Distribution of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in the brain of the lizard Gallotia galloti.

The distribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity was studied in the brain of the lizard Gallotia galloti, in order to gain insight into the comparative topography of this peptide. Antisera against both NPY and its C-terminal flanking peptide (C-PON) were used, demonstrating a general coexistence of both peptides, as described in other vertebrates. Most NPY-like immunoreactive (NPY-LI) cell bodies were observed in the telencephalon, specifically in various olfactory structures, all cortices, septum, basal ganglia (except for the globus pallidus), the nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca, the amygdaloid complex, and the bed nucleus of the anterior commissure. NPY-LI cells were also seen in the preoptic and hypothalamic regions and the dorsal thalamus (mainly in the perirotundal belt), as well as in the mesencephalic tegmentum (in the ventral tegmental area, the substantia nigra, and the retrorubral area). NPY-LI fibers and terminals were widely distributed in the brain. All visual and auditory neuropiles were densely innervated. Specially dense plexuses were seen in the nucleus accumbens, the ventral pallidum, the suprachiasmatic and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei, the nucleus medialis thalami, the left habenula, and the central nucleus of the torus semicircularis. Our analysis shows that the distribution of NPY-like immunoreactivity in the forebrain of Gallotia largely resembles that of other vertebrates, whereas differences are mainly observed in the brainstem. The widespread distribution of NPY in the lizard brain suggests several modulatory functional roles, either in local-circuit systems of the forebrain, or in various limbic, neuroendocrine, and sensory pathways.     

稳定层流剪应力对内皮细胞骨架调节蛋白VASP表达的影响

为探讨生理强度的稳定层流剪应力对内皮细胞骨架actin相关蛋白VASP特征影响规律，我们采用胰蛋白酶消化法分离人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs)，模拟体内流动环境，建立平行板流动腔模型。利用细胞图像分析系统和ALEXA488—若丹明一次毒蕈环肽双标记法，观察内皮细胞在稳态层流下形态、actin排列变化与VASP分布变化之间的规律。采用Western blot定量动态检测细胞内VASP表达及磷酸化的水平。结果表明，内皮细胞在10dyn／cm^2剪切作用后，随时间细胞逐渐延长，长轴趋于剪应力作用方向排列，细胞与静息态的细胞相比，细胞内骨架沿剪应力方向重组，与此同时VASP表达增强，沿着actin纤维呈点状分布，尤其集中在细胞膜下actin末端区域；Western blot检测显示在剪切后，细胞内VASP出现快速磷酸化，VASP总体表达量增加，2h达高峰后逐渐恢复，8h后再次逐渐升高。以上结果提示血流动力学特性中剪应力引起了细胞胞质内骨架蛋白分子重组，血管内皮细胞形态改变，在此过程中，VASP发挥骨架调节蛋白的作用。     

Recalcitrant granulomatous periorificial dermatitis with good response to low‐dose oral isotretinoin

Granulomatous periorificial dermatitis is a clinical variant of periorificial dermatitis. We present the case of an 18‐year‐old girl with several reddish papular lesions in the perioral, perinasal, and periorbital regions unresponsive to conventional therapy. After 6 months of therapy with low‐dose oral isotretinoin, the lesions fully remitted.     

Breastfeeding Shows a Protective Trend toward Adolescents with Higher Abdominal Adiposity

ObjectiveThe question of whether breastfeeding has a protective effect against the development of overweight or obesity later in life remains controversial, especially during adolescence. The objective was to assess the relationship between breastfeeding and adolescents’ body composition.MethodsThe HELENA study is a cross-sectional study involving 3,528 adolescents from 10 European cities. The outcome measures were body weight and height, subscapular skinfolds as well as waist circumferences. Breastfeeding, smoking status, and parental socioeconomic status were assessed by self-administered questionnaires. Dietary intake was recorded using two 24-hour recall surveys. Two adjustment approaches were used: i) covariance analysis adjusted for confounding factors (propensity score adjustment) and ii) multivariate quantile regression.ResultsAfter adjustment, no significant associations were observed between breastfeeding and body composition parameters (BMI Z-score; sum of skinfolds; waist-to-height ratio). An adjusted quantile regression analysis showed a non-significant trend for a protective effect of breastfeeding toward the highest percentiles of adiposity in boys but not in girls. This is of particular interest with respect to the superiority of the waist-to-height ratio over waist circumference and BMI for detecting cardiometabolic risk factors.ConclusionThis first European study, including a large set of factors influencing adolescents’ body composition, showed a non-significant trend toward a protective effect of breastfeeding on highest percentiles of adolescent''s abdominal adiposity.Key Words: Breastfeeding, Body composition, Adolescents, Waist-to-height ratio, BMI, Propensity score     

