Glucocorticoid receptor expression in the spinal cord after traumatic injury in adult rats

Methylprednisolone (MP), a glucocorticoid, is the only effective therapeutic agent used in the clinical treatment of acute spinal cord injury (SCI). MP given within 8 hr after SCI significantly improves neurological function. Although the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is suggested to mediate MP actions, limited knowledge is available on its expression and possible function after SCI. Presently, the expression of GR was studied in a weight-drop SCI model in adult rats. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis revealed an increase in GR protein expression as early as 15 min after injury. GR expression sharply increased at 4 hr (22-fold), peaked at 8 hr (56-fold), rapidly declined at 1 d, and returned to the baseline level at and after 3 d. During its peak expression, GR was localized in neural somata and dendrites but not in axons and their terminals. GR immunoreactivity was also found in oligodendrocytes and astrocytes. Interestingly, other cell types, such as endothelial cells, were GR-negative. An increase in the binding activity of nuclear proteins to the glucocorticoid responsive element was also observed after SCI, demonstrating a functional element of GR activation. Finally, colocalization of GR and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), an inflammatory cytokine, was observed in neurons and glial cells, consistent with MP regulation of TNF-alpha in this model. Thus, the transient expression of high levels of GR after SCI may provide new insights into the anti-inflammatory action of MP.

Denis RD, Stabile A, Staerz S, Stahlman J, Stamen R, Stamm S, Stanecka E, Stanek RW, Stanescu C, Stanescu-Bellu M, Stanitzki MM, Stapnes S, Starchenko EA, Stark GH, Stark J, Staroba P, Starovoitov P, Staszewski R, Steinberg P, Stelzer B, Stelzer HJ, Stelzer-Chilton O, Stenzel H, Stewart GA, Stillings JA, Stockton MC, Stoebe M, Stoicea G, Stolte P, Stonjek S, Stradling AR, Straessner A, Stramaglia ME, Strandberg J, Strandberg S, Strandlie A, Strauss M, Strizenec P, Ströhmer R, Strom DM, Stroynowski R, Strubig A, Stucci SA, Stugu B, Styles NA, Su D, Su J, Subramaniam R, Suchek S, Sugaya Y, Suk M, Sulin VV, Sultansoy S, Sumida T, Sun S, Sun X, Sundermann JE, Suruliz K, Susinno G, Sutton MR, Suzuki S, Svatos M, Swiatlowski M, Sykora I, Sykora T, Ta D, Taccini C, Tackmann K, Taenzer J, Taffard A, Tafirout R, Taiblum N, Takai H, Takashima R, Takeda H, Takeshita T, Takubo Y, Talby M, Talyshev AA, Tam JYC, Tan KG, Tanaka J, Tanaka R, Tanaka S, Tannenwald BB, Tapia Araya S, Tapprogge S, Tarem 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D, Zhang D, Zhang F, Zhang G, Zhang H, Zhang J, Zhang L, Zhang R, Zhang R, Zhang X, Zhang Z, Zhao X, Zhao Y, Zhao Z, Zhemchugov A, Zhong J, Zhou B, Zhou C, Zhou L, Zhou L, Zhou M, Zhou N, Zhu CG, Zhu H, Zhu J, Zhu Y, Zhuang X, Zhukov K, Zibell A, Zieminska D, Zimine NI, Zimmermann C, Zimmermann S, Zinonos Z, Zinser M, Ziolkowski M, Živković L, Zobernig G, Zoccoli A, zur Nedden M, Zurzolo G, Zwalinski L. Measurement of event-shape observables in [Formula: see text] events in pp collisions at [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] with the ATLAS detector at the LHC

Event-shape observables measured using charged particles in inclusive Z-boson events are presented, using the electron and muon decay modes of the Z bosons. The measurements are based on an integrated luminosity of [Formula: see text] of proton-proton collisions recorded by the ATLAS detector at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]. Charged-particle distributions, excluding the lepton-antilepton pair from the Z-boson decay, are measured in different ranges of transverse momentum of the Z boson. Distributions include multiplicity, scalar sum of transverse momenta, beam thrust, transverse thrust, spherocity, and [Formula: see text]-parameter, which are in particular sensitive to properties of the underlying event at small values of the Z-boson transverse momentum. The measured observables are compared with predictions from Pythia 8, Sherpa, and Herwig 7. Typically, all three Monte Carlo generators provide predictions that are in better agreement with the data at high Z-boson transverse momenta than at low Z-boson transverse momenta, and for the observables that are less sensitive to the number of charged particles in the event.

