1,721,001 research outputs found
Chronic imipramine, L-sulpiride and mianserin decrease Corticotropin releasing Factor levels in the rat brain
No full textAmong clinically effective antidepressant drugs, the action mechanism of mianserin has recently been related to variations in corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) levels in the rat locus coeruleus. We describe a specific effect on CRF levels after chronic treatment with different antidepressants: mianserin (10 mg/kg), imipramine (20 mg/kg), both for 21 days, or L-sulpiride (1 mg/kg) for 15 days. While all antidepressants used greatly decreased CRF concentrations in the hypothalamus, only mianserin decreased CRF concentrations by 40% in extrahypothalamic sites. Acute treatments failed to modify CRF levels. Chronic treatment with mianserin did not affect CRF density either in the hypothalamus or the extrahypothalamic areas. This new finding may add another facet to the therapeutic action of certain antidepressants and in particular to the atypical profile of mianserin
Current Challenges in Neonatal Resuscitation: What is the Role of Adrenaline?
No full textAdrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a hormone, neurotransmitter, and medication. It is the best established drug in neonatal resuscitation, but only weak evidence supports current recommendations for its use. Furthermore, the available evidence is partly based on extrapolations from adult studies, and this introduces further uncertainty, especially when considering the unique physiological characteristics of newly born infants. The timing, dose, and route of administration of adrenaline are still debated, even though this medication has been used in neonatal resuscitation for a long time. According to the most recent Neonatal Resuscitation Guidelines from the American Heart Association, adrenaline use is indicated when the heart rate remains < 60 beats per minute despite the establishment of adequate ventilation with 100% oxygen and chest compressions. The aforementioned guidelines recommend intravenous administration (via an umbilical venous catheter) of adrenaline at a dose of 0.01-0.03 mg/kg (1:10,000 concentration). Endotracheal administration of a higher dose (0.05-0.1 mg/kg) may be considered while venous access is being obtained, even if supportive data for endotracheal adrenaline are lacking. The safety and efficacy of intraosseous administration of adrenaline remain to be investigated. This article reviews the evidence on the circulatory effects and tolerability of adrenaline in the newborn, discusses literature data on adrenaline use in neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and describes international recommendations and outcome data regarding the use of this medication during neonatal resuscitation
Intrauterine smoke exposure: a new risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia?
No full textOBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the role of intrauterine smoke exposure and other variables on the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in infants with birth weight < 1500 g (VLBW).
METHODS:
This case-control study investigated 277 VLBW infants (141 cases, 136 controls) admitted at birth to neonatal intensive care unit and survived to discharge. A retrospective telephone interview provided detailed parental information supplementing clinical data. Logistic regression assessed the effects of birth weight 7 days (MV>7), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), intrauterine smoke exposure > or = 3 months (ISE), and of parental history of asthma on BPD (oxygen dependency at 28 days with characteristic radiographic abnormalities) occurrence.
RESULTS:
Including all variables, only GA7 were significantly associated with BPD. ISE did not contribute significantly to this model (odds ratio [OR] 1.94; 95% confidence interval 0.88-4.26). Excluding iatrogenic variable MV>7, GA<30, RDS, PDA and ISE (OR 2.21; 95% confidence interval 1.03-4.76) were significantly associated with BPD. Analyzing GA as a continuous variable, the OR was 0.63 for each additional week.
CONCLUSIONS:
Prolonged mechanical ventilation, RDS and low gestational age were the major BPD determinants. Intrauterine smoke exposure seems to influence independently BPD development
The human eye expresses high levels of CB1 cannabinoid receptor mRNA and protein
No full textWe used reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to detect the expression of the central and peripheral cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2, respectively) mRNA, and Western blotting to show the presence of the CB1 protein in subregions of the human eye. CB2 mRNA transcripts were undetectable, while levels of CB1 mRNA were significantly expressed in the human retina (25.8 ± 2.46%), ciliary body (210 ± 11.55%) and iris (62.7 ± 5.94%) when compared with those of the normalizing reference gene β2 microglobulin. The CB1 gene encodes a functional protein which is detected in its glycosylated (63 kDa) and unglycosylated (54 kDa) form in the same areas by a specific purified antibody raised against the amino terminus (residues 1-77) of the CB1 receptor. These results further support the proposed role of the CB1 receptor in controlling intraocular pressure, helping to explain the antiglaucoma properties of marijuana
RT-PCR: a highly sensitive mRNA detection method usefully applicable toneuropharmacology
No full textBronchiolitis-associated encephalopathy in critically-ill infants: an underestimated complication?
No full textBronchiolitis-associated encephalopathy in critically-ill infants: an underestimated complication?
No full textOBJECTIVE:
To investigate the bronchiolitis-associated encephalopathy in critically ill infants.
METHODS:
The records of infants with severe bronchiolitis admitted to our intensive care unit between 1991 and 2003 were reviewed. Subjects with underlying neurological disorders were excluded. Encephalopathy was defined as occurrence of seizures or at least two nonconvulsive neurologic manifestations. A semistructured telephone interview investigated long-term neurodevelopmental outcome.
RESULTS:
Twenty-one infants (11 newborns) were enrolled. All patients required oxygen supplementation and 14 required mechanical ventilation. Encephalopathy occurred in 10 infants, six of whom developed seizures. Encephalopathic infants frequently (six of nine) showed transient EEG abnormalities, and occasionally (one of nine) cranial ultrasound abnormalities. A positive respiratory syncytial virus test was found in five of nine encephalopathic infants. One encephalopathic patient died, while 20 infants clinically normalised before discharge and showed a good neurodevelopmental outcome.
CONCLUSIONS:
Acute encephalopathy was frequently observed in our patients with severe bronchiolitis. Long-term prognosis of encephalopathic infants was good
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