Involvement of adenosine A2A receptors in the induction of c-fos expression by clozapine and haloperidol.

Acute administration of the atypical antipsychotic clozapine induced a regional pattern of c-fos expression characterized by an increase in Fos-like-immunoreactivity (FLI) in the prefrontal and prelimbic/infralimbic cortices, nucleus accumbens, and lateral septum and a weak activation of FLI in the striatum. Haloperidol, similarly to clozapine, increased FLI in the nucleus accumbens and lateral septum, but it did not induce FLI in prefrontal and prelimbic/infralimbic cortices. Moreover, haloperidol increased FLI in the striatum.

Hippocampal theta activity after systemic administration of a non-peptide delta-opioid agonist in freely-moving rats: relationship to D1 dopamine receptors.

Hippocampal theta activity was acquired and processed off-line from digitized EEG recordings after subcutaneous (s.c.) administration of the non-opioid delta agonist BW 373U86 (0.

Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi OspA in Ixodes scapularis larvae by an antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The Borrelia burgdorferi outer surface protein A (OspA) was quantified by an antigen-capture ELISA. The test detected 0.156 ng OspA/B, using purified rabbit IgG as a detection system.

Transglutaminase-synthesized spermine derivative of substance P recognizes rat portal vein neurokinin-3 receptors.

The effects of the transglutaminase-synthesized polyamine derivatives of Substance P (SP) have been further characterized by their ability to contract in vitro the rat portal vein strip (RPV), a pharmacological preparation particularly rich in NK-3 receptors. The effects of selective agonists of NK-1, NK-2 and NK-3 receptors [Sar9,Met(O(2))11]SP, beta-Ala8 NKA(4-10), and senktide respectively, were also evaluated by measuring RPV concentration-response curves. Peptide [GR-82334 (NK-1) and MEN-10,376 (NK-2)] and nonpeptide [WIN 51,708 (NK-1) and SR 142801 (NK-3)] NK receptor antagonists were used to confirm the participation of the different NK receptors to contractile response.

Transglutaminase from rat coagulating gland secretion. Post-translational modifications and activation by phosphatidic acids.

Structural and biochemical characteristics of transglutaminase purified by a rapid chromatographic procedure from the rat coagulating gland (anterior prostate) secretion are reported. Fast atom bombardment mapping and automated Edman degradation experiments allowed us to verify that at least 85% of the entire transglutaminase amino acid sequence is identical to that derived from the cDNA of the major androgen-dependent rat prostate protein called DP1. The enzyme was found NH2 terminally blocked and largely post-translationally modified, since the presence of N-linked oligosaccharides, as well as of complex lipidic structures, was observed.

Inhibition of zymosan-induced air-pouch inflammation by rat seminal vesicle protein and by its spermidine derivative.

The anti-inflammatory effect of one of the major proteins secreted by rat seminal vesicles (SVIV) and of its spermidine derivative (Spd2-SVIV) was evaluated by measuring polymorphonuclear leukocyte migration, protein release, platelet-activating factor (PAF) and prostaglandin E2 levels in the mouse air-pouch exudate following zymesan treatment. Both proteins were found to markedly reduce dose dependently PAF and prostaglandin E2 levels in the exudate as well as the other parameters. Concurrent injection of either arachidonic acid or PAF, directly into the pouch, significantly counteracted the anti-inflammatory effect of SVIV and of its polyaminated derivative.

Biocompatibility studies on glass ionomer cements by primary cultures of human osteoblasts.

Glass ionomer cements (GICs) are materials largely employed in the dental field that have been considered recently as cements in orthopaedic surgery for their proven osteogenic features. The aim of this study was to compare the response of cultured human osteoblastic cells to a number of commercial glass ionomer cements in order to provide indications useful for the further development of formulations that have potential for use as cements or implants in repair and replacement of bone tissue. The GICs tested were: Ketac-Fil Aplicap, lonocem lonocap 1,0, GC Fuji II, GC Fuji II LC and Vitremer 3M.

Are acantholysis and transglutaminase inhibition related phenomena?

Background: The loss of intercellular cohesion among keratinocytes (acantholysis) may be considered the histologic marker of pemphigus. Many drugs, especially thiol drugs, proved to be able to provoke in vitro acantholysis by biochemical mechanisms interfering with the disulfide and thiol group balance. As to nonthiol drugs, the pathomechanism of acantholysis is still unexplained.

Effectiveness of levosulpiride versus metoclopramide for nausea and vomiting in advanced cancer patients: a double-blind, randomized, crossover study.

