Ethane dimethane sulfonate and NNN'N'-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine inhibit steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein expression in MA-10 Leydig cells and rat Sertoli cells

Apoptosis inhibits steroid biosynthesis, but it is not clear how the Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory (StAR) protein, is affected. To characterize StAR expression during apoptosis, mouse MA-10 Leydig tumor cells were treated with ethane dimethane sulfonate (EDS), an inducer of apoptosis, and the metal ion chelator NNN'N'-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN), an inducer of cell death. Both chemicals induced cell death and similarly inhibited dbcAMP-stimulated steroidogenesis and accumulation of the 30 kDa form of StAR. Utilizing the dye JC-1, it was found that TPEN and EDS also impaired the mitochondrial electrochemical potential (delta psi). In Sertoli cells, which also express StAR, EDS induced cell death and attenuated StAR expression. We conclude 1) steroidogenesis and accumulation of mature StAR protein are inhibited as a consequence of the induction of apoptosis; 2) reduced levels of StAR may be partially attributed to inhibition of import because of the loss of delta psi; 3) loss of steroidogenesis is probably due to loss of StAR synthesis and disruption of delta psi.     

Mutual influences in parent and adolescent psychological distress.

Using a cross-lagged effect model with 3 waves of panel data, this study examined mutual influences in parent and adolescent psychological distress reported independently by respondents in each of 4 parent–child dyads: mothers–sons, mothers–daughters, fathers–sons, and fathers–daughters. Results showed that parent and adolescent distress were reciprocally related across time, even after earlier emotional status was statistically controlled. These mutual influences in distress, however, were gender specific, with the strongest cross-lagged associations occurring between mothers and sons and fathers and daughters. Moreover, boys were more susceptible to parental distress during early adolescence, girls during early to mid-adolescence. Incremental fit comparisons for alternative models suggest that a son's distress may have more negative consequences for mothers than the reverse. Finally, mutual influences in psychological distress for fathers and daughters were more pronounced for girls who were experiencing the onset of menarche and for girls who recently experienced a school transition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Micromechanical properties of epiphyseal trabecular bone and primary spongiosa around the physis: an in situ nanoindentation study

The application of amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) 1-40 (10 microM) caused neurodegeneration of hippocampal neuronal cells, as indicated by the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into the culture medium. Treatment with idebenone (10-1000 nM), a potent antioxidant in mitochondria, protected the hippocampal neurons against the Abeta1-40(10 microM)-induced neurotoxicity. To determine the morphological change in neurons during the Abeta1-40-induced cytotoxicity, the cells were immunostained with anti-MAP2 antibodies. After 4-day exposure to 10 microM Abeta1-40, the number of neurons was reduced, and the surviving neurons had an apparently reduced number of neurites which were shorter than those of control neurons. When idebenone was added to the culture medium with Abeta1-40, the number of surviving neurons was significantly increased, and their neurites were as long as seen in control culture. These results suggest that reactive oxygen species mediate neurotoxicity of Abeta1-40, and idebenone protects neurons against the Abeta1-40-induced neurotoxicity.     

Early mortality after surgical repair of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture: importance of rupture location

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing early outcome after surgical treatment of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture. We investigated the influence of proximal or distal rupture location. METHODS: Between 1980 and 1992 109 patients were treated surgically for ventricular septal rupture using a standardized technique. A division in time periods was made. The rupture was categorized according to its anterior or posterior site and proximal or distal location. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate was 27.5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified preoperative shock (p = 0.0007) and right atrial oxygen saturation less than 60% (p = 0.021) as predictors for early death; the risk for early death declined over the time periods from 50% to 12.8% (p = 0.0007). Proximal ventricular septal rupture location (p = 0.0092) and interval between infarction and ventricular septal rupture less then 1 day (p = 0.034) were risk factors for the occurrence of preoperative shock. CONCLUSIONS: Proximal ventricular septal rupture location was the main determinant of preoperative cardiogenic shock, which in turn was the strongest predictor of early mortality. Over the time periods a decrease in early mortality was reached.     

Prevalence of fibromyalgia in children: a clinical study of Mexican children

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of fibromyalgia (FM) in schoolchildren according to the 2 stage classification process proposed by the 1990 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Multicenter Criteria Committee on Fibromyalgia. METHODS: Stage 1: we administered a pain questionnaire to a sample of 548 schoolchildren (264 boys, 284 girls; mean age 11.9 yrs, range 9-15). Stage 2: two rheumatologists examined all children with diffuse pain. Using thumb palpation, they examined 18 fibromyalgia tender points and 3 pairs of controls points followed by dolorimetry. Additionally, a random sample of 79 children with no pain were selected as controls, following the same procedures (thumb palpation and dolorimetry). The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the distribution of tenderness thresholds between FM and non-FM groups. Kappa statistics for multiple raters was used to assess interobserver agreement. RESULTS: Seven children, all girls, fulfilled the ACR diagnostic criteria for FM. Thus, the prevalence of FM in this group of schoolchildren reached only 1.2%. The girls with FM had a mean of 14 tender points, whereas controls (n = 79) had 2.4. Pain thresholds were 3.4 kg in children with FM and 5.1 kg in controls (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of FM in our study was 5-fold lower than a previous report. This variance may be due to (1) racial and sociocultural differences between populations; and (2) differences in methodological approach. The difficulties of making accurate estimates of FM across different studies are highlighted.     

Müllerianosis of the urinary bladder: clinical and immunohistochemical findings

BACKGROUND: Intranasal desmopressin has been used extensively to treat primary nocturnal enuresis. While it has proven to be a safe, effective agent for many who are affected by this condition, the potential for complications exists. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of severe hyponatremia associated with a generalized tonic-clonic seizure in a 10-year-old boy who had been receiving intranasal desmopressin nightly for nocturnal enuresis and to briefly review therapeutic options for nocturnal enuresis; and to present the role of desmopressin. SETTING: Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC. INTERVENTION: Fluid restriction and intravenous isotonic saline solution with 5% dextrose was administered to raise the serum sodium level. OUTCOME: Prevention of further seizures with normalization of serum sodium levels without any obvious neurological sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrates the importance of weighing the benefits and risks of intranasal desmopressin therapy.     

Preventive services in a Medicare managed care environment

The results of a four year demonstration project of preventive services for Medicare managed care enrollees suggest that health promotion programs can impact health behaviors and outcomes. The study provided selected preventive services to 1,800 Medicare enrollees in a managed care environment. Participants were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups with the experimental group receiving an intervention service package and the control group usual care. The results included enhanced health behavior practices, lower depression, and higher immunization rates among those individuals in the experimental group. This study suggests that selected preventive services can be provided in a managed care environment to Medicare enrollees with likely positive health status and utilization outcomes.