Ghrelin and PYY(3-36) in gastrectomized and vagotomized patients: relations with appetite, energy intake and resting energy expenditure

Background/Objectives: Reduced food intake, appetite loss and alteration of ghrelin and PYY(3-36) secretion have been suggested to have a function in the loss of body weight commonly observed after gastrectomy. The objective of this study was to investigate the circulating concentrations of ghrelin and PYY(3-36) and their relationships with food intake, appetite and resting energy expenditure (REE) after gastrectomy plus vagotomy. Subjects/Methods: Seven patients with total gastrectomy (TG), 14 with partial gastrectomy (PG) and 10 healthy controls were studied. Habitual food intake and REE was assessed; fasting and postprandial plasma total ghrelin, PYY(3-36) concentrations and appetite ratings were determined after ingestion of a liquid test meal. Results: Differently from PG and controls, fasting ghrelin correlated with REE, and a higher energy intake was observed in the TG group. Fasting plasma ghrelin concentrations were lower in TG compared with controls, and no ghrelin response to the meal was observed in either PG or TG. Fasting plasma PYY(3-36) concentrations were not different among the groups. There was an early and exaggerated postprandial rise in PYY(3-36) levels in both PG and TG groups, but not in controls. No effect of ghrelin or PYY(3-36) concentrations was observed on hunger, prospective consumption or fullness ratings. Conclusions: Total ghrelin and PYY(3-36) do not seem to be involved with appetite or energy intake regulation after gastrectomy plus vagotomy. Ghrelin secreted by sources other than stomach is likely to have a function in the long-term regulation of body weight after TG. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, 845-852; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.88; published online 19 May 2010

Treatment with a p38 MAPK inhibitor attenuates cisplatin nephrotoxicity starting after the beginning of renal damage

Aims: Cisplatin (CP) promotes increased production of reactive oxygen species, which can activate p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38 MAPKs) leading to apoptosis and increased expression of proinflammatory mediators that intensify the cytotoxic effects of CP. We investigated the effect of the treatment with S13203580, a p38 MAPKs inhibitor, on oxidative stress, on the oxidation-associated signal, p38 MAPK and on apoptosis in U-injected rats, starting after the beginning of the renal damage. Main methods: Rats (n = 21) were injected with CP (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and 3 and 4 days after some of them (n = 8) were treated with SB203580 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.). Controls (n = 6) received saline (i.p.). Two or five days after saline or CP injections, plasma creatinine, urinary volume, sodium and potassium fractional excretions, blood urea nitrogen and urinary lipid peroxidation were measured. The kidneys were removed for histological, apoptosis, immunohistochemical and Western blot studies. Key findings: CP caused abnormalities in kidney functions and structure associated with raised urinary peroxidation levels and higher number of apoptotic cells in the outer medulla. The immunostaining studies showed increased numbers of macrophages/monocytes and p-p38 MAPKs positive cells in the renal outer medulla. The increase of p-p38 MAPKs expression was confirmed by Western blot analysis. All of these alterations were attenuated by treatment with S13203580. Significance: These data suggest that the beneficial effect of SB203580 on CP-induced renal damage might be related, in part, to the blockade of p38 MAPK activation with reduction of the inflammatory process, oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Morphology and morphometry of the vagus nerve in male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats

The vagus nerve is an important component of the efferent arm of the baroreflex. Blood pressure levels as well as baroreflex control of circulation are significantly different in male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). We proposed to investigate the morphometric differences between genders using the vagus nerve of SHR. Adult animals (20 weeks old) were anesthetized and had their arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) recorded by a computerized system. The rats were then systemically perfused with a fixative solution and had their cervical vagi nerves prepared for light microscopy. Proximal and distal segments of the left and right vagi nerves were evaluated for morphometric parameters including fascicle area and diameter, myelinated fiber number, density, area and diameter. Comparisons were made between sides and segments on the same gender as well as between genders. Differences were considered significant when p<0.05. Male SHR had significantly higher AP and HR. Morphometric data showed no differences between the same levels of both sides and between segments on the same side for male and female rats. In addition, no significant morphometric differences were observed when genders were compared. This is the first description of vagus nerve morphometry in SHR indicating that gender differences in AP and HR cannot be attributed to dissimilarities in vagal innervation of the heart. These data provide a morphological basis for further studies involving functional investigations of the efferent arm of the baroreflex in hypertension. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