The antiemetic efficacy of levosulpiride (L) was compared to metoclopramide (M) in a double-blind, randomized, crossover study. Thirty patients with advanced cancer, who were no longer receiving antineoplastic therapy, were randomly assigned to receive either L 75 mg/day or M 30 mg/day. After 7 days, patients were crossed over to the alternate treatment, which was also given for 7 days.

[X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) in the study of biomaterials used in dentistry. 3].

This study considers X-ray power diffraction (XRD) applied to the study of mineral-based biomaterials used in odontostomatology. By means of this method the following materials were analysed: reabsorbable Dac Blu, non reabsorbable Dac Blu, non reabsorbable atomized Dac Blu, non reabsorbable fine Dac Blu, reabsorbable Biocoral 450, Calcitite 2040-12, Orthogel, Apagen, BTF 65, Calcitite 4060-2, Osprogel, Bio-oss, Biostite, Osprovit, Merck Hydroxyapatite. These analysis allow the identification of the crystalline phases, the study of the crystallinity and the crystal chemistry of the samples prepared as powder mixtures.

Differential effect of MK 801 and scopolamine on c-fos expression induced by L-dopa in the striatum of 6-hydroxydopamine lesioned rats.

In rats with a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the dopaminergic nigro-striatal pathway, striatal D1-receptor-stimulated c-fos expression and turning behavior are positively modulated by D2 receptor stimulation and by blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or muscarinic receptors. Combined D1/D2 receptor stimulation by L-dopa activates c-fos in a manner not additive with muscarinic receptor blockade by scopolamine. On the other hand, blockade of NMDA receptors by MK 801 reduced c-fos expression induced by L-dopa while, depending on the dose of L-dopa, differentially affecting contralateral turning behavior.

L-dopa stimulates c-fos expression in dopamine denervated striatum by combined activation of D-1 and D-2 receptors.

Administration of L-dopa to unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, activates the early gene c-fos in the lesioned caudate-putamen. D-1 receptor blockade by SCH 23390, prevented L-dopa-induced Fos-like immunoreactivity in the whole caudate-putamen, while D-2 receptor blockade by raclopride reduced Fos-like immunoreactivity only in the dorso-lateral portion. The results suggest that L-dopa induces c-fos primarily through an activation of D-1 receptors, while D-2 receptor stimulation plays a facilitatory influence on D-1-mediated c-fos expression.

Stimulation of dopamine transmission in the dorsal caudate nucleus by pargyline as demonstrated by dopamine and acetylcholine microdialysis and Fos immunohistochemistry.

The effect of pargyline on dopamine neurotransmission was investigated by trans-striatal microdialysis combined with Fos immunohistochemistry. Pargyline, 75 mg/kg i.p.

Human-immunodeficiency-virus transmembrane glycoprotein gp41 is an amino acceptor and donor substrate for transglutaminase in vitro.

Recombinant gp41, the transmembrane glycoprotein of the human-immunodeficiency-virus (HIV) envelope, is an amino acceptor and donor substrate for transglutaminase in vitro. Gln51, Gln52, Gln66 and Lys77 residues were suggested as reactive sites, recognized by the enzyme, for possible cross-linking reactions with gp120, CD4 or other receptor(s) occurring on the surface of HIV-target cells. Soluble CD4, even though unable to function as an amino-acceptor transglutaminase substrate, becomes active in the presence of gp41, negatively influencing the enzyme-catalyzed incorporation of the polyamine spermidine into the transmembrane protein.

Expression of c-fos protein in the experimental epilepsy induced by pilocarpine.

The expression of the c-fos proto-oncogene, as estimated by immunohistochemistry of the FOS nuclear protein, was studied in both focal and generalized seizures induced in rats by systemic administration of pilocarpine. Focal seizures, as indicated by the occurrence of stereotyped oral movements, chewing and sniffing, were evoked by either a subconvulsant dose of pilocarpine (200 mg/kg) or the association of a convulsant dose of pilocarpine (400 mg/kg) with SCH 23390, a selective D-1 dopamine receptor antagonist. This seizure pattern resulted in FOS accumulation in certain limbic areas, namely, the piriform cortex, amygdala, and olfactory tubercle.

Blockade of muscarinic receptors potentiates D1 dependent turning behavior and c-fos expression in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats but does not influence D2 mediated responses.

In rats with a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway, blockade of muscarinic receptors by scopolamine potentiates the contralateral turning induced by selective dopaminergic D1 agonists (SKF 38393, A 68930), but does not influence the contralateral turning induced by the D2 agonist LY 171555. Studies on the expression of the early gene c-fos as reflected by the immunohistochemical demonstration of the Fos protein, show that administration of scopolamine (5 mg/kg, i.p.

