Effect of Isolation Stress on Glucose/Lipid Metabolism in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) Fatty Rats.

Aim: The Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rat is a novel obese type 2 diabetic model, showing hyperphagia, obesity, and diabetes mellitus from a young age. In this study, we investigated the effects of isolation stress on pathophysiology in SDT fatty rats. Methods: SDT fatty rats (4 weeks old) were housed 3 per cage for 2 weeks and separated as males or females so as each gender will be placed in a separate cage to avoid mating. After acclimatization in 6 weeks of age, the rats were exposed to isolation stress (IS) (one rat per cage, using 5 animals in each sex). In the control group, each sex of experimental rats were housed separately continuously 3 per cage (using 6 animals in each sex). Food intake, body weights, and blood chemical parameters, such as glucose, insulin, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, of the rats from 6 to 15 weeks of age were measured at every 3 weeks. Satellite groups were prepared for pathological analyses. Necropsy of satellite group was performed at 12 weeks of age, and the pathological analyses, such as adrenal, thymus and spleen, were performed. Results: The blood glucose level in IS group in female SDT fatty rats was significantly increased at 12 weeks of age as compared with that in control group. Female SDT fatty rats showed accelerated diabetic progression, but the male rats did show the effects of IS on the glucose/lipid metabolism. In male SDT fatty rats, an increase of adrenal weight and a decrease of thymus weight were observed in IS group and the female rats in IS group showed a tendency of an increase of adrenal weight and a decrease of thymus weight. In histopathological analyses, adrenal hypertrophy and thymus atrophy were observed in IS group in both male and female rats. Conclusion: Isolation stress affected the progression of diabetes in female SDT fatty rats. Housing conditions is a factor to care for in evaluation of pathophysiology in diabetic models.

Diet-Induced Fatty Hepatic Steatosis in Male Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) Fatty Rats, A Genetic Model for Obese Type 2 Diabetes.

Aim: The Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rat is a metabolic syndrome model, showing obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Moreover, female SDT fatty rats exhibit hepatic steatosis. In this study, metabolic abnormalities, particularly in the liver, were assessed in male SDT fatty rats fed a diet containing 40% fat and 2% cholesterol (HFC-diet). Location and Duration of Study: Niigata University, CLEA Japan and JT Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, between January and December 2014. Methodology: Male SDT fatty rats in control and HFC groups were fed a standard or HFC-diet (40% fat and 2% cholesterol, based on percentage of total calories) from 5 to 17 weeks of age, respectively. Body weight and blood chemistry parameters were periodically measured and a pathological analysis of the liver was performed at 17 weeks of age. Results: In biological analyses, the HFC group showed increases in body weight, blood insulin, and total cholesterol during the experimental period and an increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) at 13 weeks of age. Blood glucose levels in HFC group decreased after 13 weeks of age. In pathological examinations, an increase in liver weight and hepatic steatosis, fatty change and hypertrophy in hepatocyte, were observed in the HFC group. Hepatic steatosis was not observed in the standard-diet group. Conclusion: Male SDT fatty rats fed an HFC-diet may serve as a new nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) model.

Pharmacological Effect of α-Glucosidase Inhibitor Voglibose in a Novel Obese Diabetic Model.

Aim: This study was conducted to investigate the preventive or therapeutic effect of α- glucosidase inhibitor voglibose in a new model rat, Spontaneously Diabetic Torii-Leprfa (SDT fatty) rat, which is a novel type 2 diabetic rat showing obesity, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia from a young age. Place and Duration of Study: Niigata University and JT Central Pharmaceutical Research Institute, between January and August 2011. Methodology: The present study was designed to the preventive and therapeutic effect of voglibose by administering (0.3, 1 mg/kg) voglibose as a dietary admixture to SDT fatty rats from 5 to 11 and 14 to 20 weeks of age, respectively. Results: In the examination of preventive effect, the obtained biochemical results show that voglibose decrease glucose level significantly in dose-dependent manner within 5-11 weeks of age. In voglibose-treated rats at 11 weeks of age, the histopathological pancreatic changes, such as vacuolation and irregular boundaries in islets, were improved. On the other hand, in the examination of therapeutic effect, voglibose improved the hyperglycemia only at a dose of 1 mg/kg within 16-20 weeks of age. Conclusion: Voglibose showed both preventive and therapeutic effects for diabetes in female SDT fatty rats. The SDT fatty rat is a useful model for development of anti-diabetic agents.

