Παρασκευή 24 Ιουνίου 2016

Specific imbalance of excitatory/inhibitory signaling establishes seizure onset pattern in temporal lobe epilepsy

Low-voltage fast (LVF) and hypersynchronous (HYP) patterns are the seizure-onset patterns most frequently observed in intracranial EEG recordings from mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) patients. Both patterns also occur in models of MTLE in vivo and in vitro, and these studies have highlighted the predominant involvement of distinct neuronal network/neurotransmitter receptor signaling in each of them. First, LVF-onset seizures in epileptic rodents can originate from several limbic structures, frequently spread, and are associated with high-frequency oscillations in the ripple band (80–200 Hz), whereas HYP onset seizures initiate in the hippocampus and tend to remain focal with predominant fast ripples (250–500 Hz). Second, in vitro intracellular recordings from principal cells in limbic areas indicate that pharmacologically induced seizure-like discharges with LVF onset are initiated by a synchronous inhibitory event or by a hyperpolarizing inhibitory postsynaptic potential barrage; in contrast, HYP onset is associated with a progressive impairment of inhibition and concomitant unrestrained enhancement of excitation. Finally, in vitro optogenetic experiments show that, under comparable experimental conditions (i.e., 4-aminopyridine application), the initiation of LVF- or HYP-onset seizures depends on the preponderant involvement of interneuronal or principal cell networks, respectively. Overall, these data may provide insight to delineate better therapeutic targets in the treatment of patients presenting with MTLE and, perhaps, with other epileptic disorders as well.



from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://jn.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/115/6/3229?rss=1
via IFTTT

Development of a spontaneously active dorsal root ganglia assay using multiwell multielectrode arrays

In vitro phenotypic assays of sensory neuron activity are important tools for identifying potential analgesic compounds. These assays are typically characterized by hyperexcitable and/or abnormally, spontaneously active cells. Whereas manual electrophysiology experiments provide high-resolution biophysical data to characterize both in vitro models and potential therapeutic modalities (e.g., action potential characteristics, the role of specific ion channels, and receptors), these techniques are hampered by their low throughput. We have established a spontaneously active dorsal root ganglia (DRG) platform using multiwell multielectrode arrays (MEAs) that greatly increase the ability to evaluate the effects of multiple compounds and conditions on DRG excitability within the context of a cellular network. We show that spontaneous DRG firing can be attenuated with selective Na+ and Ca2+ channel blockers, as well as enhanced with K+ channel blockers. In addition, spontaneous activity can be augmented with both the transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 agonist capsaicin and the peptide bradykinin and completely blocked with neurokinin receptor antagonists. Finally, we validated the use of this assay by demonstrating that commonly used neuropathic pain therapeutics suppress DRG spontaneous activity. Overall, we have optimized primary rat DRG cells on a multiwell MEA platform to generate and characterize spontaneously active cultures that have the potential to be used as an in vitro phenotypic assay to evaluate potential therapeutics in rodent models of pain.



from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28ZlZ6R
via IFTTT

Hematopoietic Stem Cells from Ts65Dn Mice Are Deficient in the Repair of DNA Double-Strand Breaks

Radiation Research, Volume 185, Issue 6, Page 630-637, June 2016.


from Radiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TG4IM
via IFTTT

Simulated Microgravity and Low-Dose/Low-Dose-Rate Radiation Induces Oxidative Damage in the Mouse Brain

Radiation Research, Volume 185, Issue 6, Page 647-657, June 2016.


from Radiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TFWcp
via IFTTT

The Enhancement of Radiation Sensitivity in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells via Activation of the Rac1/NADPH Signaling Pathway

Radiation Research, Volume 185, Issue 6, Page 638-646, June 2016.


from Radiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TFUkv
via IFTTT

Mechanisms Involved in the Development of the Chronic Gastrointestinal Syndrome in Nonhuman Primates after Total-Body Irradiation with Bone Marrow Shielding

Radiation Research, Volume 185, Issue 6, Page 591-603, June 2016.


from Radiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TFXgf
via IFTTT

Association of Acute Radiation Syndrome and Rain after the Bombings in Atomic Bomb Survivors

