Exposure to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency modulates calcitonin-dependent activity and HSP-90 protein in parafollicular cells of rat thyroid gland.

In this study we analyzed the response of parafollicular cells in rat thyroid gland after exposure to radiofrequency at 2.45 GHz using a subthermal experimental diathermy model. Forty-two Sprague Dawley rats, divided into two groups of 21 rats each, were individually exposed at 0 (control), 3 or 12 W in a Gigahertz Transverse Electro-Magnetic (GTEM) chamber for 30 min. After radiation, we used simple or fluorescence immunohistochemistry to measure calcitonin cells or cellular stress levels, indicated by the presence hyperplasia of parafollicular cells, heat shock protein (HSP) 90. Immunomarking of calcitonin-positive cells was statistically significant higher in the thyroid tissue of rats exposed to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency and cell hyperplasia appeared 90 min after radiation at the SAR levels studied. At the same time, co-localized expression of HSP-90 and calcitonin in parafollicular cells was statistically significant attenuated 90 min after radiation and remained statistically significantly low 24 h after radiation, even though parafollicular cell levels normalized. These facts indicate that subthermal radiofrequency (RF) at 2.45 GHz constitutes a negative external stress stimulus that alters the activity and homeostasis of parafollicular cells in the rat thyroid gland. However, further research is needed to determine if there is toxic action in human C cells.

EMF radiation at 2450 MHz triggers changes in the morphology and expression of heat shock proteins and glucocorticoid receptors in rat thymus.

AIMS: Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can act as inducers or mediators of stress response through the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs) that modulate immune response and thymus functions. In this study, we analyzed cellular stress levels in rat thymus after exposure of the rats to a 2.45 GHz radio frequency (RF) using an experimental diathermic model in a Gigahertz Transverse Electromagnetic (GTEM) chamber. MAIN METHODS: In this experiment, we used H&E staining, the ELISA test and immunohistochemistry to examine Hsp70 and Hsp90 expression in the thymus and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) of 64 female Sprague­Dawley rats exposed individually to 2.45 GHz (at 0, 1.5, 3.0 or 12.0 W power). The 1 g averaged peak and mean SAR values in the thymus and whole body of each rat to ensure that sub-thermal levels of radiation were being reached. KEY FINDINGS: The thymus tissue presented several morphological changes, including increased distribution of blood vessels along with the appearance of red blood cells and hemorrhagic reticuloepithelial cells. Levels of Hsp90 decreased in the thymus when animals were exposed to the highest power level (12 W), but only one group did not show recovery after 24 h. Hsp70 presented no significant modifications in any of the groups. The glucocorticoid receptors presented greater immunomarking on the thymic cortex in exposed animals. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicate that non-ionizing sub-thermal radiation causes changes in the endothelial permeability and vascularization of the thymus, and is a tissue-modulating agent for Hsp90 and GR.

The effects of single and repeated exposure to 2.45 GHz radiofrequency fields on c-Fos protein expression in the paraventricular nucleus of rat hypothalamus.

This study investigated the effects of microwave radiation on the PVN of the hypothalamus, extracted from rat brains. Expression of c-Fos was used to study the pattern of cellular activation in rats exposed once or repeatedly (ten times in 2 weeks) to 2.45 GHz radiation in a GTEM cell. The power intensities used were 3 and 12 W and the Finite Difference Time Domain calculation was used to determine the specific absorption rate (SAR). High SAR triggered an increase of the c-Fos marker 90 min or 24 h after radiation, and low SAR resulted in c-Fos counts higher than in control rats after 24 h. Repeated irradiation at 3 W increased cellular activation of PVN by more than 100% compared to animals subjected to acute irradiation and to repeated non-radiated repeated session control animals. The results suggest that PVN is sensitive to 2.45 GHz microwave radiation at non-thermal SAR levels.

