Effects of obesity in rats on prostate histology and expression of leptin receptor, prolactin receptor, IL-6, and NF-κB.

BACKGROUND: Hypercaloric intake can lead to obesity, which is a major risk factor associated with chronic subclinical inflammation and many types of cancer. It can increase the serum levels of leptin, prolactin, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-кB) and interleukin (IL)-6, implicated in cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. AIM: To explore the effects of obesity induced by chronic hypercaloric diet in rats on the long-term expression of leptin receptor (OB-R), prolactin receptor, NF-кB, and IL-6, and the changes of histology in rat prostate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From postnatal day 21, experimental males were fed with normal chow or chow plus enriched hypercaloric liquid diet. On the postnatal day 90 (13 week old), the animals were euthanized for prostate histology (hematoxylin and eosin staining) and hormone receptors analysis by Western blot. RESULTS: Hypercaloric diet resulted in obesity (32% higher body weight). The prostates of the obese males showed epithelium anisocytosis and compressed interstice. There was also greater volume of lipidic content, anisokaryosis, alterations of the nucleus-cytoplasm ratio, and apparent proplasia. Measures in the ventral prostate (VP) showed that alveoli area increased, but epithelium height and nucleus area were reduced. In the dorsolateral prostate, there was only reduction of nucleus area and presence of mononuclear cells in the lumen. Hypercaloric males also expressed a trend for more OB-R 130 kD in the VP, but no changes were observed with regard to prolactin receptor, NF-кB and IL-6. CONCLUSION: The obesity due to chronic consumption of hypercaloric diet affects both prostatic regions, but VP is possibly more sensitive via OB-R. We suggest that longer periods of obesity are needed to alter other receptors or the molecular markers of inflammation.

Indirect iterative learning control for a discrete visual servo without a camera-robot model.

This paper presents a discrete learning controller for vision-guided robot trajectory imitation with no prior knowledge of the camera-robot model. A teacher demonstrates a desired movement in front of a camera, and then, the robot is tasked to replay it by repetitive tracking. The imitation procedure is considered as a discrete tracking control problem in the image plane, with an unknown and time-varying image Jacobian matrix. Instead of updating the control signal directly, as is usually done in iterative learning control (ILC), a series of neural networks are used to approximate the unknown Jacobian matrix around every sample point in the demonstrated trajectory, and the time-varying weights of local neural networks are identified through repetitive tracking, i.e., indirect ILC. This makes repetitive segmented training possible, and a segmented training strategy is presented to retain the training trajectories solely within the effective region for neural network approximation. However, a singularity problem may occur if an unmodified neural-network-based Jacobian estimation is used to calculate the robot end-effector velocity. A new weight modification algorithm is proposed which ensures invertibility of the estimation, thus circumventing the problem. Stability is further discussed, and the relationship between the approximation capability of the neural network and the tracking accuracy is obtained. Simulations and experiments are carried out to illustrate the validity of the proposed controller for trajectory imitation of robot manipulators with unknown time-varying Jacobian matrices.

Duodenal pain and spinal morphine induce conditioned taste aversion in rats.

Conditioned taste aversion (CTA) is a behavioural response essential to the survival of an individual. The combination of taste and odour of most foods provides a strong conditioned stimulus (CS) for an animal to respond in an appropriate way to any harmful unconditioned stimuli (US) that follow. The most widely used conditioned stimuli are drinkable sweet solutions, such as saccharin and sucrose. CTA-like responses are also found for environmental unconditioned stimuli, but these usually take longer training. In the present study, the aversive nature of a duodenal distention with an implanted balloon catheter was studied in freely moving rats using either CTA against a sucrose solution, or a light-dark passive avoidance (PA) paradigm. In addition, the effect of spinal morphine on CTA and the cardiovascular response to duodenal distention were studied. CTA could be induced by a single, but long-lasting 20-minute duodenal distention, which did not induce PA behaviour in a light-dark box. Spinal infusion of morphine alone induced CTA, suggesting that the model is unsuitable to investigate spinal pharmacological modulation of visceral pain. Spinal morphine did reduce the cardiovascular response to duodenal distention, strengthening its validity as a visceral pain model. Since CTA is a complicating factor in the field of chemotherapy in cancer patients and spinal morphine causes nausea and vomiting in humans, CTA may also complicate spinal drug treatment or anaesthesia.

