Anxiolytic-like effects of mitragynine in the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests in rats

The effects of mitragynine on anxiety-related behaviours in the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests were evaluated. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were orally treated with mitragynine (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) or diazepam (10 mg/kg) 60 min before behavioural testing. Mitragynine doses used in this study were selected on the basis of approximately human equivalent doses with reference to our previous literature reports. Acute administration of mitragynine (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) or diazepam (10 mg/kg) increased central zone and open arms exploration in the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests respectively. These anxiolytic-like effects of mitragynine were effectively antagonized by intraperitoneal administration of naloxone (2 mg/kg), flumazenil (10 mg/kg), sulpiride (0.5 mg/kg) or SCH 23390 (0.02 mg/kg) 15 min before mitragynine treatments. These findings reveal that the acute administration of mitragynine produces anxiolytic-like effects and this could be possibly attributed to the interactions among opioidergic, GABAergic and dopaminergic systems in brain regions involved in anxiety.     

Unraveling the microstructural and optoelectronic properties of solution-processed Pr-doped SrSnO3 perovskite oxide thin films

The inorganic stannous-based perovskite oxide SrSnO₃ has been utilized in various optoelectronic applications. Facilitating the synthesis process and engineering its properties, however, are still considered challenging due to several aspects. This paper reports on a thorough investigation of the influence of rare-earth (praseodymium) doping on the microstructural and optoelectronic properties of pure and Pr-doped SrSnO₃ perovskite oxide thin films synthesized by a two-step simple chemical solution deposition route. Structural analysis indicated the high quality of the obtained phase and the alteration generated from the insertion of impurities. Surface scanning illustrated the formation of homogenous and crack-free SrSnO₃ thin films with a nanorod morphology, with an augmentation in size as the dopant ratios increased. Optical properties analysis showed an enhancement in the samples optical absorption with wide-range bandgap tuning. First-principles calculations revealed the exchange interactions between the 3d–4f states and their impact on the electronic properties of the pristine material. Hall-effect measurements revealed an immense decrement in the resistivity of the films upon increment of doping ratios, passing from 7.3 × 10⁻² Ω cm for the undoped sample to 4.8 × 10⁻² Ω cm for 7% Pr content, while a reverse trend was observed on the carrier mobility, rising from 2.5 to 7.6 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ for 7% Pr content. The results emphasized the efficiency of the simple synthesis route to produce high-quality samples. The current findings will contribute to paving the way towards expanding the utilization of simple and cost-effective chemical solution deposition methods for the fast and large area growth of stannous-based perovskite oxides for optoelectronic applications.

Unraveling the optical, electronic and electrical properties of high-quality nanorod morphology spray-coated Pr-doped SrSnO₃ perovskite oxide thin films.     

Revealing the impact of strontium doping on the optical,electronic and electrical properties of nanostructured 2H-CuFeO2 delafossite thin films

Delafossite materials are considered to be a promising range of transparent conductive oxides for optoelectronic applications. The complications that have held back their implementation in practical devices lie in the complex growth methods that are required and in the formation of undesirable secondary phases. Herein, a fast, simple, and low-cost deposition method allowing the deposition of high-quality 2H-CuFeO₂ nanostructured thin films is employed. The effect of Sr doping on the properties of spray-coated CuFeO₂ thin film annealed at 850 °C is reported. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the delafossite structures of all the samples corresponding to the 2H-CuFeO₂ phase. The lattice spacing decreased with increasing substitution of Sr at the Cu site. Raman analysis further authenticated the structural results collected via XRD analysis. Surface scanning using field-emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the formation of nanostructured CuFeO₂ thin film possessing high crystalline quality, with the nanocrystal size increasing as the dopant content was increased. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis allowed the quantification of the elements content via determining the ratios of the main elements as well as the dopant content in each sample. The optical properties of the samples showed strong light absorption in the visible region with a decrease in the band gap values with Sr insertion. First-principles calculations using density functional theory (DFT) were conducted to strengthen the experimental findings regarding the nature of the bonds in the hexagonal lattice of the CuFeO₂ compound and the effect of Sr doping on its characteristics. The electrical properties measured at room temperature revealed p-type conductivity with tunable resistivity, while the samples displayed increased electron mobility as a function of the dopant content. Consequently, our work introduced an efficient and cost-effective synthesis route for the preparation of high-quality nanostructured 2H-CuFeO₂ thin films, paving the way to facilitate further device applications.

