Adhesive hydrophobicity of Cu2O nano-columnar arrays induced by nitrogen ion irradiation.

Low energy nitrogen ions are used in this work to manipulate wetting properties of the surface of the array of Cu2O nano-columns, which yields remarkable results. The nano-columnar thin films were grown on a highly conductive silicon surface by a sputter deposition technique. The films were irradiated at two different fluences of 5 × 10(15) and 1 × 10(16) ions per cm(2), respectively. With increasing fluence the shape of column tip changes, columns are bent and porous channels between columns are clogged up. While the surface of the pristine sample is hydrophilic, the irradiated surface turns into hydrophobic but having adhesion properties. We have analysed the structural and chemical properties of the surface in detail to understand the initial and modified wetting properties. Furthermore, the temporal evolutions of different droplet parameters are investigated to realize the interactions between the water droplet, the sample surface and the atmosphere. We envisage that such modified surfaces can be beneficial for transport of a small volume of liquids with minimum loss and spectroscopic studies, where a small amount of water droplet is available for measurements.

Dopamine D1 and D2 receptor immunoreactivities in the arcuate-median eminence complex and their link to the tubero-infundibular dopamine neurons.

Dopamine D1 and D2 receptor immunohistochemistry and Golgi techniques were used to study the structure of the adult rat arcuate-median eminence complex, and determine the distribution of the dopamine D1 and D2 receptor immunoreactivities therein, particularly in relation to the tubero-infundibular dopamine neurons. Punctate dopamine D1 and D2 receptor immunoreactivities, likely located on nerve terminals, were enriched in the lateral palisade zone built up of nerve terminals, while the densities were low to modest in the medial palisade zone. A codistribution of dopamine D1 receptor or dopamine D2 receptor immunoreactive puncta with tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive nerve terminals was demonstrated in the external layer. Dopamine D1 receptor but not dopamine D2 receptor immnunoreactivites nerve cell bodies were found in the ventromedial part of the arcuate nucleus and in the lateral part of the internal layer of the median eminence forming a continuous cell mass presumably representing neuropeptide Y immunoreactive nerve cell bodies. The major arcuate dopamine/ tyrosine hydroxylase nerve cell group was found in the dorsomedial part. A large number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive nerve cell bodies in this region demonstrated punctate dopamine D1 receptor immunoreactivity but only a few presented dopamine D2 receptor immunoreactivity which were mainly found in a substantial number of tyrosine hydroxylase cell bodies of the ventral periventricular hypothalamic nucleus, also belonging to the tubero-infundibular dopamine neurons. Structural evidence for projections of the arcuate nerve cells into the median eminence was also obtained. Distal axons formed horizontal axons in the internal layer issuing a variable number of collaterals classified into single or multiple strands located in the external layer increasing our understanding of the dopamine nerve terminal networks in this region.  Dopamine D1 and D2 receptors may therefore directly and differentially modulate the activity and /or Dopamine synthesis of substantial numbers of tubero-infundibular dopamine neurons at the somatic and terminal level. The immunohistochemical work also gives support to the view that dopamine D1 receptors and/or dopamine D2 receptors in the lateral palisade zone by mediating dopamine volume transmission may contribute to the inhibition of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone release from nerve terminals in this region.

GPCR heteromers and their allosteric receptor-receptor interactions.

