The smelling of Hedione results in sex-differentiated human brain activity.

A large family of vomeronasal receptors recognizes pheromone cues in many animals including most amphibia, reptiles, rhodents, and other mammals. Humans possess five vomeronasal-type 1 receptor genes (VN1R1-VN1R5), which code for proteins that are functional in recombinant expression systems. We used two different recombinant expression systems and identified Hedione as a ligand for the putative human pheromone receptor VN1R1 expressed in the human olfactory mucosa. Following the ligand identification, we employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in healthy volunteers to characterize the in vivo action of the VN1R1 ligand Hedione. In comparison to a common floral odor (phenylethyl alcohol), Hedione exhibited significantly enhanced activation in limbic areas (amygdala, hippocampus) and elicited a sex-differentiated response in a hypothalamic region that is associated with hormonal release. Utilizing a novel combination of methods, our results indicate that the putative human pheromone receptor VN1R1 is involved in extra-olfactory neuronal activations induced by the odorous substance Hedione. The activation of VN1R1 might play a role in gender-specific modulation of hormonal secretion in humans.

Evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal chest wall pain in a military athlete.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Athletes reporting chest pain are challenging to diagnose and equally challenging to treat. The majority of chest pain is musculoskeletal in origin, yet differentiating these from other more serious conditions should be the initial primary focus. The ability to reproduce the patient's symptoms aids in the differential diagnostic process. The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the use of dry needling (DN) to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of focal chest wall pain. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: A 22 year-old male military athlete with anterior chest pain, refractory to traditional physical therapy, was evaluated and treated with dry needling. OUTCOMES: Favorable results were achieved as demonstrated by clinically meaningful improvements in the Patient Specific Functional Scale, the Global Rating of Change score, and his physical performance which allowed this athlete to return to competition and military training. CONCLUSION: Dry needling in the hands of properly trained providers may aid in diagnosis and treatment of focal chest wall syndromes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, Level 4.

Activity of LY333328 in experimental meningitis caused by a Streptococcus pneumoniae strain susceptible to penicillin.

In a rabbit model of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis single doses of 10 and 2.5 mg of the glycopeptide LY333328 per kg of body weight reduced bacterial titers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) almost as rapidly as ceftriaxone at 10 mg/kg/h (changes in log CFU, -0.29 +/- 0.21 and -0.26 +/- 0.22 versus -0.34 +/- 0.15/ml/h). A dose of 1 mg/kg was bacteriostatic (change in log CFU, 0.01 +/- 0.11/ml/h). In two animals receiving LY333328 at a dose of 40 mg/kg the bacterial titers were reduced by 0.54 and 0.51 log CFU/ml/h. The penetration of CSF by LY333328 was 1 to 5%. The concentrations of lipoteichoic and teichoic acids in CSF and neuronal damage were similar in ceftriaxone- and LY333328-treated animals.

Gemifloxacin is effective in experimental pneumococcal meningitis.

In a rabbit model of Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis, 5 mg of gemifloxacin mesylate (SB-265805) per kg/h reduced the bacterial titers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) almost as rapidly as 10 mg of ceftriaxone per kg/h (Deltalog CFU/ml/h +/- standard deviation [SD], -0.25 +/- 0.09 versus -0.38 +/- 0.11; serum and CSF concentrations of gemifloxacin were 2.1 +/- 1.4 mg/liter and 0.59 +/- 0.38 mg/liter, respectively, at 24 h). Coadministration of 1 mg of dexamethasone per kg did not affect gemifloxacin serum and CSF levels (2.7 +/- 1.4 mg/liter and 0.75 +/- 0.34 mg/liter, respectively, at 24 h) or activity (Deltalog CFU/ml/h +/- SD, -0.26 +/- 0.11).

Conservative treatment of calcific trochanteric bursitis.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of conservatively managed calcific trochanteric bursitis and discuss differential diagnosis and treatment alternatives. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 53-yr-old obese female presented with acute severe lateral hip and posterolateral thigh pain. Examination findings were consistent with trochanteric bursitis and radiographs demonstrated calcific infiltration of the trochanteric bursa. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: An intensive 2-wk course of pulsed ultrasound, ice massage, interferential current and chiropractic lumbopelvic manipulation resulted in symptomatic relief, abolishment of palpatory tenderness and return of pain-free passive and resisted range of motion of the hip. CONCLUSIONS: Trochanteric bursitis is a common cause of hip pain. A trial of conservative measures is warranted for this condition, even when calcinosis is present, before more invasive therapies are considered.

Calcification of vas deferens associated with diabetes mellitus.

Calcification of the vas deferens may be associated with diabetes mellitus. This paper discusses the case of a patient in which this occurred. In clinical practice, this radiological finding may indicate further diagnostic workup for diabetes or other causative conditions which are described here.

Enhancement of Moraxella bovis-induced keratitis of mice by exposure of the eye to ultraviolet radiation and ragweed extract.

Effects of a ragweed extract and ultraviolet (UV) radiation on Moraxella bovis-induced keratitis of DBA/2J mice were investigated. Mouse eyes were exposed to ragweed extract and/or UV radiation during induction of keratitis. Pathogenesis was enhanced by exposure to ragweed extract alone and by exposure to UV radiation alone. It was enhanced most when eyes were exposed to ragweed extract and UV radiation.

The acoustic reflex and temporary threshold shift: temporal characteristics.

One ear of each of seven normal-hearing subjects was exposed to a continuous 1000-Hz tone at 110 dB SPL for three minutes. During exposure, a broad-band noise at 100 dB SPL was presented to the contralateral ear. The noise was either continuous or pulsed. Four pulsed conditions employed repetition periods of 360, 180, 90, or 9 msec with a 50% duty cycle. A control condition in which no noise was presented was also included. Temporary threshold shift was measured at selected postexposure times at the frequency one-half octave above the exposure frequency. TTS2 was greatest for the control condition and least for the 360- and 180-msec conditions. Results are discussed in relation to the dynamics of the acoustic reflex, particularly reflex relaxation, reflex adaptation, and reflex temporal summation.