Dichotomous effect of methylphenidate on microglia and astrocytes: Insights from in vitro and animal studies.

Methylphenidate (MPH) has been used for decades to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Moreover, several studies have shown that it is subject to misuse, particularly among college students and adolescents, for cognitive enhancement or as a recreational drug. This phenomenon causes concern, and it is critical to clarify better how MPH impacts brain cells. In fact, data has suggested that MPH could result in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration across several brain regions; however, little is known about the effect of MPH on glial cells. To address this, we used microglia N9 cell line and primary cultures of cortical astrocytes that were exposed to MPH (0.01 - 2 mM), as well as Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) chronically administered with MPH (1.5 mg/kg/day). Several parameters were analyzed, and we concluded that MPH has no significant direct effect on microglial cells, apart from cell migration impairment. On the contrary, MPH promotes astrogliosis, oxidative/nitrosative stress, and increases proinflammatory cytokine TNF levels by astrocytes, which was concordant with the results obtained in the hippocampus of WKY rats. Overall, the present results suggest that brain cells respond differently to MPH, with a more prominent direct effect on astrocytes when compared to microglia.

Thalamic volumetric abnormalities in type 1 diabetes mellitus and 'peripheral' neuropathy.

We hypothesized that thalamic volumes of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and nonpainful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) would be reduced relative to thalamic volumes of patients with type 1 DM and painful DPN. We calculated the standardized thalamic volumetric difference between these groups in a pilot sample to obtain a statistical power of 80% at a 5% significance level. Hence, we measured thalamic volumes from 15 patients with nonpainful DPN (10 women, mean age = 49 years, standard deviation [SD] = 11.5) and from 13 patients with painful DPN (8 women, mean age = 43 years, SD = 12.5) by using a manual segmentation approach. A volumetric difference of approximately 15% was found between the nonpainful (mean = 5072 mm3, SD = 528.1) and painful (mean = 5976 mm3, SD = 643.1) DPN groups (P < 0.001). Curiously, a volumetric difference between the left (mean = 5198 mm3, SD = 495.0) and the right (mean = 4946 mm3, SD = 590.6) thalamus was also found in patients with nonpainful DPN (P < 0.01), but not in patients with painful DPN (P = 0.97). Patients with nonpainful DPN have lower thalamic volumes than those with painful DPN, especially in the right thalamus.

The Patient Perspective Regarding Ambulatory Surgery: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Due to the advances in anesthetics and surgery, ambulatory surgery plays an increasingly important role. This regimen, despite showing several advantages, still instills fear in patients. The aim of this was to evaluate the level of knowledge and the perspective of patients regarding ambulatory surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was carried out for two months in patients with pre-anesthetic consultation at a University Hospital Center. Demographic information, educational level, and previous ambulatory surgery were surveyed. Patients' level of knowledge about surgery, satisfaction, and the perceived advantages and fears regarding this regimen were evaluated. The analysis was performed with SPSS, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-one patients were included. One hundred and twenty-eight (51%) patients disclosed having knowledge about ambulatory surgery. The main advantages perceived by patients were more peaceful recovery (44.7%), avoiding being surrounded by other patients (43.1%), and avoiding infection (37.2%). The main fears shown by patients were poor pain control (20.7%), having other health problems (13.1%), and poor control of nausea or vomiting (10%). CONCLUSION: Patients may benefit from being more informed about the ambulatory surgical regimen in order to decrease their fears and increase their acceptance of the regimen. Providing more information to patients may result in increased satisfaction with this regimen.

Introdução: Com os avanços observados a nível anestésico e cirúrgico, a cirurgia em regime de ambulatório tem cada vez mais expressão. Este regime, apesar das várias vantagens para os doentes, acarreta também vários receios. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar o nível de conhecimento e a perspetiva dos doentes sobre a cirurgia em ambulatório. Material e Métodos: Estudo prospetivo decorrido durante dois meses em doentes com consulta pré-anestésica num Centro Hospitalar Universitário. Foi inquirida informação demográfica, nível educacional e existência de cirurgia prévia em regime de ambulatório. Foram avaliados o nível de conhecimento dos doentes, a satisfação, as vantagens e receios relativos à cirurgia em regime de ambulatório. A análise foi feita com SPSS (v 27.0) e p < 0,05 foi considerado como estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: Foram incluídos 251 doentes. Destes, 128 (51%) doentes demostraram ter conhecimento sobre a cirurgia de ambulatório. As principais vantagens percebidas pelos doentes foram ter uma recuperação mais sossegada (44,7%), evitar estar rodeado de outros doentes (43,1%) e evitar infeção (37,2%). Os principais receios mostrados pelos doentes foram o mau controlo da dor (20,7%) e de náuseas/vómitos (10%) e ter outros problemas de saúde (13,1%). Conclusão: Os doentes poderão beneficiar de ser mais informados sobre o regime cirúrgico em ambulatório de forma a diminuir os seus receios e aumentar a sua satisfação. Investir na informação do doente poderá aumentar a aceitação do regime de ambulatório.

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Methylmercury Neurotoxicity and Neuroinflammation.

Methylmercury (MeHg) toxicity is a major environmental concern. In the aquatic reservoir, MeHg bioaccumulates along the food chain until it is consumed by riverine populations. There has been much interest in the neurotoxicity of MeHg due to recent environmental disasters. Studies have also addressed the implications of long-term MeHg exposure for humans. The central nervous system is particularly susceptible to the deleterious effects of MeHg, as evidenced by clinical symptoms and histopathological changes in poisoned humans. In vitro and in vivo studies have been crucial in deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying MeHg-induced neurotoxicity. A collection of cellular and molecular alterations including cytokine release, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, Ca2+ and glutamate dyshomeostasis, and cell death mechanisms are important consequences of brain cells exposure to MeHg. The purpose of this review is to organize an overview of the mercury cycle and MeHg poisoning events and to summarize data from cellular, animal, and human studies focusing on MeHg effects in neurons and glial cells. This review proposes an up-to-date compendium that will serve as a starting point for further studies and a consultation reference of published studies.

Imaging Methodology for Hip Preservation: Techniques, Parameters, and Thresholds.

The concept of hip impingement and hip-preserving surgery has been appreciated in more detail since 2001 when a new surgical approach was reported and a hypothesis linking femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) with osteoarthritis was presented. Paralleling the introduction of hip arthroscopy, these events led to an increasing interest in the hip, and the number of publications has risen rapidly over the past 15 years, despite limited evidence levels and inconsistent methodology. Accordingly, etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and the effects of treatment for FAI are still elusive due to a number of uncertainties and a lack of clear diagnostic criteria.Future research must focus on developing high-quality scientific studies, so thorough and reproducible methodology is needed. This review provides researchers, radiologists, and clinicians with a comprehensive approach to hip imaging with a focus on strategies to help guide the clinical diagnosis. Using evidence from current literature and knowledge from experienced clinicians, some of the imaging methodology challenges are deciphered.