Spatial compartmentalization of signaling imparts source-specific functions on secreted factors.

Efficient regeneration requires multiple cell types acting in coordination. To better understand the intercellular networks involved and how they change when regeneration fails, we profile the transcriptome of hematopoietic, stromal, myogenic, and endothelial cells over 14 days following acute muscle damage. We generate a time-resolved computational model of interactions and identify VEGFA-driven endothelial engagement as a key differentiating feature in models of successful and failed regeneration. In addition, the analysis highlights that the majority of secreted signals, including VEGFA, are simultaneously produced by multiple cell types. To test whether the cellular source of a factor determines its function, we delete VEGFA from two cell types residing in close proximity: stromal and myogenic progenitors. By comparing responses to different types of damage, we find that myogenic and stromal VEGFA have distinct functions in regeneration. This suggests that spatial compartmentalization of signaling plays a key role in intercellular communication networks.

Brain solutions for hearing problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and the misery of wearing a mask.

BACKGROUND: In COVID-19 pandemics days, wearing facial mask in public places has become obligatory to prevent the virus spread. In addition to its valuable protection, wearing facial mask can affect verbal communication in an adverse fashion and makes mutual understanding difficult. This happens because the mask eliminates the positive effect of the lip-reading phenomenon in direct communications. The mirror neuron system is responsible for automatic imitation, associative sequence learning, and motor mimicry. This system is a strong candidate justifying an unexpected action described in this article. PURPOSE: Taking the facial mask off, to help the listener understanding better is a normal reaction. However, unexpectedly, one does the same as the listener when he/she is unable to comprehend the speaker. Herein, we suggest a hypothesis proposing the basic role of Mirror neuron system in this action. Most of the research on these cells have been conducted on monkeys, where the researchers observed that, these neuron discharge pulses both when a monkey performs an action and when it observes another monkey or a person committing the similar action. CONCLUSION: The driving mechanism of an unanticipated action of taking off mask while listening to a speaker is emphasized in this paper. Herein, we try to clarify how we came up with the idea that mirror neuron system drives a surprising action observed in COVID-19 pandemics days. As a result, we suggest possible clinical studies to verify our hypothesis.

Undetected pituitary adenoma in a patient with retinitis pigmentosa.

BACKGROUND: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is one of the most severe hereditary retinal disorders with a worldwide prevalence reaching 1 in every 3000-5000 people and a total of almost one million affected individuals. RP is heterogeneous in its clinical presentations but typically presents as progressive visual dysfunction, including nyctalopia in adolescence, restricted peripheral vision (tunnel vision) in young adults, and loss of central vision at an advanced age. CASE DESCRIPTION: Herein, we want to report a case of RP who presented with gradual worsening of vision and headache, and further evaluation revealed a concomitant non-functional pituitary macroadenoma. Ophthalmologic evaluation revealed a little chance for him to regain his vision, so the patient refused to undergo endoscopic surgical resection. However, he is still under clinic-radiologic follow-up, to be evaluated for progression in tumor size and obstructive hydrocephalus. CONCLUSION: Presenting with similar symptoms of tunnel vision, the simultaneous occurrence of these two diseases in a patient may delay the diagnosis of the latter, leading to its progression.

HONEY-DERIVED LACTOBACILLUS RHAMNOSUS ALLEVIATES HELICOBACTER PYLORI-INDUCED GASTRO-INTESTINAL INFECTION AND GASTRIC INFLAMMATION IN C57BL/6 MICE: AN IMMUNO-HISTOLOGIC STUDY.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been introduced by since 1983 by Marshal and Warren to play the main role in the pathophysiology of gastritis and gastric ulcers. Almost half of the world population1 is infected by H. pylori. Current therapeutic regimen against H. pylori includes the use of a proton pump inhibitor plus two or more antibiotics. However, the efficacy of this regimen is decreasing mainly due to antibiotic resistance and side effects of medications. This fact has resulted in public interest in other therapeutic options and the role of probiotics merits special attention in this regard. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of honey-derived Lactobacillus rhamnosus on H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation and gastro-intestinal infection in C57BL/6 Mice. METHODS: The 24 C57BL/6 Mice were randomly divided into three groups of eight mice each. All the mice were fed with 1cc suspension containing 5*1010 CFU/ mL of ATCC43504 strains of H. pylori for 3 consecutive days, twice daily via polyethylene gavage tubes. At the end of 4th week, infection with H. pylori was confirmed with stool Ag (ELISA) and following sacrifice of one mouse from each group, histopathologic study confirmed gastritis. The groups were subjected to different therapies as stated, 1: without Bismuth (Bi), Omeprazole (Om) and L. rhamnosus prescription, 2: Bi, Om and Clarithromycin (Cl) and 3: Bi, Om plus 1cc of suspension of 109 CFU/mL of L. rhamnosus. After 2 weeks, the stool was analyzed for Ag and the mice were sacrificed for evaluation of histopathologic changes. RESULTS: Treatment with L. rhamnosus group provided Zero titer of stool Ag and was associated with improved gastric inflammation in all subjects, similar to the clarithromycin group. CONCLUSION: Honey-derived L. rhamnosus probiotics provides similar results as clarithromycin in terms of improvement of H. pylori infection and gastritis in C57BL/6 Mice model, without its cons of antibiotic resistance.

