Historadioautographic localisation of oxytocin and vasopressin binding sites in the central nervous system of the merione (Meriones shawi)

The distribution of vasopressin and oxytocin binding sites in the central nervous system of the merione (Meriones shawi), a rodent adapted to desert life, was studied by means of conventional film radioautography at macroscopic scale and historadioautography at cellular level using radioiodinated ligands highly selective for either oxytocin or type V1 a vasopressin receptors. Both types of binding sites exhibited the same selectivity for endogenous peptides as in the rat. Distribution of oxytocin binding sites was similar in some structures (limbic system, spinal cord) to that described in the rat and in other rodents. Vasopressin binding sites were much more widely distributed in the merione than in the rat brain. In addition to locations common to most rodents (lateral septum and suprachiasmatic nucleus), in merione vasopressin binding sites occurred in several areas known to express oxytocin binding sites in the rat (olfactory system, hypothalamus). Colocalisation of vasopressin and oxytocin binding sites, which occurred in the CA1 and CA2 fields of Ammon's horns of the hippocampus, the caudate-putamen and the fundus striati of the merione, has so far not been reported in any other rodent.     

5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase common mutations, folate status and plasma homocysteine in healthy French adults of the Supplementation en Vitamines et Mineraux Antioxydants (SU.VI.MAX) cohort

The 677cytosine mutation identified in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene has been frequently associated with an elevated plasma homocysteine concentration. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of this MTHFR common mutation on plasma and erythrocyte folate (RCF) and plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations in healthy French adults. A cohort of 291 subjects living in the Paris area and participating in the Supplementation en Vitamines et Mineraux Antioxydants (SU.VI.MAX) study were analysed to assess the impact of MTHFR polymorphism 677C-->T on folate status and plasma tHcy concentration. The frequency of the mutant homozygote for 677C-->T polymorphism (677TT genotype) in the present cohort was 16.8%. There were significant differences in plasma tHcy between 677CC, 677CT and 677TT genotype groups. The RCF concentrations were significantly different between each genotype, the lowest levels being associated with the 677TT genotype. When segregated by gender, no differences in tHcy between homozygous 677TT, heterozygous 677CT and wild-type 677CC genotype groups in women were observed. The fasting tHcy in women was unrelated to the 677C-->T mutation. However, tHcy was significantly increased in men with the homozygous 677TT genotype. We also analysed the possible implication of a second new MTHFR polymorphism (1298A-->C) in subjects with mild hyperhomocysteinaemia (4th quartile of homocysteinaemia; tHcy >11.1 micromol/l). The polymorphism 1298A-->C did not have a notable effect on tHcy or on the RCF levels. Our observations confirm a relatively high frequency of the 677TT genotype in the French population. Women with this genotype did not show the same increase in tHcy observed in men. In the present study dietary folate intake was not measured. Thus, the interaction of dietary folate with the MTHFR genotype in the French population needs further study.     

Central GABAergic innervation of the pituitary in goldfish: a radioautographic and immunocytochemical study at the electron microscope level

The GABAergic innervation of the goldfish pituitary was studied at the light and electron microscope levels by means of radioautography after in vitro incubation in tritiated gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and immunocytochemistry using antibodies against GABA. Following incubation of pituitary fragments in a medium containing tritiated GABA, a selective uptake of the tracer was observed within the digitations of the neurohypophysis. Silver grain clusters were also observed in the adenohypophyseal tissue. At the electron microscope level, this uptake was found to correspond to nerve endings containing small clear and dense-core vesicles. These labeled profiles were located mainly in neurohypophyseal digitations in close apposition with the basement membrane separating the neurohypophysis from the adenohypophysis. However, they were also encountered in direct contact with most adenohypophyseal cell types in the different lobes. These results were confirmed by immunocytochemical data demonstrating the presence of numerous GABA immunoreactive fibers in both anterior and neurointermediate lobes. They were found either in the digitations of the neurohypophysis or in the adenohypophysis in direct contact with the glandular cells with a distribution and an ultrastructural aspect similar to those observed by radioautography. These data demonstrate that the pituitary of teleosts receives a massive GABAergic innervation. Although physiological data providing a functional significance for such an innervation are lacking, the present study suggests that, as already documented in mammals, GABA may be involved in the neuroendocrine regulation of pituitary functions in teleosts.     

