Lateral branchial cyst--case report

A case report of big lateral branchial cyst growing for 25 years is described. The diagnosis was based on ultrasonography with aspiration biopsy, computed tomography and histopathological findings. Successful surgical treatment was performed. Rarity of big size and long duration of the disease is emphasized.     

Intrinsic activity and comparative molecular dynamics of buspirone analogues at the 5-HT(1A) receptors

In CNS, the 5-hydroxytryptamine(1A) (5-HT(1A)) receptors exist in two different populations with different behavioural and physiological effects: (1) somatodendritic autoreceptors located pre-synaptically of 5-HT containing neurons and (2) receptors located post-synaptic to 5-HT containing neurons. Clinical studies have shown that 5-HT(1A) partial agonists have anxiolytic properties, while antagonists of pre-synaptical autoreceptors shorten the onset time of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In the present study, the pre- and post-synaptic activity of structural analogues of buspirone was evaluated in animal models. A three dimensional model of the 5-HT(1A) receptor was used to study their interaction modes and helical displacements upon receptor binding. The predicted receptor-ligand interactions indicated similarities in the receptor binding modes for all buspirone analogues, and no clear relationship between receptor contact residues and activity at pre- and post-synaptic receptors. Comparative molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for 650ps indicated that pre-synaptic antagonistic behaviour is connected to large displacements of transmembrane helix (TMH) 7 upon binding, while pre-synaptic agonistic behaviour is connected to large displacements of TMH2 and small displacements of TMH7. Post-synaptic partial agonist behaviour is connected to large displacements of TMH4 and TMH5 upon binding, while post-synaptic antagonists only slightly displace these helices.     

Involvement of bradykinin, cytokines, sympathetic amines and prostaglandins in formalin-induced orofacial nociception in rats

1. This study characterises some of the mechanisms and mediators involved in the orofacial nociception triggered by injection of formalin into the upper lip of the rat, by assessing the influence of various treatments on behavioural nociceptive responses (duration of facial rubbing) elicited either by a low subthreshold (i.e. non-nociceptive; 0.63%) or a higher concentration of the algogen (2.5%). 2. The kininase II inhibitor captopril (5 mg kg(-1), s.c.) and prostaglandin(PG) E(2) (100 ng lip(-1)) potentiated both phases of the response to 0.63% formalin, whereas tumour necrosis factor (TNF alpha; 5 pg lip(-1)), interleukin(IL)-1 beta (0.5 pg lip(-1)), IL-6 (2 ng lip(-1)) and IL-8 (200 pg lip(-1)), or the indirectly acting sympathomimetic drug tyramine (200 microg lip(-1)), each augmented only the second phase of nociception. 3. Conversely, both phases of nociception induced by 2.5% formalin were inhibited by the bradykinin (BK) B(2) receptor antagonist HOE140 (5 microg lip(-1)) or the selective beta(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol (100 microg lip(-1)). However, the BK B(1) receptor antagonist des-Arg(9)-Leu(8)-BK (1 and 2 microg lip(-1)), antibody and/or antiserum against each of the cytokines, the adrenergic neurone blocker guanethidine (30 mg kg(-1) day(-1), s.c., for 3 days) and the cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 inhibitor celecoxib (50 and 200 microg lip(-1), s.c.; or 1 and 3 mg kg(-1), i.p.) reduced only the second phase of the response. The nonselective COX inhibitor indomethacin and the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein inhibitor MK886 did not change formalin-induced nociception. 4. Our results indicate that BK, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, sympathetic amines and PGs (but not leukotrienes) contribute significantly to formalin-induced orofacial nociception in the rat and the response seems to be more susceptible to inhibition by B(2) receptor antagonist and selective COX-2 inhibitor than by B(1) receptor antagonist or nonselective COX inhibitor.     

Complex cytogenetics in a case of probably work related MDS/AML

In the majority of cases of overt acute myeloid leukemia (AML), there is no knowledge about a preleukemic phase of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). A few recent case-control studies suggest an association between MDS and several occupations. We report a unique case of MDS/AML related to the patient’s work condition with numerous cytostatic agents. The karyotype revealed a spectrum of genetic rearrangements identified by conventional cytogenetics, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and spectral karyotyping (SKY). We suggest that amplification of chromosomal material may play a greater role in leukemogenesis than has been recognized previously.     

Neuropeptide y in euthymic lithium-treated women with bipolar disorder

Plasma neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity (NPY-LI) and platelet cyclic AMP (cAMP) activity were determined in 13 women with bipolar disorder stabilized on lithium (Li) and 12 matched healthy controls. No differences in plasma NPY-LI were found between the two groups. In euthymic Li-treated bipolar patients, there was an inverse correlation between plasma NPY-LI levels and intracellular cAMP in prostaglandin E1-stimulated platelets. A positive correlation was found between plasma NPY-LI levels and age in both the patient and the control group. Our findings support earlier findings that NPY is capable of inhibiting adenylyl cyclase and that aging is a physiological factor in regulating NPY-LI levels.     

