Untargeted screening for novel autoantibodies with prognostic value in first-episode psychosis.

Immunological and inflammatory reactions have been suggested to have a role in the development of schizophrenia, a hypothesis that has recently been supported by genetic data. The aim of our study was to perform an unbiased search for autoantibodies in patients with a first psychotic episode, and to explore the association between any seroreactivity and the development of a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) disorder characterized by chronic or relapsing psychotic symptoms. We collected plasma samples from 53 patients when they were treated for their first-episode psychosis, and 41 non-psychotic controls, after which the patients were followed for a mean duration of 7 years. Thirty patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder or a long-term unspecified nonorganic psychosis during follow-up, whereas 23 patients achieved complete remission. At the end of follow-up, plasma samples were analyzed for IgG reactivity to 2304 fragments of human proteins using a multiplexed affinity proteomic technique. Eight patient samples showed autoreactivity to the N-terminal fragment of the PAGE (P antigen) protein family (PAGE2B/PAGE2/PAGE5), whereas no such autoreactivity was seen among the controls. PAGE autoreactivity was associated with a significantly increased risk of being diagnosed with schizophrenia during follow-up (odds ratio 6.7, relative risk 4.6). An immunohistochemistry analysis using antisera raised against the N-terminal fragment stained an unknown extracellular target in human cortical brain tissue. Our findings suggest that autoreactivity to the N-terminal portion of the PAGE protein family is associated with schizophrenia in a subset of patients with first-episode psychosis.

The prognostic value and therapeutic target role of stathmin-1 in urinary bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: The oncoprotein-18/stathmin 1 (STMN1), involved in cell progression and migration, is associated with clinical outcome in breast cancer. Here we aim to investigate its clinical significance in urinary bladder cancer and its possibilities as a therapeutic target. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analyses of STMN1 protein expression were performed in three patient cohorts: cohort I (n=115 Ta, n=115 T1, n=112 T2-4 stages), cohort II, based on randomised controlled trials (n=239 T1-T4), and cohort III of primary tumour/matched metastasis (n=90 T1-T4). The effects of STMN1 on cell proliferation and migration were evaluated in the urinary bladder cancer cell line, T24, by inhibiting STMN1-cellular expression using siRNA. RESULTS: In cohort I, high STMN1 expression correlated to shorter disease-specific survival hazard ratio (HR)=2.04 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-3.68; P=0.02), elevated p53- (P<0.001) and Ki67-protein levels (P<0.001). The survival result was validated in cohort II: HR=1.76 (95% CI 1.04-2.99; P=0.03). In the metastatic bladder cancer material, 70% of the patients were STMN1-positive in both the primary tumour and matched metastases. In vitro, the growth and migration of the T24 cells were significantly reduced (P<0.01, P<0.0001, respectively), when transfecting the cells with STMN1-siRNA. CONCLUSIONS: STMN1 protein expression has prognostic significance but is primarily a potential treatment target in urinary bladder cancer.

The first nurse-patient encounter in a psychiatric setting: discovering a moral commitment in nursing.

The aim of this study was to deepen nurses' understanding of the importance of carefully managing the first nurse-patient encounter in a psychiatric setting according to each patient's suffering and future hopes. The study was carried out using an action research approach. The action planned was the implementation of a conceptual model reflecting Eriksson's caring theory. Data were collected by interviews with nurses and observational notes kept in a research diary. The data analysis followed the procedure of qualitative content analysis. A generalization of the entire learning process shows the first nurse-patient encounter to be a moral commitment in nursing. A theoretical framework of nursing assessment conveying knowledge about the patient as unique and being a whole person can support the nurse in encouraging the patient to enter into a relationship. This insight stimulated the nurses in this study to reflect on the moral responsibility of continuing the relationship and initiating an ongoing nursing process. Awareness of this responsibility made them reflect more on the possibility of nurses taking autonomous actions in order not to abandon the patient and to avoid feeling guilty.

The first nurse-patient encounter in a psychiatric context: an initial study in an action research process.

This paper presents an initial study undertaken as the first step in action research concerning the first encounter between the nurse and the patient on psychiatric admission. The specific aim was to identify obstacles and possibilities of starting an ongoing learning process with mutual agreement upon goals and a good working relationship between the principal investigator and the participating nurses. Participant observation and questionnaires, completed by nurses and patients, were used in the data collection. The main finding was the identification of parallel processes concerning patients and nurses as to experiences of the abandonment and the lack of confirmation and autonomy. This initial study confirms the need and satisfies the requirements for continuing the action research process.

Selective lumbar epidural block in labour. A clinical analysis.

Segmental epidural analgesia (T10-T12) was performed in 418 parturients, using a 4-6 ml dose of 0.5% bupivacaine, with or without adrenaline. Seventy per cent of parturients were primiparas and 30% had histories, or signs, of possible uteroplacental insufficiency. Our aim was to relieve pain during the long passive opening phase, so that mothers would be rested and active at the beginning of the second phase, but also to avoid abolishing the bearing-down reflex, the absence of which causes an increased frequency of instrumental delivery. The analgesia during the opening phase was of good quality in 89% of primiparas, and 84% of multiparas. The onset of analgesia was rapid (3-5 min) and the duration was on average 2 1/2 h. The incidence of foetal heart rate changes, during the 30 min after epidural, was 5%. The second phase was less than 30 min in about 90% of cases. About 90% of parturients delivered spontaneously, and the frequency of instrument delivery was only 7.4%. Caesarean section was required in 3.7%. Slight, but rapidly correctable, hypotension occurred in 16.5%, and in two cases the hypotension led to more serious complications. This stresses the importance of the availability and competence of both the anaesthetic and obstetric teams. There were no maternal or neonatal mortalities, and the Apgar scores compared well with the figures for the normal material in our obstetric unit.