Curva de aprendizaje de la discectomía microendoscópica para el tratamiento de la hernia discal lumbar / Learning curve of microendoscopic discectomy for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation

Objetivo. Evaluar la curva de aprendizaje de la Discectomía Microendoscópica (MED) para el tratamiento de la hernia discal lumbar. Material y métodos. Estudio clínico observacional prospectivo de 120 pacientes intervenidos mediante técnica MED. La curva de aprendizaje se determinó atendiendo a la duración del procedimiento, las complicaciones y la tasa de conversión a cirugía abierta. Además se cuantificó el alivio del dolor, la mejoría del estado funcional y el grado de satisfacción del paciente, con un seguimiento de 5 años en todos los casos. Resultados. La duración de la intervención fue disminuyendo a lo largo de la serie para estabilizarse en torno a 62–69min después de los primeros 48 procedimientos. Se presentó alguna complicación en 14 pacientes (11,7%) la más frecuente fue el desgarro dural (3 casos, todos durante el proceso de aprendizaje de la técnica). En 6 ocasiones (5%) fue preciso reconvertir el procedimiento a técnica abierta (4 de ellos en los primeros 30 casos de la serie). Discusión y conclusiones. El periodo de aprendizaje de la MED abarcó entre 30–48 procedimientos. Superada esta etapa, fue excepcional la conversión a técnica abierta y no se produjeron complicaciones relacionadas con la técnica. La MED es un procedimiento predecible y seguro que permite tratar todo tipo de hernias discales a través de una incisión de 18 mm sin seccionar ni desinsertar la musculatura, y que ofrece unos resultados equiparales a los obtenidos con técnicas convencionales debido a que se basa en sus mismos principios quirúrgicos de descompresión radicular (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the learning curve of the Microendoscopic Discectomy (MED) for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. Material and methods. Prospective observational clinical study of 120 patients operated by MED technique. The learning curve was assessed using surgery time, complication rate and conversion rate. The relief of pain, improvement of functional status and patient satisfaction were also assessed. The follow-up time after surgery was 5 years in all cases. Results. The duration of surgical operating time decreased over the course of the study to stabilise around 62–69min. There were complications in 14 patients (11.7%), the most frequent of which was incidental durotomy (3 cases, all during the learning curve period). There were six (5%) conversions to open discectomy (4 patients in the first 30 cases). After this stage, conversion to open procedure was exceptional and there were no complications related to technique. The MED is a predictable and safe procedure that can treat all types of herniated discs through an 18 mm incision without detaching the muscles, providing similar results to those obtained with conventional techniques, as it is based on the same surgical principles (AU)

Tratamiento de la estenosis del receso lateral mediante laminectomía microendoscópica: resultados a un año de evolución / Treatment of lateral recess stenosis by means of microendoscopic decompressive laminectomy: results at one year

Objetivo: valorar la eficacia de la descompresión radicular de la estenosis del receso lateral lumbar por técnica microendoscópica.Material y métodoestudio longitudinal prospectivo de 60 pacientes diagnosticados de estenosis de canal lumbar e intervenidos mediante descompresión por vía microendoscópica usando un retractor tubular METRx de 18mm según la técnica METRx (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, Estados Unidos). Se evalúan los resultados con la escala visual analógica del dolor (EVA), el índice de discapacidad de Oswestry (ODI), el grado subjetivo de satisfacción percibido por el paciente y la clasificación modificada de Macnab.Resultadosla media±desviación estándar de edad es 54,5±10 años, 34 (56,7%) son varones y 26 (43,3%), mujeres. El área más afectada es L5 (63,33%). La media de tiempo de la intervención quirúrgica fue 85,17±18min. La media de estancia hospitalaria postoperatoria fue 4±1,2 días. El tiempo de seguimiento de los pacientes fue de 12 meses. Obtuvimos un 66,6% de resultados buenos o excelentes; con una satisfacción subjetiva buena en el 68,3% de los pacientes. La disminución media del ODI al año con respecto al preoperatorio es de 34,3±26,2 puntos, la de EVA de extremidades inferiores es de 6,2±2,6 puntos, y en la EVA lumbar, de 1,6±1,8 puntos, todas con significación estadística (p<0,05).Conclusioneslos datos recabados en nuestra experiencia nos indican que la laminectomía descompresiva microendoscópica es una técnica segura y efectiva para el tratamiento de la estenosis del receso lateral lumbar y una alternativa en las técnicas mínimamente invasivas de la columna (AU)

