The presence of a potential competitor modulates risk preferences in rats.

Although both human and non-human animals, in everyday life, deal with risky decisions in a social environment, few studies investigated how social dimension influences risk preferences (i.e., if consequences on others feeds back over own choice).

Social modulation of risky decision-making in rats (Rattus norvegicus) and tufted capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.).

Both human and non-human animals frequently deal with risky decisions in a social environment. Nevertheless, the influence of the social context on decision-making has been scarcely investigated. Here, we evaluated for the first time whether the presence of a conspecific influences risk preferences in rats and in tufted capuchin monkeys.

Increased glomerular cell (podocyte) apoptosis in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus: role in the development of diabetic glomerular disease.

Aims/hypothesis: Podocyte loss by apoptosis, in addition to favouring progression of established diabetic nephropathy, has been recently indicated as an early phenomenon triggering the initiation of glomerular lesions. This study aimed to assess the rate of glomerular cell death and its relationship with renal functional, structural and molecular changes in rats with experimental diabetes.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and coeval non-diabetic control animals were killed at 7 days and at 2, 4 and 6 months for the assessment of apoptosis, renal function, renal structure and the expression of podocyte markers and apoptosis- and cell cycle-related proteins.

Ablation of the gene encoding p66Shc protects mice against AGE-induced glomerulopathy by preventing oxidant-dependent tissue injury and further AGE accumulation.

Aims/hypothesis: AGEs have been implicated in renal disease associated with ageing, diabetes and other age-related disorders. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) promote formation of AGEs, which cause AGE-receptor-mediated ROS generation with activation of signalling pathways leading to tissue injury and further AGE accumulation. ROS generation is regulated by the Src homology 2 domain-containing transforming protein C1 (Shc1) isoform p66(Shc), whose deletion has been shown to protect from tissue injury induced by ageing, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia and ischaemia-reperfusion by preventing oxidative stress.

Deletion of p66Shc longevity gene protects against experimental diabetic glomerulopathy by preventing diabetes-induced oxidative stress.

p66(Shc) regulates both steady-state and environmental stress-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Its deletion was shown to confer resistance to oxidative stress and protect mice from aging-associated vascular disease. This study was aimed at verifying the hypothesis that p66(Shc) deletion also protects from diabetic glomerulopathy by reducing oxidative stress.

Role of TGF-beta/GLUT1 axis in susceptibility vs resistance to diabetic glomerulopathy in the Milan rat model.

Background: GLUT1 upregulation and increased glucose transport activity may contribute to extracellullar matrix (ECM) accumulation characterizing diabetic nephropathy (DN). Rats of the Milan hypertensive strain (MHS) are resistant to both hypertensive and diabetic renal disease, due to a haemodynamic protection. On the contrary, those of the Milan normotensive strain (MNS) develop spontaneous glomerulosclerosis, and when rendered diabetic, show typical morphological and haemodynamic changes.

Development of age-dependent glomerular lesions in galectin-3/AGE-receptor-3 knockout mice.

Aging is characterized by renal functional and structural abnormalities resembling those observed in diabetes. These changes have been related to the progressive accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and cumulative oxidative stress occurring in both conditions. We previously reported that galectin-3 ablation is associated with increased susceptibility to diabetes- and AGE-induced glomerulopathy, thus indicating a protective role of galectin-3 as an AGE receptor.

Development of diabetic nephropathy in the Milan normotensive strain, but not in the Milan hypertensive strain: possible permissive role of hemodynamics.

Background: Rats of the Milan normotensive strain develop spontaneous glomerulosclerosis, whereas those of the Milan hypertensive strain are resistant to renal disease, possibly due to intrarenal artery hypertrophy protecting from systemic hypertension. To assess the role of hemodynamic versus metabolic factors in diabetic nephropathy, we investigated whether streptozotocin-induced diabetes accelerates glomerulosclerosis in Milan normotensive and/or removes (the hemodynamic) protection in Milan hypertensive rats by reducing preglomerular vascular resistance.

Methods: Diabetic and nondiabetic Milan normotensive, hypertensive, and progenitor Wistar rats were followed for 6 months for the assessment of renal function and structure.

Galectin-3/AGE-receptor 3 knockout mice show accelerated AGE-induced glomerular injury: evidence for a protective role of galectin-3 as an AGE receptor.

We previously showed that mice lacking galectin-3/AGE-receptor 3 develop accelerated diabetic glomerulopathy. To further investigate the role of galectin-3/AGE-receptor function in the pathogenesis of diabetic renal disease, galectin-3 knockout (KO) and coeval wild-type (WT) mice were injected for 3 months with 30 microg/day of N(epsilon)-carboxymethyllysine (CML)-modified or unmodified mouse serum albumin (MSA). Despite receiving equal doses of CML, KO had higher circulating and renal AGE levels and showed more marked renal functional and structural changes than WT mice, with significantly higher proteinuria, albuminuria, glomerular, and mesangial area and glomerular sclerosis index.

