Detection of vanadyl-nitrogen interaction in organs of the vanadyl-treated rat: electron spin echo envelope modulation study

AbstractESEEM spectroscopy was applied for the first time to organs of an animal, viz. the kidney and liver of the rat treated with vanadyl sulfate. The aim of this study is to investigate the in vivo coordination structure of vanadyl ions administrated, and to gain information concerning the insulin-mimic activity of vanadium. ESEEM measurements for kidney and liver performed at 77 K have established nitrogen coordination to a certain percentage of vanadyl ion in the organs. The rotios of nitrogen-coordinating vanadyl ion were estimated as 70–80% in the liver, and 50–55% in the kidney. Isotropic portions of the 14N HFC were estimated as |Aiso| ∼ 5.0 MHz for liver, and ∼ 5.2 MHz for kidney, indicating that the coordinating nitrogen is an amino nitrogen. Coordination of the Lys ϵ-amine or the N-terminal α-amine of a protein or (a peptide) to vanadyl ion in vivo is suggested

Blood Pressure-Independent Factors Determine the Susceptibility to Delayed Neuronal Death in the Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

The stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) is vulnerable to delayed neuronal death (DND) in the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus after the transient forebrain ischemia by the occlusion of the bilateral carotid arteries. The present study was designed to show that the genetic factors independent of high blood pressure contributed to the high incidence of DND in SHRSP. Male rats of the four strains, SHRSP/Izm, SHRSP/Ngsk, SHR/Izm and a congenic strain for the blood pressure quantitative trait locus on chromosome 1 [SHRSP.WKY-(D1Wox29-D1Arb21)/Izm]were used in the experiments. At 13 weeks of age, the bilateral carotid arteries of rats were occluded for 10 min under anesthesia with their body temperature kept at 37 degrees C. Seven days after the transient ischemia, the loss of the pyramidal cells in the CA1 was evaluated histologically. In some experiments, the blood flow was monitored with a laser Doppler flowmeter during the transient ischemia. The blood pressure in SHRSP/Izm was significantly greater than that in the other three strains. The incidence of DND, however, was not significantly different among SHRSP/Izm, SHRSP/Ngsk and the congenic strain (82, 74 and 65%, respectively), while SHR/Izm showed a significantly lower incidence (20%). Neither a significant correlation between the incidence of DND and the blood flow reduction during the occlusion, nor a significant inter-strain difference in the blood flow reduction was observed. The genetic factors independent of high blood pressure may contribute to the greater susceptibility to DND in SHRSP

Magnetic resonance imaging and symptoms in patients with neurosarcoidosis and central diabetes insipidus

Introduction: In the clinical setting, the diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis in patients with central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is typically based both on symptoms (i.e. polydipsia or polyuria) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings (e.g. pituitary abnormality). However, inconsistent changes in the patient’s symptoms and brain MRI findings may occur during the clinical course of the disease. This review was performed to summarise the relationship between symptoms and brain MRI findings in previously reported cases of neurosarcoidosis with CDI. Material and methods: Case studies of patients diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis with CDI were collected via a PubMed search of studies published through 30 June 2018. Results: Thirteen eligible studies were reviewed (20 patients; 12 men, 8 women; mean age 33 years). Polydipsia or polyuria was the first symptom in 13 patients. The mean duration from disease onset to diagnosis was 3.4 months. Brain MRIs showed abnormal findings in the hypothalamus and pituitary for 17 patients. Immunosuppressive drugs were used in 17 patients. For 14 patients, MRI findings improved, while symptoms did not. Conclusion: Patients with both neurosarcoidosis and CDI symptoms often do not improve, despite the fact that brain MRI findings often improve following treatment. More studies involving detailed pathological analyses and longer follow-up periods are necessary

Assessing the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report scores to predict continuous employment in mood disorder patients

ObjectiveDepression significantly impacts the job performance and attendance of workers, leading to increased absenteeism. Predicting occupational engagement for individuals with depression is of paramount importance. This study aims to determine the cut-off score which predicts continuous employment for patients with mood disorders using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Self-Report (QIDS-SR).MethodsIn a prospective observational trial conducted in Tokyo, 111 outpatients diagnosed with either major depressive disorder or bipolar depression were enrolled. Their employment statuses of these participants were tracked over a six-month period after their QIDS-SR scores were recorded. Based on their employment trajectories, participants were categorized into either continuous or non-continuous employment groups. Binary logistic regression was applied to examine the relationship between the QIDS-SR scores and employment outcomes, with adjustments for age, gender, and psychiatric diagnoses. Receiver operating characteristic curves were utilized to identify the optimal QIDS-SR cut-off values for predicting continuous employment.FindingsBinary logistic regression demonstrated that a lower score on the QIDS-SR was linked to an elevated likelihood of continuous employment (adjusted odds ratio 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06-1.26, p=0.001). The optimal cut-off point, determined by the Youden Index, was 10/11, showcasing a 63% sensitivity and 71% specificity.ConclusionThe results emphasize the potential of the QIDS-SR as a prognostic instrument for predicting employment outcomes among individuals with depressive disorders. These findings further underscore the importance of managing depressive symptoms to mild or lower intensities to ensure ongoing employment

Clinical Study Clinicopathological Factors Affecting Survival and Recurrence after Initial Hepatectomy in Non-B Non-C Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Comparison to Hepatitis B or C Virus

We evaluated clinicopathological factors affecting survival and recurrence after initial hepatectomy in non-B non-C (NBNC) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with comparison to hepatitis B or C virus, paying attention to relationship between alcohol consumption and histopathological findings. The medical records on the 201HCC patients who underwent initial hepatectomy between January 2000 and April 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. NBNC patients had higher prevalence of hypertension (47.4%), diabetes mellitus (35.5%), alcohol consumption (>20 g/day) (61.8%), and preserved liver function than hepatitis B or C patients. The 5-year survival rate of NBNC patients (74.1%) was significantly better than hepatitis B (49.1%) or C (65.0%) patients (NBNC versus B, = 0.031). Among the NBNC patients, there was no relationship between alcohol consumption and clinicopathological findings including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score (NAS). However, the 5-year OS and RFS rates in the alcoholunrelated NBNC patients tend to be better than in the alcohol-related. By multivariate analysis, independent factors for OS in NBNC patients were Child-Pugh B/C, intrahepatic metastasis (im), and extrahepatic recurrence. NBNC patients, who were highly associated with lifestyle-related disease and preserved liver function, had significantly better prognosis compared to hepatitis B/C patients; however, there was no association between alcohol consumption and histopathological findings