Maternal separation induces changes in TREK-1 and 5HT1A expression in brain areas involved in the stress response in a sex-dependent way.

Depression is a prevalent disease in modern society, and has been linked to stressful events at early ages. Women are more susceptible to depression, and the neural basis for this are still under investigation. Serotonin is known to be involved in depression, and a decrease in 5HT1A expression is observed on temporal and cortical areas in both men and women with depression. As knockout animals for TREK-1 are resilient to depression, this channel has emerged as a new potential pharmacological target for depression treatment. In this study, maternal separation (MS) was used to emulate early-life stress, and evaluate behaviour, as well as TREK-1 and 5HT1A expression in the brain using immunohistochemistry. In juvenile females, 5HT1A reduction coupled to increased TREK-1 in the dentate gyrus (DG) was associated with behavioural despair, as well as increased TREK-1 expression in basolateral amygdala (BLA) and prelimbic cortex (PL). In juvenile males, MS induced an increase in 5HT1A in the BLA, and in TREK-1 in the PL, while no behavioural despair was observed. Anhedonia and anxiety-like behaviour were not induced by MS. We conclude stress-induced increase in TREK-1 in PL and GD is associated to depression, while 5HT1A changes coupled to TREK-1 changes may be necessary to induce depression, with females being more vulnerable to MS effects than males. Thus, TREK-1 and 5HT1A may be potential pharmacological targets for antidepressants development.

Phenolic composition and biological activities of Juniperus drupacea Labill. berries from Turkey.

The present study was designed to define the phenolic profile and the biological potential of berries methanol extract of Juniperus drupacea Labill. from Turkey. The total phenolic content (Folin-Ciocalteau assay) was 48.06±0.99mgGAE/g extract. The HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis allowed the determination of the complete phenolic profile of J. drupacea berries. Phenolic acids represented more than 60% of the total phenolics, and tyrosol was the major one (1324±0.64µg/g extract); within the flavonoids amentoflavone was detected as the main constituent (927±0.35µg/g extract). The extract exhibited good antioxidant properties, as determined by different in vitro models: DPPH test (IC(50) 0.38±0.02mg/mL), reducing power (12.63±0.14ASE/mL), Fe(2+) chelating ability (IC(50) 2.26±0.06mg/mL), and TBA test (IC(50) 2.47±1.13µg/mL). Cytotoxicity against Artemia salina was highlighted (LC(50) 489.47±27.8µg/mL), and a significant decrease (p⩽0.05; p⩽0.01) in HepG2 cells viability was observed at the higher concentrations (5-10µg/mL). The extract displayed good antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive bacteria and in particular Staphylococcus aureus was the most susceptible strain (MIC 78.12µg/mL).

Visual perceptual learning induces long-term potentiation in the visual cortex.

Increasing evidence suggests that plastic changes underlying skill learning may occur at early stages of neural processing. However, whether visual perceptual learning (PL) is accompanied by neuronal plasticity phenomena in the primary visual cortex (V1) is yet unknown. Here, we provide the first evidence that practice with specific visual stimuli (gratings) induces long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic responses in the rat V1. We report that in rats which have improved through practice their ability to discriminate between two gratings of different spatial frequency, the input/output curves of field potentials evoked in layers II-III of V1 slices by stimulation of either vertical and horizontal connections are shifted leftward compared to controls. Thus, visual PL is followed by potentiation of synaptic transmission both in vertical and horizontal connections (mimicry). We next show that this increase in intracortical connectivity gain is paralleled by LTP-like phenomena caused by the learning process: indeed, visual PL occludes further LTP (occlusion). Mimicry and occlusion are not present in the primary somatosensory cortex of rats trained with PL. These results demonstrate that LTP accompanies PL and highlight the notion that learning can occur at processing stages as early as the primary sensory cortices.

Neurological manifestations in individuals with pure cutaneous or syndromic (Ruggieri-Happle syndrome) phenotypes with "cutis tricolor": a study of 14 cases.

