Social disruption-induced glucocorticoid resistance: kinetics and site specificity

Social disruption (SDR) of male mice has been shown to induce a state of functional glucocorticoid (GC) resistance in splenocytes. The present study demonstrated that GC resistance developed following repeated, but not acute exposure to SDR. GC resistance was long-lasting and persisted for at least 10 days after stress. In contrast, SDR did not alter cytokine secretion from peritoneal mononuclear cells treated with corticosterone. These findings suggest that SDR-induced GC resistance may be restricted to specific sites such as the spleen.     

Plasminogen mRNA induction in the mouse brain after kainate excitation: codistribution with plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) mRNA

Plasminogen (Plg), which can be converted to the active protease plasmin by plasminogen activators, has been previously implicated in brain plasticity and in toxicity inflicted in hippocampal pyramidal neurons by kainate. Here we have localized Plg. mRNA through in situ hybridization in brain cryosections derived from normal adult mice or after kainate injection (i.p.). The results indicated that Plg mRNA was undetectable in the normal brain, but after kainate injection it was induced in neuronal cells in multiple, but specific areas, including layers II-III of the neocortex; the olfactory bulb, anterior olfactory nucleus, and the piriform cortex; the caudate/putamen and accumbens nucleus shell; throughout the amygdaloid complex; and in the CAI/CA3 subfields of the hippocampus. Interestingly, this distribution pattern coincided with what we have recently described for the plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) mRNA, however differing from that of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) mRNA, as also shown here. These results suggest that enhanced Plg gene expression could be involved in events associated with olfactory, striatal, and limbic structures. Furthermore, because PAI-2 is thought to intracellularly counteract cytotoxic events, our results raise the possibility that PAI-2 can act in the brain as an intracellular neuroprotector against potential plasmin-mediated toxicity.     

Concomitant focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia of the tibia and eosinophilic granuloma of the jaw in a child

This 2-year-old child presented with concomitant eosinophilic granuloma of the lower jaw and focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia of the right tibia. Her eosinophilic granuloma was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical picture, imaging studies and the characteristic histologic appearance. Focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia was revealed incidentally during the eosinophilic granuloma staging process. After chemotherapy, all signs of eosinophilic granuloma subsided, but focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia remained without signs of clinical or radiographic progression. The importance of differentiating these two conditions is stressed in order to avoid ineffective and inappropriate treatment of focal fibrocartilaginous dysplasia.     

A radiographic view of the scaphotrapezium-trapezoid joint

Traditionally the scaphotrapezium-trapezoid joint is imaged through a posteroanterior view of the wrist. We describe an x-ray view that is aimed directly at the joint, which gives better visualization than the standard views.     

Low-energy laser irradiation promotes cellular redox activity

Low-energy visible light (LEVL) has been shown to stimulate cell functions. This is called "photobiostimulation" and has been used successfully over the last three decades for treating a range of conditions, including soft tissue injuries, severe wounds, chronic pain, and more. Nevertheless, the mechanism of photobiostimulative processes is still being debated. It is obvious that, in order to interact with the living cell, light has to be absorbed by intracellular chromophores. In a search for chromophores responsible for photobiostimulation, endogenous porphyrins, mitochondrial and membranal cytochromes, and flavoproteins were found to be suitable candidates. The above-mentioned chromophores are photosensitizers that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) following irradiation. As the cellular redox state has a key role in maintaining the viability of the cell, changes in ROS may play a significant role in cell activation. In the present review, we summarize evidence demonstrating that various ROS and antioxidants are produced following LEVL illumination. We found that very little evidence for NO formation in illuminated non-vascular smooth muscle cells exists in the literature. We suggest that the change in the cellular redox state which plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular activities leads to photobiostimulative processes.     

Kidney function as a predictor of noncardiovascular mortality

Chronic kidney disease is associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular mortality, as well as all-cause mortality. Whether chronic kidney disease is a predictor of noncardiovascular mortality is less clear. To further explore the latter, the association of kidney function with total noncardiovascular mortality and cause-specific mortality was assessed in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a community-based cohort of older individuals. Kidney disease was assessed using cystatin C and estimated GFR in 4637 participants in 1992 to 1993. Participants were followed until June 30, 2001. Deaths were adjudicated as cardiovascular or noncardiovascular disease by committee, and an underlying cause of death was assigned. The associations of kidney function with total noncardiovascular mortality and cause-specific mortality were analyzed by proportional hazards regression. Noncardiovascular mortality rates increased with higher cystatin C quartiles (16.8, 17.1, 21.6, and 50.0 per 1000 person-years). The association of cystatin C with noncardiovascular mortality persisted after adjustment for demographic factors; the presence of diabetes, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin, and prevalent cardiovascular disease; and measures of atherosclerosis (hazard ratio 1.69; 95% confidence interval 1.33 to 2.15, for the fourth quartile versus the first quartile). Results for estimated GFR were similar. The risk for noncardiac deaths attributed to pulmonary disease, infection, cancer, and other causes was similarly associated with cystatin C levels. Kidney function predicts noncardiovascular mortality from multiple causes in the elderly. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and evaluate interventions to reduce the high mortality rate in chronic kidney disease.