Ten things every neurologist needs to know about neuropsychological assessments and interventions in people with epilepsy.

This paper describes 10 core features of a neuropsychological assessment with the aim of helping neurologists understand the unique contribution the evaluation can make within the wider context of diagnostic methods in epilepsy. The possibilities, limitations and cautions associated with the investigation are discussed under the following headings. (1) A neuropsychological assessment is a collaborative investigation. (2) Assessment prior to treatment allows for the accurate assessment of treatment effects. (3) The nature of an underlying lesion and its neurodevelopmental context play an important role in shaping the associated neuropsychological deficit. (4) Cognitive and behavioural impairments result from the essential comorbidities of epilepsy which can be considered as much a disorder of cognition and behaviour as of seizures. (5) Patients' subjective complaints can help us understand objective cognitive impairments and their underlying neuroanatomy, resulting in improved patient care. At other times, patient complaints reflect other factors and require careful interpretation. (6) The results from a neuropsychological assessment can be used to maximize the educational and occupational potentials of people with epilepsy. (7) Not all patients are able to engage with a neuropsychological assessment. (8) There are limitations in assessments conducted in a second language with tests that have been standardized on different populations from that of the patient. (9) Adequate intervals between assessments maximize sensitivity to meaningful change. (10) Patients should be fully informed about the purpose of the assessment and have realistic expectations of the outcome prior to referral.

Sputum proteomic signature of gastro-oesophageal reflux in patients with severe asthma.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) has long been associated with poor asthma control without an established cause-effect relationship. 610 asthmatics (421 severe/88 mild-moderate) and 101 healthy controls were assessed clinically and a subset of 154 severe asthmatics underwent proteomic analysis of induced sputum using untargeted mass spectrometry, LC-IMS-MSE. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses (MLR) were conducted to identify proteins associated with GORD in this cohort. When compared to mild/moderate asthmatics and healthy individuals, respectively, GORD was three- and ten-fold more prevalent in severe asthmatics and was associated with increased asthma symptoms and oral corticosteroid use, poorer quality of life, depression/anxiety, obesity and symptoms of sino-nasal disease. Comparison of sputum proteomes in severe asthmatics with and without active GORD showed five differentially abundant proteins with described roles in anti-microbial defences, systemic inflammation and epithelial integrity. Three of these were associated with active GORD by multiple linear regression analysis: Ig lambda variable 1-47 (p = 0·017) and plasma protease C1 inhibitor (p = 0·043), both in lower concentrations, and lipocalin-1 (p = 0·034) in higher concentrations in active GORD. This study provides evidence which suggests that reflux can cause subtle perturbation of proteins detectable in the airways lining fluid and that severe asthmatics with GORD may represent a distinct phenotype of asthma.

Increased brain and behavioural susceptibility to portion size in children with loss of control eating.

BACKGROUND: Portion size influences intake (i.e. the portion size effect [PSE]), yet determinants of susceptibility to the PSE are unclear. OBJECTIVE: We tested whether children who reported an episode of loss of control (LOC) eating over the last 3 months would be more susceptible to the PSE and would show differential brain responses to food cues compared with children with no-LOC. METHODS: Across five sessions, children (n = 47; 7-10 years) consumed four test meals at 100%, 133%, 167% and 200% conditions for portion size and completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan while viewing pictures of foods varied by portion size and energy density (ED). Incidence of LOC over the past 3 months was self-reported. Random coefficient models were tested for differences in the shape of the PSE curve by LOC status. A whole-brain analysis was conducted to determine response to food cues during the functional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Reported LOC (n = 13) compared with no-LOC (n = 34) was associated with increased susceptibility to the PSE, as evidenced by a positive association with the linear slope (P < 0.005), and negative association with the quadratic slope (P < 0.05) of the intake curve. Children who reported LOC compared with no-LOC showed increased activation in the left cerebellum to small relative to large portions (P < 0.01) and right cerebellum to High-ED relative to Low-ED food cues (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Children who reported LOC were more susceptible to the PSE and showed alterations in food-cue processing in the cerebellum, a hindbrain region implicated in satiety signalling.

Brain regions implicated in inhibitory control and appetite regulation are activated in response to food portion size and energy density in children.

