The synthetic progestogen, Levonorgestrel, but not natural progesterone, affects male mate calling behavior of Xenopus laevis

Worldwide, more than 100 million women use hormonal contraceptives, which act through progestogenic modes of action. These man-made hormones can enter the aquatic environment as they are excreted via feces and urine. Xeno-progestins are able to interfere with the endocrine system of female aquatic vertebrates impairing oogenesis and reproduction. However, data on progestogenic effects on reproductive behavior of male aquatic vertebrates are lacking. To evaluate whether progestins affect the mating behavior of male Xenopus laevis, we exposed male frogs to three environmentally relevant concentrations (10(-7) M, 10(-8) M and 10(-10) M) of the synthetic progestin Levonorgestrel (LNG) and the corresponding natural steroid progesterone (PRG), respectively. LNG at all exposure concentrations increased the proportions of advertisement calling, indicating a sexually aroused state of the males. Furthermore LNG at 10(-7) M decreased the relative proportions of rasping, a call type indicating a sexually unaroused state of the male. PRG, on the other hand, did not affect any of those parameters. Temporal and spectral features of the advertisement call itself were not affected by any of the two exposure treatments. Since LNG exhibits slight androgenic activity, the results suggest that LNG effects on male mate calling behavior of X. laevis are due to its moderate androgenic but not to its progestogenic activities. However, although males' sexual arousal seems to be enhanced by LNG, the adverse effects of LNG on female reproduction presumably outweigh these enhancing effects and LNG exposure nonetheless might result in reduced reproductive success of these animals.     

Changes in oro-facial function and hand-grip strength during a 2-year observation period after stroke

Objectives

Recovery from stroke-related oro-facial impairment has rarely been investigated. In this longitudinal study chewing efficiency, maximum lip and bite force as well as masseter muscle thickness were evaluated and compared with hand-grip force.

Materials and methods

Thirty-one hospitalized stroke patients and 24 controls were recruited for this cohort study with 2-year follow-up. Chewing efficiency was evaluated with a color mixing ability test, lip forces with a traction dynamometer, bite force with a digital gauge, masseter muscle thickness using ultrasound measurements and grip strength with a hand dynamometer.

Results

During the 2-year observation period, patients were evaluated four times. A total of 21 patients dropped out of the study. Stroke patients showed significantly impaired chewing efficiency and lower lip forces than controls with no significant improvement over time. Bite forces were not different between ipsi- and contralesional sides, in contrast to contralesional hand-grip strength which was significantly impaired and did not improve during the observation period. On the first examination with a median of 40 days after stroke, masseter thickness was reduced contralesional, but did not continue to show significant side-differences during follow-up.

Conclusions

Stroke affects the upper limb and the masseter muscles differently on a functional and morphological level. Further research is needed to evaluate the predictive value of oro-facial parameters on functional outcome after stroke.

Clinical relevance

Impaired chewing efficiency and reduced lip force are quantifiable symptoms in stroke patients which seem not to improve in absence of oro-facial rehabilitation procedures.     

25 Jahre Notfall+Rettungsmedizin – reine Männersache?

Notfall + Rettungsmedizin -     

Evidenzlage zur minimalinvasiven Chirurgie beim Ösophaguskarzinom

Surgery remains the mainstay of potentially curative treatment of esophageal cancer; however, esophageal resection is still associated with a relevant morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, patients frequently suffer from concomitant comorbidities and present in a reduced nutritional status. The rationale of minimally invasive surgery is the reduction of surgical trauma with subsequent minimization of (pulmonary) complications and mortality without compromising oncological quality. Minimally invasive esophageal resection was established nearly two decades ago and since then some centers worldwide have adopted this approach as the preferred option for surgical treatment of esophageal cancer. Minimally invasive esophageal resection can be safely performed and provides excellent results in experienced hands. Currently, there is only one randomized trial available comparing open and minimally invasive resection. It was demonstrated that the latter significantly reduced pulmonary complications with comparable mortality and oncological outcome. However, in the majority of studies these convincing results could not be confirmed. Reduced blood loss and a shortened hospital stay were shown to be the main advantages of the minimally invasive approach. Due to technical modifications, patient selection and a remarkable heterogeneity of current studies, a final conclusion on the value of minimally invasive esophagectomy is difficult to be drawn. Based on the current evidence, a noncritical use of minimally invasive resection for esophageal cancer cannot be recommended; however, in selected patients and with appropriate expertise this approach is at least comparable to open esophagectomy.     

Sex differences in symptomatology of psychosis-risk patients and in prediction of psychosis

Archives of Women's Mental Health - Sex differences may be important for understanding underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and developing effective preventions and treatments of mental...     

Age effects on basic symptoms in the community: A route to gain new insight into the neurodevelopment of psychosis?

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience - Reports of limited clinical significance of attenuated psychotic symptoms before age 15/16 indicate an important role of neurodevelopment...     

Effects of probucol versus aspirin and versus brachytherapy on restenosis after femoropopliteal angioplasty: the PAB randomized multicenter trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of probucol and/or of endovascular brachytherapy (EVBT) on restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of femoropopliteal arteries. METHODS: A total of 335 patients (206 men; mean age 72+/-9 years) with intermittent claudication were randomized according to a 2x2 factorial design to 1 of the 4 groups: probucol, placebo, EVBT, and EVBT+probucol. Probucol (1 g/d) or placebo were given in double-blinded fashion 1 month before and for 6 months after PTA. Gamma irradiation (192Iridium, 14 Gy, 5-mm reference depth) was randomly applied in an unblinded manner from a noncentered endoluminal catheter. All patients received aspirin (100 mg/d). Primary endpoint was restenosis (>50% diameter reduction) detected by duplex ultrasound 6 months after PTA. Secondary endpoints included clinical and hemodynamic assessment. RESULTS: Restenosis in patients undergoing EVBT was 17% (23/133) versus 35% (50/142) in patients without EVBT (p<0.001); in patients treated with probucol versus placebo, the rates were 23% (31/135) and 30% (43/140, p<0.001). Three quarters (77%, 102/133) of patients were free of claudication after EVBT therapy versus 61% (87/142) without EVBT (p<0.05). Need for target vessel revascularization was 6% (8/133) with EVBT versus 14% (20/142) without EVBT (p<0.01). Late thrombotic occlusions occurred in 4% (6/133), exclusively in patients treated with EVBT after stent implantation. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular brachytherapy significantly reduces restenosis, improves symptoms, and reduces reinterventions after PTA of femoropopliteal arteries. Probucol reduces restenosis but has no additive effect when combined with brachytherapy.