Smooth muscle cells in the intestines, urinary bladder, and arteries have been shown to express NGF. To address whether this website enhanced NGF production among these different organ systems stimulates comparable patterns of sympathetic collateral growth, we generated transgenic mice that express NGF under the control of the smooth muscle a-actin promoter. In response to elevated levels of NGF protein in the colon, bladder, and arteries/arterioles, sympathetic axons displayed robust sprouting only in the colon and bladder. These data reveal that, unlike most other peripheral tissues, sympathetic efferents; in adult mammalian arteries/arterioles do not undergo collateral growth in response

to increased levels of smooth muscle-derived NGF. NeuroReport 20:223-227 (C) 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.”
“Background/Aims:

Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) has higher antiproteinuric effects than single blockade in adults. In children, little is known on dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system. The study investigates whether adding an ARB to proteinuric children already on ACEI reduces proteinuria. Methods: A total of 10 children (median age 13.3 years) with chronic kidney disease and persistent proteinuria despite maximal dose of ACEI were included. Losartan APR-246 concentration was given at an initial dose 0.8 mg/kg/day. Proteinuria, blood pressure (BP) and renal function (glomerular filtration rate) were measured. Results: Mean proteinuria decreased from 484 +/- 290 mg/mmol creatinine to 223 +/- 197 after 1-3 months of losartan treatment and remained stable at 234 +/- 153, 224 +/- 177 and 195 +/- 133

after 3-6, 6-12 months and at the last follow-up check (median 1.9 years, p < 0.05 for all visits vs. before treatment). The median percentage decrease in proteinuria was 66, 56, 44 and 66% during the study periods. No significant change in BP, glomerular filtration rate or serum potassium was observed. One child complained of rash, which led to discontinuation of losartan. Conclusion: Adding an ARB to current ACEI treatment can further reduce proteinuria in children with chronic kidney disease without affecting BP. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“This study PIK-5 examined the possibility that hemispheric differences in stress-induced brain activation vary as a function of sex. Using in-vivo voltammetry, increases in extracellular dopamine release in response to predator odour and tail pinch stress were recorded bilaterally and simultaneously in either the infralimbic cortex or basolateral amygdala. In both stress-sensitive brain regions, significant sex x hemisphere interactions were observed, with males and females showing greater dopamine activation in right-brain and left-brain structures, respectively.