OBJECTIVE: Large portions of energy-dense foods drive energy intake but the brain mechanisms underlying this effect are not clear. Our main objective was to investigate brain function in response to food images varied by portion size (PS) and energy density (ED) in children using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS AND DESIGN: Blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) fMRI was completed in 36 children (ages 7-10 years) after a 2-h fast while viewing food images at two levels of PS (Large PS, Small PS) and two levels of ED (High ED, Low ED). Children rated perceived fullness pre- and post-fMRI, as well as liking of images on visual analog scales post-fMRI. Anthropometrics were completed 4 weeks before the fMRI. Large PS vs Small PS and High ED vs Low ED were compared with region-of-interest analyses using Brain Voyager v 2.8. RESULTS: Region-of-interest analyses revealed that activation in the right inferior frontal gyrus (P=0.03) was greater for Large PS vs Small PS. Activation was reduced for High ED vs Low ED in the left hypothalamus (P=0.03). Main effects were no longer significant after adjustment for pre-fMRI fullness and liking ratings (PS, P=0.92; ED, P=0.58). CONCLUSION: This is the first fMRI study to report increased activation to large portions in a brain region that is involved in inhibitory control. These findings may contribute to understanding why some children overeat when presented with large portions of palatable food.

Intangible and Economic Impacts of Hendra Virus Prevention Strategies.

Hendra virus (HeV), a potentially fatal zoonotic disease spread by flying foxes, to date has always infected humans via a spillover event from equine HeV infection. In a theoretical case study, we compared the impacts of two different HeV prevention strategies - vaccination and flying fox roost removal - using a recently developed framework that considers different stakeholder group perspectives. The perspectives of the four selected stakeholder groups regarding intangibles were inferred from public discussions and coverage in the media. For all stakeholder groups, the option to vaccinate horses was found to add value to the economic results when the intangible impacts were included in the analysis, while the option for roost removal unanimously detracted from economic analysis value when the intangible impacts were included. Both the mean and median stakeholder-adjusted value ratios (2.25 and 2.12, respectively) for vaccination were inflated when intangible impacts were included, by value-adding to the results of a traditional economic analysis. In the roost removal strategy, these ratios (1.19 and 1.16, respectively) were deflated when intangible impacts were included. Results of this theoretical study suggest that the inclusion of intangible impacts promotes the value of a two-dose initial vaccination protocol using a subunit vaccination considered to offer complete protection for horses, as a strategy to control HeV, whereas roost removal becomes an even more costly strategy. Outcome of the analysis is particularly sensitive to the intangible value placed on human health. Further evaluation - via sociological methods - of values placed on intangibles by various stakeholder groups is warranted.

A Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) viral vaccine expressing nucleoprotein is immunogenic but fails to confer protection against lethal disease.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a severe tick-borne disease, endemic in many countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia. Between 15-70% of reported cases are fatal with no approved vaccine available. In the present study, the attenuated poxvirus vector, Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara, was used to develop a recombinant candidate vaccine expressing the CCHF virus nucleoprotein. Cellular and humoral immunogenicity was confirmed in 2 mouse strains, including type I interferon receptor knockout mice, which are susceptible to CCHF disease. Despite the immune responses generated post-immunisation, the vaccine failed to protect animals from lethal disease in a challenge model.

The relationship between eosinophilia and airway remodelling in mild asthma.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilia is a marker of corticosteroid responsiveness and risk of exacerbation in asthma; although it has been linked to submucosal matrix deposition, its relationship with other features of airway remodelling is less clear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between airway eosinophilia and airway remodelling. METHODS: Bronchial biopsies from subjects (n = 20 in each group) with mild steroid-naïve asthma, with either low (0-0.45 mm(-2)) ) or high submucosal eosinophil (23.43-46.28 mm(-2) ) counts and healthy controls were assessed for in vivo epithelial damage (using epidermal growth factor receptor staining), mucin expression, airway smooth muscle (ASM) hypertrophy and inflammatory cells within ASM. RESULTS: The proportion of in vivo damaged epithelium was significantly greater (P = 0.02) in the high-eosinophil (27.37%) than the low-eosinophil (4.14%) group. Mucin expression and goblet cell numbers were similar in the two eosinophil groups; however, MUC-2 expression was increased (P = 0.002) in the high-eosinophil group compared with controls. The proportion of submucosa occupied by ASM was higher in both asthma groups (P = 0.021 and P = 0.046) compared with controls. In the ASM, eosinophil and T-lymphocyte numbers were higher (P < 0.05) in the high-eosinophil group than both the low-eosinophil group and the controls, whereas the numbers of mast cells were increased in the high-eosinophil group (P = 0.01) compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Submucosal eosinophilia is a marker (and possibly a cause) of epithelial damage and is related to infiltration of ASM with eosinophils and T lymphocytes, but is unrelated to mucus metaplasia or smooth muscle hypertrophy.

