Changes in hippocampal LH-RH receptor density during maturation and aging in the rat

In earlier studies, we have reported the presence of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) binding sites in different rat brain areas including the hippocampus, lateral septum, amygdaloid nucleus and subiculum. We have also demonstrated that sex steroids can modulate the concentrations of brain LH-RH receptors. The role of hormonal status during different stages of development in regulating hippocampal LH-RH receptor concentration was assessed using in vitro autoradiography performed on slide-mounted frozen sections. Labeling was measured quantitatively by optical densitometry. Female and male rats of different ages (from birth to 21 months of age) were used in these experiments. The results obtained were similar in both sexes. As early as 6 days of age, LH-RH binding sites could be detected. The concentration of receptors increased with time and reached a maximum at 35 and 45 days of age for male and female, respectively. Thereafter, the receptor concentrations decreased and were at their minimum in middle-age animals. In older rats (17 and 21 months of age), LH-RH binding sites increased in concentration. These results suggest that, at the time of puberty, hormonal status induces an increase in the density of brain LH-RH receptors whilst in older rats, as previously demonstrated in castrated animals, the decreased production of gonadal hormones results in an increase in receptor concentration.     

Evaluation of the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on tumor and axillary lymph nodes in locally advanced breast cancer： a study of 50 patients

Objective： The purpose of the study was to correlate between effect of pre-neoadjuvant chemotherapy （NACT） and post-NACT clinical, sonographic and pathologic features of the tumor and axillary lymph nodes （ALNs） and to raise the possibility of applying the concept of sentinel lymph node biopsy （SLNB） in patients with initially positive ALNs before NACT. Methods： A prospective study of 50 female patients with locally advanced breast cancer （LABC） with clinically palpable.and cytologically （under ultrasonographic guidance） positive ALNs. All patients received NACT and then referred for ultrasono- graphic assessment of the axilla regarding any detectable sonographic criteria of metastatic deposits in ALNs as well as the tumor size in relation to its prechemotherapy size, All patients were then subjected either to modified radical mastectomy or breast conserving surgery. The clinical, sonographic and pathological response of the tumor and the ALNs were documented, classified and correlated with each other. Results： Patients＇ mean age was 47.7±9.1 years. The mean clinical tumor size was 6.7 ± 1.4 cm; stage IliA that was presented in 32 patients （64%） and IIIB was presented in 18 patients （36%）. Chemotherapy was given for a median of 4 cycles, there was reduction of the mean clinical tumor size from 6.7 ± 1.4 cm to 4.3 ± 2.7 cm （P 〈 0.001）. Clinical response was complete in 5 （10%） tumors, complete pathological tumor response （post-neoadjuvant） was detected in 6 （16%） of patients. Complete clinical nodal response （post-neoadjuvant） in 23 （46%） axillae, on sonographic assessment of the axilla, response was complete in 17 （34%） axillae. Complete pathological nodal response occurred in 16 （32%） axillae. Out of 17 axillae that showed complete sonographic response 11 axillae showed complete pathological nodal response （P 〈 0.001）. Conclusion： Formal axillary lymph node dissection can be avoided and replaced by SLNB post NACT in patients with L     

Spent Coffee Grounds Valorization as Bioactive Phenolic Source Acquired Antifungal,Anti-Mycotoxigenic,and Anti-Cytotoxic Activities

