Methamphetamine induces striatal neurokinin-1 receptor endocytosis primarily in somatostatin/NPY/NOS interneurons and the role of dopamine receptors in mice.

Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant that induces long-term deficits of dopamine terminal markers and apoptotic cell death in the striatum. Our laboratory demonstrated that pharmacological blockade of the neurokinin-1 receptor attenuated the METH-induced damage to the striatal dopamine terminals and the apoptotic cell death of some striatal neurons. Here, we used histological methods to assess the effect of METH on neurokinin-1 receptor trafficking in the striatum as an indirect index of signaling by the neuropeptide substance P (natural ligand for this receptor).

Liver transplantation techniques for the surgical management of renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava: step-by-step description.

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC) poses a challenge to the surgeon given the operative difficulty, potential for massive hemorrhage, and possibility of tumor thromboemboli.

Objective: To determine the applicability of a self-developed technique based on orthotopic liver transplantation procedures for safe resection of these tumors.

Design, Setting, And Participants: From August 1997 to February 2008, 68 consecutive patients underwent resection of RCC with suprahepatic and/or retrohepatic (level 3 and 4) tumor thrombus in a single referral institution.

Clinical performance of provisional screw-retained metal-free acrylic restorations in an immediate loading implant protocol: a 242 consecutive patients' report.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical performance of provisional screw-retained metal-free acrylic restorations in an immediate loading implant protocol.

Material And Methods: Two hundred and forty-two consecutive patients were selected retrospectively, who received 1011 implants and 311 immediate provisional screw-retained implant restorations (2-4 h after implant surgery). The patients were monitored for a period of 2-3 months, until they were referred for a final restoration.

Anisotropic morphological filters with spatially-variant structuring elements based on image-dependent gradient fields.

This paper deals with the theory and applications of spatially-variant discrete mathematical morphology. We review and formalize the definition of spatially variant dilation/erosion and opening/closing for binary and gray-level images using exclusively the structuring function, without resorting to complement. This theoretical framework allows to build morphological operators whose structuring elements can locally adapt their shape and orientation across the dominant direction of the structures in the image.

Ligand-receptor binding affinities from saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy: the binding isotherm of STD initial growth rates.

The direct evaluation of dissociation constants (K(D)) from the variation of saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy values with the receptor-ligand ratio is not feasible due to the complex dependence of STD intensities on the spectral properties of the observed signals. Indirect evaluation, by competition experiments, allows the determination of K(D), as long as a ligand of known affinity is available for the protein under study. Herein, we present a novel protocol based on STD NMR spectroscopy for the direct measurements of receptor-ligand dissociation constants (K(D)) from single-ligand titration experiments.

Analysis of complexity measures and information planes of selected molecules in position and momentum spaces.

The Fisher-Shannon and LMC shape complexities and the Shannon-disequilibrium, Fisher-Shannon and Fisher-disequilibrium information planes, which consist of two localization-delocalization factors, are computed in both position and momentum spaces for the one-particle densities of 90 selected molecules of various chemical types, at the CISD/6-311++G(3df,2p) level of theory. We found that while the two measures of complexity show general trends only, the localization-delocalization planes clearly exhibit chemically significant patterns. Several molecular properties (energy, ionization potential, total dipole moment, hardness, electrophilicity) are analyzed and used to interpret and understand the chemical nature of the composite information-theoretic measures above mentioned.

Feasibility of lymphadenectomy in laparoscopic radical cystectomy.

Objectives: The number of lymph nodes obtained through lymphadenectomy during radical cystectomy has prognostic and therapeutic value. We analyzed the number of nodes obtained during laparoscopic radical cystectomy to assess whether this approach allows satisfactory lymphadenectomy.

Methods: A total of 80 consecutive laparoscopic radical cystectomies with lymphadenectomy were performed by the same surgical team from 2005 to 2008.

Neutral endopeptidase inhibition: could it have a role in the treatment of female sexual arousal disorder?

