Endogenous opioid-mediated antinociception in cholestatic mice is peripherally, not centrally, mediated

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cholestasis is associated with naloxone reversible antinociception and opiate receptor antagonists are used clinically to treat pruritus. Pain and pruritus are closely interrelated and opioids modulate both sensations. Therefore, we undertook a series of experiments to characterize opioid-mediated antinociception in cholestasis and determine if it occurs inside or outside the CNS. METHODS: Antinociception scores to both thermal and mechanical stimuli were determined in mice with cholestasis due to bile duct resection vs sham controls. RESULTS: Cholestatic mice demonstrated significant antinociception to both stimuli compared to controls, which was reversible by the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone. The experiments were repeated with a naloxone derivative, which does not cross the blood-brain-barrier (i.e. naloxone methiodide) with similar results, indicating an opioid antinociceptive effect mediated outside of the CNS. Experiments with intraplantar injections of low dose naloxone methiodide confirmed that cholestasis-associated antinociception occurs at the level of cutaneous nerve endings. These findings were supported by findings of increased dermal met-enkephalin expression in cholestatic mice. CONCLUSIONS: Cholestasis in mice is associated with antinociception due to local effects of endogenous opioids (i.e. met-enkephalin) at the level of sensory nerve endings. These findings may have direct implications in the management of cholestasis associated pruritus.     

The inhibitory effect of ginseng pectin on L-929 cell migration

We tested the effects of ginseng pectin prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of ginseng polysaccharides on cell migration. Ginseng pectin impaired the migration of L-929 cells and reduced their migration speed by up to 50% of control in the presence or absence of serum, suggesting it worked on both serum-dependent and serum-independent migration pathways. Ginseng pectin impaired cell migration via decreased cell spreading. These findings represent a significant contribution towards understanding the bioactivities of ginseng polysaccharides and applying them to health food and medicine.     

颅内脑膜瘤的CT征象探讨

目的：探讨脑膜瘤的CT征象及其与颅内其它疾病的鉴别要点.方法：术后结合病理检验结果,分析204例脑膜瘤在颅内的好发部位、CT征象.结果：脑膜瘤发生在矢状窦旁及大脑凸面者116例,蝶骨嵴者40例,鞍区、前颅凹底者21例,侧脑室内者2例,桥小脑角区、小脑幕者25例.平扫脑膜瘤呈椭圆形、分叶状、扁平状,可见钙化、囊变,增强明显强化,可见脑膜尾征.结论：CT对颅内脑膜瘤诊断准确率较高,定位准确.     

Inhibitory effects of oleanane-type triterpenes and saponins from the stem bark of Kalopanax pictus on LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine production in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells

Kalopanax pictus (Araliaceae) is a deciduous tree distributed in Korea, Japan, and China. The stem bark of K. pictus has been functionally used as a traditional crude drug for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we describe the inhibitory effects of oleanane-type triterpenes and saponins isolated from the stem bark of K. pictus on production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Of the compounds tested, 16,23,29-trihydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (1), 4,23,29-trihydroxy-3,4-seco-olean-12-en-3-oate-28-oic acid (2), 3β,6β,23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), nipponogenin E (6), 3β,6β,23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (7), and caulophyllogenin (19) significantly inhibited the production of IL-12 p40 and IL-6 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.3 to 9.1 μM. Compounds 2, 3, 7, and 19 significantly suppressed the secretion of TNF-α with IC₅₀ ranging from 8.8 to 20.0 μM. These data provide scientific support for the use of K. pictus stem bark and its triterpene and saponin components in the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, including IL-12 p40, IL-6, and TNF-α, and for prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.     

Solid Surface Chemical and Physical Effects on the Adsorption of Recombinant Factor VIII

The adsorption of a recombinant Factor VIII to silica surfaces coated to present different hydrophilic/hydrophobic, electrostatic and steric characteristics was monitored in situ, with ellipsometry. rFVIII adsorption affinity was high for hydrophobic surfaces and hydrophilic, charged surfaces. A lower affinity was recorded between rFVIII and a neutral hydrophilic surface, with substantial reduction in rFVIII adsorption to electronically neutral surfaces presenting pendant poly[ethylene oxide] chains. We conclude that steric repulsion is a requirement for minimizing rFVIII adsorption at solid surfaces.     

