Emphysematous pyelonephritis successfully treated with laparoscopic nephrectomy

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a severe life-threatening infection which continues to carry significant morbidity and mortality. We present a case recently managed at our institution by laparoscopic nephrectomy. The patient survived, and in comparison to some of the more conventionally managed patients in the literature, made an extremely speedy recovery. We would advocate this option to be seriously considered when patients are suitable and appropriately trained surgeons are available.     

麦冬类中药组织切片计算机三维重建图鉴

利用计算机技术实现麦冬类中药组织连续切片三维重建与动态显示,为计算机辅助生药学鉴定和教学提供了新的三维图像技术和研究资料。     

Omega-3 fatty acid treatment fails to alter alpha 1-adrenergic receptor mediated phosphoinositide turnover in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

1. The effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on alpha 1-adrenergic receptor-mediated phosphoinositide turnover in the hearts of 6-week streptozotocin diabetic rats was studied. 2. The diabetic state was characterized by decreased body weight gain, hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. Omega-3 fatty acid treatment did not have any significant effects on the above parameters. 3. Plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels were significantly higher in diabetic rats compared with controls. 4. Omega-3 fatty acid treatment reduced the plasma triglyceride levels in the diabetic rats, whereas plasma cholesterol levels remained unaffected. 5. Norepinephrine (10 and 100 microM) stimulated inositol monophosphate (IP1) formation was significantly decreased in the diabetic rat heart compared with controls. Omega-3 fatty acid treatment had no significant effect on the norepinephrine-mediated IP1 formation in these rats. 6. Inositol bisphosphate (IP2) formation in response to 100 microM of norepinephrine was significantly lower in the diabetic rat heart; which was also not affected by omega-3 fatty acid treatment.     

Does listening to the sound of yourself chewing increase your enjoyment of food?

Background  

The aim of the current study is to investigate the relationship between physical anhedonia and psychopathological parameters, pharmacological parameters or motor side-effects in a sample of inpatients with schizophrenia in an acute episode of their illness.     

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: Medical or surgical treatment? Report of an interactive workshop

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract. With the introduction of proton pump inhibitors medical treatment of GERD has been significantly improved. However, the development of laparoscopic antireflux surgery resulted in an increasing interest of surgeons in this disease. An interactive meeting was organized in order to develop an agreement between gastoenterologists and surgeons regarding therapeutic decisions and this is the main topic of this paper.     

The pathogenesis of DOCA-salt hypertension.

Deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) is an agent commonly used to induce hypertension in experimental animals. This form of hypertension is dependent on altered regulation of central pressor mechanisms including the brain renin-angiotensin system. Additionally, there are characteristic changes involving the cardiovascular system and baroreflex responses. This review will discuss aspects of the pathogenesis of DOCA hypertension and the effect of various antihypertensive agents on the development of this form of hypertension.     

Acute and chronic ethanol alter somatosensory-evoked potentials in conscious rats.

This study examined the effects of acute and chronic ethanol on cortical somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) of laboratory rats. Evoked potentials were recorded following stimulation of the left hindpaw before and after injection of either saline or ethanol. Animals were then chronically exposed to ethanol in vapor inhalation chambers for five weeks. Recordings of SEPs before and after acute ethanol injection were then obtained 24 h and again seven days after withdrawal from ethanol exposure. The results indicate that acute ethanol produced a dose-dependent reduction in SEP amplitude, but did not alter peak latencies. Chronic ethanol exposure and withdrawal resulted in a significant increase in preinjection baseline response amplitudes when measured at 24 h after withdrawal, but not at seven days, and this treatment did not alter response latency or the effects of acute ethanol administration.     

Calcium antagonizes the magnesium-induced high affinity state of the hepatic vasopressin receptor for the agonist interaction.

1. The present study describes the role of Ca2+ in the regulation of the hepatic vasopressin V1 receptor. With low concentrations of Ca2+, there was a small increase in [3H]-arginine vasopressin [( 3H]-AVP) binding, but above 10 mM, Ca2+ decreased the binding of this agonist. In contrast, low concentrations of Mg2+ were associated with a dramatic concentration-dependent increase in [3H]-AVP binding, reaching a maximal effect of 650% above control at concentrations ranging between 1-5 mM. At higher concentrations of Mg2+, the stimulatory effect of this cation was less pronounced, falling to 210% of control at 100 mM Mg2+. Strikingly, Ca2(+)-inhibited the stimulatory effect of Mg2+ in a concentration-dependent fashion. 2. Saturation binding data revealed that Ca2+ (2 to 10 mM) per se promotes the high affinity conformation of the V1 receptor for the agonist binding with the KD decreased from a control value of 2.3 nM to 0.5 nM in the presence of 10 mM Ca2+. This effect was attenuated with an increase in Ca2+ above 10 mM. With an increase in Ca2+ to 20 mM, however, the Bmax for [3H]-AVP binding was decreased. Ca2+ also decreased the high affinity/high capacity state (KD 100 pM) of the receptor induced by 1 mM Mg2+ for agonist interaction. 3. [3H]-V1 antagonist binding was inhibited by both Ca2+ and Mg2+. The IC50 values (mean +/- s.e. mean) for Ca2+ and Mg2+ were 32 +/- 8 and 53 +/- 9 mM respectively. Maximal inhibition achieved at 100 mM was 29% for Ca2+ and 42% for Mg2+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)