Skull Base Cephalometric Changes in Cranial Expansion by Springs

Background: The use of springs in cranial expansion has demonstrated to be effective for craniosynostosis treatment. The spring-exerted expansile action has been observed when springs are placed both in the sagittal and parasagittal regions, mainly in scaphocephaly. In this study, a variation in cephalometric measurements under expansible spring action on the skull base was analyzed. Methods: Thirteen 4-week-old New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 4 groups: group 1, in which only amalgam markers were used (control); group 2, in which amalgam markers were used, and a sagittal suturectomy was performed; group 3, in which amalgam markers were used, and a sagittal suturectomy was performed with placement of expansible springs in the interparietal region; and group 4, in which markers were used, and a linear parasagittal craniectomy was performed with spring placement. All animals were killed at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. Radiologic control with cephalometric study was performed. Results: Distraction of amalgam markers in the groups with springs was greater than in those without springs. A proportional change in the angles measured through craniometry was observed in these groups. Conclusions: The experimental rabbit model was shown to be adequate to the analysis proposed by the study. Under the action of springs, the groups with sagittal and parasagittal osteotomy were found to present a similar distraction of amalgam markers. A concomitant change in cephalometric measurements occurred, suggesting a change in the skull base mediated by expansible springs placed both in the sutural and nonsutural sites.

Synchronization of estrus and ovulation and associated endocrine changes in Bos indicus cows

The effects of 4 estrus synchronization treatments on intervals to and synchrony of estrus and ovulation, on timing of the preovulatory LH surge and associated changes in plasma progesterone, LH, FSH, and 17 beta-estradiol (E(2)) were investigated in 48 Bos indicus cows. Treatment 1 consisted of 2 injections of PGF(2 alpha) 14 d apart (n = 12); Treatment 2 of a subcutaneous 3-mg norgestomet implant and an intramuscular injection of 3 mg of norgestomet and 5 mg estradiol valerate, with the implant removed 10 d later (n = 12; norgestomet-estradiol); Treatment 3 of norgestomet-estradiol, with a subcutaneous injection of PMSG given at time of implant removal (Day 10; n = 12); and Treatment 4 of norgestomet implant (as for Treatments 2 and 3) inserted for 10 d, with an intramuscular injection of PGF(2 alpha) given at the time of implant removal (n = 12). The experiment was conducted in 2 replicates (24 cows/replicate, 6 cows/group). Estrus, ovulation and timing of the preovulatory surge of LH varied less in cows treated with norgestomet-estradiol and PMSG than in cows in Treatments 1 and 4 (P < 0.008). Treatment with PMSG;educed variation in ovulation times and timing of the LH surge in cows treated with norgestomet-estradiol (P < 0.02). Concentrations of E(2) were higher in cows in Treatments 2 and 3 on the final day of treatment and at about 6 h post ovulation compared with cows in Treatments 1 and 4 (P < 0.05). Different methods for synchronizing estrus did not alter sequential endocrine and behavioral changes in relation to the timing of the LH peak, and the results were consistent with current recommendations for insemination times in Bos taurus cattle. (C) 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc.

Age-related gray matter volume changes in the brain during non-elderly adulthood

Previous magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies described consistent age-related gray matter (GM) reductions in the fronto-parietal neocortex, insula and cerebellum in elderly subjects, but not as frequently in limbic/paralimbic structures. However, it is unclear whether such features are already present during earlier stages of adulthood, and if age-related GM changes may follow non-linear patterns at such age range. This voxel-based morphometry study investigated the relationship between GM volumes and age specifically during non-elderly life (18-50 years) in 89 healthy individuals (48 males and 41 females). Voxelwise analyses showed significant (p < 0.05, corrected) negative correlations in the right prefrontal cortex and left cerebellum, and positive correlations (indicating lack of GM loss) in the medial temporal region, cingulate gyrus, insula and temporal neocortex. Analyses using ROI masks showed that age-related dorsolateral prefrontal volume decrements followed non-linear patterns, and were less prominent in females compared to males at this age range. These findings further support for the notion of a heterogeneous and asynchronous pattern of age-related brain morphometric changes, with region-specific non-linear features. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reciprocal changes in gene expression profiles of cocultured breast epithelial cells and primary fibroblasts