BACKGROUND: The term cutis tricolor describes the combination of congenital hyper- and hypo-pigmented skin lesions in close proximity to each other in a background of normal complexion. This phenomenon has been reported so far: (i) as pure cutaneous trait, (ii) as a part of a complex malformation syndrome (Ruggieri-Happle syndrome--RHS), (iii) as a distinct type (cutis tricolor parvimaculata); (iv) in association with other (e. g., vascular) skin disturbances. AIM: The aim of this study was to define the spectrum of neurological abnormalities in cutis tricolor. METHODS: A retrospective and prospective 14-year study of clinical, electroencephalographic (EEG), neuroradiological (MRI), cytogenetic and ZFHX1B gene studies of 14 individuals (8 M, 6 F; aged 2-28 years) with cutis tricolor (4 pure cutaneous; 10 syndromic) was undertaken. RESULTS: Neurological involvement was recorded in 71.4% (10/14) of the patients [100% (10/10) in RHS and null (0/4) in cases with isolated skin manifestations] and included psychomotor delay (n=8), seizures (n=9), EEG abnormalities (n=6), a behavioural phenotype (n=4), non-specific brain abnormalities (n=6). Genetic analyses excluded ZFHX1B mutations and revealed a 19qter deletion (n=1). CONCLUSIONS: Even though we could not exclude the ascertainment and referral biases, we concluded that cutis tricolor may be a marker of underlying neurological involvement particularly in subjects with a syndromic (RHS) phenotype.

Lichen amyloidosis in a dark skinned patient.

Lichen amyloidosis is a primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis without systemic involvement, characterized by a persistent pruritic eruption of multiple discrete hyperkeratotic papules. The etiology is unknown, but chronic irritation of the skin has been proposed as an etiological factor. We herein report a typical case of lichen amyloidosis in a dark skinned patient. Physical examination revealed slightly shiny, brownish and fine uniform papules approximately 1 cm in diameter, with no accompanying macular lesions. Biopsy specimens taken from some of these papules on the legs showed small globular deposits of an amorphous and slightly eosinophilic substance in the dermis. This substance stained positively with Congo red, indicating the presence of amyloid. In addition, amyloid gave an apple green birefringence when viewed with polarized light.

Exposure of human skin to benzo[a]pyrene: role of CYP1A1 and aryl hydrocarbon receptor in oxidative stress generation.

Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) can induce inflammatory skin diseases and skin cancer, which are both associated to oxidative stress. BaP is known to bind with high specificity to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), modifying the expression of CYP1A1, involved both in cancer and inflammation. While the current knowledge is based on murine skin and cell culture data, in this study human healthy skin has been treated with 5muM BaP in conditions simulating occupational and environmental exposure. AhR and CYP1A1 expression was evaluated by Western blotting, which revealed their presence even in control untreated skin; both enzyme and receptor increased more than twofold after exposure to BaP. AhR expression level was lower than CYP1A1 in basal conditions and following induction. Oxidative stress was evaluated in terms of MTT reduction, protein peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. A significant increase in ROS and carbonyl compound production, as well as reduced tissue viability have been determined by BaP. The results of this experiment indicate that BaP, an AhR agonist, can significantly increase receptor and CYP1A1 expression and induce oxidative stress in human skin, confirming the involvement of this pathway in the pathogenesis of tissue damage due to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Secondary syphilis with exclusive peno-scrotal localization.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease, caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum, its incidence, in the last decade, has significantly increased both in Western World and in developing countries. It represents a global health problem: it is estimated that each year the new cases of syphilis account for about 12 millions. The diagnosis is not always easy, especially in secondary syphilis in which the cutaneous manifestations are quite variable and should be considered in the differential diagnosis. A 26-year-old homosexual man had from some days papular lesions in the scrotum and penis. Four months before he had consulted a surgeon for the presence of an ulcerated nodular lesion in the perianal area, which advised to remove it in the suspicion of cancer. The patient declined surgery while observing in the following weeks a gradual and complete disappearance of the lesion. On the basis of clinical history, clinical features and laboratory results, a diagnosis of secondary syphilis with an exclusive peno-scrotal localization was made and systemic therapy with diaminocillin was started that led to complete resolution of skin lesions and to significant reduction of sierologic values.

Antibacterial activity of Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus root extracts.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Roots of Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus (Schiffner) Merxm. & Podl. are widely used in veterinary folk medicine in Sicily (Italy) to diagnose and cure lower respiratory tract infections in cattle. This study intended to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of the methanolic root extract of Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus, and of the bufadienolide and ecdysteroid fractions extracted from its roots, against strains belonging to species commonly associated with respiratory tract infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The phytochemical screening of the previously prepared plant extracts was carried out by chemical, thin-layer chromatography and spectroscopic methods. The in vitro antibacterial activity of the extracts against seven different standard bacterial strains was evaluated by broth microdilution. RESULTS: According to the present study, Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus roots contain bufadienolides and ecdysteroids, and the extracts containing these compounds, as well as the crude methanolic root extract, show antibacterial activity against microorganisms responsible for respiratory infections. In particular, the bufadienolide extract has the highest inhibitory activity against all the tested organisms, and, as the other extracts, shows the lowest MIC values (100mug/ml) against Moraxella catarrhalis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. CONCLUSIONS: Since the roots of Helleborus bocconei Ten. subsp. siculus contain substances with antibacterial activity, the traditional use of this plant may also derive from its antibacterial properties.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a relatively unusual, locally aggressive cutaneous tumor of intermediate malignancy, that most frequently occurs with a slight predominance in young adult men on the trunk and proximal extremities. It arises from the dermis and invades deeper subcutaneous tissues (fat, fascia, muscle, bone), but, despite its local invasiveness, it rarely metastasizes (5% of cases). Currently, the cause of DFSP is unknown. A 54-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic, red-violaceous ovalar plaque on the left submammary area. The lesion had sharply delineated borders and showed two overlying hanging outgrowths, one smooth and flesh colored and the other reddish and with a cobblestone appearance. Histological and immunohistochemical studies confirmed the diagnosis of DFSP. This unusual presentation of DFSP is presented and discussed.

