Nociceptin (N/OFQ) is involved in neuronal excitability and in certain types of seizures. Kainate-induced seizures are associated with increased N/OFQ release in the rat thalamus and hippocampus, ...causing down-regulation of the N/OFQ receptor (NOP). In this study, we used the neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line as a model to investigate the effects of kainate on NOP receptor density and gene expression. Exposure to kainate (10–50 μM) for 3 h did not affect NOP receptor density. In contrast, a NOP
B
max
down-regulation was detected in cells exposed to 10 μM kainate for both 6 and 24 h. Moreover, our data show that kainate causes a decrease in NOP mRNA levels after 3, 6, and 24 h, an effect blocked by the AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). These findings show that kainate is able to affect the NOP system, both at biosynthesis and receptor density levels in SH-SY5Y cells, and that the kainate ionotropic receptor can contribute to the regulation of the NOP receptor. These data are in agreement with data obtained in vivo and provide new evidence concerning the existence of a cross-talk between NOP and kainate receptors, leading to an interplay between glutamate and N/OFQ circuits.
A low abuse liability is reported for tramadol, an analgesic drug centrally acting through either opioid or nonopioid mechanisms. In this paper, we evaluated the effects of the repeated ...administration (7 d) of different doses of tramadol (10, 20, and 80 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) on the opioid precursor prodynorphin biosynthesis, in comparison with morphine (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), in the rat central nervous system (CNS). Northern analysis showed that morphine and tramadol produced different effects. While morphine caused a downregulation of prodynorphin mRNA levels in all investigated areas (hypothalamus, hippocampus, and striatum), tramadol did not cause any significant change in the striatum, and did not decrease prodynorphin biosynthesis in the hypothalamus and in the hippocampus, at nontoxic doses (10 and 20 mg/kg). The highest dose of tramadol (80 mg/kg) decreased prodynorphin mRNA levels in the hypothalamus and the hippocampus but not in the striatum. These data give some information on tramadol effects at molecular level in the CNS. They indicate that the alterations of prodynorphin gene expression caused by tramadol and morphine show a different pattern that may be related to the different abuse potential of the two analgesic drugs.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND
Previous case series have demonstrated safety and efficacy of middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization as both adjuvant and stand-alone treatment of chronic subdural hematoma ...(cSDH). The safety and efficacy of stand-alone MMA embolization for treatment of giant (>150 ml) cSDH in specifically elderly, frail patients is not well studied.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stand-alone MMA embolization for treatment of giant cSDH in elderly, frail patients in whom traditional surgical intervention was deemed high risk.
METHODS
We reviewed the records of consecutive patients referred for MMA embolization and identified patients ≥ 75 yr with modified Frailty Index (mFI) ≥ 2 who underwent stand-alone MMA embolization for cSDH treatment with at least one follow-up imaging study.
RESULTS
A total of 42 patients were referred for MMA embolization with 5 patients meeting inclusion age and frailty criteria. The average age was 82.2 ± 6.8 yr. The median mFI was 3.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 2-4). Four patients were either on aspirin or thrombocytopenic. The average initial cSDH volume was 187.8 ± 31 ml with average initial midline shift of 8.0 ± 2.1 mm. The average length of stay was 4 ± 1.1 d. The average cSDH volume decrease on follow-up imaging was 68.5% ± 11.9%. Follow-up average midline shift decreased by 70% to 2.4 ± 1.4 mm. There were no peri-procedural or in-hospital complications.
CONCLUSION
In frail, elderly patients with giant cSDH, stand-alone MMA embolization was effective in reducing cSDH volume and improving presenting symptoms without complications.
Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract
The detailed synthesis of (2R,3R)-3-benzylglycidol by the Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation route is described. The enantiomeric purity determination of this compound is complicated by the presence of ...small quantities of the diastereometric (2R,3S)-3-benzylglycidol from the asymmetric epoxidation of the cis-allylic alcohol, and the unreacted allylic alcohols that are not removed in the product isolation steps. We have developed a direct chiral HPLC method that can resolve all these components for the precise determination of enantiomeric excesses of chiral 3-benzylglycidols.
De novo transcriptome sequencing of a non-model polychaete species Cannarsa, E; G. ZampicininiauthorDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Universit di Torino, Turin, Italy; O. FriardauthorDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, Universit di Torino, Turin, Italy ...
2015
Journal Article
