Terson syndrome--case reports

The authors described general clinical signs and pathology in eye examination in three patients with Terson syndrome. From this group only one patient recovered. In this case the early eye fundus examination allowed doctors to make the proper diagnosis and led to neurosurgical intervention, just in time.     

R-citalopram counteracts the effect of escitalopram in a rat conditioned fear stress model of anxiety

S-citalopram (escitalopram) mediates the serotonin reuptake inhibitory effect of the racemate, R,S-citalopram. The effect of escitalopram (0.5-3.9 mg/kg) was investigated in a rat conditioned fear stress model of anxiety and compared to the effects of R-citalopram (1.0-7.8 mg/kg), R,S-citalopram (4.0 and 8.0 mg/kg), and escitalopram (2.0 mg/kg)+R-citalopram (7.8 mg/kg). Diazepam (0.95 mg/kg) and buspirone (4.6 mg/kg) were included as positive controls. During an acquisition session, rats were allowed to freely explore a novel cage for 9 min. During that time, they received two inescapable footshocks through an electrifiable grid floor. Groups of nonshocked control rats were run in parallel. During an expression session on the next day, rats were treated with drug or vehicle 30 min before they were reintroduced into the test cage for a 9-min period this time without receiving footshocks and the total distance travelled was recorded. The distance travelled by vehicle-treated rats was markedly suppressed compared to a vehicle-treated group of nonshocked controls. Escitalopram produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the conditioned suppression of exploratory behaviour (minimal effective dose 1.0 mg/kg). Interestingly R,S-citalopram 4.0 and 8.0 mg/kg produced significantly smaller effect than escitalopram 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg, receptively. R-citalopram, 7.8 mg/kg, produced a significant effect. However, in spite of this, R-citalopram (7.8 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the effect of escitalopram (2.0 mg/kg). The activity in drug-treated nonshocked groups was similar to the vehicle-treated group, except for the buspirone-treated group where a significant reduction was observed. The finding that R-citalopram inhibits the effect of escitalopram may be relevant to the improved clinical efficacy seen with escitalopram compared to R,S-citalopram in the treatment of anxiety and depression.     

Biological significance of the different erythropoietic factors secreted by normal human early erythroid cells

Evidence is accumulating that autocrine/paracrine regulatory mechanisms play an important role in regulating normal hematopoiesis. To support this, various growth factors, cytokines and chemokines are expressed and secreted by normal early and differentiated hematopoietic cells. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the identification and understanding of the role of autocrine/paracrine axes in normal human erythropoiesis. We will also address a biological significance of the secretion of (i) metalloproteinases which in addition to growth factors and cytokines are secreted by normal erythroid cells and (ii) membrane-derived microvesicles (MV), that are shed from the surface of maturating erythroblasts/reticulocytes, and as we postulate may also play a role in intercellular communication. We hypothesize that all these factors together play an important role in a crosstalk between erythroid cells and their environment. A better understanding of intercellular crosstalk operating in normal erythropoiesis and of the mechanisms regulating synthesis of these endogenously produced factors may allow us to develop more efficient therapeutic strategies to treat various erythropoietic disorders.     

Pitanguy's Method of Protruding Ear Correction from Our Own Experience: Review of 80 Cases

A recent review of the literature revealed more than 20 methods of correction of protruding ears. Pitanguy's cartilage island flap technique is still not widespread. However, it is extraordinarily versatile and effective from our own experience. The aim of this study is to present our own experience in the correction of prominent ears using this method. According to Pitanguy's cartilage island flap technique, 80 patients were operated on at the Private Plastic Surgery Clinic from 1992 to 1999. There were 45 (56%) female and 35 (44%) male patients, aged from 9 to 37 years (22 years on average). All procedures were performed under local anesthesia. In the follow-up period of 1 to 8 years the final aesthetic results were estimated as very good in 68 (85%) patients and good in 12 (15%) patients. Early complications in the form of bleeding occurred in three (3.75%) patients. Asymmetry in the ears' position was qualified as a late complication and occurred in four (5%) patients.     

Characteristics of hospitalizations due to acute stroke in the Silesian Province,Poland, between 2009 and 2015

Introduction

The available data on acute stroke (AS) in Poland come mainly from non-representative cohorts or are outdated. Therefore, the current study was done to access the most recent data on AS in the industrial region that covers 12% (4.6 mln) of the country's population.

Effects of serotonin (5-HT)6 receptor ligands on responding for cocaine reward and seeking in rats

The endogenous brain serotonin (5-HT) system is believed to have an important modulatory influence in mediating drug reward and seeking mechanisms. Data from preclinical behavioral studies have provided emerging evidence that 5-HT(6) receptors, among other 5-HT receptors, may play a significant role in the mechanisms of action of psychostimulant addicted drugs. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the selective pharmacological blockade or activation of 5-HT(6) receptors altered the maintenance of cocaine self-administration, reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior following an extinction of cocaine self-administration or cocaine-evoked conditioned place preference in rats. We also evaluated the effects of 5-chloro-N-(4-methoxy-3-piperazin-1-ylphenyl)-3-methyl)-2-benzothiophene-sulfonamide (SB 271046, a 5-HT(6) receptor antagonist) or N-1-(6-chloroimidazo-[2,1-b]-[1,3]thiazole-5-sulfonyl)tryptamine (WAY 181187, a potent 5-HT(6) receptor agonist) on locomotor activity in rats. Our results indicate that SB 271046 (1-10 mg/kg) altered cocaine-maintained self-administration as well as cocaine-evoked reinstatement of cocaine seeking and expression of cocaine place preference in rats.We also demonstrate that pharmacological stimulation of 5-HT(6) receptors by WAY 181187 (3-30 mg/kg) attenuated the expression of cocaine conditioned place preference but not cocaine self-administration and reinstatement of cocaine seeking. WAY 181187 at the highest dose used (30 mg/kg) reduced basal locomotor activity. Despite current results, the precise function and therapeutic relevance of 5-HT(6) receptors need further clarification.     

