Upsala journal of medical sciences
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Myofibrillar myopathies constitute a rare group of congenital neuromuscular disorders, frequently associated with mutations in Z-disc proteins such as myotilin. Myotilin location and interactions with other Z-disc proteins are clearly defined, but its role in the regulation of muscle structure and function remains unknown. The present study aims at investigating this specific role of myotilin. ⋯ Similar skeletal and cardiac muscle weights were observed in myo(-/-) and myo(+/+) mice. At the muscle cell level, the size and force production of single membrane permeabilized fibers were identical between myo(-/-) and myo(+/+) rodents. Thus, myotilin does not have a significant influence on muscle mass, muscle fiber size, or regulation of muscle contraction. Alternatively, compensatory over-expressions of other elements including proteins from the same subfamily, or Z-disc proteins such as telethonin, or intermediate filaments may compensate for the lack of myotilin.
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Renal failure is an increasingly common condition with limited treatment options that is causing a major financial and emotional burden on the community. Andrographis paniculata is the plant used in Ayurveda for several remedies. Scientific evidence suggests its versatile biological functions that support its traditional use in the Orient. The plant is claimed to possess immunological, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and hepatoprotective properties. But, to date, there is no study demonstrating the protective effect of A. paniculata on gentamicin-induced renal failure. The present study aims to highlight the first ever reported, antirenal failure activity of A. paniculata. ⋯ The present study reports that the aqueous extract (whole plant) of A. paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees exhibits a significant renoprotective effect in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar albino rats.
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PTEN seems to play an important role in cell cycle, growth, migration, and death. Integrins are cell surface receptors that play a role in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, implantation, and embryogenesis. PTEN inhibits beta1 integrin signaling. The objective of this study is to investigate the expression of PTEN and beta1 integrin in placental tissues of early spontaneous abortion and first and third trimesters of normal pregnancy. ⋯ Our findings suggest that altered patterns of PTEN expression may be associated with abortion, but it seems that beta1 integrin does not contribute to this process as a signaling protein. Further evaluation is needed to highlight this subject.
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Different pharmacokinetic models for target controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol are available in the recently launched open TCI systems. There is also a compelling choice to work with either plasma- or effect-site targets. Knowledge about the clinical consequences of different alternatives is of importance. ⋯ We observed clinically significant different results between the models. The choice of model will make a difference for the patient. To eliminate confusion - not necessarily to improve precision - we call for an optimised population based pharmacokinetic model for propofol - a consensus model!
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Comparative Study
A comparison of auditory evoked potentials and spectral EEG in the ability to detect marked sevoflurane concentration alterations and clinical events.
Level of consciousness monitors can distinguish between consciousness and unconsciousness during anaesthesia induction and awakening. However, this distinction is rarely a clinical problem. What we do need is a peroperative indicator signalling when the anaesthetic depth comes close to awakening, or when it is too deep. We investigated the ability of the Alaris fast extracted AEP (AAI) and the GE Healthcare Spectral Entropy algorithms State- and Response Entropy (SE/RE) to respond to marked changes in sevoflurane concentration during stable surgery and to clinical incidents. ⋯ The Spectral EEG monitor performed significantly better, with a larger number of events detected, compared with the AAI-monitor. However, at the best half the number of events was detected. An anaesthetic ceiling effect might to some part explain this finding. Notwithstanding, continuous anaesthetic depth monitoring may add information to low sensitive semi-continuous standard autonomic monitoring.