A framework for assessing the intangible impacts of emergency animal disease.

We present a novel framework for addressing the intangible impacts of emergency animal diseases (EADs). Intangible elements can have great impact on the response, control and prevention strategies that are ultimately used to address these EADs. These intangible elements have value and worth, although these are difficult express in dollar terms. Consequently, these elements are often lost in the scope of traditional economic analysis. Without the inclusion of these intangibles, the bottom-line for decision-making related to animal-health emergencies would be based only on financial measures. This does not reflect the reality of the consultative policy-making process. The framework we present allows a measurement of the trade-offs that stakeholders are willing to accept under different EAD control scenarios. The key attributes of the framework include both the consultative processes involving different stakeholders and the process of identification of intangibles and their personal value to these stakeholders. This consultation will ensure that the resulting analysis includes the full impacts of EADs, rather than only a narrow comparison of financial costs and benefits.

Recurring BALB/c mouse lung inflammatory responses to episodic allergen exposure.

This study detailed the sequence of recurring inflammatory events associated with episodic allergen exposures of mice resulting in airway hyperreactivity, sustained inflammation, goblet-cell hyperplasia, and fibrogenesis that characterize a lung with chronic asthma. Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized female BALB/c mice were exposed to saline-control or OVA aerosols for 1 h per day for episodes of 3 d/wk for up to 8 wk. Lung inflammation was assessed by inflammatory cell recoveries using bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) and tissue collagenase dispersions. Cell accumulations were observed within airway submucosal and associated perivascular spaces using immunohistochemical and tinctorial staining methods. Airway responsiveness to methacholine aerosols were elevated after 2 wk and further enhanced to a sustained level after wk 4 and 8. Although by wk 8 diminished OVA-induced accumulations of eosinophils, neutrophils, and monocyte-macrophages were observed, suggesting diminished responsiveness, the BAL recovery of lymphocytes remained elevated. Airway but not perivascular lesions persisted with a proliferating cell population, epithelial goblet-cell hyperplasia, and evidence of enhanced collagen deposition. Examination of lung inflammatory cell content before the onset of the first, second, and fourth OVA exposure episodes demonstrated enhancements in residual BAL lymphocyte and BAL and tissue eosinophil recoveries with each exposure episode. Although tissue monocyte-macrophage numbers returned to baseline prior to each exposure episode, the greatest level of accumulation was observed after wk 4. These results provide the basis for establishing the inflammatory and exposure criteria by which episodic environmental exposures to allergen might result in the development of a remodeled lung in asthma.

The effects of elevated endogenous GABA levels on movement-related network oscillations.

The EEG/MEG signal is generated primarily by the summation of the post-synaptic potentials of cortical principal cells. At a microcircuit level, these glutamatergic principal cells are reciprocally connected to GABAergic interneurons and cortical oscillations are thought to be dependent on the balance of excitation and inhibition between these cell types. To investigate the dependence of movement-related cortical oscillations on excitation-inhibition balance, we pharmacologically manipulated the GABA system using tiagabine, which blocks GABA Transporter 1(GAT-1), the GABA uptake transporter and increases endogenous GABA activity. In a blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover design, in 15 healthy participants we administered either 15mg of tiagabine or a placebo. We recorded whole-head magnetoencephalograms, while the participants performed a movement task, prior to, one hour post, three hour post and five hour post tiagabine ingestion. Using time-frequency analysis of beamformer source reconstructions, we quantified the baseline level of beta activity (15-30Hz), the post-movement beta rebound (PMBR), beta event-related desynchronisation (beta-ERD) and movement-related gamma synchronisation (MRGS) (60-90Hz). Our results demonstrated that tiagabine, and hence elevated endogenous GABA levels causes, an elevation of baseline beta power, enhanced beta-ERD and reduced PMBR, but no modulation of MRGS. Comparing our results to recent literature (Hall et al., 2011) we suggest that beta-ERD may be a GABAA receptor mediated process while PMBR may be GABAB receptor mediated.

Current controversy: Triage of acute onset chest pain: now a biochemical rule-out test?