The concept of intramembrane receptor-receptor interactions and evidence for their existences were introduced in the beginning of the 1980's, suggesting the existence of receptor heterodimerization. The discovery of GPCR heteromers and the receptor mosaic (higher order oligomers, more than two) has been related to the parallel development and application of a variety of resonance energy transfer techniques such as bioluminescence (BRET), fluorescence (FRET) and sequential energy transfer (SRET). The assembly of interacting GPCRs, heterodimers and receptor mosaic leads to changes in the agonist recognition, signaling, and trafficking of participating receptors via allosteric mechanisms, sometimes involving the appearance of cooperativity. The receptor interface in the GPCR heteromers is beginning to be characterized and the key role of electrostatic epitope-epitope interactions for the formation of the receptor heteromers will be discussed. Furthermore, a "guide-and-clasp" manner of receptor-receptor interactions has been proposed where the "adhesive guides" may be the triplet homologies. These interactions probably represent a general molecular mechanism for receptor-receptor interactions. It is proposed that changes in GPCR function (moonlighting) may develop through the intracellular loops and C-terminii of the GPCR heteromers as a result of dynamic allosteric interactions between different types of G proteins and other receptor interacting proteins in these domains of the receptors. The evidence for the existence of receptor heteromers opens up a new field for a better understanding of neurophysiology and neuropathology. Furthermore, novel therapeutic approaches could be possible based on the use of heteromers as targets for drug development based on their unique pharmacology.

Use of Cathorops spixii as bioindicator of pollution of trace metals in the Santos Bay, Brazil.

In the present study Cathorops spixii, was evaluated as a bioindicator fish for trace metal pollution. Concentrations of cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis in liver. Mercury (Hg) and methyl-mercury (MeHg) were analyzed by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry in muscles and livers. High concentrations of Co, Fe, Se and Zn were observed in C. spixii from Santos Bay in comparison to fish collected in a non-polluted site in the same Brazilian coast. These trace metal concentrations were out of the permissible levels for human consumption. Although, Hg and MeHg levels were low, the C. spixii could still be used as an effective bioindicator to observe trace metal behaviors in the environment in function of the bioaccumulation process observed mainly by other analyzed trace metals. Thus, the use of this species is strongly recommended to monitor the effects and behavior of trace metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems in Brazil due to its bioaccumulation function.

Comportamiento de los procesos sépticos cervicofaciales en pacientes hospitalizados en el servicio de cirugía maxilofacial / Behaviour of septic processes of the head and neck in patients hospitalized in the department of maxillofacial surgery

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo prospectivo de los 243 pacientesingresados con procesos sépticos cervicofaciales en el Servicio de CirugíaMaxilofacial del Hospital Provincial Universitario “Arnaldo Milián Castro”de Santa Clara, Villa Clara, en el período de enero de 1999 a diciembrede 2000, con el propósito de mostrar el comportamiento clínico, epidemiológicoy terapéutico de los mismos. El 20,3% de los ingresados seidentificó como proceso séptico, de los cuales el 53,1% resultó no odontógeno.El grupo de edades más afectado fue el de 20 a 39 años, así comoel sexo masculino. Las localizaciones anatómicas mayormente afectadasfueron la geniana y la submandibular. La instauración de un tratamientoantimicrobiano y complementario adecuado favoreció en la mayoría de lospacientes una estadía hospitalaria de 1 a 7 días. En la casi totalidad delos enfermos, la evolución resultó favorable dada la no existencia de complicaciones(AU)

A descriptive and prospective study was carried out on243 patients admitted with the diagnosis of septic cervicofacialprocesses to the University Hospital “Arnaldo Milián Castro” during1999 to 2000, in order to establish the epidemiological, clinical,and therapeutic features of this entity in these patients. A septicprocess was identified in 20.3% of the total number of patientsadmitted; 53.1% of these were of a non-odontogenic origin. Therewas a prevalence among males and among the 21-30 age group.The anatomic regions most affected were the genian andsubmandibular areas. Most patients were hospitalized between oneand seven days. A minimal complication rate was reported(AU)

Trasplante autólogo de dientes retenidos. Estudio de 10 años / Autologous transplantation of impacted teeth. A 10-years survey

