Metabolic responses of the neonatal rabbit brain to hydrocephalus and shunting

The metabolic changes that occur in the neonatal brain as a result of hydrocephalus, and the response to ventriculoperitoneal shunting, vary with the maturational stage of the brain. In this study, local glucose utilization (LCMRglu) and oxidative metabolic capacity were estimated using 2-deoxyglucose autoradiography and cytochrome oxidase histochemistry, respectively. Hydrocephalus was induced in rabbit pups via intracisternal kaolin injections at 4-6 days of age. Shunting occurred at 19-26 days of age and the animals were sacrificed at ages ranging from 33 to 331 days. In normal animals there was a high glucose demand early in life which showed a decrease at about 60 days of age. In rabbits sacrificed prior to 60 days of age the controls showed the highest LCMRglu with significant decreases in both the hydrocephalic and shunted animals. After 60 days of age the shunted animals had higher LCMRglu than both the hydrocephalic and control subjects. Oxidative metabolic capacity peaked before 50 days of age in normal animals. At the youngest age, both the hydrocephalic and shunted animals showed higher cytochrome oxidase density rates than the control rabbits. In the older group, the hydrocephalic animals remained high while the shunted animals approximated the control densities. Neither the changes seen in the LCMRglu nor the oxidative metabolic capacity were correlated with changes in cell packing density or increased intracranial pressure. These data suggest that when the brain is compromised by hydrocephalus, there is an initial compensatory increase in oxidative metabolic capacity. The development of the glycolytic pathway appears to be retarded by hydrocephalus, but with shunting and the passage of time, the LCMRglu rebounds to levels above that of controls.     

Role of nitric oxide in systemic hemodynamic responses to dobutamine, epinephrine, and amrinone

The early molecular mechanisms activated by the treatment of human lymphocytes with human interferon beta have been studied. These identify an early increase with respect to control, in diacylglycerol (DG) levels as response to interferon treatment. Such a DG production was derived from the rapid and sequential activation of phosphoinositide specific phospholipase C and phospholipase D pathway. This suggests that a synergistic involvement of phosphatidylinositol-bis-phosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis and phosphatidylcholine (PC) breakdown provide early molecular events upon the interaction between interferon beta and its cell surface receptors. This finally leads to the slowing down of cell growth.     

Adrenal cortex function and development of vascular changes in rabbits with alloxan diabetes

The role of adrenal cortex hormones in the development of vascular changes was studied in 16 rabbits with alloxan diabetes. Formation of morphological changes in the aorta proved to be partially determined by functional condition of the adrenal cortex at the early periods of alloxan diabetes.     

Lipolytic response of "diabetic" mice (db/db) to isoproterenol and propranolol in vivo

The genetically diabetic and obese db/db mice responded lipolytically to isoproterenol and propranolol similarly to normal mice in vivo. However, considering the large amount of triglyceride in a db/db mouse, we conclude that the in vivo response of db/db adipose tissue is deficient in magnitude.     

Vitamin D3 transport across the intestines and its metabolism in the liver of rats with alloxan diabetes

Vitamin D3 intestinal transport and liver metabolism were studied in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes. The condition was induced by i.v. alloxan injection in a dose of 40 mg/kg b.m. Diabetes development was monitored by blood serum glucose measurements, carried out for 30 days. [3H]-cholecalciferol absorption in the rat intestine was found inhibited in the diabetic animals as against the reference animals, which fact results in disordered entry of vitamin D3 to the body. [3H]-cholecalciferol absorption by the liver is reduced in the examined condition, and the time of its metabolism is increased more than threefold as against the reference animals. The share of vitamin D3 hydroxylation by the liver of diabetic rats is also significantly reduced. The described disorders are responsible, among other things, for the reduction of the levels of vitamin D3 active metabolites in the blood serum of rats with experimental diabetes.     

Certification, licensing, and the movement of psychologists from state to state.

"The licensing or certification of psychologists… exists to protect the consumer from dangerous or inferior commodities. As an alternative to legislation creating certifying and licensing laws, some states have established nonstatuatory certifying boards." Generally these boards are corporations. A table titled "Some Characteristics of Psychology Laws" lists 26 states and 4 Canadian provinces, the coverage of each law, education requirements, experience requirements, whether examinations are mandatory, whether there is reciprocity, and whether residence is required. A 2nd table titled "Some Characteristics of Nonstatuatory Psychology Provisions" incorporates information under the same major headings. "A study of the laws indicates that with few exceptions the doctorate is required after the initial grand fathering." 2 or more years of experience are required in the majority of states. "An overwhelming majority of statutes requires an examination. Most of the laws cover the use of the title 'Psychologist' and restrict the use of the title to those who hold themselves out to the public as psychologists and request a fee for their services." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anesthetics and automaticity of dominant and latent pacemakers in chronically instrumented dogs. I. Methodology, conscious state, and halothane anesthesia: comparison with and without muscarinic blockade during exposure to epinephrine

