Probiotic Supplementation and High-Intensity Interval Training Modify Anxiety-Like Behaviors and Corticosterone in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Mice

Evidence supports the role of exercise training and probiotics on reducing obesity. Considering the relationship between obesity and high-fat diet with anxiety indices, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of probiotic supplementation and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on anxiety-like behaviors, corticosterone and obesity indices in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice. Thirty male adult C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: (1) Control with normal diet (CON), (2) High-fat diet (HFD), (3) HFD + exercise training (HT), (4) HFD + probiotics supplement (HP) and (5) HFD + exercise training +probiotics (HTP). Exercise training consisted of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs. Probiotics supplement included 0.2 mL Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Anxiety-like behaviors were measured by open field (OF) and Elevated plus maze (EPM). OF and EPM tests, visceral fat mass (VFM) measurement, and blood sampling for corticosterone were performed after the intervention. Bodyweight was measured at different stages during the intervention. HFD regime in C57BL/6 mice increased bodyweight, VFM, and serum corticosterone levels and anxiety-like behaviors (p < 0.05). HIIT, probiotic and their combination, decreased bodyweight, VFM, and serum corticosterone levels and improved anxiety-like behavior in the HFD mice (p < 0.05). The effect of a combination of HIIT and probiotic on most of the anxiety indices was more than each one separately (p < 0.5). HIIT and probiotic supplements separately or above all in combination, may have beneficial effects in reducing obesity and anxiety indices.     

Comparison of the responsiveness of the SF-36 and WOMAC in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty

This study examines the responsiveness of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Eighty-nine patients completed the WOMAC and SF-36 preoperatively and postoperatively. Standardized response means (SRMs) and effect sizes (ES) were used to measure responsiveness. Mean follow-up was 17 months. The SRMs for the WOMAC ranged from -0.93 to -1.49, and the ES ranged from -1.02 to -1.53. The SRMs for the SF-36 ranged from 0.22 to 1.64, and the ES ranged from 0.20 to 1.97. The highest values occurred with the physical functioning, bodily pain, and Physical Component Summary Scales. This study demonstrates a similar level of responsiveness of the WOMAC and several components of the SF-36. This suggests that the isolated use of the SF-36 may be adequate to monitor outcomes after total hip arthroplasty. There may still be a role for the WOMAC when comparing outcomes of specific designs or techniques of total hip arthroplasty.     

Significant Association of rs77493513 Polymorphism in 3'-UTR of the NRG1 Gene with the Risk of Multiple Sclerosis Disease

Metabolic Brain Disease - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease characterized by demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS). Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) is a...     

Dose estimations for Iranian 11-year-old pediatric phantoms undergoing computed tomography examinations

In order to establish an organ and effective dose database for Iranian children undergoing computed tomography (CT) examinations, in the first step, two Iranian 11-year-old phantoms were constructed from image series obtained from CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Organ and effective doses for these phantoms were calculated for head, chest, abdomen–pelvis and chest–abdomen–pelvis (CAP) scans at tube voltages of 80, 100 and 120 kVp, and then they were compared with those of the University of Florida (UF) 11-year-old male phantom. Depth distributions of the organs and the mass of the surrounding tissues located in the beam path, which shield the internal organs, were determined for all phantoms. From the results, it was determined that the main organs of the UF phantom receive smaller doses than the two Iranian phantoms, except for the urinary bladder of the Iranian girl phantom. In addition, the relationship between the anatomical differences and the size of the dose delivered was also investigated and the discrepancies between the results were examined and justified.     

An in vitro study on the effect of vinca alkaloid,vinorelbine, on chromatin histone,HMGB proteins and induction of apoptosis in mice non-adherent bone marrow cells

