Methylmalonic and propionic acids increase the in vitro incorporation of 32P into cytoskeletal proteins from cerebral cortex of young rats through NMDA glutamate receptors

In this study we investigated the effects of methylmalonic acid (MMA) and propionic acid (PA) on the phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins of cerebral cortex of rats. Slices of tissue were incubated with 32P-orthophosphate in the presence or absence of glutamate, MMA, PA and ionotropic or metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists. The cytoskeletal fraction was isolated and the radioactivity incorporated into the cytoskeletal proteins was measured. Results demonstrated that the acids, glutamate and NMDA increased the phosphorylation of the proteins studied. However, this effect was not observed for non-NMDA ionotropic agonists or metabotropic agonists. Experiments using glutamate receptor antagonists confirmed that MMA and PA at the same concentrations as found in tissues from propionic or methylmalonic acidemic children increase the phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins, possibly via NMDA glutamate receptors. Therefore, it is feasible that these findings may be related to the neurological dysfunction characteristic of these disorders.     

Methylmalonic and propionic acids increase the in vitro incorporation of P into cytoskeletal proteins from cerebral cortex of young rats through NMDA glutamate receptors

In this study we investigated the effects of methylmalonic acid (MMA) and propionic acid (PA) on the phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins of cerebral cortex of rats. Slices of tissue were incubated with ³²P-orthophosphate in the presence or absence of glutamate, MMA, PA and ionotropic or metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists. The cytoskeletal fraction was isolated and the radioactivity incorporated into the cytoskeletal proteins was measured. Results demonstrated that the acids, glutamate and NMDA increased the phosphorylation of the proteins studied. However, this effect was not observed for non-NMDA ionotropic agonists or metabotropic agonists. Experiments using glutamate receptor antagonists confirmed that MMA and PA at the same concentrations as found in tissues from propionic or methylmalonic acidemic children increase the phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins, possibly via NMDA glutamate receptors. Therefore, it is feasible that these findings may be related to the neurological dysfunction characteristic of these disorders.     

Between‐hospital variation in rates of complications and decline of patient performance after glioblastoma surgery in the dutch Quality Registry Neuro Surgery

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - For decisions on glioblastoma surgery, the risk of complications and decline in performance is decisive. In this study, we determine the rate of complications and...     

“Practical Suggestions On Counseling How I Do It”

A laryngectomee's home environment may be a critical motivating factor for successful rehabilitation. Results from questionnaires to 45 wives of laryngectomees are discussed. The wives evaluated the adequacy of their preparation for the surgery and the type and severity of ensuing problems. Judgments as to the type and adequacy of counseling and the wives' factual understanding of the laryngectomy procedure and its consequences are reported. Results of the survey underscored the need for more counseling before and after laryngectomy. Wives of older laryngectomees were more optimistic post-operatively since their primary preoperative fear had been death. Younger wives' spirits were often lowest after surgery when the impact on daily living was more fully realized. The need for a team approach to total medical, speech, and vocational rehabilitation is indicated.     

Embryonated chicken eggs: An experimental model for Pythium insidiosum infection

Pythiosis is a severe disease caused by Pythium insidiosum. Currently, the research on the treatment of pythiosis uses rabbits as an experimental infection model. To reduce the use of animals in scientific experimentation, alternative models are increasingly necessary options. The objective of this study was to establish a new experimental infection model for pythiosis using embryonated chicken eggs. First, we tested the inoculation of 4 zoospore concentrations into the egg allantoic cavity at 3 embryonic days. We observed that increased zoospore concentration causes a decrease in survival time, and at a later embryonic day (the 14th) of infection, embryos showed delayed mortality. To confirm the reproducibility of the model, we chose the 14th embryonic day for the inoculation of 50 zoospores/egg, and the experiment was repeated twice. Mortality began with 30% embryos 48 hours after inoculation, and 95% embryos died within 72 hours. There was no mortality in the uninfected control group. The infection was confirmed by culture, PCR and histopathology. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of hyphae in blood vessels in the umbilical cords in 95% of embryos and only 1 liver (5%). Our results suggest that embryonated eggs can be a very useful alternative infection model to study pythiosis.     

Mandibular trauma treatment: A comparison of two protocols

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment of mandibular fractures treated in two European centre in 10 years. Study Design: This study is based on 2 systematic computer-assisted databases that have continuously recorded patients hospitalized with maxillofacial fractures in two centers in Turin, Italy and in Amsterdam, the Netherlands for ten years. Only patients who were admitted for mandibular fractures were considered for this study. Results: Between 2001 and 2010, a total of 752 patients were admitted at Turin hospital with a total of 1167 mandibular fractures not associated with further maxillofacial fractures, whereas 245 patients were admitted at Amsterdam hospital with a total of 434 mandibular fractures. At Amsterdam center, a total of 457 plates (1.5 - 2.7 mm) were used for the 434 mandibular fracture lines, whereas at Turin center 1232 plates (1.5 – 2.5 mm) were used for the management of the 1167 mandibular fracture lines. At Turin center, 190 patients were treated primarily with IMF, whereas 35 patients were treated with such treatment option at Amsterdam center. Conclusions: Current protocols for the management of mandibular fractures are quite efficient. It is difficult to obtain a uniform protocol, because of the difference of course of each occurring fracture and because of surgeons’ experiences and preferences. Several techniques can still be used for each peculiar fracture of the mandible. Key words:Mandibular fracture, facial trauma, maxillofacial, treatment, multicentre, database.     

Wives' evaluation of problems related to laryngectomy.

Previous questionnaire studies of problems after laryngectomy have been directed toward the patients. In this study, 45 wives of laryngectomees were surveyed regarding their prior understanding of laryngeal surgery. The wives were also asked questions pertaining to health and physical care, and financial and social problems encountered after the operation. The survey results indicate a need for improved family counseling both before and after surgery.     

Heterogeneity of the genome ancestry of individuals classified as White in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

One hundred nineteen individuals classified as White, living in different localities of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, were studied in relation to the HVS-I region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The male fraction of the sample (N = 74) was also tested for seven Y-chromosome polymorphisms. In a specific population (Veranópolis), a city characterized by a large influence of the Italian immigration of the 19th century, the results from the maternal and paternal sides indicated almost complete European ancestry. However, another sample identified as White, from different localities of Rio Grande do Sul, presented significant fractions of Native American (36%) and African (16%) mtDNA haplogroups. These results indicate that Brazilian populations are remarkably heterogeneous; while some present an overwhelming majority of transplanted European genomes, with a complete correspondence between physical appearance and ancestry, others reflect a history of extensive admixture with dissociation between physical appearance and ancestry.     

The mGluR stimulating GFAP phosphorylation in immature hippocampal slices has some properties of a group II receptor.

In a previous study we showed that phosphorylation of the astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in hippocampal slices from immature rats (P12-P16) is regulated by a metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR). The subtypes of these receptors are divided into three groups and exhibit two distinct transduction signals: activation of phospholipase C and liberation of internal calcium (group I) or modulation of cAMP synthesis (groups II and III). Here we investigated the subtype of mGluR involved. Phosphorylation was strongly stimulated by the selective group II agonists DCG IV, L-CCG-I and 1S,3S-ACPD, whereas the group I agonist 3,5-DHPG and the group III agonist L-AP4 had no effect. These results show that the receptor regulating GFAP phosphorylation in the immature hippocampus has some of the properties of a group II mGluR.