Radiation Research, Volume 185, Issue 6, Page 604-615, June 2016.


from Radiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TG2AP
via IFTTT

Effective Rat Lung Tumor Model for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy

Radiation Research, Volume 185, Issue 6, Page 616-622, June 2016.


from Radiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TG0Jd
via IFTTT

Temporal Responses to X-Radiation Exposure in Spleen in the pKZ1 Mouse Recombination Assay

Radiation Research, Volume 185, Issue 6, Page 623-629, June 2016.


from Radiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TG0Jg
via IFTTT

MicroRNAs and Their Impact on Radiotherapy for Cancer

Radiation Research, Volume 185, Issue 6, Page 668-677, June 2016.


from Radiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TGmiR
via IFTTT

Telomere Length in Aged Mayak PA Nuclear Workers Chronically Exposed to Internal Alpha and External Gamma Radiation

Radiation Research, Volume 185, Issue 6, Page 658-667, June 2016.


from Radiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TFURT
via IFTTT

Use of the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory at Brookhaven National Laboratory to Conduct Charged Particle Radiobiology Studies Relevant to Ion Therapy

Radiation Research, Volume 185, Issue 6, Page 563-567, June 2016.


from Radiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TFWce
via IFTTT

Decorporation of Pu/Am Actinides by Chelation Therapy: New Arguments in Favor of an Intracellular Component of DTPA Action

Radiation Research, Volume 185, Issue 6, Page 568-579, June 2016.


from Radiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TFYB4
via IFTTT

Radiation Sensitivity of Human CD34+ Cells Versus Peripheral Blood T Lymphocytes of Newborns and Adults: DNA Repair and Mutagenic Effects

Radiation Research, Volume 185, Issue 6, Page 580-590, June 2016.


from Radiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TG7nP
via IFTTT

Postoperative complications in patients undergoing minimally invasive sacroiliac fusion

spinee57063-fig-0001.sml

Minimally invasive sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion has become increasingly relevant as a treatment for sacroiliac joint pathology in recent years. Previous studies have found minimally invasive SI fusion to be an effective and safe treatment option for chronic SI joint pain. However, these studies have been primarily single center, case based, or manufacturer sponsored investigations, and as such their findings are limited to their sample populations.

from Sports Medicine via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28SH53v
via IFTTT

Outpatient continuity of care and 30-day readmission after spine surgery

spinee57059-fig-0001.sml

The value of continuity of care in preventing 30-day readmissions after surgical procedures remains an issue of debate.

from Sports Medicine via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28SH935
via IFTTT

Analysis of equivalent parameters of two spinal cord injury devices: the new york university impactor versus the infinite horizon impactor

spinee57065-fig-0001.sml

The New York University (NYU) impactor and the Infinite Horizon (IH) impactor are used to create spinal cord injury (SCI) models. However, the parameters of these two devices that yield equivalent SCI severity remain unclear.

from Sports Medicine via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28VssQI
via IFTTT

Neuronal regeneration after acute spinal cord injury in adult rats

spinee57067-fig-0001.sml

The most common cause of the spinal cord injury (SCI) is traumatic traffic accidents, falls, and violence. SCI greatly affects a patient's mental and physical conditions and causes substantial economic impact to society. There are many methods such as high doses of corticosteroids, surgical stabilization, decompression and stem cell transplantation for functional recovery after SCI, but the effect is still not satisfied.

from Sports Medicine via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28SGZZv
via IFTTT

Liposomal bupivacaine incisional injection in single-level lumbar spine surgery

Post-surgical pain control is important in spine surgery as it can lead to earlier mobilization, decreased length of stay, decreased side effects from narcotic medications and improved patient satisfaction. Liposomal bupivacaine (LB) is an injectable formulation of bupivacaine providing prolonged local anesthesia, up to 72 hours post-injection. While LB has been used with increasing frequency following other musculoskeletal procedures, specifically total joint replacements, its pre-emptive analgesic effect following lumbar microdiskectomy has hitherto not been reported.

from Sports Medicine via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28VsqYR
via IFTTT

Inside EMS Podcast: News topics of the week

Download this podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud or via RSS feed

In this week's Inside EMS Podcast, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson review this week's top news, including a crash that disintegrated an ambulance, a new bill giving LODD benefits to EMS personnel and how a good Samaritan was charged $140 for helping crash victims.

