Abuse,nocturnal stress hormones,and coronary heart disease risk among women with HIV

This study investigated the relationships among abuse, nocturnal levels of cortisol and norepinephrine (NE), and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk as measured by the Framingham risk score among women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Participants (n?=?53) from the Chicago Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), a longitudinal prospective cohort study initiated in 1994, were enrolled in this study during 2012. At WIHS baseline and annual follow-up visits, women were asked about recent experiences of abuse. Summary variables captured the proportion of visits for which women reported recent (past 12 months) physical, sexual, and domestic abuse. Cortisol and NE were assayed in overnight urine samples and adjusted for creatinine levels. Recent abuse was not significantly associated with levels of cortisol, NE, or NE/cortisol ratio. However, higher NE/cortisol ratio was significantly related to higher CHD risk score, higher cortisol was significantly related to lower CHD risk score, and NE was not associated with CHD risk score. In addition, higher proportions of visits with recent sexual abuse, physical abuse, and domestic abuse were significantly related to higher CHD risk score. The association between abuse exposure and CHD risk in the context of HIV infection is likely complex and may involve dysregulation of multiple neurobiological systems. Future research is needed to better understand these relationships and prevention and intervention efforts are needed to address abuse among women with HIV.     

Transition from fetus to neonate

This article provides an overview of the key physiological changes that take place as the fetus transitions to neonatal life. It provides and an overview of fetal transition with a focus on respiratory and cardiovascular changes.     

Correlation between the extent of smoking,salivary protein profiles,and dental caries in young adult smokers

Context.Proteins in the saliva are one of the defense mechanism factors that can protect the oral cavity from disease. However, smoking might affect the properties of saliva.AimTo determine the differences in salivary protein profiles and total concentrations in smokers and non-smokers and their correlation with dental caries severity as indicated by the Decayed, Missing, Filled-Teeth (DMF-T) scores.Methods and materialThis cross-sectional study included 25 smokers and 25 non-smokers. The DMF-T scores were recorded. The total salivary protein was measured by the Bradford method, and the profile proteins were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).ResultsThe average of salivary protein concentration in smokers was lower than that in non-smokers (551.486 µg/mL versus 765.361 µg/mL), but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Further correlation analyses showed a negative correlation between the concentration of proteins based on the extent of smoking. A weak negative correlation was found between protein concentration and DMF-T scores (r = −0.239). Dominant salivary protein bands of 11.6 kDa and 54.5 kDa were found in smokers and 27 kDa, 60 kDa, and 94.5 kDa were found in non-smokers.ConclusionDifferent protein bands appeared in smokers and non-smokers. There was a weak correlation between protein concentration, DMF-T scores, and the extent of smoking.     

Psychological,endocrine and neural responses to social evaluation in subclinical depression

This study aimed to identify vulnerability patterns in psychological, physiological and neural responses to mild psychosocial challenge in a population that is at a direct risk of developing depression, but who has not as yet succumbed to the full clinical syndrome. A group of healthy and a group of subclinically depressed participants underwent a modified Montreal Imaging Stress task (MIST), a mild neuroimaging psychosocial task and completed state self-esteem and mood measures. Cortisol levels were assessed throughout the session. All participants showed a decrease in performance self-esteem levels following the MIST. Yet, the decline in performance self-esteem levels was associated with increased levels of anxiety and confusion in the healthy group, but increased levels of depression in the subclinical group, following the MIST. The subclinical group showed overall lower cortisol levels compared with the healthy group. The degree of change in activity in the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex in response to negative evaluation was associated with increased levels of depression in the whole sample. Findings suggest that even in response to a mild psychosocial challenge, those individuals vulnerable to depression already show important maladaptive response patterns at psychological and neural levels. The findings point to important targets for future interventions.     

Establishment of ex vivo mucocele model using salivary gland organ culture

A mucocele is a common lesion originating from the minor salivary glands and frequently seen in children. For this study, we established an ex vivo mucocele model using a mouse salivary gland organ culture method.ResultsFirst, medium from the upper portion of salivary gland organ cultures was either removed or not, then culturing was continued for 10 days. After that 10-day period, 13 of 21 specimens (61.9%) in the medium removed group showed mucocele-like mucus restoration, while only 1 of 15 (6.7%) in the non-medium removed group showed restoration. Next, we examined mucocele type in the ex vivo salivary gland organ cultures and found mucous retention type mucocele formation in only the main duct of most of the cultures. Other types were observed in the main excretory and intercalated ducts, but not exclusively in the intercalated duct. We also investigated the effect of duct cutting on mucocele recrudescence. Mucoceles that developed in the cultures were cut with stainless needles under a stereomicroscope and mucus was promptly discharged. At 7 days after duct cutting, 5 of 19 specimens (26.3%) showed recrudescence mucus retention.ConclusionsThis is the first report of establishment of an ex vivo pathogenic condition for examination of salivary glands. Our model may be useful to establish mucocele treatment options including drug screening and surgical procedures.