Mammalian olfactory cortex neurons retain molecular signatures of ancestral cell types

The cerebral cortex diversified extensively during vertebrate evolution. Intriguingly, the three-layered mammalian olfactory cortex resembles the cortical cytoarchitecture of non-mammals yet evolved alongside the six-layered neocortex, enabling unique comparisons for investigating cortical neuron diversification. We performed single-nucleus multiome sequencing across mouse three- to six-layered cortices and compared neuron types across mice, reptiles and salamander. We identified neurons that are olfactory cortex-specific or conserved across mouse cortical areas. However, transcriptomically similar neurons exhibited area-specific epigenetic states. Additionally, the olfactory cortex showed transcriptomic divergence between lab and wild-derived mice, suggesting enhanced circuit plasticity through adult immature neurons. Finally, olfactory cortex neurons displayed marked transcriptomic similarities to reptile and salamander neurons. Together, these data indicate that the mammalian olfactory cortex retains molecular signatures representative of ancestral cortical traits.

School-based socio-emotional learning programs to prevent depression, anxiety and suicide among adolescents: a global cost-effectiveness analysis

AIMS

Preventing the occurrence of depression/anxiety and suicide during adolescence can lead to substantive health gains over the course of an individual person's life. This study set out to identify the expected population-level costs and health impacts of implementing universal and indicated school-based socio-emotional learning (SEL) programs in different country contexts.

METHODS

A Markov model was developed to examine the effectiveness of delivering universal and indicated school-based SEL programs to prevent the onset of depression/anxiety and suicide deaths among adolescents. Intervention health impacts were measured in healthy life years gained (HLYGs) over a 100-year time horizon. Country-specific intervention costs were calculated and denominated in 2017 international dollars (2017 I$) under a health systems perspective. Cost-effectiveness findings were subsequently expressed in terms of I$ per HLYG. Analyses were conducted on a group of 20 countries from different regions and income levels, with final results aggregated and presented by country income group - that is, low and lower middle income countries (LLMICs) and upper middle and high-income countries (UMHICs). Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses were conducted to test model assumptions.

RESULTS

Implementation costs ranged from an annual per capita investment of I$0.10 in LLMICs to I$0.16 in UMHICs for the universal SEL program and I$0.06 in LLMICs to I$0.09 in UMHICs for the indicated SEL program. The universal SEL program generated 100 HLYGs per 1 million population compared to 5 for the indicated SEL program in LLMICs. The cost per HLYG was I$958 in LLMICS and I$2,006 in UMHICs for the universal SEL program and I$11,123 in LLMICs and I$18,473 in UMHICs for the indicated SEL program. Cost-effectiveness findings were highly sensitive to variations around input parameter values involving the intervention effect sizes and the disability weight used to estimate HLYGs.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this analysis suggest that universal and indicated SEL programs require a low level of investment (in the range of I$0.05 to I$0.20 per head of population) but that universal SEL programs produce significantly greater health benefits at a population level and therefore better value for money (e.g., less than I$1,000 per HLYG in LLMICs). Despite producing fewer population-level health benefits, the implementation of indicated SEL programs may be justified as a means of reducing population inequalities that affect high-risk populations who would benefit from a more tailored intervention approach.

Statistical evidence that honeybees competitively reduced wild bee abundance in the Munich Botanic Garden in 2020 compared to 2019

In a commentary on our paper (Renner et al., Oecologia 195:825-831, 2021), Harder and Miksha lay out why they think that our finding of higher honeybee abundances reducing wild bee abundances in an urban botanical garden is not statistically supported. Here, we explain the statistical test provided in our paper, which took advantage of a natural experiment offered by 2019 being a poorer year for bee keeping than 2020.

The cost-effectiveness of banning highly hazardous pesticides to prevent suicides due to pesticide self-ingestion across 14 countries: an economic modelling study

BACKGROUND

Reducing suicides is a key Sustainable Development Goal target for improving global health. Highly hazardous pesticides are among the leading causes of death by suicide in low-income and middle-income countries. National bans of acutely toxic highly hazardous pesticides have led to substantial reductions in pesticide-attributable suicides across several countries. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of implementing national bans of highly hazardous pesticides to reduce the burden of pesticide suicides.

METHODS

A Markov model was developed to examine the costs and health effects of implementing a national ban of highly hazardous pesticides to prevent suicides due to pesticide self-poisoning, compared with a null comparator. We used WHO cost-effectiveness and strategic planning (WHO-CHOICE) methods to estimate pesticide-attributable suicide rates for 100 years from 2017. Country-specific costs were obtained from the WHO-CHOICE database and denominated in 2017 international dollars (I$), discounted at a 3% annual rate, and health effects were measured in healthy life-years gained (HLYGs). We used a demographic projection model beginning with the country population in the baseline year (2017), split by 1-year age group and sex. Country-specific data on overall suicide rates were obtained for 2017 by age and sex from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 Data Resources. The analysis involved 14 countries spanning low-income to high-income settings, and cost-effectiveness ratios were analysed at the country-specific level and aggregated according to country income group and the proportion of suicides due to pesticides.

FINDINGS

Banning highly hazardous pesticides across the 14 countries studied could result in about 28 000 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 24 000-32 000) fewer suicide deaths each year at an annual cost of I$0·007 per capita (95% UI 0·006-0·008). In the population-standardised results for the base case analysis, national bans produced cost-effectiveness ratios of $94 per HLYG (95% UI 73-123) across low-income and lower-middle-income countries and $237 per HLYG (95% UI 191-303) across upper-middle-income and high-income countries. Bans were more cost-effective in countries where a high proportion of suicides are attributable to pesticide self-poisoning, reaching a cost-effectiveness ratio of $75 per HLYG (95% UI 58-99) in two countries with proportions of more than 30%.

