Electrophysiological and Fos immunohistochemical evidence for the excitatory nature of the parafascicular projection to the globus pallidus

Extracellular recordings and immunohistological detection of c-Fos-like immunoreactive proteins were used to determine the synaptic effect of the parafascicular projection to the globus pallidus. Electrical stimulation of the parafascicular neurons induced a single-spike excitatory response with a stable latency of 2.3 ms, suggesting a monosynaptically driven effect. Pharmacological stimulation of the parafascicular nucleus with carbachol increased tonically the pallidal discharge rate by 142%. The discharge rate of the pallidal neurons was described by 37% in parafascicular-lesioned rats. These results demonstrate the excitatory nature and the tonic action of the parafasciculopallidal projection. Carbachol activation of parafascicular neurons also induced the synthesis of c-Fos-like immunoreactive proteins in the pallidal neurons. Control experiments in subthalamic-lesioned rats showed that the parafascicular excitation of the pallidal neurons remained, but both electrophysiological and expression of c-Fos-like immunoreactive proteins were attenuated. This suggests that the direct parafascicular excitation of the pallidal neurons is indirectly reinforced by the previously described parafascicular excitatory input to the subthalamic nucleus. Conversely, the effect of this last input to the subthalamic nucleus is dramatically enhanced in rats with pallidal lesion. Our results demonstrate the complex role of the parafascicular nucleus in activating both the globus pallidus and the subthalamic nucleus, two closely related structures. These results illustrate the integrative capacities of the globus pallidus, whose activity is modulated by multiple afferents.     

The influence of probiotic fermented milk product on colon microbiota, hematological parameters and cell immunity in rats

Influence of probiotic fermented milk product on the intestinal microbiota, hematological parameters and immune status of the experiment in vivo at Wistar rats was studied. It was shown, that entering of probiotic strains of Bifidobacterium bifidum 791, Bifidobacterium longum B-379M and Lactobacillus acidophilus NK1 u Streptococcus thermophilus in composition fermented milk products in the total quantity of 2,1 x 10(7) CFU/ sm3 in digestive tract within three weeks has a positive influence on the resident of colon microbiota. Significant increasing of population levels of Bifidobacterium, Enterobacteriaceae with normal biochemical properties, registered a strong tendency to increase the content of Lactobacteria, which led to a decreasing the number of potential pathogenic transient flora with pathogenic factors. Monitoring of body mass in experimental animals has shown that including of fermented milk product with probiotic strains in diet has a positive influence on the feed uptake. Probiotic properties of the product also have stimulated effect on the immune status of the rat: improvements in cell immunity (increasing the relative amount of T-helper cells, immuneregulatory index) and hematological parameters (increase     

The use of non-proven therapy among patients treated in Norwegian oncological departments. A cross-sectional national multicentre study

A national multicentre study was performed to investigate the prevalent use of "alternative medicine", here called "non-proven therapies (NPT)", applied among Norwegian cancer patients. Of 911 patients invited to take part in the study, 642 were included in the analysis. Demographic characteristics were collected for all patients. The participating physicians gave information about the patients' clinical characteristics. Among 630 evaluable patients, 20% had been or were present users of NPTs for their oncological disease. The preferred methods were healing by hand and faith healing. Herbs, vitamins, diets and Iscador were other popular methods. As many as 40% of the users of NPTs had used NPTs earlier for non-malignant diseases. Elderly patients were less likely to use NPTs. Use was high in the northern part of Norway.     

Effects of in utero cocaine exposure on the expression of mRNAS encoding the dopamine transporter and the D1, D2 and D5 dopamine receptor subtypes in fetal rhesus monkey

The effects of in utero cocaine exposure on the development of the mRNAs encoding the dopamine transporter (DAT) and the D1, D2 and D5 dopamine receptor subtypes were determined in fetal monkey brains at day 45 and day 60 of gestation. Pregnant monkeys were treated with cocaine 3 mg/kg or saline i.m., four times a day from day 18 of gestation until the pregnancy was terminated at day 45 or day 60. The fetal brains were dissected, and tissue RNA extracted and quantified using ribonuclease protection assay analysis. In day 45 fetal monkeys, dopamine D1 and D2 receptor subtype mRNAs and DAT mRNA were found in low quantities both in control and cocaine-treated subjects. In day 60 fetal monkeys, D1 receptor mRNA levels were highest in the frontal cortex/striatal area, and low to moderate quantities were found in diencephalic and mesencephalic fetal brain regions. Dopamine D2 receptor mRNA levels were highest in the frontal cortex/striatal area, diencephalon and the midbrain, moderate in the brainstem and low in the caudal temporal lobe and surrounding cortical areas. Dopamine D5 receptor mRNA was expressed in low quantities throughout the day 60 fetal monkey brain, whereas DAT mRNA was found in the midbrain only. In utero cocaine exposure caused a significant increase in dopamine D1, D2 and D5 receptor subtype mRNAs in the frontal cortex/striatal area of day 60 fetal monkeys. These results support the hypothesis that dopamine synthesis and release may be reduced in cocaine-treated fetuses, which results in dopamine receptor up-regulation.     

KEEPING QUALITY OF DIFFERENT PACKAGED SALTED ATLANTIC BONITO "LAKERDA"

Quality and shelf life of salted Atlantic bonito (lakerda) packaged in brine, under vacuum and in oil conditions and stored at 4  ±  1C were studied. The sensory scores of lakerda stored in all package types at 4C were 14 weeks, respectively. The microbiological count of the vacuum-packaged lakerda was extended than that lower of other group sample. Overall results of this study showed that 9 weeks of storage of lakerda in brine was the beginning of spoilage, whereas storage of samples in oil and vacuum package delayed onset of spoilage about 2–3 weeks in terms of chemical analysis. Lakerda stored in cold storage as sensory, chemical and microbiological results for brine- and oil-packaged lakerda showed us that week 11 was the beginning of spoilage, and for vacuum-packaged lakerda, week 13 was the beginning of spoilage.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Raw fish and processed fish product is highly perishable and has a short shelf life. Packing processing is finding increasing use in the food industry because of its relative advantages versus other food processing methods in eliciting minimal changes in the flavor, microbiological and nutritional qualities of the final product. This paper illustrates the changes induced in salted fish by packaging at different types. By using oil- and vacuum-packaged treatment, shelf life of traditional-packaged (in brine) lakerda could be extended at 4C from 9 weeks to 11–13 weeks.     

The clinical course and cardiohemodynamic status of patients with different variants of diphtheritic myocarditis

The clinical course was studied as was the condition of cardiohemodynamics in 126 patients with different variants of diphtherial myocarditis (DM) versus 23 patients with unspecific infectious and allergic myocarditis (UIAM). Early DM in the majority of cases runs a moderately severe or severe course because of a stronger--by comparison with late DM and UIAM--predisposition to cardiac insufficiency, sinus bradycardia and heart blocks as well as of a moderately severe systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV), as evidenced by Echo-CG. Late DM runs, on the whole, a mild course, and is associated with minimal LV systolic function inadequacies.     

Comparative characterization of endurance properties of ischemic myocardium in cyclic and quasistatic mechanical loads

The mechanical properties of totally ischemic hearts of inbred albino rats were studied. The ischemic myocardium was found to be more sensitive to cyclic loads. Energy deficient contracture of cardiomyocytes is a factor which increases the resistance of the myocardium to mechanical effects.