Spent coffee grounds (SCGs), which constitute 75% of original coffee beans, represent an integral part of sustainability. Contamination by toxigenic fungi and their mycotoxins is a hazard that threatens food production. This investigation aimed to examine SCGs extract as antimycotic and anti-ochratoxigenic material. The SCGs were extracted in an eco-friendly way using isopropanol. Bioactive molecules of the extract were determined using the UPLC apparatus. The cytotoxicity on liver cancer cells (Hep-G2) showed moderate activity with selectivity compared with human healthy oral epithelial (OEC) cell lines but still lower than the positive control (Cisplatin). The antibacterial properties were examined against pathogenic strains, and the antifungal was examined against toxigenic fungi using two diffusion assays. Extract potency was investigated by two simulated models, a liquid medium and a food model. The results of the extract showed 15 phenolic acids and 8 flavonoids. Rosmarinic and syringic acids were the most abundant phenolic acids, while apigenin-7-glucoside, naringin, epicatechin, and catechin were the predominant flavonoids in the SCGs extract. The results reflected the degradation efficiency of the extract against the growth of Aspergillus strains. The SCGs recorded detoxification in liquid media for aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OCA). The incubation time of the extract within dough spiked with OCA was affected up to 2 h, where cooking was not affected. Therefore, SCGs in food products could be applied to reduce the mycotoxin contamination of raw materials to the acceptable regulated limits.     

In Vitro Direct and Indirect Cytotoxicity Comparative Analysis of One Pre-Hydrated versus One Dried Acellular Porcine Dermal Matrix

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the direct and indirect cytotoxicity of a porcine dried acellular dermal matrix (PDADM) versus a porcine hydrated acellular dermal matrix (PHADM) in vitro. Both are used for periodontal and peri-implant soft tissue regeneration. Materials and methods: Two standard direct cytotoxicity tests—namely, the Trypan exclusion method (TEM) and the reagent WST-1 test (4-3-[4-iodophenyl]-2-[4-nitrophenyl]-2H-[5-tetrazolio]-1,3-benzol-desulphonated)—were performed using human primary mesenchymal stem cells (HPMSCs) seeded directly onto a PDADM and PHADM after seven days. Two standard indirect cytotoxicity tests—namely, lactate dehydrogenase (LTT) and MTT (3-[4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl]-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazoliumbromide)—were performed using HPMSCs cultivated in eluates from the matrices incubated for 0.16 h (10 min), 1 h, and 24 h in a serum-free cell culture medium. Results: The WST and the TEM tests revealed significantly lower direct cytotoxicity values of HPMSCs on the PHADM compared with the PDADM. The indirect cytotoxicity levels were low for both the PHADM and PDADM, peaking in short-term eluates and decreasing with longer incubation times. However, they were lower for the PHADM with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.005). Conclusions: The results of the current study demonstrated a different biologic behavior between the PHADM and the PDADM, with the hydrated form showing a lower direct and indirect cytotoxicity.     

A brief neuropsychological screening procedure that assesses left and right hemispheric function

Assessed the utility of two brief neuropsychological tests in screening patients referred to a neuropsychological consulting service. Forty-three cortically impaired and 19 neurologically intact Ss completed the Cognitive Capacity Screening Exam (CCSE) and the Memory-for-Designs (MFD). The results of these tests analyzed individually and in combination were compared with the Ss' neurological reports. The analysis revealed that the combined system was significantly better than either single test in accurately detecting neuropathology. A closer look at the data suggests that the MFD was superior in identifying unilateral, right hemispheric damaged patients, while the CCSE was superior in identifying Ss with unilateral, left hemispheric damage. Results are discussed with reference to the difficulty in using single screening tests for detecting deficits that result from unilateral cortical dysfunction.     

Outcome of common iliac arteries after aortoaortic graft placement during elective repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms

