Glutathione-S-transferase pi expression and activity is increased in colonic neoplasia

Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes are involved in the conjugation of glutathione to electrophilic carcinogens. Recent studies have shown increased levels and activities of GST in different tumors suggesting their role in carcinogen detoxification. This study compared GST activity levels and GST-pi protein expression in paired samples of colorectal cancer, adenoma and adjacent normal mucosa from a total of thirteen patients. GST was isolated from human colorectal specimens and assayed spectrophotometrically; Western immunoblot analysis was used to quantify GST-pi levels. GST activity was greater in both colorectal cancer and adenomas than in adjacent normal colonic tissue, although statistical significance was achieved only when comparing colorectal cancer to normal tissue. Based on these observations, we conclude that increased GST activity may be a useful marker of colonic neoplasia.     

Susceptibility of young adult and old rats to noise-induced hearing loss

This study was designed to test whether old rats show signs of presbyacusis and whether they would be either similarly or more or less susceptible to noise-induced hearing loss than young adult rats. Old (24 months) and young adult (3-4 months) Wistar rats were exposed to a broad-band noise of 113 dB SPL for a duration of 1 h (producing temporary threshold shifts) or 3 days (12 h noise/12 h quiet; permanent shifts). Auditory brainstem response (ABR), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) were measured before and after exposure. At the initial recording (before exposure), old rats demonstrated a small mean ABR threshold elevation, a reduction in amplitude of wave I (WI), a shortening of WI latency and a prolongation of the interpeak interval between WI and WIV, as compared to the young rats. The old rats also demonstrated a small DPOAE amplitude reduction and a reduction of peak-to-peak amplitude in the TEOAE response 2 ms after stimulus, but no reduction in TEOAE energy content between 2 and 4 kHz. These are signs of presbyacusis in the old rats. The noise exposures caused elevations in ABR threshold and reductions in DPOAE amplitude and TEOAE energy content that were similar in both the old and young rats. Their recovery from the noise-induced loss was also similar. Thus, the results of this study show that old and young adult rats, at least when considering clinically relevant intensities and durations of noise exposure, are equally susceptible to the effects of the exposure.     

Scanning laser Doppler is a useful technique to assess foot cutaneous perfusion during femoral artery cannulation

Background  

Measurement of cardiac output and extravascular lung water incritically ill patients using femoral artery double-indicator dilution involvesfemoral artery catheterization. The potential risk of vascular compromise tothe limb may be exacerbated in patients receiving vasopressors. The utility ofscanning laser Doppler flowmetry to measure changes in pedal perfusionfollowing catheterization was assessed.     

Surgical management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: Analysis of outcome with respect to surgical margins and technique

When this article was originally published in J Surg Oncol. 2008 Dec 15;98(8):588–593 (2008), it contained error in the degree of Marc Everett. The corrected degree appears above in the authorship. The publisher deeply regrets the error.     

Hypnotizability and Sensorimotor Gating: A Dopaminergic Mechanism of Hypnosis

Dopaminergic mechanisms have been theorized to influence hypnotizability and sensorimotor gating. In this study, the authors investigated an association between sensorimotor gating, as measured by prepulse inhibition (PPI), and hypnotizability, as assessed by the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C (SHSS:C). They found an inverse correlation between the SSHS:C and PPI. This finding, which replicates an earlier study, provides further evidence for a dopaminergic basis for hypnotizability and suggests additional avenues for research, including a method for possibly enhancing hypnotizability through pharmacological interventions.