The importance of epithelial-stroma interaction in normal breast development and tumor progression has been recognized. To identify genes that were regulated by these reciprocal interactions, we cocultured a nonmalignant (MCF10A) and a breast cancer derived (MDA-MB231) basal cell lines, with fibroblasts isolated from breast benign-disease adjacent tissues (NAF) or with carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAF), in a transwell system. Gene expression profiles of each coculture pair were compared with the correspondent monocultures, using a customized microarray. Contrariwise to large alterations in epithelial cells genomic profiles, fibroblasts were less affected. In MDA-MB231 highly represented genes downregulated by CAF derived factors coded for proteins important for the specificity of vectorial transport between ER and golgi, possibly affecting cell polarity whereas the response of MCF10A comprised an induction of genes coding for stress responsive proteins, representing a prosurvival effect. While NAF downregulated genes encoding proteins associated to glycolipid and fatty acid biosynthesis in MDA-MB231, potentially affecting membrane biogenesis, in MCF10A, genes critical for growth control and adhesion were altered. NAFs responded to coculture with MDA-MB231 by a decrease in the expression of genes induced by TGF beta 1 and associated to motility. However, there was little change in NAFs gene expression profile influenced by MCF10A. CAFs responded to the presence of both epithelial cells inducing genes implicated in cell proliferation. Our data indicate that interactions between breast fibroblasts and basal epithelial cells resulted in alterations in the genomic profiles of both cell types which may help to clarify some aspects of this heterotypic signaling. (C) 2009 UICC

Early motor and electrophysiological changes in transgenic mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and gender differences on clinical outcome

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive degenerative disorder affecting motoneurons and the SOD1(G93A) transgenic mice are widely employed to study disease physiopathology and therapeutic strategies. Despite the cellular and biochemical evidences of an early motor system dysfunction, the conventional behavioral tests do not detect early motor impairments in SOD1 mouse model. We evaluated early changes in motor behavior of ALS mice by doing the analyses of tail elevation, footprint, automatic recording of motor activities by means of an infrared motion sensor activity system and electrophysiological measurements in male and female wild-type (WT) and SOD1(G93A) mice from postnatal day (P) 20 up to endpoint. The classical evaluations of mortality, weight loss, tremor, rotometer, hanging wire and inclined plane were also employed. There was a late onset (after P90) of the impairments of classical parameters and the outcome varied between genders of ALS mice, being tremor, cumulative survival, weight loss and neurological score about 10 days earlier in male than female ALS mice and also about 20 days earlier in ALS males regarding rotarod and hanging wire performances. While diminution of hindpaw base was 10 days earlier in ALS males (P110) compared to females, the steep length decreased 40 days earlier in ALS females (P60) than ALS males. The automatic analysis of motor impairments showed substantial late changes (after P90) of motility and locomotion in the ALS females, but not in the ALS males. It was surprising that the scores of tail elevation were already decreased in ALS males and females by P40, reaching the minimal values at the endpoint. The electrophysiological analyses showed early changes of measures in the ALS mouse sciatic nerve, i.e., decreased values of amplitude (P40) and nerve conduction velocity (P20), and also an increased latency (P20) reaching maximal level of impairments at the late disease phase. The early changes were not accompanied by reductions of neuronal protein markers of neurofilament 200 and ChAT in the ventral part of the lumbar spinal cord of P20 and P60 ALS mice by means of Western blot technique, despite remarkable decreases of those protein levels in P120 ALS mice. In conclusion, early changes of motor behavior and electrophysiological parameters in ALS mouse model must be taken into attention in the analyses of disease mechanisms and therapeutic effects. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Changes in Amniotic Fluid Index after Maternal Oral Hydration in Pregnancies with Fetal Gastroschisis: Initial Observations

Objective: To evaluate the effect of maternal oral hydration on amniotic fluid index (AFI) in pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis. Methods: AFI was evaluated at 24-hour intervals, during 4 consecutive days, under a continuous maternal oral water hydration regimen, in singleton pregnancies with isolated fetal gastroschisis. Results: Nine pregnancies were examined at a mean gestational age of 31.6 weeks (+/-1.4) and mean maternal daily oral water intake was 3,437 (+/-810) ml. Mean AFI on days 0-3 were 13.2 (+/-2.9), 14.8 (+/-3.3), 14.5 (+/-3.1) and 14.8 (+/-2.6), respectively. AFI on day 0 was significantly lower compared to all the other 3 days (p = 0.01 and 0.02). Significant correlation was found in relative difference in AFI between day 0 and day 1 and gestational age (r = -0.67, p = 0.05) and the amount of water intake in the previous 24 h (r = 0.76, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Maternal oral water hydration significantly increases AFI in pregnancies with isolated fetal gastroschisis. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

State-dependent microstructural white matter changes in bipolar I depression

Abnormalities in fronto-limbic-striatal white matter (WM) have been reported in bipolar disorder (BD), but results have been inconsistent across studies. Furthermore, there have been no detailed investigations as to whether acute mood states contribute to microstructural changes in WM tracts. In order to compare fiber density and structural integrity within WM tracts between BD depression and remission, whole-brain fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were assessed in 37 bipolar I disorder (BD-I) patients (16 depressed and 21 remitted), and 26 healthy individuals with diffusion tensor imaging. Significantly decreased FA and increased MD in bilateral prefronto-limbic-striatal white matter and right inferior fronto-occipital, superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculi were shown in all BD-I patients versus controls, as well as in depressed BD-I patients compared to both controls and remitted BD-I patients. Depressed BD-I patients also exhibited increased FA in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Remitted BD-I patients did not differ from controls in FA or MD. These findings suggest that BD-I depression may be associated with acute microstructural WM changes.

Collagen V and vascular injury promote lung architectural changes in systemic sclerosis

Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem disorder characterized by inflammation, fibrosis and vascular damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interactions between basement membrane disruption, endothelial injury and collagen V deposition on the vascular wall, as well as their association with pulmonary function tests in patients with SSc. Method: The endothelial apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL and electron microscopy, and quantified through the point-counting technique. To evaluate basement membrane integrity, laminin immunostaining and electron microscopy were used. Immunofluorescence and morphometric analysis were used to determine the amount of collagen V in the vascular walls in 23 open lung biopsies of patients with SSc without pulmonary hypertension. Normal lung tissue was obtained from five individuals who had died of traumatic injuries. Results: The apoptosis index in SSc was higher in the endothelial cells (13.83 +/- 6.83) when compared with the control (2.51 +/- 2.06) group (P < 0.001) and confirmed by electron microscopy. We observed an important disruption of the basement membrane on the vascular wall shown by discontinuous laminin immunostaining and electron microscopy. An increase in collagen V on the vascular wall of the SSc group was observed (45.28 +/- 13.21), when compared with control group (22.90 +/- 4.13, P < 0.001), and this difference was statistically significant. An inverse correlation was found between vital capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, vascular collagen V and endothelial apoptosis (P < 0.05). Conclusions: We conclude that the endothelial apoptosis and vascular collagen V interaction reinforce the vascular pathway in the SSc pathogenesis. Further studies are needed to determine whether this relationship is causal or consequential. Please cite this paper as: Parra ER, Aguiar AC Jr, Teodoro WR, de Souza R, Yoshinari NH and Capelozzi VL. Collagen V and vascular injury promote lung architectural changes in systemic sclerosis. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; 3: 135-142.

Oral tolerance attenuates changes in in vitro lung tissue mechanics and extracellular matrix remodeling induced by chronic allergic inflammation in guinea pigs

Oral tolerance attenuates changes in in vitro lung tissue mechanics and extracellular matrix remodeling induced by chronic allergic inflammation in guinea pigs. J Appl Physiol 104: 1778-1785, 2008. First published April 3, 2008; doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00830.2007.-Recent studies emphasize the presence of alveolar tissue inflammation in asthma. Immunotherapy has been considered a possible therapeutic strategy for asthma, and its effect on lung tissue had not been previously investigated. Measurements of lung tissue resistance and elastance were obtained before and after both ovalbumin and acetylcholine challenges. Using morphometry, we assessed eosinophil and smooth muscle cell density, as well as collagen and elastic fiber content, in lung tissue from guinea pigs with chronic pulmonary allergic inflammation. Animals received seven inhalations of ovalbumin (1-5 mg/ml; OVA group) or saline (SAL group) during 4 wk. Oral tolerance (OT) was induced by offering ad libitum ovalbumin 2% in sterile drinking water starting with the 1st inhalation (OT1 group) or after the 4th (OT2 group). The ovalbumin-exposed animals presented an increase in baseline and in postchallenge resistance and elastance related to baseline, eosinophil density, and collagen and elastic fiber content in lung tissue compared with controls. Baseline and post-ovalbumin and acetylcholine elastance and resistance, eosinophil density, and collagen and elastic fiber content were attenuated in OT1 and OT2 groups compared with the OVA group. Our results show that inducing oral tolerance attenuates lung tissue mechanics, as well as eosinophilic inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling induced by chronic inflammation.

Changes in plasma free fatty acid levels in septic patients are associated with cardiac damage and reduction in heart rate variability

Free fatty acids (FFAs) have been shown to produce alteration of heart rate variability (HRV) in healthy and diabetic individuals. Changes in HRV have been described in septic patients and in those with hyperglycemia and elevated plasma FFA levels. We studied if sepsis-induced heart damage and HRV alteration are associated with plasma FFA levels in patients. Thirty-one patients with sepsis were included. The patients were divided into two groups: survivors(n = 12) and nonsurvivors (n = 19). The following associations were investigated: (a) troponin I elevation and HRV reduction and (b) clinical evolution and HRV index, plasma troponin, and plasma FFA levels. Initial measurements of C-reactive protein and gravity Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation scores were similar in both groups. Overall, an increase in plasma troponin level was related to increased mortality risk. From the first day of study, the nonsurvivor group presented a reduced left ventricular stroke work systolic index and a reduced low frequency (LF) that is one of HRV indexes. The correlation coefficient for LF values and troponin was r(2) = 0.75 (P < 0.05). All patients presented elevated plasma FFA levels on the first day of the study (5.11 +/- 0.53 mg/mL), and this elevation was even greater in the nonsurvivor group compared with the survivors (6.88 +/- 0.13 vs. 3.85 +/- 0.48 mg/mL, respectively; P < 0.05). Cardiac damage was confirmed by measurement of plasma troponin I and histological analysis. Heart dysfunction was determined by left ventricular stroke work systolic index and HRV index in nonsurvivor patients. A relationship was found between plasma FFA levels, LFnu index, troponin levels, and histological changes. Plasma FFA levels emerged as possible cause of heart damage in sepsis.

