A blunted anxiolytic like effect of curcumin against acute lead induced anxiety in rat: Involvement of serotonin

Anxiety is one of the most common mental disorders sharing extreme or pathological anxiety states as the primary disturbance in mood or emotional tone, with increased fear and exaggerated acute stress responses. Medicinal plants are very variable, but some of them are used as a spice such as curcumin (Curcuma longa). Curcumin shows a wide range of pharmacological potentialities, however, little is known about its anxiolytic properties. The aim of our study was to assess the anti-anxiety potential of curcumin extract against experimental lead induced-anxiety in rats. Experiments were carried out on male Wistar rats intoxicated acutely with an intraperitoneal injection of Pb (25 mg/kg B.W.) and/or concomitantly with administration of curcumin (30 mg/kg B.W.) for 3 days. Using immunohistochemistry and anxiety assessment tests (dark light box and elevated plus maze), we evaluated, respectively, the expression of serotonin (5HT) in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and the anxiety state in our animals. Our results showed, for the first time, a noticeable anxiolytic effect of curcumin against lead induced anxiety in rats and this may possibly result from modulation of central neuronal monoaminergic neurotransmission, especially serotonin, which has shown a significant reduction of the immunoreactivity within the DRN.     

Cardiac surgery after liver transplantation

An aortic valve replacement and an aorto-coronary bypass were done in a woman of 57 years old after an orthotopic liver transplantation. The surgical risk was increased by the antecedent liver transplantation, the immunosuppression, chronic renal insufficiency and antiphospholipid syndrome. Surgery and the post-operative period were not complicated. Cardiac surgery is not a contraindication for patients with a prior organ transplant. These individuals have a higher cardiovascular risk and require a cardiovascular follow-up the modalities of which are yet to be defined.     

Mechanical cardiac assistance and artificial heart: historical perspectives

The impact of heart failure on patients and economical burden on health insurance resources is increasing. Cardiac transplantation is still the primary treatment for patients who are in end stage heart failure. The development of artificial hearts (total and partial) was implemented by the discrepancy between the scarcity of available donors and the importance of waiting lists for cardiac transplantation. The technical progresses achieved since the first works of Kolff in 1957 now allow these patients to have their circulation restored and go home to wait for their transplantation. The encouraging results of the artificial heart and the miniaturization of these devices allow them to be considered as a possible destination therapy for patients not eligible for cardiac transplantation.     

Clinical experiences with the new electromagnetic ventricular assist devices

Recently, the third generation of partial electromagnetic artificial hearts appeared, which are a real technological advancement. These new ventricular assist devices are small, implantable, silent and increase the patients' quality of life in comparison with the electromechanical pump of second generation. Their clinical efficiency is at least as good as the second generation in light of the first experiences reported on animals and human beings. Their use as a bridge to transplant and especially as a destination therapy should increase in the coming years as they represent an answer to the health problem, which is the increasing population of patients in heart failure.     

Benefit of a Second Opinion for Lung Cancer: No Metastasis to the Kidney but a Synchronous Primary Renal Neoplasm

Background

The finding of a renal mass on imaging is suggestive of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in the presence of a lung tumor but can also have another origin.

Case Report

We describe the case of a patient diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer based on a renal metastasis. A second opinion including review of histopathological data and additional imaging followed by lung surgery and cryoablation of the kidney lesion revealed two tumors of different origins, non-small cell lung cancer and a renal cell carcinoma.

Discussion

The presence of a renal mass diagnosed on a CT scan in a patient with lung cancer is not always synonymous with metastatic disease. Confirmation of diagnosis by tissue sampling is mandatory, especially if a synchronous primary tumor is possible.Key words: Non-small cell lung cancer, Second opinion, Renal cell carcinoma, Diagnosis/treatment, Metastatic disease, Synchronous primary tumor