Lipopolysaccharide and cyclic AMP regulation of CB(2) cannabinoid receptor levels in rat brain and mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages

CB(2) cannabinoid receptors exist in immune cells including macrophages. Affinity-purified antibodies against the CB(2) receptor identified a 45 kDa protein in rat brain, human tonsil and rat and mouse microglia, but not mouse N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells. Intracerebroventricular lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased immunoreactive CB(2) receptors in brain membranes detected by Western blot. LPS increased immunodetectable CB(2) receptors in cultured RAW 264.7 macrophages, and this was partially attenuated by cyclohexamide or the protein kinase A and C inhibitors H8 and bis-indolylmaleimide. Forskolin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP increased CB(2) receptor immunoreactivity, suggesting the involvement of the cyclic AMP-protein kinase A-Cyclic AMP response element pathway in the regulation of CB(2) receptor levels.     

Action fluency identifies different sex,age, global cognition,executive function and brain activation profile in non-demented patients with Parkinson’s disease

Journal of Neurology - Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) have difficulties processing action words, which could be related to early cognitive decline. The action fluency test can be used...     

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Genomics: Update for Clinicians

Attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is familial and highly heritable. Several candidate genes involved in neurotransmission have been identified, however these confer minimal risk, suggesting that for the most part, ADHD is not caused by single common genetic variants. Advances in genotyping enabling investigation at the level of the genome have led to the discovery of rare structural variants suggesting that ADHD is a genomic disorder, with potentially thousands of variants, and common neuronal pathways disrupted by numerous rare variants resulting in similar ADHD phenotypes. Heritability studies in humans also indicate the importance of epigenetic factors, and animal studies are deciphering some of the processes that confer risk during gestation and throughout the post-natal period. These and future discoveries will lead to improved diagnosis, individualized treatment, cures, and prevention. These advances also highlight ethical and legal issues requiring management and interpretation of genetic data and ensuring privacy and protection from misuse.     

Time-to-effect with darifenacin in overactive bladder: a pooled analysis

Introduction and hypothesis  

This study was conducted to assess time-to-effect with darifenacin in patients with overactive bladder (OAB).     

Pseudoepidemic of Q fever at an animal research facility

Serum samples from people exposed to sheep at a research facility were evaluated by a commercial laboratory and resulted in an overall Coxiella burnetii seroprevalence of 75%. We interviewed individuals to determine exposure history and compatible illness, and retested their sera. Analysis indicated that the commercial laboratory was misinterpreting its results; when corrected, the seroprevalence dropped to 27%. Test kits of the brand used by the commercial laboratory gave equivalent results to the in-house CDC assay when tested in parallel at CDC. Upon final analysis, only the attending veterinarian was confirmed as a Q fever case. This event resulted in increased risk reduction protocols at the research facility and improved public health communication among health authorities. This pseudoepidemic resulted from a lapse in laboratory quality control for testing. Similar errors can be avoided through standardization and improved review of laboratory procedures.     

Are all narratives the same: Convergent and discriminant validity of the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale—Global Rating Method across two narrative types

This study examines the construct validity of the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale—Global Rating Method (SCORS-G) by exploring the degree of convergence across different narrative sources (i.e., early memories [EM] and psychotherapy narratives [PT]) using a university-based outpatient sample (n = 101). First, we examined intercorrelations between SCORS-G ratings of EM and PT. Intercorrelations between SCORS-G EM and PT revealed that three of the dimensions significantly correlated with themselves across narrative type (Emotional Investment in Relationships [EIR], Experience and Management of Aggressive Impulses [AGG], and Self-Esteem [SE]), but that only AGG had its strongest correlation with itself (i.e., EM AGG to PT AGG). In addition, EM AGG was significantly related to all but one of the PT SCORS-G dimensions. Likewise, EM SE correlated with all but two of the PT SCORS-G dimensions. Second, we examined how narrative source related to clinical findings. With the use of a multimethod approach, we assessed how SCORS-G ratings from both narrative types correlated with selected variables from the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) and Rorschach Inkblot Test. Findings indicated that there were only three instances in which both narrative types had significant relationships to the same variable/scale, and all three instances were with the Rorschach. Together, these findings suggest that even when using the same scale (SCORS-G), different narrative sources differentially activate aspects of object relations. In addition, the results highlight that difficulties with self-esteem and poor management of aggression in childhood interactions relates to patients' object relational functioning later in life. Clinical implications and future research are discussed.