Botulinum toxin blocks mast cells and prevents rosacea like inflammation

Background

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin condition whose etiology has been linked to mast cells and the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin LL-37. Individuals with refractory disease have demonstrated clinical benefit with periodic injections of onabotulinum toxin, but the mechanism of action is unknown.

肌电图对腰神经后根节段定位作用的实验研究

目的:探讨应用肌电图行大鼠腰神经后根节段定位的方法。方法:通过电生理的方法,依次电刺激L3￣L5脊神经后根,分别记录大鼠双侧下肢主要肌肉的肌电图像,测量最早出现的感觉神经动作电位(SNAP)最大波幅值。结果:刺激L3脊神经后根,于股四头肌记录到的波幅峰值(480.8±255.9μV)显著高于其它各组肌肉(P<0.01)。刺激L4脊神经后根,于下肢四组肌肉记录到的CMAP最大波幅平均值均>100μV,其中在股四头肌(305.2±131.5μV)、胫骨前肌(340.2±310.4μV)记录到的波幅峰值显著高于在股二头肌(142.4±144.7μV)、腓肠肌(138.2±127.6μV)记录到的波幅峰值(P<0.01)。刺激L5脊神经后根,于股二头肌(377.5±264.4μV)、腓肠肌(168.4±126.7μV)记录到的波幅峰值显著高于其它各肌群记录到的波幅峰值(P<0.01)。结论:电刺激不同脊神经后根,在大鼠下肢不同肌肉记录到的SNAP的波幅峰值存在差异,综合分析记录到的SNAP的波幅峰值,可作为腰神经后根节段定位的参考。     

Association study of a SNAP‐25 microsatellite and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Several lines of evidence implicate synaptosomal‐associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP‐25) in the etiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most notably, the coloboma mouse mutant, considered to be a good animal model of hyperactivity, has a deletion spanning this gene. Introducing a SNAP‐25 transgene into these animals alleviates hyperlocomotion. We have identified a novel microsatellite repeat in SNAP‐25 located between the 5′UTR and the first coding exon, and tested for association with ADHD. Case‐control analyses suggest there may be a role of this polymorphism in ADHD, with one allele over‐represented in controls and another over‐represented in probands. Within‐family tests of linkage and association confirmed these findings. Further work is needed to ascertain the role of SNAP‐25 in ADHD and assess the functional significance of this polymorphism. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Pharmacological characterization of an α1A-adrenoceptor mediating contractile responses to noradrenaline in isolated caudal artery of rat

1. The α₁-adrenoceptor population mediating contraction of caudal artery of rat has been characterized by using quantitative receptor pharmacology.
2. Cumulative concentration-effect (E/[A]) curves to noradrenaline (NA) yielded a p[A]₅₀ of 5.56±0.05 (n=16). Prazosin caused concentration-dependent, parallel, dextral shifts of E/[A] curves to NA yielding a pK_b of 8.9 (Schild regression slope=1.0). RS-17053 (N-[2-(2-cyclopropyl methoxy phenoxy) ethyl]-5-chloro-α ,α-dimethyl -1H-indole- 3-ethanamine hydrochloride; 10–100 nM), a selective α_1A-adrenoceptor antagonist, produced non-parallel, biphasic, dextral shifts of E/[A] curves to NA, suggesting the involvement of more than one α₁-adrenoceptor subtype. Analysis of the high affinity component yielded an apparent pA₂ value of 9.2±0.3.
3. A-61603, a selective agonist at α_1A adrenoceptors behaved as a full agonist relative to NA and yielded monophasic E/[A] curves with a p[A₅₀] of 7.59±0.04 (n=15). Pretreatment of tissues with chloroethylclonidine (CEC; 100 μM for 20 min, followed by 40 min washout), which preferentially alkylates α_1B- and α_1D-adrenoceptors, did not alter E/[A] curves to A-61603. Prazosin (3–300 nM) caused concentration-dependent, parallel, dextral shifts of E/[A] curves to A-61603 yielding a pA₂ estimate of 9.2±0.2.
4. Experiments with α₁-adrenoceptor antagonists of varying subtype selectivities (RS-17053, SNAP 5089, tamsulosin, 5-methylurapidil, BMY 7378, HV 723 and REC 15/2739) revealed parallel dextral shifts of E/[A] curves to A-61603. Schild regression analyses yielded pA₂ estimates of 9.2, 9.3, 11.2, 9.0, 6.3, 8.7 and 10.0 for RS-17053, SNAP 5089, tamsulosin, 5-methylurapidil, BMY 7378, HV 723 and REC 15/2739, respectively, although deviations from unit slope (possibly reflecting a secondary involvement of another α₁-adrenoceptor) hindered estimations of pK_b for some antagonists. The antagonist affinity profile obtained reflects best that described for the α_1A-adrenoceptor.
5. In conclusion, caudal artery of rat contracts in response to NA via activation of at least two α₁-adrenoceptor subtypes. One of these subtypes displays the pharmacology of the α_1A-adrenoceptor, while the other remains to be defined. Use of the novel selective agonist, A-61603, allows for limited pharmacological isolation of the α_1A-adrenoceptor permitting characterization of the properties of selective antagonists.