Disseminated herpes simplex infection in a HIV+ patient.

UNLABELLED: Genital herpes, a viral infection caused by Herpes simplex virus (HSV), is the most common cause of genital ulceration. Patients with a severe decrease in cellular immunity, such as patients positive for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, are more likely to develop atypical, severe, disseminated and/or chronic HSV infections. On the other hand, there is an increase incidence of HIV detection among patients positive for HSV infection, as genital ulcers represent a potential portal of entry of HIV into the host. A case of a 52-year-old homosexual man with a two-month history of multiple erythematous ulcerative lesions on the perianal area, the buttocks, and the third left finger is presented. According to the clinical history, the clinical findings and the laboratory results, a diagnosis of HSV infection was made and treatment with valaciclovir was started, which led to complete regression of lesions 30 days later. The atypical features of the herpetic lesions, along with a past history of atypical pneumonitis one year prior to our observation, prompted to a diagnosis of concurrent HIV infection, later confirmed by laboratory RESULTS: Atypical and disseminated HSV infections occur relatively often in HIV+ patients. This article discusses clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of HSV infection in such cases.

Erucin, a new promising cancer chemopreventive agent from rocket salads, shows anti-proliferative activity on human lung carcinoma A549 cells.

Erucin (ER) is a dietary isothiocyanate present in cruciferous vegetables, such as rocket salads (Erucasativa Mill., Diplotaxis sp.), that has been recently considered a promising cancer chemopreventive phytochemical. Biological activity of ER was investigated on human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, analyzing its effects on molecular pathways involved in apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, such as PARP-1 cleavage, p53 and p21 protein expression. Our results show that ER affects the A549 cell proliferation, enhancing significantly p53 and p21 protein expression in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.001). PARP-1 cleavage occurs only after exposure to high concentrations of ER (50 microM), in accordance to previous studies showing similar bioactivity of other isothiocyanates (ITCs). Our study reports for the first time that the induction of p53, p21 and PARP-1 cleavage may participate in the anti-proliferative activity of ER in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Comparison of data with those obtained with the isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SF), structurally related to ER, underlines the strong relationship between structural analogy of ITCs and their biological activity. The ability of dietary compounds to modulate molecular mechanisms that affect cancer cell proliferation is certainly a key point of the cancer prevention potential by functional foods.

Genotoxicity of imidacloprid in relation to metabolic activation and composition of the commercial product.

Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide combining excellent efficiency against parasites with low toxicity for mammals. Commercially, it is co-formulated with dimethyl sulfoxide, methylpyrrolidone, propylene carbonate and mineral oil, which can modify its bioavailability and toxicological profile for humans following occupational exposure. A combined in vitro approach employing the comet assay and the micronucleus test was used to assess the genotoxicity of imidacloprid in relation to formulation, metabolic activation and exposure level. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes from unexposed healthy volunteers were treated with imidacloprid (0.2, 2 and 20 µM) and with equimolar concentrations of a commercial product, with and without addition of S9 fraction. Imidacloprid significantly increased the comet score and the frequency of micronuclei only at the highest concentration tested. DNA damage was slightly more severe with the commercial product, and was increased, though not significantly, by metabolic activation. Formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) does not seem to be involved as a mechanism of genotoxicity, but this result may be explained by the insufficient sensitivity of the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate assay at the test concentrations of imidacloprid. These results suggest that at concentrations<20 µM imidacloprid is not genotoxic to human lymphocytes in vitro. Nonetheless, the presence of co-formulants in the commercial product and occupational exposure, along with poor safety procedures, may present an increased risk for DNA fragmentation and chromosomal aberrations.

Anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the n-butanol fraction from Pteleopsis suberosa stem bark.

