CRHR1 mediates the transcriptional expression of pituitary hormones and their receptors under hypoxia.

Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis plays critical roles in stress responses under challenging conditions such as hypoxia, regulating gene expression and integrating activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-targets cells. However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms and signaling pathways of hypoxic stress in the pituitary remain to be defined. Here, we report that hypoxia induced dynamic changes in the transcription factors, hormones, and their receptors in the adult rat pituitary.

Versatile Functions of Somatostatin and Somatostatin Receptors in the Gastrointestinal System.

Somatostatin (SST) and somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) play an important role in the brain and gastrointestinal (GI) system. SST is produced in various organs and cells, and the inhibitory function of somatostatin-containing cells is involved in a range of physiological functions and pathological modifications. The GI system is the largest endocrine organ for digestion and absorption, SST-endocrine cells and neurons in the GI system are a critical effecter to maintain homeostasis SSTRs 1-5 and co-receptors, while SST-SSTRs are involved in chemo-sensory, mucus, and hormone secretion, motility, inflammation response, itch, and pain the autocrine, paracrine, endocrine, and exoendocrine pathways.

Involvement of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor and Receptors in Immune Cells in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder defined by ROME IV criteria as pain in the lower abdominal region, which is associated with altered bowel habit or defecation. The underlying mechanism of IBS is not completely understood. IBS seems to be a product of interactions between various factors with genetics, dietary/intestinal microbiota, low-grade inflammation, and stress playing a key role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Causes of a painful total knee arthroplasty. Are patients still receiving total knee arthroplasty for extrinsic pathologies?

Purpose: Whilst patients undergoing total knee replacements generally have good relief of their symptoms, up to 20% complain of persisting pain. Revision rates have therefore been rising, particularly so for unexplained pain. We reviewed the causes of painful total knee replacements including extrinsic causes.

An 8- to 10-year review of the Rotaglide total knee replacement.

Mobile-bearing knee arthroplasty (MBKA) is an alternative to fixed-bearing knee arthroplasty. This was a retrospective study of the Rotaglide Total Knee System. We present the results of the monitoring of 77 patients (85 knees) with a median duration to failure or end of follow up of 8.

Connecting bar for hip spica reinforcement: does it help?

The purpose of this prospective study was to determine if a connecting bar prevented mechanical failure of hip spicas. Eighty-two hip spicas were applied to 70 patients between April 2000 and June 2001 following open or closed reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip. Bilateral hip surgery was undertaken in 12 patients.

Periprosthetic acetabular fracture associated with extensive osteolysis.

Periprosthetic fracture of the acetabulum is an uncommon complication of total hip arthroplasty. The management is reported to be difficult, and complications such as nonunion and implant loosening are common. We described herein a case of nontraumatic periprosthetic acetabular fracture associated with significant osteolysis, which was successfully managed by addressing the fracture and osteolysis independently.

Another cause of necrotizing fasciitis?

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare condition, but has a devastating clinical course if it is not diagnosed early and treated aggressively. There are usually a number of organisms implicated in its pathogenesis, but in this case report a patient is presented in whom the only organism isolated from both tissue and blood cultures was Clostridium septicum. This organism almost always causes a myonecrosis, but in this case only the superficial and deep fascial layers were affected, sparing the underlying muscle.