Spatial learning deficits in mice with a targeted glucocorticoid receptor gene disruption

Previous studies in rats using the Morris water maze suggested that the processing of spatial information is modulated by corticosteroid hormones through mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus. Mineralocorticoid receptors appear to be involved in the modulation of explorative behaviour, while additional activation of glucocorticoid receptors facilitates the storage of information. In the present study we used the water maze task to examine spatial learning and memory in mice homozygous and heterozygous for a targeted disruption of the glucocorticoid receptor gene. Compared with wild-type controls, homozygous and heterozygous mice were impaired in the processing of spatial but not visual information. Homozygous mutants performed variably during training, without specific platform-directed search strategies. The spatial learning disability was partly compensated for by increased motor activity. The deficits were indicative of a dysfunction of glucocorticoid receptors as well as of mineralocorticoid receptors. Although the heterozygous mice performed similarly to wild-type mice with respect to latency to find the platform, their strategy was more similar to that of the homozygous mice. Glucocorticoid receptor-related long-term spatial memory was impaired. The increased behavioural reactivity of the heterozygous mice in the open field points to a more prominent mineralocorticoid receptor-mediated function. The findings indicate that (i) the glucocorticoid receptor is of critical importance for the control of spatial behavioural functions, and (ii) mineralocorticoid receptor-mediated effects on this behaviour require interaction with functional glucocorticoid receptors. Until the development of site-specific, inducible glucocorticoid receptor mutants, glucocorticoid receptor-knockout mice present the only animal model for the study of corticosteroid-mediated effects in the complete absence of a functional receptor.     

Experimental and model investigations of bleaching and saturation of fluorescence in flow cytometry

We investigated the fluorescence emission from three fluorophores commonly used for labeling cells in flow cytometry. We have demonstrated that the fluorescence emission from cells labeled with fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC), phycoerythrin (PE), and allophycocyanin (APC) is considerably saturated and bleached in standard flow cytometric conditions. Therefore, for optimization of fluorescence detection in a flow cytometer, it is important to know the emission kinetics in detail. We made a mathematical model of the optical processes involved: absorption, fluorescence emission, nonradiative decay, photodestruction, and triplet state occupation. The validity of the model was experimentally tested with a set of averaged fluorescence pulses, measured in a large range of intensities and illumination times. The fluorescence of APC could be completely described by the model and produced the following rate constants: photodestruction rate kb1 = 6 x 10(3) s(-1), triplet state population rate k12 = 2 x 10(5) s(-1), and depopulation rate k20 = 5 x 10(4) s(-1). The fluorescence kinetics of FITC- and PE-labeled cells could not be fitted with only three parameters over the entire range, indicating that other optical processes are involved. We used the model to determine the sensitivity of our flow cytometer and to calculate the optimum conditions for the detection of APC. The results show that in principle a single APC molecule on a cell can be detected in the presence of background, i.e., autofluorescence and Raman scattering by water.     

Trypanosoma cruzi: nitrogenous-base-containing phosphatides in trypomastigote forms--isolation and chemical analysis

Increasingly clinicians attempt to base decisions regarding patient management on the results of clinical studies in addition to expert opinion and their own practical experience. In this article, the author reviews the published studies available to assist clinicians to make evidence-based decisions in three topics related to small volume red blood cell (RBC) transfusions for preterm infants; namely, studies examining the effects of RBC transfusions on possible symptoms of anemia such as tachypnea, apnea or other cardiorespiratory irregularities, studies investigating the collection and transfusion of umbilical cord blood and finally studies addressing the duration of storage and use of additive solutions for RBCs for transfusion to neonates. Based on the review of these studies, guidelines for small volume RBC transfusions in preterm infants are suggested.     

Bone marrow biopsy in the diagnosis of fever of unknown origin in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

BACKGROUND: Fever is commonly observed in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease and frequently eludes diagnosis. The role of bone marrow biopsy in the diagnosis of fever of unknown origin in patients infected with HIV remains controversial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-three consecutive patients with 137 episodes of fever lasting 10 or more days without diagnosis after 1 week of hospitalization were evaluated by bone marrow biopsy. RESULTS: Overall, a specific diagnosis was achieved in 52 episodes by means of culture and histopathological examination (diagnostic yield, 37.9%). Three types of disease were found: mycobacterial infections (n = 36, 69% of documented episodes), including 18 patients with disseminated tuberculosis and 14 with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex infections; non-Hodgkin lymphomas (n = 12, 23%); and visceral leishmaniasis (n = 4, 8%). Although bone marrow cultures were more sensitive than microscopic examination with special stains for the diagnosis of mycobacterial infections, the pathological examination of bone marrow led to a more rapid diagnosis of disease. In addition, the histopathological examination of bone marrow alone led to the diagnosis of a specific condition in 43 episodes (31.3% of all episodes). CONCLUSIONS: Bone marrow biopsy is a useful procedure for the diagnosis of fever in patients with advanced HIV disease, particularly in areas where tuberculosis and leishmaniasis are prevalent. Involvement of the marrow may be the first indication of the existence of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. For Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex infection, blood cultures were more sensitive than bone marrow biopsy.     

Psoriasis of the nails associated with disability in a large number of patients: results of a recent interview with 1,728 patients

We present the first case of esophagogastric devascularization and esophagogastric transection using a stapler through laparoscopic surgery. The procedure was performed in a 71-year-old diabetic woman with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh B class), portal hypertension, bleeding grade III esophageal varices, and a previous bleeding episode. The surgical technique was carried out without problems, and the patient had an excellent postoperative condition. Esophagogastric devascularization with esophageal transection using a stapler through laparoscopic surgery is a feasible technique that accomplishes the same and all objectives of the open procedure. Operative time in both methods is the same, whereas surgical trauma, inmunologic depletion, amount of transfused blood, pain, use of analgesics, and hospital stay are reduced in the laparoscopic technique.     

Optimizing Thermal Process for Canned White Beans in Water Cascading Retorts

Based on thermal degradation kinetics and heat transfer expressed as the Ball formula method, a simplified approach was used to optimize sterilization processes for thermal softening of white beans (Phaseolus vulgaris, subsp. nanus Metz., variety Manteca de Leon) Constant retort profiles in a still and end-over-end rotary water cascading retort (Barriquand Steriflow) were used. Quality attributes of beans processed at the optimum were evaluated by a trained taste panel and by a tenderometer. Both approaches could distinguish (P<0.01) between attributes of products from optimal rotary and still processes. End-over-end rotation resulted in faster heat penetration and better quality retention of beans. Texture of white beans processed at 4° or 8°C from the optimal temperature could be distinguished (P<0.01) by the sensory panel and by the tenderometer.