Female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) is the inability to attain or maintain an adequate lubrication-swelling response of sexual excitement. The potentiation of vascular responses leading to increased blood flow in clitoris and vagina has represented the main focus in the pharmacological treatment of FSAD, including the evaluation of the type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitors. However, due to a lack of clear efficacy, there is no approved pharmacotherapy for FSAD to date.

Nebivolol dilates human penile arteries and reverses erectile dysfunction in diabetic rats through enhancement of nitric oxide signaling.

Introduction: Traditional beta-blockers have sometimes been associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). Nebivolol is a cardioselective β(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist that promotes vasodilation through a nitric oxide (NO)-dependent mechanism.

Aim: We evaluated the effects of nebivolol on the NO/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway, on erectile function and dysfunction, and in human penile vascular tissues.

The value of C-reactive protein determination in patients with renal colic to decide urgent urinary diversion.

Objectives: To analyze whether C-reactive protein (CRP) predicts the need for urgent urinary diversion in patients with renal colic and urolithiasis. CRP may help in the differential diagnosis of complicated hydronephrosis.

Methods: Prospective study done on 110 consecutive patients with renal colic secondary to upper urinary tract calculi admitted in the emergency room.

Gentisic acid, a compound associated with plant defense and a metabolite of aspirin, heads a new class of in vivo fibroblast growth factor inhibitors.

Fibroblast growth factors are key proteins in many intercellular signaling networks. They normally remain attached to the extracellular matrix, which confers on them a considerable stability. The unrestrained accumulation of fibroblast growth factors in the extracellular milieu, either due to uncontrolled synthesis or enzymatic release, contributes to the pathology of many diseases.

Jensen-Tsallis divergence and atomic dissimilarity for position and momentum space electron densities.

Quantifying the dissimilarity among two or more many-electron systems by means of their one-particle densities is a hot topic within the physical applications of the information theory. This is a relevant achievement of the so-called "divergence measures," for which several definitions have been considered, each one with its own advantages and difficulties. Nevertheless, all of them are considered in order to disclose the differences among the involved systems, neutral atoms in the present work, according to their densities in the position and momentum spaces.

Anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction.

Introduction: Significant scientific advances during the past 3 decades have deepened our understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of penile erection. A critical evaluation of the current state of knowledge is essential to provide perspective for future research and development of new therapies.

Aim: To develop an evidence-based, state-of-the-art consensus report on the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction (ED).

Fisher Information Study in Position and Momentum Spaces for Elementary Chemical Reactions.

The utility of the Fisher information measure is analyzed to detect the transition state, the stationary points of a chemical reaction, and the bond breaking/forming regions of elementary reactions such as the simplest hydrogen abstraction and the identity SN2 exchange ones. This is performed by following the intrinsic reaction path calculated at the MP2 and QCISD(T) levels of theory with a 6-311++G(3df, 2p) basis set. Selected descriptors of both position and momentum space densities are utilized to support the observations, such as the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), the hardness, the dipole moment, along with geometrical parameters.

Phenomenological description of a three-center insertion reaction: an information-theoretic study.

Information-theoretic measures are employed to describe the course of a three-center chemical reaction in terms of detecting the transition state and the stationary points unfolding the bond-forming and bond-breaking regions which are not revealed in the energy profile. The information entropy profiles for the selected reactions are generated by following the intrinsic-reaction-coordinate (IRC) path calculated at the MP2 level of theory from which Shannon entropies in position and momentum spaces at the QCISD(T)/6-311++G(3df,2p) level are determined. Several complementary reactivity descriptors are also determined, such as the dipole moment, the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) obtained through a multipole expansion (DMA), the atomic charges and electric potentials fitted to the MEP, the hardness and softness DFT descriptors, and several geometrical parameters which support the information-theoretic analysis.

Diabetes exacerbates the functional deficiency of NO/cGMP pathway associated with erectile dysfunction in human corpus cavernosum and penile arteries.