Come and join the discussion.



from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TQGsx
via IFTTT

Motor Unit Number Estimation Based on High-Density Surface Electromyography Decomposition

Motor unit number estimation (MUNE) techniques are clinically useful by estimating the number of functioning motor units in a muscle, which can serve as a biomarker for the progression of motor neuron diseases or neuromuscular disorders. Various MUNE methods have been developed since the incremental counting technique was introduced in 1971 (McComas et al., 1971). The main limitation with the incremental counting technique is the problem known as "alternation", which leads to an erroneous overestimation of the MUNE.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/296q3zG
via IFTTT

Effects of chronic neck-shoulder pain on normalized mutual information analysis of surface electromyography during functional tasks

Neck and shoulder pain is a common problem that affects a large number of people worldwide (Van Tulder et al., 2007). This problem is exacerbated by the escalating use of electronic devices such as smartphones and portable tablet computers (Berolo et al., 2011). The research concerning the etiology of chronic neck-shoulder pain has mainly focused on the study of muscle activation in the postural muscles such as cervical erector spinae (CES) and upper trapezius (UT) muscle (Visser and van Dieën 2006).

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28T1FTR
via IFTTT

Reversed cortical over-activity during movement imagination following neurofeedback treatment for central neuropathic pain

Central neuropathic pain (CNP) is a frequent secondary consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI), affecting about 40% of patients (Siddall et al. 2003). Although CNP is caused by an injury to the somatosensory system (Haanpää et al. 2011) it can show first symptoms years after SCI. Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated changes in the resting state brain activity in the presence of CNP, which is reflected in increased thalamo-cortical coherence in the theta band (Stern et al. 2006, Sarnthein and Jeandmond 2008), as well as increased resting state EEG power and a dominant alpha frequency shift towards lower frequencies (Stern et al.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/296qkCZ
via IFTTT

What is the optimal task difficulty for reinforcement learning of brain self-regulation?

Neurofeedback and brain-interface technology are being increasingly applied in fields of research aiming to restore upper-limb functionality in stroke survivors. Greater gains are currently being achieved by subacute (Pichiorri et al. 2015) than by chronic patients (Ang et al. 2014). On the basis of the neurophysiological correlates of motor imagery (Kaiser et al. 2011) and motor cortex excitability (Takemi et al. 2013; Kraus et al. 2016a), such as modulation of β-power (15-30 Hz), these devices may provide an effective backdoor to the motor system (Sharma 2006; Bauer et al.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28T1OGE
via IFTTT

Dissemination of a Multidrug-Resistant VIM-1- and CMY-99-Producing Proteus mirabilis Clone in Bulgaria

Microbial Drug Resistance , Vol. 0, No. 0.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28SVT1D
via IFTTT

Firefighter Paramedic - City of St. Petersburg

ST. PETERSBURG FIRE RESCUE 400 M. L. KING JR. STREET SOUTH ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33701 Updated: June 23, 2016 Job Classification: Firefighter/Paramedic The City of St. Petersburg is building an ongoing eligibility list for Firefighter/Paramedic. This position requires FireTEAM and a valid CPAT through National Testing Network (NTN). DO NOT call the City of St. Petersburg or Fire Department for selection ...

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28Ugf0j
via IFTTT

Clinical Care Specialist - Call9

General Description: The Call9 Clinical Care Specialist is responsible for on-site facilitation of acute care using Call9's proprietary telemedical technology during emergency/urgent care calls at the assigned facility. Responds to emergent/urgent calls at facility, using Call9 technology to communicate with the physician and acts as a liaison for patient care, ensuring all acute care needs are ...