COEXISTENCE OF TWO CHRONIC NEUROPATHIES IN A YOUNG CHILD: CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH DISEASE TYPE 1A AND CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY DEMYELINATING POLYNEUROPATHY

We report an 18-month-old Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) patient who developed a rapid-onset neuropathy, with proximal and distal weakness, and non-uniform nerve conduction studies. The neuropathy responded well to immunomodulation, confirming the coexistence of an inherited and an inflammatory neuropathy. Unexpected clinical and/ or electrophysiological manifestations in CMT1A patients should alert clinicians to concomitant inflammatory neuropathy. In addition, this association raises reflections about disease mechanism in CMT1A. Muscle Nerve 42: 598-600, 2010

Dorsal root ganglionectomy for the diagnosis of sensory neuropathies. Surgical technique and results

Background: Inflammatory diseases stand out among sensory neuronopathies because, in their active phase, they can be treated with immunosuppressive agents. Immunosuppressive therapy may present severe adverse effects and requires previous inflammatory activity confirmation. Sensory neuronopathies are diagnosed based on clinical and EMG findings. Diagnostic confirmation and identification of inflammatory activity are based on sensory ganglion histopathological examination. We describe the surgical technique used for dorsal root ganglionectomy in patients with clinical/EMG diagnosis of sensory neuronopathies. Methods: The sensory ganglion was obtained from 15 patients through a small T7-T8 hemilaminectomy and foraminotomy to expose the C7 root from its origin to the spinal nerve bifurcation. In 6 patients, the dural cuff supposed to contain the ganglion was resected en bloc; and in 9 patients, the ganglion was obtained through a longitudinal incision of the dural cuff and microsurgical dissection from the ventral and dorsal roots and radicular arteries. All ganglia were histopathologically examined. Results: No ganglion was found in the dural cuff in 2 patients submitted to en bloc removal, and the ganglion was removed in all patients who underwent microsurgical dissection. All but 2 patients that had ganglion examination presented a neuronopathy of nerve cell loss, 3 with mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate. These patients underwent immunosuppressive therapy, and 2 of them presented clinical improvement. No surgical complications were observed. Conclusions: Microsurgical dorsal root ganglionectomy for diagnosing inflammatory sensory ganglionopathies was effective and safe. Although safe, en bloc resection of the proximal dural cuff was not effective for this purpose. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Intraluminal Esophageal Pressures in Speaking Laryngectomees

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate intraluminal esophageal pressure during voice and speech emission in speaking laryngectomees with a tracheoesophageal prosthesis. Methods: In our prospective analysis in a tertiary-care academic hospital, 25 laryngectomees were divided into 2 groups: 11 speaking individuals with a tracheoesophageal prosthesis and a control group of 14 nonspeaking laryngectomees. All patients were subjected to manometry during voice and speech emission tests. We determined the pressures achieved in the distal, middle, and proximal parts of the esophagus. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that the amplitude of pressure in the distal esophagus during sound emission was higher in speaking laryngectomees; in the middle esophagus, intraluminal pressure during emission of the sentence was higher in speaking subjects, and in the proximal esophagus there was no difference between the groups. Conclusions: During the manometric evaluation of the distal and middle esophagus in the presence of voice and speech emission, the intraluminal pressure revealed a significant difference for the speaking laryngectomees with a tracheoesophageal prosthesis. The proximal esophagus behaved similarly in the groups of speakers and nonspeakers. Speaking laryngectomees with a tracheoesophageal prosthesis depend on a differentiated performance of the middle and distal parts of the esophagus.