BACKGROUND: Supraventricular dysrhythmias are common during anesthesia, but have been incompletely investigated. Mechanisms may involve altered automaticity of subsidiary pacemakers and participation of vagal reflexes. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) shifts from the sinoatrial (SA) node to subsidiary pacemakers require intact vagal reflexes and (2) halothane sensitizes the heart to epinephrine-induced atrial pacemaker shifts. METHODS: Epicardial electrodes were implanted in eight dogs on both atrial appendages, the right ventricle, along the sulcus terminalis, and at the His bundle. Weekly testing awake (control), awake with atropine methylnitrate, with 1 and 2 micrograms epinephrine.kg-1.min-1 (3 min-infusions), and under 1.25 and 2 MAC halothane was performed. Electrograms were analyzed for the site of earliest activation (SEA), which was scored 1-6 depending on the distance from the SA node, and expressed as the SEA value. RESULTS: In conscious dogs (control) and at 1.25 MAC halothane, epinephrine increased the SEA values (shifted activation from SA node) and blood pressure, and decreased heart rate; however, with atropine, SEA values were unaffected by epinephrine, although blood pressure and heart rate were elevated. At 2 MAC, atropine did not affect the epinephrine-induced increase in SEA values. Halothane increased SEA values when combined with 1 micrograms epinephrine.kg-1.min-1. CONCLUSIONS: Pacemaker shifts account for atrial dysrhythmias in the conscious state and during 1.25 MAC halothane with epinephrine, and require vagal participation. Halothane sensitizes the heart to epinephrine-induced atrial dysrhythmias. Atropine and halothane facilitate His bundle beats during exposure to epinephrine.     

Force-frequency relations in the failing rabbit heart and responses to adrenergic stimulation

Yohimbine, an alpha 2 adrenoreceptor antagonist, enhances norepinephrine (NE) release and increases sympathetic activity. We examined the behavioral, peripheral sympathetic and adrenocortical responses to oral yohimbine in seven healthy controls and 11 patients diagnosed with agoraphobia with panic attacks (PD). Patients did not differ in baseline cardiovascular or neuroendocrine measures from controls despite significantly higher baseline anxiety ratings. Placebo caused no changes in baseline-corrected behavioral, cardiovascular or neurochemical responses in either group. Yohimbine induced a panic episode in six PD patients, but no controls. PD patients had significantly higher severity scores of autonomic anxiety symptoms. Yohimbine significantly raised systolic blood pressure (F = 3.07, P < 0.03), plasma NE levels (F = 12.11, P < 0.00) and cortisol levels (F = 4.82, P < 0.02), but had no effect on epinephrine levels. NE responses were similar in both groups, but patients had higher cortisol responses to yohimbine than controls (F = 7.14, P < 0.01). The correlational pattern between behavioral ratings and neuroendocrine responses in patients was opposite to that observed in controls. Despite similar increases in plasma NE levels between PD patients and healthy controls, PD patients had greater anxiogenic, cardiovascular and cortisol responses to yohimbine. Enhanced post-synaptic adrenoreceptor sensitivity may explain the noradrenergic dysregulation found in panic disorder.     

Effects of propranolol, pindolol and carteolol on acute regional myocardial ischemia in isolated rabbit hearts

Catecholamines play a major role during initiation and propagation of myocardial ischemia (MI). Therefore their influence on the size of an acute regional MI was investigated in isolated, coronary ligated rabbit hearts during electrical pacing at different rates (Langendorff, constant pressure: 70 cm H2O, Tyrode solution, Ca2+ 1.8 mmol/l). MI was quantified from NADH-surface-fluorescence-photography. After coronary occlusion the stimulation-rate was increased stepwise from 180 beats/min to 300/min. Experiments were performed in hearts of control and reserpinized rabbits (reserpine 7.0 mg/kg i.p. 24 h before preparation). Hearts of control animals were submitted to beta-blockade by propranolol (10(-8) mol/l) or the partial agonists pindolol (10(-6) mol/l) or carteolol (10(-6) mol/l). In untreated control hearts MI was significantly enlarged with increasing heart-rate (p < 0.05). At 300/min MI was doubled as compared to that observed at 180/min. In hearts of reserpinized animals this effect was absent (p > 0.05). Moreover, in control hearts the growth of MI could be prevented by beta-blockade with propranolol, pindolol or carteolol (p > 0.05), however, these hearts became insufficient as indicated by an increase in left ventricular enddiastolic pressure. Therefore we conclude that the pacing-rate dependent growth of MI seems not to be primarily related to myocardial left ventricular pressure nor to the heart rate. Nevertheless the growth of MI is strictly related to the release of catecholamines and might be caused by oxygen free radicals generated from noradrenaline by autoxidation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Changes in the fractional collagen composition of the kidneys in rats under immobilization stress and alloxan diabetes

