BGP-15 improves contractile function of regenerating soleus muscle

This study investigated the effect of the heat shock protein inducer O-[3-piperidino-2-hydroxy-1-propyl]-nicotinic amidoxime (BGP-15) on the morphology and contractile function of regenerating soleus muscles from mice. Cryolesioned soleus muscles from young mice treated daily with BGP-15 (15 mg/Kg) were evaluated on post-cryolesion day 10. At this time point, there was a significant decrease in the cross-sectional area of regenerating myofibers, maximal force, specific tetanic force, and fatigue resistance of regenerating soleus muscles. BGP-15 did not reverse the decrease in myofiber cross-sectional area but effectively prevented the reduction in tetanic force and fatigue resistance of regenerating muscles. In addition, BGP-15 treatment increased the expression of embryonic myosin heavy chain (e-MyHC), MyHC-II and MyHC-I in regenerating muscles. Although BGP-15 did not alter voltage dependent anion-selective channel 2 (VDAC2) expression in cryolesioned muscles, it was able to increase inducible 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) expression. Our results suggest that BGP-15 improves strength recovery in regenerating soleus muscles by accelerating the re-expression of adult MyHC-II and MyHC-I isoforms and HSP70 induction. The beneficial effects of BGP-15 on the contractile function of regenerating muscles reinforce the potential of this molecule to be used as a therapeutic agent.     

Phenotype and cell proliferation activity of duct-like structures in human sublingual glands: a histological and immunohistochemical study

There are several age-related microscopic changes in the salivary glands, including the increase in the number of duct-like structures (DLS). However, the true origin and the phenotype of the DLS are not known.

Objective

To evaluate the phenotype and the cell proliferation index of the DLS of human sublingual glands.

Material and Methods

Sixty sublingual glands obtained from human cadavers were divided into two groups - 0-30 and 61-90 years old. The phenotype was estimated by immunostaining for cytokeratin 19 (CK 19) and the S-100 protein as well as by the presence of mucin and glycogen. The cell proliferation index was determined by the Ki-67 antibody. The histochemical techniques used periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Alcian Blue. In each captured microscopic field, the DLS were counted to establish a percentage for the staining profile. The statistical analysis was accomplished using Student’s t-test, the Mann-Whitney test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (p<0.05).

Results

Comparing both groups, only CK 19 showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.033), with the strongest expression in the elderly group. There was no significant difference between PAS and Alcian Blue (p=0.270). In both groups, the immunostaining for CK 19 was stronger than that for S-100 (p=0.004;p<0.001), but there was no correlation between the two immunomarkers (ρ=-0.163; p=0.315). There was no immunostaining for Ki-67.

Conclusions

DLS demonstrate a ductal phenotypic profile and do not present cell proliferation activity. DLS may represent a regressive process arising from acini or represent the result of metaplasia.     

Psammomatoid juvenile ossifying fibroma: an analysis of 2 cases affecting the mandible with review of the literature

Juvenile ossifying fibroma (JOF) is a rare fibro-osseous neoplasm, defined as a variant of the ossifying fibroma that arises within the craniofacial bones. Two subgroups, juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma (PsJOF) and juvenile trabecular ossifying fibroma, have been delineated by their histology. PsJOF occurs predominantly in the sinonasal and orbital bones. This work reports on 2 cases of extensive PsJOF in the body of the right mandible as well as reviews the literature regarding the radiographic and histologic features, treatment, and prognosis of PsJOF of the jaws.     