Birth weight and bone mass in young adults from Brazil

Background: Birth weight is positively associated with adult bone mass. However, it is not clear if its effect is already evident in early adulthood. Objective: To investigate the association between birth weight, adult body size, the interaction between them and bone mass in young adults. Methods: Bone densitometry by DXA was performed on 496 individuals (240 men) aged 23-24 years from the 1978/79 Ribeirao Preto (southern Brazil) birth cohort, who were born and still residing in the city in 2002. Birth weight and length as well as adult weight and height were directly measured and converted to z-scores. The influence of birth weight and length, and adult weight and height on bone area (BA), bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, proximal femur and femoral neck were investigated through simple and multiple linear regression models. Adjustments were made for sex, skin color, gestational age, physical activity level, smoking status and dietary consumption of protein, calcium and alcohol. Interaction terms between birth weight and adult weight, and birth length and adult height were tested. Results: Men in the highest fertile of birth weight distribution had greater BA and BMC at all three bone sites when compared with their counterparts in the lowest tertiles (p<0.008). For BMD, this trend was observed only in the lumbar spine. Adult weight and height were positively associated with BA and BMC at all three bone sites (p<0.05). For BMD, these associations were seen for adult weight, but for adult height an association was observed only in the lumbar spine. Birth weight retained positive associations with proximal femur BA and BMC after adjustments for current weight and height. No interaction was observed between variables measuring prenatal growth and adult body size. Conclusion: Birth weight and postnatal growth are independent determinants of adult bone mass in a sample of Brazilian adults. This effect is already evident in early adulthood. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The ACB technique: a biomagentic tool for monitoring gastrointestinal contraction directly from smooth muscle in dogs

The aim of this paper was to verify whether AC biosusceptometry (ACB) is suitable for monitoring gastrointestinal (GI) contraction directly from smooth muscle in dogs, comparing with electrical recordings simultaneously. All experiments were performed in dogs with magnetic markers implanted under the serosa of the right colon and distal stomach, and their movements were recorded by ACB. Monopolar electrodes were implanted close to the magnetic markers and their electric potentials were recorded by electromyography (EMG). The effects of neostigmine, hyoscine butylbromide and meal on gastric and colonic parameters were studied. The ACB signal from the distal stomach was very similar to EMG; in the colonic recordings, however, within the same low-frequency band, ACB and EMG signals were characterized by simultaneity or a widely changeable frequency profile with time. ACB recordings were capable of demonstrating the changes in gastric and colonic motility determined by pharmacological interventions as well as by feeding. Our results reinforce the importance of evaluating the mechanical and electrical components of motility and show a temporal association between them. ACB and EMG arecomplementary for studying motility, with special emphasis on the colon. ACB offers an accurate method for monitoring in vivo GI motility.

Ultrastructural Morphology and Morphometry of Phrenic Nerve in Rats

Despite numerous literature reports on the morphometry of the myelinated fibers of phrenic nerves in rats, a systematic study of the longitudinal and lateral symmetry of the unmyelinated fibers morphometry is not available. In this study, we have undertaken ultrastructural and morphometric studies of the phrenic nerve in adult rats, assessing two different levels (proximal and distal) from both right and left sides. Phrenic nerves of adult male Wistar rats were prepared for epoxy resin embedding and transmission electron microscopy. Morphometric analysis was performed with the aid of computer software, which took into consideration the unmyelinated fiber number, density, area, and diameter, as well as ratio between myelinated and unmyelinated fibers, and the percentage of the fascicular area occupied by the myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. Comparison of data from proximal and distal segments on the same side and from the same levels between sides was performed. Differences were considered significant when P < 0.05. The most important finding is that morphometric parameters of the phrenic nerve unmyelinated fibers in adult rats are both longitudinally and laterally symmetric. This study adds important morphometric information about the unmyelinated fibers of the phrenic nerves in adult rats for proximal and distal levels on both sides of the animal. Anat Rec, 292:513-517, 2009. (C) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Functional and bioinformatics analyses reveal conservation of Cis-regulatory elements between sciaridae and Drosophilidae