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of microendoscopic radicular decompression of lumbar lateral recess stenosis.Materials and methodsProspective longitudinal study of 60 patients diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis and treated by microendoscopic decompression using a METRx 18-mm tubular retractor according to the METRx (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, USA) technique. The results were evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale pain score (VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), a patient satisfaction questionnaire and the modified Macnab criteria.ResultsMean age was 54.5±10 years; 34 (56.7%) subjects were male and 26 (43.3%) women. The most affected level was L5 (63.33%). Mean OR time was 85.17±18min. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 4±1.2 days. Follow-up was 12 months. We obtained 66.6% good or excellent results and obtained a good subjective satisfaction level in 68.3% of patients. Mean ODI decrease was 34.3±26.2 points, lower-limb VAS was 6.2±2.6 points, and lumbar VAS 1.6±1.8 points; all these results were statistically significant (p<0.05).ConclusionsThe results obtained indicate that, in our experience, microendoscopic decompressive laminectomy is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of the lumbar lateral recess stenosis (AU)

The action of pulse-modulated GSM radiation increases regional changes in brain activity and c-Fos expression in cortical and subcortical areas in a rat model of picrotoxin-induced seizure proneness.

The action of the pulse-modulated GSM radiofrequency of mobile phones has been suggested as a physical phenomenon that might have biological effects on the mammalian central nervous system. In the present study, GSM-exposed picrotoxin-pretreated rats showed differences in clinical and EEG signs, and in c-Fos expression in the brain, with respect to picrotoxin-treated rats exposed to an equivalent dose of unmodulated radiation. Neither radiation treatment caused tissue heating, so thermal effects can be ruled out. The most marked effects of GSM radiation on c-Fos expression in picrotoxin-treated rats were observed in limbic structures, olfactory cortex areas and subcortical areas, the dentate gyrus, and the central lateral nucleus of the thalamic intralaminar nucleus group. Nonpicrotoxin-treated animals exposed to unmodulated radiation showed the highest levels of neuronal c-Fos expression in cortical areas. These results suggest a specific effect of the pulse modulation of GSM radiation on brain activity of a picrotoxin-induced seizure-proneness rat model and indicate that this mobile-phone-type radiation might induce regional changes in previous preexcitability conditions of neuronal activation.

Resultados terapéuticos a corto plazo de la infiltración con toxina botulínica ante el fracaso del tratamiento convencional de 7 pacientes con epicondilitis / Short-term outcome of a-botulinum toxin infiltration in 7 epicondylitis patients in whom coventional treatment failed

Introducción. La epicondilitis es un trastorno que cursa con dolor en la inserción proximal del músculoextensor radial corto del carpo. El tratamiento habitual se basa en reposo y medidas farmacológicas, fisioterapia, infiltraciones con corticoides y uso de ortesis. Cuando fracasa el tratamiento conservador, disponemos de la alternativa quirúrgica. El objetivo es evaluar la respuesta de los pacientes con epicondilitis rebeldes a tratamiento conservador con toxina botulínica tipo A (TB-A). Material y métodos. Realizamos un estudio prospectivo con 7 pacientes diagnosticados de epicondilitis, con un tiempo de evolución mínimo de 4 meses, en los que fracasó el tratamiento conservador. Antes de tomar una decisión quirúrgica, se les aplicó una única infiltración de TB-A, entre 25 y 50 UI de Botox. Se recogen como variables: dosis aplicada, dolor a la palpación y con la maniobra de extensión resistida de la muñeca y efectos secundarios.Resultados. Obtuvimos una mejoría importante del dolor en todos los pacientes tras 1 mes de la aplicación de TB-A. La paresia de la musculatura extensora del carpo apareció en las 2 primeras semanas con una resolución completa entre los 2-8 primeros meses posinfiltración.Conclusión. El tratamiento de la epicondilitis resistente a tratamiento conservador mediante la aplicación de TB-A es un tratamiento eficaz, que mejora en todos los casos la sintomatología clínica