Is Hypertension Diagnostic Testing and Diagnosis Associated With Psychological Distress?

BACKGROUND

Psychological impacts of hypertension diagnostic testing and new hypertension diagnoses are unclear.

METHODS

BP-CHECK was a randomized diagnostic study conducted in 2017-2019 in an integrated healthcare system. Participants with no hypertension diagnosis or medications and elevated blood pressure (BP) were randomized to one of three diagnostic regimens: (i) Clinic, (ii) Home, or (iii) Kiosk. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline, after completion of the diagnostic regimens, and at 6 months. Outcomes included changes from baseline in health-related quality of life (HRQOL), BP-related worry, and thoughts about having a stroke or heart attack.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 482) were mostly over age 50 (77.0%), and White race (80.3%). HRQOL did not significantly change from baseline to 3 weeks or 6 months. Among all participants, BP-related worry and concerns about having a heart attack or stroke increased significantly from baseline to 3 weeks, with heart attack and stroke concerns significantly higher in the Kiosk compared Clinic and Home groups. At 6 months, thoughts about having a heart attack or stroke returned to baseline overall and in the Kiosk group, however BP-related worry was significantly higher among those with, compared to those without, a new hypertension diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The hypertension diagnostic process did not lead to short-term or intermediate-term changes in self-reported HRQOL. However, BP-related worry increased short-term and persisted at 6 months among individuals with a new hypertension diagnosis. Results warrant validation in more representative populations and additional exploration of the impacts of this worry on psychological well-being and hypertension control.

CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT03130257.

[The action mechanism of the pineal gland in inhibiting sexual receptivity of female rats: (I). Is it concerned with the extrahypothalamic inhibitory pathway?]

Monosodium L-glutamate (MSG), as a neurotoxin, was administered subcutaneously at a dose of 4 mg/g body weight to rat pups on days 1 and 3 postnatally. The sexual receptivity expressed as lordosis quotient (LQ) in MSG-treated female rats (2.5 months old) was significantly lower than that of the normal female ones, and this poor sexual receptivity of MSG-treated females could be improved by pinealectomy at the age of six weeks. In order to investigate the relationship between the inhibitory role of the pineal gland and the extrahypothalamic inhibitory pathway, normal control and MSG-treated rats were ovariectomized and implanted subcutaneously with estradiol capsule (20% estradiol benzoate, in 2mm silastic tube) at the age of 2.5 months. Three days after implantation, sexual receptivity was observed. Then, the anterior roof deafferentation (ARD) was preformed one week later and the sexual receptivity in both groups was compared again. The results showed that there was no significant difference of the lordosis response between the MSG-treated and the control groups before ARD, and the level of restoration by ARD in LQ of MSG-treated rats was similar to that of the control group. It seems that the extrahypothalamic inhibitory pathway of sexual receptivity may not be influenced by neonatal MSG-treatment. Our previous results indicated that the behavioral sensitivity to estradiol was altered by ARD. However, in the present study, the lordosis responses of MSG-treated and pinealectomized female rats were not significantly different from that of the control group after ovariectomy and exogenous estradiol implantation. This means that the behavioral sensitivities to estradiol were not changed by MSG-treatment or pinealectomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Malignant soft tissue sarcoma of the hypopharynx successfully treated by radiotherapy alone

Sarcoma of the hypopharynx has been reported very rarely in the literature, only six cases having been found among all head and neck malignancies reported to SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) during 1973-1987. We report a 14-year-old boy with a huge malignant soft tissue sarcoma arising from the hypopharynx. Tracheostomy and feeding gastrostomy were performed as emergency life-saving procedures. Surgical resection had been attempted, but abandoned. Because of the rapidity of tumor growth, we gave the patient a course of accelerated radiotherapy (170 cGy/fraction, two fractions per day) with a total dose of 7140 cGy within one month. A series of endoscopy and imaging studies demonstrated complete regression of the tumor, and the patient is currently alive without evidence of disease 3.5 years after treatment. We conclude that for an unresectable tumor without distant metastasis, radiation therapy may be tried. The time, dose, and fractionation of radiotherapy should be carefully designed and individualized.

