Treatment with zolpidem after ethanol administration potentiates the expression of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in mice.

Contradictory findings suggest that the behavioral and abuse-related effects of ethanol are mediated by its action at α1 subunit-containing GABAA (α1GABAA) receptors. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a sub-chronic post-ethanol administration treatment with zolpidem, an α1-preferring positive allosteric modulator at GABAA receptors, on the subsequent expression of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in mice. Animals received ethanol (1.8 g/kg, ip) or saline treatments every other day for 15 days (8 treatment sessions) and were subsequently treated with zolpidem (0.5 mg/kg, ip) or vehicle 4 times on alternate days. At the end of the treatment phase, animals were challenged with saline or ethanol on separate days for the evaluation of the expression of conditioned locomotion and behavioral sensitization. Eight-day treatment with ethanol did not lead to the development of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization. Animals treated with ethanol and subsequently administered vehicle showed similar locomotion frequencies during the last ethanol challenge compared to the control group receiving ethanol for the first time. Animals treated with ethanol and subsequently administered zolpidem expressed behavioral sensitization to ethanol during the ethanol challenge. The present study adds to the literature by providing further evidence of a role of α1GABAA receptors on the behavioral effects of ethanol. Because of the current highly prevalent co-abuse of ethanol and benzodiazepine drugs in humans, the use of zolpidem and other α1GABAA receptor ligands during ethanol withdrawal should be monitored carefully.

Treatment with zolpidem after ethanol administration potentiates the expression of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in mice

Contradictory findings suggest that the behavioral and abuse-related effects of ethanol are mediated by its action at α1 subunit-containing GABAA (α1GABAA) receptors. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a sub-chronic post-ethanol administration treatment with zolpidem, an α1-preferring positive allosteric modulator at GABAA receptors, on the subsequent expression of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in mice. Animals received ethanol (1.8 g/kg, ip) or saline treatments every other day for 15 days (8 treatment sessions) and were subsequently treated with zolpidem (0.5 mg/kg, ip) or vehicle 4 times on alternate days. At the end of the treatment phase, animals were challenged with saline or ethanol on separate days for the evaluation of the expression of conditioned locomotion and behavioral sensitization. Eight-day treatment with ethanol did not lead to the development of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization. Animals treated with ethanol and subsequently administered vehicle showed similar locomotion frequencies during the last ethanol challenge compared to the control group receiving ethanol for the first time. Animals treated with ethanol and subsequently administered zolpidem expressed behavioral sensitization to ethanol during the ethanol challenge. The present study adds to the literature by providing further evidence of a role of α1GABAA receptors on the behavioral effects of ethanol. Because of the current highly prevalent co-abuse of ethanol and benzodiazepine drugs in humans, the use of zolpidem and other α1GABAA receptor ligands during ethanol withdrawal should be monitored carefully.

Evaluation of an rK39-based immunochromatographic test for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in human saliva.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a tropical neglected disease endemic in 98 countries and affects more than 58 000 individuals per year. Several serological tests are available for VL diagnosis, including an immunochromatographic (IC) test with the rK39 antigen and finger prick-collected blood, a rapid and low-invasive test. Here, we investigate the possibility to use saliva as a non-invasive source of biological material for the rK39 IC test. Blood samples from 84 patients with suspected VL were screened by the rK39 IC test, and 29 were confirmed as being infected by a positive rK39 IC test and the presence of amastigotes on smears slides or parasite DNA (detected using PCR-RFLP) from bone marrow aspirate. The rK39 IC test using saliva samples was positive for 17 of the 29 confirmed VL cases (58.6%). The amount of Leishmania-specific IgG or total IgG, as evaluated by an immunoenzymatic assay, was higher in the saliva of patients who had rK39 IC test positivity using saliva, whereas the amount of Leishmania-specific IgA or total IgA was similar to the healthy donors. These results suggest that saliva is not an appropriated material for diagnosing VL with this test.

Evaluation of an rK39-based immunochromatographic test for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in human saliva

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a tropical neglected disease endemic in 98 countries and affects more than 58 000 individuals per year. Several serological tests are available for VL diagnosis, including an immunochromatographic (IC) test with the rK39 antigen and finger prick-collected blood, a rapid and low-invasive test. Here, we investigate the possibility to use saliva as a non-invasive source of biological material for the rK39 IC test. Blood samples from 84 patients with suspected VL were screened by the rK39 IC test, and 29 were confirmed as being infected by a positive rK39 IC test and the presence of amastigotes on smears slides or parasite DNA (detected using PCR-RFLP) from bone marrow aspirate. The rK39 IC test using saliva samples was positive for 17 of the 29 confirmed VL cases (58.6%). The amount of Leishmania-specific IgG or total IgG, as evaluated by an immunoenzymatic assay, was higher in the saliva of patients who had rK39 IC test positivity using saliva, whereas the amount of Leishmania-specific IgA or total IgA was similar to the healthy donors. These results suggest that saliva is not an appropriated material for diagnosing VL with this test.

