Vasopressin and oxytocin in the rat spinal cord: distribution and origins in comparison to [Met]enkephalin, dynorphin and related opioids and their irresponsiveness to stimuli modulating neurohypophyseal secretion

Immunoreactive-vasopressin, -oxytocin, -dynorphin, -dynorphin-(1-8), -alpha-neo-endorphin and -[Met]enkephalin were, in each case, present in greater concentrations in dorsal as compared to ventral, and lumbo-sacral as compared to cervico-thoracic, spinal cord. These differences were significantly more pronounced for vasopressin and oxytocin than for the other peptides. Lesions of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus depleted levels of immunoreactive-vasopressin and -oxytocin throughout the cord whereas levels of the opioid peptides therein were unaffected. In contrast, destruction of either the supraoptic or suprachiasmatic nucleus failed to change the content of immunoreactive-vasopressin, -oxytocin or any of the opioid peptides in the cord. Dehydration for 3 days depressed levels of immunoreactive-vasopressin, -oxytocin and -dynorphin in the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary. In distinction, the levels of these were not modified in the spinal cord. Further, treatment with the synthetic corticosteroid, dexamethasone, elevated levels of immunoreactive-vasopressin, -oxytocin and -dynorphin in the neurointermediate pituitary whereas these were unaffected in the spinal cord. It is concluded that vasopressin and oxytocin in the spinal cord are predominantly derived from the paraventricular nucleus, localized in dorsal lumbo-sacral regions of the cord and insensitive to endocrinological manipulations. These pools may, thus, be modulated differently from their counterparts in the neurohypophysis and have a differing role, possibly in the control of the primary processing, autonomic or motor junctions. Further, there is no evidence from these or our prior studies for a close interrelationship of spinal cord vasopressin with dynorphin-related peptides (or oxytocin with [Met]enkephalin), likewise in contrast to the neurohypophysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sleep quality and its relationship with quality of life among high-risk pregnant women (gestational diabetes and hypertension)

Background: Sleep is one of the most basic human requirements. This research aims at determining the status of sleep quality and its relationship with quality of life among high-risk pregnant women in Tabriz, Iran, in 2015.

Materials and methods: This research was a sectional study done on 364 qualified women in 28–36 weeks of pregnancy suffering from mild preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The sampling was done as convenience. Personal–social–midwifery questionnaire, Pittsburg sleep quality, and quality of life in pregnancy (QOL-ORAV) were used for gathering data. Multivariate linear regression model was used for determining the relationship between sleep quality and its subsets with quality of life and controlling confounders.

Findings: In the current study, the prevalence of sleep disturbance was 96.4%. Mean (SD) of the total score of sleep quality was 10.1 (4.1) and the total score of quality of life was 61.7 (17.3). According to Pearson’s correlation test, there was statistically significant relationship between quality of life and sleep quality and all its subsets except sleep duration and use of sleep medication (p?Discussion: The findings of current research show that sleep quality is low among high-risk pregnant women and quality of life is medium. So, it is necessary that required training is given by health cares for improving sleep quality and quality of life to mothers.     

Morning melatonin serum values do not correlate with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most prevalent autoimmune arthritis worldwide, usually presents with a circannual manner and, meanwhile, follows a circadian rhythm for symptoms like morning stiffness. Therefore, association between RA and some hormones such as melatonin (MLT) and vitamin D, whose serum values are related to body circadian rhythms or seasonal variations, has become more noticeable recently. Since some studies proposed that RA patients show altered MLT circadian rhythms, especially in concordance with symptoms, in this research, we present the correlation between MLT serum values and RA disease activity score (DAS28ESR). The current cross-sectional study was carried out on 80 volunteers (60 patients and 20 healthy controls). Fifty percent of the participants in each group were sampled in cold, and the same percentage were sampled in warm seasons at 8 a.m. Disease activity was estimated utilizing DAS28ESR. Patients with possible known confounders of MLT secretion were excluded. A commercial MLT ELISA kit was employed to measure MLT. Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS-11 software. This study outlined higher serum values of MLT in RA patients compared with controls (P = 0.006, z = ?2.73). However, MLT did not correlate with DAS in patients (P = 0.45, r = ?0.09). GLM analysis demonstrated that DAS28ESR, age, disease duration, medications, gender, and season of sampling had no influence on serum MLT. However, newly diagnosed RA patients presented higher MLT values than established ones (P = 0.03, t = ?2.2). A cutoff point value of 23 pg/mL (63.3 % sensitivity and 90 % specificity) for MLT was computed between patients and controls. This study denoted that morning MLT serum values are higher in RA patients than in healthy volunteers. However, MLT and RA disease activity or other disease characteristics do not correlate. MLT serum values were higher in newly diagnosed RA patients than established ones.     