Toxicity of cephaloridine to carnitine transport and fatty acid metabolism in rabbit renal cortical mitochondria: structure-activity relationships

Cephaloridine (Cld), the most widely studied nephrotoxic cephalosporin, has significant structural homology with carnitine, which facilitates the transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondrial inner matrix. Because of this homology, and evidence of a role of lipids in cephaloglycin (Cgl) nephrotoxicity, protocols were designed to compare the effects of Cld and Cgl on renal cortical mitochondrial carnitine transport, on long-chain fatty acylcarnitine-mediated respiration and on the in situ mitochondrial pools and urinary excretion of carnitine and acylcarnitines. The following was found: 1) both cephalosporins reduced carnitine-facilitated pyruvate oxidation (CFPO) and palmitoylcarnitine-mediated respiration (PCMR) by 40 to 50% in mitochondria exposed in vivo (300 mg/kg b.wt., 1 hr). CFPO could be decreased by reduction of carnitine uptake, pyruvate oxidation or carnitine acetyltransferase activity; 2) neither cephalosporin reduced mitochondrial carnitine acetyltransferase or carnitine palmitoyltransferase; 3) with in vitro exposure (2000 micrograms/ml, immediate effect) Cgl had no significant toxicity to mitochondrial CFPO. Cld inhibited CFPO in a dose-dependent manner, up to 100% at 2000 micrograms/ml; this effect was reduced by increasing carnitine concentrations; 4) in vitro Cld prevented the potentiation of PCMR by preloading with carnitine, reduced mitochondrial acetylcarnitine/carnitine exchange by 70% and reduced PCMR by 30%; 5) in vivo Cld increased mitochondrial-free carnitine in the in situ kidney by 100%; and 6) in vivo Cld increased the fractional renal excretion of carnitine from 0 +/- 0 to 0.29 +/- 0.03 and the fractional excretion of long-chain acylcarnitines from 0.06 +/- 0.01 to 0.79 +/- 0.17.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hallux valgus: soft tissue procedure versus bony procedure

Hallux valgus is one of the most common fore-foot problem in civilized populations. 49 feet of 33 cases, 8 males and 25 females with an average age of 50 years old, were treated surgically from 1987 to 1992 for hallux valgus and followed up for an average of 47.8 months, comprising 20 feet with McBride's soft tissue procedure and 29 feet of Mitchell metatarsal osteotomy. The clinical criteria for follow up included pain relief, cosmetic out look, shoe wearing comfort, metatarsophalangeal motion etc. 87.5% of the cases in the McBride's group and 95% of the cases in the Mitchell group were satisfied with the clinical results. The immediate post-operative metatarsophalangeal (MP) angle and intermetatarsal (IM) angle were both well corrected, but there was a significantly higher recurrence rate of hallux valgus in the group with the McBride's procedure (P < 0.05). One case in the McBride's group had the complication of hallux varus and one case from the Mitchell group had delayed union. The Mitchell bony procedure has a more stable result compared to the McBride's soft tissue procedure for the correction of moderate hallux valgus, and the modified Mitchell osteotomy is less invasive, easier to perform, easier to care for, and has more satisfactory long-term results.

