Activity

Together, our study not only reveals the peptide diversity in the skin secretion of H. japonica, but also draws insights into the predator-deterring strategy for coping with arboreal habitat.L-arginine is a versatile amino acid with a number of bioactive metabolites. Increasing evidence implicates altered arginine metabolism in the aging and neurodegenerative processes. The present study, for the first time, determined the effects of sex and estrous cycle on the brain and blood (plasma) arginine metabolic profile in naïve rats. Female rats displayed significantly lower levels of L-arginine in the frontal cortex and three sub-regions of the hippocampus when compared to male rats. Moreover, female rats had significantly higher levels of L-arginine and γ-aminobutyric acid, but lower levels of L-ornithine, agmatine and putrescine, in plasma relative to male rats. The observed sex difference in brain L-arginine appeared to be independent of the enzymes involved in its metabolism, de novo synthesis and blood-to-brain transport (cationic acid transporter 1 protein expression at least), as well as circulating L-arginine. While the estrous cycle did not affect L-arginine and its metabolites in the brain, there were estrous cycle phase-dependent changes in plasma L-arginine. These findings demonstrate the sex difference in brain L-arginine in the estrous cycle-independent manner. Since peripheral blood has been increasingly used to identify biomarkers of brain pathology, the influences of sex and estrous cycle on blood arginine metabolic profile need attention when experimental research involves female rodents.

Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) is postoperative distress caused by a urinary catheter. CRBD is related to muscarinic receptor activation. Chlorpheniramine has antimuscarinic properties. Hence, this investigation was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of chlorpheniramine in preventing CRBD in patients undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT).

Seventy-six patients scheduled for TURBT under general anesthesia were assigned into two groups. In the chlorpheniramine group (n = 38), 100ml normal saline containing 0.1mg/kg chlorpheniramine was infused after general anesthesia induction. In the control group (n = 38), 100ml normal saline alone was infused. The incidence and severity of CRBD were assessed at 1, 6, and 24h postoperatively.

The 1-h postoperative incidence of CRBD was lower in the chlorpheniramine group based on the unadjusted analysis [16 (42%) vs. 28 (74%), risk difference 32%, 95% confidence interval 8-51, p = 0.005]. After adjusting the size of the urinary catheter, post hoc analysis showed that the 1-h postoperative incidence of CRBD was lower in the chlorpheniramine group (p = 0.004). The CRBD severity score was lower in the chlorpheniramine group at 1 and 6h after operation based on the unadjusted analysis (p = 0.012 and p = 0.007, respectively). After adjusting the urinary catheter size, post hoc analysis showed that 1- and 6-h CRBD severity score was lower in the chlorpheniramine group (p = 0.012 and p = 0.008, respectively). learn more The incidence of rescue medication was lower in the chlorpheniramine group [10 (26%) vs. 20 (53%), risk difference 26%, 95% confidence interval 3-47, p = 0.019]. The overall incidence of complications such as nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, flushing, dizziness, and blurred vision was comparable between the two groups.

Chlorpheniramine administration significantly reduces the incidence and severity of CRBD in the patients undergoing TURBT.

KCT0004880 ( https//cris.nih.go.kr/ ).

KCT0004880 ( https//cris.nih.go.kr/ ).Several neurological diseases are accompanied by rhythmic oscillatory dysfunctions in various frequency ranges and disturbed cross-frequency relationships on regional, interregional, and whole brain levels. Knowledge of these disease-specific oscillopathies is important mainly in the context of deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy. Electrophysiological biomarkers have been used as input signals for adaptive DBS (aDBS) as well as preoperative outcome predictors. As movement disorders, particularly Parkinson’s disease (PD), are among the most frequent DBS indications, the current research of DBS is the most advanced in the movement disorders field. We reviewed the literature published mainly between 2010 and 2020 to identify the most important findings concerning the current evolution of electrophysiological biomarkers in DBS and to address future challenges for prospective research.

To develop a prognostic model for failure and worsening 1year after surgery for lumbar disc herniation.

This multicenter cohort study included 11,081 patients operated with lumbar microdiscectomy, registered at the Norwegian Registry for Spine Surgery. Follow-up was 1year. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess potential prognostic factors for previously defined cut-offs for failure and worsening on the Oswestry Disability Index scores 12months after surgery. Since the cut-offs for failure and worsening are different for patients with low, moderate, and high baseline ODI scores, the multivariate analyses were run separately for these subgroups. Data were split into a training (70%) and a validation set (30%). The model was developed in the training set and tested in the validation set. A prediction (%) of an outcome was calculated for each patient in a risk matrix.

The prognostic model produced six risk matrices based on three baseline ODI ranges (low, medium, and high) and two outcomes (failure and worsening), each containing 7 to 11 prognostic factors. Model discrimination and calibration were acceptable. The estimated preoperative probabilities ranged from 3 to 94% for failure and from 1 to 72% for worsening in our validation cohort.

We developed a prognostic model for failure and worsening 12months after surgery for lumbar disc herniation. The model showed acceptable calibration and discrimination, and could be useful in assisting physicians and patients in clinical decision-making process prior to surgery.

We developed a prognostic model for failure and worsening 12 months after surgery for lumbar disc herniation. The model showed acceptable calibration and discrimination, and could be useful in assisting physicians and patients in clinical decision-making process prior to surgery.