The management of coronary disease has moved forward with the application of more sensitive blood biomarkers for early detection alongside more structured symptom assessment, examination and serial ECG measures. However every episode of exertional chest pain isn't symptomatic coronary disease and given massive public awareness campaigns we now face a different management issue with undiagnosed chest pain sent as a 'rule-out' activity. These urgent referrals are often justified based on the management of the minority with unstable coronary disease without preliminary medical review or examination. Avoiding delay which is valuable in coronary patients may be irrelevant to the majority. The overall effectiveness of this pathway is unclear where the patient does not have coronary disease but also where superficial interpretation can be misleading through non-specificity. Do biomarker assays become the answer to every chest pain patient and has the basic assessment of the individual patient and a prior probability of disease no role to play? Does this activity represent a burden or an irrelevant dead end for non-coronary patients? We have asked for comment from two leading authorities on the evolving role and application of cardiac biomarker technologies in managing this considerable and common clinical dilemma.

An objective study of acid reflux and cough in children using an ambulatory pHmetry-cough logger.

OBJECTIVE: There are no objective ambulatory studies on the temporal relationship between reflux and cough in children. Commercial pHmetry loggers have slow capture rates (0.25 Hz) that limit objective quantification of reflux and cough. The authors aimed to evaluate if there is a temporal association between cough and acid pH in ambulatory children with chronic cough. DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS: The authors studied children (aged <14 years) with chronic cough, suspected of acid reflux and considered for pHmetry using a specifically built ambulatory pHmetry-cough logger that enabled the simultaneous ambulatory recording of cough and pH with a fast (10 Hz) capture rate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Coughs within (before and after) 10, 30, 60 and 120 s of a reflux episode (pH<4 for >0.5 s). RESULTS: Analysis of 5628 coughs in 20 children. Most coughs (83.9%) were independent of a reflux event. Cough-reflux (median 19, IQR 3-45) and reflux-cough (24.5, 13-51) sequences were equally likely to occur within 120 s. Within the 10 and 30 s time frame, reflux-cough (10 s=median 2.5, IQR 0-7.25; 30 s=6.5, 1.25-22.25) sequences were significantly less frequent than reflux-no cough (10 s=27, IQR 15-65; 30 s=24.5, 14.5-55.5) sequences, (p=0.0001 and p=0.001, respectively). No differences were found for 60 and 120 s time frame. Cough-reflux sequence (median 1.0, IQR 0-8) within 10 s was significantly less (p=0.0001) than no cough-reflux sequences (median 29.5, 15-67), within 30 s (p=0.006) and 60 s (p=0.048) but not within 120 s (p=0.47). CONCLUSIONS: In children with chronic cough and suspected of having gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, the temporal relationship between acid reflux and cough is unlikely causal.

A panel of antibodies for identifying squamous metaplasia in endobronchial biopsies from smokers.

Toxic injury can induce squamous metaplasia of respiratory epithelium, which normally is pseudostratified. Terminally differentiated squamous epithelial cells have a flattened, elongated appearance. During differentiation, they have an intermediate phenotype that is difficult to identify and distinguish from tangentially cut columnar cells in tissue sections from endobronchial biopsies, whose small size makes orientation difficult. The aim of our study was to develop a panel of antibodies that could be employed to distinguish normal epithelium from metaplastic epithelium and would be suitable for use on endobronchial biopsies. Nasal polyp tissue and tonsil tissue, which have pseudostratified and squamous epithelia, respectively, were collected from surgical cases and embedded in glycol methacrylate resin. Cut sections were stained immunohistochemically with a panel of antibodies to cytokeratins (CK), whose expression varies with epithelial type and stage of differentiation, and involucrin, a marker of terminal squamous differentiation. Squamous epithelium stained positively for CK5/6, CK13 and involucrin. In the pseudostratified epithelium, basal cells exhibited weak staining for CK13 and strong staining for CK5/6, and columnar cells exhibited strong immunoreactivity for CK7, CK8 and CK18. Application of this panel to endobronchial biopsies from smokers enabled areas of squamous metaplasia to be distinguished from tangentially sectioned epithelium.

British Association for Psychopharmacology consensus statement on evidence-based treatment of insomnia, parasomnias and circadian rhythm disorders.

