Mouse models of neurodegenerative disease: preclinical imaging and neurovascular component.

Neurodegenerative diseases represent great challenges for basic science and clinical medicine because of their prevalence, pathologies, lack of mechanism-based treatments, and impacts on individuals. Translational research might contribute to the study of neurodegenerative diseases. The mouse has become a key model for studying disease mechanisms that might recapitulate in part some aspects of the corresponding human diseases. Neurode- generative disorders are very complicated and multifacto- rial. This has to be taken in account when testing drugs. Most of the drugs screening in mice are very di cult to be interpretated and often useless. Mouse models could be condiderated a ‘pathway models’, rather than as models for the whole complicated construct that makes a human disease. Non-invasive in vivo imaging in mice has gained increasing interest in preclinical research in the last years thanks to the availability of high-resolution single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), high eld Magnetic resonance, Optical Imaging scanners and of highly speci c contrast agents. Behavioral test are useful tool to characterize di erent ani- mal models of neurodegenerative pathology. Furthermore, many authors have observed vascular pathological features associated to the di erent neurodegenerative disorders. Aim of this review is to focus on the di erent existing animal models of neurodegenerative disorders, describe behavioral tests and preclinical imaging techniques used for diagnose and describe the vascular pathological features associated to these diseases

The influence of blood on the efficacy of intraperitoneally applied phospholipids for prevention of adhesions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The formation of adhesions following abdominal surgery is a well known problem. In previous studies we demonstrated the efficacy and safety of intraperitoneally applied phospholipids in order to prevent adhesion formation. This study evaluates the influence of blood on the efficacy of intraperitoneally applied phospholipids for prevention of adhesions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 40 Chinchilla rabbits adhesions were induced by median laparotomy, standardized abrasion of the visceral and parietal peritoneum in defined areas of the ventral abdominal wall and the caecum. The animals were randomly divided into four groups. They received either phospholipids 3.0% or normal saline (NaCl 0,9%) (5 ml/kg body weight). In 50% of the rabbits we simulated intraperitoneal bleeding by administration of blood (1,5 ml/kg body weight). The other half served as control group. Ten days following the operation the animals were sacrificed and adhesion formation was assessed by computer aided planimetry and histopathologic examination.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median adhesion surface area in the NaCl-group (n = 9) amounted to 68,72 mm², in the NaCl+Blood-group (n = 10) 147,68 mm². In the Phospholipid (PhL)-group (n = 9) the median adhesion surface area measured 9,35 mm², in the PhL+Blood-group (n = 9) 11,95 mm². The phospholipid groups had a significantly smaller adhesion surface area (p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Again these results confirm the efficacy of phospholipids in the prevention of adhesions in comparison to NaCl (p = 0,04). We also demonstrated the adhesion preventing effect of phospholipids in the presence of intraperitoneal blood.</p

EEG Microstate Analysis in Drug-Naive Patients with Panic Disorder

Patients with panic disorder (PD) have a bias to respond to normal stimuli in a fearful way. This may be due to the preactivation of fear-associated networks prior to stimulus perception. Based on EEG, we investigated the difference between patients with PD and normal controls in resting state activity using features of transiently stable brain states (microstates). EEGs from 18 drug-naive patients and 18 healthy controls were analyzed. Microstate analysis showed that one class of microstates (with a right-anterior to left-posterior orientation of the mapped field) displayed longer durations and covered more of the total time in the patients than controls. Another microstate class (with a symmetric, anterior-posterior orientation) was observed less frequently in the patients compared to controls. The observation that selected microstate classes differ between patients with PD and controls suggests that specific brain functions are altered already during resting condition. The altered resting state may be the starting point of the observed dysfunctional processing of phobic stimuli

Quantitative modeling of the physiology of ascites in portal hypertension

Although the factors involved in cirrhotic ascites have been studied for a century, a number of observations are not understood, including the action of diuretics in the treatment of ascites and the ability of the plasma-ascitic albumin gradient to diagnose portal hypertension. This communication presents an explanation of ascites based solely on pathophysiological alterations within the peritoneal cavity. A quantitative model is described based on experimental vascular and intraperitoneal pressures, lymph flow, and peritoneal space compliance. The model's predictions accurately mimic clinical observations in ascites, including the magnitude and time course of changes observed following paracentesis or diuretic therapy

Maxillary Odontogenic Keratocyst Presenting as Palatal Sinus

Odontogenic keratocyst are known for there recurrence and local bone destruction. They have bimodal age presentation. OKC is common in lower jaw than upper jaw. They are usually asymptomatic and diagnosed during radiological investigation. We are reporting this case because of its age presentation (70 years), site of presentation (maxillary canine region) and mode of presentation (chronic palatal pus discharging sinus)

Living and health conditions of elderly people over 80

Objective: This article proposes to describe demographic data and health conditions of elderly people at age 80 or more.Method: Quantitative-descriptive study of 95 elderlies from five units of the Family Health Strategy in the period from September to December 2013, using script with general data of the living conditions and health, including validated scales in geriatrics and gerontology.Results: The average age was 85.4 years. There was a predominance of women. Most were widowers with family income, more frequently between 2 or 3 minimum wages and economic participation is for means of sharing responsibility. They present dependency for many of Daily Living Instrumental Activities and, on average, reported 2.2 diseases. Fear of falling, decreased vision and hearing as well as pain in different body regions are reported.Conclusion: It appears that they have more intense needs than the elderly in general, requiring new ways of organizing their health care.Objetivo: Se propone a describir las condiciones de vida y la salud de las personas mayores de 80 años o más.Método: Estudio cuantitativo-descriptivo realizado con 95 personas de cinco unidades de la Estrategia Salud de la Familia, mediante un guión con los datos generales de las condiciones de vida y de salud, incluyendo escalas validadas en geriatría y gerontología.Resultados: La edad promedio fue de 85,4 años. Las mujeres predominaron en la mayoría de los viudos, el ingreso familiar más común es de 2-3 salarios mínimos. La dependencia actual de muchas de las actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria, en promedio 2.2 enfermedades reportadas y medicamentos utilizados 4.3 / ancianos. Mencionan el miedo de caerse, disminución de la visión, y dolor en diferentes regiones del cuerpo.Conclusión: Parece que tienen necesidades más intensas de las personas mayores en general, lo que requiere la preparación de la sociedad para cumplir con la misma eficacia.Objetivo: Propõe-se a descrever dados sociodemográficos e as condições de saúde de idosos com 80 anos ou mais.Método: Estudo quantitativo-descritivo realizado com 95 idosos de cinco unidades da Estratégia Saúde da Família, no período de setembro a dezembro de 2013, utilizando roteiro com dados gerais das condições de vida e de saúde, incluindo escalas validadas em geriatria e gerontologia.Resultados: A média de idade foi de 85,4 anos. Houve predomínio de mulheres. A maioria viúvos com renda familiar, mais frequente, de 2 a 3 salários mínimos, e a participação econômica é a de dividir responsabilidade. Apresentam dependência para muitas das Atividades Instrumentais de Vida Diária e, em média, referiram 2,2 doenças. Referem medo de cair, diminuição da visão e da audição, além de dor em diferentes regiões do corpo.Conclusão: Depreende-se que eles apresentam necessidades mais intensas dos que os idosos em geral, demandando novas formas de organizar seu cuidado em saúde