El trasplante autólogo dentario es un movimiento quirúrgico de un diente vital o con tratamiento endodóntico desde su localización original hacia otro sitio bucal en el mismo individuo. Su éxito depende de una serie de factores referentes al paciente, diente dador, sitio receptor, y cuidado de la técnica quirúrgica. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo con el objetivo de evaluar la efectividad de los autotrasplantes de dientes retenidos realizados en el servicio de Cirugía Maxilofacial del Hospital Universitario Arnaldo Milián Castro, desde enero de 1991 hasta diciembre del 2002. Se realizaron 172 autotrasplantes de caninos y terceros molares retenidos. No se presentaron complicaciones postquirúrgicas severas. La terapia antimicrobiana impidió que se produjeran infecciones postquirúrgicas. Se realizó tratamiento pulporradicular en el 10,5 por ciento de los autotrasplantes que presentaron forámenes muy estrechos con dilaceración apical, al cabo de los 21 a 30 días de trasplantado el diente. En el 1,2 por ciento se llevó a cabo ante la aparición de complicaciones. La movilidad dentaria grado III e inserción gingival mala, aparecieron en el 3,5 por ciento de los dientes trasplantados. A través del análisis radiográfico se constató reabsorción radicular en el 15,2 por ciento de los autotrasplantes y degeneración cálcica pulpar en el 2,3 por ciento. El 8,4 por ciento de los caninos trasplantados fue rechazado, sin embargo el 100 por ciento de los terceros molares sobrevivió. La efectividad del autotrasplante dentario fue de 92,4 por ciento en nuestro estudio (AU)

In vivo measurements of control coefficients for hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities were increased in Xenopus laevis oocytes by microinjection of commercial pure enzymes. The effect of increased fractional activities on glycogen synthesis or on the production of 14CO(2) (the oxidative portion of the pentose phosphate pathway) was investigated by microinjection of [1-(14)C]glucose and measurements of the radioactivity in glycogen and CO(2). Control coefficients calculated from the data show that hexokinase plays an important role in the control of glycogen synthesis (control coefficient=0.7) but its influence on the control of the pentose phosphate pathway is almost nil (control coefficient=-0.01). Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase injections did not affect the production of 14CO(2) by the pentose phosphate pathway, indicating that other factors control the operation of this pathway. In addition, an almost null control of this enzyme on glycogen synthesis flux was observed.

[Colonic perforation secondary to ileocecal tuberculosis. Report of one case]. / Perforación del colon secundaria a tuberculosis ileocecal. Caso clínico.

We report a 44 years old male, presenting with an eight months history of right lower quadrant pain, diarrhea and weight loss. Colonoscopy showed a proliferative and ulcerated lesion in the cecum, with necrotic areas. Barium enema showed an extensive irregular stenosis with rigidity of cecum and ascending colon. The endoscopic biopsy showed numerous granulomas with giant multinucleated cells of Langhans type. A right colectomy was performed with a good postoperative evolution. Anti tuberculosis treatment was started two weeks later and was well tolerated. The patient is currently asymptomatic after two years of followup.

[Sertoli-Leydig tumor. Clinical case]. / Tumor de Sertoli y Leydig. Caso clínico.

We report a 16 year old girl presenting with secondary amenorrhea, a history of voice coarsening, hirsutism and a body mass index of 35 kg/m2. Pelvic ultrasound and CT scans showed a retro uterine dense mass. She was operated and a left ovarian tumor was excised. Pathological examination disclosed a Sertoli-Leydig tumor.

The effects of acute levodopa withdrawal on motor performance and dopaminergic receptor sensitivity in patients with Parkinson's disease.

The effects of acute levodopa withdrawal were studied in nine patients with levodopa related on-off oscillations. One patient withdrew from the study due to off period confusion and hallucinations. A marked deterioration in motor disability occurred in all patients following overnight withdrawal of levodopa and a further mild delayed deterioration was present over a mean withdrawal period of 44 hours. Patients with more severe disease were able to tolerate levodopa withdrawal for a shorter period of time than those with milder disease severity. The minimum therapeutic dose of subcutaneous apomorphine needed to produce a similar improvement in patients' mobility, before and after several days of drug withdrawal, did not differ, thus providing no clinical evidence for alterations in striatal dopamine receptor sensitivity after acute levodopa withdrawal.