Changes of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) and its phosphorylation in endothelial cells exposed to laminar flow

Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), an actin filaments-associated protein expressed mainly in focal adhesions and dynamic membrane regions of endothelial cells (ECs), serves as a substrate for cAMP and cGMP-dependent protein kinases. In this work, we studied the effect of laminar shear stress in vitro on the location and expression of the VASP as well as its phosphorylation associated with actin reorganisation in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs). The distributions of VASP and microfilaments were observed by a fluorescent double staining. The level of VASP expression in cells was quantified by western blot. Experiments showed that, after exposure to a shear stress of 10 dyn/cm(2) for 24 h, besides the elongation and orientation of the cells, and spots of VASP were found along thick stress fibres, particularly at their two extremities. Western blot data showed conversions up to 11.4% and 8.9% of the 46 kD non-phosphorylated form VASP to its 50 kD phosphorylated form after exposures of 1 h and 4 h respectively to the same shear stress. The shear stress of 15 dyn/cm(2) had qualitatively the same effect as that of 10 dyn/cm(2), but with a lower magnitude. However, the shear stress of 2 dyn/cm(2) had much slower and weaker effects on the same tendency. These results suggest that a laminar shear stress can induce VASP translocation and phosphorylation that proceed actin filaments rearrangement along with the flow direction in HUVECs.     

Idoneidad de las indicaciones de cesárea. Una aplicación en la gestión de la práctica clínica

Objectives

To describe the quality management system applied by the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service of the Manacor Hospital, Majorca (Spain) to the process of cesarean section, and to assess the appropriateness of caesarean sections performed in this service between 2004 and 2005.

Subjects and methods

Consensus was reached on evidence-based indications for emergency and elective cesarean sections and on their quality criteria. All clinical records were reviewed to assess the appropriateness of cesarean sections performed from 2004-2005 according to previously established standards.

Results

In all two-monthly periods, appropriateness was achieved according to previously established standards (100% of elective interventions and > 90% of emergency cesarean sections), except in July-August, 2004 and May-June 2005 (appropriateness of elective cesarean sections = 92%), and in July-August 2004 (appropriateness of emergency interventions = 84%).

Conclusions

To reduce unjustified variability in clinical practice, cesarean section indications must be standardized, based on scientific evidence, and regularly assessed.     

Metabolism and transfer of the mycotoxin zearalenone in human intestinal Caco-2 cells

The mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEA) is found worldwide as contaminant in cereals and grains. It is implicated in reproductive disorders and hyperestrogenic syndromes in animals and humans exposed by food. We investigated metabolism and transfer of ZEA using the human Caco-2 cell line as a model of intestinal epithelial barrier. Cells exposed to 10–200 μM ZEA showed efficacious metabolism of the toxin. α-zearalenol and β-zearalenol were the measured preponderant metabolites (respectively 40.7 ± 3.1% and 31.9 ± 4.9% of total metabolites, after a 3 h exposure to 10 μM ZEA), whereas ZEA-glucuronide and α-zearalenol glucuronide were less produced (respectively 8.2 ± 0.9% and 19.1 ± 1.3% of total metabolites, after a 3 h exposure to 10 μM ZEA). Cell production of reduced metabolites was strongly inhibited by α-and β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitors, and Caco-2 cells exhibited α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II and β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I mRNA. After cell apical exposure to ZEA, α-zearalenol was preponderantly found at the basal side, whereas β-zearalenol and both glucuronides were preferentially excreted at the apical side. As α-zearalenol shows the strongest estrogenic activity, the preferential production and basal transfer of this metabolite suggests that intestinal cells may contribute to the manifestation of zearalenone adverse effects.