Multiple sclerosis-related trigeminal neuralgia: a prospective series of 43 patients treated with gamma knife surgery with more than one year of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) related to multiple sclerosis (MS) is more difficult to manage pharmacologically and surgically. OBJECTIVE: This article aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) in this special group of patients. METHODS: Between July 1992 and November 2010, 43 cases with more than 1 year of follow-up were operated with GKS for TN related to MS and prospectively evaluated in the Timone University Hospital, Marseille, France. Radiosurgery using the Gamma Knife (model B or C or Perfexion) was performed. A single 4-mm isocenter was positioned at a median distance of 8 mm (range 5.7-14.7) anterior to the emergence of the nerve. A median maximum dose of 85 Gy (range 75-90) was delivered. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 53.8 months (12-157.1). Thirty-nine patients (90.7%) were initially pain free. Their actuarial probability of remaining pain free without medication at 6 months, 1, 3, 5 and 10 years was 87.2, 71.8, 43.1, 38.3 and 20.5%, respectively, and remained stable till 12 years. The hypoesthesia actuarial rate at 6 months, 1 and 2 years was 11.5, 11.5 and 16%, and remained stable till 12 years. CONCLUSIONS: GKS proved safe and effective in this special group of patients.

Connexins 43 and 26 are differentially increased after rat bladder outlet obstruction.

To evaluate the regulation of connexin expression by fluid pressure, we have studied the effects of elevated transmural urine pressure on Connexin43 (Cx43) and Cx26. We chose to focus on these two proteins out of the five connexins (Cx26, 43, 40, 37, and 45) which we found by RT-PCR to be expressed in the rat bladder, since in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence showed that Cx43 is the predominant connexin expressed by smooth muscle cells (SMC), whereas Cx26 is abundantly expressed only in the latter cell type. To evaluate whether these connexins are affected by changes in transmural urine pressure, we used a rat model of bladder outlet obstruction, in which a ligature is placed around the urethra. Under conditions of increased fluid pressure due to urine retention, we observed that the expression of both Cx43 and Cx26 increased at both transcript and protein levels, reaching a maximum 7-9 h after the ligature. Further analysis revealed that these changes were accounted for by a fourfold increase in Cx43 mRNA of SMC but not urothelial cell and by a fivefold increase in Cx26 mRNA of urothelium. Scrape-loading of propidium iodide showed that the latter change was paralleled by a twofold increase in coupling between urothelial cells. The data show that Cx43 and Cx26 are differentially regulated during bladder outlet obstruction and contribute to the response of the bladder wall to increased voiding pressure, possibly to control its elasticity.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Weekly Activity Report, October 25, 2008, Week 43

Weekly report of the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network produced by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Weekly Activity Report, October 18, 2008, Week 43

Weekly report of the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network produced by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Kolme uuskansankirkollisen kauden pappia

Mikko Malkavaara

Audit report on the City of Anita, Iowa for the year ended June 30, 2008

Audit report on the City of Anita, Iowa for the year ended June 30, 2008

Sodan ja rauhan perusteet : Ruotsin suurvaltakauden sotapolitiikka pappissäädyn ja suomalaisen papiston arvioimana 1630-1678

Esko M. Laine

Bloqueig paravertebral toràcic ecoguiat per a cirurgia oncològica de mama. Experiència en 43 casos.

Encara que habitualment es realitza sota anestèsia general, la cirurgia de la mama es pot dur a terme mitjançant un bloqueig paravertebral toràcic (BPVT). Amb les avantatges conegudes de l’anestèsia regional i les que ens aporta l’ecografia per aconseguir millor eficàcia i seguretat del bloqueig, presentem una sèrie de 43 casos emmarcats en una nova guia clínica del servei d’anestesiologia. Els resultats indiquen que el BPVT ecoguiat és altament segur i aconsegueix un molt bon control del dolor postoperatori, amb requeriments mínims de rescat analgèsic, i amb nul•la incidència de nàusees i vòmits postoperatoris.

Tietokoneavusteinen opetus koulun oppimisympäristöjen muutoksessa

Summary: Computer-aided instruction in the changing learning environments