Seasonal differences and protection by creatine or arginine pretreatment in ischemia of mammalian and molluscan neurons in vitro

We investigated the dose-response relationship of protection by creatine against ischemic damage, and we asked whether or not such protection may be observed in invertebrate neurons that might provide a simpler experimental model. Rat isolated pyramidal neurons from the CA3 region of hippocampus subjected to ischemia ("in vitro ischemia") showed anoxic depolarization (AD) after 3-7 min of incubation in anoxic medium. Membrane potential (MP) was reduced 25-78% from preanoxic value. Inward current was decreased by an average 49%. Supplementation with creatine protected against these changes, with 1 mM being the minimal effective concentration, 2 mM providing a near-maximal protection, a maximal effect being obtained with 5 mM creatine. No additional protection was provided by up to 20 mM creatine. Isolated giant neurons of Lymnaea stagnalis showed a similar response to in vitro ischemia. However, a clear seasonal dependence of sensitivity of these cells was detected. In cells obtained during summertime (May-August), AD latency ranged from 3 to 10 min; during wintertime (December-March), this response did not occur even after 25-50 min. The addition of creatine to the medium did not cause changes in AD latency, probably because these neurons rely on a phosphoarginine/arginine energy system. However, treatment of the cells, harvested during summertime, with 2 mM arginine did provide clear protection against anoxic-aglycaemic changes. Summing up, besides confirming previous findings on creatine protection in mammalian neurons, we (1) better characterized their dose-response relationship and extended the findings to the CA3 region and to isolated neurons, (2) found that invertebrate neurons are not protected by creatine but by arginine supplementation and (3) reported a novel mechanism of seasonal dependence in sensitivity of in vitro ischemia by invertebrate neurons.     

Low platelet MAO activity associated with high dysfunctional impulsivity and antisocial behavior: evidence from drunk drivers

Rationale Low platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity is associated with problem drinking and other deviant behaviors. Since the majority of alcohol abusers are smokers, and tobacco smoke has a direct inhibitory effect on the enzyme, these associations may not be meaningful.Objective The authors compared platelet MAO activity and impulsivity in police-referred subjects caught driving while intoxicated and in control subjects, controlling for smoking.Methods Platelet MAO activity was measured radioenzymatically and impulsivity scores obtained from questionnaires. Smoking status was self-reported.Results Subjects caught driving while intoxicated had significantly higher dysfunctional impulsivity and lower platelet MAO activity than control subjects. This difference in platelet MAO activity between the two groups was significant in non-smokers and ex-smokers.Conclusions These findings demonstrate that platelet MAO activity is lower in subjects with socially deviant behavior, and the association of low platelet MAO and problem drinking is not an artifact of smoking.     

Linkage between androgen receptor gene CAG trinucleotide repeat length and testicular germ cell cancer histological type and clinical stage

Sex hormones and/or gonadotropins may play a crucial role in the development of testicular germ cell cancer (TGCC). A direct link between this malignancy and endocrine factors has not been confirmed. We tested whether CAG and GGN repeats of the androgen receptor gene (AR) play a role in the aetiology or pathogenesis of TGCC. Eighty-three TGCC patients and 220 controls were included. Mean CAG or GGN lengths did not differ between the TGCC cases and controls. The proportion of males with CAG lengths above 25, indicative of reduced androgen sensitivity, was significantly lower among patients with pure seminomas and in the combined group of seminomas and mixed tumours compared with non-seminomas and controls. The median CAG length was higher if the tumour was metastasing at diagnosis. This is the first study showing an association between the AR polymorphism and histological type as well as the progression rate of TGCC.     

Is chest pain still the most important symptom of acute coronary syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) carries the risk of death due to electrical or haemodynamical disturbances. Thus, rapid in-hospital treatment is necessary. To achieve this, a patient, his family and his physician should correctly diagnose ACS, based mainly on clinical symptoms. AIM: To assess the symptomatology of ACS and to establish whether modern management of ischaemic heart disease did not change ACS clinical characteristics. METHODS: The study group consisted of 156 consecutive patients (96 males, mean age 65+/-15 years) admitted to hospital due to ACS. Physicians prospectively filled in a questionnaire addressing ACS symptomatology, including chest pain characteristics and clinical symptoms of painless ACS. RESULTS: Retrosternal chest pain was present in 119 (76%) patients, six (4%) patients had pain localised outside thorax (jaws or epigastric region) whereas 31 (20%) patients had painless ACS. In the latter group the most frequent symptoms were dyspnea and marked weakness. CONCLUSIONS: Chest pain remains the most frequent symptom of ACS and its prevalence is similar to that previously described in literature. Almost a quarter of patients have painless ACS; in those patients other intensive and sudden symptoms may suggest ACS.