Context: Vinoreline is a vinca alkaloid anticancer drug widely used in cancer therapy. Drugs are not target specific, therefore might affect normal tissues/cells, in which bone marrow is the important one. Objective: To elucidate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effect of vinca alkaloid anti cancer drug, vinorelbine, on mice non-adherent bone marrow cells in vitro. Materials and methods: Non-adherent bone marrow cells were isolated and exposed to various concentrations (0–160?µg/ml) for 4?h at 23?°C. The chromatin proteins were analyzed by SDS PAGE and western blot. Fluorescent dye staining of the cells, anion superoxide and DNA fragmentations assays were also employed. Result: The results from MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays represented reduction of the cells viability. Extractability of histones and HMG proteins contrasted with difficulty as their content was decreased on SDS-gel upon increasing drug concentration as western blots confirmed it. The amount of degradation form of PARP (89?KD) increased significantly in a dose dependent manner. Increase in anion superoxide production and DNA fragmentation together with cytological detection of chromatin condensation and cellular damage upon exposure of the cells to vinorelbine were indicative of apoptosis induction in these normal cells. Conclusion: Vinorelbine is genotoxic in non-adherent bone marrow cells as affects chromatin components, DNA, histone and HMGB1 proteins and induces apoptosis.     

Multiparametric MR evaluation of uterine leiomyosarcoma and STUMP versus leiomyoma in symptomatic women planned for high frequency focussed ultrasound: accuracy of imaging parameters and interobserver agreement for identification of malignancy

Objective:To assess accuracy of and interobserver agreement on multiparametric MR findings to distinguish uterine leiomyoma (LM) from uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and soft tissue tumour of unknown malignant potential.Methods:Inclusion criteria: All females over 18 years with least one uterine mass measuring 5 cm or more in at least one of the three standard orthogonal dimensions on MR with histopathological confirmation of LM, LMS, or soft tissue tumour of unknown malignant potential (STUMP) in the 3 months following MR. Patients with LMS were drawn from a larger cohort being assessed for MR-guided focussed ultrasound (MRgFUS) suitability. Image evaluation: Assessed variables were: lesion margin, margin definition, T2 signal homogeneity, >50% of lesion with T2 signal brighter than myometrium, haemorrhage, restricted diffusion, contrast enhancement (CE), CE pattern, local lymphadenopathy and ascites.Results:32 LM, 10 LMS and 1 STUMP were evaluated. Ill-defined (p-value = 0.0003–0.0004) or irregular (p = 0.003–0.004) lesion margin, T2 hyperintensity >50% (p = 0.001–0.004), and peripheral CE (p = 0.02–0.05) were significantly more common in LMS/STUMP than LM for both radiologists. 10/11 (Reader 2) and 11/11 (Reader 1) LMS/STUMP displayed restricted diffusion but so did 63–80% of LM. Agreement was greatest for margin characteristics (κ = 0.73–0.81).Conclusion:Irregular/ill-defined lesion margin best distinguished LMS/STUMP from LM with good interrater reliability.Advances in knowledge:Assessment of agreement regarding MR parameters distinguishing LM from LMS and STUMP has not previously been undertaken in a cohort including a large number of patients with LMS. This will help inform evaluation of females considering minimally invasive LM treatment.     

MDX‐1097 induces antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity against kappa multiple myeloma cells and its activity is augmented by lenalidomide

MDX‐1097 is an antibody specific for a unique B cell antigen called kappa myeloma antigen (KMA) that consists of cell membrane‐associated free kappa light chain (κFLC). KMA was detected on kappa human multiple myeloma cell lines (κHMCLs), on plasma cells (PCs) from kappa multiple myeloma (κMM) patients and on κPC dyscrasia tissue cryosections. In primary κMM samples, KMA was present on CD38+ cells that were CD138 and CD45 positive and/or negative. MDX‐1097 exhibited a higher affinity for KMA compared to κFLC and the latter did not abrogate binding to KMA. MDX‐1097‐mediated antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and in vitro exposure of target cells to the immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide resulted in increased KMA expression and ADCC. Also, in vitro exposure of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to lenalidomide enhanced MDX‐1097‐mediated ADCC. PBMCs obtained from myeloma patients after lenalidomide therapy elicited significantly higher levels of MDX‐1097‐mediated ADCC than cells obtained prior to lenalidomide treatment. These data establish KMA as a relevant cell surface antigen on MM cells that can be targeted by MDX‐1097. The ADCC‐inducing capacity of MDX‐1097 and its potentiation by lenalidomide provide a powerful rationale for clinical evaluation of MDX‐1097 alone and in combination with lenalidomide.