Norepinephrine modulates glutamatergic transmission in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and its adrenergic input are key components in stress-induced reinstatement and maintenance of drug use. Intra-BNST injections of either beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) antagonists or alpha2-adrenergic receptor (alpha2-AR) agonists can inhibit footshock-induced reinstatement and maintenance of cocaine- and morphine-seeking. Using electrophysiological recording methods in an in vitro slice preparation from C57/Bl6j adult male mouse BNST, we have examined the effects of adrenergic receptor activation on excitatory synaptic transmission in the lateral dorsal supracommissural BNST (dBNST) and subcommissural BNST (vBNST). Alpha2-AR activation via UK-14,304 (10 microM) results in a decrease in excitatory transmission in both dBNST and vBNST, an effect predominantly dependent upon the alpha2A-AR subtype. Beta-AR activation via isoproterenol (1 microM) results in an increase in excitatory transmission in dBNST, but not in vBNST. Consistent with the work with receptor subtype specific agonists, application of the endogenous ligand norepinephrine (NE, 100 microM) elicits two distinct effects on glutamatergic transmission. In dBNST, NE elicits an increase in transmission (62% of dBNST NE experiments) or a decrease in transmission (38% of dBNST NE experiments). In vBNST, NE elicits a decrease in transmission in 100% of the experiments. In dBNST, the NE-induced increase in synaptic transmission is blocked by beta1/beta2- and beta2-, but not beta1-specific antagonists. In addition, this increase is also reduced by the alpha2-AR antagonist yohimbine and is absent in the alpha2A-AR knockout mouse. In vBNST, the NE-induced decrease in synaptic transmission is markedly reduced in the alpha2A-AR knockout mouse. Further experiments demonstrate that the actions of NE on glutamatergic transmission can be correlated with beta-AR function.     

Augmentation technique with semitendinosus and gracilis tendons in chronic partial lesions of the ACL: clinical and arthrometric analysis

Most of the techniques described in the literature for the repair of chronic partial ACL tears, don’t spare the intact portion of the ligament. The aim of this study was to perform a prospective analysis of the results of augmentation surgery using gracilis and semitendinosus tendons to treat partial sub-acute lesions of the ACL. This technique involves an “over the top” femoral passage, which enables salvage and strengthening of the intact portion of the ACL. The study included 47 patients treated consecutively at our institute from 1993 to 1998, with a mean injury-surgery interval of 18 weeks (range 12–36). The patients were followed up by clinical and instrumental assessment criteria at 3 months, 1 and 5 years after surgery. Clinical assessment was performed using the IKDC form. Subjective and functional parameters were assessed by the Tegner activity scale. Instrumental evaluation was done using the KT-2000 instrument: the 30-pound passive test and the manual maximum displacement test were performed. We obtained good or excellent results in 95.7% of cases. No recurrences in ligamentous laxity were observed. We believe that the described technique has the advantage of being compatible with ACL anatomy, and enables very rapid functional recovery.     

An exceptional postoperative gastric tube bleeding after esophageal resection for cancer

A case of gastric tube bleeding after an Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy with gastroesophageal anastomosis is reported. During the early postoperative course, the patient had a gastric tube stasis that improved progressively. The subsequent onset of a serious and intermittent hematemesis, which was endoscopically deemed to be the result of a hemorrhagic gastritis, required multiple blood transfusions. The evolution to a severe hemodynamic instability obliged us to reoperate on the patient. During surgery, a band-related obstruction of the first jejunal loop with local signs of vascular hypertension was noted. As soon as the obstruction was solved, the gastric bleeding stopped. The authors discuss the clinical aspects and physiopathology of the gastric tube bleeding and, in particular, they evaluate the influence of the intestinal obstruction with vascular involvement on the development of this exceptional and severe complication.     

