Serotonin-2B receptor (5-HTR) expression and binding in the brain of APP/PS1 transgenic mice and in Alzheimer's disease brain tissue.

Despite well-documented dysregulation in central serotonergic signaling in Alzheimer's disease (AD), knowledge about the potential involvement of the serotonin-2B receptor (5-HTR) subtype remains sparse. Here, we assessed the levels of 5-HTRs in brain tissue from APP/PS1 transgenic (TG) mice, AD patients, and adult microglial cells. 5-HTR mRNA was measured by RT-qPCR in ageing TG and wild-type (WT) mice, in samples from the middle frontal gyrus of female, AD and control subjects, and in microglia from the cerebral cortex of WT mice.

The Combined Effects of Amyloidosis and Serotonin Deficiency by Tryptophan Hydroxylase-2 Knockout Impacts Viability of the APP/PS1 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: A decline of brain serotonin (5-HT) is held responsible for the changes in mood that can be observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, 5-HT'ergic signaling is also suggested to reduce the production of pathogenic amyloid-β (Aβ).

Objective: To investigate the effect of targeted inactivation of tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (Tph2), which is essential for neuronal 5-HT synthesis, on amyloidosis in amyloid precursor protein (APP)swe/presenilin 1 (PS1) ΔE9 transgenic mice.

Ageing and amyloidosis underlie the molecular and pathological alterations of tau in a mouse model of familial Alzheimer's disease.

Despite compelling evidence that the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) promotes neocortical MAPT (tau) aggregation in familial and idiopathic Alzheimer's disease (AD), murine models of cerebral amyloidosis are not considered to develop tau-associated pathology. In the present study, we show that tau can accumulate spontaneously in aged transgenic APP/PS1 mice. Tau pathology is abundant around Aβ deposits, and further characterized by accumulation of Gallyas and thioflavin-S-positive inclusions, which were detected in the APP/PS1 brain at 18 months of age.

Neuroinflammation and amyloid-beta 40 are associated with reduced serotonin transporter (SERT) activity in a transgenic model of familial Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Discrepant and often contradictory results have accumulated regarding the antidepressant and pro-cognitive effects of serotonin transporter (SERT) antagonists in Alzheimer's disease.

Methods: To address the discrepancy, we measured the activity and density of SERT in the neocortex of 3-24-month-old APP/PS1 and wild-type littermate mice, by using [H]DASB autoradiography and the [H]5-HT uptake assay. Levels of soluble amyloid-β (Aβ), and pro-inflammatory cytokines that can regulate SERT function, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), were measured in parallel.

The gut microbiota and its correlations with the central nervous system disorders.

A mutual impact of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and central nervous system (CNS) functions has been recognized since the mid-twentieth century. It is accepted that the so-called gut-brain axis provides a two-way homeostatic communication, through immunological, hormonal and neuronal signals. A dysfunction of this axis has been associated with the pathogenesis of some diseases both within and outside the GIT, that have shown an increase in incidence over the last decades.

Sudden cardiac death due to coronary artery involvement by IgG4-related disease: a rare, serious complication of a rare disease.

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic disorder characterized by multiorgan fibrosis with IgG4-producing plasma cells, increased IgG4 serum concentration, and responsiveness to steroid therapy. Involvement of the pancreas, salivary glands, orbit, aorta, and other sites has been well documented in the literature; however, there have been limited reports of cases involving the coronary arteries. We report the case of a 53-year-old Hispanic man who was brought to the emergency center and diagnosed with sudden cardiac death.

Irritable bowel syndrome: new findings in pathophysiological and therapeutic field.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a high prevalence disease, whose symptoms are reported by a large number of young adults with significant effects on quality of life and social costs. Traditionally, IBS has been treated with dietary and lifestyle modification, fiber supplementation, psychological and pharmacological therapy. Since its complex and multifactorial etiopathogenesis is only partially known, therapeutic choices may be difficult and not always effective.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease increases risk for gastroesophageal reflux symptoms.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now recognized as a leading cause of liver dysfunction. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disorder causing symptoms that often impair patients' quality of life. In recent years, the prevalence of both these diseases has increased, partially overlapping the rise of metabolic disorders.

The use of prescription stimulants to enhance academic performance among college students in health care programs.

Purpose: Prescription stimulant use as academic performance enhancers is increasingly widespread among college students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of prescription stimulant use among health care students attending a university in the northeastern United States. The study investigated the specific stimulants being used and the frequency of usage.

Temporal germ cell development strategy during continuous spermatogenesis within the montane lizard, Sceloporus bicanthalis (Squamata; Phrynosomatidae).

Sceloporus bicanthalis is a viviparous lizard that lives at higher elevations in Mexico. Adult male S. bicanthalis were collected (n = 36) from the Nevado de Toluca, Mexico (elevation is 4200 m) during August to December, 2007 and January to July, 2008.

Primary breast lymphoma with sudden death.

Primary breast lymphoma is a rare form of extranodal lymphoma. B cells constitute the most common type involving the breast. T cells represents only 3%.

Postmortem findings in eight cases of influenza A/H1N1.

In March and early April 2009, cases of a new swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus were diagnosed in Mexico and the United States. Influenza virus presents as a respiratory infection with high morbidity and mortality. We describe the postmortem findings of eight confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 in a medical examiner setting.

Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis in the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis (Reptilia, Crocodylia, Alligatoridae).

Testicular samples were collected to describe the ultrastructure of spermiogenisis in Alligator mississipiensis (American Alligator). Spermiogenesis commences with an acrosome vesicle forming from Golgi transport vesicles. An acrosome granule forms during vesicle contact with the nucleus, and remains posterior until mid to late elongation when it diffuses uniformly throughout the acrosomal lumen.

Taking on the challenge of the centennial vision: transforming the passion for occupational therapy into a passion for leadership.

ABSTRACT The Centennial Vision makes it clear that the profession of occupational therapy is facing challenges that require members to move beyond clinical excellence toward larger health care initiatives (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2007). Accomplishing this goal requires the development of professionals with leadership skills. The focus of the doctorate in occupational therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) hits this mark.

Sickle cell trait and fatal rhabdomyolysis in football training: a case study.

We report the athletic, the clinical, and the pathological details of a case of fatal rhabdomyolysis during training in a college football player with sickle cell trait (SCT) who collapsed minutes after running 16 successive sprints of 100 yd each. The player, 19 yr old, African American, was apparently healthy when he took the field for the conditioning run. No exertional heat illness was present.

Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis in the Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae).

To date multiple studies exist that examine the morphology of spermatozoa. However, there are limited numbers of data detailing the ontogenic characters of spermiogenesis within squamates. Testicular tissues were collected from Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) and tissues from spermiogenically active months were analyzed ultrastructurally to detail the cellular changes that occur during spermiogenesis.

Determination of the potential benefit of time-frequency gain manipulation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the maximum benefit provided by a time-frequency gain-manipulation algorithm for noise-reduction (NR) based on an ideal detector of speech energy. The amount of detected energy necessary to show benefit using this type of NR algorithm was examined, as well as the necessary speed and frequency resolution of the gain manipulation.

Design: NR was performed using time-frequency gain manipulation, wherein the gains of individual frequency bands depended on the absence or presence of speech energy within each band.