Evaluation of acetylcholinesterase in an animal model of mania induced by d-amphetamine

The present study aims to investigate the effects of mood stabilizers, lithium (Li) and valproate (VPA), on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the brains of rats subjected to an animal model of mania induced by d-amphetamine (d-AMPH). In the reversal treatment, Wistar rats were first given d-AMPH or saline (Sal) for 14 days. Between days 8 and 14, the rats were treated with Li, VPA, or Sal. In the prevention treatment, rats were pretreated with Li, VPA, or Sal. AChE activity was measured in the brain structures (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum). Li, alone in reversion and prevention treatments, increased AChE activity in the brains of rats. VPA, alone in prevention treatment, increased AChE activity in all brain regions evaluated; in the reversion, only in the prefrontal. However, d-AMPH decreased activity of AChE in the striatum of rats in both the reversion and prevention treatments. VPA was able to revert and prevent this AChE activity alteration in the rat striatum. Our findings further support the notion that the mechanisms of mood stabilizers also involve changes in AChE activity, thus reinforcing the need for more studies to better characterize the role of acetylcholine in bipolar disorder.     

Gastric emptying before and after cholecystectomy in patients with cholecystolithiasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The objective of the present study was to measure gastric emptying time of solids and semisolids in dyspeptic individuals with cholecystolithiasis before and 6 months after cholecystectomy in order to determine whether cholecystectomy interferes with gastric emptying. METHODOLOGY: A prospective, self-pairing study was conducted on 29 patients selected according to appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria. Gastric emptying time of solids and semisolids was determined before and six months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy by the 13C-octanoic acid and 13C-acetate breath tests, respectively. The samples were analyzed by infrared spectrometry. The gastric retention time (lag phase) and gastric emptying half-time of solid and semisolid were determined and the results obtained before and after surgery were compared in the same patient. In addition, the effects of surgery on dyspeptic symptoms were assessed. RESULTS: No significant differences (p>0.05) in gastric retention time and gastric emptying half-time of solid and semisolid test meals were observed before and after cholecystectomy. Dyspeptic symptoms (pain, upper abdominal gases, early satiety, nausea and vomiting) improved after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not interfere with the gastric emptying time of solids or semisolids in dyspeptic individuals with cholecystolithiasis.     

Duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection in solid pseudopapillary neoplasm—Report of a case

INTRODUCTION

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPPN) was first characterized by Virginia Frantz in 1959. The duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection (DPPHR) has been described as treatment for low-grade malignant tumors of the head of the pancreas including eight cases of SPPN.PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 16-year-old white female patient presented with abdominal pain and dyspepsia. Computed tomography scan of abdomen showed a 10 × 9 × 10 cm³ lesion on the pancreatic head. After radiological diagnosis of SPPN the patient was submitted to DPPHR. Resection was achieved with clear margins. Immunohistochemical study demonstrated positivity for progesterone receptor, β-catenin, cytoplasmic paranuclear dot-like CD99, negativity for chromogranin and S100 protein and Ki 67 index of 1%.

DISCUSSION

A large encapsulated pancreatic mass with well-defined borders that contains areas of calcifications and intratumoral hemorrhage on CT scan in a young female is virtually diagnostic of an SPPN. A particular dot-like intracytoplasmic expression of CD99 appears to be highly unique for SPPN

CONCLUSION

DPPHR should be considered in cases of SPPN in the pancreas head if there is no compromise with oncologic radicality.     

A 15‐year follow‐up of first unprovoked seizures: a prospective study of 200 children

Epilepsy is associated with an extended spectrum of behaviour, psychiatric problems, and learning difficulties. The aim of this study was to establish the natural history of children with first unprovoked seizures. We studied prospectively 200 children under the age of 11 years who attended hospital emergency with a first unprovoked seizure. Demographic variables, personal and family history, neurological examination, EEG, psychiatric, and cognitive and educational profiles were analysed. Patients who developed epilepsy were characterised with respect to: time to relapse, remission rate, duration of epilepsy, neuroimaging, aetiology, epileptic syndrome, and therapeutic regimen. These results were compared to data of patients who had a single seizure over a follow‐up period of 15 years. Thirty percent of children who had a first unprovoked seizure developed epilepsy. Partial seizure type was a statistically significant variable for the development of epilepsy. An EEG with epileptic abnormalities proved to be the main risk factor for recurrence. Fifteen years later, the group with epilepsy exhibited a 2.6 greater risk of psychiatric and academic comorbidities, compared to the group without epilepsy.     

DNA methylation patterns of genes related to immune response in the different clinical forms of oral lichen planus

Background

The oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease. Although its aetiology is not well understood, the role of T lymphocytes in its inflammatory events is recognised. Identifying the epigenetic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of this immune‐mediated condition is fundamental for understanding the inflammatory reaction that occurs in the disease. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the methylation pattern of 21 immune response‐related genes in the different clinical forms of oral lichen planus.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was performed to analyse the DNA methylation patterns in three distinct groups of oral lichen planus: (i) reticular/plaque lesions; (ii) erosive lesions; (iii) normal oral mucosa (control group). After DNA extraction from biopsies, the samples were submitted to digestions by methylation‐sensitive and methylation‐dependent enzymes and double digestion. The relative percentage of methylated DNA for each gene was provided using real‐time polymerase chain reaction arrays.

Results

Hypermethylation of the STAT5A gene was observed only in the control group (59.0%). A higher hypermethylation of the ELANE gene was found in reticular/plaque lesions (72.1%) compared to the erosive lesions (50.0%).

Conclusion

Our results show variations in the methylation profile of immune response‐related genes, according to the clinical type of oral lichen planus after comparing with the normal oral mucosa. Further studies are necessary to validate these findings using gene expression analysis.