Memory Consolidation Depends on Endogenous Hippocampal Levels of Anandamide: CB1 and M4, but Possibly not TRPV1 Receptors Mediate AM404 effects.

The endocannabinoid system is involved in the fine-tuning of local synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus during the initial steps of memory formation/transformation. In spite of extensive studies, endocannabinoid modulation of these processes is still poorly understood. Here we studied the effects of intra-CA1 infused AM404, an anandamide (AEA) transport/metabolism inhibitor, upon an aversive memory consolidation with or without prior systemic administration of metyrapone, as well the concomitant intra-CA1 administration of AM404 plus AM251 (CB1 receptor inverse-agonist), capsazepine (TRPV1 receptor antagonist) or tropicamide (M4 receptor antagonist).

Adolescent female rats undergo full systems consolidation of an aversive memory, while males of the same age fail to discriminate contexts.

Generalization is an adaptive process that allows animals to deal with threatening circumstances similar to prior experiences. Systems consolidation is a time-dependent process in which memory loses it precision concomitantly with reorganizational changes in the brain structures that support memory retrieval. In this, memory becomes progressively independent from the hippocampus and more reliant on cortical structures.

Results on patient-reported outcomes are underreported in summaries of product characteristics for new drugs.

Background: Summaries of product characteristics (SmPCs) are regulatory documents published upon drug approval. They should report all relevant study data and advise how to use drugs safely and effectively. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are increasingly used in clinical trials to incorporate the patient perspective-SmPCs should thus adequately report PROs.

Autarkic desorption electrospray ionization source for on-site analysis of consumer goods.

A general-purpose desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) source is presented which is not bound to the laboratory site. It allows autarkic operation for a few hours and can be connected to different types of (autarkic or non-autarkic) mass spectrometers via an atmospheric-pressure interface. Technical characteristics are described as well as results from direct surface analysis of consumer goods such as plastics, fruit peels or pills, or from living objects such as human skin, demonstrating the detection of various target compounds such as plasticizers, pesticides, drugs or sun blockers.

Chronic fluoxetine prevents fear memory generalization and enhances subsequent extinction by remodeling hippocampal dendritic spines and slowing down systems consolidation.

Fear memory overgeneralization contributes to the genesis and persistence of anxiety disorders and is a central hallmark in the pathophysiology of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent findings suggest that fear generalization is closely related to hippocampal dependency during retrieval. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine has been used as a first-line treatment for PTSD; however, how it exerts its therapeutic effect remains a matter of debate.

Study filters for non-randomized studies of interventions consistently lacked sensitivity upon external validation.

Background: Little evidence is available on searches for non-randomized studies (NRS) in bibliographic databases within the framework of systematic reviews. For instance, it is currently unclear whether, when searching for NRS, effective restriction of the search strategy to certain study types is possible. The following challenges need to be considered: 1) For non-randomized controlled trials (NRCTs): whether they can be identified by established filters for randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Author Correction: Periodical reactivation under the effect of caffeine attenuates fear memory expression in rats.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

Periodical reactivation under the effect of caffeine attenuates fear memory expression in rats.

In the last decade, several studies have shown that fear memories can be attenuated by interfering with reconsolidation. However, most of the pharmacological agents used in preclinical studies cannot be administered to humans. Caffeine is one of the world's most popular psychoactive drugs and its effects on cognitive and mood states are well documented.

Pulsatile dry cupping in chronic low back pain - a randomized three-armed controlled clinical trial.

Background: We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of two different forms of dry pulsatile cupping in patients with chronic low back pain (cLBP) compared to medication on demand only in a three-armed randomized trial.

Methods: 110 cLBP patients were randomized to regular pulsatile cupping with 8 treatments plus paracetamol on demand (n = 37), minimal cupping with 8 treatments plus paracetamol on demand (n = 36) or the control group with paracetamol on demand only (n = 37). Primary outcome was the pain intensity on a visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-100 mm) after 4 weeks, secondary outcome parameter included VAS pain intensity after 12 weeks, back function as measured with the 'Funktionsfragebogen Hannover Rücken' (FFbH-R) and health related quality of life questionnaire Short form 36 (SF-36) after 4 and 12 weeks.

Association of individual and neighbourhood socioeconomic status with physical activity and screen time in seventh-grade boys and girls in Berlin, Germany: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Few studies have explored the impact of neighbourhood socioeconomic status (SES) on health behaviours in youths in Germany. Our aim was to investigate the association of individual and neighbourhood SES with physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST) in students aged 12-13 years in Berlin.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Effectiveness of app-based self-acupressure for women with menstrual pain compared to usual care: a randomized pragmatic trial.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is common among women of reproductive age. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and oral contraceptives are effective treatments, although the failure rate is around 20% to 25%. Therefore additional evidence-based treatments are needed.

Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Tuina for Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Tuina with a No-Intervention Waiting List.

Objective: To evaluate whether tuina is more effective and cost-effective in reducing pain compared to no intervention in patients with chronic neck pain.

Design: Single-center randomized two-armed controlled trial.

Setting: University outpatient clinic specialized in Integrative Medicine.

Acupuncture in Patients with Allergic Asthma: A Randomized Pragmatic Trial.

Background: Although the available evidence is insufficient, acupuncture is used in patients suffering from chronic asthma. The aim of this pragmatic study was to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture in addition to routine care in patients with allergic asthma compared to treatment with routine care alone.

Methods: Patients with allergic asthma were included in a randomized controlled trial and randomized to receive up to 15 acupuncture sessions over 3 months or to a control group receiving routine care alone.

Long-term effectiveness of a combined student-parent and a student-only smoking prevention intervention among 7th grade school children in Berlin, Germany.

Background And Aims: In Germany, the smoking prevalence among adolescents is among the highest in Europe. Our aim was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a combined student-parent and a student-only smoking prevention programme to reduce the smoking prevalence among 7th grade students in Berlin.

Design: Three-armed cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Application of captive bolt to cattle stunning - a survey of stunner placement under practical conditions.

In two cattle head deboning plants, a total of 8879 cattle skulls were investigated for number and precision of shots. Deviation from the ideal position on the forehead and the direction of the shot were measured, results were then attributed to three classes of precision. In all, 64.

Measurement of β-hydroxybutyrate in cats with nonketotic diabetes mellitus, diabetic ketosis, and diabetic ketoacidosis.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). The standard method of detection of ketone bodies is the dipstick method, which detects semiquantitatively acetoacetate, but not β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB). The objectives of the current study were to assess the diagnostic utility of β-HB to diagnose diabetic ketosis (DK) and DKA in cats and to establish a cut-off value for the diagnosis of DKA.

Diagnostic value of morphometry in feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common form of feline heart disease. To date, reliable morphometric reference data for anatomical or histological changes are unavailable. The aim of this study was to identify diagnostically relevant morphometric criteria that clearly distinguish feline HCM from normal hearts.

Validation of a portable hand-held whole-blood ketone meter for use in cats.

Background: Urinary dipsticks are the most frequent method used for screening of ketones in animals, but this method has many drawbacks. In human medicine, portable meters that measure ketones in whole blood have largely replaced urinary dipsticks.

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to validate a portable whole-blood ketone meter for use in cats.

Pulmonary abnormalities in dogs with leptospirosis.

Background: Leptospirosis in dogs is a multiorgan disease affecting mostly kidneys and liver.

Objectives: The objective was to characterize prevalence, clinical, and radiological features and outcome of dogs with leptospirosis and pulmonary abnormalities.

Animals: Fifty dogs with leptospirosis.

Synthesis of chiroptical molecular switches by pd-catalyzed domino reactions.

New photochromic switches based on helical alkenes can quickly and efficiently be accessed by Pd-catalyzed domino reactions using a modular approach; this allows a wide variability in product formation with the advantages of a convergent synthetic route. The alkenes have been synthesized in excellent enantioselectivity and their switching properties assessed by stimulation with nanosecond laser pulses at two different wavelengths in over 1000 switching cycles.

Ristocetin-Willebrand factor activity in dog plasma.

A sensitive and reproducible method for the quantitation of ristocetin-Willebrand factor activity in canine plasma is described. This assay measures the initial velocity of aggregation of suspensions of canine washed platelets in the presence of ristocetin and ristocetin-Willebrand factor. The washed platelets are stable for 4 h and when prepared from the same donor vary little in their day-to-day response to ristocetin.

An inherited platelet function defect in Basset hounds.

An inherited platelet function defect occurring in a family of basset hounds has been described. The trait is transmitted as an autosomal characteristic and appears to be expressed clinically only in the homozygous state. The characteristics of this platelet defect include:1) marked bleeding tendencies and prolonged skin bleeding times in either male or female dogs.

Effects of some commercial preparations of polychlorinated biphenyls in growing piglets.

Sixty-four piglets were given ad libitum commercial rations containing 250 ppm of polychlorinated biphenyls as Aroclor 1232, Aroclor 1242 and Aroclor 1254 for periods up to 12 weeks. The toxic effects of the polychlorinated biphenyls upon plasma testosterone levels, the blood coagulation system, the gross- and micropathological changes as well as the extent and differences in their distribution and accumulation were studied. Principals given Aroclor 1232, Aroclor 1242 and Aroclor 1254 for the 12 week period gained 30, 10 and 50% more in body weight respectively than did controls.