Effects of consumption of contaminated feed with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on the rat tibia: analysis by Raman spectroscopy and mechanical properties

Lasers in Medical Science - Studies reported the harmful effects of 2,4-D on body tissues, provoking changes in the anatomy and physiology of the kidneys, liver, and testicles. Thus, the objective...     

Pinealectomy interferes with the circadian clock genes expression in white adipose tissue

Melatonin, the main hormone produced by the pineal gland, is secreted in a circadian manner (24‐hr period), and its oscillation influences several circadian biological rhythms, such as the regulation of clock genes expression (chronobiotic effect) and the modulation of several endocrine functions in peripheral tissues. Assuming that the circadian synchronization of clock genes can play a role in the regulation of energy metabolism and it is influenced by melatonin, our study was designed to assess possible alterations as a consequence of melatonin absence on the circadian expression of clock genes in the epididymal adipose tissue of male Wistar rats and the possible metabolic repercussions to this tissue. Our data show that pinealectomy indeed has impacts on molecular events: it abolishes the daily pattern of the expression of Clock, Per2, and Cry1 clock genes and Pparγ expression, significantly increases the amplitude of daily expression of Rev‐erbα, and affects the pattern of and impairs adipokine production, leading to a decrease in leptin levels. However, regarding some metabolic aspects of adipocyte functions, such as its ability to synthesize triacylglycerols from glucose along 24 hr, was not compromised by pinealectomy, although the daily profile of the lipogenic enzymes expression (ATP‐citrate lyase, malic enzyme, fatty acid synthase, and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase) was abolished in pinealectomized animals.     

Lung Ultrasound for the Emergency Diagnosis of Pneumonia,Acute Heart Failure,and Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease/Asthma in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Lung ultrasound can accelerate the diagnosis of life-threatening diseases in adults with respiratory symptoms.

Recurring Candida albicans esophagitis in a HIV-infected patient undergoing long-Term antiretroviral therapy, and with absent-negligible immunodeficiency.

A patient with HIV infection developed the first episode of AIDS-defining opportunism (severe Candida albicans esophagitis) with an underlying CD4+ lymphocyte count of 1,025 cells/microL. After treatment with a highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), taken with insufficient compliance and leaving a residual viral load, our patient suffered from two relapses of esophageal candidiasis, which occurred three months and seven years later, when his CD4+ lymphocyte count was 930 and 439 cells/microL, respectively, and a viral load slightly above 10(4) copies/mL was still present. Also in the HAART era, Candida esophagitis remains one of the most common AIDS-defining diseases, but a presentation with a concurrent CD4+ count above 1,000 cells/microL remains a rare exception, as well as the two isolated, subsequent relapses, occurred with a CD4+ count ranging from 439 to 930 cells/microL, and a residual HIV viremia due to insufficient adherence to the prescribed HAART regimens. Our case report represents the opportunity to revisit the epidemiology and, especially, the pathogenesis of this opportunistic fungal complication in HIV-infected patients and in other subjects at risk, on the ground of an extensive literature review, and to explore possible alternative supporting factors other than the crude absolute CD4+ lymphocyte count, with emphasis on the possible role of a persisting HIV viremia, and other potential contributing factors. Clinicians engaged with immunocompromised patients and subjects with HIV disease, should be aware that a Candida esophagitis may occur and relapse also when the cell-mediated immunity, as measured by a simple CD4+ cell count, do not show relevant abnormalities.     

Eledoisin and lacrimal secretion in the rabbit

Eledoisin has been tried as a possible treatment for dry eye based on the hypothesis that it pharmacologically stimulates tear secretion when topically applied to the eye. To determine if topically applied eledoisin pharmacologically stimulates orbital lacrimal secretion, the orbital lacrimal gland excretory duct of normal rabbits was cannulated, and eledoisin was applied topically with and without prior administration of proparacaine. To determine if topically applied eledoisin stimulated accessory lacrimal gland secretion, isotonic buffer with and without eledoisin was tested in a rabbit model with only accessory lacrimal tissue remaining after the administration of proparacaine. Topically applied eledoisin did not pharmacologically stimulate lacrimal secretion but rather increased lacrimal gland secretion only in non-anesthetized eyes through a sensory reflex mechanism that is blocked by proparacaine.     

Endoscopic endonasal removal of an intra-suprasellar Rathke's cleft cyst: case report and surgical considerations.

An endoscopic endonasal approach was performed to remove an intra-suprasellar Rathke's cleft cyst. Rathke's cleft cyst are benign lesions, rarely diagnosed because they are often asymptomatic. To the best of our knowledge, at least 475 cases of Rathke's cleft cysts have been reported. They seem to arise from remnants of Rathke's pouch, an invagination of the stomodeum. A 52-year-old woman, complaining of bilateral frontal headaches, was operated on by using an endoscopic endonasal approach, for an intra-suprasellar tumor. The pre-operative diagnosis was non-functioning pituitary adenoma. Intra-operatively a creamy-coloured viscous tissue was found. After the removal of the cyst contents and of the capsule, the suprasellar structures were seen well. The chiasmatic cistern, the chiasm, the pituitary stalk and the pituitary gland were visualized with 0 and 30 degree endoscopes. The pathological findings showed a well-differentiated cuboidal epithelium. The diagnosis was Rathke's cleft cyst. No post-operative complications were observed. The endoscopic technique was particularly suitable in this case, both for the Rathke's cleft features and for an excellent outcome. The Rathke's cleft cyst was easily removed by suction and the cyst wall was entirely removed with curettes and pituitary punches. The hypophysis was distinguished from the cyst and was preserved. The surgical manoeuvres were all done under direct visual control. The absence of nasal packing and of breathing difficulties made comfortable the post-operative outcome. Thus, the endoscopic endonasal approach can be considered the favourite technique in case of either intra- and/or suprasellar Rathke's cleft cysts.     

Prognosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a retrospective multicentric study from the GIMEMA group

Clinical and biological data were evaluated using Desu univariate analyses or Cox multivariate analyses in a series of 1,777 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients from an Italian Cooperative Group. In univariate analyses, age and sex of patients, presence of bone marrow (BM; greater than or equal to 50%), and peripheral blood (PB; greater than or equal to 60,000/microL) lymphocytosis, anemia (hemoglobin [Hb] less than 11 g/dL), thrombocytopenia (less than 100,000/microL), direct Coombs' test positivity, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and extent of lymph node involvement were shown to be of significant prognostic value. Multivariate analyses, through a stepwise procedure, showed that the most important prognostic variables are Hb, hepatomegaly, lymph node involvement, PB lymphocytosis, and age and sex of patients. Further covariates would produce an improvement having a nonsignificant P value. Based on the results of multivariate analyses, a four-step staging using the significant variables of the Cox model is proposed.