Introduction. Epicondylitis is a disorder that causes pain in the proximal insertion of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. The most common treatment is rest and pharmacological measures, physical therapy, infiltrations with corticoids and orthosis. Surgery can be alternatively used when conservative treatments fail. The objective is assess the response of patients with persistent epicondylitis to botulinum toxin A (TB-A). Materials and methods. A prospective study was carried out with 7 patients diagnosed with epicondylitis (a minimum of 4 months prior to the research), who had failed in their response to conservative treatments. Prior to a surgical decision, each of them was applied a single application of TB-A (25-50 U of Botox).Variables included: dose amount, pain following palpation and pain following resisted wrist extension maneuvers and secondary effects. Results. All patients experienced important improvement. Paresis in forearm muscles appeared in the first two weeks with complete resolution 2-8 months after infiltration. Conclusion. The treatment of epicondylitis resistant to conservative treatments through TB-A application constitutes effective treatment with clinical pictures improvement in all cases

Morphological study of root surfaces in teeth with adult periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Our study correlates the histological alterations in the cementum (especially resorption areas) of teeth with the different stages of adult periodontitis. METHODS: Sixty-seven teeth affected by adult periodontitis and 7 healthy teeth extracted from patients over 40 years old were used. The teeth were divided into 3 groups according to radiographic data: group 1: five teeth with bone loss less than one-third of the normal alveolar height; group 2: thirty-one teeth with bone loss between one and two thirds; and group 3: thirty-one teeth with bone loss greater than two thirds. The samples were prepared for light and scanning electron microscopy, considering the gingival, middle, and apical thirds in each root. RESULTS: Two control teeth, 4 teeth in group 1, and all teeth in groups 2 and 3 showed resorption areas. Regarding the gingival third, the control teeth did not show any resorption, while 25% of affected teeth in group 1, 38.7% of teeth in group 2, and 35.5% of teeth in group 3 exhibited resorption. Regarding the middle third, 50% of affected teeth belonging to the control group and group 1; 67.7% of teeth in group 2; and 87.1% of teeth in group 3 showed resorption. Regarding the apical third, all teeth belonging to the control group and group 1 showed resorption, while 93.5% and 87.1% of teeth in groups 2 and 3, respectively, exhibited resorption. Most of the resorptions did not extend beyond the cementum. However, in 29.0% of teeth in group 2 and 38.7% of teeth in group 3, resorption had spread as far as the dentin. All the lesions in the control group and group 1 were practically repaired, while only 71.0% of teeth in group 2 and 61.3% of teeth in group 3 showed some sign of reparation. However, in groups 2 and 3, practically all lesions affecting dentin were repaired. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the spread of root resorption is associated with inflammation. This study also suggests that the capacity for repair of root resorption is diminished with greater severity of periodontitis.

Variation in articular cartilage in rabbits between weeks six and eight.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies of variation in cartilage characteristics with age have involved comparison of young and adult individuals, but no data on short-term age-related change are available. Such data are important for studies of the response of cartilage to experimental stimuli in young rabbits, to distinguish the response to the stimuli from accompanying age-related changes. METHODS: We used light microscopy to study the thickness, cell density, and degree of histological definition of articular cartilage on the femoral trochlea of 6-, 7-, and 8-week-old rabbits. RESULTS: Thickness and cell density both decline significantly with age. The decline in cell density is more marked in surface layers of cartilage and is accompanied by an increase in the safranin O-staining affinity of the extracellular matrix and an extension of this affinity towards the surface. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the synthesis of matrix components becomes more important relative to proliferative activity. The traditionally defined histological layers (zones I, II, III, and IV) are not clearly distinguishable in rabbits of this age. In 6- and 7-week old animals only a "surface" (I/II) and a "deep" layer (III) can be distinguished. By 8 weeks, zones I and II are well defined but the mineralization front (marking the boundary between zones III and IV) is still absent.

A comparative study of the tangential-oculomotor projection.

Most of the neurons of the tangential vestibular nucleus of birds project to the controlateral oculomotor complex, but it is not known whether there is a homologous projection in mammals. In this study, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the oculomotor nucleus of chicks and rabbits, and the distributions of labelled neurons in the target region of the vestibular complex in the two species were compared. In chicks, a large number of labelled neurons formed a continuous band of neurons located in the contralateral tangential, descending and medial nuclei. In rabbits a similar band of labelled neurons was found in the contralateral descending and medial vestibular nuclei, but most of the neurons were caudal to the incoming vestibular nerve fibers, and only a few rostral neurons were located among these fibers. Our results suggest that the tangential nucleus neurons projecting to the oculomotor nucleus may be homologous to the most lateral neurons of the neuronal band of rabbits.

Distribution of the vestibular neurons projecting to the oculomotor and trochlear nuclei in rabbits.

Horseradish peroxidase and Fast Blue were injected into the oculomotor and trochlear nuclei of rabbits so as to study the distribution of vestibular neurons that project to these nuclei. After the oculomotor nucleus was injected, labelled neurons were found in the superior, medial, and descending vestibular nuclei as well as in cell group Y. In the superior nucleus, most of the neurons (510 +/- 46) were ipsilateral to the injection, although contralaterally labelled neurons were also observed (104 +/- 19) more peripherally. In cell group Y, 186 +/- 24 contralaterally labelled neurons were observed, whereas hardly any (8 +/- 3) were found on the ipsilateral side. The largest group of labelled neurons (811 +/- 65) constituted a neuronal band located contralaterally in the medial nucleus and rostral part of the descending nucleus. This band rostromedially continued with the caudal part of the group of internuclear neurons of the abducens nucleus. Only 190 +/- 31 neurons were labelled in the medial and descending nucleus ipsilateral to the injected oculomotor nucleus. After injection of the trochlear nucleus, labelled neurons were found in the ipsilateral superior nucleus and contralateral medial and descending nuclei: a few labelled cells were also observed in the ipsilateral medial and descending nuclei as well as in the contralateral cell group Y.

Afferent connections of the oculomotor nucleus in the chick.

Horseradish peroxidase was injected into the oculomotor nucleus of the chick in order to locate and characterize the neurons projecting to this nucleus. In the rostral mesencephalon, 120-180 neurons were labelled in the medial area of the ipsilateral nucleus campi Foreli; 190-220 in the interstitial nucleus of Cajal (most of them contralateral); and smaller numbers bilaterally in the medial mesencephalic reticular formation, the nucleus of the basal optic root complex, and the central grey matter. More caudally, numerous neurons were labelled in the contralateral abducens nucleus and the vestibular complex and a few in the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis. Labelled neurons appeared ipsilaterally in the caudal region of the nucleus vestibularis superior and in the rostral tip of the nucleus descendens just lateral to the tractus lamino-olivaris. In the contralateral vestibular complex, a group of labelled cells observed in the dorsolateral area may be homologous to the mammalian cell group Y. At the level of the contralateral abducens nucleus, the most numerous group of cells (625-700) projecting to the oculomotor nucleus formed a lateromedial fringe that affected the nucleus tangentialis, the rostral tip of the nucleus descendens, and the ventrolateral region of the nucleus medialis. Only a few labelled neurons were seen in the contralateral nucleus vestibularis superior, the ipsilateral cell group A, and the ipsilateral nucleus vestibularis medialis.

[Dendroarchitectonic study of the pyramidal cells of the medial frontal cortex of the macaca]. / Etude dendroarchitectonique des cellules pyramidales du cortex frontal interne du macaque

A comparative study of "normal" and "improperly oriented" pyramidal cells has been performed in the medial frontal lobe cortex of the monkey (Macacus Irus). The comparison of the observed number of topological types for each group of dendrites shows that the apical dendrites of each type of cells have a different growth. The apical dendrites of the normal pyramidal cells grow by monochotomous branching on random segments and have much more spines on the first order segments, the apical dendrites of the improperly oriented pyramidal cells grow by branching on pendant arcs (terminal growth model), and have fewer spines. The functional signification of these differences remains actually obscure.

[Comparative study of the dorso-medial nucleus of the inferior colliculus]. / Etude comparative du noyau dorso-médian du tubercule quadrijumeau inférieur

The comparative study by network analysis of the dorso-median nucleus of the inferior colliculus has been performed in the adult and new born cat, the adult rat and the adult monkey. For each animal, the two previously recognized types of cells have been identified. However the number of each type of cells is different. The 2 order cells have the same volume in the rat, the adult cat and the monkey. The 3 order cells are larger in the monkey and the cat than in the rat. The number and the volume of the different types of cells is similar in the ventro-lateral nucleus of the adult cat and in the dorso-medial nucleus of the new born cat.