RESUMO
The pyrimidine nucleosides uridine (URI) and cytidine (CYT), alone or associated with n-acetyl-glutamine (NAG), were injected acutely or subchronically to aged (26 months old) male rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain. Learning and memory abilities of the animals were studied with tests of avoidance behavior. The acquisition of active avoidance behavior was studied with the shuttle-box test. A step-through type of passive avoidance task was used to examine the retention of passive avoidance responses. The acquisition of the active avoidance behavior and the retention of the passive avoidance response were reduced in aged animals as compared with those of young animals. Neither the acute treatment of old rats with URI and CYT alone nor that associated with NAG exerted any effect on the behavioral tests. In contrast, the subchronic treatment with URI and CYT was followed by a facilitation of acquisition of active avoidance behavior in the shuttle box and of retention of passive avoidance responses in the dark box. A more potent effect on the acquisition of the shuttle-box behavior and on the retention of passive avoidance reaction was found in animals treated subchronically with the pyrimidine nucleosides associated with NAG. These effects may be related to the role of pyrimidines in the synthesis of ribonucleic acid, which is indispensable for learning and memory processes.
Assuntos
Envelhecimento/fisiologia , Citidina/farmacologia , Glutamina/análogos & derivados , Transtornos da Memória/tratamento farmacológico , Uridina/farmacologia , Animais , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Glutamina/farmacologia , Masculino , Ratos , Ratos EndogâmicosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: In the diagnosis and follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients, a major clinical objective is to differentiate whether the cause of enlarged neck lymph nodes is either tumorous or inflammatory. High-frequency (7.5-10 MHz) ultrasound examination proved to be highly informative in this regard. An oval shape of the examined lymph node (longitudinal/anteroposterior diameter ratio, L/A > 1.5) and a central echogenic hilus indicate a benign lymphadenopathy. Roundness (L/A < or = 1.5), absence of the central echogenic hilus and a parenchymatous echogenicity are considered as signs of malignancy. METHODS: A series of 131 lymph nodes in DTC patients were examined at ultrasound and, on the basis of round shape (L/A < or = 1.5) in association with either one or both the other features (absence of central echogenic hilus, homogenous internal echo), 94 lymph nodes were classified a "malignant" and 37 "benign". The ultrasonographic diagnosis was evaluated with either cytologic or histologic diagnosis in all "malignant" nodes and in 7/30 "benign" nodes. In the other 30 "benign" nodes volume shrinkage or lymph node disappearance was observed during follow-up period. RESULTS: According to the results obtained, the ultrasound features utilized provided a good diagnostic accuracy (87%) with only 5 false positive case. CONCLUSIONS: High-frequency sonography, therefore, must be considered a useful and accurate method for evaluating suspected lymphadenopathy in DTC patients.
Assuntos
Doenças Linfáticas/diagnóstico por imagem , Pescoço/diagnóstico por imagem , Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide/complicações , Seguimentos , Humanos , Linfonodos/diagnóstico por imagem , Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide/diagnóstico por imagem , UltrassonografiaRESUMO
"Autonomous" thyroid nodule is a localized nodular lesion of the thyroid gland characterized by growth, iodine uptake and function, all independent from TSH control. These nodules represent a heterogeneous anatomic and clinical entity. The clinical diagnosis is based upon a negative suppression of nodule iodine uptake and scan imaging by T3 administration. The nodule function is determined by high serum thyroid hormone levels and/or low TSH (measured by ultrasensitive assay). Etiology and pathogenesis of these nodules is not yet completely clarified. Both genetic and environmental factors determine nodule growth and function: thyroid cells, in fact, are genetically heterogeneous and may have intrinsic (congenital) characteristics that may promote the growth of cellular clones having mitotic and functional activity that is partially independent of TSH. In these particular cell clones, environmental factors like iodine deficiency or other goitrogens may favour the growth of autonomous nodules and also, by activating their function, may induce toxicity. The autonomous thyroid nodules need to be treated only when they become toxic: in this case both surgical excision or radioiodine may be used.
Assuntos
Nódulo da Glândula Tireoide/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Iodo/deficiência , Radioisótopos do Iodo/farmacocinética , Cintilografia , Nódulo da Glândula Tireoide/diagnóstico por imagem , Nódulo da Glândula Tireoide/etiologia , Nódulo da Glândula Tireoide/terapia , Tireotropina/fisiologia , Tri-Iodotironina/farmacologiaRESUMO
The makers have examined 455 fingerprint cards of accidents at biologic risk needed in a sanitary structure from the month of november 1995 to the month of december 1998. After they have described the protocol of the sanitary supervision applied, the procedure of the accidents, the qualifications, and the departments mainly interested by the subject of study event, they have pointed out the need of a greater vaccinable covering against the virus B, parvying attention to the "non responders" subjects, thinking also it's necessary bigger resources for the personnel, training and information.
