Distribution and diversity of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells in tree shrew

Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) mediate the pupillary light reflex, circadian entrainment, and may contribute to luminance and color perception. The diversity of ipRGCs varies from rodents to primates, suggesting differences in their contributions to retinal output. To further understand the variability in their organization and diversity across species, we used immunohistochemical methods to examine ipRGCs in tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri). Tree shrews share membership in the same clade, or evolutionary branch, as rodents and primates. They are highly visual, diurnal animals with a cone-dominated retina and a geniculo-cortical organization resembling that of primates. We identified cells with morphological similarities to M1 and M2 cells described previously in rodents and primates. M1-like cells typically had somas in the ganglion cell layer, with 23% displaced to the inner nuclear layer (INL). However, unlike M1 cells, they had bistratified dendritic fields ramifying in S1 and S5 that collectively tiled space. M2-like cells had dendritic fields restricted to S5 that were smaller and more densely branching. A novel third type of melanopsin immunopositive cell was identified. These cells had somata exclusively in the INL and monostratified dendritic fields restricted to S1 that tiled space. Surprisingly, these cells immunolabeled for tyrosine hydroxylase, a key component in dopamine synthesis. These cells immunolabeled for an RGC marker, not amacrine cell markers, suggesting that they are dopaminergic ipRGCs. We found no evidence for M4 or M5 ipRGCs, described previously in rodents. These results identify some organizational features of the ipRGC system that are canonical versus species-specific.     

Caractéristiques d’une population adolescente en fonction de son lieu de consultation : comparaison entre un service de psychiatrie adulte et un service de psychiatrie infanto-juvénile

Aims

Describing, analyzing and comparing the teenage population from 15 to 20 years old who was consulting a psychiatrist during one year, in the pedopsychiatric and adult psychiatric services of a given geographic sector.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective survey based on the files/cases of teenagers having consulted at least once over the year 2008, in one or the other ambulatory care service. Grid-in questions were elaborated specifically for the purpose of this survey, in order to collect sociodemographic data, analyze medical courses, psychiatric histories and therapeutic support.

Results

Over the year 2008, 184 teenagers from 15 to 20 years old were admitted in consultation among which 112 on the ambulatory pedopsychiatric department and 72 on the adult psychiatric department. The consultant teenagers having in the pedopsychiatric department are younger, they were more often referred by their school institution, more than half of them were living within a single-parent family and were diagnosed a personality or a neurotic disorder, whereas teenagers consulting in adult psychiatry department were referred by institutions, their family or a doctor, are more likely to be out of school (17 %), and were more often diagnosed with mood disorder or troubles related to their environment. Against all expectations, they do not have more psychiatric history (hospitalization). However, their care differs according to where they consult. Pedopsychiatrists more often refer their patients to a therapist (29 % versus 13 %) and prescribe less often medicinal treatment (24 % versus 40 %).

Conclusion

Teenagers who are monitored in psychiatric department for adults hardly differ from those who were monitored in pedopsychiatric department. Far from competing pedopsychiatric and adult psychiatric departments are complementary. A prospective survey over several years and extra surveys covering other geographical sectors would allow to confirm these data.     

A Novel Camptothecin Derivative Incorporated in Nano-Carrier Induced Distinguished Improvement in Solubility, Stability and Anti-tumor Activity Both In Vitro and In Vivo

Purpose  An oil/water nanoemulsion was developed in the present study to enhance the solubility, stability and anti-tumor activity of a novel 10-methoxy-9-nitrocamptothecin (MONCPT). Materials and Methods  MONCPT nanoemulsion was prepared using Lipoid E80 and cremophor EL as main emulsifiers by microfluidization. The droplet size of the nanoemulsion was measured by dynamic light scattering. In vitro drug release was monitored by membrane dialysis. Kinetics of MONCPT transformed into carboxylic salt was performed in phosphate buffer at different pH. Hemolysis of MONCPT nanoemulsion was conducted in rabbit erythrocytes. Solubilization character of MONCPT in nanoemulsion was experimented using Nile red as a solvatochromic probe. In vitro cytotoxicity of the nanoemulsion was measured in A549 and S180 cells using Sulforhodamine B protein stain method, and suppression rate of tumor growth was investigated in S180-bearing mice. The cell cycle effects of MONCPT nanoemulsion on S180 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Distribution of the nanoemulsion in A549 cells and S180-bearing mice were also investigated by fluorescence image. Results  MONCPT is incorporated in the nanoemulsion in form of lactone with concentration of 489 μg/ml, more than 200 folds higher than that in water. Experiments using Nile red as a solvatochromic probe indicated that more MONCPT might be located in the interfacial surfactant layer of the nanoemulsion than that in discrete oil droplet or continuous aqueous phase. Nanoemulsion could release MONCPT in a sustained way, and it was further shown to notably postpone the hydrolysis of MONCPT with longer hydrolysis half-life time (11.38 h) in nanoemulsion at pH 7.4 than that of MONCPT solution (4.03 h). No obvious hemolysis was caused by MOCPT nanoemulsion in rabbit erythrocytes. MONCPT nanoemulsion showed a marked increase in cytotoxic activity, 23.6 folds and 28.6 folds in S180 cells and A549 cells respectively via arresting the cell at G2 phase, compared to that induced by MONCPT injection. It correlated well to the in vivo anti-tumor activity of MONCPT nanoemulsion with suppression rate of 93.6%, while that of MONCPT injection was only 24.2% at the same dosage. Moreover, nanoemulsion exhibited enhanced capability of delivering drug into malignant cell’s nucleus in vitro and induced drug accumulation in tumor in S180-bearing mice using in vivo imaging. Conclusion  The nanoemulsion prepared exhibited an improved MONCPT solubility, stability and anti-tumor activity, providing a promising carrier for cancer chemotherapy using MONCPT.     

Exacerbation of tonicoclonic seizures in a juvenile myoclonic epileptic taking lamotrigine

INTRODUCTION: Lamotrigine is an anti-epileptic drug considered as a first-line therapy in idiopathic generalised epilepsy. Lamotrigine is well-tolerated and secondary aggravation of epileptic syndromes has rarely been reported. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 19 year-old man with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy in whom lamotrigine lead to the exacerbation of generalised tonico-clonic seizures, reversible when lamotrigine was stopped and substituted by valproic acid. CONCLUSION: Lamotrogine may induce exacerbation of generalised tonico-clonic seizures and myoclonic jerks in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.     

Pathological,Entomological, Avian and Meteorological Investigation of a West Nile Virus Epidemic in a Horse Farm

Pathological, entomological and avian investigations were conducted during the summer of 2002, in a horse farm that had four cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in horses. All the four horses had encephalitis and WNV infection was confirmed by RT‐PCR and in situ hybridization procedure. Forty‐seven per cent of house sparrows that resided on the farm were tested positive for WNV infection. Mosquitoes (98%Culex pipiens) collected by trapping at the farm, during this period were positive for WNV. The meteorological data for year 2002 were compared to previous 16 years. The precipitation and atmospheric temperature were found to be reduced and higher respectively, indicating a drier summer than the prior 16 years, which may have been a contributing factor for the outbreak. None of the horses on these premises had been vaccinated for WNV disease.