Restorative effects of uridine plus docosahexaenoic acid in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Administering uridine-5'-monophosphate (UMP) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increases synaptic membranes (as characterized by pre- and post-synaptic proteins) and dendritic spines in rodents. We examined their effects on rotational behavior and dopaminergic markers in rats with partial unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced striatal lesions. Rats receiving UMP, DHA, both, or neither, daily, and intrastriatal 6-OHDA 3 days after treatment onset, were tested for d-amphetamine-induced rotational behavior and dopaminergic markers after 24 and 28 days, respectively.

Vibration response imaging technology in healthy subjects.

Objective: The vibration response imaging device that we studied (VRIxp) records the intensity and location of lung sounds during a cycle of breathing. The goals of this study were to describe the characteristic features and quantitative lung data recorded by the VRIxp device from healthy asymptomatic subjects.

Subjects And Methods: Breath sounds (frequency range, 150-250 Hz) recorded from the backs of 151 healthy asymptomatic subjects (96 nonsmokers and 55 smokers) by the VRIxp device were mapped to create a sequence of 2D images.

Native valve Aspergillus endocarditis complicating lung transplantation.

We present 2 cases of Aspergillus endocarditis occurring in lung transplant recipients, both of whom were treated with early surgical intervention and triazole anti-fungal agents. Neither had evidence of airway colonization/infection with Aspergillus post-transplant, suggesting hematogenous spread of fungi at the time of surgery as a possible mechanism of infection. One case was successfully treated and discharged from the hospital, but, despite initial recovery, death occurred 10 months later due to a recurrence of Aspergillus endocarditis.

The effects of Tween-80 on the integrity of solutions of capsaicin: useful information for performing tussigenic challenges.

Background: Because variable results of capsaicin challenges may be due to the incomplete solubility of capsaicin, we sought to determine if the use of Tween-80 in solutions of capsaicin improves actual concentrations of freshly prepared and stored solutions.

Methods: Capsaicin solutions ranging from 0.5-128 muM were mixed with and without Tween-80.

TFAP2A mutations result in branchio-oculo-facial syndrome.

Branchio-oculo-facial syndrome (BOFS) is a rare autosomal-dominant cleft palate-craniofacial disorder with variable expressivity. The major features include cutaneous anomalies (cervical, infra- and/or supra-auricular defects, often with dermal thymus), ocular anomalies, characteristic facial appearance (malformed pinnae, oral clefts), and, less commonly, renal and ectodermal (dental and hair) anomalies. The molecular basis for this disorder is heretofore unknown.

Interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis: a simple staging system.

Rationale: In interstitial lung disease complicating systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD), the optimal prognostic use of baseline pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is uncertain.

Objectives: To construct a readily applicable prognostic algorithm in SSc-ILD, integrating PFTs and HRCT.

Methods: The prognostic value of baseline PFT and HRCT variables was quantified in patients with SSc-ILD (n = 215) against survival and serial PFT data.

Multipoint anchoring of the [2.2.2.2]metacyclophane motif to a gold surface via self-assembly: coordination chemistry of a cyclic tetraisocyanide revisited.

A one-pot transformation of bis(2-isocyano-3-methylphenyl)ethane affords gram quantities of 8,16,24,32-tetraisocyano[2.2.2.

A 21 years follow-up of a girl patient with a pseudodicentric bisatellited chromosome 22 associated with partial trisomy 22pter-->22q12.1: clinical, cytogenetic and molecular observations.

We present clinical and developmental data on a patient with a de novo recombinant pseudodicentric bisatellited chromosome 22 associated with a partial trisomy 22pter-22q12.1. The patient was evaluated at birth and followed-up until 21 years of age.

Endothelial NOS expression within the ventrolateral medulla can affect cardiovascular function during static exercise in stroked rats.

Temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) causing damage to brain tissue occurs in the majority of human stroke victims. Reflex cardiovascular responses during static exercise were attenuated following transient MCA occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion, mediated via alteration of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) protein isoform within the rostral (RVLM) and caudal (CVLM) ventrolateral medulla (Ally, A., Nauli, S.

Cardiovascular responses and neurotransmitter changes during blockade of angiotensin II receptors within the ventrolateral medulla.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors are located in different regions of the brain, particularly within the cardiovascular control centers in the brainstem. These Ang II receptors are divided into AT1 and AT2 subtypes. We investigated the role of AT1 receptor subtype within the rostral (RVLM) and caudal (CVLM) ventrolateral medulla on cardiovascular responses and glutamate/GABA neurotransmission during static exercise using microdialysis in anesthetized rats.

