Rationale In addition to its rewarding actions, cocaine has profound negative effects that are unmasked as the rewarding impact of the drug fades. While much is known about the neurobiology of cocaine reward, the mechanisms underlying the negative actions of the drug remain unclear. Objectives The current study investigates the role of three brain regions each implicated in the modulation of negative affective states—the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), the central (CeA), and the basolateral (BLA) nucleus of the amygdala. Methods The dual actions of cocaine were assessed using a runway self-administration procedure in which rats exhibit both approach to and avoidance of a goal box associated with cocaine administration (retreat behaviors). Here, rats ran a straight alley once/day for i.v. cocaine (1.0 mg/kg/injection) over 14 days during which the BNST, CeA, or BLA was inactivated via bilateral intracranial infusions of lidocaine (0 or 20 μg/0.5 μl/side) administered 15 min prior to testing. The impact of lidocaine on spontaneous locomotor activity was also assessed to rule out nonspecific actions of the treatments. Results Control animals running for cocaine developed the expected pattern of approach–avoidance retreat behavior. Inactivation of the BNST attenuated such behavior, BLA inactivation had no appreciable effects, and CeA inactivation produced intermediate and more variable results. Locomotor activity was unaffected by any of the treatments. Conclusions These data suggest that the BNST and to a lesser extent the CeA, but not the BLA, play a role in mediating the opponent-process actions of self-administered cocaine.

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Y90 radioembolization has been demonstrated to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with HCC and for certain liver metastases, such as neuroendocrine tumors, uveal melanomas, and breast cancer. Although the procedure is relatively safe, the complications associated with radioembolization vary greatly in their locations, presentation, and severity. This review aims to discuss and increase awareness of the potential complications associated with radioembolization.

Conventional angiography is used to evaluate and treat possible sources of intraabdominal bleeding, though it may cause complications such as contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The study’s purpose was to identify factors predicting active extravasation and complications during angiography for acute intraabdominal bleeding. All conventional angiograms for acute bleeding (January 2013–June 2015) were reviewed retrospectively, including 75 angiograms for intraabdominal bleeding in 70 patients. Demographics, comorbidities, vital signs, complications within one month, and change in hematocrit (ΔHct) and fluids and blood products administered over the 24 h prior to angiography were recorded. Of 75 exams, 20 (27%) demonstrated extravasation. ΔHct was the only independent predictor of extravasation (p = 0.017), with larger ΔHct (−17%) in patients with versus those without extravasation (–1%) (p = 0.01). CIN was the most common complication, occurring in 10 of 66 angiograms (15%). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was the only independent predictor (p = 0.03); 67% of patients with GFR < 30, 29% of patients with GFR 30–60, and 8% of patients with GFR > 60 developed CIN. For patients with intraabdominal bleeding, greater ΔHct decrease over 24 h before angiography predicts active extravasation. Pre-existing renal impairment predicts CIN. Patients with large hematocrit declines should be triaged for rapid angiography, though benefits can be weighed with the risk of renal impairment.