RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Caregiver exhaustion is a frequent consequence of sleep disturbance and rest-activity rhythm disruption that occurs in dementia. This exhaustion is the causal factor most frequently cited by caregivers in making the decision to institutionalize patients with dementia. Recent studies have implicated dysfunction of the circadian pacemaker in the etiology of these disturbances in dementia. METHODS: We studied the activity and core-body temperature rhythms in a cohort of 38 male patients with a clinical diagnosis of probable Alzheimer disease (AD) approximately 2 years before death. These patients were later given a confirmed diagnosis of AD (n = 23), frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) (n = 9), or diffuse Lewy body disease (DLB) with mixed AD or FTD pathologies (n = 6) after autopsy and neuropathological examination. Physiological rhythms of patients with AD and FTD were then compared with a group of normal, elderly men (n = 8) from the community. RESULTS: Alzheimer patients showed increased nocturnal activity and a significant phase-delay in their rhythms of core-body temperature and activity compared with patients with FTD and controls. The activity rhythm of FTD patients was highly fragmented and phase-advanced in comparison with controls and apparently uncoupled from the rhythm of core-body temperature. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AD and patients with FTD show different disturbances in their rhythms of activity and temperature compared with each other and with normal elderly patients.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer/diagnóstico , Temperatura Corporal/fisiología , Ritmo Circadiano/fisiología , Demencia/diagnóstico , Actividad Motora/fisiología , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/patología , Encéfalo/patología , Estudios de Cohortes , Demencia/patología , Humanos , Masculino , Factores Sexuales , Sueño/fisiología , Núcleo Supraquiasmático/fisiología , Vigilia/fisiologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine changes of circadian rhythms induced by Alzheimer's disease and to explore relationships among rhythm disturbances, sundowning, and sleep disturbances in patients with Alzheimer's disease. "Sundowning" is the occurrence or exacerbation of behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in the afternoon and evening. METHOD: Circadian rhythms of core body temperature and motor activity were measured in 25 patients with diagnoses of probable Alzheimer's disease and in nine healthy individuals. The subjects with Alzheimer's disease were divided according to the occurrence of sundowning as determined by staff reports. RESULTS: The subjects with Alzheimer's disease had less diurnal motor activity, a higher percentage of nocturnal activity, lower interdaily stability of motor activity, and a later activity acrophase (time of peak) than did the healthy individuals. They also had a higher mesor (fitted mean) temperature, higher amplitude of the fitted cosine temperature curve, and later temperature acrophase than did the healthy subjects. The severity of sundowning was associated with later acrophase of temperature, less correlation of circadian temperature rhythm with a 24-hour cycle, and lower amplitude of temperature curve. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that Alzheimer's disease causes disturbances of circadian rhythms and that sundowning is related to a phase delay of body temperature caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer/diagnóstico , Ritmo Circadiano , Agitación Psicomotora/diagnóstico , Trastornos del Sueño-Vigilia/diagnóstico , Enfermedad Aguda , Edad de Inicio , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/epidemiología , Enfermedad de Alzheimer/psicología , Temperatura Corporal/fisiología , Ritmo Circadiano/fisiología , Comorbilidad , Humanos , Locomoción/fisiología , Masculino , Actividad Motora/fisiología , Agitación Psicomotora/epidemiología , Agitación Psicomotora/psicología , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Trastornos del Sueño del Ritmo Circadiano/diagnóstico , Trastornos del Sueño del Ritmo Circadiano/epidemiología , Trastornos del Sueño del Ritmo Circadiano/psicología , Trastornos del Sueño-Vigilia/epidemiología , Trastornos del Sueño-Vigilia/psicología , Terminología como AsuntoRESUMEN
We studied a case of cavernous hemangioma of the middle cranial fossa. This rare tumor, of which only nine prior cases have been recorded, is characterized by insidious visual loss, multiple cranial nerve pareses, proptosis, papilledema, and bitemporal hemianopsia. Pituitary dysfunction has been noted in the more advanced cases. The female-male ratio has been 8:2; ages ranged from 30 to 62 years. The hemangiomas may occur on either side. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography can clearly demonstrate the presence of these lesions, but is not diagnostically specific. High-quality angiograms using magnification and subtraction techniques may show areas of dye retention in the cavernous spaces of the lesion. This tumor is amenable to successful excision, and early removal may prevent progressive visual loss.
