Cloacal gland and testes development in male Japanese quail selected for divergent adrenocortical responsiveness.

The time course of sexual development in male quail from lines selected for either a reduced (low stress, LS) or an exaggerated (high stress, HS) plasma corticosterone response to brief restraint was determined. Sexual development was assessed by examination of cloacal gland area (CAREA) and volume (CVOL), proportion of individuals that produced cloacal gland foam, and the intensity of cloacal gland foam production (CFP) at 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 14, and 16 wk of age. These intervals encompass ages during which growing, photostimulated quail would be expected to evolve from being totally prepubescent to well into adulthood.

Photoperiod-induced changes in cloacal gland physiology and testes weight in male Japanese quail selected for divergent adrenocortical responsiveness.

In quail, activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis has been linked to depression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, and cloacal gland development and foam production are known to be androgen dependent. Therefore, photoperiod manipulations that induce gonadal growth (long day) and involution (short day) were used to examine changes in cloacal gland physiology in male quail from lines selected for a reduced (low stress, LS) or exaggerated (high stress, HS) plasma corticosterone response to brief restraint. Line differences in cloacal gland area (CAREA) and volume (CVOL), the proportion of individuals that produced cloacal gland foam (PICF), and the intensity of cloacal gland foam production (CFP) were initially assessed in adult males maintained on stimulatory, long photoperiods of 14L:10D.

A blood plasma inhibitor is responsible for circadian changes in rat renal Na,K-ATPase activity.

Rhythmic changes in activity following a circadian schedule have been described for several enzymes. The possibility of circadian changes in Na,K-ATPase activity was studied in homogenates of rat kidney cortex cells. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were kept on a schedule of 12h light (06:00-18:00 h) and 12 h darkness (18:00-06:00 h) for 2 weeks.

Human articular chondrocytes, synoviocytes and synovial microvessels express aquaporin water channels; upregulation of AQP1 in rheumatoid arthritis.

Recent studies have shown that aquaporin water channels are expressed in human Meckel's cartilage. The aim of the present investigation was to determine if human articular chondrocytes and synoviocytes express aquaporin 1 (AQP1) water channels and to establish if there are any alterations in AQP1 expression in osteoarticular disorders such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Immunohistochemistry was employed semi-quantitatively to compare the expression of AQP1 in human chondrocytes derived from normal, OA and RA joints.

Lipid peroxidation and active calcium transport in inside-out vesicles of red blood cells from preeclamptic women.

We previously reported that in preeclampsia Ca-ATPase activity diminishes about 50% in red blood cells, myometrium and syncitiotrophoblast plasma membranes. In this work, we measured the active Ca++ uptake by inside-out vesicles of human red blood cells from preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Active calcium uptake by the vesicles was diminished by 49+/-3% in the preeclamptic women as compared to the gestational controls ( 8.

An ICI 182,780-sensitive, membrane-related estrogen receptor contributes to estrogenic neuroprotective actions against amyloid-beta toxicity.

Although estrogen (E2)-related neuroprotection has been repeatedly demonstrated in different models, the involvement of non-classical estrogen receptors (ERs) in this activity remains unclear. Using SN56 murine cholinergic cell line from the basal forebrain, we present evidence indicating that an ER associated with the plasma membrane participates in estrogen-dependent reduction of neuronal death induced by amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) toxicity. Exposure to either E2 or estradiol-horseradish peroxidase (E-HRP) for 15 min significantly reduced Abeta-induced cell death.

Randomized controlled trial of the effect of daily supplementation with zinc or multiple micronutrients on the morbidity, growth, and micronutrient status of young Peruvian children.

Background: Zinc supplements reduce childhood morbidity in populations in whom zinc deficiency is common. In such populations, deficiencies in other micronutrients may also occur.

Objective: The objective was to determine whether the administration of other micronutrients with zinc modifies the effect of zinc supplementation on children's morbidity and physical growth.

The effect of voluntary exercise exposure on histological and neurobehavioral outcomes after ischemic brain injury in the rat.

Physical activity can induce neuroplastic adaptations and improve outcomes after cerebral injury. To determine if these outcomes are dependent on the type and timing of physical rehabilitation and the particular outcome/endpoint being tested, we evaluated the effect of voluntary exercise exposure beginning 24 h after cerebral ischemic injury on behavioral, physiological, and histological outcomes. In an observer-blinded fashion, Sprague-Dawley (300 g) male rats were allocated to three groups [sham-exercise (SHAM), stroke-exercise (SE), stroke-no exercise (SNE)] before a 1-h right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo).