Physicians declining patient enrollment in a critical care trial: a case study in thromboprophylaxis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the frequency, rationale and determinants of attending physicians requesting that their eligible patients not be approached for participation in a thromboprophylaxis trial. METHODS: Research personnel in 67 centers prospectively documented eligible non-randomized patients due to physicians declining to allow their patients to be approached. RESULTS: In 67 centers, 3,764 patients were enrolled, but 1,460 eligible patients had no consent encounter. For 218 (14.9 %) of these, attending physicians requested that their patients not be approached. The most common reasons included a high risk of bleeding (31.2 %) related to fear of heparin bioaccumulation in renal failure, the presence of an epidural catheter, peri-operative status or other factors; specific preferences for thromboprophylaxis (12.4 %); morbid obesity (9.6 %); uncertain prognosis (6.4 %); general discomfort with research (3.7 %) and unclear reasons (17.0 %). Physicians were more likely to decline when approached by less experienced research personnel; considering those with[10 years of experience as the reference category, the odds ratios (OR) for physician refusals to personnel without trial experience was 10.47 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.19-50.02] and those with less than 10 years experience was 1.72 (95 % CI 0.61-4.84). Physicians in open rather than closed units were more likely to decline (OR 4.26; 95 % CI 1.27-14.34). Refusals decreased each year of enrollment compared to the pilot phase. CONCLUSIONS: Tracking, analyzing, interpreting and reporting the rates and reasons for physicians declining to allow their patients to be approached for enrollment provides insights into clinicians' concerns and attitudes to trials. This information can encourage physician communication and education, and potentially enhance efficient recruitment.

Comportamento da reticulometria antes e após a suplementação dietética ferrosa em crianças com anemia ferropriva em Erechim - RS / Reticulometry behavior before and after the dietetic ironing supplementation in iron deficiency anemic in Erechim - RS

Na evolução eritropoética, os reticulócitos representam a hemácia mais imatura do sangue circulante. A diminuição de hemoglobina, contida nas hemácias, chama-se anemia e é causada principalmente pelo déficit de ferro. Objetivou-se fazer uma análise do comportamento dos valores de hemoglobina e da contagem de reticulócitos, antes e após a suplementação dietética. Trabalhouse com crianças anêmicas, com idade entre 1 e 13 anos, num grupo inicial de 125 crianças, pertencentes às creches Mãezinha do Céu, Obra Santa Marta e do Centro de Atendimento à Família Erechinense (CAFE). O aporte férrico fornecido contém leite enriquecido com ferro aminoácido quelato, na quantidade 15mg/dia, adicionados a 500ml de leite, com duração de 2 meses, sem interrupções O presente trabalho indicou, através do hemograma, um total de 53 crianças anêmicas. Destas, 43 fizeram ambas as coletas, caracterizando,portanto, o grupo de estudo (n). Ao final deste período, procedeu-se a novos hemogramas, com acompanhamento médico.Obteve-se após a intervenção, um incremento nos resultados dos parâmetros analisados. Percebeu-se que o metal utilizado, juntamente com o veículo empregado, foi efetivo para a melhora nos níveis de hemoglobina e hamatócrito. Observou-se, também, uma melhora nos valores reticulocitários analisados, tanto quanto da hemoglobina.

In the eritropoetic evolution the reticulocytes represent the most immature blood circulating red cell. The diminishing of the hemoglobin contained in the red cell is called anemia and is cause by the iron deficit. The experiment aimed to analyse the hemoglobin values and reticulocytes number before the dietetic supplementation. The subjects were 125 anemic children from 1 to 13 years old of the Mãezinha do Céu and Obra Santa Marta nurseries belonged to the Centro de Atendimento à Familia Erechinense (CAFE). The iron quantity supplied containes enriched milk with quelato mino cid iron in an amount of mg a day added to ml of milk during two months with no interruption. The experiment results indicated, based on the hemograma, a total of 53 anemic children.43 out of them, the study group, did the two blood harvesting. Later on this new hemograms were made supported by medical aid. Results showed that the iron used together with the enriched milk were effective in the anemia improvement levels. Improvement related to the analysed reticulocitary values as the hemoglobin, was notice.

[A methodology for the diagnosis and follow-up of the evolution of acute hepatitis in childhood. The Working Group of the Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition of the Portuguese Pediatrics Society]. / Metodologia de diagnóstico e controlo de evolução da hepatite aguda na criança. Grupo de Trabalho da Secção de Gastrenterologia e Nutrição Pediátrica de Sociedade Portuguesa de Pediatria.

The Working Group of the Section of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition of the Portuguese Society of Paediatrics established a protocol for the investigation of children with acute hepatitis. The main purpose of this proposal is to allow appropriate etiologic investigations and avoid unnecessary tests that are expensive and do not add relevant information for the correct follow-up of these patients.