IV inotropic agents: dopamine, dobutamine, and amrinone

Three commonly used IV inotropic agents--dopamine, dobutamine, and amrinone--have been discussed in this article. Knowledge of their common mechanisms of action, individual actions, dosages, methods of preparation, precautions, and side effects can only help critical care nurses maintain or improve the quality of care given to patients receiving these medications.     

The role of molecular genetics in diagnosis of hereditary motor-sensory neuropathy

Hereditary motor-sensory neuropathies (HMSN) are a heterogeneous group of disorders of peripheral nervous system. Four genes in HMSN have been characterized so far i.e.: PMP22, MPZ, Cx32 and EGR-2. The advent of molecular genetic techniques over the past few years has provided identification of molecular defects in a few forms of HMSN. The present study describes the application of modern molecular genetic methods, which are used in the studies of HMSN. Southern blot hybridisation, Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), Short Tandem Repeat analysis (STR), Semiquantitative PCR analysis (SQ-PCR), Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism method (SSCP), Heteroduplex analysis (HD) and finally DNA automated sequencing are described in the present paper. In the conclusions the advantages and limits of mentioned methods of DNA analysis in HMSN have been described.     

Chondromyxoid Fibroma

Chondromyxoid fibroma is an uncommon benign cartilaginous tumor accounting for less than 1% of all bone tumors. The classic site of involvement is the metaphyseal region of long tubular bones, usually presenting in the second to third decades of life with nonspecific pain and swelling of the affected part. This case is an interesting incidental finding in a juvenile hallux abductovalgus deformity with no prodrome, eccentrically located in the diaphysis of the first metatarsal. Early detection and complete surgical resection are valuable in preventing recurrence in the affected bone. ACFAS Level of Clinical Evidence: 4.     

Centrally administered interleukin-1 beta sensitizes to the central pressor action of angiotensin II

Proliferating astrocytes and proliferating neuroblasts have been observed in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus (DG) in the hippocampus of adult rats under normal conditions. However, whether these proliferating cells are stimulated by running has not been determined. Using immunohistochemical techniques, we examined the effects of chronic treadmill running on proliferating astrocytes (PCNA+/GFAP+ cells), proliferating neuroblasts (PCNA+/DCX+ cells) and newly generated postmitotic neurons (DCX+/NeuN+ cells) in the DG of the hippocampus of adult rats and also characterized the morphological features of PCNA+/GFAP+ cells and PCNA+/DCX+ cells. PCNA+/GFAP+ cells with few processes and PCNA+/DCX+ cells without long processes were detected in the SGZ, and we determined that these are morphological features of the astrocytes and neuroblasts with proliferative ability. Chronic treadmill running (at a speed of 22 m/min, 30 min/days for 7 days) significantly increased the numbers of PCNA+/GFAP+ cells and DCX+/NeuN+ cells, and the number of PCNA+/DCX+ cells tended to increase by chronic treadmill running. These results indicate that chronic treadmill running stimulates the proliferation of astrocytes in the SGZ. Furthermore, the present study indicates that chronic treadmill running increases DCX+/NeuN+ cells that are detected in a transient stage during the neuronal maturation process. These events may be the cellular basis mediating both running-induced increases of new neurons in the DG of the hippocampus and running-induced improvement of learning and memory functions of adult rats.     

Blockade of angiotensin II AT1 receptors inhibits pressor action of centrally administered interleukin-1beta in Sprague Dawley rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of intraventricular administration of recombinant rat interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on regulation of resting blood pressure and heart rate and to test the hypothesis that the brain angiotensinergic system is involved in regulation of hemodynamic parameters by centrally applied IL-1beta. The experiments were performed on Sprague Dawley rats, assigned to three series of experiments. In series 1 (control, n = 6), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded for 15 min under baseline conditions. This was followed by infusion of saline (0.9% sterile NaCl 5 microL/h) into the left cerebral ventricle (LCV). Measurements were continued during the next 60 min. In series 2 (n = 6) and 3 (n = 6) the experimental design was similar, except that in series 2 the animals were LCV infused with saline containing IL-1beta (100 ng/h) and in series 3 with saline containing IL-1beta (100 ng/h) and angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptors antagonist (Losartan, 10 microg/h). LCV infusion of saline alone did not influence MAP and HR while administration of IL-1beta elicited significant increase in MAP, but not in HR. The pressor effect was absent during combined infusion of IL-1beta and Losartan. Results of the study provide evidence that centrally administered IL-1beta exerts pressor effect, and reveal that this effect is mediated by stimulation of the brain angiotensin system and requires activation of AT1 receptors.     

Elephantiasis nostras verrucosa

Swelling of the leg is a frequent finding in podiatric medicine. Unless the patient draws notice to the condition or the physician is diligent in asking questions and examining the extremity, the condition may be viewed as minor and given little attention. Swelling of the leg can be a clinical sign of certain systemic diseases, lymphatic and venous disorders, or other miscellaneous causes. Dermatologic consequences linked to many of these causes of swelling are well documented. What is not as well chronicled is a dramatic skin alteration associated with chronic lymphedema. This article provides an overview and a case presentation of the unusual and debilitating skin condition related to chronic lymphedema of the lower extremity known as elephantiasis nostras verrucosa.