There were examined 106 patients with purulent-necrotic complications (PNC) of erysipelas and 102 patients without PNC. Significant disorders of the immune status were revealed: the reduction of T-lymphocytes quantity, their subpopulational content dysbalance, the rise of level of a middle- and small-molecular immune complexes. In patients with PNC the immunocorrection conduction is expedient.     

Effect of rilmenidine on the cadiovascular responses to stress in the conscious rabbit

The acetoacetyl-CoA reductase and the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase from Ralstonia eutropha (formerly Alcaligenes eutrophus) were expressed in Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, and PHA-negative mutants of R. eutropha and Pseudomonas putida. While expression in E. coli strains resulted in the accumulation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [PHB], strains of R. eutropha, P. putida and K. aerogenes accumulated poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) [poly(3HB-co-3HHx)] when even chain fatty acids were provided as carbon source, and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [poly(3HB-co-3HV)] when odd chain fatty acids were provided as carbon source. This suggests that fatty acid degradation can be directly accessed employing only the acetoacetyl-CoA reductase and the PHA synthase. This is also the first proof that the PHA synthase from R. eutropha can incorporate 3-hydroxyhexanoate (3HHx) into PHA and has, therefore, a broader substrate specificity than previously described.     

Respiratory responses to chemical stimulation of the parabrachial nuclear complex in the rabbit

The respiratory role of the parabrachial nuclear complex (PNC) was investigated in alpha-chloralose-urethane anesthetized, vagotomized, paralysed and artificially ventilated rabbits by means of unilateral microinjections (10-20 nl) of 20 mM dl-homocysteic acid. Chemical stimulation elicited three main types of site-specific respiratory effects: excitatory, apneustic and inhibitory responses. The results suggest that the PNC plays a complex role in the control of breathing.     

Influence of acetylcholine, isoproterenol, quinidine and ouabain on effective refractory periods of atrial and ventricular myocardium in the dog

Acetylcholine-, isoproterenol-, quinidine- and ouabain-induced variations of the effective refractory periods (E.R.P.) of the non-specialized atrial and ventricular tissue have been explored in the dog by the extra-stimulus method during total cardiopulmonary by-pass. Acetylcholine significantly shortens the E.R.P. of atrial fibers, but does not provoke any change in the ventricular tissue, whereas a parallel decrease of atrial and ventricular E.R.P. is noted with isoproterenol. Quinidine induces a larger increase of the E.R.P. in the atrium than in the ventricle. The ouabain-induced shortening of the E.R.P. in the atrium is more marked than in the ventricle but is followed by a secondary increase which depends on both time after injection and dose. Hypotheses about the mechanisms of these effects, their importance in fibrillation and their relation to clinical uses are discussed.     

Blood pressure reactivity in the evaluation of resting blood pressure and mood responses to pindolol and propranolol in hypertensive patients

Bacterial adherence on to several materials with a potential application in reconstructive surgery was studied. Polymer (poly(L-lactide)), composite (hydroxyapatite/poly(L-lactide)) and metal (316L stainless steel) were evaluated both as smooth and sandblasted specimens. All materials were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline, challenged with Staphylococcus aureus or S. epidermidis and evaluated for up to 24 h. S. aureus showed a preference for the metal and composite tested over the polymer used. For S. epidermidis no preference was found for one of the investigated materials. The influence of surface roughness on bacterial growth was demonstrated by increased colonization on the sandblasted specimens.     

Unit responses in the medulla oblongata of rabbit to changes in local and cutaneous temperature

Normally occurring neuron death and that brought about by prior removal of the peripheral target organ was studied ultrastructurally in embryonic chick ciliary ganglion in order to better understand the mechanism of cell death in this system. Before the period of cell death, all neurons in the normal ganglion developed a well-organized rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) which coincided with peripheral synapse formation. None of the peripherally deprived neurons underwent this change, suggesting that some interaction with the periphery, possibly synapse formation, triggered them into the secretory state. Cell death in peripherally deprived neurons was signalled by nuclear changes followed by freeing of ribosomes from polysomes and RER and presumably cessation of protein synthesis. In contrast, normal cell death was brought about by dilation of the RER with eventual cytoplasmic disruption, nuclear changes appearing only secondarily. It is suggested that failure to form or maintain peripheral synapses could result in the accumulation of transmission-related proteins with consequent cisternal dilation, and eventual cell death.     

