Allopregnanolone restores hippocampal-dependent learning and memory and neural progenitor survival in aging 3xTgAD and nonTg mice

We previously demonstrated that allopregnanolone (APα) increased proliferation of neural progenitor cells and reversed neurogenic and cognitive deficits prior to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology (Wang, J.M., Johnston, P.B., Ball, B.G., Brinton, R.D., 2005. The neurosteroid allopregnanolone promotes proliferation of rodent and human neural progenitor cells and regulates cell-cycle gene and protein expression. J. Neurosci. 25, 4706-4718; Wang, J.M., Singh, C., Liu, L., Irwin, R.W., Chen, S., Chung, E.J., Thompson, R.F., Brinton, R.D., 2010. Allopregnanolone reverses neurogenic and cognitive deficits in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 107, 6498-6503). Herein, we determined efficacy of APα to restore neural progenitor cell survival and associative learning and memory subsequent to AD pathology in male 3xTgAD mice and their nontransgenic (nonTg) counterparts. APα significantly increased survival of bromodeoxyuridine positive (BrdU+) cells and hippocampal-dependent associative learning and memory in 3xTgAD mice in the presence of intraneuronal amyloid beta (Aβ) whereas APα was ineffective subsequent to development of extraneuronal Aβ plaques. Restoration of hippocampal-dependent associative learning was maximal by the first day and sustained throughout behavioral training. Learning and memory function in APα-treated 3xTgAD mice was 100% greater than vehicle-treated and comparable to maximal normal nonTg performance. In aged 15-month-old nonTg mice, APα significantly increased survival of bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells and hippocampal-dependent associative learning and memory. Results provide preclinical evidence that APα promoted survival of newly generated cells and restored cognitive performance in the preplaque phase of AD pathology and in late-stage normal aging.

Phytochemical study of essential oil from the aerial parts of Coleus aromaticus Benth

The essential oil composition of Coleus aromaticus Benth. (family Lamiaceae) was examined by capillary GC and GC-MS. Analyses revealed the presence of 28 constituents, of which 16 were identified. Thymol (83.39%) was found to be the major compound, while 1-octen-3-ol, terpine-4-ol, eugenol, trans-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide and α-cadinol were present as minor constituents.

Chemical markers in Origanum vulgare L. from Kumaon Himalayas: a chemosystematic study

The essential oils of four wild growing Origanum vulgare L. (family Lamiaceae) collected from different locations in Kumaon region (Uttarakhand, India) were analysed by capillary GC and GC/MS. The comparative results of O. vulgare L. collected from four different regions showed differences in the chemical constituents of the essential oils. The oil of O. vulgare L. collected from Dhoulchina and Champawat (chemotype I) shows p-cymene (6.7-9.8%), γ-terpinene (12.4-14.0%), thymol (29.7-35.1%) and carvacrol (12.4-20.9%) as major constituents while the oil from Kilbury and Rushi village (chemotype II) shows linalool (6.7-9.7%), bornyl acetate (12.6-16.8%), β-caryophyllene (10.5-13.8%) and germacrene D (6.3-11.3%) as the major constituents. These features highlight the chemosystematics of this genus.

Essential oil composition of aerial parts of Cyclospermum leptophyllum (Pers.) Sprague ex Britton and P. Wilson

The essential oil of Cyclospermum leptophyllum (Pers.) Sprague ex Britton and P. Wilson syn. Apium leptophyllum (Pers.) F. Muell. Ex Benth., family Apiaceae (Umbellifereae), was analysed by GC and GC-MS. The essential oil showed the presence of thymohydroquinone dimethyl ether (50.7%), thymol methyl ether (11.2%), γ-terpinene (10.4%), p-cymene (9.5%) and carvacrol methyl ether (5.9%), along with trans-ocimene, β-pinene, germacrene D, cumin aldehyde, α-humulene, β-myrcene, sabinene, limonene, β-phellandrene, caryophyllene oxide, α-pinene and α-thujene as minor constituents. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the essential oil composition of C. leptophyllum collected from India.

