18 research outputs found
cAMP/PKA Regulates Osteogenesis, Adipogenesis and Ratio of RANKL/OPG mRNA Expression in Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Suppressing Leptin
BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a pluripotent cell type that can differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts and other cells. The reciprocal relationship between adipogenesis and osteogenesis was previously demonstrated; however, the mechanisms remain largely unknown. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We report that activation of PKA by 3-isobutyl-1 methyl xanthine (IBMX) and forskolin enhances adipogenesis, the gene expression of PPARgamma2 and LPL, and downregulates the gene expression of Runx2 and osteopontin, markers of osteogenesis. PKA activation also decreases the ratio of Receptor Activator of the NF-kappaB Ligand to Osteoprotegerin (RANKL/OPG) gene expression - the key factors of osteoclastogenesis. All these effects are mediated by the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway by suppressing leptin, and may contribute to PKA stimulators-induced in vivo bone loss in developing zebrafish. CONCLUSIONS: Using MSCs, the center of a newly proposed bone metabolic unit, we identified cAMP/PKA signaling, one of the many signaling pathways that regulate bone homeostasis via controlling cyto-differentiation of MSCs and altering RANKL/OPG gene expression
Neurological examination in the healthy term newborn Exame neurológico do recém-nascido de termo normal
We carried out a cross-sectional study with a sample of 106 normal full-term newborns examined within 24 to 72 hours of birth. The following findings were evaluated: head and chest measurements, muscle strength, tone, tendon reflexes, superficial reflexes, primitive reflexes, and cranial nerves. All 106 newborns were considered neurologically normal. We found no differences in the neurological examination findings for newborns with different gestational ages. Primitive reflexes and appendicular tone in newborns examined at earlier postnatal ages tended to be less intense. We were able to determine the prevalence of certain neurological examination findings for the normal newborn and to discuss some differences between our results and those of other studies. Prevalence estimations for the different findings in our study may be valid for different populations as long as the same methodology is adopted.<br>Com o objetivo de revisar o exame neurolĂłgico do recĂ©m-nascido na atualidade, foi realizado um estudo transversal com uma amostra aleatĂłria de 106 recĂ©m-nascidos de termo normais com 24 a 72 horas de vida, perĂodo em que o recĂ©m-nascido permanece na maternidade. Os seguintes itens foram incluĂdos no exame neurolĂłgico: medidas do crânio e tĂłrax, trofismo, força, tono, reflexos miotáticos fásicos, reflexos superficiais, reflexos primitivos, sensibilidade e nervos cranianos. A freqĂĽĂŞncia dos itens examinados foi estimada atravĂ©s do intervalo de confiança de 95%. Todos os 106 recĂ©m-nascidos foram considerados neurologicamente normais. NĂŁo encontramos diferenças no exame entre as crianças nascidas de parto vaginal e cesariana, bem como nas diferentes idades gestacionais. Os reflexos primitivos e o tono apendicular foram menos intensos nos recĂ©m-nascidos examinados com menor tempo de vida. Os nossos resultados indicam a necessidade de revisar dados do exame neurolĂłgico estabelecidos por pesquisas realizadas no passado e o exame do recĂ©m-nascido em uso atualmente. As estimativas encontradas no presente estudo podem ser válidas para diferentes populações, desde que a mesma metodologia seja usada
Computed tomography scan of the head in patients with migraine or tension-type headache Tomografia computadorizada do crânio em pacientes com migrânea ou cefaléia tensional
A retrospective study was performed in order to evaluate the frequency of abnormalities found by computed tomography (CT) scan of the head in 78 patients with migraine or tension-type headache. In the present study CT scan was normal in 61.5% of the patients with migraine or tension-type headache. A number of abnormalities were encountered in more than one third of the patients studied, including inflammatory sinus disease (19.2%), cysticercosis (3.9%), unruptuted cerebral aneurysm (2.6%), basilar impression (2.6%), intracranial lipoma (2.6%), arachnoid cyst (2.6%), empty sella (2.6%), intracranial neoplasm (2.6%), and others (2.6%). None of these lesions were symptomatic or responsible by the headache picture, therefore, considered incidental findings. In conclusion, the fortuitous encounter of some abnormalities on CT scan of the head is often higher than what we could predict in patients suffering migraine or tension-type headache. We briefly discuss clinical, epidemiologic, and practical management of some of the abnormalities detected by CT scan as well as the indication to request a neuroimaging investigation.<br>Um estudo retrospectivo foi realizado visando avaliar a frequĂŞncia de anormalidades encontradas durante a realização de estudo por tomografia computadorizada (TC) em 78 pacientes com migrânea ou cefalĂ©ia do tipo tensional. A TC foi normal em 61,5% dos pacientes examinados. Em um terço dos pacientes estudados foram detectadas anormalidades, como doença inflamatĂłria dos seios paranasais (19,2%), cisticercose (3,9%), aneurisma cerebral nĂŁo-roto (2,6%), impressĂŁo basilar (2,6%), lipoma intracraniano (2,6%), cisto aracnoideo (2,6%), sela vazia (2,6%), neoplasia intracraniana (2,6%) e outras afecções (2,6%). Nenhuma destas lesões era sintomática (achado incidental). Concluindo, o encontro fortuito de algumas anormalidades na TC Ă© frequentemente mais elevado do que se prediz em pacientes com cefalĂ©ia primária. NĂłs discutimos brevemente alguns aspectos clĂnicos, epidemiolĂłgicos e da conduta terapĂŞutica-cirĂşrgica sobre algumas das anomalias diagnosticadas pela TC. TambĂ©m levantamos, ou questionamos, aspectos Ă©ticos que determinam o limite entre o direito do paciente e o direito do mĂ©dico em afirmar que um indivĂduo com dor de cabeça nĂŁo Ă© portador de lesĂŁo intracraniana, baseado na histĂłria clĂnica e no exame fĂsico do paciente