Scoliosis, diabetes mellitus and total laminectomy at the 4th lumbar vertebra are independent risk factors for post-laminectomy fracture around the isthmus.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the risk factors and clinical outcomes for post-laminectomy fracture around the isthmus, which can cause back pain or radiculopathy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study involving all patients who underwent laminectomy splitting the spinous process for lumbar spinal stenosis between 2010 and 2014. The primary outcome measure was post-laminectomy fracture around the isthmus. Clinical outcomes were evaluated based on reoperation rate. To evaluate risk factors for fracture, the following parameters were collected: (1) patient characteristics and concomitant diabetes mellitus, (2) lumbar scoliosis and sagittal alignment parameters, and (3) surgical data, such as rate of total laminectomy. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent risk factors for post-laminectomy fracture. RESULTS: Twelve of the 92 patients suffered a post-laminectomy fracture around the isthmus. Logistic regression analysis revealed that diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR]: 15.41; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.93-80.98; P=0.001), L4 total laminectomy (OR: 14.68; 95% CI: 1.51-142.76; P=0.021), and lumbar scoliosis (OR: 5.72; 95% CI: 1.16-28.21; P=0.032) were independent risk factors. The fracture group included 2 patients (16.7%) who required reoperation at the decompression level for recurrent leg pain, whereas the non-fracture group included 2 (2.5%) who underwent reoperation at a level different from the index procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Post-laminectomy fractures around the isthmus were significantly associated with scoliosis, diabetes mellitus, and total laminectomy at L4. Total laminectomy at L4 is best avoided to reduce the risk of post-laminectomy fracture in patients with scoliosis or diabetes mellitus.

Soil macrofauna density and diversity across a chronosequence of tropical forest restoration in Southeastern Brazil / Densidade e diversidade da macrofauna edáfica em uma cronosequência de florestas tropicais em restauração no Sudeste do Brasil

Abstract Edaphic macrofauna must be better studied if we want to take advantage of their full potential for the restoration of tropical ecosystems. We investigated changes in edaphic macrofauna density and diversity along a secondary succession chronosequence in the Atlantic Forest. Our results show some clear patterns of change in soil macrofauna along the chronosequence. Density did not increase along secondary succession, but was correlated with canopy cover. Diversity was characterized by high dominance of social insects and evenness among other groups. We conclude soil macrofauna has a high capacity to recolonize young forests and that its recovery is considerably fast compared to other ecosystem transformations.

Resumo A macrofauna edáfica deve ser mais bem estudada se quisermos aproveitar todo o seu potencial para a restauração de ecossistemas tropicais. Nós investigamos as mudanças de densidade e diversidade da macrofauna edáfica em uma cronossequência durante a sucessão secundária na Mata Atlântica. Nossos resultados mostram padrões claros de mudança. A densidade não aumentou ao longo da sucessão secundária, mas foi correlacionada com a cobertura de dossel. A diversidade foi caracterizada pela alta dominância de insetos sociais e equidade entre os demais grupos. Nós concluímos que a macrofauna edáfica tem alta capacidade de recolonizar florestas jovens e que sua recuperação é relativamente rápida se comparada a outras transformações ecossistêmicas.

Soil macrofauna density and diversity across a chronosequence of tropical forest restoration in Southeastern Brazil.

Edaphic macrofauna must be better studied if we want to take advantage of their full potential for the restoration of tropical ecosystems. We investigated changes in edaphic macrofauna density and diversity along a secondary succession chronosequence in the Atlantic Forest. Our results show some clear patterns of change in soil macrofauna along the chronosequence. Density did not increase along secondary succession, but was correlated with canopy cover. Diversity was characterized by high dominance of social insects and evenness among other groups. We conclude soil macrofauna has a high capacity to recolonize young forests and that its recovery is considerably fast compared to other ecosystem transformations.

Soil macrofauna density and diversity across a chronosequence of tropical forest restoration in Southeastern Brazil

Abstract Edaphic macrofauna must be better studied if we want to take advantage of their full potential for the restoration of tropical ecosystems. We investigated changes in edaphic macrofauna density and diversity along a secondary succession chronosequence in the Atlantic Forest. Our results show some clear patterns of change in soil macrofauna along the chronosequence. Density did not increase along secondary succession, but was correlated with canopy cover. Diversity was characterized by high dominance of social insects and evenness among other groups. We conclude soil macrofauna has a high capacity to recolonize young forests and that its recovery is considerably fast compared to other ecosystem transformations.

Resumo A macrofauna edáfica deve ser mais bem estudada se quisermos aproveitar todo o seu potencial para a restauração de ecossistemas tropicais. Nós investigamos as mudanças de densidade e diversidade da macrofauna edáfica em uma cronossequência durante a sucessão secundária na Mata Atlântica. Nossos resultados mostram padrões claros de mudança. A densidade não aumentou ao longo da sucessão secundária, mas foi correlacionada com a cobertura de dossel. A diversidade foi caracterizada pela alta dominância de insetos sociais e equidade entre os demais grupos. Nós concluímos que a macrofauna edáfica tem alta capacidade de recolonizar florestas jovens e que sua recuperação é relativamente rápida se comparada a outras transformações ecossistêmicas.