Pteleopsis suberosa Engl. et Diels (Combretaceae) is a tree distributed in many African countries. The decoction from the stem bark is orally administered for the treatment of gastric ulcers in traditional medicine. Previous pharmacological studies reported the anti-ulcer activity of extracts from P. suberosa stem bark. In the present study, the anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory effects of the n-butanol fraction (RBuOH) obtained from a methanol extract of P. suberosa bark were investigated on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats and carrageenan-induced paw oedema in mice. Misoprostol (0.50 mg/kg, p.o.) and indomethacin (8.00 mg/kg, p.o.) were used as positive controls for anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory activities, respectively. Results showed that RBuOH treatment significantly reduced the incidence of gastric lesions (50 mg/kg, P<0.05; 100 and 200 mg/kg, P<0.01) and restored the decreased levels of total sulfhydryl groups (T-SH) and non-protein sulfhydryl groups (NP-SH) (50, 100 mg/kg, P<0.05; 200 mg/kg, P<0.01) in the stomach homogenate. Moreover, RBuOH treatment attenuated MDA levels as index of lipid peroxidation in gastric mucosa. Administration of RBuOH at the same dosage (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) reduced significantly (P<0.01) carrageenan-induced paw oedema in dose-dependent manner (from 42.81% to 87.81% inhibition, 5h after carrageenan injection). The anti-inflammatory effect of RBuOH at 200 mg/kg was comparable with that of indomethacin. Finally, RBuOH proved to possess elevated free radical scavenger capacity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay (IC(50) 23.48 microg/ml) which may contribute to the observed anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory activities.

Evaluation of the antioxidant properties and bioavailability of free and bound phenolic acids from Trichilia emetica Vahl.

Trichilia emetica Vahl. is commonly used in folk medicine of Mali for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, the content and the antioxidant activity of phenolic acids from Trichilia emetica root were evaluated. Free phenolic acids were extracted with a mixture of methanol and 10% acetic acid. Bound phenolic acids were released using first alkaline and then acid hydrolysis. All fractions were quantified separately by HPLC. After alkaline hydrolysis, a remarkable increase in caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, syringic acid, vanillic acid, protocathecuic acid and gallic acid content was observed, showing that most of phenolic acids in the drug are present as bound forms. Moreover, the extracts submitted to alkaline hydrolysis showed high antioxidant properties in two in vitro assays: autooxidation of methyl linoleate (MeLo) and ascorbate/Fe(2+)-mediated lipid peroxidation in rat microsomes. An in vivo study was also performed to investigate the intestinal absorption of phenolic acids after oral administration of Trichilia emetica extracts. Results showed high levels of phenolic acids, free or conjugated to glucuronide, in the plasma of rats treated with the hydrolyzed extract. Due to the absence of chlorogenic acid in plasma samples, the presence of caffeic acid seems to be derived from hydrolysis of chlorogenic acid in the gastrointestinal tract.

[Buschke Scleredema, case report]. / Scleredema di Buschke, contributo casistico.

Buschke Scleredema is a rare connective tissue disorder of unknown aetiology, characterized by thickening of the dermis whose characteristics may mainly to mime systemic sclerosis, eosinophilic fasciitis and cutaneous amyloidosis. Scleredema may be associated with a history of an antecedent febrile illness, diabetes mellitus, or blood dyscrasia. Scleredema can be classified into three clinical groups; each has a different history, course, and prognosis. Each one of these share reduction in chest articular movements and limitation of limbs movements. The skin histology is characterised by thickened dermis and increased spaces between large collagen bundles due to increased deposition of mucopolysaccharide in the dermis. Differential diagnosis can be made considering the typical clinical features and the histologic peculiarity. No therapy has been found effective. The authors describe a case of Buschke Scleredema successfully treated by steroids and colchicine. Clinical evaluation of skin induration and thickness as well as ultrasonography were performed at baseline and after treatment.

Cardiovascular effects of the aqueous extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino.

In the present study, the cardiovascular activity of the aqueous extract of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino leaves was investigated in the anaestetized guinea-pigs and has been compared with two of its isolated gypenosides (III, VIII) and with verapamil, a well-known Ca-antagonistic drug. The results obtained showed that the intravenous administration of the decoction of G. pentaphyllum (2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg) produced a protective effect against pitressin-induced coronaryspasm, arrhythmias and pressor response. Extract also increased the dose of ouabain required to cause ventricular tachyarrhythmias and lethality. Further extract reversed ouabain-induced persistent ventricular tachycardia and restored sinus rhythm in a dose-dependent manner. The results obtained have also shown that gypenosides III and VIII caused similar protective effects in both experimental models used; however, the duration of the action is lower than that of the extract containing corresponding quantities of gypenosides III and VIII.