Pathology of myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) is an increasing problem, worldwide. An appreciation of its causes and morphology helps provide a basis for development of new interventions, as well as its management, and in the future prevention. Studies have shown that the myocardium does not suffer sudden and complete permanent damage, but rather that it takes time for the damage to start and to progress. It is this interval that is used to salvage myocardium, post ischaemic myocardial events, thus improving patient outcomes. This paper discusses the morphological findings at different time points and illustrates them.     

Analysis of mutational status, SNP rs16754, and expression levels of Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) gene in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Overexpression, polymorphisms, and mutations of the WT1 gene have been reported in several human tumors including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and variably correlated with prognosis. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) represents the AML subset disclosing higher WT1 expression levels; however, no WT1 studies specifically focused on APL have been conducted. We screened for the presence of mutations, SNP rs16754, and expression levels of WT1 gene in 103 adult patients with newly diagnosed APL. Fms-like tyrosine kinase (FLT3) mutations were analyzed as well. WT1 mutations were identified in four (4?%) patients. At least one copy of the minor SNP rs16754 allele (WT1 ^AG or WT1 ^GG) was detected in 30 (29?%) patients. Six patients (6?%) were homozygous for the minor allele (WT1 ^GG ) and this genotype was associated with higher WT1 mRNA copies (p?=?0.018). FLT3 mutations were found in 37?% of patients and correlated with high WT1 mRNA expression (p?=?0.004). Patients heterozygous or homozygous for the minor allele and patients homozygous for major (WT1 ^AA) allele did not differ in terms of presenting features. In adult APL, WT1 gene mutational and polymorphic profile shows similarities with pediatric AML rather than with adult AML.     

Protective Effect of Resveratrol,a Polyphenolic Phytoalexin on Glycerol-Induced Acute Renal Failure in Rat Kidney

Rhabdomyolysis-induced myoglobinuric acute renal failure (ARF) accounts for about 10% to 40% of all cases of ARF. Reactive oxygen intermediates have been demonstrated to play an etiologic role in myoglobinuric renal failure. This study was designed to investigate the effect of resveratrol, a polyphenolic phytoalexin in glycerol-induced ARF in rats. Seven groups of rats were employed in this study, group I served as control; group II was given 50% glycerol (8mL/kg, intramuscularly); groups III, IV, and V were given glycerol plus resveratrol (2mg/kg, 5mg/kg, and 10mg/kg p.o. route, respectively) 60 min prior to the glycerol injection; group VI received L-NAME (10mg/kg, i.p.) along with glycerol and resveratrol (5 mg/kg), group VII animals received L-NAME (10 mg/kg) 30 min prior to glycerol administration. Renal injury was assessed by measuring plasma creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urea clearance. The oxidative stress was measured by renal malondialdehyde levels and reduced glutathione levels, and by enzymatic activity of catalase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase. Tissue and urine nitrite levels were measured as an index of total nitric oxide levels. Glycerol treatment resulted in a marked decrease in tissue and urine nitric oxide levels, renal oxidative stress, and significantly deranged the renal functions along with deterioration of renal morphology. Pretreatment of animals with resveratrol (5 and 10 mg/kg) 60 min prior to glycerol injection markedly attenuated the fall in nitric oxide levels, renal dysfunction, morphologic alterations, reduced elevated thiobarbituric acid reacting substances, and restored the depleted renal antioxidant enzymes. This protection afforded by resveratrol was significantly reversed by cotreatment of L-NAME along with resveratrol, clearly indicating that resveratrol exerts its protective effect through nitric oxide release along with the antioxidative effect in glycerol-induced ARF.     

Associations of Drug Use,Violence, and Depressive Symptoms with Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Women with Alcohol Misuse

Background

Alcohol misuse is associated with increased human immunodeficiency virus sexual risk behaviors by women. Drug use, intimate partner violence (IPV), and depressive symptoms frequently co-occur, are well-recognized alcohol misuse comorbidities, and may interact to increase risk behaviors. Using a syndemic framework we examined associations between drug use, IPV, and depressive symptoms and sexual risk behaviors by 400 women with alcohol misuse attending an urban sexually transmitted infections clinic.