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28Sa2AB
via IFTTT

Patterns of, and factors associated with video game play among primary school children in Jeddah 2015: A cross-sectional study

2016-06-24T08-39-20Z
Source: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health
Hatan Hisham Mortada, Ali Taleb Alattas, Raheef Abdulaziz Bagaresh, Abdu Ibrahim Hakami, Abdullah Mohammed Khairy.
Background: The majority of children and adolescents aged 217 years (92%) have been reported to play video games. Several studies have shown that children who play computer games frequently perform more poorly at school. A negative association between the amount of time spent playing video games and school performance for children, adolescents, and college students has been shown in other studies. Objective: We assessed the impact of video games on nocturnal enuresis, physical activity, and school performance among primary school children and checked if there is any association between these factors. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in a male primary school in Jeddah, in June 2015. An interview-based questionnaire was used to collect responses from 407 school children and a self-administered questionnaire for their parents. Results: Playing video games was observed in 385 children (95.1%) and reported by 246 parents (93.2%). Out of the 29 children with enuresis, 27 (93.1%) reported playing video games. Among the 392 school children who engaged in physical activity, 374 (95.4%) reported playing video games, while video game playing was reported by 11 out of 11 (100%) children who did not engage in physical activity. Among the 365 children who had grade A at school, 330 (90.4%) reported playing video games. Conclusions: The prevalence of playing video games was high. However, it was not significantly higher among children who were physically inactive, non-enuretics, with grade A school performance.


from Scope via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28TWtlz
via IFTTT

Increasing trend of carbapenem resistant gram negative bacteria in an intensive care unit

2016-06-24T08-39-20Z
Source: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health
Richa Agrawal, Arnaw Kishore, Sumana MN, Madhuri Kulkarni.
Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) has been associated with morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization and extra health-care costs, requires rapid diagnosis and initiation of the appropriate antibiotic treatment. Objective: To analyse the microbiological profile of ventilator associated pneumonia in a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: This is a crosssectional study conducted in Intensive Care Units with hundred VAP patients who satisfied the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) > 6. Results: Acinetobacter baumannii (46.61%) was the most common isolate followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (26.31%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.29%). Metallo-betalactamases was produced by 64.70% of non-fermenters and extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) was produced by 54.28% of Klebsiella pneumoniae. AmpC β-lactamases were produced by 17.07% and 4.70% of the members of Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenters, respectively. Conclusion: Malpractice of antibiotics usage has led to emergence of new broad spectrum β-lactamase. The emergence of carbapenemase-producing multidrug resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria is major public health problem particularly in the hospital settings. Infections due to these organisms lead to life-threatening illness which is difficult to manage as there are limited treatment options. Prevention of VAP may be carried out by early isolation and decreasing the length of stay along with proper knowledge of the MDR organisms.


from Scope via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2928ZvS
via IFTTT

Paramedics, firefighters need more suicide response training

Based on a news report out of Huntington, W.Va., there were several mistakes made during a recent call for a suicidal individual.

The fire department responded to a man threatening to jump from a bridge. The incident stretched out over more than 14 hours. During that time, one firefighter used the department union's Twitter account to post updates. He also posted videos to YouTube.

The trouble began when some in the mental health community called out the fire department for insensitive language used in the posts.

Obviously, there is a lot that has been and will be said about the right and wrong ways to represent the fire department on social media outlets. But that's not what jumped out at me in this story.

The local reporter was sharp enough to ask if this was a training problem — were firefighters properly trained to handle suicidal patients?

The answer is that it is a training issue and they were not prepared for it.

And it is not exclusively a Huntington issue. The report said many firefighters in West Virginia are not trained to handle suicide cases. And it's no great leap of the imagination to see how this lack of training extends to many parts of the United States.

In short, it's not this firefighter's, this department's or this state's problem. It is our problem.

It may not be the greatest problem facing fire and EMS personnel, but it is a problem — and a growing one at that. In 2014, Illinois reported that 72 percent of that state's suicide deaths occurred in the home. Whether it is at home, work or a public setting — other than police — fire and EMS are first on scene.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that the rate of suicides in this country has increased every year between 2005 and 2014, the last year it posted statistics for. In addition to being the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., for every suicide death, there are about 25 attempted suicides.

That 25-to-1 ratio makes me think of commercial fire alarms and the vast number that are false alarms. Those on slower departments are constantly reminding themselves to treat every alarm as a real one so as to not be lulled into complacency.

Where familiarity breeds contempt with false alarms, the calls for suicidal patients may be a case of both familiarity and unfamiliarity breeding contempt.