The sciarid DNA puff C4 BhC4-1 gene is amplified and transcribed in salivary glands at the end of the larval stage. In transgenic Drosophila, the BhC4-1 promoter drives transcription in prepupal salivary glands and in the ring gland of late embryos. A bioinformatics analysis has identified 162 sequences similar to distinct regions of the BhC4-1 proximal promoter, which are predominantly located either in 5` or 3` regions or introns in the Drosophila melanogaster genome. A significant number of the identified sequences are found in the regulatory regions of Drosophila genes that are expressed in the salivary gland. Functional assays in Drosophila reveal that the BhC4-1 proximal promoter contains both a 129 bp (-186/-58) salivary gland enhancer and a 67 bp (-253/-187) ring gland enhancer that drive tissue specific patterns of developmentally regulated gene expression, irrespective of their orientation.

Short-Term Effects of Duodenocecostomy on Body Weight, Glucose Absorption, Serum Components, and Intestinal Histopathology in Four Normal Horses

The objective of this study was to evaluate duodenocecostomy in horses performed through a ventral midline laparotomy and report its influence oil body weight, glucose absorption, serum components, and characteristics of jejunum, cecum, and large colon histology. Four horses were submitted to the duodenocecostomy technique through a ventral midline laparotomy with animals in dorsal recumbency under inhalation anesthesia, followed by abdominal exploration. A side-to-side anastomosis was performed between the duodenojejunal flexure and the base of the cecum with two simple continuous suture lines of the serosal and muscular layers. The size of the opening created was approximately 2 cm in diameter. The mucosa layer was not Sutured. After 30 days, animals were submitted to a second laparotomy to check the patency of the duodenocaecal fistula. During both laparotomy procedures, excisional biopsies of different segments of the gastrointestinal tract were performed. Information on physical examination findings, results of hematologic and histopathologic evaluations, and oral glucose absorption test were recorded. The horses did not have significant weight loss from baseline, and absorption curve of glucose did not significantly vary from baseline. Only triglycerides had significant alterations. Histologic evaluation of jejunum, cecum, and large colon did not show alterations of intestinal structure and morphology. We concluded that the proposed technique, principally in relation to the fistula size and not suturing the mucosa layer, allowed partial or total Occlusion of the fistulae without the necessity of a second surgery and avoided the permanent bypass of ingesta and weight loss.

Periodontal disease in adults with untreated congenital growth hormone deficiency: a case-control study

P>Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the possible associations between isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) and periodontal attachment loss (PAL) in adults affected by congenital IGHD. Materials and methods Forty-five previously identified IGHD subjects were eligible for this study. The final study sample comprised 32 cases (gender:20M/12F; age:44.8 +/- 17.5) matched for age, gender, diabetes, smoking status and income to 32 controls (non-IGHD subjects). Participants were submitted to a full-mouth clinical examination of six sites per tooth and were interviewed using a structured, written questionnaire. Periodontitis was defined as proximal PAL >= 5 mm affecting >= 30% of teeth. Results No significant differences were observed in the percentage of sites with visible plaque between IGHD and non-IGHD subjects (59.4% versus 46.9%, p=0.32). IGHD subjects had significant less supragingival calculus (31.3% versus 59.4%, p=0.02) and more bleeding on probing (71.9% versus 18.8%, p < 0.01) than controls. PAL >= 5 mm was significantly more prevalent (100% versus 71.9%, p < 0.01) and affected more teeth (30.5% versus 6.7%, p < 0.01) in cases than in controls. After adjusting for supragingival calculus, IGHD cases had a higher likelihood of having periodontitis than controls (OR=17.4-17.8, 95% CI=2.3-134.9, p=0.004-0.005). Conclusion Congenital IGHD subjects have a greater chance of having PAL.

Accuracy of direct digital radiography for detecting occlusal caries in primary teeth compared with conventional radiography and visual inspection: an in vitro study

Objectives: The diagnosis of caries lesions is still a matter of concern in dentistry. The diagnosis of dental caries by digital radiography has a number of advantages over conventional radiography; however, this method has not been explored fully in the field of paediatric dentistry. This in vitro research evaluated the accuracy of direct digital radiography compared with visual inspection and conventional radiography in the diagnosis of occlusal caries lesions in primary molars. Methods: 50 molars were selected and evaluated under standardized conditions by 2 previously calibrated examiners according to 3 diagnostic methods (visual inspection, conventional radiography and direct digital radiography). Direct digital radiographs were obtained with the Dixi3 system (Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland) and the conventional radiographs with InSight film (Kodak Eastman Co., Rochester, NY). The images were scored and a reference standard was obtained histologically. The interexaminer reliability was calculated using Cohen`s kappa test and the specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of the methods were calculated. Results: Examiner reliability was good. For lesions limited to the enamel, visual inspection showed significantly higher sensitivity and accuracy than both radiographic methods, but no significant difference was found in specificity. For teeth with dentinal caries, no significant differences were found for any parameter when comparing visual and radiographic evaluation. Conclusions: Although less accurate than the visual method for detecting caries lesions confined to the enamel, the direct digital radiographic method is as effective as conventional radiographic examination and visual inspection of primary teeth with occlusal caries when the dentine is involved. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2010) 39, 362-367. doi: 10.1259/dmfr/22865872

Durability of enamel bonding using two-step self-etch systems on ground and unground enamel

This study examined the early and long-term microtensile bond strengths (mu TBS) and interfacial enamel gap formation (IGW) of two-step selfetch systems to unground and ground enamel. Resin composite (Filtek Z250) buildups were bonded to proximal enamel surfaces (unground, bur-cut or SiC-treated enamel) of third molars after the application of four self-etch adhesives: a mild (Clearfil SE Bond [SE]), two moderate (Optibond Solo Plus Self-Etch Primer [SO] and AdheSE [AD]) and a strong adhesive (Tyrian Self Priming Etchant + One Step Plus [TY]) and two etch-and-rinse adhesive systems (Single Bond [SB] and Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus [SBMP]). Ten tooth halves were assigned for each adhesive. After storage in water (24 hours/37 degrees C), the bonded specimens were sectioned into beams (0.9 mm(2)) and subjected to mu TBS (0.5 mm/minute) or interfacial gap width measurement (stereomicroscope at 400x) either immediately (IM) or after 12 months (12M) of water storage. The data were analyzed by three-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey`s test (alpha=0.05). No gap formation was observed in any experimental condition. The mu TBS in the Si-C paper and diamond bur groups were similar and greater than the unground group only for the moderate self-etch systems (SO and AD). No reductions in bond strength values were observed after 12 months of water storage, regardless of the adhesive evaluated.

Morphological Study of Myoneural Interaction between the Levator Labii Superioris Muscle and its Motor Nerve in Rats

The progress of science in search of new techniques of the nerve regeneration and the functional repair in reinnervated muscle has been the target of many researchers around the world. Consequently, nerves and muscles in different body segments asked for more enlightenment of their morphology, their interrelation with other anatomic structures and their peculiarities. One of the most significant areas that need deeper studies is the region of the head and neck, since they are often affected by important pathologies. In order to offer the researcher`s community a morphological myoneural interaction model, this study elected the levator labii superioris muscle and its motor nerve, the buccal branch of the facial nerve (VII pair) not only for its special characteristics, but also its value on the facial expression. The rat was chosen for this investigation for being easy to obtain, to keep, to manipulate and to compare this experiment with many others studies previously published. The techniques used were Mesoscopic (dissection), histoenzymologic and morphometric ones. In the results the muscle proved to have a predominance of fast twich fibers (FG and FOG) and superficial location, with a proximal bone and a distal cutaneous insertion. Its motor nerve, the buccal branch of the facial nerve (VII pair), breaks through the muscle belly into its deep face, and comprised a heterogeneous group of myelinic nerve fibers disposed in a regular form in all fascicle. Near the motor point, the nerve showed to be composed of two fascicles with different sizes. Due to the small nerve dimensions, the nerve fibers have a smaller diameter if compared to the motor nerve of pectineus muscle of the cat. Further studies with neural tracers have already had a start in order to provide more information about the distribution and the architecture of these fibers.