INTERPRETATION

National bans of highly hazardous pesticides are a potentially cost-effective and affordable intervention for reducing suicide deaths in countries with a high burden of suicides attributable to pesticides. However, our study findings are limited by imperfect data and assumptions that could be improved upon by future studies.

FUNDING

WHO.

Development of 100 Mo -containing scintillating bolometers for a high-sensitivity neutrinoless double-beta decay search

This paper reports on the development of a technology involving 100 Mo -enriched scintillating bolometers, compatible with the goals of CUPID, a proposed next-generation bolometric experiment to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay. Large mass ( ∼ 1 kg ), high optical quality, radiopure 100 Mo -containing zinc and lithium molybdate crystals have been produced and used to develop high performance single detector modules based on 0.2-0.4 kg scintillating bolometers. In particular, the energy resolution of the lithium molybdate detectors near the Q-value of the double-beta transition of 100 Mo (3034 keV) is 4-6 keV FWHM. The rejection of the α -induced dominant background above 2.6 MeV is better than 8 σ . Less than 10 μ Bq/kg activity of 232 Th ( 228 Th ) and 226 Ra in the crystals is ensured by boule recrystallization. The potential of 100 Mo -enriched scintillating bolometers to perform high sensitivity double-beta decay searches has been demonstrated with only 10 kg × d exposure: the two neutrino double-beta decay half-life of 100 Mo has been measured with the up-to-date highest accuracy as T 1 / 2 = [6.90 ± 0.15(stat.) ± 0.37(syst.)] × 10 18 years . Both crystallization and detector technologies favor lithium molybdate, which has been selected for the ongoing construction of the CUPID-0/Mo demonstrator, containing several kg of 100 Mo .

Characterization of the ^{163}Ho Electron Capture Spectrum: A Step Towards the Electron Neutrino Mass Determination

The isotope ^{163}Ho is in many ways the best candidate to perform experiments to investigate the value of the electron neutrino mass. It undergoes an electron capture process to ^{163}Dy with an energy available to the decay, Q_{EC}, of about 2.8 keV. According to the present knowledge, this is the lowest Q_{EC} value for such transitions. Here we discuss a newly obtained spectrum of ^{163}Ho, taken by cryogenic metallic magnetic calorimeters with ^{163}Ho implanted in the absorbers and operated in anticoincident mode for background reduction. For the first time, the atomic deexcitation of the ^{163}Dy daughter atom following the capture of electrons from the 5s shell in ^{163}Ho, the OI line, was observed with a calorimetric measurement. The peak energy is determined to be 48 eV. In addition, a precise determination of the energy available for the decay Q_{EC}=(2.858±0.010_{stat}±0.05_{syst})  keV was obtained by analyzing the intensities of the lines in the spectrum. This value is in good agreement with the measurement of the mass difference between ^{163}Ho and ^{163}Dy obtained by Penning-trap mass spectrometry, demonstrating the reliability of the calorimetric technique.

Abstract P2-13-03: Breast cancer education, counseling, and support for Jewish women: Preliminary results of a CDC program evaluation

Background: Information and social support for women at risk for and surviving breast cancer are essential components of comprehensive clinical and public health practice in breast cancer prevention, control, and treatment. Jewish women in the US are a population of special concern due to their increased hereditary breast cancer risk for carrying BRCA1/2 gene mutations, and the dearth of culturally-relevant resources for breast cancer education and counseling. As part of a CDC initiative, Sharsheret (a non-profit breast cancer support and advocacy organization) is scaling-up its programs and services for women of all Jewish backgrounds to better meet these needs, guided by program evaluation data on client engagement practices. This abstract describes these practices and survey results.

Methods: Evaluation surveys were individually-administered via e-mail using a secure online platform. Survey invitations were sent to participants ~30 days following their utilization of Sharsheret program services. Evaluation domains included program engagement and satisfaction, health-related quality of life, and resource needs.

Results: The survey response rate was >65% (N=111), and a majority of respondents reported that they were Jewish (75%), married (76%), either or 35-45 years old (35%) or 46-64 years old (48%), and from the northeast region of the US (56%). Most respondents (88%) reported a previous breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis, and 7% indicated they carried a genetic mutation known to increase breast cancer risk. Based on the CDC's 'Health Days' measures, respondents reported a higher number unhealthy days (M=12 days per month) relative to general population averages for adult women (M=6.9 days). Respondents rated their experience with the organization highly (M=4.7 out of 5) for overall satisfaction with the quality of services utilized. There was also strong agreement among respondents (M =4.6 out of 5) about the availability and utility of patient navigation services, and the survivorship program garnered the highest level of engagement (71%) as it was utilized most often by respondents for its healthy living and nutrition resources.

Conclusion: Nonprofit organizations devoted to cancer support and advocacy fill important roles in educating and counseling women about breast cancer prevention, control, and treatment. In an era of precision medicine and discussion of population-based screening for hereditary breast cancer risk, these organizations must scale-up their information and support services. This is necessary to be available for a greater number of women, and can be expected to perform even more important and essential roles, especially for Jewish women at risk for and surviving breast cancer.

Citation Format: Fleischmann A, Silber E, Dubitsky S, Stahl S, Kravitz S, Johnson A, Murphy S, Tercyak KP. Breast cancer education, counseling, and support for Jewish women: Preliminary results of a CDC program evaluation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-13-03.

Spontaneous Dissection of Common Iliac Artery

Spontaneous dissection of the iliac artery is very rare but known as a complication of highenergy traumatic injuries and has been reported in connection with pregnancy, collagen diseases, and alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. The authors report a 42-year-old man with an acute dissection of the common iliac artery during exercise. Groin pain and claudication were the early symptoms. Computerized angiotomography was diagnostic. Operative iliac artery reconstruction was performed. A prerelease control computed tomography examination showed a dissection of the distal aorta and left iliac artery. To their knowledge, the combination of the 2 dissections has not been previously published.

