Single nucleotide polymorphisms: aging and diseases.

Differences of more than 3 million nucleotides can bee seen comparing the genomes of two individuals as a result of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). More and more SNPs can be identified and it seems that these alterations are behind of several biological phenomena. Personal differences in these nucleotides result for example in elevated disease susceptibilities, that is, certain nucleotides are more frequent in patients suffering from different diseases comparing to the healthy population.

Agreement between self-report questionnaires and medical record data was substantial for diabetes, hypertension, myocardial infarction and stroke but not for heart failure.

Objectives: Questionnaires are used to estimate disease burden. Agreement between questionnaire responses and a criterion standard is important for optimal disease prevalence estimates. We measured the agreement between self-reported disease and medical record diagnosis of disease.

The role of the vanilloid (capsaicin) receptor (TRPV1) in physiology and pathology.

The cloning of the vanilloid receptor 1 opened a floodgate for discoveries regarding the function of this complex molecule. It has been found that, in addition to heat, protons and vanilloids, this receptor also responds to various endogenous ligands. Furthermore, it has been also emerged that, through associations with other molecules, the vanilloid receptor 1 plays an important role in the integration of various stimuli and modulation of cellular excitability.

Effect of fruit load and girdling on leaf photosynthesis in Mangifera indica L.

Leaf nitrogen concentration (Nm), mass-to-area ratio, amount of nitrogen per unit leaf area (Na), non-structural carbohydrate concentration (TNCa), maximal rate of carboxylation (Vcmax), light-saturated rate of photosynthetic electron transport (Jmax), dark respiration (Rd), net photosynthetic assimilation (Anet), quantum yield of photosystem II (PhiPSII), and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) were measured in Mangifera indica L. leaves on three types of fruit-bearing branches (non-girdled, NG; girdled with high (HFL) and low (LFL) fruit load), experiencing similar light exposure. TNCa, Vcmax/Na, Jmax/Na, Rd/Na, Ci, and the initial quantum yield of photosynthetic electron transport (alpha) were similar in both HFL and NG treatments, but Nm, Na, and photosynthetic capacity parameters (Vcmax and Jmax) were lower in the HFL than in the NG treatment.

Interaction of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor type B receptors and calcium channels in nociceptive transmission studied in the mouse hemisected spinal cord in vitro: withdrawal symptoms related to baclofen treatment.

An in vitro mouse hemisected spinal cord was used to characterize the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor type B (GABA(B)) modulation of the ventral root potential (VRP) in response to electrical stimulation of the dorsal root (DR). Low-intensity (LI) and high-intensity (HI) stimulation induced VRPs with progressively higher amplitude and duration. Repetitive HI-stimulation of the DR (1-10 Hz) produced windup.

Inhibitory effect of flowering and early fruit growth on leaf photosynthesis in mango.

Carbohydrate and nitrogen contents, chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange were measured in leaves from both vegetative and reproductive terminal shoots of 12-year-old flowering mango trees. Reproductive shoot leaves were close to swelling floral buds, inflorescences or panicles bearing set fruits. Leaves close to inflorescences had lower rates of mitochondrial respiration (Rd) and net photosynthesis (Anet), and lower stomatal conductance (gs) and quantum efficiency of photosystem II under actinic light than vegetative shoot leaves.

Anti-hyperalgesic activity of the cox-2 inhibitor lumiracoxib in a model of bone cancer pain in the rat.

Chronic pain resulting from metastatic bone cancer remains poorly understood and resistant to treatment. Here we have examined the effect of the novel COX-2 enzyme inhibitor lumiracoxib in a model of bone cancer pain in the rat. Lumiracoxib was administered orally twice daily from day 10 to day 20 after injection of MRMT-1 tumour cells into one tibia.

Anandamide regulates neuropeptide release from capsaicin-sensitive primary sensory neurons by activating both the cannabinoid 1 receptor and the vanilloid receptor 1 in vitro.