Are we too quick to assume that teen with a bottle of pills is only threatening suicide because she wants attention, or that the neighborhood drunk is always doing some "damned crazy thing?"

It comes back to a training thing. When we're not trained to recognize and handle suicidal patients, we naturally assign our own meaning to the situations.

Fortunately, the fire service is paying closer attention to suicide in an effort to reduce it in our own ranks. Fire Chief, EMS1 and FireRescue1 has devoted a lot of energy to covering this issue — and I'm happy to say, so too have our competitors.

Suicide recognition and response training
This attention is hopefully a gateway to improve overall suicide recognition and response training. One recommendation from the Illinois Department of Health is to include this training as part of the academy and annual refresher training like CPR — this suggestion mirrors that for teaching firefighters about their own mental health.

The Illinois Department of Health offers these four recommendations for first responders.

1. Ensure the safety of everyone present
This includes eliminating access to lethal means. If available, contact law enforcement who are trained in suicide prevention to intervene. Law enforcement officers should be aware of the dangers of a "suicide by cop" situation, where a suicidal person threatens harm to others in attempt to provoke officers to fire at him or her

2. Assess the person for need of medical treatment
Address any serious medical needs first, and if not equipped to handle mental health issues, involve somebody who is, such as a mental health clinician or crisis intervention worker. If not aware of the appropriate professional to contact, ask a supervisor for direction.

3. Establish rapport with the person
Listen carefully and speak with the person in a non-confrontational manner.

4. Assess the person for risk of suicide
Determine whether an attempt has already been made while keeping them under constant observation. If the person is suicidal, arrange for them to be transported to a local hospital or mental health center. 



from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2924q4E
via IFTTT

SOMATIC DISEASES IN PSYCHIATRY: A PHILOSOPHICAL OVERVIEW

2016-06-24T03-37-15Z
Source: The Journal of Neurobehavioral Sciences
Alper Evrensel, Mehmet Emin Ceylan.
Psychiatric disorders are often reflected in physical symptoms. However, nearly all physical illnesses are accompanied by mental symptoms. Also, it is generally argued that mental function disorders and stress underlie the etiology of physical illnesses. Although modern science has defined in details all the functions of the body including the brain, some areas are not fully understood yet. Philosophical answers may shed light into those dark areas while trying to understand the entity and human.


from Scope via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28RmZL2
via IFTTT

Mandibular Movement Restoration in a Child with Bilateral Coronoid Hyperplasia: A Case Report.

Mandibular Movement Restoration in a Child with Bilateral Coronoid Hyperplasia: A Case Report.

Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2016 Jun 15;4(2):293-5

Authors: Monevska DP, Benedetti A, Popovski V, Naumovski S, Grcev A, Bozovic S, Stamatoski A

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coronoid process hyperplasia is an uncommon finding, characterized by an enlargement of the coronoid process, causing a mechanical obstacle by its interposing in the posterior portion of the maxilla or zygomatic arch.
CASE PRESENTATION: The article presents a case report of a bilateral coronoid process hyperplasia in a 3-year-old girl demonstrated with inability to open the mouth and restricted jaw movement. Panoramic x-ray and 3-dimensional computed tomographic reconstruction showed bilateral elongation of the coronoid processes associated with deformation of the mandibular condyle with no involvement of the articular space. A coronoid resection by intraoral approach was done, followed by an aggressive physiotherapy. A considerable improvement in mouth opening of 30 mm was achieved. We strongly suggest early surgical treatment of coronoid hyperplasia to recover morphology and function consequently to reduce skeletofacial deformities in young patients.
CONCLUSIONS: The article presents a clinical and surgical case of bilateral coronoidectomy in a 3-year-old girl, with retrognathic mandible. The diagnosis of bilateral coronoid process hyperplasia was confirmed, and the surgical treatment was under general anesthesia, with nasotracheal intubation guided by a nasofiber endoscope, using an intraoral approach.

PMID: 27335604 [PubMed]



from Anaesthesiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28RuXlK
via IFTTT

Microsurgical management of primary jugular foramen meningiomas: a series of 22 cases and review of the literature.