Asunto(s)
Hemangioma Cavernoso/complicaciones , Neoplasias Craneales/complicaciones , Hueso Esfenoides , Hueso Temporal , Trastornos de la Visión/etiología , Femenino , Hemangioma Cavernoso/diagnóstico por imagen , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Cráneo/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias Craneales/diagnóstico por imagen , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos XRESUMEN
Reticulum cell sarcoma involving the vitreous and the brainstem occurred in a 45-year-old man. He initially was seen with diplopia from a partial left-sided third cranial nerve palsy, which is rare. Later, a typical uveitis developed in the right eye. An initial diagnosis of brainstem glioma, based primarily on the computed tomographic scan findings and clinical history, was ultimately proved erroneous when the correct diagnosis was shown by the results of a cytologic examination of vitreous aspirate. Excellent visual response to a moderately high oral dose of steroids occurred, which has not been usual in other reported cases. Definitive cobalt (gamma) radiation therapy (6,000 rad to the brainstem and 4,000 rad to the vitreous) has produced a one-year remission at this time.
Asunto(s)
Neoplasias Encefálicas/patología , Tronco Encefálico , Neoplasias del Ojo/patología , Linfoma no Hodgkin/patología , Cuerpo Vítreo , Tronco Encefálico/patología , Enfermedades de los Nervios Craneales/etiología , Humanos , Linfoma no Hodgkin/terapia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Agudeza Visual , Cuerpo Vítreo/patologíaRESUMEN
A patient with an occipital dural arteriovenous malformation (AVM) developed signs of a carotid-cavernous sinus fistula and raised intracranial pressure. Bilateral transverse sinus occlusion associated with the AVM produced these signs by rerouting intracranial venous drainage anteriorly through the cavernous sinuses and superior ophthalmic veins. Angiography and computerised tomographic reformation techniques were used to define these extraordinary cranio-orbital venous pathways.
Asunto(s)
Malformaciones Arteriovenosas/complicaciones , Conjuntiva/irrigación sanguínea , Duramadre/irrigación sanguínea , Exoftalmia/etiología , Papiledema/etiología , Adulto , Dilatación Patológica , Femenino , Humanos , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Enfermedades Vasculares/etiología , VenasRESUMEN
We conducted a double-masked, vehicle-controlled study to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of topical flurbiprofen in cataract surgery by phacoemulsification and implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. The 233 patients were randomized to receive either flurbiprofen or vehicle immediately prior to and for two weeks following surgery. No concomitant corticosteroid use was allowed. The flurbiprofen group had significantly less anterior chamber cells and flare at day 7 and significantly less conjunctival erythema, corneal edema, and lid edema at day 14. The investigator's global effectiveness rating was higher in the flurbiprofen group at day 14. Blood-aqueous barrier disruption, as measured by aqueous fluorophotometry, was statistically significantly diminished in the flurbiprofen group. Burning and stinging were rated significantly greater in the flurbiprofen group than in the vehicle group. Foreign-body sensation and photophobia were significantly more severe in the vehicle group than in the flurbiprofen group. Flurbiprofen provided postsurgical anti-inflammatory efficacy in clinical signs of inflammation and in blood-aqueous barrier disruption, and also showed improved subjective signs.
Asunto(s)
Extracción de Catarata/efectos adversos , Endoftalmitis/prevención & control , Flurbiprofeno/administración & dosificación , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Humor Acuoso/metabolismo , Transporte Biológico , Sangre/metabolismo , Método Doble Ciego , Endoftalmitis/etiología , Femenino , Fluorofotometría , Flurbiprofeno/efectos adversos , Humanos , Lentes Intraoculares , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Soluciones OftálmicasRESUMEN
Persistent autonomic disturbances following stressful events suggest that the rhythmical nature of homeostatic functioning may be disrupted by these experiences. We assessed the effects of two different stressors on circadian and ultradian rhythms of Long-Evans rats by using nonlinear multi-oscillator cosinor analysis. Heart rate and intraperitoneal temperature were monitored continuously in 5-min intervals in two groups of animals via radio-telemetry for 15 days after surgery (n = 9) and 15 days following social defeat (n = 6). Circadian amplitude of heart rate and temperature increased significantly for the first nine days of the recovery from surgery but only circadian temperature amplitude increased following social defeat. Circadian acrophase of temperature but not heart rate changed significantly for a similar period following the surgery but not after the social defeat. A mathematical model incorporating the first five harmonics of the circadian rhythm was found to fit the data significantly better than a circadian model alone with rhythms of 3 and 5 cycles/day in temperature and heart rate entraining significantly to the light-dark schedule. Full recovery of the circadian and ultradian rhythms did not occur until a minimum of nine to twelve days after surgery or social defeat. The results suggest that rhythms with multiple periodicities are involved in homeostatic functioning and that models incorporating these rhythms may aid in understanding an organisms adaptive response to surgical intervention and social defeat, long after the challenges have terminated.