The effect of anandamide, which activates both the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor and the vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1), was studied on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) release from cultured primary sensory neurons, the majority of which coexpress the CB1 receptor and VR1. Concentrations of anandamide < 1 micro m produced a small but significant CB1 receptor-mediated inhibition of basal CGRP release while higher concentrations induced VR1-mediated CGRP release. The excitatory effect of anandamide was potentiated by the CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A.

Determination of repetitive slow pathway conduction for evaluation of the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in AVNRT.

Aims: To determine whether the loss of repetitive slow pathway conduction identifies a successful radiofrequency ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT).

Methods And Results: Thirty nine consecutive patients undergoing ablation of AVNRT using the slow pathway approach were included. At baseline and after each radiofrequency application with an episode of junctional rhythm, repetitive slow pathway conduction was assessed as follows: Effective refractory period of the fast pathway was determined.

A biochemical model of photosynthesis for mango leaves: evidence for the effect of fruit on photosynthetic capacity of nearby leaves.

Variations in leaf nitrogen concentration per unit mass (Nm) and per unit area (Na), mass-to-area ratio (Ma), total nonstructural carbohydrates (Ta), and photosynthetic capacity (maximum carboxylation rate, electron transport capacity, rate of phosphate release in triose phosphate utilization and dark respiration rate) were studied within the digitized crowns of two 3-year-old mango trees (Mangifera indica L.) on La Réunion Island. Additional measurements of Nm, Na, Ma, Ta and photosynthetic capacities were performed on young, fully expanded leaves of 11-year-old mango trees.

Activation of capsaicin-sensitive primary sensory neurones induces anandamide production and release.

The inhibitory cannabinoid 1 receptor and the excitatory vanilloid receptor 1, both of which are responsive to the endogenous ligand anandamide, are co-expressed on a subpopulation of primary sensory neurones. We report that activation of the cannabinoid 1 receptor/vanilloid receptor 1-co-expressing primary sensory neurones induces the production and release of anandamide. Application of capsaicin (3 nm-1 micro m) to cultured primary sensory neurones evoked calcitonin gene-related peptide release, which was significantly increased by the selective cannabinoid 1 receptor antagonist, SR141716A (200 nm).

Responses to sympathomimetics in rat sensory neurones after nerve transection.

Noradrenaline activation of sensory somata that project in damaged peripheral nerves has been postulated to underlie sympathetically-mediated pain. Intracellular recordings from some neurones with myelinated axons in acutely isolated rat dorsal root ganglia showed small prolonged depolarizations to brief applications of 0.1-5 mM noradrenaline whether or not the spinal nerve had been transected.

The VR1 antagonist capsazepine reverses mechanical hyperalgesia in models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.

Vanilloid receptor type 1 (VR1) (TRPV1) is a ligand-gated ion channel expressed on sensory nerves that responds to noxious heat, protons, and chemical stimuli such as capsaicin. Herein, we have examined the activity of the VR1 antagonist capsazepine in models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain in the rat, mouse, and guinea pig. In naïve animals, subcutaneous administration of capsazepine (10-100 mg/kg s.

Disease modifying and anti-nociceptive effects of the bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid in a model of bone cancer pain.

Inoculation of syngeneic MRMT-1 mammary tumour cells into one tibia of female rats produced tumour growth within the bone associated with a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), severe radiological signs of bone destruction, together with the development of behavioural mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia. Histological and radiological examination showed that chronic treatment with the bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid (30 microg/kg, s.c.

Interaction of group I mGlu and NMDA receptor agonists within the dorsal horn of the spinal cord of the juvenile rat.

1. The modulatory effects of mGlu receptors on NMDA-induced potential changes in spinal motoneurones were studied in vitro. 2.

On the role of aging in the etiology of autoimmunity.

