Transplantation of embryonic noradrenergic neurons in two models of adult rat spinal cord injury: ultrastructural immunocytochemical study

The synaptic connections established by grafted noradrenergic (NA) neurons into the lesioned adult rat spinal cord were analysed using immunocytochemistry at the electron microscopic level. An embryonic cell suspension of the locus coeruleus region from E-13 rat embryos was transplanted into the spinal cord following either: (1) spinal cord transection or (2), partial selective denervation by 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OH DA). One month after grafting, the NA-neurons established, in the two models, an innervation pattern similar to that found in the intact spinal cord. In both models, the transplanted NA-immunoreactive neurons formed extensive synaptic contacts with dendrites, spines and perikarya. The proportion of axodendritic and axospinous contacts was inverse in the two models. The first model thus reproduced more closely the normal synaptic pattern prefering dendritic targets, which could correspond to a better integration of the graft. In the second model, a partially NA-denervated spinal cord, there existed a competition between residual intrinsic and grafted neuron-derived fibres, which presumably affects synaptogenesis. In conclusion, the present study illustrate the complexity of cell interations conducting to the formation of a specific circuitry. Recognition phenomenon are likely modulated by space constraints, which ultimately shape-up the geometry of synaptic contacts.     

Endocrinology: Intravenous albumin does not prevent the development of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in an in-vitro fertilization programme

A cohort study was undertaken to compare the effect at the timeof oocyte retrieval of the i.v. administration of either 1000ml of lactated Ringer' solution or 1000 ml of a 5% solutionof human albumin on in-vitro fertilization patients at riskfor severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). A totalof 207 patients with an oestradiol concentration > 10 000pmol/l and/or > 15 follicles (>10 mm diameter) on theday of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) injection were reviewed.Of these, 158 women received 500 ml of lactated Ringer’ssolution both before and after egg retrieval, and 49 women receivedtwo infusions of 500 ml of 5% human albumin in normal salineat the time of egg retrieval. Severe OHSS developed in two patientswho received human albumin and in 10 women who did not receivethe albumin. This difference was not statistically significant.There were no differences between the two groups in terms ofage, number of follicles punctured at transvaginal oocyte retrievalor oestradiol concentration at the time of HCG injection. Theadministration of a 5% human albumin solution does not preventthe development of severe OHSS in at risk patients. It doesappear to blunt the severity of the condition.     

Anxiolytic effects of intra-amygdaloid injection of the D1 antagonist SCH23390 in the rat

The intercalated islands are intra-amigdaloid clusters of D1 receptor rich GABAergic neurons, which control impulse traffic between the basolateral complex and the central nucleus of the amygdala. As dopaminergic transmission within the amygdala may play a role in anxiety, the effect of the D1 antagonist SCH23390 microinjected mainly close to the rostral intercalated islands in rats was studied, using the White and Black Box test. SCH23390 reduced anxiety by an increase in the latency of the first entry into the black compartment and by an increase in the total time spent in the white compartment of the White and Black Box test, while there was no significant modification of locomotion. It is suggested that blockade of D1 receptors in the rostral intercalated islands may reduce anxiety through a reduction of GABA-mediated dishinibition of the central amygdaloid nucleus.     

Surgical treatment of pleural empyema in Coronavirus disease 19 patients: the Southern Switzerland experience

We report the first surgical series of patients developing pleural empyema after severe bilateral interstitial lung disease in confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. The empyema results in a complex medical challenge that requires combination of medical therapies, mechanical ventilation and surgery. The chest drainage approach was not successful to relieve the symptomatology and to drain the excess fluid. After multidisciplinary discussion, a surgical approach was recommended. Even though decortication and pleurectomy are high-risk procedures, they must be considered as an option for pleural effusion in Coronavirus disease-positive patients. This is a life-treating condition, which can worsen the coronavirus disease manifestation and should be treated immediately to improve patient’s status and chance of recovery.     

Androgenetic alopecia and insulin resistance in young men

Background  Epidemiological studies have associated androgenetic alopecia (AGA) with severe young-age coronary artery disease and hypertension, and linked it to insulin resistance. We carried out a case–control study in age- and weight-matched young males to study the link between AGA and insulin resistance using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index or metabolic syndrome clinical manifestations.
Methods  Eighty young males, 18–35 years old, with AGA ≥ stage III in the Hamilton–Norwood classification, and 80 weight- and age-matched controls were included. Alopecia, glucose, serum insulin, HOMA-IR index, lipid profile and androgen levels, as well as metabolic syndrome criteria, were evaluated.
Results  The HOMA-IR index was significantly higher in cases than controls. Nonobese cases had a higher mean diastolic blood pressure and a more frequent family history of AGA than nonobese controls. A borderline difference in the HOMA-IR index was found in obese AGA cases vs. obese controls [ P =  0·055, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·36–4·20 vs. 1·75–2·73]. Free testosterone values were significantly higher in controls than cases, regardless of body mass index (BMI). A statistically significant additive effect for obesity plus alopecia was found, with significant trends for insulin, the HOMA-IR index, lipids and free testosterone when BMI and alopecia status were used to classify the participants.
Conclusions  Our results support the recommendation for assessing insulin resistance and cardiovascular-related features and disorders in all young males with stage III or higher AGA, according to the Hamilton–Norwood classification.     

Efficacy of 5 MU of interferon in combination with ribavirin for naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C virus: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: In chronic hepatitis C the schedule of interferon (IFN), 3 MU thrice weekly (tiw) plus ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/daily) needs further evaluation, as IFN dosages >3 MU achieve better responses. AIMS: To compare the efficacy of 5 MU tiw of IFN with (96 patients) or without ribavirin (96 patients) for 12 months in na?ve patients, to evaluate the effect of baseline features on the response to therapy, and to determine a reliable point in time during treatment to predict non-response. RESULTS: Sustained virologic response was 20.8% (95% CI 13-29) with IFN monotherapy and 54.2% (95% CI 44-64) with combination (P = 0.0001), the relapse rate 39.4% (95% CI 23-56) and 9% (95% CI 1-16) (P = 0.0007), and the combined rate of sustained biochemical and virologic response 22.7% (95% CI 14-31) and 60.5% (95% CI 50-71) (P = 0.0001), respectively. Patients given combination therapy were more likely to respond regardless of baseline features. Apart from genotype non-1, predictive factors for IFN monotherapy were ineffective in predicting response to combination therapy. Using logistic regression analysis, IFN-ribavirin was the strongest predictor of response (X2 = 21.3; P = 0.0001). Viral persistence at month 3 of therapy was a more accurate predictor than aminotransferase values for non-response to IFN monotherapy but not to combination therapy (positive predictive values of 98 and 82%, respectively). CONCLUSION: In this study, 5 MU of IFN combined with a standard dose of ribavirin has yielded the highest rate of sustained response reported to date. Further dose finding studies are warranted.