Nasal application of neuropeptide S inhibits arthritis pain-related behaviors through an action in the amygdala.

Recently discovered neuropeptide S (NPS) has anxiolytic and pain-inhibiting effects in rodents. We showed previously that NPS increases synaptic inhibition of amygdala output to inhibit pain behaviors. The amygdala plays a key role in emotional-affective aspects of pain. Of clinical significance is that NPS can be applied nasally to exert anxiolytic effects in rodents. This study tested the novel hypothesis that nasal application of NPS can inhibit pain-related behaviors in an arthritis model through NPS receptors (NPSR) in the amygdala. Behaviors and electrophysiological activity of amygdala neurons were measured in adult male Sprague Dawley rats. Nasal application of NPS, but not saline, inhibited audible and ultrasonic vocalizations and had anxiolytic-like effects in the elevated plus-maze test in arthritic rats (kaolin/carrageenan knee joint arthritis model) but had no effect in normal rats. Stereotaxic application of a selective non-peptide NPSR antagonist (SHA68) into the amygdala by microdialysis reversed the inhibitory effects of NPS. NPS had no effect on hindlimb withdrawal thresholds. We showed previously that intra-amygdala application of an NPSR antagonist alone had no effect. Nasal application of NPS or stereotaxic application of NPS into the amygdala by microdialysis inhibited background and evoked activity of amygdala neurons in arthritic, but not normal, anesthetized rats. The inhibitory effect was blocked by a selective NPSR antagonist ([D-Cys(tBu)5]NPS). In conclusion, nasal application of NPS can inhibit emotional-affective, but not sensory, pain-related behaviors through an action in the amygdala. The beneficial effects of non-invasive NPS application may suggest translational potential.

Pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction in normoglycemic patients and risk factors.

AIMS: To evaluate pancreatic ß-cell function (ßf) in patients with normoglycemia (NG) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and related risk factors. METHODS: An observational and comparative study in 527 patients with NG and NGT that were divided by quartiles of ßf according to the disposition index derived from OGTT. Anthropometrical, clinical, nutritional, and biochemical variables were measured and associated with ßf. RESULTS: Quartiles of ßf were Q1 = DI < 1.93 n = 131, Q2 = DI 1.93-2.45 n = 134, Q3 = DI 2.46-3.1 n = 133, and Q4 = DI > 3.1 n = 129. There was a progressive reduction in pancreatic ß-cell function and it is negatively correlated with age, weight, BMI, total body fat and visceral fat, waist circumference, total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides (p < 0.01). Glucose levels during OGTT had a negative correlation with ßf; the product of fasting glucose by 1-h glucose had the best correlation with ßf (r = 0.611, p < 0.001) and was the best predictor of ßdf (AUC 0.816, CI 95% 0.774-0.857), even better than 1-h glucose (r = 0.581, p < 0.001). Energy, fat, and carbohydrate intake were negatively correlated with ßf (p < 0.05). Glucose levels at 1-h OGTT > 110 mg/dl were positively associated with pancreatic ßdf (OR 6.85, CI 95% 3.86-12.4). In the multivariate analysis, glucose levels during OGTT, fasting insulin, and BMI were the main factors associated with ßf. CONCLUSIONS: A subgroup of patients with NG and NGT may have a loss of 40% of their ßf. Factors related to this ßdf were age, adiposity, glucose during OGTT, and the product of fasting and 1-h glucose, as well as food intake.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 is expressed in mouse developing testis and regulates somatic cell proliferation.

Testicular development occurs prenatally in mammals. The developmental underlying mechanism is only partially understood. The aim of the present investigation was to study the expression of the gene coding for insulin-like growth factor 1 (Igf-1) and Igf-1 type 1 receptor (Igf-1r) and their respective proteins in mouse Sertoli and Leydig cells at gestation day 12 (E12)-E18. Moreover, we sought to determine the effect of IGF-1 on the proliferation of both cell types and to establish the signal transduction mechanism involved in the IGF-1 pathway. Transcripts for the Igf-1 and Igf-1r genes were found in Sertoli and Leydig cells from E12-E18. Highest IGF-1 and IGF-Ir protein expression levels were found in both cell types at E18. Exogenous IGF-1 administration increased Sertoli and Leydig cell proliferation at E14-E18 in vitro. Inhibition of the pathway mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (MEK) 1/2 with UO126 diminished the proliferation of the Sertoli and Leydig cells in vitro. We propose that IGF-1 and IGF-1r regulate Sertoli and Leydig cell proliferation through the MEK/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 signal transduction pathway, leading to development and growth of the mouse embryonic testis.

Diagnóstico prenatal y manejo quirúrgico posnatal exitoso de quiste ovárico fetal / Prenatal diagnosis and successful postnatal surgical management of fetal ovarian cyst

Los quistes ováricos fetales son el tumor abdominal más frecuente en las recién nacidas. Es la tercera causa de quistes intrabdominales, después de los de sistemas renal y gastrointestinal. Se puede sospechar su presencia en la ecografía cuando se observa una tumoración de aspecto quístico de estructura regular localizado en la parte inferior y lateral del abdomen, del tracto intestinal o urinario en un feto femenino sin anomalías. Presentan complicaciones agudas y a largo plazo. La más frecuente es la torsión anexial que presenta dificultades diagnósticas en la etapa neonatal. El diagnóstico prenatal es fundamental para el manejo oportuno de las pacientes. Existen diferentes alternativas terapéuticas donde la cirugía mínimamente invasiva y conservadora juega un importante rol. El objetivo del trabajo es demostrar que el diagnóstico temprano de los tumores fetales interviene en el resultado exitoso. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 37 años primigesta, a la que durante la evaluación ecográfica; se observó la presencia de una tumoración de apariencia blanda en la parte inferior derecha del abdomen correspondiente a un quiste ovárico fetal claramente identificado y separado de la vejiga fetal. La paciente fue sometida a cesárea en la que se obtuvo una recién nacida femenina. Dos días después, la neonata fue intervenida quirúrgicamente por mínimo acceso y se resolvió exitosamente gracias a un manejo multidisciplinario(AU)

