40 research outputs found
Bone Marrow Infiltration in Neuroblastoma: Characteristics of Infiltrating Cells and Role of the Microenvironment
Intrahipotalamic ghrelin administration decreases sperm concentration and motility in mice
3pGhrelin (Ghr) is a peptide secreted primarily in the stomach and hypothalamus. However, Ghr and its receptors are synthesized also in many tissues of the reproductive tract. In situations of hiperghrelinemia (fasting or undernutrition), the peptide exerts predominantly inhibitory effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular function. Thus, it could be hypothesized that beyond the effects of the peptide on testosterone secretion, Ghr could directly affect other testicular processes such as spermatogenesis. In this study we investigated the effects of intrahypothalamic Ghr administration for 7 days (covering the period of sperm maturation in the epididymis) or 42 days (covering both period spermatogenesis and epididymal maturation) on sperm functional activity. Adult male Albino Swiss mice were implanted intrahipotalámicamente with osmotic pumps (Alzet) model 1007D (0.5 μl/h) or model 2006 (0.15 μl/h-42 days) and infused with different Ghr doses (0.3 or 3.0 nmol/μl) or the vehicle: sterile cerebrospinal fluid (CSF-control) or. Epididymal sperm functional activity was determined at the end of the treatment, evaluating: concentration,
motility, maturation, viability, hypoosmotic shock response and acrosome integrity. The results show that none of the Ghr doses administered for 7 days induced significant changes in sperm functional activity. We did find a decrease in the sperm concentration and motility in animals treated with Ghr 3.0 nmol/μl for 42 days (sperm concentration (x106 /ml): Ghr 17.68 ± 2.98 vs. LCR 26.91 ± 1.52, p ≤ 0.05, sperm motility (%): Ghr 56.25 ± 1.80 vs. LCR 77.67 ± 1.33, p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences were observed in any of the other parameters tested, with any of the Ghr doses or infusion periods evaluated. Our results suggest that hypothalamic Ghr administration can affect sperm quality only when the treatment period includes both spermatogenesis and epididymal maturationhttp://www.revista.fcm.unc.edu.arFil: Poletti, María Belén. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Fisiología Humana; Argentina.Fil: Frautschi, Camila. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Fisiología Humana; Argentina.Fil: Martini, Ana Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Fisiología Humana; Argentina.Fil: Luque, Eugenia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Fisiología Humana; Argentina.Fil: Vincenti, María Laura. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Fisiología Humana; Argentina.Fil: Bianconi, Santiago. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Fisiología Humana; Argentina.Fil: Stutz, Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Fisiología Humana; Argentina.Fil: Carlini, Valeria Paola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Fisiología Humana; Argentina.Fil: Carlini, Valeria Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina.Fil: Fiol de Cuneo, Marta. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Fisiología Humana; Argentina.Fil: Martini, Ana Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina.Fil: Fiol de Cuneo, Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina.Fisiología (incluye Citología
Effects of dietary omega-3 PUFAs on growth and development: Somatic, neurobiological and reproductive functions in a murine model
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) are relevant to fetal and infant growth and development. Objective: to assess whether long-term exposure to dietary ω-3 PUFA imbalance alters pre- and/or postnatal pups' development and reproductive function later in life. Mice dams were fed with ω-3 PUFA Control (soybean oil, 7%), Deficient (sunflower oil, 7%) or Excess (blend oil; 4.2% cod-liver+2.8% soybean) diet before conception and throughout gestation-lactation and later on, their pups received the same diet from weaning to adulthood. Offspring somatic, neurobiological and reproductive parameters were evaluated. Excess pups were lighter during the preweaning period and shorter in length from postnatal day (PND) 7 to 49, compared to Control pups (P<.05). On PND14, the percentage of pups with eye opening in Excess group was lower than those from Control and Deficient groups (P<.05). In Excess female offspring, puberty onset (vaginal opening and first estrus) occurred significantly later and the percentage of parthenogenetic oocytes on PND63 was higher than Control and Deficient ones (P<.05). Deficient pups were shorter in length (males: on PND14, 21, 35 and 49; females: on PND14, 21 and 42) compared with Control pups (P<.05). Deficient offspring exhibited higher percentage of bending spermatozoa compared to Control and Excess offspring (P<.05). These results show that either an excessively high or insufficient ω-3 PUFA consumption prior to conception until adulthood seems inadvisable because of the potential risks of short-term adverse effects on growth and development of the progeny or long-lasting effects on their reproductive maturation and function.Fil: Bianconi, Santiago. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Santillan, Maria Emilia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Solís, María del Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Martini, Ana Carolina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Ponzio, Marina Flavia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Vincenti, Laura María. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Schiöth, Helgi B.. Uppsala University; SueciaFil: Carlini, Valeria Paola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Stutz, Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina; Argentin
An integrated approach to the evaluation of patients with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic hyperCKemia
INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Currently, there are no straightforward guidelines for the clinical and diagnostic management of hyperCKemia, a frequent and nonspecific presentation in muscle diseases. Therefore, we aimed to describe our diagnostic workflow for evaluating patients with this condition. METHODS: We selected 83 asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients with persistent hyperCKemia for participation in this Italian multicenter study. Patients with facial involvement and distal or congenital myopathies were excluded, as were patients with suspected inflammatory myopathies or predominant respiratory or cardiac involvement. All patients underwent a neurological examination and nerve conduction and electromyography studies. The first step of the investigation included a screening for Pompe disease. We then evaluated the patients for myotonic dystrophy type II–related CCTG expansion and excluded patients with copy number variations in the DMD gene. Subsequently, the undiagnosed patients were investigated using a target gene panel that included 20 genes associated with isolated hyperCKemia. RESULTS: Using this approach, we established a definitive diagnosis in one third of the patients. The detection rate was higher in patients with severe hyperCKemia and abnormal electromyographic findings. DISCUSSION: We have described our diagnostic workflow for isolated hyperCKemia, which is based on electrodiagnostic data, biochemical screening, and first‐line genetic investigations, followed by successive targeted sequencing panels. Both clinical signs and electromyographic abnormalities are associated with increased diagnostic yields
Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy
IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical
attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced
colorectal cancers at diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced
oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all
17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December
31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period),
in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was
30 days from surgery.
EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery,
palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer
at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as
cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding,
lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery,
and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes
was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster
variable.
RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years)
underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142
(56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was
significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR],
1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic
lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the
SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients
undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for
these patients
Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study
Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research
Consumo de psicoestimulantes como potenciadores cognitivos por estudantes de medicina da Universidade Nacional de Córdoba
Objetivos: Determinar prevalencia del consumo de psicoestimulantes (PS) como potenciadores cognitivos por estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC). Métodos: Estudio epidemiológico observacional, analítico, prospectivo, de corte transversal con abordaje cuali-cuantitativo. La población estuvo conformada por todos los estudiantes de Medicina de la UNC de 2018. Se elaboró una encuesta anónima de 23 preguntas. Se determinó frecuencia absoluta y porcentual para las variables cualitativas y para las cuantitativas se obtuvo media, moda, mediana y rango. Se empleó el programa InfoStat y se aplicaron las pruebas Chi-cuadrado y t de Student según correspondiera. Resultados: El 99,15% consumió algún PS con predominio de café en el 93,05%, mate 91,02%, té 74,75%, chocolate 70%, gaseosas colas 58,64%, bebidas energizantes 37,97%, tabaco 22,71%, Cafiaspirina® 13%, Arriba!quenotebochen® 9%, hojas de coca 8%. El 8,3% refirió consumo de modafinilo y/o metilfenidato y el 45% de estos percibió que sus resultados académicos mejoraron tras el consumo. El consumo de estos fármacos se asoció con sexo masculino (p=0,0275), mayor edad (p˂0,0001), no practicar ninguna religión (p=0,0004), mayor avance en la carrera (p˂0,0001), mayor dificultad académica (p˂0,0001), atraso en la carrera (p=0,0009), menos de 4 horas de sueño pre-examen (p=0,0002), diagnóstico psicológico o psiquiátrico (p=0,0017), trastorno ansioso (p=0,0068), trastorno depresivo (p=0,0275) y mayor consumo de cafeína (p˂0,0268). No se encontró asociación con trabajo, deporte o convivientes. Conclusiones: El consumo de PS como potenciadores cognitivos es una práctica habitual entre los estudiantes que conformaron la muestraObjectives: To determine prevalence of psychostimulants (PS) consumption for neuroenhancement among medical students of National University of Córdoba (UNC). Methods: Epidemiological observational, analytic, prospective and transversal study, with a quali-quantitative approach. The population included all medical students of FCM-UNC in 2018. An anonimous 23 questions’ survey was designed. Absolute and relative frequency were calculated for qualitative variables; and mead, median, mode and range were obtained for quantitative ones. InfoStat software was used and Chi-square and Student t tests were applied when appropriate. Results: 99,15% consumed a PS, being coffee predominant in 93,05%, mate 91,02%, tea 74,75%, chocolate 70%, soft drinks 58,64%, energy drinks 37,97%, tobacco 22,71%, Cafiaspirina® 13%, Arriba!quenotebochen® 9%, coca leaves 8%. 8,3% referred modafinil and/or methylphenidate consumption and 45% of them perceived an improvement of their academic performance after this. Consuming these drugs was associated to masculine sex (p=0,0275), older age, (p˂0,0001), not professing any religion (p=0,0004), higher courses (p˂0,0001), more academic difficulty (p˂0,0001), delay in the degree (p=0,0009), less than 4 hours of sleep before and exam (p=0,0002), psychological or psychiatric diagnosis (p=0,0017), anxiety disorder (p=0,0068), depressive disorder (p=0,0275) and higher consumption level of caffeine (p˂0,0268). No association was found with working, practicing sports or living with their families. Conclusion: PS consumption to improve academic performance is a usual practice among the students who integrated the sample.Objetivos: Determinar a prevalência do consumo de psicoestimulantes (PS) como potenciadores cognitivos por estudantes de Medicina da Universidade Nacional de Córdoba (UNC). Materiais e métodos: Estudo epidemiológico observacional, analítico, prospectivo e de corte transversal com uma abordagem quali-quantitativa. A população esteve conformada pelos estudantes de Medicina da UNC de 2018. Elaborou-se uma pesquisa anónima de 23 perguntas. Determinou-se a frequência absoluta e porcentual para as variáveis qualitativas e para as quantitativas