Effects of androgenic gland ablation on male primary and secondary sexual characteristics in the Malaysian prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) (Decapoda,Palaemonidae), with first evidence of induced feminization in a nonhermaphroditic decapod

Male Macrobachium rosenbergii (de Man), categorized into three developmental stages according to possession of male gonopore complexes, appendixes masculina, and mature chelipeds, were subjected to bilateral androgenic gland ablation (andrectomy). Andrectomized males initially lacking appendixes masculina and mature chelipeds do not develop them; those initially possessing appendixes masculina and mature chelipeds do not lose them. Growth rate of the appendixes masculina, however, is reduced. Andrectomized males are unable to redifferentiate amputated or accidentally lost appendixes masculina and mature chelipeds. Instead, the appendages regenerate as immature forms. Andrectomized M. rosenbergii possess atrophied testes and vasa deferentia. Histological sections of the testes revealed a reduction in number of spermatogenic lobules. Spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes were commonly found; secondary spermatocytes and spermatids were found only occasionally. Andrectomy appears to inhibit but not prevent meiosis. Feminization occurred in five andrectomized males. Complete feminization, including initiation of oogenesis and development of oviducts and female gonopores, occurred in males andrectomized in the youngest developmental stage. Males andrectomized in later developmental stages were either partially feminized or not feminized. Reimplantation of androgenic glands reverses the effects of andrectomy. Remasculinization, as evidenced by differentiation of appendixes masculina, was noted after the first postimplantation molt. The testes of remasculinized males were normal in gross anatomy and spermatogenic ability. The data indicate a uniform function for the androgenic glands with respect to male primary and secondary sexual characteristics among the Amphipoda, Isopoda, and Decapoda. Past theories on androgenic gland function are modified in light of the present information.     

Insights in Public Health Electronic Cigarettes: Marketing to Hawai‘i's Adolescents

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are an emerging phenomenon that is becoming increasingly popular among adolescents. Current e-cigarette use among adolescents has more than doubled in the past few years nationally and more than tripled in Hawai‘i, despite the fact that safety in terms of health and injury from use is widely unknown. The use of e-cigarettes among adolescents is of particular concern because they may act as a gateway to smoking conventional tobacco cigarettes, substitute for cigarettes where smoking would normally not be allowed, and weaken the effect of clean air policies, and displace effective smoking cessation treatments. Additionally, the use of e-cigarettes may lead to the use of conventional cigarettes. There is special concern that e-cigarette companies are recruiting adolescents who would not have otherwise tried smoking by using tactics such as offering e-cigarettes in attractive flavorings and using the same successful strategies to market their product as tobacco companies have used for conventional cigarettes in past decades. It has been shown that exposure to cigarette marketing is related to initiation and progression in adolescent smoking. Yet, there remains no regulation on the marketing of e-cigarettes to adolescents. It can be extrapolated that expanded regulation that includes limits on the marketing of e-cigarettes may help decrease use among adolescents and prevent the possible increase of smoking rates.     

The HDAC and PI3K dual inhibitor CUDC-907 synergistically enhances the antileukemic activity of venetoclax in preclinical models of acute myeloid leukemia

Venetoclax is a promising agent in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), though its antileukemic activity is limited to combination therapies. Mcl-1 downregulation, Bim upregulation, and DNA damage have been identified as potential ways to enhance venetoclax activity. In this study, we combine venetoclax with the dual PI3K and histone deacetylase inhibitor CUDC-907, which can downregulate Mcl-1, upregulate Bim, and induce DNA damage, as well as downregulate c-Myc. We establish that CUDC-907 and venetoclax synergistically induce apoptosis in AML cell lines and primary AML patient samples ex vivo. CUDC-907 downregulates CHK1, Wee1, RRM1, and c-Myc, which were found to play a role in venetoclax-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, we find that venetoclax treatment enhances CUDC-907-induced DNA damage potentially through inhibition of DNA repair. In vivo results show that CUDC-907 enhances venetoclax efficacy in an AML cell line derived xenograft mouse model, supporting the development of CUDC-907 in combination with venetoclax for the treatment of AML.     

Neutrophil extracellular traps and thrombosis in COVID-19

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Studies of patients with COVID-19 have demonstrated markedly dysregulated coagulation and a high risk of morbid arterial and venous thrombotic events....     

Coarctation of the aorta associated with aortic valvular atresia.

The aortas in 41 specimeans of aortic atresia (ten with associated mitral atresia) were studied for the presence of coarctation of the aorta. The basic lesion, causing varying degrees of obstruction, was observed in 31 instances (75%), 24 minor, seven with major degrees of obstruction. In half, the aortic lesion lay proximal to the ductus, and in the majority of the remainder, opposite the ductus arteriosus. The location of lesion and degree of obstruction was essentially the same whether aortic atresia occurred alone or in association with mitral atresia. Angiography is a fairly reliable method of identifying coarctation associated with aortic atresia. An additional point of interest was that in aortic atresia alone there was strong dominance of the male sex, while this tendency was not observed when mitral atresia was associated with aortic atresia.     

Emergency coronary artery stenting for coronary dissection complicating diagnostic cardiac catheterisation.

Dissection of a coronary artery is a recognised and significant complication of diagnostic coronary angiography that often requires emergency coronary artery bypass grafting. A coronary stent was used to treat this complication. This technique has potential advantages in terms of speed of reperfusion and availability in centres performing diagnostic angiography without surgical cover on site.