Noise thermometry at ultra-low temperatures

The options for primary thermometry at ultra-low temperatures are rather limited. In practice, most laboratories are using (195)Pt NMR thermometers in the microkelvin range. In recent years, current sensing direct current superconducting quantum interference devices (DC-SQUIDs) have enabled the use of noise thermometry in this temperature range. Such devices have also demonstrated the potential for primary thermometry. One major advantage of noise thermometry is the fact that no driving current is needed to operate the device and thus the heat dissipation within the thermometer can be reduced to a minimum. Ultimately, the intrinsic power dissipation is given by the negligible back action of the readout SQUID. For thermometry in low-temperature experiments, current noise thermometers and magnetic flux fluctuation thermometers have proved to be most suitable. To make use of such thermometers at ultra-low temperatures, we have developed a cross-correlation technique that reduces the amplifier noise contribution to a negligible value. For this, the magnetic flux fluctuations caused by the Brownian motion of the electrons in our noise source are measured inductively by two DC-SQUID magnetometers simultaneously and the signals from these two channels are cross-correlated. Experimentally, we have characterized a thermometer made of a cold-worked high-purity copper cylinder with a diameter of 5 mm and a length of 20 mm for temperatures between 42 μK and 0.8 K. For a given temperature, a measuring time below 1 min is sufficient to reach a precision of better than 1%. The extremely low power dissipation in the thermometer allows continuous operation without heating effects.

Overview evidence on interventions for population suicide with an eye to identifying best-supported strategies for LMICs

Globally, over 800 000 people died by suicide in 2012 and there are indications that for each adult who died of suicide there were likely to be many more attempting suicide. There are many millions of people every year who are affected by suicide and suicide attempts, taking into consideration the family members, friends, work colleagues and communities, who are bereaved by suicide. In the WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020, Member States committed themselves to work towards the global target of reducing the suicide rate in countries by 10% by 2020. Hence, the first-ever WHO report on suicide prevention, Preventing suicide: a global imperative, published in September 2014, is a timely call to take action using effective evidence-based interventions. Their relevance for low- and middle-income countries is discussed in this paper, highlighting restricting access to means, responsible media reporting, introducing mental health and alcohol policies, early identification and treatment, training of health workers, and follow-up care and community support following a suicide attempt.

Prospects for measuring the 229Th isomer energy using a metallic magnetic microcalorimeter

The Thorium-229 isotope features a nuclear isomer state with an extremely low energy. The currently most accepted energy value, 7.8±0.5 eV, was obtained from an indirect measurement using a NASA x-ray microcalorimeter with an instrumental resolution 26 eV. We study, how state-of-the-art magnetic metallic microcalorimeters with an energy resolution down to a few eV can be used to measure the isomer energy. In particular, resolving the 29.18 keV doublet in the γ-spectrum following the α-decay of Uranium-233, corresponding to the decay into the ground and isomer state, allows to measure the isomer transition energy without additional theoretical input parameters, and increase the energy accuracy. We study the possibility of resolving the 29.18 keV line as a doublet and the dependence of the attainable precision of the energy measurement on the signal and background count rates and the instrumental resolution.

Nuclear quadrupole moments as a microscopic probe to study the motion of atomic tunneling systems in amorphous solids

The properties of amorphous solids below 1 K are dominated by atomic tunneling systems. A basic description is given by the standard tunneling model. Despite its success, the standard tunneling model still remains phenomenological and little is known about the microscopic nature of tunneling systems in amorphous solids. We present dielectric polarization echo experiments on partially deuterated amorphous glycerol. Nuclear quadrupoles, introduced by the deuteration, influence the echo amplitude in a characteristic way and allow us to draw for the first time detailed conclusions about the microscopic nature of the tunneling processes in amorphous glycerol.

The WHO START Study

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) study entitled Suicide Trends in At-Risk Territories (START) is an international multisite initiative that aims to stimulate suicide research and prevention across different areas of the globe. A central component of the study is the development of registration systems for fatal and nonfatal suicidal behaviors. Aims: This paper provides an overview of the data collected on suicidal behaviors from the participating locations in the START study. Method: Descriptive statistics on the data are presented in terms of age, sex, and method. Results: A greater proportion of suicide deaths occurred among males. In all areas except the Philippines more females than males engaged in nonfatal suicidal behaviors. Compared to Australia, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong SAR, in the Pacific Islands suicide most often occurs in younger age groups. Results indicate notable variations between countries in choice of method. A greater proportion of suicides occurred by hanging in Pacific Islands, while inhalation of carbon monoxide, use of firearms, ingestion of chemicals and poisons, and drug overdose were the most frequent methods of choice in other areas. Conclusion: The information drawn from this study demonstrates the enormous variation in suicidal behavior across the areas involved in the START Study. Further research is needed to assess the reliability of the established data-recording systems for suicidal behaviors. The baseline data established in START may allow the development of suicide prevention initiatives sensitive to variation in the profile of suicide across different locations.

Is Drosera meristocaulis a pygmy sundew? Evidence of a long-distance dispersal between Western Australia and northern South America

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

South America and Oceania possess numerous floristic similarities, often confirmed by morphological and molecular data. The carnivorous Drosera meristocaulis (Droseraceae), endemic to the Neblina highlands of northern South America, was known to share morphological characters with the pygmy sundews of Drosera sect. Bryastrum, which are endemic to Australia and New Zealand. The inclusion of D. meristocaulis in a molecular phylogenetic analysis may clarify its systematic position and offer an opportunity to investigate character evolution in Droseraceae and phylogeographic patterns between South America and Oceania.

METHODS

Drosera meristocaulis was included in a molecular phylogenetic analysis of Droseraceae, using nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and plastid rbcL and rps16 sequence data. Pollen of D. meristocaulis was studied using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques, and the karyotype was inferred from root tip meristem.