Pulmonary complications of cirrhosis

Advanced liver disease and portal hypertension produce various intrathoracic complications that involve the pleural space, the lung parenchyma, and the pulmonary circulation. Dyspnea and arterial hypoxemia are the most common symptoms and signs in patients with such complications. This article focuses on the diagnosis and management of hepatopulmonary syndrome, portopulmonary hypertension, and hepatic hydrothorax. All are pulmonary processes associated with end-stage liver disease that lead to significant morbidity and affect the quality of life of patients who are suffering from liver cirrhosis.

Prognostic factors in synovial sarcoma

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Background: Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a relatively rare type of soft tissue sarcoma. Several prognostic factors have been described that modulate patients’ outcome. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors in patients with SS. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical and histopathological data of patients treated at National Oncology Institute (Panama) between 1995 - 2007. Demographic, clinical, pathological, and therapeutic variables were reviewed. Overall survival and recurrence-free survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests. Results: Twenty seven patients were analyzed, 56% male and 44% female, median age was 28. Tumour site; extremities based 85%, truncal 15%. Median tumour size was 8cm. Presentation; non-metastatic 84%, metastatic 16%. Histological type; monophasic 78%, biphasic 22%. Mitosis/10HPF; twenty and more 33%, less than twenty 67%. Necrosis; absent 63%, less than half 30%, and more than half 7%. Histological grade (FNCLLC); grade 2 48%, grade 3 52%. Surgery; limb sparing surgery 52%, amputation 48%. Treatment: adjuvant treatment 52% (3 chemotherapy only, 7 radiation therapy, 4 both). 90% were doxorubicin based regimens. The median follow up was 25 months. 63% of tumours recurred and 33% of patients died. Univariate analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between histological grade and overall survival (p<0.05). In patients with localized disease, time to recurrence decreased with histological grade (p=0.05 ns). Conclusions: High histological grade is an adverse prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with SS.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Acquired anterior Basal encephalocele in idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis

This report describes a 49-year-old woman diagnosed as idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis (IHCPM) with imaging evidence of diffuse dural sinus thrombosis. Over the years, secondary to the raised intracranial pressure, she had developed an anterior basal encephalocele through the defects in the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. The relation between elevated intracranial pressure and encephalocele is discussed.

Effect of oviductal proteins on structural and functional characteristics of cryopreserved sperm in Murrah buffaloes

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of non-luteal oviductal proteins on sperm characteristics in Murrah buffaloes. Oviducts from healthy buffaloes were collected immediately after slaughter and the oestrous cycle phase was determined as either luteal or non-luteal based on ovarian morphology. Non-luteal oviducts (n = 80) were flushed from the isthmic end of the oviduct with PBS, fluid was centrifuged at 10,000 g at 4 degrees C for 20 min and then dialysed and clarified. The supernatant obtained was lyophilized to concentrate the protein and stored at -20 degrees C till use. Sixteen good quality ejaculates from four Murrah buffalo bulls were collected using an artificial vagina. After fresh semen analysis, each ejaculate was split into two parts and extended in Tris-citrate-egg yolk glycerol dilutor. Part I of the split ejaculate was treated with non-luteal oviductal proteins at the dose rate of 1 mg/ml of diluted semen, while part II remained as control. The extended semen was equilibrated for 4 h at 5 degrees C, filled in 0.5 ml French straws, exposed to LN(2) vapour, plunged into LN(2) and then stored at -196 degrees C. The equilibrated and frozen-thawed semen was evaluated for sperm motility, viability, acrosomal integrity, cervical mucus penetration test and hypo-osmotic sperm swelling test (HOST). In frozen-thawed semen, the percentage of sperm motility, viability and acrosomal integrity was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the treatment group compared to the control group. The incorporation of non-luteal oviductal proteins in the extender increased the ability of sperm to penetrate cervical mucus both after equilibration and the freeze-thaw process. Similarly, the proportion of sperm with intact plasma membrane, as revealed by HOST values, was also significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the treatment group (32.6%) than the control group (27%) in frozen-thawed semen. It was inferred that incorporation of non-luteal whole oviductal fluid proteins improved the sperm quality in frozen-thawed semen in Murrah buffaloes.