Norepinephrine, is involved in the enhancement of learning and memory formation by regulating synaptic mechanisms through its ability to activate pre- and post-synaptic adrenergic receptors. Here we show that β-agonists of norepinephrine facilitate the induction of both associational LTP and sharp wave ripples (SPW-Rs) in acute slices of rat hippocampus in area CA3. Surprisingly, this facilitating effect persists when slices are only pretreated with β-receptor agonists followed by wash out and application of the unspecific β-adrenoreceptor (βAR) antagonist propranolol. During application of βAR agonists repeated stimulation resulted in facilitated induction of SPW-Rs. Since SPW-Rs are thought to be involved in memory replay we studied the effects of βAR-agonists on spontaneous SPW-Rs in murine hippocampus and found that amplitude and incidence of SPW-Rs increased. These effects involve cyclic-AMP and the activation of protein kinase A and suggest a supportive role in memory consolidation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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A n 11-day-old boy presented with high-grade fever since the second day of life. He was dysmorphic with Down syndrome (DS) facies, pallor, irritability, tachypnea, pan-systolic murmur, and hepatosplenomegaly. Hemoglobin was 98 g/L, white cells were 254 ϫ 10 9 /L, and platelets were 31 ϫ 10 9 /L. Peripheral blood film (see figure) displayed 95% blast cells having deeply basophilic cytoplasm with blebs, multiple nucleoli, low platelets, and a few target cells. Liver enzymes and creatinine were normal. Circulating blasts were CD34 ϩ , CD36 ϩ , CD117 ϩ , CD13 Ϫ , CD33 Ϫ , and MPO Ϫ . Trisomy 21 was the sole cytogenetic abnormality. Supportive treatment was initiated. Leukapheresis and low-dose Ara-C were planned; however, the parents refused treatment and took the child out of the hospital. Transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) remained unresolved and the neonate soon succumbed to cardiorespiratory failure.TMD was the presumed diagnosis because the child was a neonate with hepatomegaly and blasts with trisomy 21 with no other chromosomal abnormalities. TMD is a unique hematologic feature seen in 10% of neonates with DS. Its clinical, morphologic, and phenotypic features are indistinguishable from acute megakaryocytic leukemia (AMKL) but the blasts universally show trisomy 21 in TMD. Spontaneous remissions occur often but fatal forms are seen in 16% to 23% of cases.For additional images, visit the ASH IMAGE BANK, a reference and teaching tool that is continually updated with new atlas and case study images. For more information visit

We examined the bone marrow biopsy of a 19-year-old male patient who had a fever for 3 months. Physical examination findings were unremarkable; blood culture results were negative. Computed tomography of the neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis did not reveal lymphadenopathy or any other abnormality. His peripheral blood examination revealed a hemoglobin level, 9.7 g/dL; white blood cell count, 2.6×10 9 /L; and platelet count, 32×10 9 /L. The peripheral blood film showed a leukoerythroblastic picture. The bone marrow aspirate resulted in a dry tap. Bone trephine was a specimen of adequate length. The normal architecture was completely effaced. There was diffuse infiltration with pleomorphic lymphoid cells (A, B). Some cells were large; these atypically large cells showed positivity for CD20 (C) and negativity for CD15 and CD30. The small lymphocytes in the background showed positivity for CD3 (D). A diagnosis of T cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma was made. T cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphomas are a rare and aggressive subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The neoplastic B cells constitute ＜10% of cells of the infiltrate. Primary involvement of the bone marrow in this type of lymphoma, observed in this case, is a very rare finding.

Aim: To compare nuclear and nucleolar morphometric changes in methyl green pyronin stained oral epithelial cells in cigarette smokers, passive smokers and non smokers Study design: A comparative cross sectional study Place and duration: Carried out in Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore. Duration was 6 months, March 2022 to August 2022. Methods: 120 subjects were equally divided into three main groups, cigarette smokers, passive smokers and non smokers, each fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Buccal smears were collected by exfoliative cytology of mucosa and then stained by methyl green pyronin stain. The quantitative nuclear morphometric parameters i.e., nuclear and nucleolar diameter and area, and number of nucleoli, were measured. Results: Themedian of all nuclear parameters of smokers was significantly higher as compared to passive smokers and non-smokers in MGP stain (p ≤ 0.05). Further, effect of duration of smoking on morphometric variables showed significant (p< 0.05) results amongst the smokers in MGP stain. However, no significant differences were seen in all morphometric parameters with respect to frequency of cigarette smoking. Conclusion: The study confirms nuclear morphometric changes in oral epithelial cells of cigarette smokers indicating that smoking does influence cellular alterations. The simplicity of cytology technique with the use of methyl green pyronin stain is valuable screening tool for detecting early oral mucosal changes in high risk patients. Keywords: smoking, exfoliative cytology, nuclear morphometric parameters, methyl green pyronin stain.