highlight the importance of cautiously interpreting immunohistochemistry profiles when they do not fit the clinical history and histological appearance.

A retrospective review of place of death of palliative care patients in regional north Queensland.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care strives to offer patients and their families choice in the location of their management and final terminal care. The place of death has been shown to be related to various patient, carer and health service factors. AIM: This study explores place of death of palliative care patients in regional north Queensland, and investigates which patient, disease, and other factors impact on place of death. METHODS: All patients under the care of the specialist Palliative Care Service (PCS) at The Townsville Hospital, who died in 2004, were identified. Medical charts for these patients were analysed for various demographic data, disease-related information and place of death. RESULTS: Some 270 patients were analysed. A total of 162 were male, median age was 72 years, and 146 (54%) were married. Home death rate was 19% (54 patients), with 64% (173) of patients dying in hospital. Factors significantly associated with home death included younger age, married, a diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma, and the involvement of community nurses. There was a trend towards male patients being more likely to die at home. Logistic regression analysis indicated that younger age and community nurse involvement were significantly associated with home death. DISCUSSION: The results of this study are in keeping with available, largely urban-based literature, with respect to predictive factors of home death. Further prospective study, with an emphasis on choice regarding place of care and GP involvement with palliative care patients, is warranted.

The impact of clinical audit on antibiotic prescribing in general dental practice.

OBJECTIVE: To reduce the number of antibiotics inappropriately prescribed by general dental practitioners, and to increase overall prescription accuracy. DESIGN: A prospective clinical audit carried out between September and March of 2002-3 and 2003-4. SETTING: General dental practices in Eastern England. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The pre-audit antibiotic prescribing practices of 212 general dental practitioners were recorded over an initial six week period. On each occasion this included which antibiotic had been chosen, together with its dose, frequency and duration, as well as the clinical condition and reason for which the prescription had been raised. When related to prophylaxis, the patient's medical history was also noted. Following education on contemporary prescribing guidelines, presentations which illustrated the practitioners' previous errors, and the agreement of standards to be achieved, the process was repeated for another six weeks, and the results compared. RESULTS: In the pre-audit period, 2,951 antibiotic prescriptions were issued, and during the audit this was reduced by 43.6% to 1,665. The majority were for therapeutic reasons, with only 10.5% and 13.6% for medical prophylaxis during the pre-audit and audit periods respectively. Over both periods, amoxicillin and metronidazole were the two most commonly prescribed antimicrobials (63.4% and 21.2% respectively). In the pre-audit period, only 43% of all prescriptions were error free in dose, frequency, and/or duration of use, but this rose significantly to 78% during the audit. Equally, using contemporary published guidelines, out of all the prescriptions made in the pre-audit period, only 29.2% were deemed to be justified, as compared to 48.5% during the audit. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical audit, in conjunction with education, and prescribing guidelines can favourably change antibiotic prescribing patterns among general dental practitioners.

A descriptive study comparing health attitudes of urban and rural oncology patients.