Lower limb vein enlargement and spontaneous blood flow echogenicity are normal sonographic findings during pregnancy

PURPOSE: We studied pregnancy-induced changes in lower limb venous function. METHODS: We used plethysmography and sonography to assess the changes in venous wall distensibility, saphenous vein diameters, and spontaneous blood flow echogenicity in the common femoral veins in 190 consecutive women during and after uncomplicated pregnancies (total of 409 examinations). RESULTS: The percentage of women with clinical symptoms and signs of venous insufficiency increased significantly during pregnancy. The mean diameters of the great and small saphenous veins also increased significantly, while occlusive venous plethysmography showed a decrease in parameters indicating vein distensibility. Spontaneous blood flow echogenicity in the common femoral veins was clearly visible or marked in 6% of cases during the first trimester of pregnancy, 63% during the second trimester, and 96% during the third trimester, versus 6% after delivery (p < 0.0001). The mean hematocrit decreased and the mean fibrinogen concentration increased during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in lower limb venous pressure seen during pregnancy leads to venous overdistention and worsens blood stasis. Decreased venous flow velocity and rheological alterations result in increased red cell aggregation, giving rise to spontaneous blood flow echogenicity. Spontaneous blood flow echogenicity is therefore a normal finding during pregnancy and should not be mistaken for venous thrombosis.     

Hodgkin's disease presenting with spinal cord compression

INTRODUCTION: Hematological neoplasms may be complicated by signs of neurological compression. Most cases reported in the literature have described advanced-stage non-Hodgkin lymphomas. We report a case of spinal cord compression revealing an isolated vertebral localization of Hodgkin lymphoma. CASE REPORT: Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine in a 54-year-old man who presented with spastic paraplegia revealed a vertebral and extradural mass. After laminectomy, histology and immunohistochemistry showed Hodgkin's disease. Post-operative staging did not reveal any other localization. The patient responded favorably after decompressive surgery and ABVD regimen. CONCLUSION: Spinal cord compression is a rare complication of Hodgkin's disease, occurring in only 5p.cent of cases, usually in the setting of progressive, advanced disease. As the initial symptom of Hodgkin's disease, it is extremely rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. Significant results may be obtained with decompressive surgery and chemotherapy when the disease is promptly diagnosed. Spinal cord compression by primary Hodgkin's disease is a very infrequent situation. We urge this diagnosis be considered in all patients presenting with spinal cord compression attributed to malignancy.     

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia

INTRODUCTION: Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia is a rare affection. CASE REPORT: A 36 years-old woman presented an angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia manifesting by erythematous nodular lesions on the face and the forearms, severe neuropathy, visual loss and eosinophilia. Corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs and interferon-alpha were unsuccessful. DISCUSSION: Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia is a dermatological disease with possible systemic features. Differential diagnosis with Kimura disease is based on clinical presentation and histological findings. Etiopathology remains unknown and the treatment is not codified.     

Silent myocardial infarction and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

We describe a case of 18-year-old woman followed for 3 years for systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) complicated of a nephrectomy. Having like only factor of cardiovascular risk a balanced arterial hypertension. The patient was hospitalized because of choreo-athetosic's movement. We discovered fortuitously during this hospitalization an inferior myocardial necrosis as well as a mitral regurgitation. Coronary angiography was normal and the ventriculography showed an akinesy in the inferior territory. Biology made it possible to pose the diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) on (SLE). We suppose that surgery started myocardial necrosis and underline through this case interest of early identification and appropriate treatment of APS as well as a narrow monitoring particularly in young patients candidates to surgery.     

Can a self-management education program for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease improve quality of life ?

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the effects of a self-management program on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and morbidity commonly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODS:

A total of 57 outpatients with stable COPD received four weeks of self-management education, while 45 patients received usual care. Patients were evaluated at baseline, at three months and one year following the educational intervention. The primary outcome variable was HRQoL measured by the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). The secondary outcome variables were number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for exacerbation.

RESULTS:

The intervention group’s HRQoL improved significantly at three months (total score A=−5.0 [P=0.006]) and 12 months (total score A=−6.7 [P<0.001]), as evidenced by decreased scores on the SGRQ. In contrast, the SGRQ scores increased significantly in the control group at three months (total score A=+3.7 [P= 0.022]) and 12 months (total score A=+3.4 [P=0.032]). Global impact appeared to be responsible for the change in the intervention group. Moreover, in the intervention group, the number of hospitalizations dropped from 0.7/person/year to 0.3/person/year (P=0.017), and emergency room visits dropped from 1.1 person/year to 0.2/person/year (P=0.002), while subjects in the control group did not experience any significant decreases in these parameters.

CONCLUSIONS:

A planned education program improved HRQoL while decreasing the number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations in patients with stable COPD; this improvement persisted at 12 months.