In conclusion, the present study emphasizes the neuroprotective potential of montelukast in the therapeutic management of Huntington like symptoms. (C) 2010 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Purpose:

To evaluate the validity of 1-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy, we performed this procedure for intra-abdominal selleck inhibitor testes in an experimental cryptorchid rat model and assessed postoperative spermatogenesis.

Materials and Methods: Cryptorchidism in rats was induced by injecting flutamide into the abdomen of pregnant Sprague Dawley rats for 7 days (days 14 to 20 of gestation). Four-week-old cryptorchid rats were divided into the 4 groups of sham operation (group 1, 7 rats), orchiopexy only (group 2, 7), spermatic vessel ligation only (group 3, 7), and spermatic vessel ligation and orchiopexy (1-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy, group 4, 7). The testes were removed 12 weeks after birth in all groups, and testicular weight, testicular histopathological findings and presence of sperm in the epididymis were examined.

Results: All operated testes had reticulated vessels on the tunica albuginea. There were no statistically significant

differences in the testicular weight between groups 1 (mean +/- SD 0.47 +/- 0.04 gm) and 4 (0.30 selleck +/- 0.19), suggesting that Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy did not induce significant testicular atrophy. However, seminiferous tubule diameters in group 4 were significantly smaller than in group 1 (p <0.001), and no sperm was observed in the epididymis of group 4 rats, suggesting that Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy reduced seminiferous tubule diameters and did not improve spermatogenesis.

Conclusions: Although Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy is a good

procedure to maintain testicular size and correct cosmetic deformity of an absent scrotum, it may not significantly contribute to the improvement of spermatogenesis.”
“Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) deficiency causes Rett syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe cognitive impairment, synaptic dysfunction, and hyperexcitability. Previously we reported Tideglusib that the hippocampus of MeCP2-deficient mice (Mecp2(-ly)), a mouse model for RTT, is more susceptible to hypoxia. To identify the underlying mechanisms we now focused on the anoxic responses of wildtype (WT) and Mecp2(-ly) CA1 neurons in acute hippocampal slices. Intracellular recordings revealed that Mecp2(-ly) neurons show only reduced or no hyperpolarizations early during cyanide-induced anoxia, suggesting potassium channel (K+ channel) dysfunction. Blocking adenosine-5′-triphosphate-sensitive K+ channels (KATO and big-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BK-channels) did not affect the early anoxic hyperpolarization in either genotype.