INTRODUCTION: Rural patients have poor outcomes in cancer management. Previous studies have shown different health beliefs and values in rural populations with high levels of stoicism and fatalism, leading to later presentation and diagnosis, with subsequent poorer prognosis and survival. This study explores the relationship between urban or rural background and health attitudes of newly diagnosed oncology patients, attending one oncology unit in north Queensland, during a 5 month period. This study is a forerunner to a planned larger project to explore the research question: do oncology patients from rural backgrounds differ in their health attitudes and hope levels compared with those from urban backgrounds? The aim of this study was to determine the utility of the selected validated instruments, newly diagnosed patients' willingness and ability to complete the composite survey instrument, and to identify likely issues for inclusion and/or greater focus in the larger project. As pilot studies are also used to develop or refine research questions and hypotheses, this article also considers some research questions for the planned large scale study. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaire survey of 47 patients newly referred to the Medical Oncology Department in The Townsville Cancer Centre. Scales used were: the EORTC QLQ-C30 to assess symptom burden and quality of life; the Duke UNS Functional Social Support Questionnaire to assess social support; the Herth Hope Index to assess hope; and the Multi-Dimensional Health Locus of Control to assess health beliefs. Data were collated and transformed according to the various scales' scoring manuals. Rurality was ascertained using the RRMA classification and patient self-assessment. Uni-variate analyses were conducted as small numbers precluded multi-variate analysis. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used where data were skewed, or categorical. Monte-Carlo estimations of p-values were generated. RESULTS: In all, 28 of 47 patients classified as rural, 27 were suitable for curative treatment, and 31 were male. Median age was 56 years. Some respondents (17%) identified as 'rural', although they had an urban residence, and vice versa. Health attitude scores were not affected by global health scores or by intent of treatment (palliative/curative). Males scored significantly higher for belief in chance. Rural patients scored significantly higher for internal belief and belief in chance. No statistically significant differences were evident between rural/urban patients by gender, nor social support scores. Hope levels were generally high with no significant difference between urban and rural patients, regardless of treatment intent. DISCUSSION: The study does reveal differences in health attitudes between urban and rural populations; however, there are several confounding factors which may contribute to this, especially gender. In this study women were under-represented. People with fatalistic beliefs (high belief in chance) tend to have poor initiative in health matters which may cause delay in seeking treatment, or poor compliance with treatment. Analysis is limited by small numbers of patients. This study is a pilot to a larger project to investigate health attitudes and decisions by oncology patients in northern Queensland. The questionnaire was well received by patients, but the need for a dedicated recruitment person was evident. There is a need to determine how patients identify in terms of rurality over and above their actual place of residence.

An audit of the accuracy of fine needle aspiration using a liquid-based cytology system in the setting of a rapid access breast clinic.

We have assessed the effectiveness and accuracy of reporting fine needle aspirates of the breast (FNAB) using a liquid-based cytology (LBC) system (the Cytospin) method) in the pressure situation of a rapid access clinic (RAC). We have reviewed every case from the RAC from June 1997 to February 2001 inclusive. There were 1322 cases, which accounted for 26% of the total FNAB received in our department over the period. There were 323 cancers and 999 benign cases in the group. The inadequate/nondiagnostic rate (C1) was 18%. The absolute sensitivity, including C1 cases, was 73% with the complete sensitivity being 90%. The groups of 'atypical, probably benign' (C3) and 'suspicious, probably malignant' (C4) accounted for a total of 6.2%. There were 28 false negative cases and 1 false positive case (a borderline phyllodes tumour). Comparing our results with the standards recommended by the NHSBSP has shown that the diagnosis of FNAB using this LBC method is feasible, accurate and reliable even in the pressure situation of a RAC.

Borderline nuclear change; can a subgroup be identified which is suspicious of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, i e CIN 2 or worse?

Borderline nuclear change; can a subgroup be identified which is suspicious of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, i.e. CIN 2 or worse? Only 10% of first borderline smears are associated with a histological high-grade (HG) abnormality, i.e. CIN 2,3, invasive malignancy or glandular neoplasia on subsequent investigation. The advantages of highlighting this subgroup are obvious but is this possible? From 1996 and 1997, 242 borderline smears with histological follow-up were examined by two independent experienced observers (observer 1 and 2) without prior knowledge of further investigation results. For each smear a profile of nuclear details was produced, also noting the type of cell mainly affected by the process; then the observers were asked to assess the degree of worry of HG disease for each smear i.e. whether the smear fell into group 1 borderline changes indicative of low-grade (normal, inflammatory, CIN1/HPV) disease (BL/LG) or group 2 difficult borderline smear, HG disease (CIN 2,3, invasive neoplasia or glandular neoplasia) cannot be excluded (BL/HG). Observer 1 selected a group of BL/HG with a PPV for HG disease of 38%, with observer 2 having a PPV of 50%; this compared with the overall laboratory HG disease PPV for borderline smears of 14%. Both observers found the most useful criterion to be the increase in nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio. Our results show that it is possible to separate a small group of borderline smears which should be classified as 'borderline/high grade lesion difficult to exclude' (BL/HG). Both observers had some success in arriving at this classification although their method of selecting out this group was quite different.