Animal models of nephrotic syndrome

Animal models of proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome are essential tools for studying the mechanisms of action of abnormalities in individual components of the podocyte and glomerular basement membrane. In recent years a variety of in vivo models have been developed to elucidate the function of specific podocyte proteins and their role in the pathogenesis of proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis. In this overview of the animal models currently available we discuss their contribution to our mechanistic understanding and their potential use in screening for novel targeted therapies of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.     

Alcohol consumption for simulated driving performance: A systematic review

Purpose: Alcohol consumption can lead to risky driving and increase the frequency of traffic accidents, injuries and mortalities. The main purpose of our study was to compare simulated driving performance between two groups of drivers, one consumed alcohol and the other not consumed, using a systematic review. Methods: In this systematic review, electronic resources and databases including Medline via Ovid SP, EMBASE via Ovid SP, PsycINFO via Ovid SP, PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL) via EBSCOhost were comprehensively and systematically searched. The randomized controlled clinical trials that compared simulated driving performance between two groups of drivers, one consumed alcohol and the other not consumed, were included. Lane position standard deviation (LPSD), mean of lane position deviation (MLPD), speed, mean of speed deviation (MSD), standard deviation of speed deviation (SDSD), number of accidents (NA) and line crossing (LC) were considered as the main parameters evaluating outcomes. After title and abstract screening, the articles were enrolled for data extraction and they were evaluated for risk of biases. Results: Thirteen papers were included in our qualitative synthesis. All included papers were classified as high risk of biases. Alcohol consumption mostly deteriorated the following performance outcomes in descending order: SDSD, LPSD, speed, MLPD, LC and NA. Our systematic review had troublesome heterogeneity. Conclusion: Alcohol consumption may decrease simulated driving performance in alcohol consumed people compared with non-alcohol consumed people via changes in SDSD, LPSD, speed, MLPD, LC and NA. More well-designed randomized controlled clinical trials are recommended.     

Prevalence and associated features of restless legs syndrome in a population of Iranian women during pregnancy

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) during pregnancy and to evaluate factors associated with RLS in a population of Iranian pregnant women.

Methods

In the present cross-sectional study, 443 consecutive pregnant women admitted for delivery underwent an interview within 2 days of parturition. The diagnosis of RLS was established by the 4 criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG). The severity of RLS was assessed through the IRLSSG Rating Scale.

Results

Seventy-nine (17.8%) women met the RLS diagnostic criteria, with most (74.7%) having RLS of moderate severity. The mean RLS duration before delivery was 3.1 ± 2.1 months among 69 (87.3%) women; 10 (12.7%) had RLS onset before pregnancy. Sleep disturbances including insomnia and early awakening were significantly more common among women with RLS than among those without (P < 0.001), and the frequency of cesarean delivery was also significantly higher (58.2% versus 44.5%, P = 0.027; odds ratio 2.4). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of age, number of pregnancies, folate and iron supplementation, hemoglobin level, and neonatal anthropometric data.

Conclusion

Restless legs syndrome is common during pregnancy and is associated with poor sleep and an increased risk of cesarean delivery.     

The causative variants of amyloidosis in the autism

Purpose: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) consist of a group of neurodevelopmental disorders that include autistic behavior, Asperger’s syndrome and pervasive developmental disabilities. According to the increasing observations that patients with mitochondrial disorders have symptoms associated with ASD, we have aimed to analyze the role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in autistic patients.

Material and methods: We selected children with autistic behaviors (15–60 CARS Score). The mitochondrial DNA extraction process was done by GeNet Bio DNA extraction kit. The regions of interest were amplified using independent PCR runs. After purification of PCR products, both strands were sequenced by Big Dye Termination system in a directly determined automated sequencing on an ABI 3700 capillary sequencer machine using both primers. All sequencing results were analyzed using bioinformatics’ tools sequencher software 5.

Results: In this study, 31 samples were examined, which 15 unique variants were detected in genes related to COXI-III. The most frequent variant (30.76%) were related to COX1 with amino acid change A → A. The only significant pathogenic variant was C8264G, except for C8264G, all variants seemed to be homoplasmic substitution.