Acute Poisoning with Neonicotinoid Insecticides: A Case Report and Literature Review

Neonicotinoids are a new class of insecticides widely applied for crop protection. These insecticides act as agonists at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which cause insect paralysis and death. The high specificity for receptors in insects was considered to possess highly selective toxicity to insects and relative sparing of mammals. However, an increasing number of cases of acute neonicotinoid poisoning have been reported in recent years. We reported a man who developed respiratory failure and shock after ingestion of neonicotinoid insecticide. A detailed literature review found that respiratory, cardiovascular and certain neurological presentations are warning signs of severe neonicotinoid intoxication. The amounts of ingested neonicotinoid insecticide and the plasma neonicotinoid concentration are not useful guides for the management of intoxicated patients. Supportive treatment and decontamination are the practical methods for the management of all neonicotinoid‐poisoned patients.     

FROGG high‐risk prostate cancer workshop: Patterns of practice and literature review

Australian and New Zealand radiation oncologists with an interest in uro‐oncology were invited to participate in a pattern‐of‐practice survey dealing with the management of intact high‐risk prostate cancer. Responses from 46 practitioners (representing 73% of all potential respondents) revealed that high‐dose radiation therapy is the standard of care. However, there is variability in practice with regard to the methods used to achieve dose escalation, the use of whole‐pelvic radiation therapy and the optimal duration of androgen deprivation therapy employed. A review of the literature outlining the current body of knowledge and the planned and ongoing studies in intact high‐risk prostate cancer is presented.     

Physician visits and preventive care among Asian American and Pacific Islander long-term survivors of colorectal cancer,USA, 1996–2006

Purpose

Published literature on receipt of preventive healthcare services among Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) cancer survivors is scarce. We describe patterns in receipt of preventive services among API long-term colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors.

Methods

Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry–Medicare data were used to identify 9,737 API and white patients who were diagnosed with CRC during 1996–2000 and who survived 5 or more years beyond their diagnoses. We examined receipt of vaccines, mammography (females), bone densitometry (females), and cholesterol screening among the survivors and how the physician specialties they visited for follow-up care correlated to services received.

Results

APIs were less likely than whites to receive mammography (52.0 vs. 69.3 %, respectively; P?<?0.0001) but more likely to receive influenza vaccine, cholesterol screening, and bone densitometry. These findings remained significant in our multivariable model, except for receipt of bone densitometry. APIs visited PCPs only and both PCPs and oncologists more frequently than whites (P?<?0.0001). Women who visited both PCPs and oncologists compared with PCPs only were more likely to receive mammography (odds ratio?=?1.40; 95 % confidence interval, 1.05–1.86).

Conclusions

Visits to both PCPs and oncologists were associated with increased use of mammography. Although API survivors visited these specialties more frequently than white survivors, API women may need culturally appropriate outreach to increase their use of this test.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Long-term cancer survivors need to be aware of recommended preventive healthcare services, as well as who will manage their primary care and cancer surveillance follow-up.     

Patterns of Subsequent Progression of Localized Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Defects on Red-free Fundus Photographs in Normal-tension Glaucoma

Purpose

To investigate patterns of subsequent progression of localized retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects and to quantify the extent of progression in normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) patients.

Methods

Thirty-three eyes of 33 consecutive NTG patients who had shown continuous progression of localized RNFL defect on serial red-free fundus photographs were selected for the study. Patterns of subsequent progression of localized RNFL defects were categorized, and extents of progression were quantified. Serial evaluations of disc stereophotographs and visual fields were also performed to detect progression.

Results

The most common pattern was continuous widening of the defect towards the macula (n = 11, 33.3%) followed by sharpening of the defect border after widening of the defect towards the macula (n = 5, 15.2%), continuous widening of the defect away from the macula (n = 2, 6.1%), and deepening of the defect after appearance of a new defect (n = 2, 6.1%). Four eyes (12.1%) simultaneously showed two patterns of subsequent progression. In 13 eyes that showed continuous widening of the defect, subsequent angular widening towards the macula and away from the macula were 9.2 ± 6.0° (range, 1.1° to 24.4°; n = 11) and 5.2 ± 4.9° (range, 0.3° to 11.3°; n = 2), respectively. Thirty-two eyes showed no progression of optic disc cupping. Out of the 21 eyes in which Humphrey central 30-2 threshold visual field tests were performed after progression of RNFL defects, 15 eyes showed no deterioration in the visual field.

Conclusions

There were nine patterns of subsequent progression of localized RNFL defects. Among them, continuous RNFL loss proceeding temporally was the most common one. Initial progression of the defect proceeded temporally, especially in the defect located at the inferior fundus, might be at a risk of further RNFL loss temporally.