Increased p21(CIP1/WAF1) and B cell lymphoma leukemia-x(L) expression and reduced apoptosis in alveolar macrophages from smokers

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are the predominant defense cells in the airway, and their numbers are increased in smokers and subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This increase may result from increased recruitment, increased proliferation, or reduced cell death. Apoptosis regulates inflammatory cell survival, and p21(CIP1/WAF1) is an important inhibitory regulator of cycle progression after oxidative stress. We have investigated whether chronic smoke exposure influences the expression and localization of cell cycle and apoptotic proteins in AM and bronchial epithelial cells in vivo. The increased numbers of AMs seen in smokers were only partially due to enhanced proliferation. p21(CIP1/WAF1) protein expression was increased in AMs and biopsies isolated from smokers and was found predominantly within the cytoplasm. In addition, B cell lymphoma leukemia (Bcl)-x(L), an antiapoptotic regulator, was also highly expressed in macrophages from smokers compared with nonsmokers and subjects with asthma. Hydrogen peroxide, an oxidative stress, induced cytoplasmic expression of p21(CIP1/WAF1) and failed to induce apoptosis in an in vitro model. These results suggested that AM and bronchial epithelial cells from smokers, in contrast to those from normal subjects and subjects with asthma, have reduced cell death. Thus, oxidative stress induced by cigarette smoking may contribute to the chronicity of inflammation in the airway, through a reduction of apoptosis.     

Insulin-induced hypoglycemia stimulates gastric vagal activity and motor function without increasing cardiac vagal activity

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We investigated whether increasing the efferent vagal activity by insulin-induced hypoglycemia would enhance gastric emptying and volumes in healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers (10 males) were examined with and without vagal stimulation by insulin-induced hypoglycemia using a glucose clamp technique. Stomach function was tested by drinking meat soup (0.04 kcal ml(-1)) at a rate of 100 ml min(-1) until maximal capacity. Intragastric volume at maximal drinking capacity was determined by three-dimensional ultrasound. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) was used as an index of cardiac vagal activity and plasma pancreatic polypeptide (PP) as a measure of gastric vagal activity, and skin conductance (SC) as a measure of sympathetic tone. RESULTS: Insulin-induced hypoglycaemia increased drinking capacity (p = 0.002), gastric emptying (p = 0.02), PP (p = 0.004) and SC (p = 0.004), while intragastric volume was unchanged (p = 0.7) and RSA decreased (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Enhancement of gastric vagal activity by insulin-induced hypoglycemia increased drinking capacity and gastric emptying similarly, resulting in an unchanged intragastric volume. Enhanced efferent vagal activity to the stomach (as measured by PP) was not associated by enhanced cardiac vagal activity (as measured by RSA), possibly a consequence of stress-induced sympathetic activation during the procedure.     

Effectiveness of substance abuse treatment programming for women: a review

Recent research has shown that women and men differ in substance abuse etiology, disease progression, and access to treatment for substance abuse. Substance abuse treatment specifically designed for women has been proposed as one way to meet women's distinctive needs and reduce barriers to their receiving and remaining in treatment. However, relatively few substance abuse treatment programs offer specialized services for women, and effectiveness has not been fully evaluated. This article reviews the literature on the extent and effectiveness of substance abuse treatment programming for women and provides an overview of what is known about the components of successful treatment programs for women. Thirty-eight studies of the effect on treatment outcomes of substance abuse treatment programming for women were reviewed. Seven were randomized, controlled trials, and 31 were nonrandomized studies. In our review, six components of substance abuse treatment programming for women were examined: child care, prenatal care, women-only programs, supplemental services and workshops that address women-focused topics, mental health programming, and comprehensive programming. The studies found positive associations between these six components and treatment completion, length of stay, decreased use of substances, reduced mental health symptoms, improved birth outcomes, employment, self-reported health status, and HIV risk reduction. These findings suggest that to improve the future health and well-being of women and their children, there is a continued need for well-designed studies of substance abuse treatment programming for women.     

Analysis of the role of thyroidectomy and thymectomy in the surgical treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism

Purpose

Parathyroidectomy can be subtotal or total with an autograft for the treatment of renal hyperparathyroidism. In both cases, it may be extended with bilateral thymectomy and total or partial thyroidectomy. Thymectomy may be recommended in combination with parathyroidectomy in order to prevent mediastinal recurrence. Also, the occurrence of thyroid disease observed in patients with hyperparathyroidism is poorly understood and the incidence of cancer is controversial. The aim of the present study was to report the experience of a single center in the surgical treatment of renal hyperparathyroidism and to analyse the role of thyroid and thymus surgery in association with parathyroidectomy.