Intracerebroventricular administration of adiponectin attenuates streptozotocin-induced memory impairment in rats

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been reported to be linked with diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance. Adiponectin (ADN), an adipocytokine secreted from adipose tissue, is involved in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, energy homeostasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In this study, we examined the effect of ADN on passive avoidance memory in animal model of sporadic AD (sAD). On days 1 and 3 after cannulation, rats received intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (3 mg/kg). Thirty minutes before the learning process, animals received saline or ADN in different doses (6, 60, and 600 µg). The step-through latency (STL) and total time spent in the dark compartment (TDC) were recorded and analyzed. In STZ-treated rats, STL was significantly decreased, whereas TDC showed a dramatic increase. In ADN-treated rats, STL was significantly increased (P < 0.01) in all treatment doses. The number of entries was decreased in all applied doses; however, TDC was reduced only by the application of 6 ng of ADN (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that ADN is useful to improve the STZ-induced memory impairment. This study showed, for the first time, that icv administration of ADN could improve the memory acquisition in animal model of sAD.

Vibration mode imaging

A new method for imaging the vibration mode of an object is investigated. The radiation force of ultrasound is used to scan the object at a resonant frequency of the object. The vibration of the object is measured by laser and the resulting acoustic emission from the object is measured by a hydrophone. It is shown that the measured signal is proportional to the value of the mode shape at the focal point of the ultrasound beam. Experimental studies are carried out on a mechanical heart valve and arterial phantoms. The mode images on the valve are made by the hydrophone measurement and confirmed by finite-element method simulations. Compared with conventional B-scan imaging on arterial phantoms, the mode imaging can show not only the interface of the artery and the gelatin, but also the vibration modes of the artery. The images taken on the phantom surface suggest that an image of an interior artery can be made by vibration measurements on the surface of the body. However, the image of the artery can be improved if the vibration of the artery is measured directly. Imaging of the structure in the gelatin or tissue can be enhanced by small bubbles and contrast agents.

Effects of triple combination of hydrocortisone, thiamine, and Vitamin C on clinical outcome in patients with septic shock: A single-center randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that hydrocortisone, Vitamin C, and thiamine alone or in combination may improve the clinical outcomes of patients with septic shock. The aim of this study is the effects of this combination therapy on clinical outcome and sepsis biomarkers in patients with septic shock.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-eight consecutive patients suffering septic shock were randomly assigned into two groups receiving the combination therapy of hydrocortisone (50 mg/6 h, intravenously), Vitamin C (1.5 g/6 h in 100 ml normal saline or DW5%, intravenously), and thiamine (200 mg/12 h in 50 ml normal saline or DW5%, intravenously) or placebo for up to 4 days.

RESULTS

The decline in procalcitonin, lactate, and leukocyte count 72 h after the initiation of treatment was significantly greater in the intervention as compared to the control group. The intervention group has a significantly lower sequential organ failure assessment score 72 h after treatment (P < 0.001). The mean duration of vasopressor dependency was shorter in the intervention group (P = 0.039). In-hospital death occurred in 10.3% of the patients who received combination therapy and 37.9% in the control group (P = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

The administration of the triple combination of hydrocortisone, thiamine, and Vitamin C appeared to be effective in improving the clinical outcomes of patients with septic shock and of reducing vasopressor requirements with a significant increase in the rate of improvement of sepsis biomarkers.

Traumatic left anterior descending coronary artery-right ventricle fistula: a case report

Traumatic coronary artery-cameral fistulas (TCAF) are rare and may present secondary to penetrating injuries (80%) or iatrogenic traumas. Early operative intervention remains the recommended treatment modality for accidental traumatic coronary artery fistulas. We report the case of a 17-year-old man who presented with left anterior descending coronary artery-right ventricle fistula following penetrating cardiac trauma, which was successfully repaired surgically.

A Cannabinoid Type 1 Receptor Antagonist Impairs Spatial Memory and Increases the Tau Gene Expression in an Animal Model of the Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the accumulation of two different proteins, β-amyloid and tau. The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of bilateral administration of the cannabinoid receptor antagonist (AM251) in the hippocampus on spatial memory and tau gene expression in an Alzheimer's disease model. The β-amyloid toxin was administered bilaterally into the hippocampus of Wistar male rats to induce Alzheimer's disease. The rats were then divided into four groups: the control group (which received distilled water as a solvent for β-amyloid toxin), the lesion group (which received the β-amyloid), β-amyloid + DMSO group (as antagonist solvent), and the AM251 antagonist receiving groups. During the training course of the Morris water maze test, the antagonist of the cannabinoid 1 receptor antagonist AM251 was administered bilaterally into the hippocampus for four consecutive days at doses of 5, 25, and 100 ng. To evaluate the spatial memory of the animals, the following parameters were analyzed: distance traveled, latency time to reach the hidden platform, velocity of the animals, and tau gene expression in real time. The spatial memory indices were found to be impaired following the injection of β-amyloid and the AM251 cannabinoid antagonist. Following the injection of β-amyloid toxin, there was an increase in mRNA expression of tau protein. However, no significant difference was observed between the cannabinoid antagonist and β-amyloid groups. These results indicate that β-amyloid toxin has a destructive effect on spatial memory and that cannabinoid system plays a positive role in memory formation and consolidation, However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings.