Toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles in healthy adult mice

In this study, we extended previous work to evaluate the oral toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles and their possible effects on different serum-elements and sexual hormones in the mouse. The histopathological changes have also been examined. Significant recorded increases in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity in all mice exposed to ZnO nanoparticles suggest that these nanoparticles can cause hepatic injury. Hepatocyte necrosis and other pathological observations also confirmed liver damage. Moreover, Glomeruli segmentation, hydropic degeneration in epithelial cells, necrosis of epithelial cells in tubules and swelling in epithelial cells of proximal tubules were found in all kidney tissues, which demonstrated that ZnO nanoparticles have severe toxicological effects on kidney. Serous inflammation, severe hyperemia in alveoli, and edema were observed as pathological findings in the lung which suggest that the lung is the third target tissue of the ZnO nanoparticles.     

Pathogenic Mechanisms Shared between Psoriasis and Cardiovascular Disease

Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, a hallmark of which is atherosclerosis. The objective of this study was to review the pertinent literature and highlight pathogenic mechanisms shared between psoriasis and atherosclerosis in an effort to advocate early therapeutic or preventive measures. We conducted a review of the current literature available from several biomedical search databases focusing on the developmental processes common between psoriasis and atherosclerosis. Our results revealed that the pathogenic mechanisms shared between the two diseases converged onto “inflammation” phenomenon. Within the lymph nodes, antigen-presenting cells activate naive T-cells to increase expression of LFA-1 following which activated T-cells migrate to blood vessel and adhere to endothelium. Extravasation occurs mediated by LFA-1 and ICAM-1 (or CD2 and LFA-3) and activated T-cells interact with dendritic cells (and macrophages and keratinocytes in psoriasis or smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis). These cells further secrete chemokines and cytokines that contribute to the inflammatory environment, resulting in the formation of psoriatic plaque or atherosclerotic plaque. Additionally, some studies indicated clinical improvement in psoriasis condition with treatment of associated hyperlipidemia. In conclusion, therapeutic or preventive strategies that both reduce hyperlipidemia and suppress inflammation provide potentially useful approaches in the management of both diseases.     

Positron emission tomography study of regional brain metabolic responses to a serotonergic challenge in major depressive disorder with and without comorbid lifetime alcohol dependence.

This is the first study contrasting regional glucose metabolic rate (rCMRglu) responses to a serotonergic challenge in major depressive disorder (MDD) with and without comorbid alcohol dependence. In a university hospital, patients with MDD without a history of alcohol dependence (MDD only) and patients with MDD and comorbid alcohol dependence (MDD/ALC) were enrolled in this study. Subjects with comorbid borderline personality disorder were excluded. A bolus injection of approximately 5 mCi of (18)fluorodeoxyglucose was administered 3 h after the administration of placebo or fenfluramine. We found an anterior medial prefrontal cortical area where MDD/ALC subjects had more severe hypofrontality than MDD only patients. This area encompassed the left medial frontal and left and right anterior cingulate gyri. This group difference disappeared after fenfluramine administration. The fact that the observed group difference disappeared after the fenfluramine challenge suggests that serotonergic mechanisms play a role in the observed differences between the groups.     

Sexual assault in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine patient characteristics, patterns of injury, forensic evidence, and the frequency of sexual assault in postmenopausal rape victims from 1986-1991. METHODS: Medical and forensic records were reviewed from 129 postmenopausal women (50 years of age or older) and 129 women from a comparison group (14-49 years of age) who reported having been sexually assaulted. Statistical analysis was performed by Student t test, chi 2, multiple logistic regression, or Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Postmenopausal women represented 2.2% of women reporting sexual assault in Dallas County. The postmenopausal victim was more often white (64%), whereas the younger victim was more often black (53%). Drug or alcohol use within the previous 24 hours was more common in the younger group. Trauma, in general, was common, occurring in 67% of the postmenopausal women and 71% of the younger group (P = not significant). Genital trauma was more common in the postmenopausal group (43 versus 18%; P < .001). Nearly one in three postmenopausal women had genital abrasions or edema. Almost one in five older women had genital lacerations, with one in four severe enough to require surgical repair. In contrast, the frequency of extragenital trauma was more common in younger victims (66 versus 49%; P < .01). Forensic findings were similar in both groups; however, in postmenopausal women motile spermatozoa were seen only in those examined within 6 hours of the assault. CONCLUSION: Postmenopausal women who have been sexually assaulted are more likely to sustain genital trauma than younger victims.     

Clinical characteristics, 4-year course, and DSM-IV classification of patients with nonaffective acute remitting psychosis

OBJECTIVE: The authors examined the clinical characteristics and 48-month illness course of cases of nonaffective acute remitting psychosis and described the classification of these cases in the DSM-IV system. METHOD: The data were derived from the Suffolk County (N.Y.) Mental Health Project, a study of first-admission patients with psychotic disorders admitted to psychiatric facilities between September 1989 and December 1995. The authors compared the demographic and clinical characteristics, 48-month course, and longitudinal research diagnoses of 16 patients with nonaffective acute remitting psychosis, defined by onset in 2 weeks or less and duration of less than 6 months, to those of 26 patients with other nonaffective remitting psychoses. RESULTS: Nonaffective acute remitting psychosis had a distinctly benign course-46% of the patients remained in full remission throughout the 48-month follow-up, compared with 14% of patients with other remitting psychoses. Nonaffective acute remitting psychosis was also associated with fewer negative symptoms than other remitting psychoses. By 24-month follow-up, only 6% of the patients with nonaffective acute remitting psychosis, compared with 77% of the patients with other remitting psychoses, received a research diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, whereas 44% of patients with nonaffective acute remitting psychosis, compared with 12% of patients with other remitting psychoses, were given the residual diagnosis of psychotic disorder not otherwise specified. CONCLUSIONS: Nonaffective acute remitting psychosis is a highly distinctive yet not adequately classified condition. Better delineation of nonaffective acute remitting psychosis in current diagnostic systems could lead to better understanding of this condition and improve the applicability of diagnostic systems in developing countries, where these conditions are more common than in industrialized countries.     

Age at onset, childhood psychopathology, and 2-year outcome in psychotic bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE: The relationships of age at onset and childhood psychopathology to 2-year clinical and functional outcomes in first-admission patients with bipolar I disorder were examined. METHOD: Patients with bipolar I disorder (N=123) presenting with psychotic symptoms were followed over a 2-year period. Age at onset was stratified into <19 and >or=19 years. Childhood psychopathology was categorized as behavior problems, other psychopathology, and none. Functional and clinical outcomes were rated with standard measures. RESULTS: Childhood psychopathology and age at onset were independently related to poorer functional and clinical outcome. In the multivariate models that included psychopathology, age at onset, sex, and education, early age at onset was related to incomplete remission, and childhood psychopathology was related to functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood psychopathology and age at onset contribute independently to outcomes of bipolar disorder. Childhood psychopathology is a much stronger predictor of functioning than age at onset.