Fetal ovarian cysts are the most frequent abdominal tumor in newborns. It is the third cause of intra-abdominal cysts, after those of renal and gastrointestinal systems. Its presence can be suspected on ultrasound when a cystic-like tumor of regular structure located in the lower and lateral part of the abdomen, intestinal tract or urinary tract is observed in a female fetus with no anomalies. They present acute and long-term complications. The most frequent is adnexal torsion that presents diagnostic difficulties in the neonatal stage. Prenatal diagnosis is essential for the timely management. There are different therapeutic alternatives where minimally invasive and conservative surgery are important. The objective of the work is to demonstrate that the early diagnosis of fetal tumors intervenes in the successful outcome. We present the case of a 37-year-old primiparous patient, who had a soft-appearing tumor in the lower right part of the abdomen observed by ultrasound. This corresponded to a clearly identified fetal ovarian cyst and it was separated from the fetal bladder. The patient underwent cesarean section in which a female newborn was obtained. Two days later, the neonatal was minimal-access surgically treated successfully thanks to multidisciplinary management(AU)

Estudio de Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum y Mycoplasma hominis en pacientes infértiles y abortadoras habituales / Study on Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma homonis in infertile patients and with usual abortions

Algunos microorganismos como Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum y Mycoplasma hominis han sido relacionados con diferentes procesos patológicos en mujeres sexualmente activas. OBJETIVO: Para conocer la frecuencia de estos agentes se realizó un estudio descriptivo observacional en el Hospital Ginecoobstétrico Ramón González Coro, en el período de noviembre de 2008 a enero de 2009. MÉTODOS: Se estudiaron 166 muestras de exudados vaginales y endocervicales tomadas a pacientes que acudieron a las consulta de infertilidad y abortadoras habituales. Se aplicaron los test diagnósticos para Chlamydia y micoplasmas genitales. RESULTADOS: De las pacientes estudiadas, 113 fueron positivas (68 por ciento), el test de Chlamydia se aplicó y 75 resultaron positivas a este microorganismo (45,2 por ciento), mientras que 57 fueron positivas a micoplasmas genitales (34,3 por ciento), de ellas 50 a Ureaplasma urealyticum, 4 a Mycoplasma hominis y en 3 muestras se aislaron Ureaplasma urealyticum más Mycoplasma hominis. Se encontró asociación de estos agentes con otros microorganismos. El 50,9 por ciento de los casos positivos a Mycoplasma tuvieron una infección moderada (29/57). El test de Mycoplasma permitió conocer la susceptibilidad de estos agentes frente a diferentes antimicrobianos; se encontró para Ureaplasma urealyticum una resistencia de 24 por ciento para la ofloxacina; 22 por ciento para la tetraciclina y 20 por ciento para la claritromicina; por su parte Mycoplasma hominis mostró el 75 por ciento de resistencia a la eritromicina y 100 por ciento a claritromicina y azitromicina; en los tres casos que coincidieron Ureaplasma urealyticum y Mycoplasma hominis se observó una resistencia elevada a la azitromicina, eritromicina y claritromicina. Hubo una alta sensibilidad frente minociclina y clindamicina. CONCLUSIONES: El microorganismo más frecuente en este estudio resultó C. trachomatis, M. hominis reportó más resistencia a los antimicrobianos que U. ure...

Some microorganisms like the Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma homonis have been related to different pathological processes in women sexually actives. OBJECTIVE: To know the frequency of these agents a observational and descriptive study was conducted in the "Ram¾n Gonzßlez Coro" Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital from November, 2008 to January, 2009. METHODS: One hundred and sixty six samples of vaginal exudates from patients seen in infertility consulting rooms with regular abortions were studied. Diagnostic tests for Chlamydia and genital Mycoplasm tests were applied. RESULTS: From the study patients, 113 were positive (68 percent), Chlamydia test was applied and 75 were positive to this microorganism (45.2 percent), whereas 57 were positive to genital micoplasma (34.3 percent), from them 50 were positive to Uraplasma urealyticum, 4 to Mycoplasma homonis, and in three samples Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma homonis were isolated. There was association of these agents with other microorganisms. The 50.9 percent of cases positive to Mycoplasma had a moderate infection (29/57). The Mycoplasma's test allowed to know the susceptibility of these agents to different antimicrobial agents, in the case of Ureaplasma urealyticum there was a resistance of 24 percent to Ofloxacin; 22 percent to Tetracycline, and the 20 percent to Clarithromycin; Mycoplasma hominis showed a 75 percent of resistance to erythromycin and the 100 percent to Claritromycin and to Azithromycin in the thre cases where they coindiced. Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis had a significant resistance to Azithromycin, Eritromycin and Claritromycin. There was a high level of sensitivity to minocycline and to clindamycin. CONCLUSIONS: The more frequent microorganism in present study was the C. trachomatis, and M. hominis had more resistance to antimicrobials agents than U.uralyticum, both are very sensitive to minocycline and ...