Individual reactivity to the open-field predicts the expression of cardiovascular and behavioural sensitisation to novel stress.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the fourth most common psychiatric disorder. It is associated with cardiovascular disorders and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Besides stressful life-events, a prior history of gastrointestinal infection is a predisposing factor for the development of IBS. Only a proportion of persons exposed to traumatic events develop PTSD. Several factors, like genetic predisposition, stressor intensity, cognitive appraisal mechanisms and coping processes influence the likelihood of developing PTSD after exposure to a trauma. We used a single session of footshocks in rats, an animal model with a high degree of validity for PTSD, to study whether transient colonic inflammation alters local and distal visceral sensitivity, and whether reactivity to the open-field (low (LA) or high (HA) active) predicts long-term stress-induced behavioural and cardiovascular sensitisation and altered visceral pain sensitivity. A distention series and noise challenge were given 2 weeks after foot-shocks, followed by a transient colonic inflammation period and a second distention series and noise challenge 4 weeks after foot-shocks. During exposure to noise, both before and after inflammation, footshocked rats showed increased immobility compared to controls, which was significantly greater in LA rats than in HA rats. LA preshocked rats also showed a greater blood pressure response to the noise test, but this only became evident in the second noise-test. Neither footshocks nor colonic inflammation affected duodenal pain sensitivity. The results provide additional evidence for long-lasting cardiovascular hyperresponsivity after a stressful event and indicate that its degree is predicted by personality traits or coping style.

Individual reactivity to the open-field predicts the expression of stress-induced behavioural and somatic pain sensitisation.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the fourth most common psychiatric disorder. It is associated with somatic complaints like pain problems. Only a proportion of persons exposed to traumatic events develop PTSD. Several factors, like genetic predisposition, stressor intensity, cognitive appraisal mechanisms and coping processes influence the likelihood of developing PTSD after exposure to a trauma. We used a single session of footshocks in rats, an animal model with a high degree of validity for PTSD, to study whether individual behavioural traits predict long-term stress-induced sensitisation of behavioural responsivity and somatic pain sensitivity and therefore can act as a vulnerability factor. Rats were selected for low (LA) and high (HA) open-field locomotor reactivity and then underwent a single session of footshocks. Two to 5 weeks after footshocks, behavioural sensitisation was investigated using a noise challenge, an electrified prod challenge and a forced swim test. Somatic pain sensitivity was measured using a tail-immersion test. During exposure to noise in a novel cage, footshocked rats showed increased immobility compared to controls, which was significantly greater in LA than in HA rats. Footshocked rats showed increased burying in the electrified prod challenge and no effect was found in the forced swim test. Footshocks caused hyperalgesia in LA rats, but hypoalgesia in HA rats. We conclude that low open-field locomotor reactivity predicts the degree of stress-induced behavioural sensitisation and the direction of altered somatic pain sensitivity, suggesting that an anxiety-prone personality or passive coping style may increase the risk of developing stress-related psychosomatic disorders.

High-resolution electron tomography study of an industrial Ni-Mo/gamma-Al2O3 hydrotreating catalyst.

The growing demand for high-quality transportation fuels requires their cost-effective production by hydrodesulfurization of crude oils using heterogeneous catalysts. To study the three-dimensional (3D) structure of such a commercial, sulfided Ni-Mo/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst, electron tomography was applied. The MoS2 particles form an interconnected complex structure within the mesopores of the alumina support. Spatial organization, morphology, and orientation of the MoS2 particles in the pores were resolved with sufficient accuracy to display the 6-A-spaced MoS2 crystal planes. The proximity of the MoS2 edge planes and more loosely interacting MoS2 basal planes to the alumina support showed the presence of pores smaller than 3 nm, which was confirmed by physisorption experiments. The actual shape of the MoS2 particles cannot be described by simple models as derived from studies on model catalysts. Electron tomography is a unique tool to study the actual 3D structure of complex industrial catalysts with sub-nanometer resolution.

Selenium incorporation into Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells: a study of different incorporation methods.

AIMS: To study the effects of the selenium enrichment protocols in yeast at various points in the cell cycle, total selenium accumulation and the forms of selenium incorporated. METHODS AND RESULTS: The use of selenized yeast as enriched selenium supplements in human nutrition has become a topic of increasing interest over the last decade. Four enrichment procedures have been evaluated using sodium selenite as the selenium source: enrichment during the growth phase; enrichment at the non-growth phase, both of these at different selenium levels; enrichment by seeding in a fermentable carbon source (glucose); Se-enrichment with a non-fermentable carbon source (glycerol). A nitric acid digestion of the yeast samples prepared under different conditions has been performed in order to evaluate the total selenium incorporated into the yeast cells. Also, an enzymatic digestion of the yeast samples with pepsin has been carried out as an initial step to begin the process of determining which of the different possible selenium species are formed. The cell count evaluations of the selenium-enriched yeast showed that the growth phase, seeding and the use of YEPG media is influenced by the addition of Se, while the non-growth phase is not. Total selenium incorporation studies showed that seeding the yeast permits more accumulation of selenium. Speciation studies of the enriched yeast showed that the growth phase increases the formation of L-Se-methionine. CONCLUSIONS: When the aim of enriching yeast with selenium is the formation of L-Se-methionine, the best enrichment procedure is using the growth phase with small concentrations of sodium selenite. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The use of selenium supplements is widespread and most of the supplements use selenium-enriched yeast in their formulation. Studies made on supplements do not have the appropriate Se-species for optimal absorption in the human body. This study presents and compares methods for the best selenium yeast enrichment that could ultimately be used in selenium supplement formulations.

Recovery from psychotic illness: a 15- and 25-year international follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Poorly defined cohorts and weak study designs have hampered cross-cultural comparisons of course and outcome in schizophrenia. AIMS: To describe long-term outcome in 18 diverse treated incidence and prevalence cohorts. To compare mortality, 15- and 25-year illness trajectory and the predictive strength of selected baseline and short-term course variables. METHODS: Historic prospective study. Standardised assessments of course and outcome. RESULTS: About 75% traced. About 50% of surviving cases had favourable outcomes, but there was marked heterogeneity across geographic centres. In regression models, early (2-year) course patterns were the strongest predictor of 15-year outcome, but recovery varied by location; 16% of early unremitting cases achieved late-phase recovery. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of treated incident cases of schizophrenia achieve favourable long-term outcome. Sociocultural conditions appear to modify long-term course. Early intervention programmes focused on social as well as pharmacological treatments may realise longer-term gains.

Development of chiral HPLC for selenoamino acids with ICP-MS detection:application to selenium nutritional supplements.

The enantiomeric separation of three underivatized seleno-amino acids, D,L-selenocystine, and D,L-selenomethionine, and D,L-selenomethionine, with UV and ICP-MS detection is described. An HPLC column with a chiral crown ether stationary phase and a mobile phase of 0.10 M HCIO4 was used. Absolute detection limits obtained with UV detection ranged from 34.5 to 47.1 ng whereas those obtained with the plasma detector were ca. 40-400 times better. The separations with either detector were good, with the little detector effect on the resolution. Ten commercially available dietary selenium supplements were analyzed using the chiral column to identify and quantify the selenium species present with both detection modes. Selenium species were easily identified using ICP-MS detection, whereas UV detection was not viable because of interferences from the sample matrix and inadequate sensitivity. Selenium species that were unretained using the chiral column were identified using anion exchange chromatography. Total amounts in the samples were also measured using a conventional digestion and enzymatic digestion with ICP-MS detection.

[Comparison of the effect of amisulpride and viloxazine in the treatment of dysthymia]. / Comparación del efecto de la amisulprida y la viloxacina en el tratamiento de la distimia.

An evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of Amisulpride as compared with Viloxazine in a group of patients diagnosed as dysthymic, according to the DSM-III-R criteria is presented. Study was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial: Subjects were assessed during an initial examination with informed consent, then entering a 4-week treatment trial. The Hamilton Depression Scale, the Widlocher Psychomotor Retardation Scale, and the Andreasen Negative Symptoms Scale were used for evaluating cases. Both the efficacy and safety of drugs were assessed. An analysis of results suggests a better therapeutic response among the Amisulpride group subjects.