Assuntos
Pessoal de Saúde , Transmissão de Doença Infecciosa do Paciente para o Profissional/estatística & dados numéricos , Doenças Profissionais/epidemiologia , Área Programática de Saúde , Humanos , Itália , Fatores de Risco , Saúde da População UrbanaRESUMO
Right and left paracardial dissection represents an obligatory step in gastrectomy for gastric cancer of the lower half of the stomach because a second-level lymphadenectomy is part of the radical surgery for malignancy at this site. Whereas right and left paracardial dissection is easily accomplished during total gastrectomy, there is doubt as to whether subtotal gastrectomy achieves the same radical clearance of these groups of lymph nodes. This study therefore compared the number of lymph nodes dissected and the frequency of metastases in these compartments in 14 patients undergoing total gastrectomy and 22 submitted to subtotal gastrectomy. The mean number of lymph nodes dissected in the right paracardial compartment was 7.1 per patient undergoing total gastrectomy and 6.7 per patient in subtotal gastrectomy (P = 0.7). The mean numbers of left paracardial lymph nodes dissected in total and subtotal gastrectomy were 3.4 and 4.1 per patient respectively (P = 0.3). These data show that the same degree of radical clearance can be achieved in these nodal compartments, irrespective of the extent of gastric resection.
Assuntos
Gastrectomia/métodos , Excisão de Linfonodo/métodos , Neoplasias Gástricas/cirurgia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Cárdia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
A cervical accumulation of radioiodine at Total Body Scan (TBS) in a patient who had been thyroidectomized for a follicular thyroid carcinoma led to unnecessary radioiodine treatment. Thyroglobulin measurements indicated constantly low levels. Following ultrasound scanning of the neck, echo-doppler examination of the cervical vessels and angiography with 99Tc, this area of increased activity at TBS imaging was shown to be due to an ectasia of the right common carotidis causing blood stasis and reverse flow.
Assuntos
Adenocarcinoma/diagnóstico por imagem , Artéria Carótida Primitiva/fisiopatologia , Radioisótopos do Iodo , Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide/diagnóstico por imagem , Adenocarcinoma/fisiopatologia , Adenocarcinoma/cirurgia , Artéria Carótida Primitiva/diagnóstico por imagem , Reações Falso-Positivas , Feminino , Humanos , Radioisótopos do Iodo/uso terapêutico , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Cintilografia , Tecnécio , Tireoglobulina/sangue , Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide/fisiopatologia , Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide/cirurgia , UltrassonografiaRESUMO
Male rats forced to swim in a cylinder adopted an immobile posture. Immobility was reduced by acetylcarnitine (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) and by antidepressant drugs, such as desipramine and iproniazid, injected 24, 5, and, again, 1 h prior to behavioral testing. Acetylcarnitine also potentiated the anti-immobility effect of antidepressant drugs in the despair test. Chronic (10 days) treatment with acetylcarnitine mimicked the effect found after acute administration. It is possible that the action of the acetylcarnitine on the despair test is indicative of an antidepressant activity of this drug that is dependent on a change in the sensitivity of monoamine receptors in the brain.
Assuntos
Acetilcarnitina/farmacologia , Nível de Alerta/efeitos dos fármacos , Reação de Fuga/efeitos dos fármacos , Motivação , Atividade Motora/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Desipramina/farmacologia , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Iproniazida/farmacologia , Masculino , Ratos , Ratos Endogâmicos , NataçãoRESUMO
Dihydroergocristine (DEC, CAS 17479-19-5) is a dihydrogenated ergot alkaloid with a potent dopaminergic activity that has been proved both in vitro and in vivo. Apart from its effect on the secretion of pituitary hormones, the following actions have been evidenced. It induces stereotyped behaviour and changes in the sleep-waking cycle, and reduces hypoxia-induced cerebral metabolic changes and emesis. The effect of DHEC on behaviour patterns has been studied in aged male rats in comparison with young animals. The acquisition of the active avoidance response in the shuttle-box test and the retention of the passive avoidance response in a step-through passive avoidance task were facilitated in aged rats by an acute treatment with DHEC. The effect on the acquisition and extinction of the pole-jumping performance after a single injection of DHEC at the beginning of the acquisition session was restricted to the first acquisition trial. A more potent effect on the acquisition of the shuttle-box response and on the retention of passive avoidance reaction was found in animals treated subchronically with DHEC. The latter animals also showed a facilitation of acquisition and an inhibition of extinction of the pole-jumping performance. In other experiments, the repeated administration of DHEC was followed by a decrease in the excessive grooming in aged rats, which is considered a sign of the lack of adaptability of these animals. A facilitation of the compensatory mechanisms in experimental models of vertigo has also been found in animals treated with DHEC.