Differential influence of iNOS and nNOS inhibitors on rostral ventrolateral medullary mediated cardiovascular control in conscious rats

We evaluated the cardiovascular effects of nitric oxide (NO) inhibitors microinjected into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) of conscious rats. Application of L-NAME or aminoguanidine (AG) induced an increase in arterial blood pressure (MAP) and an increase in heart rate, whereas 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) decreased MAP and HR. Microinjection of glutamate produced an increase in MAP which was followed by either a tachycardia or a bradycardia. Such responses were blocked totally by prior administration of L-NAME and attenuated (approximately 50%) by 7-NI. In contrast, glutamate responses were enhanced by following AG. We conclude that in conscious rats, NO has tonic effects in the RVLM and may participate in the modulation of the actions of glutamate through iNOS and nNOS pathways.     

Relation between inflammation and symptoms in asthma

Asthma symptoms are the main reason for healthcare utilization and are a fundamental parameter for the evaluation of asthma control. Currently, asthma is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease. A French expert group studied the association between inflammation and asthma symptoms by carrying out a critical review of the international literature. Uncontrolled asthmatics have an increased number of polynuclear eosinophils in the induced sputum and an increased production of exhaled NO. Control by anti-inflammatory treatment is accompanied by a reduction in bronchial eosinophilia and exhaled NO. Asthma symptoms are the result of complex mechanisms and many factors modify their perception. Experimental data suggest that there is a relationship between the perception of symptoms and eosinophilic inflammation and that inhaled corticoid therapy improves this perception. Although they are still not applicable in routine practice, follow-up strategies based on the evaluation of inflammation are thought to be more effective in reducing exacerbations than those usually recommended based on symptoms and sequential analysis of respiratory function. Inhaled corticosteroid therapy is the reference disease-modifying therapy for persistent asthma. Recent studies demonstrated that adjustment of anti-inflammatory treatment based on symptoms is an effective strategy to prevent exacerbations and reduce the total number of doses of inhaled corticosteroids.     

Slings in surgery of genuine stress incontinence

Purpose

To summarize the available evidence concerning efficacy and safety of standard mid-urethral sling (SMUS) operations for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods and results

A non-systematic literature review was carried out in order to collect the available evidence concerning efficacy and safety of SMUS operations for the treatment of SUI. According to the data of our prior meta-analysis, patients receiving SMUS had significantly higher overall and objective cure rates than those receiving Burch colposuspension, although they had a higher risk of bladder perforations. Patients undergoing SMUS and pubovaginal slings had similar cure rates, although the latter were slightly more likely to experience storage lower urinary tract symptoms and had a higher reoperation rate. Patients treated with retropubic SMUS had slightly higher objective cure rates than those treated with transobturator tape (TOT); however, subjective cure rates were similar, and patients treated with TOT had a much lower risk of some complications. Meta-analysis demonstrated similar outcomes for TOTs. With regard to the novel mini-sling, another meta-analysis from Abdel-fattah et al. demonstrated that repeat continence surgery and de novo urgency incontinence were significantly higher in the patients treated with mini-slings.

Conclusion

Patients treated with retropubic tape (RT) experienced slightly higher continence rates than those treated with Burch colposuspension, but they faced a much higher risk of intraoperative complications. RT and pubovaginal slings were similarly effective. The use of RT was followed by objective cure rates slightly higher than TOT and by higher risk of complications. The novel mini-slings do not seem to be more effective than the SMUS.     

Effects of clomazone herbicide on hematological and some parameters of protein and carbohydrate metabolism of silver catfish Rhamdia quelen

The effects of clomazone (0.5 and 1.0 mg/L) according to nominal concentrations used in paddy rice fields (0.4-0.7 mg/L) on protein and carbohydrate metabolism and haematological parameters were evaluated in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) after 12, 24, 48, 96 and 192 h of exposure with a recovery period of 96 and 192 h. Liver glycogen increased significantly (P<0.05) in all periods and concentrations tested. The maximum glycogen increase reaches 250% after 12h of exposure. Muscle glycogen reduced significantly after 24, 48, 96 and 192 h for both clomazone concentrations (P<0.05). Significantly elevated plasma glucose values (P<0.05) and variation in glucose in the liver and muscle of exposed fish were observed. Muscle lactate levels increased after 12, 24 and 48 h of clomazone exposure (22-67%), but reduced in the liver (P<0.05). Protein levels were enhanced in the liver and white muscle, except at 96 and 192 h of exposure, whereas it increased in the plasma in the period from 48 to 96 h (P<0.05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were significantly elevated in the plasma (P<0.05). In the liver, ALT increased after 24 h, while AST activity was enhanced only after 12 h of exposure. Hematocrit contents were reduced after 96 and 192 h of exposure. Most of the metabolic disorders observed did not persist after the recovery period, except for the liver AST and ALT activity. Clomazone concentrations used in this study appear safe to fish, Rhamdia quelen, because overall parameters can be recovered after 96 and 192 h in clean water. ALT and AST activity may be an early biomarker of clomazone toxicity.