Role of galectin-3 in diabetic nephropathy.

The advanced glycosylation end products (AGE) participate in the pathogenesis of nephropathy and other diabetic complications through several mechanisms, including their binding to cell surface receptors. The AGE receptors include RAGE, the macrophage scavenger receptors, OST-48 (AGE-R1), 80K-H (AGE-R2), and galectin-3 (AGE-R3). Galectin-3 interacts with the beta-galactoside residues of cell surface and matrix glycoproteins via the carbohydrate recognition domain and with intracellular proteins via peptide-peptide associations mediated by its N-terminus domain.

Recent experience in the management of meningeal hemangiopericytomas.

Although the histogenesis of meningeal hemangiopericytomas (HMP) remains controversial, both biological and clinical evidence seems to identify these neoplasms as a separate entity with respect to meningiomas. In order to assess the current prognosis of HMP we reviewed our personal experience limited to the last decade (1986-1995): during this period 7 patients (4M, 3F) were treated by surgery alone or surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy. In spite of meticulous attempts at radical resection, the tumors recurred in all but two cases with a mean interval of 85 months, and a total of 18 operations were performed (2.

[Bone marrow changes in HIV-positive patients (clinical, cytological, histological, and ultrastructural study of 57 cases)].

The authors take into consideration clinical, cytological, histological and ultrastructural pattern of 57 HIV+ patients. They want to quantify bone marrow alterations and research their relation with haematological pattern of these patients. They think that peripheral haematological deficit is related with cellular and stromal alterations of the bone marrow.

Successful excision of hemorrhagic cavernous angioma in a patient with severe factor VII deficiency: perioperative treatment with factor VII concentrate.

A case of an uncomplicated neurosurgical procedure in a patient affected by a rare bleeding disorder is described. The interest is twofold: first because of the possible influence of underlying coagulopathy in disclosing the vascular anomaly. And second although surgery in factor VII deficiency has been reported before, with and without replacement therapy, to our knowledge, this is the first neurosurgical case in which factor VII concentrate was used.

Retroperitoneal malignant schwannoma. A case report.

The isolated retroperitoneal malignant schwannoma unassociated with Von Recklinghausen's disease is an unusual neoplasm, representing 0.01% of all retroperitoneal malignant neoplasms, with a poor prognosis, and an average survival at 5 years of 50% in patients treated by radical exeresis. At present, it is impossible, without histologic and immunohistochemical examinations, to differentiate it from other isolated retroperitoneal sarcomatous neoplasms.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage from cavernous angioma of the cauda equina: case report.

A case of spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage from a cavernous angioma of the cauda equina is reported. The patient was a 28-year-old man who complained of a sudden low-back pain and neck stiffness. Laminectomy at L1-L2 was performed with total removal of the tumor.

[DNA index and bronchopulmonary neoplasms].

The authors take into consideration 40 cases of lung neoplasms in order to see the relationship between DNA index examined by image analysis, and histological grading we deduced from the results that DNA index agrees with the grading and better points out the biological pattern of the neoplasm, beharing differently in each histological type.

[Correlation between C219 and drug resistance in lung neoplasms].

The authors take into consideration 19 cases of lung neoplasm to see the relationship of clinical behaviour and C219. They found a cutoff (25%) to separate drug resistant by drug sensibility. Marker sensitivity was 84.

[Chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis].

The Authors consider 349 liver biopsies; 32 of these showed cirrhosis. Patients with chronic hepatitis are at high risk for evolution to cirrhosis. Our aim is to establish the markers HBsAg and HBcAg comparing this with the risk groups and with the possible causes of cirrhosis.

[Evaluation of NOR changes in patients with chronic active hepatitis treated with IFN and untreated].

The Authors consider 30 patients with ECA; 15 of these were treated with IFN and 15 were not treated. The Authors think that the statistically significant difference between patient groups, is a parameter of the pharmacological effects on the horx.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage from multiple neurofibromas of the cauda equina: case report.

The authors report a case of spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by neurofibromas of the cauda equina. An examination of the literature revealing 13 similar cases and an analysis of this case showing three neurofibromas of the cauda equina prompted an hypothesis emphasizing the origin of bleeding and the difficulties associated with a correct diagnosis.

[Behavior of estrogen and progesterone receptors in intracranial meningioma].

Observation on value of estrogen and progesterone receptors in intracranial meningiomas. The authors take into consideration twenty intracranial meningiomas reperted in patients that differ for age, sex and histological pattern of the lesions, for value receptor content and their variability with mentioned variants. They report receptors contents of meningiomas and its variability with age and histological pattern.

[Assessment of the estrogen and progesterone receptor status of meningiomas. A preliminary study of 10 cases].

Ten cases of intracranial meningiomas in patient who differed by age, sex and histological characteristics of the lesion have been considered for the purpose of evaluating the lesion's receptor capacity and the changes in it with the above variations. Receptors were found and they varied with age and histological features.