Asunto(s)
Ciclos de Actividad/fisiología , Ritmo Circadiano/fisiología , Estrés Fisiológico/fisiopatología , Estrés Psicológico/fisiopatología , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Operativos/efectos adversos , Agresión/fisiología , Animales , Temperatura Corporal/fisiología , Frecuencia Cardíaca/fisiología , Ratas , Conducta Social , TelemetríaRESUMEN
The administration of intravenous agents is the most commonly used method in Canada and the United States to produce sedation or general anesthesia for dental procedures. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, has several advantageous physical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic properties. It can be used to induce anesthesia, sedation, analgesia, and amnesia. Ketamine can maintain functional residual capacity, induce bronchodilation, and avoid cardiovascular depression. However, adverse effects have been demonstrated, such as cardiovascular stimulation and unpleasant emergence phenomena, both of which may be modulated by supplementation with benzodiazepines. An increase in the use of ketamine for ambulatory anesthesia has recently been advocated. This review of the literature supports the use of ketamine as an effective agent for selected anesthetic procedures.
Asunto(s)
Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Ambulatorios , Anestesia Dental/métodos , Ketamina/farmacología , Anestesia Intravenosa , Benzodiazepinas/farmacología , Sistema Cardiovascular/efectos de los fármacos , Sistema Nervioso Central/efectos de los fármacos , Combinación de Medicamentos , Humanos , Respiración/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
Claims that labial infiltration of the local anesthetic articaine HCl (Ultracaine DS) results in anesthesia of mandibular pulpal as well as maxillary and mandibular lingual soft tissue have never been scientifically substantiated. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate these claims, by comparing articaine to a standard anesthetic, prilocaine HCl (Citanest Forte). To investigate this, a double blind, randomized study was conducted in healthy adult volunteers. In each volunteer, the ability to induce maxillary and mandibular anesthesia following labial infiltration with articaine was compared to prilocaine given contralaterally. Anesthesia was determined by measuring sensation to electrical stimulation at the tooth, labial and lingual soft tissue for each of the 4 non-carious, non-restored, canines. Results showed that mandibular canine pulpal anesthesia had a success rate of 65% for articaine and 50% for prilocaine. Success rates for palatal and lingual anesthesia averaged 5% for each agent. As determined by chi-square analysis, no statistically significant differences were found between articaine and prilocaine for any tissue at any of the 6 sites (P greater than 0.05). A time-course assessment also failed to demonstrate a difference between the two drugs. Therefore these data are not consistent with superior anesthesia efficacy being produced by articaine at any site, including the mandibular pulpal, lingual or maxillary palatal tissues, in the canine teeth studied.
Asunto(s)
Anestesia Dental/métodos , Anestesia Local/métodos , Carticaína , Prilocaína , Administración Bucal , Adulto , Prueba de la Pulpa Dental , Método Doble Ciego , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Mandíbula , Hueso PaladarRESUMEN
Circadian rhythmicity was repeatedly determined in a patient with Alzheimer's disease by measuring his core temperature with a rectal thermistor and motor activity by an ambulatory activity monitor. The first recording, performed 9 years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, showed well organized 24 hr circadian rhythm of core body temperature. The second recording, made four months later, showed very poor fit of core body temperature to 24 hour rhythm, but excellent fit with 36 hour rhythm. The third recording, made two months later, showed again good fit of core body temperature with 24 hour cycle. The last recording, which was performed 5 months later, showed almost complete disappearance of circadian rhythm of body temperature. These changes probably reflect gradual lengthening of the circadian cycle that at one point became extremely lengthened before returning to the 24 hr cycle.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Alzheimer/fisiopatología , Temperatura Corporal/fisiología , Ritmo Circadiano/fisiología , Actividad Motora/fisiología , Anciano , Humanos , Masculino , Monitoreo Fisiológico/métodosRESUMEN
One of the many questions to which John Maynard Smith contributed was that of why most animal signals are reliable. He initially rejected the "handicap" argument but gradually accepted it, a process I briefly describe. This episode illustrated his preference for mathematical models over verbal ones, and the generosity with which he could change his mind. Even after accepting that some signals are reliable because of their strategic costs, he argued for a pluralistic approach to signal reliability. Signal complexity was a developing interest when he died. Signals usually involve several components, some of which appear to amplify other signal components. The terms "amplifier" and "index" require more thought to reduce the scope for semantic confusion. I conclude by describing Maynard Smith's fascination with peacocks Pavo cristatus.
Asunto(s)
Comunicación Animal , Psicología/historia , Animales , Evolución Biológica , Historia del Siglo XX , Conducta Sexual AnimalRESUMEN
The restrictive hypotropia seen in thyroid patients is most commonly due to an infiltrative myopathy of the inferior rectus muscle. With the described technique, using topical anesthesia, the degree of muscle contraction and inelasticity determines where the inferior rectus should be placed to permit full upgaze. This provides full correction of the restrictive hypotropia with the least possible amount of muscle recession.
