Automatic sensory information processing abnormalities across the illness course of schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Deficits in automatic sensory discrimination, as indexed by a reduction in the mismatch negativity (MMN) and P3a event-related potential amplitudes, are well documented in chronic schizophrenia. However, MMN and P3a have not been sufficiently studied early in the course of psychotic illness. The present study aimed to investigate MMN, P3a and reorienting negativity (RON) across the course of schizophrenia. METHOD: MMN, P3a, and RON were assessed in 118 subjects across four groups: (1) individuals at risk for psychosis (n=26); (2) recent-onset patients (n=31); (3) chronic patients (n=33); and (4) normal controls (n=28) using a duration-deviant auditory oddball paradigm. RESULTS: Frontocentral deficits in MMN and P3a were present in all patient groups. The at-risk group's MMN and P3a amplitudes were intermediate to those of the control and recent-onset groups. The recent-onset and chronic patients, but not the at-risk subjects, showed significant RON amplitude reductions, relative to the control group. Associations between MMN, P3a, RON and psychosocial functioning were present in the chronic patients. In the at-risk subjects, P3a and RON deficits were significantly associated with higher levels of negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormalities in the automatic processes of sensory discrimination, orienting and reorienting of attention are evident in the early phases of schizophrenia and raise the possibility of progressive worsening across stages of the illness. The finding that MMN and P3a, but not RON, were reduced before psychosis onset supports the continued examination of these components as potential early biomarkers of schizophrenia.

Covalent bonds in AlMnSi icosahedral quasicrystalline approximant

Electron density distributions were obtained using the maximum entropy method with synchrotron radiation powder data. In the metallic Al12Re, metallic bonding was observed for the icosahedral Al12 cluster with central Re atom. In the nonmetallic alpha-AlMnSi 1/1 approximant, covalent bonds were found in the electron density distribution of the Mackay icosahedral cluster without central atom. Rather than the Hume-Rothery mechanism, the covalency of Al (Si) icosahedron and that between Al (Si) and Mn atoms is considered to be the origin of the pseudogap and nonmetallic behavior of alpha-AlMnSi.

[Importance of drug selection and the use of sensitivity tests for the eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori].

Drug selection for eradication therapy of H. pylori, considering their drug resistance was evaluated. The measurement of resistant colonies was performed in blood agar plates using the MIC method and the criteria for resistance was as follows: MIC > 1 mg/l with AMPC, MIC > 2 mg/l with CAM and MIC > 8 mg/l with MNZ. Primary resistant colonies were found in 0% with AMPC, 8.9% with CAM and 5.9% with MNZ. Secondary resistant colonies were found in 0% with AMPC, 50.0% with CAM and 54.5% with MNZ. CAM and MNZ showed high resistance rate and among them, colonies resistant to CAM were also highly resistant to MNZ. But colonies resistant to MNZ (acquired after CAM) were all sensitive to AMPC. Considering this issue and the absence of resistance to AMPC, we considered the triple therapy with AMPC, MNZ and a PPI as the best option for the eradication of H. pylori.

Endoscopic management of Dieulafoy lesions of the stomach: a case study of 26 patients.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: We studied the clinical features and therapeutic outcome in patients with a diagnosis of Dieulafoy lesion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients who had upper gastrointestinal bleeding from Dieulafoy lesions received endoscopic therapy. The clinical and endoscopic features, and the outcome of therapy, were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Hemostasis was attempted by hemoclipping in 18 patients, heater probe in six patients and ethanol injection in two patients. The initial therapy was successful in 22 (84.6%) cases. Hemostasis was achieved with additional endoscopic therapy in three cases (11,5%). Surgical treatment was needed only in one case, owing to uncontrolled bleeding. One patient died during the hospital stay from a cause unrelated to the Dieulafoy lesion. There were no side effects related to endoscopic therapy. None of these patients presented with rebleeding from Dieulafoy lesions over a mean long-term follow-up of 36 months. CONCLUSIONS: Bleeding from Dieulafoy lesions can be managed successfully by endoscopic methods, and these should be regarded as the first choice in their management. We emphasize the role of hemoclipping, a mechanical method, for the endoscopic treatment of these lesions.