Effects of dopexamine hydrochloride,a beta-adrenergic and dopaminergic agonist,on vascular resistances,and flow distribution between cutaneous and skeletal muscle vasculatures

Local i.a. infusions of the dopaminergic and β₂ adrenoceptor agonist dopexamine HCL (DPX) into collateral-free, innervated canine forelimbs perfused at constant flow produced dose-dependent decreases in perfusion pressure, evidence of a vasodilator response in the forelimb vasculature. DPX produced vasodilation in both the skin (cutaneous) and skeletal muscle vasculature of the canine forelimb, as evidenced by the dose-dependent decrease in total skin and total skeletal muscle vascular resistances. DPX produced comparable dilation of the skin and skeletal muscle vasculatures, as evidenced by the failure of this agent to produce a significant shift in blood flow between the brachial and cephalic venous outflows, that is, between the skin and skeletal muscle vasculatures. In the cutaneous (skin) vascular circuit, DPX failed to affect vascular resistances in the large artery and large vein segments, but produced a dose-dependent decrease in vascular resistance in the small vessel segment, presumably reflecting primarily arteriolar vasodilation. The vascular smooth muscle relaxation produced by DPX was inhibited by treatment with propranolol, suggesting that the vasodilation primarily results from direct stimulation of forelimb vascular β₂ adrenoceptors by DPX.     

Nystagmus reactions among patients with asymptomatic cerebrovascular diseases: results and analysis of investigation of 228 persons

The aim of this investigation was to view characteristics of vestibular nystagmus (spontaneous, latent, and positional) through Frenzel's spectacles in patients with asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease (ACVD), with the intent of providing an early diagnosis and appropriate prophylaxis. We examined a total of 228 men (mean age, 48.04 +/- 7.8 years), a mean group of 150 men with proven asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease, and 78 clinically healthy men. Vestibular nystagmus was investigated through Frenzel's spectacles. The following characteristics (qualitative and quantitative) were studied: degree and direction form, association, continuity, frequency, and amplitude. It was found that in patients with proven ACVD, latent nystagmus is prevalent. The symptom of positional nystagmus is much more frequent than that of spontaneous nystagmus and is often the first objective symptom of initial disturbances of the cerebral blood flow in the region of the vertebrobasilar system. The vestibular system is mainly labyrinthine in origin, becoming later of central origin.     

Investigation of the migration path for new rod photoreceptors in the adult cichlid fish retina

In the retina of adult teleost, precursor cells divide in the outer nuclear layer and give rise to new rod photoreceptors. These new rods migrate from the outer limiting membrane to the inner edge of the outer nuclear layer (ONL) before differentiating. In order to understand which cues these cells use during migration and insertion at the appropriate location we combined cell-specific stains in the retina of the cichlid fish Haplochromis burtoni, viewed with confocal laserscan microscopy: Dividing cells were labeled with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), Müller glial cells, cone photoreceptors, and horizontal cells were detected by specific antibodies. During the migration phase (24 to 48 h after BrdU uptake) up to 46% of BrdU-labeled cells were spindle shaped and radially oriented. Most of them were in direct proximity to Müller cell processes. Four days after BrdU-uptake, most labeled cells (91%) were found in the inner portion of the ONL and displayed a spherical shape. This marks the end of the movement of the new rods. At this stage, the labeled cells showed no preference to lie near glial fibers but were often found close to the pedicles of double cones. The leading edge of migrating cells reached into the outer plexiform layer (OPL) but not further than processes of horizontal cells. This is beyond the location of mature rods. We hypothesize that the cells are repelled in the OPL and insert back in the ONL to differentiate as rods.     

Anterior uveitis in seronegative spondylarthropathies

PURPOSE: To study the implication of seronegatives spondylarthropaties in anterior uveitis ethiology. We analyzed 51 patients with rheumatologic disease related uveitis hospitalized in our clinic in last 4 years. We discussed sex and age group repartition of patients, type of rheumatologic disease, recurrencies, complications and patients evolutions under treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Seronegatives spondylarthtropaties related uveitis represent 26% from 208 patients with uveitis household in our clinic in period mentioned above. They have a slow evolution with multiples recurrences and complications, requiring long period of treatment and follow-up. Visual prognosis is reserved because of multiples recurrences which accentuate morfofunctional deficit every time.     

Vascular molecular markers for determination of disease free survival (DFS) of breast cancer

The heterogeneity of the evolution of breast cancer complicates patient management. The use of vascular markers as prognostic factors is a new and promising tool in medical oncology. Research data of the current decade demonstrate that angiogenesis plays substantial role in growth and spread of malignant tumor. At present, immunohistochemical determination of intratumoral microvascular density represents one of the more promising new prognostic indicators in breast cancer that needs to be further investigated to identify and standardize the method of choice to be tested in prospective clinical studies. Consequently markers of angiogenic activity have receiving increasing attention. By analyzing the evolution of 209 cases of breast cancer enrolled in a prospective study reaching the 5th year of follow up, we provide herein data supporting that Factor VIII and CD34 could be reliable markers for prognosis of DFS. Tumors with lower expression of Factor VIII and CD34 have a better prognostic and lower potential metastatic. The Factor VIII comparative with CD34 represents a more faithful prognostic marker. Angiogenesis markers have also become a putative therapeutic target.     

Systemic capsaicin for burning mouth syndrome: short-term results of a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a major diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Systemic and topical treatments (capsaicin, lidocaine, anti-histamines, sucralfate and benzydiamine) have been tried, but they appear to be inadequate. Topical capsaicin is bitter, may cause burning and has low therapeutic efficacy. We hypothesized that systemic administration of capsaicin could reduce the limitations of topical administration and have better therapeutic efficacy; this hypothesis was tested in a controlled trial. METHODS: Systemic oral capsaicin 0.25% was used for patients with BMS, recruited in our single centre. After the diagnosis of BMS, patients were dentally and medically examined. They were alternatively assigned to treatment with capsaicin or to a shape/smell/taste/color matched placebo. The severity of symptoms was scored at trial entry and 30 days thereafter by investigators who were unaware of the assigned intervention. The visual analogical scale (VAS) measure was used to score the severity of pain, and results for the treated and untreated groups were compared by Fisher's exact test. Analysis was performed by intention-to-treat. Statistical significance was considered for values of P < 0.05. Data are expressed as mean +/- SD. RESULTS: Fifty patients were enrolled (25 assigned to systemic capsaicin and 25 to placebo). The VAS score was significantly lower in treated patients (5.84 +/- 1.17) as compared to the placebo-control group (6.24 +/- 0.96). The use of systemic capsaicin implied significant gastric toxicity (referred gastric pain) with eight cases (32%) documented in the treatment group as compared to zero cases (0%) in the placebo control group. CONCLUSION: Systemic capsaicin is therapeutically effective for the short-term treatment of BMS but major gastrointestinal side-effects may threaten its large-scale, long-term use. This preliminary study suggests that more, adequately powered, randomized controlled trials are necessary and worthy to come to a definitive assessment of this matter.