Sympathetic nerves and adrenal medulla: contributions to cardiovascular-conditioned emotional responses in spontaneously hypertensive rats

This report investigates the contributions of the sympathetic nerves and adrenal medulla to resting mean arterial pressure (MAP) and to emotionally conditioned MAP and heart rate (HR) responses in unrestrained spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto normotensive control rats (WKY). Resting MAP (in mm Hg), which was higher in SHR (WKY = 120 +/- 4; SHR = 163 +/- 4; p less than 0.01), did not differ in the two strains following chemosympathectomy (WKY = 105 +/- 2; SHR = 101 +/- 2; n.s.). Adrenal medullectomy did not affect resting MAP in WKY (125 +/- 6; n.s.) but lowered it in SHR (146 +/- 5; p less than 0.05), relative to controls (see above). The conditioned pressor response (in mm Hg) in controls consisted of two peaks (I, II) in both strains, but was exaggerated in SHR (I = WKY, 13 +/- 1; SHR, 25 +/- 2; p less than 0.01; II = WKY 10 +/- 2; SHR 20 +/- 2; p less than 0.01). Chemosympathectomy suppressed (relative to controls) the first peak, but not the second, in both strains (WKY: I = 4 +/- 1, p less than 0.01; II = 12 +/- 2, n.s.; SHR: I = 6 +/- 1, p less than 0.01; II = 15 +/- 2, n.s.). Adrenal medullectomy alone had little effect on the pressor response, but when combined with chemosympathectomy both peaks were largely eliminated (WKY: I = 2 +/- I; II = 5 +/- 1; SHR: I = 1 +/- 0; II = 2 +/- 0). These data indicate that: 1) hypertension in conscious, freely behaving SHR is largely sustained by the sympathetic vasomotor nerves but that the adrenal medulla contributes to the magnitude of the elevation; 2) the early component of the exaggerated pressor response during aversive stimulation is mediated by sympathetic vasomotor excitation; and 3) the later component of the exaggerated pressor response reflects coactivation of the sympathetic vasomotor nerves and the adrenal medulla.     

Clonally related penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 14 from cases of meningitis in Salvador, Brazil.

Active hospital-based surveillance in the city of Salvador, Brazil, from December 1995 through October 1998, identified 221 patients with confirmed pneumococcal meningitis. Of these 221 patients, 29 (13%) had isolates with intermediate-level resistance to penicillin. Infection with these penicillin-nonsusceptible isolates was significantly associated with age of <2 years (P<.0019), previous antibiotic use (P<.0006), and coresistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (P<.0000). Serotype 14 was the most prevalent serotype (55.2%) of penicillin-nonsusceptible isolates. Strain typing by repetitive element BOX polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that penicillin-nonsusceptible serotype 14 isolates had closely related BOX PCR patterns, whereas penicillin-susceptible serotype 14 isolates each had distinct, unrelated patterns. Penicillin-nonsusceptible serotype 14 isolates from Salvador and other Brazilian cities had similar BOX PCR patterns. These observations indicate that in Brazil a large proportion of cases of penicillin-nonsusceptible pneumococcal meningitis appear to be caused by a closely related group of serotype 14 strains that may have disseminated to widely separate geographic areas.     

Post-exercise hypotension following different resistance exercise protocols

Sport Sciences for Health - To investigate the hemodynamic responses, especially HPE following different resistance exercises RE protocols in young adult subjects. Eighty-nine men...     

Predictors and consequences of aggressive behavior by community-based dementia patients

The frequency, nature, context, and caregivers' reactions to aggressive behavior in 213 dementia patients residing in the community was studied. Aggression was reported in 57.2% of the patients and in 10.6% of the caregivers. Predictors of patient aggression were greater frequency of behavior and memory problems, premorbid aggression, and a more troubled premorbid social relationship between patient and caregiver. Patient aggression predicted the decision to discontinue home care.     