平衡法门控心血池显像评价不同分级前壁心肌梗死患者左室收缩及舒张功能

目的我们应用平衡法门控心血池显像技术对不同Killip分级的前壁心肌梗死患者进行左室总体和局部收缩和舒张功能参数的对比分析。方法对照组15例（G0）,前壁心肌梗死KillipⅠ级17例（G1）,前壁心肌梗死KillipⅡⅢ级12例（G2）。利用平衡法门控心血池显像技术评价3组的左室总体和局部的收缩与舒张功能。结果①左室整体收缩功能,在LVEF,ESC 2个参数中,G1比G0有显著差异（P<0.05）,G2分别比G1和G0有显著差异（P<0.05）。在PER、1/3EF、1/3ER 3个参数中,G2分别比G1和G0显著下降（P<0.05）。②左室总体舒张功能,在PFR、1/3FF、1/3FR、EDC中,G1比G0有显著差异（P<0.05）,G2分别比G1和G0有显著差异（P<0.05）。③左室局部收缩功能,在以LVREF为参数时,G1在4个节段比G0显著差异（P<0.05）,G2在所有6个节段中比G1和G0均显著下降（P<0.05）。④左室局部舒张功能,在以LVR1/3FF为参数时,G1在4个节段比G0显著下降（P<0.05）,G2在所有6个节段比G0和G1均显著下降（P<0.05）。结论前壁心肌梗死后出现心功能受损或心力衰竭的主要原因为左室重构。     

The aging process and potential interventions to extend life expectancy

Aging is commonly defined as the accumulation of diverse deleterious changes occurring in cells and tissues with advancing age that are responsible for the increased risk of disease and death. The major theories of aging are all specific of a particular cause of aging, providing useful and important insights for the understanding of age-related physiological changes. However, a global view of them is needed when debating of a process which is still obscure in some of its aspects. In this context, the search for a single cause of aging has recently been replaced by the view of aging as an extremely complex, multifactorial process. Therefore, the different theories of aging should not be considered as mutually exclusive, but complementary of others in the explanation of some or all the features of the normal aging process. To date, no convincing evidence showing the administration of existing “anti-aging” remedies can slow aging or increase longevity in humans is available. Nevertheless, several studies on animal models have shown that aging rates and life expectancy can be modified. The present review provides an overlook of the most commonly accepted theories of aging, providing current evidence of those interventions aimed at modifying the aging process.     

慢性鼻窦炎鼻息肉合并支气管哮喘患者鼻窦内镜术后对支气管哮喘疗效的影响

目的观察鼻窦内镜术(endoscopic sinu ssurgery，ESS)对慢性鼻窦炎伴支气管哮喘患者哮喘发作的影响。方法对210例慢性鼻窦炎患者施行ESS术，其中伴有支气管哮喘病史者42例(20．0％)。210例患者均于术前、术后采用酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)检测外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)培养上清液中的白细胞介素4(IL-4)，干扰素γ(IFN-γ)，可溶性白细胞介素2受体(sIL-2R)和可溶性IgE低亲和力受体(solube CD23，sCD23)的含量，并与20例正常对照组进行比较。通过主观和客观标准评定42例患者哮喘发作及对皮质类固醇的耐受状况，并对术后患者进行为期1年(10例)和3年(32例)的随访。结果鼻窦炎合并支气管哮喘患者术前PBMC培养上清液中IL-4，sIL-2R、sCD23含量较对照组显著升高，而IFN-γ含量较对照组显著减少。术后IL-4、sIL-2R、sCD23含量较对照组显著降低，而IFN-γ含量显著增高。术后哮喘改善水平由随访术后1年的45％提高到术后3年的70％。42例中32例(76％)哮喘发作次数明显减少，术前长期服用类固醇的2l例中，14例(67％)减少了对口服类固醇的使用。结论ESS对慢性鼻窦炎伴支气管哮喘患者的治疗有较满意的远期疗效。ESS能调节IL-4、IFN-γ sIL-2R、sCD23水平，降低哮喘的发作频率和对类固醇的依赖。     

Cavo-portal transposition in rat: a new simple model

Background  

Liver transplantation in presence of diffuse portal vein thrombosis is possible by using caval blood as portal inflow, through cavo-portal transposition. However, clinical results are heterogeneous and experimental studies are needed, but similar hemodynamic conditions are difficult to obtain, especially in small animals. Herein we describe a new simple model of cavo-portal transposition in rat.