obteve-se média, moda, mediana e rango. Empregouse o programa InfoStat e os testes aplicados foram Qui-quadrado e t de Student conforme aplicável. Resultados: O 99,15% consumiu algum PS com predomínio do café no 93,05%, mate 91,02%, chá 74,75%, chocolate 70%, refrigerantes carbonados 58,64%, bebidas energéticas 37,97%, tabaco 22,71%, Cafiaspirina® 13%, Arriba!quenotebochen® 9%, folhas de coca 8%. O 8,3% referiu consumo de modafinila e/ou metilfenidato e o 45% deles, percebeu que seus resultados académicos melhoraram após o consumo. O consumo destes fármacos associou-se com o sexo masculino (p=0,0275), maior idade (p˂0,0001), não praticar nenhuma religião (p=0,0004), maior progresso na carreira (p˂0,0001), maior dificuldade académica (p˂0,0001), atraso na carreira (p=0,0009), menos de 4 horas de sonho pre-exame (p=0,0002), diagnóstico psicológico ou psiquiátrico (p=0,0017), transtorno ansioso (p=0,0068), transtorno depressivo (p=0,0275) e maior consumo de cafeína (p˂0,0268). Não foi encontrada associação com o trabalho, esporte ou conviventes. Conclusões: O consumo de PS para melhorar o rendimento académico é uma prática habitual entre os estudantes que integraram a mostra.Fil: Martins, María Florencia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Fisiología Humana y Física Biomédica. Cátedra de Fisiología Humana; Argentina. University of Texas; Estados UnidosFil: Vanoni, Susana del Carmen. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Carlini, Valeria Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Argentin
Ghrelin and memory: Differential effects on acquisition and retrieval
In a previous paper we have demonstrated that the orexigenic peptide Ghrelin (Ghr), increases memory retention in rats and mice. In the present work we evaluated the Ghr effect when it was administered previous the training session or previous the test session (24 h after training) on the memory performance, using step-down test. The results showed that the intra-hippocampal Ghr administration previous the training session improved the long-term memory in this task, but did not modify the short-term memory. Nevertheless, when the Ghr was administrated previous the test session, no changes were observed in the memory performance. Taking into account these results and other previously published by our group, we could hypothesizes that Ghr may modulate specific molecular intermediates involved in memory acquisition/consolidation but not in the retrieval.Fil: Carlini, Valeria Paola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Cs.químicas. Departamento de Farmacología. Cátedra de Fisiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Ghersi, Marisa Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Cs.químicas. Departamento de Farmacología. Cátedra de Fisiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Schiöth, Helgi Birgir. Uppsala Universitet; SueciaFil: de Barioglio, Susana Rubiales. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Cs.químicas. Departamento de Farmacología. Cátedra de Fisiología; Argentin
Central ghrelin increases anxiety in the Open Field test and impairs retention memory in a passive avoidance task in neonatal chicks
Ghrelin (Grh) is an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. Although Ghr stimulates feeding in rats, it inhibits feeding in neonatal chicks. However, little is known about other central behavioral effects of Ghr. Therefore, we investigated the Ghr effects, injected intracerebroventricularly, on anxiety and memory retention of neonatal chicks in an Open Field test and in a one-trial passive avoidance task, respectively. In the Open Field test, the administration of Ghr in a dose-dependent manner increased the latency to ambulate but decreased ambulation activity, indicating an anxiogenic effect. Furthermore, chicks trained on a passive avoidance task and injected with a dose of 30 pmol of Ghr immediately after training showed an impairment of memory retention. However, there were no significant effects on the number of pecks during the pretraining, training, retention and discrimination. In addition, different doses of Ghr produced an inhibition in food intake at different times after injection. Our results indicate that Ghr induces anxiogenesis in chicks. Moreover, we have shown for the first time that Ghr can decrease memory retention in a non-mammalian species, suggesting that Ghr may play an important role in the processes of memory retention in birds.Fil: Caravajal, Pedro. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Carlini, Valeria Paola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Cs.químicas. Departamento de Farmacología. Cátedra de Fisiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Schiöth, Helgi B.. Uppsala University; SueciaFil: Rubiales, Susana Elizabeth. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Cs.químicas. Departamento de Farmacología. Cátedra de Fisiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Salvatierra, Nancy Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentin