Primary malignant rhabdoid tumor of the brain: CT characteristics

Primary malignant rhabdoid tumor of the brain is rare. The CT manifestations and differential diagnosis are discussed in one pathologically proven case.     

Optic nerve stimulation-induced increase of release of 3H-glutamate and 3H-aspartate but not 3H-GABA from the suprachiasmatic nucleus in slices of rat hypothalamus

This study investigates the possibility of glutamate and/or aspartate as an excitatory transmitter in the retinohypothalamic fibers' terminal within the anterior hypothalamus, including the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). We studied the release of 3H-Glu and 3H-Asp from the SCN of rat hypothalamic slices produced by optic nerve stimulation. Stimulation of the optic nerve released 3H-Glu, 3H-Asp but not 3H-GABA, while stimulation of the SCN released all three. These releases were suppressed in both Ca2+ free Krebs and tetrodotoxin (TTX) 1 microM containing Krebs. The present result with previous electrophysiological observations strongly suggest that glutamate and/or aspartate are included in this retinohypothalamic termination, while GABA is included in intrinsic and/or extrinsic neurons of the SCN, excluding the terminal of the retinohypothalamic fibers.     

Lowering of plasma cholesterol levels in animals by lovastatin and simvastatin

Summary Lovastatin and simvastatin are potent competitive inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase. Key inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol in cultured HepG23 cells, rat hepatocytes and in rats. The primary target organ of cholesterol synthesis inhibition by lovastatin and simvastatin is the liver. Lovastating and simvastatin lower levels of plasma cholesterol in rats, dogs and rabbits by inhibition the endogenous cholesterol synthesis and induction of LDL receptor in the liver.     

Effectiveness and Superiority of Rehabilitative Treatments in Enhancing Motor Recovery Within 6 Months Poststroke: A Systemic Review

Objective

To investigate the effects of various rehabilitative interventions aimed at enhancing poststroke motor recovery by assessing their effectiveness when compared with no treatment or placebo and their superiority when compared with conventional training program (CTP).

Patterns of physical activity and obesity indices among white-collar men in Taiwan

The purposes of this study were to identify patterns of physical activity among white-collar men in Taiwan and to analyze the relationships between physical activity patterns and obesity indices. This cross-sectional survey included 350 subjects (between 21 and 75 years old). The Monitoring Trends and Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease Optional Study of Physical Activity Questionnaire (MOSPA-Q), developed and published by the World Health Organization (WHO) was used to measure subjects' daily energy expenditures attributed to physical activity. Obesity indices included body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), body fat percentage, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Three patterns of physical activity, namely work-oriented, active, and light-active lifestyles, were identified through cluster analysis. The work-oriented group reported spending the most amount of time on work-related activities (10.5 hours/week). The active group spent the most time (1 hour/day) of the three groups on leisure activities. The light-active group spent the most time (7 hours/day) of the three groups on light activities. Referencing the 150 minutes/week of moderate- intensity physical activity recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) for health gain as a cut-off point, 1.1%, 15.2%, and 29.1% of subjects in the active, light-active and work-oriented groups, respectively, failed to achieve this minimal level. Those in the work-oriented group categorized in high work-overload and prevalent inactivity situations returned the worst obesity indices (Body weight, BMI, WHR, and body fat percentages) adjusted by age.     

Pharmacological inhibition of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor promotes peritoneal angiogenesis in a peritoneal dialysis rat model

Background

Molecular mechanisms of peritoneal dialysis (PD) ultrafiltration failure, peritoneal neo-angiogenesis, and fibrosis remain to be determined. We aimed to determine the role of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) inhibition on angiogenesis of peritoneal membrane in a PD rat model.

Methods

32 male Wistar rats were assigned into (1) control group; (2) uremic non-PD group: subtotal nephrectomy-induced uremic rats without PD; (3) uremic rats subjected to PD: uremic rats that were dialyzed with Dianeal^® for 4 weeks; (4) CRM 197 group: dialyzed uremic rats were supplemented with CRM197, a specific HB-EGF inhibitor. Peritoneal transport function was examined by peritoneal equilibration test. Expression of HB-EGF and EGFR in peritoneal samples were examined by real-time PCR, immunohistochemical staining, and western blot.

Results

Progressive angiogenesis and fibrosis were observed in uremic PD rats, and there were associated with decreased net ultrafiltration (nUF), increased permeability of peritoneal membrane, and reduced expression of HB-EGF and EGFR protein and mRNA in uremic PD rats compared to uremic non-PD or control groups (both p < 0.05). CRM197 significantly induced peritoneal membrane permeability, decreased nUF, increased higher vessel density, and reduced pericyte count compared to that of uremic PD rats. The levels of HB-EGF and EGFR expression negatively correlated with vessel density in peritoneal membrane (both p < 0.001).

Conclusion

PD therapy was associated with peritoneal angiogenesis, functional deterioration, and downregulation of HB-EGF/EGFR. Pharmacological inhibition of HB-EGF promoted PD-induced peritoneal angiogenesis and fibrosis and ultrafiltration decline, suggesting that HB-EGF downregulation contributes to peritoneal functional deterioration in the uremic PD rat model.

     

Prevalence of carotid artery stenosis in Taiwanese patients with one ischemic stroke

PURPOSE: Ethnic differences in the distribution of atherosclerosis in the brain-supplying vessels are well described. However, only scarce data exist on the prevalence of extracranial carotid artery stenosis in Taiwanese patients who have had a single ischemic stroke. METHODS: Color-coded duplex sonography was used to evaluate the carotid arteries in a hospital-based study on 276 consecutive first-time Taiwanese stroke patients. Significant atherosclerotic lesions of the internal carotid arteries (ICA) were defined as a stenosis of more than 50% or an occlusion. RESULTS: The prevalence of significant carotid lesions was 6% (35/552) in the entire cohort and 8% (17/224) in patients with hemispheric strokes. Among patients with large-artery atheroscleroses, according to criteria of the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment, only 27% had significant extracranial ICA disease whereas 69% had intracranial vessel stenoses. Older patients tended to have more severe ICA lesions, while other risk factors were not correlated with carotid stenosis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of more than 50% ICA stenosis was low in Taiwanese patients with first hemispheric ischemic strokes, indicating that it is not a major cause of ischemic stroke in this population.