Toxoplasma gondii in circumpolar people and wildlife

Despite extensive worldwide surveillance in populations of both people and wildlife, relatively little is known about Toxoplasma gondii ecology in the circumpolar north. Many northern animals and people demonstrate exposure to T. gondii, but the apparent low densities of domestic or wild felids suggest that additional transmission mechanisms are responsible for T. gondii persistence in high latitudes, whether remote source (from another region), vertical, or dietary. People in these northern communities who practice subsistence hunting might have an increased infection risk due to traditional food preparation techniques and frequent handling of wild game. Recent advances in T. gondii genotyping, understanding of host-parasite relationships, and increased human and wildlife surveillance will help to address knowledge gaps about parasite evolution, distribution, and abundance throughout the Arctic and Subarctic.     

Apoptosis: a review of programmed cell death

The process of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is generally characterized by distinct morphological characteristics and energy-dependent biochemical mechanisms. Apoptosis is considered a vital component of various processes including normal cell turnover, proper development and functioning of the immune system, hormone-dependent atrophy, embryonic development and chemical-induced cell death. Inappropriate apoptosis (either too little or too much) is a factor in many human conditions including neurodegenerative diseases, ischemic damage, autoimmune disorders and many types of cancer. The ability to modulate the life or death of a cell is recognized for its immense therapeutic potential. Therefore, research continues to focus on the elucidation and analysis of the cell cycle machinery and signaling pathways that control cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. To that end, the field of apoptosis research has been moving forward at an alarmingly rapid rate. Although many of the key apoptotic proteins have been identified, the molecular mechanisms of action or inaction of these proteins remain to be elucidated. The goal of this review is to provide a general overview of current knowledge on the process of apoptosis including morphology, biochemistry, the role of apoptosis in health and disease, detection methods, as well as a discussion of potential alternative forms of apoptosis.     

Do Patients Fear Undergoing General Anesthesia for Oral Surgery?

Many patients undergoing major surgery have more fear of the general anesthesia than the procedure. This appears to be reversed with oral surgery. Therefore, patients need to be as well informed about this aspect as the surgical operation.A study by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), reported in 2010, found that a lack of understanding and fear about general anesthesia has led to as many as 25% of patients postponing necessary surgery.¹ However, the attitude of patients about having general anesthesia specifically for oral surgery procedures has never been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine if patients who need to undergo a general anesthetic for oral surgery have the same apprehension as those needing major surgery. It was hypothesized that a similar lack of knowledge and fear about general anesthesia would be found. If this were true, it could lead to protocols being developed that would make it possible for patients to undergo such treatment in a less stressful manner.     

Structure-Guided Rescaffolding of Selective Antagonists of BCL-XL

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Virtual Gastroduodenoscopy: A New Look at the Bypassed Stomach and Duodenum After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity

Background: After open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) for morbid obesity, the bypassed stomach and duodenum are not readily available for radiological and endoscopic evaluation. Furthermore, little is known about the long-term physiologic and histologic changes that occur in the bypassed GI segments following these procedures. Many alternative radiological and endoscopic techniques have been described to access the distal gastric pouch and the duodenum after RYGBP. Apart from percutaneous gastrografin? studies, all these techniques require the insertion of a gastrostomy tube in the distal stomach. Methods: a new diagnostic method to access the bypassed segments by virtual CT gastroscopy (VG) was used in 5 morbidly obese patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGBP (LRYGBP). Results: All patients tolerated the procedure well, which appears safe and suitable for an outpatient setting.The virtual images offered an excellent intraluminal view of the stomach and duodenum. Conclusions: VG holds promise as the method of choice in the follow-up of LRYGB patients, having the potential to detect inflammatory changes and cancer in the excluded segments early.     

Suppression of Experimental Aortic Aneurysms: Comparison of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase and Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors

The rat model of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is associated with inflammation, destruction of extracellular matrix, and production of both inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Indomethacin, a nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor, may prevent AAA formation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity. We hypothesized that indomethacin, rofecoxib (selective COX-2 inhibitor), and 1400W (selective iNOS activity inhibitor) would decrease aneurysm formation in the rat model. Forty-six male Wistar rats underwent intraaortic elastase infusion in two parallel studies based on medication delivery route. Sixteen rats were randomized to rofecoxib or water by gastric lavage. Thirty rats were randomized to subcutaneous saline, indomethacin, or 1400W. Heart rate, blood pressure and aortic diameters were measured. Western Blot and mRNA analysis for MMP-9 and iNOS was performed on postoperative day 7 aortic segments. Elastin degradation and inflammation were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Elastase infusion produced AAA in all rats. 1400W significantly limited aneurysm expansion (p=0.01) whereas treatment with indomethacin and rofecoxib did not. Only 1400W significantly increased blood pressure (p < 0.001). Indomethacin alone statistically decreased MMP-9 (p < 0.011). 1400W resulted in greater conservation of aortic elastin than indomethacin (p=0.025). All groups demonstrated statistically similar expression of iNOS. In conclusion, selective iNOS activity inhibitor, 1400W, significantly decreased aneurysm size and preserved aortic elastin without altering MMP-9 levels. Indomethacin significantly decreased MMP-9 expression without decreasing aneurysm size. Rofecoxib did not significantly decrease MMP-9 expression or aneurysm size. Inhibition of iNOS limits aneurysmal expansion by mechanisms other than MMP-9 inhibition. MMP-9 inhibition by indomethacin is not sufficient to limit aneurysm expansion in our model.Presented at the 2002 Lifeline Foundation Research Initiatives in Vascular Disease Conference,Bethesda, MD, April 18-19, 2002.