Expression of c-fos, fos B, and egr-1 in the medial preoptic area and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis during maternal behavior in rats

The spatial and temporal pattern of expression of the protein products of immediate early genes (IEGs) c-fos, fos B, and egr-1 were mapped in medial preoptic area (MPOA) and ventral bed nucleus of stria terminalis (VBST) during maternal behavior in rats. Immunocytochemical analysis indicated significant increases in the number of cells expressing c-Fos after 2 h of pup exposure, while Fos B levels showed a delayed response, reaching maximal levels after 6 h.     

The effect of cardiovascular morbidity on clinical response provided by tadalafil in patients with erectile dysfunction

We aimed to investigate the association between erectile dysfunction and severity of cardiovascular morbidity and to assess clinical responses to tadalafil of patients in different cardiovascular risk groups. Between November 2019 and August 2020, a total of 258 male patients aged 45–70 years with ED were included. They were divided into three groups according to the Framingham risk score: low-risk (n: 86, 33.3%), intermediate-risk (n: 103, 39.9%) and high-risk (n: 69, 26.8%). At admission, all domains of the International Index of Erectile Function score were worse in high-risk group compared to other risk groups (p < .001). After a 12-week follow-up, a more significant improvement was observed in all domains of erectile function in all risk groups, but high-risk group had lower sexual scores (p < .001). The lowest rate for complete responsiveness to tadalafil was observed in the high-risk group (37.7%). The rate of failure in complete responsiveness was found to be 4.127 times greater with higher Framingham score and 3.102 times greater with higher erectile dysfunction severity at admission. Our preliminary findings show that more severe sexual disorders are observed in high-risk patients with cardiovascular morbidity. Individualised treatment may be important in high-risk group since they may benefit less from tadalafil, and failure in complete responsiveness can be more common in this group.     

Effects of dietary saturated,monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in diabetic rats*

The effects of altering the type of dietary fat on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels were investigated in streptozotocin‐diabetic rats fed non‐purified diets containing corn oil, olive oil, cod‐liver oil, sheep tallow and lard. After 32 days of experimental feeding, plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were determined. Body weights and food intake were also measured. In neither animal group did the type of fat in the diet affect significantly the plasma levels of lipids and lipoproteins and their calculated ratios, and plasma glucose, body weight change or accumulative food intakes. In all studied diabetic rats, significant correlations were observed between body weight change and the following plasma variables: total cholesterol level (r = —0.37, P < 0.03), low density lipoprotein cholesterol level (r = —0.38, P<0.03) and triglycéride concentration (r = —0.36, P < 0.04). A significant positive correlation (r = 0.60, P < 0.0003) was also found between plasma levels of glucose and triglycérides. No significant correlations were noticed between accumulative food intakes and any of the studied variables. It is concluded that, in uncontrolled hyperglycemia in diabetes, the type of fat in the diet exerts little or no influence on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations.     

Long-COVID postural tachycardia syndrome: an American Autonomic Society statement

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that has had a devastating effect on the health and economy of much of human civilization. While the acute impacts of COVID-19 were the initial focus of concern, it is becoming clear that in the wake of COVID-19, many patients are developing chronic symptoms that have been called Long-COVID. Some of the symptoms and signs include those of postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Understanding and managing long-COVID POTS will require a significant infusion of health care resources and a significant additional research investment. In this document from the American Autonomic Society, we outline the scope of the problem, and the resources and research needed to properly address the impact of Long-COVID POTS.

     

Are radio‐contrast agents commonly used in discography toxic to the intact intervertebral disc tissue cells?

In the literature, there have been no studies showing clear results on how radio‐contrast pharmaceuticals would affect intact disc tissue cells. In this context, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of iopromide and gadoxetic acid, frequently used in the discography, on intact lumbar disc tissue in pharmaco‐molecular and histopathological level. Primary cell cultures were prepared from the healthy disc tissue of the patients operated in the neurosurgery clinic. Except for the control group, the cultures were incubated with the indicated radio‐contrast agents. Cell viability, toxicity and proliferation indices were tested at specific time intervals. The cell viability was quantitatively analysed. It was also visually rechecked under a fluorescence microscope with acridine orange/propidium iodide staining. Simultaneously, cell surface morphology was analysed with an inverted light microscope, while haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining methodology was used in the histopathological evaluations. The obtained data were evaluated statistically. Unlike the literature, iopromide or gadoxetic acid did not have any adverse effects on the cell viability, proliferation and toxicity (P < 0.05). Although this study reveals that radio‐contrast pharmaceuticals used in the discography, often used in neurosurgical practice, can be safely used, it should be remembered that this study was performed in an in vitro environment.     

Ibn Al Nafis: His Seminal Contributions to Cardiology

Ibn Al Nafis, born 1213, was the first to discover the “circulation lesser” and describe the blood flow from the right ventricle to the lungs then back to the left ventricle 300 years before William Harvey. He bravely rejected the theory of Galen (130–200 AD) and Avicenna (980–1037 AD) which stated that the blood from the right ventricle passes through “invisible” holes in the ventricular septum to the left ventricle. Also was the first to note that the nourishment of the heart muscle is coming from the coronary arteries rather than from the inside of the ventricular cavity as described by earlier scholars.     

Transradial catheterization may decrease the radial artery luminal diameter and impair the vasodilatation response in the access site at late term: an observational study

The present study aimed to evaluate the late-term changes in radial artery luminal diameter (RAD) and vasodilatation response following transradial catheterization (TRC). TRC-inducing trauma to radial artery intima may trigger chronic phase vascular changes and lead to anatomical and functional impairment. There is controversial data whether the impairment persists or repairs later. Fifty-six consecutive patients undergoing TRC were enrolled prospectively. Baseline RAD, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation (NMD) of the radial artery at the access site were measured before TRC by high-resolution ultrasound. Six months later; RAD, FMD and NMD were measured again at the same access site. RAD at the sixth month was reduced compared with pre-procedural measurements (2.85 ± 0.44 versus 2.74 ± 0.42 mm, p = 0.0001).The average FMD decreased to 5.66 ± 5.87 %, which was significantly lower than the observed pre-procedural FMD (9.45 ± 5.01 %) 6 months after TRC (p = 0.0001). Likewise, the average NMD at the sixth month was reduced compared with pre-procedural NMD (9.52 ± 6.77 versus 6.64 ± 6.51 %, p = 0.018). Logistic regression analysis indicated that pre-procedural radial artery diameter to sheath size ratio was the independent predictor of NMD reduction (95 % confidence interval, β = ?9.74, p = 0.024). TRC may lead to a significant luminal diameter reduction and impairment of vasodilatation response in the radial artery at late term.