Spinal astrocytes in superficial laminae gate brainstem descending control of mechanosensory hypersensitivity.

Astrocytes are critical regulators of CNS function and are proposed to be heterogeneous in the developing brain and spinal cord. Here we identify a population of astrocytes located in the superficial laminae of the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) in adults that is genetically defined by Hes5. In vivo imaging revealed that noxious stimulation by intraplantar capsaicin injection activated Hes5 SDH astrocytes via α-adrenoceptors (α-ARs) through descending noradrenergic signaling from the locus coeruleus.

The Iron Chaperone Protein CyaY from Vibrio cholerae Is a Heme-Binding Protein.

CyaY is an iron transport protein for iron-sulfur (Fe-S) cluster biosynthetic systems. It also transports iron to ferrochelatase that catalyzes insertion of Fe into protoporphyrin IX. Here, we find that CyaY has the ability to bind heme as well as iron, exhibiting an apparent dissociation constant for heme of 21 ± 6 nM.

Effects of benidipine hydrochloride on 24-hour blood pressure and blood pressure response to mental stress in elderly patients with essential hypertension.

Objective: The effects of a new dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, benidipine hydrochloride, on 24-hour blood pressure and blood pressure response to mental arithmetic test were investigated.

Subjects: Ten elderly patients with essential hypertension (mean age: 65+/-4 years; 7 male and 3 female).

Method: After a control period of 4 weeks, 4 mg benidipine was administered once daily in the morning for 12 weeks.

[Malignant syndrome associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation and a high level of amylase in serum, followed by diabetic coma in an elderly patient with Parkinson's disease during L-dopa therapy].

A 66-year-old woman with a 7-year history of Parkinsons' disease was admitted to our hospital because of a high fever and disturbance of consciousness. She had been treated with levodopa/benserazide hydrochloride and trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride until admission. On admission, the patient was comatose, her temperature was 40.

[Septicemia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from chronic prurigo in an elderly woman].

An 80-year-old woman being treated with anti-hypertensive drugs developed eruption and itching of the skin. High fever and lymph node enlargement subsequently developed in spite of discontinuing all antihypertensive drugs, and she was admitted to our hospital. At the initial examination, multiple papules were noted over the entire body, and the skin showed thickening and lichenification with scratch marks.