Sleep disorders are common in the general population and even more so in clinical practice, yet are relatively poorly understood by doctors and other health care practitioners. These British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines are designed to address this problem by providing an accessible up-to-date and evidence-based outline of the major issues, especially those relating to reliable diagnosis and appropriate treatment. A consensus meeting was held in London in May 2009. Those invited to attend included BAP members, representative clinicians with a strong interest in sleep disorders and recognized experts and advocates in the field, including a representative from mainland Europe and the USA. Presenters were asked to provide a review of the literature and identification of the standard of evidence in their area, with an emphasis on meta-analyses, systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials where available, plus updates on current clinical practice. Each presentation was followed by discussion, aimed to reach consensus where the evidence and/or clinical experience was considered adequate or otherwise to flag the area as a direction for future research. A draft of the proceedings was then circulated to all participants for comment. Key subsequent publications were added by the writer and speakers at draft stage. All comments were incorporated as far as possible in the final document, which represents the views of all participants although the authors take final responsibility for the document.

Direct and indirect costs of management of long-term warfarin therapy in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Comparisons of overall costs and resource utilization associated with anticoagulation management are important as new alternatives to warfarin are introduced. The aim of the present study was to assess total costs of warfarin-based anticoagulation in different health care models. METHODS: Physician- or pharmacist-managed hospital- or community-based anticoagulation clinics in five Canadian provinces were asked to provide itemized information on costs for staff, laboratory, hardware and overheads associated with warfarin management. At each site, cohorts of patients were provided with diaries and participants prospectively entered all costs for warfarin medication and associated health professional contacts, travel to the laboratory, required assistance and time lost from work by patient or caregiver over 3months. All costs were calculated for a 3-month period. RESULTS: Data from 429 patients at 15 sites were evaluated. The cost from the Ministry of Health perspective ranged from $108 to $199 per 3months in the different settings, the patient costs were $40-$80 and the total societal costs ranged from $188-$244. Sensitivity analyses with typical blood test intervals, the most prescribed strength of warfarin and dispensing fee from another province increased these estimates to $230-$302. When reimbursement for unemployed caregivers was also entered the total cost was $308-$503 per 3months. CONCLUSIONS: The total cost for warfarin-based anticoagulation amounted to at least 10 times the lowest cost for the drug. The costs provided should be useful for comparisons with newer drugs without requirement for routine laboratory monitoring and dose adjustments.

Retraining motor control of abdominal muscles among elite cricketers with low back pain.

The purpose of this study was to document the effect of a staged stabilization training program on the motor control of the anterolateral abdominal muscles in elite cricketers with and without low back pain (LBP). Changes in the cross-sectional area of the trunk, the thickness of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis (TrA) muscles and the shortening of the TrA muscle in response to an abdominal drawing-in task were measured at the start and completion of a 13-week cricket training camp. Measures were performed using ultrasound imaging and magnetic resonance imaging. Participants from the group with LBP underwent a stabilization training program that involved performing voluntary contractions of the multifidus, TrA and pelvic floor muscles, while receiving feedback from ultrasound imaging. By the end of the training camp, the motor control of cricketers with LBP who received the stabilization training improved and was similar to that of the cricketers without LBP.

Creating airway management guidelines for casualties with penetrating airway injuries.

Anaesthetists in the Defence Medical Services (DMS) are currently dealing with casualties who have an increased prevalence of injuries due to blast, fragmentation and gunshot wounds. Despite guidelines already existing for unanticipated difficult tracheal intubation these have been designed for a civilian population and might not be relevant for the anticipated difficult airway experienced in the deployed field hospital. In order to establish an overview of current practice, three methods of investigation were undertaken; a literature review, a survey of DMS Anaesthetists and a search of the UKJoint Theatre Trauma Database. Results are discussed in terms of anatomical site, bleeding in the airway, facial distortion, patient positioning and an anaesthetic approach. There are certain key principles that should be considered in all cases and these are considered. Potential pitfalls are discussed and our initial proposed guidelines for use in the deployed field hospital are presented.

Characterisation of the effects of caffeine on sleep in the rat: a potential model of sleep disruption.

