Lower limb kinematics during treadmill walking after space flight: implications for gaze stabilization

We examined the lower limb joint kinematics observed during pre- and postflight treadmill walking performed by seven subjects from three Space Shuttle flights flown between March 1992 and February 1994. Basic temporal characteristics of the gait patterns, such as stride time and duty cycle, showed no significant changes after flight. Evaluation of phaseplane variability across the gait cycle suggests that postflight treadmill walking is more variable than preflight, but the response throughout the course of a cycle is joint dependent and, furthermore, the changes are subject dependent. However, analysis of the phaseplane variability at the specific locomotor events of heel strike and toe off indicated statistically significant postflight increases in knee variability at the moment of heel strike and significantly higher postflight hip joint variability at the moment of toe off. Nevertheless, the observation of component-specific variability was not sufficient to cause a change in the overall lower limb joint system stability, since there was no significant change in an index used to evaluate this at both toe off and heel strike. The implications of the observed lower limb kinematics for head and gaze control during locomotion are discussed in light of a hypothesized change in the energy attenuation capacity of the musculoskeletal system in adapting to weightlessness.     

Metformin and oral contraceptive treatments reduced circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

There is a little information in literature about circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentrations in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the results reported are discrepant. In this study, therefore, we aimed (1) to determine the circulating ADMA concentrations in 44 women with PCOS and 22 age- and BMI-matched healthy controls, (2) to evaluate its correlations with insulin resistance, gonadotrophins, and androgen secretion, and (3) to compare effects of metformin and ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate (EE/CPA) treatments on circulating ADMA concentrations. In conclusion, our data indicate that circulating ADMA concentrations in non-obese, non-hypertensive and young women with PCOS are significantly higher than healthy controls and they improved by a 3-month course of metformin and oral contraceptive treatments.     

Role of GLT-1 transporter activation in prevention of cannabinoid tolerance by the β-lactam antibiotic, ceftriaxone, in mice

Recently, it has been indicated that beta lactam antibiotics offer neuroprotection by increasing glutamate transporter expression. Furthermore, these antibiotics have been shown to prevent the development of tolerance and dependence to opioids. Since cannabinoid tolerance is known to be similar to opioids, our purpose was to examine the effect of ceftriaxone on the development of tolerance to WIN 55,212-2, a cannabinoid agonist. The tail flick test, a rectal thermometer, and the ring test were used for evaluating the degree of tolerance to the analgesic, hypothermic, and cataleptic effects of WIN 55,212-2, respectively. Within one week, animals became completely tolerant to analgesic, hypothermic and cataleptic effects of WIN 55,212-2 (6 mg/kg). Ceftriaxone, with its higher doses (100-200 mg/kg), attenuated the development of tolerance to the analgesic and hypothermic effects of WIN 55,212-2, but had no effect on its cataleptic action. Dihydrokainic acid (10 mg/kg), a GLT-1 transporter inhibitor, prevented this effect of ceftriaxone. Our results suggest that repeated treatment with ceftriaxone prevents the development of tolerance to the analgesic and hypothermic effects of cannabinoids, and GLT-1 activation appears to play a key role in this preventive effect of beta-lactam antibiotics.     

Pharmacological and behavioral characterization of the saphenous chronic constriction injury model of neuropathic pain in rats

The aim of the present study was to develop a new experimental pain model by adapting the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of the sciatic nerve to the exclusively sensory saphenous nerve in rats. Animals were divided into naïve, sham, and two experimental groups, in which two or four 4-0 chromic gut ligatures were loosely ligated around the saphenous nerve. Then, behavioral signs of neuropathic pain were observed for 8 weeks. In rats with four ligatures, prominent mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia developed; these behavioral signs were not prominent in rats with two ligatures. Pharmacological analysis was made in rats with four loose ligations; morphine and WIN 55,212-2, a cannabinoid agonist, reversed all of the modalities tested, whereas gabapentin only suppressed mechanical allodynia and amitriptyline only reduced mechanical hyperalgesia. Our data establish a rat model of saphenous CCI with significant allodynia and hyperalgesia, which is sensitive to a number of analgesic compounds.     

Bilateral symmetric junctional infarctions of the cerebellum: a case report

The advances in neuroimaging have improved clinicoanatomic correlations in patients with stroke. Junctional infarct is a distinct term, used to describe border zone infarcts of the posterior fossa. We presented computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a rare case of bilateral symmetrical junctional infarcts between the superior cerebellar artery (SCA) and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) territories. In addition to precise knowledge of arterial territories required to achieve accurate localization of ischemic lesions on CT and MRI, the radiologist must also be aware of radiologic features and geographic territories of cerebellar arteries and their junctional infarctions.     