High incidence of oncogenic HPV genotypes found in women from Southern Brazil

Oncogenic HPV genotypes are strongly associated with premalignant and malignant cervical lesion. The purpose was to determine human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence and genotypes, and to estimate cervical cancer risk factor associations. Cervical samples were obtained from 251 women seeking gynecological care at the Pelotas School of Medicine Clinic. This is a cross-sectional study. HPV-DNA was amplified by nested-PCR using MY09/11 and GP5/6 primers, and the sequencing was used for genotyping. Sociodemographic and behavioral risk factors were obtained by closed questionnaire, and its relationship to HPV infection prevalence were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 16.0 software, and differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. As results, the prevalence of HPV infection was 29.9%. The most frequent genotype was HPV-16 (41.3%), followed by HPV-18 (17.3%), and HPV-33 (9.3%). Others nine HPV genotypes were also found. On this population, prevalence of oncogenic HPV genotypes was high, but does not seem to confer relationship with the risk factors investigated. Future investigations in larger populations are necessary, for the proposition of more appropriated monitoring strategies and treatment according to the Brazilian health service reality, as well as patients.

Effects of HMME-SDT on hypertrophic scar of rabbit ear / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of HMME-SDT therapy for the treatment of hypertrophic scar (HS) of rabbit ear.Methods 60 white rabbits were randomly divided into five groups.The model group and HMME-SDT treatment group were used to establish the models of hypertrophic scar in ears.Results The effect of HMME-SDT on the fibroblastic density in the hypertrophic scarring models was observed in rabbit ears.The HMME-SDT could lower the fibroblastic density,compared with the model group,with significant difference (P＜ 0.05).The effect of HMME-SDT on the collagen area density was noted in the hypertrophic scarring models in rabbit ears.The HMME-SDT could lower the collagen area density,compared with the model group,with significant difference from the fourth week of the epithelialization (P＜0.01).Conclusions HMME is an effective sonosensitizer.HMME-SDT can significantly inhibit hypertrophic scar of rabbit ear.

Relações desiguais de gênero no discurso de adolescentes / Unequal gender relations in the speech of adolescents

A adolescência é uma fase da vida onde o indivíduo passa por rápidas mudanças físicas, emocionais e intelectuais. Em meio a todas essas alterações, as informações distorcidas ou incompletas que o jovem nessa etapa recebe sobre a sexualidade, incluindo as DST/Aids faz com que se exponha com maior facilidade a essas doenças e à gravidez precoce. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo identificar as relações de gênero entre os adolescentes, utilizando o estudo analítico com enfoque qualitativo, com base nas representações sociais que trabalha valores, crenças, representações, hábitos, atitudes e opiniões, de forma a abranger intensamente o grupo delimitado. Na análise do discurso ficou evidenciada a desigualdade, sendo reproduzida de forma machista. Apesar de toda informação que existe atualmente sobre a sexualidade, muitos adolescentes possuem déficit de conhecimento relacionado ao assunto e falta de comunicação adequada com os pais, a escola e a mídia.

Adolescence is a phase of life in which individuals experience rapid physical, emotional and intellectual change. In the midst of all these changes, distorted or incomplete information that adolescents receive on sexuality, including STD/AIDS, exposes them more readily to these diseases and early pregnancy. The scope of this work was to identify gender relations between adolescents. The method used was an analytical study with a qualitative approach based on social representations that examine values, beliefs, habits, attitudes and opinions in order to encompass the target group thoroughly. In analysis of the discourse, inequality was swiftly apparent with decidedly macho overtones. Despite the amount of information currently available on sexuality, many adolescents have precious little knowledge of the subject and a lack of adequate communication with their parents, their schools and the media.

Poverty, folate deficiency, human immunodeficiency virus and ulcerated vulval sexually transmitted diseases in Jamaica / Pobreza, deficiencia de ácido fólico, virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana, y la ulceratión de la vulva por enfermedades de transmisión sexual, en Jamaica

Sexually transmitted genital ulcerative conditions are declining in Jamaica. The rates at present are far lower than that seen in the 1950s -1960s. Review of the records of the national Comprehensive Clinic has revealed that all of the major sexually transmitted conditions (Syphilis, Lymphogranuloma Venereum (LGV), Chancroid, Granuloma Inguinale and Herpes Simplex) have declined but have had three peaks between 1958 and 2000. Closer review seems to suggest that the peaks were associated firstly with poverty in the 1960s and 1970s and to the HIV epidemic in the 1980s and early 1990s. There are also smaller spikes which appear to be associated with periods of environmental disasters, with a possible association with folate deficiency. This is apparent for the bacterial and chlamydial conditions as well as viral conditions such as Herpes simplex.