Reproducibility of dynamically represented acoustic lung images from healthy individuals.

Background And Aim: Acoustic lung imaging offers a unique method for visualising the lung. This study was designed to demonstrate reproducibility of acoustic lung images recorded from healthy individuals at different time points and to assess intra- and inter-rater agreement in the assessment of dynamically represented acoustic lung images.

Methods: Recordings from 29 healthy volunteers were made on three separate occasions using vibration response imaging.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: multiple causes and multiple mechanisms?

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating condition that carries a prognosis worse than that of many cancers. A recent classification of the idiopathic interstitial pneumonias has redefined the diagnostic criteria necessary to determine a diagnosis of IPF. The present authors believe that this redefinition is incorrect, relying as it does on subtle histological differences for the definition of separate disease categories.

Pallister-Killian syndrome: tetrasomy of 12pter-->12p11.22 in a boy with an analphoid, inverted duplicated marker chromosome.

Supernumerary marker chromosomes (SMCs) without detectable alphoid DNA are predicted to have a neocentromere and have been referred to as mitotically stable neocentromere marker chromosomes (NMCs). Here we report the molecular cytogenetic characterization of a new case of Pallister-Killian syndrome (PKS) in a boy with an analphoid, inverted duplicated NMC derived from 12pter-->12p11.22 in his fibroblasts by using high-resolution comparative genetic hybridization (HR-CGH), multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-FISH mapping analyses with various alpha-satellite DNA probes, subtelomere probes and BAC-DNA probes.

Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on glycemic control and left ventricular function in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Increasing evidence suggests that tight glycemic control improves clinical outcomes after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the risk for hypoglycemia with insulin often results in less aggressive glycemic control. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a naturally occurring peptide whose insulinotropic effects are predicated on the glucose concentration, minimizing the risk for hypoglycemia.

Tin(IV) cyanoximates: synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity.

In recent years, numerous organotin(IV) derivatives have exhibited remarkable cytotoxicity against several types of cancer. However, the properties of the cyanoxime-containing organotin(IV) complexes are unknown. Previously, it has been shown that cyanoximes displayed an interesting spectrum of biological activity ranging from growth-regulation to antimicrobial and pesticide detoxification actions.

The value of MLPA in Waardenburg syndrome.

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is an autosomal-dominant neurocristopathy characterized by sensorineural hearing loss, pigmentary abnormalities of the iris, hair, and skin, and is responsible for about 3% of congenital hearing loss. Point mutations in PAX3 have been identified in more than 90% of affected individuals with WS Type 1/WS Type 3. MITF point mutations have been identified in 10-15% of individuals affected with WS Type 2 (lacking dystopia canthorum).

Significant hypoglycemia secondary to icodextrin peritoneal dialysate in a diabetic patient.

Icodextrin, a peritoneal dialysate commonly used in the renal failure patient with diabetes, may lead to an overestimation of blood glucose levels as determined by bedside glucometers. This spurious hyperglycemia can lead to significant morbidity if unrecognized. We describe a case of severe hypoglycemia caused by an unappreciated overestimation of blood glucose in a diabetic patient with concomitant chronic renal failure requiring peritoneal dialysis with icodextrin.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) blockade within the ventrolateral medulla differentially modulates cardiovascular responses and nNOS expression during static skeletal muscle contraction.

Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized from L-arginine through the activity of the enzyme, NO synthase (NOS). Previous studies have demonstrated the role of the 3 isoforms of NOS, namely endothelial NOS (eNOS), neuronal NOS (nNOS), and inducible NOS (iNOS) in cardiovascular regulation. Local blockade of nNOS in RVLM vs.

Neuropharmacological profile of tetrahydrofuran in mice.

Since the regulation of illicit gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) as a Federal Schedule I drug, the use of substitute chemical precursors such as gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol have emerged. Most recently there have been concerns about another potential analog of GHB, namely tetrahydrofuran (THF). While there is some suggestion that THF can be converted to GHB or GBL, little is known about the pharmacology of THF.

Modulation of cardiovascular responses and neurotransmission during peripheral nociception following nNOS antagonism within the periaqueductal gray.

Nitric oxide (NO) within the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter (dPAG) attenuated cardiovascular responses and changes in the concentrations of glutamate during both mechanical and thermal nociceptive stimulation [Ishide, T., Amer, A., Maher, T.