First validation of the gout activity score against gout impact scale in a primary care based gout cohort

Objectives

To validate the gout activity score (GAS) against the gout impact scale in a primary care based gout cohort.

Diabetes-induced alterations of reproductive and adrenal function in the female rat

Diabetes interferes with reproductive function in laboratory animals. Previous studies in female diabetic rats have not resolved if the reproductive abnormalities observed are at the hypothalamic, pituitary and/or ovarian level. The interaction of the gonadal and adrenal axes has not been studied in the diabetic female rat. The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to determine the level of dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis caused by diabetes in the adult female rat controlling for stage of the estrous cycle, and, second, to evaluate basal corticosterone secretion in female diabetic rats. Sixty cycling 40-day-old female rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups; control (n = 32), diabetic (n = 14), and diabetic insulin-replaced animals (n = 14). The level of hyperglycemia in each group was documented by glycosylated hemoglobin levels and biweekly blood glucoses. Three weeks after induction of diabetes, pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) responsiveness following an i.v. injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was assessed in representative diestrous rats from each group. All animals were sacrificed in either diestrus or proestrus for determination of GnRH concentration in the hypothalamus, LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) content in pituitary and LH, FSH, estradiol and corticosterone in serum. Uterine weight to body weight ratios (a bioassay for estrogen) were also calculated. Hypothalamic GnRH concentration was significantly lower in diabetic versus control diestrous rats. Basal pituitary and serum gonadotropin levels were not different between any groups. GnRH-stimulated serum LH levels were higher in diabetic vs. control and diabetic insulin-treated animals. LH surges occurred in the control and diabetic insulin-replaced but not the diabetic group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Schwannoma of the cervical sympathetic chain

Two cases of schwannomas of the cervical sympathetic chain (CSC) are described. Eleven clearly documented cases have been described in the previous literature. These tumours are usually solitary, asymptomatic cervical masses that occur within the upper carotid sheath or parapharyngeal space. The lesions tend to be hypervascular, but not to the same extent as chemodectomas. Angiography may be employed for differential diagnosis. Schwannomas of the CSC are usually readily excised by a cervical approach. Horner's syndrome is a frequent post-operative sequel, despite anatomical preservation of the sympathetic chain. This neurological impairment is usually asymptomatic. Recurrences and malignant degeneration rarely occur.     

Enriched environment delays the onset of hippocampal damage after global cerebral ischemia in rats

An enriched environment has been shown to improve cognitive, behavioral and histopathological outcome after focal cerebral ischemia and head trauma. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an enriched environment on histopathology following global cerebral ischemia. Wistar rats (21 weeks of age) were placed in different environments [standard cages (SC) or enriched environment (EE) cages] for 2 months before and either 6 days or 2 months after ischemia. Rats underwent 10 min of global ischemia by bilateral carotid artery occlusions plus hypotension. Five groups (n=4-5 in each group) were studied: (1) rats kept in SC before and 2 months after ischemia; (2) rats kept in SC before ischemia but transferred to an EE for 2 months after ischemia; (3) rats kept in EE before and after ischemia for 2 months; (4) rats kept in SC before and 6 days after ischemia; (5) rats kept in EE before and 6 days after ischemia. At 7 days or 2 months after ischemia, brains were perfusion-fixed, and ischemic injury was assessed by counting numbers of normal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 sector. Physiological variables showed no inter-group differences. Rats housed in EE for 2 months before and for 6 days (but not 2 months) after global ischemia showed significantly better preservation of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area when compared to control animals (middle CA1, 20.5+/-5.4 vs. 2.8+/-0.6; lateral CA1, 31.5+/-7.2 vs. 2.6+/-0.6, respectively). The present data suggest that housing in EE for 2 months before and 6 days after ischemia can delay the onset of damage to hippocampal pyramidal neurons, which eventually occurs despite 2-month EE.     

Comparison of the effects of felodipine and cilazapril on exercise performance in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. A crossover study

This double-blind crossover study was designed to compare the effects of felodipine and cilazapril on exercise performance in hypertensive patients. After a 2-week placebo run-in period, 40 patients with mild to moderate hypertension were randomized into two parallel groups to receive either felodipine (10 mg) or cilazapril (5 mg) for 4 weeks. After another 2-week washout period, treatments were then crossed over for a further 4-week study period. All patients were given an extensive rest and exercise evaluation at the end of the placebo period. Extensive rest and exercise evaluations were repeated after a 4-week treatment period and again after the second washout period and after the second 4-week treatment period. Before each exercise test, epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine plasma levels and plasma renin activity were measured. Two groups were similar at baseline for systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate as well as for laboratory and hormonal variables and duration of exercise test. At the end of treatment diastolic blood pressure was significantly reduced in the felodipine group (p = 0.019). Duration of exercise test was longer than at baseline (p = 0.031) in the felodipine group. Plasma dopamine levels were significantly increased in the cilazapril group. Plasma renin activity significantly increased in the felodipine group. In conclusion, our data show that the two drugs have the same effectiveness in resting conditions but that felodipine is more effective in lowering maximum exercise diastolic blood pressure and in improving exercise time with an double product increase (not significant); it has no statistically significant effect on maximal exercise systolic blood pressure.