Microsurgical management of primary jugular foramen meningiomas: a series of 22 cases and review of the literature.

Neurosurg Rev. 2016 Jun 23;

Authors: Tang J, Zhang L, Zhang J, Wu Z, Xiao X, Zhou D, Jia G, Jia W

Abstract
This study summarized clinical manifestations, surgical management, histological grading, and long-term outcome of jugular foramen meningiomas (JFMs). Retrospective study was performed in 22 consecutive patients with primary JFMs from January 2004 to October 2010, enrolling 10 men and 12 women with average age of 39.4 (14-57 years). The most common initial symptom is hearing disorder, followed by lower cranial nerve dysfunctions. The tumor was classified into type I (intracranial) in 1, type II (intracranial) in 15, type IV (intracranial-extracranial) in 6, and none type III (extracranial). Surgical approaches mainly included retrosigmoid in 7, far lateral in 10, and juxtacondylar in 5, with some variations. The gross total resection was achieved in 15 cases and subtotal resection in 7. Fourteen patients (63.6 %) developed new or worse neurological deficits immediately after operation, of whom 11 (78.6 %) got alleviation. Postoperatively, keeping airway patency and prevention from aspiration pneumonia is very important. Nasotracheal intubation is much more tolerated than orotracheal intubation for postoperative patient management. WHO grade 2 was found in four cases (18.2 %) and grade 3 in one. During the average time of follow-up in 83.2 months, only one (grade 3) died of tumor regrowth 20 months after surgery and radiosurgery. Five of 17 patients of grade 1 developed tumor regrowth. Radiosurgery provides a good tumor control for tumor regrowth in grade 1, or postoperative grade 2 tumor. In conclusion, JFMs has a favorable long-term overall survival; however, neurological preservation is still challenging, especially low cranial nerves.

PMID: 27334626 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



from Anaesthesiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/293gKkd
via IFTTT

Moderate-intensity exercise alters markers of alternative activation in circulating monocytes in females: a putative role for PPARγ

Abstract

Purpose

Monocytes may be primed towards differentiation into classically activated M1 macrophages or alternatively activated M2 macrophages. M1 macrophages greatly contribute to the inflammation which promotes insulin resistance, whereas M2 macrophages resolve inflammation. We have previously shown that exercise increases M2 marker expression in mixed mononuclear cells, possibly via activation of the nuclear transcription factor PPARγ. However, these effects have not been demonstrated specifically within monocytes. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether moderate-intensity exercise elicited similar effects on monocytic M1/M2 marker expression and PPARγ activity to those reported previously in mononuclear cells, so as to further elucidate the mechanisms by which exercise may alter inflammatory status and, accordingly, prevent insulin resistance.

Methods/results

19 sedentary females completed an 8 week moderate-intensity exercise programme (walking 45 min, thrice weekly). Monocytes were isolated from blood via immunomagnetic separation; monocyte expression of M2 markers (Dectin-1: 2.6 ± 1.9-fold; IL-10: 3.0 ± 2.8-fold) significantly increased, whilst the expression of the M1 marker MCP-1 significantly decreased (0.83 ± 0.2 cf. basal), over the duration of the programme. Serum PPARγ activity levels and PPARγ target-genes (CD36: 1.9 ± 1.5-fold; LXRα: 5.0 ± 4.7-fold) were significantly increased after the 8 week exercise programme. Associated with these effects were significant improvements in systemic insulin sensitivity (McAuley's ISI: Δ0.98 M/mU/L cf. basal).

Conclusion

Exercise participation suppressed M1 markers and induced M2 markers in monocytes, potentially via PPARγ-triggered signalling, and these effects may contribute (perhaps via priming of monocytes for differentiation into M2 tissue-macrophages) to improved systemic insulin sensitivity in exercising participants. These findings provide an alternative mechanism by which exercise may exert its anti-inflammatory effects in order to prevent insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.



from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28Rvjsn
via IFTTT

The role of transient receptor potential channels in hypertension and metabolic vascular damage

Intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis is critical for vascular function and metabolism regulation. Metabolic disorders are major risk factors for hypertension. A family of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels plays an important role in the regulation of cellular calcium signaling and cardiometabolic function. Emerging evidence indicates that TRP channels are highly implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension and metabolic disorders. Dysfunction of TRP channels leads to hypertension and metabolic dysfunction. Activation of certain subtypes of TRP channels could attenuate metabolic vascular damage and alleviate hypertension. Therefore, elucidating the role of TRP channels in the physiological status and cardiometabolic diseases will facilitate the design of novel target therapeutics for these intractable diseases.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved



from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28VlBWr
via IFTTT

Intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses in humans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: implications for cryptogenic stroke?