HYPOTHESIS: Supplemental oxygen can reduce intimal hyperplasia (IH) after stent deployment in a rabbit model. BACKGROUND: Endovascular stent placement is technically feasible, but long-term durability in vessels outside the aortoiliac system is compromised with postinterventional IH, which causes restenosis and failure of the arterial conduit. METHODS: Groups (n = 4 to 6) of female New Zealand white rabbits underwent placement of a 3-mm intraaortic stent with laparotomy and were placed in either normoxic (21% inspired oxygen concentration) or supplemental-oxygen (40% inspired oxygen concentration) environments for 0, 7, 14, and 28 days. The transarterial wall oxygen gradient was measured at 0, 7, and 28 days with an oxygen microelectrode. 5-Bromo-2'deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected into the peritoneum before death to assess cellular proliferation. Aortic specimens were harvested en bloc and sectioned for analysis of cellular proliferation and intimal thickness. RESULTS: Intraaortic stent placement significantly decreased the transarterial wall oxygen gradient in the outer 70% of the vessel wall and was easily reversed at 7, 14, and 28 days with application of supplemental oxygen. Cellular proliferation was significantly decreased at 14 days (0.5% +/- 0.001% versus 2.3% +/- 0.002%; P <.001) and 28 days (0.4% +/- 0.001% versus 1.0% +/- 0.001%; P <.025) as measured with count of nuclei staining for 5-Bromo-2'deoxyuridine in the intima and media. Intimal thickness was significantly decreased at 28 days in oxygen-supplemented rabbits (intimal area/medial area = 0.50 +/- 0.07) as compared with controls (intimal area/medial area = 0.89 +/- 0.11; P <.025). CONCLUSION: This study shows the ability of supplemental oxygen to reverse arterial wall hypoxia, decrease cellular proliferation, and control IH at the deployment site of an intraarterial stent in a rabbit model. Forty-percent supplemental oxygen suppresses IH by 44% at 28 days as compared with normoxic control values. Cellular proliferation is reduced four-fold at 14 days and two-fold at 28 days in oxygen-supplemented rabbits as compared with control media after deployment. The clinical implications of these findings are significant, especially as the role of endovascular interventions continues to expand.     

Amylin,food intake,and obesity

Amylin, also known as islet amyloid polypeptide, identified in 1987, is a naturally occurring hormone, released by the beta cells of the pancreas and consists of 37 amino acids. Amylin seems to decrease food intake through both central and peripheral mechanisms and indirectly by slowing gastric emptying. The mean basal amylin concentration is higher in obese than in lean human subjects. The amylin response to oral glucose is also greater in obese subjects, whether or not they have impaired glucose tolerance. The elevated amylin levels in obesity may lead to down-regulation of amylin receptors and lessen the impact of postprandial amylin secretion on satiety and gastric emptying. Amylin administration may overcome resistance at target tissues, delay gastric emptying, and have potential for inducing weight loss in obese individuals.     

Phenotypical features of a Moroccan family with autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease associated with the S194X mutation in the GDAP1 gene

BACKGROUND: The first locus for demyelinating autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth (ARCMT) disease was identified in 8q13, where mutations in GDAP1 have been found. Mutations in the same gene have been detected in families with axonal ARCMT disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical, electrophysiologic, and morphologic characteristics of a consanguineous Moroccan family with ARCMT disease associated with the S194X mutation in the GDAP1 gene. METHODS: Four patients from a consanguineous Moroccan family were examined clinically and electrophysiologically. In one patient, a morphometric and ultrastructural study of a peroneal nerve biopsy sample was performed. Mutation in the coding region of the GDAP1 gene was identified by direct sequencing. RESULTS: Neuropathy was evident early in childhood, walking was delayed in one patient, and onset of symptoms occurred before 18 months in the others. The phenotype was severe: foot deformities and disabilities involving the hands and feet developed toward the end of the first decade, followed by involvement of proximal muscles in the lower limbs, leading to loss of autonomy. Electrophysiologic findings were consistent with an axonal form of CMT disease: motor nerve conduction velocities, recordable in one patient only, were greater than 40 m/sec. Sensory nerve action potentials were either abolished or substantially reduced in amplitude. The morphologic data supported the diagnosis of axonal neuropathy, showing a marked reduction in myelinated fibers and signs of axonal regeneration, including frequent pseudo-onion bulb formations. The 4 patients in this family were homozygous for the S194X mutation in the GDAP1 gene. CONCLUSION: Electrophysiologic and pathological findings support the hypothesis of an axonal disorder in this ARCMT family with the S194X mutation in the GDAP1 gene.