Chronic ethanol intake modifies renin-angiotensin system-regulating aminopeptidase activities in mouse cerebellum

In developing cerebellum, where critical periods of vulnerability have been established for several basic substances, it has been extensively studied the wide array of abnormalities induced by exposure to ethanol (EtOH). However, little is known about the effects of EtOH consumption on cerebellar functions in adult individuals. Several studies show participation in cognitive activities to be concentrated in the lateral cerebellum (hemispheres), whereas basic motor functions such as balance and coordination are represented in the medial parts of the cerebellum (vermis and paravermis). In addition to the circulating renin angiotensin system (RAS), a local system has been postulated in brain. The effector peptides of the RAS are formed via the activity of several aminopeptidases (AP). The present work analyses the effect of chronic EtOH intake on the RAS-regulating AP activities in the soluble and membrane-bound fractions of two cerebellar locations: the hemispheres and the vermis. We hypothesize that cerebellar RAS is involved in basic motor functions rather than in cognitive activities.     

Glucoregulation during and after exercise in health and insulin-dependent diabetes

An elegant control system prevents hypoglycemia despite dramatic increments in glucose usage by working muscle. Insulin excess disrupts this control system, leading to hypoglycemia. Recent hypoglycemic episodes blunt the glucoregulatory response to subsequent exercise, and exercise blunts the glucoregulatory response to subsequent insulin excess. These mechanisms of glucoregulatory failure may cause hypoglycemia in insulin-dependent diabetics during and after exercise.     

Comparison of three different preparation methods in the improvement of sealant retention

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of three invasive fissure preparation methods in the retention of sealant on the surfaces of permanent molars. One hundred and eight extracted caries-free human molars were used in this study, which were divided into 3 groups according to the fissure preparation: laser, air abrasion and bur. In addition, each of these three groups was further divided into 2 additional groups to isolate those in which a bonding agent would be used from those in which a bonding agent would not be used. After the accomplishment of the different treatments samples from all the 6 experimental groups were submitted to two different bond strength tests: (i) shear bond strength test and (ii) tensile bond strength test. Bond strengths were determined by the dividing fracture load and a statistical test ANOVA was used to evaluate significant differences. The results showed that laser improved the sealant retention when compared with air abrasion preparation when the bonding agent was used. The use of bonding agent increased the sealant retention in all methods except for tensile bond strength when air abrasion was used as the preparation method     

Adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus-adenovirus mixed acute lower respiratory infections in Chilean infants

BACKGROUND: In Chile respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and adenovirus (AD) are the principal viruses detected in acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) in infants. An overview of AD pneumonia in Chile to detect annual trends and to compare the severity of single AD or mixed RSV-AD infections is presented. METHODS: Surveillance in 4927 infants hospitalized for ALRI has been performed from 1989 to 2001 using immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and viral isolation. Clinical features in 117 infants with single genotyped AD and 81 infants with mixed RSV-AD infections were analyzed. RESULTS: Adenovirus cases declined from 20% annually in the early 1990s to approximately 5% in the 2000 decade. Genotype 7h showed increasing prevalence in hospitalized cases. The mean annual burden of hospitalizations caused by AD in Santiago was estimated to be 0.6%. No difference was observed in duration of fever, oxygen requirement and hospital stay between groups. Lung consolidation was more frequent in AD cases than mixed cases (P < 0.01); interstitial pattern and hyperinflation prevailed in the mixed cases (P < 0.01). No child died. AD diagnosis was confirmed on admission by IFA in 17% of cases of RSV-AD and in 43% of cases of single AD ALRI. AD cases diagnosed early by IFA had worse clinical outcome than those diagnosed later by virus isolation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AD cases declined since 1989. Mixed RSV-AD infections were not more severe than single AD etiology. AD cases admitted with positive IFA had worse prognoses than AD infections diagnosed later by virus isolation.     

Challenging the neuronal MIBG uptake by pharmacological intervention: effect of a single dose of oral amitriptyline on regional cardiac MIBG uptake

Purpose Imaging with metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is used for the assessment of neuronal dysfunction in various cardiovascular disorders. Although valuable information is obtained by resting MIBG imaging, it is conceivable that competitive interference with the re-uptake mechanism would exaggerate MIBG defects and might unmask subclinical neuronal dysfunction. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, have been reported to significantly increase cardiac MIBG washout and inhibit uptake into presynaptic neurons. This study was undertaken to assess whether a single oral dose of amitriptyline could influence cardiac MIBG distribution.Methods Six patients (aged 62–81 years; four males, two females) who had demonstrated a normal cardiac MIBG scan during work-up for movement disorders were studied. The patients underwent a second ¹²³I-MIBG study after oral administration of 25 mg amitriptyline within 1 week. Single-photon emission computed tomography images were acquired at 4 h to assess the regional distribution of MIBG, after generation of polar maps and employing a 20-segment model. Mean percentage of peak activity was calculated for each segment at rest and after amitriptyline administration.Results After amitriptyline administration, there was a decrease in regional MIBG uptake in 10±4 segments per patient [62/120 segments (52%): 37 segments with a 5–10% decrease, 25 segments with a >10% decrease]. This change was statistically significant in lateral (P=0.003), apical (P<0.0001) and inferior (P=0.03) regions.Conclusion A single oral dose of amitriptyline can induce changes in the uptake and retention of cardiac MIBG, indicating the feasibility of use of pharmacological intervention in cardiac neurotransmission imaging.     

Giant cell angiofibroma of the orbit

Giant cell angiofibroma (GCA) is a benign pathologic entity that has recently been reported in the literature. Originally described in the orbit, extraorbital sites of disease have also been reported. Herein, we describe the clinical, imaging, and pathologic findings of a case of GCA of the orbit.     

Tumor redifferentiation in papillary thyroid carcinoma alter retinoic acid administration

Male patient, 73 year old, with papillary thyroid carcinoma treated by surgery, 131I and L-Tyroxine, with bone metastasis, detected by bone scintigraphy and CT scan, which negative radioiodine uptake. In order to induce tumoral redifferentiation, retinoic acid (70 mg/day) was administered for three months before 131I treatment. A radioiodine scan performed after treatment showed uptake in some of the bone metastasis. Nine months later, and due to disease progression, a second induction with retinoic acid was performed before 131I treatment. The radioiodine scan performed after treatment showed greater uptake and higher number of bone lesions than the previous scan.