Introduction: Diabetic men with erectile dysfunction (ED) are less responsive to therapy with type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitors. Although an impairment of the nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosin-monophosphate (cGMP) pathway has been shown in diabetic ED vs. non-diabetic ED, the functionality of NO/cGMP pathway in non-diabetic and diabetic ED patients with respect to non-ED patients has not been established.

Membrane-dependent bystander effect contributes to amplification of the response to alpha-particle irradiation in targeted and nontargeted cells.

Purpose: Free radicals are believed to play an active role in the bystander response. This study investigated their origin as well as their temporal and spatial impacts in the bystander effect.

Methods And Materials: We employed a precise alpha-particle microbeam to target a small fraction of subconfluent osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1).

Clinicopathological study of regressed testicular tumors (apparent extragonadal germ cell neoplasms).

Purpose: Testicular germ cell tumors sometimes regress spontaneously and manifest exclusively by metastasis. We report our experience with extragonadal germ cell tumors of probable testicular origin to study the frequency of this entity, and clinical, ultrasound and histopathological correlations in a series of patients.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective 16-year review of 1.

Primary cutaneous cribriform apocrine carcinoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 26 cases of an under-recognized cutaneous adnexal neoplasm.

Background: Cribriform carcinoma is the histopathologic variant of cutaneous apocrine carcinoma characterized by interconnected solid aggregations of neoplastic cells that are punctuated by small round spaces.

Objective: To describe the histopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of this under-recognized cutaneous adnexal neoplasm.

Methods: Twenty-six cases of primary cutaneous cribriform apocrine carcinoma were clinically, histopathologically, and immunohistochemically studied.

The neurokinin-1 receptor modulates the methamphetamine-induced striatal apoptosis and nitric oxide formation in mice.

In a previous study we showed that pharmacological blockade of the neurokinin-1 receptors attenuated the methamphetamine (METH)-induced toxicity of the striatal dopamine terminals. In the present study we examined the role of the neurokinin-1 receptors on the METH-induced apoptosis of some striatal neurons. To that end, we administered a single injection of METH (30 mg/kg, i.

Immediate efficacy of diode laser application in the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity in periodontal maintenance patients: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: To evaluate the immediate efficacy in the reduction of dentine hypersensitivity (DH) when applying an 810 nm diode laser (DL), and a 10% potassium nitrate bioadhesive gel (NK10%).

Material And Methods: Forty-five consecutive periodontal maintenance patients of both sexes, with a DH >or= 2 on the verbal rating scale (VRS) in one or more teeth, were randomly allocated into three equal groups: 15 patients received DL and placebo gel; 15 patients were tested with a placebo laser and NK10%; and the remaining 15 received a placebo laser and placebo gel. The DH was evaluated at the start of the study, 15 and 30 min.

Plaque-like osteoma cutis with transepidermal elimination.

Osteoma cutis is a rare lesion that consists of the presence of bone tissue within the dermis and/or hypodermis. It may be classified as primary osteoma cutis, when bone tissue develops in the skin without any pre-existing lesion and secondary osteoma cutis, which is more frequent and occurs when osseous tissue develops on a pre-existing lesion. We present a case of primary plaque-like osteoma cutis involving the scalp, left forehead and left cheek, which appeared in an adult male.

Male genital representation in paleolithic art: erection and circumcision before history.

Objectives: To report on the likely existing evidence about the practice of circumcision in prehistory, or at least a culture of foreskin retraction, and also the meaning of erection in Paleolithic minds. The origin of the ritual of circumcision has been lost in time. Similarly, the primitive anthropologic meaning of erection is undefined.

Cyclic mathematical morphology in polar-logarithmic representation.

We propose in this paper to perform mathematical morphology operators in a geometric transformation of an image. As a result of this procedure, processing images with regular structuring elements in the transformed domain is equivalent to working with deformed structuring elements in the original representation. More specifically, the conversion into polar-logarithmic coordinates provides satisfying results in image analysis applied to round objects, if they are roughly origin-centered.