Linear pattern of West Nile virus-associated chorioretinitis is related to retinal nerve fibres organization

PURPOSE: To clarify the reason for the linear pattern of West Nile virus (WNV)-associated chorioretinitis. METHODS: The study included 12 patients (24 eyes) with WNV-associated chorioretinitis. All the patients underwent a complete ophthalmic evaluation, including dilated fundus examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography. Characteristics of linear streaks, particularly their relationship to the course of retinal and choroidal vessels, and pattern of retinal nerve fibres, were analysed. RESULTS: All patients had bilateral multifocal chorioretinitis with linear clustering of chorioretinal lesions associated with a variable number of scattered lesions. Linear streaks, variable in number and length, originated from the optic disc or its vicinity in most cases. Their course in all cases appeared to closely follow the course of retinal nerve fibres, rather than that of retinal or choroidal vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Results of our study show that the linear pattern of WNV-associated chorioretinitis is related to retinal nerve fibres organization, suggesting a contiguous spread of WNV virus from central nerve system via the optic nerve fibres to the outer retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid.     

Synthèse et application de diols isomolécularies aux résines polyuréthannes

Different methods of preparation of monodisperse diols were reviewed and a new synthesis of perfectly monodisperse macrodiol 5 is described, obtained by radical telomerization of monoester 3 b (prepared by esterification of 10-undecenoic acid ( 3 a ) with 1,6-hexanediol) with dithiol 4 . Macrodiol 5 was used to obtain prepolymers by reaction with aromatic or aliphatic diisocyanates ( 6 and 7 ). Finally, these prepolymers were extended by 1,4-butanediol and led to polyurethanes. All the above products were analyzed by GPC, ¹H NMR, and the resulting polyurethanes were tested mechanically. The study shows that monodisperse diols lead to better mechanical properties of the polyurethane than those obtained from polydisperse diols with equal molecular weight.     

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with rickettsia conorii infection.

A 43-year-old man with fever, headache, and skin rash developed unilateral acute anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. The indirect immunofluorescence test was positive for Rickettsia conorii. Although retinal lesions have been described in Rickettsia conorii infection, this is the first reported case of ischemic optic neuropathy. This infection should be considered in a patient with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy with high fever or skin rash who inhabits or travels from an endemic area.     

Early administration of norepinephrine increases cardiac preload and cardiac output in septic patients with life-threatening hypotension

Introduction  

We sought to examine the cardiac consequences of early administration of norepinephrine in severely hypotensive sepsis patients hospitalized in a medical intensive care unit of a university hospital.     

Wild-type genotypes of BRCA1 gene SNPs combined with micro-RNA over-expression in mammary tissue leading to familial breast cancer with an increased risk of distant metastases’ occurrence

The objectives of this study were to identify specific long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and to clarify the function of cisplatin and paclitaxel on the confirmed laryngeal cancer lncRNAs. Fifty-four pairs of laryngeal tumor and adjacent normal tissue were collected. Candidate lncRNAs were searched in authorized databases. The significant lncRNAs were identified and confirmed through high-output real-time PCR. Chemotherapy assay evaluated the influences of cisplatin and paclitaxel on the significant lncRNAs. Thirty-seven cancer-related candidate lncRNAs were selected. Three up-expressed and two down-expressed significant lncRNAs were identified and confirmed. The expressions of lncRNA CDKN2B-AS1, HOTAIR and MALAT1 were dramatically reduced with the increasing concentration of cisplatin and paclitaxel and also lengthening of the treatment duration. Cisplatin and paclitaxel have target function on significant lncRNAs in LSCC, which presents novel molecular targets to cure LSCC patients and also leads an orientation for developing new drugs.     

Refractory epilepsy in PSEN 1 mutation (I83T)

ABSTRACT

Mutations in the presenilin-1 gene (PSEN1) on chromosome 14 are the most common cause of autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD), which has a broad clinical phenotype, encompassing not only dementia but a variety of other neurological features. We report the case of a 32 years old man with a family history of early onset AD associated with a PSEN1 mutation in the exon 4 (I83T). The proband’s, carrying the mutation, present a refractory epilepsy predating cognitive decline. We discuss the physiopathological mechanisms of epilepsy during AD associated with PSEN 1 mutation, the possibility of linking this epilepsy to the mutation?.     

Cytotoxicity effects of amiodarone on cultured cells

Amiodarone is a potent anti-arrhythmic drug used for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Although, the effects of amiodarone are well characterized on post-ischemic heart and cardiomyocytes, its toxicity on extra-cardiac tissues is still poorly understood. To this aim, we have monitored the cytotoxicity effects of this drug on three cultured cell lines including hepatocytes (HepG2), epithelial cells (EAhy 926) and renal cells (Vero). We have investigated the effects of amiodarone on (i) cell viabilities, (ii) heat shock protein expressions (Hsp 70) as a parameter of protective and adaptive response and (iii) oxidative damage.Our results clearly showed that amiodarone inhibits cell proliferation, induces an over-expression of Hsp 70 and generates significant amount of reactive oxygen species as measured by lipid peroxidation occurrence. However, toxicity of amiodarone was significantly higher in renal and epithelial cells than in hepatocytes. Vitamin E supplement restores the major part of cell mortalities induced by amiodarone showing that oxidative damage is the predominant toxic effect of the drug.Except its toxicity for the cardiac system, our findings demonstrated that amiodarone can target other tissues. Therefore, kidneys present a high sensibility to this drug which may limit its use with subjects suffering from renal disorders.