Evaluation of the spatial arrangement of Purkinje cells in ataxic rat’s cerebellum after Sertoli cells transplantation

Background: Purkinje cells (PCs) pathology is important in cerebellar disorders like ataxia. The spatial arrangement of PCs after different treatments has not been studied extensively. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of cerebellum can give a proper tool for explaining the pathophysiology of PCs in ataxia. Here we stereologically analysed the 3-dimensional spatial arrangement of PCs in the cerebellum of rats after ataxia induction with 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP). Materials and methods: Ataxia was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of 3-AP (65 mg/kg). Spatial arrangement of PCs for differences in ataxic rats with (3-AP-SC) or without (3-AP) Sertoli cells (SCs) transplantation was evaluated using second-order stereology. The IHC method by using antibodies to anti-calbindin in the cerebellum was applied. Results: Our results showed that a random arrangement is at larger distances between PCs in 3-AP and 3-Ap-SC groups. Therefore the PCs are not normally arranged after 3-AP and SCs transplantation stored the spatial arrangements of the cells after ataxia induction in rats. IHC analyse shows that number of PCs was significantly improved after the SC transplantation. Conclusions: Segregation of PCs can be observed at some areas in the ataxic rats’ cerebellum. However, the spatial arrangement of PCs was unchanged in SCs transplanted rats. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 2: 194–200

Perspectives of cardiac care unit nursing staff about developing hospice services in Iran for terminally ill cardiovascular patients: A qualitative study

Introduction: The present study was conducted aiming to determine the points of view of cardiac care units' nursing staff about designing and providing Hospice services in Iran for cardiovascular patients in the final stages of life. Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, the perspectives of 16 Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) nurses selected purposefully among hospitals of Tabriz-Iran University of Medical Sciences were investigated using semi-structured interviews and were analyzed in content analysis method. Results: 33 themes were finally extracted. Some nurses were for and some were against designing and providing Hospice services in Iran. The main reasons identified for supporting this plan included: Possibility of designing and providing these services consistent with high ethical values of Iranian society; approval of authorities due to increasing the load of chronic diseases and aged population; need of families due to the problems in taking care of patients and life concerns; better pain relief and respectful death; decrease of costs as a result of lower usage of diagnostic-therapeutic services, less use of expensive facilities and drugs, and better usage of hospital beds. Conclusion: Growing load of chronic diseases has made the need for Hospice as a necessary issue in Iran. In order to provide these services, studying the viewpoints of health service providers is inevitable. Therefore using and applying the results of this study in planning and policy making about designing and providing these services in Iran for cardiovascular patients in their final stages of lives could be helpful. © 2015, Medknow Publications. All rights reserved

Familial adenomatous polyposis: Diagnosis and surveillance strategies: Review article

Familial adenomatous polyposis is characterized by over 100 colorectal adenomas in the colorectum. The disease equally affects both sexes, with an incidence estimated at 1.14025-1.8300. The disease is premature in people with familial adenomatous polyposis. Patients suffering from familial adenomatous polyposis have a range of extra-intestinal diseases such as papillae, gastric, small intestine, and duodenal polyps; cutaneous wounds (lipomas, fibromas, and epidermoid cysts); desmoid tumors; osteomas; nephroderma retinal pigment epithelium, including hepatoblastoma and thyroid cancers; and pancreas, biliary system, and brain cancer. Familial adenomatous polyposis is characterized by >100 polyps in the colon that are often observed on the left side of the colon and rectum. A germline mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli gene that can be clinically and genetically diagnosed is responsible for this disease. Several methods are available for testing the adenomatous polyposis gene. Whole-gene sequencing of all adenomatous polyposis coli exons and exon-intron boundaries with maximum sensitivity for determining adenomatous polyposis coli mutations is not affordable. Another method, the protein shortening assay, correctly identifies 80 of the mutations in families who show familial adenomatous polyposis and is less expensive than complete gene sequencing. The application of a COX-2 inhibitor for chemical prevention is limited in patients showing familial adenomatous polyposis because of cardiovascular toxicity. Aspirin does not negatively impact cardiovascular diseases and is even used as primary pharmacotherapy in patients who demonstrate cardiovascular risk factors. After 55.7 months of the diagnosis in hereditary CRC carriers, the incidence of cancer can be decreased by a dose of 600 mg/day aspirin for 25 months. After diagnosis, patients should undergo prophylactic proctocolectomy or ileoanal pouch. Undiagnosed patients having a family history of FAP must be referred to a genetic counselor and enrolled in optimal genetic and clinical surveillance programs. Recent advancements in endoscopic technology, e.g. high-resolution endoscopy, doubleballoon endoscopy, and capsule endoscopy have enabled the comprehensive study of the gastrointestinal tract. Despite the limited evidence, more studies on these novel endoscopic technologies may modify the surveillance strategies for FAP patients. © 2020 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Inflammation, diet, and type 2 diabetes: a mini-review

