Examination of the relationship between obesity and suicidal ideation.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between obesity and suicidal ideation and behavior (suicidality) is not well understood, and conventional suicide risk factors do not adequately explain the associations observed. Thus, the current study aimed to further examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI; kg m(-2)) and suicidal ideation as well as potential mechanisms of this relationship. METHODS: Two hundred seventy-one adults (n=151 undergraduates; n=120 obesity treatment participants) completed self-report questionnaires assessing relevant variables, including suicidal ideation, perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness and current height/weight used to calculate BMI. RESULTS: There was a significant, quadratic relationship between BMI and suicidal ideation (b=0.001, t=2.21, P=0.03, partial r=0.14) and between BMI and perceived burdensomeness (b=0.003, t=2.50, P=0.013, partial r=0.16), such that as BMI increased, these positive associations became more pronounced. Additionally, perceived burdensomeness partially mediated the relationship between BMI and suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with a higher BMI demonstrated increased suicidal ideation as well as greater feelings of perceived burdensomeness. These results provide novel information regarding potential mechanisms explaining the obesity-suicidal ideation association.

Nocardia infections in cats: a retrospective multi-institutional study of 17 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To record 17 cases of nocardiosis in cats from eastern Australia and to compare this series with cases previously reported. DESIGN: Retrospective/prospective study. RESULTS: Nocardia spp infections were diagnosed in 17 cats over 14 years from the three eastern states of Australia. There were no isolates from dogs during this period, but one isolate from a koala and two from dairy cows. The majority of cats presented with spreading lesions of the subcutis and skin associated with draining sinus tract(s). Early cutaneous lesions consisted of circumscribed abscesses. Infections spread at a variable rate, generally by extension to adjacent tissues. Lesions were generally located in regions subjected to cat bite or scratch injuries, including limbs, body wall, inguinal panniculus and nasal bridge. In some other cases, lesions were situated on distal extremities. The clinical course was variable, from chronic, indolent, initially localised infections to acute fulminating disease. Of the 17 cats, 14 were domestic crossbreds and three were purebreds. There was a preponderance of male cats (12 castrated, 1 entire young adult, 1 entire kitten). Nine of 17 cats were 10 years or older. Interestingly, the majority of infections were attributable to N nova. Immediate and/or predisposing causes could be identified in all cases, and included: renal transplantation [one cat]; chronic corticosteroid administration [three cats]; catabolic state following chylothorax surgery [one cat]; fight injuries [seven cats]; FIV infections [three of seven cats tested]. Of the 17 cats, three were apparently cured. Four were thought to be cured, but infection recurred after several months. Three cats responded partially but were euthanased, while another was improving when it died of unrelated complications. Two died despite treatment and two were euthanased without an attempt at therapy. For two cats there were either insufficient records or the patient was lost to follow up. CONCLUSION: Nocardiosis is a rare, serious disease. Currently it is more common in cats than dogs. Nocardial panniculitis may be clinically indistinguishable from the syndrome caused by rapidly growing mycobacteria. Although the prognosis is guarded, patients with localised infections caused by N nova often respond to appropriate therapy. If definitive treatment is delayed because of misdiagnosis, the disease tends to become chronic, extensive and refractory. Insufficient duration of therapy leads to disease recurrence.

Hand and wrist fractures in occupational medicine.

Hand fractures are so common in the workplace that a wide variety of physicians see and treat these injuries on a daily basis. This article is designed to assist in their primary diagnosis and care, as well as to recommend when it is best to arrange treatment by a hand specialist.

Venous "lakes" of the hands.

Following pharmacologic vasodilatation, multiple vascular "lakes" were observed on angiograms of the hand in 55 patients. Most had no history of vascular anomalies or disease. The authors believe that these lakes are venous structures and that their filling is a physiologic phenomenon.

Prostaglandin E1 in hand angiography.

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is a rapid, potent vasodilator which, when infused into the arterial system in low doses by bolus injection, has no significant systemic effects and has a relatively long duration of action. Sixty-three hand angiograms were done on 55 patients, comparing PGE1 to tolazoline and to angiograms done with no vasodilation. There was no significant difference between PGE1 and tolazoline in digital artery opacification; however, venous opacification was very significantly better with PGE1. PGE1 should be a drug of choice in hand angiography.

Corrective supracondylar osteotomy for painful genu valgum.

Fifty-three corrective supracondylar osteotomies were done in 46 patients who were limited by painful genu valgum. Relief was afforded when the surgery "unloaded" the lateral compartment, and this was accomplished when the anatomic axis of the femur was brought to an angle of 90 degree with the condylar line. A closing wedge osteotomy held by one staple was used in most cases. A method for computing the correction needed and for certifying this at surgery is discussed. The patients graded the results more favorably than the physicians did. The system of correction described has practical application in that guesswork is eliminated in the closing wedge osteotomy.