Sympathetic structural and electrophysiological remodeling in a rabbit model of reperfused myocardial infarction.

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) inhibit sympathetic reinnervation in rodent hearts post-myocardial infarction (MI), causing regional hypoinnervation that is associated with supersensitivity of β-adrenergic receptors and increased arrhythmia susceptibility. To investigate the role of CSPGs and hypoinnervation in the heart of larger mammals, we used a rabbit model of reperfused MI and tested electrophysiological responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation (SNS). Innervated hearts from MI and sham rabbits were optically mapped using voltage and Ca-sensitive dyes.

Sympathetic structural and electrophysiological remodeling in a rabbit model of reperfused myocardial infarction.

Unlabelled: Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) inhibit sympathetic reinnervation in rodent hearts post myocardial infarction (MI), causing regional hypo-innervation that is associated with supersensitivity of β-adrenergic receptors and increased arrhythmia susceptibility. To investigate the role of CSPGs and hypo-innervation in the heart of larger mammals, we used a rabbit model of reperfused MI and tested electrophysiological responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation (SNS). Innervated hearts from MI and sham rabbits were optically mapped using voltage and Ca -sensitive dyes.

Chronic nicotine exposure is associated with electrophysiological and sympathetic remodeling in the intact rabbit heart.

Nicotine is the primary addictive component of tobacco products. Through its actions on the heart and autonomic nervous system, nicotine exposure is associated with electrophysiological changes and increased arrhythmia susceptibility. To assess the underlying mechanisms, we treated rabbits with transdermal nicotine (NIC, 21 mg/day) or control (CT) patches for 28 days before performing dual optical mapping of transmembrane potential (RH237) and intracellular Ca (Rhod-2 AM) in isolated hearts with intact sympathetic innervation.

Chronic nicotine exposure is associated with electrophysiological and sympathetic remodeling in the intact rabbit heart.

Unlabelled: Nicotine is the primary addictive component in tobacco products. Through its actions on the heart and autonomic nervous system, nicotine exposure is associated with electrophysiological changes and increased arrhythmia susceptibility. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear.

The Therapeutic Landscape of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Current State and Future Directions.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune disease with grave physical, emotional and socioeconomic consequences. Despite advances in targeted biologic and pharmacologic interventions that have recently come to market, many patients with RA continue to have inadequate response to therapies, or intolerable side effects, with resultant progression of their disease. In this review, we detail multiple biomolecular pathways involved in RA disease pathogenesis to elucidate and highlight pathways that have been therapeutic targets in managing this systemic autoimmune disease.

Developmental Ethanol Exposure Causes Reduced Feeding and Reveals a Critical Role for Neuropeptide F in Survival.

Food intake is necessary for survival, and natural reward circuitry has evolved to help ensure that animals ingest sufficient food to maintain development, growth, and survival. Drugs of abuse, including alcohol, co-opt the natural reward circuitry in the brain, and this is a major factor in the reinforcement of drug behaviors leading to addiction. At the junction of these two aspects of reward are alterations in feeding behavior due to alcohol consumption.

Metabolic profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome across adult life.

Objective: To assess insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion and metabolic profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in different stages of reproductive life.

Materials And Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 190 PCOS women (PCOSw) and 99 controls (Cw) aged between 18 and 55years were included. PCOSw and Cw were distributed into 3 stages of reproductive life: early reproductive age (18-34years old), late reproductive age (35-40years old) and perimenopausal period (41-55years old).

Evaluation of ovarian function in 35-40-year-old women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: To assess gonadotrophin secretion, ovarian steroid production and ovarian reserve in PCOS women during the onset of reproductive decline, in order to characterize their ovarian function at this age.

Study Design: Forty PCOS patients and 35 healthy women (35-40 years of age) were included. Clinical history, anthropometry, transvaginal ultrasound and a leuprolide acetate test (10 μg/kg s.

Relationship of serum adipocyte-derived proteins with insulin sensitivity and reproductive features in pre-pubertal and pubertal daughters of polycystic ovary syndrome women.

Objective: To evaluate in a cross-sectional study adiponectin and leptin levels in prepubertal and pubertal daughters of women with PCOS and their relationship to insulin sensitivity and reproductive features.

Study Design: We studied 92 daughters of PCOS women (PCOSd) and 76 daughters of control women (Cd) matched by age and body mass index SD scores and distributed according to breast Tanner stage: prepuberty (Tanner 1), early puberty (Tanner 2-3) or late puberty (Tanner 4-5). In all girls an oral glucose tolerance test was performed.

Adrenal function during childhood and puberty in daughters of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Context: In some patients, PCOS may develop as a consequence of an exaggerated adrenarche during pubertal development.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess adrenal function during childhood and pubertal development in daughters of women with PCOS (PCOSd).

Design: We included 98 PCOSd [64 during childhood (ages 4-8 yr) and 34 during the peripubertal period (ages 9-13 yr)] and 51 daughters of control women (Cd) [30 during childhood and 21 during the peripubertal period].