Chronic nasal instillation of residual-oil fly ash (ROFA) induces brain lipid peroxidation and behavioral changes in rats

Several epidemiological studies have linked particulate matter exposure to numerous adverse health effects on the respiratory, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems (Braga et al., 1999; Zanobetti et al., 2000; Anderson et al., 2001; Farhat et al., 2005). More recently, ambient levels of black carbon were associated to impaired cognitive function in children (Suglia et al., 2008), suggesting that the central nervous system (CNS) may be a target of air pollutants. The present study was conducted to (a) determine whether chronic residual oil fly ash (ROFA) exposure promotes behavioral changes and lipid peroxidation in rat brain areas, and (b) determine whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a general antioxidant, prevents these effects. Forty-five-day-old male Wistar rats were exposed or not to ROFA by intranasal instillation and were treated or not with NAC (150 mg/kg) ip for 30 days. One day later, rats were submitted to the open field test to evaluate the motor/exploratory activities and emotionality followed by decapitation. Striatum and cerebellum were dissected to determine lipid peroxidation by the accumulation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). ROFA instillation induced an increase in lipid peroxidation level in striatum (p = .033) and cerebellum (p = .030), as compared with the control group. NAC treatment blocked these changes. ROFA promoted a decrease in the frequency of peripheral walking (p = .006) and a decrease in exploration (p = .001), which were not blocked by N-acetylcysteine. The present study provides evidence that toxic particles, administered by the respiratory route, induce oxidative stress in structures of the central nervous system, as well as behavioral alterations. The administration of NAC reduces lipid peroxidation at the striatum and cerebellum levels, but does not influence behavioral disturbances.

Low temperature induced changes in activity and protein levels of the enzymes associated to conversion of starch to sucrose in banana fruit

Storage at low temperature is the most frequently used method to extend the shelf life of banana fruit, and is fundamental for extended storage and transport over long distances. However, storage and transport conditions must be carefully controlled because of the high susceptibility of many commercial cultivars to chilling injury. The physiological behavior of bananas at low temperatures has been studied to identify possible mechanisms of resistance to chilling injury. The aim of this work was to evaluate differences in the starch-to-sucrose metabolism of a less tolerant and susceptible (Musa acuminata, AAA cv. Nanicao) and a more tolerant (M. acuminata x Musa balbusiana, AAB, cv. Prata) banana cultivar to chilling injury. Fruits of these cultivars were stored in chambers at 13 degrees C for 15 d, at which point they were transferred to 19 degrees C, where they were left until complete ripening. The low temperature induced significant changes in the metabolism of starch and sucrose in comparison to fruit ripened only at 19 degrees C. The sucrose accumulation was slightly higher in cv. Prata, and different patterns of starch degradation, sucrose synthesis, activity and protein levels of the alpha-and beta-amylases, starch phosphorylase, sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase were detected between the cultivars. Our results suggest that starch-to-sucrose metabolism is likely part of the mechanism for cold acclimation in banana fruit, and the cultivar-dependent differences contribute to their ability to tolerate cold temperatures. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rapid antidepressant changes with sleep deprivation in major depressive disorder are associated with changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): A pilot study

While conventional antidepressants benefit many patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), as much as eight to 12 weeks can elapse before significant improvements in depressive symptoms are seen. Treatments that act more rapidly in MDD are urgently needed. Sleep deprivation (SD) has been shown to produce a rapid antidepressant response within one day in 50-60% of patients with MDD; thus, identifying its antidepressant mechanism may contribute to the development of antidepressants that act more rapidly. The present study evaluated the effects of 39 h of SD on mood, as well as on plasma levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with MDD. After a drug-free period of at least two weeks, 11 patients (6 males, 5 females; ages 25-62) who met DSM-IV criteria for MDD underwent total SD. Plasma samples for BDNF and VEGF assays were collected on Days 1 (baseline) and 2. The six-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-6) was the primary outcome measure. HAMD-6 scores decreased significantly after SD (Day 2). SD was negatively correlated with change in HAMD-6 score and change in VEGF levels, indicating that as depression scores decreased following SD, VEGF plasma levels increased. In contrast, SD did not alter plasma BDNF concentrations, nor was an association found between BDNF levels and clinical improvement on the HAMD-6. These results suggest that SD is associated with mood-related changes in plasma VEGF levels, but not plasma BDNF levels. Further studies using larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these preliminary findings. Published by Elsevier Inc.