INTRODUCTION: The pulmonary capillaries prevent stroke by filtering venous emboli from the circulation. Intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses are large diameter (≥ 50μm) vascular connections in the lung that may compromise the integrity of the pulmonary capillary filter and have been recently linked to cryptogenic stroke and transient ischemic attack. Prothrombotic populations, such as individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be at increased risk of stroke and transient ischemic attack facilitated by intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses, but the prevalence and degree of blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses in this population has not been fully examined and compared to age matched healthy control subjects. METHODS: We used saline contrast echocardiography to assess blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses at rest (n = 29 COPD, 19 control) and during exercise (n = 10 COPD, 10 control) in COPD subjects and age matched healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses was detected in 23% of COPD subjects at rest and was significantly higher compared to age matched healthy control subjects. Blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses at rest was reduced or eliminated in COPD subjects after breathing hyperoxic gas. Sixty percent of COPD subjects who did not have blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses at rest, had blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses during exercise. DISCUSSION: The combination of blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses and potential for thrombus formation in individuals with COPD may permit venous emboli to pass into the arterial circulation and cause stroke and transient ischemic attack. Breathing supplemental oxygen may reduce this risk in COPD. The link between blood flow through intrapulmonary arteriovenous anastomoses, stroke, and transient ischemic attack is worthy of future investigation in COPD and other populations.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved



from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28QZ0Xf
via IFTTT

A novel mutant Na+/HCO3− cotransporter NBCe1 in a case of compound-heterozygous inheritance of proximal renal tubular acidosis

Abstract

Proximal Renal Tubular Acidosis (pRTA) is a rare, recessively-inherited disease characterized by abnormally acidic blood, blindness, and below average height and weight. pRTA is typically associated with homozygous mutation of SLC4A4. SLC4A4 encodes the electrogenic sodium bicarbonate cotransport protein NBCe1, a membrane protein that acts to maintain intracellular and plasma pH. We present the first description of a case of compound-heterozygous inheritance of pRTA. The individual has inherited two mutations in NBCe1: p. Arg510His (R510H) and p.Gln913Arg (Q913R), one from each parent. In addition to the usual features of pRTA, the patient exhibits unusual signs such as muscle spasms and fever. We have recreated these mutant transporters for expression in model systems. We find that both of the mutant proteins exhibit substantial intracellular retention when expressed in mammalian renal cell lines. When expressed in Xenopus oocytes, we find that the R510H- and Q913R-mutant NBCe1 molecules exhibit apparently normal Na+/HCO3 cotransport activity, but that Q913R is associated with an unusual HCO3-independent anion leak. We conclude that reduced accumulation of NBCe1 protein in the basolateral membrane of proximal-tubule epithelia is the most likely cause of pRTA in this case. We further note that the Q913R-associated anion-leak could itself be pathogenic if expressed to the plasma membrane of mammalian cells, compromising the benefit of strategies to enhance mutant NBCe1 accumulation in the plasma membrane.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved



from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2938sc2
via IFTTT

Influence of countermeasures on the validity of the Concealed Information Test

Abstract

The Concealed Information Test (CIT) is a psychophysiological technique that allows for detecting crime-related knowledge. Usually, autonomic response measures are used for this purpose, but ocular measures have also been proposed recently. Prior studies reported heterogeneous results for the usage of countermeasures (CM) to corrupt the CIT's validity, depending on the CM technique and the dependent measure. The current study systematically compared the application of physical and mental CM on autonomic and ocular measures during the CIT. Sixty participants committed a mock crime and were assigned to one of three guilty conditions: standard guilty (without CM), physical CM, or mental CM. An additional group of 20 innocents was investigated with the same CIT to calculate validity estimates. Electrodermal responses were more vulnerable for CM usage compared to heart rate and respiration, and physical CM were more effective than mental CM. Independent of CM usage, a combined score of autonomic responses enabled a valid differentiation between guilty and innocent examinees. Fixations and blinks also allowed for detecting crime-related knowledge, but these measures were more affected by CM application than autonomic responses. The current study delivered further evidence that CM differentially impact physiological and ocular responses in the CIT. Whereas individual data channels were strongly affected by CM usage, a combination of different response measures yielded a relatively stable differentiation of guilty and innocent examinees when mental CM were used. These findings are especially relevant for field applications and might inspire future studies to detect or prevent CM usage in CIT examinations.



from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28RbovC
via IFTTT

A functional classification of medial frontal negativity ERPs: Theta oscillations and single subject effects

Abstract

Theta oscillations in the EEG have been linked to several ERPs that are elicited during performance-monitoring tasks, including the error-related negativity (ERN), no-go N2, and the feedback-related negativity (FRN). We used a novel paradigm to isolate independent components (ICs) in single subjects' (n = 27) EEG accounting for a medial frontal negativity (MFN) to response cue stimuli that signal a potential change in future response demands. Medial frontal projecting ICs that were sensitive to these response cues also described the ERNs, no-go N2s, and, to a lesser extent, the FRNs, that were elicited in letter flanker, go/no-go, and time-estimation tasks, respectively. In addition, percentile bootstrap tests using trimmed means indicated that the medial frontal ICs show an increase in theta activity during the ERN, no-go N2, and FRN across tasks and within individuals. Our results provide an important validation of previous studies by showing that increases in medial frontal theta to cognitively challenging events in multiple paradigms is a reliable effect within individuals and can be elicited by basic stimulus cues that signal the potential need to adjust response control. Thus, medial frontal theta reflects a neural response common to all MFN paradigms and characterizes the general process of controlling attention without the need to induce error commission, inhibited responses, or to present negative feedback.



from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28RMBUt
via IFTTT

Critical role of regulator of calcineurin 1 in spinal cord injury

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe clinical problem worldwide. The pathogenesis of SCI is complicated and much is unknown. The current study was designed to investigate the possible role of regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) in SCI and to explore the possible molecular mechanisms. Rats were injected with LVshRNAi-RCAN1 and then contusion-induced SCI was established. We found that RCAN1 was significantly increased in spinal cord of rats with SCI. Knockdown of RCAN1 markedly facilitated the structural and functional recovery in the spinal cord, as illustrated by decrease of lesion volume and increase of Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) and combined behavioral score (CBS) scores. Downregulation of RCAN1 suppressed the increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and TNF-α, and inhibited the increase of TUNEL-positive cell numbers and caspases 3 and 9 activities. The decrease of oxygen consumption rate and increase of expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and phosphorylation of protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum (ER) kinase (PERK) in rats with SCI were inhibited by LVshRNAi-RCAN1. Moreover, knockdown of RCAN1 ameliorated oxidative stress in rats with SCI, as evidenced by decrease of TBA reactive substances (TBARS) and GSSG content and increase of glutathione (GSH) level. These results suggested that RCAN1 played an important role in SCI through regulation of various pathological processes. Overall, the data provide novel insights into the role of RCAN1 in SCI and novel therapeutic targets of the treatment of injury in the spinal cord.



from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28Ra1Iy
via IFTTT

Pilomatrical Carcinoma in the Thigh: A Case Report and Review of Literature

2016-06-24T00-20-16Z
Source: Journal of Interdisciplinary Histopathology
Marwa A. Abd Elazeem, Dina Adel Radi.
Pilomatrical carcinoma is a rare malignant hair follicle tumor. It may arise de novo or as a malignant transformation from benign pilomatricoma. The tumor is locally aggressive with an increased tendency of recurrence but with a low metastatic potential. A 51-year-old male patient presented with a slowly growing mass in the middle inner aspect of the left thigh. After surgical excision, microscopically the tumor was diagnosed as pilomatrical carcinoma.


from Scope via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/28UILOP
via IFTTT