KEY RESULTS

The phylogenetic inferences (maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches) substantiate with high statistical support the inclusion of sect. Meristocaulis and its single species, D. meristocaulis, within the Australian Drosera clade, sister to a group comprising species of sect. Bryastrum. A chromosome number of 2n = approx. 32-36 supports the phylogenetic position within the Australian clade. The undivided styles, conspicuous large setuous stipules, a cryptocotylar (hypogaeous) germination pattern and pollen tetrads with aperture of intermediate type 7-8 are key morphological traits shared between D. meristocaulis and pygmy sundews of sect. Bryastrum from Australia and New Zealand.

CONCLUSIONS

The multidisciplinary approach adopted in this study (using morphological, palynological, cytotaxonomic and molecular phylogenetic data) enabled us to elucidate the relationships of the thus far unplaced taxon D. meristocaulis. Long-distance dispersal between southwestern Oceania and northern South America is the most likely scenario to explain the phylogeographic pattern revealed.

Prognostic relevance of Bcl-2 overexpression in surgically treated prostate cancer is not caused by increased copy number or translocation of the gene

BACKGROUND

Overexpression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 plays a role in prostate cancer progression, particularly in transformation to androgen-independent disease. Androgen-independent prostate cancers have been shown to harbor Bcl-2 gene copy number gains frequently suggesting that this genetic alteration might play a role in Bcl-2 overexpression. The relation of Bcl-2 overexpression and copy number gains or translocation of the BCL-2 gene in prostate cancer under hormone-naïve conditions is unknown.

METHODS

Prostate cancers of 3,261 hormone-naïve patients undergoing radical prostatectomy were arrayed in a TMA with one tissue core (diameter 0.6 mm) per tumor. Bcl-2 immunohistochemistry, analyzed for Bcl-2 expression level (negative, low, and high), was correlated with clinical, histopathological and molecular (Ki67, p53) tumor features, and biochemical failure. Cancers with high-level Bcl-2 expression were evaluated for genetic aberrations by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

RESULTS

Bcl-2 expression was significantly up-regulated in tumors with aggressive phenotype as indicated by high Gleason score (P < 0.0001), advanced stage (P < 0.0001), and high proliferation index (P = 0.0114). The different Bcl-2 expression levels translated into significantly different survival curves showing better outcome for patients with lower Bcl-2 levels. The prognostic information obtained from the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was independent from the proliferation index (Ki67) of the cancer. FISH analysis detected no copy number gains or translocation of the Bcl-2 gene.

CONCLUSION

Bcl-2 overexpression in prostate cancers under hormone-naïve conditions is not associated with increased copy numbers of the gene. This suggests that these frequently detected genetic alterations in androgen-independent tumors occur late in prostate cancer progression.

Benign cystic lesions in the testis of children

Cystic lesions in the testis of children are rare and in most cases benign tumors. However, a preoperative diagnostic work-up could contribute to planning the surgical procedure: orchiectomy in the case of potential malignancy or otherwise a testis-sparing approach. In this study we reviewed our recent cases of benign cystic testicular tumors and the corresponding literature. The different entities are presented with details of the diagnostic work-up, pathology and treatment of these lesions. In all presented cases, organ-preserving treatment was performed. This practice is to be recommended in the case of all prepubertal cystic testicular lesions.

Prognostic factors in lymph node metastases of prostatic cancer patients: the size of the metastases but not extranodal extension independently predicts survival

AIMS

To analyse tumour characteristics and the prognostic significance of prostatic cancers with extranodal extension of lymph node metastases (ENE) in 102 node-positive, hormone treatment-naive patients undergoing radical prostatectomy and extended lymphadenectomy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The median number of nodes examined per patient was 21 (range 9-68), and the median follow-up time was 92 months (range 12-191). ENE was observed in 71 patients (70%). They had significantly more, larger and less differentiated nodal metastases, paralleled by significantly larger primary tumours at more advanced stages and with higher Gleason scores than patients without ENE. ENE defined a subgroup with significantly decreased biochemical recurrence-free (P = 0.038) and overall survival (P = 0.037). In multivariate analyses the diameter of the largest metastasis and Gleason score of the primary tumour were independent predictors of survival.

CONCLUSIONS

ENE in prostatic cancer is an indicator lesion for advanced/aggressive tumours with poor outcome. However, the strong correlation with larger metastases suggests that ENE may result from their size, which was the only independent risk factor in the metastasizing component. Consequently, histopathological reports should specify the true indicator of poor survival in the lymphadenectomy specimens, which is the size of the largest metastasis in each patient.

Inter-informant agreement and prevalence estimates for substance use disorders: direct interview versus family history method

OBJECTIVES

Family studies typically use multiple sources of information on each individual including direct interviews and family history information. The aims of the present study were to: (1) assess agreement for diagnoses of specific substance use disorders between direct interviews and the family history method; (2) compare prevalence estimates according to the two methods; (3) test strategies to approximate prevalence estimates according to family history reports to those based on direct interviews; (4) determine covariates of inter-informant agreement; and (5) identify covariates that affect the likelihood of reporting disorders by informants.

METHODS

Analyses were based on family study data which included 1621 distinct informant (first-degree relatives and spouses) - index subject pairs.

RESULTS

Our main findings were: (1) inter-informant agreement was fair to good for all substance disorders, except for alcohol abuse; (2) the family history method underestimated the prevalence of drug but not alcohol use disorders; (3) lowering diagnostic thresholds for drug disorders and combining multiple family histories increased the accuracy of prevalence estimates for these disorders according to the family history method; (4) female sex of index subjects was associated with higher agreement for nearly all disorders; and (5) informants who themselves had a history of the same substance use disorder were more likely to report this disorder in their relatives, which entails the risk of overestimation of the size of familial aggregation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings have important implications for the best-estimate procedure applied in family studies.