α‐Thalassemia 2, 3.7 kb deletion and hemoglobin AC heterozygosity in pregnancy: a molecular and hematological analysis

α‐Thalassemia is a synthesis hemoglobinopathy with a worldwide distribution. α‐thalassemia‐2^3.7kb (α‐Thal2^3.7kb) was investigated by PCR and standard hematologic analysis techniques in 106 pregnant women – 53 heterozygous for hemoglobin (Hb) A and C (AC) and 53 homozygous for the normal Hb A (AA) with similar ages and race ancestry. Eleven (21%) of AC women were α‐Thal2^3.7kb heterozygous and 1 (2%) was homozygous, while 12 AA women (23%) were heterozygous. In the AA group, the MCV differed among those with normal α genes and those with α‐Thal2^3.7kb (P = 0.031). Statistical analysis of AC group patients with normal α genes and α‐Thal2^3.7kb carriers showed differences in MCV (P = 0.001); MCH (P = 0.003) and Hb C concentrations (P = 0.011). Analysis of AA and AC group patients with normal α genes showed differences in RBC (P = 0.033), Hb concentration (P = 0.003) and MCHC (P < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences for any hematologic parameters between AC and AA group patients with the α‐Thal2^3.7kb genotype. The AC α‐Thal2^3.7kb homozygous women had low hematologic parameters. Serum ferritin levels were normal among the groups studied. These results emphasize the importance of diagnosis and follow‐up of patients with hemoglobinopathy carriers during pregnancy in order to administer adequate therapy and avoid further complications for mothers and newborns.     

Radical surgery of colon cancers directly invading the duodenum, pancreas and liver

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Adjacent organ invasion is observed in 5-12% of the colorectal cancers and is rarely faced with invasion of the duodenum, pancreas or liver. METHODOLOGY: We reviewed 4 patients with invasion of the duodenum, pancreas or liver or more than one at the same time, to emphasize the importance of aggressive radical procedures. RESULTS: Three patients underwent en bloc pancreaticoduodenectomy with right hemicolectomy, and one patient underwent en bloc pancreaticoduodenectomy with right hemicolectomy and 5th and 6th hepatic segments resection. Perioperative need for blood transfusion was 3-5 units. There was no postoperative morbidity and mortality, except for the patient who had a bile leakage which got well with medical treatment. Although malignant invasion was proved by pathologic evaluation, only one patient had lymph node involvement. While one patient was lost at the 8th postoperative month, 3 patients are living disease free within a range of 14-41 months. CONCLUSIONS: The chances of longer survival can be given to the patient by en bloc radical resections of locally advanced right colon tumors accompanied by invasion of duodenum, pancreas and liver, with low morbidity and mortality rates.     

Activation of fibronectin gene expression by hepatitis B virus x antigen

The development of fibrosis and cirrhosis during chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection correlates with the persistent expression of HBV x antigen (HBxAg), which acts in part, by stimulating selected signal transduction pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B). To identify NF-kappa B responsive genes that are differentially expressed in HBxAg-positive cells, HepG2 cells were stably transfected with HBxAg, and then with pZeoSV2 or pZeoSV2-I kappa B alpha. When RNAs from each culture were compared by PCR-select cDNA subtraction, fibronectin (FN) mRNA was shown to be strongly down-regulated by I kappa B alpha. Up-regulated expression of FN and co-expression between FN and HBxAg were observed in liver sections from HBV carriers that were stained for HBxAg and analysed for FN mRNA by in situ hybridization (ISH). In liver cell cultures, HBxAg increased the levels of FN mRNA and protein. This was because of the HBxAg-mediated trans-activation of the FN promoter, which was NF-kappa B-dependent. HBxAg also antagonized the repression of the FN promoter by the tumour suppressor, p53. Hence, the FN gene may be a natural target for HBxAg trans-activation, perhaps through activation of NF-kappa B and inactivation of p53, thereby contributing to the accumulation of FN in the liver over the course of chronic HBV infection.     

Eugenol and its association with levodopa in 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced hemiparkinsonian rats: Behavioural and neurochemical alterations

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system and is mainly characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and pro‐oxidant mechanisms. Eugenol has been widely studied due to its anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities, making it a promising neuroprotective agent. This study aimed to investigate the effects of eugenol and its combined action with levodopa in the 6‐hydroxydopamine‐induced Parkinson's disease model. Wistar rats were subjected to intrastriatal injection of 6‐hydroxydopamine (21 μg) and then treated with eugenol (0.1, 1, or 10 mg/kg), levodopa (25 mg/kg) or their combination (eugenol 10 mg/kg + levodopa 12.5 mg/kg) orally for 14 days. On the 14th day, the animals were subjected to behavioural tests, and after euthanization and dissection of the brain areas, neurochemical analyses were performed. The results showed that eugenol reduced the oxidative stress and behavioural disturbances induced by 6‐hydroxydopamine. The eugenol and levodopa combination was more effective in some behavioural parameters and body‐weight gain in addition to promoting an increase in reduced glutathione levels compared to levodopa alone. Thus, the neuroprotective activity of eugenol was observed against motor and neurochemical disorders. Additionally, the eugenol and levodopa combination was promising when compared to conventional treatment.