Screen-Round–Based Risk Strategies for Population-Based Mammography Screening

Background: The widespread use of organized screening strategies of mammography screening at population level stood a chance of reducing the threat to women's life from breast cancer. However, such a population-wide strategy is often faced with the questions like “How many rounds of mammography screening are require before detecting cancer in question?” and “Can the attendee be classified the low risk after several negative screening rounds?” In addition to the concerns on resource allocation for the purpose of planning an efficient population-based screening program, the recent emergence in precision medicine also makes it attractive for considering such a risk-based decision on breast cancer prevention under the context of mass screening. Aim: To quantify number of screen rounds required for detecting an asymptomatic cancer in question and dispensing with further invitation to screen. Methods: By applying a series of Bayesian negative–binomial family–based stochastic process models taking sensitivity and specificity into account, we elucidated the aforementioned issues based on the empirical data on population-based breast cancer screening program in Finland with international collaboration. The Finnish nationwide biennial mammographic screening program was implemented and targeted to women aged 50-59 years since 1988. The panel data on the regular invitation of eligible population by Pirkanmaa screening center excluding the women who had been diagnosed by breast cancer before their first invitation were enrolled in this study. Results: Based on the estimated results, we are able to determine the rounds of screens required before detecting an asymptomatic breast cancer according to the risk profile determined by age and the performance of screening tool. Based on the empirical data, an average of 2.77 (95% CI, 2.61-2.91) screen rounds will be required to detect an asymptomatic breast cancer cases. A woman may not be invited after a series of negative findings of 8 rounds of screen. Considering the sensitivity of 83% (95% CI, 61%–95%), the required screen rounds become 2.81 (95% CI, 2.65-2.94). The screening rounds required for the young (<55 years) and the old (≥55 years) age group, the corresponding figures was 2.81 (95% CI, 2.55-3.11) and 2.76 (95% CI, 2.43-3.05). Conclusion: We quantified the screen round, 2.77 on average, required to detect an asymptomatic breast cancer and 8 rounds of screen to dispense with further invitation based on the risk and the performance of screening tool. The findings may aid in risk-based interscreening interval determination but also provide information on resources required by different screening policies with target population with different risk levels.

Amyloid-beta peptides are cytotoxic to oligodendrocytes

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive dementia. Amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta), a 39-43 amino acid peptide derived from beta-amyloid precursor protein, forms insoluble fibrillar aggregates that have been linked to neuronal and vascular degeneration in AD and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Here we demonstrate that Abeta 1-40 and a truncated fragment, Abeta 25-35, induced death of oligodendrocytes (OLGs) in vitro in a dose-dependent manner with similar potencies. Abeta-induced OLG death was accompanied by nuclear DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cytoskeletal disintegration. Abeta activation of redox-sensitive transcription factors NF-kappaB and AP-1 and antioxidant prevention of Abeta-mediated OLG death suggest that oxidative injury contributes to Abeta cytotoxicity in OLGs. Recent demonstration of Abeta deposition and white matter abnormalities in AD implies a potential pathophysiological role for Abeta-mediated cytotoxicity of OLGs in this neurodegenerative disease.

Acute diffuse phlegmonous esophagogastritis: report of a survived case

A 42-year-old man was admitted because of a persistent pain on swallowing together with epigastralgia, chest pain, fever, and shortness of breath for 5 days. An unbearable shortness of breath with a retrosternal pain was noted each time he tried to lie down. The patient also developed bilateral pleural effusion and pericardial effusion. Ten days after admission, he underwent an emergency laparotomy after an acute episode of severe epigastralgia with hematemesis and rebound tenderness limited to the epigastrium. Operative findings showed diffuse phlegmonous esophagogastritis. A near-total esophagectomy and a total gastrectomy were done. He lost 15 kilograms of body weight and was discharged 3 months later. The patient underwent reconstructive surgery 2 months after discharge, recovered well and regained his weight within one year.

Search for triboson [Formula: see text] production in pp collisions at [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] with the ATLAS detector

This paper reports a search for triboson [Formula: see text] production in two decay channels ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]) in proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 [Formula: see text] at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 [Formula: see text] with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Events with exactly three charged leptons, or two leptons with the same electric charge in association with two jets, are selected. The total number of events observed in data is consistent with the Standard Model (SM) predictions. The observed 95% confidence level upper limit on the SM [Formula: see text] production cross section is found to be 730 fb with an expected limit of 560 fb in the absence of SM [Formula: see text] production. Limits are also set on WWWW anomalous quartic gauge couplings.