Deaths from pesticide poisoning: a global response

Self-poisoning with pesticides accounts for about a third of all suicides worldwide. To tackle this problem, the World Health Organization announced a global public health initiative in the second half of 2005. Planned approaches were to range from government regulatory action to the development of new treatments for pesticide poisoning. With broad-based support, this strategy should have a major impact on the global burden of suicide.

A dedicated animal model for mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have focused on mechanical thrombectomy as a means to reduce the time required for revascularization and increase the revascularization rate in acute stroke. To date no systematic evaluation has been made of the different mechanical devices in this novel and fast-developing field of endovascular interventions. To facilitate such evaluations, we developed a specific in vivo model for mechanical thrombectomy that allows visualization of dislocation or fragmentation of the thrombus during angiographic manipulation.

METHODS

Angiography and embolization with a preformed thrombus was performed in 8 swine. The thrombus was generated by mixing 25 IU bovine thrombin and 10 mL autologous blood. For visualization during angiography, 1 g barium sulfate was added.

RESULTS

The preformed thrombus exhibited mechanical stability, reproducibility, and high radiographic absorption, providing excellent visibility during angiography. The setting allowed selective embolization of targeted vessels without thrombus fragmentation. Despite the application of barium sulfate no local or systemic reaction occurred. Histologic evaluation revealed no intimal damage caused by the thrombus or contrast agent washout.

CONCLUSION

The model presented here allows selective and reliable thromboembolization of vessels that reproduce the anatomic and hemodynamic situation in acute cerebrovascular stroke. It permits visualization of the thrombus during angiography and intervention, providing unique insight into the behavior of both thrombus and device, which is potentially useful in the development and evaluation of mechanical clot retrieval in acute cerebrovascular stroke.

Novel isotope effects observed in polarization echo experiments in glasses

In recent years unexpected magnetic field effects have been observed in dielectric measurements on insulating glasses at very low temperatures. Polarization echo experiments have indicated that atomic tunneling systems are responsible for these effects and that the nuclear properties of the tunneling particles are of importance. Subsequently, it was suggested that the magnetic field effects are caused by tunneling systems carrying a nuclear quadrupole moment. Now we have studied the isotope effect in echo experiments on fully deuterated and ordinary glycerol clearly showing the crucial role of the nuclear quadrupole moments for the magnetic field effects. In addition, we have observed a new effect in the decay of spontaneous echoes in zero magnetic field for the deuterated samples which can be explained in terms of a quantum beating involving the quadrupole levels.

[The impact of methodology on the reported prevalence of thyroid pathology: comparison of two autopsy series from Switzerland performed with different methods]

To investigate the impact of methodology on the detection and hence reported prevalence of pathological findings in thyroids, in the geographic area of Kt. Thurgau in Switzerland, we used two different methods in two consecutive autopsy series of 420 patients. In series A, the thyroids were sliced unfixed and only suspect lesions were examined histologically. In series B, the thyroids were fixed in formalin and sectioned in a standardized manner. At least one specimen per lobe was taken for histological examination. Series A revealed that five patients had adenomas, four malignant primary tumors, two metastases and four inflammatory changes in the thyroid. Series B detected ten patients with adenomas, eight with primary malignant tumors, eleven with metastases and twenty-eight with inflammatory changes in the thyroid. These differences were significant (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the methodology has an important impact on the detected prevalence of pathological findings in the thyroid.

High-energy resolution X-ray, gamma and electron spectroscopy with cryogenic detectors

Cryogenic detectors offer remarkably better energy resolutions than those achievable with conventional semiconductor or scintillation detectors. With the additional asset of a detection efficiency close to unity for low-energy X-ray photons and electrons, these detectors have the potential to perform X-ray, gamma and electron spectroscopy of a hitherto unknown quality, in particular at low energies. Two types of cryogenic detectors are described and the results of prototype detectors are presented.

Umbilical endometriosis

We report two women who presented with a recurrent, mildly painful, bluish nodule in the umbilicus. Both patients complained of local tenderness and occasional bleeding that increased during menstruation. Neither patient had had previous pelvic surgery. Excision of the lesions revealed a primary umbilical endometriosis; in one case, a simultaneous laparoscopy showed a pelvic endometriosis. We review the current literature and discuss the possible etiopathogenesis and when a laparoscopy is indicated to diagnose a concomitant pelvic endometriosis. Umbilical endometriosis is a very rare disease but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of umbilical lesions.

[Rare seminoma metastasis to the corpus spongiosum and urethra]

Anaplastic seminomas account for 5-10% of all seminomas. Their metastatic pattern is similar to the classic form of seminoma. We report on an oligophrenic patient with seminoma pT1 who developed a metastasis to the corpus spongiosum and penile urethra, which was successfully treated by local external radiotherapy resulting in long-term tumor remission over a 4-year follow-up period.

Pelvic lymph node metastases from bladder cancer: outcome in 83 patients after radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy

PURPOSE

We evaluate the outcome in patients with node positive bladder cancer with particular reference to the effect of individual characteristics of positive nodes on survival after meticulous pelvic lymphadenectomy at cystectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective analysis contains 452 cases of bladder cancer staged preoperatively as N0M0, managed with pelvic lymphadenectomy and cystectomy between 1984 and 1997. A total of 83 (18%) patients with histologically confirmed node positive disease are included in our study.