Asunto(s)
Anestesia Local , Músculos Oculomotores/cirugía , Estrabismo/cirugía , Transferencia Tendinosa , Enfermedades de la Tiroides/complicaciones , Humanos , Métodos , PropoxicaínaRESUMEN
Three models--the war of attrition, the size game and the badges of dominance game--are described, in which natural selection can maintain genetic variability for aggression. The models differ in whether or not the traits that settle contests are costly in contexts other than fighting, and also in whether signals are used. It is concluded that contests will be settled by non-costly traits only if the value of the contested resource is small relative to the cost of fighting, and that 'honest' signalling of aggressiveness is stable only if individuals giving signals that are inconsistent with their behaviour suffer costs. The literature on 'badges of dominance' in birds is reviewed. New data on great tits, greenfinches and corn buntings show that there is plumage variability within age and sex that sometimes serves to settle contests, and that, in the first two species but not the third, the badges are uncorrelated with size, and settle contests only over trivial resources.
Asunto(s)
Agresión , Evolución Biológica , Aves/fisiología , Variación Genética , Modelos Genéticos , Modelos Psicológicos , Selección Genética , Animales , Aves/genética , MatemáticaRESUMEN
Malignant hyperthermia is a potentially fatal disease that may be triggered by the administration of specific drugs or by stress. Although most often associated with general anesthesia, stress can be a significant stimulus and is therefore of concern to the general dentist. The decision as to how and where to treat these patients is complicated by conflicting recommendations from various sources. The aim of this article is to propose a protocol for the dentist to use in the treatment of patients with a history of malignant hyperthermia. The dentist must assess the patient for both their susceptibility to a crisis and the degree of stress of the planned procedure. For non-stressful treatment, it is reasonable to assume that the general dental practitioner can treat these patients in his office. For stressful treatment, advanced preparation is advised.
Asunto(s)
Atención Dental para la Persona con Discapacidad , Hipertermia Maligna , Anestesia Dental , Anestesia General , Anestésicos , Trastornos del Metabolismo del Calcio , Glicósidos Cardíacos , Sedación Consciente , Contraindicaciones , Humanos , Anamnesis , Parasimpatolíticos , Estrés Fisiológico/prevención & control , Succinilcolina , Simpatomiméticos , VasoconstrictoresRESUMEN
We compared the safety and efficacy of MethaSite, a gel-forming suspension (0.1% fluorometholone), to a commercially available 0.1% fluorometholone ointment, FML S.O.P., using an antigen challenge model. Subjects with known allergic histories were exposed to increasing concentrations of cat dander, ragweed, or grass at visits 1 and 2. Allergic responses of conjunctival injection, chemosis, and subjective itching were quantified on a scale from zero to 3; the sum of these ratings constituted the total allergic score. At visit 3, 105 subjects with total scores of > or = 5 received a drop of MethaSite in one eye and a 0.5 inch ribbon of FML ointment in the other eye. Three and 6 hours postdose, the eyes were challenged with the antigen concentration that provoked significant allergic response at visit 2. We determined safety by evaluating changes in visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and biomicroscopy that occurred between visits 1 and 3. Eyes treated with MethaSite and FML responded similarly to the antigen challenges. Both groups demonstrated suppression of allergic response 3 and 6 hours postdose through equivalent and significant reductions in total allergy scores and individual ratings of injection, chemosis, and itching. In this population, MethaSite was equivalent to FML ointment in safety and efficacy.
Asunto(s)
Antialérgicos/uso terapéutico , Antiinflamatorios/uso terapéutico , Conjuntivitis Alérgica/tratamiento farmacológico , Fluorometolona/uso terapéutico , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Alérgenos/administración & dosificación , Animales , Antialérgicos/efectos adversos , Antialérgicos/química , Antiinflamatorios/efectos adversos , Antiinflamatorios/química , Antígenos/administración & dosificación , Gatos , Conjuntiva/efectos de los fármacos , Conjuntivitis Alérgica/etiología , Femenino , Fluorometolona/efectos adversos , Fluorometolona/química , Geles , Humanos , Presión Intraocular , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pomadas , Soluciones Oftálmicas , Agudeza VisualRESUMEN
Dipivefrin (DPE) is the first prodrug in general use in ophthalmology. We will discuss the metabolism of DPE to epinephrine within the eye, and the efficacy and safety of DPE in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure. In addition, we will address the incidence of adverse systemic effects, ocular tolerance and allergy, and the ocular hypotensive efficacy when DPE is used alone or in combination with other antiglaucoma medications.