Changes in plasma glucose, insulin, glucagon, catecholamine, and glycogen contents in tissues during development of alloxan diabetes mellitus in rats

Leishmanial antigens (LAg) were used as a vaccine against Leishmania donovani, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis. BALB/c mice, immunized intraperitoneally with 20 micrograms of the antigen in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or entrapped in liposomes, were infected intravenously with 2 x 10(7) L. donovani promastigotes. Mice immunized with PBS and empty liposomes showed similar levels of parasite burdens in the liver and spleen. Injection of the antigen alone or entrapped in liposomes, followed with infection, induced significant levels of protection against the disease. After 2 and 4 mo of infection, mice immunized with free antigen induced 7.4% and 50.7% reduction in the liver parasite burden, respectively, compared to control (PBS) mice. With antigen encapsulated in liposome, the liver parasite burden was further reduced by 30.4% and 73% at 2 and 4 mo by infection, respectively. Splenic parasite burden was very low at 2 mo of infection. At 4 mo, the parasite level was reduced by 54.2% with free antigen and 69.3% with antigen entrapped in liposomes. Whereas the protection induced by the free antigen is mainly cell mediated, stimulation of an antibody response together with a strong delayed-type hypersensitivity may be responsible for the better protection with liposomal antigen.     

Metabolic and hemodynamic responses of lower limb during exercise in patients with COPD

Premature lactic acidosis during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may play a role in exercise intolerance. In this study, we evaluated whether the early exercise-induced lactic acidosis in these individuals can be explained by changes in peripheral O2 delivery (O2). Measurements of leg blood flow by thermodilution and of arterial and femoral venous blood gases, pH, and lactate were obtained during a standard incremental exercise test to capacity in eight patients with severe COPD and in eight age-matched controls. No significant difference was found between the two groups in leg blood flow at rest or during exercise at the same power outputs. Blood lactate concentrations and lactate release from the lower limb were greater in COPD patients at all submaximal exercise levels (all P < 0.05). Leg D02 at a given power output was not significantly different between the two groups, and no significant correlation was found between this parameter and blood lactate concentrations. COPD patients had lower arterial and venous pH at submaximal exercise, and there was a significant positive correlation between venous pH at 40 W and the peak O2 uptake (r = 0.91, P < 0.0001). The correlation between venous pH and peak O2 uptake suggests that early muscle acidosis may be involved in early exercise termination in COPD patients. The early lactate release from the lower limb during exercise could not be accounted for by changes in peripheral O2. The present results point to skeletal muscle dysfunction as being responsible for the early onset of lactic acidosis in COPD.     

Mediodorsal thalamic lesions and Pavlovian conditioning of heart rate and eyeblink responses in the rabbit.

Rabbits received ibotenic acid lesions of the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MD) or sham lesions. These animals were compared on 4 sessions of Pavlovian eyeblink and heart rate conditioning, in which a tone was the conditioned stimulus/stimuli (CS) and a paraorbital electrical shock was the unconditioned stimulus/stimuli (UCS). Lesions of MD retarded acquisition of the eyeblink conditioned response (CR) and abolished the late-occurring tachycardiac component of the heart rate CR. The data are compatible with previous experiments (H. Groenewegen, 1988), suggesting that MD participated in the sympathetic control associated with somatomotor learning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Subjective responses to nicotine in smokers may be associated with responses to caffeine and to alcohol.

Sensitivity in responses to one drug may relate to sensitivity to other drugs, suggesting broad individual differences in characteristic responsivity across drugs. Data from two separate studies of smokers were reanalyzed to examine associations between acute subjective and cardiovascular effects of nicotine vs. caffeine and between nicotine vs. alcohol. Typical intakes of cigarettes, alcohol, and caffeine were included as covariates when they were correlated with the responses of interest. Significant associations between nicotine and caffeine were seen for most of the subjective measures and for blood pressure responses. Fewer significant associations were observed between nicotine and alcohol. Responses associated between nicotine and both of the other drugs tended to reflect psychomotor stimulation. These results suggest that smokers who are more responsive to some of nicotine's subjective and blood pressure effects are also more sensitive to the same effects of caffeine and, to a lesser extent, of alcohol. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Neurochemical correlates of alloxan diabetes: protein and ribonucleic acid levels in the different regions of the rat brain

The levels of protein and ribonucleic acid in the cerebrum, cerebellum, optic lobes and medulla oblongata of normal and alloxan-diabetic rats were measured. In general, the protein content and levels of ribonucleic acid in the broad compartments of the brain of rat decreased during diabetes.