Membrane-bound progesterone receptors in the canine uterus and placenta; possible targets in the maintenance of pregnancy

To date, the biological functions of P4 within the canine placenta have been attributed to maternal stroma-derived decidual cells as the only placental cells expressing the nuclear P4 receptor (PGR). However, P4 can also exert its effects via membrane-bound receptors. To test the hypothesis that membrane-bound P4 receptors are involved in regulating placental function in the dog, the expression of mPRα, -β, -γ, PGRMC1 and -2 was investigated in the uterine and placental compartments derived from different stages of pregnancy and from prepartum luteolysis. Further, to assess the PGR signaling-mediated effects upon membrane P4 receptors in canine decidual cells, in vitro decidualized dog uterine stromal (DUS) cells were treated with type II antigestagens (aglepristone or mifepristone). The expression of all membrane P4 receptors was detectable in reproductive tissues and in DUS cells. The main findings indicate their distinguishable placental spatio-temporal distribution; PGRMC2 was predominantly found in decidual cells, PGRMC1 was strong in maternal endothelial compartments, and syncytiotrophoblast showed abundant levels of mPRα and mPRβ. In vitro decidualization was associated with increased expression of PGRMC1 and -2, while their protein levels were diminished by antigestagen treatment. The involvement of membrane-bound P4 signaling in the regulation of canine placental function is implied, with P4 effects being directly exerted through maternal and fetal cellular compartments. The indirect effects of PGR might involve the modulation of membrane-bound receptors availability in decidual cells, implying a self-regulatory loop of P4 in regulating the availability of its own receptors in the canine placenta

High carriage rate of high-level penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in a Taiwan kindergarten associated with a case of pneumococcal meningitis

BACKGROUND: The Taiwan(19F)-14 Streptococcus pneumoniae clone and its variants are being found with increasing frequency in the Asia-Pacific region. A 5-year old child with S. pneumoniae meningitis caused by a high-level penicillin resistant strain (MIC = 4 μg/ml) was admitted to a hospital in southern Taiwan. We carried out a study to determine the potential source of this strain. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal cultures were obtained from all children attending the same kindergarten as the index case. To determine their relatedness all isolates were compared by serotype, antimicrobial susceptibility profile and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). RESULTS: A high proportion of the children including the index case (32/78, 41.0%) carried S. pneumoniae in their nasopharynx (NP). The most common serotype was 19F (13/32, 40.6%). The PFGE types of the 19F serotype isolates obtained from the patient's blood, CSF and NP were identical and were related to 11 other serotype 19F NP isolates including 10 that were indistinguishable from the Taiwan(19F)-14 clone. All 14 isolates had similar high-level penicillin and multi-drug resistance. The serotypes of the other 19 NP isolates included 6A (2), 6B (10), 23F (5), 9V (1) and 3 (1). The overall rate of penicillin resistance in these S. pneumoniae from these children was 87.5% (28/32), with an MIC(50 )of 2 and MIC(90 )of 4 ug/ml. In addition, multi-drug resistant-isolates (isolates resistant to 3 different classes of antimicrobials) accounted for 87.5% (28/32) of all isolates. CONCLUSION: The high carriage rate of high-level penicillin- and multi-drug- resistant S. pneumoniae in a kindergarten associated with a case of pneumococcal meningitis emphasizes the need for restraint in antibiotic use and consideration of childhood immunization with conjugate pneumococcal vaccine to prevent the further spread of resistant S. pneumoniae in Taiwan

A randomised controlled trial linking mental health inpatients to community smoking cessation supports: A study protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mental health inpatients smoke at higher rates than the general population and are disproportionately affected by tobacco dependence. Despite the advent of smoke free policies within mental health hospitals, limited systems are in place to support a cessation attempt post hospitalisation, and international evidence suggests that most smokers return to pre-admission smoking levels following discharge. This protocol describes a randomised controlled trial that will test the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of linking inpatient smoking care with ongoing community cessation support for smokers with a mental illness.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This study will be conducted as a randomised controlled trial. 200 smokers with an acute mental illness will be recruited from a large inpatient mental health facility. Participants will complete a baseline survey and will be randomised to either a multimodal smoking cessation intervention or provided with hospital smoking care only. Randomisation will be stratified by diagnosis (psychotic, non-psychotic). Intervention participants will be provided with a brief motivational interview in the inpatient setting and options of ongoing smoking cessation support post discharge: nicotine replacement therapy (NRT); referral to Quitline; smoking cessation groups; and fortnightly telephone support. Outcome data, including cigarettes smoked per day, quit attempts, and self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence (validated by exhaled carbon monoxide), will be collected via blind interview at one week, two months, four months and six months post discharge. Process information will also be collected, including the use of cessation supports and cost of the intervention.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This study will provide comprehensive data on the potential of an integrated, multimodal smoking cessation intervention for persons with an acute mental illness, linking inpatient with community cessation support.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ANZTCN: <a href="http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12609000465257.aspx">ACTRN12609000465257</a></p

Beyond equilibrium climate sensitivity

ISSN:1752-0908ISSN:1752-089

Kastrationsnebenwirkungen Harninkontinenz und Welpenfell bei der Hündin

Harninkontinenz (HI) als Folge eines nicht ausreichenden Verschlussmechanismus der Harnröhre (urethrale Sphinkterinkompetenz (USMI)) oder einer gestörten Speicherfunktion der Blase ist eine gefürchtete Nebenwirkung der Kastration bei Hündinnen. Das Risiko für HI wird von Faktoren wie Rassezugehörigkeit, Körpergewicht und Zeitpunkt der Kastration beeinflusst. Typisch ist der Harnverlust im Liegen, der im Mittel 2.8 Jahre nach Kastration erstmals auftritt. Die Diagnose wird mittels Ausschlussverfahren gestellt, wobei insbesondere eine gezielte Anamnese sehr hilfreich ist. Ziel der Therapie ist es, den Verschlussdruck der Harnröhre und/oder die Blasencompliance zu erhöhen. In der Regel ist eine medikamentelle Therapie erfolgreich, so dass eine chirurgische Intervention nicht notwendig ist. Neben der HI werden als unerwünschte Folge der Kastration bei bestimmten Hunderassen auch Fellveränderungen beobachtet. Die pathophysiologischen Mechanismen, welche durch die Kastration ausgelöst werden und zur Abnahme des Harnröhrenverschlussdrucks, zu einer veränderten Speicherfunktion der Harnblase sowie zu Fellveränderungen führen, sind bis heute nicht vollständig geklärt. Neben der alten Hypothese einer Östrogendefizienz könnte die nach Kastration veränderte Sekretion der übergeordneten Sexualhormone, FSH, LH und GnRH eine Rolle spielen. Zur Therapie der kastrationsbedingten Harninkontinenz und der Fellveränderungen nach Kastration wird ergänzend zu den a-Adrenergika, Flavoxat und Estriol bzw. Estriol der Einsatz einer Depotformulierung eines kurzwirksamen GnRHAnalogons beschrieben. Schlüsselwörter: Kastration, Hündin, Harninkontinenz, Welpenfell, Gonadotropin

Gesundheitliche Vor- und Nachteile der Kastration von Hündinnen und Rüden

Die Kastration von Hündinnen und Rüden wird nach wie vor kontrovers diskutiert, da mit dem Eingriff sowohl Vor- als auch Nachteile verbunden sind. Diese variieren mit dem Alter zum Zeitpunkt der Kastration, mit der Rasse und dem Geschlecht. Eine Kastrationsberatung sollte daher stets Häufigkeit und Folgen der Vor- und Nachteile für das Individuum abwägen