Histopathologic Findings of Pneumatocele in a Patient with Hyper-IgE syndrome, compatible with cystic adenomatoid malformation

Hyper-immunoglobulin E syndrome is a rare primary immunodeficiency disease characterized by recurrent abscess formation, respiratory tract infections and very high titers of serum IgE associated with peculiar face and skeletal features. We report a seven-year old girl presenting with persistent productive cough and history of chronic eczematoid facial lesions since infancy and two episodes of hospitalizations due to pneumonia and perianal abscess. Additionally, in physical examination finger tip clubbing, laxity of joints and crackles in both lungs were detected. Immunologic work up revealed markedly raised IgE level and eosinophilia. The patient was diagnosed as hyper IgE syndrome based on his clinical and laboratory findings. Chest X-ray revealed multiple large cystic lesions in left lung which were confirmed by spiral CT-scan. Pneumonectomy specimen examination showed cystic adenomatoid malformation, characterized by the presence of various cysts lined by epithelium in different sizes. There are few reports of cystic adenomatoid malformation in children. To our best known, this is the first report of cystic adenomatoid malformation in a child with hyper IgE syndrome. Early diagnosis and surgical therapy are helpful in prevention of repeated infections in these patients.     

Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Mechanically Alloyed Ni-TiC Composites Processed via Spark Plasma Sintering

Titanium carbide (TiC) reinforced nickel (Ni) matrix composites were processed via mechanical alloying (MA) followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. Mechanical alloying has gained special attention as a powerful non-equilibrium process for fabricating amorphous and nanocrystalline materials, whereas spark plasma sintering (SPS) is a unique technique for processing dense and near net shape bulk alloys with homogenous microstructure. TiC reinforcement varied from 5 to 50 wt.% into nickel matrix to investigate its effect on the microstructure and mechanical behavior of Ni-TiC composites. All Ni-TiC composites powder was mechanically alloyed using planetary high energy ball mill with 400 rpm and ball to powder ratio (BPR) 15:1 for 24 h. Bulk Ni-TiC composites were then sintered via SPS process at 50 MPa pressure and 900–1200 °C temperature. All Ni-TiC composites exhibited higher microhardness and compressive strength than pure nickel due to the presence of homogeneously distributed TiC particles within the nickel matrix, matrix grain refinement, and excellent interfacial bonding between nickel and TiC reinforcement. There is an increase in Ni-TiC composites microhardness with an increase in TiC reinforcement from 5 to 50 wt.%, and it reaches the maximum value of 900 HV for Ni-50TiC composites.     

Low Postprandial Circulating Inactive Ghrelin: Role of Early Satiety in Undernourished Children

Objective

To determine difference in the levels of circulating inactive ghrelin between undernourished and healthy children.

Methods

The present cross-sectional study was conducted in undernourished children from southwestern Iran, from July 2011 through July 2012. Postprandial inactive ghrelin levels were measured in 40 undernourished children and sex- and age-matched healthy controls by enzyme immunoassay.

Results

The levels of postprandial inactive ghrelin were considerably lower in undernourished compared to the healthy children (6.4 vs. 12.9, P?vs. 7.1, P?=?0.032).

Conclusions

Thus, the levels of inactive ghrelin was found to be low in undernourished children compared to healthy children. Early loss of appetite might be a result of low circulating inactive ghrelin levels in the postprandial state in undernourished children.     

Transgenerational sublethal effects of abamectin and pyridaben on demographic traits of Phytonemus pallidus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae)

In addition to determining the lethal effects, identifying sublethal effects of a pesticide is crucial to understanding the total impact a pesticide may have on a pest population. We determined the sublethal effects the two pesticides, abamectin and pyridaben, have on the cyclamen mite, Phytonemus pallidus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae)—a major pest of strawberry. Demographic traits of the P. pallidus progeny (F1 generation) produced by parents (F0 generation) treated with a low lethal concentration (LC₁₅) of abamectin and pyridaben were assessed using the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. The total longevity of the F1 generation (males = 10.78 days; female = 14.35 days) was the shortest in the progeny of the abamectin treated parents, differing significantly from the progeny of mites treated with pyridaben (males = 11.50 days, females = 15.63 days), and the control population (males = 13.50 days, females = 17.81 days). The intrinsic rates of increase (r) and the finite rates of increase (λ) of the progeny of abamectin (r = 0.0854 day⁻¹, λ = 1.0891 day⁻¹) and pyridaben (r = 0.0951 day⁻¹, λ = 1.0997 day⁻¹) treated parents were significantly lower than in the control mites (r = 0.1455 day⁻¹, λ = 1.1567 day⁻¹). The lowest fecundity (5.35 eggs/female), occurred in F1 female offspring of parents treated with LC₁₅ concentrations of abamectin, which was significantly lower than in the pyridaben (6.11 eggs/female) and control treatments (11.45 eggs/female). Transgenerational sublethal effects of abamectin and pyridaben in P. pallidus can be effectively used to for optimizing IPM programs against this pest on strawberries.

     

Efficient protocol for rapid Aloe vera micropropagation

Context: Aloe vera Linn. (Liliaceae) is a medicinal plant and has a number of curative properties. Vegetative propagation has not enough potential for supplying market demand. However, via in vitro propagation makes possible the mass production of Aloe plants.

Objective: The current study was conducted to investigate growth regulators’ effects on proliferation of A. vera.

Materials and methods: In this study, for comparison of plant growth regulators’ effects on proliferation, the shoot tips and auxiliary buds of A. vera were cultured in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Rooted plantlets were transferred to garden soil, compost, and sand in the proportion of 1:1:1, respectively, after hardening.

Results: The maximum number of shoots was obtained on the medium supplemented with 1?mg/L IAA?+?4?mg/L BAP and 0.2?mg/L IAA?+?0.8?BAP mg/L. Rooting was also achieved in the same media composition proliferation of shoot. The acclimatized plants showed 100% of survival. The regenerated plants looked healthy, and they were morphologically similar to that of stock plants.

Conclusion: These results suggest that in vitro culture may be used as a technique for rapid propagation of A. vera.     

Gender differences in non-glycemic responses to improved insulin sensitivity by pioglitazone treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes

Excess cortisol and GH induce insulin resistance, a central feature of type 2 diabetes (T2D). To study whether the insulin sensitizer pioglitazone affects basal cortisol levels and the GH–IGF-I axis in patients with T2D. Forty-eight patients with T2D (men/women = 28:20, age 61 ± 1 years, BMI 31 ± 0.6 kg/m²) were treated for 26 weeks with pioglitazone 30–45 mg daily in addition to their preexisting therapy. Insulin, proinsulin, HbA_1c, IGF-I, IGFBP-1, and basal cortisol were analyzed before and after treatment. Pioglitazone decreased proinsulin/insulin ratio and HbA_1c decreased (HbA_1c from 7.8 ± 0.2 to 6.6 ± 0.2 % in men and from 7.6 ± 0.2 to 6.1 ± 0.2 % in women, p < 0.001 in both). There was a redistribution of fat but no change in waist circumference. IGF-I and adiponectin increased (p ≤ 0.001) in both genders. IGFBP-1 increased but significantly only for the whole group (p = 0.033). Triglycerides decreased significantly in women only (p = 0.015). Before treatment, women had lower basal cortisol (p = 0.045). Basal cortisol increased in women (from 390 ± 26 to 484 ± 32 nmol/L, p = 0.020) but not in men and did not differ between genders at week 26. ΔIGFBP-1 correlated with Δcortisol (r = 0.458; p = 0.049) and Δadiponectin (r = 0.600; p = 0.005) in women only. In addition to the known effect of improving insulin sensitivity, pioglitazone increased IGF-I regardless of gender and in women also increased basal cortisol. Increased IGF-I may contribute to improved insulin sensitivity after treatment. There seems to be gender differences in treatment responses to pioglitazone on lipid metabolism and basal cortisol, perhaps correcting different mechanisms of insulin resistance between genders.     

Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and ‘visual field defects’ following vitrectomy: could they be related?

Background Visual field defects after uncomplicated vitrectomy have been reported but poorly explained. We describe two cases of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) observed following vitrectomy. We also reviewed the literature for cases of post-vitrectomy visual field defects for evidence of optic nerve damage. Methods Two patients developed optic disc edema and features of an optic neuropathy after uncomplicated vitrectomy for macular hole and epiretinal membrane. A systematic literature search was conducted to obtain prior reports of visual field defects or ischemic optic neuropathy following vitrectomy. Additional studies were identified from the bibliographies of the retrieved articles. Results The incidence of visual field defects following vitrectomy has varied from 1–71% across all studies. Overall, we found 160 (14.5%) cases of unexplained visual field defects following vitrectomy out of 1,104 patients. Of these, 31 eyes (19.4%) have shown some sign of optic nerve damage following vitrectomy, including pallor in 29 eyes, relative afferent pupillary defect in eight eyes, and intrapapillary hemorrhage in two eyes. Conclusions NAION may develop following vitrectomy. “Visual field defects” following vitrectomy are common and many of the involved eyes demonstrate evidence of optic nerve damage, some of which may have represented NAION. Presented in part at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, April 30, 2006, Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA. Grant Support: Supported in part by an nnrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, New York, NY (MSL). Proprietary Interest: None.