Caffeine is known to disrupt sleep and its administration to human subjects has been used to model sleep disruption. We previously showed that its effects on sleep onset latency are comparable between rats and humans. This study evaluated the potential use of caffeine as a model of sleep disruption in the rat, by assessing its effects on sleep architecture and electroencephalogram (EEG) frequency spectrum, and using sleep-promoting drugs to reverse these effects. Rats were implanted with radiotelemetry devices for body temperature, EEG, electromyogram and locomotor activity. Following recovery, animals were dosed with caffeine (10 mg/kg) alone or in combination with zolpidem (10 mg/kg) or trazodone (20 mg/kg). Sleep was scored for the subsequent 12 h using automated analysis software. Caffeine dose-dependently disrupted sleep: it increased WAKE time, decreased NREM (non-REM) sleep time and NREM bout duration (but not bout number), and decreased delta activity in NREM sleep. It also dose-dependently increased locomotor activity and body temperature. When given alone, zolpidem suppressed REM whilst trazodone increased NREM sleep time at the expense of WAKE, increased NREM bout duration, increased delta activity in NREM sleep and reduced body temperature. In combination, zolpidem attenuated caffeine's effects on WAKE, whilst trazodone attenuated its effects on NREM sleep, NREM bout duration, delta activity, body temperature and locomotor activity. Caffeine administration produced many of the signs of insomnia that were improved by two of its most successful current treatments. This model may therefore be useful in the study of new drugs for the treatment of sleep disturbance.

Nasal mucosal expression of the leukotriene and prostanoid pathways in seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Leukotrienes (LTs) and prostanoids are potent pro-inflammatory and vasoactive lipid mediators implicated in airway disease, but their cellular sources in the nasal airway in naturally occurring allergic rhinitis (AR) are unclear. OBJECTIVE: To quantify cellular expression of enzymes of the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways by immunohistochemistry in nasal biopsies from patients with symptomatic perennial AR (PAR, n = 13) and seasonal AR (SAR, n = 14) and from normal subjects (n = 12). METHODS: Enzymes of the 5-LO pathway (5-LO, FLAP, LT A4 hydrolase, LTC4 synthase) and the COX pathway (COX-1, COX-2, prostaglandin D2 synthase) were immunostained in glycol methacrylate resin-embedded inferior turbinate biopsy specimens, quantified in the lamina propria and epithelium, and co-localized to leucocyte markers by camera lucida. RESULTS: In the lamina propria of PAR biopsies, median counts of cells expressing FLAP were fourfold higher than in normal biopsies (Mann-Whitney, P = 0.014), and also tended to be higher than in SAR biopsies (P = 0.06), which were not different from normal. PAR biopsies showed threefold more cells immunostaining for LTC4 synthase compared with SAR biopsies (P = 0.011) but this was not significant compared with normal biopsies (P = 0.2). These changes were associated with ninefold more eosinophils (P = 0.0005) with no differences in other leucocytes. There were no significant differences in the lamina propria in immunostaining for 5-LO, LTA4 hydrolase, COX-1, COX-2 or PGD2 synthase. Within the epithelium, increased expression of COX-1 was evident in PAR biopsies (P = 0.014) and SAR biopsies (P = 0.037), associated with more intra-epithelial mast cells in both rhinitic groups (P < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In the nasal biopsies of PAR subjects, increased expression of regulatory enzymes of the cysteinyl-LT biosynthetic pathway was associated with lamina propria infiltration by eosinophils. Seasonal rhinitis biopsies shared only some of these changes, consistent with transient disease. Increased intra-epithelial mast cells and epithelial COX-1 expression in both rhinitic groups may generate modulatory prostanoids.

Effects on sleep stages and microarchitecture of caffeine and its combination with zolpidem or trazodone in healthy volunteers.

Caffeine is the world's most popular stimulant and is known to disrupt sleep. Administration of caffeine can therefore be used in healthy volunteers to mimic the effects of insomnia and thus to test the hypnotic effects of medication. This study assessed the effects of caffeine on sleep architecture and electroencephalography (EEG) spectrum alone and in combination with two different sleep-promoting medications. Home polysomnography was performed in 12 healthy male volunteers in a double-blind study whereby subjects received placebo, caffeine (150 mg), caffeine plus zolpidem (10 mg) and caffeine plus trazodone (100 mg) at bedtime in a randomised crossover design. In addition to delaying sleep onset, caffeine decreased total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE) and stage 2 sleep without significantly altering wake after sleep onset or the number of awakenings. Zolpidem attenuated the caffeine-induced decrease in SE and increased spindle density in the caffeine plus zolpidem combination compared with placebo. Trazodone attenuated the decrease in SE and TST, and it also increased stage 3 sleep, decreased the number of awakenings and decreased the spindle density. No significant changes in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were observed, neither was any significant alteration in slow wave activity nor other EEG spectral measures, although the direction of change was similar to that previously reported for caffeine and appeared to 'normalise' after trazodone. These data suggest that caffeine mimics some, but not all of the sleep disruption seen in insomnia and that its disruptive effects are differentially attenuated by the actions of sleep-promoting compounds with distinct mechanisms of action.