CYP1A1 gene polymorphism as a risk factor for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of CYP1A1*3 gene polymorphism in the development of cervical cancer by comparing patients having cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or invasive cervical cancer with control subjects. METHODS: CYP1A1*3 polymorphism was analyzed using an allele-specific PCR-based method. RESULTS: In the group of patients with CIN, the frequency of the Ile/Val and of any Val alleles was significantly higher than in the healthy control subjects (OR: 4.51; 95%CI = 2.42-8.43, and OR: 3.71; 95%CI = 2.03-6.78). In the CIN1 group, patients with Ile/Val and any Val genotypes were found to be significantly higher (OR: 10.53; 95%CI = 3.78-29.33 and OR: 8.38; 95%CI = 3.04-23.08). In the CIN2 group, patients with Ile/Val and any Val revealed a 4.06- and 3.23-fold higher risk than those with Ile/Ile (95%CI = 1.54-10.74 and 1.24-8.45). However, the variance in the group of patients with CIN3 did not reach statistical significance. Patients with cervical cancer were analyzed with respect to the histological diagnoses. In the adenocancer group, the estimated ORs with respect to the control subjects were 11.29 for Ile/Val (95%CI = 3.35-38.07) and 8.98 for any Val groups (95%CI = 2.69-30.01), with a statistical significance. Among the squamous cell cancer patients, Ile/Val and any Val were significantly higher than in controls (OR: 5.76; 95%CI = 3.13-10.59 and OR: 5.20; 95%CI = 2.91-9.28). Although Val/Val genotype did not reach a significant value, it was near significance with an OR of 3.03 (95%CI = 0.95-9.68). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CYP1A1*3 gene polymorphism is linked to a propensity for cervical carcinogenesis and further series are needed to detect the exact role of this unique variation.     

A rare complication after transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy: tissue necrosis and nasal-cutaneous fistula

Transcanalicular dacryocystorhinostomy (TCDCR) with diode laser is a minimally invasive technique with good cosmetic results. The reported complication rate is low. In this brief report, the authors describe a patient with tissue necrosis and nasal-cutaneous fistula after TCDCR. A 65-year-old woman attended the authors' clinic 1 month after TCDCR. Examination revealed a large tissue defect and nasal-cutaneous fistula in the medial canthal region. Aspergillus growth was noted in culture specimens taken from the nasal cavity. The patient was treated with intravenous amphotericin B. The treatment resulted in granulation and closure of the defect.     

Consistent intrafamilial transmission of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans despite clonal diversity

BACKGROUND: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is a major pathogen in aggressive periodontitis. Our objectives were to determine the periodontal status and occurrence of A. actinomycetemcomitans in family members of subjects with A. actinomycetemcomitans-positive aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and to evaluate the probability of its intrafamilial transmission. METHODS: Of the 300 subjects screened, 66 (22%) had AgP and A. actinomycetemcomitans. Eleven (probands) of these 66 subjects with AgP met the strict inclusion criteria for the study. The study population consisted of 55 subjects, including probands and their family members (N = 44). Two family groups were formed according to whether the proband was a child (N = 7) or a parent (N = 4). Subgingival samples from all subjects were cultured for A. actinomycetemcomitans, and its clonal types were determined by combining serotype and genotype data for each isolate. RESULTS: Among 42 dentate family members, 16 (38%) exhibited periodontitis and eight (50%) had AgP. Periodontitis was found in nine of 12 (75%) of the dentate parents and six of 17 (35%) siblings of the child probands. A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in 16 of 31 (52%) family members, i.e., one parent and at least one sibling in six families. The child probands shared A. actinomycetemcomitans clonal types with their parents in five of six (83%) families and with their siblings in three of six (50%) families. In the four parent-proband families, A. actinomycetemcomitans occurred in two spouses and all nine children. The parent probands shared A. actinomycetemcomitans clonal types with their spouses in both families and with their children in three of four families. In all families, the likelihood of intrafamilial transmission of A. actinomycetemcomitans was statistically significant. Members of most families (eight of 11, 73%) also harbored additional clonal types of A. actinomycetemcomitans. CONCLUSION: Parents and siblings of an individual with A. actinomycetemcomitans-positive AgP may have an increased susceptibility to periodontitis and shared and/or other clonal types of oral A. actinomycetemcomitans.