O mel-derivado de Lactobacillus rhamnosus alivia a infecção gastro-intestinal induzida pelo Helicobacter pylori-e inflamação gástrica em C57Bl/6 ratos: um estudo imuno-histológico / Honey-derived lactobacillus rhamnosus alleviates helicobacter pylori-induced gastro-intestinal infection and gastric inflammation in c57bl/6 mice: an immuno-histologic study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been introduced by since 1983 by Marshal and Warren to play the main role in the pathophysiology of gastritis and gastric ulcers. Almost half of the world population1 is infected by H. pylori. Current therapeutic regimen against H. pylori includes the use of a proton pump inhibitor plus two or more antibiotics. However, the efficacy of this regimen is decreasing mainly due to antibiotic resistance and side effects of medications. This fact has resulted in public interest in other therapeutic options and the role of probiotics merits special attention in this regard. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of honey-derived Lactobacillus rhamnosus on H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation and gastro-intestinal infection in C57BL/6 Mice. METHODS: The 24 C57BL/6 Mice were randomly divided into three groups of eight mice each. All the mice were fed with 1cc suspension containing 5*1010 CFU/ mL of ATCC43504 strains of H. pylori for 3 consecutive days, twice daily via polyethylene gavage tubes. At the end of 4th week, infection with H. pylori was confirmed with stool Ag (ELISA) and following sacrifice of one mouse from each group, histopathologic study confirmed gastritis. The groups were subjected to different therapies as stated, 1: without Bismuth (Bi), Omeprazole (Om) and L. rhamnosus prescription, 2: Bi, Om and Clarithromycin (Cl) and 3: Bi, Om plus 1cc of suspension of 109 CFU/mL of L. rhamnosus. After 2 weeks, the stool was analyzed for Ag and the mice were sacrificed for evaluation of histopathologic changes. RESULTS: Treatment with L. rhamnosus group provided Zero titer of stool Ag and was associated with improved gastric inflammation in all subjects, similar to the clarithromycin group. CONCLUSION: Honey-derived L. rhamnosus probiotics provides similar results as clarithromycin in terms of improvement of H. pylori infection and gastritis in C57BL/6 Mice model, without its cons of antibiotic resistance.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: O Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) foi reconhecido em 1983 por Marechal e Warren como protagonista principal na fisiopatologia de gastrite e úlceras gástricas. Quase metade da população mundial está infectada por H. pylori. O regime terapêutico atual contra H. pylori inclui o uso de um inibidor da bomba de prótons associada a dois ou mais antibióticos. No entanto, a eficácia deste regime está diminuindo principalmente devido à resistência aos antibióticos e efeitos colaterais de medicamentos. Este fato resultou no interesse público em outras opções terapêuticas e o papel dos probióticos merece atenção especial a este respeito. OBJETIVO: Este estudo visa avaliar a eficácia do mel-derivado do Lactobacillus rhamnosus na inflamação gástrica e infecção gastrointestinal H. pylori-induzida em camundongos C57Bl/6. MÉTODOS: Vinte e quatro camundongos C57Bl/6 foram divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos de oito camundongos cada. Todos os ratos foram alimentados com suspensão de 1cc contendo 5*1010 UFC/mL de cepas ATCC43504 de H. pylori por 3 dias consecutivos, duas vezes por dia através de gavagem por tubos de polietileno. No final da 4ª semana, a infecção com H. pylori foi confirmada pelo antígeno fecal (ELISA) e após o sacrifício de um rato de cada grupo, o estudo histopatológico confirmou gastrite. Os grupos foram submetidos a diferentes terapias, como indicado, 1: sem prescrição de bismuto (BI), Omeprazol (Om) e L. rhamnosus, 2: Bi, Om e claritromicina (CL) e 3: Bi, Om mais 1cc de suspensão de 109 UFC/mL de L. rhamnosus. Após 2 semanas, as fezes foram analisadas para o antígeno e os ratos foram sacrificados para a avaliação das alterações histopatológicas. RESULTADOS: O tratamento com o grupo L. rhamnosus forneceu o título zero de antígeno e foi associado com a inflamação gástrica melhorada em todos os camundongos, similar ao grupo claritromicina. CONCLUSÃO: O probiótico mel-derivado L. rhamnosus fornece resultados semelhantes ao da claritromicina em termos de melhoria da infecção H. pylori e gastrite em C57Bl/6 camundongos modelos, sem os inconvenientes de resistência aos antibióticos.

