ht increase glucose levels and worsen other metabolic parameters in patients with T2DM. Due to substantial heterogeneity in study design and limited clinical trials, results, however, should be interpreted with great caution.Chronobiology is not routinely taught to biology or medical students in most European countries. Here we present the results of the chronobiology practicals of a group of students of the University of Padova, with a view to highlight some interesting features of this group, and to share a potentially interesting cross-faculty teaching experience. Thirty-eight students (17 males; 22.9 ± 1.6 yrs) completed a set of self-administered electronic sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], chronotype and sleepiness [Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)] questionnaires. They then went on to complete sleep diaries for two weeks. Sixteen also wore an actigraph, 8 wore wireless sensors for skin temperature, and 8 underwent a course of chronotherapy aimed at anticipating their sleep-wake timing. Analyses were performed as practicals, together with the students. Average PSQI score was 5.4 ± 1.9, with 15 (39%) students being poor sleepers. Average ESS score was 6.5 ± 3.3, with 3 (8%) students exhibiting excessive daytime sleepiness. Seven classified themselves as definitely/moderately morning, 25 as intermediates, 6 as moderately/definitely evening. Students went to bed/fell asleep significantly later on weekends, it took them less to fall asleep and they woke up/got up significantly later. Diary-reported sleep onset time coincided with the expected decrease in proximal skin temperature. Finally, during chronotherapy they took significantly less time to fall asleep. In conclusion, significant abnormalities in the sleep-wake patterns of a small group of university students were observed, and the students seemed to benefit from chronotherapy. We had a positive impression of our teaching experience, and the chronobiology courses obtained excellent student feedback.
Neural stem cells (NSCs) have the ability to regenerate, proliferate, and differentiate, enabling them to play important roles in the recovery of the damaged nervous system. However, in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), the NSCs are damaged as well. Glia-like cells from human mesenchymal stem cells (ghMSCs) are functionally enhanced adult stem cells. In the present study, we investigated whether ghMSCs could protect NSCs from amyloid beta (Aβ)-mediated toxicity.
Rat NSCs were obtained from E13-14 fetal rat cortices. NSCs were seeded in pre-coated plates, and the next day, cells were simultaneously treated with 20 μM Aβ and 0.4 μm pore insert well-seeded ghMSCs. After 48 hours of co-treatment, cell viability and proliferation were evaluated. After 2 hours of co-treatment, western blotting was performed to measure inflammasome-related factors, such as NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, caspase-1, and interleukin-1β.
The results showed that ghMSCs increased viability and proliferation and reduced the toxicity of NSCs injured by Aβ by reducing the NRLP3 inflammasome activation of NSCs induced by Aβ.
In this study, we confirmed that ghMSCs could protect NSCs in an
model of AD through the regulation of inflammatory response.
In this study, we confirmed that ghMSCs could protect NSCs in an in vitro model of AD through the regulation of inflammatory response.Focal atrial tachycardias (ATs) arising from the left atrium (LA) most commonly originate from the ostium of the pulmonary vein, the superior mitral annulus, the body of the coronary sinus, the LA septum, and the LA appendage. Focal ATs originating from the posterior wall of the LA are extremely rare. A 34-year-old male patient presented to the cardiology outpatient clinic complaining of palpitation. Electrocardiography showed a tachycardia at a ventricular rate of 150 bpm and a narrow QRS complex. Therefore, an electrophysiological study was performed, which was consistent with an AT. The patient underwent an electrophysiological study in tachycardias with narrow QRS complexes. The diagnostic electrophysiological findings were consistent with an AT. The AT cycle length was found to be 405 ms with variability in the ventriculoatrial interval. Simultaneous LA anatomical and activation mapping was performed during the AT using a 3D electroanatomic mapping system (CARTO) and a quadripolar unidirectional irrigated tip catheter. The activation mapping revealed that the earliest endocardial activation site was at the posterior wall of the LA, where the local electrogram was 72 ms and 35 ms before the coronary sinus reference and the P-wave onset, respectively. The activation mapping also showed centrifugal spreading and mid-diastolic, fractionated signals on the posterior wall. Radiofrequency ablation was successfully performed with 30-watt power at the site of the earliest atrial activation, with a fractionated electrogram terminating the tachycardia. LA posterior ATs are a rare form of AT. The electroanatomic mapping method enables the accurate localization of the LA focal tachycardia, and a high success rate is achieved with ablation therapy.While atherosclerotic plaque disruption remains the hallmark of type 1 myocardial infarction (T1MI), multiple other mechanisms provoking myocardial supply/demand mismatch (eg, anemia and tachyarrhythmias) are recognized as the potential causes of type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI). In clinical practice, angiography is underutilized in patients with MI that have typical T2MI triggers, although the presence of these triggers and various forms of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is not mutually exclusive. We describe a 70-year-old man that developed MI during hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding. He was treated conservatively without angiography due to posthemorrhagic anemia, which is a recognized T2MI trigger, and subsequently developed refractory cardiogenic shock. Autopsy revealed atherothrombosis, which is characteristic of T1MI.Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disorder. read more Physicians should be alerted to the possibility of BD in a patient with a carotid artery pseudoaneurysm and no clear predisposing factor such as neck trauma or surgery. Endovascular repair of carotid pseudoaneurysms is technically feasible with excellent midterm follow-up results. Administration of immunosuppressive therapy before endovascular intervention is mandatory to reduce the chance of vascular complications accompanied by BD. A 40-year-old man presented with a painful and pulsatile neck mass with 2 episodes of transient ischemic attacks. The patient also complained of recurrent urogenital ulcers and aphthous lesions together with painful rashes. Ultrasonography and computed tomography angiography revealed 2 aneurysmal dilations in the left common carotid artery at the bifurcation level. He was referred to a rheumatologist, who made the diagnosis of BD. High-dose corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide were commenced. One week later, 2 overlapping self-expanding stent grafts were deployed.read more
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