RESULTS

The median overall survival of patients with positive nodes was 20 months. Median 5-year survival was 29%. Patients who survived were found with positive nodes at each site in the pelvis. The median survival of 57 patients with less than 5 positive nodes was 27 months, compared with 15 months for 26 with 5 nodes or more (log-rank test p = 0.0027). Median survival of 26 patients with no lymph node capsule perforation was 93 months, compared with 16 months for 57 with capsule perforation (p = 0.0004). The median survival of 18 patients with a maximum diameter of lymph node metastasis up to 0.5 cm. was 64 months, compared with 16 months for 65 with nodal metastasis greater than 0.5 cm. (p = 0.024). Contralateral positive nodes were found in 16 of 39 (41%) patients with unilateral bladder cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term survival is possible with node positive bladder cancer. Those patients with few as well as smaller and, therefore, unsuspected nodal metastases, and those without lymph node capsule perforation have the best results after removal of pelvic metastatic nodal disease. Because patients who survive may be found regardless of the site of pelvic nodal metastases, meticulous bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy is warranted in all patients at the time of attempted curative cystectomy for bladder cancer, particularly if there is no clinical evidence of nodal involvement.

Bombesin receptors in distinct tissue compartments of human pancreatic diseases

Overexpression of receptors for regulatory peptides in various human diseases is reportedly of clinical interest. Among these peptides, bombesin and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) have been shown to play a physiological and pathophysiological role in pancreatic tissues. Our aim has been to localize bombesin receptors in the human diseased pancreas to identify potential clinical applications of bombesin analogs in this tissue. The presence of bombesin receptor subtypes has been evaluated in specimens of human pancreatic tissues with chronic pancreatitis (n = 23) and ductal pancreatic carcinoma (n = 29) with in vitro receptor autoradiography on tissue sections incubated with 125I-[Tyr4]-bombesin or the universal ligand 125I-[D-Tyr6, beta-Ala11, Phe13, Nle14]-bombesin(6-14) as radioligands and displaced by subtype-selective bombesin receptor agonists and antagonists. GRP receptors were identified in the pancreatic exocrine parenchyma in 17 of 20 cases with chronic pancreatitis. No measurable bombesin receptors were found in the tumor tissue of ductal pancreatic carcinomas, however, GRP receptors were detected in a subset of peritumoral small veins in 19 of 29 samples. Moreover, residual pancreatic islets in these tissues were shown to express the BB3 receptor subtype. These data demonstrate the presence of bombesin receptors in three distinct tissue compartments of the pancreas, namely GRP receptors in the exocrine parenchyma in chronic pancreatitis and in peritumoral vessels around ductal pancreatic carcinomas, and BB3 receptors in residual pancreatic islets. Such a selective expression of bombesin receptor subtypes in pancreatic tissues may not only be of pathophysiological significance but may represent the basis for potential diagnostic and therapeutic clinical applications of bombesin analogs, including GRP receptor scintigraphy to differentiate chronic pancreatitis from ductal pancreatic carcinoma.

Fra-1 replaces c-Fos-dependent functions in mice

Structure-function analysis as well as studies with knock-out and transgenic mice have assigned distinct functions to c-Fos and Fra-1, two components of the transcription factor AP-1 (activator protein-1). To test whether Fra-1 could substitute for c-Fos, we generated knock-in mice that express Fra-1 in place of c-Fos. Fra-1 rescues c-Fos-dependent functions such as bone development and light-induced photoreceptor apoptosis. Importantly, rescue of bone cell differentiation, but not photoreceptor apoptosis, is gene-dosage dependent. Moreover, Fra-1 fails to substitute for c-Fos in inducing expression of target genes in fibroblasts. These results show that c-Fos and Fra-1 have maintained functional equivalence during vertebrate evolution.

The EGF receptor provides an essential survival signal for SOS-dependent skin tumor development

The EGF receptor (EGFR) is required for skin development and is implicated in epithelial tumor formation. Transgenic mice expressing a dominant form of Son of Sevenless (SOS-F) in basal keratinocytes develop skin papillomas with 100% penetrance. However, tumor formation is inhibited in a hypomorphic (wa2) and null EGFR background. Similarly, EGFR-deficient fibroblasts are resistant to transformation by SOS-F and rasV12, however, tumorigenicity is restored by expression of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 gene. The K5-SOS-F papillomas and primary keratinocytesfrom wa2 mice display increased apoptosis, reduced Akt phosphorylation and grafting experiments imply a cell-autonomous requirement for EGFR in keratinocytes. Therefore, EGFR functions as a survival factor in oncogenic transformation and provides a valuable target for therapeutic intervention in a broader range of tumors than anticipated.

[A normal thyroid gland upon autopsy: a relatively uncommon finding]

In a series of 420 autopsies the thyroid glands have been weighed, serial sections made and examined histologically with at least one specimen per lobe. There is an age-dependent increase in mean thyroid weight. In the 7th decade the mean weight exceeds 29 g and weights above this are regarded as goitre. Between the 4th and 8th decade the incidence of goitre is 20-30%, after which the incidence rises steadily to 64% in the 10th decade. The commonest thyroid pathology is hyperplastic nodules, which are found in 39% of patients (49.4% of males and 33.4% of females). 2.4% of all patients have adenomas, 1.9% primary carcinomas and 2.8% thyroid metastases. Inflammatory infiltrates are observed in 6.6% of cases (9.4% of females and 4.4 of males). To establish the incidence of normal thyroid glands we have studied 840 serial autopsies. Only 25% of thyroids are normal (19% of females and 30% of males). The incidence of normal thyroid glands tends to decrease with age and in no decade does it reach 50%.

Chronic treatment with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation inhibits seizure induction by electroconvulsive shock in rats

BACKGROUND

Studies in laboratory animals suggest that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and electroconvulsive shock (ECS) increase seizure inhibition acutely. This study was designed to explore whether chronic rTMS would also have seizure inhibition properties.

METHODS

To this purpose we administered rTMS (Magstim Rapid) and sham rTMS twice daily (2.5 T, 4-sec train duration, 20 Hz) to two groups of 10 rats for 16 days. The rTMS coil was a 50-mm figure-8 coil held directly over the rat's head. Raters were blind to experimental groups. On days 11, 17, and 21 (5 days after the last rTMS) ECS was administered with a Siemens convulsator using three electrical charge levels. Variables examined were the presence or absence of seizures and seizure length (measured from the initiation of the tonic contraction until the end of the limb movement).

