Is neurotrophin-3 (NT-3): a potential therapeutic target for depression and anxiety?

Introduction: Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is thought to play a role in the neurobiological processes implicated in mood and anxiety disorders. NT-3 is a potential pharmacological target for mood disorders because of its effects on monoamine neurotransmitters, regulation of synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling boosting, and modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The mechanisms underlying NT-3 anxiolytic properties are less clear and require further exploration and definition. Areas covered: The evidence that supports NT-3 as a pharmacological target for anxiety and mood disorders is presented and this is followed by a reflection on the quandaries, stumbling blocks, and future perspectives for this novel target. Expert opinion: There is evidence for miRNAs being key post-transcriptional regulators of neurotrophin-3 receptor gene (NTRK3) in anxiety disorders; however, the anxiolytic properties of NT-3 need further examination and delineation. Moreover, NT-3 expression by non-neuronal cells and its role in brain circuits that participate in anxiety and mood disorders require further scrutiny. Further work is vital before progression into clinical trials can be realized.

Traffic noise mapping of the city of Santiago de Chile.

A noise map is a cartographic representation of the noise level distribution in a determined area and period of time. This article presents the most important aspects of the noise mapping project across Santiago, a city of nearly six million inhabitants. The study was performed employing limited information and a low-cost, vehicular traffic noise predictive model. The methodology applied to the Chilean experience can also be used to create noise maps for major cities. An evaluation of noise prediction models, considering simplifications of the modeling environment (buildings) and for the vehicular traffic flow rates attributed to the streets under study, was made. The noise levels were modeled according to recommended exposure values for the above area. The results revealed that the noise levels for the city of Santiago were high in a relevant percentage of the surface.

Cardiovascular changes following acute and chronic chemical lesions of the dorsal periaqueductal gray in conscious rats.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of chemical lesions of dorsal periaqueductal gray (DPAG) on resting arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR) as well as on cardiac baroreflex of conscious normotensive rats. Lesions were performed by bilateral microinjections of 150 mM NMDA into the DPAG (DPAG-lesion group). Controls were similarly injected with 165 mM NaCl (DPAG-sham group). Animals with chronic lesions confined only to the superior colliculus (SC-lesion group) were also used as controls of DPAG-lesion. Cardiovascular parameters were recorded 1 or 7 days after the microinjections of NMDA in acute and chronic groups, respectively. Cardiac baroreflex was assessed by measuring the HR responses to the intravenous injection of phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside. Baroreflex was estimated by sigmoidal curve fitting of HR responses. An increased baroreflex gain was observed in chronic DPAG-lesion rats compared to both DPAG-sham (p < 0.01) and SC-lesion (p < 0.05) chronic groups. The chronic DPAG-lesion group showed also an elevation of both the tachycardia (p < 0.05) and bradycardia (p < 0.01) plateaus compared to chronic DPAG-sham rats, while the SC-lesion group showed an elevation of the bradycardia plateau only (p < 0.01). Similar results on baroreflex function were observed following acute lesion of the DPAG, i.e. an increase in baroreflex gain (p < 0.01) and the elevation of both tachycardia (p < 0.05) and bradycardia plateaus (p < 0.01) compared to the acute DPAG-sham group. Resting AP and HR did not differ among the chronic groups. In contrast, the acute lesion of the DPAG produced a reduction in AP (p < 0.01) accompanied by an increase in HR (p < 0.01). The present data suggest that the DPAG is involved in the tonic and reflex control of AP and HR in conscious rats. In addition, the SC seems to contribute to the baroreflex cardioinhibition.

Foreign body ingestion: management of 167 cases.

We reviewed the management of 167 patients with foreign body ingestion from 1980 to 1986. Two patients (1.1%) refused treatment. Nonoperative management was attempted in 14 (8.4%) patients. Endoscopy was performed on 117 patients with an overall success rate of 85.5% and a complication rate of 1.7%. Surgical treatment was required in 51 (30.0%) patients, 14 of whom had previous unsuccessful endoscopy.

Cervical gastrostomy in the surgical treatment of oesophageal cancer by reconstruction with the stomach.

A technique of cervical gastrostomy is described. Cervical gastrostomy as an alternative to the use of an indwelling nasogastric tube after cervical oesophagogastrostomy after resection for cancer has been used in six patients and appears to have certain advantages in terms of effective gastric decompression, avoiding discomfort to the patient, and simplification of postoperative nursing. It may play a significant role in reducing postoperative mortality from aspiration pneumonitis and other pulmonary complications.

Congenital cystic dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts (Caroli's disease): report of a case and review of the literature.

A case of congenital cystic dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts (Caroli's disease) followed for more than 7 years is reported. This patient presented also with congenital hepatic fibrosis, gallstones, and biliary hypersecretion of more than 3,000 ml in 24 hours. An analysis of the literature relating to Caroli's disease disclosed 46 well-documented cases of both hepatic histopathology and biliary tree studies. Six cases (13%) were found to be isolated forms of intrahepatic cystic dilatations; 16 (34.7%) were associated with congenital hepatic fibrosis; 10 (21.7%) presented with either a choledochal cyst or nonobstructive extrahepatic biliary tree dilatation; and in 14 cases (30%) the three anomalies were found together in the same patient. After these findings, we think that congenital hepatic fibrosis, congenital cystic dilatations of the intrahepatic bile ducts (Caroli's disease), choledochal cyst and other nonobstructive dilatations of the extrahepatic biliary tree are possibly the same congenital disease with different levels of involvement.

Hydatid disease of the liver.

Our experience in the surgical management of hydatid disease of the liver in 212 patients over the past eighteen years is reviewed. The most frequent postoperative complications and mortality rates of elective and emergency procedures are presented, and the more frequently utilized operative technics are described. In the great majority of patients conservatism was the rule in excision of solitary or multiple cysts. It is important to establish whether or not hepatic cysts communicate with the biliary tree. In these cases, enteroanastomoses (such as cystjejunostomy or cystgastrostomy) may be utilized depending on the position of the cyst. Any associated biliary disease (such as lithiasis or fibrosis) should be taken care of at the same time. External cystic drainage (marsupialization) is contraindicated because of the high incidence of chronic external biliary fistula, secondary hemorrhage, sepsis, and postlaparotomy hernia. In those patients in whom the cyst has penetrated the diaphragm and communicates with the lung, treatment should be carried out in one stage whenever possible.