"Priming" to dopamine agonist-induced contralateral turning as a model of non-associative sensitization to the expression of the post-synaptic dopamine message.

In adult rats bearing unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions of the ascending dopaminergic neurons, a single administration of a dopamine (DA) receptor agonist results in strong sensitization ("priming") of contralateral turning in response to D2 and particularly D1 receptor agonists. In order to investigate the role of distinct environmental cues associated with the effect of the agonist during exposure to the primer, rats bearing 15-day-old unilateral 6-OHDA lesions were primed in their home cage with L-dopa or with saline. L-Dopa but not saline induced medium to low but steady contralateral turning.

Nimesulide and diclofenac in the control of cancer-related pain. Comparison between oral and rectal administration.

64 patients with pain associated with advanced cancer were treated with either nimesulide or diclofenac as initial analgesia. Patients were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatment groups: oral nimesulide 300 mg/day; oral diclofenac 150 mg/day; rectal nimesulide 400 mg/day; and rectal diclofenac 200 mg/day. After 1 week of treatment, both drugs provided an adequate degree of pain relief and allowed an increase in sleep duration.

Combined microdialysis and Fos immunohistochemistry for the estimation of dopamine neurotransmission in the rat caudate-putamen.

Extracellular dopamine (DA) concentrations estimated by transcerebral dialysis and D1-dependent c-fos expression, as demonstrated by Fos immunohistochemistry, were studied after blockade of DA reuptake by GBR-12909. Rats implanted with dialysis probes in the dorsal caudate-putamen did not show any Fos-positive neuronal labeling in the implanted area or in the rest of the caudate-putamen. Administration of GBR-12909 dose-dependently increased DA output in dialysates and resulted in the appearance in the caudate-putamen of Fos-positive neurons whose density was related to the dose of GBR-12909 and to the increase in extracellular concentrations of DA.

Expression of a Wilms tumor gene in porcine kidney during compensatory renal growth.

Expression of the putative Wilms tumor gene (WT-1) was studied to investigate its role in renal growth. Compensatory renal growth was induced in 35-day-old Yorkshire-swine by unilateral nephrectomy. The contralateral kidney was removed 0.

A new method of food intake quantification: application to the care of cancer patients.

Although it is commonly accepted that advanced cancer patients often suffer from malnutrition, there is little information available to quantify the extent of undernourishment and variations in food intake during the last weeks of life. To assess these factors, we developed a new method for measuring daily food intake, based on a self-descriptive record on which the patient chooses one of five different levels of food intake defined with a key word. This record was combined with a visual analogue scale and then administered to 100 healthy persons to assess if each key word can be attributed a numerical figure.

Blockade ofNMDA receptors differentially affectsD-1 andD-2 mediated turning behavior in the 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson.

In rats with unilateral lesion of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway, L-DOPA induces contralateral turning through activation of denervated D-1 and D-2 receptors. Blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors by the non-competitive antagonist (+)MK-801, potentiated the contralateral turning induced by L-DOPA as well as that induced by the D-1 agonist SKF 38393, while D-2 mediated turning was almost completely inhibited. Administration of the D-1 antagonist SCH 23390 blocked (+)MK-801-induced potentiation of L-DOPA contralateral turning, confirming the D-1 nature of the effects observed.

Positive and negative interactions in the behavioural expression of D1 and D2 receptor stimulation in a model of Parkinsonism: role of priming.

Previous exposure to a dopaminergic agonist (priming) strongly potentiates contralateral turning behaviour in response to D1 and D2 agonists in unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. In order to study the influence of priming on the behavioural interaction of D1 and D2 receptors, we examined the effect of selective D1 and D2 receptor blockade on the contralateral turning induced by the mixed D2/D2 agonist apomorphine in drug-naive and primed 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. In drug-naive rats, apomorphine induced a dose-related, apparently monophasic rotation curve.

Reversible and irreversible changes in nucleosome structure along the c-fos and c-myc oncogenes following inhibition of transcription.

A new affinity chromatographic procedure for the separation of transcriptionally active nucleosomes has been used to study the changes that take place in chromatin structure along the c-fos and c-myc genes when RNA synthesis is inhibited. Mercury-affinity chromatography separates the sulfhydryl-reactive nucleosomes of transcriptionally active genes from the compactly beaded, non-reactive nucleosomes of transcriptionally inert DNA sequences. The new procedure also discriminates between nucleosomes that have "unfolded" to reveal the previously shielded SH groups of histone H3 and nucleosomes that bind to the mercury column because of their association with thiol-containing non-histone proteins located in the transcription unit.