Distribution of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the rat lower brain stem nuclei

The cholecystokinin (CCK) concentration in individual brain stem nuclei of rat was determined using the Palkovits punch method¹⁹ and the CCK RIA³. CCK has a unique distribution in the brain stem, unlike other neuropeptides and biogenic amines^8,19. In general, the CCK levels in the brain stem are 5–20% of rat cerebral cortex. The colliculi, midbrain central gray, nucleus of the solitary tract, and the interpeduncular nucleus had the highest CCK content (2.7-1 ng CCK mg protein).     

The efficacy of olanzapine for decreasing cue-elicited craving in individuals with schizophrenia and cocaine dependence: a preliminary report

OBJECTIVE: Although a growing body of research suggests that atypical neuroleptic medications are efficacious in the treatment of cocaine addiction among individuals with schizophrenia, more rigorously controlled trials are needed. To extend this research, we performed a 6-week double-blind study comparing olanzapine to haloperidol with the primary objective of reducing cue-elicited cocaine craving and the secondary aims of decreasing substance use, improving psychiatric symptoms, and determining an effect size for future studies. METHODS: Thirty-one subjects with cocaine dependence and schizophrenia were randomized to olanzapine or haloperidol, underwent a cue-exposure procedure, and completed psychiatric and substance abuse ratings. RESULTS: Individuals in the olanzapine group who completed the study had a significant reduction on the energy subscale of the Voris Cocaine Craving Scale at study completion compared with individuals in the haloperidol group. The olanzapine-treated group also had lower, but not statistically significant, PANSS General Psychopathology Subscale scores and fewer positive urine toxicology screens compared with those in the haloperidol group. CONCLUSION: This small, but rigorously controlled, pilot trial provides additional evidence for the use of atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of individuals with co-occurring schizophrenia and cocaine dependence. Reductions in craving were associated with medium to large effect sizes.     

Higher recipient body mass index is associated with post-transplant delayed kidney graft function

To examine whether a higher body mass index (BMI) in kidney recipients is associated with delayed graft function (DGF), we analyzed data from 11,836 hemodialysis patients in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients who underwent kidney transplantation. The patient cohort included women, blacks, and diabetics; the average age was 49 years; and the mean BMI was 26.8 kg/m(2). After adjusting for relevant covariates, multivariate logistic regression analyses found that one standard deviation increase in pretransplant BMI was associated with a higher risk of DGF (odds ratio (OR) 1.35). Compared with patients with a pretransplant BMI of 22-24.99 kg/m(2), overweight patients (BMI 25-29.99 kg/m(2)), mild obesity patients (BMI 30-34.99 kg/m(2)), and moderate-to-severe obesity patients (BMI 35 kg/m(2) and over) had a significantly higher risk of DGF, with ORs of 1.30, 1.42, and 2.18, respectively. Similar associations were found in all subgroups of patients. Hence, pretransplant overweight or obesity is associated with an incrementally higher risk of DGF.     

Analysis of IMP3 Expression in Normal and Neoplastic Human Pituitary Tissues

Insulin-like growth factor II mRNA-binding protein 3 (IMP3) is an oncofetal protein highly expressed in fetal tissue and malignant tumors but rarely found in adult benign tissues. In various tumors, IMP3 expression is correlated with increased tumor aggressiveness and reduced overall survival. To our knowledge, IMP3 expression has not been investigated in pituitary tumors. We analyzed the immunohistochemical expression of IMP3 in five normal pituitary tissues and 75 pituitary tumors (64 adenomas and 11 carcinomas) to determine if specific tumor types expressed IMP3 and if there were differences in IMP3 expression between adenomas and carcinomas. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that IMP3 was positive in four (80%) normal pituitaries with focal stain in a subset of normal anterior pituitary cells. IMP3 was expressed in 31% (20/64) of adenomas and in 36% (4/11) of carcinomas. A slightly higher level of IMP3 expression was observed in PRL-GH-TSH adenomas compared to the other types of pituitary adenomas. Expression of IMP3 was not significantly higher in carcinomas than in adenomas (p = 0.737). RT-PCR and Western Blotting supported the heterogeneous expression of IMP3. These results indicate that IMP3 is expressed both in normal and in neoplastic pituitary gland tissues without significant differences in expression levels in pituitary carcinomas.     

Role of Nox family NADPH oxidases in host defense

The phagocytic NADPH oxidase is recognized as a critical component of innate immunity, responsible for generation of microbicidal reactive oxygen species (ROS). This enzyme is one representative of the Nox family of oxidases (Nox1-Nox5, Duox1, and Duox2) that exhibit diverse expression patterns and appear to serve a variety of functions related to ROS generation. Mounting evidence now suggests that several of these novel oxidases also serve in host defense, particularly those showing high expression along epithelial surfaces exposed to the external environment. Within these sites, Nox enzymes tend to be located on apical cell surfaces and release ROS into extracellular environments, where they can be used by known antimicrobial peroxidases. Moreover, microbial factors were shown in several cases to cause higher ROS production, either by direct oxidase activation or by inducing higher oxidase expression. Several oxidases are also induced by immune cytokines, including interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-13. Although most of the evidence supporting host defense roles for mammalian nonphagocytic oxidases remains circumstantial, recent evidence indicates that Drosophila Duox plays a role in host resistance to infection. Finally, oxidative defense against invading pathogens appears to be an ancient protective mechanism, because related oxidases are known to participate in disease resistance in plants.