     

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and obesity in SNAP-eligible children and adolescents

BackgroundLow-income individuals who are eligible for nutrition assistance have been shown to consume a larger portion of their daily calories from beverages with added sugar. We examined the association between Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation and self-reported sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption as well as the association between self-reported consumption of SSBs and overweight/obesity in low-income children.DesignCross-sectional analysis of 1455 SNAP-eligible U.S. children, ages 2–17, who completed a questionnaire and physical examination during the 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).ResultsSNAP-eligible children who received SNAP in the last month were more likely to drink soda in the last month [76.0% (2.2)] than those who did not receive benefits [70.5% (2.8)]. These children were also more likely to drink fruit drinks [74.8% (1.6) vs. 69.3% (3.1)]. Among youth in households receiving SNAP benefits, soda consumption in the past month was associated with a greater risk of obesity, particularly Hispanic youth [OR = 1.93 (1.07, 3.50), p = 0.0314] aged 2–5 [OR = 2.71 (1.29, 5.69), p = 0.0114]. Additionally, among youth in households receiving SNAP benefits, male children who consumed sugar-sweetened fruit drinks in the past month were significantly more likely to be overweight [3.13 (1.12, 8.73), p = 0.0315] as compared to male peers who did not consume any sugar sweetened fruit drinks.ConclusionAmong youth, SNAP recipients drink more SSBs than their eligible non-recipient peers. Our results indicate that certain populations of children receiving SNAP benefits and consuming SSBs are more likely to be overweight or obese when compared to their peers who receive SNAP benefits but do not consume SSBs.     

Ultrasound-Guided Versus Landmark-Guided Local Corticosteroid Injection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective

To review the literature and assess the comparative effectiveness of ultrasound-guided versus landmark-guided local corticosteroid injections in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Arguments Used in Public Comments to Support or Oppose the US Department of Agriculture’s Minimum Stocking Requirements: A Content Analysis

Background

In 2016, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Retailer Rule proposed several changes for SNAP-authorized retailers, including: requiring retailers to have at least 85% of their food sales come from items that are not cooked or heated on site before or after purchase; requiring stores to stock seven varieties of qualifying foods from four staple food groups; requiring stores to carry perishable foods in three of the four staple groups; requiring stores to carry six units of qualifying foods at all times (depth of stock); disqualifying multiple ingredient foods and accessory foods from counting toward depth of stock requirements.

Participant Satisfaction with a Food Benefit Program with Restrictions and Incentives

Background

Policy makers are considering changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Proposed changes include financially incentivizing the purchase of healthier foods and prohibiting the use of funds for purchasing foods high in added sugars. SNAP participant perspectives may be useful in understanding the consequences of these proposed changes.