Inflammation is a common feature of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Inflammatory cytokines increase in patients with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease. Various types of cells can produce inflammatory cytokines and then release them into the bloodstream, where their complex interactions with target tissues raise a tissue-specific immune response. This review focused on C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α as an inflammatory cytokine, and adiponectin produced by adipose tissues. Despite the major role of cytokines in the development of T2D, further studies are required to investigate the possible effects of the macronutrient composition of diet on these cytokines. © 2020, © 2020 Taylor & Francis

Effect of topical furosemide on intraoperative bleeding during functional endoscopic sinus surgery

Intraoperative bleeding reduction during functional endoscopic sinus surgery is a key factor in preventing surgery complications. That is implemented through prescribing systemic corticostroid before surgery. This study aimed to explore an efficient nasal Furosemide versus systematic corticosteroids to reduce intraoperative bleeding. Study Design: This study was conducted on 40 patients with bilateral nasal polyps who undergone functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups of furosemide and corticosteroids. Methods: The first group was treated with prednisolone for a week before surgery (1 mg/kg daily) and twice-daily spray by saline as placebo. The second group was treated a week before surgery by topical furosemide nasal spray and placebo pill. The surgeons' opinions about the surgery field and intraoperative blood loss were recorded in both groups. Results: Regarding intraoperative bleeding loss, the difference between furosemide group (262.1545.57 cc) and corticosteroid (232.7556.08) was not statistically significant (P value0.077). Time operation in the furosemide group was 112.812.46 minutes and in the corticosteroids was 105.7512.59 minutes that was not significant (P value0.83). No statistically significant difference was found between the median of both groups in terms of the surgery field (P value0.17). Conclusion: According to this results, when there is a restriction for the use of corticosteroids, 1 week before functional endoscopic sinus surgery the use of topical nasal furosemide can be as effective as the use of oral prednisone to reduce intraoperative bleeding. Copyright © 2016 Mutaz B. Habal, MD

Observation of Gravitational Waves from the Coalescence of a 2.5−4.5 M⊙2.5-4.5~M_\odot Compact Object and a Neutron Star

International audienceWe report the observation of a coalescing compact binary with component masses $2.5-4.5~M_\odot$ and $1.2-2.0~M_\odot$ (all measurements quoted at the 90% credible level). The gravitational-wave signal GW230529_181500 was observed during the fourth observing run of the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detector network on 2023 May 29 by the LIGO Livingston Observatory. The primary component of the source has a mass less than $5~M_\odot$ at 99% credibility. We cannot definitively determine from gravitational-wave data alone whether either component of the source is a neutron star or a black hole. However, given existing estimates of the maximum neutron star mass, we find the most probable interpretation of the source to be the coalescence of a neutron star with a black hole that has a mass between the most massive neutron stars and the least massive black holes observed in the Galaxy. We estimate a merger rate density of $55^{+127}_{-47}~\text{Gpc}^{-3}\,\text{yr}^{-1}$ for compact binary coalescences with properties similar to the source of GW230529_181500; assuming that the source is a neutron star-black hole merger, GW230529_181500-like sources constitute about 60% of the total merger rate inferred for neutron star-black hole coalescences. The discovery of this system implies an increase in the expected rate of neutron star-black hole mergers with electromagnetic counterparts and provides further evidence for compact objects existing within the purported lower mass gap

Observation of Gravitational Waves from the Coalescence of a 2.5−4.5 M⊙2.5-4.5~M_\odot Compact Object and a Neutron Star

International audienceWe report the observation of a coalescing compact binary with component masses $2.5-4.5~M_\odot$ and $1.2-2.0~M_\odot$ (all measurements quoted at the 90% credible level). The gravitational-wave signal GW230529_181500 was observed during the fourth observing run of the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA detector network on 2023 May 29 by the LIGO Livingston Observatory. The primary component of the source has a mass less than $5~M_\odot$ at 99% credibility. We cannot definitively determine from gravitational-wave data alone whether either component of the source is a neutron star or a black hole. However, given existing estimates of the maximum neutron star mass, we find the most probable interpretation of the source to be the coalescence of a neutron star with a black hole that has a mass between the most massive neutron stars and the least massive black holes observed in the Galaxy. We estimate a merger rate density of $55^{+127}_{-47}~\text{Gpc}^{-3}\,\text{yr}^{-1}$ for compact binary coalescences with properties similar to the source of GW230529_181500; assuming that the source is a neutron star-black hole merger, GW230529_181500-like sources constitute about 60% of the total merger rate inferred for neutron star-black hole coalescences. The discovery of this system implies an increase in the expected rate of neutron star-black hole mergers with electromagnetic counterparts and provides further evidence for compact objects existing within the purported lower mass gap