Facile synthesis of the challenging 2H-CuFeO₂ delafossite nanostructured thin films is reported, and the effect of Sr doping is revealed experimentally and theoretically.     

Proadrenomedullin,a useful tool for risk stratification in high Pneumonia Severity Index score community acquired pneumonia

The aim of the present study was, first, to evaluate the prognostic value of mid-regional proadrenomedullin (proADM) in emergency department (ED) patients with a diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and, second, to analyze the added value of proADM as a risk stratification tool in comparison with other biomarkers and clinical severity scores.     

Fatal outcome of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in a lupus nephropathy patient: A case report

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome is a rare underestimated condition, that generally complicates a rise in blood pressure in an acute setting. This entity has been increasingly identified in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus disease. PRES is challenging to diagnose seeing as it presents with nonspecific neurological symptoms, such as head-aches, confusion, seizures, visual changes or a coma, and can mimic neuropsychiatric lupus. Imaging plays a necessary role in confirming this diagnosis, as it is characterized by vasogenic edema of the posterior white matter, in which the distribution is bilateral and symmetrical. Although this syndrome is rare, early diagnosis allows a prompt treatment and therefore a favorable outcome. We present a case report of PRES in a 14-year-old female previously diagnosed with lupus nephropathy, who presented to the emergency department with seizures and uncontrolled hypertension, that was unfortunately not reversible is this patient.     

Distal Pancreatectomy with En Bloc Celiac Axis Resection for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Following Neoadjuvant Therapy

Background

Celiac trunk encasement by adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic body is generally regarded as a contraindication for surgical resection. Recent studies have suggested that a subset of stage III patients will succumb to their disease in the absence of distant metastases. We hypothesized that patients with stage III tumors invading the celiac trunk, who are free of distant disease following neoadjuvant therapy, may derive prolonged survival benefit from aggressive surgical resection.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of distal pancreatectomies with en bloc celiac axis resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Results

Eleven patients underwent a distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection after completing neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. Median operative time was 8?h, 14?min, and median estimated blood loss was 700?ml. Median length of stay was 9?days. Five patients (45%) had postoperative complications; three were Clavien grade I. Four patients (35%) had pancreatic leaks; two were ISGPF grade B, and two were grade A. There were two 90-day perioperative deaths. Ten patients had R0 resections (91%). After a median follow-up of 41?weeks, six patients recurred. Four of the five patients with SMAD4 loss recurred, and two of the five patients with intact SMAD4 recurred. Median disease-free and overall survival were 21?weeks and 26?months, respectively.

Conclusions

Resection of pancreatic body adenocarcinoma with celiac axis resection is technically feasible with acceptable perioperative morbidity and mortality.     

Evaluation of the viability and validity of an instrument to measure community activation

OBJECTIVE: This study examines psychometric properties of a community activation assessment scale used for the evaluation of the Quebec project within the Federal Provincial Heart Health Initiative. The scale is composed of three sub scales, one for each of the intervention target risk factors. METHODS: Data were collected by telephone interviews conducted with 199 key informants from the 24 communities of the project. Reliability was studied using Cronbach's alpha coefficients and intraclass correlations. Validity was explored with factor analysis techniques. RESULTS: Subscales' internal consistency were very good, ranging from 0.71 to 0.83, but intraclass correlations between informants from the same communities were low. Factor analyses indicated a unidimensional structure for each scale. INTERPRETATION: These results show that the scale seems to provide reasonable assessments of the opinion of key informants regarding activation in their community. However, ranking communities based on the aggregated scores from local key informants may lead to classification problems.