Risk Factors for Unfavorable Outcome in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Revisited; Odds and Ends.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the odds for unfavorable outcome of each risk factor and a combination of them in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) undergoing surgical clipping in Southern Iran. METHODS: A total of 367 patients who were operated between March 2007 and March 2016 due to aneurysmal SAH were analyzed according to patients' factors, aneurysm characteristics and intra-operative data. Correlation between outcomes of patients measured by modified Rankin Scale at 6-months with each factor were analyzed. Market Basket analysis was also used to identify the odds of unfavorable outcome for combinations of factors. RESULTS: A total of 367 patients, including 199 females and 168 males with a mean age of 47.27± 11.53 years, who underwent operation between March 2007 and March 2016 due to aneurysmal SAH were analyzed. Unlike gender, higher age was associated with unfavorable outcome. Ischemic heart disease, Duration of operation and amount of bleeding were also found to increase the odds of unfavorable outcome (p=0.01, 0.02, 0.04 respectively). DM, Cigarette smoking and opium addiction as well as the location and multiplicity of aneurysms did not have an adverse effect on outcome. (p≥0.05). CONCLUSION: Among the numerous risk factors presumed to result in unfavorable outcome in aneurysmal SAH, only older age, duration of operation more than 60 minutes, previous known history of ischemic heart disease, poorer clinical grade and intra-operative bleeding more than 500 mL were found to be significant factors.

Sphenoid Aspergilloma with Headache and Acute Vision Loss.

BACKGROUND: Fungal infection is a rare pathology in the sphenoid sinus, and extension into the pituitary fossa with visual loss has only been described in a few reports in the literature. Following publication of a recent report of pituitary abscess by Candida glabrata, we describe our own experience with a similar pathology. CASE DESCRIPTION: In the present report, we overview a diabetic patient who sustained aspergilloma in his sphenoid sinus with extension to the pituitary fossa. Clinical presentations are discussed along with an emphasis on the role of endoscopic endonasal drainage of the abscess as the mainstay of treatment. Following administration of intravenous amphotericin B for 6 days, endoscopic drainage of the aspergillus abscess was done. Visual acuity improved immediately after the operation. At the 12-month follow-up visit, the improvement in visual acuity was maintained and magnetic resonance imaging showed no recurrence. CONCLUSION: Correction of the underlying immune deficiencies, administration of intravenous antifungal agents perioperatively, endoscopic endonasal drainage of abscess, and a meticulous debridement of necrotic material, followed by a course of oral antifungal medication, comprises the standard treatment protocol for a fungus ball (aspergilloma) of the sphenoid sinus.

Transventricular Transvelar Approach to Trochlear Nerve Schwannoma: Novel Technique to Lesions of Inferior Pineal Region.

OBJECTIVES: The schwannoma of the trochlear nerve is rare and originates mostly from the distal parts in the interpeduncular cistern. A lesion on the proximal segment in the inferior pineal region is extremely rare. Because of the rarity of the disease, the surgical approach to this region for the resection of trochlear nerve schwannoma has not been well documented in the literature. We herein describe a novel approach to successfully resect the trochlear nerve schwannoma. METHODS: A 12-year-old boy presented with occipital headache, abnormal gait, and disturbed conjoined eye movement. He was diagnosed with a lesion in the inferior pineal region compressing the superior medullary velum into the roof of the fourth ventricle. A bilateral midline suboccipital craniotomy was performed, and the fourth ventricle was exposed. The lesion was approached through the fourth ventricle superior medullary velum (transventricular transvelar approach). The lesion was totally resected, and his histopathology examination revealed trochlear schwannoma. RESULTS: The patient's symptoms resolved, and he had no recurrence at 12-year follow-up with normal eye movement and vision. CONCLUSION: The transventricular transvelar approach is feasible and safe to treat a lesion of the lower part of the pineal region being pushed through the superior medullary velum.