To observe the effect of changes in the pineal sympathetic innervation on the crypt cell proliferation rate in the rat small intestine, and compare these with the effect of pinealectomy to determine ...the role of the sympathetic innervation in the effect of pinealectomy.
The effect of bilateral ablation of the superior cervical ganglion, and that of pinealectomy on the crypt cell proliferation rate in the rat small intestine was determined, using a stathmokinetic technique.
Pinealectomy was associated with a considerably increased crypt cell proliferation rate, whereas superior cervical ganglionectomy was associated with a slightly decreased rate.
It appears likely that changes in pineal melatonin production cannot be correlated directly with the effects of pinealectomy on the crypts, although melatonin production was not measured in this case. The role of loss of the non-adrenergic innervation of the pineal in the effect of pinealectomy needs to be examined. There is also other experimental evidence that melatonin-free extracts of the pineal, containing as yet unidentified substances, can influence mitotic activity in some tissues, so the possible role of these substances in the effects of pinealectomy should also be considered. Furthermore, the superior cervical ganglion itself has an extra-pineal role. Changes in pineal sympathetic innervation are not significant in the hyperproliferative effects of pinealectomy on the intestinal crypts.
The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a signal transduction pathway that is activated by the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In Saccharomyces cerevisiae the ER ...transmembrane receptor, Ire1p, transmits the signal to the nucleus culminating in the transcriptional activation of genes encoding an adaptive response. Yeast Ire1p requires both protein kinase and site-specific endoribonuclease (RNase) activities to signal the UPR. In mammalian cells, two homologs, Ire1 alpha and Ire1 beta, are implicated in signaling the UPR. To elucidate the RNase requirement for mammalian Ire1 function, we have identified five amino acid residues within IRE1 alpha that are essential for RNase activity but not kinase activity. These mutants were used to demonstrate that the RNase activity is required for UPR activation by IRE1 alpha and IRE1 beta. In addition, the data support that IRE1 RNase is activated by dimerization-induced trans-autophosphorylation and requires a homodimer of catalytically functional RNase domains. Finally, the RNase activity of wild-type IRE1 alpha down-regulates hIre1 alpha mRNA expression by a novel mechanism involving cis-mediated IRE1 alpha-dependent cleavage at three specific sites within the 5' end of Ire1 alpha mRNA.
There are approximately 700 lower limb amputations performed throughout Scotland each year. A national system of survey and analysis conducted by the Scottish Physiotherapy Amputee Research Group ...(SPARG) provides information on these patients up until discharge from hospital. However, there has been no method of collecting long-term functional and prosthetic use information following discharge. The Functional Measure for Amputees (FMA) has, therefore, been developed from the Prosthetic Profile of the Amputee (PPA) questionnaire, designed by Gauthier-Gagnon and colleagues in Canada (Grisé et al, 1993). Modifications to the PPA were carried out to make it more appropriate for the Scottish amputee population; these changes were approved by the original authors. The test-retest reliability of the 14-question FMA was assessed using a repeat postal questionnaire study. One hundred and thirty-three (133) from a possible 390 trans-tibial amputees were returned. Comparing sociodemographic and clinical variables between consenters and non-consenters showed no evidence to support sample bias. Continuous data items on the FMA analysed using an intraclass correlation coefficient showed ICC values of 0.74, 0.85, 0.96 and 0.64. Categorical data items analysed using percentage agreements showed reliability of over 70% for seven items, between 40% and 70% for three items and between 20% and 40% for the remaining three items. The FMA questionnaire was found to be reliable on the majority of its questions and moderately reliable on the remaining questions during successive follow-up postal administrations.
Previously it has been found that rat small bowel crypt cell hyperplasia occurred several weeks after pinealectomy. To determine if this effect was longer-lasting (because of the possible role of the ...pineal in bowel malignancy) the crypt cell proliferation rate was determined in rat small bowel and colon 6 months after pinealectomy, using a stathmokinetic technique. Although the hyperproliferative effect of pinealectomy was well maintained in the small bowel crypts after 6 months, the hyperproliferative effect in the colonic crypts was much less marked. There is no obvious explanation for these findings, although it is possible that regional differences in levels of gut neuropeptides or melatonin are involved. The mechanism of the effect of pinealectomy on the crypts remains unexplained--in particular, why the effect is so prolonged.
Ball-thrower's fracture of the humerus CALLAGHAN, Eric B; BENNETT, D. Lee; EL-KHOURY, Georges Y ...
Skeletal radiology,
06/2004, Letnik:
33, Številka:
6
Journal Article
Recenzirano
A relatively rare case of ball-thrower's fracture of the humerus is presented. Severe muscular action is an uncommon cause of humeral fractures but has been well documented in the orthopedic ...literature. To our knowledge, this fracture has not been described in the radiology literature, and awareness of this entity could preclude further unnecessary workup. The mechanism of injury and its typical radiographic appearance is described.
An independent, multiperspective commission into socially acceptable norms in health care could identify areas of agreement and disagreement, approaches that minimised disagreement, and potentially ...acceptable compromises. Its "deliverable" would be a charter-or social contract-that explained the norms of the NHS and of medical practice more broadly.
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