Proof of Concept for High-Dose Cannabidiol Pretreatment to Antagonize Opioid Induced Persistent Apnea.

Using a mouse equivalent of FDA-approved cannabidiol (CBD) dosing, we found high dose CBD affects opioid induced persistent apnea (OIPA), the principal cause of opioid related fatalities. CBD pretreatment mitigated respiratory depression from fentanyl in awake mice and significantly delayed OIPA onset in anesthetized mice, effective as the opioid antagonist naloxone. The powerful effect of CBD pretreatment on OIPA suggests a novel therapeutic strategy to reduce fatal opioid overdose incidence.

Sigh generation in preBötzinger Complex.

We explored neural mechanisms underlying sighing. Photostimulation of parafacial (pF) neuromedin B (NMB) or gastrin releasing peptide (GRP), or preBötzinger Complex (preBötC) NMBR or GRPR neurons elicited ectopic sighs with latency inversely related to time from preceding endogenous sigh. Of particular note, ectopic sighs could be produced without involvement of these peptides or their receptors in preBötC.

Phase- and state-dependent modulation of breathing pattern by preBötzinger complex somatostatin expressing neurons.

As neuronal subtypes are increasingly categorized, delineating their functional role is paramount. The preBötzinger complex (preBötC) subpopulation expressing the neuropeptide somatostatin (SST) is classified as mostly excitatory, inspiratory-modulated and not rhythmogenic. We further characterized their phenotypic identity: 87% were glutamatergic and the balance were glycinergic and/or GABAergic.

Bismuth oxysulfide film electrodes with giant incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency: the dynamics of properties with deposition time.

It was demonstrated in our previous work that the photoelectrochemical (PEC) reduction processes occur with a giant incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE ≫ 100%) at bismuth oxysulfide (BOS) semiconductor films in aqueous solutions containing acceptors of photoelectrons ([Fe(CN)6]3-). The anomalously high IPCE was related to the photoconductivity of the semiconductor. In this work, we analyze the dynamics of the chemical and phase composition of BOS films with variation of their deposition time, as well as the dependence of photocurrent on the film thickness and wavelength of the incident light.

Giant Incident Photon-to-Current Conversion with Photoconductivity Gain on Nanostructured Bismuth Oxysulfide Photoelectrodes under Visible-Light Illumination.

Nanostructured layered bismuth oxysulfide films synthesized by chemical bath deposition reveal a giant incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE). This study shows that surprisingly for the cathodic photocurrent in the photoreduction process, the IPCE reaches ≈2500% in aqueous solutions containing [Fe(CN) ] . The giant IPCE is observed starting from a certain minimal oxidizer concentration (c > 10 m for [Fe(CN) ] ) and decreases nonlinearly with an increase of illumination intensity.

Blockade of the dorsomedial hypothalamus and the perifornical area inhibits respiratory responses to arousing and stressful stimuli.

The dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) and the perifornical area (DMH/PeF) is one of the key regions of central autonomic processing. Previous studies have established that this region contains neurons that may be involved in respiratory processing; however, this has never been tested in conscious animals. The aim of our study was to investigate the involvement of the DMH/PeF area in mediating respiratory responses to stressors of various intensities and duration.

Genetic variability of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks and voles from Ixodes persulcatus/Ixodes trianguliceps sympatric areas from Western Siberia, Russia.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis in different mammals. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was assayed in Ixodes persulcatus, Ixodes trianguliceps ticks and Myodes spp.

Amygdala mediates respiratory responses to sudden arousing stimuli and to restraint stress in rats.

Both human and animal studies have demonstrated that respiratory parameters change in response to presentation of alerting stimuli, as well as during stress, yet central neuronal pathways that mediate such responses remain unknown. The aim of our study was to investigate the involvement of the amygdala in mediating respiratory responses to stressors of various intensities and duration. Adult male Wistar rats (n = 8) received microinjections of GABAA agonist muscimol or saline into the amygdala bilaterally and were subjected to a respiratory recording using whole body plethysmography.

Add-on clinical effects of selective antagonist of 5HT6 receptors AVN-211 (CD-008-0173) in patients with schizophrenia stabilized on antipsychotic treatment: pilot study.

Unlabelled: The serotoninergic system as a target for add-on treatment seems to be a promising approach in patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: To clarify if selective 5HT-6 antagonist AVN-211 (CD-008-0173) adds clinical and cognitive effects to stable antipsychotic treatment.

Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, add-on, 4r-week trial in 47 schizophrenia patients (21 patients receiving study drug and 26 receiving placebo) who were stabilized on antipsychotic medication was performed.

Does exposure to chronic stress influence blood pressure in rats?

The principal aim of this study was to determine whether prolonged chronic footshock stress can evoke sustained changes in blood pressure in rats and to elucidate possible underlying neurochemical mechanisms as mediated by the sympathoadrenal system. Adult male Wistar rats instrumented for telemetric recording of arterial pressure, heart rate and locomotor activity were subjected to six weeks of inescapable unpredictable electrical footshocks (FS+) or were exposed to shock chambers but were not shocked (FS-). Compared to FS- animals, FS+ animals had significantly reduced body weight gain (by 30%), locomotor activity (by 25%) and social interaction time (by 30%)--symptoms commonly induced by chronic stress and depression in humans.

Functional programming of the autonomic nervous system by early life immune exposure: implications for anxiety.

Neonatal exposure of rodents to an immune challenge alters a variety of behavioural and physiological parameters in adulthood. In particular, neonatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.05 mg/kg, i.

Respiratory component of the orienting reflex: a novel sensitive index of sensory-induced arousal in rats.

In humans, the integrated response to a novel stimulus (orienting reflex, OR) includes behavioral (head turning etc.) and well-characterized physiological components (changes in heart rate, respiration, skin conductance, and EEG patterns). In rodents, the physiological components of the OR include changes in heart rate and cutaneous vasoconstrictor tone, but respiratory changes have so far not been systematically documented.

Metyrapone and fluoxetine suppress enduring behavioral but not cardiac effects of subchronic stress in rats.

In humans, chronic stressors have long been recognized as potential causes for cardiac dysregulation. Despite this, the underlying mechanistic links responsible for this association are still poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to a paradigm of subchronic stress can provoke enduring changes on the heart rate of experimental rats and, if so, to reveal the autonomic and neural mechanisms that mediate these effects.