Comparación del efecto de la amisulprida y la viloxacina en el tratamiento de la distimia. / [Comparison of the effect of amisulpride and viloxazine in the treatment of dysthymia]

An evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of Amisulpride as compared with Viloxazine in a group of patients diagnosed as dysthymic, according to the DSM-III-R criteria is presented. Study was a double-blind, randomized controlled trial: Subjects were assessed during an initial examination with informed consent, then entering a 4-week treatment trial. The Hamilton Depression Scale, the Widlocher Psychomotor Retardation Scale, and the Andreasen Negative Symptoms Scale were used for evaluating cases. Both the efficacy and safety of drugs were assessed. An analysis of results suggests a better therapeutic response among the Amisulpride group subjects.

[Patients with panic disorder: a 5-year follow-up study]. / Pacientes con trastornos de pánico: seguimiento de cinco años.

The present study is aimed at assessing a 48-outpatient sample that had been diagnosed as Panic Disorder cases: Approximately 5 years ago, patients had been treated with either Alprazolam, Imipramine or placebo during an 8-week double-blind trial. (The original study was part of the International Study on Panic Disorder--see León C. A. et al., Acta Psiquiát Psicol Am Lat, 1990, 36 (1/2), 59-72). Course, as well as clinical evolution of disorders, and changes occurred during that period, such as remission, or persistence of initial symptoms, are worth being noted. On the other hand (a) the efficiency of the original treatment, (b) the subsequent resorting to other treatments, and (c) differences observed among patients that have been grouped according to the medication they had been given during the original trial, are to be emphasized.

Pacientes con trastornos de pánico: seguimiento de cinco años. / [Patients with panic disorder: a 5-year follow-up study]

The present study is aimed at assessing a 48-outpatient sample that had been diagnosed as Panic Disorder cases: Approximately 5 years ago, patients had been treated with either Alprazolam, Imipramine or placebo during an 8-week double-blind trial. (The original study was part of the International Study on Panic Disorder--see León C. A. et al., Acta Psiquiát Psicol Am Lat, 1990, 36 (1/2), 59-72). Course, as well as clinical evolution of disorders, and changes occurred during that period, such as remission, or persistence of initial symptoms, are worth being noted. On the other hand (a) the efficiency of the original treatment, (b) the subsequent resorting to other treatments, and (c) differences observed among patients that have been grouped according to the medication they had been given during the original trial, are to be emphasized.

Pacientes con trastornos de pánico: seguimiento de cinco años. / [Patients with panic disorder: a 5-year follow-up study]

The present study is aimed at assessing a 48-outpatient sample that had been diagnosed as Panic Disorder cases: Approximately 5 years ago, patients had been treated with either Alprazolam, Imipramine or placebo during an 8-week double-blind trial. (The original study was part of the International Study on Panic Disorder--see León C. A. et al., Acta Psiquiát Psicol Am Lat, 1990, 36 (1/2), 59-72). Course, as well as clinical evolution of disorders, and changes occurred during that period, such as remission, or persistence of initial symptoms, are worth being noted. On the other hand (a) the efficiency of the original treatment, (b) the subsequent resorting to other treatments, and (c) differences observed among patients that have been grouped according to the medication they had been given during the original trial, are to be emphasized.

Care strategies for schizophrenic patients in a transcultural comparison.

This study was conducted in order to test the hypothesis derived from the International Pilot Study of Schizophrenia (IPSS) that the existence of extended families in developing countries contributes to the more favorable course and outcome of schizophrenia in these countries in comparison with industrial countries. For this purpose, we compared data from the 5- and 10-year follow-up obtained within the IPSS at Cali, Colombia with data from two 5- to 8-year follow-up studies of former schizophrenic inpatients of the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry (MPIP) in Munich, FRG. Although, in Cali, schizophrenics are hospitalized and treated with drugs only during acute episodes of the psychosis and no facilities exist for long-term treatment, the psychopathological outcome was, on the whole, not worse than in Munich. Furthermore, the duration of hospitalization during the follow-up period was much lower at Cali and a significantly lower number of Colombian than of German patients was not separated from their families. However, contrary to the hypothesis, family size did not predict course and outcome at both centers.