The regulation of stearoyl-CoA desaturase gene expression is tissue specific in chickens

Emerging evidence suggests a potential role of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD)-1 in the control of body weight and energy homeostasis. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of several energy balance-related factors (leptin, cerulenin, food deprivation, genotype, and gender) on SCD gene expression in chickens. In experiment 1, 6-week-old female and male broiler chickens were used. In experiment 2, two groups of 3-week-old broiler chickens were continuously infused with recombinant chicken leptin (8 micro g/kg/h) or vehicle for 6 h. In experiment 3, two groups of 2-week-old broiler chickens received i.v. injections of cerulenin (15 mg/kg) or vehicle. In experiment 4, two broiler chicken lines (fat and lean) were submitted to two nutritional states (food deprivation for 16 or 24 h and feeding ad libitum). At the end of each experiment, tissues were collected for analyzing SCD gene expression. Data from experiment 1 showed that SCD is ubiquitously expressed in chicken tissues with highest levels in the proventriculus followed by the ovary, hypothalamus, kidney, liver, and adipose tissue in female, and hypothalamus, leg muscle, pancreas, liver, and adipose tissue in male. Female chickens exhibited significantly higher SCD mRNA levels in kidney, breast muscle, proventriculus, and intestine than male chickens. However, hypothalamic SCD gene expression was higher in male than in female (P < 0.05). Leptin increased SCD gene expression in chicken liver (P < 0.05), whereas cerulenin decreased SCD mRNA levels in muscle. Both leptin and cerulenin significantly reduced food intake (P < 0.05). Food deprivation for either 16 or 24 h decreased the hepatic SCD gene expression in fat line and lean line chickens compared with their fed counterparts (P < 0.05). The hypothalamic SCD mRNA levels were decreased in both lines only after 24 h of food deprivation (P < 0.05). In conclusion, SCD is ubiquitously expressed in chickens and it is regulated by leptin, cerulenin, nutritional state, and gender in a tissue-specific manner.     

The Possible Association between IVF and Breast Cancer Incidence

Background The possible association between ovulation-inducing drugs and breast cancer development has been debated. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence of breast cancer in a cohort of women exposed to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods A retrospective cohort analysis was performed by linkage of the computerized database of all women treated at the IVF Unit at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center between 1986 and 2003, and the Israeli National Cancer Registry. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was computed as the ratio between the observed number of breast cancer cases and the expected cases, adjusted for age and continent of birth, in the general population. Tumor characteristics of the IVF patients were studied by reviewing original medical records. Results 35 breast carcinomas were diagnosed among 3,375 IVF-treated women, compared to 24.8 cases expected (SIR = 1.4; 95% CI 0.98–1.96). Age ≥40 years at IVF treatment (SIR = 1.9; 95% CI 0.97–3.30), hormonal infertility (SIR = 3.1; 95% CI 0.99–7.22), and ≥4 IVF cycles (SIR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.15–3.27) were found to be risk factors to develop breast cancer compared to the general population. Multivariate analysis revealed that women who underwent ≥4 IVF cycles compared to those with one to three cycles were at risk to develop breast cancer, although not significantly (SIR = 1.9; 95% CI 0.95–3.81). Of IVF-treated women 85% had ER(+) tumors and 29% had positive family history. Conclusions A possible association between IVF therapy and breast cancer development was demonstrated, especially in women ≥40 years of age. These preliminary findings need to be replicated in other cohort studies.     

Laparoscopic management of renal tumors

Laparoscopy has become commonplace in the management of genitourinary malignancies and, in some institutions, has largely replaced open surgery as the primary treatment method for renal tumors. Outside of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, other modalities, such as nephron-sparing partial nephrectomy and energy-based ablative procedures, have been extended to laparoscopy. In this article, we present our experience and review the literature regarding the utility of laparoscopy in the management of renal tumors.     

Differences in psychological effects in hospital doctors with and without post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can reduce performance. The association between PTSD and other psychopathologies among hospital doctors was examined using self-report questionnaires during a wave of suicide bombing in Jerusalem. Thirty-three doctors with PTSD symptoms and 155 without were compared on coping, burnout and acceptance of treatment. Doctors with PTSD symptoms demonstrated significantly more anxiety, depression, negative coping strategies and burnout. Hospital doctors who develop PTSD symptoms suffer greater burnout and manifest negative coping strategies but are reluctant to receive treatment.     

Resting regional cerebral perfusion in recent posttraumatic stress disorder.

BACKGROUND: Brain imaging research in posttraumatic stress disorder has been largely performed on patients with chronic disease, often heavily medicated, with current or past alcohol and substance abuse. Additionally, virtually only activation brain imaging paradigms have been done in posttraumatic stress disorder, whereas in other mental disorders both resting and activation studies have been performed. METHODS: Twenty-eight (11 posttraumatic stress disorder) trauma survivors underwent resting state hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime single photon emission computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging 6 months after trauma. Eleven nontraumatized subjects served as healthy controls. RESULTS: Regional cerebral blood flow in the cerebellum was higher in posttraumatic stress disorder than in both control groups. Regional cerebral blood flow in right precentral, superior temporal, and fusiform gyri in posttraumatic stress disorder was higher than in healthy controls. Cerebellar and extrastriate regional cerebral blood flow were positively correlated with continuous measures of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Cortisol level in posttraumatic stress disorder was negatively correlated with medial temporal lobe perfusion. Anterior cingulate perfusion and cortisol level were positively correlated in posttraumatic stress disorder and negatively correlated in trauma survivors without posttraumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Recent posttraumatic stress disorder is accompanied by elevated regional cerebral blood flow, particularly in the cerebellum. This warrants attention because the cerebellum is often used as a reference region in regional cerebral blood flow studies. The inverse correlation between plasma cortisol and medial temporal lobe perfusion may herald hippocampal damage.