Subcutaneous apomorphine in Parkinson's disease: response to chronic administration for up to five years.

Subcutaneous apomorphine, administered by continuous waking-day infusion with boluses, or by repeated intermittent injection, was given to 71 parkinsonian patients with severe refractory levodopa related on-off fluctuations for 1-5 years. A mean reduction in daily off period time of approximately 50% was maintained, and the incidence of neuropsychiatric toxicity remained low on long-term follow-up. No clinically significant tolerance or loss of therapeutic effect was seen, although increasingly severe on-phase dyskinesias and postural instability marred the long-term therapeutic response in many patients. Despite these drawbacks, apomorphine, when combined with the peripheral dopamine receptor agonist domperidone, represents a significant therapeutic advance in the management of late-stage Parkinson's disease and should certainly be considered before experimental implantation procedures.

Impaired activation of the supplementary motor area in Parkinson's disease is reversed when akinesia is treated with apomorphine.

Using positron emission tomography (PET) we previously showed that activation of the putamen, supplementary motor area, and cingulate cortex is impaired in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) when they are off treatment and perform volitional motor tasks. Evidence suggests that these areas are involved in the generation of internally cued movements in normal subjects. We have now studied the effect of the dopamine agonist apomorphine on cerebral activation when used to treat the akinesia of PD. Regional cerebral blood flow was measured using C15O2 PET in PD patients at rest and when performing paced joystick movements with the right hand in one of four freely chosen directions. All patients used apomorphine regularly, and were studied before treatment, while still "off" but receiving a subcutaneous apomorphine infusion, and when switched "on" with apomorphine. Significant increases in regional cerebral blood flow were determined using statistical parametric mapping. Under resting conditions apomorphine had no effect on focal or global cerebral blood flow. Seven patients with PD performed the motor task adequately in the "off" and "on" states. This group of subjects demonstrated impaired activation of the supplementary motor area and contralateral putamen in the "off" state. Activation of the supplementary motor area significantly improved when the akinesia was reversed with apomorphine. We conclude that the concomitant improvement of supplementary motor area activation and motor function in apomorphine-treated patients with PD provides further evidence for the role of this structure in generating motor programs.

Hallucinations and parkinsonian motor fluctuations.

Thirty patients with Parkinson's disease experiencing hallucinations during long-term treatment were compared with 20 parkinsonian patients without hallucinations. No differences were found in the duration of disease, L-dopa treatment or disease severity between the two groups. The hallucinators however, were significantly older and more cognitively impaired. Visual hallucinations occurring only during "off periods of immobility" were relatively common and improved concurrently with parkinsonian disabilities after L-dopa. Although visual hallucinations were commonest auditory hallucinations occurred in one third of the hallucinators.

Effect of progesterone on norepinephrine release from mouse adrenergic terminals in vitro.

1. The in vitro effect of progesterone on norepinephrine (NE) release and contractile activity was analyzed in uterine horns from estrogen-primed and progesterone-primed mice. 2. Progesterone (6-10 nmol/ml) evoked the release of [3H]NE above basal levels from uterine horns in both experimental conditions, the effect of progesterone on estrogen-primed being more important than on progesterone-primed mice uterus. 3. Progesterone also increased electrically evoked [3H]NE release in estrogen-primed uterine tissue, nevertheless no effect was observed in progesterone-primed ones. 4. Progesterone (0.6-10 nmol/ml) inhibited uterine horn isometric contractions only in estradiol-primed mice. This effect was partially blocked in uterine horns from reserpine-treated mice and when propanolol (1 microM) was added to the preparation of estradiol-primed mice uterus.

[Collateral vessels of the aortic arch of the guinea pig Cavia porcellus (Rodentia)]. / Colaterales del arco aórtico del cuilo Cavia porcellus (Rodentia).

The distribution of the principle arteries of the aortic arch in male and female guinea pigs is highly variable.