Genetic variation in cholinergic muscarinic-2 receptor gene modulates M2 receptor binding in vivo and accounts for reduced binding in bipolar disorder.

Genetic variation in the cholinergic muscarinic-2 (M(2)) receptor gene (CHRM2) has been associated with the risk for developing depression. We previously reported that M(2)-receptor distribution volume (V(T)) was reduced in depressed subjects with bipolar disorder (BD) relative to depressed subjects with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls (HCs). In this study, we investigated the effects of six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for CHRM2 on M(2)-receptor binding to test the hypotheses that genetic variation in CHRM2 influences M(2)-receptor binding and that a CHRM2 polymorphism underlies the deficits in M(2)-receptor V(T) observed in BD. The M(2)-receptor V(T) was measured using positron emission tomography and [(18)F]FP-TZTP in unmedicated, depressed subjects with BD (n=16) or MDD (n=24) and HCs (n=25), and the effect of genotype on V(T) was assessed. In the controls, one SNP (with identifier rs324650, in which the ancestral allele adenine (A) is replaced with one or two copies of thymine (T), showed a significant allelic effect on V(T) in the pregenual and subgenual anterior cingulate cortices in the direction AA

The importance of the sexual health history in the primary care setting.

Nurses often are apprehensive when inquiring about women's sexual health issues. A comprehensive sexual health assessment, however, is an important part of the health history and interview. Ensuring confidentiality and maintaining professionalism will create the trusting, comfortable environment necessary for a thorough evaluation of a client's sexual health risks. Nurses who are familiar with diverse sexual issues can help women deal with the changes that may occur during the life span.

Complications of lumbar spine surgery.

Lumbar spine surgery is now performed at all ages for reasons ranging from life-threatening tumors to intractable pain. A multitude of potential complications demand astute nursing assessment skills. Though not all of the complications discussed in the following article are preventable, early recognition, intervention, and patient support by the well-educated orthopaedic nurse can significantly lessen patient morbidity and even mortality.

Crush syndrome: pathophysiology and management.

Crush syndrome is characterized by a predictable sequence of events that include hypovolemia, compartment syndrome, rhabdomyolysis and acute tubular necrosis (ATN). Cardiac dysrhythmias are common. Pathophysiology, current management, and a plan of nursing care for patients with crush syndrome are presented.

Effect of magnesium on in vitro production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1.

Batch and chemostat culture of Staphylococcus aureus strain S411 was conducted in an investigation of the role of Mg++ in the control of production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1). Under both growth conditions, Mg++ influenced bacterial growth, and TSST-1 production was correlated with bacterial growth. The specific activity of TSST-1 (ng/mg yield, ng/mg total protein) increased with increasing concentrations of Mg++ and was maximal at physiologic levels of Mg++. No production of TSST-1 was observed under anaerobic conditions. In chemostat cultures in which valine nutrient limitation was used with various levels of tryptophan in the chemically defined medium, tryptophan concentration controlled the production of TSST-1 by strain S411, regardless of the concentration of Mg++.