Several types of diseases, among others autoimmune illnesses, could be coupled with the general processes of aging. The two-edged sword of immune defense is directed on one side against environmental attacks and on the other against the body itself. However, one has to make a difference between normal (physiological) clearance and autoimmune diseases, although both sides of autoimmunity are influenced by the general processes of senescence.

Cannabinoid 1 receptors are expressed by nerve growth factor- and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor-responsive primary sensory neurones.

Expression of the cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor and its regulation were studied in the different nociceptive and non-nociceptive sub-populations of cultured primary sensory neurones of adult rats. Bandairaea simplicifolia isolectin B4 (IB4) binding and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunostaining were used to distinguish between the glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)- and nerve growth factor (NGF)-responsive nociceptive and the non-nociceptive primary sensory neurones while a specific CB1 receptor antibody was used to study the expression of the CB1 receptor protein. About half of the total number of primary sensory neurones (47+/-3.

A rat model of bone cancer pain.

This study describes the first known model of bone cancer pain in the rat. Sprague-Dawley rats receiving intra-tibial injections of syngeneic MRMT-1 rat mammary gland carcinoma cells developed behavioural signs indicative of pain, including: mechanical allodynia, difference of weight bearing between hind paws and mechanical hyperalgesia. The development of the bone tumour and structural damage to the bone was monitored by radiological analysis, quantitative measurement of mineral content and histology.

Recurrent spontaneous breast hematoma: report of a case and review of the literature.

Background: Breast hematomas are common after traumas, surgeries, or contusions. They are rarely spontaneous, but they can occur spontaneously in patients with hematologic disease or with coagulation disorders.

Material And Methods: The authors report a clinical case of a 48-year-old female with a 27-year history of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria who underwent mammography screening because of a painless palpable moveable node in the upper inner quadrant of the right breast.

Possible mechanisms of cannabinoid-induced antinociception in the spinal cord.

Anandamide is an endogenous ligand at both the inhibitory cannabinoid CB(1) receptor and the excitatory vanilloid receptor 1 (VR1). The CB(1) receptor and vanilloid VR1 receptor are expressed in about 50% and 40% of dorsal root ganglion neurons, respectively. While all vanilloid VR1 receptor-expressing cells belong to the calcitonin gene-related peptide-containing and isolectin B4-binding sub-populations of nociceptive primary sensory neurons, about 80% of the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor-expressing cells belong to those sub-populations.

Early coronary angiography improves long-term survival in unstable angina.

Background: The role of early coronary angiography in the evaluation of patients with unstable angina has been controversial. This study was designed to determine the effect of early coronary angiography on long-term survival in patients with unstable angina.

Methods: We reviewed the Olmsted County Acute Chest Pain Database, a population-based epidemiologic registry that includes all patients residing within Olmsted County who were seen for emergency department evaluation of acute chest pain from 1985 to 1992.

Epilepsy, hyperalgesia, impaired memory, and loss of pre- and postsynaptic GABA(B) responses in mice lacking GABA(B(1)).

GABA(B) (gamma-aminobutyric acid type B) receptors are important for keeping neuronal excitability under control. Cloned GABA(B) receptors do not show the expected pharmacological diversity of native receptors and it is unknown whether they contribute to pre- as well as postsynaptic functions. Here, we demonstrate that Balb/c mice lacking the GABA(B(1)) subunit are viable, exhibit spontaneous seizures, hyperalgesia, hyperlocomotor activity, and memory impairment.

Cannabinoid-induced presynaptic inhibition of glutamatergic EPSCs in substantia gelatinosa neurons of the rat spinal cord.

The effect of cannabinoids on excitatory transmission in the substantia gelatinosa was investigated using intracellular recording from visually identified neurons in a transverse slice preparation of the juvenile rat spinal cord. In the presence of strychnine and bicuculline, perfusion of the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 reduced the frequency and the amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs). Furthermore, the frequency of miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs) was also decreased by WIN55,212-2, whereas their amplitude was not affected.