The inositol monophosphatase inhibitor L-690,330 affects pilocarpine-behavior and the forced swim test

Rationale

Lithium has been a standard pharmacological treatment for bipolar disorder over the last 60 years; however, the molecular targets through which lithium exerts its therapeutic effects are still not defined. Attenuation of the phosphatidylinositol signal transduction pathway as a consequence of inhibition of inositol monophosphatase (IMPase) has been proposed as one of the possible mechanisms for lithium-induced mood stabilization.

Objectives

The objective was to study the behavioral effect of the specific competitive IMPase inhibitor L-690,330 in mice in the lithium-sensitive pilocarpine-induced seizures paradigm and the forced swim test (FST).

Methods

The inhibitor was administered intracerebroventricularly in liposomes.

Results

L-690,330 increased the sensitivity to subconvulsive doses of pilocarpine and decreased immobility time in the FST.

Conclusions

It is possible that the behavioral effects of lithium in the pilocarpine-induced seizures and in the FST are mediated through the inhibition of IMPase, but reversal of the inhibitor’s effect with intracerebroventricular inositol would be an important further step in proof.     

The Next Wave: Confexting

Radiology conferences enable participants the opportunity to ask experts questions through question and answer (Q and A) sessions or individually. Given the time limitations and intimidating circumstances, we incorporated conference text messaging (confexting) as a method of increasing interactivity between the audience and speakers. During a 5-day radiology conference, text messaging was utilized for anonymous interactivity between the audience and speakers during Q and A sessions. There were 324 text messages; 76 of these were either follow-up statements or questions related to earlier text messages. Forty-two questions were submitted via paper notes. There was a general trend of an increasing number of text messages and a decreasing number of paper notes. The anonymous text messaging system was found to be an effective method for interactivity between the audience and the speakers. The questions and answers could be presented in a PowerPoint format at the formal Q and A sessions. Questions texted to the authors during their talks could be immediately answered or addressed in subsequent talks. Although difficult for some individuals to embrace technology, confexting allows for interactivity and prompts discussion. Confexting is an effective method for interactivity between the audience and speakers not previously utilized in a conference setting. The anonymity and asynchronous communication enable conference participants to submit more questions than in the traditional setting. The speakers may be able to explain more thoroughly difficult concepts more thoroughly with additional slides at Q and A sessions or may immediately answer texted questions during their talks.     

新麻醉药静松灵生物转化的研究

静松灵[2-(2,4-二甲基苯胺基)-4,5-二氢噻唑,XT]是国内合成的麻醉物,经ip给药后,从大鼠尿中分离、纯化、鉴定了四个代谢产物。MB₁即XT原形;MB₃及MA₂互为异构体,分别为2位、4位甲基氧化为羧基的产物;MA₁则4位甲基氧化为羧基,二氢噻唑环中4¹位亚甲基氧化为羰基。初步实验表明:代谢产物MB₃,MA²,MA₁的药效与毒性均远低于原形药,大鼠与小鼠对XT的转化机制相近,但也存在种属的差异。     

Are single fractions of radiotherapy suitable for plantar fasciitis?

The use of radiotherapy for plantar fasciitis has never been reported in Australasia and is scarcely found in the English language medical literature, but it is commonly used in Europe, especially in Germany. In Europe, treatment courses consisting of multiple small fractions have been associated with high levels of pain relief. In the present report, the use of single fractions or radiotherapy was evaluated by reviewing seven consecutive patients referred for treatment and by applying objective and subjective criteria for pain relief. One patient died of unrelated causes soon after treatment and one declined to receive radiotherapy. Four patients each received a single dose of 8 Gy resulting in complete pain relief. One patient was treated with 8 Gy and 12 weeks later was retreated achieving partial pain relief. A follow‐up interview was conducted after a mean of 15.6 months, ranging from 1.5 to 30 months. No acute or late effects occurred; however, the possibility that delayed effects may yet occur, particularly carcinogenesis, cannot be excluded. Radiotherapy for this common condition should be investigated further as it might be safer and more effective than other methods currently in use.     

Meniscal injuries: detection using MR imaging

Both retrospective and blinded analyses of thin-section, high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) images of the knee joint, produced using a solenoid surface coil, indicate that MR imaging is an effective technique for evaluating meniscal injuries. Images of 49 patients were evaluated, and the results were correlated with those of subsequent arthroscopy. A grading scale was developed to rate the index of suspicion of a meniscal tear based on the MR images. Overall, approximately 80% of menisci rated grade 4 (definite tear) or 3 (probable tear) were found to have corresponding tears at arthroscopy. In many other patients with a grade 4 or 3 meniscus in whom a corresponding tear was not found arthroscopically, meniscal tears at other sites or other abnormalities were correctly diagnosed using MR. A majority of the false-positive MR images involved the posterior horns of the menisci, the sites of most false-negative arthroscopic diagnoses. The predictive value of a negative MR image was almost 100%. Even in patients with moderate-to-large effusions, the menisci were accurately evaluated. The results imply that MR imaging is useful in the preoperative evaluation of suspected meniscal tears.     

Breast cancer detection: one versus two views

Mammographic examinations of 169 patients with 172 biopsy-proved carcinomas, and of 194 healthy subjects, were interpreted independently and retrospectively by three experienced mammographers, initially as single-view oblique examinations and 6 months later as two-view oblique-cephalocaudal examinations. For the single-view examinations of the cancer patients, 67% of the cancers were correctly recommended for biopsy, additional views were requested for 23%, and a "negative" interpretation was made for 10%. For the single-view examinations of healthy subjects, biopsy was recommended for 7% and additional views were recommended for 32%. For the two-view examinations of women with cancer, 80% of the cancers were correctly recommended for biopsy, additional views were requested for 4%, and a "negative" interpretation was made for 16%. For two-view examinations of healthy subjects, biopsy was recommended for 7% and additional views were requested for only 5%. The authors conclude that single-view screening should not be performed, because it would lead to an excessive number of "call-back" examinations of healthy patients, producing additional cost and anxiety that would outweigh any theoretical benefit.