Estradiol prevents amyloid-beta peptide-induced cell death in a cholinergic cell line via modulation of a classical estrogen receptor.

The pathology of Alzheimer's disease includes amyloid-beta peptide aggregation that contributes to degeneration of cholinergic neurons. Even though the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear, recent in vitro evidence supports a protective role for estrogens against several neurotoxic agents. Here we report that, in a murine cholinergic cell line (SN56), the massive cell death induced by 1-40 fragment of amyloid-beta peptide was prevented by 17beta-estradiol through a mechanism that may involve estrogen receptor activation.

Preeclampsia and calcium-ATPase activity of plasma membranes from human myometrium and placental trophoblast.

Objective: We determined calcium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Ca-ATPase) activity and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) of plasma membranes from myometrium and placental trophoblast of normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women.

Methods: Samples of myometrium were obtained by uterine biopsies taken upon delivery by cesarean section from nulliparous normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women. Placentas were obtained after full term vaginal delivery from either normotensive or preeclamptic women.

Calcium-ATPase activity of red blood cell ghosts from preeclamptic women, antepartum and postpartum.

Objective: We determined the calcium activated adenosine triphosphatase (Ca-ATPase) activity and level of lipid peroxidation thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) of red blood cell ghosts in the antepartum and postpartum of normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women.

Methods: Samples of venous blood were obtained by venipuncture of nulliparous normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women antepartum and two, four, six, and 20 weeks postpartum. The red blood cell ghosts were prepared and assayed for Ca-ATPase activity and TBARS.

A randomized trial of consensus interferon in combination with ribavirin as initial treatment for chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: The aim of the present, open-labeled, randomized study was to determine the efficacy and safety of different doses of consensus interferon plus ribavirin in the initial treatment of chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: One hundred and one genotype 2/3 patients were randomized to receive 9 mcg (group A, n=48) or 18 mcg (group B, n=53) of consensus interferon thrice weekly plus ribavirin (1000/1200 mg/daily) for 24 weeks and 92 genotype 1 patients to receive 9 mcg (group C, n=47) or 18 mcg (group D, n=45) of consensus interferon plus ribavirin for 48 weeks.

Results: In an intention-to-treat analysis, the sustained virologic response at 24-week follow-up was 69% and 66% for group A and B (P=0.

Determination of aflatoxins in peanuts by matrix solid-phase dispersion and liquid chromatography.

A new method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction was studied to determine aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 from peanuts. Optimization of different parameters, such as type of solid supports for matrix dispersion and elution solvents were carried out. The method used 2 g of peanut sample, 2 g of C18 bonded silica as MSPD sorbent and acetonitrile as eluting solvent.

Antiproteinuric efficacy of losartan in comparison with amlodipine in non-diabetic proteinuric renal diseases: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

Background: Proteinuria is a significant independent determinant of the progression of chronic renal diseases. It induces an increased synthesis of angiotensin II, endothelin and profibrogenic growth factors, such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), by mesangial and tubular cells. The antiproteinuric effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) in diabetic and non-diabetic nephropathies predicts long-term renoprotection afforded by these drugs.

An overlap of breastfeeding during late pregnancy is associated with subsequent changes in colostrum composition and morbidity rates among Peruvian infants and their mothers.

An overlap of breast-feeding and late pregnancy is associated with decreased intake of human milk and reduced infant growth. We evaluated the association of an overlap with macronutrient and immunological components of milk, infant urinary IgA, and infant and maternal morbidity. On d 2 and 1 mo postpartum, staff measured 24-h intake of breast milk and collected samples from 133 Peruvian women; 68 had breast-fed during the last trimester of pregnancy (BFP) and 65 had not breast-fed during pregnancy (NBFP).

Apathy and executive function in depressed elderly.

Apathy and executive cognitive dysfunction (ECD) are important though conceptually different aspects of late-life depression. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of apathy to ECD. The authors also evaluated the relationship of apathy and ECD to global cognitive impairment and word generation.

Early T-maze behavior and broiler growth.

In the laboratory and at a commercial farm in Argentina, chicks that showed a short latency to exit a T-maze (LEX) (HP, high performance) gained more weight than those with a longer LEX (LP, low performance). The present study re-examined this relationship and evaluated additional T-maze measures using broilers reared in quasi-intensive, environmentally controlled conditions. In the T-maze, a mirror strategically placed at the end of a corridor stimulates the test chick to leave the isolation chamber (start box) and to move toward its reflection.

An oestrogen membrane receptor participates in estradiol actions for the prevention of amyloid-beta peptide1-40-induced toxicity in septal-derived cholinergic SN56 cells.

Although oestrogen [17 beta-estradiol (E2)]-related neuroprotection has been demonstrated in different models, the involvement of non-classical oestrogen receptors (ERs) remains unexplored. Using the SN56 cholinergic cell line, we present evidence indicating that an ER associated with the plasma membrane participates in oestrogen-dependent inhibition of cell death induced by amyloid-beta peptide (A beta) toxicity. Similarly to E2 alone, a 15-min exposure to estradiol-horseradish peroxidase (E-HRP) significantly reduced A beta-induced cell death.

Analysis of HLA-E expression in human tumors.

Downregulation of MHC class Ia molecule expression is a widespread mechanism used by tumor cells to escape antitumor T-cell-mediated immune responses. However, it is not known why NK cells cannot lyse these MHC class-Ia-deficient tumor targets. Tumors must select additional routes of escape from NK cells.

Stress-induced decrement in the plasticity of the physical properties of chick brain membranes.

The molecular basis underlying the stress-induced increment in the density of central benzodiazepine receptor from chick forebrain, observed previously at 4 degrees C, was studied from a biophysical perspective. The thermal dependence of [3H]flunitrazepam binding to the central benzodiazepine receptor and the supramolecular organization were studied in forebrain membranes from chicks submitted to partial water immersion. The equilibrium dissociation constants increased with temperature in membrane from both control and stressed chicks.

[Lipid and lipoprotein profile of Chinese immigrants living in Costa Rica].

The lipid profile and food pattern of 50 Chinese immigrants living in San José, Costa Rica were studied during 1999. The results showed that 35% of the immigrants had high levels of total cholesterol (> or = 5.16 mmol/L) and 51% had high concentrations of LDL-Cholesterol (> or = 2.

Application of matrix solid-phase dispersion to the determination of a new generation of fungicides in fruits and vegetables.

A method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and gas chromatography to determine eight fungicides in fruits and vegetables is described. Fungicide residues were identified and quantified using nitrogen-phosphorus detection and electron-capture detection connected in parallel and confirmed by mass spectrometric detection. The method required 0.

Preeclampsia and calcium-ATPase activity of red cell ghosts from neonatal and maternal blood.

Objective: Determination of Ca-ATPase activity and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) of red cell ghosts from neonatal and maternal blood of normotensive and preeclamptic women.

Methods: Venous blood was obtained by venipuncture of six nulliparous normotensive and six preeclamptic pregnant women. After cesarean delivery, blood samples were obtained from the umbilical cord of the same patients.

T-maze behavior and early egg production in Japanese quail selected for contrasting adrenocortical responsiveness.

Broiler chicks that traverse a T-maze quickly to reinstate contact with their companions (HP, high performance) are known to grow faster, be more social, and exhibit a reduced plasma corticosterone (B) response to acute stress than slower (LP, low performance) chicks. Genetic lines of Japanese quail selected for reduced (LS, low stress) or exaggerated (HS, high stress) plasma B response to brief restraint also differ in sociality and performance. In the present study, we asked if divergence in early T-maze behavior was associated with differential attainment of puberty and early egg production in these lines.

Selection of Japanese quail for reduced adrenocortical responsiveness accelerates puberty in males.

Differences in the onset of puberty were assessed in male Japanese quail from a random-bred (RB, control) line and two lines that had been genetically selected for reduced (low stress, LS) or exaggerated (high stress, HS) plasma corticosterone response to brief mechanical restraint. At 42 d of age, cloacal gland area (CAREA) and volume (CVOL), proportion of individuals that produced cloacal gland foam (PICF), and intensity of cloacal gland foam production (CFP) were examined in 60 representatives from each of these quail lines. CFP was quantified by subjective scaling of the amount of foam ejected upon manual expression (squeezing) of the foam gland, using a scale of 1 (no foam expressed) to 5 (maximum amount of foam expression).