Las condiciones ulcerativas genitales transmitidas sexualmente están disminuyendo en Jamaica. En el presente, los índices son muchos más bajos que los observados en la década de 1950 y 1960 respectivamente. La revisión de los archivos de la llamada Nacional Comprehensive Clinic ha revelado que todas las condiciones principales (sífilis, linfogranuloma venéreo, chancroide, granuloma inguinal, y el herpes simple) han disminuido. No obstante, ha habido tres puntos críticos entre 1958 y 2000. Un examen detallado sugiere que estos picos estaban asociados primeramente con la pobreza en los años 60 y 70, y la epidemia de VIH en la década de los 80 ochenta y principios de los 90. Hay también pequeñas alzas que parecen estar asociados con periodos de desastres medioambientales, así como con una posible asociación con la deficiencia de folato. Esto es evidente en el caso de las condiciones bacterianas y clamidiales, así como las condiciones virales tales como la que representa el herpes simple.

Testicular dysgenesis syndrome and the estrogen hypothesis: a quantitative meta-analysis: [review] / A síndrome da disgenesia testicular e a hipótese do estrogênio: uma meta-análise quantitativa: [revisão]

Sugeriu-se que anomalias do trato reprodutivo masculino como hipospádia e criptorquidismo, assim como o câncer de testículo, componham uma síndrome comum com diminuição da espermatogênese, e de etiologia comum, a interrupção do desenvolvimento gonadal na fase fetal, a síndrome de disgenesia testicular (SDT). O único levantamento quantitativo da relação entre exposição pré-natal a agentes estrogênicos e câncer de testículo data de mais de dez anos; outras revisões da relação entre compostos estrogênicos diferentes do potente estrogênio sintético dietilstilbestrol (DES) e SDT continuam inconclusivas. Foi feita uma meta-análise quantitativa da relação entre SDT e exposição pré-natal a agentes estrogênicos. A inclusão na análise baseou-se em critérios mecanísticos e foi explorada a plausibilidade de um modo de ação mediada pelo receptor estrogênico-α (REα). Incluíram-se oito estudos sobre a etiologia das hipospádias e/ou criptorquidismo não identificados em revisões sistemáticas anteriores. Mais quatro estudos sobre estrogênios sintéticos resultaram em uma estimativa estatisticamente significativa para câncer de testículo. Os resultados das análises dos subconjuntos apontam à existência de fontes não identificadas de heterogeneidade entre estudos ou populações estudadas.

Male reproductive tract abnormalities such as hypospadias and cryptorchidism, and testicular cancer have been proposed to comprise a common syndrome together with impaired spermatogenesis with a common etiology resulting from the disruption of gonadal development during fetal life, the testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS). The only quantitative summary estimate of the link between prenatal exposure to estrogenic agents and testicular cancer was published over 10 years ago; other reviews of the link between estrogenic compounds, other than the potent pharmaceutical estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES), and TDS end points have remained inconclusive. We conducted a quantitative meta-analysis of the association between the end points related to TDS and prenatal exposure to estrogenic agents. Inclusion in this analysis was based on mechanistic criteria, and the plausibility of an estrogen receptor (ER)-α-mediated mode of action was specifically explored. Eight studies were included, investigating the etiology of hypospadias and/or cryptorchidism that had not been identified in previous systematic reviews. Four additional studies of pharmaceutical estrogens yielded a statistically significant updated summary estimate for testicular cancer. Results of the subset analyses point to the existence of unidentified sources of heterogeneity between studies or within the study population.

Effect of Spinal Decompression Therapy Compared with Intermittent Mechanical Traction in Lumbosacral Disc Herniation

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of intermittent mechanical traction with spinal decompression therapy (SDT), using the newly introduced device DRX 3000(R), in patients suffering from low back pain associated with lumbosacral disc herniation documented on MRI. METHOD: Thirty-five patients with low back pain with or without lower extremity radiating pain were prospectively enrolled in this study. They were all diagnosed with lumbosacral disc herniation according to physical examinations and MRI. Patients over age 60 years or those with previous spinal surgery, spondylolisthesis, severe osteoporosis, rheumatic diseases, hypertension, and other serious medical problems were excluded. Patients were randomly assigned to intermittent mechanical traction group (15 patients) or SDT group (20 patients) and compared visual analog pain scale (VAS) pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in VAS in SDT group compared to intermittent mechanical traction group. The mean reduction in VAS for intermittent mechanical traction group equaled 1.93+/-0.83 (from 6.4+/-1.28 to 4.5+/-1.22) while the mean reduction in VAS in SDT group equaled 4.35+/-2.21 (from 6.9+/-1.86 to 2.6+/-1.43) (p=0.0006). CONCLUSION: Spinal decompression therapy can be used as an effective treatment for discogenic low back pain without serious complications.