Tumor necrosis factor-α enhances RANKL expression in gingival epithelial cells via protein kinase A signaling.

OBJECTIVE AND BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder of the supporting tissue of teeth, which is composed of gingival soft tissue, cementum covering the tooth root, alveolar bone and periodontal ligament. The receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) is known to be an essential factor for osteoclastogenesis. Recent clinical studies indicate that levels of RANKL in the gingival crevicular fluid are increased while levels of its decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin (OPG), are decreased in patients with periodontitis. Although the gingival sulcus is composed of gingival tissue, RANKL and OPG expression in gingival epithelial cells is not fully understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of RANKL and OPG in gingival tissue and which factors regulate RANKL expression in gingival epithelial cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis, western blotting and immunohistochemistry were performed to confirm RANKL and OPG expression in gingival epithelial cells (GECs) and in gingival tissue. Immunostaining was also examined to confirm tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and TNF receptor type 1 (TNFR1) expression in gingival tissue. Ca9-22 cells, a human gingival epithelial cell line and human primary GECs were treated with TNF-α. Ca9-22 cells were treated by antibodies against TNF receptors, an inhibitor and an activator of protein kinase A (PKA) signaling and inhibitors of p38, Erk and NF-κB signaling to examine TNF-α-RANKL signaling pathways. RESULTS: RANKL mRNA and protein were expressed in GECs. Immunohistochemistry also showed RANKL expression in gingival tissue. On the other hand, the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry assay showed that GECs did not express OPG. In addition, TNF-α and TNFR1 proteins were expressed in junctional epithelium. TNF-α increased RANKL expression in GECs. TNF-α-induced RANKL expression was inhibited by an antibody against TNFR1 and an inhibitor of PKA signaling. Surprisingly, forskolin, a PKA activator, increased TNF-α-induced RANKL expression. CONCLUSION: RANKL, TNF and TNFR1 were coexpressed in junctional epithelium of gingival tissue. TNF-α induced RANKL expression via TNFR1 and PKA signaling in GECs of junctional epithelium.

Cardiovascular and adenylate cyclase stimulant properties of NKH477, a novel water-soluble forskolin derivative.

The cardiovascular effects of NKH477 (6-(3-dimethylaminopropionyl)forskolin hydrochloride), a novel water-soluble forskolin derivative, were investigated in dogs. Intravenous (i.v.) injections of NKH477 (1-30 micrograms/kg) caused dose-related increases in left ventricular dP/dtmax (LVdP/dtmax), coronary and femoral artery blood flow (CBF, FBF), heart rate (HR), and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) and a dose-related decrease in blood pressure (BP) in anesthetized dogs. The regression analysis between CBF and MVO2 showed that NKH477 did not influence substantially the balance of oxygen supply and demand. Infusions of NKH477 (0.15-0.6 microgram/kg/min i.v.) also increased LVdP/dtmax, cardiac output (CO), and HR and decreased BP, pulmonary arterial diastolic pressure, and total peripheral resistance (TPR) in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast to forskolin, NKH477 administered intraduodenally (0.05-0.2 mg/kg) and orally (0.15 and 0.3 mg/kg) clearly exhibited cardiovascular actions, as it did in i.v. administration, indicating that NKH477 is orally active. No arrhythmias were induced by NKH477 in any study. NKH477, like forskolin, showed adenylate cyclase stimulant activity in guinea pig ventricular membrane but did not inhibit Na+, K(+)-ATPase or phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. Thus, NKH477 can be characterized as a potent, orally active, water-soluble forskolin derivative, which suggests that NKH477 is a useful inodilator for treatment of heart failure, especially in the severe stage with beta-adrenoceptor downregulation.

Mechanisms of inhibitory action of phenylephrine in guinea-pig taenia coli.

The effect of phenylephrine, an alpha-agonist, on the Ca movements and the influence of removal of external Na+ on the relaxant activity of phenylephrine were examined in the taenia coli of guinea pigs. Phenylephrine (10(-7)-10(-5)M) caused dose-dependent relaxation of the taenia coli contracted by 20 mM KCl in Locke-Ringer solution. Phenylephrine (10(-5) M) suppressed the spike discharges of the taenia coli evoked by 20 mM KCl without affecting the membrane potential, and this was accompanied by the muscle relaxation. Phenylephrine also inhibited the cellular 45Ca-uptake in the taenia coli, but had no discernible effect on the 45Ca-efflux from the smooth muscle. These effects of phenylephrine were not observed in a Na-free solution or in the highly depolarized smooth muscle. These findings suggest that the inhibition of Ca-influx in the taenia coli may be involved in the phenylephrine-induced relaxation in the partly depolarized tissue. Reasons for reduction of phenylephrine action encountered under the Na-free condition were also discussed.