The aim of this pilot exploratory OSI744 study was to localise regions where the BOLD response was predicted by “”humor personality”" scores. 10 healthy male subjects

viewed funny or non-funny versions of Gary Larson cartoons while BOLD response was measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging JMRI). Data were collected from the whole brain (28 slices, slice thickness 4 mm, I mm gap, TR = 3s). SPM 99 software was used. A simple regression analysis with the sub-score cheerfulness from the STCI was applied. Higher cheerfulness in the STCI predicted brain activation in the right inferior parietal lobule (Tal X, Y, Z: 45, -77, 29), but not in limbic and prefrontal brain areas. We conclude that neural correlates of cheerfulness are correlated with BOLD response in lateral cortical rather than limbic brain Selleck Luminespib areas. Likely the activated region is important for a readiness or tendency to be amused, whereas the regions previously shown to be activated in humor appreciation studies are related to the understanding of the joke and the emotional

reaction. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose: Few reports of aortoiliac aneurysms infected by Campylobacter fetus are available. We report five cases and review previous reports, with a view to describing the clinical pattern, treatment options, and outcome of this infection.

Methods: During a 10-year period, 21 patients were diagnosed with C fetus infection in the Department buy PR-171 of Clinical Microbiology, five of whom had an infected arterial aneurysm. We retrospectively reviewed their medical charts. Diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical presentation, computed tomography scan, perioperative findings,

and identification of C fetus in at least one blood culture or culture front an aneurysm specimen. Late outcome of surviving patients was assessed by telephone interview.

Results. We identified four aortic aneurysms and one hypogastric aneurysm. All patients were seen in an emergency setting. Five had fever and abdominal pain, and three had contained rupture. Campylobacter fetus was found in blood cultures of four patients and in the aneurysm specimen of one patient. Three patients were treated by open repair and two by endovascular repair. One patient treated endovascularly died from septic shock due to C fetus at 2 weeks. One patient treated by open surgery underwent reoperation for persistent infection. The remaining patients were cured, but one died at 5 months of an unrelated cause. All surviving patients received long-term antibiotic therapy.

Conclusion: Campylobacter fetus infection of aortoiliac aneurysms is a serious condition with a high rate of rupture. However, long-term success can be obtained with prompt surgical treatment and an appropriate antibiotic regimen. The benefits of stent grafts remain debatable.