RESULTS

At day 11 rTMS had no effect on seizures, and both rTMS and sham rTMS animals convulsed equally. At day 17, however, rTMS-treated animals convulsed significantly less (both at presence/absence of seizures, and at seizure length) than sham rTMS animals. At day 21 the effects of rTMS had disappeared.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that rTMS administered chronically leads to changes in seizure threshold similar to those reported for ECS and ECT; however, these effects were short-lived.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation downregulates beta-adrenoreceptors in rat cortex

Recently, a method for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the brain has been developed. Thus, it is possible to explore neurochemical and behavioral effects of TMS in rats. Repeated TMS (9 days) reduced beta-adrenergic receptor binding in cortex, as does electroconvulsive shock (ECS) and other antidepressant treatments. Thus TMS appears to be a potential antidepressive treatment.

The effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation of rat brain on behavioral models of depression

Magnetic stimulation of the brain in unanesthetized humans and animals can painlessly induce motor movements and has recently been reported to have antidepressant properties. In behavioral models of depression and electroconvulsive therapy including enhancement of apormorphine-induced stereotypy, reduction of immobility in the Porsolt swim test and increases in seizure threshold for subsequent stimulation, magnetic stimulation of rat brain had effects similar to those of electroconvulsive shock.

GABAA receptor activation induces GABA and glutamate release from preoptic area

The effect of GABA receptor agonists on release in vitro of radiolabeled GABA and glutamate was studied using a crude preparation of isolated nerve terminals (neurosomes). GABA agonists were incubated (2 min, 37 degrees C) with neurosomes prepared from hypothalamus, preoptic area (POA) and frontal cortex tissues. Under these conditions, GABA and the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol, but not the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen, stimulated 3H-GABA and 3H-glutamate release from POA but not hypothalamic or cortical neurosomes of gonadally intact male rats. These effects were inhibited by the GABAA receptor antagonists picrotoxin, bicuculline and SR-95531. Significant efflux of 3H-glutamate could be elicited from cortical neurosomes following longer (5 min) incubations with 500 microM GABA and 400 microM muscimol. Muscimol-induced release of 3H-glutamate and 3H-GABA was dependent on extracellular calcium. Muscimol and GABA failed to release 3H-GABA or 3H-glutamate from POA neurosomes of ovariectomized female rats. However, administration of estradiol and progesterone to ovariectomized females prior to sacrifice caused the appearance of muscimol induced-release of amino acids from POA neurosomes comparable to that obtained in male rats. GABA-induced release of 3H-glutamate was similarly dependent on pretreatment of ovariectomized rats with ovarian steroids. GABAA receptor-induced release of amino acids is therefore brain region-specific and modified by hormonal status.

Tail-pinch induced analgesia and immobility: altered responses to noxious tail-pinch by prior pinch of the neck

Noxious pinch to the scruff of the neck using a metal clip produces profound immobility and analgesia. Noxious pinch delivered to the tail fails to induce immobility and results in nociceptive behavior directed at the pinched tail. However, when administered shortly after neck-clip removal, noxious tail-pinch reinstated immobility without any nociceptive response. Prior neck-clip also enhanced the antinociception induced by the tail-pinch as measured by nociceptive response to a leg pinch. Immobility, as well as antinociception, decreased as the time interval between neck-clip removal and the tail-pinch application increased. Pharmacological manipulations which reduce nociception produced a similar alteration in the response to tail-pinch. Thus, following local injections antinociceptive doses of lidocaine to the base of the tail and systemic morphine administration tail-pinch produced marked immobility. Transection of the brain at the intercollicular level provides evidence for supraspinal involvement in post-neck pinch effects. Not only was the ability of prior neck-pinch to confer antinociceptive properties on tail-pinch abolished, but increased responsiveness to noxious tail-pinch was seen. We, therefore, propose that prior neck-pinch confers new stimulus properties on noxious pinch of other body regions resulting in an enhanced antinociceptive effect, which affects both remote regions and the site of stimulation, and the ability to induce immobility.

Characterization of glutamate efflux from preoptic area synaptosomes

Treatment of ovariectomized rats in vivo with ovarian steroids has been found to influence the efflux of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid from preoptic area synaptosomes incubated in vitro. Since these studies indicated a possible role of the glutamate carrier in steroid-modulated release of amino acids, the present studies examined the characteristics of efflux of glutamate and of the carrier system for glutamate in synaptosomes of the preoptic area derived from ovariectomized hormone-treated rats. The efflux of [3H]glutamate from preoptic area synaptosomes, was induced by glutamate and by the glutamate carrier agonist, D-aspartate; the putative glutamate carrier antagonist dihydrokainate failed to block this efflux. Dihydrokainate inhibited the uptake of glutamate but it was less effective than D-aspartate. The excitatory amino acid receptor agonists, N-methyl-D-aspartate and kainate were without effect while quisqualate modestly stimulated the efflux of [3H]glutamate. Efflux of [3H]glutamate, induced by glutamate itself or by D-aspartate was not blocked by the excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists, D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione or kynurenate. Glutamate-induced efflux of [3H]glutamate did not require external Ca2+. Glutamate altered neither the basal nor the potassium-induced increases in the intrasynaptosomal concentration of Ca2+ as measured by the fura-2 method. Glutamate-induced efflux of [3H]glutamate was blocked by the putative chloride channel antagonist, 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. It is concluded that the glutamate-induced efflux of [3H]glutamate in synaptosomes of the preoptic area is a carrier-mediated process that does not require activation of receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Estradiol plus progesterone promote glutamate-induced release of γ-aminobutyric acid from preoptic area synaptosomes