Conclusion: In our study, among the variations we found, one variant what probably had an interesting association with possible amyloidosis, had been reported in patient with autism previously. It is hoped that with finding more definable genetic and biological markers, the autistic children diagnosis and treatment will be more effective.     

Enhancing international collaboration among early career researchers

Objective

The European Association of Communication in Healthcare (EACH) Early Career Researchers Network (ECRN) aims are to (1) promote international collaboration among young investigators and (2) provide a support network for future innovative communication research projects. In October 2009, Miami, USA at a workshop facilitated by the ECRN at the International Conference on Communication in Healthcare (ICCH) hosted by the American Academy of Communication in Healthcare we explored common facilitators and challenges faced by early career researchers in health communication research.

Methods

Attendees introduced themselves, their research area(s) of interest, and listed one facilitator and one barrier for their career development. EACH ECRN members then led a discussion of facilitators and challenges encountered in communication research projects and career development. We discussed potential collaboration opportunities, future goals, and activities.

Results

Having supportive collegial relationships, institutional support, job security, and funding are critical facilitators for early career investigators. Key challenges include difficulty with time management and prioritizing, limited resources, and contacts.

Conclusion

International collaboration among early career researchers is a feasible and effective means to address important challenges, by increasing opportunities for professional support and networking, problem-solving, discussion of data, and ultimately publishing.

Practice implications

Future AACH–EACH Early Career Researcher Networks should continue to build collaborations by developing shared research projects, papers, and other scholarly products.     

Laterality and sex differences in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in developing rat hippocampus

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as a member of neurotrophin family, plays an important role in neurogenesis, neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. BDNF is strongly expressed in the hippocampus, where has been associated with memory consolidation, learning, and cognition. In this study, Real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and stereology were used to evaluate the gender differences and left-right asymmetries in the expression of BDNF in the developing rat hippocampus during the neurogenesis-active period, at postnatal days P0, P7 and P14. We found the lowest expression of BDNF in the right side and the highest in the left side hippocampi of both male and female neonates at P14 (P ≤?0.05 each). At the same time, there were significant differences in the hippocampal expression of BDNF between males and females (P?≤?0.05 each). No important differences in the number of BDNF expressing neurons in different subregions of right/left hippocampus were observed between male and female animals at P0 and P7 (P >?0.05). Furthermore, the highest numerical density of BDNF positive cells was detected in the both sides hippocampal CA₁ in the male/female offspring at P7, and in the CA₂, CA₃ and dentate gyrus at P14 (P ≤?0.05 each). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that there are prominent sex and interhemispheric differences in the expression of BDNF in the developing rat hippocampus, suggesting a probable mechanism for the control of gender and laterality differences in development, structure, and function of the hippocampus.

     

Late anti‐apoptotic effect of KATP channel opening in skeletal muscle

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Endocapsular hematoma as an uncommon early postoperative complication of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation surgery

Herein we describe a 55-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of visual loss in the right eye of 3 days duration. The patient underwent uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery on the right eye 1 week ago. Slit lamp examination revealed accumulation of blood in the capsular bag behind the intraocular lens with blood level. The patient was diagnosed as endocapsular hematoma. Neodymium-doped: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser posterior capsulotomy was performed. The patient''s vision improved completely.     

Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of human influenza virus among Iranian patients in Shiraz, Iran

Influenza is a viral respiratory pathogen responsible for frequent seasonal epidemics. There are currently three major human influenza viruses in global circulation namely A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B. The objective of this study was to determine the human influenza virus genotypes in Shiraz, the capital of the Fars province of Iran. Three hundred patients suspected with human influenza virus infection were enrolled in this survey (2004-2005). The throat samples were cultured and titrated by hemagglutination (HA) assay. Typing and subtyping were performed by an in-house developed multiplex RT-PCR. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis was carried out for HA gene. A total of 24 samples were found to be positive for human influenza virus infection, 17 H1N1 and 7 H3N2. These results were in agreement with the HI assay. The phylogenetic analysis results revealed that the Iranian H1N1 isolated were close to the A/New Caledonia/20/99 vaccine strain genetically and the Iranian H3N2 isolates were also related closely to the Fujian/411/021 and California/7/2004 vaccine strains. However, a slight genetic drift was found in these isolates. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that both influenza A subtypes A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 were dominant among Iranian patients in Shiraz during the 2004/5 winter season.