To determine the role of dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core in cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization, D2R antagonist, raclopride was bilaterally microinjected (2.5 or 5 nmol) into the NAc core of WT and D2R-/- mice and the initiation and expression phase of cocaine-mediated locomotor sensitization were analyzed. WT and D2R knockout (D2R-/-) mice received bilateral injections of either saline, or raclopride at the NAc core 30 min before each of five daily repeated injections of saline or cocaine (15 mg/kg i.p.). Following 2 weeks of withdrawal after repeated exposure to cocaine, the animals were pre-treated with an intra-accumbal injection of vehicle or raclopride before receiving a systemic cocaine challenge for the expression of sensitization. Animals which had been microinjected raclopride into NAc core displayed the enhancement of cocaine-induced behavioral response for the initiation but also for the expression of sensitization in WT as well as in D2R-/- mice, which was thus unaltered as compared to vehicle-injected control group. These results suggest that D2R in NAc core is not involved in cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization.
Animals ; Cocaine ; Dopamine ; Mice ; Microinjections ; Nucleus Accumbens ; Raclopride ; Receptors, Dopamine ; Receptors, Dopamine D2

Developing Cushing's syndrome during pregnancy is rare because menstruation is irregular and hypercortisolism causes infertility. Developing Cushing's disease during pregnancy is very rare because there is even less ovulation than those with the adrenal adenoma. The clinical manifestations of Cushing's syndrome may easily be missed during pregnancy as the features of weight gain, hypertension, and hyperglycemia overlap with those that occur during a pregnancy. Diagnosing Cushing's syndrome during a pregnancy is complex because the biochemical features are obscured by the natural changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that occur during pregnancy. Having Cushing's syndrome during a pregnancy results in increased fetal and maternal complications, so early diagnosis and treatment are critical. We report the clinical and endocrine findings of a pregnant women with Cushing's disease who underwent transsphenoidal surgery after delivery.
Adenoma ; Cushing Syndrome ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Hypertension ; Infertility ; Menstruation ; Ovulation ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Weight Gain ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra

A hiccup is caused by involuntary, intermittent, and spasmodic contractions of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles. It starts with a sudden inspiration and ends with an abrupt closure of the glottis. Even though a hiccup is thought to develop through the hiccup reflex arc, its exact pathophysiology is still unclear. The etiologies include gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory abnormalities, psychogenic factors, toxic-metabolic disorders, central nervous system dysfunctions and irritation of the vagus and phrenic nerves. Most benign hiccups can be controlled by traditional empirical therapy such as breath holding and swallowing water. However, though rare, a persistent hiccup longer than 48 hours can lead to significant adverse effects including malnutrition, dehydration, insomnia, electrolyte imbalance, and cardiac arrhythmia. An intractable hiccup can sometimes even cause death. We herein describe a patient with non-small cell lung cancer who was severely distressed by a persistent hiccup.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Breath Holding ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Central Nervous System ; Chlorpromazine ; Contracts ; Deglutition ; Dehydration ; Diaphragm ; Glottis ; Hiccup ; Humans ; Intercostal Muscles ; Lung Neoplasms ; Malnutrition ; Phrenic Nerve ; Reflex ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Water