Treatment of ovariectomized rats with both estradiol and progesterone in vivo resulted in a marked enhancement of glutamate-induced release of newly synthesized [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from synaptosomes of the preoptic area in vitro. With this treatment, as little as 0.01 nM glutamate, in vitro, enhanced release of GABA. In contrast, glutamate, in vitro, did not stimulate release of GABA from synaptosomes, obtained from rats treated with either estradiol or progesterone alone and only large concentrations of glutamate (1.0 and 10 mM) caused a modest release of GABA from synaptosomes from ovariectomized, vehicle-treated rats. Also, treatment with estradiol plus progesterone did not alter glutamate-induced release or exchange of [3H]glutamate. Glutamate-induced release of GABA was calcium-independent and attenuated by the putative chloride channel antagonist, 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-DL-disulfonic acid. Thus, glutamate-induced, steroid-enhanced release of GABA may occur through a chloride-dependent carrier rather than by exocytosis. In addition to enhancement by glutamate, release of GABA was also enhanced by D-aspartate, an agent that is transported by the neuronal glutamate carrier. It is postulated that enhancement of glutamate-induced release of GABA, by estradiol plus progesterone in the preoptic area, represents one process by which these steroids modulate reproductive function in female rats.

Effects of non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists on reproductive and motor behaviors in female rats

MK-801 and dextrorphan, selective non-competitive antagonists at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, were used to evaluate the effect of NMDA receptor blockade on sexual and motor behaviors in female rats. Ovariectomized rats were treated with estradiol benzoate (EB) for 48 or 72 h followed by progesterone (P) 3.5-4 h before testing the animals for sexual receptivity. After testing for estrous responsiveness, the effect of NMDA antagonists on several motor behaviors was also assessed. Lordosis frequency and intensity were inhibited in animals that received 0.5 mg/kg MK-801 30 min before EB; the same dose of MK-801 was relatively ineffective when administered 24 h after EB. In neither case did MK-801-treated females differ from controls when motor behaviors were assessed after mating tests. When 30 mg/kg dextrorphan, a short-acting NMDA antagonist, was administered 15 min before P, sexual behavior was not blocked. However, both 0.05 mg/kg MK-801 and 30 mg/kg dextrorphan suppressed ongoing female sexual behavior within 30 min in animals made receptive with EB and P. These deficits in sexual behavior were associated with changes in motor performance. MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg) and dextrorphan (30 mg/kg) abolished movement in the vertical dimension (e.g. jumping and rearing). By contrast, the drugs increased movement in the longitudinal (locomotion) and lateral (circling) dimensions. At 0.2 mg/kg, MK-801 blocked movement in both the vertical and longitudinal dimensions; however, it failed to block circling. Only at 0.4 mg/kg did MK-801 inhibit lateral movements and righting reflexes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ovarian steroids increase veratridine-induced release of amino acid neurotransmitters in preoptic area synaptosomes

In vivo treatment of ovariectomized rats with estradiol benzoate plus progesterone, but not with either steroid alone, produced a large increase in veratridine-induced release of radiolabeled glutamate and newly synthesized GABA from preoptic area synaptosomes in vitro. Neither basal nor KCl-evoked release of amino acids was altered. Thus gonadal steroids appear to be involved in the control of amino acid neurotransmitter release in a brain region of importance for regulation of female reproductive physiology and behavior.

Clip-induced analgesia: noxious neck pinch suppresses spinal and mesencephalic neural responses to noxious peripheral stimulation

Pinch of the nape of the neck, of mice, with a serrated clip, produces immobility and lack of responsiveness to noxious stimulation. In this study we attempted to determine whether clip application produces true blockade of nociception, independent of its immobilizing effect, and examined the level of the neuroaxis at which such an effect takes place. To this end nociception was measured using indices not requiring a motor response. Neck pinch eliminated the elevation of heart rate induced by noxious pinch of the tail without affecting heart rate by itself providing evidence for its analgesic effect. Direct evidence that neck pinch suppresses the transmission of noxious information is also provided. Neck pinch inhibits neural activity evoked by noxious peripheral stimulation while exerting minimal effects on the effects of nonnoxious stimuli. Thus, sensory evoked activity in the periaqueductal gray area, elicited by noxious electrical stimulation, but not innocuous stimuli, is inhibited by neck pinch. Similarly, neck pinch inhibits the response of spinal cord neurons to noxious but not nonnoxious stimulation. It, therefore, appears that neck pinch produces true analgesia by activating supraspinal systems which in turn acts to inhibit the transmission of nociception both at spinal and supraspinal levels.

Different endogenous analgesia systems are activated by noxious stimulation of different body regions

Noxious pinch of the neck and the base of the tail can produce equipotent analgesia as measured by the tail flick method. However, noxious stimulation of the neck can suppress pain responsiveness both at the site of stimulation and at sites remote from the stimulated area while noxious stimulation of the tail produces analgesia only at sites remote from the stimulated area. Thus, neck pinched animals are immobile and completely unresponsive to the noxious pinch whereas pinch to the base of the tail, which results in tail flick suppression, causes vocalization and well organized biting behavior directed at the pinched area. The analgesia elicited by noxious stimulation applied to both body regions is eliminated by spinalization, the administration of intermediate doses of barbiturates (30 and 45 mg/kg) and transection at the midcollicular, but not more rostral, brain level. Concurrent with the elimination of the analgesic effect of noxious pinch on tail flick is the emergence of responses to noxious neck pinch with vocalization and intense motor reactions now elicited by noxious stimulation of the nape of the neck. These results indicate that different analgesic systems are activated by noxious tail and neck pinch both requiring the integrity of mesencephalic structures for their normal function. Furthermore, these systems can be distinguished by their ability to produce recurrent, inhibitory, supraspinal effects on nociceptive information originating at different body regions.