Comparison of Beta-catenin with TGF-beta1, HIF-1alpha and Patients’ Disease-free Survival in Human Colorectal Cancer

Beta-catenin accumulation is suppressed by TGF-beta1 (transforming growth factor beta1) in intestinal epithelium suggesting negative feedback between these two factors. Besides that, beta-catenin interacts with HIF-1alpha (hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha) at the promoter region of HIF-1 target genes. Our study was aimed at comparison of beta-catenin with HIF-1alpha, TGF-beta1, Ki67 and survival of sporadic colorectal cancer patients. Expressions of beta-catenin, TGF-beta1, HIF-1alpha, Ki67 were evaluated in triads of specimens of each primary tumor of 72 sporadic colorectal cancers with immunohistochemistry due to limited availability of tissue material. Disease-free survival was analyzed in case of all 100 beta-catenin stained tumors, in 85 cancers stained for HIF-1 and in 72 neoplasms with TGFbeta1 staining. Beta-catenin, TGF-beta1 and HIF-1alpha accumulated in 72 colorectal cancer cells. Beta-catenin correlated both with HIF-1alpha and TGF-beta1 in all colorectal cancers (p < 0.009, r = 0.307 and p = 0.003, r = 0.342, respectively) and in subgroups of different clinico-pathological profile. Beta-catenin failed to correlate with Ki67. In case of beta-catenin, TGF-beta1 and HIF-1alpha, disease-free survival curves failed to show any statistically significant differences between groups of marker negative tumors, cancers with low expression and neoplasms with higher protein expression. Positive correlations between beta-catenin and TGF-beta1 may indicate ineffective attempts of TGF-beta1 to reduce intracellular level of beta-catenin in colorectal cancer. Associations between beta-catenin and HIF-1alpha reflect previously detected interactions between HIF-1alpha with beta-catenin and are confirmative for presence of such reactions in human colorectal cancer.     

Influence of salbutamol on the anticonvulsant potency of the antiepileptic drugs in the maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice

Backgroundβ₂-Adrenergic receptor agonists are widely used agents in the treatment of asthma or preterm labor. Since prevalence of asthma was shown to be higher in patients with epilepsy and modulation of noradrenergic system activity may modify epilepsy course, the aim of the present study was to examine the effect of salbutamol (SALB), one of the most commonly used β₂-adrenergic receptor agonist on the anticonvulsant potency of four classical antiepileptic drugs (AEDs): valproate (VPA), carbamazepine (CBZ), phenytoin (DPH) and phenobarbital (PB) in mice subjected to the maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizures.MethodsSeizures were caused by a current delivered through ear-clip electrodes. The influence of AEDs and SALB on animals’ motor coordination and memory processes was also evaluated.ResultsSingle SALB injection did not change, whereas 7 days SALB administration decreased seizure threshold in the MES-induced seizures in mice. Moreover, SALB injected ip for 1 day and for 7 days lowered the antiepileptic activity of PB in the MES-induced seizures in mice, but did not change the effect of other analyzed AEDs: VPA, CBZ or DPH. Butoxamine, a selective β₂-adrenergic receptor antagonist, reversed SALB influence on the activity of PB. SALB given alone or in combination with the tested AEDs did not affect animals’ motor performance and memory after both single and 7 days administration.ConclusionsPresented results show that SALB may decrease the antiepileptic efficacy of PB. A special caution is advised to patients with epilepsy receiving β₂-adrenergic receptors agonists in the pharmacotherapy of pulmonary and obstetrical disorders.     

Malonylcarnitine in newborns with non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate

Aim Malonyl-CoA is regarded as a key signaling molecule in mammalian cells. It is converted to acetyl-CoA, and to a lesser extent, to malonyl acid and malonylcarnitine (C3DC).Availability of carnitine has been reported to be essential for the developing fetus. The objectives of the present study were to analyze associations of malonylcarnitine, acetylcarnitine (C2), and free carnitine (C0) in subjects with orofacial clefts.Methodology We performed a retrospective analysis of carnitine concentration obtained from a newborn screening program carried out in our institution. Concentrations of whole blood malonylcarnitine, acetylcarnitine, and free carnitine were measured using tandem mass spectrometry.The study group consisted of 51 children with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate. In total,106 healthy children without congenital anomalies served as controls. Cut-off points were established using likelihood ratio values.Results The mean concentration of malonylcarnitine in the cleft group was lower than that of the control group,In patients with orofacial cleft, low malonylcarnitine levels healthy individuals (P=0.03). The mean concentration of acetylcarnitine was also lower in affected newborns in respectively (P=0.026). After analysis of acetylcarnitine and free carnitine concentrations, the likelihood ratio test did not indicate valuable cut-off points.Conclusion The study provides initial data indicating a potential association between decreased malonylcarnitine and abnormal palatogenesis.